Agamemnonand the hand of Greece
Nestor(hatch'd in Siluer)
Vlyssesspeake.
Ithaca, and be't of lesse expect:
Thersitesopes his Masticke iawes,
Hectorssword had lack'd a Master
Agamemnon:
Here you can read a digital edition of each play in various views.
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Right Column
I Greeke that is my name.
What's your affayre I pray you?
Sir pardon,'tis for
Agamemnons eares.
Amen.
Wel, and how?
And wake him to the answer, thinke you?
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<div type="scene" n="3" rend="notPresent">
<head type="supplied">[Act 1, Scene 3]</head>
<cb n="2"/>
<stage rend="italic center" type="mixed">Senet. Enter Agamemnon, Nestor, Vlysses, Diome
<lb/>des, Menelaus, with others.</stage>
<sp who="#F-tro-aga">
<speaker rend="italic">Agam.</speaker>
<l n="437">Princes:</l>
<l n="438">What greefe hath set the Iaundies on your cheekes?</l>
<l n="439">The ample proposition that hope makes</l>
<l n="440">In all designes, begun on earth below</l>
<l n="441">Fayles in the promist largenesse: checkes and disasters</l>
<l n="442">Grow in the veines of actions highest rear'd.</l>
<l n="443">As knots by the conflux of meeting sap,</l>
<l n="444">Infect the found Pine, and diuerts his Graine</l>
<l n="445">Tortiue and erant from his course of growth.</l>
<l n="446">Not Princes, is it matter new to vs,</l>
<l n="447">That we come short of our suppose so farre,</l>
<l n="448">That after seuen yeares liege, yet Troy walles stand,</l>
<l n="449">Sith euery action that hath gone before,</l>
<l n="450">Where of we haue Record, Triall did draw</l>
<l n="451">Bias and thwart, not answering the ayme:</l>
<l n="452">And that vnbodied figure of the thought</l>
<l n="453">That gaue't surmised shape. Why then (you Princes)</l>
<l n="454">Do you with cheekes abash'd, behold our workes,</l>
<l n="455">And thinke them shame, which are (indeed) nought else</l>
<l n="456">But the protractiue trials of great loue,</l>
<l n="457">To finde persistiue constancie in men?</l>
<l n="458">The finenesse of which Mettall is not found</l>
<l n="459">In Fortunes loue: for then, the Bold and Coward,</l>
<l n="460">The Wise and Foole, the Artist and vn‑read,</l>
<l n="461">The hard and soft, seeme all affin'd, and kin.</l>
<l n="462">But in the Winde and Tempest of her frowne,</l>
<l n="463">Distinction with a lowd and powrefull fan,</l>
<l n="464">Puffing at all, winnowes the light away;</l>
<l n="465">And what hath m<gap extent="1"
unit="chars"
reason="illegible"
agent="partiallyInkedType"
resp="#LMC"/>sse, or matter by it selfe,</l>
<l n="466">Lies rich in Vertue, and vnmingled.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-nes">
<speaker rend="italic">Nestor.</speaker>
<l n="467">With due Obseruance of thy godly seat,</l>
<l n="468">Great<hi rend="italic">Agamemnon, Nestor</hi>shall apply</l>
<l n="469">Thy latest words.</l>
<l n="470">In the reproofe of Chance,</l>
<l n="471">Lies the true proofe of men: The Sea being smooth,</l>
<l n="472">How many shallow bauble Boates dare saile</l>
<l n="473">Vpon her patient brest, making their way</l>
<l n="474">With those of Nobler bulke?</l>
<l n="475">But let the Ruffian<hi rend="italic">Boreas</hi>once enrage</l>
<l n="476">The gentle<hi rend="italic">Thetis</hi>, and anon behold</l>
<l n="477">The strong ribb'd Barke through liquid Mountaines cut,</l>
<l n="478">Bounding betweene the two moyst Elements</l>
<l n="479">Like<hi rend="italic">Perseus</hi>Horse. Where's then the sawcy Boate,</l>
<l n="480">Whose weake vntimber'd sides but euen now</l>
<l n="481">Co‑riual'd Greatnesse<hi rend="italic">?</hi>Either to harbour fled,</l>
<l n="482">Or made a Toste for Neptune, Euen so,</l>
<l n="483">Doth valours shew, and valours worth diuide</l>
<l n="484">In stormes of Fortune.</l>
<l n="485">For, in her ray and brightnesse,</l>
