Eksodos
Prometheus
Yes, truly, the day will come when Zeus, although stubborn of soul, shall be humbled, seeing that he plans a marriage that shall
hurl him into oblivion from his sovereignty and throne; and then immediately the curse his father Cronus invoked as he fell from his ancient throne, shall be fulfilled to the uttermost. Deliverance from such ruin no one of the gods can show him clearly except me.
910
I know the fact and the means. So let him sit there in his assurance, putting his trust in the crash reverberating on high and brandishing his fire-breathing bolt in his hands. For these shall not protect him from falling in ignominious and unendurable ruin.
915
Such an adversary is he now preparing despite himself, a prodigy irresistible, even one who shall discover a flame mightier than the lightning and a deafening crash to outroar the thunder; a prodigy who shall shiver the trident,
920
Poseidon’s spear, that scourge of the sea and shaker of the land.The poet adopts the legend that Poseidon was a rival with Zeus for the hand of Thetis, of whose son it had been prophesied by Themis that he should be mightier than his father. The prophecy was fulfilled in the person of Peleus’ son, Achilles.Then, wrecked upon this evil, Zeus shall learn how different it is to be a sovereign and a slave.
925
Chorus
Surely, it is only your own desire that you utter as a curse against Zeus.
Prometheus
I speak what shall be brought to pass and, moreover, my own desire.
Chorus
Must we really look for one to gain mastery over Zeus?
930
Prometheus
Yes, and he shall bear upon his neck pangs more galling than these of mine.
Chorus
How is it that you are not afraid to utter such taunts?
Prometheus
Why should I fear since I am fated not to die?
Chorus
But he might inflict on you an ordeal even more bitter than this.
Prometheus
Let him, for all I care! I am prepared for anything.
935
Chorus
Wise are they who do homage to Necessity.Adrasteia, the inescapable, another name of Nemesis, punished presumptuous words and excessive happiness.
Prometheus
Worship, adore, and fawn upon whoever is your lord. But for Zeus I care less than nothing. Let him do his will, let him hold his power
for his little day— since he will not bear sway over the gods for long. But wait, for over there I see his messenger, the servant of our new lord and master. Certainly he has come to announce some news.
940
Hermes
To you, the clever and crafty, bitter beyond all bitterness,
who has sinned against the gods in bestowing honors upon creatures of a day—to you, thief of fire, I speak. The Father commands that you tell what marriage you boast of, whereby he is to be hurled from power—and this, mark well, set forth in no riddling fashion,
945
but point by point, as the case exactly stands; and do not impose upon me a double journey, Prometheus—you see Zeus is not appeased by dealings such as yours.
950
Prometheus
Bravely spoken, in truth, and swollen with pride is your speech, as befits a minion of the gods.
Young you are, as young your power, and you think indeed that you inhabit heights beyond the reach of grief. Have I not seen two sovereigns cast out from these heights? A third, the present lord, I shall live to see cast out in ruin most shameful and most swift. Do you think
955
I quail, perhaps, and cower before these upstart gods? Far from it—no, not at all. But scurry back the way you came; for you shall learn nothing about which you question me.
960
Hermes
Yet it was by such proud wilfulness before, too,
that you brought yourself to this harbor of distress.
965
Prometheus
For your servitude, rest assured, I’d not barter my hard lot, not I.
Hermes
Better, no doubt, to serve this rock than be the trusted messenger of Father Zeus!
Prometheus
Such is the proper style for the insolent to offer insult.
970
Hermes
I think you revel in your present plight.
Prometheus
I revel? Oh, I wish that I might see my enemies revelling in this way! And you, too, I count among them.
Hermes
What! You blame me in some way for your calamities?
