CHORUS OF DRYADES. by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Editor's note

The Dryads begin with a frantic command — *hurry and hide before it’s too late*. The urgency is palpable; there’s no greeting or explanation, just a sense of alarm. The brief, clipped lines capture the frantic pace of the warning.

Editor's note

The forest serves as a shelter. The word *intricate* serves two purposes: it captures the dense, tangled undergrowth and suggests that the woods form a maze that even a Titan might struggle to navigate. Prometheus is mentioned for the first time here, and just his name is heavy enough to convey the sense of fear.

Editor's note

The Dryads fear two things: that Prometheus will *scold* the hidden figure, and that some unknown harm will come as a result. The combination of *chide* (a gentle, almost parental reprimand) with *hurt or harm* creates a fascinating tension — is Prometheus a strict authority figure or a real threat? This ambiguity adds depth to his character.

Editor's note

The chorus wraps up by echoing its initial command, creating a circular, almost magical vibe—similar to a spell or a refrain from a folk song. The rhyme scheme (*hide thee / chide thee / betide thee*) enhances this song-like quality, fitting for woodland spirits that connect through the rhythms of nature.

Editor's note

Prometheus's entrance is marked by a stage direction and two lines of dialogue, confirming that the Dryads' warning was effective — someone escaped. His question comes off as curious rather than angry, which shifts the chorus's panic just a bit. He sees *a shape*, not a person, indicating that the forest has already succeeded in hiding them.