Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: William Godshalk
Peer Reviewed

Troilus and Cressida (Quarto 1, 1609)

of Troylus and Cresseida.
I feare we shall be much vnwelcome.
AEneas. That I assure you: Troylus had rather Troy were
2220borne to Greece, then Cresseid borne from Troy.
Paris. There is no helpe.
The bitter disposition of the time will haue it so:
On Lord, weele follow you.
2225AEneas. Good morrow all.
Paris. And tell me noble Diomed, faith tell me true,
Euen in soule of sound good fellowship,
Who in your thoughts, deserues faire Helen best,
My selfe, or Menelaus.
2230Diom. Both alike.
Hee merits well to haue her that doth seeke her,
Not making any scruple of her soyle,
With such a hell of paine, and world of charge.
And you as well to keepe her, that defend her,
2235Not pallating the taste of her dishonour
With such a costly losse of wealth and friends,
He like a puling Cuckold would drinke vp,
The lees and dregs of a flat tamed peece:
You like a letcher out of whorish loynes,
2240Are pleasd to breed out your inheritors,
Both merits poyzd, each weighs nor lesse nor more,
But he as he, the heauier for a whore.
Paris. You are too bitter to your country-woman
Diom. Shees bitter to her country, heare me Paris,
2245For euery falfe drop in her bawdy veines,
A Grecians life hath sunke: for euery scruple
Of her contaminated carrion waight,
A Troyan hath beene slaine. Since she could speake,
Shee hath not giuen so many good words breath,
2250As for her Greekes and Troyans suffred death.
Paris. Faire Diomed you do as chapmen do,
Dispraise the thing that they desire to buy,
But we in silence hold this vertue well,
Weele not commend, what wee intend to sell. Heere lyes
2255our way. Exeunt.
Enter Troylus and Cresseida.
Troy. Deere, trouble not your selfe, the morne is colde.
H Cres.