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Lawn before the Duke's palace.
[Enter CELIA and ROSALIND]
CELIA
I pray thee Rosalind, sweet my coz, be merry.
ROSALIND
Dear Celia; I show more mirth than I am mistress of, and would you yet I
were merrier: Unless you could teach me to forget a banished father, you
must not learn me how to remember any extraordinary pleasure.
CELIA
Herein I see thou lovst 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
tempered, as mine is to thee.
ROSALIND
Well, I will forget the condition of my estate, to rejoice in yours.
CELIA
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 honor I
will, and when I break that oath, let me turn monster: therefore my sweet
Rose, my dear Rose, be merry.
ROSALIND
From henceforth I will coz, and devise sports: Let me see, what think you of
falling in love?
CELIA
Marry I prithee 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
mayst in honor come off again.
ROSALIND
What shall be our sport then?
CELIA
Let us sit and mock the good housewife Fortune from her wheel, that her
gifts may henceforth be bestowed equally.
ROSALIND
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.
CELIA
'Tis true, for those that she makes fair, she scarce
makes honest, and those that she makes honest, she makes very ill-favoredly.
ROSALIND
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]
CELIA
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?
ROSALIND
Indeed there is Fortune too hard for Nature, when Fortune makes Nature's
natural, the cutter-off of Nature's wit.
CELIA
Peradventure this is not Fortune's work neither, but Nature's, who
perceiveth 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 the wits. How now wit, whither wander you?
TOUCHSTONE
Mistress, you must come away to your father.
CELIA
Were you made the messenger?
TOUCHSTONE
No by mine honor, but I was bid to come for you.
ROSALIND
Where learned you that oath fool?
TOUCHSTONE
Of a certain knight, that swore by his honor they were good pancakes, and
swore by his honor 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.
CELIA
How prove you that in the great heap of your knowledge?
ROSALIND
Aye marry, now unmuzzle your wisdom.
TOUCHSTONE
Stand you both forth now: stroke your chins, and swear by your beards that I
am a knave.
CELIA
By our beards (if we had them) thou art.
TOUCHSTONE
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 honor,
for he never had any; or if he had, he had sworn it away, before ever he saw
those pancakes, or that mustard.
CELIA
Prithee, who is it that thou meanst?
TOUCHSTONE
One that old Frederick your father loves.
CELIA
My father's love is enough to honor him enough; speak no more of him, you'll
be whipped for taxation one of these days.
TOUCHSTONE
The more pity that fools may not speak wisely, what wise men do foolishly.
CELIA
By my troth thou sayest 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.
ROSALIND
With his mouth full of news.
CELIA
Which he will put on us, as pigeons feed their young.
ROSALIND
Then shall we be news-crammed.
CELIA
All the better: we shall be the more marketable. Bonjour Monsieur Le Beau,
what's the news?
LE BEAU
Fair princess, you have lost much good sport.
CELIA
Sport: of what color?
LE BEAU
What color madam? How shall I answer you?
ROSALIND
As wit and fortune will.
TOUCHSTONE
Or as the Destinies decree.
CELIA
Well said, that was laid on with a trowel.
TOUCHSTONE
Nay, if I keep not my rank.
ROSALIND
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.
ROSALIND
You 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.
CELIA
Well, the beginning that is dead and buried.
LE BEAU
There comes an old man, and his three sons.
CELIA
I could match this beginning with an old tale.
LE BEAU
Three proper young men, of excellent growth and presence.
ROSALIND
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 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 dole
over them, that all the beholders take his part with weeping.
ROSALIND
Alas.
TOUCHSTONE
But what is the sport monsieur, that the ladies have lost?
LE BEAU
Why this that I speak of.
TOUCHSTONE
Thus men may grow wiser every day. It is the first time that ever I heard
breaking of ribs was sport for ladies.
CELIA
Or I, I promise thee.
ROSALIND
But is there any else longs to see this broken music 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 the place appointed for the
wrestling, and they are ready to perform it.
