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Enter CRESSIDA and her man ALEXANDER.
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Enter CRESSIDA and her man ALEXANDER.
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CRESSIDA
Who were those went by?
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CRESSIDA
Who were those went by?
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ALEXANDER
Queen Hecuba and Helen.
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ALEXANDER
Queen Hecuba and Helen.
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CRESSIDA
And whither go they?
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CRESSIDA
And whither go they?
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ALEXANDER
Up to the eastern tower,
5
Whose height commands as subject all the vale,
To see the battle. Hector, whose patience
Is as a virtue fixed, today was moved.
He chid Andromache and struck his armorer;
And, like as there were husbandry in war,
10
Before the sun rose he was harnessed light,
And to the field goes he, where every flower
Did as a prophet weep what it foresaw
In Hector’s wrath.
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ALEXANDER
Up to the eastern tower,
To see the battle. Hector, whose patience
Is as a virtue fixed, today was moved.
He chid Andromache and struck his armorer;
And, like as there were husbandry in war,
And to the field goes he, where every flower
Did as a prophet weep what it foresaw
In Hector’s wrath.
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CRESSIDA
What was his cause of anger?
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CRESSIDA
What was his cause of anger?
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ALEXANDER
15
The noise goes, this: there is among the Greeks
A lord of Trojan blood, nephew to Hector.
They call him Ajax.
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ALEXANDER
A lord of Trojan blood, nephew to Hector.
They call him Ajax.
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CRESSIDA
Good; and what of him?
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CRESSIDA
Good; and what of him?
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ALEXANDER
They say he is a very man
per se
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And stands alone.
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ALEXANDER
They say he is a very man
per se
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CRESSIDA
So do all men unless they are drunk, sick,
or have no legs.
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CRESSIDA
So do all men unless they are drunk, sick,
or have no legs.
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ALEXANDER
This man, lady, hath robbed many beasts
of their particular additions. He is as valiant as the
25
lion, churlish as the bear, slow as the elephant, a
man into whom nature hath so crowded humors
that his valor is crushed into folly, his folly sauced
with discretion. There is no man hath a virtue that
he hath not a glimpse of, nor any man an attaint
30
but he carries some stain of it. He is melancholy
without cause and merry against the hair. He hath
the joints of everything, but everything so out of
joint that he is a gouty Briareus, many hands and
no use, or purblind Argus, all eyes and no sight.
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ALEXANDER
This man, lady, hath robbed many beasts
of their particular additions. He is as valiant as the
man into whom nature hath so crowded humors
that his valor is crushed into folly, his folly sauced
with discretion. There is no man hath a virtue that
he hath not a glimpse of, nor any man an attaint
without cause and merry against the hair. He hath
the joints of everything, but everything so out of
joint that he is a gouty Briareus, many hands and
no use, or purblind Argus, all eyes and no sight.
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CRESSIDA
35
But how should this man that makes me
smile make Hector angry?
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CRESSIDA
smile make Hector angry?
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ALEXANDER
They say he yesterday coped Hector in the
battle and struck him down, the disdain and
shame whereof hath ever since kept Hector fasting
40
and waking.
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ALEXANDER
They say he yesterday coped Hector in the
battle and struck him down, the disdain and
shame whereof hath ever since kept Hector fasting
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Enter PANDARUS.
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Enter PANDARUS.
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CRESSIDA
Who comes here?
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CRESSIDA
Who comes here?
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ALEXANDER
Madam, your Uncle Pandarus.
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ALEXANDER
Madam, your Uncle Pandarus.
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CRESSIDA
Hector’s a gallant man.
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CRESSIDA
Hector’s a gallant man.
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ALEXANDER
As may be in the world, lady.
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ALEXANDER
As may be in the world, lady.
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PANDARUS
45
What’s that? What’s that?
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PANDARUS
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CRESSIDA
Good morrow, Uncle Pandarus.
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CRESSIDA
Good morrow, Uncle Pandarus.
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PANDARUS
Good morrow, Cousin Cressid. What do you
talk of?— Good morrow, Alexander.—How do you,
cousin? When were you at Ilium?
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PANDARUS
Good morrow, Cousin Cressid. What do you
talk of?— Good morrow, Alexander.—How do you,
cousin? When were you at Ilium?
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CRESSIDA
50
This morning, uncle.
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CRESSIDA
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PANDARUS
What were you talking of when I came?
Was Hector armed and gone ere you came to
Ilium? Helen was not up, was she?
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PANDARUS
What were you talking of when I came?
Was Hector armed and gone ere you came to
Ilium? Helen was not up, was she?
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CRESSIDA
Hector was gone, but Helen was not up.
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CRESSIDA
Hector was gone, but Helen was not up.
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PANDARUS
55
E’en so. Hector was stirring early.
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PANDARUS
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CRESSIDA
That were we talking of, and of his anger.
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CRESSIDA
That were we talking of, and of his anger.
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PANDARUS
Was he angry?
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PANDARUS
Was he angry?
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CRESSIDA
So he says here.
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CRESSIDA
So he says here.
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PANDARUS
True, he was so. I know the cause too. He’ll
60
lay about him today, I can tell them that; and
there’s Troilus will not come far behind him. Let
them take heed of Troilus, I can tell them that too.
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PANDARUS
True, he was so. I know the cause too. He’ll
there’s Troilus will not come far behind him. Let
them take heed of Troilus, I can tell them that too.
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CRESSIDA
What, is he angry too?
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CRESSIDA
What, is he angry too?
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PANDARUS
Who, Troilus? Troilus is the better man of
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the two.
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PANDARUS
Who, Troilus? Troilus is the better man of
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CRESSIDA
O Jupiter, there’s no comparison.
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CRESSIDA
O Jupiter, there’s no comparison.
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PANDARUS
What, not between Troilus and Hector? Do
you know a man if you see him?
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PANDARUS
What, not between Troilus and Hector? Do
you know a man if you see him?
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CRESSIDA
Ay, if I ever saw him before and knew him.
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CRESSIDA
Ay, if I ever saw him before and knew him.
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PANDARUS
70
Well, I say Troilus is Troilus.
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PANDARUS
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CRESSIDA
Then you say as I say, for I am sure he is not
Hector.
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CRESSIDA
Then you say as I say, for I am sure he is not
Hector.
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PANDARUS
No, nor Hector is not Troilus in some degrees.
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PANDARUS
No, nor Hector is not Troilus in some degrees.
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CRESSIDA
’Tis just to each of them; he is himself.
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CRESSIDA
’Tis just to each of them; he is himself.
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PANDARUS
75
Himself?
Alas, poor Troilus, I would he were.
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PANDARUS
Alas, poor Troilus, I would he were.
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CRESSIDA
So he is.
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CRESSIDA
So he is.
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PANDARUS
Condition I had gone barefoot to India.
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PANDARUS
Condition I had gone barefoot to India.
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CRESSIDA
He is not Hector.
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CRESSIDA
He is not Hector.
