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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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, ³ with 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

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

PROMETHEUS

Painful indeed are these things for me to tell, and painful too for me to hold my peace, and in every way grievous. As soon as the divinities began discord, and a feud was stirred up among them with one another,—one party

wishing to eject Saturn from his throne, in order forsooth that Jupiter might be king, and others expediting the reverse, that Jupiter might at no time rule over the gods:—then I, when I gave the best advice, was not able to prevail upon the Titans, children of Uranus and Terra; but they, contemning in their stout spirits wily schemes, fancied that without any trouble, and by dint of main force, they were to win the sovereignty. But it was not once only that my mother Themis, and Terra, a single person with many titles, had forewarned me of the way in which the future would be accomplished; how it was destined, that, not by main force, nor by the strong hand, but by craft the victors should prevail. When, however, I explained such points in discourse, they deigned not to pay me any regard at all. Of the plans which then presented themselves to me, the best appeared, that I should take my mother and promptly side with Jupiter, who was right willing [to receive us]. And 'tis by means of my counsels that the murky abyss of Tartarus overwhelms the antique Saturn, allies and all. After thus being assisted by me, the tyrant of the gods hath recompensed me with this foul recompense. For somehow this malady attaches to tyranny, not to put confidence in its friends. But for your inquiries upon what charge is it that he outrages me, this I will make clear. As soon as he had established himself on his father's throne, he assigns forthwith to the different divinities each his honours, and he was marshalling in order his empire: but of woe-begone mortals he made no account, but wished, after having annihilated the entire race, to plant another new one. And these schemes no one opposed except myself. But I dared: I ransomed mortals from being utterly destroyed, and going down to Hades. 'Tis for this, in truth, that I am bent by sufferings such as these, agonising to endure, and piteous to look upon. I that had compassion for mortals, have myself been deemed unworthy to obtain this, but mercilessly am thus coerced to order, a spectacle inglorious to Jupiter.

CHORUS

PROMETHEUS

Aye, in very deed I am a piteous object for friends to behold.

CHORUS

And didst thou chance to advance even beyond this?

PROMETHEUS

Yes! I prevented mortals from foreseeing their doom.

CHORUS

By finding what remedy for this malady?

PROMETHEUS

I caused blind hopes to dwell within them.

CHORUS

In this thou gavest a mighty benefit to mortals.

PROMETHEUS

Over and above these boons, however, I imparted fire to them.

CHORUS

And do the creatures of a day now possess bright fire?

PROMETHEUS

Yes—from which they will moreover learn thoroughly many arts.

CHORUS

Is it indeed on charges such as these that Jupiter is both visiting thee with indignities, and in no wise grants thee a respite from thy pains? And is no period to thy toils set before thee?

PROMETHEUS

None other assuredly, but when it may please him.

CHORUS

And how shall it be his good pleasure? What hope is there? Seest thou not that thou didst err? but how thou didst err, I cannot relate with pleasure, and it would be a pain to you. But let us leave these points, and search thou for some escape from thine agony.

PROMETHEUS

CHORUS

PROMETHEUS

OCEAN

I see, Prometheus, and to thee, subtle as thou art, I wish to give the best counsel. Know thyself, and assume to thyself new manners; for among the gods too there is a new monarch. But if thou wilt utter words thus harsh and whetted, Jupiter mayhap, though seated far aloft, will hear thee, so that the present bitterness of sufferings will seem to thee to be child's play. But, O hapless one, dismiss the passion which thou feelest, and search for a deliverance from these sufferings of thine. Old-fashioned maxims these, it may be I appear to thee to utter; yet such become the wages of the tongue that talks too proudly. But not even yet art thou humble, nor submittest to ills; and in addition to those that already beset thee, thou art willing to bring others upon thee. Yet not, if at least thou takest me for thy instructor, wilt thou stretch out thy leg against the pricks; as thou seest that a harsh monarch, and one that is not subject to control, is lording it. And now I for my part will go, and will essay, if I be able, to disenthral thee from these thy pangs. But be thou still, nor be over impetuous in thy language. What! knowest thou not exactly, extremely intelligent as thou art, that punishment is inflicted on a froward tongue?

PROMETHEUS

OCEAN

Thou art far better calculated by nature to instruct thy neighbours than thyself: I draw my conclusion from fact, and not from word. But think not for a moment to divert me from the attempt. For I am confident, yea, I am confident, that Jupiter will grant me this boon, so as to release thee from these pangs of thine.

PROMETHEUS

OCEAN

Knowest thou not this then, Prometheus, that words are the physicians of a distempered feeling

?

PROMETHEUS

OCEAN

Aye, but in foresight along with boldness

what mischief is there that thou seest to be inherent? inform me.

PROMETHEUS

Superfluous trouble and trifling folly.

OCEAN

Suffer me to sicken in this said sickness, since 'tis of the highest advantage for one that is wise not to seem to be wise.

PROMETHEUS

(Not so, for) this trespass will seem to be mine.

OCEAN

Thy language is plainly sending me back to my home.

PROMETHEUS

Lest thy lamentation over me bring thee into ill-will.

