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Chorus

Bitter is the stranger, and bitter his words, Odysseus. They do not bend before the storm of his troubles.
1045

Odysseus

I could say much in answer to his claims, if time allowed; but now I can say one thing only. What kind of man the occasion demands, that kind of man am I.

And accordingly, where the judgment at hand is of just and good men, you could find no man more pious than me. Victory, however, is my inborn desire in every field—save with regard to you. To you, in this case, I will gladly give way. Yes, release him, and lay not another finger upon him.
1050

Let him stay here. We have no further need of you, now that we have these weapons. For Teucer is there among our forces, well-skilled in this craft, as am I, and I believe that I can master this bow in no way worse than you, and point it with no worse a hand.
1055

So what need is there of you? Farewell! Enjoy your strolls on Lemnos ! We must be going. And perhaps your onetime prize will bring me the honor which ought to have been your own.
1060

Philoctetes

Ah, no, what shall I do? Are you to shine before the Argives graced with my arms?

Odysseus

Argue with me no more. I am going.
1065

Philoctetes

Seed of Achilles, will you, too, grant me your voice no more, but leave without a word?

To Neoptolemus.

Odysseus

Come on! Do not look at him, kind and noble though you are. Do not obliterate our good fortune.

To the Chorus.

Philoctetes

And will you also, friends, leave me so desolate and show me no pity?
1070

Chorus

The boy commands our ship. Whatever he says to you, that is our answer also.

To the Chorus.

Neoptolemus

I shall be told by Odysseus here that I am too

soft-hearted; but remain here, if that one agrees, until the sailors have readied everything on board, and we have made our prayers to the gods. In the interval, perhaps, he will obtain a better attitude towards us. And so we two are going.
1075

And you, when we call you, be quick to come. Exeunt Odysseus and Neoptolemus.
1080

Philoctetes. Sophocles. Richard Jebb (Translator). Cambridge. 1898.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.

Current edition Experimental

Philoctetes (English) (Sophocles the plays and fragments, Part 4: The Philoctetes. Jebb, Richard Claverhouse, Sir, translator. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1898. (Modernized by Perseus.))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (2)

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 1045 focus

βαρύς τε καὶ βαρεῖαν ὁ ξένος φάτιν
1045

τήνδ᾽ εἶπ᾽, ᾿Ὀδυσσεῦ, κοὐχ ὑπείκουσαν ει from η ὑπείκουσαν κακοῖς.

ΟΔ.

πόλλ᾽ ἂν λέγειν ἔχοιμι πρὸς τὰ τοῦδ᾽ ἔπη,

εἴ μοι παρείκοι· νῦν δ᾽ ἑνὸς κρατῶ λόγου.

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

οὗ οὐ γὰρ τοιούτων δεῖ, τοιοῦτός εἰμ' ἐγώ·

χὤπου δικαίων κἀγαθῶν ἀνδρῶν κρίσις,

1050

οὐκ ἂν λάβοις μου μου μᾶλλον οὐδέν εὐσεβῆ.

νικᾶν γε μέντοι πανταχοῦ χρήζων γρ. κρείσσων ἔφυν,

πλὴν εἰς σε· νῦν δὲ σοί γ᾽ σοῦ ἑκὼν ἐκστήσομαι.

ἄφετε γὰρ αὐτόν, μηδὲ προσψαύσητ᾽ ἔτι.

ἐᾶτε μίμνειν. οὐδὲ σοῦ προσχρήζομεν,

1055

τά γ'᾽ ὅπλ᾽ ἔχοντες ταῦτ᾽, ἐπεὶ πάρεστι μὲν

Τεύκρος παρ᾿ ἡμῖν, τήνδ᾽ ἐπιστήμην ἔχων,

ἐγώ θ', ὃς οἶμαι σοῦ κάκιον οὐδὲν ἂν

ΦΙΛΟΚΤΗΤΗΣ.

τούτων κρατύνειν, μηδ᾽ ἐπιθύνειν χερί.

τί δῆτα σοῦ δεῖ; χαῖρε τὴν Λήμνον λήμνον πατῶν.

1060

ἡμεῖς δ᾽ ἴωμεν. καὶ τάχ᾽ ἂν τὸ σὸν γέρας

τιμὴν ἐμοὶ νείμειεν, ἥν σ'᾽ ἐχρῆν ἔχειν. ἣν ἐχρῆν σ᾽

ΦΙ.

οἴμοι· τί δράσω δύσμορος; σὺ τοῖς ἐμοῖς

ὅπλοισι κοσμηθεὶς ἐν ᾿Αργείοις φανεῖ;

ΟΔ.

μή μ' ἀντιφώνει μηδέν, ὡς ὡ ὡς στείχοντα δή.
1065

ΦΙ.

ὦ σπέρμ᾽ ᾿Αχιλλέως, οὐδὲ σοῦ φωνῆς ἔτι

γενήσομαι προσφθεγκτός, ἀλλ᾽ οὕτως ἄπει;

ΟΔ.

χώρει σύ· μὴ πρόσλευσσε πρόσλευσε πρόσλευσσε πρόσελθε, γενναῖός περ ὤν,

ἡμῶν ὅπως μὴ τὴν τύχην διαφθερείς διαφθαρῆς.

ΦΙ.

ἢ καὶ πρὸς ὑμῶν ὧδ᾽ ἔρημος, ὦ ξένοι,
1070

λειφθήσομαι δὴ ἤδη κοὐκ ἐποικτερεῖτέ με ;

ΧΟ.

