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Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.. The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida from Mr. William Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies. Published according to the true originall copies.. Table des rôles
Rôle Scènes Répl. Répl. moy. Présence Texte Texte % prés. Texte × pers. Interlocution
[TOUS] 25 sc. 1144 répl. 2,0 l. 2 304 l. 2 304 l. 16 % 14 692 l. (100 %) 6,4 pers.
Achilles 8 sc. 73 répl. 1,6 l. 794 l. (35 %) 116 l. (6 %) 15 % 7 445 l. (51 %) 9,4 pers.
Agamemnon 7 sc. 54 répl. 2,4 l. 977 l. (43 %) 131 l. (6 %) 14 % 8 470 l. (58 %) 8,7 pers.
Ajax 7 sc. 55 répl. 0,8 l. 769 l. (34 %) 47 l. (3 %) 7 % 7 382 l. (51 %) 9,6 pers.
All 2 sc. 2 répl. 0,4 l. 248 l. (11 %) 1 l. (1 %) 1 % 2 853 l. (20 %) 11,5 pers.
Andromache 1 sc. 6 répl. 1,7 l. 82 l. (4 %) 10 l. (1 %) 13 % 489 l. (4 %) 6,0 pers.
Margarelon 1 sc. 3 répl. 0,4 l. 16 l. (1 %) 1 l. (1 %) 9 % 47 l. (1 %) 3,0 pers.
Boy 1 sc. 2 répl. 0,5 l. 186 l. (9 %) 1 l. (1 %) 1 % 742 l. (6 %) 4,0 pers.
Calchas 2 sc. 5 répl. 4,3 l. 341 l. (15 %) 22 l. (1 %) 7 % 3 029 l. (21 %) 8,9 pers.
Cassandra 2 sc. 13 répl. 1,9 l. 234 l. (11 %) 24 l. (2 %) 11 % 1 403 l. (10 %) 6,0 pers.
Cressida 6 sc. 152 répl. 1,2 l. 843 l. (37 %) 181 l. (8 %) 22 % 5 823 l. (40 %) 6,9 pers.
Deiphobus 1 sc. 1 répl. 0,3 l. 56 l. (3 %) 0 l. (1 %) 1 % 223 l. (2 %) 4,0 pers.
Diomedes 11 sc. 56 répl. 1,1 l. 1 039 l. (46 %) 62 l. (3 %) 6 % 9 080 l. (62 %) 8,7 pers.
Greeks 1 sc. 1 répl. 0,7 l. 16 l. (1 %) 1 l. (1 %) 5 % 48 l. (1 %) 3,0 pers.
Hector 7 sc. 57 répl. 2,4 l. 577 l. (26 %) 138 l. (6 %) 24 % 5 077 l. (35 %) 8,8 pers.
Helen 1 sc. 18 répl. 0,9 l. 90 l. (4 %) 16 l. (1 %) 18 % 361 l. (3 %) 4,0 pers.
Helenus 1 sc. 1 répl. 3,2 l. 152 l. (7 %) 3 l. (1 %) 3 % 914 l. (7 %) 6,0 pers.
Man 2 sc. 9 répl. 2,7 l. 333 l. (15 %) 24 l. (2 %) 8 % 1 330 l. (10 %) 4,0 pers.
Menelaus 4 sc. 11 répl. 0,6 l. 765 l. (34 %) 7 l. (1 %) 1 % 6 881 l. (47 %) 9,0 pers.
Nestor 7 sc. 37 répl. 2,9 l. 934 l. (41 %) 105 l. (5 %) 12 % 7 944 l. (55 %) 8,5 pers.
Pandarus 8 sc. 153 répl. 1,8 l. 803 l. (35 %) 269 l. (12 %) 34 % 3 498 l. (24 %) 4,4 pers.
Paris 5 sc. 26 répl. 2,5 l. 408 l. (18 %) 65 l. (3 %) 16 % 2 126 l. (15 %) 5,2 pers.
Patroclus 5 sc. 37 répl. 1,0 l. 737 l. (32 %) 36 l. (2 %) 5 % 7 198 l. (49 %) 9,8 pers.
Priam 2 sc. 6 répl. 2,2 l. 234 l. (11 %) 13 l. (1 %) 6 % 1 403 l. (10 %) 6,0 pers.
Prologue 1 sc. 1 répl. 22,2 l. 22 l. (1 %) 22 l. (1 %) 100 % 22 l. (1 %) 1,0 pers.
Servant 2 sc. 15 répl. 0,7 l. 120 l. (6 %) 10 l. (1 %) 9 % 510 l. (4 %) 4,2 pers.
Soldier 1 sc. 1 répl. 0,8 l. 6 l. (1 %) 1 l. (1 %) 12 % 32 l. (1 %) 5,0 pers.
Thersites 7 sc. 90 répl. 2,3 l. 702 l. (31 %) 205 l. (9 %) 30 % 5 565 l. (38 %) 7,9 pers.
Troilus 13 sc. 134 répl. 2,7 l. 1 143 l. (50 %) 366 l. (16 %) 33 % 7 850 l. (54 %) 6,9 pers.
Ulysses 7 sc. 81 répl. 4,1 l. 1 099 l. (48 %) 333 l. (15 %) 31 % 9 337 l. (64 %) 8,5 pers.
Aeneas 8 sc. 44 répl. 2,1 l. 967 l. (42 %) 94 l. (5 %) 10 % 6 512 l. (45 %) 6,7 pers.
Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.. The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida from Mr. William Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies. Published according to the true originall copies.. Statistiques par relation
Relation Scènes Texte Interlocution
Achilles
Agamemnon		 5 l. (53 %) 5 répl. 0,9 l.
4 l. (48 %) 3 répl. 1,3 l. 		3 sc. 8 l. (1 %) 11,3 pers.
Achilles
Ajax		 10 l. (80 %) 7 répl. 1,4 l.
3 l. (21 %) 6 répl. 0,4 l. 		3 sc. 12 l. (1 %) 8,3 pers.
Achilles
Greeks 		9 l. (93 %) 2 répl. 4,3 l.
1 l. (8 %) 1 répl. 0,7 l. 		1 sc. 9 l. (1 %) 3,0 pers.
Achilles
Hector		 18 l. (56 %) 10 répl. 1,7 l.
14 l. (45 %) 11 répl. 1,3 l. 		4 sc. 31 l. (2 %) 11,3 pers.
Achilles
Menelaus		 2 l. (79 %) 2 répl. 0,8 l.
1 l. (22 %) 1 répl. 0,4 l. 		2 sc. 2 l. (1 %) 11,5 pers.
Achilles
Nestor		 1 l. (3 %) 1 répl. 0,1 l.
3 l. (98 %) 3 répl. 0,7 l. 		3 sc. 2 l. (1 %) 11,2 pers.
Achilles
Patroclus		 11 l. (40 %) 6 répl. 1,7 l.
16 l. (61 %) 9 répl. 1,8 l. 		4 sc. 26 l. (2 %) 8,5 pers.
Achilles
Thersites		 38 l. (38 %) 32 répl. 1,2 l.
62 l. (63 %) 30 répl. 2,1 l. 		5 sc. 99 l. (5 %) 8,3 pers.
Achilles
Ulysses		 25 l. (28 %) 6 répl. 4,1 l.
66 l. (73 %) 8 répl. 8,2 l. 		3 sc. 90 l. (4 %) 11,3 pers.
Achilles
Aeneas		 1 l. (5 %) 1 répl. 0,4 l.
9 l. (96 %) 2 répl. 4,1 l. 		1 sc. 9 l. (1 %) 13,0 pers.
Agamemnon
Ajax		 17 l. (73 %) 10 répl. 1,7 l.
7 l. (28 %) 7 répl. 0,9 l. 		4 sc. 23 l. (2 %) 10,5 pers.
Agamemnon
Calchas		 1 l. (4 %) 1 répl. 0,8 l.
21 l. (97 %) 2 répl. 10,5 l. 		1 sc. 22 l. (1 %) 10,0 pers.
Agamemnon
Diomedes		 5 l. (98 %) 3 répl. 1,7 l.
1 l. (3 %) 1 répl. 0,2 l. 		2 sc. 5 l. (1 %) 11,5 pers.
Agamemnon
Hector		 8 l. (71 %) 2 répl. 3,9 l.
4 l. (30 %) 3 répl. 1,1 l. 		2 sc. 11 l. (1 %) 12,3 pers.
Agamemnon
Menelaus		 2 l. (88 %) 2 répl. 0,6 l.
1 l. (13 %) 1 répl. 0,2 l. 		2 sc. 1 l. (1 %) 8,4 pers.
Agamemnon
Nestor		 37 l. (93 %) 7 répl. 5,2 l.
3 l. (8 %) 3 répl. 0,9 l. 		5 sc. 39 l. (2 %) 8,7 pers.
Agamemnon
Patroclus		 24 l. (82 %) 3 répl. 7,9 l.
6 l. (19 %) 3 répl. 1,8 l. 		1 sc. 29 l. (2 %) 8,0 pers.
Agamemnon
Troilus		 5 l. (89 %) 1 répl. 4,5 l.
1 l. (12 %) 1 répl. 0,6 l. 		1 sc. 5 l. (1 %) 13,0 pers.
Agamemnon
Ulysses		 21 l. (29 %) 10 répl. 2,1 l.
53 l. (72 %) 10 répl. 5,2 l. 		4 sc. 73 l. (4 %) 8,7 pers.
Agamemnon
Aeneas		 11 l. (20 %) 12 répl. 0,9 l.
45 l. (81 %) 11 répl. 4,1 l. 		2 sc. 56 l. (3 %) 8,4 pers.
Ajax
Diomedes		 5 l. (65 %) 6 répl. 0,8 l.
3 l. (36 %) 5 répl. 0,5 l. 		3 sc. 8 l. (1 %) 10,3 pers.
Ajax
Hector		 8 l. (24 %) 4 répl. 1,9 l.
25 l. (77 %) 5 répl. 5,0 l. 		2 sc. 33 l. (2 %) 12,3 pers.
Ajax
Nestor		 8 l. (95 %) 6 répl. 1,3 l.
1 l. (6 %) 1 répl. 0,4 l. 		1 sc. 8 l. (1 %) 8,0 pers.
Ajax
Thersites		 9 l. (26 %) 19 répl. 0,5 l.
26 l. (75 %) 18 répl. 1,4 l. 		1 sc. 35 l. (2 %) 4,0 pers.
Ajax
Ulysses		 7 l. (30 %) 6 répl. 1,1 l.
16 l. (71 %) 7 répl. 2,2 l. 		3 sc. 22 l. (1 %) 10,6 pers.
All
Troilus		 1 l. (59 %) 1 répl. 0,4 l.
1 l. (42 %) 1 répl. 0,3 l. 		1 sc. 1 l. (1 %) 4,0 pers.
Andromache
Cassandra		 7 l. (70 %) 2 répl. 3,3 l.
3 l. (31 %) 3 répl. 1,0 l. 		1 sc. 9 l. (1 %) 6,0 pers.
Andromache
Hector		 4 l. (45 %) 4 répl. 1,0 l.
5 l. (56 %) 2 répl. 2,4 l. 		1 sc. 9 l. (1 %) 6,0 pers.
Margarelon
Thersites		 2 l. (13 %) 3 répl. 0,4 l.
9 l. (88 %) 3 répl. 2,9 l. 		1 sc. 10 l. (1 %) 3,0 pers.
Boy
Pandarus		 2 l. (71 %) 2 répl. 0,5 l.
1 l. (30 %) 2 répl. 0,2 l. 		1 sc. 2 l. (1 %) 4,0 pers.
Calchas
Diomedes		 1 l. (20 %) 2 répl. 0,2 l.
2 l. (81 %) 3 répl. 0,5 l. 		1 sc. 2 l. (1 %) 7,0 pers.
Cassandra
Hector		 13 l. (70 %) 7 répl. 1,8 l.
6 l. (31 %) 6 répl. 0,9 l. 		2 sc. 18 l. (1 %) 6,0 pers.
Cassandra
Troilus		 6 l. (15 %) 1 répl. 5,8 l.
35 l. (86 %) 5 répl. 6,9 l. 		2 sc. 40 l. (2 %) 6,0 pers.
Cressida
Diomedes		 16 l. (68 %) 16 répl. 1,0 l.
8 l. (33 %) 18 répl. 0,4 l. 		1 sc. 23 l. (2 %) 7,0 pers.
Cressida
Man 		5 l. (16 %) 8 répl. 0,5 l.
23 l. (85 %) 7 répl. 3,2 l. 		1 sc. 27 l. (2 %) 4,0 pers.
Cressida
Menelaus		 4 l. (60 %) 3 répl. 1,2 l.
3 l. (41 %) 4 répl. 0,6 l. 		1 sc. 6 l. (1 %) 13,0 pers.
Cressida
Pandarus		 97 l. (43 %) 79 répl. 1,2 l.
133 l. (58 %) 80 répl. 1,7 l. 		4 sc. 228 l. (10 %) 4,4 pers.
Cressida
Patroclus		 1 l. (67 %) 1 répl. 0,6 l.
1 l. (34 %) 1 répl. 0,3 l. 		1 sc. 1 l. (1 %) 13,0 pers.
Cressida
Thersites		 9 l. (95 %) 4 répl. 2,1 l.
1 l. (6 %) 1 répl. 0,5 l. 		1 sc. 9 l. (1 %) 7,0 pers.
Cressida
Troilus		 50 l. (40 %) 35 répl. 1,4 l.
78 l. (61 %) 37 répl. 2,1 l. 		4 sc. 127 l. (6 %) 5,3 pers.
Cressida
Ulysses		 3 l. (42 %) 6 répl. 0,4 l.
4 l. (59 %) 5 répl. 0,7 l. 		2 sc. 6 l. (1 %) 10,7 pers.
Diomedes
Nestor		 1 l. (44 %) 2 répl. 0,5 l.
2 l. (57 %) 2 répl. 0,6 l. 		2 sc. 2 l. (1 %) 10,4 pers.
Diomedes
Paris		 16 l. (69 %) 4 répl. 3,9 l.
8 l. (32 %) 4 répl. 1,8 l. 		2 sc. 23 l. (1 %) 5,3 pers.
Diomedes
Thersites		 3 l. (32 %) 2 répl. 1,2 l.
6 l. (69 %) 6 répl. 0,9 l. 		2 sc. 8 l. (1 %) 6,5 pers.
Diomedes
Troilus		 14 l. (39 %) 8 répl. 1,7 l.
22 l. (62 %) 6 répl. 3,6 l. 		4 sc. 35 l. (2 %) 6,3 pers.
Diomedes
Ulysses		 4 l. (68 %) 5 répl. 0,6 l.
2 l. (33 %) 4 répl. 0,4 l. 		2 sc. 5 l. (1 %) 10,4 pers.
Diomedes
Aeneas		 8 l. (38 %) 4 répl. 1,9 l.
13 l. (63 %) 5 répl. 2,5 l. 		3 sc. 20 l. (1 %) 9,7 pers.
Hector
Menelaus		 4 l. (60 %) 2 répl. 1,9 l.
3 l. (41 %) 3 répl. 0,9 l. 		2 sc. 6 l. (1 %) 12,3 pers.
Hector
Nestor		 3 l. (67 %) 3 répl. 1,0 l.
2 l. (34 %) 1 répl. 1,5 l. 		1 sc. 4 l. (1 %) 13,0 pers.
Hector
Priam		 5 l. (32 %) 2 répl. 2,2 l.
10 l. (69 %) 3 répl. 3,1 l. 		2 sc. 14 l. (1 %) 6,0 pers.
Hector
Thersites		 3 l. (25 %) 3 répl. 0,7 l.
7 l. (76 %) 3 répl. 2,3 l. 		2 sc. 9 l. (1 %) 8,3 pers.
Hector
Troilus		 63 l. (66 %) 15 répl. 4,2 l.
33 l. (35 %) 11 répl. 3,0 l. 		4 sc. 95 l. (5 %) 6,8 pers.
Hector
Ulysses		 7 l. (58 %) 3 répl. 2,2 l.
5 l. (43 %) 2 répl. 2,5 l. 		2 sc. 12 l. (1 %) 12,3 pers.
Hector
Aeneas		 4 l. (64 %) 2 répl. 1,6 l.
2 l. (37 %) 3 répl. 0,6 l. 		1 sc. 5 l. (1 %) 13,0 pers.
Helen
Pandarus		 12 l. (32 %) 15 répl. 0,7 l.
25 l. (69 %) 15 répl. 1,6 l. 		1 sc. 36 l. (2 %) 4,0 pers.
Helen
Paris		 5 l. (33 %) 3 répl. 1,5 l.
10 l. (68 %) 3 répl. 3,1 l. 		1 sc. 14 l. (1 %) 4,0 pers.
Helenus
Troilus		 4 l. (39 %) 1 répl. 3,2 l.
6 l. (62 %) 1 répl. 5,2 l. 		1 sc. 8 l. (1 %) 6,0 pers.
Man
Pandarus		 2 l. (60 %) 2 répl. 0,6 l.
1 l. (41 %) 1 répl. 0,9 l. 		2 sc. 2 l. (1 %) 4,0 pers.
Menelaus
Patroclus		 1 l. (36 %) 2 répl. 0,4 l.
2 l. (65 %) 2 répl. 0,8 l. 		1 sc. 3 l. (1 %) 13,0 pers.
Nestor
Ulysses		 76 l. (35 %) 23 répl. 3,3 l.
144 l. (66 %) 19 répl. 7,6 l. 		4 sc. 219 l. (10 %) 8,2 pers.
Pandarus
Paris		 11 l. (58 %) 9 répl. 1,2 l.
8 l. (43 %) 8 répl. 1,0 l. 		1 sc. 18 l. (1 %) 4,0 pers.
Pandarus
Servant		 13 l. (56 %) 14 répl. 0,9 l.
11 l. (45 %) 14 répl. 0,7 l. 		1 sc. 22 l. (1 %) 4,0 pers.
Pandarus
Troilus		 83 l. (52 %) 28 répl. 3,0 l.
79 l. (49 %) 30 répl. 2,6 l. 		6 sc. 161 l. (8 %) 4,5 pers.
Pandarus
Aeneas		 6 l. (60 %) 4 répl. 1,3 l.
4 l. (41 %) 4 répl. 0,9 l. 		1 sc. 9 l. (1 %) 4,0 pers.
Paris
Priam		 9 l. (79 %) 1 répl. 8,8 l.
3 l. (22 %) 1 répl. 2,4 l. 		1 sc. 11 l. (1 %) 6,0 pers.
Paris
Troilus		 6 l. (26 %) 3 répl. 1,7 l.
15 l. (75 %) 4 répl. 3,7 l. 		3 sc. 20 l. (1 %) 5,9 pers.
Paris
Aeneas		 14 l. (76 %) 5 répl. 2,8 l.
5 l. (25 %) 4 répl. 1,2 l. 		2 sc. 19 l. (1 %) 5,3 pers.
Patroclus
Thersites		 12 l. (19 %) 20 répl. 0,6 l.
52 l. (82 %) 22 répl. 2,4 l. 		4 sc. 63 l. (3 %) 8,5 pers.
Patroclus
Ulysses		 2 l. (9 %) 2 répl. 0,8 l.
19 l. (92 %) 3 répl. 6,1 l. 		3 sc. 20 l. (1 %) 10,4 pers.
Prologue 23 l. (100 %) 1 répl. 22,2 l. 1 sc. 22 l. (1 %) 1,0 pers.
Thersites
Troilus		 23 l. (61 %) 4 répl. 5,6 l.
15 l. (40 %) 5 répl. 3,0 l. 		2 sc. 37 l. (2 %) 6,5 pers.
Thersites
Ulysses		 2 l. (72 %) 1 répl. 1,6 l.
1 l. (29 %) 1 répl. 0,6 l. 		1 sc. 2 l. (1 %) 7,0 pers.
Troilus 4 l. (100 %) 1 répl. 3,4 l. 1 sc. 3 l. (1 %) 1,0 pers.
Troilus
Ulysses		 43 l. (70 %) 20 répl. 2,1 l.
19 l. (31 %) 20 répl. 0,9 l. 		3 sc. 62 l. (3 %) 10,6 pers.
Troilus
Aeneas		 40 l. (71 %) 12 répl. 3,3 l.
17 l. (30 %) 13 répl. 1,3 l. 		5 sc. 57 l. (3 %) 5,2 pers.
Ulysses
Aeneas		 1 l. (57 %) 1 répl. 0,9 l.
1 l. (44 %) 1 répl. 0,7 l. 		1 sc. 2 l. (1 %) 5,6 pers.

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.

The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida from Mr. William Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies. Published according to the true originall copies.

Mr. VVilliam Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies

Bodleian First Folio, Arch. G c.7

Édition de Heminge, John, approximately 1556-1630 et Condell, Henry, -1627
Financement : Sprint for Shakespeare Crowdfunding
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Autres contributions

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Blount, Edward, fl. 1594-1632 : printer.
Jaggard, William, 1569-1623 : publisher.
Smethwicke, John, -1641 : publisher.
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Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, 11 September 2014.
Source : Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. Mr. William Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies.: Published according to the true originall copies.Mr. VVilliam Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragediesFirst FolioLondon, England: William Jaggard, Edward Blount, John Smethwicke16238 November 1623 (entered)Bodleian Library, Arch. G c.7S111228015592789
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The Prologue. §

IN Troy there lyes the Scene; From Iles of Greece
The Princes Origillous, their high blood chaf'd
Haue to the port of Athens sent their shippes
Fraught with the ministers and instruments
5 Of cruell Warre: Sixty and nine that wore
Their Crownets Regall, from th'Athenian bay
Put forth toward Phrygia, and their vow is made
To ransacke Troy, within whose strong emures
The rauish'd Helen, Menelaus Queene,
10 With wanton Paris Sleepes, and that's the Quarrell.
To Tenedos they come,
And the deepe‑drawing Barke do there disgorge
Their warlike frautage: now on Dardan Plaines
The fresh and yet vnbruised Greekes do pitch
15 Their braue Pauillions. Priams six‑gated City,
Dardan and Timbria, Helias, Chetas, Troien,
And Antenonidus with massie Staples
And corresponsiue and fulfilling Bolts
Stirre vp the Sonnes of Troy.
20 Now Expectaton tickling skittish spirits,
On one and other side, Troian and Greeke,
Sets all on hazard. And hither am I come,
A Prologue arm'd, but not in confidence
Of Authors pen, or Actors voyce; but suited
25 In like conditions, as our Argument;
To tell you (faire Beholders) that our Play
Leapes ore the vaunt and firstlings of those broyles,
Beginning in the middle. Starting thence away,
To What may be digested in a Play:
30 Like or finde fault, do as your pleasures are,
Now good, or bad, 'tis but the chance of Warre.

THE TRAGEDIE OF
Troylus and Cressida.

Actus Primus. Scœna Prima.

[Act 1, Scene 1] §

Enter Pandarus and Troylus.

Troylus.

CAll here my Varlet, Ile vnarme againe.
Why should I warre without the wals of Troy
That finde such cruell battell here within?
35 Each Troian that is matter of his heart,
Let him to field, Troylus alas hath none.

Pan.

Will this geere nere be mended?

Troy.

The Greeks are strong, & skilful to their strength,
Fierce to their skill, and to their fiercenesse Valiant:
40 But I am weaker then a womans teare;
Tamer then sleepe, fonder then ignorance;
Lesse valiant then the Virgin in the night,
And skillesse as vnpractis'd Infancie.

Pan.

[44] Well, I haue told you enough of this: For my [l. 45] part, Ile not meddle nor make no farther. Hee that will [l. 46] haue a Cake out of the Wheate, must needes tarry the [l. 47] grinding.

Troy.

[48] Haue I not tarried?

Pan.

[49] I the grinding; but you must tarry the bolting.

Troy.

[50] Haue I not tarried?

Pan.

[51] I the boulting; but you must tarry the leau'ing.

Troy.

[52] Still haue I tarried.

Pan.

[53] I, to the leauening: but heeres yet in the word [l. 54] hereafter, the Kneading, the making of the Cake, the [l. 55] heating of the Ouen, and the Baking; nay, you must stay [l. 56] the cooling too, or you may chance to burne your lips.

Troy.

Patience her selfe, what Goddesse ere she be,
Doth lesser blench at sufferance, then I doe:
At Priams Royall Table doe I sit;
60 And when faire Cressid comes into my thoughts,
So (Traitor) then she comes, when she is thence.

Pan.

Well:
She look'd yesternight fairer, then euer I saw her looke,
Or any woman else.

Troy.