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PANDARUS
Himself? No, he’s not himself. Would he
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were himself! Well, the gods are above. Time must
friend or end. Well, Troilus, well, I would my heart
were in her body. No, Hector is not a better man
than Troilus.
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PANDARUS
Himself? No, he’s not himself. Would he
friend or end. Well, Troilus, well, I would my heart
were in her body. No, Hector is not a better man
than Troilus.
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CRESSIDA
Excuse me.
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CRESSIDA
Excuse me.
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PANDARUS
85
He is elder.
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PANDARUS
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CRESSIDA
Pardon me, pardon me.
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CRESSIDA
Pardon me, pardon me.
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PANDARUS
Th’ other’s not come to ’t. You shall tell me
another tale when th’ other’s come to ’t. Hector
shall not have his wit this year.
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PANDARUS
Th’ other’s not come to ’t. You shall tell me
another tale when th’ other’s come to ’t. Hector
shall not have his wit this year.
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CRESSIDA
90
He shall not need it, if he have his own.
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CRESSIDA
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PANDARUS
Nor his qualities.
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PANDARUS
Nor his qualities.
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CRESSIDA
No matter.
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CRESSIDA
No matter.
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PANDARUS
Nor his beauty.
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PANDARUS
Nor his beauty.
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CRESSIDA
’Twould not become him. His own ’s better.
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CRESSIDA
’Twould not become him. His own ’s better.
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PANDARUS
95
You have no judgment, niece. Helen herself
swore th’ other day that Troilus, for a brown favor—
for so ’tis, I must confess—not brown neither—
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PANDARUS
swore th’ other day that Troilus, for a brown favor—
for so ’tis, I must confess—not brown neither—
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CRESSIDA
No, but brown.
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CRESSIDA
No, but brown.
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PANDARUS
Faith, to say truth, brown and not brown.
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PANDARUS
Faith, to say truth, brown and not brown.
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CRESSIDA
100
To say the truth, true and not true.
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CRESSIDA
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PANDARUS
She praised his complexion above Paris’.
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PANDARUS
She praised his complexion above Paris’.
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CRESSIDA
Why, Paris hath color enough.
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CRESSIDA
Why, Paris hath color enough.
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PANDARUS
So he has.
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PANDARUS
So he has.
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CRESSIDA
Then Troilus should have too much. If she
105
praised him above, his complexion is higher than
his. He having color enough, and the other higher,
is too flaming a praise for a good complexion. I
had as lief Helen’s golden tongue had commended
Troilus for a copper nose.
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CRESSIDA
Then Troilus should have too much. If she
his. He having color enough, and the other higher,
is too flaming a praise for a good complexion. I
had as lief Helen’s golden tongue had commended
Troilus for a copper nose.
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PANDARUS
110
I swear to you, I think Helen loves him better
than Paris.
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PANDARUS
than Paris.
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CRESSIDA
Then she’s a merry Greek indeed.
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CRESSIDA
Then she’s a merry Greek indeed.
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PANDARUS
Nay, I am sure she does. She came to him
th’ other day into the compassed window—and
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you know he has not past three or four hairs on his
chin—
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PANDARUS
Nay, I am sure she does. She came to him
th’ other day into the compassed window—and
chin—
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CRESSIDA
Indeed, a tapster’s arithmetic may soon bring
his particulars therein to a total.
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CRESSIDA
Indeed, a tapster’s arithmetic may soon bring
his particulars therein to a total.
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PANDARUS
Why, he is very young, and yet will he within
120
three pound lift as much as his brother Hector.
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PANDARUS
Why, he is very young, and yet will he within
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CRESSIDA
Is he so young a man and so old a lifter?
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CRESSIDA
Is he so young a man and so old a lifter?
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PANDARUS
But to prove to you that Helen loves him: she
came and puts me her white hand to his cloven
chin—
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PANDARUS
But to prove to you that Helen loves him: she
came and puts me her white hand to his cloven
chin—
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CRESSIDA
125
Juno have mercy! How came it cloven?
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CRESSIDA
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PANDARUS
Why, you know ’tis dimpled. I think his
smiling becomes him better than any man in all
Phrygia.
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PANDARUS
Why, you know ’tis dimpled. I think his
smiling becomes him better than any man in all
Phrygia.
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CRESSIDA
O, he smiles valiantly.
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CRESSIDA
O, he smiles valiantly.
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PANDARUS
130
Does he not?
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PANDARUS
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CRESSIDA
O yes, an ’twere a cloud in autumn.
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CRESSIDA
O yes, an ’twere a cloud in autumn.
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PANDARUS
Why, go to, then. But to prove to you that
Helen loves Troilus—
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PANDARUS
Why, go to, then. But to prove to you that
Helen loves Troilus—
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CRESSIDA
Troilus will stand to the proof if you’ll
135
prove it so.
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CRESSIDA
Troilus will stand to the proof if you’ll
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PANDARUS
Troilus? Why, he esteems her no more than
I esteem an addle egg.
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PANDARUS
Troilus? Why, he esteems her no more than
I esteem an addle egg.
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CRESSIDA
If you love an addle egg as well as you love
an idle head, you would eat chickens i’ th’ shell.
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CRESSIDA
If you love an addle egg as well as you love
an idle head, you would eat chickens i’ th’ shell.
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PANDARUS
140
I cannot choose but laugh to think how she
tickled his chin. Indeed, she has a marvellous
white hand, I must needs confess—
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PANDARUS
tickled his chin. Indeed, she has a marvellous
white hand, I must needs confess—
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CRESSIDA
Without the rack.
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CRESSIDA
Without the rack.
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PANDARUS
And she takes upon her to spy a white hair
145
on his chin.
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PANDARUS
And she takes upon her to spy a white hair
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CRESSIDA
Alas, poor chin! Many a wart is richer.
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CRESSIDA
Alas, poor chin! Many a wart is richer.
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PANDARUS
But there was such laughing! Queen Hecuba
laughed that her eyes ran o’er—
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PANDARUS
But there was such laughing! Queen Hecuba
laughed that her eyes ran o’er—
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CRESSIDA
With millstones.
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CRESSIDA
With millstones.
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PANDARUS
150
And Cassandra laughed—
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PANDARUS
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CRESSIDA
But there was a more temperate fire under
the pot of her eyes. Did her eyes run o’er too?
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CRESSIDA
But there was a more temperate fire under
the pot of her eyes. Did her eyes run o’er too?
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PANDARUS
And Hector laughed.
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PANDARUS
And Hector laughed.
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CRESSIDA
At what was all this laughing?
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CRESSIDA
At what was all this laughing?
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PANDARUS
155
Marry, at the white hair that Helen spied on
Troilus’ chin.
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PANDARUS
Troilus’ chin.
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CRESSIDA
An ’t had been a green hair, I should have
laughed too.
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CRESSIDA
An ’t had been a green hair, I should have
laughed too.
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PANDARUS
They laughed not so much at the hair as at
160
his pretty answer.
