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Lord Odysseus,

Thy foremost errand will not task me far.

Methinks I see the cave whereof thou speakest.

OD

Where? let me see it. Above there, or below?

NEO

Yonder, above. And yet I hear no tread.

OD

Look if he be not lodged in slumber there.
30

NEO

I find no inmate, but an empty room.

OD

What? no provision for a dwelling-place?

NEO

A bed of leaves for some one harbouring here.

OD

Nought else beneath the roof? Is all forlorn?

NEO

A cup of wood, some untaught craftsman’s skill,
35

And, close at hand, these embers of a fire.

OD

That store is his. I read the token clear.

NEO

Oh! and these festering rags give evidence,

Steeped as with dressing some malignant sore.

OD

The man inhabits here: I know it now.
40

And sure he’s not far off. How can he range,

Whose limb drags heavy with an ancient harm?

But he’s gone, either to bring forage home,

Or where he hath found some plant of healing power.

Send therefore thine attendant to look forth,
45

Lest unawares he find me. All our host

Were not so fair a prize for him as I.

NEO

My man is going, and shall watch the path.

What more dost thou require of me? Speak on.

OD

Son of Achilles, know that thou art come
50

To serve us nobly, not with strength alone,

But, faithful to thy mission, if so be,

To do things strange, unwonted to thine ear.

NEO

What dost thou bid me?

OD

’Tis thy duty now
55

To entrap the mind of Poeas’ son with words.
55

When he shall ask thee, who and whence thou art,
55

Declare thy name and father. ’Tis not that
55

I charge thee to conceal. But for thy voyage,
55

’Tis homeward, leaving the Achaean host,
55

With perfect hatred hating them, because
55

They who had drawn thee with strong prayers from home,
55

Their hope for taking Troy, allowed thee not
55

Philoctetes. Sophocles. Lewis Campbell (Translator). London, New York and Toronto. 1906.

Current edition Experimental

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) (English) (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (2)

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 26 focus

ἄναξ ᾿Ὀδυσσεῦ, τοὔργον οὐ μακρὰν λέγεις.

δοκῶ γὰρ οἷον εἶπας ἄντρον εἰσορᾶν.

ΟΔ.

ἄνωθεν, ἢ κάτωθεν; οὐ γὰρ ἐννοῶ.

ΝΕ.

τόδ᾽ ἐξύπερθε, καὶ στίβου στίβου γ' Γ'? τ' δ' οὐδεὶς κτύπος τύπος.

ΟΔ.

ὅρα καθ᾽ ὕπνον μὴ καταυλισθεὶς κατακλιθεὶς κυρῇ.
30

ΝΕ.

ὁρῶ κενὴν οἴκησιν ἀνθρώπων δίχα.

ΟΔ.

οὐδ᾽ ἔνδον οἰκοποιός ἐστί τις τροφή;

ΝΕ.

στιπτή στιπτή γε φυλλὰς ὡς ἐναυλίζοντί ἐν . αυλίζοντι τῳ.

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ΟΔ.

τὰ δ᾽ ἄλλ᾽ ἀεὶ? ἀλλ᾿ ἀλλ' ἔρημα ἔρ, κοὐδέν ἐσθ᾽ ὑπόστεγον;

ΝΕ.

αὐτόξυλόν γ' ἔκπωμα, φλαυρουργοῦ φλαυρουγοῦ φλαυροῦργοῦ φλαυρούργου τινὸς
35

τεχνήματ᾿ ἀνδρός, καὶ πυρεῖ᾽ ὁμοῦ τάδε.

ΟΔ.

κείνου τὸ θησαύρισμα σημαίνεις τόδε.

ΝΕ.

ἰοὺ ἰού· καὶ ταῦτά γ᾽ ἄλλα θάλπεται

ῥάκη, βαρείας του νοσηλείας πλέα.

ΟΔ.

ἁνὴρ ἀνὴρ κατοικεῖ τούσδε τοὺς τόπους σαφῶς,
40

κἄστ᾽ οὐχ ἑκάς που. πῶς γὰρ ἂν νοσῶν ἀνὴρ

κῶλον παλαιᾷ κηρὶ προσβαίη μακράν ;

ἀλλ᾽ ἢ ἐπὶ φορβῆς νόστον ἐξελήλυθεν,

ἢ φύλλον εἴ ἡ τι τι(ν) τί νώδυνον κάτοιδέ που.

τὸν οὖν παρόντα πέμψον εἰς κατασκοπήν,
45

μὴ καὶ λάθῃ με προσπεσών· ὡς μᾶλλον ἂν

ἕλοιτό μ' ἢ τοὺς πάντας ᾿Αργείους λαβεῖν.

ΦΙΛΟΚΤΗΤΗΣ.

ΝΕ.

ἀλλ᾽ ἔρχεταί τε καὶ φυλάξεται στίβος.

σὺ δ᾽ εἴ τι χρήζεις, φράζε δευτέρῳ λόγῳ.

ΟΔ.

᾿Αχιλλέως παῖ, δεῖ σ᾽ ἐφ᾽ οἰς ἐλήλυθας
50

γενναῖον εἶναι, μὴ μόνον τῷ σώματι,

ἀλλ᾽ ἤν τι καινόν, ὧν πρὶν οὐκ ἀκήκοας,

κλύῃς, ὑπουργεῖν, ὡς ὑπηρέτης πάρει.

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 1-134 focus

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἀκτὴ μὲν ἥδε τῆς περιρρύτου χθονὸς
1

Λήμνου, βροτοῖς ἄστιπτος οὐδʼ οἰκουμένη,

ἔνθʼ, ὦ κρατίστου πατρὸς Ἑλλήνων τραφεὶς

Ἀχιλλέως παῖ Νεοπτόλεμε, τὸν Μηλιᾶ

Ποίαντος υἱὸν ἐξέθηκʼ ἐγώ ποτε,
5

ταχθεὶς τόδʼ ἔρδειν τῶν ἀνασσόντων ὕπο,

νόσῳ καταστάζοντα διαβόρῳ πόδα·

ὅτʼ οὔτε λοιβῆς ἡμὶν οὔτε θυμάτων

παρῆν ἑκήλοις προσθιγεῖν, ἀλλʼ ἀγρίαις

κατεῖχʼ ἀεὶ πᾶν στρατόπεδον δυσφημίαις,
10

βοῶν, στενάζων. ἀλλὰ ταῦτα μὲν τί δεῖ

λέγειν; ἀκμὴ γὰρ οὐ μακρῶν ἡμῖν λόγων,

μὴ καὶ μάθῃ μʼ ἥκοντα κἀκχέω τὸ πᾶν

σόφισμα, τῷ νιν αὐτίχʼ αἱρήσειν δοκῶ.

ἀλλʼ ἔργον ἤδη σὸν τὰ λοίφʼ ὑπηρετεῖν
15

σκοπεῖν θʼ ὅπου ʼστʼ ἐνταῦθα δίστομος πέτρα

τοιάδʼ, ἵνʼ ἐν ψύχει μὲν ἡλίου διπλῆ

πάρεστιν ἐνθάκησις, ἐν θέρει δʼ ὕπνον

διʼ ἀμφιτρῆτος αὐλίου πέμπει πνοή·

βαιὸν δʼ ἔνερθεν ἐξ ἀριστερᾶς τάχʼ ἂν
20

ἴδοις ποτὸν κρηναῖον, εἴπερ ἐστὶ σῶν.