65 I was about to tell thee, when my heart,
As wedged with a sigh, would riue in twaine,
Least Hector, or my Father should perceiue me:
I haue (as when the Sunne doth light a‑scorne)
Buried this sigh, in wrinkle of a smile:
70 But sorrow, that is couch'd in seeming gladnesse,
Is like that mirth, Fate turnes to sudden sadnesse.

Pan.

[72] And her haire were not somewhat darker then [l. 73] Helens, Well go too, there were no more comparison be‑tweene the Women. But for my part she is my Kinswo­ [l. 74] man, I would not (as they tearme it) praise it, but I wold [l. 75] some‑body had heard her talke yesterday as I did: I will [l. 76] not dispraise your sister Cassandra's wit, but⸺

Troy.

Oh Pandarus! I tell thee Pandarus;
When I doe tell thee, there my hopes lye drown'd:
Reply not inhow many Fadomes deepe
80 They lye indrench'd. I tell thee, I am mad
In Cressids loue. Thou answer'st she is Faire,
Powr'st in the open Vlcer of my heart,
Her Eyes, her Haire, her Cheeke, her Gate her Voice,
Handlest in thy discourse. O that her Hand
85 (In whose comparison, all whites are Inke)
Writing their owne reproach; to whose soft seizure,
The Cignits Downe is harsh, and spirit of Sense
Hard as the palme of Plough‑man. This thou tel'st me;
As true thou tel'st me, when I say I loue her
90 But saying thus, instead of Oyle and Balme,
Thou lai'st in euery gash that loue hath giuen me,
The Knife that made it.

Pan.

[93] I speake no more then truth.

Troy.

Thou do'st not speake so much.

Pan.

[95] Faith, Ile not meddle in't: Let her be as shee is [l. 96] if she be faire, 'tis the better for her: and she be not, she [l. 97] ha's the mends in her owne hands.

Troy.

[98] Good Pandarus: How now Pandarus?

Pan.

[99] I haue had my Labour for my trauell, ill thought [l. 100] on of her, and ill thought on of you: Gone betweene and [l. 101] betweene, but small thankes for my labour.

Troy.

[102] What art thou angry Pandarus? what with me?

Pan.

[103] Because she's Kinne to me, therefore shee's not [l. 104] so faire as Helen, and she were not kin to me, she would [l. 105] be as faire on Friday, as Helen is on Sunday. But what [l. 106] care I? I care not and she were a Black‑a‑Moore, 'tis all [l. 107] one to me.

Troy.

[108] Say I she is not faire?

Troy.

[109] I doe not care whether you doe or no. Shee's a [l. 110] Foole to stay behinde her Father: Let her to the Greeks, [l. 111] and so Ile tell her the next time I see her: for my part, Ile [l. 112] meddle nor make no more i'th'matter.

Troy.

[113] Pandarus?

Pan.

[114] Not I.

Troy.

[115] Sweete Pandarus.

Pan.

[116] Pray you speake no more to me, I will leaue all [l. 117] as I found it, and there an end.

Exit Pand.
Sound Alarum.

Tro.

Peace you vngracious Clamors, peace rude sounds,
Fooles on both sides,Helen must needs be faire,
120 When with your bloud you daily paint her thus.
I cannot fight vpon this Argument:
It {p. 79} The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida.
It is too staru'd a subiect for my Sword,
But Pandarus: O Gods! How do you plague me?
I cannot come to Cressid but by Pandar,
125 And he's as teachy to be woo'd to woe,
As she is stubborne, chast, against all suite.
Tell me Appollo for thy Daphnes Loue
What Cressid is, what Pandar, and what we:
Her bed is India, there she lies, a Pearle,
130 Between our Ilium, and where shee recides
Let it be cald the wild and wandring flood,
Our selfe the Merchant, and this sayling Pandar,
Our doubtfull hope, our conuoy and our Barke.
Alarum.
Enter Æneas.

Æne.

How now Prince Troylus?
135 Wherefore not a field?

Troy.

Because not there; this womans answer sorts.
For womanish it is to from thence:
What newes Æneas from the field to day?

Æne.

That Paris is returned home, and hurt.

Troy.

140 By whom Æneas?

Æne.

Troylus by Menelaus.

Troy.

Let Paris bleed 'tis but a scar to scorne,
Paris is gor'd with Menelaus horne.
Alarum.

Æne.

Harke what good sport is out of Towne to day.

Troy.

145 Better at home, if would I might were may:
But to the sport abroad, are you bound thither?

Æne.

In all swift hast.

Troy.

Come goe wee then togither.
Exeunt.

[Act 1, Scene 2] §

Enter Cressid and her man.

Cre.

[149] Who were those went by?

Man.

[150] Queene Hecuba Hellen.

Cre.

[151] And whether go they?

Man.

Vp to the Easterne Tower,
Whose height commands as subiect all the vaile,
To see the battell: Hector whose pacience,
155 Is as a Vertue fixt to day was mou'd:
He chides Andromacheand stroke his Armorer,
And like as there were husbandry in Warre
Before the Sunne rose, hee was harnest lyte,
And to the field goe's he; where euery flower
160 Did as a Prophet weepe what it forsaw,
In Hectors wrath.

Cre.

[162] What was his cause of anger?

Man.

The noise goe's this;
There is among the Greekes,
165 A Lord of Troian blood, Nephew to Hector,
They call him Aiax.

Cre.

[167] Good; and what of him?

Man.

[168] They say he is a very man per se and stands alone.

Cre.

[169] So do all men, vnlesse they are drunke, sicke, or [l. 170] haue no legges.

Man.

[171] This man Lady, hath rob'd many beasts of their [l. 172] particular additions, he is as valiant as the Lyon, churlish [l. 173] as the Beare, slow as the Elephant: a man into whom [l. 174] nature hath so crowded humors, that his valour is crusht [l. 175] into folly, his folly sauced with discretion: there is no [l. 176] man hath a vertue, that he hath not a glimpse of, nor a­ [l. 177] ny man an attaint, but he carries some staine of it. He is [l. 178] melancholy without cause, and merry against the haire, [l. 179] hee hath the ioynts of euery thing, but euery thing so [l. 180] out ot ioynt, that hee is a gowtie Briareus, many hands [l. 181] and no vse; or purblinded Argus, all eyes and no sight.

Cre.

[182] But how should this man that makes me smile, [l. 183] make Hector angry?

Man.

[184] They say he yesterday cop'd Hector in the bat­ [l. 185] tell and stroke him downe, the disdaind & shame where­ [l. 186] of, hath euer since kept Hector fasting and waking.

Enter Pandarus.

Cre.

[187] Who comes here?

Man.

[188] Madam your Vncle Pandarus.

Cre.

[189] Hectors a gallant man.

Man.

[190] As may be in the world Lady.

Pan.

[191] What's that? what's that?

Cre.

[192] Good morrow Vncle Pandarus.

Pan.

[193] Good morrow Cozen Cressid: what do you talke [l. 194] of? good morrow Alexander: how do you Cozen? when [l. 195] were you at Illium?

Cre.

[196] This morning Vncle.

Pan.

[197] What were you talking of when I came? Was [l. 198] Hector arm'd and gon ere yea came to Illium? Hellen was [l. 199] not vp? was she?

Cre.

[200] Hector was gone but Hellen was not vp?

Pan.

[201] E'ene so; Hector was stirring early.

Cre.

[202] That were we talking of and of his anger.

Pan.

[203] Was he angry?

Cre.

[204] So he faies here.

Pan.

[205] True he was so; I know the cause too, heele lay [l. 206] about him to day I can tell them that, and there's Troylus [l. 207] will not come farre behind him, let them take heede of [l. 208] Troylus; I can sell them that too.

Cre.

[209] What is he angry too?

Pan.

210 Who Troylus?
Troylus is the better man of the two.

Cre.

[212] Oh Iupiter; there's no comparison.

Pan.

[213] What not betweene Troylus and Hector? do you [l. 214] know a man if you see him?

Cre.

[215] I, if I euer saw him before and knew him.

Pan.

[216] Well I say Troylus is Troylus.

Cre.

Then you say as I say,
For I am sure he is not Hector.

Pan.

[219] No not Hector is not Troylus in some degrees.

Cre.

220 'Tis iust, to each of them he is himselfe.

Pan.

Himselfe? alas poore Troylus I would he were.

Cre.

[222] So he is.

Pan.

[223] Condition I had gone bare‑foote to India.

Cre.

[224] He is not Hector.

Pan.

[225] Himselfe? no? hee's not himselfe, would a were [l. 226] himselfe: well, the Gods are aboue, time must friend or [l. 227] end: well Troylus well, I would my heart were in her bo­ [l. 228] dy; no, Hector is not abetter man then Troylus.

Cre.

[229] Excuse me.

Pan.

[230] He is elder.

Cre.

[231] Pardon me, pardon me.

Pan.

[232] Th'others not come too't, you shall tell me ano­ [l. 233] ther tale when th'others come too't: Hector shall not [l. 234] haue his will this yeare.

Cre.

[235] He shall not neede it if he haue his owne.

Pan.

[236] Nor his qualities.

Cre.

[237] No matter.

Pan.

[238] Nor his beautie.

Cre.

[239] 'Twould not become him, his own's better.

Pan.

[240] You haue no iudgement Neece; Hellen her selfe [l. 241] swore th'other day, that Troylus for a browne fauour (for [l. 242] so 'tis I must confesse) not browne neither.

Cre.

[243] No but browne.

Pan.

[244] Faith to say truth, browne and not browne.

Cre.

[245] To say the truth, true and not true.

Pan.

[246] She prais'd his complexion aboue Paris.

Cre.

[247] Why Paris hath colour inough.

Pan.

[248] So, he has.

Cre.

[249] Then Troylus should haue too much, if she prais'd [l. 250] him aboue, his complexion is higher then his, he hauing colour {p. 80} The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida. [l. 251] colour enough, and the other higher, is too flaming a [l. 252] praise for a good complexion, I had as lieue Hellens gol­ [l. 253] den tongue had commended Troylus for a copper nose.

Pan.

I sweare to you,
255 I thinke Hellen loues him better then Paris.

Cre.

[256] Then shee's a merry Greeke indeed.

Pan.

[257] Nay I am sure she does, she came to him th'other [l. 258] day into the compast window, and you know he has not [l. 259] past three or foure haires on his chinne.

Cres.

[260] Indeed a Tapsters Arithmetique may soone [l. 261] bring his particulars therein, to a totall.

Pand.

[262] Why he is very yong, and yet will he within [l. 263] three pound lift as much as his brother Hector.

Cres.

[264] Is he is so young a man, and so old a lifter?

Pan.

[265] But to prooue to you that Hellen loues him, she [l. 266] came and puts me her white hand to his clouen chin.

Cres.

[267] Iuno haue mercy, how came it clouen?

Pan.

[268] Why, you know 'tis dimpled, [l. 269] I thinke his smyling becomes him better then any man [l. 270] in all Phrigia.

Cre.

[271] Oh he smiles valiantly.

Pan.

[272] Dooes hee not?

Cre.

[273] Oh yes, and 'twere a clow'd in Autumne.

Pan.

[274] Why go to then, but to proue to you that Hellen [l. 275] loues Troylus.

Cre.

[276] Troylus wil stand to thee [l. 277] Proofe, if youle prooue it so.

Pan.

[278] Troylus? why he esteemes her no more then I e­ [l. 279] steeme an addle egge.

Cre.

[280] If you loue an addle egge as well as you loue an [l. 281] idle head, you would eate chickens i'th'shell.

Pan.

[282] I can not chuse but laugh to thinke how she tick­ [l. 283] led his chin, indeed shee has a maruel's white hand I must [l. 284] needs confesse.

Cre.

[285] Without the racke.

Pan.

[286] And shee takes vpon her to spie a white haire on [l. 287] his chinne.

Cre.

[288] Alas poore chin? many a wart is richer.

Pand.

[289] But there was such laughing, Queene Hecuba [l. 290] laught that her eyes ran ore.

Cre.

[291] With Milstones.

Pan.

[292] And Cassandra laught,

Cre.

[293] But there was more temperate fire vnder the pot [l. 294] of her eyes: did her eyes run ore too?

Pan.

[295] And Hector laught.

Cre.

[296] At what was ail this laughing?

Pand.

[297] Marry at the white haire that Hellen spied on [l. 298] Troylus chin.

Cres.

[299] And t'had beene a greene haire, I should haue [l. 300] laught too.

Pand.

[301] They laught not so much at the haire, as at his [l. 302] pretty answere.

Cre.

[303] What was his answere?

Pan.

[304] Quoth shee, heere's but two and fisty haires on [l. 305] your chinne; and one of them is white.

Cre.

[306] This is her question.

Pand.

[307] That's true, make no question os that, two and [l. 308] fiftie haires quoth hee, and one white, that white haire is [l. 309] my Father, and all the rest are his Sonnes. Iuipiter quoth [l. 310] she, which of these haires is Paris my husband? The for­ [l. 311] ked one quoth he, pluckt out and giue it him: but there [l. 312] was such laughing, and Hellen so blusht, and Paris so [l. 313] chast, aod all the rest so laught, that it past.

Cre.

So let it now,
315 For is has beene a great while going by.

Pan.

[316] Well Cozen, [l. 317] I told you a thing yesterday, think on't.

Cre.

[318] So I does.

Pand.

[319] Ile be sworne 'tis true, he will weepe you [l. 320] an'twere a man borne in Aprill.

Sound a retreate.

Cres.

[321] And Ile spring vp in his teares, an 'twere a nettle [l. 322] against May.

Pan.

[323] Harke they are coming from the field, shal we [l. 324] stand vp here and see them, as they passe toward Illium, [l. 325] good Neece do, sweet Neece Cressida.

Cre.

[326] At your pleasure.

Pan.

[327] Heere, heere, here's an excellent place, here we [l. 328] may see most brauely, Ile tel you them all by their names, [l. 329] as they passe by, but marke Troylus aboue the rest,

Enter Æneas.

Cre.

[330] Speake not so low'd.

Pan.

[331] That's Æneas, is not that a braue man, hee's one [l. 332] of the flowers of Troy I can you, but marke Troylus; you [l. 333] shall see anon.

Cre.

[334] Who's that's?

Enter Antenor.

Pan.

[335] That's Antenor, he has a shrow'd wit I can tell [l. 336] you, and hee's a man good inough, hee's one o'th soun­ [l. 337] dest iudgement in Troy whosoeuer, and a proper man of [l. 338] person: when comes Troylus?Ile shew you Troylus anon, [l. 339] if hee see me, you shall see him him nod at me.

Cre.

[340] Will he giue you the nod?

Pan.

[341] You shall see.

Cre.

[342] If he do, the rich shall haue, more,

Enter Hector.

Pan.

[343] That's Hector, that, that, looke you, that there's a [l. 344] fellow. Goe thy way Hector, there's a braue man Neece, [l. 345] O braue Hector! Looke how hee lookes? there's a coun­ [l. 346] tenance; ist not a braue man?

Cre.

[347] O braue man!

Pan.

[348] Is a not? It dooes a mans heart good looke you [l. 349] What hacks are on his Helmet, looke you yonder, do you [l. 350] see? Looke you there? There's no iesting, laying on, tak't [l. 351] off, who ill as they say, there be hacks.

Cre.

[352] Be those with Swords?

Enter Paris;

Pan.

[353] Swords, any thing he cares not, and the diuell [l. 354] come to him, it's all one, by Gods lid it dooes ones heart [l. 355] good. Yonder comes Paris, yonder comes Paris: looke [l. 356] yee yonder Neece, ist not a gallant man to, ist not? Why [l. 357] this is braue now: who said he came hurt home to day? [l. 358] Hee's not hurt, why this will do Hellens heart good [l. 359] now, ha? Would I could see Troylus now, you shall Troy­ [l. 360] lus anon.

Cre.

[361] Whose that?

Enter Hellenus.

Pan.

[362] That's Hellenus, 1 maruell where Troylus is, that's [l. 363] Helenus, I thinke he went not forth to day: that's Hel­ [l. 364] lenus.

Cre.

[365] Can Hellenus fight Vncle?

Pan.

[366] Hellenus no: yes heele fight indifferent, well, I [l. 367] maruell where Troylus is; harke, do you not haere the [l. 368] people crie Troylus? Hellenus is a Priest.

Cre.

[369] What sneaking fellow comes yonder?

Enter Trylus.

Pan.

[370] Where? Yonder? That's Dæphobus. 'Tis Troy­ [l. 371] lus! Ther's a man Neece, hem : Braue Troylus the Prince [l. 372] of Chiualrie.

Cre.

[373] Peace, for shame peace.

Pand.

[374] Marke him, not him: O braue Troylus: looke [l. 375] well vpon him Neece, looke you how his Sword is blou­ [l. 376] died, and his Helme more hackt then Hectors, and how he lookes, Troylus and Cressida. [l. 377] lookes, and how he goes. O admirable youth! he ne're [l. 378] saw three and twenty. Go thy way Troylus, go thy way, [l. 379] had I a sister were a Grace, or a daughter a Goddesse, hee should take his choice, O'admirable man! Paris? Paris [l. 380] is durt to him, and I warrant, Helento change, would [l. 381] giue money to boot.

Enter common Souldiers.

Cres.

[382] Heere come more.

Pan.

[383] Asses, fooles, dolts, chaffe and bran, chaffe and [l. 384] bran; porredge after meat. I could liue and dye i'th'eyes [l. 385] of Troylus. Ne're looke, ne're looke the Eagles are gon, [l. 386] Crowes and Dawes, Crowes and Dawes: I had rather be [l. 387] such a man as Troylus then Agamemnon and all Greece.

Cres.

[388] There is among the Greekes Achilles, a better [l. 389] man then Troylus.

Pan.

[390] Achilles? a Dray‑man, a Porter, a very Camell.

Cres.

[391] Well, well.

Pan.

[392] Well, well? Why haue you any discretion? haue [l. 393] you any eyes? Do you know what a man is? Is not birth, [l. 394] b[.]auty, good shape, discourse, manhood, learning, gent­ [l. 395] lenesse, vertue, youth, liberality, arid so forth: the Spice, [l. 396] and salt that seasons a man?

Cres.

[397] I, a minc'd man, and then to be bak'd with no Date [l. 398] in the pye, for then the mans dates out.

Pan.

[399] You are such another woman, one knowes not [l. 400] at what ward you lye.

Cres.

[401] Vpon my backe, to defend my belly; vpon my [l. 402] wit, to defend my wiles; vppon my secrecy, to defend [l. 403] mine honesty; my Maske, to defend my beauty, and you [l. 404] to defend all these: and at all these wardes I lye at, at a [l. 405] thousand watches.

Pan.

[406] Say one of your watches.

Cres.

[407] Nay Ile watch you for that, and that's one of [l. 408] the cheefest of them too: If I cannot ward what I would [l. 409] not haue hit, I can watch you for telling how I took the [l. 410] blow, vnlesse it swell past hiding, and then it's past wat­ [l. 411] ching.

Enter Boy.

Pan.

[412] You are such another.

Boy.

[413] Sir, my Lord would instantly speake with you.

Pan.

[414] Where?

Boy.

[415] At your owne house.

Pan.

Good Boy tell him I come, I doubt he bee hurt.
Fare ye well good Neece.

Cres.

[418] Adieu Vnkle.

Pan.

[419] Ile be with you Neece by and by.

Cres.

[420] To bring Vnkle.

Pan.

[421] I, a token from Troylus.

Cres.

By the same token. You are a Bawd.
Exit Pand.
Words, vowes, gifts, teares, & loues full sacrifice,
He offers in anothers enterprise:
425 But more in Troylus thousand fold I see,
Then in the glasse of Pandar's praise may be;
Yet hold I off. Women are Angels wooing,
Things won are done, ioyes soule lyes in the dooing:
That she belou'd, knowes nought, that knowes not this;
430 Men prize the thing vngain'd, more then it is.
That she was neuer yet, that euer knew
Loue got so sweet, as when desire did sue:
Therefore this maxime out of loue I teach;
"Atchieuement, is command; vngai[.]'d, beseech.
435 That though my hearts Contents firme loue doth beare,
Nothing of that shall from mine eyes appeare.
Exit.

[Act 1, Scene 3] §

Senet. Enter Agamemnon, Nestor, Vlysses, Diome­
des, Menelaus, with others.

Agam.

Princes:
What greefe hath set the Iaundies on your cheekes?
The ample proposition that hope makes
440 In all designes, begun on earth below
Fayles in the promist largenesse: checkes and disasters
Grow in the veines of actions highest rear'd.
As knots by the conflux of meeting sap,
Infect the found Pine, and diuerts his Graine
445 Tortiue and erant from his course of growth.
Not Princes, is it matter new to vs,
That we come short of our suppose so farre,
That after seuen yeares liege, yet Troy walles stand,
Sith euery action that hath gone before,
450 Where of we haue Record, Triall did draw
Bias and thwart, not answering the ayme:
And that vnbodied figure of the thought
That gaue't surmised shape. Why then (you Princes)
Do you with cheekes abash'd, behold our workes,
455 And thinke them shame, which are (indeed) nought else
But the protractiue trials of great loue,
To finde persistiue constancie in men?
The finenesse of which Mettall is not found
In Fortunes loue: for then, the Bold and Coward,
460 The Wise and Foole, the Artist and vn‑read,
The hard and soft, seeme all affin'd, and kin.
But in the Winde and Tempest of her frowne,
Distinction with a lowd and powrefull fan,
Puffing at all, winnowes the light away;
465 And what hath m[.]sse, or matter by it selfe,
Lies rich in Vertue, and vnmingled.

Nestor.

With due Obseruance of thy godly seat,
Great Agamemnon, Nestor shall apply
Thy latest words.
470 In the reproofe of Chance,
Lies the true proofe of men: The Sea being smooth,
How many shallow bauble Boates dare saile
Vpon her patient brest, making their way
With those of Nobler bulke?
475 But let the Ruffian Boreas once enrage
The gentle Thetis, and anon behold
The strong ribb'd Barke through liquid Mountaines cut,
Bounding betweene the two moyst Elements
Like Perseus Horse. Where's then the sawcy Boate,
480 Whose weake vntimber'd sides but euen now
Co‑riual'd Greatnesse? Either to harbour fled,
Or made a Toste for Neptune, Euen so,
Doth valours shew, and valours worth diuide
In stormes of Fortune.
485 For, in her ray and brightnesse,
The Heard hath more annoyance by the Brieze
Then by the Tyger: But, when, the splitting winde
Makes flexible the knees of knotted Oakes,
And Flies fled vnder shade, why then
490 The thing of Courage,
As rowz'd with rage, with rage doth sympathize,
And with an accent tun'd in selfe‑same key,
Retyres to chiding Fortune.

Vlys.

Agamemnon.
495 Thou great Commander, Nerue, and Bone of Greece,
Heart of our Numbers, soule, and onely spirit,
In whom the tempers, and the mindes of all
Should be shut vp: Heare what Vlysses speakes,
Besides the applause and approbation
500 The which most mighty for thy place and sway,
I And Troylus and Cressida.
And thou most reuerend for thy stretcht‑out life,
I giue to both your speeches: which were such,
As Agamemnon and the hand of Greece
Should hold vp high in Brasse: and such againe
505 As venerable Nestor (hatch'd in Siluer)
Should with a bond of ayre, strong as the Axletree
In which the Heauens ride, knit all Greekes eares
To his experienc'd tongue: yet let it please both
(Thou Great, and Wise) to heare Vlysses speake.

Aga.

510 Speak Prince of Ithaca, and be't of lesse expect:
That matter needlesse of importlesse burthen
Diuide thy lips; then we are confident
When ranke Thersites opes his Masticke iawes,
We shall heare Musicke, Wit, and Oracle.

Vlys.

