Ros. I thought thy heart had been wounded with the claws of a lion. Orl. Wounded it is, but with the eyes of a lady. Ros. Did your brother tell you how I counterfeited to swoon, when he showed me your handkerchief? Orl. Ay, and greater wonders than that. Ros. O, I know where you are.-Nay, 'tis true: there was never any thing 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. Orl. They shall be married to-morrow; and I will bid the duke to the nuptials. But, O, how bitter a thing it is to look into happiness through another man's eyes! By so much the more shall I to-morrow be at the height of heart-heaviness, by how much I shall think my brother happy, in having what he wishes for. Ros. Why then, to-morrow I cannot serve your turn for Rosalind? Orl. I can live no longer by thinking. Ros. I will weary you no longer then with idle talking. Know of me then (for 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 labour 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 years 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 straights 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 to-morrow, human as she is, and without any danger. Orl. Speakest thou in sober meanings? Ros. By my life, I do; which I 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 to-morrow you shall; and to Rosalind, if you will. Enter Silvius and Phebe. Look, here comes a lover of mine, and a lover of hers. Phe. Youth, you have done me much ungenTo show the letter that I writ to you. [tleness, Ros. I care not if I have: it is my study, To seem despiteful and ungentle to you: You are there follow'd by a faithful shepherd; Look upon him, love him; he worships you. Pne. Good shepherd, tell this youth what 'tis to love. Sil. It is to be all made of sighs and tears:— And so am 1 for Phebe. Phe. And I for Ganymede. Orl. And I for Rosalind. Ros. And I for no woman. Sil. It is to be all made of faith and service;And so am I for Phebe. Phe. And I for Ganymede. Orl. And I for Rosalind. Sil. It is to be all made of phantasy, Phe. And so am I for Ganymede. Orl. And so am I for Rosalind. Ros. And so am I for no woman. Phe. If this be so, why blame you me to love you? [to Rosalind. Sil. If this be so, why blame you me to love you? [to Phebe. Orl. If this be so, why blame you me to love you Ros. Who do you speak to? Why blame you me to love you? Orl. To her, that is not here, nor doth not hear? Ros. Pray you, no more of this: 'tis like the howling of Irish wolves against the moon.- .I will help you, [to Silvius] if I can ::-I would love you, [to Phebe] if I could.—To-morrow meet me altogether.-I will marry you [to Phebe] if ever I marry woman, and I'll be married tomorrow:-I will satisfy you, [to Orlando] if ever I satisfied man, and you shall be married to-morrow:-I will content you, [to Silvius] if what pleases you contents you, and you shall be married to-morrow. As you [to Orlando] love Rosalind, meet ;-as you [to Silvius] love Phebe, meet; and as I love no woman, I'll meet.-So fare you well; I have left you commands. Sil. I'll not fail, if I live. SCENE III. THE SAME. [exeunt. How that a life was but a flower In spring time, &c. And therefore take the present time, With a hey, and a ho, and hey nonino, Touch. Truly, young gentlemen, though there was no greater matter in the ditty, yet the note was very untuneable. 1 Page. You are deceived, sir; we kept time, we lost not our time. Touch. By my troth, yes; I count it but time lost to hear such a foolish song. God be with you, and God mend your voices! Come, Audrey. [exeunt. Enter Duke Senior, Amiens, Jaques, Orlando, Oliver, and Celia. SCENE IV. ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST. Duke S. Dost thou believe, Orlando, that the Can do all this that he hath promised? [boy Orl. I sometimes do believe, and sometimes do not; As those that fear they hope, and know they fear. Enter Rosalind, Silvius, and Phebe. Ros. Patience once more, whiles our compáct is urg'd: You say, if I bring in your Rosalind, [to the Duke. You will bestow her on Orlando here? Duke S. That would I, had I kingdoms to give with her. Ros. And you say you will have her, when I bring her? [to Orlando. Orl. That would I, were I of all kingdoms king. Ros. You say, you'll marry me, if I be willing? [to Phebe. Phe. That will I, should, I. die the hour after. Ros. But, if you do refuse to marry me, You'll give yourself to this most faithful shepherd? Phe. So is the bargain. will? Ros. You say, that you'll have Phebe, if she [to Silvius. Sil. Though to have her and death were both one thing. even. Ros. I have promis'd to make all this matter