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Enter THERSITES, alone.
Enter THERSITES, alone.
THERSITES  
How now, Thersites? What, lost in the
labyrinth of thy fury? Shall the elephant Ajax carry
it thus? He beats me, and I rail at him. O, worthy
satisfaction! Would it were otherwise, that I could
5
beat him whilst he railed at me. ’Sfoot, I’ll learn to
conjure and raise devils but I’ll see some issue of
my spiteful execrations. Then there’s Achilles, a
rare enginer! If Troy be not taken till these two undermine
it, the walls will stand till they fall of
10
themselves. O thou great thunder-darter of Olympus,
forget that thou art Jove, the king of gods;
and, Mercury, lose all the serpentine craft of thy
caduceus, if you take not that little, little, less than
little wit from them that they have, which short-armed
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ignorance itself knows is so abundant
scarce it will not in circumvention deliver a fly
from a spider without drawing their massy irons
and cutting the web. After this, the vengeance on
the whole camp! Or rather, the Neapolitan bone-ache!
20
For that, methinks, is the curse depending
on those that war for a placket. I have said my
prayers, and devil Envy say “Amen.”—What ho,
my lord Achilles!
THERSITES  
How now, Thersites? What, lost in the
labyrinth of thy fury? Shall the elephant Ajax carry
it thus? He beats me, and I rail at him. O, worthy
satisfaction! Would it were otherwise, that I could
beat him whilst he railed at me. ’Sfoot, I’ll learn to
conjure and raise devils but I’ll see some issue of
my spiteful execrations. Then there’s Achilles, a
rare enginer! If Troy be not taken till these two undermine
it, the walls will stand till they fall of
themselves. O thou great thunder-darter of Olympus,
forget that thou art Jove, the king of gods;
and, Mercury, lose all the serpentine craft of thy
caduceus, if you take not that little, little, less than
little wit from them that they have, which short-armed
ignorance itself knows is so abundant
scarce it will not in circumvention deliver a fly
from a spider without drawing their massy irons
and cutting the web. After this, the vengeance on
the whole camp! Or rather, the Neapolitan bone-ache!
For that, methinks, is the curse depending
on those that war for a placket. I have said my
prayers, and devil Envy say “Amen.”—What ho,
my lord Achilles!
PATROCLUS , within
Who’s there? Thersites? Good
25
Thersites, come in and rail.
PATROCLUS , within
Who’s there? Thersites? Good
Thersites, come in and rail.
THERSITES  
If I could ’a remembered a gilt counterfeit,
thou couldst not have slipped out of my contemplation.
But it is no matter. Thyself upon thyself! The
common curse of mankind, folly and ignorance,
30
be thine in great revenue! Heaven bless thee from
a tutor, and discipline come not near thee! Let thy
blood be thy direction till thy death; then if she
that lays thee out says thou art a fair corse, I’ll be
sworn and sworn upon ’t she never shrouded any
35
but lazars. Amen.
THERSITES  
If I could ’a remembered a gilt counterfeit,
thou couldst not have slipped out of my contemplation.
But it is no matter. Thyself upon thyself! The
common curse of mankind, folly and ignorance,
be thine in great revenue! Heaven bless thee from
a tutor, and discipline come not near thee! Let thy
blood be thy direction till thy death; then if she
that lays thee out says thou art a fair corse, I’ll be
sworn and sworn upon ’t she never shrouded any
but lazars. Amen.
Enter PATROCLUS.
Enter PATROCLUS.
Where’s Achilles?
Where’s Achilles?
PATROCLUS  
What, art thou devout? Wast thou in
prayer?
PATROCLUS  
What, art thou devout? Wast thou in
prayer?
THERSITES  
Ay. The heavens hear me!
THERSITES  
Ay. The heavens hear me!
PATROCLUS  
40
Amen.
PATROCLUS  
Amen.
ACHILLES , within
Who’s there?
ACHILLES , within
Who’s there?
PATROCLUS  
Thersites, my lord.
PATROCLUS  
Thersites, my lord.
ACHILLES , within
Where? Where? O, where?
ACHILLES , within
Where? Where? O, where?
Enter ACHILLES.
Enter ACHILLES.
To THERSITES.
Art thou come? Why, my cheese, my
45
digestion, why hast thou not served thyself in to my
table so many meals? Come, what’s Agamemnon?
To THERSITES.
Art thou come? Why, my cheese, my
digestion, why hast thou not served thyself in to my
table so many meals? Come, what’s Agamemnon?
THERSITES  
Thy commander, Achilles.—Then, tell me,
Patroclus, what’s Achilles?
THERSITES  
Thy commander, Achilles.—Then, tell me,
Patroclus, what’s Achilles?
PATROCLUS  
Thy lord, Thersites. Then, tell me, I pray
50
thee, what’s Thersites?
PATROCLUS  
Thy lord, Thersites. Then, tell me, I pray
thee, what’s Thersites?
THERSITES  
Thy knower, Patroclus. Then, tell me, Patroclus,
what art thou?
THERSITES  
Thy knower, Patroclus. Then, tell me, Patroclus,
what art thou?
PATROCLUS  
Thou must tell that knowest.
O tell, tell.
PATROCLUS  
Thou must tell that knowest.
O tell, tell.
THERSITES  
55
I’ll decline the whole question. Agamemnon
commands Achilles, Achilles is my lord, I am
Patroclus’ knower, and Patroclus is a fool.
THERSITES  
I’ll decline the whole question. Agamemnon
commands Achilles, Achilles is my lord, I am
Patroclus’ knower, and Patroclus is a fool.
PATROCLUS  
You rascal!
PATROCLUS  
You rascal!
THERSITES  
Peace, fool. I have not done.
THERSITES  
Peace, fool. I have not done.
ACHILLES , to PATROCLUS
60
He is a privileged man.—Proceed,
Thersites.
ACHILLES , to PATROCLUS
He is a privileged man.—Proceed,
Thersites.
THERSITES  
Agamemnon is a fool, Achilles is a fool,
Thersites is a fool, and, as aforesaid, Patroclus is a
fool.
THERSITES  
Agamemnon is a fool, Achilles is a fool,
Thersites is a fool, and, as aforesaid, Patroclus is a
fool.
ACHILLES  
65
Derive this. Come.
ACHILLES  
Derive this. Come.
THERSITES  
Agamemnon is a fool to offer to command
Achilles, Achilles is a fool to be commanded of
Agamemnon, Thersites is a fool to serve such a fool,
and this Patroclus is a fool positive.