ὅδ᾽ ἐστὶν ἡμῶν ναυκράτωρ ὁ παῖς, ὅσ᾽ ἂν

οὗτος λέγῃ σοι, ταῦτά σοι χήμεῖς γ'᾽ ἡμεῖσ χ᾿ ἡμεῖσ φαμέν.

ΝΕ.

ἀκούσομαι μὲν ὡς ἔφυν οἴκτου πλέως

πρὸς τοῦδ᾽· ὅμως δὲ μείνατ', εἰ τούτῳ δοκεῖ,
1075

χρόνον τοσοῦτον, εἰς ὅσον τά τ'᾽ ἐκ νεὼς

στείλωσι ναῦται καὶ θεοῖς εὐξώμεθα.

χοὖτος τάχ᾽ ἂν φρόνησιν ἐν τούτῳ λάβοι

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

λῴω τιν ἡμῖν. νὼ νῶ? νὼ μὲν οὖν ὁρμώμεθον ὁρμώμεθα,

ὑμεῖς δ᾽, ὅταν καλῶμεν, ὁρμᾶσθαι ταχεῖς.

1080

ΦΙ.

στρ.α΄. (1.)
ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 1045 focus

Χορός

βαρύς τε καὶ βαρεῖαν ὁ ξένος φάτιν
1045

τήνδʼ εἶπʼ, Ὀδυσσεῦ, κοὐχ ὑπείκουσαν κακοῖς.

Ὀδυσσεύς

πόλλʼ ἂν λέγειν ἔχοιμι πρὸς τὰ τοῦδʼ ἔπη,

εἴ μοι παρείκοι· νῦν δʼ ἑνὸς κρατῶ λόγου.

οὗ γὰρ τοιούτων δεῖ, τοιοῦτός εἰμʼ ἐγώ·

χὤπου δικαίων κἀγαθῶν ἀνδρῶν κρίσις,
1050

οὐκ ἂν λάβοις μου μᾶλλον οὐδένʼ εὐσεβῆ.

νικᾶν γε μέντοι πανταχοῦ χρῄζων ἔφυν,

πλὴν εἰς σέ· νῦν δὲ σοί γʼ ἑκὼν ἐκστήσομαι.

ἄφετε γὰρ αὐτὸν μηδὲ προσψαύσητʼ ἔτι·

ἐᾶτε μίμνειν. οὐδὲ σοῦ προσχρῄζομεν,
1055

τά γʼ ὅπλʼ ἔχοντες ταῦτʼ, ἐπεὶ πάρεστι μὲν

Τεῦκρος παρʼ ἡμῖν, τήνδʼ ἐπιστήμην ἔχων,

ἐγώ θʼ, ὃς οἶμαι σοῦ κάκιον οὐδὲν ἂν

τούτων κρατύνειν, μηδʼ ἐπιθύνειν χερί.

τί δῆτα σοῦ δεῖ; χαῖρε τὴν Λῆμνον πατῶν·
1060

ἡμεῖς δʼ ἴωμεν, καὶ τάχʼ ἂν τὸ σὸν γέρας

τιμὴν ἐμοὶ νείμειεν, ἣν σὲ χρῆν ἔχειν.

Φιλοκτήτης

οἴμοι· τί δράσω δύσμορος; σὺ τοῖς ἐμοῖς

ὅπλοισι κοσμηθεὶς ἐν Ἀργείοις φανεῖ;

Ὀδυσσεύς

μή μʼ ἀντιφώνει μηδέν, ὡς στείχοντα δή.
1065

Φιλοκτήτης

ὦ σπέρμʼ Ἀχιλλέως, οὐδὲ σοῦ φωνῆς ἔτι

γενήσομαι προσφθεγκτός, ἀλλʼ οὕτως ἄπει;

Ὀδυσσεύς

χώρει σύ· μὴ πρόσλευσσε, γενναῖός περ ὤν,

ἡμῶν ὅπως μὴ τὴν τύχην διαφθερεῖς.

Φιλοκτήτης

ἦ καὶ πρὸς ὑμῶν ὧδʼ ἔρημος, ὦ ξένοι,
1070

λειφθήσομαι δὴ κοὐκ ἐποικτερεῖτέ με;

Χορός

ὅδʼ ἐστὶν ἡμῶν ναυκράτωρ ὁ παῖς· ὅσʼ ἂν

οὗτος λέγῃ σοι, ταῦτά σοι χἠμεῖς φαμέν.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἀκούσομαι μὲν ὡς ἔφυν οἴκτου πλέως

πρὸς τοῦδʼ· ὅμως δὲ μείνατʼ, εἰ τούτῳ δοκεῖ,
1075

χρόνον τοσοῦτον, εἰς ὅσον τά τʼ ἐκ νεὼς

στείλωσι ναῦται καὶ θεοῖς εὐξώμεθα.

χοὖτος τάχʼ ἂν φρόνησιν ἐν τούτῳ λάβοι

λῴω τινʼ ἡμῖν. νὼ μὲν οὖν ὁρμώμεθον,

ὑμεῖς δʼ, ὅταν καλῶμεν, ὁρμᾶσθαι ταχεῖς.
1080

Translations (4)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 1045 focus

How full of bitterness is his resolve,
1045

Wrathfully spoken with unbending will!

OD

I might speak long in answer, did the time

Give scope, but now one thing is mine to say.

I am known to vary with the varying need;

And when ’tis tried, who can be just and good,
1050

My peer will not be found for piety.

But though on all occasions covetous

Of victory, this once I yield to thee,

And willingly. Unhand him there. Let go!

