Scaife ATLAS

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Philoctetes (819-899)

urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0011.tlg006.perseus-eng2:819-899
Refs {'start': {'reference': '819', 'human_reference': 'Line 819'}, 'end': {'reference': '899', 'human_reference': 'Line 899'}}
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Wide Earth, embrace me now on the verge of death!
This pain no longer lets me stand up.
Neoptolemus
Sleep, I think, will take him before long. See, his head sinks backward. Yes, a sweat runs over his whole body, and a dark, hemorrhaging vein has burst from his heel.
Come, friends, let us leave him in quietness, so that he may fall asleep.
827
Chorus
Divine Sleep, god who knows no pain, Sleep, stranger to anguish, come in favor to us, come happy, and giving happiness, great King!
Keep before his eyes such light as is spread before them now. Come to him, I pray you, come with power to heal! Son, consider what position you will take, and to what strategy you will next direct our course.
You see his condition now! Why should we hesitate to act? Opportunity, the umpire of all contests, often wins a great victory by one swift stroke.
839
Neoptolemus
No, even though he hears nothing, I see that
we have made this bow our quarry to no end, if we sail without him. His must be the victor’s crown. It is he that the god commanded we bring. It would be a foul disgrace upon us to boast of deeds in which failure and fraud had equal parts.
843
Chorus
Well, the god must look to that, son. But when you answer me again,
softly, please, softly whisper your words. For sick men’s restless sleep is quick to vision. But, please, use your utmost care to win that prize,
that great prize, by stealth. For if you maintain your present purpose towards this man—you know what purpose I mean—then truly there are irremediable troubles in store, which a shrewd mind can foresee.
855
Chorus
Now, son, a fair wind blows you on your way: sightless and helpless, the man lies stretched in darkness—sleep in the heat is sound—
with no command of hands or feet, but stripped of all his powers, like one who rests with Hades. Take note, see if your pronouncements are seasonable. So far as my thoughts can seize the truth, boy, the best strategy is that which stirs no alarm.
865
Neoptolemus
Quiet, I say, and do not abandon your wits—the man is opening his eyes and lifts his head.
Philoctetes
Ah, light succeeding upon sleep! Ah, friendly watchers, sight unlooked for even in my dreams! I could never have expected this, son—
that you would have the patience to wait so tenderly upon my sufferings by staying close beside me and helping to relieve me. The Atreids, certainly, those valiant generals, had no heart to bear this burden so lightly. But your nature is noble and drawn of a noble line,
and so you have made little of all this, though loud cries and stenches afflicted you. And now, since the plague seems to allow me a space of forgetfulness and peace at last, lift me up yourself and set me on my feet,
so that, when the faintness releases me at length, we may set out to the ship, and not hold back our sailing.
Neoptolemus
It pleases me to see you living unpained and breathing still, however contrary to my expectation. For in view of your persistent sufferings,
your symptoms seemed to speak of death. But now lift yourself, or, if you prefer, these men will carry you. The labor will not be grudged, since you and I are of one mind.
Philoctetes
Thank you, son, and help me up, as you will.
Yet do not trouble your men, so that they may not suffer from the foul stench before it is necessary. It will be trial enough for them to live on board with me.
893
Neoptolemus
So be it. Now stand up, and take hold of me.
Philoctetes
Do not worry, my habitual method will help me to my feet.
Neoptolemus
God! What am I to do next?
Philoctetes
What is the matter? Where strays your speech?
Neoptolemus
I do not know where to turn my tongue when my thoughts are so confused.
Philoctetes
Confused? How so? No, do not say it!
Neoptolemus
My mind is indeed brought to that condition.

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