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In As You Like It, witty words and romance play out against the disputes of divided pairs of brothers. Orlando’s older brother, Oliver, treats him badly and refuses him his small inheritance from their father’s estate; Oliver schemes instead to have Orlando die in a wrestling match. Meanwhile, Duke Frederick has forced his older brother, Duke Senior, into exile in the Forest of Arden.
Duke Senior’s daughter, Rosalind, and Duke Frederick’s daughter, Celia, meet the victorious Orlando at the wrestling match; Orlando and Rosalind fall in love. Banished by her uncle, Rosalind assumes a male identity and leaves with Celia and their fool, Touchstone. Orlando flees Oliver’s murderous plots.
In the Forest of Arden, Rosalind, in her male disguise, forms a teasing friendship with Orlando. Oliver, searching for Orlando, reforms after Orlando saves his life. Rosalind reveals her identity, triggering several weddings, including her own with Orlando and Celia’s with Oliver. Duke Frederick restores the dukedom to Duke Senior, who leaves the forest with his followers.
ACT 1
Scene 1
fashion bequeathed me by will but poor a thousand
crowns , and , as thou sayst , 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
[9] ACT 1. SC. 1 longer endure it , though yet I know no wise remedy
how to avoid it .
will shake me up .
which God made , a poor unworthy brother of
yours , with idleness .
awhile .
them ? What prodigal portion have I spent that I
should come to such penury ?
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 .
come , elder brother , you are too young in this .
[11] ACT 1. SC. 1 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 .
your father’s remembrance , be at accord .
father charged you in his will to give me good
education . You have trained me like a peasant ,
obscuring and hiding from me all gentlemanlike
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 .
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 .
me for my good .
my teeth in your service . God be with my old
master . He would not have spoke such a word .
will physic your rankness , and yet give no thousand
crowns neither . — Holla , Dennis !
[13]ACT 1. SC. 1
speak with me ?
importunes access to you .
way , and tomorrow the wrestling is .
at the new court ?
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 .
be banished with her father ?
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 .
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 .
duke ?
[15]ACT 1. SC. 1
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 . Tomorrow , 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 honor 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 .
thou shalt find I will most kindly requite . I had
myself notice of my brother’s purpose herein , and
have by underhand means labored 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 villainous 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 practice 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 villainous 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 .
[17] ACT 1. SC. 2 come tomorrow , 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 .
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
misprized . 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 2
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 .
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 .
to rejoice in yours .
[19]ACT 1. SC. 2
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 honor I will , and when I break
that oath , let me turn monster . Therefore , my sweet
Rose , my dear Rose , be merry .
sports . Let me see — what think you of falling in
love ?
love no man in good earnest , nor no further in
sport neither than with safety of a pure blush thou
mayst in honor come off again .
from her wheel , that her gifts may henceforth be
bestowed equally .
mightily misplaced , and the bountiful blind woman
doth most mistake in her gifts to women .
makes honest , and those that she makes honest she
makes very ill-favoredly .
Nature’s . Fortune reigns in gifts of the world , not in
the lineaments of nature .
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 ?
[21]ACT 1. SC. 2
when Fortune makes Nature’s natural the
cutter-off of Nature’s wit .
but Nature’s , who perceiveth our natural wits too
dull to reason of such goddesses , and hath sent
this natural for our whetstone , for always the dullness
of the fool is the whetstone of the wits .
Touchstone .
father .
for you .
honor they were good pancakes , and swore by his
honor 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 .
knowledge ?
chins , and swear by your beards that I am a knave .
But if you swear by that that is not , you are not
forsworn . No more was this knight swearing by his
honor , for he never had any , or if he had , he had
sworn it away before ever he saw those pancakes or
that mustard .
[23] ACT 1. SC. 2 Enough . Speak no more of him ; you’ll be whipped
for taxation one of these days .
wisely what wise men do foolishly .
wit that fools have was silenced , the little foolery
that wise men have makes a great show . Here
comes Monsieur Le Beau .
young .
marketable . — Bonjour , Monsieur Le Beau . What’s
the news ?
good wrestling , which you have lost the sight of .
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 .
[25]ACT 1. SC. 2
and presence .
all men by these presents .’
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 .
ladies have lost ?
the first time that ever I heard breaking of ribs was
sport for ladies .
music in his sides ? Is there yet another dotes upon
rib-breaking ? Shall we see this wrestling , cousin ?
appointed for the wrestling , and they are ready to
perform it .
and see it .
Charles , and Attendants .
entreated , his own peril on his forwardness .
[27]ACT 1. SC. 2
you crept hither to see the wrestling ?
tell you , there is such odds in the man . In pity of the
challenger’s youth , I would fain dissuade him , but
he will not be entreated . Speak to him , ladies ; see if
you can move him .
Princess calls for you .
wrestler ?
I come but in as others do , to try with him the
strength of my youth .
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 .
therefore be misprized . We will make it our suit to
the Duke that the wrestling might not go forward .
thoughts , wherein I confess me much guilty to deny
so fair and excellent ladies anything . 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
[29] ACT 1. SC. 2 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 .
were with you .
you .
desirous to lie with his mother Earth ?
modest working .
one fall .
him to a second , that have so mightily persuaded
him from a first .
have mocked me before . But come your ways .
fellow by the leg .
should down .
breathed .
What is thy name , young man ?
[31]ACT 1. SC. 2
Rowland de Boys .
The world esteemed thy father honorable ,
But I did find him still mine enemy .
Thou shouldst have better pleased me with this
deed
Hadst thou descended from another house .
But fare thee well . Thou art a gallant youth .
I would thou hadst told me of another father .
Lords , and Attendants .
His youngest son , and would not change that calling
To be adopted heir to Frederick .
And all the world was of my father’s mind .
Had I before known this young man his son ,
I should have given him tears unto entreaties
Ere he should thus have ventured .
Let us go thank him and encourage him .
My father’s rough and envious disposition
Sticks me at heart . — Sir , you have well deserved .
If you do keep your promises in love
But justly , as you have exceeded all promise ,
Your mistress shall be happy .
