PROMETHEUS BOUND 93
All, ah me I what a sound Γ What a fragrance sweeps up from a pinion unseen Of a god, or a mortal, or nature between, 130
Sweeping up to this rock where the Earth has her
bound. To have sight of my pangs, or some guerdon obtain. Lo, a god in the anguish, a god in the chain ! The god Zeus hateth sore,
And his gods hate again, 135
As many as tread on his glorified floor, Because I loved mortals too much evermore. Alas me ! what a murmur and motion I hear, As of birds flying near I
And the air undersings 140
The light stroke of their wings, And all life that approaches I wait for in fear.
[^Entrance of Chorus.~ Chorus of Sea-nymphs. First strophe.
Fear nothing I our troop
Floats lovingly up
With a quick-oaring stroke 145
Of wings steered to the rock. Having softened the soul of our father below. For the gales of swift-bearing have sent me a sound. And the clank of the iron, the malletted blow,
Smote down the profound iso
Of my caverns of old. And struck the red light in a blush from my brow, Till I sprang up unsandalled, in haste to behold. And rushed forth on my chariot of wings manifold.
Proniethevs. Alas me I alas me! 155
Ye offspring of Tethys, who bore at her breast