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  • Title: Troilus and Cressida (Quarto 1, 1609)
  • Editor: William Godshalk
  • ISBN: 1-55058-301-8

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

    Troilus and Cressida (Quarto 1, 1609)

    of Troylus and Cresseida.
    Fore all the Greekish heads, which with one voice,
    Call Agamemnon head and generall.
    AEne. Faire leaue and large security, how may
    A stranger to those most imperiall lookes,
    685Know them from eyes of other mortals?
    Agam. How?
    AEne. I, I aske that I might waken reuerence,
    And bid the cheeke be ready with a blush,
    Modest as morning, when shee coldly eyes the youthfull (Phoebus,
    Which is that god, in office guiding men,
    Which is the high and mighty Agamemnon.
    Agam. This Troyan scornes vs, or the men of Troy,
    Are ceremonious Courtiers.
    695AEne, Courtiers as free as debonaire, vnarm'd
    As bending Angels, thats their fame in peace:
    But when they would seeme soldiers, they haue galls,
    Good armes, strong ioints, true swords, & great Ioues accord
    Nothing so full of heart: but peace AEneas,
    700Peace Troyan, lay thy finger on thy lips,
    The worthinesse of praise distaines his worth,
    If that the praisd him-selfe bring the praise forth.
    But what the repining enemy commends,
    That breath fame blowes, that praise sole pure transcends.
    705Agam. Sir you of Troy, call you your selfe AEneas?
    AEne. I Greeke, that is my name.
    Agam. Whats your affaires I pray you?
    AEne. Sir pardon, 'tis for Agamemnons eares.
    Aga. He heeres naught priuately that comes from Troy.
    AEne. Nor I from Troy come not to whisper with him,
    I bring a trumpet to awake his eare,
    To set his seat on that attentiue bent,
    And then to speake.
    715Agam. Speake frankly as the winde,
    It is not Agamemnons sleeping houre;
    That thou shalt know Troyan he is awake,
    Hee tels thee so himselfe.
    AEne. Trumpet blowe alowd,
    720Send thy brasse voyce through all these lazie tents,
    C2 And