by Sophocles
anyone else would’ve given up. Out of
necessity, in time, I learned to live with it.
PHILOKTETES and NEOPTOLEMOS turn to enter the cave.
LEADER
Wait! Hold on.
Two men coming—a shipmate with a stranger.
Before you go in, hear what they have to say.
MERCHANT (disguised Sailor) and another of Odysseus’s Sailors appear.
MERCHANT
Son of Achilles? I asked this fellow here— 600
he with two others guarding your ship—
where I’d find you. Not that I expected
to come across you. I just . . . happened by!
Mine’s the usual merchant ship, small crew,
returning home from Troy to the great vineyards
of Peparethos. On hearing these were your sailors
I decided not to sail away quietly—not without
giving you my news . . . and getting a reasonable
reward. I figured you know next to nothing
about your own affairs—new plots the Greeks 610
are mounting against you. Not idle talk
but actual doings already in the works.
NEOPTOLEMOS
Really, sir, that’s thoughtful of you. If
I’m not unworthy of this, I’ll remember you
with gratitude. But what ‘doings’? What
exactly are the Greeks scheming against me?
MERCHANT
Old Phoinix and the sons of Theseus
are coming after you. In fully manned ships.
NEOPTOLEMOS
To force me back? Or talk me into it?
MERCHANT
I don’t know. I’m just saying what I heard. 620
NEOPTOLEMOS
Are Phoinix and his crew so anxious
to get in good with the sons of Atreus?
MERCHANT
Believe it, they’re on their way. Right now.
NEOPTOLEMOS
Odysseus couldn’t sail himself, carrying
his own message? Is he afraid to?
MERCHANT
Just as I was weighing anchor
he and the son of Tydeus were setting out
after someone else.
NEOPTOLEMOS
Who? Odysseus himself after what someone?
MERCHANT
There was a man who, ah . . . 630
but first, who is that over there?
and keep your voice down.
NEOPTOLEMOS
Sir, you’re looking at the famous Philoktetes.
MERCHANT
Then that’s all you’re getting from me.
Better haul yourself out of here. Now.
PHILOKTETES
What’s he saying, boy? What’s
your business, you two, haggling
in dark whispers over me?
NEOPTOLEMOS
I’m not sure yet. Whatever, he has to say it
openly, in the light, for everyone to hear. 640
MERCHANT
Son of Achilles, don’t report me to the Greek army
for saying what I shouldn’t! I’m a poor man, I get by
doing them favors. And getting a little something back.
NEOPTOLEMOS
The sons of Atreus hate me! And as he hates them,
that man is my best friend. Now you, coming here
with friendly intentions—you must tell us everything.
MERCHANT
Watch yourself. Young man.
NEOPTOLEMOS
I always have. And do so now.
MERCHANT
I’ll hold you responsible.
NEOPTOLEMOS
Do that. Now talk. 650
MERCHANT raises his voice.
MERCHANT
OK. Right. . . . It’s this man
those two are sailing after. The son of Tydeus
and Lord Odysseus.
They swore they’d bring him in—by talking him into it
or by strong-arm arrest. All the Greeks heard Odysseus
say this, loud and clear. He was more sure of himself
than his partner was.
NEOPTOLEMOS
But why now? What moved the sons of Atreus
to think about this man? Years ago
they threw him out! 660
What now has possessed them? The gods
demanding payback for their evil deeds?
MERCHANT
I’ll tell you. Surely you haven’t heard.
There was a seer, noble, a son of Priam
named Helenos. He was out and around
one night, alone, when wily Odysseus
(the creepy one none has a good word for)
caught him, chained him, and paraded him
before the Greeks. A prize catch.
Whatever they asked, Helenos had 670
a prophecy for. He said they’d never sack Troy
with its towers—unless they could persuade
this man to leave this island here and
bring him back. Right then Odysseus swore
he’d take him back and show him off
to the Greeks. He expected the man would come
willingly—if not, he’d be forced—and that if he,
Odysseus, failed, anyone who wanted his head
could have it. That’s the whole story, young man.
You best get going now. You, and anyone 680
you care for.
PHILOKTETES
That bottomless pit of a man!
He’d persuade me
back to the Greeks? That will be the day
I’m dead. He can persuade me to rise
out of Hades into the light of day,
like his own father did.
MERCHANT
I know nothing of all that, but . . .
good luck! Got to ship out now!
Gods be with you! 690
MERCHANT and Sailor leave.
PHILOKTETES
Horrifying, my boy, isn’t it? The son of Laertes
dreams he’ll sweet-talk me onto his ship,
lead me ashore, and show me off to the Greeks?
