Prometheus Bound - Music and Libretto by Panagiotis Karousos

 

Prometheus Bound

Music and Libretto by Panagiotis Karousos

An opera in one act based on the tragedy Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus.

English translation of the Greek libretto

Note: The translation below preserves the dramatic structure, character names, and operatic sections of the original. Some passages in the Greek appear to be adapted or newly written rather than direct translations of Aeschylus. I have rendered them in natural English while retaining their poetic and theatrical character.

FIRST DIALOGUE

(We are on Mount Caucasus. The landscape is desolate, surrounded by wild ravines and steep, rugged cliffs. Kratos (Might) and Bia (Force) bring Prometheus here and supervise Hephaestus, who, at Zeus's command, chains him to a rock because he gave humanity the Fire of Knowledge, a privilege once reserved for the Olympian gods.)

Kratos

Let us go to the world's farthest borders, Along the desolate and untrodden Scythian paths.

Now it is your task, Hephaestus, To carry out everything Zeus has commanded And fasten this lawless one to these rocks, High upon these towering cliffs, With unbreakable bonds of steel.

For he stole the flame of all-accomplishing fire— Your own finest craft—and gave it to mankind.

For such a crime, he must now pay the price, So that he may learn to respect the authority of Zeus And abandon his love for humankind.

Hephaestus

Kratos and Bia, the command of Zeus Has been fulfilled, and nothing now remains to be done.

Yet my heart cannot bear to bind a god, My own kinsman, in this savage, rocky gorge.

Still, I must steel my heart, For it is a terrible thing to defy the word of Zeus.

O you whose thoughts soar high above all others, Child of wise and righteous Themis, Whether I wish it or not, I must nail you to this desolate summit, Where you will hear no human voice And see no human face.

Kratos

Why do you hesitate and waste your pity On this god who opposes the gods?

Why does your anger not burn Against the one who betrayed your own divine rank By giving it to mankind?

Hephaestus

It is a heavy burden to bind one who is both kin and friend.

Kratos

Then do your work and fasten his chains, Before Father Zeus sees you delaying.

Bind his hands with all your strength. Strike him with your hammer; nail him to the rock!

Bia

Strike harder! Tighten the bonds! Do not leave them loose! He is clever enough to find a way out When no escape seems possible.

Kratos

Now fasten the other chain securely, So that he may learn, through every artifice, That he cannot contend with Zeus.

Bia

Drive the cruel, iron wedge Deep into his jaw!

Hephaestus

Alas! Prometheus, I weep for your suffering.

Kratos

Here we go again! You mourn the enemies of Zeus? Take care that you do not end up weeping for yourself.

Hephaestus

You are witnessing something That the eyes cannot bear to see.

Bia

I see him receiving exactly what he deserves.

Hephaestus

It must be done. Spare me your endless shouting.

Bia

I shall shout, and I shall jeer as well!

Kratos

Now drive the nails firmly through and through, For you have a stern judge overseeing your work.

Hephaestus

Your tongue truly matches your appearance.

Kratos

Be gentle if you wish, But do not condemn me for my hard-heartedness And my insolence.

Bia — Aria

Hephaestus!

Why do you hesitate and waste your pity On this god who opposes the gods? Why does your anger not burn Against the one who betrayed your divine rank By giving it to mankind?

And now, Prometheus, upon this rock, You shall remain in chains, Your body stretched and bound, Unable to bend your knees.

You shall cry out in anguish, Groaning with pain, For you cannot easily change the will of Zeus!

You stubborn Prometheus, You cannot turn the mind of Zeus!

Hephaestus, do not pity him! Drive the nails into the rock!

Hephaestus

There. I have finished. Let us go.

Bia

Now boast of your greatness, if you will! Steal the gods' sacred gifts And bring them down to mankind.

But how can mortals possibly help you In your suffering?

The gods have given you the name Prometheus— The Forethinker—but you yourself Will need another Prometheus To find a way to free you From these torments and these chains.

(They depart. Prometheus remains alone.)

PROMETHEUS — ARIA

Holy Aether, Mother Earth

Holy Aether, And swift-winged breezes of the air, Sources of rivers and of ocean waves, Countless smiles of the world, And Mother of all things, O Earth!

And you, Sun, who sees everything—

Behold me! I am a god, Yet see what I suffer at the hands of the gods!

Look upon me! For ages I shall suffer, All for the sake of humankind.

Alas, woe is me!

