Troilus and Cressida (Modern)

Texts of this edition
Contextual materials
2. The Testament of Cresseid
Facsimiles
 2546.1[4.5]
 4.5.0.12547Enter Ajax armed, Achilles, Patroclus, Agamemnon, 2548Menelaus, Ulysses, Nestor, Calchas, [and attendants including a trumpeter].
 4.5.12549Agamemnon
 [To Ajax]Here art thou in appointment fresh and fair,
 4.5.22550Anticipating time with starting courage.
 4.5.32551Give, with thy trumpet, a loud note to Troy,
 4.5.42552Thou dreadful Ajax, that the appallèd air
 4.5.52553May pierce the head of the great combatant,
 4.5.62554And hale him hither.
 2555Ajax
 And hale him hither.  		Thou, trumpet, there's my purse.
 4.5.72556Now crack thy lungs, and split thy brazen pipe.
 4.5.82557Blow, villain, till thy spherèd bias cheek
 4.5.92558Outswell the colic of puffed Aquilon.
 4.5.102559Come, stretch thy chest, and let thy eyes spout blood;
 4.5.112560Thou blowest for Hector. 
 [Sound trumpet.]
 2561Ulysses
 Thou blowest for Hector.   		No trumpet answers.
 4.5.122562Achilles
 'Tis but early days.
 4.5.12.1[Enter Cressida escorted by Diomed.]
 4.5.132563Agamemnon
 Is not young Diomed with Calchas' daughter? 
 4.5.142564Ulysses
 'Tis he. I ken the manner of his gait;
 4.5.152565He rises on the toe. That spirit of his
 4.5.162566In aspiration lifts him from the earth.
 4.5.172567Agamemnon
 Is this the lady Cressid?
 2568Diomed
 Is this the lady Cressid?  		Even she.
 4.5.182569Agamemnon 
 Most dearly welcome to the Greeks, sweet 2570lady.
 4.5.18.1[He kisses her.]
 4.5.192571Nestor
 Our general doth salute you with a kiss.
 4.5.202572Ulysses
 Yet is the kindness but particular. 
 4.5.21'Twere better 2573she were kissed in general.
 4.5.222574Nestor
 And very courtly counsel. I'll begin.
 4.5.22.1
 4.5.23[He kisses her.]
 4.5.24So much 2575for Nestor.
 4.5.252576Achilles
 I'll take that winter from your lips, fair lady.
 4.5.262577Achilles bids you welcome.
 4.5.26.1[He kisses her.]
 4.5.272578Menelaus
  [To Cressida] I had good argument for kissing once.
 4.5.282579Patroclus
 But that's no argument for kissing now,
 4.5.292580For thus popped Paris in his hardiment,
 4.5.302580.1And parted, thus, you and your argument.
 4.5.30.1 [He kisses her.] 
 4.5.312581Ulysses
 Oh, deadly gall, and theme of all our scorns,
 4.5.322582For which we lose our heads to gild his horns.
 4.5.332583Patroclus
 The first was Menelaus' kiss; this, mine.
 4.5.342584Patroclus kisses you.
 4.5.34.1[He kisses her.]
 2585Menelaus
 Patroclus kisses you.  		 Oh, this is trim.
 4.5.352586Patroclus
 [To Cressida] Paris and I kiss evermore for him.
 4.5.362587Menelaus
 I'll have my kiss, sir. -- Lady, by your leave.
 4.5.372588Cressida
 In kissing, do you render or receive?
 4.5.37.1[Cressida holds him off?]
 4.5.382589Patroclus
 Both take and give.
 2590Cressida
 Both take and give.  		I'll make my match to live,
 4.5.392591The kiss you take is better then you give.
 Therefore no 2592kiss.
 4.5.39.1[Holding him off?]
 4.5.402593Menelaus
 I'll give you boot; I'll give you three for one.
 4.5.412594Cressida
 You are an odd man; give even, or give none.
 4.5.422595Menelaus
 An odd man, lady? Every man is odd.
 4.5.432596Cressida
 No, Paris is not, for you know 'tis true
 4.5.442597That you are odd, and he is even with you.
 4.5.452598Menelaus
 You fillip me o'th'head.
 2599Cressida
 You fillip me o'th'head.  		No, I'll be sworn.
 4.5.462600Ulysses
 It were no match, your nail against his horn.
 4.5.472601May I, sweet lady, beg a kiss of you?
 4.5.482602Cressida
 You may.
 2603Ulysses
 You may.  		I do desire it.
 2604Cressida
 You may. 		I do desire it.  		Why, beg then.
