Act IV, Scene IV — A room in Pandarus' house.[1923]
Enter PANDARUS and CRESSIDA.
Pan. Be moderate, be moderate.
Cres. Why tell you me of moderation? The grief is fine, full, perfect, that I taste, And violenteth in a sense as strong[1924] As that which causeth it: how can I moderate it?[1924][1925] 5 If I could temporise with my affection,[1926] Or brew it to a weak and colder palate, The like allayment could I give my grief: My love admits no qualifying dross;[1927] No more my grief, in such a precious loss. 10
Enter TROILUS.[1928]
Pan. Here, here, here he comes. Ah, sweet ducks![1929]
Cres. O Troilus! Troilus! [Embracing him.[1930]
Pan. What a pair of spectacles is here! Let me embrace too. 'O heart,' as the goodly saying is,[1931]
'O heart, heavy heart,[1932] 15 Why sigh'st thou without breaking?'[1932][1933]
where he answers again,
'Because thou canst not ease thy smart[1934] By friendship nor by speaking.'[1934][1935]
There was never a truer rhyme. Let us cast away nothing, 20 for we may live to have need of such a verse: we see it, we see it. How now, lambs!
Tro. Cressid, I love thee in so strain'd a purity,[1936] That the blest gods, as angry with my fancy, More bright in zeal than the devotion which 25 Cold lips blow to their deities, take thee from me.[1937]
Cres. Have the gods envy?
Pan. Ay, ay, ay, ay; 'tis too plain a case.[1938]
Cres. And is it true that I must go from Troy?
Tro. A hateful truth.
Cres. What, and from Troilus too? 30
Tro. From Troy and Troilus.
Cres. Is it possible?[1939]
Tro. And suddenly; where injury of chance[1940] Puts back leave-taking, justles roughly by[1941] All time of pause, rudely beguiles our lips Of all rejoindure, forcibly prevents 35 Our lock'd embrasures, strangles our dear vows[1942] Even in the birth of our own labouring breath: We two, that with so many thousand sighs Did buy each other, must poorly sell ourselves[1943] With the rude brevity and discharge of one.[1944] 40 Injurious time now with a robber's haste[1945] Crams his rich thievery up, he knows not how: As many farewells as be stars in heaven, With distinct breath and consign'd kisses to them, He fumbles up into a loose adieu,[1946] 45 And scants us with a single famish'd kiss, Distasted with the salt of broken tears.[1947]
Æneas. [Within] My lord, is the lady ready?[1948]
Tro. Hark! you are call'd: some say the Genius so[1949] Cries 'Come!' to him that instantly must die.[1949] 50 Bid them have patience; she shall come anon.
Pan. Where are my tears? rain, to lay this wind, or my[1950] heart will be blown up by the root. [Exit.[1950][1951]
Cres. I must then to the Grecians?[1952]
Tro. No remedy.[1953]
Cres. A woeful Cressid 'mongst the merry Greeks![1954] 55 When shall we see again?[1955]
Tro. Hear me, my love: be thou but true of heart.[1955][1956]
Cres. I true! how now! what wicked deem is this?
Tro. Nay, we must use expostulation kindly,[1957] For it is parting from us:[1957] 60 I speak not 'be thou true,' as fearing thee; For I will throw my glove to Death himself, That there's no maculation in thy heart:[1958] But 'be thou true' say I, to fashion in My sequent protestation; be thou true,[1959] 65 And I will see thee.[1959]
Cres. O, you shall be exposed, my lord, to dangers As infinite as imminent: but I'll be true.
Tro. And I'll grow friend with danger. Wear this sleeve.[1960]
Cres. And you this glove. When shall I see you?[1961] 70
Tro. I will corrupt the Grecian sentinels, To give thee nightly visitation.[1962] But yet, be true.[1962]
Cres. O heavens! 'Be true' again!
Tro. Hear why I speak it, love:[1963] The Grecian youths are full of quality;[1963][1964] 75 They're loving, well composed with gifts of nature,[1963] And flowing o'er with arts and exercise:[1963] How novelties may move and parts with person,[1965] Alas, a kind of godly jealousy--[1966] Which, I beseech you, call a virtuous sin-- 80 Makes me afeard.[1967]
Cres. O heavens! you love me not.
Tro. Die I a villain then! In this I do not call your faith in question, So mainly as my merit: I cannot sing,[1968] Nor heel the high lavolt, nor sweeten talk, 85 Nor play at subtle games; fair virtues all, To which the Grecians are most prompt and pregnant: But I can tell that in each grace of these There lurks a still and dumb-discoursive devil That tempts most cunningly: but be not tempted. 90
Cres. Do you think I will?[1969]
Tro. No:[1970] But something may be done that we will not: And sometimes we are devils to ourselves, When we will tempt the frailty of our powers,[1971] 95 Presuming on their changeful potency.[1972]
Æne. [Within] Nay, good my lord!
Tro. Come, kiss; and let us part.
Par. [Within] Brother Troilus!
Tro. Good brother, come you hither; And bring Æneas and the Grecian with you.
Cres. My lord, will you be true?[1973] 100
Tro. Who, I? alas, it is my vice, my fault: Whiles others fish with craft for great opinion,[1974] I with great truth catch mere simplicity; Whilst some with cunning gild their copper crowns,[1975] With truth and plainness I do wear mine bare.[1976] 105 Fear not my truth: the moral of my wit[1977] Is 'plain and true;' there's all the reach of it.[1978]
Enter ÆNEAS, PARIS, ANTENOR, DEIPHOBUS, and DIOMEDES.[1979]
Welcome, Sir Diomed! here is the lady[1980] Which for Antenor we deliver you:[1981] At the port, lord, I'll give her to thy hand; 110 And by the way possess thee what she is. Entreat her fair; and, by my soul, fair Greek, If e'er thou stand at mercy of my sword, Name Cressid, and thy life shall be as safe As Priam is in Ilion.
Dio. Fair Lady Cressid,[1982] 115 So please you, save the thanks this prince expects: The lustre in your eye, heaven in your cheek, Pleads your fair usage; and to Diomed[1983] You shall be mistress, and command him wholly.
Tro. Grecian, thou dost not use me courteously, 120 To shame the zeal of my petition to thee[1984] In praising her: I tell thee, lord of Greece,[1985] She is as far high-soaring o'er thy praises As thou unworthy to be call'd her servant. I charge thee use her well, even for my charge; 125 For, by the dreadful Pluto, if thou dost not, Though the great bulk Achilles be thy guard, I'll cut thy throat.[1986]
Dio. O, be not moved, Prince Troilus: Let me be privileged by my place and message To be a speaker free; when I am hence, 130 I'll answer to my lust: and know you, lord,[1987] I'll nothing do on charge: to her own worth She shall be prized; but that you say 'Be't so,' I'll speak it in my spirit and honour 'No!'[1988]
Tro. Come, to the port. I'll tell thee, Diomed,[1989] 135 This brave shall oft make thee to hide thy head. Lady, give me your hand; and, as we walk, To our own selves bend we our needful talk.
[Exeunt Troilus, Cressida, and Diomedes. [A trumpet sounds.[1990]
Par. Hark! Hector's trumpet.
Æne. How have we spent this morning! The prince must think me tardy and remiss, 140 That swore to ride before him to the field.[1991]
Par. 'Tis Troilus' fault: come, come, to field with him.[1992]
Dei. Let us make ready straight.[1993][1994]
Æne. Yea, with a bridegroom's fresh alacrity,[1993] Let us address to tend on Hector's heels:[1993] 145 The glory of our Troy doth this day lie[1993] On his fair worth and single chivalry. [Exeunt.[1993][1995]
Act IV, Scene V — The Grecian camp. Lists set out.
Enter AJAX, armed; AGAMEMNON, ACHILLES, PATROCLUS, MENELAUS, ULYSSES, NESTOR, and others.[1996]
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.
Enter DIOMEDES, with CRESSIDA.[2006]
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]
[Exit with Cressida.[2026]
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.
Flourish. Enter HECTOR, armed; ÆNEAS, TROILUS, and other Trojans, with Attendants.[2033]
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.
Re-enter DIOMEDES.[2046]
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.
[Ajax and Hector enter the lists.[2050]
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.
[Alarum. Hector and Ajax fight.[2060]
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.
[Exeunt all but Troilus and Ulysses.[2113]
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.
FOOTNOTES:
[1820] ACT IV. SCENE I.] Rowe. om. Q Ff.
Troy.] Rowe (ed. 1).
A street.] Theobald.
Enter ...] Malone (following Capell). Enter at one doore Æneas, at another Paris, Deiphobus, Autemor, Diomed the Grecian with torches. Q. Enter ...Æneas with a Torch ... Diephœbus, Anthenor ... Ff (Deiphobus F₂ F₃ F₄).
[1821] Par.] Patr. F₂ F₃ F₄.
[1822] who is ... It is] who's ...'Tis Steevens, reading as verse.
[1823] Æne.] Æne. [to his Ser.] Capell.
[1824] you] your Q.
nothing] nought Pope.
[1825] speech, wherein You] speech: wherein You Q. speech within; You Ff.
[1826] a] Q. in a Ff.
week] week, Rowe.
[1827] haunt] hunt Upton conj.
the field] Q F₁ F₂. a field F₃ F₄.
[1828] valiant] om. Steevens conj.
[1829] question] quiet Johnson conj. (withdrawn).
[1830] other] th' other Rowe.
[1831] But] Ff. Lul'd Q.
meet] meetes F₁.
[1832] force, pursuit] fierce pursuit Collier MS.
[1833] backward. In humane gentleness,] Warburton. back--In human gentleness, Pope, ed. 2 (Theobald). back-ward, in humane gentlenessse: Q. backward, in humaine gentlenesse: Ff.
[1834] to-morrow.] Ff. _to morrow--_Q.
[1835] We know ... long] As one line, S. Walker conj.
[1836] despiteful] despightfull Q. despightful'st Ff.
despiteful gentle] despiteful-gentle S. Walker conj.
[1837] The noblest ... early?] As in Ff. As prose in Q.
[1838] noblest hateful] noblest-hateful S. Walker conj.
[1839] 'twas] twas Q. it was Ff.
[1840] Calchas'] Pope. Calcho's Q. Calcha's F₁ F₂ F₃. Calchas's F₄.
[1841] us] om. Pope.
do think] Ff. beleeve Q.
[1842] wherefore:] Q. whereof, Ff. thereof, Capell conj.
[1843] I fear ... unwelcome] As in Ff. One line in Q.
[1844] That ... Troy] As in Ff. As prose in Q.
[1845] I] om. Pope.
[1846] The bitter ... so] As in Pope. One line in Q Ff.
[1847] [Exit with Servant.] Dyce. Exit Æneas. Ff. om. Q.
[1848] faith] om. Pope.
[1849] the] om. Q.
sound good-fellowship] good sound fellowship Rowe.
[1850] deserves ... best] Q. merits ... most] Ff. merits ... best Capell.
[1851] soilure] soyle Q.
[1852] nor ... nor] Q. no ... nor Ff.
[1853] he as he, the ... whore.] Q. he as he, which ... whore. Ff. he as he, with ... whore. Rowe. he as you, the ... whore. Hanmer. he as he, each ... whore. Dyce (Johnson and Heath conj.) he as he: which ... whore? Knight (Johnson conj.)
[1854] you desire] Ff. they desire Q.
[1855] not] but Collier (Jackson conj.)
commend] condemn Tyrwhitt conj.
what] till Anon. conj. (Gent. Mag. Vol. LX.). without Edd. conj.
we intend to sell] Q Ff. w' intend not to sell Hanmer. we intend not sell Warburton.
[1856] SCENE II.] Pope.
Court of ...] Capell. Pandarus's house. Theobald.
[1857] call mine] Q. call my Ff.
[1858] kill] seal Rowe (ed. 2). still Jackson conj.
[1859] infants'] Capell. infants Q Ff.
[1860] hath] has F₄.
ribald] rabble Ingleby conj.
[1861] joys] Q. eyes Ff.
[1862] venomous] wretched Long. MS.
[1863] As tediously] Q. As hidiously Ff. Tedious Pope.
[1864] momentary-swift] Pope. momentary swift Q. momentary, swift F₁. momentary, swifter F₂ F₃ F₄.
[1865] Prithee ... tarry] As in Capell. One line in Q Ff.
[1866] You men ... Cressid!] You men ... Cressida Hanmer (as one line, ending the next at would).
[1867] Cressid] Cressida F₄.
[1868] would have tarried.] would Have tarried longer. Hanmer.
there's] there is Hanmer.
[1869] What, 's all] What's all Ff. Whats all Q. What! all Hanmer.
[1870] Enter Pandarus.] Capell. After line 20 in Ff. om. Q.
[1871] How now ... Cressid?] As in Pope. As two lines in Q Ff.
[1872] Here] Heere Q. Heare F₁ F₂. Hear F₃ F₄.
[1873] to do ... me too] first to do ... me Capell conj.
do--] F₃ F₄. to doo-- Q F₁. doe-- F₂.
[1874] To do ... do?] Prose in Pope. Two lines in Q Ff.
[1875] Come ... others] Prose in Q Ff. As verse by Capell, reading as one line Come ... good.
[1876] a poor] ah, poor Dyce (S. Walker conj.)
capocchia] Theobald. chipochia Q Ff. Capocchio Collier.
[1877] Did ... head] As in Q. Prose in Ff.
i' the] ith' Q F₁ F₂ F₃. i' th' F₄. o' th' Pope.
[One knocks.] Ff (after line 33). In Q it is put after line 35.
[1878] Did ... naughtily] Prose in Pope.
[1879] as if] as Steevens conj.
[1880] [Knocking.] Knock. Q Ff (after line 40).
[1881] [Exeunt ...] Capell. Exeunt. Q Ff.
[1882] Pan.] Pan. [going to the door]. Capell.
[1883] door?] door? [opening it.] Capell.]
Enter Æneas.] Rowe. om. Q Ff.
[1884] SCENE III. Pope.
[1885] Who's there ... early?] As in Pope. Prose in Q Ff.
[1886] there?...Æneas!] there?...Æneas? Pope. _there my lord Æneas:_ Q. there my lord Æneas? F₁. there, my lord Æneas? F₂ F₃ F₄.
[1887] knew] know F₂.
[1888] 'tis] Ff. its Q.
[1889] in] om. Rowe (ed. 2).
[1890] Who!] Who, Q Ff. Pho! Theobald. Whoo! Johnson.
[1891] come, come ... hither] As three lines by Capell.
[1892] you are ware] Q. y'are ware Ff. y'are aware Rowe.
[1893] but yet] yet Steevens (1793).
[1894] Re-enter Troilus.] Enter Troylus. Ff. om. Q. As Pandarus is going out, Enter Troilus. Theobald.
[1895] rash] harsh Rowe.
[1896] to us; and for him] to us, and for him Ff. to him, and Q. by him; and for him Collier conj.
[1897] Diomedes'] Diomeds F₁.
[1898] so concluded] Q. concluded so Ff.
[1899] and] an F₂.
[1900] effect] affect F₂.
[1901] my] Q F₁. may F₂ F₃. many F₄.
[1902] Good ... Have not] As one line by Keightley.
[1903] secrets of nature] Ff. secrets of neighbor Pandar Q. secret'st things of nature Theobald. secretest of natures Hanmer. secret'st things in nature Capell conj. secrets even of nature Heath conj. secretest of nature Malone conj. secrecies of nature Singer (Steevens conj.) secret springs of nature Jackson conj. secret laws of nature Collier MS. secretairs of nature or secretaries of nature Staunton conj.
[1904] taciturnity] taciturnity than I Keightley.
[Exeunt ...] Capell. Exeunt. Q Ff.
[1905] SCENE IV.] Pope.
[1906] Re-enter Cressida.] Dyce. Enter Cress. Q. Enter Pandarus and Cressid. Ff (after line 73). Enter Cressida to Pandarus. Theobald (after line 73).
[1907] Ah, ah!] Q. Ah, ha! Ff.
[1908] Prithee] F₄. Pray thee Q. Prythee F₁. Prethee F₂ F₃.
[1909] knees I beseech you] Ff. knees Q. knees, 'Beseech you Capell (reading as verse).
[1910] to] go to Rowe.
[1911] bane] Q F₃ F₄. baine F₁ F₂.
[1912] I have] I've Pope.
[1913] force] Q. orce F₁. om. F₂ F₃ F₄.
[1914] extremes] extreames Q. extremitie Ff.
[1915] things] om. Pope.
I'll] Ile Q. I will Ff.
weep,--] Theobald. weepe. Q Ff.
[1916] hair] heire F₁.
[1917] I will] I'll Pope.
go] om. Steevens conj.
[Exeunt.] Ff. om. Q.
[1918] SCENE III.] Capell. SCENE V. Pope.
Before ...] Theobald.
[1919] For] Q. Of Ff.
[1920] upon] upon us Pope.
good] now, good Capell.
[1921] into] in to F₂.
[1922] to it] on it Capell.
own] Q. om. Ff.
[Exit.] Exit Troilus. Capell. om. Q Ff.
[1923] SCENE IV.] Capell. SCENE VI. Pope.
A room ...] An Apartment in Pandarus's House. Theobald.
[1924] violenteth in ... As that which] Q. no lesse in ... As that which F₁ F₂. no less in ... as that, Which F₃ F₄. in its sense is no less strong, that that Which Pope.
[1925] moderate] Q F₁ F₂. mod'rate F₃ F₄.
