Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound, Paul Mazon (Editor), 168

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ΠΡΟΜΗθΕΥΣ

Ἦ μὴν ἔτ' ἐμοῦ καίπερ κρατεραῖς
175

ἐν γυιοπέδαις αἰκιζομένου

χρείαν ἕξει μακάρων πρύτανις

δεῖξαι τὸ νέον βούλευμ' ὑφ' ἀφ' ὅτου

σκῆπτρον τιμάς τ' ἀποσυλᾶται·

καί μ' οὔτε οὗτοι seu οὔτι μελιγλώσσοις πειθοῦς
180

ἐπαοιδαῖσιν θέλξει, στερεάς τ'

οὔποτ' ἀπειλὰς πτήξας τόδ' ἐγὼ

καταμηνύσω, πρὶν ἂν ἐξ ἀγρίων

δεσμῶν χαλάσῃ ποινάς τε τίνειν

τῆσδ' αἰκίας ἐθελήσῃ.
185

Prometheus Bound. Aeschylus. Paul Mazon (Editor). Paris. 1920-1925.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by Schmidt Sciences.

Current edition Experimental

ΠΡΟΜΗθΕΥΣ ΔΕΣΜΩΤΗΣ (OCR draft) (Greek) (ΠΡΟΜΗθΕΥΣ ΔΕΣΜΩΤΗΣ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.)

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (6)

Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης First1KGreek (Aeschyli Tragoediae. Sidgwick, Arthur, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1902.) — 195-398 focus

Χορός

πάντ᾽ ἐκκάλυψον καὶ γέγων᾽ ἡμῖν λόγον,
195

ποίῳ λαβών σε Ζεὺς ἐπ᾽ αἰτιάματι,

οὕτως ἀτίμως καὶ πικρῶς αἰκίζεται:

δίδαξον ἡμᾶς, εἴ τι μὴ βλάπτει λόγῳ.

Προμηθεύς

ἀλγεινὰ μέν μοι καὶ λέγειν ἐστὶν τάδε,

ἄλγος δὲ σιγᾶν, πανταχῇ δὲ δύσποτμα.
200

ἐπεὶ τάχιστ᾽ ἤρξαντο δαίμονες χόλου

στάσις τ᾽ ἐν ἀλλήλοισιν ὠροθύνετο,

οἱ μὲν θέλοντες ἐκβαλεῖν ἕδρας Κρόνον,

ὡς Ζεὺς ἀνάσσοι δῆθεν, οἱ δὲ τοὔμπαλιν

σπεύδοντες, ὡς Ζεὺς μήποτ᾽ ἄρξειεν θεῶν,
205

ἐνταῦθ᾽ ἐγὼ τὰ λῷστα βουλεύων πιθεῖν

Τιτᾶνας, Οὐρανοῦ τε καὶ Χθονὸς τέκνα,

οὐκ ἠδυνήθην: αἱμύλας δὲ μηχανὰς

ἀτιμάσαντες καρτεροῖς φρονήμασιν

ᾤοντ᾽ ἀμοχθὶ πρὸς βίαν τε δεσπόσειν:
210

ἐμοὶ δὲ μήτηρ οὐχ ἅπαξ μόνον Θέμις,

καὶ Γαῖα, πολλῶν ὀνομάτων μορφὴ μία,

τὸ μέλλον ᾗ κραίνοιτο¹ προυτεθεσπίκει,

ὡς οὐ κατ᾽ ἰσχὺν οὐδὲ πρὸς τὸ καρτερὸν

χρείη,² δόλῳ δὲ³ τοὺς ὑπερσχόντας⁴ κρατεῖν.
215

τοιαῦτ᾽ ἐμοῦ λόγοισιν ἐξηγουμένου

οὐκ ἠξίωσαν οὐδὲ προσβλέψαι τὸ πᾶν.

κράτιστα δή μοι τῶν παρεστώτων τότε

ἐφαίνετ᾽ εἶναι προσλαβόντα⁵ μητέρα

ἑκόνθ᾽ ἑκόντι Ζηνὶ συμπαραστατεῖν.
220

ἐμαῖς δὲ βουλαῖς Ταρτάρου μελαμβαθὴς

κευθμὼν καλύπτει τὸν παλαιγενῆ Κρόνον

αὐτοῖσι συμμάχοισι. τοιάδ᾽ ἐξ ἐμοῦ

ὁ τῶν θεῶν τύραννος ὠφελημένος

κακαῖσι ποιναῖς ταῖσδέ μ᾽ ἀντημείψατο.⁶
225

ἔνεστι γάρ πως τοῦτο τῇ τυραννίδι

νόσημα, τοῖς φίλοισι μὴ πεποιθέναι.

ὃ δ᾽ οὖν ἐρωτᾶτ᾽, αἰτίαν καθ᾽ ἥντινα

αἰκίζεταί με, τοῦτο δὴ σαφηνιῶ.

ὅπως τάχιστα τὸν πατρῷον ἐς θρόνον
230

καθέζετ᾽, εὐθὺς δαίμοσιν νέμει γέρα

ἄλλοισιν ἄλλα, καὶ διεστοιχίζετο

ἀρχήν, βροτῶν δὲ τῶν ταλαιπώρων λόγον

οὐκ ἔσχεν οὐδέν᾽, ἀλλ᾽ ἀιστώσας γένος

τὸ πᾶν ἔχρῃζεν ἄλλο φιτῦσαι νέον.
235

καὶ τοισίδ᾽ οὐδεὶς ἀντέβαινε πλὴν ἐμοῦ.

ἐγὼ δ᾽ ἐτόλμησ᾽:⁷ ἐξελυσάμην βροτοὺς

τὸ μὴ διαρραισθέντας εἰς Ἅιδου μολεῖν.

τῷ τοι τοιαῖσδε πημοναῖσι κάμπτομαι,

πάσχειν μὲν ἀλγειναῖσιν, οἰκτραῖσιν δ᾽ ἰδεῖν:
240

θνητοὺς δ᾽ ἐν οἴκτῳ προθέμενος, τούτου τυχεῖν

οὐκ ἠξιώθην αὐτός, ἀλλὰ νηλεῶς⁸

ὧδ᾽ ἐρρύθμισμαι, Ζηνὶ δυσκλεὴς θέα.

244

Χορός

σιδηρόφρων τε κἀκ πέτρας εἰργασμένος

ὅστις, Προμηθεῦ, σοῖσιν οὐ συνασχαλᾷ
245

μόχθοις: ἐγὼ γὰρ οὔτ᾽ ἂν εἰσιδεῖν τάδε

ἔχρῃζον εἰσιδοῦσά τ᾽ ἠλγύνθην⁹ κέαρ.

Προμηθεύς

καὶ μὴν φίλοις <γ᾽>¹⁰ ἐλεινὸς¹¹ εἰσορᾶν ἐγώ.

Χορός

μή πού τι προύβης τῶνδε καὶ περαιτέρω;

Προμηθεύς

θνητοὺς¹² ἔπαυσα μὴ προδέρκεσθαι μόρον.
250

Χορός

τὸ ποῖον εὑρὼν τῆσδε φάρμακον νόσου;

Προμηθεύς

τυφλὰς ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐλπίδας κατῴκισα.

Χορός

μέγ᾽ ὠφέλημα τοῦτ᾽ ἐδωρήσω βροτοῖς.

Προμηθεύς

πρὸς τοῖσδε μέντοι πῦρ ἐγώ σφιν ὤπασα.

Χορός

καὶ νῦν φλογωπὸν πῦρ¹³ ἔχουσ᾽ ἐφήμεροι;
255

Προμηθεύς

ἀφ᾽ οὗ γε πολλὰς ἐκμαθήσονται τέχνας.

Χορός

τοιοῖσδε δή σε Ζεὺς ἐπ᾽ αἰτιάμασιν

Προμηθεύς

αἰκίζεταί τε κοὐδαμῇ χαλᾷ κακῶν.

Χορός

οὐδ᾽ ἔστιν ἄθλου τέρμα σοι προκείμενον;¹⁴

Προμηθεύς

οὐκ ἄλλο γ᾽ οὐδέν, πλὴν ὅταν κείνῳ δοκῇ.
260

Χορός

δόξει δὲ πῶς; τίς ἐλπίς; οὐχ ὁρᾷς ὅτι

ἥμαρτες; ὡς δ᾽ ἥμαρτες οὔτ᾽ ἐμοὶ λέγειν

καθ᾽ ἡδονὴν σοί τ᾽ ἄλγος. ἀλλὰ ταῦτα μὲν

μεθῶμεν, ἄθλου δ᾽ ἔκλυσιν ζήτει τινά.

265

Προμηθεύς

ἐλαφρὸν ὅστις πημάτων ἔξω πόδα
265

ἔχει παραινεῖν νουθετεῖν τε τὸν κακῶς

πράσσοντ᾽:¹⁵ ἐγὼ δὲ ταῦθ᾽ ἅπαντ᾽ ἠπιστάμην.

ἑκὼν ἑκὼν ἥμαρτον, οὐκ ἀρνήσομαι:

θνητοῖς ἀρήγων αὐτὸς ηὑρόμην πόνους.

οὐ μήν τι ποιναῖς γ᾽ ᾠόμην τοίαισί με¹⁶
270

κατισχνανεῖσθαι πρὸς πέτραις πεδαρσίοις,

τυχόντ᾽ ἐρήμου τοῦδ᾽ ἀγείτονος πάγου.

καί μοι¹⁷ τὰ μὲν παρόντα μὴ δύρεσθ᾽ ἄχη,

πέδοι δὲ βᾶσαι τὰς προσερπούσας τύχας

ἀκούσαθ᾽, ὡς μάθητε διὰ τέλους τὸ πᾶν.
275

πίθεσθέ¹⁸ μοι, πίθεσθε, συμπονήσατε

τῷ νῦν μογοῦντι. ταὐτά τοι¹⁹ πλανωμένη

πρὸς ἄλλοτ᾽ ἄλλον πημονὴ προσιζάνει.