daughter;Keep you your word, O duke, to give your You yours, Orlando, to receive his daughter:Keep your word, Phebe, that you will 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. [exeunt Rosalind and Celia. Duke S. I do remember in this shepherd-boy Some lively touches of my daughter's favour. Orl. My lord, the first time that I ever saw him, Methought he was a brother to your daughter: But, my good lord, this boy is forest-born; And hath been tutor'd in the rudiments Or many desperate studies by his uncle Whom he reports to be a great magician, Obscured in the circle of this forest. Enter Touchstone and Audrey. Jaq. There is, sure, another flood toward, and these couples are coming to the ark! Here comes a pair of very strange beasts, which in all tongues are called fools. Touch. Salutation and greeting to you all! This is the motley-minded gentleman, that I have so often met in the forest: he hath been a courtier. he swears, Touch. If any man doubt that, let him put me to 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. ? Jaq. And how was that ta'en up' Touch. 'Faith, we met, and found the quarrel I was upon the seventh cause. Jaq. How seventh cause?-Good my lord, like this fellow? Duke S. I like him very well. Touch. God 'ild you, sir; I desire you of the like. I 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-favour'd thing, sir, but mine own; a poor humour 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 oister. [sententious. Duke S. By my faith, he is very swift and Touch. According to the fool's bolt, sir, and such dulcet diseases. Jaq. But, for the seventh cause; how did you find the quarrel on the seventh cause? Touch. Upon a lie seven times removed.-Bear your body more seeming, Audrey: as thus, sir. I did dislike the cut of a certain courtier's beard; he 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 this is called the quip modest. it to please himself; If again, it was not well cut, he disabled my judgement: 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. again, it was not well cut, he would say, I lie: This is called the counter check quarrelsome; and so to the lie circumstantial, and the lie direct. If Jaq. And how oft did you say, his beard was not well cut? Touch. I durst go no further than the lie circumstantial, nor he durst not give me the lie direct; and so we measured swords and parted. Jaq. Can you nominate in order now the degrees of the lie? Touch. O, sir, we quarrel in print, by the book; as 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 peace-maker; much virtue in if.. Jaq. Is not this a rare fellow, my lord? he's as good at any thing, and yet a fool. Duke S. He uses his folly like a stalking-horse, | and, under presentation of that, he shoots his wit. Enter Hymen, leading Rosalind in woman's clothes; and Celia. Still music. Hymn. Then is there mirth in heaven, Good duke, receive thy daughter, Yea, brought her hither; That thou might'st join her hand with his, Ros. To you I give myself, for I am your's. [to Duke. To you I give myself, for I am your's. [to Orlando. Duke S. If there be truth in sight, you are my daughter. [Rosalind. Orl. If there be truth in sight, you are my Phe. If sight and shape be true, Why then-my love adieu. 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 Orlando. Nor ne'er wed woman, if you be not she. [to Phebe. Hym. Peace, ho! I bar confusion: 'Tis I must make conclusion Of these most strange events: If truth holds true contents. [to Orlando and Rosalind. [to Touchstone and Audrey. As the winter to foul weather. Song. Wedding is great Juno's crown; O blessed bond of board and bed! 'Tis Hymen peoples every town: High wedlock then be honoured: Honour, high honour 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. Enter Jaques De Bois. Jaq. de B. Let me have audience for a word or two; I am the second son of old Sir Rowland, His brother here, and put him to the sword : His crown bequeathing to his banished brother; I do engage my life. Duke S. Welcome, young man ; Thou offer'st fairly to thy brother's wedding: [all, Jaq. To him will I out of these convertites There is much matter to be heard and learn'd. You to your former honour I bequeath; [to Duke S. Your patience and your virtue, well deserves it:You, to a love that your true faith doth merit :— [to Orlando. You to your land, and love, and great allies : [to Oliver. You to a long and well-deserved bed:-[to Silvius. And you to wrangling; for thy loving voyage [to Touchstone. Is but for two months victuall'd. So to your pleaI am for other than for dancing measures. [sures; Duke S. Stay, Jaques, stay. [have