2In Troy there lies the scene. From isles of Greece,

23The princes orgulous, their high blood chafed,

34Have to the port of Athens sent their ships

45Fraught with the ministers and instruments

56Of cruel war. Sixty and nine that wore

67Their crownets regal, from th'Athenian bay

78Put forth toward Phrygia, and their vow is made

89To ransack Troy, within whose strong immures

910The ravished Helen, Menelaus' queen,

1011With wanton Paris sleeps, and that's the quarrel.

1112To Tenedos they come,

1213And the deep-drawing barks do there disgorge

1314Their warlike fraughtage. Now on Dardan plains

1415The fresh and yet unbruised Greeks do pitch

1516Their brave pavilions. Priam's six-gated city --

1617Dardan and Timbria, Helias, Chetas, Troien,

1718And Antenonidus -- with massy staples

1819And corresponsive and fulfilling bolts,

1920Stir up the sons of Troy.

2021Now expectation, tickling skittish spirits

2122On one and other side, Trojan and Greek,

2223Sets all on hazard. And hither am I come,

2324A prologue armed, but not in confidence

2425Of author's pen, or actor's voice, but suited

2526In like conditions as our argument,

2627To tell you (fair beholders) that our play

2728Leaps o'er the vaunt and firstlings of those broils,

2829Beginning in the middle, starting thence away

2930To what may be digested in a play.

3031Like, or find fault; do as your pleasures are.

3132Now good or bad, 'tis but the chance of war.

36Call here my varlet; I'll unarm again.

1.1.237Why should I war without the walls of Troy

1.1.338That find such cruel battle here within?

1.1.439Each Trojan that is master of his heart,

1.1.540Let him to field; Troilus, alas, hath none.

Will this gear ne'er be mended?

The Greeks are strong, and skillful to their strength,

1.1.843Fierce to their skill, and to their fierceness valiant,

1.1.944But I am weaker than a woman's tear,

1.1.1045Tamer than sleep, fonder than ignorance,

1.1.1146Less valiant than the virgin in the night,

1.1.1247And skilless as unpracticed infancy.

Well, I have told you enough of this. For my 49part, I'll not meddle nor make no farther. He that will 50have a cake out of the wheat must needs tarry the 51grinding.

Have I not tarried?

Ay, the grinding, but you must tarry the bolting.

Have I not tarried?

Ay, the bolting, but you must tarry the leav'ning.

Still have I tarried.

Ay, to the leavening, but here's yet in the word hereafter -- 58the kneading, the making of the cake, the 59heating of the oven, and the baking; nay, you must stay 60the cooling too, or you may chance to burn your lips.

Patience herself, what goddess e'er she be,

1.1.2162Doth lesser blench at sufferance than I do.

1.1.2263At Priam's royal table do I sit,

1.1.2364And when fair Cressid comes into my thoughts,

1.1.2465So, traitor, then she comes, when she is thence.

67Well, she looked yesternight fairer than ever I saw her look,

68or any woman else.

I was about to tell thee: when my heart,

1.1.2770As wedgèd with a sigh, would rive in twain,

1.1.2871Lest Hector or my father should perceive me,

1.1.2972I have, as when the sun doth light a-scorn,

1.1.3073Buried this sigh in wrinkle of a smile.

1.1.3174But sorrow that is couched in seeming gladness

1.1.3275Is like that mirth fate turns to sudden sadness.

An her hair were not somewhat darker than 77Helen's -- well, go to -- there were no more comparison 78between the women. But -- for my part -- she is my 79kinswoman, I would not -- as they term it -- praise her, but I would 80somebody had heard her talk yesterday as I did. I will 81not dispraise your sister Cassandra's wit, but --

O Pandarus, I tell thee, Pandarus,

1.1.3583When I do tell thee, "there my hopes lie drowned,"

1.1.3684Reply not in how many fathoms deep

1.1.3785They lie indrenched. I tell thee, "I am mad

1.1.3886In Cressid's love." Thou answer'st, "She is fair";

1.1.3987Pour'st in the open ulcer of my heart

1.1.4088Her eyes, her hair, her cheek, her gait, her voice;

1.1.4189Handlest in thy discourse, oh, that her hand,

1.1.4290In whose comparison all whites are ink

1.1.4391Writing their own reproach, to whose soft seizure

1.1.4492The cygnet's down is harsh, and spirit of sense

1.1.4593Hard as the palm of plowman. This thou tell'st me,

1.1.4694As true thou tell'st me, when I say I love her.

1.1.4795But, saying thus, instead of oil and balm,

1.1.4896Thou lay'st in every gash that love hath given me

1.1.4997The knife that made it.

I speak no more than truth.

Thou dost not speak so much.

Faith, I'll not meddle in't. Let her be as she is; 101if she be fair, 'tis the better for her; an she be not, she 102has the mends in her own hands.

Good Pandarus. How now, Pandarus?

I have had my labor for my travail, ill thought 105on of her, and ill thought on of you, gone between and 106between, but small thanks for my labor.

What, art thou angry, Pandarus? What? With me?

Because she's kin to me, therefore she's not 109so fair as Helen; an she were not kin to me, she would 110be as fair on Friday as Helen is on Sunday. But 111what care I? I care not an she were a blackamoor; 'tis all 112one to me.

Say I she is not fair?

I do not care whether you do or no. She's a 115fool to stay behind her father. Let her to the Greeks, 116and so I'll tell her the next time I see her. For my part, I'll 117meddle nor make no more i'th'matter.

Pandarus?

Not I.

Sweet Pandarus.

Pray you, speak no more to me. I will leave all 121as I found it, and there an end.

Peace, you ungracious clamors; peace, rude sounds.

1.1.64124Fools on both sides, Helen must needs be fair,

1.1.65125When with your blood you daily paint her thus.

1.1.66126I cannot fight upon this argument;

1.1.67127It is too starved a subject for my sword.

1.1.68128But Pandarus (O gods) how do you plague me?

1.1.69129I cannot come to Cressid but by Pandar,

1.1.70130And he's as tetchy to be wooed to woo,

1.1.71131As she is stubborn, chaste, against all suit.

1.1.72132Tell me, Apollo, for thy Daphne's love,

1.1.73133What Cressid is, what Pandar, and what we:

1.1.74134Her bed is India; there she lies, a pearl.

1.1.75135Between our Ilium and where she resides,

1.1.76136Let it be called the wild and wand'ring flood,

1.1.77137Ourself, the merchant, and this sailing Pandar,

1.1.78138Our doubtful hope, our convoy, and our bark.

How now, prince Troilus? 141Wherefore not afield?

Because not there; this woman's answer sorts,

1.1.81143For womanish it is to be from thence.

1.1.82144What news, Aeneas, from the field today?

That Paris is returnèd home, and hurt.

By whom, Aeneas?

By whom, Aeneas? Troilus, by Menelaus.

Let Paris bleed; 'tis but a scar to scorn.

1.1.86149Paris is gored with Menelaus' horn.

Hark, what good sport is out of town today.

Better at home, if "would I might" were "may."

1.1.89152But to the sport abroad, are you bound thither?

In all swift haste.

In all swift haste. Come, go we then together.

Who were those went by?

Who were those went by? Queen Hecuba and Helen.

And whither go they?

And whither go they? Up to the eastern tower,

1.2.3160Whose height commands as subject all the vale,

1.2.4161To see the battle. Hector, whose patience

1.2.5162Is as a virtue fixed, today was moved.

1.2.6163He chides Andromache and struck his armorer,

1.2.7164And, like as there were husbandry in war,

1.2.8165Before the sun rose, he was harnessed light,

1.2.9166And to the field goes he, where every flower

1.2.10167Did as a prophet weep what it foresaw

1.2.11168In Hector's wrath.

In Hector's wrath. What was his cause of anger?

The noise goes this: 171There is among the Greeks

1.2.13172A lord of Trojan blood, nephew to Hector;

1.2.14173They call him Ajax.

They call him Ajax. Good, and what of him?

They say he is a very man per se and stands alone.

So do all men, unless they are drunk, sick, or 177have no legs.

This man, lady, hath robbed many beasts of their 179particular additions: he is as valiant as the lion, churlish 180as the bear, slow as the elephant; a man into whom 181nature hath so crowded humors that his valor is crushed 182into folly, his folly sauced with discretion. There is no 183man hath a virtue that he hath not a glimpse of, nor 184any man an attaint, but he carries some stain of it. He is 185melancholy without cause, and merry against the hair; 186he hath the joints of every thing, but everything so 187out of joint, that he is a gouty Briareus, many hands 188and no use, or purblinded Argus, all eyes and no sight.

But how should this man that makes me smile 190make Hector angry?

They say he yesterday coped Hector in the 192battle and struck him down, the disdain and shame 193whereof hath ever since kept Hector fasting and waking.

Who comes here?

Madam, your uncle Pandarus.

Hector's a gallant man.

As may be in the world, lady.

What's that? What's that?

Good morrow, uncle Pandarus.

Good morrow, cousin Cressid. What do you talk 202of? -- Good morrow, Alexander. -- How do you, cousin? When 203were you at Ilium?

This morning, uncle.

What were you talking of when I came? Was 206Hector armed and gone ere ye came to Ilium? Helen was 207not up? Was she?

Hector was gone, but Helen was not up?

E'en so; Hector was stirring early.

That were we talking of, and of his anger.

Was he angry?

[Motioning to Alexander] So he says here.

True, he was so; I know the cause too. He'll lay 214about him today, I can tell them that, and there's Troilus 215will not come far behind him. Let them take heed of 216Troilus; I can tell them that too.

What, is he angry too?

Who, Troilus?

1.2.37219Troilus is the better man of the two.

O Jupiter, there's no comparison.

What, not between Troilus and Hector? Do you 222know a man if you see him?

Ay, if I ever saw him before and knew him.

Well, I say Troilus is Troilus.

Then you say as I say, 226for I am sure he is not Hector.

No, nor Hector is not Troilus -- in some degrees.

'Tis just to each of them; he is himself.

Himself? Alas, poor Troilus, I would he were.

So he is.

Condition I had gone barefoot to India.

He is not Hector.

Himself? No, he's not himself; would a were 234himself. -- Well, the gods are above; time must friend or 235end. Well, Troilus, well, I would my heart were in her 236body; no, Hector is not a better man than Troilus.

Excuse me.

He is elder.

Pardon me, pardon me.

Th'other's not come to't; you shall tell me 241another tale when th'other's come to't. Hector shall not 242have his will this year.

He shall not need it if he have his own.

Nor his qualities.

No matter.

Nor his beauty.

'Twould not become him; his own's better.

You have no judgment, niece; Helen herself 249swore th'other day, that Troilus for a brown favor (for 250so 'tis, I must confess) -- not brown neither --

No, but brown.

Faith, to say truth, brown and not brown.

To say the truth, true and not true.

She praised his complexion above Paris'.

Why, Paris hath color enough.

So he has.

Then Troilus should have too much, if she praised 258him above. His complexion is higher than his. He having 259color enough, and the other, higher, is too flaming a 260praise for a good complexion. I had as lief Helen's 261golden tongue had commended Troilus for a copper nose.

I swear to you, 263I think Helen loves him better than Paris.

Then she's a merry Greek indeed.

Nay, I am sure she does; she came to him th'other 266day into the compassed window, and, you know, he has not 267past three or four hairs on his chin.

Indeed, a tapster's arithmetic may soon 269bring his particulars therein to a total.

Why, he is very young, and yet will he within 271three pound lift as much as his brother Hector.

Is he so young a man, and so old a lifter?

But to prove to you that Helen loves him: she 274came and puts me her white hand to his cloven chin --

Juno have mercy. How came it cloven?

Why, you know 'tis dimpled. 277I think his smiling becomes him better than any man 278in all Phrygia.

Oh, he smiles valiantly.

Does he not?

O yes, an 'twere a cloud in autumn.

Why, go to then. But to prove to you that Helen 283loves Troilus --

Troilus will stand to the 285proof, if you'll prove it so.

Troilus? Why, he esteems her no more than I 287esteem an addle egg.

If you love an addle egg as well as you love an 289idle head, you would eat chickens i'th'shell.

I cannot choose but laugh to think how she 291tickled his chin. Indeed, she has a marvelous white hand, I must 292needs confess.

Without the rack.

And she takes upon her to spy a white hair on 295his chin.

Alas, poor chin. Many a wart is richer.

But there was such laughing; queen Hecuba 298laughed that her eyes ran o'er.

With millstones?

And Cassandra laughed --

But there was more temperate fire under the pot 302of her eyes. Did her eyes run o'er too?

And Hector laughed.

At what was all this laughing?

Marry, at the white hair that Helen spied on 306Troilus's chin.

An't had been a green hair, I should have 308laughed too.

They laughed not so much at the hair as at his 310pretty answer.

What was his answer?

Quoth she, "Here's but two and fifty hairs on 313your chin, and one of them is white."

This is her question.

That's true; make no question of that. "Two and 316fifty hairs," quoth he, "and one white; that white hair is 317my father, and all the rest are his sons." "Jupiter," quoth 318she, "which of these hairs is Paris, my husband?" "The 319forked one," quoth he; "pluck't out and give it him." But there 320was such laughing, and Helen so blushed, and Paris so 321chafed, and all the rest so laughed, that it passed.

So let it now, 323for it has been a great while going by.

Well, cousin, 325I told you a thing yesterday; think on't.

So I do.

I'll be sworn 'tis true; he will weep you 328an 'twere a man born in April.

