Epeisodion 3
Merchant
Beware of what you are doing, boy.
Neoptolemus
I am well aware.
Merchant
I will hold you accountable.
590
Neoptolemus
Do so, but speak.
590
Merchant
I will. It is after this man that those two whom I named to you, Diomedes and forceful Odysseus, are sailing. They are oath-bound to retrieve him, either by winning words or by overpowering might.
And all the Achaeans heard this clearly from the mouth Odysseus, for his confidence of success in this action was higher than his comrade’s.
595
Neoptolemus
And for the sake of what did the Atreids after so long a time turn their thoughts so urgently towards this man,
whom they were long since keeping an outcast? What was the desire that came over them, or what force? What avenging spirit sent by the gods to exact payment for evil deeds?
600
Merchant
I will inform you of all that, since it seems that you have not heard. There was a seer of noble birth,
a son of Priam, called Helenus, whom that man, out on a solitary night raid—that deceitful Odysseus, whose repute is all shame and dishonor—captured. Leading him back in bonds, he displayed him publicly to the Achaeans as his glorious prey.
605
Helenus then prophesied for them whatever matter they asked, and, pertaining to Troy, he foretold that they would never sack its towers, unless by winning words they should bring Philoctetes here from the island where he now dwells. And, as soon as he heard the seer prophecy this, Laertes’ son
610
immediately promised that he would bring the man and show him to the Achaeans. He thought it most likely that he would get him willingly, but, if unwilling, then by force, and he added that, were he to fail in this, whoever wished it might sever his head.
615
You have heard everything, boy, and I advise speed for you, and for any man for whom you care.
620
Philoctetes
Alas! Has he, the utter plague, sworn to fetch me back to the Achaeans by persuasion? For if that were to happen, I could be persuaded, when dead, to come back up
from Hades into the light, as his father did!
625
Merchant
I know nothing about that. But for my part I must return to ship, while for you I pray that god may help you in every possible way. Exit Merchant.
Philoctetes
Now is it not astounding, boy, that Odysseus would ever have expected by means of soft words
to lead me from his ship and show me in the middle of the Greeks? No! I would sooner listen to that greatest and worst of my enemies, the viper which made me crippled as I am! But there is nothing that he would not say or dare. And now I know that he is coming here.
630
Come, son, let us be moving, so that a wide sea may part us from the ship of Odysseus. Let us go! Good speed in good season brings sleep and rest when toil is finished.
635
Neoptolemus
Then as soon as the wind is not at our prow,
we will sail. At present it blows against us.
640
Philoctetes
The sailing is always fair, when you flee trouble.
Neoptolemus
Not so; this weather is against them also.
Philoctetes
No wind stands in the way of pirates who sense a chance to steal and plunder by force.
Neoptolemus
Well, if you are so resolved, let us go, once you have taken from the cave whatever you need or desire most.
645
Philoctetes
Yes, there are some things that I need, though the choice is not large.
Neoptolemus
What is there that will not be available on board my ship?
Philoctetes
I have a store of a certain herb, whereby I can always
best lull this wound, until it is wholly tamed.
650
Neoptolemus
Fetch it, then. Now, what else do you wish to take?
