Internet Shakespeare Editions

Toolbox




Jump to line
Help on texts

About this text

  • 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.
    And mighty states character-les are grated,
    To dusty nothing, yet let memory,
    From falce to falce among falce mayds in loue,
    1825Vpbraid my falcehood, when th'haue said as falce,
    As ayre, as water, wind or sandy earth,
    As Fox to Lambe; or Wolfe to Heifers Calfe,
    Pard to the Hind, or stepdame to her Sonne,
    Yea let them say to sticke the heart of falsehood,
    1830As false as Cressid.
    Pand. Go to a bargaine made, seale it, seale it ile bee the
    witnes here I hold your hand, here my Cozens, if euer you
    proue false one, to another since I haue taken such paine to
    bring you together let all pittifull goers betweene be cald
    1835to the worlds end after my name, call them all Panders, let
    all constant men be Troylusses all false woemen Cressids, and
    all brokers betweene panders; say Amen.
    Tro. Amen. Cre. Amen.
    Pan. Amen.
    Wherevpon I will shew you a Chamber, which bed be-
    cause it shall not speake of your prety encounters presse it to
    death; away. Exeunt.
    1845And Cupid grant all tong-tide maydens here,
    Bed, chamber, Pander to prouide this geere. Exit.
    Enter Vlisses, Diomed, Nestor, Agamem, Chalcas.
    Cal Now Princes for the seruice I haue done,
    1850Th'aduantage of the time prompts me aloud,
    To call for recompence: appere it to mind,
    That through the sight I beare in things to loue,
    I haue abandond Troy, left my possession,
    Incurd a traytors name, exposd my selfe,
    1855From certaine and possest conueniences,
    To doubtfull fortunes, sequestring from me all,
    That time acquaintance, custome and condition,
    Made tame, and most familiar to my nature:
    And here to doe you seruice am become,
    1860As new into the world, strange, vnacquainted,
    I do beseech you as in way of tast,
    To giue me now a little benefit.
    F4 Out