Philoctetes

Sophocles

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

  1. Give back my bow, boy, give it up.
Odysseus
  1. That he shall never do, even if he wished to. And, what is more, you must come along with it, or my men will bring you by force.
Philoctetes
  1. Me, you basest and boldest of scoundrels,
  2. they will take me by force?
Odysseus
  1. Unless you come of your own free will.
Philoctetes
  1. O Lemnos, and you all-conquering flame kindled by Hephaestus, will you indeed endure it that this man should take me from your domain by force?
Odysseus
  1. Zeus it is, I tell you, Zeus, who rules this land,
  2. and it is by Zeus that these actions are decreed. I am his servant.
Philoctetes
  1. Hated creature, what clever pleading you devise! By sheltering yourself behind the gods, you make the gods liars.
Odysseus
  1. No, but true prophets. Now our march must begin.
Philoctetes
  1. Never!