let neither of them have cogitation enough, to consider 'tis a whore they fight for; and let them value their lives at as little as they are worth: and lastly, let no succeeding fools take warning by them; but, in imitation of them, when a strumpet is in question, Let them beneath their feet all reason trample, And think it great to perish by example. [Exit. ACT V. SCENE I. HECTOR, Trojans, ANDROMACHE. Hect. The blue mists rise from off the nether grounds, And the sun mounts apace. To arms, to arms! Andr. [Aside.] Oh wretched woman, oh ! Hect. Methought I heard you sigh, Andromache. Andr. Did you, my lord? Hect. Did you, my lord? you answer indirectly; Just when I said, that I would put our fate Upon the extremest proof, you fetched a groan; And, as you checked yourself for what you did, You stifled it and stopt. Come, you are sad. Andr. The gods forbid ! Hect. What should the gods forbid? Andr. That I should give you cause of just offence. I mean this day to waste the stock of war, Come, gird my sword, and smile upon me, love; And give me earnest of desired success. Andr. The gods protect you, and restore you to me! To give my courage courage; thou would'st cry,— I was? Come, let me gird thy fortune to thy side, [She goes to gird his sword, and it falls. Now mercy, heaven! the gods avert this omen! Hect. A foolish omen! take it up again, And mend thy error. Andr. I cannot, for my hand obeys me not; But, as in slumbers, when we fain would run From our imagined fears, our idle feet Grow to the ground, our struggling voice dies inward; So now, when I would force myself to chear you, My faltering tongue can give no glad presage: Alas, I am no more Andromache. Hect. Why then thy former soul is flown to me; For I, methinks, am lifted into air, As if my mind, mastering my mortal part, Lo there's a place for Hector. Andr. Be to thy enemies this boding dream! Hect. Why, it portends me honour and renown. Andr. Such honour as the brave gain after death; For I have dreamt all night of horrid slaughters, Of trampling horses, and of chariot wheels Wading in blood up to their axle-trees; Of fiery demons gliding down the skies, And Ilium brightened with a midnight blaze: O therefore, if thou lovest me, go not forth. Hect. Go to thy bed again, and there dream better.Ho! bid my trumpet sound. Andr. No notes of sally, for the heaven's sweet sake! "Tis not for nothing when my spirits droop; This is a day when thy ill stars are strong, When they have driven thy helpless genius down The steep of heaven, to some obscure retreat. Hect. No more; even as thou lovest my fame, no more; My honour stands engaged to meet Achilles. If I should lose my honour for a dream? Andr. Your enemies too well your courage know, I cannot, O I dare not let you go; Hect. Thou excellently good, but oh too soft, And stay inglorious in thy arms at home. Andr. Oh, could I have, that thought, I should not love thee; Thy soul is proof to all things but to kindness; Hect. Our life is short, but to extend that Therefore to thee, and not to fear of fate, Enter TROILUS. span Troil. Where are you, brother? now, in honour's name, What do you mean to be thus long unarmed? Hect, Bid all unarm; I will not fight to-day. Andr. O brother, do not urge a brother's fate, But let this wreck of heaven and earth roll o'er, And, when the storm is past, put out to sea. Troil. O now I know from whence his change proceeds; Some frantic augur has observed the skies; Hect. How! that my life is begged, and by my sister? Troil. Ulysses so informed me at our parting, With a malicious and disdainful smile: "Tis true, he said not, in broad words, you feared; But in well-mannered terms 'twas so agreed, Achilles should avoid to meet with Hector. Hect. He thinks my sister's treason my petition; That, largely vaunting, in my heat of blood, More than I could, it seems, or durst perform, I sought evasion. Troil. And in private prayed Hect. O yes, Polyxena to beg my life. Andr. He cannot think so;-do not urge him thus. Hect. Not urge me! then thou think'st I need his urging. By all the gods, should Jove himself descend, |