Search the Perseus Catalog for:

View: By Scene

← Previous Next →

Philoctetes

Now is it not astounding, boy, that Odysseus would ever have expected by means of soft words

to lead me from his ship and show me in the middle of the Greeks? No! I would sooner listen to that greatest and worst of my enemies, the viper which made me crippled as I am! But there is nothing that he would not say or dare. And now I know that he is coming here.
630

Come, son, let us be moving, so that a wide sea may part us from the ship of Odysseus. Let us go! Good speed in good season brings sleep and rest when toil is finished.
635

Neoptolemus

Then as soon as the wind is not at our prow,

we will sail. At present it blows against us.
640

Philoctetes

The sailing is always fair, when you flee trouble.

Neoptolemus

Not so; this weather is against them also.

Philoctetes

No wind stands in the way of pirates who sense a chance to steal and plunder by force.

Neoptolemus

Well, if you are so resolved, let us go, once you have taken from the cave whatever you need or desire most.
645

Philoctetes

Yes, there are some things that I need, though the choice is not large.

Neoptolemus

What is there that will not be available on board my ship?

Philoctetes

I have a store of a certain herb, whereby I can always

best lull this wound, until it is wholly tamed.
650

Neoptolemus

Fetch it, then. Now, what else do you wish to take?

Philoctetes

Any of these arrows that may have been forgotten, and may have slipped away from me, so that I not leave it for another to take.

Neoptolemus

Is that indeed the famous bow which you hold?

Philoctetes

This, and no other, that I carry in my hand.
655

Neoptolemus

Is there any way that I might have a closer view of it—and handle it, and salute it as divine?

Philoctetes

To you alone, my son, this shall be granted, along with anything else in my power that is in your interest.

Neoptolemus

I do indeed crave to touch it, but my craving takes this form: if it is lawful, I would be glad. If not, think no more of it.
660

Philoctetes

Your words are reverent, son, and your wish is lawful. For you alone have given to my eyes the light of life and the hope of seeing the land of Oeta, of seeing

my aged father and my friends; and you alone, when I lay beneath the feet of my enemies, have lifted me beyond their reach. Be bold. The bow shall be yours to handle and to return to the hand that gave it, and you will be able to boast aloud that in reward for your goodness, you alone of mortals have touched it.
665

Yes, it was by a good deed that I myself won it.
670

Neoptolemus

I am not sorry that I found you and have gained your friendship, since whoever knows how to render benefit for a benefit received must prove a friend more valuable than any possession. Please, do go inside.

Philoctetes

Agreed, and I will bring you also.

My sickness craves the comfort of your presence. Philoctetes and Neoptolemus enter the cave.
675

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)) — 628 focus

οὔκουν τάδ', ὦ παῖ, δεινά, τὸν Λαερτίου
630

ἔμ᾽ ἐλπίσαι ποτ᾽ ἂν λόγοισι μαλθακοῖς

δεῖξαι νεὼς ἄγοντ᾽ ἄγονθ ἄγοντ᾿ ἐν om. Ἀργείοις μέσοις;

οὔ. οὔ θᾶσσον ἂν τῆς πλεῖστον ἐχθίστης ἐμοὶ

κλύοιμ᾽ ἐχίδνης, ἡ μ᾿ ἔθηκεν ὧδ᾽ ἄπουν.

ἀλλ᾽ ἔστ᾽ ἐκείνῳ πάντα λεκτά, πάντα δὲ
635

τολμητά, καὶ νῦν οἶδ᾽ ὁθούνεχ᾽ ὅθ᾽ οὔνεκ᾽ ὅθ᾽ ὁύνεχ' ἴξεται.

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ἀλλ᾽, ὦ τέκνον, χωρῶμεν, ὡς ἡμᾶς πολὺ

πέλαγος * ὁρίζῃ ὁρίζει τῆς ᾿Οδυσσέως νεώς.

ἴωμεν. ἥ τοι καίριος σπουδὴ πόνου

λήξαντος ὕπνον κἀνάπαυλαν ἤγαγεν.
640

ΝΕ.

οὐκοῦν ἐπειδὰν πνεῦμα τοὐκ τοῦ τοὐκ πρώρας ἀνῇ ἄηι ῥάῃ παρῆι ἀγῇ ἄη,

τότε στελοῦμεν· νῦν γὰρ ἀντιοστατεῖ.

ΦΙ.

ἀεὶ καλὸς πλοῦς ἔσθ᾽, ὅταν φεύγῃς κακά.

ΝΕ.

οὔκ· ἀλλὰ κἀκείνοισι ταῦτ᾽ ἐναντία.

ΦΙ.

οὐκ ἔστι λῃσταῖς πνεῦμ᾽ ἐναντιούμενον,
645

ὅταν παρῇ κλέψαι τε κλέψαι τε κλέψαι τε χαρπάσαι βίᾳ.

ΝΕ.

ἀλλ᾽ εἰ δοκεῖ, χωρῶμεν, ἔνδοθεν λαβὼν

ὅτου σε χρεία καὶ πόθος μάλιστ᾽ ἔχει.

ΦΙ.

ἀλλ᾽ ἔστιν ὧν δεῖ, καίπερ οὐ πολλῶν ἄπο.

ΝΕ.

τί τοῦθ᾽ ὁ μὴ νεώς γε τῆς ἐμῆς ἔνι;
650

ΦΙ.

φύλλον τί μοι πάρεστιν, ᾧ μάλιστ᾽ ἀεὶ

ΦΙΛΟΚΤΗΤΗΣ.

κοιμῶ τόδ᾽ ἕλκος, ὥστε πραΰνειν πάνυ.

ΝΕ.

ἀλλ᾽ ἔκφερ᾿ αὐτό. τί γὰρ ἔτ᾿ ἄλλ᾽ ἐρᾷς λαβεῖν;

ΦΙ.

εἴ μοί τι τόξων τῶνδ᾽ ἀπημελημένον

παρερρύηκεν, ὡς λίπω μή τῳ λαβεῖν.
655

ΝΕ.

ἢ ταῦτα γὰρ τὰ κλεινὰ τόξ᾽, ἃ τόξα νῦν ἔχεις;

ΦΙ.

ταῦτ᾽, οὐ γὰρ ἄλλα γ᾽ ἔσθ᾽ ἀλλ᾽ ἔσθ᾽ ἄλλα γ᾽ ἔσθ᾽ ἄλλ᾽ ἔσθ' ἀλλ᾽ ἔσθ᾽ ἀλλ᾽, ἃ βαστάζω χεροῖν.

ΝΕ.

ἆρ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἆρ᾿ ἔστιν ἔστιν ἔστὶν ὥστε κἀγγύθεν θέαν λαβεῖν,

καὶ βαστάσαι με προσκύσαι θ᾽ ὥσπερ θεόν;

ΦΙ.

σοί γ', ὦ τέκνον, καὶ τοῦτο κἄλλο τῶν ἐμῶν,
660

ὁποῖον ἄν σοι ξυμφέρῃ συμφέρον, γενήσεται.

ΝΕ.

καὶ μὴν ἐρῶ γε· τὸν δ᾽ ἔρωθ᾽ οὕτως ἔχω·

εἴ μοι θέμις, θέλοιμ᾽ ἄν· εἰ δὲ μή, πάρες.

ΦΙ.

ὅσιά τε φωνεῖς ἔστι τ᾽, ὦ τέκνον, θέμις,

ὅς γ'᾽ ἡλίου τόδ᾽ τότ' τόδ' τόγ' εἰσορᾶν ἐμοὶ φάος
665

μόνος δέδωκας, ὃς χθόν᾽ Οἰταίαν ἰδεῖν,

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ΦΙΛΟΚΤΗΤΗΣ.

ὃς πατέρα πρέσβυν, ὃς φίλους, ὃς τῶν ἐμῶν

ἐχθρῶν μ᾽ ἔνερθεν ὄντ᾽ ἀνέστησας πέρα πέραι πέρα.

