Philoctetes
Sophocles
Sophocles the plays and fragments, Part 4: The Philoctetes. Jebb, Richard Claverhouse, Sir, translator. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1898.
- and sail from this land with me, your friend.
- What! To the plains of Troy and to the abhorred son of Atreus, with this miserable foot?
- No, rather to those who will free you and your pus-filled limb from pain, and will save you from your sickness.
- You giver of frightening advice, what have you said?
- I recognize what will be best in the end for you and for me.
- Have you no shame before the gods for saying that?
- Why should a man be ashamed of benefiting his friends?
- Do you mean a benefit to the Atreids, or for me?
- For you, certainly, since I am your friend and speak in friendship.
- How can that be, when you would give me up to my enemies?
- Please, sir, learn to be less defiant in misfortune.
- You will ruin me—I know it—with these words.
- Not I. But you, I say, will not understand.
- Do I not know already that the Atreids cast me away?
- They cast you out, yes, but look if they will not in turn restore you.
- Never—if I must first consent to see Troy.
- What can I do, then if my pleading fails to persuade you of anything that I recommend?
- The easiest course for me is to stop talking, and for you to live, just as you do now, without deliverance.
- Let me bear the sufferings that are fated me. But what you promised me with your right hand in mine—to bring me home,—that promise fulfil for me, son,
- and do not delay, or remind me further of Troy. I have had my fill of grief and lamentations.