279

Χορός

οὐκ ἀκούσαις ἐπεθώυξας

τοῦτο, Προμηθεῦ.
280

καὶ νῦν ἐλαφρῷ ποδὶ κραιπνόσυτον

θᾶκον προλιποῦσ᾽, αἰθέρα θ᾽ ἁγνὸν

πόρον οἰωνῶν, ὀκριοέσσῃ

χθονὶ τῇδε πελῶ, τοὺς σοὺς δὲ πόνους

χρῄζω διὰ παντὸς ἀκοῦσαι.
285

Ὠκεανός

ἥκω δολιχῆς τέρμα κελεύθου

διαμειψάμενος πρὸς σέ, Προμηθεῦ,

τὸν πτερυγωκῆ τόνδ᾽ οἰωνὸν

γνώμῃ στομίων ἄτερ εὐθύνων:

ταῖς σαῖς δὲ τύχαις, ἴσθι, συναλγῶ.
290

τό τε γάρ με, δοκῶ, συγγενὲς οὕτως

ἐσαναγκάζει,

χωρίς τε γένους οὐκ ἔστιν ὅτῳ

μείζονα μοῖραν νείμαιμ᾽ ἢ σοί.

γνώσει δὲ τάδ᾽ ὡς ἔτυμ᾽, οὐδὲ μάτην
295

χαριτογλωσσεῖν²⁰ ἔνι μοι: φέρε γὰρ

σήμαιν᾽ ὅ τι χρή σοι συμπράσσειν:

οὐ γάρ ποτ᾽ ἐρεῖς ὡς Ὠκεανοῦ

φίλος ἐστὶ βεβαιότερός σοι.

300

Προμηθεύς

ἔα: τί χρῆμα λεύσσω; καὶ σὺ δὴ πόνων ἐμῶν
300

ἥκεις ἐπόπτης; πῶς ἐτόλμησας, λιπὼν

ἐπώνυμόν τε ῥεῦμα καὶ πετρηρεφῆ

αὐτόκτιτ᾽ ἄντρα, τὴν σιδηρομήτορα

ἐλθεῖν ἐς αἶαν; ἢ θεωρήσων τύχας

ἐμὰς ἀφῖξαι καὶ συνασχαλῶν κακοῖς;
305

δέρκου θέαμα, τόνδε τὸν Διὸς φίλον,

τὸν συγκαταστήσαντα τὴν τυραννίδα,

οἵαις ὑπ᾽ αὐτοῦ πημοναῖσι κάμπτομαι.

Ὠκεανός

ὁρῶ, Προμηθεῦ, καὶ παραινέσαι γέ σοι

θέλω τὰ λῷστα, καίπερ ὄντι ποικίλῳ.
310

γίγνωσκε σαυτὸν καὶ μεθάρμοσαι τρόπους

νέους: νέος γὰρ καὶ τύραννος ἐν θεοῖς.

εἰ δ᾽ ὧδε τραχεῖς καὶ τεθηγμένους λόγους

ῥίψεις, τάχ᾽ ἄν σου καὶ μακρὰν ἀνωτέρω

θακῶν κλύοι Ζεύς, ὥστε σοι τὸν νῦν ὄχλον²¹
315

παρόντα μόχθων παιδιὰν εἶναι δοκεῖν.

ἀλλ᾽, ὦ ταλαίπωρ᾽, ἃς ἔχεις ὀργὰς ἄφες,

ζήτει δὲ τῶνδε πημάτων ἀπαλλαγάς.

ἀρχαῖ᾽ ἴσως σοι φαίνομαι λέγειν τάδε:

τοιαῦτα μέντοι τῆς ἄγαν ὑψηγόρου
320

γλώσσης, Προμηθεῦ, τἀπίχειρα γίγνεται.

σὺ δ᾽ οὐδέπω ταπεινὸς οὐδ᾽ εἴκεις κακοῖς,

πρὸς τοῖς παροῦσι δ᾽ ἄλλα προσλαβεῖν θέλεις.

οὔκουν ἔμοιγε χρώμενος διδασκάλῳ

πρὸς κέντρα κῶλον ἐκτενεῖς, ὁρῶν ὅτι
325

τραχὺς μόναρχος οὐδ᾽ ὑπεύθυνος κρατεῖ.

καὶ νῦν ἐγὼ μὲν εἶμι καὶ πειράσομαι

ἐὰν δύνωμαι τῶνδέ σ᾽ ἐκλῦσαι πόνων:

σὺ δ᾽ ἡσύχαζε μηδ᾽ ἄγαν λαβροστόμει.

ἢ οὐκ οἶσθ᾽ ἀκριβῶς ὢν περισσόφρων ὅτι
330

γλώσσῃ ματαίᾳ ζημία προστρίβεται;

332

Προμηθεύς

ζηλῶ σ᾽ ὁθούνεκ᾽ ἐκτὸς αἰτίας κυρεῖς,

πάντων μετασχὼν²² καὶ τετολμηκὼς ἐμοί.²³

καὶ νῦν ἔασον μηδέ²⁴ σοι μελησάτω.

πάντως γὰρ οὐ πείσεις²⁵ νιν: οὐ γὰρ εὐπιθής.²⁶
335

πάπταινε δ᾽ αὐτὸς μή τι πημανθῇς ὁδῷ.

Ὠκεανός

πολλῷ γ᾽ ἀμείνων τοὺς πέλας φρενοῦν ἔφυς

ἢ σαυτόν: ἔργῳ κοὐ λόγῳ τεκμαίρομαι.

ὁρμώμενον δὲ μηδαμῶς μ᾽²⁷ ἀντισπάσῃς.

αὐχῶ γὰρ αὐχῶ τήνδε δωρεὰν ἐμοὶ
340

δώσειν Δί᾽, ὥστε τῶνδέ σ᾽ ἐκλῦσαι πόνων.

343

Προμηθεύς

τὰ μέν σ᾽ ἐπαινῶ κοὐδαμῇ²⁸ λήξω ποτέ:

προθυμίας γὰρ οὐδὲν ἐλλείπεις. ἀτὰρ

μηδὲν πόνει: μάτην γὰρ οὐδὲν ὠφελῶν

ἐμοὶ πονήσεις, εἴ τι καὶ πονεῖν θέλεις.
345

ἀλλ᾽ ἡσύχαζε σαυτὸν ἐκποδὼν ἔχων:

ἐγὼ γὰρ οὐκ εἰ δυστυχῶ, τοῦδ᾽ οὕνεκα

θέλοιμ᾽ ἂν ὡς πλείστοισι πημονὰς τυχεῖν.

οὐ δῆτ᾽, ἐπεί με χαἰ²⁹ κασιγνήτου τύχαι³⁰

τείρουσ᾽ Ἄτλαντος, ὃς πρὸς³¹ ἑσπέρους τόπους
350

ἕστηκε κίον᾽ οὐρανοῦ τε καὶ χθονὸς

ὤμοις ἐρείδων, ἄχθος οὐκ εὐάγκαλον.

τὸν γηγενῆ τε Κιλικίων οἰκήτορα

ἄντρων ἰδὼν ᾤκτειρα, δάιον τέρας

ἑκατογκάρανον πρὸς βίαν χειρούμενον
355

Τυφῶνα θοῦρον, πᾶσι δ᾽³² ἀντέστη θεοῖς,

σμερδναῖσι γαμφηλαῖσι συρίζων φόβον:³³

ἐξ ὀμμάτων δ᾽ ἤστραπτε γοργωπὸν σέλας,

ὡς τὴν Διὸς τυραννίδ᾽ ἐκπέρσων βίᾳ:

ἀλλ᾽ ἦλθεν αὐτῷ Ζηνὸς ἄγρυπνον βέλος,
360

καταιβάτης κεραυνὸς ἐκπνέων φλόγα,

ὃς αὐτὸν ἐξέπληξε τῶν ὑψηγόρων

κομπασμάτων. φρένας γὰρ εἰς αὐτὰς τυπεὶς

ἐφεψαλώθη κἀξεβροντήθη σθένος.

καὶ νῦν ἀχρεῖον καὶ παράορον³⁴ δέμας
365

κεῖται στενωποῦ πλησίον θαλασσίου

ἰπούμενος³⁵ ῥίζαισιν Αἰτναίαις ὕπο:

κορυφαῖς δ᾽ ἐν ἄκραις ἥμενος μυδροκτυπεῖ

Ἥφαιστος: ἔνθεν ἐκραγήσονταί ποτε

ποταμοὶ πυρὸς δάπτοντες ἀγρίαις γνάθοις
370

τῆς καλλικάρπου Σικελίας λευροὺς γύας:

τοιόνδε Τυφὼς ἐξαναζέσει χόλον

θερμοῖς³⁶ ἀπλάτου³⁷ βέλεσι πυρπνόου ζάλης,

καίπερ κεραυνῷ Ζηνὸς ἠνθρακωμένος.

σὺ δ᾽ οὐκ ἄπειρος, οὐδ᾽ ἐμοῦ διδασκάλου³⁸
375

χρῄζεις: σεαυτὸν σῷζ᾽ ὅπως ἐπίστασαι:

ἐγὼ δὲ τὴν παροῦσαν ἀντλήσω τύχην,

ἔς τ᾽ ἂν Διὸς φρόνημα λωφήσῃ χόλου.

379

Ὠκεανός

οὔκουν, Προμηθεῦ, τοῦτο γιγνώσκεις, ὅτι

ὀργῆς νοσούσης εἰσὶν ἰατροὶ λόγοι;
380

Προμηθεύς

ἐάν τις ἐν καιρῷ γε μαλθάσσῃ κέαρ

καὶ μὴ σφριγῶντα θυμὸν ἰσχναίνῃ³⁹ βίᾳ.

Ὠκεανός

ἐν τῷ προθυμεῖσθαι δὲ καὶ τολμᾶν τίνα

ὁρᾷς ἐνοῦσαν ζημίαν; δίδασκέ με.

Προμηθεύς

μόχθον περισσὸν κουφόνουν τ᾽ εὐηθίαν.
385

Ὠκεανός

ἔα με τῇδε τῇ νόσῳ νοσεῖν, ἐπεὶ

κέρδιστον εὖ φρονοῦντα μὴ φρονεῖν δοκεῖν.

Προμηθεύς

ἐμὸν δοκήσει τἀμπλάκημ᾽ εἶναι τόδε.

Ὠκεανός

σαφῶς μ᾽ ἐς οἶκον σὸς λόγος στέλλει πάλιν.

Προμηθεύς

μὴ γάρ σε θρῆνος οὑμὸς εἰς ἔχθραν βάλῃ.
390

Ὠκεανός

ἦ τῷ νέον θακοῦντι παγκρατεῖς ἕδρας;

Προμηθεύς

τούτου φυλάσσου μή ποτ᾽ ἀχθεσθῇ κέαρ.

Ὠκεανός

ἡ σή, Προμηθεῦ, συμφορὰ διδάσκαλος.

Προμηθεύς

στέλλου, κομίζου, σῷζε τὸν παρόντα νοῦν.

