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.
Edward Capell [1767], Mr William Shakespeare his comedies, histories, and tragedies, set out by himself in quarto, or by the Players his Fellows in folio, and now faithfully republish'd from those Editions in ten Volumes octavo; with an introduction: Whereunto will be added, in some other Volumes, notes, critical and explanatory, and a Body of Various Readings entire (Printed by Dryden Leach, for J. and R. Tonson [etc.], London) [word count] [S10601].
