The historie of Troylus and Cresseida As it was acted by the Kings Maiesties seruants at the Globe. Written by William Shakespeare.

The history of Troylus and Cresseida . Enter Pandarus and Troylus . Troy . CAll heere my varlet , I le vnarme againe , Why should I warre without the walls of Troy : That finde such cruell battell here within , Each Troyan that is maister of his heart , Let him to field Troylus alas hath none . Pan. Will this geere nere be mended ? Troy . The Greeks are strong and skilfull to their strength Fierce to their skill , and to their fiercenesse valiant , 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 vnpractiz'd infancy : Pan.

Well , I haue told you enough of this ; for my part i le not meddle nor make no farther ; hee that will haue a cake out of the wheate must tarry the grynding .

Tro.

Haue I not tarried ?

Pan.

I the grindin● ; but you must tarry the boulting .

Troy .

Haue I not tarried ?

Pa●de .

I the boulting ; but you must tarry the leauening .

Troy .

Still haue I tarried .

Pan.

I , to the leauening , but heares yet in the word hereafter , the kneading , the making of the cake , the heating the ouen , and the baking , nay you must stay the cooling too , or yea may chance burne your lippes .

Troy . Pacience her selfe , what Godesse ere she be , Doth lesser blench at suffrance then I do : At Priams royall table do I sit And when faire Cressid comes into my thoughts , So traitor then she comes when she is thence . Pand.

Well shee lookt yesternight fairer then euer I saw her looke , or any woman els .

Troy . I was about to tell thee when my heart , As ●edged with a sigh would riue in twaine , Least Hector or my father should perceiue mee : I haue ( as when the Sunne doth light a scorne ) Buried this sigh in wrincle of a smyle , But sorrow that is coucht in seeming gladnesse , Is like that mirth fate turnes to suddaine sadnesse . Pan :

And her haire were not some-what darke● then Hellens , well go to , there were no more comparison betweene the women ● but for my part she is my kinswoman , I would not as they tearme it praise her , but I would som-body had heard her talke yester-day as I did , I will not disprai●e your sister Cassandras wit , but —

Troy . Oh Pandarus I tell thee Pandarus , When I do tell thee there may hopes lie drown'd Reply not in how many sadomes deepe , They lie indrench'd● I tell thee I am madde : In Cressids loue ? thou answe●st she is faire , Powrest 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 In whose comparison all whites are ynke Writing their owne reproch ; to whose soft seisure , The cignets downe is harsh , and spirit of sence : Hard as the palme of plow-man ; this thou telst me , As true thou telst me , when I say I loue her , But saying thus in steed of oyle and balme , Thou layst in euery gash that loue hath giuen mee The knife that made it . Pan : I speake no morethen truth . Troy . Thou dost not speake so much . Pan :

Faith I le not meddle in it , let her bee as shee is , if she bee fai●e t is the better for her , and shee bee not , she has the me●ds in her owne hands .

Tro● .

Good Pandarus . how now Pandarus

Pan :

I haue had my labour for my trauell , ill thought on of her , and ill thought of you , go● betweene and betweene , but small thanks for my labour .

Troy .

What are thou angry Pandarus ? what with me ?

Pan.

Because sh●e's kin to me therefore shee 's not so faire as Hellen , and she were kin to me , she would be as faire a Friday as Hellen , is on Sunday , but what I ? I care not and shee were a black eamore , t is all one to mee .

Troy .

Say I she is not faire ?

Pan.

I do not care whether you do or no , she 's a foole to stay behinde her father let her to the Greekes , and so I le tell her the next time I see her for my part I le meddle nor make no more ith'matter .

Troy .

Pandarus .

Pan.

Not I.

Troy .

Sweete Pandraus .

Pan.

Pray you speake no more to mee I will leaue all as I found it and there an end .

Exit . Sound alarum . Troy . Peace you vn●racious clamors , peace rude sounds , Fooles on both sides , Hellen must needes be faire , When with your bloud you daylie paint her thus , I cannot fight vpon this argument : 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 , And he 's as teachy to be wood to woe , As she is stubborne , chast , against all suite . Tell me Apollo for thy Daphnes loue What Cressid is , what Pandar , and what we : Her bed is India there she lies , a pearle , Betweene our Ilium , and where shee reides Let it be cald the wild and wandring stood : Our ●el●e the Marchant , and this sayling Pandar , Our doubtfull hope , our conuoy and our barke . Alarum Enter Aeneas . Aene. How now prince Troylus , wherefore not a field , Tro● . Because not there ; this womans answer sorts , For woman 〈◊〉 it is to be from thence . What newes Aeneas from the field to day ? Aene. That Paris● returned home and hurt . Troy . By whom Aeneas ? Aene. Troylus by Menelaus . Troy . Let Paris bleed t is but a scar to scorne , Paris gor'd with Menelaus horne . Alarum . Aene. Harke what good sport is out of towne to day . Troy . Better at home , if would I might were may : But to the sport abrode are you bound thither ? Aene. In all swift hast . Troy . Come goe wee then togither . Exeunt . Enter Cressid and 〈◊〉 man . Cres. Who were those went by ? Man . Queene Hecuba , and Hellen. Cres. And whether goe they ? Man . Vp to the Easterne tower , Whose hight commands as subiect all the vaile , To see the battell : Hector whose pacience , Is as a vertue fixt , to day was mou'd : Hee chid Andromache and strooke his armo●er , And like as there were husbandry in warre Before the Sunne rose , hee was harnest lyte , And to the field goes he ; where euery flower Did as a Prophet weepe what it foresawe , In Hectors wrath . Cres. What was his cause of anger . Man . The noise goes this , there is amonge the Greekes , A Lord of Troian bloud , Nephew to Hector . They call him . Aiax . Cres. Good ; and what of him , Man .

They say hee is a very man perse and stands alone .

Cres.

So do all men vnlesse the are dronke , sicke , or haue no legges .

Man .

This man Lady , hath rob'd many beasts of their particular additions , hee is as valiant as the Lyon , churlish as the Beare , slowe as the Elephant : a man into whome nature hath so crowded humors , that his valour is crusht into folly , his folly sauced with discretion : there is no man hath a vertue , that he hath not a glimpse of , nor any man an attaint , but he carries some staine of it . Hee is melancholy without cause and merry against the haire , hee hath the ioynts of euery thing , but euery thing so out of ioynt , that hee is a gowtie Briareus , many hands , & no vse : or purblinde Argus , al eyes , and no sight .

Cres.

But how should this man that makes me smile , make Hector angry .

Man .

They say hee yesterday cop't Hector in the battell and stroke him downe , the disdaine and shame whereof hath euer since kept Hector fasting and waking .

Cres.

Who comes here .

Man .

Maddam your vncle Pandarus .

Cres.

Hector a gallant man .

Man

As may be in the world Lady .

Pand.

What s that ? what s that ?

Cres.

Good morrow vncle Pandarus .

Pan.

Good morrow cozen Cressid : what doe you talke of ? good morrow Alexander : how doe you cozen● when were you at Illum ?

Cres.

This morning vncle .

Pan.

What were you talking of when I came ? was Hector arm'd and gon ere yea came to Illium , Hellen was not vp was she ?

Cres.

Hector was gone but Hellen was not vp ?

Pan.

E'ene so , Hector was stirring early .

Cres.

That were wee talking of , and of his anger .

Pan :

Was he angry ?

Cres.

So he saies here .

Pan :

True hee was so ; I know the cause to , hee le lay about him to day I can tel them that , & ther 's Troylus wil not come farre behind him , let them take he●de of Troylus ; I can tell them that too .

Cres.

What is he angry too ?

Pan :

Who Troylus ? Troylus is the better man of the two :

Cres :

Oh Iupiter ther 's no comparison .

Pan :

What not betweene Troylus and Hector ? do you know a man if you see him ?

Cres :

I , if I euer saw him before and knew him :

Pan :

Well I say Troylus is Troylus :

Cres.

Then you say as I say , for I am sure hee is not Hector ,

Pan.

No not Hector is not Troylus in some degrees .

Cres.

T is iust , to each of them he is himselfe .

Pan.

Himselfe , alas poore Troylus I would he were .

Cres.

So he is .

Pan.

Condition I had gone bare-foot to India .

Cres.

He is not Hector .

Pan.

Himselfe ? no ? hee 's not himselfe , would a were himselfe , well the Gods are aboue , time must friend or endwell Troylus well , I would my heart were in her body ; no , Hector is not a better man then Troylus .

Cres.

Excuse me .

Pand.

He is elder .

Cres.

Pardon me , pardon me .

Pand.

Th' others not come too 't , you shall tell me another tale when th' other 's come too 't , Hector shall not haue his will this yeare .

Cres.

He shall not neede it if he haue his owne .

Pand.

Not his qualities .

Cres.

No matter .

Pand.

Nor his beautie .

Cres.

T would not become him , his own 's better .

Pan :

You haue no iudgement neece ; Hellen her selfe swore th' other day that Troylus for a b●owne fauour ( for so t is I must confesse ) not browne neither .

Cres.

No , but browne .

Pand.

Faith to say truth , browne and not browne .

Cres.

To say the truth , true and not true .

Pand.

She praisd his complexion aboue Paris .

Cres.

Why Paris hath colour inough .

Pand.

So he has .

Cres.

Then Troylus should haue too much , if shee praizd him aboue , his complexion is higher then his , hee hauing colour enough , and the other higher , is too flaming a praise for a good complexion , I had as lieue Helens golden tongue had commended Troylus for a copper nose .

Pand.

I sweare to you I thinke Helen loues him better then Paris .

Cres.

Then shee s a merry greeke indeed .

Pand.

Nay I am sure she dooes , she came to him th' other day into the compast window , and you know hee has not past three or foure haires on his chinne .

Cres.

Indeed a Tapsters Arith●●etique may soone bring his particulars therein to a totall .

Pand.

Why he is very yong , and yet will he within three pound liste as much as his brothers Hector .

Cres.

Is he so yong a man , and so old a lifter .

Pand.

But to prooue to you that Hellen loues him , shee came and puts mee her white hand to his clouen chin .

Cres.

〈◊〉 haue mercy , how came it clouen ?

Pan.

Why , you know t is dimpled , I thinke his smyling becomes him better then any man in all Ph●igia .

Cres.

Oh he smiles valianty .

Pan.

Dooes hee not ?

Cres.

Oh yes , and t were a clowd in Autumne .

Pan.

Why go to then , but to proue to you that Hellen loues Troylus .

Cres.

Troylus wil stand to thee proofe if you le prooue it so .

Pan.

Troylus , why hee esteemes her no more then I esteeme and addle egge :

Cres.

If you loue and addle egge as well as you loue and idle head you would eate chickens i th shell .

Pan.

I cannot chuse but laugh to thinke how she ticled his chin , indeed shee has a mar●el's white hand I must needs confesse .

Cres.

Without the rack .

Pan.

And shee takes vpon her to spie a white heare on his chinne .

Cres.

Alas poore chin many a wart is ritcher .

Pan.

But there was such laughing , Queene Hecuba laught that her eyes ran ore .

Cres.

With milstones .

Pan.

And Cassandra laught .

Cres.

But there was a more temperate fire vnder the por of her eyes : did her eyes run ore to ?

Pan.

And Hector laught .

Cres.

At what was all this laughing .

Pan.

Marry at the white heare that Hellen spied on Troylus chin .

Cres.

And t 'had beene a greene heare I should haue laught too .

Pan.

They laught not so much at the heare as at his pretty answere .

Cres.

What was his answere ?

Pan.

Quoth shee heere 's but two and fifty heires on your chinne ; and one of them is white .

Cres.

This is her question .

Pan.

That s true , make no question of that , two and fiftie heires quoth hee , and one white , that white heire is my father , and all the rest are his sonnes . Iupiter quoth shee , which of these heires is Paris my husband ? the ●orked one quoth he , pluckt out and gaue it him : but there was such laughing , and Hellen so blusht , and Paris so chaft , and all the rest so laught that it past .

Cres.

So let it now for it has beene a great while going by .

Pan.

Wel cozen I ●ould you a thing yesterday , think on 't .

Cres.

So I doe .

Pan.

I le be sworne t is true , he will weepe you an'twere a man borne in Aprill

Sound a retreate . Cres.

And I le spring vp in his teares an'twere a nettle against May .

Pan.

Harke they are comming from the field , shall we stand vp here and see them as they passe toward Ilion , good Neece do , sweete Neece Cresseida .

Cres.

At your pleasure .

Pan.

Heere , here , here 's an excellent place , here wee may see most brauely , iletell you them all by their names , as they posse by , but marke Troylus aboue the rest .

Enter Aeneas . Cres.

Speake not so lowde .

Pan.

That s Aeneas , is not that a braue man , hee s one of the flowers of Troy I can tell you , but marke Troylus , you shal see anon .

Cres.

Who 's that ?

Enter Antenor . Pan.

That 's Antenor , he has a shrow'd wit I can tell you , and hee 's man good enough , hee s one o' th soundest iudgements in Troy whosoeuer , and a proper man of person , when comes Troylus , i le shew you Troylus anon , if hee see me , you shall see him nod at mee .

Cres.

Will he giue you the nod :

Pan.

You shall see :

Cres.

If he do the ritch shall haue more .

Enter Hector . Pan.

That 's Hector , that , that , looke you ●hat , ther s a fellow ! goe thy way Hector , ther 's a braue man Neece , O braue Hector , looke how hee lookes , there s a countenance , is t not a braue man ?

Cres.

O a braue man .

Pan :

Is a not ? it dooes a man heart good , looke you what hacks are on his helmet , looke you yonder , do you see , looke you there , ther s no iesting , ther s laying on , ta kt off , who will as they say , there be hacks .

Cres.

Be those with swords .

Enter Paris . Pan :

Swords , anything he cares not , and the diuell come to him , it s all one , by Gods lid it dooes ones heart good . Yonder comes Paris , yonder comes Paris , looke yee yonder Neece , is t not a gallant man to , is t not , why this is braue now , who said he came hurt home to day . Hee 's not hurt , why this will do Hellens heart good now ha ? would I could see Troylus now , you shall see Troylus anon .

Cres.

Whos 's that ?

Enter Helenus : Pan.

That 's Helenus , I maruell where Troylus is , that s Helenus , I thinke he went not forth to day , that s Helenus .

Cres :

Can Helenus . fight vncle ?

Pan :

Helenus no : yes hee le fight indifferent , well , I maruell where Troylus is ; harke doe you not here the people crie Troylus ? Helenus is a priest ;

Cres :

What sneaking fellow comes yonder ?

Enter Troylus . Panda :

Where ? yonder ? that 's Deiphobus . T is Troylus ! there s a man Neece ▪ hem ? braue Troylus the Prince of chiualrie .

Cres.

Peace for shame peace .

Pan.

Marke him , note him : O braue Troylus , looke well vpon him Neece , looke you how his sword is bloudied , and his helme more hackt then Hectors , and how hee lookes , and how hee goes ? O admirable youth , hee neuer saw three and twenty , go thy way Troylus , go thy way , had I a sister were a grace , or a daughter a Goddesse , hee should take his choice , O admirable man ! Paris ? Paris is durt to him , and I warrant Hellen to change would giue an eye to boote .

Cres.

Here comes more .

Pa.

Asses , fooles , doults , chaff & bran , chaff & bran , porredge after meate , I could liue and die in the eyes of Troylus , nere looke , nere looke , the Eagles are gonne , crowes and dawes , crowes and dawes , I had rather bee such a man as Troylus , then Agamemnon and all Greece .

Cres.

There is amongst the Greekes Achilles a better man then Troylus .

Pan.

Achilles , a dray-man , a porter , a very Cammell .

Cres.

Well well :

Pan.

Well , well , why haue you any discretion , haue you any eyes , doe you know what a man is ? is not birth , beauty , good shape , discourse , man-hood , learning , gentlenesse , vertue youth , liberallity and such like , the spice & salt that season a man .

Cres.

I a minst man , and then to bee bak't with no date in the pie , for then the mans date is out :

Pan.

You are such a woman a man knowes not at what ward you lie :

Cres.

Vpon my backe to defend my bellie , vpon my wit to defend my wiles , vpon my secrecy to defend mine ●onesty , my maske to defend my beauty , and you to defend all these : and at al these wards I lie , at a thousand watches .

Pan.

Say one of your watches .

Cres.

Nay I le watch you for that ; and that s one of the chiefest of them two : If I cannot ward what I would not haue hit : I can watch you for te●ling how I tooke the blowe vnlesse it swell past hiding and then its past watching :

Pan :

You are such another :

Enter Boy : Boy :

Sir my Lord would instantlie speake with you .

Pan :

Where ?

Boy :

At your owne house there he vnarmes him :

Pan.

