No Fear Shakespeare: Troilus and Cressida: Act 1 Scene 1

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Original Text	Modern Text
Enter PANDARUS and TROILUS.	PANDARUS and TROILUS enter.
TROILUS Call here my varlet; I’ll unarm again. Why should I war without the walls of Troy That find such cruel battle here within? Each Trojan that is master of his heart, 5 Let him to field; Troilus, alas, hath none.	TROILUS Call my attendant; I’ll take my weapons off again. Why should I fight a war outside of the walls of Troy when there is such a cruel battle to fight within it? Each Trojan who is still master of his heart should fight; Troilus, alas, has no heart to fight.
PANDARUS Will this gear ne’er be mended?	PANDARUS Will this conflict ever be resolved?
TROILUS The Greeks are strong and skilful to their strength, Fierce to their skill, and to their fierceness valiant; But I am weaker than a woman’s tear, 10 Tamer than sleep, fonder than ignorance, Less valiant than the virgin in the night, And skilless as unpracticed infancy.	TROILUS The Greeks are strong and have a skill that matches their strength, a fierceness that matches their skill, and a bravery that matches their ferocity. But I am weaker than a woman’s tear, calmer than sleep, more devoted than ignorance, less brave than the virgin at night, and as uneducated as an untrained novice.
PANDARUS Well, I have told you enough of this. For my part, I’ll not meddle nor make no farther. He that will 15 have a cake out of the wheat must tarry the grinding.	PANDARUS Well, I have spoken with you enough about this. For my part, I won’t have anything more to do with it than I already have. He who wants to bake a cake must be patient enough to grind the wheat into flour.
TROILUS Have I not tarried?	TROILUS Haven’t I been patient?
PANDARUS Ay, the grinding; but you must tarry the bolting.	PANDARUS Yes, for the grinding, but you must also be patient enough to sift the flour.
TROILUS Have I not tarried?	TROILUS Haven’t I been patient?
PANDARUS 20 Ay, the bolting; but you must tarry the leavening.	PANDARUS Yes, for the sifting, but you must also be patient enough to let the cake rise.
TROILUS Still have I tarried.	TROILUS I’ve been patient about that, too.
PANDARUS Ay, to the leavening; but here’s yet in the word hereafter the kneading, the making of the cake, the 25 heating the oven, and the baking. Nay, you must stay the cooling too, or you may chance burn your lips.	PANDARUS Yes, to let the cake rise. But there’s more to do—kneading the dough, making the cake, heating the oven, and baking the cake. And then you must let it cool, or you might burn your lips.
TROILUS Patience herself, what goddess e’er she be, Doth lesser blench at suff’rance than I do. At Priam’s royal table do I sit 30 And when fair Cressid comes into my thoughts— So, traitor! “When she comes”? When is she thence?	TROILUS Patience herself, whatever goddess she may be, tolerates less suffering than I do. I sit at Priam’s royal table, and Cressida comes into my mind—I sound like a traitor of love! “When she comes into my mind”? When is she not in my thoughts?
PANDARUS Well, she looked yesternight fairer than ever I saw her look, or any woman else.	PANDARUS Well, last night she looked more beautiful than I ever saw her, or any other woman, look.
TROILUS 35 I was about to tell thee: when my heart, As wedgèd with a sigh, would rive in twain, Lest Hector or my father should perceive me, I have, as when the sun doth light a-scorn, Buried this sigh in wrinkle of a smile; 40 But sorrow that is couched in seeming gladness Is like that mirth fate turns to sudden sadness.	TROILUS I was about to tell you: my heart felt as if it was being forced apart by a sigh, splitting in two, and so that Hector or my father wouldn’t notice, like the sun that lights up a storm, I covered my sigh with a smile. But sorrow disguised in happiness is like that joy that fate suddenly turns into sadness.
