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Philoctetes

What did you say? Am I being tricked a second time?

Neoptolemus

No, I swear it by the pure majesty of Zeus most high!

Philoctetes

O welcome words—if your words are true!
1290

Neoptolemus

The deed will soon make it plain. Come, stretch out your right hand and be master of your bow! As he hands the bow and arrows to Philoctetes, Odysseus suddenly appears.

Odysseus

But I forbid it, as the gods are my witnesses, in the name of the Atreids and the entire army!

Philoctetes

Son, whose voice was that? Do I hear Odysseus?
1295

Odysseus

Be sure of it, and you see him at your side, who will carry you to the plains of Troy by force, whether or not the son of Achilles is willing.

Philoctetes

But it will bring you no joy, if this arrow fly straight. Odysseus flees from the stage.

Neoptolemus

Wait—by the gods, no! Do not let it fly!
1300

Philoctetes

Let go of me, in the name of the gods, dear boy!

Neoptolemus

I will not.

Philoctetes

Alas! Why did you take from me the chance to kill my hated enemy with my bow?

Neoptolemus

It would have been honorable neither for me, nor for you.

Philoctetes

Well, you may be sure of one thing, at least: the army’s chiefs, the lying heralds of the Greeks, though bold with words, are cowards in the fight.
1305

Neoptolemus

Good; the bow is yours, and you have no cause for anger or complaint against me.

Philoctetes

Agreed. You have revealed the true stock, my son, from which you spring. You are no child of Sisyphus, but of Achilles, whose fame was the fairest when he was among the living, as it is now with the dead.
1310

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)) — 1288 focus

πῶς εἶπας; ἆρα οὐκ ἆρα οὐκ ἄρα δεύτερον δολούμεθα δουλούμεθα δολούμεθα ;

ΝΕ,

ἀπώμοσ᾽ ἁγνοῦ Ζηνὸς ὕψιστον σέβας σέβας.

ΦΙ.

ὦ φίλτατ᾽ εἰπών, εἰ λέγεις ἐτήτυμα.

ΝΕ.

τοὔργον παρέσται φανερόν. ἀλλὰ δεξιὰν
1290

πρότεινε .. τεινε προύτεινε πρότεινε χεῖρα, καὶ κράτει τῶν σῶν ὅπλων.

ΟΔ.

ἐγὼ δ᾽ ἀπαυδῶ γ᾽, ὡς θεοὶ ξυνίστορες,

ὑπέρ τ᾽ ᾿Ατρειδῶν τοῦ τε σύμπαντος στρατοῦ.

ΦΙΛΟΚΤΗΤΗΣ.

ΦΙ.

τέκνον, τίνος φώνημα; μῶν ᾿Οδυσσέως

ἐπῃσθόμην ;
1295

ΟΔ.

σάφ᾽ ἴσθι· καὶ πέλας γ᾽ ὁρᾷς,

ὅς σ᾽ ἐς τὰ Τροίας πεδί᾽ πεδί πεδί᾽ ἀποστελῶ βίᾳ,

ἐάν τ᾿ ᾿Αχιλλέως παῖς ἐάν τε μὴ θέλῃ.

ΦΙ.

ἀλλ᾽ οὔ τι χαίρων, ἣν τόδ᾽ ὀρθωθῇ βέλος.

ΝΕ.

ἆ da dã â â, μηδαμῶς μη δαμῶς, μὴ πρὸς θεῶν, μεθῇς βέλος.

ΦΙ.

μέθες με, πρὸς θεῶν, χεῖρα, φίλτατον τέκνον.
1300

ΝΕ.

οὐκ ἂν μεθείην μεθείμην.

Ф1.

φεῦ· τί μ᾽ τίν' τί μ' ἄνδρα πολέμιον

ἐχθρόν τ᾽ ἀφείλου μὴ κτανεῖν τόξοις ἐμοῖς;

ΝΕ.

ἀλλ᾽ οὔτ᾽ ἐμοὶ τοῦτ᾽ ἐστὶν οὔτε σοὶ καλόν καλόν οὔτε σοί.

ΦΙ.

ἀλλ᾽ οὖν τοσοῦτόν γ᾽ ἴσθι, τοὺς πρώτους στρατοῦ,

τοὺς τῶν ᾿Αχαιῶν ψευδοκήρυκας, κακοὺς
1305

ὄντας πρὸς αἰχμήν, ἐν δὲ τοῖς λόγοις θρασεῖς.

ΝΕ.

εἶεν. τὰ μὴν δὴ δὴ τόξ᾽ ἔχεις, κοὐκ ἔσθ᾽ ὅπου

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ὀργὴν ἔχοις ἂν οὐδὲ μέμψιν εἰς ἐμέ.

ΦΙ.

ξύμφημι. τὴν φύσιν δ᾽ δ' ἔδειξας, ὦ τέκνον,

ἐξ ἧς ἔβλαστες, οὐχὶ Σισύφου πατρός,
1310

ἀλλ᾽ ἐξ᾿Αχιλλέως, ὃς μετὰ ζώντων θ᾽ θ' ὅτ᾽ ἦν

ἤκου᾽ ἄριστα, νῦν δὲ τῶν τεθνηκότων.

ΝΕ.