Wear this for me — one out of suits with Fortune ,
[33] ACT 1. SC. 2 That could give more but that her hand lacks
means . —
Shall we go , coz ?
Are all thrown down , and that which here stands up
Is but a quintain , a mere lifeless block .
I’ll ask him what he would . — Did you call , sir ?
Sir , you have wrestled well and overthrown
More than your enemies .
I cannot speak to her , yet she urged conference .
O poor Orlando ! Thou art overthrown .
Or Charles or something weaker masters thee .
To leave this place . Albeit you have deserved
High commendation , true applause , and love ,
Yet such is now the Duke’s condition
That he misconsters all that you have done .
The Duke is humorous . What he is indeed
More suits you to conceive than I to speak of .
Which of the two was daughter of the duke
That here was at the wrestling ?
[35]ACT 1. SC. 3
But yet indeed the smaller is his daughter .
The other is daughter to the banished duke ,
And here detained by her usurping uncle
To keep his daughter company , whose loves
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 argument
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 ,
I shall desire more love and knowledge of you .
Thus must I from the smoke into the smother ,
From tyrant duke unto a tyrant brother .
But heavenly Rosalind !
Scene 3
not a word ?
upon curs . Throw some of them at me . Come , lame
me with reasons .
the one should be lamed with reasons , and the
other mad without any .
[37]ACT 1. SC. 3
how full of briers is this working-day world !
holiday foolery . If we walk not in the trodden paths ,
our very petticoats will catch them .
are in my heart .
him .
than myself .
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 ?
son dearly ? By this kind of chase I should hate him ,
for my father hated his father dearly . Yet I hate not
Orlando .
him because I do .
Look , here comes the Duke .
And get you from our court .
[39]ACT 1. SC. 3
Within these ten days if that thou beest found
So near our public court as twenty miles ,
Thou diest for it .
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 —
As I do trust I am not — then , dear uncle ,
Never so much as in a thought unborn
Did I offend your Highness .
If their purgation did consist in words ,
They are as innocent as grace itself .
Let it suffice thee that I trust thee not .
Tell me whereon the likelihood depends .
So was I when your Highness banished him .
Treason is not inherited , my lord ,
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 .
Else had she with her father ranged along .
It was your pleasure and your own remorse .
[41] ACT 1. SC. 3 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 ,
Rose at an instant , learned , played , eat together ,
And , wheresoe’er we went , like Juno’s swans
Still we went coupled and inseparable .
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
virtuous
When she is gone . Then open not thy lips .
Firm and irrevocable is my doom
Which I have passed upon her . She is banished .
I cannot live out of her company .
If you outstay the time , upon mine honor
And in the greatness of my word , you die .
Wilt thou change fathers ? I will give thee mine .
I charge thee , be not thou more grieved than I am .
Prithee , be cheerful . Know’st thou not the Duke
Hath banished me , his daughter ?
Which teacheth thee that thou and I am one .
[43] ACT 1. SC. 3 Shall we be sundered ? 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 ,
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 .
Maids as we are , to travel forth so far ?
Beauty provoketh thieves sooner than gold .
And with a kind of umber smirch my face .
The like do you . So shall we pass along
And never stir assailants .
Because that I am more than common tall ,
That I did suit me all points like a man ?
A gallant curtal-ax upon my thigh ,
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 have
That do outface it with their semblances .
And therefore look you call me Ganymede .
But what will you be called ?
[45]ACT 1. SC. 3
No longer Celia , but Aliena .
The clownish fool out of your father’s court ?
Would he not be a comfort to our travel ?
Leave me alone to woo him . Let’s away
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 content
To liberty , and not to banishment .
[49]
ACT 2
Scene 1
foresters .
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 ?
Here feel we not 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 say
‘This is no flattery . These are counselors
That feelingly persuade me what I am .’
Sweet are the uses of adversity ,
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 ,
Sermons in stones , and good in everything .
That can translate the stubbornness of fortune
Into so quiet and so sweet a style .
[51]ACT 2. SC. 1
And yet it irks me the poor dappled fools ,
Being native burghers of this desert city ,
Should in their own confines with forkèd heads
Have their round haunches gored .
The melancholy Jaques grieves at that ,
And in that kind swears you do more usurp
Than doth your brother that hath banished you .
Today my Lord of Amiens and myself
Did steal behind him as he lay along
Under an oak , whose antique root peeps out
Upon the brook that brawls along this wood ;
To the which place a poor sequestered stag
That from the hunter’s aim had ta’en a hurt
Did come to languish . And indeed , my lord ,
The wretched animal heaved forth such groans
That their discharge did stretch his leathern coat
Almost to bursting , and the big round tears
Coursed one another down his innocent nose
In piteous chase . And thus the hairy fool ,
Much markèd of the melancholy Jaques ,
Stood on th’ extremest verge of the swift brook ,
Augmenting it with tears .
Did he not moralize this spectacle ?
First , for his weeping into the needless stream :
‘Poor deer ,’ quoth he , ‘thou mak’st a testament
As worldlings do , giving thy sum of more
To that which had too much .’ Then , being there
alone ,
Left and abandoned of his velvet friends :
‘’Tis right ,’ quoth he . ‘Thus misery doth part
[53] ACT 2. SC. 2 The flux of company .’ Anon a careless herd ,
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 look
Upon that poor and broken bankrupt there ?’
Thus most invectively he pierceth through
The body of country , city , court ,
Yea , and of this our life , swearing that we
Are mere usurpers , tyrants , and what’s worse ,
To fright the animals and to kill them up
In their assigned and native dwelling place .
Upon the sobbing deer .
I love to cope him in these sullen fits ,
For then he’s full of matter .
Scene 2
It cannot be . Some villains of my court
Are of consent and sufferance in this .
The ladies her attendants of her chamber
Saw her abed , and in the morning early
They found the bed untreasured of their mistress .
[55]ACT 2. SC. 3
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 wrestler
That did but lately foil the sinewy Charles ,
And she believes wherever they are gone
That youth is surely in their company .
