Philoctetes:Ah, me, I am sold, destroyed! It was he, then, who entrapped me and robbed me of my arms.
Φιλοκτήτης:οἴμοι· πέπραμαι κἀπόλωλʼ· ὅδʼ ἦν ἄραὁ ξυλλαβών με κἀπονοσφίσας ὅπλων.
Odysseus:Yes, I and no other. I avow it.
Ὀδυσσεύς:ἐγώ, σάφʼ ἴσθʼ, οὐκ ἄλλος· ὁμολογῶ τάδε.
Philoctetes:Give back my bow, boy, give it up.
Φιλοκτήτης:ἀπόδος, ἄφες μοι, παῖ, τὰ τόξα.
Odysseus:That he shall never do, even if he wished to. And, what is more, you must come along with it, or my men will bring you by force.
Ὀδυσσεύς:τοῦτο μέν,οὐδʼ ἢν θέλῃ, δράσει ποτʼ· ἀλλὰ καὶ σὲ δεῖστείχειν ἅμʼ αὐτοῖς, ἢ βίᾳ στελοῦσί σε.
Philoctetes:Me, you basest and boldest of scoundrels,they will take me by force?
Φιλοκτήτης:ἔμʼ, ὦ κακῶν κάκιστε καὶ τολμήστατε,οἵδʼ ἐκ βίας ἄξουσιν;
Odysseus:Unless you come of your own free will.
Ὀδυσσεύς:ἢν μὴ ἕρπῃς ἑκών.
Philoctetes:O Lemnos, and you all-conquering flame kindled by Hephaestus, will you indeed endure it that this man should take me from your domain by force?
Φιλοκτήτης:ὦ Λημνία χθὼν καὶ τὸ παγκρατὲς σέλαςἩφαιστότευκτον, ταῦτα δῆτʼ ἀνασχετά,εἴ μʼ οὗτος ἐκ τῶν σῶν ἀπάξεται βίᾳ;
Odysseus:Zeus it is, I tell you, Zeus, who rules this land,and it is by Zeus that these actions are decreed. I am his servant.
Ὀδυσσεύς:Ζεύς ἐσθʼ, ἵνʼ εἰδῇς, Ζεύς, ὁ τῆσδε γῆς κρατῶν,Ζεύς, ᾧ δέδοκται ταῦθʼ· ὑπηρετῶ δʼ ἐγώ.
Philoctetes:Hated creature, what clever pleading you devise! By sheltering yourself behind the gods, you make the gods liars.
Φιλοκτήτης:ὦ μῖσος, οἷα κἀξανευρίσκεις λέγειν·θεοὺς προτείνων τοὺς θεοὺς ψευδεῖς τίθης.
Odysseus:No, but true prophets. Now our march must begin.
Ὀδυσσεύς:οὔκ, ἀλλʼ ἀληθεῖς· ἡ δʼ ὁδὸς πορευτέα.
Philoctetes:Never!
Φιλοκτήτης:οὔ φημʼ.
Odysseus:Now, I say. You must obey.
Ὀδυσσεύς:ἐγὼ δέ φημι. πειστέον τάδε.
Philoctetes:Ah, misery! Clearly, then, my father sired me to be a slave and no free man.
Φιλοκτήτης:οἴμοι τάλας. ἡμᾶς μὲν ὡς δούλους σαφῶςπατὴρ ἄρʼ ἐξέφυσεν οὐδʼ ἐλευθέρους.
Odysseus:Not so, but to be the peer of the best and bravest, with whom you are destined to take Troy and force it to the ground.
Ὀδυσσεύς:οὔκ, ἀλλʼ ὁμοίους τοῖς ἀρίστοισιν, μεθʼ ὧνΤροίαν σʼ ἑλεῖν δεῖ καὶ κατασκάψαι βίᾳ.
Philoctetes:No, never—even if I must suffer every torment,so long as I have this island’s steep cliffs beneath me!
Φιλοκτήτης:οὐδέποτέ γʼ· οὐδʼ ἢν χρῇ με πᾶν παθεῖν κακόν,ἕως ἂν ᾖ μοι γῆς τόδʼ αἰπεινὸν βάθρον.
Odysseus:What do you plan to do?
Ὀδυσσεύς:τί δʼ ἐργασείεις;
Philoctetes:Throw myself now from the rock and shatter my head on the rocks below!
Φιλοκτήτης:κρᾶτʼ ἐμὸν τόδʼ αὐτίκαπέτρᾳ πέτρας ἄνωθεν αἱμάξω πεσών.
Odysseus:Quick, seize him, both of you! Do not give him the chance!
Ὀδυσσεύς:ξυλλάβετον αὐτόν· μὴ ʼπὶ τῷδʼ ἔστω τάδε.
Philoctetes:O my arms, what shames you suffer for lack of your cherishedbow, now that you are made that man’s bound quarry! And you, who cannot think one healthy or one noble thought, how stealthily you have once more ambushed and trapped me, taking this boy for your screen, because he was a stranger to me. He is too good for your company, but worthy of mine,since he had no thought but to execute his orders, and he already shows remorse for his own errors and for the wrongs done me. But your corrupt mind, always on the lookout from some position of ambush, trained him well—unsuited and unwilling though he was—to be cunning in evil. And now, wretch, for me you plan bonds and passage from the very shore on which you had me flung away, friendless, abandoned, citiless, a corpse in the eyes of the living. Ah! Hades take you! Indeed I have often so prayed for you.
Φιλοκτήτης:ὦ χεῖρες, οἷα πάσχετʼ ἐν χρείᾳ φίληςνευρᾶς, ὑπʼ ἀνδρὸς τοῦδε συνθηρώμεναι.ὦ μηδὲν ὑγιὲς μηδʼ ἐλεύθερον φρονῶν,οἷʼ αὖ μʼ ὑπῆλθες, ὥς μʼ ἐθηράσω, λαβὼνπρόβλημα σαυτοῦ παῖδα τόνδʼ ἀγνῶτʼ ἐμοί,ἀνάξιον μὲν σοῦ, κατάξιον δʼ ἐμοῦ,ὃς οὐδὲν ᾔδει πλὴν τὸ προσταχθὲν ποεῖν,δῆλος δὲ καὶ νῦν ἐστιν ἀλγεινῶς φέρωνοἷς τʼ αὐτὸς ἐξήμαρτεν οἷς τʼ ἐγὼ ʼπαθον.ἀλλʼ ἡ κακὴ σὴ διὰ μυχῶν βλέπουσʼ ἀεὶψυχή νιν ἀφυῆ τʼ ὄντα κοὐ θέλονθʼ ὅμωςεὖ προυδίδαξεν ἐν κακοῖς εἶναι σοφόν.καὶ νῦν ἔμʼ, ὦ δύστηνε, συνδήσας νοεῖςἄγειν ἀπʼ ἀκτῆς τῆσδʼ, ἐν ᾗ με προυβάλουἄφιλον ἔρημον ἄπολιν, ἐν ζῶσιν νεκρόν. φεῦ.ὄλοιο· καί σοι πολλάκις τόδʼ ηὐξάμην.
But, because the gods grant me nothing that is sweet, you remain alive and you laugh, while I live miserably among countless sufferings, mocked by you and by the sons of Atreus, the two generals whom you serve on this errand.
ἀλλʼ οὐ γὰρ οὐδὲν θεοὶ νέμουσιν ἡδύ μοι,σὺ μὲν γέγηθας ζῶν, ἐγὼ δʼ ἀλγύνομαιτοῦτʼ αὔθʼ, ὅτι ζῶ σὺν κακοῖς πολλοῖς τάλας,γελώμενος πρὸς σοῦ τε καὶ τῶν Ἀτρέωςδιπλῶν στρατηγῶν, οἷς σὺ ταῦθʼ ὑπηρετεῖς.
And yet you sailed with them only when brought under their yoke by trickery and compulsion. But me, when, to my utter ruin, I sailed of my own accord as their mate with seven ships, me they cast out of ship and honor, as you claim, while they say that it was your doing. And now, why would you take me? Why have me led away? For what purpose?
καίτοι σὺ μὲν κλοπῇ τε κἀνάγκῃ ζυγεὶςἔπλεις ἅμʼ αὐτοῖς, ἐμὲ δὲ τὸν πανάθλιον,ἑκόντα πλεύσανθʼ ἑπτὰ ναυσὶ ναυβάτην,ἄτιμον ἔβαλον, ὡς σὺ φής, κεῖνοι δὲ σέ.καὶ νῦν τί μʼ ἄγετε; τί μʼ ἀπάγεσθε; τοῦ χάριν;
I am nothing, and, as far as you were concerned, I have long been dead. You creature abhorred by the gods, how is it that you no longer find me crippled and foul-smelling? How, if I sail with you, can you burn sacrifices to the gods, or make libations any more? That was your pretext for casting me away in the first place.
