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98 98 AESCHYLUS

/dared it ! /drew mortals back to light,

From meditated ruin deep as hell !

For which wrong I am bent down in these pangs 28β

Dreadful to suffer, mournful to behold.

And I who pitied man am thought myself

Unworthy of pity ; while I render out

Deep rhythms of anguish 'neath the harping hand

That strikes me thus, — a sight to shame your Zeus ! 285

Chorus. Hard as thy chains, and cold as all these rocks. Is he, Prometheus, who withholds his heart From joining in thy woe. I yearned before To fly this sight ; and, now I gaze on it, I sicken inwards.

Pi'ojnetheus. To my friends, indeed, 290

I must be a sad sight.

Chorus. And didst thou sin

No more than so?

Prometheus. I did restrain besides

My mortals from premeditating death.

Chorus. How didst thou medicine the plague-fear of death?

Prometheus. I set blind Hopes to inhabit in their house. 295

Chorus. By that gift thou didst help thy mortals well.

Prometheus. I gave them also fire.

Chorus. And have they now,

Those creatures of a day, the red-eyed fire ?

Prometheus. They have, and shall learn by it many arts.

Chorus. And truly for such sins Zeus tortures thee, And will remit no anguish ? Is there set m

No limit before thee to thine agony ?