Sophocles, Philoctetes, Robert Potter (Translator), 53

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Philoctetes

O welcome accents! What a joy to hear

That language, to its sound so long disused!

Who brought thee hither? What necessity,
235

What strong desire impell'd thy sails, what wind

To me most dear? Speak to me, tell me all,

That who thou art undoubting I may know.

Philoctetes. Sophocles. Robert Potter (Translator). London. 1820.

Current edition Experimental

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) (English) (English (Robert Potter, 1788))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (2)

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 53 focus

κλύῃς, ὑπουργεῖν, ὡς ὑπηρέτης πάρει.

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 1-134 focus

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἀκτὴ μὲν ἥδε τῆς περιρρύτου χθονὸς
1

Λήμνου, βροτοῖς ἄστιπτος οὐδʼ οἰκουμένη,

ἔνθʼ, ὦ κρατίστου πατρὸς Ἑλλήνων τραφεὶς

Ἀχιλλέως παῖ Νεοπτόλεμε, τὸν Μηλιᾶ

Ποίαντος υἱὸν ἐξέθηκʼ ἐγώ ποτε,
5

ταχθεὶς τόδʼ ἔρδειν τῶν ἀνασσόντων ὕπο,

νόσῳ καταστάζοντα διαβόρῳ πόδα·

ὅτʼ οὔτε λοιβῆς ἡμὶν οὔτε θυμάτων

παρῆν ἑκήλοις προσθιγεῖν, ἀλλʼ ἀγρίαις

κατεῖχʼ ἀεὶ πᾶν στρατόπεδον δυσφημίαις,
10

βοῶν, στενάζων. ἀλλὰ ταῦτα μὲν τί δεῖ

λέγειν; ἀκμὴ γὰρ οὐ μακρῶν ἡμῖν λόγων,

μὴ καὶ μάθῃ μʼ ἥκοντα κἀκχέω τὸ πᾶν

σόφισμα, τῷ νιν αὐτίχʼ αἱρήσειν δοκῶ.

ἀλλʼ ἔργον ἤδη σὸν τὰ λοίφʼ ὑπηρετεῖν
15

σκοπεῖν θʼ ὅπου ʼστʼ ἐνταῦθα δίστομος πέτρα

τοιάδʼ, ἵνʼ ἐν ψύχει μὲν ἡλίου διπλῆ

πάρεστιν ἐνθάκησις, ἐν θέρει δʼ ὕπνον

διʼ ἀμφιτρῆτος αὐλίου πέμπει πνοή·

βαιὸν δʼ ἔνερθεν ἐξ ἀριστερᾶς τάχʼ ἂν
20

ἴδοις ποτὸν κρηναῖον, εἴπερ ἐστὶ σῶν.

ἅ μοι προσελθὼν σῖγα σήμαινʼ εἴτʼ ἐκεῖ

χῶρον τὸν αὐτὸν τόνδʼ ἔτʼ εἴτʼ ἄλλῃ κυρεῖ,

ὡς τἀπίλοιπα τῶν λόγων σὺ μὲν κλύῃς,

ἐγὼ δὲ φράζω, κοινὰ δʼ ἐξ ἀμφοῖν ἴῃ.
25

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἄναξ Ὀδυσσεῦ, τοὔργον οὐ μακρὰν λέγεις·

δοκῶ γὰρ οἷον εἶπας ἄντρον εἰσορᾶν.

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἄνωθεν ἢ κάτωθεν; οὐ γὰρ ἐννοῶ.

Νεοπτόλεμος

τόδʼ ἐξύπερθε· καὶ στίβου γʼ οὐδεὶς κτύπος.

Ὀδυσσεύς

ὅρα καθʼ ὕπνον μὴ καταυλισθεὶς κυρεῖ.
30

Νεοπτόλεμος

ὁρῶ κενὴν οἴκησιν ἀνθρώπων δίχα.

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὐδʼ ἔνδον οἰκοποιός ἐστί τις τροφή;

Νεοπτόλεμος

στιπτή γε φυλλὰς ὡς ἐναυλίζοντί τῳ.

Ὀδυσσεύς

τὰ δʼ ἄλλʼ ἔρημα, κοὐδέν ἐσθʼ ὑπόστεγον;

Νεοπτόλεμος

αὐτόξυλόν γʼ ἔκπωμα, φλαυρουργοῦ τινος
35

τεχνήματʼ ἀνδρός, καὶ πυρεῖʼ ὁμοῦ τάδε.

Ὀδυσσεύς

κείνου τὸ θησαύρισμα σημαίνεις τόδε.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἰοὺ ἰού· καὶ ταῦτά γʼ ἄλλα θάλπεται

ῥάκη, βαρείας του νοσηλείας πλέα.

