Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/121

91 PROMETHEUS BOUND 91

Strength. Dost thou flinch again, And breathe groans for the enemies of Zeus ? Beware lest thine οντι pity find thee out, 75

Hephaestus. 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.

Hephaestus. So much

I must do. Urge no farther than I must. so

Strength. Ay, but I ivill urge I and, with shout on shout, AVill hound thee at this quarry. Get thee down, And rinoj amain the iron round his leg^s.

Hephaestus. That work was not long doing.

Strength. Heavily now

Let fall the strokes upon the perforant gyves ; es

For he who rates the work has a heavy hand.

Hephaestus. Thy speech is savage as thy shape.

Strength. Be thou

Gentle and tender, but revile not me For the firm will and the untruckling hate.

Hephaestus. Let us go. He is netted round with chains. [^Exit Hephaestus.

Strength. Here, now, taunt on I and, having spoiled the gods 91

Of honors, crown withal thy mortal men Who live a whole day oiit. ^Vhy, how could they Draw off from thee one single of thy griefs ? Methinks the Daemons gave thee a wrong name, 95 Prometheus, which means Providence, because Thou dost thyself need providence to see Thy roll and ruin from the top of doom. ^Exit.