AENEAS

How now Prince Troilus ? Wherefore not a field? That Paris is returned home, and hurt. Troilus by Menelaus. Hark what good sport is out of Town to day. In all swift hast. Is this great Agamemnon's Tent, I pray you? May one that is a Herald, and a Prince, Do a fair message to his Kingly ears? Fair leave, and large security. How may A stranger to those most Imperial looks, Know them from eyes of other Mortals? I: I ask, that I might waken reverence, And on the cheek be ready with a blush Modest as morning, when she coldly eyes The youthful Phœbus: Which is that God in office guiding men? Which is the high and mighty Agamemnon ? Courtiers as free, as debonnaire; unarmed, As bending Angels: that's their Fame, in peace: But when they would seem Soldiers, they have galls, Good arms, strong joints, true swords, & Jove's accord, Nothing so full of heart. But peace Aeneas, Peace Trojan, lay thy finger on thy lips, The worthiness of praise distains his worth: If that he praised himself, bring the praise forth. But what the repining enemy commends, That breath Fame blows, that praise sole pure transce ̄ ds. I Greek, that is my name. Sir pardon, it's for Agamemnon's cares Nor I from Troy come not to whisper him, I bring a Trumpet to awake his ear, To set his sense on the attentive bent, And then to speak. Trumpet blow loud, Send thy Brass voice through all these lazy Tents, And every Greek of mettle, let him know, What Troy means fairly, shall be spoke aloud. We have great Agamemnon here in Troy, A Prince called Hector, Priam is his Father: Who in this dull and long-continew'd Truce Is rusty grown. He bade me take a Trumpet, And to this purpose speak: Kings, Princes, Lords, If there be one amongst the fairest of Greece, That holds his Honour higher then his ease, That seeks his praise, more then he fears his peril, That knows his Valour, and knows not his fear, That loves his Mistress more then in confession, (With truant vows to her own lips he loves) And dare a vow her Beauty, and her Worth, In other arms then hers: to him this Challenge. Hector, in view of Trojans, and of Greeks, Shall make it good, or do his best to do it. He hath a Lady, wiser, fairer, truer, Then ever Greek did compass in his arms, And will to morrow with his Trumpet call, Midway between your Tents, and walls of Troy, To rouse a Grecian that is true in love. If any come, Hector shall honour him: If none, he'll say in Troy when he retires, The Grecian Dams are sunburnt, and not worth The splinter of a Lance: Even so much. Now heavens forbid such scarcity of youth. Is the Prince there in person? Had I so good occasion to lie long As you Prince Paris, nothing but heavenly business, Should rob my bed-mate of my company. Health to you valiant sir, During all question of the gentle truce: But when I meet you armed, as black defiance, As hea to can think, or courage execute. And thou shalt hunt a Lion that will fly With his face backward, in human gentleness: Welcome to Troy; now by Anchises life, Welcome indeed: by Venus hand I swear, No man alive can love in such a sort, The thing he means to kill, more excellently, We know each other well. I was sent for to the King; but why, I know not. That I assure you: Troilus had rather Troy were born to Greece, Then Cressid born from Troy. Good morrow all. Good morrow Lord, good morrow. Is not Prince Troilus here? Come he is here, my Lord, do not deny him: It does import him much to speak with me. Who, nay then: Come, come, yowl do him wrong, ere you are beware: yowl be so true to him, to be false to him: Do not you know of him, but yet go fetch him hither, go. My Lord, I scarce have leisure to salute you, My matter is so rash: there is at hand, Paris your brother, and Deiphoebus, The Grecian Diomed, and our Anthenor Delivered to us, and for him forthwith, Ere the first sacrifice, within this hour, We must give up to Diomed's hand The Lady Cressida. By Priam, and the general state of Troy, They are at hand, and ready to effect it. How have we spent this morning The Prince must think me tardy and remiss, That swore to ride before him in the field. Yea, with a Bridegrooms fresh alacrity Let us address to tend on Hector's heals: The glory of our Troy does this day lie On his fair worth, and single Chivalry. Hail all you state of Greece: what shall be done To him that victory commands? or do you purpose, A victor shall be known: will you the Knights Shall to the edge of all extremity Pursue each other or shall be divided By any voice, or order of the field: Hector bade ask? He cares not, heel obey conditions. If not Achilles sir, what is your name? Therefore Achilles : but what ere, know this. In the extremity of great and little: Valour and pride excel themselves in Hector ; The one almost as infinite as all; The other blank as nothing: weigh him well: 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 This blended Knight, half Trojan, and half Greek. Princes enough, so please you. There is expectance here from both the sides, What further you will do? The Noble Menelaus. It's the old Nestor. I have been seeking you this hour my Lord: Hector by this is arming him in Troy. Ajax your Guard, stays to conduct you home. Stand hoe, yet are we masters of the field, Never go home; here starve we out the night. My Lord, you do discomfort all the Host. Good, good, my Lord, the secrets of nature Have not more gift in taciturnity. My Lord, is the Lady ready? Nay, good my Lord?