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 1288 focus

Φιλοκτήτης

πῶς εἶπας; ἆρα δεύτερον δολούμεθα;

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἀπώμοσʼ ἁγνὸν Ζηνὸς ὑψίστου σέβας.

Φιλοκτήτης

ὦ φίλτατʼ εἰπών, εἰ λέγεις ἐτήτυμα.
1290

Νεοπτόλεμος

τοὔργον παρέσται φανερόν· ἀλλὰ δεξιὰν

πρότεινε χεῖρα, καὶ κράτει τῶν σῶν ὅπλων.

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἐγὼ δʼ ἀπαυδῶ γʼ, ᾧ θεοὶ ξυνίστορες,

ὑπέρ τʼ Ἀτρειδῶν τοῦ τε σύμπαντος στρατοῦ.

Φιλοκτήτης

τέκνον, τίνος φώνημα, μῶν Ὀδυσσέως,
1295

ἐπῃσθόμην;

Ὀδυσσεύς

σάφʼ ἴσθι· καὶ πέλας γʼ ὁρᾷς,

ὅς σʼ ἐς τὰ Τροίας πεδίʼ ἀποστελῶ βίᾳ,

ἐάν τʼ Ἀχιλλέως παῖς ἐάν τε μὴ θέλῃ·

Φιλοκτήτης

ἀλλʼ οὔ τι χαίρων, ἢν τόδʼ ὀρθωθῇ βέλος.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἆ, μηδαμῶς, μή, πρὸς θεῶν, μεθῇς βέλος.
1300

Φιλοκτήτης

μέθες με, πρὸς θεῶν, χεῖρα, φίλτατον τέκνον.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκ ἂν μεθείην.

Φιλοκτήτης

φεῦ· τί μʼ ἄνδρα πολέμιον

ἐχθρόν τʼ ἀφείλου μὴ κτανεῖν τόξοις ἐμοῖς;

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἀλλʼ οὔτʼ ἐμοὶ τοῦτʼ ἐστὶν οὔτε σοὶ καλόν.

Φιλοκτήτης

ἀλλʼ οὖν τοσοῦτόν γʼ ἴσθι, τοὺς πρώτους στρατοῦ,
1305

τοὺς τῶν Ἀχαιῶν ψευδοκήρυκας, κακοὺς

ὄντας πρὸς αἰχμήν, ἐν δὲ τοῖς λόγοις θρασεῖς.

Νεοπτόλεμος

εἶεν· τὰ μὲν δὴ τόξʼ ἔχεις, κοὐκ ἔσθʼ ὅτου

ὀργὴν ἔχοις ἂν οὐδὲ μέμψιν εἰς ἐμέ.

Φιλοκτήτης

ξύμφημι· τὴν φύσιν δʼ ἔδειξας, ὦ τέκνον,
1310

ἐξ ἧς ἔβλαστες, οὐχὶ Σισύφου πατρός,

ἀλλʼ ἐξ Ἀχιλλέως, ὃς μετὰ ζώντων ὅτʼ ἦν

ἤκουʼ ἄριστα, νῦν δὲ τῶν τεθνηκότων.

Translations (4)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 1288 focus

What words are these? Am I again deceived?

NEO

No, by the holiest name of Zeus on high!

PHI

O voice of gladness, if thy speech be true!

NEO

The deed shall prove it. Only reach thy hand,
1290

And be again sole master of thy bow.

OD

But I make protest, in the sight of Heaven,

For Atreus’ sons, and all the Achaean host.

PHI

Dear son, whose voice disturbs us? Do I hear

Odysseus?

OD

Ay, and thou behold’st him nigh,

And he shall force thee to the Trojan plain,

Howe’er Achilles’ offspring make or mar.

PHI

This shaft shall bear thee sorrow for that boast.
1300

NEO

Let it not fly, by Heaven!

PHI

Dear child, let go

Mine arm!

NEO

I will not.

PHI

Ah! Why hast thou robbed

My bow of bringing down mine enemy?

NEO

This were ignoble both for thee and me.

PHI

One thing is manifest, the first o’ the host

Lying forerunners of the Achaean band,
1310

Are brave with words, but cowards with the steel.

NEO

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 1288 focus

Wie sagst du? Werd' ich abermals durch List berückt?

Neoptolemos.

Ich schwöre bei der heil'gen Macht des höchsten Zeus

Philoktetes.

theure, liebe Laute, wenn du's redlich meinst!
1250

Neoptolemos.

Gleich wird's die That bewähren: strecke nur getrost

Die Hand daher, und werde deiner Waffen Herr!

Odysseus (plözlich zurückkommend.) Die Vorigen.

Und ich verbiet' es

Odysseus.

Zeugen sind die Götter mir!

Im Namen der Atriden und des ganzen Heers.

Philoktetes.

Kind, wessen Worte waren dies? Vernahm ich nicht
1255

Die Stimm' Odysseus'?

Odysseus.

Allerdings, und siehst ihn hier,

Der dich zu Troja's Eb'nen mit Gewalt entführt,

Der Sohn Achillens woll' es, oder woll' es nicht.

(den Bogen spannend)

Philoktetes.

Doch nicht zu deinem Heile, wenn mein Bogen trifft!

Neoptolemos.

