Dialogues of the Gods

1PROMETHEUSFree me, Zeus. I’ve suffered terribly already. ZEUSI’m to free you, am I? You ought to have had heavier chains, and all of Caucasus on your head, and a whole sixteen vultures to tear at your liver, and dig your eyes out too, for making such creatures as humans to plague us, and stealing fire and producing women.†For need I mention how you tricked me in serving out the meat, by serving me with hones wrapped in fat, and keeping the better portion for yourself?†PROMETHEUSWell, haven’t I already been punished enough for that, nailed all this time to Caucasus, with that accursed eagle feeding on my liver?

2ZEUSThat’s not the tiniest fraction of what you deserve. PROMETHEUSBut you shall have your reward for my freedom. I’ll give you some very vital information, Zeus. ZEUSYou’re trying to trick me, Prometheus. PROMETHEUSWhat good will that do me? You’ll still know where Caucasus is, and still have plenty of chains left, if I’m caught up to any tricks. ZEUSTell me first what is this vital reward I’ll have from you? PROMETHEUSSuppose I tell you what you’re after in your present expedition, will you trust the rest of my prophecies? ZEUSYes, indeed. PROMETHEUSYou’re off to Thetis, to make love to her. ZEUSSo far you’re right, but what’s to follow? For I think what you say will prove true. PROMETHEUSHave nothing to do with that daughter of Nereus, for if she brings you a child,†it will treat you just as you treated— ZEUSDo you mean that I’ll be cast out of my kingdom?†PROMETHEUSI hope not, Zeus, but something of the sort threatens if you tamper with her. ZEUSGoodbye, then, to Thetis; and you, Prometheus, must be released by Hephaestus for this.