If he be absent , bring his brother to me .
I’ll make him find him . Do this suddenly ,
And let not search and inquisition quail
To bring again these foolish runaways .
Scene 3
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 bonny prizer of the humorous duke ?
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 .
[57] ACT 2. SC. 3 O , what a world is this when what is comely
Envenoms him that bears it !
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 son —
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 ,
He will have other means to cut you off .
I overheard him and his practices .
This is no place , this house is but a butchery .
Abhor it , fear it , do not enter it .
Or with a base and boist’rous sword enforce
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 malice
Of a diverted blood and bloody brother .
The thrifty hire I saved under your father ,
Which I did store to be my foster nurse
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 ,
[59] ACT 2. SC. 3 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 apply
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 ,
Frosty but kindly . Let me go with you .
I’ll do the service of a younger man
In all your business and necessities .
The constant service of the antique world ,
When service sweat for duty , not for meed .
Thou art not for the fashion of these times ,
Where none will sweat but for promotion ,
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
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 .
To the last gasp with truth and loyalty .
From seventeen years till now almost fourscore
Here livèd I , but now live here no more .
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 .
[61]ACT 2. SC. 4
Scene 4
Clown , alias Touchstone .
not weary .
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 .
than bear you . Yet I should bear no cross if I did
bear you , for I think you have no money in your
purse .
When I was at home I was in a better place , but
travelers must be content .
Look you who comes here , a young man and an old
in solemn talk .
eavesdrop .
[63]ACT 2. SC. 4
Though in thy youth thou wast as true a lover
As ever sighed upon a midnight pillow .
But if thy love were ever like to mine —
As sure I think did never man love so —
How many actions most ridiculous
Hast thou been drawn to by thy fantasy ?
If thou rememb’rest not the slightest folly
That ever love did make thee run into ,
Thou hast not loved .
Or if thou hast not sat as I do now ,
Wearing thy hearer in thy mistress’ praise ,
Thou hast not loved .
Or if thou hast not broke from company
Abruptly , as my passion now makes me ,
Thou hast not loved .
O Phoebe , Phoebe , Phoebe !
I have by hard adventure found mine own .
love I broke my sword upon a stone and bid him
take that for coming a-night to Jane Smile ; 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 .
[65]ACT 2. SC. 4
wit till I break my shins against it .
Is much upon my fashion .
with me .
for gold will give us any food . I faint almost to death .
you , friend .
Can in this desert place buy entertainment ,
Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed .
Here’s a young maid with travel much oppressed ,
And faints for succor .
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 .
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 ,
[67] ACT 2. SC. 5 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 .
That little cares for buying anything .
Buy thou the cottage , pasture , and the flock ,
And thou shalt have to pay for it of us .
And willingly could waste my time in it .
Go with me . If you like upon report
The soil , the profit , and this kind of life ,
I will your very faithful feeder be
And buy it with your gold right suddenly .
Scene 5
Song .
Who loves to lie with me
And turn his merry note
Unto the sweet bird’s throat ,
Come hither , come hither , come hither .
Here shall he see
No enemy
But winter and rough weather .
[69]ACT 2. SC. 5
Jaques .
melancholy out of a song as a weasel sucks eggs .
More , I prithee , more .
you to sing . Come , more , another stanzo . Call you
’em ‘stanzos’ ?
nothing . Will you sing ?
you . But that they call ‘compliment’ is like th’
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 .
the Duke will drink under this tree . — He hath been
all this day to look you .
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 .
Who doth ambition shun
And loves to live i’ th’ sun ,
Seeking the food he eats
And pleased with what he gets ,
Come hither , come hither , come hither .
Here shall he see
No enemy
But winter and rough weather .
[71]ACT 2. SC. 6
yesterday in despite of my invention .
If it do come to pass
That any man turn ass ,
Leaving his wealth and ease
A stubborn will to please ,
Ducdame , ducdame , ducdame .
Here shall he see
Gross fools as he ,
An if he will come to me .
circle . I’ll go sleep if I can . If I cannot , I’ll rail
against all the first-born of Egypt .
prepared .
Scene 6
food . Here lie I down and measure out my grave .
Farewell , kind master .
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
[73] ACT 2. SC. 7 a mocker of my labor . Well said . Thou look’st
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 .
Scene 7
For I can nowhere find him like a man .
Here was he merry , hearing of a song .
We shall have shortly discord in the spheres .
Go seek him . Tell him I would speak with him .
That your poor friends must woo your company ?
What , you look merrily .
A motley fool . A miserable world !
As I do live by food , I met a fool ,
Who laid him down and basked him in the sun
And railed on Lady Fortune in good terms ,
[75] ACT 2. SC. 7 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
And , looking on it with lack-luster eye ,
Says very wisely ‘It is ten o’clock .
Thus we may see ,’ quoth he , ‘how the world wags .
’Tis but an hour ago since it was nine ,
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 hear
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 intermission
An hour by his dial . O noble fool !
A worthy fool ! Motley’s the only wear .
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 crammed
With observation , the which he vents
In mangled forms . O , that I were a fool !
I am ambitious for a motley coat .
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 ,
[77] ACT 2. SC. 7 To blow on whom I please , for so fools have .
And they that are most gallèd with my folly ,
They most must laugh . And why , sir , must they so ?
The ‘why’ is plain as way to parish church :
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 anatomized
Even by the squand’ring glances of the fool .
Invest me in my motley . Give me leave
To speak my mind , and I will through and through
Cleanse the foul body of th’ infected world ,
If they will patiently receive my medicine .
For thou thyself hast been a libertine ,
As sensual as the brutish sting itself ,
And all th’ embossèd sores and headed evils
That thou with license of free foot hast caught
Wouldst thou disgorge into the general world .
That can therein tax any private party ?
Doth it not flow as hugely as the sea
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 ?
Who can come in and say that I mean her ,
When such a one as she such is her neighbor ?
Or what is he of basest function
That says his bravery is not on my cost ,
Thinking that I mean him , but therein suits
[79] ACT 2. SC. 7 His folly to the mettle of my speech ?
