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Neoptolemus

Though now as a casual spectator you are compliant,

beware lest later, when filled with his disease by its constant company, you prove no longer constant to these sentiments.
520

Chorus

That will not happen. You will never have just cause to rebuke me for that!

Neoptolemus

Well, then, it would shame me if the stranger were to find

me less ready than you are to toil for his good. Come, if it pleases you, let us sail. Let the man set out at once; our ship, for her part, will carry him, and will not refuse. Only may the gods give us safe passage from this land, and from here to whatever destination we choose!
525

Philoctetes

O day of joy unsurpassed! Most delightful man, and you good sailors! If only I could show you in deeds what a true friend you have made in me! Let us be going, my son, when we two have made a solemn farewell to my homeless home inside, so that you may also learn
530

by what means I sustained my life, and how stout of heart I was born. For I believe that the mere sight would have deterred any other man but me from enduring these sufferings. But I have been slowly schooled by necessity to endure misery. Neoptolemus is about to follow Philoctetes into the cave.
535

Chorus

Wait, let us listen to the two men who are coming!

One is a crewman of your ship, the other a stranger. Go in after you hear their report.
540

Enter the Merchant, on the spectators’ left, accompanied by a Sailor.

Merchant

Son of Achilles, I asked my companion here, when he was guarding your ship with two others, to tell me where you might be found,

since I have chanced upon you unexpectedly by the good fortune of coming to anchor off this very coast. With no great company I am homeward bound on my trader’s voyage from Ilium to Peparethus with its cluster-laden vines, but when I heard that the sailors
545

were all of your crew, I resolved not to continue my voyage in silence, without first giving you my news and getting the due reward. You know nothing, I suspect, of your own affairs: the new designs the Greeks
550

have regarding you, and not only designs, but deeds in progress and no longer postponed.
555

557

Neoptolemus

The service you have done me by your forethought, sir, unless I am unworthy, will remain in my grateful thoughts. But tell me just what the designs are that you mentioned, so that I may understand

what is the strange plan of the Greeks that you know.
560

Merchant

Pursuers are on the way in search of you with a fleet. They are the aged Phoenix and the sons of Theseus.

Neoptolemus

To bring me back by force, or through persuasion?

Merchant

I do not know; but I have come to tell you what I did hear.

Neoptolemus

Are Phoenix and his comrades really so eager to do this favor for the Atreids?
565

Merchant

Be sure that it is being done, and without delay.

Neoptolemus

Then why was Odysseus not ready to sail on this mission, and bring the message himself? Or did some fear hold him back?

Merchant

Oh, he and the son of Tydeus were readying for pursuit of another man, just as I was leaving port.
570

Neoptolemus

Who is this other after whom Odysseus himself was sailing?

Merchant

There was a man. . . . But tell me first who that is over there. And whatever you say, do speak quietly.

Neoptolemus

There, sir, before your eyes is the renowned Philoctetes.
575

Merchant

Then do not question me further, but get yourself out of here as quickly as possible and sail away.

Philoctetes

What is he saying, boy? Why does the sailor traffic with you about me in these dark whispers?

Neoptolemus

His meaning yet eludes me. But, whatever he will say, he must say openly—to you, me and my men here.
580

Merchant

Seed of Achilles, do not stir the army’s resentment against me for saying what I should not. I receive many benefits for what services I do them, as a poor man may.

Neoptolemus

I am the enemy of the Atreids, and this man is my closest friend precisely because he hates them. Since, then, you have come kindly disposed towards me, you must not hide from us any part of their plans that you have heard.
585

Merchant

Beware of what you are doing, boy.

Neoptolemus

I am well aware.

Merchant

I will hold you accountable.
590

Neoptolemus

Do so, but speak.

591

Merchant

I will. It is after this man that those two whom I named to you, Diomedes and forceful Odysseus, are sailing. They are oath-bound to retrieve him, either by winning words or by overpowering might.

And all the Achaeans heard this clearly from the mouth Odysseus, for his confidence of success in this action was higher than his comrade’s.
595

Neoptolemus

And for the sake of what did the Atreids after so long a time turn their thoughts so urgently towards this man,

whom they were long since keeping an outcast? What was the desire that came over them, or what force? What avenging spirit sent by the gods to exact payment for evil deeds?
600

Merchant

I will inform you of all that, since it seems that you have not heard. There was a seer of noble birth,

a son of Priam, called Helenus, whom that man, out on a solitary night raid—that deceitful Odysseus, whose repute is all shame and dishonor—captured. Leading him back in bonds, he displayed him publicly to the Achaeans as his glorious prey.
605

Helenus then prophesied for them whatever matter they asked, and, pertaining to Troy , he foretold that they would never sack its towers, unless by winning words they should bring Philoctetes here from the island where he now dwells. And, as soon as he heard the seer prophecy this, Laertes ’ son
610

immediately promised that he would bring the man and show him to the Achaeans. He thought it most likely that he would get him willingly, but, if unwilling, then by force, and he added that, were he to fail in this, whoever wished it might sever his head.
615

You have heard everything, boy, and I advise speed for you, and for any man for whom you care.
620

Philoctetes

Alas! Has he, the utter plague, sworn to fetch me back to the Achaeans by persuasion? For if that were to happen, I could be persuaded, when dead, to come back up

from Hades into the light, as his father did!
625

Merchant

I know nothing about that. But for my part I must return to ship, while for you I pray that god may help you in every possible way. Exit Merchant.

628

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)) — 519 focus

ὅρα σὺ μὴ νῦν μέν τις εὐχερὴς παρῇς,

ὅταν δὲ πλησθῇς τῆς νόσου ξυνουσίᾳ,

τότ᾽ τόθ᾽ τότ' οὐκέθ᾽ αὑτὸς οὐκέθ᾽ αὐτὸσ οὐκ᾿ ἔθ᾽ ὡὐτὸσ τοῖς λόγοις τούτοις φανῇς.

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ΧΟ.

ἥκιστα. τοῦτ᾽ οὐκ ἔσθ᾽ ὅπως ποτ᾽ εἰς ἐμὲ
515

τοὔνειδος ἕξεις ἕξεις ἔξεις ἐνδίκως ὀνειδίσαι.

ΝΕ.

ἀλλ᾽ αἰσχρὰ αισχρὰ μέντοι σοῦ γέ μ᾽ ἐνδεέστερον

ξένῳ φανῆναι πρὸς τὸ καίριον πονεῖν.

ἀλλ᾽, εἰ δοκεῖ, πλέωμεν, ὁρμάσθω ταχύς·

χή ναῦς γὰρ ἄξει κοὐκ ἀπαρνηθήσεται.
520

μόνον θεοὶ σώζοιεν ἔκ *τε ἔκ δέ ἔκ γε ἐκ δὲ τῆσδε γῆς

ἡμᾶς ὅποι τ᾽ ἐνθένδε βουλοίμεσθα πλεῖν.

ΦΙ.

ὦ φίλτατον μὲν ἦμαρ, ἥδιστος ἥδιστος δ᾽ ἀνήρ,

φίλοι δὲ ναῦται, πῶς ἂν ὑμὶν ἐμφανὴς

ἔργῳ γενοίμην, ὥς μ᾽ ἔθεσθε προσφιλῆ.
525

ἴωμεν, ὦ παῖ, * προσκύσαντε προσκύσαντεσ προσκύσοντες τὴν ἔσω

ἄοικον εἰσοίκησιν, ὥς με καὶ μάθῃς

ΦΙΛΟΚΤΗΤΗΣ.

ἀφ᾽ ὧν διέζων, ὥς τ᾽ ἔφυν εὐκάρδιος.

οἶμαι γὰρ οὐδ᾽ ἂν ὄμμασιν μόνην θέαν

ἄλλον λαβόντα πλὴν ἐμοῦ τλῆναι τάδε·
530

ἐγὼ δ᾽ ἀνάγκῃ προὔμαθον στέργειν κακά τάδε.

ΧΟ.

ἐπίσχετον, μάθωμεν. ἄνδρε γὰρ δύο δύω,

ὁ μὲν νεὼς νεὼ νεὼς σῆς ναυβάτης, ὁ δ᾽ ἀλλόθρους,

χωρεῖτον, ὧν μαθόντες αὖθις αὖτις αὖθις εἴσιτον.

ΕΜΠΟΡΟΣ.

᾿Αχιλλέως παῖ, τόνδε τὸν ξυνέμπορον,
535

ὃς ἦν νεὼς σῆς σὺν δυοῖν ἄλλοιν φύλαξ,

ἐκέλευσ᾽ ἐμοί σε ποῦ κυρῶν εἴης φράσαι,

ἐπείπερ ἀντέκυρσα, δοξάζων μὲν οὔ οὖν,

τύχῃ δέ πως πρὸς ταὐτὸν πρὸσ αὐτὸν πρὸστ αὐτὸν πρὸς ταὐτὸν ὁρμισθεὶς πέδον.

πλέων γάρ, ὡς ναύκληρος, οὐ πολλῷ στόλῳ
540

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ἀπ᾿ ἐξ ᾿Ιλίου πρὸς οἶκον ἐς τὴν εὔβοτρυν

Πεπάρηθον, ὡς ἤκουσα τοὺς ναύτας, ὅτι

σοὶ πάντες εἶεν οἱ νεναυστοληκότες,

ἔδοξέ μοι μὴ σίγα, πρὶν φράσαιμί σοι,

τὸν πλοῦν ποιεῖσθαι ποεῖσθαι ποιεῖσθαι, προστυχόντι τῶν ἴσων τὸν ἴσον τῶν ἴσων.
545

οὐδὲν σύ σύ σύ που κάτοισθα τῶν σαυτοῦ πέρι,

ἃ τοῖσιν ᾿Αργείοισιν ἀμφὶ σοῦ *νέα σ' ούνεκα σούνεκα ἀμφὶς εἴνεκα

βουλεύματ᾽ ἐστί ἔστι ἐστὶ, κοὐ μόνον βουλεύματα,

ἀλλ᾽ ἔργα δρώμεν', οὐκέτ᾽ ἐξαργούμενα.

ΝΕ.

ἀλλ᾽ ἡ χάρις μὲν τῆς προμηθίας, ξένε,
550

εἰ μὴ κακὸς πέφυκα, προσφιλὴς μενεῖ·

φράσον δ᾽ ἅπερ γ᾽ om. γ' ἔλεξας, ὡς μάθω τί μοι

νεώτερον βούλευμ᾽ βούλευμα ἀπ᾿ ᾿Αργείων ἔχεις.

ΦΙΛΟΚΤΗΤΗΣ.

ΕΜ.

φροῦδοι διώκοντές σε ναυτικῷ ναυστικῷ στόλῳ

Φοῖνιξ Φοίνιξ Φοῖνιξ ὁ πρέσβυς οἵ τε Θησέως κόροι.
555

ΝΕ.

ὡς ἐκ βίας μ' ἄξοντες ἢ λόγοις πάλιν ;

ΕΜ.

οὐκ οἶδ᾽. ἀκούσας δ᾽ ἄγγελος πάρειμί σοι.

ΝΕ.

ἢ ταῦτα δὴ Φοῖνίξ ἢ ταῦτα δὴ φοῖνιξ τε χοί ξυνναυβάται

οὕτω καθ᾽ ὁρμὴν δρῶσιν ᾿Ατρειδῶν χάριν;

ΕΜ.

ὡς ταῦτ᾽ ἐπίστω δρώμεν, οὐ μέλλοντ᾽ ἔτι,
560

ΝΕ.

πῶς οὖν Ὀδυσσεὺς πρὸς τάδ᾽ οὐκ αὐτάγγελος

πλεῖν ἦν ἑτοῖμος; ἢ φόβος τις εἶργέ εἶργε εἶργε νιν;

ΕΜ.

κεῖνός γ᾽ ἐπ᾿ ἄλλον ἄνδρ᾽ ὁ Τυδέως τε παῖς

ἔστελλον, ἡνίκ᾽ ἐξανηγόμην ἐγώ ἔσω.

ΝΕ.

πρὸς ποῖον ἂν ἀν ἂν τόνδ᾽ αὐτὸς οὐδυσσεὺς ὁ δυσσεὺς οὑδυσσεὺς ὀδυσσεὺς ἔπλει;
565

ΕΜ.

ἦν δή τις-ἀλλὰ τόνδε μοι πρῶτον φράσον

τίς ἐστίν εστιν· ἂν λέγῃς δὲ μὴ φώνει μέγα.

ΝΕ.

ὅδ᾽ ἔσθ᾽ ὁ κλεινός σοι Φιλοκτήτης, ξένε.

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ΕΜ.

μή νύν μὴ νῦν μ᾽ om. ἔρῃ τὰ πλείον, ἀλλ᾽ ὅσον τάχος

ἔκπλει σεαυτὸν ξυλλαβὼν ἐκ τῆσδε γῆς.

ΦΙ.

τί φησιν, ὦ παῖ; τί με κατὰ σκότον ποτὲ

διεμπολᾷ λόγοισι πρός πρό πρός σ᾽ ὁ ναυβάτης;

ΝΕ.

οὐκ οἶδά πω τί φησι· δεῖ δ᾽ αὐτὸν λέγειν
580

εἰς φῶς ὁ λέξει, πρὸς σὲ κἀμὲ τούσδε τε.

ΕΜ.