Leave him to stay. What further use of thee,
1055

When we have ta’en these arms? Have we not Teucer,

Skilled in this mystery? Yea, I may boast

Myself thine equal both in strength and aim

To wield them. Fare thee well, then! Thou art free

To roam thy barren isle. We need thee not.
1060

Let us be going! And perchance thy gift

May bring thy destined glory to my brow.

PHI

What shall I do? Alas, shalt thou be seen

Graced with mine arms amongst Achaean men?

OD

No more! I am going.
1065

PHI

O Achilles’ child!

Wilt thou, too, vanish? Must I lose thy voice?

OD

Come on, and look not, noble though thou be,

Lest thou undo our fortune.

PHI

Mariners,
1070

Must ye, too, leave me thus disconsolate?
1070

Will ye not pity me?

CH

Our captain’s here.

Whate’er he saith to thee, that we too speak.

NEO

My chief will call me weakling, soft of heart;

But go not yet, since our friend bids you stay.
1075

Till we have prayed, and all be ready on board.

Meanwhile, perchance, he may conceive some thought

That favours our design. We two will start;

And ye, be swift to speed forth at our call.

PHI
MONODY .

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 1045 focus

In schwerem Zorne sprach der Mann ein schweres Wort
1015

Zu dir, Odysseus, das der Noth sich nicht gebeugt.

Odysseus.

Ich könnte Viel entgegnen auf des Mannes Wort,

Wär's mir verstattet; nun vermag ich Eines nur.

Wo mir's die Pflicht gebietet, thu' ich wie ich that;

Doch wo's gerechte, tugendhafte Männer gilt,
1020

Da wirst du keinen frömmern Mann, als mich, erseh'n.

Wohl drängt zum Sieg ein angeborner Trieb mich stets,

Nur über dich nicht; gerne weich' ich jezt vor dir.

So laßt den Mann denn, und berührt nicht weiter ihn;

Er möge bleiben! Wir bedürfen deiner nicht;
1025

Denn deine Waffen haben wir, und Teukros ist

In unserm Heere, wohlbewährt in dieser Kunst,

Auch ich, der, traun, nicht ungeschickter dies Geschoß,

Als du, zu führen und an's Ziel zu treffen meint.

Was braucht es deiner? Lebe wohl auf Lemnos' Höh'n!
1030

Wir aber gehen! Mir erringt dein Ehrenlohn

Den Ruhm vielleicht noch, welcher dir beschieden war.

Philoktetes.

Was soll ich thun, ich Armer? Weh! Du willst geschmückt

Mit meinen Waffen prangen im Achäerheer?

Odysseus.

Erwiedre mir Nichts weiter; denn ich gehe schon.
1035

Philoktetes.

Sohn Achillens, werd' ich keines Wortes mehr,

Auch nicht von dir, gewürdigt? Gehst du so von mir?

(zu Neoptolemos)

Odysseus.

Du geh und blicke nicht nach ihm aus Mitgefühl,

Auf daß du nicht, großmüthig, unser Glück zerstörst.

(zu dem Chore)

Philoktetes.

Auch ihr, o Freunde, wollt allein im öden Land
1040

Zurück mich lassen, und erbarmt euch meiner nicht?

Der Chor.

Der Jüngling hier ist unser Schiffsgebieter, und

Was er zu dir sagt, eben dies auch sagen wir.

Neoptolemos.

Wohl wird Odysseus, daß ich voll Erbarmen sei,

Mich tadeln; dennoch bleibet, wenn es dieser wünscht,
1045

So lange Zeit noch, bis die Schiffer Alles dort

Zur Fahrt bestellt und wir die Götter angefleht.

Und er besinnt sich unterdeß auf Bess'res wohl

Für unsern Vortheil. Doch wir beide brechen auf,

Und ihr, sobald wir rufen, kommt in Eile nach.
1050
(Odysseus und Neoptolemos ab.) Philoktetes. Der Chor. Erste Strophe.

Philoktetes.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 1045 focus

\to UlyssesJ. Observe, my lord, what bitterness
1045

of soul
1045

His words express ; he bends not to misfortune,

But seems to brave it.

Ulysses

I could answer him,

Were this a time for words ; but now, no more

Than this — I act as best befits our purpose.

Where virtue, truth, and justice are required
1050

Ulysses yields to none \ I was not born

To be o'ercome, and yet submit to thee.

Let him remain. Thy arrows shall suffice ;

We want thee not ; Teucer can draw thy bow
1055

As well as thou ; myself with equal strength

Can aim the deadly shaft, with equal skill.

What could thy presence do ? Let Lemnos keep thee.

Farewell ! perhaps the honours once designed
1060

For thee may be reserved to grace Ulysses.

Philoctetes

Alas ! shall Greece then see my deadlie>;i foe

Adorned with arms which I alone should bear ]

Ulysses

No more ! 1 must be gone.
1065

Philoctetes

\to Neoptolemus]. Son of Achilles,

Thou wilt not leave me too? I must not lose

Thy converse, thy assistance,

Ulysses

\to ISTeoptolemus. Look not on him ;

Away, I charge thee ! 'Twould be fatal to us.

Philoctetes

\to the Chorus]. Will you forsake me, friends ?
1070

Dwells no compassion
1070

Within your breasts for mel

Chorus

[pomting to Neoptolemus]. He is our master ;

We speak and act but as his will directs.

Neoptolemus

I know he will upbraid me for this weakness.

But 'tis my nature, and I must consent,

Since Philoctetes asks it. Stay you with him.
1075

Till to the gods our pious prayers we offer.

And all things are prepared for our departure ;

Perhaps, meantime, to better thoughts his mind

May turn relenting. We must go. Remember,

When we shall call you, follow instantly.

laS
1080

Philoctetes
[Exit icith Ulysses Scene III.

