Honoria and Mammon scene Metropolis or New-Troy : whereunto is added the Contention of Ajax and Ulysses for the armour of Achilles / written by James Shirley, Gent. ; as it was represented by young gentlemen of quality at a private entertainment of some persons of honour.

THE CONTENTION OF AJAX and ULYSSES FOR The ARMOUR Of ACHILLES.

Didimus, Ulysses his Page, Lysippus, Ajax his Page.

Di.

WHy how now Insolence?

Lysippus justles Di∣dimus.

Ly.

You know me Sir?

Di.

For one that wants good manners; yes, I know Your name, and best relation, you attend A Page on Ajax Telamon.

Ly.

And you In such an office wait upon Ulysses, But with this 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that I am your better,

In reference to my Lord, as he exceeds Your Master both in Fortitude and Honour: Therefore I take this boldness to instruct Your diminutive Worship in convenient duties, And that hereafter when you see me pass, You may descend, and vail, and know fit distance.

Dy.

To you descend, and vail? to you? poor Rat! Is he not poison'd, that he swells so strangely: I would bestow this admonition, that You talk within your limits, I may finde A pity for your folly, while you make Comparisons with me, but let your ••ongue Preserve a modestie, and not dare to name My Lord, without a reverence, and not In the same week your Master is in mention, Least I chas••ise you.

Ly.

Ha, ha, prodigie! The Monkey grin••, the Pigmie would be Ramp∣ant: Sirrah, 'tis I pronounce, if you have A minde to lose one of your lug••, or quit Some teeth that stick impertinent in your gums, Orrun the hazard of an eye, or have Your han hes ki kt into a gentle ••ullice, Or tell your Master in whose cause you have Deserv'd a ••••dgell••ng, and m••rited A ••rutch to carry home your broken bodie; Talk on, and when it is too late, you may R••pen•• your impudence.

Di.

Mightie man of 〈◊〉〈◊〉! Is not your n••me Lysippus? what mad Dog Has bi•• thee; thou art wilde, hast lost thy s••nses?

Ly.

You'l finde, I have not.

Di.

Is all this in earnest? And hast thou so much ignorance, to think That lump of flesh, thy Master (a thing meant By nature for a flail, and bang the sheafs) Is fit to be in competition With the wise Prince of Ithaca? whose name Shines like a Constellation throughout Greece, And is lookt at with admiration By friends and enemies? for shame retract Thy gross opinion, it is possible Thou maist retrive thy lost wits,

Ly.

Verie well Then, you do think my little spawn of Policie, That your slie Master, the oyl-tongu'd Ulysses, Will win the prize to day, Achilles Armour; And that the Kinglie Judges, and grave Coun∣sel Will give it against Ajax.

Di.

In true wisdom, As to the best deserver.

They fight.

Ly.

Dandiprat.

Enter Calchas.

Cal.

Remove your selves, and pettie diffe∣rences, This place is meant the scene for a contention

Between the valiant Ajax Telamon, And the far fam'd Ulysses, who shall best Me it to wear the great Achilles Arms: Methinks I see Heavens mightie windows open, And those great souls, whom noble actions here Translated to take plac•• among the Stars: Look down, and listen with much expectation Of this daies glorie. The rough winds (least they Should interrupt the plea of these Competitors) S••and close committed in thei•• horrid caves, And habus drest in all his brightest beams, Cu••bs in his Steeds to stay, to wait upon The g••eat Decision. Silence, no noise prophane this place, and may The soul of wisdom be at this great Council.

Enter Officers one after another, bearing the Pieces of Achilles A••mour, after them in state, Agamemnon, Nestor, Menelaus, Diomedes, Thersander, &c.

Aga.

I need not, Grecian Princes, spend much time Or Language, in discousing the occasion Why this great Council hath been call'd; Achilles, Whose very name will be enough to fill The breath of fame, is here agen concern'd, Nor can his honour'd ashes b•• without Contention in his sacred Urn, until The difference between these great Competitors Be reconciled.

Cap.