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἁνὴρ κατοικεῖ τούσδε τοὺς τόπους σαφῶς,
40

κἄστʼ οὐχ ἑκάς που· πῶς γὰρ ἂν νοσῶν ἀνὴρ

κῶλον παλαιᾷ κηρὶ προσβαίη μακράν;

ἀλλʼ ἢ ʼπὶ φορβῆς νόστον ἐξελήλυθεν

ἢ φύλλον εἴ τι νώδυνον κάτοιδέ που.

τὸν οὖν παρόντα πέμψον εἰς κατασκοπήν,
45

μὴ καὶ λάθῃ με προσπεσών· ὡς μᾶλλον ἂν

ἕλοιτό μʼ ἢ τοὺς πάντας Ἀργείους λαβεῖν.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἀλλʼ ἔρχεταί τε καὶ φυλάξεται στίβος.

σὺ δʼ, εἴ τι χρῄζεις, φράζε δευτέρῳ λόγῳ.

Ὀδυσσεύς

Ἀχιλλέως παῖ, δεῖ σʼ ἐφʼ οἷς ἐλήλυθας
50

γενναῖον εἶναι, μὴ μόνον τῷ σώματι,

ἀλλʼ ἤν τι καινὸν ὧν πρὶν οὐκ ἀκήκοας

κλύῃς, ὑπουργεῖν, ὡς ὑπηρέτης πάρει.

Νεοπτόλεμος

τί δῆτʼ ἄνωγας;

Ὀδυσσεύς

τὴν Φιλοκτήτου σε δεῖ

ψυχὴν ὅπως δόλοισιν ἐκκλέψεις λέγων.
55

ὅταν σʼ ἐρωτᾷ τίς τε καὶ πόθεν πάρει,

λέγειν, Ἀχιλλέως παῖς· τόδʼ οὐχὶ κλεπτέον·

πλεῖς δʼ ὡς πρὸς οἶκον, ἐκλιπὼν τὸ ναυτικὸν

στράτευμʼ Ἀχαιῶν, ἔχθος ἐχθήρας μέγα,

οἵ σʼ ἐν λιταῖς στείλαντες ἐξ οἴκων μολεῖν,
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μόνην ἔχοντες τήνδʼ ἅλωσιν Ἰλίου,

οὐκ ἠξίωσαν τῶν Ἀχιλλείων ὅπλων

ἐλθόντι δοῦναι κυρίως αἰτουμένῳ,

ἀλλʼ αὔτʼ Ὀδυσσεῖ παρέδοσαν· λέγων ὅσʼ ἂν

θέλῃς καθʼ ἡμῶν ἔσχατʼ ἐσχάτων κακά.
65

τούτῳ γὰρ οὐδέν μʼ ἀλγυνεῖς· εἰ δʼ ἐργάσει

μὴ ταῦτα, λύπην πᾶσιν Ἀργείοις βαλεῖς.

εἰ γὰρ τὰ τοῦδε τόξα μὴ ληφθήσεται,

οὐκ ἔστι πέρσαι σοι τὸ Δαρδάνου πέδον.

ὡς δʼ ἔστʼ ἐμοὶ μὲν οὐχί, σοὶ δʼ ὁμιλία
70

πρὸς τόνδε πιστὴ καὶ βέβαιος, ἔκμαθε.

σὺ μὲν πέπλευκας οὔτʼ ἔνορκος οὐδενὶ

οὔτʼ ἐξ ἀνάγκης οὔτε τοῦ πρώτου στόλου·

ἐμοὶ δὲ τούτων οὐδέν ἐστʼ ἀρνήσιμον.

ὥστʼ εἴ με τόξων ἐγκρατὴς αἰσθήσεται,
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ὄλωλα καὶ σὲ προσδιαφθερῶ ξυνών.

ἀλλʼ αὐτὸ τοῦτο δεῖ σοφισθῆναι, κλοπεὺς

ὅπως γενήσει τῶν ἀνικήτων ὅπλων.

ἔξοιδα, παῖ, φύσει σε μὴ πεφυκότα

τοιαῦτα φωνεῖν μηδὲ τεχνᾶσθαι κακά·
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ἀλλʼ ἡδὺ γάρ τι κτῆμα τῆς νίκης λαβεῖν,

τόλμα· δίκαιοι δʼ αὖθις ἐκφανούμεθα.

νῦν δʼ εἰς ἀναιδὲς ἡμέρας μέρος βραχὺ

δός μοι σεαυτόν, κᾆτα τὸν λοιπὸν χρόνον

κέκλησο πάντων εὐσεβέστατος βροτῶν.
85

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἐγὼ μὲν οὓς ἂν τῶν λόγων ἀλγῶ κλύων,

Λαερτίου παῖ, τούσδε καὶ πράσσειν στυγῶ·

ἔφυν γὰρ οὐδὲν ἐκ τέχνης πράσσειν κακῆς,

οὔτʼ αὐτὸς οὔθʼ, ὥς φασιν, οὑκφύσας ἐμέ.