θάρσει, παρέσται ταῦτά σοι καὶ θιγγάνειν

καὶ δόντι δοῦναι κἀξεπεύξασθαι βροτῶν

ἀρετῆς ἕκατι τῶνδ᾽ ἐπιψαῦσαι μόνον.

εὐεργετῶν γὰρ καὐτὸς αὔτ᾽ ἀντ'? αὔτ᾽ αὐτ' ἐκτησάμην.

[οὐκ ἄχθομαί σ᾿ ἰδών τε καὶ λαβὼν φίλον.
670

ὅστις γὰρ εὖ δρᾶν εὖ παθὼν ἐπίσταται,

παντὸς γένοιτ᾽ ἂν κτήματος κτήμτος κρείσσων φίλος.]

ΝΕ.
χωροῖς ἂν εἴσω.

ΦΙ.
καὶ σε γ᾽ εἰσάξω· τὸ γὰρ·

ΦΙ.

νοσοῦν ποθεῖ σε ξυμπαραστάτην λαβεῖν.

ΧΟ.

στρ. α΄.

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 628 focus

Φιλοκτήτης

οὔκουν τάδʼ, ὦ παῖ, δεινά, τὸν Λαερτίου

ἔμʼ ἐλπίσαι ποτʼ ἂν λόγοισι μαλθακοῖς

δεῖξαι νεὼς ἄγοντʼ ἐν Ἀργείοις μέσοις;
630

οὔ· θᾶσσον ἂν τῆς πλεῖστον ἐχθίστης ἐμοὶ

κλύοιμʼ ἐχίδνης, ἥ μʼ ἔθηκεν ὧδʼ ἄπουν.

ἀλλʼ ἔστʼ ἐκείνῳ πάντα λεκτά, πάντα δὲ

τολμητά· καὶ νῦν οἶδʼ ὁθούνεχʼ ἵξεται.

ἀλλʼ, ὦ τέκνον, χωρῶμεν, ὡς ἡμᾶς πολὺ
635

πέλαγος ὁρίζῃ τῆς Ὀδυσσέως νεώς.

ἴωμεν· ἥ τοι καίριος σπουδὴ πόνου

λήξαντος ὕπνον κἀνάπαυλαν ἤγαγεν.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκοῦν ἐπειδὰν πνεῦμα τοὐκ πρῴρας ἀνῇ,

τότε στελοῦμεν· νῦν γὰρ ἀντιοστατεῖ.
640

Φιλοκτήτης

ἀεὶ καλὸς πλοῦς ἔσθʼ, ὅταν φεύγῃς κακά.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὔκ, ἀλλὰ κἀκείνοισι ταῦτʼ ἐναντία.

Φιλοκτήτης

οὐκ ἔστι λῃσταῖς πνεῦμʼ ἐναντιούμενον,

ὅταν παρῇ κλέψαι τι χἀρπάσαι βίᾳ.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἀλλʼ εἰ δοκεῖ, χωρῶμεν, ἔνδοθεν λαβὼν
645

ὅτου σε χρεία καὶ πόθος μάλιστʼ ἔχει.

Φιλοκτήτης

ἀλλʼ ἔστιν ὧν δεῖ, καίπερ οὐ πολλῶν ἄπο.

Νεοπτόλεμος

τί τοῦθʼ ὃ μὴ νεώς γε τῆς ἐμῆς ἔπι;

Φιλοκτήτης

φύλλον τί μοι πάρεστιν, ᾧ μάλιστʼ ἀεὶ

κοιμῶ τόδʼ ἕλκος, ὥστε πραΰνειν πάνυ.
650

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἀλλʼ ἔκφερʼ αὐτό. τί γὰρ ἔτʼ ἄλλʼ ἐρᾷς λαβεῖν;

Φιλοκτήτης

εἴ μοί τι τόξων τῶνδʼ ἀπημελημένον

παρερρύηκεν, ὡς λίπω μή τῳ λαβεῖν.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἦ ταῦτα γὰρ τὰ κλεινὰ τόξʼ ἃ νῦν ἔχεις;

Φιλοκτήτης

ταῦτʼ, οὐ γὰρ ἄλλʼ ἔστʼ, ἀλλʼ ἃ βαστάζω χεροῖν.
655

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἆρʼ ἔστιν ὥστε κἀγγύθεν θέαν λαβεῖν

καὶ βαστάσαι με προσκύσαι θʼ ὥσπερ θεόν;

Φιλοκτήτης

σοί γʼ, ὦ τέκνον, καὶ τοῦτο κἄλλο τῶν ἐμῶν

ὁποῖον ἄν σοι ξυμφέρῃ γενήσεται.

Νεοπτόλεμος

καὶ μὴν ἐρῶ γε, τὸν δʼ ἔρωθʼ οὕτως ἔχω·
660

εἴ μοι θέμις, θέλοιμʼ ἄν· εἰ δὲ μή, πάρες.

Φιλοκτήτης

ὅσιά τε φωνεῖς ἔστι τʼ, ὦ τέκνον, θέμις,

ὅς γʼ ἡλίου τόδʼ εἰσορᾶν ἐμοὶ φάος

μόνος δέδωκας, ὃς χθόνʼ Οἰταίαν ἰδεῖν,

ὃς πατέρα πρέσβυν, ὃς φίλους, ὃς τῶν ἐμῶν
665

ἐχθρῶν μʼ ἔνερθεν ὄντʼ ἀνέστησας πέρα.

θάρσει, παρέσται ταῦτά σοι καὶ θιγγάνειν

καὶ δόντι δοῦναι κἀξεπεύξασθαι βροτῶν

ἀρετῆς ἕκατι τῶνδʼ ἐπιψαῦσαι μόνον·

εὐεργετῶν γὰρ καὐτὸς αὔτʼ ἐκτησάμην.
670

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκ ἄχθομαί σʼ ἰδών τε καὶ λαβὼν φίλον·

ὅστις γὰρ εὖ δρᾶν εὖ παθὼν ἐπίσταται,

παντὸς γένοιτʼ ἂν κτήματος κρείσσων φίλος. χωροῖς ἂν εἴσω.

Φιλοκτήτης

καὶ σέ γʼ εἰσάξω· τὸ γὰρ

νοσοῦν ποθεῖ σε ξυμπαραστάτην λαβεῖν.
675

Translations (4)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 628 focus

Is not this terrible, Laërtes’ son
630

Should ever think to bring me with soft words
630

And show me from his deck to all their host?

No! Sooner will I listen to the tongue

Of the curs’d basilisk that thus hath maim’d me.

Ay, but he’ll venture anything in word

Or deed. And now I know he will be here.

Come, O my son, let us be gone, while seas

And winds divide us from Odysseus’ ship.
635

Let us depart. Sure timely haste brings rest
635

And quiet slumber when the toil is done.

NEO

Shall we not sail when this south-western wind

Hath fallen, that now is adverse to our course?

PHI

All winds are fair to him who flies from woe.

NEO

Nay, but this head-wind hinders them no less.

PHI

No head-wind hinders pirates on their way,
645

When violence and rapine lead them on.

NEO

Well, then, let us be going, if you will;

When you have taken from within the cave

What most you need and value.

PHI

Though my all

Be little, there is that I may not lose.

NEO

What can there be that we have not on board?
650

PHI

A leaf I have found, wherewith I still the rage

Of my sore plague, and lull it quite to rest.

NEO

Well, bring it forth.—What? Is there something more?

PHI

If any of these arrows here are fallen,

I would not leave them for a casual prey.
655

NEO

How? Do I see thee with the marvellous bow?

PHI

Here in my hand. The world hath only one.

NEO

And may one touch and handle it, and gaze

With reverence, as on a thing from Heaven?

PHI

Thou mayest, my son. This and whate’er of mine
660

May stead thee, ’tis thy privilege to enjoy.

NEO

In very truth I long for it, but so,

That longing waits on leave. Am I permitted?

PHI

Thou art, my son,—and well thou speakest,—thou art.

