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113 PROMETHEUS BOUND 113

And callest, too, by name the curse that came

From Here unaware, To waste and pierce me with its maddening goad ?

Ah, ah, I leap With the pang of the hungry ; I bound on the road ; I am driven by my doom ; vw

I am overcome By the wrath of an enemy strong and deep ! Are any of those who have tasted pain,

Alas ! as wretched as I ? 705

Now tell me plain, doth aught remain For my soul to endure beneath the sky ? Is there any help to be holpen by ? If knowledge be in thee, let it be said !

Cry aloud — cry 710

To the wandering, woful maid.

Prometheus. Whatever thou wouldst learn, I will declare ; No riddle upon my lips, but such straight words As friends should use to each other when they talk. Thou seest Prometheus, who gave mortals fire. 715

lo. Ο common help of all men, known of all, Ο miserable Prometheus, for what cause Dost thou endure thus ?

Prometheus. I have done with wail

For my own griefs but lately.

lo. Wilt thou not

Vouchsafe the boon to me ?

Prometheus. Say what thou wilt, 720

For I vouchsafe all.

lo. Speak, then, and reveal

Who shut thee in this chasm.

Prometheus. The will of Zeus,

The hand of his Hephaestus.