As You Like It

William Shakespeare

amagi symbol
Published by Liberty Fund, Inc.

William Shakespeare, As You Like It [1623]

Edition used:

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (The Oxford Shakespeare), ed. with a glossary by W.J. Craig M.A. (Oxford University Press, 1916).

Editor: William James Craig

Author: William Shakespeare

One of the plays in the 1916 Oxford University Press edition of all of Shakespeare’s plays and poems.

Copyright:

The text is in the public domain.

Table of Contents

AS YOU LIKE IT

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

ACT I.

Scene I.—: An Orchard near Oliver’s House. Enter Orlando and Adam.

Scene II.—: A Lawn before the Duke’s Palace.

Scene III.—: A Room in the Palace.

ACT II.

Scene I.—: The Forest of Arden.

Scene II.—: A Room in the Palace.

Scene III.—: Before Oliver’s House.

Scene IV.—: The Forest of Arden.

Scene V.—: Another Part of the Forest.

SONG.

SONG

Scene VI.—: Another Part of the Forest.

Scene VII.—: Another Part of the Forest.

SONG.

ACT III.

Scene I.—: A Room in the Palace.

Scene II.—: The Forest of Arden.

Scene III.—: Another Part of the Forest.

Scene IV.—: Another Part of the Forest.

Scene V.—: Another Part of the Forest.

ACT IV.

Scene I.—: The Forest of Arden.

Scene II.—: Another Part of the Forest.

SONG.

Scene III.—: Another Part of the Forest.

ACT V.

Scene I.—: The Forest of Arden.

Scene II.—: Another Part of the Forest.

Scene III.—: Another Part of the Forest.

SONG.

Scene IV.—: Another Part of the Forest.

Still Music.

SONG.

EPILOGUE.

Edition: current; Page: [249]

AS YOU LIKE IT

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

DUKE, | living in exile.
FREDERICK, | his Brother, Usurper of his Dominions.
AMIENS, } | Lords attending upon the banished Duke.
JAQUES, }
LE BEAU, | a Courtier, attending upon Frederick.
CHARLES, | a Wrestler.
OLIVER, } | Sons of Sir Rowland de Boys.
JAQUES, }
ORLANDO, }
ADAM, } | Servants to Oliver.
DENNIS, }
TOUCHSTONE, | a Clown.
SIR OLIVER MARTEXT, | a Vicar.
CORIN, } | Shepherds.
SILVIUS, }
WILLIAM, | a Country Fellow, in love with Audrey.
A person representing Hymen.
ROSALIND, | Daughter to the banished Duke.
CELIA, | Daughter to Frederick.
PHEBE, | a Shepherdess.
AUDREY, | a Country Wench.
Lords, Pages, Foresters, and Attendants.

Scene.—First, Oliver’s Orchard near his House; afterwards, in the Usurper’s Court, and in the Forest of Arden.

ACT I.

Scene I.—: An Orchard near Oliver’s House. Enter Orlando and Adam.

Orl.

As I remember, Adam, it was upon this fashion bequeathed me by will but poor a thousand crowns, and, as thou sayest, charged my brother on his blessing, to breed me well: and there begins my sadness. My brother Jaques he keeps at school, and report speaks goldenly of his profit: for my part, he keeps me rustically at home, or, to speak more properly, stays me here at home unkept; for call you that keeping for a gentleman of my birth, that differs not from the stalling of an ox? His horses are bred better; for, besides that they are fair with their feeding, they are taught their manage, and to that end riders dearly hired: but I, his brother, gain nothing under him but growth, for the which his animals on his dunghills are as much bound to him as I. Besides this nothing that he so plentifully gives me, the something that nature gave me, his countenance seems to take from me: he lets me feed with his hinds, bars me the place of a brother, and, as much as in him lies, mines my gentility with my education. This is it, Adam, that grieves me; and the spirit of my father, which I think is within me, begins to mutiny against this servitude. I will no longer endure it, though yet I know no wise remedy how to avoid it.Craig1916: 27

Adam.

Yonder comes my master, your brother.

Orl.

Go apart, Adam, and thou shalt hear how he will shake me up.

Enter Oliver.

Oli.

Now, sir! what make you here?Craig1916: 31

Orl.

Nothing: I am not taught to make anything.

Oli.

What mar you then, sir?

Orl.

Marry, sir, I am helping you to mar that which God made, a poor unworthy brother of yours, with idleness.Craig1916: 37

Oli.

Marry, sir, be better employed, and be naught awhile.

Orl.

Shall I keep your hogs, and eat husks with them? What prodigal portion have I spent, that I should come to such penury?

Oli.

Know you where you are, sir?

Orl.

O! sir, very well: here in your orchard.

Oli.

Know you before whom, sir?Craig1916: 45

Orl.

Ay, better than he I am before knows me. I know you are my eldest brother; and, in the gentle condition of blood, you should so know me. The courtesy of nations allows you my better, in that you are the first-born; but the same tradition takes not away my blood, were there twenty brothers betwixt us. I have as much of my father in me as you; albeit, I confess, your coming before me is nearer to his reverence.

Oli.

What, boy!Craig1916: 56

Orl.

Come, come, elder brother, you are too young in this.

Edition: current; Page: [250]

Oli.

Wilt thou lay hands on me, villain?Craig1916: 59

Orl.

I am no villain; I am the youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys; he was my father, and he is thrice a villain that says such a father begot villains. Wert thou not my brother, I would not take this hand from thy throat till this other had pulled out thy tongue for saying so: thou hast railed on thyself.Craig1916: 66

Adam.

[Coming forward.] Sweet masters, be patient: for your father’s remembrance, be at accord.

Oli.

Let me go, I say.Craig1916: 70

Orl.

I will not, till I please: you shall hear me. My father charged you in his will to give me good education: you have trained me like a peasant, obscuring and hiding from me all gentleman-like qualities. The spirit of my father grows strong in me, and I will no longer endure it; therefore allow me such exercises as may become a gentleman, or give me the poor allottery my father left me by testament; with that I will go buy my fortunes.Craig1916: 80

Oli.

And what wilt thou do? beg, when that is spent? Well, sir, get you in: I will not long be troubled with you; you shall have some part of your will: I pray you, leave me.Craig1916: 84

Orl.

I will no further offend you than becomes me for my good.

Oli.

Get you with him, you old dog.

Adam.

Is ‘old dog’ my reward? Most true, I have lost my teeth in your service. God be with my old master! he would not have spoke such a word.

[Exeunt Orlando and Adam.

Oli.

Is it even so? begin you to grow upon me? I will physic your rankness, and yet give no thousand crowns neither. Holla, Dennis!

Enter Dennis.

Den.

Calls your worship?Craig1916: 95

Oli.

Was not Charles the duke’s wrestler here to speak with me?

Den.

So please you, he is here at the door, and importunes access to you.

Oli.

Call him in. [Exit Dennis.] ’Twill be a good way; and to-morrow the wrestling is.

Enter Charles.

Cha.

Good morrow to your worship.Craig1916: 102

Oli.

Good Monsieur Charles, what’s the new news at the new court?

Cha.

There’s no news at the court, sir, but the old news: that is, the old duke is banished by his younger brother the new duke; and three or four loving lords have put themselves into voluntary exile with him, whose lands and revenues enrich the new duke; therefore he gives them good leave to wander.Craig1916: 111

Oli.

Can you tell if Rosalind, the duke’s daughter, be banished with her father?

Cha.

O, no; for the duke’s daughter, her cousin, so loves her,—being ever from their cradles bred together,—that she would have followed her exile, or have died to stay behind her. She is at the court, and no less beloved of her uncle than his own daughter; and never two ladies loved as they do.Craig1916: 120

Oli.

Where will the old duke live?

Cha.

They say he is already in the forest of Arden, and a many merry men with him; and there they live like the old Robin Hood of England. They say many young gentlemen flock to him every day, and fleet the time carelessly, as they did in the golden world.

Oli.

What, you wrestle to-morrow before the new duke?Craig1916: 129

Cha.

Marry, do I, sir; and I came to acquaint you with a matter. I am given, sir, secretly to understand that your younger brother Orlando hath a disposition to come in disguised against me to try a fall. To-morrow, sir, I wrestle for my credit, and he that escapes me without some broken limb shall acquit him well. Your brother is but young and tender; and, for your love, I would be loath to foil him as I must, for my own honour, if he come in: therefore, out of my love to you, I came hither to acquaint you withal, that either you might stay him from his intendment, or brook such disgrace well as he shall run into, in that it is a thing of his own search and altogether against my will.Craig1916: 144

Oli.

Charles, I thank thee for thy love to me, which thou shalt find I will most kindly requite. I had myself notice of my brother’s purpose herein, and have by underhand means laboured to dissuade him from it, but he is resolute. I’ll tell thee, Charles, it is the stubbornest young fellow of France; full of ambition, an envious emulator of every man’s good parts, a secret and villanous contriver against me his natural brother: therefore use thy discretion. I had as lief thou didst break his neck as his finger. And thou wert best look to’t; for if thou dost him any slight disgrace, or if he do not mightily grace himself on thee, he will practise against thee by poison, entrap thee by some treacherous device, and never leave thee till he hath ta’en thy life by some indirect means or other; for, I assure thee,—and almost with tears I speak it,—there is not one so young and so villanous this day living. I speak but brotherly of him; but should I anatomize him to thee as he is, I must blush and weep, and thou must look pale and wonder.Craig1916: 167

Cha.

I am heartily glad I came hither to you. Edition: current; Page: [251] If he come to-morrow, I’ll give him his payment: if ever he go alone again, I’ll never wrestle for prize more; and so God keep your worship!

[Exit.

Oli.

Farewell, good Charles. Now will I stir this gamester. I hope I shall see an end of him; for my soul, yet I know not why, hates nothing more than he. Yet he’s gentle, never schooled and yet learned, full of noble device, of all sorts enchantingly beloved, and, indeed so much in the heart of the world, and especially of my own people, who best know him, that I am altogether misprised. But it shall not be so long; this wrestler shall clear all: nothing remains but that I kindle the boy thither, which now I’ll go about.

Scene II.—: A Lawn before the Duke’s Palace.

Enter Rosalind and Celia.

Cel.

I pray thee, Rosalind, sweet my coz, be merry.

Ros.

Dear Celia, I show more mirth than I am mistress of, and would you yet I were merrier? Unless you could teach me to forget a banished father, you must not learn me how to remember any extraordinary pleasure.Craig1916: 7

Cel.

Herein I see thou lovest me not with the full weight that I love thee. If my uncle, thy banished father, had banished thy uncle, the duke my father, so thou hadst been still with me, I could have taught my love to take thy father for mine: so wouldst thou, if the truth of thy love to me were so righteously tempered as mine is to thee.Craig1916: 15

Ros.

Well, I will forget the condition of my estate, to rejoice in yours.

Cel.

You know my father hath no child but I, nor none is like to have; and, truly, when he dies, thou shalt be his heir: for what he hath taken away from thy father perforce, I will render thee again in affection; by mine honour, I will; and when I break that oath, let me turn monster. Therefore, my sweet Rose, my dear Rose, be merry.Craig1916: 25

Ros.

From henceforth I will, coz, and devise sports. Let me see; what think you of falling in love?Craig1916: 28

Cel.

Marry, I prithee, do, to make sport withal: but love no man in good earnest; nor no further in sport neither, than with safety of a pure blush thou mayst in honour come off again.Craig1916: 33

Ros.

What shall be our sport then?

Cel.

Let us sit and mock the good housewife Fortune from her wheel, that her gifts may henceforth be bestowed equally.Craig1916: 37

Ros.

I would we could do so, for her benefits are mightily misplaced, and the bountiful blind woman doth most mistake in her gifts to women.

Cel.

’Tis true; for those that she makes fair she scarce makes honest, and those that she makes honest she makes very ill-favouredly.Craig1916: 43

Ros.

Nay, now thou goest from Fortune’s office to Nature’s: Fortune reigns in gifts of the world, not in the lineaments of Nature.

Enter Touchstone.

Cel.

No? when Nature hath made a fair creature, may she not by Fortune fall into the fire? Though Nature hath given us wit to flout at Fortune, hath not Fortune sent in this fool to cut off the argument?Craig1916: 51

Ros.

Indeed, there is Fortune too hard for Nature, when Fortune makes Nature’s natural the cutter-off of Nature’s wit.

Cel.

Peradventure this is not Fortune’s work neither, but Nature’s; who, perceiving our natural wits too dull to reason of such goddesses, hath sent this natural for our whetstone: for always the dulness of the fool is the whetstone of the wits. How now, wit! whither wander you?Craig1916: 61

Touch.

Mistress, you must come away to your father.

Cel.

Were you made the messenger?

Touch.

No, by mine honour; but I was bid to come for you.Craig1916: 66

Ros.

Where learned you that oath, fool?

Touch.

Of a certain knight that swore by his honour they were good pancakes, and swore by his honour the mustard was naught: now, I’ll stand to it, the pancakes were naught and the mustard was good, and yet was not the knight forsworn.Craig1916: 73

Cel.

How prove you that, in the great heap of your knowledge?

Ros.

Ay, marry: now unmuzzle your wisdom.

Touch.

Stand you both forth now: stroke your chins, and swear by your beards that I am a knave.Craig1916: 79

Cel.

By our beards, if we had them, thou art.

Touch.

By my knavery, if I had it, then I were; but if you swear by that that is not, you are not forsworn: no more was this knight, swearing by his honour, for he never had any; or if he had, he had sworn it away before ever he saw those pancakes or that mustard.Craig1916: 86

Cel.

Prithee, who is’t that thou meanest?

Touch.

One that old Frederick, your father, loves.

Cel.

My father’s love is enough to honour him. Enough! speak no more of him; you’ll be whipped for taxation one of these days.Craig1916: 92

Edition: current; Page: [252]

Touch.

The more pity, that fools may not speak wisely what wise men do foolishly.

Cel.

By my troth, thou sayest true; for since the little wit that fools have was silenced, the little foolery that wise men have makes a great show. Here comes Monsieur Le Beau.Craig1916: 98

Ros.

With his mouth full of news.

Cel.

Which he will put on us, as pigeons feed their young.

Ros.

Then we shall be news-cramm’d.

Cel.

All the better; we shall be more marketable.Craig1916: 104

Enter Le Beau.

Bon jour, Monsieur Le Beau: what’s the news?

Le Beau.

Fair princess, you have lost much good sport.

Cel.

Sport! Of what colour?Craig1916: 108

Le Beau.

What colour, madam! How shall

I answer you?

Ros.

As wit and fortune will.

Touch.

Or as the Destinies decree.Craig1916: 112

Cel.

Well said: that was laid on with a trowel.

Touch.

Nay, if I keep not my rank,—

Ros.

Thou losest thy old smell.

Le Beau.

You amaze me, ladies: I would have told you of good wrestling, which you have lost the sight of.Craig1916: 118

Ros.

Yet tell us the manner of the wrestling.

Le Beau.

I will tell you the beginning; and, if it please your ladyships, you may see the end, for the best is yet to do; and here, where you are, they are coming to perform it.Craig1916: 123

Cel.

Well, the beginning, that is dead and buried.

Le Beau.

There comes an old man and his three sons,—Craig1916: 127

Cel.

I could match this beginning with an old tale.

Le Beau.

Three proper young men, of excellent growth and presence;—

Ros.

With bills on their necks, ‘Be it known unto all men by these presents.’Craig1916: 133

Le Beau.

The eldest of the three wrestled with Charles, the duke’s wrestler; which Charles in a moment threw him and broke three of his ribs, that there is little hope of life in him: so he served the second, and so the third. Yonder they lie; the poor old man, their father, making such pitiful dole over them that all the beholders take his part with weeping.Craig1916: 141

Ros.

Alas!

Touch.

But what is the sport, monsieur, that the ladies have lost?Craig1916: 144

Le Beau.

Why, this that I speak of.

Touch.

Thus men may grow wiser every day: it is the first time that ever I heard breaking of ribs was sport for ladies.Craig1916: 148

Cel.

Or I, I promise thee.

Ros.

But is there any else longs to feel this broken music in his sides? is there yet another dotes upon rib-breaking? Shall we see this wrestling, cousin?Craig1916: 153

Le Beau.

You must, if you stay here; for here is the place appointed for the wrestling, and they are ready to perform it.Craig1916: 156

Cel.

Yonder, sure, they are coming: let us now stay and see it.

Flourish. Enter Duke Frederick, Lords, Orlando, Charles, and Attendants.

Duke F.

Come on: since the youth will not be entreated, his own peril on his forwardness.Craig1916: 161

Ros.

Is yonder the man?

Le Beau.

Even he, madam.

Cel.

Alas! he is too young: yet he looks successfully.Craig1916: 165

Duke F.