<l n="486">The Heard hath more annoyance by the Brieze</l>
<l n="487">Then by the Tyger: But, when, the splitting winde</l>
<l n="488">Makes flexible the knees of knotted Oakes,</l>
<l n="489">And Flies fled vnder shade, why then</l>
<l n="490">The thing of Courage,</l>
<l n="491">As rowz'd with rage, with rage doth sympathize,</l>
<l n="492">And with an accent tun'd in selfe‑same key,</l>
<l n="493">Retyres to chiding Fortune.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-uly">
<speaker rend="italic">Vlys.</speaker>
<l n="494">
<hi rend="italic">Agamemnon</hi>.</l>
<l n="495">Thou great Commander, Nerue, and Bone of Greece,</l>
<l n="496">Heart of our Numbers, soule, and onely spirit,</l>
<l n="497">In whom the tempers, and the mindes of all</l>
<l n="498">Should be shut vp: Heare what<hi rend="italic">Vlysses</hi>speakes,</l>
<l n="499">Besides the applause and approbation</l>
<l n="500">The which most mighty for thy place and sway,</l>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0594-0.jpg"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<l n="501">And thou most reuerend for thy stretcht‑out life,</l>
<l n="502">I giue to both your speeches: which were such,</l>
<l n="503">As<hi rend="italic">Agamemnon</hi>and the hand of Greece</l>
<l n="504">Should hold vp high in Brasse: and such againe</l>
<l n="505">As venerable<hi rend="italic">Nestor</hi>(hatch'd in Siluer)</l>
<l n="506">Should with a bond of ayre, strong as the Axletree</l>
<l n="507">In which the Heauens ride, knit all Greekes eares</l>
<l n="508">To his experienc'd tongue: yet let it please both</l>
<l n="509">(Thou Great, and Wise) to heare<hi rend="italic">Vlysses</hi>speake.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-aga">
<speaker rend="italic">Aga.</speaker>
<l n="510">Speak Prince of<hi rend="italic">Ithaca</hi>, and be't of lesse expect:</l>
<l n="511">That matter needlesse of importlesse burthen</l>
<l n="512">Diuide thy lips; then we are confident</l>
<l n="513">When ranke<hi rend="italic">Thersites</hi>opes his Masticke iawes,</l>
<l n="514">We shall heare Musicke, Wit, and Oracle.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-uly">
<speaker rend="italic">Vlys.</speaker>
<l n="515">Troy yet vpon his basis had bene downe,</l>
<l n="516">And the great<hi rend="italic">Hectors</hi>sword had lack'd a Master</l>
<l n="517">But for these instances.</l>
<l n="518">The specialty of Rule hath beene neglected;</l>
<l n="519">And looke how many Grecian Tents do stand</l>
<l n="520">Hollow vpon this Plaine, so many hollow Factions.</l>
<l n="521">When that the Generall is not like the Hiue,</l>
<l n="522">To whom the Forragers shall all repaire,</l>
<l n="523">What Hony is expected? Degree being vizarded,</l>
<l n="524">Th'vnworthiest shewes as fairely in the Maske.</l>
<l n="525">The Heauens themselues, the Planets, and this Center,</l>
<l n="526">Obserue degree, priority, and place,</l>
<l n="527">Insisture, course, proportion, season, forme,</l>
<l n="528">Office, and custome, in all line of Order,</l>
<l n="529">And therefore is the glorious Planet Sol</l>
<l n="530">In noble eminence, enthron'd and sphear'd</l>
<l n="531">Amid'st the other, whose med'cinable eye</l>
<l n="532">Corrects the ill Aspects of Planets euill</l>
<l n="533">And postes like the Command'ment of a King,</l>
<l n="534">Sans checke, to good and bad. But when the Planets</l>
<l n="535">In euill mixture to disorder wander,</l>
<l n="536">What Plagues, and what portents, what mutiny?</l>
<l n="537">What raging of the Sea? shaking of Earth?</l>
<l n="538">Commotion in the Windes? Frights, changes, horrors,</l>
<l n="539">Diuert, and cracke, rend and deracinate</l>
<l n="540">The vnity, and married calme of States</l>
<l n="541">Quite from their fixure? O, when Degree is shak'd,</l>
