The Philoctetes of Sophocles

Scene I: Enter ULYSSES

Ul. Now are we landed on the [1]Lemnian Coast,
Encompass’d by the Ocean’s rolling Waves,
Where not a Print of human Foot is seen,
Nor House, nor Hut; where, Neoptolemus,
Thou blooming Branch of the renown’d Achilles,
I left expos’d the [2]Melian Son of Pæan.
Our Princes thus commanded; I obey’d,
Because a dreadful, nauseous, ranckling Wound
Eat thro’ his Foot, and made him rend the Skies
With Shrieks, and loud Laments, which much disturb’d
The Army; no Religious Rites cou’d be
Perform’d in Peace; of which I’ll say no more;
For Time contracts my Tale, and Dread of him,
Lest he shou’d find me here; and so confound
My secret Wiles to apprehend his Person.
The rest is thine. With careful Search explore
A pervious Rock, so form’d as to receive
The comfortable Beams of Winter-Suns,
And the cool Breezes from the Sea in Summer,
With fanning Wings inviting gentle Sleep.
Fast by this Rock, upon the Left, you’ll find
A Spring, if still it’s living Stream be fed;
To this repair with silent Pace, and see
Whether he lies conceal’d within these Bounds
Advance with cautious Steps, and let me know,
Then we’ll consult what next is to be done.