Act 4 — Scene V. The Grecian camp. Lists set out.

Agam. Here art thou in appointment fresh and fair, Anticipating time with starting courage.[1997] Give with thy trumpet a loud note to Troy, Thou dreadful Ajax, that the appalled air May pierce the head of the great combatant[1998] 5 And hale him hither.[1998] Ajax. Thou, trumpet, there's my purse.[1999] Now crack thy lungs, and split thy brazen pipe: Blow, villain, till thy sphered bias cheek[2000] Outswell the colic of puff'd Aquilon:[2001] Come, stretch thy chest, and let thy eyes spout blood; 10 Thou blow'st for Hector. [Trumpet sounds.[2002] Ulyss. No trumpet answers. Achil. 'Tis but early days.[2003] Agam. Is not yond Diomed, with Calchas' daughter?[2004] Ulyss. 'Tis he, I ken the manner of his gait; He rises on the toe: that spirit of his[2005] 15 In aspiration lifts him from the earth.

Agam. Is this the Lady Cressid?[2007] Dio. Even she. Agam. Most dearly welcome to the Greeks, sweet lady.[2008][2009] Nest. Our general doth salute you with a kiss.[2010] Ulyss. Yet is the kindness but particular;[2010][2011][2012] 20 'Twere better she were kiss'd in general.[2010][2011] Nest. And very courtly counsel: I'll begin.[2010][2011] So much for Nestor.[2009][2011] Achil. I'll take that winter from your lips, fair lady:[2013] Achilles bids you welcome.[2009] 25 Men. I had good argument for kissing once. Patr. But that's no argument for kissing now; For thus popp'd Paris in his hardiment,[2014] And parted thus you and your argument.[2009][2015] Ulyss. O deadly gall, and theme of all our scorns! 30 For which we lose our heads to gild his horns. Patr. The first was Menelaus' kiss; this, mine: Patroclus kisses you.[2016] Men. O, this is trim! Patr. Paris and I kiss evermore for him. Men. I 'll have my kiss, sir. Lady, by your leave. 35 Cres. In kissing, do you render or receive?[2017] Patr. Both take and give. Cres. I'll make my match to live,[2018] The kiss you take is better than you give;[2019] Therefore no kiss.[2019] Men. I'll give you boot, I'll give you three for one. 40 Cres. You're an odd man; give even, or give none.[2020] Men. An odd man, lady! every man is odd. Cres. No, Paris is not; for, you know, 'tis true, That you are odd, and he is even with you. Men. You fillip me o' the head.[2021] Cres. No, I'll be sworn. 45 Ulyss. It were no match, your nail against his horn. May I, sweet lady, beg a kiss of you? Cres. You may. Ulyss. I do desire it. Cres. Why, beg then.[2022] Ulyss. Why then, for Venus' sake, give me a kiss, When Helen is a maid again, and his.[2023] 50 Cres. I am your debtor; claim it when 'tis due. Ulyss. Never's my day, and then a kiss of you.[2024] Dio. Lady, a word: I 'll bring you to your father.[2025]

Nest. A woman of quick sense.[2025] Ulyss. Fie, fie upon her! There's language in her eye, her cheek, her lip,[2027] 55 Nay, her foot speaks; her wanton spirits look out At every joint and motive of her body. O, these encounterers, so glib of tongue,[2028] That give a coasting welcome ere it comes,[2029] And wide unclasp the tables of their thoughts 60 To every ticklish reader! set them down[2030] For sluttish spoils of opportunity[2031] And daughters of the game. [Trumpet within.[2032] All. The Trojans' trumpet. Agam. Yonder comes the troop.

Æne. Hail, all the state of Greece! what shall be done[2034] 65 To him that victory commands? or do you purpose[2035] A victor shall be known? will you the knights Shall to the edge of all extremity Pursue each other, or shall they be divided[2036] By any voice or order of the field?[2037] 70 Hector bade ask.[2037] Agam. Which way would Hector have it? Æne. He cares not; he'll obey conditions. Achil. Tis done like Hector; but securely done,[2038][2039] A little proudly, and great deal misprizing[2038][2040] The knight opposed.[2041] Æne. If not Achilles, sir, 75 What is your name? Achil. If not Achilles, nothing.[2041] Æne. Therefore Achilles: but, whate'er, know this:[2042] In the extremity of great and little,[2042] Valour and pride excel themselves in Hector;[2043] The one almost as infinite as all, 80 The other blank as nothing. Weigh him well,[2044] And that which looks like pride is courtesy. This Ajax is half made of Hector's blood: In love whereof, half Hector stays at home; Half heart, half hand, half Hector comes to seek[2045] 85 This blended knight, half Trojan and half Greek. Achil. A maiden battle then? O, I perceive you.

Agam. Here is Sir Diomed. Go, gentle knight,[2047] Stand by our Ajax: as you and Lord Æneas Consent upon the order of their fight, 90 So be it; either to the uttermost,[2048] Or else a breath: the combatants being kin[2049] Half stints their strife before their strokes begin.