ἅ μοι προσελθὼν σῖγα σήμαινʼ εἴτʼ ἐκεῖ

χῶρον τὸν αὐτὸν τόνδʼ ἔτʼ εἴτʼ ἄλλῃ κυρεῖ,

ὡς τἀπίλοιπα τῶν λόγων σὺ μὲν κλύῃς,

ἐγὼ δὲ φράζω, κοινὰ δʼ ἐξ ἀμφοῖν ἴῃ.
25

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἄναξ Ὀδυσσεῦ, τοὔργον οὐ μακρὰν λέγεις·

δοκῶ γὰρ οἷον εἶπας ἄντρον εἰσορᾶν.

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἄνωθεν ἢ κάτωθεν; οὐ γὰρ ἐννοῶ.

Νεοπτόλεμος

τόδʼ ἐξύπερθε· καὶ στίβου γʼ οὐδεὶς κτύπος.

Ὀδυσσεύς

ὅρα καθʼ ὕπνον μὴ καταυλισθεὶς κυρεῖ.
30

Νεοπτόλεμος

ὁρῶ κενὴν οἴκησιν ἀνθρώπων δίχα.

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὐδʼ ἔνδον οἰκοποιός ἐστί τις τροφή;

Νεοπτόλεμος

στιπτή γε φυλλὰς ὡς ἐναυλίζοντί τῳ.

Ὀδυσσεύς

τὰ δʼ ἄλλʼ ἔρημα, κοὐδέν ἐσθʼ ὑπόστεγον;

Νεοπτόλεμος

αὐτόξυλόν γʼ ἔκπωμα, φλαυρουργοῦ τινος
35

τεχνήματʼ ἀνδρός, καὶ πυρεῖʼ ὁμοῦ τάδε.

Ὀδυσσεύς

κείνου τὸ θησαύρισμα σημαίνεις τόδε.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἰοὺ ἰού· καὶ ταῦτά γʼ ἄλλα θάλπεται

ῥάκη, βαρείας του νοσηλείας πλέα.

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἁνὴρ κατοικεῖ τούσδε τοὺς τόπους σαφῶς,
40

κἄστʼ οὐχ ἑκάς που· πῶς γὰρ ἂν νοσῶν ἀνὴρ

κῶλον παλαιᾷ κηρὶ προσβαίη μακράν;

ἀλλʼ ἢ ʼπὶ φορβῆς νόστον ἐξελήλυθεν

ἢ φύλλον εἴ τι νώδυνον κάτοιδέ που.

τὸν οὖν παρόντα πέμψον εἰς κατασκοπήν,
45

μὴ καὶ λάθῃ με προσπεσών· ὡς μᾶλλον ἂν

ἕλοιτό μʼ ἢ τοὺς πάντας Ἀργείους λαβεῖν.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἀλλʼ ἔρχεταί τε καὶ φυλάξεται στίβος.

σὺ δʼ, εἴ τι χρῄζεις, φράζε δευτέρῳ λόγῳ.

Ὀδυσσεύς

Ἀχιλλέως παῖ, δεῖ σʼ ἐφʼ οἷς ἐλήλυθας
50

γενναῖον εἶναι, μὴ μόνον τῷ σώματι,

ἀλλʼ ἤν τι καινὸν ὧν πρὶν οὐκ ἀκήκοας

κλύῃς, ὑπουργεῖν, ὡς ὑπηρέτης πάρει.

Νεοπτόλεμος

τί δῆτʼ ἄνωγας;

Ὀδυσσεύς

τὴν Φιλοκτήτου σε δεῖ

ψυχὴν ὅπως δόλοισιν ἐκκλέψεις λέγων.
55

ὅταν σʼ ἐρωτᾷ τίς τε καὶ πόθεν πάρει,

λέγειν, Ἀχιλλέως παῖς· τόδʼ οὐχὶ κλεπτέον·

πλεῖς δʼ ὡς πρὸς οἶκον, ἐκλιπὼν τὸ ναυτικὸν

στράτευμʼ Ἀχαιῶν, ἔχθος ἐχθήρας μέγα,

οἵ σʼ ἐν λιταῖς στείλαντες ἐξ οἴκων μολεῖν,
60

μόνην ἔχοντες τήνδʼ ἅλωσιν Ἰλίου,

οὐκ ἠξίωσαν τῶν Ἀχιλλείων ὅπλων

ἐλθόντι δοῦναι κυρίως αἰτουμένῳ,

ἀλλʼ αὔτʼ Ὀδυσσεῖ παρέδοσαν· λέγων ὅσʼ ἂν

θέλῃς καθʼ ἡμῶν ἔσχατʼ ἐσχάτων κακά.
65

τούτῳ γὰρ οὐδέν μʼ ἀλγυνεῖς· εἰ δʼ ἐργάσει

μὴ ταῦτα, λύπην πᾶσιν Ἀργείοις βαλεῖς.

εἰ γὰρ τὰ τοῦδε τόξα μὴ ληφθήσεται,

οὐκ ἔστι πέρσαι σοι τὸ Δαρδάνου πέδον.

ὡς δʼ ἔστʼ ἐμοὶ μὲν οὐχί, σοὶ δʼ ὁμιλία
70

πρὸς τόνδε πιστὴ καὶ βέβαιος, ἔκμαθε.

σὺ μὲν πέπλευκας οὔτʼ ἔνορκος οὐδενὶ

οὔτʼ ἐξ ἀνάγκης οὔτε τοῦ πρώτου στόλου·

ἐμοὶ δὲ τούτων οὐδέν ἐστʼ ἀρνήσιμον.

ὥστʼ εἴ με τόξων ἐγκρατὴς αἰσθήσεται,
75

ὄλωλα καὶ σὲ προσδιαφθερῶ ξυνών.

ἀλλʼ αὐτὸ τοῦτο δεῖ σοφισθῆναι, κλοπεὺς

ὅπως γενήσει τῶν ἀνικήτων ὅπλων.

ἔξοιδα, παῖ, φύσει σε μὴ πεφυκότα

τοιαῦτα φωνεῖν μηδὲ τεχνᾶσθαι κακά·
80

ἀλλʼ ἡδὺ γάρ τι κτῆμα τῆς νίκης λαβεῖν,

τόλμα· δίκαιοι δʼ αὖθις ἐκφανούμεθα.

νῦν δʼ εἰς ἀναιδὲς ἡμέρας μέρος βραχὺ

δός μοι σεαυτόν, κᾆτα τὸν λοιπὸν χρόνον

κέκλησο πάντων εὐσεβέστατος βροτῶν.
85

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἐγὼ μὲν οὓς ἂν τῶν λόγων ἀλγῶ κλύων,

Λαερτίου παῖ, τούσδε καὶ πράσσειν στυγῶ·

ἔφυν γὰρ οὐδὲν ἐκ τέχνης πράσσειν κακῆς,

οὔτʼ αὐτὸς οὔθʼ, ὥς φασιν, οὑκφύσας ἐμέ.

ἀλλʼ εἴμʼ ἑτοῖμος πρὸς βίαν τὸν ἄνδρʼ ἄγειν
90

καὶ μὴ δόλοισιν· οὐ γὰρ ἐξ ἑνὸς ποδὸς

ἡμᾶς τοσούσδε πρὸς βίαν χειρώσεται.

πεμφθείς γε μέντοι σοὶ ξυνεργάτης ὀκνῶ

προδότης καλεῖσθαι· βούλομαι δʼ, ἄναξ, καλῶς

δρῶν ἐξαμαρτεῖν μᾶλλον ἢ νικᾶν κακῶς.
95

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἐσθλοῦ πατρὸς παῖ, καὐτὸς ὢν νέος ποτὲ

γλῶσσαν μὲν ἀργόν, χεῖρα δʼ εἶχον ἐργάτιν·

νῦν δʼ εἰς ἔλεγχον ἐξιὼν ὁρῶ βροτοῖς

τὴν γλῶσσαν, οὐχὶ τἄργα, πάνθʼ ἡγουμένην.

