Poetry of the Web

This poem might take some background information on Greek mythology to make it more understandable. Prometheus was one of the Titans, a race of huge humans who lived on earth before man was created as he exists now. As Prometheus made man out of clay and stole fire from Olympus he was punished by the god Jove, who chained him to a rock for eternity, where he was bayed by vultures who tore at his liver daily. As used in this poem, the word "Ægia" is derived from the word "ægis" meaning a shield or defensive armor, and both Jove and Athena were each said to possess their own ægis. Hence, the word "Ægia" is given to mean a strong city able to defend its inhabitants from their enemies.

Prometheus' Ægia

How prudent is that lovely kingdom,

Of which I will now relate.

'Tis founded on the rule of sum...

A country that's not ruled by fate.

I am Prometheus. The burning

Flame doth wrongly consume me,

And mankind doth desire to wring

With flames his mastery over me.

Liks Ajax, who Cassandra fancied,

Once before the fall of Troy,

Did I in youth a maiden heed,

And kiss, when I was just a boy.

Oh, how could I have known Jove's whimsey,

Ere his daughter I had loved?

From Jove's great throne was made a plea;

Athena's sister was beloved.

"Prometheus would leave this kingdom,"

Spake Jove from his throne of stone.

"As if chained up he will become,

With mankind's flames he would atone."

"My daughter will not want a bondsman,

So will I a bondsman make."

With lightning and his magic plan

Then Jove from me my love did take.

Jove changed my shape to that of bondsmen,

Gayly laughing all the while,

And I became a citizen,

A role he strove to reconcile.

Ægia! whereat is thy landing?

Would I, then, in thee sojurn?

Thy founding gave us leave to wring

From life those things which might not burn.

How well I know thy precepts splendid;

Well I know thy mortal ken.

Prometheus will make his bid,--

Within Ægia! Love again!

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