How now, daughter and cousin! are you crept hither to see the wrestling?

Ros.

Ay, my liege, so please you give us leave.Craig1916: 169

Duke F.

You will take little delight in it, I can tell you, there is such odds in the man: in pity of the challenger’s youth I would fam dissuade him, but he will not be entreated. Speak to him, ladies; see if you can move him.

Cel.

Call him hither, good Monsieur le Beau.

Duke F.

Do so: I’ll not be by.Craig1916: 176

[Duke goes apart.

Le Beau.

Monsieur the challenger, the princes call for you.

Orl.

I attend them with all respect and duty.

Ros.

Young man, have you challenged Charles the wrestler?Craig1916: 181

Orl.

No, fair princess; he is the general challenger: I come but in, as others do, to try with him the strength of my youth.Craig1916: 184

Cel.

Young gentleman, your spirits are too bold for your years. You have seen cruel proof of this man’s strength: if you saw yourself with your eyes or knew yourself with your judgment, the fear of your adventure would counsel you to a more equal enterprise. We pray you, for your own sake, to embrace your own safety and give over this attempt.Craig1916: 192

Ros.

Do, young sir: your reputation shall not therefore be misprised. We will make it our suit to the duke that the wrestling might not go forward.Craig1916: 196

Orl.

I beseech you, punish me not with your hard thoughts, wherein I confess me much guilty, to deny so fair and excellent ladies anything. Edition: current; Page: [253] But let your fair eyes and gentle wishes go with me to my trial: wherein if I be foiled, there is but one shamed that was never gracious; if killed, but one dead that is willing to be so. I shall do my friends no wrong, for I have none to lament me; the world no injury, for in it I have nothing; only in the world I fill up a place, which may be better supplied when I have made it empty.Craig1916: 208

Ros.

The little strength that I have, I would it were with you.

Cel.

And mine, to eke out hers.

Ros.

Fare you well. Pray heaven I be deceived in you!Craig1916: 213

Cel.

Your heart’s desires be with you!

Cha.

Come, where is this young gallant that is so desirous to lie with his mother earth?Craig1916: 216

Orl.

Ready, sir; but his will hath in it a more modest working.

Duke F.

You shall try but one fall.Craig1916: 219

Cha.

No, I warrant your Grace, you shall not entreat him to a second, that have so mightily persuaded him from a first.

Orl.

You mean to mock me after; you should not have mocked me before: but come your ways.Craig1916: 225

Ros.

Now Hercules be thy speed, young man!

Cel.

I would I were invisible, to catch the strong fellow by the leg.Craig1916: 228

[Charles and Orlando wrestle.

Ros.

O excellent young man!

Cel.

If I had a thunderbolt in mine eye, I can tell who should down.

[Charles is thrown. Shout.

Duke F.

No more, no more.Craig1916: 232

Orl.

Yes, I beseech your Grace: I am not yet well breathed.

Duke F.

How dost thou, Charles?

Le Beau.

He cannot speak, my lord.Craig1916: 236

Duke F.

Bear him away. What is thy name, young man?

[Charles is borne out.

Orl.

Orlando, my liege; the youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys.Craig1916: 240

Duke F.

I would thou hadst been son to some man else:

The world esteem’d thy father honourable,

But I did find him still mine enemy:

Thou shouldst have better pleas’d me with this deed,Craig1916: 244

Hadst thou descended from another house.

But fare thee well; thou art a gallant youth:

I would thou hadst told me of another father.

[Exeunt Duke Frederick, Train, and Le Beau.

Cel.

Were I my father, coz, would I do this?

Orl.

I am more proud to be Sir Rowland’s son,Craig1916: 249

His youngest son; and would not change that calling,

To be adopted heir to Frederick.

Ros.

My father lov’d Sir Rowland as his soul,

And all the world was of my father’s mind:Craig1916: 253

Had I before known this young man his son,

I should have given him tears unto entreaties,

Ere he should thus have ventur’d.

Cel.

Gentle cousin,Craig1916: 256

Let us go thank him and encourage him:

My father’s rough and envious disposition

Sticks me at heart. Sir, you have well deserv’d:

If you do keep your promises in loveCraig1916: 260

But justly, as you have exceeded all promise,

Your mistress shall be happy.

Ros.

Gentleman,

[Giving him a chain from her neck.

Wear this for me, one out of suits with fortune,

That could give more, but that her hand lacks means.Craig1916: 264

Shall we go, coz?

Cel.

Ay. Fare you well, fair gentleman.

Orl.

Can I not say, I thank you? My better parts

Are all thrown down, and that which here stands up

Is but a quintain, a mere lifeless block.Craig1916: 268

Ros.

He calls us back: my pride fell with my fortunes;

I’ll ask him what he would. Did you call, sir?

Sir, you have wrestled well, and overthrown

More than your enemies.

Cel.

Will you go, coz?Craig1916: 272

Ros.

Have with you. Fare you well.

[Exeunt Rosalind and Celia.

Orl.

What passion hangs these weights upon my tongue?

I cannot speak to her, yet she urg’d conference.

O poor Orlando, thou art overthrown!Craig1916: 276

Or Charles or something weaker masters thee.

Re-enter Le Beau.

Le Beau.

Good sir, I do in friendship counsel you

To leave this place. Albeit you have deserv’d

High commendation, true applause and love,

Yet such is now the duke’s conditionCraig1916: 281

That he misconstrues all that you have done.

The duke is humorous: what he is indeed,

More suits you to conceive than I to speak of.

Orl.

I thank you, sir; and pray you, tell me this;Craig1916: 285

Which of the two was daughter of the duke,

That here was at the wrestling?

Le Beau.

Neither his daughter, if we judge by manners:Craig1916: 288

Edition: current; Page: [254]

But yet, indeed the smaller is his daughter:

The other is daughter to the banish’d duke,

And here detain’d by her usurping uncle,

To keep his daughter company; whose lovesCraig1916: 292

Are dearer than the natural bond of sisters.

But I can tell you that of late this duke

Hath ta’en displeasure ’gainst his gentle niece,

Grounded upon no other argumentCraig1916: 296

But that the people praise her for her virtues,

And pity her for her good father’s sake;

And, on my life, his malice ’gainst the lady

Will suddenly break forth. Sir, fare you well:

Hereafter, in a better world than this,Craig1916: 301

I shall desire more love and knowledge of you.

Orl.

I rest much bounden to you: fare you well.

[Exit Le Beau.

Thus must I from the smoke into the smother;

From tyrant duke unto a tyrant brother.Craig1916: 305

But heavenly Rosalind!

[Exit.

Scene III.—: A Room in the Palace.

Enter Celia and Rosalind.

Cel.

Why, cousin! why, Rosalind! Cupid have mercy! Not a word?

Ros.

Not one to throw at a dog.Craig1916: 3

Cel.

No, thy words are too precious to be cast away upon curs; throw some of them at me; come, lame me with reasons.

Ros.

Then there were two cousins laid up; when the one should be lamed with reasons and the other mad without any.Craig1916: 9

Cel.

But is all this for your father?

Ros.

No, some of it is for my child’s father:

O, how full of briers is this working-day world!

Cel.

They are but burrs, cousin, thrown upon thee in holiday foolery: if we walk not in the trodden paths, our very petticoats will catch them.Craig1916: 16

Ros.

I could shake them off my coat: these burrs are in my heart.

Cel.

Hem them away.

Ros.

I would try, if I could cry ‘hem,’ and have him.Craig1916: 21

Cel.

Come, come; wrestle with thy affections.

Ros.

O! they take the part of a better wrestler than myself!Craig1916: 24

Cel.

O, a good wish upon you! you will try in time, in despite of a fall. But, turning these jests out of service, let us talk in good earnest: is it possible, on such a sudden, you should fall into so strong a liking with old Sir Rowland’s youngest son?

Ros.

The duke my father loved his father dearly.Craig1916: 32

Cel.

Doth it therefore ensue that you should love his son dearly? By this kind of chase, I should hate him, for my father hated his father dearly; yet I hate not Orlando.Craig1916: 36

Ros.

No, faith, hate him not, for my sake.

Cel.

Why should I not? doth he not deserve well?

Ros.

Let me love him for that; and do you love him, because I do. Look, here comes the duke.Craig1916: 42

Cel.

With his eyes full of anger.

Enter Duke Frederick, with Lords.

Duke F.

Mistress, dispatch you with your safest haste,Craig1916: 44

And get you from our court.

Ros.

Me, uncle?

Duke F.

You, cousin:

Within these ten days if that thou be’st found

So near our public court as twenty miles,

Thou diest for it.

Ros.

I do beseech your Grace,Craig1916: 48

Let me the knowledge of my fault bear with me.

If with myself I hold intelligence,

Or have acquaintance with mine own desires,

If that I do not dream or be not frantic,—Craig1916: 52

As I do trust I am not,—then, dear uncle,

Never so much as in a thought unborn

Did I offend your highness.

Duke F.

Thus do all traitors:

If their purgation did consist in words,Craig1916: 56

They are as innocent as grace itself:

Let it suffice thee that I trust thee not.

Ros.

Yet your mistrust cannot make me a traitor:

Tell me whereon the likelihood depends.Craig1916: 60

Duke F.

Thou art thy father’s daughter; there’s enough.

Ros.

So was I when your highness took his dukedom;

So was I when your highness banish’d him.

Treason is not inherited, my lord;Craig1916: 64

Or, if we did derive it from our friends,

What’s that to me? my father was no traitor:

Then, good my liege, mistake me not so much

To think my poverty is treacherous.Craig1916: 68

Cel.

Dear sovereign, hear me speak.

Duke F.

Ay, Celia; we stay’d her for your sake;

Else had she with her father rang’d along.

Cel.

I did not then entreat to have her stay:

It was your pleasure and your own remorse.Craig1916: 73

I was too young that time to value her;

But now I know her: if she be a traitor,

Why so am I; we still have slept together,Craig1916: 76

Rose at an instant, learn’d, play’d, eat together;

And wheresoe’er we went, like Juno’s swans,

Still we went coupled and inseparable.

Edition: current; Page: [255]

Duke F.

She is too subtle for thee; and her smoothness,Craig1916: 80

Her very silence and her patience,

Speak to the people, and they pity her.

Thou art a fool: she robs thee of thy name;

And thou wilt show more bright and seem more virtuousCraig1916: 84

When she is gone. Then open not thy lips:

Firm and irrevocable is my doom

Which I have pass’d upon her; she is banish’d.

Cel.

Pronounce that sentence then, on me, my liege:Craig1916: 88

I cannot live out of her company.

Duke F

You are a fool. You, niece, provide yourself:

If you outstay the time, upon mine honour,

And in the greatness of my word, you die.Craig1916: 92

[Exeunt Duke Frederick and Lords.

Cel.

O my poor Rosalind! whither wilt thou go?

Wilt thou change fathers? I will give thee mine.

I charge thee, be not thou more griev’d than I am.

Ros.

I have more cause.

Cel.

Thou hast not, cousin;Craig1916: 96

Prithee, be cheerful; know’st thou not, the duke

Hath banish’d me, his daughter?

Ros.

That he hath not.

Cel.

No, hath not? Rosalind lacks then the love

Which teacheth thee that thou and I am one:

Shall we be sunder’d? shall we part, sweet girl?

No: let my father seek another heir.

Therefore devise with me how we may fly,

Whither to go, and what to bear with us:Craig1916: 104

And do not seek to take your change upon you,

To bear your griefs yourself and leave me out;

For, by this heaven, now at our sorrows pale,

Say what thou canst, I’ll go along with thee.Craig1916: 108

Ros.

Why, whither shall we go?

Cel.

To seek my uncle in the forest of Arden.

Ros.

Alas, what danger will it be to us,

Maids as we are, to travel forth so far!Craig1916: 112

Beauty provoketh thieves sooner than gold.

Cel.

I’ll put myself in poor and mean attire,

And with a kind of umber smirch my face;

The like do you: so shall we pass alongCraig1916: 116

And never stir assailants.

Ros.

Were it not better,

Because that I am more than common tall,

That I did suit me all points like a man?

A gallant curtle-axe upon my thigh,Craig1916: 120

A boar-spear in my hand; and,—in my heart

Lie there what hidden woman’s fear there will,—

We’ll have a swashing and a martial outside,

As many other mannish cowards haveCraig1916: 124

That do outface it with their semblances.

Cel.

What shall I call thee when thou art a man?

Ros.

I’ll have no worse a name than Jove’s own page,

And therefore look you call me Ganymede.Craig1916: 128

But what will you be call’d?

Cel.

Something that hath a reference to my state:

No longer Celia, but Aliena.

Ros.

But, cousin, what if we assay’d to steal

The clownish fool out of your father’s court?Craig1916: 133

Would he not be a comfort to our travel?

Cel.

He’ll go along o’er the wide world with me;

Leave me alone to woo him. Let’s away,Craig1916: 136

And get our jewels and our wealth together,

Devise the fittest time and safest way

To hide us from pursuit that will be made

After my flight. Now go we in contentCraig1916: 140

To liberty and not to banishment.

[Exeunt.

ACT II.

Scene I.—: The Forest of Arden.

Enter Duke Senior, Amiens, and other Lords, like Foresters.

Duke S.

Now, my co-mates and brothers in exile,

Hath not old custom made this life more sweet

Than that of painted pomp? Are not these woods

More free from peril than the envious court?Craig1916: 4

Here feel we but the penalty of Adam,

The seasons’ difference; as, the icy fang

And churlish chiding of the winter’s wind,

Which, when it bites and blows upon my body,

Even till I shrink with cold, I smile and sayCraig1916: 9

‘This is no flattery: these are counsellors

That feelingly persuade me what I am.’

Sweet are the uses of adversity,Craig1916: 12

Which like the toad, ugly and venomous,

Wears yet a precious jewel in his head;

And this our life exempt from public haunt,

Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks,Craig1916: 16

Sermons in stones, and good in every thing.

I would not change it.

Ami.

Happy is your Grace,

That can translate the stubbornness of fortune

Into so quiet and so sweet a style.Craig1916: 20

Duke S.

Come, shall we go and kill us venison?

And yet it irks me, the poor dappled fools,

Being native burghers of this desert city,

Should in their own confines with forked heads

Have their round haunches gor’d.

First Lord.

Indeed, my lord,Craig1916: 25

The melancholy Jaques grieves at that;

Edition: current; Page: [256]

And, in that kind, swears you do more usurp

Than doth your brother that hath banish’d you.

To-day my Lord of Amiens and myselfCraig1916: 29

Did steal behind him as he lay along

Under an oak whose antique root peeps out

Upon the brook that brawls along this wood;Craig1916: 32

To the which place a poor sequester’d stag,

That from the hunters’ aim had ta’en a hurt,

Did come to languish; and, indeed, my lord,

The wretched animal heav’d forth such groans

That their discharge did stretch his leathern coatCraig1916: 37

Almost to bursting, and the big round tears

Cours’d one another down his innocent nose

In piteous chase; and thus the hairy fool,Craig1916: 40

Much marked of the melancholy Jaques,

Stood on the extremest verge of the swift brook,

Augmenting it with tears.

Duke S.

But what said Jaques?

Did he not moralize this spectacle?Craig1916: 44

First Lord.

O, yes, into a thousand similes.

First, for his weeping into the needless stream;

‘Poor deer,’ quoth he, ‘thou mak’st a testament

As worldlings do, giving thy sum of moreCraig1916: 48

To that which had too much:’ then, being there alone,

Left and abandon’d of his velvet friends;

‘’Tis right,’ quoth he; ‘thus misery doth part

The flux of company:’ anon, a careless herd,Craig1916: 52

Full of the pasture, jumps along by him

And never stays to greet him; ‘Ay,’ quoth Jaques,

‘Sweep on, you fat and greasy citizens;

’Tis just the fashion; wherefore do you lookCraig1916: 56

Upon that poor and broken bankrupt there?’

Thus most invectively he pierceth through

The body of the country, city, court,

Yea, and of this our life; swearing that weCraig1916: 60

Are mere usurpers, tyrants, and what’s worse,

To fright the animals and to kill them up

In their assign’d and native dwelling-place.

Duke S.

And did you leave him in this contemplation?Craig1916: 64

Sec. Lord.

We did, my lord, weeping and commenting

Upon the sobbing deer.

Duke S.

Show me the place.

I love to cope him in these sullen fits,

For then he’s full of matter.Craig1916: 68

Sec. Lord.

I’ll bring you to him straight.

[Exeunt.

Scene II.—: A Room in the Palace.

Enter Duke Frederick, Lords, and Attendants.

Duke F.

Can it be possible that no man saw them?

It cannot be: some villains of my court

Are of consent and sufferance in this.

