Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/420

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350
Prometheus Bound.

Of these dire pangs the end to see?
For inaccessible, of mood severe
Is Kronos' son, inflexible his thought.


Prometheus.

That Zeus is stern full well I know,
And by his will doth measure right.
But, smitten by this destined blow,
Softened shall one day be his might.
Then curbing his harsh temper, he
Full eagerly will hither wend,
To join in league and amity with me,
Eager no less to welcome him as friend. 200


Chorus.

To us thy tale unfold; the whole speak out;
Upon what charge Zeus, seizing thee, doth thus
Outrage with harsh and ignominious pain?
Inform us if the telling breed no harm.


Prometheus.

Grievous to me it is these things to tell,
Grief to be silent: trouble every way.
When first the heavenly powers were moved to rage,
And in opposing factious ranged their might,
These wishing Kronos from his seat to hurl
That Zeus forsooth might reign; these, counter-wise, 210
Resolved that o'er the gods Zeus ne'er should rule;
Then I with sagest counsel strove to move
The Titans, progeny of Heaven and Earth,