Chorus.
The wise are they who worship Nemesis.
Prometheus.
Revere, adore, cringe aye to him who reigns,
For me, at less than nought I value Zeus.
For this brief hour let him both do and reign, 960
E'en as he will;—not long he'll rule the gods.
But yonder I behold the scout of Zeus,
Of this new potentate the servitor;—
Doubtless some news to herald he has come.
[Enter Hermes.]
Hermes.
To thee, professing wisdom, steeped in gall,
Who 'gainst the gods hast sinned, on short-lived men
Prerogatives bestowing, thief of fire,
To thee I speak; the Father bids thee tell
What nuptials these thou vauntest of, by which
Himself shall fall from sway; and nought in riddles, 970
But point by point explain; nor cause to me,
Prometheus, double journeys;[1] for thou seest,
Not by such dealing is Zeus mollified.
Prometheus.
Full of high spirit and augustly mouthed
This speech, as fits an underling of gods.
Younglings and young of sway, ye think to dwell
Henceforth in griefless citadels. From these
- ↑ This passage is also interpreted—
"Nor set before me ambiguous replies."
