 | Troilus And Cressida, Or, Truth Found too Late |  |
ACT III.
SCENE I.
Enter Thersites.Thers.
Shall the Idiot Ajax use me thus! he beats me and I rail at him:
O worthy satisfaction! wou'd cou'd beat him, and he rail'd
at me! Then there's Achilles, a rare Engineer: if Troy be not taken till
these two undermine it, the walls will stand till they fall of themselves:
Now the Plague on the whole Camp, or rather the Pox: for that's a
curse dependent on those that fight as we do for a Cuckolds queen.—
What ho, my Lord Achilles.
Enter Patroclus.
Patroc.
Who's there, Thersites! Good Thersites come in and rail.
Thers.
aside.
If I cou'd have remembred an Asse with gilt trappings,
thou hadst not slip'd out of my contemplation. But 'tis no matter; thy
self upon thy self: the common curse of mankind, folly and ignorance
be thine in great abundance: Heavens blesse thee from a Tutor; and
discipline come not near thee.
Where's Achilles!
Who's there Thersites! why my digestion, why hast thou not serv'd
thy self to my table, so many meals! come begin what's Agamemnon?
Thers.
Thy Commander, Achilles: then tell me Pauroclus, what's
Achilles?
Patro.
Thy Benefactor Thersites; then tell me prithee what's thy
self?
Thers.
Thy knower, Patroclus; then tell me, Patroclus, what art thou?
Patroc.
Thou mayst tell that know'st.
Achill.
O, tell, tell. This must be very foolish: and I dye to have
my spleen tickled.
Thers.
I'le decline the whole question. Agamemnon commands Achilles,
Achilles is my Benefactor, I am Patroclus knower; and Patroclus is
a fool.
Patroc.
You Rascal?
Achill.
He's a priviledg'd man, proceed Thersites. Ha! ha! ha!
prithee proceed while I am in the vein of laughing.
Thersit.
And all these foresaid men are fools: Agamemnon's a fool
to offer to command Achilles: Achilles is a fool to be commanded by
him, I am a fool to serve such a fool, and Patroclus is a fool positive.
Patroc.
Why am I a fool?
Thersi.
Make that demand to Heaven, it suffices me thou art one.
Achill.
Ha, ha, ha! O give me ribs of steel, or I shall split with
pleasure: now play me Nestor at a Night alarm: Mimick him rarely,
make him cough and spet, and fumble with his gorget, and shake the
rivits with his palsey hand; in and out, in and out, gad that's exceeding
foolish.
Patroc.
Nestor shall not scape so, he has told us what we are; come
what's Nestor?
Thersi.
Why he's an old wooden top, set up by father Time three
hundred years ago, that hums to Agamemnon and Ulysses, and sleeps to
all the world besides.
Achill.
So let him sleep for I'le no more of him: O my Patroclus, I
but force a smile, Ajax has drawn the lot, and all the praise of Hector
must be his.
Thersi.
I hope to see his praise upon his shoulders, in blows and
bruises, his arms, thighs, and body, all full of fame; such fame as he
gave me, and a wide hole at last full in his bosome, to let in day upon
him, and discover the inside of a fool.
Patroc.
How he struts in expectation of honour! he knows not
what he does.
Thersi.
Nay that's no wonder, for he never did.
Achill.
Prithee say how he behaves himself?
Thersi.
O you would be learning to practice, against such another
and he treads upward to 'em, stalks into th' Element, he surveys himself,
as 'twere to look for Ajax: he wou'd be cry'd, for he has lost
himself, nay he knows no body; I said good morrow Ajax, and he
replyed thanks Agamemnon.
Achill.
Thou shalt be my Ambassador to him Thersites.
Thersi.
No, I'le put on his person, let Patroclus make his demands
to me, and you shall see the pageant of Ajax.
Achill.
To him Patroclus, tell him I humbly desire the valiant Ajax
to invite the Noble Hector to my Tent: and to procure safe conduct
for him from our Captain General Agamemnon.
Patroc.
Jove bless the mighty Ajax!
Thersi.
Humh!
Patroc.
I come from the great Achilles.
Thersi.
Ha!
Patroc.
Who most humbly desires you to invite Hector to his Tent.
Thersi.
Humh!
Patroc.
And to procure him safe conduct from Agamemnon.
Thersi.
Agamemnon?
Patroc.
I, my Lord.
Thersi.
Ha!
Patro.
What say you to't?