Ὠκεανός

ὁρμωμένῳ μοι τόνδ᾽ ἐθώυξας λόγον.
395

λευρὸν γὰρ οἶμον αἰθέρος ψαίρει πτεροῖς

τετρασκελὴς οἰωνός: ἄσμενος δέ τἂν⁴⁰

σταθμοῖς ἐν οἰκείοισι κάμψειεν γόνυ.

399

Προμηθεὺς δεσμώτης Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, editor. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922.) — 196-398 focus

Χορός

πάντʼ ἐκκάλυψον καὶ γέγωνʼ ἡμῖν λόγον,

ποίῳ λαβών σε Ζεὺς ἐπʼ αἰτιάματι,

οὕτως ἀτίμως καὶ πικρῶς αἰκίζεται·

δίδαξον ἡμᾶς, εἴ τι μὴ βλάπτει λόγῳ.

Προμηθεύς

ἀλγεινὰ μέν μοι καὶ λέγειν ἐστὶν τάδε,
200

ἄλγος δὲ σιγᾶν, πανταχῇ δὲ δύσποτμα.

ἐπεὶ τάχιστʼ ἤρξαντο δαίμονες χόλου

στάσις τʼ ἐν ἀλλήλοισιν ὠροθύνετο,

οἱ μὲν θέλοντες ἐκβαλεῖν ἕδρας Κρόνον,

ὡς Ζεὺς ἀνάσσοι δῆθεν, οἱ δὲ τοὔμπαλιν

σπεύδοντες, ὡς Ζεὺς μήποτʼ ἄρξειεν θεῶν,
205

ἐνταῦθʼ ἐγὼ τὰ λῷστα βουλεύων πιθεῖν

Τιτᾶνας, Οὐρανοῦ τε καὶ Χθονὸς τέκνα,

οὐκ ἠδυνήθην. αἱμύλας δὲ μηχανὰς

ἀτιμάσαντες καρτεροῖς φρονήμασιν

ᾤοντʼ ἀμοχθεὶ πρὸς βίαν τε δεσπόσειν·
210

ἐμοὶ δὲ μήτηρ οὐχ ἅπαξ μόνον Θέμις,

καὶ Γαῖα, πολλῶν ὀνομάτων μορφὴ μία,

τὸ μέλλον ᾗ κραίνοιτο προυτεθεσπίκει,

ὡς οὐ κατʼ ἰσχὺν οὐδὲ πρὸς τὸ καρτερόν

χρείη, δόλῳ δὲ τοὺς ὑπερσχόντας κρατεῖν.
215

τοιαῦτʼ ἐμοῦ λόγοισιν ἐξηγουμένου

οὐκ ἠξίωσαν οὐδὲ προσβλέψαι τὸ πᾶν.

κράτιστα δή μοι τῶν παρεστώτων τότε

ἐφαίνετʼ εἶναι προσλαβόντα μητέρα

ἑκόνθʼ ἑκόντι Ζηνὶ συμπαραστατεῖν.
220

ἐμαῖς δὲ βουλαῖς Ταρτάρου μελαμβαθὴς

κευθμὼν καλύπτει τὸν παλαιγενῆ Κρόνον

αὐτοῖσι συμμάχοισι. τοιάδʼ ἐξ ἐμοῦ

ὁ τῶν θεῶν τύραννος ὠφελημένος

κακαῖσι ποιναῖς ταῖσδὲ μʼ ἐξημείψατο.
225

ἔνεστι γάρ πως τοῦτο τῇ τυραννίδι

νόσημα, τοῖς φίλοισι μὴ πεποιθέναι.

ὃ δʼ οὖν ἐρωτᾶτʼ, αἰτίαν καθʼ ἥντινα

αἰκίζεταί με, τοῦτο δὴ σαφηνιῶ.

ὅπως τάχιστα τὸν πατρῷον ἐς θρόνον
230

καθέζετʼ, εὐθὺς δαίμοσιν νέμει γέρα

ἄλλοισιν ἄλλα καὶ διεστοιχίζετο

ἀρχήν· βροτῶν δὲ τῶν ταλαιπώρων λόγον

οὐκ ἔσχεν οὐδένʼ, ἀλλʼ ἀιστώσας γένος

τὸ πᾶν ἔχρῃζεν ἄλλο φιτῦσαι νέον.
235

καὶ τοῖσιν οὐδεὶς ἀντέβαινε πλὴν ἐμοῦ.

ἐγὼ δʼ ἐτόλμησʼ· ἐξελυσάμην βροτοὺς

τὸ μὴ διαρραισθέντας εἰς Ἅιδου μολεῖν.

τῷ τοι τοιαῖσδε πημοναῖσι κάμπτομαι,

πάσχειν μὲν ἀλγειναῖσιν, οἰκτραῖσιν δʼ ἰδεῖν·
240

θνητοὺς δʼ ἐν οἴκτῳ προθέμενος, τούτου τυχεῖν

οὐκ ἠξιώθην αὐτός, ἀλλὰ νηλεῶς

ὧδʼ ἐρρύθμισμαι, Ζηνὶ δυσκλεὴς θέα.

244

Χορός

σιδηρόφρων τε κἀκ πέτρας εἰργασμένος

ὅστις, Προμηθεῦ, σοῖσιν οὐ συνασχαλᾷ
245

μόχθοις· ἐγὼ γὰρ οὔτʼ ἂν εἰσιδεῖν τάδε

ἔχρῃζον εἰσιδοῦσά τʼ ἠλγύνθην κέαρ.

Προμηθεύς

καὶ μὴν φίλοις γʼ ἐλεινὸς εἰσορᾶν ἐγώ.

Χορός

μή πού τι προύβης τῶνδε καὶ περαιτέρω;

Προμηθεύς

θνητούς γʼ ἔπαυσα μὴ προδέρκεσθαι μόρον.
250

Χορός

τὸ ποῖον εὑρὼν τῆσδε φάρμακον νόσου;

Προμηθεύς

τυφλὰς ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐλπίδας κατῴκισα.

Χορός

μέγʼ ὠφέλημα τοῦτʼ ἐδωρήσω βροτοῖς.

Προμηθεύς

πρὸς τοῖσδε μέντοι πῦρ ἐγώ σφιν ὤπασα.

Χορός

καὶ νῦν φλογωπὸν πῦρ ἔχουσʼ ἐφήμεροι;
255

Προμηθεύς

ἀφʼ οὗ γε πολλὰς ἐκμαθήσονται τέχνας.

Χορός

τοιοῖσδε δή σε Ζεὺς ἐπʼ αἰτιάμασιν—

Προμηθεύς

αἰκίζεταί τε κοὐδαμῇ χαλᾷ κακῶν.

Χορός

οὐδʼ ἔστιν ἄθλου τέρμα σοι προκείμενον;

Προμηθεύς

οὐκ ἄλλο γʼ οὐδέν, πλὴν ὅταν κείνῳ δοκῇ.
260

Χορός

δόξει δὲ πῶς; τίς ἐλπίς; οὐχ ὁρᾷς ὅτι

ἥμαρτες; ὡς δʼ ἥμαρτες οὔτʼ ἐμοὶ λέγειν

καθʼ ἡδονὴν σοί τʼ ἄλγος. ἀλλὰ ταῦτα μὲν

μεθῶμεν, ἄθλου δʼ ἔκλυσιν ζήτει τινά.

265

Προμηθεύς

ἐλαφρὸν ὅστις πημάτων ἔξω πόδα
265

ἔχει παραινεῖν νουθετεῖν τε τὸν κακῶς

πράσσοντʼ· ἐγὼ δὲ ταῦθʼ ἅπαντʼ ἠπιστάμην.

ἑκὼν ἑκὼν ἥμαρτον, οὐκ ἀρνήσομαι·

θνητοῖς ἀρήγων αὐτὸς ηὑρόμην πόνους.

οὐ μήν τι ποιναῖς γʼ ᾠόμην τοίαισί με
270

κατισχνανεῖσθαι πρὸς πέτραις πεδαρσίοις,

τυχόντʼ ἐρήμου τοῦδʼ ἀγείτονος πάγου.

καί μοι τὰ μὲν παρόντα μὴ δύρεσθʼ ἄχη,

πέδοι δὲ βᾶσαι τὰς προσερπούσας τύχας

ἀκούσαθʼ, ὡς μάθητε διὰ τέλους τὸ πᾶν.
275

πίθεσθέ μοι πίθεσθε, συμπονήσατε

τῷ νῦν μογοῦντι. ταὐτά τοι πλανωμένη

πρὸς ἄλλοτʼ ἄλλον πημονὴ προσιζάνει.

279

Χορός

οὐκ ἀκούσαις ἐπεθώυξας

τοῦτο, Προμηθεῦ.
280

καὶ νῦν ἐλαφρῷ ποδὶ κραιπνόσυτον

θᾶκον προλιποῦσʼ, αἰθέρα θʼ ἁγνὸν

πόρον οἰωνῶν, ὀκριοέσσῃ

χθονὶ τῇδε πελῶ, τοὺς σοὺς δὲ πόνους

χρῄζω διὰ παντὸς ἀκοῦσαι.
285

Ὠκεανός

ἥκω δολιχῆς τέρμα κελεύθου

διαμειψάμενος πρὸς σέ, Προμηθεῦ,

τὸν πτερυγωκῆ τόνδʼ οἰωνὸν

γνώμῃ στομίων ἄτερ εὐθύνων·

ταῖς σαῖς δὲ τύχαις, ἴσθι, συναλγῶ.
290

τὸ τε γάρ με, δοκῶ, συγγενὲς οὕτως

ἐσαναγκάζει,

χωρίς τε γένους οὐκ ἔστιν ὅτῳ

μείζονα μοῖραν νείμαιμʼ ἢ σοί.

γνώσῃ δὲ τάδʼ ὡς ἔτυμʼ, οὐδὲ μάτην
295

χαριτογλωσσεῖν ἔνι μοι· φέρε γὰρ

σήμαινʼ ὅ τι χρή σοι συμπράσσειν·

οὐ γάρ ποτʼ ἐρεῖς ὡς Ὠκεανοῦ

φίλος ἐστὶ βεβαιότερός σοι.

