Philoctetes
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Original / primary: Perseus Eng2
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Chorus
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It was you, you, I say, doomed one, that chose this fate; and this fortune to which you are captive comes from no other source, nor from a stronger man’s compulsion. For when in fact it was in your power to show sense,
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you chose to reject the better fate, and to accept the worse.
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Philoctetes
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Ah, miserable, miserable, then, am I, and shamed by hardship, who next must hereafter dwell in my misery here,
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with no man for companion in the days to come, and waste away. I can no longer bring food to my home, no
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longer gain it by the winged weapons held in my strong hands. But the unsuspected and stealthy fictions of a treacherous mind deceived me. If only I could watch him, the contriver of this plot, doomed to endure my anguish for as long a time!
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Chorus
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Doom, god-sent doom constrained you to suffer this, not, I tell you, any treachery to which my hand was lent.
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Aim your hate-filled, baneful curse elsewhere, since I prefer that you not reject my friendship.
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Philoctetes
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Again, again, you have recalled the old agony to my thoughts—kindest though you are of all who have visited before! Why have you ruined me? What have you done to me?
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Chorus
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What do you mean?
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Philoctetes
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That it was your hope to take
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me to that Trojan land I abhor.
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Chorus
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Yes, I believe that to be the best course.
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Philoctetes
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Leave me, then—immediately!
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Chorus
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Pleasant, pleasant, indeed, is the task you set me, and I am ready to obey.
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Come, let us be going, each to his station in the ship!
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Philoctetes
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By Zeus who hears men’s curses, do not go, I implore you!
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Chorus
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Be moderate.
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Philoctetes
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Friends, in the name of the gods, stay!
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Chorus
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Why do you call?
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Philoctetes
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Ayee, ayee! Doom, Doom! My suffering kills me! Foot, my foot, what shall I do with you in the days to come?
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O friends, return, come back to me!
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Chorus
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To do what that has a different spirit from that of your former commands?
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Philoctetes
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There is no reason for indignation when the words of one crazed
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by a storm of pain are senseless.
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Chorus
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Come with us, then, poor man, as we bid you.
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Philoctetes
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Never, never—of that be certain! Not even if the lord of the fiery lightning comes to wrap me in the blaze of his thunderbolts!
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Ilium be damned, and as many of the men before its walls as dared reject this foot of mine! But oh, friends, grant me one wish!
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Chorus
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What would you ask?
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Philoctetes
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A sword, if you can find one, or an axe, or any weapon—
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please, pass it to me!
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Chorus
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That you may execute what scheme?
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Philoctetes
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Mangle all this body, and sever limb from limb with my own hand! Death, death is my thought now!
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Chorus
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Why, why ever would you—
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Philoctetes
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I am seeking my father—
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Chorus
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In what land?
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for leaving your sacred stream and going to help the Danaans, my enemies! I am nothing now, nothing anymore! Exit Philoctetes into the cave.
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Chorus
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Long ago I would have left you to go to my ship, had I not seen
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Odysseus approaching, and the son of Achilles, too, coming here for us.
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Odysseus
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Will you not tell me why you make this return journey with such eager speed?
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Neoptolemus
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I come to undo the mistake that I made earlier.
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Odysseus
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Your words alarm me—what mistake was that?
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Neoptolemus
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The one I made when I obeyed you and all the army.
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Odysseus
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What did you do that was unworthy of you?
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Neoptolemus
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I captured a man by disgraceful deceits and treachery.
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Odysseus
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What man? Oh! Can you be planning something rash?
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Neoptolemus
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Rash, no. But to Poeas’ son—
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Odysseus
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What are you going to do? Suddenly a certain fear comes over me.
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Neoptolemus
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—From whom I took this bow, back to him—
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Odysseus
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Zeus! What will you say? Certainly you do not intend to give it back?
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Neoptolemus
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Yes, I do, because disgracefully and unjustly I got hold of it.
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Odysseus
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In the name of the gods, are you saying this to mock me?