Thou, that hast given me light and life, the joy

Of seeing Mount Oeta and my father’s home,

With all I love there, and his aged head,—

Thou that hast raised me far above my foes
665

Who triumphed! Thou may’st take it in thine hand,
665

And,—when thou hast given it back to me,—may’st vaunt
665

Alone of mortals for thine excellence

To have held this in thy touch. I, too, at first,

Received it as a boon for kindness done.

NEO

Well, go within.

PHI

Nay, I must take thee too.

My sickness craves thee for its comforter.

CHORUS
CHORUS .

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 628 focus

Ist das, o Kind, nicht schrecklich, daß Laertes' Sohn

In's Schiff mit glatten Worten mich zu locken hofft,
615

Mich dort zur Schau zu stellen vor dem ganzen Heer?

Nein! Wahrlich eher hört' ich auf das feindliche

Scheusal, die Natter, die des Fußes mich beraubt.

Doch Alles sagen darf der Mann, darf Alles sich

Erdreisten: jezt auch weiß ich, daß er kommen wird.
620

So laß, o Sohn, uns eilen, daß wir weit hinweg

Von seinem Schiffe durch das Meer geschieden sind.

Auf denn von hinnen! Eilen wir bei guter Zeit,

Wird nach der Arbeit Schlummer uns und süße Rast.

(ab.)

Neoptolemos.

Sobald der Wind ruht, welcher vorn' am Buge bläst,
625

Geh'n wir zu Schiffe; jezo wehrt er uns die Fahrt.

Philoktetes.

Stets ist der Wind gut, wenn du vor dem Uebel fliehst.

Neoptolemos.

Gewiß; indeß auch jene sind durch ihn gehemmt.

Philoktetes.

Nie hält ein widerwärt'ger Wind die Räuber auf,¹

Wenn ihnen Diebstahl, wenn Gewaltraub ihnen winkt.
630

Neoptolemos.

Nun, wenn's gefällt, so geh'n wir; doch nimm drinnen erst,

Wozu Bedürfniß oder Wunsch zuerst dich treibt.

Philoktetes.

Wohl brauch' ich Etwas, das ich wähl' aus Wenigem.

Neoptolemos.

Was wär' es, das dir unser Schiff nicht geben kann?

Philoktetes.

Ein Kraut besiz' ich, welches stets am ehsten mir
635

Der Wunde Schmerz einschläfert, daß er ganz verstummt.

Neoptolemos.

So hole dir's: doch was begehrst du weiter noch?

Philoktetes.

Ob mir von diesem Bogen aus Versehen nicht

Ein Stück entfallen, daß es mir kein Andrer nimmt.

Neoptolemos.

Das ist der edle Bogen denn, in deiner Hand?
640

Philoktetes.

Der ist es, ja; denn keinen andern trag' ich sonst.

Neoptolemos.

Und ist es mir gestattet, darf ich näher ihn

Betrachten, fassen, küssen, gleich als wär's ein Gott?

Philoktetes.

Dir, Trauter, will ich gerne dies und was mir sonst

Gehört, gewähren, wenn es dich erfreuen kann.
645

Neoptolemos.

Ich wünsch' es freilich, aber so nur wünsch' ich es:

Darf ich, so möcht' ich's; darf ich nicht, versage mir's.

Philoktetes.

Du redest fromm, o Jüngling, und du darfst es wohl,

Du, der allein die Strahlen dieser Sonne mich,

Der mich das Land am Deta, der die Freunde mich,
650

Den greisen Vater schauen läßt, der hoch empor

Mich schon gestürzten über meine Feinde hob!

Getrost: du darfst ihn fassen, darfst dem Gebenden

Ihn geben, darfst dich rühmen, daß auf Erden du

Zum Lohne deiner Tugend ihn allein berührt.
655
(reicht ihm den Bogen hin)

Durch Liebesdienste hab' ich selbst ihn mir verdient.²

Neoptolemos.

Wohl, wohl mir, daß ich dich geseh'n, zum Freund gewann!

Denn wer für Wohlthat wohlzuthun versteht wie du,

Weit über alle Schäze geht ein solcher Freund.

So geh hinein.
660
(ergreift seinen Arm)

Philoktetes.

Und du geleite mich, o Kind,
660

Da meine Krankheit deinen Arm als Stüze sucht.

(Beide gehen in die Höhle. Der Chor bleibt allein zurück.) Erste Strophe.

Der Chor.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 628 focus

Lead me — expose me to the Grecian host !
630

And could the insolent Ulysses hope
630

With his soft flatteries e'er to conquer me \

No ! Sooner would 1 listen to the voice

Of that fell serpent, whose envenomed tongue

Hath lamed me thus. But what is there he dare not

Or say or do ? I know he will be here

E'en now, depend on't. Therefore, let's away !

Quick let the sea divide us from Ulysses.

Let us be gone ; for well-timed expedition,

The task performed, brings safety and repose.
635

Ned. Soon {\s the wind permits us we embark,
635

But now 'tis adverse.

Philoctetes

Every wind is fair

When we are flying from misfortune.

Ned. True ;

And 'tis against them too.

Philoctetes

Alas ! no storms
645

Can drive back fraud and rapine from their prey.

Neoptolemus

I'm ready. Take what may be necessaiy,

And follow me.

Philoctetes

I want not much.

Neoptolemus

Perhaps
650

My ship will furnish you.
650

Philoctetes

There is a plant

Which to my wound gives some relief ; I must

Have that.

Neoptolemus

Is there aught else?

Philoctetes

Alas ! my bow

I had forgot. I must not lose that treasure.

hrhigs out his boiv and ay-rows.
655

Neoptolemus

Are these the famous arrows then ?

Philoctetes

They are.

Neoptolemus

And may I be permitted to behold,

To touch, to pay my adoration to them ?

Philoctetes

In these, my son, in everything that 's mine
660

Thou hast a right.

Neoptolemus

But if it be a crime.

I would not ; otherwise

Philoctetes

Oh! thou art full

Of piety ; in thee it is no crime ;

In thee, my friend, by whom alone I look
665

Once more with pleasure on the radiant sun —

By whom I live— who giv'st me to return

To my dear father, to my friends, my country :

Sunk as I was beneath my foes, once more

I rise to triumph o'er them by thy aid :

Behold them, touch them, but return them to me,

And boast that virtue which on thee alone

Bestowed such honour. Virtue made them mine.

I can deny thee nothing : he, whose heart

Is grateful can alone deserve the name
670

Of friend, to every treasure far superior.

ISTeo. Go in.

Philoctetes

Come with me ; for my painful wound

Requires thy friendly hand to help me onward.

Since proud Ixion, doomed to feel

The tortures of th' eternal wheel.

Bound by the hand of angry Jove,

Received the due rewards of impious love ;

Ne'er was distress so deep or woe so great

Who ever with the just and good,

Guiltless of fraud and rapine, stood,

And the fair paths of virtue still pursued ;

Alone on this inhospitable shore,

Where waves for ever beat and tempests roar,

How could he e'er or hope or comfort know,

Or painful life support beneath such weight of woe ?

Exposed to the inclement skies,

Deserted and forlorn he lies,

No friend or fellow-mourner there

To soothe his sorrows and divide his care,

Or seek the healing plant of power to 'suage

His aching wound and mitigate its rage ;

But if perchance, awhile released

From torturing pain, he sinks to rest.

Awakened soon, and by sharp hunger prest,

Compelled to wander forth in search of food.

He crawls in anguish to the neighbouring wood ;

Even as the tottering infant in despair

Who mourns an absent mother's kind supporting care,

The teeming earth, who mortals still supplies

With every good, to him her seed denies ;

A stranger to the joy that flows

From the kind aid which man on man bestows ;

Nor food, alas ! to him was given,

Save when his arrows pierced the birds of heaven ;

Nor e'er did Bacchus' heart-expanding bowl

For ten long years relieve his cheerless soul ;

But glad was he his eager thirst to slake

In the unwholesome pool, or ever-stagnant lak^.