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PANDARUS
They laughed not so much at the hair as at
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CRESSIDA
What was his answer?
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CRESSIDA
What was his answer?
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PANDARUS
Quoth she “Here’s but two-and-fifty hairs
on your chin, and one of them is white.”
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PANDARUS
Quoth she “Here’s but two-and-fifty hairs
on your chin, and one of them is white.”
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CRESSIDA
This is her question.
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CRESSIDA
This is her question.
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PANDARUS
165
That’s true, make no question of that. “Two-and-fifty
hairs,” quoth he, “and one white. That
white hair is my father, and all the rest are his
sons.” “Jupiter!” quoth she, “which of these hairs
is Paris, my husband?” “The forked one,” quoth he.
170
“Pluck ’t out, and give it him.” But there was such
laughing, and Helen so blushed, and Paris so
chafed, and all the rest so laughed that it passed.
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PANDARUS
hairs,” quoth he, “and one white. That
white hair is my father, and all the rest are his
sons.” “Jupiter!” quoth she, “which of these hairs
is Paris, my husband?” “The forked one,” quoth he.
laughing, and Helen so blushed, and Paris so
chafed, and all the rest so laughed that it passed.
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CRESSIDA
So let it now, for it has been a great while
going by.
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CRESSIDA
So let it now, for it has been a great while
going by.
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PANDARUS
175
Well, cousin, I told you a thing yesterday.
Think on ’t.
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PANDARUS
Think on ’t.
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CRESSIDA
So I do.
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CRESSIDA
So I do.
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PANDARUS
I’ll be sworn ’tis true. He will weep you an
’twere a man born in April.
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PANDARUS
I’ll be sworn ’tis true. He will weep you an
’twere a man born in April.
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CRESSIDA
180
And I’ll spring up in his tears an ’twere a nettle
against May.
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CRESSIDA
against May.
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PANDARUS
Hark, they are coming from the field. Shall
we stand up here and see them as they pass toward
Ilium? Good niece, do, sweet niece Cressida.
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PANDARUS
Hark, they are coming from the field. Shall
we stand up here and see them as they pass toward
Ilium? Good niece, do, sweet niece Cressida.
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CRESSIDA
185
At your pleasure.
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CRESSIDA
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PANDARUS
Here, here, here’s an excellent place. Here
we may see most bravely. I’ll tell you them all by
their names as they pass by, but mark Troilus
above the rest.
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PANDARUS
Here, here, here’s an excellent place. Here
we may see most bravely. I’ll tell you them all by
their names as they pass by, but mark Troilus
above the rest.
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They cross the stage; ALEXANDER exits.
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They cross the stage; ALEXANDER exits.
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CRESSIDA
190
Speak not so loud.
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CRESSIDA
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Enter AENEAS and crosses the stage.
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Enter AENEAS and crosses the stage.
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PANDARUS
195
That’s Aeneas. Is not that a brave man? He’s
one of the flowers of Troy, I can tell you. But mark
Troilus; you shall see anon.
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PANDARUS
one of the flowers of Troy, I can tell you. But mark
Troilus; you shall see anon.
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Enter ANTENOR and crosses the stage.
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Enter ANTENOR and crosses the stage.
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CRESSIDA
Who’s that?
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CRESSIDA
Who’s that?
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PANDARUS
That’s Antenor. He has a shrewd wit, I can
tell you, and he’s a man good enough. He’s one o’
th’ soundest judgments in Troy whosoever; and a
proper man of person. When comes Troilus? I’ll
show you Troilus anon. If he see me, you shall see
200
him nod at me.
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PANDARUS
That’s Antenor. He has a shrewd wit, I can
tell you, and he’s a man good enough. He’s one o’
th’ soundest judgments in Troy whosoever; and a
proper man of person. When comes Troilus? I’ll
show you Troilus anon. If he see me, you shall see
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CRESSIDA
Will he give you the nod?
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CRESSIDA
Will he give you the nod?
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PANDARUS
You shall see.
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PANDARUS
You shall see.
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CRESSIDA
If he do, the rich shall have more.
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CRESSIDA
If he do, the rich shall have more.
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Enter HECTOR and crosses the stage.
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Enter HECTOR and crosses the stage.
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PANDARUS
That’s Hector, that, that, look you, that.
205
There’s a fellow!—Go thy way, Hector!—There’s a
brave man, niece. O brave Hector! Look how he
looks. There’s a countenance! Is ’t not a brave man?
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PANDARUS
That’s Hector, that, that, look you, that.
brave man, niece. O brave Hector! Look how he
looks. There’s a countenance! Is ’t not a brave man?
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CRESSIDA
O, a brave man!
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CRESSIDA
O, a brave man!
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PANDARUS
Is he not? It does a man’s heart good. Look
210
you what hacks are on his helmet. Look you yonder,
do you see? Look you there. There’s no jesting;
there’s laying on, take ’t off who will, as they say.
There be hacks.
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PANDARUS
Is he not? It does a man’s heart good. Look
do you see? Look you there. There’s no jesting;
there’s laying on, take ’t off who will, as they say.
There be hacks.
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CRESSIDA
Be those with swords?
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CRESSIDA
Be those with swords?
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PANDARUS
215
Swords, anything, he cares not. An the devil
come to him, it’s all one. By God’s lid, it does one’s
heart good.
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PANDARUS
come to him, it’s all one. By God’s lid, it does one’s
heart good.
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Enter PARIS and crosses the stage.
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Enter PARIS and crosses the stage.
|
Yonder comes Paris, yonder comes Paris! Look you
yonder, niece. Is ’t not a gallant man too? Is ’t not?
220
Why, this is brave now. Who said he came hurt
home today? He’s not hurt. Why, this will do
Helen’s heart good now, ha? Would I could see
Troilus now! You shall see Troilus anon.
|
Yonder comes Paris, yonder comes Paris! Look you
yonder, niece. Is ’t not a gallant man too? Is ’t not?
home today? He’s not hurt. Why, this will do
Helen’s heart good now, ha? Would I could see
Troilus now! You shall see Troilus anon.
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Enter HELENUS and crosses the stage.
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Enter HELENUS and crosses the stage.
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CRESSIDA
Who’s that?
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CRESSIDA
Who’s that?
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PANDARUS
225
That’s Helenus. I marvel where Troilus is.
That’s Helenus. I think he went not forth today.
That’s Helenus.
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PANDARUS
That’s Helenus. I think he went not forth today.
That’s Helenus.
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CRESSIDA
Can Helenus fight, uncle?
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CRESSIDA
Can Helenus fight, uncle?
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PANDARUS
Helenus? No. Yes, he’ll fight indifferent
230
well. I marvel where Troilus is. Hark, do you not
hear the people cry “Troilus”? Helenus is a priest.
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PANDARUS
Helenus? No. Yes, he’ll fight indifferent
hear the people cry “Troilus”? Helenus is a priest.
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Enter TROILUS and crosses the stage.
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Enter TROILUS and crosses the stage.
