It cannot be that offense at my sickness has persuaded you not to take me aboard your ship?NeoptolemusAll is offense when a man has abandoned his true nature and does what does not suit him.PhiloctetesBut you, at least, are not departing from your begetter’sexample either in word or deed, when you help a man who is noble.NeoptolemusI shall be found to have no honor—this is the thought that long torments me.PhiloctetesNot because of your present deeds, at least. But because of your words, I worry.NeoptolemusO Zeus, what shall I do? Must I be twice found base—by disloyal silence, as well as by shameful speech?PhiloctetesUnless I am lacking in judgment, he means to betray me, leave me behind and sail away!NeoptolemusLeave you? No, not I. Rather, to your pain, I will bring you along. That is my torment.PhiloctetesWhat do you mean, son? I do not understand.NeoptolemusI will conceal nothing. You must sail to Troy, back to the Achaeans and the forces of the Atreids.PhiloctetesAh, no! What have you said?NeoptolemusDo not wail in grief, before you understand!PhiloctetesUnderstand what? What do you intend to do to me?NeoptolemusSave you, first, from this misery, and then,together with you, go and plunder Troy’s plains.PhiloctetesAnd this is your true intent?NeoptolemusA harsh necessity governs these events, so do not be angered at hearing of them.PhiloctetesI am destroyed—ah, misery!—betrayed! What have you done to me, stranger? Return my bow at once!NeoptolemusNo, it is not possible. My duty and my interest alike constrain me to obey those in power.