Ph. Show mercy, my son, for the love of the gods, and do not give men cause to reproach thee for having ensnared me.
Ne. Ah me, what shall I do?970 Would I had never left Scyros!—so grievous is my plight.
Ph. Thou art no villain; but thou seemest to have come hither as one schooled by villains to a base part. Now leave that part to others, whom it befits, and sail hence,—when thou hast given me. back mine arms.
Ne. What shall we do, friends? Odysseus (appearing suddenly from behind the cave). Wretch, what art thou doing? Back with thee—and give up this bow to me!
Ph. Ah, who is this? Do I hear Odysseus?
Od. Odysseus, be sure of it—me, whom thou beholdest.
Ph. Ah me, I am betrayed,—lost! He it was, then, that entrapped me and robbed me of mine arms.
Od. I, surely, and no other I avow it.980
Ph. Give back my bow,—give it up, my son.
Od. That shall he never do, even if he would. And moreover thou must come along with it, or they will bring thee by force.
Ph. What, thou basest and boldest of villains,—are these men to take me by force?
Od. Unless thou come of thy free will.
Ph. O Lemnian land, and thou all-conquering flame whose kindler is Hephaestus,—is this indeed to be borne, that yonder man should take me from thy realm by force?
Od. 'Tis Zeus, let me tell thee, Zeus, who rules this