The Seven Plays in English Verse Part 52

HERACLES, _appearing from the sky_.

SCENE. A desert sh.o.r.e of the Island of Lemnos.

It was fated that Troy should be taken by Neoptolemus, the son of Achilles, a.s.sisted by the bow of Heracles in the hands of Philoctetes.

Now Philoctetes had been rejected by the army because of a trouble in his foot, which made his presence with them insufferable; and had been cast away by Odysseus on the island of Lemnos.

But when the decree of fate was revealed by prophecy, Odysseus undertook to bring Philoctetes back, and took with him Neoptolemus, whose ambition could only be gratified through the return of Philoctetes with the bow.

Philoctetes was resolutely set against returning, and at the opening of the drama Neoptolemus is persuaded by Odysseus to take him with guile.

But when Philoctetes appears, the youth's ingenuous nature is so wrought upon through pity and remorse, that his sympathy and native truthfulness at length overcome his ambition.

When the inward sacrifice is complete, Heracles appears from heaven, and by a few words changes the mind of Philoctetes, so that all ends well.

PHILOCTETES

ODYSSEUS. NEOPTOLEMUS.

ODYSSEUS. This coast of sea-girt Lemnos, where we stand, Is uninhabited, untrodden of men.

And here, O n.o.ble son of n.o.blest sire, Achilles-born Neoptolemus, I erewhile,-- Ordered by those who had command,--cast forth Trachinian Philoctetes, Poeas' son, His foot dark-dripping with a rankling wound; When with wild cries, that frighted holy rest, Filling the camp, he troubled every rite, That none might handle sacrifice, or pour Wine-offering, but his noise disturbed our peace.

But why these words? No moment this for talk, Lest he discern my coming, and I lose The scheme, wherewith I think to catch him soon.

Now most behoves thy service, to explore This headland for a cave with double mouth, Whose twofold aperture, on wintry days, Gives choice of suns.h.i.+ne, and in summer noons The breeze wafts slumber through the airy cell.

Then, something lower down, upon the left, Unless 'tis dried, thine eye may note a spring.

Go near now silently, and make me know If still he persevere, and hold this spot, Or have roamed elsewhere, that informed of this I may proceed with what remains to say, And we may act in concert.

NEOPTOLEMUS. Lord Odysseus, Thy foremost errand will not task me far.

Methinks I see the cave whereof thou speakest.

OD. Where? let me see it. Above there, or below?

NEO. Yonder, above. And yet I hear no tread.

[NEOPTOLEMUS _climbs up to the cave_

OD. Look if he be not lodged in slumber there.

NEO. I find no inmate, but an empty room.

OD. What? no provision for a dwelling-place?

NEO. A bed of leaves for some one harbouring here.

OD. Nought else beneath the roof? Is all forlorn?

NEO. A cup of wood, some untaught craftsman's skill, And, close at hand, these embers of a fire.

OD. That store is his. I read the token clear.

NEO. Oh! and these festering rags give evidence, Steeped as with dressing some malignant sore.

OD. The man inhabits here: I know it now.

And sure he's not far off. How can he range, Whose limb drags heavy with an ancient harm?

But he's gone, either to bring forage home, Or where he hath found some plant of healing power.

Send therefore thine attendant to look forth, Lest unawares he find me. All our host Were not so fair a prize for him as I.

NEO. My man is going, and shall watch the path.

What more dost thou require of me? Speak on.

OD. Son of Achilles, know that thou art come To serve us n.o.bly, not with strength alone, But, faithful to thy mission, if so be, To do things strange, unwonted to thine ear.

NEO. What dost thou bid me?

OD. 'Tis thy duty now To entrap the mind of Poeas' son with words.

When he shall ask thee, who and whence thou art, Declare thy name and father. 'Tis not that I charge thee to conceal. But for thy voyage, 'Tis homeward, leaving the Achaean host, With perfect hatred hating them, because They who had drawn thee with strong prayers from home, Their hope for taking Troy, allowed thee not Thy just demand to have thy father's arms, But, e'er thy coming, wrongly gave them o'er Unto Odysseus: and thereon launch forth With boundless execration against me.

That will not pain me, but if thou reject This counsel, thou wilt trouble all our host, Since, if his bow shall not be ta'en, thy life Will ne'er be crowned through Troy's discomfiture.

Now let me show, why thine approach to him Is safe and trustful as mine cannot be Thou didst sail forth, not to redeem thine oath, Nor by constraint, nor with the foremost band.

All which reproaches I must bear: and he, But seeing me, while master of his bow, Will slay me, and my ruin will be thine.

This point then craves our cunning, to acquire By subtle means the irresistible bow-- Thy nature was not framed, I know it well, For speaking falsehood, or contriving harm.

Yet, since the prize of victory is so dear, Endure it--We'll be just another day But now, for one brief hour, devote thyself To serve me without shame, and then for aye Hereafter be the pearl of righteousness.

NEO. The thing that, being named, revolts mine ear, Son of Laertes, I abhor to do 'Tis not my nature, no, nor, as they tell, My father's, to work aught by craft and guile.

I'll undertake to bring him in by force, Not by deceit. For, sure, with his one foot, He cannot be a match for all our crew Being sent, my lord, to serve thee, I am loth To seem rebellious. But I rather choose To offend with honour, than to win by wrong.

OD. Son of a valiant sire, I, too, in youth, Had once a slow tongue and an active hand.

But since I have proved the world, I clearly see Words and not deeds give mastery over men.

NEO. What then is thy command? To lie? No more?

OD. To entangle Philoctetes with deceit.

NEO. Why through deceit? May not persuasion fetch him?

OD. Never. And force as certainly will fail.

NEO. What lends him such a.s.surance of defence?

OD. Arrows, the unerring harbingers of Death.

NEO. Then to go near him is a perilous thing.

OD. Unless with subtlety, as I have said.