The Bodleian First Folio

A digital facsimile of the First Folio of Shakespeare's plays, Bodleian Arch. G c.7.



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Reference: ¶1r - Tragedies, p. [1]

Left Column


Troylus and Cressida.

lookes, and how he goes. O admirable youth! he ne're

saw three and twenty. Go thy way Troylus, go thy way,

had I a sister were a Grace, or a daughter a Goddesse, hee should take his choice, O'admirable man! Paris? Paris

[380]

is durt to him, and I warrant, Helento change, would

giue money to boot.

 Enter common Souldiers. Cres.

Heere come more.

 Pan.

Asses, fooles, dolts, chaffe and bran, chaffe and

bran; porredge after meat. I could liue and dye i'th'eyes

[385]

of Troylus. Ne're looke, ne're looke the Eagles are gon,

Crowes and Dawes, Crowes and Dawes: I had rather be

such a man as Troylus then Agamemnon and all Greece.

Cres.

There is among the Greekes Achilles, a better

man then Troylus.

Pan.
[390]

Achilles? a Dray‑man, a Porter, a very Camell.

Cres.

Well, well.

 Pan.

Well, well? Why haue you any discretion? haue

you any eyes? Do you know what a man is? Is not birth,

b auty, good shape, discourse, manhood, learning, gent­

[395]

lenesse, vertue, youth, liberality, arid so forth: the Spice,

and salt that seasons a man?

 Cres.

I, a minc'd man, and then to be bak'd with no Date

in the pye, for then the mans dates out.

Pan.

You are such another woman, one knowes not

[400]

at what ward you lye.

Cres.

Vpon my backe, to defend my belly; vpon my

wit, to defend my wiles; vppon my secrecy, to defend

mine honesty; my Maske, to defend my beauty, and you

to defend all these: and at all these wardes I lye at, at a

[405]

thousand watches.

 Pan.

Say one of your watches.

 Cres.

Nay Ile watch you for that, and that's one of

the cheefest of them too: If I cannot ward what I would

not haue hit, I can watch you for telling how I took the

[410]

blow, vnlesse it swell past hiding, and then it's past wat­

ching.

 Enter Boy. Pan.

You are such another.

 Boy.

Sir, my Lord would instantly speake with you.

 Pan.

Where?

 Boy.
[415]

At your owne house.

 Pan. Good Boy tell him I come, I doubt he bee hurt. Fare ye well good Neece. Cres.

Adieu Vnkle.

 Pan.

Ile be with you Neece by and by.

 Cres.
[420]

To bring Vnkle.

 Pan.

I, a token from Troylus.

Cres. By the same token. You are a Bawd. Exit Pand. Words, vowes, gifts, teares, & loues full sacrifice, He offers in anothers enterprise:
[425]
But more in Troylus thousand fold I see, Then in the glasse of Pandar's praise may be; Yet hold I off. Women are Angels wooing, Things won are done, ioyes soule lyes in the dooing: That she belou'd, knowes nought, that knowes not this;
[430]
Men prize the thing vngain'd, more then it is. That she was neuer yet, that euer knew Loue got so sweet, as when desire did sue: Therefore this maxime out of loue I teach; " Atchieuement, is command; vngai 'd, beseech .
[435]
That though my hearts Contents firme loue doth beare, Nothing of that shall from mine eyes appeare. Exit.
[Act 1, Scene 3]