Ha, nimmer! Bei den Göttern! Laß die Pfeile ruh'u!
1260

Philoktetes.

Frei laß die Hand mir, bei den Göttern, liebes Kind!

(Odysseus entfernt sich eilig.)

Neoptolemos.

Das werd' ich nimmer!

Philoktetes.

Wehe! Was verwehrst du mir,

Mit meinem Pfeil zu tödten solch verhaßten Feind?

Neoptolemos.

Das wäre wahrlich weder mir noch dir ein Ruhm.

Philoktetes.

So wisse dieses Eine, daß die Fürsten dort,
1265

Die Lügenboten im Achäerheere, feig¹

Im Lanzenkampfe, muthig nur in Worten sind!

Neoptolemos.

Es sei! Du hast den Bogen, und es bleibt dir Nichts,

Weßhalb du zürnen oder mich anklagen kannst.

Philoktetes.

Ich stimme bei. Schön hast du deinen Stamm bewährt,
1270

Aus dem du sprossest, Jüngling: nicht von Sisyphos,

Vom Sohn des Peleus stammst du, der im Leben einst

Der beste Held hieß, nun der Todten größter heißt.

Neoptolemos.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 1288 focus

A second time

Wouldst thou deceive me ?

Neoptolemus

By th' almighty power

Of sacred Jove I swear.

Philoctetes

O joyful sound I

If thou sayst truly.

Neoptolemus

Let my actions speak.
1290

Stretch forth thy hand, and take thy arms again.

Ulysses
\Gives him the arrows. Scene IY.

Witness ye gods ! Here, in the name of Greece

And the Atrid?e, I forbid it.

Phil

Ha!

What voice is that ? Ulysses' ?

Ulysses

Aye, 'tis I —

I who perforce will cany thee to Troy

Spite of Achilles' son.

PiiiL. \)'aising his arm as intending to throw an

arroio at Ulysses]. Not if I aim

This shaft aright.

Neoptolemus

Now, by the gods, I beg thee

Stop thy rash hand ! \_Layiny hold of h im .

Philoctetes

Let go my arm.

Neoptolemus

I will not.

Philoctetes

Shall I not slay my enemy ?

Neoptolemus

Oh, no !

'Twould cast dishonour on us both.

Philoctetes

Thou knowst,

These Grecian chiefs are loud pretending boasters,
1310

Brave but in tongue, and cowards in the field.

Neoptolemus

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 1288 focus

What, am I then a second time deceived?

Neoptolemus

By the high awe of holy Jove I swear.

Philoctetes

These words, if true, with transport fill my soul.

Neoptolemus

The deed shall prove them true. Stretch forth thy hand,
1290

And of thy sacred arms again be lord.

Ulysses
ULYSSES, NEOPTOLEMUS, PHILOCTETES,

That for th' Atridæ and the Grecian host,

(Ye gods bear witness to me) I forbid.

Philoctetes

Whose voice is this? Ulysses do I hear?

Ulysses

Be thou assured of that, and seest him nigh

Who to the plains of Troy will bear thee hence

By force, and in defiance of this Youth.

Philoctetes

But not with joy, if well this shaft be aim'd.
1300

Neoptolemus

Ah no; discharge not, by the gods, the shaft.

Philoctetes

Nay, by the gods, my son, let go my hand.

Neoptolemus

I must not let it go.

Philoctetes

Why wou'dst thou check

My vengeance on a foe, an hated foe?

Neoptolemus

That were to thee dishonour, and to me.

Philoctetes

But know thou this; these Grecian Chiefs, so prompt

With studied falsehoods to betray, in fight
1310

Are dastards, but right valiant with their tongues.

Neoptolemus

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-683-1 ἆρα ¹ ἆρ’ οὐ ² οὐ γὰρ ³ πῶς εἶπας ⁴

mvp-comment-684-1 ἀπώμος’ ⁵

mvp-comment-684-2 ἁγνοῦ ⁶ ἁγνὸν … ὑψίστου ⁷

mvp-comment-685-1 παρέσται ⁸ φανερόν ⁹ ἐναργεῖς ¹⁰

mvp-comment-686-1 ἐγὼ δ’ ἀπαυδῶ γ’ ¹¹

mvp-comment-686-2 ὡς θεοὶ ξυνίστορες ¹²

mvp-comment-686-3 ὑπέρ τ’ ¹³

mvp-comment-687-1 τέκνον ¹⁴

mvp-comment-687-2 τίνος φώνημα ¹⁵ ἐπῃσθόμην ¹⁶ Ὀδυσσέως ¹⁷

mvp-comment-688-1 ἀποστελῶ ¹⁸

mvp-comment-689-1 ἀλλ’ οὔ τι χαίρων ¹⁹

mvp-comment-689-2 ὀρθωθῇ ²⁰

mvp-comment-690-1 ἆ ²¹

mvp-comment-690-2 μεθῇς ²² ἀφῇς ²³

mvp-comment-691-1 μέθες με … χεῖρα ²⁴

mvp-comment-692-1 τί μ’ ἄνδρα πολέμιον κ.τ.λ. ²⁵ ἀφείλου ²⁶ μὴ κτανεῖν ²⁷ τί ἀφείλου με μὴ κτανεῖν ἄνδρα πολέμιον ²⁸ πολέμιον ²⁹

