No. You will not be able to reproach me with that and still speak truly. NEOPTOLEMOS Then I would be ashamed to be less willing than you to serve this man. If you are sure, let us sail quickly. Make the man hurry. I won't refuse him my ship. May the gods keep us safe in leaving this land and give us safe passage where we wish to sail. PHILOKTETES O blessed day and dearest of men, and you, friend sailors, how can I make it clear to you, how closely you have bound me in your friendship. Let us go, my son. But first let us bow down and kiss the earth in gratitude, the earth of my home that is no home. Look inside and you will see how brave I must be by my very nature. To endure even the sight of such a place would have been too much for most men. But I have had to learn to withstand its evils. CHORUS Wait, and watch! Two men approach, one of our crew and a stranger to me--- let us hear from them. Then you may go inside. TRADER Son of Achilles, I ordered this sailor, who was guarding your ship with two other men, to tell me where you were. I came to this island not meaning to. Accident drove me to this place. I sail as captain of a cargo vessel from Ilium, to a place not far away--- Peparethos, rich in grapes and wine. I learned that these men are your companions and decided to stay until I'd spoken with you and received my reward. Perhaps you do not know your own concerns, the new things the Greeks have in store for you, no longer mere plans, but onrushing actions. NEOPTOLEMOS A blessing on you for thinking of me. If I do not grow evil, your concern will keep you my friend. Tell me more of what you said: I want to know more of these new Greek tricks. TRADER Phoenix and Theseus's sons have sailed from Troy and are following you with an armed flotilla. NEOPTOLEMOS Do they plan to take me with violence or persuade me to return with them? TRADER I do not know. I tell you only what I have heard. NEOPTOLEMOS Are Phoenix and his friends so eager to jump when the Atreids tell them to? TRADER They have already jumped. They're not wasting a second. NEOPTOLEMOS And Odysseus would not bring the message himself? Does some fear now act upon his spirit? TRADER When I left, he and Tydeus's son were off chasing down another man. NEOPTOLEMOS Who is the man they now pursue? TRADER He is---wait. First tell me who that man is, and tell me quietly. NEOPTOLEMOS The man is great Philoktetes, friend. TRADER Then ask no more questions. Get out of here, and quickly. Run away from this place. PHILOKTETES What is he saying to you, boy? Why does he bargain in the shadows, hiding his words from me? NEOPTOLEMOS I'm not sure what he means by all this. But he'll have to speak openly to all of us. TRADER Son of Achilles, do not upbraid me before your men. I do much for them and get much in return, as a poor man must. NEOPTOLEMOS