Not to slay her bed-fellow, but she will waver In her mind; and one of two things will prefer, To hear herself called timid, rather than stained with blood; Of a long speech is need this clearly to discuss. From these sufferings. Such oracle my ancient But how and by what means, this needs long speech Io. Ah me! ah wretched me! Spasms again and brain-struck Stings me Madness burn me within, and a fly's dart And from my course I'm borne by madness' While confused words dash idly CH. Wise, wise indeed was he, Who first in mind This weighed, and with the tongue expressed, To marry according to one's degree is best by far; Nor being a laborer with the hands, To woo those who are by wealth corrupted, Nor those by birth made great. Never, never me Fates * * * May you behold the sharer of Zeus' couch. Nor may I be brought near to any husband among those from heaven, For I fear, seeing the virginhood of Io, Not content with man, through marriage vexed With these distressful wanderings by Here. But for myself, since an equal marriage is without fear, I am not concerned lest the love of the almighty Gods cast its inevitable eye on me. Without war indeed this war, producing Troubles; nor do I know what would become of me; For I see not how I should escape the subtlety of Zeus. PR. Surely shall Zeus, though haughty now, Yet be humble, such marriage He prepares to make, which from sovereignty And the throne will cast him down obscure; and father Kronos' Curse will then be all fulfilled, Which falling from the ancient seats he imprecated. And refuge from such ills none of the gods But I can show him clearly. I know these things, and in what manner. Now therefore Being bold, let him sit trusting to lofty Sounds, and brandishing with both hands his fire-breathing weapon, For nought will these avail him, not To fall disgracefully intolerable falls; Such wrestler does he now prepare, Himself against himself, a prodigy most hard to be withstood; Who, indeed, will invent a better flame than lightning, And a loud sound surpassing thunder; And shiver the trident, Neptune's weapon, Stumbling upon this ill he'll learn How different to govern and to serve. CH. Aye, as you hope you vent this against Zeus. PR. What should I fear, to whom to die has not been fated? CH. Those reverencing Adrastia are wise. PR. Revere, pray, flatter each successive ruler. Doubtless he brings some new message. PROMETHEUS, CHORUS, and HERMES. HER. To thee, the sophist, the bitterly bitter, But each particular declare; nor cause me PR. Solemn-mouthed and full of wisdom Is thy speech, as of the servant of the gods. Ye newly rule, and think forsooth To dwell in griefless citadels; have I not seen And third I shall behold him ruling now, Basest and speediest. Do I seem to thee You brought yourself into these woes. PR. Plainly know, I would not change. For better, I think, to serve this rock Than be the faithful messenger of Father Zeus. HER. Thou seem'st to enjoy thy present state. PR. I enjoy? Enjoying thus my enemies Would I see; and thee 'mong them I count. HER. Dost thou blame me for aught of thy misfortunes? As many as well treated wrong me unjustly. HER. I hear thee raving, no slight ail. PR. Aye, I should ail, if ail one's foes to hate. HER. If prosperous, thou couldst not be borne. PR. Ah me! HER. This word Zeus does not know. PR. But time growing old teaches all things. HER. And still thou know'st not yet how to be prudent. PR. And yet his debtor I'd requite the favor. HER. Thou mock'st me verily as if I were a child. PR. And art thou not a child, and simpler still than this, There is not outrage nor expedient, by which And with white-winged snows, and thunders Of the earth, let him confound and mingle all. For none of these will bend me till I tell By whom 't is necessary he should fall from sovereignty. HER. Consider now if these things seem helpful. PR. Long since these were considered and resolved. In view of present sufferings to be wise. With womanish upturnings of the hands, To loose me from these bonds. I am far from it. By prayers; but champing at the bit like a new-yoked For stubbornness to him who is not wise, But consider, if thou art not persuaded by my words, Will come upon thee not to be avoided; for first this rugged The Father 'Il rend, and hide Thy body, and a strong arm will bury thee. When thou hast spent a long length of time, Before some god appear Succeeding to thy labors, and wish to go to rayless Hades, and the dark depths of Tartarus. Therefore deliberate; since this is not made Boasting, but in earnest spoken; For to speak falsely does not know the mouth Of Zeus, but every word he does. So Look about thee, and consider, nor ever think Obstinacy better than prudence. CH. To us indeed Hermes appears to say not unseasonable things, For he directs thee, leaving off Self-will, to seek prudent counsel. Obey; for, it is base to err, for a wise man. PB. To me foreknowing these messages He has uttered, but for a foe to suffer ill From foes, is nought unseemly. Therefore 'gainst me let there be hurled Be provoked with thunder, and a tumult Of wild winds; and earth from its foundations And with a rough surge mingle 49 The sea waves with the passages HER. Such words and counsels you may hear For what lacks he of being mad? And if prosperous, what does he cease from madness? Do you, therefore, who sympathize With this one's suffering, From these places quick withdraw somewhere, Lest the harsh bellowing thunder Stupify your minds. CH. Say something else, and exhort me To some purpose; for surely Thou hast intolerably abused this word. I wish to suffer with him whate'er is necessary, Which I abominate more than this. HER. Remember then what I fore-tell; Blame fortune, nor e'er say Ill has cast you; surely not, but yourselves You yourselves; for knowing, And not suddenly nor clandestinely, In an impassible net of woe. PR. Surely indeed, and no more in word, And a hoarse sound of thunder Bellows near; and wreathes of lightning Flash out fiercely blazing, and whirlwinds dust Of all winds, 'gainst one another Blowing in opposite array; And air with sea is mingled; Such impulse against me from Zeus Revolving common light to all, You see me, how unjust things I endure! H. D. T. |