OCEAN

What with him who hath lately seated himself on the throne that ruleth over all?

PROMETHEUS

Beware of him lest at any time his heart be moved to wrath.

OCEAN

Thy disaster, Prometheus, is my monitor.

PROMETHEUS

Away! withdraw thee, keep thy present determination.

OCEAN

On me, hastening to start, hast thou urged this injunction; for my winged quadruped flaps with his pinions the smooth track of aether; and blithely would he recline his limbs in his stalls at home.

CHORUS

PROMÉTHÉE

d'avoir pour moi ma mère en m'allant placer aux côtés de Zeus, qui volontiers accueillit le volontaire ² . Et c'est grâce
à mes plans qu'aujourd'hui le profond et noir repaire du Tartare cache l'antique Cronos avec ses alliés. Voilà les services qu'a obtenus de moi le roi des dieux et qu'il a payés de cette cruelle récompense. C'est un mal inhérent,
sans doute, au pouvoir suprême que la défiance à l'égard des amis ! — Quant à l'objet de votre question : pour quel grief m'outrage-t-il ainsi ? je vais vous l'éclaircir. Aussitôt assis sur le trône paternel, sans retard, il répartit les
divers privilèges entre les divers dieux, et commence à fixer les rangs dans son empire ³ . Mais, aux malheureux mortels, pas un moment il ne songea. Il en voulait au contraire anéantir la race, afin d'en créer une toute nouvelle ⁴ . A ce projet nul ne s'opposait — que moi. Seul, j'ai eu
cette audace ; j'ai libéré les hommes et fait qu'ils ne sont pas descendus, écrasés, dans l'Hadès. Et c'est là pourquoi aujourd'hui je ploie sous de telles douleurs, cruelles à subir, pitoyables à voir. Pour avoir pris les mortels en pitié, je me
suis vu refuser la pitié, et voilà comme implacablement je suis ici traité, spectacle funeste au renom de Zeus.

LE CORYPHÉE

Il aurait un cœur fait de roc ou de fer, Prométhée, celui qui ne s'indignerait avec toi de tes peines. Je n'eusse pas, pour moi, souhaité voir tel spectacle, et à
le voir, mon cœur douloureusement s'émeut.

PROMÉTHÉE

Oui, j'offre à des amis une vue pitoyable.

LE CORYPHÉE

Tu as, sans doute, été plus loin encore ?

PROMÉTHÉE

Oui, j'ai délivré les hommes de l'obsession de la mort.

LE CORYPHÉE

Quel remède as-tu donc découvert à ce mal ?

PROMÉTHÉE

J'ai installé en eux les aveugles espoirs.

LE CORYPHÉE

Le puissant réconfort que tu as ce jour-là apporté aux mortels !

PROMÉTHÉE

J'ai fait plus

LE CORYPHÉE

Quoi ! le feu flamboyant est aujourd'hui aux mains des éphémères ?

PROMÉTHÉE

Et de lui ils apprendront des arts sans nombre.

LE CORYPHÉE

Ce sont là les griefs pour lesquels Zeus...

PROMÉTHÉE

M'inflige cet opprobre, sans laisser de relâche à mes maux !

LE CORYPHÉE

Et nul terme n'est proposé à ton épreuve ?

PROMÉTHÉE

Nul autre que son bon plaisir.

LE CORYPHÉE

Et ce bon plaisir, d'où naîtrait-il ? Comment l'espérer ? Ne vois-tu pas que tu as fait erreur ?
Où fut l'erreur ? je n'aurais point plaisir à te le dire et tu aurais peine à l'entendre. Laissons cela, et cherche comment tu te peux libérer de l'épreuve.

PROMÉTHÉE

Il est aisé à qui n'a pas le pied en pleine misère de conseiller, de tancer le malheureux ! Mais tout
cela, moi, je le savais ; voulue, voulue a été mon erreur — je ne veux point contester le mot. Pour porter aide aux hommes, j'ai été moi-même chercher des souffrances. Je ne pensais pas pourtant que de pareilles peines me devraient dessécher à jamais sur des cimes rocheuses et que j'aurais
pour lot ce pic désert et solitaire. Aussi, sans vous lamenter sur mes

PROMÉTHÉE

apprendre mes maux à venir : vous saurez tout ainsi d'un bout à l'autre. Cédez, cédez à ma prière ; compatissez à
qui souffre à cette heure. Le malheur ne distingue pas et, dans sa course errante, se pose aujourd'hui sur l'un et demain sur l'autre.

LE CORYPHÉE

Tu harcèles une troupe déjà prête à
t'obéir, Prométhée. D'un pied léger, j'abandonne ce char à l'élan rapide et l'éther, route sacrée de l'oiseau, pour prendre terre sur cet

OCÉAN

Pour aller à toi, Prométhée, j'ai poussé
jusqu'au terme d'une longue course, sur cet oiseau aux ailes promptes, que, sans bride, ma seule volonté dirige. De tes maux, sache-le, j'ai compassion. Le sang ⁵ , je crois,
m'y contraint, et, le sang n'y fût-il pour rien, il n'est personne qui tienne plus de place dans mon cœur. Tu reconnaîtras bientôt que je dis vrai et ne sais pas user de vaines
flatteries. Allons, indique-moi quel appui je dois te prêter. Tu ne pourras jamais dire que tu as un ami plus sûr qu'Océan.