ὦ σπέρμ᾽ ᾿Αχιλλέως, μή με διαβάλῃς διαβάλληισ διαβάλῃς στρατῷ

λέγονθ᾽ ἃ μὴ δεῖ· πόλλ᾽ ἐγὼ κείνων ὕπο

δρῶν ἀντιπάσχω χρηστά γ', οἱ᾽ ἀνὴρ πένης.

ΝΕ.

ἐγώ εἰμ' ἐγὼ ᾿μ' ἐγώ εἰμ᾿ ἐγὼ μὲν ᾿Ατρείδαις ἀτρείδαις δυσμενής· οὗτος δέ μοι
585

φίλος μέγιστος, οἵνεκ' ᾿Ατρείδας στυγεῖ.

δεῖ δή σ᾽ ἔμοιγ' ἐλθόντα προσφιλῆ λόγον

κρύψαι πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἡμᾶσ(δε) ἡμᾶς μηδέν᾽ ὧν ἀκήκοας.

ΕΜ.

ὅρα τί ποιεῖς, παῖ.

NE.

σκοπῶ κἀγὼ πάλαι.
590

ΦΙΛΟΚΤΗΤΗΣ.

ΕΜ.

σὲ θήσομαι τῶνδ᾽ αἴτιον.

NE.

ποιοῦ λέγων.

ΕΜ.

λέγω. ἐπὶ τοῦτον ἄνδρε τώδ᾽ ἅπερ κλύεις,

ὁ Τυδέως παῖς ἥ τ᾿ Οδυσσέως βία,

διώμοτοι πλέουσιν ἢ ή ή μὴν ἢ λόγῳ
595

πείσαντες ἄξειν, ἢ πρὸς ἰσχύος κράτος.

καὶ ταῦτ᾽ ᾿Αχαιοὶ πάντες ἤκουον σαφῶς

Οδυσσέως λέγοντος, οὗτος γὰρ πλέον

τὸ θάρσος εἶχε θατέρου, δράσειν τάδε.

ΝΕ.

τίνος δ᾽ ᾿Ατρείδαι τοῦδ᾽ ἄγαν οὕτω χρόνῳ
600

τοσῷδ᾽ τοσῷδ᾽ τοσῷδ᾽ ἐπεστρέφοντο πράγματος χάριν,

ὃν *γ' τ' εἶχον ἤδη χρόνιον ἐκβεβληκότες;

τίς ὁ πόθος αὐτοὺς ἵκετ᾽, ἢ θεῶν βία φθόνος

καὶ νέμεσις, οἵπερ ἔργ᾽ ἀμύνουσιν κακά;

ΕΜ.

ἐγώ σε τοῦτ᾽, ἴσως γὰρ οὐκ ἀκήκοας,
605

πᾶν ἐκδιδάξω. μάντις ἦν τις εὐγενής,

Πριάμου μὲν υἱός, ὄνομα δ᾽ ὠνομάζετο

Ἕλενος, ὃν οὗτος νυκτὸς ἐξελθὼν μόνος

ὁ πάντ᾿ ἀκούων αἰσχρὰ καὶ λωβήτ᾽ λωβὴτ᾿ λωβήτ᾿ ἔπη

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

δόλιος Ὀδυσσεὺς εἶλε· δέσμιόν τ' δ' ἄγων
610

ἔδειξ᾽ ᾿Αχαιοῖς ἐς μέσον, θήραν καλήν·

ὃς δὴ τὰ τ᾿ ἄλλ᾽ αὐτοῖσι πάντ᾽ ἐθέσπισεν ἐθέσπισε

καὶ τἀπὶ Τροίᾳ πέργαμ᾽ ὡς οὐ μή ποτε

πέρσοιεν, εἰ μὴ τόνδε πείσαντες λόγῳ

ἄγοιντο νήσου τῆσδ᾽ ἐφ᾿ ἧς ναίει τὰ νῦν τανῦν.
615

καὶ ταῦθ᾽ ὅπως ἤκουσ᾽ ἤκουσεν ἤκουσ᾽ ὁ Λαέρτου τόκος

τὸν μάντιν εἰπόντ' εἰπόνθ εἰπόντ᾽, εὐθέως ὑπέσχετο

τὸν ἄνδρ᾽ ᾿Αχαιοῖς τόνδε δηλώσειν ἄγων·

οἴοιτο μὲν μάλισθ' μάλιστ' ἑκούσιον λαβών,

εἰ μὴ θέλοι δ᾽, ἄκοντα· καὶ τούτων κάρα
620

τέμνειν ἐφεῖτο τῷ θέλοντι μὴ τυχών.

ἤκουσας, ὦ παῖ, πάντα τὸ σπεύδειν δέ σοι

καὐτῷ παραινῶ κεἴ τινος κήδει κ. ήδει κήδηι κήδη πέρι.

ΦΙΛΟΚΤΗΤΗΣ.

ΦΙ.

οἴμοι τάλας. ἢ ή ή κεῖνος, ἡ πᾶσα βλάβη,

ἔμ᾽ εἰς ᾿Αχαιοὺς ὤμοσεν πείσας στελεῖν;
625

πεισθήσομαι γὰρ ὧδε κἀξ "Αιδου θανὼν

πρὸς φῶς ἀνελθεῖν, ὥσπερ οὐκείνου πατήρ.

ΕΜ.

οὐκ οἶδ᾽ ἐγὼ ταῦτ᾽, ἀλλ᾽ ἐγὼ μὲν εἶμ᾽ ἐπὶ

ναῦν, σφῶν δ᾽ ὅπως ἄριστα συμφέροι θεός.

ΦΙ.

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)) — 519-675 focus

Νεοπτόλεμος

ὅρα σὺ μὴ νῦν μέν τις εὐχερὴς παρῇς,

ὅταν δὲ πλησθῇς τῆς νόσου ξυνουσίᾳ,
520

τότʼ οὐκέθʼ αὑτὸς τοῖς λόγοις τούτοις φανῇς.

Χορός

ἥκιστα· τοῦτʼ οὐκ ἔσθʼ ὅπως ποτʼ εἰς ἐμὲ

τοὔνειδος ἕξεις ἐνδίκως ὀνειδίσαι.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἀλλʼ αἰσχρὰ μέντοι σοῦ γέ μʼ ἐνδεέστερον

ξένῳ φανῆναι πρὸς τὸ καίριον πονεῖν.
525

ἀλλʼ εἰ δοκεῖ, πλέωμεν, ὁρμάσθω ταχύς·

χἠ ναῦς γὰρ ἄξει κοὐκ ἀπαρνηθήσεται.

μόνον θεοὶ σῴζοιεν ἔκ τε τῆσδε γῆς

ἡμᾶς ὅποι τʼ ἐνθένδε βουλοίμεσθα πλεῖν.

Φιλοκτήτης

ὦ φίλτατον μὲν ἦμαρ, ἥδιστος δʼ ἀνήρ,
530

φίλοι δὲ ναῦται, πῶς ἂν ὑμὶν ἐμφανὴς

ἔργῳ γενοίμην, ὥς μʼ ἔθεσθε προσφιλῆ;

ἴωμεν, ὦ παῖ, προσκύσαντε τὴν ἔσω

ἄοικον εἰσοίκησιν, ὥς με καὶ μάθῃς

ἀφʼ ὧν διέζων ὥς τʼ ἔφυν εὐκάρδιος.
535

οἶμαι γὰρ οὐδʼ ἂν ὄμμασιν μόνην θέαν

ἄλλον λαβόντα πλὴν ἐμοῦ τλῆναι τάδε·

ἐγὼ δʼ ἀνάγκῃ προύμαθον στέργειν κακά.

Χορός

ἐπίσχετον, μάθωμεν· ἄνδρε γὰρ δύο,

ὁ μὲν νεὼς σῆς ναυβάτης, ὁ δʼ ἀλλόθρους,
540

χωρεῖτον, ὧν μαθόντες αὖθις εἴσιτον.

Ἔμπορος

Ἀχιλλέως παῖ, τόνδε τὸν ξυνέμπορον,

ὃς ἦν νεὼς σῆς σὺν δυοῖν ἄλλοιν φύλαξ,

ἐκέλευσʼ ἐμοί σε ποῦ κυρῶν εἴης φράσαι,

ἐπείπερ ἀντέκυρσα, δοξάζων μὲν οὔ,
545

τύχῃ δέ πως πρὸς ταὐτὸν ὁρμισθεὶς πέδον.

πλέων γὰρ ὡς ναύκληρος οὐ πολλῷ στόλῳ

ἀπʼ Ἰλίου πρὸς οἶκον ἐς τὴν εὔβοτρυν

Πεπάρηθον, ὡς ἤκουσα τοὺς ναύτας ὅτι

σοὶ πάντες εἶεν συννεναυστοληκότες,
550

ἔδοξέ μοι μὴ σῖγα, πρὶν φράσαιμί σοι,

τὸν πλοῦν ποεῖσθαι, προστυχόντι τῶν ἴσων.

οὐδὲν σύ που κάτοισθα τῶν σαυτοῦ πέρι,

ἃ τοῖσιν Ἀργείοισιν ἀμφὶ σοῦ νέα

βουλεύματʼ ἐστί, κοὐ μόνον βουλεύματα,
555

ἀλλʼ ἔργα δρώμενʼ, οὐκέτʼ ἐξαργούμενα.

557

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἀλλʼ ἡ χάρις μὲν τῆς προμηθίας, ξένε,

εἰ μὴ κακὸς πέφυκα, προσφιλὴς μενεῖ·

φράσον δʼ ἅπερ, γʼ ἔλεξας, ὡς μάθω τί μοι

νεώτερον, βούλευμʼ ἀπʼ Ἀργείων ἔχεις.
560

Ἔμπορος

φροῦδοι διώκοντές σε ναυτικῷ στόλῳ

Φοῖνιξ ὁ πρέσβυς οἵ τε Θησέως κόροι.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ὡς ἐκ βίας μʼ ἄξοντες ἢ λόγοις πάλιν;

Ἔμπορος

οὐκ οἶδʼ· ἀκούσας δʼ ἄγγελος πάρειμί σοι.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἦ ταῦτα δὴ Φοῖνίξ τε χοἰ ξυνναυβάται
565

οὕτω καθʼ ὁρμὴν δρῶσιν Ἀτρειδῶν χάριν;

Ἔμπορος

ὡς ταῦτʼ ἐπίστω δρώμενʼ, οὐ μέλλοντʼ ἔτι.

Νεοπτόλεμος

πῶς οὖν Ὀδυσσεὺς πρὸς τάδʼ οὐκ αὐτάγγελος

πλεῖν ἦν ἕτοιμος; ἢ φόβος τις εἶργέ νιν;

Ἔμπορος

κεῖνός γʼ ἐπʼ ἄλλον ἄνδρʼ ὁ Τυδέως τε παῖς
570

ἔστελλον, ἡνίκʼ ἐξανηγόμην ἐγώ.

Νεοπτόλεμος

πρὸς ποῖον αὖ τόνδʼ αὐτὸς Οὑδυσσεὺς ἔπλει;

Ἔμπορος

ἦν δή τις—ἀλλὰ τόνδε μοι πρῶτον φράσον

τίς ἐστίν· ἃν λέγῃς δὲ μὴ φώνει μέγα.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ὅδʼ ἔσθʼ ὁ κλεινός σοι Φιλοκτήτης, ξένε.
575

Ἔμπορος

μή νύν μʼ ἔρῃ τὰ πλείονʼ, ἀλλʼ ὅσον τάχος

ἔκπλει σεαυτὸν ξυλλαβὼν ἐκ τῆσδε γῆς.

Φιλοκτήτης

τί φησιν, ὦ παῖ; τί με κατὰ σκότον ποτὲ

διεμπολᾷ λόγοισι πρός σʼ ὁ ναυβάτης;

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκ οἶδά πω τί φησι· δεῖ δʼ αὐτὸν λέγειν
580

εἰς φῶς ὃ λέξει, πρὸς σὲ κἀμὲ τούσδε τε.

Ἔμπορος

ὦ σπέρμʼ Ἀχιλλέως, μή με διαβάλῃς στρατῷ

λέγονθʼ ἃ μὴ δεῖ· πόλλʼ ἐγὼ κείνων ὕπο

δρῶν ἀντιπάσχω χρηστά θʼ, οἷʼ ἀνὴρ πένης.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἐγώ εἰμʼ Ἀτρείδαις δυσμενής· οὗτος δέ μοι
585

φίλος μέγιστος, οὕνεκʼ Ἀτρείδας στυγεῖ.

δεῖ δή σʼ ἔμοιγʼ ἐλθόντα προσφιλῆ, λόγων

κρύψαι πρὸς ἡμᾶς μηδένʼ ὧν ἀκήκοας.

Ἔμπορος

ὅρα τί ποιεῖς, παῖ.

Νεοπτόλεμος

σκοπῶ κἀγὼ πάλαι.

Ἔμπορος

σὲ θήσομαι τῶνδʼ αἴτιον.
590

Νεοπτόλεμος

ποιοῦ λέγων.

591

Ἔμπορος

λέγω. ʼπὶ τοῦτον ἄνδρε τώδʼ ὥπερ κλύεις,

ὁ Τυδέως παῖς ἥ τʼ Ὀδυσσέως βία,

διώμοτοι πλέουσιν ἦ μὴν ἢ λόγῳ

πείσαντες ἄξειν ἢ πρὸς ἰσχύος κράτος.