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CRESSIDA
What sneaking fellow comes yonder?
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CRESSIDA
What sneaking fellow comes yonder?
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PANDARUS
Where? Yonder? That’s Deiphobus. ’Tis
Troilus! There’s a man, niece. Hem! Brave Troilus,
235
the prince of chivalry!
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PANDARUS
Where? Yonder? That’s Deiphobus. ’Tis
Troilus! There’s a man, niece. Hem! Brave Troilus,
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CRESSIDA
Peace, for shame, peace.
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CRESSIDA
Peace, for shame, peace.
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PANDARUS
Mark him. Note him. O brave Troilus! Look
well upon him, niece. Look you how his sword is
bloodied and his helm more hacked than Hector’s,
240
and how he looks, and how he goes. O admirable
youth! He never saw three and twenty.—Go thy
way, Troilus; go thy way!—Had I a sister were a
Grace, or a daughter a goddess, he should take his
choice. O admirable man! Paris? Paris is dirt to
245
him; and I warrant Helen, to change, would give
an eye to boot.
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PANDARUS
Mark him. Note him. O brave Troilus! Look
well upon him, niece. Look you how his sword is
bloodied and his helm more hacked than Hector’s,
youth! He never saw three and twenty.—Go thy
way, Troilus; go thy way!—Had I a sister were a
Grace, or a daughter a goddess, he should take his
choice. O admirable man! Paris? Paris is dirt to
an eye to boot.
|
Enter COMMON SOLDIERS and cross the stage.
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Enter COMMON SOLDIERS and cross the stage.
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CRESSIDA
Here comes more.
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CRESSIDA
Here comes more.
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PANDARUS
Asses, fools, dolts, chaff and bran, chaff and
bran, porridge after meat. I could live and die in
250
the eyes of Troilus. Ne’er look, ne’er look; the
eagles are gone. Crows and daws, crows and daws!
I had rather be such a man as Troilus than
Agamemnon and all Greece.
|
PANDARUS
Asses, fools, dolts, chaff and bran, chaff and
bran, porridge after meat. I could live and die in
eagles are gone. Crows and daws, crows and daws!
I had rather be such a man as Troilus than
Agamemnon and all Greece.
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CRESSIDA
There is amongst the Greeks Achilles, a better
255
man than Troilus.
|
CRESSIDA
There is amongst the Greeks Achilles, a better
|
PANDARUS
Achilles? A drayman, a porter, a very camel!
|
PANDARUS
Achilles? A drayman, a porter, a very camel!
|
CRESSIDA
Well, well.
|
CRESSIDA
Well, well.
|
PANDARUS
“Well, well”? Why, have you any discretion?
Have you any eyes? Do you know what a man is? Is
260
not birth, beauty, good shape, discourse, manhood,
learning, gentleness, virtue, youth, liberality and
such-like the spice and salt that season a man?
|
PANDARUS
“Well, well”? Why, have you any discretion?
Have you any eyes? Do you know what a man is? Is
learning, gentleness, virtue, youth, liberality and
such-like the spice and salt that season a man?
|
CRESSIDA
Ay, a minced man; and then to be baked with
no date in the pie, for then the man’s date is out.
|
CRESSIDA
Ay, a minced man; and then to be baked with
no date in the pie, for then the man’s date is out.
|
PANDARUS
265
You are such a woman a man knows not at
what ward you lie.
|
PANDARUS
what ward you lie.
|
CRESSIDA
Upon my back to defend my belly, upon my
wit to defend my wiles, upon my secrecy to defend
mine honesty, my mask to defend my beauty, and
270
you to defend all these; and at all these wards I lie,
at a thousand watches.
|
CRESSIDA
Upon my back to defend my belly, upon my
wit to defend my wiles, upon my secrecy to defend
mine honesty, my mask to defend my beauty, and
at a thousand watches.
|
PANDARUS
Say one of your watches.
|
PANDARUS
Say one of your watches.
|
CRESSIDA
Nay, I’ll watch you for that, and that’s one of
the chiefest of them too. If I cannot ward what I
275
would not have hit, I can watch you for telling how
I took the blow—unless it swell past hiding, and
then it’s past watching.
|
CRESSIDA
Nay, I’ll watch you for that, and that’s one of
the chiefest of them too. If I cannot ward what I
I took the blow—unless it swell past hiding, and
then it’s past watching.
|
PANDARUS
You are such another!
|
PANDARUS
You are such another!
|
Enter Troilus’s BOY.
|
Enter Troilus’s BOY.
|
BOY
Sir, my lord would instantly speak with you.
|
BOY
Sir, my lord would instantly speak with you.
|
PANDARUS
280
Where?
|
PANDARUS
|
BOY
At your own house. There he unarms him.
|
BOY
At your own house. There he unarms him.
|
PANDARUS
Good boy, tell him I come.
|
PANDARUS
Good boy, tell him I come.
|
BOY exits.
|
BOY exits.
|
I doubt he be hurt.—Fare you well, good niece.
|
I doubt he be hurt.—Fare you well, good niece.
|
CRESSIDA
Adieu, uncle.
|
CRESSIDA
Adieu, uncle.
|
PANDARUS
285
I will be with you, niece, by and by.
|
PANDARUS
|
CRESSIDA
To bring, uncle?
|
CRESSIDA
To bring, uncle?
|
PANDARUS
Ay, a token from Troilus.
|
PANDARUS
Ay, a token from Troilus.
|
CRESSIDA
By the same token, you are a bawd.
|
CRESSIDA
By the same token, you are a bawd.
|
PANDARUS exits.
|
PANDARUS exits.
|
Words, vows, gifts, tears, and love’s full sacrifice
290
He offers in another’s enterprise;
But more in Troilus thousandfold I see
Than in the glass of Pandar’s praise may be.
Yet hold I off. Women are angels, wooing;
Things won are done; joy’s soul lies in the doing.
295
That she beloved knows naught that knows not this:
Men prize the thing ungained more than it is.
That she was never yet that ever knew
Love got so sweet as when desire did sue.
Therefore this maxim out of love I teach:
300
Achievement is command; ungained, beseech.
Then though my heart’s content firm love doth bear,
Nothing of that shall from mine eyes appear.
|
Words, vows, gifts, tears, and love’s full sacrifice
But more in Troilus thousandfold I see
Than in the glass of Pandar’s praise may be.
Yet hold I off. Women are angels, wooing;
Things won are done; joy’s soul lies in the doing.
Men prize the thing ungained more than it is.
That she was never yet that ever knew
Love got so sweet as when desire did sue.
Therefore this maxim out of love I teach:
Then though my heart’s content firm love doth bear,
Nothing of that shall from mine eyes appear.
|
She exits.
|
She exits.
|
Original Text |
Modern Text |
Enter CRESSIDA and her man ALEXANDER.
|
Enter CRESSIDA and her man ALEXANDER.
|
CRESSIDA
Who were those went by?
|
CRESSIDA
Who were those went by?
|
ALEXANDER
Queen Hecuba and Helen.
|
ALEXANDER
Queen Hecuba and Helen.
|
CRESSIDA
And whither go they?
|
CRESSIDA
And whither go they?
|
ALEXANDER
Up to the eastern tower,
5
Whose height commands as subject all the vale,
To see the battle. Hector, whose patience
Is as a virtue fixed, today was moved.