mvp-comment-692-2 ἐχθρόν τ’ ³⁰

mvp-comment-693-1 ἀλλ’ οὖν … γε ³¹

mvp-comment-693-2 τοὺς πρ. στρατοῦ ³²

mvp-comment-693-3 ψευδοκήρυκας ³³ ἐν δὲ τοῖς λόγοις θρασεῖς ³⁴

mvp-comment-693-4 πρὸς αἰχμήν ³⁵

mvp-comment-694-1 εἶεν ³⁶

mvp-comment-694-2 ὅτου ³⁷ ὅπου ³⁸

mvp-comment-694-3 εἰς ἐμέ ³⁹

mvp-comment-695-1 τὴν φύσιν δ’ ⁴⁰ ἐξ ἧς ⁴¹

mvp-comment-695-2 ἔβλαστες ⁴² ε^ ⁴³

mvp-comment-695-3 οὐχὶ Σισύφου πατρός ⁴⁴ πατρός ⁴⁵

mvp-comment-695-4 μετὰ ζώντων θ’ ⁴⁶ τεθνηκότων ⁴⁷

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

1288. mvp-comment-853-1 ἆρα] οὐκ (see v. rr.) has probably crept into the MSS. from an interlinear gloss.

1289. mvp-comment-854-1 ἀπώμοσ᾽] For the aorist, see E. on L. § 32. p. 55, 6 , and cp. Aj. 536. ἁγνοῦ . . σέβας] 'The highest worship of holy Zeus.' ὕψιστον is rightly the attribute of σέβας, as that which is sworn by. Some conjecture ἁγνὸν ὑψίστου.

1291. mvp-comment-855-1 τοὔργον . . φανερόν] ‘The deed shall be openly made good.' τοὔργον = 'the reality corresponding to the word'. παρέσται, 'Shall be given.' Cp. O. C. 726, θάρσει, παρέσται. φανερόν, 'Beyond the possibility of doubt.'

1292. mvp-comment-856-1 κράτει] 'Be master of.' Cp. Aj. 1337, ἐξ οὗ κράτησα τῶν ᾿Αχιλλείων ὅπλων.

1293-1294. mvp-comment-857-1 Odysseus reappears from his concealment at the critical moment, to protest with all his might against what is being done. But when Philoctetes has taken the bow, and points an arrow at him, he is compelled to retire. ὑπέρ τ'] Cp. O. C. 33, 4, ὑπέρ τ᾿ ἐμοῦ | αὐτῆς θ' ὁρώσης.

1295. mvp-comment-858-1 τέκνον] This address marks the perfect restoration of confidence. Cp. supr. 923, 4, ὦ ξένε, and note.

1295. mvp-comment-858-2 τίνος . . ἐπῃσθόμην] Some editors connect φώνημα with ἐπῃσθόμην, but it seems more natural to take τίνος φώνημά (ἐστιν) as a separate sentence, although φώνημα may be resumed after ἐπῃσθόμην. ἐπῃσθόμην is omitted in Par. B, which in so far favours Nauck's conjecture, ΦΙ. τέκνον, τίνος φώνημα; μῶν Ὀδυσσέως; ΟΔ Ὀδυσσέως, σάφ' ἴσθι, καὶ πέλας γ᾽ ὁρᾷς.

1299. mvp-comment-859-1 ὀρθωθῇ] 'Carry to its aim' = ὀρθῶς ἠνεχθῇ. Neoptolemus here lays his hand firmly on Philoctetes' arm.

1301-1302. mvp-comment-860-1 For the construction, cp. Eur. Tro. 1146, ἀφείλετ᾿ αὐτὴν παῖδα μὴ δοῦναι τάφῳ.

1303. mvp-comment-861-1 τόξοις ἐμοῖς] Philoctetes' pride returns to him with his weapon.

1304. mvp-comment-862-1 The order seems more in favour of Wakefield's correction than of the mere substitution of τόδε for τοῦτο, with Brunck and Seyffert, though this is also possible, viz. ἀλλ᾽ οὔτ᾽ ἐμοὶ καλὸν * τόδ' ἐστίν, οὔτε σοί. - Philoctetes has at least the triumph of seeing the retreat of Odysseus.

1305. mvp-comment-863-1 ἀλλ᾽ οὖν] 'However this may be;' whether the deed were honourable or no. τοὺς πρώτους στρατοῦ] 'The prime men of the host.'

1306. mvp-comment-864-1 τοὺς . . ψευδοκήρυκας] 'The false intelligencers of the Achaeans.' Sc. τοὺς διὰ ψευδῶν κηρύσσοντας τὰ ἀπὸ τῶν ᾿Αχαιῶν. Philoctetes sees through the whole stratagem, and perceives that not only the employment of Neoptolemus, but the news of the pretended ῎Εμπορος, were the invention of Odysseus.

1307. mvp-comment-865-1 ἐν δὲ .. θρασεῖς] See Essay on L. § 19. p. 27.