THERSITES  
Agamemnon is a fool to offer to command
Achilles, Achilles is a fool to be commanded of
Agamemnon, Thersites is a fool to serve such a fool,
and this Patroclus is a fool positive.
PATROCLUS  
70
Why am I a fool?
PATROCLUS  
Why am I a fool?
THERSITES  
Make that demand of the creator. It suffices
me thou art.
THERSITES  
Make that demand of the creator. It suffices
me thou art.
Enter at a distance AGAMEMNON, ULYSSES, NESTOR,
DIOMEDES , AJAX, and CALCHAS.
Enter at a distance AGAMEMNON, ULYSSES, NESTOR,
DIOMEDES , AJAX, and CALCHAS.
Look you, who comes here?
Look you, who comes here?
ACHILLES  
Patroclus, I’ll speak with nobody.—Come in
75
with me, Thersites.
ACHILLES  
Patroclus, I’ll speak with nobody.—Come in
with me, Thersites.
He exits.
He exits.
THERSITES  
Here is such patchery, such juggling, and
such knavery. All the argument is a whore and a
cuckold, a good quarrel to draw emulous factions
and bleed to death upon. Now the dry serpigo on
80
the subject, and war and lechery confound all!
THERSITES  
Here is such patchery, such juggling, and
such knavery. All the argument is a whore and a
cuckold, a good quarrel to draw emulous factions
and bleed to death upon. Now the dry serpigo on
the subject, and war and lechery confound all!
He exits.
He exits.
AGAMEMNON , to PATROCLUS
Where is Achilles?
AGAMEMNON , to PATROCLUS
Where is Achilles?
PATROCLUS
Within his tent, but ill-disposed, my lord.
PATROCLUS
Within his tent, but ill-disposed, my lord.
AGAMEMNON
Let it be known to him that we are here.
He shent our messengers, and we lay by
85
Our appertainments, visiting of him.
Let him be told so, lest perchance he think
We dare not move the question of our place
Or know not what we are.
AGAMEMNON
Let it be known to him that we are here.
He shent our messengers, and we lay by
Our appertainments, visiting of him.
Let him be told so, lest perchance he think
We dare not move the question of our place
Or know not what we are.
PATROCLUS  
I shall say so to him.
PATROCLUS  
I shall say so to him.
He exits.
He exits.
ULYSSES
90
We saw him at the opening of his tent.
He is not sick.
ULYSSES
We saw him at the opening of his tent.
He is not sick.
AJAX  
Yes, lion-sick, sick of proud heart. You may call
it melancholy if you will favor the man, but, by my
head, ’tis pride. But, why, why? Let him show us a
95
cause.— A word, my lord.
AJAX  
Yes, lion-sick, sick of proud heart. You may call
it melancholy if you will favor the man, but, by my
head, ’tis pride. But, why, why? Let him show us a
cause.— A word, my lord.
He and AGAMEMNON walk aside.
He and AGAMEMNON walk aside.
NESTOR  
What moves Ajax thus to bay at him?
NESTOR  
What moves Ajax thus to bay at him?
ULYSSES  
Achilles hath inveigled his fool from him.
ULYSSES  
Achilles hath inveigled his fool from him.
NESTOR  
Who, Thersites?
NESTOR  
Who, Thersites?
ULYSSES  
He.
ULYSSES  
He.
NESTOR  
100
Then will Ajax lack matter, if he have lost his
argument.
NESTOR  
Then will Ajax lack matter, if he have lost his
argument.
ULYSSES  
No. You see, he is his argument that has his
argument: Achilles.
ULYSSES  
No. You see, he is his argument that has his
argument: Achilles.
NESTOR  
All the better. Their fraction is more our wish
105
than their faction. But it was a strong composure a
fool could disunite.
NESTOR  
All the better. Their fraction is more our wish
than their faction. But it was a strong composure a
fool could disunite.
ULYSSES  
The amity that wisdom knits not, folly may
easily untie.
ULYSSES  
The amity that wisdom knits not, folly may
easily untie.
Enter PATROCLUS.
Enter PATROCLUS.
Here comes Patroclus.
Here comes Patroclus.
NESTOR  
110
No Achilles with him.
NESTOR  
No Achilles with him.
ULYSSES  
The elephant hath joints, but none for courtesy;
his legs are legs for necessity, not for flexure.
ULYSSES  
The elephant hath joints, but none for courtesy;
his legs are legs for necessity, not for flexure.
PATROCLUS , to AGAMEMNON
Achilles bids me say he is much sorry
If anything more than your sport and pleasure
115
Did move your greatness and this noble state
To call upon him. He hopes it is no other
But for your health and your digestion sake,
An after-dinner’s breath.
PATROCLUS , to AGAMEMNON
Achilles bids me say he is much sorry
If anything more than your sport and pleasure
Did move your greatness and this noble state
To call upon him. He hopes it is no other
But for your health and your digestion sake,
An after-dinner’s breath.
AGAMEMNON  
Hear you, Patroclus:
120
We are too well acquainted with these answers,
But his evasion, winged thus swift with scorn,
Cannot outfly our apprehensions.
Much attribute he hath, and much the reason
Why we ascribe it to him. Yet all his virtues,
125
Not virtuously on his own part beheld,
Do in our eyes begin to lose their gloss,
Yea, and like fair fruit in an unwholesome dish,
Are like to rot untasted. Go and tell him
We come to speak with him; and you shall not sin
130
If you do say we think him overproud
And underhonest, in self-assumption greater
Than in the note of judgment; and worthier than
himself
Here tend the savage strangeness he puts on,
135
Disguise the holy strength of their command,
And underwrite in an observing kind
His humorous predominance—yea, watch
His course and time, his ebbs and flows, as if
The passage and whole carriage of this action
140
Rode on his tide. Go tell him this, and add
That, if he overhold his price so much,
We’ll none of him. But let him, like an engine
Not portable, lie under this report:
“Bring action hither; this cannot go to war.”
145
A stirring dwarf we do allowance give
Before a sleeping giant. Tell him so.
AGAMEMNON  
Hear you, Patroclus:
We are too well acquainted with these answers,
But his evasion, winged thus swift with scorn,
Cannot outfly our apprehensions.