<l n="542">(Which is the Ladder to all high designes)</l>
<l n="543">The enterprize is sicke. How could Communities,</l>
<l n="544">Degrees in Schooles, and Brotber‑hoods in Cities,</l>
<l n="545">Peacefull Commerce from diuidable shores,</l>
<l n="546">The primogenitiue, and due of Byrth,</l>
<l n="547">Prerogatiue of Age, Crownes, Scepters, Lawrels,</l>
<l n="548">(But by Degree) stand in Authentique place?</l>
<l n="549">Take but Degree away, vn‑tune that string,</l>
<l n="550">And hearke what Discord followes: each thing meetes</l>
<l n="551">In mere oppugnancie. The bounded Waters,</l>
<l n="552">Should lift their bosomes higher then the Shores,</l>
<l n="553">And make a soppe of all this solid Globe:</l>
<l n="554">Strength should be Lord of imbecility,</l>
<l n="555">And the rude Sonne should strike his Father dead:</l>
<l n="556">Force should be right, or rather, right and wrong,</l>
<l n="557">(Betweene whose endlesse iarre, Iustice recides)</l>
<l n="558">Should loose her names, and so should Iustice too.</l>
<l n="559">Then euery thing includes it selfe in Power,</l>
<l n="560">Power into Will, Will into Appetite,</l>
<l n="561">And Appetite (an vniuersall Wolfe,</l>
<l n="562">So doubly seconded with Will, and Power)</l>
<l n="563">Must make perforce an vniuersall prey,</l>
<l n="564">And last, eate vp himselfe.</l>
<l n="565">Great<hi rend="italic">Agamemnon</hi>:</l>
<l n="566">This Chaos, when Degree is suffocate,</l>
<cb n="2"/>
<l n="567">Followes the choaking:</l>
<l n="568">And this neglection of Degree, is it</l>
<l n="569">That by a pace goes backward in a purpose</l>
<l n="570">It hath to climbe. The Generall's disdain'd</l>
<l n="571">By him one step below; he, by the next,</l>
<l n="572">That next, by him beneath: so euery step</l>
<l n="573">Exampled by the first pace that is sicke</l>
<l n="574">Of his Superiour, growes to an enuious Feauer</l>
<l n="575">Of pale, and bloodlesse Emulation.</l>
<l n="576">And 'tis this Feauer that keepes Troy on foote,</l>
<l n="577">Not her owne sinewes. To end a tale of length,</l>
<l n="578">Troy in our weaknesse liues, not in her strength.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-nes">
<speaker rend="italic">Nest.</speaker>
<l n="579">Most wisely hath<hi rend="italic">Vlysses</hi>heere discouer'd</l>
<l n="580">The Feauer, where of all our power is sicke.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-aga">
<speaker rend="italic">Aga.</speaker>
<l n="581">The Nature of the sicknesse found<hi rend="italic">(Ulysses)</hi>
</l>
<l n="582">What is the remedie?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-uly">
<speaker rend="italic">Vlys.</speaker>
<l n="583">The great<hi rend="italic">Achilles</hi>, whom Opinion crownes,</l>
<l n="584">The sinew, and the fore‑hand of our Hoste,</l>
<l n="585">Hauing his eare full of his ayery Fame,</l>
<l n="586">Growes dainty of his worth, and in his Tent</l>
<l n="587">Lyes mocking our designes. With him,<hi rend="italic">Patroclus</hi>,</l>
<l n="588">Vpon a lazie Bed, the liue‑long day</l>
<l n="589">Breakes scurrill Iests,</l>
<l n="590">And with ridiculous and aukward action,</l>
<l n="591">(Which Slanderer, he imitation call's)</l>
<l n="592">He Pageants vs. Sometime great<hi rend="italic">Agamemnon</hi>,</l>
<l n="593">Thy toplesse deputation he puts on;</l>
<l n="594">And like a strutting Player, whose conceit</l>
<l n="595">Lies in his Ham‑string, and doth thinke it rich</l>
<l n="596">To heare the woodden Dialogue and sound</l>
<l n="597">'Twixt his stretcht footing, and the Scaffolage,</l>
<l n="598">Such to be pittied, and ore‑rested seeming</l>
<l n="599">He acts thy Greatnesse in: and when he speakes,</l>
<l n="600">'Tis like a Chime a mending. With tearmes vnsquar'd,</l>
<l n="601">Which from the tongue of roaring<hi rend="italic">Typhon</hi>dropt,</l>
