Page 2876 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

Valour and pride excel themselves in Hector;
The one almost as infinite as all, [80]
The other blank as nothing. Weigh him well,
And that which looks like pride is courtesy.

This Ajax is half made of Hector’s blood,
In love whereof half Hector stays at home;
Half heart, half hand, half Hector comes to seek [85]
This blended knight, half Trojan and half Greek.

ACHILLES

A maiden battle, then? − O, I perceive you.

Enter Diomedes.

AGAMEMNON
Here is Sir Diomed. − Go, gentle knight;
Stand by our Ajax. As you and Lord Aeneas
Consent upon the order of their fight, [90]

So be it, either to the uttermost
Or else a breath. The combatants being kin
Half stints their strife before their strokes begin.
Hector and Ajax prepare to fight.

ULYSSES
They are opposed already.

AGAMEMNON
What Trojan is that same that looks so heavy? [95]

ULYSSES
The youngest son of Priam, a true knight,
Not yet mature, yet matchless; firm of word,
Speaking in deeds, and deedless in his tongue;
Not soon provoked, nor being provoked soon calmed;

His heart and hand both open and both free; [100]
For what he has he gives, what thinks he shows,
Yet gives he not till judgement guide his bounty,
Nor dignifies an impair thought with breath;