515 Troy yet vpon his basis had bene downe,
And the great Hectors sword had lack'd a Master
But for these instances.
The specialty of Rule hath beene neglected;
And looke how many Grecian Tents do stand
520 Hollow vpon this Plaine, so many hollow Factions.
When that the Generall is not like the Hiue,
To whom the Forragers shall all repaire,
What Hony is expected? Degree being vizarded,
Th'vnworthiest shewes as fairely in the Maske.
525 The Heauens themselues, the Planets, and this Center,
Obserue degree, priority, and place,
Insisture, course, proportion, season, forme,
Office, and custome, in all line of Order,
And therefore is the glorious Planet Sol
530 In noble eminence, enthron'd and sphear'd
Amid'st the other, whose med'cinable eye
Corrects the ill Aspects of Planets euill
And postes like the Command'ment of a King,
Sans checke, to good and bad. But when the Planets
535 In euill mixture to disorder wander,
What Plagues, and what portents, what mutiny?
What raging of the Sea? shaking of Earth?
Commotion in the Windes? Frights, changes, horrors,
Diuert, and cracke, rend and deracinate
540 The vnity, and married calme of States
Quite from their fixure? O, when Degree is shak'd,
(Which is the Ladder to all high designes)
The enterprize is sicke. How could Communities,
Degrees in Schooles, and Brotber‑hoods in Cities,
545 Peacefull Commerce from diuidable shores,
The primogenitiue, and due of Byrth,
Prerogatiue of Age, Crownes, Scepters, Lawrels,
(But by Degree) stand in Authentique place?
Take but Degree away, vn‑tune that string,
550 And hearke what Discord followes: each thing meetes
In mere oppugnancie. The bounded Waters,
Should lift their bosomes higher then the Shores,
And make a soppe of all this solid Globe:
Strength should be Lord of imbecility,
555 And the rude Sonne should strike his Father dead:
Force should be right, or rather, right and wrong,
(Betweene whose endlesse iarre, Iustice recides)
Should loose her names, and so should Iustice too.
Then euery thing includes it selfe in Power,
560 Power into Will, Will into Appetite,
And Appetite (an vniuersall Wolfe,
So doubly seconded with Will, and Power)
Must make perforce an vniuersall prey,
And last, eate vp himselfe.
565 Great Agamemnon:
This Chaos, when Degree is suffocate,
Followes the choaking:
And this neglection of Degree, is it
That by a pace goes backward in a purpose
570 It hath to climbe. The Generall's disdain'd
By him one step below; he, by the next,
That next, by him beneath: so euery step
Exampled by the first pace that is sicke
Of his Superiour, growes to an enuious Feauer
575 Of pale, and bloodlesse Emulation.
And 'tis this Feauer that keepes Troy on foote,
Not her owne sinewes. To end a tale of length,
Troy in our weaknesse liues, not in her strength.

Nest.

Most wisely hath Vlyssesheere discouer'd
580 The Feauer, where of all our power is sicke.

Aga.

The Nature of the sicknesse found (Ulysses)
What is the remedie?

Vlys.

The great Achilles, whom Opinion crownes,
The sinew, and the fore‑hand of our Hoste,
585 Hauing his eare full of his ayery Fame,
Growes dainty of his worth, and in his Tent
Lyes mocking our designes. With him, Patroclus,
Vpon a lazie Bed, the liue‑long day
Breakes scurrill Iests,
590 And with ridiculous and aukward action,
(Which Slanderer, he imitation call's)
He Pageants vs. Sometime great Agamemnon,
Thy toplesse deputation he puts on;
And like a strutting Player, whose conceit
595 Lies in his Ham‑string, and doth thinke it rich
To heare the woodden Dialogue and sound
'Twixt his stretcht footing, and the Scaffolage,
Such to be pittied, and ore‑rested seeming
He acts thy Greatnesse in: and when he speakes,
600 'Tis like a Chime a mending. With tearmes vnsquar'd,
Which from the tongue of roaring Typhon dropt,
Would seemes Hyperboles. At this fusty stuffe,
The large Achilles (on his prest‐bed lolling)
From his deepe Chest, laughes out a lowd applause,
605 Cries excellent,'tis Agamemnon iust.
Now play me Nestor; hum, and stroke thy Beard
As he, being drest to some Oration
That's done, as neere as the extreamest ends
Of paralels; as like, as Vulcan and his wife,
610 Yet god Achilles still cries excellent,
'Tis Nestor right. Now play him (me) Patroclus,
Arming to answer in a night‑Alarme,
And then (forsooth) the faint defects of Age
Must be the Scene of myrth, to cough, and spit,
615 And with a palsie fumbling on his Gorget,
Shake in and out the Riuet: and at this sport
Sir Valour dies; cries, O enough Patroclus,
Or, giue me ribs of Steele, I shall split all
In pleasure of my Spleene. And in this fashion,
620 All our abilities, gifts, natures, shapes,
Seuerals and generals of grace exact,
Atchieuments, plots, orders, preuentions,
Excitements to the field, or speech for truce,
Successe or losse, what is, or is not, serues
625 As stuffe for these two, to make paradoxes.

Nest.

And in the imitation of these twaine,
Who (as Vlysses sayes) Opinion crownes
With an Imperiall voyce, many are infect:
Aiax is growne selfe‑will'd, and beares his head
630 In such a reyne, in full as proud a place
As broad Achilles, and keepes his Tent like him;
Makes factious Feasts, railes on our state of Warre
Bold Troylus and Cressida.
Bold as an Oracle, and sets Thersites
A slaue, whose Gall coines standers like a Mint,
635 To match vs in comparisons with durt,
To weaken and discredit our exposure,
How ranke soeuer rounded in with danger.

Vlys.

They taxe our policy, and call it Cowardice,
Count Wisedome as no member of the Warre,
640 Fore‑stall prescience, and esteeme no acte
But that of hand: The still and mentall parts,
That do contriue how many hands shall strike
When fitnesse call them on, and know by measure
Of their obseruant toyle, the Enemies waight,
645 Why this hath not a fingers dignity:
They call this Bed‑worke, Mapp'ry, Closset‑Warre:
So that the Ramme that batters downe the wall,
For the great swing and rudenesse of his poize,
They place before his hand that made the Engine,
650 Or those that with the finenesse of their soules,
By Reason guide his execution.

Nest.

Let this be granted, and Achilles horse
Makes many Thetis sonnes.
Tucket

Aga.

What Trumpet? Looke Menelaus.

Men.

655 From Troy.
Enter Æneas.

Aga.

What would you 'fore our Tent?

Æne.

Is this great Agamemnons Tent, I pray you?

Aga.

Euen this.

Æne.

May one that is a Herald, and a Prince,
660 Do a faire message to his Kingly eares?

Aga.

With surety stronger then Achilles arme,
'Fore all the Greekish heads, which with one voyce
Call Agamemnon Head and Generall.

Æne.

Faire leaue, and large security. How may
665 A stranger to those most Imperial lookes,
Know them from eyes of other Mortals?

Aga.

How?

Æne.

I: I aske. that I might waken reuerence,
And on the cheeke be ready with a blush
670 Modestt as morning. when she coldly eyes
The youthfull Phœbus:
Which is that God in office guiding men?
Which is the high and mighty Agamemnon?

Aga.

This Troyan scornes vs, or the men of Troy
675 Are ceremonious Courtiers.

Æne.

Courtiers as free, as debonnaire; vnarm'd,
As bending Angels: that's their Fame, in peace:
But when they would seeme Souldiers, they haue galles,
Good armes, strong ioynts, true swords, & Ioues accord,
680 Nothing so full of heart. But peace Æneas,
Peace Troyan, lay thy finger on thy lips,
The worthinesse of praise distaines his worth:
If that he prais'd himselfe, bring the praise forth.
But what the repining enemy commends.
685 That breath Fame blowes, that praise sole pure transcends.

Aga.

Sir, you of Troy, call you your selfe Æneas?

Æne.

[687] I Greeke that is my name.

Aga.

[688] What's your affayre I pray you?

Æne.

[689] Sir pardon,'tis for Agamemnons eares.

Aga.

690 He heares nought priuatly
That comes from Troy.

Æne.

Nor I from Troy come not to whisper him,
I bring a Trumpet to awake his eare,
To set his sence on the attentiue bent,
695 And then to speake.

Aga.

Speake frankely as the winde,
It is not Agamemnons sleeping houre;
That thou shalt know Troyan he is awake,
He tels thee so himself.

Æne.

700 Trumpet blow loud,
Send thy Brasse voyce through all these lazie Tents,
And euery Greeke of mettle, let him know,
What Troy meanes fairely, shall be spoke alowd.
The Trumpets sound.
We haue great Agamemnon heere in Troy,
705 A Prince calld Hector, Priam is his Father:
Who in this dull and long‑continew'd Truce
Is rusty growne. He bad me take a Trumpet,
And to this purpose speake: Kings, Princes, Lords,
If there be one among'st the fayr'st of Greece,
710 That holds his Honor higher then his ease,
That seekes his praise, more then he feares his perill,
That knowes his Valour, and knowes not his feare,
That loues his Mistris more then in confession,
(With truant vowes to her owne lips he loues)
715 And dare avow her Beauty, and her Worth,
In other armes then hers: to him this Challenge,
Hector, in view of Troyans, and of Greekes,
Shall make it good, or do his best to do it.
He hath a Lady, wiser, fairer, truer,
720 Then euer Greeke did compasse in his armes,
And will to morrow with his Trumpet call,
Midway betweene your Tents, and walles of Troy,
To rowze a Grecian that is true in loue.
If any come, Hector shal honour him:
725 If none, hee'l say in Troy when he retyres,
The Grecian Dames are sun‑burnt, and not worth
The splinter of a Lance: Euen so much.

Aga.

This shall be told our Louers Lord Æneas
If none of them haue soule in such a kinde,
730 We left them all at home: But we are Souldiers,
And may that Souldier a meere recreant proue,
That meanes not, hath not, or is not in loue:
If then one is, or hath, or meanes to be,
That one meets Hector if none else, Ile be he.

Nest.

735 Tell him of Nestor, one that was a man
When Hectors Grandsire suckt: he is old now,
But if there be not in our Grecian mould,
One Noble man, that hath one spark of fire
To answer for his Loue; tell him from me,
740 Ile hide my Siluer beard in a Gold Beauer,
And in my Vantbrace put this wither'd brawne,
And meeting him, wil tell him, that my Lady
Was fayrer then his Grandame, and as chaste
As may be in the world: his youth in flood,
745 Ile pawne this truth with my three drops of blood.

Æne.

Now heauens forbid such scarsitie of youth.

Vlys.

[747] Amen.

Aga.

Faire Lord Æneas,
Let me touch your hand:
750 To our Pauillion shal I leade you first:
Achilles shall haue word of this intent,
So shall each Lord of Greece from Tent to Tent:
Your selfe shall Feast with vs before you goe,
And finde the welcome of a Noble Foe.
Exeunt.
Manet Vlysses, and, Nestor.

Vlys.

755 Nestor.

Nest.

What sayes Vlysses?

Vlys.

I haue a young conception in my braine,
Be you my time to bring it to some shape.

Nest.

What is't?

Vlysses.

760 This 'tis:
Blunt wedges riue hard knots: the seeded Pride
That hath to this maturity blowne vp
¶ 2 In Troylus and Cressida.
In ranke Achilles, must or now be cropt,
Or shedding breed a Nursery of like euil
765 To ouer‑bulke vs all.

Nest.

[766] Wel, and how?

Vlys.

This challenge that the gallant Hector sends,
How euer it is spred in general name,
Relates in purpose onely to Achilles.

Nest.

770 The purpose is perspicuous euen as substance,
Whose grossenesse little charracters summe vp,
And in the publication make no straine,
But that Achilles, were his braine as barren
As bankes of Lybia, though (Apollo knowes)
775 'Tis dry enough, wil with great speede of judgement,
I, with celerity, finde Hectors purpose
Printing on him.

Vlys.

[778] And wake him to the answer, thinke you?

Nest.

Yes,'tis most meet; who may you else oppose
780 That can from Hector bring his Honor off,
If not Achilles; though't be a sportfull Combate,
Yet in this triall, much opinion dwels.
For heere the Troyans taste our deer'st repute
With their fin'st Pallate: and trust to me Vlysses,
785 Our imputation shall be oddely poiz'd
In this wilde action. For the successe
(Although particular) shall giue a scantling
Of good or bad, vnto the Generall:
And in such Indexes although small prickes
790 To their subsequent Volumes, there is seene
The baby figure of the Gyant‑masse
Of things to come at large. It is suppos'd,
He that meets Hector, issues from our choyse;
And choise being mutuall acte of all our soules,
795 Make Merit her election, and doth boyle
As 'twere, from forth vs all: a man distill'd
Out of our Vertues; who miscarrying,
What heart from hence receyues the conqu'ring part
To steele a strong opinion to themselues,
800 Which entertain'd, Limbes are in his instruments,
In no lesse working, then are Swords and Bowes
Directiue by the Limbes.

Vlys.

Giue pardon to my speech:
Therefore 'tis meet, Achilles meet not Hector:
805 Let vs (like Merchants) shew our fowlest Wares,
And thinke perchance they'1 fell: If not,
The luster of the better yet to shew,
Shall shew the better. Do not consent,
That euer Hector and Achilles meete:
810 For both our Honour, and our Shame in this,
Are dogg'd with two strange Followers.

Nest.

I see them not with my old eies: what are they?

Vlys.

What glory our Achilles shares from Hector,
(Were he not proud) we all should weare with him:
815 But he already is too insolent,
And we were better parch in Affricke Sunne,
Then in the pride and salt scorne of his eyes
Should he scape Hector faire. If he were soyld,
Why then we did our maine opinion crush
820 In taint of our best man. No, make a Lott'ry,
And by deuice let blockish Aiax draw
The sort to fight with Hector: Among our selues,
Giue him allowance as the worthier man,
For that will physicke the great Myrmidon
825 Who broyles in lowd applause, and make him fall
His Crest, that prouder then blew Iris bends.
If the dull brainlesse Aiax come safe off,
Wee'l dresse him vp in voyces: if he faile,
Yet go we vnder our opinion still,
830 That we haue better men. But hit or misse,
Our proiects life this shape of sence assumes,
Aiax imploy'd, pluckes downe Achilles Plumes.

Nest.

Now Vlysses, I begin to rellish thy aduice,
And I wil giue a taste of it forthwith
835 To Agamemnon, go we to him straight:
Two Curres shal tame each other, Pride alone
Must tarre the Mastiffes on, as 'twere their bone.
Exeunt

[Act 2, Scene 1] §

Enter Aiax, and Thersites.

Aia.

[838] Thersites?

Ther.

[839] Agamemnon, how if he had Biles (ful) all ouer [l. 840] generally.

Aia.

[841] Thersites?

Ther.

[842] And those Byles did runne, say so; did not the [l. 843] General run, were not that a botchy core?

Aia.

[844] Dogge.

Ther.

845 Then there would come some matter from him:
I see none now.

Aia.

Thou Bitch‑Wolfes‑Sonne, canst thou not heare?
Feele then.
strikes him.

Ther.

[849] The plague of Greece vpon thee thou Mungrel [l. 850] beefe‑witted Lord.

Aia.

[851] Speake then you whinid'st leauen speake, I will [l. 852] beate thee into handsomnesse.

Ther.

[853] I shal sooner rayle thee into wit and holinesse: [l. 854] but I thinke thy Horse wil sooner con an Oration, then thou [l. 855] learn a prayer without booke: Thou canst strike, canst [l. 856] thou? A red Murren o'th thy Iades trickes.

Aia.

[857] Toads stoole, learne me the Proclamation.

Ther.

[858] Doest thou thinke I haue no sence thou strik'st [l. 859] (me thus?

Aia.

[860] The Proclamation.

Ther.

[861] Thou art proclaim'd a foole, I thinke.

Aia.

[862] Do not Porpentine, do not; my fingers itch.

Ther.

[863] I would thou didst itch from head to foot, and [l. 864] I had the scratching of thee, I would make thee the loth­ [l. 865] som'st scab in Greece.

Aia.

[866] I say the Proclamation.

Ther.

[867] Thou grumblest & railest euery houre on A­ [l. 868] chilles and thou art as ful of enuy at his greatnes, as Cer­ [l. 869] berus is at Proserpina's beauty. I, that thou barkst at him.

Aia.

[870] Mistresse Thersites.

Ther.

[871] Thou should'st strike him

Aia.

[872] Coblofe.

Ther.

[873] He would pun thee into shiuers with his fist, as [l. 874] A Sailor breakes a bisket.

Aia.

[875] You horson Curre.

Ther.

[876] Do, do.

Aia.

[877] Thou stoole for a Witch.

Ther.

[878] I, do, do, thou sodden‑witted Lord: thou hast [l. 879] no more braine then I haue in mine elbows: An Asinico [l. 880] may tutor thee. Thou scuruy valiant Asse, thou art heere [l. 881] but to thresh Troyans, and thou art bought and solde a­ [l. 882] mong those of any wit, like a Barbarian slaue. If thou vfe [l. 883] to beat me, I wil begin at thy heele and tel what thou art [l. 884] by inches thou thing of no bowels thou.

Aia.

[885] You dogge.

Ther.

[886] You scuruy Lord.

Aia.

[887] You Curre.

Ther.

[888] Mars his Ideot: do rudenes, do Camell, do, do.

Enter Achilles and Patroclus.

Achil.

Why how now Aiax? wherefore do you this?
890 How now Thersites? what's the matter man?

Ther.

[891] You see him there, do you?

Achil.

[892] I, what's the matter.

Ther.

[893] Nay looke vpon him.

Achil.

[894] So I do: what's the matter?

Ther. Troylus and Cressida.

Ther.

[895] Nay but regard him well.

Achil.

[896] Well, why I do so.

Ther.

[897] But yet you looke not well vpon him: for who [l. 898] some euer you take him to be, he is Aiax.

Achil.

[899] I know that foole.

Ther.

[900] I, but that foole knowes not himselfe.

Aiax.

[901] Therefore I beate thee.

Ther.

[902] Lo, lo, lo, lo, what modicumes of wit he vtters: his [l. 903] euasions haue eares thus long. I haue bobb'd his Braine [l. 904] more then he has beate my bones: I will buy nine Spar­ [l. 905] rowes for a peny, and his Piamater is not worth the ninth [l. 906] part of a Sparrow. This Lord (Achilles) Aiax who wears [l. 907] his wit in his belly, and his guttes in his head, Ile tell you [l. 908] what I say of him.

Achil.

[909] What?

Ther.

[910] I say this Ajax⸺

Achil.

[911] Nay good Aiax.

Ther.

[912] Has not so much wit.

Achil.

[913] Nay, 1 must hold you.

Ther.

As will stop the eye of Helens Needle, for whom
he comes to fight.

Achil.

[915] Peace foole.

Ther.

[916] I would haue peace and quietnes, but the foole [l. 917] will not: he there, that he, looke you there.

Aiax.

[918] O thou damn'd Curre, I shall⸺

Achil.

[919] Will you set your wit to a Fooles.

Ther.

[920] No I warrant you, for a fooles will shame it.

Pat.

[921] Good words Thersites.

Achil.

[922] What's the quarrell?

Aiax.

[923] I bad thee vile Owle, goe learne me the tenure [l. 924] Of the Proclamation, and he sayles vpon me.

Ther.

925 I serue thee not.

Aiax.

[926] Well, go too, go too.

Ther.

[927] I serue heere voluntary.

Achil.

[928] Your last seruice was sufferance, 'twas not vo­ [l. 929] luntary, no man is beaten voluntary: Aiax was heere the [l. 930] voluntary, and you as vnder an Impresse.

Ther.

[931] E'neso, a great deale of your wit too lies in your [l. 932] sinnewes, or else there be Liars, Hector shall haue a great [l. 933] catch, if he knocke out either of your braines, he were as [l. 934] good cracke a fustie nut with no kernell.

Achil.

[935] What with me to Thersites?

Ther.

[936] There's Vlysses, and old Nestor, whose Wit was [l. 937] mouldy ere their Grandsires had nails on their toes, yoke [l. 938] you like draft­ [l. 939] Oxen, and make you plough vp the warre.

Achil.

[940] What? what?

Ther.

[941] Yes good sooth, to Achilles, to Aiax, to⸺

Aiax.

[942] I shall cut out your tongue.

Ther.

'Tis no matter, I shall speake as much as thou
afterwards.

Pat.

[944] No more words Thersites.

Ther.

[945] I will hold my peace when Achilles Brooch bids [l. 946] me, shall I?

Achil.

There's for you Patroclus.

Ther.

[948] I wil see you hang'd like Clotpoles ere I come [l. 949] any more to your Tents; I will keepe where there is wit [l. 950] stirring, and leaue the faction of fooles.

Exit.

Pat.

[951] A good riddance.

Achil.

Marry this Sir is proclaim'd through al our host,
That Hector by the fift houre of the Sunne,
Will with a Trumpet,'twixt our Tents and Troy
955 To morrow morning call some Knight to Armes,
That hath a stomacke, and such a one that dare
Maintaine I know not what: 'tis trash. Farewell.

Aiax.

[958] Farewell? who shall answer him?

Achil.

I know not,'tis put to Lottry: otherwise
960 He knew his man.

Aiax.

O meaning you, I wil go learne more of it.
Exit.

[Act 2, Scene 2] §

Enter Priam, Hector, Troylus, Paris and Helenus.

Pri.

After so many houres, liues, speeches spent,
Thus once againe sayes Nestor, from the Greekes,
Deliuer Helen, and all damage else
965 (As honour, losse of time, trauaile, expence,
Wounds, friends, and what els deere that is consum'd
In hot digestion of this comorant Warre)
Shall be stroke off. Hector, what say you too't.

Hect.

Though no man lesser feares the Greeks then I,
970 As farre as touches my particular: yet dread Priam,
There is no Lady of more softer bowels.
More spungie, to sucke in the sense of Feare,
More ready to cry out, who knowes what followes
Then Hector is: the wound of peace is surety,
975 Surety secure; but modest Doubt is cal'd
The Beacon of the wise: the tent that searches
To'th'bottome of the worst. Let Helen go,
Since the first sword was drawne about this question,
Euery thythe soule 'mongst many thousand dismes,
980 Hath bin as deere as Helen: I meane of ours:
If we haue lost so many tenths of ours
To guard a thing not ours, nor worth to vs
(Had it our name) the valew of one ten;
What merit's in that reason which denies
985 The yeelding of her vp.

Troy.

Fie, fie, my Brother;
Weigh you the worth and h[.]nour of a King
(So great as our dread Father) in a Scale
Of common Ounces? Wil you with Counters Summe
990 The past proportion of his infinite,
And buckle in a waste most fathomlesse,
With spannes and inches so diminutiue,
As feares and reasons? Fie for godly shame?

Hel.

No maruel though you bite so sharp at reasons,
995 You are so empty of them, should not our Father
Beare the great sway of his affayres with reasons,
Becaufe your speech hath none that tels him so.

Troy.

You are for dreames & slumbers brother Priest
You furre your gloues with reason:here are your reasons
1000 You know an enemy intends you harme,
You know, a sword imploy'd is perillous,
And reason flyes the obiect of all harme.
Who maruels then when Helenus beholds
A Grecian and his sword, if he do set
1005 The very wings of reason to his heeles:
Or like a starre disorb'd. Nay, if we talke of Reason,
And flye like chidden Mercurie from Ioue,
Let's shut our gates and sleepe: Manhood and Honor
Should haue hard hearts, wold they but fat their thoughts
1010 With this cramm'd reason: reason and respect,
Makes Liuers pale, and lustyhood deiect.

Hect.

Brother, she is not worth
What she doth cost the holding.

Troy.

What's aught, but as 'tis valew'd?

Hect.

1015 But value dwels not in particular will,
It holds his estimate and dignitie
As well, wherein 'tis precious of it selfe,
As in the prizer: 'Tis made Idolatrie,
To make the seruice greater then the God,
1020 And the will dotes that is inclineable
To what infectiously it selfe affects,
Without some image of th'affected merit.

Troy.

I take to day a Wife, and my election
Is led on in the conduct of my Will;
¶3 My Troylus and Cressida.
1025 My Will enkindled by mine eyes and eares,
Two traded Pylots 'twixt the dangerous shores
Of Will, and Iudgement. How may I auoyde
(Although, my will distaste, what it elected)
The Wife I chose, there can be no euasion
1030 To blench from this, and to stand firme by honour.
We turne not backe the Silkes vpon the Merchant
When we haue spoyl'd them; nor the remainder Viands
We do not throw in vnrespectue same,
Because we now are full. It was thought meete
1035 Paris should do some vengeance on the Greekes;
Your breath of full consent bellied his Sailes,
The Seas and Windes (old Wranglers) toke a Truce,
And did him seruice; he touch'd the Ports desir'd,
And for an old Aunt whom the Greekes held Captiue,
1040 He brought, a Grecian Queen, whose youth & freshnesse
Wrinkles Apolloes, and makes stale the morning.
Why keep we her? the Grecians keeps our Aunt?
Is the worth keeping? Why she is a Pearle,
Whose price hath launch'd aboue a thousand Ships,
1045 And turn'd Crown'd Kings to Merchants,
If you'l auouch,'twas wisedome Paris went,
(As you must needs, for you all cride, Go, go:)
If you'l confesse, he brought home Noble prize,
(As you must needs) for you all clapt your hands,
1050 And cride inestimable; why do you now
The issue of your proper Wisedomes rate,
And do a deed that Fortune neuer did?,
Begger the estimation which you priz'd,
Richer then Sea and Land? O Theft most base!
1055 That we haue stolne what we do feare to keepe.
But Theeues vnworthy of a thing so stolne,
That in their Country did them that disgrace,
We feare to warrant in our Natiue place.
Enter Cassandra with her haire about her eares.

