Young you are, as young your power, and you think indeed that you inhabit heights beyond the reach of grief. Have I not seen two sovereigns cast out from these heights? A third, the present lord, I shall live to see cast out in ruin most shameful and most swift. Do you thinkI quail, perhaps, and cower before these upstart gods? Far from it—no, not at all. But scurry back the way you came; for you shall learn nothing about which you question me.
HermesYet it was by such proud wilfulness before, too,that you brought yourself to this harbor of distress.
PrometheusFor your servitude, rest assured, I’d not barter my hard lot, not I.
HermesBetter, no doubt, to serve this rock than be the trusted messenger of Father Zeus!
PrometheusSuch is the proper style for the insolent to offer insult.
HermesI think you revel in your present plight.
PrometheusI revel? Oh, I wish that I might see my enemies revelling in this way! And you, too, I count among them.
HermesWhat! You blame me in some way for your calamities?
PrometheusIn one word, I hate all the gods that received good at my hands and with ill requite me wrongfully.
HermesYour words declare you stricken with no slight madness.
PrometheusMad I may be—if it is madness to loathe one’s enemies.
HermesYou would be unbearable if you were prosperous.
PrometheusAlas!
HermesAlas
? That is a word unknown to Zeus.
PrometheusBut ever-ageing Time teaches all things.
HermesYes, but you at least have not yet learned to keep a sober mind.
PrometheusOr else I would not have addressed you, an underling.
HermesIt seems you will answer nothing that the Father demands.