Nest. What is't?
Ulyss. This 'tis:[1223] 315
Blunt wedges rive hard knots: the seeded pride
That hath to this maturity blown up[1224]
In rank Achilles must or now be cropp'd,
Or, shedding, breed a nursery of like evil,
To overbulk us all.
Nest. Well, and how?[1225] 320
Ulyss. This challenge that the gallant Hector sends,
However it is spread in general name,
Relates in purpose only to Achilles.
Nest. The purpose is perspicuous even as substance,[1226]
Whose grossness little characters sum up:[1227] 325
And, in the publication, make no strain,[1227]
But that Achilles, were his brain as barren[1228]
As banks of Libya,—though, Apollo knows,[1229]
'Tis dry enough—will, with great speed of judgement,[1229]
Ay, with celerity, find Hector's purpose[1230] 330
Pointing on him.[1230]
Ulyss. And wake him to the answer, think you?
Nest. Yes, 'tis most meet: who may you else oppose,[1231]
That can from Hector bring his honour off,[1232]
If not Achilles? Though't be a sportful combat,[1233] 335
Yet in this trial much opinion dwells;[1234]
For here the Trojans taste our dear'st repute
With their finest palate: and trust to me, Ulysses,[1235]
Our imputation shall be oddly poised[1236]
In this wild action; for the success,[1237] 340
Although particular, shall give a scantling[1238]
Of good or bad unto the general;
And in such indexes, although small pricks
To their subsequent volumes, there is seen
The baby figure of the giant mass 345
Of things to come at large. It is supposed
He that meets Hector issues from our choice:
And choice, being mutual act of all our souls,
Makes merit her election, and doth boil,
As 'twere from forth us all, a man distill'd 350
Out of our virtues; who miscarrying,
What heart from hence receives the conquering part,[1239][1240]
To steel a strong opinion to themselves?[1240][1241]
Which entertain'd, limbs are his instruments,[1242][1243]
In no less working than are swords and bows[1242] 355
Directive by the limbs.[1242]
Ulyss. Give pardon to my speech;[1244]
Therefore 'tis meet Achilles meet not Hector.[1244][1245]
Let us, like merchants, show our foulest wares,[1244]
And think, perchance, they'll sell; if not,[1244][1246] 360
The lustre of the better yet to show,[1244][1247]
Shall show the better. Do not consent[1244][1248]
That ever Hector and Achilles meet;[1244]
For both our honour and our shame in this[1244]
Are dogg'd with two strange followers.[1244] 365
Nest. I see them not with my old eyes: what are they?[1249]
Ulyss. What glory our Achilles shares from Hector,[1250]
Were he not proud, we all should share with him:[1251]
But he already is too insolent;
And we were better parch in Afric sun[1252] 370
Than in the pride and salt scorn of his eyes,
Should he 'scape Hector fair: if he were foil'd,[1253]
Why then, we did our main opinion crush[1254]
In taint of our best man. No, make a lottery;
And by device let blockish Ajax draw[1255] 375
The sort to fight with Hector: among ourselves[1256]
Give him allowance for the better man;[1257]
For that will physic the great Myrmidon
Who broils in loud applause, and make him fall
His crest that prouder than blue Iris bends. 380
If the dull brainless Ajax come safe off,
We'll dress him up in voices: if he fail,
Yet go we under our opinion still
That we have better men. But, hit or miss,
Our project's life this shape of sense assumes, 385
Ajax employ'd plucks down Achilles' plumes.