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Philoctetes
1380 These are strange words indeed: what are you saying?
Neoptolemus
What will be best for you as well as me.
Philoctetes
When you speak thus, do you not fear the gods?
Neoptolemus
Why should I be afraid to help my friend?
Philoctetes
But will you help me or the sons of Atreus?
Neoptolemus
1385 You - for I am your friend, and speak in friendship.
Philoctetes
Yet you would give me to my enemies!
Neoptolemus
My friend, be less defiant in misfortune.
Philoctetes
Surely you will destroy me with your words.
Neoptolemus
Not I . . . but you will not know what I mean.
Philoctetes
1390 I know the sons of Atreus left me here.
Neoptolemus
They did; and yet they may restore you also.
Philoctetes
Not if I must consent to go to Troy.
Neoptolemus
What must I do then, if my words cannot
persuade you to do anything I ask?
1395The easiest course for me is to be silent
and let you live without help, as before.
Philoctetes
Yes, let me suffer what I have to suffer.
But you, my child, must now fulfill the promise
made when you touched my hand, and send me home.
1400Do not delay, or speak again of Troy,
for I have had my fill of lamentation.
The women of Trachis and Philoctetes. A new translation in verse by Robert Torrance. Houghton Mifflin. 1966.
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