Troilus and Cressida (Quarto 1, 1609)
Peer Reviewed
of Troylus and Cresseida.
¶Th'vnknowne Aiax, heauens what a man is there?
¶A very horse, that has he knowes not what
¶Nature what things there are.
¶An act that very chance doth throw vpon him
¶Aiax renown'd? O heauens what some men doe,
1985While some men leaue to doe.
¶Whiles others play the Ideots in her eyes,
¶How one man eates into anothers pride,
¶They clap the lubber Aiax on the shoulder
¶As if his foote were one braue Hectors brest,
¶And great Troy shriking.
¶Achill. I doe beleeue it,
¶Neither gaue to me good word nor looke:
¶What are my deeds forgot?
¶Vliss. Time hath (my Lord) a wallet at his back,
¶Wherein he puts almes for obliuion:
¶Which are deuour'd as fast as they are made,
¶Keepes honour bright, to haue done, is to hang,
¶In monumentall mockry? take the instant way,
¶Where on but goes a brest, keepe then the path
¶For emulation hath a thousand Sonnes,
2010That one by one pursue, if you giue way,
¶Or turne a side from the direct forth right:
¶Like to an entred tide they all rush by,
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