Prometheus

I will tell you plainly all that you would like to know,

not weaving riddles, but in simple language, since it is right to speak openly to friends. Look, I whom you see am Prometheus, who gave fire to mankind.

610

Io

O you who have shown yourself a common benefactor of mankind, wretched Prometheus, why do you suffer so?

Prometheus

I have only just now finished lamenting my own calamities.

615

Io

You will not then do this favor for me?

Prometheus

Say what it is you wish; for you can learn all from me.

Io

Tell me who has bound you fast in this ravine.

Prometheus

Zeus by his will, Hephaestus by his hand.

Io

And for what offence do you pay the penalty?

620

Prometheus

It suffices that I have made clear to you this much and no more.

Io

No, also tell me the end of my wandering—what time is set for wretched me.

Prometheus

It would be better not to know than to know, in your case.

Io

I beg you, do not hide from me what I am doomed to suffer.

625

Prometheus

No, it is not that I do not want to grant your request.

Io

Why then your reluctance to tell me everything?

Prometheus

I am not unwilling; but I hesitate to crush your spirit.

Io

Do not be more kind to me than I myself desire.

Prometheus

Since you insist, I must speak. Listen, then.

630

Chorus

No, not yet. Grant us too a portion of the pleasure. Let us first inquire the story of her affliction and let her with her own lips relate the events that brought horrid calamity upon her. Then let her be instructed by you as to the toils still to come.

Prometheus

It is for you, Io, to grant them this favor, especially since they are your father’s sisters. For it is worthwhile to indulge in weeping and in wailing over evil fortunes when one is likely to win the tribute of a tear from the listener.

635

Io

I do not know how to refuse you. You shall learn in truthful speech all that you would like to know. Yet I am ashamed to tell about the storm of calamity sent by Heaven, of the marring of my form, and of the source from which it swooped upon me, wretched that I am.

640

 

For visions of the night, always haunting my maiden chamber, sought to beguile me with seductive words, saying: O damsel greatly blessed of fortune, why linger in your maidenhood so long when it is within your power to win a union of the highest? Zeus is inflamed by passion’s dart

645

for you and is eager to unite with you in love. Do not, my child, spurn the bed of Zeus, but go forth to Lerna ’s meadow land of pastures deep and to your father’s flocks and where his cattle feed, so that the eye of Zeus may find respite from its longing.

650

 

By such dreams was I, to my distress, beset night after night, until at last I gained courage to tell my father of the dreams that haunted me. And he sent many a messenger to Pytho and Dodona so that he might discover

655

what deed or word of his would find favor with the gods. But they returned with report of oracles, riddling, obscure, and darkly worded. Then at last there came an unmistakable utterance to Inachus, charging and commanding him clearly that

660

he must thrust me forth from home and native land to roam at large to the remotest confines of the earth; and, if he would not, a fiery thunderbolt would come from Zeus that would utterly destroy his whole race.
  Yielding obedience to such prophetic utterances of Loxias,

665

he drove me away and barred me from his house, against his will and mine; but the constraint of Zeus forced him to act by necessity. Immediately my form and mind were distorted, and with horns, as you see, upon my forehead,

670

stung by a sharp-fanged gadfly I rushed with frantic bounds to Cerchnea’s sweet stream and Lerna ’s spring. But Argus, the earth-born herdsman, untempered in his rage, pursued me, peering with his many eyes upon my steps.

675

A sudden death robbed him of life unexpectedly; while I, still tormented by the gadfly, am driven on from land to land before the heaven-sent plague.
  That is what happened ; and if you can declare what toils still remain, reveal them. Do not, from pity, seek

680

to soothe me with untrue words ; for I consider false words to be the foulest sickness.

685

Chorus

Oh, ah, go away, alas! Never, oh never, did I dream that words so strange would greet my ears;

or that sufferings so grievous to look upon, yes, and so grievous to endure, a tale of outrage, would strike my soul as if with double-pronged goad. Alas, O Fate, O Fate,

690

I shudder to behold the plight that has befallen Io.

695

Prometheus

You lament and are full of fear all too soon. Wait until you have learned the rest as well.

