Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. As You Like It (1623 First Folio Edition)
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Act III
Scene i
1179: Actus Tertius. Scena Prima.
1180: [ Enter Duke, Lords, & Oliuer.]
1181:
Du.
Not see him since? Sir, sir, that cannot be:
1182: But were I not the better part made mercie,
1183: I should not seeke an absent argument
1184: Of my reuenge, thou present: but looke to it,
1185: Finde out thy brother wheresoere he is,
1186: Seeke him with Candle: bring him dead, or liuing
1187: Within this tweluemonth, or turne thou no more
1188: To seeke a liuing in our Territorie.
1189: Thy Lands and all things that thou dost call thine,
1190: Worth seizure, do we seize into our hands,
1191: Till thou canst quit thee by thy brothers mouth,
1192: Of what we thinke against thee.
1193:
Ol.
Oh that your Highnesse knew my heart in this:
1194: I neuer lou'd my brother in my life.
1195:
Duke.
More villaine thou. Well push him out of dores
1196: And let my officers of such a nature
1197: Make an extent vpon his house and Lands:
1198: Do this expediently, and turne him going. [ Exeunt]
Scene ii
1199: Scena Secunda.
1200: [ Enter Orlando.]
1201:
Orl.
Hang there my verse, in witnesse of my loue,
1202: And thou thrice crowned Queene of night suruey
1203: With thy chaste eye, from thy pale spheare aboue
1204: Thy Huntresse name, that my full life doth sway.
1205: O Rosalind, these Trees shall be my Bookes,
1206: And in their barkes my thoughts Ile charracter,
1207: That euerie eye, which in this Forrest lookes,
1208: Shall see thy vertue witnest euery where.
1209: Run, run Orlando, carue on euery Tree,
1210: The faire, the chaste, and vnexpressiue shee. [ Exit]
1211: [ Enter Corin & Clowne.]
1212:
Co.
And how like you this shepherds life Mr Touchstone?
1213:
Clow.
Truely Shepheard, in respect of it selfe, it is a
1214: good life; but in respect that it is a shepheards life, it is
1215: naught. In respect that it is solitary, I like it verie well:
1216: but in respect that it is priuate, it is a very vild life. Now
1217: in respect it is in the fields, it pleaseth mee well: but in
1218: respect it is not in the Court, it is tedious. As it is a spare
1219: life (looke you) it fits my humor well: but as there is no
1220: more plentie in it, it goes much against my stomacke.
1221: Has't any Philosophie in thee shepheard?
1222:
Cor.
No more, but that I know the more one sickens,
1223: the worse at ease he is: and that hee that wants money,
1224: meanes, and content, is without three good frends. That
1225: the propertie of raine is to wet, and fire to burne: That
1226: good pasture makes fat sheepe: and that a great cause of
1227: the night, is lacke of the Sunne: That hee that hath lear-ned
1228: no wit by Nature, nor Art, may complaine of good
1229: breeding, or comes of a very dull kindred.
1230:
Clo.
Such a one is a naturall Philosopher:
1231: Was't euer in Court, Shepheard?
1232:
Cor.
No truly.
1233:
Clo.
Then thou art damn'd.
1234:
Cor.
Nay, I hope.
1235:
Clo.
Truly thou art damn'd, like an ill roasted Egge,
1236: all on one side.
1237:
Cor.
For not being at Court? your reason.
1238:
Clo.
Why, if thou neuer was't at Court, thou neuer
1239: saw'st good manners: if thou neuer saw'st good maners,
1240: then thy manners must be wicked, and wickednes is sin,
1241: and sinne is damnation: Thou art in a parlous state shep-heard.
1242: _
1243:
Cor.
Not a whit Touchstone, those that are good ma-ners
1244: at the Court, are as ridiculous in the Countrey, as
1245: the behauiour of the Countrie is most mockeable at the
1246: Court. You told me, you salute not at the Court, but
1247: you kisse your hands; that courtesie would be vncleanlie
1248: if Courtiers were shepheards.
1249:
Clo.
Instance, briefly: come, instance.
1250:
Cor.
Why we are still handling our Ewes, and their
1251: Fels you know are greasie.
1252:
Clo.
Why do not your Courtiers hands sweate? and
1253: is not the grease of a Mutton, as wholesome as the sweat
1254: of a man? Shallow, shallow: A better instance I say:
1255: Come.
1256:
Cor.
Besides, our hands are hard.
1257:
Clo.
Your lips wil feele them the sooner. Shallow a-gen:
1258: a more sounder instance, come.
1259:
Cor.
And they are often tarr'd ouer, with the surgery
1260: of our sheepe: and would you haue vs kisse Tarre? The
1261: Courtiers hands are perfum'd with Ciuet.
1262:
Clo.
Most shallow man: Thou wormes meate in re-spect
1263: of a good peece of flesh indeed: learne of the wise
1264: and perpend: Ciuet is of a baser birth then Tarre, the
1265: verie vncleanly fluxe of a Cat. Mend the instance Shep-heard.
1266: _
1267:
Cor.
