that the glory of Heracles the
Theban-born might be yet greater than it was before over the plenteous
earth. This, then, he regarded, and honored his famous son; though he
was angry, he ceased from the wrath which he had before because
Prometheus matched himself in wit with the almighty son of
Cronos.For when the gods
and mortal men had a dispute at Mecone, even then Prometheus was
forward to cut up a great ox and set portions before them, trying to
deceive the mind of Zeus. Before the rest he set flesh and inner parts
thick with fat upon the hide, covering them with an ox
paunch;but for Zeus he put
the white bones dressed up with cunning art and covered with shining
fat. Then the father of men and of gods said to him: “Son of
Iapetus, most glorious of all lords, good sir, how unfairly you have
divided the portions!”
So said Zeus whose wisdom is
everlasting, rebuking him. But wily Prometheus answered him, smiling
softly and not forgetting his cunning trick: “Zeus, most
glorious and greatest of the eternal gods, take which ever of these
portions your heart within you bids.”So he said, thinking trickery. But Zeus, whose
wisdom is everlasting, saw and failed not to perceive the trick, and
in his heart he thought mischief against mortal men which also was to
be fulfilled. With both hands he took up the white fat and was angry
at heart, and wrath came to his spiritwhen he saw the white ox-bones craftily tricked out: and
because of this the tribes of men upon earth burn white bones to the
deathless gods upon fragrant altars. But Zeus who drives the clouds
was greatly vexed and said to him: “Son of Iapetus, clever above
all!So, sir, you have not
yet forgotten your cunning arts!” So spake Zeus in anger, whose
wisdom is everlasting; and from that time he was always mindful of the
trick, and would not give the power of unwearying fire to the
MelianA Scholiast explains:
“Either because they (men) sprang from the Melian
nymphs (cp. 1. 187); or because, when they were born
(?), they cast themselves under the ash-trees
(me/liai), that
is, the trees.” The reference may be to the origin of men
from ash-trees: cp. Works and Days, 145 and note.race of
mortal men who live on the earth.But the noble son of Iapetus outwitted him and stole the far-seen
gleam of unwearying fire in a hollow fennel stalk. And Zeus who
thunders on high was stung in spirit, and his dear heart was angered
when he saw amongst men the far-seen ray of fire.