He chid Andromache and struck his armorer;
And, like as there were husbandry in war,
10
Before the sun rose he was harnessed light,
And to the field goes he, where every flower
Did as a prophet weep what it foresaw
In Hector’s wrath.
|
ALEXANDER
Up to the eastern tower,
To see the battle. Hector, whose patience
Is as a virtue fixed, today was moved.
He chid Andromache and struck his armorer;
And, like as there were husbandry in war,
And to the field goes he, where every flower
Did as a prophet weep what it foresaw
In Hector’s wrath.
|
CRESSIDA
What was his cause of anger?
|
CRESSIDA
What was his cause of anger?
|
ALEXANDER
15
The noise goes, this: there is among the Greeks
A lord of Trojan blood, nephew to Hector.
They call him Ajax.
|
ALEXANDER
A lord of Trojan blood, nephew to Hector.
They call him Ajax.
|
CRESSIDA
Good; and what of him?
|
CRESSIDA
Good; and what of him?
|
ALEXANDER
They say he is a very man
per se
20
And stands alone.
|
ALEXANDER
They say he is a very man
per se
|
CRESSIDA
So do all men unless they are drunk, sick,
or have no legs.
|
CRESSIDA
So do all men unless they are drunk, sick,
or have no legs.
|
ALEXANDER
This man, lady, hath robbed many beasts
of their particular additions. He is as valiant as the
25
lion, churlish as the bear, slow as the elephant, a
man into whom nature hath so crowded humors
that his valor is crushed into folly, his folly sauced
with discretion. There is no man hath a virtue that
he hath not a glimpse of, nor any man an attaint
30
but he carries some stain of it. He is melancholy
without cause and merry against the hair. He hath
the joints of everything, but everything so out of
joint that he is a gouty Briareus, many hands and
no use, or purblind Argus, all eyes and no sight.
|
ALEXANDER
This man, lady, hath robbed many beasts
of their particular additions. He is as valiant as the
man into whom nature hath so crowded humors
that his valor is crushed into folly, his folly sauced
with discretion. There is no man hath a virtue that
he hath not a glimpse of, nor any man an attaint
without cause and merry against the hair. He hath
the joints of everything, but everything so out of
joint that he is a gouty Briareus, many hands and
no use, or purblind Argus, all eyes and no sight.
|
CRESSIDA
35
But how should this man that makes me
smile make Hector angry?
|
CRESSIDA
smile make Hector angry?
|
ALEXANDER
They say he yesterday coped Hector in the
battle and struck him down, the disdain and
shame whereof hath ever since kept Hector fasting
40
and waking.
|
ALEXANDER
They say he yesterday coped Hector in the
battle and struck him down, the disdain and
shame whereof hath ever since kept Hector fasting
|
Enter PANDARUS.
|
Enter PANDARUS.
|
CRESSIDA
Who comes here?
|
CRESSIDA
Who comes here?
|
ALEXANDER
Madam, your Uncle Pandarus.
|
ALEXANDER
Madam, your Uncle Pandarus.
|
CRESSIDA
Hector’s a gallant man.
|
CRESSIDA
Hector’s a gallant man.
|
ALEXANDER
As may be in the world, lady.
|
ALEXANDER
As may be in the world, lady.
|
PANDARUS
45
What’s that? What’s that?
|
PANDARUS
|
CRESSIDA
Good morrow, Uncle Pandarus.
|
CRESSIDA
Good morrow, Uncle Pandarus.
|
PANDARUS
Good morrow, Cousin Cressid. What do you
talk of?— Good morrow, Alexander.—How do you,
cousin? When were you at Ilium?
|
PANDARUS
Good morrow, Cousin Cressid. What do you
talk of?— Good morrow, Alexander.—How do you,
cousin? When were you at Ilium?
|
CRESSIDA
50
This morning, uncle.
|
CRESSIDA
|
PANDARUS
What were you talking of when I came?
Was Hector armed and gone ere you came to
Ilium? Helen was not up, was she?
|
PANDARUS
What were you talking of when I came?
Was Hector armed and gone ere you came to
Ilium? Helen was not up, was she?
|
CRESSIDA
Hector was gone, but Helen was not up.
|
CRESSIDA
Hector was gone, but Helen was not up.
|
PANDARUS
55
E’en so. Hector was stirring early.
|
PANDARUS
|
CRESSIDA
That were we talking of, and of his anger.
|
CRESSIDA
That were we talking of, and of his anger.
|
PANDARUS
Was he angry?
|
PANDARUS
Was he angry?
|
CRESSIDA
So he says here.
|
CRESSIDA
So he says here.
|
PANDARUS
True, he was so. I know the cause too. He’ll
60
lay about him today, I can tell them that; and
there’s Troilus will not come far behind him. Let
them take heed of Troilus, I can tell them that too.
|
PANDARUS
True, he was so. I know the cause too. He’ll
there’s Troilus will not come far behind him. Let
them take heed of Troilus, I can tell them that too.
|
CRESSIDA
What, is he angry too?
|
CRESSIDA
What, is he angry too?
|
PANDARUS
Who, Troilus? Troilus is the better man of
65
the two.
|
PANDARUS
Who, Troilus? Troilus is the better man of
|
CRESSIDA
O Jupiter, there’s no comparison.
|
CRESSIDA
O Jupiter, there’s no comparison.
|
PANDARUS
What, not between Troilus and Hector? Do
you know a man if you see him?
|
PANDARUS
What, not between Troilus and Hector? Do
you know a man if you see him?
|
CRESSIDA
Ay, if I ever saw him before and knew him.
|
CRESSIDA
Ay, if I ever saw him before and knew him.
|
PANDARUS
70
Well, I say Troilus is Troilus.
|
PANDARUS
|
CRESSIDA
Then you say as I say, for I am sure he is not
Hector.
|
CRESSIDA
Then you say as I say, for I am sure he is not
Hector.
|
PANDARUS
No, nor Hector is not Troilus in some degrees.
|
PANDARUS
No, nor Hector is not Troilus in some degrees.
|
CRESSIDA
’Tis just to each of them; he is himself.
|
CRESSIDA
’Tis just to each of them; he is himself.
|
PANDARUS
75
Himself?