They both, great Agamemnon, are pre∣par'd, And cheerful, as when Honour call'd them forth To fight, impati••nt of delay, or danger.

Ag.

Attend them hither,

Dio.

Let the Officers Take care the Souldiers press not past their limit.

Enter before Ajax, his Page, bearing his Target.

Ajax.

appears, with lightning in his eyes, His big heart seems to boil with rage.

M••.

He was ever passionate: Here comes Ulysses.

Enter Ulysses, with his Page, as before, he makes obeysance, and sets down in a Chair.

A man of other temper, and as far From being transported with unhandsome anger, He seems to smile.

Ag.

They have both deserv'd For their great service in this expedition, We should with calm, and most impartial souls Hear and determine; therefore, if you please, Because the hours are precious, I shall Desire them lose no time.

Dio.

We all submit, and shall obey your prudence.

Ag.

You honour much: Your Agamemnon— Princes then to you, I hope you have brought hither, with your per∣sons, Nothing but what your honours may consent too; Speak your selves freely then, these are your Judges▪ Who are not onely great in birth and titles, And therefore bring no thoughts to stain their honour, But bound by obligation of one Countrey, Will love, and do your name and valours justice. There lies your great reward, Achilles Arms, Forg'd by the subtile art of him, that fram'd I••ves Thunderbolts, pride of Cyclopian labours, He that is meant by his kinde stars, to have The happy wearing of them next, may write Himself a Champion ••or the Gods, and Heaven, Against a race of Gyants that wo••ld scale it: I have said, and we wi••h silence now as deep As that doth wait on midnight, and as fixt As marble Images, expect your pleasure.

Ajax rises and looks about him.

Ajax.

Great Iove, immure my heart, or gi••t it with Some ribs of steel, lest it break through this flesh, And with a flame contracted from just fury, Set fire on all the world: How am I fal••? How shrunk to nothing? my fame ravish'd from me?

That this sly talking Prince is made my Rival In great Achilles Armour: Is it day? And can a Cloud darker than night, so muffle Your eyes, they cannot reach the Promontory, Beneath which now the Grecian fleet rides safe, Which I so late ref••ued from Trojan flames, When Hector f••ightful, like a Globe of fire, By his example taught the enrag••d youth To brandish lightning; but I cannot talk, Nor knows he how to fight, unless 'ith dark Wi••h shadows. I confess, his eloquence And tongue are mighty, but Pelides sword And armour were not made things to be talk'd on, But worn and us'd, and when you shall deter∣mine My juster claim, it will be fame enough For him, to boast, he strove with Ajax Tela∣mon. And lost the prize, due onely to my merit.

Ly.

Now Didimus, how goes Ulysses pulse? Run to his Tent, and fetch him some strong wa∣ters.

Did.

This storm shakes not a leafe, it had been more Honour for Ajax Telamon to have hir'd A Tru••peter, than make this noise himself.

Ag.

Silence. The Duke proceeds.

Aja.

I am asham'd And blush, that I can plead so vast a marit: Why am I not less honour••ble? a cheaper Portion of wo••••h, weigh'd in the ballance, with

This Rival, would so croud, and fill my scale, His vertues, like a thin and trembling vapour, Would lose themselves i'th ayr, or stick a Comet Upon Heavens face, from whence the matter spent, It would fall down, the sport▪ and scorn of Chil∣dren, Allow me then less valiant, pinch all The Laurels from my brow, that else would grow there, The honour of my birth and blood must lift me Above the Competition with Ulysses; My Father was Duke Telamon, a name Fatal to Troy, companion to Alcides, Whom in the expedition to Colchos, Argo was proud to bear: his father Aeacus, Who for his exemplary justice here, Was by Eternal Patent from the Gods, Made Judge of souls; him Iupiter begot On f••ir Egina, from whose womb, I write My self a third from Iove: But let not this Entitle me to great Achilles arms, Without my interest in his blood: Our fathers Grew from one royal stem, I am his Kinsman, And I demand in this, but just inheritance. In what relation of blood can then Ulysses. of a strange and forfeit race, Equal in fraud to his Progenitor, Condemn'd to labour at the restless stone, Lay claim to Achilles Arms?

