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590
are sailing under oath to bring this man
back - by persuasive words, or by brute force.
It was Odysseus who informed the Greeks
about this plan: he was more confident
595than his companion that he would succeed.
Neoptolemus
Why did the sons of Atreus turn their thoughts
again, when so much time had passed, to him
whom they deserted here so long ago?
What passion came upon them? what constraint
600or vengeance from the gods, who punish evil?
spy
I will explain these matters, for it seems
you have not heard about them. Helenus,
a noble prophet and the son of Priam,
was captured one night by this guileful man
605Odysseus, who is known for shameful acts
and insults: he was taken then in chains
and shown to the Achaeans as a prize.
He prophesied to them of many things,
and said the towers of Troy would never fall
610unless they could persuade this man to come
back from the island he inhabits now.
And when Laertes' son had heard the seer
thus prophesy, immediately he promised
the Greeks would see the man brought back to them.
615He hoped he would come willingly, but said,
willing or not, that he would come; and then
offered his head if he should fail to bring him.
Now you have heard me, son: I would advise
haste for yourself and any man you care for.
Philoctetes
620 Oh oh, has he, that universal plague,
sworn that he will persuade me to return?
I shall as soon come back from hell to see
the light, when I have died, as be persuaded
spy
I cannot vouch for that; but I am going
625back to my ship - and may the gods be with you!
Spy and sailor leave.
Philoctetes
Is it not strange indeed, my child, that this
son of Laertes hoped by soothing words
The women of Trachis and Philoctetes. A new translation in verse by Robert Torrance. Houghton Mifflin. 1966.
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