Thersi.
Farewell with all my heart.
Patroc.
Your answer Sir!
Thersi.
If to morrow be a fair day, by eleven a clock it will go
one way or tother, however he shall buy me dearly, fare you well with
all my heart.
Achill.
Why but he is not in this tune is he?
Thersi.
No, but he's thus out of tune, what Musick will be in him
when Hector has knocked out his brains I know not, nor I care not,
but if emptiness makes noise, his head will make melody.
Achill.
My minde is troubled like a Fountain stir'd:
And I my self see not the bottom on't.
Thersi.
Wou'd the Fountain of his minde were clear; that he might
see an Ass in't.
[Aside.]
I had rather be a tick in a sheep, than such a
valiant ignorance.
Enter Agamemnon, Ajax, Diomedes, Menelaus.
Patroc.
Look who comes here.
Achill.
Patroclus, I'le speak with no body, come in after me Thersites.
Agam.
Where's Achilles!
[Exeunt Achill. Thersites.
Patro.
Within, but ill dispos'd my Lord.
Menel.
We saw him at the opening of his Tent.
Agam.
Let it be known to him that we are here.
Patroc.
I shall say so to him.
[Exit Patroclus.
I know he is not sick.
Ajax.
Yes, Lyon sick, sick of a proud heart, you may call it melancholy
if yo'll humour him: but on my honour 'tis no more than pride:
and why shou'd he be proud?
Menel.
Here comes Patroclus; but no Achilles with him.
Enter Patroclus.
Patroc.
Achilles bids me tell you he is sorry
If any thing more than your sport and pleasure
Did move you to this visit: he's not well,
And begs you wou'd excuse him, as unfit
For present business.
Agam.
How! how's this Patroclus?
We are too well acquainted with these answers.
Though he has much desert, yet all his vertues
Do in our eyes begin to lose their gloss.
We came to speak with him; you shall not erre
If you return we think him over-proud
And under-honest. Tell him this; and adde,
That if he over-hold his price so much
We'll none of him: but let him like an Engine
Not portable, lye lagg of all the Camp.
A stirring Dwarf is of more use to us
Then is a sleeping Gyant: tell him so.
Patroc.
I shall; and bring his answer presently.
Agam.
I'le not be satisfi'd but by himself.
So tell him, Menelaus.
Exeunt Menelaus. Patroclus.
Ajax.
What's he more than another?
Agam.
No more than what he thinks himself.
Ajax.
Is he so much! do you not think he thinks himself a better
Man than me?
Diom.
No doubt he does.
Ajax.
Do you think so?
Agam.
No, noble Ajax; you are as strong, as valiant; but much
more courteous.
Ajax.
Why shou'd a man be proud? I know not what pride is: I hate
a proud man as I hate the ingendring of toads.
Diom.
Aside
'Tis strange he should; and love himself so well.
Re-enter Menel.
Men.
Achilles will not to the field to morrow.
Agam.
What's his excuse?
Men.
Why he relies on none
But his own will; possest he is with vanity:
What shou'd I say, he is so plaguy proud
That the death tokens of it are upon him;
And bode there's no recovery.
Agam.
Let Ajax go to him.
Ulyss.
O Agamemnon, let it not be so.
We'll consecrate the steps that Ajax makes
When they go from Achilles: shall that proud man
Be worship'd by a greater than himself,
One whom we hold our Idoll;
Shall Ajax go to him? No, Jove forbid,
And say in thunder, go to him Achilles.
Nest.
[Aside.]
O, this is well; he rubbs him where it itches.
Ajax.
If I go to him with my Gantlet clench'd,
I'le dash him or'e the face.
Agam.
O no, you shall not go.
Ajax.
And 'he be proud with me I'le cure his pride: a paltry
Insolent fellow!
Nest.
How he describes himself?
Uliss.
Aside.
The crow chides blackness.—here is a man, but 'tis
before his face, and therefore I am silent.
Nest.
Wherefore are you? He is not envious as Achilles is.
Ulyss.
Know all the world he is as valiant.
Ajax.
A whorson dogg that shall palter thus with us! wou'd a
were a Trojan.
Ulyss.
Thank Heav'n my Lord, you're of a gentle nature,
Praise him that got you, her that brought you forth;
But he who taught you first the use of Armes,
Let Mars divide Eternity in two,
And give him half. I will not praise your wisedome.
