Troilus and Cressida · Act 5, Scene 6

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Enter AJAX
Enter AJAX
Ajax

Troilus, thou coward Troilus, show thy head!

Ajax

Troilus, you coward Troilus, show your face!

Enter DIOMEDES
Enter DIOMEDES
Diomedes

Troilus, I say! where’s Troilus?

Diomedes

Troilus, I say! Where’s Troilus?

Ajax

What wouldst thou?

Ajax

What do you want?

Diomedes

I would correct him.

Diomedes

I want to correct him.

Ajax

Were I the general, thou shouldst have my office Ere that correction. Troilus, I say! what, Troilus!

Ajax

If I were the leader, you’d have my job Before I’d let you correct him. Troilus, I say! What, Troilus!

Enter TROILUS
Enter TROILUS
Troilus

O traitor Diomed! turn thy false face, thou traitor, And pay thy life thou owest me for my horse!

Troilus

You traitor, Diomed! Turn your lying face, you traitor, And pay with your life for the horse you owe me!

Diomedes

Ha, art thou there?

Diomedes

Ha, so you’re here?

Ajax

I’ll fight with him alone: stand, Diomed.

Ajax

I’ll fight him alone. Stay back, Diomed.

Diomedes

He is my prize; I will not look upon.

Diomedes

He’s my prize; I won’t look at him.

Troilus

Come, both you cogging Greeks; have at you both!

Troilus

Come on, you lying Greeks! I’ll take you both on!

Exeunt, fighting
Exeunt, fighting
Enter HECTOR
Enter HECTOR
Hector

Yea, Troilus? O, well fought, my youngest brother!

Hector

Yes, Troilus? Oh, well fought, my youngest brother!

Enter ACHILLES
Enter ACHILLES
Achilles

Now do I see thee, ha! have at thee, Hector!

Achilles

Now I see you, ha! Take this, Hector!

Hector

Pause, if thou wilt.

Hector

Wait, if you want.

Achilles

I do disdain thy courtesy, proud Trojan: Be happy that my arms are out of use: My rest and negligence befriends thee now, But thou anon shalt hear of me again; Till when, go seek thy fortune.

Achilles

I don’t care for your politeness, proud Trojan: Be glad that I’m not using my weapons: My rest and inaction are helping you now, But soon you’ll hear from me again; Until then, go chase your luck.

Exit
Exit
Hector

Fare thee well: I would have been much more a fresher man, Had I expected thee. How now, my brother!

Hector

Goodbye: I would have been much stronger, If I had expected you. What’s up, my brother!

Re-enter TROILUS
Re-enter TROILUS
Troilus

Ajax hath ta’en AEneas: shall it be? No, by the flame of yonder glorious heaven, He shall not carry him: I’ll be ta’en too, Or bring him off: fate, hear me what I say! I reck not though I end my life to-day.

Troilus

Ajax has taken AEneas: is this true? No, by the flame of that glorious sky, He won’t take him: I’ll be taken too, Or save him: fate, hear me when I speak! I don’t care if I die today.

Exit
Exit
Enter one in sumptuous armour
Enter one in sumptuous armour
Hector

Stand, stand, thou Greek; thou art a goodly mark: No? wilt thou not? I like thy armour well; I’ll frush it and unlock the rivets all, But I’ll be master of it: wilt thou not, beast, abide? Why, then fly on, I’ll hunt thee for thy hide.

Hector

Stop, stop, you Greek; you’re an easy target: No? You won’t? I like your armor; I’ll smash it and rip it open, But I’ll be the one in charge of it: won’t you, beast, stay put? Well, then run, I’ll chase you for your skin.

Exuent
Exuent

End of Act 5, Scene 6

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