OD. Son of a valiant sire, I, too, in youth,
Had once a slow tongue and an active hand.
But since I have proved the world, I clearly see
Words and not deeds give mastery over men.
NEO. What then is thy command? To lie? No more?
OD. To entangle Philoctetes with deceit.
[page 210][102-134] NEO. Why through deceit? May not persuasion fetch him?
OD. Never. And force as certainly will fail.
NEO. What lends him such assurance of defence?
OD. Arrows, the unerring harbingers of Death.
NEO. Then to go near him is a perilous thing.
OD. Unless with subtlety, as I have said.
NEO. And is not lying shameful to thy soul?