Cas.

[1059] Cry Troyans, cry.

Priam.

[1060] What noyse? what shreeke is this?

Troy.

[1061] 'Tis our mad sister, I do know her voyce.

Cas.

[1062] Cry Troyans.

Hect.

[1063] It is Cassandra.

Cas.

Cry Troyans cry; lend me ten thousand eyes,
1065 And I will fill them with Propheticke teares.

Hect.

Peace sister, peace.

Cas.

Virgins, and Boyes; mid‑age & wrinkled old,
Soft infancie, that nothing can but cry,
Adde to my clamour: let vs pay betimes
1070 A moity of that masse of moane to come.
Cry Troyans cry, practice your eyes with teares,
Troy must not be, nor goodly Illion stand,
Our fire‑brand Brother Parisburnes vs all.
Cry Troyans cry, a Helen and a woe;
1075 Cry cry, Troy burnes, or else let Helen goe.
Exit.

Hect.

Now youthfull Troylus, do not these hie strains
Of diuination in our Sister, worke
Some touches of remorse? Or is your bloud
So madly hot, that no discourse of reason,
1080 Nor feare of bad successe in a bad cause,
Can qualifie the same?

Troy.

Why Brother Hector,
We may not thinke the iustnesse of each acte
Such, and no other then euent doth forme it,
1085 Nor once deiect the courage of our mindes;
Because Cassandra's mad, her brainsicke raptures
Cannot distaste the goodnesse of a quarrell,
Which hath our seuerall Honours all engag'd
To make it gracious. For my priuate part,
1090 I am no more touch'd, then all Priams sonnes,
And Ioue forbid there should be done among'st vs
Such things as might offend the weakest spleene,
To fight for, and maintaine.

Par.

Else might the world conuince of leuitie,
1095 As well my vnder‑takings as your counsels:
But I attest the gods, your full consent
Gaue wings to my propension, and cut off
All feares attending on so dire a proiect.
For what (alas) can these my single armes?
1100 What propugnation is in one mans valour
To stand the push and enmity of those.
This quarrell would excite? Yet I protest,
Were I alone to passe the difficulties,
And had as ample power, as I haue will,
1105 Paris should ne're retract what he hath done,
Nor faint in the pursuite.

Pri.

Paris, you speake Like one be‑sotted on your sweet delights;
You haue the Hony still, but these the Gall,
So to be valiant, is no praise at all.

Par.

1110 Sir, I propose not meerely to my selfe,
The pleasures such a beauty brings with it:
But I would haue the soyle of her faire Rape
Wip'd off in honourable keeping her.
What Treafon were it to the ransack'd Queene,
1115 Disgrace to your great worths, and shame to me,
Now to deliuer her possession vp
On termes of base compulsion? Can it be,
That so degenerate a straine as this,
Should once set footing in your generous bosomes?
1120 There's not the meanest spirit on our partie,
Without a heart to dare, or sword to draw,
When Helen is defended: nor none so Noble,
Whose life were ill bestow'd, or death vnfam'd,
Where Helen is the subiect. Then (I say)
1125 Well may we fight for her, whom we know well,
The worlds large spaces cannot paralell.

Hect.

Paris and Troylus, you haue both said well:
And on the cause and question now in hand,
Haue gloz'd, but superficially; not much
1130 Vnlike young men, whom Aristotle thought
Vnfit to heare Morall Philosophie.
The Reasons you alledge, do more conduce
To the hot passion of distemp'red blood,
Then to make vp a free determination
1135 'Twixt right and wrong: For pleasure, and reuenge,
Haue eares more deafe then Adders, to the voyce
Of any true decision. Nature craues
All dues be rendred to their Owners: now
What neerer debt in all humanity,
1140 Then Wife is to the Husband? If this law
Of Nature be corrupted through affection,
And that great mindes of partiall indulgence,
To their benummed wills resist the same,
There is a Law in each well‑ordred Nation,
1145 To curbe those raging appetites that are
Most disobedient and refracturie.
If Helen then be wife to Sparta's King
(As it is knowne she is) these Morall Lawes
Of Nature, and of Nation, speake alowd
1150 To haue her backe return'd. Thus to persist
In doing wrong, extenuates not wrong,
But makes it much more heauie. Hectors opinion
Is Troylus and Cressida.
Is this in way of truth: yet nere the lesse,
My spritely brethren, I propend to you
1155 In resolution to keepe Helen still;
For 'tis a cause that hath no meane dependance,
Vpon our ioynt and seuerall dignities.

Tro.

Why? there you toucht the life of our designe:
Were it not glory that we more affected,
1160 Then the performance of our heauing spleenes,
I would not wish a drop of Troian blood,
Spent more in her defence. But worthy Hector,
She is a theame of honour and renowne,
A spurre to valiant and magnanimous deeds,
1165 Whose present courage may beate downe our foes,
And fame in time to come canonize vs.
For I presume braue Hector would not loose
So rich aduantage of a promis'd glory,
As smiles vpon the fore‑head of this action,
1170 For the wide worlds reuenew.

Hect.

I am yours,
You valiant off‑spring of great Priamus,
I haue a roisting challenge sent among'st
The dull and factous nobles of the Greekes,
1175 Will strike amazement to their drowsie spirits,
I was aduertiz'd, their Great generall slept,
Whil'st emulation in the armie crept:
This I presume will wake him.
Exeunt.

[Act 2, Scene 3] §

Enter Thersites solus.

[1179] How now Thersites? what lost in the Labyrinth of thy [l. 1180] furie? shall the Elephant Aiax carry it thus? he beates [l. 1181] me, and I raile at him: O worthy satisfaction, would it [l. 1182] were otherwise: that I could beate him, whil'st he rail'd [l. 1183] at me: Sfoote, Ile learne to coniure and raise Diuels, but [l. 1184] Ile see some issue of my spitefull execrations. Then ther's [l. 1185] Achilles, a rare Enginer. If Troy be not taken till these two [l. 1186] vndermine it, the wals will stand till they fall of them­ [l. 1187] selues. O thou great thunder‑darter of Olympus, forget [l. 1188] that thou art Ioue the King of gods; and Mercury, loose [l. 1189] all the Serpentine craft of thy Caduceus, if thou take not [l. 1190] that little little lesse then little wit from them that they [l. 1191] haue, which short‑arm'd ignorance it selfe knowes, is so [l. 1192] abundant scarse, it will not in circumuention deliuer a [l. 1193] Flye from a Spider, without drawing the massie Irons and [l. 1194] cutting the web: after this, the vengeance on the whole [l. 1195] Camp, or rather the bone‑ach, for that me thinkes is the [l. 1196] curse dependant on those that warre for a placket. I haue [l. 1197] said my prayers and diuell, enuie, say Amen: What ho? [l. 1198] my Lord Achilles?

Enter Patroclus.

Patr.

[1199] Who's there? Thersites. Good Thersites come [l. 1200] in and raile.

Ther.

[1201] If I could haue remembred a guilt counterfeit, [l. 1202] Thou would'st not haue slipt out of my contemplation, [l. 1203] but it is no matter, thy selfe vpon thy selfe, The common [l. 1204] curse of mankind?, follie and ignorance be thine in great [l. 1205] reuenew; heauen blesse thee from a Tutor, and Discipline [l. 1206] come not neere thee. Let thy bloud be thy direction till [l. 1207] thy death, then if (he that laies thee out sayes thou art a [l. 1208] faire coarse, Ile be sworne and sworne vpon't she neuer [l. 1209] shrowded any but Lazars, Amen. Wher's Achilles?

Patr.

1210 What art thou deuout? wast thou in a prayer?

Ther.

I, the heauens heare me.
Enter Achilles.

Achil.

[1212] Who's there?

Patr.

[1213] Thersites, my Lord.

Achil.

[1214] Where, where, art thou come? why my cheese, [l. 1215] my digestion, Why hast thou not seru'd thy selfe into my [l. 1216] Table, so many meales? Come, what's Agamemnon?

Ther.

[1217] Thy Commander Achilles, then tell me Patro­ [l. 1218] clus, what's Achilles?

Patr.

[1219] Thy Lord Thersites: then tell me I pray thee, [l. 1220] what's thy selfe?

Ther.

[1221] Thy knower Patroclus: then tell me Patroclus, [l. 1222] what art thou?

Patr.

Thou maist tell that know'st.

Achil.

O tell, tell.

Ther.

[1225] Ile declin the whole question: Agamemnon com­ [l. 1226] mands Achilles, Achilles is my Lord, I am Patroclus know­ [l. 1227] er, and Patroclus is a foole.

Patro.

You rascall.

Ter.

Peace foole, I haue not done.

Achil.

1230 He is a priuiledg'd man, proceede Thersites.

Ther.

[1231] Agamemnon is a foole, Achilles is a foole, Ther­ [l. 1232] sites is a foole, and as aforesaid, Patroclus is a foole.

Achil.

Deriue this? come?

Ther.

[1234] Agamemnon is a foole to offer to command A­ [l. 1235] chilles, Achilles is a foole to be commanded of Agamemon, [l. 1236] Thersites is a foole to serue such a foole: and Patroclus is a [l. 1237] foole positiue.

Patr.

Why am I a foole?
Enter Agamemnon, Vlisses. Nestor, Diomedes,
Aiax, and Chalcas.

Ther.

[1239] Make that demand to the Creator it suffises me [l. 1240] thou art. Looke you, who comes here?

Achil.

[1241] Patroclus, Ile speake with no body: come in [l. 1242] with me Thersites.

Exit.

Ther.

[1243] Here is such patcherie, such iugling, and such [l. 1244] knauerie: all the argument is a Cuckold and a Whore, a [l. 1245] good quarrel to draw emulation factions, and bleede to [l. 1246] death vpon: Now the dry Suppeago on the Subiect, and [l. 1247] Warre and Lecherie confound all.

Agam.

Where is Achilles?

Patr.

Within his Tent, but ill dispos'd my Lord.

Agam.

1250 Let it be knowne to him that we are here:
He sent our Messengers, and we lay by
Our appertainments visiting of him:
Let him be told of, so perchance he thinke
We dare not moue the question of our place,
1255 Or know not what we are.

Pat.

[1256] I shall so say to him.

Vlis.

We saw him at the opening of his Tent,
He is not sicke.

Aia.

[1259] Yes, Lyon sicke, sicke of proud heart; you may [l. 1260] call it Melancholly if will fauour the man, but by my [l. 1261] head, it is pride; but why, why, let him show vs the cause? [l. 1262] A word my Lord.

Nes.

[1263] What moues thus to bay at him?

Vlis.

Achillis hath inueigled his Foole from him.

Nes.

[1265] Who, Thersites?

Vlis.

[1266] He.

Nes.

[1267] Then will Aiax lacke matter, if he haue lost his [l. 1268] Argument.

Vlis.

[1269] No, you see he is his argument that has his argu­ [l. 1270] ment Achilles.

Nes.

[1271] All the better, their fraction is more our wish [l. 1272] then their faction; but it was a strong counsell that a [l. 1273] Foole could disunite.

Vlis.

[1274] The amitie that wisedome knits, not folly may [l. 1275] easily vntie.

Enter Patroclus.
Here Troylus and Cressida.

[1276] Here comes Patroclus.

Nes.

[1277] No Achilles with him?

Vlis.

The Elephant hath joynts, but none for curtesie:
His legge are legs for necessitie, not for flight.

Patro.

1280 Achilles bids me say he is much sorry:
If any thing more then your sport and pleasure,
Did moue your greatnesse, and this noble State,
To call vpon him; he hopes is no other,
But for your health, and your digestion sake;
1285 An after Dinners breath.

Aga.

Heare you Patroclus:
We are too well acquainted with these answers:
But his euasion winged thus twist with scorne,
Cannot outflye our apprehensions.
1290 Much attribute he hath, and much the reason,
Why we ascribe it to him, yet all his vertues,
Not vertuously of his owne part beheld,
Doe in our eyes, begin to loose their glosse;
Yea, and like faire Fruit in an vnholdsome dish,
1295 Are like to rot vntasted: goe and tell him,
We came to speake with him; and you shall not sinne,
If you doe say, we thinke him ouer proud,
And vnder honest; in selfe‑assumption greater
Then in the note of iudgement: & worthier then himselfe
1300 Here tends the sauage strangenesse he puts on,
Disguise the holy strength of their command:
And vnder write in an obseruing kinde
His humorous predominance, yea watch
His pettish lines, his ebs, his flowes, as if
1305 The passage and whole carriage of this action
Rode on his tyde. Goe tell him this, and adde,
That if he ouerhold his price so much,
Weele none of him; but let him, like an Engin
Not portable, lye vnder this report.
1310 Bring action hither, this cannot goe to warre:
A stirring Dwarfe, we doe allowance giue,
Before a sleeping Gyant: tell him so.

Pat.

I shall, and bring his answere presently.

Aga.

In second voyce weele not be satisfied,
1315 We come to speake with him, Vlisses enter you.
Exit Vlisses.

Aiax.

[1316] What is he more then another?

Aga.

[1317] No more then what he thinkes he is.

Aia.

[1318] Is he so much, doe you not thinke, he thinkes [l. 1319] himselfe a better man then I am?

Ag.

[1320] No question.

Aiax.

Will you subscribe his thought, and say he is?

Ag.

[1322] No, Noble Aiax, you are as strong, as valiant, as [l. 1323] wise, no lesse noble, much more gentle, and altogether [l. 1324] more tractable.

Aiax.

[1325] Why should a man be proud? How doth pride [l. 1326] grow? I know not what it is.

Aga.

[1327] Your minde is the cleerer Aiax, and your vertues [l. 1328] the fairer; he that is proud, eates vp himselfe; Pride is his [l. 1329] owne Glasse, his owne trumpet, his owne Chronicle, and [l. 1330] what euer praises it selfe but in the deed, deuoures the [l. 1331] deede in the praise.

Enter Vlysses.

Aiax.

[1332] I do hate proud man, as I hate the ingendring [l. 1333] of Toades.

Nest.

[1334] Yet he loues himself: is't not strange?

Vlis.

[1335] Achilles will not to the field to morrow.

Ag.

[1336] What's his excuse?

Vlis.

He doth relye on none,
But carries on the streame of his dispose,
Without obseruance or respect of any,
1340 In will peculiar, and in selfe admission.

Aga.

Why, will he not vpon our Faire request,
Vntent this person, and share the ayre with vs?

Vlis.

Things small as nothing, fore requests sake onely
He makes important; possest he is with greatnesse,
1345 And speakes not to himselfe, but with a pride
That quarrels at selfe‑breath. Imagin'd wroth
Holds in his bloud such swolne and hot discourse,
That twixt his mentall and his actiue parts,
Kingdome'd Achilles in commotion rages,
1350 And batters gainst it selfe; what should I say?
He is so plaguy proud, that the death tokens of it,
Cry no recouery.

Ag.

Let Aiax goe to him,
Deare Lord, goe you and greete him in his Tent;
1355 'Tis said he holds you well, and will be led
At your request a little from himselfe.

Vlis.

O Agamemnon, let it not be so.
Weele consecrate the steps that Aiax makes.
When they goe from Achilles; shall the proud Lord,
1360 That bastes his arrogance with his owne seame,
And neuer suffers matter of the world,
Enter his thoughts: saue such as doe reuolue
And ruminate himselfe. Shall he be worshipt,
Of that we hold an Idoll, more then hee?
1365 No, this thrice worthy and right valiant Lord,
Must not so staule his Palme, nobly acquir'd,
Nor by my will assubiugate his merit,
As amply titled as Achilles is: by going to Achilles,
That were to enlard his fat already, pride,
1370 And adde more Coles to Cancer, when he burnes
With entertaining great Hiperion.
This Lord goe to him? Iupiter forbid,
And say in thunder, Achilles goe to him.

Nest.

O this is well, he rubs the veine of him.

Dio.

1375 And how his silence drinkes vp this applause.

Aia.

If I goe to him, with my armed fist, Ile pash him
ore the face.

Ag.

[1377] O no, you shall not goe.

Aia.

[1378] And a be proud with me, Ile phese his pride: let [l. 1379] me goe to him.

Vlis.

1380 Not for the worth that hangs vpon our quarrel.

Aia.

[1381] A paultry insolent fellow.

Nest.

[1382] How he describes himselfe.

Aia.

[1383] Can he not be sociable?

Vlis.

[1384] The Rauen chides blacknesse.

Ain Aia.

[1385] Ile let his humours bloud.

Ag.

He will be the Physitian that should be the pa­
tient.

Aia.

[1387] And all men were a my minde,

Vlis.

[1388] Wit would be out of fashion.

Aia.

[1389] A should not beare it so, a should eate Swords [l. 1390] first: shall pride carry it?

Nest.

[1391] And 'twould, you'ld carry halfe.

Vlis.

[1392] A would haue ten shares.

Aia.

[1393] I will knede him, He make him supple, hee's not [l. 1394] yet through warme.

Nest.

[1395] Force him with praises, poure in, poure in: his am­ [l. 1396] bition is dry.

Vlis.

My Lord you seede too much on this dislike.

Nest.

[1398] Our noble Generall, doe not doe so.

Diom.

You must prepare to fight without Achilles.

Vlis.

1400 Why, 'tis this naming of him doth him harme,
Here is a man, but 'tis before his face,
I will be silent.

Nest.

Wherefore should you so?
He Troylus and Cressida.
He is not emulous, as Achilles is.

Vlis.

1405 'Know the whole world, he is as valiant.

Aia.

[1406] A horson dog, that dial palter thus with vs, would he were a Troian.

Nest.

[1407] What a vice were it in Aiax now⸺

Ulis.

[1408] If he were proud.

Dio.

[1409] Or couetous of praise.

Vlis.

[1410] I, or surley borne.

Dio.

[1411] Or strange, or selfe affected.

Vl.

Thank the heauens Lord thou art of sweet composure;
Praise him that got thee, she that gaue thee sucke:
Fame be thy Tutor, and thy part of nature
1415 Thrice fam'd beyond, beyond all erudition;
But he that disciplin'd thy armes to fight,
Let Mars deuide Eternity in twaine,
And giue him halfe. and for thy vigour,
Bull‑bearing Milo: his addition yeelde
1420 To sinnowie Aiax: I will not praise thy wisdome,
Which like a bourne, a pale, a shore confines
Thy spacious and dilated parts; here's Nestor
Instructed by the Antiquary times:
He must, he is, he cannot but be wise.
1425 But pardon Father Nestor, were your days
As greene as Aiax, and your braine so temper'd,
You should not haue the eminence of him,
But be as Aiax.

Aia.

[1429] Shall I call you Father?

Ulis.

[1430] I my good Sonne.

Dio.

[1431] Be rul'd by him Lord Aiax.

Vlis.

There is no tarrying here, the Hart Achilles
Keepes thicket: please it our Generall,
To call together all his state of warre,
1435 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 cull their flowre, Aiax shall cope the best.

Ag.

Goe we to Counsaile, let Achilles sleepe;
1440 Light Botes may saile swift, though greater bulkes draw
deepe.
Exeunt.
Musicke sounds within.

[Act 3, Scene 1] §

Enter Pandarus and a Seruant.

Pan.

[1441] Friend, you, pray you a word: Doe not you fol­ [l. 1442] low the yong Lord Paris?

Ser.

[1443] I sir, when he goes before me.

Pan.

[1444] You depend vpon him I meane?

Ser.

[1445] Sir, I doe depend vpon the Lord.

Pan.

[1446] You depend vpon a noble Gentleman: I must [l. 1447] needes praise him.

Ser.

[1448] The Lord be praised.

Pa.

[1449] You know me, doe you not?

Ser.

[1450] Faith sir, superficially.

Pa.

[1451] Friend know me better, I am the Lord Pandarus.

Ser.

[1452] I hope I shall know your honour better.

Pa.

[1453] I doe desire it.

Ser.

[1454] You are in the state of Grace?

Pa.

[1455] Grace, not so friend, honor and Lordship are my [l. 1456] title: What Musique is this?

Ser.

[1457] I doe but partly know sir: it is Musicke in parts.

Pa.

[1458] Know you the Musitians.

Ser.

[1459] Wholly sir,

Pa.

[1460] Who play they to?

Ser.

[1461] To the hearers sir.

Pa.

[1462] At whose pleasur friend?

Ser.

[1463] At mine sir, and theirs that loue Musicke.

Pa.

[1464] Command, I meane friend.

Ser.

[1465] Who shall I command sir?

Pa.

[1466] Friend, we vnderstand not one another: I am too [l. 1467] courtly, and thou art too cunning. At whose request doe [l. 1468] these men play?

Ser.

[1469] That's too't indeede sir: marry sir, at the request [l. 1470] of Paris my Lord who's there in person; with him the mor­ [l. 1471] tall Venus, the heart bloud of beauty, loues inuisible [l. 1472] soule.

Pa.

[1473] Who? my Cosin Cressida.

Ser.

[1474] No Sir, Helen, could you not finde out that by [l. 1475] her attributes?

Pa.

[1476] It should seeme fellow, that thou hast not seen the [l. 1477] Lady Cressida. I come to speake with Paris from the [l. 1478] Prince Troylus: I will make a complementall assault vpon [l. 1479] him, for my businesse seethes.

Ser.

1480 Sodden businesse, there's a stewed phrase indeede.
Enter Paris and Helena.

Pan.

[1481] Faire be to you my Lord, and to all this faire com­ [l. 1482] pany: faire desires in all faire measure fairely guide them, [l. 1483] especially to you faire Queene, faire thoughts be your [l. 1484] faire pillow.

Hel.

[1485] Deere Lord you are full of faire words.

Pan.

[1486] You speake your faire pleasure sweete Queene: [l. 1487] faire Prince, here is good broken Musicke.

Par.

[1488] You haue broke it cozen: and by my life you [l. 1489] shall make it whole againe, you shall peece it out with a [l. 1490] peece of your performance. Nel, he is full of harmony.

Pan.

[1491] Truely Lady no.

Hel.

[1492] O sir.

Pan.

[1493] Rude in sooth, in good sooth very rude.

Paris.

Well said my Lord: well, you say so in fits.

Pan.

1495 I haue businesse to my Lord, deere Queene: my
Lord will you vouchsafe me a word.

Hel.

[1497] Nay, this shall not hedge vs out, weele heare you [l. 1498] sing certainely.

Pan.

[1499] Well sweete Queene you are pleasant with me, [l. 1500] but, marry thus my Lord, my deere Lord, and in oft estee­ [l. 1501] med friend your brother Troylus.

Hel.

[1502] My Lord Pandarus hony sweete Lord.

Pan.

[1503] Go too sweete Queene, goe to [l. 1504] Commends himself most affectionately to you.

Hel.

[1505] You shall not bob vs out of our melody: [l. 1506] if you doe, out melancholly vpon your head.

Pan.

[1507] Sweete Queene, sweete Queene, that's a sweete [l. 1508] Queene I faith⸺

Hel.

[1509] And to make a sweet Lady sad, is a sower offence.

Pan.

[1510] Nay, that shall not serue your turne that shall it [l. 1511] not in truth la. Nay, I care not for such words, no, no. [l. 1512] And my Lord he desires you, that if the King call for him [l. 1513] at Supper, you will make his excuse.

Hel.

[1514] My Lord Pandarus?

Pan.

1515 What saies my sweete Queene, my very, very
sweete Queene?

Par.

What exploit's in hand, where sups he to night?

Hel.

[1517] Nay but my Lord?

Pan.

[1518] What saies my sweete Queene? my cozen will [l. 1519] fall out with you.

Hel.

[1520] You must not know where he sups.

Par.

[1521] With my disposer Cressida.

Pan.

[1522] No, no; no such matter, you are wide, come your [l. 1523] disposer is sicke.

Par.

[1524] Well, Ile make excuse.

Pan.

[1525] I good my Lord: why should you say Cressida? [l. 1526] no your poore disposer's sicke.

Par.

[1527] I spie.

Pan. You Troylus and Cressida.

Pan.

[1528] You spie, what doe you spie: come, giue me an [l. 1529] instrument now sweete Queene.

Hel.

[1530] Why this is kindely done?

Pan.

[1531] My Neece is horrible in loue with a thing you [l. 1532] haue sweete Queene.

Hel.

