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Neoptolemus

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

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

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

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

I command you to take Philoctetes by deceit.

Neoptolemus

And why by deceit rather than by persuasion?

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

Has he strength so terrific to make him bold?

Odysseus

Yes, shafts inevitable, escorts of death.
105

Neoptolemus

Then one does not dare even approach him?

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

No, not if the falsehood yields deliverance.

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

His arrows alone will capture Troy .

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

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)) — 86 focus

ἐγὼ μὲν οὓς ἂν τῶν λόγων ἀλγῶ κλύων,

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

Λαερτίου παῖ, τούσδε καὶ πράσσειν στυγῶ·

ἔφυν γὰρ οὐδὲν ἐκ τέχνης πράσσειν κακῆς,

οὔτ᾽ αὐτὸς οὔθ᾽, ὥς φασιν, οὑκφύσας ἐμέ.

ἀλλ᾽ εἴμ᾿ ἑτοῖμος πρὸς βίαν τὸν ἄνδρ᾽ ἄγειν
90

καὶ μὴ δόλοισιν· οὐ γὰρ ἐξ ἑνὸς ποδὸς

ἡμᾶς τοσούσδε τοσούσδε τοσούσδε πρὸς βίαν χειρώσεται.

πεμφθείς γε μέντοι σοὶ ξυνεργάτης ὀκνῶ

προδότης καλεῖσθαι· βούλομαι δ᾽ ἄναξ, καλῶς

δρῶν ἐξαμαρτεῖν μᾶλλον ἢ νικᾶν κακῶς.
95

ΟΔ.

ἐσθλοῦ πατρὸς παῖ, καὐτὸς καὐτὸ καὐτὸς ὢν νέος ποτὲ

γλῶσσαν μὲν ἀργόν, χεῖρα δ' εἶχον ἐργάτιν·

νῦν δ᾽ εἰς ἔλεγχον ἐξιὼν ὁρῶ βροτοῖς

τὴν γλῶσσαν, οὐχὶ τἄργα, πάνθ᾽ ἡγουμένην.

ΦΙΛΟΚΤΗΤΗΣ.

ΝΕ.

τί οὖν οὐ οὖν μ᾽ ἄνωγας ἄλλο πλὴν ψευδῆ λέγειν ;
100

ΟΔ.

λέγω σ᾽ ἐγὼ δόλῳ Φιλοκτήτην λαβεῖν.

ΝΕ.

τί δ᾽ ἐν δόλῳ δεῖ μᾶλλον ἢ πείσαντ᾽ ἄγειν ;

ΟΔ.

οὐ μὴ πίθηται πείθηται πίθηται· πρὸς βίαν δ᾽ οὐκ ἂν λάβοις.

ΝΕ.

οὕτως ἔχει τι δεινὸν ἰσχύος θράσος;

ΟΔ.

ἰοὺς ἀφύκτους καὶ προπέμποντας φόνον.
105

ΝΕ.

οὐκ ἆρ᾽ ἐκείνῳ γ᾽ οὐδὲ οὔτε οὐδὲ προσμίξαι θρασύ βαρύ;

ΟΔ.

οὔ, μὴ δόλῳ λαβόντα γ', ὡς ἐγὼ λέγω.

ΝΕ.

οὐκ αἰσχρὸν ἡγεῖ δῆτα τὰ δη τάδε δῆτα τὰ ψευδῆ λέγειν ;

ΟΔ.

οὔκ, εἰ τὸ σωθῆναί γε τὸ ψεῦδος φέρει.

ΝΕ.

πῶς οὖν βλέπων τις ταῦτα τολμήσει λακεῖν λακεῖν λαλεῖν λαλεῖν λαβεῖν;
110

ΟΔ.

ὅταν τι δρᾷς ἐς εἰς ἐς κέρδος, οὐκ ὀκνεῖν πρέπει.

ΝΕ.

κέρδος δ᾽ ἐμοὶ δέμοι τί τοῦτον εἰς Τροίαν Τροίαν Τροίαν μολεῖν ;

ΟΔ.

αἱρεῖ τὰ τόξα ταῦτα τὴν Τροίαν μόνα.

ΝΕ.

οὐκ ἆρ᾽ ὁ πέρσων, ὡς ἐφάσκετ᾽, εἴμ᾿ ἐγώ;

ΟΔ.

οὔτ᾽ ἂν σὺ κείνων χωρὶς οὔτ᾽ ἐκεῖνα σοῦ.
115

ΝΕ.

θηρατέ᾽ * ἂν θηρατέα θηρᾶτέα θηρατέα γίνοιτ' ἂν θηρατέ᾽ οὖν γίγνοιτ᾽ ἄν, εἴπερ ὧδ᾽ ἔχει.

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ΟΔ.

ὡς τοῦτό γ᾽ ἔρξας δύο φέρει δωρήματα.

ΝΕ.

ποίω ποία δυϊκῶς? μαθὼν γὰρ οὐκ ἂν ἀρνοίμην τὸ δρᾶν.

ΟΔ.

σοφός τ᾽ ἂν αὑτὸς αὐτὸς κἀγαθὸς κεκλῇ᾽ κεκλησ' κέκλησ᾽ κέκλης ἅμα.

ΝΕ.

ἴτω· ποιήσω ποήσω ποιήσω, πᾶσαν αἰσχύνην ἀφείς.
120

ΟΔ.

ἢ μνημονεύεις οὖν ἅ σοι παρήνεσα ;

ΝΕ.

σάφ᾽ ἴσθ᾽, ἐπείπερ εἰσάπαξ συνῄνεσα.

ΟΔ.

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 86 focus

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἐγὼ μὲν οὓς ἂν τῶν λόγων ἀλγῶ κλύων,

Λαερτίου παῖ, τούσδε καὶ πράσσειν στυγῶ·

ἔφυν γὰρ οὐδὲν ἐκ τέχνης πράσσειν κακῆς,

οὔτʼ αὐτὸς οὔθʼ, ὥς φασιν, οὑκφύσας ἐμέ.

