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 temper'd as mine is to thee. 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. Ros. From henceforth I will, coz, and devise sports; let me see; What think you of falling in love? Cel. Marry, I pr'ythee, 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 may'st in honour come off again. 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. 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-favour'dly. 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? 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 his wits. - How now, wit? whither wander you? honour, for he never had any; or if he had, he had sworn it away, before ever he saw those pancakes or that mustard. Cel. Pr'ythee, who is't that thou mean'st? 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 whipp'd for taxation 5, one of these days. Touch. The more pity, that fools may not speak wisely, what wise men do foolishly. Cel. By my troth, thou say'st 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. Enter LE BEAU. Ros. With his mouth full of news. Cel. Which he will put on us, as pigeons feed their young. Ros. Then shall we be news-cramm'd. Cel. All the better; we shall be the more marketable. Bon jour, monsieur Le Beau: What's the news? Le Beau. Fair princess, you have lost much good sport. Cel. Sport? Of what colour? Le Beau. What colour, madam? How shall I answer you? Ros. As wit and fortune will. Touch. Or as the destinies decree. Cel. Well said; that was laid on with a trowel. Le Beau. You amaze me, ladies; I would have told you of good wrestling, which you have lost the sight of. 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. Cel. Well, buried. the beginning, that is dead and Le Beau. There comes an old man, and his three sons, 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, Le Beau. The eldest of the three wrestled with Charles, the duke's wrestler; which Charles in a Touch. Mistress, you must come away to your moment threw him, and broke three of his ribs, that father. Cel. Were you made the messenger? there is little hope of life in him so he served the second, and so the third: Yonder they lie; the poor Touch. No, by mine honour; but I was bid to old man, their father, making such pitiful dole over come for you. them, that all the beholders take his part with weeping. 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. 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. 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 Ros. Alas! Touch. But what is the sport, monsieur, that the ladies have lost? Le Beau. Why, this that I speak of. Touch. Thus men may grow wiser every day! it is the first time that I ever heard, breaking of ribs was sport for ladies. Cel. Or I, I promise thee. Ros. But is there any else longs to see this broken musick in his sides? is there yet another dotes upon rib-breaking?-Shall we see this wrestling, cousin? Le Beau. You must, if you stay here: for here is 5 Satire. the place appointed for the wrestling, and they are ready to perform it. Cel. Yonder, sure, they are coming: Let us now stay and see it. Ros. O excellent young man! Orl. Yes, I beseech your grace; I am not yet Flourish. Enter DUKE FREDERICK, Lords, OR- well breathed. Duke F. Come on; since the youth will not be Le Beau. Even he, madam. Cel. Alas, he is too young: yet he looks successfully. 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. Duke F. You will take little delight in it, I can tell you, there is such odds in the men: 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. Cel. Call him hither, good monsieur Le Beau. Duke F. Do so: I'll not be by. [DUKE goes apart. Le Beau. Monsieur the challenger, the princesses call for you. Orl. I attend them, with all respect and duty. Ros. Young man, have you challenged Charles the wrestler? 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. 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. 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. Orl. I beseech you, punish me not with your hard thoughts; wherein I confess me much guilty, to deny so fair and excellent ladies any thing. 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. Duke F. How dost thou, Charles? Le Beau. He cannot speak, my lord. Orl. Orlando, my liege; the youngest son of sir Duke F. I would thou hadst been son to some The world esteem'd thy father honourable, [Exeunt DUKE FRED. Train, and LE BEAU. calling, To be adopted heir to Frederick. Ros. My father lov'd sir Rowland as his soul, Cel. Gentle cousin, Let us go thank him, and encourage him : 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. Shall we go, coz? Ay: Fare you well, fair gentleman. Or!. 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. 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 Ros. The little strength that I have, I would it More than your enemies. were with you. Cel. Will you go, coz? Ros. Have with you: -Fare you well. [Exeunt ROSALIND and CELIA. Orl. What passion hangs these weights upon my tongue? Cel. And mine, to eke out hers. Ros. Fare you well. Pray heaven, I be deceived in you! Cel. Your heart's desires be with you. Cha. Come, where is this young gallant, that is I cannot speak to her, yet she urg'd conference. so desirous to lie with his mother earth? Orl. Ready, sir. Duke F. You shall try but one fall. 