Sixth Part
SIXTH PART
ARGUMENT
Here beginneth the sixth part of the Filostrato, in which, to begin with, Cressida, while at her father's tent, grieveth at her separation from Troilus. Diomede cometh to her and holdeth discourse with her. He disparageth Troy and the Trojans, and discovereth his love. To him she replieth and leaveth him in doubt whether he please her or not. Finally grown indifferent to Troilus, she beginneth to forget him. And in the first place Cressida weepeth grievously at her separation from Troilus .
1.
On the other side, by the seashore, with few ladies, among armed men was Cressida. In bitter tears were spent her nights, for by day it was more fitting for her to use precaution, for the fresh and delicate cheeks had grown wan and thin. She was far from her sweet well-being.
2.
She wept, whispering to herself the delight she had heretofore taken with Troilus, and she did ever and anon tell over to herself all that had happened between them and often did she call to mind their every word, whenever she had the time or power to do so. For when she saw how far from him she was, she made a bitter fountain of her eyes.
3.
Nor would anyone have been so heartless, when he heard her make bitter plaint in her sorrows, as to refrain from weeping with her. So grievous was her weeping, when a moment of time was given her, that it could not be described to the full. And that which afflicted her more than aught else, was that she had none to share her grief.
4.
She would gaze upon the walls of Troy, the palaces, towers, and fortresses, and to herself would she say: " Alas, what a deal of joy, pleasure, and sweetness had I once within them! And now here in sad distress do I consume my precious beauty. Alas, my Troilus, what doest thou now? Hast thou still any memory of me?
5.
" O woe, alas! Now would I had believed thee and together we had gone whithersoever and to whatsoever realm it had pleased thee. For now should I feel none of these sorrows, nor would so much good time be wasted. We should have returned at any time thereafter, and who would have said evil of me because I had gone away with such a man?
6.
" O woe, alas, that at this late hour I perceive how my judgment now turneth enemy to me! I turned from the bad and pursued the worse; wherefore my heart is bereft of joy. Vainly do I call upon death for solace, since I cannot see thee, O sweet friend. And I fear I shall never see thee again. May the Greeks full soon be as wretched as I.
7.
" But I shall do all in my power to make my escape hence, if in no other way my coming to thee be permitted, and to return to thy side, as I promised, and let the smoke float where it listeth and any consequence that will, follow me. For rather than consent to die of grief I am nothing loath that he who wisheth, may speak of it in barking tones. "
8.
But soon did a new lover turn her from so high and great intent. Diomede made use of every argument that he could to make way into her heart. Nor did the attempt fail him in due season. In brief space he drave forth from it Troilus and Troy and every other thought which she had of him, or false or true.
9.
She had not been there the fourth day after the bitter parting when honorable cause to come to her was found by Diomede, who found her weeping in solitude and almost a different woman from the day when first riding forth with her, he had conducted her thither from Troy. And this seemed a great marvel to him.
10.
And to himself he said when first he saw her: " I think this labor of mine an idle one. This lady is sad for the love of another, as I see her, full of the sighs of constancy. Too much the master artist should I have to be, if I would drive out the first in order to make my own way in. Alas, in what an evil hour did I go to Troy when I brought her away! "
11.
But as one who had great daring and a stout heart, he made resolve, now that he had come hither, to disclose to her, even were he to die for it, the rough assaults that love had made him feel on her account, and how he was first enkindled with love for her. And after taking a seat he came gradually to his desires.
12.
And first he began to speak to her of the cruel wars between themselves and the Trojans, asking her opinion on the subject, whether she thought their designs frivolous or vain. Whence he went on to ask whether the ways of the Greeks seemed strange to her. Nor did he long refrain from asking her why Calchas delayed to seek her a husband.
13.
Cressida, whose mind still dwelt upon her sweet lover in Troy, did not perceive his cunning but answered Diomede as it pleased her master Love. Again and again she pierced his heart with grievous pain and now and then she gave him joyous hope of what he sought.
