Sorrow and sadness are mine. I am broken by suffering, and now I must live alone; I will live and die in this place. I cannot feed myself by my winged arrows or my strong hands. Unexpectedly, his tricky words overtook my judgment. I wish the one who set this trap were given pains to match my own.
CHORUS
The gods' will brought you down, not guile,
not tricks in which I have had a hand.
Let loose your hatred, set aside your curses.
I have only the fear that you'll refuse my friendship.
PHILOKTETES
He sits laughing on the shores of the wine-dark sea. He holds in his hands the bow that sustained me, which no mortal but I had ever touched. Beloved bow, made by caring hands, the prize of Herakles, who'll never use you again, if you could see, you would pity me. You have a new master, a guileful man. He will bend you now. You will know treachery, know my hated enemy, and know countless evils rising from his deceit.
CHORUS
One should take care to say what is just, and having said it, keep his tongue from ire. Odysseus follows the orders of many, and he has done this in obedience to his friends.
PHILOKTETES
O birds, o beasts that feed upon the hills, you no longer need run away from my cave. I no longer have my killing weapons. Come down. The time is right for you to feed on my ravaged, quivering body; I will soon die. How can I keep myself alive? Who can live on breezes and not earthly food?