Servant.
Cre.
Who were those went by?
Ser.
Queen Hecuba, and Helen.
Cre.
And whither note go they?
Ser.
Up to the eastern tower,
Whose height commands as subject all the vale note,
To see the battle. Hector, whose patience
Is, as the virtue note, fix'd, to-day was mov'd:
He chid note Andromache, and strook his armorer;
And, like as there were husbandry in war,
Before the sun rose, he was harness'd light note,
And to the field goes he; where every flower
Did, as a prophet, weep what it foresaw
In Hector's wrath.
Cre.
What was his cause of anger?
Ser.
The noise goes, this: There is among the Greeks
A lord of Trojan blood, nephew to Hector;
They call him, Ajax.
Cre.
Good; And what of him; note
Ser.
They say, he is a very man per se,
And stands alone.
-- 8 --
Cre.
So do all men; unless they are note drunk, sick,
or have no legs.
Ser.
This man, lady, hath rob'd many beasts of
their particular additions; he is as valiant as the lion,
churlish as the bear, slow as the elephant: a man into
whom nature hath so crowded humours, that his valour
is crush'd into folly, his folly sauced with discretion:
there is no man hath a virtue, that he hath not a
glimpse of; nor any man an attaint, but he carries
some stain of it: he is melancholy without cause, and
merry against the hair: He hath the joints of every
thing: but every thing so out of joint, that he is a
gouty Briareus, many hands and no use; or purblinded note
Argus, all eyes and no sight.
Cre.
But how should this man, that makes me
smile, make Hector angry?
Ser.
They say, he yesterday cop'd Hector in the
battle, and strook him down; the disdain and shame
whereof hath ever since kept Hector fasting and waking.
Enter Pandarus.
Cre.
Who comes here?
Ser.
Madam, your uncle Pandarus.
Cre.
Hector's a gallant man.
Ser.
As may be in the world, lady.
Pan.
What's that? what's that?
Cre.
Good morrow, uncle Pandarus.
Pan.
Good morrow, cousin Cressid: What do you
talk of?—Good morrow, Alexander:—How do you,
cousin? When were you at Ilium?
Cre.
This morning, uncle.
Pan.
What were you talking of, when I came? Was
-- 9 --
Hector arm'd, and gone, ere ye came note to Ilium? Helen was
not up, was she?
Cre.
Hector was gone; but Helen was not up.
Pan.
E'en so; Hector was stirring early.
Cre.
That were we talking of, and of his anger.
Pan.
Was he angry?
Cre.
So he † says here.
Pan.
True, he was so; I know the cause too; he'll
lay about him to-day, I can tell them that: and there's
Troilus will not come far behind him; let them take
heed of Troilus; I can tell them that too.
Cre.
What, is he angry too?
Pan.
Who, Troilus? Troilus is the better man of
the two.
Cre.
O Jupiter!—there's no comparison.
Pan.
What, not between Troilus and Hector? Do
you know a man, if you see him?
Cre.
Ay; if I ever saw him before, and knew him.
Pan.
Well, I say, Troilus is Troilus.
Cre.
Then you say as I say; for, I am sure, he is
not Hector.
Pan.
No, nor Hector note is not Troilus, in some degrees.
Cre.
'Tis just to each of them; he is himself.
Pan.
Himself? Alas, poor Troilus! I would, he were,—
Cre.
So he is.
Pan.
—condition, I had gone bare-foot to India.
Cre.
He is not Hector.
Pan.
Himself? no, he's not himself; 'Would, a were
himself! Well, the gods are above; Time must friend,
or end: Well, Troilus, well,—I would, my heart were in
her body! No, Hector is not a better man than Troilus.
Cre.
Excuse me.
-- 10 --
Pan.
He is elder.
Cre.
Pardon me, pardon me.
Pan.
Th' other's not come to't; you shall tell me
another tale, when th'other's come to't. Hector shall
not have his wit this note year:
Cre.
He shall not need it, if he have his own.
Pan.
Nor his qualities:
Cre.
No matter.
Pan.
Nor his beauty.
Cre.
'Twould not become him, his own's better.
Pan.
You have no judgment, niece: Helen herself
swore th'other day, that Troilus, for a brown favour,
(for so 'tis, I must confess)—Not brown neither.
Cre.
No, but brown.
Pan.
'Faith, to say truth, brown and not brown.
Cre.
To say the truth, true and not true.
Pan.
She prais'd his complexion above Paris.
Cre.
Why, Paris hath colour enough.
Pan.
So he has.
Cre.
Then, Troilus should have too much: if she
prais'd him above, his complexion is higher than his;
he having colour enough, and the other higher, is too
flaming a praise for a good complexion. I had as lieve,
Helen's golden tongue had commended Troilus for a
copper nose.
Pan.
I swear to you, I think, Helen loves him better
than Paris.
Cre.
Then she's a merry Greek, indeed.
Pan.
Nay, I am sure she does. She came to him
th'other day into the compast window,—and, you know,
he has not past three or four hairs on his chin.
Cre.
Indeed, a tapster's arithmetick may soon bring
-- 11 --
his particulars therein to a total.
Pan.
Why, he is very young: and yet will he, within
three pound, lift as much as his brother Hector.
Cre.
Is he so note young a man, and so old a lifter?
Pan.
But, to prove to you that Helen loves him;—she
came, and puts me her white hand to his cloven chin,—
Cre.
Juno have mercy!—How came it cloven?
Pan.
Why, you know, 'tis dimpl'd: I think, his smiling
becomes him better than any man in all Phrygia.
Cre.
O, he smiles valiantly note.
Pan.
Does he not?
Cre.
O, yes; an 'twere a cloud in autumn.
Pan.
Why, go to then: But, to prove to you that
Helen loves Troilus;—
Cre.
Troilus will stand to the note proof, if you'll prove it so.
Pan.
Troilus? why, he esteems her no more than I
esteem an addle egg.
Cre.
If you love an addle egg as well as you love an
idle head, you would eat chickens i'the shell.
Pan.
I cannot choose but laugh, to think how she
tickl'd his chin;—Indeed, she has a marvel's white hand,
I must needs confess:
Cre.
Without the rack.
Pan.
And she takes upon her to spy a white hair on his chin:
Cre.
Alas, poor chin! many a wart is richer.
Pan.
But, there was such laughing;—Queen Hecuba
laugh'd, that her eyes ran o'er:
Cre.
With milstones.
Pan.
And Cassandra laugh'd:
Cre.
But there was more note temperate fire under the pot
of her eyes;—Did her eyes run o'er too?
Pan.
And Hector laugh'd:
-- 12 --
Cre.
At what was all this laughing?
Pan.
Marry, at the white hair that Helen spy'd on
Troilus' chin.
Cre.
An't had been a green hair, I should have
laugh'd too.
Pan.
They laugh'd not so much at the hair, as at his
pretty answer.
Cre.
What was his answer?
Pan.
Quoth she, Here's but one and fifty14Q1205 hairs note on your
chin, and one of them is white.
Cre.
This is her question.
Pan.
That's true; make no question of that. One
and fifty hairs, quoth he, and one white: That white
hair is my father, and all the rest are his sons. Jupiter!
quoth she, which of these hairs is Paris my husband?
The forked one, quoth he; pluck't out, and give it him.
But, there was such laughing! and Helen so blush'd,
and Paris so chaf'd, and all the rest so laugh'd, that it
pass'd.
Cre.
So let it now; for it has been a great while note
going by.
Pan.
Well, cousin, I told you a thing yesterday;
think on't.
Cre.
So I do. note
Pan.
I'll be sworn, 'tis true; he will weep you—an
'twere a man born in April.
Cre.
And I'll spring up in his tears, an 'twere a
nettle against May.
[Retreat heard.
Pan.
Hark, they are coming from the field: Shall we
stand up here, and see them, as they pass toward Ilium note?
good niece, do; sweet niece Cressida note.
Cre.
At your pleasure.
-- 13 --
Pan.
Here, here, here's an excellent † place; here
we may see most bravely: I'll tell you them all by
their names, as they pass by; but mark Troilus above
the rest.
Flourish. Enter certain Troops, and pass over;
Æneas with them.
Cre.
Speak not so loud.
Pan.
That's † Æneas; Is not that a brave man? he's
one of the flowers of Troy, I can tell note you; But mark
Troilus; you shall see anon.
Antenor passes over.
Cre.
Who's that?
Pan.
That's † Antenor; he has a shrowd note wit, I can
tell you; and he's man note good enough: he's one o'th'
soundest judgments note in Troy, whosoever; and a proper
man of person note:—When comes Troilus?—I'll shew you
Troilus anon; if he see me, you shall see him note nod at
me.
Cre.
Will he give you the nod?
Pan.
You shall see.
Cre.
If he do, the rich shall have more.
Hector passes over.
Pan.
That's † Hector, that, that, look you, that;
There's a fellow!—Go thy way, Hector;—There's a
brave man, niece;—O brave Hector!—Look how he
looks; there's a countenance; Is't not a brave man?
Cre.
O, a note brave man.
Pan.
Is a not? it does a man's note heart good—Look
you, what hacks are on his helmet? look you yonder,
do you see? look you there: There's no jesting: laying note
on; take't off who will note, as they say: there be hacks.
Cre.
Be those with swords?
-- 14 --
Pan.
Swords? any thing, he cares not; an the devil
come to him, it's all one: By god's lid, it does one's
heart good:—Yonder comes Paris, yonder comes Paris:
Paris passes over.
look ye yonder, niece; Is't not a gallant man too, is't
not?—Why, this is brave now. Who said, he came hurt
home to-day? he's not hurt: why, this will do Helen's
heart good now, Ha! 'would I could see Troilus now!
—you shall see Troilus note anon.
Helenus passes over.
Cre.
Who's that?
Pan.
That's Helenus,—I marvel, where Troilus is;—
that's Helenus;—I think, he went not forth to-day;—
that's Helenus.
Cre.
Can Helenus fight, uncle?
Pan.
Helenus? no;—yes, he'll fight indifferent well:—
I marvel, where Troilus is note!—Hark; do you not hear the
people cry, Troilus? Helenus is a priest.
Troilus passes over.
Cre.
What sneaking fellow comes yonder?
Pan.
Where? yonder? that's Deiphobus: 'Tis Troilus!
There's a man, niece!—hem!—Brave Troilus! the prince
of chivalry!
Cre.
Peace, for shame, peace.
Pan.
Mark him; note him note;—O brave Troilus!—
look well upon him, niece; look you, how his sword
is bloody'd, and his helm more hack'd than Hector's;
And how he looks, and how he goes!—O admirable
youth!—he ne'er note saw three and twenty. Go thy way,
Troilus, go thy way; had I a sister were a grace, or a
daughter a goddess, he should take his choice. Paris?
Paris is dirt to him; and, I warrant, Helen, to change,
-- 15 --
would give money to note boot.
Other Troops pass over.
Cre.
Here come note more.
Pan.
Asses, fools, dolts; chaff and bran, chaff and
bran, porredge after meat. I could live and die i'the
eyes of Troilus. Ne'er look, ne'er look; the eagles are
gone; crows and daws, crows and daws. I had rather
be such a man as Troilus, than Agamemnon and all
Greece.
Cre.
There is among note the Greeks, Achilles; a better
man than Troilus.
Pan.
Achilles? a drayman, a porter, a very camel.
Cre.
Well, well.
Pan.
Well, well? Why, have you any discretion?
have you any eyes? do you know what a man is? Is not
birth, beauty, good shape, discourse, manhood, learning,
gentleness, virtue, youth, liberality, and such like, the note
spice and salt that season note a man?
Cre.
Ay, a minc'd man: and then to be bak'd with
no date in the pye,—for then the man's date's out note.
Pan.
You are such a woman! a man knows note not at
what ward you lye.
Cre.
Upon my back, to defend my belly; upon my
wit, to defend my wiles; upon my secresy, to defend
mine honesty; my mask, to defend my beauty; and you,
to defend all these: and at all these wards I lye, at a note
thousand watches.
Pan.
Say one of your watches.
Cre.
Nay, I'll watch you for that; and that's one of
the chiefest of them too: if I cannot ward what I would
not have hit, I can watch you for telling how I took
the blow; unless it swell past hiding, and then it's past note
-- 16 --
watching.
Pan.
You are note such another!
Enter Troilus' Boy.
Boy.
Sir, my lord would instantly speak with you.
Pan.
Where?
Boy.
At your own house; there he unarms him. note
Pan.
Good boy, tell him I come: [Exit Boy.] I doubt,
he be hurt.—Fare ye well, good niece.
Cre.
Adieu, uncle.
Pan.
I'll be note with you, niece, by and by.
Cre.
To bring, uncle,—
Pan.
Ay, a token from Troilus.
[Exit.
Cre.
By the same token—you are a bawd.—
Words, vows, gifts, tears, and love's full sacrifice,
He offers in another's enterprise:
But more in Troilus thousand fold I see,
Than in the glass of Pandar's praise may be;
Yet hold I off. Women are angels, wooing;
Things won are done, joy's soul lies note in the doing:
That she belov'd knows nought note, that knows not this,—
Men prize note the thing ungain'd more than it is:
That she was never yet, that ever knew
Love got so note sweet, as when desire did sue:
Therefore this maxim out of love I teach,—
Atchievement is, command; ungain'd, beseech:
Then though note my heart's content note firm love doth bear,
Nothing of that shall from mine eyes appear.
[Exeunt.
SCENE III.
The Grecian Camp. Before a Tent.
Enter Agamemnon, Nestor, Ulysses, Menelaus, and Others.
Aga.
Princes,
-- 17 --
What grief hath set this jaundice note note on your note cheeks?
The ample proposition, that hope note makes
In all designs begun on earth below,
Fails in the promis'd largeness: checks and disasters
Grow in the veins of actions highest rear'd;
As knots, by the conflúx of meeting sap,
Infect note the sound pine, and divert note his grain
Tortive and errant from his course of growth.
Nor, princes, is it matter new to us,
That we come short of our suppose so far,
That, after seven years' siege, yet Troy walls stand;
Sith every action note that hath gone before,
Whereof we have record, trial did draw
Bias and thwart, not answering the aim,
And that unbody'd figure of the thought
That gave't surmised shape. Why then, you princes,
Do you with cheeks abash'd behold our works;
And think them note shames note, which are, indeed, nought note else
But the protractive trials of great Jove,
To find persistive constancy in men?
The fineness of which metal is not found
In fortune's love: for then, the bold and coward,
The wise and fool, the artist and unread,
The hard and soft, seem all affin'd and kin:
But, in the wind and tempest of her frown,
Distinction, with a broad and note powerful fan,
Puffing at all, winnows the light away;
And what hath mass,14Q1206 or matter, by itself
Lies, rich in virtue, and unmingled.
Nes.
With due observance of thy godlike note seat note,
Great Agamemnon, Nestor shall apply
Thy latest words. In the reproof of chance
-- 18 --
Lies the true proof of men: The sea being smooth,
How many shallow bauble boats dare sail
Upon her patient note breast, making their way
With those of nobler note bulk?
But let the ruffian Boreas once enrage
The gentle Thetis, and, anon, behold
The strong-rib'd bark through liquid mountains cut note,
Bounding between the two moist elements
Like Perseus' horse: Where's then the saucy boat,
Whose weak untimber'd sides but even now
Co-rival'd greatness? either to harbour fled,
Or made a toast for Neptune. Even so
Doth valour's shew, and valour's worth, divide
In storms of fortune: For, in her ray and brightness,
The herd hath more annoyance by the brize,
Than by the tiger: but when the splitting wind
Makes flexible the knees of knotted oaks,
And flies flee under note shade, Why, then, the thing of courage,
As rouz'd with rage, with rage doth sympathize,
And, with an accent tun'd in self-same key,
Returns note to chiding fortune.
Uly.
Agamemnon,—
Thou great commander, nerve note and bone of Greece,
Heart of our numbers, soul and only spirit,
In whom the tempers and the minds of all
Should be shut up,—hear what Ulysses speaks.
Besides the applause14Q1207 and approbation,
The which,—most mighty for thy place and sway note,—
And thou most reverend for thy stretcht note-out life,—
I give to both your speeches,—which were such,
As Agamemnon and the hand of Greece
Should hold up high in brass; and such again,
-- 19 --
As venerable Nestor, hatch'd in silver,
Should with a bond of air (strong as the axle-tree
On which note heaven rides) knit all the Greekish note ears
To his experienc'd tongue,—let note it please both,—
Thou great,—and wise,—to hear Ulysses speak.
Aga.
Speak, prince of Ithaca: and we less note expect note
That matter needless, of importless burthen,
Divide thy lips; than we are confident,
When rank Thersites opes his mastiff note jaws,
We shall hear musick, wit, and oracle.
Uly.
Troy, yet upon her basis note, had been down,
And the great Hector's sword had lack'd a master,
But for these instances.
The specialty of rule hath been neglected;
And, look, how many Grecian tents do stand
Hollow upon this plain, so many hollow factions.
When that the general is not lik'd o'the note hive,
To whom the foragers shall all repair,
What honey is expected? Degree being vizarded,
The unworthiest shews as fairly in the mask.
The heavens themselves,14Q1208 the planets, and this center,
Observe degree, priority, and place,
Insisture note, course, proportion, season, form,
Office, and custom, in all line of order:
And therefore is the glorious planet, Sol,
In noble eminence enthron'd and spher'd
Amid'st note the other; whose med'cinable eye
Corrects the ill aspécts of planets evil note,
And posts, like the commandment of a king,
Sans check, to good and bad: But, when the planets,
In evil mixture, to disorder wander,
What plagues, and what porténts? what mutiny?
-- 20 --
What raging of the sea? shaking of earth?
Commotion in the winds? frights, changes, horrors,
Divert and crack, rend and deracinate
The unity and marry'd calm of states
Quite from their fixure? O, when degree is shak'd note,
Which is the ladder of all note high designs,
The enterprise is sick! How could communities,
Degrees in schools, and brotherhoods in cities,
Peaceful commérce from dívidable shores,
The primogeniture note note and due of birth,
Prerogative of age, crowns, scepters, laurels,
But by degree, stand in authentic place?
Take but degree away, untune that string,
And, hark, what discord follows! each thing meets note
In meer oppugnancy: The bounded waters
Should lift their bosoms higher than the shores,
And make a sop of all this solid globe:
Strength should be lord of imbecility,
And the rude son should strike his father dead:
Force should be right; or, rather, right and wrong
(Between whose endless jar justice resides note)
Should lose their names note, and so should justice too.
Then every thing includes note itself in power,
Power into will, will into appetite;
And appetite, an universal wolf,
So doubly seconded with will and power,
Must make perforce an universal prey,
And, last, eat up himself. Great Agamemnon,
This chaos, when degree is suffocate,
Follows the choaking.
And this neglection of degree it is note,
That by a pace goes backward in a note purpose
-- 21 --
It hath to climb: The general's disdain'd
By him one step below; he, by the next;
That next, by him beneath: so every step,
Exampl'd by the first pace that is sick
Of his superior, grows to an envious fever
Of pale and bloodless emulation:
And 'tis this fever that keeps Troy on foot,
Not her own sinews. To end a tale of length,
Troy in our weakness stands, not note in her strength.