You haue too Courtly a wit, for me, Ile rest.
1268:
Clo.
Wilt thou rest damn'd? God helpe thee shallow
1269: man: God make incision in thee, thou art raw.
1270:
Cor.
Sir, I am a true Labourer, I earne that I eate: get
1271: that I weare; owe no man hate, enuie no mans happi-nesse:
1272: glad of other mens good content with my harme:
1273: and the greatest of my pride, is to see my Ewes graze, &
1274: my Lambes sucke.
1275:
Clo.
That is another simple sinne in you, to bring the
1276: Ewes and the Rammes together, and to offer to get your
1277: liuing, by the copulation of Cattle, to be bawd to a Bel-weather,
1278: and to betray a shee-Lambe of a tweluemonth
1279: to a crooked-pated olde Cuckoldly Ramme, out of all
1280: reasonable match. If thou bee'st not damn'd for this, the
1281: diuell himselfe will haue no shepherds, I cannot see else
1282: how thou shouldst scape.
1283:
Cor.
Heere comes yong Mr Ganimed, my new Mistris-ses
1284: Brother.
1285: [ Enter Rosalind.]
1286:
Ros.
From the east to westerne Inde,
1287: no iewel is like Rosalinde,
1288: Hir worth being mounted on the winde,
1289: through all the world beares Rosalinde.
1290: All the pictures fairest Linde,
1291: are but blacke to Rosalinde:
1292: Let no face bee kept in mind,
1293: but the faire of Rosalinde.
1294:
Clo.
Ile rime you so, eight yeares together; dinners,
1295: and suppers, and sleeping hours excepted: it is the right
1296: Butter-womens ranke to Market.
1297:
Ros.
Out Foole.
1298:
Clo.
For a taste.
1299: If a Hart doe lacke a Hinde,
1300: Let him seeke out Rosalinde:
1301: If the Cat will after kinde,
1302: so be sure will Rosalinde:
1303: Wintred garments must be linde,
1304: so must slender Rosalinde:
1305: They that reap must sheafe and binde,
1306: then to cart with Rosalinde.
1307: Sweetest nut, hath sowrest rinde,
1308: such a nut is Rosalinde.
1309: He that sweetest rose will finde,
1310: must finde Loues pricke, & Rosalinde.
1311: This is the verie false gallop of Verses, why doe you in-fect
1312: your selfe with them?
1313:
Ros.
Peace you dull foole, I found them on a tree.
1314:
Clo.
Truely the tree yeelds bad fruite.
1315:
Ros.
Ile graffe it with you, and then I shall graffe it
1316: with a Medler: then it will be the earliest fruit i'th coun-try:
1317: for you'l be rotten ere you bee halfe ripe, and that's
1318: the right vertue of the Medler.
1319:
Clo.
You haue said: but whether wisely or no, let the
1320: Forrest iudge.
1321: [ Enter Celia with a writing.]
1322:
Ros.
Peace, here comes my sister reading, stand aside.
1323:
Cel.
Why should this Desert bee,
1324: for it is vnpeopled? Noe:
1325: Tonges Ile hang on euerie tree,
1326: that shall ciuill sayings shoe.
1327: Some, how briefe the Life of man
1328: runs his erring pilgrimage,
1329: That the stretching of a span,
1330: buckles in his summe of age.
1331: Some of violated vowes,
1332: twixt the soules of friend, and friend:
1333: But vpon the fairest bowes,
1334: or at euerie sentence end;
1335: Will I Rosalinda write,
1336: teaching all that reade, to know
1337: The quintessence of euerie sprite,
1338: heauen would in little show.
1339: Therefore heauen Nature charg'd,
1340: that one bodie should be fill'd
1341: With all Graces wide enlarg'd,
1342: nature presently distill'd
1343: Helens cheeke, but not his heart,
1344: Cleopatra's Maiestie:
1345: Attalanta's better part,
1346: sad Lucrecia's Modestie.
1347: Thus Rosalinde of manie parts,
1348: by Heauenly Synode was deuis'd,
1349: Of manie faces, eyes, and hearts,
1350: to haue the touches deerest pris'd.
1351: Heauen would that shee these gifts should haue,
1352: and I to liue and die her slaue.
1353:
Ros.
O most gentle Iupiter, what tedious homilie of
1354: Loue haue you wearied your parishioners withall, and
1355: neuer cri'de, haue patience good people.
1356:
Cel.
How now backe friends: Shepheard, go off a lit-tle:
1357: go with him sirrah.
1358:
Clo.
Come Shepheard, let vs make an honorable re-treit,
1359: though not with bagge and baggage, yet with
1360: scrip and scrippage. [ Exit.]
1361:
Cel.
Didst thou heare these verses?
1362:
Ros.
O yes, I heard them all, and more too, for some
1363: of them had in them more feete then the Verses would
1364: beare.
1365:
Cel.
That's no matter: the feet might beare y verses.
1366:
Ros.
I, but the feet were lame, and could not beare
1367: themselues without the verse, and therefore stood lame-ly
1368: in the verse.
