---
title: "Prometheus Bound · Προμηθεὺς δεσμώτης"
author: "Aeschylus"
translator: "Herbert Weir Smyth"
languages: [grc, en]
shelf: "Classical Greek"
section: 1 of 2
url: https://scriptura.si/works/aeschylus-prometheus-bound/1/
cite: "Aeschylus, tr. Herbert Weir Smyth, Prometheus Bound · Προμηθεὺς δεσμώτης, section 1. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/aeschylus-prometheus-bound/1/"
---

# Prometheus Bound · Προμηθεὺς δεσμώτης

*Aeschylus, tr. Herbert Weir Smyth*

Chained to a rock for giving fire to mortals, Prometheus defies Zeus.

> Greek: ed. Herbert Weir Smyth, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-greekLit, tlg0085.tlg003, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: Herbert Weir Smyth, from the Perseus Digital Library (tlg0085.tlg003.perseus-eng2). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the references the two texts share (line numbers), cut where both reach the end of a sentence.

## 1. Lines 1–564

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/aeschylus-prometheus-bound/1/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/aeschylus-prometheus-bound/1/#p-N

[¶0] Enter Power and Force, bringing with them the captive Prometheus; also Hephaestus.
Power:
To earth’s remotest limit we come, to the Scythian land, an untrodden solitude. And now, Hephaestus, yours is the charge to observe the mandates laid upon you by the Father—to clamp this miscreant
upon the high craggy rocks in shackles of binding adamant that cannot be broken. For your own flower, flashing fire, source of all arts, he has purloined and bestowed upon mortal creatures. Such is his offence; for this he is bound to make requital to the gods,
so that he may learn to bear with the sovereignty of Zeus and cease his man-loving ways.

> Greek: Κράτος:
Χθονὸς μὲν ἐς τηλουρὸν ἥκομεν πέδον,
Σκύθην ἐς οἷμον, ἄβατον εἰς ἐρημίαν.
Ἥφαιστε, σοὶ δὲ χρὴ μέλειν ἐπιστολὰς
ἅς σοι πατὴρ ἐφεῖτο, τόνδε πρὸς πέτραις
ὑψηλοκρήμνοις τὸν λεωργὸν ὀχμάσαι
ἀδαμαντίνων δεσμῶν ἐν ἀρρήκτοις πέδαις.
τὸ σὸν γὰρ ἄνθος, παντέχνου πυρὸς σέλας,
θνητοῖσι κλέψας ὤπασεν. τοιᾶσδέ τοι
ἁμαρτίας σφε δεῖ θεοῖς δοῦναι δίκην,
ὡς ἂν διδαχθῇ τὴν Διὸς τυραννίδα
στέργειν, φιλανθρώπου δὲ παύεσθαι τρόπου.

[¶1] Hephaestus:
Power and Force, for you indeed the behest of Zeus is now fulfilled, and nothing remains to stop you. But for me—I do not have the nerve myself
to bind with force a kindred god upon this rocky cleft assailed by cruel winter. Yet, come what may, I am constrained to summon courage to this deed; for it is perilous to disregard the commandments of the Father. Lofty-minded son of Themis who counsels straight, against my will, no less than yours, I must rivet you with brazen bonds
no hand can loose to this desolate crag, where neither voice nor form of mortal man shall you perceive; but, scorched by the sun’s bright beams, you shall lose the fair bloom of your flesh. And glad you shall be when spangled-robed night shall veil his brightness and
when the sun shall scatter again the frost of morning. Evermore the burden of your present ill shall wear you out; for your deliverer is not yet born. Such is the prize you have gained for your championship of man. For, god though you are, you did not fear the wrath of the gods, but
you bestowed honors upon mortal creatures beyond their due. Therefore on this joyless rock you must stand sentinel, erect, sleepless, your knee unbent. And many a groan and unavailing lament you shall utter; for the heart of Zeus is hard,
and everyone is harsh whose power is new.

> Greek: Ἥφαιστος:
Κράτος Βία τε, σφῷν μὲν ἐντολὴ Διὸς
ἔχει τέλος δὴ κοὐδὲν ἐμποδὼν ἔτι·
ἐγὼ δʼ ἄτολμός εἰμι συγγενῆ θεὸν
δῆσαι βίᾳ φάραγγι πρὸς δυσχειμέρῳ.
πάντως δʼ ἀνάγκη τῶνδέ μοι τόλμαν σχεθεῖν·
ἐξωριάζειν γὰρ πατρὸς λόγους βαρύ.
τῆς ὀρθοβούλου Θέμιδος αἰπυμῆτα παῖ,
ἄκοντά σʼ ἄκων δυσλύτοις χαλκεύμασι
προσπασσαλεύσω τῷδʼ ἀπανθρώπῳ πάγῳ
ἵνʼ οὔτε φωνὴν οὔτε του μορφὴν βροτῶν
ὄψει, σταθευτὸς δʼ ἡλίου φοίβῃ φλογὶ
χροιᾶς ἀμείψεις ἄνθος. ἀσμένῳ δέ σοι
ἡ ποικιλείμων νὺξ ἀποκρύψει φάος,
πάχνην θʼ ἑῴαν ἥλιος σκεδᾷ πάλιν·
ἀεὶ δὲ τοῦ παρόντος ἀχθηδὼν κακοῦ
τρύσει σʼ· ὁ λωφήσων γὰρ οὐ πέφυκέ πω.
τοιαῦτʼ ἐπηύρω τοῦ φιλανθρώπου τρόπου.
θεὸς θεῶν γὰρ οὐχ ὑποπτήσσων χόλον
βροτοῖσι τιμὰς ὤπασας πέρα δίκης.
ἀνθʼ ὧν ἀτερπῆ τήνδε φρουρήσεις πέτραν
ὀρθοστάδην, ἄυπνος, οὐ κάμπτων γόνυ·
πολλοὺς δʼ ὀδυρμοὺς καὶ γόους ἀνωφελεῖς
φθέγξῃ· Διὸς γὰρ δυσπαραίτητοι φρένες.
ἅπας δὲ τραχὺς ὅστις ἂν νέον κρατῇ.

[¶2] Power:
Well, why delay and excite pity in vain? Why do you not detest a god most hateful to the gods, since he has betrayed your prerogative to mortals?

> Greek: Κράτος:
εἶεν, τί μέλλεις καὶ κατοικτίζῃ μάτην;
τί τὸν θεοῖς ἔχθιστον οὐ στυγεῖς θεόν,
ὅστις τὸ σὸν θνητοῖσι προὔδωκεν γέρας;

[¶3] Hephaestus:
A strangely potent tie is kinship, and companionship as well.

> Greek: Ἥφαιστος:
τὸ συγγενές τοι δεινὸν ἥ θʼ ὁμιλία.

[¶4] Power:
I agree; yet to refuse to obey the commands of the Father; is this possible? Do you not fear that more?

> Greek: Κράτος:
σύμφημʼ· ἀνηκουστεῖν δὲ τῶν πατρὸς λόγων
οἷόν τε πῶς; οὐ τοῦτο δειμαίνεις πλέον;

[¶5] Hephaestus:
Yes, you are ever pitiless and steeped in insolence.

> Greek: Ἥφαιστος:
αἰεί γε δὴ νηλὴς σὺ καὶ θράσους πλέως.

[¶6] Power:
Yes, for it does not good to bemoan this fellow. Stop wasting your labor at an unprofitable task.

> Greek: Κράτος:
ἄκος γὰρ οὐδὲν τόνδε θρηνεῖσθαι. σὺ δὲ
τὰ μηδὲν ὠφελοῦντα μὴ πόνει μάτην.

[¶7] Hephaestus:
Oh handicraft that I hate so much!

> Greek: Ἥφαιστος:
ὦ πολλὰ μισηθεῖσα χειρωναξία.

[¶8] Power:
Why hate it? Since in truth your craft is in no way to blame for these present troubles.

> Greek: Κράτος:
τί νιν στυγεῖς; πόνων γὰρ ὡς ἁπλῷ λόγῳ
τῶν νῦν παρόντων οὐδὲν αἰτία τέχνη.

[¶9] Hephaestus:
Nevertheless, i wish it had fallen to another’s lot!

> Greek: Ἥφαιστος:
ἔμπας τις αὐτὴν ἄλλος ὤφελεν λαχεῖν.

[¶10] Power:
Every job is troublesome except to be the commander of gods;

> Greek: Κράτος:
ἅπαντʼ ἐπαχθῆ πλὴν θεοῖσι κοιρανεῖν·

[¶11] no one is free except Zeus.

> Greek: ἐλεύθερος γὰρ οὔτις ἐστὶ πλὴν Διός.

[¶12] Hephaestus:
I know it by this task; I cannot deny it.

> Greek: Ἥφαιστος:
ἔγνωκα τοῖσδε κοὐδὲν ἀντειπεῖν ἔχω.

[¶13] Power:
Hurry then to cast the fetters about him, so that the Father does not see you loitering.

> Greek: Κράτος:
οὔκουν ἐπείξῃ τῷδε δεσμὰ περιβαλεῖν,
ὡς μή σʼ ἐλινύοντα προσδερχθῇ πατήρ;

[¶14] Hephaestus:
Well, there then! The bands are ready, as you may see.