Nes.
Most wisely hath Ulysses here discover'd
The fever whereof all our power is sick.
Aga.
The nature of the sickness found, Ulysses,
What is the remedy?
Uly.
The great Achilles,—whom opinion crowns
The sinew and the forehand of our host,—
Having his ear full of his airy fame,
Grows dainty of his worth, and in his tent
Lies mocking our designs: With him, Patroclus,
Upon a lazy bed, the livelong day
Breaks scurril jests;
And with ridiculous and aukward action note
(Which, slanderer, he imitation calls)
He pageants us. Sometime, great Agamemnon,
Thy topless deputation he puts on;
And, like a strutting player,—whose conceit
Lies in his ham-string, and doth think it rich
To hear the wooden dialogue and sound
'Twixt his stretch'd footing and the scaffoldage,—
Such to-be-pity'd and o'er-rested seeming
He acts thy greatness in: and when he speaks,
'Tis like a chime a mending; with terms unsquar'd note,
Which, from the tongue of roaring Typhon drop'd,
-- 22 --
Would note seem note hyperboles. At this fusty stuff,
The large Achilles, on his press'd bed lolling,
From his deep chest laughs out a loud applause;
Cries, Excellent! 'tis Agamemnon just. note
Now play me Nestor; hem note, and stroak thy beard,
As he, being 'drest to some oration.
That's done; as near as the extreamest ends
Of parallels, like as note Vulcan and his wife:
Yet good note Achilles still cries, Excellent!
'Tis Nestor right: Now play him me, Patroclus,
Arming to answer in a night alarm.
And then, forsooth, the faint defects of age
Must be the scene of mirth; to cough, and spit,
And, with a palsy fumbling on his gorget,
Shake in and out the rivet: and at this sport
Sir Valour dies; cries, O, enough, Patroclus;
Or give me ribs of steel! I shall split all
In pleasure of my spleen. And in this fashion14Q1209
All our abilities, gifts, natures, shapes,
Severals and generals of grace exact,
Atchievements, plots, orders, preventions,
Excitements to the field, or speech for truce,
Success, or loss, what is, or is not, serves
As stuff for these two to make paradoxes.
Nes.
And in the imitation of these twain
(Whom, as note Ulysses says, opinion crowns
With an imperial voice) many are infect.
Ajax is grown self-will'd; and bears his head
In such a rein, in full as proud a place
As broad Achilles: keeps note his tent like him;
Makes factious feasts; rails on our state of war,
Bold as an oracle: and sets Thersites
-- 23 --
(A slave, whose gall coins slanders like a mint)
To match us in comparisons with dirt;
To weaken and discredit note our exposure,
How rank soever rounded in with danger.
Uly.
They tax our policy, and call it cowardise;
Count wisdom as no member of the war;
Forestal prescíence, and esteem no act
But that of hand: the still and mental parts,—
That do contrive how many hands shall strike,
When fitness calls them note on; and know, by measure
Of their observant toil, the enemies' weight,—
Why, this hath not a finger's dignity;
They call this—bed-work mappery, closet war:
So that the ram, that batters down the wall,
For the great swing and rudeness of his poize,
They place before his hand that made the engine;
Or those, that with the fineness of their souls
By reason guide his execution.
Nes.
Let this be granted, and Achilles' horse
Makes many Thetis' sons.
[Trumpet heard.
Aga.
What trumpet's that? look, Menelaus.
Men.
From Troy.
Enter Æneas.
Aga.
What would you 'fore our tent?
Æne.
Is this great Agamemnon's tent, I pray you?
Aga.
Even this.
Æne.
May one, that is a herald, and a prince,
Do a fair message to his kingly ears? note
Aga.
With surety14Q1210 stronger than Achilles' arm note
'Fore all the Greekish heads, which with one voice
Call Agamemnon head and general.
Æne.
Fair leave, and large security. How may
-- 24 --
A stranger to those most imperial looks
Know them from eyes of other mortals?
Aga.
How?
Æne.
I ask, that I note might waken reverence,
And bid the note cheek be ready with a blush
Modest as morning when she coldly eyes
The youthful Phœbus:
Which is that god in office, guiding men?
Which is the high and mighty Agamemnon?
Aga.
This Trojan scorns us; or the men of Troy
Are ceremonious courtiers.
Æne.
Courtiers as free, as debonair, unarm'd. note
As bending angels; that's their fame note in peace:
But when they would seem soldiers, they have galls,
Good arms, strong joints, true swords; and, Jove's note accord,
Nothing so full of heart. But peace, Æneas,
Peace, Trojan; lay thy finger on thy lips!
The worthiness of praise distains his worth,
If that the prais'd note himself bring the praise forth:
What note the repining enemy commends,
That breath fame blows; that praise, sole pure, transcends.
Aga.
Sir, you of Troy, call you yourself Æneas?
Æne.
Ay, Greek, that is my name.
Aga.
What's your affair note, I pray you?
Æne.
Sir, pardon; 'tis for Agamemnon's ears.
Aga.
He hears nought note privately, that comes from Troy.
Æne.
Nor I from Troy come not to whisper him note:
I bring a trumpet to awake his ear;
To set his sense on the attentive note bent,
And then to speak.
Aga.
Speak frankly as the wind;
It is not Agamemnon's sleeping hour:
-- 25 --
That thou shalt know, Trojan, he is awake,
He tells thee so himself.
Æne.
Trumpet, blow loud note,
Send thy brass voice through all these lazy tents;—
And every Greek of mettle, let him know,
What Troy means fairly shall be spoke aloud.
[Trumpet sounds.
We have, great Agamemnon, here in Troy
A prince called note Hector, Priam is his father,
Who in this note dull and long-continu'd truce
Is rusty note grown; he bad me take a trumpet,
And to this purpose speak. Kings, princes, lords!
If there be one, among note the fair'st of Greece,
That holds his honour higher than his ease;
That seeks his praise more than he fears his note peril;
That knows his valour, and knows not his fear;
That loves his mistress more than in confession,
(With truant vows to her own lips he loves)
And dare avow her beauty, and her worth,
In other arms than hers,—to him this challenge.
Hector, in view of Trojans and of Greeks,
Shall make it good, or do his best to do it,
He hath a lady, wiser, fairer, truer,
Than ever Greek did compass in note his arms;
And will to-morrow with his trumpet call,
Mid-way between your tents and walls of Troy,
To rouze a Grecian that is true in love:
If any come, Hector shall honour him;
If none, he'll say in Troy, when he retires,
The Grecian dames are sun-burnt, and not worth
The splinter of a lance. Even so much.
Aga.
This shall be told our lovers, lord Æneas;
-- 26 --
If none of them have soul in such a kind,
We left them all at home: But we are soldiers;
And may that soldier a mere recreant prove,
That means not, hath not, or is not in love!
If then one is, or hath, or means note to be,
That one meets Hector; if none else note, I am he note.
Nes.
Tell him of Nestor, one that was a man
When Hector's grandsire suck'd: he is old now;
But, if there be not in our Grecian host note
One noble man, that hath one spark note of fire
To answer for his love, Tell him from me,—
I'll hide my silver beard in a gold beaver,
And in my vantbrace put this wither'd brawn note;
And, meeting him, will tell him, That my lady
Was fairer than his grandame, and as chast
As may be in the world: His youth in flood,
I'll pawn this truth note with my three drops of blood.
Æne.
Now heavens forbid such scarcity of youth note!
Aga.
Amen. note14Q1211
Fair note lord Æneas, let me touch your hand;
To our pavilion shall I lead you, note sir.
Achilles shall have word of this intent;
So shall each lord of Greece, from tent to tent:
Yourself shall feast with us before you go,
And find the welcome of a noble foe.
[Exeunt All but Uly. and Nes.
Uly.
Nestor,—
Nes.
What says Ulysses?
Uly.
I have a young conception in my brain,
Be you my time to bring it to some shape.
Nes.
What is't?
Uly.
Blunt wedges rive hard knots: The seeded pride note
-- 27 --
That hath to this maturity blown up note
In rank Achilles, must or now be crop'd,
Or, shedding, breed a nursery of like evil,
To over-bulk us all.
Nes.
Well, sir, and how?
Uly.
This challenge that the gallant Hector sends,
However it is spread in general name,
Relates in purpose only to Achilles.
Nes.
The note purpose is14Q1212 perspicuous even note as substance,
Whose grossness little characters sum up:
And, in the publication, make no strain,
But that Achilles, were his brain as barren
As banks of Lybia,—though, Apollo knows,
'Tis dry enough,—will with great speed of judgment,
Ay, with celerity, find Hector's purpose
Pointing on him.
Uly.
And wake him to the answer, think you?
Nes.
Yes;
It is note most meet; Whom note may you else oppose,
That can from Hector bring those honours note off,
If not Achilles? Though't be a sportful combat,
Yet in the trial note much opinion dwells;
For here the Trojans taste our dear'st repute
With their fin'st palate: And trust to me, Ulysses,
Our imputation shall be oddly poiz'd
In this wild note action: for the success,
Although particular, shall give a scantling
Of good or bad unto the general;
And in such indexes, although small pricks
To their subséquent volumes, there is seen
The baby figure of the giant mass
Of things to come at large. It is suppos'd,
-- 28 --
He, that meets Hector, issues from our choice:
And choice, being mutual act of all our souls,
Makes merit her election; and doth boil,
As 'twere, from forth us all, a man distill'd
Out of our virtues; Who miscarrying,
What heart receives from hence note, a conquering part,
To steel a strong opinion to themselves? note?
Uly.
Give pardon to my speech;—Therefore 'tis meet,
Achilles meet not Hector: Let us, like merchants,
First shew foul wares, note and think perchance they'll sell;
If not,
The lustre of the better shall exceed,
By shewing the worse first. Do not consent,
That ever Hector and Achilles meet;
For both our honour and our shame, in this,
Are dog'd with two strange followers.
Nes.
What are they?
I see them not with my old eyes; What are they?
Uly.
What glory our Achilles shares from Hector,
Were he not proud, we all should share note with him:
But he already is too insolent;
And we were note better parch in Africk sun,
Than in the pride and salt scorn of his eyes,
Should he 'scape Hector fair: If he were foil'd,
Why, then we did our note main opinion crush
In taint of our best man. No, make a lottery;
And, by device, let blockish Ajax draw
The sort to fight with Hector: Among ourselves,
Give him allowance note for the better man:
For that will physick the great Myrmidon,
Who broils in loud applause; and make him fall
His crest, that prouder than blue Iris bends.
-- 29 --
If the dull brainless Ajax come safe off,
We'll dress him up in voices: If he fail,
Yet go we under our opinion still,
That we have better men. But, hit or miss,
Our project's life this shape of sense assumes,—
Ajax employ'd plucks down Achilles' plumes.
Nes.
Now I note begin to relish thy advice;
And I will give a taste of it forthwith note
To Agamemnon: go we to him straight.
Two curs shall tame each other; Pride alone
Must tar the note mastiffs on, as 'twere their bone note.
[Exeunt.
ACT II.
SCENE I.
The same. Another Part of it.
Enter Thersites, Ajax following.
Aja.
Thersites,—
The.
Agamemnon—how if he had biles? full, all over
generally?
Aja.
Thersites,—
The.
And those biles did run? Say so, did not the
general run then note? were not that a botchy core?
Aja.
Dog,—
The.
Then there note would come some matter from him;
I see none now.
Aja.
Thou bitch-wolf's son, can'st thou not hear?
Feel then.
[striking him.
The.
The plague of Greece upon thee,14Q1213 thou mungrel
beef-witted lord!
Aja.
Speak then, thou unsalted leaven note, speak: I will
beat thee into handsomeness.
-- 30 --
The.
I shall sooner rail thee into wit and holiness:
but, I think, thy horse will sooner con an oration, than note
thou learn a note prayer without book. Thou canst strike,
canst thou? a red murrain o'thy jade's tricks!
Aja.
Toad-stool, learn me the proclamation.
The.
Dost thou think, I have no sense, thou strik'st
me thus?
Aja.
The proclamation.
The.
Thou art proclaim'd a fool, I think.
Aja.
Do not, porcupine, do not; my fingers itch.
The.
I would, thou did'st itch from head to foot, and
I had the scratching of thee; I would make thee the
loathsom'st scab in Greece.
Aja.
I say note, the proclamation.
The.
Thou grumbl'st note and railest every hour on Achilles:
and thou art as full of envy at his greatness, as Cerberus
is at Proserpina's beauty; ay, that thou bark'st at him.
Aja.
Mistress Thersites!
The.
Thou should'st strike him.
Aja.
Cob-loaf!
The.
He would pound thee note into shivers with his fist, note
as a sailor breaks a bisket.
Aja.
You whorson cur!
[beating him.
The.
Do, do.
Aja.
Thou stool for a witch!
The.
Ay, do, do: Thou sodden-witted lord! thou
hast no more brain, than note I have in mine elbows; an
assinego note may tutor thee: Thou scurvy note valiant ass! thou
art here but to thrash note Trojans; and thou art bought
and sold among those of any wit, like a Barbarian
slave. If thou use to beat me, I will begin at thy heel,
and tell what thou art by inches, Thou thing of no
-- 31 --
bowels, thou!
Aja.
You dog!
[beating him.
The.
You scurvy lord!
Aja.
You cur!
The.
Mars his ideot! do, rudeness; do, camel; do, do.
Enter Achilles, and Patroclus.
Ach.
Why, how now, Ajax? wherefore do you note thus note?—
How now, Thersites? what's the matter, man?
The.
You see him † there, do you?
Ach.
Ay; What's the matter?
The.
Nay, look upon him.
Ach.
So I do; What's the matter?
The.
Nay, but regard him well.
Ach.
Well, why I do so.
The.
But yet you look not well upon him: for, whosoever
you take him to be, he is Ajax.
Ach.
I know that, fool.
The.
Ay, but that fool knows not himself.
Aja.
Therefore I beat thee.
The.
Lo, lo, lo, lo, what modicums of wit he utters!
his evasions have ears thus † long. I have bob'd his
brain, more than he has beat my bones: I will buy nine
sparrows for a penny, and his pia mater is not worth the
ninth part of a sparrow. This lord, Achilles, Ajax,—who
wears his wit in his belly, and his guts in his head,—I
tell note you what I say of him:
Ach.
What?
The.
I say, this Ajax—
Ach.
Nay, good Ajax.
[staying him.
The.
has note not so much wit—
Ach.
Nay, I must hold you.
The.
as note will stop the eye of Helen's needle, for whom
-- 32 --
he comes to fight.
Ach.
Peace, fool!
The.
I would have peace and quietness, but the fool
will not: he there; that he; look you there.
Aja.
O thou damn'd cur! I shall—
Ach.
Will you set your wit to a fool's?
The.
No, I warrant you; for a fool's note will shame it.
Pat.
Good words, Thersites.
Ach.
What's the quarrel?
Aja.
I bad the vile note owl, go learn me the tenure note of
the proclamation, and he rails upon me.
The.
I serve thee not.
Aja.
Well, go to, go to.
The.
I serve here voluntary.
Ach.
Your last service was sufferance, 'twas not voluntary;
no man is beaten voluntary: Ajax was here the
voluntary, and you as under an impress.
The.
E'en so? a great deal of your wit too lies in your
sinews, or else there be liars: Hector shall have a great
catch, if he knock out either note of your brains; a' were note as
good crack a fusty nut with no kernel.
Ach.
What, with me too, Thersites?
The.
There's Ulysses and old Nestor,—whose wit was
mouldy ere your grandsires note had nails on their toes note,—
yoke you like draft note oxen, and make you plough up the
wars. note
Ach.
What, what?
The.
Yes, good sooth; To, Achilles! to, Ajax! to!
Aja.
I shall cut out your tongue
The.
'Tis no matter; I shall speak as much wit as
thou, afterwards.
Pat.
No more words, Thersites; peace note.
-- 33 --
The.
I will hold my peace when Achilles' brach note bids
me, shall I?
Ach.
There's for you, Patroclus.
The.
I will see you hang'd, like clot-poles note, ere I
come any more to your tents; I will keep where there is
wit stirring, and leave the faction of fools.
[Exit.
Pat.
A good riddance.
Ach.
Marry, this, sir, is proclaim'd through all our host:
That Hector, by the first hour note of the sun,
Will, with a trumpet, 'twixt our tents and Troy,
To-morrow morning call some knight to arms,
That hath a stomach; and such alone, that dare
Maintain—I know not what; 'tis trash. Farewel,
Aja.
Farewel. Who shall answer him?
Ach.
I know not, it is put to lottery; otherwise,
He knew his man.
[Exeunt Ach. and Pat.
Aja.
O, meaning you: I'll go learn more of it.
[Exit.
SCENE II.
Troy. A Room in Priam's Palace.
Enter Priam, Hector, Troilus, Paris, and Helenus.
Pri.
After so many hours, lives, speeches spent,
Thus once again says Nestor from the Greeks;
Deliver Helen, and all damage else—
As honour, loss of time, travel, expence,
Wounds, friends, and what else dear that is consum'd
In hot digestion note of this cormorant war,—
Shall be strook off:—Hector, what say you to't?
Hec.
Though no man lesser fears the Greeks than I,
As far as toucheth note my particular, yet,
Dread Priam,
There is no lady of more softer bowels,
-- 34 --
More spungy to suck in the sense of fear,
More ready to cry out—Who knows what follows?
Than Hector is: The wound of note peace is surety note,14Q1214
Surety note secure; but modest doubt is call'd
The beacon of the wise, the tent that searches
To the bottom of the worst. Let Helen go:
Since the first sword was drawn about this question,
Every tithe soul, 'mongst many thousand dismes,
Hath been as dear as Helen; I mean, of ours:
If we have lost so many tenths of ours,
To guard a thing not ours; nor worth to us,
Had it our name, the value of one ten;
What merit's in that reason, which denies
The yielding of her up?
Tro.
Fie, fie, my brother!
Weigh you the worth and honour of a king,
So great as our dread father note, in a scale
Of common ounces? will you with counters sum
The vast note proportion of his infinite?
Or buckle-in a waste most fathomless,
With spans and inches so diminutive
As fears and reasons? fie, for godly note shame!
Hel.
No marvel, though you bite so sharp at reasons,
You are so note empty of them. Should not our father
Bear the great sway of his affairs with reasons note,
Because your speech hath none, that tells him so?
Tro.
You are for dreams and slumbers, brother priest,
You fur your gloves with reason. Here are your reasons:
You know, an enemy intends you harm;
You know, a sword employ'd is perilous,
And reason flies the object of all harm:
Who marvels then, when Helenus beholds
-- 35 --
A Grecian and his sword, if he do set
The very wings of reason to his heels;
And fly like chidden Mercury from Jove, note
Or like a star disorb'd? Nay, if we talk of reason,
Let's note shut our gates, and sleep: Manhood and honour
Should have hare hearts note, would they but fat their thoughts
With this cram'd reason: reason and respect
Make note livers note pale, and lustihood deject.
Hec.
Brother, she is not worth what she doth cost
The holding note.
Tro.
What is aught, but as 'tis valu'd?