καὶ ταῦτʼ Ἀχαιοὶ πάντες ἤκουον σαφῶς
595

Ὀδυσσέως λέγοντος· οὗτος γὰρ πλέον

τὸ θάρσος εἶχε θατέρου δράσειν τάδε.

Νεοπτόλεμος

τίνος δʼ Ἀτρεῖδαι τοῦδʼ ἄγαν οὕτω χρόνῳ

τοσῷδʼ ἐπεστρέφοντο πράγματος χάριν,

ὅν γʼ εἶχον ἤδη χρόνιον ἐκβεβληκότες;
600

τίς ὁ πόθος αὐτοὺς ἵκετʼ; ἢ θεῶν βία

καὶ νέμεσις, οἵπερ ἔργʼ ἀμύνουσιν κακά;

Ἔμπορος

ἐγώ σε τοῦτʼ, ἴσως γὰρ οὐκ ἀκήκοας,

πᾶν ἐκδιδάξω. μάντις ἦν τις εὐγενής,

Πριάμου μὲν υἱός, ὄνομα δʼ ὠνομάζετο
605

Ἕλενος, ὃν οὗτος νυκτὸς ἐξελθὼν μόνος,

ὁ πάντʼ ἀκούων αἰσχρὰ καὶ λωβήτʼ ἔπη

δόλιος Ὀδυσσεὺς εἷλε· δέσμιόν τʼ ἄγων

ἔδειξʼ Ἀχαιοῖς ἐς μέσον, θήραν καλήν·

ὃς δὴ τά τʼ ἄλλʼ αὐτοῖσι πάντʼ ἐθέσπισεν
610

καὶ τἀπὶ Τροίᾳ πέργαμʼ ὡς οὐ μή ποτε

πέρσοιεν, εἰ μὴ τόνδε πείσαντες λόγῳ

ἄγοιντο νήσου τῆσδʼ ἐφʼ ἧς ναίει τανῦν.

καὶ ταῦθʼ ὅπως ἤκουσʼ ὁ Λαέρτου τόκος

τὸν μάντιν εἰπόντʼ, εὐθέως ὑπέσχετο
615

τὸν ἄνδρʼ Ἀχαιοῖς τόνδε δηλώσειν ἄγων·

οἴοιτο μὲν μάλισθʼ ἑκούσιον λαβών,

εἰ μὴ θέλοι δʼ, ἄκοντα· καὶ τούτων κάρα

τέμνειν ἐφεῖτο τῷ θέλοντι μὴ τυχών.

ἤκουσας, ὦ παῖ, πάντα· τὸ σπεύδειν δέ σοι
620

καὐτῷ παραινῶ κεἴ τινος κήδει πέρι.

Φιλοκτήτης

οἴμοι τάλας· ἦ κεῖνος, ἡ πᾶσα βλάβη,

ἔμʼ εἰς Ἀχαιοὺς ὤμοσεν πείσας στελεῖν;

πεισθήσομαι γὰρ ὧδε κἀξ Ἅιδου θανὼν

πρὸς φῶς ἀνελθεῖν, ὥσπερ οὑκείνου πατήρ.
625

Ἔμπορος

οὐκ οἶδʼ ἐγὼ ταῦτʼ· ἀλλʼ ἐγὼ μὲν εἶμʼ ἐπὶ

ναῦν, σφῷν δʼ ὅπως ἄριστα συμφέροι θεός.

628

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)) — 519 focus

Thou mak’st small scruple here; but be advised:

Lest, when this plague on board shall weary thee,

Thy voice should alter from this liberal tone.

CH

Then sure ’twere shame, should I more backward prove

Than thou, to labour for the stranger’s need.

Come, if thou wilt, let us make voyage, and he,

Let him set forth with speed. Our ship shall take him.
520

He shall not be refused. Only may Heaven

Lead safely hence and to our destined port!

PHI

O morning full of brightness! Kindest friend,

Sweet mariners, how can I make you feel,

In act, how dearly from my heart I love you!

Ye have won my soul. Let us be gone, my son,—

First having said farewell to this poor cave,
525

My homeless dwelling-place, that thou may’st know,
525

How barely I have lived, how firm my heart!

Methinks another could not have endured

The very sight of what I bore. But I

Through strong necessity have conquered pain.

CH

Stay: let us understand. There come two men

A stranger, with a shipmate of thy crew.

When ye have heard them, ye may then go in.

MERCHANTMAN
Enter Messenger , disguised as a merchantman.

Son of Achilles, my companion here,
535

Who with two more remained to guard thy ship,
535

Agreed to help me find thee where thou wert,
535

Since unexpectedly, through fortune’s will,

I meet thee, mooring by the self-same shore.

For like a merchantman, with no great sail,

Making my course from Ilion to my home,

Grape-clustered Peparethos, when I heard

The mariners declare that one and all

Were of thy crew, I would not launch again,

Without a word, till we had told our news.—

Methinks thou knowest nought of thine own case,

What new devices of the Argive chiefs

Surround thee; nor devices only now,
540

But active deeds, no longer unperformed.
540

NEO

Well, stranger, for the kindness thou hast shown,—
550

Else were I base,—my heart must thank thee still.

But tell me what thou meanest, that I may learn

What new-laid plot thou bring’st me from the camp.

MER

Old Phoenix, Acamas and Demophon

Are gone in thy pursuit with ships and men.
555

NEO

To bring me back with reasons or perforce?

MER

I know not. What I heard, I am here to tell.

NEO

How? And is this in act? Are they set forth

To please the Atridae, Phoenix and the rest?

MER

The thing is not to do, but doing now.
560

NEO

What kept Odysseus back, if this be so,

From going himself? Had he some cause for fear?

MER

He and the son of Tydeus, when our ship

Hoist sail, were gone to fetch another man.

NEO

For whom could he himself be sailing forth?
565

MER

For some one,—but first tell me, whispering low

Whate’er thou speakest,—who is this I see?

NEO

().

This, sir, is Philoctetes the renowned.

MER

().

Without more question, snatch thyself away

And sail forth from this land.

PHI

What saith he, boy?

Through what dark traffic is the mariner

Betraying me with whispering in thine ear?

NEO

I have not caught it, but whate’er he speaks
580

He must speak openly to us and thee.

MER

Seed of Achilles, let me not offend

The army by my words! Full many a boon,

Being poor, I reap from them for service done.

NEO

The Atridae are my foes; the man you see
585

Is my fast friend, because he hates them sore.

Then, if you come in kindness, you must hide

Nothing from him or me of all thou hast heard.

MER

Look what thou doest, my son!

NEO

I mark it well.
590

MER

Thou shalt be answerable.

NEO

Content: but speak.

MER

Then hear me. These two men whom I have named,

Diomedes and Odysseus, are set forth

Engaged on oath to bring this man by force
595

If reasons fail. The Achaeans every one

Have heard this plainly from Odysseus’ mouth.

He was the louder and more confident.

NEO

Say, for what cause, after so long a time,
600

Can Atreus’ sons have turned their thoughts on him,

Whom long they had cast forth? What passing touch

Of conscience moved them, or what stroke from Heaven,

Whose wrath requites all wicked deeds of men?

MER

Methinks thou hast not heard what I will now
605

Unfold to thee. There was a princely seer,
605

A son of Priam, Helenus by name,
605

Whom he for whom no word is bad enough,
605

Crafty Odysseus, sallying forth alone

One night, had taken, and in bonds displayed

‘Fore all the Achaeans, a right noble prey.

He, ’mid his other prophecies, foretold

No Grecian force should sack Troy’s citadel,

Till with fair reasons they had brought this man

From Lemnos isle, his lonely dwelling-place.

When thus the prophet spake, Laërtes’ son

Straight undertook to fetch this man, and show him

To all the camp:—he hoped, with fair consent:

But else, perforce.—And, if he failed in this,

Whoever would might smite him on the head.

My tale is told, dear youth. I counsel speed

To thee and to the friend for whom thou carest.

PHI

Ah me, unhappy! has that rascal knave

Sworn to fetch me with reasons to their camp?
625

As likely might his reasons bring me back,

Like his begetter, from the house of death.

MER

You talk of what I know not. I will go

Shipward. May God be with you for all good.

PHI

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)) — 519 focus

Sieh, daß du jezt nicht allzuleicht dich willig zeigst,
505

Und, wann der Krankheit Nähe dich mit Ekel füllt,

Nicht als derselbe mehr erscheinst, der dieses sprach.

Der Chor.

Mit nichten: niemals soll der Tag erscheinen, wo

Du solchen Vorwurf wider mich mit Grund erhebſt.

Neoptolemos.

Traun, Schande wär' es, fände man mich säumiger,
510

Als euch, dem Fremdling beizusteh'n zur guten Zeit.

Drum wenn's gefällt, so geh'n wir; schnell bereit' er sich;

Auch wird das Schiff ihn tragen ohne Weigerung.

Daß nur die Götter rettend uns aus diesem Land

Dorthin an unsrer Wünsche Ziel geleiteten!
515

Philoktetes.

meiner Tage schönster, du mein bester Mann,

Ihr theuren Schiffer, könnt' ich euch doch durch die That

Darthun, wie eure Liebe mich verpflichtet hat!

Wir geh'n, o Jüngling, wenn wir mein unwohnliches

Wohnhaus zuvor begrüßten, daß dir Kunde wird,
520

Wovon ich lebte, wie beherzt mein Leben trug.

Ein Andrer, glaub' ich, außer mir, ertrüg' es nicht,

Auch nur mit Augen dieses Elend anzuseh'n:

Der Noth mich fügen, lehrte mich die strenge Noth.

Der Chor.

Verweilt, wir wollen hören: denn zwei Männer nah'n,
525

Ein Schiffer deines Schiffes und der Andre fremd;

Die mögt ihr hören, eh' ihr euch hinein verfügt.

Der Späher, als Schiffsherr verkleidet. Ein Schiffer.

Die Vorigen.

Der Schiffsherr.

O Sohn Achillens, diesem Fahrtgenossen hier,

Der deines Schiffes Wächter mit zwei andern war,

Gebot ich, mir zu sagen, wo du selbst verweilst,
530

Nachdem ich euch begegnet, nicht mit Willen zwar,

Nein, wohl vom Zufall hergelenkt zum gleichen Strand.

Ich bin ein Schiffsherr, segle, nicht mit großem Zug,

Von Troja heim zu Peparethos' Nebenland;¹

Und weil ich hörte, daß die Schiffer allzumal
535

Dir angehören, welche hier gelandet sind,

Schien mir's, ich dürfe schweigend, eh' ich sprach mit dir,

Nicht weiter segeln, müss' empfah'n des Boten Lohn.

Wohl hast du nicht erfahren, was dich nah berührt,

Welch neuen Anschlag über dich die Danaer
540

Ersonnen haben, aber nicht Anschläge bloß,

Vielmehr bereits vollbrachte, nicht verschob'ne That.

Neoptolemos.

Für diese Sorgfalt wartet dein liebreicher Dank,

O Freund, so wahr ich edel bin von edler Art.

Doch sage, was du meintest; denn ich wüßte gern,
545

Welch neuen Anschlag über mich das Heer gefaßt.

Der Schiffsherr.

Der greise Phönix und des Theseus Söhne sind²

Mit Schiffen ausgezogen, dich verfolgend, Herr.

Neoptolemos.

Durch Bitten oder mit Gewalt mich fortzuzieh'n?

Der Schiffsherr.

Weiß nicht; ich komm' und melde, was ich selbst gehört.
550

Neoptolemos.

Und sollte Phönix und die Schiffsgefährten dies

Mit solchem Eifer für des Atreus Söhne thun?

Der Schiffsherr.

Schon wird's gethan von ihnen, soll nicht erst gescheh'n.

Neoptolemos.

So war Odysseus nicht bereit, selbst auszugeh'n

Auf diese Sendung? Oder hielt ihn Furcht zurück?
555

Der Schiffsherr.

Er ging mit Deneus' Enkel einen andern Mann

Zu suchen, als ich auf die Fahrt von dannen zog.

Neoptolemos.

Nach welchem Manne fuhr Odysseus selbst hinaus?

Es war

(halblaut)

Der Schiffsherr.

vor Allem sage mir, wer dieser Mann

Hier ist, und sprich nur leise, was du sagen willst.
560
(laut)

Das ist des Pöas hochgepries'ner Sohn, o Freund.

So frage mich nicht weiter, nein, in Eile dich

Zusammenraffend, segle fort aus diesem Land.

Philoktetes.

Was sagt er, Jüngling? Was verkauft im Dunkel mich

Mit seinen Neden hier an dich der Handelsherr?
565

Neoptolemos.

Noch nicht versteh' ich, was er meint; doch muß er selbst

An's Licht es sagen, dir und mir und diesen da.

Der Schiffsherr.

O Sohn Achillens, klage nicht im Heer mich an,

Sag' ich Verbot'nes. Manches Gute thun sie mir

Und thu' ich ihnen wieder, wie's ein Armer kann.
570

Neoptolemos.

Ich bin des Atreus Söhnen feind, und dieser ist

Der liebste Freund mir, weil er Atreus' Söhne haßt.

So darfst du, wenn du kamest als mein Freund, vor uns

Kein Wort von dem verhehlen, was dein Ohr vernahm.

Der Schiffsherr.

Sieh, was du thust, Kind!
575

Neoptolemos.

Ich erwog es lange schon.

Der Schiffsherr.

Die Schuld von Allem bleibe dein!

Neoptolemos.

Sei's: rede nur!