Much attribute he hath, and much the reason
Why we ascribe it to him. Yet all his virtues,
Not virtuously on his own part beheld,
Do in our eyes begin to lose their gloss,
Yea, and like fair fruit in an unwholesome dish,
Are like to rot untasted. Go and tell him
We come to speak with him; and you shall not sin
If you do say we think him overproud
And underhonest, in self-assumption greater
Than in the note of judgment; and worthier than
himself
Here tend the savage strangeness he puts on,
Disguise the holy strength of their command,
And underwrite in an observing kind
His humorous predominance—yea, watch
His course and time, his ebbs and flows, as if
The passage and whole carriage of this action
Rode on his tide. Go tell him this, and add
That, if he overhold his price so much,
We’ll none of him. But let him, like an engine
Not portable, lie under this report:
“Bring action hither; this cannot go to war.”
A stirring dwarf we do allowance give
Before a sleeping giant. Tell him so.
PATROCLUS
I shall, and bring his answer presently.
PATROCLUS
I shall, and bring his answer presently.
AGAMEMNON
In second voice we’ll not be satisfied;
We come to speak with him.—Ulysses, enter you.
AGAMEMNON
In second voice we’ll not be satisfied;
We come to speak with him.—Ulysses, enter you.
ULYSSES exits, with PATROCLUS.
ULYSSES exits, with PATROCLUS.
AJAX  
150
What is he more than another?
AJAX  
What is he more than another?
AGAMEMNON  
No more than what he thinks he is.
AGAMEMNON  
No more than what he thinks he is.
AJAX  
Is he so much? Do you not think he thinks himself
a better man than I am?
AJAX  
Is he so much? Do you not think he thinks himself
a better man than I am?
AGAMEMNON  
No question.
AGAMEMNON  
No question.
AJAX  
155
Will you subscribe his thought and say he is?
AJAX  
Will you subscribe his thought and say he is?
AGAMEMNON  
No, noble Ajax. You are as strong, as
valiant, as wise, no less noble, much more gentle,
and altogether more tractable.
AGAMEMNON  
No, noble Ajax. You are as strong, as
valiant, as wise, no less noble, much more gentle,
and altogether more tractable.
AJAX  
Why should a man be proud? How doth pride
160
grow? I know not what pride is.
AJAX  
Why should a man be proud? How doth pride
grow? I know not what pride is.
AGAMEMNON  
Your mind is the clearer, Ajax, and your
virtues the fairer. He that is proud eats up himself.
Pride is his own glass, his own trumpet, his own
chronicle; and whatever praises itself but in the
165
deed devours the deed in the praise.
AGAMEMNON  
Your mind is the clearer, Ajax, and your
virtues the fairer. He that is proud eats up himself.
Pride is his own glass, his own trumpet, his own
chronicle; and whatever praises itself but in the
deed devours the deed in the praise.
AJAX  
I do hate a proud man as I hate the engendering
of toads.
AJAX  
I do hate a proud man as I hate the engendering
of toads.
NESTOR , aside
And yet he loves himself. Is ’t not strange?
NESTOR , aside
And yet he loves himself. Is ’t not strange?
Enter ULYSSES.
Enter ULYSSES.
ULYSSES
Achilles will not to the field tomorrow.
ULYSSES
Achilles will not to the field tomorrow.
AGAMEMNON
170
What’s his excuse?
AGAMEMNON
What’s his excuse?
ULYSSES  
He doth rely on none,
But carries on the stream of his dispose,
Without observance or respect of any,
In will peculiar and in self-admission.
ULYSSES  
He doth rely on none,
But carries on the stream of his dispose,
Without observance or respect of any,
In will peculiar and in self-admission.
AGAMEMNON
175
Why, will he not, upon our fair request,
Untent his person and share th’ air with us?
AGAMEMNON
Why, will he not, upon our fair request,
Untent his person and share th’ air with us?
ULYSSES
Things small as nothing, for request’s sake only,
He makes important. Possessed he is with greatness
And speaks not to himself but with a pride
180
That quarrels at self-breath. Imagined worth
Holds in his blood such swoll’n and hot discourse
That ’twixt his mental and his active parts
Kingdomed Achilles in commotion rages
And batters down himself. What should I say?
185
He is so plaguy proud that the death-tokens of it
Cry “No recovery.”
ULYSSES
Things small as nothing, for request’s sake only,
He makes important. Possessed he is with greatness
And speaks not to himself but with a pride
That quarrels at self-breath. Imagined worth
Holds in his blood such swoll’n and hot discourse
That ’twixt his mental and his active parts
Kingdomed Achilles in commotion rages
And batters down himself. What should I say?
He is so plaguy proud that the death-tokens of it
Cry “No recovery.”
AGAMEMNON  
Let Ajax go to him.—
Dear lord, go you and greet him in his tent.
’Tis said he holds you well and will be led
190
At your request a little from himself.
AGAMEMNON  
Let Ajax go to him.—
Dear lord, go you and greet him in his tent.
’Tis said he holds you well and will be led
At your request a little from himself.
ULYSSES
O Agamemnon, let it not be so!
We’ll consecrate the steps that Ajax makes
When they go from Achilles. Shall the proud lord
That bastes his arrogance with his own seam
195
And never suffers matter of the world
Enter his thoughts, save such as doth revolve
And ruminate himself—shall he be worshipped
Of that we hold an idol more than he?
No. This thrice-worthy and right valiant lord
200
Shall not so stale his palm, nobly acquired,
Nor, by my will, assubjugate his merit,
As amply titled as Achilles is,
By going to Achilles.
That were to enlard his fat-already pride
205
And add more coals to Cancer when he burns
With entertaining great Hyperion.
This lord go to him? Jupiter forbid
And say in thunder “Achilles, go to him.”
ULYSSES
O Agamemnon, let it not be so!
We’ll consecrate the steps that Ajax makes
When they go from Achilles. Shall the proud lord
That bastes his arrogance with his own seam
And never suffers matter of the world
Enter his thoughts, save such as doth revolve
And ruminate himself—shall he be worshipped
Of that we hold an idol more than he?
No. This thrice-worthy and right valiant lord
Shall not so stale his palm, nobly acquired,
Nor, by my will, assubjugate his merit,
As amply titled as Achilles is,
By going to Achilles.
That were to enlard his fat-already pride
And add more coals to Cancer when he burns
With entertaining great Hyperion.
This lord go to him? Jupiter forbid
And say in thunder “Achilles, go to him.”
NESTOR , aside to DIOMEDES
O, this is well; he rubs the vein of him.
NESTOR , aside to DIOMEDES
O, this is well; he rubs the vein of him.
DIOMEDES , aside to NESTOR
210
And how his silence drinks up this applause!
