Page:Writings of Henry David Thoreau (1906) v5.djvu/385

Rh Pr. Would that under earth, and below Hades,

Receptacle of dead, to impassable

Tartarus he had sent me, to bonds indissoluble

Cruelly conducting, that neither god

Nor any other had rejoiced at this.

But now the sport of winds, unhappy one,

A source of pleasure to my foes, I suffer.

Ch. Who so hard-hearted

Of the gods, to whom these things are pleasant?

Who does not sympathize with thy

Misfortunes, excepting Zeus? for he in wrath always

Fixing his stubborn mind,

Afflicts the heavenly race;

Nor will he cease, until his heart is sated;

Or with some palm some one may take the power hard to be taken.

Pr. Surely yet, though in strong

Fetters I am now maltreated,

The ruler of the blessed will have need of me,

To show the new conspiracy by which

He's robbed of sceptre and of honors,

And not at all me with persuasion's honey-tongued

Charms will he appease, nor ever,

Shrinking from his firm threats, will I

Declare this, till from cruel

Bonds he may release, and to do justice

For this outrage be willing. Ch. You are bold; and to bitter

Woes do nothing yield,

But too freely speak.

But my mind piercing fear disturbs;