Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: William Godshalk
Peer Reviewed

Troilus and Cressida (Quarto 1, 1609)

The history
(Mock not thy affect, the vntraded earth)
Your quandom wife sweares still byVenus gloue,
Shees well, but bad me not commend her to you.
Men. Name her not now sir, shee's a deadly theame.
2750Hect. O pardon, I offend.
Nest. I haue thou gallant Troyan seene thee oft,
Laboring for destiny, make cruell way,
Through rankes of Greekish youth, and I haue seene thee
As hot as Perseus, spurre thy Phrigian steed,
2755Despising many forfaits and subduments,
When thou hast hung th'aduanced sword ith'ayre,
Not letting it decline on the declined,
That I haue said to some my standers by,
Loe Iupiter is yonder dealing life.
2760And I haue seene thee pause, and take thy breath,
When that a ring of Greekes haue shrupd thee in,
Like an Olympian wrastling. This haue I seene,
But this thy countenance still lockt in steele,
I neuer saw till now: I knew thy grand-sire,
2765And once fought with him, he was a soldier good,
But by great Mars the Captaine of vs all,
Neuer like thee: O let an old man embrace thee,
And worthy warriour welcome to our tents.
AEne. Tis the old Nestor.
2770Hect. Let me embrace thee good old Chronicle,
That hast so long walkt hand in hand with time,
Most reuerend Nestor, I am glad to claspe thee.
Nest. I would my armes could match thee in contention.
2775Hect. I would they could.
Nest. Ha? by this white beard Ide fight with thee to mor-(row.
Well, welcome, welcome, I haue seene the time.
Vlis. I wonder now how yonder Citty stands,
When we haue here her base and piller by vs?
2780Hect. I know your fauour lord Vlisses well,
Ah sir, there's many a Greeke and Troyan dead,
Since first I saw your selfe and Diomed,
In Illion on your Greekish embassie.
Vlis. Sir I foretold you then what would ensue,
My