And I'll spring up in his tears, an'twere a nettle 330against May.

Hark, they are coming from the field. Shall we 332stand up here and see them as they pass toward Ilium? 333Good niece, do, sweet niece Cressida.

At your pleasure.

Here, here, here's an excellent place; here we 336may see most bravely. I'll tell you them all by their names 337as they pass by, but mark Troilus above the rest.

Speak not so loud.

That's Aeneas. Is not that a brave man? He's one 341of the flowers of Troy, I can tell you. But mark Troilus. You 342shall see anon.

Who's that?

That's Antenor. He has a shrewd wit, I can tell 346you, and he's a man good enough; he's one 347o'th'soundest judgments in Troy whosoever, and a proper man of 348person. When comes Troilus? I'll show you Troilus anon. 349If he see me, you shall see him nod at me.

Will he give you the nod?

You shall see.

If he do, the rich shall have more.

That's Hector; that, that, look you, that: there's a fellow. Go 355thy way, Hector. There's a brave man, niece. 356O brave Hector. Look how he looks. There's a 357countenance. Is't not a brave man?

O brave man.

Is a not? It does a man's heart good. Look you 360what hacks are on his helmet. Look you yonder. Do you 361see? Look you there. There's no jesting; there's laying on; tak't 362off who will, as they say; there be hacks.

Be those with swords?

Swords, anything, he cares not; an the devil 366come to him, it's all one; by God's lid, it does one's heart 367good. Yonder comes Paris. Yonder comes Paris. Look 368ye yonder, niece. Is't not a gallant man too, is't not? Why, 369this is brave now: who said he came hurt home today? 370He's not hurt. Why, this will do Helen's heart good 371now, ha? Would I could see Troilus now; you shall 372see Troilus anon.

Who's that?

That's Helenus. I marvel where Troilus is. That's 376Helenus. -- I think he went not forth today. -- That's 377Helenus.

Can Helenus fight, uncle?

Helenus? No. Yes, he'll fight indifferent well. I 380marvel where Troilus is. Hark, do you not hear the 381people cry "Troilus"? -- Helenus is a priest.

What sneaking fellow comes yonder?

Where? Yonder? That's Deiphobus. -- 'Tis 385Troilus. There's a man, niece, hem? Brave Troilus, the prince 386of chivalry.

Peace, for shame, peace.

1.2.127388Pandarus [Pointing toward Troilus]

Mark him, [Pointing toward another Trojan warrior] not him. O brave Troilus. Look 389well upon him, niece; look you how his sword is 390bloodied, and his helm more hacked than Hector's, and how he 391looks, and how he goes. O admirable youth. 392He ne'er saw three and twenty. Go thy way, Troilus, go thy way. 393Had I a sister were a grace, or a daughter a goddess, he 394should take his choice. O admirable man. Paris? Paris 395is dirt to him, and, I warrant Helen, to change, 396would give money to boot.

Here come more.

Asses, fools, dolts; chaff and bran, chaff and 400bran; porridge after meat. I could live and 401die i'th'eyes of Troilus. Ne'er look; ne'er look; the eagles are gone. 402Crows and daws, crows and daws. I had rather be 403such a man as Troilus than Agamemnon and all Greece.

There is among the Greeks Achilles, a better 405man than Troilus.

Achilles? A drayman, a porter, a very camel.

Well, well.

"Well, well?" Why, have you any discretion? Have 409you any eyes? Do you know what a man is? Is not birth, 410beauty, good shape, discourse, manhood, learning, 411gentleness, virtue, youth, liberality, and so forth, the spice 412and salt that seasons a man?

Ay, a minced man, and then to be baked with no date 414in the pie, for then the man's date's out.

You are such another woman; one knows not 416at what ward you lie.

Upon my back, to defend my belly; upon my 418wit, to defend my wiles; upon my secrecy, to defend 419mine honesty; my mask, to defend my beauty, and you 420to defend all these; and all these wards I lie at, at a 421thousand watches.

Say one of your watches.

Nay, I'll watch you for that, and that's one of 424the chiefest of them too. If I cannot ward what I would 425not have hit, I can watch you for telling how I took the 426blow, unless it swell past hiding, and then it's past 427watching.

You are such another.

Sir, my lord would instantly speak with you.

Where?

At your own house.

Good boy, tell him I come.

1.2.144I doubt he be hurt. 434Fare ye well, good niece.

Adieu, uncle.

I'll be with you, niece, by and by.

To bring, uncle?

Ay, a token from Troilus.

By the same token, you are a bawd.

1.2.150440Words, vows, gifts, tears, and love's full sacrifice,

1.2.151441He offers in another's enterprise,

1.2.152442But more in Troilus thousandfold I see

1.2.153443Than in the glass of Pandar's praise may be;

1.2.154444Yet hold I off. Women are angels, wooing;

1.2.155445Things won are done; joy's soul lies in the doing.

1.2.156446That she belov'd knows naught that knows not this:

1.2.157447Men prize the thing ungained more than it is.

1.2.158448That she was never yet that ever knew

1.2.159449Love got so sweet as when desire did sue.

1.2.160450Therefore this maxim out of love I teach:

1.2.161451"Achievement is command; ungained, beseech."

1.2.162452That though my heart's contents firm love doth bear,

1.2.163453Nothing of that shall from mine eyes appear.

Princes,

1.3.2457What grief hath set the jaundice on your cheeks?

1.3.3458The ample proposition that hope makes

1.3.4459In all designs begun on earth below

1.3.5460Fails in the promised largeness; checks and disasters

1.3.6461Grow in the veins of actions highest reared,

1.3.7462As knots, by the conflux of meeting sap,

1.3.8463Infect the sound pine, and diverts his grain,

1.3.9464Tortive and errant, from his course of growth.

1.3.10465Nor, princes, is it matter new to us

1.3.11466That we come short of our suppose so far

1.3.12467That after seven years' siege yet Troy walls stand,

1.3.13468Sith every action that hath gone before,

1.3.14469Whereof we have record, trial did draw

1.3.15470Bias and thwart, not answering the aim

1.3.16471And that unbodied figure of the thought

1.3.17472That gave't surmisèd shape. Why then, you princes,

1.3.18473Do you with cheeks abashed behold our works

1.3.19474And think them shame, which are indeed naught else

1.3.20475But the protractive trials of great Jove

1.3.21476To find persistive constancy in men?

1.3.22477The fineness of which mettle is not found

1.3.23478In fortune's love, for, then, the bold and coward,

1.3.24479The wise and fool, the artist and unread,

1.3.25480The hard and soft, seem all affined and kin.

1.3.26481But in the wind and tempest of her frown,

1.3.27482Distinction, with a loud and powerful fan,

1.3.28483Puffing at all, winnows the light away;

1.3.29484And what hath mass or matter by itself

1.3.30485Lies rich in virtue and unminglèd.

With due observance of thy godly seat,

1.3.32487Great Agamemnon, Nestor shall apply

1.3.33488Thy latest words. 489In the reproof of chance

1.3.34490Lies the true proof of men. The sea being smooth,

1.3.35491How many shallow bauble boats dare sail

1.3.36492Upon her patient breast, making their way

1.3.37493With those of nobler bulk?

1.3.38494But let the ruffian Boreas once enrage

1.3.39495The gentle Thetis, and anon behold

1.3.40496The strong-ribbed bark through liquid mountains cut,

1.3.41497Bounding between the two moist elements

1.3.42498Like Perseus' horse. Where's then the saucy boat

1.3.43499Whose weak, untimbered sides but even now

1.3.44500Corrivalled greatness? Either to harbor fled,

1.3.45501Or made a toast for Neptune. Even so

1.3.46502Doth valor's show and valor's worth divide

1.3.47503In storms of fortune. 504For, in her ray and brightness,

1.3.48505The herd hath more annoyance by the breeze

1.3.49506Than by the tiger. But, when the splitting wind

1.3.50507Makes flexible the knees of knotted oaks,

1.3.51508And flies fled under shade, why then 509the thing of courage,

1.3.52510As roused with rage, with rage doth sympathize,

1.3.53511And with an accent tuned in selfsame key,

1.3.54512Retires to chiding fortune.

Retires to chiding fortune. Agamemnon,

1.3.55514Thou great commander, nerve and bone of Greece,

1.3.56515Heart of our numbers, soul, and only spirit,

1.3.57516In whom the tempers and the minds of all

1.3.58517Should be shut up, hear what Ulysses speaks.

1.3.59518Besides th'applause and approbation

1.3.60519The which,[To Agamemnon] most mighty for thy place and sway,

1.3.61520[To Nestor] And thou most reverend for thy stretched-out life,

1.3.62521I give to both your speeches, which were such

1.3.63522As Agamemnon and the hand of Greece

1.3.64523Should hold up high in brass, and such again

1.3.65524As venerable Nestor (hatched in silver)

1.3.66525Should with a bond of air, strong as the axletree

1.3.67526In which the heavens ride, knit all Greeks' ears

1.3.68527To his experienced tongue; yet let it please both --

1.3.69528[To Agamemnon] Thou great -- [To Nestor] and wise -- to hear Ulysses speak.

Speak, prince of Ithaca, and be't of less expect

1.3.71530That matter needless, of importless burden,

1.3.72531Divide thy lips than we are confident,

1.3.73532When rank Thersites opes his mastic jaws,

1.3.74533We shall hear music, wit, and oracle.

Troy, yet upon his basis, had been down,

1.3.76535And the great Hector's sword had lacked a master,

1.3.77536But for these instances:

1.3.78537The specialty of rule hath been neglected,

1.3.79538And look how many Grecian tents do stand

1.3.80539Hollow upon this plain, so many hollow factions.

1.3.81540When that the general is not like the hive

1.3.82541To whom the foragers shall all repair,

1.3.83542What honey is expected? Degree being vizarded,

1.3.84543Th'unworthiest shows as fairly in the mask.

1.3.85544The heavens themselves, the planets, and this center

1.3.86545Observe degree, priority, and place,

1.3.87546Insisture, course, proportion, season, form,

1.3.88547Office, and custom, in all line of order,

1.3.89548And therefore is the glorious planet Sol

1.3.90549In noble eminence enthroned and sphered

1.3.91550Amidst the other, whose med'cinable eye

1.3.92551Corrects the ill aspects of planets evil,

1.3.93552And posts like the commandment of a king,

1.3.94553Sans check, to good and bad. But when the planets

1.3.95554In evil mixture to disorder wander,

1.3.96555What plagues, and what portents, what mutiny,

1.3.97556What raging of the sea, shaking of earth,

1.3.98557Commotion in the winds, frights, changes, horrors,

1.3.99558Divert and crack, rend and deracinate

1.3.100559The unity and married calm of states

1.3.101560Quite from their fixure? Oh, when degree is shaked,

1.3.102561(Which is the ladder to all high designs)

1.3.103562The enterprise is sick. How could communities,

1.3.104563Degrees in schools, and brotherhoods in cities,

1.3.105564Peaceful commerce from dividable shores,

1.3.106565The primogenitive and due of birth,

1.3.107566Prerogative of age, crowns, scepters, laurels,

1.3.108567But by degree, stand in authentic place?

1.3.109568Take but degree away, untune that string,

1.3.110569And, hark, what discord follows: each thing meets

1.3.111570In mere oppugnancy; the bounded waters

1.3.112571Should lift their bosoms higher than the shores,

1.3.113572And make a sop of all this solid globe;

1.3.114573Strength should be lord of imbecility,

1.3.115574And the rude son should strike his father dead;

1.3.116575Force should be right, or rather, right and wrong

1.3.117576(Between whose endless jar, justice resides)

1.3.118577Should lose their names, and so should justice too.

1.3.119578Then every thing includes itself in power,

1.3.120579Power into will, will into appetite,

1.3.121580And appetite, an universal wolf,

1.3.122581(So doubly seconded with will and power),

1.3.123582Must make perforce an universal prey,

1.3.124583And last, eat up himself.

1.3.125584Great Agamemnon,

1.3.126585This chaos, when degree is suffocate,

1.3.127586Follows the choking,

1.3.128587And this neglection of degree is it

1.3.129588That by a pace goes backward, in a purpose

1.3.130589It hath to climb. The general's disdained

1.3.131590By him one step below; he, by the next;

1.3.132591That next, by him beneath; so every step

1.3.133592Exampled by the first pace that is sick

1.3.134593Of his superior, grows to an envious fever

1.3.135594Of pale and bloodless emulation.

1.3.136595And 'tis this fever that keeps Troy on foot,

1.3.137596Not her own sinews. To end a tale of length,

1.3.138597Troy in our weakness lives, not in her strength.

Most wisely hath Ulysses here discovered

1.3.140599The fever whereof all our power is sick.

The nature of the sickness found, Ulysses,

1.3.142601What is the remedy?

The great Achilles, whom opinion crowns

1.3.144603The sinew and the forehand of our host,

1.3.145604Having his ear full of his airy fame

1.3.146605Grows dainty of his worth, and in his tent

1.3.147606Lies mocking our designs. With him Patroclus

1.3.148607Upon a lazy bed the livelong day

1.3.149608Breaks scurril jests,

1.3.150609And with ridiculous and awkward action

1.3.151610(Which, slanderer, he imitation calls),

1.3.152611He pageants us. Sometime, great Agamemnon,

1.3.153612Thy topless deputation he puts on,

1.3.154613And, like a strutting player, whose conceit

1.3.155614Lies in his hamstring, and doth think it rich

1.3.156615To hear the wooden dialogue and sound

1.3.157616'Twixt his stretched footing and the scaffoldage,

1.3.158617Such to-be-pitied and o'er-wrested seeming,

1.3.159618He acts thy greatness in; and when he speaks,

1.3.160619'Tis like a chime a-mending, with terms unsquared,

1.3.161620Which from the tongue of roaring Typhon dropped

1.3.162621Would seem hyperboles. At this fusty stuff,

1.3.163622The large Achilles, on his pressed bed lolling,

1.3.164623From his deep chest laughs out a loud applause,

1.3.165624Cries, "Excellent. 'tis Agamemnon just.

