Philoctetes

Sophocles

Sophocles the plays and fragments, Part 4: The Philoctetes. Jebb, Richard Claverhouse, Sir, translator. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1898.

  1. O friends, return, come back to me!
Chorus
  1. To do what that has a different spirit from that of your former commands?
Philoctetes
  1. There is no reason for indignation when the words of one crazed
  2. by a storm of pain are senseless.
Chorus
  1. Come with us, then, poor man, as we bid you.
Philoctetes
  1. 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!
  2. 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!
Chorus
  1. What would you ask?
Philoctetes
  1. A sword, if you can find one, or an axe, or any weapon—
  2. please, pass it to me!
Chorus
  1. That you may execute what scheme?