Good boy tell him I come , I doubt he be hurt , fare ye well good Neice :

Cres :

Adiew vncle :

Pan :

I wil be with you Neice by and by :

Cres :

To bring vncle :

Pan :

I a token from Troylus :

Cres : By the same token you are a Bawde , Words , vowes , guifts , teares and loues full sacrifize : He offers in anothers enterprize , But more in Troylus thousand fould I see , Then in the glasse of Pandars praise may bee : Yet hold I off : women are angels woing , " Things woone are done , ioyes foule lies in the dooing . That shee belou'd , knows naught that knows not this , " Men price the thing vngaind more then it is , That she was neuer yet that euer knew Loue got so sweet , as when desire did sue , Therefore this maxim out of loue I teach , " Atchiuement is command ; vngaind beseech , Then though my hearts content firme loue doth beare , Nothing of that shall from mine eyes appeare . Exit . Enter Agamemnon ▪ Nestor , Vlisses , Diomedes , Menelaus with others . Aga. Princes : what griefe hath set these Iaundies ore your cheekes ? The ample proposition that hope makes , In all designes begun on earth below , Failes in the promist largenesse , checks and disasters , Grow in the vaines of actions highest reard . As kno●● by the con●lux of meeting sap , Infects the sound Pine , and diuerts his graine , Tortiue and errant from his course of growth . Nor Princes is it matter new to vs , That we come short of our suppose so farre , That after seauen yeares siege , yet Troy walls stand , Sith euer action that hath gone before , Whereof we haue record , triall did draw , Bias and thwart : not answering the ayme , And that vnbodied figure of the thought , That gau 't surmised shape : why then you Princes , Do you with cheekes abasht behold our workes , And call them shames which are indeed naught else , But the protractiue tryals of great loue , To finde persistiue constancie in men . The f●nenesse of which mettall is not found , In fortunes loue : for then the bould and coward , The wise and foole , the Artist and vnread , The hard and soft se●m ●●ll aff●n'd and ●in , But in the winde and tempest of her frowne , Distinction with a broad and powerfull fan , Puffing at all , winnowss the light away , And what hath masse or matter by it selfe , Lyes rich in vertue and vnmingled . Nestor . With due obseruance of the godlike seate , Great Agamemnon , Nestor shall apply Thy latest words . In the reproofe of chance , Lies the true proofe of men : the sea being smooth , How many shallow bauble boate , dare ●aile , Vpon her ancient brest , making their way With those of nobler bulke ? But let the ●uffian Boreas once enrage The gentle Th●t is , and anon , behold The strong ribbd barke through liquid mountaines cut , Bounding betweene the two moyst elements , Like Perseus horse . Where 's then the sawcie boate , Whose weake vntymberd sides but euen now Corriuald greatnesse ? either to harbot fled , Or made a toste for Neptune : euen so Doth valours shew , and valours worth deuide In stormes of fortune ; for in her ray and brightnesse The heard hath more annoyance by the Bryze Then by the Tyger , but when the splitting winde , Makes flexible the knees of knotted Okes , And Flies fled vnder shade , why then the thing of courage , As rouzd with rage , with rage doth simpathize , And with an accent tun'd in selfe same key , Retires to chiding fortune . Vliss. Agamemnon , Thou great Commander , nerues and bone of Greece , Hea●t of our numbers , soule and onely spright , In whom the tempers and the minds of all Should be shut vp : heere what Vlisses speakes , Besides th' applause and approbation , The which most mighty ( for thy place and sway And thou most reuerend ) for the 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 As venerable Nestor ( hatcht in siluer ) Should with a bond of ayre strong as the Axel-tree , ( On which heauen rides ) knit all the Greekish cares To his experienc't tongue , yet let it please both Thou great and wise , to heare Vlisses speake . Troy yet vpon his bases had beene downe , And the great Hectors sword had lackt a master But for these instances . The specialtie of rule hath beene neglected , And looke how many Grecian tents do stand , 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 honey is expected ? Degree being visarded Th' vnworthiest shewes as fairly in the maske . The heauens them-selues , the plannets and this center Obserue degree , prioritie and place , In sisture , course , proportion , season forme , Office and custome , in all line of order . And therefore is the glorious planet Sol , In noble eminence enthron'd and spherd , Amidst the other ; whose medcinable eye , Corrects the influence of euill Planets , And posts like the Commandment of a King , Sans check to good and bad . But when the Planets , In euill mixture to disorder wander , What plagues , and what portents , what mutinie ? What raging of the sea , shaking of earth ? Commotion in the winds , frights , changes , horrors Diu●rt and crack , rend and deracinate , The vnitie and married clame of states Quite from their fixure : O when degree is shakt , Which is the ladder of all high designes , The enterprise is sick . How could communities ; Degrees in schooles , and brother-hoods in Citties , Peacefull commerce from deuidable shores , The primogenitie and due of birth , Prerogatiue of age , crownes , scepters , lawrels , But by degree stand in authentique place : Take but degree away , vntune that string , And harke what discord followes , each thing melts In meere oppugnancie : the bounded waters Should lift their bosomes higher then the shores , And make a sop of all this solid globe : Strength should be Lord of imbecilitie , 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 their names , and so should lustice to ? Then euery thing include it selfe in power , Power into will will into appetite , And appetite an vniuersall Woolfe , ( So doubly seconded with will and power ) Must make perforce an vniuersall prey , And last eate vp himselfe . Great Agamemnon , This chaos when degree is suffocate , Followes the choaking . And this neglection of degree it is , That by a pace goes backward with a purpose It hath to clime . The generalls disdaind , By him one step below , he by the next , That next by him beneath , so euery step , Exampl'd by the first pace that is sick Of his superior , growes to an enuious feauer Of pale and bloudlesse emulation , And 't is this feauer that keepes Troy on foote , Not her owne sinnews . To end a tale of length , Troy in our weaknesse stands not in her strength . Nestor . Most wisely hath Vlisses here discouerd , The feuer whereof all our power is sick . Agamem. The nature of the sicknesse found Vlisses What is the remedie ? Vlisses . The great Achilles whom opinion crownes , The sinnow and the fore-hand of our hoste , Hauing his care full of his ay●ie same , Growes dainty of his worth , and in his Tent Lies mocking our designes : with him Patroclus Vpon a lazie bed the liue-long day , Breakes scurrell iests , And with ridiculous and sillie action , Which ( slanderer ) he Imitation calls , He pageants vs . Some-time great Agamemnon , Thy toples●e deputation he puts on , And like a strutting Player , whose conceit Lyes in his ham-st●ing , and doth thinke it rich To heere the woodden dialogue and sound , Twixt his stretcht footing and the scoaffollage , Such to be pitied and ore-rested seeming , He act● thy greatnesse in ▪ And when he speakes , T is like a chime a mending , with termes vnsqua●e , Which from the tongue of roaring Tiphon dropt , Would seeme hiperboles , at this fustie stuffe , The large Achilles on his prest bed lolling , From his deepe chest laughes out alowd applause , Cries excellent ; 't is Agamemnon right , Now play me Nest●r , hem and stroake thy beard , As he being drest to some Oration , That 's done , as neere ●s the extremest ends Of paralells as like as Vnlcan and his wife : Yet god Achilles still cries excellent , T is 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 scaene of myrth , to coffe and spit , And with a palsie fumbling on his gorget , Shake in and out the riuet , and at this sport Sir valour dyes , cryes O enough Patroclus , Or giue me ribbs of steele , I shall split all In pleasure of my spleene , and in this fashion , All our abilities guifts , natures shapes , Seueralls and generalls of grace exact , Atchiuements , plots , orders , preuentions , Excitements to the field , or speech for truce , Successe or losse , what is , or is not , 〈◊〉 As stuffe for these two ▪ to make paradoxes . Nestor . And in the imitation of these twaine , Who as Vlisses sayes opinion crownes , With an imperiall voyce : many aro infect , Aiax is growne selfe-wild , and beares his head In such a reyne , in full as proud a place As broad Achilles : keepes his Tent like him , Makes factious f●asts , railes on our state of warre , Bould as an Oracle , and sets Thersites A slaue , whose gall coynes standers like a mint , To match v●in comparisons with durt , To weaken our discredit , our exposure How ranke so euer rounded in with danger , Vlisses . They taxe our-pollicie ; and call it cowardice ; Count wisdome as no member of the warre , Forstall prescience , and esteeme no act But that of hand , the still and mentall parts , That do contri●e how many hands shall strike , When fitnesse calls them on , and know by measure Of their obser●ant royle the enemies waight , Why this hath not a fingers dignitie , They call this bed-worke , mappry , Closet warre , So that the Ram that batters downe the wall , For the great swinge and rudenesse of his poise , They place before his hand that made the engine , Or those that with the 〈◊〉 of their soules , By reason guide his execution . Nest. Let this be granted , and Achilles horse Makes many 〈◊〉 sonnes , Agam. What trompet ? looke Menelaus ▪ Mene. From Troy . Agam. What would you fore our tent Aene. Is this great Agamemnons tent I pray you ? Agam. Euen this . Aene. May one that is a Herr'ald and a Prince , Do a faire message to his Kingly eyes ? Agam. With surrty strong erth on Achilles 〈◊〉 Fore all the Greekish heads , which with one voice , Call Agamemnon head and generall . Aene. Faire leaue and large security , how may A stranger to those most imperiall lookes , Know them from eyes of other mortals ? Agam. How ? Aene. I , I aske that I might waken reuerence , And bid the cheeke be ready with a blush , Modest as morning , when shee coldly eyes the youthfull Phoebus , Which is that god , in Office guiding men , Which is the high and mighty Agamemnon . Agam. This Troyan scornes vs , or the men of Troy , Are c●remonious Courtiers . Aene , Courtiers as free as debonaire , vnarm'd As bending Angels , that s their same in peace : But when they would seeme soldiers , they haue galls , Good armes , strong ioints , true sword , & great loues accord Nothing so full of heart : but peace Aeneas , Peace Troyan , lay thy finger on thy lips , The worthinesse of praise distaines his worth , If that the praisd him-selfe bring the praise forth . But what the repining enemy commends , That breath fame blowes , that praise sole pure transcends . Agam. Sir you of Troy , call you your selfe Aeneas ? Aene. I Greeke , that is my name . Agam. What s your affaires I pray you ? Aene. Sir pardon , 't is for Agamemnons cares . Aga. He heere s ●●ught priuately that comes from Troy . Aene. Nor I from Troy come not to whisper with him , I bring a trumpet to awake his ●are , To set his seat on that attentiue bent , And then to speake . Agam. Speake frankly as the winde , It is not Agamemnons sleeping houre ; That thou shalt know Troyan he is awake , Hee tels thee so himselfe . Aene. Trumpet blowe alowd , Send thy brasse voyce through all these lazie tents , And euery Greeke of m●trell let him a now , What Troy meanes fairely , shall be spoke alowd , Sound trumpet . We haue great 〈◊〉 herre in Troy , A Prince calld Hector , 〈◊〉 is his father , Who in his dull and long continued truce , Is restie growne : H● bad me take a Trumpet , And to this 〈◊〉 speake , Kings , Princes , Lords , If ●here be one among the fair'st of Greece , That holds his honour higher then his case , And feeds his praise , more then he feares his perilt , That knowes his 〈…〉 ● knowes not his feare , That loues his 〈◊〉 more then in confession , ( With truant vowes to her owne lips he loues ) And dare avowe her beautie , 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 , Then euer Greeke did couple in his armes , And will to morrow with his Trumpet call ; Mid-way betweene your tents and walls of Troy , To rouze a Grecian that is true in l●●e ; If only come ; Hector shall honor him ▪ If none , hee le say in Troy wheir he 〈◊〉 , The Grecian dames are sun-burnt , and not worth The splinter of a Launce . Euen so much ▪ Agam. This shall be told our louers Lord Aeneas , If none of them haue soule in such a 〈◊〉 . We 〈◊〉 them all at 〈◊〉 , we are souldiers , And may that souldier a 〈◊〉 recreant prooue , That meanes not , hath 〈◊〉 , or is not in loue : If then one is , or hath a meanes to be , That one meetes Hector : if none else I am 〈◊〉 . Nest. Tell him of Nestor , 〈◊〉 was a man When Hectors 〈…〉 ● He is old now , But if there be not in our Grecian hoste , A noble man that hath no sparke of fire To answer 〈…〉 ● I le hide my siluer ●eard in a gould beauer , And in my vambrace put , my 〈◊〉 braunes And meeting him tell him that my Lady , Was fairer then his grandam , and as chast , As may bee in the world ( his youth in flood ) I le proue this troth with my three drops of bloud , Aene. Now heauens for-send such 〈◊〉 of men ▪ Vlis. Amen ▪ faire Lord Aeneas let me touch your hand , To our pauilion shall I leade you 〈◊〉 ; 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 soe . Vlis. Nestor . Nest : What saies Vlisses ? Vlis. I haue a yong conception in my braine , Be you my time to bring it to some shape . Nest. What is t ? Vlis: Blunt wodges true hard knots , the seeded pride , That ▪ hath to this mat●rity blowne vp In ranke Achilles , must or now be cropt , Or shedding breede a noursery of like euill , To ouer-bulk vs all . Nest. Well and how ? Vlis: This challeng that the gallant Hector sends , How euer it is spread in generall name Relates in purpose onely to Achilles . Nest. True the purpose is perspicuous as substance , Whose grofensse little characters sum vp ▪ And in the publication make no straine , But that Achilles weare his braine , as barren , As banks of libi● ( though Apollo knowes T is dry enough ) will with great speed of iudgement , I with celerity finde Hectors purpose , pointing on him . Vlis. And wake him to the answere thinke you ? Nest. Why t is most meete ; who may you else oppose ▪ That can from Hector bring those honours off , If not Achilles : though 't be a sportfull combat . Yet in the triall much opinion dwells : For here the Troyans tast our de●rst repute , With their fin'st pallat , and tru●● to me Vlissis Our imputation shal be odly poizde In this vilde action , for the successe , Although perticuler shall giue a scantling Of good or bad vnto the generall , And in such indexes ( although small pricks 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 meetes Hector , yssues from our choice , And choice ( being mutuall act of all our soules ) Makes merit her election , and doth boyle , ( As t were from forth vs all ) a man distill'd Out of our vertues , who miscarrying , What heart receiues from hence a conquering part , To steele a strong opinion to them selues . Vliss. Giue pardon to my speech ? therefore t is meete , Achilles meete not Hector , let vs like Marchants First shew foule wares , and thinke perchance thei le sell ; If not ; the luster of the better shall exceed , By shewing the worst first : do not consent , That euer Hector and Achilles meet ,

For both our honour and our shame in this , are dog'd with two strange followers .

Nest. I see them not with my old eyes what are they ? Vliss. What glory our Achilles shares from Hector Were he not proud , we all should share with him : But he already is too insolent . And it were better par●ch in Afrique Sunne , Then in the pride and sault scorne of his eyes Should he scape Hector faire . If he were foild , Why then we do our maine opinion c●ush In taint of our best man . No , make a lottry And by deuise let blockish Aiax draw The sort to fight with Hector , among our selues , Giue him allowance for the better man , For that will phisick the great Myrmidon , Who broyles in loud applause , and make him fall , His crest that prouder then blew Iris be●ds , If the dull brainlesse Aiax come safe off Wee le dresse him vp in voices , if he faile Yet go we vnder our opinion still , That we haue better men , but hit or misse , Our proiects life this shape of sence assumes Aiax imploy'd plucks downe Achilles plumes . Nest. Now Vlisses I begin to relish thy aduise , And I will giue a taste thereof forthwith , To Agamemnon , go we to him straight Two curres shall came each other , pride alone Must arte the mastiffs on , as t were a hone . Exexnt . Enter Aiax and Thersites . Aiax .

Thersites .

Ther.

Agamemnon , how if he had bites , full , all ouer , generally .

Aiax .

Thersites .

Ther.

And those byles did run ( say so ) , did not the generall run then , were not that a botchy coro .

Aiax .

Dogge .

Ther.

Then would come some matter from him , I see none now .

Aia :

Thou bitchwolfs son canst thou not heare , feele then .

Ther.

The plague of Greece vpon thee thou mongrell beefe witted Lord .

Aiax .

Speake then thou vnsalted leauen , speake , I will beate thee into hansomnesse .

Ther.

I shall sooner raile thee into wit and holinesse , but I thinke thy horse will sooner cunne an oration without booke , then thou learne praier without booke , thou canst strike canst thou ? a red murrion at h thy Iades trickes .

Aiax .

T●de-stoole ? learne me the proclamation .

Ther:

Doost thou thinke I haue no sence thou strikest mee thus ?

Aiax .

The proclamation .

Ther:

Thou art proclaim'd foole I thinke .

Aiax .

Do not Porpentin , do not , my fingers itch :

Ther.

I would thou didst itch from head to foote , and I had the scratching of the , I would make thee the lothsomest scab in Greece , when thou art forth in the incursions thou strikest as glow as another .

Aiax .

I say the proclamation .

Ther.

Thou gromblest and raylest euery houre on Achilles , and thou art as full of enuy at his greatnesse , as C●rb●rus is at Proser●inas beauty , I that thou barkst at him .

Aiax .

Mistres Thersites .

Ther.

Thou shouldst strike him . Aiax Coblofe , Hee would punne thee into shiuers with his fist , as a sayler breakes a bisket , you horson curre . Do ? do ?

Aiax :

Thou stoole for a witch :

Ther.

I , Do ? do ? thou sodden witted Lord , thou hast no more braine then I haue in mine elbowes , an Asinico may cutor thee , you scuruy valiant asse , thou art heere but to thrash Troyans , and thou art bought and sould among those of any wit , like a Barbarian slaue . If thou vse to beate mee I will beginne at thy heele , and tell what thou art by ynches , thou thing of no bowells thou .

Aiax .

You dog :

Ther.

You scun●y Lord .

Aiax .

You curre .

Ther.

Mars his Idiot , do rudenesse , do Camel , do , do .

Achil. Why how now Aiax wherefore do yee thus , How now Thersites what s the matter man . Ther.

You see him there ? do you ?

Achil.

I what s the matter .

Ther.

Nay looke vpon him .

Achil.

So I do , what s the matter ?