1.3.166625Now play me Nestor; hum and stroke thy beard

1.3.167626As he, being dressed to some oration."

1.3.168627That's done as near as the extremest ends

1.3.169628Of parallels, as like as Vulcan and his wife.

1.3.170629Yet god Achilles still cries, "Excellent.

1.3.171630'Tis Nestor right. Now play him me, Patroclus,

1.3.172631Arming to answer in a night alarm."

1.3.173632And then, forsooth, the faint defects of age

1.3.174633Must be the scene of mirth, to cough and spit,

1.3.175634And with a palsy, fumbling on his gorget,

1.3.176635Shake in and out the rivet. And at this sport

1.3.177636Sir Valor dies, cries, "O, enough, Patroclus,

1.3.178637Or give me ribs of steel. I shall split all

1.3.179638In pleasure of my spleen." And in this fashion,

1.3.180639All our abilities, gifts, natures, shapes,

1.3.181640Severals and generals of grace exact,

1.3.182641Achievements, plots, orders, preventions,

1.3.183642Excitements to the field, or speech for truce,

1.3.184643Success or loss, what is or is not, serves

1.3.185644As stuff for these two to make paradoxes.

And in the imitation of these twain --

1.3.187646Who, as Ulysses says, opinion crowns

1.3.188647With an imperial voice -- many are infect.

1.3.189648Ajax is grown self-willed and bears his head

1.3.190649In such a rein, in full as proud a place

1.3.191650As broad Achilles, and keeps his tent like him,

1.3.192651Makes factious feasts, rails on our state of war

1.3.193652Bold as an oracle, and sets Thersites

1.3.194653(A slave whose gall coins slanders like a mint)

1.3.195654To match us in comparisons with dirt,

1.3.196655To weaken and discredit our exposure,

1.3.197656How rank soever rounded in with danger.

They tax our policy and call it cowardice,

1.3.199658Count wisdom as no member of the war,

1.3.200659Forestall prescience, and esteem no act

1.3.201660But that of hand. The still and mental parts

1.3.202661That do contrive how many hands shall strike

1.3.203662When fitness calls them on and know by measure

1.3.204663Of their observant toil the enemy's weight,

1.3.205664Why, this hath not a finger's dignity.

1.3.206665They call this bed-work, mapp'ry, closet-war.

1.3.207666So that the ram that batters down the wall,

1.3.208667For the great swing and rudeness of his poise,

1.3.209668They place before his hand that made the engine,

1.3.210669Or those that with the fineness of their souls

1.3.211670By reason guide his execution.

Let this be granted, and Achilles' horse

1.3.213672Makes many Thetis' sons.

What trumpet? Look, Menelaus.

From Troy.

What would you 'fore our tent?

Is this great Agamemnon's tent, I pray you?

Even this.

May one that is a herald and a prince

1.3.220679Do a fair message to his kingly ears?

With surety stronger than Achilles' arm,

1.3.222681'Fore all the Greekish heads, which with one voice

1.3.223682Call Agamemnon head and general.

Fair leave and large security. How may

1.3.225684A stranger to those most imperial looks

1.3.226685Know them from eyes of other mortals?

Know them from eyes of other mortals? How?

Ay, I ask that I might waken reverence

1.3.228688And, on the cheek, be ready with a blush

1.3.229689Modest as morning when she coldly eyes

1.3.230690The youthful Phoebus.

1.3.231691Which is that god in office guiding men?

1.3.232692Which is the high and mighty Agamemnon?

This Trojan scorns us, or the men of Troy

1.3.234694Are ceremonious courtiers.

Courtiers as free, as debonair, unarmed,

1.3.236696As bending angels; that's their fame in peace;

1.3.237697But when they would seem soldiers, they have galls,

1.3.238698Good arms, strong joints, true swords, and (Jove's accord)

1.3.239699Nothing so full of heart. But peace, Aeneas;

1.3.240700Peace, Trojan; lay thy finger on thy lips.

1.3.241701The worthiness of praise distains his worth

1.3.242702If that he, praised, himself bring the praise forth.

1.3.243703But what the repining enemy commends,

1.3.244704That breath fame blows, that praise -- sole pure -- transcends.

`

Sir, you of Troy, call you yourself Aeneas?

Ay, Greek, that is my name.

What's your affair, I pray you?

Sir, pardon; 'tis for Agamemnon's ears.

He hears nought privately 710that comes from Troy.

Nor I from Troy come not to whisper him;

1.3.251712I bring a trumpet to awake his ear,

1.3.252713To set his sense on the attentive bent,

1.3.253714And then to speak.

And then to speak. Speak frankly as the wind.

1.3.254716It is not Agamemnon's sleeping hour;

1.3.255717That thou shalt know. Trojan, he is awake,

1.3.256718He tells thee so himself.

He tells thee so himself. Trumpet, blow loud.

1.3.257720Send thy brass voice through all these lazy tents,

1.3.258721And every Greek of mettle, let him know

1.3.259722What Troy means fairly shall be spoke aloud.

1.3.260724We have, great Agamemnon, here in Troy,

1.3.261725A prince called Hector (Priam is his father)

1.3.262726Who in this dull and long-continued truce

1.3.263727Is rusty grown. He bade me take a trumpet

1.3.264728And to this purpose speak: Kings, princes, lords,

1.3.265729If there be one amongst the fair'st of Greece

1.3.266730That holds his honor higher than his ease,

1.3.267731That seeks his praise more than he fears his peril,

1.3.268732That knows his valor, and knows not his fear,

1.3.269733That loves his mistress more than in confession

1.3.270734With truant vows to her own lips he loves,

1.3.271735And dare avow her beauty and her worth

1.3.272736In other arms than hers -- to him, this challenge:

1.3.273737Hector, in view of Trojans and of Greeks,

1.3.274738Shall make it good, or do his best to do it.

1.3.275739He hath a lady, wiser, fairer, truer,

1.3.276740Than ever Greek did compass in his arms,

1.3.277741And will tomorrow with his trumpet call,

1.3.278742Midway between your tents and walls of Troy,

1.3.279743To rouse a Grecian that is true in love.

1.3.280744If any come, Hector shall honor him;

1.3.281745If none, he'll say in Troy when he retires,

1.3.282746The Grecian dames are sun-burnt and not worth

1.3.283747The splinter of a lance -- even so much.

This shall be told our lovers, lord Aeneas.

1.3.285749If none of them have soul in such a kind,

1.3.286750We left them all at home. But we are soldiers,

1.3.287751And may that soldier a mere recreant prove

1.3.288752That means not, hath not, or is not in love;

1.3.289753If then, one is, or hath, or means to be,

1.3.290754That one meets Hector; if none else, I'll be he.

[To Aeneas]Tell him of Nestor, one that was a man

1.3.292756When Hector's grandsire sucked. He is old now,

1.3.293757But, if there be not in our Grecian mold

1.3.294758One noble man that hath one spark of fire

1.3.295759To answer for his love, tell him from me,

1.3.296760I'll hide my silver beard in a gold beaver,

1.3.297761And in my vantbrace put this withered brawn,

1.3.298762And, meeting him, will tell him that my lady

1.3.299763Was fairer than his grandam, and as chaste

1.3.300764As may be in the world. His youth in flood,

1.3.301765I'll pawn this truth with my three drops of blood.

Now heavens forbid such scarcity of youth.

Amen.

Fair lord Aeneas, 769let me touch your hand.

1.3.305770To our pavilion shall I lead you first.

1.3.306771Achilles shall have word of this intent;

1.3.307772So shall each lord of Greece, from tent to tent.

1.3.308773Yourself shall feast with us before you go,

1.3.309774And find the welcome of a noble foe.

Nestor.

What says Ulysses?

I have a young conception in my brain;

1.3.313779Be you my time to bring it to some shape.

What is't?

This 'tis:

1.3.316782Blunt wedges rive hard knots; the seeded pride

1.3.317783That hath to this maturity blown up

1.3.318784In rank Achilles must or now be cropped,

1.3.319785Or, shedding, breed a nursery of like evil

1.3.320786To overbulk us all.

Well, and how?

This challenge that the gallant Hector sends,

1.3.323789However it is spread in general name,

1.3.324790Relates in purpose only to Achilles.

The purpose is perspicuous, even as substance

1.3.326792Whose grossness little characters sum up,

1.3.327793And, in the publication, make no strain,

1.3.328794But that Achilles, were his brain as barren

1.3.329795As banks of Libya (though, Apollo knows,

1.3.330796'Tis dry enough) will with great speed of judgment,

1.3.331797Ay, with celerity, find Hector's purpose

1.3.332798Pointing on him.

And wake him to the answer, think you?

Yes, 'tis most meet. Who may you else oppose

1.3.335801That can from Hector bring his honor off,

1.3.336802If not Achilles? Though't be a sportful combat,

1.3.337803Yet in this trial much opinion dwells,

1.3.338804For here the Trojans taste our dear'st repute

1.3.339805With their fin'st palate, and, trust to me, Ulysses,

1.3.340806Our imputation shall be oddly poised

1.3.341807In this wild action; for the success,

1.3.342808Although particular, shall give a scantling

1.3.343809Of good or bad unto the general,

1.3.344810And, in such indexes, although small pricks

1.3.345811To their subsequent volumes, there is seen

1.3.346812The baby figure of the giant mass

1.3.347813Of things to come at large. It is supposed

1.3.348814He that meets Hector issues from our choice;

1.3.349815And choice, being mutual act of all our souls,

1.3.350816Makes merit her election, and doth boil,

1.3.351817As 'twere, from forth us all a man distilled

1.3.352818Out of our virtues, who miscarrying,

1.3.353819What heart from hence receives the conqu'ring part

1.3.354820To steel a strong opinion to themselves?

1.3.355821Which entertained, limbs are, in his instruments,

1.3.356822In no less working than are swords and bows

1.3.357823Directive by the limbs.

Directive by the limbs. Give pardon to my speech:

1.3.358825Therefore 'tis meet Achilles meet not Hector.

1.3.359826Let us (like merchants) show our foulest wares,

1.3.360827And think perchance they'll sell; if not,

1.3.361828The luster of the better yet to show

1.3.362829Shall show the better. Do not consent

1.3.363830That ever Hector and Achilles meet;

1.3.364831For both our honor and our shame in this

1.3.365832Are dogged with two strange followers.

I see them not with my old eyes. What are they?

What glory our Achilles shares from Hector,

1.3.368835Were he not proud, we all should wear with him.

1.3.369836But he already is too insolent,

1.3.370837And we were better parch in Afric sun

1.3.371838Than in the pride and salt scorn of his eyes

1.3.372839Should he scape Hector fair. If he were foiled,

1.3.373840Why then we did our main opinion crush

1.3.374841In taint of our best man. No, make a lott'ry,

1.3.375842And by device let blockish Ajax draw

1.3.376843The sort to fight with Hector; among ourselves

1.3.377844Give him allowance as the worthier man,

1.3.378845For that will physic the great Myrmidon,

1.3.379846Who broils in loud applause, and make him fall

1.3.380847His crest that prouder than blue Iris bends.

1.3.381848If the dull, brainless Ajax come safe off,

1.3.382849We'll dress him up in voices; if he fail,

1.3.383850Yet go we under our opinion still

1.3.384851That we have better men. But hit or miss,

1.3.385852Our project's life this shape of sense assumes:

1.3.386853Ajax employed plucks down Achilles' plumes.

Now, Ulysses, I begin to relish thy advice,

1.3.388855And I will give a taste of it forthwith

1.3.389856To Agamemnon. Go we to him straight.

1.3.390857Two curs shall tame each other; pride alone

1.3.391858Must tarre the mastiffs on, as 'twere their bone.

Thersites?

Agamemnon, how if he had boils, full, all over, generally?862

Thersites?

And those boils did run (say so), did not the 865general run? Were not that a botchy core?

Dog.

Then there would come some matter from him; 868I see none now.

Thou bitch wolf's son, canst thou not hear? 870Feel then.

The plague of Greece upon thee, thou mongrel 872beef-witted lord.

Speak then, you whinid'st leaven, speak. I will 874beat thee into handsomeness.

I shall sooner rail thee into wit and holiness, 876but I think thy horse will sooner con an oration than thou 877learn a prayer without book. Thou canst strike, canst 878thou? A red murrain o'thy jade's tricks.

Toad's stool, learn me the proclamation.

Dost thou think I have no sense, thou strik'st me thus?

The proclamation.

Thou art proclaimed a fool, I think.

Do not, porcupine; do not; my fingers itch.

I would thou didst itch from head to foot, and 885I had the scratching of thee. I would make thee the 886loathsomest scab in Greece.

I say, the proclamation.

Thou grumblest and railest every hour on 889Achilles, and thou art as full of envy at his greatness as 890Cerberus is at Proserpina's beauty, ay, that thou bark'st at him.

Mistress Thersites.

Thou shouldst strike him.

