Philoctetes Ulysses ULYSSES, NEOPTOLEMUS. THIS is the shore of Lemnos, sea-girt isle; No human footstep marks the ground: no hut, Which man inhabits, rises to the eye : Here, Neoptolemus, thou noble son Of the most valiant of the Grecian Chiefs, In times long past, commanded by the kings To do this deed; for from his wounded foot A rankling ulcer oozed, and undisturb'd Nor victim nor libation could our hands Present; through all the camp his dismal groans And horrid cries resounded. But these things Why should I now relate? This is no time For long discourse, lest, my arrival known, I frustrate all my subtle trains, in which I think to take him soon. Thine now the task.. To act as I direct thee, and observe If here the pierced rock to the winter's sun Presents on either side a cheerful seat; But in the summer through the pervious cleft The gently-passing gale leads sleep along. A little lower, on the left, perchance A fountain thou may'st see, of whose pure stream, If living yet, he drinks: with silent step Advance, and tell me in, that place if still He holds his habitation, or elsewhere. Further instructions then thou may'st receive, And I may give them: mutual be our toil. Neoptolemus Not distant, king Ulysses, lies this task; I think I see the cave by thee described. Ulysses Above this place, or lower down? My eye Discerns it not.. Neoptolemus SUMIIOTIO Above; and many a trace Of human steps. cool to one séri Neoptolemus Observe if stretch'd in sleep Liew it round Haply he lie reposedicatii uradil And not an human habitant is there. Ulysses Contains it nothing which domestic use Requires do que Neoptolemus out An heap of leaves, that bear the mark Of one who lodges Jon; them.) DL Ulysses Nothing more, Save this rude bed, beneath the rocky roof? Neoptolemus A cup of wood by some rude artist wrought; And * these, the sparks of sleeping fire to wake. Ulysses His treasures, and to him of moment: these... Neoptolemus And drying here some noisome rags are laid, Alas, alas, how full of putrid gore! Ulysses These mark his habitation in this place ; Nor distant he; th' immedicable wound Long rankling in his foot forbids him far To roam; in search of food, or of some leaf, He is gone forth; he knows perchance some herb Lenient of pain. Be this attendant then Sent to observe his steps, lest unawares... He light on me; for more than all the sons, Of Greece he wishes me within his pow'r Neoptolemus He goes; the path shall well be watch'd. Now say, Resuming thy discourse, what wou'dst thou more? Ulysses Son of Achilles, in the important cause Which brought thee hither, it behoves thee much Thy vigour to exert; nor that alone, it would But if aught new, if aught unheard before c Thou hear, assist: for therefore art thou come. Neoptolemus What then wou'dst thou command me zh iblondro: Peta Shio. Totallurei With fraudful words the unsuspecting heart Of Philoctetes: when he asks thee whooo.T And whence thou art, tell him thow art the sono Of great Achilles; fraud were useless: here 3.0 To Seyros say thy vessel ploughs the main, M And bears thee from th' associate Chiefs of Greece, Indignant at thy wrongs; for when their pray'rs Won thee to join their naval force (that hope To storm the tow'rs of Troy alone remain'd) Ulysses To thy request, though highly just, with scorn The armour of Achilles they denied, And gave it to Ulysses: then of me Say what thou wilt, the vilest of vile things, I heed it not. This task if thou decline, Each Argive heart with sorrow thou wilt wound. For should these fated arrows not be gain'd It is not thine to waste the Dardan realms. By me no converse with him can be held, To thee it has no danger; it was thine To join their arms, by oath to none engaged, Nor through necessity, nor with the first That stretch'd their sails: all this in me offends. My ruin then, if whilst he holds this bow He find me, is most certain; and on thee My presence will draw ruin: this requires Deep-thoughted stratagem, and artful trains, By stealth to bear th' unconquer'd arms away. I know thy noble nature; it disdains To speak a falsehood, or contrive a fraud : But high the transport to obtain the prize Of conquest: dare th' attempt: we will be just Hereafter: some small portion of this day Forget to blush, and give thyself to me: Thenceforth be deem'd the holiest of mankind. Neoptolemus What but to hear is painful to my soul, Son of Laertes, I abhor to act. My nature was not form'd for treacherous deeds, Nor his who gave me birth; so fame reports... Thou seest me prompt to seize this man by force, But not by fraud: nor will his might avail, Prompt on one foot, against our vigorous strength. Sent thy assistant, I disdain the name Of a betrayer. I have a joy, O king, In honest actions, though their efforts fail, More than in victory by baseness gain'd. Ulysses Thou noble son of an illustrious sire, When I was young I bade my tongue be still, And my hands active; now by certain proof From long experience in the world I find Thy tongue, not actions, rules th' affairs of men. Neoptolemus What then wou'dst thou command, so that my tongue Speak no untruth? I tell thee that by fraud Ulysses Thou must take Philoctetes. Neoptolemus Why by fraud, Rather than fair persuasion, should I hence Assay to lead him ? Ulysses To persuasion's voice: He would be deaf, nor will thy force avail To seize him. Neoptolemus What hath he of power so vast, So terrible? Ulysses Unerring arrows wing'd With certain death. Neoptolemus Bold then must be th' attempt E'en to accost him. Ulysses Not if seized by fraud As I advise. Neoptolemus Dost thou not deem it base To utter falsehoods? Ulysses Not if falsehood leads To safety Neoptolemus How must that man look, who dares To speak such things ? f 4 Ulysses When much may be obtain'd Such niceness may be waved.daydr Neoptolemus Tome what gain, Should he to Troy sail with us?uitos teamodel Ulysses ed By bis shafts Alone is Troy subduedo e sidor rofT "Did you not say I and My arms should raze her tow'rshed yor bal. In a oficio Not without these, Nor these unaided by thy armster cougaot vdT If thus and tod co It be decreed, these arrows must bewon.droqe Ulysses Win them, a double meed is thine. Neoptolemus Doolid! What meedaT This known, no more I may refuse to act. Ulysses As wise and brave to hear thyself renown'd Neoptolemus Go: I will do it, and all shameddefy off. Ulysses Are my instructions in thy mind well fix'd? Neoptolemus Be sure of that, since I assent to them.owl Ulysses Abide thou here expecting his returnier OT I now must leave thee, to avoid his sight, And the attendant, who observes his steps, Will order to the bark. If your delay Exceeds my expectation, I will send to di The same man back in such habiliments As to appear the master of some bark, That he may come not known in such a garb: Artful and various thou wilt find his words. But gather from them to the presenticause What is of highest import: to the shipm I go, these things committing to thy charge. May Hermes, god of wiles, who led us forth, Be now our guide, and the victorious queen, Pallas, protectress of the rampired town, Who always shields me with her guardian care! Chorus NEOPTOLEMUS, CHORUS. In a strange land a stranger, potent lord, What truths must I conceal, what may I speak, When to our sight this man presents himself? Instruct me, for in knowledge he excels All others, and in prudence, who from Jove Receives the sacred sceptre; all this pow'r To thee, my son, is from a noble line Of ancestors derived. Inform me then What service from my hand is now required. Neoptolemus Now, if thou hast a wish to see the place Through all its deep recesses where he lies, With freedom view it; but when he returns, The painful traveller, quit these caves, be near My hand, prepared to act as need requires. Chorus That was my purpose, with attentive heed, On thine, O king, to fix my eye. Now show Amidst what caves he lodges, and what place Inhabits: this to know is not unmeet, id, Lest haply he surprise me in some part Where not expected. Show me then his cave, Show me his residence; his footsteps mark, Homeward impress'd, or pointed from the cave. Neoptolemus Thou seest his habitation in this cave, Where the cleft rock a double entrance yields.T Chorus Where absent is the wretched dweller now?.. Neoptolemus The want of food hath doubtless drawn him forth To toil with painful step, not distant fari For he sustains his miserable life By miserably piercing with his shafts The beasts that haunt these wilds; nor for his wound Finds he a cure, or to his pains relief. Chorus I pity him, no mortal's lenient aid Tending around him, and no social friend Near him