Ther.

Nay but regard him well .

Achil :

Well , why so I do .

Ther:

But yet you looke o● well vpon him , for who some euer you take him to be he is Aiax .

Achil.

I know that foole .

Ther.

I but that foole knowes not himselfe .

Aiax :

Therefore I be ate thee .

Ther:

Lo , lo , lo , lo , what modicums of wit he vtters , his euasions haue eares thus long , I haue bobd his braine more then he has beate my bones . It will buy nine sparrowes for a penny , and his pia mater is not worth the ninth part of a sparrow : this Lord ( Achilles ) Aiax , who weares his wit in his belly , and his guts in his head , I tell you what I say of him .

Ach.

What.

Ther.

I say this Aiax .

Achil.

Nay good Aiax .

Ther.

Has not so much wit .

Achil.

Nay I must hold you .

Ther.

As will stop the eye of Hellens needle , for whom he comes to fight .

Achil.

Peace foole ?

Ther.

I would haue peace and quiet●esse , but the foole will not , he there , that he : looke you there ?

Aiax .

Oh thou damned cur●e I shall —

Achil.

Will you set your wit to a fooles .

Ther.

No I warrant you , the fooles will shame it .

Patro.

Good words Thesites .

Achil.

What s the quarrell .

Aiax .

I bad the vile oule goe learne mee the ●enor of the proclamation , and he railes vpon me .

Ther.

I serue thee not ?

Aiax .

Well , go to , go to .

Ther.

I serue here voluntary .

Achil.

Your last seruice was suffrance : t was not voluntary , no man is beaten voluntary , Aiax was here the voluntary , and you as vnder an Impresse .

Ther.

E'ene so , a great deale of your witte to , lies in your sinnewes , or els there bee hers , Hector shall haue a great catch and knocke at either of your beains , a were as good crack a sust● nut with no kernell .

Achil.

What with me to Thersites .

Ther.

The●s Vlisses and old Nestor , whose wit was mou●dy ere their grandsiets had nailes , yoke you like draught oxen , and make you plough vp the wars .

Achil

What ? what ?

Ther.

Yes good sooth to Achill● , to Aiax , to —

Aiax .

I shall ●ut out your to ●●ue .

Ther.

T is no matter , I shall speake as much as thou afterwards .

Patro.

No more words Thersites peace .

Ther.

I will hold my peace when Achilles brooch bids me , shall I ?

Achil.

There 's for you Patroclus .

Ther.

I will see you hang'd like Clatpoles , ere I come any more to your tents , I will keepe where there is wit stirring , and leaue the faction of fooles .

Exit . Patro.

A good riddance .

Achil. Marry this sir is proclaim'd through all our hosle , That Hector by the first houre of the Sunne . Will with a trumpet twixt our Tents and Troy , To morrow morning call some Knight to armes , That hath a stomack , and such a one that dare , Maintaine I know not what , ( t is rash ) farewell — Aiax . Farewell , who shall answer him . Achil. I know not , ●is put to lottry , otherwise , He knew his man . Aiax . O meaning you ? I will go learne more of it . Enter Prian , Hector , Troylus , Paris and Helenus . Priam. After so many houres , liues , speeches spent , Thus once againe saies Nestor from the Greekes : Deliuer Hellen , ( and all domage els , As honour , losse o● time , trauell , expence , Wounds , friends and what els deere that is con●i●m'd In hot digestion of this cormoraut warre ) Shal be stroke off , Hector what say you to 't ? Hect : Though no man lesser seares the Greekes then I As sarre as toucheth my particular yet dread Priam There is no Lady of more softer bowells , More spungy to suck in the sence of feare : More ready to cry out , who knowes what followes Then Hector is : the ●ound of peace is surely Surely secure , but modest doubt is calld , The be●●on of the wise , the tent that serches , Too 'th bottome of the worst let Hellen go , Since the first sword was drawne about this question Euery tith soule 'mongst many thousand dismes , Hath beene as deere as Hellen . I meane of o●●s , If we haue loste so many ●enthes of ours , To guard a thing not ours , not worth to vs , ( Had it our name ) the valew of one ten , What merits in that reason which denies , The yeelding , of her vp ? Troy . Fie , fie , my brother , Way you the worth and honour of a King : So great as our dread fathers in a scale Of common ounces ? will you with Com●ters summe , The past proportion of his infinite And buckle in , a waste most ●atho●les , With spanes and inches so dymi●u●●e ▪ As feares and reasons : Fie for Godly shame ? Hele. No maruell though you bite so sharpe of reasons , You are so empty of them should not our father ; Beare the great sway of his affaires with reason , Because your speech hath none that tell him so ? Troy . You are for dreames and slumbers brother Priest , You furre your gloues with reason , here are your reasons You know an enemy intends you harme : You know a sword imployde is perilous And reason flies the obiect of all harme . Who maruells then when Helenus beholds , A Gretian and his sword , if he do set The very wings of reason to his heeles , And 〈◊〉 like chidden Mere●ry from Io●e Or like a starre disorbd ? nay if we talke of reason , Sets shut our gates and sleepe : man-hood and honour , Should haue hare hearts , would they but fat their thoughts With this cram'd reason , reason and respect , Make lyuers pale , and lush hood deiect . Hect.

Brother , shee is not worth , what shee doth 〈◊〉 the keeping .

Troy . What s aught but as t is valued . Hect. But valew dwells not in perticuler will , It holds his estimate and dignity , As well wherein t is precious of it selfe As in the prizer , t is madde Idolatry To make the seruice greater than the God , And the will dotes that is attributiue ; To what ' infectiously it selfe affects , Without some image of th' affected merit , Troy . I take to day a wise , and my election ▪ Is led on in the conduct of my will , My will en●indled by mine eyes and eares , Two traded pilots twixt the dangerous shore , Of will and Iudgement : how may I auoyde ? ( Although my will distast what it elected ) The wife I choose , there can be no euasion , To blench from this and to stand firme by honor , We turne not backe the silkes vpon the marchant When we haue soild them , nor the remainder viands , We do not throw in vn●espectue siue , Because we now are full , it was thought meete Paris should do some vengeance on the Greekes . Your breth with full consent bellied his ●ailes , The seas and winds ( old wranglers ) tooke a ●tuce : And did him seruice , hee toucht the ports desir'd ▪ And for an old aunt whom the Greekes held Captiue , He brought a Grecian Queene , whose youth and freshnesse , Wrincle , Apolloes , and makes pale the morning . Why keepe we her ? the Grecians keepe our Aunt , Is she worth keeping ? why shee is a pearle Whose price hath lansh'● aboue a thousand ships : And turn'd 〈◊〉 Kings to Marchants , If you le 〈◊〉 t was wisdome Paris went , As you mast needs , for you all cri'd go , go , If you le confesse be brought home worthy prize : As you must needs , for you all , clapt your hands , 〈…〉 ● why do you now The yss●e of your proper wisdomes rate , And do a deed that neuer fortune did , Begger the estimation , which you 〈◊〉 Ritcher then sea and land ? O thest most base , That wee haue stolne , what we do feare to keepe , But theeues vnworthy of 〈◊〉 so stolne : That in their country did them that disgrace , We feare to warrant i● our natiue place . Enter Cassandra rauing . Cass. Cry Troyans cry : Priam. What noise ? what shrik is this ? Troy . T is our madde 〈◊〉 I do know h●● voice . Cass. Cry Troy●●s . Hect. It is Cassandra ! Cass. Cry Troyans cry , 〈◊〉 thousand eyes , And I will fill them with prophetick teares . Hect. Peace sister peace ▪ Cass. Virgins and boyes , mid-age , and wrinckled elders , Soft in●ancie , that nothing canst but cire , Adde to my clamours : et vs pay be-times A moytie of that masse of mone to come : Crie Troyans crye , practise your eyes with teares , Troy must not bee , nor goodly I lion stand . Our fire-brand brother Paris burnes vs all , Crie Tro●aus crie , a Holen and a woe . Crie , crie , Troy burnes , or else let Hellen goe . Exit . Hect. Now youthfull Troylus , do not these high straines Of diuination in our S●ster , worke Some touches of remorse ? or is your bloud So madly hott , that no discourse of reason , 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 act Such , and no other then euent doth forme it , Nor once deiect the courage of our mindes , Because Cassandra's madde , her brain-sick raptures Cannot distast the goodnesse of a quarrell , Which hath our seuerall honors all engag'd , To make it gratious . For my priuate part , I am no more toucht then all Priams sonnes : And Ioue forbid there should be done amongst vs , Such things as might offend the weakest spleene , To fight for and maintaine . Par. Else might the world conuince of leuitie , As well my vnder-takings as your counsells , But I attest the gods , your full consent , Gaue wings to my propension , and cut off All ●eares attending on so dire a protect , For what ( alas ) can these my single armes ? What propugnation is in one mans valour To stand the push and enmitie of those This quarrell would exc●te ? Yet I protest Were I alone to passe the difficulties , And had as ample power , as I haue will , Paris should nere ●etract , what he hath done , Nor faint in the pursuite , Pria. 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. Sir , I propose not meerly to my selfe , The pl●asures such a beautie brings with it , But I would haue the soile of her faite rape , Wip't of in honorable keeping her , What ●reason were it to the ●ansackt queene , Disgrace to your great worths , and shame to me ▪ Now to deliuer her possession vp On tearmes of base compulsion ? can it be , That so degenerate a straine as this , Should once set footing in your generous bosomes ? There 's not the meanest spirit on our party , Without a heart to dare , or sword to drawe , When Helen is defended : nor none so noble , Whose life were ill bestowd , or death vnfam'd , Where Helen is the subiect . Then I say , 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 glo●d , but superficially , not much Vnlike young men , whom Aristotle thought Vnfit to heere M●rrall Philosophie ; The reasons you alleadge , do more conduce To the hot passion of distempred blood , Then to make vp a free dete●mination 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 rendered to their owners , Now What neerer debt in all humanitie , Then wife is to the husband ▪ if this lawe Of nature be corrupted through affection And that great mindes of partiall indulgence , To their benummed wills resist the same , There is a lawe in each well-orderd nation , To curbe those raging appetites that are Most disobedient and refracturio ; If Helen then be wife to Sparta's King , As it is knowne she is , these morrall lawes Of nature and of nations , speake alowd To haue her back returnd : thus to persist In doing wrong , extenuates not wrong , But makes it much more heauie . Hectors opinion Is this in way of truth : yet nere the lesse , My spritely brethren ▪ I propend to you In resolution to keepe Helen still , For 't is a cause that hath no meane dependance , Vpon our ioynt and seuerall dignities . Tro. Why there you toucht the life of our designer Were it not glory that we more affected , Then the performance of our heauing spleenes , I would not wish a drop of Troy an bloud , Spent more in her defence . But worthy Hector , She is a theame of honour and renowne , A spurre to valiant and magnanimous deeds , Whose present courage may be ate downe our foes , And fame in time to come canonize vs , For I presume braue Hector would not loose So rich aduantage of a promisd glory , As smiles vpon the fore-head of this action , For the wide worlds reuenew . Hect. I am yours , You valiant offspring of great Priamus , I haue a roisting challenge sent amongst The dull and factious nobles of the Greekes , Will shrike amazement to their drowsie spirits , I was aduertizd , their great generall slept , Whilst emulation in the armie crept : This I presume will wake him . Exeunt .

How now Thersites ? what lost in the Labyrinth of thy furie ? shall the Elephant Aiax carry it thus ? he beates me , and I raile at him : O worthy satisfaction , would it were otherwise : that I could beate him , whilst hee raild at mee : Sfoote , ●Ile learne to coniure and raise Diuels , but I le see some issue of my spitefull execrations . Then ther 's Achilles , a rare inginer . If Troy bee not taken till these two vndermine it , the walls will stand till they fall of them-selues , O thou great thunder-darter of Olympus , forget that thou art Io●e the king of gods : and Mercury , loose all the Serpentine craft of thy Caduceus , if yee take not that little little lesse then little witte from the● that they haue : which short-armd Ignorance it selfe knowes is so aboundant scarce , it will not in circumuention delurer a flie from a spider , without drawing their massie Irons ▪ and cutting the web . After this the vengeance on the whole ca●●pe , or rather the Neopolitan bone-ache : for that me thinkes is the curse depending on those that warre for a p●acket . I haue said my prayers , and diuell Enuie say Amen . What ho my Lord Achilles ?

Patrocl .

Whose there ? Thersites ? good Thersites come in and raile .

Thersi .

If I could a remembred a guilt counterfeit , thou couldst not haue slipt out of my contemplation : but it is no matter , thy selfe vpon thy selfe . The common curse of mankinde , Folly and Ignorance , be thine in great reuenew : Heauen blesse thee from a tutor , and discipline come not neere thee . Let thy bloud be thy direction till thy death : then if she that layes thee out sayes thou art not a faire course , I le be sworne and sworne vpon 't , shee neuer shrowded any but lazars . Amen . Where 's Achilles ?

Patro.

What art thou deuout ? wa st thou in prayer ?

Ther 's .

I the heauens heare me .

Patro.

Amen .

Enter Achilles . Achil.

Who 's there ?

Patro.

Thersites my Lord .

Achil.

Where ? where ? O where ? art thou come why my cheese , my digestion , why hast thou not serued thy selfe into my table , so many meales , come what 's Agamemnon ?

Ther.

Thy commander Achilles , then tell me Patroclus , what s Achilles ?

Patro.

Thy Lord Thersites . Then tell mee I pray thee , what 's Thersites ?

Ther.

Thy knower , Patroclus : then tell me Patroclus , what art thou ?

Patro.

Thou must tell that knowest .

Achil.

O tell , tell .

Ther.

I le decline the whole question . Agamemnon commands Achilles , Achilles is my Lord , I am Patroclus knower , and Patroclus is a foole .

Achil.

Deriue this ? come ?

Ther.

Agamemnon is a foole to offer to command Achilles , Achilles is a foole to be commanded . Thersites is a foole to serue such a foole , and this Patroclus is a foole positiue .

Patr.

Why am I a foole ?

Ther.

Make that demand of the Prouer , it suffices mee thou art : looke you , who comes heere ?

Enter Agam : Vliss : Nestor , Diomed , Aiax & Calcas . Achil.

Come Patroclus , I le speake with no body : come in with me Thersites .

Ther.

Here is such patcherie , such iugling , and such knauery : all the argument is a whore , and a Cuckold , a good quarrell to draw emulous factions , & bleed to death vpon .

Agam.

Where is Achilles ?

Patro.

Within his tent , but ill disposd my Lord .

Aga. Let it be knowne to him ; ●hat we are heere , He sate , our messengers and we lay by , Our appertainings , visiting of him Let him be told so , least perchance he thinke , We dare not moue the question of our place , Or know not what we are . Patro. I shall say so to him . Vliss. We saw him at the opening of his tent , Hee i● not sick . Aiax .

Yes Lion sick , sick of proud heart , you may call it melancholy if you will fauour the man . But by my head 't is pride : but why , why , let him shew vs a cause ?

Nest. What mooues Aiax thus to bay at him ? Vliss. Achillis hath inuegled his foole from him , Nest. Who Thersites ? Vlis. He. Nest. Then will Aiax lack matter , if he haue lost his argument . Vlis.

No you see he is his argument , that has his argument Achilles .

Nes.

All the better , their fraction is more our wish then their faction , but it was a strong composure a foole could disunite .

Vlis. The amity that wisdom knits not , folly may easily vnty . Heere comes Patroclus . Nest. No Achilles with him . Vlis. The Elephant hath ioynts , but none for courtesie , His legs are legs for necessity , not for flexure . Patro. Achilles bids me say he is much sorry , If any thing more then your sport and pleasure Did mooue your greatnesse , and this noble state , To call vpon him . He hopes it is no other But for your health , and your disgestion sake , An after dinners breath . Agam. Heere you Patroclus : We are too well acqu●inted with these answers , But his cuasion winged thus swift with scorne , Cannot out-flie our apprehensions , Much attribute he hath , and much the reason Why we ascribe it to him . Yet all his vertues , Not vertuously on his owne part beheld , Doe in our eyes begin to lose their glosse , Yea like faire fruite in an vnholsome dish , Are like to rott vntasted . Go and tell him , We come to speake with him , and you shall not winne , If you do say , we thinke him ouer-proud And vnder-honest , in selfe assumption greater Then in the note of iudgement . And worthier then himselfe Heere tend the sauage strangenesse he puts on Disguise , the holy strength of their commaund , And vender-write in an obseruing kinde , His humorous predominance : yea watch His course , and time , his ebbs and flowes , and if The passage , and wholest came of his commeacement , Rode on his tide Goe tell him this , and adde , That if he ouer-hold his price so much , Wee le ' none of him , But let him like an engine , Not portable , lye vnder this report . Bring action hither , this cannot go to warre , A stirring dwarfe we doe allowance giue , Before a sleeping gyant . Tell him so . Patr. I shall , and bring his answer presently . Agam. In second voyce wee le not be satisfied , We come to speake with him : Vlisses entertaine . Aiax . What is he more then another . Agam. No more then what he thinkes he is . Aiax .

Is he so much : doe you not thinke he thinkes himselfe a better man then I am ?

Agam.

No question .

Aiax .

Will you subscribe his thought , and say he is .

Agam.

No noble Aiax , you are as strong , as valiant , as wife , no lesse noble , much more gentle , and altogether more tractable .

Aia.

Why should a man be proud ? how doth pride grow ? I know not what pride is .

Agam.

