but of an if, as, if you said so, then I said so;' and they shook hands, and swore brothers. Your 'if' is the only peace-maker; much virtue in 'if.'

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

1

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

Enter HYMEN, leading ROSALIND in women's clothes;

and CELIA.

Still music.

Hymen. Then is there mirth in heaven,
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 her bosom is.

Ros. To you I give myself, for I am yours:

[to Duke S.

To you I give myself, for I am yours. [to Orl. Duke S. If there be truth in sight, you are my

daughter.

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

'A horse either real or fictitious, by which the fowler sheltered himself from the sight of the game.'-Steevens.

Ros. I'll have no father, if you be not he:

[to Duke S.

I'll have no husband, if you be not he;—

[to Orl.

Nor ne'er wed woman, if you be not she.

[to Phe.

Hymen. Peace, ho! I bar confusion: '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.1

You and you no cross shall part;

[to Orl. and Ros.

You and you are heart in heart:

[to Oli. and Cel.

You [to Phe.] to his love must accord,

Or have a woman to your lord :—
You and you are sure together,

[to Touch. and Aud.

As the winter to foul weather.
Whiles a wedlock-hymn we sing,
Feed yourselves with questioning;
That reason wonder may diminish,
How thus we met, and these things finish.

Unless truth fail of veracity.

SONG.

Wedding is great Juno's crown.
O blessed bond of board and bed!
'Tis Hymen peoples every town:
High wedlock then be honored.
Honor, high honor and renown,
To Hymen, god of every town!

Duke S. O my dear niece, welcome thou art to

me;

Even daughter welcome in no less degree.

Phe. I will not eat my word; now thou art

mine;

Thy faith my fancy 1 to thee doth combine.

Enter JAQUES DE BOIS.

[to Sil.

Jaques de Bois. Let me have audience for a word

or two.

I am the second son of old sir Rowland,

That bring these tidings to this fair assembly.—
Duke Frederick, hearing how that every day
Men of great worth resorted to this forest,
Address'd3 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

1 Love.

4

2 Bind. ' Prepared. • Conversation.

Both from his enterprise and from the world,
His crown bequeathing to his banish'd brother,
And all their lands restored to them again
That were with him exiled. This to be true,
I do engage my life.

Duke S.
Welcome, young man :
Thou offer'st fairly to thy brothers' wedding;
To one, his lands withheld; and to the other,
A land itself at large, a potent dukedom.
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 returned fortune,
According to the measure of their states.

Meantime, forget this new-fallen dignity,
And fall into our rustic revelry.

Play, music!—and you, brides and bridegrooms all,
With measure heap'd in joy, to the measures fall.
Jaques. Sir, by your patience :-if I heard you
rightly,

The duke hath put on a religious life,

And thrown into neglect the pompous court?

Jaques de Bois. He hath.

Jaques. To him will I: out of these convertites There is much matter to be heard and learn'd. You to your former honor I bequeathe; [to Duke S. Your patience, and your virtue, well deserves it :— You [to Orl.] to a love that your true faith doth merit :