Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: William Godshalk
Peer Reviewed

Troilus and Cressida (Quarto 1, 1609)

The history
70As wedged with a sigh would riue in twaine,
Least Hector or my father should perceiue mee:
I haue (as when the Sunne doth light a scorne)
Buried this sigh in wrincle of a smyle,
But sorrow that is coucht in seeming gladnesse,
75Is like that mirth fate turnes to suddaine sadnesse.
Pan: And her haire were not some-what darker then Hel-
lens, well go to, there were no more comparison betweene
the women! but for my part she is my kinswoman, I would
not as they tearme it praise her, but I would som-body had
80heard her talke yester-day as I did, I will not dispraise your
sister Cassandraes wit, but-------
Troy. Oh Pandarus I tell thee Pandarus,
When I do tell thee there my hopes lie drown'd
Reply not in how many fadomes deepe,
85They lie indrench'd, I tell thee I am madde:
In Cressi}ds love? thou answerst she is faire,
Powrest in the open vlcer of my heart:
Her eyes, her haire her cheeke, her gate, her voice,
Handlest in thy discourse: O that her hand
90In whose comparison all whites are ynke
Writing their owne reproch; to whose soft seisure,
The cignets downe is harsh, and spirit of sence:
Hard as the palme of plow-man; this thou telst me,
As true thou telst me, when I say I loue her,
95But saying thus in steed of oyle and balme,
Thou layst in euery gash that loue hath giuen mee
The knife that made it.
Pan: I speake no more then truth.
Troy. Thou dost not speake so much.
100Pan: Faith Ile not meddle in it, let her bee as shee is, if she
bee faire tis the better for her, and shee bee not, she has the
mends in her owne hands.
Troy. Good Pandarus, how now Pandarus?
Pan: I haue had my labour for my trauell, ill thought on
105of her, and ill thought of you, gon betweene and betweene,
but small thanks for my labour.
Troy. What art thou angry Pandarus? what with me?
Pan.