Nestor shall do't; but pardon father Nestor,
Were you as green as Ajax, and your brain
Temper'd like his, you never shou'd excell him;
But be as Ajax is.
Ajax.
Shall I call you father?
Ulyss.
I, my good Son.
Diom.
Be rul'd by him Lord Ajax.
Ulyss.
There is no staying here; the Hart Achilles
Keeps thicket, please it our great General.
I shall impart a counsell, which observ'd
May cure this Madmans pride.
Agam.
In my own tent our talk will be more private.
Ulyss.
But nothing without Ajax:
He is the soul and substance of my councels
And I am but his shadow.
Ajax.
You shall see
I am not like Achilles,
Let us confer; and I'le give counsel too.
[Exeunt Omnes.
SCENE II.
Pandarus, Troilus, Cressida.Pand.
Come, come, what need you blush? shame's a babie;
swear the oathes now to her, that you swore to me: what are
you gone again? you must be watch'd ere you are made tame must
you? why don't you speak to her first!—Come draw this Curtain, and
lets see your picture: alas a day, how loath you are to offend daylight!
—(they kisse) that's well, that's well, nay you shall fight your
hearts out ere I part you.—so so—so so—
Troil.
You have bereft me of all words, fair Cressida.
Pand.
Words, pay no debts; give her deeds:—what billing again!
here's in witness whereof the parties interchangeably—come in,
come in, you lose time both.
Troil.
O Cressida. how often have I wish'd me here?
Cressi.
Wish'd my Lord!—the Gods grant! O my Lord.—
Troil.
What shou'd they grant? what makes this pretty interruption
in thy words?
Cressi.
I speak I know not what!
Troil.
Speak ever so; and if I answer you
I know not what, it shews the more of love.
Love is a child that talks in broken language,
Yet then he speaks most plain.
Cress.
I finde it true, that to be wise and love
Are inconsistent things.
Pand.
what blushing still, have you not done talking yet!
Cress.
Well Unkle, what folly I commit, I detdcate to you.
Pand.
I thank you for that: if my Lord get a boy of you, you'l give
him me. Be true to my Lord, if he flinch Ile be hang'd for him—
(Now am I in my kingdome!
[aside]
Troil.
You know your pledges now, your Unkles word and my
firm faith.
Pand.
Nay Ile give my word for her too: our kindred are constant:
they are burrs I can assure you, they'll stick where they are thrown.
Cress.
Boldness comes to me now, and I can speak:
Prince Troylus, I have lov'd you long.
Troil.
Why was my Cressida then so hard to win?
Cress.
Hard to seem wonn; but I was wonn my Lord.
What have I blabb'd, who will be true to us,
When we are so unfaithfull to our selves!
O bid me hold my tongue? for in this rapture
Sure I shall speak what I shou'd soon repent.
But stop my mouth.
A sweet command; and willingly obey'd.
[kisses]
Pand.
Pretty I faith!
Cress.
My Lord I do beseech you pardon me,
'Twas not my purpose thus to beg a kisse.
I am asham'd: O heavens what have I done!
For thts time let me take my leave, my Lord.
Pand,
Leave! and you take leave till to morrow morning, call
me Cut.
Cress.
Pray let me go.
Troil,
Why what offends you, Madam?
Cress.
My own company.
Troil.
You cannot shun your self.
Cress.
Let me go and try:
I have a kind of self resides in you.
Troil.
Oh that I thought truth cou'd be in a woman!
(As if it can, I will presume in you)
That my integrity and faith might meet
The same return from her who has my heart.
How shou'd I be exaltted! but alas
I am more plain then dull simplicity!
And art less, as the infancy of truth.
Cress.
In that I must not yield to you my Lord.
Troil.
All constant Lovers shall, in future Ages,
Approve their truth by Troylus: when their verse
Wants similes, as turtles to their mates:
Or true as flowing tides are to the Moon;
Earth to the Center: Iron to Adamant:
At last when truth is tir'd with repetition;
As true as Troylus shall crown up the verse,
And sanctify the Numbers.
Cress.
Prophet may you be!
If I am false, or swerve from truth of love,
When time is old, and has forgot it self,
In all things else, let it remember me;
And after all comparisons of falshood
To stabb the heart of perjury in Maids;
Let it be said as false as Cressida.
Pand.
Go to, little ones: a bargain made: here I hold your hand, and
here my Cousins: if ever you prove false to one another, after I have
taken such pains to bring you together: let all pitifull goers between,
be call'd to the worlds end after my name; Pandars.
