The works of John Dryden, $c now first collected in eighteen volumes. $p Volume 06 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 498 pages of information about The works of John Dryden, $c now first collected in eighteen volumes. $p Volume 06.

The works of John Dryden, $c now first collected in eighteen volumes. $p Volume 06 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 498 pages of information about The works of John Dryden, $c now first collected in eighteen volumes. $p Volume 06.

Hect. Let me embrace thee, good old chronicle, Who hast so long walked hand in hand with time:  Most reverend Nestor, I am glad to clasp thee.

Ulys. I wonder now, how yonder city stands, When we have here her base and pillar by us.

Hect. I know your count’nance, lord Ulysses, well. 
Ah, sir, there’s many a Greek and Trojan dead,
Since first I saw yourself and Diomede
In Ilion, on your Greekish embassy.

Achil. Now, Hector, I have fed mine eyes on thee; I have with exact view perused thee, Hector, And quoted joint by joint.

Hect. Is this Achilles?

Achil. I am Achilles.

Hect. Stand fair, I pr’ythee, let me look on thee.

Achil. Behold thy fill.

Hect. Nay, I have done already.

Achil. Thou art too brief.  I will, the second time, As I would buy thee, view thee limb by limb.

Hect. O, like a book of sport, thou read’st me o’er; But there’s more in me than thou understand’st.

Achil. Tell me, ye heavens, in which part of his body
Shall I destroy him? there, or there, or there? 
That I may give the imagined wound a name,
And make distinct the very breach, whereout
Hector’s great spirit flew! answer me, heavens!

Hect. Wert thou an oracle to tell me this,
I’d not believe thee; henceforth guard thee well,
I’ll kill thee every where. 
Ye noble Grecians, pardon me this boast;
His insolence draws folly from my lips;
But I’ll endeavour deeds to match these words,
Else may I never—­

Ajax. Do not chafe thee, cousin;—­
And you, Achilles, let these threats alone;
You may have every day enough of Hector,
If you have stomach; the general state, I fear,
Can scarce intreat you to perform your boast.

Hect. I pray you, let us see you in the field; We have had pelting wars, since you refused The Grecian cause.

Achil. Do’st thou entreat me, Hector?  To-morrow will I meet thee, fierce as death; To-night, all peace.

Hect. Thy hand upon that match.

Agam. First, all you Grecian princes, go with me,
And entertain great Hector; afterwards,
As his own leisure shall concur with yours,
You may invite him to your several tents.
                              [Exeunt AGAM.  HECT.  MENEL.  NEST. DIOM.
                               together.

Troil. My lord Ulysses, tell me, I beseech you, In what part of the field does Calchas lodge?

Ulys. At Menelaus’ tent: 
There Diomede does feast with him to-night;
Who neither looks on heaven or on earth,
But gives all gaze and bent of amorous view
On Cressida alone.

Troil. Shall I, brave lord, be bound to you so much,
After we part from Agamemnon’s tent,
To bring me thither?

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The works of John Dryden, $c now first collected in eighteen volumes. $p Volume 06 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.