Agam. Why will he not, upon our fair request,
Untent his person, and share the air with us?
Ulyss. Things small as nothing, for request's sake only[1466]
He makes important: possess'd he is with greatness,[1467]
And speaks not to himself but with a pride 165
That quarrels at self-breath: imagined worth[1468]
Holds in his blood such swoln and hot discourse
That 'twixt his mental and his active parts
Kingdom'd Achilles in commotion rages
And batters down himself: what should I say?[1469][1470] 170
He is so plaguy proud that the death-tokens of it[1469][1471]
Cry 'No recovery.'
Agam. Let Ajax go to him.
Dear lord, go you and greet him in his tent:
'Tis said he holds you well, and will be led[1472]
At your request a little from himself. 175
Ulyss. O Agamemnon, let it not be so!
We'll consecrate the steps that Ajax makes
When they go from Achilles. Shall the proud lord
That bastes his arrogance with his own seam[1473]
And never suffers matter of the world 180
Enter his thoughts, save such as do revolve[1474]
And ruminate himself, shall he be worshipp'd
Of that we hold an idol more than he?[1475]
No, this thrice worthy and right valiant lord
Must not so stale his palm, nobly acquired;[1476] 185
Nor, by my will, assubjugate his merit,
As amply titled as Achilles is,[1477][1478]
By going to Achilles:[1477]
That were to enlard his fat-already pride,[1479]
And add more coals to Cancer when he burns 190
With entertaining great Hyperion.
This lord go to him! Jupiter forbid,[1480]
And say in thunder 'Achilles go to him.'
Nest. [Aside] O, this is well; he rubs the vein of him.[1481]
Dio. [Aside] And how his silence drinks up this applause![1481][1482]195
Ajax. If I go to him, with my armed fist[1483]
I'll pash him o'er the face.[1483][1484]
Agam. O, no, you shall not go.
Ajax. An a' be proud with me, I'll pheeze his pride:[1485][1486]
Let me go to him.[1485] 200
Ulyss. Not for the worth that hangs upon our quarrel.