ὃς οὐδέν εἰμι καὶ τέθνηχʼ ὑμῖν πάλαι.πῶς, ὦ θεοῖς ἔχθιστε, νῦν οὐκ εἰμί σοιχωλός, δυσώδης; πῶς θεοῖς ἔξεσθʼ, ὁμοῦπλεύσαντος αἴθειν ἱερά; πῶς σπένδειν ἔτι;αὕτη γὰρ ἦν σοι πρόφασις ἐκβαλεῖν ἐμέ.
A cruel death for you!—and die you shall for your unjust treatment of me, if the gods care for justice. But I know that they do care for it, since you would never have made this voyage for one so miserable, unless some god-sent goad had driven you after me.
κακῶς ὄλοισθʼ· ὀλεῖσθε δʼ ἠδικηκότεςτὸν ἄνδρα τόνδε, θεοῖσιν εἰ δίκης μέλει.ἔξοιδα δʼ ὡς μέλει γʼ· ἐπεὶ οὔποτʼ ἂν στόλονἐπλεύσατʼ ἂν τόνδʼ εἵνεκʼ ἀνδρὸς ἀθλίου,εἰ μή τι κέντρον θεῖον ἦγʼ ὑμᾶς ἐμοῦ.
O, fatherland, and you watchful gods, bring your vengeance, bring your vengeance on them all after so long, if at all you pity me! Yes, my life merits pity. Yet if I were to see those men overthrown, I would believe that I had escaped my plague.
ἀλλʼ, ὦ πατρῴα γῆ θεοί τʼ ἐπόψιοι,τίσασθε τίσασθʼ ἀλλὰ τῷ χρόνῳ ποτὲξύμπαντας αὐτούς, εἴ τι κἄμʼ οἰκτίρετε·ὡς ζῶ μὲν οἰκτρῶς, εἰ δʼ ἴδοιμʼ ὀλωλόταςτούτους, δοκοῖμʼ ἂν τῆς νόσου πεφευγέναι.
Chorus:Bitter is the stranger, and bitter his words, Odysseus. They do not bend before the storm of his troubles.
Χορός:βαρύς τε καὶ βαρεῖαν ὁ ξένος φάτιντήνδʼ εἶπʼ, Ὀδυσσεῦ, κοὐχ ὑπείκουσαν κακοῖς.
Odysseus:I could say much in answer to his claims, if time allowed; but now I can say one thing only. What kind of man the occasion demands, that kind of man am I.
Ὀδυσσεύς:πόλλʼ ἂν λέγειν ἔχοιμι πρὸς τὰ τοῦδʼ ἔπη,εἴ μοι παρείκοι· νῦν δʼ ἑνὸς κρατῶ λόγου.οὗ γὰρ τοιούτων δεῖ, τοιοῦτός εἰμʼ ἐγώ·
And accordingly, where the judgment at hand is of just and good men, you could find no man more pious than me. Victory, however, is my inborn desire in every field—save with regard to you. To you, in this case, I will gladly give way. Yes, release him, and lay not another finger upon him.
χὤπου δικαίων κἀγαθῶν ἀνδρῶν κρίσις,οὐκ ἂν λάβοις μου μᾶλλον οὐδένʼ εὐσεβῆ.νικᾶν γε μέντοι πανταχοῦ χρῄζων ἔφυν,πλὴν εἰς σέ· νῦν δὲ σοί γʼ ἑκὼν ἐκστήσομαι.ἄφετε γὰρ αὐτὸν μηδὲ προσψαύσητʼ ἔτι·
Let him stay here. We have no further need of you, now that we have these weapons. For Teucer is there among our forces, well-skilled in this craft, as am I, and I believe that I can master this bow in no way worse than you, and point it with no worse a hand.
ἐᾶτε μίμνειν. οὐδὲ σοῦ προσχρῄζομεν,τά γʼ ὅπλʼ ἔχοντες ταῦτʼ, ἐπεὶ πάρεστι μὲνΤεῦκρος παρʼ ἡμῖν, τήνδʼ ἐπιστήμην ἔχων,ἐγώ θʼ, ὃς οἶμαι σοῦ κάκιον οὐδὲν ἂντούτων κρατύνειν, μηδʼ ἐπιθύνειν χερί.
So what need is there of you? Farewell! Enjoy your strolls on Lemnos! We must be going. And perhaps your onetime prize will bring me the honor which ought to have been your own.
τί δῆτα σοῦ δεῖ; χαῖρε τὴν Λῆμνον πατῶν·ἡμεῖς δʼ ἴωμεν, καὶ τάχʼ ἂν τὸ σὸν γέραςτιμὴν ἐμοὶ νείμειεν, ἣν σὲ χρῆν ἔχειν.
Philoctetes:Ah, no, what shall I do? Are you to shine before the Argives graced with my arms?
Φιλοκτήτης:οἴμοι· τί δράσω δύσμορος; σὺ τοῖς ἐμοῖςὅπλοισι κοσμηθεὶς ἐν Ἀργείοις φανεῖ;
Odysseus:Argue with me no more. I am going.
Ὀδυσσεύς:μή μʼ ἀντιφώνει μηδέν, ὡς στείχοντα δή.
Philoctetes:Seed of Achilles, will you, too, grant me your voice no more, but leave without a word?To Neoptolemus.
Φιλοκτήτης:ὦ σπέρμʼ Ἀχιλλέως, οὐδὲ σοῦ φωνῆς ἔτιγενήσομαι προσφθεγκτός, ἀλλʼ οὕτως ἄπει;
Odysseus:Come on! Do not look at him, kind and noble though you are. Do not obliterate our good fortune.To the Chorus.
Ὀδυσσεύς:χώρει σύ· μὴ πρόσλευσσε, γενναῖός περ ὤν,ἡμῶν ὅπως μὴ τὴν τύχην διαφθερεῖς.
Philoctetes:And will you also, friends, leave me so desolate and show me no pity?
Φιλοκτήτης:ἦ καὶ πρὸς ὑμῶν ὧδʼ ἔρημος, ὦ ξένοι,λειφθήσομαι δὴ κοὐκ ἐποικτερεῖτέ με;
Chorus:The boy commands our ship. Whatever he says to you, that is our answer also.To the Chorus.
Χορός:ὅδʼ ἐστὶν ἡμῶν ναυκράτωρ ὁ παῖς· ὅσʼ ἂνοὗτος λέγῃ σοι, ταῦτά σοι χἠμεῖς φαμέν.
Neoptolemus:I shall be told by Odysseus here that I am toosoft-hearted; but remain here, if that one agrees, until the sailors have readied everything on board, and we have made our prayers to the gods. In the interval, perhaps, he will obtain a better attitude towards us. And so we two are going.And you, when we call you, be quick to come. Exeunt Odysseus and Neoptolemus.
Νεοπτόλεμος:ἀκούσομαι μὲν ὡς ἔφυν οἴκτου πλέωςπρὸς τοῦδʼ· ὅμως δὲ μείνατʼ, εἰ τούτῳ δοκεῖ,χρόνον τοσοῦτον, εἰς ὅσον τά τʼ ἐκ νεὼςστείλωσι ναῦται καὶ θεοῖς εὐξώμεθα.χοὖτος τάχʼ ἂν φρόνησιν ἐν τούτῳ λάβοιλῴω τινʼ ἡμῖν. νὼ μὲν οὖν ὁρμώμεθον,ὑμεῖς δʼ, ὅταν καλῶμεν, ὁρμᾶσθαι ταχεῖς.
Philoctetes:Hollow in the caverned rock, now hot, now frosty, how true it seems, then, that I was sadly fated never to leave you!No, you will witness my death, too. Ah, ah, me! Sad dwelling, so long filled with the pain welling from my flesh, what will be my daily portion hereafter?Where, from what provision, shall I, unhappy, find any hope of sustenance? Above my head the tremulous doves will go on their way through the whistling wind. I can stop their flight no more.
Φιλοκτήτης:ὦ κοίλας πέτρας γύαλονθερμὸν καὶ παγετῶδες, ὥς σʼ οὐκ ἔμελλον ἄρʼ, ὦ τάλας,λείψειν οὐδέποτʼ, ἀλλά μοι καὶ θνῄσκοντι συνείσει.ὤμοι μοί μοι.ὦ πληρέστατον αὔλιονλύπας τᾶς ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ τάλαν,τίπτʼ αὖ μοι τὸ κατʼ ἆμαρἔσται; τοῦ ποτε τεύξομαισιτονόμου μέλεος πόθεν ἐλπίδος;πέλειαι δʼ ἄνωπτωκάδες ὀξυτόνου διὰ πνεύματοςἐλῶσιν· οὐκέτʼ ἴσχω.