PANDARUS An her hair were not somewhat darker than Helen’s—well, go to—there were no more comparison between the women. But, for my part, she is 45 my kinswoman; I would not, as they term it, praise her, but I would somebody had heard her talk yesterday, as I did. I will not dispraise your sister Cassandra’s wit, but—	PANDARUS If her hair were not a little darker than Helen’s—well, forget it then—there would be no comparing the women. But she is family to me; I don’t want to, as they say, praise her, but I wish someone had heard her talk yesterday, like I did. I will not insult your sister Cassandra’s intelligence, but —
TROILUS O, Pandarus! I tell thee, Pandarus: 50 When I do tell thee there my hopes lie drowned, Reply not in how many fathoms deep They lie indrenched. I tell thee I am mad In Cressid’s love. Thou answer’st she is fair; Pourest in the open ulcer of my heart 55 Her eyes, her hair, her cheek, her gait, her voice; Handiest in thy discourse—O—that her hand, In whose comparison all whites are ink Writing their own reproach, to whose soft seizure The cygnet’s down is harsh, and spirit of sense 60 Hard as the palm of plowman. This thou tell’st me, As true thou tell’st me, when I say I love her. But, saying thus, instead of oil and balm Thou lay’st in every gash that love hath given me The knife that made it.	TROILUS Oh Pandarus! I tell you, Pandarus: When I tell you that my hopes have drowned, don’t reply by telling me how many fathoms deep they are underwater. I tell you I am madly in love with Cressida, and you answer that she is beautiful, worsening the open sore in my heart with the thought of her eyes, her hair, her cheeks, the way she walks, her voice. You talk about her hand—oh, her beautiful hand, which is so white it makes all other whites seem like black ink, ink that writes about its failure to be as white as she, and which is so soft a young swan’s feathers seem as rough as a farmer’s hands. You say this to me, and it’s true, just as when I tell you I love her. But instead of soothing me with ointment and balm, your words are like a knife that cuts even deeper into the gash of my love for her.
PANDARUS 65 I speak no more than truth.	PANDARUS I only speak the truth.
TROILUS Thou dost not speak so much.	TROILUS What you say doesn’t begin to express the truth.
PANDARUS Faith, I’ll not meddle in it. Let her be as she is. If she be fair, ’tis the better for her; an she be not, she has the mends in her own hands.	PANDARUS Rest assured, I won’t get involved. Let her be as she is. If she is beautiful, all the better for her. And if she’s not, she can figure things out for herself.
TROILUS 70 Good Pandarus—how now, Pandarus?	TROILUS Good Pandarus—why so hasty?
PANDARUS I have had my labor for my travail, ill thought on of her, and ill thought on of you; gone between and between, but small thanks for my labor.	PANDARUS All I have to show for my hard work is pain; she and you both think badly of me. I have received very little thanks for my effort in getting involved with you two.
TROILUS What, art thou angry, Pandarus? What, with 75 me?	TROILUS Wait, you are angry, Pandarus? Are you angry with me?
PANDARUS Because she’s kin to me, therefore she’s not so fair as Helen; an she were not kin to me, she would be as fair o’ Friday as Helen is on Sunday. But what care I? I care not an she were a blackamoor; 80 ’tis all one to me.	PANDARUS Because Cressida is family, I don’t want to brag, so I say she’s not as beautiful as Helen. But if she weren’t family, I would say she’s as beautiful on Friday as Helen is on Sunday Friday was a day of fasting, when women wore plain clothing. Sunday was a day when women looked their best, wearing their nicest clothing. Sunday. But what do I care? I wouldn’t care if she was dark-skinned. It’s all the same to me.
TROILUS Say I she is not fair?	TROILUS Am I saying she’s not fair-skinned?
PANDARUS I do not care whether you do or no. She’s a fool to stay behind her father. Let her to the Greeks, and so I’ll tell her the next time I see her. For my 85 part, I’ll meddle nor make no more i’ th’ matter.	PANDARUS I don’t care whether you do or don’t. She’s a fool to stay with her father. Let her go to the Greeks; I’ll tell her that the next time I see her. I’m not going to get involved in this matter anymore.
