By me inflicted; and all this is done
By one who seemed to know no evil thought:960
Destruction seize thee. . . . Nay, not yet, till I
Have learnt if thou wilt once more change thy mood;
If not, then may'st thou perish miserably!
Chor. [To Neoptolemos.] What shall we do? It rests
with thee, Ο prince,
To bid us sail, or with his words comply.
Neop. Not for the first time now, but long ago
Has a strange pity seized me for this man.
Phil. Have mercy on me, boy, by all the Gods,
And do not shame thyself by tricking me.
Neop. What shall I do? Ah, would I ne'er had left
My Skyros! so great evils press on me.970
Phil. Thou art not base thyself, but from the base
Learning foul evil, thou, 'twould seem, did'st come:
Now leaving it to those whom it befits,
Sail on thy way . . . but first give back my arms.
Neop. [To Chorus.] What shall we do, friends?
Enter Odysseus, suddenly appearing from behind.
Odys. Wretch, what doest thou?
Wilt not go back, and give the bow to me?
Phil. Ah! Who is this? Do I Odysseus hear?
Odys. Know well, it is Odysseus that stands here.
Phil. Woe! woe! I am entrapped, I am undone;
And was it he who snared me, filched mine arms?
Odys. I and none other. I avow the deed.980
Phil. [To Neoptolemos.] Dear boy, restore it; give
me back my bow.
Odys. That he shall not do, even though he wish;
Thou too go'st with them, or these men shall force thee.
Phil. What? me? thou basest and all-daring one;
And shall they force me?