[1533] She shall haue it my Lord, if it be not my Lord [l. 1534] Paris.

Pand.

1535 Hee? no, sheele none of him, they two are
twaine.

Hel.

[1536] Falling in after falling out, may make them three.

Pan.

[1537] Come, come, Ile heare no more of this, Ile sing [l. 1538] you a song now.

Hel.

[1539] I, I, prethee now: by my troth sweet Lord thou [l. 1540] hast a fine fore‑head.

Pan.

[1541] I you may, you may.

Hel.

Let thy song be loue: this loue will vndoe vs al.
Oh Cupid, Cupid, Cupid.

Pan.

[1544] Loue? I that it shall yfaith.

Par.

1545 I, good now loue, loue, nothing but loue.

Pan.

In good troth it begins so.
Loue, loue, nothing but loue, still more:
For O loues Bow,
Shootes Bucke and Doe:
1550 The Shaft confounds not that it wounds,
But tickles still the sore:
These Louers cry, oh ho they dye;
Yet that which seemes the wound to kill.
Doth turne oh ho, to ha ha he:
1555 So dying loue liues still,
O ho a while, but ha ha ha,
O ho grones out for ha ha ha⸺hey ho.

Hel.

[1558] In loue yfaith to the very tip of the nose.

Par.

[1559] He eates nothing but doues loue, and that breeds [l. 1560] hot bloud, and hot bloud begets hot thoughts, and hot [l. 1561] thoughts beget hot deedes, and hot deedes is loue.

Pan.

[1562] Is this the generation of loue? Hot bloud, hot [l. 1563] thoughts, and hot deedes, why they are Vipers, is Loue a [l. 1564] generation of Vipers?

1565 Sweete Lord whose a field to day?

Par.

[1566] Hector Deiphœbus, Helenus, Anthenor, and all the [l. 1567] gallantry of Troy. I would faine haue arm'd to day, but [l. 1568] my Nell would not haue it so.

How chance my brother Troylus went not?

Hel.

1570 He hangs the lippe at something; you know all
Lord Pandarus?

Pan.

Not I hony sweete Queene: I long to heare how
they sped to day:
Youle remember your brothers excuse?

Par.

[1573] To a hayre.

Pan.

[1574] Farewell sweete Queene.

Hel.

[1575] Commend me to your Neece.

Pan.

[1576] I will sweete Queene.

Sound a retreat.

Par.

They're come from fielde: let vs to Priams Hall
To greete the Warriers. Sweet Hellen, I must woe you,
To helpe vnarme our Hector: his stubborne Buckles,
1580 With these your white enchanting fingers toucht,
Shall more obey then to the edge of Steele,
Or force of Greekish sinewes: you shall doe more
Then all the Iland Kings, disarme great Hector.

Hel.

'Twill make vs proud to be his seruant Paris:
1585 Yea what he shall rcceiue of vs in duetie,
Giues vs more palme in beautie then we haue:
Yea ouershines our selfe.
Sweete aboue thought I loue thee.
Exeunt.

[Act 3, Scene 2] §

Enter Pandarus and Troylus Man.

Pan.

[1589] How now, where's thy Maister, at my Couzen [l. 1590] Cressidas?

Man.

[1591] No sir, he stayes for you to conduct him thither.

Enter Troylus.

Pan.

[1592] O here he comes: How now, how now?

Troy.

[1593] Sirra walke off.

Pan.

[1594] Haue you seene my Cousin?

Troy.

1595 No Pandarus: I stalke about her doore
Like a strange soule vpon the Stigian bankes
Staying for waftage. O be thou my Charon,
And giue me swift transportance to those fields,
Where I may wallow in the Lilly beds
1600 Propos'd for the deseruer. O gentle Pandarus,
From Cupids shoulder plucke his painted wings,
And flye with me to Cressid.

Pan.

Walke here ith'Orchard, Ile bring her straight.
Exit Pandarus.

Troy.

I am giddy; expectation whirles me round,
1605 Th'imaginary relish is so sweete.
That it inchants my sence: what will it be
When that the watry pallats taste indeede
Loues thrice reputed Nectar? Death I feare me
Sounding distruction, or some ioy too fine,
1610 Too subtile, potent, and too sharpe in sweetnesse,
For the capacitie of my ruder powers;
I feare it much, and I doe feare besides,
That I shall loose distinction in my ioyes,
As doth a battaile, when they charge on heapes
1615 The enemy flying.
Enter Pandarus.

Pan.

[1616] Shee's making her ready sheele come straight; you [l. 1617] must be witty now, she does so blush, & fetches her winde [l. 1618] so short, as if she were fraid with a sprite: Ile fetch her; it [l. 1619] is the prettiest villaine, she fetches her breath so short as a [l. 1620] new tane Sparrow.

Exit Pand.

Troy.

Euen such a passion doth imbrace my bosome:
My heart beates thicker then a feauorous pulse,
And all my powers doe their bestowing loose,
Like vass[.]lage at vnawares encountring
1625 The eye of Maiestie.
Enter Pandarus and Cressida.

Pan.

[1626] Come, come, what neede you blush? [l. 1627] Shames a babie; here she is now, sweare the oathes now [l. 1628] to her, that you haue sworne to me. What are you gone a­ [l. 1629] gaine, you must be watcht ere you be made tame, must [l. 1630] you? come your wayes, come your wayes, and you draw [l. 1631] backward weele put you i'th fils: why doe you not speak [l. 1632] to her? Come draw this curtaine & let's see your picture. [l. 1633] Alasse the day, how loath you are to offend day light? and [l. 1634] 'twere darke you'ld close sooner: So, so, rub on, and kisse [l. 1635] the mistresse; how now, a kisse in fee‑farme? build there [l. 1636] Carpenter, the ayre is sweete. Nay, you shall fight your [l. 1637] hearts out ere I part you. The Faulcon, as the Tercell, for [l. 1638] all the Ducks ith Riuer: go too, go too.

Troy.

[1639] You haue bereft me of all words Lady.

Pan.

[1640] Words pay no debts; giue her deedes: but sheele [l. 1641] bereaue you 'oth' deeds too, if shee call your actiuity in [l. 1642] question: what billing againe? here's in witnesse where­ [l. 1643] of the Parties interchangeably. Come in, come in, Ile go [l. 1644] get a fire?

Cres.

[1645] Will you walke in my Lord?

Troy.

[1646] O Cressida how often haue I wisht me thus?

Cres.

[1647] Wisht my Lord? the gods grant? O my Lord.

Troy.

[1648] What should they grant? what makes this pret­ [l. 1649] ty abruption: what too curious dreg espies my sweete La­ [l. 1650] dy in the fountaine of our loue?

Cres. More Troylus and Cressida.

Cres.

More dregs then water, if my teares haue eyes.

Troy.

Feares make diuels of Cherubins, they neuer see
truely.

Cres.

Blinde feare, that seeing reason leads, findes safe
footing, then blinde reason, stumbling without feare to
feare the worst, oft cures the worse.

Troy.

Oh let my Lady apprehend no feare,
1655 In all Cupids Pageant there is presented no monster.

Cres.

Not nothing monstrous neither?

Troy.

[1657] Nothing but our vndertakings, when we vowe [l. 1658] to weepe seas, liue in fire, eate rockes, tame Tygers; think­ [l. 1659] ing it harder for our Mistresse to deuise imposition [l. 1660] inough, then for vs to vndergoe any difficultie imposed. [l. 1661] This is the monstruositie in loue Lady, that the will is in­ [l. 1662] finite, and the execution confin'd; that the desire is bound­ [l. 1663] lesse, and the act a slaue to limit.

Cres.

They say all Louers sweare more performance
then they are able, and yet reserue an ability that they
neuer performe: vowing more then the perfection of ten;
and discharging lesse then the tenth pan of one. They
that haue the voyce of Lyons, and the act of Hares: are
they not Monsters?

Troy.

[1665] Are there such? such are not we: Praise vs as we [l. 1666] are tasted, allow vs as we proue: our head shall goe bare [l. 1667] till merit crowne it: no perfection in reuersion shall haue [l. 1668] a praise in present: wee will not name desert before his [l. 1669] birth, and being borne his addition shall be humble: few [l. 1670] words to faire faith. Troylus shall be such to Cressid, as [l. 1671] what enuie can say worst, shall be a mocke for his truth; [l. 1672] and what truth can speake truest, not truer then Troy­ [l. 1673] lus.

Cres.

Will you walke in my Lord?
Enter Pandarus.

Pan.

1675 What blushing still? haue you not done talking
yet?

Cres.

Well Vnckle, what folly I commit, I dedicate
to you.

Pan.

[1677] I thanke you for that: if my Lord get a Boy of [l. 1678] you, youle giue him me: be true to my Lord, if he flinch, [l. 1679] chide me for it.

Tro.

[1680] You know now your hostages: your Vnckles word [l. 1681] and my firme faith.

Pan.

[1682] Nay, Ile giue my word for her too: our kindred [l. 1683] though they be long ere they are wooed, they are con­ [l. 1684] stant being wonne: they are Burres I can tell you, they'le [l. 1685] sticke where they are throwne.

Cres.

[1686] Boldnesse comes to mee now, and brings mee [l. 1687] heart: Prince Troylus, I haue lou'd you night and day, for [l. 1688] many weary moneths.

Troy.

[1689] Why was my Cressid then so hard to win?

Cres.

1690 Hard to seeme won: but I was won my Lord
With the first glance; that euer pardon me,
If I confesse much you will play the tyrant:
I loue you now, but not till now so much
But I might maister it; infaith I lye:
1695 My thoughts were like vnbrideled children grow
Too head‑strong for their mother: see we fooles,
Why haue I blab'd: who shall be true to vs
When we are so vnsecret to our selues?
But though I lou'd you well, I woed you not,
1700 And yet good faith I wisht my selfe a man;
Or that we women had mens priuiledge
Of speaking first. Sweet, bid me hold my tongue,
For in this rapture I shall surely speake
The thing I shall repent: see, see, your silence
1705 Comming in dumbnesse, from my weakenesse drawes
My soule of counsell from me. Stop my mouth.

Troy.

And shall, albeit sweete Musicke issues thence.

Pan.

[1708] Pretty yfaith.

Cres.

My Lord, I doe beseech you pardon me,
1710 'Twas not my purpose thus to beg a kisse:
I am asham'd; O Heauens, what haue I done!
For this time will I take my leaue my Lord.

Troy.

[1713] Your leaue sweete Cressid?

Pan.

[1714] Leaue: and you take leaue till to morrow mor­ [l. 1715] ning.

Cres.

[1716] Pray you content you.

Troy.

[1717] What offends you Lady?

Cres.

[1718] Sir, mine owne company.

Troy.

[1719] You cannot shun your selfe.

Cres.

1720 Let me goe and try:
I, haue a kinde of selfe recides with you:
But an vnkinde selfe, that it selfe will leaue,
To be anothers foole. Where is my wit?
I would be gone: I speake I know not what.

Troy.

1725 Well know they what they speake, that speakes
so wisely.

Cre.

Perchance my Lord, I shew more craft then loue,
And fell so roundly to a large confession,
To Angle for your thoughts; but you are wise,
Or else you loue not: for to be wise and loue,
1730 Exceedes mans might, that dwels with gods aboue.

Troy.

O that I thought it could be in a woman:
As if it can, I will presume in you,
To feede for aye her lampe and flames of loue.
To keepe her constancie in plight and youth,
1735 Out‑liuing beauties outward, with a minde
That doth renew swifter then blood decaies:
Or that perswasion could but thus conuince me,
That my integritie and truth to you,
Might be affronted with the match and waight
1740 Of such a winnowed puriritie puritie in loue:
How were I then vp‑lifted! but alas,
I am as true, as truths simplicitie,
And simpler then the infancie of truth.

Cr[.]s.

[1744] In that lle warre with you.

Troy.

1745 O vertuous fight,
When right with right wars who shall be most right:
True swaines in loue, shall in the world to come
Approue their truths by Troylus, when their rimes,
Full of protest, of oath and big compare;
1750 Wants similes, truth tir'd with iteration,
As true as steele, as plantage to the Moone:
As Sunne to day: as Turtle to her mate:
As Iron to Adamant: as Ear[.]h to th'Center:
Yet after all comparisons of truth,
1755 (As truths authenticke author to be cited)
As true as Troylus, shall crowne vp the Verse,
And sanctifie the numbers.

Cres.

Prophet may you be:
If I be false, or swerue a haire from truth,
1760 When time is old and hath forgot it selfe:
When water drops haue worne the stones of Troy;
And blinde obliuion swallow'd Cities vp;
And mightie States characterlesse are grated
To dustie nothing; yet let memory,
1765 From false to false, among false Maids in loue,
Vpbraid my falsehood, when they 'aue said as false,
As Aire, as Water. as Winde, as sandie earth;
As Foxe to Lambe; as Wolfe to Heifers Calfe;
Pard to the Hinde, or Stepdame to her Sonne;
1770 Yea, let them say, to sticke the heart of falsehood,
As Troylus and Cressida.
As false as Cressid.

Pand.

[1772] Go too, a bargaine made: seale it, seale it, Ile [l. 1773] be the witnesse here I hold you hand: here my Cousins, [l. 1774] if euer you proue false one to another, since I haue taken [l. 1775] such paines to bring you together, let all pittifull goers [l. 1776] betweene be cal'd to the worlds end after my name: call [l. 1777] them all Panders; let all constant men be Troylusses, all [l. 1778] false women Cressids, and all brokers betweene, Panders: [l. 1779] say, Amen.

Troy.

[1780] Amen.

Cres.

[1781] Amen.

Pan.

[1782] Amen. [l. 1783] Whereupon I will shew you a Chamber, which bed, be­ [l. 1784] cause it shall not speake of your prettie encounters, presse [l. 1785] it to death: away.

And Cupid grant all: tong‑tide Maidens heere,
Bed, Chamber, and Pander, to prouide this geere.
Exeunt.

[Act 3, Scene 3] §

Enter Vlysses, Diomedes, Nestor. Agamemnon, Menelaus and Chalcas. Florish.

Cal.

Now Princes for the seruice haue done you,
The aduantage of the time promps me aloud,
1790 To call for recompence: appears it to your minde,
That through the fight I beare [.]n things to loue,
I haue abandon'd Troy, left my possession,
Incur'd a Traitors name, expos'd my selfe,
From certaine and possest conueniences,
1795 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,
As new into the world, strange, vnacquainted.
1800 I doe beseech you, as in way of taste,
To giue me now a little benefit:
Out of those many registred in promise,
Which you say, line to come in my behalfe.

Agam.

What would'st thou of vs Troian? make
demand?

Cal.

1805 You haue a Troian prisoner, cal'd Anthenor,
Yesterday tooke: Troy holds him very deere.
Oft haue you (often haue you, thankes therefore)
Desir'd my Cressid in right great exchange.
Whom Troy hath still deni'd: but this Anthenor,
1810 I know is such a wrest in their affaires;
That their negotiations all must slacke,
Wanting his mannage: and they will almost,
Giue vs a Prince of blood, a Sonne of Priam,
In change of him. Let him be sent great Princes,
1815 And he shall buy my Daughter: and her presence,
Shall quite strike off all seruice I haue done.
In most accepted paine.

Aga.

Let Diomedes beare him,
And bring vs Cressid hither: Calcas shall haue
1820 What he requests of vs: good Diomed
Furnish you fairely for this enterchange;
Withall bring word, if Hector will tomorrow
Be answer'd in his challenge Aiax is ready.

Dio.

This shall I vndertake, and 'tis a burthen
1825 Which I am proud to beare.
Exit.
Enter Achilles and Patroclus in their Tent.

Vlis.

Achilles stands i'th entrance of his Tent;
Please it our Generall to passe strangely by him,
As if he were forgot: and Princes all,
Lay negligent and loose regard vpon him;
1830 I will come last,'tis like heele question me,
Why such vnplausiue eyes are bent? why turn'd on him?
If so, I haue derision medicinable,
To vse betweene your strangenesse and his pride,
Which his owne will shall haue desire to drinke;
1835 It may doe good, pride hath no other glasse
To show it selfe, but pride: for supple knees,
Feede arrogance, and are the proud mans fees.

Agam.

Weele execute your purpose, and put on
A forme of strangenesse as we passe along,
1840 So doe each Lord, and either greete him not.
Or else disdainfully, which shall shake him more,
Then if not lookt on. I will lead the way.

Achil.

What comes the Generall to speake with me?
You know my minde, Ile fight no more 'gainst Troy.

Aga.

1845 What saies Achilles, would he ought with vs?

Nes.

Would you my Lord ought with the Generall?

Achil.

[1847] No.

Nes.

[1848] Nothing my Lord.

Aga.

[1849] The better.

Achil.

[1850] Good day, good day.

Men.

[1851] How doe you? how doe you?

Achi.

[1852] What, do's the Cuckold scorne me?

Aiax.

[1853] How now Patroclus?

Achil.

[1854] Good morrow Aiax?

Aiax.

[1855] Ha.

Achil.

[1856] Good morrow.

Aiax.

[1857] I, and good next day too.

Exeunt.

Achil.

What meane these fellowes? know they not
Achilles?

Patr.

They passe by strangely: they were vs'd to bend
1860 To send their smiles before them to Achilles:
To come as humbly as they vs'd to creepe to holy Altars.

Achil.

What am I poore of late?
'Tis certaine, greatnesse once falne out with fortune,
Must fall out with men too: what the declin'd is
1865 He shall as soone reade in the eyes of others,
As feele in his owne fall: for men like butter‑flies,
Shew not their mealie wings, but to the Summer:
And not a man for being simply man,
Hath any honour; but honour'd for those honours
1870 That are without him; as place, riches, and fauour,
Prizes of accident, as oft as merit:
Which when they fall, as being slippery standers;
The loue that leand on them as slippery too,
Doth one plucke downe another, and together
1875 Dye in the fall. But 'tis not so with me;
Fortune and I are friends, I doe enioy
At ample point, all that I did possesse,
Saue these mens lookes: who do me thinkes finde out
Something not worth in me such rich beholding,
1880 As they haue often giuen. Here is Vlisses,
Ile interrupt his reading: how now Vlisses?

Vlis.

[1882] Now great Thetis Sonne.

Achil.

[1883] What are you reading?

Vlis.

A strange fellow here
1885 Writes me, that man, how dearely euer parted,
How much in hauing, or without, or in,
Cannot make boast to haue that which he hath;
Nor feeles not what he owes, but by reflection:
As when his vertues shining vpon others,
1890 Heare them, and they retort that heate againe
To the first giuer.

Achil.

This is not strange Vlisses:
The beautie that is borne here in the face,
The bearer knowes not but commends it selfe,
1895 Not going from it selfe: but eye to eye oppos'd,
Salutes Troylus and Cressida.
Salutes each other with each others forme.
For speculation turnes not to it selfe,
Till it hath trauail'd, and is married there
Where it may see it selfe: this is not strange at all.

Vlis.

1900 I doe not straine it at the position,
It is familiar; but at the Authors drift,
Who in his circumstance, expresly proues
That no may is the Lord of any thing,
(Though in and of him there is much consisting,)
1905 Till he communicate his parts to others:
Nor doth he of himselfe know them for ought,
Till he behold them formed in th'applause,
Where they are extended: who like an arch reuerb'rate
The voyce againe; or like a gate of steele,
1910 Fronting the Sunne, receiues and renders backe
His figure, and his heate. I was much rapt in this,
And apprehended here immediately:
The vnknowne Aiax;
Heauens what a man is there? a very Horse,
1915 That has he knowes not what. Nature, what things there
(are.
Most abiect in regard, and deare in vse.
What things againe most deere in the esteeme,
And poore in worth: now shall we see tomorrow,
An act that very chance doth throw vpon him?
1920 Aiax renown'd? O heauens, what some men doe,
While some men leaue to doe!
How some men creepe in skittish fortunes hall,
Whiles others play the Ideots in her eyes:
How one man eates into anothers pride,
1925 While pride is feasting in his wantonnesse
To see these Grecian Lords; why, euen already,
They clap the lubber Aiax on the shoulder,
As if his foote were on braue Hectors brest,
And great Troy shrinking.

Achil.

1930 I doe beleeue it:
For they past by me, as mysers doe by beggars,
Neither gaue to me good word, nor looke:
What are my deedes forgot?

Vlis.

Time hath (my Lord) a wallet at his backe,
1935 Wherein he puts almes for obliuion:
A great siz'd monster of ingratitudes:
Those scraps are good deedes past,
Which are deuour'd as fast as they are made,
Forgot as soone as done: perseuerance. deere my Lord,
1940 Keepes honor bright, to haue done, is to hang
Quite out of fashion, like a rustie male,
In monumentall mockrie: take the instant way,
For honour trauels in a straight so narrow,
Where one but goes a breast, keepe then the path:
1945 For emulation hath a thousand Sonnes,
That one by one pursue; if you giue way,
Or hedge aside from the direct forth right;
Like to an entred Tyde, they all rush by,
And leaue you hindmost:
1950 Or like a gallant Horse falne in first ranke,
Lye there for pauement to the abiect, neere
Ore‑run and trampled on: then what they doe in present,
Though lesse then yours in past, must ore‑top yours:
For time is like a fashionable Hoste,
1955 That slightly shakes his parting Guest by th'hand;
And with his armes out‑stretcht as he would flye,
Graspes in the commer: the welcome euer smiles,
And farewels goes out fighing: O let not vertue seeke
Remuneration for the thing it was: for beautie, wit,
1960 High birth, vigor of bone, desert in seruice,
Loue, friendship, charity, are subiects all
To enuious and calumniating time:
One touch of nature makes the whole world kin:
That all with one consent praise new borne gaudes,
1965 Though they are made and moulded of things past,
And goe to dust, that is a little guilt,
More laud then guilt oredusted.
The present eye praises the pres[.]nt obiect:
Then maruell not thou great and compleat man,
1970 That all the Greekes begin to worship Aiax;
Since things in motion begin to catch the eye,
Then what not stirs: the cry went out on thee,
And still it might, and yet it may againe,
If thou would'st not entombe thy selfe aliue,
1975 And case thy reputation in thy Tent;
Whose glorious deedes, but in these fields of late,
Made emulous missions 'mongst the gods themselues,
And draue great Mars to faction.

Achil.

Of this my priuacie,
1980 I haue strong reasons.

Vlis.

But'gainst your priuacie
The reasons are more potent and heroycall:
'Tis knowne Achilles, that you are in loue
With one of Priams daughters.

Achil.

[1985] Ha? knowne?

Vlis.

Is that a wonder?
The prouidence that's in a watchfull State,
Knowes almost euery graine of Plutoes gold;
Findes bottome in th'vncomprehensiue deepes;
1990 Keepes place with thought; and almost like the gods,
Doe thoughts vnuaile in their dumbe cradles:
There is a mysterie (with whom relation
Durst neuer meddle) in the soule of State;
Which hath an operation more diuine,
1995 Then breath or pen can giue expressure to:
All the commerse that you haue had with Troy,
As perfectly is ours, as yours, my Lord.
And better would it fit Achilles much,
To throw downe Hector then Polixena.
2000 But it must grieue yong Pirhus now at home,
When fame shall in her Iland sound her trumpe;
And all the Greekish Girles shall tripping sing,
Great Hectors sister did Achilles winne;
But our great Aiax brauely beate downe him.
2005 Farewell my Lord: I as your louer speake;
The foole slides ore the Ice that you should breake.

Patr.

To this effect Achilles haue I mou'd you;
A woman impudent and mannish growne,
Is not more loth'd, then an effeminate man,
2010 In time of action: I stand condemn'd for this;
They thinke my little stomacke to the warre,
And your great loue to me, restraines you thus:
Sweete, rouse your selfe; and the weake wanton Cupid
Shall from your necke vnloose his amorous fould,
2015 And like a dew drop from the Lyons mane,
Be shooke to ayrie ayre.

Achil.

[2017] Shall Aiax fight with Hector?

Patr.

[2018] I, and perhaps receiue much honor by him.

Achil.

I see my reputation is at stake,
2020 My fame is shrowdly gored.

Patr.

O then beware:
Those wounds heale ill, that men doe giue themselues:
Omission to doe what is necessary,
Seales a commission to a blanke of danger,
2025 And danger like an ague subtly taints
Euen then when we sit idely in the sunne.

Achil.

Goe; call Thersites hither sweet Patroclus,
¶ ¶ Ile Troylus and Cressida.
Ile send the foole to Aiax, and desire him
T'inuite the Troian Lords after the Combat
2030 To see vs here vnarm'd: I haue a womans longing,
An appetite that I am sicke withall,
To see great Hector in his weedes of peace;
Enter Thersi.
To talke with him, and to behold his visage,
Euen to my full of view. A labour sau'd.

