Part 30

Par. Hark! Hector’s trumpet.

Æne. How have we spent this morning! The Prince must think me tardy and remiss, That swore to ride before him to the field.

Par. ’Tis Troylus’ fault. Come, come to field with him.

Dieph. Let us make ready straight.

Æne. Yea, with a bridegroom’s fresh alacrity Let us address to tend on Hector’s heels. The glory of our Troy doth this day lie On his fair worth and single chivalry. Exeunt

Enter Aiax, armed; Agamemnon, Achilles, Patroclus, Menelaus, Vlyſſes, Nestor, and others

Agam. Here art thou in appointment fresh and fair, Anticipating time with starting courage. Give with thy trumpet a loud note to Troy, Thou dreadful Aiax, that the appalled air May pierce the head of the great combatant, And hale him hither.

Aiax. Thou, trumpet, there’s my purse. Now crack thy lungs and split thy brazen pipe; Blow, villain, till thy sphered bias cheek Out-swell the colic of puff Aquilon’d. Come, stretch thy chest, and let thy eyes spout blood: Thou blowest for Hector. [Trumpet sounds]

Vlyſ. No trumpet answers.

Achil. ’Tis but early days.

Enter Diomedes, with Creſſid

Agam. Is not yond Diomed, with Calchas’ daughter?

Vlyſ. ’Tis he, I ken the manner of his gait: He rises on the toe. That spirit of his In aspiration lifts him from the earth.

Agam. Is this the lady Creſſid?

Diom. Even she.

Agam. Most dearly welcome to the Greeks, sweet lady.

Nestor. Our general doth salute you with a kiss.

Vlyſ. Yet is the kindness but particular; ’Twere better she were kiss’d in general.

Nestor. And very courtly counsel: I’ll begin. So much for Nestor.

Achil. I’ll take that winter from your lips, fair lady. Achilles bids you welcome.

Men. I had good argument for kissing once.

Patr. But that’s no argument for kissing now; For thus popp’d Paris in his hardiment, And parted thus you and your argument.

Vlyſ. O deadly gall, and theme of all our scorns! For which we lose our heads to gild his horns.

Patr. The first was Menelaus’ kiss; this, mine- [Kisses her again] Patroclus kisses you.

Men. O, this is trim!

Patr. Paris and I kiss evermore for him.

Men. I’ll have my kiss, sir. Lady, by your leave.

Cre. In kissing, do you render or receive?