Chapter 19

_Enter_ PANDARUS, TROILUS, _and_ CRESSIDA.

_Pand._ Come, come, what need you blush? Shame's a baby; swear the oaths now to her, that you swore to me: What, are you gone again? you must be watched ere you are made tame, must you? Why don't you speak to her first?--Come, draw this curtain and let's see your picture; alas-a-day, how loth you are to offend day-light! [_They kiss._] That's well, that's well; nay, you shall fight your hearts out ere I part you. So so--so so--

_Troil._ You have bereft me of all words, fair Cressida.

_Pand._ Words pay no debts; give her deeds.--What billing again! Here's, in witness whereof the parties interchangeably--come in, come in, you lose time both.

_Troil._ O Cressida, how often have I wished me here!

_Cres._ Wished, my lord!--The gods grant!--O, my lord--

_Troil._ What should they grant? what makes this pretty interruption in thy words?

_Cres._ I speak I know not what!

_Troil._ Speak ever so; and if I answer you I know not what--it shows the more of love. Love is a child that talks in broken language, Yet then he speaks most plain.

_Cres._ I find it true, that to be wise, and love, Are inconsistent things.

_Pand._ What, blushing still! have you not done talking yet?

_Cres._ Well, uncle, what folly I commit, I dedicate to you.

_Pand._ I thank you for that; if my lord get a boy of you, you'll give him me. Be true to my lord; if he flinch, I'll be hanged for him.--Now am I in my kingdom! [_Aside._

_Troil._ You know your pledges now; your uncle's word, and my firm faith.

_Pand._ Nay, I'll give my word for her too: Our kindred are constant; they are burs, I can assure you; they'll stick where they are thrown.

_Cres._ Boldness comes to me now, and I can speak: Prince Troilus, I have loved you long.

_Troil._ Why was my Cressida then so hard to win?

_Cres._ Hard to seem won; but I was won, my lord-- What have I blabbed? who will be true to us, When we are so unfaithful to ourselves! O bid me hold my tongue; for, in this rapture, Sure I shall speak what I should soon repent. But stop my mouth.

_Troil._ A sweet command, and willingly obeyed. [_Kisses._

_Pand._ Pretty, i'faith!

_Cres._ My lord, I do beseech you pardon me; 'Twas not my purpose thus to beg a kiss. I am ashamed;--O heavens, what have I done! For this time let me take my leave, my lord.

_Pand._ Leave! an you take leave till to-morrow morning, call me Cut.

_Cres._ Pray, let me go.

_Troil._ Why, what offends you, madam?

_Cres._ My own company.

_Troil._ You cannot shun yourself.

_Cres._ Let me go try; I have a kind of self resides in you.

_Troil._ Oh that I thought truth could be in a woman, (As if it can, I will presume in you,) That my integrity and faith might meet The same return from her, who has my heart, How should I be exalted! but, alas, I am more plain than dull simplicity, And artless as the infancy of truth!

_Cres._ In that I must not yield to you, my lord.

_Troil._ All constant lovers shall, in future ages, Approve their truth by Troilus. When their verse Wants similes,--as turtles to their mates, Or true as flowing tides are to the moon, Earth to the centre, iron to adamant,-- At last, when truth is tired with repetition, As true as Troilus, shall crown up the verse, And sanctify the numbers.

_Cres._ Prophet may you be! If I am false, or swerve from truth of love, When Time is old, and has forgot itself In all things else, let it remember me; And, after all comparisons of falsehood, To stab the heart of perjury in maids, Let it be said--as false as Cressida.

_Pand._ Go to, little ones; a bargain made. Here I hold your hand, and here my cousin's: if ever you prove false to one another, after I have taken such pains to bring you together, let all pitiful goers-between be called to the world's end after my name, _Pandars._

_Cres._ And will you promise, that the holy priest Shall make us one for ever?

_Pand._ Priests! marry hang them, they make you one! Go in, go in, and make yourselves one without a priest; I'll have no priest's work in my house.