TROILUS Pandarus—	TROILUS Pandarus—
PANDARUS Not I. TROILUS Sweet Pandarus— PANDARUS Pray you speak no more to me. I will leave 90 all as I found it, and there an end.	PANDARUS No, I’m not getting involved. TROILUS Sweet Pandarus— PANDARUS Please don’t talk to me about it anymore. I will leave you two as I found you, and that’s that.
He exits. Sounds alarum.	He exits. An alarm sounds signaling a call to arms.
TROILUS Peace, you ungracious clamors! Peace, rude sounds! Fools on both sides! Helen must needs be fair When with your blood you daily paint her thus. I cannot fight upon this argument; 95 It is too starved a subject for my sword. But Pandarus—O gods, how do you plague me! I cannot come to Cressid but by Pandar, And he’s as tetchy to be wooed to woo As she is stubborn-chaste against all suit. 100 Tell me, Apollo, for thy Daphnes love, What Cressid is, what Pandar, and what we. Her bed is India; there she lies, a pearl. Between our Ilium and where she resides, Let it be called the wild and wand’ring flood, 105 Ourself the merchant, and this sailing Pandar Our doubtful hope, our convoy, and our bark.	TROILUS Quiet, rude noises! Quiet, harsh sounds! Both sides of this war are fools! Helen must be beautiful if she uses your blood as her makeup every day. I can’t fight for this cause. It’s too insignificant to draw my sword. But Pandarus—Oh gods, how you torture me! I cannot get to Cressida without Pandarus, and he’s as peevish at being a go-between as she is resistant to being courted. Tell me, Apollo, given your experience with Daphne Apollo is one of the most revered and influential Greek and Roman gods. He had many love affairs, one of which was with Daphne, who, in an effort to escape him, turned into a shrub. Daphne what do I do about Cressida, Pandarus, and all of this? Her bed is like India This refers to either the East or West Indies, a location far away that was thought to have great wealth and luxury. India and she lies in it like a pearl A pearl was symbolic of virginity and what is precious in women. pearl. Between Troy Ilium was the name of the royal palace in Troy and a name for Troy in general. Troy and where she lives is a wild and vast open sea. I am like a merchant, and this Pandarus is my uncertain hope, my protector, and my sailing vessel.
Alarum. Enter AENEAS.	An alarm sounds signaling a call to arms. AENEAS enters.
AENEAS How now, Prince Troilus? Wherefore not afield?	AENEAS What’s going on, Troilus? Why aren’t you on the battlefield?
TROILUS Because not there. This woman’s answer sorts, For womanish it is to be from thence. 110 What news, Aeneas, from the field today?	TROILUS Because I’m not. It’s a woman’s answer, and I will act like a woman from here on out. What news has come from the battlefield today, Aeneas?
AENEAS That Paris is returnèd home, and hurt.	AENEAS Paris has returned home and is injured.
TROILUS By whom, Aeneas?	TROILUS By whom, Aeneas?
AENEAS Troilus, by Menelaus.	AENEAS By Menelaus, Troilus.
TROILUS Let Paris bleed. ’Tis but a scar to scorn; 115 Paris is gored with Menelaus’ horn.	TROILUS Let Paris bleed. It’s just a scar in return for his scornful behavior, if Paris has been gouged with Menelaus’ horn Paris stole Menelaus’s wife, Helen. Cuckolds, or men who have unfaithful wives, were said to grow horns. horn.
Alarum.	An alarm sounds signaling a call to arms.
AENEAS Hark what good sport is out of town today!	AENEAS Listen, there’s good sport In this context, “sport” means fighting or entertainment. sport outside the city walls today!
TROILUS Better at home, if “would I might” were “may.” But to the sport abroad. Are you bound thither?	TROILUS I’d rather it take place at home, if I had my wish Here, Troilus uses “sport” to suggest he’d rather the entertainment take place at home with Cressida. wish. But about the sport outside the city walls, are you going out there?
AENEAS In all swift haste.	AENEAS As quickly as possible.
TROILUS 120 Come, go we then together.	TROILUS Come, let’s go together then.
They exit.	They exit.

