Hect. Common as the tainted shambles,
Or as the dust we tread.
Troil. By heaven, as chaste as thy Andromache. [Hector lays his hand on Troilus's arm, Troilus does the same to him.
Hect. What, namest thou them together!
Troil. No, I do not:
Fair Cressida is first; as chaste as she,
But much more fair.
Hect. O, patience, patience, heaven!
Thou tempt'st me strangely: should I kill thee now,
I know not if the gods can he offended,
Or think I slew a brother: But, begone!
Begone, or I shall shake thee into atoms;
Thou know'st I can.
Troil. I care not if you could.
Hect. [walking off.]
I thank the gods, for calling to my mind
My promise, that no words of thine should urge me
Beyond the bounds of reason: But in thee
'Twas brutal baseness, so forewarned, to fall
Beneath the name of man; to spurn my kindness;
And when I offered thee (thou know'st how loth!)
The wholesome bitter cup of friendly counsel,
To dash it in my face. Farewell, farewell,
Ungrateful as thou art: hereafter use
The name of brother; but of friend no more.[Going out.
321 Troil. Wilt thou not break yet, heart?—stay, brother, stay;
I promised too, but I have broke my vow,
And you keep yours too well.
Hect. What would'st thou more?
Take heed, young man, how you too far provoke me!
For heaven can witness, 'tis with much constraint
That I preserve my faith.
Troil. Else you would kill me?