Sophocles, Philoctetes, Thomas Francklin (Translator), 68

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Neoptolemus
317cont2

I can bear witness to thee, for I know

By sad experience what th' Atridae are,

And what Ulysses.
335

Philoctetes. Sophocles. Thomas Francklin (Translator). London. 1758–1759.

Current edition Experimental

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) (English) (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (2)

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 68 focus

εἰ γὰρ τὰ τοῦδε τόξα μὴ ληφθήσεται,

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)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 68 focus

PHI
254

How full of griefs am I, how Heaven-abhorred,

When of my piteous state no faintest sound

Hath reached my home, or any Grecian land!

But they, who pitilessly cast me forth,

Keep silence and are glad, while this my plague

Blooms ever, and is strengthened more and more.

Boy, great Achilles’ offspring, in this form

Thou seest the man, of whom, methinks, erewhile

Thou hast been told, to whom the Hercúlean bow

Descended, Philoctetes, Poeas’ son;

Whom the two generals and the Ithacan king

Cast out thus shamefully forlorn, afflicted

With the fierce malady and desperate wound

Made by the cruel basilisk’s murderous tooth.

With this for company they left me, child!

Exposed upon this shore, deserted, lone.

From seaward Chrysa came they with their fleet

And touched at Lemnos. I had fallen to rest

From the long tossing, in a shadowy cave

On yonder cliff by the shore. Gladly they saw,

And left me, having set forth for my need,

Poor man, some scanty rags, and a thin store
255

Of provender. Such food be theirs, I pray!
255

Imagine, O my son, when they were gone,
255

What wakening, what arising, then was mine;
255

What weeping, what lamenting of my woe!
255

When I beheld the ships, wherewith I sailed,
255

Gone, one and all! and no man in the place,
255

None to bestead me, none to comfort me
255

In my sore sickness. And where’er I looked,
255

Nought but distress was present with me still.
255

No lack of that, for one thing!—Ah! my son,
255

Time passed, and there I found myself alone
255

Within my narrow lodging, forced to serve
255

Each pressing need. For body’s sustenance
255

This bow supplied me with sufficient store,
255

Wounding the feathered doves, and when the shaft,
255

From the tight string, had struck, myself, ay me!
255

Dragging this foot, would crawl to my swift prey.
255

Then water must be fetched, and in sharp frost
255

Wood must be found and broken,—all by me.
255

Nor would fire come unbidden, but with flint
255

From flints striking dim sparks, I hammered forth

The struggling flame that keeps the life in me.

For houseroom with the single help of fire

Gives all I need, save healing for my sore.

Now learn, my son, the nature of this isle.

No mariner puts in here willingly.

For it hath neither moorage, nor sea-port,

For traffic or kind shelter or good cheer.

Not hitherward do prudent men make voyage.

Perchance one may have touched against his will.

Many strange things may happen in long time.

These, when they come, in words have pitied me,

And given me food, or raiment, in compassion.

But none is willing, when I speak thereof,

To take me safely home. Wherefore I pine

Now this tenth year, in famine and distress,

Feeding the hunger of my ravenous plague.

Such deeds, my son, the Atridae, and the might

Of sage Odysseus, have performed on me.

Wherefore may all the Olympian gods, one day,

Plague them with stern requital for my wrong!

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 54 focus

Und was begehrst du?

Strebe Philoktetes' Geist

Mir schlau zu hintergehen durch der Rede Kunst.
55

Sobald er anfragt, wer du seist, aus welchem Land,

So sprich: „Achilleus' Sohn"; in diesem rede wahr:

Du schiffest heimwärts, habest dort der Danaer

Schiffsheer verlassen, dem du zürnst in schwerem Zorn,

Das aus der Heimat dich gelockt durch langes Fleh'n,
60

Weil, Ilion zu stürzen, so nur möglich sei,

Und doch dich nicht gewürdigt, dir des Vaters Wehr

Zu geben, die du kommend als dein Recht begehrt,

Nein, ich, Odysseus, habe sie: und sage dann

Von mir das Aergste, Schmach um Schmach, so viel du willst.
65

Mich kränkst du damit nimmermehr; doch, thust du's nicht,

So bringst du Sammer über Argos' ganzes Heer.