1369:
Cel.
But didst thou heare without wondering, how
1370: thy name should be hang'd and carued vpon these trees?
1371:
Ros.
I was seuen of the nine daies out of the wonder,
1372: before you came: for looke heere what I found on a
1373: Palme tree; I was neuer so berim'd since Pythagoras time
1374: that I was an Irish Rat, which I can hardly remember.
1375:
Cel.
Tro you, who hath done this?
1376:
Ros.
Is it a man?
1377:
Cel.
And a chaine that you once wore about his neck:
1378: change you colour?
1379:
Ros.
I pre'thee who?
1380:
Cel.
O Lord, Lord, it is a hard matter for friends to
1381: meete; but Mountaines may bee remoou'd with Earth-quakes,
1382: and so encounter.
1383:
Ros.
Nay, but who is it?
1384:
Cel.
Is it possible?
1385:
Ros.
Nay, I pre'thee now, with most petitionary ve-hemence,
1386: tell me who it is.
1387:
Cel.
O wonderfull, wonderfull, and most wonderfull
1388: wonderfull, and yet againe wonderful, and after that out
1389: of all hooping.
1390:
Ros.
Good my complection, dost thou think though
1391: I am caparison'd like a man, I haue a doublet and hose in
1392: my disposition? One inch of delay more, is a South-sea
1393: of discouerie. I pre'thee tell me, who is it quickely, and
1394: speake apace: I would thou couldst stammer, that thou
1395: might'st powre this conceal'd man out of thy mouth, as
1396: Wine comes out of a narrow-mouth'd bottle: either too
1397: much at once, or none at all. I pre'thee take the Corke
1398: out of thy mouth, that I may drinke thy tydings.
1399:
Cel.
So you may put a man in your belly.
1400:
Ros.
Is he of Gods making? What manner of man?
1401: Is his head worth a hat? Or his chin worth a beard?
1402:
Cel.
Nay, he hath but a little beard.
1403:
Ros.
Why God will send more, if the man will bee
1404: thankful: let me stay the growth of his beard, if thou
1405: delay me not the knowledge of his chin.
1406:
Cel.
It is yong Orlando, that tript vp the Wrastlers
1407: heeles, and your heart, both in an instant.
1408:
Ros.
Nay, but the diuell take mocking: speake sadde
1409: brow, and true maid.
1410:
Cel.
I'faith (Coz) tis he.
1411:
Ros.
Orlando?
1412:
Cel.
Orlando.
1413:
Ros.
Alas the day, what shall I do with my doublet &
1414: hose? What did he when thou saw'st him? What sayde
1415: he? How look'd he? Wherein went he? What makes hee
1416: heere? Did he aske for me? Where remaines he? How
1417: parted he with thee? And when shalt thou see him a-gaine?
1418: Answer me in one word.
1419:
Cel.
You must borrow me Gargantuas mouth first:
1420: 'tis a Word too great for any mouth of this Ages size, to
1421: say I and no, to these particulars, is more then to answer
1422: in a Catechisme.
1423:
Ros.
But doth he know that I am in this Forrest, and
1424: in mans apparrell? Looks he as freshly, as he did the day
1425: he Wrastled?
1426:
Cel.
It is as easie to count Atomies as to resolue the
1427: propositions of a Louer: but take a taste of my finding
1428: him, and rellish it with good obseruance. I found him
1429: vnder a tree like a drop'd Acorne.
1430:
Ros.
It may wel be cal'd Ioues tree, when it droppes
1431: forth fruite.
1432:
Cel.
Giue me audience, good Madam.
1433:
Ros.
Proceed.
1434:
Cel.
There lay hee stretch'd along like a Wounded
1435: knight.
1436:
Ros.
Though it be pittie to see such a sight, it well
1437: becomes the ground.
1438:
Cel.
Cry holla, to the tongue, I prethee: it curuettes
1439: vnseasonably. He was furnish'd like a Hunter.
1440:
Ros.
O ominous, he comes to kill my Hart.
1441:
Cel.
I would sing my song without a burthen, thou
1442: bring'st me out of tune.
1443:
Ros.
Do you not know I am a woman, when I thinke,
1444: I must speake: sweet, say on.
1445: [ Enter Orlando & Iaques.]
1446:
Cel.
You bring me out. Soft, comes he not heere?
1447:
Ros.
'Tis he, slinke by, and note him.
1448:
Iaq.
I thanke you for your company, but good faith
1449: I had as liefe haue beene my selfe alone.
1450:
Orl.
And so had I: but yet for fashion sake
1451: I thanke you too, for your societie.
1452:
Iaq.
God buy you, let's meet as little as we can.
1453:
Orl.
I do desire we may be better strangers.
1454:
Iaq.
I pray you marre no more trees with Writing
1455: Loue-songs in their barkes.
1456:
Orl.
I pray you marre no moe of my verses with rea-ding
1457: them ill-fauouredly.
1458:
Iaq.
Rosalinde is your loues name?
Orl.
Yes, Iust.