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Original Text	Modern Text
Enter PANDARUS and TROILUS.	PANDARUS and TROILUS enter.
TROILUS Call here my varlet; I’ll unarm again. Why should I war without the walls of Troy That find such cruel battle here within? Each Trojan that is master of his heart, 5 Let him to field; Troilus, alas, hath none.	TROILUS Call my attendant; I’ll take my weapons off again. Why should I fight a war outside of the walls of Troy when there is such a cruel battle to fight within it? Each Trojan who is still master of his heart should fight; Troilus, alas, has no heart to fight.
PANDARUS Will this gear ne’er be mended?	PANDARUS Will this conflict ever be resolved?
TROILUS The Greeks are strong and skilful to their strength, Fierce to their skill, and to their fierceness valiant; But I am weaker than a woman’s tear, 10 Tamer than sleep, fonder than ignorance, Less valiant than the virgin in the night, And skilless as unpracticed infancy.	TROILUS The Greeks are strong and have a skill that matches their strength, a fierceness that matches their skill, and a bravery that matches their ferocity. But I am weaker than a woman’s tear, calmer than sleep, more devoted than ignorance, less brave than the virgin at night, and as uneducated as an untrained novice.
PANDARUS Well, I have told you enough of this. For my part, I’ll not meddle nor make no farther. He that will 15 have a cake out of the wheat must tarry the grinding.	PANDARUS Well, I have spoken with you enough about this. For my part, I won’t have anything more to do with it than I already have. He who wants to bake a cake must be patient enough to grind the wheat into flour.
TROILUS Have I not tarried?	TROILUS Haven’t I been patient?
PANDARUS Ay, the grinding; but you must tarry the bolting.	PANDARUS Yes, for the grinding, but you must also be patient enough to sift the flour.
TROILUS Have I not tarried?	TROILUS Haven’t I been patient?
PANDARUS 20 Ay, the bolting; but you must tarry the leavening.	PANDARUS Yes, for the sifting, but you must also be patient enough to let the cake rise.
TROILUS Still have I tarried.	TROILUS I’ve been patient about that, too.
PANDARUS Ay, to the leavening; but here’s yet in the word hereafter the kneading, the making of the cake, the 25 heating the oven, and the baking. Nay, you must stay the cooling too, or you may chance burn your lips.	PANDARUS Yes, to let the cake rise. But there’s more to do—kneading the dough, making the cake, heating the oven, and baking the cake. And then you must let it cool, or you might burn your lips.
TROILUS Patience herself, what goddess e’er she be, Doth lesser blench at suff’rance than I do. At Priam’s royal table do I sit 30 And when fair Cressid comes into my thoughts— So, traitor! “When she comes”? When is she thence?	TROILUS Patience herself, whatever goddess she may be, tolerates less suffering than I do. I sit at Priam’s royal table, and Cressida comes into my mind—I sound like a traitor of love! “When she comes into my mind”? When is she not in my thoughts?
PANDARUS Well, she looked yesternight fairer than ever I saw her look, or any woman else.	PANDARUS Well, last night she looked more beautiful than I ever saw her, or any other woman, look.
TROILUS 35 I was about to tell thee: when my heart, As wedgèd with a sigh, would rive in twain, Lest Hector or my father should perceive me, I have, as when the sun doth light a-scorn, Buried this sigh in wrinkle of a smile; 40 But sorrow that is couched in seeming gladness Is like that mirth fate turns to sudden sadness.	TROILUS I was about to tell you: my heart felt as if it was being forced apart by a sigh, splitting in two, and so that Hector or my father wouldn’t notice, like the sun that lights up a storm, I covered my sigh with a smile. But sorrow disguised in happiness is like that joy that fate suddenly turns into sadness.
