Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: William Godshalk
Peer Reviewed

Troilus and Cressida (Quarto 1, 1609)

of Troylus and Cresseida.
1335His course, and time, his ebbs and flowes, and if
The passage, and whole streame of his commencement,
Rode on his tide. Goe tell him this, and adde,
That if he ouer-hold his price so much,
Weele none of him. But let him like an engine,
1340Not portable, lye vnder this report.
Bring action hither, this cannot go to warre,
A stirring dwarfe we doe allowance giue,
Before a sleeping gyant. Tell him so.
Patr. I shall, and bring his answer presently.
1345Agam. In second voyce weele not be satisfied,
We come to speake with him: Vlisses entertaine.
Aiax. What is he more then another.
Agam, No more then what he thinkes he is.
1350Aiax. Is he so much: doe you not thinke he thinkes him-
selfe a better man then I am?
Agam. No question.
Aiax. Will you subscribe his thought, and say he is.
Agam. No noble Aiax, you are as strong, as valiant, as
1355wise, no lesse noble, much more gentle, and altogether
more tractable.
Aia. Why should a man be proud? how doth pride grow?
I know not what pride is.
Agam. Your minde is the cleerer, and your vertues the
1360fairer, hee that is proud eates vp him-selfe: Pride is his
owne glasse, his owne trumpet, his owne chronicle, and
what euer praises it selfe but in the deed, deuoures the
deed in the praise.
Enter Vlisses.
1365Aiax. I do hate a proud man, as I do hate the ingendring
of Toades.
Nest. And yet he loues himselfe, ist not strange?
Vlis. Achilles will not to the field to morrow.
Agam. Whats his excuse?
1370Vlis. He doth relye on none.
But carries on the streame of his dispose,
Without obseruance, or respect of any,
In will peculiar, and in selfe admission.
E2 Agam.