Hateful life, why should I still live and see? Why have I not descended into darkness? What will I do? How can I mistrust the one who gives me this kindly advice? Must I give in? If I do, how shall I go into the light? An outcast, mistreated, to whom should I talk? My eyes, can you bear to see me living alongside those who tried to kill me, the Atreids and that bastard Odysseus? I worry not about the evils they have done, but the evils they will do as these things unfold. Once men have learned to hatch evil crimes, they cannot help but be criminals again. I wonder, and I keep on wondering. You should not be going off to Troy, and you should keep me from going there. Those men have wronged you, robbed you of your father's weapons. Will you still help them, and make me do the same? No. Take me home as you have promised, and then stay in Skyros. Let these men die badly, as they deserve. Your father and I will be grateful to you, for by helping the wicked you become like them. NEOPTOLEMOS Your words have merit. Still, you must trust the gods, and my word, and come as my friend. PHILOKTETES Come to the bitter plains of Troy, to the accursed Atreids with my foot like this? NEOPTOLEMOS No, not to enemies, but to those who can help, who can save you and your foot from this savage disease. PHILOKTETES What you urge is terrible. Can I believe what you tell me? NEOPTOLEMOS It will be to our mutual benefit. PHILOKTETES Are you not ashamed to talk so, in full sight of the gods? NEOPTOLEMOS Why should I feel shame to do acts of good? PHILOKTETES Acts of good for me, or the Atreids? NEOPTOLEMOS I am your friend. My words are of friendship. PHILOKTETES How will you betray me to my enemies? NEOPTOLEMOS You must learn to extract yourself from this anguish. PHILOKTETES Your words are clear. You intend to destroy me. NEOPTOLEMOS No. You have not understood. PHILOKTETES Is it not true that the Atreids marooned me here? NEOPTOLEMOS Once they marooned you. Let us see if they'll save you. PHILOKTETES Not if salvation means going to Troy. NEOPTOLEMOS What will we do, then, since I cannot convince you? It is better, it seems, that I stop talking, and you go on living without hope of a cure. PHILOKTETES Let me suffer the things I must. But what you promised, touching my hand, you must do. Take me home without delay. Forget Troy. I am tired of lamenting here. NEOPTOLEMOS All right. Let us sail. PHILOKTETES You speak nobly. NEOPTOLEMOS Plant your feet firmly, and arise. PHILOKTETES I will do so, as firmly as I am able. NEOPTOLEMOS How will I avoid the scorn of the Greeks? PHILOKTETES Pay it no mind. NEOPTOLEMOS And what if they come in war against my country? PHILOKTETES I will be with you. NEOPTOLEMOS What kind of help could you give me? PHILOKTETES The help of Herakles's bow. NEOPTOLEMOS What do you mean? PHILOKTETES I will drive them out of your fatherland. NEOPTOLEMOS