First Lord.

I cannot hear of any that did see her.Craig1916: 4

The ladies, her attendants of her chamber,

Saw her a-bed; and, in the morning early

They found the bed untreasur’d of their mistress.

Sec. Lord.

My lord, the roynish clown, at whom so oftCraig1916: 8

Your Grace was wont to laugh, is also missing.

Hisperia, the princess’ gentlewoman,

Confesses that she secretly o’erheard

Your daughter and her cousin much commend

The parts and graces of the wrestlerCraig1916: 13

That did but lately foil the sinewy Charles;

And she believes, wherever they are gone,

That youth is surely in their company.Craig1916: 16

Duke F.

Send to his brother; fetch that gallant hither;

If he be absent, bring his brother to me;

I’ll make him find him. Do this suddenly,

And let not search and inquisition quailCraig1916: 20

To bring again these foolish runaways.

[Exeunt.

Scene III.—: Before Oliver’s House.

Enter Orlando and Adam, meeting.

Orl.

Who’s there?

Adam.

What! my young master? O my gentle master!

O my sweet master! O you memory

Of old Sir Rowland! why, what make you here?

Why are you virtuous? Why do people love you?

And wherefore are you gentle, strong, and valiant?

Why would you be so fond to overcome

The bony priser of the humorous duke?Craig1916: 8

Your praise is come too swiftly home before you.

Know you not, master, to some kind of men

Their graces serve them but as enemies?

No more do yours: your virtues, gentle master,

Are sanctified and holy traitors to you.Craig1916: 13

O, what a world is this, when what is comely

Envenoms him that bears it!

Orl.

Why, what’s the matter?

Adam.

O unhappy youth!

Come not within these doors; within this roof

The enemy of all your graces lives.

Your brother,—no, no brother; yet the son,—

Yet not the son, I will not call him sonCraig1916: 20

Of him I was about to call his father,—

Hath heard your praises, and this night he means

To burn the lodging where you use to lie,

And you within it: if he fail of that,Craig1916: 24

He will have other means to cut you off.

I overheard him and his practices.

Edition: current; Page: [257]

This is no place; this house is but a butchery:

Abhor it, fear it, do not enter it.Craig1916: 28

Orl.

Why, whither, Adam, wouldst thou have me go?

Adam.

No matter whither, so you come not here.

Orl.

What! wouldst thou have me go and beg my food?

Or with a base and boisterous sword enforceCraig1916: 32

A thievish living on the common road?

This I must do, or know not what to do:

Yet this I will not do, do how I can;

I rather will subject me to the maliceCraig1916: 36

Of a diverted blood and bloody brother.

Adam.

But do not so. I have five hundred crowns,

The thrifty hire I sav’d under your father,

Which I did store to be my foster-nurseCraig1916: 40

When service should in my old limbs lie lame,

And unregarded age in corners thrown.

Take that; and He that doth the ravens feed,

Yea, providently caters for the sparrow,Craig1916: 44

Be comfort to my age! Here is the gold;

All this I give you. Let me be your servant:

Though I look old, yet I am strong and lusty;

For in my youth I never did applyCraig1916: 48

Hot and rebellious liquors in my blood,

Nor did not with unbashful forehead woo

The means of weakness and debility;

Therefore my age is as a lusty winter,Craig1916: 52

Frosty, but kindly. Let me go with you;

I’ll do the service of a younger man

In all your business and necessities.

Orl.

O good old man! how well in thee appears

The constant service of the antique world,Craig1916: 57

When service sweat for duty, not for meed!

Thou art not for the fashion of these times,

Where none will sweat but for promotion,Craig1916: 60

And having that, do choke their service up

Even with the having: it is not so with thee.

But, poor old man, thou prun’st a rotten tree,

That cannot so much as a blossom yield,Craig1916: 64

In lieu of all thy pains and husbandry.

But come thy ways, we’ll go along together,

And ere we have thy youthful wages spent,

We’ll light upon some settled low content.Craig1916: 68

Adam.

Master, go on, and I will follow thee

To the last gasp with truth and loyalty.

From seventeen years till now almost fourscore

Here lived I, but now live here no more.Craig1916: 72

At seventeen years many their fortunes seek;

But at fourscore it is too late a week:

Yet fortune cannot recompense me better

Than to die well and not my master’s debtor.Craig1916: 76

[Exeunt.

Scene IV.—: The Forest of Arden.

Enter Rosalind in boy’s clothes, Celia dressed like a shepherdess, and Touchstone.

Ros.

O Jupiter! how weary are my spirits.

Touch.

I care not for my spirits if my legs were not weary.

Ros.

I could find it in my heart to disgrace my man’s apparel and to cry like a woman; but I must comfort the weaker vessel, as doublet and hose ought to show itself courageous to petticoat: therefore, courage, good Aliena.Craig1916: 8

Cel.

I pray you, bear with me: I cannot go no further.

Touch.

For my part, I had rather bear with you than bear you; yet I should bear no cross if I did bear you, for I think you have no money in your purse.Craig1916: 14

Ros.

Well, this is the forest of Arden.

Touch.

Ay, now am I in Arden; the more fool I: when I was at home, I was in a better place: but travellers must be content.

Ros.

Ay, be so, good Touchstone. Look you, who comes here; a young man and an old in solemn talk.Craig1916: 21

Enter Corin and Silvius.

Cor.

That is the way to make her scorn you still.

Sil.

O Corin, that thou knew’st how I do love her!

Cor.

I partly guess, for I have lov’d ere now.

Sil.

No, Corin; being old, thou canst not guess,

Though in thy youth thou wast as true a lover

As ever sigh’d upon a midnight pillow:

But if thy love were ever like to mine,—Craig1916: 28

As sure I think did never man love so,—

How many actions most ridiculous

Hast thou been drawn to by thy fantasy?

Cor.

Into a thousand that I have forgotten.

Sil.

O! thou didst then ne’er love so heartily.

If thou remember’st not the slightest folly

That ever love did make thee run into,

Thou hast not lov’d:Craig1916: 36

Or if thou hast not sat as I do now,

Wearing thy hearer with thy mistress’ praise,

Thou hast not lov’d:

Or if thou hast not broke from companyCraig1916: 40

Abruptly, as my passion now makes me,

Thou hast not lov’d. O Phebe, Phebe, Phebe!

[Exit.

Ros.

Alas, poor shepherd! searching of thy wound,

I have by hard adventure found mine own.Craig1916: 44

Touch.

And I mine. I remember, when I was in love I broke my sword upon a stone, and bid him take that for coming a-night to Jane Smile; Edition: current; Page: [258] and I remember the kissing of her batler, and the cow’s dugs that her pretty chopped hands had milked; and I remember the wooing of a peascod instead of her, from whom I took two cods, and giving her them again, said with weeping tears, ‘Wear these for my sake.’ We that are true lovers run into strange capers; but as all is mortal in nature, so is all nature in love mortal in folly.Craig1916: 56

Ros.

Thou speakest wiser than thou art ware of.

Touch.

Nay, I shall ne’er be ware of mine own wit till I break my shins against it.Craig1916: 60

Ros.

Jove, Jove! this shepherd’s passion

Is much upon my fashion.

Touch.

And mine; but it grows something stale with me.Craig1916: 64

Cel.

I pray you, one of you question yond man,

If he for gold will give us any food:

I faint almost to death.

Touch.

Holla, you clown!

Ros.

Peace, fool: he’s not thy kinsman.

Cor.

Who calls?Craig1916: 68

Touch.

Your betters, sir.

Cor.

Else are they very wretched.

Ros.

Peace, I say. Good even to you, friend.

Cor.

And to you, gentle sir, and to you all.

Ros.

I prithee, shepherd, if that love or gold

Can in this desert place buy entertainment,Craig1916: 73

Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

Here’s a young maid with travel much oppress’d,

And faints for succour.

Cor.

Fair sir, I pity her,Craig1916: 76

And wish, for her sake more than for mine own,

My fortunes were more able to relieve her;

But I am shepherd to another man,

And do not shear the fleeces that I graze:Craig1916: 80

My master is of churlish disposition

And little recks to find the way to heaven

By doing deeds of hospitality.

Besides, his cote, his flocks, and bounds of feed

Are now on sale; and at our sheepcote now,Craig1916: 85

By reason of his absence, there is nothing

That you will feed on; but what is, come see,

And in my voice most welcome shall you be.Craig1916: 88

Ros.

What is he that shall buy his flock and pasture?

Cor.

That young swain that you saw here but erewhile,

That little cares for buying anything.

Ros.

I pray thee, if it stand with honesty,Craig1916: 92

Buy thou the cottage, pasture, and the flock,

And thou shalt have to pay for it of us.

Cel.

And we will mend thy wages. I like this place,

And willingly could waste my time in it.Craig1916: 96

Cor.

Assuredly the thing is to be sold:

Go with me: if you like upon report

The soil, the profit, and this kind of life,

I will your very faithful feeder be,Craig1916: 100

And buy it with your gold right suddenly.

[Exeunt.

Scene V.—: Another Part of the Forest.

Enter Amiens, Jaques, and Others.

SONG.

Ami.

Under the greenwood tree

Who loves to lie with me,

And turn his merry note

Unto the sweet bird’s throat,Craig1916: 4

Come hither, come hither, come hither:

Here shall he see

No enemy

But winter and rough weather.Craig1916: 8

Jaq.

More, more, I prithee, more.

Ami.

It will make you melancholy, Monsieur Jaques.Craig1916: 11

Jaq.

I thank it. More! I prithee, more. I can suck melancholy out of a song as a weasel sucks eggs. More! I prithee, more.

Ami.

My voice is ragged; I know I cannot please you.Craig1916: 16

Jaq.

I do not desire you to please me; I do desire you to sing. Come, more; another stanzo: call you them stanzos?

Ami.

What you will, Monsieur Jaques.Craig1916: 20

Jaq.

Nay, I care not for their names; they owe me nothing. Will you sing?

Ami.

More at your request than to please myself.Craig1916: 24

Jaq.

Well then, if ever I thank any man, I’ll thank you: but that they call compliment is like the encounter of two dog-apes, and when a man thanks me heartily, methinks I have given him a penny and he renders me the beggarly thanks. Come, sing; and you that will not, hold your tongues.

Ami.

Well, I’ll end the song. Sirs, cover the while; the duke will drink under this tree. He hath been all this day to look you.Craig1916: 33

Jaq.

And I have been all this day to avoid him. He is too disputable for my company: I think of as many matters as he, but I give heaven thanks, and make no boast of them. Come, warble; come.

SONG

Ami.

Who doth ambition shun,

[All together here.

And loves to live i’ the sun,

Secking the food he eats,Craig1916: 40

And pleas’d with what he gets.

Come hither, come hither, come hither:

Here shall he see

No enemyCraig1916: 44

But winter and rough weather.

Jaq.

I’ll give you a verse to this note, that I made yesterday in despite of my invention.

Ami.

And I’ll sing it.Craig1916: 48

Edition: current; Page: [259]

Jaq.

Thus it goes:

If it do come to pass

That any man turn ass,

Leaving his wealth and ease,Craig1916: 52

A stubborn will to please,

Ducdame, ducdame, ducdame:

Here shall he see

Gross fools as he,Craig1916: 56

An if he will come to me.

Ami.

What’s that ‘ducdame?’

Jaq.

’Tis a Greek invocation to call fools into a circle. I’ll go sleep if I can; if I cannot, I’ll rail against all the first-born of Egypt.Craig1916: 61

Ami.

And I’ll go seek the duke: his banquet is prepared.

[Exeunt severally.

Scene VI.—: Another Part of the Forest.

Enter Orlando and Adam.

Adam.

Dear master, I can go no further: O! I die for food. Here lie I down, and measure out my grave. Farewell, kind master.Craig1916: 3

Orl.

Why, how now, Adam! no greater heart in thee? Live a little; comfort a little; cheer thyself a little. If this uncouth forest yield anything savage, I will either be food for it, or bring it for food to thee. Thy conceit is nearer death than thy powers. For my sake be comfortable, hold death awhile at the arm’s end, I will here be with thee presently, and if I bring thee not something to eat, I will give thee leave to die; but if thou diest before I come, thou art a mocker of my labour. Well said! thou lookest cheerly, and I’ll be with thee quickly. Yet thou liest in the bleak air: come I will bear thee to some shelter, and thou shalt not die for lack of a dinner, if there live anything in this desert. Cheerly, good Adam.

[Exeunt.

Scene VII.—: Another Part of the Forest.

A table set out. Enter Duke Senior, Amiens, Lords like Outlaws.

Duke S.

I think he be transform’d into a beast,

For I can nowhere find him like a man.

First Lord.

My lord, he is but even now gone hence:

Here was he merry, hearing of a song.Craig1916: 4

Duke S.

If he, compact of jars, grow musical,

We shall have shortly discord in the spheres.

Go, seek him: tell him I would speak with him.

First Lord.

He saves my labour by his own approach.Craig1916: 8

Enter Jaques.

Duke S.

Why, how now, monsieur! what a life is this,

That your poor friends must woo your company?

What, you look merrily!

Jaq.

A fool, a fool! I met a fool i’ the forest,

A motley fool; a miserable world!Craig1916: 13

As I do live by food, I met a fool;

Who laid him down and bask’d him in the sun,

And rail’d on Lady Fortune in good terms,Craig1916: 16

In good set terms, and yet a motley fool.

‘Good morrow, fool,’ quoth I. ‘No, sir,’ quoth he,

‘Call me not fool till heaven hath sent me fortune.’

And then he drew a dial from his poke,Craig1916: 20

And, looking on it with lack-lustre eye,

Says very wisely, ‘It is ten o’clock;

Thus may we see,’ quoth he, ‘how the world wags:

’Tis but an hour ago since it was nine,Craig1916: 24

And after one hour more ’twill be eleven;

And so, from hour to hour we ripe and ripe,

And then from hour to hour we rot and rot,

And thereby hangs a tale.’ When I did hearCraig1916: 28

The motley fool thus moral on the time,

My lungs began to crow like chanticleer,

That fools should be so deep-contemplative,

And I did laugh sans intermissionCraig1916: 32

An hour by his dial. O noble fool!

A worthy fool! Motley’s the only wear.

Duke S.

What fool is this?

Jaq.

O worthy fool! One that hath been a courtier,Craig1916: 36

And says, if ladies be but young and fair,

They have the gift to know it; and in his brain,—

Which is as dry as the remainder biscuit

After a voyage,—he hath strange places cramm’d

With observation, the which he ventsCraig1916: 41

In mangled forms. O that I were a fool!

I am ambitious for a motley coat.

Duke S.

Thou shalt have one.

Jaq.

It is my only suit;Craig1916: 44

Provided that you weed your better judgments

Of all opinion that grows rank in them

That I am wise. I must have liberty

Withal, as large a charter as the wind,Craig1916: 48

To blow on whom I please; for so fools have:

And they that are most galled with my folly,

They most must laugh. And why, sir, must they so?

The ‘why’ is plain as way to parish church:Craig1916: 52

He that a fool doth very wisely hit

Doth very foolishly, although he smart,

Not to seem senseless of the bob; if not,

The wise man’s folly is anatomiz’dCraig1916: 56

Even by the squandering glances of the fool.

Invest me in my motley; give me leave

Edition: current; Page: [260]

To speak my mind, and I will through and through

Cleanse the foul body of th’ infected world,Craig1916: 60

If they will patiently receive my medicine.

Duke S.

Fie on thee! I can tell what thou wouldst do.

Jaq.

What, for a counter, would I do, but good?

Duke S.

Most mischievous foul sin, in chiding sin:Craig1916: 64

For thou thyself hast been a libertine,

As sensual as the brutish sting itself;

And all the embossed sores and headed evils,

That thou with licence of free foot hast caught,

Wouldst thou disgorge into the general world.

Jaq.

Why, who cries out on pride,

That can therein tax any private party?

Doth it not flow as hugely as the sea,Craig1916: 72

Till that the weary very means do ebb?

What woman in the city do I name,

When that I say the city-woman bears

The cost of princes on unworthy shoulders?Craig1916: 76

Who can come in and say that I mean her,

When such a one as she such is her neighbour?

Or what is he of basest function,

That says his bravery is not on my cost,—Craig1916: 80

Thinking that I mean him,—but therein suits

His folly to the mettle of my speech?

There then; how then? what then? Let me see wherein

My tongue hath wrong’d him: if it do him right,

Then he hath wrong’d himself; if he be free,Craig1916: 85

Why then, my taxing like a wild goose flies,

Unclaim’d of any man. But who comes here?

Enter Orlando, with his sword drawn.

Orl.

Forbear, and eat no more.

Jaq.

Why, I have eat none yet.

Orl.

