ὃς οὐκ ἂν εἴλετ᾽
εἰσάπαξ
εἰσάπαξ εἰπεῖν, ὅπου
Philoctetes. Sophocles. ed. Lewis Campbell. Oxford. 1879.
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Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 403-506 focus
Φιλοκτήτης
ἔχοντες, ὡς ἔοικε, σύμβολον σαφὲς
λύπης πρὸς ἡμᾶς, ὦ ξένοι, πεπλεύκατε,
καί μοι προσᾴδεθʼ ὥστε γιγνώσκειν ὅτι
405
ταῦτʼ ἐξ Ἀτρειδῶν ἔργα κἀξ Ὀδυσσέως.
ἔξοιδα γάρ νιν παντὸς ἂν λόγου κακοῦ
γλώσσῃ θιγόντα καὶ πανουργίας, ἀφʼ ἧς
μηδὲν δίκαιον ἐς τέλος μέλλοι ποεῖν.
ἀλλʼ οὔ τι τοῦτο θαῦμʼ ἔμοιγʼ, ἀλλʼ εἰ παρὼν
410
Αἴας ὁ μείζων ταῦθʼ ὁρῶν ἠνείχετο.
ἔχοντες, ὡς ἔοικε, σύμβολον σαφὲς
λύπης πρὸς ἡμᾶς, ὦ ξένοι, πεπλεύκατε,
καί μοι προσᾴδεθʼ ὥστε γιγνώσκειν ὅτι
405
ταῦτʼ ἐξ Ἀτρειδῶν ἔργα κἀξ Ὀδυσσέως.
ἔξοιδα γάρ νιν παντὸς ἂν λόγου κακοῦ
γλώσσῃ θιγόντα καὶ πανουργίας, ἀφʼ ἧς
μηδὲν δίκαιον ἐς τέλος μέλλοι ποεῖν.
ἀλλʼ οὔ τι τοῦτο θαῦμʼ ἔμοιγʼ, ἀλλʼ εἰ παρὼν
410
Αἴας ὁ μείζων ταῦθʼ ὁρῶν ἠνείχετο.
Νεοπτόλεμος
οὐκ ἦν ἔτι ζῶν, ὦ ξένʼ· οὐ γὰρ ἄν ποτε
ζῶντός γʼ ἐκείνου ταῦτʼ ἐσυλήθην ἐγώ.
οὐκ ἦν ἔτι ζῶν, ὦ ξένʼ· οὐ γὰρ ἄν ποτε
ζῶντός γʼ ἐκείνου ταῦτʼ ἐσυλήθην ἐγώ.
Φιλοκτήτης
πῶς εἶπας; ἀλλʼ ἦ χοὖτος οἴχεται θανών;
πῶς εἶπας; ἀλλʼ ἦ χοὖτος οἴχεται θανών;
Νεοπτόλεμος
ὡς μηκέτʼ ὄντα κεῖνον ἐν φάει νόει.
415
ὡς μηκέτʼ ὄντα κεῖνον ἐν φάει νόει.
415
Φιλοκτήτης
οἴμοι τάλας. ἀλλʼ οὐχ ὁ Τυδέως γόνος
οὐδʼ οὑμπολητὸς Σισύφου Λαερτίῳ,
οὐ μὴ θάνωσι· τούσδε γὰρ μὴ ζῆν ἔδει.
οἴμοι τάλας. ἀλλʼ οὐχ ὁ Τυδέως γόνος
οὐδʼ οὑμπολητὸς Σισύφου Λαερτίῳ,
οὐ μὴ θάνωσι· τούσδε γὰρ μὴ ζῆν ἔδει.
Νεοπτόλεμος
οὐ δῆτʼ· ἐπίστω τοῦτό γʼ· ἀλλὰ καὶ μέγα
θάλλοντές εἰσι νῦν ἐν Ἀργείων στρατῷ.
420
οὐ δῆτʼ· ἐπίστω τοῦτό γʼ· ἀλλὰ καὶ μέγα
θάλλοντές εἰσι νῦν ἐν Ἀργείων στρατῷ.
420
Φιλοκτήτης
τί δʼ; οὐ παλαιὸς κἀγαθὸς φίλος τʼ ἐμός,
Νέστωρ ὁ Πύλιος, ἔστιν; οὗτος γὰρ τά γε
κείνων κάκʼ ἐξήρυκε, βουλεύων σοφά.