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 1045 focus

Fierce is his passion and his words are fierce ;
1045

He hath a soul that yields not to his woes.

Ulysses

I could say much in answer to his speech,

Were this fit time: one word is now enough.

Such where the general cause of Greece requires,
1050

Such I am found; but where the cause demands

The just and good, than me thou wilt not find

A man more pious. Nature prompts my wish
1055

Always to be victorious, save o'er thee:

To thee I freely yield. Unbind his hands,

Touch him no more, permit him here to stay.

We shall not want thee, since these arms are ours.

Teucer

in this art well skill'd;

Nor in this science will I yield to thee;

My hands can bend the bow, and aim the shaft:

What need of thee? Farewell, and tread the roeks

Of Lemnos: we must go: this prize perchance

Will give to me the glory thou shou'dst gain.

Philoctetes

What can I do? Ah helpless wretch! Shalt thou

Amidst the Grecians glory in my arms?

Ulysses

No more reply: I hasten to the bark.
1065

Philoctetes

Son of Achilles, wilt thou no more deign:

To speak to me, but wilt thou leave me thus ?

Ulysses

Thou art too generous, look on him no more;

Away, lest all our fortune thou o'erthrow.

Philoctetes

And will you, friendly strangers, thus depart;

He is our lord, our galley he commands;

To thee whate'er he says, the same we say .T

Neoptolemus

I shall be censured as too apt to melt

With pity: nature so hath framed my heart.
1075

Yet stay with him, if such his wish, stay here

Till all things are embark'd, and to the gods

We make our vows. Meantime perchance his mind

May take a scfter temper. We two go; of

And you with speed attend us at our call...()
1080

Philoctetes
PHILOCTETES, CHORUS.

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-569-1 βαρύς ¹

mvp-comment-569-2 κοὐχ ὑπείκ. ²

mvp-comment-570-1 παρείκοι ³

mvp-comment-570-2 ἑνὸς κρατῶ λόγου ⁴

mvp-comment-571-1 γὰρ ⁵

mvp-comment-571-2 τοιούτων ⁶ τοιούτων ⁷ πανούργων ⁸

mvp-comment-571-3 κρίσις ⁹

mvp-comment-571-4 μου ¹⁰

mvp-comment-572-1 νικᾶν ¹¹

mvp-comment-572-2 γε μέντοι ¹²

mvp-comment-572-3 εἰς σέ ¹³

mvp-comment-572-4 ἐκστήσομαι ¹⁴

mvp-comment-573-1 ἄφετε γὰρ αὐτόν ¹⁵ γὰρ ¹⁶

mvp-comment-573-2 οὐδὲ σοῦ ¹⁷ οὐδέ σου ¹⁸ προσχρῄζομεν ¹⁹ σοῦ ²⁰ τά γ’ ὅπλ’ ²¹

mvp-comment-574-1 Τεῦκρος ²² τήνδ’ ἐπιστήμην ²³

mvp-comment-574-2 παρ’ ἡμῖν ²⁴ πάρεστι ²⁵

mvp-comment-575-1 ἐγώ θ’ ²⁶

mvp-comment-575-2 μηδ’ ἐπιθύνειν ²⁷

mvp-comment-575-3 After a verb of thinking or saying,

οὐ

is the ordinary negative with the inf.: but

μή

sometimes occurs ( O. T. 1455 n., 2nd ed.). Here the question is, why the second inf. should have μηδ’ ²⁸ οὐδὲν ²⁹ οὐδὲν ³⁰ κάκιον ³¹ κρατύνειν ³²

mvp-comment-575-4 (2) The less probable view is that οὐδὲν ³³ κρατύνειν ³⁴ μηδ’ ³⁵ ἐπιθύνειν ³⁶ οἶμαι ³⁷ οὐ ³⁸ μηδέ ³⁹ οὐ … μηδέ ⁴⁰ οὐ … οὐδέ ⁴¹

mvp-comment-575-5 Nauck's conjecture, ἠδ’ ἐπευθύνειν ⁴²

mvp-comment-576-1 τὴν Αῆμνον ⁴³

mvp-comment-577-1 γέρας ⁴⁴

mvp-comment-577-2 ἣν σὲ χρῆν ⁴⁵ ἣν σ’ ἐχρῆν ⁴⁶

mvp-comment-577-3 1064 Since ἐν ⁴⁷ Ἀργείοις ⁴⁸ ὅπλοισι κοσμηθεὶς ⁴⁹

mvp-comment-578-1 μή μ’ ἀντιφώνει ⁵⁰

mvp-comment-578-2 δή ⁵¹

mvp-comment-579-1 προσφθεγκτός ⁵²

mvp-comment-579-2 οὕτως ⁵³

mvp-comment-580-1 γενναῖός περ ὤν ⁵⁴ τὴν τύχην διαφθερεῖς ⁵⁵

mvp-comment-580-2 ὅπως μὴ ⁵⁶

mvp-comment-581-1 ναυκράτωρ ⁵⁷

mvp-comment-582-1 ἀκούσομαι ⁵⁸

mvp-comment-583-1 εἰς ὅσον ⁵⁹

mvp-comment-583-2 τά … ἐκ νεὼς στείλωσι ⁶⁰ στείλωσι ⁶¹

mvp-comment-583-3 θεοῖς εὐξώμεθα ⁶²

mvp-comment-584-1 ὁρμώμεθον ⁶³

mvp-comment-585-1 ὁρμᾶσθαι ⁶⁴ ταχεῖς ⁶⁵

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

1045. mvp-comment-721-1 Cp. Ant. 471, 2, δηλοῖ τὸ γέννημ' ὠμὸν ἐξ ὠμοῦ πατρὸς | τῆς παιδός· εἴκειν δ᾽ οὐκ ἐπίσταται κακοῖς. For the hypallage in φάτιν.. ὑπείκουσαν, cp. O. C. 977, πῶς *δἂν τὸ γ' ἶκον πρᾶγμ᾽ ἂν εἰκότως ψέγοις;

