Philoctetes What is this disruptive cry once more rising beside my cave? Why do you call me? What do you want of me? Oh, no! This business will bring me no good. Have you come bringing me new misery on top of the old?
Neoptolemus Take heart and listen to my words.
Philoctetes I am afraid. Beautiful words did me evil once before, when I believed your promises.
Neoptolemus Is there no room, then, for repentance?
Philoctetes You spoke just like this, when you were seeking to steal my bow—a professed friend, with my destruction in his treacherous heart.
Neoptolemus I assure you, I am not so now. I merely wish to know whether you have resolved to stay here and endure, or to sail with us.
Philoctetes Stop, not another word! Whatever you may say will be said in vain.
Neoptolemus You are so resolved?
Philoctetes More firmly, believe me, than words can say.
Neoptolemus Well, I could have wished that you had listened to my words, but if nothing that I say will help, then I am finished.
Philoctetes Yes, all your pleas will be in vain. You will never gain my mind’s good will, since first you fraudulently seized my means of life and robbed me of it, and then you have come here to admonish me, you most hateful descendant of so noble a father! Ruin seize you all, the Atreids first, and next the son of Laertes, and you!
Neoptolemus Speak no more curses, and instead receive these weapons from my hand.
Philoctetes What did you say? Am I being tricked a second time?
Neoptolemus No, I swear it by the pure majesty of Zeus most high!
Philoctetes O welcome words—if your words are true!
Neoptolemus The deed will soon make it plain. Come, stretch out your right hand and be master of your bow!
Odysseus But I forbid it, as the gods are my witnesses, in the name of the Atreids and the entire army!
Philoctetes Son, whose voice was that? Do I hear Odysseus?
Odysseus Be sure of it, and you see him at your side, who will carry you to the plains of Troy by force, whether or not the son of Achilles is willing.
Philoctetes But it will bring you no joy, if this arrow fly straight.
Neoptolemus Wait—by the gods, no! Do not let it fly!
Philoctetes Let go of me, in the name of the gods, dear boy!
Neoptolemus I will not.
Philoctetes Alas! Why did you take from me the chance to kill my hated enemy with my bow?
Neoptolemus It would have been honorable neither for me, nor for you.
Philoctetes Well, you may be sure of one thing, at least: the army’s chiefs, the lying heralds of the Greeks, though bold with words, are cowards in the fight.
Neoptolemus Good; the bow is yours, and you have no cause for anger or complaint against me.
Philoctetes Agreed. You have revealed the true stock, my son, from which you spring. You are no child of Sisyphus, but of Achilles, whose fame was the fairest when he was among the living, as it is now with the dead.
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