τί δʼ; οὐ παλαιὸς κἀγαθὸς φίλος τʼ ἐμός,
Νέστωρ ὁ Πύλιος, ἔστιν; οὗτος γὰρ τά γε
κείνων κάκʼ ἐξήρυκε, βουλεύων σοφά.
Νεοπτόλεμος
κεῖνός γε πράσσει νῦν κακῶς, ἐπεὶ θανὼν
Ἀντίλοχος αὐτῷ φροῦδος, ὃς παρῆν, γόνος.
425
κεῖνός γε πράσσει νῦν κακῶς, ἐπεὶ θανὼν
Ἀντίλοχος αὐτῷ φροῦδος, ὃς παρῆν, γόνος.
425
Φιλοκτήτης
οἴμοι, δύʼ αὖ τώδʼ ἄνδρʼ ἔλεξας, οἷν ἐγὼ
ἥκιστʼ ἂν ἠθέλησʼ ὀλωλότοιν κλύειν.
φεῦ φεῦ· τί δῆτα δεῖ σκοπεῖν, ὅθʼ οἵδε μὲν
τεθνᾶσʼ, Ὀδυσσεὺς δʼ ἔστιν αὖ κἀνταῦθʼ ἵνα
χρῆν ἀντὶ τούτων αὐτὸν αὐδᾶσθαι νεκρόν;
430
οἴμοι, δύʼ αὖ τώδʼ ἄνδρʼ ἔλεξας, οἷν ἐγὼ
ἥκιστʼ ἂν ἠθέλησʼ ὀλωλότοιν κλύειν.
φεῦ φεῦ· τί δῆτα δεῖ σκοπεῖν, ὅθʼ οἵδε μὲν
τεθνᾶσʼ, Ὀδυσσεὺς δʼ ἔστιν αὖ κἀνταῦθʼ ἵνα
χρῆν ἀντὶ τούτων αὐτὸν αὐδᾶσθαι νεκρόν;
430
Νεοπτόλεμος
σοφὸς παλαιστὴς κεῖνος· ἀλλὰ χαἰ σοφαὶ
γνῶμαι, Φιλοκτῆτʼ, ἐμποδίζονται θαμά.
σοφὸς παλαιστὴς κεῖνος· ἀλλὰ χαἰ σοφαὶ
γνῶμαι, Φιλοκτῆτʼ, ἐμποδίζονται θαμά.
Φιλοκτήτης
φέρʼ εἰπὲ πρὸς θεῶν, ποῦ γὰρ ἦν ἐνταῦθά σοι
Πάτροκλος, ὃς σοῦ πατρὸς ἦν τὰ φίλτατα;
φέρʼ εἰπὲ πρὸς θεῶν, ποῦ γὰρ ἦν ἐνταῦθά σοι
Πάτροκλος, ὃς σοῦ πατρὸς ἦν τὰ φίλτατα;
Νεοπτόλεμος
χοὖτος τεθνηκὼς ἦν· λόγῳ δέ σʼ ἐν βραχεῖ
435
τοῦτʼ ἐκδιδάξω· πόλεμος οὐδένʼ ἄνδρʼ ἑκὼν
αἱρεῖ πονηρόν, ἀλλὰ τοὺς χρηστοὺς ἀεί.
χοὖτος τεθνηκὼς ἦν· λόγῳ δέ σʼ ἐν βραχεῖ
435
τοῦτʼ ἐκδιδάξω· πόλεμος οὐδένʼ ἄνδρʼ ἑκὼν
αἱρεῖ πονηρόν, ἀλλὰ τοὺς χρηστοὺς ἀεί.
Φιλοκτήτης
ξυμμαρτυρῶ σοι· καὶ κατʼ αὐτὸ τοῦτό γε
ἀναξίου μὲν φωτὸς ἐξερήσομαι,
γλώσσῃ δὲ δεινοῦ καὶ σοφοῦ, τί νῦν κυρεῖ.
440
441
ξυμμαρτυρῶ σοι· καὶ κατʼ αὐτὸ τοῦτό γε
ἀναξίου μὲν φωτὸς ἐξερήσομαι,
γλώσσῃ δὲ δεινοῦ καὶ σοφοῦ, τί νῦν κυρεῖ.
