Achil. Ha! known?[1779]
Ulyss. Is that a wonder? 195
The providence that's in a watchful state
Knows almost every grain of Plutus' gold,[1780]
Finds bottom in the uncomprehensive deeps,[1781]
Keeps place with thought and almost like the gods[1782][1783]
Does thoughts unveil in their dumb cradles.[1782][1784] 200
There is a mystery, with whom relation[1785]
Durst never meddle, in the soul of state;
Which hath an operation more divine
Than breath or pen can give expressure to:[1786]
All the commerce that you have had with Troy 205
As perfectly is ours as yours, my lord;
And better would it fit Achilles much
To throw down Hector than Polyxena:
But it must grieve young Pyrrhus now at home,
When fame shall in our islands sound her trump;[1787] 210
And all the Greekish girls shall tripping sing
'Great Hector's sister did Achilles win,
But our great Ajax bravely beat down him.'[1788]
Farewell, my lord: I as your lover speak;
The fool slides o'er the ice that you should break. [Exit.[1789]215
Patr. To this effect, Achilles, have I moved you:[1790]
A woman impudent and mannish grown
Is not more loathed than an effeminate man
In time of action. I stand condemn'd for this;[1791]
They think my little stomach to the war 220
And your great love to me restrains you thus:
Sweet, rouse yourself, and the weak wanton Cupid[1792]
Shall from your neck unloose his amorous fold,[1793]
And, like a dew-drop from the lion's mane,[1794]
Be shook to air.[1795]
Achil. Shall Ajax fight with Hector? 225
Patr. Ay, and perhaps receive much honour by him.
Achil. I see my reputation is at stake;
My fame is shrewdly gored.[1796]
Patr. O, then, beware;
Those wounds heal ill that men do give themselves:
Omission to do what is necessary 230
Seals a commission to a blank of danger;
And danger, like an ague, subtly taints
Even then when we sit idly in the sun.[1797]
Achil. Go call Thersites hither, sweet Patroclus:
I'll send the fool to Ajax and desire him 235
To invite the Trojan lords after the combat
To see us here unarm'd: I have a woman's longing,[1798]
An appetite that I am sick withal,
To see great Hector in his weeds of peace;[1799]
To talk with him, and to behold his visage, 240
Even to my full of view.—A labour saved!
Enter Thersites.[1800]