Chorus:It was you, you, I say, doomed one, that chose this fate; and this fortune to which you are captive comes from no other source, nor from a stronger man’s compulsion. For when in fact it was in your power to show sense,you chose to reject the better fate, and to accept the worse.
Χορός:σύ τοι σύ τοι κατηξίωσας,ὦ βαρύποτμε, κοὐκἄλλοθεν ἔχει τύχᾳ τᾷδʼ ἀπὸ μείζονος,εὖτέ γε παρὸν φρονῆσαιτοῦ λῴονος δαίμονος εἵλου τὸ κάκιον αἰνεῖν.
Philoctetes:Ah, miserable, miserable, then, am I, and shamed by hardship, who next must hereafter dwell in my misery here,with no man for companion in the days to come, and waste away. I can no longer bring food to my home, nolonger gain it by the winged weapons held in my strong hands. But the unsuspected and stealthy fictions of a treacherous mind deceived me. If only I could watch him, the contriver of this plot, doomed to endure my anguish for as long a time!
Φιλοκτήτης:ὦ τλάμων τλάμων ἄρʼ ἐγὼκαὶ μόχθῳ λωβατός, ὃς ἤδη μετʼ οὐδενὸς ὕστερονἀνδρῶν εἰσοπίσω τάλας ναίων ἐνθάδʼ ὀλοῦμαι,αἰαῖ αἰαῖ,οὐ φορβὰν ἔτι προσφέρων,οὐ πτανῶν ἀπʼ ἐμῶν ὅπλωνκραταιαῖς μετὰ χερσὶνἴσχων· ἀλλά μοι ἄσκοπακρυπτά τʼ ἔπη δολερᾶς ὑπέδυ φρενός·ἰδοίμαν δέ νιν,τὸν τάδε μησάμενον, τὸν ἴσον χρόνονἐμὰς λαχόντʼ ἀνίας.
Chorus:Doom, god-sent doom constrained you to suffer this, not, I tell you, any treachery to which my hand was lent.Aim your hate-filled, baneful curse elsewhere, since I prefer that you not reject my friendship.
Χορός:πότμος, πότμος σε δαιμόνων τάδʼ,οὐδὲ σέ γε δόλος,ἔσχεν ὑπὸ χειρὸς ἀμᾶς. στυγερὰν ἔχεδύσποτμον ἀρὰν ἐπʼ ἄλλοις.καὶ γὰρ ἐμοὶ τοῦτο μέλει, μὴ φιλότητʼ ἀπώσῃ.
Philoctetes:Alas! No doubt sitting on the white ocean shorehe mocks me, brandishing the weapon that nourished my unhappy life, the weapon which no one else had carried! Cherished bow, ah, friend forced from my loving hands,if you have the power to feel, surely you see with pity that the comrade of Heracles will now no longer use you anymore!Now you are handled by another, a man of craftiness; you see the shameless deceptions and the face of that hated enemy by whom countless wrongs, springing from shameless designs, have been contrived against me. O Zeus!
Φιλοκτήτης:οἴμοι μοι, καί που πολιᾶςπόντου θινὸς ἐφήμενοςἐγγελᾷ, χερὶ πάλλωντὰν ἐμὰν μελέου τροφάν,τὰν οὐδείς ποτʼ ἐβάστασεν.ὦ τόξον φίλον, ὦ φίλωνχειρῶν ἐκβεβιασμένον,ἦ που ἐλεινὸν ὁρᾷς, φρένας εἴ τιναςἔχεις, τὸν Ἡράκλειονἄρθμιον ὧδέ σοιοὐκέτι χρησόμενον τὸ μεθύστερον,ἄλλου δʼ ἐν μεταλλαγᾷπολυμηχάνου ἀνδρὸς ἐρέσσει,ὁρῶν μὲν αἰσχρὰς ἀπάτας, στυγνὸν δὲ φῶτʼ ἐχθοδοπόν,μυρίʼ, ἀπʼ αἰσχρῶν ἀνατέλλονθʼ, ὃς ἐφʼ ἡμῖν κάκʼ ἐμήσατʼ, ὦ Ζεῦ.
Chorus:A man must always assert what is right. But, when he has done so, he must not let loose malignant, stinging taunts. The man was the sole representative of the whole army, and at their mandatehe achieved a universal benefit for his friends.
Χορός:ἀνδρός τοι τὰ μὲν ἔνδικʼ αἰὲν εἰπεῖν,εἰπόντος δὲ μὴ φθονερὰνἐξῶσαι γλώσσας ὀδύναν.κεῖνος δʼ εἷς ἀπὸ πολλῶνταχθεὶς τῶνδʼ ἐφημοσύνᾳκοινὰν ἤνυσεν ἐς φίλους ἀρωγάν.
Philoctetes:Ah, my winged prey, and you tribes of bright-eyed creatures held by this place in its upland pastures, leap no morein flight from your lairs, for I do not grasp in my hands those shafts which were once my strength—but now, gone, are my undoing! Roam at will now; the place has no more terrors—for you!The time is ripe for you to take blood for blood, to sate yourselves to your heart’s desire on my discolored flesh! Soon I will leave life, for from what source can I find the means to live? Who can feed, as I will have to,on the winds, when he no longer owns any of the bounty that the life-giving earth supplies?
Φιλοκτήτης:ὦ πταναὶ θῆραι χαροπῶν τʼἔθνη θηρῶν, οὓς ὅδʼ ἔχειχῶρος οὐρεσιβώτας,μηκέτʼ ἀπʼ αὐλίων φυγᾷπηδᾶτʼ· οὐ γὰρ ἔχω χεροῖντὰν πρόσθεν βελέων ἀλκάν,ὦ δύστανος ἐγὼ τανῦν,ἀλλʼ ἀνέδην, ὁ δὲ χῶρος ἄρʼ οὐκέτιφοβητὸς οὐκέθʼ ὑμῖν,ἕρπετε· νῦν καλὸνἀντίφονον κορέσαι στόμα πρὸς χάρινἐμᾶς σαρκὸς αἰόλας·ἀπὸ γὰρ βίον αὐτίκα λείψω.πόθεν γὰρ ἔσται βιοτά; τίς ὧδʼ ἐν αὔραις τρέφεται,μηκέτι μηδενὸς κρατύνων ὅσα πέμπει βιόδωρος αἶα;
Chorus:In the name of the gods, if you have any reverence for a friend who approaches you in all kindness, approach him!
Χορός:πρὸς θεῶν, εἴ τι σέβει ξένον, πέλασσον,εὐνοίᾳ πάσᾳ πελάταν·
But know this, and know it well: it is in your power to escape this plague. Cruel is it that you feed it with your own flesh, and that there is no way for you to learn to endure the countless torments that dwell with it.
ἀλλὰ γνῶθʼ, εὖ γνῶθʼ ἐπὶ σοὶκῆρα τάνδʼ ἀποφεύγειν.οἰκτρὰ γὰρ βόσκειν, ἀδαὴς δʼἔχειν μυρίον ἄχθος, ὃ ξυνοικεῖ.
Philoctetes:Again, again, you have recalled the old agony to my thoughts—kindest though you are of all who have visited before! Why have you ruined me? What have you done to me?
Φιλοκτήτης:πάλιν πάλιν παλαιὸν ἄλγημʼ ὑπέμνασας, ὦλῷστε τῶν πρὶν ἐντόπων.
Chorus:What do you mean?
τί μʼ ὤλεσας; τί μʼ εἴργασαι;
Philoctetes:That it was your hope to takeme to that Trojan land I abhor.
Χορός:τί τοῦτʼ ἔλεξας;Φιλοκτήτης:εἰ σὺ τὰν ἐμοὶ στυγερὰνΤρῳάδα γᾶν μʼ ἤλπισας ἄξειν.
Chorus:Yes, I believe that to be the best course.
Χορός:τόδε γὰρ νοῶ κράτιστον.
Philoctetes:Leave me, then—immediately!
Φιλοκτήτης:ἀπό νύν με λείπετʼ ἤδη.
Chorus:Pleasant, pleasant, indeed, is the task you set me, and I am ready to obey.Come, let us be going, each to his station in the ship!
Χορός:φίλα μοι, φίλα ταῦτα παρήγγειλας ἑκόντι τε πράσσειν.ἴωμεν ἴωμενναὸς ἵνʼ ἡμῖν τέτακται.Φιλοκτήτης:μή, πρὸς ἀραίου Διός, ἔλθῃς, ἱκετεύω.
