第1章

类别:其他 作者:William Shakespeare字数:21627更新时间:19/01/03 08:21:50
ACTIPROLOGUEInTroy,thereliesthescene。FromislesofGreeceTheprincesorgulous,theirhighbloodchafed,HavetotheportofAthenssenttheirships,FraughtwiththeministersandinstrumentsOfcruelwar:sixtyandnine,thatworeTheircrownetsregal,fromtheAthenianbayPutforthtowardPhrygia;andtheirvowismadeToransackTroy,withinwhosestrongimmuresTheravish’dHelen,Menelaus’queen,WithwantonParissleeps;andthat’sthequarrel。 ToTenedostheycome; Andthedeep—drawingbarksdotheredisgorgeTheirwarlikefraughtage:nowonDardanplainsThefreshandyetunbruisedGreeksdopitchTheirbravepavilions:Priam’ssix—gatedcity,Dardan,andTymbria,Helias,Chetas,Troien,AndAntenorides,withmassystaplesAndcorresponsiveandfulfillingbolts,SperrupthesonsofTroy。 Nowexpectation,ticklingskittishspirits,Ononeandotherside,TrojanandGreek,Setsallonhazard:andhitheramIcomeAprologuearm’d,butnotinconfidenceOfauthor’spenoractor’svoice,butsuitedInlikeconditionsasourargument,Totellyou,fairbeholders,thatourplayLeapso’erthevauntandfirstlingsofthosebroils,Beginninginthemiddle,startingthenceawayTowhatmaybedigestedinaplay。 Likeorfindfault;doasyourpleasuresare: Nowgoodorbad,’tisbutthechanceofwar。SCENEI。Troy。BeforePriam’spalace。EnterTROILUSarmed,andPANDARUSTROILUSCallheremyvarlet;I’llunarmagain: WhyshouldIwarwithoutthewallsofTroy,Thatfindsuchcruelbattleherewithin? EachTrojanthatismasterofhisheart,Lethimtofield;Troilus,alas!hathnone。PANDARUSWillthisgearne’erbemended?TROILUSTheGreeksarestrongandskilfultotheirstrength,Fiercetotheirskillandtotheirfiercenessvaliant; ButIamweakerthanawoman’stear,Tamerthansleep,fonderthanignorance,LessvaliantthanthevirgininthenightAndskillessasunpractisedinfancy。PANDARUSWell,Ihavetoldyouenoughofthis: formypart,I’llnotmeddlenormakenofurther。Hethatwillhaveacakeoutofthewheatmustneedstarrythegrinding。TROILUSHaveInottarried?PANDARUSAy,thegrinding;butyoumusttarrythebolting。TROILUSHaveInottarried?PANDARUSAy,thebolting,butyoumusttarrytheleavening。TROILUSStillhaveItarried。PANDARUSAy,totheleavening;buthere’syetintheword’hereafter’thekneading,themakingofthecake,theheatingoftheovenandthebaking;nay,youmuststaythecoolingtoo,oryoumaychancetoburnyourlips。TROILUSPatienceherself,whatgoddesse’ershebe,DothlesserblenchatsufferancethanIdo。 AtPriam’sroyaltabledoIsit; AndwhenfairCressidcomesintomythoughts,—— So,traitor!’Whenshecomes!’Whenisshethence?PANDARUSWell,shelookedyesternightfairerthaneverIsawherlook,oranywomanelse。TROILUSIwasabouttotellthee:——whenmyheart,Aswedgedwithasigh,wouldriveintwain,LestHectorormyfathershouldperceiveme,Ihave,aswhenthesundothlightastorm,Buriedthissighinwrinkleofasmile: Butsorrow,thatiscouch’dinseeminggladness,Islikethatmirthfateturnstosuddensadness。PANDARUSAnherhairwerenotsomewhatdarkerthanHelen’s—— well,goto——therewerenomorecomparisonbetweenthewomen:but,formypart,sheismykinswoman; I wouldnot,astheytermit,praiseher:butI wouldsomebodyhadheardhertalkyesterday,asIdid。 I willnotdispraiseyoursisterCassandra’swit,but——TROILUSOPandarus!Itellthee,Pandarus,—— WhenIdotellthee,theremyhopesliedrown’d,ReplynotinhowmanyfathomsdeepTheylieindrench’d。ItelltheeIammadInCressid’slove:thouanswer’st’sheisfair;’ Pour’stintheopenulcerofmyheartHereyes,herhair,hercheek,hergait,hervoice,Handlestinthydiscourse,O,thatherhand,Inwhosecomparisonallwhitesareink,Writingtheirownreproach,towhosesoftseizureThecygnet’sdownisharshandspiritofsenseHardasthepalmofploughman:thisthoutell’stme,Astruethoutell’stme,whenIsayIloveher; But,sayingthus,insteadofoilandbalm,Thoulay’stineverygashthatlovehathgivenmeTheknifethatmadeit。PANDARUSIspeaknomorethantruth。TROILUSThoudostnotspeaksomuch。PANDARUSFaith,I’llnotmeddlein’t。Letherbeassheis: ifshebefair,’tisthebetterforher;anshebenot,shehasthemendsinherownhands。TROILUSGoodPandarus,hownow,Pandarus!PANDARUSIhavehadmylabourformytravail;ill—thoughtonofherandill—thoughtonofyou;gonebetweenandbetween,butsmallthanksformylabour。TROILUSWhat,artthouangry,Pandarus?what,withme?PANDARUSBecauseshe’skintome,thereforeshe’snotsofairasHelen:anshewerenotkintome,shewouldbeasfaironFridayasHelenisonSunday。ButwhatcareI?Icarenotanshewereablack—a—moor;’tisallonetome。TROILUSSayIsheisnotfair?PANDARUSIdonotcarewhetheryoudoorno。She’safooltostaybehindherfather;lethertotheGreeks; andsoI’lltellherthenexttimeIseeher:formypart,I’llmeddlenormakenomorei’thematter。TROILUSPandarus,——PANDARUSNotI。TROILUSSweetPandarus,——PANDARUSPrayyou,speaknomoretome:IwillleaveallasI foundit,andthereanend。 ExitPANDARUS。AnalarumTROILUSPeace,youungraciousclamours!peace,rudesounds! Foolsonbothsides!Helenmustneedsbefair,Whenwithyourbloodyoudailypaintherthus。 Icannotfightuponthisargument; Itistoostarvedasubjectformysword。 ButPandarus,——Ogods,howdoyouplagueme! IcannotcometoCressidbutbyPandar; Andhe’sastetchytobewoo’dtowoo。 Assheisstubborn—chasteagainstallsuit。 Tellme,Apollo,forthyDaphne’slove,WhatCressidis,whatPandar,andwhatwe? HerbedisIndia;thereshelies,apearl: BetweenourIliumandwheresheresides,Letitbecall’dthewildandwanderingflood,Ourselfthemerchant,andthissailingPandarOurdoubtfulhope,ourconvoyandourbark。 Alarum。EnterAENEASAENEASHownow,PrinceTroilus!whereforenotafield?TROILUSBecausenotthere:thiswoman’sanswersorts,Forwomanishitistobefromthence。 Whatnews,AEneas,fromthefieldto—day?AENEASThatParisisreturnedhomeandhurt。