Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: Troilus and Cressida (Modern)
  • Editor: William Godshalk
  • ISBN: 1-55058-301-8

    Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: William Godshalk
    Peer Reviewed

    Troilus and Cressida (Modern)

    3477.1[5.8]
    Enter Thersites [watching] Menelaus and Paris [fight].
    Thersites
    The cuckold and the cuckold-maker are at it. 3480Now, bull. Now, dog. Loo, Paris, loo. Now, my double-henned sparrow. Loo, Paris, loo. The bull has the game. Ware horns, ho.
    Exit Paris and Menelaus.
    Enter [Margarelon].
    3485[Margarelon]
    Turn, slave, and fight.
    Thersites
    What art thou?
    [Margarelon]
    A bastard son of Priam's.
    Thersites
    I am a bastard, too; I love bastards; I am a bastard begot, bastard instructed, bastard in mind, bastard 3490in valor, in everything 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. Farewell, bastard.
    3495[Margarelon]
    The devil take thee, coward.
    Exeunt [Thersites and Margarelon, separately].