THERSITES
Ay, but that fool knows not himself.
AJAX
Therefore I beat thee.
THERSITES
Lo, lo, lo, lo, what modicums of wit he utters! his
evasions have ears thus long. I have bobbed his
brain more than he has beat my bones: I will buy
nine sparrows for a penny, and his pia mater is not
worth the nineth part of a sparrow. This lord,
Achilles, Ajax, who wears his wit in his belly and
his guts in his head, I'll tell you what I say of
him.
ACHILLES
What?
THERSITES
I say, this Ajax–
Ajax offers to beat him
ACHILLES
Nay, good Ajax.
THERSITES
Has not so much wit–
ACHILLES
Nay, I must hold you.
THERSITES
As will stop the eye of Helen's needle, for whom he
comes to fight.
ACHILLES
Peace, fool!
THERSITES
I would have peace and quietness, but the fool will
not: he there: that he: look you there.
AJAX
O thou damned cur! I shall–
ACHILLES
Will you set your wit to a fool's?