Troʹilus (3 syl.)

The prince of chivalry, one of the sons of Priam, killed by Achilles in the siege of Troy (Homer’s Iliad). The loves of Troilus and Cressida, celebrated by Shakespeare and Chaucer, form no part of the old classic tale.

As true as Troilus. Troilus is meant by Shakespeare to be the type of constancy, and Cressid the type of female inconstancy. (See Cressida.)

“After all comparisons of truth …

As true as Troilusʹ shall crown up the verse,

And sanctify the numbers.”

Troilus and Cressida, iii. 2.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.