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 nonest; 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. * Ros. As wit and fortune will. Ros. Thou losest thy old smell. Le Beau. You amaze me, ladies: I would have told you of good wrestling, which you have lost the sight of. 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 Cel. No? When nature hath made a fair crea- best is yet to do; and here, where you are, they ture, may she not by fortune fall into the fire!-are coming to perform it. Though nature hath given us wit to flout at for- Cel. Well, the beginning, that is dead and tune, hath not fortune sent in this fool to cut off buried. the argument? Le bm. There comes an old man, and his Ros. Indeed, there is fortune too hard for nature; three ss, when fortune makes nature's natural the cutter off of nature's wit. Cel. ould match this beginning with an old tale. . Three proper young men, of excellent nd presence; Le Cel. Peradventure, this is not fortune's work growth neither, but nature's; who perceiving our natural| Ros wits too dull to reason of such goddesses, hath sent unto a this natural for our whetstone: for always the dullness of the fool is the whetstone of his wits.-How now, wit? whither wander you? Touch. Mistress, you must come away to your father. Cel. Were you made the messenger? Vith bills on their necks,-Be it known nen by these presents. Leau. The eldest of the three wrestled with Charles the duke's wrestler; which Charles in a moment threw him, and broke three of his ribs, that there is little hope of life in him: so he served the second, and so the third: Yonder they lie; the poor old man, their father, making such pitiful Touch. No, by mine honour; but I was bid to dole over them, that all the beholders take his part come for you. 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? with weeping. Touch. But what is the sport, monsieur, that the ladies have lost? it Le Beau. Why, this that I speak of. Touch. Thus men may grow wiser every day is the first time that ever I heard, breaking of ribs was sport for ladies. Cel. Or I, I promise thee. Ros. But is there any else longs to see this broke music in his sides? is there yet another dotes upen rib-breaking ?-Shall we see this wrestling, cousin? Le Beau. You must, if you stay here; for here is the place appointed for the wrestling, and they are ready to perform it. 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 Cel. Yonder, sure, they are coming: Let us now his honour, for he never had any; or if he had, he had sworn it away, before ever he saw those pancakes or that mustard. 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, one of these days. 1 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. stay and see it. Flourish. Enter Duke Frederick, Lords, Orlando, 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 et the challenger's youth, I would fain dissuade him, Cel. Which he will put on us, as pigeons feed but he will not be entreated: Speak to him, ladies: 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. Of what colour? see if you can move him. Cel. Call him hither, good monsieur Le Beau. (Duke goes apart. Le Beau. Monsieur the challenger, the princesses call for you. Orl. I attend them, with all respect and duty. Le Beau. What colour, madam? How shall I the wrestler? answer you? 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 I should have given him tears unto entreaties, for your years: You have seen cruel proof of this Ere he should thus have ventur'd. man's strength: if you saw yourself with your eyes, Cel. Gentle cousin, or knew yourself with your judgment, the fear Let us go thank him, and encourage him: of your adventure would counsel you to a more My father's rough and envious disposition equal enterprise. We pray you, for your own Sticks me at heart.-Sir, you have well deserv'd: sake, to embrace your own safety, and give over If you do keep your promises in love, this attempt. But justly, as you have exceeded promise, Ros. Do, young sir; your reputation shall not Your mistress shall be happy. therefore be misprized; we will make it our suit to the duke, that the wrestling might not go forward. Ros. means. Gentleman, [Giving him a chain from her neck. Orl. I beseech you, punish me not with your Wear this for me; one out of suits with fortune: hard thoughts; wherein I confess me much guilty, That could give more, but that her hand lacks to deny so fair and excellent ladies any thing. But let your fair eyes, and gentle wishes, go with me Shall we go, coz? to my trial: wherein if I be foiled, there is but Cel. Ay:-Fare you well, fair gentleman. one shamed that was never gracious; if killed, but Orl. Can I not say, I thank you? My better parts one dead that is willing to be so: I shall do my Are all thrown down; and that which here stands friends no wrong, for I have none to lament me; Is but a quintain, a mere lifeless block. 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. Ros. The little strength that I have, I would it were with you. Cel. And mine, to eke out hers. Ros. Fare you well.-Pray heaven, I be deceived in you! Cel. Your heart's desires be with you! Cha. Come, where is this young gallant, that is so desirous to lie with his mother earth? Orl. Ready, sir; but his will hath in it a more modest working. 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. Ros. O excellent young man! Cel. If I had a thunderbolt in mine eye, I can tell who should down. [Charles is thrown. Shout. Duke F. No more, no more. Orl. Yes, I beseech your grace; I am not yet well breathed. Duke F. How dost thou, Charles? Le Beau. He cannot speak, my lord. Duke F. Bear him away. [Charles is borne out.] What is thy name young man? Orl. Orlando, my liege; the youngest son sir Rowland de Bois. of Duke F. I would, thou hadst been son to some man else. The world esteem'd thy father honourable, [up, Ros. He calls us back: My pride fell with my fortunes: I'll ask him what he would:-Did you call, sir? Sir, you have wrestled well, and overthrown More than your enemies. I 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? cannot speak to her, yet she urg'd conference. O poor Orlando! thou art overthrown; Le Beau. Good sir, I do in friendship counsel you Le Beau. Neither his daughter, if we judge by manners; But yet, indeed, the shorter is his daughter: But that the people praise her for her virtues, Thou should'st have better pleas'd me with this Will suddenly break forth.