Page:Prometheus bound - Browning (1833).djvu/52

Than thine: I witness it by deeds, not words.
Me moved to act, thou shalt not backward draw—
Because I glory—glory, that to me
The hand of Jove shall grant thy freedom's boon.
Pro. Truly I praise thee, and shall ever praise;
For thou hast shrunk from nought of kindness. Yet,
Toil not for me; since vainly thou wilt toil,
Whate'er thou toilest, profiting me nought.
Be calm, and save thyself: for not because
I needs must sorrow thus, my spirit wills
That others should be sorrowful like me.
No, in good truth; upon my heart, the fate⁸
Of Atlas—of my brother, weighs,—who stands
Westward, upon his shoulder balancing
The column of the heav'n and earth; a burden
For strength gigantic. I have also seen.
And pitied, by superior force subdued,
The earth-born tenant of Cilician caves,
Th' embattled monster, him o' the hundred heads,⁹