Philoctetes:By Zeus who hears men’s curses, do not go, I implore you!Chorus:Be moderate.
Χορός:μετρίαζʼ.Φιλοκτήτης:ὦ ξένοι, μείνατε, πρὸς θεῶν.
Philoctetes:Friends, in the name of the gods, stay!Chorus:Why do you call?
Χορός:τί θροεῖς;Φιλοκτήτης:αἰαῖ αἰαῖ, δαίμων δαίμων·
Philoctetes:Ayee, ayee! Doom, Doom! My suffering kills me! Foot, my foot, what shall I do with you in the days to come?
ἀπόλωλʼ ὁ τάλας·ὦ ποὺς πούς, τί σʼ ἔτʼ ἐν βίῳτεύξω τῷ μετόπιν τάλας;
O friends, return, come back to me!
ὦ ξένοι, ἔλθετʼ ἐπήλυδες αὖθις.
Chorus:To do what that has a different spirit from that of your former commands?
Χορός:τί ῥέξοντες ἀλλοκότῳγνώμᾳ τῶν πάρος, ὧν προύφαινες;
Philoctetes:There is no reason for indignation when the words of one crazedby a storm of pain are senseless.
Φιλοκτήτης:οὔτοι νεμεσητόν,ἀλύοντα χειμερίῳλύπᾳ καὶ παρὰ νοῦν θροεῖν.
Chorus:Come with us, then, poor man, as we bid you.
Χορός:βᾶθί νυν, ὦ τάλαν, ὥς σε κελεύομεν.
Philoctetes:Never, never—of that be certain! Not even if the lord of the fiery lightning comes to wrap me in the blaze of his thunderbolts!
Φιλοκτήτης:οὐδέποτʼ οὐδέποτʼ, ἴσθι τόδʼ ἔμπεδον,οὐδʼ εἰ πυρφόρος ἀστεροπητὴςβροντᾶς αὐγαῖς μʼ εἶσι φλογίζων.
Ilium be damned, and as many of the men before its walls as dared reject this foot of mine! But oh, friends, grant me one wish!
ἐρρέτω Ἴλιον οἵ θʼ ὑπʼ ἐκείνῳπάντες ὅσοι τόδʼ ἔτλασαν ἐμοῦ ποδὸς ἄρθρον ἀπῶσαι.ἀλλʼ, ὦ ξένοι, ἕν γέ μοι εὖχος ὀρέξατε.
Chorus:What would you ask?
Χορός:ποῖον ἐρεῖς τόδʼ ἔπος;
Philoctetes:A sword, if you can find one, or an axe, or any weapon—please, pass it to me!
Φιλοκτήτης:ξίφος, εἴ ποθεν,ἢ γένυν ἢ βελέων τι προπέμψατε.Χορός:ὡς τίνα δὴ ῥέξῃς παλάμαν ποτέ;
Chorus:That you may execute what scheme?
Φιλοκτήτης:χρῶτʼ ἀπὸ πάντα καὶ ἄρθρα τέμω χερί·
Philoctetes:Mangle all this body, and sever limb from limb with my own hand! Death, death is my thought now!Chorus:Why, why ever would you—
φονᾷ φονᾷ νόος ἤδη.Χορός:τί ποτε;
Philoctetes:I am seeking my father—
Φιλοκτήτης:πατέρα ματεύων.
Chorus:In what land?
Χορός:ποῖ γᾶς;
Philoctetes:In Hades; he dwells in the sunlight no more. Ah, my city, city of my fathers! I crave to see you, unhappy man that I truly amfor leaving your sacred stream and going to help the Danaans, my enemies! I am nothing now, nothing anymore! Exit Philoctetes into the cave.
Φιλοκτήτης:ἐς Ἅιδου·οὐ γάρ ἐστʼ ἐν φάει γʼ ἔτι.ὦ πόλις, ὦ πατρία,πῶς ἂν εἰσίδοιμʼ ἄθλιός σʼ ἀνήρ,ὅς γε σὰν λιπὼν ἱερὰνλιβάδʼ ἐχθροῖς ἔβαν Δαναοῖςἀρωγός· ἔτʼ οὐδέν εἰμι.
Chorus:Long ago I would have left you to go to my ship, had I not seenOdysseus approaching, and the son of Achilles, too, coming here for us.Enter Neoptolemus and Odysseus.
Χορός:ἐγὼ μὲν ἤδη καὶ πάλαι νεὼς ὁμοῦστείχων ἂν ἦ σοι τῆς ἐμῆς, εἰ μὴ πέλαςὈδυσσέα στείχοντα τόν τʼ Ἀχιλλέωςγόνον πρὸς ἡμᾶς δεῦρʼ ἰόντʼ ἐλεύσσομεν.
Odysseus:Will you not tell me why you make this return journey with such eager speed?
Ὀδυσσεύς:οὐκ ἂν φράσειας ἥντινʼ αὖ παλίντροποςκέλευθον ἕρπεις ὧδε σὺν σπουδῇ ταχύς;Νεοπτόλεμος:λύσων ὅσʼ ἐξήμαρτον ἐν τῷ πρὶν χρόνῳ.
Neoptolemus:I come to undo the mistake that I made earlier.
Ὀδυσσεύς:δεινόν γε φωνεῖς· ἡ δʼ ἁμαρτία τίς ἦν;
Odysseus:Your words alarm me—what mistake was that?Neoptolemus:The one I made when I obeyed you and all the army.
Νεοπτόλεμος:ἣν σοὶ πιθόμενος τῷ τε σύμπαντι στρατῷὈδυσσεύς:ἔπραξας ἔργον ποῖον ὧν οὔ σοι πρέπον;
Odysseus:What did you do that was unworthy of you?
Νεοπτόλεμος:ἀπάταισιν αἰσχραῖς ἄνδρα καὶ δόλοις ἑλών.
Neoptolemus:I captured a man by disgraceful deceits and treachery.Odysseus:What man? Oh! Can you be planning something rash?
Ὀδυσσεύς:τὸν ποῖον; ὤμοι· μῶν τι βουλεύει νέον;
Neoptolemus:Rash, no. But to Poeas’ son—
Νεοπτόλεμος:νέον μὲν οὐδέν, τῷ δὲ Ποίαντος τόκῳ,
Odysseus:What are you going to do? Suddenly a certain fear comes over me.
Ὀδυσσεύς:τί χρῆμα δράσεις; ὥς μʼ ὑπῆλθέ τις φόβος.
Neoptolemus:—From whom I took this bow, back to him—
Νεοπτόλεμος:παρʼ οὗπερ ἔλαβον τάδε τὰ τόξʼ, αὖθις πάλιν
Odysseus:Zeus! What will you say? Certainly you do not intend to give it back?
Ὀδυσσεύς:ὦ Ζεῦ, τί λέξεις; οὔ τί που δοῦναι νοεῖς;
Neoptolemus:Yes, I do, because disgracefully and unjustly I got hold of it.
Νεοπτόλεμος:αἰσχρῶς γὰρ αὐτὰ κοὐ δίκῃ λαβὼν ἔχω.
Odysseus:In the name of the gods, are you saying this to mock me?
Ὀδυσσεύς:πρὸς θεῶν, πότερα δὴ κερτομῶν λέγεις τάδε;
Neoptolemus:If it is mockery to speak the truth.
Νεοπτόλεμος:εἰ κερτόμησίς ἐστι τἀληθῆ λέγειν.
Odysseus:What do you mean, Neoptolemus? What are you saying?
Ὀδυσσεύς:τί φής, Ἀχιλλέως παῖ; τίνʼ εἴρηκας λόγον;
Neoptolemus:Must I repeat the same words twice and three times?
Νεοπτόλεμος:δὶς ταὐτὰ βούλει καὶ τρὶς ἀναπολεῖν μʼ ἔπη;
Odysseus:I would not have wished to hear them even once.
Ὀδυσσεύς:ἀρχὴν κλύειν ἂν οὐδʼ ἅπαξ ἐβουλόμην.
Neoptolemus:Know for certain that I have nothing more to say.
Νεοπτόλεμος:εὖ νῦν ἐπίστω πάντʼ ἀκηκοὼς λόγον.
Odysseus:There is someone, I tell you, who will prevent your deed.
Ὀδυσσεύς:ἔστιν τις, ἔστιν ὅς σε κωλύσει τὸ δρᾶν.
Neoptolemus:What do you mean? Who will oppose me in this?
Νεοπτόλεμος:τί φής; τίς ἔσται μʼ οὑπικωλύσων τάδε;
Odysseus:The whole host of the Achaeans, and I for one.
