Act 5 — Scene VIII. Another part of the field.[2402]
Reading edition
Scene VIII. Another part of the field.[2402]
Enter Hector.
Hect. Most putrefied core, so fair without, Thy goodly armour thus hath cost thy life. Now is my day's work done; I'll take good breath:[2403] Rest, sword; thou hast thy fill of blood and death.
[Puts off his helmet and hangs his shield behind him.
Enter Achilles and Myrmidons.[2404]
Achil. Look, Hector, how the sun begins to set;[2405] 5 How ugly night comes breathing at his heels: Even with the vail and darking of the sun,[2406] To close the day up, Hector's life is done.[2407] Hect. I am unarm'd; forego this vantage, Greek. Achil. Strike, fellows, strike; this is the man I seek.10
[Hector falls.[2408]
So, Ilion, fall thou next! now, Troy, sink down![2409] Here lies thy heart, thy sinews, and thy bone. On, Myrmidons; and cry you all amain,[2410] 'Achilles hath the mighty Hector slain.' [A retreat sounded.[2411] Hark! a retire upon our Grecian part.[2412] 15 Myr. The Trojan trumpets sound the like, my lord.[2413] Achil. The dragon wing of night o'erspreads the earth, And stickler-like the armies separates.[2414] My half-supp'd sword that frankly would have fed,[2415] Pleased with this dainty bait, thus goes to bed. 20
Come, tie his body to my horse's tail; Along the field I will the Trojan trail.
[Exeunt. A retreat sounded.[2417]