Part 2

_Neop._ _Ulysses_ and my Tutour _Phœnix_ came Both in one Ship to me, and this their Message; That now my Father was no more, my Help Was requisite to conquer _Troy_; none else Alive could do. For so the Fates decreed. How true or false I shan’t presume to say. With quick Perswasion off I went, but more Desirous far to see my Father’s Body; But saw it not. Yet still Ambition fir’d My gen’rous Soul with glorious Thoughts of Conquest. In two days Time on the [11]_Sigeian_ Shore I landed; wretched was that Shore to me! While the whole Army stood around to pay Their due Respect, and all did loudly swear They saw _Achilles_ still alive in me; But he, alas! was dead; unhappy I Let fall some silent Tears, and so retir’d A while to think of him, and grieve alone. To the _Atridæ_, whom I thought my Friends, I went, demanding my dead Father’s Treasures, Among the rest his Armour; when, alas! How great my Sorrow! this the dismal Answer. “Son of _Achilles_, all the rest is thine; “The Armour is dispos’d of to _Ulysses_. At this Intelligence I griev’d; and wept. At length my Passion struggling broke its way, And thus I spoke; Injurious Prince, who durst Without my Leave dispose of what was mine? Then said _Ulysses_, standing near, they’re mine; “And justly were they given: I sav’d your Sire “From being stript of them and dragg’d him off, “When hostile Foes wou’d make his Coarse a Prey. Now much enrag’d, my swelling Anger burst, And out in dreadful Imprecations flew Upon them all, for such injurious Treatment. _Ulysses_ then advanc’d, suppress’d his Anger; But stung at what he heard, he thus reply’d. _You ran no Risk, but staid behind at Home; Rant as you please, you ne’er shall bear it hence._ Thus injur’d and repuls’d, I homeward sail’d, Spoil’d of my native Right, by one I deem The worst of Men, I mean the base _Ulysses_. But yet I blame the chief Commanders more; The Army and the Civil Pow’r is theirs; Their Orders all obey; when Wrongs are done, It is by their Connivance, or Example. I’ve told you all; whoever hates th’ _Atridæ_, I hold him dear both to the Gods and me.

Chorus. All feeding Mother Earth, On whom the lofty [12]Mountains stand, From thee great _Jove_ derives his [13]Birth, Supported by thy bounteous Hand. Thou who dost dwell where rich [14]_Pactolus_ shines With Wealth exhausted from the Golden Mines, Shall I invoke thy Name Within that Stream? And tell what Injuries are done To _Neoptolemus_, the Son Of great _Pelides_, that great Man of Fame? His Armour to _Ulysses_ given, And he the Son from his own native Right is driven. Thee, mighty Goddess, we invoke, Who dost Bull-slaught’ring [15]Lyons Yoke, And drawn by them in Car-triumphant ride, Humble th’ _Atridæ_ and pull down their Pride.

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Footnote 1:

_Lemnian_ Coast. _Lemnos_ is an Island in the _Ægean_ Sea, South of _Thrace_, in the Latitude of 41 Deg. now called _Stalimene_ by the _Turks_: The Form of it is Quadrangular, it is 25 Miles over, which makes it 100 Miles about.

Footnote 2:

_Melian_ Son of _Pæan_. _Philoctetes_ the _Thessalian_ Son of _Pæan_, and Companion of _Hercules_.

Footnote 3:

_Pelides._ _Achilles_ the Son of _Peleus_.]

Footnote 4:

Son of _Laertes_. _Ulysses._

Footnote 5:

_Lycomedes_ King of _Scyros_, (one of the _Cyclades_) to whom the Goddess _Thetis_ gave her Son _Achilles_ in Charge, having stoln him from his Master _Chiron_, as he was asleep; because she foresaw that he would never return alive from the Siege of _Troy_. For this Reason he was kept at the Court of _Lycomedes_, in a Woman’s Dress, among his Daughters, the better to conceal him. He was at last discover’d by a Stratagem of _Ulysses_.

Footnote 6:

_Cephalenian_ Prince. _Ulysses._ So call’d from the Island _Cephalenia_, of which he was King.