Νεοπτόλεμος

τί μʼ οὖν ἄνωγας ἄλλο πλὴν ψευδῆ λέγειν;
100

Ὀδυσσεύς

λέγω σʼ ἐγὼ δόλῳ Φιλοκτήτην λαβεῖν.

Νεοπτόλεμος

τί δʼ ἐν δόλῳ δεῖ μᾶλλον ἢ πείσαντʼ ἄγειν;

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὐ μὴ πίθηται· πρὸς βίαν δʼ οὐκ ἂν λάβοις.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὕτως ἔχει τι δεινὸν ἰσχύος θράσος;

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἰούς γʼ ἀφύκτους καὶ προπέμποντας φόνον.
105

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκ ἆρʼ ἐκείνῳ γʼ οὐδὲ προσμῖξαι θρασύ;

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὔ, μὴ δόλῳ λαβόντα γʼ, ὡς ἐγὼ λέγω.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκ αἰσχρὸν ἡγεῖ δῆτα τὸ ψευδῆ λέγειν;

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὔκ, εἰ τὸ σωθῆναί γε τὸ ψεῦδος φέρει.

Νεοπτόλεμος

πῶς οὖν βλέπων τις ταῦτα τολμήσει λακεῖν;
110

Ὀδυσσεύς

ὅταν τι δρᾷς εἰς κέρδος, οὐκ ὀκνεῖν πρέπει.

Νεοπτόλεμος

κέρδος δʼ ἐμοὶ τί τοῦτον ἐς Τροίαν μολεῖν;

Ὀδυσσεύς

αἱρεῖ τὰ τόξα ταῦτα τὴν Τροίαν μόνα.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκ ἆρʼ ὁ πέρσων, ὡς ἐφάσκετʼ, εἴμʼ ἐγώ;

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὔτʼ ἂν σὺ κείνων χωρὶς οὔτʼ ἐκεῖνα σοῦ.
115

Νεοπτόλεμος

θηρατέʼ οὖν γίγνοιτʼ ἄν, εἴπερ ὧδʼ ἔχει.

Ὀδυσσεύς

ὡς τοῦτό γʼ ἔρξας δύο φέρει δωρήματα.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ποίω; μαθὼν γὰρ οὐκ ἂν ἀρνοίμην τὸ δρᾶν.

Ὀδυσσεύς

σοφός τʼ ἂν αὑτὸς κἀγαθὸς κεκλῇʼ ἅμα.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἴτω· ποήσω, πᾶσαν αἰσχύνην ἀφείς.
120

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἦ μνημονεύεις οὖν ἅ σοι παρῄνεσα;

Νεοπτόλεμος

σάφʼ ἴσθʼ, ἐπείπερ εἰσάπαξ συνῄνεσα.

123

Ὀδυσσεύς

σὺ μὲν μένων νυν κεῖνον ἐνθάδʼ ἐκδέχου,

ἐγὼ δʼ ἄπειμι, μὴ κατοπτευθῶ παρών,

καὶ τὸν σκοπὸν πρὸς ναῦν ἀποστελῶ πάλιν.
125

καὶ δεῦρʼ, ἐάν μοι τοῦ χρόνου δοκῆτέ τι

κατασχολάζειν, αὖθις ἐκπέμψω πάλιν

τοῦτον τὸν αὐτὸν ἄνδρα, ναυκλήρου τρόποις

μορφὴν δολώσας, ὡς ἂν ἀγνοία προσῇ·

οὗ δῆτα, τέκνον, ποικίλως αὐδωμένου
130

δέχου τὰ συμφέροντα τῶν ἀεὶ λόγων.

ἐγὼ δὲ πρὸς ναῦν εἶμι, σοὶ παρεὶς τάδε·

Ἑρμῆς δʼ ὁ πέμπων δόλιος ἡγήσαιτο νῷν

Νίκη τʼ Ἀθάνα Πολιάς, ἣ σῴζει μʼ ἀεί.

Translations (4)

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 26 focus

O Fürst Odysseus, was du suchst, ist nahe dir:

Die Höhle glaub' ich schon zu seh'n, von der du sprachst.

Odysseus.

Wie? Oben oder unten? Ich verstehe nicht

Neoptolemos.

Hier oben: und von Tritten hör' ich kein Geräusch.

Odysseus.

Sieh, ob er nicht zum Schlafe sich gelagert hat.
30

Neoptolemos.

Nur eine Wohnung seh' ich, öd' und menschenleer.

Odysseus.

Ist innen kein Geräthe, das dem Hause dient?

Neoptolemos.

Laubstreu, gepolstert zum bequemen Ruhebett.

Odysseus.

Sonst Alles öde? Nichts verbirgt der Höhle Raum?

Neoptolemos.

Ein Trinkgeschirr, von kunstlos roher Hand aus Holz
35

Gefertigt, hier auch noch Geräth zur Feuerung.

Odysseus.

Sein ist der Hausrath, den du da bezeichnet hast.

Neoptolemos.

Weh, weh! Noch Andres seh' ich: Lumpen, angefüllt

Mit schwerem Eiter, trocknen dort am Sonnenstrahl.

Odysseus.

Er wohnt in diesen Räumen, das ist offenbar,
40

Und weilt gewiß nicht ferne; wie kann Einer auch

Weit gehen, den ein altes Uebel quält am Fuß?

Nein, wohl auf Nahrung ging er aus, wohl sucht er sich

Ein schmerzenstillend Pflänzchen, das er irgend weiß.

So sende diesen Diener hier als Späher aus;
45

Er überfällt mich heimlich sonst, und lieber ja,

Als alles Volk aus Argos, fing' er mich allein.

(Der Diener entfernt sich auf einen Wink des Neoptolemos.)

Neoptolemos.

Schon geht der Diener, und der Pfad wird wohl bewacht.

Nun rede weiter, wenn du sonst noch Wünsche hast.

Odysseus.

Du. mußt, o Sohn Achillens, was dich hergeführt,
50

Mannhaft betreiben, nicht allein mit deinem Arm,

Mußt, wenn du Neues, was du früher nicht gehört,

Vernimmst, mir helfen; denn du bist als Helfer hier.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 26 focus

Dost thou ? which way ?

Neoptolemus

Yonder it is ; but no path leading thither,

Or trace of human footstep.

Ulysses

In his cell
30

A chance but he hath lain him down to rest ;
30

Look if he hath not.
30

Neoptolemus

[advancing to the cave]. Not a creature there.

Ulysses

Nor food, nor mark of household preparation ?

Neoptolemus

A rustic bed of scattered leaves.

Ulysses

What more?

Neoptolemus

a wooden bowl, the work of some rude hand,
35

With a few sticks for fuel.

Ulysses

This is aU

His httle treasure here.

Neoptolemus

Unhappy man !

Some linen for his wounds.

XJly. This must be then

His place of habitation ; far from hence

He cannot roam ; distempered as he is,

It were impossible. He is but gone

A Httle way for needful food, or herb

Of power to 'suage and mitigate his pain.

Wherefore despatch this servant to some place

Of observation, whence he may espy

His every motion, lest he rush upon us.

There's not a Grecian whom his soul so much

Could wish to crush beneath him as Ulysses.

Neoptolemus
[Makes a signal to the Attendant j who retires. Scene II.

Ulysses.

Neoptolemus

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 26 focus

Not distant, king Ulysses, lies this task;

I think I see the cave by thee described.

Ulysses

Above this place, or lower down? My eye

Discerns it not..
30

Neoptolemus
SUMIIOTIO

Above; and many a trace

Of human steps. cool to one séri

Neoptolemus

Observe if stretch'd in sleep

Liew it round

Haply he lie reposedicatii uradil

And not an human habitant is there.

