_Pr._ I say not so, yet, if thou didst rebel, The tongue that counselled Zeus should counsel thee.
_Sem._ (_maidens_). This is strange counsel.
_Sem._ (_youths_). He is not A counsellor for gods or men.
_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! 662 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, 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 675 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. 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; 686 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 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 695 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.
_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. 705