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Right Column


Senet. Enter Agamemnon, Nestor, Vlysses, Diome­ des, Menelaus, with others. Agam. Princes: What greefe hath set the Iaundies on your cheekes? The ample proposition that hope makes
[440]
In all designes, begun on earth below Fayles in the promist largenesse: checkes and disasters Grow in the veines of actions highest rear'd. As knots by the conflux of meeting sap, Infect the found Pine, and diuerts his Graine
[445]
Tortiue and erant from his course of growth. Not Princes, is it matter new to vs, That we come short of our suppose so farre, That after seuen yeares liege, yet Troy walles stand, Sith euery action that hath gone before,
[450]
Where of we haue Record, Triall did draw Bias and thwart, not answering the ayme: And that vnbodied figure of the thought That gaue't surmised shape. Why then (you Princes) Do you with cheekes abash'd, behold our workes,
[455]
And thinke them shame, which are (indeed) nought else But the protractiue trials of great loue, To finde persistiue constancie in men? The finenesse of which Mettall is not found In Fortunes loue: for then, the Bold and Coward,
[460]
The Wise and Foole, the Artist and vn‑read, The hard and soft, seeme all affin'd, and kin. But in the Winde and Tempest of her frowne, Distinction with a lowd and powrefull fan, Puffing at all, winnowes the light away;
[465]
And what hath m sse, or matter by it selfe, Lies rich in Vertue, and vnmingled. Nestor. With due Obseruance of thy godly seat, Great Agamemnon, Nestor shall apply Thy latest words.
[470]
In the reproofe of Chance, Lies the true proofe of men: The Sea being smooth, How many shallow bauble Boates dare saile Vpon her patient brest, making their way With those of Nobler bulke?
[475]
But let the Ruffian Boreas once enrage The gentle Thetis, and anon behold The strong ribb'd Barke through liquid Mountaines cut, Bounding betweene the two moyst Elements Like Perseus Horse. Where's then the sawcy Boate,
[480]
Whose weake vntimber'd sides but euen now Co‑riual'd Greatnesse ? Either to harbour fled, Or made a Toste for Neptune, Euen so, Doth valours shew, and valours worth diuide In stormes of Fortune.
[485]
For, in her ray and brightnesse, The Heard hath more annoyance by the Brieze Then by the Tyger: But, when, the splitting winde Makes flexible the knees of knotted Oakes, And Flies fled vnder shade, why then
[490]
The thing of Courage, As rowz'd with rage, with rage doth sympathize, And with an accent tun'd in selfe‑same key, Retyres to chiding Fortune. Vlys. Agamemnon.
[495]
Thou great Commander, Nerue, and Bone of Greece, Heart of our Numbers, soule, and onely spirit, In whom the tempers, and the mindes of all Should be shut vp: Heare what Vlysses speakes, Besides the applause and approbation
[500]
The which most mighty for thy place and sway, I And