Cobloaf.

He would pun thee into shivers with his fist, as 895a sailor breaks a biscuit.

You whoreson cur.

Do, do.

Thou stool for a witch.

Ay, do, do, thou sodden-witted lord; thou hast 899no more brain than I have in mine elbows; an asinico 900may tutor thee. Thou scurvy valiant ass, thou art here 901but to thresh Trojans, and thou art bought and sold, 902among those of any wit, like a barbarian slave. If thou use 903to beat me, I will begin at thy heel and tell what thou art 904by inches, thou thing of no bowels, thou.

You dog.

You scurvy lord.

You cur.

Mars his idiot, do; rudeness, do; camel, do, do.

Why, how now, Ajax? Wherefore do you this?

2.1.32911How now, Thersites? What's the matter, man?

You see him there, do you?

Ay, what's the matter?

Nay, look upon him.

So I do. What's the matter?

Nay, but regard him well.

"Well?" Why, I do so.

But yet you look not well upon him, for 919whosomever you take him to be, he is Ajax.

I know that, fool.

Ay, but that fool knows not himself.

Therefore, I beat thee.

Lo, lo, lo, lo, what modicums of wit he utters; his 924evasions have ears thus long. I have bobbed his brain 925more than he has beat my bones. I will buy nine 926sparrows for a penny, and his pia mater is not worth the ninth 927part of a sparrow. This lord, Achilles -- Ajax, who wears 928his wit in his belly and his guts in his head -- I'll tell you 929what I say of him.

What?

I say this Ajax --

Nay, good Ajax.

-- has not so much wit --

Nay, I must hold you.

-- as will stop the eye of Helen's needle, for whom 936he comes to fight.

Peace, fool.

I would have peace and quietness, but the fool 939will not -- he there, that he, look you there.

O thou damned cur, I shall --

Will you set your wit to a fool's?

No, I warrant you, for a fool's will shame it.

Good words, Thersites.

What's the quarrel?

I bade the vile owl go learn me the tenor 946of the proclamation, and he rails upon me.

I serve thee not.

Well, go to, go to.

I serve here voluntary.

Your last service was sufferance; 'twas not 951voluntary; no man is beaten voluntary. Ajax was here the 952voluntary, and you as under an impress.

E'en so, a great deal of your wit, too, lies in your 954sinews, or else there be liars. Hector shall have a great 955catch, if he knock out either of your brains; he were as 956good crack a fusty nut with no kernel.

What, with me too, Thersites?

There's Ulysses and old Nestor, whose wit was 959moldy ere their grandsires had nails on their toes, yoke 960you like draft-oxen, and make you plough up the war.

What? What?

Yes, good sooth. To, Achilles, to, Ajax, to --

I shall cut out your tongue.

'Tis no matter; I shall speak as much as thou 965afterwards.

No more words, Thersites. Peace.

I will hold my peace when Achilles' brooch bids 968me, shall I?

There's for you, Patroclus.

I will see you hanged like clotpolls ere I come 971any more to your tents; I will keep where there is wit 972stirring, and leave the faction of fools.

A good riddance.

[To Ajax] Marry, this, sir, is proclaimed through all our host:

2.1.75975That Hector by the fifth hour of the sun,

2.1.76976Will, with a trumpet, 'twixt our tents and Troy,

2.1.77977Tomorrow morning call some knight to arms

2.1.78978That hath a stomach, and such a one that dare

2.1.79979Maintain -- I know not what. 'Tis trash. Farewell.

Farewell? Who shall answer him?

I know not; 'tis put to lott'ry; otherwise 982he knew his man.

Oh, meaning you. I will go learn more of it.

After so many hours, lives, speeches spent,

2.2.2986Thus once again says Nestor from the Greeks:

2.2.3987"Deliver Helen, and all damage else

2.2.4988(As honor, loss of time, travail, expense,

2.2.5989Wounds, friends, and what else dear that is consumed

2.2.6990In hot digestion of this cormorant war)

2.2.7991Shall be struck off." Hector, what say you to't?

Though no man lesser fears the Greeks than I

2.2.9993As far as touches my particular, yet, dread Priam,

2.2.10994There is no lady of more softer bowels,

2.2.11995More spongy to suck in the sense of fear,

2.2.12996More ready to cry out, "Who knows what follows?"

2.2.13997Than Hector is. The wound of peace is surety,

2.2.14998Surety secure; but modest doubt is called

2.2.15999The beacon of the wise, the tent that searches

2.2.161000To th'bottom of the worst. Let Helen go.

2.2.171001Since the first sword was drawn about this question,

2.2.181002Every tithe soul, 'mongst many thousand dimes,

2.2.191003Hath been as dear as Helen -- I mean, of ours.

2.2.201004If we have lost so many tenths of ours

2.2.211005To guard a thing not ours, nor worth to us

2.2.221006(Had it our name) the value of one ten,

2.2.231007What merit's in that reason which denies

2.2.241008The yielding of her up?

The yielding of her up? Fie, fie, my brother,

2.2.251010Weigh you the worth and honor of a king

2.2.261011So great as our dread father in a scale

2.2.271012Of common ounces? Will you with counters sum

2.2.281013The past proportion of his infinite,

2.2.291014And buckle in a waist most fathomless

2.2.301015With spans and inches so diminutive

2.2.311016As fears and reasons? Fie, for godly shame.

No marvel though you bite so sharp at reasons;

2.2.331018You are so empty of them. Should not our father

2.2.341019Bear the great sway of his affairs with reasons

2.2.351020Because your speech hath none that tells him so?

You are for dreams and slumbers, brother priest;

2.2.371022You fur your gloves with reason. Here are your reasons:

2.2.381023You know an enemy intends you harm;

2.2.391024You know a sword employed is perilous,

2.2.401025And reason flies the object of all harm.

2.2.411026Who marvels, then, when Helenus beholds

2.2.421027A Grecian and his sword, if he do set

2.2.431028The very wings of reason to his heels

2.2.441030And fly like chidden Mercury from Jove,

2.2.451029Or like a star disorbed? Nay, if we talk of reason,

2.2.461031Let's shut our gates and sleep. Manhood and honor

2.2.471032Should have hare hearts, would they but fat their thoughts

2.2.481033With this crammed reason; reason and respect

2.2.491034Make livers pale, and lustihood deject.

Brother, she is not worth 1036what she doth cost

2.2.51The holding.

The holding. What's aught, but as 'tis valued?

But value dwells not in particular will;

2.2.531039It holds his estimate and dignity

2.2.541040As well wherein 'tis precious of itself

2.2.551041As in the prizer. 'Tis mad idolatry

2.2.561042To make the service greater than the god;

2.2.571043And the will dotes that is inclinable

2.2.581044To what infectiously itself affects,

2.2.591045Without some image of th'affected merit.

I take today a wife, and my election

2.2.611047Is led on in the conduct of my will,

2.2.621048My will enkindled by mine eyes and ears,

2.2.631049Two traded pilots 'twixt the dangerous shores

2.2.641050Of will and judgment. How may I avoid

2.2.651051(Although my will distaste what it elected)

2.2.661052The wife I chose? There can be no evasion

2.2.671053To blench from this and to stand firm by honor.

2.2.681054We turn not back the silks upon the merchant

2.2.691055When we have spoiled them, nor the remainder viands

2.2.701056We do not throw in unrespective same

2.2.711057Because we now are full. It was thought meet

2.2.721058Paris should do some vengeance on the Greeks;

2.2.731059Your breath of full consent bellied his sails;

2.2.741060The seas and winds (old wranglers) took a truce,

2.2.751061And did him service; he touched the ports desired,

2.2.761062And for an old aunt whom the Greeks held captive,

2.2.771063He brought a Grecian queen, whose youth and freshness

2.2.781064Wrinkles Apollo's, and makes stale the morning.

2.2.791065Why keep we her? The Grecians keep our aunt.

2.2.801066Is she worth keeping? Why, she is a pearl

2.2.811067Whose price hath launched above a thousand ships

2.2.821068And turned crowned kings to merchants.

2.2.831069If you'll avouch 'twas wisdom Paris went

2.2.841070(As you must needs, for you all cried, "Go, go."),

2.2.851071If you'll confess, he brought home noble prize

2.2.861072(As you must needs, for you all clapped your hands

2.2.871073And cried, "Inestimable"), why do you now

2.2.881074The issue of your proper wisdoms rate,

2.2.891075And do a deed that fortune never did:

2.2.901076Beggar the estimation which you prized

2.2.911077Richer than sea and land? O theft most base,

2.2.921078That we have stol'n what we do fear to keep.

2.2.931079But thieves unworthy of a thing so stol'n,

2.2.941080That in their country did them that disgrace,

2.2.951081We fear to warrant in our native place.

Cry, Trojans, cry.

Cry, Trojans, cry. What noise? What shriek is this?

'Tis our mad sister; I do know her voice.

Cry, Trojans.

It is Cassandra.

Cry, Trojans, cry. Lend me ten thousand eyes

2.2.1011090And I will fill them with prophetic tears.

Peace, sister, peace.

Virgins and boys, mid-age, and wrinkled old,

2.2.1041093Soft infancy, that nothing can but cry,

2.2.1051094Add to my clamor. Let us pay betimes

2.2.1061095A moiety of that mass of moan to come.

2.2.1071096Cry, Trojans, cry. Practice your eyes with tears.

2.2.1081097Troy must not be, nor goodly Ilium stand.

2.2.1091098Our firebrand brother, Paris, burns us all.

2.2.1101099Cry, Trojans, cry. A Helen and a woe.

2.2.1111100Cry, cry. Troy burns, or else let Helen go.

Now, youthful Troilus, do not these high strains

2.2.1131102Of divination in our sister work

2.2.1141103Some touches of remorse? Or is your blood

2.2.1151104So madly hot that no discourse of reason,

2.2.1161105Nor fear of bad success in a bad cause,

2.2.1171106Can qualify the same?

Can qualify the same? Why, brother Hector,

2.2.1181108We may not think the justness of each act

2.2.1191109Such and no other than event doth form it,

2.2.1201110Nor once deject the courage of our minds

2.2.1211111Because Cassandra's mad. Her brainsick raptures

2.2.1221112Cannot distaste the goodness of a quarrel

2.2.1231113Which hath our several honors all engaged

2.2.1241114To make it gracious. For my private part,

2.2.1251115I am no more touched than all Priam's sons,

2.2.1261116And Jove forbid there should be done amongst us

2.2.1271117Such things as might offend the weakest spleen

2.2.1281118To fight for and maintain.

Else might the world convince of levity

2.2.1301120As well my undertakings as your counsels.

2.2.1311121But I attest the gods, your full consent

2.2.1321122Gave wings to my propension, and cut off

2.2.1331123All fears attending on so dire a project.

2.2.1341124For what, alas, can these my single arms?

2.2.1351125What propugnation is in one man's valor

2.2.1361126To stand the push and enmity of those

2.2.1371127This quarrel would excite? Yet, I protest,

2.2.1381128Were I alone to pass the difficulties,

2.2.1391129And had as ample power as I have will,

2.2.1401130Paris should ne'er retract what he hath done,

2.2.1411131Nor faint in the pursuit.

Nor faint in the pursuit. Paris, you speak

2.2.1421133Like one besotted on your sweet delights;

2.2.1431134You have the honey still, but these the gall,

2.2.1441135So to be valiant is no praise at all.

Sir, I propose not merely to myself

2.2.1461137The pleasures such a beauty brings with it,

2.2.1471138But I would have the soil of her fair rape

2.2.1481139Wiped off in honorable keeping her.

2.2.1491140What treason were it to the ransacked queen,

2.2.1501141Disgrace to your great worths, and shame to me,

2.2.1511142Now to deliver her possession up

2.2.1521143On terms of base compulsion? Can it be

2.2.1531144That so degenerate a strain as this

2.2.1541145Should once set footing in your generous bosoms?

2.2.1551146There's not the meanest spirit on our party

2.2.1561147Without a heart to dare, or sword to draw,

2.2.1571148When Helen is defended, nor none so noble

2.2.1581149Whose life were ill bestowed, or death unfamed,

2.2.1591150Where Helen is the subject. Then, I say,

2.2.1601151Well may we fight for her, whom we know well

2.2.1611152The world's large spaces cannot parallel.

Paris and Troilus, you have both said well,

2.2.1631154And, on the cause and question now in hand

2.2.1641155Have glossed but superficially, not much

2.2.1651156Unlike young men, whom Aristotle thought

2.2.1661157Unfit to hear moral philosophy.

2.2.1671158The reasons you allege do more conduce

2.2.1681159To the hot passion of distempered blood

2.2.1691160Than to make up a free determination

2.2.1701161'Twixt right and wrong. For pleasure and revenge

2.2.1711162Have ears more deaf than adders to the voice

2.2.1721163Of any true decision. Nature craves

2.2.1731164All dues be rendered to their owners. Now,

2.2.1741165What nearer debt in all humanity

2.2.1751166Than wife is to the husband? If this law

2.2.1761167Of nature be corrupted through affection,

2.2.1771168And that great minds, of partial indulgence

2.2.1781169To their benumbèd wills, resist the same,

2.2.1791170There is a law in each well-ordered nation

2.2.1801171To curb those raging appetites that are

2.2.1811172Most disobedient and refractory.

