Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Plumptre 1878).djvu/461

Rh Neop. By force to bring me back, or by their words?

Attend. I know not; what I heard, I come to tell.

Neop. And can it be that Phœnix and his mates

Make such good speed for those Atreidæ's sake?

Attend. Know that this is being done and lingers not.

Neop. How was it then Odysseus did not come,

A volunteer, self-summoned? Did he fear?

Attend. He and the son of Tydeus went their way

To seek another, when I started forth.

Neop. And who was this for whom Odysseus sailed?

Attend. There was a man, but tell me first who this

I see may be, and what thou say'st, speak low.

Neop. This, friend, is Philoctetes, known to fame.

Attend. Ask me no more, but with thine utmost speed

Hasten thy way, and from this island sail.

Phil. What saith he, boy, and why with darkling words

Does he, that sailor, traffic in my life?

Neop. I know not what he says, but all he speaks

He must speak out to thee, and me, and these.

Attend. Ο son of great Achilles, charge me not

Before the host with saying things I ought not;

For I, doing them good service, (far at least

As poor man can,) get good return for it.

Neop. I am the Atreidæ's foe, and this man here

Is my best friend, because he hates them too;

And thou, who comest as a friend to me,

Should'st not hide from us aught of what thou heard'st.

Attend. Take heed, Ο boy.

Neop. Long since I'm on the watch.

Attend. I'll hold thee guilty.

Neop. Hold, but tell thy tale.

Attend. That will I tell. It is to bring this man

Those twain, whose names thou knowest, Tydeus' son