TROILUSBywhom,AEneas?AENEASTroilus,byMenelaus。TROILUSLetParisbleed;’tisbutascartoscorn; ParisisgoredwithMenelaus’horn。 AlarumAENEASHark,whatgoodsportisoutoftownto—day!TROILUSBetterathome,if’wouldImight’were’may。’ Buttothesportabroad:areyouboundthither?AENEASInallswifthaste。TROILUSCome,gowethentogether。 ExeuntSCENEII。TheSame。Astreet。EnterCRESSIDAandALEXANDERCRESSIDAWhowerethosewentby?ALEXANDERQueenHecubaandHelen。CRESSIDAAndwhithergothey?ALEXANDERUptotheeasterntower,Whoseheightcommandsassubjectallthevale,Toseethebattle。Hector,whosepatienceIs,asavirtue,fix’d,to—daywasmoved: HechidAndromacheandstruckhisarmourer,And,likeastherewerehusbandryinwar,Beforethesunrosehewasharness’dlight,Andtothefieldgoeshe;whereeveryflowerDid,asaprophet,weepwhatitforesawInHector’swrath。CRESSIDAWhatwashiscauseofanger?ALEXANDERThenoisegoes,this:thereisamongtheGreeksAlordofTrojanblood,nephewtoHector; TheycallhimAjax。CRESSIDAGood;andwhatofhim?ALEXANDERTheysayheisaverymanperse,Andstandsalone。CRESSIDASodoallmen,unlesstheyaredrunk,sick,orhavenolegs。ALEXANDERThisman,lady,hathrobbedmanybeastsoftheirparticularadditions;heisasvaliantasthelion,churlishasthebear,slowastheelephant:amanintowhomnaturehathsocrowdedhumoursthathisvalouriscrushedintofolly,hisfollysaucedwithdiscretion:thereisnomanhathavirtuethathehathnotaglimpseof,noranymananattaintbuthecarriessomestainofit:heismelancholywithoutcause,andmerryagainstthehair:hehaththejointsofeverything,buteverythingsooutofjointthatheisagoutyBriareus,manyhandsandnouse,orpurblindArgus,alleyesandnosight。CRESSIDAButhowshouldthisman,thatmakesmesmile,makeHectorangry?ALEXANDERTheysayheyesterdaycopedHectorinthebattleandstruckhimdown,thedisdainandshamewhereofhatheversincekeptHectorfastingandwaking。CRESSIDAWhocomeshere?ALEXANDERMadam,yourunclePandarus。 EnterPANDARUSCRESSIDAHector’sagallantman。ALEXANDERAsmaybeintheworld,lady。PANDARUSWhat’sthat?what’sthat?CRESSIDAGoodmorrow,unclePandarus。PANDARUSGoodmorrow,cousinCressid:whatdoyoutalkof? Goodmorrow,Alexander。Howdoyou,cousin?WhenwereyouatIlium?CRESSIDAThismorning,uncle。PANDARUSWhatwereyoutalkingofwhenIcame? WasHectorarmedandgoneereyecametoIlium?Helenwasnotup,wasshe?CRESSIDAHectorwasgone,butHelenwasnotup。PANDARUSEvenso:Hectorwasstirringearly。CRESSIDAThatwerewetalkingof,andofhisanger。PANDARUSWasheangry?CRESSIDASohesayshere。PANDARUSTrue,hewasso:Iknowthecausetoo: he’lllayabouthimto—day,Icantellthemthat:andthere’sTroiluswillnotcomefarbehindhim:letthemtakeheedofTroilus,Icantellthemthattoo。CRESSIDAWhat,isheangrytoo?PANDARUSWho,Troilus?Troilusisthebettermanofthetwo。CRESSIDAOJupiter!there’snocomparison。PANDARUSWhat,notbetweenTroilusandHector? Doyouknowamanifyouseehim?CRESSIDAAy,ifIeversawhimbeforeandknewhim。PANDARUSWell,IsayTroilusisTroilus。CRESSIDAThenyousayasIsay;for,Iamsure,heisnotHector。PANDARUSNo,norHectorisnotTroilusinsomedegrees。CRESSIDA’Tisjusttoeachofthem;heishimself。PANDARUSHimself!Alas,poorTroilus!Iwouldhewere。CRESSIDASoheis。PANDARUSCondition,IhadgonebarefoottoIndia。CRESSIDAHeisnotHector。PANDARUSHimself!no,he’snothimself:woulda’ werehimself!Well,thegodsareabove;timemustfriendorend:well,Troilus,well:Iwouldmyheartwereinherbody。No,HectorisnotabettermanthanTroilus。CRESSIDAExcuseme。PANDARUSHeiselder。CRESSIDAPardonme,pardonme。PANDARUSTh’other’snotcometo’t;youshalltellmeanothertale,whenth’other’scometo’t。Hectorshallnothavehiswitthisyear。CRESSIDAHeshallnotneedit,ifhehavehisown。PANDARUSNorhisqualities。CRESSIDANomatter。PANDARUSNorhisbeauty。CRESSIDA’Twouldnotbecomehim;hisown’sbetter。PANDARUSYouhavenojudgment,niece:Helenherselfsworeth’otherday,thatTroilus,forabrownfavour——forso’tis,Imustconfess,—— notbrownneither,——CRESSIDANo,butbrown。PANDARUS’Faith,tosaytruth,brownandnotbrown。CRESSIDATosaythetruth,trueandnottrue。PANDARUSShepraisedhiscomplexionaboveParis。CRESSIDAWhy,Parishathcolourenough。PANDARUSSohehas。CRESSIDAThenTroilusshouldhavetoomuch:ifshepraisedhimabove,hiscomplexionishigherthanhis; hehavingcolourenough,andtheotherhigher,istooflamingapraiseforagoodcomplexion。IhadasliefHelen’sgoldentonguehadcommendedTroilusforacoppernose。PANDARUSIsweartoyou。IthinkHelenloveshimbetterthanParis。CRESSIDAThenshe’samerryGreekindeed。PANDARUSNay,Iamsureshedoes。Shecametohimth’otherdayintothecompassedwindow,——and,youknow,hehasnotpastthreeorfourhairsonhischin,——CRESSIDAIndeed,atapster’sarithmeticmaysoonbringhisparticularsthereintoatotal。PANDARUSWhy,heisveryyoung:andyetwillhe,withinthreepound,liftasmuchashisbrotherHector。CRESSIDAIshesoyoungamanandsooldalifter?PANDARUSButtoprovetoyouthatHelenloveshim:shecameandputsmeherwhitehandtohisclovenchin——CRESSIDAJunohavemercy!howcameitcloven?PANDARUSWhy,youknow’tisdimpled:IthinkhissmilingbecomeshimbetterthananymaninallPhrygia。CRESSIDAO,hesmilesvaliantly。PANDARUSDoeshenot?CRESSIDAOyes,an’twereacloudinautumn。PANDARUSWhy,goto,then:buttoprovetoyouthatHelenlovesTroilus,——CRESSIDATroiluswillstandtotheproof,ifyou’llproveitso。PANDARUSTroilus!why,heesteemshernomorethanIesteemanaddleegg。CRESSIDAIfyouloveanaddleeggaswellasyouloveanidlehead,youwouldeatchickensi’theshell。PANDARUSIcannotchoosebutlaugh,tothinkhowshetickledhischin:indeed,shehasamarvellouswhitehand,I mustneedsconfess,——CRESSIDAWithouttherack。PANDARUSAndshetakesuponhertospyawhitehaironhischin。CRESSIDAAlas,poorchin!manyawartisricher。