2.2.1821173If Helen then be wife to Sparta's king

2.2.1831174(As it is known she is), these moral laws

2.2.1841175Of nature and of nation speak aloud

2.2.1851176To have her back returned. Thus to persist

2.2.1861177In doing wrong extenuates not wrong,

2.2.1871178But makes it much more heavy. Hector's opinion

2.2.1881179Is this in way of truth. Yet ne'ertheless,

2.2.1891180My sprightly brethren, I propend to you

2.2.1901181In resolution to keep Helen still,

2.2.1911182For 'tis a cause that hath no mean dependence

2.2.1921183Upon our joint and several dignities.

Why, there you touched the life of our design.

2.2.1941185Were it not glory that we more affected

2.2.1951186Than the performance of our heaving spleens,

2.2.1961187I would not wish a drop of Trojan blood

2.2.1971188Spent more in her defense. But, worthy Hector,

2.2.1981189She is a theme of honor and renown,

2.2.1991190A spur to valiant and magnanimous deeds

2.2.2001191Whose present courage may beat down our foes,

2.2.2011192And fame in time to come canonize us.

2.2.2021193For I presume brave Hector would not lose

2.2.2031194So rich advantage of a promised glory

2.2.2041195As smiles upon the forehead of this action,

2.2.2051196For the wide world's revenue.

For the wide world's revenue. I am yours,

2.2.2061198You valiant offspring of great Priamus.

2.2.2071199I have a roisting challenge sent amongst

2.2.2081200The dull and factious nobles of the Greeks

2.2.2091201Will strike amazement to their drowsy spirits.

2.2.2101202I was advertised their great general slept

2.2.2111203Whilst emulation in the army crept.

2.2.2121204This, I presume, will wake him.

How now, Thersites? What, lost in the labyrinth of thy 1207fury? Shall the elephant Ajax carry it thus? He beats 1208me, and I rail at him. O worthy satisfaction. Would it 1209were otherwise, that I could beat him whilst he railed 1210at me. 'Sfoot, I'll learn to conjure and raise devils, but 1211I'll see some issue of my spiteful execrations. Then there's 1212Achilles, a rare engineer. If Troy be not taken till these two 1213undermine it, the walls will stand till they fall of 1214themselves. O thou great thunder-darter of Olympus, forget 1215that thou art Jove, the king of gods, and, Mercury, lose 1216all the serpentine craft of thy caduceus, if thou take not 1217that little-little-less-than-little wit from them that they 1218have, which short-armed ignorance itself knows is so 1219abundant scarce, it will not, in circumvention, deliver a 1220fly from a spider without drawing the massy irons and 1221cutting the web. After this, the vengeance on the whole 1222camp, or rather the bone-ache, for that me thinks is 1223the curse dependent on those that war for a placket. I have 1224said my prayers, and devil envy say, "Amen." -- What ho? 1225My lord Achilles?

Who's there? Thersites? Good Thersites, come 1228in and rail.

If I could have remembered a gilt counterfeit, 1230thou wouldst not have slipped out of my contemplation, 1231but it is no matter: thyself upon thyself. The common 1232curse of mankind, folly and ignorance, be thine in great 1233revenue; heaven bless thee from a tutor, and discipline 1234come not near thee. Let thy blood be thy direction till 1235thy death; then, if she that lays thee out says thou art a fair corpse, 1236I'll be sworn -- and sworn upon't -- she never 1237shrouded any but lazars. Amen. -- Where's Achilles?

What, art thou devout? Wast thou in a prayer?

Ay, the heavens hear me.

Who's there?

Thersites, my lord.

Where, where? -- [To Thersites] Art thou come? Why, my cheese, 1244my digestion, why hast thou not served thyself in to my 1245table so many meals? -- Come, what's Agamemnon?

Thy commander, Achilles; then tell me, 1247Patroclus, what's Achilles?

Thy lord, Thersites; then tell me, I pray thee,

1249what's thyself?

Thy knower, Patroclus; then tell me, Patroclus, 1251what art thou?

Thou mayst tell that knowest.

O tell, tell.

I'll decline the whole question: Agamemnon 1255commands Achilles; Achilles is my lord; I am Patroclus' 1256knower, and Patroclus is a fool.

You rascal.

Peace, fool, I have not done.

[To Patroclus] He is a privileged man. -- Proceed, Thersites.

Agamemnon is a fool; Achilles is a fool; 1261Thersites is a fool, and, as aforesaid, Patroclus is a fool.

Derive this. Come.

Agamemnon is a fool to offer to command 1264Achilles; Achilles is a fool to be commanded of Agamemnon; 1265Thersites is a fool to serve such a fool, and Patroclus is a 1266fool positive.

Why am I a fool?

Make that demand to the creator. It suffices me 1271thou art. Look you who comes here.

Patroclus, I'll speak with nobody; -- come in 1273with me, Thersites.

Here is such patchery, such juggling, and such 1275knavery. All the argument is a cuckold and a whore, a 1276good quarrel to draw emulations, factions, and bleed to 1277death upon. Now, the dry serpigo on the subject, and 1278war and lechery confound all..

[To Patroclus] Where is Achilles?

Within his tent, but ill disposed, my lord.

Let it be known to him that we are here.

2.3.281282He sent our messengers, and we lay by

2.3.291283Our appertainments, visiting of him.

2.3.301284Let him be told so, lest perchance he think

2.3.311285We dare not move the question of our place,

2.3.321286Or know not what we are.

Or know not what we are. I shall so say to him.

We saw him at the opening of his tent;

2.3.341289He is not sick.

Yes, lion-sick, sick of proud heart; you may 1291call it melancholy if will favor the man, but, by my 1292head, it is pride. But why? Why? Let him show us the cause. 1293--A word, my lord.

What moves Ajax thus to bay at him?

Achilles hath inveigled his fool from him.

Who? Thersites?

He.

Then will Ajax lack matter, if he have lost his 1299argument.

No, you see, he is his argument that has his 1301argument -- Achilles.

All the better; their fraction is more our wish 1303than their faction; but it was a strong council that a 1304fool could disunite.

The amity that wisdom knits not, folly may 1306easily untie.

2.3.441307Here comes Patroclus.

Here comes Patroclus. No Achilles with him?

The elephant hath joints, but none for courtesy;

2.3.461310His legs are legs for necessity, not for flight.

[To Agamemnon] Achilles bids me say he is much sorry

2.3.481312If anything more than your sport and pleasure

2.3.491313Did move your greatness and this noble state

2.3.501314To call upon him; he hopes it is no other

2.3.511315But for your health and your digestion sake,

2.3.521316An after dinner's breath.

An after dinner's breath. Hear you, Patroclus.

2.3.531318We are too well acquainted with these answers,

2.3.541319But his evasion, winged thus swift with scorn,

2.3.551320Cannot outfly our apprehensions.

2.3.561321Much attribute he hath, and much the reason

2.3.571322Why we ascribe it to him, yet all his virtues,

2.3.581323Not virtuously of his own part beheld,

2.3.591324Do in our eyes begin to lose their gloss,

2.3.601325Yea, and like fair fruit in an unwholesome dish,

2.3.611326Are like to rot untasted. Go and tell him:

2.3.621327We came to speak with him, and you shall not sin

2.3.631328If you do say we think him over-proud

2.3.641329And under-honest; in self-assumption greater

2.3.651330Than in the note of judgment; and worthier than himself

2.3.661331Here tend the savage strangeness he puts on,

2.3.671332Disguise the holy strength of their command,

2.3.681333And underwrite in an observing kind

2.3.691334His humorous predominance, yea, watch

2.3.701335His pettish lines, his ebbs, his flows, as if

2.3.711336The passage and whole carriage of this action

2.3.721337Rode on his tide. Go tell him this, and add

2.3.731338That if he overhold his price so much,

2.3.741339We'll none of him, but let him, like an engine

2.3.751340Not portable, lie under this report:

2.3.761341"Bring action hither; this cannot go to war."

2.3.771342A stirring dwarf we do allowance give

2.3.781343Before a sleeping giant. Tell him so.

I shall, and bring his answer presently.

In second voice we'll not be satisfied;

2.3.811346We come to speak with him. -- Ulysses, enter you.

What is he more than another?

No more than what he thinks he is.

Is he so much? Do you not think he thinks 1351himself a better man than I am?

No question.

Will you subscribe his thought and say he is?

No, noble Ajax; you are as strong, as valiant, as 1355wise, no less noble, much more gentle and altogether 1356more tractable.

Why should a man be proud? How doth pride 1358grow? I know not what it is.

Your mind is the clearer, Ajax, and your virtues 1360the fairer; he that is proud eats up himself; pride is his 1361own glass, his own trumpet, his own chronicle; and 1362whatever praises itself but in the deed, devours the 1363deed in the praise.

I do hate a proud man as I hate the engendering 1366of toads.

[Aside] Yet he loves himself. Is't not strange?

Achilles will not to the field tomorrow.

What's his excuse?

What's his excuse? He doth rely on none,

2.3.941371But carries on the stream of his dispose

2.3.951372Without observance or respect of any,

2.3.961373In will peculiar, and in self-admission.

Why will he not upon our fair request

2.3.981375Untent his person and share the air with us?

Things small as nothing, for request's sake only,

2.3.1001377He makes important; possessed he is with greatness,

2.3.1011378And speaks not to himself but with a pride

2.3.1021379That quarrels at self-breath. Imagined wroth

2.3.1031380Holds in his blood such swoll'n and hot discourse

2.3.1041381That 'twixt his mental and his active parts

2.3.1051382Kingdomed Achilles in commotion rages

2.3.1061383And batters 'gainst itself. What should I say?

2.3.1071384He is so plaguy proud that the death-tokens of it

2.3.1081385Cry, "No recovery."

Cry, "No recovery." Let Ajax go to him.

2.3.1091387 [To Ajax] Dear lord, go you and greet him in his tent.

2.3.1101388'Tis said he holds you well, and will be led

2.3.1111389At your request a little from himself.

O Agamemnon, let it not be so.

2.3.1131391We'll consecrate the steps that Ajax makes

2.3.1141392When they go from Achilles. Shall the proud lord

2.3.1151393That bastes his arrogance with his own seam,

2.3.1161394And never suffers matter of the world

2.3.1171395Enter his thoughts, save such as do revolve

2.3.1181396And ruminate himself, shall he be worshipped

2.3.1191397Of that we hold an idol more than he?

2.3.1201398No, this thrice-worthy and right valiant lord

2.3.1211399Must not so stale his palm, nobly acquired,

2.3.1221400Nor by my will assubjugate his merit,

2.3.1231401As amply titled as Achilles' is, by going to Achilles.

2.3.1241402That were to enlard his fat-already pride,

2.3.1251403And add more coals to Cancer when he burns

2.3.1261404With entertaining great Hyperion.

2.3.1271405This lord go to him? Jupiter forbid,

2.3.1281406And say in thunder, "Achilles, go to him."

[Aside] Oh, this is well; he rubs the vein of him.

[Aside] And how his silence drinks up this applause.

If I go to him, with my armèd fist,

I'll pash him 1410o'er the face.

O no, you shall not go.

An a be proud with me, I'll feeze his pride.

Let 1413me go to him.

Not for the worth that hangs upon our quarrel.

A paltry, insolent fellow.

[Aside] How he describes himself.

Can he not be sociable?

[Aside] The raven chides blackness.

I'll let his humors blood.

[Aside] He will be the physician that should be the 1421patient.

An all men were o'my mind --

[Aside] Wit would be out of fashion.

-- a should not bear it so; a should eat swords 1425first. Shall pride carry it?

[Aside] An 'twould, you'd carry half.

[Aside] A would have ten shares.

I will knead him; I'll make him supple; he's not 1429yet through warm.

[Aside] Force him with praises; pour in, pour in; his 1431ambition is dry.

[To Agamemnon] My lord, you feed too much on this dislike.

Our noble general, do not do so.

[To Agamemnon] You must prepare to fight without Achilles.

Why, 'tis this naming of him doth him harm.

2.3.1521436Here is a man -- but 'tis before his face;

2.3.1531437I will be silent.

I will be silent. Wherefore should you so?

2.3.1541439He is not emulous, as Achilles is.

Know the whole world, he is as valiant.

A whoreson dog, that shall palter thus with us. Would 1442he were a Trojan.

What a vice were it in Ajax now --

If he were proud --

Or covetous of praise --

Ay, or surly borne --

Or strange, or self-affected.

[To Ajax]Thank the heavens, lord, thou art of sweet composure.

2.3.1631449Praise him that got thee, she that gave thee suck;

2.3.1641450Fame be thy tutor, and thy parts of nature

2.3.1651451Thrice famed beyond, beyond all erudition;

2.3.1661452But he that disciplined thy arms to fight,

2.3.1671453Let Mars divide eternity in twain

2.3.1681454And give him half, and, for thy vigor,

2.3.1691455Bull-bearing Milo his addition yield

2.3.1701456To sinewy Ajax. I will not praise thy wisdom,

2.3.1711457Which, like a bourn, a pale, a shore, confines

2.3.1721458Thy spacious and dilated parts. Here's Nestor

2.3.1731459Instructed by the antiquary times;

2.3.1741460He must, he is, he cannot but be wise.

2.3.1751461But pardon, father Nestor, were your days

2.3.1761462As green as Ajax' and your brain so tempered,

2.3.1771463You should not have the eminence of him,

2.3.1781464But be as Ajax.

But be as Ajax. Shall I call you father?

Ay, my good son.

Ay, my good son. Be ruled by him, lord Ajax.