ἀλλʼ εἴμʼ ἑτοῖμος πρὸς βίαν τὸν ἄνδρʼ ἄγειν
90

καὶ μὴ δόλοισιν· οὐ γὰρ ἐξ ἑνὸς ποδὸς

ἡμᾶς τοσούσδε πρὸς βίαν χειρώσεται.

πεμφθείς γε μέντοι σοὶ ξυνεργάτης ὀκνῶ

προδότης καλεῖσθαι· βούλομαι δʼ, ἄναξ, καλῶς

δρῶν ἐξαμαρτεῖν μᾶλλον ἢ νικᾶν κακῶς.
95

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἐσθλοῦ πατρὸς παῖ, καὐτὸς ὢν νέος ποτὲ

γλῶσσαν μὲν ἀργόν, χεῖρα δʼ εἶχον ἐργάτιν·

νῦν δʼ εἰς ἔλεγχον ἐξιὼν ὁρῶ βροτοῖς

τὴν γλῶσσαν, οὐχὶ τἄργα, πάνθʼ ἡγουμένην.

Νεοπτόλεμος

τί μʼ οὖν ἄνωγας ἄλλο πλὴν ψευδῆ λέγειν;
100

Ὀδυσσεύς

λέγω σʼ ἐγὼ δόλῳ Φιλοκτήτην λαβεῖν.

Νεοπτόλεμος

τί δʼ ἐν δόλῳ δεῖ μᾶλλον ἢ πείσαντʼ ἄγειν;

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὐ μὴ πίθηται· πρὸς βίαν δʼ οὐκ ἂν λάβοις.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὕτως ἔχει τι δεινὸν ἰσχύος θράσος;

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἰούς γʼ ἀφύκτους καὶ προπέμποντας φόνον.
105

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκ ἆρʼ ἐκείνῳ γʼ οὐδὲ προσμῖξαι θρασύ;

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὔ, μὴ δόλῳ λαβόντα γʼ, ὡς ἐγὼ λέγω.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκ αἰσχρὸν ἡγεῖ δῆτα τὸ ψευδῆ λέγειν;

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὔκ, εἰ τὸ σωθῆναί γε τὸ ψεῦδος φέρει.

Νεοπτόλεμος

πῶς οὖν βλέπων τις ταῦτα τολμήσει λακεῖν;
110

Ὀδυσσεύς

ὅταν τι δρᾷς εἰς κέρδος, οὐκ ὀκνεῖν πρέπει.

Νεοπτόλεμος

κέρδος δʼ ἐμοὶ τί τοῦτον ἐς Τροίαν μολεῖν;

Ὀδυσσεύς

αἱρεῖ τὰ τόξα ταῦτα τὴν Τροίαν μόνα.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκ ἆρʼ ὁ πέρσων, ὡς ἐφάσκετʼ, εἴμʼ ἐγώ;

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὔτʼ ἂν σὺ κείνων χωρὶς οὔτʼ ἐκεῖνα σοῦ.
115

Νεοπτόλεμος

θηρατέʼ οὖν γίγνοιτʼ ἄν, εἴπερ ὧδʼ ἔχει.

Ὀδυσσεύς

ὡς τοῦτό γʼ ἔρξας δύο φέρει δωρήματα.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ποίω; μαθὼν γὰρ οὐκ ἂν ἀρνοίμην τὸ δρᾶν.

Ὀδυσσεύς

σοφός τʼ ἂν αὑτὸς κἀγαθὸς κεκλῇʼ ἅμα.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἴτω· ποήσω, πᾶσαν αἰσχύνην ἀφείς.
120

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἦ μνημονεύεις οὖν ἅ σοι παρῄνεσα;

Νεοπτόλεμος

σάφʼ ἴσθʼ, ἐπείπερ εἰσάπαξ συνῄνεσα.

123

Ὀδυσσεύς

σὺ μὲν μένων νυν κεῖνον ἐνθάδʼ ἐκδέχου,

ἐγὼ δʼ ἄπειμι, μὴ κατοπτευθῶ παρών,

καὶ τὸν σκοπὸν πρὸς ναῦν ἀποστελῶ πάλιν.
125

καὶ δεῦρʼ, ἐάν μοι τοῦ χρόνου δοκῆτέ τι

κατασχολάζειν, αὖθις ἐκπέμψω πάλιν

τοῦτον τὸν αὐτὸν ἄνδρα, ναυκλήρου τρόποις

μορφὴν δολώσας, ὡς ἂν ἀγνοία προσῇ·

οὗ δῆτα, τέκνον, ποικίλως αὐδωμένου
130

δέχου τὰ συμφέροντα τῶν ἀεὶ λόγων.