ἀλλʼ εἴμʼ ἑτοῖμος πρὸς βίαν τὸν ἄνδρʼ ἄγειν
90

καὶ μὴ δόλοισιν· οὐ γὰρ ἐξ ἑνὸς ποδὸς

ἡμᾶς τοσούσδε πρὸς βίαν χειρώσεται.

πεμφθείς γε μέντοι σοὶ ξυνεργάτης ὀκνῶ

προδότης καλεῖσθαι· βούλομαι δʼ, ἄναξ, καλῶς

δρῶν ἐξαμαρτεῖν μᾶλλον ἢ νικᾶν κακῶς.
95

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἐσθλοῦ πατρὸς παῖ, καὐτὸς ὢν νέος ποτὲ

γλῶσσαν μὲν ἀργόν, χεῖρα δʼ εἶχον ἐργάτιν·

νῦν δʼ εἰς ἔλεγχον ἐξιὼν ὁρῶ βροτοῖς

τὴν γλῶσσαν, οὐχὶ τἄργα, πάνθʼ ἡγουμένην.

Νεοπτόλεμος

τί μʼ οὖν ἄνωγας ἄλλο πλὴν ψευδῆ λέγειν;
100

Ὀδυσσεύς

λέγω σʼ ἐγὼ δόλῳ Φιλοκτήτην λαβεῖν.

Νεοπτόλεμος

τί δʼ ἐν δόλῳ δεῖ μᾶλλον ἢ πείσαντʼ ἄγειν;

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὐ μὴ πίθηται· πρὸς βίαν δʼ οὐκ ἂν λάβοις.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὕτως ἔχει τι δεινὸν ἰσχύος θράσος;

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἰούς γʼ ἀφύκτους καὶ προπέμποντας φόνον.
105

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκ ἆρʼ ἐκείνῳ γʼ οὐδὲ προσμῖξαι θρασύ;

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὔ, μὴ δόλῳ λαβόντα γʼ, ὡς ἐγὼ λέγω.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκ αἰσχρὸν ἡγεῖ δῆτα τὸ ψευδῆ λέγειν;

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὔκ, εἰ τὸ σωθῆναί γε τὸ ψεῦδος φέρει.

Νεοπτόλεμος

πῶς οὖν βλέπων τις ταῦτα τολμήσει λακεῖν;
110

Ὀδυσσεύς

ὅταν τι δρᾷς εἰς κέρδος, οὐκ ὀκνεῖν πρέπει.

Νεοπτόλεμος

κέρδος δʼ ἐμοὶ τί τοῦτον ἐς Τροίαν μολεῖν;

Ὀδυσσεύς

αἱρεῖ τὰ τόξα ταῦτα τὴν Τροίαν μόνα.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκ ἆρʼ ὁ πέρσων, ὡς ἐφάσκετʼ, εἴμʼ ἐγώ;

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὔτʼ ἂν σὺ κείνων χωρὶς οὔτʼ ἐκεῖνα σοῦ.
115

Νεοπτόλεμος

θηρατέʼ οὖν γίγνοιτʼ ἄν, εἴπερ ὧδʼ ἔχει.

Ὀδυσσεύς

ὡς τοῦτό γʼ ἔρξας δύο φέρει δωρήματα.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ποίω; μαθὼν γὰρ οὐκ ἂν ἀρνοίμην τὸ δρᾶν.

Ὀδυσσεύς

σοφός τʼ ἂν αὑτὸς κἀγαθὸς κεκλῇʼ ἅμα.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἴτω· ποήσω, πᾶσαν αἰσχύνην ἀφείς.
120

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἦ μνημονεύεις οὖν ἅ σοι παρῄνεσα;

Νεοπτόλεμος

σάφʼ ἴσθʼ, ἐπείπερ εἰσάπαξ συνῄνεσα.

Translations (4)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 86 focus

The thing that, being named, revolts mine ear,

Son of Laërtes, I abhor to do

’Tis not my nature, no, nor, as they tell,

My father’s, to work aught by craft and guile.

I’ll undertake to bring him in by force,

Not by deceit. For, sure, with his one foot,

He cannot be a match for all our crew

Being sent, my lord, to serve thee, I am loth

To seem rebellious. But I rather choose

To offend with honour, than to win by wrong.

OD

Son of a valiant sire, I, too, in youth,

Had once a slow tongue and an active hand.

But since I have proved the world, I clearly see

Words and not deeds give mastery over men.

NEO

What then is thy command? To lie? No more?
100

OD

To entangle Philoctetes with deceit.

NEO

Why through deceit? May not persuasion fetch him?

OD

Never. And force as certainly will fail.

NEO

What lends him such assurance of defence?

OD

Arrows, the unerring harbingers of Death.
105

NEO

Then to go near him is a perilous thing.

OD

Unless with subtlety, as I have said.

NEO

And is not lying shameful to thy soul?

OD

Not if by lying I can save my soul.

NEO

How must one look in speaking such a word?
110

OD

Where gain invites, this shrinking is not good.

NEO

What gain I through his coming back to Troy?

OD

His arms alone have power to take Troy-town.

NEO

Then am not I the spoiler, as ye said?

OD

Thou without them, they without thee, are powerless.
115

NEO

If it be so, they must be sought and won.

OD

Yea, for in this two prizes will be thine.

NEO

What? When I learn them, I will not refuse.

OD

Wisdom and valour joined in one good name.

NEO

Shame, to the winds! Come, I will do this thing.
120

OD

Say, dost thou bear my bidding full in mind?

NEO

Doubt not, since once for all I have embraced it.

OD

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 86 focus

Was immer ich nicht ohne Grauen hören kann,

Sohn Laertens, dieses hass' ich auch zu thun.

Denn nicht geschaffen bin ich, traun, für Hinterlist,

So wenig, als es (sagen sie) mein Vater war.¹

Ich bin bereit, ihn wegzuführen mit Gewalt,
90

Doch nie mit Arglist; denn mit Einem Fuße wird

Er uns, so Viele, nimmerdar bewältigen.

Zwar dir ein Helfer zog ich aus und möchte nicht

Verräther heißen; aber lieber wünsch' ich mir

Der edlen That Mißlingen, als unedlen Sieg.
95

Odysseus.

