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[2] Heracles had constrained his son Hyllus to aid in pre- ¹ paring the funeral-pile, but could not prevail upon him to kindle it. That office was performed, at his urgent prayer, by the youthful Philoctetes, son of Poeas, king of Malis². In token of gratitude, Heracles bequeathed to Philoctetes the bow and arrows which he himself had received from Apollo.

In the myths relating to the Trojan war a most important part belonged to the man who had thus inherited the invincible weapons. Homer, indeed, does not say much about him; but the Iliad contains only an episode in the tenth year of the war: the part played by Philoctetes came before and after that moment. The allusion in the Second Book of the Iliad is, however, significant; it glances backwards and forwards. He is there mentioned as a skilful archer, who had sailed from Greece in command of seven ships, but had been left behind in Lemnos, wounded by the bite of a deadly water-snake. And then the poet adds that the Greeks at Troy will soon have cause to bethink them of Philoctetes³ In the Odyssey he is named only twice; in one place, as having been the best bowman at Troy; in another, as one of those heroes who came safely home⁴ But his adventures were fully told in other epics. The events preceding the action of the Iliad were contained in the Cypria, an epic whose reputed author, Stasînus of Cyprus, lived early in the eighth century B.C. That poem described how Philoctetes was bitten by the snake,—while the Greeks, on their way to Troy, were at Tenedos,—and was abandoned in Lemnos. His later fortunes were narrated in the Little Iliad, ascribed to Lesches of Mitylene ( circa 700 B.C.), and in the Iliupersis, or ‘Sack of Troy,’ by Arctînus of Miletus ( c. 776 B.C.). The contents of these lost works are known chiefly from the prose summaries of the grammarian Proclus (140 A.D. ), as partly preserved by Photius in his Bibliotheca. The following is an outline of the story in its epic form.

Introduction to Commentary on Sophocles: Philoctetes. Sir Richard C. Jebb. Cambridge. 1932.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by National Endowment for the Humanities.

Current edition Perseus

Introduction to Commentary on Sophocles: Philoctetes (English) (Sophocles, The plays and fragments with critical notes. Part 4, The Philoctetes. Jebb, Richard Claverhouse, author. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1932.)

Editions (2)

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 1 focus

᾿ΑΚΤῊ μὲν ἥδε τῆς περιρρύτου χθονὸς
1

Λήμνου, βροτοῖς ἄστιπτος οὐδ᾽ οἰκουμένη οἰκουμένην,

ἔνθ᾽, ὦ κρατίστου πατρὸς ῾Ελλήνων τραφεὶς

᾿Αχιλλέως παῖ Νεοπτόλεμε, τὸν Μηλιᾶ

Ποίαντος υἱὸν ἐξέθηκ᾽ ἐγώ ποτε,
5

ταχθεὶς τόδ᾽ ἔρδειν τῶν ἀνασσόντων ὕπο,

νόσῳ καταστάζοντα διαβόρῳ πόδα·

ὅτ᾽ οὔτε λοιβῆς ἡμὶν ἦμιν ἡμὶν οὔτε θυμάτων

παρῆν ἑκήλοις προσθιγεῖν, ἀλλ᾽ ἀγρίαις

κατεῖχ᾽ κατείχετ' κατεῖχ᾿ ἀεὶ πᾶν στρατόπεδον δυσφημίαις,
10

βοῶν, στενάζων. ἀλλὰ ταῦτα μὲν τί δεῖ

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

λέγειν; ἀκμὴ γὰρ οὐ μακρῶν ἡμῖν λόγων,

μὴ καὶ μάθῃ μ' ἥκοντα κἀκχέω τὸ πᾶν

σόφισμα τῷ νιν αὐτίχ᾽ αὐτίκ αὐτίχ᾿ αἱρήσειν δοκῶ.