Nor shalt not, till necessity be serv’d.Craig1916: 89

Jaq.

Of what kind should this cock come of?

Duke S.

Art thou thus bolden’d, man, by thy distress,

Or else a rude despiser of good manners,Craig1916: 92

That in civility thou seem’st so empty?

Orl.

You touch’d my vein at first: the thorny point

Of bare distress hath ta’en from me the show

Of smooth civility; yet I am inland bredCraig1916: 96

And know some nurture. But forbear, I say:

He dies that touches any of this fruit

Till I and my affairs are answered.

Jaq.

An you will not be answered with reason,

I must die.Craig1916: 101

Duke S.

What would you have? Your gentleness shall force

More than your force move us to gentleness.

Orl.

I almost die for food; and let me have it.

Duke S.

Sit down and feed, and welcome to our table.Craig1916: 105

Orl.

Speak you so gently? Pardon me, I pray you:

I thought that all things had been savage here,

And therefore put I on the countenanceCraig1916: 108

Of stern commandment. But whate’er you are

That in this desert inaccessible,

Under the shade of melancholy boughs,

Lose and neglect the creeping hours of time;Craig1916: 112

If ever you have look’d on better days,

If ever been where bells have knoll’d to church,

If ever sat at any good man’s feast,

If ever from your eyelids wip’d a tear,Craig1916: 116

And know what ’tis to pity, and be pitied,

Let gentleness my strong enforcement be:

In the which hope I blush, and hide my sword.

Duke S.

True is it that we have seen better days,Craig1916: 120

And have with holy bell been knoll’d to church,

And sat at good men’s feasts, and wip’d our eyes

Of drops that sacred pity hath engender’d;

And therefore sit you down in gentlenessCraig1916: 124

And take upon command what help we have

That to your wanting may be minister’d.

Orl.

Then but forbear your food a little while,

Whiles, like a doe, I go to find my fawnCraig1916: 128

And give it food. There is an old poor man,

Who after me hath many a weary step

Limp’d in pure love: till he be first suffic’d,

Oppress’d with two weak evils, age and hunger,

I will not touch a bit.

Duke S.

Go find him out,Craig1916: 133

And we will nothing waste till you return.

Orl.

I thank ye; and be bless’d for your good comfort!

[Exit.

Duke S.

Thou seest we are not all alone unhappy:Craig1916: 136

This wide and universal theatre

Presents more woful pageants than the scene

Wherein we play in.

Jaq.

All the world’s a stage,

And all the men and women merely players:

They have their exits and their entrances;Craig1916: 141

And one man in his time plays many parts,

His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,

Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms.Craig1916: 144

And then the whining school-boy, with his satchel,

And shining morning face, creeping like snail

Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,

Sighing like furnace, with a woful balladCraig1916: 148

Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. Then a soldier,

Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,

Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,

Seeking the bubble reputationCraig1916: 152

Edition: current; Page: [261]

Even in the cannon’s mouth. And then the justice,

In fair round belly with good capon lin’d,

With eyes severe, and beard of formal cut,

Full of wise saws and modern instances;Craig1916: 156

And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts

Into the lean and slipper’d pantaloon,

With spectacles on nose and pouch on side,

His youthful hose well sav’d, a world too wideCraig1916: 160

For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,

Turning again toward childish treble, pipes

And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,

That ends this strange eventful history,Craig1916: 164

Is second childishness and mere oblivion,

Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

Re-enter Orlando, with Adam.

Duke S.

Welcome. Set down your venerable burden,

And let him feed.

Orl.

I thank you most for him.Craig1916: 168

Adam.

So had you need:

I scarce can speak to thank you for myself.

Duke S.

Welcome; fall to: I will not trouble you

As yet, to question you about your fortunes.Craig1916: 172

Give us some music; and, good cousin, sing.

SONG.

Ami.

Blow, blow, thou winter wind,

Thou art not so unkind

As man’s ingratitude;Craig1916: 176

Thy tooth is not so keen,

Because thou art not seen,

Although thy breath be rude.

Heigh-ho! sing, heigh-ho! unto the green holly:

Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly.

Then heigh-ho! the holly!

This life is most jolly.

Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky,Craig1916: 184

That dost not bite so nigh

As benefits forgot:

Though thou the waters warp,

Thy sting is not so sharpCraig1916: 188

As friend remember’d not.

Heigh-ho! sing, heigh-ho! unto the green holly:

Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly.

Then heigh-ho! the holly!Craig1916: 192

This life is most jolly.

Duke S.

If that you were the good Sir Rowland’s son,

As you have whisper’d faithfully you were,

And as mine eye doth his effigies witnessCraig1916: 196

Most truly limn’d and living in your face,

Be truly welcome hither: I am the duke

That lov’d your father: the residue of your fortune,

Go to my cave and tell me. Good old man,Craig1916: 200

Thou art right welcome as thy master is.

Support him by the arm. Give me your hand,

And let me all your fortunes understand.

[Exeunt.

ACT III.

Scene I.—: A Room in the Palace.

Enter Duke Frederick, Oliver, Lords, and Attendants.

Duke F.

Not seen him since! Sir, sir, that cannot be:

But were I not the better part made mercy,

I should not seek an absent argument

Of my revenge, thou present. But look to it:Craig1916: 4

Find out thy brother, wheresoe’er he is;

Seek him with candle; bring him, dead or living,

Within this twelvemonth, or turn thou no more

To seek a living in our territory.Craig1916: 8

Thy lands and all things that thou dost call thine

Worth seizure, do we seize into our hands,

Till thou canst quit thee by thy brother’s mouth

Of what we think against thee.Craig1916: 12

Oli.

O that your highness knew my heart in this!

I never lov’d my brother in my life.

Duke F.

More villain thou. Well, push him out of doors;

And let my officers of such a natureCraig1916: 16

Make an extent upon his house and lands.

Do this expediently and turn him going.

[Exeunt.

Scene II.—: The Forest of Arden.

Enter Orlando, with a paper.

Orl.

Hang there, my verse, in witness of my love:

And thou, thrice-crowned queen of night, survey

With thy chaste eye, from thy pale sphere above,

Thy huntress’ name, that my full life doth sway.

O Rosalind! these trees shall be my books,Craig1916: 5

And in their barks my thoughts I’ll character,

That every eye, which in this forest looks,

Shall see thy virtue witness’d everywhere.Craig1916: 8

Run, run, Orlando: carve on every tree

The fair, the chaste, and unexpressive she.

[Exit.

Enter Corin and Touchstone.

Cor.

And how like you this shepherd’s life, Master Touchstone?Craig1916: 12

Touch.

Truly, shepherd, in respect of itself, it is a good life; but in respect that it is a shepherd’s life, it is naught. In respect that it is solitary, I like it very well; but in respect that it is private, it is a very vile life. Now, in respect it is in the fields, it pleaseth me well; but in respect it is not in the court, it is tedious. As it is a spare life, look you, it fits my humour well; but as there is no more plenty in it, it goes Edition: current; Page: [262] much against my stomach. Hast any philosophy in thee, shepherd?Craig1916: 23

Cor.

No more but that I know the more one sickens the worse at ease he is; and that he that wants money, means, and content, is without three good friends; that the property of rain is to wet, and fire to burn; that good pasture makes fat sheep, and that a great cause of the night is lack of the sun; that he that hath learned no wit by nature nor art may complain of good breeding, or comes of a very dull kindred.Craig1916: 33

Touch.

Such a one is a natural philosopher. Wast ever in court, shepherd?

Cor.

No, truly.Craig1916: 36

Touch.

Then thou art damned.

Cor.

Nay, I hope.

Touch.

Truly, thou art damned like an ill-roasted egg, all on one side.Craig1916: 40

Cor.

For not being at court? Your reason.

Touch.

Why, if thou never wast at court, thou never sawest good manners; if thou never sawest good manners, then thy manners must be wicked; and wickedness is sin, and sin is damnation. Thou art in a parlous state, shepherd.Craig1916: 46

Cor.

Not a whit, Touchstone: those that are good manners at the court, are as ridiculous in the country as the behaviour of the country is most mockable at the court. You told me you salute not at the court, but you kiss your hands; that courtesy would be uncleanly if courtiers were shepherds.Craig1916: 53

Touch.

Instance, briefly; come, instance.

Cor.

Why, we are still handling our ewes, and their fells, you know, are greasy.Craig1916: 56

Touch.

Why, do not your courtier’s hands sweat? and is not the grease of a mutton as wholesome as the sweat of a man? Shallow, shallow. A better instance, I say; come.Craig1916: 60

Cor.

Besides, our hands are hard.

Touch.

Your lips will feel them the sooner: shallow again. A more sounder instance; come.

Cor.

And they are often tarred over with the surgery of our sheep; and would you have us kiss tar? The courtier’s hands are perfumed with civet.Craig1916: 67

Touch.

Most shallow man! Thou worms-meat, in respect of a good piece of flesh, indeed! Learn of the wise, and perpend: civet is of a baser birth than tar, the very uncleanly flux of a cat. Mend the instance, shepherd.Craig1916: 72

Cor.

You have too courtly a wit for me: I’ll rest.

Touch.

Wilt thou rest damned? God help thee, shallow man! God make incision in thee! thou art raw.Craig1916: 77

Cor.

Sir, I am a true labourer: I earn that I eat, get that I wear, owe no man hate, envy no man’s happiness, glad of other men’s good, content with my harm; and the greatest of my pride is to see my ewes graze and my lambs suck.Craig1916: 82

Touch.

That is another simple sin in you, to bring the ewes and the rams together, and to offer to get your living by the copulation of cattle; to be bawd to a bell-wether, and to betray a she-lamb of a twelvemonth to a crooked-pated, old, cuckoldy ram, out of all reasonable match. If thou be’st not damned for this, the devil himself will have no shepherds: I cannot see else how thou shouldst ’scape.

Cor.

Here comes young Master Ganymede, my new mistress’s brother.Craig1916: 93

Enter Rosalind, reading a paper.

Ros.

From the east to western Ind,

No jewel is like Rosalind

Her worth, being mounted on the wind,Craig1916: 96

Through all the world bears Rosalind.

All the pictures fairest lin’d

Are but black to Rosalind.

Let no face be kept in mind,Craig1916: 100

But the fair of Rosalind.

Touch.

I’ll rime you so, eight years together, dinners and suppers and sleeping hours excepted: it is the right butter-women’s rank to market.Craig1916: 105

Ros.

Out, fool!

Touch.

For a taste:—

If a hart do lack a hind,Craig1916: 108

Let him seek out Rosalind.

If the cat will after kind,

So be sure will Rosalind.

Winter-garments must be lin’d,Craig1916: 112

So must slender Rosalind.

They that reap must sheaf and bind,

Then to cart with Rosalind.

Sweetest nut hath sourest rind,Craig1916: 116

Such a nut is Rosalind.

He that sweetest rose will find

Must find love’s prick and Rosalind.

This is the very false gallop of verses: why do you infect yourself with them?Craig1916: 121

Ros.

Peace! you dull fool: I found them on a tree.

Touch.

Truly, the tree yields bad fruit.Craig1916: 124

Ros.

I’ll graff it with you, and then I shall graff it with a medlar: then it will be the earliest fruit i’ the country; for you’ll be rotten ere you be half ripe, and that’s the right virtue of the medlar.Craig1916: 129

Touch.

You have said; but whether wisely or no, let the forest judge.

Enter Celia, reading a paper.

Ros.

Peace!Craig1916: 132

Here comes my sister, reading: stand aside.

Edition: current; Page: [263]

Cel.

Why should this a desert be?

For it is unpeopled? No;

Tongues I’ll hang on every tree,Craig1916: 136

That shall civil sayings show.

Some, how brief the life of man

Runs his erring pilgrimage,

That the stretching of a spanCraig1916: 140

Buckles in his sum of age;

Some, of violated vows

’Twixt the souls of friend and friend:

But upon the fairest boughs,Craig1916: 144

Or at every sentence’ end,

Will I Rosalinda write;

Teaching all that read to know

The quintessence of every spriteCraig1916: 148

Heaven would in little show.

Therefore Heaven Nature charg’d

That one body should be fill’d

With all graces wide enlarg’d:Craig1916: 152

Nature presently distill’d

Helen’s cheek, but not her heart,

Cleopatra’s majesty,

Atalanta’s better part,Craig1916: 156

Sad Lucretia’s modesty.

Thus Rosalind of many parts

By heavenly synod was devis’d

Of many faces, eyes, and hearts,Craig1916: 160

To have the touches dearest priz’d.

Heaven would that she these gifts should have,

And I to live and die her slave.

Ros.

O most gentle pulpiter! what tedious homily of love have you wearied your parishioners withal, and never cried, ‘Have patience, good people!’

Cel.

How now! back, friends! Shepherd, go off a little: go with him, sirrah.Craig1916: 169

Touch.

Come, shepherd, let us make an honourable retreat; though not with bag and baggage, yet with scrip and scrippage.Craig1916: 172

[Exeunt Corin and Touchstone.

Cel.

Didst thou hear these verses?

Ros.

O, yes, I heard them all, and more too; for some of them had in them more feet than the verses would bear.Craig1916: 176

Cel.

That’s no matter: the feet might bear the verses.

Ros.

Ay, but the feet were lame, and could not bear themselves without the verse, and therefore stood lamely in the verse.Craig1916: 181

Cel.

But didst thou hear without wondering, how thy name should be hanged and carved upon these trees?Craig1916: 184

Ros.

I was seven of the nine days out of the wonder before you came; for look here what I found on a palm-tree: I was never so be-rimed since Pythagoras’ time, that I was an Irish rat, which I can hardly remember.Craig1916: 189

Cel.

Trow you who hath done this?

Ros.

Is it a man?

Cel.

And a chain, that you once wore, about his neck. Change you colour?Craig1916: 193

Ros.

I prithee, who?

Cel.

O Lord, Lord! it is a hard matter for friends to meet; but mountains may be removed with earthquakes, and so encounter.Craig1916: 197

Ros.

Nay, but who is it?

Cel.

Is it possible?

Ros.

Nay, I prithee now, with most petitionary vehemence, tell me who it is.Craig1916: 201

Cel.

O wonderful, wonderful, and most wonderful wonderful! and yet again wonderful! and after that, out of all whooping!Craig1916: 204

Ros.

Good my complexion! dost thou think, though I am caparison’d like a man, I have a doublet and hose in my disposition? One inch of delay more is a South-sea of discovery; I prithee, tell me who is it quickly, and speak apace. I would thou couldst stammer, that thou mightst pour this concealed man out of thy mouth, as wine comes out of a narrow-mouth’d bottle; either too much at once, or none at all. I prithee, take the cork out of thy mouth, that I may drink thy tidings.

Cel.

So you may put a man in your belly.Craig1916: 216

Ros.

Is he of God’s making? What manner of man? Is his head worth a hat, or his chin worth a beard?

Cel.

Nay, he hath but a little beard.Craig1916: 220

Ros.

Why, God will send more, if the man will be thankful. Let me stay the growth of his beard, if thou delay me not the knowledge of his chin.Craig1916: 224

Cel.

It is young Orlando, that tripped up the wrestler’s heels and your heart both, in an instant.

Ros.

Nay, but the devil take mocking: speak, sad brow and true maid.Craig1916: 228

Cel.

I’ faith, coz, ’tis he.

Ros.

Orlando?

Cel.

Orlando.

Ros.

Alas the day! what shall I do with my doublet and hose? What did he when thou sawest him? What said he? How looked he? Wherein went he? What makes he here? Did he ask for me? Where remains he? How parted he with thee, and when shalt thou see him again? Answer me in one word.Craig1916: 238

Cel.

You must borrow me Gargantua’s mouth first: ’tis a word too great for any mouth of this age’s size. To say ay and no to these particulars is more than to answer in a catechism.Craig1916: 242

Ros.

But doth he know that I am in this forest and in man’s apparel? Looks he as freshly as he did the day he wrestled?Craig1916: 245

Cel.

It is as easy to count atomies as to resolve the propositions of a lover; but take a taste of my finding him, and relish it with good observance. I found him under a tree, like a dropped acorn.

Ros.

It may well be called Jove’s tree, when it drops forth such fruit.Craig1916: 252

Edition: current; Page: [264]

Cel.

Give me audience, good madam.

Ros.

Proceed.

Cel.

There lay he, stretch’d along like a wounded knight.Craig1916: 256

Ros.

Though it be pity to see such a sight, it well becomes the ground.

Cel.

Cry ‘holla!’ to thy tongue, I prithee; it curvets unseasonably. He was furnish’d like a hunter.Craig1916: 261

Ros.

O, ominous! he comes to kill my heart.

Cel.

I would sing my song without a burthen: thou bringest me out of tune.Craig1916: 264

Ros.