Ulyss. They are opposed already.[2051] Agam. What Trojan is that same that looks so heavy?[2051][2052] 95 Ulyss. The youngest son of Priam, a true knight,[2053] Not yet mature, yet matchless, firm of word,[2054] Speaking in deeds and deedless in his tongue,[2055] Not soon provoked nor being provoked soon calm'd; His heart and hand both open and both free;[2056] 100 For what he has he gives, what thinks he shows;[2056] Yet gives he not till judgement guide his bounty, Nor dignifies an impair thought with breath;[2057] Manly as Hector, but more dangerous; For Hector in his blaze of wrath subscribes 105 To tender objects, but he in heat of action[2058] Is more vindicative than jealous love:[2059] They call him Troilus, and on him erect A second hope, as fairly built as Hector. Thus says Æneas; one that knows the youth 110 Even to his inches, and with private soul Did in great Ilion thus translate him to me.

Agam. They are in action.[2061] Nest. Now, Ajax, hold thine own! Tro. Hector, thou sleep'st;[2062] Awake thee![2062] 115 Agam. His blows are well disposed: there, Ajax![2063] Dio. You must no more. [Trumpets cease. Æne. Princes, enough, so please you.[2064] Ajax. I am not warm yet; let us fight again. Dio. As Hector pleases. Hect. Why, then will I no more: Thou art, great lord, my father's sister's son, 120 A cousin-german to great Priam's seed; The obligation of our blood forbids A gory emulation 'twixt us twain: Were thy commixtion Greek and Trojan so,[2065] That thou couldst say 'This hand is Grecian all, 125 And this is Trojan; the sinews of this leg All Greek, and this all Troy; my mother's blood[2066] Runs on the dexter cheek, and this sinister Bounds in my father's;' by Jove multipotent, Thou shouldst not bear from me a Greekish member 130 Wherein my sword had not impressure made Of our rank feud: but the just gods gainsay[2067] That any drop thou borrow'dst from thy mother,[2068] My sacred aunt, should by my mortal sword Be drained! Let me embrace thee, Ajax:[2069] 135 By him that thunders, thou hast lusty arms; Hector would have them fall upon him thus: Cousin, all honour to thee! Ajax. I thank thee, Hector: Thou art too gentle and too free a man: I came to kill thee, cousin, and bear hence 140 A great addition earned in thy death. Hect. Not Neoptolemus so mirable,[2070] On whose bright crest Fame with her loud'st Oyes Cries 'This is he,' could promise to himself[2071] A thought of added honour torn from Hector. 145 Æne. There is expectance here from both the sides, What further you will do. Hect. We'll answer it; The issue is embracement: Ajax, farewell.[2072] Ajax. If I might in entreaties find success,— As seld I have the chance—I would desire 150 My famous cousin to our Grecian tents. Dio. 'Tis Agamemnon's wish; and great Achilles Doth long to see unarm'd the valiant Hector. Hect. Æneas, call my brother Troilus to me: And signify this loving interview 155 To the expecters of our Trojan part; Desire them home. Give me thy hand, my cousin; I will go eat with thee, and see your knights.[2073] Ajax. Great Agamemnon comes to meet us here. Hect. The worthiest of them tell me name by name; 160 But for Achilles, my own searching eyes[2074] Shall find him by his large and portly size. Agam. Worthy of arms! as welcome as to one[2075] That would be rid of such an enemy; But that's no welcome: understand more clear,[2076] 165 What's past and what's to come is strew'd with husks[2076] And formless ruin of oblivion;[2076] But in this extant moment, faith and troth,[2076] Strain'd purely from all hollow bias-drawing,[2076][2077] Bids thee, with most divine integrity,[2076] 170 From heart of very heart, great Hector, welcome. Hect. I thank thee, most imperious Agamemnon. Agam. [To Troilus] My well-famed lord of Troy, no less to you. Men. Let me confirm my princely brother's greeting; You brace of warlike brothers, welcome hither. 175 Hect. Who must we answer? Æne. The noble Menelaus.[2078] Hect. O, you, my lord! by Mars his gauntlet, thanks![2079] Mock not, that I affect the untraded oath;[2080] Your quondam wife swears still by Venus' glove:[2081] She's well, but bade me not commend her to you. 180 Men. Name her not now, sir; she's a deadly theme. Hect. O, pardon; I offend. Nest. I have, thou gallant Trojan, seen thee oft, Labouring for destiny, make cruel way Through ranks of Greekish youth; and I have seen thee, 185 As hot as Perseus, spur thy Phrygian steed, Despising many forfeits and subduements,[2082] When thou hast hung thy advanced sword i' the air,[2083] Not letting it decline on the declined, That I have said to some my standers by[2084] 190 'Lo, Jupiter is yonder, dealing life!' And I have seen thee pause and take thy breath, When that a ring of Greeks have hemm'd thee in,[2085] Like an Olympian wrestling: this have I seen;[2086] But this thy countenance, still lock'd in steel, 195 I never saw till now. I knew thy grandsire, And once fought with him: he was a soldier good; But, by great Mars the captain of us all, Never like thee. Let an old man embrace thee;[2087] And, worthy warrior, welcome to our tents. 