I despise this power. I am the enemy of Zeus.

I hate you, all you gods! Tyrants!

Thus the decree of Fate And the command of Necessity bind me.

Oh, when shall I find a way out?

Monologue

What sound is this? What strange scent has reached me?

Is it divine, or human, Or perhaps a mixture of both?

Who has come to this distant rock, At the very ends of the Earth, To witness my suffering?

And what do they seek?

CHORUS I

Prometheus, we have come for you! We come to this rock To comfort you in your suffering And to keep you company.

Blow, wind! Roar, waves, deep within the caves!

Do you hear the thunderous roar Echoing across the mountain and the cliffs?

Prometheus, I pity you. A dark mist clouds my vision.

With tears in my eyes, I look upon you.

But the gods govern the course of Heaven, And Zeus rules with mighty authority.

Bold and unyielding, though defeated, you still resist! Yet fear runs through my soul, Like a piercing cry, Prometheus!

OCEANUS — ARIA

Prometheus, I know how wise you are, And I wish to offer you some sound advice.

Know yourself, and change your ways To suit these new times, For a new ruler now commands the world.

But if you insist on speaking so recklessly, With such harsh and defiant words, Zeus, however high he sits, will hear you.

His anger will make a spectacle of you, And your present sufferings Will seem like child's play.

Be calm, therefore, and speak no more than you must.

Or do you not know, for all your wisdom, That a reckless tongue brings harm upon itself?

Now I shall depart and see Whether I can rescue you from these misfortunes.

It is right to bow one's head Only when the moment demands it.

I tell you this, Prometheus, Because I wish to save you.

PROMETHEUS AND OCEANUS — DUET

Oceanids

Wise words, wise words!

Prometheus

I am grateful to you, And I shall never forget All the goodwill you have shown me.

But do not trouble yourself on my behalf, For all your efforts will be in vain.

Oceanids

What is he saying? What is he saying?

Oceanus

Do not stand in my way!

I tell you, and I say it proudly: Zeus will grant me this gift.

Oceanids

Prometheus!

Prometheus

What gift will that be?

Oceanus

He will release you from your chains.

Prometheus

I envy you, free from this torment. Why do you not try to change the mind of Zeus?

Oceanids

You must be saved, Prometheus!

Oceanus

I cannot stay any longer And waste my words.

I shall go now, And I know what I must do.

Prometheus

Go, then, and guard the wisdom you possess.

Oceanus

Your words find me ready to depart.

Even the four-footed creatures and the birds Spread their wings through the boundless sky, Gladly returning to their own nests And bending their knees to rest.

CHORUS — CAVATINA

Prometheus, I mourn your dark fate, And tears spring from my eyes, Hot, unbearable tears, A spring of sorrow pouring into the wilderness.

Listen! Everything now mourns for you, Titan Prometheus!

The fearless maidens of Colchis, The Scythians beside Lake Maeotis, And the noble people of Aria All lament your suffering!

I have seen only one other god Endure such torment: Atlas, who bears his terrible burden.

O Prometheus! O Prometheus!

OCEANID — CABALLETTA ARIA

The sea thunders in a hollow roar; The ocean depths sigh for you.

The whole Earth trembles and groans, And streams flow from their hidden springs.

Rivers of tears pour forth in pity, O glorious sovereign of the mighty seas!

THE LEADER OF THE OCEANIDS AND PROMETHEUS

Leader of the Oceanids

Although you help mankind beyond all measure, Do not abandon yourself to misery.

Yet I still hope That you will be released from your chains And rise to a power no less than that of Zeus.

Prometheus

It is not yet decreed by Fate That such an ending shall come to pass.

Only after I have endured Countless sufferings Will I finally be released.

For skill and ingenuity Are far weaker than Necessity.

Leader of the Oceanids

And who governs the course of Necessity?

Prometheus

The three Fates, And the Furies, who never forget.

Leader of the Oceanids

Then even Zeus is weaker than they?

Prometheus

Indeed. He cannot escape what Fate has decreed.

Leader of the Oceanids

And what is decreed for him, If not eternal dominion?

Prometheus

You shall never learn that from me, No matter how much you plead.

Leader of the Oceanids

It must be some great mystery That you conceal it so carefully.

Prometheus

Let us change the subject. This is no time to speak of such matters.

The secret must remain hidden. Only by guarding it Can I escape these shameful bonds And the torments that await me.

