19
To man, on the other hand, fire is indispensable for many purposes, particularly for those of sacrifice how else are they to fill their streets with the savour of burntofferings, and the fumes of frankincense? how else to burn fat thigh-pieces upon your altars? I observe that you take a particular pleasure in the steam arising therefrom, and think no feast more delicious than the smell of roast meat, as it mounts heavenwards In eddying clouds of smoke, Your present complaint, you see, is sadly at variance with this taste. I wonder you do not forbid the Sun to shine on mankind. He too is of fire, and fire of a purer and diviner quality. Has anything been said to Sim about his lavish expenditure of your property? And now I have done. If there is any flaw in my defence, it is for you two to refute me. I shall answer your objections in due course.
20
Nay, you are too hard for us, Prometheus; we will not attempt a sophist of your mettle. Well for you that Zeus is not within earshot, or you would have had a round dozen of hungry vultures to reckon with, for certain; in clearing your own character, you have grievously mishandled his. But one thing puzzles me: you are a prophet; you ought to have foreseen your sentence,
20
All this I knew, and more than this; for I shall be released; nay, even now the day is not far off when one of your blood shall come from Thebes, and shoot this eagle with which you threaten me See Prometheus in Notes..
20
With all my heart! I shall be delighted to see you free again, and feasting in our midst; but not, my friend, not carving for us!
21
You may take my word for it; I shall be with you again. I have the wherewithal to pay abundantly for my ransom.
21
Oh, indeed? Come, tell us all about it.
21
You know Thetis— But no; the secret is best kept. Ransom and reward depend upon it.
