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  • 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.
    2785My prophecie is but halfe his iourney yet,
    For yonder walls that pertly front your towne,
    Yon towers, whose wanton tops do busse the clouds,
    Must kisse their owne feete.
    Hect. I must not beleeue you.
    2790There they stand yet, and modestly I thinke,
    The fall of euery Phrigian stone will cost,
    A drop of Grecian bloud: the end crownes all,
    And that old common arbitrator Time, will one day end it.
    2795Vlis. So to him we leaue it.
    Most gentle and most valiant Hector, welcome:
    After the Generall, I beseech you next
    To feast with me, and see me at my tent.
    Achil. I shall forestall thee lord Vlisses thou:
    2800Now Hector I haue fed mine eyes on thee,
    I haue with exact view perusde thee Hector, & quoted ioynt(by ioint.
    Hect. Is this Achilles? Achil. I am Achilles.
    2805Hect. Stand faire I pray thee, let me looke on thee,
    Achil. Behold thy fill.
    Hect. Nay I haue done already.
    Achil. Thou art too briefe, I will the second time,
    As I would buie thee, view thee lim by lim,
    2810Hect. O like a booke of sport thou'lt read me ore:
    But ther's more in me then thou vnderstandst,
    Why doost thou so oppresse me with thine eye.
    Achil. Tell me you heauens, in which part of his body
    Shall I destroy him: whether there, or there, or there,
    2815That I may giue the locall wound a name,
    And make distinct the very breach, whereout
    Hectors great spirit flew: answer me heauens.
    Hect. It would discredit the blest gods, proud man,
    To answer such a question: stand againe,
    2820Thinkst thou to catch my life so pleasantly,
    As to prenominate in nice coniecture,
    Where thou wilt hit me dead.
    Achil. I tell rhee yea.
    Hect. Wert thou an Oracle to tell me so,
    2825Ide not beleeue thee. Hence-forth gard thee well,
    For
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