<l n="602">Would seemes Hyperboles. At this fusty stuffe,</l>
<l n="603">The large<hi rend="italic">Achilles</hi>(on his prest‐bed lolling)</l>
<l n="604">From his deepe Chest, laughes out a lowd applause,</l>
<l n="605">Cries excellent,'tis<hi rend="italic">Agamemnon</hi>iust.</l>
<l n="606">Now play me<hi rend="italic">Nestor</hi>; hum, and stroke thy Beard</l>
<l n="607">As he, being drest to some Oration</l>
<l n="608">That's done, as neere as the extreamest ends</l>
<l n="609">Of paralels; as like, as<hi rend="italic">Vulcan</hi>and his wife,</l>
<l n="610">Yet god<hi rend="italic">Achilles</hi>still cries excellent,</l>
<l n="611">'Tis<hi rend="italic">Nestor</hi>right. Now play him (me)<hi rend="italic">Patroclus</hi>,</l>
<l n="612">Arming to answer in a night‑Alarme,</l>
<l n="613">And then (forsooth) the faint defects of Age</l>
<l n="614">Must be the Scene of myrth, to cough, and spit,</l>
<l n="615">And with a palsie fumbling on his Gorget,</l>
<l n="616">Shake in and out the Riuet: and at this sport</l>
<l n="617">Sir Valour dies; cries, O enough<hi rend="italic">Patroclus</hi>,</l>
<l n="618">Or, giue me ribs of Steele, I shall split all</l>
<l n="619">In pleasure of my Spleene. And in this fashion,</l>
<l n="620">All our abilities, gifts, natures, shapes,</l>
<l n="621">Seuerals and generals of grace exact,</l>
<l n="622">Atchieuments, plots, orders, preuentions,</l>
<l n="623">Excitements to the field, or speech for truce,</l>
<l n="624">Successe or losse, what is, or is not, serues</l>
<l n="625">As stuffe for these two, to make paradoxes.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-nes">
<speaker rend="italic">Nest.</speaker>
<l n="626">And in the imitation of these twaine,</l>
<l n="627">Who (as<hi rend="italic">Vlysses</hi>sayes) Opinion crownes</l>
<l n="628">With an Imperiall voyce, many are infect:</l>
<l n="629">
<hi rend="italic">Aiax</hi>is growne selfe‑will'd, and beares his head</l>
<l n="630">In such a reyne, in full as proud a place</l>
<l n="631">As broad<hi rend="italic">Achilles</hi>, and keepes his Tent like him;</l>
<l n="632">Makes factious Feasts, railes on our state of Warre</l>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0595-0.jpg"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<l n="633">Bold as an Oracle, and sets<hi rend="italic">Thersites</hi>
</l>
<l n="634">A slaue, whose Gall coines standers like a Mint,</l>
<l n="635">To match vs in comparisons with durt,</l>
<l n="636">To weaken and discredit our exposure,</l>
<l n="637">How ranke soeuer rounded in with danger.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-uly">
<speaker rend="italic">Vlys.</speaker>
<l n="638">They taxe our policy, and call it Cowardice,</l>
<l n="639">Count Wisedome as no member of the Warre,</l>
<l n="640">Fore‑stall prescience, and esteeme no acte</l>
<l n="641">But that of hand: The still and mentall parts,</l>
<l n="642">That do contriue how many hands shall strike</l>
<l n="643">When fitnesse call them on, and know by measure</l>
<l n="644">Of their obseruant toyle, the Enemies waight,</l>
<l n="645">Why this hath not a fingers dignity:</l>
<l n="646">They call this Bed‑worke, Mapp'ry, Closset‑Warre:</l>
<l n="647">So that the Ramme that batters downe the wall,</l>
<l n="648">For the great swing and rudenesse of his poize,</l>
<l n="649">They place before his hand that made the Engine,</l>
<l n="650">Or those that with the finenesse of their soules,</l>
<l n="651">By Reason guide his execution.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-nes">
<speaker rend="italic">Nest.</speaker>
<l n="652">Let this be granted, and<hi rend="italic">Achilles</hi>horse</l>
<l n="653">Makes many<hi rend="italic">Thetis</hi>sonnes.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic inline" type="business">Tucket</stage>