There then . How then , what then ? Let me see
wherein
My tongue hath wronged him . If it do him right ,
Then he hath wronged himself . If he be free ,
Why then my taxing like a wild goose flies
Unclaimed of any man .
But who comes here ?
Or else a rude despiser of good manners ,
That in civility thou seem’st so empty ?
Of bare distress hath ta’en from me the show
Of smooth civility , yet am I inland bred
And know some nurture . But forbear , I say .
He dies that touches any of this fruit
Till I and my affairs are answerèd .
must die .
More than your force move us to gentleness .
[81]ACT 2. SC. 7
I thought that all things had been savage here ,
And therefore put I on the countenance
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 ,
If ever you have looked on better days ,
If ever been where bells have knolled to church ,
If ever sat at any good man’s feast ,
If ever from your eyelids wiped a tear
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 .
And have with holy bell been knolled to church ,
And sat at good men’s feasts and wiped our eyes
Of drops that sacred pity hath engendered .
And therefore sit you down in gentleness ,
And take upon command what help we have
That to your wanting may be ministered .
Whiles , like a doe , I go to find my fawn
And give it food . There is an old poor man
Who after me hath many a weary step
Limped in pure love . Till he be first sufficed ,
Oppressed with two weak evils , age and hunger ,
I will not touch a bit .
And we will nothing waste till you return .
[83]ACT 2. SC. 7
This wide and universal theater
Presents more woeful pageants than the scene
Wherein we play in .
And all the men and women merely players .
They have their exits and their entrances ,
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 .
Then the whining schoolboy with his satchel
And shining morning face , creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school . And then the lover ,
Sighing like furnace , with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress’ eyebrow . Then a soldier ,
Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard ,
Jealous in honor , sudden and quick in quarrel ,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon’s mouth . And then the justice ,
In fair round belly with good capon lined ,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut ,
Full of wise saws and modern instances ;
And so he plays his part . The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slippered pantaloon
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side ,
His youthful hose , well saved , a world too wide
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 ,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion ,
Sans teeth , sans eyes , sans taste , sans everything .
[85]ACT 2. SC. 7
And let him feed .
I scarce can speak to thank you for myself .
As yet to question you about your fortunes . —
Give us some music , and , good cousin , sing .
apart .
Song .
Blow , blow , thou winter wind .
Thou art not so unkind
As man’s ingratitude .
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 ,
That dost not bite so nigh
As benefits forgot .
Though thou the waters warp ,
Thy sting is not so sharp
As friend remembered not .
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 .
[87]ACT 2. SC. 7
As you have whispered faithfully you were ,
And as mine eye doth his effigies witness
Most truly limned and living in your face ,
Be truly welcome hither . I am the duke
That loved your father . The residue of your fortune
Go to my cave and tell me . — Good old man ,
Thou art right welcome as thy master is .
Give me your hand ,
And let me all your fortunes understand .
[91]
ACT 3
Scene 1
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 :
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 .
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 .
I never loved my brother in my life .
And let my officers of such a nature
Make an extent upon his house and lands .
Do this expediently , and turn him going .
[93]ACT 3. SC. 2
Scene 2
And thou , thrice-crownèd 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 ,
And in their barks my thoughts I’ll character ,
That every eye which in this forest looks
Shall see thy virtue witnessed everywhere .
Run , run , Orlando , carve on every tree
The fair , the chaste , and unexpressive she .
Touchstone ?
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
humor well ; but as there is no more plenty in it , it
goes much against my stomach . Hast any philosophy
in thee , shepherd ?
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
[95] ACT 3. SC. 2 complain of good breeding or comes of a very dull
kindred .
ever in court , shepherd ?
egg , all on one side .
never saw’st good manners ; if thou never saw’st
good manners , then thy manners must be wicked ,
and wickedness is sin , and sin is damnation . Thou
art in a parlous state , shepherd .
manners at the court are as ridiculous in the
country as the behavior 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 .
fells , you know , are greasy .
And is not the grease of a mutton as wholesome as
the sweat of a man ? Shallow , shallow . A better
instance , I say . Come .
again . A more sounder instance . Come .
of our sheep ; and would you have us kiss tar ? The
courtier’s hands are perfumed with civet .
respect of a good piece of flesh , indeed . Learn of the
[97] ACT 3. SC. 2 wise and perpend : civet is of a baser birth than tar ,
the very uncleanly flux of a cat . Mend the instance ,
shepherd .
shallow man . God make incision in thee ; thou art
raw .
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 .
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 cuckoldly 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 .
mistress’s brother .
From the east to western Ind
No jewel is like Rosalind .
Her worth being mounted on the wind ,
Through all the world bears Rosalind .
All the pictures fairest lined
Are but black to Rosalind .
Let no face be kept in mind
But the fair of Rosalind .
dinners and suppers and sleeping hours excepted .
It is the right butter-women’s rank to market .
[99]ACT 3. SC. 2
If a hart do lack a hind ,
Let him seek out Rosalind .
If the cat will after kind ,
So be sure will Rosalind .
Wintered garments must be lined ;
So must slender Rosalind .
They that reap must sheaf and bind ;
Then to cart with Rosalind .
Sweetest nut hath sourest rind ;
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 ?
them on a tree .
then I shall graft it with a medlar . Then it will be
the earliest fruit i’ th’ country , for you’ll be rotten
ere you be half ripe , and that’s the right virtue of
the medlar .
let the forest judge .
reading . Stand aside .
Why should this a desert be ?
For it is unpeopled ? No .
Tongues I’ll hang on every tree
That shall civil sayings show .
Some how brief the life of man
Runs his erring pilgrimage ,
[101] ACT 3. SC. 2 That the stretching of a span
Buckles in his sum of age ;
Some of violated vows
’Twixt the souls of friend and friend .
But upon the fairest boughs ,
Or at every sentence’ end ,
Will I ‘Rosalinda’ write ,
Teaching all that read to know
The quintessence of every sprite
Heaven would in little show .