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Neoptolemus
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If it is mockery to speak the truth.
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Odysseus
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What do you mean, Neoptolemus? What are you saying?
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Neoptolemus
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Must I repeat the same words twice and three times?
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Odysseus
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I would not have wished to hear them even once.
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Neoptolemus
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Know for certain that I have nothing more to say.
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Odysseus
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There is someone, I tell you, who will prevent your deed.
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Neoptolemus
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What do you mean? Who will oppose me in this?
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Odysseus
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The whole host of the Achaeans, and I for one.
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Neoptolemus
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Wise though you were born, your threats are void of wisdom.
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Odysseus
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And your words are not wise, nor is that which you want to do.
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Neoptolemus
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And yet if they are just, they are better than wise.
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Odysseus
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And how is it just for you to give up what was won by means of my plans?
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Odysseus
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The army of the Achaeans causes you no fear, when you do this?
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Neoptolemus
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With justice on my side, I do not tremble at the terrors you name.
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Neoptolemus
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No, not even at the threat of your hand do I yield obedience.
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Odysseus
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Then our battles shall be not with the Trojans, but with you.
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Neoptolemus
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So be it, if that is what the future holds.
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clasping my sword hilt?
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Odysseus
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However, I will let you be. But I will go report this to all the army, and by them you will be punished.
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Neoptolemus
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You have come to your senses. And if you are so prudent hereafter,
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perhaps you may steer clear of trouble. Odysseus feigns departure, but conceals himself nearby.
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But you, son of Poeas, Philoctetes, come out! Leave the shelter of your rocky home!
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Philoctetes
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What is this disruptive cry once more rising beside my cave? Why do you call me? What do you want of me? He appears at the mouth of the cave, and sees Neoptolemus.
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Oh, no! This business will bring me no good. Have you come bringing me new misery on top of the old?
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Neoptolemus
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Take heart and listen to my words.
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Philoctetes
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I am afraid. Beautiful words did me evil once before, when I believed your promises.
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Neoptolemus
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Is there no room, then, for repentance?
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Philoctetes
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You spoke just like this, when you were seeking to steal my bow—a professed friend, with my destruction in his treacherous heart.
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Neoptolemus
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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.
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Neoptolemus
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You are so resolved?
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Neoptolemus
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Well, I could have wished that you had listened to my words, but if nothing that I say will help,then I am finished.
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Ruin seize you all, the Atreids first, and next the son of Laertes, and you!
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Philoctetes
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What did you say? Am I being tricked a second time?
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Neoptolemus
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No, I swear it by the pure majesty of Zeus most high!
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Philoctetes
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O welcome words—if your words are true!
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Neoptolemus
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The deed will soon make it plain. Come, stretch out your right hand and be master of your bow! As he hands the bow and arrows to Philoctetes, Odysseus suddenly appears.
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Odysseus
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But I forbid it, as the gods are my witnesses, in the name of the Atreids and the entire army!
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Philoctetes
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Son, whose voice was that? Do I hear Odysseus?
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Philoctetes
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But it will bring you no joy, if this arrow fly straight. Odysseus flees from the stage.
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Neoptolemus
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Wait—by the gods, no! Do not let it fly!
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Philoctetes
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Let go of me, in the name of the gods, dear boy!
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Neoptolemus
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I will not.
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Neoptolemus
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It would have been honorable neither for me, nor for you.
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Philoctetes
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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.
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Neoptolemus
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Good; the bow is yours, and you have no cause for anger or complaint against me.
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Philoctetes
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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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Neoptolemus
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I delight at your praise of my father,
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and of myself. But hear what I desire to gain from you. It is true that men are compelled to bear the fortunes given by the gods; but when they cling to self-inflicted miseries, as you do,
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no one can justly excuse or pity them. You have become savage: you welcome no counsellor, and if someone admonishes you, even if he speaks in all good will, you detest him and consider him an enemy who wishes you ill. All the same I will speak to you, calling Zeus who guards oaths to witness.