Denn wird des Mannes Bogen nicht entwandt von uns,

So kannst du Troja's Veste nicht bewältigen.

Warum ich selbst nicht, sondern du allein dich ihm
70

Getrost und sicher nähern kannst, das höre nun.

Du schifftest, Keinem zugethan durch Eidesschwur,¹

Nach Troja, nicht gezwungen, nicht im ersten Zug;²

Mir steht von allem diesem Nichts zu läugnen an.

Drum wenn er, seines Bogens Herr, mich hier gewahrt,
75

Bin ich verloren und verderbe dich mit mir.

Hier also gilt es eine List, wir müssen spähn,

Wie du der unbesiegten Wehr den Mann beraubst.

Wohl hat, ich weiß es, die Natur dich nicht gemacht

Zu solchen Reden, noch zu Trug und Hinterlist;
80

Doch reizend ist es, einzufah'n des Sieges Glück;

So wag' es; künftig handeln wir dann wieder gut.

Sezt gib dich nur für eines Tages kurze Frist

Mir hin zu dreister Lüge; für die Folge dann

Laß dich den Frömmsten nennen, der auf Erden ist!
85

Neoptolemos.

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 68 focus

Philoctetes

This shows a noble spirit: but, my son,

What mighty wrongs to Lemnos urged thy sails?

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-182-1 ἴσα ¹

mvp-comment-182-2 ἐποικτίρειν ² ἐποικτιρεῖν ³

mvp-comment-183-1 ἐν λόγοις ⁴ ὢν ⁵

mvp-comment-183-2 συντυχὼν ⁶

mvp-comment-184-1 ἦ γάρ ⁷

mvp-comment-184-2 τοῖς πανωλέθροις ⁸

mvp-comment-184-3 παθών ⁹

mvp-comment-184-4 324 f. The corruption in the MSS.,

θυμῷ...χεῖρα

, is of the same nature as that in O. T. 376 (

με...σοῦ

for

σε ἐμοῦ

). Cp. Plat. Rep. 465A

εἴ πού τίς τῳ θυμοῖτο, ἐν τῷ τοιούτῳ πληρῶν τὸν θυμὸν

(sating his wrath)

ἧττον ἐπὶ μείζους ἂν ἴοι στάσεις.

mvp-comment-184-5 Μυκῆναι ¹⁰ Σπάρτη ¹¹ γνοῖεν ¹²

mvp-comment-185-1 εὖ γ’ ¹³

mvp-comment-185-2 τίνος γὰρ ¹⁴ τίνος ¹⁵

mvp-comment-185-3 ὧδε ¹⁶ τίνος ¹⁷

mvp-comment-186-1 ἐξερῶ, μόλις δ’ ἐρῶ ¹⁸

mvp-comment-186-2 μολών ¹⁹

mvp-comment-187-1 ἔσχε ²⁰

mvp-comment-188-1 φράσῃς … μὴ πέρα ²¹

mvp-comment-189-1 τοξευτὸς … δαμείς ²²

mvp-comment-189-2 ὡς λέγουσιν ²³ ἐκ ²⁴ ὑπό ²⁵

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

317. mvp-comment-230-1 ἔοικα] It would seem that I.' Cp. Aesch. Prom. 1007, λέγων ἔοικα πολλὰ καὶ μάτην ἐρεῖν.

317. mvp-comment-230-2 ἔοικα] It would seem that I.' Cp. Aesch. Prom. 1007, λέγων ἔοικα πολλὰ καὶ μάτην ἐρεῖν.

317-318. mvp-comment-231-1 The Chorus express pity for Philoctetes, but tacitly remind themselves that their pity will not be shown in action.

317-318. mvp-comment-231-2 The Chorus express pity for Philoctetes, but tacitly remind themselves that their pity will not be shown in action.

