"Scarcely has ceased the Ocean's song of joy, Which, breathing peace unto Prometheus' soul, Wakens within his breast long-buried hope, When once again the sound of lamentation Bursts on his ear and fills the air with sighs. Seated within a lion-drawn chariot comes The founder of his race--Gæa herself-- With her a train of wood-nymphs, loudly weeping."
It introduces a chorus of Dryads ("Woe to thee, Prometheus") of the same general character as the opening chorus of sea-nymphs, and containing a very dramatic and declamatory alto solo ("Deserted stand God's sacred Altars in the old Forest"). A dialogue follows between Gæa and Prometheus, in which the latter bravely defends his course. As the Dryads disappear, Prometheus soliloquizes:--
"'This is, in truth, the noblest deed Mortal has ever dared. Beat high, my heart! On this foundation built I up my race,-- On deathless friendship and fraternity. Courage, Alcides! Bravely fight thy fight. Conquer, and thou shalt free me.' From his dreams, Roused is the Titan by a song of joy. Before him, crowned with the rich harvest, stands Ceres with her train of reapers."
A mixed chorus of gleaners follows ("With the Lark sweetly singing"), which can hardly be excelled for grace and loveliness of melody. In the next prologue Ceres consoles Prometheus, and while she is speaking a shout of gladness rises and Bacchus appears. He smites the rock, and at his touch a bower of grape-vines and ivy boughs interlaces over the head of the Titan and shadows him. This serves to introduce the chorus of Vine-dressers ("Hail to the Pleasure-giver"), a lively strain for male voices with an effective solo quartet. As Prometheus resumes his soliloquy, Hermes approaches, leading Pandora, and seeks to allure him from his purpose by her enchantments, but in vain:--
"The Titan conquers, and he feels the hour-- The fated hour--draw near. Above his head The vulture hovers, fearing to approach; While the earth trembles, and the rocks are shaken. Voices are heard from out the gloomy depths."
The voices are those of the spirits in the lower regions singing a very melodramatic chorus ("Woe! woe! the sacred Sleep of the Dead has been disturbed"). An _allegro moderato_ for orchestra follows, preluding the approach of Hercules, who bends his giant bow and kills the vulture, strikes the fetters off and bids him "Go hence unto thy Mother's Throne." The scene introduces the seventh number ("All human Foresight wanders in deepest Night"), an expressive and stately male chorus with solo quartet. The last prologue describes the scene at the throne of Themis, the pardon of Prometheus, and her assurance that "Henceforth Olympus smiles upon the Earth." Pallas presents him with a veiled figure as the reward of his heroism, "who will bring to thy race the richest blessing,--Truth." The goddess unveils her and declares her name "Agathea. She brings to man the purest, holiest gift,--Charity." The closing chorus of the Muses follows:--