Cal.

What, asleep Thersander?

Ther.

No, no, I observe every word, Ulysses has

Said very well, he was ever a good Orator.

Cal.

You are mistaken, Sir, 'tis Ajax pleads, Ulysses has not spoke one word.

Th.

Wast Ajax? I cry you mercy, it was very handsome, And to the purpose in my opinion, Who ever said it.

Ag.

I intreat your silence.

The.

With all my heart.

Aja.

It is vvonder Princes, That this Dulichyan King dare bring his face Before a Sun-beam, and expose that brand Of infamie, the name of Coward, writ In Leprous Characters upon his brow, To the worlds eye.

Ul.

How Telamon?

Aja.

Ulysses, 'Tis I, that said it, and these Kings may all Remember, when most wretchedly, to save Those tender limbs of yours, and that warp'd face, When Greece rise up, one man to punish Troy, Thou cowardly didst counterfeit a madness, Till Palamedes pull'd that vizor off. Was Ajax Telamon at that sordid posture? Nay, was not I the first in field, and eager To engage my person in these Wars of Troy? (Witness thou sacred Genius of our Countrey) As a curl'd youth could fly to meet a Mistris, And print his fervour on her amorous lip: But for his valour since, let Nestor speak; That good old man made not his age excuse, Nor his white hairs, that like a Grove of snow,

Shew'd what a Winter dwelt ••pon his head, But flung himself on War, when in the heat Of Bat••el, over-charg'd with multitudes, And his horse wounded, he espi'd Ulysses, To whom in this distress, he call'd for succour, When he (unworthy of his name and honours) Left the old man to struggle with his dangers, To whom the Gods sent ayd. But here's the justice, He that dishonourably forsook his friend, Met with an enemy, that made him call As loud for his relief; I heard that clamour, And with my sword cut out my passage to thee, When thou wert quaking at the enemies feet, And ready to exhale thy panting soul, I interposed, bestrid thy coward body, And took thy many deaths upon my Target: I Ajax brought thee off (my least of honours) And saved thy wretched life.

Dio.

This Ajax did, But being done, the honour's over paid, When he that did the act is Commentator.

Aja.

If thou couldst call again that time ••••••sses, The wounds upon thee, and thy fears of death, When thou didst skulk behinde my shield, and tremble At every lightning of a sword, thy soul Would have a less ambition to contest For great Pelides Arms.

Me.

Ajax will carry it.

Aga.

It will Become our prudence to expect, what may Be said in answer to this accusation;

I have heard an Orator, with that subtile me∣thod Of art and language, state his Clients cause, And with such captivating arguments Prevail'd on every ear, it was concluded, All law must be in favour of that interest, But when the adverse part was heard, that which Appear'd so sacred in the first relation, Vanish'd, and 'twas the wonder of all men, By what strange magick they were so deceiv'd: I speak not this in prejudice of him That pleads, whom we all know a man made up Of every masculine vertue, but to stay (Where two of so much honor are concern'd) Precipitate, and partial votes of merit: A••ax Has more to say.

Aja.

I know not how, with safety of mine own, I should direct your judgements to consider, That after all this story of my self, I do not seek these arms, nor court the glory To wear em, for 'tis justice to pronounce They seek me, Ajax, and should prompt you to B••lieve, I onely worthily can wear 'em. What hath Ulysses done, he should be nam'd With Telamon; we have his Chronicle, He surpriz'd R••esus in his Tent, a great And goodly act, nay, had the heart to kill him; He snatch'd a spy up, Dolon, and dispatcht him To the other world, a most heroick service! And had the confidence to filch from Troy, The dead Palladium, memorable actions: Fought he with Hector? did he stand immov'd

As I, when I receiv'd upon my cask, A mighty Javelin that he darted at me? When you, pale with the wonder of my strength, Forsook your prayers, and gave me from the Gods Into my own protection, and at last I was not overcome, but in the face Of both the Armies, sent this mighty Champion Staggering home to Troy.

