Mer. For some one,—but first tell me, whispering low
Whate’er thou speakest,—who is this I see?
Neo. (speaking aloud). This, sir, is Philoctetes the renowned.
Mer. (aside to Neoptolemus). Without more question, snatch thy-self away
And sail forth from this land.
Phi. What saith he, boy?
Through what dark traffic is the mariner
Betraying me with whispering in thine ear?
Neo. I have not caught it, but whate’er he speaks
He must speak openly to us and thee.
Mer. Seed of Achilles, let me not offend
The army by my words! Full many a boon,
Being poor, I reap from them for service done.
Neo. The Atridae are my foes; the man you see
Is my fast friend, because he hates them sore.
Then, if you come in kindness, you must hide
Nothing from him or me of all thou hast heard.
Mer. Look what thou doest, my son!
Neo. I mark it well.
Mer. Thou shalt be answerable.
Neo. Content: but speak.
Mer. Then hear me. These two men whom I have named,
Diomedes and Odysseus, are set forth
Engaged on oath to bring this man by force
If reasons fail. The Achaeans every one
Have heard this plainly from Odysseus’ mouth.
He was the louder and more confident.
Neo. Say, for what cause, after so long a time,
Can Atreus’ sons have turned their thoughts on him,
Whom long they had cast forth? What passing touch
Of conscience moved them, or what stroke from Heaven,
Whose wrath requites all wicked deeds of men?
Mer. Methinks thou hast not heard what I will now
Unfold to thee. There was a princely seer,
A son of Priam, Helenus by name,
Whom he for whom no word is bad enough,