CELIA
Yonder sure they are coming. Let us now stay and see it.
[Flourish. Enter DUKE FREDERICK, Lords, ORLANDO, CHARLES, and Attendants]
DUKE FREDERICK
Come on, since the youth will not be entreated
His own peril on his forwardness.
ROSALIND
Is yonder the man?
LE BEAU
Even he, madam.
CELIA
Alas, he is too young: yet he looks successfully.
DUKE FREDERICK
How now daughter, and cousin:
Are you crept hither to see the wrestling?
ROSALIND
Aye my liege, so please you give us leave.
DUKE FREDERICK
You will take little delight in it, I can tell you there is such odds in the
man: 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.
CELIA
Call him hither good Monsieur Le Beau.
DUKE FREDERICK
Do so: I'll not be by.
LE BEAU
Monsieur the challenger, the princesses call for you.
ORLANDO
I attend them with all respect and duty.
ROSALIND
Young man, have you challenged Charles the wrestler?
ORLANDO
No fair princess: he is the general challenger, I come but in as others do,
to try with him the strength of my youth.
CELIA
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.
ROSALIND
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.
ORLANDO
I beseech you, punish me not with your hard thoughts, wherein I confess me
much guilty to deny so fair and excellent ladies anything. 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 was 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.
ROSALIND
The little strength that I have, I would it were with you.
CELIA
And mine to eke out hers.
ROSALIND
Fare you well: pray heaven I be deceived in you.
CELIA
Your heart's desires be with you.
CHARLES
Come, where is this young gallant, that is so desirous to lie with his
mother earth?
ORLANDO
Ready sir, but his will hath in it a more modest working.
DUKE FREDERICK
You shall try but one fall.
CHARLES
No, I warrant your grace you shall not entreat him to a second, that have so
mightily persuaded him from a first.
ORLANDO
You mean to mock me after: you should not have mocked me before: but come
your ways.
ROSALIND
Now Hercules, be thy speed young man.
CELIA
I would I were invisible, to catch the strong fellow by the leg.
[They wrestle]
ROSALIND
Oh excellent young man.
CELIA
If I had a thunderbolt in mine eye, I can tell who should down.
[Shout. CHARLES is thrown]
DUKE FREDERICK
No more, no more.
ORLANDO
Yes I beseech your grace, I am not yet well breathed.
DUKE FREDERICK
How dost thou Charles?
LE BEAU
He cannot speak my lord.
DUKE FREDERICK
Bear him away:
What is thy name young man?
ORLANDO
Orlando my liege, the youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys.
DUKE FREDERICK
,
, ,
, ,
I would | thou hadst | been son | to some |
man^else,
,
, , ,
2 ,
The world | esteemed | thy fath|er hon|orable,
, ,
, , ,
But I | did find | him still | mine en|emy:
, ,
, , ,
Thou shouldst | have bet|ter pleased | me with |
this deed,
, ,
, ,
,
Hadst thou | descen|ded from | anoth|er house:
,
, ,
, ,
But fare | thee well,| thou art | a gal|lant
youth,
,
2 , , 2
, ,
I would | thou hadst told | me of a|nother |
father.
[Exeunt DUKE FREDERICK, train, and LE BEAU]
CELIA
,
, ,
, ,
Were I | my fath|er (coz)| would I | do this?
ORLANDO
,
, ,
, ,
I am / more proud | to be | Sir Row|land's son,
,
, 2 ,
, ,
His young|est son,| and would not | change that |
calling
,
, ,
, ,
To be | adopt|ed heir | to Fred|erick.
ROSALIND
, ,
, ,
,
My fath|er loved | Sir Row|land as | his soul,
,
, , ,
,
And all | the world | was of | my fath|er's mind,
,
, ,
T T . T
Had I | before | known this | young man his son,
,
x ,
, 2 ,
I should | have given | him tears | unto
en|treaties,
,
, ,
Ere he | should thus | have vent|ured.