PROMÉTHÉE

PROMÉTHÉE

son nom et tes grottes au toit de roc taillées par la nature pour le pays qui enfante le fer ? Viendrais-tu par hasard contempler le sort qui m'est fait, pour t'indigner avec moi de mes maux ? Regarde ce spectacle : moi, l'ami de Zeus,
moi qui l'aidai à asseoir sa puissance, vois sous quelles douleurs il me ploie aujourd'hui.

OCÉAN

Je vois, Prométhée, et je veux même te donner le seul conseil qui convienne ici, si avisé que tu sois déjà : connais-toi toi-même, et, t'adaptant aux faits, prends
des façons nouvelles, puisqu'un maître nouveau commande chez les dieux. Si tu te mets à lancer de la sorte des mots rudes et acérés, Zeus pourrait bien t'entendre, si loin et si haut qu'il trône et le courroux dont tu souffres à cette heure ne plus te paraître
un jour qu'un simple jeu d'enfant. Allons, infortuné, laisse là ta colère, et cherche à t'affranchir de ces tourments. Je te semble peut-être ne dire là que des vieilleries. Il n'en reste pas moins qu'ici tu reçois, Prométhée, le salaire d'un langage trop hautain. Et pourtant tu n'es pas humble
encore, tu ne cèdes pas à la souffrance, et à tes maux présents tu entends en ajouter d'autres. Si tu acceptes mes leçons, tu cesseras de regimber contre l'aiguillon. Considère qu'il s'agit d'un dur monarque, dont le pouvoir n'a pas de comptes
à rendre. Aussi, tandis que j'irai tenter, si je puis, de te dégager de ces peines, reste en repos, ne t'emporte pas en propos violents. Ne sais-tu donc pas, toi dont l'esprit est si subtilement sage, qu'un châtiment s'inflige aux langues étourdies.

PROMÉTHÉE

Je t'envie de te trouver hors

PROMÉTHÉE

laisse ce projet, va, n'y songe plus. Quoi que tu fasses, tu ne le persuaderas pas : il est fermé à la persuasion. Veille
plutôt à ne pas te nuire par telle démarche ⁷ .

OCÉAN

Tu t'entends mieux à faire la leçon aux autres qu'à toi-même ; j'en juge sur des faits, non sur de simples mots ! J'y vais : ne

PROMÉTHÉE

Je t'en sais gré et jamais ne l'oublierai : ton zèle n'a point de défaillance. Mais ne prends nulle peine : ta peine serait vaine à vouloir me servir — si vraiment cette peine était dans tes projets. Reste en repos et
tiens-toi hors d'affaire. Je ne voudrais point, parce que je suis dans le malheur, voir des revers frapper les autres en foule. Non, je souffre assez déjà du sort de mon frère, Atlas, qui, debout, au couchant, soutient de ses épaules la colonne
qui sépare le ciel et la terre, fardeau malaisé pour les bras qui l'étreignent. Et j'ai senti aussi la pitié me prendre le jour où j'ai vu le fils de la Terre ⁸ , jadis habitant des grottes ciliciennes, monstre terrible à cent têtes, Typhée, l'impétueux, dompté par la force. Il s'était dressé contre tous les
dieux, sifflant l'effroi par sa terrifiante mâchoire ; de ses yeux jaillissait en éclairs une lueur d'épouvante, qui disait son dessein de renverser par violence le pouvoir de Zeus. Mais sur lui vint le trait vigilant de Zeus, la foudre qui
s'abat dans un souffle de feu : elle le fit choir du haut de ses

PROMÉTHÉE

vanteries superbes. Atteint en plein cœur, il a vu sa force mise en poudre, anéantie par le tonnerre. Et maintenant, corps étalé inerte, il gît près d'un détroit marin,
comprimé par les racines de l'Etna, tandis qu'au haut de ses cimes Héphaistos installé frappe le fer en fusion. C'est de là qu'un jour jailliront des torrents de feu, qui iront dévorer de leurs dents sauvages les guérets féconds des
plaines de Sicile — si puissant sera le courroux bouillonnant que, dans les traits brûlants d'une insatiable tempête de feu, Typhée exhalera encore, tout carbonisé par la foudre de Zeus ! Mais tu n'es pas un novice et tu n'as pas besoin de mes leçons. Mets-toi à l'abri — comme tu sais le faire ⁹ !
Pour moi, j'entends épuiser le destin qui maintenant est le mien, jusqu'au jour où le cœur de Zeus

OCÉAN

Ne comprends-tu pas, Prométhée, que, pour traiter la maladie colère, il existe des mots médecins ?

PROMÉTHÉE

Pourvu qu'on trouve le moment où l'on
peut amollir le cœur — au lieu de prétendre réduire par la force une passion qui forme abcès.

OCÉAN

Mais, à un zèle téméraire, vois-tu donc un châtiment attaché ? instruis-moi.