<sp who="#F-tro-aga">
<speaker rend="italic">Aga.</speaker>
<l n="654">What Trumpet? Looke<hi rend="italic">Menelaus</hi>.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-men">
<speaker rend="italic">Men.</speaker>
<l n="655">From Troy.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic inline" type="entrance">Enter Æneas.</stage>
<sp who="#F-tro-aga">
<speaker rend="italic">Aga.</speaker>
<l n="656">What would you 'fore our Tent?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-aen">
<speaker rend="italic">Æne.</speaker>
<l n="657">Is this great<hi rend="italic">Agamemnons</hi>Tent, I pray you?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-aga">
<speaker rend="italic">Aga.</speaker>
<l n="658">Euen this.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-aen">
<speaker rend="italic">Æne.</speaker>
<l n="659">May one that is a Herald, and a Prince,</l>
<l n="660">Do a faire message to his Kingly eares?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-aga">
<speaker rend="italic">Aga.</speaker>
<l n="661">With surety stronger then<hi rend="italic">Achilles</hi>arme,</l>
<l n="662">'Fore all the Greekish heads, which with one voyce</l>
<l n="663">Call<hi rend="italic">Agamemnon</hi>Head and Generall.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-aen">
<speaker rend="italic">Æne.</speaker>
<l n="664">Faire leaue, and large security. How may</l>
<l n="665">A stranger to those most Imperial lookes,</l>
<l n="666">Know them from eyes of other Mortals?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-aga">
<speaker rend="italic">Aga.</speaker>
<l n="667">How?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-aen">
<speaker rend="italic">Æne.</speaker>
<l n="668">I: I aske. that I might waken reuerence,</l>
<l n="669">And on the cheeke be ready with a blush</l>
<l n="670">Modestt as morning. when she coldly eyes</l>
<l n="671">The youthfull Phœbus:</l>
<l n="672">Which is that God in office guiding men?</l>
<l n="673">Which is the high and mighty<hi rend="italic">Agamemnon</hi>?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-aga">
<speaker rend="italic">Aga.</speaker>
<l n="674">This Troyan scornes vs, or the men of Troy</l>
<l n="675">Are ceremonious Courtiers.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-aen">
<speaker rend="italic">Æne.</speaker>
<l n="676">Courtiers as free, as debonnaire; vnarm'd,</l>
<l n="677">As bending Angels: that's their Fame, in peace:</l>
<l n="678">But when they would seeme Souldiers, they haue galles,</l>
<l n="679">Good armes, strong ioynts, true swords, &<hi rend="italic">Ioues</hi>accord,</l>
<l n="680">Nothing so full of heart. But peace<hi rend="italic">Æneas</hi>,</l>
<l n="681">Peace Troyan, lay thy finger on thy lips,</l>
<l n="682">The worthinesse of praise distaines his worth:</l>
<l n="683">If that he prais'd himselfe, bring the praise forth.</l>
<l n="684">But what the repining enemy commends.</l>
<l n="685">That breath Fame blowes, that praise sole pure<choice>
<abbr>transcēds</abbr>
<expan>transcends</expan>
</choice>.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-aga">
<speaker rend="italic">Aga.</speaker>
<l n="686">Sir, you of Troy, call you your selfe<hi rend="italic">Æneas</hi>?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-aen">
<speaker rend="italic">Æne.</speaker>
<p n="687">I Greeke that is my name.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-aga">
<speaker rend="italic">Aga.</speaker>
<p n="688">What's your affayre I pray you?</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-aen">
<speaker rend="italic">Æne.</speaker>
<p n="689">Sir pardon,'tis for<hi rend="italic">Agamemnons</hi>eares.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-aga">
<speaker rend="italic">Aga.</speaker>
<l n="690">He heares nought priuatly</l>