Chorus

Proceed, tell all. It is comforting for the sick to know clearly beforehand what pain still awaits them.

Prometheus

You gained your former request easily from me; for you first desired the story of her ordeal from her own lips. Hear now the sequel, the sufferings this maid is fated to endure at Hera’s hand.

700

And may you, daughter of Inachus, lay to heart my words so that you may learn the end of your wanderings. First, from this spot, turn yourself toward the rising sun and make your way over untilled plains; and you shall reach the Scythian nomads, who dwell

705

in thatched houses, perched aloft on strong-wheeled wagons and are equipped with far-darting bows. Do not approach them, but keeping your feet near the rugged shore, where the sea breaks with a roar, pass on beyond their land. On the left hand dwell the workers in iron,

710

the Chalybes, and you must beware of them, since they are savage and are not to be approached by strangers. Then you shall reach the river Hybristes, ¹ which does not belie its name. Do not cross this, for it is hard to cross, until you come to Caucasus itself,

715

loftiest of mountains, where from its very brows the river pours out its might in fury. You must pass over its crests, which neighbor the stars, and enter upon a southward course, where you shall reach the host of the Amazons, who loathe all men. They shall in time to come

720

inhabit Themiscyra on the Thermodon, where, fronting the sea, is Salmydessus’ rugged jaw, evil host of mariners, step-mother of ships. The Amazons will gladly guide you on your way. Next, just at the narrow portals of the harbor, you shall reach

725

the Cimmerian isthmus. This you must leave with stout heart and pass through the channel of Maeotis; and ever after among mankind there shall be great mention of your passing, and it shall be called after you the Bosporus . ² Then, leaving the soil of Europe ,

730

you shall come to the Asian continent.
  Does it not seem to you that the tyrant of the gods is violent in all his ways? For this god, desirous of union with this mortal maid, has imposed upon her these wanderings. Maiden, you have gained a cruel suitor

735

for your hand. As to the tale you now have heard— understand that it has not even passed the introduction.

740

Io

Ah me, ah me, alas!

Prometheus

What! You are crying and groaning again? What will you do, I wonder, when you have learned the sufferings still in store for you?

Chorus

What! Can it be that you have sufferings still left to recount to her?

745

Prometheus

Yes, a tempestuous sea of calamitous distress.

Io

What gain have I then in life? Why did I not hurl myself straightaway from this rugged rock, so that I was dashed to earth and freed from

all my sufferings? It is better to die once and for all than linger out all my days in misery.

750

Prometheus

Ah, you would hardly bear my agonies to whom it is not foredoomed to die; for death would have freed me from my sufferings.

But now no limit to my tribulations has been appointed until Zeus is hurled from his sovereignty.

755

Io

What! Shall Zeus one day be hurled from his dominion?

Prometheus

You would rejoice, I think, to see that happen.

Io

Why not, since it is at the hand of Zeus that I suffer?

Prometheus

Then you may assure yourself that these things are true.

760

Io

By whom shall he be despoiled of the sceptre of his sovereignty?

Prometheus

By himself and his own empty-headed purposes.

Io

In what way? Oh tell me, if there be no harm in telling.

Prometheus

He shall make a marriage that shall one day cause him distress.

Io

With a divinity or with a mortal? If it may be told, speak out.

765

Prometheus

Why ask with whom? I may not speak of this.

Io

Is it by his consort that he shall be dethroned?

Prometheus

Yes, since she shall bear a son mightier than his father.

Io

And has he no means to avert this doom?

Prometheus

No, none—except me, if I were released from bondage.

770

Io

Who then is to release you against the will of Zeus?

Prometheus

It is to be one of your own grandchildren.

Io

What did you say? A child of mine will release you from your misery?

Prometheus

The third in descent after ten generations.

Io

Your prophecy is not easy to understand.

775

Prometheus

Yes, so do not seek to learn the full extent of your own sufferings.

Io

Do not offer me a favor and then withdraw it.

Prometheus

I will present you with one or other of two tales.

Io

Which two? Set them forth and offer me the choice.

Prometheus

I am making the offer: choose whether I shall reveal the sufferings still in store for you or the one who will be my deliverer.