ἐγὼ δὲ πρὸς ναῦν εἶμι, σοὶ παρεὶς τάδε·

Ἑρμῆς δʼ ὁ πέμπων δόλιος ἡγήσαιτο νῷν

Νίκη τʼ Ἀθάνα Πολιάς, ἣ σῴζει μʼ ἀεί.

Translations (4)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 53 focus

CH. 2
210

From far it peals. But thou, my son!

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 54 focus

Und was begehrst du?

Strebe Philoktetes' Geist

Mir schlau zu hintergehen durch der Rede Kunst.
55

Sobald er anfragt, wer du seist, aus welchem Land,

So sprich: „Achilleus' Sohn"; in diesem rede wahr:

Du schiffest heimwärts, habest dort der Danaer

Schiffsheer verlassen, dem du zürnst in schwerem Zorn,

Das aus der Heimat dich gelockt durch langes Fleh'n,
60

Weil, Ilion zu stürzen, so nur möglich sei,

Und doch dich nicht gewürdigt, dir des Vaters Wehr

Zu geben, die du kommend als dein Recht begehrt,

Nein, ich, Odysseus, habe sie: und sage dann

Von mir das Aergste, Schmach um Schmach, so viel du willst.
65

Mich kränkst du damit nimmermehr; doch, thust du's nicht,

So bringst du Sammer über Argos' ganzes Heer.

Denn wird des Mannes Bogen nicht entwandt von uns,

So kannst du Troja's Veste nicht bewältigen.

Warum ich selbst nicht, sondern du allein dich ihm
70

Getrost und sicher nähern kannst, das höre nun.

Du schifftest, Keinem zugethan durch Eidesschwur,¹

Nach Troja, nicht gezwungen, nicht im ersten Zug;²

Mir steht von allem diesem Nichts zu läugnen an.

Drum wenn er, seines Bogens Herr, mich hier gewahrt,
75

Bin ich verloren und verderbe dich mit mir.

Hier also gilt es eine List, wir müssen spähn,

Wie du der unbesiegten Wehr den Mann beraubst.

Wohl hat, ich weiß es, die Natur dich nicht gemacht

Zu solchen Reden, noch zu Trug und Hinterlist;
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Doch reizend ist es, einzufah'n des Sieges Glück;

So wag' es; künftig handeln wir dann wieder gut.

Sezt gib dich nur für eines Tages kurze Frist

Mir hin zu dreister Lüge; für die Folge dann

Laß dich den Frömmsten nennen, der auf Erden ist!
85

Neoptolemos.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 53 focus

Chorus

New troubles ; for behold he comes !

Not like the shepherd with his rural pipe

And cheerful song, but groaning heavily.

Either his wounded foot against some thorn

Hath struck, and pains him sorely, or perchance

He hath espied from far some ship attempting
215

To enter this inhospitable port.

And hence his cries to save it from destruction.

English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 1-130 focus

Odysseus

This is the headland of sea-washed Lemnos , land untrodden by men and desolate. It was here, child bred of the man who was the noblest of the Greeks, Neoptolemus son of Achilles, that I exposed
1

long ago the native of Malis, Poeas’ son, on the express command of the two chieftains to do so, because his foot was all running with a gnawing disease. Neither libation nor burnt sacrifice could be attempted by us in peace, but with his wild, ill-omened cries
5

he filled the whole camp continually with shrieking, moaning. But what need is there to speak of that? The time is not ripe for too many words, lest he even learn that I am here, and I so waste the whole ruse whereby I think soon to take him.
10

Come, it is your task to serve as my ally in what remains, and to seek where in this region there is a cave with two mouths. During cold weather it provides two seats facing the sun, while in summer a breeze wafts sleep through the tunnelled chamber.
15

And a little below, on the left hand, perhaps, you will see water rising from a spring, if it has not failed. Go there silently, and signal to me whether he still dwells in this same place, or is to be found elsewhere, so that the rest of my plan may be explained by me, heard by you,
20

and sped by the joint effort of us both.
25

Neoptolemus

King Odysseus, the completion of the task that you set me is not far off, for I believe I see a cave like that which you have described.

Odysseus

Above you, or below? I do not see it.

Neoptolemus

Here, high up—and of footfalls there is not a sound.

Odysseus

See that he is not sheltered there asleep.
30

Neoptolemus

I see an empty dwelling, without occupants.

Odysseus

And is there no provision inside for human habitation?

Neoptolemus

There is—a bed of leaves, as if for some one who makes his lodging here.

Odysseus

And all else is bare? There is nothing else beneath the roof?