Nes.

'Twas a fierce battel, And Aax lost no honour.

Aja.

Had I done But this alone, it might be argument To prefer Ajax lelamon before Ulysses to that armour; which I'••n thinking How he'l become, or how he dare sustain 'em, Their very weight will crack his chine, that Bur∣gonet Will bring his neck in danger of a cramp, In pitty of his fears, discharge his hope Of so much steel, he has ••he art of running, 'Twill much reta d his motion: Are you yet Considering as doub••ful to distinguish us? Some God convey ••hose arms up ••n the wings Of a swift win••i•••••• he enemies camp, Guard'em with ••ll the strength and soul of Troy, Let every sword mount death upon the point, And leave us••o our single fate, who soonest Should fetch 'em off: Then you should tell your selves, How much this Carpet Prince came short of Ajax, I had rather fight than talk: Now here him tattle.

Soul.

An Ajax, an Ajax

Ulys.

If my prayers, with your own, renovvned Kings, Could have prevail'd with Heaven, there had been no Contention for these arms, he might have liv'd To have enjoy'd them still, and we Achilles. But since by the unkindeness of our fate, We are decreed to want him (pardon me If at that word, unmanly tears break forth) Who can vvith greater merit claim the armour, Than he whose piety to Greece and you, Engag'd alone his valour to these Wars, And made him yours. Nor let it be a sin Ere I proceed, to pray this justice from you, That since my adversary hath been pleas'd To make a vertue my reproach, and stain The name of Eloquence, vvhich in me, is not vvorth Your envy, or his rage (since he declares His incapacity for more than fighting) You will not judge his dulness an advantage, Or that which he calls eloquence in me, A blemish to my cause, vvho have employ'd All that the Gods made mine, to serve my Coun∣trey.

Dio.

Thersander, Are you not asham'd to sleep?

Ther.

Ha? no, I sleep? I have not scap'd a syllable by my honour, I thought not Ajax half so good an Orator.

Dio.

Ajax? it was Ulysses that spoke last.

Ther.

Ulysses? I, I meant Ulysses; did I say Ajax?

Between you and I be it spoken Diomedes, Ajax is a blockhead.

Dio.

Yet he spoke to purpose.

Ther.

I grant you that; nay, nay, let him alone.

Aga.

Silence.

Ulys.

The lu••••re of our birth by Ajax boasted, Which we derive not from our act or vertue, We vainly call o••r own, nature contributes A common gloss to all our blood, the honours And swelling titles, pinn'd upon our name, Chance often ••amps upon a Fool or Coward: But if provok'd by Ajax, I must yield Him magnified by blood; that title which He takes from Iove, makes me his Grandchilde too, Lacrtes was my father; his Arcesius, Whom Iupiter begot, no difference here, But that our Family contain'd no Uncle Banish'd for murther, as in Telamons. Besides, my mother but remembred, makes My derivation on both sides Divine, Which lifts me above Ajax, if I were No King of Ithaca: but he hath pleaded A neerer priviledge by being Kinsman, And calls these arms his just inheritance, Your vvisdom could not chuse but smile to he•••• him, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his son is yet alive, and Peleus, Achilles father, Teucer his next Cosin; •• And Ajax to be heir, is worth your wonder; But you know how to vvave impertinence 〈…〉〈…〉

I need to pray your justice, that vve both May onely charge the ballance vvith our merits.

Dio.

This is not ranting, he is Master of A vvorthy temper.

Ag.

Give him your permissions.

Ulys.

Ajax hath read, not vvithout mighty lungs, His own bold Historie, when I shall tell But my first act for Troy, if it be less Than all that Ajax yet hath done, or boasted, And with his own consent too, I quit all: I have rais'd your expectations up to wonder, And there I'll fix it, when I name Achilles, Whose actions for your service, scorning all Equality, are owing to Ulysses; And I may call them mine, that made him yours, By his sword fell the great Priamides Hoctor, whose single arm carried the strength And fate of Ilium: The death alone Of Hector, is an act, if well consider'd, Doth easily exceed, what hath been done In all your Grecian Commentaries: I arm'd Achilles first to do these mighty things, And for those may deserve Achilles armour,

Dio.