1308. mvp-comment-866-1 κοὐκ ἔσθ᾽ ὅπου .. ἐμέ] 'And there is no place for anger or discontent on your part towards me.' Turnebus, by a slight change, read ὅτου, and this has been generally adopted. For the use of ὅπου, however, cp. Aj. 1103, οὐδ᾽ ἔσθ᾽ ὅπου σοὶ τόνδε κοσμῆσαι πλέον | ἀρχῆς ἔκειτο θεσμὸς ἢ καὶ τῷδε σέ.

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Philoctetes What did you say? Am I being tricked a second time?

Neoptolemus No, I swear it by the pure majesty of Zeus most high!

Philoctetes O welcome words—if your words are true! 1290

Neoptolemus The deed will soon make it plain. Come, stretch out your right hand and be master of your bow! As he hands the bow and arrows to Philoctetes, Odysseus suddenly appears.

Odysseus But I forbid it, as the gods are my witnesses, in the name of the Atreids and the entire army!

Philoctetes Son, whose voice was that? Do I hear Odysseus? 1295

Odysseus Be sure of it, and you see him at your side, who will carry you to the plains of Troy by force, whether or not the son of Achilles is willing.

Philoctetes But it will bring you no joy, if this arrow fly straight. Odysseus flees from the stage.

Neoptolemus Wait—by the gods, no! Do not let it fly! 1300

Philoctetes Let go of me, in the name of the gods, dear boy!

Neoptolemus I will not.

Philoctetes Alas! Why did you take from me the chance to kill my hated enemy with my bow?

Neoptolemus It would have been honorable neither for me, nor for you.

Philoctetes Well, you may be sure of one thing, at least: the army’s chiefs, the lying heralds of the Greeks, though bold with words, are cowards in the fight. 1305

Neoptolemus Good; the bow is yours, and you have no cause for anger or complaint against me.

Philoctetes Agreed. You have revealed the true stock, my son, from which you spring. You are no child of Sisyphus, but of Achilles, whose fame was the fairest when he was among the living, as it is now with the dead. 1310

Current edition Experimental

πῶς εἶπας; ἆρα οὐκ ἆρα οὐκ ἄρα δεύτερον δολούμεθα δουλούμεθα δολούμεθα ;

ΝΕ, ἀπώμοσ᾽ ἁγνοῦ Ζηνὸς ὕψιστον σέβας σέβας.

ΦΙ. ὦ φίλτατ᾽ εἰπών, εἰ λέγεις ἐτήτυμα.

ΝΕ. τοὔργον παρέσται φανερόν. ἀλλὰ δεξιὰν 1290 πρότεινε .. τεινε προύτεινε πρότεινε χεῖρα, καὶ κράτει τῶν σῶν ὅπλων.

ΟΔ. ἐγὼ δ᾽ ἀπαυδῶ γ᾽, ὡς θεοὶ ξυνίστορες, ὑπέρ τ᾽ ᾿Ατρειδῶν τοῦ τε σύμπαντος στρατοῦ.

ΦΙΛΟΚΤΗΤΗΣ.

ΦΙ. τέκνον, τίνος φώνημα; μῶν ᾿Οδυσσέως ἐπῃσθόμην ; 1295

ΟΔ. σάφ᾽ ἴσθι· καὶ πέλας γ᾽ ὁρᾷς, ὅς σ᾽ ἐς τὰ Τροίας πεδί᾽ πεδί πεδί᾽ ἀποστελῶ βίᾳ, ἐάν τ᾿ ᾿Αχιλλέως παῖς ἐάν τε μὴ θέλῃ.

ΦΙ. ἀλλ᾽ οὔ τι χαίρων, ἣν τόδ᾽ ὀρθωθῇ βέλος.

ΝΕ. ἆ da dã â â, μηδαμῶς μη δαμῶς, μὴ πρὸς θεῶν, μεθῇς βέλος.

ΦΙ. μέθες με, πρὸς θεῶν, χεῖρα, φίλτατον τέκνον. 1300

ΝΕ. οὐκ ἂν μεθείην μεθείμην.

Ф1. φεῦ· τί μ᾽ τίν' τί μ' ἄνδρα πολέμιον ἐχθρόν τ᾽ ἀφείλου μὴ κτανεῖν τόξοις ἐμοῖς;

ΝΕ. ἀλλ᾽ οὔτ᾽ ἐμοὶ τοῦτ᾽ ἐστὶν οὔτε σοὶ καλόν καλόν οὔτε σοί.

ΦΙ. ἀλλ᾽ οὖν τοσοῦτόν γ᾽ ἴσθι, τοὺς πρώτους στρατοῦ, τοὺς τῶν ᾿Αχαιῶν ψευδοκήρυκας, κακοὺς 1305 ὄντας πρὸς αἰχμήν, ἐν δὲ τοῖς λόγοις θρασεῖς.

ΝΕ. εἶεν. τὰ μὴν δὴ δὴ τόξ᾽ ἔχεις, κοὐκ ἔσθ᾽ ὅπου

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ΝΕ.

Φιλοκτήτης πῶς εἶπας; ἆρα δεύτερον δολούμεθα;

Νεοπτόλεμος ἀπώμοσʼ ἁγνὸν Ζηνὸς ὑψίστου σέβας.

Φιλοκτήτης ὦ φίλτατʼ εἰπών, εἰ λέγεις ἐτήτυμα. 1290

Νεοπτόλεμος τοὔργον παρέσται φανερόν· ἀλλὰ δεξιὰν πρότεινε χεῖρα, καὶ κράτει τῶν σῶν ὅπλων.