Therefore heaven nature charged
That one body should be filled
With all graces wide-enlarged .
Nature presently distilled
Helen’s cheek , but not her heart ,
Cleopatra’s majesty ,
Atalanta’s better part ,
Sad Lucretia’s modesty .
Thus Rosalind of many parts
By heavenly synod was devised
Of many faces , eyes , and hearts
To have the touches dearest prized .
Heaven would that she these gifts should have
And I to live and die her slave .
tedious homily of love have you wearied your parishioners
withal , and never cried ‘Have patience ,
good people ! ’
go off a little . — Go with him , sirrah .
retreat , though not with bag and baggage , yet
with scrip and scrippage .
[103] ACT 3. SC. 2 some of them had in them more feet than the verses
would bear .
bear themselves without the verse , and therefore
stood lamely in the verse .
name should be hanged and carved upon these
trees ?
wonder before you came , for look here what I
found on a palm tree . She shows the paper she
read . I was never so berhymed since Pythagoras’
time that I was an Irish rat , which I can hardly
remember .
Change you color ?
meet , but mountains may be removed with earthquakes
and so encounter .
vehemence , tell me who it is .
wonderful , and yet again wonderful , and after that
out of all whooping !
though I am caparisoned 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 might’st pour this
[105] ACT 3. SC. 2 concealed man out of thy mouth as wine comes out
of a narrow-mouthed 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 .
man ? Is his head worth a hat , or his chin worth a
beard ?
thankful . Let me stay the growth of his beard , if
thou delay me not the knowledge of his chin .
heels and your heart both in an instant .
brow and true maid .
and hose ? What did he when thou saw’st 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 .
’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 .
in man’s apparel ? Looks he as freshly as he did the
day he wrestled ?
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 .
[107]ACT 3. SC. 2
drops forth such fruit .
knight .
becomes the ground .
unseasonably . He was furnished like a hunter .
bring’st me out of tune .
think , I must speak . Sweet , say on .
Soft , comes he not here ?
but , good faith , I had as lief have been myself alone .
thank you too for your society .
songs in their barks .
reading them ill-favoredly .
she was christened .
[109]ACT 3. SC. 2
been acquainted with goldsmiths’ wives and
conned them out of rings ?
from whence you have studied your questions .
Atalanta’s heels . Will you sit down with me ? And we
two will rail against our mistress the world and all
our misery .
myself , against whom I know most faults .
virtue . I am weary of you .
found you .
you shall see him .
Signior Love .
Monsieur Melancholy .
saucy lackey , and under that habit play the knave
with him .
o’clock ?
no clock in the forest .
in the forest ; else sighing every minute and
[111] ACT 3. SC. 2 groaning every hour would detect the lazy foot of
time as well as a clock .
that been as proper ?
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 .
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 .
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 .
for though he go as softly as foot can fall , he thinks
himself too soon there .
for they sleep between term and term , and
then they perceive not how time moves .
sister , here in the skirts of the forest , like fringe
upon a petticoat .
[113]ACT 3. SC. 2
dwell where she is kindled .
could purchase in so removed a dwelling .
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 offenses as he hath generally
taxed their whole sex withal .
that he laid to the charge of women ?
They were all like one another as halfpence are ,
every one fault seeming monstrous till his fellow
fault came to match it .
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 .
me your remedy .
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 .
[115] ACT 3. SC. 2 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 accouterments , as loving yourself than seeming
the lover of any other .
I love .
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 ?
Rosalind , I am that he , that unfortunate he .
as your rhymes speak ?
much .
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 .
He was to imagine me his love , his mistress ,
and I set him every day to woo me ; at which time
[117] ACT 3. SC. 3 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 color ; 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 humor of love
to a living humor 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 .
would but call me Rosalind and come every day to
my cote and woo me .
where it is .
show it you ; and by the way you shall tell me where
in the forest you live . Will you go ?
Rosalind . — Come , sister , will you go ?
Scene 3
your goats , Audrey . And how , Audrey ? Am I the
man yet ? Doth my simple feature content you ?
[119]ACT 3. SC. 3
features ?
most capricious poet , honest Ovid , was among the
Goths .
Jove in a thatched house .
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 .
in deed and word ? Is it a true thing ?
feigning , and lovers are given to poetry , and what
they swear in poetry may be said as lovers they do
feign .
poetical ?
art honest . Now if thou wert a poet , I might have
some hope thou didst feign .
for honesty coupled to beauty is to have honey a
sauce to sugar .
gods make me honest .
foul slut were to put good meat into an unclean
dish .
foul .
[121] ACT 3. SC. 3 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 .
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 honorable than the bare brow
of a bachelor . And by how much defense is better
than no skill , by so much is a horn more precious
than to want .
Here comes Sir Oliver . — Sir Oliver Martext , you are
well met . Will you dispatch us here under this tree ,
or shall we go with you to your chapel ?
woman ?
marriage is not lawful .
her .
[123]ACT 3. SC. 3
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 .
curb , and the falcon her bells , so man hath his
desires ; and as pigeons bill , so wedlock would be
nibbling .
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 .
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 .
or we must live in bawdry . — Farewell , good
Master Oliver , not
O sweet Oliver ,
O brave Oliver ,
Leave me not behind thee ,
But
Wind away ,
Begone , I say ,
I will not to wedding with thee .
knave of them all shall flout me out of my calling .
[125]ACT 3. SC. 4
Scene 4
dressed as Aliena .
that tears do not become a man .
weep .
kisses are Judas’s own children .
only color .
touch of holy bread .
nun of winter’s sisterhood kisses not more religiously .
The very ice of chastity is in them .
morning , and comes not ?
but for his verity in love , I do think him as
concave as a covered goblet or a worm-eaten nut .
was .
no stronger than the word of a tapster . They are
both the confirmer of false reckonings . He attends
here in the forest on the Duke your father .
[127]ACT 3. SC. 4
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 ?
speaks brave words , swears brave oaths , and breaks
them bravely , quite traverse , athwart the heart of
his lover , as a puny 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 ?
