Four Plays of Aeschylus Part 30

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.

IO

And how? unless the telling harm, say on!

PROMETHEUS

Wooing a bride, his ruin he shall win.

IO

G.o.ddess, or mortal? tell me, if thou may'st.

PROMETHEUS

No matter which-more must not be revealed.

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?

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.