> Greek: Ἥφαιστος:
καὶ δὴ πρόχειρα ψάλια δέρκεσθαι πάρα.

[¶15] Power:
Cast them about his wrists and with might strike with your hammer; rivet him to the rocks.

> Greek: Κράτος:
βαλών νιν ἀμφὶ χερσὶν ἐγκρατεῖ σθένει
ῥαιστῆρι θεῖνε, πασσάλευε πρὸς πέτραις.

[¶16] Hephaestus:
There! The work is getting done and not improperly.

> Greek: Ἥφαιστος:
περαίνεται δὴ κοὐ ματᾷ τοὔργον τόδε.

[¶17] Power:
Strike harder, clamp him tight, leave nothing loose; for he is wondrously clever at finding a way even out of desperate straits.

> Greek: Κράτος:
ἄρασσε μᾶλλον, σφίγγε, μηδαμῇ χάλα.
δεινὸς γὰρ εὑρεῖν κἀξ ἀμηχάνων πόρον.

[¶18] Hephaestus:
This arm, at least, is fixed permanently.

> Greek: Ἥφαιστος:
ἄραρεν ἥδε γʼ ὠλένη δυσεκλύτως.

[¶19] Power:
Now rivet this one too and securely, so that he may learn, for all his cleverness, that he is a fool compared to Zeus.

> Greek: Κράτος:
καὶ τήνδε νῦν πόρπασον ἀσφαλῶς, ἵνα
μάθῃ σοφιστὴς ὢν Διὸς νωθέστερος.

[¶20] Hephaestus:
None but he could justly blame my work.

> Greek: Ἥφαιστος:
πλὴν τοῦδʼ ἂν οὐδεὶς ἐνδίκως μέμψαιτό μοι.

[¶21] Power:
Now drive the adamantine wedge’s stubborn edge straight
through his chest with your full force.

> Greek: Κράτος:
ἀδαμαντίνου νῦν σφηνὸς αὐθάδη γνάθον
στέρνων διαμπὰξ πασσάλευʼ ἐρρωμένως.

[¶22] Hephaestus:
Alas, Prometheus, I groan for your sufferings.

> Greek: Ἥφαιστος:
αἰαῖ, Προμηθεῦ, σῶν ὑπερστένω πόνων.

[¶23] Power:
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.

> Greek: Κράτος:
σὺ δʼ αὖ κατοκνεῖς τῶν Διός τʼ ἐχθρῶν ὕπερ
στένεις; ὅπως μὴ σαυτὸν οἰκτιεῖς ποτε.

[¶24] Hephaestus:
You see a spectacle grievous for eyes to behold.

> Greek: Ἥφαιστος:
ὁρᾷς θέαμα δυσθέατον ὄμμασιν.

[¶25] Power:
I see this man getting his deserts. Come, cast the girths about his sides.

> Greek: Κράτος:
ὁρῶ κυροῦντα τόνδε τῶν ἐπαξίων.
ἀλλʼ ἀμφὶ πλευραῖς μασχαλιστῆρας βάλε.

[¶26] Hephaestus:
I must do this; spare me your needless ordering.

> Greek: Ἥφαιστος:
δρᾶν ταῦτʼ ἀνάγκη, μηδὲν ἐγκέλευʼ ἄγαν.

[¶27] Power:
Indeed, I’ll order you, yes and more—I’ll hound you on. Get down below, and ring his legs by force.

> Greek: Κράτος:
ἦ μὴν κελεύσω κἀπιθωύξω γε πρός.
χώρει κάτω, σκέλη δὲ κίρκωσον βίᾳ.

[¶28] Hephaestus:
There now! The work’s done and without much labor.

> Greek: Ἥφαιστος:
καὶ δὴ πέπρακται τοὔργον οὐ μακρῷ πόνῳ.

[¶29] Power:
Now hammer the piercing fetters with your full force; for the appraiser of our work is severe.

> Greek: Κράτος:
ἐρρωμένως νῦν θεῖνε διατόρους πέδας·
ὡς οὑπιτιμητής γε τῶν ἔργων βαρύς.

[¶30] Hephaestus:
The utterance of your tongue matches your looks.

> Greek: Ἥφαιστος:
ὅμοια μορφῇ γλῶσσά σου γηρύεται.

[¶31] Power:
Be softhearted then,
but do not attack my stubborn will and my harsh mood.

> Greek: Κράτος:
σὺ μαλθακίζου, τὴν δʼ ἐμὴν αὐθαδίαν
ὀργῆς τε τραχύτητα μὴ ʼπίπλησσέ μοι.

[¶32] Hephaestus:
Let us be gone, since he has got the fetters on his limbs. Exit

> Greek: Ἥφαιστος:
στείχωμεν, ὡς κώλοισιν ἀμφίβληστρʼ ἔχει.

[¶33] Power:
There now, indulge your insolence, keep on wresting from the gods their honors to give them to creatures of a day. Are mortals able to lighten your load of sorrow?

> Greek: Κράτος:
ἐνταῦθα νῦν ὕβριζε καὶ θεῶν γέρα
συλῶν ἐφημέροισι προστίθει. τί σοι
οἷοί τε θνητοὶ τῶνδʼ ἀπαντλῆσαι πόνων;

[¶34] Falsely the gods call you Prometheus, for you yourself need forethought to free yourself from this handiwork. Exeunt Power and Force
Prometheus:
O you bright sky of heaven, you swift-winged breezes, you river-waters, and
infinite laughter of the waves of ocean, O universal mother Earth, and you, all-seeing orb of the sun, to you I call! See what I, a god, endure from the gods.

> Greek: ψευδωνύμως σε δαίμονες Προμηθέα
καλοῦσιν· αὐτὸν γάρ σε δεῖ προμηθέως,
ὅτῳ τρόπῳ τῆσδʼ ἐκκυλισθήσῃ τέχνης.
Προμηθεύς:
ὦ δῖος αἰθὴρ καὶ ταχύπτεροι πνοαί,
ποταμῶν τε πηγαί, ποντίων τε κυμάτων
ἀνήριθμον γέλασμα, παμμῆτόρ τε γῆ,
καὶ τὸν πανόπτην κύκλον ἡλίου καλῶ.
ἴδεσθέ μʼ οἷα πρὸς θεῶν πάσχω θεός.

[¶35] Look, with what shameful torture I am racked and must wrestle
throughout the countless years of time apportioned me. Such is the ignominious bondage the new commander of the blessed has devised against me. Woe! Woe! For present misery and misery to come I groan, not knowing where
it is fated that deliverance from these sorrows shall arise.

> Greek: δέρχθηθʼ οἵαις αἰκείαισιν
διακναιόμενος τὸν μυριετῆ
Προμηθεύς:
χρόνον ἀθλεύσω.
τοιόνδʼ ὁ νέος ταγὸς μακάρων
ἐξηῦρʼ ἐπʼ ἐμοὶ δεσμὸν ἀεικῆ.
φεῦ φεῦ, τὸ παρὸν τό τʼ ἐπερχόμενον
πῆμα στενάχω, πῇ ποτε μόχθων
χρὴ τέρματα τῶνδʼ ἐπιτεῖλαι.

[¶36] And yet, what am I saying? All that is to be I know full well and in advance, nor shall any affliction come upon me unforeseen. I must bear my allotted doom as lightly as I can, knowing that
the might of Necessity permits no resistance. Yet I am not able to speak nor be silent about my fate. For it is because I bestowed good gifts on mortals that this miserable yoke of constraint has been bound upon me. I hunted out and stored in fennel stalk the stolen
source of fire that has proved a teacher to mortals in every art and a means to mighty ends. Such is the offence for which I pay the penalty, riveted in fetters beneath the open sky.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
καίτοι τί φημι; πάντα προυξεπίσταμαι
σκεθρῶς τὰ μέλλοντʼ, οὐδέ μοι ποταίνιον
πῆμʼ οὐδὲν ἥξει. τὴν πεπρωμένην δὲ χρὴ
αἶσαν φέρειν ὡς ῥᾷστα, γιγνώσκονθʼ ὅτι
τὸ τῆς ἀνάγκης ἔστʼ ἀδήριτον σθένος.
ἀλλʼ οὔτε σιγᾶν οὔτε μὴ σιγᾶν τύχας
οἷόν τέ μοι τάσδʼ ἐστί. θνητοῖς γὰρ γέρα
πορὼν ἀνάγκαις ταῖσδʼ ἐνέζευγμαι τάλας.
ναρθηκοπλήρωτον δὲ θηρῶμαι πυρὸς
πηγὴν κλοπαίαν, ἣ διδάσκαλος τέχνης
πάσης βροτοῖς πέφηνε καὶ μέγας πόρος.
τοιῶνδε ποινὰς ἀμπλακημάτων τίνω
ὑπαιθρίοις δεσμοῖς πεπασσαλευμένος.