_Cres._ I'll not consent, unless you swear.

_Pand._ Ay, do, do swear; a pretty woman's worth an oath at any time. Keep or break, as time shall try; but it is good to swear, for the saving of her credit. Hang them, sweet rogues, they never expect a man should keep it. Let him but swear, and that's all they care for.

_Troil._ Heavens prosper me, as I devoutly swear, Never to be but yours!

_Pand._ Whereupon I will lead you into a chamber; and suppose there be a bed in it, as, ifack, I know not, but you'll forgive me if there be--away, away, you naughty hildings; get you together, get you together. Ah you wags, do you leer indeed at one another! do the neyes twinkle at him! get you together, get you together. [_Leads them out._

_Enter at one Door_ ÆNEAS, _with a Torch; at another,_ HECTOR _and_ DIOMEDE, _with Torches._

_Hect._ So ho, who goes there? Æneas!

_Æn._ Prince Hector!

_Diom._ Good-morrow, lord Æneas.

_Hect._ A valiant Greek, Æneas; take his hand; Witness the process of your speech within; You told how Diomede a whole week by days Did haunt you in the field.

_Æn._ Health to you, valiant sir, During all business of the gentle truce; But, when I meet you armed, as black defiance, As heart can think, or courage execute.

_Diom._ Both one and t'other Diomede embraces. Our bloods are now in calm; and so long, health; But when contention and occasion meet, By Jove I'll play the hunter for thy life.

_Æn._ And thou shall hunt a lion, that will fly With his face backward. Welcome, Diomede, Welcome to Troy. Now, by Anchises' soul, No man alive can love in such a sort The thing he means to kill more excellently.

_Diom._ We know each other well.

_Æn._ We do; and long to know each other worse.-- My lord, the king has sent for me in haste; Know you the reason?

_Hect._ Yes; his purpose meets you. It was to bring this Greek to Calchas' house, Where Pandarus his brother, and his daughter Fair Cressida reside; and there to render For our Antenor, now redeemed from prison, The lady Cressida.

_Æn._ What! Has the king resolved to gratify That traitor Calchas, who forsook his country, And turned to them, by giving up this pledge?

_Hect._ The bitter disposition of the time Is such, though Calchas, as a fugitive, Deserve it not, that we must free Antenor, On whose wise counsels we can most rely; And therefore Cressida must be returned.

_Æn._ A word, my lord--Your pardon, Diomede-- Your brother Troilus, to my certain knowledge, Does lodge this night in Pandarus's house.

_Hect._ Go you before. Tell him of our approach, Which will, I fear, be much unwelcome to him.

_Æn._ I assure you, Troilus had rather Troy were borne to Greece, Than Cressida from Troy.

_Hect._ I know it well; and how he is, beside, Of hasty blood.

_Æn._ He will not hear me speak; But I have noted long betwixt you two A more than brother's love; an awful homage The fiery youth pays to your elder virtue.

_Hect._ Leave it to me; I'll manage him alone; Attend you Diomede.--My lord, good-morrow; [_To_ DIOM. An urgent business takes me from the pleasure Your company affords me; but Æneas, With joy, will undertake to serve you here, And to supply my room.

_Æn._ [_To_ DIOM.] My lord, I wait you. [_Exeunt severally;_ DIOMEDE _with_ ÆNEAS, HECTOR _at another Door._

_Enter_ PANDARUS, _a Servant, Music._

_Pand._ Softly, villain, softly; I would not for half Troy the lovers should be disturbed under my roof: listen, rogue, listen; do they breathe?

_Serv._ Yes, sir; I hear, by some certain signs, they are both awake.

_Pand._ That's as it should be; that's well o' both sides. [_Listens._]--Yes, 'faith, they are both alive:--There was a creak! there was a creak! they are both alive, and alive like;--there was a creak! a ha, boys!--Is the music ready?

_Serv._ Shall they strike up, sir?

_Pand._ Art thou sure they do not know the parties?

_Serv._ They play to the man in the moon, for aught they know.