No way! I’d sooner listen to my deadliest enemy,
the snake that made my foot into a thing. Still
there’s nothing that one wouldn’t say or do,
and he’ll be here soon!
Come on, son,
let’s get going—put a stretch of open sea
between his ship and us. Go let’s go! 700
Making good speed at the right time means
we can rest when the work is over.
NEOPTOLEMOS
In time. The wind’s against us.
When it lets up, we’ll go.
PHILOKTETES
Escaping evil, it’s always good sailing.
NEOPTOLEMOS
Sure, but the wind’s against them, too.
PHILOKTETES
To pirates looking for plunder
no wind is an ill one.
NEOPTOLEMOS
Well, if you insist, let’s go—soon as you get
whatever you need or want from in there. 710
PHILOKTETES
A few things I need. Out of so very little.
NEOPTOLEMOS
What do you need that’s not already on board?
PHILOKTETES
A certain herb. To tame this vicious wound.
NEOPTOLEMOS
Then get it out here. What else?
PHILOKTETES
Stray arrows I maybe overlooked.
Wouldn’t want anyone else to get
their hands on them.
NEOPTOLEMOS
Is that really
the famous bow you have there?
PHILOKTETES
The one and only. This, in my hand. 720
NEOPTOLEMOS
May I take a closer look? Hold it?
Honor it as I would . . . a divine power?
PH
ILOKTETES
My boy, whatever’s good for you,
anything I can give you, I will.
NEOPTOLEMOS
I’d love to touch it, but only—if the gods
think it right. Otherwise never mind.
PHILOKTETES
Son, as you’re respectful, sure it’s right.
It’s you who put the gleam of sunlight
back into my eye—the hope of seeing
Oita again, my old father and friends— 730
you who, from under my enemies’ feet,
have raised me up beyond their reach!
Take heart. The bow is yours to touch
before you hand it back. Then, for your
kindness to me, you’ll be able to say
you alone of all mortal beings
touched it! As I myself did that day
I got it, by doing something kind.
NEOPTOLEMOS
I don’t regret I happened on you—and found
a friend! Whoever knows how to pay back 740
kindness with kindness is worth more,
friend, than any possession. Go in, please.
PHILOKTETES
I’ll show you in. My sickness wants you
to stand by, and support me.
PHILOKTETES and NEOPTOLEMOS go into the cave.
CHORUS
(severally)
I’ve heard, but never seen,
how the man who tried to slip into
Zeus’ wife’s bed
was caught, and bound on a whirling wheel
by Zeus himself—
but I’d never seen nor heard of 750
a man with awfuller fate than this,
who conned no one, harmed no one,
who lived on good terms with everyone—
yet was punished worse
than anyone deserves.
I’m stunned at how
being so desolate here
hearing nothing ever but pounding surf
he yet
clung to his wretched life. 760
He himself was his only neighbor,
unable to walk,
with no one near to hear him suffer
screaming agony, nor feel with him
the disease eating his flesh, draining away his blood,
no one
to help gather healing herbs
from the good earth
—whenever a fit came over him—
to ease the burning pus from his ulcerous foot, 770
but went this way and that,
when the disease let up,
like a child with no nursemaid to steady it,
crawling around anywhere for anything
that might help somehow,
not for the food men work for
by seeding the blessed earth
but only, as happened,
with arrows shot from his quick-killing bow
he got food to eat. 780
A rotten life.
Ten years, and not one savoring taste of wine,
just
winding round toward any stagnant pool
he could find.
As PHILOKTETES and NEOPTOLEMOS are about to emerge from the cave . . .
LEADER
But now, after all that, he’ll arrive at greatness
and a happy end. He’s lucked out,
having met face to face the son of good people
who, in the fullness of so many moons, cutting across the sea
will bring him to his own 790
ancestral home
where Melian nymphs linger by the Sperkheios,
CHORUS
where bronze-shielded Herakles
rose in flames nearer the gods
amidst the lightning crashes of his father Zeus
high above Oita.
NEOPTOLEMOS and PHILOKTETES, with herbs and arrows, emerge.
NEOPTOLEMOS
Come on . . .
What’s wrong? Why so awful still all of a sudden?
PHILOKTETES
(swallowing his agony)
Unh . . . Unh . . . Unh. . .
NEOPTOLEMOS
What’s the matter? 800
PHILOKTETES
Nothing, nothing. Keep going, son.
NEOPTOLEMOS
You in pain? The usual?
PHILOKTETES
No, no. Think ’s getting better . . .
Good gods!!