-Sir, fare you well; deed, Hadst thou descended from another house. [Exeunt Duke Fred. train, and Le Beau. Cel. Were I my father, coz, would I do this? Orl. I am more proud to be sir Rowland's son, His youngest son;-and would not change that calling,' To be adopted heir to Frederick. Ros. My father lov'd sir Rowland as his soul, And all the world was of my father's mind: Had I before known this young man his son, (1) Appellation. (2) Turned out of her service. (3) The object to dart at in martial exercises. 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; Celia and Rosalind. Cel. Why, cousin; why, Rosalind ;-Cupid have mercy!-Not a word? Ros. Not one to throw at a dog. Cel. No, thy words are too precious to be cast (4) Temper, disposition. away upon curs, throw some of them at me; come,| Cel. I did not then entreat to have her stay, lame me with reasons. It was your pleasure, and your own remorse;1 Ros. Then there were two cousins laid up; when I was too young that time to value her, the one should be lamed with reasons, and the other But now I know her if she be a traitor, mad without any. Why so am I; we still have slept together, Rose at an instant, learn'd, play'd, eat together; And wheresoe'er we went, like Juno's swans, Still we went coupled, and inseparable. Cel. But is all this for your father? Ros. No, some of it for my child's father: O, how full of briers 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. Ros. I could shake them off my coat; these burs 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. Duke F. She is too subtle for thee; and her Her very silence, and her patience, When she is gone: then open not thy lips; I Cel. O, a good wish upon you! you will try in cannot live out of her company. Ros. I do beseech your grace, Or have acquaintance with mine own desires; Duke F. Thus do all traitors; If their purgation did consist in words, Ros. So was I, when your highness took his So was I, when your highness banish'd him; Or, if we did derive it from our friends, Cel. Dear sovereign, hear me speak. I [Exeunt Duke Frederick and lords. Cel. O my poor Rosalind! whither wilt thou go? Cel. To seek my uncle. Cel. I'll put myself in poor and mean attire, Ros. Cel. What shall I call thee, when thou art a Ros. I'll have no worse a name than Jove's own And therefore look you call me, Ganymede. Cel. Something that hath a reference to my state, Duke F. Ay, Celia; we stay'd her for your sake, No longer Celia, but Aliena. Else had she with her father rang'd along. (1) Inveterately. (2) Compassion. (3) A dusky, yellow-coloured earth. Ros. But, cousin, what if we assay'd to steal The clownish fool out of your father's court? (4) Cutlass. (5) Swaggering. SCENE I-The forest of Arden. Enter Duke senior, Amiens, and other Lords, in the dress of Foresters. Duke S. Now, my co-mates, and brothers in Hath not old custom made this life more sweet That can translate the stubbornness of fortune Duke S. Come, shall we go and kill us venison? Indeed, my lord, Under an oak, whose antique root peeps out But what said Jaques To that which had too much: Then, being alone, Left and abandon'd of his velvet friends; ? 'Tis right, quoth he; this misery doth part Yea, and of this our life; swearing, that we 2 Lord. We did, my lord, weeping and commenting Upon the sobbing deer. Duke S. Show me the place; I love to cope? him in these sullen fits, 2 Lord. I'll bring you to him straight. [Exeunt. SCENE II-A room in the palace. Enter Duke Frederick, Lords, and attendants. Duke F. Can it be possible, that no man saw them? It cannot be: some villains of my court 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 roynish3 clown, at whom so oft Your grace was wont to laugh, is also missing. If he be absent, bring his brother to me, Orl. Who's there? O, my sweet master, O you memory' Of old sir Rowland! why, what make you here? Your praise is come too swiftly home before you 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. Come not within these doors; within this roof The enemy of all your graces lives: (6) Inconsiderate. Your brother-(no, no brother; yet the son This is no place, this house is but a butchery; Orl. Why, whither, Adam, would'st thou have Adam. No matter whither, so you come not here. Or, with a base and boisterous sword, enforce Adam. But do not so: I have five hundred The thrifty hire I sav'd under your father, Orl. O good old n.an; how well in thee appears Adam. Master, go on; and I will follow thee, [Exeunt. 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 cannot go no further. Touch. For my part, I had rather bear with you, than bear you: yet I should bear no cross,' if I did bear you; for, I think, you have no money in your purse. Ros. Well, this is the forest of Arden. Touch. Ay, now am I in Arden: the more fool I; when I was at home, I was in a better place; but travellers must be content. Ros. Ay, be so, good Touchstone:-Look you who comes here; a young man, and an old, in solemn talk. Enter Corin and Silvius. Cor. That is the way to make her scorn you still. Cor. Into a thousand that I have forgotten. Thou hast not lov'd: Or if thou hast not sat as I do now, Or if thou has not broke from company, Ros. Alas, poor shepherd! searching of thy I have by hard adventure found mine own. Touch. And I mine: I remember, when I was in love, I broke my sword upon a stone, and bid him take that for coming anight4 to Jane Smile: and I remember the kissing of her batlet, and the cow's dugs that her pretty chop'd hands had milk'd: 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. Ros. Thou speak'st wiser, than thou art 'ware of. Touch. Nay, I shall ne'er be 'ware of mine own wit, till I break my shins against it. Ros. Jove! Jove! this shepherd's passion Is much upon my fashion. Touch. And mine; but it grows something stale with me. Cel. I pray you, one of you question yond man, SCENE IV.-The Forest of Arden. Ros. O Jupiter! how weary are my spirits! not weary. Ros. I could find in my heart to disgrace my (1) Mansion, residence. (2) Blood turned from its natural course. Touch. Holla; you, clown! Ros. Peace, fool; he's not thy kinsman. Cor. Who calls? Touch. Your betters, sir. Cor. Else are they very wretched. |