Der Schiffsherr.

Nun gut! Nach dem zieh'n Beide, die ich dir genannt,

Der Sohn des Tydeus und Odysseus' Kraft, hinaus;

Sie schwuren, ihn zu bringen, sei's mit klugem Wort

Ihn überredend, oder durch der Stärke Macht.
580

Und deutlich hörten aus Odysseus' Munde dies

Die Wehrgenossen alle; denn er hatte mehr

Vertrau'n, die That zu wagen, als der Andere.

Neoptolemos.

Was ist es, daß auf diesen nach so langer Zeit

Die zween Atriden wiederum den Sinn gelenkt,
585

Nachdem er längst von ihnen ausgestoßen ward?

Was trieb sie? Welch Verlangen? War's der Götter Macht

Und Strafe, die der Missethat des Frevlers wehrt?

Der Schiffsherr.

Das will ich (denn vernruthlich hast du's nicht gehört)

Dir alles kundthun. Ein erlauchter Seher war,
590

Der Priamide Helenos, so hieß der Mann:

Ihn fing Odysseus, dieser schmachbedeckte Schalk,

Der Mann des Hohnes, als er einst auf nächtlichem,

Einsamem Pfade streifte, schlug in Fesseln ihn,

Und stellt ihn Argos' Volke dar als schönen Fang.
595

Da deutet' ihnen Allerlei der Seher aus,

Und sagte dann auch, daß sie Troja's Veste nie

Zerstörten, wenn sie diesen Mann durch kluges Wort

Nicht aus dem Eiland lockten, das er jezt bewohnt.

Und als Laertes' Sprößling aus des Sehers Mund
600

Den Spruch vernommen, da verhieß er, ungesäumt

Den Mann zu stellen vor das Angesicht des Heers;

Er hoffe sicher ihn zu fah'n mit gutem Wort,

Und widersteh' er, mit Gewalt; mißling' es ihm,

Wer wolle, mög' ihm dann das Haupt von Rumpfe hau'n.
605

Mein Sohn, du hörtest Alles: Eile rath' ich nun

Dir selbst und Jedem, dessen Wohl dir Sorge macht.

Philoktetes.

Weh, weh mir! Also schwur der Allverderbliche,

Beredend mich zu locken in's Achäerheer?

So wenig folg' ich, als ich todt aus Hades' Haus
610

Zum Lichte wiederkehre, wie sein Vater einst!³

Der Schiffsherr.

Da siehe du zu; doch ich eile nun zum Schiff;

Und euch gewähre, was am besten frommt, ein Gott!

Philoktetes. Neoptolemos. Der Chor.

Philoktetes.

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,⁴

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.⁵

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)) — 519 focus

And the Atridse will I live remote.

I would not see the man I cannot love.

My barren Scyros shall afford me refuge,

And home-felt joys delight my future days.

So, fare thee well, and may th' indulgent gods

no

Heal thy sad wound, and grant thee every wish

Thy soul can form ! Once more, farewell ! I go,

The first propitious gale.

PjiiL. What ! now, my son ?
520

So soon?

Meg. Immediately; the time demands

Wo should be near, and ready to depart.

Philoctetes

Never
515

Shall that reproach be ours.
515

Ned. In generous pity
515

Of the afflicted thus to be o'ercome
515

Were most disgraceful to me ; he shall go.

May the kind gods speed our departure hence,

And guide our vessels to the wished-for shore !

Philoctetes

O happy hour ! O kindest, best of men !

And you my dearest friends ! how shall I thank you ?

What shall I do to show my grateful heart ?

Let us be gone ! But, oh ! permit me first

To take a last farewell of my poor hut,
525

Where 1 so long have lived. Perhaps you'll say
525

I must have had a noble mind to bear it.

The very sight to any eyes but mine

Were horrible, but sad necessity

At length prevailed, and made it pleasing to me

Chorus

One from our ship, my lord, and with him

Son of great Acliilles,
535

Know, chance alone hath brought me hither, driven
535

By adverse winds to where thy vessels lay,

As home I sailed from Troy. There did I meet

This my companion, who informed me where

Thou mightst be found. Hence to pursue my course

And not to tell thee what concerns thee near

Had been ungenerous, thou perhaps meantime
540

Of Greece and of her counsels naught suspecting.
540

Counsels against thee not by threats alone

Or words enforced, but now in execution.
555

Neoptolemus

Now by my virtue, stranger, for thy news
550

I am much bound to thee, and will repay

Thy service. Tell me what the Greeks have done.

Merchant

a fleet already sails to fetch thee back,

Conducted by old Phoenix, and the sons

Of valiant Theseus.

Neoptolemus

Come they then to force me ?

Oi- am I to be won by their persuasion ?

Merchant

I know not that ; you have what I could learn.
560

Neoptolemus

And did th' Atridse send them ?

Merchant

Sent they are,

And will be with you soon.

Neoptolemus

But wherefore then
565

Came not Ulysses ? Did his courage fail ?
565

Merchant

He, ere I left the camp, with Diomed^

On some important embassy sailed forth

In search —

Neoptolemus

Of whom?

Merchant

There was a man — but stay,

Who is thy friend here, tell me, but speak softly.

SpY: Ha ! begone then !

Ask me no more — away, immediately !

Philoctetes
[Whispering him.

What do these dark mysterious whispers mean ?

Concern they me, my son ?

Neoptolemus

I know not what
580

He means to say, but I would have him speak
580

Boldly before us all, whate'er it be.

Merchant

Do not betray me to the Grecian host,

Nor make me speak what I would fain conceal.

I am but poor — they have befriended me.

Neoptolemus

In me thou seest an enemy confest
585

To the Atridse. This is my best friend

Because he hates them too ; if thou art mine,

Hide nothing then.

Merchant

Consider first.

Neoptolemus

I have.
590

Merchant

The blame will be on you.

Neoptolemus

Why, let it be ;

But speak, I charge thee.

Merchant

Since I must then, know,

In solemn league combined, the bold Ulysses

And gallant Diomede have sworn by force
595

Or by persuasion to bring back thy friend :

The Grecians heard Laertes' son declare

His purpose ; far more resolute he seemed

Than Diomede, and surer of success.

Neoptolemus

But why th' Atridae, after so long time.
600

Again should wish to see this wretched exile ?

Whence this desire? Came it from th' angry gods

To punish thus their inhumanity ]

Merchant

I can inform you ; for perhaps from Greece
605

Of late you have not heard. There was a prophet,

Son of old Priam, Helenus by name,

Him, in his midnight walks, the wily chief

Ulysses

curse of every tongue, espied ;
605

Took him, and led him captive, to the Greeks
605

A welcome spoil. Much he foretold to all,
605

And added last that Troy should never fall

Ulysses heard, and instant promise gave

To fetch him hence ; he hoped by gentle means

To gain him ; those successless, force at last

Could but compel him. He would go, he cried,

And if lio failed his liead should pay the forfeit.

I've told thee all, and warn thee to be gone,

Thou and thy friend, if thou wouldst wish to save him.

Philoctetes

And does the traitor think he can persuade me ?

As well might he persuade me to return
625

From death to life, as his base father did.

Merchant

Of tliat I know not : I must to my ship.

Farewell, and may the gods protect you both ! \_ExiL

Philoctetes

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)) — 519 focus

Take heed lest now too gentle be thy mind,

But when, embark'd together, his diseasejut

Long time annoys thee, other be thy thoughts.

Chorus

Never, oh never: nor shalt thou have cause
515

To charge my stedfast mind wtth such reproach.

Neoptolemus

Nay, I should blush indeed, should I appear

Less prompt than thou with generous toil to aid

In his distress a stranger. We will sail,

Neoptolemus

If such thy judgment: let him come with speed;

Merchant

My bark shall bear him hence, nor shall he find

Neoptolemus

Denial: may the gods direct our course! mo

Merchant

Safe to the shore on which we wish to land

Philoctetes

O welcome day! Most courteous thou of men!

And you, ye friendly mariners, what thanks

Can I return you? With what words express

The gratitude that glows within my heart?...

But let us go, my son, and pay within "

A farewell greeting to this cheerless cave,id
525

Dwelling unmeet for man; that thou may'st know
525

Where I have lived, and what I have sustain'd

With a firm heart: the sight alone, I think,

Horror on others must impress; but me

Necessity hath taught to love e'en this.

Chorus

Restrain your steps awhile: two men advance, , . ,

One to thy bark belongs, a stranger oneli

es podt of IC

First hear their tidings; visit then the cave.)

MERC. Son of Achilles, to this mariner,

Who with two others guarded thy tall bark,

I made request that he would show me where

Merchant

Thou might'st be found; since thus I light on thee THIA
535

Where least expected, driv'n by chance to land
535

On the same shore'; for I, as master, steer'd
535

My little galley homeward from the coast

Of Troy to Peparethus cloth'd with vines

Rich with the purple grape. But when I heard

That all thy naval train was waiting here,d

I deem'd it meet in silence not to sail,

But first to tell thee things perchance to thee

Unknown, and much importing thee to know;

What late resolves the Grecian Chiefs have form'd

Against thee; not resolves alone, but acts
540

With vigour and without delay enforced. T
540

Neoptolemus
MERCHANT, MARINER, NEOPTOLEMUS, PHILOCTETES, CHORUS.

In grateful memory, stranger, I shall hold

Thy kind concern for me, else 1 were base.”

What thou hast hinted speak at large, 'gainst me

The councils by the Grecians lately form'd.

Merchant

MERC. The sons of Theseus, and the aged Chiefs dhid
560

Phœnix, pursue thee with a well-arm'd fleet:
560

Neoptolemus

By force to lead me back, or suasive words?

Merchant

MERC. I know not: what I heard I came to speak

Neoptolemus

Doth Phoenix this, and they who with him sail,)
565

Obsequious to th' Atridæ's royal will?
565

Merchant

MERC. Be thou assured they speed without delay.

Whence is it that Ulysses came not, prompt

To sail with them? Hath fear restrain'd his zeal?

MERC. He and the son of Tydeus, when I sail'd, to count

Against some other plough'd the foaming main.

Neoptolemus

On what adventure was Ulysses bound?

Merchant

MERC. There was a man...... But tell me, who is this?T

I would first know: but speak it not aloud.

Neoptolemus

This, friend, is Philoctetes the renown'd.

Merchant

MERC. Nay then no further question: with all speed

Hoist every sail, and hie thee from this land.

Neoptolemus

What says this merchant? What design, my son,

Merchant

'Gainst me conveys that whisper to thy ear?

Neoptolemus

What he would say I know not; let him speak
590

Clear and aloud to thee, and me, and these.
590

MERC. Son of Achilles, to the Grecian host
590

Betray me not, as what I should conceal
590

Merchant

Disclosing; many favours at their hands

Have I received for services by mea

To them perform'd, such as a poor man may.h

Neoptolemus

I hate the sons of Atreus; and this man,

Because he hates them, is my dearest friend.

Merchant

Behoves thee, since to me thou comest a friend,

Nought, which a friend can tell us, to conceal.T

MERC. See what thou dost.

That long hath been my care

MERC. On thee I charge the blame.
595

Charge it, but speak
595

MERC. Then I will speak. Against this man the son I

Of Tydeus, and the stern Ulysses speed

Their sails; their purpose ratified by oath

By soft persuasion or compulsive force

To bring him back: this all the Grecians heard-

Ulysses speak aloud; for bolder hoperidoli

Was his, and firm assurance of successo di

Neoptolemus

After such length of time what cause hath moved
600

The sons of Atreus to such anxious care
600

For one, an outcast, whom so long they left?

Whence this desire? Or have the gods by force

Impell'd them, thus avenging impious deeds?...

MERC. Of this I will inform thee, things perchance

By thee not heard. There was a noble Seer,

The son of Priam, Helenus his name;

Him this dark plotter cursed by every tongue,

As in the night he prowling roved alone,

Ulysses

and brought his glorious prize
605

Bound to the Grecians: all the dark decrees.
605

Of fate he open'd to them, and declared
605

That never should they raze the tow'rs of Troy,

Till by persuasion they should lead this man

From his lone dwelling in this rocky isle.

This when Ulysses heard the seer declare,..

Instant he pledged his faith to lead him hence,

And show him to the Grecian camp: his hopes

Are warm to win his willing mind; if not,

He will recur to force; and for success

Hath pledged his head. Thou hast heard all: now haste,

Thou and whoe'er is dear to thee: be warn'd.

Philoctetes

What, hath this vile accurs'd deceiver sworn

To show me to the Grecians? Were I dead,

Philoctetes

Then might persuasion bring me from the realms

Of Pluto, like his father, back to light.

Merchant

MERC. I know not that. My bark demands me now

May the best blessings of the gods be yours.!:)

Philoctetes
PHILOCTETES, NEOPTOLEMUS, CHORUS.