1048. mvp-comment-722-1 εἴ μοι παρείκοι] Sc. τὸ πρᾶγμα ὥστε πολλὰ λέγειν. 'Did but my leisure serve me.' νῦν δ᾽ ἑνὸς κρατῶ λόγου] 'But, as it is, I have only one thing to say.' This refers to infr. 1054 foll. 'All I can now say is that we need not take him, if he will not come. The bow is enough.' Odysseus means that this is not the time for justifying his act. He will do and say only what is necessary for his end. When the plea of justice is required, arguments will not fail him. κρατῶ has been suspected. The nearest parallel to it is O. T. 409, τοῦδε γὰρ κἀγὼ κρατῶ.

1049. mvp-comment-723-1 τοιούτων .. τοιοῦτος have here a general meaning, and τοιούτων may be either (1) neuter, or (2) masculine. (1) 'Where this or that line of conduct is required, I follow that course;' or (2) 'Where this or that character is needed, I am of that character.' Cp. Plato, Rep. 4.429 B, 437 E, Phaedr. 271 D; Eur. Or. 1680 ( ΜΕ. πείθεσθαι χρεών.) ΟΡ. κἀγὼ τοιοῦτος (sc. τῇ γνώμῃ εἰμὶ ὥστε πείθεσθαι). Others suppose a vague reference to the accusation of injustice in Philoctetes' speech.

1050-1051. mvp-comment-724-1 Cp. supr. 83-5.

1052-1053. mvp-comment-725-1 νικᾶν γε . ἐκστήσομαι] 'However, while in all other cases I am certainly solicitous to overcome, I make an exception in regard to you. On the contrary, I am willing to let you have your way.' The paratactic structure ( cp. supr. 1043) assists the surprise in πλὴν εἰς σέ, which is thus brought in suddenly. σοί γ᾽] γε reaffirms εἰς σε with ironical courtesy.

1054. mvp-comment-726-1 ἄφετε] Cp. supr. 1003.

1055. mvp-comment-727-1 προσχρήζομεν] προσ-, 'in addition.'

1056. mvp-comment-728-1 μέν] 'If no one else.'

1057. mvp-comment-729-1 Cp. Od. 8. 219, where Odysseus boasts that he is second to none but Philoctetes in the use of the bow, and contrast Aj. 1120, ὁ τοξότης ἔοικεν οὐ σμικρὸν φρονεῖν. It is necessary to the plot of the Philoctetes that skill in archery should be spoken of with respect, as in heroic times, whereas Menelaus in the Ajax expresses the contempt of a hoplite of the time of Pericles for the light-armed bowman.

1058. mvp-comment-730-1 ἐγώ θ'] 'And I too.' 'Post πόρεστι μὲν Τεύκρος sequi dedebat πάρειμι δ' ἐγώ, pro quo mutata orationis forma ἐγώ τε illatum est, quia hoc sine verbo positum est.' Dindorf. E. on L. § 36. p. 65. Cp. infr. 1424-8. ὃς οἶμαι, κ.τ.λ.] The bow of Odysseus is not less famous than that of Heracles. See Introd. to Trachiniae.

1058-1059. mvp-comment-731-1 οὐδὲν .. μηδ'] οὐ belongs strictly to οἶμαι, as in οὗ φημι, οὐ φαίνεται, etc. μή is to be taken closely with the infinitive, which receives an hypothetical turn from av preceding. Wunder quotes Plat. Prot. 319 Β, ὅθεν δὲ αὐτὸ ἡγοῦμαι οὐ διδακτὸν εἶναι μηδ' ὑπ᾿ ἀνθρώπων παρασκευστὸν ἀνθρώποις, δίκαιός εἰμι εἰπεῖν, but οὐ there rather adheres to διδακτόν. The repetition of the negative is here emphatic.

1060. mvp-comment-732-1 Cp. supr. 2, and note.

1062. mvp-comment-733-1 ἣν σ᾽ ἐχρῆν ἔχειν] Here, as above in 997, 8, Odysseus alludes to the prophecy, of which, however, Philoctetes has not been told. He was too impatient to listen to Neoptolemus, supr. 919, 20.

1064. mvp-comment-734-1 For the absence of caesura in this line, cp. infr. 1369.

1066-1067. mvp-comment-735-1 φωνῆς .. προσφθεγκτός] The pleonasm is pathetic. 'Shall I no more hear your voice addressing me?' Philoctetes, who supr. 220 foll. was overjoyed at the sight of Greeks, and longed to hear them speak, is now being left in tenfold desolation. He still clings to his hope in Neoptolemus, and makes a last appeal to the mariners, who, 507 foll., 676 foll., had shown some pity for him.

1074-1075. mvp-comment-736-1 'Odysseus will tell me that I am a victim of weak pity: but still, if Philoctetes craves it, go not yet.' ἀκούσομαι] · 'I shall be reviled.' Cp. supr. 607, and note. οἴκτου] Cp. O.C. 1636, οὐκ οἴκτου μέτα. πλέως is used in reproachful phrases, e.g. Aesch. Prom. 696, πρό γε στενάζεις καὶ φόβου πλέα τις εἶ.