[1926] affection] Ff. affections Q.
[1927] dross] drosse Q. crosse Ff.
[1928] Enter Troilus.] As in Q. In Ff (after line 9).
[1929] Ah, sweet ducks!] Capell. a sweete ducks. Q. a sweet ducke. Ff. a, sweet duck! Theobald.
[1930] [Embracing him.] Malone. throwing herself upon him. Capell. om. Q Ff.
[1931] heart] hart F₁.
goodly] godly Keightley.
[1932] O heart ... breaking?] O heart, O heavy ... breaking? Pope (first reading as verse). As prose in Q Ff.
[1933] sigh'st] sighst Q. sighest F₁. sittest F₂ F₃ F₄.
[1934] Because ... speaking.] As verse first by Pope. Prose in Q Ff.
[1935] friendship] silence Collier (Collier MS.)
[1936] Cressid] Cressida Rowe (ed. 2).
strain'd] Q. strange Ff.
[1937] deities] dieties Q.
[1938] Ay, ay, ay, ay,] I, I, I, I, Q Ff. Ay, ay Pope.
[1939] Is it] Rowe. Is't Q F₄. Ist F₁ F₂ F₃.
[1940] where] while Rowe.
[1941] justles] iussles Q.
[1942] embrasures] embraces Pope.
[1943] Did buy each other] Each other bought Pope.
[1944] one.] Pope. one, Q. one; F₃ F₄. our F₁ F₂.
[1945] time now] Q. time, now F₃ F₄. time; now F₁ F₂. time; who Long MS.
[1946] into a] Q F₁. in a F₂ F₃ F₄. all in one Rowe. into one Collier MS.
[1947] Distasted] Q. Distasting Ff.
[1948] Æneas. [Within] Q. Enter Æneus. Æneas within. Ff.
My lord,] My lord! lord Troilus! Capell, reading as verse.
[1949] Genius so Cries 'Come!'] Genius Cries so Q.
[1950] rain, ... heart] rain, rain, ... poor heart Capell, reading as verse.
[1951] the root] Ff. my throate Q.
[Exit.] Exit Pandarus. Theobald. om. Q Ff.
[1952] Grecians?] Ff. Grecians. Q.
[1953] remedy.] Ff. remedy? Q.
[1954] Cres. A ... Greeks!] Omitted by Pope.
[1955] When ... Tro. Hear] As in Q. Troy. When ... againe? Troy. Heare F₁. Troy. When ... againe? Heare F₂ F₃ F₄.
[1956] my] om. Q.
heart.] Q Ff. heart-- Rowe.
[1957] kindly, For ... us] Kindly, for ... us both (as one line) Anon. conj.
[1958] there's] Ff. there is Q.
[1959] My ... thee] As in Ff. One line in Q.
[1960] And ... sleeve.] One line in Q. Two in Ff.
Wear] were Q.
[1961] And ... you?] One line in Q. Two in Ff.
you?] you then? Hanmer.
[1962] To give ... true.] As in Ff. One line in Q.
[1963] Hear ... exercise:] See note (XI).
[1964] quality] qualities S. Walker conj.
[1965] novelties ... person] Ff. novelty ... portion. Q.
and parts with person] with parts in 'portion Becket conj.
[1966] godly] goodly Collier MS.
[1967] afeard] Q. affraid Ff.
[1968] mainly] manly Rowe (ed. 2).
[1969] Do ... will?] How? do ... will be tempted? Seymour conj.
you ... will?] Q. you ... will: F₁. not ... will: F₂. not ... will. F₃ F₄.
[1970] No:] Put in a separate line first by Pope.
[1971] will tempt] will attempt (Rowe ed. 1). attempt Rowe (ed. 2).
[1972] on their changeful] their unchangeful Singer. on their chainful Collier (Collier MS.)
[1973] F₁ F₂ here insert the word 'Exit.'
[1974] Whiles others] Q F₁. Whiles other F₂ F₃. While others F₄.
[1975] Whilst] While Rowe.
[1976] wear] were Q.
[1977] moral] motto Johnson conj.
[1978] 'plain and true'] put in italics by Johnson.
[1979] Enter ...] Pope. Enter the Greekes. Ff (after line 105). Omitted in Q.
[1980] SCENE VII. Pope.
[1981] Which] Whom Pope.
[1982] Ilion] F₃ F₄. Illion Q F₁ F₂.
Fair] om. Pope.
[1983] Pleads] Plead Hanmer.
usage] Q F₃ F₄. visage F₁ F₂.
[1984] zeal] Theobald (Warburton). seale Q F₁ F₂. seal F₃ F₄.
to thee] Q. towards Ff. towards thee Rowe.
[1985] In praising] Q. I praising Ff. By praising Rowe.
[1986] thy] thy thy F₂.
[1987] my lust] my list Pope. thy last Collier MS. my lure Jervis conj. my host Grant White conj. my trust Staunton conj.
know you, lord] know you Lord Q. know my Lord Ff.
[1988] I'll] I Q.
[1989] Come,] Theobald. Come Q Ff.
I'll tell] I tell Capell.
[1990] [Exeunt ... Diomedes.] Malone (Ritson conj.) Exeunt Tro. and Cre. Capell. Omitted in Q Ff.
A trumpet sounds.] Sound Trumpet. Ff. om. Q].
[1991] to the field] Q. in the field Ff.
[1992] [Exeu. Q. Exeunt. Ff.
[1993] Dei. Let ... chivalry.] Omitted in Q.
[1994] Dei.] Malone (Ritson conj.) Dio. Ff. Rann (Ritson and Mason conj.) continues Let ... straight to Paris.
[1995] [Exeunt.] Rowe. om. Ff.
[1996] SCENE V.] Capell. SCENE II. Rowe. SCENE VIII. Pope.
The Grecian ... out.] The Grecian ... out. Attendants, and People, waiting. Flourish. Capell. The Grecian camp. Rowe.
Nestor, and others.] Nestor, &c. Theobald. Nestor, Calcas, &c. Q Ff.
[1997] time with ... courage.] Theobald. time. With ... courage, Q Ff.
starting] startling Collier MS.
[1998] May ... hither] As in Ff. Prose in Q.
[1999] hale] hail Collier conj.
Thou] om. Pope.
[2000] bias] Boreas Heath conj.
[2001] colic] collick Q. collicke F₁ F₂. cholick F₃ F₄. choler Anon. conj.
[2002] blow'st] Pope. blowest Q Ff.
[Trumpet sounds.] Hanmer. om. Q Ff.
[2003] Ulyss. No trumpet answers.] om. Seymour conj.
No] Yet no Hanmer.
'Tis ... days] 'Tis ... day Pope. It is ... day Hanmer. 'Tis ... yet Seymour conj.
[2004] Is not yond] Q. Is not yong F₁. Is not young F₂. Is't not young F₃ F₄.
[2005] the toe] Ff. the too Q. his toe Rowe.
[2006] Enter ...] Enter Diomed and Attendants, with Cressida. Capell. Enter Dio. Cres. F₂ F₃ (after days, line 12). Enter Diomede and Cressid. F₄ (after days, line 12). Omitted in Q F₁.
[2007] Cressid] Cressida Rowe.
[2008] Most ... lady] As in Q. Prose in Ff.
[2009] [Kissing her. Collier (Collier MS.)
[2010] Nest. Our general ... you.] Put in the margin by Pope.
[2011] Yet ... Nestor] As verse first by Pope in the margin. Prose in Q Ff.
[2012] the] Q F₁. your F₂ F₃ F₄.
[2013] your] you F₂.
[2014] [Putting him back. Collier (Collier MS.)
[2015] And ... argument] Q. Omitted in Ff. And parted you and your same argument Collier MS.
[2016] Patroclus] Patrolus Q.
you.] you. [Kissing her again. Collier (Collier MS.)
[2017] receive?] F₃ F₄. receive Q F₁ F₂.
[2018] Patr.] Men. Grant White (Tyrwhitt conj.)
take and give] give and take S. Walker conj.
live] give Rowe (ed. 2).
[2019] The kiss ... kiss] As verse first by Pope. Prose in Q Ff.
[2020] You're] Capell. You are Q Ff.
[2021] o'the] o'th' F₄. a'th Q. a'th' F₁ F₂ F₃.
[2022] desire it] desire't Dyce conj.
then.] Q then? Ff. two Johnson conj. too Ritson conj. then, do Dyce conj.
[2023] Given to Cressida by Singer. his.] Capell. his-- Q Ff.
[2024] Never's ... you] Continued to Cressida, Johnson conj. (withdrawn), reading for you.
[2025] Dio. Lady ... father. Nest. A ... sense.] Transposed by Theobald.
[2026] [Exit ...] Diomede leads out Cressida. Theobald. Diomedes leads out Cressida, then returns. Rowe. Omitted in Q Ff.
[2027] language] a language F₁.
[2028] encounterers] Q F₁. encounters F₂ F₃ F₄. encounters, are Rowe. so] tho' Hanmer.
[2029] That] They Rowe (ed. 2).
a coasting] Q Ff. accosting Grant White (Theobald conj.) occasion Collier (Collier MS.) a cousting Delius conj. accoasting Anon. conj. accourting Anon. conj.
[2030] ticklish] Q. tickling Ff.
[2031] sluttish] skittish Collier conj.
[2032] [Trumpet within.] Theobald. om. Q. Exeunt. Ff. (Exennt. F₁.)
[2033] Trojans'] Theobald. Troyans Q. Troians F₁ F₂ F₃. Trojans F₄. Trojan's Delius conj.
Flourish. Enter ...] Malone (following Capell). Flowrish enter all of Troy. Q (after line 63). Enter all of Troy, Hector, Paris, Æneas, Helenus and Attendants. Florish. Ff (Florish. om. F₂ F₃ F₄), after line 63.
[2034] the state] Q. you state Ff.
[2035] commands] crowns S. Walker conj. commends Anon. conj.
[2036] they] Q. om. Ff.
[2037] By ... field?... ask.] As in Rowe (ed. 2). By ... field ... aske? Q, reading as one line. By ... field: ... aske? Ff.
[2038] Achil.] Pope Ed. 2 (Theobald, from Dryden's version). Aga. Q Ff.
[2039] Achil. 'Tis done ... proudly,] Achil. 'Tis done like Hector. Agam. But securely done. Achil. A little proudly, or Agam. 'Tis done like Hector: not securely done. Achil. A little proudly, Theobald conj.
[2040] misprizing] misprising Q. disprising Ff.
[2041] The knight ... nothing] Arranged as by Theobald.
[2042] this: In] this, Is Rowe (ed. 1). this Is Rowe (ed. 2).
[2043] excel] parcell Warburton.
[2044] Weigh] way Q.
[2045] comes] come Pope.
[2046] Re-enter ...] Re-enter Diomede. Theobald. Omitted in Q Ff.
[2047] Sir Diomed] Q F₃ F₄. sir, Diomed F₁ F₂.
[2048] uttermost] utterance Collier (Collier MS.)
[2049] breath] Q. breach Ff.
[2050] [Ajax ... lists.] Ajax ... lists, Æneas and Diomed marshaling: Greeks range themselves on one Side, and Trojans upon the other, without. Capell. Omitted in Q Ff.
[2051] Ulyss. They ... already. Agam. What ... heavy?] Ff. Ulisses: what ... heavy? Q (as one line).
[2052] Agam.] Aga. Ff. Ajax. Rowe.
[2053] The ... knight] Q. See note (XII).
[2054] matchless, firm] matchlesse, firme Ff. matchlesse firme Q.
[2055] Speaking in] Ff. Speaking Q.
[2056] free; For] free: For F₁ F₃ F₄. free. For Q. free For F₂.
[2057] impair] F₃ F₄. impaire F₁ F₂. impare Q. impar Capell. impure Dyce (Johnson conj.) See note (XIII).
[2058] objects] abjects Collier (Collier MS.)
[2059] vindicative] vindecative F₁.
[2060] Ilion] F₃ F₄. Illion Q F₁ F₂.
[Alarum.] Q Ff. Trumpets blow to Arms. Capell.
Hector and Ajax fight.] Rowe. om. Q Ff.
[2061] SCENE IX. Pope.
[2062] Hector ... thee] Arranged as by Steevens (1793). One line in Q Ff.
[2063] disposed: there] dispos'd, there Q. dispos'd there Ff.
[2064] [interposing. Capell.
[2065] commixtion] Q F₄. commixion F₁ F₂ F₃.
[2066] Greek] Greece Capell.
[2067] Of our rank feud] Ff. Omitted in Q.
[2068] drop] day Q.
borrow'dst] Q F₃ F₄. borrwd'st F₁ F₂. borrow'st Rowe.
[2069] drained] Q F₁ F₂. drain'd F₃ F₄. drained out Capell. drained forth S. Walker conj.
Ajax:] Ajax, now: Grant White conj.
[2070] Neoptolemus so mirable] Neoptolemus' sire so mirable Hanmer. Neoptolemus's sire irascible Warburton. Neoptolemus th' admirable Johnson conj. Neoptolemus's sire in battle Heath conj. Neoptolemus so admirable Collier conj.
[2071] could] could'st F₁.
[2072] Ajax, farewell] farewell, Ajax Hanmer.
[2073] Enter Agamemnon and the rest. Ff. Omitted in Q. Agamemnon and the rest of the Greeks come forward. Rowe. Chiefs enter the Lists. Capell.
[2074] my] Q. mine Ff.
[2075] of] Ff. all Q.
[2076] But ... integrity] Ff. Omitted in Q.
[2077] bias-drawing] Theobald. bias drawing Ff.
[2078] Who] Q F₁. Whom F₂ F₃ F₄.
Æne.] Men. Steevens (1778), a misprint.
[2079] lord!] lord? Capell. lord, Q Ff.
[2080] Mock ... oath] The intruded earth, (I mock not thy affects,) Becket conj.
that I ... oath:] Ff. thy affect, the vntraded earth) Q.
[2081] quondam] quandom Q.
[2082] Despising many] Q. And seene thee scorning Ff. And seen thee scouring Rowe. Bravely despising Pope.
[2083] thy advanced] Ff. th'advanced Q. thy advanc'd Rowe.
[2084] to some] Q. unto Ff.
[2085] hemm'd] F₃ F₄. hem'd F₁ F₂. shrupd Q (for shut Collier conj.)
[2086] wrestling] F₁ F₂. wrastling Q F₃ F₄.
this have I seen] thus I have seen Rowe. this I've seen Pope. thus I've seen thee Hanmer.
[2087] Let] Ff. O let Q.
[2088] As ... courtesy.] Omitted in Q.
[2089] Ha!] Ha? Q Ff. om. Pope. Put in a separate line first by Capell.
[2090] time.] Q F₁ F₂. time-- F₃ F₄.
[2091] her base] the base Rowe.
[2092] Ilion] F₃ F₄. Illion Q F₁ F₂.
[2093] pertly] Q F₁. partly F₂ F₃ F₄. portly Collier MS.
[2094] Yond] Ff. Yon Q.
[2095] And ... end it.] As in Ff. One line in Q.
[2096] thou!] Theobald. thou: Q Ff. now, Hanmer. though. Tyrwhitt conj. then. Hudson (Collier MS.) thou-- Singer. there; S. Walker conj.
[2097] I have joint.] As in Ff. One line in Q.
exact view] view exact Hanmer.
[2098] quoted] coted Becket conj.
[2099] I am] Ay, I am Anon. conj.
[2100] I pray thee] Q. I prythee F₁ F₂. I prithee F₃ F₄.
[2101] art] are F₂.
[2102] view thee] Q. view thee, Ff.
[2103] or there, or there?] or there. Pope. there, or there? Capell.
[2104] an] Q. the Ff.
[2105] stithied] stichied Q. smithied Theobald.
[2106] have] Q F₂ F₃ F₄. om. F₁.
[2107] to be odd] not be odd Theobald conj. to be at odds Hanmer. be at odds Capell conj.
[2108] We ... cause.] As in Ff. One line in Q.
[2109] To-morrow ... friends] As in Ff. One line in Q.
[2110] hand] Q F₁ F₄. hands F₂ F₃.
[2111] we] Q. you Ff.
[2112] him. Beat ... tabourines,] Ff. him To taste your bounties, Q.
[2113] [Exeunt all but....] Exeunt. Manent Troilus and Ulysses. Rowe. Exeunt. Q Ff. Exeunt. Troilus stays Ulysses. Capell.
[2114] SCENE X. Pope.
[2115] upon the heaven nor earth] Q. on heaven nor on earth Ff. on heav'n, nor on the earth Pope.
[2116] you] Q. thee Ff.
[2117] As gentle] Ff. But gentle Q. As gently Rowe.
[2118] there That wails] There that now wails Hanmer.
wails] walles F₂.
[2119] she loved] Ff. my Lord Q.
Act V, Scene I — The Grecian camp. Before Achilles' tent.[2120]
Enter ACHILLES and PATROCLUS.
Achil. I'll heat his blood with Greekish wine to-night,[2121] Which with my scimitar I'll cool to-morrow.[2122] Patroclus, let us feast him to the height.
Patr. Here comes Thersites.
Enter THERSITES.
Achil. How now, thou core of envy![2123] Thou crusty batch of nature, what's the news?[2124] 5
Ther. Why, thou picture of what thou seemest, and idol[2125] of idiot-worshippers, here's a letter for thee.
Achil. From whence, fragment?
Ther. Why, thou full dish of fool, from Troy.