But now, behold the joyful captive freed ;

A fairer fate, and brighter days succeed :

For he at last hath found a friend

Of noblest race, to save and to defend.

To guide him with protecting hand,

And safe restore him to his native land ;

On Sperchius' flowery banks to join the throng

Of Melian nymphs, and lead the choral song

On CEta's top, which saw Alcides rise,

And from the flaming pile ascend his native skies,

Neoptolemus
{Exeunt. Stro'plie, Antistrophe. Strophe 2. Antistrophe 2. ACT III. Scene I.

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 628 focus

Is not this strange? What, dares Ulysses hope:
630

With soothing words to win me to embark
630

With him, and trail me through the Grecian camp

Aspectacle! No: rather would I hear

The serpent, from whose venom'd tooth my foot

Received this wound. But he dares speak and act

Whate'er is base. I know that he will come;

Let us then hence; with all its, broad expanse

Let the sea roll between his bark and us.
635

Let us begone: for well-timed speed (the toil
635

Surmounted) brings the calm of sweet repose.

Neoptolemus

When from the shore the favouring gales arise,

Our sails shall catch them: they are adverse now.

Philoctetes

Fair is each gale that wafts the bark from ills.

Neoptolemus

No: but to them the gale is adverse too.

Philoctetes

To daring pirates adverse is no wind,
645

With ruffian force when they can seize their spoil.

Neoptolemus

Well; instant let us sail: but from thy cave

First bear what thou may'st need, or wish to take.

Philoctetes

There is, though small my stores, what I shall need.

Neoptolemus

What is there which my bark can not supply?
650

Philoctetes

There is an herb, with which I oft assuage

My wound, and wholly mitigate its pain.

Neoptolemus

Bring it. Aught else hast thou a wish to take?

Philoctetes

If of these shafts one carelessly be dropt,

I would not leave it to a casual lord.
655

Neoptolemus

Is this the bow so famous through the world?

Philoctetes

It is: my hands no other deign to hold.

Neoptolemus

Wilt thou indulge me with a nearer view,

To hold, to kiss it as a thing divine?

Philoctetes

This, and what else is mine, to thee, my son,
660

To gratify thy wish shall be allow'd.

Neoptolemus

I wish it, so far wish it as thy will

Assents; if not, my wish shall be suppress'd.

Philoctetes

Thy words are pious; thou hast my consent,

Thou, who alone hast giv'n me to behold

The sun's bright beams, to see th' Otæan land,

My aged father, my loved friends; when sunk

Beneath my foes, to rise and triumph. Yes,

Thou hast my leave to touch it, to my hands
665

Again to give it, and to make thy boast
665

That for thy virtue thou of all mankind
665

Alone hast handled it: for friendly deeds.
665

It was my prize; nor envy I my friend

To see, to touch it. He, whose grateful heart

Knows to requite a favour, is a friend

Of higher value than rich treasured stores.

Neoptolemus

The cave now enter.

Philoctetes

I will lead thee on;

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-344-1 τάδε ¹

mvp-comment-345-1 ἂν ² δεῖξαι ³

mvp-comment-345-2 νεὼς ἄγοντ’ ⁴

mvp-comment-346-1 οὔ· ⁵

mvp-comment-346-2 πλεῖστον ἐχθίστης ⁶

mvp-comment-347-1 ἄπουν ⁷

mvp-comment-348-1 πάντα λεκτά ⁸

mvp-comment-349-1 ὡς … ὁρίζῃ ⁹ ὁρίζει ¹⁰

mvp-comment-350-1 τοὐκ πρῴρας ¹¹

mvp-comment-350-2 ἀνῇ ¹²

mvp-comment-350-3 στελοῦμεν ¹³

mvp-comment-351-1 οὔκ, ἀλλὰ ¹⁴ οὐκ ¹⁵ οἶδ)· ¹⁶ ἀλλ’ οὐχὶ ¹⁷

mvp-comment-352-1 ἀλλ’ ¹⁸

mvp-comment-352-2 χωρῶμεν … λαβὼν ¹⁹ λαβόνθ’ ²⁰

mvp-comment-353-1 καίπερ οὐ πολλῶν ἄπο ²¹

mvp-comment-354-1 νεώς γε τῆς ἐμῆς ἔπι ²² ἔνι ²³ ἔπι ²⁴ ἔνι ²⁵ νεώς ²⁶ ἔνι ²⁷ ἔνι ²⁸

mvp-comment-355-1 πάνυ ²⁹

mvp-comment-356-1 τί γὰρ ἔτ’ ³⁰

mvp-comment-356-2 γάρ ³¹

mvp-comment-357-1 εἴ μοί τι τόξων ³² τόξα ³³

mvp-comment-357-2 ἀπημελημένον ³⁴

mvp-comment-357-3 παρερρύηκεν ³⁵

mvp-comment-357-4 ὡς λίπω μή ³⁶ λαβεῖν ³⁷

mvp-comment-358-1 οὐ γὰρ ἄλλ’ ἔστ’, ἀλλ’ ἃ κ.τ.λ. ³⁸ ἀλλ’ ³⁹ ἄλλ’ ⁴⁰ ἄλλος ⁴¹ ἃ βαστάζω ⁴² ταῦτ’ ⁴³ ἄλλα γ’ ἔσθ’ ἃ ⁴⁴

mvp-comment-359-1 ὥστε ⁴⁵ ἔστιν ⁴⁶

mvp-comment-359-2 θεόν ⁴⁷ θεός ⁴⁸

mvp-comment-360-1 ξυμφέρῃ ⁴⁹ ἐρῶ ⁵⁰

mvp-comment-361-1 καὶ μὴν … γε ⁵¹ πάρες ⁵²

mvp-comment-362-1 ὅσια … θέμις ⁵³

mvp-comment-363-1 ὅς γ’ ⁵⁴

mvp-comment-363-2 φάος ⁵⁵

mvp-comment-363-3 δέδωκας ⁵⁶

mvp-comment-363-4 χθόν’ Οἰταίαν ⁵⁷

mvp-comment-364-1 ἀνέστησας πέρα ⁵⁸ πέρα ⁵⁹ πέρα ⁶⁰ ἔνερθεν ⁶¹ πέρα ⁶² μ’ ὕ ⁶³ περ ⁶⁴ ἀναστήσας πάρει ⁶⁵ πέρα ⁶⁶

mvp-comment-365-1 ταῦτα ⁶⁷ παρέσται σοι ⁶⁸ καὶ θιγγάνειν ⁶⁹

mvp-comment-366-1 καὶ δόντι δοῦναι ⁷⁰ δοῦναι ⁷¹ ἐπεύξασθαι ⁷² θιγγάνειν ⁷³

mvp-comment-366-2 669 The acc. μόνον ⁷⁴ δόντι ⁷⁵ μόνῳ ⁷⁶ μόνον ⁷⁷ ς’ ⁷⁸ ἀρετῆς ⁷⁹

mvp-comment-367-1 εὐεργετῶν ⁸⁰

mvp-comment-368-1 These three verses, called ‘manifesto spurii’ by Dindorf, are clearly genuine. If they are rejected, then Neoptolemus deigns no reply beyond

χωροῖς ἂν εἴσω

to the gracious and cordial speech of Philoctetes. In proof that the verses are pointless, Dindorf says:—‘Neque enim quidquam beneficii a Philocteta accepit Neoptolemus, ut

εὖ παθών

dici possit.’ Blaydes, though he does not bracket the verses, assents to this argument:—‘Certainly

εὖ παθὼν

cannot well apply to Neoptolemus.’ But

εὖ παθών

refers, of course, to Philoctetes. Neoptolemus means:—‘I am not sorry that chance drove me to Lemnos, and thus enabled me to gain your friendship. One who is ready to requite a benefit (viz., conveyance to Greece) by such a kindness as this (the promised loan of the bow), must indeed prove to be a priceless friend.’