PROMÉTHÉE

La honte d'une peine inutile et d'une candeur étourdie.

OCÉAN

Laisse-moi alors être malade de ce mal : rien
de mieux que de paraître fou par excès de bonté.

PROMÉTHÉE

Cette faute-là paraîtra plutôt mienne ¹⁰ !

OCÉAN

Ton langage me donne nettement congé ¹¹ .

PROMÉTHÉE

De peur qu'à pleurer sur moi tu ne te fasses un ennemi.

OCÉAN

De celui qui vient de monter sur le trône tout puissant ?

PROMÉTHÉE

De lui-même : garde-toi d'irriter son
cœur.

OCÉAN

Ton malheur, Prométhée, est un enseignement.

PROMÉTHÉE

Pars, éloigne-toi, garde ces dispositions.

OCÉAN

Je partais : ton conseil me harcèle pour rien. Mon quadrupède-oiseau bat doucement de ses ailes la route
lisse de l'éther. Quelle joie il aura à ployer les genoux

PROMETHEUS.

'Tis painful to relate it, to be ſilent

Is pain: each circumſtance is full of woe.

205

When

ſtern debate amongſt the gods appear'd,

And diſcord in the courts of heav'n was rous'd;

Whilſt againſt Saturn ſome conſpiring will'd

To pluck him from the throne, that Jove might reign;

210

And ſome, averſe, with ardent zeal oppos'd

Jove's riſing pow'r and empire o'er the gods;

My counſels, tho' diſcreeteſt, wiſeſt, beſt,

Mov'd not the Titans, thoſe impetuous ſons

Of Ouranus and Terra, whoſe high ſpirits,

215

Diſdaining milder meaſures, proudly ween'd

To ſeize by force the ſceptre of the ſky.

Oft did my goddeſſs mother, Themis now,

Now Gaia, under various names deſign'd i

,

Herſelf the ſame, foretell me the event,

220

That not by violence, that not by pow'r,

But gentler arts, the royalty of heav'n

Muſt be obtain'd. Whilſt thus my voice advis'd,

Their headlong rage deign'd me not e'en a look.

What then could wiſdom dictate, but to take

225

My mother, and with voluntary aid

Abet the cauſe of Jove? Thus by my counſels

In the dark deep Tartarean gulph enclos'd

Old Saturn lies, and his confederate pow'rs.

For theſe good deeds the tyrant of the ſkies

230

Repays me with theſe dreadful puniſhments.

For foul miſtruſt of thoſe that ſerve them beſt

Breathes its black poiſon in each tyrant's heart.

Aſk you the cauſe for which he tortures me?

I will declare it. On his father's throne

235

Scarce was he ſeated, on the chiefs of heav'n

He ſhow'r'd his various honours; thus confirming

His royalty; but for unhappy mortals k

Had no regard, and all the preſent race

Will'd to extirpate, and to form a new.

240

None, ſave myſelf, oppos'd his will; I dar'd;

And boldly pleading ſaved them from deſtruction,

Saved them from ſinking to the realms of night.

For this offence I bend beneath theſe pains,

Dreadful to ſuffer, piteous to behold:

245

For mercy to mankind I am not deem'd

Worthy of mercy; but with ruthless hate

In this uncouth appointment am fix'd here

A ſpectacle diſhonorable to Jove,

CHORUS.

PROMETHEUS.

It is a ſight that ſtrikes my friends with pity.

CHORUS.

But had th' offence no further aggravation?

255

PROMETHEUS.

I hid from men the foreſight of their fate.

CHORUS.

What cou'dſt thou find to remedy that ill?

PROMETHEUS.

I ſent blind Hope t'inhabit in their hearts.

CHORUS.

A bleſſing haſt thou given to mortal man.

PROMETHEUS.

Nay more, with generous zeal I gave them Fire.

260

CHORUS.

Do mortals now enjoy the blazing gift?

PROMETHEUS.

And by it ſhall give birth to various arts.

CHORUS.

For ſuch offences doth the wrath of Jove

Thus puniſh thee, relaxing nought of pain?

And is no bound preſcrib'd to thy affliction ?

265

PROMETHEUS.

None else, but when his own will ſhall incline him.

CHORUS.

Who ſhall incline his will? Haſt thou no hope?

Doſt thou not ſee that thou hast much offended?

But to point out th' offence to me were painful,

And might ſound harſh to thee: forbear we then;

270

Bethink thee how thy ills may find an end.

PROMETHEUS.

CHORUS.

OCEANUS.

Far diſtant, thro' the vaſt expanſe of air,

To thee, Prometheus, on this ſwiftwing'd ſteed l

,

295

Whoſe neck unrein'd obeys my will, I come,

In ſocial ſorrow ſympathizing with thee.

To this the near affinity of blood

Moves me; and be aſſur'd, that tie apart,

There is not who can tax my dear regard

300

Deeper than thou: believe me, this is truth,

Not the falſe glozings of a flatt'ring tongue.

Inſtruct me then in what my pow'r may ſerve thee,

For never ſhalt thou ſay thou haſt a friend

More firm, more conſtant than Oceanus.

305

PROMETHEUS.

OCEANUS.