Mir, Sohn des edlen Vaters, war als Jüngling auch

Die Zunge langsam und die Hand zu Thaten schnell.

Jezt durch Erfahrung reifer, seh' ich wohl: es ist

Der Menschen Zunge, nicht die That, die Alles lenkt.

Neoptolemos.

Was trägst du mir nun Andres, Herr, als Lügen auf?
100

Odysseus.

Mit List, verlang' ich, sollst du Philoktetes fahn.

Neoptolemos.

Warum mit List ihn fangen, wenn's die Rede kann?

Odysseus.

Nie folgt er Reden; auch Gewalt bezwingt ihn nicht.

Neoptolemos.

So zuversichtlich trozt der Mann auf seine Kraft?

Odysseus.

Der unentfliehbar'n Pfeile morderfüllte Wehr -
105

Neoptolemos.

Nicht ungefährlich wär' es denn, ihm nur zu nah'n?

Odysseus.

Nicht, außer wenn du, wie gesagt, mit List ihn fängst.

Neoptolemos.

Und eine Schande dünkte dir die Lüge nicht?

Odysseus.

Nicht, wenn die Lüge Rettung mir zum Lohne bringt.

Neoptolemos.

Mit welcher Stirn erkühnt man solcher Rede sich?
110

Odysseus.

Bringt eine Handlung dir Gewinn, so zage nicht.

Neoptolemos.

Was bringt's Gewinn mir, wenn der Mann vor Troja kommt?

Odysseus.

Die Pfeile nur erobern Troja, sie allein.

Neoptolemos.

Ich also nehme nicht die Stadt, wie ihr's verspracht?

Odysseus.

Du ohne sie nicht, und auch sie nicht ohne dich.
115

Neoptolemos.

Sie muß ich denn erjagen, wenn es also steht.

Odysseus.

Zwiefachen Lohn gewinnst du, wenn du solches thust.

Neoptolemos.

Und welchen? Weiß ich diesen, weigr' ich nicht die That.

Odysseus.

Nun, klug und tapfer würdest du zugleich genannt.

Neoptolemos.

Wohlan denn, ledig aller Scham, vollführ' ich es!
120

Odysseus.

Gedenkst du nun auch dessen, was ich dir gebot?

Neoptolemos.

Vertraue mir, nachdem ich's einmal dir gelobt.

Odysseus.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 86 focus

He's gone to guard each avenue ; and now,

If thou hast aught of moment to impart

Touching our purpose, say it ; I attend

Ulysses

Son of Achilles, mark me well ! Eemember,

What we are doing not on strength alone,

Or courage, but on conduct will depend ;

Therefore if aught uncommon be proposed,

Strange to thy ears and adverse to thy nature,

Keflect that 'tis thy duty to comply.

And act conjunctive with me.

Neoptolemus

Well, what is it ?
100

Will be thy task. When he shall ask thee who
100

And what thou art, Achilles' son reply —
100

Thus far within the verge of truth, no more.
100

Add that resentment fired thee to forsake
100

The Grecian fleet, and seek thy native soil.
100

Unkindly used by those who long with vows
100

Had sought thy aid to humble haughty Troy,
100

And when thou cam'st, ungrateful as they were,
100

The arms of great Achilles, thy just right,
100

Gave to Ulysses. Here thy bitter taunts
100

And sharp invectives Uberally bestow
100

On me. Say what thou wilt, I shall forgive.
100

And Greece will not forgive thee if thou dost not ;
100

For against Troy thy efibrts are all vain
100

Without his arrows. Safely thou mayst hold
100

Friendship and converse wdth him, but I cannot.
100

Thou wert not with us when the war began,
100

Nor bound by solemn oath to join our host,
100

lOO
100

As I was \ me he knows, and if he find
100

That I am with thee, we are both undone.
100

They must be ours then, these all-conquering arms ;
100

Remember that. I know thy noble nature
100

Abhors the thought of treachery or fraud.
100

But what a glorious prize is victory !
100

Therefore be bold : we will be just hereafter.
100

Give to deceit and me a little portion
100

Of one short day, and for thy future life
100

Be called the holiest, worthiest, best of men.
100

Ned. What but to hear alarms my conscious soul.
100

Son of Laeites, I shall never practise.
100

I was not born to flatter or betray ;
100

Nor I, nor he — the voice of fame reports —
100

Who gave me birth. What open arms can do
100

Behold me prompt to act, but ne'er to fraud
100

Will I descend. Sure we can more than match
100

In strength a foe thus lame and impotent.
100

I came to be a helpmate to thee, not
100

A base betrayer ; and, O king ! believe me.
100

Rather, much rather would I fall by virtue
100

Than rise by guilt to certain victory.
100

TJly. O noble youth ! and worthy of thy sire !
100

When I like thee was young, like thee of strength
100

And courage boastful, little did I deem
100

Of human policy ; but long experience
100

Hath taught me, son, 'tia not the powerful arm.
100

But soft enchanting tongue that governs all.
100

Neoptolemus

And thou wouldst have me tell an odious false-

hood ?

XJly. He must be gained by fraud.

Neoptolemus

By fraud ? And why

Not by persuasion?

Ulysses

He'll not listen to it ;

And force were vainer still.

Neoptolemus

Ned. What mighty power

Hath he to boast?

Ulysses

His arrows winged with death
105

Inevitable.
105

Neoptolemus

Then it were not safe

E'en to approach him.

Ulysses

No j unless by fraud

He be secured.

Neoptolemus

And thinkst thou 'tis not base

To tell a lie then ?

Ulysses

Not if on that lie

Depends our safety.

Neoptolemus

Who shall dare to tell it
110

Without a blush?
110

Ulysses

We need not blush at aught

That may promote our interest and success.

Neoptolemus

But where 's the interest that should bias me?

Come he or not to Troy, imports it aught

To Neoptolemus ?

Ulysses

Troy cannot fall

Without his arrows.

Neoptolemus

Saidst thou not that I

Was destined to destroy her ?

Ulysses

Without them
115

Naught canst thou do, and they without thee nothing.
115

Neoptolemus

Then I must have them.