14.
He, gathering assurance as he talked with her, began to say: " O youthful lady, if I have looked well into the face that delighteth more than any other ever seen, meseemeth that I see it much changed, on account of cruel torment, from the day on which we started hither from Troy, and, as you know, came here.
15.
" Nor do I know what may be the cause, if 'twere not love, which, if you be wise, you will cast aside when you listen to reason, because you must do as I say. The Trojans are, it may be said, imprisoned by us, as you see, for we are minded not to depart until we have destroyed Troy either with sword or fire.
16.
" Believe not that any in the city shall ever find pity in us. Neither ever did anyone nor ever, even if the world were eternal, shall any commit other folly without the punishment we shall mete out to Paris, if we may, for the deed he hath done, becoming a very shining example to him, either here among the living or among the dead in hell.
17.
" And were there indeed a dozen Hectors, as there is but one, and sixty brothers, we shall, even if Calchas doth not bring us to it by treacherous and deceitful speech, have, and that soon, the longed-for victory over them, one and all, no matter how many there be. And their death, which shall be within a very short space of time, will give us certainty that our hope is not ill-founded.
18.
" And believe not that Calchas would have demanded you back with such urgency had he not foreseen what I tell you. Well have I discussed this matter with him before he did so and taken every circumstance into consideration. Wherefore in order to draw you away from such dangers, he took counsel how to have you returned hither.
19.
" And I did urge him, hearing of your marvelous virtues and other excellencies, and when Antenor learned that he was to be given in exchange for you, I made offer of myself as mediator. And he laid upon me the charge that I should take this part, knowing full well my fealty. Nor were the goings and comings to see you, speak to you, know you, and hear you wearisome to me.
20.
" Therefore I desire to say to you, fair dear lady, renounce the fruitless love for the Trojans, drive away this bitter hope which now maketh you to sigh in vain, and recover the resplendent beauty which more than anything delighteth him who is a man of understanding. For to such straits hath Troy now come that every hope that man hath there is lost.
21.
" And were it indeed to stand forever, yet are its king, its sons, and its inhabitants barbarous and rude in their ways, and to be held in little esteem in comparison with the Greeks, who surpass every other nation in goodly ways and mannerly appearance. You are among wellbred men, where formerly you were among drunken brutes.
22.
" And do not believe that there is not among the Greeks love nobler and more perfect than among the Trojans. And your great worth, exceeding beauty, and angelic aspect shall find here a very worthy lover, if you shall find pleasure in accepting him. And if it should not displease you, I would at this moment be he more gladly than king of the Greeks. "
23.
And when he had said this, he turned red as fire in his face and his voice did somewhat shake. His gaze he cast upon the ground, averting somewhat his eyes from her. But then he turned with sudden thought, readier of word than he had been, and with swift speech continued: " Let it not vex you; I am as gentle born as any man in Troy.
24.
" If my father Tydeus had lived — he was killed fighting at Thebes — I should have been king of Calydon and Argos, as I still intend to be, nor had I come into a kingdom a stranger but known, of ancient line, and honorable, and, if it may be believed, descended from the gods, so that I am not of least weight among the Greeks.
25.
" I pray you then, if my prayer availeth, that you drive away all melancholy and that you take me as your vassal, if I seem to be a man of such worth and excellence as befitteth your sovereignty. I shall be what is demanded by your high beauty — which I behold in you more than in any other — , so that you will also hold Diomede dear. "
26.
Cressida listened and shamefaced made reply with words few and far between, according as his speech demanded. But when she heard this last remark, she said to herself that his daring was great. Askance she eyed him and in anger — so much power did Troilus still have over her — and thus in voice subdued she spake:
27.
" I love, Diomede, the land in which I have been bred and reared and I am as distressed as may be by the war in which she is engaged, and would gladly see her free. And if cruel fate doth drag me forth from her, with good reason am I disturbed. But for every anxiety received on my account. I pray good desert be rendered thee.