440
Νεοπτόλεμος
ποίου δὲ τούτου πλήν γʼ Ὀδυσσέως ἐρεῖς;
ποίου δὲ τούτου πλήν γʼ Ὀδυσσέως ἐρεῖς;
Φιλοκτήτης
οὐ τοῦτον εἶπον, ἀλλὰ Θερσίτης τις ἦν,
ὃς οὐκ ἂν εἵλετʼ εἰσάπαξ εἰπεῖν, ὅπου
μηδεὶς ἐῴη· τοῦτον οἶσθʼ εἰ ζῶν κυρεῖ;
οὐ τοῦτον εἶπον, ἀλλὰ Θερσίτης τις ἦν,
ὃς οὐκ ἂν εἵλετʼ εἰσάπαξ εἰπεῖν, ὅπου
μηδεὶς ἐῴη· τοῦτον οἶσθʼ εἰ ζῶν κυρεῖ;
Νεοπτόλεμος
οὐκ εἶδον αὐτόν, ᾐσθόμην δʼ ἔτʼ ὄντα νιν.
445
οὐκ εἶδον αὐτόν, ᾐσθόμην δʼ ἔτʼ ὄντα νιν.
445
Φιλοκτήτης
ἔμελλʼ· ἐπεὶ οὐδέν πω κακόν γʼ ἀπώλετο,
ἀλλʼ εὖ περιστέλλουσιν αὐτὰ δαίμονες,
καί πως τὰ μὲν πανοῦργα καὶ παλιντριβῆ
χαίρουσʼ ἀναστρέφοντες ἐξ Ἅιδου, τὰ δὲ
δίκαια καὶ τὰ χρήστʼ ἀποστέλλουσʼ ἀεί.
450
ποῦ χρὴ τίθεσθαι ταῦτα, ποῦ δʼ αἰνεῖν, ὅταν
τὰ θεῖʼ ἐπαινῶν τοὺς θεοὺς εὕρω κακούς;
ἔμελλʼ· ἐπεὶ οὐδέν πω κακόν γʼ ἀπώλετο,
ἀλλʼ εὖ περιστέλλουσιν αὐτὰ δαίμονες,
καί πως τὰ μὲν πανοῦργα καὶ παλιντριβῆ
χαίρουσʼ ἀναστρέφοντες ἐξ Ἅιδου, τὰ δὲ
δίκαια καὶ τὰ χρήστʼ ἀποστέλλουσʼ ἀεί.
450
ποῦ χρὴ τίθεσθαι ταῦτα, ποῦ δʼ αἰνεῖν, ὅταν
τὰ θεῖʼ ἐπαινῶν τοὺς θεοὺς εὕρω κακούς;
Νεοπτόλεμος
ἐγὼ μέν, ὦ γένεθλον Οἰταίου πατρός,
τὸ λοιπὸν ἤδη τηλόθεν τό τʼ Ἴλιον
καὶ τοὺς Ἀτρείδας εἰσορῶν φυλάξομαι·
455
ὅπου δʼ ὁ χείρων τἀγαθοῦ μεῖζον σθένει
κἀποφθίνει τὰ χρηστὰ χὠ δειλὸς κρατεῖ,
τούτους ἐγὼ τοὺς ἄνδρας οὐ στέρξω ποτέ·
ἀλλʼ ἡ πετραία Σκῦρος ἐξαρκοῦσά μοι
ἔσται τὸ λοιπόν, ὥστε τέρπεσθαι δόμῳ.
460
νῦν δʼ εἶμι πρὸς ναῦν· καὶ σύ, Ποίαντος τέκνον,
χαῖρʼ ὡς μέγιστα, χαῖρε· καί σε δαίμονες
νόσου μεταστήσειαν, ὡς αὐτὸς θέλεις.
ἡμεῖς δʼ ἴωμεν, ὡς ὁπηνίκʼ ἂν θεὸς
πλοῦν ἡμὶν εἴκῃ, τηνικαῦθʼ ὁρμώμεθα.
465
ἐγὼ μέν, ὦ γένεθλον Οἰταίου πατρός,
τὸ λοιπὸν ἤδη τηλόθεν τό τʼ Ἴλιον
καὶ τοὺς Ἀτρείδας εἰσορῶν φυλάξομαι·
455
ὅπου δʼ ὁ χείρων τἀγαθοῦ μεῖζον σθένει
κἀποφθίνει τὰ χρηστὰ χὠ δειλὸς κρατεῖ,
τούτους ἐγὼ τοὺς ἄνδρας οὐ στέρξω ποτέ·
ἀλλʼ ἡ πετραία Σκῦρος ἐξαρκοῦσά μοι
ἔσται τὸ λοιπόν, ὥστε τέρπεσθαι δόμῳ.