Footnote 7:

_Chrysa_, an Island near _Lemnos_.

Footnote 8:

_Atridæ._ _Agamemnon_ and _Menelaus_, the two Sons of _Atreus_. One was King of _Mycenæ_, and the other of _Sparta_. They were the chief Commanders of the _Greeks_ who went upon the _Trojan_ Expedition.

Footnote 9:

_Sparta_ and _Mycenæ_. Both Towns of the _Peleponnesus_ in _Greece_.

Footnote 10:

Son of _Peleus_. _Achilles._ _Peleus_ was King of _Thessaly_.

Footnote 11:

_Sigeum_, a Promontory near _Troy_.

Footnote 12:

_Orea_, or Mountains according to Mythologists were said to be Daughters of the Goddess _Terra_, or Earth.

Footnote 13:

_Jupiter_ was born in _Crete_.

Footnote 14:

_Pactolus_, a River in _Lydia_, which has its Rise from the Mountain _Tmolus_ famous for Golden Sands.

Footnote 15:

_Cybele_, who was the same with _Terra_, or the Earth, had her Chariot drawn by Lyons.

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SCENE II.

_Phil._ Strangers, ye seem to bear the Marks of Sorrow, And I perceive your Sentiments and mine Concerning the _Atridæ_, and _Ulysses_, Are both the same: As for his Part, I know His artful, false, disguis’d, deluding Tongue, To Truth and Justice is a perfect Stranger: At which I wonder not, but much admire How braver [16]_Ajax_ cou’d allow such Wrongs.

_Neop._ _Ajax_, my Friend, is dead, or had he Life, I shou’d not thus be made a shameful Prey.

_Phil._ And is the great, the valiant _Ajax_ dead?

_Neop._ He now no longer breathes in Heav’ns fair Light.

_Phil._ Wretched am I--There’s [17]_Diomede_ alive And curs’d _Ulysses_, sprung from [18]_Sisyphus_, And both unworthy of the Breath they draw.

_Neop._ Both live and flourish, both in Pomp appear, Peculiar Fav’rites of the _Grecian_ Host.

_Phil._ Where is my good, my old, my faithful Friend, [19]_Nestor_ of _Pylos_? for he well foresaw Their dark Designs, their base, their treach’rous Deeds.

_Neop._ Loaded with Woes, his only Son is dead, _Antilochus_; the Comfort of his Age.

_Phil._ Two dismal Evils you have told, I hear Them both with much Affliction; O my Heart! What shall I think? The brave are dead and gone; _Ulysses_ lives! who well deserv’d to die.

_Neop._ He wisely fights; but even the wise sometimes Perceive their deepest Counsels overthrown.

_Phil._ Tell me, I pray thee by the Gods, where was Thy Father’s dearest Friend [20]_Patroclus_ then.

_Neop._ Slain with the rest. Observe this one Remark, _Mars_ ever singles out the brave to die; Cowards are safe; he scorns their panting Breast.

_Phil._ I grant it’s true; and for this Cause I shall Enquiry make for one unworthy Wretch, Whose Tongue had Words and Cunning at command, In what Condition’s he?---- ----

_Neop._ ---- ---- ----_Ulysses_ sure You mean; this Character suits none but him.

_Phil._ No. One [21]_Thersites_ clamorous and loud, In spight of Opposition; does he live?

_Neop._ I saw him not, but heard he was alive.

_Phil._ ’Tis like, because no Evil yet is dead. The Gods to me seem Guardians to the base, And take a Pleasure to preserve from Death The false and fraudulent; the just and good They snatch away from hence. What shall we think Of this? or how give Praise to them? who shew So much Regard to wicked Men their Fav’rites.

_Neop._ As for myself, I’ll freely speak my Thoughts, Thou Son of _Pæan_, I resolve to live Remote from _Troy_, and the _Atridæ_ both; Where wicked Men with Pow’r oppress the Good, Where Virtue is destroy’d, and Vice commands. As for my self, I cannot love such Men; And rocky _Scyros_ shall hereafter be My best Content----There shall I joy to live. Now to my Ship I go, dear Son of _Pæan_, Farewel; with all my Soul farewel; and may The Gods remove thy Pain ev’n as thou wilt; For go we must, whenever Heav’n is pleas’d To send a fair and favourable Wind.