DIOMEDES , aside to NESTOR
And how his silence drinks up this applause!
AJAX
If I go to him, with my rmed fist
I’ll pash him o’er the face.
AJAX
If I go to him, with my rmed fist
I’ll pash him o’er the face.
AGAMEMNON  
O, no, you shall not go.
AGAMEMNON  
O, no, you shall not go.
AJAX  
An he be proud with me, I’ll feeze his pride.
215
Let me go to him.
AJAX  
An he be proud with me, I’ll feeze his pride.
Let me go to him.
ULYSSES
Not for the worth that hangs upon our quarrel.
ULYSSES
Not for the worth that hangs upon our quarrel.
AJAX  
A paltry, insolent fellow.
AJAX  
A paltry, insolent fellow.
NESTOR , aside
How he describes himself!
NESTOR , aside
How he describes himself!
AJAX  
Can he not be sociable?
AJAX  
Can he not be sociable?
ULYSSES , aside
220
The raven chides blackness.
ULYSSES , aside
The raven chides blackness.
AJAX  
I’ll let his humorous blood.
AJAX  
I’ll let his humorous blood.
AGAMEMNON , aside
He will be the physician that
should be the patient.
AGAMEMNON , aside
He will be the physician that
should be the patient.
AJAX  
An all men were of my mind—
AJAX  
An all men were of my mind—
ULYSSES , aside
225
Wit would be out of fashion.
ULYSSES , aside
Wit would be out of fashion.
AJAX  
—he should not bear it so; he should eat swords
first. Shall pride carry it?
AJAX  
—he should not bear it so; he should eat swords
first. Shall pride carry it?
NESTOR , aside
An ’twould, you’d carry half.
NESTOR , aside
An ’twould, you’d carry half.
ULYSSES , aside
He would have ten shares.
ULYSSES , aside
He would have ten shares.
AJAX  
230
I will knead him; I’ll make him supple.
AJAX  
I will knead him; I’ll make him supple.
NESTOR , aside
He’s not yet through warm. Force him
with praises. Pour in, pour in; his ambition is dry.
NESTOR , aside
He’s not yet through warm. Force him
with praises. Pour in, pour in; his ambition is dry.
ULYSSES , to AGAMEMNON
My lord, you feed too much on this dislike.
ULYSSES , to AGAMEMNON
My lord, you feed too much on this dislike.
NESTOR , to AGAMEMNON
Our noble general, do not do so.
NESTOR , to AGAMEMNON
Our noble general, do not do so.
DIOMEDES , to AGAMEMNON
235
You must prepare to fight without Achilles.
DIOMEDES , to AGAMEMNON
You must prepare to fight without Achilles.
ULYSSES
Why, ’tis this naming of him does him harm.
Here is a man—but ’tis before his face;
I will be silent.
ULYSSES
Why, ’tis this naming of him does him harm.
Here is a man—but ’tis before his face;
I will be silent.
NESTOR  
Wherefore should you so?
240
He is not emulous, as Achilles is.
NESTOR  
Wherefore should you so?
He is not emulous, as Achilles is.
ULYSSES
Know the whole world, he is as valiant—
ULYSSES
Know the whole world, he is as valiant—
AJAX  
A whoreson dog, that shall palter with us thus!
Would he were a Trojan!
AJAX  
A whoreson dog, that shall palter with us thus!
Would he were a Trojan!
NESTOR  
What a vice were it in Ajax now—
NESTOR  
What a vice were it in Ajax now—
ULYSSES  
245
If he were proud—
ULYSSES  
If he were proud—
DIOMEDES  
Or covetous of praise—
DIOMEDES  
Or covetous of praise—
ULYSSES  
Ay, or surly borne—
ULYSSES  
Ay, or surly borne—
DIOMEDES  
Or strange, or self-affected—
DIOMEDES  
Or strange, or self-affected—
ULYSSES ,  to AJAX
Thank the heavens, lord, thou art of sweet
250
composure.
Praise him that gat thee, she that gave thee suck;
Famed be thy tutor, and thy parts of nature
Thrice famed beyond, beyond thy erudition;
But he that disciplined thine arms to fight,
255
Let Mars divide eternity in twain
And give him half; and for thy vigor,
Bull-bearing Milo his addition yield
To sinewy Ajax. I will not praise thy wisdom,
Which like a bourn, a pale, a shore confines
260
Thy spacious and dilated parts. Here’s Nestor,
Instructed by the antiquary times;
He must, he is, he cannot but be wise.—
But pardon, father Nestor, were your days
As green as Ajax’ and your brain so tempered,
265
You should not have the eminence of him,
But be as Ajax.
ULYSSES ,  to AJAX
Thank the heavens, lord, thou art of sweet
composure.
Praise him that gat thee, she that gave thee suck;
Famed be thy tutor, and thy parts of nature
Thrice famed beyond, beyond thy erudition;
But he that disciplined thine arms to fight,
Let Mars divide eternity in twain
And give him half; and for thy vigor,
Bull-bearing Milo his addition yield
To sinewy Ajax. I will not praise thy wisdom,
Which like a bourn, a pale, a shore confines
Thy spacious and dilated parts. Here’s Nestor,
Instructed by the antiquary times;
He must, he is, he cannot but be wise.—
But pardon, father Nestor, were your days
As green as Ajax’ and your brain so tempered,
You should not have the eminence of him,
But be as Ajax.
AJAX  
Shall I call you father?
AJAX  
Shall I call you father?
NESTOR
Ay, my good son.
NESTOR
Ay, my good son.
DIOMEDES  
Be ruled by him, Lord Ajax.
DIOMEDES  
Be ruled by him, Lord Ajax.
ULYSSES
270
There is no tarrying here; the hart Achilles
Keeps thicket. Please it our great general
To call together all his state of war.
Fresh kings are come to Troy. Tomorrow
We must with all our main of power stand fast.
275
And here’s a lord—come knights from east to west
And cull their flower, Ajax shall cope the best.
ULYSSES
There is no tarrying here; the hart Achilles
Keeps thicket. Please it our great general
To call together all his state of war.
Fresh kings are come to Troy. Tomorrow
We must with all our main of power stand fast.
And here’s a lord—come knights from east to west
And cull their flower, Ajax shall cope the best.
AGAMEMNON
Go we to council. Let Achilles sleep.
Light boats sail swift, though greater hulks draw deep.
AGAMEMNON
Go we to council. Let Achilles sleep.
Light boats sail swift, though greater hulks draw deep.
They exit.
They exit.