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-287-1 νῦν μὲν … ὅταν δὲ ¹

mvp-comment-287-2 εὐχερὴς ² τις ³ παρῇς ⁴

mvp-comment-288-1 τῆς νόσου ⁵ πλησθῇς· ξυνουσίᾳ ⁶

mvp-comment-288-2 αὑτὸς τοῖς λόγοις τούτοις ⁷

mvp-comment-289-1 οὐκ ἔσθ’ ὅπως ⁸

mvp-comment-290-1 ἀλλὰ … μέντοι ⁹

mvp-comment-290-2 αἰσχρὰ ¹⁰

mvp-comment-290-3 σοῦ γέ μ’ ¹¹ σοῦ γ’ ἔμ’ ¹²

mvp-comment-290-4 πρὸς τὸ καίριον ¹³

mvp-comment-290-5 πονεῖν ¹⁴

mvp-comment-291-1 ὁρμάσθω ¹⁵ ταχύς ¹⁶ χἡ ναῦς ¹⁷

mvp-comment-291-2 ἀπαρνηθήσεται ¹⁸

mvp-comment-292-1 μόνον ¹⁹

mvp-comment-292-2 βουλοίμεσθα ²⁰

mvp-comment-293-1 ὦ φίλτατον μὲν ²¹

mvp-comment-293-2 πῶς ἂν … γενοίμην ²²

mvp-comment-294-1 ἴωμεν ²³ ἴωμεν ²⁴ ἴωμεν ²⁵ εἰσοίκησιν ²⁶ προσκύσαντε ²⁷ εἰς οἴκησιν ²⁸ προσκύσαντε ²⁹

mvp-comment-294-2 ὡς … καὶ ³⁰

mvp-comment-295-1 ἀφ’ ὧν ³¹

mvp-comment-295-2 διέζων ³²

mvp-comment-296-1 οἶμαι γὰρ ³³

mvp-comment-296-2 μόνην ³⁴ μόνον ³⁵ τάδε ³⁶ θέαν λαβόντα ³⁷ τλῆναι ³⁸

mvp-comment-297-1 προὔμαθον ³⁹

mvp-comment-298-1 ἐπίσχετον ⁴⁰ μάθωμεν ⁴¹

mvp-comment-298-2 ἀλλόθρους ⁴²

mvp-comment-298-3 ὧν μαθόντες ⁴³

mvp-comment-298-4 αὖθις ⁴⁴ εἴσιτον ⁴⁵

mvp-comment-298-5 542 Odysseus said that he would send back the

σκοπός

, disguised as a merchant captain, if N. seemed to be tarrying too long (126 ff.). The actor who now comes on as

ἔμπορος

would not, however, be the same who played the

σκοπός

(a mute person), but the tritagonist, who played Odysseus. The sailor who accompanies him is a mute person; and that part may have been taken by the former representative of the

σκοπός

mvp-comment-298-6 As N. has already ensnared Ph. , and is on the point of starting with him, there is no actual need for the intervention of the

ἔμπορος

. But Odysseus, at the ship, could not know this; and we are to suppose that he had become impatient. The scene which follows heightens the dramatic interest by bringing out the horror with which Ph. regards the idea of returning to Troy.

mvp-comment-298-7 ξυνέμπορον ⁴⁶

mvp-comment-299-1 φράσαι σε, ποῦ ⁴⁷

mvp-comment-299-2 κυρῶν εἴης ⁴⁸

mvp-comment-300-1 δοξάζων μὲν οὔ ⁴⁹

mvp-comment-300-2 ὁρμισθεὶς ⁵⁰ ταὐτὸν … πέδον ⁵¹

mvp-comment-301-1 οὐ πολλῷ στόλῳ ⁵²

mvp-comment-302-1 Πεπάρηθον ⁵³ εὔβοτρυν ⁵⁴

mvp-comment-302-2 ἤκουσα τοὺς ναύτας ὅτι ⁵⁵ πάντες ⁵⁶ συννεναυστοληκότες ⁵⁷ οἱ νεναυστοληκότες ⁵⁸ σοὶ ⁵⁹

mvp-comment-303-1 ἔδοξέ μοι ⁶⁰ προστυχόντι ⁶¹ ποεῖσθαι ⁶² μὴ σῖγα, πρὶν φράσαιμι ⁶³ προστυχόντι ⁶⁴ προστυχόντι ⁶⁵

mvp-comment-303-2 τῶν ἴσων ⁶⁶ προστυχόντι ⁶⁷ σοι ⁶⁸

mvp-comment-304-1 ἃ τοῖσιν ⁶⁹

mvp-comment-304-2 vέα ⁷⁰

mvp-comment-305-1 οὐκέτ’ ἐξαργούμενα ⁷¹ ἔργα ⁷² δρώμενα ⁷³

mvp-comment-306-1 ἀλλ’ ⁷⁴ ἡ χάρις … τῆς προμηθίας ⁷⁵ προμηθίας ⁷⁶

mvp-comment-306-2 εἰ μὴ κακὸς πέφυκα ⁷⁷

mvp-comment-306-3 προσφιλὴς ⁷⁸ χάρις ⁷⁹

mvp-comment-307-1 ἅπερ γ’ ⁸⁰ ἅπερ κἄλεξας ⁸¹ γε ⁸² ἅπερ ⁸³

mvp-comment-308-1 νεώτερον ⁸⁴

mvp-comment-308-2 ἀπ’ Ἀργείων ⁸⁵ βούλευμα ⁸⁶ ἔχεις ⁸⁷ μοι ⁸⁸

mvp-comment-309-1 φοῖνιξ ⁸⁹

mvp-comment-309-2 οἵ τε Θησέως κόροι ⁹⁰

mvp-comment-310-1 ἐκ βίας ⁹¹

mvp-comment-310-2 λόγοις ⁹² δόλοις ⁹³

mvp-comment-311-1 καθ’ ὁρμὴν ⁹⁴

mvp-comment-312-1 ὡς ταῦτ’ ἐπίστω δρώμεν’ ⁹⁵

mvp-comment-313-1 πρὸς τάδ’ ⁹⁶

mvp-comment-313-2 αὐτάγγελος ⁹⁷

mvp-comment-314-1 κεῖνός γ’ ⁹⁸

mvp-comment-314-2 ὁ Τυδέως παῖς ⁹⁹ ἔστελλον ¹⁰⁰

mvp-comment-315-1 πρὸς ποῖον αὖ τόνδ’ … ἔπλει ¹⁰¹ αὖ ¹⁰² αὖ ¹⁰³ ἂν ¹⁰⁴

mvp-comment-315-2 If ἂν ¹⁰⁵

mvp-comment-316-1 σοι ¹⁰⁶

mvp-comment-317-1 τὰ πλείον’ ¹⁰⁷

mvp-comment-317-2 σεαυτὸν ξυλλαβὼν ¹⁰⁸

mvp-comment-318-1 τί με ¹⁰⁹ διεμπολᾷ … πρός σε ¹¹⁰ τί με ¹¹¹ τί δὲ ¹¹² διεμπολᾷ ¹¹³

mvp-comment-319-1 εἰς φῶς ¹¹⁴ καί … τε ¹¹⁵

mvp-comment-320-1 σπέρμ’ ¹¹⁶

mvp-comment-320-2 στρατῷ ¹¹⁷

mvp-comment-320-3 ἃ μὴ δεῖ ¹¹⁸

mvp-comment-320-4 δρῶν ἀντιπάσχω ¹¹⁹ οἷ’ ἀνὴρ πένης ¹²⁰

mvp-comment-320-5 χρηστά θ’ ¹²¹

mvp-comment-321-1 ἐγώ εἰμ’ ¹²²

mvp-comment-321-2 φίλος μέγιστος ¹²³

mvp-comment-322-1 λόγων ¹²⁴ λόγον ¹²⁵ ὧν ¹²⁶

mvp-comment-323-1 ὅρα ¹²⁷

mvp-comment-323-2 πάλαι ¹²⁸

mvp-comment-324-1 ποιοῦ ¹²⁹

mvp-comment-324-2 λέγων ¹³⁰

mvp-comment-325-1 λέγω ¹³¹

mvp-comment-325-2 )πὶ τοῦτον ¹³²

mvp-comment-325-3 τοῦτον ¹³³

mvp-comment-325-4 592 Although Odysseus and Diomedes had been named in 570, it is obviously natural that their names should be repeated in this more explicit statement.

mvp-comment-326-1 διώμοτοι ¹³⁴

mvp-comment-326-2 ἦ μὴν ¹³⁵

mvp-comment-327-1 πείσαντες ¹³⁶ πρὸς ¹³⁷

mvp-comment-328-1 πλέον ¹³⁸

mvp-comment-328-2 θατέρου ¹³⁹

mvp-comment-329-1 τίνος … πράγματος χάριν ¹⁴⁰

mvp-comment-329-2 χρόνῳ τοσῷδε ¹⁴¹

mvp-comment-329-3 ἐπεστρέφοντο ¹⁴²

mvp-comment-329-4 ἄγαν οὕτω ¹⁴³

mvp-comment-329-5 The order of the words is remarkable, not only because τίνος ¹⁴⁴ πράγματος ¹⁴⁵ τοῦδ’ ¹⁴⁶

mvp-comment-330-1 εἶχον … ἐκβεβληκότες ¹⁴⁷

mvp-comment-330-2 χρόνιον ¹⁴⁸

mvp-comment-331-1 τίς ὁ πόθος ¹⁴⁹

mvp-comment-331-2 ἵκετ’ ¹⁵⁰

mvp-comment-331-3 θεῶν βία ¹⁵¹

mvp-comment-331-4 νέμεσις ¹⁵²

mvp-comment-331-5 ἀμύνουσιν ¹⁵³

mvp-comment-332-1 ὄνομα δ’ ὠνομάζετο ¹⁵⁴

mvp-comment-333-1 Ἕλενος ¹⁵⁵

mvp-comment-333-2 The statement of the

ἔμπορος

is only part of the truth. Helenus had indeed been captured, and had said that Troy could not be taken without Philoctetes. But he had also said that Troy was destined to be taken that summer,—as if he knew that fate had decreed the return of Philoctetes,—who was then to be healed by the Asclepiadae, and to share with Neoptolemus the glory of the victory (1329—1342). Odysseus, however, believed that Philoctetes would not listen to persuasion, but must be brought back by a stratagem (103). And so the object of the

ἔμπορος

in referring to Helenus is merely to convince Philoctetes that Odysseus is coming, in order that the sufferer may become still more anxious to depart with Neoptolemus for Greece, as he supposes.

mvp-comment-334-1 ἀκούων ¹⁵⁶

mvp-comment-334-2 λωβητὰ ἔπη ¹⁵⁷

mvp-comment-335-1 ἐς μέσον ¹⁵⁸ ἔδειξ’ ¹⁵⁹

mvp-comment-336-1 τά τ’ ἄλλα … πάντα ¹⁶⁰ καὶ ¹⁶¹

mvp-comment-337-1 τἀπὶ Τροίᾳ πέργαμ’ ¹⁶²

mvp-comment-337-2 οὐ μή ποτε πέρσοιεν ¹⁶³ οὐ μή ¹⁶⁴

mvp-comment-337-3 οὐ δηποτε πέρσοιεν ¹⁶⁵

mvp-comment-338-1 ἄγοιντο ¹⁶⁶ ἀγάγοιντο ¹⁶⁷ ἄξοιντο ¹⁶⁸ ἄγοιντο ¹⁶⁹

mvp-comment-338-2 νήσου ¹⁷⁰

mvp-comment-338-3 617 The words οἴοιτο μὲν μάλιστα ¹⁷¹

mvp-comment-338-4 μάλιστα ¹⁷³ οἴοιτο ¹⁷⁴

mvp-comment-339-1 τούτων ¹⁷⁵ μὴ τυχών ¹⁷⁶

mvp-comment-339-2 κάρα τέμνειν ¹⁷⁷ ἐφεῖτο ¹⁷⁸

mvp-comment-340-1 τὸ σπεύδειν ¹⁷⁹

mvp-comment-340-2 σοι καὐτῷ ¹⁸⁰ πέρι ¹⁸¹

mvp-comment-341-1 ἡ πασα βλάβη ¹⁸²

mvp-comment-342-1 πεισθήσομαι ¹⁸³

mvp-comment-342-2 γὰρ ¹⁸⁴

mvp-comment-342-3 ὧδε ¹⁸⁵

mvp-comment-342-4 πρὸς φῶς ἀνελθεῖν ¹⁸⁶

mvp-comment-342-5 οὑκείνου πατήρ ¹⁸⁷

mvp-comment-343-1 συμφέροι ¹⁸⁸

mvp-comment-344-1 τάδε ¹⁸⁹

mvp-comment-345-1 ἂν ¹⁹⁰ δεῖξαι ¹⁹¹

mvp-comment-345-2 νεὼς ἄγοντ’ ¹⁹²

mvp-comment-346-1 οὔ· ¹⁹³

mvp-comment-346-2 πλεῖστον ἐχθίστης ¹⁹⁴

mvp-comment-347-1 ἄπουν ¹⁹⁵

mvp-comment-348-1 πάντα λεκτά ¹⁹⁶

mvp-comment-349-1 ὡς … ὁρίζῃ ¹⁹⁷ ὁρίζει ¹⁹⁸

mvp-comment-350-1 τοὐκ πρῴρας ¹⁹⁹

mvp-comment-350-2 ἀνῇ ²⁰⁰

mvp-comment-350-3 στελοῦμεν ²⁰¹

mvp-comment-351-1 οὔκ, ἀλλὰ ²⁰² οὐκ ²⁰³ οἶδ)· ²⁰⁴ ἀλλ’ οὐχὶ ²⁰⁵

mvp-comment-352-1 ἀλλ’ ²⁰⁶

mvp-comment-352-2 χωρῶμεν … λαβὼν ²⁰⁷ λαβόνθ’ ²⁰⁸

mvp-comment-353-1 καίπερ οὐ πολλῶν ἄπο ²⁰⁹

mvp-comment-354-1 νεώς γε τῆς ἐμῆς ἔπι ²¹⁰ ἔνι ²¹¹ ἔπι ²¹² ἔνι ²¹³ νεώς ²¹⁴ ἔνι ²¹⁵ ἔνι ²¹⁶