28.
" I know well that the Greeks are of high worth and well-mannered, as thou sayest, but the high virtue of the Trojans is no less on that account. Their qualities have they shown in the handiwork of Hector. Nor do I believe there is good judgment in disparaging others on account of strife, or for other reason, and then praising self above them.
29.
" Love I have not known since he died to whom loyally I rendered it, as to my husband and my lord. Nor did I ever care in such fashion for Greek or Trojan, nor is it in my desire ever to care for any or ever will be. That thou art descended of royal blood I believe readily enough and I have well understood it.
30.
" And this causeth me much wonder that thou canst place thy mind upon an insignificant woman, as I am, of low rank. For thee the fair Helen would be more fitting. I am in distress and not disposed to listen to such a declaration. I do not mean, however, that I am sorry to be loved faithfully by thee.
31.
" The times are cruel and you are in arms. Let the victory that thou dost expect, come. Then shall I know much better what to do. Perhaps then I shall be much more content with the pleasures that now please me not, and thou mayest speak to me again. Perchance what thou sayest will be dearer to me then than it is now. One must regard time and season when one wisheth to capture another. "
32.
This last speech was very pleasing to Diomede and it seemed to him that he might still hope without fail for some favor, such as he had afterward to his content. And he made answer to her: " Lady, I pledge you the greatest faith I can, that I am and always shall be ready to thy will. " Nor aught else said he, and after this departed thence.
33.
Tall he was and well-favored in person, young, fresh, and very pleasing, and strong and haughty, as men say, graceful of speech as ever any other Greek, and he had a nature prone to love. Which things Cressida in the midst of her woes kept pondering to herself when he had departed, hesitating whether to approach or avoid him.
34.
These things cooled her in the warm thought she had of wishing only to return. These things turned her whole mind, which was intent upon seeing. Troilus, and abated her desire, and a new hope put somewhat to flight her grievous torment. And it befell that, moved by these reasons, she kept not her promises to Troilus.
ARGUMENT
Here beginneth the sixth part of the Filostrato, in which, to begin with, Cressida, while at her father's tent, grieveth at her separation from Troilus. Diomede cometh to her and holdeth discourse with her. He disparageth Troy and the Trojans, and discovereth his love. To him she replieth and leaveth him in doubt whether he please her or not. Finally grown indifferent to Troilus, she beginneth to forget him. And in the first place Cressida weepeth grievously at her separation from Troilus .
1.
On the other side, by the seashore, with few ladies, among armed men was Cressida. In bitter tears were spent her nights, for by day it was more fitting for her to use precaution, for the fresh and delicate cheeks had grown wan and thin. She was far from her sweet well-being.
2.
She wept, whispering to herself the delight she had heretofore taken with Troilus, and she did ever and anon tell over to herself all that had happened between them and often did she call to mind their every word, whenever she had the time or power to do so. For when she saw how far from him she was, she made a bitter fountain of her eyes.
3.
Nor would anyone have been so heartless, when he heard her make bitter plaint in her sorrows, as to refrain from weeping with her. So grievous was her weeping, when a moment of time was given her, that it could not be described to the full. And that which afflicted her more than aught else, was that she had none to share her grief.
4.
She would gaze upon the walls of Troy, the palaces, towers, and fortresses, and to herself would she say: " Alas, what a deal of joy, pleasure, and sweetness had I once within them! And now here in sad distress do I consume my precious beauty. Alas, my Troilus, what doest thou now? Hast thou still any memory of me?
5.
" O woe, alas! Now would I had believed thee and together we had gone whithersoever and to whatsoever realm it had pleased thee. For now should I feel none of these sorrows, nor would so much good time be wasted. We should have returned at any time thereafter, and who would have said evil of me because I had gone away with such a man?
6.