PANDARUS An her hair were not somewhat darker than Helen’s—well, go to—there were no more comparison between the women. But, for my part, she is 45 my kinswoman; I would not, as they term it, praise her, but I would somebody had heard her talk yesterday, as I did. I will not dispraise your sister Cassandra’s wit, but—	PANDARUS If her hair were not a little darker than Helen’s—well, forget it then—there would be no comparing the women. But she is family to me; I don’t want to, as they say, praise her, but I wish someone had heard her talk yesterday, like I did. I will not insult your sister Cassandra’s intelligence, but —
TROILUS O, Pandarus! I tell thee, Pandarus: 50 When I do tell thee there my hopes lie drowned, Reply not in how many fathoms deep They lie indrenched. I tell thee I am mad In Cressid’s love. Thou answer’st she is fair; Pourest in the open ulcer of my heart 55 Her eyes, her hair, her cheek, her gait, her voice; Handiest in thy discourse—O—that her hand, In whose comparison all whites are ink Writing their own reproach, to whose soft seizure The cygnet’s down is harsh, and spirit of sense 60 Hard as the palm of plowman. This thou tell’st me, As true thou tell’st me, when I say I love her. But, saying thus, instead of oil and balm Thou lay’st in every gash that love hath given me The knife that made it.	TROILUS Oh Pandarus! I tell you, Pandarus: When I tell you that my hopes have drowned, don’t reply by telling me how many fathoms deep they are underwater. I tell you I am madly in love with Cressida, and you answer that she is beautiful, worsening the open sore in my heart with the thought of her eyes, her hair, her cheeks, the way she walks, her voice. You talk about her hand—oh, her beautiful hand, which is so white it makes all other whites seem like black ink, ink that writes about its failure to be as white as she, and which is so soft a young swan’s feathers seem as rough as a farmer’s hands. You say this to me, and it’s true, just as when I tell you I love her. But instead of soothing me with ointment and balm, your words are like a knife that cuts even deeper into the gash of my love for her.
PANDARUS 65 I speak no more than truth.	PANDARUS I only speak the truth.
TROILUS Thou dost not speak so much.	TROILUS What you say doesn’t begin to express the truth.
PANDARUS Faith, I’ll not meddle in it. Let her be as she is. If she be fair, ’tis the better for her; an she be not, she has the mends in her own hands.	PANDARUS Rest assured, I won’t get involved. Let her be as she is. If she is beautiful, all the better for her. And if she’s not, she can figure things out for herself.
TROILUS 70 Good Pandarus—how now, Pandarus?	TROILUS Good Pandarus—why so hasty?
PANDARUS I have had my labor for my travail, ill thought on of her, and ill thought on of you; gone between and between, but small thanks for my labor.	PANDARUS All I have to show for my hard work is pain; she and you both think badly of me. I have received very little thanks for my effort in getting involved with you two.
TROILUS What, art thou angry, Pandarus? What, with 75 me?	TROILUS Wait, you are angry, Pandarus? Are you angry with me?
PANDARUS Because she’s kin to me, therefore she’s not so fair as Helen; an she were not kin to me, she would be as fair o’ Friday as Helen is on Sunday. But what care I? I care not an she were a blackamoor; 80 ’tis all one to me.	PANDARUS Because Cressida is family, I don’t want to brag, so I say she’s not as beautiful as Helen. But if she weren’t family, I would say she’s as beautiful on Friday as Helen is on Sunday Friday was a day of fasting, when women wore plain clothing. Sunday was a day when women looked their best, wearing their nicest clothing. Sunday. But what do I care? I wouldn’t care if she was dark-skinned. It’s all the same to me.
TROILUS Say I she is not fair?	TROILUS Am I saying she’s not fair-skinned?
PANDARUS I do not care whether you do or no. She’s a fool to stay behind her father. Let her to the Greeks, and so I’ll tell her the next time I see her. For my 85 part, I’ll meddle nor make no more i’ th’ matter.	PANDARUS I don’t care whether you do or don’t. She’s a fool to stay with her father. Let her go to the Greeks; I’ll tell her that the next time I see her. I’m not going to get involved in this matter anymore.
TROILUS Pandarus—	TROILUS Pandarus—
