_Her_. With all my heart! I shall be delighted to see you free again, and feasting in our midst; but not, my friend, not carving for us! _Prom_. You may take my word for it; I shall be with you again. I have the wherewithal to pay abundantly for my ransom. _Her_. Oh, indeed? Come, tell us all about it. _Prom_. You know Thetis—But no; the secret is best kept. Ransom and reward depend upon it. _Her_. Well, you know best. Now, Hephaestus, we must be going; see, here comes the eagle.—Bear a brave heart, Prometheus; and all speed to your Theban archer, who is to set a term to this creature's activity. F. DIALOGUES OF THE GODS I _Prometheus. Zeus_ _Prom_. Release me, Zeus; I have suffered enough. _Zeus_. Release you? you? Why, by rights your irons should be heavier, you should have the whole weight of Caucasus upon you, and instead of one, a dozen vultures, not just pecking at your liver, but scratching out your eyes. You made these abominable human creatures to vex us, you stole our fire, you invented women. I need not remind you how you overreached me about the meat-offerings; my portion, bones disguised in fat: yours, all the good. _Prom_. And have I not been punished enough—riveted to the Caucasus all these years, feeding your bird (on which all worst curses light!) with my liver? _Zeus_. 'Tis not a tithe of your deserts. _Prom_. Consider, I do not ask you to release me for nothing. I offer you information which is invaluable. _Zeus_. Promethean wiles! _Prom_. Wiles? to what end? you can find the Caucasus another time; and there are chains to be had, if you catch me cheating. _Zeus_. Tell me first the nature of your 'invaluable' offer. _Prom_. If I tell you your present errand right, will that convince you that I can prophesy too? _Zeus_. Of course it will. _Prom_. You are bound on a little visit to Thetis. _Zeus_. Right so far. And the sequel? I trust you now. _Prom_. Have no dealings with her, Zeus. As sure as Nereus's daughter conceives by you, your child shall mete you the measure you meted to— _Zeus_. I shall lose my kingdom, you would say? _Prom_. Avert it, Fate! I say only, that union portends this issue. _Zeus_. Thetis, farewell! and for this Hephaestus shall set you free. H. II _Eros. Zeus_ _Eros_. You might let me off, Zeus! I suppose it _was_ rather too bad of me; but there!—I am but a child; a wayward child. _Zeus_. A child, and born before Iapetus was ever thought of? You bad old man! Just because you have no beard, and no white hairs, are you going to pass yourself off for a child? _Eros_. Well, and what such mighty harm has the old man ever done you, that you should talk of chains?