Hec.
But value dwells not in particular will:
It holds his estimate and dignity
As well wherein 'tis precious of itself,
As in the prizer: 'tis mad note idolatry,
To make the service greater than the god;
And the will doats, that is inclinable note
To what infectiously itself affects,
Without some image of the affected's merit.
Tro.
I take to-day a wife, and my election
Is led on in the conduct of my will;
My will enkindl'd by mine eyes and ears,
Two traded pilots 'twixt the dangerous shores note
Of will and judgment; How may I avoid,
Although my will distaste what it elected,
The wife I chose? note there can be no evasion
To blench from this, and to stand firm by honour:
We turn not back the silks upon the merchant,
When we have soil'd note them; nor the remainder viands
We do not throw in unrespective note place,
Because we now are full. It was thought meet,
Paris should do some vengeance on the Greeks:
-- 36 --
Your breath of full note consent belly'd his sails;
The seas and winds (old wranglers) took a truce,
And did him service: he touch'd the ports desir'd;
And, for an old aunt, whom the Greeks held captive,
He brought a Grecian queen, whose youth and freshness
Wrinkles Apollo's, and makes pale note the morning.
Why keep we her? the Grecians keep our aunt:
Is she worth keeping? why, she is a pearl,
Whose price hath launch'd above a thousand ships,
And turn'd crown'd kings to merchants.
If you'll avouch, 'twas wisdom Paris went,
(As you must needs, for you all cry'd—Go, go)
If you'll confess, he brought home noble prize,
(As you must needs, for you all clap'd your hands,
And cry'd—Inestimable!) why do you now
The issue of your proper wisdoms rate;
And do a deed that fortune never note did,
Beggar the estimation which you priz'd
Richer than sea and land? O theft most base;
That we have stoln what we do fear to keep!
Base thieves note, unworthy of a thing to stoln;
That in their country did them that disgrace,
We fear to warrant in our native place!
Cas. [within.]
Cry, Trojans, cry!
Pri.
What noise, what shriek is this?
Tro.
'Tis our mad sister, I do know her voice.
Cas. [within.]
Cry, Trojans!
Hec.
'Tis Cassandra.
Enter Cassandra, wildly.
Cas.
Cry, Trojans, cry! lend me ten thousand eyes,
And I will fill them with prophetic tears.
Hec.
Peace, sister, peace.
-- 37 --
Cas.
Virgins and boys, mid-age note and wrinkl'd old, note
Soft infancy, that nothing can'st but note cry,
Add to my clamours! note let us pay betimes
A moiety of that mass of moan to come.
Cry, Trojans, cry, practise your eyes with tears!
Troy must not be, nor goodly Ilion stand;
Our fire-brand brother Paris burns us all.
Cry, Trojans, cry! a Helen, and a woe:
Cry, cry! Troy burns, or else let Helen go.
[Exit Cassandra.
Hec.
Now, youthful Troilus, do not these high strains
Of divination in our sister work
Some touches of remorse? or is your blood
So madly hot, that no discourse of reason,
Nor fear of bad success in a bad cause,
Can qualify the same?
Tro.
Why, brother Hector,
We may not think the justness of each act
Such and no other than event doth form it;
Nor once deject the courage of our minds,
Because Cassandra's mad; her brain-sick raptures
Cannot distaste the goodness of a quarrel,
Which hath our several honours all engag'd
To make it gracious. For my private part,
I am no more touch'd than all Priam's sons:
And Jove forbid, there should be done amongst us
Such things as might offend the weakest spleen
To fight for and maintain!
Par.
Else might the world convince of levity
As well my undertakings, as your counsels:
But I attest the gods, your full consent
Gave wings to my propension, and cut off
-- 38 --
All fears attending on so dire a project.
For what, alas, can these my single arms?
What propugnation is in one man's valour,
To stand the push and enmity of those
This quarrel would excite? Yet, I protest,
Were I alone to pass the difficulties,
And had as ample power as I have will,
Paris should ne'er retract what he hath done,
Nor faint in the pursuit.
Pri.
Paris, you speak
Like one besotted on your sweet delights:
You have the honey still, but these the gall;
So to be valiant, is no praise at all.
Par.
Sir, I propose not meerly to myself
The pleasures such a beauty brings with it;
But I would have the soil of her fair rape
Wip'd off in honourable keeping her.
What treason were it to the ransack'd queen,
Disgrace to your great worths, and shame to me,
Now to deliver her possession up
On terms of base compulsion? can it be,
That so degenerate a strain as this
Should once set footing note in your generous bosoms?
There's not note the meanest spirit on our party,
Without a heart to dare, or sword to draw,
When Helen is defended; nor none so noble,
Whose life were ill bestow'd, or death unfam'd,
Where Helen is the subject: then, I say,
Well may we fight for her, whom, we know well,
The world's large spaces cannot parallel.
Hec.
Paris, and Troilus,14Q1215 you have both said well;
And on the cause and question now in hand
-- 39 --
Have gloz'd, but superficially; not much
Unlike young men, whom Aristotle thought
Unfit to hear moral philosophy:
The reasons, you alledge, do more conduce
To the hot passion of distemper'd blood,
Than to make up a free determination
'Twixt right and wrong; For pleasure, and revenge,
Have ears more deaf than adders to the voice
Of any true decision. note Nature craves,
All dues be render'd to their owners; Now
What nearer debt in all humanity,
Than wife is to the husband? if this law
Of nature be corrupted through affection;
And that great minds, of partial indulgence
To their benummed wills, resist the same;
There is a law in each well-order'd nation,
To curb those raging appetites that are
Most disobedient and refráctory:
If Helen then be wife to Sparta's king,—
As, it is known, she is,—these moral laws
Of nature, and of nations, note speak aloud
To have her back return'd: Thus to persist
In doing wrong, extenuates not wrong,
But makes it much more heavy. Hector's opinion
Is this, in way of truth: yet, ne'ertheless,
My spritely brethren, I propend to you
In resolution to keep Helen still;
For 'tis a cause that hath no mean dependance
Upon our joint and several dignities.
Tro.
Why, there you touch'd the life of our design:
Were it not glory that we more affected
Than the performance of our heaving spleens,
-- 40 --
I would not wish a drop of Trojan blood
Spent more in her defence. But, worthy Hector,
She is a theme of honour and renown;
A spur to valiant and magnanimous deeds;
Whose present courage may beat down our foes,
And fame, in time to come, canónize us:
For, I presume, brave Hector would not lose
So rich advantage of a promis'd glory,
As smiles upon the forehead of this action,
For the wide world's revenue.
Hec.
I am yours,
You valiant off-spring of great Priamus.—
I have a roisting challenge sent amongst
The dull and factious nobles of the Greeks,
Will strike note amazement to their drowzy spirits:
I was advértiz'd, their great general slept,
Whilst emulation in the army crept;
This, I presume, will wake him.
[Exeunt.
SCENE III.
The Greek Camp. Before Achilles' Tent.
Enter Thersites.
The.
How now, Thersites? what, lost in the labyrinth
of thy fury? Shall the elephant Ajax carry it
thus? he beats me, and I rail at him: O worthy
satisfaction! 'would, it were otherwise; that I could
beat him, whilst he rail'd at me: 'Sfoot, I'll learn to
conjure and raise devils, but I'll see some issue of my
spiteful execrations. Then there's Achilles,—a rare engineer.
If Troy be not taken 'till these two undermine
it, the walls will stand 'till they fall of themselves.
O thou great thunder-darter of Olympus, forget
that thou art Jove the king of gods; and, Mercury,
-- 41 --
lose all the serpentine craft of thy Caduceus; if ye
take note not that little little less-than-little wit from them
that they have! which short-arm'd ignorance itself
knows is so abundant scarce, it will not in circumvention
deliver a fly from a spider, without drawing
the massy note iron note, and cutting the web. After this, the
vengeance on the whole camp! or, rather, the bone-ach note!
for that, methinks, is the curse dependant note
on those that war for a placket. I have said my
prayers! and devil, envy, say amen. note What ho! my
lord Achilles!
Enter Patroclus.
Pat.
Who's note there? Thersites? Good Thersites, come
in and rail.
The.
If I could have remember'd note a gilt counterfeit,14Q1216
thou would'st note not have slipt out of my contemplation:
but it is no matter, Thyself upon thyself!
The common curse of mankind, folly and ignorance,
be thine in great revenue! heaven bless thee from a
tutor, and discipline come not near thee! Let thy blood
be thy direction 'till thy death! then if she, that lays thee
out, says—thou art a note fair corse, I'll be sworn and sworn
upon't, she never shrouded any but lazars. Amen.
Where's Achilles?
Pat.
What, art thou devout? wast thou in prayer note?
The.
Ay; The heavens hear me! note
Enter Achilles.
Ach.
Who's there?
Pat.
Thersites, my lord.
Ach.
Where, where?—Art thou note come? Why, my
cheese, my digestion, why hast thou not serv'd thyself
in to note my table so many meals? Come, what's Agamemnon?
-- 42 --
The.
Thy commander, Achilles;—Then tell me,
Patroclus, what's Achilles?
Pat.
Thy lord, Thersites; Then tell me, I pray thee,
what's thyself? note
The.
Thy knower, Patroclus; Then tell me, Patroclus,
what art thou?
Pat.
Thou may'st note tell, that know'st.
Ach.
O, tell, tell.
The.
I'll decline the whole question. Agamemnon commands
Achilles; Achilles is my lord; I am Patroclus' knower;
and Patroclus is a fool.
Pat.
You rascal! note
The.
Peace, fool; I have not done.
Ach.
He is a priviledg'd man.—Proceed, Thersites.
The.
Agamemnon is a fool; Achilles is a fool; Thersites
is a fool; and, as aforesaid, Patroclus is a fool.
Ach.
Derive this; come.
The.
Agamemnon is a fool, to offer to command Achilles;
Achilles is a fool to be commanded of Agamemnon note;
Thersites is a fool, to serve such a fool; and Patroclus is note
a fool positive.
Pat.
Why am I a fool?
The.
Make that demand of thy note creator note; it note suffices
me, thou art.—Look you, who comes here?
Enter Agamemnon, Nestor, Ulysses, Diomedes, and Ajax.
Ach.
Patroclus note, I'll speak with nobody:—Come in
with me, Thersites.
[Exit.
The.
Here is such patchery, such jugling, and such
knavery! all the argument is—a cuckold, and a whore note;
A good quarrel, to draw emulous note factions, and bleed to
-- 43 --
death upon. Now the dry serpigo note on the subject! and
war, and lechery, confound all. note note
[Exit.
Aga.
Where is Achilles?
Pat.
Within his tent; but ill-dispos'd, my lord.
Aga.
Let it be known to him, that we are here.
He sent us note messengers note; and we lay by
Our appertainments note, visiting of him:
Let him be told so; note lest, perchance, he think
We dare not move the question of our place,
Or know not what we are.
Pat.
I shall so say to him.
[Exit.
Uly.
We saw him at the op'ning of his tent,
He is not sick.
Aja.
Yes, lion-sick, sick of a note proud heart: you may
call it melancholy, if you will favour the man; but, by
my head, 'tis pride; But why, why? let him shew us a
cause note.—A word, my lord. note
[drawing Agamemnon apart.
Nes.
What moves Ajax thus to bay at him?
Uly.
Achilles hath inveigl'd his fool from him.
Nes.
Who? Thersites?
Uly.
He.
Nes.
Then will Ajax lack matter, if he have lost his
argument.
Uly.
No; you see, he is his argument, that has his
argument; Achilles.
Nes.
All the better; their fraction is more our wish,
than their faction: But it was a strong composure, a note
fool could disunite.
Uly.
The amity, that wisdom knits not, folly may
easily untye. Here comes Patroclus.
Re-enter Patroclus.
-- 44 --
Nes.
No Achilles with him.
Uly.
The elephant hath joints, but none for courtesy;
His legs are for note necessity, not for flexure. note
Pat.
Achilles bids me say—he is much sorry,
If any thing more than your sport and pleasure
Did move your greatness, and this noble state,
To call upon him; he hopes, it is no other,
But, for your health and your digestion sake,
An after-dinner's breath. note
Aga.
Hear you, Patroclus;—
We are too well acquainted with these answers:
But his evasion, wing'd thus swift with scorn,
Cannot out-fly our apprehensions.
Much attribute he hath; and much the reason,
Why we ascribe it to him: yet all his virtues,—
Not virtuously on his note own part beheld,—
Do, in our eyes, begin to lose their gloss;
Yea, like note fair fruit in an unwholsome dish,
Are like to rot untasted. Go and tell him,
We come to speak with him: And you shall not sin,
If you do say—we think him over-proud,
And under-honest; in self-assumption greater,
Than in the note of judgment: and worthier than himself
Here tend note the savage strangeness he puts on;
Disguise the holy strength of their command,
And underwrite in an observing kind
His humorous predominance; yea, watch
His pettish lunes note,14Q1217 his ebbs, his flows, as if note
The passage and whole carriage of this action
Rode on his tide. Go, tell him this; And add,
That, if he over-hold his price so much,
We'll none of him; but let him, like an engine
-- 45 --
Not portable, lie under this report—
Bring action hither, this cannot go to war:
A stirring dwarf we do allowance give
Before a sleeping giant: Tell him so.
Pat.
I shall; and bring his answer presently.
[Exit Patroclus.
Aga.
In second voice we'll not be satisfy'd,
We come to speak with him:—Ulysses, enter note you.
[Exit Ulysses.
Aja.
What is he more than another?
Aga.
No more than what he thinks he is.
Aja.
Is he so much? Do you not think, he thinks himself
A better man than I?
Aga.
No question.
Aja.
Will you subscribe his thought, and say—he is?
Aga.
No, noble Ajax; you are as strong, as valiant,
As wise too, no less noble, much more gentle,
And altogether more tractable.
Aja.
Why should a man be proud?
How doth pride grow? I know not what pride is note.
Aga.
Your mind's the clearer, Ajax, note and your virtues
The fairer. He that's proud, eats up himself:
Pride is his own glass, his own trumpet, his
Own chronicle; and whate'er praises itself
But in the deed, devours the deed i'the praise.
Aja.
I do hate a proud man, as I hate note the engend'ring of toads.
&clquo;Nes.
&clquo;And note yet he loves himself; Is it not strange?&crquo;
Re-enter Ulysses.
Uly.
Achilles will not to the field to-morrow.
Aga.
What's his excuse?
-- 46 --
Uly.
He doth rely on none;
But carries on the stream of his dispose,
Without observance or respect of any,
In will peculiar and in self admission.
Aga.
Why will he not, upon our fair request,
Untent his person, and share the air with us?
Uly.
Things small as nothing, for request's sake only,
He makes important: Possest he is with greatness;
And speaks not to himself, but with a pride
That quarrels at self breath: imagin'd worth note
Holds in his blood such swoln and hot discourse,
That, 'twixt his mental and his active parts,
Kingdom'd Achilles in commotion note rages,
And batters 'gainst itself note: What should I say?
He is so plaguy proud, that the death tokens of it
Cry—No recovery.
Aga.
Let Ajax go to him.—
Dear lord, go you and greet him in his tent:
'Tis said, he holds you well; and will be led note,
At your request, a little from himself.
Uly.
O Agamemnon, let it not be so!
We'll consecrate the steps that Ajax makes,
When they go from Achilles: Shall the proud lord,—
That bastes his arrogance with his own seam;
And never suffers matter of the world
Enter his thoughts, save such as doth revolve note
And ruminate himself,—shall he be worship'd
Of that we hold an idol more than he?
No, this † thrice-worthy and right-valiant lord
Must not so stale his palm, nobly acquir'd;
Nor, by my will, assubjugate his merit,
As amply titl'd note as Achilles' is,
-- 47 --
By going to Achilles:
That were to enlard his fat-already pride;
And add more coals to Cancer, when he burns
With entertaining great Hyperion.
This lord go to him! Jupiter forbid;
And say in thunder—Achilles, go to him.
&clquo;Nes.
&clquo;O, this is well; he rubs the vein note of him.&crquo;
&clquo;Dio.
&clquo;And how his silence drinks up this note applause!&crquo;
Aja.
If I go to him, with my armed fist
I'll pash note him o'er the face.
Aga.
O, no, you shall not go.
Aja.
An he be note proud with me, I'll pheeze his pride:—
Let me go to him.
Uly.
Not for the worth that hangs upon our quarrel.
Aja.
A paltry insolent fellow,—
&clquo;Nes.
&clquo;How he describes himself!&crquo;
Aja.
Can he not be sociable?
&clquo;Uly.
&clquo;The raven chides blackness.&crquo;
Aja.
I'll let his humours blood note.
&clquo;Aga.
&clquo;He will note be the physician, that should be the patient.&crquo;
Aja.
An all men were o'my mind,—
&clquo;Uly.
&clquo;Wit would be out of fashion.
Aja.
he note should not bear it so,
He should eat swords first: Shall pride carry it?
&clquo;Nes.
&clquo;An 'twould, you'd carry half.&crquo;
&clquo;Uly.
&clquo;He would have ten shares.&crquo;
Aja.
I'll knead him, I will make him supple:
&clquo;Nes.
&clquo;He's not yet thorough note warm: note force him with praises note;&crquo;14Q1218
&clquo;Pour in, pour in; his note ambition is dry.&crquo;
Uly.
My lord, you feed too much on this dislike.
[to Agamemnon.
-- 48 --
Nes.
Our noble general, do not do so.
Dio.
You must prepare to fight without Achilles.
Uly.
Why, 'tis this naming of him does him harm.
Here † is a man—But 'tis before his face;
I will be silent.
Nes.
Wherefore should you so?
He is not emulous, as Achilles is.
Uly.
Know the whole world, he is as valiant.
Aja.
A whorson dog, that shall palter thus with us! note
'Would, he were a Trojan!
Nes.
What a vice were it in our Ajax now—
Uly.
If he were proud?
Dio.
Or covetous of praise?
Uly.
Ay, or surly born?
Dio.
Or strange, or self-affected?
Uly.
Thank the heavens, lord, thou art of sweet composure;
Praise him that got thee, she that gave thee suck:
Fam'd be note thy tutor; and thy parts of nature
Thrice-fam'd, beyond beyond note all erudition:
But he that disciplin'd thy arms note to fight,
Let Mars divide eternity in twain,
And give him half: and, for thy vigor, lord,
Bull-bearing Milo his addition yield
To sinewy Ajax. I will not praise thy wisdom,
Which, like a bourn note, a pale, a shore, confines
Thy spacious note and dilated parts: Here's Nestor,—
Instructed by the antiquary times,
He must, he is, he cannot but be wise;— note
But pardon, father Nestor, were your days
As green as Ajax, and your brain so temper'd,
You should not have the eminence of him,
But be as note Ajax.
-- 49 --
Aja.
Shall I call you father?
Uly.
Ay, my note good son.
Dio.
Be rul'd by him, lord Ajax.
Uly.
There is no tarrying here; the hart Achilles
Keeps thicket. note Please it our great note general,
To call together all his note state of war;
Fresh kings are come to Troy: To-morrow, sirs,
We must with all our main of power stand fast:
And here's † a lord,—come knights from east to west,
And cull note their flower, Ajax shall cope the best.
