Parodos
[Episode]
I tell you, that make the top spin.
1465
Pisthetaerus
Take your flight, clear off, you miserable cur, or you will soon see what comes of quibbling and lying. The Informer flees. To his slaves. Come, let us gather up our wings and withdraw.
[Lyric-Scene 1]
In my ethereal flights I have seen many things new and strange and wondrous beyond belief.
1470
Chorus
There is a tree called Cleonymus belonging to an unknown species; it has no heart, is good for nothing and is as tall as it is cowardly. In springtime it shoots forth calumnies instead of buds and
1475
in autumn it strews the ground with bucklers in place of leaves.
1480
Far away in the regions of darkness, where no ray of light ever enters, there is a country,
where men sit at the table of the heroes and dwell with them always —except in the evening.
1485
Should any mortal meet the hero Orestes at night, he would soon be stripped and covered with blows from head to foot.
1490
Prometheus
Ah! by the gods! if only Zeus does not see me!
Where is Pisthetaerus?
1495
Pisthetaerus
Ha! what is this? A masked man!
1495
Prometheus
Can you see any god behind me?
Pisthetaerus
No, none. But who are you, pray?
Prometheus
What's the time, please?
Pisthetaerus
The time? Why, it's past noon.
Prometheus
Is it the fall of day? Is it no later than that?
1500
Pisthetaerus
This is getting dull!
Prometheus
What is Zeus doing? Is he dispersing the clouds or gathering them?
Pisthetaerus
Watch out for yourself!
Prometheus
Come, I will raise my mask.
Pisthetaerus
Ah! my dear Prometheus!
Prometheus
Sh! Sh! speak lower!
Pisthetaerus
Why, what's the matter, Prometheus?
1505
Prometheus
Sh! sh! Don't call me by my name; you will be my ruin, if Zeus should see me here. But, if you want me to tell you how things are going in heaven, take this umbrella and shield me, so that the gods don't see me.
1505
Pisthetaerus
I can recognize Prometheus in this cunning trick. Come, quick then, and fear nothing; speak on.
1510
Pisthetaerus
I am listening, proceed!
Prometheus
Zeus is done for.
