Troilus and Cressida

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,
… continue reading this quote

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,
… continue reading this quote

Time hath, my lord, a wallet at his back
Wherein he puts alms for oblivion,
A great-sized monster of ingratitudes.
Those scraps are good deeds past, which are devoured
As fast as they are made, forgot as soon
As done. Perseverance, dear my lord,
Keeps honor bright. To have done is to hang
Quite out of fashion like a rusty mail
In monumental mock’ry.
… continue reading this quote

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,
… continue reading this quote

To this effect, Achilles, have I moved you.
A woman impudent and mannish grown
Is not more loathed than an effeminate man
In time of action. I stand condemned for this.
They think my little stomach to the war,
And your great love to me, restrains you thus.
Sweet, rouse yourself, and the weak wanton Cupid
Shall from your neck unloose his amorous fold
And,
… continue reading this quote

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,
… continue reading this quote

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,
… continue reading this quote

Aeneas
Health to you, valiant sir,
During all question of the gentle truce;
But when I meet you armed, as black defiance
As heart can think or courage execute.
Diomedes
The one and other Diomed embraces.
Our bloods are now in calm, and, so long, health;
But when contention and occasion meet,
By Jove,
… continue reading this quote

Paris
And tell me, noble Diomed, faith, tell me true,
Even in the soul of sound good-fellowship,
Who, in your thoughts, deserves fair Helen best,
Myself or Menelaus?
Diomedes
Both alike.
He merits well to have her that doth seek her,
Not making any scruple of her soilure,
With such a hell of pain and world of charge;
… continue reading this quote

Cressida
Good uncle, I beseech you, on my knees I
beseech you, what’s the matter?
Pandarus
Thou must be gone, wench; thou must be
gone. Thou art changed for Antenor. Thou must to
thy father and be gone from Troilus. ‘Twill be his
death; ’twill be his bane. He cannot bear it.
Cressida
O you immortal gods!
… continue reading this quote