 4.5.492605Ulysses
 Why then, for Venus' sake, give me a kiss,
 4.5.502606When Helen is a maid again, and his --
 4.5.512607Cressida
 I am your debtor; claim it when 'tis due.
 4.5.522608Ulysses
 Never's my day, and then a kiss of you.
 4.5.532609Diomed
 Lady, a word. I'll bring you to your father.
 4.5.53.1[He leads her across the stage to Calchas.]
 4.5.542610Nestor
 A woman of quick sense.
 2611Ulysses.
 A woman of quick sense.  		Fie, fie upon her.
 4.5.552612There's a language in her eye, her cheek, her lip;
 4.5.562613Nay, her foot speaks; her wanton spirits look out
 4.5.572614At every joint and motive of her body.
 4.5.582615Oh, these encounterers, so glib of tongue,
 4.5.592616That give a coasting welcome ere it comes
 4.5.602617And wide unclasp the tables of their thoughts
 4.5.612618To every tickling reader, set them down
 4.5.622619For sluttish spoils of opportunity
 4.5.632620And daughters of the game.
 4.5.63.1Exeunt [Cressida and Calchas].
 4.5.63.22621Enter Hector [armed], Paris, Aeneas, Helenus, [Troilus] 2622and Attendants. Flourish.
 4.5.642623All [Greeks].
 The Trojan's trumpet.
 2624Agamemnon
 The Trojan's trumpet.  		Yonder comes the troop.
 4.5.652625Aeneas
 Hail, all you state of Greece. What shall be done
 4.5.662626To him that victory commands? Or do you purpose
 4.5.672627A victor shall be known? Will you the knights
 4.5.682628Shall to the edge of all extremity
 4.5.692629Pursue each other, or shall they be divided
 4.5.702630By any voice or order of the field? 
 4.5.71Hector bade ask.
 2631Agamemnon
 Hector bade ask.  		Which way would Hector have it?
 4.5.722632Aeneas
 He cares not; he'll obey conditions.
 4.5.732633Agamemnon
 'Tis done like Hector -- But securely done,
 4.5.742634A little proudly, and great deal disprizing
 4.5.752635The knight opposed.
 4.5.762636Aeneas
 If not Achilles, sir, what is your name?
 4.5.772637Achilles
 If not Achilles, nothing.
 4.5.782638Aeneas
 Therefore, Achilles. But whate'er, know this:
 4.5.792639In the extremity of great and little,
 4.5.802640Valor and pride excel themselves in Hector --
 4.5.812641The one, almost as infinite as all;
 4.5.822642The other, blank as nothing. Weigh him well,
 4.5.832643And that which looks like pride is courtesy.
 4.5.842644This Ajax is half made of Hector's blood,
 4.5.852645In love whereof, half Hector stays at home;
 4.5.862646Half heart, half hand, half Hector comes to seek
 4.5.872647This blended knight, half Trojan, and half Greek.
 4.5.882648Achilles
 A maiden battle then? Oh, I perceive you.
 4.5.892649Agamemnon
 Here is Sir Diomed. -- Go, gentle knight;
 4.5.902650Stand by our Ajax. As you and lord Aeneas
 4.5.912651Consent upon the order of their fight,
 4.5.922652So be it: either to the uttermost,
 4.5.932653Or else a breach. The combatants being kin
 4.5.942654Half stints their strife before their strokes begin.
 4.5.94.1[Ajax and Hector square off.]
 4.5.952655Ulysses
 They are opposed already.
 4.5.962656Agamemnon
 What Trojan is that same that looks so heavy?
 4.5.972657Ulysses
 The youngest son of Priam, 
 4.5.982658A true knight; they call him Troilus,
 4.5.992659Not yet mature, yet matchless; firm of word,
 4.5.1002660Speaking in deeds, and deedless in his tongue;
 4.5.1012661Not soon provoked, nor, being provoked, soon calmed;
 4.5.1022662His heart and hand both open, and both free,
 4.5.1032663For what he has, he gives; what thinks, he shows;
 4.5.1042664Yet gives he not till judgment guide his bounty,
 4.5.1052665Nor dignifies an impair thought with breath;
 4.5.1062666Manly as Hector, but more dangerous,
 4.5.1072667For Hector in his blaze of wrath subscribes
 4.5.1082668To tender objects, but he, in heat of action,
 4.5.1092669Is more vindicative than jealous love.
 4.5.1102670They call him Troilus, and on him erect
 4.5.1112671A second hope as fairly built as Hector.