Aga.
Go we to counsel. Let Achilles sleep:
Light boats sail note swift, though greater hulks note draw deep.
[Exeunt.
ACT III.
SCENE I.
Troy. A Room in Priam's Palace.
Enter a Servant, and Pandarus.
Pan.
Friend, you! pray you, a word: Do not you
follow the young lord Paris?
Ser.
Ay, sir, when he goes before me.
Pan.
You depend upon him, I mean?
Ser.
Sir, I do depend upon the lord.
Pan.
You depend upon a noble note gentleman; I must
needs praise him.
Ser.
The lord be praised!
Pan.
You know me, do you not?
Ser.
'Faith, sir, superficially.
Pan.
Friend, know me better; I am the lord Pandarus.
Ser.
I hope, I shall know your honour better.
Pan.
I do desire it.
-- 50 --
Ser.
You are in the state of grace?
Pan.
Grace! not so, friend; honour and lordship are
my titles: note [Musick within.] What musick is this?
Ser.
I do but partly know, sir; it is musick in
parts.
Pan.
Know you the musicians?
Ser.
Wholly, sir.
Pan.
Who play they to?
Ser.
To the hearers, sir.
Pan.
At whose pleasure, friend?
Ser.
At mine, sir, and theirs that love musick,
Pan.
Command, I mean, friend?
Ser.
Who shall I command, sir?
Pan.
Friend, we understand not one another; I am
too courtly, and thou art note too cunning: At whose request
do these men play?
Ser.
That's to't indeed, sir: Marry, sir, at the request
of Paris my lord, who's note there in person; with him,
the mortal Venus, the heart-blood of beauty, love's visible note
soul,—
Pan.
Who, my cousin Cressida?
Ser.
No, sir, Helen; Could you not note find out that by
her attributes?
Pan.
It should seem, fellow, that thou hast not seen
the lady Cressida. I come to speak with Paris from the
prince Troilus: I will make a complimental assault upon
him, for my business seeths.
Ser.
Sodden business! there's a note stew'd phrase, indeed!
Enter Paris and Helen, attended.
Pan.
Fair be to you, my lord, and to all this fair
company; fair desires, in all fair measure, fairly guide
them!—especially to you, fair queen! fair thoughts be
-- 51 --
your fair pillow!
Hel.
Dear lord, you are full of fair words.
Pan.
You speak your fair pleasure, sweet queen.—
Fair prince, here is good broken musick.
Par.
You have broke it note, cousin: and, by my life,
you shall make it whole again; you shall piece it out
with a piece of your performance:—Nell, he is full of
harmony.
Pan.
Truly, lady, no.
Hel.
O, sir,—
Pan.
Rude, in sooth; in good sooth, very rude.
Par.
Well said, my lord! well, you say so in fits.
Pan.
I have business to my lord, dear queen:—My
lord, will you vouchsafe me a word?
Hel.
Nay, this shall not hedge us out; we'll hear
you sing, certainly.
Pan.
Well, sweet queen, you are pleasant with
me.—But (marry) thus, my lord,—My dear lord, and
most esteemed friend, your brother Troilus—
Hel.
My lord Pandarus; honey-sweet lord,—
Pan.
Go to, sweet queen, go to:—commends himself
most affectionately to you;—
Hel.
You shall not bob us out of our melody; If
you do, our melancholy upon your head!
Pan.
Sweet queen, sweet queen; that's a sweet
queen, i'faith.
Par.
And note to make14Q1219 a sweet lady sad, is a sour offence.
Hel.
Nay note, that shall not serve your turn; that shall
it not, in truth, la. Nay, I care not for such words;
no, no.
Pan.
And, my lord, he desires you, that, if the king
call for him at supper, you will make his note excuse.
-- 52 --
Hel.
My lord Pandarus,—
Pan.
What says my sweet queen; my very very sweet
queen?
Par.
What exploit's in hand? where sups note he tonight?
Hel.
Nay, but my lord,—
Pan.
What says my sweet queen?—You must not
know where he sups.
Par.
I'll lay my life, with note my disposer Cressida.
Pan.
No, no, no such matter, you are wide; come,
your disposer is sick.
Par.
Well, I'll make note excuse.
Pan.
Ay, good my lord. Why should you say—
Cressida? no, your poor note disposer's sick.
Par.
I spy—
Pan.
You spy! what do you spy?—Come, give me
an instrument now, sweet queen.
Hel.
Why, this is kindly done.
Pan.
My niece is horribly note in love with a thing you
have, sweet queen.
Hel.
She shall have it, my lord, if it be not my
lord Paris.
Pan.
He! no, she'll none of him; they two are
twain.—My cousin will fall out with you.14Q1220
Hel.
Falling in, after falling out, may make them
three.
Pan.
Come, come, I'll hear no more of this; I'll
sing you a song now.
Hel.
Ay, ay, pr'ythee now. By my troth, sweet
lord note, thou hast a fine forehead.
Pan.
Ay, you may, you may.
Hel.
Let thy song be love: this love will undo us
all. Oh, Cupid, Cupid, Cupid!
-- 53 --
Pan.
Love! ay, that it shall, i'faith.
Par.
Ay, good now, love, love, nothing but love.
Pan.
In good troth, it begins so. note
SONG.
1
Love, love, nothing but love, still more! note
For, o, love's bow
shoots buck note and doe:
the shaft confounds note
not that it wounds note,
but tickles still the sore.
2.
These lovers cry—Oh, oh, they die!
yet that which seems the wound to kill,
doth turn oh oh to ha ha he;
so dying love lives still:
oh oh a while, but ha ha ha;
oh oh groans out for ha ha ha;
Hey ho!
Hel.
In love, i'faith, to the very tip of the nose.
Par.
He eats nothing but doves, love; and that
breeds hot blood, and hot blood begets hot thoughts,
and hot thoughts beget hot deeds, and hot deeds is
love note.
Pan.
Is this the generation of love? hot blood,
hot thoughts, and hot deeds,—why, they are vipers;
Is love a generation of vipers? Sweet lord, who's a'field
to-day?
Par.
Hector, Deiphobus, Helenus, Antenor, and all
the gallantry of Troy: I would fain have arm'd to-day,
but my Nell would not have it so. How chance my
brother Troilus went not?
Hel.
He hangs the lip at something;—you know
-- 54 --
all, my lord Pandarus.
Pan.
Not I, honey-sweet queen.—I long to hear
how they sped to-day.—You'll remember your brother's
excuse?
Par.
To a hair.
Pan.
Farewel, sweet queen.
Hel.
Commend me to your niece.
Pan.
I will, sweet queen.
[Exit. Retreat sounded.
Par.
They're come note from field: let us to Priam's hall,
To greet the warriors. Sweet Helen, I must woo you
To help unarm our Hector: his stubborn buckles,
With these your note white enchanting fingers touch'd,
Shall more obey, than to the edge of steel,
Or force of Greekish sinews; you shall do more
Than all the island kings, disarm great Hector.
Hel.
'Twill make us proud to be his servant note, Paris:
Yea, what he shall receive of us in duty
Gives us more palm in beauty than we have;
Yea, over-shines ourself.
Par.
Sweet, above thought I love thee. note
[Exeunt.
SCENE II.
The same. Pandarus' Garden.
Enter a Servant, and Pandarus, meeting.
Pan.
How now? where's thy master? at my cousin
Cressida's?
Ser.
No, sir; he note stays for you to conduct him thither.
Enter Troilus.
Pan.
O, here he comes.—How now, how now?
Tro.
Sirrah, walk off.
[Exit Servant.
Pan.
Have you seen my cousin?
Tro.
No, Pandarus: I stalk about her door,
Like a note strange soul upon the Stygian banks
-- 55 --
Staying for wastage. O, be thou my Charon,
And give me swift transportance to those fields,
Where I may wallow in the lilly beds
Propos'd for the deserver! O gentle Pandarus, note
From Cupid's shoulder pluck his painted wings,
And fly with me to Cressid!
Pan.
Walk here i'th'orchard, I'll bring her straight.
[Exit Pandarus.
Tro.
I am giddy; expectation whirls me round.
The imaginary relish is so sweet,
That it enchants my sense note; What will it be,
When that the watry palate tasts note indeed
Love's thrice-reputed nectar? death, I fear me;
Swooning note destruction; or some joy too fine,
Too subtle-potent, note and too sharp note in sweetness,
For the capacity of my ruder powers note:
I fear it much; and I do fear besides,
That I shall lose distinction in my joys;
As doth a battle, when they charge on heaps
The enemy flying.
Re-enter Pandarus.
Pan.
She's making her ready, she'll come straight;
you must be witty now. She does so blush, and fetches
her wind so short, as if she were fray'd with a sprite:
I'll fetch her. It is the prettiest villain,—she fetches
her breath as short note as a new-ta'en sparrow.
[Exit Pandarus.
Tro.
Even such a passion doth embrace my bosom:
My heart beats thicker than a fev'rous pulse;
And all my powers do their bestowing lose,
Like vassalage at unawares note encount'ring
The eye of majesty.
-- 56 --
Re-enter Pandarus, with Cressida.
Pan.
Come, come, what need you blush? shame's
a baby.—Here she is now: swear the oaths now to
her, that you have sworn to me.—What, are you
gone again? you must be watch'd ere you be made
tame, must you? Come your ways, come your ways;
an you draw backward, we'll put you i'th' files note.—
Why do you not speak to her?—Come, draw this
curtain, and let's see your picture. Alas the day, how
loth you are to offend day-light! an 'twere dark, you'd
close sooner.—So, so; rub on, and kiss the mistress.
How now, a kiss in fee-farm! build there, carpenter;
the air is sweet. Nay, you shall fight your hearts out,
ere I part you. The falcon as the tercel,14Q1221 for all the
ducks i'th' river: go to, go to.
Tro.
You have bereft me of all words, lady.
Pan.
Words pay no debts, give her deeds: but she'll
bereave you o'th'deeds too, if she call your activity in
question. What, billing again? here's—In witness whereof
the parties interchangeably—Come in, come in; I'll go
get a fire.
[Exit Pandarus.
Cre.
Will you walk in, my lord?
Tro.
O Cressida note, how often have I wish'd me thus?
Cre.
Wish'd, my lord?—The gods grant!—O my lord,
Tro.
What should they grant? what makes this
pretty abruption? What too curious dreg espies my
sweet lady note in the fountain of our love?
Cre.
More dregs than water, if my fears note have eyes.
Tro.
Fears make devils of cherubims; they never see
truly.
Cre.
Blind fear, that seeing reason leads, finds safer note
footing than blind reason stumbling without fear: To
-- 57 --
fear the worst, oft cures the worst.
Tro.
O, let my lady apprehend no fear: in all
Cupid's pageant there is presented no monster.
Cre.
Nor nothing monstrous neither?
Tro.
Nothing, but our undertakings note; when we
vow to weep seas, live in fire, eat rocks, tame tigers;
thinking it harder for our mistress to devise
imposition enough, than for us to undergo any difficulty
imposed. This is note the monstruosity in love,
lady,—that the will is infinite, and the execution
confin'd; that the desire is boundless, and the act a
slave to limit.
Cre.
They say, all lovers swear more performance
than they are able, and yet reserve an ability that they
never perform; vowing more than the perfection of
ten, and discharging less than the tenth part of one.
They that have the voice of lions, and the act of hares,
are they not monsters?
Tro.
Are there such? such are not we: Praise us
as we are tasted, allow us as we prove; our head shall
go bare, 'till merit crown it: no perfection in note reversion
shall have a praise in present: we will not name desert,
before his birth; and, being born, his addition
shall be humble. Few words to fair faith: Troilus shall
be such to Cressid, as what envy can say worst, shall be
a mock for his truth; and what truth can speak truest,
not truer than Troilus.
Cre.
Will you walk in, my lord?
Re-enter Pandarus.
Pan.
What, blushing still? have you not done talking
yet?
Cre.
Well, uncle, what folly I commit, I dedicate to you.
-- 58 --
Pan.
I thank you for that; if my lord get a boy of
you, you'll give him me: Be true to my lord; if he
flinch, chide me for't.
Tro.
You know now your hostages; your uncle's
word, and my firm faith.
Pan.
Nay, I'll give my word for her too: our
kindred, though they be long ere they are wooed note, they
are constant being won: they are burs, I can tell you;
they'll stick where they are thrown.
Cre.
Boldness comes to me now, and brings me heart:—
Prince Troilus, I have lov'd you night and day,
For many weary months.
Tro.
Why was my Cressid then so hard to win?
Cre.
Hard to seem won; but I was won, my lord,
With the first glance that ever—Pardon me;
If I confess much; you will play the tyrant.
I love you now; but not, 'till now, so note much
But I might master it:—in faith, I lie;
My thoughts were like unbridl'd children, grown note
Too headstrong for their mother: See, we fools!
Why have I blab'd? who shall be true to us,
When we are so unsecret to ourselves?
But, though I lov'd you well, I woo'd you not;
And yet, good faith, I wish'd myself a man;
Or, that we women note had men's priviledge
Of speaking first. Sweet, bid me hold my tongue;
For, in this rapture, I shall surely speak
The thing I shall repent. See, see, your silence,
Cunning note in dumbness, from my weakness draws
My very soul of counsel note: Stop my mouth.
Tro.
And shall, albeit sweet musick issues thence.
Pan.
Pretty, i'faith.
-- 59 --
Cre.
My lord, I do beseech you, pardon me;
'Twas not my purpose, thus to beg a kiss:
I am asham'd;—O heavens, what have I done!—
For this time will I take my leave, my lord.
Tro.
Your leave, fair Cressid? note
Pan.
Leave! an you take leave 'till to-morrow morning,—
Cre.
Pray you, content you.
[to Pan.
Tro.
What offends you, lady?
Cre.
Sir, mine own company.
Tro.
You cannot shun yourself.
Cre.
Let me go try note:
I have a kind of self resides with you:
But an unkind self; that itself will leave,
To be another's fool. I would be gone:—
Where is my wit? note I know not what I speak.
Tro.
Well know they what they speak, that speak so wisely.
Cre.
Perchance, my lord, I show note more craft than love;
And fell so roundly to a large confession,
To angle for your thoughts: But you are wise;14Q1222
And then you note love not; For to be wise, and love,
Exceeds man's might; that dwells with gods above.
Tro.
O, that I thought it could be in a woman,
(As, if note it can, I will presume in you)
To feed for aye her note lamp and flames of love;
To keep her constancy in plight and youth,
Out-living beauty's outward, with a mind
That doth renew swifter than blood decays!
Or, that persuasion could but thus convince me,—
That my integrity and truth to you
Might be affronted with the match and weight
Of such a winnow'd purity in love;
-- 60 --
How were I then uplifted! but, alas,
I am as true as truth's simplicity,
And simpler than the infancy of truth.
Cre.
In that I'll war with you.
Tro.
O virtuous fight,
When right with right wars who shall be most right!
True swains in love shall, in the world to come,
Approve their truths by note Troilus: when their rimes,14Q1223
Full of protest, of oath, and big compare,
Want note similies note, truth tir'd with iteration,—
As true as steel, as plantage to the moon,
As sun to day, as turtle to her mate,
As iron to adamant, as earth to the center,—
Yet note, after all comparisons of truth,
As truth's authentic author to be cited,
As true as Troilus shall crown up the note verse,
And sanctify the numbers.
Cre.
Prophet may you be!
If I be false, or swerve a hair from truth,
When time is old and hath note forgot itself,
When water-drops have worn the stones of Troy,
And blind oblivion swallow'd cities up,
And mighty states characterless are grated
To dusty nothing; yet let memory,
From false to false, among false maids in love,
Upbraid my falsehood! when they've said—as false
As air, as water, wind, or sandy note earth,
As fox to lamb, as wolf to heifer's calf,
Pard to the hind, or step-dame to her son;
Yea, let them say, to stick the heart of falsehood,
As false as Cressid.
Pan.
Go to, a bargain made: seal it, seal it; I'll
-- 61 --
be the witness. Here I hold your hand; here, my cousin's;
If ever you prove false one to another, since I
have taken such pains to note bring you together, let all
pitiful goers-between be call'd to the world's end after
my name, call them all—Pandars; let all inconstant
men be Troilus's, all false women Cressids, and all
brokers-between Pandars! say, amen.
Tro.
Amen.
Cre.
Amen.
Pan.
Amen. Whereupon I will shew you a chamber,
and a bed; which bed, because it shall not speak
of your pretty encounters, press it to death: away.
[Exeunt Tro. and Cre.
And Cupid grant all tongue-ty'd maidens here
Bed, chamber, Pandar note to provide this geer!
[Exit.
SCENE III.
The Grecian Camp.
Enter Agamemnon, Menelaus, Ulysses,
Nestor, Diomed, Ajax, and Calchas.
Cal.
Now, princes,14Q1224 for the service I have done you note,
The advantage of the time prompts me aloud
To call for recompence. Appear it to your note mind,
That, through the sight I bear in things to come, note
I have abandon'd Troy, left my possessions,
Incurr'd a traitor's name; expos'd myself,
From certain and possest conveniences,
To doubtful fortunes; sequest'ring from me all
That time, acquaintance, custom, and condition,
Made tame and most familiar to my nature;
And here, to do you service, am become
As new unto note the world, strange, unacquainted:
I do beseech you, as in way of taste,
-- 62 --
To give me now a little benefit,
Out of those many register'd in promise,
Which, you say, live to come in my behalf.
Aga.
What would'st thou of us, Trojan? make demand.
Cal.
You have a Trojan prisoner, call'd Antenor,
Yesterday took; Troy holds him very dear.
Oft have you (often have you thanks therefóre)
Desir'd my Cressid in right great exchange,
Whom Troy hath still deny'd: But this Antenor,
I know, is such a wrest in their affairs,
That their negotiations all must slack,
Wanting his manage; and they will almost
Give us a prince of blood, a son of Priam,
In change of him: let him be sent, great princes,
And he shall buy my daughter; and her presence
Shall quite strike off all service I have done,
In most accepted pay. note
Aga.
Let Diomedes bear him,
And bring us Cressid hither; Calchas shall have
What he requests of us.—Good Diomed,
Furnish you fairly for this enterchange:
Withal, bring word—if Hector will to-morrow
Be answer'd in his challenge; Ajax is ready.
Dio.
This shall I undertake; and 'tis a burthen
Which I am proud to bear.
[Exeunt Dio. and Cal.
Enter, before their Tent, Achilles, and Patroclus.
Uly.
Achilles stands i'the entrance of his tent:—
Please it our general to note pass strangely by him,
As if he were forgot;—and, princes all,
Lay negligent and loose regard upon him:—
I will come last: 'Tis like, he'll question me,
-- 63 --
Why such unplausive note eyes are bent, why turn'd on him:
If so, I have decision note med'cinable,
To use between your strangeness and his pride,
Which his own will shall have desire to drink;
It may do good: Pride hath no other glass
To show itself, but pride; for supple knees
Feed arrogance, and are the proud man's fees.
Aga.
We'll execute your purpose, and put on
A form of strangeness as we pass along;—
So do each lord; and either greet him not,
Or else disdainfully, which shall shake him more
Than if not look'd on. I will lead the way.
