Page:Writings of Henry David Thoreau (1906) v5.djvu/403

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
PROMETHEUS BOUND
361

Eyes my steps observing.
But unexpectedly a sudden fate
Robbed him of life; and I, fly-stung,
By lash divine am driven from land to land.
You hear what has been done; and if you have to say aught,
What's left of labors, speak; nor pitying me
Comfort with false words; for an ill
The worst of all, I say, are made-up words.

Ch. Ah! ah! enough, alas!
Ne'er, ne'er did I presume such cruel words
Would reach my ears, nor thus unsightly
And intolerable hurts, sufferings, fears with a two-edged
Goad would chill my soul;
Alas! alas! fate! fate!
I shudder, seeing the state of Io.

Pr. Beforehand sigh'st thou, and art full of fears,
Hold till the rest also thou learn' st.

Ch. Tell, teach; for to the sick 't is sweet
To know the remaining pain beforehand clearly.

Pr. Your former wish ye got from me
With ease; for first ye asked to learn from her
Relating her own trials;
The rest now hear, what sufferings 't is necessary
This young woman should endure from Here.
But do thou, offspring of Inachus, my words
Cast in thy mind, that thou may'st learn the boundaries of the way.
First, indeed, hence towards the rising of the sun
Turning thyself, travel uncultivated lands,

And to the Scythian nomads thou wilt come, who woven roofs