Ulysses

When thou hast, remember

A double prize awaits thee.

Neoptolemus

What, Ulysses?

Ulysses

The glorious names of vaUant and of wise.

Neoptolemus

Away ! I'll do it. Thoughts of guilt or shame
120

No more appal me.
120

Ulysses

Wilt thou do it then ?

Wilt thou remember what I told thee of ?

Neoptolemus

Depend on 't j I have promised — that 's sufficient.

Ulysses

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 86 focus

What then wou'dst thou command me

zh iblondro: Peta Shio. Totallurei

With fraudful words the unsuspecting heart

Of Philoctetes: when he asks thee whooo.T

And whence thou art, tell him thow art the sono

Of great Achilles; fraud were useless: here 3.0

To Seyros say thy vessel ploughs the main, M

And bears thee from th' associate Chiefs of Greece,

Indignant at thy wrongs; for when their pray'rs

Won thee to join their naval force (that hope

To storm the tow'rs of Troy alone remain'd)

Ulysses

To thy request, though highly just, with scorn

The armour of Achilles they denied,

And gave it to Ulysses: then of me

Say what thou wilt, the vilest of vile things,

I heed it not. This task if thou decline,

Each Argive heart with sorrow thou wilt wound.

For should these fated arrows not be gain'd

It is not thine to waste the Dardan realms.

By me no converse with him can be held,

To thee it has no danger; it was thine

To join their arms, by oath to none engaged,

Nor through necessity, nor with the first

That stretch'd their sails: all this in me offends.

My ruin then, if whilst he holds this bow

He find me, is most certain; and on thee

My presence will draw ruin: this requires

Deep-thoughted stratagem, and artful trains,

By stealth to bear th' unconquer'd arms away.

I know thy noble nature; it disdains

To speak a falsehood, or contrive a fraud :

But high the transport to obtain the prize

Of conquest: dare th' attempt: we will be just

Hereafter: some small portion of this day

Forget to blush, and give thyself to me:

Thenceforth be deem'd the holiest of mankind.

Neoptolemus

What but to hear is painful to my soul,
100

Son of Laertes, I abhor to act.
100

My nature was not form'd for treacherous deeds,
100

Nor his who gave me birth; so fame reports...
100

Thou seest me prompt to seize this man by force,
100

But not by fraud: nor will his might avail,
100

Prompt on one foot, against our vigorous strength.
100

Sent thy assistant, I disdain the name
100

Of a betrayer. I have a joy, O king,
100

In honest actions, though their efforts fail,
100

More than in victory by baseness gain'd.
100

Ulysses

Thou noble son of an illustrious sire,

When I was young I bade my tongue be still,

And my hands active; now by certain proof

From long experience in the world I find

Thy tongue, not actions, rules th' affairs of men.

Neoptolemus

What then wou'dst thou command, so that my tongue

Speak no untruth?

I tell thee that by fraud

Ulysses

Thou must take Philoctetes.

Neoptolemus

Why by fraud,

Rather than fair persuasion, should I hence

Assay to lead him ?

Ulysses

To persuasion's voice:
105

He would be deaf, nor will thy force avail
105

To seize him.
105

Neoptolemus

What hath he of power so vast,

So terrible?

Ulysses

Unerring arrows wing'd

With certain death.

Neoptolemus

Bold then must be th' attempt

E'en to accost him.

Ulysses

Not if seized by fraud

As I advise.

Neoptolemus

Dost thou not deem it base
110

To utter falsehoods?
110

Ulysses

Not if falsehood leads

To safety

Neoptolemus

How must that man look, who dares

To speak such things ? f 4

Ulysses

When much may be obtain'd

Such niceness may be waved.daydr

Neoptolemus

Tome what gain,

Should he to Troy sail with us?uitos teamodel

Ulysses

ed By bis shafts
115

Alone is Troy subduedo e sidor rofT
115

"Did you not say
115

I and
115

My arms should raze her tow'rshed yor bal.
115

In a oficio Not without these,
115

Nor these unaided by thy armster cougaot vdT
115

If thus and tod co
115

It be decreed, these arrows must bewon.droqe
115

Ulysses

Win them, a double meed is thine.

Neoptolemus

Doolid! What meedaT

This known, no more I may refuse to act.

Ulysses

As wise and brave to hear thyself renown'd

Neoptolemus

Go: I will do it, and all shameddefy off.
120

Ulysses

Are my instructions in thy mind well fix'd?

Neoptolemus

Be sure of that, since I assent to them.owl

Ulysses

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-56-1 μὲν ¹

mvp-comment-56-2 Λαερτίου ² α ³

mvp-comment-56-3 τούσδε ⁴ οὓς ἂν ⁵ τοὺς δὲ ⁶

mvp-comment-56-4

πράσσειν λόγους

, as meaning, ‘to put words into acts,’ is not a strictly correct phrase, but the verb is used here, with some poetical freedom, as if

οὓς ἂν τῶν λόγων...τούσδε

were

ἃ ἂν λεγόμενα...τάδε

: i.e.

λόγοι

are virtually ‘proposed deeds.’ The prose equivalent of this

πράσσειν

would be

ἔργῳ ἐπιτελεῖν

( Thuc. 1. 70 ). Distinguish Eur. H. F. 1305

ἔπραξε γὰρ βούλησιν ἣν ἐβούλετο

, where the verb=

ἐξέπραξε

, ‘effected.’— Isocr. or. 1 § 15 has the converse maxim,

ἃ ποιεῖν αἰσχρόν, ταῦτα νόμιζε μηδὲ λέγειν εἶναι καλόν

(cp. Soph. O. T. 1409 ).