_Phil._ And do ye now prepare?---- ----

_Neop._ ---- ---- ----No Time we lose; The moment that the Winds invite, we go.

_Phil._ O! for thy Father’s, and thy Mother’s sake, For all that can be dear to thee at home, I beg, beseech, and pray you not to leave A poor, forsaken, solitary Man, In all the dire Calamities you see; And such as I already have related; But place me any where, in any manner. I know a wretched Burthen that I am, However bear me to the generous Soul; What’s base is hateful; Goodness is his Glory. If I be left behind, it brings Disgrace; But if you take me off, it brings you Honour. If I shall get alive to _Oeta_’s Land, ’Tis but the trouble of one single Day; Then dare to take me, throw me where you please; Or by the Pump, or Stern, or Prow, my Friend, Or any part, where I shall give no Pain. By _Jove_, who over suppliant Men presides, I beg you to consent, my Son; I fall Down prostrate, and in Tears embrace your Knees; A poor, lame, helpless, miserable Man. Ah! leave me not alone, where not a Print Of human Foot is seen; but save me hence; Whether you take me to your native home, Or land me on [22]_Eubea_’s Coast; from thence To [23]_Oeta_ I’ve not far to go; not far To the _Trachinian_ Hills, where [24]_Spercheus_ winds It’s lovely Stream; there let my Father see me. Tho’ long since much I fear he’s dead; for oft By many Passengers I sent, to beg He’d send a Ship to take me safely home; But he is either dead, or they perhaps Slighted my Message; or they pass’d him by. Now is my last Resort, be thou at once Conductor both and Messenger; O save, And have Compassion, and consider well How frail are human Things; how much expos’d To Change! This day the happy Man may be Cast down from all his Joy; then he who stands Without the Storm, shou’d cast a tender Eye On the poor shipwreck’d Man, and bring Relief; ’Tis in the midst of Happiness we shou’d Live on our Guard, for fear of a Surprize.

Chorus. O Prince, for once be kind, Let him Compassion find. He told you all his dreadful Woes, Which Heaven avert from any Friend of mine. Then let the Joy be thine, To make th’ _Atridæ_ know He shall obtain Release from Pain, And ev’ry haughty Foe. Then haste away and hoist your Sails, Make haste to catch the flying Gales, And waft him o’er Unto his native Shore, Lest Heav’n pursues you if my Counsel fails.

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Footnote 16:

_Ajax_, the Son of _Telamon_ and _Hesione_, accounted the next Hero to _Achilles_ among the _Greeks_.

Footnote 17:

_Diomede_, Son of _Tydeus_, next in Prowess to _Ajax_. _Homer_ makes him wound _Mars_ and _Venus_.

Footnote 18:

_Sisyphus_, a great Robber in _Attica_, the Grandfather of _Ulysses_.

Footnote 19:

_Nestor._ An experienc’d General and Orator, Son of _Neleus_; So excellent in Wisdom, that _Agamemnon_ said, if he had ten such in his Army, _Troy_ would soon be conquer’d.

Footnote 20:

_Patroclus_, Son of _Menætius_. When he was young having kill’d one of his Playfellows by accident, was forc’d to fly his Country, and go to _Pthia_ in _Thessaly_, where he was receiv’d by _Tydeus_, and bred up with his Son _Achilles_ under _Chiron_: This made him and _Achilles_ such inseparable Companions and Friends.

Footnote 21:

_Thersites._ The most deformed of all the _Greeks_. He is painted by _Homer_ in a most ridiculous Manner.

Footnote 22:

_Eubea_, an Island in the _Ægean_ Sea, now called _Negrepont_.

Footnote 23:

_Oeta_, a Mountain on the Borders of _Thessaly_. _Trachin_ a Town near it, whence the Hills are called _Trachinian_.

Footnote 24:

_Spercheus._ A River which runs with a rapid Course from a Mountain in _Thessaly_.

