Page:Prometheus Bound (Bevan 1902).djvu/70



I see, Prometheus, and am fain to teach thee,

Though manifold in wit, the better way.

First, know thyself; get thee another fashion

Of thoughts; another King bears rule in Heaven.

But if thou fling such grievous-girding speech,

Edged iron, Zeus, for all he sit so high,

May haply hear and make the measure of wrath,

Wherewith thou art exercised as now, a jest.

Nay, poor my friend, let not these heats possess thee;

Rail not against thy lot but seek to mend it.

A threadbare wisdom mine may chance be rated:

So be it: only see, Prometheus, what are

The wages of a tongue that speaks great things.

But thou not yet art chasten'd, stiff as ever,

And goest about to add new woes to old.

Nay, nay, if I may be thy teacher, never

Shalt thou lift heel against the pricks; for, look,

One rules, who spares not, lord without compeer,

And none can say to him, "What doest thou?"