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to bring me back among the Greeks again?
No, I would rather listen to the hateful
630serpent that crippled me than hear this man!
He would say anything to serve his end;
but now, at least, I know that he is coming.
Then, child, let us be going: let us place
wide tracts of sea between us and Odysseus.
635Come, let us hasten; timely speed will bring
sleep and repose for us when toil is over.
Neoptolemus
As soon as favoring breezes fill our sails,
then we will go; but now they are adverse.
Philoctetes
Those who flee evil always have fair sailing.
Neoptolemus
640 These winds are adverse to our enemies, too.
Philoctetes
No wind will ever blow against those pirates
when they have any chance to steal or plunder!
Neoptolemus
Well, let us sail then: but first go inside
and fetch whatever things you have most need of.
Philoctetes
645 I do need some things, though I have but few.
Neoptolemus
What can you need that my ship does not have?
Philoctetes
A certain medicine I own, with which
I soothe my wound until the pain dies down.
Neoptolemus
Take it then: what else do you wish to bring?
Philoctetes
650 The arrows I have overlooked and left
behind me: no one else must find them here.
Neoptolemus
Is that the famous bow you have there? Tell me.
Philoctetes
This which my hands are holding, and no other.
Neoptolemus
Will you allow me to behold it closer,
655and take it, and revere it as a god?
Philoctetes
Child, I will grant this favor to you, and
whatever else is in my power to help you.
Neoptolemus
I long to hold it - but my desire is such
that, if it were not right, I would not wish it.
Philoctetes
660 Child, do not doubt your wish is right and holy.
You and you only have allowed my heart
to hope once more to see my native land,
my agèd father and friends: you have restored me
and saved me from the snares of evil men!
665Take heart, for I will let you hold it, and,
when you return it, you may boast that you
alone of men were good enough to touch it.
I won this bow myself through my good deeds.
Neoptolemus
I am glad I found you and acquired a friend.
670He who repays one good deed with another
is such a friend as riches cannot buy.
Now go inside.
Philoctetes
I will, and you must follow:
I need someone to help me in my illness.
Philoctetes and Neoptolemus withdraw into the cave.
The women of Trachis and Philoctetes. A new translation in verse by Robert Torrance. Houghton Mifflin. 1966.
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