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PROMETHEUS BOUND
(SCENE:—A rocky gorge in Scythia. POWER and FORCE enter, carrying
PROMETHEUS as a captive. They are accompanied by HEPHAESTUS.)
POWER
To THIS far region of the earth, this pathless wilderness of Scythia, at
last we are come. O Hephaestus, thine is the charge, on thee are laid the
Father's commands in never-yielding fetters linked of adamant to bind
this miscreant to the high-ridged rocks. For this is he who stole the flame
of all-working fire, thy own bright flower, and gave to mortal men. Now
for the evil done he pays this forfeit to the gods; so haply he shall learn
some patience with the reign of Zeus and put away his love for human
kind.
HEPHAESTUS
O Power and Force, your share in the command of Zeus is done, and for
you nothing remains; but I—some part of courage still is wanting to
bind with force a kindred god to this winter-bitten gorge. Yet must I
summon daring to my heart, such dread dwells in the Father's word.—
{to PROMETHEUS) O high magnanimous son of prudent Themis, against
thy will and mine with brazen bonds no hand can loose I bind thee to this
unvisited lonely rock. No human voice will reach thee here, nor any form
of man be seen. Parched by the blazing fires of the sun thy skin shall
change its pleasant hue; grateful to thee the starry-kirtled night shall
come veiling the day, and grateful again the sun dispelling the morn's
white frost. Forever the weariness of unremitting pain shall waste thy
strength, for he is not born who can deliver thee. See now the profit of
thy human charity: thou, a god not fearing the wrath of the gods, hast
given to mortal men honors beyond their due; and therefore on this joyless
rock thou must keep vigil, sleepless and weary-clinging, with unbended
knees, pouring out thy ceaseless lamentations and unheeded cries;
for the mind of Zeus knows no turning, and ever harsh the hand that
newly grasps the sway.
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