by Aeschylus
[669] Yielding obedience to such prophetic utterances of Loxias, he drove me away and barred me from his house, against his will and mine; but the constraint of Zeus forced him to act by necessity. Immediately my form and mind were distorted, and with horns, as you see, upon my forehead, stung by a sharp-fanged gadfly I rushed with frantic bounds to Cerchnea’s sweet stream and Lerna’s spring. But Argus, the earth-born herdsman, untempered in his rage, pursued me, peering with his many eyes upon my steps. A sudden death robbed him of life unexpectedly; while I, still tormented by the gadfly, am driven on from land to land before the heaven-sent plague.
[683] That is what happened; and if you can declare what toils still remain, reveal them. Do not, from pity, seek to soothe me with untrue words; for I consider false words to be the foulest sickness.
CHORUS
[687] Oh, ah, go away, alas! Never, oh never, did I dream that words so strange would greet my ears; or that sufferings so grievous to look upon, yes, and so grievous to endure, a tale of outrage, would strike my soul as if with double-pronged goad. Alas, O Fate, O Fate, I shudder to behold the plight that has befallen Io.
PROMETHEUS
[696] You lament and are full of fear all too soon. Wait until you have learned the rest as well.
CHORUS
[698] Proceed, tell all. It is comforting for the sick to know clearly beforehand what pain still awaits them.
PROMETHEUS
[700] You gained your former request easily from me; for you first desired the story of her ordeal from her own lips. Hear now the sequel, the sufferings this maid is fated to endure at Hera’s hand. And may you, daughter of Inachus, lay to heart my words so that you may learn the end of your wanderings.
[707] First, from this spot, turn yourself toward the rising sun and make your way over untilled plains; and you shall reach the Scythian nomads, who dwell in thatched houses, perched aloft on strong-wheeled wagons and are equipped with far-darting bows. Do not approach them, but keeping your feet near the rugged shore, where the sea breaks with a roar, pass on beyond their land. On the left hand dwell the workers in iron, the Chalybes, and you must beware of them, since they are savage and are not to be approached by strangers. Then you shall reach the river Hybristes, which does not belie its name. Do not cross this, for it is hard to cross, until you come to Caucasus itself, loftiest of mountains, where from its very brows the river pours out its might in fury. You must pass over its crests, which neighbor the stars, and enter upon a southward course, where you shall reach the host of the Amazons, who loathe all men. They shall in time to come inhabit Themiscyra on the Thermodon, where, fronting the sea, is Salmydessus’ rugged jaw, evil host of mariners, step-mother of ships. The Amazons will gladly guide you on your way. Next, just at the narrow portals of the harbor, you shall reach the Cimmerian isthmus. This you must leave with stout heart and pass through the channel of Maeotis; and ever after among mankind there shall be great mention of your passing, and it shall be called after you the Bosporus. Then, leaving the soil of Europe, you shall come to the Asian continent.
[736] Does it not seem to you that the tyrant of the gods is violent in all his ways? For this god, desirous of union with this mortal maid, has imposed upon her these wanderings. Maiden, you have gained a cruel suitor for your hand. As to the tale you now have heard — understand that it has not even passed the introduction.
IO
[742] Ah me, ah me, alas!
PROMETHEUS
[743] What! You are crying and groaning again? What will you do, I wonder, when you have learned the sufferings still in store for you?
CHORUS
[745] What! Can it be that you have sufferings still left to recount to her?
PROMETHEUS
[746] Yes, a tempestuous sea of calamitous distress.
IO
[747] What gain have I then in life? Why did I not hurl myself straightaway from this rugged rock, so that I was dashed to earth and freed from all my sufferings? It is better to die once and for all than linger out all my days in misery.
PROMETHEUS
[753] Ah, you would hardly bear my agonies to whom it is not foredoomed to die; for death would have freed me from my sufferings. But now no limit to my tribulations has been appointed until Zeus is hurled from his sovereignty.
IO
[757] What! Shall Zeus one day be hurled from his dominion?
PROMETHEUS
[758] You would rejoice, I think, to see that happen.
IO
[759] Why not, since it is at the hand of Zeus that I suffer?
PROMETHEUS
[760] Then you may assure yourself that these things are true.
IO
[761] By whom shall he be despoiled of the sceptre of his sovereignty?
PROMETHEUS
[762] By himself and his own empty-headed purposes.
IO
[763] In what way? Oh tell me, if there be no harm in telling.
PROMETHEUS
[764] He shall make a marriage that shall one day cause him distress.
IO
[765] With a divinity or with a mortal? If it may be told, speak out.
PROMETHEUS
[766] Why ask with whom? I may not speak of this.