PANDARUS Not I. TROILUS Sweet Pandarus— PANDARUS Pray you speak no more to me. I will leave 90 all as I found it, and there an end.	PANDARUS No, I’m not getting involved. TROILUS Sweet Pandarus— PANDARUS Please don’t talk to me about it anymore. I will leave you two as I found you, and that’s that.
He exits. Sounds alarum.	He exits. An alarm sounds signaling a call to arms.
TROILUS Peace, you ungracious clamors! Peace, rude sounds! Fools on both sides! Helen must needs be fair When with your blood you daily paint her thus. I cannot fight upon this argument; 95 It is too starved a subject for my sword. But Pandarus—O gods, how do you plague me! I cannot come to Cressid but by Pandar, And he’s as tetchy to be wooed to woo As she is stubborn-chaste against all suit. 100 Tell me, Apollo, for thy Daphnes love, What Cressid is, what Pandar, and what we. Her bed is India; there she lies, a pearl. Between our Ilium and where she resides, Let it be called the wild and wand’ring flood, 105 Ourself the merchant, and this sailing Pandar Our doubtful hope, our convoy, and our bark.	TROILUS Quiet, rude noises! Quiet, harsh sounds! Both sides of this war are fools! Helen must be beautiful if she uses your blood as her makeup every day. I can’t fight for this cause. It’s too insignificant to draw my sword. But Pandarus—Oh gods, how you torture me! I cannot get to Cressida without Pandarus, and he’s as peevish at being a go-between as she is resistant to being courted. Tell me, Apollo, given your experience with Daphne Apollo is one of the most revered and influential Greek and Roman gods. He had many love affairs, one of which was with Daphne, who, in an effort to escape him, turned into a shrub. Daphne what do I do about Cressida, Pandarus, and all of this? Her bed is like India This refers to either the East or West Indies, a location far away that was thought to have great wealth and luxury. India and she lies in it like a pearl A pearl was symbolic of virginity and what is precious in women. pearl. Between Troy Ilium was the name of the royal palace in Troy and a name for Troy in general. Troy and where she lives is a wild and vast open sea. I am like a merchant, and this Pandarus is my uncertain hope, my protector, and my sailing vessel.
Alarum. Enter AENEAS.	An alarm sounds signaling a call to arms. AENEAS enters.
AENEAS How now, Prince Troilus? Wherefore not afield?	AENEAS What’s going on, Troilus? Why aren’t you on the battlefield?
TROILUS Because not there. This woman’s answer sorts, For womanish it is to be from thence. 110 What news, Aeneas, from the field today?	TROILUS Because I’m not. It’s a woman’s answer, and I will act like a woman from here on out. What news has come from the battlefield today, Aeneas?
AENEAS That Paris is returnèd home, and hurt.	AENEAS Paris has returned home and is injured.
TROILUS By whom, Aeneas?	TROILUS By whom, Aeneas?
AENEAS Troilus, by Menelaus.	AENEAS By Menelaus, Troilus.
TROILUS Let Paris bleed. ’Tis but a scar to scorn; 115 Paris is gored with Menelaus’ horn.	TROILUS Let Paris bleed. It’s just a scar in return for his scornful behavior, if Paris has been gouged with Menelaus’ horn Paris stole Menelaus’s wife, Helen. Cuckolds, or men who have unfaithful wives, were said to grow horns. horn.
Alarum.	An alarm sounds signaling a call to arms.
AENEAS Hark what good sport is out of town today!	AENEAS Listen, there’s good sport In this context, “sport” means fighting or entertainment. sport outside the city walls today!
TROILUS Better at home, if “would I might” were “may.” But to the sport abroad. Are you bound thither?	TROILUS I’d rather it take place at home, if I had my wish Here, Troilus uses “sport” to suggest he’d rather the entertainment take place at home with Cressida. wish. But about the sport outside the city walls, are you going out there?
AENEAS In all swift haste.	AENEAS As quickly as possible.
TROILUS 120 Come, go we then together.	TROILUS Come, let’s go together then.
They exit.	They exit.

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Troilus and Cressida

William Shakespeare

Original Text

Modern Text

Sunday

Daphne

India

pearl

Troy

horn

sport

wish

Original Text

Modern Text

Sunday

Daphne

India

pearl

Troy

horn

sport

wish

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