Sophocles, Philoctetes
Robert Torrance, Ed.

chorus
What shall we do? Prince, you must tell us now
whether to sail or yield to this man's words.

Neoptolemus
965 A strange compassion for him comes upon me,
which I first felt, not now, but long before.

Philoctetes
Have pity, child, in God's name: do not give
men cause to blame you for deceiving me.

Neoptolemus
What shall I do? I wish that I had never
970left Skyros to be burdened by these troubles!

Philoctetes
You are not evil - yet it seems that you
have learned from men who are: leave that to them,
but sail away, and give me back my weapon.

Neoptolemus
What shall we do?
Odysseus, who has entered unnoticed, steps forward.

Odysseus
975 Rash man, what are you doing?
Step back, I tell you: give the bow to me.

Philoctetes
Who is it? Do I hear Odysseus speak?

Odysseus
Odysseus, yes! Now you may see me clearly.

Philoctetes
Oh, I am ruined, lost! then it was you
980who snared me and deprived me of my weapon!

Odysseus
I and no other - I confess it freely.

Philoctetes
Child, give me back my bow.

Odysseus
No, he will never
do that, not even if he wishes: you
985must come with us, or they will force you to it.

Philoctetes
Boldest and evilest of wicked men,
will they use force on me?

Odysseus
Yes, if you struggle.

Philoctetes
Lemnos, my island, whose almighty flame
990the god of fire engendered, can you bear
to see this man force me away from you?

Odysseus
Zeus, let me tell you, Zeus rules in this land;
Zeus has done this - and I am but his servant.

Philoctetes
Villain, what pretext will you think of next?
995By crediting the gods you make them liars!

Odysseus
No, they are true. And now we must set forth.

Philoctetes
I will not.

Odysseus
But you will: you cannot help it.

Philoctetes
Wretch that I am! was I my father's son
1000to be a slave and never live in freedom?

Odysseus
Not so, but equal to our noblest men,
with whom you will take Troy and bring it low.

Philoctetes
No, never! I would suffer any evil