IO
[767] Is it by his consort that he shall be dethroned?
PROMETHEUS
[768] Yes, since she shall bear a son mightier than his father.
IO
[769] And has he no means to avert this doom?
PROMETHEUS
[770] No, none — except me, if I were released from bondage.
IO
[771] Who then is to release you against the will of Zeus?
PROMETHEUS
[772] It is to be one of your own grandchildren.
IO
[773] What did you say? A child of mine will release you from your misery?
PROMETHEUS
[774] The third in descent after ten generations.
IO
[775] Your prophecy is not easy to understand.
PROMETHEUS
[776] Yes, so do not seek to learn the full extent of your own sufferings.
IO
[777] Do not offer me a favor and then withdraw it.
PROMETHEUS
[778] I will present you with one or other of two tales.
IO
[779] Which two? Set them forth and offer me the choice.
PROMETHEUS
[780] I am making the offer: choose whether I shall reveal the sufferings still in store for you or the one who will be my deliverer.
CHORUS
[782] Consent to bestow on her one of these favors, and on me the other; do not deny me the tale. Tell her about her further wanderings; tell me who will deliver you — for I would like to know this.
PROMETHEUS
[786] Well, since you are bent on this, I will not refuse to proclaim all that you still crave to know. First, to you, Io, will I declare your much-vexed wandering, and may you engrave it on the recording tablets of your mind.
[790] When you have crossed the stream that bounds the two continents, toward the flaming east, where the sun walks, . . . crossing the surging sea until you reach the Gorgonean plains of Cisthene, where the daughters of Phorcys dwell, ancient maids, three in number, shaped like swans, possessing one eye amongst them and a single tooth; neither does the sun with his beams look down upon them, nor ever the nightly moon. And near them are their three winged sisters, the snake-haired Gorgons, loathed of mankind, whom no one of mortal kind shall look upon and still draw breath. Such is the peril that I bid you to guard against. But now listen to another and a fearsome spectacle. Beware of the sharp-beaked hounds of Zeus that do not bark, the gryphons, and the one-eyed Arimaspian folk, mounted on horses, who dwell about the flood of Pluto’s stream that flows with gold. Do not approach them. Then you shall come to a far-off country of a dark race that dwells by the waters of the sun, where the river Aethiop is. Follow along its ban
ks until you reach the cataract, where, from the Bybline mountains, Nile sends forth his hallowed and sweet stream. He will conduct you on your way to the three-angled land of Nilotis, where, at last, it is ordained for you, O Io, and for your children to found your far-off colony.
[816] If anything of this is confusing to you and hard to understand, may you question me yet again, and gain a clear account; for I have more leisure than I crave.
CHORUS
[819] If there is anything still remaining or passed over of her direful wandering that you have to tell, oh speak. But if you have told all, grant us in turn the favor we request — you probably have it still in memory.
PROMETHEUS
[823] She has now heard the full end of her travels; yet so she may know that she has heard no vain tale from me, I will describe the toils she has endured before she came here, giving this as a sure proof of my account. Most of the weary tale I shall leave out and come to the very close of your wanderings.
[829] For when you reached the Molossian plains and the sheer ridge that encircles Dodona, where lies the prophetic seat of Thesprotian Zeus and that marvel, passing all belief, the talking oaks, by which you clearly, and in no riddling terms, were saluted as the renowned bride-to-be of Zeus (is any of this pleasing to you?), then, stung by the gadfly, you rushed along the pathway by the shore to the great gulf of Rhea, from where you are tossed in backward-wandering course; and for all time to come a recess of the sea, be well assured, shall bear the name Ionian, as a memorial of your crossing for all mankind.
[842] These, then, are the tokens to you of my understanding, to show that it discerns more than has been made manifest. The rest I shall declare both to you and her, returning to the track of my former tale.
[846] There is a city, Canobus, on the extremity of the land at the very mouth and silt-bar of the Nile. There at last Zeus restores you to your senses by the mere stroke and touch of his unterrifying hand. And you shall bring forth dark Epaphus, thus named from the manner of Zeus’ engendering; and he shall gather the fruit of all the land watered by the broad-flowing Nile. Fifth in descent from him, fifty maidens shall return to Argos, not of their own free choice, but fleeing marriage with their cousin kin; while these, their hearts ablaze with passion, like falcons eagerly pursuing doves, shall come in pursuit of wedlock unlawful to pursue; but God shall grudge them enjoyment of their brides. Pelasgian soil shall offer the maids a home, when, in the watches of the night, their husbands have been slain by a deed of daring wrought by the women’s murderous blows. For each bride shall take the life of her lord, dyeing a two-edged sword in his blood — in such ways may Love come upon my enemies! However, love’s desire shall charm one of the maidens not to slay her mate; rather, her resolve will lose its edge; for she will make her choice between two evil names to be called coward rather than murderess. She it is who shall give birth in Argos to a royal line — a long story is necessary to explain this clearly; of her seed, however, shall be born a man of daring, renowned with the bow, who shall deliver me from these toils. Such is the oracle recounted to me by my mother, Titan Themis, born long ago. The manner and the means — these need lengthy speech to tell, and to learn them all would not be of any benefit.