780

Chorus

Consent to bestow on her one of these favors, and on me the other; do not deny me the tale. Tell her about her further wanderings;

tell me who will deliver you—for I would like to know this.

785

Prometheus

Well, since you are bent on this, I will not refuse to proclaim all that you still crave to know. First, to you, Io, will I declare your much-vexed wandering, and may you engrave it on the recording tablets of your mind.

 

When you have crossed the stream that bounds the two continents, toward the flaming east, where the sun walks,...... crossing the surging sea until you reach the Gorgonean plains of Cisthene, where the daughters of Phorcys dwell, ancient maids,

790

three in number, shaped like swans, possessing one eye amongst them and a single tooth; neither does the sun with his beams look down upon them, nor ever the nightly moon. And near them are their three winged sisters, the snake-haired Gorgons, loathed of mankind,

795

whom no one of mortal kind shall look upon and still draw breath. Such is the peril that I bid you to guard against. But now listen to another and a fearsome spectacle. Beware of the sharp-beaked hounds of Zeus that do not bark, the gryphons,

800

and the one-eyed Arimaspian folk, mounted on horses, who dwell about the flood of Pluto’s ³ stream that flows with gold. Do not approach them. Then you shall come to a far-off country of a dark race that dwells by the waters of the sun, where the river Aethiop is.

805

Follow along its banks until you reach the cataract, where, from the Bybline mountains, Nile sends forth his hallowed and sweet stream. He will conduct you on your way to the three-angled land of Nilotis, where, at last, it is ordained for you,

810

O Io, and for your children to found your far-off colony.
  If anything of this is confusing to you and hard to understand, may you question me yet again, and gain a clear account; for I have more leisure than I crave.

815

Chorus

If there is anything still remaining or passed over

of her direful wandering that you have to tell, oh speak. But if you have told all, grant us in turn the favor we request—you probably have it still in memory.

820

Prometheus

She has now heard the full end of her travels; yet so she may know that she has heard no vain tale from me,

I will describe the toils she has endured before she came here, giving this as a sure proof of my account.
  Most of the weary tale I shall leave out and come to the very close of your wanderings.
  For when you reached the Molossian plains

825

and the sheer ridge that encircles Dodona , where lies the prophetic seat of Thesprotian Zeus and that marvel, passing all belief, the talking oaks, by which you clearly, and in no riddling terms, were saluted as the renowned

830

bride-to-be of Zeus (is any of this pleasing to you?), then, stung by the gadfly, you rushed along the pathway by the shore to the great gulf of Rhea, from where you are tossed in backward-wandering course; and for all time to come a recess of the sea,

835

be well assured, shall bear the name Ionian, as a memorial of your crossing for all mankind.
  These, then, are the tokens to you of my understanding, to show that it discerns more than has been made manifest. The rest I shall declare both to you and her,

840

returning to the track of my former tale.

845

846
 

There is a city, Canobus , on the extremity of the land at the very mouth and silt-bar of the Nile . There at last Zeus restores you to your senses by the mere stroke and touch of his unterrifying hand.

And you shall bring forth dark Epaphus, ⁴ thus named from the manner of Zeus’ engendering; and he shall gather the fruit of all the land watered by the broad-flowing Nile . Fifth in descent from him, fifty maidens shall return to Argos , not of their own

850

free choice, but fleeing marriage with their cousin kin; while these, their hearts ablaze with passion, like falcons eagerly pursuing doves, shall come in pursuit of wedlock unlawful to pursue; but God shall grudge them enjoyment of their brides.

855

Pelasgian soil shall offer the maids a home, when, in the watches of the night, their husbands have been slain by a deed of daring wrought by the women’s murderous blows. For each bride shall take the life of her lord, dyeing a two-edged sword in his blood—in such ways may Love come upon my enemies!

860

However, love’s desire shall charm one of the maidens not to slay her mate; rather, her resolve will lose its edge; for she will make her choice between two evil names to be called coward rather than murderess. She it is who shall give birth in Argos to a royal line—

865

a long story is necessary to explain this clearly; of her seed, however, shall be born a man of daring, renowned with the bow, who shall deliver me from these toils. ⁵ Such is the oracle recounted to me by my mother, Titan Themis, born long ago.