300

Προμηθεύς

ἔα· τί χρῆμα λεύσσω; καὶ σὺ δὴ πόνων ἐμῶν
300

ἥκεις ἐπόπτης; πῶς ἐτόλμησας, λιπὼν

ἐπώνυμόν τε ῥεῦμα καὶ πετρηρεφῆ

αὐτόκτιτʼ ἄντρα, τὴν σιδηρομήτορα

ἐλθεῖν ἐς αἶαν; ἦ θεωρήσων τύχας

ἐμὰς ἀφῖξαι καὶ συνασχαλῶν κακοῖς;
305

δέρκου θέαμα, τόνδε τὸν Διὸς φίλον,

τὸν συγκαταστήσαντα τὴν τυραννίδα,

οἵαις ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ πημοναῖσι κάμπτομαι.

Ὠκεανός

ὁρῶ, Προμηθεῦ, καὶ παραινέσαι γέ σοι

θέλω τὰ λῷστα, καίπερ ὄντι ποικίλῳ.
310

γίγνωσκε σαυτὸν καὶ μεθάρμοσαι τρόπους

νέους· νέος γὰρ καὶ τύραννος ἐν θεοῖς.

εἰ δʼ ὧδε τραχεῖς καὶ τεθηγμένους λόγους

ῥίψεις, τάχʼ ἄν σου καὶ μακρὰν ἀνωτέρω

θακῶν κλύοι Ζεύς, ὥστε σοι τὸν νῦν ὄχλον
315

παρόντα μόχθων παιδιὰν εἶναι δοκεῖν.

ἀλλʼ, ὦ ταλαίπωρʼ, ἃς ἔχεις ὀργὰς ἄφες,

ζήτει δὲ τῶνδε πημάτων ἀπαλλαγάς.

ἀρχαῖʼ ἴσως σοι φαίνομαι λέγειν τάδε·

τοιαῦτα μέντοι τῆς ἄγαν ὑψηγόρου
320

γλώσσης, Προμηθεῦ, τἀπίχειρα γίγνεται.

σὺ δʼ οὐδέπω ταπεινὸς οὐδʼ εἴκεις κακοῖς,

πρὸς τοῖς παροῦσι δʼ ἄλλα προσλαβεῖν θέλεις.

οὔκουν ἔμοιγε χρώμενος διδασκάλῳ

πρὸς κέντρα κῶλον ἐκτενεῖς, ὁρῶν ὅτι
325

τραχὺς μόναρχος οὐδʼ ὑπεύθυνος κρατεῖ.

καὶ νῦν ἐγὼ μὲν εἶμι καὶ πειράσομαι

ἐὰν δύνωμαι τῶνδέ σʼ ἐκλῦσαι πόνων.

σὺ δʼ ἡσύχαζε μηδʼ ἄγαν λαβροστόμει.

ἢ οὐκ οἶσθʼ ἀκριβῶς ὢν περισσόφρων ὅτι
330

γλώσσῃ ματαίᾳ ζημία προστρίβεται;

332

Προμηθεύς

ζηλῶ σʼ ὁθούνεκʼ ἐκτὸς αἰτίας κυρεῖς

τούτων μετασχεῖν καὶ τετολμηκὼς ἐμοί.

καὶ νῦν ἔασον μηδέ σοι μελησάτω.

πάντως γὰρ οὐ πείσεις νιν· οὐ γὰρ εὐπιθής.
335

πάπταινε δʼ αὐτὸς μή τι πημανθῇς ὁδῷ.

Ὠκεανός

πολλῷ γʼ ἀμείνων τοὺς πέλας φρενοῦν ἔφυς

ἢ σαυτόν· ἔργῳ κοὐ λόγῳ τεκμαίρομαι.

ὁρμώμενον δὲ μηδαμῶς ἀντισπάσῃς.
340

αὐχῶ γὰρ αὐχῶ τήνδε δωρεὰν ἐμοὶ

δώσειν Δίʼ, ὥστε τῶνδέ σʼ ἐκλῦσαι πόνων.

343

Προμηθεύς

τὰ μὲν σʼ ἐπαινῶ κοὐδαμῇ λήξω ποτέ·

προθυμίας γὰρ οὐδὲν ἐλλείπεις. ἀτὰρ

μηδὲν πόνει. μάτην γὰρ οὐδὲν ὠφελῶν

ἐμοὶ πονήσεις, εἴ τι καὶ πονεῖν θέλεις.
345

ἀλλʼ ἡσύχαζε σαυτὸν ἐκποδὼν ἔχων·

ἐγὼ γὰρ οὐκ, εἰ δυστυχῶ, τοῦδʼ εἵνεκα

θέλοιμʼ ἂν ὡς πλείστοισι πημονὰς τυχεῖν.

οὐ δῆτʼ ἐπεί με καὶ κασιγνήτου τύχαι

τείρουσʼ Ἄτλαντος, ὃς πρὸς ἑσπέρους τόπους
350

ἕστηκε κίονʼ οὐρανοῦ τε καὶ χθονὸς

ὤμοις ἐρείδων, ἄχθος οὐκ εὐάγκαλον.

τὸν γηγενῆ τε Κιλικίων οἰκήτορα

ἄντρων ἰδὼν ᾤκτιρα, δάιον τέρας

ἑκατογκάρανον πρὸς βίαν χειρούμενον
355

Τυφῶνα θοῦρον· πᾶσιν ὅς ἀντέστη θεοῖς,

σμερδναῖσι γαμφηλαῖσι συρίζων φόβον·

ἐξ ὀμμάτων δʼ ἤστραπτε γοργωπὸν σέλας,

ὡς τὴν Διὸς τυραννίδʼ ἐκπέρσων βίᾳ·

ἀλλʼ ἦλθεν αὐτῷ Ζηνὸς ἄγρυπνον βέλος,
360

καταιβάτης κεραυνὸς ἐκπνέων φλόγα,

ὃς αὐτὸν ἐξέπληξε τῶν ὑψηγόρων

κομπασμάτων. φρένας γὰρ εἰς αὐτὰς τυπεὶς

ἐφεψαλώθη κἀξεβροντήθη σθένος.

καὶ νῦν ἀχρεῖον καὶ παράορον δέμας
365

κεῖται στενωποῦ πλησίον θαλασσίου

ἰπούμενος ῥίζαισιν Αἰτναίαις ὕπο·

κορυφαῖς δʼ ἐν ἄκραις ἥμενος μυδροκτυπεῖ

Ἥφαιστος· ἔνθεν ἐκραγήσονταί ποτε

ποταμοὶ πυρὸς δάπτοντες ἀγρίαις γνάθοις
370

τῆς καλλικάρπου Σικελίας λευροὺς γύας·

τοιόνδε Τυφὼς ἐξαναζέσει χόλον

θερμοῖς ἀπλάτου βέλεσι πυρπνόου ζάλης,

καίπερ κεραυνῷ Ζηνὸς ἠνθρακωμένος.

σὺ δʼ οὐκ ἄπειρος, οὐδʼ ἐμοῦ διδασκάλου
375

χρῄζεις· σεαυτὸν σῷζʼ ὅπως ἐπίστασαι·

ἐγὼ δὲ τὴν παροῦσαν ἀντλήσω τύχην,

ἔστʼ ἂν Διὸς φρόνημα λωφήσῃ χόλου.

379

Ὠκεανός

οὔκουν, Προμηθεῦ, τοῦτο γιγνώσκεις, ὅτι

ὀργῆς νοσούσης εἰσὶν ἰατροὶ λόγοι;
380

Προμηθεύς

ἐάν τις ἐν καιρῷ γε μαλθάσσῃ κέαρ

καὶ μὴ σφριγῶντα θυμὸν ἰσχναίνῃ βίᾳ.

Ὠκεανός

ἐν τῷ προθυμεῖσθαι δὲ καὶ τολμᾶν τίνα

ὁρᾷς ἐνοῦσαν ζημίαν; δίδασκέ με.

Προμηθεύς

μόχθον περισσὸν κουφόνουν τʼ εὐηθίαν.
385

Ὠκεανός

ἔα με τῇδε τῇ νόσῳ νοσεῖν, ἐπεὶ

κέρδιστον εὖ φρονοῦντα μὴ φρονεῖν δοκεῖν.

Προμηθεύς

ἐμὸν δοκήσει τἀμπλάκημʼ εἶναι τόδε.

Ὠκεανός

σαφῶς μʼ ἐς οἶκον σὸς λόγος στέλλει πάλιν.

Προμηθεύς

μὴ γάρ σε θρῆνος οὑμὸς εἰς ἔχθραν βάλῃ.
390

Ὠκεανός

ἦ τῷ νέον θακοῦντι παγκρατεῖς ἕδρας;

Προμηθεύς

τούτου φυλάσσου μή ποτʼ ἀχθεσθῇ κέαρ.

Ὠκεανός

ἡ σή, Προμηθεῦ, συμφορὰ διδάσκαλος.

Προμηθεύς

στέλλου, κομίζου, σῷζε τὸν παρόντα νοῦν.

Ὠκεανός

ὁρμωμένῳ μοι τόνδʼ ἐθώυξας λόγον.
395

λευρὸν γὰρ οἷμον αἰθέρος ψαίρει πτεροῖς

τετρασκελὴς οἰωνός· ἄσμενος δέ τἂν

σταθμοῖς ἐν οἰκείοισι κάμψειεν γόνυ.

Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης (OCR draft) Experimental (Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης. Guilielmus Dindorfius, 1882.) — 168 focus

ΠΡ.

ἦ μὴν ἔτ᾽ ἐμοῦ, καίπερ κρατεραῖς

ἐν γυιοπέδαις αἰκιζομένου,

χρείαν ἕξει μακάρων πρύτανις,

δεῖξαι τὸ νέον βούλευμ᾽ ὑφ᾽ ὅτου
170

σκῆπτρον τιμάς τ' ἀποσυλᾶται.

καί μ' οὔτι μελιγλώσσοις πειθοῦς

ἐπαοιδαῖσιν

θέλξει, στερεάς τ᾽ οὔποτ' ἀπειλας

πτήξας τόδ᾽ ἐγὼ καταμηνύσω,

175

πρὶν ἂν ἐξ ἀγρίων δεσμῶν χαλάσῃ

ποινάς τε τίνειν

τῆσδ᾽ αἰκίας ἐθελήσῃ.

Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης (OCR draft) Experimental (Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης. Gottfried Hermann, 1852.) — 168 focus

Προμηθεύς
στρ. β'.

ἦ μὴν ἔτ᾽ ἐμοῦ, καίπερ κρατεραῖς

ἐν γυιοπέδαις αἰκιζομένου

χρείαν ἕξει μακάρων πρύτανις
170

δεῖξαι τὸ νέον βούλευμ᾽, ὑφ᾽ ὅτου

σκῆπτρον τιμάς τ᾽ ἀποσυλᾶται.

