University of Virginia Library

As Cassandra is going off, the SCENE opens, and discovers all the Grecian Princes, but Achilles on one side, and Priamus attended on the other side, sitting in State. Ulysses, Pratroclus, and Menelaus arm'd for the Combat, come upon the Stage, and meet Andromache, Helen, and Polyxena going to take their Seats. Patroclus in the Armour of Achilles.
Dio.
Summon the Trojan Champions to the Lists.

Pri.
Ye may—
Yet doubt not, but they will too soon appear.

Men.
Hold me Ulysses, and support me with
Thy Counsel, and thy Arms: for I am struck,
As if I had been blasted by some Planet—
Her dang'rous Eyes, who can withstand 'em here!
Those fatal Lamps that shine, and rule ith' Sky,
Look not so bright, nor do they wound so nigh.

Ulyss.
Bear up, and shake her Subtile Charms away;
Look on Revenge, more sweet, and bright than They.

Men.
Help me ye Powers! I'le cross her as She goes—
O Gods! How swell'd with shameless Pride She showes!—
Canst thou behold, without a modest Fear,
[makes toward Helen.]
This walking Image of thy Falsehood here,
That gloriously durst meet me in this place,
When thou read'st Grief, and Vengeance in my Face?
Fear'st thou not, Mountains shou'd upon thee fall,
And hurry into Hell thy perjur'd Soul—
How I cou'd curse, and please my heart to rail,
But when I view those once lov'd Eyes, I fail.

Hel.
You do ill Menelaus
To tax me now with Falshood, or with Pride,
When I come thus all kindness to your side,
Winding your Malice up at such a rate
For you to pour its Vengeance on the Man you hate;—
I'le go and be an equal Judge to prove,
Which can do most, for Hatred, or for Love.

Men.
O Impudence! whose weight the World might sink,
Beyond the reach of Womans Soul to think—
Ah, let me call to mind thy cunning Lies,
Thy many oft repeated Perjuries—
Before the Priest our eager Joys had crown'd,
And we walk'd o're the rich enamell'd Ground,
As o're the Meadows, and the Lawns we trod,
Thou like a Goddess, I thy Sylvan God;
Fair as Elysium, I those Walks wou'd call,
And thee, than Beautie's first Original,
Still we went on, with loving Arms combin'd,
Our Eyes mix'd Light, and all our Senses joyn'd.
Am I not kind, said you, with fatal Smiles?
The Ivy clasping so, the Oak beguiles,
Whose treach'rous kindness Root and Branches kills.

Hel.
O me! For pitty I'le be gone—
I fear you will Relaps, and grow too Weak.

Men.
Nay, you shall see your Self, and hear me Speak,
And when I have said all, this Heart shall break.—
Then, with a longing Sigh, you'd cry, my Dear,
And on my Trembling hand, let fall a Tear,
Will you be Mine, and be for ever True?
May I be Curst when I am false to you.
Cou'dst thou more Vows repeat, and Oaths recal,
Thou then hadst said, and then hadst broak 'em All.

Dio.
Prepare; the Trojan Champions are all ready,
And proudly walk around the Lists.

Men.
Farwell to thee, and Faithless Love for ever.

Enter Hector, Paris and Troilus.
Ulyss.
Now Menelaus.—

Men.
Ulysses, thou shalt see, with Wonder too,
What Injuries of Love can make me do.

Dio.
First Grecian Trumpets sound, and then the Trojans.—
Is it declar'd that all Advantages be taken?
And that the Champions on both sides shall Fight
The Mortal Combat?

Hect.
It is, all ways, all bloody Paths to Death
Shall here be trod with swiftest Fury,
That lead to each Proud Adversaries Heart.

Ulyss.
Agreed.

Par.
Come Sir, 'tis You and I must now dispute
[To Men.]
For the rich Prize, the Beauty of the World.—
Behold the Star that shines upon us both
With equal Charms, and Glorious Influence;
The Gods have her to the brave Victor giv'n,
He that Survives shall Reign alone in Heav'n.

Men.
Though I Loath her, whom thou dost call so Bright,
Yet I do Hate thee worse with whom I Fight,
And for that Reason, will, when thou art Dead,
Rather embrace a Serpent in my Bed.

Hect.
Who have we here, Patroclus!
I came prepar'd to meet the great Achilles—
What, has a' sent, to mock me, this tame Beast?
Or thinks to fright me with his Lion's-Skin?

Patr.
Hector shall find there's no such mighty Ods
Betwixt Achilles, and his dear Friend's Breast
That wears the Royal Gift.

Dio.
If the first Champion falling be a Grecian,
Then let the Trojan Trumpets sound aloud,
And Voices pierce the Air with Shouts from Earth
To Heav'n, or if a Trojan first be Slain,
Then let the Grecians do the like—
Now all begin, and the kind Gods direct
Your better Fortunes.

Ulyss.
Come Noble Troilus.

And.
The Gods assist my Hector.

[From behind.]
Polyx.
And my dear Brother Troilus.

[From behind.]
They all Fight, Patroclus is kill'd, and Paris falls upon Menelaus. Trojan Trumpets sound.
Hect.
Thou wert not dipp'd in Acheron I'm sure.

Hel.
Hold, Paris, hold, and spare his Life.

[From behind.]
Par.
Live then—See, I obey your Absolute,
And Indisputable Commands.

Patr.
Achilles, never grudge Patroclus's Death,
Since he falls Bravely by the hand of Hector.

[Dies.]
Men.
O ye dread Gods! In what was I too blame!—
Where shall I hide my hated Head for Shame!

Andromache, Helen, and Polyxena, come upon the Stage.
And.
Let me adore my Hector now, and worship thee,
Thou Shield of Troy, Defender of thy Country,
And far more awful than the God of War.

Polyx.
Ah! let me kiss this shining Sword of thine,
That has defended my dear Brother's heart.

Ulyss.
You Troilus, and I may meet again
In Fight, where we may hunt each other forth,
And finish this Dispute, some happier Time.

Aga.
Dismiss the Field—Convey, with Shouts of Joy,
The noble Victors to the Gates of Troy—
To you great Priamus, we yield the Day—
Bear hence the mournful Body of Patroclus,
And no remorse be had—We are all Friends
To Day, aad Enemies to Morrow.