Original Text

Modern Text
Enter THERSITES, alone.
Enter THERSITES, alone.
THERSITES  
How now, Thersites? What, lost in the
labyrinth of thy fury? Shall the elephant Ajax carry
it thus? He beats me, and I rail at him. O, worthy
satisfaction! Would it were otherwise, that I could
5
beat him whilst he railed at me. ’Sfoot, I’ll learn to
conjure and raise devils but I’ll see some issue of
my spiteful execrations. Then there’s Achilles, a
rare enginer! If Troy be not taken till these two undermine
it, the walls will stand till they fall of
10
themselves. O thou great thunder-darter of Olympus,
forget that thou art Jove, the king of gods;
and, Mercury, lose all the serpentine craft of thy
caduceus, if you take not that little, little, less than
little wit from them that they have, which short-armed
15
ignorance itself knows is so abundant
scarce it will not in circumvention deliver a fly
from a spider without drawing their massy irons
and cutting the web. After this, the vengeance on
the whole camp! Or rather, the Neapolitan bone-ache!
20
For that, methinks, is the curse depending
on those that war for a placket. I have said my
prayers, and devil Envy say “Amen.”—What ho,
my lord Achilles!
THERSITES  
How now, Thersites? What, lost in the
labyrinth of thy fury? Shall the elephant Ajax carry
it thus? He beats me, and I rail at him. O, worthy
satisfaction! Would it were otherwise, that I could
beat him whilst he railed at me. ’Sfoot, I’ll learn to
conjure and raise devils but I’ll see some issue of
my spiteful execrations. Then there’s Achilles, a
rare enginer! If Troy be not taken till these two undermine
it, the walls will stand till they fall of
themselves. O thou great thunder-darter of Olympus,
forget that thou art Jove, the king of gods;
and, Mercury, lose all the serpentine craft of thy
caduceus, if you take not that little, little, less than
little wit from them that they have, which short-armed
ignorance itself knows is so abundant
scarce it will not in circumvention deliver a fly
from a spider without drawing their massy irons
and cutting the web. After this, the vengeance on
the whole camp! Or rather, the Neapolitan bone-ache!
For that, methinks, is the curse depending
on those that war for a placket. I have said my
prayers, and devil Envy say “Amen.”—What ho,
my lord Achilles!
PATROCLUS , within
Who’s there? Thersites? Good
25
Thersites, come in and rail.
PATROCLUS , within
Who’s there? Thersites? Good
Thersites, come in and rail.
THERSITES  
If I could ’a remembered a gilt counterfeit,
thou couldst not have slipped out of my contemplation.
But it is no matter. Thyself upon thyself! The
common curse of mankind, folly and ignorance,
30
be thine in great revenue! Heaven bless thee from
a tutor, and discipline come not near thee! Let thy
blood be thy direction till thy death; then if she
that lays thee out says thou art a fair corse, I’ll be
sworn and sworn upon ’t she never shrouded any
35
but lazars. Amen.
THERSITES  
If I could ’a remembered a gilt counterfeit,
thou couldst not have slipped out of my contemplation.
But it is no matter. Thyself upon thyself! The
common curse of mankind, folly and ignorance,
be thine in great revenue! Heaven bless thee from
a tutor, and discipline come not near thee! Let thy
blood be thy direction till thy death; then if she
that lays thee out says thou art a fair corse, I’ll be
sworn and sworn upon ’t she never shrouded any
but lazars. Amen.
Enter PATROCLUS.
Enter PATROCLUS.
Where’s Achilles?
Where’s Achilles?
PATROCLUS  
What, art thou devout? Wast thou in
prayer?
PATROCLUS  
What, art thou devout? Wast thou in
prayer?
THERSITES  
Ay. The heavens hear me!
THERSITES  
Ay. The heavens hear me!
PATROCLUS  
40
Amen.
PATROCLUS  
Amen.
ACHILLES , within
Who’s there?
ACHILLES , within
Who’s there?
PATROCLUS  
Thersites, my lord.
PATROCLUS  
Thersites, my lord.
ACHILLES , within
Where? Where? O, where?
ACHILLES , within
Where? Where? O, where?
Enter ACHILLES.
Enter ACHILLES.
To THERSITES.
Art thou come? Why, my cheese, my
45
digestion, why hast thou not served thyself in to my
table so many meals? Come, what’s Agamemnon?
To THERSITES.
Art thou come? Why, my cheese, my
digestion, why hast thou not served thyself in to my
table so many meals? Come, what’s Agamemnon?
THERSITES  
Thy commander, Achilles.—Then, tell me,
Patroclus, what’s Achilles?
THERSITES  
Thy commander, Achilles.—Then, tell me,
Patroclus, what’s Achilles?
PATROCLUS  
Thy lord, Thersites. Then, tell me, I pray
50
thee, what’s Thersites?
PATROCLUS  
Thy lord, Thersites. Then, tell me, I pray
thee, what’s Thersites?
THERSITES  
Thy knower, Patroclus. Then, tell me, Patroclus,
what art thou?
THERSITES  
Thy knower, Patroclus. Then, tell me, Patroclus,
what art thou?
PATROCLUS  
Thou must tell that knowest.
O tell, tell.
PATROCLUS  
Thou must tell that knowest.
O tell, tell.
THERSITES  
55
I’ll decline the whole question. Agamemnon
commands Achilles, Achilles is my lord, I am
Patroclus’ knower, and Patroclus is a fool.
THERSITES  
I’ll decline the whole question. Agamemnon
commands Achilles, Achilles is my lord, I am
Patroclus’ knower, and Patroclus is a fool.
PATROCLUS  
You rascal!
PATROCLUS  
You rascal!
THERSITES  
Peace, fool. I have not done.
THERSITES  
Peace, fool. I have not done.
ACHILLES , to PATROCLUS
60
He is a privileged man.—Proceed,
Thersites.
ACHILLES , to PATROCLUS
He is a privileged man.—Proceed,
Thersites.
THERSITES  
Agamemnon is a fool, Achilles is a fool,
Thersites is a fool, and, as aforesaid, Patroclus is a
fool.
THERSITES  
Agamemnon is a fool, Achilles is a fool,
Thersites is a fool, and, as aforesaid, Patroclus is a
fool.
ACHILLES  
65
Derive this. Come.
ACHILLES  
Derive this. Come.
THERSITES  
Agamemnon is a fool to offer to command
Achilles, Achilles is a fool to be commanded of
Agamemnon, Thersites is a fool to serve such a fool,
and this Patroclus is a fool positive.