[they pass forward.
Ach.
What, comes the general to speak with me?
You know my mind, I'll fight no more 'gainst Troy.
Aga.
What says Achilles? would he ought with us?
Nes.
Would you, my lord, ought with the general?
Ach.
No.
Nes.
Nothing, my lord.
Aga.
The better.
[Exeunt Aga. and Nes.
Ach.
Good day, good day.
Men.
How do you? how do you?
[Exit Men.
Ach.
What, does the cuckold scorn me?
Aja.
How now, Patroclus?
Ach.
Good morrow, Ajax.
Aja.
Ha?
Ach.
Good morrow.
Aja.
Ay, and good next day too.
[Exit Ajax.
Ach.
What mean these fellows? know they not Achilles?
Pat.
They pass by note strangely: they were us'd to bend,
To send their smiles before them to Achilles;
-- 64 --
To come as humbly, as they us'd to creep
To holy altars.
Ach.
What, am I poor of late?
'Tis certain, Greatness, once fall'n out with fortune,
Must fall out with men too: What the declin'd is,
He shall as soon read in the eyes of others,
As feel in his own fall: for men, like butterflies,
Shew not their mealy wings, but to the summer;
And not a man, for being simply note man,
Hath any honour; but's honour'd for note those note honours
That are without him, as place, riches, favour note,
Prizes of accident as oft as merit:
Which when they fall, as being slippery standers,
The love that lean'd on them as slippery too,
Do one note pluck note down another, and together
Die in the fall. But 'tis not so with me:
Fortune and I are friends; I do enjoy
At ample point all that I did possess,
Save these men's looks; who do, methinks, find out
Something not worth in me such rich beholding
As they have often given. Here is Ulysses:
I'll interrupt his reading.—
How now, Ulysses?
Uly.
Now, great Thetis' son?
Ach.
What are you reading?
Uly.
A strange fellow here
Writes me, That man—how dearly ever parted;
How much in having, or without, or in,—
Cannot make boast to have that which he hath,
Nor feels not what he owes, but by reflection;
As when his virtues shining upon note others
Heat them, and they retort that heat again
-- 65 --
To the first giver. note
Ach.
This is not strange, Ulysses.
The beauty that is born here in the face,
The bearer knows not, but commends note itself
To others' eyes: nor doth the eye itself, note
(That most pure spirit of sense) behold itself,
Not going from itself; but eye to eye oppos'd
Salutes note each other with each other's form.
For speculation turns not to itself,
'Till it hath travel'd, and is marry'd there
Where it may see itself: this is not strange at all.
Uly.
I do not strain at note the position,
It is familiar; but at the author's drift:
Who, in his circumstance, expresly proves—
That no man is note the lord of any thing,
(Though in and of him there is much note consisting)
'Till he communicate his parts to others:
Nor doth he of himself know them for ought,
'Till he behold them form'd in the applause
Where they're extended; which, like note an arch, reverberates note
The voice again; or like a gate of steel
Fronting the sun, receives and renders back
His figure and his heat. I was much rapt in this;
And apprehended here immediately
The unknown Ajax.
Heavens, what a man is there! a very horse;
That has he knows not what. Nature, what things there are,
Most abject note in regard, and dear in use!
What things again most dear in the esteem,
And poor in worth! Now shall we see to-morrow
An act that very chance doth throw upon him,
Ajax renown'd. O heavens, what some men do,
-- 66 --
While some men leave to do!
How some men creep in skittish fortune's hall,
While others play the ideots in her eyes!
How one man eats into another's pride,
While pride is fasting note in his wantonness!
To see these Grecian lords!—why, even already
They clap the lubber Ajax on the shoulder;
As if his foot were on brave note Hector's breast,
And great Troy shrinking note.
Ach.
I do believe it: for they pass'd by me,
As misers do by beggars; neither gave to me
Good word, nor look note: What are my deeds forgot?
Uly.
Time hath, my lord,14Q1225 a wallet at his back,
Wherein he puts alms for oblivion,
A great-siz'd monster of ingratitudes:
Those scraps are good deeds past; which are devour'd
As fast as they are made, forgot as soon
As done: Perseverance keeps honour bright:
To have done, is to hang quite out of fashion,
Like rusty note mail in monumental mockery.
Then, dear my lord, take you the instant way:
For honour travels in a streight so narrow,
Where one but note goes abreast: keep then the path:
For emulation hath a thousand sons,
That one by one pursue; If you give way,
Or turn aside note from the direct forthright,
Like to an enter'd tide, they all rush by,
And leave you hindermost; and there you lye, note
Like to a gallant horse fall'n in first rank,
For pavement to the abject rear note, o'er-run
And trampl'd on. Then what they do in present,
Though less than yours in past note, must o'er-top yours:
-- 67 --
For time is like a fashionable host;
That slightly shakes his parting guest by the hand;
And with note his arms out-stretch'd, as he would fly,
Grasps-in the comer: Welcome note ever smiles,
And farewel note goes out sighing. O note, let not virtue seek
Remuneration for the thing it was;
For beauty, wit, high birth, desert in service,
Love, friendship, charity, are subjects all
To envious and calumniating time.
One touch of nature makes the whole world kin,—
That all, with one consent, praise new-born gawds,
Though they are made and molded of things past;
And give to note dust, that is a little gilt,
More laud than they will give to gold o'er-dusted note.
The present eye praises the present object:
Then marvel not, thou great and compleat man,
That all the Greeks begin to worship Ajax;
Since things in motion sooner catch note the eye,
Than what not stirs note. The cry went once on note thee,
And still it might, and yet it may again,
If thou would'st not entomb thyself alive,
And case thy reputation in thy tent;
Whose glorious deeds, but in these fields of late,
Made emulous missions 'mongst the gods themselves,
And drave great Mars to faction.
Ach.
Of this my privacy
I have strong reasons.
Uly.
But 'gainst your privacy
The reasons are more potent and heroical:
'Tis known, Achilles, that you are in love
With one of Priam's daughters.
Ach.
Ha! known?
-- 68 --
Uly.
Is that a wonder?
The providence that's in a watchful state,
Knows almost every grain note of Pluto's gold;
Finds bottom in the uncomprehensive deeps; note
Keeps pace note with thought; and almost, like the gods,
Does note even those thoughts unveil in their dumb cradles.
There is a mystery (with whom note relation
Durst never meddle) in the soul of state;
Which hath an operation more divine,
Than breath, or pen, can give expressure to:
All the commérce that you have had with Troy,
As perfectly is ours, as yours, my lord;
And better would it fit Achilles much,
To throw down Hector, than Polixena:
But it must grieve young Pyrrhus now at home,
When fame shall in our islands note sound her trump;
And all the Greekish girls shall tripping sing,—
Great Hector's sister did Achilles win;
But our great Ajax bravely beat down him note.
Farewel, my lord: I as your lover speak;
The fool slides o'er the ice that you should break.
[Exit Ulysses.
Pat.
To this effect, Achilles, have I mov'd you:
A woman impudent and mannish grown
Is not more loath'd, than an effeminate man
In time of action. I stand condemn'd for this;
They think, my little stomack to the war,
And your great love to me, restrains you thus:
Sweet, rouze yourself; and the weak wanton Cupid
Shall from your neck unloose his amorous fold,
And, like a note dew-drop from the lion's mane,
Be shook to air. note
-- 69 --
Ach.
Shall Ajax fight with Hector?
Pat.
Ay; and, perhaps, receive much honour by him.
Ach.
I see, my reputation is at stake,
My fame is shrewdly note gor'd.
Pat.
O, then beware;
Those wounds heal ill, that men do give themselves:
Omission to do what is necessary
Seals a commission to a blank of danger;
And danger, like an ague, subtly taints
Even then when we sit idly in the sun.
Ach.
Go call Thersites hither, sweet Patroclus:
I'll send the fool to Ajax; and desire him,
To invite the Trojan lords after the combat
To see us here unarm'd: I have a woman's longing,
An appetite that I am sick withal,
To see great Hector in his weeds note of peace;
To talk with him, and to behold his visage
Even to my full of view. A labour sav'd!
Enter Thersites.
The.
A wonder!
Ach.
What?
The.
Ajax goes up and down the field, asking for himself.
Ach.
How so?
The.
He must fight singly to-morrow with Hector;
and is so prophetically proud of an heroical cudgelling,
that he raves in saying nothing.
Ach.
How can that be?
The.
Why, he stalks note up and down like a peacock,
a stride, and a stand: ruminates, like an hostess, that
hath no arithmetick but her brain to set down her
reck'ning: bites his lip with a politick regard, as who
should say—there were wit in this note head, an 'twould
-- 70 --
out; And so there is; but it lies as coldly in him,
as fire in a flint, which will not shew without knocking.
The man's undone for ever; for if Hector break
not his neck i'th'combat, he'll break't himself in vain-glory.
He knows not me: I said, Good morrow, Ajax;
and he replies, Thanks, Agamemnon: What think you
of this man, that takes me for the general? He's grown
a very land-fish, languageless, a monster. A plague of
opinion! a man may wear it on both sides, like a leather
jerkin.
Ach.
Thou must be my embassador to him note, Thersites.
The.
Who, I? why, he'll answer no body; he professes
not answering; speaking is for beggars; he wears
his tongue in's arms: I will put on his presence; let
Patroclus make demands note to me, you shall see the pageant
of Ajax.
Ach.
To him, Patroclus; Tell him,—I humbly
desire the valiant Ajax, to invite the most note valorous
Hector to come unarm'd to my tent; and to
procure safe-conduct for his person, of the magnanimous note,
and most illustrious, six-or-seven-times-honour'd
captain-general of the Grecian note army, Agamemnon: Do
this. note
Pat.
Jove bless great Ajax!
The.
Hum!
Pat.
I come from the worthy Achilles:
The.
Ha!
Pat.
Who most humbly desires you, to invite Hector to his tent;
The.
Hum!
Pat.
And to procure safe-conduct from Agamemnon.
The.
Agamemnon?
Pat.
Ay, my lord.
-- 71 --
The.
Ha!
Pat.
What say you to't?
The.
God be wi' you, with all my heart.
Pat.
Your answer, sir.
The.
If to-morrow be a fair day, by eleven o'clock note
it will go one way or other; howsoever, he shall pay for
me ere he has me,
Pat.
Your answer, sir.
The.
Fare you well note, with all my heart.
Ach.
Why, but he is not in this tune, is he?
The.
No, but he's note out o'tune thus. What musick
will be in him note when Hector has knock'd out his brains,
I know not: But, I am sure, none; unless the fidler
Apollo get his sinews to make catlings on.
Ach.
Come, thou shalt bear a letter to him straight.
The.
Let me bear another note to his horse; for that's
the more capable creature.
Ach.
My mind is troubl'd, like a fountain stir'd;
And I myself see not the bottom of it.
[Exeunt Ach. and Pat.
The.
'Would the fountain of your mind were clear
again, that I might water an ass at it! I had rather be a
tick in a sheep, than such a valiant ignorance.
[Exit.
ACT IV.
SCENE I.
Troy. A Street.
Enter, from one Side, Æneas; Servant, with
a Torch, preceding: from the other, Paris, Deiphobus,
and Others, with Diomedes, attended;
Torches too with them.
-- 72 --
Par.
See, ho note! who is that there?
Dei.
It is the lord Æneas.
Æne.
Is the prince there in person?—
[to his Ser.
Had I so good occasion to lye long,
As you note, prince Paris, nothing but heavenly business
Should rob my bed-mate of my company.
Dio.
That's my mind too.—Good morrow, lord Æneas.
Par.
A valiant Greek, Æneas, take his hand;
Witness the process of your speech, wherein note
You told—how Diomed, a note whole week by days,
Did haunt you in the field.14Q1226
Æne.
Health to you, valiant sir,
During all question of the gentle truce:
But when I meet you arm'd, as black defiance,
As heart can think, or courage execute.
Dio.
The one and other Diomed embraces.
Our bloods are now in calm; and, so long, health:
But when note contention and occasion meet note,
By Jove, I'll play the hunter for thy life,
With all my force, pursuit, and policy.
Æne.
And thou shalt hunt a lion, that will fly
With his face backward. In humane gentleness,
Welcome to Troy! now, by Anchises' life,
Welcome indeed! by Venus' hand I swear,
No man alive can love, in such a sort,
The thing he means to kill, more excellently.
Dio.
We sympathize:—Jove, let Æneas live,
If to my sword his fate be not the glory,
A thousand compleat courses of the sun!
But, in mine emulous honour, let him die,
With every joint a wound; and that to-morrow!
Æne.
We know each other well.
-- 73 --
Dio.
We do; and long to know each other worse.
Par.
This is the most despightful note gentle greeting,
The noblest hateful love, that ere I heard of.—
What business, lord, so early?
Æne.
I was sent for to the king; but why, I know not.
Par.
His purpose meets you; 'Twas note to bring this Greek
To Calchas' note house; and there to render him,
For the enfreed Antenor, the fair Cressid:
Let's have your company;—Or, if you please,
Haste there before us: I constantly do think note,
(Or, rather, call my thought a certain knowledge)
My brother Troilus lodges there to-night;
Rouze him, and give him note of our approach,
With the whole quality wherefóre: note I fear,
We shall be much unwelcome.
Æne.
That I assure you;
Troilus had rather Troy were born to Greece,
Than Cressid born from Troy.
Par.
There is no help;
The bitter disposition of the time
Will have it so. On, lord; we'll follow you.
Æne.
Good morrow, all.
[Exit.
Par.
And tell me, noble Diomed; 'faith, tell note me true,
Even in the note soul of sound good-fellowship,—
Who, in your thoughts, merits fair note Helen best, note
Myself, or Menelaus?
Dio.
Both alike:
He merits well to have her, that doth seek her
(Not making any scruple of her soylure note)
With such a hell of pain, and world of charge;
And you as well to keep her, that defend her
(Not palating the taste of her dishonour)
-- 74 --
With such a costly loss of wealth and friends:
He, like a puling cuckold, would drink up
The lees and dregs of a flat tamed piece;
You, like a letcher, out of whorish loins
Are pleas'd to breed out your inheritors:
Both merits poiz'd, each weighs nor less note nor more;
But he as he, the heavier note for a whore.
Par.
You are too bitter to your country-woman.
Dio.
She's bitter to her country: Hear me, Paris,—
For every false drop in her bawdy veins
A Grecian's life hath sunk; for every scruple
Of her contaminated carrion weight
A Trojan hath been slain: since she could speak,
She hath not given so many good words breath,
As for her Greeks and Trojans suffer'd death.
Par.
Fair Diomed, you do as chapmen do,
Dispraise the thing that you desire note to buy:
But we in silence hold this virtue well,—
We'll not commend what we intend not sell note.
Here lies our way.
[Exeunt.
SCENE II.
The same. Court of Pandarus' House.
Enter Troilus, and Cressida.
Tro.
Dear, trouble not yourself; the morn is cold.
Cre.
Then, sweet my lord, I'll call my uncle note down;
He shall unbolt the gates.
Tro.
Trouble him not;
To bed, to bed; Sleep kill those pretty eyes,14Q1227
And give as soft attachment to thy senses,
As infants' empty of all thought!
Cre.
Good morrow then.
Tro.
I pr'ythee now, to bed.
-- 75 --
Cre.
Are you aweary of me?
Tro.
O Cressida, but that the busy day,
Wak'd by the lark, hath rouz'd the ribald crows,
And dreaming night will hide our joys no note longer,
I would not from thee.
Cre.
Night hath been too brief.
Tro.
Beshrew the witch! with venomous wights she stays,
As tediously note as hell; but flies the grasps of love,
With wings more momentary-swift note than thought:
You will catch cold, and curse me.
Cre.
Pr'ythee, tarry;
You men will never tarry:—
O foolish Cressida!—I might have still held off,
And then you would have tarry'd. Hark, there's one up.
Pan. [within.]
What! all note the doors open here!
Tro.
It is your uncle.
Cre.
A pestilence on him! now will he be mocking;
I shall have such a life,—
Enter Pandarus.
Pan.
How now, how now? how go maidenheads?—
Here note, you maid! where's my cousin Cressid?
Cre.
Go, hang yourself, you naughty mocking uncle!
You bring me to do, and then you flout me too. note
Pan.
To do what? to do what?—let her say, what:—
What have I brought you to do?
Cre.
Come, come; beshrew your heart! you'll ne'er be good,
Nor suffer others.
Pan.
Ha, ha!—Alas, poor wench! a poor capocchia note!
hast not slept to-night? would he not, a naughty man,
let it sleep? a bug-bear take him!
Cre.
Did not I tell you?—'would he were knock'd o'the head!—
[Knocking heard.
-- 76 --
Who's that at door?—good uncle, go and see.—
My lord, come you again into my chamber:
You smile, and mock me, as if I meant naughtily.
Tro.
Ha, ha!
Cre.
Come, you're deceiv'd, I think of no such thing.—
[Knocking again.
How earnestly they knock!—pray you, come in;
I would not for half Troy have you seen here.
[Exeunt Tro. and Cre.
Pan. [going to the Door.]
Who's there? what's the
matter? will you beat down the door? [opening it.] How
now? what's the matter?
Enter Æneas.
Æne.
Good morrow, lord, good morrow.
Pan.
Who's there? my lord Æneas? by my troth, I
knew note you not: What news with you so early?
Æne.
Is not prince Troilus here?
Pan.
Here! what should he do here?
Æne.
Come, he is here, my lord, do not deny him;
It doth import him much, to speak with me.
Pan.
Is he here, say you? 'tis more note than I know, I'll
be sworn:—For my own part, I came in late:—What
should he do here?
Æne.
Who! nay, then:—
Come, come, you'll do him wrong ere you are ware note:
You'll be so true to him, to be false to him:
Do not you know of him, but yet fetch him hither;
Go.
[As Pandarus is going out.
Enter Troilus.
Tro.
How now? what's the matter?
Æne.
My lord, I scarce have leisure to salute you,
My matter is so rash: There is at hand
-- 77 --
Paris your brother, and Deiphobus,
The Grecian Diomed, and our Antenor
Deliver'd to us; and for him note forthwith,
Ere the first sacrifice, within this hour,
We must give up to Diomedes' note hand
The lady Cressida.
Tro.
Is it so concluded note?
Æne.
By Priam, and the note general state of Troy:
They are at hand, and ready to effect note it.
Tro.
How my atchievements mock me!—
I will go meet them: and, my note lord Æneas,
We met by chance; you did not find me here.
Æne.
Good, good my lord, the secret'st note things of nature note
Have not more gift in taciturnity.
[Exeunt Tro. and Æne.
Pan.
Is't possible? no sooner got, but lost. The devil
take Antenor! the young prince will go mad. A plague
upon Antenor! I would, they had broke's neck.
Enter Cressida.
Cre.
How now? What is the matter? Who was here?
Pan.
Ah, ah! note
Cre.
Why sigh you so profoundly? Where's my lord? gone?
Tell me, sweet uncle, what's the matter?
Pan.
'Would I were as deep under the earth, as I am
above!
Cre.
O the gods!—what's the matter?