Patr. Who keeps the tent now? 10
Ther. The surgeon's box, or the patient's wound.
Patr. Well said, adversity! and what need these tricks?[2126]
Ther. Prithee, be silent, boy; I profit not by thy talk:[2127] thou art thought to be Achilles' male varlet.[2128][2129]
Patr. Male varlet, you rogue! what's that?[2129] 15
Ther. Why, his masculine whore. Now, the rotten diseases[2130] of the south, the guts-griping, ruptures, catarrhs, loads[2131] o' gravel i' the back, lethargies, cold palsies, raw eyes,[2132][2133] dirt-rotten livers, wheezing lungs, bladders full of imposthume,[2133][2134] sciaticas, limekilns i' the palm, incurable bone-ache, and the[2133][2135] 20 rivelled fee-simple of the tetter, take and take again such[2133] preposterous discoveries![2136]
Patr. Why, thou damnable box of envy, thou, what mean'st thou to curse thus?[2137]
Ther. Do I curse thee? 25
Patr. Why, no, you ruinous butt; you whoreson indistinguishable[2138] cur, no.[2139]
Ther. No! why art thou then exasperate, thou idle immaterial skein of sleave silk, thou green sarcenet flap for[2140] a sore eye, thou tassel of a prodigal's purse, thou? Ah,[2141] 30 how the poor world is pestered with such waterflies, diminutives of nature!
Patr. Out, gall![2142]
Ther. Finch-egg!
Achil. My sweet Patroclus, I am thwarted quite[2143] 35 From my great purpose in to-morrow's battle. Here is a letter from Queen Hecuba, A token from her daughter, my fair love, Both taxing me and gaging me to keep An oath that I have sworn. I will not break it: 40 Fall Greeks; fail fame; honour or go or stay;[2144] My major vow lies here, this I'll obey. Come, come, Thersites, help to trim my tent: This night in banqueting must all be spent.[2145] Away, Patroclus! [Exeunt Achilles and Patroclus.[2145][2146] 45
Ther. With too much blood and too little brain, these two may run mad; but, if with too much brain and too little blood they do, I'll be a curer of madmen. Here's Agamemnon, an honest fellow enough and one that loves quails;[2147] but he has not so much brain as ear-wax: and the goodly[2148] 50 transformation of Jupiter there, his brother, the bull, the[2149] primitive statue and oblique memorial of cuckolds; a thrifty[2150] shoeing-horn in a chain, hanging at his brother's leg,--to[2151] what form but that he is, should wit larded with malice and[2152] malice forced with wit turn him to? To an ass, were nothing;[2153] 55 he is both ass and ox: to an ox, were nothing; he is[2154] both ox and ass. To be a dog, a mule, a cat, a fitchew, a[2154][2155] toad, a lizard, an owl, a puttock, or a herring without a roe,[2156] I would not care; but to be Menelaus! I would conspire[2157] against destiny. Ask me not what I would be, if I were[2158] 60 not Thersites; for I care not to be the louse of a lazar, so I were not Menelaus. Hoy-day! spirits and fires!
Enter HECTOR, TROILUS, AJAX, AGAMEMNON, ULYSSES, NESTOR, MENELAUS, and DIOMEDES, with lights.[2159]
Agam. We go wrong, we go wrong.[2160]
Ajax. No, yonder 'tis;[2161] There, where we see the lights.[2162]
Hect. I trouble you.[2161]
Ajax. No, not a whit.
Re-enter ACHILLES.[2163]
Ulyss. Here comes himself to guide you. 65
Achil. Welcome, brave Hector; welcome, princes all.
Agam. So now, fair Prince of Troy, I bid good night.[2164] Ajax commands the guard to tend on you.[2165]
Hect. Thanks and good night to the Greeks' general.[2166]
Men. Good night, my lord.
Hect. Good night, sweet Lord Menelaus.[2167] 70
Ther. Sweet draught: sweet, quoth a'! sweet sink, sweet[2168] sewer.[2169]
Achil. Good night and welcome, both at once, to those[2170][2171] That go or tarry.[2170][2172]
Agam. Goodnight. [Exeunt Agamemnon and Menelaus.[2173] 75
Achil. Old Nestor tarries; and you too, Diomed,[2174] Keep Hector company an hour or two.
Dio. I cannot, lord; I have important business, The tide whereof is now. Good night, great Hector.
Hect. Give me your hand. 80
Ulyss. [Aside to Troilus] Follow his torch; he goes to Calchas' tent:[2175][2176][2177] I'll keep you company.[2176]
Tro. Sweet sir, you honour me.
Hect. And so, good night.
[Exit Diomedes; Ulysses and Troilus following.[2178]
Achil. Come, come, enter my tent.
[Exeunt Achilles, Hector, Ajax, and Nestor.[2179]
Ther. That same Diomed's a false-hearted rogue, a most 85 unjust knave; I will no more trust him when he leers than I will a serpent when he hisses: he will spend his mouth and promise, like Brabbler the hound; but when he performs, astronomers foretell it; it is prodigious, there will[2180] come some change; the sun borrows of the moon when[2181] 90 Diomed keeps his word. I will rather leave to see Hector than not to dog him: they say he keeps a Trojan drab and uses the traitor Calchas' tent: I'll after. Nothing but[2182] lechery! all incontinent varlets! [Exit.[2183]
Act V, Scene II — The same. Before Calchas' tent.
Enter DIOMEDES.[2184]
Dio. What, are you up here, ho? speak.[2185]
Cal. [Within] Who calls?[2186]
Dio. Diomed. Calchas, I think. Where's your daughter?[2187]
Cal. [Within] She comes to you.[2186]
Enter TROILUS and ULYSSES, at a distance; after them, THERSITES.[2188]
Ulyss. Stand where the torch may not discover us. 5
Enter CRESSIDA.[2189]
Tro. Cressid comes forth to him.[2190]
Dio. How now, my charge!
Cres. Now, my sweet guardian! Hark, a word with you. [Whispers.[2191]
Tro. Yea, so familiar!
Ulyss. She will sing any man at first sight.[2192]
Ther. And any man may sing her, if he can take her[2193] 10 cliff; she's noted.[2193]
Dio. Will you remember?[2194]
Cres. Remember! yes.[2195]
Dio. Nay, but do, then;[2196] And let your mind be coupled with your words.[2197] 15
Tro. What should she remember?[2198]
Ulyss. List.
Cres. Sweet honey Greek, tempt me no more to folly.
Ther. Roguery!
Dio. Nay, then,-- 20
Cres. I'll tell you what,--
Dio. Foh, foh! come, tell a pin: you are forsworn.[2199]
Cres. In faith, I cannot: what would you have me do?[2200]
Ther. A juggling trick,--to be secretly open.
Dio. What did you swear you would bestow on me? 25
Cres. I prithee, do not hold me to mine oath; Bid me do any thing but that, sweet Greek.[2201]
Dio. Good night.
Tro. Hold, patience![2202]
Ulyss. How now, Trojan! 30
Cres. Diomed,--
Dio. No, no, good night: I'll be your fool no more.
Tro. Thy better must.
Cres. Hark, one word in your ear.[2203]
Tro. O plague and madness! 35
Ulyss. You are moved, prince; let us depart, I pray you,[2204] Lest your displeasure should enlarge itself To wrathful terms: this place is dangerous; The time right deadly; I beseech you, go.
Tro. Behold, I pray you!
Ulyss. Nay, good my lord, go off:[2205] 40 You flow to great distraction; come, my lord.[2206]
Tro. I pray thee, stay.[2207]
Ulyss. You have not patience; come.
Tro. I pray you, stay; by hell and all hell's torments,[2208] I will not speak a word.[2209]
Dio. And so, good night.
Cres. Nay, but you part in anger.
Tro. Doth that grieve thee?[2210] 45 O wither'd truth![2210]
Ulyss. Why, how now, lord![2211]
Tro. By Jove,[2212] I will be patient.[2212]
Cres. Guardian!--why, Greek!
Dio. Foh, foh! adieu; you palter.[2213]
Cres. In faith, I do not: come hither once again.
Ulyss. You shake, my lord, at something: will you go?[2214] 50 You will break out.[2214]
Tro. She strokes his cheek!
Ulyss. Come, come.
Tro. Nay, stay; by Jove, I will not speak a word: There is between my will and all offences A guard of patience: stay a little while.
Ther. How the devil luxury, with his fat rump and 55 potato-finger, tickles these together! Fry, lechery, fry![2215]
Dio. But will you, then?[2216]
Cres. In faith, I will, la; never trust me else.[2217]
Dio. Give me some token for the surety of it.
Cres. I'll fetch you one. [Exit 60
Ulyss. You have sworn patience.
Tro. Fear me not, sweet lord;[2218] I will not be myself, nor have cognition Of what I feel: I am all patience.
Re-enter CRESSIDA.[2219]
Ther. Now the pledge; now, now, now![2220]
Cres. Here, Diomed, keep this sleeve. 65
Tro. O beauty! where is thy faith?
Ulyss. My lord,--
Tro. I will be patient; outwardly I will.[2221]
Cres. You look upon that sleeve; behold it well.[2222] He loved me--O false wench!--Give't me again.
Dio. Whose was't? 70
Cres. It is no matter, now I have't again.[2223] I will not meet with you to-morrow night: I prithee, Diomed, visit me no more.
Ther. Now she sharpens: well said, whetstone!
Dio. I shall have it.[2224]
Cres. What, this?
Dio. Ay, that. 75
Cres. O, all you gods! O pretty, pretty pledge! Thy master now lies thinking in his bed[2225] Of thee and me, and sighs, and takes my glove, And gives memorial dainty kisses to it,[2226] As I kiss thee. Nay, do not snatch it from me;[2226][2227] 80 He that takes that doth take my heart withal.[2228]
Dio. I had your heart before; this follows it.
Tro. I did swear patience.
Cres. You shall not have it, Diomed; faith, you shall not;[2229] I'll give you something else. 85
Dio. I will have this: whose was it?
Cres. It is no matter.[2230]
Dio. Come, tell me whose it was.
Cres. 'Twas one's that loved me better than you will.[2231] But, now you have it, take it.
Dio. Whose was it?[2232]
Cres. By all Diana's waiting-women yond,[2233] 90 And by herself, I will not tell you whose.
Dio. To-morrow will I wear it on my helm, And grieve his spirit that dares not challenge it.
Tro. Wert thou the devil, and worest it on thy horn, It should be challenged. 95
Cres. Well, well, 'tis done, 'tis past; and yet it is not; I will not keep my word.
Dio. Why then, farewell;[2234] Thou never shalt mock Diomed again.[2234]
Cres. You shall not go: one cannot speak a word,[2234][2235] But it straight starts you.[2234]
Dio. I do not like this fooling.[2234] 100
Ther. Nor I, by Pluto: but that that likes not you[2236][2237] Pleases me best.[2236]
Dio. What, shall I come? the hour?
Cres. Ay, come: O Jove! do come: I shall be plagued.
Dio. Farewell till then.
Cres. Good night: I prithee, come.
[Exit Diomedes.[2238]
Troilus, farewell! one eye yet looks on thee, 105 But with my heart the other eye doth see.[2239] Ah, poor our sex! this fault in us I find, The error of our eye directs our mind: What error leads must err; O, then conclude Minds sway'd by eyes are full of turpitude. [Exit. 110
Ther. A proof of strength she could not publish more,[2240] Unless she said 'My mind is now turn'd whore.'[2241]
Ulyss. All's done, my lord.
Tro. It is.
Ulyss. Why stay we then?
Tro. To make a recordation to my soul Of every syllable that here was spoke. 115 But if I tell how these two did co-act,[2242] Shall I not lie in publishing a truth? Sith yet there is a credence in my heart, An esperance so obstinately strong, That doth invert the attest of eyes and ears;[2243] 120 As if those organs had deceptious functions,[2244] Created only to calumniate.[2245] Was Cressid here?[2245]
Ulyss. I cannot conjure, Trojan.
Tro. She was not, sure.
Ulyss. Most sure she was.[2246]
Tro. Why, my negation hath no taste of madness.[2247] 125
Ulyss. Nor mine, my lord: Cressid was here but now.
Tro. Let it not be believed for womanhood! Think, we had mothers; do not give advantage To stubborn critics, apt without a theme For depravation, to square the general sex[2248] 130 By Cressid's rule: rather think this not Cressid.
Ulyss. What hath she done, prince, that can soil our mothers?[2249]
Tro. Nothing at all, unless that this were she.
Ther. Will a'swagger himself out on's own eyes?[2250]
Tro. This she? no, this is Diomed's Cressida:[2251] 135 If beauty have a soul, this is not she; If souls guide vows, if vows be sanctimonies,[2252] If sanctimony be the gods' delight, If there be rule in unity itself,[2253] This is not she. O madness of discourse,[2254] 140 That cause sets up with and against itself![2255] Bi-fold authority! where reason can revolt[2256][2257] Without perdition, and loss assume all reason[2257][2258] Without revolt: this is, and is not, Cressid! Within my soul there doth conduce a fight[2259] 145 Of this strange nature, that a thing inseparate Divides more wider than the sky and earth;[2260] And yet the spacious breadth of this division Admits no orifex for a point as subtle[2261][2262] As Ariachne's broken woof to enter.[2261][2263] 150 Instance, O instance! strong as Pluto's gates; Cressid is mine, tied with the bonds of heaven: Instance, O instance! strong as heaven itself; The bonds of heaven are slipp'd, dissolved and loosed; And with another knot, five-finger-tied,[2264] 155 The fractions of her faith, orts of her love, The fragments, scraps, the bits and greasy relics Of her o'er-eaten faith, are bound to Diomed.[2265]
Ulyss. May worthy Troilus be half attach'd[2266] With that which here his passion doth express? 160
Tro. Ay, Greek; and that shall be divulged well In characters as red as Mars his heart Inflamed with Venus: never did young man fancy[2267] With so eternal and so fix'd a soul. Hark, Greek: as much as I do Cressid love,[2268] 165 So much by weight hate I her Diomed: That sleeve is mine that he'll bear on his helm:[2269] Were it a casque composed by Vulcan's skill, My sword should bite it: not the dreadful spout Which shipmen do the hurricano call, 170 Constringed in mass by the almighty sun,[2270] Shall dizzy with more clamour Neptune's ear[2271] In his descent, than shall my prompted sword[2271] Falling on Diomed.[2271]
Ther. He'll tickle it for his concupy.[2272] 175
Tro. O Cressid! O false Cressid! false, false, false! Let all untruths stand by thy stained name, And they'll seem glorious.
Ulyss. O, contain yourself; Your passion draws ears hither.
Enter ÆNEAS.
Æne. I have been seeking you this hour, my lord: 180 Hector by this is arming him in Troy; Ajax your guard stays to conduct you home.[2273]
Tro. Have with you, prince. My courteous lord, adieu. Farewell, revolted fair! and, Diomed, Stand fast, and wear a castle on thy head! 185
Ulyss. I'll bring you to the gates.
Tro. Accept distracted thanks.
[Exeunt Troilus, Æneas, and Ulysses.
Ther. Would I could meet that rogue Diomed! I would croak like a raven; I would bode, I would bode. Patroclus will give me any thing for the intelligence of this whore: the 190 parrot will not do more for an almond than he for a commodious drab. Lechery, lechery! still wars and lechery! nothing else holds fashion. A burning devil take them! [Exit.
Act V, Scene III — Troy. Before Priam's palace.[2274]
Enter HECTOR and ANDROMACHE.
And. When was my lord so much ungently temper'd, To stop his ears against admonishment? Unarm, unarm, and do not fight to-day.
Hect. You train me to offend you; get you in:[2275] By all the everlasting gods, I'll go![2276] 5
And. My dreams will, sure, prove ominous to the day.[2277]
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 loud and dear petition;[2278] Pursue we him on knees; for I have dream'd 10 Of bloody turbulence, and this whole night Hath nothing been but shapes and forms of slaughter.[2279]
Cas. O, 'tis true.
Hect. Ho! bid my trumpet sound!
Cas. No notes of sally, for the heavens, sweet brother.[2280]
Hect. Be gone, I say: the gods have heard me swear. 15
Cas. The gods are deaf to hot and peevish vows: They are polluted offerings, more abhorr'd Than spotted livers in the sacrifice.
And. O, be persuaded! do not count it holy[2281][2282][2283] To hurt by being just: it is as lawful,[2281][2283][2284][2285][2286] 20 For we would give much, to use violent thefts[2281][2283][2284][2286] And rob in the behalf of charity.[2283][2284]
Cas. It is the purpose that makes strong the vow;[2287] But vows to every purpose must not hold: Unarm, sweet Hector.[2288]
Hect. Hold you still, I say; 25 Mine honour keeps the weather of my fate:[2289] Life every man holds dear; but the dear man[2290] Holds honour far more precious-dear than life.[2291]
Enter TROILUS.
How now, young man! mean'st thou to fight to-day?[2292]
And. Cassandra, call my father to persuade. 30
[Exit Cassandra.
Hect. No, faith, young Troilus; doff thy harness, youth: I am to-day i' the vein of chivalry: Let grow thy sinews till their knots be strong,[2293] And tempt not yet the brushes of the war.[2294] Unarm thee, go; and doubt thou not, brave boy, 35 I'll stand to-day for thee and me and Troy.
Tro. Brother, you have a vice of mercy in you, Which better fits a lion than a man.