1076. mvp-comment-737-1 εἰς ὅσον] Sc. χρόνον. Cp. O. C. 1701, El. 1075. and notes. τὰ ἐκ νεώς] 'Things on board.' For ἐκ, with the genitive denoting the whereabouts of a thing, cp. πρός with genitive, ἐγγύθεν, πόρρωθεν, etc. Cp. also supr. 630, and note.

1079. mvp-comment-738-1 ἡμῖν with λῴω. νώ] Neoptolemus and Odysseus. Some critics object to the form ὁρμώμεθον and read ὁρμώμεθα with Γ.

1080. mvp-comment-739-1 ὁρμᾶσθαι] Infin. for imper. ταχεῖς, predicative. Cp. supr. 526, ὁρμάσθω ταχύς: Thuc. 5. 9. § 7, σὺ δέ, ὦ Κλεαρίδα, . . αἰφνιδίως τὰς πύλας ἀνοίξας ἐπεκθεῖν.

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Chorus Bitter is the stranger, and bitter his words, Odysseus. They do not bend before the storm of his troubles. 1045

Philoctetes Ah, no, what shall I do? Are you to shine before the Argives graced with my arms?

Odysseus Argue with me no more. I am going. 1065

Philoctetes Seed of Achilles, will you, too, grant me your voice no more, but leave without a word?

Odysseus Come on! Do not look at him, kind and noble though you are. Do not obliterate our good fortune.

Philoctetes And will you also, friends, leave me so desolate and show me no pity? 1070

Chorus The boy commands our ship. Whatever he says to you, that is our answer also.

Current edition Experimental

βαρύς τε καὶ βαρεῖαν ὁ ξένος φάτιν 1045 τήνδ᾽ εἶπ᾽, ᾿Ὀδυσσεῦ, κοὐχ ὑπείκουσαν ει from η ὑπείκουσαν κακοῖς.

ΟΔ. πόλλ᾽ ἂν λέγειν ἔχοιμι πρὸς τὰ τοῦδ᾽ ἔπη, εἴ μοι παρείκοι· νῦν δ᾽ ἑνὸς κρατῶ λόγου.

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ΦΙΛΟΚΤΗΤΗΣ.

ΦΙ. οἴμοι· τί δράσω δύσμορος; σὺ τοῖς ἐμοῖς ὅπλοισι κοσμηθεὶς ἐν ᾿Αργείοις φανεῖ;

ΟΔ. μή μ' ἀντιφώνει μηδέν, ὡς ὡ ὡς στείχοντα δή. 1065

ΦΙ. ὦ σπέρμ᾽ ᾿Αχιλλέως, οὐδὲ σοῦ φωνῆς ἔτι γενήσομαι προσφθεγκτός, ἀλλ᾽ οὕτως ἄπει;

ΟΔ. χώρει σύ· μὴ πρόσλευσσε πρόσλευσε πρόσλευσσε πρόσελθε, γενναῖός περ ὤν, ἡμῶν ὅπως μὴ τὴν τύχην διαφθερείς διαφθαρῆς.

ΦΙ. ἢ καὶ πρὸς ὑμῶν ὧδ᾽ ἔρημος, ὦ ξένοι, 1070 λειφθήσομαι δὴ ἤδη κοὐκ ἐποικτερεῖτέ με ;

ΧΟ. ὅδ᾽ ἐστὶν ἡμῶν ναυκράτωρ ὁ παῖς, ὅσ᾽ ἂν οὗτος λέγῃ σοι, ταῦτά σοι χήμεῖς γ'᾽ ἡμεῖσ χ᾿ ἡμεῖσ φαμέν.

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ΦΙ. στρ.α΄. (1.) ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

Χορός βαρύς τε καὶ βαρεῖαν ὁ ξένος φάτιν 1045 τήνδʼ εἶπʼ, Ὀδυσσεῦ, κοὐχ ὑπείκουσαν κακοῖς.

Φιλοκτήτης οἴμοι· τί δράσω δύσμορος; σὺ τοῖς ἐμοῖς ὅπλοισι κοσμηθεὶς ἐν Ἀργείοις φανεῖ;

Ὀδυσσεύς μή μʼ ἀντιφώνει μηδέν, ὡς στείχοντα δή. 1065

Φιλοκτήτης ὦ σπέρμʼ Ἀχιλλέως, οὐδὲ σοῦ φωνῆς ἔτι γενήσομαι προσφθεγκτός, ἀλλʼ οὕτως ἄπει;

Ὀδυσσεύς χώρει σύ· μὴ πρόσλευσσε, γενναῖός περ ὤν, ἡμῶν ὅπως μὴ τὴν τύχην διαφθερεῖς.

Φιλοκτήτης ἦ καὶ πρὸς ὑμῶν ὧδʼ ἔρημος, ὦ ξένοι, 1070 λειφθήσομαι δὴ κοὐκ ἐποικτερεῖτέ με;

Χορός ὅδʼ ἐστὶν ἡμῶν ναυκράτωρ ὁ παῖς· ὅσʼ ἂν οὗτος λέγῃ σοι, ταῦτά σοι χἠμεῖς φαμέν.

How full of bitterness is his resolve, 1045 Wrathfully spoken with unbending will!

PHI What shall I do? Alas, shalt thou be seen Graced with mine arms amongst Achaean men?

OD No more! I am going. 1065

PHI O Achilles’ child! Wilt thou, too, vanish? Must I lose thy voice?

OD Come on, and look not, noble though thou be, Lest thou undo our fortune.

