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805
of Lemnos' mountain: I myself once dared
to do this for the son of Zeus to gain
that bow which you are now preserving for me.
Say something, child.
810Speak; break your silence - child, what are you thinking?
Neoptolemus
I have long now been grieving for your hardships.
Philoctetes
But, O my child, take heart: it comes to me
grievously, but it quickly goes away.
I only pray, do not leave me alone.
Neoptolemus
815 Take heart: we will remain.
Philoctetes
Will you?
Neoptolemus
Be certain sir.
Philoctetes
I will not place you under oath, my son.
Neoptolemus
It is not right that I should go without you.
Philoctetes
820 Give me your hand as pledge.
Neoptolemus
Here: I will stay.
Philoctetes
Now take me there.
Neoptolemus
Where do you mean?
Philoctetes
Up there.
Neoptolemus
825 Why do you rave and look up at the sky?
Philoctetes
Let me go, let me go!
The women of Trachis and Philoctetes. A new translation in verse by Robert Torrance. Houghton Mifflin. 1966.
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