Troilus and Cressida (Quarto 1, 1609) :: Internet Shakespeare Editions

Enter Thersites solus.

¶How now Thersites? what lost in the Labyrinth of thy

¶furie? shall the Elephant Aiax carry it thus? he beates me,

¶and I raile at him: O worthy satisfaction, would it were

¶otherwise: that I could beate him, whilst hee raild at mee:

1210Sfoote, Ile learne to coniure and raise Diuels, but Ile see

¶some issue of my spitefull execrations. Then ther's Achilles, a

¶rare inginer. If Troy bee not taken till these two vnder-

¶mine it, the walls will stand till they fall of them-selues.

¶O thou great thunder-darter of Olympus, forget that thou

1215art Ioue the king of gods: and Mercury, loose all the Ser-

¶pentine craft of thy Caduceus, if yee take not that little

¶little lesse then little witte from them that they haue:

¶which short-armd Ignorance it selfe knowes is so aboun-

¶dant scarce, it will not in circumuention deliuer a flie from

1220a spider, without drawing their massie Irons, and cutting

¶the web. After this the vengeance on the whole campe,

¶or rather the Neopolitan bone-ache: for that me thinkes is

¶the curse depending on those that warre for a placket. I

¶haue said my prayers, and diuell Enuie say Amen. What ho

1225my Lord Achilles?

¶Patrocl. Whose there? Thersites? good Thersites come

¶in and raile.

¶Thersi. If I could a remembred a guilt counterfeit, thou

1230couldst not haue slipt out of my contemplation: but it is no

¶matter, thy selfe vpon thy selfe. The common curse of man-

¶kinde, Folly and Ignorance, be thine in great reuenew: Hea-

¶uen blesse thee from a tutor, and discipline come not neere

¶thee. Let thy bloud be thy direction till thy death: then if

1235she that layes thee out sayes thou art not a faire course, Ile

¶be sworne and sworne vpon't, shee neuer shrowded any but

¶lazars. Amen. Where's Achilles?

¶Patro. What art thou deuout? wast thou in prayer?

¶Thers. I the heauens heare me.

1240Patro. Amen. _Enter Achilles.

¶Achil. Who's there?

¶Patro. Thersites, my Lord.

¶Achil. Where? where? O where? art thou come why my

cheese,

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