Ulyss. Yet is the kindness but particular; "Twere better, she were kiss'd in general. Nest. And very courtly counsel: I'll begin.So much for Nestor. Achil. I'll take that winter from your lips, fair lady: Achilles bids you welcome. Men. I had good argument for kissing once. Ulyss. O deadly gall, and theme of all our scorns! Men. O, this is trim ! Patr. Paris, and I, kiss evermore for him. Men. I'll have my kiss, sir:-Lady, by your leave. Cres. In kissing, do you render or receive? Patr. Both take and give. Cres. Men. I'll give you boot, I'll give you three for one. That you are odd, and he is even with you. Men. You fillip me o'the head. Cres. No, I'll be sworn. Ulyss. It were no match, your nail against his horn.May I, sweet lady, beg a kiss of you? Cres. You may. life. Ulyss. Cres. I do desire it. Why, beg then. 9 Ill make my match to live,] Perhaps this means—I'll lay my Ulyss. 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. Nest. A woman of quick sense. Ulyss. Fye, fye upon her! There's language in her eye, her cheek, her lip, Nay, her foot speaks; her wanton spirits look out At every joint and motive' of her body. O, these encounterers, so glib of tongue, That give a coasting 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. [Trumpet within. Yonder comes the troop. Enter HECTOR, armed; ENEAS, TROILUS, and other Trojans, with Attendants. Ene. Hail, all the state of Greece! what shall be done To him that victory commands? Or do you purpose, 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. 1 Agam. motive Which way would Hector have it? Motive, for part that contributes to motion. 2 That give a coasting welcome ere it comes,] A coasting welcome is a conciliatory welcome; that makes silent advances before the tongue has uttered a word. 3 sluttish spoils of opportunity,] Corrupt wenches, of whose chastity every opportunity may make a prey. JOHNSON. Ene. He cares not, he'll obey conditions. A chil. 'Tis done like Hector; but securely done, A little proudly, and great deal misprizing The knight oppos'd. Ene. What is your name? A chil. If not Achilles, sir, If not Achilles, nothing. Ene. Therefore Achilles: But, whate'er, know this ;In the extremity of great and little, Valour and pride excel themselves in Hector'; The other blank as nothing. Weigh him well, Re-enter DIOMED. Agam. Here is sir Diomed:-Go, gentle knight, Or else a breath; the combatants being kin, 4 Valour and pride excel themselves in Hector ;] Shakspeare's thought is not exactly deduced. Nicety of expression is not his character. The meaning is plain: "Valour (says Eneas,) is in Hector greater than valour in other men, and pride in Hector is less than pride in other men. So that Hector is distinguished by the excellence of having pride less than other pride, and valour more than other valour." JOHNSON. This Ajax is half made of Hector's blood:] Ajax and Hector were cousin-germans. 6 7 a breath ;] i. e. a breathing, a slight exercise of arms. Ulyss. They are oppos'd already. 9 Agam. What Trojan is that same that looks so heavy? Ulyss. The youngest son of Priam, a true knight; Not yet mature, yet matchless; firm of word; Speaking in deeds, and deedless in his tongue; Not soon provok'd, nor, being provok'd, soon calm'd: His heart and hand both open, and both free; For what he has, he gives; what thinks, he shows ; Yet gives he not till judgment guide his bounty, Nor dignifies an impair thought with breath: Manly as Hector, but more dangerous; For Hector, in his blaze of wrath, subscribes ' To tender objects; but he, in heat of action, Is more vindicative than jealous love: They call him Troilus; and on him erect A second hope, as fairly built as Hector. Thus says Æneas; one that knows the youth Even to his inches, and, with private soul, Did in great Ilion thus translate him to me'. [Alarum. 1 Agam. They are in action. Nest. Now, Ajax, hold thine own! Tro. Awake thee! HECTOR and AJAX fight. Hector, thou sleep'st; [Trumpets cease. Princes, enough, so please you. Agam. His blows are well dispos'd:-there, Ajax ! Dio. You must no more. Ene. Ajax. I am not warm yet, let us fight again. Dio. As Hector pleases. Hect. Why then, will I no more: Thou art, great lord, my father's sister's son, 8 deeds. 9 deedless in his tongue ;] i. e. no boaster of his own an impair thought-] A thought unsuitable to the dignity of his character. subscribes -] That is, yields, gives way. Thus explain his cha A cousin-german to great Priam's seed; A gory emulation 'twixt us twain: Were thy commixtion Greek and Trojan so, All Greek, and this all Troy; my mother's blood Ajax. Hect. Not Neoptolemus' so mirable (On whose bright crest Fame with her loud'st O yes Cries, This is he,) could promise to himself A thought of added honour torn from Hector. Ene. There is expectance here from both the sides, What further you will do. 3 My sacred aunt,] It is remarkable that the Greeks give to the uncle the title of Sacred, 9uoç. And this circumstance may tend to establish the opinion, that this play was not the entire composition of Shakspeare, to whom the Grecism before us was probably unknown. A great addition -] i. e. denomination. 5 Not Neoptolemus -] My opinion is, that by Neoptolemus the author meant Achilles himself; and remembering that the son was Pyrrhus Neoptolemus, considered Neoptolemus as the nomen gentilitium, and thought the father was likewise Achilles Neoptolemus. JOHNSON. |