Ulysses

Contains it nothing which domestic use

Requires do que

Neoptolemus

out An heap of leaves, that bear the mark

Of one who lodges Jon; them.) DL

Ulysses

Nothing more,

Save this rude bed, beneath the rocky roof?

Neoptolemus

A cup of wood by some rude artist wrought;
35

And * these, the sparks of sleeping fire to wake.

Ulysses

His treasures, and to him of moment: these...

Neoptolemus

And drying here some noisome rags are laid,

Alas, alas, how full of putrid gore!

Ulysses

These mark his habitation in this place ;
40

Nor distant he; th' immedicable wound
40

Long rankling in his foot forbids him far

To roam; in search of food, or of some leaf,

He is gone forth; he knows perchance some herb

Lenient of pain. Be this attendant then

Sent to observe his steps, lest unawares...
45

He light on me; for more than all the sons,

Of Greece he wishes me within his pow'r

Neoptolemus

He goes; the path shall well be watch'd. Now say,

Resuming thy discourse, what wou'dst thou more?

Ulysses

Son of Achilles, in the important cause
50

Which brought thee hither, it behoves thee much

Thy vigour to exert; nor that alone, it would

English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 1-130 focus

Odysseus

This is the headland of sea-washed Lemnos , land untrodden by men and desolate. It was here, child bred of the man who was the noblest of the Greeks, Neoptolemus son of Achilles, that I exposed
1

long ago the native of Malis, Poeas’ son, on the express command of the two chieftains to do so, because his foot was all running with a gnawing disease. Neither libation nor burnt sacrifice could be attempted by us in peace, but with his wild, ill-omened cries
5

he filled the whole camp continually with shrieking, moaning. But what need is there to speak of that? The time is not ripe for too many words, lest he even learn that I am here, and I so waste the whole ruse whereby I think soon to take him.
10

Come, it is your task to serve as my ally in what remains, and to seek where in this region there is a cave with two mouths. During cold weather it provides two seats facing the sun, while in summer a breeze wafts sleep through the tunnelled chamber.
15

And a little below, on the left hand, perhaps, you will see water rising from a spring, if it has not failed. Go there silently, and signal to me whether he still dwells in this same place, or is to be found elsewhere, so that the rest of my plan may be explained by me, heard by you,
20

and sped by the joint effort of us both.
25

Neoptolemus

King Odysseus, the completion of the task that you set me is not far off, for I believe I see a cave like that which you have described.

Odysseus

Above you, or below? I do not see it.

Neoptolemus

Here, high up—and of footfalls there is not a sound.

Odysseus

See that he is not sheltered there asleep.
30

Neoptolemus

I see an empty dwelling, without occupants.

Odysseus

And is there no provision inside for human habitation?

Neoptolemus

There is—a bed of leaves, as if for some one who makes his lodging here.

Odysseus

And all else is bare? There is nothing else beneath the roof?

Neoptolemus

Just a cup of bare wood, the masterpiece of a sorry craftsman, and with it these tools for kindling.
35

Odysseus

His is the store that you describe.

Neoptolemus

Ha! Yes, and here besides are some rags drying in the sun, stained by some severe infection.

Odysseus

The man inhabits these regions, clearly, and is somewhere not far off. How could he go far afield when his foot is maimed by that old plague? No, he has gone out in quest of food, or of some soothing herb that he may have noted somewhere.
40

Send your attendant, therefore, to keep watch, lest he come upon me unawares, since he would rather take me than all the Greeks together.
45

Neoptolemus

The man is going, and the path will be watched. And now, if you need anything else, say so. Exit Attendant, on the spectators’ left.

Odysseus

Son of Achilles, you must be loyal to the goals of your mission—and not with your body alone. Should you hear some new plan unknown to you till now, you must serve it, since it is to serve that you are here.
50

Neoptolemus

Then what are your orders?

Odysseus

You must cheat the mind of Philoctetes by means of a story

told as you converse with him. When he asks you who and from where you are, say that you are the son of Achilles—it is not in that detail that you will cheat him. But tell him you are sailing homeward, and have left the fleet of the Achaean warriors, after coming to hate them with unbounded hatred.
55

Give him this reason: when, with no other hope of taking Ilium , they had summoned you by their prayers to come from home, they judged you not worthy of the arms of Achilles, not worthy to receive them—even though you had come and were claiming them by right—but instead handed them over to Odysseus. Say what you
60

will of me—even the vilest of vile insults. You will not harm me at all by that. But if you fail to do as I say, you will inflict pain on all the Argives, for if that man’s bow is not seized, you can never sack the realm of Dardanus.
65

And learn why your intercourse with him may be free from mistrust and danger, while mine cannot. You have sailed to Troy under no oath to any man, nor under any constraint. Neither did you have any part in the earlier expedition. I, however, can deny none of these things. Accordingly, if he
70

perceives me while he is still master of his bow, I am dead, and you, as my comrade, will share my doom. No, the thing for which we must devise a ruse is just this: how you may steal his invincible weapons. Well I know, my son, that by nature you are not apt
75

to utter or contrive such treachery. Yet knowing that victory is a sweet prize to gain, steel yourself to do it. Our honesty shall be displayed another time. Now, however, give yourself to me for one brief, shameless day, and then for the rest of time
80

may you be called the most righteous of all humankind.
85

Neoptolemus

I abhor acting on advice, son of Laertes , which causes pain in the hearing. It is not in my nature to achieve anything by means of evil cunning, nor was it, as I hear, in my father’s.

But I am ready to take the man by force and without treachery, since with the use of one foot only, he will not overcome so many of us in a struggle. And yet I was sent to assist you and am reluctant to be called traitor. Still I prefer, my king,
90

to fail when doing what is honorable than to be victorious in a dishonorable manner.
95

Odysseus

Son of a father so noble, I, too, in my youth once had a slow tongue and an active hand. But now that I have come forth to the test, I see that the tongue, not action, is what masters everything among men.

Neoptolemus

What, then, are your orders—apart from my lying?
100

Odysseus

I command you to take Philoctetes by deceit.

Neoptolemus

And why by deceit rather than by persuasion?

Odysseus

He will never listen; and by force you cannot take him.

Neoptolemus

Has he strength so terrific to make him bold?

Odysseus

Yes, shafts inevitable, escorts of death.
105

Neoptolemus

Then one does not dare even approach him?

Odysseus

No, unless he takes the man by deceit, as I prescribe.

Neoptolemus

Then you think it brings no shame to speak what is false?

Odysseus

No, not if the falsehood yields deliverance.

Neoptolemus

And with what expression on his face will anyone dare mouth those lies?
110

Odysseus

When what you do promises gain, it is wrong to shrink back.

Neoptolemus

And what gain is it for me that he should come to Troy ?

Odysseus

His arrows alone will capture Troy .

Neoptolemus

Then I am not to be the conqueror, as you said?

Odysseus

Neither will you be without them, nor they without you.
115

Neoptolemus

It would seem, then, that we must track them down, if things stand as you say.

Odysseus

Know that by doing this task, you win two rewards.

Neoptolemus

What are they? If I knew, I would not refuse the deed.

Odysseus

You will be celebrated in the same breath as clever and as noble.

Neoptolemus

So be it! I will do it, and cast off all shame.
120

Odysseus

Do you remember, then, the story that I recommended?

Neoptolemus

Be sure of it, since once and for all I have consented.