870

The manner and the means—these need lengthy speech to tell, and to learn them all would not be of any benefit.

875

PROMETHEUS

Thou too in thy turn art crying out and moaning : what wilt thou do then, when thou learnest the residue of thy ills?

CHORUS

What! hast thou aught of suffering left to tell to ner?

PROMETHEUS

Aye, a tempestuous sea of baleful calamities.

IO

What gain then is it for me to live ? but why did I not quickly fling myself from this rough precipice, that dashing on the plain I had rid myself of all my pangs? for better is it once to die, than all one's days to suffer ill.

PROMETHEUS

Verily thou wouldst hardly bear the agonies of me to whom it is not doomed to die. For this would be an escape from sufferings. But now there is no limit set to my hardships, until Jove shall have been deposed from his tyranny.

IO

What! is it possible that Jupiter should ever fall from his power?

PROMETHEUS

Glad wouldst thou be, I ween, to witness this event.

IO

And how not so, I, who through Jupiter am suffering ill?

PROMETHEUS

Well then thou mayest assure thyself of these things that they are so.

IO

By whom is he to be despoiled of his seeptre of tyranny.

PROMETHEUS

Himself, by his own senseless counsels.

IO

In what manner? Specify it, if there be no harm.

PROMETHEUS

He will make such a match as he shall one day rue

.

IO

Celestial or mortal? If it may be spoken, tell me.

PROMETHEUS

But why ask its nature? for it is not a matter that I can communicate to you.

IO

Is it by a consort that he is to be ejected from his throne?

PROMETHEUS

Yes, surely, one that shall give birth to a son mightier than the father

.

IO

And has he no refuge from this misfortune?

PROMETHEUS

Not he, indeed, before at any rate I after being liberated from my shackles

IO

Who then is he that shall liberate thee in despite of Jupiter?

PROMETHEUS

It is ordained that it shall be one of thine own descendants.

IO

How sayest thou? Shall child of mine release thee from thy ills?

PROMETHEUS

Yes, the third of thy lineage in addition to ten other generations

.

IO

This prophecy of thine is no longer easy for me to form a guess upon.

PROMETHEUS

Nor seek thou to know over well thine own pangs.

IO

Do not after proffering me a benefit withhold it from me.

PROMETHEUS

I will freely grant thee one of two disclosures.

IO

Explain to me first of what sort they are, and allow me my choice.

PROMETHEUS

PROMÉTHÉE

De nouveau, tu cries, tu meugles : que feras-tu, lorsque tu apprendras le reste de tes maux ?

LE CORYPHÉE

Te reste-t-il encore d'autres peines à lui annoncer ?

PROMÉTHÉE

Dis mieux : une orageuse mer de fatale détresse.

IO

Quel profit ai-je alors à vivre ? Pourquoi tardé-je à me précipiter de cet âpre rocher ? En m'abattant à terre,
je m'affranchis de toutes mes douleurs. Mieux vaut mourir d'un coup que souffrir misérablement chaque jour.

PROMÉTHÉE

Tu aurais donc grand'peine à porter mes épreuves : à moi, le destin ne permet pas la mort. Seule, elle m'affranchirait de mes maux. Mais nul terme
ne s'en offre à moi, avant que Zeus ne tombe de sa toute puissance.

IO

Est-il possible que Zeus tombe un jour du pouvoir ?

PROMÉTHÉE

Ta joie serait grande, je pense, à voir telle aventure.

IO

Certes, quand c'est par Zeus que je souffre de telles misères.

PROMÉTHÉE

Eh bien ! tu peux l'apprendre : c'est ce qui sera.

IO

Et qui lui ravira le spectre tout-puissant ?

PROMÉTHÉE

Lui-même et ses vains caprices.

IO

Comment ? dis-le moi, s'il se peut sans inconvénient.

PROMÉTHÉE

Il contractera un hymen dont il se repentira un jour.

IO

Hymen divin ou mortel ? Si la chose peut se dire, réponds.

PROMÉTHÉE

Qu'importe quel il soit ! il n'est point permis de le dire.

IO

Est-ce son épouse qui le chassera de son trône ?