Your minde is the cleerer , and your vertues the fairer , hee that is proud eates vp him-selfe : Pride is his owne glasse , his owne trumpet , his owne chronicle , and what euer praises it selfe but in the deed , deuoures the deed in the praise .

Enter Vlisses . Aiax .

I do hate a proud man , as I do hate the ingendring of Toades .

Nest.

And yet he loues himselfe , i●t not strange ?

Vlis.

Achilles will not to the field to morrow .

Agam.

What s his excuse ?

Vlis. He doth r●lye on none . But carries on the streame of his dispose , Without obseruance , or respect of any , In will peculiar , and in selfe admission . Agam. Why will he not vpon our faire request , Vntent his person , and share th ayre with vs . Vlis. Things small as nothing , for requests sake onely , He makes important possest he is with greatnesse , And speakes not to himselfe but with a pride , That quarrels at selfe breath . Imagind worth , Holds in his bloud such swolne and hott discurse , That twixt his mentall and his actiue parts , Kingdom ● Achilles in commotion rages , And batters downe himselfe . What should I say , He is so plaguie proud , that the death tokens of it , Crie no recouerie . Agam. Let Aiax go to him , Deere Lord , go you , and greete him in his tent , 'T is said he holds you well , and will be lead , At your request 〈◊〉 from himselfe . Vlis. O Agamemnon let it not be so , Wee le consecrate the steps that Aiax makes , When they go from Achilles : shall the proud Lord That ba●ts his arrogance with his own●seame , And neuer suffe●s matter of the world Enter his thoughts , 〈◊〉 such as doth reuolue , And ●uminate him-selfe : shall he be worsh●pt , Of that we hold an idoll more then hee , No● this thrice worthy and right valiant Lord , Shall not so staule his palme nob●y acquird , Nor by my will aslubiugate his merit , As amply liked as Achilles is by going to Achilles , That were to enlard his fat already pride , And adde more coles to Cancer when he burnes , With entertaining great Hiperi●● , This Lord go to him . Iupiter forbid , And sa● in thunder Achilles go to him . Nest. O this is well , he rubs the vaine of him . Diom. And how his silence drinkes vp his applause , Aia. If I go to him : with my armed fist i le push him ore the ●a●e . Agam. O no , you shall not goe , Aia. And he be proud with me , I le phe●e his pride , Let me go● to him . Vliss.

Not for the worth that hangs vpon our quarrell .

Aiax .

A paltry insolent fellow .

Nest.

How he describes him selfe .

Aiax .

Can he not be sociable .

Vliss.

The Rauen chides blacknesse .

Aiax .

I le tell his humorous bloud .

Agam.

Hee wil be the phisition , that should bee the pacient .

Aiax .

And all men were of my minde .

Vliss

Wit would bee out of fashion .

Aiax .

A should not beare it so , a should eate swords first ? shall pride carry it ?

Nest.

And t●o●od yow'd carry halfe .

Aiax .

A would haue ten shares . I will kneade him , I le make him supple he 's not yet through warme ?

Nest.

Force him with praiers poure in , poure , his ambition is d●ie .

Vliss.

My Lord you feed to much on this dislike ,

Nest.

Our noble generall do not do so ?

Diom. You must prepare to fight without Achilles . Vliss : Why t is this naming of him do's him harme , H re is a man but t is before his face , I wil be silent . Nest. Wherefore should you so ? He is not emulous as Achilles is . Vliss. Know the whole world hee is as valiant — Aiax .

A hoarson dog that shall palter with vs thus , would he were a Troyan ?

Nest. What a vice were it in Aiax now : Vliss : If hee were proude . Diom. Or couetous of praise . Vliss. I or surly borne . Diom. Or strange or selfe affected . Vliss : Thank the heauens Lord , thou art of sweet composure Praise him that gat thee , shee that gaue thee suck : Fam'd be thy tutor , and thy parts of nature , Thrice fam'd beyond all thy erudition : But hee that disciplind thine armes to fight , Let Mars diuide eternity in twaine , And giue him halfe , and for thy vigour ? Bull-bearing Mil● his addition yeeld , To sinowy Aiax , I will not praise thy wisdome , Which like a boord : a pale , a shore confines This spacious and dilated parts , here 's Nestor , Instructed by the antiqua●y times : He must , he is , he cannot but be wise , But pardon father Nestor were your daies As greene as Aiax , and your braine so temper'd , You should not haue the emynence of him , But be as Aiax . Aiax . Shall I call you father ? Nest. I my good Sonne . Diom. Be ruld by him Lord Aiax . Vliss. There is no tarrying here the Hart Achilles , Keepes thicket , please it our great generall , To call together all his state of warre , 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 call their flower , Aiax shall cope the best . Aga. Go we to counsell , let Achilles sleepe , Light boates saile swift , though greater hulkes draw deepe . Exeunt . Enter Pandarus . Pan.

Friend you , pray you a word , doe you not follow the yong Lord Paris .

Man .

I sir when he goes before mee .

Pan.

You depend vpon him I meane .

Man .

Sir I do depend vpon the Lord .

Pan.

You depend vpon a notable gentleman I must needs praise him .

Man .

The Lord be praized ?

Pan.

You know me ? ●oe you not ?

Man .

Faith sir superficially .

Pan.

Friend know mee better , I am the Lord Pandarus .

Man .

I hope I shall know your honour better ?

Pan.

I do desire it .

Man .

You are in the state of grace ?

Pan.

Grace ? not so friend , honour and Lordship are my titles , what musicke is this ?

Man .

I do but partly know sir , it is musick in partes .

Pan.

Know you the musiciars ?

Man .

Wholy sir.

Pan.

Who play they to ?

Man .

To the hearers sir.

Pan.

At whose pleasure friend ?

Man .

At mine sir , and theirs that loue musicke ,

Pan.

Command I meane :

Man .

Who shall I command sir ?

Pan.

Friend we vnderstand not one another , I am to courtly and thou to cunning , at whose request do these men play ?

Man .

That 's to 't indeed sir ? marry sir , at the request of Paris my Lord , who is there in person , with him the mortall Venus , the heart bloud of beauty , loues inuisible soule :

Pan.

Who my cozen Cressida ,

Man .

No sir , Hellen , could not you finde out that by her attributes .

Pan.

It should seeme fellow thou hast not seene the Lady Cressid I come to speake with Paris , from the Prince Troylus . I will make a complemental● assault vpon , him for my businesse seeth's .

Man .

Sodden businesse , their s a stew'd phrase indeed .

Enter Paris and Hellen. Pan.

Faire be to you my Lord , and to al this faire company , faire desires in all faire measure fairlie guide them , especially to you faire Queene faire thoughts be your faire pillow .

Hel.

Dere Lord you are full of faire words :

Pan. You speake your faire pleasure sweet Queene , Faire Prince here is good broken musicke . Par.

You haue broke it cozen : and by my life you shall make it whole againe , you shall peece it out with a peece of your performance .

Nel.

he is full of harmony :

Pan :

Truely Lady no :

Hel :

O sir :

Pan :

Rude in sooth , in good sooth very rude .

Paris :

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

Pan.

I haue businesse to my Lord deere Queene ? my Lord will you vouchsafe me a word .

Hel.

Nay this shall not hedge vs out , wee le here you sing ●ertain●ly :

Pan :

Well sweete Queene you are pleasant with mee , but , marry thus my Lord my deere Lord , and most esteemed friend your brother Troylus .

Hel. My Lord Pandarus hony sweet Lord , Pan. Go too sweet Queene , go to ? Comends himselfe most affectionatly to you . Hel. You shall not bob vs out of our melody , If you do our melancholy vpon your head . Pan. Sweet Queene , sweet Queene , that s a sweet Queene I faith — Hel.

And to make a sweet Lady sad is a sower offence .

Pan.

Nay that shall not serue your turne , that shall it not in truth la ? Nay I care not for such words , no , no. And my Lord hee desires you that if the King cal for him at super . You will make his excuse .

Hel.

My Lord Pandarus .

Pan.

What saies my sweete Queenem , y very very sweet Queene ?

Par.

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

Hel.

Nay but my Lord ?

Pan

What saies my sweet Queene ? my cozen will fall out with you .

Hel.

You must not know where he sups .

Par.

I le lay my life with my disposer Cresseida .

Pan.

No , no ? no such matter you are wide , come your disposer is sicke .

Par.

Well i le makes excuse ?

Pan.

I good my Lord , why should you say Cresseida , no , your disposers sick .

Par.

I spie ?

Pan.

You spy ? what doe you spie ? come , giue mee an instrument now sweete Queene :

Hel.

Why this is kindely done ?

Pan.

My Neece is horribly in loue with a thing you haue sweete Queene .

Hel.

Shee shall haue it my Lord , if it bee not my Lord Paris .

Pand.

Hee ? ●o ? shee le none of him , they two are tawine .

Hel.

Falling in after falling out may make them three .

Pand.

Come , come , I le heare no more of this , I le sing you a song now .

Hell :

I , I , prethee , now by my troth sweet lad thou haste a fine fore-head .

Pand :

I you may , you may .

Hell :

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

Pand :

Loue ? I that it shall yfaith .

Par:

I good now loue , loue , nothing but loue .

Pand : Loue , loue , nothing but loue , still loue still more For o loues bow . Shoots Bucke and Doe . The shafts confound not that it wounds But ticles still the sore : These louers cry , o● ho they dye , Yet that which seemes the wound to kill , Doth turne oh ho , to ha ha he , So dying loue liues still , O ho a while , but ha ha ha , O ho grones out for ha ha ha — hey ho , Hell :

In loue I faith to the very tip of the nose .

Par.

He eates nothing but doues loue , and that breeds hot blood , and hot bloud begets hot thoughts , and hot thoughts beget hot deedes , and hot deeds is loue .

Pand.

Is this the generation of loue : hot bloud hot thoughts and hot deedes , why they are vipers , is loue a generation of vipers :

Sweete Lord whose a field to day ? Par:

Hector , Deiphobus , Helenus , Anthenor , and all the gallantry of Troy . I would faine haue arm'd to day , but my Nell would not haue it so .

How chance my brother Troylus went not ? Hell :

He hangs the lippe at something , you know al Lord Pandarus .

Pand :

Not I hony sweete Queene , I long to heare how they sped to day :

You le remember your brothers excuse ? Par:

To a hayre .

Pand :

Farewell sweete Queene .

Hell . Commend me to your neece . Pand : I will sweet Queene . Sound a retreate Par: Their come from the field : let vs to Priames Hall To greete the warriers . Sweet Hellen I must woe you , To helpe v●-arme our Hector : his stubborne bucle● With this your white enchaunting fingers toucht ; Shall more obey then to the edge of steele ▪ Or force of Greekish sinewes : you shall do more Then all the Hand Kinges , disarme great Hector ▪ Hell : T wil make vs proud to be his seruant Paris● Yea what he shall receiue of vs in duty , Giues vs more palme in beauty then we haue . Yea ouer shines our selfe . Par: Sweet above thought I loue her ? Exeunt . Enter . Pandarus Troylus , man . Pand : How now wher 's thy maister , at my Cousin Cress●das ? Man : No sir stayes for you to conduct him thether . Pand : O heere he comes● how now , how now ? Troy : Sirra walke off . Pand : Haue you seene my Cousine ? Troy : No Pandarus , I stalke about her dor● Like to a strange soule vpon the Stigian banke● Staying for waftage . O be thou my Char●n . And giue me swift transportance to these fieldes , Where I may wallow in the lilly beds Propos●d for the deseruer . O gentle Pandar , From Cupids shoulder plucke his painted wings , And flye with me to Cressid . Pand : Walke heere ith'Orchard , I le bring her straight ▪ Troy : I am giddy ; expectation whirles me round , Th' ymaginary relish is so sweete , That it inchaunts my sence : what will it be When that the wa●ry pallats ●aste indeed Loues thrice repured Nectar ? Death I feare me Sounding distruction , or some ioy to fyne , To subtill , potent , tun'd to sharp in sweetnesse For the capacity of my ruder powers ; I feare it much , and I doe feare beside● That I shall loose distinction in my ioyes As doth a battaile , when they charge on heapes The enemy flying . Pand.

Shee s making her ready , shee le come straight , you must be witty now , she does so blush , and fetches her wind so short as if shee were fraid with a spirite : I le fetch her ; it is the pre●●iest villaine , she fetches her breath as short as a new ●ane sparrow .

Troy : Euen such a passion doth imbrace my bosome , My heart beats thicker then a ●eauorous pulse , And all my powers do their bestowing loose Like vassalage at vnwares encountring the eye of maiesty . Enter pand●r and Cressid ▪ Pand. Come , come , what need you blush ?

Shames a babie ; heere shee is now , sweare the othes now to her that you haue sworne to me : what are you gone againe , you must be watch●●re you be made ●ame , must you ? come your waies come your waies , and you draw backward wee le put you i●h filles : why doe you not speake to her . Come draw this curtaine , and le ts see your picture ; alasse the day ? how loath you are to offend day light ; and t were darke you l close sooner : so so , rub on and kisse the mistresse ; how now a kisse in fee-fa●●e : build there Carpenter ▪ the ayre is sweet . Nay , you shall fight your hearts out ere I part you . The fa●lcon , as the tercell : for all the ducks i●h riuer : go too , go too .

Troy :

You haue bereft me of all wordes Lady .

Pand :

Words pay no debts ; giue her deeds : but shee le bereaue you a th' deeds too if she call your acti●ity in question : what billing again : heere s in witnesse whereof the parties interchangeably . Come in come in I le go get a fire ?

Cres.

Will you walke in my Lord ?

Troy .

O Cressed how often haue I wisht me thus .

Cres.

Wish● my Lord ? the gods graunt ? O my Lord ?

Troy .

What should they graunt ? what makes this pretty abruption : what to cur●ou● dreg espies my sweete lady in the fountaine of our loue ?

Cres.

More dregs then water if my teares haue eyes .

Troy .

Feares make diuels of Cherubins , they neuer see truly .

Cres.

B●ind feare that seeing reason leads , finds safer footing , then blind reason , stumbling without feare : to feare the worst oft cures the worse .

Troy . O let my Lady apprechend no feare , In all Cupids pageant there is presented no monster . Cres.

Nor nothing monstrous neither .

Troy .

Nothing but our vndertakings , when wee vow 〈◊〉 weepe seas , liue in fire , eate rockes , ●ame Tygers , thinking it harder for our mistresse to deuise impo●ition ynough then for vs to vndergoe any difficulty imposed . —

This the monstruosity in loue Lady , that the will is infinite and the execution confind , that the desire is boundlesse , and the act a slaue to lymite .

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 part of one . They that haue the voyce of Lyons , and the act of Hares are they not monsters ?

Troy .

Are there such : such are not we ; Praise vs as wee are tasted , allow vs as we proue : our head shall goe bare till merit louer part no affection in reuersion shall haue a praise in present : we will not name desert before his birth , and being borne , his addition shall bee humble : few wordes to faire faith . Troylus shall be such to Cressid , as what enuy can say worst shall bee a mocke for his truth , and what truth can speake truest not truer then Troylus .

Cres.

Will you walke in my Lord ?

Pand.

What blushing still , haue you not done talking ye●●

Cres.

Well Vncle what folly I commit I dedicate to you .

Pand.

I thanke you for that , if my Lord gette a boy of you , you le giue him me : be true to my Lord , if he ●●inch chide me for it .

Troy :

You know now your hostages , your Vncles word and my firme faith .

Pand.

Nay I le giue my word for her too : our kindred though they be long ere they bee woed ▪ they are constant being wonne , they are burres I can tell you , they le sticke where they are throwne .

Cres.

Bouldnesse comes to me now and brings me heart : Prince Troylus I haue loued you night and day , for many weary moneths .

Troy : Why was my Cressid then so hard to wy● ? Cres : Hard to seeme wonne : but I was wonne my Lord With the first glance ; that euer pardon me If I confesse much you will play the tyrant , I loue you now , but till now not so much But I might maister it ; in faith I lye , My thoughts were like vnbrideled children grone Too headstrong for their mother : see wee fooles , Why haue I blab●d : ●ho shall be ●rue to vs When we a●e so vnsecret to our selues . But though I loue'd you well , I woed you not , And yet good faith I wisht my selfe a man ; Or that we women had mens priuiledge Of speaking first . Sweete bid me hold my tongue , For in this rapture I shall surely speake The thing I shall repent : see see your sylence Comming in dumbnesse , from my weaknesse drawes My very soule of councell . Stop my mouth . Troy : And shall , albeit sweet musique issues thence . Pand. Pretty yfaith . Cres. My Lord I doe beseech you pardon me , T was not my purpose thus to begge a kisse : I am asham'd ; O Heauens what haue I done ● For this time will I take my leaue my Lord . Troy : Your leaue sweete Cressid : Pan : Leaue : and you take leaue till to morrow morning . Cres : Pray you content you . Troy : What offends you Lady ? Cres : sir mine own company . Troy : You cannot shun your selfe . Cres : Let me goe and try : I haue a kind of selfe recids with you : But an vnkinde selfe , that it selfe will leaue , To be anothers ●oole . I would be gone : Where is my wit ? I know not what I speake , Tro. Well know they what they speake , that speake so wisely , Cres. Perchance my Lord I show 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 , Exceeds mans might that dwells with gods aboue , Tro. O that I thought it could be in a woman . As if it can I will presume in you , To feed for age her lampe and flames of loue . To keepe her constancy in pligbt and youth . Out-liuing beauties outward , with a mind , That doth renew swifter then blood decays , Or that persuasion could but thus conuince me ▪ That my integrity and truth to you , Might be affronted with the match and waight , O● such a winnowed purity in loue , How were I then vp-lifted ! but alasse , I am as true as truths simplicity , And simpler then the infancy of truth . Cres. In that i le war with you , Tro. Overtuous fight , When right with right warres who sha'be most right , True sw●ins in loue shall in the world to come Approue their trueth by Troylus , when their times , Full of protest , of oath and big compare , Wants ●imele's truth tyrd with iteration . As true as steele , as plantage to the moone . As sunne to day : as vnckle to her mate , As Iron to Adamant : as Earth to th' Center , After all comparisons of truth . ( As truths anthentique author to be cited ) As ●rue as Troylus , shall croune vp the verse , And sancti●ie the nombers , Cres. Prophet may you bee , If I bee fal●e or swarue a hayre from truth , When time is ould or hath forgot it selfe , When water drops haue worne the stones of Troy , And blind obliuion swallowd Citties vp . And mighty states character-les are grated , To dusty nothing , yet let memory , From falce to falce among falce mayds in loue , Vpbraid my falcehood , when th 'haue said as falce , As ayre , as water , wind or sandy earth , As Fox to Lambe ; or Wolfeto Heifers Calfe , Pard to the Hind , or stepdame to her Sonne ▪ Yea let them say to sticke the heart of falsehood , As false as Cressid . Pand.

