Page:Hesiod, and Theognis.djvu/106

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HESIOD.

tion; nothing of the casket of evils, from which in the 'Works,' Pandora, by lifting the lid, lets mischief and disease loose upon the world. The key to the difference between the two accounts is to be found in the fact that in the 'Works' Hesiod narrates the consequences of the sin of Prometheus; in the 'Theogony,' the story of the sin itself. In the order of events that story would run thus: Prometheus enrages Zeus by scoffing at sacrifices, and by tricking the sage ruler of Olympus into a wrong choice touching the most savoury part of the ox. In his office of arbitrator, he divides two portions, the flesh and entrails covered with the belly on one hand, the bones under a cover of white fat on the other. Zeus chooses after the outward appearance, but, as Hesiod seems to imply, chooses wittingly, for the sake of having a grievance. Thenceforth in sacrifice it was customary to offer the whitening bones at his altars. But the god neither forgot nor forgave the cheat—

"And still the fraud remembering from that hour,The strength of unexhausted fire deniedTo all the dwellers upon earth. But himBenevolent Prometheus did beguile:The far-seen splendour in a hollow reedHe stole of inexhaustible flame. But thenResentment stung the Thunderer's inmost soul,And his heart chafed with anger when he sawThe fire far-gleaming in the midst of men.Straight for the flame bestowed devised he illTo man."—E. 749-759.

Outwitted twice, he roused himself to take vengeance

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