But for all this he prevailed nothing; for Philoctetes was obstinate that he would not go to Troy, nor do any pleasure to the chiefs who had done him such wrong.  But he would that the Prince should fulfil the promise which he had made, that he would carry him in his ship to his own country.  And this the Prince said that he would do.

And now the two were about to depart to the ship, when lo! there appeared in the air above their heads the great Hercules.  Very wonderful was he to behold, with bright raiment, and a great glory shining from his face, even as the everlasting Gods beheld him with whom he dwelt in the place of Olympus.  And Hercules spake, saying—­

“Go not yet, son of Poeas, before thou hearest what I shall say to thee.  For ’tis Hercules whom thou seest and hearest; and I am come from my dwelling in heaven to declare to thee the will of Zeus.  Know then that even as I attained to this blessedness after much toil, so shall it be with thee.  For thou shalt go to the land of Troy; and first thou shalt be healed of thy grievous sickness, and afterwards thou shalt slay Paris with thine arrows, and shalt take the city of Troy, whereof thou shalt carry the spoils to thy home, even to Poeas thy father, having received from thy fellows the foremost prize for valour.  But remember that all that thou winnest in this warfare thou must take as an offering to my tomb.  And to thee, son of Achilles, I say; thou canst not take the city of Troy without this man, nor he without thee.  Whereof, as two lions that consort together, guard ye each other.  And I will send Asclepius to heal him of his sickness; for it is the will of the Gods that Troy should yet again be taken by my bow.  And remember this, when ye lay waste the land, to have the Gods and that which belongeth to them in reverence.”

Then said Philoctetes, “O my master, whom I have long desired to hear and see, I will do as thou sayest.”

And the Prince also gave his consent.

Then Philoctetes bade farewell to the island in these words—­

  “Home that hast watched with me, farewell! 
  And nymphs that haunt the springs or dwell
  In seaward meadows, and the roar
  Of waves that break upon the shore;
  Where often, through the cavern’s mouth,
  The drifting of the rainy South
  Hath coldly drenched me as I lay;
  And Hermes’ hill, whence many a day,
  When anguish seized me, to my cry
  Hoarse-sounding echo made reply. 
  O fountains of the land, and thou,
  Pool of the Wolf, I leave you now;
  Beyond all hope I leave thy strand,
  O Lemnos, sea-encircled land! 
  Grant me with favouring winds to go
  Whither the mighty Fates command,
  And this dear company of friends,
  And mastering Powers who shape our ends
  To issues fairer than we know.”

THE STORY OF THE DEATH OF AGAMEMNON.