mvp-comment-369-1 εὖ δρᾶν εὖ παθὼν ⁸¹

mvp-comment-369-2 κτήματος ⁸²

mvp-comment-370-1 χωροῖς ἂν εἴσω ⁸³ καὶ σέ γ’ εἰσάξω ⁸⁴ γε ⁸⁵ σέ ⁸⁶ χωροῖς ἂν εἴσω ⁸⁷

mvp-comment-370-2 τὸ γὰρ ⁸⁸ νοσοῦν ⁸⁹ τὸ … νοσοῦν ⁹⁰

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

630. mvp-comment-446-1 δείξαι] Cp. supr. 616, δηλώσειν. δεῖξαι νεὼς ἄγοντα = δεῖξαι ἐκ νεὰς ἄγοντα ἐπὶ νηΐ. Or, in other words, the phrase, On ship-board,' which should depend on ἄγοντα, is attracted into a new construction with δεῖξαι. See Essay on L. § 35. p. 60, and cp. О. Т. 808, ὄχου . . τηρήσας. κ.τ.λ. : Εl. 900. Herm. and Schndw. take νεὼς ἄγοντα to mean, 'Bringing ashore.' Cp. supr. 355-7. But ἄγειν is continually used elsewhere in the play for conveyance by sea; and the instrumental dative λόγοισι μαλθακοῖς connects more naturally with ἄγοντα than with δεῖξαι. Moreover, the meaning obtained by so joining νεὼς ἄγοντ' is wanting in simplicity.

631. mvp-comment-447-1 οὔ] Those who have suspected this reading have not observed the frequency of asyndeton in the language of Philoctetes (Essay on L. § 34. p. 58). The proposed readings, οὗ θᾶσσον (Welcker), ἢ θᾶσσον (Schndw.), are less forcible than the MS. text. Schndw. imagined οὔ to be a marginal gloss on ἢ. For the double superlative in πλεῖστον ἐχθίστης, see Essay on L. § 40. p. 76.

632. mvp-comment-448-1 ἄπουν = οὐκ ἔχοντα βάσιν, infr. 692.

633. mvp-comment-449-1 ἐκείνῳ.. λεκτά] 'He is capable of saying anything.' Cp. O. С. 495, ἐμοὶ μὲν οὐχ ὁδωτά : ibid. 1000, 1, εἶ γὰρ οὐ δίκαιος, ἀλλ᾽ ἅπαν καλὸν | λέγειν νομίζων, ῥητὸν ἄρρητόν τ᾽ ἔπος.

635-636. mvp-comment-450-1 ὡς.. ὁρίζῃ] • That wide seas may part us.'

637. mvp-comment-451-1 ἥ τοι.. ἤγαγεν] Cp. Aj. 674,5, ἐκοίμισε . . πόντον, and note.

639. mvp-comment-452-1 ἐπειδὰν πνεῦμα τοὐκ πρώρας ἀνῇ] When this head wind (1) ceases' (ἀνῇ absolute), or (2) 'lets us go' (ἀνῇ ἡμᾶς, sc.). The same doubt occurs in Hdt. 2. 113, οὐ γὰρ ἀνίει τὰ πνεύματα (sc. μιν?) Cp. Od. 19. 199, ἔνθα δυώδεκα μὲν μένον ἤματα δίοι ᾿Αχαιοί, | εἴλει γὰρ βορέης ἄνεμος μέγας, κ.τ.λ. | τῇ τρισκαιδεκάτῃ δ' ἄνεμος πέσε, τοὶ δ᾽ ἀνάγοντο. The correction of Pierson here is all but certain.

641. mvp-comment-453-1 Cp. Il. 14. 80, οὐ γάρ τις νέμεσις φυγέειν κακόν, οὐδ᾽ ἀνὰ νύκτα,

642. mvp-comment-454-1 οὔκ· ἀλλά] 'Nay, but -.' οὐ denies the general drift of the preceding line; i. e. The evil is not so imminent that you need fly from it with such haste. Cp. Plat. Rep. 6. 491 Ε, οὔκ, ἀλλά, ἢ δ᾽ ὅς, οὕτως, where there is a nearly similar inexactness of response. There is no sufficient ground for transposing 643, 4, 2, 1, with Prof. Paley. The order is far more natural as it stands.

643-644. mvp-comment-455-1 'Robbers feel not any contrary wind when it is a time to steal and take by force.'

645. mvp-comment-456-1 χωρῶμεν, ἔνδοθεν λαβών] 'Let us depart, when you have taken from within.' The participle agrees with part of the subject, and the second person has been implied in εἰ δοκεῖ, SC. σοι. For the limitation of subject, see Essay on L. § 33. p. 56, and cp. Trach. 205, ὀλολύξατε δόμοις, | ὁ μελλόνυμφος, ἐν δὲ κοινὸς ἀρσένων | ἴτω κλάγγα, κ.τ.λ. : ib. 333: Aesch. Eum. 141.

648. mvp-comment-457-1 What, that is not somewhere on board my ship?' νεώς, partitive genitive. Essay on L. § 10. p. 15. Ср. Αj. 659, γαίας ὀρύξας ἔνθα, κ.τ.λ.: Ο. C. 694, γᾶς ᾿Ασίας οὐκ ἐπακούω. τοῦθ᾽ ὅ is singular, though ὧν in 647 is plural. Essay on L. § 20, B. p. 31.

649. mvp-comment-458-1 φύλλον . . πάρεστιν] 'There is a leaf which I have.' Cp. infr. 704, ὅθεν εὐμάρει᾽ ὑπάρχοι: supr. 44: Ο.Τ. 766.

650. mvp-comment-459-1 πραΰνειν] 'To assuage its violence.' There is no example of πραΰνειν being used intransitively. πρᾷος is opposed to ἄγριος, cp. supr. 265. Philoctetes is eager to assure Neoptolemus that the evil is not intractable. Cp. infr. 733 foll.

651. mvp-comment-460-1 τί γὰρ ἔτ᾽ ἄλλ᾽ ἐρᾷς λαβεῖν] Philoctetes shows by his manner that the herb is not the only thing that he requires. To this look of longing hesitation γάρ refers.

652. mvp-comment-461-1 εἰ.. παρερρύηκεν] This is said to explain his unsatisfied look (' I would make search,' implied in ἐρᾷς λαβεῖν), * in case some of these my arrows may have slipped from my side.' Cp. Il. 13. 256, ἔρχομαι, εἴ τί τοι ἔγχος ἐνὶ κλισίῃσι λέλειπται, | οἰσόμενος.

653. mvp-comment-462-1 ὡς λίπω μή] For the order, see Essay on L. § 41, γ. p. 78.

655. mvp-comment-463-1 οὐ γὰρ ἄλλα γ᾽ ἔσθ'] 'For indeed there is no other.' These words have been commonly taken as equivalent to ἐκεῖνα καὶ οὐκ ἄλλα: whence Blaydes conjectures ταῦτ᾽ οὐ γὰρ οὖν ἔστ᾿ ἄλλ'. But the meaning given above is more in point. Cp. Morris' Story of Sigurd, That hath not the like in the heavens, nor hath earth of its fellow told.'

656. mvp-comment-464-1 ἆρ᾿ ἔστιν ὥστε] 'Is it possible that one might?' ὥστε as after verbs of permission asked or obtained. The periphrasis is expressive of modesty. κἀγγύθεν] From close at hand, as well as from a distance. For με added in the second clause, cp. supr. 257.

657. mvp-comment-465-1 For the sacredness of the bow, cp. infr. 943.

658. mvp-comment-466-1 τῶν ἐμῶν] Of things within my power.'

659. mvp-comment-467-1 ὁποῖον. ξυμφέρῃ] 'That is of a nature to accord with your desires.' Cp. supr. 627, and note. γενήσεται] 'Shall be granted.'

661. mvp-comment-468-1 πάρες] 'Let it go by;' i.e. Take no more notice of my wish.

662. mvp-comment-469-1 ὅσια .. φωνεῖς] 'Your words are blameless.' 'You speak innocently.'