καί μ' οὔτε μελιγλώσσοις πειθοῦς

ἐπαοιδαῖσιν θέλξει, στερεάς τ'

οὔποτ᾽ ἀπειλὰς πτήξας τόδ᾽ ἐγὼ
175

καταμηνύσω, πρὶν ἂν ἐξ ἀγρίων

δεσμῶν χαλάσῃ ποινάς τε τίνειν

τῆσδ' αἰκίας ἐθελήσῃ.

Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης (OCR draft) Experimental (Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης. N. Wecklein, 1885.) — 168 focus

ἢ μὴν ἔτ᾽ ἐμοῦ, καίπερ κρατεραῖς
180

ἐν γυιοπέδαις αἰκιζομένου,

χρείαν ἕξει μακάρων πρύτανις,

¹²³⁴⁵⁶

θ' τ'⁷ Ἅιδου αΐδου ἀγρίοις ἀγρίως ὡς μήτε ὡσ μήποτε⁸ ⁹ ἀεὶ ἀεὶ αἰεὶ τις τίσ ἔτ᾽ ἐμοῦ ἔτι ἐμοῦ ἔτ᾽ ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ γυιοπέδαις γυιοπέδαισ γυοπέδαισ

PROMETHEVS VINCTVS. 13

δεῖξαι τὸ νέον βούλευμ᾽ ἀφ᾽ ὅτου

σκῆπτρον τιμάς τ᾽ ἀποσυλᾶται.

καί μ' οὔτε μελιγλώσσοις πειθοῦς

185

ἐπαοιδαῖσιν θέλξει, στερεάς το

οὔποτ᾽ ἀπειλὰς πτήξας τόδ᾽ ἐγὼ

καταμηνύσω, πρὶν ἂν ἐξ ἀγρίων

δεσμῶν χαλάσῃ, ποινάς τε τίνειν

τῆσδ᾽ αἰκίας ἐθελήσῃ.

190

ΧΟ.

Aeschyli Prometheus Vinctus (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschyli Prometheus Vinctus. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1914.) — 168 focus

ΠΡ.

ἢ μὴν ἔτ᾿ ἐμοῦ καίπερ κρατεραῖς

ἐν γυιοπέδαις αἰκιζομένου

χρείαν ἕξει μακάρων πρύτανις
170

δεῖξαι τὸ νέον βούλευμ᾽ ὑφ᾽ ὅτου

σκῆπτρον τιμάς τ᾽ ἀποσυλᾶται.

καί μ᾽ οὔτι μελιγλώσσοις πειθοῦς

ἐπαοιδαῖσιν θέλξει, στερεάς

τ᾽ οὔποτ᾽ ἀπειλὰς πτήξας τόδ᾽ ἐγὼ
175

καταμηνύσω, πρὶν ἂν ἐξ ἀγρίων

δεσμῶν χαλάσηι ποινάς τε τίνειν

τῆσδ᾽ αἰκείας ἐθελήσηι.

Translations (9)

Prometheus Bound Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, translator. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922. (Modernized by Perseus.)) — 196-395 focus

Chorus

Unfold the whole story and tell us upon what charge Zeus has caught you and painfully punishes you with such dishonor. Instruct us, unless, indeed, there is some harm in telling.

Prometheus

It is painful to me to tell the tale,

painful to keep it silent. My case is unfortunate every way.
When first the heavenly powers were moved to wrath, and mutual dissension was stirred up among them—some bent on casting Cronus from his seat so Zeus, in truth, might reign; others, eager for
200

the contrary end, that Zeus might never win mastery over the gods—it was then that I, although advising them for the best, was unable to persuade the Titans, children of Heaven and Earth; but they, disdaining counsels of craft, in the pride of their strength
205

thought to gain the mastery without a struggle and by force. Often my mother Themis, or Earth (though one form, she had many names), had foretold to me the way in which the future was fated to come to pass. That it was not by brute strength nor through violence,
210

but by guile that those who should gain the upper hand were destined to prevail. And though I argued all this to them, they did not pay any attention to my words. With all that before me, it seemed best that, joining with my mother, I should place myself,
215

a welcome volunteer, on the side of Zeus; and it is by reason of my counsel that the cavernous gloom of Tartarus now hides ancient Cronus and his allies within it. Thus I helped the tyrant of the gods
220

and with this foul payment he has responded; for it is a disease that is somehow inherent in tyranny to have no faith in friends.
However, you ask why he torments me, and this I will now make clear.
225

As soon as he had seated himself upon his father’s throne, he immediately assigned to the deities their several privileges and apportioned to them their proper powers. But of wretched mortals he took no notice, desiring to bring
230

the whole race to an end and create a new one in its place. Against this purpose none dared make stand except me— I only had the courage; I saved mortals so that they did not descend, blasted utterly, to the house of Hades. This is why I am bent by such grievous tortures,
235

painful to suffer, piteous to behold. I who gave mortals first place in my pity, I am deemed unworthy to win this pity for myself, but am in this way mercilessly disciplined, a spectacle that shames the glory of Zeus.
240

244

Chorus

Iron-hearted and made of stone, Prometheus,

is he who feels no compassion at your miseries. For myself, I would not have desired to see them; and now that I see them, I am pained in my heart.
245

Prometheus

Yes, to my friends indeed I am a spectacle of pity.

Chorus

Did you perhaps transgress even somewhat beyond this offence?

Prometheus

Yes, I caused mortals to cease foreseeing their doom.¹
250

Chorus

Of what sort was the cure that you found for this affliction?

Prometheus

I caused blind hopes to dwell within their breasts.

Chorus

A great benefit was this you gave to mortals.

Prometheus

In addition, I gave them fire.

Chorus

What! Do creatures of a day now have flame-eyed fire?
255

Prometheus

Yes, and from it they shall learn many arts.

Chorus

Then it was on a charge like this that Zeus—

Prometheus

Torments me and in no way gives me respite from pain.

Chorus

And is there no end assigned to your ordeal?

Prometheus

No, none except when it seems good to him.
260

Chorus

But how will it seem good to him? What hope is there? Do you not see that you have wronged? And yet it is not pleasant for me to talk about how you have wronged, and for you it is pain. So, let us quit this theme; and may you seek some release from your ordeal.

265

Prometheus

It is easy for him who keeps his foot free from harm to counsel and admonish him who is in misery. I have known this all the while. Of my own will, yes, of my own will I erred—I will not deny it. By helping mortals I found suffering for myself;
265

nevertheless I did not think I would be punished in this way—wasting away upon cliffs in mid-air, my portion this desolate and dreary crag. And now, bewail no more my present woes; alight on the ground and listen to my
270

oncoming fortunes so that you may be told them from end to end. Consent, I beg you, oh consent. Take part in the trouble of him who is now in sore distress. In truth, affliction wanders impartially abroad and alights upon all in turn.
275

279

Chorus

Not to unwilling ears have you made this appeal,

Prometheus. And so now with light foot I will quit my swift-speeding seat and the pure air, the pathway of birds and draw near to this rugged ground; for I want to hear
280

the whole story of your sorrows.
285

Enter Oceanus on a winged steed

Oceanus

I have come to the end of a long journey in my passage to you, Prometheus, guiding by my own will, without a bridle, this swift-winged bird.

For your fate, you may be sure, I feel compassion. Kinship, I think, constrains me to this; and, apart from blood ties, there is none to whom I should pay greater respect than to you.
290

You shall know this for simple truth and that it is not in me to utter vain and empty words; come, tell me; what aid can I render you? For you shall never say that you have a friend more loyal than Oceanus.
295

300

Prometheus

Ha! What have we here? So then you too have come to stare upon my sufferings? How did you summon courage to quit the stream that bears your name and the rock-roofed caves you yourself have made and come to this land, the mother of iron? Is it that you have come
300

to gaze upon my state and join your grief to my distress? Look upon me here—a spectacle, the friend of Zeus, who helped him to establish his sovereign power, by what anguish I am bent by him!
305

Oceanus

I see, Prometheus; and I want to give you

the best advice, although you yourself are wily. Learn to know yourself and adapt yourself to new ways; for new also is the ruler among the gods. If you hurl forth words so harsh and of such whetted edge, perhaps Zeus may hear you,
310

though throned far off, high in the heavens, and then your present multitude of sorrows shall seem but childish sport. Oh wretched sufferer! Put away your wrathful mood and try to find release from these miseries. Perhaps this advice may seem to you old and dull;
315

but your plight, Prometheus, is only the wages of too boastful speech. You still have not learned humility, nor do you bend before misfortune, but would rather add even more miseries to those you have. Therefore take me as your teacher
320

and do not add insult to injury, seeing that a harsh monarch now rules who is accountable to no one. So now I will depart and see whether I can release you from these sufferings. And may you hold your peace and be not too blustering of speech.
325

Or, can it be that for all your exceeding wisdom, you do not know that chastisement is inflicted on a wagging tongue?
330

332

Prometheus

I envy you because you have escaped blame for having dared to share with me in my troubles.²So now leave me alone and let it not concern you.

Do what you want, you cannot persuade him; for he is not easy to persuade. Beware that you do not do yourself harm by the mission you take.
335

Oceanus

In truth, you are far better able to admonish others than yourself. It is by fact, not by hearsay, that I judge.

So do not hold back one who is eager to go. For I am confident, yes, confident, that Zeus will grant me this favor, to free you from your sufferings.
340

343

Prometheus

I thank you for all this and shall never cease to thank you; in zeal you lack nothing, but do not trouble yourself; for your trouble will be vain and

not helpful to me—if indeed you want to take the pain. No, keep quiet and keep yourself clear of harm. For even if I am in sore plight, I would not wish affliction on everyone else. No, certainly, no! since, besides, I am distressed by the fate
345

of my brother Atlas, who, towards the west, stands bearing on his shoulders the pillar of heaven and earth, a burden not easy for his arms to grasp. Pity moved me, too, at the sight of the earth-born dweller of the Cilician caves curbed by violence, that destructive monster
350

of a hundred heads, impetuous Typhon. He withstood all the gods, hissing out terror with horrid jaws, while from his eyes lightened a hideous glare, as though he would storm by force the sovereignty of Zeus.
355

But the unsleeping bolt of Zeus came upon him, the swooping lightning brand with breath of flame, which struck him, frightened, from his loud-mouthed boasts; then, stricken to the very heart, he was burnt to ashes and his strength blasted from him by the lightning bolt.
360

And now, a helpless and a sprawling bulk, he lies hard by the narrows of the sea, pressed down beneath the roots of Aetna ; while on the topmost summit Hephaestus sits and hammers the molten ore. There, one day, shall burst forth
365

rivers of fire,³with savage jaws devouring the level fields of Sicily , land of fair fruit—such boiling rage shall Typho, although charred by the blazing lightning of Zeus, send spouting forth with hot jets of appalling, fire-breathing surge.
370

But you are not inexperienced, and do not need me to teach you. Save yourself, as you know best; while I exhaust my present lot until the time comes when the mind of Zeus shall abandon its wrath.
375

379

Oceanus

Do you not know then, Prometheus, that

words are the physicians of a disordered temper?
380

Prometheus

If one softens the soul in season, and does not hasten to reduce its swelling rage by violence.

