The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 6 of 9]Shakespeare, William
General
The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 6 of 9]
Shakespeare, William
English drama
_Hect._ Nay, I have done already.
_Achil._ Thou art too brief: I will the second time,[2101]
As I would buy thee, view thee limb by limb.[2102]
_Hect._ O, like a book of sport thou'lt read me o'er;
But there's more in me than thou understand'st. 240
Why dost thou so oppress me with thine eye?
_Achil._ Tell me, you heavens, in which part of his body
Shall I destroy him? whether there, or there, or there?[2103]
That I may give the local wound a name,
And make distinct the very breach whereout 245
Hector's great spirit flew: answer me, heavens!
_Hect._ It would discredit the blest gods, proud man,
To answer such a question: stand again:
Think'st thou to catch my life so pleasantly
As to prenominate in nice conjecture 250
Where thou wilt hit me dead?
_Achil._ I tell thee, yea.
_Hect._ Wert thou an oracle to tell me so,[2104]
I'ld not believe thee. Henceforth guard thee well;
For I'll not kill thee there, nor there, nor there;
But, by the forge that stithied Mars his helm,[2105] 255
I'll kill thee every where, yea, o'er and o'er.
You wisest Grecians, pardon me this brag;
His insolence draws folly from my lips;
But I'll endeavour deeds to match these words,
Or may I never--
_Ajax._ Do not chafe thee, cousin: 260
And you, Achilles, let these threats alone
Till accident or purpose bring you to't:
You may have every day enough of Hector,[2106]
If you have stomach: the general state, I fear,
Can scarce entreat you to be odd with him.[2107] 265
_Hect._ I pray you, let us see you in the field:
We have had pelting wars since you refused[2108]
The Grecians' cause.[2108]
_Achil._ Dost thou entreat me, Hector?
To-morrow do I meet thee, fell as death;[2109]
To-night all friends.[2109]
_Hect._ Thy hand upon that match.[2110] 270
_Agam._ First, all you peers of Greece, go to my tent;
There in the full convive we: afterwards,[2111]
As Hector's leisure and your bounties shall
Concur together, severally entreat him.[2112]
Beat loud the tabourines, let the trumpets blow,[2112] 275
That this great soldier may his welcome know.
[_Exeunt all but Troilus and Ulysses._[2113]
_Tro._ My Lord Ulysses, tell me, I beseech you.[2114]
In what place of the field doth Calchas keep?
_Ulyss._ At Menelaus' tent, most princely Troilus:
There Diomed doth feast with him to-night; 280
Who neither looks upon the heaven nor earth,[2115]
But gives all gaze and bent of amorous view
On the fair Cressid.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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