Racine: Phaedra

PROMETHEUS BOUND
— ;
Heph^stus.— Here be chains.
Zeus may behold these.
Strength.— Seize him: strike amain:
Strike with the hammer on each side his hands
Rivet him to the rock.
Heph^stus.— The work is done,
And thoroughly done.
Strength.— Still faster grapple him
Wedge him in deeper: leave no inch to stir.
He's terrible for finding a way out
From the irremediable.
Hephaestus.— Here's an arm, at least,
Grappled past freeing.
Strength.— Now then, buckle me
The other securely. Let this wise one learn
He's duller than our Zeus.
Heph^stus.— Oh, none but he
Accuse me justly.
Strength.— Now, straight through the chest.
Take him and bite him with the clenching tooth
Of the adamantine wedge, and rivet him.
Heph^stus.—Alas, Prometheus, what thou sufferest here
I sorrow over.
Strength.— Dost thou flinch again
And breathe groans for the enemies of Zeus?
Beware lest thine own pity find thee out.
Heph^stus.—Thou dost behold a spectacle that turns
The sight o' the eyes to pity.
Strength.— I behold
A sinner suffer his sin's penalty.
But lash the thongs about his sides.
Heph^stus.— So much,
I must do. Urge no farther than I must.
Strength.—Ay, but I will urge !—and, with shout on sliout,
Will hound thee at this quarry. Get thee down
And ring amain the iron round his legs.
Hephaestus.—That work was not long doing.
Strength.— Heavily now
Let fall the strokes upon the perforant gyves:
For He who rates the work has a heavy hand.