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[Act 1, Scene 3] Senet. Enter Agamemnon, Nestor, Vlysses, Diome­ des, Menelaus, with others. Agam. Princes: What greefe hath set the Iaundies on your cheekes? The ample proposition that hope makes
[440]
In all designes, begun on earth below Fayles in the promist largenesse: checkes and disasters Grow in the veines of actions highest rear'd. As knots by the conflux of meeting sap, Infect the found Pine, and diuerts his Graine
[445]
Tortiue and erant from his course of growth. Not Princes, is it matter new to vs, That we come short of our suppose so farre, That after seuen yeares liege, yet Troy walles stand, Sith euery action that hath gone before,
[450]
Where of we haue Record, Triall did draw Bias and thwart, not answering the ayme: And that vnbodied figure of the thought That gaue't surmised shape. Why then (you Princes) Do you with cheekes abash'd, behold our workes,
[455]
And thinke them shame, which are (indeed) nought else But the protractiue trials of great loue, To finde persistiue constancie in men? The finenesse of which Mettall is not found In Fortunes loue: for then, the Bold and Coward,
[460]
The Wise and Foole, the Artist and vn‑read, The hard and soft, seeme all affin'd, and kin. But in the Winde and Tempest of her frowne, Distinction with a lowd and powrefull fan, Puffing at all, winnowes the light away;
[465]
And what hath m sse, or matter by it selfe, Lies rich in Vertue, and vnmingled. Nestor. With due Obseruance of thy godly seat, Great Agamemnon, Nestor shall apply Thy latest words.
[470]
In the reproofe of Chance, Lies the true proofe of men: The Sea being smooth, How many shallow bauble Boates dare saile Vpon her patient brest, making their way With those of Nobler bulke?
[475]
But let the Ruffian Boreas once enrage The gentle Thetis, and anon behold The strong ribb'd Barke through liquid Mountaines cut, Bounding betweene the two moyst Elements Like Perseus Horse. Where's then the sawcy Boate,
[480]
Whose weake vntimber'd sides but euen now Co‑riual'd Greatnesse ? Either to harbour fled, Or made a Toste for Neptune, Euen so, Doth valours shew, and valours worth diuide In stormes of Fortune.
[485]
For, in her ray and brightnesse, The Heard hath more annoyance by the Brieze Then by the Tyger: But, when, the splitting winde Makes flexible the knees of knotted Oakes, And Flies fled vnder shade, why then
[490]
The thing of Courage, As rowz'd with rage, with rage doth sympathize, And with an accent tun'd in selfe‑same key, Retyres to chiding Fortune. Vlys. Agamemnon.
[495]
Thou great Commander, Nerue, and Bone of Greece, Heart of our Numbers, soule, and onely spirit, In whom the tempers, and the mindes of all Should be shut vp: Heare what Vlysses speakes, Besides the applause and approbation
[500]
The which most mighty for thy place and sway, And thou most reuerend for thy stretcht‑out life, I giue to both your speeches: which were such, As Agamemnon and the hand of Greece Should hold vp high in Brasse: and such againe
[505]
As venerable Nestor (hatch'd in Siluer) Should with a bond of ayre, strong as the Axletree In which the Heauens ride, knit all Greekes eares To his experienc'd tongue: yet let it please both (Thou Great, and Wise) to heare Vlysses speake. Aga.
[510]
Speak Prince of Ithaca, and be't of lesse expect: That matter needlesse of importlesse burthen Diuide thy lips; then we are confident When ranke Thersites opes his Masticke iawes, We shall heare Musicke, Wit, and Oracle. Vlys.
[515]
Troy yet vpon his basis had bene downe, And the great Hectors sword had lack'd a Master But for these instances. The specialty of Rule hath beene neglected; And looke how many Grecian Tents do stand
[520]
Hollow vpon this Plaine, so many hollow Factions. When that the Generall is not like the Hiue, To whom the Forragers shall all repaire, What Hony is expected? Degree being vizarded, Th'vnworthiest shewes as fairely in the Maske.
[525]
The Heauens themselues, the Planets, and this Center, Obserue degree, priority, and place, Insisture, course, proportion, season, forme, Office, and custome, in all line of Order, And therefore is the glorious Planet Sol
[530]
In noble eminence, enthron'd and sphear'd Amid'st the other, whose med'cinable eye Corrects the ill Aspects of Planets euill And postes like the Command'ment of a King, Sans checke, to good and bad. But when the Planets
[535]
In euill mixture to disorder wander, What Plagues, and what portents, what mutiny? What raging of the Sea? shaking of Earth? Commotion in the Windes? Frights, changes, horrors, Diuert, and cracke, rend and deracinate
[540]
The vnity, and married calme of States Quite from their fixure? O, when Degree is shak'd, (Which is the Ladder to all high designes) The enterprize is sicke. How could Communities, Degrees in Schooles, and Brotber‑hoods in Cities,
[545]
Peacefull Commerce from diuidable shores, The primogenitiue, and due of Byrth, Prerogatiue of Age, Crownes, Scepters, Lawrels, (But by Degree) stand in Authentique place? Take but Degree away, vn‑tune that string,
[550]
And hearke what Discord followes: each thing meetes In mere oppugnancie. The bounded Waters, Should lift their bosomes higher then the Shores, And make a soppe of all this solid Globe: Strength should be Lord of imbecility,
[555]
And the rude Sonne should strike his Father dead: Force should be right, or rather, right and wrong, (Betweene whose endlesse iarre, Iustice recides) Should loose her names, and so should Iustice too. Then euery thing includes it selfe in Power,