1459:
Iaq.
I do not like her name.
1460:
Orl.
There was no thought of pleasing you when she
1461: was christen'd.
1462:
Iaq.
What stature is she of?
1463:
Orl.
Iust as high as my heart.
1464:
Iaq.
You are ful of prety answers: haue you not bin ac-quainted
1465: with goldsmiths wiues, & cond the[m] out of rings
1466:
Orl.
Not so: but I answer you right painted cloath,
1467: from whence you haue studied your questions.
1468:
Iaq.
You haue a nimble wit; I thinke 'twas made of
1469: Attalanta's heeles. Will you sitte downe with me, and
1470: wee two, will raile against our Mistris the world, and all
1471: our miserie.
1472:
Orl.
I wil chide no breather in the world but my selfe
1473: against whom I know most faults.
1474:
Iaq.
The worst fault you haue, is to be in loue.
1475:
Orl.
'Tis a fault I will not change, for your best ver-tue:
1476: I am wearie of you.
1477:
Iaq.
By my troth, I was seeking for a Foole, when I
1478: found you.
1479:
Orl.
He is drown'd in the brooke, looke but in, and
1480: you shall see him.
1481:
Iaq.
There I shal see mine owne figure.
1482:
Orl.
Which I take to be either a foole, or a Cipher.
1483:
Iaq.
Ile tarrie no longer with you, farewell good sig-nior
1484: Loue.
1485:
Orl.
I am glad of your departure: Adieu good Mon-sieur
1486: Melancholly.
1487:
Ros.
I wil speake to him like a sawcie Lacky, and vn-der
1488: that habit play the knaue with him, do you hear Forrester.
1489:
Orl.
Verie wel, what would you?
1490:
Ros.
I pray you, what i'st a clocke?
1491:
Orl.
You should aske me what time o' day: there's no
1492: clocke in the Forrest.
1493:
Ros.
Then there is no true Louer in the Forrest, else
1494: sighing euerie minute, and groaning euerie houre wold
1495: detect the lazie foot of time, as wel as a clocke.
1496:
Orl.
And why not the swift foote of time? Had not
1497: that bin as proper?
1498:
Ros.
By no meanes sir; Time trauels in diuers paces,
1499: with diuers persons: Ile tel you who Time ambles with-all,
1500: who Time trots withal, who Time gallops withal,
1501: and who he stands stil withall.
1502:
Orl.
I prethee, who doth he trot withal?
1503:
Ros.
Marry he trots hard with a yong maid, between
1504: the contract of her marriage, and the day it is solemnizd:
1505: if the interim be but a sennight, Times pace is so hard,
1506: that it seemes the length of seuen yeare.
1507:
Orl.
Who ambles Time withal?
1508:
Ros.
With a Priest that lacks Latine, and a rich man
1509: that hath not the Gowt: for the one sleepes easily be-cause
1510: he cannot study, and the other liues merrily, be-cause
1511: he feeles no paine: the one lacking the burthen of
1512: leane and wasteful Learning; the other knowing no bur-then
1513: of heauie tedious penurie. These Time ambles
1514: withal.
1515:
Orl.
Who doth he gallop withal?
1516:
Ros.
With a theefe to the gallowes: for though hee
1517: go as softly as foot can fall, he thinkes himselfe too soon
1518: there.
1519:
Orl.
Who staies it stil withal?
1520:
Ros.
With Lawiers in the vacation: for they sleepe
1521: betweene Terme and Terme, and then they perceiue not
1522: how time moues.
1523:
Orl.
Where dwel you prettie youth?
1524:
Ros.
With this Shepheardesse my sister: heere in the
1525: skirts of the Forrest, like fringe vpon a petticoat.
1526:
Orl.
Are you natiue of this place?
1527:
Ros.
As the Conie that you see dwell where shee is
1528: kindled.
1529:
Orl.
Your accent is something finer, then you could
1530: purchase in so remoued a dwelling.
1531:
Ros.
I haue bin told so of many: but indeed, an olde
1532: religious Vnckle of mine taught me to speake, who was
1533: in his youth an inland man, one that knew Courtship too
1534: well: for there he fel in loue. I haue heard him read ma-ny
1535: Lectors against it, and I thanke God, I am not a Wo-man
1536: to be touch'd with so many giddie offences as hee
1537: hath generally tax'd their whole sex withal.
1538:
Orl.
Can you remember any of the principall euils,
1539: that he laid to the charge of women?
1540:
Ros.
There were none principal, they were all like
1541: one another, as halfepence are, euerie one fault seeming
1542: monstrous, til his fellow-fault came to match it.
1543:
Orl.
I prethee recount some of them.
1544:
Ros.
No: I wil not cast away my physick, but on those
1545: that are sicke. There is a man haunts the Forrest, that a-buses
1546: our yong plants with caruing Rosalinde on their
1547: barkes; hangs Oades vpon Hauthornes, and Elegies on
1548: brambles; all (forsooth) defying the name of Rosalinde.
