Page:Prometheus Bound (Webster 1866).djvu/25

 That not by strength, and not by who was bold,

But by their crafts must the victors overcome.

When I set forth all this to them in words

They deigned not to regard me in the least.

Then, as things fared, it seemed to me the best

To take my mother with me in my plans,

And willingly range sides with willing Zeus.

And through my counsels is it the murk deeps

Of Tartarus conceal with his allies

The ancient Kronos. Such the debt to me

Owed by the despot of the gods, and this

The evil price in which he quits the debt.

For somehow despotism is ever sick

Of this disease, to have no faith in friends.

Howbeit that you ask me, on what charge

He persecutes me, now will I make clear.

So soon as on his father's throne he sat

He ruled their several honours to the gods,

And ordered his dominion; but no thought

Took he for toil-worn mortals, but desired

To sweep the whole race off and plant a new.

And none withstood his wish save only me.

But I was venturous, I saved mankind