The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 06Dryden, John
General
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 06
Dryden, John
English literature
_Pand._ I go immediately, directly, in a twinkling, with a thought:
yet you think a man never does enough for you; I have been labouring
in your business like any moyle. I was with prince Paris this morning,
to make your excuse at night for not supping at court; and I found
him--faith, how do you think I found him? it does my heart good to
think how I found him: yet you think a man never does enough for you.
_Troil._ Will you go then?--What's this to Cressida?
_Pand._ Why, you will not hear a man! what's this to Cressida? Why, I
found him a-bed, a-bed with Helena, by my troth: 'Tis a sweet queen, a
sweet queen; a very sweet queen,--but she's nothing to my cousin
Cressida; she's a blowse, a gipsy, a tawny moor to my cousin Cressida;
and she lay with one white arm underneath the whoreson's neck: Oh such
a white, lilly-white, round, plump arm as it was--and you must know it
was stripped up to the elbows; and she did so kiss him, and so huggle
him!--as who should say--
_Troil._ But still thou stayest:--what's this to Cressida?
_Pand._ Why, I made your excuse to your brother Paris; that I think's
to Cressida:--but such an arm, such a hand, such taper fingers!
t'other hand was under the bed-cloaths; that I saw not, I confess;
that hand I saw not.
_Troil._ Again thou torturest me.
_Pand._ Nay, I was tortured too; old as I am, I was tortured too: but
for all that, I could make a shift, to make him, to make your excuse,
to make your father--by Jove, when I think of that hand, I am so
ravished, that I know not what I say: I was tortured too.
[TROILUS _turns away discontented._
Well, I go, I go; I fetch her, I bring her, I conduct her; not come
quotha, and I her uncle! [_Exit_ PANDARUS.
_Troil._ I'm giddy; expectation whirls me round:
The imaginary relish is so sweet,
That it enchants my sense; what will it be,
When I shall taste that nectar?
It must be either death, or joy too fine
For the capacity of human powers.
I fear it much: and I do fear beside,
That I shall lose distinction in my joys;
As does a battle, when they charge on heaps
A flying enemy.
_Re-enter_ PANDARUS.
_Pand._ She's making her ready; she'll come strait: you must be witty
now!--she does so blush, and fetches her breath so short, as if she
were frighted with a sprite; 'tis the prettiest villain! she fetches
her breath so short, as 'twere a new-ta'en sparrow.
_Troil._ Just such a passion does heave up my breast!
My heart beats thicker than a feverish pulse:
I know not where I am, nor what I do;
Just like a slave, at unawares encountering
The eye of majesty.--Lead on, I'll follow. [_Exeunt._
SCENE III.--_The Camp._
_Enter_ NESTOR, _and_ ULYSSES.
_Ulys._ I have conceived an embryo in my brain:
Be you my time to bring it to some shape.
_Nest._ What is't, Ulysses?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account