Ὀδυσσεύς:ξύμπας Ἀχαιῶν λαός, ἐν δὲ τοῖς ἐγώ.
Neoptolemus:Wise though you were born, your threats are void of wisdom.
Νεοπτόλεμος:σοφὸς πεφυκὼς οὐδὲν ἐξαυδᾷς σοφόν.
Odysseus:And your words are not wise, nor is that which you want to do.
Ὀδυσσεύς:σὺ δʼ οὔτε φωνεῖς οὔτε δρασείεις σοφά.
Neoptolemus:And yet if they are just, they are better than wise.
Νεοπτόλεμος:ἀλλʼ εἰ δίκαια, τῶν σοφῶν κρείσσω τάδε.
Odysseus:And how is it just for you to give up what was won by means of my plans?
Ὀδυσσεύς:καὶ πῶς δίκαιον, ἅ γʼ ἔλαβες βουλαῖς ἐμαῖς, πάλιν μεθεῖναι ταῦτα;
Neoptolemus:My error was to my dishonor, and now I must try to retrieve it.
Νεοπτόλεμος:τὴν ἁμαρτίαναἰσχρὰν ἁμαρτὼν ἀναλαβεῖν πειράσομαι.
Odysseus:The army of the Achaeans causes you no fear, when you do this?
Ὀδυσσεύς:στρατὸν δʼ Ἀχαιῶν οὐ φοβεῖ, πράσσων τάδε;
Neoptolemus:With justice on my side, I do not tremble at the terrors you name.
Νεοπτόλεμος:ξὺν τῷ δικαίῳ τὸν σὸν οὐ ταρβῶ φόβον.
Odysseus:…
Ὀδυσσεύς:[ξὺν τῷ δικαίῳ χεὶρ ἐμή σʼ ἀναγκάσει.]
Neoptolemus:No, not even at the threat of your hand do I yield obedience.
Νεοπτόλεμος:ἀλλʼ οὐδέ τοι σῇ χειρὶ πείθομαι τὸ δρᾶν.
Odysseus:Then our battles shall be not with the Trojans, but with you.
Ὀδυσσεύς:οὔ τἄρα Τρωσίν, ἀλλὰ σοὶ μαχούμεθα.
Neoptolemus:So be it, if that is what the future holds.
Νεοπτόλεμος:ἴτω τὸ μέλλον.
Odysseus:Do you see my right handclasping my sword hilt?
Ὀδυσσεύς:χεῖρα δεξιὰν ὁρᾷςκώπης ἐπιψαύουσαν;
Neoptolemus:You will see me do the same, and not slowly.
Νεοπτόλεμος:ἀλλὰ κἀμέ τοιταὐτὸν τόδʼ ὄψει δρῶντα κοὐ μέλλοντʼ ἔτι.
Odysseus:However, I will let you be. But I will go report this to all the army, and by them you will be punished.
Ὀδυσσεύς:καίτοι σʼ ἐάσω· τῷ δὲ σύμπαντι στρατῷλέξω τάδʼ ἐλθών, ὅς σε τιμωρήσεται.
Neoptolemus:You have come to your senses. And if you are so prudent hereafter,perhaps you may steer clear of trouble. Odysseus feigns departure, but conceals himself nearby.
Νεοπτόλεμος:ἐσωφρόνησας· κἂν τὰ λοίφʼ οὕτω φρονῇς,ἴσως ἂν ἐκτὸς κλαυμάτων ἔχοις πόδα.
But you, son of Poeas, Philoctetes, come out! Leave the shelter of your rocky home!Philoctetes: Within.
σὺ δʼ, ὦ Ποίαντος παῖ, Φιλοκτήτην λέγω,ἔξελθʼ, ἀμείψας τάσδε πετρήρεις στέγας.
What is this disruptive cry once more rising beside my cave? Why do you call me? What do you want of me? He appears at the mouth of the cave, and sees Neoptolemus.
Φιλοκτήτης:τίς αὖ παρʼ ἄντροις θόρυβος ἵσταται βοῆς;τί μʼ ἐκκαλεῖσθε; τοῦ κεχρημένοι, ξένοι;
Oh, no! This business will bring me no good. Have you come bringing me new misery on top of the old?
ὤμοι· κακὸν τὸ χρῆμα. μῶν τί μοι νέαπάρεστε πρὸς κακοῖσι πέμποντες κακά;
Neoptolemus:Take heart and listen to my words.
Νεοπτόλεμος:θάρσει· λόγους δʼ ἄκουσον οὓς ἥκω φέρων.
Philoctetes:I am afraid. Beautiful words did me evil once before, when I believed your promises.
Φιλοκτήτης:δέδοικʼ ἔγωγε· καὶ τὰ πρὶν γὰρ ἐκ λόγωνκαλῶν κακῶς ἔπραξα, σοῖς πεισθεὶς λόγοις.
Neoptolemus:Is there no room, then, for repentance?
Νεοπτόλεμος:οὔκουν ἔνεστι καὶ μεταγνῶναι πάλιν;
Philoctetes:You spoke just like this, when you were seeking to steal my bow—a professed friend, with my destruction in his treacherous heart.
Φιλοκτήτης:τοιοῦτος ἦσθα τοῖς λόγοισι χὤτε μουτὰ τόξʼ ἔκλεπτες, πιστός, ἀτηρὸς λάθρᾳ.
Neoptolemus:I assure you, I am not so now. I merely wish to know whether you have resolved to stay here and endure, or to sail with us.
Νεοπτόλεμος:ἀλλʼ οὔ τι μὴν νῦν· βούλομαι δέ σου κλύειν,πότερα δέδοκταί σοι μένοντι καρτερεῖνἢ πλεῖν μεθʼ ἡμῶν;
Philoctetes:Stop, not another word! Whatever you may say will be said in vain.
Φιλοκτήτης:παῦε, μὴ λέξῃς πέρα·μάτην γὰρ ἃν εἴπῃς γε πάντʼ εἰρήσεται.
Neoptolemus:You are so resolved?
Νεοπτόλεμος:οὕτω δέδοκται;
Philoctetes:More firmly, believe me, than words can say.
Φιλοκτήτης:καὶ πέρα γʼ ἴσθʼ ἢ λέγω.
Neoptolemus:Well, I could have wished that you had listened to my words, but if nothing that I say will help, then I am finished.
Νεοπτόλεμος:ἀλλʼ ἤθελον μὲν ἄν σε πεισθῆναι λόγοιςἐμοῖσιν· εἰ δὲ μή τι πρὸς καιρὸν λέγωνκυρῶ, πέπαυμαι.
Philoctetes:Yes, all your pleas will be in vain. You will never gain my mind’s good will, since first you fraudulently seized my means of life and robbed me of it, and then you have come here to admonish me, you most hateful descendant of so noble a father!
Φιλοκτήτης:πάντα γὰρ φράσεις μάτην.οὐ γάρ ποτʼ εὔνουν τὴν ἐμὴν κτήσει φρένα,ὅστις γʼ ἐμοῦ δόλοισι τὸν βίον λαβὼνἀπεστέρηκας, κᾆτα νουθετεῖς ἐμὲἐλθών, ἀρίστου πατρὸς αἴσχιστος γεγώς.
Ruin seize you all, the Atreids first, and next the son of Laertes, and you!Neoptolemus:Speak no more curses, and instead receive these weapons from my hand.
ὄλοισθʼ, Ἀτρεῖδαι μὲν μάλιστʼ, ἔπειτα δὲ ὁ Λαρτίου παῖς καὶ σύ.Νεοπτόλεμος:μὴ ʼπεύξῃ πέρα·δέχου δὲ χειρὸς ἐξ ἐμῆς βέλη τάδε.
Philoctetes:What did you say? Am I being tricked a second time?
Φιλοκτήτης:πῶς εἶπας; ἆρα δεύτερον δολούμεθα;
Neoptolemus:No, I swear it by the pure majesty of Zeus most high!
Νεοπτόλεμος:ἀπώμοσʼ ἁγνὸν Ζηνὸς ὑψίστου σέβας.
Philoctetes:O welcome words—if your words are true!
Φιλοκτήτης:ὦ φίλτατʼ εἰπών, εἰ λέγεις ἐτήτυμα.
Neoptolemus:The deed will soon make it plain. Come, stretch out your right hand and be master of your bow! As he hands the bow and arrows to Philoctetes, Odysseus suddenly appears.
Νεοπτόλεμος:τοὔργον παρέσται φανερόν· ἀλλὰ δεξιὰνπρότεινε χεῖρα, καὶ κράτει τῶν σῶν ὅπλων.
Odysseus:But I forbid it, as the gods are my witnesses, in the name of the Atreids and the entire army!