 4.5.1122672Thus says Aeneas, one that knows the youth
 4.5.1132673Even to his inches and, with private soul,
 4.5.1142674Did in great Ilium thus translate him to me.
 4.5.114.1Alarum. [Hector and Ajax fight.]
 4.5.1152675Agamemnon
 They are in action.
 2676Nestor
 They are in action.  		Now, Ajax, hold thine own.
 4.5.1162677Troilus
 Hector, thou sleep'st; awake thee.
 4.5.1172678Agamemnon
 His blows are well disposed. -- There, Ajax.
 4.5.117.1Trumpets cease.
 4.5.1182679Diomed
 You must no more.
 2680Aeneas
 You must no more.  		Princes, enough, so please you.
 4.5.118.1[They cease fighting.]
 4.5.1192681Ajax
 I am not warm yet; let us fight again.
 4.5.1202682Diomed
 As Hector pleases.
 2683Hector
 As Hector pleases.  		Why, then will I no more.
 4.5.1212684Thou art, great lord, my father's sister's son,
 4.5.1222685A cousin-german to great Priam's seed.
 4.5.1232686The obligation of our blood forbids
 4.5.1242687A gory emulation 'twixt us twain.
 4.5.1252688Were thy commixtion Greek and Trojan so
 4.5.1262689That thou couldst say, "This hand is Grecian all,
 4.5.1272690And this is Trojan; the sinews of this leg,
 4.5.1282691All Greek, and this all Troy; my mother's blood
 4.5.1292692Runs on the dexter cheek, and this sinister
 4.5.1302693Bounds in my father's," by Jove multipotent,
 4.5.1312694Thou shouldst not bear from me a Greekish member
 4.5.1322695Wherein my sword had not impressure made
 4.5.1332696Of our rank feud, but the just gods gainsay
 4.5.1342697That any drop thou borrowed'st from thy mother,
 4.5.1352698My sacred aunt, should by my mortal sword
 4.5.1362699Be drained. Let me embrace thee, Ajax.
 4.5.1372700By him that thunders, thou hast lusty arms;
 4.5.1382701Hector would have them fall upon him thus --
 4.5.138.1[They embrace.]
 4.5.1392702Cousin, all honor to thee.
 2703Ajax
 Cousin, all honor to thee.  		I thank thee, Hector.
 4.5.1402704Thou art too gentle, and too free a man.
 4.5.1412705I came to kill thee, cousin, and bear hence
 4.5.1422706A great addition earnèd in thy death.
 4.5.1432707Hector
 Not Neoptolemus so mirable,
 4.5.1442708On whose bright crest fame with her loud'st "oyez"
 4.5.1452709Cries, "This is he," couldst promise to himself
 4.5.1462710A thought of added honor torn from Hector.
 4.5.1472711Aeneas
 There is expectance here from both the sides
 4.5.1482712What further you will do.
 2713Hector
 What further you will do.  		We'll answer it.
 4.5.1492714The issue is embracement. -- Ajax, farewell.
 4.5.149.1[They embrace again.]
 4.5.1502715Ajax
 If I might in entreaties find success
 4.5.1512716(As seld I have the chance), I would desire
 4.5.1522717My famous cousin to our Grecian tents.
 4.5.1532718Diomed
 'Tis Agamemnon's wish, and great Achilles
 4.5.1542719Doth long to see unarmed the valiant Hector.
 4.5.1552720Hector
 Aeneas, call my brother Troilus to me,
 4.5.1562721And signify this loving interview
 4.5.1572722To the expecters of our Trojan part;
 4.5.1582723Desire them home. --  [To Ajax] Give me thy hand, my cousin;
 4.5.1592724I will go eat with thee, and see your knights.
 4.5.159.12725Enter [to stage front] Agamemnon and the rest.
 4.5.1602726Ajax
 Great Agamemnon comes to meet us here.
 4.5.1612727Hector
 [To Aeneas]The worthiest of them, tell me name by name,
 4.5.1622728But, for Achilles, mine own searching eyes
 4.5.1632729Shall find him by his large and portly size.
 4.5.1642730Agamemnon
 Worthy of arms, as welcome as to one
 4.5.1652731That would be rid of such an enemy. --
 4.5.1662732But that's no welcome. Understand more clear,
 4.5.1672733What's past, and what's to come, is strewed with husks
 4.5.1682734And formless ruin of oblivion,
 4.5.1692735But in this extant moment, faith and troth,
 4.5.1702736Strained purely from all hollow bias drawing,
 4.5.1712737Bids thee, with most divine integrity,
 4.5.1722738From heart of very heart, "great Hector, welcome."