Go to a bargaine made , scale it , seale it i le bee the witnes here I hold your hand , here my Cozens , if euer you proue false one , to another since I haue taken such paine to bring you together let all pittifull goers between be cald to the worlds end after my name , call them all Panders , let all constant men be Troylusses all fal●e woemen Cressids , and all brokers betweene panders ; say Amen .

Tro.

Amen .

Cre.

Amen ▪

Pan.

Amen .

Wherevpon I will shew you a Chamber , which bed because it shall not speake of your prety encounters presse it to death ; away .

Exeunt . And Cupid grant all tong-tide maydens here , Bed , chamber , Pander to prouide this geere . Exit . Enter Vlisses , Diomed , Nestor , Agamem , Chal●as . Cal Now Princes for the seruice I haue done , Th' aduantage of the time prompts me aloud , To call for recompence : appere it to mind , That through the sight I beare in things to loue , I haue abandond Troy , left my possession , Incurd a traytors name , exposd my selfe , From certaine and possest conueniences , To doubtfull fortunes sequestring from me all , That time acq●aintance , custome and condition , Made ●ame , and most familiar to my nature : And here to doe you seruice am become , As new into the world , strange , vnacquainted . I do beseech you as in way of tast , To giue me now a little benefit . Out of those many registred in promise , Which you say liue to come in my behalfe● Aga. What wouldst thou of 〈◊〉 Troian ? make demand ? Calc . You haue a Troian prisoner cald Aut●●or ▪ Yesterday tooke , Troy holds him very deere . Of● haue you ( often haue you thankes therefore ) Desird my Cressed in right great exchange . Whom Troy hath still deni'd , but this Auth●●●r , I know is such a wrest in their affaires : That their nego●iations all must slacke , Wan●ing his mannage and they will almost , Giue v● ▪ a Prince of blood a Sonne of Prya● , In change of him . Let him be sent great Princes , And he shall buy my daughter : and her presence , Shall quite strike of all seruice I haue done , In most accepted paine . Aga. Let Diomedes beare him , And bring vs Cressid hither , Calcas shall haue What he requests of vs ▪ good Diomed Furnish you farely for this enterchange , Withall bring word If Hector will to morrow , Bee answered in his challenge . Aiax is ready . Di●. This shall I vndertake , and t is a bu●then Which I am proud to beare . Exit , Achilles and Patro stand in their sent . Vli. Achilles stands its entrance of his tent , Please it our generall passe strangely by him : As if he were forgot , and princes all , ●ay negligent and looke regard vpon him , I will come last , t is like hee le question mee . Why such vnpaulsiue eyes are bent ? why ●urnd on him , If so I haue derision medecinable , To vse betweene your strangnes and his pride , Which his owne will shall haue desire to drinke ▪ It may doe good , pride hath no other glasse , To show it selfe but pride : for supple knees , Feed arrogance and are the proud mans fees , Aga. Wee le execute your purpose and put on , A forme of strangnesse as ●e 〈◊〉 along ▪ So do each Lord , and either greet him no● Or els disdaynf●lly , which shall shake him more : Then if not lookt on . I will lead the way . Achil. What comes the generall to speake with mee ? You know my minde I le fight no more 'gainst Troy : Aga. What saies Achilles would he ought with vs ? Nest. Would you my Lord ought with the generall . Achil. No. Nest. Nothing my Lord : Aga. The bet●es ▪ Achil. Good day , good day : Men. How do you ? how do you ? Achil. What do's the C●●kould scorne me● Aiax . How now Patroclus ? Achil. Good morrow Aiax ? Aiax . Ha : Achil Good morrow . Aiax . I and good next day too . Exeunt . Ac● . What meane these fellowes know they not Achilles ? Patro. They passe by strangely : they were vs'd to bend , To send their smiles before them to Achilles : To come as humbly as they vsd to creep , to holy a●ltars : Achil. What am I poore of late ? T is certaine , greatnesse once falne out with fortune , Must fall out with men to , what the declin'd is , He shall as soone reade in the eyes of others As feele in his owne fall : for men like butter-flies , Shew not their mealy wings but to the Summer , And not a m m for being simply man , Hath any honour , but honour for those honours That are without him , as place , ritches , and fauour , Prizes of accident as oft as merit Which when they fall as being slipery standers , The loue that lean'd on them as slipery too , Doth one pluck downe another , and together , die in the ●all , But t is not so with mee , Fortune and I are friends , I do enioy : At ample point all that I did possesse , Saue these mens lookes , who do me thinkes finde out : Some thing not worth in me such ritch beholding , As they haue often giuen . Here is Vlisses I le interrupt his reading , how now Vlisses ? Vliss. Now great Thetis Sonne . Achil. What are you reading ? Vliss. A strange fellow here , Writes me that man , how derely euer parted : How much in hauing or without or in Cannot , make bost to haue that which he hath , Nor feeles not what he owes but by reflection● As when his vertues ayming vpon others , Heate them and they retort that heate againe . To the first giuers . Achil. This is not strange Vlisses , The beauty that is borne here in the face : The bearer knowes not ▪ but commends it selfe , To others eyes , nor doth the eye it selfe That most pure spirit of sence , behold it selfe Not going from it selfe : but eye to eye opposed , Sallutes each other , with each others forme ▪ For speculation turnes not to it selfe , Till it hath trauel'd and is married there ? Where it may see it selfe : this is not strange at all . Vliss. I do not straine at the position , It is familiar , but at the authors drift , Who in his circumstance expressly proo●es , That no man is the Lord of any thing : Though in and of him there be much con●isting , Till he communicate his parts to others , Nor doth hee of himselfe know them for aught : Till he behold them formed in the applause . Where th' are extended : who like an arch reuerb'rate The voice againe or like a gate of steele : ●ronting the Sunne ▪ receiues and renders back His figure and his heate . I was much rap't i● this , And apprehended here immediately , Th' vnknowne Aiax , heauens what a man is there ? A very horse , that has he knowes not what Nature what things there are . Most obiect in regard , and deere in vse , What things againe most deere in the esteeme : And poore in worth , now shall we see to morrow , An act that very chance doth throw vpon him 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 Ideo●● in her eyes , How one man eates into anothers pride , While pride is fasting in his w●ntonesse . To see these Grecian Lords , why euen already : They clap the lubber Aiax on the shoulder As if his foote were one braue Hectors b●est , And great Troy shriking . Ach●ll . I doe beleeue it , For they past by me as misers do by beggars , Neither gaue to me good word nor looke : What are my deeds forgot ? Vliss. Time hath ( my Lord ) a wallet at his back , Wherein he puts almes for obliuion : A great siz'd monster of ingratitudes , Those scraps are good deeds past , Which are deuour'd as fast as they are made , Forgot as soone as done , perseuerance deere my Lord ▪ Keepes honour bright , to haue done , is to hang ▪ Quite out of fashion like a ru●ty male , In monumentall mockry ? take the instant way , For honour trauells in a straight so narrow : Where on but goes a brest , keepe then the path For emulation hath a thousand Sonnes , That one by one pursue , if you giue way , Or turne a side from the direct forth right : Like to an entred tide they all rush by , And leaue you him , most , then what they do in present : Though lesse then yours in passe , must ore top yours . For time is like a fashionable hoast , That slightly shakes his parting gu●st by th' hand , And with his armes out-stretcht as he would flie , Graspes in the comme● : the welcome euer smiles , And farewell goes out sighing . Let not vertue seeke , Remu●eration for the thing it was . For beauty , wit , High birth , vigor of bone , desert in seruic●● Loue , friendship , charity , are subiects al , To enuious and calumniati g●●me , One touch of nature makes the whole world kin , That all with one consent praise new-borne ga●●es , Though they are made and moulded of things past , And goe to dust , that is a little guilt , More laud then guilt o●e-dusted . The present eye praises the present obiect . Then maruell not ●hou great and complet man , That all the Greekes begin to worship Aiax ; Since things in mo●ion sooner catch the eye , That what stirs not . The ●rie went once on thee , And still it might , and yet it may againe , If thou wouldst not entombe thy selfe aliue , And case ●●y reputation in thy tent . Whose glorious deeds but in ●●ese fi●lds of late , Made emulous missions mongst the gods them selues , And draue great Mars to faction . Achil. Of this my priuacie , I haue strong reasons . Vlis. But gainst your priuacie , The reasons are more potent and heroycall : T is knowne Ach●●●es that you are in loue With one of Priams daughters . Achil. H●● ? knowne . Vlis. Is that a wonder : The prouidence th●●● in 〈…〉 ● , Knowes almost euery thing , Findes bo●●om in the vncomprehens●●e depth , Keepes place with thought and almost like the gods , Do thoughts vn●aile in their ●umbe 〈◊〉 There is a mysterie ( with whom relation Durst neuer meddle ) in the soule of state , Which hath an operation more diuine , 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 fitt , Achilles much , To throw downe Hector then Polixena . But it must grieue young Pir●●s now at home , When fame shall in our Ilands 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 : 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 moou'd you , A woman impudent and mannish growne , Is not more loth'd then an effeminate man In time of action : I stand condemnd for this They thinke my little stomack to the warre , And your great loue to me , restraines you thus , Sweete rouse your selfe , and the weake wanton Cupid , Shall from your neck vnloose his amorous fould , And like dew drop from the Lions mane , Be shooke to ayre . Ach. Shall Aiax fight with Hector . Patro. I and perhaps receiue much honor by him . Achil. I see my reputation is at stake , My fame is shrowdly gor'd . Patro. O then beware . Those wounds heale ill , that men do give themselues , Omission to doe what is necessary . Seales a commission to a blanke of danger , And danger like an ague subtly taints Euen then when they sit idely in the sunne . Achil. Go call Thersites hether sweet Patroclus , I le send the foole to Aiax , and desire him Tinu●●e the Troyan lords after the combate , To see vs heere vnarmd . I haue a womans longing , An appe●tite that I am sick with-all , To see great Hector in his weeds of peace , To talke with him , and to behold his vis●ge , Euen to my full of view . A labour sau'd . Enter Thersites . Thersi . A wonder . Achil. What ? Thersi .

Aiax goes vp and downe the field asking for himselfe .

Achil.

How so ?

Thersi .

He must fight singly to morrow with Hector , and is so prophetically proud of an heroycall ●udgeling , that ●e raues in saying nothing .

Achil.

How can that be ?

Thersi .

Why a stalkes vp and downe like a peaco●k , ● stride and a stand : ruminates like an host●sse , that hath no Arithmatique but her braine to set downe her reckoning : bites his lip with a politique regarde , as who should say there were witte in this head and ●woo'd out : and so there is . But it lyes as coldly in him , 〈◊〉 fire in a sting , which will not show without knocking , the mans vndone for euer , for if Hector breake not his neck i th' combate , hee 'le br●akt himselfe in vaine glory . Hee knowes not mee . I sayd good morrow Aiax : And hee replyes thankes Agamemnon . What thinke you of this man that takes mee for the Generall ? Hee s growne a very land-fish languagelesse , a monster , a plague of opinion , a man may weare it on both sides like a lether Ierkin .

Achil

Thou must be my Ambassador Thersites .

Thersi .

Who I : why hee le answer no body : hee professes not answering , speaking is for beggers : he weares his tongue in 's armes . I will put on his presence , let Patroclus make demands to me . You shall see the pageant of Aiax .

Achil.

To him Patroclus , tell him I humbly desire the valiant Aiax , to inuite the valorous Hector to come vnarm'd to my tent , and to procure safe-conduct for his person , of the mag●●animous and most illustriou● sixe or seauen times honour'd Captaine Generall of the armie . Aga●●em●e● , do this .

Patro.

Ioue blesse great Aiax .

Ther 's .

Hum.

Patr.

I come from the worthy Achilles .

Ther 's .

Ha ?

Patr.

Who most humbly desires ●you to inuite Hector to his ●ent .

Ther 's .

Hum ?

Patr.

And to procure safe conduct from 〈◊〉 .

Ther 's .

Agam●m●e● ?

Patr.

I my Lord .

Ther 's .

Ha ?

Patr.

What say you too 't .

Ther 's .

God buy you with all my heart .

Patr.

Your answer sir.

Ther 's .

If to morrow be a faire day , by a seuen of the clock it will goe one way or other , howsoeuer he shall pay for me ere hee ha's me .

Patr.

Your answer sir.

Ther 's .

Fare yee well with all my heart .

Achil.

Why , but he is not in this tune , is he ?

Ther 's .

No : but out of tune thus , What musick will be i● him , when Hector ha's knockt out his braines , I know not . But I am sure none , vnlesse the fidler Apollo get his sinnews to make Catlings on .

Achil.

Come , thou shalt beare a letter to him straight .

Ther 's .

Let mee heare another to his horse , for that s the more capable crea●ure .

Achil. My minde is troubled like a fountaine stird , And I my selfe see not the bottome of it . Ther 's .

Would the fountaine of your minde were cleere Again● , that I might water an Asse at it , I had rather be a tick in a sheepe , then such a valiant ignorance .

Enter at one doore Ae●ea● , at another Paris , Deiphobus , Ant●m●r , Diomed the Grecian with torches . Paris . See ho ? who is that there ? Dei●h . It is the Lord Aeneas . Aene. Is the Prince there in person ? Had I so good occasion to lye long As your prince Paris , nothing but heauenly businesse , Should rob my bed mate of my company . Dio. That 's my minde too ? good morrow Lord Aene●● . Paris . A valiant Greeke Aene●● take his hand . Witnesse the processe of your speech : wherein You ●old how Dyomed a whole weeke by daies , Did haunt you in the fie'd . Aene. Health to you valiant sir , During all question of the gentle truce : But when I meete you arm'd , as black defiance , As heart can thinke or courage execute . Diom. The one and other Diomed embraces , Our blouds are now in calme , and so long helth : Lul'd when contention , and occasion meete , By Ioue ●le play the hunter for thy life , With all my force , pursuite , and pollicy . Aene. And ●hou shalt hunt a Lyon that will flie , With his face back-ward , in humane gentlenesse : Welcome to Troy , now by A●ch●ses life , Welcome indeed : by Venus hand I swere : No man aliue can ●oue in such a sort , The thing he meanes to kill , more excellently . Diom. We simpathize . 〈◊〉 let Aen●●● line ( If to my sword his fate be not the glory ) A thousand compleate courses of the Sunne , But in mine emulous honor let him die : With euery ioynt a wound and that to morrow — ▪ Aene. We know each other well ? Diom. We do and long to know each other worse . Par. This is the most despigh●●ull gentle greeting , The noblest hatefull loue that ere I heard of , what bus●●nesse Lord so earely ▪ Aene. I was sent for to the King ? but why I know no● . Par. His purpose meetes you ▪ t was to bring this Greeke , To Calcho's house , and there to render him : For the enfreed Anthenor the faire Cressid , Let s haue your company , or if you please , Hast there before vs . I constantly beleeue , ( Or rather call my thought a certaine knowledge ) My brother Troylus ●●●ges there to night , Roufe him and giue him note of our approch ▪ With the whole quality wherefore : I feare we shall be much vnwelcom● . Aeneas .

That I assure you : Tr●yl●●h●d rather Troy were borne to Greece , then Cressied borne from Troy .

