Prometheus. I tell you, all these things shall be fulfilled,
As, also, I desire them.
Chorus. Must we then
Look out for one to come, to master Zeus?
Prometheus. These chains weigh lighter than his sorrows shall.
Chorus. How art thou not afraid to speak such words?
Prometheus. What should I fear, who cannot die?
Chorus. But he
Can visit thee with dreader woe than death's.
Prometheus. Why let him do it!—I am here, prepared
For all things and their pangs.
Chorus. The wise are they
Who reverence Adrasteia.
Prometheus. Reverence thou,
Adore thou, flatter thou, whomever reigns,
Whenever reigning—but for me, your Zeus
Is less than nothing! Let him act and reign
His brief hour out according to his will—
He will not, therefore, rule the gods too long!—
But lo! I see that courier-god of Zeus,
That new-made menial of the new-crowned king—
He doubtless comes to tell us something new.
Hermes enters.
Hermes. I speak to thee, that sophist, speaker down
Of scorn by scorn,—that sinner against gods,—
That reverencer of men,—that thief of fire,—
I speak to and adjure thee! Zeus commands
