Philoctetes
Sophocles
Sophocles the plays and fragments, Part 4: The Philoctetes. Jebb, Richard Claverhouse, Sir, translator. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1898.
- And a little below, on the left hand, perhaps, you will see water rising from a spring, if it has not failed. Go there silently, and signal to me whether he still dwells in this same place, or is to be found elsewhere, so that the rest of my plan may be explained by me, heard by you,
- and sped by the joint effort of us both.
- King Odysseus, the completion of the task that you set me is not far off, for I believe I see a cave like that which you have described.
- Above you, or below? I do not see it.
- Here, high up—and of footfalls there is not a sound.
- See that he is not sheltered there asleep.
- I see an empty dwelling, without occupants.
- And is there no provision inside for human habitation?
- There is—a bed of leaves, as if for some one who makes his lodging here.
- And all else is bare? There is nothing else beneath the roof?
- Just a cup of bare wood, the masterpiece of a sorry craftsman, and with it these tools for kindling.