Paris . There is no helpe . The bitter disposition of the time will haue it so : On Lord , wee le follow you . Aeneas . Good morrow all . Paris . And tell me noble Diomed , faith tell me true , Euen in soule of sound good fellowship , Who in your thoughts , deserues faire Helen best , My selfe , or Menelaus . Diom. Both ●like ▪ Hee merits well to haue her that doth seeke her , Not making any scruple of her ●oyle , With such ● hell of paine , and world of charge . And you as well to keepe her , that defend her , Not pallating the ●afte of her dishonour With such a costly losse of wealth and friends , He like a puling Cuckold would drinke vp , The legs and dregs of a flat tamed peece : You like a le●cher out of whorish loynes , Are pleasd to breed out your inheri●ors , Both merits poyzd , each weighs nor lesse nor more , But he as he , the h●●ui●r for a whore . Paris . You are too bitter to your country-woman ▪ Diom. Shee s bitter to her country ▪ heare me Paris , For euery fal●e drop in her bawdy veines , A Grecians life hath 〈◊〉 for euery scruple Of her contaminated cartion waight , A Troyan hath beene slaine . Since she could speake , Shee hath not giuen so many good words breath , As for her Greekes and Troyans suff●ed death . Paris . Faire Diomed you do as chapmen do , Dispraise the thing that they d●●●●e to buy , But we in silence hold this vertue well , Wee le not commend , what wee inte●d to sell. Heere lyes our way . Exeunt . Enter Troylus and Cresseids . Troy . Deere , trouble not your selfe , the morne is colde . Cres. Then sweet my Lord i le call mine vnckle downe , Hee shall vnbolt the 〈◊〉 Troyl . Trouble him not . To bed to bed : sleepe kill those pri●ty eyes , And giue as soft a●●achment to thy sences , As infants empty of all thought . Cres. Good morrow then . Troyl . ●p●ithee now to bed . Cres. Are you a weary of me ? Troyl . O Cresseids ! but that the bu●ie day , Wak't by the Larke hath rouzd the ribald Crowes , And dreaming night will hide our ioyes no longer , I would not from thee . Cres. Night hath beene too briefe . Tro. B●shrew the witch I with venemous wight● she stai●●● As ●ediously as h●ll , But flies the graspes of loue , With wings more momentary swift then thought , You will catch colde and curse me . Cres. Prithee ●arry , you men will neuer tarry , O foolish Cresseid ▪ I might haue still held of , And then you would haue tarried , Harke ther 's one vp . Pand What s all the door●● open heere ▪ Troyl. It is your Vncle . Cres. A pestilence on him : now will he be mocking : I shall haue such a life . Pand. How now , how now , how go maiden-heads , Heere you maide , where 's my cozin Cresseid ? Cres. Go hang your selfe ▪ you n●ugh●y● mocking vncle ▪ You bring me to doo — and th●● ▪ you flou●e me to . Pand. To do what , to do what ? let her say what , What haue I brought you to doe ? Cres.

Come , come ▪ ●eshr●w your heart , you le ●●re be good , not suffer others .

Pand.

Ha ▪ ha : alas poore wretch : a poore chipochi● , hast not slept ●o night ? would hee not ( a naughty man ) let it sleepe , a bug-beare take him .

Cres. Did not I tell you ? would he were 〈…〉 ● , Who 's that 〈◊〉 doore , good vnckle go and s●e . O●● kn●cks . My Lord , come you againe into my chamber , You smile and mock me , as if I meant naughtily . Troyl . Ha , ha . Cres. Come you are deceiued , I thinke of no such thing , How earnestly they knock , pray you come in . Knock. I would not for halfe Troy haue you seene here , Exeunt . Pand.

Who 's there ? what 's the matter ? will you beate downe the doore ? How now , what 's the matter ?

Aene.

Good morrow Lord , good morrow .

Pand.

Who 's there my Lord Aeneas : by my troth I knew you not : what newes with you so early ?

Aene. Is not Prince Troylus heere ? Pand. Here , what should he do here ? Aene. Come he is here , my Lord , do not deny him , It doth import him much to speake with me . Pan.

Is he here say you ▪ its more then I know i le be sworne For my owne part I came in late : what should hee doe here ?

Aene.

Who , nay then ! Come ▪ come , you le do him wrong ere you are ware , you le be so true to him , ●o be false to him : Do not you know of him , but yet go fetch him hither , go .

Troyl . How now , what s the matter ? Aene. My Lord , I scarce haue leisure to salute you , My matter is so rash : there is at hand , Paris your brother , and Deiphobus , The Grecian Diomed , and our Anthenor Deliuer'd to him , and forth-with , Ere the first sacrifice , within this houre , We must giue vp to Diomedes hand The Lady Cresseida ▪ Troyl . Is it so concluded ? Aene. By Priam and the generall state of Troy , They are at hand , and ready to effect ●t . Troyl . How my atchiuement● mock me ▪ I will go meete them : and my Lord Aeneas , We met by chance , you did not finde me here . Aen Good , good , my lord , the sec●ets of neighbor Pand● Haue not more guift in ●aciturnitie . Exeunt . Pand.

Is t possible : no sooner got but lost , the diuell ●ake Anthenor , the young Prince will go ●●adde , a plague vpon Anthenor . I would they had brok's neck .

Enter Cress.

How now ? what'● the matter ? who was heere ?

Pand.

Ah , ah !

Cres.

Why sigh you so profoundly , wher 's my Lord ? gone ? tell me sweeet Vncle , what s the matter .

Pan.

Would I were as deepe vnder the earth as I am aboue .

Cres.

O the Gods , what s the matter ?

Pand.

Pray thee get thee in : would thou hadst nere been bo●●e , I knew thou wouldest be his death . O poore Gentleman , a plague vpon Anthenor .

Cres.

Good vnckle ; I beseech you on my knees , what s the matter ?

Pand.

Thou must be gone wench , thou must be gone : thou art chang'd for Anthenor . Thou must to thy father and bee gone from Troylus , t will be his death , t will bee his bane , hee cannot beare it .

Cres. O you immortall Gods , I will not go . Pand. Thou must . Cres. I will not Vncle . I haue forgot my father , I know no touch of consanguinitie , No kinne , no loue , no bloud , ●o soule so neere me As the sweete Troylus . O you gods diuine , Make Cresseids name the very crowne of falsehood , If euer she leaue Troyl●● . Time , force and death , Do to this body what extreames you can : But the strong base , and building of my loue , Is as the very center of the earth , Drawing all things to it . I le go in and weepe . Pand. Do , do . Cres. Tea●e my bright haire , & scratch my praised cheekes , Crack my cleare voyce with sobs , and breake my heart , With sounding Troylus : I will not go from Troy . Enter Paris , Troyl . Aeneas , Deiphob , A●th . Diomedes . Par. It is great morning , and the houre prefixt , For her deliuery to this valiant Greeke , Comes fast vpon : good my brother Troylus Tell you the Lady what she is to doe , And hast her to the purpose . Troy . Walke into her house , I le bring her to the Grecian presently : And to his hand when I deliuer her , Thinke it an altar , and thy brother Troylus A priest there offring ●o it his owne heart . Paris . I know what t is to loue , And would , as I shall pitty I could helpe : Please you walke in my Lords ? Exeunt . Enter Pandarus and Cresseida . Pan : Be moderate , be moderate . Cress. Why tell you me of moderation ? The greife i● fine , full , perfect that I taste ; And violenteth in a sence as strong As that which causeth it , how can I moderate it ? If I could temporize with my affections , Or brew it to a weake and coulder pallat , The like alayment could I giue my griefe : My loue admittes no qualifiing drosse , No more my griefe in such a precious losse . Enter Troylus . Pan. Here , here , here he comes , a sweete ducks . Cres. Oh Troylus , Troylus . Pan.

What a paire of spectacles is here , let me embrace too , Oh heart , as the goodly saying is , Oh heart , heauy heart , why sighst thou without breaking : where hee answers againe , because thou canst not ease thy smart by friendshippe nor by speaking : there was neuer a 〈◊〉 ●ime . Let vs cast away nothing , for wee may liue to haue need of such a verse , We see it , we see it , how now lambs ?

Troy . Cressid I loue thee in so strain'd a purity , That the blest Gods as angry with my fancy : More bright in zeale then the deuotion , which Cold lippes blow ●o their di●●ies , take thee from me . Cres. Haue the Gods enuy ? Pan I , I , I , I , t is to plaine a case . Cres. And is it true that I must go from Troy ? Troy . A hatefull truth . Cres. What and from Troylus to ? Troy . From Troy , and Troylus ▪ Cress. Is 't possible ? Troy . And suddenly , where iniury of chance Pu●s back , leaue taking ▪ iussles roughly by : All time of pause : rudely beguiles our lippes Of all reioyndu●e : forcibly preuent● Our lock't embras●●es , strangles our dere vowes , euen in the birth of our owne laboring breath : We two that with so many thousand sighes , Did buy each other , must poorely sell our selues : With the rude breuity , and discharge of one , Iniurious time now with a robbers hast , Cra●●'s his ●itch thee●'ry vp hee knowes not how . As many farewells as be starres in heauen . With distinct breath , and consignde kisses to them ▪ He fumbles vp into a loose adewe : And ska●ts vs with a single famisht kisse , Distasted with the salt of broken teares . Aeneas within . My Lord is the ●ady ready ? Troy . Harke , you are call'd , some say the Geni●● Cries so to him that instantly must die , Bid them haue pacience she shall come anon . Pan.

Where are my teares raine to lay this winde , or my heart wil be blowne vp by my throate .

Cress. I must then to the Grecians . Troy . No remedy ? Cress. A wofull Cressid mongst the merry Greekes , When shall we see againe . Troy . Here mee loue ? be thou but true of heart . Cres. I true ? how now ? what wicked deme is this ? Troy . Nay we must vse expostulation kindely , For it is parting from vs . I speake not be thou true as fearing thee . For I will throw my gloue to death himselfe , That there is no macula●●on in thy heart : But bee thou true say I to fashion in ▪ My sequent protestation ; bee ●hou true , and I will ●ee thee . Cres. Oh you shal be expos●d my Lord to dang●rs , As infinite as imminent ; but i le be ●rue , Troy . And i le grow friend with danger , were this sleeue . Cres. And you this gloue , when shall I see you ? Troy . I will corrupt the Grecian centinells , To giue thee nightly visitation , but yet be true . Cres. Oh heauens be true againe ? Troy . Here why I speake it loud , The Grecian youths are full of quality , And swelling ore with arts and excercise : How nouelty may moue , and parts with portion , Alas a kinde of Godly iealousi● , ( Which I beseech you cal a vert●ous sinne , ) Makes me a feard . Cres. Oh heauens you loue mee not ! Troy . Die I a villaine then , In this I do not call your faith in question : So mainely as my merit . I cannot sing Nor heele the high la●o●t , nor sweeten talke , Nor play at subtill games , faire vertues all : To which the Grecians are most prompt and preg●ane ▪ But I can tell that in each grace of these ▪ There lurkes a still , and dumb-discours●●e diuell That tempts most cunningly , but be not tempted . Cres. Do you thinke I will ? Troy . No , but somthing may be done that we will not , And sometimes weare diuells to our selues : When we will tempt the frail●y of our powers , Presuming on their changefull potency . Eneas within . Nay good my Lord ? Troy . Come kisse , and let vs part . Paris within . Brother Troylus ? Troy . Good brother come you hither ? And bring Eneas and the Grecian with you ▪ Cres. My Lord will you be true ? Troy . Who I , alas it is my vice , my fault , Whiles others fish with craft for great opinion , I with great truth catch mere simplicity , Whilst ●ome with cunning guild their copper crownes , With truth and plainesse I do were mine bare : Feare not my truth , the morrall of my wit , 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 ) I le giue her to thy hand , And by the way possesse thee what she is Entreate her faire , and by my soule faire Greeke , If ere thou stand at mercy of my sword : Name Cressid , and thy life shal be as safe , As Priam is in Illion ? Diom. Faire Ladie Cressid , So please you saue the thankes this Prince expects : The lustre in your eye , heauen in your cheeke , Pleades your faire vsage , and to Diomed , You shal be mistres , and command him wholy . Troy . Grecian thou do'st not vse me curteously , To shame the seale of my petition to thee : In praising her . I tell thee Lord of Greece , She is as farre high soaring ore thy praises : As thou vnworthy to be call'd her seruant , I charge thee vse her well , euen for my charge : For by the dreadfull Pluto , if thou dost not , Though the great bulke Achilles be thy guard , I le cut thy throate . Diom. Oh be not mou'd Prince Troylus , Let me be priueledg'd by my place and message : To be a speaker free ? when I am hence , I le answer to my lust , and know you Lord I le nothing do on charge , to her owne worth , Shee shal be priz'd : but that you say be 't so , I speake it in my spirit and honour no. Troy . Come to the port I le ●el 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 needfull talke . Paris . Harke Hectors trumpet ? Aene. How haue we spent this morning ? The Prince must thinke me ●ardy ●nd re●●isse , That swore to ride before him to the field , Par. T is Troylus falte , come , come , to field with him . Exeu. Enter Aiax armed , Achilles , Patroclus , Agam ▪ Menelaus , Vlisses , Nester , Calcas . &c. Aga. Here art thou in appointmen● fresh and faire , Anticipating time . With starting courage , Giue with thy trumpet a loude note to Troy Thou dreadfull Aiax that the appauled aire , May pearce the head of the great Comba●ant , and hale him hither . Aiax . 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 collick of puft Aquilo● , Come stretch thy chest , and let thy eyes spout bloud : Thou blowest for Hector . Vliss No trumpet answers . Achil. T is but early daies . Aga. Is not yond Diomed with Calcas daughter . Vliss. T is he , I ken the manner of his ga●e , He rises on the too : that spirit of his In aspiration lifts him from the earth . Aga. Is this the Lady Cressid ? Diom Euen she . Aga. Most deerely welcome to the Greekes sweete Lady . Nest. Our generall doth salute you with a kisse . Vliss.

Yet is the kindnesse but perticular , t were better shee were kis● in general .

