Page 2869 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

DIOMEDES

Fair Lady Cressid, [115]
So please you, save the thanks this prince expects.
The lustre in your eye, heaven in your cheek,

Pleads your fair usage, and to Diomed
You shall be mistress, and command him wholly.

TROILUS
Grecian, thou dost not use me courteously, [120]
To shame the zeal of my petition to thee
In praising her. I tell thee, lord of Greece,

She is as far high-soaring o’er thy praises
As thou unworthy to be called her servant.
I charge thee use her well, even for my charge; [125]
For, by the dreadful Pluto, if thou dost not,

Though the great bulk Achilles be thy guard,
I’ll cut thy throat.

DIOMEDES
O, be not moved, Prince Troilus;
Let me be privileged by my place and message
To be a speaker free. When I am hence, [130]

I’ll answer to my lust, and know, my lord,
I’ll nothing do on charge. To her own worth
She shall be prized; but that you say ‘Be’t so’,

I’ll speak it in my spirit and honour: ‘No’.

TROILUS

Come, to the port. − I’ll tell thee, Diomed, [135]
This brave shall oft make thee to hide thy head.
Lady, give me your hand, and, as we walk,
To our own selves bend we our needful talk.

Exeunt Troilus, Cressida, and Diomedes.
Sound trumpet.

PARIS
Hark, Hector’s trumpet!