Neoptolemus

Just a cup of bare wood, the masterpiece of a sorry craftsman, and with it these tools for kindling.
35

Odysseus

His is the store that you describe.

Neoptolemus

Ha! Yes, and here besides are some rags drying in the sun, stained by some severe infection.

Odysseus

The man inhabits these regions, clearly, and is somewhere not far off. How could he go far afield when his foot is maimed by that old plague? No, he has gone out in quest of food, or of some soothing herb that he may have noted somewhere.
40

Send your attendant, therefore, to keep watch, lest he come upon me unawares, since he would rather take me than all the Greeks together.
45

Neoptolemus

The man is going, and the path will be watched. And now, if you need anything else, say so. Exit Attendant, on the spectators’ left.

Odysseus

Son of Achilles, you must be loyal to the goals of your mission—and not with your body alone. Should you hear some new plan unknown to you till now, you must serve it, since it is to serve that you are here.
50

Neoptolemus

Then what are your orders?

Odysseus

You must cheat the mind of Philoctetes by means of a story

told as you converse with him. When he asks you who and from where you are, say that you are the son of Achilles—it is not in that detail that you will cheat him. But tell him you are sailing homeward, and have left the fleet of the Achaean warriors, after coming to hate them with unbounded hatred.
55

Give him this reason: when, with no other hope of taking Ilium , they had summoned you by their prayers to come from home, they judged you not worthy of the arms of Achilles, not worthy to receive them—even though you had come and were claiming them by right—but instead handed them over to Odysseus. Say what you
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will of me—even the vilest of vile insults. You will not harm me at all by that. But if you fail to do as I say, you will inflict pain on all the Argives, for if that man’s bow is not seized, you can never sack the realm of Dardanus.
65

And learn why your intercourse with him may be free from mistrust and danger, while mine cannot. You have sailed to Troy under no oath to any man, nor under any constraint. Neither did you have any part in the earlier expedition. I, however, can deny none of these things. Accordingly, if he
70

perceives me while he is still master of his bow, I am dead, and you, as my comrade, will share my doom. No, the thing for which we must devise a ruse is just this: how you may steal his invincible weapons. Well I know, my son, that by nature you are not apt
75

to utter or contrive such treachery. Yet knowing that victory is a sweet prize to gain, steel yourself to do it. Our honesty shall be displayed another time. Now, however, give yourself to me for one brief, shameless day, and then for the rest of time
80

may you be called the most righteous of all humankind.
85

Neoptolemus

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

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

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

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

I command you to take Philoctetes by deceit.

Neoptolemus

And why by deceit rather than by persuasion?

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

Has he strength so terrific to make him bold?

Odysseus

Yes, shafts inevitable, escorts of death.
105

Neoptolemus

Then one does not dare even approach him?

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

No, not if the falsehood yields deliverance.

Neoptolemus

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

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

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

His arrows alone will capture Troy .

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

123

Odysseus

You stay here, then, to wait for him. Meanwhile I will go away, so as not to be observed here with you,

and I will send our lookout back to your ship. And, if in my view you seem to linger at all beyond the due time, I will send that same man back again, after disguising him as the captain of a merchant-ship, so that secrecy may be on our side.
125

Then, son, as he tells his artful story, take whatever in his tale is from time to time helpful to you. Now I will go to the ship, leaving matters here to you. May escorting Hermes the Deceiver, lead us on, and divine Victory, Athena Polias, who saves me always! Exit Odysseus, on the spectators’ left.
130

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-137-1 φεῦ ¹

mvp-comment-137-2 τὸ καὶ λαβεῖν ²

mvp-comment-137-3 τοιοῦδ’ ἀνδρὸς ³

mvp-comment-137-4 ἐν χρόνῳ μακρῷ ⁴

mvp-comment-138-1 προσέσχε ⁵ προσήγαγεν ⁶ προσέσχε ⁷

mvp-comment-139-1 τίς ἀνέμων ὁ φίλτατος ⁸

mvp-comment-139-2 γέγωνε ⁹

mvp-comment-139-3 ὅπως εἰδῶ ¹⁰

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

234. mvp-comment-160-1 φώνημα] Cp. supr. φωνήσατ'. No utterance could be more welcome. φεῦ .. μακρῷ] 'Ah me! the bliss of being spoken to by one who is a Greek this once in all that length of time.' φεῦ is not merely the interjection of astonishment, but rather expresses a mingled feeling that is too deep for words, the effect of joy coming in suddenly upon sorrow and weariness. The momentariness of the aor. λαβεῖν is expressive.

235. mvp-comment-161-1 τοιοῦδε] Sc. Ἕλληνος. For the vagueness of this, cp. Aj. 330, οἱ τοιοίδε (sc. οἱ μανικῶς διακείμενοι).