<l n="691">That comes from Troy.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-aen">
<speaker rend="italic">Æne.</speaker>
<l n="692">Nor I from Troy come not to whisper him,</l>
<l n="693">I bring a Trumpet to awake his eare,</l>
<l n="694">To set his sence on the attentiue bent,</l>
<l n="695">And then to speake.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-aga">
<speaker rend="italic">Aga.</speaker>
<l n="696">Speake frankely as the winde,</l>
<l n="697">It is not<hi rend="italic">Agamemnons</hi>sleeping houre;</l>
<l n="698">That thou shalt know Troyan he is awake,</l>
<cb n="2"/>
<l n="699">He tels thee so himself.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-aen">
<speaker rend="italic">Æne.</speaker>
<l n="700">Trumpet blow loud,</l>
<l n="701">Send thy Brasse voyce through all these lazie Tents,</l>
<l n="702">And euery Greeke of mettle, let him know,</l>
<l n="703">What Troy meanes fairely, shall be spoke alowd.</l>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="business">The Trumpets sound.</stage>
<l n="704">We haue great<hi rend="italic">Agamemnon</hi>heere in Troy,</l>
<l n="705">A Prince calld<hi rend="italic">Hector</hi>,<hi rend="italic">Priam</hi>is his Father:</l>
<l n="706">Who in this dull and long‑continew'd Truce</l>
<l n="707">Is rusty growne. He bad me take a Trumpet,</l>
<l n="708">And to this purpose speake: Kings, Princes, Lords,</l>
<l n="709">If there be one among'st the fayr'st of Greece,</l>
<l n="710">That holds his Honor higher then his ease,</l>
<l n="711">That seekes his praise, more then he feares his perill,</l>
<l n="712">That knowes his Valour, and knowes not his feare,</l>
<l n="713">That loues his Mistris more then in confession,</l>
<l n="714">(With truant vowes to her owne lips he loues)</l>
<l n="715">And dare avow her Beauty, and her Worth,</l>
<l n="716">In other armes then hers: to him this Challenge,</l>
<l n="717">
<hi rend="italic">Hector</hi>, in view of Troyans, and of Greekes,</l>
<l n="718">Shall make it good, or do his best to do it.</l>
<l n="719">He hath a Lady, wiser, fairer, truer,</l>
<l n="720">Then euer Greeke did compasse in his armes,</l>
<l n="721">And will to morrow with his Trumpet call,</l>
<l n="722">Midway betweene your Tents, and walles of Troy,</l>
<l n="723">To rowze a Grecian that is true in loue.</l>
<l n="724">If any come,<hi rend="italic">Hector</hi>shal honour him:</l>
<l n="725">If none, hee'l say in Troy when he retyres,</l>
<l n="726">The Grecian Dames are sun‑burnt, and not worth</l>
<l n="727">The splinter of a Lance: Euen so much.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-aga">
<speaker rend="italic">Aga.</speaker>
<l n="728">This shall be told our Louers Lord Æneas</l>
<l n="729">If none of them haue soule in such a kinde,</l>
<l n="730">We left them all at home: But we are Souldiers,</l>
<l n="731">And may that Souldier a meere recreant proue,</l>
<l n="732">That meanes not, hath not, or is not in loue:</l>
<l n="733">If then one is, or hath, or meanes to be,</l>
<l n="734">That one meets<hi rend="italic">Hector</hi>if none else, Ile be he.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-nes">
<speaker rend="italic">Nest.</speaker>
<l n="735">Tell him<hi rend="italic">of Nestor</hi>, one that was a man</l>
<l n="736">When<hi rend="italic">Hectors</hi>Grandsire suckt: he is old now,</l>
<l n="737">But if there be not in our Grecian mould,</l>
<l n="738">One Noble man, that hath one spark of fire</l>
<l n="739">To answer for his Loue; tell him from me,</l>
<l n="740">Ile hide my Siluer beard in a Gold Beauer,</l>
<l n="741">And in my Vantbrace put this wither'd brawne,</l>
<l n="742">And meeting him, wil tell him, that my Lady</l>
<l n="743">Was fayrer then his Grandame, and as chaste</l>
<l n="744">As may be in the world: his youth in flood,</l>
