Pr. I will tell thee clearly every thing which thou desirest to learn, not interweaving riddles, but in plain language, as it is right to open the mouth to friends. Thou seest him that bestowed fire on mortals, Prometheus.
Io. O thou that didst dawn a common benefit upon mortals, wretched Prometheus, as penance for what offense art thou thus suffering?
Pr. I have just ceased lamenting my own pangs.
Io. Wilt thou not then accord to me this boon?
Pr. Say what it is that thou art asking, for thou mightest learn everything from me.
Io. Say who it was that bound thee fast in this cleft?
Pr. The decree of Jupiter, but the hand of Vulcan.
Io. And for what offenses art thou paying the penalty?
Pr. Thus much alone is all that I can clearly explain to thee.
Io. At least, in addition to this, discover what time shall be to me woe-worn the limit of my wanderings.