PANDARUSButtherewassuchlaughing!QueenHecubalaughedthathereyesrano’er。CRESSIDAWithmill—stones。PANDARUSAndCassandralaughed。CRESSIDAButtherewasmoretemperatefireunderthepotofhereyes:didhereyesruno’ertoo?PANDARUSAndHectorlaughed。CRESSIDAAtwhatwasallthislaughing?PANDARUSMarry,atthewhitehairthatHelenspiedonTroilus’chin。CRESSIDAAn’thadbeenagreenhair,Ishouldhavelaughedtoo。PANDARUSTheylaughednotsomuchatthehairasathisprettyanswer。CRESSIDAWhatwashisanswer?PANDARUSQuothshe,’Here’sbuttwoandfiftyhairsonyourchin,andoneofthemiswhite。CRESSIDAThisisherquestion。PANDARUSThat’strue;makenoquestionofthat。 ’Twoandfiftyhairs’quothhe,’andonewhite:thatwhitehairismyfather,andalltherestarehissons。’ ’Jupiter!’quothshe,’whichofthesehairsisParis,myhusband?’Theforkedone,’quothhe,’pluck’tout,andgiveithim。’Buttherewassuchlaughing! andHelensoblushed,anParissochafed,andalltherestsolaughed,thatitpassed。CRESSIDASoletitnow;forithasbeenwhilegoingby。PANDARUSWell,cousin。Itoldyouathingyesterday; thinkon’t。CRESSIDASoIdo。PANDARUSI’llbesworn’tistrue;hewillweepyou,an’twereamanborninApril。CRESSIDAAndI’llspringupinhistears,an’twereanettleagainstMay。 AretreatsoundedPANDARUSHark!theyarecomingfromthefield: shallwestanduphere,andseethemastheypasstowardIlium?goodniece,do,sweetnieceCressida。CRESSIDAAtyourpleasure。PANDARUSHere,here,here’sanexcellentplace; herewemayseemostbravely:I’lltellyouthemallbytheirnamesastheypassby;butmarkTroilusabovetherest。CRESSIDASpeaknotsoloud。 AENEASpassesPANDARUSThat’sAEneas:isnotthatabraveman? he’soneoftheflowersofTroy,Icantellyou:butmarkTroilus;youshallseeanon。 ANTENORpassesCRESSIDAWho’sthat?PANDARUSThat’sAntenor:hehasashrewdwit,Icantellyou; andhe’samangoodenough,he’soneo’thesoundestjudgmentsinwhosoever,andapropermanofperson。 WhencomesTroilus?I’llshowyouTroilusanon: ifheseeme,youshallseehimnodatme。CRESSIDAWillhegiveyouthenod?PANDARUSYoushallsee。CRESSIDAIfhedo,therichshallhavemore。 HECTORpassesPANDARUSThat’sHector,that,that,lookyou,that;there’safellow!Gothyway,Hector!There’sabraveman,niece。ObraveHector!Lookhowhelooks!there’sacountenance!is’tnotabraveman?CRESSIDAO,abraveman!PANDARUSIsa’not?itdoesaman’sheartgood。 Lookyouwhathacksareonhishelmet!lookyouyonder,doyousee?lookyouthere:there’snojesting; there’slayingon,take’toffwhowill,astheysay: therebehacks!CRESSIDABethosewithswords?PANDARUSSwords!anything,hecaresnot;anthedevilcometohim,it’sallone:byGod’slid,itdoesone’sheartgood。YondercomesParis,yondercomesParis。 PARISpassesLookyeyonder,niece;is’tnotagallantmantoo,is’tnot?Why,thisisbravenow。Whosaidhecamehurthometo—day?he’snothurt:why,thiswilldoHelen’sheartgoodnow,ha!WouldIcouldseeTroilusnow!YoushallseeTroilusanon。 HELENUSpassesCRESSIDAWho’sthat?PANDARUSThat’sHelenus。ImarvelwhereTroilusis。That’sHelenus。Ithinkhewentnotforthto—day。That’sHelenus。CRESSIDACanHelenusfight,uncle?PANDARUSHelenus?no。Yes,he’llfightindifferentwell。I marvelwhereTroilusis。Hark!doyounothearthepeoplecry’Troilus’?Helenusisapriest。CRESSIDAWhatsneakingfellowcomesyonder? TROILUSpassesPANDARUSWhere?yonder?that’sDeiphobus。’TisTroilus! there’saman,niece!Hem!BraveTroilus!theprinceofchivalry!CRESSIDAPeace,forshame,peace!PANDARUSMarkhim;notehim。ObraveTroilus! Lookwelluponhim,niece:lookyouhowhisswordisbloodied,andhishelmmorehackedthanHector’s,andhowhelooks,andhowhegoes!Oadmirableyouth!hene’ersawthreeandtwenty。Gothyway,Troilus,gothyway! HadIasisterwereagrace,oradaughteragoddess,heshouldtakehischoice。Oadmirableman!Paris? Parisisdirttohim;and,Iwarrant,Helen,tochange,wouldgiveaneyetoboot。CRESSIDAHerecomemore。 ForcespassPANDARUSAsses,fools,dolts!chaffandbran,chaffandbran! porridgeaftermeat!Icouldliveanddiei’ theeyesofTroilus。Ne’erlook,ne’erlook:theeaglesaregone:crowsanddaws,crowsanddaws!IhadratherbesuchamanasTroilusthanAgamemnonandallGreece。CRESSIDAThereisamongtheGreeksAchilles,abettermanthanTroilus。PANDARUSAchilles!adrayman,aporter,averycamel。CRESSIDAWell,well。PANDARUS’Well,well!’why,haveyouanydiscretion? haveyouanyeyes?Doyouknowwhatamanis?Isnotbirth,beauty,goodshape,discourse,manhood,learning,gentleness,virtue,youth,liberality,andsuchlike,thespiceandsaltthatseasonaman?CRESSIDAAy,amincedman:andthentobebakedwithnodateinthepie,forthentheman’sdate’sout。PANDARUSYouaresuchawoman!oneknowsnotatwhatwardyoulie。CRESSIDAUponmyback,todefendmybelly;uponmywit,todefendmywiles;uponmysecrecy,todefendminehonesty;mymask,todefendmybeauty;andyou,todefendallthese:andatallthesewardsIlie,atathousandwatches。PANDARUSSayoneofyourwatches。CRESSIDANay,I’llwatchyouforthat;andthat’soneofthechiefestofthemtoo:ifIcannotwardwhatI wouldnothavehit,IcanwatchyoufortellinghowItooktheblow;unlessitswellpasthiding,andthenit’spastwatching。PANDARUSYouaresuchanother! EnterTroilus’sBoyBoySir,mylordwouldinstantlyspeakwithyou。PANDARUSWhere?BoyAtyourownhouse;thereheunarmshim。PANDARUSGoodboy,tellhimIcome。 ExitboyIdoubthebehurt。Fareyewell,goodniece。CRESSIDAAdieu,uncle。PANDARUSI’llbewithyou,niece,byandby。CRESSIDATobring,uncle?PANDARUSAy,atokenfromTroilus。CRESSIDABythesametoken,youareabawd。 ExitPANDARUS Words,vows,gifts,tears,andlove’sfullsacrifice,Heoffersinanother’senterprise; ButmoreinTroilusthousandfoldIseeThanintheglassofPandar’spraisemaybe; YetholdIoff。Womenareangels,wooing: Thingswonaredone;joy’ssoulliesinthedoing。 