NEOPTOLEMOS
Then why the groaning? Why call on the gods?
PHILOKTETES
So they’ll come . . . make better.
Gd! gd!
NEOPTOLEMOS
What’s got into you? Speak! say something!
I know something’s wrong.
PHILOKTETES
Son I’ve had it. I can’t hide the pain from you o 810
gods it runs right through me through me I’m
miserable damn done for! It’s eating me alive!
Son, I’m gone!
Buhh Bbuhh Buhhppuhpppuhppppuh
O for the gods you have a sword handy
at hand?? USE IT!
Cut the heel OFF now now, no mind my life!
Quick son quick quick!
NEOPTOLEMOS
What? Why all of a sudden now?
what’s new 820
all this screaming and hollering?
PHILOKTETES
You know.
NEOPTOLEMOS
What?
PHILOKTETES
My boy, you know.
NEOPTOLEMOS
Know what? What is the matter with you?
PHILOKTETES
You have to know! Agaahh Agaaahhh
NEOPTOLEMOS
Your disease. It’s unbearable.
PHILOKTETES
Unbearable beyond words. Pityme!
NEOPTOLEMOS
What should I do?
PHILOKTETES
Don’t let me down, 830
don’t be afraid—
this wandering disease
comes to me
when it’s tired wandering,
and having had enough
it goes away.
NEOPTOLEMOS
Luckless man. Every misery there is
shows through you.
Should I hold you?
Give you a helping hand? 840
PHILOKTETES
No, don’t touch! But take the bow, please,
like you asked to—watch it till the pain
goes away. Guard it. I’ll pass out asleep
when the fit passes, have to, or the pain
won’t leave. Yet let me sleep in peace.
And if those men come, by the gods above
I beg you, don’t give them or anyone else
the bow, willingly or unwillingly, or you’ll
destroy yourself and kill me. Begging you.
NEOPTOLEMOS
Don’t worry. This passes into no hands but yours 850
and mine. Give it here. And with it, good luck!
PHILOKTETES
Here, son, take it. Pray the gods don’t envy
you—so the bow won’t destroy you the way
it did me, and him who owned it before me.
NEOPTOLEMOS
Gods, give us this! Make it so we sail
with a swift following wind wherever
the heavens send us and our mission ends.
PHILOKTETES
My boy, I’m afraid
you’re praying for nothing. Look!
new dark blood oozing out 860
from somewhere deep,
dripping red again. I expect
a fresh worse attack. Oooo
my foot
you excruciate me! The pain
slithers up, near, here! Oooo
OoooOooo
NOW you know! Don’t go! O
Oooodysseus my friend if only this
agony! 870
could stickstab through you
; godgodgod
my generals general menelaos
general agamemnon if only
your flesh fed this sickness
as long as mine has
AAHHHHZZ!
Death Death every day I beg you
what’s keeping you
why don’t you come? 880
My boy, you’re a good boy
whyn’t you
pick me up burn me in that fire out there,
Lemnian fire,
I did the same for Herakles, son of Zeus,
for that I got the arms
you have there now. What say. What
say, speak!
Why so quiet? Where are you?
NEOPTOLEMOS
Here, a long time here, heartsick 890
over your crushing pain.
PHILOKTETES
No, be brave too, my boy. The thing drops in
quickly yet goes quick too. Just please don’t
leave me here alone.
NEOPTOLEMOS
Don’t worry. We’ll stay with you.
PHILOKTETES
You will?
NEOPTOLEMOS
Absolutely.
PHILOKTETES
Not that I’d ask you to swear to that, my boy.
NEOPTOLEMOS
Don’t worry. It’s not right to leave without you.
PHILOKTETES
Your hand on that! Give it. 900
NEOPTOLEMOS
I promise. We’ll stay.
PHILOKTETES
Now. Up there. Take me.
NEOPTOLEMOS
What? Where there?
PHILOKTETES
(eyes rolling back into his head)
Up up . . .
NEOPTOLEMOS
(grabbing PHILOKTETES’ arm)
Another fit? Why’re you looking up . . . the sky?
PHILOKTETES
Let go me! Let go!
NEOPTOLEMOS
To go where?
PHILOKTETES
Let me go!
NEOPTOLEMOS
I won’t.
PHILOKTETES
You’ll kill me holding me like that. 910
NEOPTOLEMOS
(releases him)
OK OK. Now that you’ve calmed down.
PHILOKTETES
O Earth, take my dying body.
I can’t stand up under this pain.
PHILOKTETES sinks to the earth.
NEOPTOLEMOS
I think . . . sleep will grip him soon. Look!