Ὀδυσσεύς ἐγὼ δʼ ἀπαυδῶ γʼ, ᾧ θεοὶ ξυνίστορες, ὑπέρ τʼ Ἀτρειδῶν τοῦ τε σύμπαντος στρατοῦ.

Φιλοκτήτης τέκνον, τίνος φώνημα, μῶν Ὀδυσσέως, 1295 ἐπῃσθόμην;

Ὀδυσσεύς σάφʼ ἴσθι· καὶ πέλας γʼ ὁρᾷς, ὅς σʼ ἐς τὰ Τροίας πεδίʼ ἀποστελῶ βίᾳ, ἐάν τʼ Ἀχιλλέως παῖς ἐάν τε μὴ θέλῃ·

Φιλοκτήτης ἀλλʼ οὔ τι χαίρων, ἢν τόδʼ ὀρθωθῇ βέλος.

Νεοπτόλεμος ἆ, μηδαμῶς, μή, πρὸς θεῶν, μεθῇς βέλος. 1300

Φιλοκτήτης μέθες με, πρὸς θεῶν, χεῖρα, φίλτατον τέκνον.

Νεοπτόλεμος οὐκ ἂν μεθείην.

Φιλοκτήτης φεῦ· τί μʼ ἄνδρα πολέμιον ἐχθρόν τʼ ἀφείλου μὴ κτανεῖν τόξοις ἐμοῖς;

Νεοπτόλεμος ἀλλʼ οὔτʼ ἐμοὶ τοῦτʼ ἐστὶν οὔτε σοὶ καλόν.

Φιλοκτήτης ἀλλʼ οὖν τοσοῦτόν γʼ ἴσθι, τοὺς πρώτους στρατοῦ, 1305 τοὺς τῶν Ἀχαιῶν ψευδοκήρυκας, κακοὺς ὄντας πρὸς αἰχμήν, ἐν δὲ τοῖς λόγοις θρασεῖς.

Νεοπτόλεμος εἶεν· τὰ μὲν δὴ τόξʼ ἔχεις, κοὐκ ἔσθʼ ὅτου ὀργὴν ἔχοις ἂν οὐδὲ μέμψιν εἰς ἐμέ.

What words are these? Am I again deceived?

NEO No, by the holiest name of Zeus on high!

PHI O voice of gladness, if thy speech be true!

NEO The deed shall prove it. Only reach thy hand, 1290 And be again sole master of thy bow.

OD But I make protest, in the sight of Heaven, For Atreus’ sons, and all the Achaean host.

PHI Dear son, whose voice disturbs us? Do I hear Odysseus?

OD Ay, and thou behold’st him nigh, And he shall force thee to the Trojan plain, Howe’er Achilles’ offspring make or mar.

PHI This shaft shall bear thee sorrow for that boast. 1300

NEO Let it not fly, by Heaven!

PHI Dear child, let go Mine arm!

NEO I will not.

PHI Ah! Why hast thou robbed My bow of bringing down mine enemy?

NEO This were ignoble both for thee and me.

PHI One thing is manifest, the first o’ the host Lying forerunners of the Achaean band, 1310 Are brave with words, but cowards with the steel.

NEO

Wie sagst du? Werd' ich abermals durch List berückt?

Neoptolemos. Ich schwöre bei der heil'gen Macht des höchsten Zeus

Philoktetes. theure, liebe Laute, wenn du's redlich meinst! 1250

Neoptolemos. Gleich wird's die That bewähren: strecke nur getrost Die Hand daher, und werde deiner Waffen Herr! Odysseus (plözlich zurückkommend.) Die Vorigen. Und ich verbiet' es

Odysseus. Zeugen sind die Götter mir! Im Namen der Atriden und des ganzen Heers.

Philoktetes. Kind, wessen Worte waren dies? Vernahm ich nicht 1255 Die Stimm' Odysseus'?

Odysseus. Allerdings, und siehst ihn hier, Der dich zu Troja's Eb'nen mit Gewalt entführt, Der Sohn Achillens woll' es, oder woll' es nicht. (den Bogen spannend)

Philoktetes. Doch nicht zu deinem Heile, wenn mein Bogen trifft!

Neoptolemos. Ha, nimmer! Bei den Göttern! Laß die Pfeile ruh'u! 1260

Philoktetes. Frei laß die Hand mir, bei den Göttern, liebes Kind! (Odysseus entfernt sich eilig.)

Neoptolemos. Das werd' ich nimmer!

Philoktetes. Wehe! Was verwehrst du mir, Mit meinem Pfeil zu tödten solch verhaßten Feind?

Neoptolemos. Das wäre wahrlich weder mir noch dir ein Ruhm.

Philoctetes

What did you say? Am I being tricked a second time?

Neoptolemus

No, I swear it by the pure majesty of Zeus most high!

Philoctetes

O welcome words—if your words are true!
1290

Neoptolemus

The deed will soon make it plain. Come, stretch out your right hand and be master of your bow! As he hands the bow and arrows to Philoctetes, Odysseus suddenly appears.

Odysseus

But I forbid it, as the gods are my witnesses, in the name of the Atreids and the entire army!