[560]
Power into Will, Will into Appetite, And Appetite (an vniuersall Wolfe, So doubly seconded with Will, and Power) Must make perforce an vniuersall prey, And last, eate vp himselfe.
[565]
Great Agamemnon: This Chaos, when Degree is suffocate, Followes the choaking: And this neglection of Degree, is it That by a pace goes backward in a purpose
[570]
It hath to climbe. The Generall's disdain'd By him one step below; he, by the next, That next, by him beneath: so euery step Exampled by the first pace that is sicke Of his Superiour, growes to an enuious Feauer
[575]
Of pale, and bloodlesse Emulation. And 'tis this Feauer that keepes Troy on foote, Not her owne sinewes. To end a tale of length, Troy in our weaknesse liues, not in her strength. Nest. Most wisely hath Vlyssesheere discouer'd
[580]
The Feauer, where of all our power is sicke. Aga. The Nature of the sicknesse found (Ulysses) What is the remedie? Vlys. The great Achilles, whom Opinion crownes, The sinew, and the fore‑hand of our Hoste,
[585]
Hauing his eare full of his ayery Fame, Growes dainty of his worth, and in his Tent Lyes mocking our designes. With him, Patroclus, Vpon a lazie Bed, the liue‑long day Breakes scurrill Iests,
[590]
And with ridiculous and aukward action, (Which Slanderer, he imitation call's) He Pageants vs. Sometime great Agamemnon, Thy toplesse deputation he puts on; And like a strutting Player, whose conceit
[595]
Lies in his Ham‑string, and doth thinke it rich To heare the woodden Dialogue and sound 'Twixt his stretcht footing, and the Scaffolage, Such to be pittied, and ore‑rested seeming He acts thy Greatnesse in: and when he speakes,
[600]
'Tis like a Chime a mending. With tearmes vnsquar'd, Which from the tongue of roaring Typhon dropt, Would seemes Hyperboles. At this fusty stuffe, The large Achilles (on his prest‐bed lolling) From his deepe Chest, laughes out a lowd applause,
[605]
Cries excellent,'tis Agamemnon iust. Now play me Nestor; hum, and stroke thy Beard As he, being drest to some Oration That's done, as neere as the extreamest ends Of paralels; as like, as Vulcan and his wife,
[610]
Yet god Achilles still cries excellent, 'Tis Nestor right. Now play him (me) Patroclus, Arming to answer in a night‑Alarme, And then (forsooth) the faint defects of Age Must be the Scene of myrth, to cough, and spit,
[615]
And with a palsie fumbling on his Gorget, Shake in and out the Riuet: and at this sport Sir Valour dies; cries, O enough Patroclus, Or, giue me ribs of Steele, I shall split all In pleasure of my Spleene. And in this fashion,
[620]
All our abilities, gifts, natures, shapes, Seuerals and generals of grace exact, Atchieuments, plots, orders, preuentions, Excitements to the field, or speech for truce, Successe or losse, what is, or is not, serues
[625]
As stuffe for these two, to make paradoxes. Nest. And in the imitation of these twaine, Who (as Vlysses sayes) Opinion crownes With an Imperiall voyce, many are infect: Aiax is growne selfe‑will'd, and beares his head
[630]
In such a reyne, in full as proud a place As broad Achilles, and keepes his Tent like him; Makes factious Feasts, railes on our state of Warre Bold as an Oracle, and sets Thersites A slaue, whose Gall coines standers like a Mint,
[635]
To match vs in comparisons with durt, To weaken and discredit our exposure, How ranke soeuer rounded in with danger. Vlys. They taxe our policy, and call it Cowardice, Count Wisedome as no member of the Warre,
[640]
Fore‑stall prescience, and esteeme no acte But that of hand: The still and mentall parts, That do contriue how many hands shall strike When fitnesse call them on, and know by measure Of their obseruant toyle, the Enemies waight,
[645]
Why this hath not a fingers dignity: They call this Bed‑worke, Mapp'ry, Closset‑Warre: So that the Ramme that batters downe the wall, For the great swing and rudenesse of his poize, They place before his hand that made the Engine,
[650]
Or those that with the finenesse of their soules, By Reason guide his execution. Nest. Let this be granted, and Achilles horse Makes many Thetis sonnes. Tucket Aga. What Trumpet? Looke Menelaus. Men.
[655]
From Troy. Enter Æneas. Aga. What would you 'fore our Tent? Æne. Is this great Agamemnons Tent, I pray you? Aga. Euen this. Æne. May one that is a Herald, and a Prince,
[660]
Do a faire message to his Kingly eares? Aga. With surety stronger then Achilles arme, 'Fore all the Greekish heads, which with one voyce Call Agamemnon Head and Generall. Æne. Faire leaue, and large security. How may
[665]
A stranger to those most Imperial lookes, Know them from eyes of other Mortals? Aga. How? Æne. I: I aske. that I might waken reuerence, And on the cheeke be ready with a blush
[670]
Modestt as morning. when she coldly eyes The youthfull Phœbus: Which is that God in office guiding men? Which is the high and mighty Agamemnon? Aga. This Troyan scornes vs, or the men of Troy
[675]
Are ceremonious Courtiers. Æne. Courtiers as free, as debonnaire; vnarm'd, As bending Angels: that's their Fame, in peace: But when they would seeme Souldiers, they haue galles, Good armes, strong ioynts, true swords, & Ioues accord,
[680]
Nothing so full of heart. But peace Æneas, Peace Troyan, lay thy finger on thy lips, The worthinesse of praise distaines his worth: If that he prais'd himselfe, bring the praise forth. But what the repining enemy commends.
[685]
That breath Fame blowes, that praise sole pure transcēds transcends . Aga. Sir, you of Troy, call you your selfe Æneas? Æne.

