To those Achæans? Just as soon would I
Be moved, when dead, from Hades to return
To light of day, as that man's father did.[1]
Attend. Of this I know not. To my ship I go,
And now God send you all his choicest gifts. [Exit.
Phil. And is it not, boy, dreadful that this man,
The son of Lartios, should expect to bring me
With glozing words, and show me from his ship
To all the crowd of Argives? Nay, not so:630
For rather would I listen to the voice
Of that dread viper which my soul most hates,
That made me thus disabled. But his soul
Will say all, dare all, and I know full well
That he will come. But now, boy, let us go,
That a wide sea may part us from the ship
Odysseus sails in. Oft hath timely haste,
When toil hath ceased, brought slumber and repose.
Neop. Were it not well, when this head-wind shall cease,
Then to sail on, for now 'tis in our teeth?640
Phil. 'Tis all fair sailing when thou flee'st from ill.
Neop. *I know it, but the wind retards them too.
Phil. There is no wind retards the pirate's work,
When time is come for theft and plundering.
Neop. Well, if it please thee, let us go, but first
Take what thou needest and desirest most.
Phil. Some things there are I need, though small the choice.
Neop. What is there which thou find'st not on my ship?
Phil. A herb there is with which I mostly lull
My wound's sharp pain, and make it bearable.650
- ↑ Sisyphos, who is spoken of as the real father of Odysseus, had, it was said, begged Persephone to allow him to return to the world of the living that he might punish his wife, Merope, for leaving him unburied, and then refused to go back again to Hades.