460
νῦν δʼ εἶμι πρὸς ναῦν· καὶ σύ, Ποίαντος τέκνον,
χαῖρʼ ὡς μέγιστα, χαῖρε· καί σε δαίμονες
νόσου μεταστήσειαν, ὡς αὐτὸς θέλεις.
ἡμεῖς δʼ ἴωμεν, ὡς ὁπηνίκʼ ἂν θεὸς
πλοῦν ἡμὶν εἴκῃ, τηνικαῦθʼ ὁρμώμεθα.
465
Φιλοκτήτης
ἤδη, τέκνον, στέλλεσθε;
ἤδη, τέκνον, στέλλεσθε;
Νεοπτόλεμος
καιρὸς γὰρ καλεῖ
πλοῦν μὴ ʼξ ἀπόπτου μᾶλλον ἢ ʼγγύθεν σκοπεῖν.
468
καιρὸς γὰρ καλεῖ
πλοῦν μὴ ʼξ ἀπόπτου μᾶλλον ἢ ʼγγύθεν σκοπεῖν.
Φιλοκτήτης
πρός νύν σε πατρὸς πρός τε μητρός, ὦ τέκνον,
πρός τʼ εἴ τί σοι κατʼ οἶκόν ἐστι προσφιλές,
ἱκέτης ἱκνοῦμαι, μὴ λίπῃς μʼ οὕτω μόνον,
470
ἔρημον ἐν κακοῖσι τοῖσδʼ οἵοις ὁρᾷς
ὅσοισί τʼ ἐξήκουσας ἐνναίοντά με·
ἀλλʼ ἐν παρέργῳ θοῦ με. δυσχέρεια μέν,
ἔξοιδα, πολλὴ τοῦδε τοῦ φορήματος·
ὅμως δὲ τλῆθι· τοῖσι γενναίοισί τοι
475
τό τʼ αἰσχρὸν ἐχθρὸν καὶ τὸ χρηστὸν εὐκλεές.
σοὶ δʼ ἐκλιπόντι τοῦτʼ ὄνειδος οὐ καλόν,
δράσαντι δʼ, ὦ παῖ, πλεῖστον εὐκλείας γέρας,
ἐὰν μόλω ʼγὼ ζῶν πρὸς Οὐταίαν χθόνα.
ἴθʼ· ἡμέρας τοι μόχθος οὐχ ὅλης μιᾶς.
480
τόλμησον. ἐμβαλοῦ μʼ ὅπῃ θέλεις ἄγων,
εἰς ἀντλίαν, εἰς πρῷραν, εἰς πρύμνην, ὅποι
ἥκιστα μέλλω τοὺς ξυνόντας ἀλγυνεῖν.
νεῦσον, πρὸς αὐτοῦ Ζηνὸς ἱκεσίου, τέκνον,
πείσθητι· προσπίτνω σε γόνασι, καίπερ ὢν
485
ἀκράτωρ ὁ τλήμων, χωλός. ἀλλὰ μή μʼ ἀφῇς
ἔρημον οὕτω χωρὶς ἀνθρώπων στίβου,
ἀλλʼ ἢ πρὸς οἶκον τὸν σὸν ἔκσωσόν μʼ ἄγων
ἢ πρὸς τὰ Χαλκώδοντος Εὐβοίας σταθμά·
κἀκεῖθεν οὔ μοι μακρὸς εἰς Οἴτην στόλος
490
Τραχινίαν τε δειράδʼ ἠδʼ ἐς εὔροον
Σπερχειὸν ἔσται· πατρί μʼ ὡς δείξῃς φίλῳ,
ὃν δὴ παλαιὸν ἐξ ὅτου δέδοικʼ ἐγὼ
μή μοι βεβήκῃ. πολλὰ γὰρ τοῖς ἱγμένοις
ἔστελλον αὐτὸν ἱκεσίους πέμπων λιτάς,
495
αὐτόστολον πέμψαντά μʼ ἐκσῶσαι δόμους.
ἀλλʼ ἢ τέθνηκεν ἢ τὰ τῶν διακόνων,
ὡς εἰκός, οἶμαι, τοὐμὸν ἐν σμικρῷ μέρος
ποιούμενοι τὸν οἴκαδʼ ἤπειγον στόλον.
νῦν δʼ, εἰς σὲ γὰρ πομπόν τε καὐτὸν ἄγγελον
500
ἥκω, σὺ σῶσον, σύ μʼ ἐλέησον, εἰσορῶν
ὡς πάντα δεινὰ κἀπικινδύνως βροτοῖς
κεῖται παθεῖν μὲν εὖ, παθεῖν δὲ θάτερα.