Do you not know I am a woman? when I think, I must speak. Sweet, say on.

Cel.

You bring me out. Soft! comes he not here?Craig1916: 268

Ros.

’Tis he: slink by, and note him.

Enter Orlando and Jaques.

Jaq.

I thank you for your company; but, good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.

Orl.

And so had I; but yet, for fashion’ sake, I thank you too for your society.Craig1916: 273

Jaq.

God be wi’ you: let’s meet as little as we can.

Orl.

I do desire we may be better strangers.

Jaq.

I pray you, mar no more trees with writing love-songs in their barks.

Orl.

I pray you mar no more of my verses with reading them ill-favouredly.Craig1916: 280

Jaq.

Rosalind is your love’s name?

Orl.

Yes, just.

Jaq.

I do not like her name.

Orl.

There was no thought of pleasing you when she was christened.Craig1916: 285

Jaq.

What stature is she of?

Orl.

Just as high as my heart.

Jaq.

You are full of pretty answers. Have you not been acquainted with goldsmiths’ wives, and conn’d them out of rings?

Orl.

Not so; but I answer you right painted cloth, from whence you have studied your questions.Craig1916: 293

Jaq.

You have a nimble wit: I think ’twas made of Atalanta’s heels. Will you sit down with me? and we two will rail against our mistress the world, and all our misery.Craig1916: 297

Orl.

I will chide no breather in the world but myself, against whom I know most faults.

Jaq.

The worst fault you have is to be in love.Craig1916: 301

Orl.

’Tis a fault I will not change for your best virtue. I am weary of you.

Jaq.

By my troth, I was seeking for a fool when I found you.Craig1916: 305

Orl.

He is drowned in the brook: look but in, and you shall see him.

Jaq.

There I shall see mine own figure.Craig1916: 308

Orl.

Which I take to be either a fool or a cipher.

Jaq.

I’ll tarry no longer with you. Farewell, good Signior Love.Craig1916: 312

Orl.

I am glad of your departure. Adieu, good Monsieur Melancholy.

[Exit Jaques.

Ros.

I will speak to him like a saucy lackey, and under that habit play the knave with him. Do you hear, forester?Craig1916: 317

Orl.

Very well: what would you?

Ros.

I pray you, what is’t o’clock?

Orl.

You should ask me, what time o’ day; there’s no clock in the forest.Craig1916: 321

Ros.

Then there is no true lover in the forest; else sighing every minute and groaning every hour would detect the lazy foot of Time as well as a clock.Craig1916: 325

Orl.

And why not the swift foot of Time? had not that been as proper?

Ros.

By no means, sir. Time travels in divers paces with divers persons. I’ll tell you who Time ambles withal, who Time trots withal, who Time gallops withal, and who he stands still withal.Craig1916: 332

Orl.

I prithee, who doth he trot withal?

Ros.

Marry, he trots hard with a young maid between the contract of her marriage and the day it is solemnized; if the interim be but a se’nnight, Time’s pace is so hard that it seems the length of seven year.Craig1916: 338

Orl.

Who ambles Time withal?

Ros.

With a priest that lacks Latin, and a rich man that hath not the gout; for the one sleeps easily because he cannot study, and the other lives merrily because he feels no pain; the one lacking the burden of lean and wasteful learning, the other knowing no burden of heavy tedious penury. These Time ambles withal.

Orl.

Who doth he gallop withal?Craig1916: 348

Ros.

With a thief to the gallows; for though he go as softly as foot can fall he thinks himself too soon there.

Orl.

Who stays it still withal?Craig1916: 352

Ros.

With lawyers in the vacation; for they sleep between term and term, and then they perceive not how Time moves.

Orl.

Where dwell you, pretty youth?Craig1916: 356

Ros.

With this shepherdess, my sister; here in the skirts of the forest, like fringe upon a petticoat.

Orl.

Are you native of this place?Craig1916: 360

Ros.

As the cony, that you see dwell where she is kindled.

Orl.

Your accent is something finer than you could purchase in so removed a dwelling.Craig1916: 364

Edition: current; Page: [265]

Ros.

I have been told so of many: but indeed an old religious uncle of mine taught me to speak, who was in his youth an inland man; one that knew courtship too well, for there he fell in love. I have heard him read many lectures against it; and I thank God, I am not a woman, to be touched with so many giddy offences as he hath generally taxed their whole sex withal.Craig1916: 373

Orl.

Can you remember any of the principal evils that he laid to the charge of women?

Ros.

There were none principal; they were all like one another as half-pence are; every one fault seeming monstrous till his fellow fault came to match it.

Orl.

I prithee, recount some of them.Craig1916: 380

Ros.

No, I will not cast away my physic, but on those that are sick. There is a man haunts the forest, that abuses our young plants with carving ‘Rosalind’ on their barks; hangs odes upon hawthorns, and elegies on brambles; all, forsooth, deifying the name of Rosalind: if I could meet that fancy-monger, I would give him some good counsel, for he seems to have the quotidian of love upon him.Craig1916: 389

Orl.

I am he that is so love-shaked. I pray you, tell me your remedy.

Ros.

There is none of my uncle’s marks upon you: he taught me how to know a man in love; in which cage of rushes I am sure you are not prisoner.

Orl.

What were his marks?Craig1916: 396

Ros.

A lean cheek, which you have not; a blue eye and sunken, which you have not; an unquestionable spirit, which you have not; a beard neglected, which you have not: but I pardon you for that, for, simply, your having in beard is a younger brother’s revenue. Then, your hose should be ungartered, your bonnet unbanded, your sleeve unbuttoned, your shoe untied, and everything about you demonstrating a careless desolation. But you are no such man: you are rather point-device in your accoutrements; as loving yourself than seeming the lover of any other.Craig1916: 409

Orl.

Fair youth, I would I could make thee believe I love.

Ros.

Me believe it! you may as soon make her that you love believe it; which, I warrant, she is apter to do than to confess she does; that is one of the points in the which women still give the lie to their consciences. But, in good sooth, are you he that hangs the verses on the trees, wherein Rosalind is so admired?

Orl.

I swear to thee, youth, by the white hand of Rosalind, I am that he, that unfortunate he.Craig1916: 421

Ros.

But are you so much in love as your rimes speak?

Orl.

Neither rime nor reason can express how much.Craig1916: 425

Ros.

Love is merely a madness, and, I tell you, deserves as well a dark house and a whip as madmen do; and the reason why they are not so punished and cured is, that the lunacy is so ordinary that the whippers are in love too. Yet I profess curing it by counsel.

Orl

Did you ever cure any so?Craig1916: 432

Ros.

Yes, one; and in this manner. He was to imagine me his love, his mistress; and I set him every day to woo me: at which time would I, being but a moonish youth, grieve, be effeminate, changeable, longing and liking; proud, fantastical, apish, shallow, inconstant, full of tears, full of smiles, for every passion something, and for no passion truly anything, as boys and women are, for the most part, cattle of this colour; would now like him, now loathe him; then entertain him, then forswear him; now weep for him, then spit at him; that I drave my suitor from his mad humour of love to a living humour of madness, which was, to forswear the full stream of the world, and to live in a nook merely monastic. And thus I cured him; and this way will I take upon me to wash your liver as clean as a sound sheep’s heart, that there shall not be one spot of love in’t.

Orl.

I would not be cured, youth.Craig1916: 452

Ros.

I would cure you, if you would but call me Rosalind, and come every day to my cote and woo me.

Orl.

Now, by the faith of my love, I will: tell me where it is.Craig1916: 457

Ros.

Go with me to it and I’ll show it you; and by the way you shall tell me where in the forest you live. Will you go?

Orl.

With all my heart, good youth.Craig1916: 461

Ros.

Nay, you must call me Rosalind. Come, sister, will you go?

[Exeunt.

Scene III.—: Another Part of the Forest.

Enter Touchstone and Audrey; Jaques behind.

Touch.

Come apace, good Audrey: I will fetch up your goats, Audrey. And how, Audrey? am I the man yet? doth my simple feature content you?Craig1916: 4

Aud.

Your features! Lord warrant us! what features?

Touch.

I am here with thee and thy goats, as the most capricious poet, honest Ovid, was among the Goths.Craig1916: 9

Jaq.

[Aside.] O knowledge ill-inhabited, worse than Jove in a thatch’d house!

Edition: current; Page: [266]

Touch.

When a man’s verses cannot be understood, nor a man’s good wit seconded with the forward child Understanding, it strikes a man more dead than a great reckoning in a little room. Truly, I would the gods had made thee poetical.Craig1916: 17

Aud.

I do not know what ‘poetical’ is. Is it honest in deed and word? Is it a true thing?Craig1916: 20

Touch.

No, truly, for the truest poetry is the most feigning; and lovers are given to poetry, and what they swear in poetry may be said as lovers they do feign.Craig1916: 24

Aud.

Do you wish then that the gods had made me poetical?

Touch.

I do, truly; for thou swearest to me thou art honest: now, if thou wert a poet, I might have some hope thou didst feign.Craig1916: 29

Aud.

Would you not have me honest?

Touch.

No, truly, unless thou wert hard-favour’d; for honesty coupled to beauty is to have honey a sauce to sugar.Craig1916: 33

Jaq.

[Aside.] A material fool.

Aud.

Well, I am not fair, and therefore I pray the gods make me honest.Craig1916: 36

Touch.

Truly, and to cast away honesty upon a foul slut were to put good meat into an unclean dish.

Aud.

I am not a slut, though I thank the gods I am foul.Craig1916: 41

Touch.

Well, praised be the gods for thy foulness! sluttishness may come hereafter. But be it as it may be, I will marry thee; and to that end I have been with Sir Oliver Martext, the vicar of the next village, who hath promised to meet me in this place of the forest, and to couple us.

Jaq.

[Aside.] I would fain see this meeting.

Aud.

Well, the gods give us joy!Craig1916: 49

Touch.

Amen. A man may, if he were of a fearful heart, stagger in this attempt; for here we have no temple but the wood, no assembly but horn-beasts. But what though? Courage! As horns are odious, they are necessary. It is said, ‘many a man knows no end of his goods:’ right; many a man has good horns, and knows no end of them. Well, that is the dowry of his wife; ’tis none of his own getting. Horns? Even so. Poor men alone? No, no; the noblest deer hath them as huge as the rascal. Is the single man therefore blessed? No: as a walled town is more worthier than a village, so is the forehead of a married man more honourable than the bare brow of a bachelor; and by how much defence is better than no skill, by so much is a horn more precious than to want. Here comes Sir Oliver.Craig1916: 67

Enter Sir Oliver Martext.

Sir Oliver Martext, you are well met: will you dispatch us here under this tree, or shall we go with you to your chapel?

Sir Oli.

Is there none here to give the woman?Craig1916: 72

Touch.

I will not take her on gift of any man.

Sir Oli.

Truly, she must be given, or the marriage is not lawful.Craig1916: 76

Jaq.

[Coming forward.] Proceed, proceed: I’ll give her.

Touch.

Good even, good Master What-ye-call’t. how do you, sir? You are very well met: God ’ild you for your last company: I am very glad to see you: even a toy in hand here, sir: nay, pray be covered.

Jaq.

Will you be married, motley?Craig1916: 84

Touch

As the ox hath his bow, sir, the horse his curb, and the falcon her bells, so man hath his desires; and as pigeons bill, so wedlock would be nibbling.Craig1916: 88

Jaq.

And will you, being a man of your breeding, be married under a bush, like a beggar? Get you to church, and have a good priest that can tell you what marriage is: this fellow will but join you together as they join wainscot; then one of you will prove a shrunk panel, and like green timber, warp, warp.Craig1916: 95

Touch.

[Aside.] I am not in the mind but I were better to be married of him than of another: for he is not like to marry me well, and not being well married, it will be a good excuse for me hereafter to leave my wife.Craig1916: 100

Jaq.

Go thou with me, and let me counsel thee.

Touch.

Come, sweet Audrey:

We must be married, or we must live in bawdry.

Farewell, good Master Oliver: notCraig1916: 104

O sweet Oliver!

O brave Oliver!

Leave me not behind thee:

but,—Craig1916: 108

Wind away,

Begone, I say,

I will not to wedding with thee.

[Exeunt Jaques, Touchstone, and Audrey.

Sir Oli.

’Tis no matter: ne’er a fantastical knave of them all shall flout me out of my calling.

[Exit.

Scene IV.—: Another Part of the Forest.

Enter Rosalind and Celia.

Ros.

Never talk to me: I will weep.

Cel.

Do, I prithee; but yet have the grace to consider that tears do not become a man.

Ros.

But have I not cause to weep?Craig1916: 4

Cel.

As good cause as one would desire; therefore weep.

Edition: current; Page: [267]

Ros.

His very hair is of the dissembling colour.

Cel.

Something browner than Judas’s; marry, his kisses are Judas’s own children.Craig1916: 9

Ros.

I’ faith, his hair is of a good colour.

Cel.

An excellent colour: your chesnut was ever the only colour.Craig1916: 12

Ros.

And his kissing is as full of sanctity as the touch of holy bread.

Cel.

He hath bought a pair of cast lips of Diana: a nun of winter’s sisterhood kisses not more religiously; the very ice of chastity is in them.

Ros.

But why did he swear he would come this morning, and comes not?

Cel.

Nay, certainly, there is no truth in him.

Ros.

Do you think so?Craig1916: 21

Cel.

Yes: I think he is not a pick-purse nor a horse-stealer; but for his verity in love, I do think him as concave as a covered goblet or a worm-eaten nut.Craig1916: 25

Ros.

Not true in love?

Cel.

Yes, when he is in; but I think he is not in.Craig1916: 28

Ros.

You have heard him swear downright he was.

Cel.

‘Was’ is not ‘is:’ besides, the oath of a lover is no stronger than the word of a tapster; they are both the confirmers of false reckonings. He attends here in the forest on the duke your father.Craig1916: 35

Ros.

I met the duke yesterday and had much question with him. He asked me of what parentage I was; I told him, of as good as he; so he laughed, and let me go. But what talk we of fathers, when there is such a man as Orlando?

Cel.

O, that’s a brave man! he writes brave verses, speaks brave words, swears brave oaths, and breaks them bravely, quite traverse, athwart the heart of his lover; as a puisny tilter, that spurs his horse but on one side, breaks his staff like a noble goose. But all’s brave that youth mounts and folly guides. Who comes here?

Enter Corin.

Cor.

Mistress and master, you have oft inquir’dCraig1916: 48

After the shepherd that complain’d of love,

Who you saw sitting by me on the turf,

Praising the proud disdainful shepherdess

That was his mistress.

Cel.

Well, and what of him?Craig1916: 52

Cor.

If you will see a pageant truly play’d,

Between the pale complexion of true love

And the red glow of scorn and proud disdain,

Go hence a little, and I shall conduct you,Craig1916: 56

If you will mark it.

Ros.

O! come, let us remove:

The sight of lovers feedeth those in love.

Bring us to this sight, and you shall say

I’ll prove a busy actor in their play.

[Exeunt.

Scene V.—: Another Part of the Forest.

Enter Silvius and Phebe.

Sil.

Sweet Phebe, do not scorn me; do not, Phebe:

Say that you love me not, but say not so

In bitterness. The common executioner,

Whose heart the accustom’d sight of death makes hard,Craig1916: 4

Falls not the axe upon the humbled neck

But first begs pardon: will you sterner be

Than he that dies and lives by bloody drops?

Enter Rosalind, Celia, and Corin, behind.

Phe.

I would not be thy executioner:Craig1916: 8

I fly thee, for I would not injure thee.

Thou tell’st me there is murder in mine eye:

’Tis pretty, sure, and very probable,

That eyes, that are the frail’st and softest things,Craig1916: 12

Who shut their coward gates on atomies,

Should be call’d tyrants, butchers, murderers!

Now I do frown on thee with all my heart;

And, if mine eyes can wound, now let them kill thee;Craig1916: 16

Now counterfeit to swound; why now fall down;

Or, if thou canst not, O! for shame, for shame,

Lie not, to say mine eyes are murderers.

Now show the wound mine eye hath made in thee;Craig1916: 20

Scratch thee but with a pin, and there remains

Some scar of it; lean but upon a rush,

The cicatrice and capable impressure

Thy palm some moment keeps; but now mine eyes,Craig1916: 24

Which I have darted at thee, hurt thee not,

Nor, I am sure, there is no force in eyes

That can do hurt.

Sil.

O dear Phebe,

If ever,—as that ever may be near,—Craig1916: 28

You meet in some fresh cheek the power of fancy,

Then shall you know the wounds invisible

That love’s keen arrows make.

Phe.

But, till that time

Come not thou near me; and, when that time comes,Craig1916: 32

Afflict me with thy mocks, pity me not;

As, till that time I shall not pity thee.