Jaq. To see no pastime, I :-what you would I'll stay to know at your abandon'd cave. [exit. Duke S. Proceed, proceed: we will begin these rites, Andwe do trust they'll end intrue delights. [a dance. EPILOGUE. Ros. It is not the fashion to see the lady the 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 them; and so I charge you, O men, for the love you bear to women (as I perceive, by your simpering, none of you hate 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 curt'sy, bid me farewell. [exeunt Kent. Is not this your son, my lord? Glo. His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge: I have so often blushed to acknowledge him, that now I am brazed to it. Kent. I cannot conceive you. Glo. Sir, this young fellow's mother could: whereupon she grew round-wombed; and had, indeed, sir, a son for her cradle, ere she had a husband for her bed. Do you smell a fault? Glo. I shall, my liege. [er. Glos. and Edmund. [vided, Know that we have di purpose. Cornwall, And you, our no less loving son of Albany, Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love, Kent. I cannot wish the fault undone, the Interest of territory, cares of state), issue of it being so proper. Glo. But have, sir, a son by order of law, some year elder than this, who yet is no dearer | in my account: though this knave came some- | what saucily into the world before he was sent for, yet was his mother fair; there was good sport at his making, and the whoreson must be acknowledged. Do you know this noble gentleman, Edmund? Edm. No, my lord. Which of you, shall we say, doth love us most? Gon. Sir, I [ter, Do love you more than words can wield the mat Glo. My lord of Kent: remember him here- A love, that makes breath poor, and speech unafter as my honourable friend. Beyond all manner of so much I love you. [able; Lear. Of all these bounds, even from this line With shadowy forests and with champains rich'd, Reg. I am made of that self metal as my sister, And yet not so; since, I am sure, my love's Lear. To thee, and thine, hereditary ever, [again. Lear. Nothing can come of nothing: speak Cor. Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave My heart into my mouth: I love your majesty According to my bond; nor more, nor less. Lear. How, how, Cordelia? mend your speech Lest it may mar your fortunes. [a little, lov'd me: I Cor. Good, my lord, You have begot me, bred me, Return those duties back as are right fit, Obey you, love you, and most honour you. Why have my sisters husbands, if they say, They love you, all? Haply, when I shall wed, That lord, whose hand must take my plight, shall carry Half my love with him, half my care, and duty: Sure, I shall never marry like my sisters, To love my father all. Lear. But goes this with thy heart? Lear. So young, and so untender? Lear. Let it be so. Thy truth then be thy From whom we do exist, and cease to be; Kent. Good my liege, Lear. Peace Kent! Come not between the dragon and his wrath; I lov'd her most, and thought to set my rest On her kind nursery.-Hence, and avoid my sight! [to Cordelia. So be my grave my peace, as here I give Call Burgundy.-Cornwall, and Albany, Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her. Revenue, execution of the rest, Beloved sons, be yours; which to confirm, Whom I have honour'd as my king, the shaft. Kent. Let it fall rather, though the fork invade The region of my heart: be Kent unmannerly, When Lear is mad. What would'st thou do, old man? [speak, Think'st thou, that duty shall have dread to When power to flattery bows? To plainness honour's bound, When majesty stoops to folly. Reverse thy doom: And, in thy best consideration, check [ment, This hideous rashness: answer my life my judgThy youngest daughter does not love thee least; Nor are those empty-hearted, whose low sound Reverbs no hollowness. Lear. Kent, on thy life, no more. Kent. My life I ever held but as a pawn To wage against thine enemies; nor fear to lose it, Thy safety being the motive. Lear. Out of my sight! Kent. See better, Lear; and let me still remain The true blank of thine eye. Lear. Now, by Apollo,Kent. Now, by Apollo, king, Thou swear'st thy gods in vain. Lear. O, vassal! miscreant! [laying his hand on his sword. Alb. & Corn. Dear sir, forbear. Kent. Do; Kill thy physician, and the fee bestow Lear. Hear me, recreaut! On thine allegiance, hear me ! Since thou hast sought to make us break our vow (Which we durst never yet) and, with strain'd pride To come betwixt our sentence and our power Kent. Fare thee well, king: since thus thou Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here |