Oceanus

What lurking mischief do you see when daring joins to zeal? Teach me this.

Prometheus

Lost labor and thoughtless simplicity.
385

Oceanus

Leave me to be affected by this, since it is most advantageous, when truly wise, to be deemed a fool.

Prometheus

This fault will be seen to be my own.

Oceanus

Clearly the manner of your speech orders me back home.

Prometheus

So that you won’t win enmity for yourself by lamenting for me.
390

Oceanus

In the eyes of the one who is newly seated on his omnipotent throne?

Prometheus

Beware lest the time come when his heart is angered with you.

Oceanus

Your plight, Prometheus, is my instructor.

Prometheus

Go away, depart, keep your present purpose.

Oceanus

Your urging meets my eagerness; for my four-footed winged beast fans with his wings the smooth pathway of the air; and truly he will be glad to rest his knees in his stall at home. Exit
395

399

Prometheus Bound. (OCR draft) Experimental (Prometheus Bound.. Theodore Alois Buckley, 1849.) — 168 focus

In truth hereafter the president of the immortals shall have need of me, albeit that I am ignominiously suffering in stubborn shackles, to discover to him the new plot by which he is to be despoiled of his sceptre and his honours. But neither shall he win me by the honey-tongued charms of persuasion; nor will I at any time, crouching beneath his stern threats, divulge this matter, before he shall have released me from my cruel bonds, and shall be willing to yield me retribution for this outrage.

CHORUS

PROMÉTHÉE ENCHAINÉ (OCR draft) Experimental (PROMÉTHÉE ENCHAINÉ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 168 focus

alors, je le jure, ni les sortilèges d'une éloquence aux mots de miel ne m'auront pouvoir de me charmer, ni l'effroi des plus dures
menaces ne me fera révéler ce secret ¹, à moins qu'il n'ait d'abord desserré ces liens farouches et consenti à payer le prix dû à pareil outrage.

Même mouvement.

LE CHŒUR

Tu es hardi et, loin de céder à de doulou-
reux revers, tu parles trop librement. Moi, je sens un effroi pénétrant agiter soudain mon cœur. J'ai peur du sort qui t'attend : comment pourras-tu contempler enfin le port où
s'achèveront tes peines ?

Prometheus Chained (OCR draft) Experimental (Prometheus Chained. Robert Potter, 1779.) — 168 focus

Yet he, e'en he,

That o'er the gods holds his deſpotic reign,

175

And fixes this diſgraceful chain,

Shall need my aid, the counſels to diſcloſe

Deſtructive to his honour and his throne.

But not the honied blandiſhment, that flows

From his alluring lips, ſhall ought avail;

180

His rigid menaces ſhall fail;

Nor will I make the fatal ſecret known,

Till his proud hands this galling chain unbind,

And his remorſe ſooths my indignant mind.

CHORUS.

Eschilo, Prometeo legato: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli (OCR draft) Experimental (Eschilo, Prometeo legato: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli. Ettore Romagnoli, 1922.) — 168 focus

dell'Averno che accoglie i defunti,

se m'avesse, di lacci insolubili

180

tutto avvinto, con furia selvaggia

giú scagliato nel Tartaro illimite,

sí che niuno dei Numi o degli uomini

di mie pene gioir non potesse !

Ora invece, ludibrio dell' aria,
185

Aeschylus, Prometheus vinctus: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Prometheus vinctus: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii. Ioannes Sanravius, 1555.) — 168 focus

Si tamen amplius mei quamvis fortibus

In compedibus iniuria affecti,

Opera indiguerit beatorum gubernator,

Vt ostendam novum consilium, quo
175

Sceptro honoribusq; priuabitur,

Nunquam sané mellifonis me persuasionis

Cantionibus demulcebit: neq; atroces

Vnquam minas timens, hoc ego

Dicam, priusquam ex sevis
180

Vinculis me soluerit, pœnasq; pendere

Huius mali voluerit.

Chor.

Prometheus Bound (OCR draft) Experimental (Prometheus Bound. Anna Swanwick, 1886.) — 168 focus

PROMETHEUS

Full of high spirit and augustly mouthed

This speech, as fits an underling of gods.

Younglings and young of sway, ye think to dwell

Henceforth in griefless citadels. From these

¹

Have I not known two potentates cast down?

Ay, and a third, now reigning, I shall see

In basest and most sudden overthrow.

Seem I to thee before these upstart gods

To quail or cringe? Far from it, nay, no whit.

But get thee back with speed the way thou camest,

For of thy quest thou'lt nothing learn from me.

English (E. D. A. Morshead, 1908) (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound — Morshead translation. Wikisource transcription; speech corresp and card milestones aligned to Smyth perseus-grc2.) — 168 focus

Yet,—though in shackles close and strong

I lie in wasting torments long,—

Yet the new tyrant, 'neath whose nod
190

Cowers down each blest subservient god,

One day, far hence, my help shall need,

The destined stratagem to read,

Whereby, in some yet distant day,

Zeus shall be reaved of pride and sway:
195

And no persuasion's honied spell

Shall lure me on, the tale to tell;

And no stern threat shall make me cower

And yield the secret to his power,

Until his purpose be foregone,
200

And shackles yield, and he atone

The deep despite that he hath done!

Chorus

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1854; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylos. Deutsch in den Versmaßen der Urschrift. Stuttgart: Hoffmann, 1854. Native Donner line citations, Smyth card correspondence, selected textual readings and metrical facsimiles. Remaining OCR differences and unattributed reading notes are documented in the linked review inventory.) — 168 focus

Wohl meiner dereinst, obschon er mich jetzt

In die Bande gelegt, zu der Schmach mich verdammt,

Er bedarf noch mein, der Unsterblichen Fürst,

Zu verkündigen ihm den verborgenen Rath,
170

Der Scepter und Herrschaft einst ihm entreißt!

Nie soll er mir dann durch süßes Geschwäk,

Durch Zauber des Mund's umstimmen das Herz,

Nie schreckt er mich dann durch das wildeste Droh'n,

Es ihm zu verkünden, bevor er mich löst
175

Aus der grausamen Haft, und mir Buße zu thun

Für die kränkende Schmach sich bequemte!

Zweite Gegenstrophe.

Zweiter Halbchor.

Commentary

Critical apparatus to Prometheus Bound (OCR draft) (Latin and Greek critical apparatus to Gottfried Hermann's 1852 edition of Prometheus Bound.) focus

175. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-177

τόδ᾽:

τὸ δ'

Lips. 1.

τώδ'

, superscripto

, Lips. 2.

177. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-178

ποινάς τε:

ποινάς

(sic a pr. manu, a tertia

ποιναὶ

)

τέ μοι τίνειν

Μ.

ποινάς τ᾽ ἐμοὶ

(

τέμου

Lips. 2. Aug.)

τίνειν

(

τείνειν

G.) G. Lips. 1. 2. Aug.

ποινάς τε τίνειν

Turnebus.

178. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-179

τῆσδ':

τῆς

Μ.

180. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-180

ἐνδίδως:

ἐπιχαλᾶς

Μ.

ὑποχαλᾶς

Lips. 1. Vindob. 1.

182. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-181

ἐμὰς:

ἐμοὶ

Aug.

182. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-182

ἠρέθισε: Libri

ἠρέθισε

. Turnebus solus

ερέθισε

, quod ab Elmsleio probatum recepit Blomfieldius: v. ad v. 162.

183. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-183

δέδια δ᾽: Libri

δέδια γάρ

. Porsonus

δέδια δ'

. Vt gemellum comparat Blomfieldius

δέδια δ'

in Soph. Oed. Col. 1468. At ibi non potuit

δέδια γάρ

dici.

183. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-184

σαῖς τύχαις:

σαῖς τύχαι

Lips. 1.

σὰς τύχας

aliquot codices.

184. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-185

πᾷ:

ὅπαι

Μ.

ὅπα

G. Lips. 1. aliique codices.

ὅπα

, superscripto

οι

Lips. 2.

ὅπαιοι

Aug.

ὅπη

vel

ὅποι

alii.

πᾷ

primus Turnebus.

184. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-186

τῶνδε:

τῶν δὲ

185. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-187

NA: In nonnullis codicibus hic est ordo verborum

ποτέ χρή σε τῶνδε πόνων τέρμα

, in Lips. 2. Aug. vitiose scriptum

ποτὲ χρή σε τῶν δαιμόνων τέρμα

English commentary on Prometheus Bound (OCR draft) (N. Wecklein, translated by F. D. Allen. Ginn & Company, 1893; compared with the 1891 printing. Printed commentary pages 31–144. Provisional alignment and unresolved OCR are visibly flagged.) focus

128-192. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-99

;

128-192. Parodos. It is com- matic, that is, divided between actor and chorus. The chorus enter in a winged car (ὄχῳ πτερωτῷ 135, κραι- πνόσυτον θᾶκον 279), moved by the- atrical machinery. The car, advancing from the right side, has gradually approached Prometheus. It is seen by the spectators while still invisible to Prometheus, who can only look straight before him. At 124 the chorus are already very near, and they hear the words of 127 (φοβερόν). - The ᾿Ωκεανίδες are daughters of Oceanus and Tethys; see Hesiod Theog. 362. Hesiod (ibid. 346) enum- erates forty-one by name, and adds πολλαί γε μέν εἶσι καὶ ἄλλαι, τρὶς γὰρ χίλιαί εἰσι τανύσφυροι Ωκεανῖναι. Aes- chylus's chorus consisted of twelve persons. The first strophe gives the motive of the chorus for coming; this is what an unknown grammarian (in the hypothesis to the Persians) calls ' παροδικά, ὅτε λέγει (sc. ὁ χορός) δι᾽ ἣν αἰτίαν πάρεστιν.' - The rhythms ( ῥυθμὸς ᾿Ανακρεόντειός ἐστι κεκλασμένος πρὸς τὸ θρηνητικόν, Schol.) are in keeping with the sorrowful tone of the composition (see 144 ff.); they

;

are furthermore especially appropri- ate to a female chorus.

176. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-133

⁴

;

176. χαλάσῃ: sc. με. Here tran- sitive, but intransitive in 58 and 179. Cp. λωφᾶν 27.

180. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-134

⁵

⁶

;

180. ἐλευθεροστομεῖς : cp. λαβρο- στομεῖν 327, θρασυστομεῖν Suppl. 203, χαριτογλωσσεῖν 294 below.

181. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-135

⁷

⁸

;

181. ἐρέθισε: see on 135. The tri- brach in the third foot here consists of three syllables which belong in one word; this is admissible only in the melic trimeter. See on 162 and on 2. The aorist as in ἐγέλασα, ἥσθην, ἀπέπτυσα (1070 below). Krüger I, § 53, 6, 3; GMT. 60; Н. 842,

182. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-136

⁹

¹⁰

;

182 f. δέδια ... πᾶ πότε: see on

184. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-137

¹¹

¹²

;

184. At 100 above, the figure is that of daybreak after darkness; here of reaching land after a stormy and perilous voyage. - ἀκίχητα: an epic word. Cp. Il. xvii. 75 ἀκίχητα διώκων.

185. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-138

¹³

¹⁴

;

185. ἀπαράμυθον : with long a- priv- ative. So, in epic poetry, ἀθάνατος, ἀκάματος, from the necessities of the metre. ἀθάνατος kept this measure- ment throughout, even in Attic po- etry.

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Current edition Experimental

Χορός πάντ᾽ ἐκκάλυψον καὶ γέγων᾽ ἡμῖν λόγον, 195 ποίῳ λαβών σε Ζεὺς ἐπ᾽ αἰτιάματι, οὕτως ἀτίμως καὶ πικρῶς αἰκίζεται: δίδαξον ἡμᾶς, εἴ τι μὴ βλάπτει λόγῳ.

Προμηθεύς καὶ μὴν φίλοις <γ᾽> 10 ἐλεινὸς 11 εἰσορᾶν ἐγώ.

Χορός μή πού τι προύβης τῶνδε καὶ περαιτέρω;

Προμηθεύς θνητοὺς 12 ἔπαυσα μὴ προδέρκεσθαι μόρον. 250

Χορός τὸ ποῖον εὑρὼν τῆσδε φάρμακον νόσου;

Προμηθεύς τυφλὰς ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐλπίδας κατῴκισα.

Χορός μέγ᾽ ὠφέλημα τοῦτ᾽ ἐδωρήσω βροτοῖς.

Προμηθεύς πρὸς τοῖσδε μέντοι πῦρ ἐγώ σφιν ὤπασα.

Χορός καὶ νῦν φλογωπὸν πῦρ 13 ἔχουσ᾽ ἐφήμεροι; 255

Προμηθεύς ἀφ᾽ οὗ γε πολλὰς ἐκμαθήσονται τέχνας.

Χορός τοιοῖσδε δή σε Ζεὺς ἐπ᾽ αἰτιάμασιν

Προμηθεύς αἰκίζεταί τε κοὐδαμῇ χαλᾷ κακῶν.

Χορός οὐδ᾽ ἔστιν ἄθλου τέρμα σοι προκείμενον; 14

Προμηθεύς οὐκ ἄλλο γ᾽ οὐδέν, πλὴν ὅταν κείνῳ δοκῇ. 260

Ὠκεανός οὔκουν, Προμηθεῦ, τοῦτο γιγνώσκεις, ὅτι ὀργῆς νοσούσης εἰσὶν ἰατροὶ λόγοι; 380

Προμηθεύς ἐάν τις ἐν καιρῷ γε μαλθάσσῃ κέαρ καὶ μὴ σφριγῶντα θυμὸν ἰσχναίνῃ 39 βίᾳ.

Ὠκεανός ἐν τῷ προθυμεῖσθαι δὲ καὶ τολμᾶν τίνα ὁρᾷς ἐνοῦσαν ζημίαν; δίδασκέ με.

Προμηθεύς μόχθον περισσὸν κουφόνουν τ᾽ εὐηθίαν. 385

Ὠκεανός ἔα με τῇδε τῇ νόσῳ νοσεῖν, ἐπεὶ κέρδιστον εὖ φρονοῦντα μὴ φρονεῖν δοκεῖν.

Προμηθεύς ἐμὸν δοκήσει τἀμπλάκημ᾽ εἶναι τόδε.

Ὠκεανός σαφῶς μ᾽ ἐς οἶκον σὸς λόγος στέλλει πάλιν.

Προμηθεύς μὴ γάρ σε θρῆνος οὑμὸς εἰς ἔχθραν βάλῃ. 390

Ὠκεανός ἦ τῷ νέον θακοῦντι παγκρατεῖς ἕδρας;

Προμηθεύς τούτου φυλάσσου μή ποτ᾽ ἀχθεσθῇ κέαρ.

Ὠκεανός ἡ σή, Προμηθεῦ, συμφορὰ διδάσκαλος.

Προμηθεύς στέλλου, κομίζου, σῷζε τὸν παρόντα νοῦν.

Χορός πάντʼ ἐκκάλυψον καὶ γέγωνʼ ἡμῖν λόγον, ποίῳ λαβών σε Ζεὺς ἐπʼ αἰτιάματι, οὕτως ἀτίμως καὶ πικρῶς αἰκίζεται· δίδαξον ἡμᾶς, εἴ τι μὴ βλάπτει λόγῳ.

Προμηθεύς καὶ μὴν φίλοις γʼ ἐλεινὸς εἰσορᾶν ἐγώ.

Χορός μή πού τι προύβης τῶνδε καὶ περαιτέρω;

Προμηθεύς θνητούς γʼ ἔπαυσα μὴ προδέρκεσθαι μόρον. 250

Χορός τὸ ποῖον εὑρὼν τῆσδε φάρμακον νόσου;

Προμηθεύς τυφλὰς ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐλπίδας κατῴκισα.

Χορός μέγʼ ὠφέλημα τοῦτʼ ἐδωρήσω βροτοῖς.

Προμηθεύς πρὸς τοῖσδε μέντοι πῦρ ἐγώ σφιν ὤπασα.

Χορός καὶ νῦν φλογωπὸν πῦρ ἔχουσʼ ἐφήμεροι; 255

Προμηθεύς ἀφʼ οὗ γε πολλὰς ἐκμαθήσονται τέχνας.

Χορός τοιοῖσδε δή σε Ζεὺς ἐπʼ αἰτιάμασιν—

Προμηθεύς αἰκίζεταί τε κοὐδαμῇ χαλᾷ κακῶν.

Χορός οὐδʼ ἔστιν ἄθλου τέρμα σοι προκείμενον;

Προμηθεύς οὐκ ἄλλο γʼ οὐδέν, πλὴν ὅταν κείνῳ δοκῇ. 260

Ὠκεανός οὔκουν, Προμηθεῦ, τοῦτο γιγνώσκεις, ὅτι ὀργῆς νοσούσης εἰσὶν ἰατροὶ λόγοι; 380

Προμηθεύς ἐάν τις ἐν καιρῷ γε μαλθάσσῃ κέαρ καὶ μὴ σφριγῶντα θυμὸν ἰσχναίνῃ βίᾳ.

Ὠκεανός ἐν τῷ προθυμεῖσθαι δὲ καὶ τολμᾶν τίνα ὁρᾷς ἐνοῦσαν ζημίαν; δίδασκέ με.

Προμηθεύς μόχθον περισσὸν κουφόνουν τʼ εὐηθίαν. 385

Ὠκεανός ἔα με τῇδε τῇ νόσῳ νοσεῖν, ἐπεὶ κέρδιστον εὖ φρονοῦντα μὴ φρονεῖν δοκεῖν.

Προμηθεύς ἐμὸν δοκήσει τἀμπλάκημʼ εἶναι τόδε.

Ὠκεανός σαφῶς μʼ ἐς οἶκον σὸς λόγος στέλλει πάλιν.

Προμηθεύς μὴ γάρ σε θρῆνος οὑμὸς εἰς ἔχθραν βάλῃ. 390

Ὠκεανός ἦ τῷ νέον θακοῦντι παγκρατεῖς ἕδρας;

Προμηθεύς τούτου φυλάσσου μή ποτʼ ἀχθεσθῇ κέαρ.

Ὠκεανός ἡ σή, Προμηθεῦ, συμφορὰ διδάσκαλος.

Προμηθεύς στέλλου, κομίζου, σῷζε τὸν παρόντα νοῦν.

ἢ μὴν ἔτ᾽ ἐμοῦ, καίπερ κρατεραῖς 180 ἐν γυιοπέδαις αἰκιζομένου, χρείαν ἕξει μακάρων πρύτανις,

ΧΟ.

Chorus Unfold the whole story and tell us upon what charge Zeus has caught you and painfully punishes you with such dishonor. Instruct us, unless, indeed, there is some harm in telling.

Chorus Iron-hearted and made of stone, Prometheus, is he who feels no compassion at your miseries. For myself, I would not have desired to see them; and now that I see them, I am pained in my heart. 245

Prometheus Yes, to my friends indeed I am a spectacle of pity.

Chorus Did you perhaps transgress even somewhat beyond this offence?

Prometheus Yes, I caused mortals to cease foreseeing their doom. 1 250

Chorus Of what sort was the cure that you found for this affliction?

Prometheus I caused blind hopes to dwell within their breasts.

Chorus A great benefit was this you gave to mortals.

Prometheus In addition, I gave them fire.

Chorus What! Do creatures of a day now have flame-eyed fire? 255

Prometheus Yes, and from it they shall learn many arts.

Chorus Then it was on a charge like this that Zeus—

Prometheus Torments me and in no way gives me respite from pain.

Chorus And is there no end assigned to your ordeal?

Prometheus No, none except when it seems good to him. 260

Chorus But how will it seem good to him? What hope is there? Do you not see that you have wronged? And yet it is not pleasant for me to talk about how you have wronged, and for you it is pain. So, let us quit this theme; and may you seek some release from your ordeal.