Ὀδυσσεύς:ἐγὼ δʼ ἀπαυδῶ γʼ, ᾧ θεοὶ ξυνίστορες,ὑπέρ τʼ Ἀτρειδῶν τοῦ τε σύμπαντος στρατοῦ.
Philoctetes:Son, whose voice was that? Do I hear Odysseus?
Φιλοκτήτης:τέκνον, τίνος φώνημα, μῶν Ὀδυσσέως,ἐπῃσθόμην;
Odysseus:Be sure of it, and you see him at your side, who will carry you to the plains of Troy by force, whether or not the son of Achilles is willing.
Ὀδυσσεύς:σάφʼ ἴσθι· καὶ πέλας γʼ ὁρᾷς,ὅς σʼ ἐς τὰ Τροίας πεδίʼ ἀποστελῶ βίᾳ,ἐάν τʼ Ἀχιλλέως παῖς ἐάν τε μὴ θέλῃ·
Philoctetes:But it will bring you no joy, if this arrow fly straight. Odysseus flees from the stage.
Φιλοκτήτης:ἀλλʼ οὔ τι χαίρων, ἢν τόδʼ ὀρθωθῇ βέλος.
Neoptolemus:Wait—by the gods, no! Do not let it fly!
Νεοπτόλεμος:ἆ, μηδαμῶς, μή, πρὸς θεῶν, μεθῇς βέλος.
Philoctetes:Let go of me, in the name of the gods, dear boy!
Φιλοκτήτης:μέθες με, πρὸς θεῶν, χεῖρα, φίλτατον τέκνον.
Neoptolemus:I will not.
Νεοπτόλεμος:οὐκ ἂν μεθείην.
Philoctetes:Alas! Why did you take from me the chance to kill my hated enemy with my bow?
Φιλοκτήτης:φεῦ· τί μʼ ἄνδρα πολέμιονἐχθρόν τʼ ἀφείλου μὴ κτανεῖν τόξοις ἐμοῖς;
Neoptolemus:It would have been honorable neither for me, nor for you.
Νεοπτόλεμος:ἀλλʼ οὔτʼ ἐμοὶ τοῦτʼ ἐστὶν οὔτε σοὶ καλόν.
Philoctetes:Well, you may be sure of one thing, at least: the army’s chiefs, the lying heralds of the Greeks, though bold with words, are cowards in the fight.
Φιλοκτήτης:ἀλλʼ οὖν τοσοῦτόν γʼ ἴσθι, τοὺς πρώτους στρατοῦ,τοὺς τῶν Ἀχαιῶν ψευδοκήρυκας, κακοὺςὄντας πρὸς αἰχμήν, ἐν δὲ τοῖς λόγοις θρασεῖς.
Neoptolemus:Good; the bow is yours, and you have no cause for anger or complaint against me.
Νεοπτόλεμος:εἶεν· τὰ μὲν δὴ τόξʼ ἔχεις, κοὐκ ἔσθʼ ὅτουὀργὴν ἔχοις ἂν οὐδὲ μέμψιν εἰς ἐμέ.
Philoctetes:Agreed. You have revealed the true stock, my son, from which you spring. You are no child of Sisyphus, but of Achilles, whose fame was the fairest when he was among the living, as it is now with the dead.
Φιλοκτήτης:ξύμφημι· τὴν φύσιν δʼ ἔδειξας, ὦ τέκνον,ἐξ ἧς ἔβλαστες, οὐχὶ Σισύφου πατρός,ἀλλʼ ἐξ Ἀχιλλέως, ὃς μετὰ ζώντων ὅτʼ ἦνἤκουʼ ἄριστα, νῦν δὲ τῶν τεθνηκότων.
Neoptolemus:I delight at your praise of my father,and of myself. But hear what I desire to gain from you. It is true that men are compelled to bear the fortunes given by the gods; but when they cling to self-inflicted miseries, as you do,no one can justly excuse or pity them. You have become savage: you welcome no counsellor, and if someone admonishes you, even if he speaks in all good will, you detest him and consider him an enemy who wishes you ill. All the same I will speak to you, calling Zeus who guards oaths to witness.
Νεοπτόλεμος:ἥσθην πατέρα τὸν ἀμὸν εὐλογοῦντά σεαὐτόν τʼ ἔμʼ· ὧν δέ σου τυχεῖν ἐφίεμαι,ἄκουσον. ἀνθρώποισι τὰς μὲν ἐκ θεῶντύχας δοθείσας ἔστʼ ἀναγκαῖον φέρειν·ὅσοι δʼ ἑκουσίοισιν ἔγκεινται βλάβαις,ὥσπερ σύ, τούτοις οὔτε συγγνώμην ἔχεινδίκαιόν ἐστιν οὔτʼ ἐποικτίρειν τινά.σὺ δʼ ἠγρίωσαι, κοὔτε σύμβουλον δέχει,ἐάν τε νουθετῇ τις εὐνοίᾳ λέγων,στυγεῖς, πολέμιον δυσμενῆ θʼ ἡγούμενος.ὅμως δὲ λέξω· Ζῆνα δʼ ὅρκιον καλῶ·
And you remember these words and write them in your heart: you suffer this plague’s affliction in accordance with god-sent fate, because you came near to Chryse’s guardian, the serpent who secretly watches over her home and guards her roofless sanctuary. Know also that you will never gain relief from this grave sickness,as long as the sun still rises in the east and sets in the west, until of your own free will you come to the plains of Troy, find there the sons of Asclepius, our comrades, be relieved of this infection, and, with this bow’said and mine, be hailed as the sacker of Troy’s towers. How I know these things are so ordained, I will tell you. We have a Trojan prisoner, Helenus, foremost among seers, who says plainly that all this must come to pass, and further,that this very summer must see the complete capture of Troy. Otherwise he willingly gives himself over for execution, if these prophecies of his prove false. Therefore, now that you understand everything, give way graciously. It is a glorious addition to your gain to be singled outas best of the Greeks—first, for coming into healing hands, and then for taking Troy rich in tears, and so winning a matchless renown.
καὶ ταῦτʼ ἐπίστω καὶ γράφου φρενῶν ἔσω.σὺ γὰρ νοσεῖς τόδʼ ἄλγος ἐκ θείας τύχης,Χρύσης πελασθεὶς φύλακος, ὃς τὸν ἀκαλυφῆσηκὸν φυλάσσει κρύφιος οἰκουρῶν ὄφις·καὶ παῦλαν ἴσθι τῆσδε μή ποτʼ ἂν τυχεῖννόσου βαρείας, ἕως ἂν αὑτὸς ἥλιοςταύτῃ μὲν αἴρῃ, τῇδε δʼ αὖ δύνῃ πάλιν,πρὶν ἂν τὰ Τροίας πεδίʼ ἑκὼν αὐτὸς μόλῃς,καὶ τοῖν παρʼ ἡμῖν ἐντυχὼν Ἀσκληπίδαιννόσου μαλαχθῇς τῆσδε, καὶ τὰ πέργαμαξὺν τοῖσδε τόξοις ξύν τʼ ἐμοὶ πέρσας φανῇς.ὡς δʼ οἶδα ταῦτα τῇδʼ ἔχοντʼ ἐγὼ φράσω.ἀνὴρ γὰρ ἡμῖν ἐστιν ἐκ Τροίας ἁλούς,Ἕλενος ἀριστόμαντις, ὃς λέγει σαφῶςὡς δεῖ γενέσθαι ταῦτα· καὶ πρὸς τοῖσδʼ ἔτιὡς ἔστʼ ἀνάγκη τοῦ παρεστῶτος θέρουςΤροίαν ἁλῶναι πᾶσαν· ἢ δίδωσʼ ἑκὼνκτείνειν ἑαυτόν, ἢν τάδε ψευσθῇ λέγων.ταῦτʼ οὖν ἐπεὶ κάτοισθα, συγχώρει θέλων.καλὴ γὰρ ἡ ʼπίκτησις, Ἑλλήνων ἕνακριθέντʼ ἄριστον τοῦτο μὲν παιωνίαςἐς χεῖρας ἐλθεῖν, εἶτα τὴν πολύστονονΤροίαν ἑλόντα κλέος ὑπέρτατον λαβεῖν.
Philoctetes:Hateful life, why, why do you keep me in the light of day, instead of letting me go to Hades’ domain?
