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93 PROMETHEUS BOUND 93

All, ah me I what a sound Γ What a fragrance sweeps up from a pinion unseen Of a god, or a mortal, or nature between, 130

Sweeping up to this rock where the Earth has her

bound. To have sight of my pangs, or some guerdon obtain. Lo, a god in the anguish, a god in the chain ! The god Zeus hateth sore,

And his gods hate again, 135

As many as tread on his glorified floor, Because I loved mortals too much evermore. Alas me ! what a murmur and motion I hear, As of birds flying near I

And the air undersings 140

The light stroke of their wings, And all life that approaches I wait for in fear.

[^Entrance of Chorus.~ Chorus of Sea-nymphs. First strophe.

Fear nothing I our troop

Floats lovingly up

With a quick-oaring stroke 145

Of wings steered to the rock. Having softened the soul of our father below. For the gales of swift-bearing have sent me a sound. And the clank of the iron, the malletted blow,

Smote down the profound iso

Of my caverns of old. And struck the red light in a blush from my brow, Till I sprang up unsandalled, in haste to behold. And rushed forth on my chariot of wings manifold.

Proniethevs. Alas me I alas me! 155

Ye offspring of Tethys, who bore at her breast