319. mvp-comment-232-1 Neoptolemus. But I do more than pity him, for I am a witness on his side.' καί with the whole sentence. For ἐν, ὢν has been conjectured. But ἐν may well express that Neoptolemus enters into the cause of Philoctetes, and is not merely an auditor of his case. Myself a witness in this plea, I know it to be well-founded.'

319. mvp-comment-232-2 Neoptolemus. But I do more than pity him, for I am a witness on his side.' καί with the whole sentence. For ἐν, ὢν has been conjectured. But ἐν may well express that Neoptolemus enters into the cause of Philoctetes, and is not merely an auditor of his case. Myself a witness in this plea, I know it to be well-founded.'

320. mvp-comment-233-1 συντυχών] συντυχεῖν is generally construed with a dative, and the preposition has therefore here a separate meaning. Having in like manner found. So the Scholiast and Nauck.

320. mvp-comment-233-2 συντυχών] συντυχεῖν is generally construed with a dative, and the preposition has therefore here a separate meaning. Having in like manner found. So the Scholiast and Nauck.

324. mvp-comment-234-1 May it be mine one day to satiate my wrathful soul with violent action!' There can be little doubt that the correction is right. For a similar confusion in all the MSS., cp. O. Т. 376.

324. mvp-comment-234-2 May it be mine one day to satiate my wrathful soul with violent action!' There can be little doubt that the correction is right. For a similar confusion in all the MSS., cp. O. Т. 376.

327. mvp-comment-235-1 εὖ γ᾽, ὦ τέκνον] 'Well said, my son!' Philoctetes' delight in Neoptolemus is further heightened by this supposed discovery of a common resentment. τίνος . . ἐλήλυθας] ‘For what cause do you thus bring against them the accusation of your violent anger?' τίνος, genitive of the reason (Essay on L. § 10. p. 15). Cp. Ο. Τ. 698, ὅτου μῆνιν τοσήνδε πράγματος στήσας ἔχεις. γάρ asks for explanation. ἐλήλυθας is redundant (Essay on L. § 40. p. 75). τὸν μέγαν χόλον] The mighty anger which you now evince.' For the slight inexactness in ἐγκαλεῖν χόλον, cp. О. Т. 702, λέγ', εἰ σαφῶς τὸ νεῖκος ἐγκαλῶν ἐρεῖς.

327. mvp-comment-235-2 εὖ γ᾽, ὦ τέκνον] 'Well said, my son!' Philoctetes' delight in Neoptolemus is further heightened by this supposed discovery of a common resentment. τίνος . . ἐλήλυθας] ‘For what cause do you thus bring against them the accusation of your violent anger?' τίνος, genitive of the reason (Essay on L. § 10. p. 15). Cp. Ο. Τ. 698, ὅτου μῆνιν τοσήνδε πράγματος στήσας ἔχεις. γάρ asks for explanation. ἐλήλυθας is redundant (Essay on L. § 40. p. 75). τὸν μέγαν χόλον] The mighty anger which you now evince.' For the slight inexactness in ἐγκαλεῖν χόλον, cp. О. Т. 702, λέγ', εἰ σαφῶς τὸ νεῖκος ἐγκαλῶν ἐρεῖς.

329. mvp-comment-236-1 μόλις δ᾽ ἐρῶ] 'Though I shall find it hard to speak of it, i.e. To command myself sufficiently to do so. Schol. ὑπὸ τῆς ὀργῆς. Cp. Ο. C. 326, λύπῃ . . μόλις βλέπω.

329. mvp-comment-236-2 μόλις δ᾽ ἐρῶ] 'Though I shall find it hard to speak of it, i.e. To command myself sufficiently to do so. Schol. ὑπὸ τῆς ὀργῆς. Cp. Ο. C. 326, λύπῃ . . μόλις βλέπω.

