Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Plumptre 1878).djvu/492

394 Phil. I know thou wilt destroy me with these words.

Neop. Nay, nay, not so; thou dost not understand.

Phil. Do I not know the Atreidæ cast me forth?

Neop. But if they save, who cast thee forth, look to it.

Phil. Ne'er with my will shall I on Troïa look.

Neop. What then remains, if we, with all our words,

Still fail to move thee? Easiest course it were

For me to cease from speaking, and that thou

Should'st live, as now, without deliverance.

Phil. Leave me to suffer what I suffer must;

But what thou swarest, thy right hand as pledge,

To lead me to my home, that do, my son,

And linger not, nor further mention make

Of Troïa to me. I have had my fill

Of wailing and lament.

Neop. If this thy will,

Come, let us go.

Phil. Now speak'st thou noble words.

Neop. Plant thy foot firm.

Phil. With what small strength I have.

Neop. How shall I 'scape the Achasans' blame?

Phil. Despise it.

Neop. And what if they shall lay my country waste?

Phil. I shall be there.

Neop. What would thy help avail?

Phil. With these the darts of Heracles.

Neop. What then?

Phil. I will restrain their coming.

Neop. On then, take

Thy farewell of this island.

Hera. Nay, not yet;

Not till thou hear ouf words,