Cress.
And will you promise that the holy Priest
Shall make us one for ever!
Priests! marry hang 'em! they make you one! go in, go in,
and make your selves one without a priest: I'le have no priests work in
my house.
Cress.
Ile not consent unless you swear.
Pand.
I, do, do, swear; a pretty woman's worth an oath at any
time. Keep or break as time shall try; but 'tis good to swear, for the
saving of her credit: Hang e'm sweet Rogues they never expect a Man
shou'd keep it. Let him but swear, and that's all they care for.
Troil.
Heavens prosper me as I devoutly swear,
Never to be but yours.
Pand.
Whereupon I will lead you into a chamber: and suppose there
be a bed in't; as I fack, I know not: but you'll forgive me, if there
be: away, away, you naughty hildings: get ye together, get you together.
Ah you wags, do you leer indeed at one another! do the
neyes twinkle at him! get you together, get you together.
[Leads them out.
Enoter at one door Æneas with a Torch, at another Hector, Diomede with Torches.
Hect.
So ho; who goes there? Æneas!
Æneas.
Prince Hector!
Diom.
Good morrow Lord Æneas.
Hect.
A valiant Greek, Æneas; take his hand;
Witnesse the processe of your speech within;
You told how Diomede a whole week by days
Did haunt you in the field.
Æneas.
Health to you, valiant Sir,
During all business of the gentle truce;
But when I meet you arm'd, as black defiance
As heart can think, or courage execute.
Diom.
Both one and to'ther, Diomede embraces.
Our bloods are now in calm; and so, long health;
But when contention, and occasion meets,
By Jove I'le play the hunter for thy life,
Eneas. And thou shalt hunt a Lyou that will fly
With his face backward: welcome Diomede
Welcome to Troy: now by Anchises Soul
No man alive can love in such a sort
The thing he means to kill, more excellently.
Diom.
We know each other well.
Æne.
We do; and long to know each other worse
To Hect. my Lord, the King has sent for me in haste:
Know you the reason?
Hect.
Yes: his purpose meets you.
It was to bring this Greek to Colchas's house,
Fair Cressida reside: and there to render
For our Anthenor, now redeem'd from prison,
The Lady Cressida:
Æne.
What! Has the King resolv'd to gratifie
That Traytor Colchos; who forsook his Country,
And turn'd to them, by giving up this pledge?
Hect.
The bitter disposition of the time
Is such, though Colchos as a fugitive
Deserve it not, that we must free Anthenor
On whose wise Counsels, we can most rely:
And therefore Cressida must be return'd.
Æne.
A word my Lord—(Your pardon Diomede)
Your Brother Troylus, to my certain knowledg,
Does lodge this night in Paudarus his house:
Hect.
Go you before: tell him of our approach
Which will I fear be much
Unwelcome to him.
Æne.
I assure you
Troylus had rather Troy were born to Greece
Than Cressida from Troy.
Hect.
I know it well: and how he is beside,
Of hasty blood:
Æne.
He will not hear me speak:
But I have noted long betwixt you two
A more than Brothers love: an awfull homage
The fiery youth pays to your elder vertue.
Hect.
Leave it to me; I'le manage him alone:
Attend you Diomede; My Lord good morrow:
[to Diomed.
An urgent business takes me from the pleasure
Your company affords me; but Æneas
With joy will undertake to serve you here,
And to supply my room.
Æneas
to Diomed.
My Lord I wait you.
Exeunt severally.
[Diomede with Æneas; Hector at another door.
Enter Pandarus: a Servant: Musick.
Pand.
Softly, villain, softly; I would not for half Troy the Lovers
should be disturb'd under my roof; listen rogue, listen, do they
breathe?
Serv.
Yes, Sir, I hear by some certain signes, the are both awaken.
Pand.
That's as it shou'd be: that's well aboth sides:
[listens]
Yes faith they are both alive:—there was a creake! there was a
creake: they are both alive and alive like; there was a creake: a ha
boyes!—Is the musick ready?
Shall they strike up Sir!
Pand.
Art thou sure they do not know the parties?
Serv.
They play to the Man in the Moon for ought they know.
Pand.
To the Man in the Moon, ah Rogue! do they so
indeed Rogue! I understand, thee: thou art a wag; thou art a wagg.
Come towze rowze! in the name of love, strike up boys!
Musick. and then Song: during which Pandarus listens.