χρὴ δʼ ἐκτὸς ὄντα πημάτων τὰ δείνʼ ὁρᾶν,
χὤταν τις εὖ ζῇ, τηνικαῦτα τὸν βίον
505
σκοπεῖν μάλιστα, μὴ διαφθαρεὶς λάθῃ.
πρός νύν σε πατρὸς πρός τε μητρός, ὦ τέκνον,
πρός τʼ εἴ τί σοι κατʼ οἶκόν ἐστι προσφιλές,
ἱκέτης ἱκνοῦμαι, μὴ λίπῃς μʼ οὕτω μόνον,
470
ἔρημον ἐν κακοῖσι τοῖσδʼ οἵοις ὁρᾷς
ὅσοισί τʼ ἐξήκουσας ἐνναίοντά με·
ἀλλʼ ἐν παρέργῳ θοῦ με. δυσχέρεια μέν,
ἔξοιδα, πολλὴ τοῦδε τοῦ φορήματος·
ὅμως δὲ τλῆθι· τοῖσι γενναίοισί τοι
475
τό τʼ αἰσχρὸν ἐχθρὸν καὶ τὸ χρηστὸν εὐκλεές.
σοὶ δʼ ἐκλιπόντι τοῦτʼ ὄνειδος οὐ καλόν,
δράσαντι δʼ, ὦ παῖ, πλεῖστον εὐκλείας γέρας,
ἐὰν μόλω ʼγὼ ζῶν πρὸς Οὐταίαν χθόνα.
ἴθʼ· ἡμέρας τοι μόχθος οὐχ ὅλης μιᾶς.
480
τόλμησον. ἐμβαλοῦ μʼ ὅπῃ θέλεις ἄγων,
εἰς ἀντλίαν, εἰς πρῷραν, εἰς πρύμνην, ὅποι
ἥκιστα μέλλω τοὺς ξυνόντας ἀλγυνεῖν.
νεῦσον, πρὸς αὐτοῦ Ζηνὸς ἱκεσίου, τέκνον,
πείσθητι· προσπίτνω σε γόνασι, καίπερ ὢν
485
ἀκράτωρ ὁ τλήμων, χωλός. ἀλλὰ μή μʼ ἀφῇς
ἔρημον οὕτω χωρὶς ἀνθρώπων στίβου,
ἀλλʼ ἢ πρὸς οἶκον τὸν σὸν ἔκσωσόν μʼ ἄγων
ἢ πρὸς τὰ Χαλκώδοντος Εὐβοίας σταθμά·
κἀκεῖθεν οὔ μοι μακρὸς εἰς Οἴτην στόλος
490
Τραχινίαν τε δειράδʼ ἠδʼ ἐς εὔροον
Σπερχειὸν ἔσται· πατρί μʼ ὡς δείξῃς φίλῳ,
ὃν δὴ παλαιὸν ἐξ ὅτου δέδοικʼ ἐγὼ
μή μοι βεβήκῃ. πολλὰ γὰρ τοῖς ἱγμένοις
ἔστελλον αὐτὸν ἱκεσίους πέμπων λιτάς,
495
αὐτόστολον πέμψαντά μʼ ἐκσῶσαι δόμους.
ἀλλʼ ἢ τέθνηκεν ἢ τὰ τῶν διακόνων,
ὡς εἰκός, οἶμαι, τοὐμὸν ἐν σμικρῷ μέρος
ποιούμενοι τὸν οἴκαδʼ ἤπειγον στόλον.
νῦν δʼ, εἰς σὲ γὰρ πομπόν τε καὐτὸν ἄγγελον
500
ἥκω, σὺ σῶσον, σύ μʼ ἐλέησον, εἰσορῶν
ὡς πάντα δεινὰ κἀπικινδύνως βροτοῖς
κεῖται παθεῖν μὲν εὖ, παθεῖν δὲ θάτερα.
χρὴ δʼ ἐκτὸς ὄντα πημάτων τὰ δείνʼ ὁρᾶν,
χὤταν τις εὖ ζῇ, τηνικαῦτα τὸν βίον
505
σκοπεῖν μάλιστα, μὴ διαφθαρεὶς λάθῃ.
Translations (2)
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 441 focus
Nicht diesen meint' ich; nein, Thersites hieß ein Mann,
1
Dem's nie genug war, Einmal nur zu sagen, was
Ungern gehört ward: weißt du nicht, ob dieser lebt?