THERSITES  
Agamemnon is a fool to offer to command
Achilles, Achilles is a fool to be commanded of
Agamemnon, Thersites is a fool to serve such a fool,
and this Patroclus is a fool positive.
PATROCLUS  
70
Why am I a fool?
PATROCLUS  
Why am I a fool?
THERSITES  
Make that demand of the creator. It suffices
me thou art.
THERSITES  
Make that demand of the creator. It suffices
me thou art.
Enter at a distance AGAMEMNON, ULYSSES, NESTOR,
DIOMEDES , AJAX, and CALCHAS.
Enter at a distance AGAMEMNON, ULYSSES, NESTOR,
DIOMEDES , AJAX, and CALCHAS.
Look you, who comes here?
Look you, who comes here?
ACHILLES  
Patroclus, I’ll speak with nobody.—Come in
75
with me, Thersites.
ACHILLES  
Patroclus, I’ll speak with nobody.—Come in
with me, Thersites.
He exits.
He exits.
THERSITES  
Here is such patchery, such juggling, and
such knavery. All the argument is a whore and a
cuckold, a good quarrel to draw emulous factions
and bleed to death upon. Now the dry serpigo on
80
the subject, and war and lechery confound all!
THERSITES  
Here is such patchery, such juggling, and
such knavery. All the argument is a whore and a
cuckold, a good quarrel to draw emulous factions
and bleed to death upon. Now the dry serpigo on
the subject, and war and lechery confound all!
He exits.
He exits.
AGAMEMNON , to PATROCLUS
Where is Achilles?
AGAMEMNON , to PATROCLUS
Where is Achilles?
PATROCLUS
Within his tent, but ill-disposed, my lord.
PATROCLUS
Within his tent, but ill-disposed, my lord.
AGAMEMNON
Let it be known to him that we are here.
He shent our messengers, and we lay by
85
Our appertainments, visiting of him.
Let him be told so, lest perchance he think
We dare not move the question of our place
Or know not what we are.
AGAMEMNON
Let it be known to him that we are here.
He shent our messengers, and we lay by
Our appertainments, visiting of him.
Let him be told so, lest perchance he think
We dare not move the question of our place
Or know not what we are.
PATROCLUS  
I shall say so to him.
PATROCLUS  
I shall say so to him.
He exits.
He exits.
ULYSSES
90
We saw him at the opening of his tent.
He is not sick.
ULYSSES
We saw him at the opening of his tent.
He is not sick.
AJAX  
Yes, lion-sick, sick of proud heart. You may call
it melancholy if you will favor the man, but, by my
head, ’tis pride. But, why, why? Let him show us a
95
cause.— A word, my lord.
AJAX  
Yes, lion-sick, sick of proud heart. You may call
it melancholy if you will favor the man, but, by my
head, ’tis pride. But, why, why? Let him show us a
cause.— A word, my lord.
He and AGAMEMNON walk aside.
He and AGAMEMNON walk aside.
NESTOR  
What moves Ajax thus to bay at him?
NESTOR  
What moves Ajax thus to bay at him?
ULYSSES  
Achilles hath inveigled his fool from him.
ULYSSES  
Achilles hath inveigled his fool from him.
NESTOR  
Who, Thersites?
NESTOR  
Who, Thersites?
ULYSSES  
He.
ULYSSES  
He.
NESTOR  
100
Then will Ajax lack matter, if he have lost his
argument.
NESTOR  
Then will Ajax lack matter, if he have lost his
argument.
ULYSSES  
No. You see, he is his argument that has his
argument: Achilles.
ULYSSES  
No. You see, he is his argument that has his
argument: Achilles.
NESTOR  
All the better. Their fraction is more our wish
105
than their faction. But it was a strong composure a
fool could disunite.
NESTOR  
All the better. Their fraction is more our wish
than their faction. But it was a strong composure a
fool could disunite.
ULYSSES  
The amity that wisdom knits not, folly may
easily untie.
ULYSSES  
The amity that wisdom knits not, folly may
easily untie.
Enter PATROCLUS.
Enter PATROCLUS.
Here comes Patroclus.
Here comes Patroclus.
NESTOR  
110
No Achilles with him.
NESTOR  
No Achilles with him.
ULYSSES  
The elephant hath joints, but none for courtesy;
his legs are legs for necessity, not for flexure.
ULYSSES  
The elephant hath joints, but none for courtesy;
his legs are legs for necessity, not for flexure.
PATROCLUS , to AGAMEMNON
Achilles bids me say he is much sorry
If anything more than your sport and pleasure
115
Did move your greatness and this noble state
To call upon him. He hopes it is no other
But for your health and your digestion sake,
An after-dinner’s breath.
PATROCLUS , to AGAMEMNON
Achilles bids me say he is much sorry
If anything more than your sport and pleasure
Did move your greatness and this noble state
To call upon him. He hopes it is no other
But for your health and your digestion sake,
An after-dinner’s breath.
AGAMEMNON  
Hear you, Patroclus:
120
We are too well acquainted with these answers,
But his evasion, winged thus swift with scorn,
Cannot outfly our apprehensions.
Much attribute he hath, and much the reason
Why we ascribe it to him. Yet all his virtues,
125
Not virtuously on his own part beheld,
Do in our eyes begin to lose their gloss,
Yea, and like fair fruit in an unwholesome dish,
Are like to rot untasted. Go and tell him
We come to speak with him; and you shall not sin
130
If you do say we think him overproud
And underhonest, in self-assumption greater
Than in the note of judgment; and worthier than
himself
Here tend the savage strangeness he puts on,
135
Disguise the holy strength of their command,
And underwrite in an observing kind
His humorous predominance—yea, watch
His course and time, his ebbs and flows, as if
The passage and whole carriage of this action
140
Rode on his tide. Go tell him this, and add
That, if he overhold his price so much,
We’ll none of him. But let him, like an engine
Not portable, lie under this report:
“Bring action hither; this cannot go to war.”
145
A stirring dwarf we do allowance give
Before a sleeping giant. Tell him so.
AGAMEMNON  
Hear you, Patroclus:
We are too well acquainted with these answers,
But his evasion, winged thus swift with scorn,
Cannot outfly our apprehensions.