Pan.
Pr'ythee note, get thee in; 'Would thou had'st ne'er
been born! I knew, thou would'st be his death:—O,
poor gentleman!—A plague upon Antenor!
Cre.
Good uncle, I beseech you on my knees,
'Beseech you, note what's the matter?
Pan.
Thou must be gone, wench, thou must be gone;
-- 78 --
thou art chang'd for Antenor: thou must to thy father,
and be gone from Troilus; 'twill be his death, 'twill be
his bane note, he cannot bear it.
Cre.
O you immortal gods!—I will not go.
Pan.
Thou must.
Cre.
I will not, uncle: I have forgot my father;
I know no touch of consanguinity;
No kin, no love, no blood, no soul so near me,
As the sweet Troilus.—O you gods divine,
Make Cressid's name the very crown of falshood,
If ever she leave Troilus! Time, force, and death note,
Do to this body what extreams you note can;
But the strong base and building of my love
Is as the very centre of the earth,
Drawing all things to it.—I'll note go in, and weep;
Pan.
Do, do.
Cre.
Tear my bright hair note, and scratch my praised cheeks;
Crack my clear voice with sobs, and break my heart
With sounding Troilus. I will not go from Troy.
[Exeunt.
SCENE III.
The same. Before Pandarus' House.
Enter Æneas, Paris, Troilus, Diomed, and Others.
Par.
It is great morning; and the hour prefix'd
Of her note delivery to this valiant Greek
Comes fast upon:—Now, good my brother Troilus,
Tell you the lady what she is to do,
And haste her to the purpose.
Tro.
Walk in to note her house;
I'll bring her to the Grecian presently:
And to his hand when I deliver her,
-- 79 --
Think it an altar; and thy brother Troilus
A priest, there off'ring to it note his own note heart.
[Exit Troilus.
Par.
I know what 'tis to love;
And would, as I shall pity, I could help!—
Please you, walk in, my lords.
[Exeunt.
SCENE IV.
The same. A Room in the same.
Enter Pandarus, and Cressida.
Pan.
Be moderate, be moderate.
Cre.
Why tell you me of moderation?
The grief is fine,14Q1228 full, perfect, that I taste,
And violenteth in note a sense as strong
As that which causeth it; How can I moderate it?
If I could temporize with my affection note,
Or brew it to a weak and colder palate,
The like allayment could I give my grief:
My love admits no qualifying dross; note
No more my grief, in such a precious loss.
Enter Troilus.
Pan.
Here, here, here he comes.—Ah sweet ducks! note
Cre.
O Troilus, Troilus!
[throwing herself upon him.
Pan.
What a pair of spectacles is here! Let me embrace
too. O heart,—as the goodly saying is,—
&lblank; o heart, o heavy heart,
Why sigh'st thou note without breaking?
where he answers again,
Because thou can'st not ease thy smart,
By friendship, nor by speaking:
there was never a truer rime. Let us cast away nothing,
for we may live to have need of such a verse; we see it,
we see it.—How now, lambs?
-- 80 --
Tro.
Cressid, I love thee in so strain'd a note purity,
That the blest gods—as angry with my fancy,
More bright in zeal than the devotion which
Cold lips blow to their deities—take thee from me.
Cre.
Have the gods envy?
Pan.
Ay, ay, ay, ay; 'tis too plain a case.
Cre.
And is it true, that I must go from Troy?
Tro.
A hateful truth.
Cre.
What, and from Troilus too?
Tro.
From Troy, and Troilus.
Cre.
Is't possible?
Tro.
And suddenly; where injury of chance
Puts back leave-taking, justles roughly by
All time of pause, rudely beguiles our lips
Of all rejoindure, forcibly prevents
Our lock'd embrasures note, strangles our dear vows
Even in the birth of our own labouring breath:
We two, that with so many thousand sighs
Did buy each other, must poorly sell ourselves
With the rude brevity and discharge of one. note
Injurious time now, with a robber's haste,
Crams his rich thievery up, he knows not how:
As many farewels as be stars in heaven,
With distinct breath and consign'd kisses to them,
He fumbles up into note a loose adieu;
And scants us with a single famish'd kiss,
Distasted note with the salt of broken tears.
Æne. [within.]
My lord! lord Troilus! is the lady ready?
Tro.
Hark! you are call'd: Some say, the Genius so note
Cries, Come, to note him that instantly must die.—
Bid them have patience; she shall come anon.
Pan.
Where are my tears? rain, rain, to lay this wind,
-- 81 --
Or my poor heart will be blown up by the root. note
[Exit Pandarus.
Cre.
I must then to the Grecians?
Tro.
No remedy.
Cre.
A woeful Cressid 'mongst the merry Greeks.—
When shall we see again? note
Tro.
Hear me, my note love: Be thou but true of heart,—
Cre.
I true! how now? what wicked deem is this?
Tro.
Nay, we must use expostulation kindly,
For it is parting from us.
I speak not, be thou true, as fearing thee;
For I will throw my glove to death himself,
That there's note no maculation in thy heart:
But, be thou true, say I, to fashion in
My sequent protestation; be thou true,
And I will see thee.
Cre.
O, you shall be expos'd, my lord, to dangers
As infinite as imminent! but, I'll be true.
Tro.
And I'll grow friend with danger. Wear note this &dagger2; sleeve.
Cre.
And you this &dagger2; glove. When shall I see you?
Tro.
I will corrupt the Grecian centinels,
To give thee nightly visitation.
But yet, be true.
Cre.
O heavens!—be true, again?
Tro.
Hear why I speak it, love: note The Grecian youths14Q1229
Are well compos'd, with gifts note of nature flowing,
And swelling o'er with arts and exercise;
How novelties note may move, and parts with person, note
Alas, a kind of godly jealousy
(Which, I beseech you, call a virtuous sin)
Makes me afeard note.
Cre.
O heavens!—
-- 82 --
You love me not.
Tro.
Die I a villain then!
In this I do not call your faith in question,
So mainly as my merit: I cannot sing,
Nor heel the high lavolt, nor sweeten talk,
Nor play at subtle games; fair virtues all,
To which the Grecians are most prompt and pregnant:
But I can tell, that in each grace of these
There lurks a still and dumb-discoursive devil,
That tempts most cunningly: but be not tempted.
Cre.
Do you think note, I will?
Tro.
No.
But something may be done, that we will not:
And sometimes we are devils to ourselves,
When we will tempt the frailty of our powers,
Presuming on their changeful potency.
Æne. [within.]
Nay, good my lord,—
Tro.
Come, kiss; and let us part.
Par. [within.]
Brother Troilus!
Tro.
Good brother, come you hither;
And bring Æneas, and the Grecian, with you.
Cre.
My lord, will you be true?
Tro.
Who, I? alas, it is my vice, my fault:
While others note fish with craft for great opinion,
I with great truth catch meer simplicity;
Whilst some with cunning gild their copper crowns,
With truth and plainness I do wear note mine bare.
Fear not my truth; the moral of my wit
Is—plain, and true,—there's all the reach of it.
Enter Paris, Diomed, and Æneas.
Welcome, sir Diomed! here is the lady,
Which for note Antenor we deliver you:
-- 83 --
At the port, lord, I'll give her to thy hand;
And, by the way, possess thee what she is.
Entreat her fair; and, by my soul, fair Greek,
If ere note thou stand at mercy of my sword,
Name Cressid, and thy life shall be as safe
As Priam is in Ilion.
Dio.
Fair lady Cressid,
So please you, save the thanks this prince expects:
The lustre in your eye, heaven in your cheek,
Pleads your fair usage note; and to Diomed
You shall be mistress, and command him wholly.
Tro.
Grecian, thou dost not use me courteously,
To shame the zeal note of my petition to thee, note
In praising her: I tell thee, lord of Greece,
She is as far high-soaring o'er thy praises,
As thou unworthy to be call'd her servant.
I charge thee, use her well, even for my charge;
For, by the dreadful Pluto, if thou dost not,
Though the great bulk Achilles be thy guard,
I'll cut thy note throat.
Dio.
O, be not mov'd, prince Troilus:
Let me be priviledg'd by my place, and message,
To be a speaker free; when I am hence,
I'll answer to my lust: And know you, lord note,
I'll nothing do on charge: to her own worth
She shall be priz'd; but that you say—be't so,
I speak note it in my spirit and honour, no.
Tro.
Come, to the port:—I tell note thee, Diomed,
This brave shall oft make thee to hide thy head.—
Lady, give me your hand; and, as we walk,
To our own selves bend we our needful talk.
[Exeunt Tro. and Cre. Trumpet heard.
-- 84 --
Par.
Hark! Hector's trumpet.
Æne.
How have we spent this morning!
The prince must think me tardy and remiss,
That swore to ride before him to the note field.
Par.
'Tis Troilus' fault: Come, come, to field with him.
[Exeunt. note
SCENE V.
The Grecian Camp: Lists set out; Attendants, and People, waiting.
Flourish. Enter Agamemnon, Nestor, Achilles,
Patroclus, Menelaus, Ulysses, and Others; with Ajax, arm'd.
Aga.
Here art thou14Q1230 in appointment fresh and fair,
Anticipating time14Q1231 with starting courage.
Give with thy trumpet a loud note to Troy,
Thou dreadful Ajax; that the appalled air
May pierce the head of the great combatant,
And hale him hither.
Aja.
Thou, trumpet, there's &dagger2; my purse.
Now crack thy lungs, and split thy brazen pipe;
Blow, villain, 'till thy spherd bias cheek
Out-swell the cholick of puft Aquilon:
Come, stretch thy chest, and let thy eyes spout blood;
Thou blow'st for Hector.
[Parle sounded.
Uly.
No trumpet answers.
Ach.
'Tis but early days.
Aga.
Is not yon' note Diomed, with Calchas' daughter?
Uly.
'Tis he, I ken the manner of his gait,
He rises on the toe; note that spirit of his
In aspiration lifts him from the earth.
Enter Diomed and Attendants, with Cressida.
-- 85 --
Aga.
Is this the lady Cressida?
Dio.
Even she.
Aga.
Most dearly welcome to the Greeks, sweet lady.
Nes.
Our general doth salute you with a kiss.
Uly.
Yet is the kindness note but particular;
'Twere better, she were kiss'd in general.
Nes.
And very courtly counsel: I'll begin.—
So much for Nestor.
Ach.
I'll take that winter from your lips note, fair lady:
Achilles bids you welcome.
Men.
I had good argument for kissing once.
Pat.
But that's no argument for kissing now:
For thus popt Paris in his hardiment;
And parted thus you and your argument. note
Uly.
O deadly gall, and theme of all our scorns!
For which we lose our heads, to gild his horns.
Pat.
The first was Menelaus' kiss; this, mine:
Patroclus kisses you.
Men.
O, this is trim!
Pat.
Paris, and I, kiss evermore for him.
Men.
I'll have my kiss, sir:—Lady, by your leave.
Cre.
In kissing, do you render, or receive?
Pat.
Both take and give.
Cre.
I'll make my match to live,
The kiss you take is better than you give;
Therefore no kiss.
Men.
I'll give you boot, I'll give you three for one.
Cre.
You're an odd man; give even, or give none.
Men.
An odd man, lady? every man is odd.
Cre.
No, Paris is not; for, you know, 'tis true,
That you are odd, and he is even with you.
Men.
You fillip me o'the head.
-- 86 --
Cre.
No, I'll be sworn.
Uly.
It were no match, your nail against his horn.
May I, sweet lady, beg a kiss of you?
Cre.
You may.
Uly.
I do desire it.
Cre.
Why, beg then.
Uly.
Why then, for Venus' sake, give me a kiss,
When Helen is a maid again, and † his.
Cre.
I am your debtor, claim it when 'tis due.
Uly.
Never's my day, and then a kiss of you.
Dio.
Lady, a word; I'll bring you to your father.
[Exeunt Dio. and Cre.
Nes.
A woman of quick sense.
Uly.
Fie, fie upon her!
There's language in her eye, her cheek, her lip,
Nay, her foot speaks; her wanton spirits look out
At every joint and motive of her body.
O these encounterers note, so glib of tongue,
That give a coasting welcome ere it comes,
And wide unclasp the tables of their thoughts
To every tickling note reader! set them down
For sluttish spoils of opportunity,
And daughters of the game.
[Trumpet heard.
all.
The Trojans' trumpet.
Aga.
Yonder comes the troop.
Flourish. Enter Hector, arm'd;
Troilus, and other Trojans, with him;
Æneas preceding.
Æne.
Hail all the state note of Greece! What shall be done to him
That victory commands? Or do you purpose,
A victor shall be known? will you, the knights
-- 87 --
Shall to the edge of all extremity
Pursue each other; or shall they note be divided
By any voice or order of the field?
Hector bad ask.
Aga.
Which way would Hector have it?
Æne.
He cares not, he'll obey conditions.
Ach.
'Tis done note14Q1232 like Hector; but securely done,
A little proudly, and great deal misprising note
The knight oppos'd.
Æne.
If not Achilles, sir,
What is your name?
Ach.
If not Achilles, nothing.
Æne.
Therefore Achilles: But, whate'er, know this,—
In the extremity of great and little,
Valour and pride excel themselves in Hector;
The one almost as infinite as all,
The other blank as nothing. Weigh him note well,
And that, which looks like pride, is courtesy:
This Ajax is half made of Hector's blood;
In love whereof, half Hector stays at home;
Half heart, half hand, half Hector comes to seek
This blended knight, half Trojan, and half Greek.
Ach.
A maiden battle then? O, I perceive you.
Re-enter Diomed.
Aga.
Here is sir Diomed:—Go, gentle knight,
Stand by our Ajax: as you and lord Æneas
Consent upon the order of their fight,
So be it; either to the uttermost,
Or else a breath: note the combatants being kin,
Half stints their strife before their strokes begin. note
[Ajax and Hector enter the Lists, Æneas and
Diomed marshaling: Greeks range themselves
-- 88 --
on one Side, and Trojans upon the other, without.
Aga.
Ulysses,
What Trojan is that same, that looks so heavy?
Uly.
The youngest son of Priam, a true knight;
Not yet mature, yet matchless; firm of word;
Speaking in deeds note, and deedless in his tongue;
Not soon provok'd, nor, being provok'd, soon calm'd:
His heart and hand both open, and both free;
For what he has, he gives, what thinks, he shews;
Yet gives he not 'till judgment guide his bounty,
Nor dignifies an impar note note thought with breath:
Manly as Hector, but more dangerous;
For Hector, in his blaze of wrath, subscribes
To tender objects; but he, in heat of action,
Is more vindicative than jealous love:
They call him, Troilus; and on him erect
A second hope, as fairly built as Hector.
Thus says Æneas; one that knows the youth
Even to his inches, and, with private soul,
Did in great Ilion thus translate him to me.
[Trumpets blow to Arms. Ajax and Hector fight.
Aga.
They are in action.
Nes.
Now, Ajax, hold thine own.
Tro.
Hector, thou sleep'st, awake thee.
Aga.
His blows are well dispos'd:—there, Ajax.
Dio. [interposing. Trumpets cease.]
You must no more.
Æne. [interposing. Trumpets cease.]
Princes, enough, so please you.
Aja.
I am not warm yet, let us fight again.
Dio.
As Hector pleases.
Hec.
Why then, will I no more:—
Thou art, great lord, my father's sister's son,
-- 89 --
A cousin-german to great Priam's seed;
The obligation of our blood forbids
A gory emulation 'twixt us twain:
Were thy commixtion note Greek and Trojan so,
That thou could'st say—This hand is Grecian all,
And this is Trojan; the sinews of this leg
All Greece, note and this all Troy; my mother's blood
Runs on the dexter cheek, and this sinister
Bounds-in my father's; by Jove multipotent,
Thou should'st not bear from me a Greekish member
Wherein my sword had not impressure made
Of our rank feud note: But the just gods gainsay,
That any drop thou note borrow'dst from thy mother,
My sacred aunt, should by my mortal sword
Be drained out! Let me embrace thee, Ajax:
By him that thunders, thou hast lusty arms;
Hector would have them fall upon him † thus:
Cousin, all honour to thee!
Aja.
I thank thee, Hector:
Thou art too gentle, and too free a man:
I came to kill thee, cousin, and bear hence
A great addition earned in thy death.
Hec.
Not Neoptolemus' sire so mirable
(On whose bright crest fame with her loud'st O yes
Cries, This is he) could promise to himself
A thought of added honour torn from Hector.
Æne.
There is expectance here from both the sides,
What further you will do.
Hec.
We'll answer it;
The issue is † embracement:—Ajax, farewel.
Aja.
If I might in entreaties find success,
(As seld I have the chance) I would desire
-- 90 --
My famous cousin to our Grecian tents.
Dio.
'Tis Agamemnon's wish; and great Achilles
Doth long to see unarm'd the valiant Hector.
Hec.
Æneas, call my brother Troilus to me:
And signify this loving interview
To the expectors note of our Trojan part;
Desire them home.—Give me thy hand, my cousin;
I will go eat with thee, and see your knights.
Aja.
Great Agamemnon comes to meet us here.
Chiefs enter the Lists.
Hec.
The worthiest of them tell me name by name;
But for Achilles, my own note searching eyes
Shall find him by his large and portly size.
Aga.
Worthy of arms note,14Q1233 as welcome as to one
That would be rid of such an enemy;
But that's no welcome: Understand more clear, note
What's past, and what's to come, is strew'd with husks
And formless ruin of oblivion;
But in this extant moment, faith and troth,
Strain'd purely from all hollow bias-drawing,
Bids thee, with most divine integrity,
From heart of very heart, great Hector, welcome.
Hec.
I thank thee, most imperious Agamemnon.
Aga.
My well-fam'd lord of Troy, [to Tro.] no less to you.
Men.
Let me confirm my princely brother's greeting;—
You brace of warlike brothers, welcome hither.
Hec.
Whom must note we answer?
Æne.
The noble Menelaus.
Hec.
O, you, my lord? by Mars his gauntlet, thanks!
Mock not, that I affect the untraded oath; note
Your quondam note wife swears still by Venus' glove:
-- 91 --
She's well, but bad me not commend her to you.
Men.
Name her not now, sir; she's a deadly theme.
Hec.
O, pardon; I offend.
Nes.
I have, thou gallant Trojan, seen thee oft,
Lab'ring for destiny, make cruel way
Through ranks of Greekish youth: and I have seen thee,
As hot as Perseus, spur thy Phrygian steed,
Despising many forfeits note and subduements,
When thou hast hung thy advanced note sword i'the air,
Not letting it decline on the declin'd;
That I have said to some my note standers-by,
Lo, Jupiter is yonder, dealing life:
And I have seen thee pause, and take thy breath,
When that a ring of Greeks have hem'd thee note in,
Like an Olympian wrestling: This have I seen;
But this thy countenance, still lock'd in steel,
I never saw 'till now. I knew thy grandsire,
And once fought with him: he was a soldier good;
But, by great Mars, the captain of us all,
Never like thee: Let note an old man embrace thee;
And, worthy warrior, welcome to our tents.
Æne.
'Tis the old Nestor.
Hec.
