Stasimon 5
[Choral]
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!
Philoctetes
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!
1200
Chorus
What would you ask?
Philoctetes
A sword, if you can find one, or an axe, or any weapon—
please, pass it to me!
1205
Chorus
That you may execute what scheme?
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—
Philoctetes
I am seeking my father—
1210
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 am
for leaving your sacred stream and going to help the Danaans, my enemies! I am nothing now, nothing anymore! Exit Philoctetes into the cave.
1215