[¶37] Ha! Behold!
What murmur, what scent wings to me, its source invisible, heavenly or human, or both? Has someone come to this crag at the edge of the world to stare at my sufferings—or with what motive? Behold me, an ill-fated god, chained,
the foe of Zeus,
hated of all who enter the court of Zeus, because of my very great love for mankind. Ha! What’s this? What may be this rustling stir of birds I hear
again nearby? The air whirs with the light rush of wings. Whatever approaches causes me alarm. The Daughters of Oceanus enter on a winged car
Chorus:
Do not fear! For our group has come in swift rivalry of wings to this crag
as friend to you, having won our father’s consent as best we might. The swift-coursing breezes bore me on; for the reverberation of the clang of iron pierced the depths of our caves and drove my grave modesty away in fright;

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
ἆ ἆ ἔα ἔα.
τίς ἀχώ, τίς ὀδμὰ προσέπτα μʼ ἀφεγγής,
θεόσυτος, ἢ βρότειος, ἢ κεκραμένη;
ἵκετο τερμόνιον ἐπὶ πάγον
πόνων ἐμῶν θεωρός, ἢ τί δὴ θέλων;
ὁρᾶτε δεσμώτην με δύσποτμον θεόν
τὸν Διὸς ἐχθρόν, τὸν πᾶσι θεοῖς
Προμηθεύς:
διʼ ἀπεχθείας ἐλθόνθʼ ὁπόσοι
τὴν Διὸς αὐλὴν εἰσοιχνεῦσιν,
διὰ τὴν λίαν φιλότητα βροτῶν.
φεῦ φεῦ, τί ποτʼ αὖ κινάθισμα κλύω
πέλας οἰωνῶν; αἰθὴρ δʼ ἐλαφραῖς
πτερύγων ῥιπαῖς ὑποσυρίζει.
πᾶν μοι φοβερὸν τὸ προσέρπον.
Χορός:
μηδὲν φοβηθῇς· φιλία
γὰρ ἅδε τάξις πτερύγων
θοαῖς ἁμίλλαις προσέβα
τόνδε πάγον, πατρῴας
μόγις παρειποῦσα φρένας.
κραιπνοφόροι δέ μʼ ἔπεμψαν αὖραι·
κτύπου γὰρ ἀχὼ χάλυβος
διῇξεν ἄντρων μυχόν, ἐκ
δʼ ἔπληξέ μου τὰν θεμερῶπιν αἰδῶ·

[¶38] unsandalled I have hastened in a winged car.

> Greek: σύθην δʼ ἀπέδιλος ὄχῳ πτερωτῷ.

[¶39] Prometheus:
Alas! Alas! Offspring of fruitful Tethys and of him who with his sleepless current encircles the whole earth, children of your
father Oceanus, behold, see with what fetters, upon the summit crag of this ravine, I am to hold my unenviable watch.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
αἰαῖ αἰαῖ,
τῆς πολυτέκνου Τηθύος ἔκγονα,
τοῦ περὶ πᾶσάν θʼ εἱλισσομένου
χθόνʼ ἀκοιμήτῳ ῥεύματι παῖδες
πατρὸς, Ὠκεανοῦ,
δέρχθητʼ, ἐσίδεσθʼ οἵῳ δεσμῷ,
προσπορπατὸς τῆσδε φάραγγος
σκοπέλοις ἐν ἄκροις
φρουρὰν ἄζηλον ὀχήσω.

[¶40] Chorus:
I see, Prometheus;
and over my eyes a mist of tears and fear spread as I saw your body withering ignominiously upon this rock in these bonds of adamant. For there are new rulers in heaven, and Zeus governs with
lawless customs; that which was mighty before he now brings to nothing.

> Greek: Χορός:
λεύσσω, Προμηθεῦ· φοβερὰ
δʼ ἐμοῖσιν ὄσσοις ὀμίχλα
προσῇξε πλήρης δακρύων
σὸν δέμας εἰσιδούσᾳ
πέτραις προσαυαινόμενον
ταῖσδʼ ἀδαμαντοδέτοισι λύμαις.
νέοι γὰρ οἰακονόμοι
κρατοῦσʼ, Ὀλύμπου· νεοχμοῖς
δὲ δὴ νόμοις Ζεὺς ἀθέτως κρατύνει.
τὰ πρὶν δὲ πελώρια νῦν ἀιστοῖ.

[¶41] Prometheus:
Oh if only he had hurled me below the earth, yes beneath Hades, the entertainer of the dead, into impassable Tartarus,
and had ruthlessly fastened me in fetters no hand can loose, so that neither god nor any other might have gloated over this agony I feel! But, now, a miserable plaything of the winds, I suffer pains to delight my enemies.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
εἰ γάρ μʼ ὑπὸ γῆν νέρθεν θʼ Ἅιδου
τοῦ νεκροδέγμονος εἰς ἀπέρατον
Τάρταρον ἧκεν,
δεσμοῖς ἀλύτοις ἀγρίως πελάσας,
ὡς μήτε θεὸς μήτε τις ἄλλος
τοῖσδʼ ἐπεγήθει.
νῦν δʼ αἰθέριον κίνυγμʼ ὁ τάλας
ἐχθροῖς ἐπίχαρτα πέπονθα.

[¶42] Chorus:
Who of the gods is so hard of heart as to exult in this? Who does not sympathize with your woes—save only Zeus? But he in malice, has set his soul inflexibly
and keeps in subjection the race sprung from Uranus; nor will he stop, until he has satiated his soul or another seizes his impregnable empire by some device of guile.

> Greek: Χορός:
τίς ὧδε τλησικάρδιος
θεῶν, ὅτῳ τάδʼ ἐπιχαρῆ;
τίς οὐ ξυνασχαλᾷ κακοῖς
τεοῖσι, δίχα γε Διός; ὁ δʼ ἐπικότως ἀεὶ
θέμενος ἄγναμπτον νόον
δάμναται Οὐρανίαν
γένναν, οὐδὲ λήξει, πρὶν ἂν ἢ κορέσῃ κέαρ ἢ παλάμᾳ τινὶ
τὰν δυσάλωτον ἕλῃ τις ἀρχάν.

[¶43] Prometheus:
Truly the day shall come when, although I am tortured in stubborn fetters,
the prince of the blessed will need me to reveal the new design whereby he shall be stripped of his sceptre and his dignities. Not by persuasion’s honeyed enchantments will he charm me;
and I will never, cowering before his dire threats, divulge this secret, until he releases me from my cruel bonds and provides compensation for this outrage.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
ἦ μὴν ἔτʼ ἐμοῦ, καίπερ κρατεραῖς
ἐν γυιοπέδαις αἰκιζομένου,
χρείαν ἕξει μακάρων πρύτανις,
δεῖξαι τὸ νέον βούλευμʼ ὑφʼ ὅτου
σκῆπτρον τιμάς τʼ ἀποσυλᾶται.
καί μʼ οὔτι μελιγλώσσοις πειθοῦς
ἐπαοιδαῖσιν θέλξει, στερεάς τʼ
οὔποτʼ ἀπειλὰς πτήξας τόδʼ ἐγὼ
καταμηνύσω,
πρὶν ἂν ἐξ ἀγρίων δεσμῶν χαλάσῃ
ποινάς τε τίνειν
τῆσδʼ αἰκείας ἐθελήσῃ.

[¶44] Chorus:
You are bold, and do not yield to your bitter pangs; you give too much license to your tongue. But my soul is agitated by piercing fear, and I am in dread about your fate,
wondering to what haven you must steer your ship to see an end of your voyage of sorrow. For the heart of Cronus’ son is hardened against entreaty and his ways are inexorable.

> Greek: Χορός:
σὺ μὲν θρασύς τε καὶ πικραῖς
δύαισιν οὐδὲν ἐπιχαλᾷς,
ἄγαν δʼ ἐλευθεροστομεῖς.
ἐμὰς δὲ φρένας ἐρέθισε διάτορος φόβος·
δέδια δʼ ἀμφὶ σαῖς τύχαις,
πᾷ ποτε τῶνδε πόνων
χρή σε τέρμα κέλ-
σαντʼ ἐσιδεῖν· ἀκίχητα γὰρ ἤθεα καὶ κέαρ
ἀπαράμυθον ἔχει Κρόνου παῖς.

[¶45] Prometheus:
I know that Zeus is harsh and
keeps justice in his own hands; but nevertheless one day his judgement will soften, when he has been crushed in the way that I know. Then, calming down his stubborn wrath, he shall at last bond with me in union and friendship,
as eager as I am to welcome him.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
οἶδʼ ὅτι τραχὺς καὶ παρʼ ἑαυτῷ
τὸ δίκαιον ἔχων Ζεύς. ἀλλʼ ἔμπας [ὀίω]
μαλακογνώμων
ἔσται ποθʼ, ὅταν ταύτῃ ῥαισθῇ·
τὴν δʼ ἀτέραμνον στορέσας ὀργὴν
εἰς ἀρθμὸν ἐμοὶ καὶ φιλότητα
σπεύδων σπεύδοντί ποθʼ ἥξει.

[¶46] Chorus:
Unfold the whole story and tell us upon what charge Zeus has caught you and painfully punishes you with such dishonor. Instruct us, unless, indeed, there is some harm in telling.

> Greek: Χορός:
πάντʼ ἐκκάλυψον καὶ γέγωνʼ ἡμῖν λόγον,
ποίῳ λαβών σε Ζεὺς ἐπʼ αἰτιάματι,
οὕτως ἀτίμως καὶ πικρῶς αἰκίζεται·
δίδαξον ἡμᾶς, εἴ τι μὴ βλάπτει λόγῳ.