VVe must acknowledge all the benefits Of great Achilles valour are a debt VVe owe to Ulysses, who discovered him Under a Female habit, 'twas Ulysses That made him man again, and our great Cham∣pion.

Me.

All this is granted, yet I think Ulysses Lost little blood in any of these services; VVhat do you think Thersander?

Ther.

I think as the General thinks, he's wise enough.

Ulys,

But give me leave to offer to your memo∣ry Another service, and reduce your thoughts To Aulis, when our Army ship'd, and big VVith our desires for Troy, for want of wind VVere lock'd in the Eubean Bay at Anchor. VVhen the Oracle consulted, gave no hope Of the least breath of Heaven, or gentle gale To be expected, till Diana's anger VVere first appeas'd by Iphigenias blood; I melt with the remembrance, and I could Accuse my faith, but that the publique interest And all your honours, arm'd me to perswade Nature, against the stream of her own happi∣ness, There stands the tear—drown'd father Agamem∣non, Ask his vex'd soul (and let me beg his pardon) How I did work upon his murmuring heart, Divided 'twixt a Father and his Countrey, To give his childe up to the bleeding altar? VVhose drops (too precious to enrich the earth, The Goddess hid within a cloud) drank up, And snatcht her soul; whose brighter substance made One of the fairest Stars that deck yon Canopie. Had Ajax been employed to have wrought A∣trides VVhen he vvas angry vvith the Gods, to have given His onely pledge, his loved Iphigenia

Up to the Fatal knife, our Grecian fleet, Had by this time been rotten in the Bay, And vve by a dishonourable return, Been vvounded in our fames to after ages.

Ag.

This truth is urg'd too home.

Ul.

The Deity appeas'd with Virgin Sacrifice, The winds put on fresh wings, and we arriv'd Swi•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vvishes to affrighted Troy; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 after their first battel, they no more Drevv forth their Army, vvhich engag'd us to Nine horrid VVinters expectation: It vvould be tedious to relate, hovv active My counsels vvere, during this nine years siege, VVhen Ajax (onely good at knocks and vvrest∣ling) VVas of no use, the bold designs I carried, My care of our defences and approaches, Encouraging the Souldier, vvearied And vvorn avvay vvith empty expectations, Hovv I did apt provisions, arms, and hearts To fight vvithal, I shall not here inforce, VVhen you vvhose just commands I still obey'd, Are conscious of my pious undertakings.

Aja.

He'l talk eternally.

Ul.

These actions have deserv'd no brand of Covvard, Hovv it may stain his forehead that accus'd me, Judge you, by the short follovving story, Princes There vvas a time, vvhen Agamemnon vvas Deluded by a dream, and bid to leave The siege, vvhich coming to the Souldiers ear, (VVhose fears vvere helpt by superstition) Hovv did they run to'th ships from every quarter:

VVhere vvas the torrent of great Ajax valour So talk'd of, that did bear all things before it? VVhy, it vvas here, that torrent carried him too: I savv and blush'd at Ajax preparation To be aboard, (I will not call it running) Hovv 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I, careless of all danger, throvv My self among the Mutineers, and court The Fugitives to face about agen, And build themselves a name, and wealth in Troy, Given over by the Gods to be their captive? What acted Telamon, but unworthy fears, And rather coward them by his retreat, Than teach them honour by his own example.

Aja.

Can Iove hear this? ha!

Ag.

Look to Ajax.

Nes.

Contain yourself.

Aja.

Let me fight him here, Or you are all confederates in my infamy.

Nes.

For my sake.

Aja.

I am patient—

Ul.