I ſee it all, and wiſh to counſel thee,

315

Wiſe as thou art, to milder meaſures: learn

To know thyſelf; new model thy behaviour,

As the new monarch of the gods requires.

What if thy harſh and pointed ſpeech ſhould reach

The ear of Jove, tho' on his diſtant throne

320

Highſeated, might they not inflame his rage

T' inflict ſuch tortures, that thy preſent pains

Might ſeem a recreation and a ſport?

Ceaſe then, unhappy ſufferer, ceaſe thy braves,

And meditate the means of thy deliverance.

325

To thee perchance this ſeems the cold advice

Of doting age; yet, truſt me, woes like theſe

Are earnings of the loftyſounding tongue.

But thy unbending ſpirit diſdains to yield

E'en to afflictions, to the preſent rather

330

Ambitious to add more. Yet ſhalt thou not,

If my voice may be heard, lift up thy heel

To kick againſt the pricks; ſo rough, thou ſeeſt,

So uncontroul'd the monarch of the ſkies.

But now I go, and will exert my pow'r,

335

If haply I may free thee from thy pains.

Mean while be calm; forbear this haughty tone:

Has not thy copious wiſdom taught thee this,

That miſchief ſtill attends the petulant tongue ?

PROMETHEUS.

OCEANUS.

Wiſer for others than thyſelf I find

Thy thoughts; yet ſhalt thou not withhold my ſpeed.

And I have hopes, with pride I ſpeak it, hopes

T' obtain this grace, and free thee from thy ſufferings.

PROMETHEUS.

OCEANUS.

No; for thy brother's fate, th' unhappy Atlas m

,

Afflicts me: on the western ſhore he ſtands,

Supporting on his ſhoulders the vaſt pillar

Of Heav'n and Earth, a weight of cumbrous graſp.

Him too, the dweller of Cilicia's caves,

360

I ſaw, with pity ſaw, Earth's monſtrous ſon,

With all his hundred heads n

ſubdued by Force,

The furious Typhon, who 'gainſt all the gods

Made war; his horrid jaws with ſerpenthiſs

Breath'd ſlaughter, from his eyes the gorgonglare

365

Of baleful lightnings flaſh'd, as his proud force

Wou'd rend from Jove his empire of the ſky.

But him the vengeful bolt, inſtinct with fire,

Smote ſore, and daſh'd him from his haughty vaunts,

Pierc'd thro' his ſoul, and wither'd all his ſtrength.

370

Thus ſtretch'd out huge in length beneath the roots

Of Ætna, near Trinacria's narrow ſea,

Aftonied, blaſted, ſpiritless he lies;

On whoſe high ſummit Vulcan holds his ſeat,

And forms the glowing maſſ. In times to come

375

Hence ſtreams of torrent fire with hideous roar

Shall burſt, and with its waſteful mouths devour

All the fair fields of fruitful Sicily.

Such rage ſhall Typhon, blaſted as he is

With Jove's fierce lightning, pour inceſſant forth

380

In ſmoking whirlwinds and tempeſtuous flame.

PROMETHEUS.

Thou art not unexperienc'd, nor haſt need

Of my inſtruction; ſave thyſelf, how beſt

Thy wiſdom ſhall direct thee. I will bear

My preſent fate, till Jove's harſh wrath relents.

385

OCEANUS.

PROMETHEUS.

When ſeaſonably the healing balm's applied;

Else it exaſperates the ſwelling heart.

OCEANUS.

But in the fair endeavour, in th' attempt,

390

What diſadvantage, tell me, doſt thou ſee?

PROMETHEUS.

Unfruitful labour, and lightthoughted folly.

OCEANUS.

Be that my weakness then. Oft' when the wiſe

Appears not wiſe, he works the greateſt good.

PROMETHEUS.

This will be deem'd my ſimple policy.

395

OCEANUS.

Theſe words indeed remand me to my grotto.

PROMETHEUS.

Ceaſe to bewail me, leſt thou wake his wrath.

OCEANUS.

What, the new monarch's of heav'n's potent throne?

PROMETHEUS.

Take care his indignation be not rous'd.

OCEANUS.

Thy miſery ſhall be my monitor.

400

PROMETHEUS.

Go then, be cautious, hold thy preſent judgment.

OCEANUS.

Thy words add ſpeed to my diſpatch. Already

My plumed ſteed his levell'd wings diſplays

To fan the liquid air, thro' fond deſire

In his own lodge his wearied ſpeed to reſt.

405

CHORUS.

CORO

Ben ardito sei tu: ché non ti prostra

210

il tuo supplizio amaro; e troppo libera

la tua lingua disciogli.

Ma noi temiam per la tua sorte; e penetra

terror l'anima nostra.

Dove sarà che approdi

215

il termine a veder dei tuoi cordogli ?

Ché cuore inesorabile

il figliuolo di Giove serba ed impervî modi.

PROMETEO

Bene so ch'egli è acerbo, ed in pugno

tien giustizia. Ma pure, mi credo,

220

diverrà l'umor suo ben piú mite,

quando queste sventure lo fiacchino;

e appianata la furia implacabile,

dovrà chiedermi un giorno amicizia

e concordia; né io m' opporrò.

