Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/136

106 lOG AESCHYLUS

In a curse from the gods, by that strength of his

own 495

AVhich he evermore wears, The weight of the heaven on his shoulder alone,

While he sighs up the stars ; And the tides of the ocean wail, bursting their bars ;

Murmurs still the profound, soo

And black Hades roars up through the chasm of the

ground, And the fountains of pure-running rivers moan low

In a pathos of woe.

^Second Episode.']

Prometheus. Beseech you, think not I am silent thus Through pride or scorn. I only gnaw my heart sos With meditation, seeing myself so wronged. For see — their honors to these new-made gods. What other gave but I, and dealt them out With distribution ? Ay ! but here I am dumb ; For here I should repeat your knowledge to you, 510 If I spake aught. List rather to the deeds I did for mortals ; how, being fools before, I made them wise and true in aim of soul. And let me tell you, — not as taunting men. But teaching you the intention of my gifts, — sis

How, first beholding, they beheld in vain, And, hearing, heard not, but, like shapes in dreams, Mixed all things wildly down the tedious time. Nor knew to build a house against the sun With wicketed sides, nor any woodcraft knew, 520

But lived, like silly ants, beneath the ground In hollow caves unsunned. There came to them No steadfast sign of winter, nor of spring