Nor am I without wounds, and crimson cha∣racters, Which as her ornament, my bosom carries, Greater than Telamon can boast, although He fought with Hector, which was but his For∣tune, And might have been the lot of Agam••mnon, Of Menelaus, Diomed, my self, And others, who had equally engag'd, And onely chance preferr'd him to the combate: But let me not be thought to take from Ajax His just reward of fortitude, I grant

He did repress the fury of the Trojans, When they came arm'd in fires against our Na∣vy, But 'twas nor single valour, that repulst The numerous enemy. Patroclus had The armour of Achilles on that day, VVhich struck a terrour in the Phrygian cou∣rages, And many Princes swords contributed, Mine was not idle, and I merit some Proportion of fame for that days victory; But if it come with murmuring, defer it, And make it up in your accounts of honour Due, for the great Palladium, which I fetch'd (Assisted by the valiant Diomedes) Out of the heart of Troy, spight of the Groves Of Spears, that grew a bright defence about it, And Swords, whose every motion darted light∣ning To guard the fatal Image; in this act I gave you Troy, till this was ravish'd from 'em, It was not in your fate to make a conquest, Ajax and all the Army might have fought Against the Moon, with as much hope of Victo∣ry.

Dio.

This must be granted him a signal Ser∣vice, I can attest the danger of this action.

Ul.

I blush, I am compell'd to mention these, But where my honour is traduc'd, 'tis just To make my fairest vindication: The wealth of Greece should not have brib'd me to

This Contestation; but Achilles armour VVould strike ambitious thoughts into a Her∣mite, Nor will my limbes much tremble to sustain•• 'em I had the honour at his death, to carry His body with all that weight of arms upon it, And plac'd him in his Tent, although I want Some bulk of Ajax, I can walk, and fight, And tell him where he fails, and mark him out A truer path to Glory, than his strength Is able to persue, with no more brains To guide him, than his empty pannier carries: Wisemen joyn policy with force, the Lyon Thus with the Fox, makes up the Souldiers em∣blem. And now I look on Ajax Telamon, I may compare him to some specious building, His body holds vast rooms of entertainment, And lower parts maintain the Offices, Onely the Garret, his exalted head, Useless for wise receipt, is fill'd with lumber, A Mastiff dares attempt to combate Lyons, And I'll finde men among your Mercenaries Shall fly on Hydra's, if you name that valour: But he, that we call valiant indeed, Knows how, and when to fight, as well as bleed.

A great shout within.

Sol.

Ulysses, Ulysses.

Ag.

Please you withdraw your persons for some minutes,

Aja.

Is't come to this.

Ul.

I obey.

Aja.

I scorn to court Such staggering opinions, and repent That I once thought you fit to be my Judges.

Ex.

Ther.

For my part, with pardon of the Gene∣rall, My voyce shall be to please them both.

Ag.

Impossible.

Ther.

Divide the armour, and compose the diffe∣rence; Or give Ulysses, 'cause he has the better Head-piece, Achilles Helmet; and to Ajax, Those parts that guard the body.

Dio.

I am for Ulysses.

Ne.

He shall have my vote.

Me.

And mine.

Ag.

Your judgements meet with Agamem••∣nons, Intreat the Prince of Ithaca return.

Enter Ulysses.

Aga.

Sir I congratulate your fa••e, you have With the concurrence of our votes, deserv'd To be the second owner of these arms; Which as the first reward of all your service, I in their names present: Nor are these Tro∣phies More than an earnest, and a glimpse, of those Eternal Monuments shall Crown your VVis∣dom; VVhere's Ajax Telomon?

Off.

Transported hence with fury.

Ulyss.

You have honour'd your Ulysses, and I now Must call these things my blessing, and your bounty.

Aga.

Bear them in Triumph to his Tent, and say, VVisdom, not down-right Valour wins the day; Better is wise Ulysses in the field, Than the great Master of the seven-sold Shield.

Exeunt.

Didimus, Lysippus.

Did.

I think Lysippus, we may now be friends, For though you had a minde to quarrel when The victory was doubtful, I am not The more exalted for my Masters triumph, His wit is none of mine; I honour Ajax In his own arms; for I have seen him do Brave things.

Ly.

Thy hand, I love thee Didimus, And I will love Ulysses for thy sake too.

Did.

But how does thy Lord Ajax take the busi∣ness?