Hect. What vice is that, good Troilus? chide me for it.[2295]
Tro. When many times the captive Grecian falls,[2296] 40 Even in the fan and wind of your fair sword,[2297] You bid them rise and live.[2298]
Hect. O, 'tis fair play.
Tro. Fool's play, by heaven, Hector.
Hect. How now! how now!
Tro. For the love of all the gods,[2299] Let's leave the hermit pity with our mother;[2300] 45 And when we have our armours buckled on, The venom'd vengeance ride upon our swords,[2301] Spur them to ruthful work, rein them from ruth![2302]
Hect. Fie, savage, fie!
Tro. Hector, then 'tis wars.[2303]
Hect. Troilus, I would not have you fight to-day. 50
Tro. Who should withhold me?[2304] Not fate, obedience, nor the hand of Mars Beckoning with fiery truncheon my retire; Not Priamus and Hecuba on knees, Their eyes o'ergalled with recourse of tears; 55 Nor you, my brother, with your true sword drawn, Opposed to hinder me, should stop my way, But by my ruin.
Re-enter CASSANDRA, with PRIAM.[2305]
Cas. Lay hold upon him, Priam, hold him fast:[2306] He is thy crutch; now if thou lose thy stay, 60 Thou on him leaning, and all Troy on thee, Fall all together.
Pri. Come, Hector, come, go back:[2307] Thy wife hath dream'd; thy mother hath had visions; Cassandra doth foresee; and I myself Am like a prophet suddenly enrapt, 65 To tell thee that this day is ominous: Therefore, come back.
Hect. Æneas is afield;[2308] And I do stand engaged to many Greeks, Even in the faith of valour, to appear This morning to them.
Pri. Ay, but thou shalt not go.[2309] 70
Hect. I must not break my faith. You know me dutiful; therefore, dear sir, Let me not shame respect; but give me leave To take that course by your consent and voice, Which you do here forbid me, royal Priam. 75
Cas. O Priam, yield not to him!
And. Do not, dear father.
Hect. Andromache, I am offended with you: Upon the love you bear me, get you in. [Exit Andromache.
Tro. This foolish, dreaming, superstitious girl Makes all these bodements.
Cas. O, farewell, dear Hector! 80 Look, how thou diest! look, how thy eye turns pale![2310] Look, how thy wounds do bleed at many vents![2311] Hark, how Troy roars! how Hecuba cries out![2312] How poor Andromache shrills her dolours forth![2313] Behold, distraction, frenzy and amazement,[2314] 85 Like witless antics, one another meet, And all cry 'Hector! Hector's dead! O Hector!'
Tro. Away! away![2315]
Cas. Farewell: yet, soft! Hector, I take my leave:[2316] Thou dost thyself and all our Troy deceive. [Exit. 90
Hect. You are amazed, my liege, at her exclaim: Go in and cheer the town: we'll forth and fight,[2317] Do deeds worth praise and tell you them at night.[2318]
Pri. Farewell: the gods with safety stand about thee!
[Exeunt severally Priam and Hector. Alarum.[2319]
Tro. They are at it, hark! Proud Diomed, believe,[2320] 95 I come to lose my arm, or win my sleeve.
Enter PANDARUS.[2321]
Pan. Do you hear, my lord? do you hear?[2322][2323]
Tro. What now?[2322]
Pan. Here's a letter come from yond poor girl.[2322]
Tro. Let me read.[2322][2324] 100
Pan. A whoreson tisick, a whoreson rascally tisick so[2322][2325] troubles me, and the foolish fortune of this girl; and what[2322] one thing, what another, that I shall leave you one o' these[2322][2326] days: and I have a rheum in mine eyes too, and such an[2322] ache in my bones that, unless a man were cursed, I cannot[2322] 105 tell what to think on't. What says she there?[2322]
Tro. Words, words, mere words, no matter from the heart;[2322] The effect doth operate another way. [Tearing the letter.[2322][2327] Go, wind, to wind, there turn and change together.[2322] My love with words and errors still she feeds,[2322][2328] 110 But edifies another with her deeds. [Exeunt severally.[2322][2329]
Act V, Scene IV — The field between Troy and the Grecian camp.
Alarums. Excursions. Enter THERSITES.[2330]
Ther. Now they are clapper-clawing one another; I'll go look on. That dissembling abominable varlet, Diomed, has got that same scurvy doting foolish young knave's sleeve of[2331][2332] Troy there in his helm: I would fain see them meet; that[2332] that same young Trojan ass, that loves the whore there, 5 might send that Greekish whoremasterly villain, with the sleeve, back to the dissembling luxurious drab, of a sleeveless errand. O' the t'other side, the policy of those crafty[2333] swearing rascals, that stale old mouse-eaten dry cheese,[2334] Nestor, and that same dog-fox, Ulysses, is not proved worth[2335] 10 a blackberry. They set me up in policy that mongrel cur, Ajax, against that dog of as bad a kind, Achilles: and now is the cur Ajax prouder than the cur Achilles, and will not arm to-day; whereupon the Grecians begin to proclaim[2336] barbarism, and policy grows into an ill opinion. 15
Enter DIOMEDES and TROILUS.[2337]
Soft! here comes sleeve, and t'other.[2338]
Tro. Fly not; for shouldst thou take the river Styx,[2339] I would swim after.[2339]
Dio. Thou dost miscall retire: I do not fly; but advantageous care Withdrew me from the odds of multitude:[2340] 20 Have at thee![2340]
Ther. Hold thy whore, Grecian! Now for thy whore, Trojan! Now the sleeve, now the sleeve!
[Exeunt Troilus and Diomedes, fighting.[2341]
Enter HECTOR.
Hect. What art thou, Greek? art thou for Hector's match?[2342] Art thou of blood and honour? 25
Ther. No, no: I am a rascal; a scurvy railing knave;[2343] a very filthy rogue.[2343]
Hect. I do believe thee. Live. [Exit.[2344]
Ther. God-a-mercy, that thou wilt believe me; but a plague break thy neck for frighting me! What's become of[2345] 30 the wenching rogues? I think they have swallowed one another: I would laugh at that miracle: yet in a sort lechery eats itself. I'll seek them. [Exit.
Act V, Scene V — Another part of the field.
Enter DIOMEDES and Servant.[2346]
Dio. Go, go, my servant, take thou Troilus' horse;[2347] Present the fair steed to my lady Cressid: Fellow, commend my service to her beauty; Tell her I have chastised the amorous Trojan, And am her knight by proof.
Ser. I go, my lord. [Exit. 5
Enter AGAMEMNON.[2348]
Agam. Renew, renew! The fierce Polydamas[2349] Hath beat down Menon: bastard Margarelon Hath Doreus prisoner,[2350] And stands colossus-wise, waving his beam, Upon the pashed corses of the kings[2351] 10 Epistrophus and Cedius: Polyxenes is slain;[2352] Amphimachus and Thoas deadly hurt;[2353] Patroclus ta'en or slain; and Palamedes Sore hurt and bruised: the dreadful sagittary[2354] Appals our numbers: haste we, Diomed, 15 To reinforcement, or we perish all.
Enter NESTOR.
Nest. Go, bear Patroclus' body to Achilles,[2355] And bid the snail-paced Ajax arm for shame. There is a thousand Hectors in the field:[2356] Now here he fights on Galathe his horse, 20 And there lacks work; anon he's there afoot, And there they fly or die, like scaled sculls[2357] Before the belching whale; then is he yonder, And there the strawy Greeks, ripe for his edge,[2358] Fall down before him, like the mower's swath:[2359] 25 Here, there and every where he leaves and takes,[2360] Dexterity so obeying appetite That what he will he does, and does so much[2361] That proof is call'd impossibility.
Enter ULYSSES.
Ulyss. O, courage, courage, princes! great Achilles 30 Is arming, weeping, cursing, vowing vengeance: Patroclus' wounds have roused his drowsy blood,[2355] Together with his mangled Myrmidons, That noseless, handless, hack'd and chipp'd, come to him, Crying on Hector. Ajax hath lost a friend, 35 And foams at mouth, and he is arm'd, and at it, Roaring for Troilus; who hath done to-day Mad and fantastic execution, Engaging and redeeming of himself, With such a careless force and forceless care, 40 As if that luck, in very spite of cunning,[2362][2363] Bade him win all.[2362]
Enter AJAX.
Ajax. Troilus! thou coward Troilus! [Exit.[2364]
Dio. Ay, there, there.
Nest. So, so, we draw together.[2365]
Enter ACHILLES.
Achil. Where is this Hector? Come, come, thou boy-queller, show thy face;[2366] 45 Know what it is to meet Achilles angry: Hector! where's Hector? I will none but Hector. [Exeunt.[2367]
Act V, Scene VI — Another part of the field.[2368]
Enter AJAX.
Ajax. Troilus, thou coward Troilus, show thy head![2369]
Enter DIOMEDES.
Dio. Troilus, I say! where's Troilus?[2370]
Ajax. What wouldst thou?
Dio. I would correct him.
Ajax. Were I the general, thou shouldst have my office[2371] Ere that correction. Troilus, I say! what, Troilus! 5
Enter TROILUS.
Tro. O traitor Diomed! Turn thy false face, thou traitor. And pay thy life thou owest me for my horse.[2372]
Dio. Ha, art thou there?
Ajax. I'll fight with him alone: stand, Diomed.
Dio. He is my prize; I will not look upon.[2373] 10
Tro. Come both, you cogging Greeks; have at you both! [Exeunt, fighting.
Enter HECTOR.[2374]
Hect. Yea, Troilus? O, well fought, my youngest brother!
Enter ACHILLES.
Achil. Now do I see thee; ha! have at thee, Hector![2375]
Hect. Pause, if thou wilt.[2376]
Achil. I do disdain thy courtesy, proud Trojan: 15 Be happy that my arms are out of use: My rest and negligence befriends thee now,[2377] But thou anon shalt hear of me again;[2378] Till when, go seek thy fortune. [Exit.[2379]
Hect. Fare thee well: I would have been much more a fresher man,[2380] 20 Had I expected thee.
Re-enter TROILUS.[2381]
How now, my brother!
Tro. Ajax hath ta'en Æneas: shall it be? No, by the flame of yonder glorious heaven, He shall not carry him; I'll be ta'en too,[2382] Or bring him off. Fate, hear me what I say![2378] 25 I reck not though I end my life to-day. [Exit.
Enter one in sumptuous armour.[2383]
Hect. Stand, stand, thou Greek; thou art a goodly mark.[2384] No? wilt thou not? I like thy armour well;[2385] I'll frush it, and unlock the rivets all,[2386] But I'll be master of it. Wilt thou not, beast, abide? 30 Why then, fly on, I'll hunt thee for thy hide. [Exeunt.[2387]
Act V, Scene VII — Another part of the field.[2388]
Enter ACHILLES, with Myrmidons.
Achil. Come here about me, you my Myrmidons; Mark what I say. Attend me where I wheel: Strike not a stroke, but keep yourselves in breath: And when I have the bloody Hector found, Empale him with your weapons round about; 5 In fellest manner execute your aims.[2389] Follow me, sirs, and my proceedings eye:[2390] It is decreed Hector the great must die. [Exeunt.
Enter MENELAUS and PARIS, fighting: then THERSITES.[2391]
Ther. The cuckold and the cuckold-maker are at it.[2392] Now, bull! now, dog! 'Loo, Paris, 'loo! now my[2393][2394] 10 double-henned sparrow! 'loo, Paris, 'loo! The bull has the game:[2393][2395] ware horns, ho! [Exeunt Paris and Menelaus.
Enter MARGARELON.[2396]
Mar. Turn, slave, and fight.[2397]
Ther. What art thou?
Mar. A bastard son of Priam's.[2397] 15
Ther. I am a bastard too; I love bastards: I am a bastard[2398] begot, bastard instructed, bastard in mind, bastard in[2398] valour, in every thing illegitimate. One bear will not bite another, and wherefore should one bastard? Take heed, the quarrel's most ominous to us: if the son of a whore fight[2399] 20 for a whore, he tempts judgement: farewell, bastard. [Exit.[2400]
Mar. The devil take thee, coward! [Exit.[2397][2401]
Act V, 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
[Sheathes his sword.[2415][2416]
Come, tie his body to my horse's tail; Along the field I will the Trojan trail.
[Exeunt. A retreat sounded.[2417]
Act V, Scene IX — Another part of the field.
Enter AGAMEMNON, AJAX, MENELAUS, NESTOR, DIOMEDES, _and the rest, marching. Shouts within._[2418]
Agam. Hark! hark! what shout is that?[2419][2420]
Nest. Peace, drums![2419]
[Within] 'Achilles! Achilles! Hector's slain! Achilles!'[2419][2421]
Dio. The bruit is, Hector's slain, and by Achilles.[2422]
Ajax. If it be so, yet bragless let it be; 5 Great Hector was a man as good as he.[2423]
Agam. March patiently along: let one be sent[2424] To pray Achilles see us at our tent. If in his death the gods have us befriended, Great Troy is ours, and our sharp wars are ended. 10
[Exeunt, marching.[2425]
Act V, Scene X — Another part of the field.
Enter ÆNEAS, PARIS, ANTENOR, and DEIPHOBUS.[2426]
Æne. Stand, ho! yet are we masters of the field: Never go home; here starve we out the night.[2427]
Enter TROILUS.
Tro. Hector is slain.[2427]
All. Hector! The gods forbid!
Tro. He's dead; and at the murderer's horse's tail In beastly sort dragg'd through the shameful field. 5 Frown on, you heavens, effect your rage with speed! Sit, gods, upon your thrones, and smile at Troy![2428] I say, at once let your brief plagues be mercy,[2428] And linger not our sure destructions on!
Æne. My lord, you do discomfort all the host. 10
Tro. You understand me not that tell me so: I do not speak of flight, of fear, of death,[2429] But dare all imminence that gods and men Address their dangers in. Hector is gone: Who shall tell Priam so, or Hecuba? 15 Let him that will a screech-owl aye be call'd,[2430] Go in to Troy, and say there 'Hector's dead:'[2431] There is a word will Priam turn to stone, Make wells and Niobes of the maids and wives,[2432] Cold statues of the youth, and, in a word,[2433] 20 Scare Troy out of itself. But march away:[2434][2435] Hector is dead; there is no more to say.[2435] Stay yet. You vile abominable tents,[2436] Thus proudly pight upon our Phrygian plains,[2437] Let Titan rise as early as he dare, 25 I'll through and through you! and, thou great-sized coward, No space of earth shall sunder our two hates: I'll haunt thee like a wicked conscience still, That mouldeth goblins swift as frenzy's thoughts.[2438] Strike a free march to Troy! with comfort go:[2439] 30 Hope of revenge shall hide our inward woe.
[Exeunt Æneas and Trojans.
As TROILUS is going out, enter, from the other side, PANDARUS.[2440]
Pan. But hear you, hear you![2441]
Tro. Hence, broker-lackey! ignomy and shame[2442] Pursue thy life, and live aye with thy name! [Exit.[2443]
Pan. A goodly medicine for my aching bones![2444] 35 O world! world! world! thus is the poor agent despised! O[2445] traitors and bawds, how earnestly are you set a-work, and[2446] how ill requited! why should our endeavour be so loved[2447] and the performance so loathed? what verse for it? what instance for it? Let me see: 40
Full merrily the humble-bee doth sing, Till he hath lost his honey and his sting; And being once subdued in armed tail,[2448] Sweet honey and sweet notes together fail.
Good traders in the flesh, set this in your painted cloths:[2449] 45 As many as be here of Pandar's hall, Your eyes, half out, weep out at Pandar's fall;[2450] Or if you cannot weep, yet give some groans, Though not for me, yet for your aching bones.[2451] Brethren and sisters of the hold-door trade,[2452] 50 Some two months hence my will shall here be made: It should be now, but that my fear is this, Some galled goose of Winchester would hiss: Till then I'll sweat and seek about for eases,[2453] And at that time bequeath you my diseases. [Exit.[2454] 55
FOOTNOTES:
[2120] ACT V. SCENE I.] Rowe. om. Q Ff.
The ... tent.] Rowe, substantially.
[2121] I'll ... tonight] With Greekish wine to-night I'll heat his blood Steevens conj.
[2122] Which ... to-morrow.] Omitted in F₄ and Rowe (ed. 1).
scimitar] Rowe (ed. 2). cemitar Q F₁. semitar F₂ F₃.
[2123] core] Ff. curre Q.
[2124] batch] botch Theobald. patch Becket conj.
[2125] idol] thou idol Keightley.
[2126] adversity] perversity Collier conj.
need these] Ff. needs this Q.
[2127] boy] Ff. box Q.
[2128] thought] Ff. said Q.
Achilles'] Achilles Q Ff. Achilles's F₄.
[2129] varlet] F₄. varlot Q F₁ F₂ F₃. harlot Theobald (Thirlby conj.)
[2130] rotten] rotted Rowe (ed. 2).
[2131] the guts-griping, ruptures] Capell. the guts griping ruptures Q. guts-griping Ruptures F₁ F₂ F₃. Guts-griping, Ruptures F₄.
catarrhs] F₄. catarres F₁ F₂ F₃. om. Q.
[2132] o'] F₄. a Q F₁ F₂ F₃. of Capell.
i' the] i' th' Ff. in the Q.
back] Q. backe F₁. backs F₂ F₃ F₄.
[2133] raw eyes ... tetter,] Q. and the like, Ff.
[2134] wheezing] whissing Q.
[2135] limekilns] lime-kills Q.