1549: If I could meet that Fancie-monger, I would giue him
1550: some good counsel, for he seemes to haue the Quotidian
1551: of Loue vpon him.
1552:
Orl.
I am he that is so Loue-shak'd, I pray you tel
1553: me your remedie.
1554:
Ros.
There is none of my Vnckles markes vpon you:
1555: he taught me how to know a man in loue: in which cage
1556: of rushes, I am sure you art not prisoner.
1557:
Orl.
What were his markes?
1558:
Ros.
A leane cheeke, which you haue not: a blew eie
1559: and sunken, which you haue not: an vnquestionable spi-rit,
1560: which you haue not: a beard neglected, which you
1561: haue not: (but I pardon you for that, for simply your ha-uing
1562: in beard, is a yonger brothers reuennew) then your
1563: hose should be vngarter'd, your bonnet vnbanded, your
1564: sleeue vnbutton'd, your shoo vnti'de, and euerie thing
1565: about you, demonstrating a carelesse desolation: but you
1566: are no such man; you are rather point deuice in your ac-coustrements,
1567: as louing your selfe, then seeming the Lo-uer
1568: of any other.
1569:
Orl.
Faire youth, I would I could make thee beleeue I Loue.
1570:
Ros.
Me beleeue it? You may assoone make her that
1571: you Loue beleeue it, which I warrant she is apter to do,
1572: then to confesse she do's: that is one of the points, in the
1573: which women stil giue the lie to their consciences. But
1574: in good sooth, are you he that hangs the verses on the
1575: Trees, wherein Rosalind is so admired?
1576:
Orl.
I sweare to thee youth, by the white hand of
1577: Rosalind, I am that he, that vnfortunate he.
1578:
Ros.
But are you so much in loue, as your rimes speak?
1579:
Orl.
Neither rime nor reason can expresse how much.
1580:
Ros.
Loue is meerely a madnesse, and I tel you, de-serues
1581: as wel a darke house, and a whip, as madmen do:
1582: and the reason why they are not so punish'd and cured, is
1583: that the Lunacie is so ordinarie, that the whippers are in
1584: loue too: yet I professe curing it by counsel.
1585:
Orl.
Did you euer cure any so?
1586:
Ros.
Yes one, and in this manner. Hee was to ima-gine
1587: me his Loue, his Mistris: and I set him euerie day
1588: to woe me. At which time would I, being but a moonish
1589: youth, greeue, be effeminate, changeable, longing, and
1590: liking, proud, fantastical, apish, shallow, inconstant, ful
1591: of teares, full of smiles; for euerie passion something, and
1592: for no passion truly any thing, as boyes and women are
1593: for the most part, cattle of this colour: would now like
1594: him, now loath him: then entertaine him, then forswear
1595: him: now weepe for him, then spit at him; that I draue
1596: my Sutor from his mad humor of loue, to a liuing humor
1597: of madnes, w was to forsweare the ful stream of y world,
1598: and to liue in a nooke meerly Monastick: and thus I cur'd
1599: him, and this way wil I take vpon mee to wash your Li-uer
1600: as cleane as a sound sheepes heart, that there shal not
1601: be one spot of Loue in't.
1602:
Orl.
I would not be cured, youth.
1603:
Ros.
I would cure you, if you would but call me Rosa-lind,
1604: and come euerie day to my Coat, and woe me.
1605:
Orlan.
Now by the faith of my loue, I will; Tel me
1606: where it is.
1607:
Ros.
Go with me to it, and Ile shew it you: and by
1608: the way, you shal tell me, where in the Forrest you liue:
1609: Wil you go?
1610:
Orl.
With all my heart, good youth.
1611:
Ros.
Nay, you must call mee Rosalind: Come sister,
1612: will you go? [ Exeunt.]
Scene iii
1613: Scoena Tertia.
1614: [ Enter Clowne, Audrey, & Iaques.]
1615:
Clo.
Come apace good Audrey, I wil fetch vp your
1616: Goates, Audrey: and how Audrey am I the man yet?
1617: Doth my simple feature content you?
1618:
Aud.
Your features, Lord warrant vs: what features?
1619:
Clo.
I am heere with thee, and thy Goats, as the most
1620: capricious Poet honest Ouid was among the Gothes.
1621:
Iaq.
O knowledge ill inhabited, worse then Ioue in
1622: a thatch'd house.
1623:
Clo.
When a mans verses cannot be vnderstood, nor
1624: a mans good wit seconded with the forward childe, vn-derstanding:
1625: it strikes a man more dead then a great rec-koning
1626: in a little roome: truly, I would the Gods hadde
1627: made thee poeticall.
1628:
Aud.
I do not know what Poetical is: is it honest in
1629: deed and word: is it a true thing?
1630:
Clo.
No trulie: for the truest poetrie is the most fai-ning,
1631: and Louers are giuen to Poetrie: and what they
1632: sweare in Poetrie, may be said as Louers, they do feigne.
1633:
Aud.
Do you wish then that the Gods had made me
1634: Poeticall?
1635:
Clow.
