[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.

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.

Thou blowest for Hector. No trumpet answers.

'Tis but early days.

Is not young Diomed with Calchas' daughter?

'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.

Is this the lady Cressid?

Is this the lady Cressid? Even she.

Most dearly welcome to the Greeks, sweet 2570lady.

Our general doth salute you with a kiss.

Yet is the kindness but particular.

4.5.21'Twere better 2573she were kissed in general.

And very courtly counsel. I'll begin.

4.5.24So much 2575for Nestor.

I'll take that winter from your lips, fair lady.

4.5.262577Achilles bids you welcome.

[To Cressida] I had good argument for kissing once.

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.

Oh, deadly gall, and theme of all our scorns,

4.5.322582For which we lose our heads to gild his horns.

The first was Menelaus' kiss; this, mine.

4.5.342584Patroclus kisses you.

Patroclus kisses you. Oh, this is trim.

[To Cressida] Paris and I kiss evermore for him.

I'll have my kiss, sir. -- Lady, by your leave.

In kissing, do you render or receive?

Both take and give.

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.

I'll give you boot; I'll give you three for one.

You are an odd man; give even, or give none.

An odd man, lady? Every man is odd.

No, Paris is not, for you know 'tis true

4.5.442597That you are odd, and he is even with you.

You fillip me o'th'head.

You fillip me o'th'head. No, I'll be sworn.

It were no match, your nail against his horn.

4.5.472601May I, sweet lady, beg a kiss of you?

You may.

You may. I do desire it.

You may. I do desire it. Why, beg then.

Why then, for Venus' sake, give me a kiss,

4.5.502606When Helen is a maid again, and his --

I am your debtor; claim it when 'tis due.

Never's my day, and then a kiss of you.

Lady, a word. I'll bring you to your father.

A woman of quick sense.

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.

The Trojan's trumpet.

The Trojan's trumpet. Yonder comes the troop.

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.

Hector bade ask. Which way would Hector have it?

He cares not; he'll obey conditions.

'Tis done like Hector -- But securely done,

4.5.742634A little proudly, and great deal disprizing

4.5.752635The knight opposed.

If not Achilles, sir, what is your name?

If not Achilles, nothing.

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.

A maiden battle then? Oh, I perceive you.

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.

They are opposed already.

What Trojan is that same that looks so heavy?

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.

They are in action.

They are in action. Now, Ajax, hold thine own.

Hector, thou sleep'st; awake thee.

His blows are well disposed. -- There, Ajax.

You must no more.

You must no more. Princes, enough, so please you.

I am not warm yet; let us fight again.

As Hector pleases.

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 --

4.5.1392702Cousin, all honor to thee.

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.

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.

There is expectance here from both the sides

4.5.1482712What further you will do.

What further you will do. We'll answer it.

4.5.1492714The issue is embracement. -- Ajax, farewell.

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.

'Tis Agamemnon's wish, and great Achilles

4.5.1542719Doth long to see unarmed the valiant Hector.

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.

Great Agamemnon comes to meet us here.

[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.

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."

I thank thee, most imperious Agamemnon.

[To Troilus] My well-famed lord of Troy, no less to you.

Let me confirm my princely brother's greeting.

4.5.1762742You brace of warlike brothers, welcome hither.

Who must we answer?

Who must we answer? The noble Menelaus.

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.

Name her not now, sir; she's a deadly theme.

Oh, pardon. I offend.

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.

[To Hector] 'Tis the old Nestor.

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.

I would my arms could match thee in contention

4.5.2072774As they contend with thee in courtesy.

I would they could.

Ha? By this white beard, I'd fight with thee to

4.5.2102777morrow. Well, welcome, welcome. I have seen the time.

I wonder now how yonder city stands

4.5.2122779When we have here her base and pillar by us.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

And quoted joint by joint. Is this Achilles?

I am Achilles.

Stand fair. I prithee, let me look on thee.

Behold thy fill.

Behold thy fill. Nay, I have done already.

Thou art too brief. I will the second time,

4.5.2382809As I would buy thee, view thee limb by limb.

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?

Tell me, you heavens, in which part of his body

4.5.2432814Shall I destroy him -- whether there, or there, or there --

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.

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?

Where thou wilt hit me dead? I tell thee, yea.

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,

4.5.2552827But 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 --

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.

[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.

The Grecians' cause. Dost thou entreat me, Hector?

4.5.2692843Tomorrow do I meet thee, fell as death;

4.5.2702844Tonight, all friends.

Tonight, all friends. Thy hand upon that match.

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.

4.5.276.2Exeunt [all but Ulysses and Troilus.]s

My lord Ulysses, tell me, I beseech you,

4.5.2782853In what place of the field doth Calchas keep?

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.

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?

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?

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.