Much attribute he hath, and much the reason
Why we ascribe it to him. Yet all his virtues,
Not virtuously on his own part beheld,
Do in our eyes begin to lose their gloss,
Yea, and like fair fruit in an unwholesome dish,
Are like to rot untasted. Go and tell him
We come to speak with him; and you shall not sin
If you do say we think him overproud
And underhonest, in self-assumption greater
Than in the note of judgment; and worthier than
himself
Here tend the savage strangeness he puts on,
Disguise the holy strength of their command,
And underwrite in an observing kind
His humorous predominance—yea, watch
His course and time, his ebbs and flows, as if
The passage and whole carriage of this action
Rode on his tide. Go tell him this, and add
That, if he overhold his price so much,
We’ll none of him. But let him, like an engine
Not portable, lie under this report:
“Bring action hither; this cannot go to war.”
A stirring dwarf we do allowance give
Before a sleeping giant. Tell him so.
PATROCLUS
I shall, and bring his answer presently.
PATROCLUS
I shall, and bring his answer presently.
AGAMEMNON
In second voice we’ll not be satisfied;
We come to speak with him.—Ulysses, enter you.
AGAMEMNON
In second voice we’ll not be satisfied;
We come to speak with him.—Ulysses, enter you.
ULYSSES exits, with PATROCLUS.
ULYSSES exits, with PATROCLUS.
AJAX  
150
What is he more than another?
AJAX  
What is he more than another?
AGAMEMNON  
No more than what he thinks he is.
AGAMEMNON  
No more than what he thinks he is.
AJAX  
Is he so much? Do you not think he thinks himself
a better man than I am?
AJAX  
Is he so much? Do you not think he thinks himself
a better man than I am?
AGAMEMNON  
No question.
AGAMEMNON  
No question.
AJAX  
155
Will you subscribe his thought and say he is?
AJAX  
Will you subscribe his thought and say he is?
AGAMEMNON  
No, noble Ajax. You are as strong, as
valiant, as wise, no less noble, much more gentle,
and altogether more tractable.
AGAMEMNON  
No, noble Ajax. You are as strong, as
valiant, as wise, no less noble, much more gentle,
and altogether more tractable.
AJAX  
Why should a man be proud? How doth pride
160
grow? I know not what pride is.
AJAX  
Why should a man be proud? How doth pride
grow? I know not what pride is.
AGAMEMNON  
Your mind is the clearer, Ajax, and your
virtues the fairer. He that is proud eats up himself.
Pride is his own glass, his own trumpet, his own
chronicle; and whatever praises itself but in the
165
deed devours the deed in the praise.
AGAMEMNON  
Your mind is the clearer, Ajax, and your
virtues the fairer. He that is proud eats up himself.
Pride is his own glass, his own trumpet, his own
chronicle; and whatever praises itself but in the
deed devours the deed in the praise.
AJAX  
I do hate a proud man as I hate the engendering
of toads.
AJAX  
I do hate a proud man as I hate the engendering
of toads.
NESTOR , aside
And yet he loves himself. Is ’t not strange?
NESTOR , aside
And yet he loves himself. Is ’t not strange?
Enter ULYSSES.
Enter ULYSSES.
ULYSSES
Achilles will not to the field tomorrow.
ULYSSES
Achilles will not to the field tomorrow.
AGAMEMNON
170
What’s his excuse?
AGAMEMNON
What’s his excuse?
ULYSSES  
He doth rely on none,
But carries on the stream of his dispose,
Without observance or respect of any,
In will peculiar and in self-admission.
ULYSSES  
He doth rely on none,
But carries on the stream of his dispose,
Without observance or respect of any,
In will peculiar and in self-admission.
AGAMEMNON
175
Why, will he not, upon our fair request,
Untent his person and share th’ air with us?
AGAMEMNON
Why, will he not, upon our fair request,
Untent his person and share th’ air with us?
ULYSSES
Things small as nothing, for request’s sake only,
He makes important. Possessed he is with greatness
And speaks not to himself but with a pride
180
That quarrels at self-breath. Imagined worth
Holds in his blood such swoll’n and hot discourse
That ’twixt his mental and his active parts
Kingdomed Achilles in commotion rages
And batters down himself. What should I say?
185
He is so plaguy proud that the death-tokens of it
Cry “No recovery.”
ULYSSES
Things small as nothing, for request’s sake only,
He makes important. Possessed he is with greatness
And speaks not to himself but with a pride
That quarrels at self-breath. Imagined worth
Holds in his blood such swoll’n and hot discourse
That ’twixt his mental and his active parts
Kingdomed Achilles in commotion rages
And batters down himself. What should I say?
He is so plaguy proud that the death-tokens of it
Cry “No recovery.”
AGAMEMNON  
Let Ajax go to him.—
Dear lord, go you and greet him in his tent.
’Tis said he holds you well and will be led
190
At your request a little from himself.
AGAMEMNON  
Let Ajax go to him.—
Dear lord, go you and greet him in his tent.
’Tis said he holds you well and will be led
At your request a little from himself.
ULYSSES
O Agamemnon, let it not be so!
We’ll consecrate the steps that Ajax makes
When they go from Achilles. Shall the proud lord
That bastes his arrogance with his own seam
195
And never suffers matter of the world
Enter his thoughts, save such as doth revolve
And ruminate himself—shall he be worshipped
Of that we hold an idol more than he?
No. This thrice-worthy and right valiant lord
200
Shall not so stale his palm, nobly acquired,
Nor, by my will, assubjugate his merit,
As amply titled as Achilles is,
By going to Achilles.
That were to enlard his fat-already pride
205
And add more coals to Cancer when he burns
With entertaining great Hyperion.
This lord go to him? Jupiter forbid
And say in thunder “Achilles, go to him.”
ULYSSES
O Agamemnon, let it not be so!
We’ll consecrate the steps that Ajax makes
When they go from Achilles. Shall the proud lord
That bastes his arrogance with his own seam
And never suffers matter of the world
Enter his thoughts, save such as doth revolve
And ruminate himself—shall he be worshipped
Of that we hold an idol more than he?
No. This thrice-worthy and right valiant lord
Shall not so stale his palm, nobly acquired,
Nor, by my will, assubjugate his merit,
As amply titled as Achilles is,
By going to Achilles.
That were to enlard his fat-already pride
And add more coals to Cancer when he burns
With entertaining great Hyperion.
This lord go to him? Jupiter forbid
And say in thunder “Achilles, go to him.”
NESTOR , aside to DIOMEDES
O, this is well; he rubs the vein of him.
NESTOR , aside to DIOMEDES
O, this is well; he rubs the vein of him.
DIOMEDES , aside to NESTOR
210
And how his silence drinks up this applause!
