Applause broke out here and there. Prometheus, abashed, excused himself:
--Gentlemen, I was lying: pardon me: it did not happen quite so
quickly: No, I have not always loved eagles: For a long time I
preferred men; their injured happiness was dear to me, because once
having interfered I believed myself responsible, and in the evening
every time I thought of it, my eagle, sad as remorse, came to eat.
He was at this time gaunt and grey, careworn and morose, and he was
as ugly as a vulture.--Gentlemen, look at him now and understand why
I tell you this; why I asked you to come here; why I entreat you to
listen to me. It is because I have discovered this: the eagle can
become very beautiful. Now, every one of us has an eagle; as I have
just most earnestly asserted. An eagle?--Alas, a vulture perhaps! no,
no, not a vulture, gentlemen!--Gentlemen, you must have an eagle....
* * * * *
And now I touch the most serious question:--Why an eagle?... Ah!
Why?--let him say why. Here is mine, gentlemen; I bring him to you....
Eagle! Will you reply now? Anxiously Prometheus turned towards his
eagle. The eagle was motionless and remained silent.... Prometheus
continued in a distressed voice:
--Gentlemen, gentlemen, I have vainly questioned my eagle.... Eagle!
speak now: every one listens to you.... Who sends you? Why have you
chosen me? Where do you come from? Where do you go to? Speak: What is
your nature? (The eagle remained silent.) No, nothing! Not a word!
Not a cry!--I hoped he would speak to you at any rate; that is why I
brought him with me.... Must I speak alone here?--All is silence!--All
is silence!
What does it mean?... I have questioned in vain. Then turning towards
the audience:
Oh! I hoped, gentlemen, that you would love my eagle, that your love
would affirm his beauty.--That is why I gave myself up to him, that is
why I filled him with the blood of my soul.... But I see I am alone
in admiring him. Is it not enough for you that he is beautiful? Or do
you not admit his beauty? Look at him at least. I have lived only for
him--and now I bring him to you: There he is! As for me I live for
him--but he ... but he, why does he live?
Eagle that I have nourished with the blood of my soul, whom with
all my love I have caressed ... (here Prometheus was interrupted by
sobs)--must I then leave the earth without knowing why I loved you, nor
what you will do, nor what you will be, after me on the earth ... on
the earth? I have ... asked in vain ... in vain....
The words choked in his throat--his voice could not be heard through
his tears.--Pardon me, gentlemen,--he continued a little calmer; pardon
me for saying such serious things, but if I knew more serious ones I
would say them....
Perspiring, Prometheus wiped his face, drank some water, and added: