NEOPTOLEMOS
Quiet, now! Have you lost your senses?
The man's eyes are opening. He raises his head.
PHILOKTETES
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.