PROMETHEUS BOUND
Knowing that Fate is strong and none shall stay.
Ah! but I cannot:—neither to contain
Nor to give tongue I find the way. O wretched,
Entrammell'd in this web of agony,
For that I gave good things to men! I track
Home to its hidden spring the flowing of fire,
By stealth infringe it, drawing what doth charge
A reed: the thing, reveal'd to man, is mighty, 110
Teacher of every art, the main of life,
And lo, I have sinn'd!—and pay the forfeit so,
A gazing-stock beneath untemper'd heaven.
Ah!—
What sound did smite my sense?
Invisible redolence!
Whence came the wafture? whence?
Was it gods, or men, or mingled fellowship,
Come to the hill, that is limit of the world?
Wherefore? to see the pageant of my pain?
Ah! see a god then, manacled, ill-starr'd,
To the Highest hateful, reaping hate 120
From every deity, denizen
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