mvp-comment-355-1 πάνυ ²¹⁷

mvp-comment-356-1 τί γὰρ ἔτ’ ²¹⁸

mvp-comment-356-2 γάρ ²¹⁹

mvp-comment-357-1 εἴ μοί τι τόξων ²²⁰ τόξα ²²¹

mvp-comment-357-2 ἀπημελημένον ²²²

mvp-comment-357-3 παρερρύηκεν ²²³

mvp-comment-357-4 ὡς λίπω μή ²²⁴ λαβεῖν ²²⁵

mvp-comment-358-1 οὐ γὰρ ἄλλ’ ἔστ’, ἀλλ’ ἃ κ.τ.λ. ²²⁶ ἀλλ’ ²²⁷ ἄλλ’ ²²⁸ ἄλλος ²²⁹ ἃ βαστάζω ²³⁰ ταῦτ’ ²³¹ ἄλλα γ’ ἔσθ’ ἃ ²³²

mvp-comment-359-1 ὥστε ²³³ ἔστιν ²³⁴

mvp-comment-359-2 θεόν ²³⁵ θεός ²³⁶

mvp-comment-360-1 ξυμφέρῃ ²³⁷ ἐρῶ ²³⁸

mvp-comment-361-1 καὶ μὴν … γε ²³⁹ πάρες ²⁴⁰

mvp-comment-362-1 ὅσια … θέμις ²⁴¹

mvp-comment-363-1 ὅς γ’ ²⁴²

mvp-comment-363-2 φάος ²⁴³

mvp-comment-363-3 δέδωκας ²⁴⁴

mvp-comment-363-4 χθόν’ Οἰταίαν ²⁴⁵

mvp-comment-364-1 ἀνέστησας πέρα ²⁴⁶ πέρα ²⁴⁷ πέρα ²⁴⁸ ἔνερθεν ²⁴⁹ πέρα ²⁵⁰ μ’ ὕ ²⁵¹ περ ²⁵² ἀναστήσας πάρει ²⁵³ πέρα ²⁵⁴

mvp-comment-365-1 ταῦτα ²⁵⁵ παρέσται σοι ²⁵⁶ καὶ θιγγάνειν ²⁵⁷

mvp-comment-366-1 καὶ δόντι δοῦναι ²⁵⁸ δοῦναι ²⁵⁹ ἐπεύξασθαι ²⁶⁰ θιγγάνειν ²⁶¹

mvp-comment-366-2 669 The acc. μόνον ²⁶² δόντι ²⁶³ μόνῳ ²⁶⁴ μόνον ²⁶⁵ ς’ ²⁶⁶ ἀρετῆς ²⁶⁷

mvp-comment-367-1 εὐεργετῶν ²⁶⁸

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 ²⁶⁹

mvp-comment-369-2 κτήματος ²⁷⁰

mvp-comment-370-1 χωροῖς ἂν εἴσω ²⁷¹ καὶ σέ γ’ εἰσάξω ²⁷² γε ²⁷³ σέ ²⁷⁴ χωροῖς ἂν εἴσω ²⁷⁵

mvp-comment-370-2 τὸ γὰρ ²⁷⁶ νοσοῦν ²⁷⁷ τὸ … νοσοῦν ²⁷⁸

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

391-402;507-518. mvp-comment-280-1 The Chorus show their interest and support Neoptolemus by these strains, which are interwoven with the action, like those in O. T. 660 foll., 689 foll., О. С. 1447-1456, 1477-1485. They wish to assist their master by simulating hatred of the Atreidae and sympathy with Philoctetes. That both feelings are merely assumed, and that the Chorus really understand the situation, is obvious from the exaggerated strength of expression in 510, εἰ δὲ πικρούς, ἄναξ, ἔχθεις ᾿Ατρείδας. Their feigned excitement, to which the mixture of dochmiac and iambo-bacchic metre is well suited, was no doubt expressed with gestures accompanying the recitation, by the two half-choruses, of strophe and antistrophe severally.

507-518. mvp-comment-364-1 In the strophe supr. 391-402, the one half-chorus echoed the falsehood of Neoptolemus. The other half-chorus now in similar measures professedly responds to the appeal of Philoctetes, and recommends him to the kindness of Neoptolemus. L. 510 is equivalent, although not identical in metre, with l. 395: Each consists of two dochmiacs.

515. mvp-comment-368-1 ἐπιμέμονεν] Sc. πορεύεσθαι. Cp. Εl. 1435, ᾗ νοεῖς ἔπειγέ νυν.

516. mvp-comment-369-1 ἐπ᾿ εὐστόλου ταχείας νεώς] Οn your trim swift bark.' For the double epithet, see Essay on L. § 23. P. 37.

517. mvp-comment-370-1 τὰν *θεῶν] ἐκ (see v.rr.) is required by the same metrical reason which led to Λαερτίου being changed το Λαρτίου in l. 401.

518. mvp-comment-371-1 νέμεσιν] The possibility of some Divine retribution following refusal was gently hinted at the conclusion of Philoctetes' speech, ll 501-506.

519. mvp-comment-372-1 Consider, lest you who now stand there so goodnaturedly, may show a different spirit from your present words when you are wearied through contact with the disease.' For the 'paratactic' structure, see Essay on L. § 36. p. 68. τις is added to a predicative word as in Ο. Τ. 618, 9, ὅταν ταχύς τις οὑπιβουλεύων λάθρα χωρῇ. The slight redundancy of the expression, for which, cp. Εl. 506, ὡς ἔμολες αἰανή, κ.τ.λ., has suggested an unnecessary doubt whether παρῆς may not be from παρίημι (‘You grant permission').

521. mvp-comment-373-1 For αὑτὸς τοῖς λόγοις τούτοις, ср. О. Т. 557, καὶ νῦν ἔθ᾽ αὑτός εἰμι τῷ βουλεύματι, and note.

522-523. mvp-comment-374-1 are spoken by the coryphaeus.

524-525. mvp-comment-375-1 'It were shame if I were found more backward than you are to serve a stranger in his need.' ξένῳ either = τῷ ξένῳ, i. e. ‘Τo Philoctetes,' or, with a slight difference, (2) more generally, 'To a stranger-friend,' -as Philoctetes is. The dative depends on ἐνδεέστερον φανῆναι (= γενέσθαι) and is to be resumed with πονεῖν.

525. mvp-comment-376-1 πρὸς τὸ καίριον is an adverbial expression, like πρὸς τὸ κάρτερον, πρὸς τὸ λιπαρές, etc., and the infinitive depends on ἐνδεέστερον.

527. mvp-comment-377-1 οὐκ ἀπαρνηθήσεται] (1) He shall not be denied.' This suits the feeling of the passage better than (2) the impersonal sense (The favour shall not be denied'), which, however, is also possible.

529. mvp-comment-378-1 The emphatic position of ἡμᾶς at the beginning of the line shows that Neoptolemus deliberately includes Philoctetes in his prayer. βουλοίμεσθα is optative because of the preceding optative (cp. 325, 961) and partakes of the indefiniteness of the wish. Neoptolemus feels that when they leave the shore the intention of his voyage will not be that which he now professes, and he trusts that by that time the wish of Philoctetes may be the same with his own.

533. mvp-comment-379-1 *προσκύσαντε εἰσοίκησιν] Schndw. threw suspicion on these words because of the ἅπαξ λεγόμενον εἰσοίκησις, and various modes of alteration have been suggested. But it is idle to object to every ἅπαξ λεγόμενον. And these words give an excellent sense. If ἐξοικεῖν, a rare word, means ἔξω οἰκεῖν (Lys. 187. 29, Dem. 845. 19), why may not εἰσοικεῖν mean ἔσω οἰκεῖν? (It is so used in Anth. P. 7. 320, according to the MS. reading.) Cp. εἰσίδρυμαι, εἰσίζομαι, εἰσοικίζω. In that case ἡ εἰσοίκησις is ἡ ἔσω οἴκησις, and τὴν ἔσω.. εἰσοίκλησιν is merely a common instance of pleonasm, much as when we speak of the interior of a cave. If εἰς οἴκησιν is read, it becomes necessary to suppose a lacuna, for ἴωμεν here can only mean, 'Let us depart.' For the participial expression (προσκύσαντε = ' but first let us pay a farewell visit to'), ср. О. Т. 680, μαθοῦσά γ' ἥτις ἡ τύχη. Philoctetes'attachment to his bare and comfortless dwelling-place shows itself here, together with the longing expressed supr. 251 foll, that the extent of his misery and endurance might be known.

535. mvp-comment-380-1 ἀφ᾽ ὧν] ἀπο- as in ἀποζῆν. διέζων] 'I kept life afoot.' δια- of a persevering effort, as in διαμάχεσθαι.

536. mvp-comment-381-1 μόνην θέαν] 'Even the mere sight.' The adjective has the force of the adverb μόνον.

538. mvp-comment-382-1 προὔμαθον] Either (1) ‘I long since learned,' or (2) 'I learnt by degrees,' i.e. conquering each evil as it met me. Cp. προδιδάσκειν.

539-541. mvp-comment-383-1 These lines are spoken by the coryphaeus. The Σκοπός of supr. 125 is seen approaching, disguised as a ship-master, and accompanied by another of Neoptolemus's crew.

540. mvp-comment-384-1 ἀλλόθρους is simply a stranger, 'Not one of ourselves.' The word ξένος (infr. 557) would not apply to the man until they knew whether he was of Scyros or not. He professes afterwards to come from Peparethus.

541. mvp-comment-385-1 αὖθις] Blaydes conjectures αὐτίκ'. But αὖθις is 'afterwards,' as αὖτις in Il. 1. 140, ταῦτα μεταφρασόμεσθα καὶ αὖτις. After that, ye shall go in'

542. mvp-comment-386-1 τόνδε τὸν ξυνέμπορον] 'This companion of my way,' viz. from the mooring place to before the cave.

544. mvp-comment-387-1 ποῦ κυρῶν εἴης] • Where you were at this moment to be found.' A conversational pleonasm.

545. mvp-comment-388-1 ἀντέκυρσα] Sc. σοί. ‘Our paths have crossed.' δοξάζων μὲν οὔ] 'Not that I had any thought of such a thing.' For the combination of aorist and imperfect (δοξάζων = ὅτε ἐδόξαζον), cp. Ο. Τ. 1457, θνήσκων ἐσώθην.

546. mvp-comment-389-1 ὁρμισθείς] 'Brought to anchor.' He has been baffled by the headwind mentioned infr. 639.

547. mvp-comment-390-1 ὡς ναύκληρος, οὐ πολλῷ στόλῳ] 'With the modest outfit of a merchant-man.' This accounts for his approach not having been descried. He is supposed to be a purveyor (infr. 583, 4) of provisions to the army, perhaps of wine from his own vine-clad (εὔβοτρυν) island. Cp. ΙΙ. 7. 467, νῆες δ᾽ ἐκ Λήμνοιο παρέστασαν οἶνον ἄγουσαι. Peparethus is midway between Scyros and the entrance to the Maliac gulf. The same wind that is pretended to have detained Neoptolemus would also delay the merchantman on his homeward voyage.

549-550. mvp-comment-391-1 ὡς νεναυστοληκότες] 'When I had ascertained in the course of conversation that the mariners who had manned the vessel were one and all your men' (σοί, possessive pronoun). So Hermann, Opusc. 8. p. 190, rightly, although the reason which he gives ('Nam sic demum nauclerus tuto referre poterat, quae erat narraturus'), is not required. Dobree conjectured συννεναυστοληκότες (‘That they had all accompanied you in your voyage').

552. mvp-comment-392-1 προστυχόντι τῶν ἴσων depends οη τὸν πλοῦν ποιεῖσθαι as an affirmative expression: i. e. ἔδοξέ μοι, φράσαντι καὶ τῶν ἴσων προστυχόντι, οὕτω τὸν πλοῦν ποιεῖσθαι. · When first I had received fair recompense.' For the naiveté of this parenthetical demand, as not unbefitting the relations of the sea-captain to Neoptolemus (who is no less careful to assure him of his gratitude, infr. 557, 8), ср. О. Τ. 1005, 6, καὶ μὴν μάλιστα τοῦτ᾽ ἀφικόμην ὅπως | σοῦ πρὸς δόμους ἐλθόντος εὖ πράξαιμί τι: Trach. 190, 1, ὅπως τοι πρῶτος ἀγγείλας τάδε πρὸς σοῦ τι κερδάναιμι.

553. mvp-comment-393-1 οὐδὲν σύ που] The asyndeton marks the urgency of the intelligence.

554. mvp-comment-394-1 ἀμφὶ σοῦ * νέα] This emendation of Auratus has been generally received. And although the MS. reading may be possibly defended by the comparison of such phrases as τίνος δὴ χάριν ἕνεκα, etc. (see especially Thuc. 8. 92, ὅσον καὶ ἀπὸ βοῆς ἕνεκα), the meaning as well as the grammar is distinctly improved by the change.

556. mvp-comment-395-1 δρώμεν', οὐκέτ᾽ ἐξαργούμενα] Ιn act, no longer left undone.' Cp. Aesch. Ag. 1359, τοῦ δρῶντός ἐστι καὶ τὸ βουλεῦσαι πέρι.