There is no tarrying here; the hart Achilles

2.3.1811469Keeps thicket. Please it our general

2.3.1821470To call together all his state of war;

2.3.1831471Fresh kings are come to Troy; tomorrow

2.3.1841472We must with all our main of power stand fast,

2.3.1851473And here's a lord, come knights from east to west

2.3.1861474And cull their flow'r, Ajax shall cope the best.

Go we to council; let Achilles sleep.

2.3.1881476Light boats may sail swift, though greater bulks draw 1477deep.

Friend -- you -- pray you, a word. Do not you 1480follow the young lord Paris?

Ay, sir, when he goes before me.

You depend upon him, I mean.

Sir, I do depend upon the Lord.

You depend upon a noble gentleman. I must 1485needs praise him.

The Lord be praised.

You know me, do you not?

Faith, sir, superficially.

Friend, know me better; I am the lord Pandarus.

I hope I shall know your honor better.

I do desire it.

You are in the state of grace?

Grace? Not so, friend; "honor" and "lordship" are my 1494titles. What music is this?

I do but partly know, sir; it is music in parts.

Know you the musicians?

Wholly, sir.

Who play they to?

To the hearers, sir.

At whose pleasure, friend?

At mine, sir, and theirs that love music.

"Command," I mean, friend.

Who shall I command, sir?

Friend, we understand not one another. I am too 1505courtly, and thou art too cunning. At whose request do 1506these men play?

That's to't indeed, sir. Marry, sir, at the request 1508of Paris, my lord, who's there in person, with him the 1509mortal Venus, the heart blood of beauty, love's invisible 1510soul.

Who? My cousin Cressida?

No, sir, Helen. Could you not find out that by 1513her attributes?

It should seem, fellow, that thou hast not seen the 1515lady Cressida. I come to speak with Paris from the 1516prince Troilus. I will make a complimental assault upon 1517him, for my business seethes.

Sodden business? There's a stewed phrase indeed.

Fair be to you, my lord, and to all this fair 1521company; fair desires in all fair measure fairly guide them, 1522especially to you, fair queen; fair thoughts be your 1523fair pillow.

Dear lord, you are full of fair words.

You speak your fair pleasure, sweet queen. 1526 -- Fair prince, here is good broken music.

You have broke it, cousin, and, by my life, you 1528shall make it whole again; you shall piece it out with a 1529piece of your performance. -- Nell, he is full of harmony.

Truly, lady, no.

O sir --

Rude, in sooth; in good sooth, very rude.

Well said, my lord; well, you say so in fits.

I have business to my lord, dear queen. -- My 1535lord, will you vouchsafe me a word?

Nay, this shall not hedge us out; we'll hear you 1537sing, certainly.

Well, sweet queen, you are pleasant with me. 1539 -- But, marry, thus, my lord: my dear lord and most 1540esteemed friend, your brother Troilus --

My lord Pandarus, honey-sweet lord --

Go to, sweet queen, go to. 1543 -- commends himself most affectionately to you.

You shall not bob us out of our melody. 1545If you do, our melancholy upon your head.

Sweet queen, sweet queen, that's a 1547sweet queen, i'faith --

And to make a sweet lady sad is a sour offense.

Nay, that shall not serve your turn, that shall it 1550not, in truth, la. Nay, I care not for such words, no, no. 1551-- And, my lord, he desires you, that if the king call for him 1552at supper, you will make his excuse.

My lord Pandarus?

What says my sweet queen, my very, very 1555sweet queen?

What exploit's in hand? Where sups he tonight?

Nay, but my lord?

What says my sweet queen? -- [To Paris?] My cousin will 1559fall out with you.

[To Paris]You must not know where he sups.

With my disposer, Cressida?

No, no, no such matter; you are wide. Come, your 1563disposer is sick.

Well, I'll make excuse.

Ay, good my lord. Why should you say Cressida? 1566No, your poor disposer's sick.

I spy.

You spy? What do you spy? -- Come, give me an 1569instrument now, sweet queen.

Why, this is kindly done.

My niece is horrible in love with a thing you 1572have, sweet queen.

She shall have it, my lord, if it be not my lord 1574Paris.

He? No, she'll none of him; they 1576two are twain.

Falling in, after falling out, may make them three.

Come, come, I'll hear no more of this. I'll sing 1579you a song now.

Ay, ay, prithee, now. By my troth, sweet lord, thou 1581hast a fine forehead.

Ay, you may, you may.

Let thy song be love. This love will undo us all. 1584O Cupid, Cupid, Cupid.

Love? Ay, that it shall, i'faith.

Ay, good now: "Love, love, nothing but love."

In good truth, it begins so.

3.1.701588Love, love, nothing but love, still more:

3.1.711589For, O, love's bow,

3.1.721590Shoots buck and doe;

3.1.731591The shaft confounds not that it wounds,

3.1.741592But tickles still the sore.

3.1.751593These lovers cry, "Oh, ho," they die;

3.1.761594Yet that which seems the wound to kill

3.1.771595Doth turn "Oh, ho," to "ha ha he."

3.1.781596So dying love lives still.

3.1.791597"Oh, ho," awhile, but "ha ha ha."

3.1.801598"Oh, ho," groans out for "ha ha ha" -- hey-ho.

In love, i'faith, to the very tip of the nose.

He eats nothing but doves, love, and that breeds 1601hot blood, and hot blood begets hot thoughts, and hot 1602thoughts beget hot deeds, and hot deeds is love.

Is this the generation of love? Hot blood, hot 1604thoughts, and hot deeds? Why, they are vipers. Is love a 1605generation of vipers? 1606-- Sweet lord, who's afield today?

Hector, Deiphobus, Helenus, Antenor, and all the 1608gallantry of Troy. I would fain have armed today, but 1609my Nell would not have it so. 1610How chance my brother Troilus went not?

He hangs the lip at something. -- You know all, 1612lord Pandarus.

Not I, honey-sweet queen. I long to hear how 1614they sped today. 1615 -- You'll remember your brother's excuse?

To a hair.

Farewell, sweet queen.

Commend me to your niece.

I will, sweet queen.

They're come from field; let us to Priam's hall

3.1.921621To greet the warriors. Sweet Helen, I must woo you

3.1.931622To help unarm our Hector; his stubborn buckles,

3.1.941623With these your white enchanting fingers touched,

3.1.951624Shall more obey than to the edge of steel

3.1.961625Or force of Greekish sinews. You shall do more

3.1.971626Than all the island kings -- disarm great Hector.

'Twill make us proud to be his servant, Paris:

3.1.991628Yea, what he shall receive of us in duty

3.1.1001629Gives us more palm in beauty than we have,

3.1.1011630Yea, overshines ourself.

3.1.1021631Sweet, above thought, I love thee.

How now, where's thy master? At my cousin 1634Cressida's?

No, sir, he stays for you to conduct him thither.

Oh, here he comes. -- How now, how now?

[To his Man]Sirrah, walk off.

Have you seen my cousin?

No, Pandarus. I stalk about her door,

3.2.71641Like a strange soul upon the Stygian banks,

3.2.81642Staying for waftage. O be thou my Charon,

3.2.91643And give me swift transportance to those fields

3.2.101644Where I may wallow in the lily-beds

3.2.111645Proposed for the deserver. O gentle Pandarus,

3.2.121646From Cupid's shoulder pluck his painted wings

3.2.131647And fly with me to Cressid.

Walk here i'th'orchard. I'll bring her straight.

I am giddy; expectation whirls me round.

3.2.161651Th'imaginary relish is so sweet

3.2.171652That it enchants my sense. What will it be

3.2.181653When that the wat'ry palates taste indeed

3.2.191654Love's thrice-reputed nectar? Death, I fear me,

3.2.201655Sounding destruction, or some joy too fine,

3.2.211656Too subtle, potent, and too sharp in sweetness,

3.2.221657For the capacity of my ruder powers;

3.2.231658I fear it much, and I do fear besides

3.2.241659That I shall lose distinction in my joys,

3.2.251660As doth a battle when they charge on heaps,

3.2.261661The enemy flying.

She's making her ready; she'll come straight. You 1663must be witty now; she does so blush, and fetches her wind 1664so short, as if she were 'fraid with a spirit. I'll fetch her. It 1665is the prettiest villain. She fetches her breath so short as a 1666new-ta'en sparrow.

Even such a passion doth embrace my bosom.

3.2.291668My heart beats thicker than a feverous pulse,

3.2.301669And all my powers do their bestowing lose,

3.2.311670Like vassalage at unawares encount'ring

3.2.321671The eye of majesty.

Come, come, what need you blush? 1674Shame's a baby. -- [To Troilus] Here she is now; swear the oaths now 1675to her that you have sworn to me. -- [To Cressida] What, are you gone 1676again? [Cressida pulls away.] You must be watched ere you be made tame, must 1677you? Come your ways; come your ways; an you draw 1678backward we'll put you i'th'fills. -- [To Troilus] Why do you not speak 1679to her? -- [To Cressida] Come draw this curtain, and let's see your picture. [Pandarus unveils Cressida.] 1680Alas the day, how loath you are to offend daylight. An 1681'twere dark, you'd close sooner. So, so, rub on, and kiss 1682the mistress. [They neck and pet.] How now, a kiss in fee-farm? Build there, 1683carpenter; the air is sweet. Nay, you shall fight your 1684hearts out ere I part you. The falcon as the tercel, for 1685all the ducks i'th'river. Go to, go to.

You have bereft me of all words, lady.

Words pay no debts; give her deeds. But she'll 1688bereave you o'th'deeds too, if she call your activity in 1689question. What, billing again? Here's "in witness 1690whereof the parties interchangeably --" Come in; come in. I'll go 1691get a fire.

Will you walk in, my lord?

O Cressida, how often have I wished me thus?

Wished, my lord? The gods grant -- O my lord.

What should they grant? What makes this 1696pretty abruption? What too curious dreg espies my sweet 1697lady in the fountain of our love?

More dregs than water, if my tears have eyes.

Fears make devils of cherubins; they never see 1700truly.

Blind fear, that seeing reason leads, finds safer 1702footing than blind reason, stumbling without fear. To 1703fear the worst oft cures the worse.

Oh, let my lady apprehend no fear; 1705in all Cupid's pageant there is presented no monster.

Nor nothing monstrous neither?

Nothing, but our undertakings, when we vow 1708to weep seas, live in fire, eat rocks, tame tigers, 1709thinking it harder for our mistress to devise imposition 1710enough than for us to undergo any difficulty imposed. 1711This is the monstruosity in love, lady, that the will is 1712infinite, and the execution confined, that the desire is 1713boundless, and the act a slave to limit.

They say all lovers swear more performance 1715than they are able, and yet reserve an ability that they 1716never perform, vowing more than the perfection of ten, 1717and discharging less than the tenth part of one. They 1718that have the voice of lions and the act of hares, are 1719they not monsters?

Are there such? Such are not we. Praise us as we 1721are tasted; allow us as we prove. Our head shall go bare 1722till merit crown it; no perfection in reversion shall have 1723a praise in present. We will not name desert before his 1724birth, and, being born, his addition shall be 1725humble. Few words to fair faith. Troilus shall be such to Cressid as 1726what envy can say worst shall be a mock for his truth, 1727and what truth can speak truest: "not truer than 1728Troylus."

Will you walk in, my lord?

What, blushing still? Have you not done talking 1732yet?

Well, uncle, what folly I commit, I dedicate 1734to you.

I thank you for that. If my lord get a boy of 1736you, you'll give him me. Be true to my lord; if he flinch, 1737chide me for it.

[To Cressida] You know now your hostages: your uncle's word 1739and my firm faith.

Nay, I'll give my word for her too; our kindred, 1741though they be long ere they are wooed, they are 1742constant being won; they are burs, I can tell you; they'll 1743stick where they are thrown.

Boldness comes to me now, and brings me 1745heart. Prince Troilus, I have loved you night and day for 1746many weary months.

Why was my Cressid then so hard to win?

Hard to seem won, but I was won, my lord,

3.2.571749With the first glance that ever -- pardon me.

3.2.581750If I confess much, you will play the tyrant.

3.2.591751I love you now, but not till now so much

3.2.601752But I might master it; in faith, I lie.

3.2.611753My thoughts were like unbridled children, grown

3.2.621754Too headstrong for their mother. See? We fools.

3.2.631755Why have I blabbed? Who shall be true to us

3.2.641756When we are so unsecret to ourselves?

3.2.651757But though I loved you well, I wooed you not,

3.2.661758And yet, good faith, I wished myself a man,

3.2.671759Or that we women had men's privilege

3.2.681760Of speaking first. Sweet, bid me hold my tongue,

3.2.691761For in this rapture I shall surely speak

3.2.701762The thing I shall repent. See, see? Your silence,

3.2.711763Coming in dumbness, from my weakness draws

3.2.721764My soul of counsel from me. Stop, my mouth.

And shall, albeit sweet music issues thence.

Pretty, i'faith.

[To Troilus]My lord, I do beseech you pardon me.

3.2.761768'Twas not my purpose thus to beg a kiss.

3.2.771769I am ashamed. O heavens, what have I done?

3.2.781770For this time will I take my leave, my lord.

Your leave, sweet Cressid?

Leave? And you take leave till tomorrow 1773morning --

Pray you, content you.

Pray you, content you. What offends you, lady?

Sir, mine own company.

Sir, mine own company. You cannot shun yourself.

Let me go and try.

3.2.841779I have a kind of self resides with you,

3.2.851780But an unkind self, that itself will leave

3.2.861781To be another's fool. Where is my wit?