_Pand._ To the man in the moon? ah rogue! do they so indeed, rogue! I understand thee; thou art a wag; thou art a wag. Come, towze rowze! in the name of love, strike up, boys.

_Music, and then a Song; during which_ PANDARUS _listens._

I.

_Can life be a blessing, Or worth the possessing, Can life be a blessing, if love were away? Ah, no! though our love all night keep us waking, And though he torment us with cares all the day, Yet he sweetens, he sweetens our pains in the taking; There's an hour at the last, there's an hour to repay._

II.

_In every possessing, The ravishing blessing, In every possessing, the fruit of our pain, Poor lovers forget long ages of anguish, Whate'er they have suffered and done to obtain; 'Tis a pleasure, a pleasure to sigh and to languish, When we hope, when we hope to be happy again._

_Pand._ Put up, and vanish; they are coming out: What a ferrup, will you play when the dance is done? I say, vanish. [_Exit music._ [_Peeping._] Good, i'faith! good, i'faith! what, hand in hand--a fair quarrel, well ended! Do, do, walk him, walk him;--a good girl, a discreet girl: I see she will make the most of him.

_Enter_ TROILUS _and_ CRESSIDA.

_Troil._ Farewell, my life! leave me, and back to bed: Sleep seal those pretty eyes, And tie thy senses in as soft a band, As infants void of thought.

_Pand._ [_Shewing himself._] How now, how now; how go matters? Hear you, maid, hear you; where's my cousin Cressida?

_Cres._ Go hang yourself, you naughty mocking uncle: You bring me to do ill, and then you jeer me!

_Pand._ What ill have I brought you to do? Say what, if you dare now?--My lord, have I brought her to do ill?

_Cres._ Come, come,--beshrew your heart, you'll neither be good yourself, nor suffer others.

_Pand._ Alas, poor wench! alas, poor devil! Has not slept to-night? would a'not, a naughty man, let it sleep one twinkle? A bugbear take him!

_Cres._ [_Knock within._] Who's that at door? good uncle, go and see:-- My lord, come you again into my chamber.-- You smile and mock, as if I meant naughtily!

_Troil._ Indeed, indeed!

_Cres._ Come, you're deceived; I think of no such thing.-- [_Knock again._ How earnestly they knock! Pray, come in: I would not for all Troy you were seen here. [_Exeunt_ TROIL. _and_ CRES.

_Pand._ Who's there? What's the matter? Will you beat down the house there!

_Enter_ HECTOR.

_Hect._ Good morrow, my lord Pandarus; good morrow!

_Pand._ Who's there? prince Hector! What news with you so early?

_Hect._ Is not my brother Troilus here?

_Pand._ Here! what should he do here?

_Hect._ Come, he is here, my lord; do not deny him: It does import him much to speak with me.

_Pand._ Is he here, say you? It is more than I know, I'll be sworn! For my part, I came in late.--What should he do here?

_Hect._ Come, come, you do him wrong ere you're aware; you'll be so true to him, that you'll be false to him: You shall not know he's here; but yet go fetch him hither; go. [_Exit_ PAND.

_Enter_ TROILUS.

I bring you, brother, most unwelcome news; But since of force you are to hear it told, I thought a friend and brother best might tell it: Therefore, before I speak, arm well your mind, And think you're to be touched even to the quick; That so, prepared for ill, you may be less Surprised to hear the worst.

_Troil._ See, Hector, what it is to be your brother! I stand prepared already.

_Hect._ Come, you are hot; I know you, Troilus, you are hot and fiery: You kindle at a wrong, and catch it quick, As stubble does the flame.

_Troil._ 'Tis heat of blood, And rashness of my youth; I'll mend that error: Begin, and try my temper.

_Hect._ Can you think Of that one thing, which most could urge your anger, Drive you to madness, plunge you in despair, And make you hate even me?

_Troil._ There can be nothing. I love you, brother, with that awful love I bear to heaven, and to superior virtue: And when I quit this love, you must be that, Which Hector ne'er can be.