Nicht diesen meint' ich; nein, Thersites hieß ein Mann,
1
Dem's nie genug war, Einmal nur zu sagen, was
Ungern gehört ward: weißt du nicht, ob dieser lebt?
Neoptolemos.
Ich sah ihn selbst nicht; wie ich hörte, lebt er noch.
435
Ich sah ihn selbst nicht; wie ich hörte, lebt er noch.
435
Philoktetes.
Wohl muß er leben, weil ja noch nichts Böses starb.
Mit zarter Sorgfalt hegen das die Himmlischen;
Sie lieben, Tückevolles und Verschlagenes
2
Zurückzuführen aus des Hades Nacht, und stets
Hinabzusenden, was gerecht und edel ist.
440
Wie nenn' ich's? Soll ich's loben, wenn ich, Götterthun
Bereit zu loben, Götter selbst als schlecht erfand?
Wohl muß er leben, weil ja noch nichts Böses starb.
Mit zarter Sorgfalt hegen das die Himmlischen;
Sie lieben, Tückevolles und Verschlagenes
2
Zurückzuführen aus des Hades Nacht, und stets
Hinabzusenden, was gerecht und edel ist.
440
Wie nenn' ich's? Soll ich's loben, wenn ich, Götterthun
Bereit zu loben, Götter selbst als schlecht erfand?
Neoptolemos.
O Sohn des Vaters, der an Deta's Höh'n gebeut!
Ich will hinfort mich hüten, auch von ferne nicht
Die Stadt der Troer und des Atreus Söhne seh'n.
445
Denn wo der Schlechte höher als der Tapfre gilt,
Das Edle schmachvoll untergeht, der Feige siegt,
Nein, solchen Männern werd' ich nie befreundet sein.
An Skyros Felseilande will ich fürder mir
Genügen lassen und der Heimat mich erfreu'n.
450
Ich gehe nun zum Schiffe. Lebe, lebe wohl,
O Sohn des Pöas! Mögen dich die Himmlischen
Von deiner Qual erlösen, wie dein Herz es wünscht!
Wir eilen weiter; denn sobald uns guten Wind
Ein Gott gewährte, wollen wir von dannen zieh'n.
455
Ihr rüstet schon zur Reise, Kind?
Die Stunde mahut,
Auf Wind im Schiff zu harren, nicht vom User fern.
O Sohn des Vaters, der an Deta's Höh'n gebeut!
Ich will hinfort mich hüten, auch von ferne nicht
Die Stadt der Troer und des Atreus Söhne seh'n.
445
Denn wo der Schlechte höher als der Tapfre gilt,
Das Edle schmachvoll untergeht, der Feige siegt,
Nein, solchen Männern werd' ich nie befreundet sein.
An Skyros Felseilande will ich fürder mir
Genügen lassen und der Heimat mich erfreu'n.
450
Ich gehe nun zum Schiffe. Lebe, lebe wohl,
O Sohn des Pöas! Mögen dich die Himmlischen
Von deiner Qual erlösen, wie dein Herz es wünscht!
Wir eilen weiter; denn sobald uns guten Wind
Ein Gott gewährte, wollen wir von dannen zieh'n.
455
Ihr rüstet schon zur Reise, Kind?
Die Stunde mahut,
Auf Wind im Schiff zu harren, nicht vom User fern.
Philoktetes.
English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 403-505 focus
Philoctetes
It seems that you have come to me, friends, well commended by a grief that matches my own.
Your story is in harmony with mine, so that I can recognize the work of the Atreids and of Odysseus. For well I know that he would put his tongue to any base tale and to any mischief-making, if thereby he could hope to accomplish something criminal in the end.
405
No, that is not at all a wonder to me, but rather that the elder Ajax, if he was there, could bear to see this.
410
It seems that you have come to me, friends, well commended by a grief that matches my own.
Your story is in harmony with mine, so that I can recognize the work of the Atreids and of Odysseus. For well I know that he would put his tongue to any base tale and to any mischief-making, if thereby he could hope to accomplish something criminal in the end.
405
No, that is not at all a wonder to me, but rather that the elder Ajax, if he was there, could bear to see this.
410
Neoptolemus
Ah, friend, he was no longer alive—I would never have been plundered like that while he lived.
Ah, friend, he was no longer alive—I would never have been plundered like that while he lived.
Philoctetes
What do you say? Is he, too, dead and gone?
What do you say? Is he, too, dead and gone?
Neoptolemus
Think of him as of one who sees the sun’s light no more.
415
Think of him as of one who sees the sun’s light no more.
