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156 Aeschylus [1001-1048]
PROMETHEUS
YOU vex me to no purpose, as one might waste his words on a wave of
the sea. Dream not that ever in fear of Zeus's will I shall grow womanhearted,
and raise my supine hands in supplication to my hated foe for
deliverance from these bonds;—it is not in my nature.
HERMES
Though I speak much, my words will all be wasted; my appeals have
no power to soften and appease your heart, but champing the bit like a
new-yoked colt you are restive and struggle against the reins. There is
no strength of wisdom in your savage mood, for mere self-will in a foolish
man avails nothing. And consider, if thou disregard my words, what a
tempest of evils, wave on wave inevitable, shall break upon thee; for first
the father will smite this rugged cliff with rending of thunder and hurtling
fires, and in its harsh and rock-ribbed embrace enfold thy hidden body.
Then after a weary age of years once more thou shalt come forth to the
light; and the winged hound of Zeus, the ravening eagle, with savage
greed shall tear the mighty ruin of thy limbs, feasting all day an uninvited
guest, and glutting his maw on thy black-gnawed liver. Neither
look for any respite from this agony, unless some god shall appear as a
voluntary successor to thy toils, and of his own free will goeth down to
sunless Hades and the dark depths of Tartarus. Therefore take heed; for
my words are not vain boasting, but all too truly spoken. The lips of Zeus
know not to utter falsehood, but all that he saith he will accomplish. Do
thou consider and reflect, and regard not vaunting pride as better than
wise counsel.
LEADER
To us Hermes seems to utter words not untimely; for he admonishes
you to abandon vaunting pride and seek for wise counsel. Obey him; it is
shameful for a wise man to go astray.
PROMETHEUS (chanting)
All this ere he uttered his message
I knew; yet feel no dishonor
In suffering wrong from a foe.
Ay, let the lightning be launched
With curled and forked flame
On my head; let the air confounded
Shudder with thunderous peals
And convulsion of raging winds;
Let tempests beat on the earth
Till her rooted foundations tremble;
The boisterous surge of the sea