123

Odysseus

You stay here, then, to wait for him. Meanwhile I will go away, so as not to be observed here with you,

and I will send our lookout back to your ship. And, if in my view you seem to linger at all beyond the due time, I will send that same man back again, after disguising him as the captain of a merchant-ship, so that secrecy may be on our side.
125

Then, son, as he tells his artful story, take whatever in his tale is from time to time helpful to you. Now I will go to the ship, leaving matters here to you. May escorting Hermes the Deceiver, lead us on, and divine Victory, Athena Polias, who saves me always! Exit Odysseus, on the spectators’ left.
130

Commentary

Commentary (R. C. Jebb) (OCR draft) (Commentary (R. C. Jebb))

mvp-comment-16-1 τοὔργον οὐ μακρὰν λέγεις ¹

mvp-comment-17-1 ἄνωθεν, ἢ κάτωθεν ²

mvp-comment-18-1 καὶ στίβου γ’ οὐδεὶς κτύπος ³ γε ⁴

mvp-comment-18-2 στίβου ⁵ κτύπος ⁶ τύπος ⁷

mvp-comment-19-1 καθ’ ὕπνον ⁸

mvp-comment-19-2 καταυλισθεὶς ⁹ κατακλιθεὶς ¹⁰

mvp-comment-19-3 κυρῇ ¹¹ κυρεῖ ¹²

mvp-comment-20-1 ὁρῶ ¹³ κενὴν ¹⁴ ἀνθρώπων δίχα ¹⁵

mvp-comment-21-1 οἰκοποιός … τις τροφή ¹⁶ τροφή ¹⁷ τρυφή ¹⁸

mvp-comment-22-1 στιπτή γε ¹⁹ γε ²⁰ στιπτή ²¹ στρωτή ²² στρωτή ²³ στιπτή ²⁴ στρωτή ²⁵ ὡς ²⁶

mvp-comment-23-1 τὰ δ’ ἄλλ’ ²⁷ ἔρημα ²⁸ κοὐδέν ²⁹

mvp-comment-24-1 αὐτόξυλον ³⁰

mvp-comment-24-2 φλαυρουργοῦ ³¹

mvp-comment-25-1 τεχνήματ’ ³²

mvp-comment-25-2 πυρεῖα ³³

mvp-comment-26-1 κείνου ³⁴

mvp-comment-26-2 θησαύρισμα ³⁵

mvp-comment-27-1 ἰοὺ ἰού ³⁶

mvp-comment-27-2 καὶ ταῦτά γ’ ³⁷ καί … γε ³⁸

mvp-comment-27-3 ἄλλα ³⁹

mvp-comment-27-4 θάλπεται ⁴⁰

mvp-comment-28-1 βαρείας ⁴¹

mvp-comment-28-2 νοσηλείας ⁴²

mvp-comment-28-3 πλέα ⁴³

mvp-comment-29-1 οὐχ ἑκάς που ⁴⁴

mvp-comment-29-2 κηρὶ ⁴⁵

mvp-comment-29-3 προσβαίη ⁴⁶ προσκάζοι ⁴⁷ προσκάζοι ⁴⁸

mvp-comment-30-1 φορβῆς νόστον ⁴⁹

mvp-comment-31-1 ἢ φύλλον ⁵⁰

mvp-comment-31-2 νώδυνον ⁵¹

mvp-comment-32-1 τὸν … παρόντα ⁵²

mvp-comment-33-1 μὴ καὶ ⁵³

mvp-comment-33-2 προσπεσών ⁵⁴

mvp-comment-34-1 ἕλοιτό μ’ ⁵⁵ με ⁵⁶ λαβεῖν ⁵⁷ μολεῖν ⁵⁸ μ’ ἑλεῖν ⁵⁹ βαλεῖν ⁶⁰

mvp-comment-35-1 ἀλλ’ ⁶¹

mvp-comment-35-2 ἔρχεται ⁶² τε καὶ ⁶³

mvp-comment-35-3 φυλάξεται ⁶⁴

mvp-comment-35-4 δευτέρῳ λόγῳ ⁶⁵

mvp-comment-36-1 ἐφ’ οἷς ⁶⁶ ὑπουργεῖν ⁶⁷

mvp-comment-36-2 γενναῖον ⁶⁸

mvp-comment-36-3 τῷ σώματι ⁶⁹

mvp-comment-36-4 καινόν ⁷⁰

mvp-comment-36-5 ὧν ⁷¹ πρὶν οὐκ ἀκήκοας ⁷²

mvp-comment-37-1 ὑπηρέτης ⁷³

mvp-comment-38-1 τί δῆτ’ ἄνωγας ⁷⁴

mvp-comment-38-2 σε δεῖ ⁷⁵ λέγων ⁷⁶ λέγων ⁷⁷

mvp-comment-38-3 ἐκκλέψεις ⁷⁸

Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus

26. mvp-comment-18-1 τοὔργον οὐ μακρὰν λέγεις] 'The task you speak of requires no long journey,' i. e. I have not far to go to do your will. μακράν, sc. περανθησόμενον. Essay on L. § 24. p. 49.

28. mvp-comment-19-1 ἄνωθεν] Sc. φαινόμενον. Neoptolemus is clambering amongst the rocks. Odysseus asks if he sees the cave above him or beneath. It is above him. He listens for a footfall, and when all is silent, at the suggestion of Odysseus, ventures to climb further and look in. The reply of Odysseus in l. 30 exactly suits the text of l. 29, to which needless exception has been taken. In l. 22, according to the interpretation we have preferred, Neoptolemus was told to ascertain whether Philoctetes still inhabited the cave. One sign of his doing so is wanting. No footsteps can be heard. στίβος occurs several times in the Philoctetes in the sense of 'walking;' see especially 157, 207. στίβου . . τύπος, the reading of L'TAº, was accepted by Hermann; and Bergk, supposing it necessary that some positive sign of Philoctetes' presence should be at once discovered, ingeniously conjectured καὶ στίβου γ' οὔδει τύπος.

30. mvp-comment-20-1 ὅρα .. κυρῇ] 'See whether he be not within and asleep.' For καταυλισθείς some MSS. give κατακλιθείς, a natural variation.

31. mvp-comment-21-1 Cp. Aj. 464, γυμνὸν . . τῶν ἀριστείων ἄτερ.

32. mvp-comment-22-1 οὐδ᾽.. τροφή] 'But is there not within it some of the provision that makes a home?' Hermann rightly explains τροφή, 'Utensilia quibus locus aliquis in modum domus instruitur.' Others conjectured τρυφή, the irony of which would be misplaced; others ἐστ' ἐπιστροφή. For uses of τροφή in Sophocles, see Essay on L. § 50, 1. p. 94. Cp. also Plat. Polit. 288 E-299 B.

33. mvp-comment-23-1 στιπτὴ . . τῳ] (1) 'Yes, there is leafage pressed as by one inhabiting here.' For the dative, see Essay on L. § 14. pp. 19, 20. Or, (2) Yes, a couch of leaves pressed down as if for some one who takes his rest in the place.' (1) is best.

35. mvp-comment-24-1 αὐτόξυλον] 'Of mere unpolished wood.'

36. mvp-comment-25-1 τεχνήματ'] (Cp. Eur. Hipp. 11, Πιτθέως παιδεύματα.) The contrivance.' Cp. infr. 295, ἐμηχανώμην. There is a slight oxymoron in φλαυρουργοῦ ἀνδ. τεχνήμ., 'The skill of one unskilled.' πυρεῖα are the means of lighting a fire. Some embers were left covered up (cp. θησαύρισμα), or Neoptolemus sees the stones mentioned infr. l. 296, with sticks to be kindled from them.

37. mvp-comment-26-1 σημαίνεις τόδε] ‘In telling me of this hoard, you give me a token of his presence.'

38. mvp-comment-27-1 ἰού, ἰού] An exclamation of discovery mixed with dislike. Ср. О. Т. 1071, 1182. ἄλλα] ‘Besides.' See Essay on L. § 23, δ. ρ. 39. θάλπεται] 'Are being warmed or dried in the sun.'