Φιλοκτήτης:ὦ στυγνὸς αἰών, τί με, τί δῆτʼ ἔχεις ἄνωβλέποντα κοὐκ ἀφῆκας εἰς Ἅιδου μολεῖν;
Ah, me, what shall I do? How can I ignore this man’s words, when he has advised me with good will? But shall I yield, then? How, after doing that, shall I, ill-fated, come into men’s sight? Whom will I be able to talk to? You orbs that have watched my every suffering,how could you endure to see me consorting with the sons of Atreus, who caused my ruin, or with the accursed son of Laertes? It is not my resentment for what has already been done that stings me, rather it is the many troubles which I seem to foresee I must suffer at the hands ofthese men in the future. For when the mind of men has once mothered wrongdoing, it trains those men to be wrongdoers in all else thereafter. And in you, too, I wonder at this. You should never yourself revisit Troy, and should prevent me from going there, seeing that those men have done you outrageby stripping you of your father’s arms [when, in the suit for the weapons, they judged unhappy Ajax inferior to Odysseus]. After that, will you go to fight at their side, and compel me to do the same? No, do not do it, son, but, as you swore to me, escort me home. You yourself remain in Scyros, and leave those evil men to their evil doom.
οἴμοι, τί δράσω; πῶς ἀπιστήσω λόγοιςτοῖς τοῦδʼ, ὃς εὔνους ὢν ἐμοὶ παρῄνεσεν;ἀλλʼ εἰκάθω δῆτʼ; εἶτα πῶς ὁ δύσμοροςεἰς φῶς τάδʼ ἔρξας εἶμι; τῷ προσήγορος;πῶς, ὦ τὰ πάντʼ ἰδόντες ἀμφʼ ἐμοὶ κύκλοι,ταῦτʼ ἐξανασχήσεσθε, τοῖσιν Ἀτρέωςἐμὲ ξυνόντα παισίν, οἵ μʼ ἀπώλεσαν;πῶς τῷ πανώλει παιδὶ τῷ Λαερτίου;οὐ γάρ με τἄλγος τῶν παρελθόντων δάκνει,ἀλλʼ οἷα χρὴ παθεῖν με πρὸς τούτων ἔτιδοκῶ προλεύσσειν· οἷς γὰρ ἡ γνώμη κακῶνμήτηρ γένηται, τἄλλα παιδεύει κακούς.καὶ σοῦ δʼ ἔγωγε θαυμάσας ἔχω τόδε.χρῆν γάρ σε μήτʼ αὐτόν ποτʼ ἐς Τροίαν μολεῖνἡμᾶς τʼ ἀπείργειν, οἵ γέ σου καθύβρισαν,πατρὸς γέρας συλῶντες, εἶτα τοῖσδε σὺεἶ ξυμμαχήσων, κἄμʼ ἀναγκάζεις τόδε;μὴ δῆτα, τέκνον· ἀλλʼ ἅ μοι ξυνώμοσας,πέμψον πρὸς οἴκους· καὐτὸς ἐν Σκύρῳ μένωνἔα κακῶς αὐτοὺς ἀπόλλυσθαι κακούς.
So shall you win double thanks from me, as from your father, and you will not appear through your service to bad men to be like them in your nature.Neoptolemus:Your recommendation is reasonable, but nevertheless, I wish that you would put your trust in the gods and in my words,and sail from this land with me, your friend.
χοὔτω διπλῆν μὲν ἐξ ἐμοῦ κτήσει χάριν,διπλῆν δὲ πατρός, κοὐ κακοὺς ἐπωφελῶνδόξεις ὁμοῖος τοῖς κακοῖς πεφυκέναι.Νεοπτόλεμος:λέγεις μὲν εἰκότʼ, ἀλλʼ ὅμως σε βούλομαιθεοῖς τε πιστεύσαντα τοῖς τʼ ἐμοῖς λόγοιςφίλου μετʼ ἀνδρὸς τοῦδε τῆσδʼ ἐκπλεῖν χθονός.
Philoctetes:What! To the plains of Troy and to the abhorred son of Atreus, with this miserable foot?
Φιλοκτήτης:ἦ πρὸς τὰ Τροίας πεδία καὶ τὸν Ἀτρέωςἔχθιστον υἱὸν τῷδε δυστήνῳ ποδί;
Neoptolemus:No, rather to those who will free you and your pus-filled limb from pain, and will save you from your sickness.
Νεοπτόλεμος:πρὸς τοὺς μὲν οὖν σε τήνδε τʼ ἔμπυον βάσινπαύσοντας ἄλγους κἀποσώσοντας νόσου.
Philoctetes:You giver of frightening advice, what have you said?
Φιλοκτήτης:ὦ δεινὸν αἶνον αἰνέσας, τί φής ποτε;
Neoptolemus:I recognize what will be best in the end for you and for me.
Νεοπτόλεμος:ἃ σοί τε κἀμοὶ λῷσθʼ ὁρῶ τελούμενα.
Philoctetes:Have you no shame before the gods for saying that?
Φιλοκτήτης:καὶ ταῦτα λέξας οὐ καταισχύνει θεούς;
Neoptolemus:Why should a man be ashamed of benefiting his friends?
Νεοπτόλεμος:πῶς γάρ τις αἰσχύνοιτʼ ἂν ὠφελῶν φίλους·
Philoctetes:Do you mean a benefit to the Atreids, or for me?
Φιλοκτήτης:λέγεις δʼ Ἀτρείδαις ὄφελος ἢ ʼπʼ ἐμοὶ τόδε;
Neoptolemus:For you, certainly, since I am your friend and speak in friendship.
Νεοπτόλεμος:σοί που, φίλος γʼ ὤν, χὠ λόγος τοιόσδε μου.
Philoctetes:How can that be, when you would give me up to my enemies?
Φιλοκτήτης:πῶς, ὅς γε τοῖς ἐχθροῖσί μʼ ἐκδοῦναι θέλεις;
Neoptolemus:Please, sir, learn to be less defiant in misfortune.
Νεοπτόλεμος:ὦ τᾶν, διδάσκου μὴ θρασύνεσθαι κακοῖς.
Philoctetes:You will ruin me—I know it—with these words.
Φιλοκτήτης:ὀλεῖς με, γιγνώσκω σε, τοῖσδε τοῖς λόγοις.
Neoptolemus:Not I. But you, I say, will not understand.
Νεοπτόλεμος:οὔκουν ἔγωγε· φημὶ δʼ οὔ σε μανθάνειν.
Philoctetes:Do I not know already that the Atreids cast me away?
Φιλοκτήτης:ἐγὼ οὐκ Ἀτρείδας ἐκβαλόντας οἶδά με;
Neoptolemus:They cast you out, yes, but look if they will not in turn restore you.
Νεοπτόλεμος:ἀλλʼ ἐκβαλόντες εἰ πάλιν σώσουσʼ ὅρα.
Philoctetes:Never—if I must first consent to see Troy.
Φιλοκτήτης:οὐδέποθʼ ἑκόντα γʼ ὥστε τὴν Τροίαν ἰδεῖν.
Neoptolemus:What can I do, then if my pleading fails to persuade you of anything that I recommend?
Νεοπτόλεμος:τί δῆτʼ ἂν ἡμεῖς δρῷμεν, εἰ σέ γʼ ἐν λόγοιςπείσειν δυνησόμεσθα μηδὲν ὧν λέγω;
The easiest course for me is to stop talking, and for you to live, just as you do now, without deliverance.
ὡς ῥᾷστʼ ἐμοὶ μὲν τῶν λόγων λῆξαι, σὲ δὲζῆν, ὥσπερ ἤδη ζῇς, ἄνευ σωτηρίας.
Philoctetes:Let me bear the sufferings that are fated me. But what you promised me with your right hand in mine—to bring me home,—that promise fulfil for me, son,and do not delay, or remind me further of Troy. I have had my fill of grief and lamentations.
Φιλοκτήτης:ἔα με πάσχειν ταῦθʼ ἅπερ παθεῖν με δεῖ·ἃ δʼ ᾔνεσάς μοι δεξιᾶς ἐμῆς θιγών,πέμπειν πρὸς οἴκους, ταῦτά μοι πρᾶξον, τέκνον,καὶ μὴ βράδυνε μηδʼ ἐπιμνησθῇς ἔτιΤροίας· ἅλις γάρ μοι τεθρήνηται γόοις.
Neoptolemus:If it is your will, let us go.
Νεοπτόλεμος:εἰ δοκεῖ, στείχωμεν.
Philoctetes:O noble words!
Φιλοκτήτης:ὦ γενναῖον εἰρηκὼς ἔπος.
Neoptolemus:Now lean your steps firmly upon mine.
Νεοπτόλεμος:ἀντέρειδε νῦν βάσιν σήν.
Philoctetes:As far as my strength allows.
Φιλοκτήτης:εἰς ὅσον γʼ ἐγὼ σθένω.
Neoptolemus:But how shall I escape blame from the Achaeans?
