Philoktetes Part 2

What you do is for our gain.

He who hesitates is lost.

NEOPTOLEMOS

What good would it do me for him to come to Troy?

ODYSSEUS

 

Only Philoktetes can conquer the city.

NEOPTOLEMOS

Then I will not take it after all, as I have been promised.

ODYSSEUS

Not without his arrows, nor they without you.

NEOPTOLEMOS

Then I must have them, if what you say is true.

ODYSSEUS

You will bring back two prizes, if only you'll act.

NEOPTOLEMOS

What are they? If I know, I will not refuse the deed.

ODYSSEUS

You will be called wise because of your trick, and brave for the sack of Troy.

NEOPTOLEMOS

Then let it be so. I will do what you order, putting aside my sense of shame.

ODYSSEUS

Do you remember all the counsel I have given?

NEOPTOLEMOS

Every word of it. I will follow it all.

ODYSSEUS

Stay here at the cave and wait for him.

I will leave so he doesn't know I have been here.

I will take the guard and go back to the s.h.i.+p; if I think you're in trouble I will send him back, disguised as a merchant sailor, a captain.

Whatever story he tells you, use it to advantage.

I am going now. The rest is up to you.

May our guides be Hermes, who instructs us in guile, and Athena, G.o.ddess of victory, G.o.ddess of our cities, who aids me at all times.

CHORUS

I am a stranger in a foreign land.

What shall I say to Philoktetes? What shall I hide?

Tell me. Knowledge that surpa.s.ses all others' knowledge and greatest wisdom falls to him who rules with Zeus's divine scepter.

To you, child, this ancient strength has come, all the power of your ancestors. Tell me what must be done to serve you well.

NEOPTOLEMOS

Look now, without any fear: he sleeps on the seacliff, so take courage.

When he awakes it will be terrible.

Muster up your courage, and aid me then.

Follow my lead. Help as you can.

CHORUS

As you command, my lord Neoptolemos.

My duty to you is always first in my thoughts.

My eye is fixed on your best interests.

Now show me the place that he inhabits, and where he sleeps.

I should know this lest he take me in ambush.

I am frightened and yet fascinated, as though by a snake or a scorpion's lair.

Where does he live? Where does he sleep?

Where does he walk?

Is he inside or outside?

NEOPTOLEMOS

Look. You will see a cave with two mouths.

That is his house.

That is his rocky sleeping-place.

CHORUS

Where is he now, the unlucky man?

NEOPTOLEMOS

It is clear to me that he claws his way to find food nearby.

He struggles now to bring down birds with his arrows, to fuel this wretched way of life.

He knows no balm to heal his wounds.