" O woe, alas, that at this late hour I perceive how my judgment now turneth enemy to me! I turned from the bad and pursued the worse; wherefore my heart is bereft of joy. Vainly do I call upon death for solace, since I cannot see thee, O sweet friend. And I fear I shall never see thee again. May the Greeks full soon be as wretched as I.
7.
" But I shall do all in my power to make my escape hence, if in no other way my coming to thee be permitted, and to return to thy side, as I promised, and let the smoke float where it listeth and any consequence that will, follow me. For rather than consent to die of grief I am nothing loath that he who wisheth, may speak of it in barking tones. "
8.
But soon did a new lover turn her from so high and great intent. Diomede made use of every argument that he could to make way into her heart. Nor did the attempt fail him in due season. In brief space he drave forth from it Troilus and Troy and every other thought which she had of him, or false or true.
9.
She had not been there the fourth day after the bitter parting when honorable cause to come to her was found by Diomede, who found her weeping in solitude and almost a different woman from the day when first riding forth with her, he had conducted her thither from Troy. And this seemed a great marvel to him.
10.
And to himself he said when first he saw her: " I think this labor of mine an idle one. This lady is sad for the love of another, as I see her, full of the sighs of constancy. Too much the master artist should I have to be, if I would drive out the first in order to make my own way in. Alas, in what an evil hour did I go to Troy when I brought her away! "
11.
But as one who had great daring and a stout heart, he made resolve, now that he had come hither, to disclose to her, even were he to die for it, the rough assaults that love had made him feel on her account, and how he was first enkindled with love for her. And after taking a seat he came gradually to his desires.
12.
And first he began to speak to her of the cruel wars between themselves and the Trojans, asking her opinion on the subject, whether she thought their designs frivolous or vain. Whence he went on to ask whether the ways of the Greeks seemed strange to her. Nor did he long refrain from asking her why Calchas delayed to seek her a husband.
13.
Cressida, whose mind still dwelt upon her sweet lover in Troy, did not perceive his cunning but answered Diomede as it pleased her master Love. Again and again she pierced his heart with grievous pain and now and then she gave him joyous hope of what he sought.
14.
He, gathering assurance as he talked with her, began to say: " O youthful lady, if I have looked well into the face that delighteth more than any other ever seen, meseemeth that I see it much changed, on account of cruel torment, from the day on which we started hither from Troy, and, as you know, came here.
15.
" Nor do I know what may be the cause, if 'twere not love, which, if you be wise, you will cast aside when you listen to reason, because you must do as I say. The Trojans are, it may be said, imprisoned by us, as you see, for we are minded not to depart until we have destroyed Troy either with sword or fire.
16.
" Believe not that any in the city shall ever find pity in us. Neither ever did anyone nor ever, even if the world were eternal, shall any commit other folly without the punishment we shall mete out to Paris, if we may, for the deed he hath done, becoming a very shining example to him, either here among the living or among the dead in hell.
17.
" And were there indeed a dozen Hectors, as there is but one, and sixty brothers, we shall, even if Calchas doth not bring us to it by treacherous and deceitful speech, have, and that soon, the longed-for victory over them, one and all, no matter how many there be. And their death, which shall be within a very short space of time, will give us certainty that our hope is not ill-founded.
18.
" And believe not that Calchas would have demanded you back with such urgency had he not foreseen what I tell you. Well have I discussed this matter with him before he did so and taken every circumstance into consideration. Wherefore in order to draw you away from such dangers, he took counsel how to have you returned hither.
19.
" And I did urge him, hearing of your marvelous virtues and other excellencies, and when Antenor learned that he was to be given in exchange for you, I made offer of myself as mediator. And he laid upon me the charge that I should take this part, knowing full well my fealty. Nor were the goings and comings to see you, speak to you, know you, and hear you wearisome to me.
20.
" Therefore I desire to say to you, fair dear lady, renounce the fruitless love for the Trojans, drive away this bitter hope which now maketh you to sigh in vain, and recover the resplendent beauty which more than anything delighteth him who is a man of understanding. For to such straits hath Troy now come that every hope that man hath there is lost.