PROMÉTHÉE

En lui enfantant un fils plus fort que son père.

IO

N'a-t-il pas un moyen de détourner le sort ?

PROMÉTHÉE

Aucun, sauf Prométhée délié de ses chaînes.

IO

Qui serait donc capable de te délier en dépit de Zeus ?

PROMÉTHÉE

Un de tes descendants doit l'être.

IO

Que dis-tu ? Un fils sorti de moi t'affranchirait de tes maux ?

PROMÉTHÉE

Oui, trois générations après les dix premières.

IO

Cet oracle là n'est plus aisé à comprendre.

PROMÉTHÉE

Ne cherche pas davantage à connaître à fond tes propres misères.

IO

Ne me montre pas un profit, pour m'en frustrer ensuite.

PROMÉTHÉE

De deux présents je te donnerai l'un ou l'autre.

IO

Quels présents ? mets-

PROMETHEUS.

Again that exclamation, that deep groan!

What wilt thou do, when thou ſhalt learn the reſt?

755

CHORUS.

Remains there ought of ills yet to be told?

PROMETHEUS.

A wide tempeſtuous ſea of baleful woes.

I O.

What then has life deſirable? Why rather

From this rude cliff leap I not headlong down,

And end my woes? Better to die at once,

760

Than linger out a length of life in pain.

PROMETHEUS.

Ill wou'dſt thou bear my miſeries, by the Fates

Exempt from death, the refuge of th' afflicted.

But my afflictions know no bounds, till Jove

Falls from th' imperial ſovereignty of heav'n.

765

ΙΟ.

Shall he then fall? Shall the time come, when Jove f

Shall ſink dethron'd?

I think I ſhould rejoice

To ſee the tyrant's ruin: Should I not,

Since from his hands I ſuffer all these ills.

770

PROMETHEUS.

Then be thou well aſſur'd it ſhall be ſo.

IO.

And who ſhall wreſt th'imperial ſceptre from him?

PROMETHEUS.

Himſelf, deſtroy'd by his improvident counſels.

10.

Oh ſay, if harmlcss what I aſk, ſay how.

PROMETHEUS.

Urging a marriage he ſhall dearly rue.

775

10.

Heav'nſprung, or mortal? If permitted, ſay.

PROMETHEUS.

What matters which? It may not be diſclos'd.

10.

Shall then a wife deprive him of the throne?

PROMETHEUS.

She greater than the ſire ſhall bear a ſon.

I 0.

Has he no means of pow'r t' avert this fate?

780

PROMETHEUS.

None, till from these vile chains I ſhall be free.

10.

And who, 'gainſt Jove's high will, ſhall ſet thee free?

PROMETHEUS.

One, of neceſſity, from thee deſcended.

I O.

From me! My ſon releaſe thee from thy pains?

PROMETHEUS.

Third of thy race, first numb'ring ten deſcents. g

785

IO.

Oracular this, of difficult conjecture.

PROMETHEUS.

Check then thy wiſh, nor seek to know thy toils.

IO.

Do not hold forth a grace, then ſnatch it from me.

PROMETHEUS.

Of two relations I will grant thee either.

IO.

Propoſe the two, then leave the choice to me.

790

PROMETHEUS.

PROMETEO

Or tu gridi, tu gemi. E che farai,

quando udrai che sciagure ancor t'attendono ?

865

CORIFEA

Altri cordogli ancor devi tu dirle?

PROMETEO

Di guai funesti un tempestoso pelago.

IO

Dunque, a che pro' vivere piú? Ché súbito

giú da questa erta rupe io non mi gitto,

e, franta al suolo, a tutti i miei cordogli

870

non pongo un fine? Oh!, morire una volta

meglio mi val che tutti i dí soffrire.

PROMETEO

Deh!, quanto poco sopportar sapresti

gli affanni miei, che aver morte non posso!

Morte, sarebbe dei travagli il termine:

875

niun fine invece è a me dei guai prescritto,

se di Giove il poter prima non crolla.

IO

Come? Giove crollar può dal suo regno?

IO

Come no, se per Giove il male io soffro?

PROMETEO

E sappi dunque che tanto avverrà.

