Prometheus Bound
Aeschylus
Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, translator. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922.
- Hurry then to cast the fetters about him, so that the Father does not see you loitering.
- Well, there then! The bands are ready, as you may see.
- Cast them about his wrists and with might strike with your hammer; rivet him to the rocks.
- There! The work is getting done and not improperly.
- Strike harder, clamp him tight, leave nothing loose; for he is wondrously clever at finding a way even out of desperate straits.
- This arm, at least, is fixed permanently.
- Now rivet this one too and securely, so that he may learn, for all his cleverness, that he is a fool compared to Zeus.
- None but he could justly blame my work.
- Now drive the adamantine wedge’s stubborn edge straight
- through his chest with your full force.
- Alas, Prometheus, I groan for your sufferings.
- What! Shrinking again and groaning over the enemies of Zeus? Take care, so that the day does not come when you shall grieve for yourself.
- You see a spectacle grievous for eyes to behold.
- I see this man getting his deserts. Come, cast the girths about his sides.
- I must do this; spare me your needless ordering.
- Indeed, I’ll order you, yes and more—I’ll hound you on. Get down below, and ring his legs by force.
- There now! The work’s done and without much labor.
- Now hammer the piercing fetters with your full force; for the appraiser of our work is severe.
- The utterance of your tongue matches your looks.
- Be softhearted then,