[2136] discoveries] debaucheries Hanmer. discoverers Singer. discolourers Collier (Collier MS.)
[2137] mean'st] Ff. meanes Q.
[2138] butt] F₃ F₄. but Q F₁ F₂. burr. Long MS. bott Becket conj.
[2139] no.] Q. om. Ff.
[2140] sleave] sleive Q. sleyd Ff. sley'd Rowe.
sarcenet] sacenet Q.
[2141] tassel] F₁. tossell Q F₂ F₃. tossel F₄.
[2142] Out, gall!] Out gall. Q Ff. Nut-gall! Hanmer.
[2143] thwarted] th'warted F₂ F₃ F₄.
[2144] Greeks] Greekes Q F₁. Greeke F₂. Greek F₃ F₄.
[2145] This ... Patroclus!] As in Ff. One line in Q.
[2146] [Exeunt ...] Hanmer. Exit. Ff. Ex. Theobald.
[2147] quails] quarrels or squalls Warburton conj.
[2148] goodly] Q F₁ F₂. good F₃ F₄.
[2149] his brother, the] Ff. his be the Q.
[2150] oblique] antique Hanmer. obelisque Warburton. Job-like Becket conj.
[2151] shoeing-horn] shooting-horn Rowe.
hanging at his brother's] Ff. at his bare Q.
[2152] is] is of Hanmer.
[2153] forced] Ff. faced Q. farced Pope.
to?] F₃ F₄. to: Q F₂. too: F₁.
[2154] he is both ox] her's both Oxe Q.
[2155] a dog ... a fitchew] Ff. a day, a Moyle, a Cat, a Fichooke Q.
[2156] lizard] Ff. lezard Q.
roe] Ff. rowe Q.
[2157] Menelaus] a Menelaus Johnson.
[2158] not what] Ff. what Q.
[2159] Hoy-day] Ff. Hey-day Q. Holy-day Rowe (ed. 2).
spirits] Ff. sprites Q.
Hector, Troilus, Ajax,] Theobald. Hector, Ajax, Ff. om. Q.
Menelaus,] Capell om. Q Ff.
[2160] SCENE II. Pope.
[2161] We ... 'tis; ... There ... you.] As in Capell. As three lines, ending wrong, ... lights ... you. in Q Ff.
[2162] lights] Q. light Ff.
[2163] Re-enter....] Dyce (at the end of the line). Enter ... Ff. om. Q.
[2164] good night] God night Q.
[2165] to tend] who tend Anon, conj.
[2166] Greeks'] Greek's F₄.
[2167] sweet Lord] sweet Capell.
[2168] draught] draff Hanmer. drought Johnson.
[2169] sewer] Rowe. sure Q Ff.
[2170] Good ... tarry.] Verse first by Theobald. Prose in Q Ff.
[2171] at once] Ff. Omitted in Q.
[2172] or tarry] and tarry Pope (ed. 2).
[2173] [Exeunt ...] Exeunt Agam: Menelaus. Q. om. Ff.
[2174] and you too] Ff. and you to Q. you too Pope.
[2175] [Aside to Troilus] To Troilus. Rowe. Marked as 'aside' by Capell.
[2176] Follow ... company.] As in Ff. Prose in Q. Steevens ends the lines goes ... company, ... night.
[2177] Calchas'] Calchas's F₄.
[2178] [Exit ...] Capell. om. Q Ff.
[2179] [Exeunt ... Nestor.] Capell. Exeunt. Q Ff. Exeunt severally, all but Thersites. Hanmer.
[2180] it; it is] it, it is Q. it, that it is Ff.
[2181] sun] F₃ F₄. Sonne Q. Sunne F₁ F₂.
[2182] Calchas'] Capell. Calcas Q. Chalcas his F₁ F₂ F₃. Calchas his F₄.
after.] after-- Q Ff.
[2183] varlets] Ff. varlots Q.
[2184] SCENE II.] Rowe. SCENE III. Pope.
The same ...] Capell. Calchas Tent. Rowe.
Enter Diomedes.] Enter Diomed. Q Ff.
[2185] What, are] Hanmer. What are Q Ff.
[2186] [Within] Capell. om. Q Ff.
[2187] I think] om. Capell.
Where's] Where is Capell.
your] Q F₃ F₄. you F₁ F₂.
[2188] Enter Troilus ...] Capell. Enter Troylus and Ulisses. Ff. Omitted in Q. Enter Troilus and Ulysses, after them Thersites. Rowe. Enter Tr. & U., [undiscover'd by Diomede,] after them Th., [unseen by Tr. & U.] Johnson.
[2189] Enter Cressida.] Enter Cressid. Ff. After him, line 6, in Q.
[2190] comes ... him.] Q F₁. come ... him. F₂ F₃ F₄. come ... him! Rowe.
[2191] [Whispers.] Rowe. om. Q F.
[2192] any] to any Rowe.
[2193] may ... noted] As one line by Capell.
sing her ... cliff] Q. finde her ... life Ff. sing to her ... cliff Pope. find her key ... cleft Collier MS.
[2194] See note (XIV).
[2195] Cres.] F₂ F₃ F₄. Cal. Q F₁.
[2196] Nay] om. Steevens conj.
[2197] And ... words] As verse first by Capell.
[2198] should] Ff. shall Q.
[2199] forsworn.] forsworne. Q. a forsworne.-- F₁. a forsworne-- F₂. a forsworn-- F₃ F₄.
[2200] cannot] can't Pope.
[2201] any] not any F₁.
[2202] Hold, patience] F₄. Hold patience Q F₁ F₂ F₃.
[2203] one] Ff. a Q.
[2204] pray you] Ff. pray Q.
[2205] Nay, good] Ff. Now good Q. Good Pope.
[2206] flow to] show too Johnson conj.
distraction] distruction Q.
[2207] pray thee] Ff. prethee Q. pr'ythee Pope.
[2208] all hell's] all hells Q F₂ F₃ F₄. hell F₁. by hell's Pope.
[2209] I] om. Pope (ed. 1).
[2210] Doth ... truth!] As in Capell. One line in Q Ff.
[2211] wither'd] Rowe. withered Q Ff.
Why ... lord] Ff. How now my Lord Q.
[2212] By ... patient] As in Capell. One line in Q Ff.
[2213] adieu] F₃ F₄. adew F₁ F₂. om. Q.
[2214] You shake ... break out] Verse in F₂ F₃ F₄. Prose in Q F₁.
[2215] these] om. Q.
[2216] But] om. Q.
[2217] I will, la] Theobald. I will lo Q F₁. I will goe F₂. I will go F₃ F₄. I will come Rowe. I will, lord Collier MS.
[2218] sweet lord] Ff. my Lord Q.
[2219] Re-enter ...] Enter ... Q Ff.
[2220] SCENE IV. Pope.
[2221] Tro. I will ... will.] Omitted in Q.
[2222] Cres] Ff. Troy. Q.
[2223] It is] om. Steevens (1793).
have't] Ff. ha't Q.
[2224] have it] have it again Capell.
[2225] in] Ff. on Q.
[2226] And gives ... thee] As in Ff. One line in Q.
[2227] [Diomedes snatches the sleeve. Warburton.
As ... thee. Nay] Dio. As I kiss thee. [Diomede kissing her, offers to snatch it.] Cress. Nay Theobald conj.
Nay ... me] Continued to Cressida by Theobald (Thirlby conj.) In Q Ff it is given to 'Dio.'
[2228] doth take] Q. rakes F₁. takes F₂ F₃ F₄. must take Pope.
[2229] Cres.] Omitted in Q.
[2230] It is] 'Tis Pope.
[2231] one's] on's Q. one Ff].
[2232] Whose] But, whose Capell.
[2233] By] Ff. And by Q.
yond] Q F₁. yonder F₂ F₃ F₄.
[2234] Why then ... starts you] As in Ff. Prose in Q.
[2235] shall] shalt F₂.
[2236] Nor ... best] As verse by Hanmer. Prose in Q Ff.
[2237] Ther.] Troi. Hanmer.
not you] Q. not me Ff.
[2238] [Exit Diomedes.] Capell. Exit. Ff (after then). Omitted in Q.
[2239] with ... eye] my heart with the other eye Johnson conj. with the other eye my heart Tyrwhitt conj.
[2240] SCENE V. Pope.
[2241] said] Q. say Ff.
[2242] co-act] coact Ff. Court Q.
[2243] the attest] th' attest Q. that test F₁ F₄. that rest F₂ F₃.
[2244] had deceptious] Ff. were deceptions Q.
[2245] Created ... here?] As in Ff. One line in Q.
[2246] Most] It is most Steevens conj.
[2247] madness.] Q F₃ F₄. madnesse? F₁ F₂.
[2248] the general] all the Pope.
[2249] soil] soyle Ff. spoile Q.
[2250] a'] a Q. he Ff.
on's] of his Pope.
[2251] Diomed's Cressida] Diomedes' Cressid Hanmer.
[2252] be sanctimonies] Q. are sanctimonie Ff. be sanctimony Johnson.
[2253] unity] purity or verity Johnson conj.
[2254] This is] Ff. This was Q.
[2255] sets] set'st Hanmer.
with] Q. with, F₁ F₃ F₄. with; F₂.
itself!] it selfe, Q. thy selfe F₁. thy selfe, F₂ F₃ F₄. thy self! Pope.
[2256] Bi-fold] By-fould Q. By foule F₁ F₂. By foul F₃ F₄.
authority!] Pope. authority: Q F₂ F₃ F₄. authoritie: F₁.
[2257] can ... reason] can Revolt without perdition, loss assume Reason Hanmer.
[2258] and] om. Pope.
[2259] conduce] commence Rowe.
[2260] more] far Pope.
[2261] Admits ... enter] Subtile as Arachne's unbroken woof, Admits no orifice for a point to enter Becket conj. As subtle as Arachne's broken woof, Admits no orifice for a point to enter Keightley.
[2262] orifex] Q F₁. orifece F₂. orifice F₃ F₄.
[2263] Ariachne's] Ariachnes Ff. Ariachna's Q. Ariathna's Q (Steevens's copy in Brit. Mus.) slight Arachne's Pope. is Arachne's Capell. Ariadne's or Arachnea's Steevens conj. was Arachne's Anon. conj.
[2264] five-finger-tied,] fine finger tied, F₁ F₂ F₃. finde singer tied, Q. five finger'd tied, F₄. five finger'd tied: Rowe (ed. 1). five finger tied: Rowe (ed. 2). five-finger-tied: Pope.
[2265] faith] truth or troth S. Walker conj.
bound] Ff. given Q.
[2266] half] but half S. Walker conj.
attach'd] Rowe. attached Q Ff.
[2267] never] ne'er Pope.
[2268] as I] F₂ F₃ F₄. I Q F₁.
Cressid] Q. Cressida Ff.
[2269] on] Q. in Ff.
[2270] sun] sunne Q. Fenne F₁ F₂. Fenn F₃ F₄. finger Rowe.
[2271] Shall ... Diomed] As in Ff. Two lines in Q, ending discent ... Diomed.
[2272] it] him Delius conj.
[2273] stays] stales F₂.
[2274] SCENE III.] Rowe. SCENE VI. Pope.
Troy.] Rowe.
Before Priam's palace.] Capell. The Palace in Troy. Theobald.
[2275] in] Q. gone Ff.
[2276] all] Q. om Ff.
[2277] to the day] to day Rowe (ed. 2).
[2278] Consort] Comsort F₂.
[2279] Hath nothing been] Have nothing seen Anon. apud Rann conj.
[2280] Cas.] Cres. Q.
[2281] O, be ... thefts] O, be ... holy: To hurt ... just, count it unlawful: For we would give as much to violent thefts Anon. conj.
[2282] holy] holy, Q Ff.
[2283] holy To hurt ... And rob] holy: To hurt, by being just, count it unlawful: For we would give, as much, to violent thefts, And rob Taylor conj. holy To hurt ... lawful, To use violent thefts, and count it much To rob Halliwell conj.
[2284] To hurt ... charity] Omitted in Q.
it is ... charity] Erased in Collier MS.
[2285] is] were Rowe.
[2286] as lawful, For ... thefts] Malone (Tyrwhitt conj.) as lawfull: For we would count giue much to as violent thefts Ff. as lawful For us to count we give what's gain'd by thefts Rowe. as lawful, For we would give much, to count violent thefts Knight. as lawful, For us to give much count to violent thefts Collier, ed. 1 (Amyot conj.) as lawful, For we would countenance give to violent thefts Collier conj. as lawful as (For we would give much) to commit violent thefts Anon. conj. as lawful (For we would give much) to commit violent thefts Singer. as lawful [a line omitted] For we would give as much to violent thefts Delius. as lawful, For we would give much, to count as virtues thefts Hudson conj. as lawful, For ... threats Jervis conj. as lawful, For much to give, to compass violent thefts Anon. ap. Fras. Mag. conj. as lawful, For we would give much, to so count violent thefts Verplanck. as lawful For we would give much, to compass violent thefts Nicholson conj. unlawful: For we'd give much count so to violent thefts Keightley.
[2287] Cas.] om. Q, continuing the speech to Andromache.
[2288] Unarm] Vnatme[F₁.
[2289] of] off Steevens conj.
[2290] dear man] F₃ F₄. deere man Q F₁ F₂. brave man Pope. dere man Becket conj. true man Anon. conj.
[2291] precious-dear] F₃ F₄. precious-deere F₂. precious deere Q. precious, deere F₁.
[2292] mean'st] Ff. meanest Q.
[2293] grow] go Pope (ed. 2).
[2294] brushes] bruises Collier (Collier MS.)
[2295] that, good Troilus?] Capell. that? good Troylus Q Ff.
[2296] captive Grecian falls] captive Grecians fall Rowe. caitiff Grecians fall Warburton (Theobald conj.)
[2297] fair] fear'd Anon. conj.
[2298] them] him Anon. conj.
[2299] For the love] For th' love Q Ff. For love Pope.
[2300] mother] Q. mothers Ff.
[2301] The] Then Anon. conj.
[2302] ruthful] ruthfull Q F₁. ruefull F₂ F₃ F₄. wrathful Anon. conj.
[2303] fie!] fye, fye! Keightley.
Hector, then 'tis] Hector, thus 'tis in Pope. Why, Hector, then 'tis Steevens conj.
[2304] Who should] Who is there, brother, tell me, should Seymour conj.
[2305] But ... ruin.] Ff. Omitted in Q.
Re-enter ...] Capell. Enter Priam and Cassandra. Q Ff.
[2306] SCENE VII. Pope.
[2307] Come, Hector] Hector Pope.
[2308] afield] a-field F₃ F₄. a field Q F₁ F₂.
[2309] Ay, but] But Pope.
[2310] eye turns] eyes turn Rowe.
[2311] do] doth F₁.
[2312] how] ho F₂.
[2313] dolours] Q. dolour Ff.
[2314] distraction] Ff. destruction Q.
[2315] Away! away!] Away, away. Q F₁. Away. F₂ F₃ F₄.
[2316] yet] Q F₃ F₄. yes F₁ F₂.
[2317] Go in ... fight] As in Ff. Two lines in Q.
[2318] worth] Q. of Ff.
[2319] [Exeunt ... Hector.] Malone. Exit Priam. Capell. Omitted in Q Ff.
Alarum.] Q Ff. Alarums. Capell. Alarm. Johnson.
[2320] They are] They're Pope.
[2321] Enter Pandarus.] Enter Pandar. Q Ff. As Troilus is going out, enter, from the other side, Pandarus. Malone.
[2322] Pan. Do you ... deeds.] Transferred by Capell to follow inward woe, line 31, of the last scene of the play.
[2323] SCENE VIII. Pope.
Pan.] Pad. F₂.
[2324] [taking it. Capell.
[2325] tisick] ptisick Rowe.
[2326] o' these] Rowe. ath's Q. o' th's F₁ F₂. o' th' F₃ F₄.
[2327] [Tearing the letter.] Rowe. Omitted in Q Ff.
[2328] errors] air Collier MS.
[2329] See note (XV).
[Exeunt severally.] Malone. Exeunt. Q. A Larum. Exeunt. F₁. Alarum. Exeunt. F₂ F₃ F₄.
[2330] SCENE IV.]Rowe. SCENE IX. Pope.
The field ...] Rowe.
Alarums.] Capell. Alarum. Rowe (from Ff). om. Q.
Excursions. Enter Thersites.] Enter Thersites: excursions. Q. Enter Thersites in excursion. Ff.
[2331] young] Ff. om. Q.
[2332] knave's ... Troy] knave of Troy's sleeve Anon. conj.
[2333] errand] Hanmer. arrant Q. errant Ff.
O' the t'other] Ath' tother Q. O' th' tother Ff. O' th' other Theobald.
[2334] swearing] sneering Theobald. swerving Becket conj. fleering Collier conj. sneaking Anon. conj.
stale] Q F₃ F₄. stole F₁ F₂.
cheese] cheefe F₂.
[2335] not proved] proved not Anon. conj.
[2336] begin] Rowe (ed. 2). began Q Ff.
[2337] Enter....] om. Q.
[2338] and t'other] and tother Q. and th' other Ff. and sleeveless Collier (Collier MS.)
[2339] Fly ... after.] As in Ff. Prose in Q.
[2340] Withdrew ... thee!] As in Ff. One line in Q.
[2341] sleeve, ... sleeve!] sleeve, ... sleeve, now the sleeve. Rowe (ed. 2). sleeve! ... sleeveless! Collier (Collier MS.)