to sooth his solitary hours. Alone, and with the anguish of his wound For ever tortured, while each cheerless want Daily scowls round him, how supports he life? Alas, to what hard toils are mortal men Reduced, whose lives, unhappy sufferers, want What to sustain them! So this man, perchance In noble blood and high-traced ancestry Rank'd with the greatest, destitute of all That life requires, alone 'midst shaggy beasts And birds of various wing his lodging finds; And pierced with pain and hunger here endures Immedicable anguish, whilst around The rock's rude Echo with unceasing voice In sullen notes returns his dismal groans. Neoptolemus My wonder this excites not; for heav'n-sent These sufferings seized him, if aright I judge, Derived from baleful Chryse; and the toils Which now afflict him, where no friend is near To mitigate his ills, are by the gods Assign'd, who would not their unconquer'd shafts He wing against the Trojans, ere the time Arrive, when by them Troy must be subdued. Chorus Silence, my son; I hear a sound; it seems The voice of one acquainted long with pain. Neoptolemus From what part comes the sound? I hear it now: This is indeed the voice of one that sets His steps with pain: though distant, yet distinct Is this heart-wasting voice, for loud his groans. Chorus Now summon all thy prudence, for his steps Approach, are near; no charm of tuneful pipe He brings like rural shepherd, but loud cries Far distant heard, through anguish when his foot The rugged path annoys; or as he sees Our vessel in th' inhospitable port: For dreadful are his cries before him sent. Philoctetes PHILOCTETES, NEOPTOLEMUS, CHORUS. Strangers, who are you that have steer'd your bark To this rude coast, which knows not friendly port, Nor habitation? What your country say; Of what race may I speak you? for your garb Presents the modes of Greece, to me most dear. I wish to hear your voice. Nay, do not look With fear and horror at this savage form, But pity me, a poor forsaken wretch, Alone, and friendless, and oppress'd with ills. Speak to me, if you come as friends, O speak; This I should not refuse; refuse not you. Neoptolemus Stranger, be first inform'd of this, for this Was thy first wish to know, we are of Greece. Philoctetes O welcome accents! What a joy to hear That language, to its sound so long disused! Who brought thee hither? What necessity, What strong desire impell'd thy sails, what wind To me most dear? Speak to me, tell me all, That who thou art undoubting I may know. Neoptolemus My birth I draw from Scyros, sea-girt isle, Thither my bark now steers its homeward course; And Neoptolemus men call my name, Son of Achilles. I have told thee all. Philoctetes Son of a father to my soul most dear, Thou native of a land I love, thou joy Of aged Lycomedes, to these shores On what achievement bound? Whence sail'd thy bark? Neoptolemus From Ilium now I steer my willing course. Philoctetes What say'st thou? Not with us didst thou embark, When first 'gainst Ilium sail'd our warlike host. Neoptolemus Hadst thou too in that martial toil a share? Philoctetes Know'st thou not me, my son, whom now thou seest? Neoptolemus How should I know a man not seen before? Philoctetes Hath not my name, hath not the bruit of ills By which I perish, ever reach'd thine ear? Neoptolemus Nothing of these thy questions do I know. Philoctetes Oh what a wretch am. I, and to the gods How hateful, that no tidings of my woes .. Have reach'd my house, nor any realm of Greece! While they whose impious arts exposed me here, Deride me, and conceal the barbarous deed, My wound still rankling, and my pains more fierce. Know then, thou son of an illustrious sire, Son of Achilles, I am he, whose name Widely divulged perchance hath reach'd thine ears, Lord of the arms of Hercules, the son Of Poœas, Philoctetes; whom the Chiefs, And Cephallene's king, here basely left An outcast, and alone, with dire disease... Consumed, and tortured with this gnawing wound By the fell serpent's venom'd tooth impress'd. In this ill plight they left me here alone, " From Chryse when on this wild coast we touch'd... As wearied with the tossing of the waves......... They saw me sleeping on the shore, beneath This rock's rude covering, with malignant joy They left me, and sail'd hence, a few mean rågs, Meet for a wretch like me, beside me laid, And food, a scanty pittance; such be theirs! Think from that sleep, my son, how I awoke When they were gone; think on my tears, my groans, Such ills lamenting, when I saw my ships, With which I hither sail'd, all out at sea, And steering hence; no mortal in the place, Not one to succour me, not one to lend His lenient hand to mitigate my wound.. On every side I roll'd my eyes, and saw Nothing but wretchedness; of that enough.... Time after time roll’d on; this narrow cave I made my mansion, and these hands alone! Supplied my wants; my bow procured me food, Piercing the doves on wing; beneath my shafts! Whene'er they fell, I trail'd my foot along In anguish; so when thirst compell'd me forth, Or the inclement winter's piercing frost To break a few dry sticks, out crawl'd this wretch Devising shifts: fire was not here; I struck Flint against flint, and raised the latent sparks With pain: thus cherish'd life hath been preserved. This sheltering mansion, with such cheering fire, Hath furnish'd me with all things, but a cure 1. To my disease. Now learn from me the state Of this rude isle: no mariner through choice Adventures on this coast; for no safe port, Receives his bark, no mart is open here For traffic, and no hospitable door To give him welcome; to these shores his course.. No wise man steers; some in a length of time, Which rolls along events surpassing thought, Have been driv'n hither; these, my son, when here, In words have pitied me: nay, they have giv'n, Touch'd with compassion, some small share of food, Some raiment; but entreaties all were vain, Not one, though oft I urged the fond request, Would bear me to my household gods, and save This life; the tenth sad year now rolls its course, Since here with wretchedness and famine pierced I waste away, and feed my rankling wound. These wrongs from the Atridæ I sustain, And from Ulysses, whose unfeeling heart Ne'er knew the touch of pity: on their heads May the just gods pour miseries great as mine! Chorus Like others, who have visited this isle, I too, O son of Peas, pity thee. Neoptolemus I can bear witness to thy words, by proof I know them true: Ulysses I have found Unfeeling, and the sons of Atreus base. Philoctetes Hast thou too suffer'd from them? Is thy rage 'Gainst their destructive guilt, like mine, inflamed ? Neoptolemus Oh that my hand had pow'r t' avenge my wrongs! Then should Mycenæ and proud Sparta know And feel that Scyros to the brave gives birth. Philoctetes This shows a noble spirit: but, my son, What mighty wrongs to Lemnos urged thy sails? Neoptolemus I will inform thee, if my soul can bear To speak my wrongs; for since Achilles died....... Philoctetes Ah, let me check thy speech: of this event First tell me. Is the son of Peleus dead? Neoptolemus And by no mortal hand, but by the bow Of Phœbus, such the voice of fame, subdued. Philoctetes Illustrious he that slew, and he that fell! But what behoves me now? Should I first ask What thou hast suffer'd, or lament his fate? Neoptolemus Griefs of thy own, I think thou hast enough, Unhappy man, unmix'd with foreign ills. Philoctetes Thy words are wise: return then to thy tale, My son, and say what wrongs thou hast received. Neoptolemus In a tall bark with all her sails unfurl'd The great Ulysses, and the sage who train'd May father's youth, came to me, and declared (The truth yet doubtful) that, my father dead, No arm but mine could raze the tow'rs of Troy. I heard them, nor detain'd them long, but soon Mounted the bark; for ardent my desire To see the dead, whom I had never seen, Ere in the earth entomb'd: their plea besides Had honour in it, that the tow'rs of Troy Should, if I join'd them, fall beneath my arm. One day our vessel plough'd the foaming main, And on the second with a favouring gale I reach'd Sigæum, scene of bitter woe. Soon as I landed, all the army round Enclosing me with salutations greet, And swear they see Achilles, now no more, Living again; but he was stretch'd in death. O'er him in all the anguish of my grief I shed the pious tears; nor mourn'd him long, But hasted to th' Atridæ, as my friends, For such I deem'd them, and my father's arms Demanded, and besides whateʼer was his. In words that pierced my heart they thus replied, Son of Achilles, thine be all the stores, The treasures of thy father, save his