Ros.

[Advancing.] And why, I pray you? Who might be your mother,

That you insult, exult, and all at once,Craig1916: 36

Over the wretched? What though you have no beauty,—

As by my faith, I see no more in you

Edition: current; Page: [268]

Than without candle may go dark to bed,—

Must you be therefore proud and pitiless?Craig1916: 40

Why, what means this? Why do you look on me?

I see no more in you than in the ordinary

Of nature’s sale-work. Od’s my little life!

I think she means to tangle my eyes too.Craig1916: 44

No, faith, proud mistress, hope not after it:

’Tis not your inky brows, your black silk hair,

Your bugle eyeballs, nor your cheek of cream,

That can entame my spirits to your worship.Craig1916: 48

You foolish shepherd, wherefore do you follow her,

Like foggy south puffing with wind and rain?

You are a thousand times a properer man

Than she a woman: ’tis such fools as youCraig1916: 52

That make the world full of ill-favour’d children:

’Tis not her glass, but you, that flatters her;

And out of you she sees herself more proper

Than any of her lineaments can show her.Craig1916: 56

But, mistress, know yourself: down on your knees,

And thank heaven, fasting, for a good man’s love:

For I must tell you friendly in your ear,

Sell when you can; you are not for all markets.

Cry the man mercy; love him; take his offer:Craig1916: 61

Foul is most foul, being foul to be a scoffer.

So take her to thee, shepherd. Fare you well.

Phe.

Sweet youth, I pray you, chide a year together:Craig1916: 64

I had rather hear you chide than this man woo.

Ros.

He’s fallen in love with her foulness, and she’ll fall in love with my anger. If it be so, as fast as she answers thee with frowning looks, I’ll sauce her with bitter words. Why look you so upon me?

Phe.

For no ill will I bear you.

Ros.

I pray you, do not fall in love with me,

For I am falser than vows made in wine:Craig1916: 73

Besides, I like you not. If you will know my house,

’Tis at the tuft of olives here hard by.

Will you go, sister? Shepherd, ply her hard.Craig1916: 76

Come, sister. Shepherdess, look on him better,

And be not proud: though all the world could see,

None could be so abus’d in sight as he.

Come, to our flock.Craig1916: 80

[Exeunt Rosalind, Celia, and Corin.

Phe.

Dead shepherd, now I find thy saw of might:

‘Who ever lov’d that lov’d not at first sight?’

Sil.

Sweet Phebe,—

Phe.

Ha! what sayst thou, Silvius?

Sil.

Sweet Phebe, pity me.Craig1916: 84

Phe.

Why, I am sorry for thee, gentle Silvius.

Sil.

Wherever sorrow is, relief would be:

If you do sorrow at my grief in love,

By giving love your sorrow and my griefCraig1916: 88

Were both extermin’d.

Phe.

Thou hast my love: is not that neighbourly?

Sil.

I would have you.

Phe.

Why, that were covetousness.

Silvius, the time was that I hated thee;Craig1916: 92

And yet it is not that I bear thee love:

But since that thou canst talk of love so well,

Thy company, which erst was irksome to me,

I will endure, and I’ll employ thee too;Craig1916: 96

But do not look for further recompense

Than thine own gladness that thou art employ’d.

Sil.

So holy and so perfect is my love,

And I in such a poverty of grace,Craig1916: 100

That I shall think it a most plenteous crop

To glean the broken ears after the man

That the main harvest reaps: loose now and then

A scatter’d smile, and that I’ll live upon.Craig1916: 104

Phe.

Know’st thou the youth that spoke to me erewhile?

Sil.

Not very well, but I have met him oft;

And he hath bought the cottage and the bounds

That the old carlot once was master of.Craig1916: 108

Phe.

Think not I love him, though I ask for him.

’Tis but a peevish boy; yet he talks well;

But what care I for words? yet words do well,

When he that speaks them pleases those that hear.Craig1916: 112

It is a pretty youth: not very pretty:

But, sure, he’s proud; and yet his pride becomes him:

He’ll make a proper man: the best thing in him

Is his complexion; and faster than his tongue

Did make offence his eye did heal it up.Craig1916: 117

He is not very tall; yet for his years he’s tall:

His leg is but so so; and yet ’tis well:

There was a pretty redness in his lip,Craig1916: 120

A little riper and more lusty red

Than that mix’d in his cheek; ’twas just the difference

Betwixt the constant red and mingled damask.

There be some women, Silvius, had they mark’d himCraig1916: 124

In parcels as I did, would have gone near

To fall in love with him; but, for my part,

I love him not nor hate him not; and yet

Have more cause to hate him than to love him:

For what had he to do to chide at me?Craig1916: 129

He said mine eyes were black and my hair black;

And, now I am remember’d, scorn’d at me.

I marvel why I answer’d not again:Craig1916: 132

But that’s all one; omittance is no quittance.

I’ll write to him a very taunting letter,

Edition: current; Page: [269]

And thou shalt bear it: wilt thou, Silvius?

Sil.

Phebe, with all my heart.

Phe.

I’ll write it straight;

The matter’s in my head and in my heart:

I will be bitter with him and passing short.

Go with me, Silvius.

[Exeunt.

ACT IV.

Scene I.—: The Forest of Arden.

Enter Rosalind, Celia, and Jaques.

Jaq

I prithee, pretty youth, let me be better acquainted with thee.

Ros.

They say you are a melancholy fellow.

Jaq.

I am so; I do love it better than laughing.Craig1916: 5

Ros.

Those that are in extremity of either are abominable fellows, and betray themselves to every modern censure worse than drunkards.Craig1916: 8

Jaq.

Why, ’tis good to be sad and say nothing.

Ros.

Why, then, ’tis good to be a post.

Jaq.

I have neither the scholar’s melancholy, which is emulation; nor the musician’s, which is fantastical; nor the courtier’s, which is proud; nor the soldier’s, which is ambitious; nor the lawyer’s, which is politic; nor the lady’s, which is nice; nor the lover’s, which is all these: but it is a melancholy of mine own, compounded of many simples, extracted from many objects, and indeed the sundry contemplation of my travels, which, by often rumination, wraps me in a most humorous sadness.Craig1916: 21

Ros.

A traveller! By my faith, you have great reason to be sad. I fear you have sold your own lands to see other men’s; then, to have seen much and to have nothing, is to have rich eyes and poor hands.Craig1916: 26

Jaq.

Yes, I have gained my experience.

Ros.

And your experience makes you sad: I had rather have a fool to make me merry than experience to make me sad: and to travel for it too!Craig1916: 31

Enter Orlando.

Orl.

Good day, and happiness, dear Rosalind!

Jaq.

Nay then, God be wi’ you, an you talk in blank verse.

[Exit.

Ros.

Farewell, Monsieur Traveller: look you lisp, and wear strange suits, disable all the benefits of your own country, be out of love with your nativity, and almost chide God for making you that countenance you are; or I will scarce think you have swam in a gondola. Why, how now, Orlando! where have you been all this while? You a lover! An you serve me such another trick, never come in my sight more.

Orl.

My fair Rosalind, I come within an hour of my promise.Craig1916: 45

Ros.

Break an hour’s promise in love! He that will divide a minute into a thousand parts, and break but a part of the thousandth part of a minute in the affairs of love, it may be said of him that Cupid hath clapped him o’ the shoulder, but I’ll warrant him heart-whole.

Orl.

Pardon me, dear Rosalind.Craig1916: 52

Ros.

Nay, an you be so tardy, come no more in my sight: I had as lief be wooed of a snail.

Orl.

Of a snail!

Ros.

Ay, of a snail; for though he comes slowly, he carries his house on his head; a better jointure, I think, than you make a woman: besides, he brings his destiny with him.

Orl.

What’s that?Craig1916: 60

Ros.

Why, horns; that such as you are fain to be beholding to your wives for: but he comes armed in his fortune and prevents the slander of his wife.Craig1916: 64

Orl.

Virtue is no horn-maker; and my Rosalind is virtuous.

Ros.

And I am your Rosalind?

Cel.

It pleases him to call you so; but he hath a Rosalind of a better leer than you.Craig1916: 69

Ros.

Come, woo me, woo me; for now I am in a holiday humour, and like enough to consent. What would you say to me now, an I were your very very Rosalind?Craig1916: 73

Orl.

I would kiss before I spoke.

Ros.

Nay, you were better speak first, and when you were gravelled for lack of matter, you might take occasion to kiss. Very good orators, when they are out, they will spit; and for lovers lacking,—God warn us!—matter, the cleanliest shift is to kiss.Craig1916: 80

Orl.

How if the kiss be denied?

Ros.

Then she puts you to entreaty, and there begins new matter.

Orl.

Who could be out, being before his beloved mistress?Craig1916: 85

Ros.

Marry, that should you, if I were your mistress; or I should think my honesty ranker than my wit.Craig1916: 88

Orl.

What, of my suit?

Ros.

Not out of your apparel, and yet out of your suit. Am not I your Rosalind?

Orl.

I take some joy to say you are, because I would be talking of her.Craig1916: 93

Ros.

Well, in her person I say I will not have you.

Orl.

Then in mine own person I die.Craig1916: 96

Ros.

No, faith, die by attorney. The poor world is almost six thousand years old, and in all this time there was not any man died in his own person, videlicet, in a love-cause. Troilus Edition: current; Page: [270] had his brains dashed out with a Grecian club; yet he did what he could to die before, and he is one of the patterns of love. Leander, he would have lived many a fair year, though Hero had turned nun, if it had not been for a hot mid-summer night; for, good youth, he went but forth to wash him in the Hellespont, and being taken with the cramp was drowned; and the foolish coroners of that age found it was ‘Hero of Sestos.’ But these are all lies: men have died from time to time, and worms have eaten them, but not for love.Craig1916: 112

Orl.

I would not have my right Rosalind of this mind; for, I protest, her frown might kill me.

Ros.

By this hand, it will not kill a fly. But come, now I will be your Rosalind in a more coming-on disposition; and ask me what you will, I will grant it.

Orl.

Then love me, Rosalind.Craig1916: 120

Ros.

Yes, faith will I, Fridays and Saturdays and all.

Orl.

And wilt thou have me?

Ros.

Ay, and twenty such.Craig1916: 124

Orl.

What sayest thou?

Ros.

Are you not good?

Orl.

I hope so.

Ros.

Why then, can one desire too much of a good thing?—Come, sister, you shall be the priest and marry us.—Give me your hand, Orlando. What do you say, sister?

Orl.

Pray thee, marry us.Craig1916: 132

Cel.

I cannot say the words.

Ros.

You must begin,—‘Will you, Orlando,’—

Cel.

Go to.—Will you, Orlando, have to wife this Rosalind?Craig1916: 136

Orl.

I will.

Ros.

Ay, but when?

Orl.

Why now; as fast as she can marry us.

Ros.

Then you must say, ‘I take thee, Rosalind, for wife.’Craig1916: 141

Orl.

I take thee, Rosalind, for wife.

Ros.

I might ask you for your commission; but, I do take thee, Orlando, for my husband: there’s a girl goes before the priest; and, certainly, a woman’s thought runs before her actions.

Orl.

So do all thoughts; they are winged.Craig1916: 148

Ros.

Now tell me how long you would have her after you have possessed her?

Orl.

For ever and a day.

Ros.

Say ‘a day,’ without the ‘ever.’ No, no, Orlando; men are April when they woo, December when they wed: maids are May when they are maids, but the sky changes when they are wives. I will be more jealous of thee than a Barbary cock-pigeon over his hen; more clamorous than a parrot against rain; more new-fangled than an ape; more giddy in my desires than a monkey: I will weep for nothing, like Diana in the fountain, and I will do that when you are disposed to be merry; I will laugh like a hyen, and that when thou art inclined to sleep.

Orl.

But will my Rosalind do so?Craig1916: 164

Ros.

By my life, she will do as I do.

Orl.

O! but she is wise.

Ros.

Or else she could not have the wit to do this: the wiser, the waywarder: make the doors upon a woman’s wit, and it will out at the casement; shut that, and ’twill out at the key-hole; stop that, ’twill fly with the smoke out at the chimney.Craig1916: 172

Orl.

A man that hath a wife with such a wit, he might say, ‘Wit, whither wilt?’

Ros.

Nay, you might keep that check for it till you met your wife’s wit going to your neighbour’s bed.Craig1916: 177

Orl.

And what wit could wit have to excuse that?

Ros.

Marry, to say she came to seek you there. You shall never take her without her answer, unless you take her without her tongue. O! that woman that cannot make her fault her husband’s occasion, let her never nurse her child herself, for she will breed it like a fool.Craig1916: 185

Orl.

For these two hours, Rosalind, I will leave thee.

Ros.

Alas! dear love, I cannot lack thee two hours.Craig1916: 189

Orl.

I must attend the duke at dinner: by two o’clock I will be with thee again.

Ros.

Ay, go your ways, go your ways; I knew what you would prove, my friends told me as much, and I thought no less: that flattering tongue of yours won me: ’tis but one cast away, and so, come, death! Two o’clock is your hour?

Orl.

Ay, sweet Rosalind.Craig1916: 197

Ros.

By my troth, and in good earnest, and so God mend me, and by all pretty oaths that are not dangerous, if you break one jot of your promise or come one minute behind your hour, I will think you the most pathetical break-promise, and the most hollow lover, and the most unworthy of her you call Rosalind, that may be chosen out of the gross band of the unfaithful. Therefore, beware my censure, and keep your promise.

Orl.

With no less religion than if thou wert indeed my Rosalind: so, adieu.Craig1916: 209

Ros.

Well, Time is the old justice that examines all such offenders, and let Time try. Adieu.

[Exit Orlando.

Cel.

You have simply misused our sex in your love-prate: we must have your doublot and hose Edition: current; Page: [271] plucked over your head, and show the world what the bird hath done to her own nest.Craig1916: 216

Ros.

O coz, coz, coz, my pretty little coz, that thou didst know how many fathom deep I am in love! But it cannot be sounded: my affection hath an unknown bottom, like the bay of Portugal.

Cel.

Or rather, bottomless; that as fast as you pour affection in, it runs out.Craig1916: 222

Ros.

No; that same wicked bastard of Venus, that was begot of thought, conceived of spleen, and born of madness, that blind rascally boy that abuses every one’s eyes because his own are out, let him be judge how deep I am in love. I’ll tell thee, Aliena, I cannot be out of the sight of Orlando: I’ll go find a shadow and sigh till he come.Craig1916: 230

Cel.

And I’ll sleep.

[Exeunt.

Scene II.—: Another Part of the Forest.

Enter Jaques, Lords, and Foresters.

Jaq.

Which is he that killed the deer?

First Lord.

Sir, it was I.

Jaq.

Let’s present him to the duke, like a

Roman conqueror; and it would do well to set the deer’s horns upon his head for a branch of victory. Have you no song, forester, for this purpose?Craig1916: 6

Second Lord.

Yes, sir.

Jaq.

Sing it: ’tis no matter how it be in tune so it make noise enough.

SONG.

What shall he have that kill’d the deer?

His leather skin and horns to wear.

Then sing him homeCraig1916: 12

[The rest shall bear this burden.

Take thou no scorn to wear the horn;

It was a crest ere thou wast born:

Thy father’s father wore it,

And thy father bore it:Craig1916: 16

The horn, the horn, the lusty horn

Is not a thing to laugh to scorn

[Exeunt.

Scene III.—: Another Part of the Forest.

Enter Rosalind and Celia.

Ros.

How say you now? Is it not past two o’clock? And here much Orlando!

Cel.

I warrant you, with pure love and a troubled brain, he hath ta’en his bow and arrows, and is gone forth to sleep. Look, who comes here.

Enter Silvius.

Sil.

My errand is to you, fair youth.

My gentle Phebe did bid me give you this:Craig1916: 8

[Giving a letter.

I know not the contents; but, as I guess

By the stern brow and waspish action

Which she did use as she was writing of it,

It bears an angry tenour: pardon me;Craig1916: 12

I am but as a guiltless messenger.

Ros.

Patience herself would startle at this letter,

And play the swaggerer: bear this, bear all:

She says I am not fair; that I lack manners;Craig1916: 16

She calls me proud, and that she could not love me

Were man as rare as phœnix. ’Od’s my will!

Her love is not the hare that I do hunt:

Why writes she so to me? Well, shepherd, well,

This is a letter of your own device.Craig1916: 21

Sil.

No, I protest, I know not the contents:

Phebe did write it.

Ros.

Come, come, you are a fool,

And turn’d into the extremity of love.Craig1916: 24

I saw her hand: she has a leathern hand,

A freestone-colour’d hand; I verily did think

That her old gloves were on, but ’twas her hands:

She has a housewife’s hand; but that’s no matter:

I say she never did invent this letter;Craig1916: 29

This is a man’s invention, and his hand.

