never come? O my son, generous youth, come, seize me, burn me up, true-hearted friend, in yonder fire,800 famed as Lemnian:—I, too, once deemed it lawful to do the same unto the son of Zeus, for the meed of these same arms, which are now in thy keeping. What sayest thou, boy,—what sayest thou? Why art thou silent? Where are thy thoughts, my son?
Ne. I have long been grieving in my heart for thy load of pain.
Ph. Nay, my son, have good hope withal; this visitor comes sharply, but goes quickly. Only, I beseech thee, leave me not alone.
Ne. Fear not, we will remain.810 Ph. Thou wilt remain? Ne. Be sure of it.
Ph. Well, I do not ask to put thee on thine oath, my son.
Ne. Rest satisfied: 'tis not lawful for me to go without thee.
Ph. Thy hand for pledge! Ne. I give it—to stay.
Ph. Now take me yonder, yonder— Ne. Whither meanest thou? Ph. Up yonder—
Ne. What is this new frenzy? Why gazest thou on the vault above us?
Ph. Let me go, let me go! Ne. Whither? Ph. Let me go, I say!
Ne. I will not. Ph. Thou wilt kill me, if thou touch me.
Ne. There, then—I release thee, since thou art calmer.
Ph. O Earth, receive me as I die, here and now! This pain no longer suffers me to stand upright.820