39. mvp-comment-28-1 βαρείας] 'Grievous,' with the implied notion of 'offensive,' 'repulsive.' νοσηλεία is properly 'attendance on disease,' and v. πλ. means not simply full of purulence, but 'infected through ministration to some grievous sore.' Cp. infr. 520, ὅταν δὲ πλησθῇς τῆς νόσον ξυνουσία.

41. mvp-comment-29-1 που] (1) 'Somewhere.' Cp. infr. 163: or, (2) 'Methinks.'

42. mvp-comment-30-1 κηρί] Misfortune, viz. that which befell him at Chrysa. προσβαίη] · Advance.' This use of προσβαίνω, without a dative or an accusative with a preposition, is rare. But the adverb μακράν helps to supplement the expression.

43. mvp-comment-31-1 ἐπὶ φορβῆς νόστον] (1) ‘For the purpose of a return with food;' i. e. To bring home provender. Or, (2) φορβῆς νόστον may mean, as the Scholiast thought, simply a foraging expedition. Cp. Eur. I. A. 966, 1261. (Parallels from Euripides are more pertinent to the Philoctetes and O. C. than to other plays of Sophocles.)

43-44. mvp-comment-32-1 ἢ εἰ.. που] Sc. ἐκεῖσε ἐξελήλυθεν.

45. mvp-comment-33-1 Hereupon the one attendant, the Έμπορος of 542 foll., withdraws to a distance, and Odysseus and Neoptolemus are left alone. For τὸν παρόντα, cp. Εl. 424, τοῦ παρόντος, ἡνίχ᾽ Ἠλίῳ | δείκνυσι τοὔναρ.

47. mvp-comment-34-1 ἕλοιτό ἕλοιτο ἕλοιτό λαβεῖν μολεῖν ἕλοιτό μ] It is unnecessary to read ἔλοιτ᾽ ἔμ', although this is suggested by the first hand of L. The meaning is, He would rather get me than the whole Argive host into his hands.' μᾶλλον ἕλοιτο is an imperfect expression for βούλοιτο ἑλεῖν. See E. on L. § 36. p. 63. That is to say, the meaning 'choose' is suggested, while the other meaning, 'Take for his own,' is chiefly meant. Hence λαβεῖν is added with the second clause for the sake of clearness.

48. mvp-comment-35-1 φυλάξεται στίβος] 'The approach (of Philoctetes) shall be watched.' φυλάξεται is fut. mid. with passive meaning. Οη στίβos, see above, note on l. 28.

49. mvp-comment-36-1 Χρήζεις] Sc. γενέσθαι. δευτέρῳ λόγῳ] 'Renewing thy discourse,' according to the promise in 24, 25. Gedike conjectured ἐλευθέρῳ λ.

50-54. mvp-comment-37-1 τῷ σώματι follows γενναῖος εἶναι, κατὰ σύνεσιν, as if it were ὑπουργεῖν, for which it has been substituted as more pleasing. ἤν is equivalent to κἄν (see Essay on L. § 28. p. 47). Nauck thinks that ὑπηρέτης is too low a word for the position of Neoptolemus, who only acknowledges himself to have been sent as ξυνεργάτης to Odysseus (l.93). But ὑπηρέτης is applied by Xenophon to officers in attendance on a general as aides-de-camp, and Odysseus may think it necessary at the end of his speech to assert his authority in its full strength, adding fortiter to suaviter. Neoptolemus shows his sense of this in the brief question τί δῆτ᾽ ἄνωγας?

55. mvp-comment-38-1 λόγοισιν . . λέγων] The pleonasm helps to emphasize the unwelcome lesson that words and not deeds are required of Neoptolemus. Cp. infr. 90, 1. 'You must wrest to your purpose, by deceitful words, the mind of Philoctetes.' Neoptolemus is to wind himself into the very soul of Philoctetes and deceive him there.

56. mvp-comment-39-1 ὅταν . . παῖς] These words are in apposition to ὅπως . . λέγων.

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Lord Odysseus, Thy foremost errand will not task me far. Methinks I see the cave whereof thou speakest.

OD Where? let me see it. Above there, or below?

NEO Yonder, above. And yet I hear no tread.

OD Look if he be not lodged in slumber there. 30

NEO I find no inmate, but an empty room.

OD What? no provision for a dwelling-place?

NEO A bed of leaves for some one harbouring here.

OD Nought else beneath the roof? Is all forlorn?

NEO A cup of wood, some untaught craftsman’s skill, 35 And, close at hand, these embers of a fire.

OD That store is his. I read the token clear.

NEO Oh! and these festering rags give evidence, Steeped as with dressing some malignant sore.

NEO My man is going, and shall watch the path. What more dost thou require of me? Speak on.

OD Son of Achilles, know that thou art come 50 To serve us nobly, not with strength alone, But, faithful to thy mission, if so be, To do things strange, unwonted to thine ear.

NEO What dost thou bid me?

Current edition Experimental

ἄναξ ᾿Ὀδυσσεῦ, τοὔργον οὐ μακρὰν λέγεις. δοκῶ γὰρ οἷον εἶπας ἄντρον εἰσορᾶν.

ΟΔ. ἄνωθεν, ἢ κάτωθεν; οὐ γὰρ ἐννοῶ.

ΝΕ. τόδ᾽ ἐξύπερθε, καὶ στίβου στίβου γ' Γ'? τ' δ' οὐδεὶς κτύπος τύπος.

ΟΔ. ὅρα καθ᾽ ὕπνον μὴ καταυλισθεὶς κατακλιθεὶς κυρῇ. 30

ΝΕ. ὁρῶ κενὴν οἴκησιν ἀνθρώπων δίχα.

ΟΔ. οὐδ᾽ ἔνδον οἰκοποιός ἐστί τις τροφή;

ΝΕ. στιπτή στιπτή γε φυλλὰς ὡς ἐναυλίζοντί ἐν . αυλίζοντι τῳ.

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ΟΔ. τὰ δ᾽ ἄλλ᾽ ἀεὶ? ἀλλ᾿ ἀλλ' ἔρημα ἔρ, κοὐδέν ἐσθ᾽ ὑπόστεγον;

ΝΕ. αὐτόξυλόν γ' ἔκπωμα, φλαυρουργοῦ φλαυρουγοῦ φλαυροῦργοῦ φλαυρούργου τινὸς 35 τεχνήματ᾿ ἀνδρός, καὶ πυρεῖ᾽ ὁμοῦ τάδε.

ΟΔ. κείνου τὸ θησαύρισμα σημαίνεις τόδε.

ΝΕ. ἰοὺ ἰού· καὶ ταῦτά γ᾽ ἄλλα θάλπεται ῥάκη, βαρείας του νοσηλείας πλέα.

ΦΙΛΟΚΤΗΤΗΣ.

ΝΕ. ἀλλ᾽ ἔρχεταί τε καὶ φυλάξεται στίβος. σὺ δ᾽ εἴ τι χρήζεις, φράζε δευτέρῳ λόγῳ.

Νεοπτόλεμος ἄναξ Ὀδυσσεῦ, τοὔργον οὐ μακρὰν λέγεις· δοκῶ γὰρ οἷον εἶπας ἄντρον εἰσορᾶν.

Ὀδυσσεύς ἄνωθεν ἢ κάτωθεν; οὐ γὰρ ἐννοῶ.

Νεοπτόλεμος τόδʼ ἐξύπερθε· καὶ στίβου γʼ οὐδεὶς κτύπος.

Ὀδυσσεύς ὅρα καθʼ ὕπνον μὴ καταυλισθεὶς κυρεῖ. 30

Νεοπτόλεμος ὁρῶ κενὴν οἴκησιν ἀνθρώπων δίχα.

