_Æn._ He cares not, he'll obey conditions.
_Achil._ 'Tis done like Hector, but securely done; A little proudly, and too much despising The knight opposed; he might have found his match.
_Æn._ If not Achilles, sir, what is your name?
_Æn._ Therefore Achilles; but whoe'er, know this; Great Hector knows no pride: weigh him but 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.
_Achil._ A maiden battle? I perceive you then.
_Agam._ Go, Diomede, and stand by valiant Ajax; As you and lord Æneas shall consent, So let the fight proceed, or terminate. [_The trumpets sound on both sides, while_ ÆNEAS _and_ DIOMEDE _take their places, as Judges of the field. The Trojans and Grecians rank themselves on either side._
_Ulys._ They are opposed already. [_Fight equal at first, then_ AJAX _has_ HECTOR _at disadvantage; at last_ HECTOR _closes,_ AJAX _falls on one knee,_ HECTOR _stands over him, but strikes not, and_ AJAX _rises._
_Æn._ [_Throwing his gauntlet betwixt them._] Princes, enough; you have both shown much valour.
_Diom._ And we, as judges of the field, declare, The combat here shall cease.
_Ajax,_ I am not warm yet, let us fight again.
_Æn._ Then let it be as Hector shall determine.
_Hect._ If it be left to me, I will no more.-- Ajax, thou art my aunt Hesione's son; The obligation of our blood forbids us. But, were thy mixture Greek and Trojan so, That thou couldst say, this part is Grecian all, And this is Trojan,--hence thou shouldst not bear One Grecian limb, wherein my pointed sword Had not impression made. But heaven forbid That any drop, thou borrowest from my mother, Should e'er be drained by me: let me embrace thee, cousin. By him who thunders, thou hast sinewy arms: Hector would have them fall upon him thus:-- [_Embrace._ Thine be the honour, Ajax.
_Ajax._ I thank thee, Hector; Thou art too gentle, and too free a man. I came to kill thee, cousin, and to gain A great addition from that glorious act: But thou hast quite disarmed me.
_Hect._ I am glad; For 'tis the only way I could disarm thee.
_Ajax._ If I might in intreaty find success, I would desire to see thee at my tent.
_Diom._ 'Tis Agamemnon's wish, and great Achilles; Both long to see the valiant Hector there.