559. mvp-comment-396-1 φράσον . . ἔλεξας] Declare at full what you have now mentioned.'

560. mvp-comment-397-1 ἀπ᾿ ᾿Αργείων] Sc. φαινόμενον. ἔχεις] Cp. Trach. 318, οὐδ᾽ ὄνομα πρὸς του τῶν ξυνεμπόρων ἔχεις; Ο. C. 1451, μάτην γὰρ οὐδὲν ἀξίωμα δαιμόνων ἔχω φράσαι.

562. mvp-comment-398-1 οἱ.. Θησέως κόροι] Acamas and Demophon, said to have been first mentioned in the Ἰλίου πέρσις of Arctinus. These names help to commend the lie to the fancy of the Athenian audience.

563. mvp-comment-399-1 λόγοις] By persuasion.' Cp. infr. 612, 623 foll., 629, 30.

563,565. mvp-comment-400-1 These vague replies show that Neoptolemus has not yet seized his cue. Cp. 570, 1 foll.

566. mvp-comment-401-1 οὕτω καθ' ὁρμήν] ‘Thus incontinently' (in the old sense); referring to supr. 555. 6.

567. mvp-comment-402-1 ὡς ταῦτ᾽ ἐπίστω δρώμεν] i. e. ἐπίστασο, ὡς ταῦτα δρώμενα (sc. ἐστίν). For ἐπίστασο ταῦτα ὡς δρώμενα this would be too violent an inversion.

568. mvp-comment-403-1 πρὸς τάδε] 'Hereupon,' i. e. 'When such was the counsel of the Argives.' αὐτάγγελος] ‘'Bringing the message in person;' i. e. αὐτὸς καὶ μὴ δι᾽ ἄλλων ἀγγέλων. Phoenix and the Theseidae were ἄγγελοι of the resolution of the chieftains to Neoptolemus.

569. mvp-comment-404-1 ἢ.. νιν] Neoptolemus assumes a spirited tone, and suggests a mean motive in Odysseus, in order to gratify Philoctetes.

570. mvp-comment-405-1 ἐπ᾿ ἄλλον ἄνδρα] ‘With designs upon another person.'

571. mvp-comment-406-1 When I left the harbour, they were making ready.'

572. mvp-comment-407-1 'Who could this be. with a view to whom Odysseus himself was setting forth?' i e. ποῖος ἂν εἴη πρὸς ὃν ἔπλει; So the unusual insertion of ἄν may be explained. See Essay on L. § 27. p. 45. And the meaning is so appropriate, that it seems better to retain the particle, although πρὸς ποῖον αὖ τόν δ' is a conjectural reading involving only a slight change.

575. mvp-comment-408-1 'Sir, you have the privilege of seeing here the famous Philoctetes.' Thus Neoptolemus humours the feeling which Philoctetes had shown supra 261, 2, ὅδ᾽ εἴμ᾽ ἐγώ σοι κεῖνος, ὃν κλύεις ἴσως | τῶν Ἡρακλείων ὄντα δεσπότην ὅπλων.

576. mvp-comment-409-1 τὰ πλείον'] For the article, cp. Trach. 731, and note.

577. mvp-comment-410-1 ἔκπλει σεαυτὸν ξυλλαβών] 'Snatch yourself up and sail away.' Cp. Eur. H. F. 833 foll., ἄλλ' εἶ', ἄτεγκτον ξυλλαβοῦσα καρδίαν . . ἔλαυνε, κίνει, κ.τ.λ.: also Plat. Rep. 1. 336 В, συστρέψας ἑαυτὸν ἧκεν ἐφ' ἡμᾶς. The Ἔμπορος speaks low, as he had charged Neoptolemus to do. This awakens the lively suspicion of Philoctetes, who hears enough to understand that there is a danger of his being left behind. Mr. Paley conjectures, ἔκπλευσον αὐτὸν συλλαβών, comparing infr. 621. But there the case is altered by Neoptolemus having avowed his friendship for Philoctetes in ll. 585, 6.

578. mvp-comment-411-1 κατὰ σκότον] 'In secret.' So infr. 581, εἰς φῶς, Openly."

579. mvp-comment-412-1 διεμπολᾷ λόγοισι πρός σε] Is treating me dishonestly in his talk with thee.' Cp. Ant. 1036, ἐξημπόλημαι κἀκπεφόρτισμαι.

581. mvp-comment-413-1 εἰς φῶς = 'Openly.' Cp. О. Т. 93, ἐς πάντας αύδα. τούσδε τε] The Chorus.

582-583. mvp-comment-414-1 μή με.. ἃ μὴ δεῖ] 'Bring me not into discredit with the army, through my telling what I should keep close; i. e. Do not make me tell, and so make them angry with me. λέγοντα = διὰ τὸ λέγειν, cp. Thuc. 8.87, ἣν εἶπε πρόφασιν οὐ κομίσας (i. e. δι᾽ ὅ, τι οὐκ ἐκόμισεν).

583-584. mvp-comment-415-1 'I. being poor, receive much kindness from them for service which I do.' For γε, which modifies the sentence, to which it gives a pleading tone, see Essay on L. § 26. p. 41. οἱ᾿ ἀνὴρ πένης] (1) As is natural in the case of one who is poor: rather than, (2) 'Such service as a poor man may do.' Cp. supr. 273, and note.

585ff. mvp-comment-416-1 Neoptolemus professes to demand that, if there is danger, the Ἔμπορος should risk it for his and Philoctetes' sake. The Ἔμπορος in his reply insinuates that the danger, if he is made to speak, is common to them all three, and that Neoptolemus will be responsible for the consequences.

589. mvp-comment-417-1 καί belongs in meaning to the whole sentence = καὶ δὴ σκοπῶ. ἐγώ] 'Of myself,' without this caution from you.

590. mvp-comment-418-1 ποιοῦ λέγων] 'Make me so, if you will but speak. For this emphatic use of the participle, cp. especially O. C. 1038, χωρῶν ἀπείλει νυν, -also supr. 481, and note.

591. mvp-comment-419-1 ἅπερ κλύεις] Supr. 570, 1.

592. mvp-comment-420-1 ἥ τ᾿ Ὀδυσσέως βία] Cp. supr. 314, 321.

593. mvp-comment-421-1 διώμοτοι] 'Expressly sworn.' Cp. Trach. 378, ὥσπερ οὑπάγων διώμνυτο: Ο. Τ. 834, διεῖπε χρῆναι, κ.τ.λ. For the meaning, cp. infr. 618, 9, 623.

594. mvp-comment-422-1 ἢ . . κράτος] Or were they to prevail by force.'

597. mvp-comment-423-1 δράσειν τάδε is added as a resumption of ταῦτα, depending on λέγοντος (not on θάρσος εἶχε).

598-599. mvp-comment-424-1 i. ε. τίνος δὲ πράγματος χάριν ᾿Ατρείδαι, χρόνῳ τοσῷδε, οὕτως ἄγαν ἐπεστρέφοντο τοῦδε. For the order of the words, see Essay on L. § 41. p. 78, 8.

600. mvp-comment-425-1 εἶχον . . *ἐκβεβληκότες] Cp. El. 590, ἐκβαλοῦσ᾽ ἔχεις. The periphrasis serves to fix on the agent the responsibility of the consequences of his act.

601-602. mvp-comment-426-1 'Whence came they thus to wish him back again? Or were they moved by a mighty impulse from the angry gods: the gods, who requite evil deeds?' For θεῶν βία, cp. Aesch. Suppl. 97, βίαν . . τὰν ἄπονον δαιμονίαν (?).

603. mvp-comment-427-1 ἴσως . . ἀκήκοας] 'For I dare say you have not heard of it.' The important share of Neoptolemus in the prophecy of Helenus is studiously concealed, and it is assumed that in his short stay at Troy the circumstance may have escaped him altogether. The true account is given by Neoptolemus afterwards, infr. 1337 foll. He himself in supr. 344 foll. had professed to attach slight importance to the assertion that he was destined to take Troy.

607. mvp-comment-428-1 ἀκούων] 'Called by,' i.e. deserving. αἰσχρὰ.. ἔπη] 'Names of disgrace and contumely.' On the meaning of the verbal adjective, see Essay on L. § 53. p. 98.

609. mvp-comment-429-1 ἔδειξ᾽.. ἐς μέσον] Displayed publicly to the Achaeans. ἔδειξε marks Odysseus' pride at bringing in his captive. Cp. infr. 616, δηλώσειν : 630, δεῖξαι: 944, φήνασθαι.

610. mvp-comment-430-1 The part of the prophecy which relates to Neoptolemus is thus slurred over.

611. mvp-comment-431-1 τἀπὶ Τροίᾳ πέργαμα] Cp.supr. 353.

612. mvp-comment-432-1 πέρσοιεν (as being the oratio obliqua of πέρσετε) seems to be an exception to the rule that οὐ μή takes after it not the future indicative, but the aorist subjunctive. But this is not a sufficient ground for altering the reading. Paley compares Plat. Crito, p. 44 B, οὐδένα μήποτε εὑρήσω.

613. mvp-comment-433-1 ἄγοιντο] The middle voice implies, 'Should bring for their purpose.' νήσου τῆσδ'] For the genitive of place, see Essay on L. § 8. p. 11, a. Observe the alliteration in νήσου .. ναίει .. νῦν.

614. mvp-comment-434-1 ταῦτα] Governed of ἤκουσε and resumed with τὸν μάντιν εἰπόντα, which is added to complete the sentence.

615ff. mvp-comment-435-1 The statement in supr. 593-7 is here repeated with some additional circumstances.

617. mvp-comment-436-1 οἴοιτο] The optative is used in turning the parenthetical οἴομαι into the oratio obliqua, as if ὅτι had preceded. Cp. Lys p. 130, Θηραμένης ἀναστὰς λέγει ὅτι ποιήσει ὥστε τὴν πόλιν ἐλαττῶσαι μηδέν· οἴοιτο δὲ καὶ ἄλλο τι ἀγαθὸν εὑρήσεσθαι.

618-619. mvp-comment-437-1 'And if he failed in this, he offered his head to any who chose, to cut it off.' For the order of words, see Essay on L. § 41, α. p. 77. κάρα governed (1) of ἐφεῖτο, and (2) οἱ τέμνειν, which is epexegetic inf. μὴ τυχών = εἰ μὴ τύχοι. For the sense, cp. II. 2. 259, μηκέτ᾽ ἔπειτ᾽ Ὀδυσῆϊ κάρη ὤμοισιν ἐπείη, κ.τ.λ.: Od. 16. 102 αὐτίκ᾽ ἔπειτ' ἀπ᾿ ἐμεῖο κάρη τάμοι ἀλλότριος φώς, εἰ μή, κ.τ.λ. τέμνειν = ἀποτέμνειν. Cp. καράτομος.

620. mvp-comment-438-1 τὸ σπεύδειν] The article probably refers to supr. 576, 7.

621. mvp-comment-439-1 κεἴ τινος κήδει πέρι] Sc. παραινῶ ἐκείνῳ τὸ αὐτό. The supposed stranger does not venture to compromise himself by giving this advice directly to Philoctetes. He alludes to supr. 585, 6.

622. mvp-comment-440-1 Οι ἡ πᾶσα βλάβη, ‘That utter pest.' see Essay on L. § 51. p. 95; and cp. El. 301.

624-625. mvp-comment-441-1 'The persuasion that has force to bring me back to Troy, would fetch me from the dead.'

626. mvp-comment-442-1 οὐκ οἶδ᾽ ἐγὼ ταῦτ] The professed Ἔμπορος is too discreet to mix further than he can help in such a hazardous business. Cp. O. Τ. 530, οὐκ οἶδ᾽· ὁ γὰρ δρῶσ᾽ οἱ κρατοῦντες οὐχ ὁρῶ. The purpose of his coming has been accomplished, and he retires. For the synaphea, cp. especially O. T. 555, ὡς χρείη μ᾽ ἐπὶ | τὸν σεμνόμαντιν, κ.τ.λ.

627. mvp-comment-443-1 σφῶν.. θεός] 'May heaven be with you both for your best good!' συμφέρειν is used nearly as συμφέρεσθαι in O. C. 641, τῇδε γὰρ ξυνοίσομαι (‘Your choice shall have my concurrence').

628ff. mvp-comment-444-1 Should have imagined it possible ever with cajoling words to bring and show me on his ship amongst the Argives.' Philoctetes has hitherto had his attention fixed on the Ἔμπορος, and has said ll. 622-5 half to himself. But as the stranger departs he turns to Neoptolemus with these indignant words.

629. mvp-comment-445-1 ποτ᾿ ἄν with δεῖξαι = ὅτι δείξειεν ἄν ποτε. λόγοισι μαλθακοῖς] Cp. O. С. 774, σκληρὰ μαλθακῶς λέγων.

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.

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Neoptolemus Though now as a casual spectator you are compliant, beware lest later, when filled with his disease by its constant company, you prove no longer constant to these sentiments. 520

Chorus That will not happen. You will never have just cause to rebuke me for that!

Chorus Wait, let us listen to the two men who are coming! One is a crewman of your ship, the other a stranger. Go in after you hear their report. 540

Neoptolemus The service you have done me by your forethought, sir, unless I am unworthy, will remain in my grateful thoughts. But tell me just what the designs are that you mentioned, so that I may understand what is the strange plan of the Greeks that you know. 560

Merchant Pursuers are on the way in search of you with a fleet. They are the aged Phoenix and the sons of Theseus.