_Hect._ Remember well What you have said; for, when I claim your promise, I shall expect performance.

_Troil._ I am taught: I will not rage.

_Hect._ Nor grieve beyond a man?

_Troil._ I will not be a woman.

_Hect._ Do not, brother: And I will tell my news in terms so mild, So tender, and so fearful to offend, As mothers use to sooth their froward babes; Nay, I will swear, as you have sworn to me, That, if some gust of passion swell your soul To words intemperate, I will bear with you.

_Troil._ What would this pomp of preparation mean? Come you to bring me news of Priam's death, Or Hecuba's?

_Hect._ The gods forbid I should! But what I bring is nearer you, more close, An ill more yours.

_Troil._ There is but one that can be.

_Hect._ Perhaps, 'tis that.

_Troil._ I'll not suspect my fate So far; I know I stand possessed of that.

_Hect._ 'Tis well: consider at whose house I find you.

_Troil._ Ha!

_Hect._ Does it start you? I must wake you more; Antenor is exchanged.

_Troil._ For whom?

_Hect._ Imagine.

_Troil._ It comes, like thunder grumbling in a cloud, Before the dreadful break: If here it fall, The subtle flame will lick up all my blood, And, in a moment, turn my heart to ashes.

_Hect._ That Cressida for Antenor is exchanged, Because I knew 'twas harsh, I would not tell; Not all at once; but by degrees and glimpses I let it in, lest it might rush upon you, And quite o'erpower your soul: In this, I think, I showed a friend: your part must follow next; Which is, to curb your choler, tame your grief, And bear it like a man.

_Troil._ I think I do, That I yet live to hear you. But no more; Hope for no more; for, should some goddess offer To give herself and all her heaven in change, I would not part with Cressida: So return This answer as my last.

_Hect._ 'Twill not be taken: Nor will I bear such news.

_Troil._ You bore me worse.

_Hect._ Worse for yourself; not for the general state, And all our common safety, which depends On freed Antenor's wisdom.

_Troil._ You would say, That I'm the man marked out to be unhappy, And made the public sacrifice for Troy.

_Hect._ I would say so indeed; for, can you find A fate more glorious than to be that victim? If parting from a mistress can procure A nation's happiness, show me that prince Who dares to trust his future fame so far, To stand the shock of annals, blotted thus,-- He sold his country for a woman's love!

_Troil._ O, she's my life, my being, and my soul!

_Hect._ Suppose she were,--which yet I will not grant,-- You ought to give her up.

_Troil._ For whom?

_Hect._ The public.

_Troil._ And what are they, that I should give up her, To make them happy? Let me tell you, brother, The public is the lees of vulgar slaves; Slaves, with the minds of slaves; so born, so bred. Yet such as these, united in a herd, Are called, the public! Millions of such cyphers Make up the public sum. An eagle's life Is worth a world of crows. Are princes made For such as these; who, were one soul extracted From all their beings, could not raise a man?--

_Hect._ And what are we, but for such men as these? 'Tis adoration, some say, makes a god: And who should pay it, where would be their altars, Were no inferior creatures here on earth? Even those, who serve, have their expectancies, Degrees of happiness, which they must share, Or they'll refuse to serve us.

_Troil._ Let them have it; Let them eat, drink, and sleep; the only use They have of life.

_Hect._ You take all these away, Unless you give up Cressida.

_Troil._ Forbear: Let Paris give up Helen; she's the cause, And root, of all this mischief.

_Hect._ Your own suffrage Condemns you there: you voted for her stay.

_Troil._ If one must stay, the other shall not go.

_Hect._ She shall not?

_Troil._ Once again I say, she shall not.

_Hect._ Our father has decreed it otherwise.

_Troil._ No matter.

_Hect._ How! no matter, Troilus? A king, a father's will!

_Troil._ When 'tis unjust.

_Hect._ Come, she shall go.

_Troil._ She shall? then I am dared.

_Hect._ If nothing else will do.