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SCENE III.

_Neop._ Take care you do not now disguise your Thoughts, And soon again with Violence exclaim, When he no longer can suppress his Anguish.

_Chorus._ Falshood be far from me, such foul Disgrace You shall not justly have to charge me with.

_Neop._ It wou’d be scandalous and base in me, To be less willing to assist this Stranger; Then sail we must away, let him prepare With Expedition; for I shan’t deny To take him in my Ship, and may the Gods Propitious prove, and safely fill our Sails.

_Phil._ O friendly Day to me! O best of Men! Ye dearest Mariners, how shall I make Acknowledgments? or how can I express What Obligations bind me to you all? But let us go, my Son, to visit now My little homeless Home, and there you’ll see What Life I led; how strong my Heart to bear Such Hardships; that the Place wherein I lay Wou’d give your Eyes offence; yet I, alas! Was by Necessity inur’d to this.

_Chorus._ Hold, let us see; two Men advance this Way, The one belongs to thee, t’other I know Him not, but hither they approach. Before We go, ’tis fit we shou’d enquire their Business.

_Enter the_ Merchant.

_Mer._ Son of _Achilles_, here by Chance I came; And unexpected find thee, by this Man Inform’d; for he, it seems, with two Men more, Guarded thy Vessel. Sailing right from _Troy_ And homewards bound to [25]_Peparethos_ fam’d For Vines, I heard these Men, prepar’d to sail, Were thine; I straightway then resolv’d to hail The Crew, and not to pass before I shou’d Acquaint you, what you little think; The _Greeks_ Have form’d Designs against you, which not long Will so be call’d, for soon you’ll find them Facts.

_Neop._ My Friend, I thank thee for thy Care; I shou’d Be base indeed, were you not dear to me For this Intelligence. What new Designs Concerning me? What have the _Greeks_ resolv’d?

_Mer._ Old _Phœnix_ and the Sons of _Theseus_ in Pursuit of thee set sail----

_Neop._ ---- ---- ----Do they intend By Force of Arms, or Reason, to subdue And bring me back?----

_Mer._ ---- ----I know not which they mean; But this Intelligence I thought was proper.

_Neop._ Will _Phœnix_ and his Men, to gratify The base _Atridæ_, turn their Force on me?

_Mer._ They have resolv’d so far, they won’t delay.

_Neop._ Why not _Ulysses_, Was it Fear detain’d him?

_Mer._ He and the Son of _Diomede_ are bent Upon another Prey, they hoist their Sails The very day I launch’d my Ship from thence.

_Neop._ Against what Man is this _Ulysses_ sent?

_Mer._ A certain Man--But whisper me who’s this?

_Neop._ This is the famous _Philoctetes_, Friend.

_Mer._ Say not a Word--But hence--begone in Haste;-- Fly from this Island with your utmost Speed.

_Phil._ What does he say, my Son? what private Gain Does he propose by whisp’ring thus of me?

_Neop._ I know not what he means. He must himself Explain it, in the Presence of us all.

_Mer._ Son of _Achilles_, do not you betray me, For thus disclosing what I shou’d conceal; Because I’m much indebted to the _Greeks_, Bound by the strongest Ties of Gratitude; For I was poor, and they reliev’d my Want’s.

_Phil._ To the _Atridæ_ I’m an Enemy---- But here’s my greatest Friend, because his Hate For them with mine agrees; and now you’re come, Sincerely act, and do not ought conceal That may be grateful for my Soul to know.

_Mer._ See what you do, my Friend----

_Neop._ ---- ---- ----I’ve thought on’t well.

_Mer._ The Blame shall all be thine---- ----

_Neop._ ---- ----On what Account?

_Mer._ Once more, my Friend, I must acquaint you, That The Son of _Tydeus_ and _Ulysses_ come Against this Person, sworn by Force to take him, Or by Perswasion sooth him back again; This from _Ulysses_ all the _Grecians_ heard; For none beside had so much Confidence.

_Neop._ What mov’d th’ _Atridæ_, after so long Time, To have a Thought of banish’d _Philoctetes_? Whence this Desire for him? was it because They fear’d the Vengeance of th’ offended Gods?

