considered,
When a king's fame is questioned?

_Hect._ Brother, she's not worth
What her defence has cost us.

_Troil._ What's aught, but as 'tis valued?

_Hect._ But value dwells not in opinion only:
It holds the dignity and estimation,
As well, wherein 'tis precious of itself,
As in the prizer: 'tis idolatry,
To make the service greater than the god.

_Troil._ We turn not back the silks upon the merchant,
When we have worn them; the remaining food
Throw not away, because we now are full.
If you confess, 'twas wisdom Paris went;--
As you must needs, for you all cried, _Go, go:--_
If you'll confess, he brought home noble prize;--
As you must needs, for you all clapped your hands,
And cried, _Inestimable!_--Why do you now
So under-rate the value of your purchase?
For, let me tell you, 'tis unmanly theft,
When we have taken what we fear to keep.

_AEne._ There's not the meanest spirit in our party,
Without a heart to dare, or sword to draw,
When Helen is defended: None so noble,
Whose life were ill bestowed, or death unfamed,
When Helen is the subject.

_Priam._ So says Paris,
Like one besotted on effeminate joys;
He has the honey still, but these the gall.

_AEne._ He not proposes merely to himself
The pleasures such a beauty brings with it;
But he would have the stain of Helen's rape
Wiped off, in honourable keeping her.

_Hect._ Troilus and AEneas, you have said;
If saying superficial things be reason.
But if this Helen be another's wife,
The moral laws of nature and of nations
Speak loud she be restored. Thus to persist
In doing wrong, extenuates not wrong,
But makes it much more so. Hector's opinion
Is this, in way of truth: yet, ne'ertheless,
My sprightly brother, I incline to you
In resolution to defend her still:
For 'tis a cause on which our Trojan honour
And common reputation will depend.

_Troil._ Why there you touched the life of our design:
Were it not glory that we covet more
Than war and vengeance, (beasts' and women's pleasure)
I would not wish a drop of Trojan blood
Spent more in her defence; but oh! my brother,
She is a subject of renown and honour;
And I presume brave Hector would not lose
The rich advantage of his future fame
For the wide world's revenue:--I have business;
But glad I am to leave you thus resolved.
When such arms strike, ne'er doubt of the success.

_AEn._ May we not guess?

_Troil._ You may, and be deceived. [_Exit_ TROIL.

_Hect._