[¶47] Prometheus:
It is painful to me to tell the tale,
painful to keep it silent. My case is unfortunate every way. When first the heavenly powers were moved to wrath, and mutual dissension was stirred up among them—some bent on casting Cronus from his seat so Zeus, in truth, might reign; others, eager for
the contrary end, that Zeus might never win mastery over the gods—it was then that I, although advising them for the best, was unable to persuade the Titans, children of Heaven and Earth; but they, disdaining counsels of craft, in the pride of their strength
thought to gain the mastery without a struggle and by force. Often my mother Themis, or Earth (though one form, she had many names), had foretold to me the way in which the future was fated to come to pass. That it was not by brute strength nor through violence,
but by guile that those who should gain the upper hand were destined to prevail. And though I argued all this to them, they did not pay any attention to my words. With all that before me, it seemed best that, joining with my mother, I should place myself,
a welcome volunteer, on the side of Zeus; and it is by reason of my counsel that the cavernous gloom of Tartarus now hides ancient Cronus and his allies within it. Thus I helped the tyrant of the gods
and with this foul payment he has responded; for it is a disease that is somehow inherent in tyranny to have no faith in friends. However, you ask why he torments me, and this I will now make clear.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
ἀλγεινὰ μέν μοι καὶ λέγειν ἐστὶν τάδε,
ἄλγος δὲ σιγᾶν, πανταχῇ δὲ δύσποτμα.
ἐπεὶ τάχιστʼ ἤρξαντο δαίμονες χόλου
στάσις τʼ ἐν ἀλλήλοισιν ὠροθύνετο,
οἱ μὲν θέλοντες ἐκβαλεῖν ἕδρας Κρόνον,
ὡς Ζεὺς ἀνάσσοι δῆθεν, οἱ δὲ τοὔμπαλιν
σπεύδοντες, ὡς Ζεὺς μήποτʼ ἄρξειεν θεῶν,
ἐνταῦθʼ ἐγὼ τὰ λῷστα βουλεύων πιθεῖν
Τιτᾶνας, Οὐρανοῦ τε καὶ Χθονὸς τέκνα,
οὐκ ἠδυνήθην. αἱμύλας δὲ μηχανὰς
ἀτιμάσαντες καρτεροῖς φρονήμασιν
ᾤοντʼ ἀμοχθεὶ πρὸς βίαν τε δεσπόσειν·
ἐμοὶ δὲ μήτηρ οὐχ ἅπαξ μόνον Θέμις,
καὶ Γαῖα, πολλῶν ὀνομάτων μορφὴ μία,
τὸ μέλλον ᾗ κραίνοιτο προυτεθεσπίκει,
ὡς οὐ κατʼ ἰσχὺν οὐδὲ πρὸς τὸ καρτερόν
χρείη, δόλῳ δὲ τοὺς ὑπερσχόντας κρατεῖν.
τοιαῦτʼ ἐμοῦ λόγοισιν ἐξηγουμένου
οὐκ ἠξίωσαν οὐδὲ προσβλέψαι τὸ πᾶν.
κράτιστα δή μοι τῶν παρεστώτων τότε
ἐφαίνετʼ εἶναι προσλαβόντα μητέρα
ἑκόνθʼ ἑκόντι Ζηνὶ συμπαραστατεῖν.
ἐμαῖς δὲ βουλαῖς Ταρτάρου μελαμβαθὴς
κευθμὼν καλύπτει τὸν παλαιγενῆ Κρόνον
αὐτοῖσι συμμάχοισι. τοιάδʼ ἐξ ἐμοῦ
ὁ τῶν θεῶν τύραννος ὠφελημένος
κακαῖσι ποιναῖς ταῖσδὲ μʼ ἐξημείψατο.
ἔνεστι γάρ πως τοῦτο τῇ τυραννίδι
νόσημα, τοῖς φίλοισι μὴ πεποιθέναι.
ὃ δʼ οὖν ἐρωτᾶτʼ, αἰτίαν καθʼ ἥντινα
αἰκίζεταί με, τοῦτο δὴ σαφηνιῶ.

[¶48] As soon as he had seated himself upon his father’s throne, he immediately assigned to the deities their several privileges and apportioned to them their proper powers. But of wretched mortals he took no notice, desiring to bring
the whole race to an end and create a new one in its place. Against this purpose none dared make stand except me— I only had the courage; I saved mortals so that they did not descend, blasted utterly, to the house of Hades. This is why I am bent by such grievous tortures,
painful to suffer, piteous to behold. I who gave mortals first place in my pity, I am deemed unworthy to win this pity for myself, but am in this way mercilessly disciplined, a spectacle that shames the glory of Zeus.

> Greek: ὅπως τάχιστα τὸν πατρῷον ἐς θρόνον
καθέζετʼ, εὐθὺς δαίμοσιν νέμει γέρα
ἄλλοισιν ἄλλα καὶ διεστοιχίζετο
ἀρχήν· βροτῶν δὲ τῶν ταλαιπώρων λόγον
οὐκ ἔσχεν οὐδένʼ, ἀλλʼ ἀιστώσας γένος
τὸ πᾶν ἔχρῃζεν ἄλλο φιτῦσαι νέον.
καὶ τοῖσιν οὐδεὶς ἀντέβαινε πλὴν ἐμοῦ.
ἐγὼ δʼ ἐτόλμησʼ· ἐξελυσάμην βροτοὺς
τὸ μὴ διαρραισθέντας εἰς Ἅιδου μολεῖν.
τῷ τοι τοιαῖσδε πημοναῖσι κάμπτομαι,
πάσχειν μὲν ἀλγειναῖσιν, οἰκτραῖσιν δʼ ἰδεῖν·
θνητοὺς δʼ ἐν οἴκτῳ προθέμενος, τούτου τυχεῖν
οὐκ ἠξιώθην αὐτός, ἀλλὰ νηλεῶς
ὧδʼ ἐρρύθμισμαι, Ζηνὶ δυσκλεὴς θέα.

[¶49] Chorus:
Iron-hearted and made of stone, Prometheus,
is he who feels no compassion at your miseries. For myself, I would not have desired to see them; and now that I see them, I am pained in my heart.

> Greek: Χορός:
σιδηρόφρων τε κἀκ πέτρας εἰργασμένος
ὅστις, Προμηθεῦ, σοῖσιν οὐ συνασχαλᾷ
μόχθοις· ἐγὼ γὰρ οὔτʼ ἂν εἰσιδεῖν τάδε
ἔχρῃζον εἰσιδοῦσά τʼ ἠλγύνθην κέαρ.

[¶50] Prometheus:
Yes, to my friends indeed I am a spectacle of pity.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
καὶ μὴν φίλοις ⟨γʼ ⟩ ἐλεινὸς εἰσορᾶν ἐγώ.

[¶51] Chorus:
Did you perhaps transgress even somewhat beyond this offence?

> Greek: Χορός:
μή πού τι προύβης τῶνδε καὶ περαιτέρω;

[¶52] Prometheus:
Yes, I caused mortals to cease foreseeing their doom.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
θνητούς γʼ ἔπαυσα μὴ προδέρκεσθαι μόρον.

[¶53] Chorus:
Of what sort was the cure that you found for this affliction?

> Greek: Χορός:
τὸ ποῖον εὑρὼν τῆσδε φάρμακον νόσου;

[¶54] Prometheus:
I caused blind hopes to dwell within their breasts.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
τυφλὰς ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐλπίδας κατῴκισα.

[¶55] Chorus:
A great benefit was this you gave to mortals.

> Greek: Χορός:
μέγʼ ὠφέλημα τοῦτʼ ἐδωρήσω βροτοῖς.

[¶56] Prometheus:
In addition, I gave them fire.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
πρὸς τοῖσδε μέντοι πῦρ ἐγώ σφιν ὤπασα.

[¶57] Chorus:
What! Do creatures of a day now have flame-eyed fire?

> Greek: Χορός:
καὶ νῦν φλογωπὸν πῦρ ἔχουσʼ ἐφήμεροι;

[¶58] Prometheus:
Yes, and from it they shall learn many arts.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
ἀφʼ οὗ γε πολλὰς ἐκμαθήσονται τέχνας.

[¶59] Chorus:
Then it was on a charge like this that Zeus—

> Greek: Χορός:
τοιοῖσδε δή σε Ζεὺς ἐπʼ αἰτιάμασιν—

[¶60] Prometheus:
Torments me and in no way gives me respite from pain.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
αἰκίζεταί τε κοὐδαμῇ χαλᾷ κακῶν.

[¶61] Chorus:
And is there no end assigned to your ordeal?

> Greek: Χορός:
οὐδʼ ἔστιν ἄθλου τέρμα σοι προκείμενον;

[¶62] Prometheus:
No, none except when it seems good to him.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
οὐκ ἄλλο γʼ οὐδέν, πλὴν ὅταν κείνῳ δοκῇ.

[¶63] Chorus:
But how will it seem good to him? What hope is there? Do you not see that you have wronged? And yet it is not pleasant for me to talk about how you have wronged, and for you it is pain. So, let us quit this theme; and may you seek some release from your ordeal.