225

CORO

Svelaci, tutta esponici l'istoria:

in quale fallo te cogliendo, Giove

di cosí dure obbrobrïose pene

ti oltraggia: dove non ti noccia, narralo.

PROMETEO

M'è pur doglia narrar simili eventi,

230

doglia tacerli: una miseria è tutto!

Come prima scoppiò l'odio fra i Numi,

e in due parti li scisse una contesa,

questi, volendo abbattere dal soglio

Crono, perché regnasse appunto Giove,

235

gli altri, tutto al contrario, adoperandosi

perché mai Giove non avesse il regno,

CORO

PROMETEO

Sí, per gli amici è gran pietà vedermi.

CORO

Non sei forse trascorso ad altro eccesso

290

PROMETEO

Dal fissare il destin distolsi gli uomini.

CORO

Quale farmaco a tal morbo trovasti ?

PROMETEO

Nei lor petti albergai cieche speranze.

CORO

Gran beneficio fu questo per gli uomini.

PROMETEO

Ed oltre a questo, il fuoco a lor donai.

295

CORO

Il fuoco, occhio di fiamma, ora posseggono?

PROMETEO

E molte arti dal fuoco apprenderanno.

CORO

E Giove, dunque, per queste ragioni...

PROMETEO

Cosí m' offende, e il furor suo non placa.

CORO

Né della pena è a te prefisso il termine?

300

PROMETEO

Quando a lui piaccia: il sol termine è questo.

CORO

Potrà piacergli mai? Come lo speri ?

In fallo sei, non vedi? Oh!, non m'allegra

ricordare il tuo fallo, onde ti crucci.

Ma tralasciam questi discorsi. Indaga

305

che spediente i mali tuoi disciolga.

PROMETEO

A chi tien fuori dai cordogli il piede,

dare consigli a chi patisce è facile.

CORO

Non a gente incresciosa

la tua parola, Prometèo, si volge.

325

Sí che ora dal cocchio veloce

e da l'ètere limpido, tramite

degli augelli, con l'agile piede

scenderò su la terra: ché bramo

per intero ascoltar le tue pene.

330

Il cocchio delle Oceanine sparisce. Su un cavallo marino alato giunge Oceano.

OCEANO

Giungo a te, Prometèo: questo augello

dalle penne veloci, diressi

col voler, senza freni. Ben lunga

fu la via che m'addusse a la mèta.

Sappi ch'io di tua sorte doloro:

335

mi vi astringe la stirpe comune,

io mi penso: ma, oltre alla stirpe,

niun v'è la cui doglia

io partecipi piú che la tua.

Tu saprai che sincero è il mio labbro,

340

che dir vane parole e lusinghe

mio costume non è. Dimmi dunque

in che cosa giovare io ti posso;

e dovrai convenir che nessuno

piú d'Oceano t' è fido amico.

345

PROMETEO

Ahimè, che avviene? A contemplar mie doglie

anche tu giungi? E come ardisti mai,

lasciando il flutto che da te si noma,

e le volte di roccia, onde Natura

i tuoi spechi inarcò, sopra la terra

350

madre del ferro, il pie' muovere ? Giungi

a veder le mie pene, a pianger meco?

Ecco ciò che veder tu puoi: l'amico

di Giove, quei che seco estrussi il regno,

sotto che strazi, sua mercè, mi fiacco.

355

OCEANO

Prometèo, ben lo veggo; e consigliarti

vo' pel tuo meglio, benché tu sei scaltro.

Rientra in te: nuovi costumi adotta,

ché il Signore dei Numi anch' egli è nuovo.

Se parole cosí scabre e taglienti

360

tu scaglierai, t'udirà certo Giove,

se ben tanto alto siede, e allora, un gioco

ti parrà da fanciullo, il mal presente.

Su' via, tapino, bandisci la furia

che t'empie il seno, e alle tue pene cerca

365

qualche riscatto. A te forse parranno

triti vecchiumi le parole mie;

ma della lingua tua troppo superba

è questa, Prometèo, la triste mancia.

Ma tu non sai farti umile, non sai

370

cedere ai mali; ed altri procacciartene,

oltre ai presenti, vuoi. Se un mio consiglio

ti piace udir, non calcitrare al pungolo :

vedi che aspro, che assoluto è Giove.

Adesso io vado, e tenterò la prova

375

se ti posso scampar da queste pene.

Tu rimani tranquillo, e audace troppo

il tuo labbro non sia. Sempre il castigo

s'appiglia a troppo temeraria lingua:

sei tanto sapiente, e questo ignori ?

380

PROMETEO

Felice te, che la mia doglia ardisci

partecipare, e fuor di colpa resti!

Ma lasciami or, di me cura non darti.

Modo non v'è che tu possa convincermi.

Bada a te stesso, fa' che il tuo viaggio

385

non ti debba fruttar qualche cordoglio.

OCEANO

Molto piú vali a dar consiglio a quanti

ti son vicini, che a te stesso. I fatti,

non le parole, me ne dànno prova.