Thatshebelovedknowsnoughtthatknowsnotthis: Menprizethethingungain’dmorethanitis: ThatshewasneveryetthateverknewLovegotsosweetaswhendesiredidsue。 ThereforethismaximoutofloveIteach: Achievementiscommand;ungain’d,beseech: Thenthoughmyheart’scontentfirmlovedothbear,Nothingofthatshallfrommineeyesappear。 ExeuntSCENEIII。TheGreciancamp。BeforeAgamemnon’stent。Sennet。EnterAGAMEMNON,NESTOR,ULYSSES,MENELAUS,andothersAGAMEMNONPrinces,Whatgriefhathsetthejaundiceonyourcheeks? TheamplepropositionthathopemakesInalldesignsbegunonearthbelowFailsinthepromisedlargeness:chequesanddisastersGrowintheveinsofactionshighestrear’d,Asknots,bytheconfluxofmeetingsap,InfectthesoundpineanddiverthisgrainTortiveanderrantfromhiscourseofgrowth。 Nor,princes,isitmatternewtousThatwecomeshortofoursupposesofarThataftersevenyears’siegeyetTroywallsstand; Sitheveryactionthathathgonebefore,Whereofwehaverecord,trialdiddrawBiasandthwart,notansweringtheaim,AndthatunbodiedfigureofthethoughtThatgave’tsurmisedshape。Whythen,youprinces,Doyouwithcheeksabash’dbeholdourworks,Andcallthemshames?whichareindeednoughtelseButtheprotractivetrialsofgreatJoveTofindpersistiveconstancyinmen: ThefinenessofwhichmetalisnotfoundInfortune’slove;forthentheboldandcoward,Thewiseandfool,theartistandunread,Thehardandsoftseemallaffinedandkin: But,inthewindandtempestofherfrown,Distinction,withabroadandpowerfulfan,Puffingatall,winnowsthelightaway; Andwhathathmassormatter,byitselfLiesrichinvirtueandunmingled。NESTORWithdueobservanceofthygodlikeseat,GreatAgamemnon,NestorshallapplyThylatestwords。InthereproofofchanceLiesthetrueproofofmen:theseabeingsmooth,HowmanyshallowbaubleboatsdaresailUponherpatientbreast,makingtheirwayWiththoseofnoblerbulk! ButlettheruffianBoreasonceenrageThegentleThetis,andanonbeholdThestrong—ribb’dbarkthroughliquidmountainscut,Boundingbetweenthetwomoistelements,LikePerseus’horse:where’sthenthesaucyboatWhoseweakuntimber’dsidesbutevennowCo—rivall’dgreatness?Eithertoharbourfled,OrmadeatoastforNeptune。EvensoDothvalour’sshowandvalour’sworthdivideInstormsoffortune;forinherrayandbrightnessTheherdhathmoreannoyancebythebreezeThanbythetiger;butwhenthesplittingwindMakesflexiblethekneesofknottedoaks,Andfliesfledundershade,why,thenthethingofcourageAsrousedwithragewithragedothsympathize,AndwithanaccenttunedinselfsamekeyRetortstochidingfortune。ULYSSESAgamemnon,Thougreatcommander,nerveandboneofGreece,Heartofournumbers,soulandonlyspirit。 InwhomthetempersandthemindsofallShouldbeshutup,hearwhatUlyssesspeaks。 BesidestheapplauseandapprobationTowhich,ToAGAMEMNON mostmightyforthyplaceandsway,ToNESTOR Andthoumostreverendforthystretch’d—outlifeIgivetobothyourspeeches,whichweresuchAsAgamemnonandthehandofGreeceShouldholduphighinbrass,andsuchagainAsvenerableNestor,hatch’dinsilver,Shouldwithabondofair,strongastheaxle—treeOnwhichheavenrides,knitalltheGreekishearsTohisexperiencedtongue,yetletitpleaseboth,Thougreat,andwise,tohearUlyssesspeak。AGAMEMNONSpeak,princeofIthaca;andbe’toflessexpectThatmatterneedless,ofimportlessburden,Dividethylips,thanweareconfident,WhenrankThersitesopeshismasticjaws,Weshallhearmusic,witandoracle。ULYSSESTroy,yetuponhisbasis,hadbeendown,AndthegreatHector’sswordhadlack’damaster,Butfortheseinstances。 Thespecialtyofrulehathbeenneglected: And,look,howmanyGreciantentsdostandHollowuponthisplain,somanyhollowfactions。 WhenthatthegeneralisnotlikethehiveTowhomtheforagersshallallrepair,Whathoneyisexpected?Degreebeingvizarded,Theunworthiestshowsasfairlyinthemask。 Theheavensthemselves,theplanetsandthiscentreObservedegree,priorityandplace,Insisture,course,proportion,season,form,Officeandcustom,inalllineoforder; AndthereforeisthegloriousplanetSolInnobleeminenceenthronedandspheredAmidsttheother;whosemedicinableeyeCorrectstheillaspectsofplanetsevil,Andposts,likethecommandmentofaking,Sanschequetogoodandbad:butwhentheplanetsInevilmixturetodisorderwander,Whatplaguesandwhatportents!whatmutiny! Whatragingofthesea!shakingofearth! Commotioninthewinds!frights,changes,horrors,Divertandcrack,rendandderacinateTheunityandmarriedcalmofstatesQuitefromtheirfixure!O,whendegreeisshaked,Whichistheladdertoallhighdesigns,Thenenterpriseissick!Howcouldcommunities,Degreesinschoolsandbrotherhoodsincities,Peacefulcommercefromdividableshores,Theprimogenitiveanddueofbirth,Prerogativeofage,crowns,sceptres,laurels,Butbydegree,standinauthenticplace? Takebutdegreeaway,untunethatstring,And,hark,whatdiscordfollows!eachthingmeetsInmereoppugnancy:theboundedwatersShouldlifttheirbosomshigherthantheshoresAndmakeasopofallthissolidglobe: Strengthshouldbelordofimbecility,Andtherudesonshouldstrikehisfatherdead: Forceshouldberight;orrather,rightandwrong,Betweenwhoseendlessjarjusticeresides,Shouldlosetheirnames,andsoshouldjusticetoo。 Theneverythingincludesitselfinpower,Powerintowill,willintoappetite; Andappetite,anuniversalwolf,Sodoublysecondedwithwillandpower,Mustmakeperforceanuniversalprey,Andlasteatuphimself。GreatAgamemnon,Thischaos,whendegreeissuffocate,Followsthechoking。 AndthisneglectionofdegreeitisThatbyapacegoesbackward,withapurposeIthathtoclimb。Thegeneral’sdisdain’dByhimonestepbelow,hebythenext,Thatnextbyhimbeneath;soeverystep,ExampledbythefirstpacethatissickOfhissuperior,growstoanenviousfeverOfpaleandbloodlessemulation: And’tisthisfeverthatkeepsTroyonfoot,Notherownsinews。