236ff. mvp-comment-162-1 Cp. Pind. Pyth. 4. 70, τίς γὰρ ἀρχὰ δέξατο ναυτιλίας; For the Greek manner of putting first what is last in time, see Essay on L. § 41. p. 78, B, b. The exuberant speech of Philoctetes, in his delight at seeing Greeks after ten years' silence, is well contrasted with the embarrassed reserve of Neoptolemus. Cp. El. 1232 foll. He shows, in the address ὦ τέκνον, that his confidence is already won.

236. mvp-comment-163-1 προσέσχε is causative. See Essay on L. § 53. p. 98. προσήγαγε, 'Drew you this way;' προσέσχε, 'Brought you to the shore.'

237. mvp-comment-164-1 ὁρμή] 'Cause of departure,' nearly = στόλος, infr. 244. τίς ἀνέμων ὁ φίλτατος] 'What wind, of all most dear?' For the extravagant language, cp. Shak. Cymb. 3. 2, 'Say, and speak thick,.. how far it is To this same blessed Milford, and, by the way, Tell me how Wales was made so happy as To inherit such a haven but first of all,' etc.

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Philoctetes O welcome accents! What a joy to hear That language, to its sound so long disused! Who brought thee hither? What necessity, 235 What strong desire impell'd thy sails, what wind To me most dear? Speak to me, tell me all, That who thou art undoubting I may know.

Current edition Experimental

Νεοπτόλεμος ἄναξ Ὀδυσσεῦ, τοὔργον οὐ μακρὰν λέγεις· δοκῶ γὰρ οἷον εἶπας ἄντρον εἰσορᾶν.

Ὀδυσσεύς ἄνωθεν ἢ κάτωθεν; οὐ γὰρ ἐννοῶ.

Νεοπτόλεμος τόδʼ ἐξύπερθε· καὶ στίβου γʼ οὐδεὶς κτύπος.

Ὀδυσσεύς ὅρα καθʼ ὕπνον μὴ καταυλισθεὶς κυρεῖ. 30

Νεοπτόλεμος ὁρῶ κενὴν οἴκησιν ἀνθρώπων δίχα.

Ὀδυσσεύς οὐδʼ ἔνδον οἰκοποιός ἐστί τις τροφή;

Νεοπτόλεμος στιπτή γε φυλλὰς ὡς ἐναυλίζοντί τῳ.

Ὀδυσσεύς τὰ δʼ ἄλλʼ ἔρημα, κοὐδέν ἐσθʼ ὑπόστεγον;

Νεοπτόλεμος αὐτόξυλόν γʼ ἔκπωμα, φλαυρουργοῦ τινος 35 τεχνήματʼ ἀνδρός, καὶ πυρεῖʼ ὁμοῦ τάδε.

Ὀδυσσεύς κείνου τὸ θησαύρισμα σημαίνεις τόδε.

Νεοπτόλεμος ἰοὺ ἰού· καὶ ταῦτά γʼ ἄλλα θάλπεται ῥάκη, βαρείας του νοσηλείας πλέα.

Νεοπτόλεμος ἀλλʼ ἔρχεταί τε καὶ φυλάξεται στίβος. σὺ δʼ, εἴ τι χρῄζεις, φράζε δευτέρῳ λόγῳ.

Νεοπτόλεμος τί δῆτʼ ἄνωγας;

Νεοπτόλεμος τί μʼ οὖν ἄνωγας ἄλλο πλὴν ψευδῆ λέγειν; 100

Ὀδυσσεύς λέγω σʼ ἐγὼ δόλῳ Φιλοκτήτην λαβεῖν.

Νεοπτόλεμος τί δʼ ἐν δόλῳ δεῖ μᾶλλον ἢ πείσαντʼ ἄγειν;

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

Νεοπτόλεμος οὕτως ἔχει τι δεινὸν ἰσχύος θράσος;

Ὀδυσσεύς ἰούς γʼ ἀφύκτους καὶ προπέμποντας φόνον. 105

Νεοπτόλεμος οὐκ ἆρʼ ἐκείνῳ γʼ οὐδὲ προσμῖξαι θρασύ;

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

Νεοπτόλεμος οὐκ αἰσχρὸν ἡγεῖ δῆτα τὸ ψευδῆ λέγειν;

Ὀδυσσεύς οὔκ, εἰ τὸ σωθῆναί γε τὸ ψεῦδος φέρει.

Νεοπτόλεμος πῶς οὖν βλέπων τις ταῦτα τολμήσει λακεῖν; 110

Ὀδυσσεύς ὅταν τι δρᾷς εἰς κέρδος, οὐκ ὀκνεῖν πρέπει.