mvp-comment-57-1 ἐκ τέχνης ⁷

mvp-comment-57-2 πράσσειν ⁸

mvp-comment-57-3 οὔτ’ αὐτὸς ⁹

mvp-comment-57-4 οὔθ’, ὡς φασίν, οὑκφύσας ¹⁰

mvp-comment-58-1 πρὸς βίαν ¹¹ ἄγειν ¹²

mvp-comment-58-2 οὐ γὰρ ¹³ ἐξ ἑνὸς ποδὸς ¹⁴

mvp-comment-58-3 τοσούσδε ¹⁵

mvp-comment-59-1 πεμφθείς γε μέντοι ¹⁶

mvp-comment-59-2 προδότης ¹⁷

mvp-comment-59-3 ἐξαμαρτεῖν ¹⁸ νικᾶν ¹⁹

mvp-comment-60-1 ἀργόν ²⁰

mvp-comment-61-1 εἰς ἔλεγχον ἐξιὼν ²¹

mvp-comment-61-2 βροτοῖς ²² πάνθ’ ἡγουμένην ²³

mvp-comment-62-1 τί μ’ οὖν ²⁴ τί οὖν μ’ ²⁵

mvp-comment-62-2 τί … ἄλλο ²⁶

mvp-comment-63-1 λέγω σ’ … λαβεῖν ²⁷

mvp-comment-64-1 ἐν δόλῳ ²⁸

mvp-comment-64-2 πείσαντ’ ²⁹

mvp-comment-65-1 οὐ μὴ πίθηται ³⁰

mvp-comment-65-2 πρὸς βίαν δ’ ³¹

mvp-comment-66-1 οὕτως ³² τι δεινὸν ³³

mvp-comment-66-2 ἰσχύος θράσος ³⁴ κράτος ³⁵ οὐ μὴ πίθηται ³⁶

mvp-comment-67-1 ἰοὺς ³⁷ ἰούς γ’ ³⁸ τι ³⁹ τί ⁴⁰ γ’ ⁴¹ γ’ ⁴²

mvp-comment-68-1 ἐκείνῳ γ’ ⁴³

mvp-comment-68-2 προσμεῖξαι ⁴⁴

mvp-comment-68-3 θρασύ ⁴⁵

mvp-comment-69-1 μὴ δόλῳ λαβόντα ⁴⁶

mvp-comment-70-1 τὰ ψευδῆ ⁴⁷ δῆτα τὰ ⁴⁸ δηλαδὴ ⁴⁹

mvp-comment-71-1 τὸ σωθῆναι ⁵⁰

mvp-comment-72-1 πῶς οὖν βλέπων ⁵¹ πῶς οὖν ⁵² πῶς … βλέπων ⁵³

mvp-comment-72-2 λακεῖν ⁵⁴

mvp-comment-73-1 εἰς κέρδος ⁵⁵

mvp-comment-74-1 αἱρεῖ ⁵⁶

mvp-comment-75-1 ὡς ἐφάσκετ’ ⁵⁷

mvp-comment-76-1 οὔτ’ ἂν ⁵⁸

mvp-comment-77-1 θηρατἔ οὖν γίγνοιτ’ ἄν ⁵⁹ γίγνοιτ’ ⁶⁰ γένοιτ’ ⁶¹

mvp-comment-77-2 οὖν ⁶²

mvp-comment-78-1 ὡς … φέρει ⁶³

mvp-comment-78-2 φέρει ⁶⁴

mvp-comment-79-1 τὸ δρᾶν ⁶⁵

mvp-comment-80-1 σοφός τ|) … κἀγαθός ⁶⁶

mvp-comment-80-2 αὑτὸς ⁶⁷

mvp-comment-80-3 κεκλᾖ ⁶⁸

mvp-comment-81-1 ἴτω ⁶⁹

mvp-comment-81-2 ποήσω ⁷⁰ ι ⁷¹ ι ⁷² ποήσω ⁷³

mvp-comment-81-3 πᾶσαν αἰσχύνην ἀφείς ⁷⁴

mvp-comment-82-1 μνημονεύεις ⁷⁵ μνημονεύσεις ⁷⁶ σάφ’ ἴσθ’ ⁷⁷

mvp-comment-82-2 ἅ … παρῄνεσα ⁷⁸

mvp-comment-82-3 συνῄνεσα ⁷⁹

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

86. mvp-comment-62-1 κλύων] (1) i. e. ὀνειδιζόμενος. So Musgrave. This agrees well with κέκλησο, supr., -' I hate to be called false, and I hate to act falsely.' (2) Others take the words to mean, 'As I hate to hear lies told, so I hate to tell them;' or (3) As it irks me to be practised on with lies, so I hate to practise them."

87. mvp-comment-63-1 τούσδε .. στυγῶ] 'I abhor the same in action.' τούσδε sc. τοὺς λόγους. For λόγος, implying πρᾶξις, cp.eg. Trach. 78, τὸν λόγον γὰρ ἁγνός: ib. 250, 1, τοῦ λόγου.. Ζεὺς ὅτου πράκτωρ φανῇ. And for the expressed antecedent, cp. Ant. 463, 4, ὅστις γὰρ ἐν πολλοῖσιν, ὡς ἐγὼ, κακοῖς ζῇ, πῶς ὅδ' οὐχὶ κατθανὼν κέρδος φέρει;

88. mvp-comment-64-1 ἔφυν.. πράσσειν] 'It is not in my nature to do anything through base artifice.'

89. mvp-comment-65-1 οὔτ᾽ αὐτός, κ.τ.λ.] For this frequent form of expression, cp. especially Plat. Prot. 324 B. ἵνα μὴ αὖθις ἀδικήσῃ μήτε αὐτὸς μήτε ἄλλος ὁ τοῦτον ἰδών.

91. mvp-comment-66-1 δόλοισιν] Οdysseus, supr. 55, had said λόγοισιν. Neoptolemus is more plain-spoken. ἐξ ἑνὸς ποδός] 'With only one foot to rely on.' Neoptolemus argues a fortiori. Philoctetes is not only one against many, but a lame man against strong men.

92. mvp-comment-67-1 τοσούσδε] i. e. not only the three who have advanced, but the whole crew. Infr. 549, 50.

93-94. mvp-comment-68-1 'It is true indeed that having been sent to be your adjutant I shrink from the imputation of disloyalty, but I would rather, my lord, offend in acting nobly than basely win.'

