Mangle all this body, and sever limb from limb with my own hand! Death, death is my thought now!ChorusWhy, why ever would you—PhiloctetesI am seeking my father—ChorusIn what land?PhiloctetesIn Hades; he dwells in the sunlight no more. Ah, my city, city of my fathers! I crave to see you, unhappy man that I truly amfor leaving your sacred stream and going to help the Danaans, my enemies! I am nothing now, nothing anymore!Exit Philoctetes into the cave.

ChorusLong ago I would have left you to go to my ship, had I not seenOdysseus approaching, and the son of Achilles, too, coming here for us.Enter Neoptolemus and Odysseus.OdysseusWill you not tell me why you make this return journey with such eager speed?NeoptolemusI come to undo the mistake that I made earlier.OdysseusYour words alarm me—what mistake was that?