Eksodos
Chorus
Long ago I would have left you to go to my ship, had I not seen
Odysseus approaching, and the son of Achilles, too, coming here for us.
1220
Odysseus
Will you not tell me why you make this return journey with such eager speed?
Neoptolemus
I come to undo the mistake that I made earlier.
Odysseus
Your words alarm me—what mistake was that?
1225
Neoptolemus
The one I made when I obeyed you and all the army.
Odysseus
What did you do that was unworthy of you?
Neoptolemus
I captured a man by disgraceful deceits and treachery.
Odysseus
What man? Oh! Can you be planning something rash?
Neoptolemus
Rash, no. But to Poeas’ son—
1230
Odysseus
What are you going to do? Suddenly a certain fear comes over me.
Neoptolemus
—From whom I took this bow, back to him—
Odysseus
Zeus! What will you say? Certainly you do not intend to give it back?
Neoptolemus
Yes, I do, because disgracefully and unjustly I got hold of it.
Odysseus
In the name of the gods, are you saying this to mock me?
1235
Neoptolemus
If it is mockery to speak the truth.
Odysseus
What do you mean, Neoptolemus? What are you saying?
Neoptolemus
Must I repeat the same words twice and three times?
Odysseus
I would not have wished to hear them even once.
Neoptolemus
Know for certain that I have nothing more to say.
1240
Odysseus
There is someone, I tell you, who will prevent your deed.
Neoptolemus
What do you mean? Who will oppose me in this?
Odysseus
The whole host of the Achaeans, and I for one.
Neoptolemus
Wise though you were born, your threats are void of wisdom.
Odysseus
And your words are not wise, nor is that which you want to do.
1245
Neoptolemus
And yet if they are just, they are better than wise.
Odysseus
And how is it just for you to give up what was won by means of my plans?
Neoptolemus
My error was to my dishonor, and now I must try to retrieve it.
Odysseus
The army of the Achaeans causes you no fear, when you do this?
1250
Neoptolemus
With justice on my side, I do not tremble at the terrors you name.
Neoptolemus
No, not even at the threat of your hand do I yield obedience.
Odysseus
Then our battles shall be not with the Trojans, but with you.
Neoptolemus
So be it, if that is what the future holds.
Odysseus
Do you see my right hand
clasping my sword hilt?
1255
Neoptolemus
You will see me do the same, and not slowly.
1255
Odysseus
However, I will let you be. But I will go report this to all the army, and by them you will be punished.
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.
1260
But you, son of Poeas, Philoctetes, come out! Leave the shelter of your rocky home!
Philoctetes
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.
Oh, no! This business will bring me no good. Have you come bringing me new misery on top of the old?
1265
Neoptolemus
Take heart and listen to my words.
Philoctetes
I am afraid. Beautiful words did me evil once before, when I believed your promises.
Neoptolemus
Is there no room, then, for repentance?
1270
Philoctetes
You spoke just like this, when you were seeking to steal my bow—a professed friend, with my destruction in his treacherous heart.
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.
Philoctetes
Stop, not another word! Whatever you may say will be said in vain.
1275
Neoptolemus
You are so resolved?
Philoctetes
More firmly, believe me, than words can say.
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.
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!
1280
Ruin seize you all, the Atreids first, and next the son of Laertes, and you!
1285
Neoptolemus
Speak no more curses, and instead receive these weapons from my hand.
Philoctetes
What did you say? Am I being tricked a second time?
Neoptolemus
No, I swear it by the pure majesty of Zeus most high!
Philoctetes
O welcome words—if your words are true!
1290
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.
Odysseus
But I forbid it, as the gods are my witnesses, in the name of the Atreids and the entire army!
Philoctetes
Son, whose voice was that? Do I hear Odysseus?
1295
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.
Philoctetes
But it will bring you no joy, if this arrow fly straight. Odysseus flees from the stage.
Neoptolemus
Wait—by the gods, no! Do not let it fly!
1300
Philoctetes
Let go of me, in the name of the gods, dear boy!
Philoctetes
Alas! Why did you take from me the chance to kill my hated enemy with my bow?
Neoptolemus
It would have been honorable neither for me, nor for you.
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.
1305
Neoptolemus
Good; the bow is yours, and you have no cause for anger or complaint against me.
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.
1310
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,
1315
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.
1320
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,
1325
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’s
1330
aid 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,
1335
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 out
1340
as best of the Greeks—first, for coming into healing hands, and then for taking Troy rich in tears, and so winning a matchless renown.
1345
Philoctetes
Hateful life, why, why do you keep me in the light of day, instead of letting me go to Hades’ domain?
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,
1350
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 of
1355
these 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 outrage
1360
by 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.
1365
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.
1370
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.
1375
Philoctetes
What! To the plains of Troy and to the abhorred son of Atreus, with this miserable foot?
Neoptolemus
No, rather to those who will free you and your pus-filled limb from pain, and will save you from your sickness.
Philoctetes
You giver of frightening advice, what have you said?
1380
Neoptolemus
I recognize what will be best in the end for you and for me.
Philoctetes
Have you no shame before the gods for saying that?
Neoptolemus
Why should a man be ashamed of benefiting his friends?
Philoctetes
Do you mean a benefit to the Atreids, or for me?
Neoptolemus
For you, certainly, since I am your friend and speak in friendship.
1385
Philoctetes
How can that be, when you would give me up to my enemies?
Neoptolemus
Please, sir, learn to be less defiant in misfortune.
Philoctetes
You will ruin me—I know it—with these words.
Neoptolemus
Not I. But you, I say, will not understand.
Philoctetes
Do I not know already that the Atreids cast me away?
1390
Neoptolemus
They cast you out, yes, but look if they will not in turn restore you.
Philoctetes
Never—if I must first consent to see Troy.
Neoptolemus
What can I do, then if my pleading fails to persuade you of anything that I recommend?
The easiest course for me is to stop talking, and for you to live, just as you do now, without deliverance.
1395
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.
1400
Neoptolemus
If it is your will, let us go.
Philoctetes
O noble words!
Neoptolemus
Now lean your steps firmly upon mine.
Philoctetes
As far as my strength allows.
Neoptolemus
But how shall I escape blame from the Achaeans?
Philoctetes
Disregard it.
Neoptolemus
What if they ravage my country?
1405
Philoctetes
I will be there—
1405
Neoptolemus
And what aid will you render?
Philoctetes
—And with the shafts of Heracles—
Philoctetes
—I will keep them away.
Neoptolemus
Then say your farewell to this island, and leave with me.
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 come
1410
to 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.
1415
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,
1420
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 home
1425
to 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,
1430
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 time
1435
before 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.
1440
Philoctetes
Ah, friend whose voice I have longed to hear, whose shape I see at long last, I will not disobey your commands!
1445
Neoptolemus
I, too, consent.
Heracles
Then do not long delay,
for the occasion and the fair wind there at your stern urge you forward.
1450
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 echo
1455
to 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,
1460
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.
1465
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.
1470