663. mvp-comment-470-1 For the suppressed antecedent in the expression of strong feeling, see Essay on L. § 39. p. 72, 2. And for the emphatic repetition of ὅς, cp. O. C. 610, φθίνει μὲν ἰσχὺς γῆς, φθίνει δὲ σώματος, and see E. on L. § 44. p. 83.

664. mvp-comment-471-1 μόνος] Supr. 500.

665. mvp-comment-472-1 πέρα] 'Above their reach.' 'Where they cannot come.' ἀνιστάναι here is not merely 'To raise upright,' but To set up on high.' Cр. O. С. 661-3, κείνοις δ᾽ ἴσως κεὶ δείν᾽ ἐπερρώσθη λέγειν | τῆς σῆς ἀγωγῆς, οἶδ᾽ ἐγώ, φανή- | σεται | μακρὸν τὸ δεῦρο πέλαγος, οὐδὲ πλώσιμον: Aesch. Cho. 789.

666. mvp-comment-473-1 θιγγάνειν] ‘To handle for a while.’ This word, expressing a lingering process, is rightly in the continuous tense, although δόντι . . ἐξεπεύξασθαι are aorists. Cp. Il. 6. 322, τόξ᾽ ἁφόωντα.

667. mvp-comment-474-1 καὶ δόντι δοῦναι] This illogical addition is singularly expressive of the nervous anxiety of Philoctetes at the thought of giving the bow out of his hands: 'You shall have it in your grasp; I will give it you, and you will give it me again; and then you shall freely boast, etc.' While saying this, Philoctetes does not at once give the bow to Neoptolemus. Cp. infr. 762 foll.

669. mvp-comment-475-1 Cp. infr. 801-3.

670-672. mvp-comment-476-1 These three lines seem out of place. Either there is a lacuna after 670, or they have crept into the text out of the margin, where some hand had inserted them as an apposite quotation from some other play. They have not the appearance of a deliberate interpolation, nor is the difficulty obviated by assigning them to Neoptolemus. If they are retained, they can only mean, 'I do not feel this generous action burdensome, now that I have seen and found a friend in you. For no possession can be equal to a friend who knows (as I am sure you do) how to return kindness for kindness done to him.' In other words, to secure so true a friend as Neoptolemus, even the effort of relinquishing the bow for a moment is not too much. But ἄχθομαι has no object; and the promised kindness of Neoptolemus was not conditional on his being allowed to handle the bow.

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Neoptolemus Then as soon as the wind is not at our prow, we will sail. At present it blows against us. 640

Philoctetes The sailing is always fair, when you flee trouble.

Neoptolemus Not so; this weather is against them also.

Philoctetes No wind stands in the way of pirates who sense a chance to steal and plunder by force.

Neoptolemus Well, if you are so resolved, let us go, once you have taken from the cave whatever you need or desire most. 645

Philoctetes Yes, there are some things that I need, though the choice is not large.

Neoptolemus What is there that will not be available on board my ship?

Philoctetes I have a store of a certain herb, whereby I can always best lull this wound, until it is wholly tamed. 650

Neoptolemus Fetch it, then. Now, what else do you wish to take?

Philoctetes Any of these arrows that may have been forgotten, and may have slipped away from me, so that I not leave it for another to take.

Neoptolemus Is that indeed the famous bow which you hold?

Philoctetes This, and no other, that I carry in my hand. 655

Neoptolemus Is there any way that I might have a closer view of it—and handle it, and salute it as divine?

Philoctetes To you alone, my son, this shall be granted, along with anything else in my power that is in your interest.

Neoptolemus I do indeed crave to touch it, but my craving takes this form: if it is lawful, I would be glad. If not, think no more of it. 660

Neoptolemus I am not sorry that I found you and have gained your friendship, since whoever knows how to render benefit for a benefit received must prove a friend more valuable than any possession. Please, do go inside.

Philoctetes Agreed, and I will bring you also. My sickness craves the comfort of your presence. Philoctetes and Neoptolemus enter the cave. 675

Current edition Experimental

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ἀλλ᾽, ὦ τέκνον, χωρῶμεν, ὡς ἡμᾶς πολὺ πέλαγος * ὁρίζῃ ὁρίζει τῆς ᾿Οδυσσέως νεώς. ἴωμεν. ἥ τοι καίριος σπουδὴ πόνου λήξαντος ὕπνον κἀνάπαυλαν ἤγαγεν. 640

ΝΕ. οὐκοῦν ἐπειδὰν πνεῦμα τοὐκ τοῦ τοὐκ πρώρας ἀνῇ ἄηι ῥάῃ παρῆι ἀγῇ ἄη, τότε στελοῦμεν· νῦν γὰρ ἀντιοστατεῖ.

ΦΙ. ἀεὶ καλὸς πλοῦς ἔσθ᾽, ὅταν φεύγῃς κακά.

ΝΕ. οὔκ· ἀλλὰ κἀκείνοισι ταῦτ᾽ ἐναντία.

ΦΙ. οὐκ ἔστι λῃσταῖς πνεῦμ᾽ ἐναντιούμενον, 645 ὅταν παρῇ κλέψαι τε κλέψαι τε κλέψαι τε χαρπάσαι βίᾳ.

ΝΕ. ἀλλ᾽ εἰ δοκεῖ, χωρῶμεν, ἔνδοθεν λαβὼν ὅτου σε χρεία καὶ πόθος μάλιστ᾽ ἔχει.

ΦΙ. ἀλλ᾽ ἔστιν ὧν δεῖ, καίπερ οὐ πολλῶν ἄπο.

ΝΕ. τί τοῦθ᾽ ὁ μὴ νεώς γε τῆς ἐμῆς ἔνι; 650

ΦΙ. φύλλον τί μοι πάρεστιν, ᾧ μάλιστ᾽ ἀεὶ

ΦΙΛΟΚΤΗΤΗΣ.

κοιμῶ τόδ᾽ ἕλκος, ὥστε πραΰνειν πάνυ.

ΝΕ. ἀλλ᾽ ἔκφερ᾿ αὐτό. τί γὰρ ἔτ᾿ ἄλλ᾽ ἐρᾷς λαβεῖν;

ΦΙ. εἴ μοί τι τόξων τῶνδ᾽ ἀπημελημένον παρερρύηκεν, ὡς λίπω μή τῳ λαβεῖν. 655

ΝΕ. ἢ ταῦτα γὰρ τὰ κλεινὰ τόξ᾽, ἃ τόξα νῦν ἔχεις;

ΦΙ. ταῦτ᾽, οὐ γὰρ ἄλλα γ᾽ ἔσθ᾽ ἀλλ᾽ ἔσθ᾽ ἄλλα γ᾽ ἔσθ᾽ ἄλλ᾽ ἔσθ' ἀλλ᾽ ἔσθ᾽ ἀλλ᾽, ἃ βαστάζω χεροῖν.

ΝΕ. ἆρ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἆρ᾿ ἔστιν ἔστιν ἔστὶν ὥστε κἀγγύθεν θέαν λαβεῖν, καὶ βαστάσαι με προσκύσαι θ᾽ ὥσπερ θεόν;

ΦΙ. σοί γ', ὦ τέκνον, καὶ τοῦτο κἄλλο τῶν ἐμῶν, 660 ὁποῖον ἄν σοι ξυμφέρῃ συμφέρον, γενήσεται.

ΝΕ. καὶ μὴν ἐρῶ γε· τὸν δ᾽ ἔρωθ᾽ οὕτως ἔχω· εἴ μοι θέμις, θέλοιμ᾽ ἄν· εἰ δὲ μή, πάρες.

ΦΙ. ὅσιά τε φωνεῖς ἔστι τ᾽, ὦ τέκνον, θέμις, ὅς γ'᾽ ἡλίου τόδ᾽ τότ' τόδ' τόγ' εἰσορᾶν ἐμοὶ φάος 665 μόνος δέδωκας, ὃς χθόν᾽ Οἰταίαν ἰδεῖν,

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ΝΕ. χωροῖς ἂν εἴσω.