After the shepherd that complained of love ,
Who you saw sitting by me on the turf ,
Praising the proud disdainful shepherdess
That was his mistress .
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
If you will mark it .
The sight of lovers feedeth those in love .
you shall say
I’ll prove a busy actor in their play .
[129]ACT 3. SC. 5
Scene 5
Say that you love me not , but say not so
In bitterness . The common executioner ,
Whose heart th’ accustomed sight of death makes
hard ,
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 ?
Aliena , and Corin .
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 ,
Who shut their coward gates on atomies ,
Should be called tyrants , butchers , murderers .
Now I do frown on thee with all my heart ,
And if mine eyes can wound , now let them kill thee .
Now counterfeit to swoon ; 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 .
Scratch thee but with a pin , and there remains
Some scar of it . Lean upon a rush ,
The cicatrice and capable impressure
Thy palm some moment keeps . But now mine eyes ,
Which I have darted at thee , hurt thee not ;
Nor I am sure there is no force in eyes
That can do hurt .
[131]ACT 3. SC. 5
If ever — as that ever may be near —
You meet in some fresh cheek the power of fancy ,
Then shall you know the wounds invisible
That love’s keen arrows make .
Come not thou near me . And when that time
comes ,
Afflict me with thy mocks , pity me not ,
As till that time I shall not pity thee .
That you insult , exult , and all at once ,
Over the wretched ? What though you have no
beauty —
As , by my faith , I see no more in you
Than without candle may go dark to bed —
Must you be therefore proud and pitiless ?
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 . —
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 . —
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 you
That makes the world full of ill-favored 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 . —
But , mistress , know yourself . Down on your knees
And thank heaven , fasting , for a good man’s love ,
[133] ACT 3. SC. 5 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 .
Foul is most foul , being foul to be a scoffer . —
So take her to thee , shepherd . Fare you well .
I had rather hear you chide than this man woo .
foulness .
my anger . If it be so , as fast as she answers thee with
frowning looks , I’ll sauce her with bitter words . ( To
Phoebe . ) Why look you so upon me ?
For I am falser than vows made in wine .
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 . —
Come , sister . — Shepherdess , look on him better ,
And be not proud . Though all the world could see ,
None could be so abused in sight as he . —
Come , to our flock .
‘Who ever loved that loved not at first sight ?’
[135] ACT 3. SC. 5 If you do sorrow at my grief in love ,
By giving love your sorrow and my grief
Were both extermined .
Silvius , the time was that I hated thee ;
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 .
But do not look for further recompense
Than thine own gladness that thou art employed .
And I in such a poverty of grace ,
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 scattered smile , and that I’ll live upon .
And he hath bought the cottage and the bounds
That the old carlot once was master of .
’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 .
It is a pretty youth — not very pretty —
But sure he’s proud — and yet his pride becomes
him .
[137] ACT 3. SC. 5 He’ll make a proper man . The best thing in him
Is his complexion ; and faster than his tongue
Did make offense , his eye did heal it up .
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 ,
A little riper and more lusty red
Than that mixed in his cheek : ’twas just the
difference
Betwixt the constant red and mingled damask .
There be some women , Silvius , had they marked
him
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
I have more cause to hate him than to love him .
For what had he to do to chide at me ?
He said mine eyes were black and my hair black ,
And now I am remembered , scorned at me .
I marvel why I answered not again .
But that’s all one : omittance is no quittance .
I’ll write to him a very taunting letter ,
And thou shalt bear it . Wilt thou , Silvius ?
The matter’s in my head and in my heart .
I will be bitter with him and passing short .
Go with me , Silvius .
[141]
ACT 4
Scene 1
and Jaques .
acquainted with thee .
fellow .
of either are abominable fellows and betray
themselves to every modern censure worse than
drunkards .
post .
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 , in which my often
rumination wraps me in a most humorous sadness .
[143] ACT 4. SC. 1 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 .
you sad . I had rather have a fool to make me merry
than experience to make me sad — and to travel for
it too .
verse .
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 .
my promise .
love ? He that will divide a minute into a thousand
parts and break but a part of the thousand part of a
minute in the affairs of love , it may be said of him
that Cupid hath clapped him o’ th’ shoulder , but I’ll
warrant him heart-whole .
[145] ACT 4. SC. 1 come no more in my sight . I had as lief be wooed of
a snail .
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 .
you are fain to be beholding to your wives for . But
he comes armed in his fortune and prevents the
slander of his wife .
virtuous .
hath a Rosalind of a better leer than you .
woo me , for now I am in a holiday humor , and like
enough to consent . What would you say to me now
an I were your very , very Rosalind ?
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 .
and there begins new matter .
mistress ?
were your mistress , or I should think my honesty
ranker than my wit .
[147]ACT 4. SC. 1
yet out of your suit . Am not I your Rosalind ?
would be talking of her .
will not have you .
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
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 midsummer 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 chroniclers 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 .
mind , for I protest her frown might kill me .
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 .
Saturdays and all .
[149]ACT 4. SC. 1
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 ?
Orlando —’
wife this Rosalind ?
thee , Rosalind , for wife .’
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 .
would have her after you have possessed her ?
‘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 newfangled than
an ape , more giddy in my desires than a monkey . I
will weep for nothing , like Diana in the fountain ,
[151] ACT 4. SC. 1 and I will do that when you are disposed to be
merry . I will laugh like a hyena , and that when thou
art inclined to sleep .
do .
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 keyhole .
Stop that , ’twill fly with the smoke out at the
chimney .
might say ‘Wit , whither wilt ?’
check for it till you met your wife’s wit going to
your neighbor’s bed .
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 .
thee .
thee two hours .
o’clock I will be with thee again .
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 ?
[153]ACT 4. SC. 1
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 .
my Rosalind . So , adieu .
that examines all such offenders , and let time try .
Adieu .
We must have your doublet and hose plucked
over your head and show the world what the bird
hath done to her own nest .