Toendataleoflength,Troyinourweaknessstands,notinherstrength。NESTORMostwiselyhathUlyssesherediscover’dThefeverwhereofallourpowerissick。AGAMEMNONThenatureofthesicknessfound,Ulysses,Whatistheremedy?ULYSSESThegreatAchilles,whomopinioncrownsThesinewandtheforehandofourhost,Havinghisearfullofhisairyfame,Growsdaintyofhisworth,andinhistentLiesmockingourdesigns:withhimPatroclusUponalazybedthelivelongdayBreaksscurriljests; Andwithridiculousandawkwardaction,Which,slanderer,heimitationcalls,Hepageantsus。Sometime,greatAgamemnon,Thytoplessdeputationheputson,And,likeastruttingplayer,whoseconceitLiesinhishamstring,anddoththinkitrichTohearthewoodendialogueandsound’Twixthisstretch’dfootingandthescaffoldage,—— Suchto—be—pitiedando’er—wrestedseemingHeactsthygreatnessin:andwhenhespeaks,’Tislikeachimea—mending;withtermsunsquared,Which,fromthetongueofroaringTyphondropp’dWouldseemhyperboles。AtthisfustystuffThelargeAchilles,onhispress’dbedlolling,Fromhisdeepchestlaughsoutaloudapplause; Cries’Excellent!’tisAgamemnonjust。 NowplaymeNestor;hem,andstrokethybeard,Ashebeingdresttosomeoration。’ That’sdone,asnearastheextremestendsOfparallels,aslikeasVulcanandhiswife: YetgodAchillesstillcries’Excellent! ’TisNestorright。Nowplayhimme,Patroclus,Armingtoanswerinanightalarm。’ Andthen,forsooth,thefaintdefectsofageMustbethesceneofmirth;tocoughandspit,And,withapalsy—fumblingonhisgorget,Shakeinandouttherivet:andatthissportSirValourdies;cries’O,enough,Patroclus; Orgivemeribsofsteel!IshallsplitallInpleasureofmyspleen。’Andinthisfashion,Allourabilities,gifts,natures,shapes,Severalsandgeneralsofgraceexact,Achievements,plots,orders,preventions,Excitementstothefield,orspeechfortruce,Successorloss,whatisorisnot,servesAsstuffforthesetwotomakeparadoxes。NESTORAndintheimitationofthesetwain—— Who,asUlyssessays,opinioncrownsWithanimperialvoice——manyareinfect。 Ajaxisgrownself—will’d,andbearshisheadInsucharein,infullasproudaplaceAsbroadAchilles;keepshistentlikehim; Makesfactiousfeasts;railsonourstateofwar,Boldasanoracle,andsetsThersites,Aslavewhosegallcoinsslanderslikeamint,Tomatchusincomparisonswithdirt,Toweakenanddiscreditourexposure,Howranksoeverroundedinwithdanger。ULYSSESTheytaxourpolicy,andcallitcowardice,Countwisdomasnomemberofthewar,Forestallprescience,andesteemnoactButthatofhand:thestillandmentalparts,Thatdocontrivehowmanyhandsshallstrike,Whenfitnesscallsthemon,andknowbymeasureOftheirobservanttoiltheenemies’weight,—— Why,thishathnotafinger’sdignity: Theycallthisbed—work,mappery,closet—war; Sothattheramthatbattersdownthewall,Forthegreatswingandrudenessofhispoise,Theyplacebeforehishandthatmadetheengine,OrthosethatwiththefinenessoftheirsoulsByreasonguidehisexecution。NESTORLetthisbegranted,andAchilles’horseMakesmanyThetis’sons。 AtucketAGAMEMNONWhattrumpet?look,Menelaus。MENELAUSFromTroy。 EnterAENEASAGAMEMNONWhatwouldyou’foreourtent?AENEASIsthisgreatAgamemnon’stent,Iprayyou?AGAMEMNONEventhis。AENEASMayone,thatisaheraldandaprince,Doafairmessagetohiskinglyears?AGAMEMNONWithsuretystrongerthanAchilles’arm’ForealltheGreekishheads,whichwithonevoiceCallAgamemnonheadandgeneral。AENEASFairleaveandlargesecurity。HowmayAstrangertothosemostimperiallooksKnowthemfromeyesofothermortals?AGAMEMNONHow!AENEASAy; Iask,thatImightwakenreverence,AndbidthecheekbereadywithablushModestasmorningwhenshecoldlyeyesTheyouthfulPhoebus: Whichisthatgodinoffice,guidingmen? WhichisthehighandmightyAgamemnon?AGAMEMNONThisTrojanscornsus;orthemenofTroyAreceremoniouscourtiers。AENEASCourtiersasfree,asdebonair,unarm’d,Asbendingangels;that’stheirfameinpeace: Butwhentheywouldseemsoldiers,theyhavegalls,Goodarms,strongjoints,trueswords;and,Jove’saccord,Nothingsofullofheart。Butpeace,AEneas,Peace,Trojan;laythyfingeronthylips! Theworthinessofpraisedistainshisworth,Ifthatthepraisedhimselfbringthepraiseforth: Butwhattherepiningenemycommends,Thatbreathfameblows;thatpraise,solesure,transcends。AGAMEMNONSir,youofTroy,callyouyourselfAEneas?AENEASAy,Greek,thatismyname。AGAMEMNONWhat’syouraffairIprayyou?AENEASSir,pardon;’tisforAgamemnon’sears。AGAMEMNONHehearsnaughtprivatelythatcomesfromTroy。AENEASNorIfromTroycomenottowhisperhim: Ibringatrumpettoawakehisear,Tosethissenseontheattentivebent,Andthentospeak。AGAMEMNONSpeakfranklyasthewind; ItisnotAgamemnon’ssleepinghour: Thatthoushaltknow。Trojan,heisawake,Hetellstheesohimself。AENEASTrumpet,blowloud,Sendthybrassvoicethroughalltheselazytents; AndeveryGreekofmettle,lethimknow,WhatTroymeansfairlyshallbespokealoud。 TrumpetsoundsWehave,greatAgamemnon,hereinTroyAprincecall’dHector,——Priamishisfather,—— Whointhisdullandlong—continuedtruceIsrustygrown:hebademetakeatrumpet,Andtothispurposespeak。Kings,princes,lords! Iftherebeoneamongthefair’stofGreeceThatholdshishonourhigherthanhisease,Thatseekshispraisemorethanhefearshisperil,Thatknowshisvalour,andknowsnothisfear,Thatloveshismistressmorethaninconfession,Withtruantvowstoherownlipsheloves,AnddareavowherbeautyandherworthInotherarmsthanhers,——tohimthischallenge。 Hector,inviewofTrojansandofGreeks,Shallmakeitgood,ordohisbesttodoit,Hehathalady,wiser,fairer,truer,ThaneverGreekdidcompassinhisarms,Andwillto—morrowwithhistrumpetcallMidwaybetweenyourtentsandwallsofTroy,TorouseaGrecianthatistrueinlove: Ifanycome,Hectorshallhonourhim; Ifnone,he’llsayinTroywhenheretires,TheGreciandamesaresunburntandnotworthThesplinterofalance。