Ὀδυσσεύς οὐδʼ ἔνδον οἰκοποιός ἐστί τις τροφή;

Νεοπτόλεμος στιπτή γε φυλλὰς ὡς ἐναυλίζοντί τῳ.

Ὀδυσσεύς τὰ δʼ ἄλλʼ ἔρημα, κοὐδέν ἐσθʼ ὑπόστεγον;

Νεοπτόλεμος αὐτόξυλόν γʼ ἔκπωμα, φλαυρουργοῦ τινος 35 τεχνήματʼ ἀνδρός, καὶ πυρεῖʼ ὁμοῦ τάδε.

Ὀδυσσεύς κείνου τὸ θησαύρισμα σημαίνεις τόδε.

Νεοπτόλεμος ἰοὺ ἰού· καὶ ταῦτά γʼ ἄλλα θάλπεται ῥάκη, βαρείας του νοσηλείας πλέα.

Νεοπτόλεμος ἀλλʼ ἔρχεταί τε καὶ φυλάξεται στίβος. σὺ δʼ, εἴ τι χρῄζεις, φράζε δευτέρῳ λόγῳ.

Νεοπτόλεμος τί δῆτʼ ἄνωγας;

Νεοπτόλεμος τί μʼ οὖν ἄνωγας ἄλλο πλὴν ψευδῆ λέγειν; 100

Ὀδυσσεύς λέγω σʼ ἐγὼ δόλῳ Φιλοκτήτην λαβεῖν.

Νεοπτόλεμος τί δʼ ἐν δόλῳ δεῖ μᾶλλον ἢ πείσαντʼ ἄγειν;

Ὀδυσσεύς οὐ μὴ πίθηται· πρὸς βίαν δʼ οὐκ ἂν λάβοις.

Νεοπτόλεμος οὕτως ἔχει τι δεινὸν ἰσχύος θράσος;

Ὀδυσσεύς ἰούς γʼ ἀφύκτους καὶ προπέμποντας φόνον. 105

Νεοπτόλεμος οὐκ ἆρʼ ἐκείνῳ γʼ οὐδὲ προσμῖξαι θρασύ;

Ὀδυσσεύς οὔ, μὴ δόλῳ λαβόντα γʼ, ὡς ἐγὼ λέγω.

Νεοπτόλεμος οὐκ αἰσχρὸν ἡγεῖ δῆτα τὸ ψευδῆ λέγειν;

Ὀδυσσεύς οὔκ, εἰ τὸ σωθῆναί γε τὸ ψεῦδος φέρει.

Νεοπτόλεμος πῶς οὖν βλέπων τις ταῦτα τολμήσει λακεῖν; 110

Ὀδυσσεύς ὅταν τι δρᾷς εἰς κέρδος, οὐκ ὀκνεῖν πρέπει.

Νεοπτόλεμος κέρδος δʼ ἐμοὶ τί τοῦτον ἐς Τροίαν μολεῖν;

Ὀδυσσεύς αἱρεῖ τὰ τόξα ταῦτα τὴν Τροίαν μόνα.

Νεοπτόλεμος οὐκ ἆρʼ ὁ πέρσων, ὡς ἐφάσκετʼ, εἴμʼ ἐγώ;

Ὀδυσσεύς οὔτʼ ἂν σὺ κείνων χωρὶς οὔτʼ ἐκεῖνα σοῦ. 115

Νεοπτόλεμος θηρατέʼ οὖν γίγνοιτʼ ἄν, εἴπερ ὧδʼ ἔχει.

Ὀδυσσεύς ὡς τοῦτό γʼ ἔρξας δύο φέρει δωρήματα.

Νεοπτόλεμος ποίω; μαθὼν γὰρ οὐκ ἂν ἀρνοίμην τὸ δρᾶν.

Ὀδυσσεύς σοφός τʼ ἂν αὑτὸς κἀγαθὸς κεκλῇʼ ἅμα.

Νεοπτόλεμος ἴτω· ποήσω, πᾶσαν αἰσχύνην ἀφείς. 120

Ὀδυσσεύς ἦ μνημονεύεις οὖν ἅ σοι παρῄνεσα;

Νεοπτόλεμος σάφʼ ἴσθʼ, ἐπείπερ εἰσάπαξ συνῄνεσα.

O Fürst Odysseus, was du suchst, ist nahe dir: Die Höhle glaub' ich schon zu seh'n, von der du sprachst.

Odysseus. Wie? Oben oder unten? Ich verstehe nicht

Neoptolemos. Hier oben: und von Tritten hör' ich kein Geräusch.

Odysseus. Sieh, ob er nicht zum Schlafe sich gelagert hat. 30

Neoptolemos. Nur eine Wohnung seh' ich, öd' und menschenleer.

Odysseus. Ist innen kein Geräthe, das dem Hause dient?

Neoptolemos. Laubstreu, gepolstert zum bequemen Ruhebett.

Odysseus. Sonst Alles öde? Nichts verbirgt der Höhle Raum?

Neoptolemos. Ein Trinkgeschirr, von kunstlos roher Hand aus Holz 35 Gefertigt, hier auch noch Geräth zur Feuerung.

Odysseus. Sein ist der Hausrath, den du da bezeichnet hast.

Neoptolemos. Weh, weh! Noch Andres seh' ich: Lumpen, angefüllt Mit schwerem Eiter, trocknen dort am Sonnenstrahl.

Neoptolemos. Schon geht der Diener, und der Pfad wird wohl bewacht. Nun rede weiter, wenn du sonst noch Wünsche hast.

Odysseus. Du. mußt, o Sohn Achillens, was dich hergeführt, 50 Mannhaft betreiben, nicht allein mit deinem Arm, Mußt, wenn du Neues, was du früher nicht gehört, Vernimmst, mir helfen; denn du bist als Helfer hier.

Lord Odysseus,

Thy foremost errand will not task me far.

Methinks I see the cave whereof thou speakest.

OD

Where? let me see it. Above there, or below?

NEO

Yonder, above. And yet I hear no tread.

OD

Look if he be not lodged in slumber there.
30

NEO

I find no inmate, but an empty room.

OD

What? no provision for a dwelling-place?

NEO

A bed of leaves for some one harbouring here.

OD

Nought else beneath the roof? Is all forlorn?

NEO

A cup of wood, some untaught craftsman’s skill,
35

And, close at hand, these embers of a fire.

OD

That store is his. I read the token clear.

NEO

Oh! and these festering rags give evidence,

Steeped as with dressing some malignant sore.

NEO

My man is going, and shall watch the path.

What more dost thou require of me? Speak on.

OD

Son of Achilles, know that thou art come
50

To serve us nobly, not with strength alone,

But, faithful to thy mission, if so be,

To do things strange, unwonted to thine ear.

NEO

What dost thou bid me?

ἄναξ ᾿Ὀδυσσεῦ, τοὔργον οὐ μακρὰν λέγεις.

δοκῶ γὰρ οἷον εἶπας ἄντρον εἰσορᾶν.

ΟΔ.

ἄνωθεν, ἢ κάτωθεν; οὐ γὰρ ἐννοῶ.

ΝΕ.

τόδ᾽ ἐξύπερθε, καὶ στίβου στίβου γ' Γ'? τ' δ' οὐδεὶς κτύπος τύπος.

ΟΔ.

ὅρα καθ᾽ ὕπνον μὴ καταυλισθεὶς κατακλιθεὶς κυρῇ.
30

ΝΕ.

ὁρῶ κενὴν οἴκησιν ἀνθρώπων δίχα.

ΟΔ.

οὐδ᾽ ἔνδον οἰκοποιός ἐστί τις τροφή;

ΝΕ.