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 .
affection in , it runs out .
was begot of thought , conceived of spleen , and born
of madness , that blind rascally boy that abuses
everyone’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 .
[155]ACT 4. SC. 3
Scene 2
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 ?
make noise enough .
Music . Song .
What shall he have that killed the deer ?
His leather skin and horns to wear .
Then sing him home .
( 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 .
The horn , the horn , the lusty horn
Is not a thing to laugh to scorn .
Scene 3
dressed as Aliena .
And here much Orlando .
he hath ta’en his bow and arrows and is gone forth
to sleep .
[157] ACT 4. SC. 3
Look who comes here .
My gentle Phoebe did bid me give you this .
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 tenor . Pardon me .
I am but as a guiltless messenger .
And play the swaggerer . Bear this , bear all .
She says I am not fair , that I lack manners .
She calls me proud , and that she could not love me
Were man as rare as phoenix . ’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 .
Phoebe did write it .
fool ,
And turned into the extremity of love .
I saw her hand . She has a leathern hand ,
A freestone-colored hand . I verily did think
That her old gloves were on , but ’twas her hands .
She has a huswife’s hand — but that’s no matter .
I say she never did invent this letter .
This is a man’s invention , and his hand .
[159] ACT 4. SC. 3 A style for challengers . Why , she defies me
Like Turk to Christian . Women’s gentle brain
Could not drop forth such giant-rude invention ,
Such Ethiop words , blacker in their effect
Than in their countenance . Will you hear the letter ?
Yet heard too much of Phoebe’s cruelty .
Art thou god to shepherd turned ,
That a maiden’s heart hath burned ?
Can a woman rail thus ?
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 ,
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 ,
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 ?
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 kind
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 .
[161]ACT 4. SC. 3
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 .
Where in the purlieus of this forest stands
A sheepcote fenced about with olive trees ?
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 .
Then should I know you by description —
Such garments , and such years . ‘The boy is fair ,
Of female favor , and bestows himself
Like a ripe sister ; the woman low
And browner than her brother .’ Are not you
The owner of the house I did inquire for ?
[163] ACT 4. SC. 3 And to that youth he calls his Rosalind
He sends this bloody napkin . Are you he ?
What man I am , and how , and why , and where
This handkercher was stained .
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 —
And mark what object did present itself :
Under an old oak , whose boughs were mossed with
age
And high top bald with dry antiquity ,
A wretched , ragged man , o’ergrown with hair ,
Lay sleeping on his back . About his neck
A green and gilded snake had wreathed itself ,
Who with her head , nimble in threats , approached
The opening of his mouth . But suddenly ,
Seeing Orlando , it unlinked itself
And , with indented glides , did slip away
Into a bush , under which bush’s shade
A lioness , with udders all drawn dry ,
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 .
This seen , Orlando did approach the man
And found it was his brother , his elder brother .
[165]ACT 4. SC. 3
And he did render him the most unnatural
That lived amongst men .
For well I know he was unnatural .
Food to the sucked and hungry lioness ?
But kindness , nobler ever than revenge ,
And nature , stronger than his just occasion ,
Made him give battle to the lioness ,
Who quickly fell before him ; in which hurtling ,
From miserable slumber I awaked .
To tell you what I was , since my conversion
So sweetly tastes , being the thing I am .
When from the first to last betwixt us two
Tears our recountments had most kindly bathed —
As how I came into that desert place —
In brief , he led me to the gentle duke ,
Who gave me fresh array and entertainment ,
Committing me unto my brother’s love ;
Who led me instantly unto his cave ,
There stripped himself , and here upon his arm
The lioness had torn some flesh away ,
[167] ACT 4. SC. 3 Which all this while had bled ; and now he fainted ,
And cried in fainting upon Rosalind .
Brief , I recovered him , bound up his wound ,
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
Dyed in his blood unto the shepherd youth
That he in sport doth call his Rosalind .
will you take him by the arm ?
youth . You a man ? You lack a man’s heart .
sirrah , a body would think this was well-counterfeited .
I pray you tell your brother how well I
counterfeited . Heigh-ho .
testimony in your complexion that it was a passion
of earnest .
be a man .
have been a woman by right .
you draw homewards . — Good sir , go with us .
[169]ACT 4. SC. 3
How you excuse my brother , Rosalind .
But I pray you commend my counterfeiting to him .
Will you go ?
[173]
ACT 5
Scene 1
gentle Audrey .
old gentleman’s saying .
vile Martext . But Audrey , there is a youth here in
the forest lays claim to you .
in the world .
Here comes the man you mean .
By my troth , we that have good wits have much to
answer for . We shall be flouting . We cannot hold .
cover thy head . Nay , prithee , be covered . How old
are you , friend ?
[175]ACT 5. SC. 1
good . And yet it is not : it is but so-so . Art thou wise ?
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 ?
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 .
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 .
[177]ACT 5. SC. 2
away .
attend .
Scene 2
you should like her ? That , but seeing , you should
love her ? And loving , woo ? And wooing , she should
grant ? And will you persever to enjoy her ?
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 .
tomorrow . Thither will I invite the Duke and all ’s
contented followers . Go you and prepare Aliena ,
for , look you , here comes my Rosalind .
brother .
[179]ACT 5. SC. 2
grieves me to see thee wear thy heart in a scarf .
wounded with the claws of a lion .
how I counterfeited to swoon when he showed me
your handkercher ?
Nay , ’tis true . There was never anything so sudden
but the fight of two rams , and Caesar’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 .
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 tomorrow
be at the height of heart-heaviness by how much I
shall think my brother happy in having what he
wishes for .
serve your turn for Rosalind ?
longer with idle talking . Know of me then — for
[181] ACT 5. SC. 2 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 labor
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 year
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
tomorrow , human as she is , and without any
danger .
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 tomorrow , you shall , and to
Rosalind , if you will .
Look , here comes a lover of mine and a lover of
hers .
To show the letter that I writ to you .
To seem despiteful and ungentle to you .
You are there followed by a faithful shepherd .
Look upon him , love him ; he worships you .
