Philoktetes | Page 9

and stow me where you want, in the hold, on the prow, on the stern, anywhere that I will least offend you. Swear by Zeus, lord of suppliants, boy, that you will take me. I am trying to kneel before you, a cripple, lame. Do not leave me in this lonely place, where no one passes by. Take me to your home, or to the harbor of Euboean Chalkis. It is a short journey from there to Oeta, to the ridges of Trachis and smooth-flowing Spercheios. Show me there to my beloved father. I have long feared that he is dead, or else he would have come for me: I sent prayerful messages to him through travelers who happened along here, begging him to come himself and take me home. He is dead, then, or more likely the messengers held me in little regard, as messengers do, and hurried along to their homes. In you I have a guard and a herald. Save me. Have pity. Look how dangerously we mortals live, experiencing good, experiencing evil. If you are out of harm's way, expect horrible things, and when you live well, take extra care lest you be caught napping and be destroyed.
CHORUS
Take pity on him, lord. He has told us of many horrible torments. May such troubles fall on none of my friends. If, lord, you hate the terrible Atreids, put their treatment of him to your advantage. I would carry him, as he has asked, away with you on your swift-running ship, fleeing the gods' cruel punishment.
NEOPTOLEMOS
Be sure you are not too quick to plead, that when you have had your fill of the company that his illness will provide you, you do not stand by your words.
CHORUS
No. You will not be able to reproach me with that and still speak truly.
NEOPTOLEMOS
Then I would be ashamed to be less willing than you to serve this man. If you are sure, let us sail quickly. Make the man hurry. I won't refuse him my ship. May the gods keep us safe in leaving this land and give us safe passage where we wish to sail.
PHILOKTETES
O blessed day and dearest of men, and you, friend sailors, how can I make it clear to you, how closely you have bound me in your friendship. Let us go, my son. But first let us bow down and kiss the earth in gratitude, the earth of my home that is no home. Look inside and you will see how brave I must be by my very nature. To endure even the sight of such a place would have been too much for most men. But I have had to learn to withstand its evils.
CHORUS
Wait, and watch! Two men approach, one of our crew and a stranger to me--- let us hear from them. Then you may go inside.
TRADER
Son of Achilles, I ordered this sailor, who was guarding your ship with two other men, to tell me where you were. I came to this island not meaning to. Accident drove me to this place. I sail as captain of a cargo vessel from Ilium, to a place not far away--- Peparethos, rich in grapes and wine. I learned that these men are your companions and decided to stay until I'd spoken with you and received my reward. Perhaps you do not know your own concerns, the new things the Greeks have in store for you, no longer mere plans, but onrushing actions.
NEOPTOLEMOS
A blessing on you for thinking of me. If I do not grow evil, your concern will keep you my friend. Tell me more of what you said: I want to know more of these new Greek tricks.
TRADER
Phoenix and Theseus's sons have sailed from Troy and are following you with an armed flotilla.
NEOPTOLEMOS
Do they plan to take me with violence or persuade me to return with them?
TRADER
I do not know. I tell you only what I have heard.
NEOPTOLEMOS
Are Phoenix and his friends so eager to jump when the Atreids tell them to?
TRADER
They have already jumped. They're not wasting a second.
NEOPTOLEMOS
And Odysseus would not bring the message himself? Does some fear now act upon his spirit?
TRADER
When I left, he and Tydeus's son were off chasing down another man.
NEOPTOLEMOS
Who is the man they now pursue?
TRADER
He is---wait. First tell me who that man is, and tell me quietly.
NEOPTOLEMOS
The man is great Philoktetes, friend.
TRADER
Then ask no more questions. Get out of here, and quickly. Run away from this place.
PHILOKTETES
What is he saying to you, boy? Why does he bargain in the shadows, hiding his words from me?
NEOPTOLEMOS
I'm not sure what he means by all this. But he'll have to speak openly to all of us.
TRADER
Son of Achilles, do not upbraid me before your men. I do much for them and get much in return, as a poor man