Νεοπτόλεμος:αἰτίαν δὲ πῶς Ἀχαιῶν φεύξομαι;
Philoctetes:Disregard it.
Φιλοκτήτης:μὴ φροντίσῃς.
Neoptolemus:What if they ravage my country?
Νεοπτόλεμος:τί γάρ, ἐὰν πορθῶσι χώραν τὴν ἐμήν;
Philoctetes:I will be there—
Φιλοκτήτης:ἐγὼ παρὼν
Neoptolemus:And what aid will you render?
Νεοπτόλεμος:τίνα προσωφέλησιν ἔρξεις;
Philoctetes:—And with the shafts of Heracles—
Φιλοκτήτης:βέλεσι τοῖς Ἡρακλέους
Neoptolemus:What?
Νεοπτόλεμος:πῶς λέγεις;
Philoctetes:—I will keep them away.
Φιλοκτήτης:εἴρξω πελάζειν.
Neoptolemus:Then say your farewell to this island, and leave with me.Heracles appears above the stage.
Νεοπτόλεμος:στεῖχε προσκύσας χθόνα.
Heracles:Not yet, not until you have heard my commands,son of Poeas. Know that your ears perceive the voice of Heracles, and that you look upon his face. For your sake I have left my divine seat and cometo reveal to you the purposes of Zeus, and to halt the journey on which you are departing. Hearken to my words. First I would tell you of my own fortunes—how, by toiling through and enduring so many toils to the end, I have won the glory of deathlessness, as you witness.And for you, be sure, this fate is ordained, that through these toils of yours you will make your life far-famed. You shall go with this man to the Trojan city, where, first, you shall be healed of your cruel sickness,and then, chosen out as foremost among the warriors in prowess, with my bow you shall sever Paris, the author of these evils, from life. You shall sack Troy and shall receive from the army the spoils of supreme valor to carry hometo the heights of your native Oeta for the delight of your father Poeas. And whatever spoils you receive from that army, from them carry to my pyre a thank-offering for my bow. And these counsels hold for you also, son of Achilles,for you have not the might to subdue the Trojan realm without him, nor he without you. Rather, like twin lions with the same quarry, each of you must guard the other’s life. For the healing of your sickness, I will send Asclepius to Troy, since it is doomed to fall a second timebefore my arrows. But of this be mindful, when you plunder the land—that you show reverence towards the gods. Do this because Father Zeus regards all else as of less account, and because Piety does not die along with mortals. Whether they are alive or dead, their piety does not perish.
Ἡρακλῆς:μήπω γε, πρὶν ἂν τῶν ἡμετέρωνἀίῃς μύθων, παῖ Ποίαντος·φάσκειν δʼ αὐδὴν τὴν Ἡρακλέουςἀκοῇ τε κλύειν λεύσσειν τʼ ὄψιν.τὴν σὴν δʼ ἥκω χάριν οὐρανίαςἕδρας προλιπών,τὰ Διός τε φράσων βουλεύματά σοικατερητύσων θʼ ὁδὸν ἣν στέλλει·σὺ δʼ ἐμῶν μύθων ἐπάκουσον.καὶ πρῶτα μέν σοι τὰς ἐμὰς λέξω τύχας,ὅσους πονήσας καὶ διεξελθὼν πόνουςἀθάνατον ἀρετὴν ἔσχον, ὡς πάρεσθʼ ὁρᾶν.καὶ σοί, σάφʼ ἴσθι, τοῦτʼ ὀφείλεται παθεῖν,ἐκ τῶν πόνων τῶνδʼ εὐκλεᾶ θέσθαι βίον.ἐλθὼν δὲ σὺν τῷδʼ ἀνδρὶ πρὸς τὸ Τρωικὸνπόλισμα, πρῶτον μὲν νόσου παύσει λυγρᾶς,ἀρετῇ τε πρῶτος ἐκκριθεὶς στρατεύματος,Πάριν μέν, ὃς τῶνδʼ αἴτιος κακῶν ἔφυ,τόξοισι τοῖς ἐμοῖσι νοσφιεῖς βίου,πέρσεις τε Τροίαν, σκῦλά τʼ εἰς μέλαθρα σὰπέμψεις, ἀριστεῖʼ ἐκλαβὼν στρατεύματος,Ποίαντι πατρὶ πρὸς πάτρας Οἴτης πλάκα.ἃ δʼ ἂν λάβῃς σὺ σκῦλα τοῦδε τοῦ στρατοῦ,τόξων ἐμῶν μνημεῖα πρὸς πυρὰν ἐμὴνκόμιζε. καὶ σοὶ ταῦτʼ, Ἀχιλλέως τέκνον,παρῄνεσʼ· οὔτε γὰρ σὺ τοῦδʼ ἄτερ σθένειςἑλεῖν τὸ Τροίας πεδίον οὔθʼ οὗτος σέθεν.ἀλλʼ ὡς λέοντε συννόμω φυλάσσετονοὗτος σὲ καὶ σὺ τόνδʼ· ἐγὼ δʼ Ἀσκληπιὸνπαυστῆρα πέμψω σῆς νόσου πρὸς Ἴλιον.τὸ δεύτερον γὰρ τοῖς ἐμοῖς αὐτὴν χρεὼντόξοις ἁλῶναι. τοῦτο δʼ ἐννοεῖθʼ, ὅτανπορθῆτε γαῖαν, εὐσεβεῖν τὰ πρὸς θεούς·ὡς τἄλλα πάντα δεύτερʼ ἡγεῖται πατὴρΖεύς· οὐ γὰρ εὐσέβεια συνθνῄσκει βροτοῖς·κἂν ζῶσι κἂν θάνωσιν, οὐκ ἀπόλλυται.
Philoctetes:Ah, friend whose voice I have longed to hear, whose shape I see at long last, I will not disobey your commands!
Φιλοκτήτης:ὦ φθέγμα ποθεινὸν ἐμοὶ πέμψαςχρόνιός τε φανείς,οὐκ ἀπιθήσω τοῖς σοῖς μύθοις.
Neoptolemus:I, too, consent.
Νεοπτόλεμος:κἀγὼ γνώμην ταύτῃ τίθεμαι.
Heracles:Then do not long delay,for the occasion and the fair wind there at your stern urge you forward.
Ἡρακλῆς:μή νυν χρόνιοι μέλλετε πράσσειν·καιρὸς καὶ πλοῦςὅδʼ ἐπείγει γὰρ κατὰ πρύμνην.
Philoctetes:Come, then, let me hail this land as I depart. Farewell, chamber that shared my watches. Farewell,nymphs of stream and meadow, and you, strong pounding of the sea-lashed cape, where often in the cavern’s inmost recess my head was wetted by the south wind’s blasts, and where many times the Hermaean mount sent an echoto my sad groans in the gale of my sorrow! But now, clear springs and Lycian fount, I am leaving you, leaving you at last, though such a hope had never buoyed me! Farewell, sea-wrapped Lemnos,and send me off with sailing fair to my heart’s content, send me to the destination appointed me by mighty Fate and the will of my friends, and by the all-taming god who has brought these things to pass.
Φιλοκτήτης:φέρε νυν στείχων χώραν καλέσω.χαῖρʼ, ὦ μέλαθρον ξύμφρουρον ἐμοί,νύμφαι τʼ ἔνυδροι λειμωνιάδες,καὶ κτύπος ἄρσην πόντου προβολῆς,οὗ πολλάκι δὴ τοὐμὸν ἐτέγχθηκρᾶτʼ ἐνδόμυχον πληγαῖσι νότου,πολλὰ δὲ φωνῆς τῆς ἡμετέραςἙρμαῖον ὄρος παρέπεμψεν ἐμοὶστόνον ἀντίτυπον χειμαζομένῳ.νῦν δʼ, ὦ κρῆναι Λύκιόν τε ποτόν,λείπομεν ὑμᾶς, λείπομεν ἤδηδόξης οὔ ποτε τῆσδʼ ἐπιβάντες.χαῖρʼ, ὦ Λήμνου πέδον ἀμφίαλον,καί μʼ εὐπλοίᾳ πέμψον ἀμέμπτως,ἔνθʼ ἡ μεγάλη Μοῖρα κομίζειγνώμη τε φίλων χὠ πανδαμάτωρδαίμων, ὃς ταῦτʼ ἐπέκρανεν.
Chorus:Now let us all leave together,once we have prayed to the nymphs of the sea to come be the guides of our safe return.
Χορός:χωρῶμεν δὴ πάντες ἀολλεῖς,νύμφαις ἁλίαισιν ἐπευξάμενοινόστου σωτῆρας ἱκέσθαι.