[183]ACT 5. SC. 2
And so am I for Phoebe .
And so am I for Phoebe .
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 observance ,
And so am I for Phoebe .
woman .
‘Why blame you me to love you ?’
[185] ACT 5. SC. 3 ’Tis like the howling of Irish wolves against the
moon .
Phoebe . )
meet me all together .
you if ever I marry woman , and I’ll be married
tomorrow .
satisfy man , and you shall be married tomorrow .
contents you , and you shall be married tomorrow .
Silvius . )
no woman , I’ll meet . So fare you well . I have left
you commands .
Scene 3
will we be married .
no dishonest desire to desire to be a woman of the
world .
Here come two of the banished duke’s pages .
a song .
[187] ACT 5. SC. 3 hawking or spitting or saying we are hoarse , which
are the only prologues to a bad voice ?
two gypsies on a horse .
Song .
It was a lover and his lass ,
With a hey , and a ho , and a hey-nonny-no ,
That o’er the green cornfield did pass
In springtime , 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 ,
With a hey , and a ho , and a hey-nonny-no ,
These pretty country folks would lie
In springtime , the only pretty ring time ,
When birds do sing , hey ding a ding , ding .
Sweet lovers love the spring .
This carol they began that hour ,
With a hey , and a ho , and a hey-nonny-no ,
How that a life was but a flower
In springtime , the only pretty ring time ,
When birds do sing , hey ding a ding , ding .
Sweet lovers love the spring .
And therefore take the present time ,
With a hey , and a ho , and a hey-nonny-no ,
For love is crownèd with the prime ,
In springtime , the only pretty ring time ,
When birds do sing , hey ding a ding , ding .
Sweet lovers love the spring .
[189]ACT 5. SC. 4
was no great matter in the ditty , yet the note was
very untunable .
not our time .
to hear such a foolish song . God be wi’ you , and
God mend your voices . — Come , Audrey .
Scene 4
and Celia as Aliena .
Can do all this that he hath promisèd ?
As those that fear they hope , and know they fear .
You will bestow her on Orlando here ?
[191]ACT 5. SC. 4
You’ll give yourself to this most faithful shepherd ?
Keep you your word , O duke , to give your
daughter , —
You yours , Orlando , to receive his daughter . —
Keep you your word , Phoebe , that you’ll marry me ,
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
To make these doubts all even .
Some lively touches of my daughter’s favor .
Methought he was a brother to your daughter .
But , my good lord , this boy is forest-born
And hath been tutored in the rudiments
Of many desperate studies by his uncle ,
Whom he reports to be a great magician
Obscurèd in the circle of this forest .
couples are coming to the ark . Here comes a pair of
[193] ACT 5. SC. 4 very strange beasts , which in all tongues are called
fools .
This is the motley-minded gentleman that I have so
often met in the forest . He hath been a courtier , he
swears .
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 .
upon the seventh cause .
this fellow .
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-favored thing , sir , but mine own . A poor
humor 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 .
sententious .
dulcet diseases .
quarrel on the seventh cause ?
your body more seeming , Audrey . — As thus , sir : I
did dislike the cut of a certain courtier’s beard . He
[195] ACT 5. SC. 4 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 .’
cut ?
nor he durst not give me the lie direct , and
so we measured swords and parted .
the lie ?
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 peacemaker : much virtue in
‘if .’
He’s as good at anything and yet a fool .
[197]ACT 5. SC. 4
and under the presentation of that he shoots his wit .
When earthly things made even
Atone together .
Good duke , receive thy daughter .
Hymen from heaven brought her ,
Yea , brought her hither ,
That thou mightst join her hand with his ,
Whose heart within his bosom is .
Why then , my love adieu .
she .
’Tis I must make conclusion
Of these most strange events .
Here’s eight that must take hands
To join in Hymen’s bands ,
If truth holds true contents .
[199] ACT 5. SC. 4 To Rosalind and Orlando .
You and you no cross shall part .
To Celia and Oliver .
You and you are heart in heart .
To Phoebe .
You to his love must accord
Or have a woman to your lord .
To Audrey and Touchstone .
You and you are sure together
As the winter to foul weather .
To All .
Whiles a wedlock hymn we sing ,
Feed yourselves with questioning ,
That reason wonder may diminish
How thus we met , and these things finish .
Song .
O blessèd bond of board and bed .
’Tis Hymen peoples every town .
High wedlock then be honorèd .
Honor , high honor , and renown
To Hymen , god of every town .
Even daughter , welcome in no less degree .
Thy faith my fancy to thee doth combine .
I am the second son of old Sir Rowland ,
That bring these tidings to this fair assembly .
[201] ACT 5. SC. 4 Duke Frederick , hearing how that every day
Men of great worth resorted to this forest ,
Addressed a mighty power , which were on foot
In his own conduct , purposely to take
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 converted
Both from his enterprise and from the world ,
His crown bequeathing to his banished brother ,
And all their lands restored to them again
That were with him exiled . This to be true
I do engage my life .
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 . —
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 endured shrewd days and nights with us
Shall share the good of our returnèd fortune
According to the measure of their states .
Meantime , forget this new-fall’n dignity ,
And fall into our rustic revelry . —
Play , music . — And you brides and bridegrooms all ,
With measure heaped in joy to th’ measures fall .
The Duke hath put on a religious life
And thrown into neglect the pompous court .
There is much matter to be heard and learned .
[203] ACT 5. SC. 4
Your patience and your virtue well deserves it .
merit .
allies .
loving voyage
Is but for two months victualled . — So to your
pleasures .
I am for other than for dancing measures .
I’ll stay to know at your abandoned cave .
As we do trust they’ll end , in true delights .
EPILOGUE .
epilogue , but it is no more unhandsome than to see
the lord the prologue . If it be true that 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 hates 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 .
Appendix A
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Link to license
- Citation Suggestion for this Edition
- TextGrid Repository (2025). Shakespeare, William. As You Like It. The Folger Digital Texts in TextGrid. https://hdl.handle.net/21.11113/0000-0016-84A4-9