Nest. And very courtly counsell . I le beginne : so much for Nestor . Achil. I le take that winter from your lips faire Lady , Achilles bids you welcome . Men. I had good argument for kissing once . Patro. But that s no argument for kissing now , For thus pop't Paris in his hardiment , And parted thus , you and your argument . Vliss. Oh deadly gall and theame of all our scomes , For which we loose our heads to guild his homes . Patro. The first was ●ward● kisse this mine , Patrolus kisses you . Mene. Oh this is trim . Patr. Paris and I kisse euermore for him . Mene. I le haue my kisse sir ? Lady by your leaue . Cres. In kissing do you render or receiue . Patr. Both take and giue . Cres. I le make my match to liue , The kisse you take is better then you giue : therefore no kisse . Mene. I le giue you boote , i le giue you three for one . Cres. You are an od man giue euen or giue none . Mene. An odde man Lady , euery man is odde . Cres. No Paris is nor , for you know t is true , That you are odde and he is euen with you . Mene. You fillip me a' th head . Cres. No i le be sworne . Vliss. It were no match , your naile against his horne , May I sweete Lady begge a kisse of you . Cres. You may . Vliss. I do desire it . Cres. Why begge then . Vlis. Why then for Venus sake giue me a kisse ▪ When Hellen is a maide againe and his — Cres. I am your debtor , claime it when t is due . Vlis. Neuers my day , and then a kisse of you . Diom. Lady a word , i le bring you to your father . Nest. A woman of quick sence . Vliss. Fie , fie vpon her , Ther●s language in her eye , her cheeke her lip , Nay her foote speakes , her wanton spirits looke out At euery ioynt and motiue of her body , Oh these encounrerers so glib of tongue , That giue a coasting welcome eroit comes , And wide vnclapse the tables of their thoughts , To euery ticklish reader , set them downe , For sluttis● spoiles of op●●rtunity : And daughters of the game . Flowrish enter all of Troy . All. The Troyans trumpet . Agam. Yonder comes the troup . Aene. Haile all the state of Greece : what shal be done , To him that victory commands , or doe you purpose , A victor shal be knowne , will you the knights Shall to the edge of all extremity Pursue each other , or shall they be diuided , By any voice or order of the field , Hector bad aske ? Aga. Which way would Hector haue it ? Aene. He cares not , hee le obay conditions . Aga : T is done like Hector , but securely done , A little proudly , and great deale misprising : The knight oppos'd . Aene. If not Achilles sir , what is your name ? Achil. If not Achilles nothing : Ene : 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 , way him well . 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 Troyan , and halfe Greeke . Achil. A maiden battell then , Oh I perceiue you . Aga. Here is sir Diomed ? go gentle knight , Stand by our Aiax . As you and Lord Eneas Conse●t vpon the order of their fight , So be it , either to the vttermost , Or els a breath , the combatants being kin , Halfe stints their strife , before their strokes begin . Vlisses : what Troyan is that same that lookes so heauy ? Vlis. The yongest sonne of Priam , a true knight , Not yet mature , yet match●esse firme of word , Speaking deeds , and deedlesse in his tongue , Not soone prouok't nor beeing 〈◊〉 soone calm'd , His heart and hand both open and both free . For what he has he giues , what thinkes he shewes , Yet giues hee not till iudgement guide his bounty , Nor dignifies an impare thought with breath ; Manly as Hector , but more dangerous , For Hector in his blaze of wrath subscribes To tender obiects , but he in heate of action , Is more vindicatiue then iealous loue . They call him Troylus , and on him erect , A second hope as fairely built as Hector : Thus saies Aeneas ou● that knowes the youth , Euen to his ynches : and with priuate soule Did in great Illion thus translate him to me . Alaruns . Aga. They are in action . Nest. Now Aiax hould thine owne . Troy . Hector thou sleep'st awake thee . Aga. His blowes 〈◊〉 well : dispo'd , there Aiax . trumpets cease . Diom. You must no more . Aene. Princes enough so please you . Aiax . I am not warme yet , let vs fight againe . Diom. As Hector pleases . Hect. Why then will I no more , Thou art great Lord my fathers sisters Sonne , A couzen german to great Prianss feede , The obligation of our bloud for bids , A gory emulation twixt vs twaine : Were thy 〈◊〉 Greeke and Troyan so , That thou couldst say this hand is Grecian all : And this is Troyan , the sinnewes of this legge All Greeke , and this all Troy : my mothers bloud , Runnes on the dexter cheeke , and this sinister Bounds in my fathers . By loue multipotent Thou shouldst not beare from mee a Greekish member , Wherein my sword had not impressure made . But the iust Gods gainsay , That any day thou borrowd'st from thy mother , My sacred Aunt , should by my mortal sword , Be drained . Let me embrace thee Aiax : By him that thunders thou hast lusty aimes , Hector would haue them fall vpon him thus . Cozen all honor to thee . Aiax . I thanke thee Hector , Thou art to gentle , and too free a man , I came to kill thee cozen , and beare hence , A great addition earned in thy death ▪ Hect. Not Neoptslymus so mirable , On whose bright crest , fame with her lowdst ( O yes ) Cries , this is he , could promise to himselfe , A thought of added honor , torne from Hector . Aene. There is expectance heere from both the sides , What further you will do . Hect. Wee le answer it , The issue is embracement , Aiax farewell . Aiax . If I might in entreaties finde successe , As seld I haue the chance , I would desire , My famous cosin to our Grecian tents . Diom. T is Agamemnous wish , and great Achilles Doth long to see vnarm'd the valiant Hector . Hect. Aeneas call my brother Troylus to me . And signifie this louing enterview To the expectors of our Troyan part , Desire them home . Giue me thy hand my Cozen. I will go eate with thee , and see your Knights Aiax . Great Agamemnon comes to meete vs heere . Hect. The worthiest of them , tell me name by name : But for Achilles my owne searching eyes , Shall finde him by his large and portly size . Agam. Worthy all armes as welcome as to one , That would be rid of such an enemy . From heart of very heart , great Hector welcome . Hect. I thanke thee most imperious Agamemnon . Agam. My well-fam'd Lord of Troy , no lesse to you . Mene. Let me confirme my princely brothers greeting : You brace of warlike brothers : welcome hether . Hect. Who must we answer ? Aene. The noble Menelaus . Hect . O you my Lord , by Mars his gauntlet thankes , ( Mock not thy affect , the vntraded earth ) Your quandrm wife sweares still by Venus gloue , Shee s well , but bad me not commend her to you . Men. Name her not now sir , shee 's a deadly theame . Hect. O pardon , I offend . Nest. I haue thou gallant Troyan seene thee oft , Laboring for destiny , make cruell way , Through rankes of Greekish youth , and I haue seene thee As hot as Perseus , spurre thy Phrigian steed , Despising many forfaits and subduments , When thou hast hung th' aduanced sword ith'ayre , Not letting it decline on the declined , That I haue said to some my standers by , Loe Iupiter is yonder dealing life . And I haue seene thee pause , and take thy breath , When that a ring of Greekes haue shrupd thee in , Like an Olympian wrastling . This haue I seene , But this thy countenance still lockt in steele , I neuer saw till now : I knew thy grand-fire , And once fought with him , he was a soldier good , But by great Mars the Captaine of vs all , Neuer like thee : O let an old man embrace thee , And worthy warriour welcome to our tents . Aene. T is the old Nestor . Hect. Let me embrace thee good old Chronide , That hast so long walkt hand in hand with time , Most reuerend Nestor , I am glad to claspe thee . Nest. I would my armes could match thee in contention . Hect. I would they could . Nest. Ha ? by this white beard I de fight with thee to morrow . Well , welcome , welcome , I haue seene the time . Vlis. I wonder now how yonder Citty stands , When we haue here her base and piller by vs ? Hect. I know your fauour lord Vlisses well , Ah sir , there 's many a Greeke and Troyan dead , Since first I saw selfe and Diomed , In Illion on your Greekish embassie . Vlis. Sir I foretold you then what would ensue , My prophecie is but halfe his iourney yet , For yonder walls that pertly front your towne , You towers , whose wanton tops do busse the clouds , Must kisse their owne feete . Hect. I must not beleeue you . There they stand yet , and modestly I thinke ▪ The fall of euery Phrigian stone will cost , A drop of Gree an bloud : the end crownes all , And that old common arbitrator Time , will one day end it . Vlis. So to him we leaue it . Most gentle and most va●ant Hector , welcome : After the Generall , I beseech you next To feast with me , and see me at my tent . Achil. I shall forestall thee lord Vlisses thou : Now Hector I haue fed mine eyes on thee , ( by ioint . I haue with exact view peru●de thee Hector , & quoted ioynt by ioint . Hect. Is this Achilles ? Achil. I am Achilles . Hect. Stand faire I pray thee , let me looke on thee , Achil. Behold thy fill . Hect. Nay I haue done already . Achil. Thou art too briefe , I will the second time , As I would buie thee , view thee lim by lim , Hect. O like a booke of sport thou 'lt read me ore : But ther 's more in me then thou , Why doost thou so oppresse me with thine eye . Achil. Tell me you heauens , in which part of his body Shall I destroy him : whether there , or there , or there , That I may giue the locall wound a name , And make distinct the very breach , whereout Hectors great spirit flew : answer me heauens . Hect. It would discredit the blest gods proud man , To answer such a question : stand againe , Thinkst thou to catch my life so pleasantly , As to prenominate in nice coniecture , Where thou 〈◊〉 hit me dead . Achil. I tell thee yea . Hect. Wert thou an Oracle to tell me so , I le not beleeue thee ▪ Hence-forth gard thee well , For I le not kill thee there , nor there , no● there , But by the forge that stichied Mars his helme . I le kill thee euery where , yea ore and ore . You wisest Grecians , pardon me this brag , His insolence drawes folly from my lips , But i le endeuour deeds to match these words , Or may I neuer — Aiax . Do not cha●e thee cozen . And you Achilles , let these threats alone , Till accident or purpose bring you too 't , You may haue euery day enough of Hector , If you haue stomack , The generall state I feare , Can scarce entreate you to be odde with him . Hect. I pray you let vs see you in the field , We haue had pelting warres since you refusd , the Grecians cause . Achil. Doost thou entreate me Hector ? To morow do I meet thee fell as death : to night all friends . Hect. Thy hand vpon that match . Agam. First all you Peeres of Greece , go to my ●ent , There in the full conuiue we : afterwards As Hectors leisure , and your bounties shall Concurre together , seuerally entreate him To taste your bounties , let the trumpets blowe , That this great souldier may his welcome know . Exeunt . Troy . My Lord Vlisses , tell me I beseech you , In what place of the field doth Calcas keepe . Vlis. At Menelaus tent , most princely Troylus : There Diomed doth feast with him to night , Who neither lookes vpon the heauen nor earth , But giues all gaze , and bent of amorous view , On the faire Cresseid . Troyl . Shall I sweete Lord be bound to you so much , After we part from 〈◊〉 tent , To bring me thether . Vlis. You shall command me sir. But gentle tell me of what honor was This Cressids in Troy ? had she no louer there That wailes her absence ? Tro. O sir to such as bosting shew their skarres , A mocke is due ; will you walke on my Lord , Shee was beloued my Lord , she is , and doth , But still sweet loue is food for fortunes tooth . Exeunt . Enter Achilles and Patroclus . Ach. I le heate his blood with greekish wine to night , Which with my Cemitar i le cool to morrow , Patroclus let vs feast him to the hight Pat. Here comes Thersites . Enter Thersites . Ach. How now thou curre of enuy . Thou cru●ly batch of nature what s the news ? The. Why thou picture of what thou seemest , and Idoll , Of idiot w●rshippe●s ▪ heer 's a letter for thee . Ach. From whence fragment . The. Why thou full dish of foole from Troy , Pat. Who keeps the tent now . The. The Surgeons box or the pacients wound . Pat. Well said aduersity , and what needs this tricks , The. Prithee be silent box I profit not by thy talke , Thou art said to be Achilles male varlot , Pat. Male varlot you rogue what s that . The.

Why his masculine whore , now the ro'ten diseases of the south , the guts griping ruptures : loades a grauell in the back , lethergies , could palsies , rawe eies , durtrott● liuers , whissing lungs , bladders full of impostume , Sciaticaes lime . kills i th' palme , incurable bone-ach , and the riueled ●ee simple of the tetter , take and take againe such preposterous discoueries .

Pat.

Why thou damnable box of enuy thou what meanes thou to curse thus .

The.

do I curse thee .

Pat.

Why no you ruinous but , you horson indistinguishable cur , no.

The.

No why art thou then exasperate , thou idle immaterial skein● of sleiue silke , thou greene sacenet flap for a sore eye , thou toslell of a prodigalls purse-thou ah how the poore world is pestred with such water flies , diminitiues of nature .

Pat. Out gall . Ther. Finch egge . Achil. My sweet Patroclus I am thwarted quite , From my great purpose into morrowes battell , Here is a letter from Queene 〈◊〉 ▪ A token from her daughter my faire loue Both taxing me , and gaging me to keepe : An oth that I haue sworne : I will not breake it , Fall Greekes , fayle fame , honour or go or stay , My maior vow lies here ; this i le obay , Come , come , Thersites help to trim my tent ? This night in banquetting must al be spent , away Patroclus . Ther.

With to much bloud , and to little braine , these two may run mad , but if with to much braine and to little bloud they do i le be a curer of mad-men , her 's Agamemnon , an honest fellow inough , and one that loues quailes , but hee has not so much braine as eare-wax , and the goodly transformation of Inpiter there , his be the Bull , the primitiue starue , and oblique memorial of cuck-olds , a thrifty shooing-horue in a chaine at his bare legge , to what forme but that hee is , should wit larded with malice , and malice faced with witte , turne him to : to an Asse , were nothing hee is both Asse and Oxe to an Oxe were nothing , her 's both Oxe and Asse , to be a day , a Moyle , a Cat , a Fichooke , a Tode , a Lezard , an Oule , a Puttock , or a Herring without a rowe . I would not care , but to bee Menelaus I would conspire against desteny , aske me what I would be , if I were not Thersites , for I care not to be the Louse of a Lazar , so I were not Menelaus — hey-day sprites and fires .

Enter Agam : Vlisses , Nest : and Diomed with lights . Aga. We go wrong we goe wrong . Aiax . No , yonder t is there where we see the lights . Hect. I trouble you . Aiax . No not a whit : Vlis. Here comes himselfe to guide you . Achil. Welcome braue Hector , welcome Princes all . Aga. So now faire Prince of Troy , I bid God night , Aiax commands the guard to tend on you . Hect. Thanks and good night to the Greekes generall . Mene. Good night my Lord . Hect. Good night sweet Lord Menelaus . Ther. Sweet draught , sweet quoth a , sweet sinke , sweet sure . Achil. Good night and welcome both to those that go or tarry . Aga. Good night . Exeunt Agam : Menelaus . Achil. Old Nector tarries , and you to Diomed. Keepe Hector company an houre or two . Dio. I cannot Lord , I haue important businesse , The tide whereof is now , good night great Hector . Hect. Giue me your hand . Vlis.

Follow his torch , he goes to Calcas tent , i le keepe you company .

Troy . Sweet sir you honor me ? Hect. And so good night . Achil. Come , come , enter my tent . Exeunt . Ther.

That same Diomede a false hearted roague , a most vniust knaue , I will no more trust him when hee leeres , then I will a serp●at when hee hisses , hee will spend his mouth and promise like brabler the 〈◊〉 , but when he performes , Astronomers forett●● it , is 〈◊〉 , there will come some change , the Some borrowe● of the Moone when Diomed keepes his word , I will rather leaue to see Hector then not to dog him , they say hee keepes a Troyan drab , and vses the traytor Calcas tent , I le after — nothing but let chery all incontinent varlots .

Enter Diomed. Dio. What are you vp here 〈◊〉 speake ? Chal. Who calls ? Dio. 〈◊〉 , Chalc●s I thinke wher 's your daughter ? Cal. She comes to you . Vlis. Stand , where the torch may not disceuer vs . Troy . Cressid comes forth to him . Enter Cressid Dio. How now my charge . Cres. Now my sweet gardian , harke a word with you . Troy . Yea so samiliar ? Vlis. Shee will sing any man at first sight . Ther.

And any man may sing her , if hee can take her Cliff , she 's noted .

Dio. Will you remember ? Cal. Remember yes : Dio: Nay but do then and let your minde be coupled with your words . Troy . What shall she remember . Vlis. Lift ? Cres. Sweet hony Greeke tempt me no more to folly . Ther: Roguery . Dis. Naythen . Cress : I le tell you what . Dio: Fo , fo , come tell a pin you are forsworne . Cres : In faith I cannot , what would you haue me do ? Ther: A rugling tricke to be secretly open , Dio: What did you sweare you would bestow on me ? Cres : I prethee do not hold me to mine oath , Bid me do any thing but that sweete Greeke . Dio: Good night . Troy : Hold patience . Vlis. How now Troyan . Cres. Diomed. Dio: No , no , good night I le be your foole no more , Troy : Thy better must , Cres : Harke a word in your eare . Troy : O plague and madnesse ! Vlis: You a●e moued Prince , let vs depart I pray Least your displeasure should inlarge it selfe To wrathfull tearmes , this place is dangerous : The time right deadly , I beseech you goe . Troy : Behold I pray you . Vlis: Now good my Lord go off . You flow to great distruction , come my Lord . Troy : I prethee stay . Vlis: You ●aue not patience , come . Troy : I pray you stay ; by hell , and all hells tormen● ▪ I will not speake a word . Dio: And so good night , Cres: Nay but you part in anger ▪ Troy : Doth that grieue thee , O withered truth . Vlis▪ How now my Lord ? Troy : By loue I will be patient . Cres : Gardian ? why Greeke ? Dio: Fo fo you palter . Cres. In faith I doe not , come hether once againe . Vlis:

You shake my Lord at something , will you goe . you wil break out .

Troy . She stroakes his cheeke . Vlis: Come , come . Troy : Nay stay , by Ioue I will not speake a word , Therein betweene my will and all 〈◊〉 A guard of patience , stay a little while , Ther:

How the diuell Luxury with his fat rumpe and potato finger , tickles together ; frye lechery frye .

Dio: Will you then ? Cres : In faith I will lo , neuer trust me else . Dio: Giue me some token for the surety of it . Cres : I le fetch you one . Exit . Vlis: You haue sworne patience : Troy : Feare me not my Lord . I will not be my selfe , not haue cognition Of what I feele , I am all pa●ience : Enter Cress. Ther: Now the pledge , now , now , now . Cres : Heere Diomed keepe this sleeue . Troy : O beauty where is thy faith ▪ Vlis: My Lord . Troy : You looke vpon that sleeue behold it well , Hee loued me ( oh false wench ) giu 't me againe : Dio: Whose wast ? Cres : It is no matter now I ha 't againe . I will not meete with you to morrow night : I prethee Diomed visite me no more . Ther: Now shee sharpens , well said Whetstone . Dio: I shall haue it . Cres : What this ? Dio: I that . Cres : O all you gods ; O pretty pretty pledge ! Thy maister now lyes thinking on his bed Of thee and mee , and sighes , and takes my gloue , And giues m●moriall dainty kisses to it , as I kisse thee . Dio: Nay do not snatch it from me . Cres : He that takes that doth take my heart withall . Dio: I had your heart before , this followes it . Troy : I did sweare patience . You shall not haue it Diomed , faith you shall not , I le giue you something else . Dio: I will haue this , whose was it ? Cres : It is no matter . Dio: Come tell me whose it was ? Cres. T was on 's that lou'd me better then you will , But now you haue it take it . Dio: Whose was it ? Cres : And by all Di●●as wayting women yond 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 challengd . Cres : Well , well , t is done , t is 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 got : one cannot speake a word but it straight starts you .

Dio: I doe not like this fooling . Ther:

Nor I by Pluto ; but that that likes not you , pleases me best .