[Exeunt....] Capell. They go off fighting. Rowe (after line 21). Omitted in Q Ff.
[2342] SCENE X. Pope.
thou] om. Q.
[2343] No ... rogue.] As verse in Capell.
[2344] [Exit.] Rowe. om. Q Ff.
[2345] neck for] neck--for Q Ff.
[2346] SCENE V.] Capell. The earlier editions continue the scene.
Another ...] Another ... plain. Dyce. The same. Capell.
Enter ...] Alarums. Enter ... Capell.
Servant.] Q F₂ F₃ F₄. Servants. F₁.
[2347] Troilus'] Troilus's F₄.
[2348] Ser.] Ff. Man. Q.
[Exit.] Hanmer. om. Q Ff.
Enter A.] Ff. Enter A. Q, after proof.
[2349] SCENE XI. Pope.
Polydamas] Pope. Polidamas Q. Polidamus F₁ F₂ F₃. Polydamus F₄.
[2350] Marked by Keightley as an imperfect line.
[2351] kings] kings, F₃ F₄. kings: Q F₁ F₂.
[2352] Epistrophus] Steevens. Epistropus Q Ff.
Cedius:] Capell. Cedus, Q Ff. Cedus: Rowe. Odius. Pope.
Polyxenes] Dyce. Polixines Q F₁ F₂ F₃. Polyxines F₄. Polyxenus Pope.
[2353] Thoas] Pope. Thous Q Ff.
[2354] bruised] Q Ff. bruis'd Pope.
[2355] Patroclus'] Patroclus's F₄.
[2356] is] are Rowe.
[2357] scaled] Ff. scaling Q (for scaly Collier conj.)
sculls] Q. sculs Ff. shoals Pope. schools Anon. conj.
[2358] strawy] Q. straying Ff.
[2359] the] Ff. a Q.
[2360] leaves] cleaves Staunton conj.
[2361] will] wills Capell conj.
[2362] As ... all.] As in Rowe (ed. 2). One line in Q Ff.
[2363] luck] Ff. lust Q.
[2364] SCENE XII. Pope.
Ajax.] om. Q.
[2365] together.] Capell. together. Exit. Q Ff. together. Exeunt. Rowe.
[2366] boy-queller] boy-quiller F₃. boy-killer F₄.
show] shew me Pope. now show Anon. conj.
[2367] [Exeunt.] Capell. Exit. Q Ff.
[2368] SCENE VI.] Capell. Earlier eds. continue the scene.
Another....] Capell.
[2369] Ajax.] om. Q.
[2370] Dio.] om. Q.
[2371] Were ... office] One line in Q. Two in Ff.
[2372] thy] the Capell.
owest] ow'st Capell.
[2373] He ... look upon.] No, he ... look on. Hanmer.
[2374] Come both,] Theobald. Come both Q Ff. Come, both Rowe.
[Exeunt, fighting.] Rowe. Exit Troylus. Ff. om. Q.
Enter Hector.] om. Q.
[2375] Achil.] om. Q.
ha] Q. om. Ff. now Hanmer.
[2376] [Fight. Rowe.
[2377] befriends] Q F₁. befriend F₂ F₃ F₄.
[2378] hear] here Q.
[2379] [Exit.] Q F₁. om. F₂ F₃ F₄.
[2380] much more a] a much more S. Walker conj.
[2381] Re-enter....] Re-enter Troilus, hastily. Capell. Enter Troylus. Q Ff.
[2382] carry] carray F₂.
ta'en] taken Rowe.
[2383] reck] Pope. wreake Q F₁ F₂. wreak F₃ F₄.
I end] Q. thou end Ff.
Enter one in sumptuous armour.] Malone. Enter one in Armour. Q Ff. Alarums. Enter Grecians, and pass over; amongst them, one in goodly Armour. Capell.
[2384] Stand ... mark.] One line in Q. Two in Ff.
[2385] No?] Now? Johnson.
[2386] rivets] rivers Rowe (ed. 2)
[2387] [Exeunt.] Malone. Exit. Q Ff.
[2388] SCENE VII.] Capell. Earlier eds. continue the scene.
Another....] Another ... plains. Dyce. The same. Capell.
[2389] aims.] Capell. armes Q F₂. arme. F₁. arms. F₃. arms, F₄. See note (XVI).
[2390] proceedings] Q F₁. proceeding F₂ F₃ F₄.
[2391] decreed] Q. decreed, Ff. decreed-- Rowe.
[Exeunt.] Pope. Exit. Q Ff.
Enter....] Malone. Alarums. Enter Paris, and Menelaus, fighting; Thersites after them. Capell. Enter Thersites, Menelaus and Paris. Q Ff (substantially).
[2392] SCENE XIII. Pope. SCENE VIII. Capell. Dyce first continued the scene.
[2393] 'Loo,] Rowe. lowe, or low, Q Ff.
[2394] now my] My Johnson.
[2395] sparrow] Ff. spartan Q.
[2396] [Exeunt....] Hanmer. Exit.... Q Ff. Ex.... Pope.
Enter Margarelon.] Capell. Enter Bastard. Q Ff.
[2397] Mar.] Capell. Bast. Q Ff.
[2398] a bastard begot] Ff. bastard begot Q.
[2399] quarrel's] Ff. quarrells Q.
[2400] [Exit.] Capell. om. Q Ff.
[2401] thee, coward] thee coward Q F₁. the coward F₂ F₃ F₄.
[Exit.] Q. Exeunt. Ff.
[2402] SCENE VIII.] Dyce. SCENE XIV. Pope. SCENE IX. Capell.
Another....] Capell.
[2403] day's] dares F₂.
good breath] Ff. my breth Q.
[2404] [Puts ... him.] Malone. Putting off his Helmet. Capell (after line 3).
and ... him.] and lays his sword aside. Collier.
Enter....] Q. Enter ... and his Myrmidons. Ff. Shouts within. Enter.... Capell.
[2405] how] now Rowe (ed. 2).
[2406] vail] vaile Q F₁ F₂. veil F₃ F₄.
darking] Ff. darkning Q.
[2407] [They fall upon Hector and kill him. Rowe. Assaulting him. Capell.
[2408] [Hector falls.] Capell. om. Q Ff.
[2409] Ilion] F₃ F₄. Illion Q F₁ F₂.
thou next! now] Pope. thou next, come Q. thou: now Ff. thou! now great Collier MS.
[2410] and cry] Q. cry Ff.
[2411] [A retreat sounded.] Malone. Retreat. Q Ff. Retreat heard. Capell. Exeunt. Rowe (ed. 2) and Pope. Omitted by Theobald.
[2412] retire] Q. retreat Ff.
part] prat Q.
[2413] Myr.] Rowe. One: Q. Grec. Ff.
Trojan trumpets sound] Rowe. Troyans trumpet sound Q. Troian trumpets sounds Ff.
[2414] separates] separate Pope.
[2415] My ... bed.] Put in the margin by Pope.
[2416] bait] baite Q. bed F₁. bitt F₂. bit F₃ F₄.
[Sheathes....] Malone. Putting up.... Capell. om. Q Ff.
[2417] A retreat sounded.] Sound retreat. Shout. Ff. Omitted in Q.
[2418] SCENE IX.] Dyce. SCENE X. Capell. Earlier eds. continue the scene.
Another....] Another ... plains. Dyce. The same. Capell.
Shouts within.] Capell.
[2419] As two lines, the first ending Achilles, in Steevens.
[2420] what shout is that?] Ff. what is this? Q.
[2421] [Within] Capell. Sould: within. Q. Sold. Ff.
[2422] Hector's] F₁ F₂. Hectors Q. Hector F₃ F₄.
[2423] a man as good] Ff. as good a man Q.
[2424] patiently] hastily Warburton.
[2425] [Exeunt, marching.] Capell. Exeunt. Q Ff.
[2426] SCENE X.] Dyce. SCENE XV. Pope. SCENE XI. Capell.
Another....] Another ... Field; under Troy. Capell.
Enter....] Q Ff. Enter Trojans, confusedly; to them, Æneas. Capell. (and, om. Q).
Deiphobus] Diephobus. Q. Deiphœbus. F₁.
[2427] Never ... slain.] Ff. Enter Troylus. Troy. Never ... night, Hector is slaine. Q.
[2428] smile at Troy! I say, at once] Malone (Theobald, substantially). smile at Troy. I say at once, Q Ff. smite all Troy I say at once; Hanmer. smite at Troy, I say, at once. Warburton. smite all Troy; Ay, slay at once; Lettsom conj.
[2429] of fear, of] of feare, of Ff. of feare of Q. or fear of Anon. conj.
[2430] screech-owl] scrich-ould Q.
[2431] in to] Ff. into Q.
there] Ff. their Q.
[2432] wells and Niobes] wells and Niobe's Q. wels, and Niobes F₁ F₂. wells, and Niobes F₃. wells, and Niob's F₄. wells and rivers Hanmer. welling Niobes Warburton. welland Niobes Anon. apud Whalley conj.
[2433] Cold] Could Q. Coole F₁ F₂. Cool F₃ F₄.
[2434] Scare] F₃ F₄. Scarre Q F₁ F₂.
[2435] But ... dead] Ff. Omitted in Q.
[2436] yet. You] yet: you Ff. yet you Q. yet, you Rowe.
vile] Ff. proud Q.
[2437] pight] Ff. pitcht Q.
[2438] goblins] goblings Rowe (ed. 2).
frenzy's] frienzes Q. frensies Ff. frenzy Capell.
[2439] march to Troy! with] march to Troy, with Ff. march, to Troy with Q.
[2440] [Exeunt ... Pandarus.] As they are going out, and Troilus last, Enter Pandarus. Capell. Enter Pandarus. Q Ff. See note (XVII).
[2441] hear ... hear] here ... here Q.
[2442] broker-lackey] Dyce. broker lacquey Johnson. broker, lacky Q. broker, lackie F₁. brother, lacky F₂. brothel, lacky F₃ F₄. brothel-lacquy Theobald.
ignomy and shame] ignomy, and shame F₁ F₂. ignomyny, shame Q. ignominy, and shame F₃. ignominy and shame F₄.
[Strikes him. Rowe.
[2443] [Exit.] Capell. Exeunt all but Pandarus Q. Exeunt. Ff.
[2444] my aching bones] my aking bones Q. mine akingbones F₁ F₃. mine a kingbones F₂. mine aking bones F₄.
[2445] world! world! world!] world, world, world! Ff. world, world-- Q.
[2446] a-work] aworke F₁ F₂. a worke Q. a work F₃ F₄. at work Rowe.
[2447] loved] lov'd Q. desir'd Ff.
[2448] And] But Rowe.
[2449] cloths] Rowe (ed. 2). cloathes Q F₁ F₂. cloaths F₃ F₄.
[2450] Pandar's] Pindar's Rowe (ed. 1).
[2451] your] Ff. my Q.
[2452] hold-door] hold-dore Ff. Hold-ore Q.
[2453] sweat] sweate Q F₁. sweare F₂. swear F₃ F₄.
[2454] [Exit.] Rowe (ed. 2). Exeunt. Ff. om. Q.
NOTES.
NOTE I.
The Folios have 'The Tragedy of Troylus and Cressida' as title of the play. In the first three the prologue precedes the title. In the fourth the order is reversed. In the third and fourth 'Troylus' is spelt 'Troilus,' both here and in the body of the play. Some copies of the Quarto have 'The Famous Historie of Troylus and Cresseid,' others 'The Historie of Troylus and Cresseida,' as first title, while the running title in all is, 'The History of Troylus and Cresseida.' The play is not divided into Acts and Scenes either in the Quarto or the Folios, excepting that the latter have Actus Primus, Scæna Prima, at the beginning.
In the spelling of 'Trojan' we have conformed to modern usage. In the Quarto it is uniformly 'Troyan' and usually 'Troian' in the first Folio.
NOTE II.
I. 3. 238. The reading of the Quarto given in the note at the foot of the page is that of Capell's copy, in which the final 's' of 'swords' has failed to take the ink. In the Duke of Devonshire's copy the 's' is visible but imperfect.
NOTE III.
I. 3. 357-365. The Quarto reads as follows:
'Giue pardon to my speech? therefore tis meete, Achilles meete not Hector, let vs like Marchants First shew foule wares, and thinke perchance theile sell; If not; the luster of the better shall exceed, By shewing the worse 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.'
Capell adopts the Quarto reading, putting 'If not' in a line by itself.
NOTE IV.
II. 2. 22. This misprint of Theobald's was repeated in every edition, except those of Hanmer and Capell, down to that of Harness, 1825, inclusive. Mr Knight made the necessary correction. We have left unnoticed many similar instances.
NOTE V.
II. 3. 74. Mr Dyce suggests that the reading 'sate' of the Quarto was a mistake for 'rates.'
NOTE VI.
II. 3. 130-133. Both the Quarto and the Folios put a full stop at report, a colon at war, and a full stop or colon at giant: a punctuation which was followed substantially by Rowe and Pope. Theobald first put a comma at report and inverted commas before Bring, forgetting, however, to mark the end of the quotation. Hanmer printed the line Bring ... war in italics, and Johnson put the whole passage Bring ... giant in inverted commas. Subsequent editors have followed him in marking the quotation thus. We have done the like, though with some doubt as to whether Hanmer's view be not preferable.
NOTE VII.
II. 3. 187, sqq. Rowe, in this passage, followed the Folios. Pope, too, left the preposterously long line '(As amply titled, as Achilles is,) by going to Achilles:' but in the following, altered 'fat already, pride' to 'pride, already fat.' Theobald followed Pope.
Hanmer reads:
'As amply titled as Achilles' is, By going to Achilles: for that were But to inlard his pride, already fat.'
Johnson first adopted the reading and arrangement given in the text, followed by Capell, except that the latter gave, like Hanmer, Achilles' (with an apostrophe) in the first line.
NOTE VIII.
III. 2. 21. Capell's copy of the Quarto has distinctly 'repured,' though Capell, usually so accurate in his collation, omitted to notice that it differed from the Folio. The same is the reading of the copy in the Duke of Devonshire's Library, and of two copies in the British Museum, one of which formerly belonged to Steevens.
Steevens's reprint has 'reputed'--an error which seems to have been the source of the statement that some copies of the Quarto have that reading.
NOTE IX.
III. 3. 120. In Capell's copy of the Quarto there are traces of what appeared to us at first to be an imperfect letter at the end of the word 'reuerb'rate.' On referring, however, to the Duke of Devonshire's copy, and to the two in the British Museum, we are inclined to believe that the apparently imperfect letter is in reality a lead.
NOTE X.
III. 3. 123-128. The Quarto has,
'I was much rap't in 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,' &c.
The first Folio gives,
'I was much rapt in this, And apprehended here immediately: The vnknowne Aiax; Heauens what a man is there? a very Horse, That has he knowes not what. Nature, what things there are. Most abiect in regard, and deare in vse.'
The later Folios omitted the stop between 'what' and 'Nature,' which misled Rowe, who in his first edition read:
'That as he knows not Nature, what things are' &c.
Pope read,
'I was much rapt in this, And apprehended here immediately The unknown Ajax---- Heav'ns! what a man is there? a very horse, He knows not his own nature: what things are Most abject in regard, and dear in use?'
Hanmer reconstructed the whole passage, thus:
'I was much rapt In this I read, and apprehended here Immediately the unknown Ajax: heavens! What a man's there? a very horse, that has He knows not what: in nature what things there are Most abject in regard, and dear in use.'
NOTE XI.
IV. 4. 74-77. The Quarto here reads:
'Here why I speake it loue, The Grecian youths are full of quality, And swelling ore with arts and exercise:'
The first Folio has:
'Heare why I speake it; Loue: The Grecian youths are full of qualitie, Their louing well compos'd, with guift of nature, Flawing and swelling ore with Arts and exercise:'
The second Folio has the same except that it substitutes 'Flowing' for 'Flawing.' The third and fourth have substantially the same reading as the second.
Rowe edited it thus:
'Hear while I speak it, Love: The Grecian Youths are full of subtle Qualities, They're loving, well compos'd, with gift of Nature, Flowing and swelling o'er with Arts and Exercise;'
Pope followed Rowe, with a difference of punctuation:
'... with gift of Nature Flowing,' &c.
Theobald followed Pope, except that he restored 'why' for 'while' in the first line, and Warburton Theobald, reading 'gifts' for 'gift.'
Johnson followed Warburton, except that in place of 'qualities' he restored 'quality.'
Hanmer has:
'Hear why I speak it, love: the Grecian youths Are full of subtle qualities, they're loving, They're well compos'd, with gifts of nature flowing, And swelling o'er with arts and exercise.'
Capell thus:
'Hear why I speak it, love: The Grecian youths Are well compos'd, with gifts of nature flowing, And swelling o'er with arts and exercise:'
Malone reads:
'Hear why I speak it, love; The Grecian youths are full of quality; They're loving, well compos'd, with gifts of nature flowing, And swelling o'er with arts and exercise;'
Mr Knight and Mr Collier give the reading of the second and following Folios, only striking out the comma after 'compos'd.'
Mr Grant White:
'They're loving, well compos'd with gifts of nature, Flowing and swelling o'er with arts and exercise.'
The reading which we have adopted in the text is that of Mr Staunton. The word 'Flowing' was in all probability a marginal correction for 'swelling,' which the printer of the Folio by mistake added to the line.
NOTE XII.