Ly.

He's mad, and rails at heaven and earth, I dare not Come neer him—Whose this, Poiybrontes?

Enter Polybrontes.

Let us forget all differences, and make Some sport with him—Polybrontes, I am proud to see your military face.

Did.

My Magazine of Valour, I do honour you, From that exalted trust upon your Skonce, To the cold iron Star upon your heel, how is't?

Ly.

How is't my Low, and Mighty Poly∣brontes?

Pol.

Tir'd out with killing of the Creature, Wilde Beasts, and Men, will come in•••• my way; Some, I look dead, others I take the pains To cut or quarter, as they move my fury, The hate of Iuno is entail'd upon Our generation I think.

Did.

How, Iuno? I pray what kin are you to Hercules?

Pol.

I am his son, son to the Theban Her∣cules That did the mighty Labours; we number twelve, I have been told too, I am very like him; There were fifty of us in one night begotten.

Did.

You are not, Sir, so big bon'd as Her∣cules altogether.

Pol.

Hang bones, and flesh, and blood, It is the soul that's tall, a Gyants spirit.

Ly.

Not in that body, A soul can hardly stand upright in't.

Pol.

'Tis the more dangerous, being confin'd, and must Break out like lightning.

Did.

What's that upon your hat?

Pol.

My case of Tooth-picks.

Ly.

How, 'tis a Lyons paw.

Pol.

A Legacy my father left me, part Of that Nemean Lyon, that he kill'd, VVhose skin he us'd to wear, which since these Wars

I turn'd into a Knapsack, and it carries A charm against all venemous B••asts, come near it,

Did.

Vermine he means: VVhat kinde of belt is this?

Pol.

This was a Serpent, which at Aulis was Obse••••d to climbe up to the Sparrows nest, VVhere having swallowed nine, Calchas pre∣sag'd, VVe should be nine years at the siege of Troy, And in the tenth be Conqueros, this I kill'd VVith a Flint stone, as it came hissing toward me, It had ten row of iron teeth.

Did.

VVhere are they?

Pol.

All beaten out with that stone I threw at her.

Did.

Nothing scapes you then: But good Sir favour us, to let us know How many men have fallen by your sword During our siege, I knovv you keep a Cata∣logue.

Pol.

Not of all, I onely register within my Diary, The men of honour that I kill, the rest I leave to the common bills of Mortality.

Ly.

The men of honour, I pray, Sir.

Pol.

They rise to— ••oo in my roll.

Did.

VVith your own hand?

Pol.

Ten Princes, beside two of Priams sons, Paris and Hector,

Ly.

Paris is alive.

Pol.

Not that Paris I kill'd upon my honour.

Did.

And all the Army knowes, Achille•• with His Mirmidons ••lew Hector.

Pol.

From me tell Achilles 'Tis false.

Ly.

He's dead too.

Pol.

'Tis well he is so, he that steals my fame, Must not be long i'th number of the living.

Did.

You are The little wonder of the world, you had Done your self right, to have put in with Ulysses And Ajax, for the armour.

Ly.

Had he stood, There had been no Competitor, Ulysses Had this day mist his triumph.

Pol.

Had Ulysses The armour then?

Enter Ajax.

Ly.

Given by all Judges.

Pol.

I believe The man is so modest, ••at mention Of me, would have recanted his ambition; Do not I know Ulysses? yes, and Ajax.

A••a.

Ha!

Pol.

And all the swelling flies that blow the Army, I'll tell that Ajax, when I see him next, That I dare fight?

Aja.

VVith whom Sir, dare you fight?

Pol.

With any man that shall affront you, Sir,

Renowned Ajax, my soul falls to crums That day, I do not honour your remembrance. Ulysses is a Juggler, I do wonder At's impudence, to stand in competition VVith him, that is the man of men, brave Tela∣mon: Shall I carry him a challenge; prethee let me, I long to thunder him.

Aja.

Stay Wesel!

Pol.

Or to Agamemnon, or the best of them, VVould I were in my knapsack nibbling cheese now.

Aja.