Sil.

Sure, it is hers.

Ros.

Why, ’tis a boisterous and a cruel style,

A style for challengers; why, she defies me,Craig1916: 33

Like Turk to Christian: woman’s gentle brain

Could not drop forth such giant-rude invention,

Such Ethiop words, blacker in their effectCraig1916: 36

Than in their countenance. Will you hear the letter?

Sil.

So please you, for I never heard it yet;

Yet heard too much of Phebe’s cruelty.

Ros.

She Phebes me. Mark how the tyrant writes. [Reads.]Craig1916: 40

Art thou god to shepherd turn’d,

That a maiden’s heart hath burn’d?

Can a woman rail thus?

Sil.

Call you this railing?Craig1916: 44

Ros.

[reads.]

Why, thy godhead laid apart,

Warr’st thou with a woman’s heart?

Did you ever hear such railing?

Whiles the eye of man did woo me,Craig1916: 48

That could do no vengeance to me.

Meaning me a beast.

If the scorn of your bright eyne

Have power to raise such love in mine,Craig1916: 52

Alack! in me what strange effect

Would they work in mild aspect.

Whiles you chid me, I did love,

How then might your prayers move!Craig1916: 56

He that brings this love to thee

Little knows this love in me;

And by him seal up thy mind;

Whether that thy youth and kindCraig1916: 60

Will the faithful offer take

Of me and all that I can make;

Or else by him my love deny,

And then I’ll study how to die.Craig1916: 64

Sil.

Call you this chiding?

Edition: current; Page: [272]

Cel.

Alas, poor shepherd!

Ros.

Do you pity him? no, he deserves no pity. Wilt thou love such a woman? What, to make thee an instrument and play false strains upon thee! not to be endured! Well, go your way to her, for I see love hath made thee a tame snake, and say this to her: that if she love me, I charge her to love thee: if she will not, I will never have her, unless thou entreat for her. If you be a true lover, hence, and not a word, for here comes more company.

[Exit Silvius.

Enter Oliver.

Oli.

Good morrow, fair ones. Pray you if you know,Craig1916: 77

Where in the purlieus of this forest stands

A sheepcote fenc’d about with olive-trees?

Cel.

West of this place, down in the neighbour bottom:Craig1916: 80

The rank of osiers by the murmuring stream

Left on your right hand brings you to the place.

But at this hour the house doth keep itself;

There’s none within.Craig1916: 84

Oli.

If that an eye may profit by a tongue,

Then should I know you by description;

Such garments, and such years: ‘The boy is fair,

Of female favour, and bestows himselfCraig1916: 88

Like a ripe sister: but the woman low,

And browner than her brother.’ Are not you

The owner of the house I did inquire for?

Cel.

It is no boast, being ask’d, to say, we are.

Oli.

Orlando doth commend him to you both,

And to that youth he calls his Rosalind

He sends this bloody napkin. Are you he?

Ros.

I am: what must we understand by this?

Oli.

Some of my shame; if you will know of meCraig1916: 97

What man I am, and how, and why, and where

This handkercher was stain’d.

Cel.

I pray you, tell it.

Oli.

When last the young Orlando parted from youCraig1916: 100

He left a promise to return again

Within an hour; and, pacing through the forest,

Chewing the food of sweet and bitter fancy,

Lo, what befell! he threw his eye aside,Craig1916: 104

And mark what object did present itself:

Under an oak, whose boughs were moss’d with age,

And high top bald with dry antiquity,

A wretched ragged man, o’ergrown with hair,Craig1916: 108

Lay sleeping on his back: about his neck

A green and gilded snake had wreath’d itself,

Who with her head nimble in threats approach’d

The opening of his mouth; but suddenly,Craig1916: 112

Seeing Orlando, it unlink’d itself,

And with indented glides did slip away

Into a bush; under which bush’s shade

A lioness, with udders all drawn dry,Craig1916: 116

Lay couching, head on ground, with catlike watch,

When that the sleeping man should stir; for ’tis

The royal disposition of that beast

To prey on nothing that doth seem as dead:Craig1916: 120

This seen, Orlando did approach the man,

And found it was his brother, his elder brother.

Cel.

O! I have heard him speak of that same brother;

And he did render him the most unnaturalCraig1916: 124

That liv’d ’mongst men.

Oli.

And well he might so do,

For well I know he was unnatural.

Ros.

But, to Orlando: did he leave him there,

Food to the suck’d and hungry lioness?Craig1916: 128

Oli.

Twice did he turn his back and purpos’d so;

But kindness, nobler ever than revenge,

And nature, stronger than his just occasion,

Made him give battle to the lioness,Craig1916: 132

Who quickly fell before him: in which hurtling

From miserable slumber I awak’d.

Cel.

Are you his brother?

Ros.

Was it you he rescu’d?

Cel.

Was’t you that did so oft contrive to kill him?Craig1916: 136

Oli.

’Twas I; but ’tis not I. I do not shame

To tell you what I was, since my conversion

So sweetly tastes, being the thing I am.

Ros.

But, for the bloody napkin?

Oli.

By and by.

When from the first to last, betwixt us two,Craig1916: 141

Tears our recountments had most kindly bath’d,

As how I came into that desert place:—

In brief, he led me to the gentle duke,Craig1916: 144

Who gave me fresh array and entertainment,

Committing me unto my brother’s love;

Who led me instantly unto his cave,

There stripp’d himself; and here, upon his arm

The lioness had torn some flesh away,Craig1916: 149

Which all this while had bled; and now he fainted,

And cried, in fainting, upon Rosalind.

Brief, I recover’d him, bound up his wound;Craig1916: 152

And, after some small space, being strong at heart,

He sent me hither, stranger as I am,

To tell this story, that you might excuse

His broken promise; and to give this napkin,

Dy’d in his blood, unto the shepherd youthCraig1916: 157

That he in sport doth call his Rosalind.

Cel.

[Rosalind swoons.] Why, how now, Ganymede! sweet Ganymede!

Oli.

Many will swoon when they do look on blood.Craig1916: 160

Edition: current; Page: [273]

Cel.

There is more in it. Cousin! Ganymede!

Oli.

Look, he recovers.

Ros.

I would I were at home.

Cel.

We’ll lead you thither. I pray you, will you take him by the arm?Craig1916: 164

Oli.

Be of good cheer, youth. You a man! You lack a man’s heart.

Ros.

I do so, I confess it. Ah, sirrah! a body would think this was well counterfeited. I pray you, tell your brother how well I counterfeited. Heigh-ho!

Oli.

This was not counterfeit: there is too great testimony in your complexion that it was a passion of earnest.Craig1916: 173

Ros.

Counterfeit, I assure you.

Oli.

Well then, take a good heart and counterfeit to be a man.Craig1916: 176

Ros.

So I do; but, i’ faith, I should have been a woman by right.

Cel.

Come; you look paler and paler: pray you, draw homewards. Good sir, go with us.Craig1916: 180

Oli.

That will I, for I must bear answer back How you excuse my brother, Rosalind.

Ros.

I shall devise something. But, I pray you, commend my counterfeiting to him. Will you go?

[Exeunt.

ACT V.

Scene I.—: The Forest of Arden.

Enter Touchstone and Audrey.

Touch.

We shall find a time, Audrey: patience, gentle Audrey.

Aud.

Faith, the priest was good enough, for all the old gentleman’s saying.Craig1916: 4

Touch.

A most wicked Sir Oliver, Audrey; a most vile Martext. But, Audrey, there is a youth here in the forest lays claim to you.

Aud.

Ay, I know who ’tis: he hath no interest in me in the world. Here comes the man you mean.Craig1916: 10

Enter William.

Touch.

It is meat and drink to me to see a clown. By my troth, we that have good wits have much to answer for: we shall be flouting; we cannot hold.

Will.

Good even, Audrey.

Aud.

God ye good even, William.Craig1916: 16

Will.

And good even to you, sir.

Touch.

Good even, gentle friend. Cover thy head, cover thy head; nay, prithee, be covered. How old are you, friend?Craig1916: 20

Will.

Five-and-twenty, sir.

Touch.

A ripe age. Is thy name William?

Will.

William, sir.

Touch.

A fair name. Wast born i’ the forest here?Craig1916: 25

Will.

Ay, sir, I thank God.

Touch.

‘Thank God;’ a good answer. Art rich?Craig1916: 28

Will.

Faith, sir, so so.

Touch.

‘So so,’ is good, very good, very excellent good: and yet it is not; it is but so so. Art thou wise?Craig1916: 32

Will.

Ay, sir, I have a pretty wit.

Touch.

Why, thou sayest well. I do now remember a saying, ‘The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.’ The heathen philosopher, when he had a desire to eat a grape, would open his lips when he put it into his mouth; meaning thereby that grapes were made to eat and lips to open. You do love this maid?Craig1916: 41

Will.

I do, sir.

Touch.

Give me your hand. Art thou learned?

Will.

No, sir.Craig1916: 44

Touch.

Then learn this of me: to have, is to have; for it is a figure in rhetoric, that drink, being poured out of a cup into a glass, by filling the one doth empty the other; for all your writers do consent that ipse is he: now, you are not ipse, for I am he.Craig1916: 50

Will.

Which he, sir?

Touch.

He, sir, that must marry this woman. Therefore, you clown, abandon,—which is in the vulgar, leave,—the society,—which in the boorish is, company,—of this female,—which in the common is, woman; which together is, abandon the society of this female, or, clown, thou perishest; or, to thy better understanding, diest; or, to wit, I kill thee, make thee away, translate thy life into death, thy liberty into bondage. I will deal in poison with thee, or in bastinado, or in steel; I will bandy with thee in faction; I will o’errun thee with policy; I will kill thee a hundred and fifty ways: therefore tremble, and depart.Craig1916: 64

Aud.

Do, good William.

Will.

God rest you merry, sir.

[Exit.

Enter Corin.

Cor.

Our master and mistress seek you: come, away, away!Craig1916: 68

Touch.

Trip, Audrey! trip, Audrey! I attend, I attend.

[Exeunt.

Scene II.—: Another Part of the Forest.

Enter Orlando and Oliver.

Orl.

Is’t possible that on so little acquaintance you should like her? that, but seeing, you should love her? and, loving, woo? and, wooing, Edition: current; Page: [274] she should grant? and will you persever to enjoy her?Craig1916: 5

Oli.

Neither call the giddiness of it in question, the poverty of her, the small acquaintance, my sudden wooing, nor her sudden consenting; but say with me, I love Aliena; say with her, that she loves me; consent with both, that we may enjoy each other: it shall be to your good; for my father’s house and all the revenue that was old Sir Rowland’s will I estate upon you, and here live and die a shepherd.Craig1916: 14

Orl.

You have my consent. Let your wedding be to-morrow: thither will I invite the duke and all’s contented followers. Go you and prepare Aliena; for, look you, here comes my Rosalind.

Enter Rosalind.

Ros.

God save you, brother.Craig1916: 20

Oli.

And you, fair sister.

[Exit.

Ros.

O! my dear Orlando, how it grieves me to see thee wear thy heart in a scarf.

Orl.

It is my arm.Craig1916: 24

Ros.

I thought thy heart had been wounded with the claws of a lion.

Orl.

Wounded it is, but with the eyes of a lady.Craig1916: 28

Ros.

Did your brother tell you how I counterfeited to swound when he showed me your handkercher?

Orl.

Ay, and greater wonders than that.Craig1916: 32

Ros.

O! I know where you are. Nay, ’tis true: there was never anything so sudden but the fight of two rams, and Cæsar’s thrasonical brag of ‘I came, saw, and overcame:’ for your brother and my sister no sooner met, but they looked; no sooner looked but they loved; no sooner loved but they sighed; no sooner sighed but they asked one another the reason; no sooner knew the reason but they sought the remedy: and in these degrees have they made a pair of stairs to marriage which they will climb incontinent, or else be incontinent before marriage. They are in the very wrath of love, and they will together: clubs cannot part them.Craig1916: 46

Orl.

They shall be married to-morrow, and I will bid the duke to the nuptial. But, O! how bitter a thing it is to look into happiness through another man’s eyes. By so much the more shall I to-morrow be at the height of heart-heaviness, by how much I shall think my brother happy in having what he wishes for.Craig1916: 53

Ros.

Why then, to-morrow I cannot serve your turn for Rosalind?

Orl.

I can live no longer by thinking.Craig1916: 56

Ros.

I will weary you then no longer with idle talking. Know of me then,—for now I speak to some purpose,—that I know you are a gentleman of good conceit. I speak not this that you should bear a good opinion of my knowledge, insomuch I say I know you are; neither do I labour for a greater esteem than may in some little measure draw a belief from you, to do yourself good, and not to grace me. Believe then, if you please, that I can do strange things. I have, since I was three years old, conversed with a magician, most profound in his art and yet not damnable. If you do love Rosalind so near the heart as your gesture cries it out, when your brother marries Aliena, shall you marry her. I know into what straits of fortune she is driven; and it is not impossible to me, if it appear not inconvenient to you, to set her before your eyes to-morrow, human as she is, and without any danger.Craig1916: 76

Orl.

Speakest thou in sober meanings?

Ros.

By my life, I do; which I tender dearly, though I say I am a magician. Therefore, put you in your best array; bid your friends; for if you will be married to-morrow, you shall; and to Rosalind, if you will. Look, here comes a lover of mine, and a lover of hers.

Enter Silvius and Phebe.

Phe.

Youth, you have done me much ungentleness,Craig1916: 84

To show the letter that I writ to you.

Ros.

I care not if I have: it is my study

To seem despiteful and ungentle to you.

You are there follow’d by a faithful shepherd:

Look upon him, love him; he worships you.Craig1916: 89

Phe.

Good shepherd, tell this youth what ’tis to love.

Sil.

It is to be all made of sighs and tears;

And so am I for Phebe.Craig1916: 92

Phe.

And I for Ganymede.

Orl.

And I for Rosalind.

Ros.

And I for no woman.

Sil.

It is to be all made of faith and service;

And so am I for Phebe.Craig1916: 97

Phe.

And I for Ganymede.

Orl.

And I for Rosalind.

Ros.

And I for no woman.Craig1916: 100

Sil.

It is to be all made of fantasy,

All made of passion, and all made of wishes;

All adoration, duty, and observance;

All humbleness, all patience, and impatience;

All purity, all trial, all obeisance;Craig1916: 105

And so am I for Phebe.

Phe.

And so am I for Ganymede.

Orl.

And so am I for Rosalind.Craig1916: 108

Ros.

And so am I for no woman.

Phe.

[To Rosalind.] If this be so, why blame you me to love you?

Edition: current; Page: [275]

Sil.

[To Phebe.] If this be so, why blame you me to love you?Craig1916: 113

Orl.

If this be so, why blame you me to love you?

Ros.

Who do you speak to, ‘Why blame you me to love you?’Craig1916: 117

Orl.

To her that is not here, nor doth not hear.

Ros.

Pray you, no more of this: ’tis like the howling of Irish wolves against the moon. [To Silvius.] I will help you, if I can: [To Phebe.] I would love you, if I could. To-morrow meet me all together. [To Phebe.] I will marry you, if ever I marry woman, and I’ll be married to-morrow: [To Orlando.] I will satisfy you, if ever I satisfied man, and you shall be married to-morrow: [To Silvius.] I will content you, if what pleases you contents you, and you shall be married to-morrow. [To Orlando.] As you love Rosalind, meet: [To Silvius.] As you love Phebe, meet: and as I love no woman, I’ll meet. So, fare you well: I have left you commands.Craig1916: 134

Sil.

I’ll not fail, if I live.

Phe.

Nor I.

Orl.

Nor I.

[Exeunt.

Scene III.—: Another Part of the Forest.

Enter Touchstone and Audrey.

Touch.

To-morrow is the joyful day, Audrey; to-morrow will we be married.

Aud.

I do desire it with all my heart, and I hope it is no dishonest desire to desire to be a woman of the world. Here come two of the banished duke’s pages.Craig1916: 6

Enter two Pages.

First Page.

Well met, honest gentleman.

Touch.

By my troth, well met. Come, sit, sit, and a song.Craig1916: 9

Sec. Page.

We are for you: sit i’ the middle.

First Page.

Shall we clap into’t roundly, without hawking or spitting, or saying we are hoarse, which are the only prologues to a bad voice?

Sec. Page.

I’faith, i’faith; and both in a tune, like two gipsies on a horse.Craig1916: 17

SONG.

It was a lover and his lass,

With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino,

That o’er the green corn-field did pass,Craig1916: 20

In the spring time, the only pretty ring time,

When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding;

Sweet lovers love the spring.