THE ARRIVAL OF IO

(The cry of Io is heard. She rushes onto the scene in terror. She has been transformed into a monstrous creature, resembling a Minotaur.)

Io

What land is this? What people?

Who is this whom I see, Bound to this rock, Buffeted by such terrible storms?

Leader of the Oceanids

You see Prometheus, chained to this rock. We have come to share his suffering.

But who are you, And how have you come here?

IO — ARIA

Night after night, upon my maiden bed, Dreamlike visions came to deceive me, Whispering seductive words:

"O thrice-blessed maiden, Why have you remained a virgin for so long?"

Ah!

Such dreams visited me every night.

One day, I dared to tell my father About the terrors of my dreams.

He sent messengers to Pytho and Dodona To learn what he must do To please the gods.

But the oracles they brought back Were dark and terrible.

They commanded him, saying:

"Drive your daughter beyond the city walls! If you refuse, Zeus will hurl his thunderbolt And destroy your entire race!"

Thus my father drove me away, Though Zeus was the true cause of my suffering.

My form changed at once.

Now I have horns upon my forehead, As you see, And a poisonous gadfly torments me With its sharp and burning sting!

Ah!

PROMETHEUS AND IO

Prometheus

Daughter of Inachus, tormented by the gadfly, You inflame the heart of Zeus with desire.

Now, hated by Hera, You wander unwillingly Along endless roads.

Io

You know my father's name, And you have named the god-sent disease That torments me.

But who among the unhappy Has suffered as much as I?

Is there no deliverance? No remedy for this affliction?

Tell me, if you know.

Prometheus

I shall tell you everything, For I am the one who gave fire to mankind.

Yet it might be better for you Not to learn what lies ahead.

Io

Do not conceal from me What Fate has decreed I must endure.

Prometheus

I do not envy you the gift you ask of me.

LEADER OF THE OCEANIDS

May the power of Zeus never turn against me, He who governs all things.

May he never set himself against my will.

May I never fail to offer Pure sacrifices of oxen to the gods Upon the endless shores of my father Oceanus.

May I never commit an offence through careless speech, But keep this resolve forever alive within my heart.

AMPHITRITE AND IO — DUET

Oceanids

Far away! Keep it far from us!

Terrors have chilled my soul. I saw your sufferings and trembled.

O Fate, O Fate, alas!

Amphitrite

O Fate, O Fate, alas!

My heart leaps in terror within my breast. My eyes whirl wildly around me, And I lose my senses, Driven from my path by the terrible storm That rages against you, Io.

How cruelly, how unbearably you suffer!

Io

Alas! Alas! Alas!

Oceanids

May the venerable Fates never decree That I should become the bride Of Zeus upon his marriage bed, Nor of any other heavenly god!

Amphitrite

I tremble at the sight of Io's altered form, At the destruction of her unwilling maidenhood Through the cruel indifference of Hera!

Io

Hurl fire upon me and burn me! Or bury me deep within the Earth!

Give me to the beasts of the sea To be devoured!

But, my God, do not turn away From my prayers.

I must know where my sufferings will end!

Amphitrite

I fear for you, Io, O virgin princess!

Io

O heavens! Ah!

Amphitrite

O gods!

Io

How can I escape this sorrow?

Amphitrite

What horror!

Io

Do you hear the voice of the maiden With the horns of a heifer?

Amphitrite

How could I not hear Io, Tormented by the gadfly?

Oceanids

O blessed maiden! O heavenly Lord! Alas!

Amphitrite

From maidens are born heroes and gods upon the Earth!

Io

Why was I born upon this Earth, Where sorrow rules all things?

Oceanids

Do not weep, beloved Io!

Io

Alas! There are so many planets out there! Why was I not born somewhere else?

Amphitrite

You are Io, the chosen one!

Io and Amphitrite

Sun, remain far away From the orbit of the Earth!

PROMETHEUS AND IO — DUET

Prometheus

You still have many sufferings to endure.

Yet in ages to come, A sea shall bear the name Ionian, Honouring your journey throughout the world.

At last, one day, You shall reign in Egypt, Mother of the Danaids!

Io

What good is life to me, then?

Why do I not leap at once From this barren rock And shatter myself upon the ground, So that I may escape all my misery?

Better to die once and for all Than to suffer endlessly like this.

Prometheus

How could you endure my own suffering?

I see no end to my torment Until Zeus himself has fallen.

Io

Will Zeus lose his kingdom?

Prometheus

You may rejoice, for it shall happen.

Io

And how?

