Page 2845 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

And poor in worth! Now shall we see tomorrow − [130]
An act that very chance doth throw upon him −
Ajax renowned. O heavens, what some men do,
While some men leave to do!

How some men creep in skittish Fortune’s hall,
Whiles others play the idiots in her eyes! [135]
How one man eats into another’s pride,
While pride is fasting in his wantonness!

To see these Grecian lords! − Why, even already
They clap the lubber Ajax on the shoulder,
As if his foot were on brave Hector’s breast, [140]
And great Troy shrinking.

ACHILLES
I do believe it; for they passed by me

As misers do by beggars, neither gave to me
Good word nor look. What, are my deeds forgot?

ULYSSES
Time hath, my lord, a wallet at his back, [145]
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, [150]

Keeps honour bright: to have done is to hang
Quite out of fashion, like a rusty mail
In monumental mockery. Take the instant way;
For honour travels in a strait so narrow,

Where one but goes abreast. Keep then the path, [155]
For emulation hath a thousand sons,
That one by one pursue; if you give way,
Or hedge aside from the direct forthright,

Like to an entered tide, they all rush by,
And leave you hindmost; [160]
Or, like a gallant horse fallen in first rank,
Lie there for pavement to the abject rear,

O’er-run and trampled on. Then what they do in present,