Song.
[1.]
Can life be a blessing,Or worth the possessing,
Can life be a blessing if love were away?
Ah no! though our love all night keep us waking,
And though he torment us with cares all the day,
Yet he sweetens he sweetens our pains in the taking,
There's an hour at the last, there's an hour to repay.
2.
In every possessing,The ravishing blessing,
In every possessing the fruit of our pain,
Poor lovers forget long ages of anguish,
Whate're they have suffer'd and done to obtain;
'Tis a pleasure, a pleasure to sigh and to languish,
When we hope, when we hope to be happy again.
Pand.
Put up, and vanish; they are coming out; what a ferrup,
will you play when the dance is done? I say vanish.
Peeping.
Good Ifaith; good ifarth! what hand in hand!—
a fair quarrell, well ended! do, do, walk him, walk him; A good
girl, a discreet girl: I see she'll make the most of him.
Enter Troil. and Cressida.
Troil.
Farewell, my life! leave me and back to bed:
Sleep seal those pretty eyes;
And tye thy sences in as soft a band
As Infants voyd of thought.
Pandar.
shewing himself.
How now, how now, how go matters!
hear you Maid, hear you; where's my Cousin Cressida?
Cress.
Go hang your self you naughty mocking Unkle:
You bring me to do ill and then you jeere me!
Pand.
What Ill have I brought you to do? say what if you dare now!
My Lord have I brought her to do ill?
Cress.
Come, come, beshrew your heart; you'll neither be good your
self, nor suffer others.
Alas poor wench; alas poor Devil; hast not slept to night?
wou'd anot (a naughty Man) let it sleep one twinkle! Ah bugbear
take him!
Knock within.
Cress.
Who's that at door? good Uncle go and see:
My Lord come you again into my chamber!
You smile and mock as if I meant naughtily!
Troil.
Indeed, indeed!
Cress.
Come y'are deceiv'd; I think of no such thing:
Knock again.
How earnestly they knock, pray come in:
I wou'd not for all Troy, you were seen here.
[Exeunt Troil. Cressida.
Pand.
Who's there! whats the matter!
Will you beat down the house there!
Enter Hector.
Hect.
Good morrow my Lord Pandarus; good morrow!
Pand.
Who's there, Prince Hector! what news with you so early?
Hect.
Is not my Brother Troilus here?
Pand.
Here! what shou'd he do here?
Hect.
Come he is here my Lord, do not deny him:
It does import him much to speak with me.
Pand.
Is he here say you? 'tis more than I know, I'le be sworn!
For my own part I came in late!—what shou'd he do here?
Hect.
Come, come you do him wrong ere y'are aware; you'll be so
true to him, that you'll be false to him: you shall not know he's here;
but yet go fetch him hither:—goe.
[Exit Pandarus.
Enter Troilus.
Hect.
I bring you Brother, most unwelcome news;
But since of force you are to hear it told,
I thought a friend and Brother best might tell it:
Therefore, before I speak, arm well your mind
And think y'are to be touch'd ev'n to the quick;
That so, prepar'd for ill you may be less
Surpris'd to hear the worst.
Troil.
See Hector, what it is to be your Brother,
I stand prepar'd already.
Hect.
Come, you are not,
I know you Troilus, you are hot and fiery:
You kindle at a wrong; and catch it quick
As stubble does the flame.
Troil.
'Tis heat of blood
And rashness of my youth; I'le mend that errour:
Begin and try my temper.
Hect.
Can you think
Of that one thing which most cou'd urge your anger
Drive you to madness, plague you on dispair,
Troil.
There can be nothing.
I love you Brother, with that awful love
I bear to Heav'n, and to superior vertue,
And when I quit his love you must be that
Which Hector near can be.
Hect.
Remember well
What you have said: for when I claim your promise
I shall expect performance.
Troil.
I am taught:
I will not rage.
Hect.
Nor grieve beyond a man.
Troil.
I won' not be a woman.
Hect.
Do not Brother:
And I will tell my news, in terms so mild,
So tender, and so fearful to offend
As Mothers use to sooth their froward Babes;
Nay I will swear as you have sworn to me,
That if some gust of passion swell your soul
To words intemperate, I will bear with you.
Troil.
What wou'd this pomp of preparation mean?
Come you to bring me news of Priams death
Or Hecuba's.
Hect.
The Gods forbid I shou'd:
But what I bring is nearer you, more close,
An ill more yours.