IO
[877] Oh! Oh! Alas! Once again convulsive pain and frenzy, striking my brain, inflame me. I am stung by the gadfly’s barb, unforged by fire. My heart knocks at my ribs in terror; my eyeballs roll wildly round and round. I am carried out of my course by a fierce blast of madness; I’ve lost all mastery over my tongue, and a stream of turbid words beats recklessly against the billows of dark destruction.
[Exit.]
CHORUS
[887] Ah, sage, sage indeed, was he who first pondered this truth in his mind and with his tongue gave it utterance — that to marry in one’s own class is far the best — a poor man should not desire to marry among those who are pampered by riches, or who are mighty in pride of birth.
[894] Never, oh never, immortal Fates, may you see me the partner of the bed of Zeus, and may I be wedded to no bridegroom who descends to me from heaven. For I shudder when I behold the loveless maidenhood of Io, cruelly crushed like this by her toilsome wanderings sent by Hera.
[901] When marriage is on equal terms, in my opinion it is no cause for dread; so never may the love of the mightier gods cast on me its irresistible glance. That would indeed be a war that cannot be fought, a source of resourceless misery; and I do not know what would be my fate, for I do not see how I could escape the designs of Zeus.
PROMETHEUS
[907] 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. 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. 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, Poseidon’s spear, that scourge of the sea and shaker of the land. Then, wrecked upon this evil, Zeus shall learn how different it is to be a sovereign and a slave.
CHORUS
[928] Surely, it is only your own desire that you utter as a curse against Zeus.
PROMETHEUS
[929] I speak what shall be brought to pass and, moreover, my own desire.
CHORUS
[930] Must we really look for one to gain mastery over Zeus?
PROMETHEUS
[931] Yes, and he shall bear upon his neck pangs more galling than these of mine.
CHORUS
[932] How is it that you are not afraid to utter such taunts?
PROMETHEUS
[933] Why should I fear since I am fated not to die?
CHORUS
[934] But he might inflict on you an ordeal even more bitter than this.
PROMETHEUS
[935] Let him, for all I care! I am prepared for anything.
CHORUS
[936] Wise are they who do homage to Necessity.
PROMETHEUS
[937] 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.
[Enter Hermes.]
HERMES
[944] 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, 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.
PROMETHEUS
[953] 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 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.
HERMES
[964] Yet it was by such proud wilfulness before, too, that you brought yourself to this harbor of distress.
PROMETHEUS
[966]
For your servitude, rest assured, I’d not barter my hard lot, not I.
HERMES
[967] Better, no doubt, to serve this rock than be the trusted messenger of Father Zeus!
PROMETHEUS
[970] Such is the proper style for the insolent to offer insult.
HERMES
[971] I think you revel in your present plight.
PROMETHEUS
[972] I revel? Oh, I wish that I might see my enemies revelling in this way! And you, too, I count among them.
HERMES
[974] What! You blame me in some way for your calamities?
PROMETHEUS
[975] In one word, I hate all the gods that received good at my hands and with ill requite me wrongfully.
HERMES
[977] Your words declare you stricken with no slight madness.
PROMETHEUS
[978] Mad I may be — if it is madness to loathe one’s enemies.
HERMES
[979] You would be unbearable if you were prosperous.
PROMETHEUS
[980] Alas!
HERMES
[980] “Alas”? That is a word unknown to Zeus.
PROMETHEUS
[981] But ever-ageing Time teaches all things.
HERMES
[982] Yes, but you at least have not yet learned to keep a sober mind.
PROMETHEUS
[983] Or else I would not have addressed you, an underling.
HERMES
[984] It seems you will answer nothing that the Father demands.
PROMETHEUS
[985] Yes, truly, I am his debtor and I should repay favor to him.
HERMES
[986] You taunt me as though, indeed, I were a child.
PROMETHEUS
[987] And are you not a child and even more witless than a child if you expect to learn anything from me? There is no torment or device by which Zeus shall induce me to utter this until these injurious fetters are loosed. So then, let his blazing lightning be hurled, and with the white wings of the snow and thunders of earthquake let him confound the reeling world. For nothing of this shall bend my will even to tell at whose hands he is fated to be hurled from his sovereignty.