Prometheus Bound

Aeschylus

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

  1. not weaving riddles, but in simple language, since it is right to speak openly to friends. Look, I whom you see am Prometheus, who gave fire to mankind.
Io
  1. O you who have shown yourself a common benefactor of mankind, wretched Prometheus, why do you suffer so?
Prometheus
  1. I have only just now finished lamenting my own calamities.
Io
  1. You will not then do this favor for me?
Prometheus
  1. Say what it is you wish; for you can learn all from me.
Io
  1. Tell me who has bound you fast in this ravine.
Prometheus
  1. Zeus by his will, Hephaestus by his hand.
Io
  1. And for what offence do you pay the penalty?
Prometheus
  1. It suffices that I have made clear to you this much and no more.
Io
  1. No, also tell me the end of my wandering—what time is set for wretched me.
Prometheus
  1. It would be better not to know than to know, in your case.
Io
  1. I beg you, do not hide from me what I am doomed to suffer.
Prometheus
  1. No, it is not that I do not want to grant your request.