Let me embrace thee, good old chronicle,
That hast so long walk'd hand in hand with time:
Most reverend Nestor, I am glad to clasp thee.
Nes.
I would, my arms could match thee in contention,
As they contend with thee in courtesy. note
Hec.
I would, they could.
Nes.
Ha!
By this white beard, I'd fight with thee to-morrow.
Well, welcome, welcome; I have seen the time.
Uly.
I wonder now how yonder city stands,
-- 92 --
When we have here her base and pillar by us.
Hec.
I know your favour, lord Ulysses, well.
Ah, sir, there's many a Greek and Trojan dead,
Since first I saw yourself and Diomed
In Ilion, on your Greekish embassy.
Uly.
Sir, I foretold you then what would ensue:
My prophesy is but half his journey yet;
For yonder walls, that pertly note front your town,
Yon' towers, whose wanton tops do buss the clouds,
Must kiss their own feet.
Hec.
I must not believe you:
There they stand yet; and modestly I think,
The fall of every Phrygian stone will cost
A drop of Grecian blood: The end crowns all;
And that old common-arbitrator, time,
Will one day end it.
Uly.
So to him we leave it.
Most gentle, and most valiant Hector, welcome:
After the general, I beseech you next
To feast with me, and see me at my tent.
Ach.
I shall forestal thee, lord Ulysses; Thou!—
Now, Hector, I have fed mine eyes on thee;
I have with exact view perus'd thee, Hector,
And quoted joint by joint.
Hec.
Is this Achilles?
Ach.
I am Achilles.
Hec.
Stand fair, I pray thee note, let me look on thee.
Ach.
Behold thy fill.
Hec.
Nay, I have done already.
Ach.
Thou art too note brief; I will the second time,
As I would buy thee, view thee limb by limb.
Hec.
O, like a book of sport thou'lt read me o'er;
-- 93 --
But there's more in me, than thou understand'st.
Why dost thou so oppress me with thine eye?
Ach.
Tell me, you heavens, in which part of his body
Shall I destroy him; whether there, there, or there?
That I may give the local wound a name;
And make distinct the very breach, whereout
Hector's great spirit flew: Answer me, heavens.
Hec.
It would discredit the blest gods, proud man,
To answer such a question: Stand again:
Think'st thou to catch my life so pleasantly,
As to prenominate in nice conjecture
Where thou wilt hit me dead?
Ach.
I tell thee, yea.
Hec.
Wert thou an oracle note to tell me so,
I'd not believe thee. Henceforth guard thee well;
For I'll not kill thee there, nor there, nor there;
But, by the forge that stythy'd note Mars his helm,
I'll kill thee every where, yea, o'er and o'er.—
You wisest Grecians, pardon me this brag,
His insolence draws folly from my lips;
But I'll endeavour deeds to match these words,
Or may I never—
Aja.
Do not chafe thee, cousin;—
And you, Achilles, let these threats alone,
'Till accident, or purpose, bring you to't:
You may have note every day enough of Hector,
If you have stomack; the general state, I fear,
Can scarce entreat you to be odd with him.
Hec.
I pray you, let us see you in the field;
We have had pelting wars, since you refus'd
The Grecians' cause.
Ach.
Dost thou entreat me, Hector?
-- 94 --
To-morrow do I meet thee, fell as death;
To-night, all friends.
Hec.
Thy hand note upon that match.
Aga.
First, all you peers of Greece, go to my tent;
There in the full convive we: note afterwards,
As Hector's leisure and your bounties shall
Concur together, severally intreat him note.—
Beat loud the tabourines, let the trumpets blow,
That this great soldier may his welcome know.
[Flourish.
[Exeunt. Troilus stays Ulysses.
Tro.
My lord Ulysses, tell me, I beseech you,
In what place of the field doth Calchas keep?
Uly.
At Menelaus' tent, most princely Troilus:
There Diomed doth feast with him to-night;
Who neither looks upon the heaven, nor earth note,
But gives all gaze and bent of amorous view
On the fair Cressid.
Tro.
Shall I, sweet lord, be bound to you so note much,
After we part from Agamemnon's tent,
To bring me thither?
Uly.
You shall command me, sir.
As gentle note tell me, of what honour was
This Cressida in Troy? had she no lover there,
That wails her note absence?
Tro.
O, sir, to such as boasting shew their scars,
A mock is due. Will you walk on, my lord?
She was belov'd, she lov'd; she is note, and doth:
But, still, sweet love is food for fortune's tooth.
[Exeunt.
ACT V.
SCENE I.
The Greek Camp. Before Achilles' Tent.
-- 95 --
Enter Achilles, and Patroclus.
Ach.
I'll heat his blood with Greekish wine to-night,
Which with my scimitar I'll cool to-morrow.—
Patroclus, let us feast him to the heighth.
Pat.
Here comes Thersites.
Enter Thersites, with a Letter.
Ach.
How now, thou core of note envy?
Thou crusty batch of nature, what's the news?
The.
Why, thou picture of what thou seemest, and
idol of ideot-worshippers, here's &dagger2; a letter for thee.
Ach.
From whence, fragment?
The.
Why, thou full dish of fool, from Troy.
[Achilles reads.
Pat.
Who keeps the tent now?
The.
The surgeon's box, or the patient's wound.
Pat.
Well said, adversity! and what need these tricks note?
The.
Pr'ythee, be silent, boy; I note profit not by thy talk:
thou art thought to note be Achilles' male harlot note.14Q1234
Pat.
Male harlot, you rogue? what's that?
The.
Why, his masculine whore. Now the rotten
diseases of the south, the guts-griping, ruptures, loads
of gravel i'the back, catarrhs, lethargies, cold palsies, note
raw eyes, dirt-rotten livers, wheezing lungs, bladders
full of impostume, sciaticas, lime-kilns i'the palm, incurable
bone-ach, and the rivel'd fee-simple of the
tetter, take and take again such preposterous discoveries!
Pat.
Why, thou damnable box of envy, thou, what
meanest note thou to curse thus?
The.
Do I curse thee?
Pat.
Why, no, you ruinous but; you whorson indistinguishable
-- 96 --
cur, no.
The.
No? why art thou then exasperate, thou idle
immaterial skein of sleive silk note, thou green sarcenet flap
for a sore eye, thou tossel note of a prodigal's purse, thou?
Ah, how the poor world is pester'd with such waterflies;
diminutives of nature!
Pat.
Out, gall!
The.
Finch-egg!
Ach.
My sweet Patroclus, I am thwarted quite
From my great purpose in to-morrow's battle:
Here is a letter from queen Hecuba;
A token from her daughter, my fair love;
Both taxing me, and gaging me to keep
An oath that I have sworn. I will not break it:
Fall, Greeks; note fail, fame; honour, or go, or stay;
My major vow lies here, this I'll obey.—
Come, come, Thersites, help to trim my tent;
This night in banqueting must all be spent.—
Away, Patroclus.
[Exeunt Ach. and Pat.
The.
With too much blood, and too little brain,
these two may run mad; but if with too much brain,
and too little blood, they do, I'll be a curer of madmen.
Here's Agamemnon,—an honest fellow enough,
and one that loves quails; but he has not so much
brain as ear-wax: And the goodly transformation of
Jupiter there, his brother, the note bull,—the primitive
statue, and obelisque note memorial of cuckolds; a thrifty
shooing-horn in a chain, hanging at his brother's
leg note,—to what form, but that he is of, should wit
larded with malice, and malice forced note with wit, turn
him to? to an ass, were nothing; he is both ass and
oxe: to an oxe, were nothing; he is both oxe and ass.
-- 97 --
To be a dog, a mule, a cat, a fitchew, note a toad, a lizard,
an owl, a puttock, or a herring without a roe, I would
not care: but to be Menelaus, I would conspire against
destiny. Ask me not what note I would be, if I were not
Thersites; for I care not to be the louse of a lazar, so I
were not Menelaus. Hey-day! sprites note, and fires!
Enter Agamemnon, Ajax, Hector,
Ulysses, Nestor, Diomed, Troilus, and
Menelaus, with Lights.
Aga.
We go wrong, we go wrong.
Aja.
No, yonder 'tis;
There, where we see the lights. note
Hec.
I trouble you.
Aja.
No, not a whit.
Uly.
Here comes himself to guide you.
Enter Achilles.
Ach.
Welcome, brave Hector;—welcome, princes all.
Aga.
So now, fair prince of Troy, I bid good night.
Ajax commands the guard to tend on you.
Hec.
Thanks, and good night, to the Greeks' general.
Men.
Good night, my lord.
Hec.
Good night, sweet Menelaus.14Q1235
The.
Sweet draff: Sweet, quoth a'! sweet sink, sweet sewer.
Ach.
Good night, and welcome, both at once note, to those
That go, or tarry.
Aga.
Good night.
[Exeunt Aga. and Men.
Ach.
Old Nestor tarries;—and you too, Diomed,
Keep Hector company an hour or two.
Dio.
I cannot, lord; I have important business,
The tide whereof is now.—Good night, great Hector.
Hec.
Give me your hand.
[to Dio.
&clquo;Uly.
&clquo;Follow his torch, he goes to Calchas' tent;&crquo;
-- 98 --
&clquo;I'll keep you company.&crquo;
&clquo;Tro.
&clquo;Sweet sir, you honour me.&crquo;
Hec.
And so, good night.
[Exit Diomed; Uly. and Tro. following.
Ach.
Come, come, enter my tent.
[Exeunt Achilles, Hector, Ajax, and Nestor.
The.
That same Diomed's a false-hearted rogue, a
most unjust knave; I will no more trust him when
he leers, than I will a serpent when he hisses: he will
spend his mouth, and promise, like Brabler the hound;
but when he performs, astronomers foretel it; it note is
prodigious, there will come some change; the sun
borrows of the moon, when Diomed keeps his word.
I will rather leave to see Hector, than not to dog him:
they say, he keeps a Trojan drab, and uses the traitor
Calchas' tent note: I'll after. Nothing but lechery! all incontinent
varlets!
[Exit.
SCENE II.
The same. Before Calchas' Tent.
Enter Diomed, with a Torch.
Dio.
What, are you up here, ho? speak.
Cal. [within.]
who note calls?
Dio.
Diomed:
Calchas, where is your daughter?
Cal. [within.]
She comes to you.
Enter Ulysses, and Troilus, at a Distance;
after them, Thersites.
Uly.
Stand where the torch may not discover us.
Enter Cressida.
Tro.
Cressid come note forth to him!
Dio.
How now, my charge?
Cre.
Now, my sweet guardian!—Hark,
-- 99 --
A word with you.
[whisp'ring him.
Tro.
Yea, so familiar!
Uly.
She will sing any man14Q1236 at first sight.
The.
And any man
May sing her, if he can take her cliff; note she's noted.
Dio.
Will you remember?
Cre.
Remember note? yes.
Dio.
Nay, but do then;
And let your mind be coupl'd with your words.
Tro.
What should she note remember?
Uly.
List!
Cre.
Sweet honey Greek, tempt me no more to folly.
The.
Roguery.
Dio.
Nay, then,—
Cre.
I'll tell you what:
Dio.
Pho, pho! come, tell a pin: You are forsworn note.
Cre.
In faith, I cannot: What would you have me do?
The.
A jugling trick, to be—secretly open.
Dio.
What did you swear, you would bestow on me?
Cre.
I pr'ythee, do not hold me to mine oath;
Bid me do any note thing but that, sweet Greek.
Dio.
Good night.
Tro.
Hold, patience!
Uly.
How now, Trojan?
Cre.
Diomed,—
Dio.
No, no, good night; I'll be your fool no more.
Tro.
Thy better must.
Cre.
Hark, one word note in your ear.
Tro.
O plague and madness!
Uly.
You are mov'd, prince; let us depart, I pray you.
Lest your displeasure should enlarge itself
To wrathful terms: this place is dangerous:
-- 100 --
The time right deadly; I beseech you, go.
Tro.
Behold, I pray you!
Uly.
Now, good note my lord, go off;
You flow to great distraction note: come, my lord.
Tro.
I pr'ythee note, stay.
Uly.
You have not patience; come.
Tro.
I pray you, stay; by hell, and all note hell's torments,
I will not speak a word.
Dio.
And so, good night.
Cre.
Nay, but you part in anger.
Tro.
Doth that grieve thee?—
O wither'd truth!
Uly.
How note now, my lord?
Tro.
By Jove,
I will be patient.
Cre.
Guardian,—why, Greek,—
Dio.
Pho, pho! adieu note; you palter.
Cre.
In faith, I do not; come hither once again.
Uly.
You shake, my lord, at something; Will you go?
You will break out.
Tro.
She stroaks his cheek!
Uly.
Come, come.
Tro.
Nay, stay; by Jove, I will not speak a word:
There is between my will and all offences
A guard of patience; stay a little while.
The.
How the devil, luxury, with his fat rump, and
Potato finger, tickles these note together!—
Fry, lechery, fry!
Dio.
But note will you then?
Cre.
In faith, I will, la; never note trust me else.
Dio.
Give me some token for the surety of it.
Cre.
I'll fetch you one.
[Exit.
-- 101 --
Uly.
You have sworn patience.
Tro.
Fear me not, my lord note;
I will not be myself, nor have cognition
Of what I feel; I am all patience.
Re-enter Cressida.
The.
Now the pledge; now, now, now!
Cre.
Here, Diomed, keep this &dagger2; sleeve.
Tro.
O, beauty!
Where is thy faith?
Uly.
My lord, note—
Tro.
I will be patient; outwardly I will.
Cre.
You look upon that sleeve; Behold it well:
He lov'd me—O false wench!—Give't me again.
Dio.
Whose was't?
Cre.
It is no matter, now I have't again.
I will not meet with you to-morrow night:
I pr'ythee, Diomed, visit me no more.
The.
Now she sharpens;—Well said, whetstone.
Dio.
I shall have it again.
Cre.
What, this?
Dio.
Ay, that.
Cre.
O all you gods!—O pretty pretty pledge!
Thy master now lies thinking in his note bed
Of thee, and me; and sighs, and takes my glove,
And gives memorial dainty kisses to it,
As I kiss † thee.—Nay, do not snatch it from me;14Q1237
He, that takes that, doth take my note heart withal.
Dio.
I had your heart before, this follows it.
Tro.
I did swear patience.
Cre.
You shall not have it, Diomed; 'faith, you shall not;
I'll give you something else.
Dio.
I will have this; Whose was it?
-- 102 --
Cre.
It is no matter.
Dio.
Come, tell me whose it was.
Cre.
'Twas one's that note lov'd me better than you will.
But, now you have it, take it.
Dio.
But, whose was it?
Cre.
By all Diana's waiting-women yonder note,
And by herself, I will not tell you whose.
Dio.
To-morrow will I wear it on my helm;
And grieve his spirit, that dares not challenge it.
Tro.
Wert thou the devil, and wor'st it on thy horn,
It should be challeng'd.
Cre.
Well, well, 'tis done, 'tis past;—And yet it is not;
I will not keep my word.
Dio.
Why then, farewel;
Thou never shalt mock Diomed again.
Cre.
You shall not note go: One cannot speak a word,
But it straight starts you.
Dio.
I do not like this fooling.
The.
Nor I, by Pluto: but that that likes not me, note
Pleases me best.
Dio.
What, shall I come? the hour?
Cre.
Ay, come:—O Jove!—
Do, come:—I shall be plagu'd.
Dio.
Farewel 'till then.
Cre.
Good night. I pr'ythee, come.
[Exit Dio.
Troilus, farewel! one eye yet looks on thee;
But with my heart the other eye doth see.
Ah, poor our sex! this fault in us I find,
The error of our eye directs our mind:
What error leads, must err; O then conclude,
Minds, sway'd by eyes, are full of turpitude.
[Exit Cre.
The.
A proof of strength she could not publish more,
-- 103 --
Unless she say note, My mind is now turn'd whore.
Uly.
All's done, my lord.
Tro.
It is.
Uly.
Why stay we then?
Tro.
To make a recordation to my soul
Of every syllable that here was spoke.
But, if I tell how these two did co-act, note
Shall I not lie in publishing a truth?
Sith yet there is a credence in my heart,
An esperance so obstinately strong,
That doth invert the attest note of eyes and ears;
As if those organs had deceptious note functions,
Created only to calumniate.
Was Cressid here?
Uly.
I cannot conjure, Trojan.
Tro.
She was not, sure.
Uly.
Most sure, she was.
Tro.
Why, my negation hath no taste of madness.
Uly.
Nor mine, my lord: Cressid was here but now.
Tro.
Let it not be believ'd for womanhood;
Think, we had mothers; do not give advantage
To stubborn criticks—apt, without a theme,
For depravation—to square the general sex
By Cressid's rule: rather think this not Cressid.
Uly.
What hath she done, prince, that can soil our note mothers?
Tro.
Nothing at all, unless that this were she.
The.
Will he swagger note himself out on's own eyes?
Tro.
This she? no, this is Diomed's Cressida:
If beauty have a soul, this is not she;
If souls guide vows, if vows be sanctimony,
If sanctimony note be the gods' delight,
-- 104 --
If there be rule in unity itself,
This is not note she. O madness of discourse,14Q1238
That cause sets up with and against itself note!
Bi-fold authority note! where reason can revolt
Without perdition, and loss assume all reason
Without revolt; this is, and is not, Cressid!
Within my soul there doth commence note a fight
Of this strange nature, that a thing inseparate
Divides more wider note than the sky and earth;
And yet the spacious breadth of this division
Admits no orifice note for a point, as subtle
As is Arachne's note note broken woof, to enter.
Instance, o instance! strong as Pluto's gates;
Cressid is mine, ty'd with the bonds of heaven:
Instance, o instance! strong as heaven itself;
The bonds of heaven are slipt, dissolv'd, and loos'd;
And with another knot, five finger note ty'd,
The fractions of her faith, orts of her love,
The fragments, scraps, the bits and greazy relicks
Of her o'er-eaten faith, are bound to note Diomed.
Uly.
May worthy Troilus be half attach'd
With that which here his passion doth express?
Tro.
Ay, Greek; and that shall be divulged well
In characters as red as Mars his heart
Inflam'd with Venus: never did young man fancy
With so eternal and so fixt a soul.
Hark, Greek,—As much as I note do Cressid note love,
So much by weight hate I her Diomed:
That sleeve is mine, that he'll bear on his note helm;
Were it a casque compos'd by Vulcan's skill,
My sword should bite it: not the dreadful spout,
Which shipmen do the hurricano call,
-- 105 --
Constring'd in mass by the almighty sun, note
Shall dizzy with more clamour Neptune's ear
In his descent, than shall my prompted sword
Falling on Diomed.
The.
He'll tickle it for his concupy.
Tro.
O Cressid! o false Cressid! false, false, false!
Let all untruths stand by thy stained name,
And they'll seem glorious.
Uly.
O, contain yourself;
Your passion draws ears hither.
Enter Æneas.
Æne.
I have been seeking you this hour, my lord:
Hector, by this, is arming him in Troy;
Ajax, your guard, stays to note conduct you home.
Tro.
Have with you, prince:—My courteous lord, adieu:—
Farewel, revolted fair!—and, Diomed,
Stand fast, and wear a castle on thy head.