στιπτή στιπτή γε φυλλὰς ὡς ἐναυλίζοντί ἐν . αυλίζοντι τῳ.

ΟΔ.

τὰ δ᾽ ἄλλ᾽ ἀεὶ? ἀλλ᾿ ἀλλ' ἔρημα ἔρ, κοὐδέν ἐσθ᾽ ὑπόστεγον;

ΝΕ.

αὐτόξυλόν γ' ἔκπωμα, φλαυρουργοῦ φλαυρουγοῦ φλαυροῦργοῦ φλαυρούργου τινὸς
35

τεχνήματ᾿ ἀνδρός, καὶ πυρεῖ᾽ ὁμοῦ τάδε.

ΟΔ.

κείνου τὸ θησαύρισμα σημαίνεις τόδε.

ΝΕ.

ἰοὺ ἰού· καὶ ταῦτά γ᾽ ἄλλα θάλπεται

ῥάκη, βαρείας του νοσηλείας πλέα.

ΝΕ.

ἀλλ᾽ ἔρχεταί τε καὶ φυλάξεται στίβος.

σὺ δ᾽ εἴ τι χρήζεις, φράζε δευτέρῳ λόγῳ.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἄναξ Ὀδυσσεῦ, τοὔργον οὐ μακρὰν λέγεις·

δοκῶ γὰρ οἷον εἶπας ἄντρον εἰσορᾶν.

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἄνωθεν ἢ κάτωθεν; οὐ γὰρ ἐννοῶ.

Νεοπτόλεμος

τόδʼ ἐξύπερθε· καὶ στίβου γʼ οὐδεὶς κτύπος.

Ὀδυσσεύς

ὅρα καθʼ ὕπνον μὴ καταυλισθεὶς κυρεῖ.
30

Νεοπτόλεμος

ὁρῶ κενὴν οἴκησιν ἀνθρώπων δίχα.

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὐδʼ ἔνδον οἰκοποιός ἐστί τις τροφή;

Νεοπτόλεμος

στιπτή γε φυλλὰς ὡς ἐναυλίζοντί τῳ.

Ὀδυσσεύς

τὰ δʼ ἄλλʼ ἔρημα, κοὐδέν ἐσθʼ ὑπόστεγον;

Νεοπτόλεμος

αὐτόξυλόν γʼ ἔκπωμα, φλαυρουργοῦ τινος
35

τεχνήματʼ ἀνδρός, καὶ πυρεῖʼ ὁμοῦ τάδε.

Ὀδυσσεύς

κείνου τὸ θησαύρισμα σημαίνεις τόδε.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἰοὺ ἰού· καὶ ταῦτά γʼ ἄλλα θάλπεται

ῥάκη, βαρείας του νοσηλείας πλέα.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἀλλʼ ἔρχεταί τε καὶ φυλάξεται στίβος.

σὺ δʼ, εἴ τι χρῄζεις, φράζε δευτέρῳ λόγῳ.

Νεοπτόλεμος

τί δῆτʼ ἄνωγας;

Νεοπτόλεμος

τί μʼ οὖν ἄνωγας ἄλλο πλὴν ψευδῆ λέγειν;
100

Ὀδυσσεύς

λέγω σʼ ἐγὼ δόλῳ Φιλοκτήτην λαβεῖν.

Νεοπτόλεμος

τί δʼ ἐν δόλῳ δεῖ μᾶλλον ἢ πείσαντʼ ἄγειν;

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὐ μὴ πίθηται· πρὸς βίαν δʼ οὐκ ἂν λάβοις.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὕτως ἔχει τι δεινὸν ἰσχύος θράσος;

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἰούς γʼ ἀφύκτους καὶ προπέμποντας φόνον.
105

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκ ἆρʼ ἐκείνῳ γʼ οὐδὲ προσμῖξαι θρασύ;

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὔ, μὴ δόλῳ λαβόντα γʼ, ὡς ἐγὼ λέγω.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκ αἰσχρὸν ἡγεῖ δῆτα τὸ ψευδῆ λέγειν;

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὔκ, εἰ τὸ σωθῆναί γε τὸ ψεῦδος φέρει.

Νεοπτόλεμος

πῶς οὖν βλέπων τις ταῦτα τολμήσει λακεῖν;
110

Ὀδυσσεύς

ὅταν τι δρᾷς εἰς κέρδος, οὐκ ὀκνεῖν πρέπει.

Νεοπτόλεμος

κέρδος δʼ ἐμοὶ τί τοῦτον ἐς Τροίαν μολεῖν;

Ὀδυσσεύς

αἱρεῖ τὰ τόξα ταῦτα τὴν Τροίαν μόνα.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκ ἆρʼ ὁ πέρσων, ὡς ἐφάσκετʼ, εἴμʼ ἐγώ;

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὔτʼ ἂν σὺ κείνων χωρὶς οὔτʼ ἐκεῖνα σοῦ.
115

Νεοπτόλεμος

θηρατέʼ οὖν γίγνοιτʼ ἄν, εἴπερ ὧδʼ ἔχει.

Ὀδυσσεύς

ὡς τοῦτό γʼ ἔρξας δύο φέρει δωρήματα.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ποίω; μαθὼν γὰρ οὐκ ἂν ἀρνοίμην τὸ δρᾶν.

Ὀδυσσεύς

σοφός τʼ ἂν αὑτὸς κἀγαθὸς κεκλῇʼ ἅμα.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἴτω· ποήσω, πᾶσαν αἰσχύνην ἀφείς.
120

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἦ μνημονεύεις οὖν ἅ σοι παρῄνεσα;

Νεοπτόλεμος

σάφʼ ἴσθʼ, ἐπείπερ εἰσάπαξ συνῄνεσα.

O Fürst Odysseus, was du suchst, ist nahe dir:

Die Höhle glaub' ich schon zu seh'n, von der du sprachst.

Odysseus.

Wie? Oben oder unten? Ich verstehe nicht

Neoptolemos.

Hier oben: und von Tritten hör' ich kein Geräusch.

Odysseus.

Sieh, ob er nicht zum Schlafe sich gelagert hat.
30

Neoptolemos.

Nur eine Wohnung seh' ich, öd' und menschenleer.

Odysseus.

Ist innen kein Geräthe, das dem Hause dient?

Neoptolemos.

Laubstreu, gepolstert zum bequemen Ruhebett.

Odysseus.

Sonst Alles öde? Nichts verbirgt der Höhle Raum?

Neoptolemos.

Ein Trinkgeschirr, von kunstlos roher Hand aus Holz
35

Gefertigt, hier auch noch Geräth zur Feuerung.

Odysseus.

Sein ist der Hausrath, den du da bezeichnet hast.

Neoptolemos.

Weh, weh! Noch Andres seh' ich: Lumpen, angefüllt

Mit schwerem Eiter, trocknen dort am Sonnenstrahl.

Neoptolemos.

Schon geht der Diener, und der Pfad wird wohl bewacht.

Nun rede weiter, wenn du sonst noch Wünsche hast.

Odysseus.

Du. mußt, o Sohn Achillens, was dich hergeführt,
50

Mannhaft betreiben, nicht allein mit deinem Arm,

Mußt, wenn du Neues, was du früher nicht gehört,

Vernimmst, mir helfen; denn du bist als Helfer hier.

Neoptolemus

Yonder it is ; but no path leading thither,

Or trace of human footstep.

Ulysses

In his cell
30

A chance but he hath lain him down to rest ;
30

Look if he hath not.
30

Neoptolemus

[advancing to the cave]. Not a creature there.

Ulysses

Nor food, nor mark of household preparation ?

Neoptolemus

A rustic bed of scattered leaves.