Achilles

What, am I poor of late?
‘Tis certain, greatness, once fall’n out with Fortune,
Must fall out with men too. What the declined is
He shall as soon read in the eyes of others
As feel in his own fall, for men, like butterflies,
Show not their mealy wings but to the summer,
And not a man, for being simply man,
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Achilles
What are you reading?
Ulysses
A strange fellow here
Writes me that man, how dearly ever parted,
How much in having, or without or in,
Cannot make boast to have that which he hath,
Nor feels not what he owes, but by reflection;
As when his virtues, shining  upon others,
Heat them,
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Ulysses
‘Tis known, Achilles, that you are in love
With one of Priam’s daughters.
Achilles
Ha? Known?
Ulysses
Is that a wonder?
The providence that’s in a watchful state
Knows almost every grain of Pluto’s gold,
Finds bottom in the uncomprehensive deep,
Keeps place with thought and almost, like the gods,
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Achilles
Shall Ajax fight with Hector?
Patroclus
Ay, and perhaps receive much honor by him.
Achilles
I see my reputation is at stake;
My fame is shrewdly gored.
Patroclus
O, then, beware!
Those wounds heal ill that men do give themselves.
Omission to do what is necessary
Seals a commission to a blank of danger,
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Achilles
Come, thou shalt bear a letter to him straight.
Thersites
Let me bear another to his horse, for that’s
the more capable creature.
Achilles
My mind is troubled, like a fountain stirred,
And I myself see not the bottom of it.
Achilles and Patroclus exit.
Thersites
Would the fountain of your mind were clear
again,
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Achilles
How now, thou core of envy?
Thou crusty botch of nature, what’s the news?
Thersites
Why, thou picture of what thou seemest and
idol of idiot-worshippers, here’s a letter for thee.
Achilles
From whence, fragment?
Thersites
Why, thou full dish of fool, from Troy.
 Achilles takes the letter and moves aside to read it.
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