PHI Mariners, 1070 Must ye, too, leave me thus disconsolate? 1070 Will ye not pity me?

CH Our captain’s here. Whate’er he saith to thee, that we too speak.

NEO My chief will call me weakling, soft of heart; But go not yet, since our friend bids you stay. 1075 Till we have prayed, and all be ready on board. Meanwhile, perchance, he may conceive some thought That favours our design. We two will start; And ye, be swift to speed forth at our call.

PHI MONODY .

In schwerem Zorne sprach der Mann ein schweres Wort 1015 Zu dir, Odysseus, das der Noth sich nicht gebeugt.

Philoktetes. Was soll ich thun, ich Armer? Weh! Du willst geschmückt Mit meinen Waffen prangen im Achäerheer?

Odysseus. Erwiedre mir Nichts weiter; denn ich gehe schon. 1035

Philoktetes. Sohn Achillens, werd' ich keines Wortes mehr, Auch nicht von dir, gewürdigt? Gehst du so von mir? (zu Neoptolemos)

Odysseus. Du geh und blicke nicht nach ihm aus Mitgefühl, Auf daß du nicht, großmüthig, unser Glück zerstörst. (zu dem Chore)

Philoktetes. Auch ihr, o Freunde, wollt allein im öden Land 1040 Zurück mich lassen, und erbarmt euch meiner nicht?

Der Chor. Der Jüngling hier ist unser Schiffsgebieter, und Was er zu dir sagt, eben dies auch sagen wir.

Philoktetes.

\to UlyssesJ. Observe, my lord, what bitterness 1045 of soul 1045 His words express ; he bends not to misfortune, But seems to brave it.

Philoctetes Alas ! shall Greece then see my deadlie>;i foe Adorned with arms which I alone should bear ]

Ulysses No more ! 1 must be gone. 1065

Philoctetes \to Neoptolemus]. Son of Achilles, Thou wilt not leave me too? I must not lose Thy converse, thy assistance,

Ulysses \to ISTeoptolemus. Look not on him ; Away, I charge thee ! 'Twould be fatal to us.

Philoctetes \to the Chorus]. Will you forsake me, friends ? 1070 Dwells no compassion 1070 Within your breasts for mel

Chorus [pomting to Neoptolemus]. He is our master ; We speak and act but as his will directs.

Philoctetes [Exit icith Ulysses Scene III.

Fierce is his passion and his words are fierce ; 1045 He hath a soul that yields not to his woes.

Teucer in this art well skill'd; Nor in this science will I yield to thee; My hands can bend the bow, and aim the shaft: What need of thee? Farewell, and tread the roeks Of Lemnos: we must go: this prize perchance Will give to me the glory thou shou'dst gain.

Philoctetes What can I do? Ah helpless wretch! Shalt thou Amidst the Grecians glory in my arms?

Ulysses No more reply: I hasten to the bark. 1065

Philoctetes Son of Achilles, wilt thou no more deign: To speak to me, but wilt thou leave me thus ?

Ulysses Thou art too generous, look on him no more; Away, lest all our fortune thou o'erthrow.

Philoctetes And will you, friendly strangers, thus depart;

He is our lord, our galley he commands; To thee whate'er he says, the same we say .T

Philoctetes PHILOCTETES, CHORUS.

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Chorus

Bitter is the stranger, and bitter his words, Odysseus. They do not bend before the storm of his troubles.
1045

Philoctetes

Ah, no, what shall I do? Are you to shine before the Argives graced with my arms?

Odysseus

Argue with me no more. I am going.
1065

Philoctetes

Seed of Achilles, will you, too, grant me your voice no more, but leave without a word?

Odysseus

Come on! Do not look at him, kind and noble though you are. Do not obliterate our good fortune.

Philoctetes

And will you also, friends, leave me so desolate and show me no pity?
1070

Chorus

The boy commands our ship. Whatever he says to you, that is our answer also.

βαρύς τε καὶ βαρεῖαν ὁ ξένος φάτιν
1045

τήνδ᾽ εἶπ᾽, ᾿Ὀδυσσεῦ, κοὐχ ὑπείκουσαν ει from η ὑπείκουσαν κακοῖς.

ΟΔ.

πόλλ᾽ ἂν λέγειν ἔχοιμι πρὸς τὰ τοῦδ᾽ ἔπη,

εἴ μοι παρείκοι· νῦν δ᾽ ἑνὸς κρατῶ λόγου.

ΦΙ.

οἴμοι· τί δράσω δύσμορος; σὺ τοῖς ἐμοῖς

ὅπλοισι κοσμηθεὶς ἐν ᾿Αργείοις φανεῖ;

ΟΔ.

μή μ' ἀντιφώνει μηδέν, ὡς ὡ ὡς στείχοντα δή.
1065

ΦΙ.

ὦ σπέρμ᾽ ᾿Αχιλλέως, οὐδὲ σοῦ φωνῆς ἔτι

γενήσομαι προσφθεγκτός, ἀλλ᾽ οὕτως ἄπει;

ΟΔ.

χώρει σύ· μὴ πρόσλευσσε πρόσλευσε πρόσλευσσε πρόσελθε, γενναῖός περ ὤν,

ἡμῶν ὅπως μὴ τὴν τύχην διαφθερείς διαφθαρῆς.

ΦΙ.

ἢ καὶ πρὸς ὑμῶν ὧδ᾽ ἔρημος, ὦ ξένοι,
1070

λειφθήσομαι δὴ ἤδη κοὐκ ἐποικτερεῖτέ με ;

ΧΟ.