arms; Of these another now is lord, the son Of old Laertes. Strait the swelling tear Burst from my eye; and roused to ardent rage Indignant I replied, Have you then dared, Injurious men, to give my arms away, My leave not ask'd? Ulysses, who was nigh, Address'd me thus, To me, young man, these arms With justice they have giv'n, for from the foe I saved them, and their slaughter'd lord. Incensed I pour'd a torrent of reproachful words Against him, should he bear my arms away. Stung with my words, though train'd to curb his rage, Thus far to rising passion he gave way, Thou wast not where we were, but distant far From danger and from glory: but these arms, Since in so high a strain thy tongue breaks loose, To Scyros sailing never shalt thou bear.i Thus slighted, thus insulted, of my right, Robb'd by the vile Ulysses, of a race As vile descended, I to Scyros steer My homeward course; yet less with him enraged Than with the potent kings; for every state, And every army from their Chiefs are form'd. And they, who mock at honour's dictates, learn Their baseness from their lords. Thou hast heard all: But know, whoe'er the sons of Atreus hates, Must be to me, and to the gods, most dear. Chorus Thou all-sustaining parent, mighty queen, Delighting in the mountain's wood-crown'd height, Mother of Jove, who feed'st the golden stream Of rich Pactolus, pow'r revered, to thee My vows I then address'd, when all these wrongs Burst from the sons of Atreus, when they gave His father's arms (O thou, whose car sublime, Blest as thou art, bull-rending lions draw!) : To grace Ulysses, an illustrious prize. Philoctetes With marks of grief imprinted deep, I ween, Strangers, to me you steer'd your course, with mine Your voice according; for, with me, the sons Of Atreus, and Ulysses you have felt : These are their deeds: I know him well; his tongue To subtile blandishment and wicked guile Is always smooth'd, whence nothing just was e'er Brought to effect. I marvel not at this, But much, if this the greater Ajax saw, How his high soul such deeds of baseness brook'd. Neoptolemus He, stranger, was no more; for had he lived, I had not of my arms been plunder'd thus. Philoctetes Dead, say'st thou? Is the noble Ajax dead? Neoptolemus No more he views the sun's ethereal light. I mourn his fate. But tell me lives the son Of Tydeus? Lives that wretch, who ere his birth By Sisyphus was to Laertes sold? Philoctetes Are not they dead? Such wretches should not live. Neoptolemus No: be thou well assured of that: they live, And flourish now amidst the Argive host. Philoctetes Where is my honour'd good, and aged friend, The Pylian, Nestor? Well his sage advice The baseness of their actions might have curb'd. Neoptolemus He lives indeed, but sinks beneath his grief, Mourning Antilochus, his loved, lost son. Philoctetes Twice have thy words with sorrow pierced my heart, To hear, what least I wish'd to hear, the death, Of two brave friends. Ah, what must be our thought, When such men perish, and Ulysses lives, Whose death, instead of theirs, should be announced! Neoptolemus He is a wary combatant; but craft Is oft entangled in the nets it spreads. Philoctetes Now, by the gods inform me where was then Patroclus, to thy father once most dear? Neoptolemus He too was dead. In one brief sentence hear This truth, that never willingly doth war Cut off the base, and never spares the brave. Philoctetes To show thee that my thoughts accord with thine, Now let me ask thee of a worthless man, But passing shrewd, and voluble of tongue. Neoptolemus Of other than Ulysses dost thou speak? Philoctetes I meant not him: but in the Grecian camp Was one Thersites, who wish'd oft to speak What no man would hear once: is he alive? Neoptolemus I saw him not, but heard that yet he lives. Philoctetes Yes, he will live; for never have I known That the base perish; such the gods protect, Delighting from the realms of death to snatch The crafty and the guileful; but the just And generous they in ruin always sink. How for these things shall we account, or how Approve them? When I find the gods unjust, How can I praise their heavenly governance ? Neoptolemus Son of tean Peas, I will guard My future life from Ilium distant far, Far from the sons of Atreus. O'er the brave Where the vile lords it, and illustrious worth Is doom'd to perish by oppressive pow'r, I with such men will never live a friend. But me the rocks of Scyros shall henceforth Content, not undelighted with my home. Now to my bark I go: farewell, thou son Of Poœas; be each blessing thine, farewell; May the gods heal thy wound! We must go hence, That when the gale springs favouring we may sail. Philoctetes Would you now spread your sails, my son? Neoptolemus The time Now calls us near the bark to watch the gale. Philoctetes Now by thy father's honour'd shade, my son, And by thy mother, by whate'er thy house. Holds dear to thee, thy suppliant I implore Thy pity, do not leave me thus alone, Abandon'd in these ills, which now thou seest, And with which thou hast heard I long have had My dwelling here. Receive me in thy bark, Allow me there a place; this freight, I know; Will be offensive; yet disdain it not: Whate'er is base the noble mind abhors, But glories in the kind and generous deed. Not to perform this kindness were reproach. To thee, and shame; but granting my request, High honour waits thee. If I reach alive The land of Eta, I shall burden thee Not one whole day; refuse not my request; Throw me where'er thou wilt, into the hold, The prow, the stern, where least I may annoy!". The mariners; assent, my son, by Jove Protector of the suppliant, grant my pray'r. Infirm, and lame, and wretched as I am, Low at thy knees I fall; forsake me not Far from the haunt of men abandon'd thus But save me, bear me to thy friendly shore, Or to Chalcodon's ports that deep indenti Euboœa; thence the passage is not long To Eta, and to Trachin's rocky heights, And to Sperchius, beauteous-rolling stream. Show me to my loved father; yet long since The tomb, I fear, received him; for to those, Who reach'd this coast, I oft gave charge, and oft Sent my request that he would speed a bark. To bear me hence in safety to my home. But he is dead, or they perchance, (for this Might be expected) on whose promised aid I built my hopes, of my disastrous state Made small account, and steer'd their onward course To their own ports. But now I come to thee To bear my message, nay, to bear me hence. 1. Save me, have pity on me; for thou seest. The dangers, and the horrible events Attendant prosperous now, anon In misery sunk. Behoves it then the man, A stranger now to ill, on ills to come Forward to look; then most when fortune smiles, To have a sense of man's uncertain state, Lest ruin steal upon him, and he fall. Chorus Have pity on him, king; for he hath told Of hard encounters with severest toils Beyond man's sufferance: ne'er may one I love Endure the like! And if, O king, thou hate The stern Atridæ, I would turn their ill To his great good; and since his wish is urged So strongly, in my swift well-furnish'd bark Convey him to his mansion, and avoid The righteous vengeance of th' offended gods.. Neoptolemus Take heed lest now too gentle be thy mind, But when, embark'd together, his diseasejut Long time annoys thee, other be thy thoughts. Chorus Never, oh never: nor shalt thou have cause To charge my stedfast mind wtth such reproach. Neoptolemus Nay, I should blush indeed, should I appear Less prompt than thou with generous toil to aid In his distress a stranger. We will sail, Neoptolemus If such thy judgment: let him come with speed; Merchant My bark shall bear him hence, nor shall he find Neoptolemus Denial: may the gods direct our course! mo Merchant Safe to the shore on which we wish to land Philoctetes O welcome day! Most courteous thou of men! And you, ye friendly mariners, what thanks Can I return you? With what words express The gratitude that glows within my heart?... But let us go, my son, and pay within " A farewell greeting to this cheerless cave,id Dwelling unmeet for man; that thou may'st know Where I have lived, and what I have sustain'd With a firm heart: the sight alone, I think, Horror on others must impress; but me Necessity hath taught to love e'en this. Chorus Restrain your steps awhile: two men advance, , . , One to thy bark belongs, a stranger oneli es podt of IC First hear their tidings; visit then the cave.) MERC. Son of Achilles, to this mariner, Who with two others guarded thy tall bark, I made request that he would show me where Merchant Thou might'st be found; since thus I light on thee THIA Where least expected, driv'n by chance to land On