94. mvp-comment-69-1 προδότης καλεῖσθαι] 'To be accused of treason towards the Argives who have sent me to assist you). Cp. infr. 1250, ΟΔ. στρατὸν δ' Ἀχαιῶν οὐ φοβεῖ, πρασσων τάδε; ΝΕ. σὺν τῷ δικαίῳ τὸν σὸν οὐ ταρβῶ φόβον. καλεῖσθαι] Cp. supr. 85, κέκλησο: infr. 119, κεκλῇς: Trach. 453, 4. ὡς ἐλευθέρῳ ψευδεῖ καλεῖσθαι κὴρ πρόσεστιν οὐ καλή. The Greek sensitiveness to praise and blame is perceptible in this idiom.

95. mvp-comment-70-1 ἐξαμαρτεῖν] (1) To fail: opposed to νικᾶν; or (2) To be in the wrong' = προδότης καλεῖσθαι. Cp. Ant. 1024, κοινόν ἐστι τοὐξαμαρτάνειν. νικᾶν κακῶς] To win a base victory;' i.e. v. κακῶς δρῶν.

96. mvp-comment-71-1 ἐσθλοῦ πατρὸς παῖ] Cp supr. 3. 89.

98. mvp-comment-72-1 εἰς ἔλεγχον ἐξιὼν] i e. in proving the world, and bringing words and actions to the test of experience.

98-99. mvp-comment-73-1 ὁρῶ ... ἡγουμένην] I find that wherever mortals are concerned words and not actions have always the chief influence.' βροτοῖς is dative of reference not βροτοὺς ἡγουμένην = Leading mankind').

100. mvp-comment-74-1 τί οὖν . . λέγειν] Neoptolemus says curtly, I see you want me to tell a lie: have you any further commands?' He is indignant; but his curiosity is awakened. Cp. Ant. 497, θέλεις τι μεῖζον ἢ κατακτεῖναί μ᾽ ἑλών.

101. mvp-comment-75-1 λέγω σ] 'I repeat that you must.' λέγω resumes the force of ἄνωγας. Odysseus repeats his first command.

104. mvp-comment-76-1 Join οὕτως with δεινόν. ἰσχύος θράσος] · Boldness consisting in strength; i.e. an emboldening strength. Cp. Thuc. 5. 14, οὐκ ἔχοντες τὴν ἐλπίδα τῆς ῥώμης πιστὴν ἔτι.

106. mvp-comment-77-1 θρασύ] i. e. θαρσάλεον, ἄνευ φόβου. Cp. Pind. Nem. 7. 50, θρασύ μοι τόδ' εἰπεῖν,

110. mvp-comment-78-1 πῶς.. βλέπων] 'With what countenance?' i. e. How shall I look him in the face while saying it? Cp. О. Т. 1371, ἐγὼ γὰρ οὐκ οἶδ᾽ ὄμμασιν ποίοις βλέπων, κ.τ.λ. λακεῖν] This is a more curious, but also a more forcible reading than λαλεῖν, expressing Neoptolemus' abhorrence of the sound of a lie.

112. mvp-comment-79-1 There is a certain inconsistency (as Cavallin remarks) in Neoptolemus' ignorance of that which in l.69 Odysseus had mentioned as well known. We must imagine him to have been passive hitherto, and only now to have his attention roused to the object that is to work on his ambition. This makes the change of mind in him more conceivable.

113-115. mvp-comment-80-1 Odysseus speaks of the bow, but not of Philoctetes' share in the victory.

116. mvp-comment-81-1 οὖν, the Triclinian reading, is possibly right. Some change from the reading of L is necessary. Hermann read, as in the text, θηρατέ᾽ ἄν, explaining the second ἄν as belonging to εἴπερ, κ.τ.λ., -in other words, as emphasizing Neoptolemus' hesitation and doubtfulness.

117. mvp-comment-82-1 δύο .. δωρήματα] Cp. El. 1088, δύο φέρειν ἐν ἑνὶ λόγῳ, σόφα τ' ἀρίστα τε παῖς κεκλῆσθαι.

119. mvp-comment-83-1 αὑτός] This seems better here than αὐτός, ‘In your own person.' But cp. Ο. Τ. 458, ἀδελφὸς αὐτὸς καὶ πατήρ, i. e. Your taking Troy will be a proof of bravery, and your having first obtained the bow, of wisdom.

122. mvp-comment-84-1 Neoptolemus makes the decision with sudden impulsiveness, and having once taken his course, continues it with apparent firmness to infr. 810.

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

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

Odysseus I command you to take Philoctetes by deceit.

Neoptolemus And why by deceit rather than by persuasion?

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

Neoptolemus Has he strength so terrific to make him bold?

Odysseus Yes, shafts inevitable, escorts of death. 105

Neoptolemus Then one does not dare even approach him?

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

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

Odysseus No, not if the falsehood yields deliverance.

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

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

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

Odysseus His arrows alone will capture Troy .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Current edition Experimental

ἐγὼ μὲν οὓς ἂν τῶν λόγων ἀλγῶ κλύων,

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ΦΙΛΟΚΤΗΤΗΣ.

ΝΕ. τί οὖν οὐ οὖν μ᾽ ἄνωγας ἄλλο πλὴν ψευδῆ λέγειν ; 100

ΟΔ. λέγω σ᾽ ἐγὼ δόλῳ Φιλοκτήτην λαβεῖν.

ΝΕ. τί δ᾽ ἐν δόλῳ δεῖ μᾶλλον ἢ πείσαντ᾽ ἄγειν ;

ΟΔ. οὐ μὴ πίθηται πείθηται πίθηται· πρὸς βίαν δ᾽ οὐκ ἂν λάβοις.

ΝΕ. οὕτως ἔχει τι δεινὸν ἰσχύος θράσος;

ΟΔ. ἰοὺς ἀφύκτους καὶ προπέμποντας φόνον. 105

ΝΕ. οὐκ ἆρ᾽ ἐκείνῳ γ᾽ οὐδὲ οὔτε οὐδὲ προσμίξαι θρασύ βαρύ;

ΟΔ. οὔ, μὴ δόλῳ λαβόντα γ', ὡς ἐγὼ λέγω.

ΝΕ. οὐκ αἰσχρὸν ἡγεῖ δῆτα τὰ δη τάδε δῆτα τὰ ψευδῆ λέγειν ;

ΟΔ. οὔκ, εἰ τὸ σωθῆναί γε τὸ ψεῦδος φέρει.