Evensomuch。AGAMEMNONThisshallbetoldourlovers,LordAEneas; Ifnoneofthemhavesoulinsuchakind,Weleftthemallathome:butwearesoldiers; Andmaythatsoldieramererecreantprove,Thatmeansnot,hathnot,orisnotinlove! Ifthenoneis,orhath,ormeanstobe,ThatonemeetsHector;ifnoneelse,Iamhe。NESTORTellhimofNestor,onethatwasamanWhenHector’sgrandsiresuck’d:heisoldnow; ButiftherebenotinourGrecianhostOnenoblemanthathathonesparkoffire,Toanswerforhislove,tellhimfrommeI’llhidemysilverbeardinagoldbeaverAndinmyvantbraceputthiswither’dbrawn,AndmeetinghimwilltellhimthatmyladyWasfairerthanhisgrandamandaschasteAsmaybeintheworld:hisyouthinflood,I’llprovethistruthwithmythreedropsofblood。AENEASNowheavensforbidsuchscarcityofyouth!ULYSSESAmen。AGAMEMNONFairLordAEneas,letmetouchyourhand; ToourpavilionshallIleadyou,sir。 Achillesshallhavewordofthisintent; SoshalleachlordofGreece,fromtenttotent: YourselfshallfeastwithusbeforeyougoAndfindthewelcomeofanoblefoe。 ExeuntallbutULYSSESandNESTORULYSSESNestor!NESTORWhatsaysUlysses?ULYSSESIhaveayoungconceptioninmybrain; Beyoumytimetobringittosomeshape。NESTORWhatis’t?ULYSSESThis’tis: Bluntwedgesrivehardknots:theseededprideThathathtothismaturityblownupInrankAchillesmustornowbecropp’d,Or,shedding,breedanurseryoflikeevil,Tooverbulkusall。NESTORWell,andhow?ULYSSESThischallengethatthegallantHectorsends,Howeveritisspreadingeneralname,RelatesinpurposeonlytoAchilles。NESTORThepurposeisperspicuousevenassubstance,Whosegrossnesslittlecharacterssumup: And,inthepublication,makenostrain,ButthatAchilles,werehisbrainasbarrenAsbanksofLibya,——though,Apolloknows,’Tisdryenough,——will,withgreatspeedofjudgment,Ay,withcelerity,findHector’spurposePointingonhim。ULYSSESAndwakehimtotheanswer,thinkyou?NESTORYes,’tismostmeet:whommayyouelseoppose,ThatcanfromHectorbringhishonouroff,IfnotAchilles?Though’tbeasportfulcombat,Yetinthetrialmuchopiniondwells; ForheretheTrojanstasteourdear’streputeWiththeirfinestpalate:andtrusttome,Ulysses,OurimputationshallbeoddlypoisedInthiswildaction;forthesuccess,Althoughparticular,shallgiveascantlingOfgoodorbaduntothegeneral; Andinsuchindexes,althoughsmallpricksTotheirsubsequentvolumes,thereisseenThebabyfigureofthegiantmassOfthingstocomeatlarge。ItissupposedHethatmeetsHectorissuesfromourchoiceAndchoice,beingmutualactofalloursouls,Makesmeritherelection,anddothboil,As’twerefromusall,amandistill’dOutofourvirtues;whomiscarrying,Whatheartreceivesfromhencetheconqueringpart,Tosteelastrongopiniontothemselves? Whichentertain’d,limbsarehisinstruments,InnolessworkingthanareswordsandbowsDirectivebythelimbs。ULYSSESGivepardontomyspeech: Therefore’tismeetAchillesmeetnotHector。 Letus,likemerchants,showourfoulestwares,Andthink,perchance,they’llsell;ifnot,Thelustreofthebetteryettoshow,Shallshowthebetter。DonotconsentThateverHectorandAchillesmeet; ForbothourhonourandourshameinthisAredogg’dwithtwostrangefollowers。NESTORIseethemnotwithmyoldeyes:whatarethey?ULYSSESWhatgloryourAchillessharesfromHector,Werehenotproud,weallshouldsharewithhim: Buthealreadyistooinsolent; AndwewerebetterparchinAfricsunThanintheprideandsaltscornofhiseyes,Shouldhe’scapeHectorfair:ifhewerefoil’d,Whythen,wedidourmainopinioncrushIntaintofourbestman。No,makealottery; And,bydevice,letblockishAjaxdrawThesorttofightwithHector:amongourselvesGivehimallowanceforthebetterman; ForthatwillphysicthegreatMyrmidonWhobroilsinloudapplause,andmakehimfallHiscrestthatprouderthanblueIrisbends。 IfthedullbrainlessAjaxcomesafeoff,We’lldresshimupinvoices:ifhefail,YetgoweunderouropinionstillThatwehavebettermen。But,hitormiss,Ourproject’slifethisshapeofsenseassumes: Ajaxemploy’dplucksdownAchilles’plumes。NESTORUlysses,NowIbegintorelishthyadvice; AndIwillgiveatasteofitforthwithToAgamemnon:gowetohimstraight。 Twocursshalltameeachother:pridealoneMusttarrethemastiffson,as’tweretheirbone。 ExeuntACTIISCENEI。ApartoftheGreciancamp。EnterAJAXandTHERSITESAJAXThersites!THERSITESAgamemnon,howifhehadboils?full,allover,generally?AJAXThersites!THERSITESAndthoseboilsdidrun?sayso:didnotthegeneralrunthen?werenotthatabotchycore?AJAXDog!THERSITESThenwouldcomesomematterfromhim;I seenonenow。AJAXThoubitch—wolf’sson,canstthounothear? BeatinghimFeel,then。THERSITESTheplagueofGreeceuponthee,thoumongrelbeef—wittedlord!AJAXSpeakthen,thouvinewedstleaven,speak: Iwillbeattheeintohandsomeness。THERSITESIshallsoonerrailtheeintowitandholiness:but,Ithink,thyhorsewillsoonerconanorationthanthoulearnaprayerwithoutbook。Thoucanststrike,canstthou?aredmurraino’thyjade’stricks!AJAXToadstool,learnmetheproclamation。THERSITESDostthouthinkIhavenosense,thoustrikestmethus?AJAXTheproclamation!THERSITESThouartproclaimedafool,Ithink。AJAXDonot,porpentine,donot:myfingersitch。THERSITESIwouldthoudidstitchfromheadtofootandIhadthescratchingofthee;IwouldmaketheetheloathsomestscabinGreece。Whenthouartforthintheincursions,thoustrikestasslowasanother。AJAXIsay,theproclamation!THERSITESThougrumblestandrailesteveryhouronAchilles,andthouartasfullofenvyathisgreatnessasCerberusisatProserpine’sbeauty,ay,thatthoubarkestathim。AJAXMistressThersites!THERSITESThoushouldeststrikehim。AJAXCobloaf!THERSITESHewouldpuntheeintoshiverswithhisfist,asasailorbreaksabiscuit。AJAX[Beatinghim]Youwhoresoncur!THERSITESDo,do。