200 Æne. 'Tis the old Nestor. Hect. Let me embrace thee, good old chronicle, That hast so long walk'd hand in hand with time: Most reverend Nestor, I am glad to clasp thee. Nest. I would my arms could match thee in contention, 205 As they contend with thee in courtesy.[2088] Hect. I would they could. Nest. Ha![2089] By this white beard, I'ld fight with thee to-morrow: Well, welcome, welcome!—I have seen the time.[2090] 210 Ulyss. I wonder now how yonder city stands When we have here her base and pillar by us.[2091] Hect. I know your favour, Lord Ulysses, well. Ah, sir, there's many a Greek and Trojan dead, Since first I saw yourself and Diomed 215 In Ilion, on your Greekish embassy.[2092] Ulyss. Sir, I foretold you then what would ensue: My prophecy is but half his journey yet; For yonder walls, that pertly front your town,[2093] Yond towers, whose wanton tops do buss the clouds,[2094] 220 Must kiss their own feet. Hect. I must not believe you: There they stand yet; and modestly I think, The fall of every Phrygian stone will cost A drop of Grecian blood: the end crowns all, And that old common arbitrator, Time,[2095] 225 Will one day end it.[2095] Ulyss. So to him we leave it. Most gentle and most valiant Hector, welcome: After the general, I beseech you next To feast with me and see me at my tent. Achil. I shall forestall thee, Lord Ulysses, thou![2096] 230 Now, Hector, I have fed mine eyes on thee; I have with exact view perused thee, Hector,[2097] And quoted joint by joint.[2097][2098] Hect. Is this Achilles? Achil. I am Achilles.[2099] Hect. Stand fair, I pray thee: let me look on thee.[2100] 235 Achil. Behold thy fill. Hect. Nay, I have done already. Achil. Thou art too brief: I will the second time,[2101] As I would buy thee, view thee limb by limb.[2102] Hect. O, like a book of sport thou'lt read me o'er; But there's more in me than thou understand'st. 240 Why dost thou so oppress me with thine eye? Achil. Tell me, you heavens, in which part of his body Shall I destroy him? whether there, or there, or there?[2103] That I may give the local wound a name, And make distinct the very breach whereout 245 Hector's great spirit flew: answer me, heavens! Hect. It would discredit the blest gods, proud man, To answer such a question: stand again: Think'st thou to catch my life so pleasantly As to prenominate in nice conjecture 250 Where thou wilt hit me dead? Achil. I tell thee, yea. Hect. Wert thou an oracle to tell me so,[2104] I'ld not believe thee. Henceforth guard thee well; For I'll not kill thee there, nor there, nor there; But, by the forge that stithied Mars his helm,[2105] 255 I'll kill thee every where, yea, o'er and o'er. You wisest Grecians, pardon me this brag; His insolence draws folly from my lips; But I'll endeavour deeds to match these words, Or may I never— Ajax. Do not chafe thee, cousin: 260 And you, Achilles, let these threats alone Till accident or purpose bring you to't: You may have every day enough of Hector,[2106] If you have stomach: the general state, I fear, Can scarce entreat you to be odd with him.[2107] 265 Hect. I pray you, let us see you in the field: We have had pelting wars since you refused[2108] The Grecians' cause.[2108] Achil. Dost thou entreat me, Hector? To-morrow do I meet thee, fell as death;[2109] To-night all friends.[2109] Hect. Thy hand upon that match.[2110] 270 Agam. First, all you peers of Greece, go to my tent; There in the full convive we: afterwards,[2111] As Hector's leisure and your bounties shall Concur together, severally entreat him.[2112] Beat loud the tabourines, let the trumpets blow,[2112] 275 That this great soldier may his welcome know.

Tro. My Lord Ulysses, tell me, I beseech you.[2114] In what place of the field doth Calchas keep? Ulyss. At Menelaus' tent, most princely Troilus: There Diomed doth feast with him to-night; 280 Who neither looks upon the heaven nor earth,[2115] But gives all gaze and bent of amorous view On the fair Cressid. Tro. Shall I, sweet lord, be bound to you so much,[2116] After we part from Agamemnon's tent, 285 To bring me thither? Ulyss. You shall command me, sir. As gentle tell me, of what honour was[2117] This Cressida in Troy? Had she no lover there[2118] That wails her absence?[2118] Tro. O, sir, to such as boasting show their scars, 290 A mock is due. Will you walk on, my lord? She was beloved, she loved; she is, and doth:[2119] But still sweet love is food for fortune's tooth. [Exeunt.