Between the acres of the rye,Craig1916: 24

With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino,

These pretty country folks would lie,

In the spring time, &c.

This carol they began that hour,Craig1916: 28

With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino,

How that a life was but a flower

In the spring time, &c.

And therefore take the present time,Craig1916: 32

With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino;

For love is crowned with the prime

In the spring time, &c.

Touch.

Truly, young gentlemen, though there was no great matter in the ditty, yet the note was very untuneable.

First Page.

You are deceived, sir: we kept time; we lost not our time.Craig1916: 40

Touch.

By my troth, yes; I count it but time lost to hear such a foolish song. God be wi’ you; and God mend your voices! Come, Audrey.

[Exeunt.

Scene IV.—: Another Part of the Forest.

Enter Duke Senior, Amiens, Jaques, Orlando, Oliver, and Celia.

Duke S.

Dost thou believe, Orlando, that the boy

Can do all this that he hath promised?

Orl.

I sometimes do believe, and sometimes do not;

As those that fear they hope, and know they fear.Craig1916: 4

Enter Rosalind, Silvius, and Phebe.

Ros.

Patience once more, whiles our compact is urg’d.

[To the Duke.] You say, if I bring in your Rosalind,

You will bestow her on Orlando here?

Duke S.

That would I, had I kingdoms to give with her.Craig1916: 8

Ros.

[To Orlando.] And you say, you will have her when I bring her?

Orl.

That would I, were I of all kingdoms king.

Ros.

[To Phebe.] You say, that you’ll marry me, if I be willing?

Phe.

That will I, should I die the hour after.

Ros.

But if you do refuse to marry me,Craig1916: 13

You’ll give yourself to this most faithful shepherd?

Phe.

So is the bargain.

Ros.

[To Silvius.] You say, that you’ll have Phebe, if she will?Craig1916: 16

Sil.

Though to have her and death were both one thing.

Ros.

I have promis’d to make all this matter even.

Keep you your word, O duke, to give your daughter;

You yours, Orlando, to receive his daughter;Craig1916: 20

Keep your word, Phebe, that you’ll marry me,

Edition: current; Page: [276]

Or else, refusing me, to wed this shepherd;

Keep your word, Silvius, that you’ll marry her,

If she refuse me: and from hence I go,Craig1916: 24

To make these doubts all even.

[Exeunt Rosalind and Celia.

Duke S.

I do remember in this shepherd boy

Some lively touches of my daughter’s favour.

Orl.

My lord, the first time that I ever saw him,Craig1916: 28

Methought he was a brother to your daughter;

But, my good lord, this boy is forest-born,

And hath been tutor’d in the rudiments

Of many desperate studies by his uncle,Craig1916: 32

Whom he reports to be a great magician,

Obscured in the circle of this forest.

Enter Touchstone and Audrey.

Jaq.

There is, sure, another flood toward, and these couples are coming to the ark. Here comes a pair of very strange beasts, which in all tongues are called fools.Craig1916: 38

Touch.

Salutation and greeting to you all!

Jaq.

Good my lord, bid him welcome. This is the motley-minded gentleman that I have so often met in the forest: he hath been a courtier, he swears.Craig1916: 43

Touch.

If any man doubt that, let him put me to my purgation. I have trod a measure; I have flattered a lady; I have been politic with my friend, smooth with mine enemy; I have undone three tailors; I have had four quarrels, and like to have fought one.Craig1916: 49

Jaq.

And how was that ta’en up?

Touch.

Faith, we met, and found the quarrel was upon the seventh cause.Craig1916: 52

Jaq.

How seventh cause? Good my lord, like this fellow.

Duke S.

I like him very well.

Touch.

God ’ild you, sir; I desire you of the like. I press in here, sir, amongst the rest of the country copulatives, to swear, and to forswear, according as marriage binds and blood breaks. A poor virgin, sir, an ill-favoured thing, sir, but mine own: a poor humour of mine, sir, to take that that no man else will. Rich honesty dwells like a miser, sir, in a poor house, as your pearl in your foul oyster.Craig1916: 64

Duke S.

By my faith, he is very swift and sententious.

Touch.

According to the fool’s bolt, sir, and such dulcet diseases.Craig1916: 68

Jaq.

But, for the seventh cause; how did you find the quarrel on the seventh cause?

Touch.

Upon a lie seven times removed:—bear your body more seeming, Audrey:—as thus, sir. I did dislike the cut of a certain courtier’s beard: he sent me word, if I said his beard was not cut well, he was in the mind it was: this is called ‘the retort courteous.’ If I sent him word again, it was not well cut, he would send me word, he cut it to please himself: this is called the ‘quip modest.’ If again, it was not well cut, he disabled my judgment: this is called the ‘reply churlish.’ If again, it was not well cut, he would answer, I spake not true: this is called the ‘reproof valiant:’ if again, it was not well cut, he would say, I lie: this is called the ‘countercheck quarrelsome’: and so to the ‘lie circumstantial,’ and the ‘lie direct.’

Jaq.

And how oft did you say his beard was not well cut?Craig1916: 88

Touch.

I durst go no further than the ‘lie circumstantial,’ nor he durst not give me the ‘lie direct;’ and so we measured swords and parted.

Jaq.

Can you nominate in order now the degrees of the lie?Craig1916: 93

Touch.

O sir, we quarrel in print; by the book, as you have books for good manners: I will name you the degrees. The first, the ‘retort courteous;’ the second, the ‘quip modest;’ the third, the ‘reply churlish;’ the fourth, the ‘reproof valiant;’ the fifth, the ‘countercheck quarrelsome;’ the sixth, the ‘lie with circumstance;’ the seventh, the ‘lie direct.’ All these you may avoid but the lie direct; and you may avoid that too, with an ‘if.’ I knew when seven justices could not take up a quarrel; but when the parties were met themselves, one of them thought but of an ‘if,’ as ‘If you said so, then I said so;’ and they shook hands and swore brothers. Your ‘if’ is the only peace-maker; much virtue in ‘if.’Craig1916: 109

Jaq.

Is not this a rare fellow, my lord? he’s as good at any thing, and yet a fool.

Duke S.

He uses his folly like a stalking-horse, and under the presentation of that he shoots his wit.

Enter Hymen, leading Rosalind in woman’s clothes, and Celia.

Still Music.

Hym.

Then is there mirth in heaven,

When earthly things made evenCraig1916: 116

Atone together.

Good duke, receive thy daughter;

Hymen from heaven brought her;

Yea, brought her hither,Craig1916: 120

That thou mightst join her hand with his,

Whose heart within her bosom is.

Ros.

[To Duke S.] To you I give myself, for I am yours.

[To Orlando.] To you I give myself, for I am yours.Craig1916: 124

Edition: current; Page: [277]

Duke S.

If there be truth in sight, you are my daughter.

Orl.

If there be truth in sight, you are my Rosalind.

Phe.

If sight and shape be true,

Why then, my love adieu!Craig1916: 128

Ros.

[To Duke S.] I’ll have no father, if you be not he.

[To Orlando.] I’ll have no husband, if you be not he:

[To Phebe.] Nor ne’er wed woman, if you be not she.

Hym.

Peace, ho! I bar confusion:Craig1916: 132

’Tis I must make conclusion

Of these most strange events:

Here’s eight that must take hands

To join in Hymen’s bands,Craig1916: 136

If truth holds true contents.

[To Orlando and Rosalind.] You and you no cross shall part:

[To Oliver and Celia.] You and you are heart in heart:

[To Phebe.] You to his love must accord,

Or have a woman to your lord:Craig1916: 141

[To Touchstone and Audrey.] You and you are sure together,

As the winter to foul weather.

Whiles a wedlock hymn we sing,Craig1916: 144

Feed yourselves with questioning,

That reason wonder may diminish,

How thus we met, and these things finish.

SONG.

Wedding is great Juno’s crown:Craig1916: 148

O blessed bond of board and bed!

’Tis Hymen peoples every town;

High wedlock then be honoured.

Honour, high honour, and renown,Craig1916: 152

To Hymen, god of every town!

Duke S.

O my dear niece! welcome thou art to me:

Even daughter, welcome in no less degree.

Phe.

[To Silvius.] I will not eat my word, now thou art mine;Craig1916: 156

Thy faith my fancy to thee doth combine.

Enter Jaques de Boys.

Jaq. de B.

Let me have audience for a word or two:

I am the second son of old Sir Rowland,

That bring these tidings to this fair assembly.

Duke Frederick, hearing how that every dayCraig1916: 161

Men of great worth resorted to this forest,

Address’d a mighty power, which were on foot

In his own conduct, purposely to takeCraig1916: 164

His brother here and put him to the sword:

And to the skirts of this wild wood he came,

Where, meeting with an old religious man,

After some question with him, was convertedCraig1916: 168

Both from his enterprise and from the world;

His crown bequeathing to his banish’d brother,

And all their lands restor’d to them again

That were with him exil’d. This to be true,Craig1916: 172

I do engage my life.

Duke S.

Welcome, young man;

Thou offer’st fairly to thy brothers’ wedding:

To one, his lands withheld; and to the other

A land itself at large, a potent dukedom.Craig1916: 176

First, in this forest, let us do those ends

That here were well begun and well begot;

And after, every of this happy number

That have endur’d shrewd days and nights with us,

Shall share the good of our returned fortune,Craig1916: 181

According to the measure of their states.

Meantime, forget this new-fall’n dignity,

And fall into our rustic revelry.Craig1916: 184

Play, music! and you, brides and bridegrooms all,

With measure heap’d in joy, to the measures fall.

Jaq.

Sir, by your patience. If I heard you rightly,

The duke hath put on a religious life,Craig1916: 188

And thrown into neglect the pompous court?

Jaq. de B.

He hath.

Jaq.

To him will I: out of these convertites

There is much matter to be heard and learn’d.

[To Duke S.] You to your former honour I bequeath;Craig1916: 193

Your patience and your virtue well deserve it:

[To Orlando.] You to a love that your true faith doth merit:

[To Oliver.] You to your land, and love, and great allies:Craig1916: 196

[To Silvius.] You to a long and well-deserved bed:

[To Touchstone.] And you to wrangling; for thy loving voyage

Is but for two months victual’d. So, to your pleasures:

I am for other than for dancing measures.Craig1916: 200

Duke S.

Stay, Jaques, stay.

Jaq.

To see no pastime, I: what you would have

I’ll stay to know at your abandon’d cave.

[Exit.

Duke S.

Proceed, proceed: we will begin these rites,Craig1916: 204

As we do trust they’ll end, in true delights.

[A dance. Exeunt.

EPILOGUE.

Spoken by Rosalind.

It is not the fashion to see the lady the epilogue; but it is no more unhandsome than to see the lord the prologue. If it be true that Edition: current; Page: [278] good wine needs no bush, ’tis true that a good play needs no epilogue; yet to good wine they do use good bushes, and good plays prove the better by the help of good epilogues. What a case am I in then, that am neither a good epilogue, nor cannot insinuate with you in the behalf of a good play! I am not furnished like a beggar, therefore to beg will not become me: my way is, to conjure you; and I’ll begin with the women. I charge you, O women! for the love you bear to men, to like as much of this play as please you: and I charge you, O men! for the love you bear to women,—as I perceive by your simpering none of you hate them,—that between you and the women, the play may please. If I were a woman I would kiss as many of you as had beards that pleased me, complexions that liked me, and breaths that I defied not; and, I am sure, as many as have good beards, or good faces, or sweet breaths, will, for my kind offer, when I make curtsy, bid me farewell.

[Exeunt.

Liberty Fund, Inc.

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established in 1960 to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.

The Foundation develops, supervises, and finances its own educational activities to foster thought and encourage discourse on enduring intellectual issues pertaining to liberty. This is done through the implementation of different programs:

Each year, Liberty Fund conducts over 150 conferences throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America, and Europe.

Liberty Fund has a book publishing program. There is an online catalog where these books can be ordered <http://www.libertyfund.org/books.aspx>.

Liberty Fund has produced a series of videos called The Intellectual Portrait Series which are conversations with some of the most significant contemporary thinkers about individual liberty.

Liberty Fund hosts several websites which contain books, articles, discussion, and podcasts about liberty.

These programs focus on the place individual liberty has in an intellectual heritage evident from ancient times and continuing through our own times. The programs are intended to enrich understanding and appreciation of the complex nature of a society of free and responsible individuals and to contribute to its preservation.

Liberty Fund also sponsors the following websites:

Liberty Fund’s main website <http://www.libertyfund.org>

LF online catalog <http://www.libertyfund.org/books.aspx>

The Online Library of Liberty <http://oll.libertyfund.org/>

The Library of Economics and Liberty <http://www.econlib.org/>

The Library of Law and Liberty <http://www.libertylawsite.org/>

As a tax-exempt, private operating foundation, Liberty Fund’s purposes are educational. It does not, therefore, engage in political action of any kind. It fulfills its mission by conducting programs, not by awarding grants to outside organizations or individuals.

The cuneiform inscription that appears in the logo and serves as a design element in all Liberty Fund books and websites is the earliest-known written appearance of the word “freedom” (amagi), or “liberty.” It is taken from a clay document written about 2300 B.C. in the Sumerian city-state of Lagash.

LIBERTY FUND, INC.
8335 Allison Pointe Trail, Suite 300
Indianapolis, Indiana 46250-1684
U.S.A.
Phone no.: 1.800.955.8335

Liberty Fund’s Collection of ePub Titles on Liberty

The text you are currently reading comes from Liberty Fund’s Online Library of Liberty (OLL) <http://oll.libertyfund.org>. Additional titles in ePub format can be downloaded from the main OLL website from each title’s Table of Contents page or from this list <http://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/epub/>. One convenient way to load titles directly into your iPad is to email yourself this link, click on the title of your choice, and open it directly in iBook on your iPad (thus circumventing the need to load titles from your laptop or desktop computer.

ePub and Kindle versions of books published by Liberty Fund are not available for free download. They can be purchased from Amazon.com.

The Online Library of Liberty

The OLL was established in 2004 in order to further the educational goals of Liberty Fund, Inc, namely “to encourage study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals”. It is a multi-award winning website which makes available at no charge to the public outstanding resources for teaching and learning about the humanities and the social sciences.

Awards

The OLL has won a number of international awards for its outstanding collection of online material in the humanities and social sciences. It has been recognised by

the Library of Congress for its Minerva archiving project

the National Endowment for the Humanities

the British Arts and Humanities Research Council, and

the International Political Science Association.

copyright symbol Copyright and Fair Use Statement

There are four different types of texts which Liberty Fund has made available as part of the Online Library of Liberty website:

public domain texts published before 1923. These texts are no longer under copyright and are in the public domain. We have put them online in order to further the educational aims of Liberty Fund.

texts to which the Liberty Fund has electronic rights, such as the books published by Liberty Fund in both print and online formats

other texts to which Liberty Fund has acquired the electronic rights from third parties, such as the journal Literature of Liberty (from the Institute for Humane Studies)

titles which are put online under license from third parties, such as the Collected Works of John Stuart Mill (from the University of Toronto Press).

For titles in the first three categories listed above, no special permission from Liberty Fund is required for quoting material in papers and essays, or for limited photocopying and distribution for academic or other educational or non-profit purposes. The only requirements are that you include proper attribution on the first page of the document being distributed - e.g. for John Locke’s The Two Treatises of Government you would say one of the following:

if using the OLL website - “This material originally appeared on the Online Library of Liberty hosted by Liberty Fund, Inc. URL: http://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/222 and accessed on 2016-04-26.” This information can be found in the section called “Edition used” on the title’s table of contents page.

or if using the ePub version on a portable reading device: “This material is part of the collection of ePub titles in the Online Library of Liberty website hosted by Liberty Fund, Inc. Source Text URL http://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/222 accessed on 2016-04-26.” This information can be found on the “Introduction to the Book” page in this file.

For titles in category two and three, any reprint of material “for profit”, such as a chapter or a substantial section of an online book for inclusion in a book or other publication for sale, requires written permission from Liberty Fund.

For titles in the fourth category you must follow the specific requirements of the copyright holder whose work we publish online under license. This information can be found in the “Introduction to the Book” page under the section “Copyright Information.” In the case of the Collected Works of John Stuart Mill published under license from the University of Toronto Press, for reprint or copying permission you need to contact UTP directly. Under our contractual obligations with UTP we have placed the following declaration on the front page of every book and section of the online version of the Collected Works of John Stuart Mill:

The online edition of the Collected Works is published under licence from the copyright holder, The University of Toronto Press. ©2006 The University of Toronto Press. All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form or medium without the permission of The University of Toronto Press.

Thus, for reprint or copying permission you need to contact UTP directly. Liberty Fund cannot grant you this permission because it is not the copyright holder.