My own thoughts Are my companions; my designs and labors And aspirations are my only friends.
HERMES.
Decide not rashly.

The decision made Can never be recalled.

The Gods implore not, Plead not, solicit not; they only offer Choice and occasion, which once being passed Return no more.

Dost thou accept the gift?
PROMETHEUS.
No gift of theirs, in whatsoever shape It comes to me, with whatsoever charm To fascinate my sense, will I receive.
Leave me.
PANDORA.
Let us go hence.

I will not stay.
HERMES.
We leave thee to thy vacant dreams, and all The silence and the solitude of thought, The endless bitterness of unbelief, The loneliness of existence without love.
CHORUS OF THE FATES CLOTHO.
How the Titan, the defiant, The self-centred, self-reliant, Wrapped in visions and illusions, Robs himself of life's best gifts! Till by all the storm-winds shaken, By the blast of fate o'ertaken, Hopeless, helpless, and forsaken, In the mists of his confusions To the reefs of doom he drifts! LACHESIS.
Sorely tried and sorely tempted, From no agonies exempted, In the penance of his trial, And the discipline of pain; Often by illusions cheated, Often baffled and defeated In the tasks to be completed, He, by toil and self-denial, To the highest shall attain.
ATROPOS.
Tempt no more the noble schemer; Bear unto some idle dreamer This new toy and fascination, This new dalliance and delight! To the garden where reposes Epimetheus crowned with roses, To the door that never closes Upon pleasure and temptation, Bring this vision of the night! IV THE AIR HERMES (returning to Olympus.) As lonely as the tower that he inhabits, As firm and cold as are the crags about him, Prometheus stands.