Neoptolemus To bring me back by force, or through persuasion?

Merchant I do not know; but I have come to tell you what I did hear.

Neoptolemus Are Phoenix and his comrades really so eager to do this favor for the Atreids? 565

Merchant Be sure that it is being done, and without delay.

Neoptolemus Then why was Odysseus not ready to sail on this mission, and bring the message himself? Or did some fear hold him back?

Merchant Oh, he and the son of Tydeus were readying for pursuit of another man, just as I was leaving port. 570

Neoptolemus Who is this other after whom Odysseus himself was sailing?

Merchant There was a man. . . . But tell me first who that is over there. And whatever you say, do speak quietly.

Neoptolemus There, sir, before your eyes is the renowned Philoctetes. 575

Merchant Then do not question me further, but get yourself out of here as quickly as possible and sail away.

Philoctetes What is he saying, boy? Why does the sailor traffic with you about me in these dark whispers?

Neoptolemus His meaning yet eludes me. But, whatever he will say, he must say openly—to you, me and my men here. 580

Merchant Seed of Achilles, do not stir the army’s resentment against me for saying what I should not. I receive many benefits for what services I do them, as a poor man may.

Neoptolemus I am the enemy of the Atreids, and this man is my closest friend precisely because he hates them. Since, then, you have come kindly disposed towards me, you must not hide from us any part of their plans that you have heard. 585

Merchant Beware of what you are doing, boy.

Neoptolemus I am well aware.

Merchant I will hold you accountable. 590

Neoptolemus Do so, but speak.

Philoctetes Alas! Has he, the utter plague, sworn to fetch me back to the Achaeans by persuasion? For if that were to happen, I could be persuaded, when dead, to come back up from Hades into the light, as his father did! 625

Merchant I know nothing about that. But for my part I must return to ship, while for you I pray that god may help you in every possible way. Exit Merchant.

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

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ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ΧΟ. ἥκιστα. τοῦτ᾽ οὐκ ἔσθ᾽ ὅπως ποτ᾽ εἰς ἐμὲ 515 τοὔνειδος ἕξεις ἕξεις ἔξεις ἐνδίκως ὀνειδίσαι.

ΦΙΛΟΚΤΗΤΗΣ.

ΧΟ. ἐπίσχετον, μάθωμεν. ἄνδρε γὰρ δύο δύω, ὁ μὲν νεὼς νεὼ νεὼς σῆς ναυβάτης, ὁ δ᾽ ἀλλόθρους, χωρεῖτον, ὧν μαθόντες αὖθις αὖτις αὖθις εἴσιτον.

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ΝΕ.

ΦΙΛΟΚΤΗΤΗΣ.

ΕΜ. φροῦδοι διώκοντές σε ναυτικῷ ναυστικῷ στόλῳ Φοῖνιξ Φοίνιξ Φοῖνιξ ὁ πρέσβυς οἵ τε Θησέως κόροι. 555

ΝΕ. ὡς ἐκ βίας μ' ἄξοντες ἢ λόγοις πάλιν ;

ΕΜ. οὐκ οἶδ᾽. ἀκούσας δ᾽ ἄγγελος πάρειμί σοι.

ΝΕ. ἢ ταῦτα δὴ Φοῖνίξ ἢ ταῦτα δὴ φοῖνιξ τε χοί ξυνναυβάται οὕτω καθ᾽ ὁρμὴν δρῶσιν ᾿Ατρειδῶν χάριν;

ΕΜ. ὡς ταῦτ᾽ ἐπίστω δρώμεν, οὐ μέλλοντ᾽ ἔτι, 560

ΝΕ. πῶς οὖν Ὀδυσσεὺς πρὸς τάδ᾽ οὐκ αὐτάγγελος πλεῖν ἦν ἑτοῖμος; ἢ φόβος τις εἶργέ εἶργε εἶργε νιν;

ΕΜ. κεῖνός γ᾽ ἐπ᾿ ἄλλον ἄνδρ᾽ ὁ Τυδέως τε παῖς ἔστελλον, ἡνίκ᾽ ἐξανηγόμην ἐγώ ἔσω.

ΝΕ. πρὸς ποῖον ἂν ἀν ἂν τόνδ᾽ αὐτὸς οὐδυσσεὺς ὁ δυσσεὺς οὑδυσσεὺς ὀδυσσεὺς ἔπλει; 565

ΕΜ. ἦν δή τις-ἀλλὰ τόνδε μοι πρῶτον φράσον τίς ἐστίν εστιν· ἂν λέγῃς δὲ μὴ φώνει μέγα.

ΝΕ. ὅδ᾽ ἔσθ᾽ ὁ κλεινός σοι Φιλοκτήτης, ξένε.

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ΕΜ. μή νύν μὴ νῦν μ᾽ om. ἔρῃ τὰ πλείον, ἀλλ᾽ ὅσον τάχος ἔκπλει σεαυτὸν ξυλλαβὼν ἐκ τῆσδε γῆς.

ΦΙ. τί φησιν, ὦ παῖ; τί με κατὰ σκότον ποτὲ διεμπολᾷ λόγοισι πρός πρό πρός σ᾽ ὁ ναυβάτης;

ΝΕ. οὐκ οἶδά πω τί φησι· δεῖ δ᾽ αὐτὸν λέγειν 580 εἰς φῶς ὁ λέξει, πρὸς σὲ κἀμὲ τούσδε τε.

ΕΜ. ὦ σπέρμ᾽ ᾿Αχιλλέως, μή με διαβάλῃς διαβάλληισ διαβάλῃς στρατῷ λέγονθ᾽ ἃ μὴ δεῖ· πόλλ᾽ ἐγὼ κείνων ὕπο δρῶν ἀντιπάσχω χρηστά γ', οἱ᾽ ἀνὴρ πένης.

ΕΜ. ὅρα τί ποιεῖς, παῖ.

NE. σκοπῶ κἀγὼ πάλαι. 590

ΦΙΛΟΚΤΗΤΗΣ.

ΕΜ. σὲ θήσομαι τῶνδ᾽ αἴτιον.

NE. ποιοῦ λέγων.

ΕΜ.

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ΦΙΛΟΚΤΗΤΗΣ.

ΕΜ. οὐκ οἶδ᾽ ἐγὼ ταῦτ᾽, ἀλλ᾽ ἐγὼ μὲν εἶμ᾽ ἐπὶ ναῦν, σφῶν δ᾽ ὅπως ἄριστα συμφέροι θεός.

ΦΙ.

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.

Neoptolemus

Though now as a casual spectator you are compliant,

beware lest later, when filled with his disease by its constant company, you prove no longer constant to these sentiments.
520

Chorus

That will not happen. You will never have just cause to rebuke me for that!

Chorus

Wait, let us listen to the two men who are coming!

One is a crewman of your ship, the other a stranger. Go in after you hear their report.
540

Neoptolemus

The service you have done me by your forethought, sir, unless I am unworthy, will remain in my grateful thoughts. But tell me just what the designs are that you mentioned, so that I may understand

what is the strange plan of the Greeks that you know.
560

Merchant

Pursuers are on the way in search of you with a fleet. They are the aged Phoenix and the sons of Theseus.

Neoptolemus

To bring me back by force, or through persuasion?

Merchant

I do not know; but I have come to tell you what I did hear.

Neoptolemus

Are Phoenix and his comrades really so eager to do this favor for the Atreids?
565

Merchant

Be sure that it is being done, and without delay.

Neoptolemus

Then why was Odysseus not ready to sail on this mission, and bring the message himself? Or did some fear hold him back?

Merchant

Oh, he and the son of Tydeus were readying for pursuit of another man, just as I was leaving port.
570

Neoptolemus

Who is this other after whom Odysseus himself was sailing?

Merchant

There was a man. . . . But tell me first who that is over there. And whatever you say, do speak quietly.

Neoptolemus

There, sir, before your eyes is the renowned Philoctetes.
575

Merchant

Then do not question me further, but get yourself out of here as quickly as possible and sail away.

Philoctetes

What is he saying, boy? Why does the sailor traffic with you about me in these dark whispers?

Neoptolemus

His meaning yet eludes me. But, whatever he will say, he must say openly—to you, me and my men here.
580

Merchant

Seed of Achilles, do not stir the army’s resentment against me for saying what I should not. I receive many benefits for what services I do them, as a poor man may.

Neoptolemus

I am the enemy of the Atreids, and this man is my closest friend precisely because he hates them. Since, then, you have come kindly disposed towards me, you must not hide from us any part of their plans that you have heard.
585

Merchant

Beware of what you are doing, boy.

Neoptolemus

I am well aware.

Merchant

I will hold you accountable.
590

Neoptolemus

Do so, but speak.

Philoctetes

Alas! Has he, the utter plague, sworn to fetch me back to the Achaeans by persuasion? For if that were to happen, I could be persuaded, when dead, to come back up

from Hades into the light, as his father did!
625

Merchant

I know nothing about that. But for my part I must return to ship, while for you I pray that god may help you in every possible way. Exit Merchant.

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

ΧΟ.

ἥκιστα. τοῦτ᾽ οὐκ ἔσθ᾽ ὅπως ποτ᾽ εἰς ἐμὲ
515

τοὔνειδος ἕξεις ἕξεις ἔξεις ἐνδίκως ὀνειδίσαι.

ΧΟ.

ἐπίσχετον, μάθωμεν. ἄνδρε γὰρ δύο δύω,

ὁ μὲν νεὼς νεὼ νεὼς σῆς ναυβάτης, ὁ δ᾽ ἀλλόθρους,

χωρεῖτον, ὧν μαθόντες αὖθις αὖτις αὖθις εἴσιτον.

ΕΜ.

φροῦδοι διώκοντές σε ναυτικῷ ναυστικῷ στόλῳ

Φοῖνιξ Φοίνιξ Φοῖνιξ ὁ πρέσβυς οἵ τε Θησέως κόροι.
555

ΝΕ.

ὡς ἐκ βίας μ' ἄξοντες ἢ λόγοις πάλιν ;

ΕΜ.

οὐκ οἶδ᾽. ἀκούσας δ᾽ ἄγγελος πάρειμί σοι.

ΝΕ.

ἢ ταῦτα δὴ Φοῖνίξ ἢ ταῦτα δὴ φοῖνιξ τε χοί ξυνναυβάται

οὕτω καθ᾽ ὁρμὴν δρῶσιν ᾿Ατρειδῶν χάριν;

ΕΜ.

ὡς ταῦτ᾽ ἐπίστω δρώμεν, οὐ μέλλοντ᾽ ἔτι,
560

ΝΕ.

πῶς οὖν Ὀδυσσεὺς πρὸς τάδ᾽ οὐκ αὐτάγγελος

πλεῖν ἦν ἑτοῖμος; ἢ φόβος τις εἶργέ εἶργε εἶργε νιν;

ΕΜ.

κεῖνός γ᾽ ἐπ᾿ ἄλλον ἄνδρ᾽ ὁ Τυδέως τε παῖς

ἔστελλον, ἡνίκ᾽ ἐξανηγόμην ἐγώ ἔσω.

ΝΕ.

πρὸς ποῖον ἂν ἀν ἂν τόνδ᾽ αὐτὸς οὐδυσσεὺς ὁ δυσσεὺς οὑδυσσεὺς ὀδυσσεὺς ἔπλει;
565

ΕΜ.

ἦν δή τις-ἀλλὰ τόνδε μοι πρῶτον φράσον

τίς ἐστίν εστιν· ἂν λέγῃς δὲ μὴ φώνει μέγα.

ΝΕ.

ὅδ᾽ ἔσθ᾽ ὁ κλεινός σοι Φιλοκτήτης, ξένε.

ΕΜ.

μή νύν μὴ νῦν μ᾽ om. ἔρῃ τὰ πλείον, ἀλλ᾽ ὅσον τάχος

ἔκπλει σεαυτὸν ξυλλαβὼν ἐκ τῆσδε γῆς.

ΦΙ.

τί φησιν, ὦ παῖ; τί με κατὰ σκότον ποτὲ

διεμπολᾷ λόγοισι πρός πρό πρός σ᾽ ὁ ναυβάτης;

ΝΕ.

οὐκ οἶδά πω τί φησι· δεῖ δ᾽ αὐτὸν λέγειν
580

εἰς φῶς ὁ λέξει, πρὸς σὲ κἀμὲ τούσδε τε.

ΕΜ.

ὦ σπέρμ᾽ ᾿Αχιλλέως, μή με διαβάλῃς διαβάλληισ διαβάλῃς στρατῷ

λέγονθ᾽ ἃ μὴ δεῖ· πόλλ᾽ ἐγὼ κείνων ὕπο

δρῶν ἀντιπάσχω χρηστά γ', οἱ᾽ ἀνὴρ πένης.

ΕΜ.

ὅρα τί ποιεῖς, παῖ.

NE.

σκοπῶ κἀγὼ πάλαι.
590

ΕΜ.

σὲ θήσομαι τῶνδ᾽ αἴτιον.

NE.

ποιοῦ λέγων.

ΕΜ.

οὐκ οἶδ᾽ ἐγὼ ταῦτ᾽, ἀλλ᾽ ἐγὼ μὲν εἶμ᾽ ἐπὶ

ναῦν, σφῶν δ᾽ ὅπως ἄριστα συμφέροι θεός.

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,