Neop. Well, bring it out. What else desirest thou?
Phil. If from my quiver aught has chanced to drop
Through my neglect, that no man find it here.
Neop. Is this that thou dost bear the far-famed bow?
Phil. This, and none other hold I in my hands.
Neop. And may I have a nearer view of it,
And hold it, and salute it, as a God?
Phil. Thou shalt have this, my son, and if aught else
Of mine shall please thee, that too shall be thine.
Neop. I wish and long, and yet my wish stands thus;660
I fain would, were it right; if not, refuse.
Phil. Thou askest but thy due, and it is right,
My son, who only giv'st me to behold
The light of day, and yon Œtæan shore,
My aged father, and my friends,—whose arm,
When I was trodden down, has raised me up
Above my foes. Take heart: it shall be thine
To touch them, yea, and give them back to me,
And boast that thou, alone of all that live,
Hast, for thy virtue's sake, laid hands on them:
For I too gained them by good deeds I did.670
Neop. I grieve not now to see thee as a friend,
And take thee with me, for a man that knows,
Receiving good, to render good again,
Would be a friend worth more than land or goods;
Go thou within.
Phil. And I will take thee too:
My ailment makes me crave to have thy help.
Stroph. I.
Chor. I know the tale, though these eyes saw it not,
Of him who came too near
