Part 19

Double-doored rock, I come back to you unarmed, unable to capture my sustenance. Within that cave I will wither, unable to bring down birds or beasts from the mountains with my bow. Now I will be the food of those who fed me. Those I hunted once will hunt me now. I will repay with my life the lives I took because of the hypocrite I took into my trust, a boy who seemed to know no evil.

A curse upon you. No, not until I know if you'll change your mind. If you will not, may you die in all misery.

CHORUS

What will we do now? Shall we sail away, or do what he asks us? It is in your hands.

NEOPTOLEMOS

A terrible pity comes over me. I have felt it all along.

PHILOKTETES

By the gods, do take pity. Do not put on the mantle of infamy for having deceived me.

NEOPTOLEMOS

What will I do? I wish I had never left Skyros. I hate the things that are happening here.

PHILOKTETES

You are not a bad man. By watching others who are bad you have learned these terrible tricks. Leave evil to them. Let us sail away. Return my weapons to me, boy.

NEOPTOLEMOS

What will we do now?

ODYSSEUS

You coward, what are you thinking of doing? Are you not going to give me the bow?

PHILOKTETES

Who is that? Is that Odysseus's voice I hear?

ODYSSEUS

Odysseus's, yes. Now you can see me clearly.

PHILOKTETES

I am truly betrayed, truly destroyed. It is all becoming clear to me: It was he who tricked me and robbed me of my weapons.

ODYSSEUS

None other. I proclaim it to you now.

PHILOKTETES

Give me my bow. Give it to me now, boy.

ODYSSEUS

He could not do that even if he wanted to. You must come with the bow, too, or these men will take you.