> Greek: Χορός:
δόξει δὲ πῶς; τίς ἐλπίς; οὐχ ὁρᾷς ὅτι
ἥμαρτες; ὡς δʼ ἥμαρτες οὔτʼ ἐμοὶ λέγειν
καθʼ ἡδονὴν σοί τʼ ἄλγος. ἀλλὰ ταῦτα μὲν
μεθῶμεν, ἄθλου δʼ ἔκλυσιν ζήτει τινά.

[¶64] Prometheus:
It is easy for him who keeps his foot free from harm to counsel and admonish him who is in misery. I have known this all the while. Of my own will, yes, of my own will I erred—I will not deny it. By helping mortals I found suffering for myself;

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
ἐλαφρὸν ὅστις πημάτων ἔξω πόδα
ἔχει παραινεῖν νουθετεῖν τε τὸν κακῶς
πράσσοντʼ· ἐγὼ δὲ ταῦθʼ ἅπαντʼ ἠπιστάμην.
ἑκὼν ἑκὼν ἥμαρτον, οὐκ ἀρνήσομαι·
θνητοῖς ἀρήγων αὐτὸς ηὑρόμην πόνους.

[¶65] nevertheless I did not think I would be punished in this way—wasting away upon cliffs in mid-air, my portion this desolate and dreary crag. And now, bewail no more my present woes; alight on the ground and listen to my
oncoming fortunes so that you may be told them from end to end. Consent, I beg you, oh consent. Take part in the trouble of him who is now in sore distress. In truth, affliction wanders impartially abroad and alights upon all in turn.

> Greek: οὐ μήν τι ποιναῖς γʼ ᾠόμην τοίαισί με
κατισχνανεῖσθαι πρὸς πέτραις πεδαρσίοις,
τυχόντʼ ἐρήμου τοῦδʼ ἀγείτονος πάγου.
καί μοι τὰ μὲν παρόντα μὴ δύρεσθʼ ἄχη,
πέδοι δὲ βᾶσαι τὰς προσερπούσας τύχας
ἀκούσαθʼ, ὡς μάθητε διὰ τέλους τὸ πᾶν.
πίθεσθέ μοι πίθεσθε, συμπονήσατε
τῷ νῦν μογοῦντι. ταὐτά τοι πλανωμένη
πρὸς ἄλλοτʼ ἄλλον πημονὴ προσιζάνει.

[¶66] Chorus:
Not to unwilling ears have you made this appeal,
Prometheus. And so now with light foot I will quit my swift-speeding seat and the pure air, the pathway of birds and draw near to this rugged ground; for I want to hear
the whole story of your sorrows.
Enter Oceanus on a winged steed

> Greek: Χορός:
οὐκ ἀκούσαις ἐπεθώυξας
τοῦτο, Προμηθεῦ.
καὶ νῦν ἐλαφρῷ ποδὶ κραιπνόσυτον
θᾶκον προλιποῦσʼ, αἰθέρα θʼ ἁγνὸν
πόρον οἰωνῶν, ὀκριοέσσῃ
χθονὶ τῇδε πελῶ, τοὺς σοὺς δὲ πόνους
χρῄζω διὰ παντὸς ἀκοῦσαι.

[¶67] Oceanus:
I have come to the end of a long journey in my passage to you, Prometheus, guiding by my own will, without a bridle, this swift-winged bird.

> Greek: Ὠκεανός:
ἥκω δολιχῆς τέρμα κελεύθου
διαμειψάμενος πρὸς σέ, Προμηθεῦ,
τὸν πτερυγωκῆ τόνδʼ οἰωνὸν
γνώμῃ στομίων ἄτερ εὐθύνων·

[¶68] For your fate, you may be sure, I feel compassion. Kinship, I think, constrains me to this; and, apart from blood ties, there is none to whom I should pay greater respect than to you.

> Greek: ταῖς σαῖς δὲ τύχαις, ἴσθι, συναλγῶ.
τὸ τε γάρ με, δοκῶ, συγγενὲς οὕτως
ἐσαναγκάζει,
χωρίς τε γένους οὐκ ἔστιν ὅτῳ
μείζονα μοῖραν νείμαιμʼ ἢ σοί.

[¶69] You shall know this for simple truth and that it is not in me to utter vain and empty words; come, tell me; what aid can I render you? For you shall never say that you have a friend more loyal than Oceanus.

> Greek: γνώσῃ δὲ τάδʼ ὡς ἔτυμʼ, οὐδὲ μάτην
χαριτογλωσσεῖν ἔνι μοι· φέρε γὰρ
σήμαινʼ ὅ τι χρή σοι συμπράσσειν·
οὐ γάρ ποτʼ ἐρεῖς ὡς Ὠκεανοῦ
φίλος ἐστὶ βεβαιότερός σοι.

[¶70] Prometheus:
Ha! What have we here? So then you too have come to stare upon my sufferings? How did you summon courage to quit the stream that bears your name and the rock-roofed caves you yourself have made and come to this land, the mother of iron? Is it that you have come
to gaze upon my state and join your grief to my distress? Look upon me here—a spectacle, the friend of Zeus, who helped him to establish his sovereign power, by what anguish I am bent by him!

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
ἔα· τί χρῆμα λεύσσω; καὶ σὺ δὴ πόνων ἐμῶν
ἥκεις ἐπόπτης; πῶς ἐτόλμησας, λιπὼν
ἐπώνυμόν τε ῥεῦμα καὶ πετρηρεφῆ
αὐτόκτιτʼ ἄντρα, τὴν σιδηρομήτορα
ἐλθεῖν ἐς αἶαν; ἦ θεωρήσων τύχας
ἐμὰς ἀφῖξαι καὶ συνασχαλῶν κακοῖς;
δέρκου θέαμα, τόνδε τὸν Διὸς φίλον,
τὸν συγκαταστήσαντα τὴν τυραννίδα,
οἵαις ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ πημοναῖσι κάμπτομαι.

[¶71] Oceanus:
I see, Prometheus; and I want to give you
the best advice, although you yourself are wily. Learn to know yourself and adapt yourself to new ways; for new also is the ruler among the gods. If you hurl forth words so harsh and of such whetted edge, perhaps Zeus may hear you,
though throned far off, high in the heavens, and then your present multitude of sorrows shall seem but childish sport. Oh wretched sufferer! Put away your wrathful mood and try to find release from these miseries. Perhaps this advice may seem to you old and dull;

> Greek: Ὠκεανός:
ὁρῶ, Προμηθεῦ, καὶ παραινέσαι γέ σοι
θέλω τὰ λῷστα, καίπερ ὄντι ποικίλῳ.
γίγνωσκε σαυτὸν καὶ μεθάρμοσαι τρόπους
νέους· νέος γὰρ καὶ τύραννος ἐν θεοῖς.
εἰ δʼ ὧδε τραχεῖς καὶ τεθηγμένους λόγους
ῥίψεις, τάχʼ ἄν σου καὶ μακρὰν ἀνωτέρω
θακῶν κλύοι Ζεύς, ὥστε σοι τὸν νῦν ὄχλον
παρόντα μόχθων παιδιὰν εἶναι δοκεῖν.
ἀλλʼ, ὦ ταλαίπωρʼ, ἃς ἔχεις ὀργὰς ἄφες,
ζήτει δὲ τῶνδε πημάτων ἀπαλλαγάς.
ἀρχαῖʼ ἴσως σοι φαίνομαι λέγειν τάδε·

[¶72] but your plight, Prometheus, is only the wages of too boastful speech. You still have not learned humility, nor do you bend before misfortune, but would rather add even more miseries to those you have. Therefore take me as your teacher
and do not add insult to injury, seeing that a harsh monarch now rules who is accountable to no one. So now I will depart and see whether I can release you from these sufferings. And may you hold your peace and be not too blustering of speech.

> Greek: τοιαῦτα μέντοι τῆς ἄγαν ὑψηγόρου
γλώσσης, Προμηθεῦ, τἀπίχειρα γίγνεται.
σὺ δʼ οὐδέπω ταπεινὸς οὐδʼ εἴκεις κακοῖς,
πρὸς τοῖς παροῦσι δʼ ἄλλα προσλαβεῖν θέλεις.
οὔκουν ἔμοιγε χρώμενος διδασκάλῳ
πρὸς κέντρα κῶλον ἐκτενεῖς, ὁρῶν ὅτι
τραχὺς μόναρχος οὐδʼ ὑπεύθυνος κρατεῖ.
καὶ νῦν ἐγὼ μὲν εἶμι καὶ πειράσομαι
ἐὰν δύνωμαι τῶνδέ σʼ ἐκλῦσαι πόνων.
σὺ δʼ ἡσύχαζε μηδʼ ἄγαν λαβροστόμει.

[¶73] Or, can it be that for all your exceeding wisdom, you do not know that chastisement is inflicted on a wagging tongue?

> Greek: ἢ οὐκ οἶσθʼ ἀκριβῶς ὢν περισσόφρων ὅτι
γλώσσῃ ματαίᾳ ζημία προστρίβεται;

[¶74] Prometheus:
I envy you because you have escaped blame for having dared to share with me in my troubles. So now leave me alone and let it not concern you.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
ζηλῶ σʼ ὁθούνεκʼ ἐκτὸς αἰτίας κυρεῖς
τούτων μετασχεῖν καὶ τετολμηκὼς ἐμοί.
καὶ νῦν ἔασον μηδέ σοι μελησάτω.

