The race anew,[f10] I only of the gods

Thwarted his will;[n19] and, but for my strong aid,

Hades had whelmed, and hopeless ruin swamped

All men that breathe. Such were my crimes: these pains

Grievous to suffer, pitiful to behold,

Were purchased thus; and mercy’s now denied

To him whose crime was mercy to mankind:

And here I lie, in cunning torment stretched,[n20]

A spectacle inglorious to Jove.

Chorus.