ἀλλ᾽ ἔργον ἤδη σὸν τὰ λοίφ᾽ λοίπ᾿ λοίπ' λοίφ' ὑπηρετεῖν,
15

σκοπεῖν θ᾽ om. add ὅπου 'στ᾽ ὅπούστ᾽ ὅποὔστιν ἐνταῦθα δίστομος πέτρα

τοιάδ', ἵν ἐν ψύχει μὲν ἡλίου διπλῆ

πάρεστιν ἐνθάκησις, ἐν θέρει δ᾽ ὕπνον

δι' ἀμφιτρῆτος αὐλίου πέμπει πνοή.

βαιὸν δ᾽ ἔνερθεν ἐξ ἀριστερᾶς τάχ᾽ ἂν
20

ἴδοις ποτὸν κρηναῖον, εἴπερ ἐστὶ σῶν.

ἅ μοι προσελθὼν σῖγα σήμαιν᾽ εἰτ' ἔχει ἔχει ἔνι

χῶρον πρὸς αὐτὸν τόνδε γ', εἴτ᾿ ἄλλῃ κυρεῖ,

ὡς τἀπίλοιπα τῶν λόγων σὺ μὲν κλύῃς,

ἐγὼ δὲ φράζω, κοινὰ δ᾽ ἐξ ἀμφοῖν * ἴῃ.
25

ΦΙΛΟΚΤΗΤΗΣ.

ΝΕΟΠΤΟΛΕΜΟΣ,

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,
60

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,
75

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·
80

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 (5)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 1 focus

This coast of sea-girt Lemnos, where we stand,
1

Is uninhabited, untrodden of men.
1

And here, O noble son of noblest sire,
1

Achilles-born Neoptolemus, I erewhile,—

Ordered by those who had command,—cast forth

Trachinian Philoctetes, Poeas’ son,

His foot dark-dripping with a rankling wound;

When with wild cries, that frighted holy rest,

Filling the camp, he troubled every rite,

That none might handle sacrifice, or pour

Wine-offering, but his noise disturbed our peace.
5

But why these words? No moment this for talk,
5

Lest he discern my coming, and I lose

The scheme, wherewith I think to catch him soon.

Now most behoves thy service, to explore

This headland for a cave with double mouth,

Whose twofold aperture, on wintry days,

Gives choice of sunshine, and in summer noons

The breeze wafts slumber through the airy cell.

Then, something lower down, upon the left,

Unless ’tis dried, thine eye may note a spring.

Go near now silently, and make me know

If still he persevere, and hold this spot,
10

Or have roamed elsewhere, that informed of this
10

I may proceed with what remains to say,

And we may act in concert.

NEOPTOLEMUS

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 1 focus

Das ist der Strand von Lemnos' ringsumfloss'nen Gau'n,¹²
1

Stets unbetreten, unbewohnt von Sterblichen.

Hier, Sohn Achillens, edler Sproß des tapfersten

Hellenen, o Neoptolemos, hier hab' ich einst

Den Sohn des Pöas ausgesezt, den Melier,³
5

Wie durch des Heeres Fürsten mir geboten ward,

Weil ihm von eklem Eiter troff der wunde Fuß,

Da ruhig weder Räucherwerk noch Spenden wir⁴

Anrühren konnten: also füllt er ohne Rast

Mit grauser Töne wildem Ruf das Lager an,
10

Und heulte, stöhnte. Doch wozu dies Alles noch

Erwähnen? Lang zu reden ist hier keine Zeit;

Er könnte mich bemerken und mein ganzer Plan

Zerrinnen, der, ich hoffe, bald ihn fahen soll.

Sezt ist es deine Sache, mir hülfreich zu sein,
15

Und auszuspähen, wo der doppelmündige

Fels ist, in welchem Winters für die Sonne sich

Zwiefach die Einkehr öffnet, und im Sommer Schlaf

Die kühlen Lüfte durch die offne Grotte weh'n.