Philoctetes

Son, whose voice was that? Do I hear Odysseus?
1295

Odysseus

Be sure of it, and you see him at your side, who will carry you to the plains of Troy by force, whether or not the son of Achilles is willing.

Philoctetes

But it will bring you no joy, if this arrow fly straight. Odysseus flees from the stage.

Neoptolemus

Wait—by the gods, no! Do not let it fly!
1300

Philoctetes

Let go of me, in the name of the gods, dear boy!

Neoptolemus

I will not.

Philoctetes

Alas! Why did you take from me the chance to kill my hated enemy with my bow?

Neoptolemus

It would have been honorable neither for me, nor for you.

Philoctetes

Well, you may be sure of one thing, at least: the army’s chiefs, the lying heralds of the Greeks, though bold with words, are cowards in the fight.
1305

Neoptolemus

Good; the bow is yours, and you have no cause for anger or complaint against me.

Philoctetes

Agreed. You have revealed the true stock, my son, from which you spring. You are no child of Sisyphus, but of Achilles, whose fame was the fairest when he was among the living, as it is now with the dead.
1310

ΝΕ,

ἀπώμοσ᾽ ἁγνοῦ Ζηνὸς ὕψιστον σέβας σέβας.

ΦΙ.

ὦ φίλτατ᾽ εἰπών, εἰ λέγεις ἐτήτυμα.

ΝΕ.

τοὔργον παρέσται φανερόν. ἀλλὰ δεξιὰν
1290

πρότεινε .. τεινε προύτεινε πρότεινε χεῖρα, καὶ κράτει τῶν σῶν ὅπλων.

ΟΔ.

ἐγὼ δ᾽ ἀπαυδῶ γ᾽, ὡς θεοὶ ξυνίστορες,

ὑπέρ τ᾽ ᾿Ατρειδῶν τοῦ τε σύμπαντος στρατοῦ.

ΦΙ.

τέκνον, τίνος φώνημα; μῶν ᾿Οδυσσέως

ἐπῃσθόμην ;
1295

ΟΔ.

σάφ᾽ ἴσθι· καὶ πέλας γ᾽ ὁρᾷς,

ὅς σ᾽ ἐς τὰ Τροίας πεδί᾽ πεδί πεδί᾽ ἀποστελῶ βίᾳ,

ἐάν τ᾿ ᾿Αχιλλέως παῖς ἐάν τε μὴ θέλῃ.

ΦΙ.

ἀλλ᾽ οὔ τι χαίρων, ἣν τόδ᾽ ὀρθωθῇ βέλος.

ΝΕ.

ἆ da dã â â, μηδαμῶς μη δαμῶς, μὴ πρὸς θεῶν, μεθῇς βέλος.

ΦΙ.

μέθες με, πρὸς θεῶν, χεῖρα, φίλτατον τέκνον.
1300

ΝΕ.

οὐκ ἂν μεθείην μεθείμην.

Ф1.

φεῦ· τί μ᾽ τίν' τί μ' ἄνδρα πολέμιον

ἐχθρόν τ᾽ ἀφείλου μὴ κτανεῖν τόξοις ἐμοῖς;

ΝΕ.

ἀλλ᾽ οὔτ᾽ ἐμοὶ τοῦτ᾽ ἐστὶν οὔτε σοὶ καλόν καλόν οὔτε σοί.

ΦΙ.

ἀλλ᾽ οὖν τοσοῦτόν γ᾽ ἴσθι, τοὺς πρώτους στρατοῦ,

τοὺς τῶν ᾿Αχαιῶν ψευδοκήρυκας, κακοὺς
1305

ὄντας πρὸς αἰχμήν, ἐν δὲ τοῖς λόγοις θρασεῖς.

ΝΕ.

εἶεν. τὰ μὴν δὴ δὴ τόξ᾽ ἔχεις, κοὐκ ἔσθ᾽ ὅπου

Φιλοκτήτης

πῶς εἶπας; ἆρα δεύτερον δολούμεθα;

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἀπώμοσʼ ἁγνὸν Ζηνὸς ὑψίστου σέβας.

Φιλοκτήτης

ὦ φίλτατʼ εἰπών, εἰ λέγεις ἐτήτυμα.
1290

Νεοπτόλεμος

τοὔργον παρέσται φανερόν· ἀλλὰ δεξιὰν

πρότεινε χεῖρα, καὶ κράτει τῶν σῶν ὅπλων.

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἐγὼ δʼ ἀπαυδῶ γʼ, ᾧ θεοὶ ξυνίστορες,

ὑπέρ τʼ Ἀτρειδῶν τοῦ τε σύμπαντος στρατοῦ.

Φιλοκτήτης

τέκνον, τίνος φώνημα, μῶν Ὀδυσσέως,
1295

ἐπῃσθόμην;

Ὀδυσσεύς

σάφʼ ἴσθι· καὶ πέλας γʼ ὁρᾷς,

ὅς σʼ ἐς τὰ Τροίας πεδίʼ ἀποστελῶ βίᾳ,

ἐάν τʼ Ἀχιλλέως παῖς ἐάν τε μὴ θέλῃ·

Φιλοκτήτης

ἀλλʼ οὔ τι χαίρων, ἢν τόδʼ ὀρθωθῇ βέλος.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἆ, μηδαμῶς, μή, πρὸς θεῶν, μεθῇς βέλος.
1300

Φιλοκτήτης

μέθες με, πρὸς θεῶν, χεῖρα, φίλτατον τέκνον.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκ ἂν μεθείην.