[¶75] Do what you want, you cannot persuade him; for he is not easy to persuade. Beware that you do not do yourself harm by the mission you take.

> Greek: πάντως γὰρ οὐ πείσεις νιν· οὐ γὰρ εὐπιθής.
πάπταινε δʼ αὐτὸς μή τι πημανθῇς ὁδῷ.

[¶76] Oceanus:
In truth, you are far better able to admonish others than yourself. It is by fact, not by hearsay, that I judge.

> Greek: Ὠκεανός:
πολλῷ γʼ ἀμείνων τοὺς πέλας φρενοῦν ἔφυς
ἢ σαυτόν· ἔργῳ κοὐ λόγῳ τεκμαίρομαι.

[¶77] So do not hold back one who is eager to go. For I am confident, yes, confident, that Zeus will grant me this favor, to free you from your sufferings.

> Greek: ὁρμώμενον δὲ μηδαμῶς ἀντισπάσῃς.
αὐχῶ γὰρ αὐχῶ τήνδε δωρεὰν ἐμοὶ
δώσειν Δίʼ, ὥστε τῶνδέ σʼ ἐκλῦσαι πόνων.

[¶78] Prometheus:
I thank you for all this and shall never cease to thank you; in zeal you lack nothing, but do not trouble yourself; for your trouble will be vain and
not helpful to me—if indeed you want to take the pain. No, keep quiet and keep yourself clear of harm. For even if I am in sore plight, I would not wish affliction on everyone else. No, certainly, no! since, besides, I am distressed by the fate
of my brother Atlas, who, towards the west, stands bearing on his shoulders the pillar of heaven and earth, a burden not easy for his arms to grasp. Pity moved me, too, at the sight of the earth-born dweller of the Cilician caves curbed by violence, that destructive monster
of a hundred heads, impetuous Typhon. He withstood all the gods, hissing out terror with horrid jaws, while from his eyes lightened a hideous glare, as though he would storm by force the sovereignty of Zeus.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
τὰ μὲν σʼ ἐπαινῶ κοὐδαμῇ λήξω ποτέ·
προθυμίας γὰρ οὐδὲν ἐλλείπεις. ἀτὰρ
μηδὲν πόνει. μάτην γὰρ οὐδὲν ὠφελῶν
ἐμοὶ πονήσεις, εἴ τι καὶ πονεῖν θέλεις.
ἀλλʼ ἡσύχαζε σαυτὸν ἐκποδὼν ἔχων·
ἐγὼ γὰρ οὐκ, εἰ δυστυχῶ, τοῦδʼ εἵνεκα
θέλοιμʼ ἂν ὡς πλείστοισι πημονὰς τυχεῖν.
οὐ δῆτʼ ἐπεί με καὶ κασιγνήτου τύχαι
τείρουσʼ Ἄτλαντος, ὃς πρὸς ἑσπέρους τόπους
ἕστηκε κίονʼ οὐρανοῦ τε καὶ χθονὸς
ὤμοις ἐρείδων, ἄχθος οὐκ εὐάγκαλον.
τὸν γηγενῆ τε Κιλικίων οἰκήτορα
ἄντρων ἰδὼν ᾤκτιρα, δάιον τέρας
ἑκατογκάρανον πρὸς βίαν χειρούμενον
Τυφῶνα θοῦρον· πᾶσιν [ὅς] ἀντέστη θεοῖς,
σμερδναῖσι γαμφηλαῖσι συρίζων φόβον·
ἐξ ὀμμάτων δʼ ἤστραπτε γοργωπὸν σέλας,
ὡς τὴν Διὸς τυραννίδʼ ἐκπέρσων βίᾳ·

[¶79] But the unsleeping bolt of Zeus came upon him, the swooping lightning brand with breath of flame, which struck him, frightened, from his loud-mouthed boasts; then, stricken to the very heart, he was burnt to ashes and his strength blasted from him by the lightning bolt.

> Greek: ἀλλʼ ἦλθεν αὐτῷ Ζηνὸς ἄγρυπνον βέλος,
καταιβάτης κεραυνὸς ἐκπνέων φλόγα,
ὃς αὐτὸν ἐξέπληξε τῶν ὑψηγόρων
κομπασμάτων. φρένας γὰρ εἰς αὐτὰς τυπεὶς
ἐφεψαλώθη κἀξεβροντήθη σθένος.

[¶80] And now, a helpless and a sprawling bulk, he lies hard by the narrows of the sea, pressed down beneath the roots of Aetna; while on the topmost summit Hephaestus sits and hammers the molten ore. There, one day, shall burst forth
rivers of fire, with savage jaws devouring the level fields of Sicily, land of fair fruit—such boiling rage shall Typho, although charred by the blazing lightning of Zeus, send spouting forth with hot jets of appalling, fire-breathing surge.

> Greek: καὶ νῦν ἀχρεῖον καὶ παράορον δέμας
κεῖται στενωποῦ πλησίον θαλασσίου
ἰπούμενος ῥίζαισιν Αἰτναίαις ὕπο·
κορυφαῖς δʼ ἐν ἄκραις ἥμενος μυδροκτυπεῖ
Ἥφαιστος· ἔνθεν ἐκραγήσονταί ποτε
ποταμοὶ πυρὸς δάπτοντες ἀγρίαις γνάθοις
τῆς καλλικάρπου Σικελίας λευροὺς γύας·
τοιόνδε Τυφὼς ἐξαναζέσει χόλον
θερμοῖς ἀπλάτου βέλεσι πυρπνόου ζάλης,
καίπερ κεραυνῷ Ζηνὸς ἠνθρακωμένος.

[¶81] But you are not inexperienced, and do not need me to teach you. Save yourself, as you know best; while I exhaust my present lot until the time comes when the mind of Zeus shall abandon its wrath.

> Greek: σὺ δʼ οὐκ ἄπειρος, οὐδʼ ἐμοῦ διδασκάλου
χρῄζεις· σεαυτὸν σῷζʼ ὅπως ἐπίστασαι·
ἐγὼ δὲ τὴν παροῦσαν ἀντλήσω τύχην,
ἔστʼ ἂν Διὸς φρόνημα λωφήσῃ χόλου.

[¶82] Oceanus:
Do you not know then, Prometheus, that
words are the physicians of a disordered temper?

> Greek: Ὠκεανός:
οὔκουν, Προμηθεῦ, τοῦτο γιγνώσκεις, ὅτι
ὀργῆς νοσούσης εἰσὶν ἰατροὶ λόγοι;

[¶83] Prometheus:
If one softens the soul in season, and does not hasten to reduce its swelling rage by violence.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
ἐάν τις ἐν καιρῷ γε μαλθάσσῃ κέαρ
καὶ μὴ σφριγῶντα θυμὸν ἰσχναίνῃ βίᾳ.

[¶84] Oceanus:
What lurking mischief do you see when daring joins to zeal? Teach me this.

> Greek: Ὠκεανός:
ἐν τῷ προθυμεῖσθαι δὲ καὶ τολμᾶν τίνα
ὁρᾷς ἐνοῦσαν ζημίαν; δίδασκέ με.

[¶85] Prometheus:
Lost labor and thoughtless simplicity.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
μόχθον περισσὸν κουφόνουν τʼ εὐηθίαν.

[¶86] Oceanus:
Leave me to be affected by this, since it is most advantageous, when truly wise, to be deemed a fool.

> Greek: Ὠκεανός:
ἔα με τῇδε τῇ νόσῳ νοσεῖν, ἐπεὶ
κέρδιστον εὖ φρονοῦντα μὴ φρονεῖν δοκεῖν.

[¶87] Prometheus:
This fault will be seen to be my own.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
ἐμὸν δοκήσει τἀμπλάκημʼ εἶναι τόδε.

[¶88] Oceanus:
Clearly the manner of your speech orders me back home.

> Greek: Ὠκεανός:
σαφῶς μʼ ἐς οἶκον σὸς λόγος στέλλει πάλιν.

[¶89] Prometheus:
So that you won’t win enmity for yourself by lamenting for me.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
μὴ γάρ σε θρῆνος οὑμὸς εἰς ἔχθραν βάλῃ.

[¶90] Oceanus:
In the eyes of the one who is newly seated on his omnipotent throne?

> Greek: Ὠκεανός:
ἦ τῷ νέον θακοῦντι παγκρατεῖς ἕδρας;

[¶91] Prometheus:
Beware lest the time come when his heart is angered with you.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
τούτου φυλάσσου μή ποτʼ ἀχθεσθῇ κέαρ.

[¶92] Oceanus:
Your plight, Prometheus, is my instructor.

> Greek: Ὠκεανός:
ἡ σή, Προμηθεῦ, συμφορὰ διδάσκαλος.

[¶93] Prometheus:
Go away, depart, keep your present purpose.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
στέλλου, κομίζου, σῷζε τὸν παρόντα νοῦν.

[¶94] Oceanus:
Your urging meets my eagerness; for my four-footed winged beast fans with his wings the smooth pathway of the air; and truly he will be glad to rest his knees in his stall at home. Exit

> Greek: Ὠκεανός:
ὁρμωμένῳ μοι τόνδʼ ἐθώυξας λόγον.
λευρὸν γὰρ οἷμον αἰθέρος ψαίρει πτεροῖς
τετρασκελὴς οἰωνός· ἄσμενος δέ τἂν
σταθμοῖς ἐν οἰκείοισι κάμψειεν γόνυ.