Ther.

[2035] A wonder.

Achil.

[2036] What?

Ther.

[2037] Aiax goes vp and downe the field, asking for [l. 2038] himselfe.

Achil.

[2039] How so?

Ther.

[2040] Hee must fight singly to morrow with Hector, [l. 2041] and is so prophetically proud of an heroicall cudgelling, [l. 2042] that he raues in saying nothing.

Achil.

[2043] How can that be?

Ther.

[2044] Why he stalkes vp and downe like a Peacock, a [l. 2045] stride and a stand: ruminates like an hostesse, that hath no [l. 2046] Arithmatique but her braine to set downe her recko­ [l. 2047] ning: bites his lip with a politique regard, as who should [l. 2048] say, there were wit in his head and twoo'd out; and so [l. 2049] there is: but it lyes as coldly in him, as fire in a flint, [l. 2050] which will not shew without knocking. The mans vn­ [l. 2051] done for euer; for if Hector breake not his necke i'th'com­ [l. 2052] bat, heele break't himselfe in vaine‑glory. He knows [l. 2053] not mee: I said, good morrow Aiax; And he replyes, [l. 2054] thankes Agamemnon. What thinke you of this man, [l. 2055] that takes me for the Generall? Hee's growne a very [l. 2056] land‑fish, languagelesse, a monster: a plague of o­ [l. 2057] pinion, a man may weare it on both sides like a leather [l. 2058] Ierkin.

Achil.

[2059] Thou must be my Ambassador to him Thersites.

Ther.

[2060] Who, I: why, heele answer nobody: he pro­ [l. 2061] fesses not answering; speaking is for beggers: he weares [l. 2062] his tongue in's armes: I will put on his presence;let Pa­ [l. 2063] troclus make his demands to me, you shall see the Page­ [l. 2064] ant of Aiax.

Achil.

[2065] To him Patroclus; tell him, I humbly desire the [l. 2066] valiant Aiax, to inuite the most valorous Hector, to come [l. 2067] vnarm'd to my Tent, and to procure safe conduct for his [l. 2068] person, of the magnanimious and most illustrious, sixe or [l. 2069] seauen times honour'd Captaine, Generall of the Grecian [l. 2070] Armie Agamemnon, &c. doe this.

Patro.

[2071] Ioue blesse great Aiax.

Ther.

[2072] Hum.

Patr.

[2073] I come from the worthy Aehilles Achilles.

Ther.

[2074] Ha?

Patr.

[2075] Who most humbly desires you to inuite Hector [l. 2076] to his Tent.

Ther.

[2077] Hum.

Patr.

[2078] And to procure safe conduct from Agamemnon.

Ther.

[2079] Agamemnon?

Patr.

[2080] I my Lord.

Ther.

[2081] Ha?

Patr.

[2082] What say you too't.

Ther.

[2083] God buy you with all my heart.

Patr.

[2084] Your answer sir.

Ther.

[2085] If tomorrow be a faire day, by eleuen a clocke [l. 2086] it will goe one way or other; howsoeuer, he shall pay for [l. 2087] me ere he has me.

Patr.

[2088] Your answer sir.

Ther.

[2089] Fare you well withall my heart.

Achil.

[2090] Why, but he is not in this tune, is he?

Ther.

[2091] No, but he's out a tune thus: what musicke will [l. 2092] be in him when Hector has knockt out his braines, I know [l. 2093] not: but I am sure none, vnlesse the Fidler Apollo get his [l. 2094] sinewes to make catlings on.

Achil.

2095 Come, thou shalt beare a Letter to him
straight.

Ther.

[2096] Let me carry another to his Horse; for that's the [l. 2097] more capable creature.

Achil.

My minde is troubled like a Fountains stir'd,
And I my selfe see not the bottome of it.

Ther.

[2100] Would the Fountaine of your minde were cleere [l. 2101] againe, that I might water an Asse at it: I had rather be a [l. 2102] Ticke in a Sheepe, then such a valiant ignorance.

[Act 4, Scene 1] §

Enter at one doore Æneas with a Torch, at another
Paris, Diephœbus, Anthenor, Diomed the
Grecian, with Torches.

Par.

[2103] See hoa, who is that there?

Dieph.

[2104] It is the Lord Æneas

Æne.

2105 Is the Prince there in person?
Had I so good occasion to lye long
As you Prince Paris, nothing but heauenly businesse,
Should rob my bed‑mate of my company.

Diom.

[2109] That's my minde too: good morrow Lord [l. 2110] Æneas.

Par.

A valiant Greeke Æneas take his hand,
Witnesse the processe of your speech within;
You told how Diomed in a whole weeke by dayes
Did haunt you in the Field.

Æne.

2115 Health to you valiant sir,
During all question of the gentle truce:
But when I meete you arm'd, as blacke defiance,
As heart can thinke, or courage execute.

Diom.

The one and other Diomed embraces,
2120 Our blouds are now in calme; and so long health:
But when contention, and occasion meetes,
By Ioue, Ile play the hunter for thy life,
With all my force, pursuite and pollicy.

Æne.

And thou shalt hunt a Lyon that will flye
2125 With his face backward, in humaine gentlenesse:
Welcome to Troy; now by Anchises life,
Welcome indeede; by Venus hand I sweare,
No man aliue can loue in such a sort,
The thing he meanes to kill, more excellently.

Diom.

2130 We simpathize. Ioue let Æneas liue
(If to my sword his fate be not the glory)
A thousand compleate courses of the Sunne,
But in mine emulous honor let him dye:
With euery ioynt a wound, and that to morrow.

Æne.

[2135] We know each other well.

Dio.

[2136] We doe, and long to know each other worse.

Par.

This is the most, despightful'st gentle greeting;
The noblest hatefull loue, that ere I heard of.
What businesse Lord so early?

Æne.

[2140] I was sent for to the King; but why, I know not.

Par.

His purpose meets you; it was to bring this Greek
To Calchas house; and there to render him,
For the enfreed Anthenor, the faire Cressid:
Lets haue your company; or if you please,
2145 Haste there before vs. I constantly doe thinke
(Or rather call my thought a certaine knowledge)
My brother Troylus lodges there to night.
Rouse him, and giue him note of our approach,
With the whole quality whereof, I feare
2150 We shall be much vnwelcome.

Æne.

That I assure you;
Troylus had rather Troy were borne to Greece,
Then Cressid borne from Troy.
Par. There Troylus and Cressida.

Par.

There is no helpe:
2155 The bitter disposition of the time will haue it so
On Lord, weele follow you.

Æne.

[2157] Good morrow all.

Exit Æneas

Par.

And tell me noble Diomed; faith tell me true,
Euen in the soule of sound good fellowship,
2160 Who in your thoughts merits faire Helen most?
My selfe, or Menelaus?

Diom.

Both alike.
He merits well to haue her, that doth seeke her,
Not making any scruple of her soylure,
2165 With such a hell of paine, and world of charge.
And you as well to keepe her, that defend her,
Not pallating the taste of her dishonour,
With such a costly losse of wealth and friends:
He like a puling Cuckold, would drinke vp
2170 The lees and dregs of a flat tamed peece:
You like a letcher, out of whorish loynes,
Are pleas'd to breede out your inheritors:
Both merits poyz'd, each weighs no lesse nor more,
But he as he, which heauier for a whore.

Par.

2175 You are too bitter to your country‑woman.

Dio.

Shee's bitter to her countrey: heare me Paris,
For euery false drop in her baudy veines,
A Grecians life hath sunke: for euery scruple
Of her contaminated carrion weight,
2180 A Troian hath beene slaine. Since she could speake,
She hath not giuen so many good words breath,
As for her, Greekes and Troians suffred death.

Par.

Faire Diomed, you doe as chapmen doe,
Dis praise the thing that you desire to buy:
2185 But we in silence hold this vertue well;
Weele not commend, what we intend to sell.
Here lyes our way,
Exeunt.

[Act 4, Scene 2] §

Enter Troylus and Cressida.

Troy.

Deere trouble not your selfe: the morne is cold.

Cres.

Then sweet my Lord, Ile call mine Vnckle down;
2190 He shall vnbolt the Gates.

Troy.

Trouble him not:
To bed, to bed: sleepe kill those pritty eyes,
And giue as soft attachment to thy sences,
As Infants empty of all thought.

Cres.

[2195] Good morrow then.

Troy.

[2196] I prithee now to bed.

Cres.

[2197] Are you a weary of me?

Troy.

O Cressida! but that the busie day
Wak't by the Larke, hath rouz'd the ribauld Crowes,
2200 And dreaming night will hide our eyes no longer:
I would not from thee.

Cres.

[2202] Night hath beene too briefe.

Troy.

Beshrew the witch! with venemous wights she
(stayes,
As hidiously as hell; but flies the graspes of loue,
2205 With wings more momentary, swift then thought:
You will catch cold, and curse me.

Cres.

Prithee tarry, you men will neuer tarry;
O foolish Cressid, I might haue still held off,
And then you would haue tarried. Harke, ther's one vp?

Pand.

within.

[2210] What's all the doores open here?

Troy.

[2211] It is your Vnckle.

Enter Pandarus.

Cres.

[2212] A pestilence on him: now will he be mocking: [l. 2213] I shall haue such a life.

Pan.

How now, how now? how goe maiden‑heads?
2215 Heare you Maide: wher's my cozin Cressid?

Cres.

Go hang your self, you naughty mocking Vnckle:
You bring me to doo⸺and then you floute me too.

Pan.

To do what? to do what? let her say what:
What haue I brought you to doe?

Cres.

[2220] Come, come, beshrew your heart: youle nere be [l. 2221] good, nor suffer others.

Pan.

[2222] Ha, ha: alas poore wretch: a poore Chipochia, hast [l. 2223] not slept to night? would he not (a naughty man) let it [l. 2224] sleepe:a bug‑beare take him. One knocks.

Cres.

[2225] Did not I tell you? would he were knockt ith' [l. 2226] head. Who's that at doore? good Vnckle goe and see.

My Lord, come you againe into my Chamber:
You smile and mocke me, as if I meant naughtily.

Troy.

[2229] Ha, ha.

Cre.

2230 Come you are deceiu'd, I thinke of no such thing.
How earnestly they knocke: pray you come in. Knocke.
I would not for halfe Troy haue you seene here.
Exeunt

Pan.

[2233] Who's there? what's the matter? will you beate [l. 2234] downe the doore? How now, what's the matter?

Æne.

[2235] Good morrow Lord, good morrow.

Pan.

[2236] Who's there my Lord Æneas? by my troth I [l. 2237] knew you not: what newes with you so early?

Æne.

[2238] Is not Prince Troylus here?

Pan.

[2239] Here? what should he doe here?

Æne.

2240 Come he is here, my Lord, doe not deny him:
It doth import him much to speake with me.

Pan.

[2242] Is he here say you? 'tis more then I know, Ile be [l. 2243] sworne: For my owne part I came in late: what should [l. 2244] he doe here?

Æne.

[2245] Who, nay then: Come, come, youle doe him [l. 2246] wrong, ere y'are ware: youle be so true to him, to be [l. 2247] false to him: Doe not you know of him, but yet goe fetch [l. 2248] him hither, goe.

Enter Troylus.

Troy.

[2249] How now, what's the matter?

Æne.

2250 My Lord, I scarce haue leisure to salute you,
My matter is so rash: there is at hand,
Paris your brother, and Deiphœbus,
The Grecian Diomed, and our Anthenor
Deliuer'd to vs, and for him forth‑with,
2255 Ere the first sacrifice, within this houre.
We must giue vp to Diomeds hand
The Lady Cressida.

Troy.

[2258] is it concluded so?

Æne.

By Priam, the generall state of Troy.
2260 They are at hand ready to effect it.

Troy.

How my atchieuements mocke me;
I will goe meete them: and my Lord Æneas
We met by chance; you did not finde me here.

Æn.

Good, good, my Lord, the secrets of nature
2265 Haue not more gift in taciturnitie.
Exeunt.
Enter Pandarus and Cressid.

Pan.

[2266] Is't possible? no sooner got but lost: the diuell [l. 2267] take Anthenor; the yong Prince will goe mad: a plague [l. 2268] vpon Anthenor; I would they had brok's necke.

Cres.

[2269] How now? what's the matter? who was here?

Pan.

[2270] Ah, ha!

Cres.

[2271] Why sigh you so profoundly? wher's my Lord? [l. 2272] gone? tell me sweet Vnckle, what's the matter?

Pan.

[2273] Would I were as deepe vnder the earth as I am [l. 2274] aboue.

Cres.

[2275] O the gods! what's the matter?

Pan.

[2276] Prythee get thee in: would thou had'st nere been [l. 2277] borne; I knew thou would'st be his death. O poore? Gen­ [l. 2278] tleman: a plague vpon Anthenor.

¶g2 Cres. Good Troylus and Cressida.

Cres.

[2279] Good Vnckle beseech you, on my knees, I be­ [l. 2280] seech you what's the matter?

Pan.

[2281] Thou must be gone wench, thou must be gone; [l. 2282] thou art chang'd for Anthenor: thou must to thy Father, [l. 2283] and be gone from Troylus: 'twill be his death: 'twill be [l. 2284] his baine, he cannot beare it.

Cres.

[2285] O you immortall gods! I will not goe.

Pan.

[2286] Thou must.

Cres.

I will not Vnckle: I haue forgot my Father:
I know no touch of consanguinitie:
No kin, no loue, no bloud, no soule, so neere me,
2290 As the sweet Troylus: O you gods diuine!
Make Cressids name the very crowne of falsehood!
If euer she leaue Troylus: time, orce and death,
Do to this body what extremitie you can;
But the strong base and building of my loue,
2295 Is as the very Center of the earth,
Drawing all things to it. I will goe in and weepe.

Pan.

[2297] Doe, doe.

Cres.

Teare my bright heire, and scratch my praised
cheekes,
Cracke my cleere voyce with sobs, and breake my heart
2300 With sounding Troylus. I will not goe from Troy.
Exeunt.

[Act 4, Scene 3] §

Enter Paris, Troylus, Æneas, Deiphebus, An­
thenor and Diomedes.

Par.

It is great morning, and the houre prefixt
Of her deliuerie to this valiant Greeke
Comes fast vpon: good my brother Troylus,
Tell you the Lady what she is to doe,
2305 And hast her to the purpose.

Troy.

Walke into her house:
Ile bring her to the Grecian presently;
And to his hand, when I deliuer her,
Thinke it an Altar, and thy brother Troylus
2310 A Priest, there offring to it his heart.

Par.

I know what 'tis to loue,
And would, as I shall pittie, I could helpe.
Please you walke in, my Lords.
Exeunt.

[Act 4, Scene 4] §

Enter Pandarus and Cressid.

Pan.

[2314] Be moderate, be moderate.

Cres.

2315 Why tell you me of moderation?
The griefe is fine, full perfect that I taste,
And no lesse in a sense as strong
As that which causeth it. How can I moderate it?
If I could temporise with my affection,
2320 Or brew it to a weake arid colder pallat,
The like alaiment could I giue my griefe:
My loue admits no qualifying crosse; Enter Troylus.
No more my griefe, in such a precious losse.

Pan.

[2324] Here, here, here, he comes, a sweet ducke.

Cres.

[2325] O Troylus, Troylus!

Pan.

[2326] What a paire of spectacles is here? let me em­ [l. 2327] brace too: oh hart, as the goodly saying is; O heart, hea­ [l. 2328] uie heart, why sighest thou without breaking? where he [l. 2329] answers againe; because thou canst not ease thy smart by [l. 2330] friendship, nor by speaking: there was neuer a truer rime; [l. 2331] let vs cast away nothing, for we may liue to haue neede [l. 2332] of such a Verse: We see it, we see it: how now Lambs?

Troy.

Cressid: I loue thee in so strange a puritie;
That the blest gods, as angry with my fancie,
2335 More bright in zeale, then the deuotion which
Cold lips blow to their Deities: take thee from me.

Cres.

[2337] Haue the gods enuie?

Pan.

[2338] I, I, I, I, 'tis too plaine a case.

Cres.

And is it true, that I must goe; from Troy?

Troy.

[2340] A hatefull truth.

Cres.

[2341] What, and from Troylus too?

Troy.

[2342] From Troy, and Troylus.

Cres.

[2343] Ist possible?

Troy.

And sodainely, where iniurie of chance
2345 Puts backe leaue‑taking, iustles roughly by
All time of pause; rudely beguiles our lips
Of all reioyndure: forcibly preuents
Our lockt embrasures; strangles our deare vowes,
Euen in the birth of our owne laboring breath.
2350 We two, that with so many thousand sighes
Did buy each other, must poorely sell our selues,
With the rude breuitie and discharge of our
Iniurious time; now with a robbers haste
Crams his rich theeuerie vp, he knowes not how.
2355 As many farwels as be stars in heauen,
With distinct breath, and consign'd kisses to them,
He fumbles vp into a loose adiew;
And scants vs with a single famisht kisse,
Distasting with the salt of broken teares.
Enter Æneas.

Æneas.

within.

[2360] My Lord, is the Lady ready?

Troy.

Harke, you are call'd: some say the genius so
Cries, come to him that instantly must dye.
Bid them haue patience: she shall come anon.

Pan.

[2364] Where are my teares? raine, to lay this winde, [l. 2365] or my heart will be blowne vp by the root.

Cres.

[2366] I must then to the Grecians?

Troy.

[2367] No remedy.

Cres.

[2368] A wofull Cressid mong'st the merry Greekes.

Troy.

[2369] When shall we see againe?

Troy.

2370 Here me my loue: be thou but true of heart.

Cres.

I true? how now? what wicked deeme is this?

Troy.

Nay, we must vse expostulation kindely,
For it is parting from vs:
I speake not, be thou true, as fearing thee:
2375 For I will throw my Gloue to death himselfe,
That there's no maculation in thy heart:
But be thou true, say I, to fashion in
My sequent protestation: be thou true,
And I will see thee.

Cres.

2380 O you shall be expos'd, my Lord to dangers
As infinite, as imminent: but Ile be true.

Troy.

And Ile grow friend with danger;
Weare this Sleeue.

Cres.

And you this Gloue.
2385 When shall I see you?

Troy.

I will corrupt the Grecian Centinels,
To giue thee nightly visitation.
But yet be true.

Cres.

[2389] O heauens: be true againe?

Troy.

2390 Heare why I speake it; Loue:
The Grecian youths are full of qualitie,
Their louing well compos'd, with guist of nature,
Flawing and swelling ore with Arts and exercise:
How nouelties may moue, and parts with person.
2395 Alas, a kinde of godly iealousie;
Which I beseech you call a vertuous sinne:
Makes me affraid.

Cres.

[2398] O heauens, you loue me not!

Troy.

Dye I a villaine then:
2400 In this I doe not call your faith in question
So mainely as my merit: I cannot sing,
Nor heele the high Lauolt; nor sweeten talke;
Nor play at subtill games; faire vertues all;
To Troylus and Cressida.
To which the Grecians are most prompt and pregnant:
2405 But I can tell that in each grace of these,
There Iurkes a still and dumb‑discoursiue diuell,
That tempts most cunningly: but be not tempted.

Cres.

[2408] Doe you thinke I will:

Troy.

No, but something may be done that we wil not:
2410 And sometimes we are diuels to our selues,
When we will tempt the frailtie of our powers,
Presuming on their changefull potencie.

Æneas

within.

[2413] Nay, good my Lord?

Troy.

[2414] Come kisse, and let vs part.

Paris

within.

[2415] Brother Troylus?

Troy.

Good brother come you hither,
And bring Æneas and the Grecian with you.

Cres.

[2418] My Lord, will you be true?

Exit.

Troy.

Who I? alas it is my vice, my fault:
2420 Whiles others fish with craft for great opinion,
I, with great truth, catch mere simplicitie;
Whil'st some with cunning guild their copper crownes,
With truth and plainnesse I doe; weare mine bare:
Enter the Greekes.
Feare not my truth; the morrall of my wit
2425 Is plaine and true, ther's all the reach of it.
Welcome sir Diomed, here is the Lady
Which for Antenor, we deliuer you.
At the port (Lord) Ile giue her to thy hand,
And by the way possesse thee what she is.
2430 Entreate her faire; and by my soule, faire Greeke,
If ere thou stand at mercy of my Sword,
Name Cressid, and thy life shall be as safe
As Priam is in Illion?

Diom.

Faire Lady Cressid,
2435 So please you saue the thankes this Prince expects:
The lustre in your eye, heauen in your cheeke,
Pleades your faire visage, and to Diomed
You shall be mistresse, and command him wholly.

Troy.

Grecian, thou do'st not vse me curteously,
2440 To shame the seale of my petition towards,
I praising her. I tell thee Lord of Greece:
Shee is as farre high soaring o're thy praises,
As thou vnworthy to be cal'd her seruant:
I charge thee vse her well, euen for my charge:
2445 For by the dreadfull Pluto, if thou do'st not,
(Though the great bulke Achilles be thy guard)
Ile cut thy throate.

Diom.

Oh be not mou'd Prince Troylus;
Let me be priuiledg'd by my place and message,
2450 To be a speaker free? when I am hence,
Ile answer to my lust: and know my Lord;
Ile nothing doe on charge: to her owne worth
She shall be priz'd: but that you say, be't so;
Ile speake it in my spirit and honor, no.

Troy.

2455 Come to the Port. Ile tell thee Diomed,
This braue, shall oft make thee to hide thy head:
Lady, giue me your hand, and as we walke,
To our owne selues bend we our needefull talke.
Sound Trumpet.

Par.

[2459] Harke, Hectors Trumpet.

Æne.

2460 How haue we spent this morning
The Prince must thinke me tardy and remisse,
That swore to ride before him in the field.

Par.

[2463] 'Tis Troylus fault: come, come, to field with him.

Exeunt.

Dio.

[2464] Let vs make ready straight.

Æne.

2465 Yea, with a Bridegroomes fresh alacritie
Let vs addresse to tend on Hectors heeles:
The glory of our Troy doth this day lye
On his faire worth, and single Chiualrie.

[Act 4, Scene 5] §

Enter Aiax armed, Achilles, Patroclus, Agamemnon,
Menelaus, Vlisses, Nestor, Calcas, &c.

Aga.

Here art thou in appointment fresh and faire,
2470 Anticipating time. With starting courage,
Giue with thy Trumpet a loud note to Troy
Thou dreadfull Aiax, that the appauled aire
May pierce the head of the great Combatant,
And hale him hither.

Aia.

2475 Thou, Trumpet, ther's my purse;
Now cracke thy lungs, and split thy brasen pipe:
Blow villaine, till thy sphered Bias cheeke
Out‑swell the collicke of puft Aquilon:
Come, stretch thy chest, and let thy eyes spout bloud:
2480 Thou blowest for Hector.

Vlis.

[2481] No Trumpet answers,

Achil.

[2482] 'Tis but early dayes.

Aga.

[2483] Is not yong Diomed with Calcas daughter?

Vlis.

Tis he, I ken the manner of his gate,
2485 He rises on the toe: that spirit of his
In aspiration lifts him from the earth.

Aga.

[2487] Is this the Lady Cressid?

Dio.

[2488] Euen she.

Aga.

[2489] Most deerely welcome to the Greekes, sweete [l. 2490] Lady.

Nest.

Our Generall doth salute you with a kisse.

Ulis.

[2492] Yet is the kindenesse but particular; 'twere bet­ [l. 2493] ter she were kist in generall.

Nest.

[2494] And very courtly counsel: Ile begin. So much [l. 2495] for Nestor.

Achil.

Ile take that winter from your lips faire Lady
Achilles bids you welcome.

Mene.

[2498] I had good argument for kissing once.

Patro.

But that's no argument for kissing now;
2500 For thus pop't Paris in his hardiment.

Vlis.

Oh deadly gall, and theame of all our scornes,
For which we loose our heads, to gild his hornes.

Patro.

Ihe first was Menelaus kisse, this mine:
Patroclus kisses you.

Mene.

2505 Oh this is trim.

Patr.

Paris and I kisse euermore for him.

Mene.

Ile haue my kisse sir: Lady by your leaue.

Cres.

In kissing doe you render, or receiue.

Patr.

Both take and giue.

Cres.

2510 Ile make my match to liue,
The kisse you take is better then you giue: therefore no
kisse.

Mene.

Ile giue you boote, Ile giue you three for one.

Cres.

You are an odde man, giue euen, or giue none.

Mene.

An odde man Lady, euery man is odde.

Cres.