Troil.
There is but one that can be.
Hect.
Perhaps 'tis that.
Troil.
I'le not suspect my fate
So far, I know I stand possest of that.
Hect.
'Tis well: consider at whose house I finde you.
Troil.
Ha!
Hect.
Does it start you! I must wake you more:
Anthenor is exchang'd.
Troil.
For whom.
Hect.
Imagine.
Troil.
It comes like thunder grumbling in a cloud,
Before the dreadfull break: if here it fall,
The subtile flame will lick up all my blood,
And in a moment turn my heart to ashes.
Hect.
That Cressida for Anthenor is exchang'd
Because knew 'twas harsh I wou'd not tell;
Not all at once; but by degrees and glimpses
I let it in, lest it might rush upon you
And quite orepower your Soul: in this I think
Which is, to curb your choler, tame your grief,
And bear it like a man.
Troil.
I think I do
That I yet live to hear you: but no more:
Hope for no more: for shou'd some Goddess offer
To give her self and all her Heaven in change,
I wou'd not part with Cressida: so return
This answer as my last.
Hect.
'Twill not be taken:
Nor will I bear such news.
Troil.
You bore me worse.
Hect.
Worse for your self; not for the general state,
And all our common safety, which depends
On free'd Anthenors wisdome.
Troil.
Yon wou'd say
That I'm the Man mark'd out to be unhappy;
And made the publick Sacrifice for Troy.
Hect.
I wou'd say so indeed: for can you finde
A fate more glorious than to be that victime?
If parting from a Mistriss can procure
A Nations happiness, show me that Prince
Who dares to trust his future same so farr
To stand the shock of Annals, blotted thus
He sold his Country for a womans love?
Troil.
O, she's my life, my being, and my Soul!
Hect.
Suppose she were, which yet I will not grant,
You ought to give her up.
Troil.
For whom!
Hect.
The publick.
Troil.
And what are they that I shou'd give up her
To make them happy? let me tell you Brother,
The publick, is the Lees of vulgar slaves:
Slaves, with the minds of slaves: so born, so bred:
Yet such as these united in a herd
Are call'd the publique: Millions of such Cyphers
Make up the publique sum: an Eagles life
Is worth a world of Crows: are Princes made
For such as these, who, were one Soul extracted
From all their beings, cou'd not raise a Man.—
Hect.
And what are we, but for such men as these?
'Tis adoration, some say makes a God:
And who shou'd pay it, where wou'd be their Altars
Were no inferiour creatures here on Earth?
Ev'n those who serve have their expectances;
Or they'll refuse to serve us.
Troil.
Let e'm have it.
Let e'm eat, drink and sleep; the only use
They have of life:
Hect.
You take all these away,
Unless you give up Cressida.
Troil.
Forbear;
Let Paris give up Hellen: she's the cause,
And root of all this mischief.
Hect.
Your own suffrage
Condemns you there: you voted for her stay.
Troil.
If one must stay, the other sha' not go.
Hect.
She sha' not?
Troil.
Once again, I say she shall not.
Hect.
Our Father has decree'd it otherwise.
Troil.
No matter.
Hect.
How! no matter Troylus?
A King, and fathers will!
Troil.
When 'tis unjust.
Hect.
Come she shall go.
Troil.
She shall? then I am dar'd.
Hect.
If nothing else will do.
Troil.
Answer me first;
And then Ile answer that: be sure I will;
Whose hand seal'd this exchange?
Hect.
My Fathers first;
Then all the Council's after.
Troil.
Was yours there?
Hect.
Mine was there too.
Troil.
Then you'r no more my friend:
And for your sake now mark me what I say,
She shall not go.
Hect.
Go to, you are a boy.
Troil.
A Boy! Im'e glad I am not such a Man,
Not such as thou; a traytor to thy Brother:
Nay more, thy friend: but friend's a sacred name,
Which none but brave and honest men shou'd wear;
In thee 'tis vile; 'tis prostitute: 'tis Ayr;
And thus I puffe it from me.
Hect.
Well, young Man,
Since I'me no friend (and oh that ere I was
To one so far unworthy) bring her out,
Or by our Fathers Soul, of which no part
Did ere descend to thee, Ile force her hence.
I laugh at thee.
Hect.
Thou dar'st not.
Troil.
I dare more,
If urg'd beyond my temper: prove my daring,
And see which of us has the larger share
Of our great Fathers Soul.
Hect.
