Prometheus Bound
Aeschylus
Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, translator. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922.
- the gods, also the speckled symmetry of the liver-lobe; and the thigh-bones, wrapped in fat, and the long chine I burned and initiated mankind into an occult art. Also I cleared their vision to discern signs from flames,which were obscure before this.
- Enough about these arts. Now as to the benefits to men that lay concealed beneath the earth—bronze, iron, silver, and gold—who would claim to have discovered them before me? No one, I know full well, unless he likes to babble idly.
- Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word—every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.
- Do not benefit mortals beyond reason and disregard your own distress; although, I am confident that you will be freed
- from these bonds and will have power in no way inferior to Zeus.
- Not in this way is Fate, who brings all to fulfillment, destined to complete this course. Only when I have been bent by pangs and tortures infinite am I to escape my bondage. Skill is weaker by far than Necessity.
- Who then is the helmsman of Necessity?
- The three-shaped Fates and mindful Furies.
- Can it be that Zeus has less power than they do?
- Yes, in that even he cannot escape what is foretold.
- Why, what is fated for Zeus except to hold eternal sway?
- This you must not learn yet; do not be over-eager.
- It is some solemn secret, surely, that you enshroud in mystery.