ΦΙ. καὶ σε γ᾽ εἰσάξω· τὸ γὰρ·

ΦΙ. νοσοῦν ποθεῖ σε ξυμπαραστάτην λαβεῖν.

ΧΟ. στρ. α΄.

Νεοπτόλεμος οὐκοῦν ἐπειδὰν πνεῦμα τοὐκ πρῴρας ἀνῇ, τότε στελοῦμεν· νῦν γὰρ ἀντιοστατεῖ. 640

Φιλοκτήτης ἀεὶ καλὸς πλοῦς ἔσθʼ, ὅταν φεύγῃς κακά.

Νεοπτόλεμος οὔκ, ἀλλὰ κἀκείνοισι ταῦτʼ ἐναντία.

Φιλοκτήτης οὐκ ἔστι λῃσταῖς πνεῦμʼ ἐναντιούμενον, ὅταν παρῇ κλέψαι τι χἀρπάσαι βίᾳ.

Νεοπτόλεμος ἀλλʼ εἰ δοκεῖ, χωρῶμεν, ἔνδοθεν λαβὼν 645 ὅτου σε χρεία καὶ πόθος μάλιστʼ ἔχει.

Φιλοκτήτης ἀλλʼ ἔστιν ὧν δεῖ, καίπερ οὐ πολλῶν ἄπο.

Νεοπτόλεμος τί τοῦθʼ ὃ μὴ νεώς γε τῆς ἐμῆς ἔπι;

Φιλοκτήτης φύλλον τί μοι πάρεστιν, ᾧ μάλιστʼ ἀεὶ κοιμῶ τόδʼ ἕλκος, ὥστε πραΰνειν πάνυ. 650

Νεοπτόλεμος ἀλλʼ ἔκφερʼ αὐτό. τί γὰρ ἔτʼ ἄλλʼ ἐρᾷς λαβεῖν;

Φιλοκτήτης εἴ μοί τι τόξων τῶνδʼ ἀπημελημένον παρερρύηκεν, ὡς λίπω μή τῳ λαβεῖν.

Νεοπτόλεμος ἦ ταῦτα γὰρ τὰ κλεινὰ τόξʼ ἃ νῦν ἔχεις;

Φιλοκτήτης ταῦτʼ, οὐ γὰρ ἄλλʼ ἔστʼ, ἀλλʼ ἃ βαστάζω χεροῖν. 655

Νεοπτόλεμος ἆρʼ ἔστιν ὥστε κἀγγύθεν θέαν λαβεῖν καὶ βαστάσαι με προσκύσαι θʼ ὥσπερ θεόν;

Φιλοκτήτης σοί γʼ, ὦ τέκνον, καὶ τοῦτο κἄλλο τῶν ἐμῶν ὁποῖον ἄν σοι ξυμφέρῃ γενήσεται.

Νεοπτόλεμος καὶ μὴν ἐρῶ γε, τὸν δʼ ἔρωθʼ οὕτως ἔχω· 660 εἴ μοι θέμις, θέλοιμʼ ἄν· εἰ δὲ μή, πάρες.

Νεοπτόλεμος οὐκ ἄχθομαί σʼ ἰδών τε καὶ λαβὼν φίλον· ὅστις γὰρ εὖ δρᾶν εὖ παθὼν ἐπίσταται, παντὸς γένοιτʼ ἂν κτήματος κρείσσων φίλος. χωροῖς ἂν εἴσω.

Φιλοκτήτης καὶ σέ γʼ εἰσάξω· τὸ γὰρ νοσοῦν ποθεῖ σε ξυμπαραστάτην λαβεῖν. 675

NEO Shall we not sail when this south-western wind Hath fallen, that now is adverse to our course?

PHI All winds are fair to him who flies from woe.

NEO Nay, but this head-wind hinders them no less.

PHI No head-wind hinders pirates on their way, 645 When violence and rapine lead them on.

NEO Well, then, let us be going, if you will; When you have taken from within the cave What most you need and value.

PHI Though my all Be little, there is that I may not lose.

NEO What can there be that we have not on board? 650

PHI A leaf I have found, wherewith I still the rage Of my sore plague, and lull it quite to rest.

NEO Well, bring it forth.—What? Is there something more?

PHI If any of these arrows here are fallen, I would not leave them for a casual prey. 655

NEO How? Do I see thee with the marvellous bow?

PHI Here in my hand. The world hath only one.

NEO And may one touch and handle it, and gaze With reverence, as on a thing from Heaven?

PHI Thou mayest, my son. This and whate’er of mine 660 May stead thee, ’tis thy privilege to enjoy.

NEO In very truth I long for it, but so, That longing waits on leave. Am I permitted?

NEO Well, go within.

PHI Nay, I must take thee too. My sickness craves thee for its comforter.

CHORUS CHORUS .

Neoptolemus

Then as soon as the wind is not at our prow,

we will sail. At present it blows against us.
640

Philoctetes

The sailing is always fair, when you flee trouble.

Neoptolemus

Not so; this weather is against them also.

Philoctetes

No wind stands in the way of pirates who sense a chance to steal and plunder by force.

Neoptolemus

Well, if you are so resolved, let us go, once you have taken from the cave whatever you need or desire most.
645

Philoctetes

Yes, there are some things that I need, though the choice is not large.

Neoptolemus

What is there that will not be available on board my ship?

Philoctetes

I have a store of a certain herb, whereby I can always

best lull this wound, until it is wholly tamed.
650

Neoptolemus

Fetch it, then. Now, what else do you wish to take?

Philoctetes

Any of these arrows that may have been forgotten, and may have slipped away from me, so that I not leave it for another to take.

Neoptolemus

Is that indeed the famous bow which you hold?

Philoctetes

This, and no other, that I carry in my hand.
655

Neoptolemus

Is there any way that I might have a closer view of it—and handle it, and salute it as divine?

Philoctetes

To you alone, my son, this shall be granted, along with anything else in my power that is in your interest.

Neoptolemus

I do indeed crave to touch it, but my craving takes this form: if it is lawful, I would be glad. If not, think no more of it.
660

Neoptolemus

I am not sorry that I found you and have gained your friendship, since whoever knows how to render benefit for a benefit received must prove a friend more valuable than any possession. Please, do go inside.

Philoctetes

Agreed, and I will bring you also.

My sickness craves the comfort of your presence. Philoctetes and Neoptolemus enter the cave.
675

ἀλλ᾽, ὦ τέκνον, χωρῶμεν, ὡς ἡμᾶς πολὺ

πέλαγος * ὁρίζῃ ὁρίζει τῆς ᾿Οδυσσέως νεώς.

ἴωμεν. ἥ τοι καίριος σπουδὴ πόνου

λήξαντος ὕπνον κἀνάπαυλαν ἤγαγεν.
640

ΝΕ.

οὐκοῦν ἐπειδὰν πνεῦμα τοὐκ τοῦ τοὐκ πρώρας ἀνῇ ἄηι ῥάῃ παρῆι ἀγῇ ἄη,

τότε στελοῦμεν· νῦν γὰρ ἀντιοστατεῖ.

ΦΙ.

ἀεὶ καλὸς πλοῦς ἔσθ᾽, ὅταν φεύγῃς κακά.

ΝΕ.

οὔκ· ἀλλὰ κἀκείνοισι ταῦτ᾽ ἐναντία.

ΦΙ.

οὐκ ἔστι λῃσταῖς πνεῦμ᾽ ἐναντιούμενον,
645

ὅταν παρῇ κλέψαι τε κλέψαι τε κλέψαι τε χαρπάσαι βίᾳ.

ΝΕ.

ἀλλ᾽ εἰ δοκεῖ, χωρῶμεν, ἔνδοθεν λαβὼν

ὅτου σε χρεία καὶ πόθος μάλιστ᾽ ἔχει.

ΦΙ.

ἀλλ᾽ ἔστιν ὧν δεῖ, καίπερ οὐ πολλῶν ἄπο.

