130 AESCHYLUS
Prometheus. I would not barter — learn thou soothly that ! — U45
My suffering for thy service. I maintain It is a nobler thing to serve these rocks Than live a faithful slave to father Zeus. Thus upon scorners I retort their scorn.
Hermes. It seems that thou dost glory in thy de- spair.^ U50
Prometheus. I glory ? Would my foes did glory so, And I stood by to see them ! — naming whom, Thou art not unremembered.
Hermes. Dost thou charge
Me also with the blame of thy mischance ?
Prometheus. I tell thee I loathe the universal
gods,^ 1155
Who, for the good I gave them, rendered back The ill of their injustice.
Hermes. Thou art mad.
Thou art raving. Titan, at the fever-height.
Prometheus. If it be madness to abhor my foes, May I be mad !
Hermes. If thou wert prosperous, ueo
Thou wouldst be unendurable.
Prometheus. Alas !
Hermes. Zeus knows not that word.
Prometheus. But maturing Time
Teaches all things.
Hermes. Howbeit, thou hast not learnt
The wisdom yet, thou needest.
Prometheus. If I had,
I should not talk thus with a slave like thee. ii65
1 Better, " in thy sufPerings."
2 Better, " all the gods,"