[¶95] Chorus:
I mourn your unfortunate fate, Prometheus.

> Greek: Χορός:
στένω σε τᾶς οὐλομένας τύχας, Προμηθεῦ·

[¶96] Shedding from my eyes a coursing flood of tears I wet my tender cheeks with their moist streams. For Zeus, holding this unenviable power by self-appointed laws,
displays towards the gods of old an overweening spirit.

> Greek: δακρυσίστακτα δʼ ἀπʼ ὄσσων
ῥαδινὰν λειβομένα ῥέος παρειὰν
νοτίοις ἔτεγξα παγαῖς·
ἀμέγαρτα γὰρ τάδε Ζεὺς
ἰδίοις νόμοις κρατύνων
ὑπερήφανον θεοῖς τοῖς
πάρος ἐνδείκνυσιν αἰχμάν.

[¶97] Chorus:
Now the whole earth cries aloud in lamentation;... lament the greatness of the glory of your time-hallowed honor,
the honor that was yours and your brother’s; and all mortals who make their dwelling place in holy Asia share the anguish of your most lamentable suffering;

> Greek: Χορός:
πρόπασα δʼ ἤδη στονόεν λέλακε χώρα,
μεγαλοσχήμονά ἀρχαι-
οπρεπῆ ⟨στένουσι τὰν σὰν
ξυνομαιμόνων τε τιμάν,
ὁπόσοι τʼ ἔποικον ἁγνᾶς
Ἀσίας ἕδος νέμονται,
μεγαλοστόνοισι σοῖς πή-
μασι συγκάμνουσι θνατοί.

[¶98] Chorus:
And those who dwell in the land of Colchis, the maidens fearless in fight; and the Scythian multitude that inhabits the most remote region of the earth bordering the Maeotic lake;

> Greek: Χορός:
Κολχίδος τε γᾶς ἔνοικοι
παρθένοι, μάχας ἄτρεστοι,
καὶ Σκύθης ὅμιλος, οἳ γᾶς
ἔσχατον τόπον ἀμφὶ Μαι-
ῶτιν ἔχουσι λίμναν,

[¶99] Chorus:
And the warlike flower of Arabia, which hold the high-cragged citadel near the Caucasus, a hostile host that roars among the sharp-pointed spears.

> Greek: Χορός:
Ἀραβίας τʼ ἄρειον ἄνθος,
ὑψίκρημνον οἳ πόλισμα
Καυκάσου πέλας νέμονται,
δάιος στρατός, ὀξυπρῴ-
ροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

[¶100] Chorus:
One other Titan god before this I have seen in distress, enthralled in torment by adamantine bonds—Atlas, pre-eminent in mighty strength, who moans as he supports
the vault of heaven on his back.

> Greek: Χορός:
μόνον δὴ πρόσθεν ἄλλον ἐν πόνοις
δαμέντʼ ἀδαμαντοδέτοις
Τιτᾶνα λύμαις εἰσιδόμαν, θεόν,
Ἄτλαντος [αἰὲν]; ὑπέροχον σθένος κραταιόν,
⟨ὃς⟩ οὐράνιόν [τε] πόλον
νώτοις ⟨στέγων⟩ ὑποστενάζει.

[¶101] Chorus:
The waves of the sea utter a cry as they fall, the deep laments, the black abyss of Hades rumbles in response, and the streams of pure-flowing rivers
lament your piteous pain.

> Greek: Χορός:
βοᾷ δὲ πόντιος κλύδων
ξυμπίτνων, στένει βυθός,
κελαινὸς δʼ Ἄιδος ὑποβρέμει μυχὸς γᾶς,
παγαί θʼ ἁγνορύτων ποταμῶν
στένουσιν ἄλγος οἰκτρόν.

[¶102] Prometheus:
No, do not think it is from pride or even from wilfulness that I am silent. Painful thoughts devour my heart as I behold myself maltreated in this way. And yet who else but I definitely assigned
their prerogatives to these upstart gods? But I do not speak of this; for my tale would tell you nothing except what you know. Still, listen to the miseries that beset mankind—how they were witless before and I made them have sense and endowed them with reason.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
μή τοι χλιδῇ δοκεῖτε μηδʼ αὐθαδίᾳ
σιγᾶν με· συννοίᾳ δὲ δάπτομαι κέαρ,
ὁρῶν ἐμαυτὸν ὧδε προυσελούμενον.
καίτοι θεοῖσι τοῖς νέοις τούτοις γέρα
τίς ἄλλος ἢ ʼγὼ παντελῶς διώρισεν;
ἀλλʼ αὐτὰ σιγῶ· καὶ γὰρ εἰδυίαισιν ἂν
ὑμῖν λέγοιμι· τἀν βροτοῖς δὲ πήματα
ἀκούσαθʼ, ὥς σφας νηπίους ὄντας τὸ πρὶν
ἔννους ἔθηκα καὶ φρενῶν ἐπηβόλους.

[¶103] I will not speak to upbraid mankind but to set forth the friendly purpose that inspired my blessing. First of all, though they had eyes to see, they saw to no avail; they had ears, but they did not understand; but, just as shapes in dreams, throughout their length of days,
without purpose they wrought all things in confusion. They had neither knowledge of houses built of bricks and turned to face the sun nor yet of work in wood; but dwelt beneath the ground like swarming ants, in sunless caves. They had no sign either of winter
or of flowery spring or of fruitful summer, on which they could depend but managed everything without judgment, until I taught them to discern the risings of the stars and their settings, which are difficult to distinguish. Yes, and numbers, too, chiefest of sciences,
I invented for them, and the combining of letters, creative mother of the Muses’ arts, with which to hold all things in memory. I, too, first brought brute beasts beneath the yoke to be subject to the collar and the pack-saddle, so that they might bear in men’s stead their
heaviest burdens; and to the chariot I harnessed horses and made them obedient to the rein, to be an image of wealth and luxury. It was I and no one else who invented the mariner’s flaxen-winged car that roams the sea. Wretched that I am—such are the arts I devised
for mankind, yet have myself no cunning means to rid me of my present suffering.

> Greek: λέξω δέ, μέμψιν οὔτινʼ ἀνθρώποις ἔχων,
ἀλλʼ ὧν δέδωκʼ εὔνοιαν ἐξηγούμενος·
οἳ πρῶτα μὲν βλέποντες ἔβλεπον μάτην,
κλύοντες οὐκ ἤκουον, ἀλλʼ ὀνειράτων
ἀλίγκιοι μορφαῖσι τὸν μακρὸν βίον
ἔφυρον εἰκῇ πάντα, κοὔτε πλινθυφεῖς
δόμους προσείλους, ᾖσαν, οὐ ξυλουργίαν·
κατώρυχες δʼ ἔναιον ὥστʼ ἀήσυροι
μύρμηκες ἄντρων ἐν μυχοῖς ἀνηλίοις.
ἦν δʼ οὐδὲν αὐτοῖς οὔτε χείματος τέκμαρ
οὔτʼ ἀνθεμώδους ἦρος οὔτε καρπίμου
θέρους βέβαιον, ἀλλʼ ἄτερ γνώμης τὸ πᾶν
ἔπρασσον, ἔστε δή σφιν ἀντολὰς ἐγὼ
ἄστρων ἔδειξα τάς τε δυσκρίτους δύσεις.
καὶ μὴν ἀριθμόν, ἔξοχον σοφισμάτων,
ἐξηῦρον αὐτοῖς, γραμμάτων τε συνθέσεις,
μνήμην ἁπάντων, μουσομήτορʼ ἐργάνην.
κἄζευξα πρῶτος ἐν ζυγοῖσι κνώδαλα
ζεύγλαισι δουλεύοντα σάγμασὶν θʼ, ὅπως
θνητοῖς μεγίστων διάδοχοι μοχθημάτων
γένοινθʼ, ὑφʼ ἅρμα τʼ ἤγαγον φιληνίους
ἵππους, ἄγαλμα τῆς ὑπερπλούτου χλιδῆς.
θαλασσόπλαγκτα δʼ οὔτις ἄλλος ἀντʼ ἐμοῦ
λινόπτερʼ ηὗρε ναυτίλων ὀχήματα.
τοιαῦτα μηχανήματʼ ἐξευρὼν τάλας
βροτοῖσιν, αὐτὸς οὐκ ἔχω σόφισμʼ ὅτῳ
τῆς νῦν παρούσης πημονῆς ἀπαλλαγῶ.

[¶104] Chorus:
You have suffered sorrow and humiliation. You have lost your wits and have gone astray; and, like an unskilled doctor, fallen ill, you lose heart and cannot
discover by which remedies to cure your own disease.

> Greek: Χορός:
πέπονθας αἰκὲς πῆμʼ· ἀποσφαλεὶς φρενῶν
πλανᾷ, κακὸς δʼ ἰατρὸς ὥς τις ἐς νόσον
πεσὼν ἀθυμεῖς καὶ σεαυτὸν οὐκ ἔχεις
εὑρεῖν ὁποίοις φαρμάκοις ἰάσιμος.