I Greeke that is my name.

 Aga.

What's your affayre I pray you?

 Æne.

Sir pardon,'tis for Agamemnons eares.

Aga.
[690]
He heares nought priuatly That comes from Troy. Æne. Nor I from Troy come not to whisper him, I bring a Trumpet to awake his eare, To set his sence on the attentiue bent,
[695]
And then to speake. Aga. Speake frankely as the winde, It is not Agamemnons sleeping houre; That thou shalt know Troyan he is awake, He tels thee so himself. Æne.
[700]
Trumpet blow loud, Send thy Brasse voyce through all these lazie Tents, And euery Greeke of mettle, let him know, What Troy meanes fairely, shall be spoke alowd. The Trumpets sound. We haue great Agamemnon heere in Troy,
[705]
A Prince calld Hector, Priam is his Father: Who in this dull and long‑continew'd Truce Is rusty growne. He bad me take a Trumpet, And to this purpose speake: Kings, Princes, Lords, If there be one among'st the fayr'st of Greece,
[710]
That holds his Honor higher then his ease, That seekes his praise, more then he feares his perill, That knowes his Valour, and knowes not his feare, That loues his Mistris more then in confession, (With truant vowes to her owne lips he loues)
[715]
And dare avow her Beauty, and her Worth, In other armes then hers: to him this Challenge, Hector, in view of Troyans, and of Greekes, Shall make it good, or do his best to do it. He hath a Lady, wiser, fairer, truer,
[720]
Then euer Greeke did compasse in his armes, And will to morrow with his Trumpet call, Midway betweene your Tents, and walles of Troy, To rowze a Grecian that is true in loue. If any come, Hector shal honour him:
[725]
If none, hee'l say in Troy when he retyres, The Grecian Dames are sun‑burnt, and not worth The splinter of a Lance: Euen so much. Aga. This shall be told our Louers Lord Æneas If none of them haue soule in such a kinde,
[730]
We left them all at home: But we are Souldiers, And may that Souldier a meere recreant proue, That meanes not, hath not, or is not in loue: If then one is, or hath, or meanes to be, That one meets Hector if none else, Ile be he. Nest.
[735]
Tell him of Nestor, one that was a man When Hectors Grandsire suckt: he is old now, But if there be not in our Grecian mould, One Noble man, that hath one spark of fire To answer for his Loue; tell him from me,
[740]
Ile hide my Siluer beard in a Gold Beauer, And in my Vantbrace put this wither'd brawne, And meeting him, wil tell him, that my Lady Was fayrer then his Grandame, and as chaste As may be in the world: his youth in flood,
[745]
Ile pawne this truth with my three drops of blood. Æne. Now heauens forbid such scarsitie of youth. Vlys.