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. Ros. Now, Hercules be thy speed, young man! Cel. I would I were invisible, to catch the strong fellow by the leg. [CHARLES and ORLANDO wrestle. Re-enter LE BEAU. O, poor Orlando! thou art overthrown; Le Beau. Good sir, I do in friendship counsel you 6 The object to dart at in martial exercises. The duke is humorous; what he is, indeed, Which of the two was daughter of the duke, Enter DUKE FREDERICK, with Lords. Duke F. Mistress, despatch you with your safest haste, And get you from our court. Ros. Duke F. Me, uncle? You, cousin ; Le Beau. Neither his daughter, if we judge by Within these ten days if that thou be'st found manners; But yet, indeed, the shorter is his daughter : But that the people praise her for her virtues, I shall desire more love and knowledge of you. Thus must I from the smoke into the smother; SCENE III. A Room in the Palace. Enter CELIA and ROSALIND. Not a word? [Exit. If their purgation did consist in words, 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 : Or, if we did derive it from our friends, Cel. Why, cousin ; why, Rosalind; -Cupid have Then, good my liege, mistake me not so much, mercy! Ros. Not one to throw at a dog. 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. Cel. But is all this for your father? To think my poverty is treacherous. Cel. Dear sovereign, hear me speak, Cel. I did not then entreat to have her stay, Ros. No, some of it for my father's child: O, Rose at an instant, learn'd, play'd, eat together; how full of briars is this working-day world! Cel. They are but burs, cousin, thrown upon thee in holiday foolery; if we walk not in the trodden paths, our very petticoats will catch them. And wheresoc'er we went, like Juno's swans, Duke F. She is too subtle for thee; and her Ros. I could shake them off my coat; these burs Her very silence, and her patience, are in my heart. Cel. Hem them away. Ros. I would try; if I could cry hem, and have him. Cel. Come, come, wrestle with thy affections. Ros. O, they take the part of a better wrestler than myself. Cel. O, a good wish upon you!-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 lov'd his father dearly. 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. Ros. No; 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. Cel. With his eyes full of anger. Speak to the people, and they pity her. When she is gone: then open not thy lips; I cannot live out of her company. If you out-stay the time, upon mine honour, [Exeunt DUKE FREDERICK and Lords. Cel. Thou hast not, cousin ; Pr'ythee, be cheerful: know'st thou not, the duke Hath banish'd me his daughter? 8 Compassion. Ros. That he hath not. Cel. To seek my uncle in the forest of Arden. Cel. I'll put myself in poor and mean attire, Ros. A gallant curtle-ax2 upon my thigh, Cel. What shall I call thee, when thou art a man? page, And therefore look you call me, Ganymede. Cel. Something that hath a reference to my state; Ros. But, cousin, what if we assay'd to steal Cel. He'll go along o'er the wide world with me; [Exeunt. ACT II. The Forest of Arden. SCENE I.. Duke S. Now, my co-mates, and brothers in exile, Duke S. Come, shall we go and kill us venison? 1 Lord. Did come to languish; and, indeed, my lord, Duke S. 1 Lord. O, yes, into a thousand similes. To that which had too much: Then, being alone, Indeed, my lord, In their assign'd and native dwelling-place. The melancholy Jaques grieves at that; A dusky, yellow-coloured earth. 2 Lord. We did, my lord, weeping and commenting Upon the sobbing deer. Duke S. Show me the place; I love to cope4 him in these sullen fits, 2 Lord. I'll bring you to him straight. [Exeunɛ. 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. 1 Lord. I cannot hear of any that did see her. 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. 2 Lord. My lord, the roynish 5 clown, at whom so oft Your grace was wont to laugh, is also missing Hesperia, 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. Duke F. Send to his brother; fetch that gallant hither; If he be absent, bring his brother to me, [Exeunt. O, my sweet master, O you memory7 Of old sir Rowland! why, what make you here? No more do yours; your virtues, gentle master, O, what a world is this, when what is comely Orl. Why, what's the matter? O unhappy youth, Your brother-(no, no brother; yet the son- Hath heard your praises; and this night he means 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; Orl. Why, whither, Adam, wouldst thou have me go? food? I rather will subject me to the malice Hot and rebellious liquors in my blood; Orl. O good old man; how well in thee appears 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. 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. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-The Forest of Arden. Enter ROSALIND in Boy's clothes, CELIA drest 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 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. Cel. I pray you, bear with me; I can 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. 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. who comes here; a young man and an old, in Ros. Ay, be so, good Touchstone:-Look you, solemn talk. 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! 9 Blood turned from its natural course. A piece of money stamped with a cross. |