I do truly: for thou swear'st to me thou art ho-nest:
1636: Now if thou wert a Poet, I might haue some hope
1637: thou didst feigne.
1638:
Aud.
Would you not haue me honest?
1639:
Clo.
No truly, vnlesse thou wert hard fauour'd: for
1640: honestie coupled to beautie, is to haue Honie a sawce to
1641: Sugar.
1642:
Iaq.
A materiall foole.
1643:
Aud.
Well, I am not faire, and therefore I pray the
1644: Gods make me honest.
1645:
Clo.
Truly, and to cast away honestie vppon a foule
1646: slut, were to put good meate into an vncleane dish.
1647:
Aud.
I am not a slut, though I thanke the Goddes I
1648: am foule.
1649:
Clo.
Well, praised be the Gods, for thy foulnesse; slut-tishnesse
1650: may come heereafter. But be it, as it may bee,
1651: I wil marrie thee: and to that end, I haue bin with Sir
1652: Oliuer Mar-text, the Vicar of the next village, who hath
1653: promis'd to meete me in this place of the Forrest, and to
1654: couple vs.
1655:
Iaq.
I would faine see this meeting.
1656:
Aud.
Wel, the Gods giue vs ioy.
1657:
Clo.
Amen. A man may if he were of a fearful heart,
1658: stagger in this attempt: for heere wee haue no Temple
1659: but the wood, no assembly but horne-beasts. But what
1660: though? Courage. As hornes are odious, they are neces-sarie.
1661: It is said, many a man knowes no end of his goods;
1662: right: Many a man has good Hornes, and knows no end
1663: of them. Well, that is the dowrie of his wife, 'tis none
1664: of his owne getting; hornes, euen so poore men alone:
1665: No, no, the noblest Deere hath them as huge as the Ras-call:
1666: Is the single man therefore blessed? No, as a wall'd
1667: Towne is more worthier then a village, so is the fore-head
1668: of a married man, more honourable then the bare
1669: brow of a Batcheller: and by how much defence is bet-ter
1670: then no skill, by so much is a horne more precious
1671: then to want.
1672: [ Enter Sir Oliuer Mar-text.]
1673: Heere comes Sir Oliuer: Sir Oliuer Mar-text you are
1674: wel met. Will you dispatch vs heere vnder this tree, or
1675: shal we go with you to your Chappell?
1676:
Ol.
Is there none heere to giue the woman?
1677:
Clo.
I wil not take her on guift of any man.
1678:
Ol.
Truly she must be giuen, or the marriage is not
1679: lawfull.
1680:
Iaq.
Proceed, proceede: Ile giue her.
1681:
Clo.
Good euen good Mr what ye cal't: how do you
1682: Sir, you are verie well met: goddild you for your last
1683: companie, I am verie glad to see you, euen a toy in hand
1684: heere Sir: Nay, pray be couer'd.
1685:
Iaq.
Wil you be married, Motley?
1686:
Clo.
As the Oxe hath his bow sir, the horse his curb,
1687: and the Falcon her bels, so man hath his desires, and as
1688: Pigeons bill, so wedlocke would be nibling.
1689:
Iaq.
And wil you (being a man of your breeding) be
1690: married vnder a bush like a begger? Get you to church,
1691: and haue a good Priest that can tel you what marriage is,
1692: this fellow wil but ioyne you together, as they ioyne
1693: Wainscot, then one of you wil proue a shrunke pannell,
1694: and like greene timber, warpe, warpe.
1695:
Clo.
I am not in the minde, but I were better to bee
1696: married of him then of another, for he is not like to mar-rie
1697: me wel: and not being wel married, it wil be a good
1698: excuse for me heereafter, to leaue my wife.
1699:
Iaq.
Goe thou with mee,
1700: And let me counsel thee.
1701:
Ol.
Come sweete Audrey,
1702: We must be married, or we must liue in baudrey:
1703: Farewel good Mr Oliuer: Not O sweet Oliuer, O braue
1704: Oliuer leaue me not behind thee: But winde away, bee
1705: gone I say, I wil not to wedding with thee.
1706:
Ol.
'Tis no matter; Ne're a fantastical knaue of them
1707: all shal flout me out of my calling. [ Exeunt]
Scene iv
1708: Scoena Quarta.
1709: [ Enter Rosalind & Celia.]
1710:
Ros.
Neuer talke to me, I wil weepe.
1711:
Cel.
Do I prethee, but yet haue the grace to consider,
1712: that teares do not become a man.
1713:
Ros.
But haue I not cause to weepe?
1714:
Cel.
As good cause as one would desire,
1715: Therefore weepe.
1716:
Ros.
His very haire
1717: Is of the dissembling colour.
1718:
Cel.
Something browner then Iudasses:
1719: Marrie his kisses are Iudasses owne children.
1720:
Ros.
I'faith his haire is of a good colour.
1721:
Cel.
An excellent colour:
1722: Your Chessenut was euer the onely colour:
1723:
Ros.
And his kissing is as ful of sanctitie,
1724: As the touch of holy bread.
