THE PROMETHEUS BOUND OF ÆSCHYLUS
PERSONS OF THE DRAMA
Kratos and Bia (Strength and Force).
Hephaistus (Vulcan).
Prometheus.
Chorus of Ocean Nymphs.
Oceanus.
Io, Daughter of Inachus.
Hermes.
Kratos and Bia, Hephaistus, Prometheus.
Kr. We are come to the far-bounding plain of earth,
To the Scythian way, to the unapproached solitude.
Hephaistus, orders must have thy attention,
Which the Father has enjoined on thee, this bold one
To the high-hanging rocks to bind
In indissoluble fetters of adamantine bonds.
For thy flower, the splendor of fire useful in all arts,
Stealing, he bestowed on mortals; and for such
A crime 't is fit he should give satisfaction to the gods;
That he may learn the tyranny of Zeus
To love, and cease from his man-loving ways.
Heph. Kratos and Bia, your charge from Zeus
Already has its end, and nothing further in the way;
But I cannot endure to bind
A kindred god by force to a bleak precipice,—
Yet absolutely there 's necessity that I have courage for these things;
