Page:Essays and Addresses.djvu/49

 Prince, to miss my mark by doing right rather than to win by baseness.

O. Son of a gallant sire, time was when I, too, in my youth had a slow tongue and an active hand. But now, when I come out to the proof, I see that words, not deeds, always come to the front with men.

N. In short, what dost thou bid me but to lie?

O. I bid thee take Philoctetes by guile.

N. And why by guile more than by persuasion?

O. He will never be persuaded; and by force thou art not likely to take him.

N. Hath he a strength so defiant, so dreadful?

O. Arrows inevitable and winging death.

N. One cannot dare, then, even to go near him?

O. No, unless thou snare him, as I bid.

N. So thou thinkest it no shame to lie?

O. None, if the lie is fraught with health.

N. And how shall a man have the face to utter it?

O. When thou dost aught for gain, it is unmeet to shrink.

N. And what gain for me is his coming to Troy?

O. Troy can be taken by these arrows alone.

N. Then I am not, as ye said, to be the captor?

O. Not thou apart from these, nor these from thee.

N. It seems, then, they must be won, if so it stands?

O. I tell thee by this deed thou shalt gain two gifts.

N. What are they? If I knew, I would not shrink.