Part 25

Patr. What you say to’t?

Ther. God buy you, with all my heart.

Patr. Your answer, sir.

Ther. If to-morrow be a fair day, by eleven of the clock it will go one way or other. Howsoever, he shall pay for me ere he has me.

Patr. Your answer, sir.

Ther. Fare ye well, with all my heart.

Achil. Why, but he is not in this tune, is he?

Ther. No, but he’s out a tune thus. What music will be in him when Hector has knock’d out his brains I know not; but, I am sure, none; unless the fiddler Apollo get his sinews to make catlings on.

Achil. Come, thou shalt bear a letter to him straight.

Ther. Let me carry another to his horse; for that’s the more capable creature.

Achil. My mind is troubled, like a fountain stirr’d; And I myself see not the bottom of it. Exeunt Achilles and Patroclus

Ther. Would the fountain of your mind were clear again, that I might water an ass at it. I had rather be a tick in a sheep than such a valiant ignorance. Exit

Enter, at one side, Æneas, and servant with a torch; at another, Paris, Diephœbus, Antenor, Diomedes the Grecian, and others, with torches

Par. See, ho! Who is that there?

Dieph. It is the Lord Æneas.

Æne. Is the Prince there in person? Had I so good occasion to lie long As you, Prince Paris, nothing but heavenly business Should rob my bed-mate of my company.

Diom. That’s my mind too. Good morrow, Lord Æneas.

Par. A valiant Greek, Æneas -take his hand: Witness the process of your speech, wherein You told how Diomed, a whole week by days, Did haunt you in the field.

Æne. Health to you, valiant sir, During all question of the gentle truce; But when I meet you arm’d, as black defiance As heart can think or courage execute.

Diom. The one and other Diomed embraces. Our bloods are now in calm; and so long health! But when contention and occasion meet, By Jove, I’ll play the hunter for thy life With all my force, pursuit, and policy.

Æne. And thou shalt hunt a lion, that will fly With his face backward. In humane gentleness, Welcome to Troy! now, by Anchises’ life, Welcome indeed! By Venus’ hand I swear No man alive can love in such a sort The thing he means to kill, more excellently.

Diom. We sympathise. Jove let Æneas live, If to my sword his fate be not the glory, A thousand complete courses of the sun! But in mine emulous honour let him die With every joint a wound, and that to-morrow!

Æne. We know each other well. Diom. We do; and long to know each other worse.

Par. This is the most despiteful’st gentle greeting The noblest hateful love, that e’er I heard of. What business, lord, so early?

Æne. I was sent for to the King; but why, I know not.

Par. His purpose meets you: ’twas to bring this Greek To Calchas’ house, and there to render him, For the enfreed Antenor, the fair Creſſid. Let’s have your company; or, if you please, Haste there before us. I constantly believe- Or rather call my thought a certain knowledge- My brother Troylus lodges there to-night. Rouse him and give him note of our approach, With the whole quality wherefore; I fear We shall be much unwelcome.

Æne. That I assure you: Troylus had rather Troy were borne to Greece Than Creſſid borne from Troy.

Par. There is no help; The bitter disposition of the time Will have it so. On, lord; we’ll follow you.