<l n="745">Ile pawne this truth with my three drops of blood.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-aen">
<speaker rend="italic">Æne.</speaker>
<l n="746">Now heauens forbid such scarsitie of youth.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-uly">
<speaker rend="italic">Vlys.</speaker>
<p n="747">Amen.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-aga">
<speaker rend="italic">Aga.</speaker>
<l n="748">Faire Lord<hi rend="italic">Æneas</hi>,</l>
<l n="749">Let me touch your hand:</l>
<l n="750">To our Pauillion shal I leade you first:</l>
<l n="751">
<hi rend="italic">Achilles</hi>shall haue word of this intent,</l>
<l n="752">So shall each Lord of Greece from Tent to Tent:</l>
<l n="753">Your selfe shall Feast with vs before you goe,</l>
<l n="754">And finde the welcome of a Noble Foe.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic inline" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
<stage rend="italic center" type="business">Manet Vlysses, and, Nestor.</stage>
<sp who="#F-tro-uly">
<speaker rend="italic">Vlys.</speaker>
<l n="755">
<hi rend="italic">Nestor</hi>.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-nes">
<speaker rend="italic">Nest.</speaker>
<l n="756">What sayes<hi rend="italic">Vlysses?</hi>
</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-uly">
<speaker rend="italic">Vlys.</speaker>
<l n="757">I haue a young conception in my braine,</l>
<l n="758">Be you my time to bring it to some shape.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-nes">
<speaker rend="italic">Nest.</speaker>
<l n="759">What is't?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-uly">
<speaker rend="italic">Vlysses.</speaker>
<l n="760">This 'tis:</l>
<l n="761">Blunt wedges riue hard knots: the seeded Pride</l>
<l n="762">That hath to this maturity blowne vp</l>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0596-0.jpg"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<l n="763">In ranke<hi rend="italic">Achilles</hi>, must or now be cropt,</l>
<l n="764">Or shedding breed a Nursery of like euil</l>
<l n="765">To ouer‑bulke vs all.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-nes">
<speaker rend="italic">Nest.</speaker>
<p n="766">Wel, and how?</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-uly">
<speaker rend="italic">Vlys.</speaker>
<l n="767">This challenge that the gallant<hi rend="italic">Hector</hi>sends,</l>
<l n="768">How euer it is spred in general name,</l>
<l n="769">Relates in purpose onely to<hi rend="italic">Achilles</hi>.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-nes">
<speaker rend="italic">Nest.</speaker>
<l n="770">The purpose is perspicuous euen as substance,</l>
<l n="771">Whose grossenesse little charracters summe vp,</l>
<l n="772">And in the publication make no straine,</l>
<l n="773">But that<hi rend="italic">Achilles</hi>, were his braine as barren</l>
<l n="774">As bankes of Lybia, though (<hi rend="italic">Apollo</hi>knowes)</l>
<l n="775">'Tis dry enough, wil with great speede of judgement,</l>
<l n="776">I, with celerity, finde<hi rend="italic">Hectors</hi>purpose</l>
<l n="777">Printing on him.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-uly">
<speaker rend="italic">Vlys.</speaker>
<p n="778">And wake him to the answer, thinke you?</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-nes">
<speaker rend="italic">Nest.</speaker>
<l n="779">Yes,'tis most meet; who may you else oppose</l>
<l n="780">That can from<hi rend="italic">Hector</hi>bring his Honor off,</l>
<l n="781">If not<hi rend="italic">Achilles</hi>; though't be a sportfull Combate,</l>
<l n="782">Yet in this triall, much opinion dwels.</l>
<l n="783">For heere the Troyans taste our deer'st repute</l>
<l n="784">With their fin'st Pallate: and trust to me<hi rend="italic">Vlysses</hi>,</l>