 4.5.1732739Hector
 I thank thee, most imperious Agamemnon.
 4.5.1742740Agamemnon
 [To Troilus] My well-famed lord of Troy, no less to you.
 4.5.1752741Menelaus
 Let me confirm my princely brother's greeting.
 4.5.1762742You brace of warlike brothers, welcome hither.
 4.5.176.1[He embraces Hector and Troilus?]
 4.5.1772743Hector
 Who must we answer?
 2744Aeneas
 Who must we answer?  		The noble Menelaus.
 4.5.1782745Hector
 Oh, you, my lord? By Mars his gauntlet, thanks.
 4.5.1792746Mock not that I affect th'untraded oath;
 4.5.1802747Your quondam wife swears still by Venus' glove.
 4.5.1812748She's well, but bade me not commend her to you.
 4.5.1822749Menelaus
 Name her not now, sir; she's a deadly theme.
 4.5.1832750Hector
 Oh, pardon. I offend.
 4.5.1842751Nestor
 I have, thou gallant Trojan, seen thee oft,
 4.5.1852752Laboring for destiny, make cruel way
 4.5.1862753Through ranks of Greekish youth, and I have seen thee,
 4.5.1872754As hot as Perseus, spur thy Phrygian steed,
 4.5.1882755And seen thee scorning forfeits and subduements,
 4.5.1892756When thou hast hung th'advancèd sword i'th'air,
 4.5.1902757Not letting it decline on the declined,
 4.5.1912758That I have said unto my standers-by,
 4.5.1922759"Lo, Jupiter is yonder, dealing life."
 4.5.1932760And I have seen thee pause and take thy breath,
 4.5.1942761When that a ring of Greeks have hemmed thee in,
 4.5.1952762Like an Olympian wrestling. This have I seen,
 4.5.1962763But this thy countenance, still locked in steel,
 4.5.1972764I never saw till now. I knew thy grandsire,
 4.5.1982765And once fought with him; he was a soldier good,
 4.5.1992766But -- by great Mars, the captain of us all --
 4.5.2002767Never like thee. Let an old man embrace thee,
 4.5.2012768And, worthy warrior, welcome to our tents.
 4.5.2022769Aeneas
  [To Hector] 'Tis the old Nestor.
 4.5.2032770Hector
 [Hector and Nestor embrace.]
 Let me embrace thee, good old chronicle,
 4.5.2042771That hast so long walked hand in hand with time.
 4.5.2052772Most reverend Nestor, I am glad to clasp thee.
 4.5.2062773Nestor
 I would my arms could match thee in contention
 4.5.2072774As they contend with thee in courtesy.
 4.5.2082775Hector
 I would they could.
 4.5.2092776Nestor
 Ha? By this white beard, I'd fight with thee to
 4.5.2102777morrow. Well, welcome, welcome. I have seen the time.
 4.5.2112778Ulysses
 I wonder now how yonder city stands
 4.5.2122779When we have here her base and pillar by us.
 4.5.2132780Hector
 I know your favor, lord Ulysses, well.
 4.5.2142781Ah, sir, there's many a Greek and Trojan dead
 4.5.2152782Since first I saw yourself and Diomed
 4.5.2162783In Ilium on your Greekish embassy.
 4.5.2172784Ulysses
 Sir, I foretold you then what would ensue.
 4.5.2182785My prophecy is but half his journey yet,
 4.5.2192786For yonder walls that pertly front your town,
 4.5.2202787Yon towers, whose wanton tops do buss the clouds,
 4.5.2212788Must kiss their own feet.
 2789Hector
 Must kiss their own feet.  		I must not believe you.
 4.5.2222790There they stand yet, and modestly I think
 4.5.2232791The fall of every Phrygian stone will cost
 4.5.2242792A drop of Grecian blood. The end crowns all,
 4.5.2252793And that old common arbitrator, time,
 4.5.2262794Will one day end it.
 2795Ulysses
 Will one day end it.  		So to him we leave it.
 4.5.2272796Most gentle and most valiant Hector, welcome.
 4.5.2282797After the general, I beseech you next
 4.5.2292798To feast with me, and see me at my tent.
 4.5.2302799Achilles
 I shall forestall thee, lord Ulysses, thou.
 4.5.2312800Now, Hector, I have fed mine eyes on thee;
 4.5.2322801I have with exact view perused thee, Hector,
 4.5.2332802And quoted joint by joint.
 2803Hector
 And quoted joint by joint.  		Is this Achilles?
 4.5.2342804Achilles
 I am Achilles.
