He, ere I left the camp, with Diomede
On some important embassy sailed forth
In search-

Of whom?

There was a man- but stay,
Who is thy friend here, tell me, but speak softly.

The famous Philoctetes.

Ha! begone then!
Ask me no more- away, immediately!

What do these dark mysterious whispers mean?
Concern they me, my son?

I know not what
He means to say, but I would have him speak
Boldly before us all, whate'er it be.

Do not betray me to the Grecian host,
Nor make me speak what I would fain conceal.
I am but poor- they have befriended me.

In me thou seest an enemy confest
To the Atreidae. This is my best friend
Because he hates them too; if thou art mine,
Hide nothing then.

Consider first.

I have.

The blame will be on you.

Why, let it be:
But speak, I charge thee.

Since I must then, know,
In solemn league combined, the bold Ulysses
And gallant Diomede have sworn by force
Or by persuasion to bring back thy friend:
The Grecians heard Laertes' son declare
His purpose; far more resolute he seemed
Than Diomede, and surer of success.

But why the' Atreidae, after so long time,
Again should wish to see this wretched exile,
Whence this desire? Came it from th' angry gods
To punish thus their inhumanity?

I can inform you; for perhaps from Greece
Of late you have not heard. There was a prophet,
Son of old Priam, Helenus by name,
Hlim, in his midnight walks, the wily chief
Ulysses, curse of every tongue, espied;
Took him. and led him captive. to the Creeks
A welcome spoil. Much he foretold to all,
And added last that Troy should never fall
Till Philoctetes from this isle returned.
Ulysses heard, and instant promise gave
To fetch him hence; he hoped by gentle means
To gain him; those successless, force at last
Could but compel him. He would go, he cried,
And if he failed his head should pay th' forfeit.
I've told thee all, and warn thee to be gone,
Thou and thy friend, if thou wouldst wish to save him.

And does the traitor think he can persuade me?
As well might he persuade me to return
From death to life, as his base father did.

Of that know not: I must to my ship.
Farewell, and may the gods protect you both!

Lead me- expose me to the Grecian host!
And could the insolent Ulysses hope
With his soft flatteries e'er to conquer me?
No! Sooner would I listen to the voice
Of that fell serpent, whose envenomed tongue
Hath lamed me thus. But what is there he dare not
Or say or do? I know he will be here
E'en now, depend on't. Therefore, let's away!
Quick let the sea divide us from Ulysses.
Let us be gone; for well-timed expedition,
The task performed, brings safety and repose.

Soon as the wind permits us we embark,
But now 'tis adverse.

Every wind is fair
When we are flying from misfortune.

True;
And 'tis against them too.

Alas! no storms
Can drive back fraud and rapine from their prey.

I'm ready. Take what may be necessary,
And follow me.

I want not much.

Perhaps
My ship will furnish you.

There is a plant
Which to my wound gives some relief; I must
Have that.

Is there aught else?

Alas! my bow
I had forgot. I must not lose that treasure.

Are these the famous arrows then?

They are.

And may I be permitted to behold,
To touch, to pay my adoration to them?

In these, my son, in everything that's mine
Thou hast a right,

But if it be a crime,
I would not; otherwise-