Amen.

 Aga. Faire Lord Æneas, Let me touch your hand:
[750]
To our Pauillion shal I leade you first: Achilles shall haue word of this intent, So shall each Lord of Greece from Tent to Tent: Your selfe shall Feast with vs before you goe, And finde the welcome of a Noble Foe. Exeunt. Manet Vlysses, and, Nestor. Vlys.
[755]
Nestor. Nest. What sayes Vlysses? Vlys. I haue a young conception in my braine, Be you my time to bring it to some shape. Nest. What is't? Vlysses.
[760]
This 'tis: Blunt wedges riue hard knots: the seeded Pride That hath to this maturity blowne vp In ranke Achilles, must or now be cropt, Or shedding breed a Nursery of like euil
[765]
To ouer‑bulke vs all. Nest.

Wel, and how?

 Vlys. This challenge that the gallant Hector sends, How euer it is spred in general name, Relates in purpose onely to Achilles. Nest.
[770]
The purpose is perspicuous euen as substance, Whose grossenesse little charracters summe vp, And in the publication make no straine, But that Achilles, were his braine as barren As bankes of Lybia, though ( Apollo knowes)
[775]
'Tis dry enough, wil with great speede of judgement, I, with celerity, finde Hectors purpose Printing on him. Vlys.

And wake him to the answer, thinke you?

 Nest. Yes,'tis most meet; who may you else oppose
[780]
That can from Hector bring his Honor off, If not Achilles; though't be a sportfull Combate, Yet in this triall, much opinion dwels. For heere the Troyans taste our deer'st repute With their fin'st Pallate: and trust to me Vlysses,
[785]
Our imputation shall be oddely poiz'd In this wilde action. For the successe (Although particular) shall giue a scantling Of good or bad, vnto the Generall: And in such Indexes although small prickes
[790]
To their subsequent Volumes, there is seene The baby figure of the Gyant‑masse Of things to come at large. It is suppos'd, He that meets Hector, issues from our choyse; And choise being mutuall acte of all our soules,
[795]
Make Merit her election, and doth boyle As 'twere, from forth vs all: a man distill'd Out of our Vertues; who miscarrying, What heart from hence receyues the conqu'ring part To steele a strong opinion to themselues,
[800]
Which entertain'd, Limbes are in his instruments, In no lesse working, then are Swords and Bowes Directiue by the Limbes. Vlys. Giue pardon to my speech: Therefore 'tis meet, Achilles meet not Hector:
[805]
Let vs (like Merchants) shew our fowlest Wares, And thinke perchance they'1 fell: If not, The luster of the better yet to shew, Shall shew the better. Do not consent, That euer Hector and Achilles meete:
[810]
For both our Honour, and our Shame in this, Are dogg'd with two strange Followers. Nest. I see them not with my old eies: what are they? Vlys. What glory our Achilles shares from Hector, (Were he not proud) we all should weare with him:
[815]
But he already is too insolent, And we were better parch in Affricke Sunne, Then in the pride and salt scorne of his eyes Should he scape Hector faire. If he were soyld, Why then we did our maine opinion crush
[820]
In taint of our best man. No, make a Lott'ry, And by deuice let blockish Aiax draw The sort to fight with Hector: Among our selues, Giue him allowance as the worthier man, For that will physicke the great Myrmidon
[825]
Who broyles in lowd applause, and make him fall His Crest, that prouder then blew Iris bends. If the dull brainlesse Aiax come safe off, Wee'l dresse him vp in voyces: if he faile, Yet go we vnder our opinion still,
[830]
That we haue better men. But hit or misse, Our proiects life this shape of sence assumes, Aiax imploy'd, pluckes downe Achilles Plumes. Nest. Now Vlysses, I begin to rellish thy aduice, And I wil giue a taste of it forthwith
[835]
To Agamemnon, go we to him straight: Two Curres shal tame each other, Pride alone Must tarre the Mastiffes on, as 'twere their bone. Exeunt
 

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   <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, &amp;<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>

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