Power and Force, for you indeed the behest of Zeus is now fulfilled, and nothing remains to stop you. But for me—I do not have the nerve myselfto bind with force a kindred god upon this rocky cleft assailed by cruel winter. Yet, come what may, I am constrained to summon courage to this deed; for it is perilous to disregard the commandments of the Father. Lofty-minded son of Themis who counsels straight, against my will, no less than yours, I must rivet you with brazen bondsno hand can loose to this desolate crag, where neither voice nor form of mortal man shall you perceive; but, scorched by the sun’s bright beams, you shall lose the fair bloom of your flesh. And glad you shall be when spangled-robed night shall veil his brightness andwhen the sun shall scatter again the frost of morning. Evermore the burden of your present ill shall wear you out; for your deliverer is not yet born. Such is the prize you have gained for your championship of man. For, god though you are, you did not fear the wrath of the gods, butyou bestowed honors upon mortal creatures beyond their due. Therefore on this joyless rock you must stand sentinel, erect, sleepless, your knee unbent. And many a groan and unavailing lament you shall utter; for the heart of Zeus is hard,and everyone is harsh whose power is new. PowerWell, why delay and excite pity in vain? Why do you not detest a god most hateful to the gods, since he has betrayed your prerogative to mortals? HephaestusA strangely potent tie is kinship, and companionship as well. PowerI agree; yet to refuse to obey the commands of the Father; is this possible? Do you not fear that more? HephaestusYes, you are ever pitiless and steeped in insolence. PowerYes, for it does not good to bemoan this fellow. Stop wasting your labor at an unprofitable task. HephaestusOh handicraft that I hate so much! PowerWhy hate it? Since in truth your craft is in no way to blame for these present troubles.