415
Philoctetes
Oh, no! But the son of Tydeus, and Sisyphus’ offspring that was bought by Laertes—they will not die, since they do not deserve to live!
Oh, no! But the son of Tydeus, and Sisyphus’ offspring that was bought by Laertes—they will not die, since they do not deserve to live!
Neoptolemus
No, indeed, be sure of it. On the contrary, they prosper now
—yes, and greatly—in the
Argive
army.
420
No, indeed, be sure of it. On the contrary, they prosper now
—yes, and greatly—in the
Argive
army.
420
Philoctetes
And what of my brave old friend, Nestor of Pylos—is he not alive? He often checked the crimes of those two, if not others, by his sage counsels.
And what of my brave old friend, Nestor of Pylos—is he not alive? He often checked the crimes of those two, if not others, by his sage counsels.
Neoptolemus
He has his own troubles now, since Antilochus,
the son that was at his side, left him for Hades.
425
He has his own troubles now, since Antilochus,
the son that was at his side, left him for Hades.
425
Philoctetes
Ah, me! These two, again, whom you have named, are men of whose death I had least wished to hear. Gods! What are we to look for, when these men have died, but Odysseus here again lives, when
in their place he should have been announced as dead?
430
Ah, me! These two, again, whom you have named, are men of whose death I had least wished to hear. Gods! What are we to look for, when these men have died, but Odysseus here again lives, when
in their place he should have been announced as dead?
430
Neoptolemus
The man is a clever wrestler. But even clever schemes, Philoctetes, are often blocked.
The man is a clever wrestler. But even clever schemes, Philoctetes, are often blocked.
Philoctetes
Now, by the gods, tell me—where was Patroclus when you needed him, he whom your father loved beyond all others?
Now, by the gods, tell me—where was Patroclus when you needed him, he whom your father loved beyond all others?
Neoptolemus
He, too, was dead. And in a brief maxim I would teach you this: War takes no evil man by choice, but always the good men.
435
He, too, was dead. And in a brief maxim I would teach you this: War takes no evil man by choice, but always the good men.
435
Philoctetes
I will attest to that, and with that very truth in mind, I will ask you how fares a man of little worth, but sharp of tongue and clever.
I will attest to that, and with that very truth in mind, I will ask you how fares a man of little worth, but sharp of tongue and clever.
Neoptolemus
Surely the man of whom you ask is no one but Odysseus?
440
441
Surely the man of whom you ask is no one but Odysseus?
440
Philoctetes
I did not mean him; there was one Thersites, who could never be content to speak once and briefly, even though no one wanted him to speak at all. Do you know if he is alive?
I did not mean him; there was one Thersites, who could never be content to speak once and briefly, even though no one wanted him to speak at all. Do you know if he is alive?
Neoptolemus
I never saw him, but I heard that he is still alive.
445
I never saw him, but I heard that he is still alive.
445
Philoctetes
He would be—no evil thing has ever been known to perish. No, the gods take excellent care of their kind. They find a strange joy in turning back from Hades all things criminal
and crooked, while they are always dispatching the just and the good from life. How am I to regard these doings? How can I praise them, when in the very act of praising the ways of the gods, I find that the gods are evil?
450
He would be—no evil thing has ever been known to perish. No, the gods take excellent care of their kind. They find a strange joy in turning back from Hades all things criminal
and crooked, while they are always dispatching the just and the good from life. How am I to regard these doings? How can I praise them, when in the very act of praising the ways of the gods, I find that the gods are evil?
450
Neoptolemus
I, at least, son of Oetean Poeas, will be on my guard hereafter against
Ilium
and the Atreids, and look on them only from afar. And where the worse man is stronger than the good, where nobility goes to ruin and the vile man dominates—among such men I will never make my friends. No, rocky Scyros shall suffice for me
455
from now on to make me delight in my home. Now to my ship! And you, son of Poeas, farewell—as best you can, farewell! May the gods free you of your disease, just as you wish! But we must be going, so that we
460
may set sail whenever the god permits our voyage.
465
I, at least, son of Oetean Poeas, will be on my guard hereafter against
Ilium
and the Atreids, and look on them only from afar. And where the worse man is stronger than the good, where nobility goes to ruin and the vile man dominates—among such men I will never make my friends. No, rocky Scyros shall suffice for me
455
from now on to make me delight in my home. Now to my ship! And you, son of Poeas, farewell—as best you can, farewell! May the gods free you of your disease, just as you wish! But we must be going, so that we
460
may set sail whenever the god permits our voyage.