2515 No, Paris is not; for you know 'tis true,
That you are odde, and he is euen with you.

Mene.

You fillip me a'th'head.

Cres.

No, Ile be sworne.

Vlis.

It were no match, your naile against his horne:
2520 May I sweete Lady beg a kisse of you?

Cres.

You may.

Ulis.

I doe desire it.

Cres.

Why begge then?

Vlis.

Why then for Venus sake, giue me a kisse:
2525 When Hellen is a maide againe, and his⸺

Cres.

I am your debtor, claime it when 'tis due.
¶g3 Vlis. Neuer's Troylus and Cressida.

Vlis.

Neuer's my day, and then a kisse of you.

Diom.

Lady a word, Ile bring you to your Father.

Nest.

A woman of quicke sence.

Vlis.

2530 Fie, fie, vpon her:
Ther's a language in her eye, her cheeke, her lip;
Nay, her foote speakes, her wanton spirites looke out
At euery ioynt, and motiue of her body:
Oh these encounterers so glib of tongue,
2535 That giue a coasting welcome ete ere it comes;
And wide vnclaspe the tables of their thoughts,
To euery tickling reader: set them downe,
For sluttish spoyles of opportunitie;
And daughters of the game.
Exennt Exeunt.
Enter all of Troy, Hector, Paris, Æneas Helenus
and Attendants. Florish.

All.

[2540] The Troians Trumpet.

Aga.

[2541] Yonder comes the troope.

Æne.

Haile all you state of Greece: what shalbe done
To him that victory commands? or doe you purpose,
A victor shall be knowne: will you the Knights
2545 Shall to the edge of all extremitie
Pursue each other; or shall be diuided
By any voyce, or order of the field: Hector bad aske?

Aga.

[2548] Which way would Hector haue it?

Æne.

[2549] He cares not, heele obey conditions.

Aga.

2550 'Tis done like Hector, but securely done,
A little proudly, and great deale disprising
The Knight oppos'd.

Æne.

[2553] If not Achilles sir, what is your name?

Achil.

[2554] If not Achilles, nothing.

Æne.

2555 Therefore Achilles: but what ere, know this,
In the extremity of great and little:
Valour and pride excell themselues in Hector;
The one almost as infinite as all;
The other blanke as nothing: weigh him well:
2560 And that which lookes like pride, is curtesie:
This Aiax is halfe made of Hectors bloud;
In loue whereof, halfe Hector staies at home:
Halfe heart, halfe hand, halfe Hector, comes to seeke
This blended Knight, halfe Troian, and halfe Greeke.

Achil.

[2565] A maiden battaile then? O I perceiue you.

Aga.

Here is sir, Diomed: goe gentle Knight,
Stand by our Aiax: as you and Lord Æneas
Consent vpon the order of their fight,
So be it: either to the vttermost,
2570 Or else a breach: the Combatants being kin,
Halfe stints their strife, before their strokes begin.

Vlis.

They are oppos'd already.

Aga.

What Troian is that same that lookes so heauy?

Vlis.

The yongest Sonne of Priam;
2575 A true Knight; they call him Troylus;
Not yet mature, yet m[.]tchlesse, firme of word,
Speaking in deedes, and deedelesse in his tongue;
Not soone prouok't, nor being prouok't, soone calm'd;
His heart and hand both open, and both free:
2580 For what he has, he giues; what thinks, he shewes;
Yet giues he not till iudgement guide his bounty,
Nor dignifies an impaire thought with breath:
Manly as Hector, but more dangerous;
For Hector in his blaze of wrath subscribes
2585 To tender obiects; but he, in heate of action,
Is more vindecatiue then iealous loue.
They call him Troylus; and on him erect,
A second hope, as fairely built as Hector.
Thus saies Æneas one that knowes the youth,
2590 Euen to his inches: and with priuate soule,
Did in great Illion thus translate him to me.
Alarum.

Aga.

[2592] They are in action.

Nest.

[2593] Now Aiax hold thine owne.

Troy.

[2594] Hector, thou sleep'st, awake thee.

Aga.

[2595] His blowes are wel dispos'd there Aiax.

trumpets
cease.

Diom.

[2596] You must no more.

Æne.

[2597] Princes enough, so please you.

Aia.

I am not warme yet, let vs fight againe.

Diom.

[2599] As Hector pleases.

Hect.

2600 Why then will I no more:
Thou art great Lord, my Fathers sisters Sonne;
A cousen german to great Priams seede:
The obligation of our bloud forbids
A gorie emulation 'twixt vs twaine:
2605 Were thy commixion, Greeke and Troian so,
That thou could'st say, this hand is Grecian all,
And this is Troian: the sinewes of this Legge,
All Greeke, and this all Troy: my Mothers bloud
Runs on the dexter cheeke, and this sinister
2610 Bounds in my fathers: by Ioue multipotent,
Thou should'st not beare from me a Greekish member
Wherein my sword had not impressure made
Of our ranke feud: but the iust gods gainsay,
That any drop thou borrwd'st borrowd'st from thy mother,
2615 My sacred Aunt, should by my mortall Sword
Be drained. Let me embrace thee Aiax:
By him that thunders, thou hast lustie Armes;
Hector would haue them fall vpon him thus.
Cozen, all honor to thee.

Aia.

2620 I thanke thee Hector:
Thou art too gentle, and too free a man:
I came to kill thee Cozen, and beare hence
A great addition, earned in thy death.

Hect.

Not Neoptolymus so mirable,
2625 On whose bright crest, fame with her lowd'st (O yes)
Cries, This is he; could'st promise to himselfe,
A thought of added honor, torne from Hector.

Æne.

There is expectance here from both the sides,
What further you will doe?

Hect.

2630 Weele answere it:
The issue is embracement: Aiax, farewell.

Aia.

If I might in entreaties finde successe,
As seld I haue the chance; I would desire
My famous Cousin to our Grecian Tents.

Diom.

2635 Tis Agamemnons wish and great Achilles
Doth long to see vnarm'd the valiant Hector.

Hect.

Æneas call my brother Troylus to me:
And signifie this louing enterview
To the expecters of our Troian part:
2640 Desire them home. Giue me thy hand, my Cousin:
I will goe eate with thee, and see your Knights.
Enter Agamemnon and the rest.

Aia.

[2642] Great Agamemnon comes to meete vs here;

Hect.

The worthiest of them, tell me name by name:
But for Achilles, mine owne serching eyes
2645 Shall finde him by his large and portly size.

Aga.

Worthy of Armes: as welcome as to one
That would be rid of such an enemie.
But that's no welcome: vnderstand more cleere
What's past, and what's to come, is strew'd with huskes
2650 And formelesse ruine of obliuion:
But in this extant moment, faith and troth,
Strain'd purely from all hollow bias drawing:
Bids thee with most diuine integritie,
From heart of very heart, great Hector welcome.

Hect.

[2655] I thanke thee most imperious Agamemnon.

Aga. My Troylus and Cressida.

Aga.

[2656] My well‑fam'd Lord of Troy, no lesse to you.

Men.

Let me confirme my Princely brothers greeting,
You brace of warlike Brothers, welcome hither.

Hect.

[2659] Who must we answer?

Æne.

[2660] The Noble Menelaus.

Hect.

O you my Lord, by Mars his gauntlet thanks,
Mocke not, that I affect th'vntraded Oath,
Your quondam wife sweares still by Venus Gloue
Shee's well, but bad me not commend her to you.

Men.

[2665] Name her not now sir, she's a deadly Theame.

Hect.

[2666] O pardon, I offend.

Nest.

I haue (thou gallant Troyan) seene thee oft
Labouring for destiny, make cruell way
Through rankes of Greekish youth: and I haue seen thee
2670 As hot as Perseus, spurre thy Phrygian Steed,
And seene thee scorning forfeits and subduments,
When thou hast hung thy aduanced sword i'th'ayre,
Not letting it decline, on the declined:
That I haue said vnto my standers by,
2675 Loe Iupiter is yonder, dealing life.
And I haue seene thee pause, and take thy breath,
When that a ring of Greekes haue hem'd thee in,
Like an Olympian wrestling. This haue I seene,
But this thy countenance (still lockt in steele)
2680 I neuer saw till now. I knew thy Grandsire,
And once fought with him; he was a Souldier good,
But by great Mars, the Captaine of vs all,
Neuer like thee. Let an oldman embrace thee,
And (worthy Warriour) welcome to our Tents.

Æne.

[2685] 'Tis the old Nestor.

Hect.

Let me embrace thee good old Chronicle,
That hast so long walk'd hand in hand with time;
Most reuerend Nestor, I am glad to claspe thee.

Ne.

I would my armes could match thee in contention
2690 As they contend with thee in courtesie.

Hect.

[2691] I would they could.

Nest.

[2692] Ha? by this white beard I'ld fight with thee to [l. 2693] morrow. Well, welcom, welcome: I haue seen the time.

Vlys.

I wonder now, how yonder City stands,
2695 When we haue heere her Base and pillar by vs.

Hect.

I know your fauour Lord Vlysses 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.

Vlys.

2700 Sir, I foretold you then what would ensue.
My prophesie is but halfe his iourney yet;
For yonder wals that pertly front your Townc Towne,
Yond Towers, whose wanton tops do busse the clouds,
Must kisse their owne feet.

Hect.

2705 I must not beleeue you:
There they stand yet: and modestly I thinke,
The fall of euery Phrygian stone will cost
A drop of Grecian blood: the end crownes all,
And that old common Arbitrator, Time,
2710 Will one day end it.

Vlys.

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.

2715 I shall forestall thee Lord Vlysses, thou:
Now Hector I haue fed mine eyes on thee,
I haue with exact view perus'd, thee Hector,
And quoted ioynt by ioynt.

Hect.

[2719] Is this Achilles?

Achil.

[2720] I am Achilles.

Hect.

Stand faire I prythee, let me looke on thee.

Achil.

[2722] Behold thy fill.

Hect.

[2723] Nay, I haue done already.

Achil.

Thou art to breefe, I will the second time,
2725 As I wouid buy thee, view thee, limbe by limbe.

Hect.

O like a Booke of sport thou'lt reade me ore:
But there's more in me then thou vnderstand'st.
Why doest thou so oppresse me with thine eye?

Achil.

Tell me you Heauens, in which part of his body
2730 Shall I destroy him? Whether there, or there, or there,
That I may giue the locall wound a name,
And make distinct the very breach, where‑out
Hectors great spirit fl[.]w. Answer me heauens.

Hect.

It would discredit the blest Gods, proud man,
2735 To answer such a question: Stand againe;
Think'st thou to catch my life so pleasantly,
As to prenominate in nice coniecture
Where thou wilt hit me dead?

Achil.

[2739] I tell thee yea.

Hect.

2740 Wert thou the Oracle to tell me so,
I'ld not beleeue thee: henceforth guard thee well,
For Ile not kill thee there, nor there, nor there,
But by the forge that stythied Mars his helme,
Ile kill thee euery where, yea, ore and ore.
2745 You wisest Grecians, pardon me this bragge,
His insolence drawes folly from my lips,
But Ile endeuour deeds to match these words,
Or may I neuer⸺

Ajax.

Do not chase thee Cosin;
2750 And you Achilles, let these threats alone
Till accident, or purpose bring you too't.
You may euery day enough of Hector
If you haue stomacke. The generall state I feare,
Can scarse intreat you to be odde with him.

Hect.

2755 I pray you let vs see you in the field,
We haue had pelting Warres since you refus'd
The Grecians cause.

Achil.

Dost thou intreat me Hector?
To morrow do I meete thee fell as death,
2760 To night, all Friends.

Hect.

[2761] Thy hand vpon that match.

Aga.

First, all you Peeres of Greece go to my Tent,
There in the full conuiue you: Afterwards,
As Hectors leysure, and your bounties shall
2765 Concurre together seuerally intreat him.
Beate lowd the Taborins, let the Trumpets blow,
That this great Souldier may his welcome know.
Exeunt

Troy.

My Lord Vlysses, tell me I beseech you,
In what place of the field doth Calchas keepe?

Vlys.

2770 At Menelaus Tent, most Princely Troylus,
There Diomed doth feast with him to night,
Who neither lookes on heauen, nor on earth,
But giues all gaze and bent of amorous view
On the faire Cressid.

Troy.

2775 Shall I (sweet Lord) be bound to thee so much,
After we part from Agamemnons Tent,
To bring me thither?

Vlys.

You shall command me sir:
As gentle tell me, of what Honour was
2780 This Cressida in Troy, had she no Louer there
That wailes her absence?

Troy.

O sir, to such as boasting shew their scarres,
A mocke is due: will you walke on my Lord?
She was belou'd, she lou'd; she is, and dooth;
2785 But still sweet Loue is food for Fortunes tooth.
Exeunt.

[Act 5, Scene 1] §

Enter Achilles, and Patroclus.

Achil.

Ile heat his blood with Greekish wine to night,
Which Troylus and Cressida.
Which with my Cemitar Ile coole to morrow:
Patroclus, let vs Feast him to the hight.

Pat.

[2789] Heere comes Thersites.

Enter Thersites.

Achil.

2790 How now, thou core of Enuy?
Thou crusty batch of Nature, what's the newes?

Ther.

[2792] Why thou picture of what thou seem'st, & Idoll [l. 2793] of ldeot‑worshippers, here's a Letter for thee.

Achil.

[2794] From whence, Fragment?

Ther.

[2795] Why thou full dish of Foole, from Troy.

Pat.

[2796] Who keepes the Tent now?

Ther.

[2797] The Surgeons box, or the Patients wound.

Patr.

Well said aduersity, and what need these tricks?

Ther.

[2799] Prythee be silent boy, I profit not by thy talke, [l. 2800] thou art thought to be Achilles male Varlot.

Patro.

[2801] Male Varlot you Rogue? What's that?

Ther.

[2802] Why his masculine Whore. Now the rotten [l. 2803] diseases of the South, guts‑griping Ruptures, Catarres, [l. 2804] Loades a grauell i'th'backe, Lethargies, cold Palsies, and [l. 2805] the like, take and take againe, such prepostrous discoue­ [l. 2806] ries.

Pat.

[2807] Why thou damnable box of enuy thou, what [l. 2808] mean'st thou to curse thus?

Ther.

[2809] Do I curse thee?

Patr.

[2810] Why no, you ruinous But, you whorson indi­ [l. 2811] stinguishable Curre.

Ther.

[2812] No? why art thou then exasperate, thou idle, [l. 2813] immateriall skiene of Sleyd silke; thou greene Sarcenet [l. 2814] flap for a sore eye, thou tassell of a Prodigals purse thou; [l. 2815] Ah how the poore world is pestred with such water‑flies, [l. 2816] diminutiues of Nature.

Pat.

[2817] Out gall.

Ther.

[2818] Finch Egge.

Ach.

My sweet Patroclus, am thwarted quite
2820 From my great purpose in to morrowes battell:
Heere is a Letter from Queene Hecuba,
A token from her daughter, my faire Loue,
Both taxing me, and gaging me to keepe
An Oath that I haue sworne. I will not breake it,
2825 Fall Greekes faile Fame, Honor or go, or stay,
My maior vow lyes heere; this Ile obay:
Come, come Thersites, helpe to trim my Tent,
This night in banquetting must all be spent.
Away Patroclus.
Exit.

Ther.

[2830] With too much bloud, and too little Brain, these [l. 2831] two may run mad: but if with too much braine, and too [l. 2832] little blood, they do, Ile be a curer of madmen, Heere's [l. 2833] Agamemnon, an honest fellow enough, and one that loues [l. 2834] Quailes, but he has net so much Braine as eare‑wax; and [l. 2835] the goodly transformation of Iupiter there his Brother, [l. 2836] the Bull, the primatiue Statue, and oblique memoriall of [l. 2837] Cuckolds, a thrifty shooing‑horne in a chaine, hanging [l. 2838] at his Brothers legge, to what forme but that he is, [l. 2839] shold wit larded with malice, and malice forced with wit, turne [l. 2840] him too: to an Asse were nothing; hee is both Asse and [l. 2841] Oxe; to an Oxe were nothing, hee is both Oxe and Asse: [l. 2842] to be a Dogge, a Mule, a Cat, a fitchew, a Toade, a Li­ [l. 2843] zard, an Owle, a Puttocke, or a Herring without a Roe, [l. 2844] I would not care: but to be Menelaus, I would conspire [l. 2845] against Destiny. Aske me not what I would be, if I were [l. 2846] not Thersites: for I care not to bee the lowse of a Lazar, [l. 2847] so I were not Menelaus. Hoy‑day, spirits and fires.

Enter Hector, Aiax, Agamemnon, Vlysses Ne­
stor, Diomed, with Lights.

Aga.

[2848] We go wrong, we go wrong.

Aiax.

No yonder'tis, there where we see the light,

Hect.

[2850] I trouble you.

Aiax.

[2851] No, not a whit.

Enter Achilles.

Vlys.

[2852] Heere comes himselfe to guide you?

Achil.

Welcome braue Hector, welcome Princes all.

Agam.

[2854] So now faire Prince of Troy, I bid goodnight, [l. 2855] Aiax commands the guard to tend on you.

Hect.

Thanks, and goodnight to the Greeks general.

Men.

[2857] Goodnight my Lord.

Hect.

[2858] Goodnight sweet lord Menelaus.

Ther.

[2859] Sweet draught: sweet quoth‐a? sweet sinke, [l. 2860] sweet sure.

Achil.

[2861] Goodnight and welcom, both at once, to those [l. 2862] I that go, or tarry.

Aga.

[2863] Goodnight.

Achil.

Old Nestor tarries, and you too Diomed,
2865 Keepe Hector company an houre, or two.

Dio.

I cannot Lord, I haue important businesse,
The tide whereof is now, goodnight great Hector.

Hect.

[2868] Giue me your hand.

Vlys.

[2869] Follow his Torch, he goes to Chalcas Tent, [l. 2870] lie keepe you company.

Troy.

[2871] Sweet sir, you honour me.

Hect.

[2872] And so good night.

Achil.

[2873] Come, come, enter my Tent.

Exeunt.

Ther.

[2874] That same Diomed's a false‑hearted Rogue, a [l. 2875] most vniust Knaue; I will no more trust him when hee [l. 2876] leeres, then I will a Serpent when he hisses: he will spend [l. 2877] his mouth & promise, like Brabler the Hound; but when [l. 2878] he performes, Astronomers foretell it, that it is prodigi­ [l. 2879] ous, there will come some change: the Sunne borrowes [l. 2880] of the Moone when Diomed keepes his word. I will ra­ [l. 2881] ther leaue to see Hector, then not to dogge him: they say, [l. 2882] he keepes a Troyan Drab, and vfes the Traitour Chalcas [l. 2883] his Tent. Ile after⸺Nothing but Letcherie? All [l. 2884] incontinent Varlets.

Exeunt.

[Act 5, Scene 2] §

Enter Diomed.

Dio.

[2885] What are you vp here ho? speake?

Chal.

[2886] Who cals?

Dio.

[2887] Diomed, Chalcas (I thinke) wher's you Daughter?

Chal.

[2888] She comes to you.

Enter Troylus and Vlisses.

Vlis.

Stand where the Torch may not discouer vs.
Enter Cressid.

Troy.

[2890] Cressid comes forth to him.

Dio.

[2891] How now my charge?

Cres.

[2892] Now my sweet gardian: harke a word with you.

Troy.

[2893] Yea, so familiar?

Vlis.

[2894] She will sing any man at first sight.

Ther.

[2895] And any man may finde her, if he can take her [l. 2896] life: she's noted.

Dio.

[2897] Will you remember?

Cal.

[2898] Remember? yes.

Dio.

[2899] Nay, but doe then; and let your minde be cou­ [l. 2900] pled with your words.

Troy.

[2901] What should she remember?

Vlis.

[2902] List?

Cres.

Sweete hony Greek, tempt me no more to folly.

Ther.

[2904] Roguery.

Dio.

[2905] Nay then.

Cres.

[2906] Ile tell you what.

Dio.

[2907] Fo, fo, come tell a pin. You are a forsworne.

Cres.

[2908] In faith I cannot: what would you haue me do?

Ther.

[2909] A iugling tricke, to be secretly open.

Dio.

2910 What did you sweare you would bestow on me?

Cres.

I prethee do not hold me to mine oath,
Bid me doe not any thing but that sweete Greeke.
Dio. Good Troylus and Cressida.

Dio.

[2913] Good night.

Troy.

[2914] Hold, patience.

Ulis.

[2915] How now Troian?

Cres.

[2916] Diomed.

Dio.

No, no, good night: Ile be your foole no more.

Troy.

[2918] Thy better must.

Cres.

[2919] Harke one word in your eare.

Troy.

[2920] O plague and madnesse!

Vlis.

You are moued Prince, let vs depart I pray you,
Lest your displeasure should enlarge it selfe
To wrathfull tearmes: this place is dangerous;
The time right deadly: 1 beseech you goe.

Troy.

[2925] Behold, I pray you.

Vlis.

Nay, good my Lord goe off:
You flow to great distraction: come my Lord?

Troy.

[2928] I pray thee stay?

Vlis.

[2929] You haue not patience, come.

Troy.

[2930] I pray you stay? by hell and hell torments, [l. 2931] I will not speake a word.

Dio.

[2932] And so good night.

Cres.

[2933] Nay, but you part in anger.

Troy.

[2934] Doth thiat grieue thee? O withered truth!

Ulis.

[2935] Why, how now Lord?

Troy.

[2936] By Ioue I will be patient.

Cres.

[2937] Gardian? why Greeke ?

Dio.

[2938] Fo, fo, adew, you palter.

Cres.

[2939] In faith I doe not: come hither once againe.

VIis.

[2940] You shake my Lord at something; will you goe? [l. 2941] you will breake out.

Troy.

[2942] She stroakes his cheeke.

Vlis.

[2943] Come, come,

Troy.

Nay stay, by Ioue I will not speake a word.
2945 There is betweene my will, and all offences,
A guard of patience; stay a little while.

Ther.

[2947] How the diuell Luxury with his fat rumpe and [l. 2948] potato finger, tickles these together; frye lechery, frye.

Dio.

[2949] But will you then?

Cres.

[2950] In faith I will lo; neuer trust me else.

Dio.

[2951] Giue me some token for the surety of it.

Cres.

[2952] Ile fetch you one.

Exit.

Vlis.

[2953] You haue sworne patience.

Troy.

Feare me not sweete Lord.
2955 I will not be my selfe, nor haue cognition
Of what I feele: I am all patience.
Enter Cressid.

Ther.

[2957] Now the pledge, now, now, now.

Cres.

[2958] Here Diomed, keepe this Sleeue.

Troy.

[2959] O beautie! where is thy Faith?

Vlis.

[2960] My Lord.

Troy.

I will be patient, outwardly I will.

Cres.

You looke vpon that Sleeue? behold it well:
He lou'd me: O false wench: giue't me againe,

Dio.

[2964] Whose was't?

Cres.

2965 It is no matter now I haue't againe.
I will not meete with you to morrow night:
I prythee Diomed visite me no more.

Ther.

[2968] Now, she sharpens: well said Whetstone.

Dio.

[2969] I shall haue it.

Cres.

[2970] What, this?

Dio.

[2971] I that.

Cres.

O all you gods! O prettie, prettie pledge;
Thy Maister now lies thinking in his bed
Of thee and me, and sighes, and takes my Gloue,
2975 And giues memoriall daintie kisses to it;
As I kisse thee.

Dio.

[2977] Nay, doe not snatch it from me.

Cres.

[2978] He that takes that, rakes my heart withall.

Dio.

I had your heart before, this followes it.

Troy.

[2980] I did sweare patience.

Cres.

You shall not haue it Diomed; faith you shall not:
Ile giue you something else.

Dio.

[2983] I will haue this: whose was it?

Cres.

[2984] It is no matter.

Dio.

[2985] Come tell me whose it was?

Cres.

'Twas one that lou'd me better then you will.
But now you haue it, take it.

Dio.

[2988] Whose was it?

Cres.

By all Dianas waiting women yond:
2990 And by her selfe, I will not tell you whose.

Dio.

To morrow will I weare it on my Helme,
And grieue his spirit that dares not challenge it.

Troy.

Wert thou the diuell, and wor'st it on thy horne,
It should be challeng'd.

Cres.

2995 Well, well, 'tis done, 'tis past; and yet it is not:
I will not keepe my word.

Dio.

Why then farewell,
Thou neuer shalt mocke Diomed againe.

Cres.

You shall not goe: one cannot speake a word,
3000 But it strait starts you.

Dio.

[3001] I doe not like this fooling.

Ther.