[¶105] Prometheus:
Hear the rest and you shall wonder the more at the arts and resources I devised. This first and foremost: if ever man fell ill, there was no defence—no healing food,
no ointment, nor any drink—but for lack of medicine they wasted away, until I showed them how to mix soothing remedies with which they now ward off all their disorders. And I marked out many ways by which they might read the future,
and among dreams I first discerned which are destined to come true; and voices baffling interpretation I explained to them, and signs from chance meetings. The flight of crook-taloned birds I distinguished clearly— which by nature are auspicious,
which sinister—their various modes of life, their mutual feuds and loves, and their consortings; and the smoothness of their entrails, and what color the gall must have to please
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.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
τὰ λοιπά μου κλύουσα θαυμάσῃ πλέον,
οἵας τέχνας τε καὶ πόρους ἐμησάμην.
τὸ μὲν μέγιστον, εἴ τις ἐς νόσον πέσοι,
οὐκ ἦν ἀλέξημʼ οὐδέν, οὔτε βρώσιμον,
οὐ χριστόν, οὐδὲ πιστόν, ἀλλὰ φαρμάκων
χρείᾳ κατεσκέλλοντο, πρίν γʼ ἐγώ σφισιν
ἔδειξα κράσεις ἠπίων ἀκεσμάτων,
αἷς τὰς ἁπάσας ἐξαμύνονται νόσους.
τρόπους τε πολλοὺς μαντικῆς ἐστοίχισα,
κἄκρινα πρῶτος ἐξ ὀνειράτων ἃ χρὴ
ὕπαρ γενέσθαι, κληδόνας τε δυσκρίτους
ἐγνώρισʼ αὐτοῖς ἐνοδίους τε συμβόλους·
γαμψωνύχων τε πτῆσιν οἰωνῶν σκεθρῶς
διώρισʼ, οἵτινές τε δεξιοὶ φύσιν
εὐωνύμους τε, καὶ δίαιταν ἥντινα
ἔχουσʼ ἕκαστοι, καὶ πρὸς ἀλλήλους τίνες
ἔχθραι τε καὶ στέργηθρα καὶ συνεδρίαι·
σπλάγχνων τε λειότητα, καὶ χροιὰν τίνα
ἔχουσʼ ἂν εἴη δαίμοσιν πρὸς ἡδονὴν
χολή, λοβοῦ τε ποικίλην εὐμορφίαν.
κνίσῃ τε κῶλα συγκαλυπτὰ καὶ μακρὰν
ὀσφῦν πυρώσας δυστέκμαρτον ἐς τέχνην
ὥδωσα θνητούς, καὶ φλογωπὰ σήματα
ἐξωμμάτωσα, πρόσθεν ὄντʼ ἐπάργεμα.

[¶106] 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.

> Greek: τοιαῦτα μὲν δὴ ταῦτʼ· ἔνερθε δὲ χθονὸς
κεκρυμμένʼ, ἀνθρώποισιν ὠφελήματα,
χαλκόν, σίδηρον, ἄργυρον, χρυσόν τε τίς
φήσειεν ἂν πάροιθεν ἐξευρεῖν ἐμοῦ;
οὐδείς, σάφʼ οἶδα, μὴ μάτην φλύσαι θέλων.

[¶107] Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word—every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.

> Greek: βραχεῖ δὲ μύθῳ πάντα συλλήβδην μάθε,
πᾶσαι τέχναι βροτοῖσιν ἐκ Προμηθέως.

[¶108] Chorus:
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.

> Greek: Χορός:
μή νυν βροτοὺς μὲν ὠφέλει καιροῦ πέρα,
σαυτοῦ δʼ ἀκήδει δυστυχοῦντος. ὡς ἐγὼ
εὔελπίς εἰμι τῶνδέ σʼ ἐκ δεσμῶν ἔτι
λυθέντα μηδὲν μεῖον ἰσχύσειν Διός.

[¶109] Prometheus:
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.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
οὐ ταῦτα ταύτῃ Μοῖρά πω τελεσφόρος
κρᾶναι πέπρωται, μυρίαις δὲ πημοναῖς
δύαις τε καμφθεὶς ὧδε δεσμὰ φυγγάνω·
τέχνη δʼ ἀνάγκης ἀσθενεστέρα μακρῷ.

[¶110] Chorus:
Who then is the helmsman of Necessity?

> Greek: Χορός:
τίς οὖν ἀνάγκης ἐστὶν οἰακοστρόφος;

[¶111] Prometheus:
The three-shaped Fates and mindful Furies.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
Μοῖραι τρίμορφοι μνήμονές τʼ Ἐρινύες

[¶112] Chorus:
Can it be that Zeus has less power than they do?

> Greek: Χορός:
τούτων ἄρα Ζεύς ἐστιν ἀσθενέστερος;

[¶113] Prometheus:
Yes, in that even he cannot escape what is foretold.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
οὔκουν ἂν ἐκφύγοι γε τὴν πεπρωμένην.

[¶114] Chorus:
Why, what is fated for Zeus except to hold eternal sway?

> Greek: Χορός:
τί γὰρ πέπρωται Ζηνὶ πλὴν ἀεὶ κρατεῖν;

[¶115] Prometheus:
This you must not learn yet; do not be over-eager.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
τοῦτʼ οὐκέτʼ ἂν πύθοιο μηδὲ λιπάρει.

[¶116] Chorus:
It is some solemn secret, surely, that you enshroud in mystery.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἦ πού τι σεμνόν ἐστιν ὃ ξυναμπέχεις.

[¶117] Prometheus:
Think of some other subject, for it is not the proper time to speak of this. No matter what, this must be kept concealed; for it is by safeguarding it that
I am to escape my dishonorable bonds and outrage.

> Greek: Προμηθεύς:
ἄλλου λόγου μέμνησθε, τόνδε δʼ οὐδαμῶς
καιρὸς γεγωνεῖν, ἀλλὰ συγκαλυπτέος
ὅσον μάλιστα· τόνδε γὰρ σῴζων ἐγὼ
δεσμοὺς ἀεικεῖς καὶ δύας ἐκφυγγάνω.

[¶118] Chorus:
May Zeus, who apportions everything, never set his power in conflict with my will,
nor may I be slow to approach the gods, with holy sacrifices of oxen slain, by the side of the ceaseless stream of Oceanus, my father;
and may I not offend in speech; but may this rule abide in my heart and never fade away.

> Greek: Χορός:
μηδάμʼ ὁ πάντα νέμων
θεῖτʼ ἐμᾷ γνώμᾳ κράτος ἀντίπαλον Ζεύς,
μηδʼ ἐλινύσαιμι θεοὺς ὁσίαις θοίναις ποτινισομένα
βουφόνοις παρʼ Ὠκεανοῦ πατρὸς ἄσβεστον πόρον,
μηδʼ ἀλίτοιμι λόγοις·
ἀλλά μοι τόδʼ ἐμμένοι καὶ μήποτʼ ἐκτακείη·

[¶119] Chorus:
Sweet it is to pass all the length of life amid confident hopes, feeding the heart in glad festivities. But I shudder
as I look on you, racked by infinite tortures. You have no fear of Zeus, Prometheus, but in self-will you reverence mortals too much.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἁδύ τι θαρσαλέαις
τὸν μακρὸν τείνειν βίον ἐλπίσι, φαναῖς
θυμὸν ἀλδαίνουσαν ἐν εὐφροσύναις. φρίσ-
σω δέ σε δερκομένα
μυρίοις μόχθοις διακναιόμενον ⟨.
Ζῆνα γὰρ οὐ τρομέων
ἰδίᾳ γνώμᾳ σέβῃ θνατοὺς ἄγαν, Προμηθεῦ.

[¶120] Chorus:
Come, my friend, how mutual was your reciprocity? Tell me, what kind of help is there in creatures of a day? What aid? Did you not see the helpless infirmity, no better than a dream, in which the blind
generation of men is shackled? Never shall the counsels of mortal men transgress the ordering of Zeus.

> Greek: Χορός:
φέρʼ, ὅπως ἄχαρις χάρις, ὦ φίλος·
εἰπὲ ποῦ τίς ἀλκά;
τίς ἐφαμερίων ἄρηξις; οὐδʼ ἐδέρχθης
ὀλιγοδρανίαν ἄκικυν,
ἰσόνειρον, ᾇ τὸ φωτῶν
ἀλαὸν γένος ἐμπεποδισμένον; οὔποτε ⟨
τὰν Διὸς ἁρμονίαν θνατῶν παρεξίασι βουλαί.

[¶121] Chorus:
I have learned this lesson from observing the luck, Prometheus, that has brought about your ruin. And the difference in the song stole into my thought
—this song and that, which, about your bridal bed and bath, I raised to grace your marriage, when you wooed with gifts
and won my sister Hesione to be your wedded wife.
Enter Io

> Greek: Χορός:
ἔμαθον τάδε σὰς προσιδοῦσʼ ὀλο-
ὰς τύχας, Προμηθεῦ.
τὸ διαμφίδιον δέ μοι μέλος προσέπτα
τόδʼ ἐκεῖνό θʼ, ὅ τʼ ἀμφὶ λουτρὰ
καὶ λέχος σὸν ὑμεναίουν
ἰότατι γάμων, ὅτε τὰν ὁμοπάτριον ἕδνοις
ἄγαγες Ἡσιόναν πείθὼν δάμαρτα κοινόλεκτρον.