Achil. If not Achilles, nothing.[2041]
Æne. Therefore Achilles: but, whate'er, know this:[2042]
In the extremity of great and little,[2042]
Valour and pride excel themselves in Hector;[2043]
The one almost as infinite as all, 80
The other blank as nothing. Weigh him well,[2044]
And that which looks like pride is courtesy.
This Ajax is half made of Hector's blood:
In love whereof, half Hector stays at home;
Half heart, half hand, half Hector comes to seek[2045] 85
This blended knight, half Trojan and half Greek.
Achil. A maiden battle then? O, I perceive you.
Re-enter Diomedes.[2046]
Agam. Here is Sir Diomed. Go, gentle knight,[2047]
Stand by our Ajax: as you and Lord Æneas
Consent upon the order of their fight, 90
So be it; either to the uttermost,[2048]
Or else a breath: the combatants being kin[2049]
Half stints their strife before their strokes begin.
[Ajax and Hector enter the lists.[2050]
Ulyss. They are opposed already.[2051]
Agam. What Trojan is that same that looks so heavy?[2051][2052] 95
Ulyss. The youngest son of Priam, a true knight,[2053]
Not yet mature, yet matchless, firm of word,[2054]
Speaking in deeds and deedless in his tongue,[2055]
Not soon provoked nor being provoked soon calm'd;
His heart and hand both open and both free;[2056] 100
For what he has he gives, what thinks he shows;[2056]
Yet gives he not till judgement guide his bounty,
Nor dignifies an impair thought with breath;[2057]
Manly as Hector, but more dangerous;
For Hector in his blaze of wrath subscribes 105
To tender objects, but he in heat of action[2058]
Is more vindicative than jealous love:[2059]
They call him Troilus, and on him erect
A second hope, as fairly built as Hector.
Thus says Æneas; one that knows the youth 110
Even to his inches, and with private soul
Did in great Ilion thus translate him to me.
[Alarum. Hector and Ajax fight.[2060]