880

IO

Da chi mai tolto gli sarà lo scettro ?

PROMETEO

Da lui stesso: dai suoi consigli stolti.

IO

Come? Se danno a te non reca, dimmelo.

PROMETEO

Stringerà nozze onde dovrà dolersi.

IO

Mortali, oppur divine? Se puoi, dimmelo.

885

PROMETEO

Che importa questo? E dirlo non è lecito.

IO

Lo sbalzerà dal trono la sua sposa ?

PROMETEO

Creando un figlio più forte del padre.

IO

Né modo v'è che a questa sorte sfugga?

PROMETEO

Niuno: solo io potrei, se mi sciogliessero.

890

IO

Chi l'oserà, se Giove a ciò s'oppone ?

PROMETEO

Un dei tuoi discendenti. È questo il fato.

IO

Che dici? Un figlio mio ti farà libero ?

PROMETEO

Di terza stirpe dopo dieci stirpi.

IO

Non è piú tal responso intelligibile.

895

PROMETEO

Rinunzia dunque a sapere i tuoi mali.

IO

Non mi negare il dono già profferto.

PROMETEO

Uno dei due racconti in dono t'offro.

CORIFEA

E quali? Offrili, e a noi lascia la scelta.

PROMETEO

CHo.

Quid'nam reliqua mala huic dices?

Pro.

Tempestuosus pelagus intractabilis doloris.

Io.

Quid videlicet mihi prodest vivere? sed non ce

745

leriter

Proieci meipsam ex hac aspera petra,

Vt ex hoc loco proruens ab omnibus laboribus

Liberarer? nam melius est semel mori,

Quàm semper mala perpeti.

750

Pro.

Quàm molestè meas ærumnas ferres,

Cui nunquam mori constitutum est.

Ipsa mors fuisset dolorum liberatio.

PROMETHEVS.

Nunc nullus finis mihi propositus est

Laborum, priusquam Iupiter regno cadat.

755

Io.

Num aliquando principatu cadet Iupiter?

Delectarer, ut arbitror, si illam videre calamitatem,

Quomodo non? quæ à Iove contumelia affecta sum.

Pro.

Ex his igitur tibi licet intelligere.

Io.

A' quo tyrannicis sceptris priuabitur?

760

Pro.

Ipse à seipso, imprudens consiliorum.

Io.

Quomodo, significa: modò ne tibi hoc noceat.

Pro.

Contrahet matrimonium, ex quo dolebit.

Io.

Deam ducet, aut mortale?

si fas est dicere, dicito.

765

Pro.

Quales erunt illæ nuptiæ, non licet dicere.

Io.

Num ab uxore eijcietur folio?

Pro.

Quæ pariet filium fortiorem patre.

Io.

Neq; est huius fortunæ aversio?

Pro.

Non, priusquam ego vinculis soluar.

770

Io.

Quis igitur te soluet, invito Ioue?

Pro.

Tuorum aliquem nepotum opus est esse.

Io.

Quomodo dixisti? meus filius te liberabit à me

Pro.

Tertius decimus generatione.

Io.

Non amplius captu facile hoc vaticinium.

775

Pro.

Et neq; tuos quære intelligere labores,

Io.

Ne mihi proponens lucrum, deinde aufer,

Pro.

Duorum sermonum altero te donabo.

Io.

Qui sit, ostende, mihiq; da electionem,

Pro.

Prometheus

Again thou criest, with a heifer's low.

What wilt thou do, learning thy future woes?

Chorus

What, hast thou further sorrows for her ear?

Prometheus

Yea, a vext ocean of predestined pain.

Io

What profit then is life to me? Ah, why

820

Did I not cast me from this stubborn crag?

So, with one spring, one crash upon the ground,

I had attained surcease from all my woes.

Better it is to die one death outright

Than linger out long life in misery.

825

Prometheus

Ill would'st thou bear these agonies of mine—

Mine, with whose fate it standeth not to win

The goal of death, which were release from pain!

Now, there is set no limit to my woe

Till Zeus be hurled from his omnipotence.

830

Io

Zeus hurled from pride of place! Can such things be?