ὅδ᾽ ἐστὶν ἡμῶν ναυκράτωρ ὁ παῖς, ὅσ᾽ ἂν

οὗτος λέγῃ σοι, ταῦτά σοι χήμεῖς γ'᾽ ἡμεῖσ χ᾿ ἡμεῖσ φαμέν.

ΦΙ.

στρ.α΄. (1.)
ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

Χορός

βαρύς τε καὶ βαρεῖαν ὁ ξένος φάτιν
1045

τήνδʼ εἶπʼ, Ὀδυσσεῦ, κοὐχ ὑπείκουσαν κακοῖς.

Φιλοκτήτης

οἴμοι· τί δράσω δύσμορος; σὺ τοῖς ἐμοῖς

ὅπλοισι κοσμηθεὶς ἐν Ἀργείοις φανεῖ;

Ὀδυσσεύς

μή μʼ ἀντιφώνει μηδέν, ὡς στείχοντα δή.
1065

Φιλοκτήτης

ὦ σπέρμʼ Ἀχιλλέως, οὐδὲ σοῦ φωνῆς ἔτι

γενήσομαι προσφθεγκτός, ἀλλʼ οὕτως ἄπει;

Ὀδυσσεύς

χώρει σύ· μὴ πρόσλευσσε, γενναῖός περ ὤν,

ἡμῶν ὅπως μὴ τὴν τύχην διαφθερεῖς.

Φιλοκτήτης

ἦ καὶ πρὸς ὑμῶν ὧδʼ ἔρημος, ὦ ξένοι,
1070

λειφθήσομαι δὴ κοὐκ ἐποικτερεῖτέ με;

Χορός

ὅδʼ ἐστὶν ἡμῶν ναυκράτωρ ὁ παῖς· ὅσʼ ἂν

οὗτος λέγῃ σοι, ταῦτά σοι χἠμεῖς φαμέν.

How full of bitterness is his resolve,
1045

Wrathfully spoken with unbending will!

PHI

What shall I do? Alas, shalt thou be seen

Graced with mine arms amongst Achaean men?

OD

No more! I am going.
1065

PHI

O Achilles’ child!

Wilt thou, too, vanish? Must I lose thy voice?

OD

Come on, and look not, noble though thou be,

Lest thou undo our fortune.

PHI

Mariners,
1070

Must ye, too, leave me thus disconsolate?
1070

Will ye not pity me?

CH

Our captain’s here.

Whate’er he saith to thee, that we too speak.

NEO

My chief will call me weakling, soft of heart;

But go not yet, since our friend bids you stay.
1075

Till we have prayed, and all be ready on board.

Meanwhile, perchance, he may conceive some thought

That favours our design. We two will start;

And ye, be swift to speed forth at our call.

PHI
MONODY .

In schwerem Zorne sprach der Mann ein schweres Wort
1015

Zu dir, Odysseus, das der Noth sich nicht gebeugt.

Philoktetes.

Was soll ich thun, ich Armer? Weh! Du willst geschmückt

Mit meinen Waffen prangen im Achäerheer?

Odysseus.

Erwiedre mir Nichts weiter; denn ich gehe schon.
1035

Philoktetes.

Sohn Achillens, werd' ich keines Wortes mehr,

Auch nicht von dir, gewürdigt? Gehst du so von mir?

(zu Neoptolemos)

Odysseus.

Du geh und blicke nicht nach ihm aus Mitgefühl,

Auf daß du nicht, großmüthig, unser Glück zerstörst.

(zu dem Chore)

Philoktetes.

Auch ihr, o Freunde, wollt allein im öden Land
1040

Zurück mich lassen, und erbarmt euch meiner nicht?

Der Chor.

Der Jüngling hier ist unser Schiffsgebieter, und

Was er zu dir sagt, eben dies auch sagen wir.

\to UlyssesJ. Observe, my lord, what bitterness
1045

of soul
1045

His words express ; he bends not to misfortune,

But seems to brave it.

Philoctetes

Alas ! shall Greece then see my deadlie>;i foe

Adorned with arms which I alone should bear ]

Ulysses

No more ! 1 must be gone.
1065

Philoctetes

\to Neoptolemus]. Son of Achilles,

Thou wilt not leave me too? I must not lose

Thy converse, thy assistance,

Ulysses

\to ISTeoptolemus. Look not on him ;

Away, I charge thee ! 'Twould be fatal to us.

Philoctetes

\to the Chorus]. Will you forsake me, friends ?
1070

Dwells no compassion
1070

Within your breasts for mel

Chorus

[pomting to Neoptolemus]. He is our master ;

We speak and act but as his will directs.

Philoctetes
[Exit icith Ulysses Scene III.

Fierce is his passion and his words are fierce ;
1045

He hath a soul that yields not to his woes.

Teucer

in this art well skill'd;

Nor in this science will I yield to thee;

My hands can bend the bow, and aim the shaft:

What need of thee? Farewell, and tread the roeks

Of Lemnos: we must go: this prize perchance

Will give to me the glory thou shou'dst gain.

Philoctetes

What can I do? Ah helpless wretch! Shalt thou

Amidst the Grecians glory in my arms?

Ulysses

No more reply: I hasten to the bark.
1065

Philoctetes

Son of Achilles, wilt thou no more deign:

To speak to me, but wilt thou leave me thus ?

Ulysses

Thou art too generous, look on him no more;

Away, lest all our fortune thou o'erthrow.

Philoctetes

And will you, friendly strangers, thus depart;

He is our lord, our galley he commands;

To thee whate'er he says, the same we say .T

Philoctetes
PHILOCTETES, CHORUS.