Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: William Godshalk
Peer Reviewed

Troilus and Cressida (Quarto 1, 1609)

The history
1455Bull-bearing Milo his addition yeeld,
To sinowy Aiax, I will not praise thy wisdome,
Which like a boord: a pale, a shore confines
This spacious and dilated parts, here's Nestor,
Instructed by the antiquary times:
1460He must, he is, he cannot but be wise,
But pardon father Nestor were your daies
As greene as Aiax, and your braine so temper'd,
You should not haue the emynence of him,
But be as Aiax. Aiax. Shall I call you father?
Nest. I my good Sonne.
Diom. Be ruld by him Lord Aiax.
Vliss. There is no tarrying here the Hart Achilles,
Keepes thicket, please it our great generall,
1470To call together all his state of warre,
Fresh Kings are come to Troy. To morrow
We must with all our maine of power stand fast,
And here's a Lord come Knights from East to West
And call their flower, Aiax shall cope the best.
1475Aga. Go we to counsell, let Achilles sleepe,
Light boates saile swift, though greater hulkes draw deepe. (Exeunt.
Enter Pandarus.
Pan. Friend you, pray you a word, doe you not follow the
1480yong Lord Paris. Man. I sir when he goes before mee.
Pan. You depend vpon him I meane.
Man. Sir I do depend vpon the Lord.
Pan. You depend vpon a notable gentleman I must needs
1485praise him.
Man. The Lord be praized?
Pan. You know me? doe you not?
Man. Faith sir superficially.
Pan. Friend know mee better, I am the Lord Pandarus.
1490Man. I hope I shall know your honour better?
Pan. I do desire it.
Man. You are in the state of grace?
Pan. Grace? not so friend, honour and Lordship are my ti-
tles, what musicke is this?
1495Man. I do but partly know sir, it is musick in partes.
Pan.