Epeisodion 3
Neoptolemus
Though now as a casual spectator you are compliant,
beware lest later, when filled with his disease by its constant company, you prove no longer constant to these sentiments.
520
Chorus
That will not happen. You will never have just cause to rebuke me for that!
Neoptolemus
Well, then, it would shame me if the stranger were to find
me less ready than you are to toil for his good. Come, if it pleases you, let us sail. Let the man set out at once; our ship, for her part, will carry him, and will not refuse. Only may the gods give us safe passage from this land, and from here to whatever destination we choose!
525
Philoctetes
O day of joy unsurpassed! Most delightful man, and you good sailors! If only I could show you in deeds what a true friend you have made in me! Let us be going, my son, when we two have made a solemn farewell to my homeless home inside, so that you may also learn
530
by what means I sustained my life, and how stout of heart I was born. For I believe that the mere sight would have deterred any other man but me from enduring these sufferings. But I have been slowly schooled by necessity to endure misery. Neoptolemus is about to follow Philoctetes into the cave.
535
Chorus
Wait, let us listen to the two men who are coming!
One is a crewman of your ship, the other a stranger. Go in after you hear their report.
540
Merchant
Son of Achilles, I asked my companion here, when he was guarding your ship with two others, to tell me where you might be found,
since I have chanced upon you unexpectedly by the good fortune of coming to anchor off this very coast. With no great company I am homeward bound on my trader’s voyage from Ilium to Peparethus with its cluster-laden vines, but when I heard that the sailors
545
were all of your crew, I resolved not to continue my voyage in silence, without first giving you my news and getting the due reward. You know nothing, I suspect, of your own affairs: the new designs the Greeks
550
have regarding you, and not only designs, but deeds in progress and no longer postponed.
555
Neoptolemus
The service you have done me by your forethought, sir, unless I am unworthy, will remain in my grateful thoughts. But tell me just what the designs are that you mentioned, so that I may understand
what is the strange plan of the Greeks that you know.
560
Merchant
Pursuers are on the way in search of you with a fleet. They are the aged Phoenix and the sons of Theseus.
Neoptolemus
To bring me back by force, or through persuasion?
Merchant
I do not know; but I have come to tell you what I did hear.
Neoptolemus
Are Phoenix and his comrades really so eager to do this favor for the Atreids?
565
Merchant
Be sure that it is being done, and without delay.
Neoptolemus
Then why was Odysseus not ready to sail on this mission, and bring the message himself? Or did some fear hold him back?
Merchant
Oh, he and the son of Tydeus were readying for pursuit of another man, just as I was leaving port.
570
Neoptolemus
Who is this other after whom Odysseus himself was sailing?
Merchant
There was a man. . . . But tell me first who that is over there. And whatever you say, do speak quietly.
Neoptolemus
There, sir, before your eyes is the renowned Philoctetes.
575
Merchant
Then do not question me further, but get yourself out of here as quickly as possible and sail away.
Philoctetes
What is he saying, boy? Why does the sailor traffic with you about me in these dark whispers?
Neoptolemus
His meaning yet eludes me. But, whatever he will say, he must say openly—to you, me and my men here.
580
Merchant
Seed of Achilles, do not stir the army’s resentment against me for saying what I should not. I receive many benefits for what services I do them, as a poor man may.
Neoptolemus
I am the enemy of the Atreids, and this man is my closest friend precisely because he hates them. Since, then, you have come kindly disposed towards me, you must not hide from us any part of their plans that you have heard.
585