AJAXThoustoolforawitch!THERSITESAy,do,do;thousodden—wittedlord!thouhastnomorebrainthanIhaveinmineelbows;anassinegomaytutorthee:thouscurvy—valiantass!thouartherebuttothrashTrojans;andthouartboughtandsoldamongthoseofanywit,likeabarbarianslave。 Ifthouusetobeatme,Iwillbeginatthyheel,andtellwhatthouartbyinches,thouthingofnobowels,thou!AJAXYoudog!THERSITESYouscurvylord!AJAX[Beatinghim]Youcur!THERSITESMarshisidiot!do,rudeness;do,camel; do,do。 EnterACHILLESandPATROCLUSACHILLESWhy,hownow,Ajax!whereforedoyouthus? Hownow,Thersites!what’sthematter,man?THERSITESYouseehimthere,doyou?ACHILLESAy;what’sthematter?THERSITESNay,lookuponhim。ACHILLESSoIdo:what’sthematter?THERSITESNay,butregardhimwell。ACHILLES’Well!’why,Idoso。THERSITESButyetyoulooknotwelluponhim;forwhosoeveryoutakehimtobe,heisAjax。ACHILLESIknowthat,fool。THERSITESAy,butthatfoolknowsnothimself。AJAXThereforeIbeatthee。THERSITESLo,lo,lo,lo,whatmodicumsofwitheutters!hisevasionshaveearsthuslong。Ihavebobbedhisbrainmorethanhehasbeatmybones:Iwillbuyninesparrowsforapenny,andhispiamaterisnotworththeninethpartofasparrow。Thislord,Achilles,Ajax,whowearshiswitinhisbellyandhisgutsinhishead,I’lltellyouwhatIsayofhim。ACHILLESWhat?THERSITESIsay,thisAjax—— AjaxofferstobeathimACHILLESNay,goodAjax。THERSITESHasnotsomuchwit——ACHILLESNay,Imustholdyou。THERSITESAswillstoptheeyeofHelen’sneedle,forwhomhecomestofight。ACHILLESPeace,fool!THERSITESIwouldhavepeaceandquietness,butthefoolwillnot:hethere:thathe:lookyouthere。AJAXOthoudamnedcur!Ishall——ACHILLESWillyousetyourwittoafool’s?THERSITESNo,Iwarrantyou;forafoolswillshameit。PATROCLUSGoodwords,Thersites。ACHILLESWhat’sthequarrel?AJAXIbadethevileowlgolearnmethetenoroftheproclamation,andherailsuponme。THERSITESIservetheenot。AJAXWell,goto,goto。THERSITESIserveherevoluntarily。ACHILLESYourlastservicewassufferance,’twasnotvoluntary:nomanisbeatenvoluntary:Ajaxwasherethevoluntary,andyouasunderanimpress。THERSITESE’enso;agreatdealofyourwit,too,liesinyoursinews,orelsetherebeliars。Hectorhaveagreatcatch,ifheknockouteitherofyourbrains: a’ wereasgoodcrackafustynutwithnokernel。ACHILLESWhat,withmetoo,Thersites?THERSITESThere’sUlyssesandoldNestor,whosewitwasmouldyereyourgrandsireshadnailsontheirtoes,yokeyoulikedraught—oxenandmakeyouploughupthewars。ACHILLESWhat,what?THERSITESYes,goodsooth:to,Achilles!to,Ajax! to!AJAXIshallcutoutyourtongue。THERSITES’Tisnomatter!Ishallspeakasmuchasthouafterwards。PATROCLUSNomorewords,Thersites;peace!THERSITESIwillholdmypeacewhenAchilles’brachbidsme,shallI?ACHILLESThere’sforyou,Patroclus。THERSITESIwillseeyouhanged,likeclotpoles,ereIcomeanymoretoyourtents:Iwillkeepwherethereiswitstirringandleavethefactionoffools。 ExitPATROCLUSAgoodriddance。ACHILLESMarry,this,sir,isproclaim’dthroughallourhost: ThatHector,bythefifthhourofthesun,Willwithatrumpet’twixtourtentsandTroyTo—morrowmorningcallsomeknighttoarmsThathathastomach;andsuchaonethatdareMaintain——Iknownotwhat:’tistrash。Farewell。AJAXFarewell。Whoshallanswerhim?ACHILLESIknownot:’tisputtolottery;otherwiseHeknewhisman。AJAXO,meaningyou。Iwillgolearnmoreofit。 ExeuntSCENEII。Troy。AroominPriam’spalace。EnterPRIAM,HECTOR,TROILUS,PARIS,andHELENUSPRIAMAftersomanyhours,lives,speechesspent,ThusonceagainsaysNestorfromtheGreeks: ’DeliverHelen,andalldamageelse—— Ashonour,lossoftime,travail,expense,Wounds,friends,andwhatelsedearthatisconsumedInhotdigestionofthiscormorantwar—— Shallbestruckoff。’Hector,whatsayyouto’t?HECTORThoughnomanlesserfearstheGreeksthanI Asfarastouchethmyparticular,Yet,dreadPriam,Thereisnoladyofmoresofterbowels,Morespongytosuckinthesenseoffear,Morereadytocryout’Whoknowswhatfollows?’ ThanHectoris:thewoundofpeaceissurety,Suretysecure;butmodestdoubtiscall’dThebeaconofthewise,thetentthatsearchesTothebottomoftheworst。LetHelengo: Sincethefirstswordwasdrawnaboutthisquestion,Everytithesoul,’mongstmanythousanddismes,HathbeenasdearasHelen;Imean,ofours: Ifwehavelostsomanytenthsofours,Toguardathingnotoursnorworthtous,Haditourname,thevalueofoneten,Whatmerit’sinthatreasonwhichdeniesTheyieldingofherup?TROILUSFie,fie,mybrother! WeighyoutheworthandhonourofakingSogreatasourdreadfatherinascaleOfcommonounces?willyouwithcounterssumThepastproportionofhisinfinite? AndbuckleinawaistmostfathomlessWithspansandinchessodiminutiveAsfearsandreasons?fie,forgodlyshame!HELENUSNomarvel,thoughyoubitesosharpatreasons,Youaresoemptyofthem。ShouldnotourfatherBearthegreatswayofhisaffairswithreasons,Becauseyourspeechhathnonethattellshimso?TROILUSYouarefordreamsandslumbers,brotherpriest; Youfuryourgloveswithreason。Hereareyourreasons: Youknowanenemyintendsyouharm; Youknowaswordemploy’disperilous,Andreasonfliestheobjectofallharm: Whomarvelsthen,whenHelenusbeholdsAGrecianandhissword,ifhedosetTheverywingsofreasontohisheelsAndflylikechiddenMercuryfromJove,Orlikeastardisorb’d?Nay,ifwetalkofreason,Let’sshutourgatesandsleep:manhoodandhonourShouldhavehare—hearts,wouldtheybutfattheirthoughtsWiththiscramm’dreason:reasonandrespectMakeliverspaleandlustihooddeject。HECTORBrother,sheisnotworthwhatshedothcostTheholding。TROILUSWhatisaught,butas’tisvalued?HECTORButvaluedwellsnotinparticularwill; ItholdshisestimateanddignityAswellwherein’tispreciousofitselfAsintheprizer:’tismadidolatryTomaketheservicegreaterthanthegodAndthewilldotesthatisattributiveTowhatinfectiouslyitselfaffects,Withoutsomeimageoftheaffectedmerit。