Part 30 (1/2)

Alas for me, alas!

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 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.

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.

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?

PROMETHEUS

By his own mindless counsels shall he fall.