PROMETHEUS

This is how it happened . . .
When the Earth had been made ready for Mankind,
the task of creating them was given to my brother,
the rash and impulsive Epimetheus.
All the best qualities Epimetheus gave to animals
and there was nothing left for Men.
He begged for my help and after much thought
I stood them upright like the gods
then lit a torch from Helios
and brought it down to Earth.
Enraged, Zeus believed he could punish
these noble creatures by giving them Women,
but it didn't turn out exactly the way he planned.
He then devised my present torture
spread-eagled on a cruel rock
and visited daily by the cursed vulture
that lunches on my liver.

In 30 years
Zeus has not relented
nor have I bent
iron has met iron
my spirit will not break
he cannot force me to reveal
the name of the Woman
who will bear the son