Dio: What shall I come ? the houre — Cres : I come ; O Ione : do come , I shall be plagued . Dio: Farewell till then . Cres : Good night , I prethee come : Troylus farewell , one eye yet lookes on thee , But with my heart the other eye doth see , Ah poore cur sex , this fault in vs I find , The error of our eye di●ects our mind , What error leads must erre : O then conclude , " Mindes swayd by eyes are full of turpitude . Exit . Ther: A proofe of strength , she could not publish more , Vnlesse shee said my 〈◊〉 is now turn'd whore . Vlis: All 's done my Lord . Troy : It is . Vlis: Why stay we ther ? Troy : To make a● ecordation to my soule Of euery sillable that here was spoke : But if I tell how these two did Court , Shall I not lye in publishing a truth , Sith yet there is a credence in my heart , An esperance so obstinatly strong , That doth 〈◊〉 , attest of eyes and eares , As if those organs were deceptions functions , Created onely to calumniate . Was Cresseid heere ? Vlis. I cannot coniure Troyan . Troyl . Shee was not sure . Vlis Most sure she was . Troy , Why my negation hath no taste of madnesse . Vlis. Nor mine my Lord : Cresseid was heere but now . Troyl . Let it not be beleeu'd for woman-hood . Thinke we had mothers , do not giue aduantage To stub borne Critiques apt without a theme For deptauation , to requare the generall sex By Cresseids rule , Rather thinke this not Cresseid . Vli. What hath she done Prince that can spoile our mothers . Troyl . Nothing at all , vnlesse that this were she . Ther. Will a swagger himselfe out on 's owne eyes . Troyl . This she , no this is Di●●eds Cresseida , If beauty haue a soule this is not shee : If soules guide vowes , if vowes be sanctimonies , If sanctimony be the gods delight : If there berule in vnitie it selfe , This was not shee : O madnesse of discourse , That cause sets vp with and against it selfe , By-found authority : where reason can reuolt Without perdition , and losse assume all reason , Without reuolt ▪ This is and is not Cresseid , Within my foule there doth conduce a fight Of this strange nature , that a thing inseparat , 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 Ariachra's broken woofe to enter , Instance , O instance strong as Plu●●●s gates , Cresseid 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 loosd , And with another knot finde finger tied , The fractions of her faith , orts of her loue . The fragments , scraps , the bitts and greazie reliques . Of her ore-eaten faith , are giuen to Diomed , Vlis. May worthy Troylus be halfe attached With that which heere his passion doth expresse ? Troy . I Greeke , and that shall be divulged well In Characters as red as Mars his heart Inflam'd with Venus : neuer did young man fancy With so eternall and so fixt a soule . Harke Greeke , as much I do Cressid loue , So much by waight , hate I her Diomed : That sleeue is mine , that hee le beare on his Helme : Were it a Caske compos'd by Vuleans skill My sword should bite it : Not the dreadfull spout Which Shipmen do the hurricano call , Constringd in Masse by the almighty sunne Shal dizzy with more clamour Neptunes eare , in his discent , Then shall my prompted sword , ●alling on Diomed. Thier : Hee le ticle it for his concupie . Troy : O Cressid , O false Cressid , false , false , false : Let all vntruthes stand by thy s●ained name , And they le seeme glorious , Vlis: O containe your selfe ; Your passion drawes eares hether . Enter Eneas . Aene : I haue beene seeking you this houre my Lord : Hector by this is at ming him in Troy : Aiax your guard stayes to conduct you home . Troy : Haue with you Prince : my curteous Lord adiew , Farewell reuoulted faire : and Diomed Stand fast , and weare a Castle on thy head . Vlis. I le bring you to the gates . Troy . Accept distracted thankes . Exeunt Troyl . Eeneas and Vlisses . Ther.

Would I could meete that roague Diomed I would croke like a Rauen. I would bode , I would bode● Patroclus will giue me any thing for the inteligence of this whore : the Pa●ot will not do more for an almond then he for a commodious drab : Lechery , lechery , still warres and lechery , nothing else holds fashion . A burning diuell take them .

Exit . Enter Hector and Andromache . And. When was my Lord so much vngently temperd , To stop his eares against admonishment : Vnarme vnarme , and do not fight to day . Hect. You traine me to offend you , get you in , By all the euerlasting gods I le go . And. My dreames will sure prooue ominous to the day . Hect. No more I say . Enter Cassandra . Cas. Where is my brother Hector ? And , Here sister , arm'd and bloody in intent , Consort with me in lowd and deere petition , Pursue we him on knees : for I haue dreamt Of bloudy turbulence , and this whole night Hath nothing beene but shapes and formes of slaughter . Cass , O t is true . Hect. Ho ? bid my trumpet sound . Cres. No notes of sallie for the heauens sweete brother . Hect. Begon I say , the gods haue heard me sweare . Cas. The gods are dease to ho●●e and peeuish vowes , They are polluted offrings more abhord , Then spotted liuers in the sacrifice . And. O be perswaded , do not count it holy , It is the purpose that makes strong the vow , But vowes to euery purpose must not hold : Vnarme sweet Hector . Hect , Hold you still I say , Mine honor keepes the weather of my fate : Life euery man holds deere but the deere man , Holds honor sarre more precious deere then life , Enter Troylus . How now yong man , meanest thou to fight to day . And. Cassandra call my father to perswade . Exit Cassan. Hect. No faith yong Troylus , dof●e thy harnesse youth , I am to day i th' vaine of chiualrie , Let grow thy sinews till their knots be strong , And tempt not yet the brushes of the warre . Vnarme thee go , and doubt thou not braue boy , I le stand to day for thee and me and Troy . Troyl . Brother , you haue a vice of mercy in you , Which better fits a Lion then a man . Hector .

What vice is that ? good Troylus chide mee for it .

Troyl . When many times the captiue Grecian falls , Euen in the fanne and winde of your faire sword . You bid them rise and liue . Hect. O t is faire play . Troyl . Fooles play by heauen Hector . Hect. How now ? how now ? Troyl . for 'th loue of all the gods Let s leaue the Hermit Pitty with our Mother , And when we haue our armors buckled on , The venomd vengeance ride vpon our swords , Spur them to ruthfull worke , raine them from ruth . Hect. Fie sauage , fie . Troyl . Hector then 't is warres . Hect. Troylus I would not haue you fight to day . Troyl . Who should with-hold me ? Not ●ate , obedience , nor the hand of Mars , Beckning with fierie trunchion my retire , Not Priamus and Hecuba on knees , Their eyes ore-galled with recourse of teares , Nor you my brother , with your true sword drawne , Opposd to hinder me , should stop my way , Enter Priam and Cassandra . Cass. Lay hold vpon him , Priam hold him fast , He is thy crutch : now if thou loose thy stay , Thou on him leaning , and all Troy on thee , Fall all together . Priam. Come Hector , come , go back , Thy wife hath dreamt , thy mother hath had visions , Cassandra doth forcsee , and I my selfe , Am like a prophet suddenly en●apt , To tell thee that this day is ominous : Therefore come back . Hec. Aeneas is a field , And I do stand , engagd to many Greekes , Euen in the faith of valour to appeare , This morning to them . Priam I but thou shalt not goe . Hec. I must not breake my faith , You know me dutifall , therefore deere sir , Let me not shame respect , but giue me leaue To take that course by your consent and voice , Which you do here forbid me royall Priam. Cass. O Priam yeeld not to him . And. Do not deere father . Hec. Andromache I am offended with you , Vpon the loue you beare me get you in . Exit Androm . Troy . This foolish dreaming superstitious girle , Makes all these bo●ements . Cas. O farewell deere Hector . Looke how thou dy'est looke how thy eye turnes pale . Looke how thy wounds do bleed at many vents , Harke how Troy roares , how Hecuba cries out , How poore Andromache shrils her dolours foorth , Behold destruction , frenzie , and amazement , Like witlesle an iques one another meete , And all cric Hector , Hectors dead , O Hector . Troyl . Away , away . Cas. Farewell , yet soft : Hector I take my leaue , Thou do'st thy selfe and all our Troy deceaue ? Hec. You are amaz'd my liege , at her exc●aime , Goe in and cheere the towne , Wee le forth and fight , Do deeds worth praise , and tell you them at night . Priam. Farewell , the gods with safetie stand about thee . Alarum . Troyl . They are at it harke proud Diomed beleeue . I come to loose my arme or winne my sleeue . Enter Pandar . Pand. Do you heere my 〈…〉 ● Troyl . What now ? Pand. Heer 's a letter come from yond poore girle . Troy . Let me read , Pand.

A whorson tisick , a whorson rascally tisick , so troubles me , and the foolish fortune of this girle , and what one thing , what another , that I shall leaue you one ath's dayes : and I haue a rheume in mine eyes too , and such an ache in my bones , that vnlesse a man were curst I cannot tell what to thinke on 't . What sayes she there ?

Troy . Words , words , meere words , no matter from the heart , Th' effect doth operate another way . Go winde to winde , there turne and change together : My loue with words and errors still she feedes , But edi●ies another with her deedes . Exeunt . Enter Thersites : excursi●●s . Thersi .

Now they are clapper-clawing one another : I le go looke on , that dislembling abhomihable vatlet Diomede , has go● that same scurnie dooting foolish knaues sleeue of Troy there in his helme . I would faine see them meete , that that same young Troy an asse that loues the whore there , might send that Greekish whore-masterly villaine with the fleeue , back to the dissembling luxurious drabbe of a sleeuelesse arrant . Ath ' tother side , the pollicie of those cra●tie swearing raskalls ; that stale old Mouse-eaten drye cheese Nestor : and that same dogge-foxe Vlisses , is not proou'd worth a Black-berry . They set mee vp in pollicie , that mongrill curre Aiax , against that dogge of as bad a kinde Achilles . And now is the curte Aiax , prouder then the curre Achilles , and will not arme to day . Where-vpon the Grecians began to proclaime barbarisme , and pollicie growes into an ill opinion . Soft here comes sleeue & tother .

Troy .

●●lye not , for shouldst th●● take the ouer Stix , I would sw●m after ,

Diomed . Thou doost miseall re●●e , I doe not 〈◊〉 , but aduantagious care , With-drew me from the ods of multitude , haue at thee ? Ther. Hold thy whore Grecian : now for thy whore Troian , Now the sleeue , now the sleeue . Enter Hector . Hect. What art Greeke , art thou for Hectors match . Art thou of bloud and honour . Ther.

No , no , I am a rascall , a scuruy rayling knaue , a very filthy roague .

Hect. I do beleeue thee , liue . Ther.

God a mercy , that thou wilt beleeue me , but a plague breake thy neck — for frighting me : what s become of the wenching roagues ? I thinke they haue swallowed one another . I would laugh at that miracle — yet in a sort lechery eates it selfe , i le seeke them .

Exit . Enter Diomed and S●ruant . Dio. Goe go , my seruant take thou Troylus horse , Present the faire steed to my Lady Cressid , Fellow commend my seruice to her beauty : Tell her I haue chastis'd the amorous Troyan , And am her knight by proofe . Enter Agamem . Man . I goe my Lord . Aga. Renew , renew , the fierce Polidamas , Hath beate downe Menon : bastard Margarelo● , Hath Doreus prisoner . And stands Colossus wise wauing his beame , Vpon the pashed corses of the Kings : Epistropus and Cedus , Polixines is slaine , A●phimacus and Thous deadly hurt , Patroclus tane or slaine , and Palamedes Sore hurt and bruised , the dreadfull Sagittary , Appalls our numbers , hast we Diomed , To re-enforcement or we perish all . Enter Nestor . Nest : Go beare Patroclus body to Achilles , And bid the snail-pac't 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 flie or die , like sealing sculls , Before the belching Whale , then is he yonder : And there the strawy Greekes ripe for his edge Fall downe before him like a mowers swath , Here , there and euery where , he leaues and takes . Dext●●ty so ob aying appeute , That what he will he do's , and do's so much : That proofe is call'd impossibility . Enter Vlisses , Vliss. Oh courage , courage Princes , great Achilles , Is atming , weeping , cursing , vowing vengcance , Patroclus wounds haue rouz'd his drowzy bloud , Together with his mangled Myrmidons That noselesle , handlesse , hackt and chipt come to him . Crying on Hector , Aiax hath loft a friend , And ●oames at mouth , and hee is armde and at it . Roa●ing for Troylus , who hath done to day , Madde and fantastique execution : Engaging and redeeming of himselfe With such a carelesse force , and forcelesse care , As if that lust in very spi●ht of cunning , bad him win all . Enter Aiax . Troylus , thou coward Troylus . Exit , Dio. I there , there ? Nest : 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 Hector wher 's Hector I will none but Hector . Exit . Enter , Aiax . Troylus thou coward Troylus shew thy head . Enter Diom. Troylus I say wher 's Troylus ? Aiax . What wouldst thou . Diom. I would correct him . Aiax . Were I the generall thou shouldst haue my office , Ere that correction ? Troylus I say what Troylus . Enter Troylus . Troy . Oh traytor Diomed , turne thy false face thou traytor , And pay thy life thou owe●t me for my horse . Dio. Ha art thou there ? Aiax . I le fight with him alone stand Diomed. Diom. He is my prize , I will not looke vpon . Troy . Come both you cogging Greekes haue at you both . Hect. Yea Troylus , O well fought my yongest brother . Enter Achil : Now do I see thee ha , haue at thee Hector . Hect. Pause if thou wilt . Achil. I do disdaine thy curtesie proud Troyan , Be happy that my armes are our of vse : My rest and negligence befriends thee now , But thou anon shalt here of me againe : Till when goe seeke thy fortune . Exit . Hect. Fare thee well . I would haue beene much more a fresher man , Had I expected thee , how now my brother . Enter Troyl : Troy . Aiax hath tane Aeneas , shall it be , No by the flame of yonder glorious heauen He shall not carry him i le be tano●o , Or bring him off , fate here me what I say : I wreake not though I 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 armor we 'l , I le frush it and vn●oc●● the rinets all : But i le be maister of it , wilt thou not beast abide , Why then flie on , i le hunt thee for thy hide . Exit . Enter Achilles with Myrmidons . Come here about me you my Myrmidous , Marke what I say , attend me where I wheele : Strike not a stroke , but keepe your selues in breth , And when I haue the bloudy Hector found : Empale him with your weapons round about , In fellest manner execut your armes Follow me sirs and my proceedings eye , It is decreed Hector the great must die . Exit . Enter Thersi : Me●● : Paris . Ther.

The cuck-old and the cock-old-maker are at it , now bull , now dogge lowe , Paris lowe , now my double hen'd spartan , lowe Paris , lowe the bull has the game , wate hornes ho ?

Exit Paris and Menelus . Enter Bastard Bast. Turne slane and fight . Ther. What art thou ? Bast. A Bastard sonne of Priams . Ther 's :

I am a bastard too , I loue bastards . I am bastard be . got , bastard instructed , bastard in minde , bastard in va● our , in euery thing illigitimate , one beare wil not bite another , and wherefore should one bastard ? take heed , the quarrells most ominous to vs , if the sonne of a whore ●ight for a whore , he tempts iudgement , farewell bastard .

Bast. The diuell take thee coward . Exit . Enter Hector . Hect. Most putrified core so faire without , Thy goodly armor thus hath cost thy life ; Now is my daies worke done i le take my breth ▪ Rest sword thou hast thy fill of bloud and death . Enter Achilles and Myrmidons . Achil : Loke Hector how the Sunne begins to set , How ougly night comes breathing at his heeles Euen with the vaile and darkning of the Sunne , To close the day vp , Hectors life is done . Hect. I am vnarm'd sorgee this vantage Greeke . Achil. Strike fellowes ●rike , this is the ●an I seeke , So Illion fall thou next , come Troy sinke downe , Here lles thy heart , thy sinne wes and thy bone . On Myrmydous , and cry you all amaine , Achilles hath the mighty Hector slaine , Retreat : Harke a retire vpon our Grecian prat . One : The Troyans trumpet sound the like my Lord . Achil : The dragon wing of night orespreds the earth , And stickler-like the aimies separates . My halse supt sword that frankly would haue fedde , Pleas'd with this dainty bake : thus goes to bed : Come tie his body to my horses taile , Along the field I will the Troyan traile . Exeunt : Enter Agam : Aiax , Meue : Nestee , Diom : and the rest m●●ching . Aga. Hark , harke , what is this ? Nest. Peace drums . Sould: within . Achilles , Achilles , Hectors slaine Achilles . Dio. The bruite is Hectors slaine and by Achilles . Aiax . If it be so yet braglesse let it bee , Great Hector was as good a man as he . Aga. March patiently along : let one bee sent , To pray Achilles see vs at our tent : If in his death the Gods haue vs befriended . Great Troy is ours , and our sharpe wars are ended . Exeunt . Enter Aeneas , Paris , Antenor , Diephobus . Aene. Stand ho ? yet are we masters of the field , Enter Troylus . Troy . Neuer goe home , here starue we out the night , Hector is slaine . All. Hector ! the gods forbid . Troy . Hee 's dead and at the murtherers horses taile , In bestly sort dragd through the shamefull field : Frowne on you heauens , effect your rage with speed , Sit gods vpon you thrones , and smile at Troy . I say at once , let your breese plagues be mercy , And linger not our sure destructions on . Aene. My Lord you doe discomfort all the host . Troy . You vnderstand me not that tell me so , I do not speake of flight , of feare of death But dare all immynence that gods and men Addresse their daungers in . Hector is gone : Who shall tell Priam so or Hecuba ? Let him that will a scrich-ould aye be call'd , Goe into Troy and say their Hectors dead , There is a word will Priam turne to stone , Make wells and Niebe's of the maides and wiues : Could statues of the youth and in a word , Scarre Troy out of it selfe , there is no more to say , Stay yet you proud abh●minable tents : Thus proudly pitcht vpon our Phrigian plaines , Let Tytan rise as earely as he dare ; I le through , and through you , and thou great siz'd coward , No space of earth shall sunder out two hates : I le haunt thee like a wicked conscience still , That moulderth goblins swift as f●ienzes thoughts , Strike a free march , to Troy with comfort goe Hope of reueng shall hide our ●●ward woe . Enter Pandarus . Pan. But here you , here you . Troy . Hence broker , lacky , ignomyny , shame , Pursue thy life , and hue aye with thy name . Exeunt all but Pandarus . Pan.

A goodly medicine for my asking bones , Oh world , world — thus is the poore agent despis'd , Oh traitors and bawds , how earnestly are you set a worke , and how ill requited , why should our endeuour bee so lou'd and the performance so loathed , what verse for it ? What instance for it ?

Let me see , Full merrily the humble Bee doth sing , Till he hath lost his hony and his sting . And being once sub subdude in armed taile , Sweet hony , and sweet notes together faile . Good traiders in the flesh , set this in your painted cloathes , As many as be here of Pandars , 〈◊〉 , Your eyes halfe out weepe out at Pandars fall . Or if you cannot weepe yet giue some grones , Though not for me yet for my aking bones : Brethren and sisters of the hold-ore trade , Some two monthes hence my will shall here be made ▪ It should be now but that my feare is this , Some gauled goose of Winchester would hisse . Till then i le sweat and seeke about for cases , And at that time bequeath you my diseases . FINIS .