3.2.871782I would be gone. I speak I know not what.

Well know they what they speak that speaks 1784so wisely.

Perchance, my lord, I show more craft than love,

3.2.901786And fell so roundly to a large confession

3.2.911787To angle for your thoughts; but you are wise,

3.2.921788Or else you love not, for to be wise and love

3.2.931789Exceeds man's might; that dwells with gods above.

Oh, that I thought it could be in a woman

3.2.951791(As, if it can, I will presume in you)

3.2.961792To feed for aye her lamp and flames of love,

3.2.971793To keep her constancy in plight and youth,

3.2.981794Outliving beauty's outward, with a mind

3.2.991795That doth renew swifter than blood decays,

3.2.1001796Or that persuasion could but thus convince me

3.2.1011797That my integrity and truth to you

3.2.1021798Might be affronted with the match and weight

3.2.1031799Of such a winnowed purity in love.

3.2.1041800How were I then uplifted. But, alas,

3.2.1051801I am as true as truth's simplicity

3.2.1061802And simpler than the infancy of truth.

In that I'll war with you.

In that I'll war with you. O virtuous fight,

3.2.1081805When right with right wars who shall be most right.

3.2.1091806True swains in love shall in the world to come

3.2.1101807Approve their truths by Troilus. When their times,

3.2.1111808Full of protest, of oath and big compare,

3.2.1121809Wants similes (truth tired with iteration) --

3.2.1131810"As true as steel," "as plantage to the moon,"

3.2.1141811"As sun to day," "as turtle to her mate,"

3.2.1151812"As iron to adamant," "as earth to th'center" --

3.2.1161813Yet, after all comparisons of truth --

3.2.1171814As truth's authentic author to be cited --

3.2.1181815"As true as Troilus" shall crown up the verse

3.2.1191816And sanctify the numbers.

And sanctify the numbers. Prophet may you be.

3.2.1201818If I be false, or swerve a hair from truth,

3.2.1211819When time is old and hath forgot itself,

3.2.1221820When water-drops have worn the stones of Troy,

3.2.1231821And blind oblivion swallowed cities up,

3.2.1241822And mighty states characterless are grated

3.2.1251823To dusty nothing, yet let memory,

3.2.1261824From false to false among false maids in love,

3.2.1271825Upbraid my falsehood. When they've said, "As false

3.2.1281826As air, as water, as wind, as sandy earth,

3.2.1291827As fox to lamb, as wolf to heifer's calf,

3.2.1301828Pard to the hind, or stepdame to her son,"

3.2.1311829Yea, let them say, to stick the heart of falsehood,

3.2.1321830"As false as Cressid."

Go to, a bargain made. Seal it. Seal it. I'll 1832be the witness. Here I hold your hand; here, my cousin's. 1833If ever you prove false one to another, since I have taken 1834such pains to bring you together, let all 1835pitiful goers-between be called to the world's end after my name: call 1836them all Pandars. Let all constant men be Troiluses, all 1837false women Cressids, and all brokers-between panders. 1838Say "Amen."

Amen.

Amen.

Amen. 1842Whereupon I will show you a chamber, which bed, 1843because it shall not speak of your pretty encounters, press 1844it to death. Away.

3.2.1371845And Cupid grant all tongue-tied maidens here,

3.2.1381846Bed, chamber, and pander to provide this gear.

Now, princes, for the service I have done you,

3.3.21850Th'advantage of the time prompts me aloud

3.3.31851To call for recompense. Appear it to your mind

3.3.41852That, through the sight I bear in things to love,

3.3.51853I have abandoned Troy, left my possession,

3.3.61854Incurred a traitor's name, exposed myself,

3.3.71855From certain and possessed conveniences,

3.3.81856To doubtful fortunes, sequest'ring from me all

3.3.91857That time, acquaintance, custom, and condition,

3.3.101858Made tame and most familiar to my nature,

3.3.111859And here, to do you service, am become

3.3.121860As new into the world, strange, unacquainted.

3.3.131861I do beseech you, as in way of taste,

3.3.141862To give me now a little benefit

3.3.151863Out of those many registered in promise,

3.3.161864Which, you say, live to come in my behalf.

What wouldst thou of us, Trojan? 1866Make demand.

You have a Trojan prisoner called Antenor,

3.3.191868Yesterday took. Troy holds him very dear.

3.3.201869Oft have you -- often have you thanks therefore --

3.3.211870Desired my Cressid in right great exchange,

3.3.221871Whom Troy hath still denied; but this Antenor,

3.3.231872I know, is such a wrest in their affairs

3.3.241873That their negotiations all must slack

3.3.251874Wanting his manage, and they will almost

3.3.261875Give us a prince of blood, a son of Priam,

3.3.271876In change of him. Let him be sent, great princes,

3.3.281877And he shall buy my daughter; and her presence

3.3.291878Shall quite strike off all service I have done

3.3.301879In most accepted pain.

In most accepted pain. Let Diomed bear him,

3.3.311881And bring us Cressid hither. Calchas shall have

3.3.321882What he requests of us. Good Diomed,

3.3.331883Furnish you fairly for this interchange;

3.3.341884Withal bring word if Hector will tomorrow

3.3.351885Be answered in his challenge. Ajax is ready.

This shall I undertake, and 'tis a burden

3.3.371887Which I am proud to bear.

Achilles stands i'th'entrance of his tent;

3.3.391890Please it our general to pass strangely by him,

3.3.401891As if he were forgot, and, princes all,

3.3.411892Lay negligent and loose regard upon him.

3.3.421893I will come last; 'tis like he'll question me

3.3.431894Why such unplausive eyes are bent, why turned on him.

3.3.441895If so, I have derision medicinable

3.3.451896To use between your strangeness and his pride,

3.3.461897Which his own will shall have desire to drink.

3.3.471898It may do good. Pride hath no other glass

3.3.481899To show itself but pride; for supple knees

3.3.491900Feed arrogance, and are the proud man's fees.

We'll execute your purpose, and put on

3.3.511902A form of strangeness as we pass along.

3.3.521903So do each lord, and either greet him not,

3.3.531904Or else disdainfully, which shall shake him more

3.3.541905Than if not looked on. I will lead the way.

What? Comes the general to speak with me?

3.3.561907You know my mind; I'll fight no more 'gainst Troy.

[To Nestor] What says Achilles? Would he aught with us?

[To Achilles] Would you, my lord, aught with the general?

No.

[To Agamemnon]Nothing, my lord.

The better.

[To Menelaus]Good day, good day.

How do you? How do you?

[To Patroclus]What, does the cuckold scorn me?

How now, Patroclus?

Good morrow, Ajax.

Ha?

Good morrow.

Ay, and good next day too.

What mean these fellows? Know they not 1922Achilles?

They pass by strangely. They were used to bend,

3.3.721924To send their smiles before them to Achilles,

3.3.731925To come as humbly as they used to creep

3.3.74To holy altars.

To holy altars. What, am I poor of late?

3.3.751927'Tis certain, greatness, once fall'n out with fortune,

3.3.761928Must fall out with men too. What the declined is

3.3.771929He shall as soon read in the eyes of others

3.3.781930As feel in his own fall; for men, like butterflies,

3.3.791931Show not their mealy wings but to the summer,

3.3.801932And not a man, for being simply man,

3.3.811933Hath any honor, but honored for those honors

3.3.821934That are without him, as place, riches, and favor,

3.3.831935Prizes of accident as oft as merit,

3.3.841936Which, when they fall, as being slippery standers,

3.3.851937The love that leaned on them, as slippery too,

3.3.861938Doth one pluck down another and together

3.3.871939Die in the fall. But 'tis not so with me;

3.3.881940Fortune and I are friends; I do enjoy

3.3.891941At ample point all that I did possess,

3.3.901942Save these men's looks, who do, me thinks, find out

3.3.911943Something not worth in me such rich beholding

3.3.921944As they have often given. Here is Ulysses;

3.3.931945I'll interrupt his reading. --

3.3.94How now, Ulysses?

How now, Ulysses? Now, great Thetis' son.

What are you reading?

What are you reading? A strange fellow here

3.3.961949Writes me that man (how dearly ever parted,

3.3.971950How much in having, or without, or in)

3.3.981951Cannot make boast to have that which he hath,

3.3.991952Nor feels not what he owes, but by reflection,

3.3.1001953As when his virtues shining upon others

3.3.1011954Heat them, and they retort that heat again

3.3.1021955To the first giver.

To the first giver. This is not strange, Ulysses.

3.3.1031957The beauty that is borne here in the face

3.3.1041958The bearer knows not, but commends itself

3.3.1051958.1To others' eyes, nor doth the eye itself,

3.3.1061958.2That most pure spirit of sense, behold itself,

3.3.1071959Not going from itself, but eye to eye opposed,

3.3.1081960Salutes each other with each other's form.

3.3.1091961For speculation turns not to itself

3.3.1101962Till it hath traveled and is married there

3.3.1111963Where it may see itself. This is not strange at all.

I do not strain it at the position

3.3.1131965(It is familiar), but at the author's drift,

3.3.1141966Who, in his circumstance, expressly proves

3.3.1151967That no man is the lord of anything

3.3.1161968(Though in and of him there is much consisting)

3.3.1171969Till he communicate his parts to others,

3.3.1181970Nor doth he of himself know them for aught

3.3.1191971Till he behold them formèd in th'applause

3.3.1201972Where they are extended, who, like an arch, reverberate

3.3.1211973The voice again, or, like a gate of steel,

3.3.1221974Fronting the sun, receives and renders back

3.3.1231975His figure and his heat. I was much rapt in this,

3.3.1241976And apprehended here immediately

3.3.1251977The unknown Ajax.

3.3.1261978Heavens, what a man is there. A very horse,

3.3.1271979That has he knows not what. Nature, what things there are

3.3.1281980Most abject in regard and dear in use;

3.3.1291981What things again, most dear in the esteem

3.3.1301982And poor in worth. Now shall we see tomorrow

3.3.1311983An act that very chance doth throw upon him.

3.3.1321984Ajax renowned? O heavens, what some men do,

3.3.1331985While some men leave to do;

3.3.1341986How some men creep in skittish fortune's hall,

3.3.1351987Whiles others play the idiots in her eyes;

3.3.1361988How one man eats into another's pride,

3.3.1371989While pride is feasting in his wantonness

3.3.1381990To see these Grecian lords. Why, even already

3.3.1391991They clap the lubber Ajax on the shoulder,

3.3.1401992As if his foot were on brave Hector's breast,

3.3.1411993And great Troy shrinking.

And great Troy shrinking. I do believe it,

3.3.1421995For they passed by me as misers do by beggars,

3.3.1431996Neither gave to me good word nor look.

3.3.1441997What, are my deeds forgot?

Time hath, my lord, a wallet at his back,

3.3.1461999Wherein he puts alms for oblivion,

3.3.1472000A great-sized monster of ingratitudes.

3.3.1482001Those scraps are good deeds past,

3.3.1492002Which are devoured as fast as they are made,

3.3.1502003Forgot as soon as done. Perseverance, dear my lord,

3.3.1512004Keeps honor bright; to have done is to hang

3.3.1522005Quite out of fashion, like a rusty mail

3.3.1532006In monumental mock'ry. Take the instant way,

3.3.1542007For honor travels in a strait so narrow,

3.3.1552008Where one but goes abreast. Keep then the path,

3.3.1562009For emulation hath a thousand sons

3.3.1572010That one by one pursue; if you give way,

3.3.1582011Or hedge aside from the direct forthright,

3.3.1592012Like to an entered tide they all rush by

3.3.1602013And leave you hindmost,

3.3.1612014Or like a gallant horse fall'n in first rank,

3.3.1622015Lie there for pavement to the abject -- near

3.3.1632016O'er-run and trampled on. Then what they do in present,

3.3.1642017Though less than yours in past, must o'er-top yours,

3.3.1652018For time is like a fashionable host

3.3.1662019That slightly shakes his parting guest by th'hand

3.3.1672020And, with his arms outstretched as he would fly,

3.3.1682021Grasps in the comer: the welcome ever smiles,

3.3.1692022And farewells goes out sighing. Oh, let not virtue seek

3.3.1702023Remuneration for the thing it was, for beauty, wit,

3.3.1712024High birth, vigor of bone, desert in service,

3.3.1722025Love, friendship, charity, are subjects all

3.3.1732026To envious and calumniating time.

3.3.1742027One touch of nature makes the whole world kin,

3.3.1752028That all with one consent praise newborn gauds,

3.3.1762029Though they are made and molded of things past

3.3.1772030And go to dust that is a little gilt

3.3.1782031More laud than gilt o'er-dusted.

3.3.1792032The present eye praises the present object.

3.3.1802033Then marvel not, thou great and complete man,

3.3.1812034That all the Greeks begin to worship Ajax,

3.3.1822035Since things in motion sooner catch the eye

3.3.1832036Than what not stirs. The cry went out on thee,

3.3.1842037And still it might, and yet it may again,

3.3.1852038If thou wouldst not entomb thyself alive

3.3.1862039And case thy reputation in thy tent,

3.3.1872040Whose glorious deeds but in these fields of late

3.3.1882041Made emulous missions 'mongst the gods themselves

3.3.1892042And drave great Mars to faction.

And drave great Mars to faction. Of this my privacy,

3.3.1902044I have strong reasons.

I have strong reasons. But 'gainst your privacy

3.3.1912046The reasons are more potent and heroical.

3.3.1922047'Tis known, Achilles, that you are in love

3.3.1932048With one of Priam's daughters.

