Page 2788 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

AGAMEMNON

With surety stronger than Achilles’ arm [220]
’Fore all the Greekish lords, which with one voice
Call Agamemnon head and general.

AENEAS
Fair leave and large security. How may

A stranger to those most imperial looks
Know them from eyes of other mortals?

AGAMEMNON
How? [225]

AENEAS
Ay;
I ask, that I might waken reverence,

And bid the cheek be ready with a blush
Modest as morning when she coldly eyes
The youthful Phoebus. [230]
Which is that god in office, guiding men?

Which is the high and mighty Agamemnon?

AGAMEMNON
This Trojan scorns us, or the men of Troy
Are ceremonious courtiers.

AENEAS
Courtiers as free, as debonair, unarmed, [235]
As bending angels, that’s their fame in peace;

But when they would seem soldiers, they have galls,
Good arms, strong joints, true swords; and − Jove’s accord −
Nothing so full of heart. But peace, Aeneas,
Peace, Trojan, lay thy finger on thy lips. [240]

The worthiness of praise distains his worth
If that he praised himself bring the praise forth;
But what the repining enemy commends,
That breath fame blows; that praise, sole pure, transcends.