Page:Prometheus Bound (Bevan 1902).djvu/82

 Of those crook-footed tribes of the air, all this

I bodied forth exactly, which be birds

Of nature favourable, which malign,

How each is wont to fare, and mutually

What hates they have, what leagues and fellowship.

Further of slain beasts' inward parts I taught

The perfect feature, and what hue presenting

They gain propitious gods, and how the gall

Must show a lobe diverse for fair aspect.

The shanks, uproll'd in fat, by fire I question'd,

With the long chine, and led the mind of man

To thrid the labyrinthine mysteries

Of a dim art; the oracular face of fire

Look'd with clear eyes, that heretofore were scaled.

Such my lore was: but what the earth contained

Of secret things, helpful to man, brass, iron,

Silver and gold,—can any stand and say

He did prevent me, finding them? Nay, none,

I am sure, unless he loose his tongue in folly.