Son of Laertes, what my ears abhor
To hear, my hand abhors to execute.
So was it, as they tell me, with my sire.
To take the man by force and not by guile
I am prepared: he is alone and lame,
While we are many: he would strive in vain.
Commissioned as I am to second thee,
I must be loyal, but would rather lose
With honour, than dishonourably win.
ULYSSES.
Son of a glorious sire, myself in youth
Was ready with my hand, and slow of tongue.
Experience has taught me that the tongue
Is a man's leading member, not his hand.
NEOPTOLEMUS.
What is it thou dost bid me do but lie?
ULYSSES.
I bid thee Philoctetes circumvent.
NEOPTOLEMUS.
Will not persuasion work as well as guile?