Page:Prometheus Bound, and other poems.djvu/46

40

In all my far prevision, not a bound

To all I suffer, ere that Zeus shall fall

From being a king.

Io. And can it ever be

That Zeus shall fall from empire?

Prometheus. Thou, methinks,

Wouldst take some joy to see it.

Io. Could I choose;

I, who endure such pangs, now, by that Zeus?

Prometheus. Learn from me, therefore, that the event shall be.

Io. By whom shall his imperial sceptred hand

Be emptied so?

Prometheus. Himself shall spoil himself,

Through his imprudent counsels.

Io. How? declare;

Unless the word bring evil.

Prometheus. He shall wed—

And in the marriage-bond be joined to grief.

Io. A heavenly bride—or human? Speak it out,

If it be utterable.

Prometheus. Why should I say which?

It ought not to be uttered, verily.

Io. Then,

It is his wife shall tear him from his throne?

Prometheus. It is his wife shall bear a son to him,

More mighty than the father.

Io. From this doom

Hath he no refuge?

Prometheus. None—or ere that I,

Loosed from these fetters—

Io. Yea—but who shall loose thee

While Zeus is adverse?

Prometheus. One who is born of thee,—