Pr. Never thus has Fate the Accomplisher
Decreed to fulfill these things, but by a myriad ills
And woes subdued, thus bonds I flee;
For art 's far weaker than necessity.
Ch. Who, then, is helmsman of necessity?
Pr. The Fates three-formed, and the remembering Furies.
Ch. Than these, then, is Zeus weaker?
Pr. Ay, he could not escape what has been fated.
Ch. But what to Zeus is fated, except always to rule?
Pr. This thou wilt not learn; seek not to know.
Ch. Surely some awful thing it is which you withhold.
Pr. Remember other words, for this by no means
Is it time to tell, but to be concealed
As much as possible; for keeping this do I
Escape unseemly bonds and woes.
Ch. Never may the all-ruling
Zeus put into my mind
Force antagonist to him.
Nor let me cease drawing near
The gods with holy sacrifices
Of slain oxen, by Father Ocean's
Ceaseless passage,
