_Patro._ I shall, and bring his answer presently.
_Agam._ I'll not be satisfied, but by himself: So tell him, Menelaus. [_Exeunt_ MENELAUS _and_ PATROCLUS.
_Agam._ No more than what he thinks himself.
_Ajax._ Is he so much? Do you not think, he thinks himself a better man than me?
_Agam._ No, noble Ajax; you are as strong, as valiant but much more courteous.
_Ajax._ Why should a man be proud? I know not what pride is; I hate a proud man, as I hate the engendering of toads.
_Diom._ [_Aside._] 'Tis strange he should, and love himself so well.
_Men._ Achilles will not to the field to-morrow.
_Men._ Why, he relies on none But his own will; possessed he is with vanity. What should I say? he is so plaguy proud, That the death-tokens of it are upon him, And bode there's no recovery.
_Ulys._ O Agamemnon, let it not be so. We'll consecrate the steps that Ajax makes, When they go from Achilles. Shall that proud man Be worshipped by a greater than himself, One, whom we hold our idol? Shall Ajax go to him? No, Jove forbid, And say in thunder, go to him, Achilles.
_Nest._ [_Aside._] O, this is well; he rubs him where it itches.
_Ajax._ If I go to him, with my gauntlet clenched I'll pash him o'er the face.
_Ajax._ An he be proud with me, I'll cure his pride; a paultry insolent fellow!
_Nest._ How he describes himself! [_Aside._
_Ulys._ The crow chides blackness: [_Aside._]--Here is a man,--but 'tis before his face, and therefore I am silent.
_Nest._ Wherefore are you? He is not envious, as Achilles is.
_Ulys._ Know all the world, he is as valiant.
_Ajax._ A whoreson dog, that shall palter thus with us! Would a were a Trojan!
_Ulys._ Thank heaven, my lord, you're of a gentle nature; Praise him that got you, her that brought you forth; But he, who taught you first the use of arms, Let Mars divide eternity in two, And give him half. I will not praise your wisdom, Nestor shall do't; but, pardon, father Nestor,-- Were you as green as Ajax, and your brain Tempered like his, you never should excel him, But be as Ajax is.
_Ulys._ There is no staying here; the hart Achilles Keeps thicket;--please it our great general, I shall impart a counsel, which, observed, May cure the madman's pride.
_Agam._ In my own tent our talk will be more private.