Prometheus Bound

Aeschylus

Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, translator. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922.

  1. Nevertheless, i wish it had fallen to another’s lot!
Power
  1. Every job is troublesome except to be the commander of gods;
  2. no one is free except Zeus.
Hephaestus
  1. I know it by this task; I cannot deny it.
Power
  1. Hurry then to cast the fetters about him, so that the Father does not see you loitering.
Hephaestus
  1. Well, there then! The bands are ready, as you may see.
Power
  1. Cast them about his wrists and with might strike with your hammer; rivet him to the rocks.
Hephaestus
  1. There! The work is getting done and not improperly.
Power
  1. Strike harder, clamp him tight, leave nothing loose; for he is wondrously clever at finding a way even out of desperate straits.
Hephaestus
  1. This arm, at least, is fixed permanently.
Power
  1. Now rivet this one too and securely, so that he may learn, for all his cleverness, that he is a fool compared to Zeus.
Hephaestus
  1. None but he could justly blame my work.
Power
  1. Now drive the adamantine wedge’s stubborn edge straight