21.
" And were it indeed to stand forever, yet are its king, its sons, and its inhabitants barbarous and rude in their ways, and to be held in little esteem in comparison with the Greeks, who surpass every other nation in goodly ways and mannerly appearance. You are among wellbred men, where formerly you were among drunken brutes.
22.
" And do not believe that there is not among the Greeks love nobler and more perfect than among the Trojans. And your great worth, exceeding beauty, and angelic aspect shall find here a very worthy lover, if you shall find pleasure in accepting him. And if it should not displease you, I would at this moment be he more gladly than king of the Greeks. "
23.
And when he had said this, he turned red as fire in his face and his voice did somewhat shake. His gaze he cast upon the ground, averting somewhat his eyes from her. But then he turned with sudden thought, readier of word than he had been, and with swift speech continued: " Let it not vex you; I am as gentle born as any man in Troy.
24.
" If my father Tydeus had lived — he was killed fighting at Thebes — I should have been king of Calydon and Argos, as I still intend to be, nor had I come into a kingdom a stranger but known, of ancient line, and honorable, and, if it may be believed, descended from the gods, so that I am not of least weight among the Greeks.
25.
" I pray you then, if my prayer availeth, that you drive away all melancholy and that you take me as your vassal, if I seem to be a man of such worth and excellence as befitteth your sovereignty. I shall be what is demanded by your high beauty — which I behold in you more than in any other — , so that you will also hold Diomede dear. "
26.
Cressida listened and shamefaced made reply with words few and far between, according as his speech demanded. But when she heard this last remark, she said to herself that his daring was great. Askance she eyed him and in anger — so much power did Troilus still have over her — and thus in voice subdued she spake:
27.
" I love, Diomede, the land in which I have been bred and reared and I am as distressed as may be by the war in which she is engaged, and would gladly see her free. And if cruel fate doth drag me forth from her, with good reason am I disturbed. But for every anxiety received on my account. I pray good desert be rendered thee.
28.
" I know well that the Greeks are of high worth and well-mannered, as thou sayest, but the high virtue of the Trojans is no less on that account. Their qualities have they shown in the handiwork of Hector. Nor do I believe there is good judgment in disparaging others on account of strife, or for other reason, and then praising self above them.
29.
" Love I have not known since he died to whom loyally I rendered it, as to my husband and my lord. Nor did I ever care in such fashion for Greek or Trojan, nor is it in my desire ever to care for any or ever will be. That thou art descended of royal blood I believe readily enough and I have well understood it.
30.
" And this causeth me much wonder that thou canst place thy mind upon an insignificant woman, as I am, of low rank. For thee the fair Helen would be more fitting. I am in distress and not disposed to listen to such a declaration. I do not mean, however, that I am sorry to be loved faithfully by thee.
31.
" The times are cruel and you are in arms. Let the victory that thou dost expect, come. Then shall I know much better what to do. Perhaps then I shall be much more content with the pleasures that now please me not, and thou mayest speak to me again. Perchance what thou sayest will be dearer to me then than it is now. One must regard time and season when one wisheth to capture another. "
32.
This last speech was very pleasing to Diomede and it seemed to him that he might still hope without fail for some favor, such as he had afterward to his content. And he made answer to her: " Lady, I pledge you the greatest faith I can, that I am and always shall be ready to thy will. " Nor aught else said he, and after this departed thence.
33.
Tall he was and well-favored in person, young, fresh, and very pleasing, and strong and haughty, as men say, graceful of speech as ever any other Greek, and he had a nature prone to love. Which things Cressida in the midst of her woes kept pondering to herself when he had departed, hesitating whether to approach or avoid him.
34.
These things cooled her in the warm thought she had of wishing only to return. These things turned her whole mind, which was intent upon seeing. Troilus, and abated her desire, and a new hope put somewhat to flight her grievous torment. And it befell that, moved by these reasons, she kept not her promises to Troilus.
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