IN. O that I knew where I might counsel find, That one were sent, nay, were't the least of all The myriad messengers of heaven, to me! One that should say 'This morn I stood with Zeus, He hath heard thy prayer and sent me: ask a boon, What thing thou wilt, it shall be given thee.' PR. What wouldst thou say to such a messenger? IN. No need to ask then what I now might ask, How 'tis the gods, if they have care for mortals, Slubber our worst necessities--and the boon, 670 No need to tell him that. PR. Now, king, thou seest Zeus sends no messenger, but I am here. IN. Thy speech is hard, and even thy kindest words Unkind. If fire thou hast, in thee 'tis kind To proffer it: but thou art more unkind Yoking heaven's wrath therewith. Nay, and how knowest thou Zeus will be angry if I take of it? Thou art a prophet: ay, but of the prophets Some have been taken in error, and honest time Has honoured many with forgetfulness. 680 I'll make this proof of thee; Show me thy fire-- Nay, give't me now--if thou be true at all, Be true so far: for the rest there's none will lose, Nor blame thee being false--where is thy fire? PR. O rather, had it thus been mine to give, I would have given it thus: not adding aught Of danger or diminishment or loss; So strong is my goodwill; nor less than this My knowledge, but in knowledge all my power. Yet since wise guidance with a little means 690 Can more than force unminded, I have skill To conjure evil and outcompass strength. Now give I thee my best, a little gift To work a world of wonder; 'tis thine own Of long desire, and with it I will give The cunning of invention and all arts In which thy hand instructed may command, Interpret, comfort, or ennoble nature; With all provision that in wisdom is, And what prevention in foreknowledge lies. 700 IN. Great is the gain. PR. O king, the gain is thine, The penalty I more than share. IN. Enough, I take thy gift; nor hast thou stood more firm To every point of thy strange chequered tale, Revealing, threatening, offering more and more, And never all, than I to this resolve. PR. I knew thy heart would fail not at the hour.