_Troil._ Answer me first, And then I'll answer that,--be sure I will,-- Whose hand sealed this exchange?

_Hect._ My father's first; Then all the council's after.

_Troil._ Was yours there?

_Hect._ Mine was there too.

_Troil._ Then you're no more my friend: And for your sake,--now mark me what I say,-- She shall not go.

_Hect._ Go to; you are a boy.

_Troil._ A boy! I'm glad I am not such a man, Not such as thou, a traitor to thy brother; Nay, more, thy friend: But friend's a sacred name, Which none but brave and honest men should wear: In thee 'tis vile; 'tis prostitute; 'tis air; And thus, I puff it from me.

_Hect._ Well, young man, Since I'm no friend, (and, oh, that e'er I was, To one so far unworthy!) bring her out; Or, by our father's soul, of which no part Did e'er descend to thee, I'll force her hence.

_Troil._ I laugh at thee.

_Hect._ Thou dar'st not.

_Troil._ I dare more, If urged beyond my temper: Prove my daring, And see which of us has the larger share Of our great father's soul.

_Hect._ No more!--thou know'st me.

_Troil._ I do; and know myself.

_Hect._ All this, ye gods! And for the daughter of a fugitive, A traitor to his country!

_Troil._ 'Tis too much.

_Hect._ By heaven, too little; for I think her common.

_Troil._ How, common!

_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._

_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?

_Hect._ By all the gods I would.

_Troil._ I'm satisfied. You have condemned me, and I'll do't myself. What's life to him, who has no use of life? A barren purchase, held upon hard terms! For I have lost (oh, what have I not lost!) The fairest, dearest, kindest, of her sex; And lost her even by him, by him, ye gods! Who only could, and only should protect me! And if I had a joy beyond that love, A friend, have lost him too!

_Hect._ Speak that again,-- For I could hear it ever,--saidst thou not, That if thou hadst a joy beyond that love, It was a friend? O, saidst thou not, a friend! That doubting _if_ was kind: then thou'rt divided; And I have still some part.

_Troil._ If still you have, You do not care to have it.

_Hect._ How, not care!

_Troil._ No, brother, care not.

_Hect._ Am I but thy brother?

_Troil._ You told me, I must call you friend no more.

_Hect._ How far my words were distant from my heart! Know, when I told thee so, I loved thee most. Alas! it is the use of human frailty, To fly to worst extremities with those, To whom we are most kind.

_Troil._ Is't possible! Then you are still my friend.

_Hect._ Heaven knows I am!

_Troil._ And can forgive the sallies of my passion? For I have been to blame, oh! much to blame; Have said such words, nay, done such actions too, (Base as I am!) that my awed conscious soul Sinks in my breast, nor dare I lift an eye On him I have offended.

_Hect._ Peace be to thee, And calmness ever there. I blame thee not: I know thou lov'st; and what can love not do! I cast the wild disorderly account, Of all thy words and deeds, on that mad passion: I pity thee, indeed I pity thee.

_Troil._ Do, for I need it: Let me lean my head Upon thy bosom, all my peace dwells there; Thou art some god, or much, much more than man!

_Hect._ Alas, to lose the joys of all thy youth, One who deserved thy love!

_Troil._ Did she deserve?

_Hect._ She did.

_Troil._ Then sure she was no common creature?

_Hect._ I said it in my rage; I thought not so.

_Troil._ That thought has blessed me! But to lose this love, After long pains, and after short possession!

_Hect._ I feel it for thee: Let me go to Priam, I'll break this treaty off; or let me fight: I'll be thy champion, and secure both her, And thee, and Troy.

_Troil._ It must not be, my brother; For then your error would be more than mine: I'll bring her forth, and you shall bear her hence; That you have pitied me is my reward.

_Hect._ Go, then; and the good gods restore her to thee, And, with her, all the quiet of thy mind! The triumph of this kindness be thy own; And heaven and earth this testimony yield, That friendship never gained a nobler field. [_Exeunt severally._