IV. 5. 96. The Quarto reads:
'Vlis. The yongest sonne of Priam, a true knight.'
The first Folio has:
'Vlis. The youngest Sonne of Priam; A true Knight; they call him Troylus.'
The second Folio amended the metre of the second line by reading,
'And a true Knight; they call him Troylus;'
which was followed in the later Folios and Rowe. Pope restored the reading of the Quarto, which is probably the true one, as the words 'they call him Troilus' occur lower down in the speech, at line 108. If they are retained at all, we should read,
'Ulys. They call him Troilus: The youngest son of Priam, a true knight;'
but most likely they are the insertion of a hasty corrector.
NOTE XIII.
IV. 5. 103. Although we have not been able to find any other instance of 'impair' as an adjective, we have retained it; for editors should be careful not to obliterate ἅπαξ λεγόμενα, and etymologically 'impair' may have the sense of 'unsuitable, unequal to the theme.' Johnson's conjecture of 'impure,' though plausible, is not entirely satisfactory, as it is Troilus's ripeness of judgement and not his modesty which is the subject of praise.
NOTE XIV.
V. 2. 12. The short speeches throughout this scene are printed as verse first by Steevens (1793). This arrangement has been generally adopted by later editors. From the manner in which the short lines are arranged in the earlier editions it is impossible to say whether they were intended to be read as verse or not. An alteration made by Pope in line 40 for the sake of the metre shows that he read some of the lines at least as verse.
NOTE XV.
V. 3. III. The Folio here inserts the following lines:
'Pand. Why, but heare you?
Troy. Hence brother lackie; ignomie and shame Pursue thy life, and liue aye with thy name.'
As they occur again, with a slight variation in the first line, in the last scene, we have followed the Quarto in omitting them. This is an indication that the play has been tampered with by another hand than Shakespeare's.
NOTE XVI.
V. 7. 6. Mr Collier quotes the Duke of Devonshire's copy of the Quarto as authority for the reading 'aims,' 'the letter i being a little indistinct.' This is a mistake. The indistinct letter is, beyond all question, an imperfect r. Capell's copy and the two copies in the British Museum all have 'armes.' In the same note Mr Collier quotes the Folio as reading 'arm,' not 'arme,' and attributes Capell's correction to Steevens.
NOTE XVII.
V. 10. 31. Here Capell inserts the passage 'Pan. Do you hear ... deeds,' V. 3. 97-111, and after Troilus's speech, 'What now?' gives the stage direction 'Exeunt Æneas, and Trojans.'
CORIOLANUS.
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ[F].
CAIUS MARCIUS, afterwards CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. TITUS LARTIUS, } generals against the Volscians. COMINIUS, } MENENIUS AGRIPPA, friend to Coriolanus. SICINIUS VELUTUS, } tribunes of the people. JUNIUS BRUTUS, } YOUNG MARCIUS, son to Coriolanus. A Roman Herald. TULLUS AUFIDIUS, general of the Volscians. Lieutenant to Aufidius. Conspirators with Aufidius. A Citizen of Antium. Two Volscian Guards.
VOLUMNIA, mother to Coriolanus. VIRGILIA, wife to Coriolanus. VALERIA, friend to Virgilia. Gentlewoman attending on Virgilia.
Roman and Volscian Senators, Patricians, Ædiles, Lictors, Soldiers, Citizens, Messengers, Servants to Aufidius, and other Attendants.
SCENE: Rome and the neighbourhood; Corioli and the neighbourhood; Antium[G].
[F] First given imperfectly by Rowe.
[G] Rome....] Edd. The Scene is partly in Rome and partly in the Territory of the Volscians. Rowe. The Scene.... Territories of the Volscians and Antiates. Theobald.
THE TRAGEDY OF
CORIOLANUS.
Act I, Scene I — Rome. A street.[2455]
Enter a company of mutinous Citizens, with staves, clubs, and other weapons.
First Cit. Before we proceed any further, hear me speak.
All. Speak, speak.[2456]
First Cit. You are all resolved rather to die than to famish?
All. Resolved, resolved. 5
First Cit. First, you know Caius Marcius is chief enemy[2457] to the people.
All. We know't, we know't.[2458]
First Cit. Let us kill him, and we'll have corn at our own price. Is't a verdict? 10
All. No more talking on't; let it be done: away,[2459] away!
Sec. Cit. One word, good citizens.
First Cit. We are accounted poor citizens; the patricians, good. What authority surfeits on would relieve us: if they[2460] 15 would yield us but the superfluity while it were wholesome, we might guess they relieved us humanely; but they think[2461] we are too dear: the leanness that afflicts us, the object of[2462] our misery, is as an inventory to particularize their abundance; our sufferance is a gain to them. Let us revenge this[2463] 20 with our pikes, ere we become rakes: for the gods know I[2464] speak this in hunger for bread, not in thirst for revenge.
Sec. Cit. Would you proceed especially against Caius Marcius?[2465]
All. Against him first: he's a very dog to the[2466] 25 commonalty.
Sec. Cit. Consider you what services he has done for his country?
First Cit. Very well; and could be content to give him good report for't, but that he pays himself with being proud. 30
Sec. Cit. Nay, but speak not maliciously.[2467]
First Cit. I say unto you, what he hath done famously, he did it to that end: though soft-conscienced men can be content to say it was for his country, he did it to please his[2468] mother and to be partly proud; which he is, even to the[2469] 35 altitude of his virtue.
Sec. Cit. What he cannot help in his nature, you account a vice in him. You must in no way say he is covetous.
First Cit. If I must not, I need not be barren of accusations; he hath faults, with surplus, to tire in repetition. 40 [Shouts within.] What shouts are these? The other side o'[2470][2471] the city is risen: why stay we prating here? to the Capitol!
All. Come, come.
First Cit. Soft! who comes here?
Enter MENENIUS AGRIPPA.[2472]
Sec. Cit. Worthy Menenius Agrippa; one that hath always[2473] 45 loved the people.
First Cit. He's one honest enough: would all the rest were so!
Men. What work's, my countrymen, in hand? where go you[2474][2475] With bats and clubs? the matter? speak, I pray you.[2474][2476] 50
First Cit. Our business is not unknown to the senate;[2477] they have had inkling, this fortnight, what we intend to do,[2478] which now we'll show 'em in deeds. They say poor suitors have strong breaths: they shall know we have strong arms too. 55
Men. Why, masters, my good friends, mine honest neighbours,[2479] Will you undo yourselves?[2479]
First Cit. We cannot, sir, we are undone already.
Men. I tell you, friends, most charitable care Have the patricians of you. For your wants,[2480] 60 Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well[2481] Strike at the heaven with your staves as lift them[2482] Against the Roman state; whose course will on The way it takes, cracking ten thousand curbs Of more strong link asunder than can ever[2483] 65 Appear in your impediment. For the dearth, The gods, not the patricians, make it, and Your knees to them, not arms, must help. Alack, You are transported by calamity Thither where more attends you, and you slander 70 The helms o' the state, who care for you like fathers, When you curse them as enemies.
First Cit. Care for us! True, indeed! They ne'er[2484] cared for us yet: suffer us to famish, and their store-houses crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to support 75 usurers; repeal daily any wholesome act established against the rich, and provide more piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will; and there's all the love they bear us.
Men. Either you must 80 Confess yourselves wondrous malicious, Or be accused of folly. I shall tell you A pretty tale: it may be you have heard it; But, since it serves my purpose, I will venture To stale't a little more.[2485] 85
First Cit. Well, I'll hear it, sir: yet you must not[2486][2487] think to fob off our disgrace with a tale: but, an't please[2486][2488] you, deliver.[2486]
Men. There was a time when all the body's members Rebell'd against the belly; thus accused it: 90 That only like a gulf it did remain I' the midst o' the body, idle and unactive,[2489] Still cupboarding the viand, never bearing Like labour with the rest; where the other instruments Did see and hear, devise, instruct, walk, feel, 95 And, mutually participate, did minister[2490] Unto the appetite and affection common Of the whole body. The belly answer'd--[2491][2492]
First Cit. Well, sir, what answer made the belly?[2491]
Men. Sir, I shall tell you. With a kind of smile,[2493] 100 Which ne'er came from the lungs, but even thus-- For, look you, I may make the belly smile As well as speak--it tauntingly replied[2494] To the discontented members, the mutinous parts That envied his receipt; even so most fitly 105 As you malign our senators for that They are not such as you.
First Cit. Your belly's answer? What![2495] The kingly-crowned head, the vigilant eye,[2496][2497] The counsellor heart, the arm our soldier,[2496] Our steed the leg, the tongue our trumpeter,[2496] 110 With other muniments and petty helps[2496] In this our fabric, if that they--[2496]
Men. What then?[2496][2498] 'Fore me, this fellow speaks! what then? what then?[2496][2498][2499]
First Cit. Should by the cormorant belly be restrain'd,[2496] Who is the sink o' the body,--[2496][2500]
Men. Well, what then?[2496] 115
First Cit. The former agents, if they did complain,[2496][2501] What could the belly answer?[2496]
Men. I will tell you; If you'll bestow a small--of what you have little--[2502] Patience awhile, you'll hear the belly's answer.[2503]
First Cit. You're long about it.[2504]
Men. Note me this, good friend: 120 Your most grave belly was deliberate, Not rash like his accusers, and thus answer'd: 'True is it, my incorporate friends,' quoth he, 'That I receive the general food at first, Which you do live upon; and fit it is, 125 Because I am the store-house and the shop Of the whole body: but, if you do remember, I send it through the rivers of your blood, Even to the court, the heart, to the seat o' the brain;[2505][2506] And, through the cranks and offices of man,[2506][2507] 130 The strongest nerves and small inferior veins From me receive that natural competency Whereby they live: and though that all at once, You, my good friends,'--this says the belly, mark me,--[2508]
First Cit. Ay, sir; well, well.
Men. 'Though all at once cannot 135 See what I do deliver out to each, Yet I can make my audit up, that all From me do back receive the flour of all,[2509] And leave me but the bran.' What say you to't?
First Cit. It was an answer: how apply you this?[2510] 140
Men. The senators of Rome are this good belly, And you the mutinous members: for examine[2511] Their counsels and their cares, digest things rightly[2511] Touching the weal o' the common, you shall find No public benefit which you receive 145 But it proceeds or comes from them to you And no way from yourselves. What do you think, You, the great toe of this assembly?
First Cit. I the great toe! why the great toe?
Men. For that, being one o' the lowest, basest, poorest, 150 Of this most wise rebellion, thou go'st foremost:[2512] Thou rascal, that art worst in blood to run,[2513][2514] Lead'st first to win some vantage.[2513] But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs: Rome and her rats are at the point of battle; 155 The one side must have bale.[2515]
Enter CAIUS MARCIUS.
Hail, noble Marcius!
Mar. Thanks. What's the matter, you dissentious rogues, That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion, Make yourselves scabs?
First Cit. We have ever your good word.
Mar. He that will give good words to thee will flatter[2516] 160 Beneath abhorring. What would you have, you curs,[2517] That like nor peace nor war? the one affrights you,[2518] The other makes you proud. He that trusts to you,[2519] Where he should find you lions, finds you hares,[2520] Where foxes, geese: you are no surer, no,[2521] 165 Than is the coal of fire upon the ice, Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is To make him worthy whose offence subdues him And curse that justice did it. Who deserves greatness[2522] Deserves your hate; and your affections are 170 A sick man's appetite, who desires most that Which would increase his evil. He that depends Upon your favours swims with fins of lead And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye! Trust ye?[2523] With every minute you do change a mind,[2524] 175 And call him noble that was now your hate, Him vile that was your garland. What's the matter,[2525] That in these several places of the city[2526] You cry against the noble senate, who, Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else 180 Would feed on one another? What's their seeking?
Men. For corn at their own rates; whereof, they say.[2527] The city is well stored.
Mar. Hang 'em! They say! They'll sit by the fire, and presume to know What's done i' the Capitol; who's like to rise, 185 Who thrives and who declines; side factions and give out[2528] Conjectural marriages; making parties strong, And feebling such as stand not in their liking Below their cobbled shoes. They say there's grain enough![2529][2530] Would the nobility lay aside their ruth,[2529] 190 And let me use my sword, I'ld make a quarry[2529] With thousands of these quarter'd slaves, as high[2529] As I could pick my lance.[2529][2531]
Men. Nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded;[2529][2532] For though abundantly they lack discretion,[2529] 195 Yet are they passing cowardly. But, I beseech you,[2533] What says the other troop?
Mar. They are dissolved: hang 'em![2534] They said they were an-hungry; sigh'd forth proverbs, That hunger broke stone walls, that dogs must eat, That meat was made for mouths, that the gods sent not 200 Corn for the rich men only: with these shreds They vented their complainings; which being answer'd, And a petition granted them, a strange one-- To break the heart of generosity And make bold power look pale--they threw their caps 205 As they would hang them on the horns o' the moon, Shouting their emulation.[2535]
Men. What is granted them?
Mar. Five tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms,[2536] Of their own choice: one's Junius Brutus,[2537] Sicinius Velutus, and I know not--'Sdeath![2538] 210 The rabble should have first unroof'd the city,[2539] Ere so prevail'd with me: it will in time Win upon power and throw forth greater themes[2540] For insurrection's arguing.[2541]
Men. This is strange.
Mar. Go, get you home, you fragments! 215
Enter a Messenger, hastily.[2542]
Mess. Where's Caius Marcius?
Mar. Here: what's the matter?[2543]
Mess. The news is, sir, the Volsces are in arms.[2544]
Mar. I am glad on't: then we shall ha' means to vent[2545] Our musty superfluity. See, our best elders.[2546]
Enter COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, and other Senators; JUNIUS BRUTUS and SICINIUS VELUTUS.[2547]
First Sen. Marcius, 'tis true that you have lately told us;[2548] 220 The Volsces are in arms.
Mar. They have a leader, Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to't. I sin in envying his nobility; And were I any thing but what I am, I would wish me only he.
Com. You have fought together.[2549] 225
Mar. Were half to half the world by the ears, and he Upon my party, I'ld revolt, to make Only my wars with him: he is a lion[2550] That I am proud to hunt.
First Sen. Then, worthy Marcius, Attend upon Cominius to these wars. 230
Com. It is your former promise.
Mar. Sir, it is; And I am constant. Titus Lartius, thou[2551] Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face.[2552] What, art thou stiff? stand'st out?
Tit. No, Caius Marcius; I'll lean upon one crutch, and fight with t'other, 235 Ere stay behind this business.
Men. O, true-bred!
First Sen. Your company to the Capitol; where, I know,[2553] Our greatest friends attend us.
Tit. [To Com.] Lead you on.[2554][2555] [To Mar.] Follow Cominius; we must follow you;[2554][2555] Right worthy you priority.[2555]
Com. Noble Marcius![2555][2556] 240
First Sen. [To the Citizens] Hence to your homes; be gone![2553]
Mar. Nay, let them follow:[2557] The Volsces have much corn; take these rats thither To gnaw their garners. Worshipful mutiners,[2558] Your valour puts well forth: pray, follow.
[Citizens steal away. Exeunt all but Sicinius and Brutus.[2559]
Sic. Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius? 245
Bru. He has no equal.
Sic. When we were chosen tribunes for the people,--
Bru. Mark'd you his lip and eyes?
Sic. Nay, but his taunts.
Bru. Being moved, he will not spare to gird the gods.[2560]
Sic. Bemock the modest moon. 250
Bru. The present wars devour him: he is grown[2561] Too proud to be so valiant.[2562]
Sic. Such a nature,[2563] Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow[2563] Which he treads on at noon: but I do wonder[2563] His insolence can brook to be commanded[2563] 255 Under Cominius.[2563]
Bru. Fame, at the which he aims,[2564] In whom already he's well graced, can not[2565] Better be held, nor more attain'd, than by[2566] A place below the first: for what miscarries Shall be the general's fault, though he perform 260 To the utmost of a man; and giddy censure Will then cry out of Marcius 'O, if he[2567] Had borne the business!'
Sic. Besides, if things go well, Opinion, that so sticks on Marcius, shall Of his demerits rob Cominius.[2568]
Bru. Come:[2569] 265 Half all Cominius' honours are to Marcius,[2569][2570] Though Marcius earn'd them not; and all his faults[2571] To Marcius shall be honours, though indeed In aught he merit not.
Sic. Let's hence, and hear How the dispatch is made; and in what fashion, 270 More than his singularity, he goes[2572] Upon this present action.
Bru. Let's along. [Exeunt.
Act I, Scene II — Corioli. The Senate-House.
Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, with Senators of Corioli.[2573]
First Sen. So, your opinion is, Aufidius, That they of Rome are enter'd in our counsels, And know how we proceed.
Auf. Is it not yours? What ever have been thought on in this state,[2574] That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome 5 Had circumvention? 'Tis not four days gone Since I heard thence: these are the words: I think I have the letter here: yes, here it is: [Reads] 'They have press'd a power, but it is not known[2575] Whether for east or west: the dearth is great;[2576] 10 The people mutinous: and it is rumour'd, Cominius, Marcius your old enemy, Who is of Rome worse hated than of you, And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman, These three lead on this preparation 15 Whither 'tis bent: most likely 'tis for you:[2577] Consider of it.'
First Sen. Our army's in the field: We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready To answer us.
Auf. Nor did you think it folly To keep your great pretences veil'd till when[2578] 20 They needs must show themselves; which in the hatching, It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery[2579] We shall be shorten'd in our aim, which was To take in many towns ere almost Rome Should know we were afoot.