Ein wenig tiefer, links hinab, erblickst du wohl
20

Den Born zum Trinken, wenn er nicht versiegen ging.

Tritt leise näher und bedeute mir sofort,

Ob dort die Grotte wirklich ist, ob anderwärts,

Daß du vernehmest, was ich sonst anordne noch,

Und ich's dir sage; denn gemeinsam sei das Werk!
25

Neoptolemos.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 1 focus

At length, my noble friend, thou bravest son
1

Of a brave father — father of us all,
1

The great Achilles — we have reached the shore
1

Of sea-girt Lemnos, desert and forlorn,

Where never tread of human step is seen.

Or voice of mortal heard, save his alone,

Whom here I left ; for such were my commands

From Grecia's chiefs, when by his fatal wound

Oppressed, his groans and execrations dreadful

Alarmed our hosts, our sacred rites profaned,

And interrupted holy sacrifice.

But why should I repeat the tale 1 The time
5

Admits not of delay. We must not linger.
5

Lest he discover our arrival here,

And all our purposed fraud to draw him hence

Be ineffectual. Lend me then thy aid.

Surv'eying round thee, canst thou see a rock

With double entrance — to the sun's warm rays

In winter open, and in summer's heat

Giving free pasj^age to the welcome breeze ?

A little to the left there is a fountain

Of li\-ing water, where, if yet he breathes.

He slakes his thirst. If aught thou seest of this

Inform me \ so shall each to each impart
10

Council mast fit, and serve our common cause.
10

Ned. ]}iaiing Ulysses a little behind /dm]. If I
10

mistake not, I behold a cave,

E'en such as thou describst.

Ulysses

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 1 focus

THIS is the shore of Lemnos, sea-girt isle;
1

No human footstep marks the ground: no hut,
1

Which man inhabits, rises to the eye :
1

Here, Neoptolemus, thou noble son

Of the most valiant of the Grecian Chiefs,

In times long past, commanded by the kings

To do this deed; for from his wounded foot

A rankling ulcer oozed, and undisturb'd

Nor victim nor libation could our hands

Present; through all the camp his dismal groans

And horrid cries resounded. But these things
5

Why should I now relate? This is no time
5

For long discourse, lest, my arrival known,
5

I frustrate all my subtle trains, in which

I think to take him soon. Thine now the task..

To act as I direct thee, and observe

If here the pierced rock to the winter's sun

Presents on either side a cheerful seat;

But in the summer through the pervious cleft

The gently-passing gale leads sleep along.

A little lower, on the left, perchance

A fountain thou may'st see, of whose pure stream,

If living yet, he drinks: with silent step

Advance, and tell me in, that place if still
10

He holds his habitation, or elsewhere.
10

Further instructions then thou may'st receive,

And I may give them: mutual be our toil.

Neoptolemus

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
60

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?
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.

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

Notes on the current edition

Introduction to Commentary on Sophocles: Philoctetes

1. The legend in epic poetry.

2. With regard to the other version, according to which Poeas was the kindler, see on v. 802.

3. Il. 2. 721 ff.:

ἀλλ’ ὁ μὲν ἐν νήσῳ κεῖτο κρατέρ’ ἄλγεα πάσχων, Λήμνῳ ἐν ἠγαθέῃ, ὅθι μιν λίπον υἷες Ἀχαιῶν, ἕλκει μοχθίζοντα κακῷ ὀλοόφρονος ὕδρου· ἔνθ’ ὅ γε κεῖτ’ ἀχέων· τάχα δὲ μνήσεσθαι ἔμελλον Ἀργεῖοι παρὰ νηυσὶ Φιλοκτήταο ἄνακτος

4. Od. 8. 219 : 3. 190.

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ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ΦΙΛΟΚΤΗΤΗΣ.

ΝΕΟΠΤΟΛΕΜΟΣ,

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.

NEOPTOLEMUS

Neoptolemos.

Ulysses

Neoptolemus

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.

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.

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.