TROILUSItaketo—dayawife,andmyelectionIsledonintheconductofmywill; Mywillenkindledbymineeyesandears,Twotradedpilots’twixtthedangerousshoresOfwillandjudgment:howmayIavoid,Althoughmywilldistastewhatitelected,ThewifeIchose?therecanbenoevasionToblenchfromthisandtostandfirmbyhonour: Weturnnotbackthesilksuponthemerchant,Whenwehavesoil’dthem,northeremainderviandsWedonotthrowinunrespectivesieve,Becausewenowarefull。ItwasthoughtmeetParisshoulddosomevengeanceontheGreeks: Yourbreathoffullconsentbelliedhissails; Theseasandwinds,oldwranglers,tookatruceAnddidhimservice:hetouch’dtheportsdesired,AndforanoldauntwhomtheGreeksheldcaptive,HebroughtaGrecianqueen,whoseyouthandfreshnessWrinklesApollo’s,andmakesstalethemorning。 Whykeepweher?theGrecianskeepouraunt: Issheworthkeeping?why,sheisapearl,Whosepricehathlaunch’daboveathousandships,Andturn’dcrown’dkingstomerchants。 Ifyou’llavouch’twaswisdomPariswent—— Asyoumustneeds,foryouallcried’Go,go,’—— Ifyou’llconfesshebroughthomenobleprize—— Asyoumustneeds,foryouallclapp’dyourhandsAndcried’Inestimable!’——whydoyounowTheissueofyourproperwisdomsrate,Anddoadeedthatfortuneneverdid,BeggartheestimationwhichyouprizedRicherthanseaandland?O,theftmostbase,Thatwehavestol’nwhatwedofeartokeep! But,thieves,unworthyofathingsostol’n,Thatintheircountrydidthemthatdisgrace,Wefeartowarrantinournativeplace!CASSANDRA[Within]Cry,Trojans,cry!PRIAMWhatnoise?whatshriekisthis?TROILUS’Tisourmadsister,Idoknowhervoice。CASSANDRA[Within]Cry,Trojans!HECTORItisCassandra。 EnterCASSANDRA,ravingCASSANDRACry,Trojans,cry!lendmetenthousandeyes,AndIwillfillthemwithprophetictears。HECTORPeace,sister,peace!CASSANDRAVirginsandboys,mid—ageandwrinkledeld,Softinfancy,thatnothingcanstbutcry,Addtomyclamours!letuspaybetimesAmoietyofthatmassofmoantocome。 Cry,Trojans,cry!practiseyoureyeswithtears! Troymustnotbe,norgoodlyIlionstand; Ourfirebrandbrother,Paris,burnsusall。 Cry,Trojans,cry!aHelenandawoe: Cry,cry!Troyburns,orelseletHelengo。 ExitHECTORNow,youthfulTroilus,donotthesehighstrainsOfdivinationinoursisterworkSometouchesofremorse?orisyourbloodSomadlyhotthatnodiscourseofreason,Norfearofbadsuccessinabadcause,Canqualifythesame?TROILUSWhy,brotherHector,WemaynotthinkthejustnessofeachactSuchandnootherthaneventdothformit,Noroncedejectthecourageofourminds,BecauseCassandra’smad:herbrain—sickrapturesCannotdistastethegoodnessofaquarrelWhichhathourseveralhonoursallengagedTomakeitgracious。Formyprivatepart,Iamnomoretouch’dthanallPriam’ssons: AndJoveforbidthereshouldbedoneamongstusSuchthingsasmightoffendtheweakestspleenTofightforandmaintain!PARISElsemighttheworldconvinceoflevityAswellmyundertakingsasyourcounsels: ButIattestthegods,yourfullconsentGavewingstomypropensionandcutoffAllfearsattendingonsodireaproject。 Forwhat,alas,canthesemysinglearms? WhatPropugnationisinoneman’svalour,TostandthepushandenmityofthoseThisquarrelwouldexcite?Yet,Iprotest,WereIalonetopassthedifficultiesAndhadasamplepowerasIhavewill,Parisshouldne’erretractwhathehathdone,Norfaintinthepursuit。PRIAMParis,youspeakLikeonebesottedonyoursweetdelights: Youhavethehoneystill,butthesethegall; Sotobevaliantisnopraiseatall。PARISSir,IproposenotmerelytomyselfThepleasuressuchabeautybringswithit; ButIwouldhavethesoilofherfairrapeWipedoff,inhonourablekeepingher。 Whattreasonwereittotheransack’dqueen,Disgracetoyourgreatworthsandshametome,NowtodeliverherpossessionupOntermsofbasecompulsion!CanitbeThatsodegenerateastrainasthisShouldoncesetfootinginyourgenerousbosoms? There’snotthemeanestspiritonourpartyWithoutahearttodareorswordtodrawWhenHelenisdefended,nornonesonobleWhoselifewereillbestow’dordeathunfamedWhereHelenisthesubject;then,Isay,Wellmaywefightforherwhom,weknowwell,Theworld’slargespacescannotparallel。HECTORParisandTroilus,youhavebothsaidwell,AndonthecauseandquestionnowinhandHaveglozed,butsuperficially:notmuchUnlikeyoungmen,whomAristotlethoughtUnfittohearmoralphilosophy: ThereasonsyouallegedomoreconduceTothehotpassionofdistemper’dbloodThantomakeupafreedetermination’Twixtrightandwrong,forpleasureandrevengeHaveearsmoredeafthanadderstothevoiceOfanytruedecision。NaturecravesAllduesberender’dtotheirowners:now,WhatnearerdebtinallhumanityThanwifeistothehusband?IfthislawOfnaturebecorruptedthroughaffection,Andthatgreatminds,ofpartialindulgenceTotheirbenumbedwills,resistthesame,Thereisalawineachwell—order’dnationTocurbthoseragingappetitesthatareMostdisobedientandrefractory。 IfHelenthenbewifetoSparta’sking,Asitisknownsheis,thesemorallawsOfnatureandofnationsspeakaloudTohaveherbackreturn’d:thustopersistIndoingwrongextenuatesnotwrong,Butmakesitmuchmoreheavy。Hector’sopinionIsthisinwayoftruth;yetne’ertheless,Myspritelybrethren,IpropendtoyouInresolutiontokeepHelenstill,For’tisacausethathathnomeandependanceUponourjointandseveraldignities。TROILUSWhy,thereyoutouch’dthelifeofourdesign: WereitnotglorythatwemoreaffectedThantheperformanceofourheavingspleens,IwouldnotwishadropofTrojanbloodSpentmoreinherdefence。But,worthyHector,Sheisathemeofhonourandrenown,Aspurtovaliantandmagnanimousdeeds,Whosepresentcouragemaybeatdownourfoes,Andfameintimetocomecanonizeus; For,Ipresume,braveHectorwouldnotloseSorichadvantageofapromisedgloryAssmilesupontheforeheadofthisactionForthewideworld’srevenue。HECTORIamyours,YouvaliantoffspringofgreatPriamus。