62

roam. Does it now not seem to you this tyrant of the gods is
cruel- always, in everything he does? Wishing to wed a
mortal maid, he woos by making her wildly stray. lo, you won
a suitor to rue, won bitter bridals. Yet hear more! My tale
has scarcely reached its prelude.

Io: Ah me, my miseries!

Prometheus: Are you moaning again and lamenting?
What will you do when you learn the rest?

Chorus: Can there really be more sufferings?
Prometheus: A veritable sea of calamity.

Io: Then why do I live? O why did I not hurl myself from
this adamant rock and free my soul from suffering? To perish
once for all is nobler than to lenghten living woes.
Prometheus: Such a fall would folly seem should you en-
dure my agonies; for me, to die is not foredoomed. Death would
be freedom. My freedom now requires Zeus’ tyranny to end.
Io: Shall Zeus someday be overthrown?

Prometheus: You would rejoice, I think, were it so.

Io: How not, since he causes my injuries?

Prometheus: Then assure yourself these things are true.
Io: But who will despoil him of tyranny’s sceptre?
Prometheus: He himself, with his vacuous aims.

Io: Inform me, unless it harms to teil.

Prometheus: By making a marrlage regretable.

Io: Divine or of earth, speak, be it speakable.

Prometheus: No, I must keep the name unuttered.

Io: Will his consort overthrow his throne?

Prometheus: In bearing a son stronger than him.

Io: Has he no diversion for this doom?

Prometheus: Not unless my bonds be undone.

Io: Who can unbind you, with Zeus unyielding?