the same shore'; for I, as master, steer'd My little galley homeward from the coast Of Troy to Peparethus cloth'd with vines Rich with the purple grape. But when I heard That all thy naval train was waiting here,d I deem'd it meet in silence not to sail, But first to tell thee things perchance to thee Unknown, and much importing thee to know; What late resolves the Grecian Chiefs have form'd ​Against thee; not resolves alone, but acts With vigour and without delay enforced. T Neoptolemus MERCHANT, MARINER, NEOPTOLEMUS, PHILOCTETES, CHORUS. In grateful memory, stranger, I shall hold Thy kind concern for me, else 1 were base.” What thou hast hinted speak at large, 'gainst me The councils by the Grecians lately form'd. Merchant MERC. The sons of Theseus, and the aged Chiefs dhid Phœnix, pursue thee with a well-arm'd fleet: Neoptolemus By force to lead me back, or suasive words? Merchant MERC. I know not: what I heard I came to speak Neoptolemus Doth Phoenix this, and they who with him sail,) Obsequious to th' Atridæ's royal will? Merchant MERC. Be thou assured they speed without delay. Whence is it that Ulysses came not, prompt To sail with them? Hath fear restrain'd his zeal? MERC. He and the son of Tydeus, when I sail'd, to count Against some other plough'd the foaming main. Neoptolemus On what adventure was Ulysses bound? Merchant MERC. There was a man...... But tell me, who is this?T I would first know: but speak it not aloud. Neoptolemus This, friend, is Philoctetes the renown'd. Merchant MERC. Nay then no further question: with all speed Hoist every sail, and hie thee from this land. Neoptolemus What says this merchant? What design, my son, Merchant 'Gainst me conveys that whisper to thy ear? Neoptolemus What he would say I know not; let him speak Clear and aloud to thee, and me, and these. MERC. Son of Achilles, to the Grecian host Betray me not, as what I should conceal Merchant Disclosing; many favours at their hands Have I received for services by mea To them perform'd, such as a poor man may.h Neoptolemus I hate the sons of Atreus; and this man, Because he hates them, is my dearest friend. Merchant Behoves thee, since to me thou comest a friend, Nought, which a friend can tell us, to conceal.T MERC. See what thou dost. That long hath been my care MERC. On thee I charge the blame. Charge it, but speak MERC. Then I will speak. Against this man the son I Of Tydeus, and the stern Ulysses speed Their sails; their purpose ratified by oath By soft persuasion or compulsive force To bring him back: this all the Grecians heard- Ulysses speak aloud; for bolder hoperidoli Was his, and firm assurance of successo di Neoptolemus After such length of time what cause hath moved The sons of Atreus to such anxious care For one, an outcast, whom so long they left? Whence this desire? Or have the gods by force Impell'd them, thus avenging impious deeds?... MERC. Of this I will inform thee, things perchance By thee not heard. There was a noble Seer, The son of Priam, Helenus his name; Him this dark plotter cursed by every tongue, As in the night he prowling roved alone, Ulysses and brought his glorious prize Bound to the Grecians: all the dark decrees. Of fate he open'd to them, and declared That never should they raze the tow'rs of Troy, Till by persuasion they should lead this man From his lone dwelling in this rocky isle. This when Ulysses heard the seer declare,.. Instant he pledged his faith to lead him hence, And show him to the Grecian camp: his hopes Are warm to win his willing mind; if not, He will recur to force; and for success Hath pledged his head. Thou hast heard all: now haste, Thou and whoe'er is dear to thee: be warn'd. Philoctetes What, hath this vile accurs'd deceiver sworn To show me to the Grecians? Were I dead, Philoctetes Then might persuasion bring me from the realms Of Pluto, like his father, back to light. Merchant MERC. I know not that. My bark demands me now May the best blessings of the gods be yours.!:) Philoctetes PHILOCTETES, NEOPTOLEMUS, CHORUS. Is not this strange? What, dares Ulysses hope: With soothing words to win me to embark With him, and trail me through the Grecian camp Aspectacle! No: rather would I hear The serpent, from whose venom'd tooth my foot Received this wound. But he dares speak and act Whate'er is base. I know that he will come; Let us then hence; with all its, broad expanse Let the sea roll between his bark and us. Let us begone: for well-timed speed (the toil Surmounted) brings the calm of sweet repose. Neoptolemus When from the shore the favouring gales arise, Our sails shall catch them: they are adverse now. Philoctetes Fair is each gale that wafts the bark from ills. Neoptolemus No: but to them the gale is adverse too. Philoctetes To daring pirates adverse is no wind, With ruffian force when they can seize their spoil. Neoptolemus Well; instant let us sail: but from thy cave First bear what thou may'st need, or wish to take. Philoctetes There is, though small my stores, what I shall need. Neoptolemus What is there which my bark can not supply? Philoctetes There is an herb, with which I oft assuage My wound, and wholly mitigate its pain. Neoptolemus Bring it. Aught else hast thou a wish to take? Philoctetes If of these shafts one carelessly be dropt, I would not leave it to a casual lord. Neoptolemus Is this the bow so famous through the world? Philoctetes It is: my hands no other deign to hold. Neoptolemus Wilt thou indulge me with a nearer view, To hold, to kiss it as a thing divine? Philoctetes This, and what else is mine, to thee, my son, To gratify thy wish shall be allow'd. Neoptolemus I wish it, so far wish it as thy will Assents; if not, my wish shall be suppress'd. Philoctetes Thy words are pious; thou hast my consent, Thou, who alone hast giv'n me to behold The sun's bright beams, to see th' Otæan land, My aged father, my loved friends; when sunk Beneath my foes, to rise and triumph. Yes, Thou hast my leave to touch it, to my hands Again to give it, and to make thy boast That for thy virtue thou of all mankind Alone hast handled it: for friendly deeds. It was my prize; nor envy I my friend To see, to touch it. He, whose grateful heart Knows to requite a favour, is a friend Of higher value than rich treasured stores. Neoptolemus The cave now enter. Philoctetes I will lead thee on; For my disease thy aiding hand desires. Chorus STRO. 1. Such miseries never did mine eyes behold; But fame records from times of old That when Ixion with ambitious love Assay'd to stain the bed of Jove, Seized by the Thunderer, on the whirling wheel Enchain'd, such tortures he was doom'd to feel. Else not the grief-assaulted ear, Nor eye inured to scenes of woe, Have known a fate like his severe : Yet justice aims no vengeful blow; His hands no deed of baseness stains, And fraud his virtuous soul disdains. Alone, exposed on this wild shore, Hearing the billows round him roar, I marvel how his mournful life he bore. ANTIS. 1. In cheerless solitude these rocks among With pain he dragg'd his steps along; No social friend, no partner in his pains Attentive hears while he complains, From mutual anguish makes his mutual moan, Re-echoes sigh for sigh, and groan for groan; None, when his fierce envenom'd wound Bursts ope, and spouts the boiling gore, To cull the lenient herb is found From bounteous nature's balmy store.. But (as a child, its nurse away, With tottering foot attempts to stray) Where best his food he may provide: His feebly-rolling steps are tried, Oft as his soul-consuming pains subside. Him not the earth's rich fruits sustain, Which from her sacred bounty rise; Nor, food of men, the golden grain, Which toil's inventive care supplies; Nor aught, save birds that wing th' ethereal height, If haply his swift shafts arrest their flight. For ten long years no sparkling bowł Cheer'd with the grape's rich juice his soul; But where th' unruffled fount he saw, "He hasted from the joyless stream to draw. A noble youth he now hath found, Who with his father's virtues glows; By fortune now his patience crown'd, He rises greater from his woes. The bark shall waft him, after these sad hours, To thy loved banks, Sperchius, where their bow'rs The Melian Nymphs delight to twine; Where Eta blazed with flames divine, Whence glorious to the blest abodes The hero rose a god among the gods. Neoptolemus STRO. 2. ANTIS. 