Chorus Not to unwilling ears have you made this appeal, Prometheus. And so now with light foot I will quit my swift-speeding seat and the pure air, the pathway of birds and draw near to this rugged ground; for I want to hear 280 the whole story of your sorrows. 285

Prometheus I envy you because you have escaped blame for having dared to share with me in my troubles. 2 So now leave me alone and let it not concern you. Do what you want, you cannot persuade him; for he is not easy to persuade. Beware that you do not do yourself harm by the mission you take. 335

Oceanus In truth, you are far better able to admonish others than yourself. It is by fact, not by hearsay, that I judge. So do not hold back one who is eager to go. For I am confident, yes, confident, that Zeus will grant me this favor, to free you from your sufferings. 340

Oceanus Do you not know then, Prometheus, that words are the physicians of a disordered temper? 380

Prometheus If one softens the soul in season, and does not hasten to reduce its swelling rage by violence.

Oceanus What lurking mischief do you see when daring joins to zeal? Teach me this.

Prometheus Lost labor and thoughtless simplicity. 385

Προμηθεύς

καὶ μὴν φίλοις <γ᾽>¹⁰ ἐλεινὸς¹¹ εἰσορᾶν ἐγώ.

Χορός

μή πού τι προύβης τῶνδε καὶ περαιτέρω;

Προμηθεύς

θνητοὺς¹² ἔπαυσα μὴ προδέρκεσθαι μόρον.
250

Χορός

τὸ ποῖον εὑρὼν τῆσδε φάρμακον νόσου;

Προμηθεύς

τυφλὰς ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐλπίδας κατῴκισα.

Χορός

μέγ᾽ ὠφέλημα τοῦτ᾽ ἐδωρήσω βροτοῖς.

Προμηθεύς

πρὸς τοῖσδε μέντοι πῦρ ἐγώ σφιν ὤπασα.

Χορός

καὶ νῦν φλογωπὸν πῦρ¹³ ἔχουσ᾽ ἐφήμεροι;
255

Προμηθεύς

ἀφ᾽ οὗ γε πολλὰς ἐκμαθήσονται τέχνας.

Χορός

τοιοῖσδε δή σε Ζεὺς ἐπ᾽ αἰτιάμασιν

Προμηθεύς

αἰκίζεταί τε κοὐδαμῇ χαλᾷ κακῶν.

Χορός

οὐδ᾽ ἔστιν ἄθλου τέρμα σοι προκείμενον;¹⁴

Προμηθεύς

οὐκ ἄλλο γ᾽ οὐδέν, πλὴν ὅταν κείνῳ δοκῇ.
260

Ὠκεανός

οὔκουν, Προμηθεῦ, τοῦτο γιγνώσκεις, ὅτι

ὀργῆς νοσούσης εἰσὶν ἰατροὶ λόγοι;
380

Προμηθεύς

ἐάν τις ἐν καιρῷ γε μαλθάσσῃ κέαρ

καὶ μὴ σφριγῶντα θυμὸν ἰσχναίνῃ³⁹ βίᾳ.

Ὠκεανός

ἐν τῷ προθυμεῖσθαι δὲ καὶ τολμᾶν τίνα

ὁρᾷς ἐνοῦσαν ζημίαν; δίδασκέ με.

Προμηθεύς

μόχθον περισσὸν κουφόνουν τ᾽ εὐηθίαν.
385

Ὠκεανός

ἔα με τῇδε τῇ νόσῳ νοσεῖν, ἐπεὶ

κέρδιστον εὖ φρονοῦντα μὴ φρονεῖν δοκεῖν.

Προμηθεύς

ἐμὸν δοκήσει τἀμπλάκημ᾽ εἶναι τόδε.

Ὠκεανός

σαφῶς μ᾽ ἐς οἶκον σὸς λόγος στέλλει πάλιν.

Προμηθεύς

μὴ γάρ σε θρῆνος οὑμὸς εἰς ἔχθραν βάλῃ.
390

Ὠκεανός

ἦ τῷ νέον θακοῦντι παγκρατεῖς ἕδρας;

Προμηθεύς

τούτου φυλάσσου μή ποτ᾽ ἀχθεσθῇ κέαρ.

Ὠκεανός

ἡ σή, Προμηθεῦ, συμφορὰ διδάσκαλος.

Προμηθεύς

στέλλου, κομίζου, σῷζε τὸν παρόντα νοῦν.

Χορός

πάντʼ ἐκκάλυψον καὶ γέγωνʼ ἡμῖν λόγον,

ποίῳ λαβών σε Ζεὺς ἐπʼ αἰτιάματι,

οὕτως ἀτίμως καὶ πικρῶς αἰκίζεται·

δίδαξον ἡμᾶς, εἴ τι μὴ βλάπτει λόγῳ.

Προμηθεύς

καὶ μὴν φίλοις γʼ ἐλεινὸς εἰσορᾶν ἐγώ.

Χορός

μή πού τι προύβης τῶνδε καὶ περαιτέρω;

Προμηθεύς

θνητούς γʼ ἔπαυσα μὴ προδέρκεσθαι μόρον.
250

Χορός

τὸ ποῖον εὑρὼν τῆσδε φάρμακον νόσου;

Προμηθεύς

τυφλὰς ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐλπίδας κατῴκισα.

Χορός

μέγʼ ὠφέλημα τοῦτʼ ἐδωρήσω βροτοῖς.

Προμηθεύς

πρὸς τοῖσδε μέντοι πῦρ ἐγώ σφιν ὤπασα.

Χορός

καὶ νῦν φλογωπὸν πῦρ ἔχουσʼ ἐφήμεροι;
255

Προμηθεύς

ἀφʼ οὗ γε πολλὰς ἐκμαθήσονται τέχνας.

Χορός

τοιοῖσδε δή σε Ζεὺς ἐπʼ αἰτιάμασιν—

Προμηθεύς

αἰκίζεταί τε κοὐδαμῇ χαλᾷ κακῶν.

Χορός

οὐδʼ ἔστιν ἄθλου τέρμα σοι προκείμενον;

Προμηθεύς

οὐκ ἄλλο γʼ οὐδέν, πλὴν ὅταν κείνῳ δοκῇ.
260

Ὠκεανός

οὔκουν, Προμηθεῦ, τοῦτο γιγνώσκεις, ὅτι

ὀργῆς νοσούσης εἰσὶν ἰατροὶ λόγοι;
380

Προμηθεύς

ἐάν τις ἐν καιρῷ γε μαλθάσσῃ κέαρ

καὶ μὴ σφριγῶντα θυμὸν ἰσχναίνῃ βίᾳ.

Ὠκεανός

ἐν τῷ προθυμεῖσθαι δὲ καὶ τολμᾶν τίνα

ὁρᾷς ἐνοῦσαν ζημίαν; δίδασκέ με.

Προμηθεύς

μόχθον περισσὸν κουφόνουν τʼ εὐηθίαν.
385

Ὠκεανός

ἔα με τῇδε τῇ νόσῳ νοσεῖν, ἐπεὶ

κέρδιστον εὖ φρονοῦντα μὴ φρονεῖν δοκεῖν.

Προμηθεύς

ἐμὸν δοκήσει τἀμπλάκημʼ εἶναι τόδε.

Ὠκεανός

σαφῶς μʼ ἐς οἶκον σὸς λόγος στέλλει πάλιν.

Προμηθεύς

μὴ γάρ σε θρῆνος οὑμὸς εἰς ἔχθραν βάλῃ.
390

Ὠκεανός

ἦ τῷ νέον θακοῦντι παγκρατεῖς ἕδρας;

Προμηθεύς

τούτου φυλάσσου μή ποτʼ ἀχθεσθῇ κέαρ.

Ὠκεανός

ἡ σή, Προμηθεῦ, συμφορὰ διδάσκαλος.

Προμηθεύς

στέλλου, κομίζου, σῷζε τὸν παρόντα νοῦν.

ἢ μὴν ἔτ᾽ ἐμοῦ, καίπερ κρατεραῖς
180

ἐν γυιοπέδαις αἰκιζομένου,

χρείαν ἕξει μακάρων πρύτανις,

Chorus

Unfold the whole story and tell us upon what charge Zeus has caught you and painfully punishes you with such dishonor. Instruct us, unless, indeed, there is some harm in telling.

Chorus

Iron-hearted and made of stone, Prometheus,

is he who feels no compassion at your miseries. For myself, I would not have desired to see them; and now that I see them, I am pained in my heart.
245

Prometheus

Yes, to my friends indeed I am a spectacle of pity.

Chorus

Did you perhaps transgress even somewhat beyond this offence?

Prometheus

Yes, I caused mortals to cease foreseeing their doom.¹
250

Chorus

Of what sort was the cure that you found for this affliction?

Prometheus

I caused blind hopes to dwell within their breasts.

Chorus

A great benefit was this you gave to mortals.

Prometheus

In addition, I gave them fire.

Chorus

What! Do creatures of a day now have flame-eyed fire?
255

Prometheus

Yes, and from it they shall learn many arts.

Chorus

Then it was on a charge like this that Zeus—

Prometheus

Torments me and in no way gives me respite from pain.

Chorus

And is there no end assigned to your ordeal?

Prometheus

No, none except when it seems good to him.
260

Chorus

But how will it seem good to him? What hope is there? Do you not see that you have wronged? And yet it is not pleasant for me to talk about how you have wronged, and for you it is pain. So, let us quit this theme; and may you seek some release from your ordeal.

Chorus

Not to unwilling ears have you made this appeal,

Prometheus. And so now with light foot I will quit my swift-speeding seat and the pure air, the pathway of birds and draw near to this rugged ground; for I want to hear
280

the whole story of your sorrows.
285

Prometheus

I envy you because you have escaped blame for having dared to share with me in my troubles.²So now leave me alone and let it not concern you.

Do what you want, you cannot persuade him; for he is not easy to persuade. Beware that you do not do yourself harm by the mission you take.
335

Oceanus

In truth, you are far better able to admonish others than yourself. It is by fact, not by hearsay, that I judge.

So do not hold back one who is eager to go. For I am confident, yes, confident, that Zeus will grant me this favor, to free you from your sufferings.
340

Oceanus

Do you not know then, Prometheus, that

words are the physicians of a disordered temper?
380

Prometheus

If one softens the soul in season, and does not hasten to reduce its swelling rage by violence.

Oceanus

What lurking mischief do you see when daring joins to zeal? Teach me this.

Prometheus

Lost labor and thoughtless simplicity.
385

Oceanus

Leave me to be affected by this, since it is most advantageous, when truly wise, to be deemed a fool.

Prometheus

This fault will be seen to be my own.

Oceanus

Clearly the manner of your speech orders me back home.

Prometheus

So that you won’t win enmity for yourself by lamenting for me.
390

Oceanus

In the eyes of the one who is newly seated on his omnipotent throne?