Νεοπτόλεμος κέρδος δʼ ἐμοὶ τί τοῦτον ἐς Τροίαν μολεῖν;

Ὀδυσσεύς αἱρεῖ τὰ τόξα ταῦτα τὴν Τροίαν μόνα.

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

Ὀδυσσεύς οὔτʼ ἂν σὺ κείνων χωρὶς οὔτʼ ἐκεῖνα σοῦ. 115

Νεοπτόλεμος θηρατέʼ οὖν γίγνοιτʼ ἄν, εἴπερ ὧδʼ ἔχει.

Ὀδυσσεύς ὡς τοῦτό γʼ ἔρξας δύο φέρει δωρήματα.

Νεοπτόλεμος ποίω; μαθὼν γὰρ οὐκ ἂν ἀρνοίμην τὸ δρᾶν.

Ὀδυσσεύς σοφός τʼ ἂν αὑτὸς κἀγαθὸς κεκλῇʼ ἅμα.

Νεοπτόλεμος ἴτω· ποήσω, πᾶσαν αἰσχύνην ἀφείς. 120

Ὀδυσσεύς ἦ μνημονεύεις οὖν ἅ σοι παρῄνεσα;

Νεοπτόλεμος σάφʼ ἴσθʼ, ἐπείπερ εἰσάπαξ συνῄνεσα.

CH. 2 210 From far it peals. But thou, my son!

Neoptolemos.

Neoptolemus King Odysseus, the completion of the task that you set me is not far off, for I believe I see a cave like that which you have described.

Odysseus Above you, or below? I do not see it.

Neoptolemus Here, high up—and of footfalls there is not a sound.

Odysseus See that he is not sheltered there asleep. 30

Neoptolemus I see an empty dwelling, without occupants.

Odysseus And is there no provision inside for human habitation?

Neoptolemus There is—a bed of leaves, as if for some one who makes his lodging here.

Odysseus And all else is bare? There is nothing else beneath the roof?

Neoptolemus Just a cup of bare wood, the masterpiece of a sorry craftsman, and with it these tools for kindling. 35

Odysseus His is the store that you describe.

Neoptolemus Ha! Yes, and here besides are some rags drying in the sun, stained by some severe infection.

Neoptolemus The man is going, and the path will be watched. And now, if you need anything else, say so. Exit Attendant, on the spectators’ left.

Odysseus Son of Achilles, you must be loyal to the goals of your mission—and not with your body alone. Should you hear some new plan unknown to you till now, you must serve it, since it is to serve that you are here. 50

Neoptolemus Then what are your orders?

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

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

Odysseus I command you to take Philoctetes by deceit.

Neoptolemus And why by deceit rather than by persuasion?

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

Neoptolemus Has he strength so terrific to make him bold?

Odysseus Yes, shafts inevitable, escorts of death. 105

Neoptolemus Then one does not dare even approach him?

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

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

Odysseus No, not if the falsehood yields deliverance.

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

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

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

Odysseus His arrows alone will capture Troy .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Philoctetes

O welcome accents! What a joy to hear

That language, to its sound so long disused!

Who brought thee hither? What necessity,
235

What strong desire impell'd thy sails, what wind

To me most dear? Speak to me, tell me all,

That who thou art undoubting I may know.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἄναξ Ὀδυσσεῦ, τοὔργον οὐ μακρὰν λέγεις·

δοκῶ γὰρ οἷον εἶπας ἄντρον εἰσορᾶν.

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἄνωθεν ἢ κάτωθεν; οὐ γὰρ ἐννοῶ.

Νεοπτόλεμος

τόδʼ ἐξύπερθε· καὶ στίβου γʼ οὐδεὶς κτύπος.

Ὀδυσσεύς

ὅρα καθʼ ὕπνον μὴ καταυλισθεὶς κυρεῖ.
30

Νεοπτόλεμος

ὁρῶ κενὴν οἴκησιν ἀνθρώπων δίχα.

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὐδʼ ἔνδον οἰκοποιός ἐστί τις τροφή;

Νεοπτόλεμος

στιπτή γε φυλλὰς ὡς ἐναυλίζοντί τῳ.

Ὀδυσσεύς

τὰ δʼ ἄλλʼ ἔρημα, κοὐδέν ἐσθʼ ὑπόστεγον;

Νεοπτόλεμος

αὐτόξυλόν γʼ ἔκπωμα, φλαυρουργοῦ τινος
35

τεχνήματʼ ἀνδρός, καὶ πυρεῖʼ ὁμοῦ τάδε.

Ὀδυσσεύς

κείνου τὸ θησαύρισμα σημαίνεις τόδε.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἰοὺ ἰού· καὶ ταῦτά γʼ ἄλλα θάλπεται

ῥάκη, βαρείας του νοσηλείας πλέα.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἀλλʼ ἔρχεταί τε καὶ φυλάξεται στίβος.