1725:
Cel.
Hee hath bought a paire of cast lips of Diana: a
1726: Nun of winters sisterhood kisses not more religiouslie,
1727: the very yce of chastity is in them.
1728:
Rosa.
But why did hee sweare hee would come this
1729: morning, and comes not?
1730:
Cel.
Nay certainly there is no truth in him.
1731:
Ros.
Doe you thinke so?
1732:
Cel.
Yes, I thinke he is not a picke purse, nor a horse-stealer,
1733: but for his verity in loue, I doe thinke him as
1734: concaue as a couered goblet, or a Worme-eaten nut.
1735:
Ros.
Not true in loue?
1736:
Cel.
Yes, when he is in, but I thinke he is not in.
1737:
Ros.
You haue heard him sweare downright he was.
1738:
Cel.
Was, is not is: besides, the oath of Louer is no
1739: stronger then the word of a Tapster, they are both the
1740: confirmer of false reckonings, he attends here in the for-rest
1741: on the Duke your father.
1742:
Ros.
I met the Duke yesterday, and had much que-stion
1743: with him: he askt me of what parentage I was; I
1744: told him of as good as he, so he laugh'd and let mee goe.
1745: But what talke wee of Fathers, when there is such a man
1746: as Orlando?
1747:
Cel.
O that's a braue man, hee writes braue verses,
1748: speakes braue words, sweares braue oathes, and breakes
1749: them brauely, quite trauers athwart the heart of his lo-uer,
1750: as a puisny Tilter, y spurs his horse but on one side,
1751: breakes his staffe like a noble goose; but all's braue that
1752: youth mounts, and folly guides: who comes heere?
1753: [ Enter Corin.]
1754:
Corin.
Mistresse and Master, you haue oft enquired
1755: After the Shepheard that complain'd of loue,
1756: Who you saw sitting by me on the Turph,
1757: Praising the proud disdainfull Shepherdesse
1758: That was his Mistresse.
1759:
Cel.
Well: and what of him?
1760:
Cor.
If you will see a pageant truely plaid
1761: Betweene the pale complexion of true Loue,
1762: And the red glowe of scorne and prowd disdaine,
1763: Goe hence a little, and I shall conduct you
1764: If you will marke it.
1765:
Ros.
O come, let vs remoue,
1766: The sight of Louers feedeth those in loue:
1767: Bring vs to this sight, and you shall say
1768: Ile proue a busie actor in their play. [ Exeunt.]
Scene v
1769: Scena Quinta.
1770: [ Enter Siluius and Phebe.]
1771:
Sil.
Sweet Phebe doe not scorne me, do not Phebe
1772: Say that you loue me not, but say not so
1773: In bitternesse; the common executioner
1774: Whose heart th' accustom'd sight of death makes hard
1775: Falls not the axe vpon the humbled neck,
1776: But first begs pardon: will you sterner be
1777: Then he that dies and liues by bloody drops?
1778: [ Enter Rosalind, Celia, and Corin.]
1779:
Phe.
I would not be thy executioner,
1780: I flye thee, for I would not iniure thee:
1781: Thou tellst me there is murder in mine eye,
1782: 'Tis pretty sure, and very probable,
1783: That eyes that are the frailst, and softest things,
1784: Who shut their coward gates on atomyes,
1785: Should be called tyrants, butchers, murtherers.
1786: Now I doe frowne on thee with all my heart,
1787: And if mine eyes can wound, now let them kill thee:
1788: Now counterfeit to swound, why now fall downe,
1789: Or if thou canst not, oh for shame, for shame,
1790: Lye not, to say mine eyes are murtherers:
1791: Now shew the wound mine eye hath made in thee,
1792: Scratch thee but with a pin, and there remaines
1793: Some scarre of it: Leane vpon a rush
1794: The Cicatrice and capable impressure
1795: Thy palme some moment keepes: but now mine eyes
1796: Which I haue darted at thee, hurt thee not,
1797: Nor I am sure there is no force in eyes
1798: That can doe hurt.
1799:
Sil.
O deere Phebe,
1800: If euer (as that euer may be neere)
1801: You meet in some fresh cheeke the power of fancie,
1802: Then shall you know the wounds inuisible
1803: That Loues keene arrows make.
1804:
Phe.
But till that time
1805: Come not thou neere me: and when that time comes,
1806: Afflict me with thy mockes, pitty me not,
1807: As till that time I shall not pitty thee.
1808:
Ros.
And why I pray you? who might be your mother
1809: That you insult, exult, and all at once
1810: Ouer the wretched? what though you haue no beauty
1811: As by my faith, I see no more in you
1812: Then without Candle may goe darke to bed:
1813: Must you be therefore prowd and pittilesse?
1814: Why what meanes this? why do you looke on me?