ΝΕ. πῶς οὖν βλέπων τις ταῦτα τολμήσει λακεῖν λακεῖν λαλεῖν λαλεῖν λαβεῖν; 110

ΟΔ. ὅταν τι δρᾷς ἐς εἰς ἐς κέρδος, οὐκ ὀκνεῖν πρέπει.

ΝΕ. κέρδος δ᾽ ἐμοὶ δέμοι τί τοῦτον εἰς Τροίαν Τροίαν Τροίαν μολεῖν ;

ΟΔ. αἱρεῖ τὰ τόξα ταῦτα τὴν Τροίαν μόνα.

ΝΕ. οὐκ ἆρ᾽ ὁ πέρσων, ὡς ἐφάσκετ᾽, εἴμ᾿ ἐγώ;

ΟΔ. οὔτ᾽ ἂν σὺ κείνων χωρὶς οὔτ᾽ ἐκεῖνα σοῦ. 115

ΝΕ. θηρατέ᾽ * ἂν θηρατέα θηρᾶτέα θηρατέα γίνοιτ' ἂν θηρατέ᾽ οὖν γίγνοιτ᾽ ἄν, εἴπερ ὧδ᾽ ἔχει.

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ΟΔ. ὡς τοῦτό γ᾽ ἔρξας δύο φέρει δωρήματα.

ΝΕ. ποίω ποία δυϊκῶς? μαθὼν γὰρ οὐκ ἂν ἀρνοίμην τὸ δρᾶν.

ΟΔ. σοφός τ᾽ ἂν αὑτὸς αὐτὸς κἀγαθὸς κεκλῇ᾽ κεκλησ' κέκλησ᾽ κέκλης ἅμα.

ΝΕ. ἴτω· ποιήσω ποήσω ποιήσω, πᾶσαν αἰσχύνην ἀφείς. 120

ΟΔ. ἢ μνημονεύεις οὖν ἅ σοι παρήνεσα ;

ΝΕ. σάφ᾽ ἴσθ᾽, ἐπείπερ εἰσάπαξ συνῄνεσα.

ΟΔ.

Νεοπτόλεμος τί μʼ οὖν ἄνωγας ἄλλο πλὴν ψευδῆ λέγειν; 100

Ὀδυσσεύς λέγω σʼ ἐγὼ δόλῳ Φιλοκτήτην λαβεῖν.

Νεοπτόλεμος τί δʼ ἐν δόλῳ δεῖ μᾶλλον ἢ πείσαντʼ ἄγειν;

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

Νεοπτόλεμος οὕτως ἔχει τι δεινὸν ἰσχύος θράσος;

Ὀδυσσεύς ἰούς γʼ ἀφύκτους καὶ προπέμποντας φόνον. 105

Νεοπτόλεμος οὐκ ἆρʼ ἐκείνῳ γʼ οὐδὲ προσμῖξαι θρασύ;

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

Νεοπτόλεμος οὐκ αἰσχρὸν ἡγεῖ δῆτα τὸ ψευδῆ λέγειν;

Ὀδυσσεύς οὔκ, εἰ τὸ σωθῆναί γε τὸ ψεῦδος φέρει.

Νεοπτόλεμος πῶς οὖν βλέπων τις ταῦτα τολμήσει λακεῖν; 110

Ὀδυσσεύς ὅταν τι δρᾷς εἰς κέρδος, οὐκ ὀκνεῖν πρέπει.

Νεοπτόλεμος κέρδος δʼ ἐμοὶ τί τοῦτον ἐς Τροίαν μολεῖν;

Ὀδυσσεύς αἱρεῖ τὰ τόξα ταῦτα τὴν Τροίαν μόνα.

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

Ὀδυσσεύς οὔτʼ ἂν σὺ κείνων χωρὶς οὔτʼ ἐκεῖνα σοῦ. 115

Νεοπτόλεμος θηρατέʼ οὖν γίγνοιτʼ ἄν, εἴπερ ὧδʼ ἔχει.

Ὀδυσσεύς ὡς τοῦτό γʼ ἔρξας δύο φέρει δωρήματα.

Νεοπτόλεμος ποίω; μαθὼν γὰρ οὐκ ἂν ἀρνοίμην τὸ δρᾶν.

Ὀδυσσεύς σοφός τʼ ἂν αὑτὸς κἀγαθὸς κεκλῇʼ ἅμα.

Νεοπτόλεμος ἴτω· ποήσω, πᾶσαν αἰσχύνην ἀφείς. 120

Ὀδυσσεύς ἦ μνημονεύεις οὖν ἅ σοι παρῄνεσα;

Νεοπτόλεμος σάφʼ ἴσθʼ, ἐπείπερ εἰσάπαξ συνῄνεσα.

OD Son of a valiant sire, I, too, in youth, Had once a slow tongue and an active hand. But since I have proved the world, I clearly see Words and not deeds give mastery over men.

NEO What then is thy command? To lie? No more? 100

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

I command you to take Philoctetes by deceit.

Neoptolemus

And why by deceit rather than by persuasion?

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

Has he strength so terrific to make him bold?

Odysseus

Yes, shafts inevitable, escorts of death.
105

Neoptolemus

Then one does not dare even approach him?

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

No, not if the falsehood yields deliverance.

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

His arrows alone will capture Troy .

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

ΝΕ.

τί οὖν οὐ οὖν μ᾽ ἄνωγας ἄλλο πλὴν ψευδῆ λέγειν ;
100

ΟΔ.

λέγω σ᾽ ἐγὼ δόλῳ Φιλοκτήτην λαβεῖν.

ΝΕ.

τί δ᾽ ἐν δόλῳ δεῖ μᾶλλον ἢ πείσαντ᾽ ἄγειν ;

ΟΔ.

οὐ μὴ πίθηται πείθηται πίθηται· πρὸς βίαν δ᾽ οὐκ ἂν λάβοις.

ΝΕ.

οὕτως ἔχει τι δεινὸν ἰσχύος θράσος;

ΟΔ.