Accinto io sono già: né trattenermi

390

ti piaccia: io mi lusingo, io mi lusingo

che Giove il dono di mandarti libero

da queste pene a me voglia concedere.

PROMETEO

lo ti son grato, e sempre ti sarò,

che del tuo buon voler nulla risparmi.

395

Ma pur, non affannarti: affanno vano

il tuo sarebbe, e senza utile mio.

Sta tranquillo, e da me tien lunge il piede.

Non perché sono io misero, vorrei

che sciagura incogliesse ad altri molti.

400

No, che mi rode anch'essa il cuor, la sorte

d'Atlante fratel mio, che ritto sta

nelle contrade d'Espero, e con gli òmeri

la colonna del cielo e de la terra

sostiene, immane pondo. E il cuor mi pianse,

405

quando il figlio di Gea, l'abitatore

degli spechi Cilicî, orribil mostro

che spira furia da cento cerèbri,

mirai domato da la forza. Ei stette

a faccia a faccia contro i Numi tutti,

410

sibilando terror da le mascelle

spaventevoli; e vampo mostruoso

folgoreggiavan gli occhi, e a viva forza

prostrar credea di Giove la tirannide.

Ma di Giove su lui l' insonne dardo,

415

il folgore piombò, che dal ciel cade

spirando fiamma; e dai superbi vanti

giú l'abbatté. Colpito entro nei visceri,

ei fu converso in cenere, e disfatto

il poter suo fra l'ululo dei tuoni.

420

Ed or, salma disutile, rovescio

giace nei pressi del marino stretto,

e le radici d'Etna su lui gravano.

E sta sopra le cime ultime Efesto,

e batte il ferro incandescente; e quindi

425

fiumi di fuoco eromperanno un giorno,

con selvagge mascelle, e struggeranno

le piane valli e gli opulenti frutti

de la Sicilia, coi roventi strali

d'un implacabil turbine di fiamma.

430

Tanto furor, se bene dalla folgore

converso in bragia, ebollirà Tifone.

Ma tu ciò non ignori, e non hai d'uopo

ch'io t'ammaestri. Or, come tu sai, sàlvati:

io la sciagura mia sopporterò,

435

P

sin che di Giove non declini l'ira.

OCEANO

PROMETEO

Quando in buon punto un cuor molci, non quando

440

reprimi a forza un animo che scoppia !

OCEANO

Nel prevedere, nel tentar, tu scopri

che ci sia qualche danno? E quale? Mostralo!

PROMETEO

Superflua pena e vana dabbenaggine.

OCEANO

Lasciami pur tal morbo. E' gran vantaggio

445

sembrar privi di senno, ed esser saggi.

PROMETEO

Sembrerà mio retaggio un tal difetto!

OCEANO

Chiaro è! Le tue parole mi congedano.

PROMETEO

La tua pietà potrebbe inviso renderti.

OCEANO

A chi sul trono sommo or ora ascese?

450

PROMETEO

Bada che il cuor di lui mai non si crucci!

OCEANO

La sorte tua, m'è, Prometèo, maestra!

PROMETEO

Va', torna, serba questi tuoi propositi.

OCEANO

Parli a chi sta già sulle mosse. I tramiti

schiusi dell'aria questo augel quadrupede

455

rade con l'ali già. Nei suoi presepî

il ginocchio piegar lo farà lieto.

Oceano parte.

CORO

Pro.

Molestum quidem mihi est haec dicere,

Vicissim tædiosum tacere: ubiq; infortunium.

Vbi statim cœperunt dij irasci,

Seditio inter ipsos orta est.

205

Hi quidem volentes Saturnum folio eijcere,

Vt Iupiter regnaret videlicet: alij contrarium

Studebant, ne unquam Iupiter Dijs imperaret.

Inde ego optima quæq; consulens, persuadere

Titanas Cæli Terræ filios

210

Non potui, meas blandas astutias

Parvipendentes, firmioribus consilijs

Putabant sine labore vi dominari.

Mihi verò mater non tantum semel Themis,

Et Terra, multorum nominum forma una,

215

Quod aliquando adimpleretur prædixerat:

Quod neq; ob vim & robur

Oporteret, sed dolo Deos imperare.

Haec verò me narrante verbis

Non dignum putarunt, neq; omnino respicere.

220

Optimum mihi præsentium rerum tunc

Videbatur esse, adiungenti matrem

Volentem volenti Ioui fauere.

Meo consilio tartari profunda

Latebra occulta senem Saturnum,

225

Cum illius socijs.

hoc modo ex me

Deorum tyrannus adiutus,

Has malas pœnas mihi rependit.

Inest hoc aliquo modo tyrannidi

230

Malum, amicis non fiduciam habere.

Quod verò interrogatis, causam ob quam

Iniuria afficit me: hoc vobis perspicuum reddam.

Vbi paternum solium statim

Occupauit, repente Dijs distribuit præmia

235

Alijs alia, & disposuit

Principatum: mortalium verò miserorum rationem

Nullam habuit, sed illorum genere destructo

Omni, voluit aliud condere novum.

Istis consilijs nullus me excepto restitit:

240

Ego verò audax liberaui mortales,

Ne dilacerati ad inferos migrarent.

