Prometheus (16-20)

PROMETHEUS

But there are rascals, you say, among them, and they commit adultery and make war and mar ry their sisters and plot against their fathers. Why, are there not plenty of them among us? Yet, of course, fone could not on this account blame Heaven and Earth for creating us. Again, you may perhaps say that we have to undergo a great deal of annoyance in taking care of them. Well, then, on that principle

the herdsman ought to be vexed over having his herd because he has to take care of it. But this toilsome task is also sweet, and, in general, business is not devoid of pleasure, for it affords occupation. Why, what should we do if we had not them to provide for?

PROMETHEUS

Be idle and drink our nectar and eat our ambrosia without doing anything! But what sticks in my throat most is that although you censure me for making men “and particularly the women,” you fall in love with them just the same, and are always going down below, transformed now into bulls, now into satyrs and swans, and you deign to beget gods upon them!

Perhaps, however, you will say that men should have been made, but in some other form and not like us. What better model could I have put before myself than this, which I knew to be beautiful in every way? Should I have made my creatures unintelligent and bestial and savage? Why, how could they have sacrificed to gods or bestowed all the other honours upon you if they were not as they are? You gods do not hang back when they bring you the hecatombs, even if you have to go to the river of Ocean,

to the Ethiopians guileless,

Ilad1, 423. yet you have crucified him who procured you your honours and your sacrifices.

PROMETHEUS

So much for men; and now, if you wish, I shall pass to fire and that reprehensible theft! In the name of the gods answer me this question without any hesitation; have we lost any fire since men have had it too? You can’t say that we have. The nature of that possession is such, I suppose, that it is not diminished if anyone else takes some

of it, for it does not go out when a light is procured from it. But surely it is downright stinginess to prevent things from being shared with those who need them when it does you no harm to share them. Inasmuch as you are gods, you ought to be kindly and

bestowers of blessings

Od, 8, 325. and to stand aloof from all stinginess. In this case even if I had filched all your fire and taken it down to earth without leaving a bit of it behind, I should not be guilty of any great wrong-doing against you, for you yourselves have no need of it, as you do not get cold and do not cook your ambrosia and do not require artificial light.

PROMETHEUS

On the other hand, men are obliged to use fire, not only for other purposes but above all for the sacrifices, in order that they may be able “to fill the ways with savour” and to burn incense and consume meat on the altars. Indeed, I notice that you all take particular pleasure in the smoke and think it the most delightful of banquets when the savour comes up to heaven

curling about the smoke.

Iliad1, 317. This criticism, therefore, is directly opposed to your own desire. I wonder, moreover, that you haven’t prevented the sun from shining on men, for he is fire too, and of a far more divine and ardent sort. Do you find fault with him for dissipating your property? I have said my say. Now then, Hermes and Hephaestus, if you think I have said anything wrong take me to task and confute me, and I will plead in reply.

HERMES

It is not an easy matter, Prometheus, to rival such an accomplished sophist. You are lucky, however,

that Zeus did not hear you say all this, for I am very sure he would have set sixteen vultures upon you to pull out your vitals, so eloquently did you accuse him in seeming to defend yourself. But I am surprised that as you are a prophet you did not know in advance that you would be punished for all this.

PROMETHEUS

I did know it, Hermes, and I also know that I shall be set free again; before long someone will come from Thebes, a brother of yours,[*] to shoot down the eagle which you say will fly to me.

HERMES

I hope so, Prometheus, and I hope to see you at large, feasting with us all—but not serving our meat!