Prince Deukalion--as perhaps many will remember--is the Noah of the old Promethean cyclus, and the story ran, that the drowned world was miraculously repeopled by him and Pyrrha. In the same speech Prometheus introduces to Deukalion as a future helper his brother Epimetheus--one of the most striking conceptions of the old fable, and one of the most effective characters in Mr. Taylor's presentation. We saw in the last lecture that Prometheus was called the Provident,--the _pro-metheus_ being a looking forward. Precisely opposite is Epimetheus, that is, he who looks _epi_--upon or backward. Perhaps it is a fair contrast to regard Prometheus as a symbol of striving onward or progress; and Epimetheus as a symbol of the historic instinct,--the instinct which goes back and clears up the past as if it were the future; which with continual effort reconstructs it; which keeps the to-be in full view of what has been; which reconciles progress and conservation. Accordingly, the old story reports Epimetheus as oldest at his birth, and growing younger with the progress of the ages.
Epimetheus lives. Though here beneath the shadow of the crags. He seems to slumber, head on nerveless knees, His life increases; oldest at his birth, The ages heaped behind him shake the snow From hoary locks, and slowly give him youth, "Tis he shall be thy helper: Brother, rise!
I did not sleep: I mused. Ha! comest thou, Deukalion?
Soon thy work shall come! Shame shall cease When midway on their paths our mighty schemes Meet, and complete each other! Yet my son, Deukalion--yet one other guide I give, Eos!"
And presently Prometheus leads Deukalion and Pyrrha to what is described in the stage-direction as "_The highest verge of the rocky table-land of Hades, looking eastward_." Eos is summoned by Prometheus, much high conversation ensues, and this, the sixth and last scene of the first Act ends thus:
EOS, (_addressing young Deukalion and Pyrrha_.)
Faith, when none believe; Truth, when all deceive; Freedom, when force restrained; Courage to sunder chains; Pride, when good is shame; Love, when love is blame,-- These shall call me in stars and flame! Thus if your souls have wrought, Ere ye approach me, I shine unsought."