Sophocles, Philoctetes
Robert Torrance, Ed.

Neoptolemus
So let it be - now take my hand and rise.

Philoctetes
Fear not - my ingrained habit will restore me.

Neoptolemus
895 Ah me, what course of action must I take?

Philoctetes
What is the matter, child? Why do you waver?

Neoptolemus
I find myself unable to reply.

Philoctetes
Unable? Child, do not say such a thing.

Neoptolemus
Yet even so is the turmoil I am in.

Philoctetes
900 Has my disease become offensive to you,
and will you not now take me in your ship?

Neoptolemus
Everything is offensive when a man
departs from his own nature and does wrong.

Philoctetes
Surely your words and actions will be like
905your father's if you help a worthy man.

Neoptolemus
I will seem base, and that thought tortures me.

Philoctetes
Not if you help me - yet I fear your words.

Neoptolemus
O God, what shall I do? Must I be guilty
again of hiding truth and spreading lies?

Philoctetes
910 Unless my judgment fails it seems that he
is falsely leaving me, to sail away.

Neoptolemus
I am not leaving you, but I may bring you
to greater pain - and that thought tortures me.

Philoctetes
My child, I cannot understand your words.

Neoptolemus
915 I will hide nothing: you must sail to Troy,
to the Greek army of the sons of Atreus.

Philoctetes
What are you saying?

Neoptolemus
Wait, until you learn . . .

Philoctetes
Learn what? What do you mean to do with me?

Neoptolemus
920 To save you from this suffering, and then
to go along with you and capture Troy.

Philoctetes
Can you really mean this?

Neoptolemus
Yes: a strong compulsion
necessitates it: do not be enraged.

Philoctetes
925 Oh, you have killed me and betrayed me! Stranger,
what have you done to me? Give back my bow.