Blessed is the light that follows sleep, blessed is a friend's protection. These things are beyond my wildest hopes, that you would pity me and care for my sorrows, that you would remain by me and endure my woes. The Atreids, the noble generals, would not do this. They would have no tolerance for my distress. Your nature is truly noble, for it comes from noble parents. You took this burden easily, a burden heavy with howls and foul smells. Now I can put aside this illness. I can rest. Raise me up in your arms, my boy, put me on my feet, and let me gather my strength, so that we can go to your ship and sail off immediately. NEOPTOLEMOS I am glad to see you with open eyes, unpained, alive. Your symptoms seemed those of a dead man, when taken with your sufferings. Arise now. If you wish, these men will lift you. They will do all they can for you now that you and I are shipmates. PHILOKTETES Thank you. But lift me up yourself, as you once suggested. Do not trouble the men. Let the stench not disturb them so early on--- my being aboard will be bother enough. NEOPTOLEMOS Stand up, then. Hold on to me. PHILOKTETES No need. I am used to it. Once I am up, I can manage. NEOPTOLEMOS It is time. What must I do? PHILOKTETES Your words stray off course. What is it, boy? NEOPTOLEMOS I do not know where to turn my powerless words. PHILOKTETES Powerless? Do not say such things. NEOPTOLEMOS But I am mired in powerless thoughts. PHILOKTETES Does this come from nausea at the sight of my illness? Does this push you not to take me? NEOPTOLEMOS Everything is nauseating to one who casts off his nature to do things that are out of character. PHILOKTETES It would not have been out of character for your father, the man who gave you your nature, to help a good man, both in word and in deed. NEOPTOLEMOS I will be shown to be evil. The very thought of it frightens me. PHILOKTETES The things you do now are not ignoble. The words you speak, though, give me pause. NEOPTOLEMOS Zeus, what will I do? Will I twice be proven evil, hiding what I should not, saying the worst? PHILOKTETES If I am not a poor judge, it seems to me that this man will abandon me, and sail away. NEOPTOLEMOS I will not abandon you. It's the trip you'll be making that will be ample cause for grief. PHILOKTETES I do not follow you. What are you saying? NEOPTOLEMOS I won't keep it from you any longer. You must sail to Troy, to the Achaeans, to the armies of the Atreids. PHILOKTETES Ah! What are you saying? NEOPTOLEMOS Do not groan until you learn. PHILOKTETES What must I learn? What are you planning to do with me? NEOPTOLEMOS First, to cure you of this misery. Then you and I will destroy the Trojan nation. PHILOKTETES Is this the truth? Is this what you wanted? NEOPTOLEMOS A great need forces these things upon us. Quell your anger. PHILOKTETES I am destroyed. I am betrayed. Why, stranger, have you done these things? Give me back my bow. NEOPTOLEMOS