465
Philoctetes
Are you setting out already, son?
Are you setting out already, son?
Neoptolemus
Yes, since opportunity bids us watch near our ship for a fair wind, rather than from afar.
468
Yes, since opportunity bids us watch near our ship for a fair wind, rather than from afar.
Philoctetes
Now by your father and by your mother, son, by all that you cherish at home—
I solemnly supplicate you, do not leave me alone like this, helpless amid these miseries in which I live, so harsh as you see, and so numerous as I have said! Consider me a small side-task. Great is
470
your disgust, well I know, at such a cargo. Yet bear with it all the same—to noble minds baseness is hateful, and a good deed is glorious. If you forsake this task, you will have a stain on your honor; but if you perform it, boy, you will win the prize of highest honor—if I return alive to Oeta’s soil.
475
Come, the trouble will not last one full day. Endure it, take me and throw me where you will—in the hold, the prow, the stern, wherever I will least annoy my shipmates. Say yes, by the great god of suppliants, son;
480
be persuaded! I supplicate you at your knees, I am an infirm wretch, and lame! Do not leave me desolate like this, far from the paths of mankind! No, bring me safely to your own home, or to
Euboea
, Chalcodon’s seat;
485
and from there it will be no long journey for me to Oeta and the Trachinian heights, and fair-flowing Spercheius, so that you may show me to my beloved father, though long I have feared that he may have departed me. For often
490
did I summon him by means of those who came here, sending imploring prayers that he would himself send a ship and get me safely home. But either he is dead, or else, as I think is likely, my messengers thought my concerns of little account and hurried on their homeward voyage.
495
Now, however, since in you I have found one who can be both an escort and a messenger, save me and show me mercy, keeping in mind that all human destiny is full of the fear and the danger that prosperity may be followed by its opposite. He who stands clear of trouble must beware of dangers,
500
and when a man lives at ease, then it is that he must look most closely to his livelihood, lest it secretly suffer ruin.
505
Now by your father and by your mother, son, by all that you cherish at home—
I solemnly supplicate you, do not leave me alone like this, helpless amid these miseries in which I live, so harsh as you see, and so numerous as I have said! Consider me a small side-task. Great is
470
your disgust, well I know, at such a cargo. Yet bear with it all the same—to noble minds baseness is hateful, and a good deed is glorious. If you forsake this task, you will have a stain on your honor; but if you perform it, boy, you will win the prize of highest honor—if I return alive to Oeta’s soil.
475
Come, the trouble will not last one full day. Endure it, take me and throw me where you will—in the hold, the prow, the stern, wherever I will least annoy my shipmates. Say yes, by the great god of suppliants, son;
480
be persuaded! I supplicate you at your knees, I am an infirm wretch, and lame! Do not leave me desolate like this, far from the paths of mankind! No, bring me safely to your own home, or to
Euboea
, Chalcodon’s seat;
485
and from there it will be no long journey for me to Oeta and the Trachinian heights, and fair-flowing Spercheius, so that you may show me to my beloved father, though long I have feared that he may have departed me. For often
490
did I summon him by means of those who came here, sending imploring prayers that he would himself send a ship and get me safely home. But either he is dead, or else, as I think is likely, my messengers thought my concerns of little account and hurried on their homeward voyage.
495
Now, however, since in you I have found one who can be both an escort and a messenger, save me and show me mercy, keeping in mind that all human destiny is full of the fear and the danger that prosperity may be followed by its opposite. He who stands clear of trouble must beware of dangers,
500
and when a man lives at ease, then it is that he must look most closely to his livelihood, lest it secretly suffer ruin.
505
Commentary
Commentary (R. C. Jebb) (OCR draft) (Commentary (R. C. Jebb))
Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus
391-402;507-518. mvp-comment-280-1 The Chorus show their interest and support Neoptolemus by these strains, which are interwoven with the action, like those in O. T. 660 foll., 689 foll., О. С. 1447-1456, 1477-1485. They wish to assist their master by simulating hatred of the Atreidae and sympathy with Philoctetes. That both feelings are merely assumed, and that the Chorus really understand the situation, is obvious from the exaggerated strength of expression in 510, εἰ δὲ πικρούς, ἄναξ, ἔχθεις ᾿Ατρείδας. Their feigned excitement, to which the mixture of dochmiac and iambo-bacchic metre is well suited, was no doubt expressed with gestures accompanying the recitation, by the two half-choruses, of strophe and antistrophe severally.