2. PHILOCTETES, returning from the cave; CHORUS. Neoptolemus Why this delay? Move onward. What the cause Of this thy silence? Whence this deep dismay? Neoptolemus What ill afflicts thee? Philoctetes Nothing great: go one Neoptolemus Wou'dst thou suppress the pain of thy disease? Philoctetes Oh, no; I now feel lighter. O ye gods! Neoptolemus Why with such groans dost thou invoke the gods? Philoctetes To save us with their kind and guardian pow'r. He groans repeatedly. Neoptolemus What may this be? Wilt thou not speak? Thus lon Why art thou silent? Piercing seems thy pain. Philoctetes Oh, this exceeds the pow'r of man to bear! Nor from you longer can I hide my ill. Oh, I am pierced, pierced through! Unhappy me! I cannot bear these agonizing pains. Repeated and violent groans. Hast thou a sword, my son? Cut off my foot, Quick, hew it off, nor spare this wretched life. Neoptolemus What are these new and sudden ills, that cause Such dreadful cries, and loud-lamenting groans? Philoctetes Know'st thou, my son... Know what? Know'st thou, my son... Neoptolemus What wou'dst thou ask? Philoctetes I know not. Neoptolemus How not know? Philoctetes groans again. Neoptolemus How dreadful the attack of thy disease! Philoctetes Dreadful indeed: words cannot speak its force. But pity me. Neoptolemus What wou'dst thou I should do? Philoctetes Be not astonish'd, nor abandon me," Neoptolemus At intervals, like ruffians keen to seize Their prey, its cruel inroads it will make Till it be sated. O unhappy man, In all thy toils unhappy! Shall my hand Support thee?... Philoctetes No: I would not that: but take The bow, which lately thou didst wish to touch, And, till the pains, which pierce me now, abate, Hold it, and guard it well; for when the force Of this disease begins to be allay'd, Sleep seizes me; till then I have no pause. From gnawing pain; permit me then to lie In undisturb'd repose; and, should they come, Mean while, I beg thee by th' immortal gods Let not persuasion, force, or all their arts, Work thee to yield it to them; for thyself, And me thy suppliant else thou wilt destroy. Neoptolemus In my attentive care confide; to none, Save to thy hands and mine, shall it be giv’n. Consign it to me: happy be the trust! Philoctetes Take it, my son; and be thy vows address'di,ז To Envy, that to thee it cause not toils, Such as to me, and to its former lord. Neoptolemus Grant this, ye gods! And may a favouring gale Arise, and safely bear us to the land Sought by our sails, and by the gods assign'd Philoctetes FAIT These vows, my son, I fear thou hast address'd Without effect; for the black blood again Spouts from the bottom of my wound; I dread Anguish unknown before. Unhappy me, What torture this! It thrills, it darts along, It is not to be borne. You see my state; But fly not; leave me not abandon'd here. I Thou Cephallenian savage, might this pain Pierce through thy breast, quite through! Ye brother kings, Leaders of Greece, for such a length of time, For me such anguish how had you sustain'd? O death, O death, each day so oft invoked, Canst thou ne'er come? My son, thou generous youth, Oh take me, burn me in these whirling flames Of Lemnos; which sad office for the son Of Jove these hands refused not to perform, These arms receiving as my meed. My son, Why art thou silent? What employs thy thoughts? Neoptolemus Long have I griev'd, and mourn'd thy painful ills. Philoctetes Let not that shake thy firmness; for these pains Oft come thus keen, and soon are gone again. But, I entreat thee, leave me not alone. Neoptolemus Be confident; for thee we here will stay. Philoctetes And will you stay? Neoptolemus Be thou assured we will. Philoctetes Ill it becomes me to require thy oath. Neoptolemus To go without thee were an impious deed. Philoctetes Give me thy hand to ratify thy faith. Neoptolemus I give it as a pledge that I will stay. Philoctetes There, let me there...... What say'st thou? "There on high...... Neoptolemus This is distraction. Wherefore are thine eyes Philoctetes Fix'd on that orb above? Neoptolemus Why should I let thee go? Philoctetes Off, let me go. Unhand me, off. Neoptolemus I cannot quit thee in this hapless state. Philoctetes You kill me if you touch me. Neoptolemus To thyself I leave thee....... Are thy spirits now more calm? Philoctetes O earth, receive me dying as I lie; My ills will never let me rise again. Neoptolemus Sleep soon will steal upon him: see, his head Already he reclines; and all his limbs Are bath'd with sweat; the black distended vein Is burst, and from his foot out-wells the gore. Let us allow him then, my friends, to rest In quiet, soon as sleep shall close his eyes. Chorus O sleep, that know'st not care, that know'st not pain, Come gently-breathing, sorrow-charming king: Veil from his eyes this light, whose glaring beams Unshaded now are spread: come, healing pow'r! - The hour, my son, requires deliberate thought, Thy purpose fix'd or changed: this is the hour To charge us with thy mandates. What avails Longer delay? Occasion hath a pow'r Surpassing all the counsels of the wise. Neoptolemus True, he hears nothing: but these arms in vain We make our prize, without him if we sail; For his the crown; he must be borne to Troy; So will'd the god. How base to boast of deeds, Which e'en with falsehood could not be achieved! Chorus These things, my son, the god will make his care. But when to me thy mandates thou shalt give, Low be thy voice; for sleep in the diseased Is ever on the watch, nor seals the eyes. What now is in thy pow'r with caution act, And silence: if with his thy thoughts accord, Thou know'st of whom I speak, thou seest his state, Let prudence judge, unable to resist. The gale, my son, the fav'ring gale now breathes; He sees not, helpless as in night's dark hour He lies, and sleep, which all his senses locks, Aids the design; nor hand nor foot discharge Their functions; but like one, for whom the tomb Is open'd, see him stretched: this hath a voice That calls us to the deed; to seize him now Were easy; be the task to me assign'd: Best is that toil on which no danger waits. Neoptolemus Be silent, I command thee; of such thoughts No more: he moves his eyes, and lifts his head. Philoctetes O light, whose cheerful beam my waking eyes Revisits, much beyond my thought, my hope, Thou show'st me with what faithful care my sleep These strangers guarded. Never, O my son, Could my fond wish conceive that thou wou'dst bear With such soft pity to attend my ills, And give me aid. Not so our worthy Chiefs, The sons of Atreus; they disdain'd to bear So tenderly: but all these things, my son, (For noble is thy nature, and thy veins Are rich with noble blood) my cries, the stench Of my foul wound, thou hast esteem'd as nought. Now, in this pause, this respite from my pain, Let thy hand help me, raise me from the ground; That when this weakness leaves me, to the bark Together we may go, nor stay thy sails. Neoptolemus With joy I see thee thus beyond my hope Viewing the light, and breathing vital air, Free from thy pains; for, added to those ills, Thou hadst the semblance of a man that breathes No more. Now rise; or these (if such thy will) : Shall bear thee, not repining at the toil, Since they perceive it is thy will and mine. Philoctetes This claims my thanks. Now raise me, since thy mind Prompts thee to give me aid. Let these stand off; Nor be annoy'd with this offensive smell Ere need requires; enough will they endure, In the same bark with me when they abide.. Neoptolemus Of that no more; but raise thee, grasp my hand. Philoctetes Fear not: long use hath taught me how to raise My limbs. Now, O my soul, how wilt thou now Neoptolemus Resolve to act! Philoctetes What mean these words, my son? Neoptolemus Doubt and perplexity distract my mind. Philoctetes Doubt and perplexity! Oh, speak not thus. Neoptolemus All their oppressing weight lies on me now. Philoctetes Doth then the horror of my noisome wound Forbid thee to admit me to thy bark? Neoptolemus All must be horror, when the generous heart. Forsakes its nature for unworthy deeds. Philoctetes Nor word nor deed unworthy thy high birth, When thou givest suffering virtue aid, is thine.. Neoptolemus To be deem'd base-this long hath grieved my soul. Philoctetes Not base thy deeds; thy words excite my fears. Neoptolemus Direct me, king of heav'n! I shall be found Base, doubly base; concealing what good faith Would not conceal, and speaking vile untruths. Philoctetes This man, if I conjecture right, will sail, And basely leave me helpless and betray'd. Neoptolemus I will not leave thee: but to bear thee hence So as may wound thy heart, that gives me pain. Philoctetes What is thy purpose? Tell me, ease my doubts. Neoptolemus I will hide nothing from thee. Thou must sail To Troy, to the Atridæ, and their camp. Philoctetes Ah me, what say'st thou ? Neoptolemus Sigh not ere thou hear. Philoctetes What should I hear? What wilt thou do with me? Neoptolemus