1815: I see no more in you then in the ordinary
1816: Of Natures sale-worke? 'ods my little life,
1817: I thinke she meanes to tangle my eies too:
1818: No faith proud Mistresse, hope not after it,
1819: 'Tis not your inkie browes, your blacke silke haire,
1820: Your bugle eye-balls, nor your cheeke of creame
1821: That can entame my spirits to your worship:
1822: You foolish Shepheard, wherefore do you follow her
1823: Like foggy South, puffing with winde and raine,
1824: You are a thousand times a properer man
1825: Then she a woman. 'Tis such fooles as you
1826: That makes the world full of ill-fauourd children:
1827: 'Tis not her glasse, but you that flatters her,
1828: And out of you she sees her selfe more proper
1829: Then any of her lineaments can show her:
1830: But Mistris, know your selfe, downe on your knees
1831: And thanke heauen, fasting, for a good mans loue;
1832: For I must tell you friendly in your eare,
1833: Sell when you can, you are not for all markets:
1834: Cry the man mercy, loue him, take his offer,
1835: Foule is most foule, being foule to be a scoffer.
1836: So take her to thee Shepheard, fareyouwell.
1837:
Phe.
Sweet youth, I pray you chide a yere together,
1838: I had rather here you chide, then this man wooe.
1839:
Ros.
Hees falne in loue with your foulnesse, & shee'll
1840: Fall in loue with my anger. If it be so, as fast
1841: As she answeres thee with frowning lookes, ile sauce
1842: Her with bitter words: why looke you so vpon me?
1843:
Phe.
For no ill will I beare you.
1844:
Ros.
I pray you do not fall in loue with mee,
1845: For I am falser then vowes made in wine:
1846: Besides, I like you not: if you will know my house,
1847: 'Tis at the tufft of Oliues, here hard by:
1848: Will you goe Sister? Shepheard ply her hard:
1849: Come Sister: Shepheardesse, looke on him better
1850: And be not proud, though all the world could see,
1851: None could be so abus'd in sight as hee.
1852: Come, to our flocke, [ Exit.]
1853:
Phe.
Dead Shepheard, now I find thy saw of might,
1854: Who euer lov'd, that lou'd not at first sight?
1855:
Sil.
Sweet Phebe.
1856:
Phe.
Hah: what saist thou Siluius?
1857:
Sil.
Sweet Phebe pitty me.
1858:
Phe.
Why I am sorry for thee gentle Siluius.
1859:
Sil.
Where euer sorrow is, reliefe would be:
1860: If you doe sorrow at my griefe in loue,
1861: By giuing loue your sorrow, and my griefe
1862: Were both extermin'd.
1863:
Phe.
Thou hast my loue, is not that neighbourly?
1864:
Sil.
I would haue you.
1865:
Phe.
Why that were couetousnesse:
1866: Siluius; the time was, that I hated thee;
1867: And yet it is not, that I beare thee loue,
1868: But since that thou canst talke of loue so well,
1869: Thy company, which erst was irkesome to me
1870: I will endure; and Ile employ thee too:
1871: But doe not looke for further recompence
1872: Then thine owne gladnesse, that thou art employd.
1873:
Sil.
So holy, and so perfect is my loue,
1874: And I in such a pouerty of grace,
1875: That I shall thinke it a most plenteous crop
1876: To gleane the broken eares after the man
1877: That the maine haruest reapes: loose now and then
1878: A scattred smile, and that Ile liue vpon.
1879:
Phe.
Knowst thou the youth that spoke to mee yerewhile?
1880:
Sil.
Not very well, but I haue met him oft,
1881: And he hath bought the Cottage and the bounds
1882: That the old Carlot once was Master of.
1883:
Phe.
Thinke not I loue him, though I ask for him,
1884: 'Tis but a peeuish boy, yet he talkes well,
1885: But what care I for words? yet words do well
1886: When he that speakes them pleases those that heare:
1887: It is a pretty youth, not very prettie,
1888: But sure hee's proud, and yet his pride becomes him;
1889: Hee'll make a proper man: the best thing in him
1890: Is his complexion: and faster then his tongue
1891: Did make offence, his eye did heale it vp:
1892: He is not very tall, yet for his yeeres hee's tall:
1893: His leg is but so so, and yet 'tis well:
1894: There was a pretty rednesse in his lip,
1895: A little riper, and more lustie red
1896: Then that mixt in his cheeke: 'twas iust the difference
1897: Betwixt the constant red, and mingled Damaske.
1898: There be some women Siluius, had they markt him
1899: In parcells as I did, would haue gone neere
1900: To fall in loue with him: but for my part
1901: I loue him not, nor hate him not: and yet
1902: Haue more cause to hate him then to loue him,
1903: For what had he to doe to chide at me?
1904: He said mine eyes were black, and my haire blacke,
1905: And now I am remembred, scorn'd at me:
1906: I maruell why I answer'd not againe,
1907: But that's all one: omittance is no quittance:
1908: Ile write to him a very tanting Letter,
1909: And thou shalt beare it, wilt thou Siluius?
1910:
Sil.
Phebe, with all my heart.
1911:
Phe.
Ile write it strait:
1912: The matter's in my head, and in my heart,
1913: I will be bitter with him, and passing short;
1914: Goe with me Siluius. [ Exeunt.]