 4.5.2352805Hector
 Stand fair. I prithee, let me look on thee.
 4.5.2362806Achilles
 Behold thy fill.
 2807Hector
 Behold thy fill.  		Nay, I have done already.
 4.5.2372808Achilles
 Thou art too brief. I will the second time,
 4.5.2382809As I would buy thee, view thee limb by limb.
 4.5.2392810Hector
 Oh, like a book of sport thou'lt read me o'er?
 4.5.2402811But there's more in me than thou understand'st.
 4.5.2412812Why dost thou so oppress me with thine eye?
 4.5.2422813Achilles
 Tell me, you heavens, in which part of his body
 4.5.2432814Shall I destroy him -- whether there, or there, or there --
 4.5.243.1[Pointing to different parts of Hector's body]
 4.5.2442815That I may give the local wound a name,
 4.5.2452816And make distinct the very breach whereout
 4.5.2462817Hector's great spirit flew. Answer me, heavens.
 4.5.2472818Hector
 It would discredit the blest gods, proud man,
 4.5.2482819To answer such a question. Stand again.
 4.5.2492820Think'st thou to catch my life so pleasantly
 4.5.2502821As to prenominate in nice conjecture
 4.5.2512822Where thou wilt hit me dead?
 2823Achilles
 Where thou wilt hit me dead?  		I tell thee, yea.
 4.5.2522824Hector
 Wert thou the oracle to tell me so,
 4.5.2532825I'd not believe thee. Henceforth guard thee well,
 4.5.2542826For I'll not kill thee there, not there, nor there,
 4.5.254.1[Pointing to different parts of Achilles' body]
 4.5.2552827But by the forge that stithied Mars his helm,
 4.5.2562828I'll kill thee everywhere, yea, o'er and o'er. --
 4.5.2572829You wisest Grecians, pardon me this brag.
 4.5.2582830His insolence draws folly from my lips,
 4.5.2592831But I'll endeavor deeds to match these words,
 4.5.2602832Or may I never --
 2833Ajax.
 Or may I never --  		Do not chafe thee, cousin,
 4.5.2612834And you, Achilles, let these threats alone
 4.5.2622835Till accident or purpose bring you to't.
 4.5.2632836You may every day enough of Hector,
 4.5.2642837If you have stomach. The general state, I fear,
 4.5.2652838Can scarce entreat you to be odd with him.
 4.5.2662839Hector
 [To Achilles] I pray you, let us see you in the field;
 4.5.2672840We have had pelting wars, since you refused
 4.5.2682841The Grecians' cause.
 2842Achilles
 The Grecians' cause.  		Dost thou entreat me, Hector?
 4.5.2692843Tomorrow do I meet thee, fell as death;
 4.5.2702844Tonight, all friends.
 2845Hector
 Tonight, all friends.  		Thy hand upon that match.
 4.5.2712846Agamemnon
 First, all you peers of Greece, go to my tent;
 4.5.2722847There, in the full, convive you. Afterwards,
 4.5.2732848As Hector's leisure and your bounties shall
 4.5.2742849Concur together, severally entreat him.
 4.5.2752850Beat loud the taborins; let the trumpets blow
 4.5.2762851That this great soldier may his welcome know.
 4.5.276.1[Flourish.]
 4.5.276.2Exeunt [all but Ulysses and Troilus.]s
 4.5.2772852Troilus
 My lord Ulysses, tell me, I beseech you,
 4.5.2782853In what place of the field doth Calchas keep?
 4.5.2792854Ulysses
 At Menelaus' tent, most princely Troilus.
 4.5.2802855There Diomed doth feast with him tonight,
 4.5.2812856Who neither looks on heaven nor on earth,
 4.5.2822857But gives all gaze and bent of amorous view
 4.5.2832858On the fair Cressid.
 4.5.2842859Troilus
 Shall I, sweet lord, be bound to thee so much,
 4.5.2852860After we part from Agamemnon's tent,
 4.5.2862861To bring me thither?
 2862Ulysses
 To bring me thither?  		You shall command me, sir.
 4.5.2872863As gentle, tell me of what honor was
 4.5.2882864This Cressida in Troy? Had she no lover there
 4.5.2892865That wails her absence?
 4.5.2902866Troilus
 O sir, to such as boasting show their scars
 4.5.2912867A mock is due. Will you walk on, my lord?
 4.5.2922868She was belov'd; she loved; she is, and doth,
 4.5.2932869But still sweet love is food for fortune's tooth.
 4.5.293.1Exeunt.
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Troilus and Cressida (Modern)