First from these miseries save thee; then advance With thee, and waste the hated fields of Troy. Philoctetes Is this indeed the purpose of thy soul ? Neoptolemus It is, by strong necessity impell'd : Nor, hearing this, be thou inflamed with rage. Philoctetes I am undone, betray'd. Why, stranger, why Hast thou thus wrong'd me? Give me back my bow. Neoptolemus That cannot be; the kings must be obey'd; So justice and the public good require. Philoctetes Thou wasting fire, thou every thing to sense Most hideous, thou detested instrument Of horrid villainy, what hast thou done? How hast thou wrong'd me? How deceived me? Wretch, Dost thou not blush to see me at thy knees A suppliant? Thou hast robb'd me of my life, Taking my bow. I pray thee give it back, Restore it, I implore thee, O my son; Ah, take not, by the gods that guard thy hearth, Take not what yields my life support, away! Unhappy me! He speaks not yet, but looks As he would never part with it again. Ye ports, ye cliffs projecting o'er the waves, Ye herds of mountain-beasts, yecraggy rocks, To you (none other have I to address) To you, who oft have heard me, I complain Of these my wrongs. He swore to me, this youth, Son of Achilles, swore to bear me home; To Troy he bears me: pledging his right hand He took the sacred bow of Hercules, And now detains it. To the Grecian host Vaunting his prowess, as some manly might He had subdued, he drags me hence by force; Nor knows he that his conquest is obtain'd O'er one long dead, the shadow of a smoke, A flitting phantom. Had these nerves the strength Which once they had, he would not triumph now; Nor but by fraud this conquest hath he gain'd. With falsehoods, wretched me! I am betray'd'; What can I do?... But give me back my bow; Be thou again thyself. What dost thou say?? Still art thou silent? Ah, I am undone!.. Thou double opening of my rock, again I enter thee, but of my arms deprived, The means of my subsistence, in thy cave To waste away alone, nor winged bird Nor mountain-beast with these my shafts to pierce, But 'midst my woes to die, to be a feast To those on whom I feasted, and a prey To those on whom I prey'd, and recompense Slaughter with slaughter: thus am I betray'd By one, whose heart, I thought, ne'er harbour'd ill. I will not curse thee yet, till I shall learn If honour once more may thy purpose change: If not, may ruin seize thee and base death! Chorus What thy commands? It now is thine, O king, To speed thy sails, assenting to his words.. Neoptolemus I am not now first moved); my heart long since Hath melted with compassion at his woes. Philoctetes Oh pity me, I beg thee by the gods, Nor let thy fame be blacken'd with reproach, That me with basest fraud thou hast deceived.. Neoptolemus How shall I act? Would I had never sail'd From Scyros! This employment rends my heart. Philoctetes Thou art not base, but by base men impell'd To shameful actions hither art thou come. On them (such recompense is just) return Their arts, and sail; but give me back my arms. Neoptolemus What shall we do, my friends? Chorus ULYSSES, NEOPTOLEMUS, PHILOCTETES, What wou'dst thou do,, Ulysses Basest of men? Give me the bow; away. Philoctetes Ha! Who is this? Ulysses do I hear? Ulysses Ay; and in me Ulysses dost thou see. Philoctetes Oh, I am sold, undone! This then was he, Whose arts beguiled, and robb'd me of my arms. Ulysses It was my deed, I own it, mine alone. Philoctetes My son, restore them; give me back my arms. Ulysses That, were he willing, he shall never do; Philoctetes LYS. But with them thou must go; or these by force Shall bear thee hence. Bear me, audacious wretch, Thou basest of base men, me shall they bear By force ? If willingly thou dost not go. Philoctetes Thou land of Lemnos, ye all-conquering flames By Vulcan kindled, must I bear these wrongs? And shall he drag me from your coasts by force? Ulysses Know thou that Jove, dread sovereign of this isle, Jove thus ordains: I execute his will. Philoctetes Thou wretch abhorr'd, what hast thou now devised, Making the gods thy plea? Are the gods false ? Ulysses No; they are true, and point thee out this path. Philoctetes I will not go. Ulysses Thou must, thou shalt obey. Philoctetes Unhappy me! What, am I then a slave ? Ulysses No; but a prince 'midst princes; and with such Thy arms must conquer Troy, and raze her walls. Philoctetes No, though I hear must suffer every ill, Never, whilst I have pow'r to climb this rock. Ulysses What wou'dst thou do? Philoctetes Strait throw me from its height, And with my blood distain the rocks beneath. Ulysses Lay hold on him, nor let him have that pow'r. Philoctetes Alas, ye hands, deprived of your loved bow, What vile indignity do you sustain ! O thou, whose soul ne'er harbour'd generous thought, Or upright purpose, how hast thou beguiled, With what base arts ensnared me in thy toils, Skulking behind this youth to me unknown, Not meriting to share thy fraudful guilt, But worthy of my love! He nothing knew, He but performs his orders: see his brow Clouded with grief for what he has misdone, And I have suffer'd. But thy treacherous soul, For ever peeping from its lurking-place, Hath taught his noble nature 'gainst his will. To be expert in mischief; and, thou wretch, My hands thus bound, thy purpose is declared To drag me from this shore, on which long since Thou didst expose me with unpitying heart Friendless, abandon'd, out-cast, whilst alive Rank'd with the dead. Perdition seize thee ! Oft Have I made this my pray'r; but to my pray'rs The gods grant nothing that delights my soul. To live is thine, and to exult; with grief My heart is rent, that 'midst my various ills I am by thee derided, and the Chiefs The sons of Atreus, who command these things, And thou art to their lordly will a slave. Yet didst thou join their arms compell'd by force, Thy wiles detected. Me, unhappy me, The willing leader of sev'n gallant ships, They with disgrace cast out; the guilty deed Thou on their baseness chargest, they on thine. Why lead me now away? Why drag me hence ? What cause impels you? I am nothing now, To you for ten long years I have been dead. Base and detested wretch, is not my foot Now lame? Is not its stench offensive now?. How, if I mount the bark, will you present Your victims, your libations to the gods?.... This was thy plea to leave me on these rocks! An out-cast. May the vengeance of the gods Pour ruin on you all who wrong'd this wretch, If justice rules their thoughts; it does, it does, I know it well; for never had your sails :: Stretch'd o'er the ocean for a wretch like me, But that remorse, heav'n-sent, hath pierced your hearts. But, O my country, O ye gods who view Theseus avenge, avenge me on them all, And pity me! Your pity I deserve. Might I but see them perish, I should think This burning wound would never pain me more. Chorus Fierce is his passion and his words are fierce ; He hath a soul that yields not to his woes. Ulysses I could say much in answer to his speech, Were this fit time: one word is now enough. Such where the general cause of Greece requires, Such I am found; but where the cause demands The just and good, than me thou wilt not find A man more pious. Nature prompts my wish Always to be victorious, save o'er thee: To thee I freely yield. Unbind his hands, Touch him no more, permit him here to stay. We shall not want thee, since these arms are ours. Teucer in this art well skill'd; Nor in this science will I yield to thee; My hands can bend the bow, and aim the shaft: What need of thee? Farewell, and tread the roeks Of Lemnos: we must go: this prize perchance Will give to me the glory thou shou'dst gain. Philoctetes What can I do? Ah helpless wretch! Shalt thou Amidst the Grecians glory in my arms? Ulysses No more reply: I hasten to the bark. Philoctetes Son of Achilles, wilt thou no more deign: To speak to me, but wilt thou leave me thus ? Ulysses Thou art too generous, look on him no more; Away, lest all our fortune thou o'erthrow. Philoctetes And will you, friendly strangers, thus depart; Will you forsake me, and not pity me? Chorus He is our lord, our galley he commands; To thee whate'er he says, the same we say .T Neoptolemus I shall be censured as too apt to melt With pity: nature so hath framed my heart. Yet stay with him, if such his wish, stay here Till all things are embark'd, and to the gods We make our vows. Meantime perchance his mind May take a scfter temper. We two go; of And you with speed attend us at our call...