σὺ δʼ, εἴ τι χρῄζεις, φράζε δευτέρῳ λόγῳ.

Νεοπτόλεμος

τί δῆτʼ ἄνωγας;

Νεοπτόλεμος

τί μʼ οὖν ἄνωγας ἄλλο πλὴν ψευδῆ λέγειν;
100

Ὀδυσσεύς

λέγω σʼ ἐγὼ δόλῳ Φιλοκτήτην λαβεῖν.

Νεοπτόλεμος

τί δʼ ἐν δόλῳ δεῖ μᾶλλον ἢ πείσαντʼ ἄγειν;

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὐ μὴ πίθηται· πρὸς βίαν δʼ οὐκ ἂν λάβοις.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὕτως ἔχει τι δεινὸν ἰσχύος θράσος;

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἰούς γʼ ἀφύκτους καὶ προπέμποντας φόνον.
105

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκ ἆρʼ ἐκείνῳ γʼ οὐδὲ προσμῖξαι θρασύ;

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὔ, μὴ δόλῳ λαβόντα γʼ, ὡς ἐγὼ λέγω.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκ αἰσχρὸν ἡγεῖ δῆτα τὸ ψευδῆ λέγειν;

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὔκ, εἰ τὸ σωθῆναί γε τὸ ψεῦδος φέρει.

Νεοπτόλεμος

πῶς οὖν βλέπων τις ταῦτα τολμήσει λακεῖν;
110

Ὀδυσσεύς

ὅταν τι δρᾷς εἰς κέρδος, οὐκ ὀκνεῖν πρέπει.

Νεοπτόλεμος

κέρδος δʼ ἐμοὶ τί τοῦτον ἐς Τροίαν μολεῖν;

Ὀδυσσεύς

αἱρεῖ τὰ τόξα ταῦτα τὴν Τροίαν μόνα.

Νεοπτόλεμος

οὐκ ἆρʼ ὁ πέρσων, ὡς ἐφάσκετʼ, εἴμʼ ἐγώ;

Ὀδυσσεύς

οὔτʼ ἂν σὺ κείνων χωρὶς οὔτʼ ἐκεῖνα σοῦ.
115

Νεοπτόλεμος

θηρατέʼ οὖν γίγνοιτʼ ἄν, εἴπερ ὧδʼ ἔχει.

Ὀδυσσεύς

ὡς τοῦτό γʼ ἔρξας δύο φέρει δωρήματα.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ποίω; μαθὼν γὰρ οὐκ ἂν ἀρνοίμην τὸ δρᾶν.

Ὀδυσσεύς

σοφός τʼ ἂν αὑτὸς κἀγαθὸς κεκλῇʼ ἅμα.

Νεοπτόλεμος

ἴτω· ποήσω, πᾶσαν αἰσχύνην ἀφείς.
120

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἦ μνημονεύεις οὖν ἅ σοι παρῄνεσα;

Νεοπτόλεμος

σάφʼ ἴσθʼ, ἐπείπερ εἰσάπαξ συνῄνεσα.

CH. 2
210

From far it peals. But thou, my son!

Neoptolemus

King Odysseus, the completion of the task that you set me is not far off, for I believe I see a cave like that which you have described.

Odysseus

Above you, or below? I do not see it.

Neoptolemus

Here, high up—and of footfalls there is not a sound.

Odysseus

See that he is not sheltered there asleep.
30

Neoptolemus

I see an empty dwelling, without occupants.

Odysseus

And is there no provision inside for human habitation?

Neoptolemus

There is—a bed of leaves, as if for some one who makes his lodging here.

Odysseus

And all else is bare? There is nothing else beneath the roof?

Neoptolemus

Just a cup of bare wood, the masterpiece of a sorry craftsman, and with it these tools for kindling.
35

Odysseus

His is the store that you describe.

Neoptolemus

Ha! Yes, and here besides are some rags drying in the sun, stained by some severe infection.

Neoptolemus

The man is going, and the path will be watched. And now, if you need anything else, say so. Exit Attendant, on the spectators’ left.

Odysseus

Son of Achilles, you must be loyal to the goals of your mission—and not with your body alone. Should you hear some new plan unknown to you till now, you must serve it, since it is to serve that you are here.
50

Neoptolemus

Then what are your orders?

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

I command you to take Philoctetes by deceit.

Neoptolemus

And why by deceit rather than by persuasion?

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

Has he strength so terrific to make him bold?

Odysseus

Yes, shafts inevitable, escorts of death.
105

Neoptolemus

Then one does not dare even approach him?

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

No, not if the falsehood yields deliverance.

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

His arrows alone will capture Troy .

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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

Odysseus

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

Neoptolemus

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