I say the word, be dead.

Ajax strikes him.

Pol.

My brains, my brains! Ah my own sweet brains; who wants any brains?

Aja,

Art thou not dead?

Pol.

Oh yes Sir, I am dead, Give my Ghost leave to walk a little.

Aja.

Come back, your name?

Pol.

Ah, when I was alive, the Souldiers call'd me—

Aja.

Agamemnon.

Pol.

I shall be brain'd in earnest!

Aja.

VVhen thou hast past the Stygian Lake, com∣mend me To Eacus, one of the Infernal Judges.

Pol.

I will Sir, I am acquainted with his Clark.

Aja.

And when I have made my revenge perfect, I'll visit him my self.

Pol.

I'll bring you an answer too.

Aja.

Do so.

Pol.

I were best to make haste, Sir, Charon stays for me, And I shall lose my tide.

Aja.

Then vanish.

Pol.

Presto.

Exit.

Aja.

There's one dispatch'd, he's company for Ghosts, I know whose fate is next, and then I leap To immortality: what cloud is that Descends so big with prodigy, my steel Shall give the Monster birth, ha' 'tis Ulysses, Come to affront me in Achilles armour:

Enter Calchas.

A thousand serpents creep within my skull: I'll finde the Cowards soul through all this dark∣ness, Have at thee Polititian, dost thou bleed? Now I have met we'e, thanks to my good sword, I kiss thy cold lips, for this brave revenge, Thou art my own, without competitor, And must be my last refuge and companion.

Cal.

Alas poor Telamon!

Aja.

VVho calls Telamon?

Cal.

One you have known and lov'd; can you forget Calchas so soon?

Aja.

Our Grecian Prophet, you are very welcome, VVhat news from the upper VVorld? do they agree In heaven? we are all to pieces.

Cal.

I am trusted

VVith a direction to you, the sacred powers You serve—

Aja,

Speak on, but let me tell you as a friend, They have not us'd me kindely, but no matter, I'll be my own revenger.

Cal.

Sir, take heed. How you provoke their anger, or contemn Their Precepts, for the partial acts of men, They know, and pitty that a man so valiant, Should for a trifle lose his manly temper: You are not, Sir, forgotten by the Gods And I am sent, their Prophet to acquaint you, That what you lost alive by humane Judges, Their divine Justice shall restore with honour To your calm dust; for know, those very arms In which Ulysses triumphs now, shall be Snatcht from him by a tempest, and shall land A floating treasure upon Ajax Tomb, And by their stay convince the future age, VVho best deserv'd e'm; be not then unman'd, And thus deface the beauties of your reason.

Aja.

I thank 'em, they are pleas'd, when I am dead To make a restitution to my fame, And send me home the armour, this is something, I'll make my self in a capacity By death to be an object of their justice, I'll dye immediately, I can do't my self.

Cal.

Your Piety avert so black a deed! This is a way to make the world suspect The worth of all your former actions, And that they were not births Legitimate,

Born from true honour, but the spurious issue Of an ung ided heat, or chance: How shall VVe think, that man is truly valiant, And fit to be engag'd in things of fright And danger, that wants courage to sustain An injury? it shews a fear of others, To be reveng'd upon our selves, and he Is not so much a Coward that flies death, As he that suffers, and doth fear to live: Besides, this will enlarge your enemies triumph, An•• in the world opinions, be granted A tame concession to his worth; nay men, And with much face of reason, may affirm, Ulysses did not onely win the arms, 〈…〉〈…〉 Ajax.

〈◊〉〈◊〉

Therefore I will dye VVith 〈◊〉〈◊〉 own hand, and save that infamy; I am resolved, all fate shall not prevent it: Leave me:

C••l.

I must not.

A••a.

I am not confin'd To place, thy office yet is thy protection, Do not presume to follow, left my rage Make me forget your person, and by sad Mistake, I turn the Priest into a Sacrifice: Go tell the world I am dead, and make it known, That Ajax fell by no hand but his own.

Cal.

This will turn all our Triumph into mourn∣ing,

Exeunt.