Page:Sophocles - Seven Plays, 1900.djvu/267

573–607]

. For some one,—but first tell me, whispering low

Whate’er thou speakest,—who is this I see?

. (speaking aloud). This, sir, is Philoctetes the renowned.

. (aside to ). Without more question, snatch thy-self away

And sail forth from this land.

. What saith he, boy?

Through what dark traffic is the mariner

Betraying me with whispering in thine ear?

. I have not caught it, but whate’er he speaks

He must speak openly to us and thee.

. Seed of Achilles, let me not offend

The army by my words! Full many a boon,

Being poor, I reap from them for service done.

. The Atridae are my foes; the man you see

Is my fast friend, because he hates them sore.

Then, if you come in kindness, you must hide

Nothing from him or me of all thou hast heard.

. Look what thou doest, my son!

. I mark it well.

. Thou shalt be answerable.

. Content: but speak.

. Then hear me. These two men whom I have named,

Diomedes and Odysseus, are set forth

Engaged on oath to bring this man by force

If reasons fail. The Achaeans every one

Have heard this plainly from Odysseus’ mouth.

He was the louder and more confident.

. Say, for what cause, after so long a time,

Can Atreus’ sons have turned their thoughts on him,

Whom long they had cast forth? What passing touch

Of conscience moved them, or what stroke from Heaven,

Whose wrath requites all wicked deeds of men?

. Methinks thou hast not heard what I will now

Unfold to thee. There was a princely seer,

A son of Priam, Helenus by name,

Whom he for whom no word is bad enough,