STRENGTH.
Enough of useless ruth! why tarriest thou?
Why pitiest one whom all gods wholly hate,
One who to man gave o’er thy privilege?
HEPHAESTUS.
Kinship and friendship wring my heart for him.
STRENGTH.
Ay—but how disregard our Sire’s command?
Is not thy pity weaker than thy fear?
HEPHAESTUS.
Ruthless as ever, brutal to the full!
STRENGTH.
Tears can avail him nothing: strive not thou,
Nor waste thine efforts thus unaidingly.
HEPHAESTUS.
Out on my cursed mastery of steel!
STRENGTH.
Why curse it thus? In sooth that craft of thine
Standeth assoiled of all that here is wrought.
HEPHAESTUS.
Would that some other were endowed therewith!
STRENGTH.
All hath its burden, save the rule of Heaven,
And freedom is for Zeus, and Zeus alone.
HEPHAESTUS.
I know it; I gainsay no word hereof.