"'Tis Neftor right! now play him me, Patroclus, "Arming to answer in a night-alarm : "And then, forfooth, the faint defects of age As broad Achilles; and keeps his tent like him; (A flave whofe gall coins flanders like a mint), Uly. They tax our policy, and call it cowardice ; Count wifdom as no member of the war; Forestall our prescience, and esteem no act But that of hand. The fill and mental parts, That do contrive how many hands fhall ftrike, . When fitnefs call them on, and know by measure Of their obfervant toil the enemies' weight; . Why, this hath not a finger's dignity; .. They call this bed-work mappry, clofet war; . So that the ram, that batters down the wall, . For the great swing and rudeness of his poize, . They place before his hand that made the engine; Or thofe that with the fineness of their fouls * i. e. exactments, public taxes, and contributions for carrying on the war. A. a 2. By reafon guide his execution. Neft. Let this be granted, and Achilles' horfe Makes many Thetis' fons. [Tucket founds. Aga. What trumpet? look, Menelaus. Men. From Troy. SCENE VI. Enter Encas. Aga. What would you 'fore our tent? Ene. Is this great Agamemnon's tent, I pray you Aga. Even this. Ane. May one that is a herald and a prince Do a fair maffage to his kingly ears? Aga. With furety ftronger than Achilles' arm, 'Fore all the Greekish heads, which with one voice Call Agamemnon head and general. Ene. Fair leave, and large fecurity. How may A ftranger to thofe moft imperial looks Know them from eyes of other mortals? Ene, I afk that I might waken reverence, Which is that god in office, guiding men? Aga. This Trojan fcorns us, or the men of Troy Are ceremonious courtiers. ? Ene. Courtiers as free, as debonair, unarm'd, As bending angels; that's their fame in peace. But when they would feem foldiers, they have galls, Good arms, frong joints, true fwords; and (Jove's acNothing fo full of heart. But peace, Eneas; Peace, Trojan; lay thy finger on thy lips; The worthinefs of praise distains his worth, If he that's prais'd, himfelf bring the praise forth: What the repining enemy commends, [cord) I bat breath fame blows, that praise fole pure tranfcends, Aga. Sir, you of Troy, call you yourself Æneas? Ane Ay, Greek, that is my name. Aga. What's your affair, I pray you? Ene. Sir, pardon; 'tis for Agamemnon's ears. ga. He hears nought privately that comes from Troy. Ene. Nor I from Troy come not to whisper him I bring a trumpet to awake his ear, To fet his fenfe on the attentive bent, Aga. Speak frankly as the wind, It is not Agamemnon's fleeping hour; Ene. Trumpet, blow loud, Send thy brafs voice thro' all these lazy tents; ; [The Trumpets found. We have, great Agamemnon, here in Troy If any come. Hector fhall honour him: If none, he'll fay in Troy when he retires, The Grecian dames are fun burat, and not worth Aga. his fhall be told our lovers, Lord Æneas,, We've left them all at home: but we are foldiers; That means not, hath not, or is not in love! Neft. Tell him of Neftor; one that was a man One noble man that hath one fpark of fire, Aga. Fair Lord Eneas, let me touch your hand. Achilles fhall have word of this intent, So fhall each Lord of Greece from tent to tent. And find the welcome of a poble foe.. [Exeunt Manent Ulyffes and Neftor.. Neft. What fays Ulyffes? Uly I have a young conception in my brain,, Be you my time to bring it to fome shape. Neft. What is't?. Ub. This 'tis : Blunt wedges rive hard knots; the feeded pride: In rank Achilles, muft or now be cropt Or, fhedding, breed a nursery of like evil, Neft. Well, and how now?: Uly. This challenge that the gallant Hector fends, However, t is fpread in general name, Relates in purpose only to Achilles. Neft. The purpofe is perfpicuous, even as fubftance, Whofe groffnets little characters fum up : And, in the publication, make no train, But that Achilles, were his brain as barren As banks of Libya, (tho' Apollo knows 'Tis dry enough), will with great speed of judgment, Ay, with celerity, find Hector's purpose Pointing on him. Uly. And wake him to the answer, think you ? Neft. Yes, 'tis moft meet; whom may you elfe opThat can from Hector bring his honour off, If not Achilles? though a fportful combat, [pofe, For here the Trojans talte our dear'st repute : In this wild action. For the fuccefs, Of things to come, at large. It is fuppos'd, What heart from hence receives the conqu'ring part,, Which entertain'd, limbs are his inftruments, Uly. Give pardon to my fpeech'; Therefore 'tis meet Achilles meet not Hector. For both our honour and our fhame in this Are dogg'd with two frange followers. Neft. I fee them not with my old eyes: what are they? Uly What glory our Achilles fhares from Hector, Were he not proud, we all fhould share with him. But he already is too infolent; |