_Mer._ I’ll tell thee all; (perhaps you heard it not)

A Royal Prophet, Son of aged _Priam_, Call’d _Helenus_, in dead of Night betray’d By false _Ulysses_, (that detested Man!) Was led in Chains, and brought a glorious Prey By him presented to the _Greeks_; he told All his Prophetick Soul cou’d then foresee Concerning _Troy_; That it wou’d ne’er be conquer’d, Except they brought this Person, whom you see Upon this Island; which _Laertes’_ Son No sooner hear’d, but he straight undertook The Task, and said he’d bring him to the _Greeks_ With free Consent, or else against his Will; If not, he wou’d engage to lose his Head. Now you have heard it all, I urge your Haste, And his, and any else whom you regard.

_Phil._ Alas for me! did he, who’s stain’d all thro’ With Crimes, engage to bring me back again? He might as well perswade me back from Death To Life, as basely as his Father came.

_Mer._ These Things I know not, but I must from hence On Board; may some good God conduct you both.

_Phil._ Is not this harden’d Impudence, that he Shou’d hope by flatt’ring Speeches to prevail, And take me to the _Greeks_? I’d sooner hear The Viper which depriv’d me of my Foot. But he will say and dare do ev’ry Thing; And now I know for certain he will come. But let us go, my Son, that we may be Divided by a distant Sea from him. Let us be gone--a seasonable Haste, When Labour’s over, brings a pleasing Rest.

_Neop._ How can we go when Heav’n’s against our Sails, Adverse the Wind, commanding us to stay?

_Phil._ No Wind’s against us when we fly from Evils.

_Neop._ It blows against their Sails as much as ours.

_Phil._ By adverse Winds a Pyrate ne’er is hindred, When forth he sallies for his lawless Plunder.

_Neop._ Since you request it, let us go, and take Whatever Things are needful for your Voyage.

_Phil._ Some I shall want, but they are very few.

_Neop._ What can you need which I cannot supply?

_Phil._ Some Herbs, whose Virtues mitigate my Pain, And often put my restless Wounds to sleep.

_Neop._ Well--bring them out----what other Things beside?

_Phil._ My Bow--Alas I had almost forgot! And left it here behind a Prey to him.

_Neop._ Is this the celebrated Bow you bear?

_Phil._ The very same; my Hand no other holds.

_Neop._ Give me a nearer View, and let me take It in my Hands, and pay it Adoration.

_Phil._ This, and whatever else I have, my Son, Whatever pleases you, you may command.

_Neop._ I love thee well, and thus I shew my Love; If Heav’n permits to touch thy Bow, I will; If not, refuse me; if a wrong Request.

_Phil._ You speak religiously, my Son, you may-- You who have brought me to the Sun’s fair Light, To see the sweet _Oetean_ Fields again, My aged Father, and my dearest Friends; Who rais’d me up, o’erwhelm’d by envious Foes; You shall, and welcome, take it in your Hands; But then return it safely to it’s Owner. Then may you boast that you’re the only Man, Whom for your Virtue, and for that alone, So much I’ve honour’d, as to touch this Bow; ’Twas giv’n to me for human Acts; for which I’m pleas’d to see so good a Friend enjoy it. _Whoever knows for Benefits receiv’d To make a just Return, that Man I deem A Friend beyond the Value of all Treasure._

_Neop._ ---- ----’Tis Time to enter in thy Cave.

_Phil._ ---- ---- ---- ----And thee I must entreat to go; for I shall want thy Help.

ANTISTROPHICA

STROPHE I.

Chorus. I heard of those eternal Pains, Which rack’d [26]_Ixion_ feels, Fast bound by Adamantine Chains To ever-turning Wheels.

Doom’d to this Fate by angry _Jove_, For tempting to embrace The Queen of Heav’n with impious Love; His Torments never cease.

But never did I hear or see A Man so rack’d before, As _Philoctetes_ seems to me, What Suff’rings can be more?

He never did an Act was wrong, But Justice still maintain’d; I wonder much that he so long, Such Torments has sustain’d.