Sec. Sen. Noble Aufidius, 25 Take your commission; hie you to your bands: Let us alone to guard Corioli:[2580][2581] If they set down before 's, for the remove[2581][2582] Bring up your army; but, I think, you'll find They've not prepared for us.[2583]
Auf. O, doubt not that; 30 I speak from certainties. Nay, more,[2584] Some parcels of their power are forth already,[2585] And only hitherward. I leave your honours. If we and Caius Marcius chance to meet, 'Tis sworn between us, we shall ever strike[2586] 35 Till one can do no more.
All. The gods assist you!
Auf. And keep your honours safe!
First Sen. Farewell.
Sec. Sen. Farewell.
All. Farewell. [Exeunt.[2587]
Act I, Scene III — Rome. A room in Marcius' house.
Enter VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA: they set them down on two low stools, and sew.[2588]
Vol. I pray you, daughter, sing, or express yourself in a more comfortable sort: if my son were my husband, I should[2589] freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he won honour than[2590] in the embracements of his bed where he would show most[2591] love. When yet he was but tender-bodied, and the only son 5 of my womb; when youth with comeliness plucked all gaze his way; when, for a day of kings' entreaties, a mother[2592] should not sell him an hour from her beholding; I, considering[2593] how honour would become such a person; that it was no better than picture-like to hang by the wall, if renown 10 made it not stir, was pleased to let him seek danger where he was like to find fame. To a cruel war I sent him; from whence he returned, his brows bound with oak. I tell thee, daughter, I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was[2594] a man-child than now in first seeing he had proved himself 15 a man.
Vir. But had he died in the business, madam: how then?
Vol. Then his good report should have been my son; I therein would have found issue. Hear me profess sincerely: had I a dozen sons, each in my love alike, and none less 20 dear than thine and my good Marcius, I had rather had[2595] eleven die nobly for their country than one voluptuously surfeit out of action.
Enter a Gentlewoman.
Gent. Madam, the Lady Valeria is come to visit you.
Vir. Beseech you, give me leave to retire myself. 25
Vol. Indeed, you shall not.[2596] Methinks I hear hither your husband's drum;[2597] See him pluck Aufidius down by the hair;[2598] As children from a bear, the Volsces shunning him:[2599] Methinks I see him stamp thus, and call thus:[2600] 30 'Come on, you cowards! you were got in fear,[2601] Though you were born in Rome:' his bloody brow With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes, Like to a harvest-man that's task'd to mow[2602] Or all, or lose his hire.[2603] 35
Vir. His bloody brow! O Jupiter, no blood!
Vol. Away, you fool! it more becomes a man Than gilt his trophy: the breasts of Hecuba,[2604] When she did suckle Hector, look'd not lovelier Than Hector's forehead when it spit forth blood 40 At Grecian sword, contemning. Tell Valeria[2605] We are fit to bid her welcome. [Exit Gent.[2606]
Vir. Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius!
Vol. He'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee,[2607] And tread upon his neck. 45
Enter VALERIA, with an Usher and Gentlewoman.[2608]
Val. My ladies both, good day to you.[2609]
Vol. Sweet madam.
Vir. I am glad to see your ladyship.
Val. How do you both? you are manifest house-keepers. What are you sewing here? A fine spot, in good faith.[2610] 50 How does your little son?
Vir. I thank your ladyship; well, good madam.
Vol. He had rather see the swords and hear a drum[2611] than look upon his schoolmaster.
Val. O' my word, the father's son: I'll swear, 'tis a very[2612] 55 pretty boy. O' my troth, I looked upon him o' Wednesday[2612][2613] half an hour together: has such a confirmed countenance.[2614] I saw him run after a gilded butterfly; and when he caught it, he let it go again; and after it again; and over and over he comes, and up again; catched it again: or whether his[2615] 60 fall enraged him, or how 'twas, he did so set his teeth, and tear it; O, I warrant, how he mammocked it!
Vol. One on 's father's moods.[2616]
Val. Indeed, la, 'tis a noble child.
Vir. A crack, madam. 65
Val. Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must have you play the idle huswife with me this afternoon.
Vir. No, good madam; I will not out of doors.[2617]
Val. Not out of doors!
Vol. She shall, she shall. 70
Vir. Indeed, no, by your patience; I'll not over the threshold till my lord return from the wars.
Val. Fie, you confine yourself most unreasonably:[2618] come, you must go visit the good lady that lies in.
Vir. I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with 75 my prayers; but I cannot go thither.
Vol. Why, I pray you?
Vir. 'Tis not to save labour, nor that I want love.
Val. You would be another Penelope: yet, they say, all the yarn she spun in Ulysses' absence did but fill Ithaca[2619] 80 full of moths. Come; I would your cambric were sensible as your finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity. Come, you shall go with us.
Vir. No, good madam, pardon me; indeed, I will not forth. 85
Val. In truth, la, go with me, and I'll tell you excellent news of your husband.
Vir. O, good madam, there can be none yet.
Val. Verily, I do not jest with you; there came news from him last night. 90
Vir. Indeed, madam?[2620]
Val. In earnest, it's true; I heard a senator speak it. Thus it is: the Volsces have an army forth; against whom Cominius the general is gone, with one part of our Roman power: your lord and Titus Lartius are set down before 95 their city Corioli; they nothing doubt prevailing, and to[2621] make it brief wars. This is true, on mine honour; and so,[2622] I pray, go with us.
Vir. Give me excuse, good madam; I will obey you in every thing hereafter. 100
Vol. Let her alone, lady; as she is now, she will but[2623][2624] disease our better mirth.[2623]
Val. In troth, I think she would. Fare you well,[2623] then. Come, good sweet lady. Prithee, Virgilia, turn thy[2623] solemness out o' door, and go along with us.[2623][2625] 105
Vir. No, at a word, madam; indeed, I must not. I[2623] wish you much mirth.[2623]
Val. Well then, farewell. [Exeunt.[2626]
Act I, Scene IV — Before Corioli.
Enter, with drum and colours, MARCIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, Captains and Soldiers. To them a Messenger.[2627]
Mar. Yonder comes news: a wager they have met.[2628]
Lart. My horse to yours, no.[2629]
Mar. 'Tis done.
Lart. Agreed.
Mar. Say, has our general met the enemy?
Mess. They lie in view; but have not spoke as yet.
Lart. So, the good horse is mine.
Mar. I'll buy him of you. 5
Lart. No, I'll nor sell nor give him: lend you him I will[2630][2631] For half a hundred years. Summon the town.[2631]
Mar. How far off lie these armies?
Mess. Within this mile and half.[2632]
Mar. Then shall we hear their 'larum, and they ours. Now, Mars, I prithee, make us quick in work, 10 That we with smoking swords may march from hence, To help our fielded friends! Come, blow thy blast.
They sound a parley. Enter two Senators with others, on the walls.[2633]
Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls?[2634][2635]
First Sen. No, nor a man that fears you less than he,[2636] That's lesser than a little. Hark, our drums[2637] 15
[Drum afar off.
Are bringing forth our youth! we'll break our walls, Rather than they shall pound us up: our gates,[2638] Which yet seem shut, we have but pinn'd with rushes; They'll open of themselves. Hark you, far off!
[Alarum far off.
There is Aufidius; list, what work he makes[2634] 20 Amongst your cloven army.
Mar. O, they are at it!
Lart. Their noise be our instruction. Ladders, ho!
Enter the army of the Volsces.[2639]
Mar. They fear us not, but issue forth their city.[2640] Now put your shields before your hearts, and fight With hearts more proof than shields. Advance, brave Titus:[2641] 25 They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts, Which makes me sweat with wrath. Come on, my fellows:[2642] He that retires, I'll take him for a Volsce,[2643] And he shall feel mine edge.
Alarum. The Romans are beat back to their trenches. Re-enter MARCIUS, cursing.[2644]
Mar. All the contagion of the south light on you,[2645] 30 You shames of Rome! you herd of--Boils and plagues[2646] Plaster you o'er; that you may be abhorr'd Farther than seen, and one infect another Against the wind a mile! You souls of geese, That bear the shapes of men, how have you run 35 From slaves that apes would beat! Pluto and hell! All hurt behind; backs red, and faces pale With flight and agued fear! Mend, and charge home, Or, by the fires of heaven, I'll leave the foe, And make my wars on you: look to 't: come on; 40 If you'll stand fast, we'll beat them to their wives,[2647] As they us to our trenches followed.[2647][2648]
Another alarum. The Volsces fly, and MARCIUS _follows them to the gates_.[2649]
So, now the gates are ope: now prove good seconds: 'Tis for the followers fortune widens them, Not for the fliers: mark me, and do the like. 45
[Enters the gates.[2650]
First Sol. Fool-hardiness; not I.
Sec. Sol. Nor I. [Marcius is shut in.[2651]
First Sol. See, they have shut him in.
All. To the pot, I warrant him.
[Alarum continues.
Re-enter TITUS LARTIUS.[2652]
Lart. What is become of Marcius?
All. Slain, sir, doubtless.
First Sol. Following the fliers at the very heels, 50 With them he enters; who, upon the sudden, Clapp'd to their gates: he is himself alone,[2653] To answer all the city.
Lart. O noble fellow! Who sensibly outdares his senseless sword,[2654] And, when it bows, stands up! Thou art left, Marcius:[2655] 55 A carbuncle entire, as big as thou art, Were not so rich a jewel. Thou wast a soldier[2656] Even to Cato's wish, not fierce and terrible[2657] Only in strokes; but, with thy grim looks and The thunder-like percussion of thy sounds,[2658] 60 Thou madest thine enemies shake, as if the world Were feverous and did tremble.
Re-enter MARCIUS, bleeding, assaulted by the enemy.[2659]
First Sol. Look, sir.
Lart. O, 'tis Marcius! Let's fetch him off, or make remain alike.
[They fight, and all enter the city.
Act I, Scene V — Within Corioli. A street.[2660]
Enter certain Romans, with spoils.
First Rom. This will I carry to Rome.
Sec. Rom. And I this.
Third Rom. A murrain on't! I took this for silver.
[Alarum continues still afar off.
Enter MARCIUS and TITUS LARTIUS with a trumpet.[2661]
Mar. See here these movers that do prize their hours[2662] At a crack'd drachma! Cushions, leaden spoons,[2663] 5 Irons of a doit, doublets that hangmen would Bury with those that wore them, these base slaves, Ere yet the fight be done, pack up: down with them! And hark, what noise the general makes! To him![2664] There is the man of my soul's hate, Aufidius, 10 Piercing our Romans: then, valiant Titus, take Convenient numbers to make good the city; Whilst I, with those that have the spirit, will haste[2665] To help Cominius.
Lart. Worthy sir, thou bleed'st; Thy exercise hath been too violent[2666] 15 For a second course of fight.[2666]
Mar. Sir, praise me not; My work hath yet not warm'd me: fare you well: The blood I drop is rather physical Than dangerous to me: to Aufidius thus[2667][2668] I will appear, and fight.[2667]
Lart. Now the fair goddess, Fortune, 20 Fall deep in love with thee; and her great charms Misguide thy opposers' swords! Bold gentleman,[2669] Prosperity be thy page!
Mar. Thy friend no less Than those she placeth highest! So farewell.[2670]
Lart. Thou worthiest Marcius! [Exit Marcius.[2671] 25 Go, sound thy trumpet in the market-place;[2672] Call thither all the officers o' the town,[2673] Where they shall know our mind. Away! [Exeunt.
Act I, Scene VI — Near the camp of Cominius.[2674]
Enter COMINIUS, as it were in retire, with Soldiers.
Com. Breathe you, my friends: well fought; we are come off Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands Nor cowardly in retire: believe me, sirs, We shall be charged again. Whiles we have struck,[2675] By interims and conveying gusts we have heard 5 The charges of our friends. Ye Roman gods,[2676] Lead their successes as we wish our own, That both our powers, with smiling fronts encountering, May give you thankful sacrifice!
Enter a Messenger.[2677]
Thy news?
Mess. The citizens of Corioli have issued, 10 And given to Lartius and to Marcius battle: I saw our party to their trenches driven,[2678] And then I came away.
Com. Though thou speak'st truth,[2679] Methinks thou speak'st not well. How long is't since?
Mess. Above an hour, my lord. 15
Com. 'Tis not a mile; briefly we heard their drums:[2680] How couldst thou in a mile confound an hour, And bring thy news so late?[2681]
Mess. Spies of the Volsces Held me in chase, that I was forced to wheel Three or four miles about; else had I, sir, 20 Half an hour since brought my report.
Enter MARCIUS.[2682]
Com. Who's yonder, That does appear as he were flay'd? O gods! He has the stamp of Marcius; and I have Before-time seen him thus.
Mar. Come I too late?[2683]
Com. The shepherd knows not thunder from a tabor 25 More than I know the sound of Marcius' tongue[2684] From every meaner man.[2685]
Mar. Come I too late?
Com. Ay, if you come not in the blood of others, But mantled in your own.
Mar. O, let me clip ye[2686] In arms as sound as when I woo'd; in heart[2687][2688] 30 As merry as when our nuptial day was done,[2688] And tapers burn'd to bedward!
Com. Flower of warriors,[2689] How is't with Titus Lartius?[2689][2690]
Mar. As with a man busied about decrees: Condemning some to death, and some to exile; 35 Ransoming him or pitying, threatening the other; Holding Corioli in the name of Rome, Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash, To let him slip at will.[2691]
Com. Where is that slave Which told me they had beat you to your trenches? 40 Where is he? call him hither.
Mar. Let him alone; He did inform the truth: but for our gentlemen,[2692] The common file--a plague! tribunes for them!--[2693] The mouse ne'er shunn'd the cat as they did budge From rascals worse than they.
Com. But how prevail'd you? 45
Mar. Will the time serve to tell? I do not think.[2694] Where is the enemy? are you lords o' the field?[2695] If not, why cease you till you are so?
Com. Marcius,[2696] We have at disadvantage fought and did[2696] Retire to win our purpose.[2696][2697] 50
Mar. How lies their battle? know you on which side[2698][2699] They have placed their men of trust?[2698]
Com. As I guess, Marcius, Their bands i' the vaward are the Antiates,[2700] Of their best trust; o'er them Aufidius, Their very heart of hope.
Mar. I do beseech you, 55 By all the battles wherein we have fought, By the blood we have shed together, by the vows[2701][2702] We have made to endure friends, that you directly[2701][2702] Set me against Aufidius and his Antiates;[2701] And that you not delay the present, but, 60 Filling the air with swords advanced and darts, We prove this very hour.[2703]
Com. Though I could wish You were conducted to a gentle bath, And balms applied to you, yet dare I never Deny your asking: take your choice of those 65 That best can aid your action.
Mar. Those are they That most are willing. If any such be here--[2704] As it were sin to doubt--that love this painting Wherein you see me smear'd; if any fear Lesser his person than an ill report;[2705] 70 If any think brave death outweighs bad life, And that his country's dearer than himself; Let him alone, or so many so minded,[2706] Wave thus, to express his disposition, And follow Marcius. 75
[They all shout, and wave their swords; take him up in their arms, and cast up their caps.
O, me alone! make you a sword of me?[2707] If these shows be not outward, which of you But is four Volsces? none of you but is Able to bear against the great Aufidius A shield as hard as his. A certain number,[2708] 80 Though thanks to all, must I select from all: the rest[2709] Shall bear the business in some other fight, As cause will be obey'd. Please you to march;[2710] And four shall quickly draw out my command,[2710][2711][2712] Which men are best inclined.[2712]
Com. March on, my fellows: 85 Make good this ostentation, and you shall Divide in all with us. [Exeunt.
Act I, Scene VII — The gates of Corioli.[2713]
TITUS LARTIUS, _having set a guard upon Corioli, going with drum and trumpet toward_ COMINIUS and CAIUS MARCIUS, enters with a Lieutenant, other Soldiers, and a Scout.
Lart. So, let the ports be guarded: keep your duties, As I have set them down. If I do send, dispatch[2714] Those centuries to our aid; the rest will serve[2715] For a short holding: if we lose the field, We cannot keep the town.[2716]
Lieu. Fear not our care, sir.[2716] 5
Lart. Hence, and shut your gates upon 's.[2716][2717] Our guider, come; to the Roman camp conduct us. [Exeunt.[2716][2718]
Act I, Scene VIII — A field of battle between the Roman and the Volscian camps.
Alarum as in battle. Enter, from opposite sides, MARCIUS and AUFIDIUS.[2719]
Mar. I'll fight with none but thee; for I do hate thee Worse than a promise-breaker.
Auf. We hate alike: Not Afric owns a serpent I abhor[2720] More than thy fame and envy. Fix thy foot.[2721][2722]
Mar. Let the first budger die the other's slave,[2722] 5 And the gods doom him after!
Auf. If I fly, Marcius,[2723] Holloa me like a hare.[2723][2724]
Mar. Within these three hours, Tullus, Alone I fought in your Corioli walls, And made what work I pleased: 'tis not my blood Wherein thou seest me mask'd; for thy revenge 10 Wrench up thy power to the highest.
Auf. Wert thou the Hector[2725] That was the whip of your bragg'd progeny, Thou shouldst not 'scape me here.
[They fight, and certain Volsces come in the aid of Aufidius. Marcius fights till they be driven in breathless.[2726]
Officious, and not valiant, you have shamed me In your condemned seconds. [Exeunt.[2727] 15