331. mvp-comment-237-1 ἐπεὶ γάρ] These words introduce the occasion of his coming, in explanation of μολών. ἔσχε.. θανεῖν] 'The fate of death overtook Achilles.' θανεῖν, epexegetic inf. For ἔσχε, cp. Eur. Hec. 5, ἐπεὶ Φρυγῶν πόλιν | κίνδυνος ἔσχε δορὶ πεσεῖν Ἑλληνικῷ.

331. mvp-comment-237-2 ἐπεὶ γάρ] These words introduce the occasion of his coming, in explanation of μολών. ἔσχε.. θανεῖν] 'The fate of death overtook Achilles.' θανεῖν, epexegetic inf. For ἔσχε, cp. Eur. Hec. 5, ἐπεὶ Φρυγῶν πόλιν | κίνδυνος ἔσχε δορὶ πεσεῖν Ἑλληνικῷ.

332-339. mvp-comment-238-1 This brief digression and the longer one below (410-460), have the effect (a) of showing the generous nature of Philoctetes, who, beneath his apparently obdurate resentment, really retains an unabated interest in the affairs of the army, and (b) of giving opportunity for the growth of friendly feeling between him and Neoptolemus. The news of Achilles' death so affects him as to make him for a moment forget his own suffering (339-40).

332-339. mvp-comment-238-2 This brief digression and the longer one below (410-460), have the effect (a) of showing the generous nature of Philoctetes, who, beneath his apparently obdurate resentment, really retains an unabated interest in the affairs of the army, and (b) of giving opportunity for the growth of friendly feeling between him and Neoptolemus. The news of Achilles' death so affects him as to make him for a moment forget his own suffering (339-40).

334. mvp-comment-239-1 ἀνδρός is genitive of cause, for which ὕπο afterwards supplies a more distinct construction.

334. mvp-comment-239-2 ἀνδρός is genitive of cause, for which ὕπο afterwards supplies a more distinct construction.

335. mvp-comment-240-1 τοξευτὸς .. δαμείς] Subdued, so they tell the tale, with an arrow from the bow of Phoebus.' τοξευτός is a subsidiary predicate to δαμείς, for which word in this connection, cp. Il. 19. 417, θεῷ τε καὶ ἀνέρι ἶφι δαμῆναι. ἐκ rather than ὑπό, because the arrow came from the hand of Apollo. Cp. Il. 21. 277, 8, ἥ μ᾿ ἔφατο Τρώων ὑπὸ τείχεϊ θωρηκτάων | λαιψηροῖς ὀλέεσθαι᾿ Απόλλωνος βελέεσσιν. Or, if the arrow were that of Paris, ἐκ denotes the remote agent, and Neoptolemus must be supposed to avoid mentioning the slight man' who had been the immediate author of Achilles' death.

335. mvp-comment-240-2 τοξευτὸς .. δαμείς] Subdued, so they tell the tale, with an arrow from the bow of Phoebus.' τοξευτός is a subsidiary predicate to δαμείς, for which word in this connection, cp. Il. 19. 417, θεῷ τε καὶ ἀνέρι ἶφι δαμῆναι. ἐκ rather than ὑπό, because the arrow came from the hand of Apollo. Cp. Il. 21. 277, 8, ἥ μ᾿ ἔφατο Τρώων ὑπὸ τείχεϊ θωρηκτάων | λαιψηροῖς ὀλέεσθαι᾿ Απόλλωνος βελέεσσιν. Or, if the arrow were that of Paris, ἐκ denotes the remote agent, and Neoptolemus must be supposed to avoid mentioning the slight man' who had been the immediate author of Achilles' death.

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Neoptolemus 317cont2 I can bear witness to thee, for I know By sad experience what th' Atridae are, And what Ulysses. 335

Current edition Experimental

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.

Neoptolemos.

Philoctetes This shows a noble spirit: but, my son, What mighty wrongs to Lemnos urged thy sails?

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.

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 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.

Neoptolemus
317cont2

I can bear witness to thee, for I know

By sad experience what th' Atridae are,

And what Ulysses.
335

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.

Philoctetes

This shows a noble spirit: but, my son,

What mighty wrongs to Lemnos urged thy sails?

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.

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

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.