Hac de causa talibus calamitatibus plector,

Molestis ad perpetiendum, & visu miserabilibus.

Erga mortales misericordia affectus, talia

245

PROMETHEVS.

Assequi

Non dignus eram ipse: tamen crudeliter

Hic dispositus sum, Ioui infamis aspectus.

Cho.

Pro.

Et tamen aspectu sum ipse amicis miserabilis.

Cho.

Num his longius progressus es?

Pro.

Mortales effeci, ne viderent mortem.

255

Cho.

Quale inveniens remedium morbis?

Pro.

Spem cæcam in ipsis collocavi.

Cho.

Magnum hoc adiumentu dedisti mortalibus.

Pro.

Illis ipsis ignem ipse præbui.

Cho.

Et nunc flammante ignem habent homines.

260

Pro.

A' quo ipsi discent multas artes.

Cho.

Talibus de causis igitur Iupiter te

Iniuria afficit, & nequaquam mala relaxat?

Neq; est ærumnarum finis tibi repositus?

Pro.

Nullus alius, nisi quando illi visum fuerit.

265

Cho.

Quomodo videbitur? quæ spes? num vides,

Peccasti: sic verò, ut non mihi dicere

Cum voluptate, tibi verò dolor. sed haec

Sinamus, ærumnarum quære solutionem aliquam.

Pro.

Mortalibus succurrens, ipse inveni labores.

Non tamen pœnis talibus putabam me

275

Affectum iri, apud petras excelsas

Assequentem hunc desertum locum,

Et præsentia mala non defleri.

Gressim euntes repente fortunas

Audite, ut intelligatis omnino omnia.

280

Parete parete, & iuvate

Me laborantem: vagans

Malum aliud ad aliud haeret.

Cho.

Oce.

Venio, difficilis viæ finem

Emensus, ad te Prometheu:

Hanc avem verò,

Meo arbitratu sine frenis regens:

Tuis verò fortunis, scito, condoleo.

295

Cognatio sic enim arbitror me

Cogit: sine genere,

Non est cui maiorem fortunam tribuere quam tibi.

Cognosces verò haec quàm vere, neq; frustra

Grata loqui licet mihi. age igitur

300

Significa mihi, qua in re oportet me tibi opitulari?

PROMETHEVS.

Non enim unquam dices, quòd Oceano

Sit tibi amicus firmior.

Pro.

Oce.

Video Prometheu, consulereq; tibi

Optima quæq; volo, quamvis versutus sis:

Nosce teipsum, & accipe mores

315

Novos. nam novus tyrannus est dijs.

Si hoc modo acerba & acuta verba

Debacchatus fueris, statim te, quamvis procul

Sedens Iupiter, audiet: ita ut tibi bilem

Præsentem, laborum iocum esse arbitretur.

320

Sed ô miser, quas habes iras, remitte,

Et quære horum malorum solutionem

Fortassis tibi stultè haec profundere videor,

Talia sané, ô altiloqua

Lingua Prometheu. premia erunt.

325

Tu nunquam humilis es, neq; cedis malis:

Et vis ad præsentia, alia addere.

Me igitur præceptore utens,

Stimulo crus extendes, videns quòd

Acerbus princeps, non subditus imperet.

330

Oce.

At ipse nunc tentatum eo,

Si potero te his laboribus liberare.

Tu verò quiesce, neq; multum garri.

An'ne nosti, accurate cum prudens sis,

Linguæ vanæ multam adesse?

335

Pro.

Oce.

Longè melior natus es ad docendos propinquos,

Quàm te ipsum: hoc opere & sermone coniecto,

Enitenti haudquaquam contradicas.

Iactito enim, iactito hoc donum mihi

Daturum Iovem, ut ab his libereris laboribus.

345

Pro.

Oce.

Non videlicet: nam etia me fratris tui fortunæ

Molestia afficiunt Atlantis, qui in Hesperijs locis

Stat, columnam cœli & terræ

355

Humeris sustinens, pondus non tolerandum:

Terrigenumq; acerbarum incolam

PROMETHEVS.

Latebrarum videns, misericordia tactus sum, hostile

Centiceps, vi conantem Typhonem (monstrum,

Impetuosum, qui omnibus dijs restitit,

360

Acerbis maxillis canens cædem,

Ex oculis coruscavit terribile lumen,

Tanqm Iovis tyrannidem depopulaturus vi.

Sed decidit in illum Iovis inquietum iaculum,

Procumbens fulmen, spirans flammam,

365

Quod cum perterruit ab altis

Iactationibus: in ipsa mente percussus,

Illius robur combustum, & de cœlo tactum est,

Nunc verò cassum & immensum corpus

Iacet prope angustias maris,

370

Vaporans sub radicibus Æthnæ.

In altis eius verticibus sedens, ferrum cudit

Vulcanus: inde profluent aliquando

Fluvij ignis, vorantes feris genis

Frugiparentis Siciliæ latos campos:

375

Tali Typhon feruebit bili,

Calidæ inexoptabilis iaculis ignivomi turbinis,

Sic Iovis flumine combustus.