Prometheus

Thou wert full fain, methinks, to see that sight!

Io

Even so—his overthrow who wrought my pain.

Prometheus

Then may'st thou know thereof; such fall shall be.

Io

And who shall wrench the sceptre from his hand?

835

Prometheus

By his own mindless counsels shall he fall.

Io

And how? unless the telling harm, say on!

Prometheus

Wooing a bride, his ruin he shall win.

Io

Goddess, or mortal? tell me, if thou may'st.

Prometheus

No matter which—more must not be revealed.

840

Io

Doth then a consort thrust him from his throne?

Prometheus

The child she bears him shall o'ercome his sire.

Io

And hath he no avoidance of this doom?

Prometheus

None, surely—till that I, released from bonds—

Io

Who can release thee, but by will of Zeus?

845

Prometheus

Fate gives this duty to a child of thine!

Io

How? Shall a child of mine undo thy woes?

Prometheus

Yea, of thy lineage, thirteen times removed.

Io

Dark beyond guessing grows thine oracle.

Prometheus

Yea—seek not therefore to foreknow thy woes.

850

Io

As thou didst proffer hope, withdraw it not.

Prometheus

Two tales I have—choose! for I grant thee one.

Io

And which be they? reveal, and leave me choice.

Prometheus

Prometheus.

Schon klagst du wieder, schluchzest auf. Was wirst du thun,

740

Wenn Kunde dir von deinem weitern Leide wird?

Die Chorführerin.

So hast du weit're Mühen noch ihr kundzuthun?

Prometheus.

Graunvoller Qualen stürmisch aufgeregtes Meer.

Jo.

Was frommt mir denn zu leben? Warum stürz' ich mich

Nicht ungesäumt von diesem steilen Fels hinab,

745

Daß hier am Grund zerschmettert alles Leides ich

Frei würde? Besser, stürb' ich so mit Einem Mal,

Als wenn ich alle Tage leid' in neuer Qual.

Prometheus.

Nicht leicht fürwahr ertrügst du meines Leides Last,

Weil auch zu sterben mein Geschick mir nicht vergönnt;

750

Denn Sterben überhöbe mich der Marter doch.

Nun aber ist kein Ende meiner Kämpfe mir

Beschieden, eh Kronion seinem Thron entstürzt.

Jo.

Daß Zeus vom Throne stürze, kann dies je gescheh'n?

Prometheus.

Du würdest, glaub' ich, diesen Sturz wohl gerne seh'n?

755

Jo.

Wie sollt' ich anders, da mir Zeus dies Leid gethan?

Prometheus.

So magst du wissen: also wird's wahrhaft gescheh'n.

Jo.

Und wer beraubt des königlichen Scepters ihn?

Prometheus.

Er selbst sich selbst durch eignen Nathes Unverstand.

To.

In welcher Weise? Sag' es, wenn's nicht Schaden bringt.

760

Prometheus.

Ein Ehebündniß schließt er, das ihn reuen wird.

Jo.

Mit Göttern oder Menschen? Wenn du darfst, so sprich.

Prometheus.

Was fragst du danach? Dies enthüllen darf ich nicht.

To.

Und ist's die Gattin, welche dann vom Thron ihn stürzt?

Prometheus.

Den Sohn gebiert sie, stärker als sein Vater Zeus.

765

Jo.

Und keine Rettung findet er aus dem Geschick?

Prometheus.

Niemals, bevor ich meiner Bande ledig bin.

Jo.

Wer wird, dem Zeus zum Troke, dich entledigen?

Prometheus.

Von deinen Sprossen einer ist hiezu bestimmt.

Jo.

Wie sagst du? Retten werde dich ein Sohn von mir?

770

Prometheus.

Der dritte deiner Sprossen nach zehn anderen.

Jo.

Noch ist mir unverständlich, was dein Spruch enthüllt.

Prometheus.

Auch spähe nun nicht ferner deinem Loose nach.

Jo.

Was du mir erst verheißen, nimm jetzt nicht zurück.

Prometheus.

Von zwei Berichten einer denn sei dir gewährt!

775

Jo.

Von welchen? Sag' es und gestatte mir die Wahl.

Prometheus.