Prometheus

He shall marry.

Io

And shall a woman overthrow him?

Prometheus

She shall bear a child Mightier than his father.

Io

Can he not escape this disaster? Is there no one who can save him?

Prometheus

No one but me.

Io

Who will release you Against the will of Zeus?

Prometheus

Who?

Io

Who? I do not understand. Is my fate already written?

Prometheus

My liberator shall come from Argos, One of your descendants.

And from Egypt shall come The saviour of mankind, Who shall be the Son of God!

Io

What are you telling me? One of my sons shall set you free?

Prometheus

And he shall be a son of a god.

Io

Alas! Behold me, the wretched one!

I wander among the cliffs, While you remain chained to this rock.

Zeus shall fall? When?

Prometheus

In thirteen generations, Zeus shall fall!

Io

Zeus shall fall!

Why was I born a mortal? Oh, why? Alas!

Prometheus

You are mortal upon the Earth, Yet immortal in the Universe, Eternal there.

Io

I shall become immortal...

O Prometheus, wretched Prometheus! How much good mortals have received from you! Why must you suffer so? Why?

Prometheus

Yet despite all his pride, Zeus shall be humbled.

When he marries, He shall fall from his throne.

Io

Alas!

Prometheus

He shall lose his kingdom, And the curse of Cronus shall come to pass.

Io

Alas!

Prometheus

A famous archer, a hero from Argos!

Io

What a fate for us!

Prometheus

What a fate for us!

PROMETHEUS — LAMENT

Alas! Now that I have enthroned hope Within the hearts of humankind, Who shall bring hope to me?

Who shall bring hope to me?

Mortals shall meet their death, And I shall accept my fate, My own torment and my suffering.

I shall drink the cup of Passion, Even if its taste is made of my tears.

Alas, lonely Prometheus! All mortals have received such blessings from you.

Why must you suffer so?

Yet otherwise, my life would be A deserted sea, Without a single wave.

Alas! Alas!

PROMETHEUS, IO AND CHORUS

Chorus

Prometheus, you did not deserve What you have suffered.

Io

Though you have helped mankind beyond all measure, Do not abandon yourself to misery, Prometheus!

Alas!

Chorus

Yet I still hope that you will be saved.

Io

You are greater even than Zeus!

Chorus

You have strayed beyond the bounds of reason, Prometheus!

Io

What terrible crime are you paying for With such a cruel punishment, Prometheus?

Chorus

Why do you value mortals so highly?

Did you not see how weak they are, How blind, how helpless, Moving as if within a dream?

A herd of human beings, trapped and bewildered!

Prometheus

O Io!

Chorus

Prometheus calls to Io.

Io

What will you tell me Amid my sufferings?

Prometheus

You are the object of the gods' jealousy.

Io

Why do you value mankind so greatly?

Prometheus

I created them.

Io

We are mortal.

Prometheus

Listen!

Humankind is our kin. They possess the breath of Athena And bear our very likeness.

Pandora was fashioned later From the side of Adam.

That is why you, the human race, Are a divine race.

The Titans live within you!

Chorus

Speak! Reveal these things!

It is good for humankind to know What awaits them.

Io

Alas! Why was I born into this world?

Why was I born here upon the Earth?

Tell me, Prometheus!

Prometheus

The knowledge of the gods shall save you.

Chorus

My soul has grown cold with terror. Never did I imagine That such strange things could reach my ears.

O Fate, O Fate, alas!

Io

I long to fly to other worlds, Far away from this Earth.

There are so many planets in the heavens! Why must I remain here?

Prometheus

One day you shall journey Into the heights of the Universe.

It is your destiny.

The Universe...

There you shall go with the gods. All humankind shall go there.

Io

I fear death here upon the Earth.

Chorus

Into the sweet aether, Far from the sufferings of mankind.

Io

In this life, here upon the Earth, I am already dead...

O Mother Earth! O Creator of humankind, Prometheus!

Alas!

Chorus

Let me vanish into the waters of the sea!

Io

I am afraid...

Chorus

Darkness everywhere! Darkness upon humankind!

Alas!

Io

Oh, this is not the end!

Ah!

Chorus

You cannot see it.

Prometheus

The immortals suffer just as you do.

Chorus

Everything revolves, Except the mind!

Alas!

THE LEADER OF THE OCEANIDS

Tell me of the sufferings of long-tormented Io, For you have spoken so truthfully, O wretched Prometheus, Of the misery of this unhappy maiden.