No more, thou knowst me.
Troil.
I do; and know my self.
Hect.
All this ye Gods,
And for the Daughter of a fugitive,
A Traytor to his Country!
Troil.
'Tis too much.
Hect.
By Heaven too little; for I think her common,
Troil.
How, Common!
Hect.
Common as the tainted shambles,
Or as the dust we tread.
Troil.
By Heaven as chaste as thy Andromache.
Hector lays his hand on Troylus his Arm; and Troylus does the same to him.
Hect.
What! nam'st thou them together!
Troil.
No; I do not:
For Cressida is first: as chaste as she,
But much more fair.
Hect.
O patience, patience, Heaven!
Thou tempt'st me strangely: shou'd I kill thee now,
I know not if the Gods can be offended
Or think I slew a Brother; but be gone,
Be gone, or I shall shake thee into Atomes:
Thou know'st I can.
Troil.
I care not if you cou'd.
Hect.
walking off.
I thank ye Gods for calling to my minde
My promise that no words of thine shou'd urge me,
Beyond the bounds of reason: But in thee
'Twas brutall baseness, so forewarn'd to fall
Beneath the name of man: to spurn my kindness;
And when offer'd thee (thou knowst how loth!)
The wholsome bitter cup o' friendly counsel
To dash it in my face: farewel, farewel.
Ungratefull as thou art: hereafter use
The name of Brother; but of friend no more.
[going out.
Troil.
Wilt thou not break yet heart? stay Brother, stay.
I promis'd too, but I have broke my vow,
And you keep yours too well
What wouldst thou more?
Take heed, young man how you too far provoke me!
For Heaven can witness 'tis with much constraint
That I preserve my faith.
Troil.
Else you wou'd kill me;
Hect.
By all the Gods I wou'd.
Troil.
I'me satisfi'd.
You have condemn'd me, and Ile do't my self;
What's life to him, who has no use of life?
A barren purchase, held upon hard terms!
For I have lost (oh what have I not lost!)
The fairest, dearest, kindest of her Sex,
And lost her ev'n by him, by him, ye Gods,
Who only cou'd, and only shou'd protect me!
And if I had a joy beyond that love,
A friend, have lost him too!
Hect.
Speak that again:
(For I cou'd hear it ever:) saidst thou not
That if thou hadst a joy beyond that love
It was a friend? O saydst thou not a friend!
That doubting if was kinde: then thou'rt divided;
And I have still some part,
Troil.
If still you have
You do not care to have it.
Hect.
How, not care!
Troil.
No, Brother, care not.
Hect.
Am I but thy Brother!
Troil.
You told me I must call you friend no more.
Hect.
How far my words were distant from my heart!
Know when I told thee so I lov'd thee most.
Alas! it is the use of human frailty
To fly to worst extremities with those
To whom we most are kind.
Troil.
Is't possible!
Then you are still my friend!
Hect.
Heaven knows I am!
Troil.
And can forgive the Sallies of my passion?
For I have been too blame: oh much too blame:
Have said such words, nay done such actions too,
(Base as am) that my aw'd, conscious Soul
Sinks in my breast, nor dare I lift an eye
On him I have offended.
Hect.
Peace be to thee
And calmness ever there. I blame thee not:
I cast the wild disorderly account
Of all thy words and deeds on that mad passion;
I pity thee, indeed I pity thee:
Troil.
Do; for I need it: let me lean my head
Upon thy bosome; all my peace dwells there;
Thou art some God, or much much more then man!
Hect.
Alas! to lose the joys of all thy youth,
One who deserv'd thy love!
Troil.
Did she deserve?
Hect.
She did.
Troil.
Then sure she was no common creature.
Hect.
I said it in my rage, I thought not so.
Troil.
That thought has bles'd me! but to lose this love
After long pains, and after short possession.
Hect.
I feel it for thee: Let me go to Priam,
I'le break this treaty off; or let me fight;
I'le be thy champion; and secure both her
And thee, and Troy.
Troil.
It must not be, my Brother!
For then your errour would be more then mine:
I'le bring her forth, and you shall bear her hence;
That you have pitied me is my reward.
Hect.
Go then; and the good gods restore her to thee,
And with her all the quiet of thy minde;
The triumph of this kindeness be thy own;
And heaven and earth this testimony yield,
That Friendship never gain'd a nobler field.
Exeunt severally.
| Troilus And Cressida, Or, Truth Found too Late | |