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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.

Philoctetes. Sophocles. ed. Francis Storr. London. 1913.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.

Current edition Experimental

Φιλοκτήτης (Greek) (Sophocles, Volume 2. Storr, Francis, editor. London; New York: William Heinemann Ltd.; The Macmillan Company, 1913.)

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (1)

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 591 focus

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.

Translations (5)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 591 focus

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

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 591 focus

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!¹

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.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 591 focus

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

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 591 focus

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

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.

English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 591 focus

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.

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-325-1 λέγω ¹

mvp-comment-325-2 )πὶ τοῦτον ²

mvp-comment-325-3 τοῦτον ³

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 ⁴

mvp-comment-326-2 ἦ μὴν ⁵

mvp-comment-327-1 πείσαντες ⁶ πρὸς ⁷

mvp-comment-328-1 πλέον ⁸

mvp-comment-328-2 θατέρου ⁹

mvp-comment-329-1 τίνος … πράγματος χάριν ¹⁰

mvp-comment-329-2 χρόνῳ τοσῷδε ¹¹

mvp-comment-329-3 ἐπεστρέφοντο ¹²

mvp-comment-329-4 ἄγαν οὕτω ¹³

mvp-comment-329-5 The order of the words is remarkable, not only because τίνος ¹⁴ πράγματος ¹⁵ τοῦδ’ ¹⁶

mvp-comment-330-1 εἶχον … ἐκβεβληκότες ¹⁷

mvp-comment-330-2 χρόνιον ¹⁸

mvp-comment-331-1 τίς ὁ πόθος ¹⁹

mvp-comment-331-2 ἵκετ’ ²⁰

mvp-comment-331-3 θεῶν βία ²¹

mvp-comment-331-4 νέμεσις ²²

mvp-comment-331-5 ἀμύνουσιν ²³

mvp-comment-332-1 ὄνομα δ’ ὠνομάζετο ²⁴

mvp-comment-333-1 Ἕλενος ²⁵

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 ²⁶

mvp-comment-334-2 λωβητὰ ἔπη ²⁷

mvp-comment-335-1 ἐς μέσον ²⁸ ἔδειξ’ ²⁹

mvp-comment-336-1 τά τ’ ἄλλα … πάντα ³⁰ καὶ ³¹

mvp-comment-337-1 τἀπὶ Τροίᾳ πέργαμ’ ³²

mvp-comment-337-2 οὐ μή ποτε πέρσοιεν ³³ οὐ μή ³⁴

mvp-comment-337-3 οὐ δηποτε πέρσοιεν ³⁵

mvp-comment-338-1 ἄγοιντο ³⁶ ἀγάγοιντο ³⁷ ἄξοιντο ³⁸ ἄγοιντο ³⁹

mvp-comment-338-2 νήσου ⁴⁰

mvp-comment-338-3 617 The words οἴοιτο μὲν μάλιστα ⁴¹

mvp-comment-338-4 μάλιστα ⁴³ οἴοιτο ⁴⁴

mvp-comment-339-1 τούτων ⁴⁵ μὴ τυχών ⁴⁶

mvp-comment-339-2 κάρα τέμνειν ⁴⁷ ἐφεῖτο ⁴⁸

mvp-comment-340-1 τὸ σπεύδειν ⁴⁹

mvp-comment-340-2 σοι καὐτῷ ⁵⁰ πέρι ⁵¹

mvp-comment-341-1 ἡ πασα βλάβη ⁵²

mvp-comment-342-1 πεισθήσομαι ⁵³

mvp-comment-342-2 γὰρ ⁵⁴

mvp-comment-342-3 ὧδε ⁵⁵

mvp-comment-342-4 πρὸς φῶς ἀνελθεῖν ⁵⁶

mvp-comment-342-5 οὑκείνου πατήρ ⁵⁷

mvp-comment-343-1 συμφέροι ⁵⁸

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

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.

Sophocles Philoctetes 591

ed. Francis Storr

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Ἔμπορος

οὐκ οἶδʼ ἐγὼ ταῦτʼ· ἀλλʼ ἐγὼ μὲν εἶμʼ ἐπὶ

ναῦν, σφῷν δʼ ὅπως ἄριστα συμφέροι θεός.

Current edition Experimental

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ΦΙΛΟΚΤΗΤΗΣ.

ΕΜ.

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

ναῦν, σφῶν δ᾽ ὅπως ἄριστα συμφέροι θεός.

ΦΙ.

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?

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

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?

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!¹

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Ἔμπορος οὐκ οἶδʼ ἐγὼ ταῦτʼ· ἀλλʼ ἐγὼ μὲν εἶμʼ ἐπὶ ναῦν, σφῷν δʼ ὅπως ἄριστα συμφέροι θεός.

Current edition Experimental

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ΦΙΛΟΚΤΗΤΗΣ.

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

ΦΙ.

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?

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

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?

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! 1

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Ἔμπορος

οὐκ οἶδʼ ἐγὼ ταῦτʼ· ἀλλʼ ἐγὼ μὲν εἶμʼ ἐπὶ

ναῦν, σφῷν δʼ ὅπως ἄριστα συμφέροι θεός.

ΕΜ.

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

ναῦν, σφῶν δ᾽ ὅπως ἄριστα συμφέροι θεός.

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?

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.

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?

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!¹

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.

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

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

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.

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.