She is afflicted with a god-sent madness, Wasting away beneath the frenzied sting Of the gadfly that torments her.

Driven by the wrath of the gods, She came rushing here in desperate flight.

Speak to us, enlighten us, Prometheus!

You have told us of poor, battered Io, But now I wish to know about you.

Prometheus

Ask, and you shall hear Whatever you wish to know.

Leader of the Oceanids

Tell me, who chained you to these rocks?

Prometheus

The will of Zeus, And the hand of Hephaestus.

Leader of the Oceanids

And what terrible crime Are you paying for in this way?

Prometheus

What I have already revealed to you Must suffice.

IO — MADNESS ARIA

Ah! The sting of madness burns my mind!

What shall I do? Where shall I go to find salvation?

Again the wretched gadfly pierces me!

There! The phantom of Argus, the giant!

O mighty gods, help me! Alas!

I see him! There he comes, The herdsman with his thousand eyes!

His dreadful shadows surround him.

Even the Earth cannot conceal him in death. He rises from the Underworld, Driving me onward in my misery, Across the sands of the shore.

His flute sounds deeply, Playing a tune that brings sleep, Like a lullaby.

O misery! Ah!

Once more I am dragged away, Across endless wandering roads, Beaten down by suffering.

What have I done to offend you, Son of Cronus?

What have I done That you should yoke me to such calamities?

Alas! Woe is me!

And so you pursue me, wretched creature, With the terror of savage madness, Driving me beyond my senses!

Pleiades, Hyades, Oceanids, Atlantids!

I swore the sacred oath Within the temple of Hera, Zeus!

Titanesses, Titans, Pleiades, Hyades, My sisters, the Hesperides!

Ah!

CHORUS

May Zeus, who governs all things, Never turn his power against me Or set himself against my will.

I, too, shall offer sacrifices to the gods.

It is sweet to pass all the days of my life With courageous hopes And to renew my soul With pure and joyful thoughts.

For you I am torn with grief and sorrow, Alas!

To see countless torments Unleashed upon you.

You place such value upon mortals!

Do you not see how blind they are, How helpless, Like a human herd moving through a dream?

The law of Zeus...

The will of mortals cannot disturb The harmony of the universe.

And now another melody rises in my mind:

Prometheus! Prometheus!

THE LEADER OF THE OCEANIDS

Wise indeed was the man, Wise was the one who first conceived the thought And fashioned it into a saying:

It is far better For a person to marry among their equals.

Let a working man not seek to wed Those who possess great riches, Nor those who boast of noble birth Enter into unequal marriages.

May the venerable Fates never decree That I should become the bride Of Zeus upon his marriage bed!

Nor let any god from Heaven Be called my bridegroom.

I tremble at the sight of Io's altered form, Her unwilling maidenhood destroyed, As she endures endless wanderings And cruel persecutions Through Hera's merciless spite.

A marriage of mutual consent, A union of equals— That is the kind of love I honour.

Such a union brings me no fear.

May none of the mighty gods Ever cast upon me A gaze of irresistible desire.

For there is no escape from a war against them; Such a struggle brings only misery.

And I do not know what will become of me, For I cannot see how anyone might escape The will of the almighty god.

THE ARRIVAL OF HERMES

(Hermes arrives, sent by Zeus to discover from whom Zeus will lose his throne. In exchange for this secret, Prometheus is offered his freedom.)

HERMES — ARIA

To you, wise one, filled with bitterness, Who have offended the gods And sought to bestow divine honours upon mankind—

All-knowing Prometheus, Resourceful Titan, listen!

You who stole the fire, How can you think you have defeated us?

Have you no regard for Olympus Or for the gods who dwell there?

You must understand that you have made a mistake.

Zeus demands that you make amends.

You, too, shall stand among the gods Upon sacred Olympus.

There, I shall break all your chains And raise you high once more.

Now Father Zeus sends you his command: Reveal to him the marriages you claim will take place, The unions that will supposedly cast him From his throne.

You who stole the fire, How can you think you have defeated us?

Have you no regard for Olympus Or for the gods who dwell there?

You must understand that you have made a mistake.

Zeus demands that you make amends.

You, too, shall stand among the gods Upon sacred Olympus.

There, I shall break all your chains And raise you high once more!

PROMETHEUS AND HERMES

Prometheus

Grand words, full of arrogance, Just as befits a servant of the gods.

