Troilus and Cressida (Quarto 1, 1609)
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The history
¶Where is my wit? I know not what I speake,
¶To angle for your thoughts, but you are wise,
¶Exceeds mans might that dwells with gods aboue,
1790Tro. O that I thought it could be in a woman.
¶As if it can I will presume in you,
¶To feed for age her lampe and flames of loue.
¶To keepe her constancy in plight and youth.
¶Out-liuing beauties outward, with a mind,
1795That doth renew swifter then blood decays,
¶That my integrity and truth to you,
¶Might be affronted with the match and waight,
¶Of such a winnowed purity in loue,
¶I am as true as truths simplicity,
¶And simpler then the infancy of truth.
¶Approue their trueth by Troylus, when their rimes,
¶Full of protest, of oath and big compare,
¶Wants simele's truth tyrd with iteration.
1810As true as steele, as plantage to the moone.
¶As sunne to day: as turtle to her mate,
¶As Iron to Adamant: as Earth to th' Center,
¶After all comparisons of truth.
¶(As truths anthentique author to be cited)
¶And sanctifie the nombers,
¶Cres. Prophet may you bee,
¶If I bee falce or swarue a hayre from truth,
¶When time is ould or hath forgot it selfe,
1820When water drops haue worne the stones of Troy,
¶And blind obliuion swallowd Citties vp.
And