Tell me the Cause, ye angry Pow’rs, In Fortune’s stormy Seas, He’s tost so many tedious Hours, Without one Moment’s Ease.

ANTISTROPHE I.

Expos’d to all the Storms that blow, From whence he cannot fly; And not a Friend to feel his Woe Returning Sigh for Sigh.

Not one the healing Herb applies To sooth his angry Wound; But torn with Anguish, there he lies Extended on the Ground.

The Instant that his Pains abate, He like an Infant creeps, To find a Plant to quell that Heat, And thus the Venom sleeps.

STROPHE II.

Not from the sacred Earth his Foods Nor from the Tiller’s Care, Does he recruit his streaming Blood, But from the Bird-flown Air.

When soaring Fowls advance this Way He lets his Arrows fly; To certain Death the feather’d Prey Falls flutt’ring from the Sky.

Ah! wretched Soul, thy Fate was hard, To live ten Years in Pain, To be from joyful Wine debarr’d To drink the tastless Rain.

ANTISTROPHE II.

His Fortune’s now revers’d we see, A gen’rous Youth’s inclin’d To waft him Home; to set him free; And ease his tortur’d Mind.

Lo! to the _Melian_ Nymphs he’s gone, To _Sperchius’_ vagrant Streams, To _Oeta_’s Mount where _Jove_’s great Son To Heav’n aspir’d in Flames.

_Neop._ Come, gently move along; what means this Silence? Why stand you thus confounded in amaze?

_Phil._ Alas! alas! alas!---- ---- ----

_Neop._ ---- ---- ----What mean these Sounds?

_Phil._ Nothing that’s worth Complaint; my Friend proceed.

_Neop._ Perhaps our walking may increase your Pains.

_Phil._ Not in the least, I rather feel my Wound Much lighter since our Walk. Ye heav’nly Powers! (_aside_)

_Neop._ Why do you then invoke the heav’nly Powers?

_Phil._ To be propitious, and attend our Voyage. O Heav’ns, what Pains I feel!---- ----

_Neop._ ---- ---- ----What Suff’rings now? Why are you silent? For you seem to me By Starts and Groans your Torture to confess.

_Phil._ My Son, I’m lost; no longer I conceal The Malady; it wounds my very Soul; It pierces thro’ and thro’; O wretched me! Murther’d! undone! and lost beyond Redress. O dismal, racking, burning, poison’d Pains! Reach me a Sword, my Son, an Ax, a Dagger; Cut off my Foot this instant; spare it not.

_Neop._ What new Addition do you feel, that makes You roar with hideous Exclamation loud.

_Phil._ You know, my Son---- ----

_Neop._ ----Not I----

_Phil._ You know indeed.

_Neop._ What do you mean?

_Phil._ ----I know not what I mean.

_Neop._ Why know you not?

_Phil._ ---- ---- ----I cannot speak for Pain.

_Neop._ Dreadful the shooting of thy Wound indeed!

_Phil._ Dreadful beyond Expression; O! my Friend, Have some Compassion on the Woes I feel.

_Neop._ What shall I do to give thee Ease?----

_Phil._ ---- ---- ---- ----Ah! don’t Forsake me for the piteous Moans I make. By Fits and Starts, my Torments come and go Like Vagabonds, to feed; and then they vanish.

_Neop._ Unhappy Mortal, I lament thy Fate, And all the lamentable Shocks thou bearest-- Shall I support you as you walk along?

_Phil._ Support me not, but hold my Bow a-while, Until the present Torment which I feel Abates, and keep it safe; for when my Pains Are at the full, I sink to sleep; no means Beside can give me Ease; then sleep I must, And let me lie from all Disturbance free; If in that Interval my Foes shou’d come, By all the Gods I must conjure thee, not To part it from thy Hands, by Will, or Force, Or any Stratagem may be contriv’d To get it from thee; for on this depends Thy Safety, and thy humble Suppliant’s Life.

_Neop._ Fear not, thy Caution I’ll observe--No Man Alive shall touch this Bow, except thy self, And me--Give it--May Fortune guard us both.