Alas, poor Troilus, I would he were.
|
PANDARUS
Alas, poor Troilus, I would he were.
|
CRESSIDA
So he is.
|
CRESSIDA
So he is.
|
PANDARUS
Condition I had gone barefoot to India.
|
PANDARUS
Condition I had gone barefoot to India.
|
CRESSIDA
He is not Hector.
|
CRESSIDA
He is not Hector.
|
PANDARUS
Himself? No, he’s not himself. Would he
80
were himself! Well, the gods are above. Time must
friend or end. Well, Troilus, well, I would my heart
were in her body. No, Hector is not a better man
than Troilus.
|
PANDARUS
Himself? No, he’s not himself. Would he
friend or end. Well, Troilus, well, I would my heart
were in her body. No, Hector is not a better man
than Troilus.
|
CRESSIDA
Excuse me.
|
CRESSIDA
Excuse me.
|
PANDARUS
85
He is elder.
|
PANDARUS
|
CRESSIDA
Pardon me, pardon me.
|
CRESSIDA
Pardon me, pardon me.
|
PANDARUS
Th’ other’s not come to ’t. You shall tell me
another tale when th’ other’s come to ’t. Hector
shall not have his wit this year.
|
PANDARUS
Th’ other’s not come to ’t. You shall tell me
another tale when th’ other’s come to ’t. Hector
shall not have his wit this year.
|
CRESSIDA
90
He shall not need it, if he have his own.
|
CRESSIDA
|
PANDARUS
Nor his qualities.
|
PANDARUS
Nor his qualities.
|
CRESSIDA
No matter.
|
CRESSIDA
No matter.
|
PANDARUS
Nor his beauty.
|
PANDARUS
Nor his beauty.
|
CRESSIDA
’Twould not become him. His own ’s better.
|
CRESSIDA
’Twould not become him. His own ’s better.
|
PANDARUS
95
You have no judgment, niece. Helen herself
swore th’ other day that Troilus, for a brown favor—
for so ’tis, I must confess—not brown neither—
|
PANDARUS
swore th’ other day that Troilus, for a brown favor—
for so ’tis, I must confess—not brown neither—
|
CRESSIDA
No, but brown.
|
CRESSIDA
No, but brown.
|
PANDARUS
Faith, to say truth, brown and not brown.
|
PANDARUS
Faith, to say truth, brown and not brown.
|
CRESSIDA
100
To say the truth, true and not true.
|
CRESSIDA
|
PANDARUS
She praised his complexion above Paris’.
|
PANDARUS
She praised his complexion above Paris’.
|
CRESSIDA
Why, Paris hath color enough.
|
CRESSIDA
Why, Paris hath color enough.
|
PANDARUS
So he has.
|
PANDARUS
So he has.
|
CRESSIDA
Then Troilus should have too much. If she
105
praised him above, his complexion is higher than
his. He having color enough, and the other higher,
is too flaming a praise for a good complexion. I
had as lief Helen’s golden tongue had commended
Troilus for a copper nose.
|
CRESSIDA
Then Troilus should have too much. If she
his. He having color enough, and the other higher,
is too flaming a praise for a good complexion. I
had as lief Helen’s golden tongue had commended
Troilus for a copper nose.
|
PANDARUS
110
I swear to you, I think Helen loves him better
than Paris.
|
PANDARUS
than Paris.
|
CRESSIDA
Then she’s a merry Greek indeed.
|
CRESSIDA
Then she’s a merry Greek indeed.
|
PANDARUS
Nay, I am sure she does. She came to him
th’ other day into the compassed window—and
115
you know he has not past three or four hairs on his
chin—
|
PANDARUS
Nay, I am sure she does. She came to him
th’ other day into the compassed window—and
chin—
|
CRESSIDA
Indeed, a tapster’s arithmetic may soon bring
his particulars therein to a total.
|
CRESSIDA
Indeed, a tapster’s arithmetic may soon bring
his particulars therein to a total.
|
PANDARUS
Why, he is very young, and yet will he within
120
three pound lift as much as his brother Hector.
|
PANDARUS
Why, he is very young, and yet will he within
|
CRESSIDA
Is he so young a man and so old a lifter?
|
CRESSIDA
Is he so young a man and so old a lifter?
|
PANDARUS
But to prove to you that Helen loves him: she
came and puts me her white hand to his cloven
chin—
|
PANDARUS
But to prove to you that Helen loves him: she
came and puts me her white hand to his cloven
chin—
|
CRESSIDA
125
Juno have mercy! How came it cloven?
|
CRESSIDA
|
PANDARUS
Why, you know ’tis dimpled. I think his
smiling becomes him better than any man in all
Phrygia.
|
PANDARUS
Why, you know ’tis dimpled. I think his
smiling becomes him better than any man in all
Phrygia.
|
CRESSIDA
O, he smiles valiantly.
|
CRESSIDA
O, he smiles valiantly.
|
PANDARUS
130
Does he not?
|
PANDARUS
|
CRESSIDA
O yes, an ’twere a cloud in autumn.
|
CRESSIDA
O yes, an ’twere a cloud in autumn.
|
PANDARUS
Why, go to, then. But to prove to you that
Helen loves Troilus—
|
PANDARUS
Why, go to, then. But to prove to you that
Helen loves Troilus—
|
CRESSIDA
Troilus will stand to the proof if you’ll
135
prove it so.
|
CRESSIDA
Troilus will stand to the proof if you’ll
|
PANDARUS
Troilus? Why, he esteems her no more than
I esteem an addle egg.
|
PANDARUS
Troilus? Why, he esteems her no more than
I esteem an addle egg.
|
CRESSIDA
If you love an addle egg as well as you love
an idle head, you would eat chickens i’ th’ shell.
|
CRESSIDA
If you love an addle egg as well as you love
an idle head, you would eat chickens i’ th’ shell.
|
PANDARUS
140
I cannot choose but laugh to think how she
tickled his chin. Indeed, she has a marvellous
white hand, I must needs confess—
|
PANDARUS
tickled his chin. Indeed, she has a marvellous
white hand, I must needs confess—
|
CRESSIDA
Without the rack.
|
CRESSIDA
Without the rack.
|
PANDARUS
And she takes upon her to spy a white hair
145
on his chin.
|
PANDARUS
And she takes upon her to spy a white hair
|
CRESSIDA
Alas, poor chin! Many a wart is richer.
|
CRESSIDA
Alas, poor chin! Many a wart is richer.
|
PANDARUS
But there was such laughing! Queen Hecuba
laughed that her eyes ran o’er—
|
PANDARUS
But there was such laughing! Queen Hecuba
laughed that her eyes ran o’er—
|
CRESSIDA
With millstones.
|
CRESSIDA
With millstones.
|
PANDARUS
150
And Cassandra laughed—
|
PANDARUS
|
CRESSIDA
But there was a more temperate fire under
the pot of her eyes. Did her eyes run o’er too?
|
CRESSIDA
But there was a more temperate fire under
the pot of her eyes. Did her eyes run o’er too?
|
PANDARUS
And Hector laughed.
|
PANDARUS
And Hector laughed.
|
CRESSIDA
At what was all this laughing?
|
CRESSIDA
At what was all this laughing?
|
PANDARUS
155
Marry, at the white hair that Helen spied on
Troilus’ chin.
|
PANDARUS
Troilus’ chin.
|
CRESSIDA
An ’t had been a green hair, I should have
laughed too.
|
CRESSIDA
An ’t had been a green hair, I should have
laughed too.
|
PANDARUS
They laughed not so much at the hair as at
160
his pretty answer.
|
PANDARUS
They laughed not so much at the hair as at
|
CRESSIDA
What was his answer?
|
CRESSIDA
What was his answer?
|
PANDARUS
Quoth she “Here’s but two-and-fifty hairs
on your chin, and one of them is white.”
|
PANDARUS
Quoth she “Here’s but two-and-fifty hairs
on your chin, and one of them is white.”
|
CRESSIDA
This is her question.
|
CRESSIDA
This is her question.
|
PANDARUS
165
That’s true, make no question of that. “Two-and-fifty
hairs,” quoth he, “and one white. That
white hair is my father, and all the rest are his
sons.” “Jupiter!” quoth she, “which of these hairs
is Paris, my husband?” “The forked one,” quoth he.
