Cres. Why, beg then. Ulys. Why then, for Venus' sake, give me a kiss, When Helen is a maid again, and his. Cres. I am your debtor; claim it when 'tis due. Ulys. Never's my day, and then a kiss of you. Dio. Lady, a word: I'll bring you to your father. [Diomed leads out Cressida. Nes. A woman of quick sense. Fie, fie upon her! Ulys. There's language in her eye, her cheek, her lip, Nay, her foot speaks; her wanton spirits look out At every joint and motive 1 of her body. O, these encounterers, so glib of tongue, That give a coasting 2 welcome ere it comes, And wide unclasp the tables of their thoughts To every ticklish reader! set them down For sluttish spoils of opportunity, And daughters of the game. All. The Trojans' trumpet. Aga. [trumpet within. Yonder comes the troop. Enter HECTOR, armed; ÆNEAS, TROILUS, and other Trojans, with Attendants. En. Hail, all the state of Greece! what shall be done To him that victory commands? Or do you pur pose, A victor shall be known? Will you, the knights Shall to the edge of all extremity Pursue each other; or shall they be divided Hector bade ask. Aga. Which way would Hector have it? En. He cares not; he 'll obey conditions. Ach. 'Tis done like Hector; but securely done, A little proudly, and great deal misprising 1 The knight opposed. En. What is your name? Ach. 1 If not Achilles, sir, If not Achilles, nothing. En. Therefore Achilles: but, whate'er, know this; In the extremity of great and little, Valor and pride excel themselves in Hector: The one almost as infinite as all, The other blank as nothing. Weigh him well, Re-enter DIOMEDES. Aga. Here is sir Diomed. Go, gentle knight, Stand by our Ajax: as you and lord Æneas SHAK. 1 Treating with contempt. X. B Consent upon the order of their fight, Or else a breath:1 the combatants being kin, Half stints their strife before their strokes begin. [Ajax and Hector enter the lists. Ulys. They are opposed already. Aga. What Trojan is that same that looks so heavy? Ulys. The youngest son of Priam, a true knight; His heart and hand both open, and both free; 2 Manly as Hector, but more dangerous; [Alarum. Hector and Ajax fight. A breathing, a slight exercise of arms. 2 A thought unsuitable to the dignity of his character. Yields, gives way. Explain his character. Aga. They are in action. Nes. Now, Ajax, hold thine own! Troi. Awake thee! Hector, thou sleep'st: Aga. His blows are well disposed :-there, Ajax ! Dio. You must no more. En. [trumpets cease. Princes, enough, so please you. Why then, will I no more. Ajax. I am not warm yet; let us fight again. Dio. As Hector pleases. Hec. Thou art, great lord, my father's sister's son, A cousin-german to great Priam's seed: A gory emulation 'twixt us twain. Were thy commixtion Greek and Trojan so, Ajax. I thank thee, Hector : Thou art too gentle, and too free a man. I came to kill thee, cousin, and bear hence Hec. Not Neoptolemus 2 so mirable 3 (On whose bright crest Fame with her loud'st O yes Cries, This is he!') could promise to himself A thought of added honor torn from Hector. Æn. There is expectance here from both the sides, What farther you will do. Hec. We'll answer it; The issue is embracement. Ajax, farewell. Dio. 'Tis Agamemnon's wish; and great Achilles To the expecters of our Trojan part. Desire them home. Give me thy hand, my cousin ; I will go eat with thee, and see your knights. Ajax. Great Agamemnon comes to meet us here. Hec. The worthiest of them tell me name by name; But for Achilles, my own searching eyes Shall find him by his large and portly size. 1 Title. 2 Our author here probably means Achilles. 3 Admirable. 4 Seldom. |