() Philoctetes PHILOCTETES, CHORUS. Thou rocky cave, now warm with summer suns, Now cold with winter's frosts, I shall not leave, No, I shall never leave thee; e'en in death. Thou shalt be still my mansion. Poor abode, Thou witness of my woes, what day by day Will now betide me? Whence shall I derive) My food, or whence my soul-supporting hope ? Oh, might the whirlwinds through the howling air Bear me aloft; their force were welcome now ! Chorus These woes, ill-fated man, these woes by choice Hast thou drawn on thee; by no other hand, No foreign force art thou involved in ills. A better fortune in thy reach was placed, Hadst thou been wise: thou hast preferred the worse. Philoctetes I am a wretch, a wretch, oppress'd with woes; And never, never from this hour with man Shall have my dwelling, but shall perish here. My food no more shall I procure, no more Bend my strong bow, and pierce the flying birds; For dark and treacherous words, that ever smooth The tongue of fraud, have robbed me of my arms. Oh, might I see the base betrayer rack'd For such a length of time with pains like mine! Chorus This is the fate assign'd thee by the gods; This is their work, not fraud by us devised. Thy dire and hateful imprecations spare, Spare them: to thee benevolent my heart; Reject not thou our friendship with disdain. Philoctetes Now on the margin of the hoary deep Laughing he sits, and poizes in his hands My life's support, which none hath ever borne. O my dear bow, from these unhappy hands Wrested by force, if thou hast sense, how grieved Dost thou behold the toils of Hercules No more employ thee ! Changed thy noble lord, Thou seest a vile deceiver guide thy shafts; Thou seest his hateful and detested arts Hostile to me, and all the thousand wiles Which to ensnare me he hath basely forged. Chorus What in a man is virtuous, justice wills We speak; nor while we speak it should thy tongue A torrent of malignant envy pour. Call'd forth from all the Chiefs of Greece our lord, Guided by his wise councils, hath achieved A charge of highest import to his friends.. Philoctetes Ye winged birds, ye tribes of tawny beasts, That o'er these rugged mountains roam, no more, When from your coverts you come near me, fly: These hands no more the forceful arrows bear, (Such now is my ill fortune) but this place Is now no more destructive, and by you No longer to be fear'd; an happy change: For you: come, in your turn your hunger glut, And gorge my spotted flesh; I soon shall leave My life; for whence shall food be now supplied ? Who lives on air, deprived of strength'ning food, Whate'er the life-sustaining earth affords ? Chorus Now by the gods, if strangers thou revere, Meet us with all benevolence; we come Benevolent to thee: and know, know well. Thou hast the pow'r to fly this wretched state: But to feed grief, to force a thousand woes To dwell with us, denotes a mind unwise. Philoctetes Again, again hast thou recall'd the sense Of my old grief, thou kindest of all those That ever visited this drear abode. Chorus Why wilt thou talk thus? Philoctetes Forming yet an hope To lead me to the hated land of Troy. Chorus That I esteem thy best and wisest choice. Philoctetes No more of this: away, and leave me here. Chorus This thy command with pleasure I receive, And willingly obey it. Let us go, As we are order'd, to our vessel go. Philoctetes By Jove, that hears the suppliant, do not go! Chorus Learn moderation. By the gods I beg, Stay, strangers, stay. Why these lamenting cries? Philoctetes Ah me, my fate, my fate! Ah wretched me! O misery, misery! How shall I sustain; Henceforth the anguish of my wound, and live? Come back, O strangers, come to me again. Chorus What wou'dst thou now? Already hast thou shown The settled purpose of a wayward mind. Philoctetes Forgive a wretch that sinks beneath a storm Of raging anguish, which distracts his sense. Chorus Go with us now: let our advice prevail. Philoctetes Oh never, never: know my fix'd resolve : Not if the thunderer from the flaming sky Hurl his red lightenings on me. Perish Troy, And all that sit beneath its walls in arms, All, whose hard hearts an outcast left me here. But, generous strangers, grant me one request. Chorus And what is thy request? Philoctetes Give me a sword, An axe, or any weapon of keen edge. Chorus What deed wou'dst thou attempt? I would hew off My head, and all these wretched limbs. My mind Philoctetes Calls me, it calls aloud. Chorus Calls thee to what? Philoctetes To seek my father. Chorus Seek thy father! Where? Philoctetes In the dark realms below; for he no more Views heav'n's fair light. How, O my country, how O city of my fathers, could I bear To show you, wretched as I am, these ills, Who left your sacred streams to aid the arms Of hated Greece! Ah, I am nothing now. Chorus Hence to our bark we all long since had gone, But that I saw Ulysses and our lord This way advancing to us; they are nigh. Philoctetes retires into the cave. Ulysses ULYSSES, NEOPTOLEMUS, CHORUS. Wilt thou not tell me why with eager pace Thy steps so soon returning tread this path? Neoptolemus To make atonement for my former deed At thy words I stand amazed: Of baseness. Ulysses What was this deed of baseness? Neoptolemus What with thee Complying, and th' united host of Greece, I have effected. Ulysses What, that ill becomes Thy honour, hast thou done? Neoptolemus A deed of fraud, And base deceit. Ulysses 'Gainst whom? Ah, hast thou form'd Some new design? Neoptolemus Not new; but to the son Of Poeas— Ulysses What thy purpose? How thy words Alarm my fears! Neoptolemus The bow from him received To him again- Ulysses Jove, what wilt thou say? Thou wouldst not give it back?: Neoptolemus It was obtain'd By baseness and injustice. Ulysses Thou speak'st this But in a sportive mood. Neoptolemus If to speak truth Be sportive. Ulysses What means this? What hast thou said, Son of Achilles ? Neoptolemus Hast thou then a wish That twice I speak these words? Ulysses I had no wishG To hear them once. Neoptolemus Know then my purpose now: Thou hast heard all. Ulysses There is, be thou assured There is who will prevent thy purpose.' Neoptolemus Who shall prevent me? Ulysses The united host Of Greece, and with them I. Neoptolemus Wise though thou art, Thy words no wisdom show. Ulysses endeleh Nor wise thy words, Nor would thy deeds be wise. Neoptolemus If they are just, They have an excellence beyond the wise. Ulysses Where is the justice to return the arms Won by my counsels? Neoptolemus I have done a deed Of baseness, and will expiate the guilt. Ulysses Thus acting, fear'st thou not the troops of Greece? M Neoptolemus By justice guided thy suggested fearstie ab il I scorn; nor shall thy hand my actions rule. m Ulysses No more 'gainst Troy, but thee, our arms are turn'd. Neoptolemus Let come what will come. My sword. See my hand, it grasps, buf See mine, my sword as prompt to grasp. Ulysses I now forbear thee to the host of Greece This will I tell; their vengeance thou shalt feel. Neoptolemus Thou hast shown wisdom: always be thus wise, And tears perchance may not bedew thy path.th/ Ho! son of Poeas! Philoctetes, ho! Come forth, and quit thy cavern in the rock. Philoctetes PHILOCTETES, NEOPTOLEMUS, CHORUS. What means this clamorous uproar at my cave? Why call you me? What would you? Ah, I fear Some further mischief. Come you to augment My woes, and add to ill some greater ill ? Neoptolemus Be confident, and calmly hear my words.or Philoctetes Already I have heard them; they were fair of I trusted them, and basely was deceived.si Neoptolemus Canst thou forgive? I blush at what is past.oli Philoctetes So didst thou speak, so win my easy faith, not Veiling the treacherous fraud that stole my bowal Neoptolemus But not so now. This I would hear from thee: Is thy heart fix’d in this drear cave to stay, Or wilt thou sail with us? Philoctetes Forbear; no more; For all, which thou canst urge, will be in vain. Neoptolemus Is this thy firm resolve? Philoctetes It is, more firm than language can express. Neoptolemus It was my wish my words might have prevail'd: If they offend thee, I will say no more. Philoctetes Thy plea were vain: nor wilt thou find my heart Feeling for thee one favourable thought. Thou hast deprived me of the means of life; And now with thy monitions art thou come, Thou hated son of an illustrious sire! Perdition seize you all, th' Atridæ first, Ulysses then thee. Neoptolemus Forbear thy curse, And from my hand receive thy bow again. Philoctetes What, am I then a second time deceived? Neoptolemus By the high awe of holy Jove I swear. Philoctetes These words, if true, with transport fill my soul. Neoptolemus The deed shall prove them true. Stretch forth thy hand, And of thy sacred arms again be lord. Ulysses ULYSSES, NEOPTOLEMUS, PHILOCTETES, That for th' Atridæ and the Grecian host, (Ye gods bear