Φιλοκτήτης

φεῦ· τί μʼ ἄνδρα πολέμιον

ἐχθρόν τʼ ἀφείλου μὴ κτανεῖν τόξοις ἐμοῖς;

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἀλλʼ οὔτʼ ἐμοὶ τοῦτʼ ἐστὶν οὔτε σοὶ καλόν.

Φιλοκτήτης

ἀλλʼ οὖν τοσοῦτόν γʼ ἴσθι, τοὺς πρώτους στρατοῦ,
1305

τοὺς τῶν Ἀχαιῶν ψευδοκήρυκας, κακοὺς

ὄντας πρὸς αἰχμήν, ἐν δὲ τοῖς λόγοις θρασεῖς.

Νεοπτόλεμος

εἶεν· τὰ μὲν δὴ τόξʼ ἔχεις, κοὐκ ἔσθʼ ὅτου

ὀργὴν ἔχοις ἂν οὐδὲ μέμψιν εἰς ἐμέ.

NEO

No, by the holiest name of Zeus on high!

PHI

O voice of gladness, if thy speech be true!

NEO

The deed shall prove it. Only reach thy hand,
1290

And be again sole master of thy bow.

OD

But I make protest, in the sight of Heaven,

For Atreus’ sons, and all the Achaean host.

PHI

Dear son, whose voice disturbs us? Do I hear

Odysseus?

OD

Ay, and thou behold’st him nigh,

And he shall force thee to the Trojan plain,

Howe’er Achilles’ offspring make or mar.

PHI

This shaft shall bear thee sorrow for that boast.
1300

NEO

Let it not fly, by Heaven!

PHI

Dear child, let go

Mine arm!

NEO

I will not.

PHI

Ah! Why hast thou robbed

My bow of bringing down mine enemy?

NEO

This were ignoble both for thee and me.

PHI

One thing is manifest, the first o’ the host

Lying forerunners of the Achaean band,
1310

Are brave with words, but cowards with the steel.

Neoptolemos.

Ich schwöre bei der heil'gen Macht des höchsten Zeus

Philoktetes.

theure, liebe Laute, wenn du's redlich meinst!
1250

Neoptolemos.

Gleich wird's die That bewähren: strecke nur getrost

Die Hand daher, und werde deiner Waffen Herr!

Odysseus (plözlich zurückkommend.) Die Vorigen.

Und ich verbiet' es

Odysseus.

Zeugen sind die Götter mir!

Im Namen der Atriden und des ganzen Heers.

Philoktetes.

Kind, wessen Worte waren dies? Vernahm ich nicht
1255

Die Stimm' Odysseus'?

Odysseus.

Allerdings, und siehst ihn hier,

Der dich zu Troja's Eb'nen mit Gewalt entführt,

Der Sohn Achillens woll' es, oder woll' es nicht.

(den Bogen spannend)

Philoktetes.

Doch nicht zu deinem Heile, wenn mein Bogen trifft!

Neoptolemos.

Ha, nimmer! Bei den Göttern! Laß die Pfeile ruh'u!
1260

Philoktetes.

Frei laß die Hand mir, bei den Göttern, liebes Kind!

(Odysseus entfernt sich eilig.)

Neoptolemos.

Das werd' ich nimmer!

Philoktetes.

Wehe! Was verwehrst du mir,

Mit meinem Pfeil zu tödten solch verhaßten Feind?

Neoptolemos.

Das wäre wahrlich weder mir noch dir ein Ruhm.

Philoktetes.

So wisse dieses Eine, daß die Fürsten dort,
1265

Die Lügenboten im Achäerheere, feig¹

Im Lanzenkampfe, muthig nur in Worten sind!

Neoptolemos.

Es sei! Du hast den Bogen, und es bleibt dir Nichts,

Weßhalb du zürnen oder mich anklagen kannst.

Philoktetes.

Ich stimme bei. Schön hast du deinen Stamm bewährt,
1270

Aus dem du sprossest, Jüngling: nicht von Sisyphos,

Vom Sohn des Peleus stammst du, der im Leben einst

Der beste Held hieß, nun der Todten größter heißt.

A second time

Wouldst thou deceive me ?

Neoptolemus

By th' almighty power

Of sacred Jove I swear.

Philoctetes

O joyful sound I

If thou sayst truly.

Neoptolemus

Let my actions speak.
1290

Stretch forth thy hand, and take thy arms again.

Ulysses
\Gives him the arrows. Scene IY.

Witness ye gods ! Here, in the name of Greece

And the Atrid?e, I forbid it.

Phil

Ha!

What voice is that ? Ulysses' ?

Ulysses

Aye, 'tis I —

I who perforce will cany thee to Troy

Spite of Achilles' son.

PiiiL. \)'aising his arm as intending to throw an

arroio at Ulysses]. Not if I aim

This shaft aright.

Neoptolemus

Now, by the gods, I beg thee

Stop thy rash hand ! \_Layiny hold of h im .