DIOMEDES , aside to NESTOR
And how his silence drinks up this applause!
AJAX
If I go to him, with my rmed fist
I’ll pash him o’er the face.
AJAX
If I go to him, with my rmed fist
I’ll pash him o’er the face.
AGAMEMNON  
O, no, you shall not go.
AGAMEMNON  
O, no, you shall not go.
AJAX  
An he be proud with me, I’ll feeze his pride.
215
Let me go to him.
AJAX  
An he be proud with me, I’ll feeze his pride.
Let me go to him.
ULYSSES
Not for the worth that hangs upon our quarrel.
ULYSSES
Not for the worth that hangs upon our quarrel.
AJAX  
A paltry, insolent fellow.
AJAX  
A paltry, insolent fellow.
NESTOR , aside
How he describes himself!
NESTOR , aside
How he describes himself!
AJAX  
Can he not be sociable?
AJAX  
Can he not be sociable?
ULYSSES , aside
220
The raven chides blackness.
ULYSSES , aside
The raven chides blackness.
AJAX  
I’ll let his humorous blood.
AJAX  
I’ll let his humorous blood.
AGAMEMNON , aside
He will be the physician that
should be the patient.
AGAMEMNON , aside
He will be the physician that
should be the patient.
AJAX  
An all men were of my mind—
AJAX  
An all men were of my mind—
ULYSSES , aside
225
Wit would be out of fashion.
ULYSSES , aside
Wit would be out of fashion.
AJAX  
—he should not bear it so; he should eat swords
first. Shall pride carry it?
AJAX  
—he should not bear it so; he should eat swords
first. Shall pride carry it?
NESTOR , aside
An ’twould, you’d carry half.
NESTOR , aside
An ’twould, you’d carry half.
ULYSSES , aside
He would have ten shares.
ULYSSES , aside
He would have ten shares.
AJAX  
230
I will knead him; I’ll make him supple.
AJAX  
I will knead him; I’ll make him supple.
NESTOR , aside
He’s not yet through warm. Force him
with praises. Pour in, pour in; his ambition is dry.
NESTOR , aside
He’s not yet through warm. Force him
with praises. Pour in, pour in; his ambition is dry.
ULYSSES , to AGAMEMNON
My lord, you feed too much on this dislike.
ULYSSES , to AGAMEMNON
My lord, you feed too much on this dislike.
NESTOR , to AGAMEMNON
Our noble general, do not do so.
NESTOR , to AGAMEMNON
Our noble general, do not do so.
DIOMEDES , to AGAMEMNON
235
You must prepare to fight without Achilles.
DIOMEDES , to AGAMEMNON
You must prepare to fight without Achilles.
ULYSSES
Why, ’tis this naming of him does him harm.
Here is a man—but ’tis before his face;
I will be silent.
ULYSSES
Why, ’tis this naming of him does him harm.
Here is a man—but ’tis before his face;
I will be silent.
NESTOR  
Wherefore should you so?
240
He is not emulous, as Achilles is.
NESTOR  
Wherefore should you so?
He is not emulous, as Achilles is.
ULYSSES
Know the whole world, he is as valiant—
ULYSSES
Know the whole world, he is as valiant—
AJAX  
A whoreson dog, that shall palter with us thus!
Would he were a Trojan!
AJAX  
A whoreson dog, that shall palter with us thus!
Would he were a Trojan!
NESTOR  
What a vice were it in Ajax now—
NESTOR  
What a vice were it in Ajax now—
ULYSSES  
245
If he were proud—
ULYSSES  
If he were proud—
DIOMEDES  
Or covetous of praise—
DIOMEDES  
Or covetous of praise—
ULYSSES  
Ay, or surly borne—
ULYSSES  
Ay, or surly borne—
DIOMEDES  
Or strange, or self-affected—
DIOMEDES  
Or strange, or self-affected—
ULYSSES ,  to AJAX
Thank the heavens, lord, thou art of sweet
250
composure.
Praise him that gat thee, she that gave thee suck;
Famed be thy tutor, and thy parts of nature
Thrice famed beyond, beyond thy erudition;
But he that disciplined thine arms to fight,
255
Let Mars divide eternity in twain
And give him half; and for thy vigor,
Bull-bearing Milo his addition yield
To sinewy Ajax. I will not praise thy wisdom,
Which like a bourn, a pale, a shore confines
260
Thy spacious and dilated parts. Here’s Nestor,
Instructed by the antiquary times;
He must, he is, he cannot but be wise.—
But pardon, father Nestor, were your days
As green as Ajax’ and your brain so tempered,
265
You should not have the eminence of him,
But be as Ajax.
ULYSSES ,  to AJAX
Thank the heavens, lord, thou art of sweet
composure.
Praise him that gat thee, she that gave thee suck;
Famed be thy tutor, and thy parts of nature
Thrice famed beyond, beyond thy erudition;
But he that disciplined thine arms to fight,
Let Mars divide eternity in twain
And give him half; and for thy vigor,
Bull-bearing Milo his addition yield
To sinewy Ajax. I will not praise thy wisdom,
Which like a bourn, a pale, a shore confines
Thy spacious and dilated parts. Here’s Nestor,
Instructed by the antiquary times;
He must, he is, he cannot but be wise.—
But pardon, father Nestor, were your days
As green as Ajax’ and your brain so tempered,
You should not have the eminence of him,
But be as Ajax.
AJAX  
Shall I call you father?
AJAX  
Shall I call you father?
NESTOR
Ay, my good son.
NESTOR
Ay, my good son.
DIOMEDES  
Be ruled by him, Lord Ajax.
DIOMEDES  
Be ruled by him, Lord Ajax.
ULYSSES
270
There is no tarrying here; the hart Achilles
Keeps thicket. Please it our great general
To call together all his state of war.
Fresh kings are come to Troy. Tomorrow
We must with all our main of power stand fast.
275
And here’s a lord—come knights from east to west
And cull their flower, Ajax shall cope the best.
ULYSSES
There is no tarrying here; the hart Achilles
Keeps thicket. Please it our great general
To call together all his state of war.
Fresh kings are come to Troy. Tomorrow
We must with all our main of power stand fast.
And here’s a lord—come knights from east to west
And cull their flower, Ajax shall cope the best.
AGAMEMNON
Go we to council. Let Achilles sleep.
Light boats sail swift, though greater hulks draw deep.
AGAMEMNON
Go we to council. Let Achilles sleep.
Light boats sail swift, though greater hulks draw deep.
They exit.
They exit.
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