witness to me) I forbid. Philoctetes Whose voice is this? Ulysses do I hear? Ulysses Be thou assured of that, and seest him nigh Who to the plains of Troy will bear thee hence By force, and in defiance of this Youth. Philoctetes But not with joy, if well this shaft be aim'd. Neoptolemus Ah no; discharge not, by the gods, the shaft. Philoctetes Nay, by the gods, my son, let go my hand. Neoptolemus I must not let it go. Philoctetes Why wou'dst thou check My vengeance on a foe, an hated foe? Neoptolemus That were to thee dishonour, and to me. Philoctetes But know thou this; these Grecian Chiefs, so prompt With studied falsehoods to betray, in fight Are dastards, but right valiant with their tongues. Neoptolemus Well, let that pass: thou hast thy bow; no cause Hast thou of anger, or to blame me more. Philoctetes I own it; thou hast shown thy generous blood Nobly descended, not from Sisyphus But from Achilles, of illustrious fame When living, and illustrious 'mongst the dead. Neoptolemus The praise thou givest my father and myself Is grateful to me: but what I desire From thee t' obtain, now hear. The ills, on men Inflicted by the gods, they must sustain : But miseries on themselves by choice derived, And self-will'd waywardness, have no just claim To pardon, or to pity. All thy thoughts Are wild and fierce; thy soul disdains advice; And when with warm benevolence a friend Glows to direct thee right, thy hatred flames, And treats him as a foe: yet I will speak, And call almighty Jove t' attest the truth. Hear thou my words, and write them on thy heart. The anguish of this wound was by the gods Assign'd thee, when thy foot too near approach'd The fatal place, where lay conceal'd from view The serpent, guardian of th' uncover'd shrine At Chryse. From this fierce disease no pause, Be thou assured, is thine, whilst in the east Yon sun shall rise, and rolling its bright course Sink in the west, till it beholds thee tread With williug steps the plains of Ilium: there The sons of Esculapius shalt thou find,... And of thy wound be heal'd: then shall thy bow, Join'd by my arms, lay waste the Phrygian state. How I know this, attend, and thou shalt hear... Amidst the Grecian camp there is a man From Troy, a captive, Helenus, a seer Of high renown: the fates he thus declared; Adding that ere the present summer yields To autumn its dominion, Troy must falli: That this is true he sets his life at gageb Assured of this, let thy reluctance cease, Embark with us. What honour to be rank'd First'mongst the Grecian heroes, by the sons Of Pæan to be heal'd, to storm the tow'rs Of Troy lamenting with deep groans her fall, And grasp the highest meed that glory gives! PHII.. Oh hated life, why in the light of heav'ni Dost thou detain me? Why not sink me down To the dark mansions of the dead? Ah me To his monitions shall I still be deaf?e They flow from generous friendship. Should I yield, How in the face of day could I appear? With whom hold converse? How, ye eyes that view All things around me, would ye bear these things? How bear to see me friendly with the sons Of Atreus, authors of these cruel wrongs? How with Ulysses, that destructive pest? Yet not the just resentment of past griefs Pierces so deep as that presaging sense Of what I yet must suffer: for the mind, That to base deeds gives birth, assiduous trains, Like an ill parent, other deeds as base. At thee indeed I marvel much; to Trey Thou never shou'dst steer back thy course, and me Thou shou'dst keep far from those, who basely wrong'd, And robb'd thee of thy father's glorious arms *. Yet wilt thou go, confederate in the war With these, compelling me to join their arms. Not so, my son; me to my country send, I have thy oath, do thou at Scyros stay, And let them vilely perish in return For their vile deeds; a double grace to me, And to thy father; to the base afford No aid, but show thou art not base like them. Neoptolemus What thou hast said has reason: yet I wish That to the gods obedient, and my words, With me thy friend from Lemnos thou wou'dst sail. Philoctetes What, to Sigæum, and the hated son Of Atreus, with the anguish of this wound? Neoptolemus To those, whose skill shall stanch this putrid gore, Heal thy disease, and free thee from thy pains. Philoctetes Why this inglorious measure dost thou urge? Neoptolemus Wou'dst thou comply, thy glory, I foresee, It would advance, and mine. Philoctetes While thus thou speak'st, Dost thou not blush in reverence of the gods? Neoptolemus Why should kind office raise a blush ? Philoctetes To me, Or to th' Atridæ kind? Neoptolemus To thee a friend I speak the words of friendship. Philoctetes To my foes Would friendship yield me? Neoptolemus Learn amidst thy ills More gentle thoughts. Philoctetes I know thee; thy soft words Would sooth me into ruin. Far from me Neoptolemus Be such design: thou dost not know- I know Philoctetes The sons of Atreus left me on these rocks. Neoptolemus But (think on this) they wish to save thee now. Philoctetes Not to see Troy: my soul abhors the thought. Neoptolemus What can I do, since all that I can urge Moves not thy mind? An easier part remains, To urge my plea no more, but let thee live, As now thou livest, thy disease unheal'd. Philoctetes Yes, let me suffer what my fate requires I suffer. But, remember, thou hast pledged Thy hand to bear me to my household gods : Perform it; haste; and think of Troy no more : Troy hath already caused me groans enough. Neoptolemus Well; if it be thy pleasure, let us gò. Philoctetes That generous word with transport fills my soul. Neoptolemus Assay thy steps. Philoctetes With all the strength I have. Neoptolemus Th' avenging Grecians how shall I escape ? Philoctetes Regard them not. Neoptolemus Should they my country waste? Philoctetes I will be present. Neoptolemus What thy potent aid? Philoctetes These shafts of Hercules shall check their march; No hostile pow'r thy country shall approach. Neoptolemus Wilt thou do this? Then come, embark with me, And to the rocks of Lemnos bid farewell. Hercules HERCULES, PHILOCTETES, NEOPTOLEMUS, Not yet, O son of Peas: to my words First be attentive. Know thou hear'st the voice Of Hercules, thine eyes behold his form. Leaving the heav'nly mansions for thy sake I come, announcing the decrees of Jove, And charge thee not to steer thy purposed course. Do thou with fix'd attention mark my words. My fortunes to thy memory I recal, What dangers I subdued, what toils achieved, By virtue made immortal, as thine eyes Behold. And know, thou too must suffer thus, And by such toils a life of glory gain. Go with this leader to the walls of Troy; There first thy fell disease shall be relieved: There 'midst the host of Greece in valour rank'd The noblest of her heroes, with thy bow Paris, the guilty cause of all these ills, Thou shalt deprive of life, lay waste the state Of Troy, and send triumphant to thy house, To Eta, to thy father, the rich spoils, Selected by the host, thy glorious prize. But bear thou to my funeral pyre these spoils, The trophies of my bow.---My mandates now, Son of Achilles, I to thee address; For without him thou hast not pow'r to waste Philoctetes The fields of Troy; nor he without thy arms; But, like two lions that together range, Guard each the other. I to Troy will send Sage Esculapius; he shall heal thy wound; For Ilium by my shafts again must fall. But 'midst the ravages of conquest spare, With reverence spare things sacred to the gods: This holy awe is pleasing to high Jove: For piety with mortals doth not die; Live they or die, that never perishes. With joy once more beyond my hopes I hear That voice, with joy that long lost form behold. Thy mandates unreluctant I obey. Neoptolemus I too with reverence bow to thy commands. Hercules Delay not then: the favouring gales arise, Inviting to a prosperous course your sails. Philoctetes Well, I now go; but first address this land. Farewell thou mansion, guardian of my life! Ye Nymphs, that o'er th' irriguous vales preside, Farewell, and thou loud roar of dashing waves ! Oft hath your foam within this cavern'd rock, Driv'n by the stormy South, bedew'd my head. And thou, Hermæan mountain, who my groans Hast oft re-echoed in my storms of woe! Now, O ye fountains, and ye dulcet streams, I leave you, now I leave you: this my thoughts Never presaged. Farewell, thou wave-wash'd shore Of Lemnos; speed my course, and send me safe Whither my glorious destiny now calls, The counsels of my friends, and that high pow'r Whose sovereign will these great events ordain'd! Chorus Let us now go, together let us go, And to the ocean-nymphs present our vows With guardian care to speed our wish'd return.