<l n="785">Our imputation shall be oddely poiz'd</l>
<l n="786">In this wilde action. For the successe</l>
<l n="787">(Although particular) shall giue a scantling</l>
<l n="788">Of good or bad, vnto the Generall:</l>
<l n="789">And in such Indexes although small prickes</l>
<l n="790">To their subsequent Volumes, there is seene</l>
<l n="791">The baby figure of the Gyant‑masse</l>
<l n="792">Of things to come at large. It is suppos'd,</l>
<l n="793">He that meets<hi rend="italic">Hector</hi>, issues from our choyse;</l>
<l n="794">And choise being mutuall acte of all our soules,</l>
<l n="795">Make Merit her election, and doth boyle</l>
<l n="796">As 'twere, from forth vs all: a man distill'd</l>
<l n="797">Out of our Vertues; who miscarrying,</l>
<l n="798">What heart from hence receyues the conqu'ring part</l>
<l n="799">To steele a strong opinion to themselues,</l>
<l n="800">Which entertain'd, Limbes are in his instruments,</l>
<l n="801">In no lesse working, then are Swords and Bowes</l>
<l n="802">Directiue by the Limbes.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-uly">
<speaker rend="italic">Vlys.</speaker>
<l n="803">Giue pardon to my speech:</l>
<l n="804">Therefore 'tis meet,<hi rend="italic">Achilles</hi>meet not<hi rend="italic">Hector:</hi>
</l>
<l n="805">Let vs (like Merchants) shew our fowlest Wares,</l>
<l n="806">And thinke perchance they'1 fell: If not,</l>
<l n="807">The luster of the better yet to shew,</l>
<l n="808">Shall shew the better. Do not consent,</l>
<l n="809">That euer<hi rend="italic">Hector</hi>and<hi rend="italic">Achilles</hi>meete:</l>
<l n="810">For both our Honour, and our Shame in this,</l>
<l n="811">Are dogg'd with two strange Followers.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-nes">
<speaker rend="italic">Nest.</speaker>
<l n="812">I see them not with my old eies: what are they?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-uly">
<speaker rend="italic">Vlys.</speaker>
<l n="813">What glory our<hi rend="italic">Achilles</hi>shares from<hi rend="italic">Hector</hi>,</l>
<l n="814">(Were he not proud) we all should weare with him:</l>
<l n="815">But he already is too insolent,</l>
<l n="816">And we were better parch in Affricke Sunne,</l>
<l n="817">Then in the pride and salt scorne of his eyes</l>
<l n="818">Should he scape<hi rend="italic">Hector</hi>faire. If he were soyld,</l>
<l n="819">Why then we did our maine opinion crush</l>
<l n="820">In taint of our best man. No, make a Lott'ry,</l>
<l n="821">And by deuice let blockish<hi rend="italic">Aiax</hi>draw</l>
<l n="822">The sort to fight with<hi rend="italic">Hector</hi>: Among our selues,</l>
<l n="823">Giue him allowance as the worthier man,</l>
<l n="824">For that will physicke the great Myrmidon</l>
<l n="825">Who broyles in lowd applause, and make him fall</l>
<l n="826">His Crest, that prouder then blew Iris bends.</l>
<l n="827">If the dull brainlesse<hi rend="italic">Aiax</hi>come safe off,</l>
<l n="828">Wee'l dresse him vp in voyces: if he faile,</l>
<cb n="2"/>
<l n="829">Yet go we vnder our opinion still,</l>
<l n="830">That we haue better men. But hit or misse,</l>
<l n="831">Our proiects life this shape of sence assumes,</l>
<l n="832">
<hi rend="italic">Aiax</hi>imploy'd, pluckes downe<hi rend="italic">Achilles</hi>Plumes.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-tro-nes">
<speaker rend="italic">Nest.</speaker>
<l n="833">Now<hi rend="italic">Vlysses</hi>, I begin to rellish thy aduice,</l>
<l n="834">And I wil giue a taste of it forthwith</l>
<l n="835">To<hi rend="italic">Agamemnon</hi>, go we to him straight:</l>
<l n="836">Two Curres shal tame each other, Pride alone</l>
<l n="837">Must tarre the Mastiffes on, as 'twere their bone.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic inline" type="exit">Exeunt</stage>
</div>