Page:The Tragedies of Aeschylus - tr. Potter - 1812.pdf/51

Receives its meed, that thou, a god, regardless
Of the gods' anger, honouredst mortal man
With courtesies, which justice not approves.
Therefore the joyless station of this rock
Unsleeping, unreclining, shalt thou keep,
And many' a groan, many' a loud laiment
Throw out in vain, nor move the rig'rous breast
Of Jove, relentless in his youthful pow'r.
STR.⁠No more: why these delays, this foolish pity?
Dost thou not hate a god by gods abhorr'd,
That prostitutes thy radiant boast to man ?
VULC.⁠ Strong are the ties of kindred and long converse.
STR.⁠ Well: but to disobey thy sire's commands,
Darest thou do that ? Is not that fear more strong ?
VULC.⁠ Soft pity never touch'd thy ruthless mind.
STR.⁠ Will thy vain pity bring relief Forbear,
Nor waste thyself in what avails not him.
VULC.⁠ Abhorr'd be all the fine skill of my hands.
STR.⁠ And why abhorr'd ? For of these present toils
Thy art, in very truth, is not the cause.
VULC.⁠ Yet wish I it had been some other's lot.
STR.⁠ All have their lot appointed, save to reign
In heav'n, for liberty is Jove's alone.
VULC.⁠ Truth guides thy words, nor have I to gainsay.
STR.⁠ Why thus reluctant then to bind his chains?
Let not thy sire observe these slow delays.
VULC.⁠ The manacles are ready, thou mayst see them.
STR.⁠ Bind them around his hands; with all thy force
Strike, nail them fast, drive them into the rock.
VULC.⁠ Thus far the work is finish'd, and not slightly.
STR.⁠ Strike harder, strain them, let them not relax;
His craft will work unthought of ways t' escape.
VULC.⁠ This arm too is inextricably fix'd.

STR.⁠ And now clasp this secure, that he may learn