Page:Writings of Henry David Thoreau (1906) v5.djvu/397

Rh

But learn all in one word,

All arts to mortals from Prometheus. Ch. Assist not mortals now unseasonably,

And neglect yourself unfortunate; for I

Am of good hope that, from these bonds

Released, you will yet have no less power than Zeus.

Pr. Never thus has Fate the Accomplisher

Decreed to fulfill these things, but by a myriad ills

And woes subdued, thus bonds I flee;

For art 's far weaker than necessity.

Ch. Who, then, is helmsman of necessity?

Pr. The Fates three-formed, and the remembering Furies.

Ch. Than these, then, is Zeus weaker?

Pr. Ay, he could not escape what has been fated.

Ch. But what to Zeus is fated, except always to rule?

Pr. This thou wilt not learn; seek not to know.

Ch. Surely some awful thing it is which you withhold.

Pr. Remember other words, for this by no means

Is it time to tell, but to be concealed

As much as possible; for keeping this do I

Escape unseemly bonds and woes. Ch. Never may the all-ruling

Zeus put into my mind

Force antagonist to him.

Nor let me cease drawing near

The gods with holy sacrifices

Of slain oxen, by Father Ocean's

Ceaseless passage,

Nor offend with words,

But in me this remain