170
“Pluck ’t out, and give it him.” But there was such
laughing, and Helen so blushed, and Paris so
chafed, and all the rest so laughed that it passed.
|
PANDARUS
hairs,” quoth he, “and one white. That
white hair is my father, and all the rest are his
sons.” “Jupiter!” quoth she, “which of these hairs
is Paris, my husband?” “The forked one,” quoth he.
laughing, and Helen so blushed, and Paris so
chafed, and all the rest so laughed that it passed.
|
CRESSIDA
So let it now, for it has been a great while
going by.
|
CRESSIDA
So let it now, for it has been a great while
going by.
|
PANDARUS
175
Well, cousin, I told you a thing yesterday.
Think on ’t.
|
PANDARUS
Think on ’t.
|
CRESSIDA
So I do.
|
CRESSIDA
So I do.
|
PANDARUS
I’ll be sworn ’tis true. He will weep you an
’twere a man born in April.
|
PANDARUS
I’ll be sworn ’tis true. He will weep you an
’twere a man born in April.
|
CRESSIDA
180
And I’ll spring up in his tears an ’twere a nettle
against May.
|
CRESSIDA
against May.
|
PANDARUS
Hark, they are coming from the field. Shall
we stand up here and see them as they pass toward
Ilium? Good niece, do, sweet niece Cressida.
|
PANDARUS
Hark, they are coming from the field. Shall
we stand up here and see them as they pass toward
Ilium? Good niece, do, sweet niece Cressida.
|
CRESSIDA
185
At your pleasure.
|
CRESSIDA
|
PANDARUS
Here, here, here’s an excellent place. Here
we may see most bravely. I’ll tell you them all by
their names as they pass by, but mark Troilus
above the rest.
|
PANDARUS
Here, here, here’s an excellent place. Here
we may see most bravely. I’ll tell you them all by
their names as they pass by, but mark Troilus
above the rest.
|
They cross the stage; ALEXANDER exits.
|
They cross the stage; ALEXANDER exits.
|
CRESSIDA
190
Speak not so loud.
|
CRESSIDA
|
Enter AENEAS and crosses the stage.
|
Enter AENEAS and crosses the stage.
|
PANDARUS
195
That’s Aeneas. Is not that a brave man? He’s
one of the flowers of Troy, I can tell you. But mark
Troilus; you shall see anon.
|
PANDARUS
one of the flowers of Troy, I can tell you. But mark
Troilus; you shall see anon.
|
Enter ANTENOR and crosses the stage.
|
Enter ANTENOR and crosses the stage.
|
CRESSIDA
Who’s that?
|
CRESSIDA
Who’s that?
|
PANDARUS
That’s Antenor. He has a shrewd wit, I can
tell you, and he’s a man good enough. He’s one o’
th’ soundest judgments in Troy whosoever; and a
proper man of person. When comes Troilus? I’ll
show you Troilus anon. If he see me, you shall see
200
him nod at me.
|
PANDARUS
That’s Antenor. He has a shrewd wit, I can
tell you, and he’s a man good enough. He’s one o’
th’ soundest judgments in Troy whosoever; and a
proper man of person. When comes Troilus? I’ll
show you Troilus anon. If he see me, you shall see
|
CRESSIDA
Will he give you the nod?
|
CRESSIDA
Will he give you the nod?
|
PANDARUS
You shall see.
|
PANDARUS
You shall see.
|
CRESSIDA
If he do, the rich shall have more.
|
CRESSIDA
If he do, the rich shall have more.
|
Enter HECTOR and crosses the stage.
|
Enter HECTOR and crosses the stage.
|
PANDARUS
That’s Hector, that, that, look you, that.
205
There’s a fellow!—Go thy way, Hector!—There’s a
brave man, niece. O brave Hector! Look how he
looks. There’s a countenance! Is ’t not a brave man?
|
PANDARUS
That’s Hector, that, that, look you, that.
brave man, niece. O brave Hector! Look how he
looks. There’s a countenance! Is ’t not a brave man?
|
CRESSIDA
O, a brave man!
|
CRESSIDA
O, a brave man!
|
PANDARUS
Is he not? It does a man’s heart good. Look
210
you what hacks are on his helmet. Look you yonder,
do you see? Look you there. There’s no jesting;
there’s laying on, take ’t off who will, as they say.
There be hacks.
|
PANDARUS
Is he not? It does a man’s heart good. Look
do you see? Look you there. There’s no jesting;
there’s laying on, take ’t off who will, as they say.
There be hacks.
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CRESSIDA
Be those with swords?
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CRESSIDA
Be those with swords?
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PANDARUS
215
Swords, anything, he cares not. An the devil
come to him, it’s all one. By God’s lid, it does one’s
heart good.
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PANDARUS
come to him, it’s all one. By God’s lid, it does one’s
heart good.
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Enter PARIS and crosses the stage.
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Enter PARIS and crosses the stage.
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Yonder comes Paris, yonder comes Paris! Look you
yonder, niece. Is ’t not a gallant man too? Is ’t not?
220
Why, this is brave now. Who said he came hurt
home today? He’s not hurt. Why, this will do
Helen’s heart good now, ha? Would I could see
Troilus now! You shall see Troilus anon.
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Yonder comes Paris, yonder comes Paris! Look you
yonder, niece. Is ’t not a gallant man too? Is ’t not?
home today? He’s not hurt. Why, this will do
Helen’s heart good now, ha? Would I could see
Troilus now! You shall see Troilus anon.
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Enter HELENUS and crosses the stage.
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Enter HELENUS and crosses the stage.
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CRESSIDA
Who’s that?
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CRESSIDA
Who’s that?
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PANDARUS
225
That’s Helenus. I marvel where Troilus is.
That’s Helenus. I think he went not forth today.
That’s Helenus.
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PANDARUS
That’s Helenus. I think he went not forth today.
That’s Helenus.
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CRESSIDA
Can Helenus fight, uncle?
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CRESSIDA
Can Helenus fight, uncle?
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PANDARUS
Helenus? No. Yes, he’ll fight indifferent
230
well. I marvel where Troilus is. Hark, do you not
hear the people cry “Troilus”? Helenus is a priest.
