Shall to the edge of all extremity Pursue each other; or shall they be divided Hector bade ask. Aga. Which way would Hector have it? En. He cares not; he'll obey conditions. Ach. "Tis done like Hector; but securely done, A little proudly, and great deal misprising 1 The knight opposed. En. If not Achilles, sir, If not Achilles, nothing. En. Therefore Achilles: but, whate'er, know this; In the extremity of great and little, Valor and pride excel themselves in Hector : The other blank as nothing. Weigh him well, Re-enter DIOMEDES. Aga. Here is sir Diomed. Go, gentle knight, Stand by our Ajax: as you and lord Æneas Consent upon the order of their fight, Or else a breath: the combatants being kin, Half stints their strife before their strokes begin. [Ajax and Hector enter the lists. Ulys. They are opposed already. Aga. What Trojan is that same that looks so heavy? Ulys. The youngest son of Priam, a true knight; Not yet mature, yet matchless; firm of word; Speaking in deeds, and deedless in his tongue; His heart and hand both open, and both free; [Alarum. Hector and Ajax fight. 1 A breathing, a slight exercise of arms. 2 A thought unsuitable to the dignity of his character. 3 Yields, gives way. Explain his character. Aga. They are in action. Nes. Now, Ajax, hold thine own! Troi. Awake thee! Hector, thou sleep'st. Aga. His blows are well disposed :—there, Ajax! Dio. You must no more. En. [trumpets cease. Princes, enough, so please you. Why then, will I no more. Ajax. I am not warm yet; let us fight again. Dio. As Hector pleases. Hec. Thou art, great lord, my father's sister's son, A gory emulation 'twixt us twain. Were thy commixtion Greek and Trojan so, Ajax. I thank thee, Hector : Thou art too gentle, and too free a man. I came to kill thee, cousin, and bear hence 2 Hec. Not Neoptolemus so mirable 3 (On whose bright crest Fame with her loud'st O yes Cries, This is he!') could promise to himself A thought of added honor torn from Hector. En. There is expectance here from both the sides, What farther you will do. We'll answer it; Hec. Dio. 'Tis Agamemnon's wish; and great Achilles To the expecters of our Trojan part. Desire them home. Give me thy hand, my cousin ; will go eat with thee, and see your knights. Ajax. Great Agamemnon comes to meet us here. Hec. The worthiest of them tell me name by name; ut for Achilles, my own searching eyes all find him by his large and portly size. 1 Title. 2 Our author here probably means Achilles. 3 Admirable. ▲ Seldom. That would be rid of such an enemy; But that's no welcome. Understand more clear, What's past, and what's to come, is strew'd with husks And formless ruin of oblivion; But in this extant moment, faith and troth, From heart of very heart, great Hector, welcome. Hec. I thank thee, most imperious Agamemnon. Aga. My well-famed lord of Troy, no less to you. [to Troilus. Men. Let me confirm my princely brother's greeting: You brace of warlike brothers, welcome hither. Men. The noble Menelaus. Hec. O you, my lord? by Mars his gauntlet, thanks! Mock not, that I affect the untraded oath.2 Hec. O, pardon: I offend. Nes. I have, thou gallant Trojan, seen thee oft, Laboring for destiny,3 make cruel way 1 Imperial. 2 A singular oath, not in common use. i. e. the vicegerent of Fate. |