You are young, possessing power only yesterday, And already you imagine That you dwell within an unconquerable fortress.

Yet have I not seen two kings Cast down from their thrones?

And I shall soon see the third fall, The one who rules today, And fall in shame.

Do I appear to you To have grown fearful and timid Before your new gods?

Never shall I suffer such disgrace!

But you, who have travelled here, Hurry back along the road you came.

You shall learn nothing Of what you have asked me.

Hermes

It seems you take pride in your suffering, Just as you once took pride In your boastful declarations.

Prometheus

Pride?

May I live to see my enemies Take pride in such suffering!

And I count you among them.

Hermes

It seems you will not reveal What my father demands.

Prometheus

Never!

Hermes

Consider whether any of this Will bring you benefit.

Take courage, you wretched fool! For once, let wisdom enter your mind Amid these calamities.

Prometheus

You waste your words.

Cast such thoughts from your mind: I shall never fear Zeus!

Hermes

Whatever I say, it seems to be in vain.

Your heart is unyielding; It cannot be softened by persuasion.

You bite down upon the bit Like a young horse newly harnessed, Rushing forward without feeling the reins.

Then learn what awaits you If you refuse to hear my words!

What terrible disasters and raging storms Are destined to descend upon you!

First, my father shall tear apart this savage gorge With thunder and lightning.

He shall bury your body deep Within the shattered cliffs.

Leader of the Oceanids

Prometheus, Hermes does not seem entirely wrong In asking you to abandon your stubbornness And turn your thoughts towards wisdom.

Listen to him!

It is a disgrace for a wise man To be mistaken.

Prometheus

I expected these threats. His message was no surprise.

It is only natural That an enemy should suffer at the hands of his enemy.

But whatever Zeus may do, He shall never, ever kill me!

Hermes

Such mad words are unworthy of attention.

Can they come from anyone Whose mind has not surely lost its reason?

What else could this be But madness and a mind gone astray?

And you, who sit here Sharing his suffering and pitying him, Hurry away from this place!

Go quickly somewhere far away, Lest the dreadful roar of thunder Overwhelm your senses.

Leader of the Oceanids

If you have anything else to say That might persuade me, speak.

But as for what you have just declared, I cannot accept it.

How can you ask me to commit an evil act?

I would rather suffer alongside him, For I have always known what to hate:

A traitor.

And I fear no worse affliction Than the sickness of betrayal.

Hermes

Then remember well what I have foretold.

When the hour of disaster seizes you, Do not blame your fate.

Do not say that Zeus has cast you Into unforeseen calamities.

You shall have only yourselves to blame, For you were warned beforehand.

You shall not be caught unawares In the endless snares of destruction.

(Io rushes away in terror.)

PROMETHEUS — ARIA

And now, alone.

In the stillness before the storm, I wait in utter solitude For the torment that approaches.

If mankind would use knowledge wisely, Love and dignity would elevate their souls.

Then I might find consolation, Knowing that I had acted rightly.

PROMETHEUS — FINALE

But now, deeds shall speak, And words shall be no more!

The Earth is trembling!

And you, my revered Mother, And you, Aether, Who enfold all things in your light—

Look upon me!

Ah, how unjustly I suffer!

Goddess Athena

Atlantid!

Prometheus, Titan, Traitor to Zeus!

Prometheus

Athena!

Goddess Athena

You brought the Olympian Fire of Knowledge To Sicyon.

And from me, you stole the sciences To give them to mortal beings!

Thief!

You sought to save the Fourth Race, The Race of Heroes!

Traitor!

Now you shall pay for your deeds With blood and pain, As did the Titans Cast down into Tartarus.

Receive your punishment!

And when you emerge once more Into the light of day, Bia and Kratos shall await you, To chain you again to this rock.

And Zeus's eagle shall tear open your flesh And devour your liver!

Prometheus

Alas!

THE LEADER OF THE OCEANIDS — FINAL LAMENT

Alas, Prometheus! Alas!

Let the twisted coils of fire Come crashing down upon you!

Let the Aether rage with thunder And the convulsions of savage winds!

Let the fury of the storm Shake the foundations of the Earth Down to their deepest roots!

Let the waves of the sea, With their fierce and violent roar, Rise high enough to drown The celestial paths of the stars!

And let this body of yours Be cast deep into black Tartarus, Swept away by the irresistible current Of Necessity!

Yet whatever may come to pass, Prometheus—

It shall never, ever destroy you!

Panagiotis Karousos