ἰοὺς ἀφύκτους καὶ προπέμποντας φόνον.
105

ΝΕ.

οὐκ ἆρ᾽ ἐκείνῳ γ᾽ οὐδὲ οὔτε οὐδὲ προσμίξαι θρασύ βαρύ;

ΟΔ.

οὔ, μὴ δόλῳ λαβόντα γ', ὡς ἐγὼ λέγω.

ΝΕ.

οὐκ αἰσχρὸν ἡγεῖ δῆτα τὰ δη τάδε δῆτα τὰ ψευδῆ λέγειν ;

ΟΔ.

οὔκ, εἰ τὸ σωθῆναί γε τὸ ψεῦδος φέρει.

ΝΕ.

πῶς οὖν βλέπων τις ταῦτα τολμήσει λακεῖν λακεῖν λαλεῖν λαλεῖν λαβεῖν;
110

ΟΔ.

ὅταν τι δρᾷς ἐς εἰς ἐς κέρδος, οὐκ ὀκνεῖν πρέπει.

ΝΕ.

κέρδος δ᾽ ἐμοὶ δέμοι τί τοῦτον εἰς Τροίαν Τροίαν Τροίαν μολεῖν ;

ΟΔ.

αἱρεῖ τὰ τόξα ταῦτα τὴν Τροίαν μόνα.

ΝΕ.

οὐκ ἆρ᾽ ὁ πέρσων, ὡς ἐφάσκετ᾽, εἴμ᾿ ἐγώ;

ΟΔ.

οὔτ᾽ ἂν σὺ κείνων χωρὶς οὔτ᾽ ἐκεῖνα σοῦ.
115

ΝΕ.

θηρατέ᾽ * ἂν θηρατέα θηρᾶτέα θηρατέα γίνοιτ' ἂν θηρατέ᾽ οὖν γίγνοιτ᾽ ἄν, εἴπερ ὧδ᾽ ἔχει.

ΟΔ.

ὡς τοῦτό γ᾽ ἔρξας δύο φέρει δωρήματα.

ΝΕ.

ποίω ποία δυϊκῶς? μαθὼν γὰρ οὐκ ἂν ἀρνοίμην τὸ δρᾶν.

ΟΔ.

σοφός τ᾽ ἂν αὑτὸς αὐτὸς κἀγαθὸς κεκλῇ᾽ κεκλησ' κέκλησ᾽ κέκλης ἅμα.

ΝΕ.

ἴτω· ποιήσω ποήσω ποιήσω, πᾶσαν αἰσχύνην ἀφείς.
120

ΟΔ.

ἢ μνημονεύεις οὖν ἅ σοι παρήνεσα ;

ΝΕ.

σάφ᾽ ἴσθ᾽, ἐπείπερ εἰσάπαξ συνῄνεσα.

Νεοπτόλεμος

τί μʼ οὖν ἄνωγας ἄλλο πλὴν ψευδῆ λέγειν;
100

Ὀδυσσεύς

λέγω σʼ ἐγὼ δόλῳ Φιλοκτήτην λαβεῖν.

Νεοπτόλεμος

τί δʼ ἐν δόλῳ δεῖ μᾶλλον ἢ πείσαντʼ ἄγειν;

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὐ μὴ πίθηται· πρὸς βίαν δʼ οὐκ ἂν λάβοις.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὕτως ἔχει τι δεινὸν ἰσχύος θράσος;

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἰούς γʼ ἀφύκτους καὶ προπέμποντας φόνον.
105

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκ ἆρʼ ἐκείνῳ γʼ οὐδὲ προσμῖξαι θρασύ;

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὔ, μὴ δόλῳ λαβόντα γʼ, ὡς ἐγὼ λέγω.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκ αἰσχρὸν ἡγεῖ δῆτα τὸ ψευδῆ λέγειν;

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὔκ, εἰ τὸ σωθῆναί γε τὸ ψεῦδος φέρει.

Νεοπτόλεμος

πῶς οὖν βλέπων τις ταῦτα τολμήσει λακεῖν;
110

Ὀδυσσεύς

ὅταν τι δρᾷς εἰς κέρδος, οὐκ ὀκνεῖν πρέπει.

Νεοπτόλεμος

κέρδος δʼ ἐμοὶ τί τοῦτον ἐς Τροίαν μολεῖν;

Ὀδυσσεύς

αἱρεῖ τὰ τόξα ταῦτα τὴν Τροίαν μόνα.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκ ἆρʼ ὁ πέρσων, ὡς ἐφάσκετʼ, εἴμʼ ἐγώ;

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὔτʼ ἂν σὺ κείνων χωρὶς οὔτʼ ἐκεῖνα σοῦ.
115

Νεοπτόλεμος

θηρατέʼ οὖν γίγνοιτʼ ἄν, εἴπερ ὧδʼ ἔχει.

Ὀδυσσεύς

ὡς τοῦτό γʼ ἔρξας δύο φέρει δωρήματα.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ποίω; μαθὼν γὰρ οὐκ ἂν ἀρνοίμην τὸ δρᾶν.

Ὀδυσσεύς

σοφός τʼ ἂν αὑτὸς κἀγαθὸς κεκλῇʼ ἅμα.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἴτω· ποήσω, πᾶσαν αἰσχύνην ἀφείς.
120

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἦ μνημονεύεις οὖν ἅ σοι παρῄνεσα;

Νεοπτόλεμος

σάφʼ ἴσθʼ, ἐπείπερ εἰσάπαξ συνῄνεσα.

OD

Son of a valiant sire, I, too, in youth,

Had once a slow tongue and an active hand.

But since I have proved the world, I clearly see

Words and not deeds give mastery over men.

NEO

What then is thy command? To lie? No more?
100

OD

To entangle Philoctetes with deceit.

NEO

Why through deceit? May not persuasion fetch him?

OD

Never. And force as certainly will fail.

NEO

What lends him such assurance of defence?

OD

Arrows, the unerring harbingers of Death.
105

NEO

Then to go near him is a perilous thing.

OD

Unless with subtlety, as I have said.

NEO

And is not lying shameful to thy soul?