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PANDARUS
Helenus? No. Yes, he’ll fight indifferent
hear the people cry “Troilus”? Helenus is a priest.
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Enter TROILUS and crosses the stage.
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Enter TROILUS and crosses the stage.
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CRESSIDA
What sneaking fellow comes yonder?
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CRESSIDA
What sneaking fellow comes yonder?
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PANDARUS
Where? Yonder? That’s Deiphobus. ’Tis
Troilus! There’s a man, niece. Hem! Brave Troilus,
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the prince of chivalry!
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PANDARUS
Where? Yonder? That’s Deiphobus. ’Tis
Troilus! There’s a man, niece. Hem! Brave Troilus,
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CRESSIDA
Peace, for shame, peace.
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CRESSIDA
Peace, for shame, peace.
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PANDARUS
Mark him. Note him. O brave Troilus! Look
well upon him, niece. Look you how his sword is
bloodied and his helm more hacked than Hector’s,
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and how he looks, and how he goes. O admirable
youth! He never saw three and twenty.—Go thy
way, Troilus; go thy way!—Had I a sister were a
Grace, or a daughter a goddess, he should take his
choice. O admirable man! Paris? Paris is dirt to
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him; and I warrant Helen, to change, would give
an eye to boot.
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PANDARUS
Mark him. Note him. O brave Troilus! Look
well upon him, niece. Look you how his sword is
bloodied and his helm more hacked than Hector’s,
youth! He never saw three and twenty.—Go thy
way, Troilus; go thy way!—Had I a sister were a
Grace, or a daughter a goddess, he should take his
choice. O admirable man! Paris? Paris is dirt to
an eye to boot.
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Enter COMMON SOLDIERS and cross the stage.
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Enter COMMON SOLDIERS and cross the stage.
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CRESSIDA
Here comes more.
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CRESSIDA
Here comes more.
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PANDARUS
Asses, fools, dolts, chaff and bran, chaff and
bran, porridge after meat. I could live and die in
250
the eyes of Troilus. Ne’er look, ne’er look; the
eagles are gone. Crows and daws, crows and daws!
I had rather be such a man as Troilus than
Agamemnon and all Greece.
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PANDARUS
Asses, fools, dolts, chaff and bran, chaff and
bran, porridge after meat. I could live and die in
eagles are gone. Crows and daws, crows and daws!
I had rather be such a man as Troilus than
Agamemnon and all Greece.
|
CRESSIDA
There is amongst the Greeks Achilles, a better
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man than Troilus.
|
CRESSIDA
There is amongst the Greeks Achilles, a better
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PANDARUS
Achilles? A drayman, a porter, a very camel!
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PANDARUS
Achilles? A drayman, a porter, a very camel!
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CRESSIDA
Well, well.
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CRESSIDA
Well, well.
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PANDARUS
“Well, well”? Why, have you any discretion?
Have you any eyes? Do you know what a man is? Is
260
not birth, beauty, good shape, discourse, manhood,
learning, gentleness, virtue, youth, liberality and
such-like the spice and salt that season a man?
|
PANDARUS
“Well, well”? Why, have you any discretion?
Have you any eyes? Do you know what a man is? Is
learning, gentleness, virtue, youth, liberality and
such-like the spice and salt that season a man?
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CRESSIDA
Ay, a minced man; and then to be baked with
no date in the pie, for then the man’s date is out.
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CRESSIDA
Ay, a minced man; and then to be baked with
no date in the pie, for then the man’s date is out.
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PANDARUS
265
You are such a woman a man knows not at
what ward you lie.
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PANDARUS
what ward you lie.
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CRESSIDA
Upon my back to defend my belly, upon my
wit to defend my wiles, upon my secrecy to defend
mine honesty, my mask to defend my beauty, and
270
you to defend all these; and at all these wards I lie,
at a thousand watches.
|
CRESSIDA
Upon my back to defend my belly, upon my
wit to defend my wiles, upon my secrecy to defend
mine honesty, my mask to defend my beauty, and
at a thousand watches.
|
PANDARUS
Say one of your watches.
|
PANDARUS
Say one of your watches.
|
CRESSIDA
Nay, I’ll watch you for that, and that’s one of
the chiefest of them too. If I cannot ward what I
275
would not have hit, I can watch you for telling how
I took the blow—unless it swell past hiding, and
then it’s past watching.
|
CRESSIDA
Nay, I’ll watch you for that, and that’s one of
the chiefest of them too. If I cannot ward what I
I took the blow—unless it swell past hiding, and
then it’s past watching.
|
PANDARUS
You are such another!
|
PANDARUS
You are such another!
|
Enter Troilus’s BOY.
|
Enter Troilus’s BOY.
|
BOY
Sir, my lord would instantly speak with you.
|
BOY
Sir, my lord would instantly speak with you.
|
PANDARUS
280
Where?
|
PANDARUS
|
BOY
At your own house. There he unarms him.
|
BOY
At your own house. There he unarms him.
|
PANDARUS
Good boy, tell him I come.
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PANDARUS
Good boy, tell him I come.
|
BOY exits.
|
BOY exits.
|
I doubt he be hurt.—Fare you well, good niece.
|
I doubt he be hurt.—Fare you well, good niece.
|
CRESSIDA
Adieu, uncle.
|
CRESSIDA
Adieu, uncle.
|
PANDARUS
285
I will be with you, niece, by and by.
|
PANDARUS
|
CRESSIDA
To bring, uncle?
|
CRESSIDA
To bring, uncle?
|
PANDARUS
Ay, a token from Troilus.
|
PANDARUS
Ay, a token from Troilus.
|
CRESSIDA
By the same token, you are a bawd.
|
CRESSIDA
By the same token, you are a bawd.
|
PANDARUS exits.
|
PANDARUS exits.
|
Words, vows, gifts, tears, and love’s full sacrifice
290
He offers in another’s enterprise;
But more in Troilus thousandfold I see
Than in the glass of Pandar’s praise may be.
Yet hold I off. Women are angels, wooing;
Things won are done; joy’s soul lies in the doing.
295
That she beloved knows naught that knows not this:
Men prize the thing ungained more than it is.
That she was never yet that ever knew
Love got so sweet as when desire did sue.
Therefore this maxim out of love I teach:
300
Achievement is command; ungained, beseech.
Then though my heart’s content firm love doth bear,
Nothing of that shall from mine eyes appear.
|
Words, vows, gifts, tears, and love’s full sacrifice
But more in Troilus thousandfold I see
Than in the glass of Pandar’s praise may be.
Yet hold I off. Women are angels, wooing;
Things won are done; joy’s soul lies in the doing.
Men prize the thing ungained more than it is.
That she was never yet that ever knew
Love got so sweet as when desire did sue.
Therefore this maxim out of love I teach:
Then though my heart’s content firm love doth bear,
Nothing of that shall from mine eyes appear.
|
She exits.
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She exits.
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