ΝΕ.

τί τοῦθ᾽ ὁ μὴ νεώς γε τῆς ἐμῆς ἔνι;
650

ΦΙ.

φύλλον τί μοι πάρεστιν, ᾧ μάλιστ᾽ ἀεὶ

ΝΕ.

ἀλλ᾽ ἔκφερ᾿ αὐτό. τί γὰρ ἔτ᾿ ἄλλ᾽ ἐρᾷς λαβεῖν;

ΦΙ.

εἴ μοί τι τόξων τῶνδ᾽ ἀπημελημένον

παρερρύηκεν, ὡς λίπω μή τῳ λαβεῖν.
655

ΝΕ.

ἢ ταῦτα γὰρ τὰ κλεινὰ τόξ᾽, ἃ τόξα νῦν ἔχεις;

ΦΙ.

ταῦτ᾽, οὐ γὰρ ἄλλα γ᾽ ἔσθ᾽ ἀλλ᾽ ἔσθ᾽ ἄλλα γ᾽ ἔσθ᾽ ἄλλ᾽ ἔσθ' ἀλλ᾽ ἔσθ᾽ ἀλλ᾽, ἃ βαστάζω χεροῖν.

ΝΕ.

ἆρ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἆρ᾿ ἔστιν ἔστιν ἔστὶν ὥστε κἀγγύθεν θέαν λαβεῖν,

καὶ βαστάσαι με προσκύσαι θ᾽ ὥσπερ θεόν;

ΦΙ.

σοί γ', ὦ τέκνον, καὶ τοῦτο κἄλλο τῶν ἐμῶν,
660

ὁποῖον ἄν σοι ξυμφέρῃ συμφέρον, γενήσεται.

ΝΕ.

καὶ μὴν ἐρῶ γε· τὸν δ᾽ ἔρωθ᾽ οὕτως ἔχω·

εἴ μοι θέμις, θέλοιμ᾽ ἄν· εἰ δὲ μή, πάρες.

ΦΙ.

ὅσιά τε φωνεῖς ἔστι τ᾽, ὦ τέκνον, θέμις,

ὅς γ'᾽ ἡλίου τόδ᾽ τότ' τόδ' τόγ' εἰσορᾶν ἐμοὶ φάος
665

μόνος δέδωκας, ὃς χθόν᾽ Οἰταίαν ἰδεῖν,

ΝΕ.
χωροῖς ἂν εἴσω.

ΦΙ.
καὶ σε γ᾽ εἰσάξω· τὸ γὰρ·

ΦΙ.

νοσοῦν ποθεῖ σε ξυμπαραστάτην λαβεῖν.

ΧΟ.

στρ. α΄.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκοῦν ἐπειδὰν πνεῦμα τοὐκ πρῴρας ἀνῇ,

τότε στελοῦμεν· νῦν γὰρ ἀντιοστατεῖ.
640

Φιλοκτήτης

ἀεὶ καλὸς πλοῦς ἔσθʼ, ὅταν φεύγῃς κακά.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὔκ, ἀλλὰ κἀκείνοισι ταῦτʼ ἐναντία.

Φιλοκτήτης

οὐκ ἔστι λῃσταῖς πνεῦμʼ ἐναντιούμενον,

ὅταν παρῇ κλέψαι τι χἀρπάσαι βίᾳ.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἀλλʼ εἰ δοκεῖ, χωρῶμεν, ἔνδοθεν λαβὼν
645

ὅτου σε χρεία καὶ πόθος μάλιστʼ ἔχει.

Φιλοκτήτης

ἀλλʼ ἔστιν ὧν δεῖ, καίπερ οὐ πολλῶν ἄπο.

Νεοπτόλεμος

τί τοῦθʼ ὃ μὴ νεώς γε τῆς ἐμῆς ἔπι;

Φιλοκτήτης

φύλλον τί μοι πάρεστιν, ᾧ μάλιστʼ ἀεὶ

κοιμῶ τόδʼ ἕλκος, ὥστε πραΰνειν πάνυ.
650

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἀλλʼ ἔκφερʼ αὐτό. τί γὰρ ἔτʼ ἄλλʼ ἐρᾷς λαβεῖν;

Φιλοκτήτης

εἴ μοί τι τόξων τῶνδʼ ἀπημελημένον

παρερρύηκεν, ὡς λίπω μή τῳ λαβεῖν.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἦ ταῦτα γὰρ τὰ κλεινὰ τόξʼ ἃ νῦν ἔχεις;

Φιλοκτήτης

ταῦτʼ, οὐ γὰρ ἄλλʼ ἔστʼ, ἀλλʼ ἃ βαστάζω χεροῖν.
655

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἆρʼ ἔστιν ὥστε κἀγγύθεν θέαν λαβεῖν

καὶ βαστάσαι με προσκύσαι θʼ ὥσπερ θεόν;

Φιλοκτήτης

σοί γʼ, ὦ τέκνον, καὶ τοῦτο κἄλλο τῶν ἐμῶν

ὁποῖον ἄν σοι ξυμφέρῃ γενήσεται.

Νεοπτόλεμος

καὶ μὴν ἐρῶ γε, τὸν δʼ ἔρωθʼ οὕτως ἔχω·
660

εἴ μοι θέμις, θέλοιμʼ ἄν· εἰ δὲ μή, πάρες.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκ ἄχθομαί σʼ ἰδών τε καὶ λαβὼν φίλον·

ὅστις γὰρ εὖ δρᾶν εὖ παθὼν ἐπίσταται,

παντὸς γένοιτʼ ἂν κτήματος κρείσσων φίλος. χωροῖς ἂν εἴσω.

Φιλοκτήτης

καὶ σέ γʼ εἰσάξω· τὸ γὰρ

νοσοῦν ποθεῖ σε ξυμπαραστάτην λαβεῖν.
675

NEO

Shall we not sail when this south-western wind

Hath fallen, that now is adverse to our course?

PHI

All winds are fair to him who flies from woe.

NEO

Nay, but this head-wind hinders them no less.

PHI

No head-wind hinders pirates on their way,
645

When violence and rapine lead them on.

NEO

Well, then, let us be going, if you will;

When you have taken from within the cave

What most you need and value.

PHI

Though my all

Be little, there is that I may not lose.

NEO

What can there be that we have not on board?
650

PHI

A leaf I have found, wherewith I still the rage

Of my sore plague, and lull it quite to rest.

NEO

Well, bring it forth.—What? Is there something more?

PHI

If any of these arrows here are fallen,

I would not leave them for a casual prey.
655

NEO

How? Do I see thee with the marvellous bow?

PHI

Here in my hand. The world hath only one.

NEO

And may one touch and handle it, and gaze

With reverence, as on a thing from Heaven?

PHI

Thou mayest, my son. This and whate’er of mine
660

May stead thee, ’tis thy privilege to enjoy.

NEO

In very truth I long for it, but so,

That longing waits on leave. Am I permitted?

NEO

Well, go within.

PHI

Nay, I must take thee too.

My sickness craves thee for its comforter.

CHORUS
CHORUS .

Neoptolemos.

Sobald der Wind ruht, welcher vorn' am Buge bläst,
625

Geh'n wir zu Schiffe; jezo wehrt er uns die Fahrt.

Philoktetes.

Stets ist der Wind gut, wenn du vor dem Uebel fliehst.

Neoptolemos.

Gewiß; indeß auch jene sind durch ihn gehemmt.

Philoktetes.

Nie hält ein widerwärt'ger Wind die Räuber auf,¹

Wenn ihnen Diebstahl, wenn Gewaltraub ihnen winkt.
630

Neoptolemos.

Nun, wenn's gefällt, so geh'n wir; doch nimm drinnen erst,

Wozu Bedürfniß oder Wunsch zuerst dich treibt.

Philoktetes.

Wohl brauch' ich Etwas, das ich wähl' aus Wenigem.

Neoptolemos.

Was wär' es, das dir unser Schiff nicht geben kann?