[3002] Nor I by Pluto; but that that likes not me, plea­ [l. 3003] ses me best.

Dio.

[3004] What shall I come? the houre.

Cres.

[3005] I, come: O Ioue! doe, come: I shall be plagu'd.

Dio.

[3006] Farewell till then.

Exit.

Cres.

Good night: I prythee come:
Troylus farewell; one eye yet lookes on thee;
But with my heart, the other eye, doth see.
3010 Ah poore our sexe this fault in vs I finde:
The errour of our eye, directs our minde.
What errour leads, must erre: O then conclude,
Mindes swai'd by eyes, are full of turpitude.
Exit.

Ther.

A proofe of strength she could not publish more;
3015 Vnlesse she say, my minde is now turn'd whore.

Vlis.

[3016] Al's done my Lord.

Troy.

[3017] It is.

Vlis.

[3018] Why stay we then?

Troy.

To make a recordation to my soule
3020 Of euery syllable that here was spoke:
But if I tell how these two did coact
Shall I not lye, in publishing a truth?
Sith yet there is a credence in my heart:
An esperance so obstinately strong,
3025 That doth inuert that test of eyes and eares;
As if those organs had deceptious functions,
Created onely to calumniate.
Was Cressed here?

Vlis.

[3029] I cannot coniure Troian.

Troy.

[3030] She was not sure.

Vlis.

[3031] Most sure she was.

Troy.

[3032] Why my negation hath no taste of madnesse?

Vlis.

[3033] Nor mine my Lord: Cressid was here but now.

Troy.

Let it not be beleeu'd for womanhood:
3035 Thinke we had mothers; doe not giue aduantage
To stubborne Criticks, apt without a theame
For deprauation, to square the generall sex
By Cressids rule. Rather thinke this not Cressid.

Vlis.

[3039] What hath she done Prince, that can soyle our [l. 3040] mothers ?

Troy.

[3041] Nothing at all, vnlesse that this were she.

Ther.

Will he swagger himselfe out on's owne eyes?

Troy.

This she? no, this is Diomids Cressida:
If beautie haue a soule, this is not she:
If Troylus and Cressida.
3045 If soules guide vowes; if vowes are sanctimonie;
If sanctimonie be the gods delight:
If there be rule in vnitie it selfe,
This is not she: O madnesse of discourse!
That cause lets vp, with, and against thy selfe
3050 By soule authoritie: where reason can reuolt
Without perdition, and losse assume all reason,
Without reuolt. This is, and is not Cressid:
Within my soule, there doth conduce a fight
Of this strange nature, that a thing inseperate,
3055 Diuides more wider then the skie and earth:
And yet the spacious bredth of this diuision,
Admits no Orifex for a point as subtle,
As Ariachnes broken woofe to enter:
Instance, O instance! strong as Plutoes gates:
3060 Cressid is mine, tied with the bonds of heauen;
Instance, O instance, strong as heauen it selfe:
The bonds of heauen are slipt, dissolu'd, and loos'd,
And with another knot fiue finger tied,
The fractions of her faith, ort s of her loue:
3065 The fragments, scraps, the bits, and greazie reliques,
Of her ore‑eaten faith, are bound to Diomed

Vlis.

May worthy Troylus be halfe attached
With that which here his passion doth expresse?

Troy.

I Greeke: and that shall be divulged well
3070 In Characters, as red as Mars his heart
Inflam'd with Venus: neuer did yong man fancy
With so eternall, and so fixt a soule.
Harke Greek: as much I doe Cressida loue;
So much by weight, hate I her Diomed,
3075 That Sleeue is mine, that heele beare in his Helme:
Were it a Caske compos'd by Vulcans skill,
My Sword should bite it: Not the dreadful spout,
Which Shipmen doe the Hurricano call,
Constring'd in masse by the almighty Fenne,
3080 Shall dizzie with more clamour Neptunes eare
In his discent; then shall my prompted sword,
Falling on Diomed.

Ther.

[3083] Heele tickle it for his concupie.

Troy.

O Cressid! O false Cressid! false, false, false:
3085 Let all vntruths stand by thy stained name,
And theyle seeme glorious.

Vlis.

O containe your selfe:
Your passion drawes eares hither.
Enter Æneas

Æne.

I haue beene seeking you this houre my Lord:
3090 Hector by this is arming him in Troy.
Aiax your Guard, staies to conduct you home.

Troy.

Haue with you Prince: my curteous Lord adew:
Farewell reuolted faire: and Diomed
Stand fast, and weare a Castle on thy head.

Vli.

[3095] Ile bring you to the Gates.

Troy.

[3096] Accept distracted thankes.

Exeunt Troylus,Æneas, and Ulisses.

Ther.

[3097] Would I could meete that roague Diomed, I [l. 3098] would croke like a Rauen: I would bode, I would bode: [l. 3099] Patroclus will give me any thing for the intelligence of [l. 3100] this whore: the Parrot will not doe more for an Almond, [l. 3101] then he for a commodious drab: Lechery, lechery, still [l. 3102] warres and lechery, nothing else holds fashion. A burning [l. 3103] diuell take them.

[Act 5, Scene 3] §

Enter Hecter and Andromache.

And.

When was my Lord so much vngently temper'd,
3105 To stop his eares against admonishiment ?
Vnarme, vnarme, and doe not fight today,

Hect.

You traine me to offend you: get you gone.
By the euerlasting gods, Ile goe.

And.

[3109] My dreames will sure proue ominous to the day.

Hect.

[3110] No more I say.

Enter Cassandra.

Cassa.

[3111] Where is my brother Hector?

And.

Here sister, arm'd, and bloudy in intent:
Consort with me in loud and deere petition:
pursue we him on knees: for I haue dreampt
3115 of bloudy turbulence; and this whole night
Hath nothing beene but shapes, and formes of slaughter.

Cass.

[3117] O,'tistrue.

Hect.

[3118] Ho? bid my Trumpet sound.

Cass.

No notes of sallie, for the heauens, sweet brother.

Hect.

3120 Begon I say: the gods haue heard me sweare.

Cass.

The gods are deafe to hot and peeuish vowes;
They are polluted offrings, more abhord
Then spotted Liuers in the sacrifice.

And.

O be perswaded, doe not count it holy,
3125 To hurt by being iust; it is as lawfull:
For we would count giue much to as violent thefts,
And rob in the be halfe of charitie.

Cass.

It is the purpose that makes strong the vowe;
But vowes to euery purpose must not hold:
3130 Vnatme Vnarme sweete Hector.

Hect.

Hold you still I say;
Mine honour keepes the weather of my fate:
Life euery man holds deere, but the deere man
Holds honor farre more precious, deere, then life.
Enter Troylus.
3135 How now yong man? mean'st thou to fight to day?

And.

[3136] Cassandra, call my father to perswade.

Exit Cassandra.

Hect.

No faith yong Troylus; doffe thy harnesse youth:
I am to day ith'vaine of Chiualrie:
Let grow thy Sinews till their knots be strong;
3140 And tempt not yet the brushes of the warre.
Vnarme thee, goe; and doubt thou not braue boy,
Ile stand to day, for thee, and me, and Troy.

Troy.

Brother, you haue a vice of mercy in you;
Which better fits a Lyon, then a man.

Hect.

[3145] What vice is that? good Troylus chide me for it.

Troy.

When many times the captiue Grecian fals,
Euen in the fanne and winde of your faire Sword;
You bid them rise, and liue.

Hect.

[3149] O 'tis faire play.

Troy.

[3150] Fooles play, by heauen Hector.

Hect.

[3151] How now? how now?

Troy.

For th'loue of all the gods
Let's leaue the Hermit Pitty with our Mothers;
And when we haue our Armors buckled on,
3155 The venom'd vengeance ride vpon our swords,
Spur them to ruthfull worke, reine them from ruth.

Hect.

[3157] Fie sauage, fie.

Troy.

[3158] Hector, then 'tis warres.

Hect.

[3159] Troylus, I would not haue you fight to day.

Troy.

3160 Who should with‑hold me?
Not fate, obedience, nor the hand of Mars,
Beckning with fierie truncheon my retire;
Not Priamus, and Hecuba on knees;
Their eyes ore‑galled with recourse of teares;
3165 Nor you my brother, with your true sword drawne
Oppos'd to hinder me, should stop my way;
But by my ruine.
Enter Priam and Cassandra.

Cass.

Lay hold vpon him Priam, hold him fast:
He is thy crutch; now if thou loose thy stay,
3170 Thou on him leaning, and all Troy on thee,
Fall Troylus and Cressida.
Fall all together.

Priam.

Come Hector, come, goe backe:
Thy wife hath dreampt: thy mother hath had visions;
Cassandra doth foresee; and 1 my selfe,
3175 Am like a Prophet suddenly enrapt,
to tell thee that this day is ominous:
Therefore come backe.

Hect.

Æneas is a field,
And I do stand engag'd to many Greekes,
3180 Euen in the faith of valour, to appeare
This morning to them.

Priam.

[3182] I, but thou shalt not goe,

Hect.

I must not breake my faith:
You know me dutifull, therefore deare sir,
3185 Let me not shame respect; but giue me leaue
To take that course by your consent and voice,
Which you doe here forbid me, Royall Priam.

Cass.

[3188] O Priam, yeeld not to him.

And.

[3189] Doe not deere father.

Hect.

3190 Andromache I am offended with you:
Vpon the loue you beare me, get you in.
Exit Andromache

Troy.

This foolish, dreaming, superstitious girle,
Makes all these bodements.

Cass.

O farewell, deere Hector:
3195 Looke how thou diest; looke how thy eye turnes pale:
Looke how thy wounds doth bleede at many vents:
Harke how Troy roares; how Hecuba cries out;
How poore Andromache shrils her dolour forth;
Behold distraction, frenzie, and amazement,
3200 Like witlesse Antickes one another meete,
And all cry Hector, Hectors dead: O Hector!

Troy.

[3202] Away, away.

Cas.

Farewell: yes, soft: Hector I take my leaue;
Thou do'st thy selfe, and all our Troy deceiue.
Exit.

Hect.

3205 You are amaz'd, my Liege, at her exclaime:
Goe in and cheere the Towne, weele forth and fight:
Doe deedes of praise, and tell you them at night.

Priam.

[3208] Farewell: the gods with safetie stand about [l. 3209] thee.

Alarum.

Troy.

3210 They are at it, harke: proud Diomed, beleeue
I come to loose my arme, or winne my sleeue.
Enter Pandar.

Pand.

[3212] Doe you heare my Lord? do you heare?

Troy.

[3213] What now?

Pand.

[3214] Here's a Letter come from yond poore girle.

Troy.

[3215] Let me reade.

Pand.

[3216] A whorson tisicke, a whorson rascally tisicke, [l. 3217] so troubles me; and the foolish fortune of this girle, and [l. 3218] what one thing, what another, that I shall leaue you one [l. 3219] o'th's dayes: and I haue a rheume in mine eyes too; and [l. 3220] such an ache in my bones; that vnlesse a man were curst, [l. 3221] I cannot tell what to thinke on't. What sayes shee [l. 3222] there?

Troy.

Words, words, meere words, no matter from
the heart;
Th'effect doth operate another way.
3225 Goe winde to winde, there turne and change together:
My loue with words and errors still she feedes;
But edifies another with her deedes.

Pand.

[3228] Why, but heare you?

Troy.

Hence brother lackie; ignomie and shame
3230 Pursue thy life, and liue aye with thy name.
A Larum Alarum.
Exeunt.

[Act 5, Scene 4] §

Enter Thersites in excursion.

Ther.

[3231] Now they are clapper‑clawing one another, Ile [l. 3232] goe looke on: that dissembling abhominable varlet. Dio­ [l. 3233] mede, has got that same scuruie, doting, foolish yong [l. 3234] knaues Sleeue of Troy, there in his Helme: I would faine [l. 3235] see them meet; that, that same yong Troian asse, that loues [l. 3236] the whore there, might send that Greekish whore‑mai­ [l. 3237] sterly villaine, with the Sleeue, backe to the dissembling [l. 3238] luxurious drabbe, of a sleeuelesse errant. O'th'tother side, [l. 3239] the pollicie of those craftie swearing rascals; that stole [l. 3240] old Mouse‑eaten dry cheese, Nestor: and that same dog‑ [l. 3241] foxe Vlisses is not prou'd worth a Black‑berry. They set [l. 3242] me vp in pollicy, that mungrill curre Aiax against that [l. 3243] dogge of as bad a kinde, Achilles. And now is the curre [l. 3244] Aiax prouder then the curre Achilles, and will not arme [l. 3245] to day. Whereupon, the Grecians began to proclaime [l. 3246] barbarisme; and pollicie growes into an ill opinion. [l. 3247] Enter Diomed and Troylus. [l. 3248] Soft, here comes Sleeue, and th'other.

Troy.

Flye not: for should'st thou take the Riuer Stix,
3250 I would swim after.

Diom.

Thou do'st miscall retire:
I doe not flye; but aduantagious care
Withdrew me from the oddes of multitude:
Haue at thee?

Ther.

3255 Hold thy whore Grecian: now for thy whore
Troian: Now the Sleeue, now the Sleeue.
Enter Hector.

Hect.

What art thou Greek? art thou for Hectors match?
Art thou of bloud, and honour?

Ther.

[3259] No, no: I am a rascall: a scuruie railing knaue: [l. 3260] a very filthy roague.

Hect.

[3261] I doe beleeue thee, liue.

Ther.

[3262] God a mercy, that thou wilt beleeue me; but a [l. 3263] plague breake thy necke———for frighting me: what's be­ [l. 3264] come of the wenching rogues? I thinke they haue [l. 3265] swallowed one another. I would laugh at that mira­ [l. 3266] cle————yet in a fort, lecherie eates it selfe; Ile seeke them.

Exit.

[Act 5, Scene 5] §

Enter Diomed and Seruants.

Dio.

Goe, goe, my seruant, take thou Troylus Horse;
Present the faire steede to my Lady Cressid:
Fellow, commend my seruice to her beauty;
3270 Tell her, I haue chastis'd the amorous Troyan.
And am her Knight by proofe.

Ser.

[3272] I goe my Lord.

Enter Agamemnon.

Aga.

Renew, renew, the fierce Polidamus
Hath beate downe Menon: bastard Margarelon
3275 Hath Doreus prisoner.
And stands Calossus‑wife wauing his beame,
Vpon the pashed courses of the Kings:
Epistropus and Cedus, Polixines is slaine;
Amphimacusand Thous deadly hurt;
3280 Patroclus tane or slaine, and Palamedes
Sore hurt and bruised; the dreadfull Sagittary
Appauls our numbers, haste we Diomed
To re‑enforcement, or we perish all.
Enter Nestor.

Nest.

Coe Goe beare Patroclus body to Achilles,
3285 And bid the snaile‑pac'd Aiax arme for shame:
There is a thousand Hectors in the field:
Now here he fights on Galathe his Horse,
And there lacks worke: anon he's there a foote,
And there they flye or dye, like scaled sculs,
Before Troylus and Cressida.
3290 Before the belching Whale; then is he yonder,
And there the straying Greekes, ripe for his edge,
Fall downe before him, like the mowers swath;
Here, there, and euery where, he leaues and takes;
Dexteritie so obaying appetite,
3295 That what he will, he does, and does so much,
That proofe is call'd impossibility.
Enter Vlisses.

Vlis.

Oh, courage, courage Princes: great Achilles
Is arming, weeping, cursing. vowing vengeance;
Patroclus wounds haue rouz'd his drowzie bloud,
3300 Together with his mangled Myrmidons,
That noselesse, handlesse, hackt and chipt, come to him;
Crying on Hector. Aiax hath lost a friend,
And foames at mouth, and he is arm'd, and at it:
Roaring for Troylus; who bath done to day,
3305 Mad and fantasticke execution;
Engaging and redeeming of himselfe.
With such a carelesse force, and forcelesse care,
As if that luck in very spight of cunning, bad him win all.

[Act 5, Scene 6] §

Enter Aiax.

Aia.

[3309] Troylus, thou coward Troylus

Exit.

Dio.

[3310] I, there, there.

Nest.

[3311] So, so, we draw together.

Exit.
Enter Achilles.

Achil.

Where is this Hector?
Come, come, thou boy‑queller, shew thy face:
Know what it is to meete Achilles angry.
3315 Hector, wher's Hector? I will none but Hector.
Exit.
Enter Aiax.

Aia.

[3316] Troylus, thou coward Troylus, shew thy head.

Enter Diomed.

Diom.

[3317] Troylus, I say, wher's Troylus?

Aia.

[3318] What would'st thou?

Diom.

[3319] I would correct him.

Aia.

3320 Were I the Generall,
Thou should'st haue my office,
Ere that correction: Troylus I say, what Troylus?
Enter Troylus.

Troy.

Oh traitour Diomed!
Turne thy false face thou traytor,
3325 And pay thy life thou owest me for my horse.

Dio.

[3326] Ha, art thou there?

Aia.

Ile fight with him alone, stand Diomed.

Dio.

He is my prize, I will not looke vpon.

Troy.

Come both you coging Greekes, haue at you
both.
Exit Troylus.
Enter Hector.

Hect.

3330 Yea Troylus? O well fought my yongest Brother.
Enter Achilles.

Achil.

Now doe I see thee; haue at thee Hector.

Hect.

[3332] Pause if thou wilt.

Achil.

I doe disdaine thy curtesie, proud Troian;
Be happy that my armes are out of vse:
3335 My rest and negligence befriends thee now,
But thou anon shalt heare of me againe:
Till when, goe seeke thy fortune.
Exit.

Hect.

Fare thee well:
I would haue beene much more a fresher man,
3340 Had I expected thee: how now my Brother?
Enter Troylus.

Troy.

Aiax bath tane Æneas; shall it be?
No, by the flame of yonder glorious heauen,
He shall not carry him: Ile be tane too,
Or bring him off: Fate heare me what I say;
3345 I wreake not, though thou end my life to day.
Exit
Enter one in Armour.

Hect.

Stand,stand, thou Greeke,
Thou art a goodly marke:
No? wilt thou not? I like thy armour well,
Ile frush it, and vnlocke the riuets all,
3350 But Ile be maister of it: wilt thou not beast abide?
Why then flye on, Ile hunt thee for thy hide.
Exit.

[Act 5, Scene 7] §

Enter Achilles with Myrmidons.

Achil.

Come here about me you my Myrmidons:
Marke what I say; attend me where I wheele:
Strike not a stroake, but keepe your selues in breath;
3355 And when I haue the bloudy Hector found,
Empale him with your weapons round about:
In fellest manner execute your arme.
Follow me sirs, and my proceedings eye;
It is decreed, Hector the great must dye.
Exit.
Enter Thersites, Menelaus, and Paris.

Ther.

[3360] The Cuckold and the Cuckold maker are at it: [l. 3361] now bull, now dogge, lowe; Paris lowe; now my dou­ [l. 3362] ble hen'd sparrow; lowe Paris, lowe; the bull has the [l. 3363] game: ware hornes ho?

Exit Paris and Menelaus.
Enter Bastard.

Bast.

[3364] Turne slaue and fight.

Ther.

[3365] What are thou?

Bast.

[3366] A Bastard Sonne of Priams.

Ther.

[3367] I am a Bastard too, I loue Bastards, I am a Ba­ [l. 3368] stard begot, Bastard instructed, Bastard in minde, Bastard [l. 3369] in valour, in euery thing illegitimate: one Beare will not [l. 3370] bite another, and wherefore should one Bastard? take [l. 3371] heede, the quarrel's most ominous to vs: if the Sonne of a [l. 3372] whore fight for a whore, he tempts iudgement: farewell [l. 3373] Bastard.

Bast.

[3374] The diuell take thee coward.

Exeunt.

[Act 5, Scene 8] §

Enter Hector.

Hect.

3375 Most putrified core so faire without:
Thy goodly armour thus hath cost thy life.
Now is my daies worke done; Ile take good breath:
Rest Sword, thou hast thy fill of bloud and death.
Enter Achilles and his Myrmidons.

Achil.

Looke Hector how the Sunne begins to set;
3380 How vgly night comes breathing at his heeles,
Euen with the vaile and darking of the Sunne.
To close the day vp, Hectors life is done.

Hect.

I am vnarm'd, forgoe this vantage Greeke.

Achil.

Strike fellowes, strike, this is the man I seeke.
3385 So Illion fall thou: now Troy sinke downe;
Here lyes thy heart, thy sinewes, and thy bone.
On Myrmidons, cry you all a maine,
Achilles hath the mighty Hector slaine.
Retreat.
Harke, a retreat vpon our Grecian part.

Gree.

3390 The Troian Trumpets sounds the like my Lord.

Achi.

The dragon wing of night ore‑spreds the earth
And stickler‑like the Armies seperates
My halfe supt Sword, that frankly would haue fed,
Pleas'd with this dainty bed; thus goes to bed.
3395 Come, tye his body to my horses tayle;
Along the field, I will the Troian traile.
Exeunt.

[Act 5, Scene 9] §

Sound Retreat.
Shout.
Enter Agamemnon, Aiax, Menelaus, Nestor,
Diomed, and the rest marching.

Aga.

[3397] Harke, harke. what shout is that?

Nest.

[3398] Peace Drums.

Sol. Achill Troylus and Cressida.

Sold.

[3399] Achilles, Achilles, Hector's slaine, Achilles.

Dio.

[3400] The bruite is, Hector's slaine, and by Achilles.

Aia.

If it be so, yet braglesse let it be:
Great Hector was a man as good as he.

Agam.

March patiently along; let one be sent
To pray Achilles see vs at our Tent.
3405 If in his death the gods haue vs befrended,
Great Troy is ours, and our sharpe wars are ended.
Exeumt.

[Act 5, Scene 10] §

Enter Æneas, Paris, Anthenor and Deiphœbus.

Æne.

Stand hoe, yet are we masters of the field,
Neuer goe home; here starue we out the night.
Enter Troylus.

Troy.

[3409] Hector is slaine.

All.

[3410] Hector? the gods forbid.

Troy.

Hee's dead: and at the murtherers Horses taile
In beastly sort, drag'd through the shamefull Field.
Frowne on you heauens, effect your rage with speede:
Sit gods vpon your throanes, and smile at Troy.
3415 I say at once, let your briefe plagues be mercy,
And linger not our sure destructions on.

Æne.

My Lord, you doe discomfort all the Hoste.

Troy

You vnderstand me not, that tell me so:
I doe not speake of flight, of feare, of death,
3420 But dare all imminence that gods and men,
Addresse their dangers in. Hector is gone:
Who shall tell Priam so? or Hecuba?
Let him that will a screechoule aye be call'd,
Goe in to Troy, and say there, Hector's dead:
3425 There is a word will Priam turne to stone;
Make wels, and Niobes of the maides and wiues;
Coole statues of the youth: and in a word,
Scarre Troy out of it selfe. But march away,
Hector is dead: there is no more to say.
3430 Stay yet: you vile abhominable Tents,
Thus proudly pight vpon our Phrygian plaines:
Let Titan rise as early as he dare,
Ile through, and through you; & thou great siz'd coward:
No space of Earth shall sunder our two hates,
3435 Ile haunt thee, like a wicked conscience still,
That mouldeth goblins swift as frensies thoughts.
Strike a free march to Troy, with comfort goe:
Hope of reuenge, shall hide our inward woe.
Enter Pandarus.

Pand.

[3439] But heare you? heare you?

Troy.

3440 Hence broker, lackie, ignomy, and shame
Pursue thy life, and liue aye with thy name.
Exeunt.

Pan.

[3442] A goodly medicine for mine aking bones: oh world, [l. 3443] world, world! thus is the poore agent dispisde: Oh trai­ [l. 3444] tours and bawdes; how earnestly are you set aworke, and [l. 3445] how ill requited? why should our indeuour be so desir'd, [l. 3446] and the performance so loath'd? What Verse for it? What [l. 3447] instance for it? let me see.

Full merrily the humble Bee doth sing,
Till he hath lost his hony, and his sting.
3450 And being once subdu'd in armed taile,
Sweete hony, and sweete notes together faile.
Good traders in the flesh, set this in your painted cloathes;
As many as be here of Panders hall,
Your eyes halfe out, weepe out at Pandar's fall:
3455 Or if you cannot weepe, yet giue some grones;
Though not for me yet for your aking bones:
Brethren and sisters of the hold‑dore trade,
Some two months hence, my will shall here be made:
It should be now, but that my feare is this;
3460 Some galled Goose of Winchester would hisse:
Till then, Ile sweate, and seeke about for eases;
And at that time bequeath yon my diseases.
Exeunt.
¶¶¶

FINIS.