Sophocles, Philoctetes
Robert Torrance, Ed.

Neoptolemus
Son of Laertes, when I hear a plan
which pains me, I recoil from acting on it.
I was not born to act on false contrivance,
nor, so they tell me, was my father. I
90will freely lend myself to take the man
by force, not guile: he has one foot: he cannot
by force defeat such men as we. . . . And yet
I came to help, and would not willingly
be called a traitor. Prince, I would prefer
95to fail with honor than to win by evil.

Odysseus
Son of a valiant sire, I once was young;
my tongue, like yours, was slow; my hand was active.
But now, by long experience, I see
the tongue, not deeds, is ruler in all things.

Neoptolemus
100 What are you asking but that I should lie?

Odysseus
I say, snare Philoctetes by deception.

Neoptolemus
But why deceive him rather than persuade him?

Odysseus
He will not listen - nor be caught by force.

Neoptolemus
What dreadful strength could make a man so bold?

Odysseus
105 Arrows which bring inevitable death.

Neoptolemus
Then do we not so much as dare approach him?

Odysseus
Only if by deception - as I said.

Neoptolemus
Do you not think that telling lies is shameful?

Odysseus
No - not, at least, if lies lead on to safety.

Neoptolemus
110 How can a man face speaking words like these?

Odysseus
None should recoil when what he does brings profit.

Neoptolemus
How will I profit if he comes to Troy?

Odysseus
Troy will be captured only by his bow.

Neoptolemus
Then will I not sack Troy, as it was promised?

Odysseus
115 Not without it, nor it apart from you.

Neoptolemus
It must be taken then, if that is true.

Odysseus
When you accomplish this, two gifts are yours.

Neoptolemus
What? Tell me, and I will no longer scruple.

Odysseus
To be proclaimed at once both wise and good.

Neoptolemus
120 I'll do it then - and lay all shame aside.

Odysseus
Do you remember all that I have told you?

Neoptolemus
Be sure of it - for now I have consented.