Uly.
I'll bring you to the gates.
Tro.
Accept distracted thanks.
[Exeunt Tro. Æne. and Uly.
The.
'Would, I could meet that rogue Diomed!
I would croak like a raven; I would bode, I would bode.
Patroclus will give me any thing for the intelligence of
this whore: the parrot will not do more for an almond,
than he for a commodious drab. Lechery, lechery; still,
wars, and lechery; nothing else holds fashion: A burning
devil take them!
[Exit.
SCENE III.
Troy. Before Priam's Palace.
Enter Hector arm'd, and Andromache.
And.
When was my lord so much ungently temper'd,
To stop his ears against admonishment?
-- 106 --
Unarm, unarm, and do not fight to-day.
Hec.
You train me to offend you; get you in: note
By all note the everlasting gods, I'll go.
And.
My dreams will, sure, prove ominous to-day note.
Hec.
No more, I say.
Enter Cassandra.
Cas.
Where is my brother Hector?
And.
Here, sister; arm'd, and bloody in intent:
Consort note with me in loud and dear petition,
Pursue we him on knees; for I have dreamt
Of bloody turbulence, and this whole night
Hath nothing been but shapes and forms of slaughter.
Cas.
O, it is true.
Hec.
Ho, bid my trumpet sound!
Cas.
No note notes of sally, for the heavens, sweet brother.
Hec.
Begone note, I say: the gods have heard me swear.
Cas.
The gods are deaf to hot and peevish vows;
They are polluted off'rings, more abhor'd
Than spotted livers in the sacrifice.
And.
O, be persuaded: Do not count it holy,
To hurt by being just: it is as lawful note, note
For us to count14Q1239 we give what's gain'd by thefts,
And rob in the behalf of charity.
Cas.
It is the purpose, that makes strong the vow;
But vows, to every purpose, must not hold:
Unarm, sweet Hector.
Hec.
Hold you still, I say;
Mine honour keeps the weather of my fate:
Life every man holds dear; but the brave man note
Holds honour far more precious-dear note than life.—
Enter Troilus, arm'd.
How now, young man? mean'st thou to fight to-day?
-- 107 --
And.
Cassandra, call my father to persuade.
[Exit Cassandra.
Hec.
No, 'faith, young Troilus; doff thy harness, youth;
I am to-day i'th' vein of chivalry:
Let grow thy sinews 'till their knots be strong,
And tempt not yet the brushes of the war.
Unarm thee, go; and doubt thou not, brave boy,
I'll stand, to-day, for thee, and me, and Troy.
Tro.
Brother, you have a vice of mercy in you,
Which better fits a lion, than a man.
Hec.
What vice is that, good Troilus? chide me for it.
Tro.
When many times the captive Grecians note fall note,
Even in the fan and wind of your fair sword,
You bid them rise, and live.
Hec.
O, 'tis fair play.
Tro.
Fools' play, by heaven, Hector.
Hec.
How now? how now?
Tro.
For th' love note of all the gods,
Let's leave the hermit pity with our mother note;
And when we have our armours buckl'd on,
The venom'd vengeance ride upon our swords;
Spur them to ruthful note work, rein note them from ruth.
Hec.
Fie, savage, fie!
Tro.
Hector, thus 'tis note in wars.
Hec.
Troilus, I would not have you fight to-day.
Tro.
Who should withhold me?
Not fate, obedience, nor the hand of Mars
Beck'ning with fiery truncheon my retire;
Not Priamus and Hecuba on knees,
Their eyes o'er-galled with recourse of tears;
Nor you, my brother, with your true sword drawn,
Oppos'd to hinder me, should stop my way,
-- 108 --
But by my ruin note.
Re-enter Cassandra, with Priam.
Cas.
Lay hold upon him, Priam, hold him fast:
He is thy crutch; now if thou lose thy stay,
Thou on him leaning, and all Troy on thee,
Fall all together.
Pri.
Come, Hector, come, go back:
Thy wife hath dreamt; thy mother hath had visions;
Cassandra doth foresee; and I myself
Am like a prophet suddenly enrapt,
To tell thee—that this day is ominous:
Therefore, come back.
Hec.
Æneas is a-field;
And I do stand engag'd to many Greeks,
Even in the faith of valour, to appear
This morning to them.
Pri.
Ay, but thou shalt not go.
Hec.
I must not break my faith.
You know me dutiful; therefore, dear sir,
Let me not shame respect; but give me leave
To take that course by your consent and voice,
Which you do here forbid me, royal Priam.
Cas.
O Priam, yield not to him.
And.
Do not, dear father.
Hec.
Andromache, I am offended with you:
Upon the love you bear me, get you in.
[Exit Andromache.
Tro.
This foolish, dreaming, superstitious girl
Makes all these bodements.
Cas.
O, farewel, dear Hector.
Look, how thou dy'st! look, how thy eye turns pale!
Look, how thy wounds do bleed note at many vents!
-- 109 --
Hark, how Troy roars; how Hecuba note cries out;
How poor Andromache shrills her dolours note forth!
Behold, distraction note, frenzy, and amazement,
Like witless anticks note, one another meet,
And all cry—Hector! Hector's dead! O Hector!
Tro.
Away, note away!
Cas.
Farewel.—Yet, soft note:—Hector, I take my leave:
Thou dost thyself and all our Troy deceive.
[Exit Cassandra.
Hec.
You are amaz'd, my liege, at her exclaim:
Go in, and cheer the town: we'll forth, and fight;
Do deeds of praise note, and tell you them at night.
Pri.
Farewel: The gods with safety stand about thee!
[Exit Priam. Alarums.
Tro.
They are at it, hark!—proud Diomed, believe,
I come to lose my arm, or win my sleeve.
[Exeunt.
SCENE IV.
Between Troy and the Greek Camp. A Field of Battle. Alarums: Excursions.
Enter Thersites.
The.
Now they are clapper-clawing one another;
I'll go look on. That dissembling abominable varlet,
Diomed, has got that same scurvy doating foolish knave's note
sleeve of Troy, there, in his helm: I would fain see them
meet; that that same young Trojan ass, that loves the
whore there, might send that Greekish whore-masterly
villain, with the sleeve, back to the dissembling luxurious
drab, of a sleeveless errand note. O'th' other side, The
policy of those crafty14Q1240 sneering note rascals—that stale note old
mouse-eaten dry cheese note, Nestor; and that same dog fox,
Ulysses,—is not prov'd worth a black-berry: They set
me up, in policy, that mungril cur, Ajax, against that
-- 110 --
dog of as bad a kind, Achilles: and now is the cur Ajax
prouder than the cur Achilles, and will not arm to-day;
whereupon the Grecians begin note to proclaim barbarism,
and policy grows into an ill opinion. Soft! here comes
sleeve, and t'other.
Enter Diomed, Troilus following.
Tro.
Fly not; for, should'st thou take the river Styx,
I would swim after.
Dio.
Thou dost mis-call retire:
I do not fly; but advantageous care
Withdrew me from the odds of multitude:
Have at thee!
The.
Hold thy whore, Grecian!—now for thy whore,
Trojan!—now the sleeve, now the sleeve!
[Exeunt Diomed and Troilus, fighting.
Enter Hector.
Hec.
What art thou, Greek note? art thou for Hector's match?
Art thou of blood, and honour?
The.
No, no: I am a rascal;
A scurvy railing knave; a very filthy rogue.
Hec.
I do believe thee; live.
[Exit.
The.
God-a-mercy, that thou wilt believe me; But a
plague break thy neck, for frighting me! What's become
of the wenching rogues? I think, they have swallow'd
one another: I would laugh at that miracle. Yet, in a
sort, lechery eats itself. I'll seek them.
[Exit.
SCENE V.
The same.
Alarums. Enter Diomed, and a Servant.
Dio.
Go, go, my servant, take thou Troilus' horse;
Present the fair steed to my lady Cressid:
Fellow, commend my service to her beauty;
-- 111 --
Tell her, I have chastis'd the amorous Trojan,
And am her knight by proof.
Ser.
I go, my lord.
[Exit Servant.
Enter Agamemnon, hastily.
Aga.
Renew, renew! the fierce Polidamas note
Hath beat note down Menon: bastard Margarelon
Hath Doreus prisoner;
And stands Colossus note-wise, waving his beam,
Upon the pashed corses note of the kings
Epistropus and Cedius: Polixenes is slain;
Amphimachus, and Thoas, deadly hurt;
Patroclus ta'en, or slain; and Palamedes
Sore hurt and bruis'd: the dreadful Sagittary
Appals our numbers; haste we, Diomed,
To re-inforcement, or we perish all.
Enter Nestor.
Nes.
Go, bear Patroclus' body to Achilles;
[to his Followers.
And bid the snail-pac'd Ajax arm for shame.—
There is a thousand Hectors in the field:
Now here he fights on Galathe his horse,
And there lacks work; anon he's there afoot,
And there they fly, or die, like scaled note sculs
Before the belching whale; then is he yonder,
And there the strawy Greeks note, ripe for his edge,
Fall down before him, like the mower's note swath:
Here, there, and every where, he leaves, and takes;
Dexterity so obeying appetite,
That what he will note, he does; and does so much,
That proof is call'd impossibility.
Enter Ulysses.
Uly.
O, courage, courage, princes! great Achilles
-- 112 --
Is arming, weeping, cursing, vowing vengeance:
Patroclus' wounds have rouz'd his drowzy blood;
Together with his mangl'd Myrmidons,
That noseless, handless, hackt and chipt come to him,
Crying on Hector. Ajax hath lost a friend,
And foams at mouth, and he is arm'd, and at it,
Roaring for Troilus; who hath done to-day
Mad and fantastic execution;
Engaging and redeeming of himself,
With such a careless force, and forceless care,
As if that luck, in note very spite of cunning,
Bad him win all.
Enter Ajax.
Aja.
Troilus! thou coward Troilus!
[Exit.
Dio.
Ay, there, there.
Nes.
So, so, we draw together.
Enter Achilles.
Ach.
Where is this Hector?
Come, come, thou boy-queller, shew me thy face;
Know what it is to meet Achilles angry:
Hector! where's Hector? I will none but Hector.
[Exeunt.
SCENE VI.
Another Part of the Field.
Enter Ajax.
Aja.
Troilus, thou coward Troilus, shew thy head!
Enter Diomed.
Dio.
Troilus, I say! where's Troilus?
Aja.
What would'st thou?
Dio.
I would correct him.
Aja.
Were I the general, thou should'st have my office,
Ere that correction:—Troilus, I say! what, Troilus!
-- 113 --
Enter Troilus.
Tro.
O traitor Diomed!—turn thy false face, thou traitor,
And pay the life note thou ow'st me for my horse.
Dio.
Ha! art thou there?
Aja.
I'll fight with him alone; stand, Diomed.
Dio.
He is my prize, I will not look upon.
Tro.
Come both, you cogging Greeks; have at you both.
[Exeunt, fighting.
Enter Hector.
Hec.
Yea, Troilus? O, well fought, my youngest brother!
Enter Achilles.
Ach.
Now do I see thee: Ha! note—Have at thee, Hector.
Hec.
Pause, if thou wilt.
[dropping his Sword.
Ach.
I do disdain thy courtesy, proud Trojan.
Be happy, that my arms are out of use:
My rest and negligence befriend note thee now,
But thou anon shalt hear of me again;
'Till when, go seek thy fortune.
[Exit.
Hec.
Fare thee well:—
I would have been much more a fresher man,
Had I expected thee.—How now, my brother?
Re-enter Troilus, hastily.
Tro.
Ajax hath ta'en Æneas; Shall it be?
No, by the flame of yonder glorious heaven,
He shall not carry him; I'll be ta'en too,
Or bring him off:—Fate, hear me what I say!
I reck not though I end note my life to-day.
[Exit.
Alarums. Enter Grecians, and pass over;
amongst them, one in goodly Armour.
Hec.
Stand, stand, thou Greek; thou art a goodly mark!—
No? wilt thou not?—I like thy armour well;
I'll frush it, and unlock the rivets all,
-- 114 --
But I'll be master of it:—Wilt thou not, beast, abide?
Why then, fly on, I'll hunt thee for thy hide.
[Exit.
SCENE VII.
The same.
Alarums. Enter Achilles, with Myrmidons.
Ach.
Come here about me, you my Myrmidons;
Mark what I say,—Attend me where I wheel:
Strike not a stroke, but keep yourselves in breath;
And when I have the bloody Hector found,
Empale him with your weapons round about;
In fellest manner execute your aims note. note
Follow me, sirs, and my proceedings note eye:—
It is decreed—Hector the great must die.
[Exeunt.
SCENE VIII.
The same.
Alarums. Enter Paris, and Menelaus, fighting; Thersites after them.
The.
The cuckold and the cuckold-maker are at it:—
Now, bull! now, dog! 'Loo, Paris, 'loo! now my double-hen'd
sparrow! note 'loo, Paris, 'loo!—The bull has the
game:—'ware horns, ho!
[Exeunt Par. and Men.
Enter Margarelon.
Mar.
Turn, slave, and fight.
The.
What art thou?
Mar.
A bastard son of Priam's.
The.
I am a bastard too; I love bastards: I am
bastard begot note, bastard instructed, bastard in mind, bastard
in valour, in every thing illegitimate. One bear
will not bite another, and wherefore should one bastard?
Take heed, the quarrel's most ominous to us: if the
son of a whore fight for a whore, he tempts judgment:
Farewel, bastard.
[Exit.
-- 115 --
Mar.
The devil take thee, coward note!
[Exit.
SCENE IX.
Another Part of the Field.
Alarums. Enter Hector.
Hec.
Most putrified core, so fair without,
Thy goodly armour thus hath cost thy life.
Now is my day's note work done; I'll take good breath note:
[putting off his Helmet.
Rest, sword; thou hast thy fill of blood and death.
Shouts within. Enter Achilles, and Myrmidons.
Ach.
Look, Hector, how the sun begins to set;
How ugly night comes breathing at his heels:
Even with the veil and darking note of the sun,
To close the day up, Hector's life is done.
[assaulting him.
Hec.
I am unarm'd, forego this vantage, Greek.
Ach.
Strike, fellows, strike, this is the man I seek.—
[Hector falls.
So, Ilion, fall thou next! now, Troy note, sink down;
Here lies thy heart, thy sinews, and thy bone.—
On, Myrmidons; and note cry you all amain,
Achilles hath the mighty Hector slain.
[Retreat heard.
Hark! a retreat note upon our Grecian part.
Myr.
The Trojan trumpets sound the note like, my lord.
Ach.
The dragon wing of night o'er-spreads the earth;
And, stickler-like, the armies seperates.
My half-supt sword, that frankly would have fed,
Pleas'd with this dainty bit note, thus goes to bed.—
[putting up his Sword.
-- 116 --
Come, tie his body to my horse's tail;
Along the field I will the Trojan trail.
[Exeunt, dragging out the Body.
SCENE X.
The same.
March. Enter Agamemnon, Ajax,
Diomed, Nestor, and Others. Shouts within.
Aga.
Hark, hark! what shout is that note?
Nes.
Peace, drums.
within.
Achilles! Achilles! Hector's slain! Achilles!
Dio.
The bruit is—Hector's slain, and by Achilles.
Aja.
If it be so, yet bragless let it be;
Great Hector was as good note a man as he.
Aga.
March patiently along:—Let one be sent,
To pray Achilles see us at our tent.—
If in his death the gods have us befriended,
Great Troy is ours, and our sharp wars are ended.
[Exeunt, marching.
SCENE XI.
Another Part of the Field; under Troy.
Retreat sounded. Enter Trojans, confusedly; to them, Æneas.
Æne.
Stand, ho! yet are we masters of the field:
Never go home; here starve we out the night.
Enter Troilus. note
Tro.
Hector is slain.
all.
Hector? the gods forbid!
Tro.
He's dead; and at the murtherer's horse's tail,
In beastly sort, drag'd through the shameful field.—
Frown on, you heavens, effect your rage with speed!
Sit, gods, upon your thrones,14Q1241 and smite note at Troy,
-- 117 --
I say, at once! let your brief plagues be mercy,
And linger not our sure destructions on.
Æne.
My lord, you do discomfort all the host.
Tro.
You understand me not, that tell me so:
I do not speak of flight, of fear, of death;
But dare all imminence, that gods, and men,
Address their dangers in. Hector is gone!
Who shall tell Priam so, or Hecuba?
Let him, that will a scrietch-owl aye be call'd,
Go in to note Troy, and say there—Hector's dead:
There is a word will Priam turn to stone;
Make wells and Niobes of the maids and wives,
Cold statues note of the youth; and, in a word,
Scare Troy out of itself. But, march, away: note
Hector is dead; there is no more to say.
Stay yet;—You vile abominable note tents,
Thus proudly pight upon note our Phrygian plains,
Let Titan rise as early as he dare,
I'll through and through you:—And thou great-siz'd coward,
No space of earth shall sunder our two hates;
I'll haunt thee like a wicked conscience still,
That moldeth goblins swift as frenzy note thoughts.—
Strike a free march to Troy!—with comfort go;
Hope of revenge shall hide our inward woe.
[as they are going out, and Troilus last,
Enter Pandarus.
Pan.
Do you hear, my lord; do you hear?14Q1242
Tro.
What now?
[Exeunt Æneas, and Trojans.
Pan.
Here's a letter come from yon' poor girl.
Tro.
Let me read.
[taking it.
Pan.
A whoreson ptisick, a whoreson rascally ptisick
so troubles me, and the foolish fortune of this girl;
-- 118 --
and what one thing, what another, that I shall leave
you one o'these days: And I have a rheum in mine
eyes too; and such an ach in my bones, that, unless a
man were curst, I cannot tell what to think on't.—What
says she there?
Tro.
Words, words, meer words, no matter from the heart;
The effect doth operate another way.—
Go, wind, to wind, [tears, and scatters about, the Letter.] there turn and change together.—
My love with words and errors still she feeds;
But edifies another with her deeds.
Pan.
But hear you, hear you.
Tro.
Hence, broker, lacquey! note—ignomy and shame note
Pursue thy life, and live aye with thy name!
[Exit Troilus.
Pan.
A goodly med'cine for my aching note bones!—
O world, world, world! thus note is the poor agent despis'd!
O traitors, and bawds, how earnestly are you set a'work,
and how ill requited! Why should our endeavour be so
desir'd, and note the performance so loathed? what verse for
it? what instance for it? Let me see:
Full merrily the humble-bee doth sing,
'Till he hath lost his honey, and his sting:
And, being note once subdu'd in armed tail,
Sweet honey and sweet notes together fail.—
Good traders in the flesh, set this in your painted cloths.
advancing:
As many as be here of pander's note note hall,
Your eyes, half out, weep out at Pandar's fall:
Or, if you cannot weep, yet give some groans,
Though not for me, yet for your aching note bones.
-- 119 --
Brethren, and sisters, of the hold-door note trade,
Some two months hence my will shall here be made:
It should be now, but that my fear is this—
Some galled goose of Winchester would hiss:
'Till then, I'll sweat, note and seek about for eases;
And, at that time, bequeath you my diseases.
[Exit Pandarus.