With one of Priam's daughters. Ha? Known?

With one of Priam's daughters. Ha? Known? Is that a wonder?

3.3.1942051The providence that's in a watchful state

3.3.1952052Knows almost every grain of Pluto's gold,

3.3.1962053Finds bottom in th'uncomprehensive deeps,

3.3.1972054Keeps place with thought, and, almost like the gods,

3.3.1982055Do thoughts unveil in their dumb cradles.

3.3.1992056There is a mystery (with whom relation

3.3.2002057Durst never meddle) in the soul of state

3.3.2012058Which hath an operation more divine

3.3.2022059Than breath or pen can give expressure to.

3.3.2032060All the commerce that you have had with Troy

3.3.2042061As perfectly is ours as yours, my lord;

3.3.2052062And better would it fit Achilles much

3.3.2062063To throw down Hector than Polixena.

3.3.2072064But it must grieve young Pyrrhus, now at home,

3.3.2082065When fame shall in her island sound her trump

3.3.2092066And all the Greekish girls shall tripping sing,

3.3.2102067"Great Hector's sister did Achilles win,

3.3.2112068But our great Ajax bravely beat down him."

3.3.2122069Farewell, my lord. I as your lover speak:

3.3.2132070"The fool slides o'er the ice that you should break."

To this effect, Achilles, have I moved you;

3.3.2152072A woman impudent and mannish grown

3.3.2162073Is not more loathed than an effeminate man

3.3.2172074In time of action. I stand condemned for this;

3.3.2182075They think my little stomach to the war,

3.3.2192076And your great love to me, restrains you thus.

3.3.2202077Sweet, rouse yourself, and the weak wanton Cupid

3.3.2212078Shall from your neck unloose his amorous fold

3.3.2222079And, like a dewdrop from the lion's mane,

3.3.2232080Be shook to airy air.

Be shook to airy air. Shall Ajax fight with Hector?

Ay, and perhaps receive much honor by him.

I see my reputation is at stake;

3.3.2262084My fame is shrewdly gored.

My fame is shrewdly gored. Oh, then, beware.

3.3.2272086Those wounds heal ill that men do give themselves.

3.3.2282087Omission to do what is necessary

3.3.2292088Seals a commission to a blank of danger,

3.3.2302089And danger, like an ague, subtly taints

3.3.2312090Even then when we sit idly in the sun.

Go call Thersites hither, sweet Patroclus;

3.3.2332092I'll send the fool to Ajax, and desire him

3.3.2342093T'invite the Trojan lords after the combat

3.3.2352094To see us here unarmed. I have a woman's longing,

3.3.2362095An appetite that I am sick withal

3.3.2372096To see great Hector in his weeds of peace,

3.3.2382097To talk with him, and to behold his visage

3.3.2392098Even to my full of view. -- [Notices Thersites] A labor saved.

A wonder.

What?

Ajax goes up and down the field asking for 2102himself.

How so?

He must fight singly tomorrow with Hector 2105and is so prophetically proud of an heroical cudgeling 2106that he raves in saying nothing.

How can that be?

Why, he stalks up and down like a peacock, a 2109stride and a stand, ruminates like an hostess that hath no 2110arithmetic but her brain to set down her reckoning; 2111bites his lip with a politic regard as who should 2112say, "there were wit in his head an 'twould out," and so 2113there is; but it lies as coldly in him as fire in a flint 2114which will not show without knocking. The man's undone 2115forever, for if Hector break not his neck i'th'combat, 2116he'll break't himself in vainglory. He knows 2117not me. I said, "Good morrow, Ajax," and he replies, 2118"Thanks, Agamemnon." What think you of this man 2119that takes me for the general? He's grown a very 2120land-fish: languageless, a monster. A plague of opinion. 2121A man may wear it on both sides like a leather 2122jerkin.

Thou must be my ambassador to him, Thersites.

Who, I? Why, he'll answer nobody. He professes 2125not answering; speaking is for beggars; he wears 2126his tongue in's arms. I will put on his presence. Let Patroclus 2127make his demands to me; you shall see the pageant 2128of Ajax.

To him, Patroclus; tell him I humbly desire the 2130valiant Ajax to invite the most valorous Hector to come 2131unarmed to my tent, and to procure safe conduct for his 2132person of the magnanimous and most illustrious 2133six-or-seven-times-honored captain, general of the Grecian 2134army, Agamemnon, etc. Do this.

[To Thersites] Jove bless great Ajax.

[Pretending to be Ajax]Hum.

I come from the worthy Achilles --

Ha?

-- who most humbly desires you to invite Hector 2140to his tent --

Hum.

-- and to procure safe-conduct from Agamemnon.

Agamemnon?

Ay, my lord.

Ha?

What say you to't?

God b'wi'you, with all my heart.

Your answer, sir?

If tomorrow be a fair day, by eleven o'clock 2150it will go one way or other; howsoever, he shall pay for 2151me ere he has me.

Your answer, sir?

[Pretending to exit] Fare you well, with all my heart.

Why, but he is not in this tune, is he?

No, but he's out o' tune thus. What music will 2156be in him when Hector has knocked out his brains, I know 2157not, but I am sure none, unless the fiddler Apollo get his 2158sinews to make catlings on.

Come, thou shalt bear a letter to him 2160straight.

Let me carry another to his horse, for that's the 2162more capable creature.

My mind is troubled like a fountain stirred,

3.3.2712164And I myself see not the bottom of it.

Would the fountain of your mind were clear 2166again that I might water an ass at it. I had rather be a 2167tick in a sheep than such a valiant ignorance.

See, ho. Who is that there?

It is the lord Aeneas.

Is the prince there in person?

4.1.42174Had I so good occasion to lie long

4.1.52175As you, prince Paris, nothing but heavenly business

4.1.62176Should rob my bedmate of my company.

That's my mind too. -- Good morrow, lord 2178Aeneas.

A valiant Greek, Aeneas, take his hand.

4.1.92180Witness the process of your speech wherein

4.1.102181You told how Diomed, in a whole week by days,

4.1.112182Did haunt you in the field.

Did haunt you in the field. [To Diomed] Health to you, valiant sir,

4.1.122184During all question of the gentle truce,

4.1.132185But when I meet you armed, as black defiance

4.1.142186As heart can think or courage execute.

The one and other Diomed embraces.

4.1.162188Our bloods are now in calm, and so, long health.

4.1.172189But when contention and occasion meet,

4.1.182190By Jove, I'll play the hunter for thy life

4.1.192191With all my force, pursuit, and policy.

And thou shalt hunt a lion that will fly

4.1.212193With his face backward in humane gentleness.

4.1.222194Welcome to Troy. Now, by Anchises' life,

4.1.232195Welcome indeed. By Venus' hand I swear,

4.1.242196No man alive can love in such a sort

4.1.252197The thing he means to kill more excellently.

We sympathize. Jove, let Aeneas live

4.1.272199(If to my sword his fate be not the glory)

4.1.282200A thousand complete courses of the sun,

4.1.292201But, in mine emulous honor, let him die

4.1.302202With every joint a wound and that tomorrow.

We know each other well.

We do, and long to know each other worse.

This is the most despiteful'st gentle greeting,

4.1.342206The noblest hateful love, that e'er I heard of. --

4.1.352207[To Aeneas] What business, lord, so early?

I was sent for to the king, but why, I know not.

His purpose meets you; it was to bring this Greek

4.1.382210To Calchas' house, and there to render him,

4.1.392211For the enfreed Antenor, the fair Cressid.

4.1.402212Let's have your company, or, if you please,

4.1.412213Haste there before us. I constantly do think

4.1.422214(Or rather call my thought a certain knowledge)

4.1.432215My brother Troilus lodges there tonight.

4.1.442216Rouse him, and give him note of our approach,

4.1.452217With the whole quality whereof. I fear

4.1.462218We shall be much unwelcome.

We shall be much unwelcome. That I assure you.

4.1.472220Troilus had rather Troy were borne to Greece

4.1.482221Than Cressid borne from Troy.

Than Cressid borne from Troy. There is no help.

4.1.492223The bitter disposition of the time

4.1.50Will have it so. --

4.1.512224On, lord, we'll follow you.

On, lord, we'll follow you. Good morrow, all.

And tell me, noble Diomed, faith, tell me true --

4.1.532227Even in the soul of sound good fellowship --

4.1.542228Who, in your thoughts, merits fair Helen most,

4.1.552229Myself or Menelaus?

Myself or Menelaus? Both alike.

4.1.562231He merits well to have her that doth seek her,

4.1.572232Not making any scruple of her soilure,

4.1.582233With such a hell of pain and world of charge,

4.1.592234And you as well to keep her that defend her,

4.1.602235Not palating the taste of her dishonor,

4.1.612236With such a costly loss of wealth and friends.

4.1.622237He, like a puling cuckold, would drink up

4.1.632238The lees and dregs of a flat tamèd piece;

4.1.642239You, like a lecher, out of whorish loins

4.1.652240Are pleased to breed out your inheritors.

4.1.662241Both merits poised, each weighs no less nor more,

4.1.672242But he as he, the heavier for a whore.

You are too bitter to your countrywoman.

She's bitter to her country. Hear me, Paris.

4.1.702245For every false drop in her bawdy veins,

4.1.712246A Grecian's life hath sunk; for every scruple

4.1.722247Of her contaminated carrion weight,

4.1.732248A Trojan hath been slain. Since she could speak,

4.1.742249She hath not given so many good words breath

4.1.752250As, for her, Greeks and Trojans suffered death.

Fair Diomed, you do as chapmen do,

4.1.772252Dispraise the thing that you desire to buy.

4.1.782253But we in silence hold this virtue well:

4.1.792254We'll not commend what we intend to sell.

4.1.802255Here lies our way.

Dear, trouble not yourself. The morn is cold.

Then, sweet my lord, I'll call mine uncle down;

4.2.32259He shall unbolt the gates.

He shall unbolt the gates. Trouble him not.

4.2.42261To bed, to bed. Sleep, kill those pretty eyes,

4.2.52262And give as soft attachment to thy senses

4.2.62263As infants empty of all thought.

As infants empty of all thought. Good morrow, then.

I prithee, now to bed.

I prithee, now to bed. Are you aweary of me?

O Cressida, but that the busy day,

4.2.92268Waked by the lark, hath roused the ribald crows,

4.2.102269And dreaming night will hide our eyes no longer,

4.2.112270I would not from thee.

I would not from thee. Night hath been too brief.

Beshrew the witch. With venomous wights she stays

4.2.132273As tediously as hell, but flies the grasps of love

4.2.142274With wings more momentary swift than thought.

4.2.152275You will catch cold, and curse me.

Prithee tarry. You men will never tarry.

4.2.172277O foolish Cressid, I might have still held off

4.2.182278And then you would have tarried. -- Hark, there's one up.

Within What's all the doors open here?

It is your uncle.

A pestilence on him. Now will he be mocking; 2282I shall have such a life.

How now? How now? How go maidenheads? 2284Hear you, maid?

4.2.23Where's my cousin Cressid?

Go hang yourself, you naughty, mocking uncle.

4.2.252286You bring me to do -- and then you flout me too.

To do what? To do what? Let her say what.

4.2.272288What have I brought you to do?

Come, come, beshrew your heart. You'll ne'er be 2290good, nor suffer others.

Ha, ha. Alas, poor wretch, a poor chipochia, hast 2292not slept tonight? Would he not (a naughty man) let it 2293sleep? A bugbear take him.

Did not I tell you? Would he were 2295knocked i'th'head. --

4.2.31Who's that at door? Good uncle, go and see. --

4.2.322296My lord, come you again into my chamber.

4.2.332297You smile and mock me, as if I meant naughtily.

Ha, ha.

Come, you are deceived; I think of no such thing.

4.2.362300How earnestly they knock. Pray you, come in.

4.2.372301I would not for half Troy have you seen here.

Who's there? What's the matter? Will you beat 2303down the door? How now, what's the matter?

Good morrow, lord, good morrow.

Who's there? My lord Aeneas? By my troth, I 2306knew you not. What news with you so early?

Is not prince Troilus here?

Here? What should he do here?

Come, he is here. My lord, do not deny him.

4.2.442310It doth import him much to speak with me.

Is he here, say you? 'Tis more than I know, I'll be 2312sworn. For my own part, I came in late. What should 2313he do here?

Whoa. Nay then, come, come, you'll do him 2315wrong, ere you're ware. You'll be so true to him, to be 2316false to him. Do not you know of him, but yet go fetch 2317him hither, go.

How now, what's the matter?

My lord, I scarce have leisure to salute you,

4.2.492321My matter is so rash. There is at hand

4.2.502322Paris your brother, and Deiphobus,

4.2.512323The Grecian Diomed, and our Antenor

4.2.522324Delivered to us, and for him forthwith,

4.2.532325Ere the first sacrifice, within this hour,

4.2.542326We must give up to Diomed's hand

4.2.552327The lady Cressida.

The lady Cressida. Is it concluded so?

By Priam and the general state of Troy.

4.2.572330They are at hand and ready to effect it.

How my achievements mock me. --

4.2.592332I will go meet them. And, my lord Aeneas,

4.2.602333We met by chance; you did not find me here.

Good, good my lord, the secrets of nature

4.2.622335Have not more gift in taciturnity.

Is't possible? No sooner got but lost. The devil 2338take Antenor. The young prince will go mad. A plague 2339upon Antenor. I would they had broke's neck.