CELIA
x ,
Gentle | cousin,
T . T T
, ,
,
Let us go thank | him, and | encour|age him:
,
, , 2
, , 2->
My fath|er's rough | and env|ious dis|posi||tion
,
2 , ,
, ,
Sticks | me at heart:| Sir, you | have well |
deserved,
,
, ,
, ,
If you | do keep | your prom|ises | in love;
,
, 3 3 ,
, ,
But just|ly as | you have exceed|ed all |
promise,
,
, ,
Your mist|ress shall | be hap|py.
ROSALIND
, ,
Gent|leman,
T T . T
, 2 ,
,
Wear this for me:| one out of | suits with |
fortune
. T
T T ,
2 T T T
That could give more,| but that her | hand lacks
means.
, ,
Shall we / go coz? \\
CELIA
___ ,
T T T ,
Aye:| Fare you | well fair gent|leman.
ORLANDO
, ,
, x ,
Can I | not* say,| I thank | you? My / better
parts
. T T
T ,
, ,
Are all thrown down,| and that | which here |
stands^up
, , T .
T T ,
Is but | a quin|tain, a mere life|less block.
ROSALIND
,
, ,
, 2 ,
He calls | us back:| my pride | fell with my |
fortunes,
,
, , ,
,
I'll ask | him what | he would:| Did you | call
sir?
,
, , , ,
Sir, you | have wrest|led well,| and ov|erthrown
,
, ,
More than | your en|emies.
CELIA
, ,
Will you / go coz?
ROSALIND
,
, ,
Have^with | you: Fare | you well. \\
[Exeunt ROSALIND and CELIA]
ORLANDO
,
, , ,
,
What pas|sion hangs | these weights | upon | my
tongue?
,
, 2 ,
, ,
I can|not speak | to her, yet | she urged |
conference.
,
, ,
, ,
O poor | Orland|o! thou | art ov|erthrown
,
, , , ,
Or Charles,| or some|thing weak|er mast|ers thee.
[Enter LE BEAU]
LE BEAU
,
, ,
, ,
Good sir,| I do | in friend|ship couns|el you
,
, x
, ,
To leave | this place;| Albeit | you have |
deserved
T T . T ,
, ,
High commenda|tion, true | applause, | and love;
,
, ,
, ,
Yet such | is now | the duke's | condit|ion,
, ,
, ,
,
That he | miscon|strues all / that you | have
done:
,
, 2 ,
, ,
The duke | is hum|orous, what | he is | indeed
,
, 2 ,
, ,
More suits | you to con|ceive, than | I to |
speak of.
ORLANDO
,
, ,
, ,
I thank | you sir;| and pray | you tell | me
this,
,
, ,
, ,
Which of | the two | was daught|er of | the duke,
,
, ,
That here | was at | the wrest|ling? \\
LE BEAU
, 2
, ,
, ,
Neither his | daughter,| if we | judge by |
manners,
,
, x
, ,
But yet | indeed | the lesser | is his |
daughter,
,
2 , ,
, ,
The oth|er is daught|er to | the ban|ished duke,
,
, , ,
x
And here | detained | by her | usurp|ing uncle
,
, , ,
,
To keep | his daught|er comp|any,| whose loves
,
, , 2
, ,
->
Are dear|er than | the nat|ural bond | of
sist||ers:
, 2
, ,
, ,
But | I can tell | you, that | of late | this
duke
,
, ,
, ,
Hath tane | displeas|ure 'gainst | his gent|le
niece,
,
, ,
, ,
Grounded | upon | no oth|er arg|ument,
, ,
, , 2
,
But that | the peo|ple praise | her for her |
virtues,
,
, , ,
,
And pit|y her,| for her / good fath|er's sake;
, ,
x ,
,
And on | my life | his malice |'gainst the | lady
,
2 , T
T T ,
Will sud|denly break | forth: Sir, fare | you
well,
, ,
, ,
,
Hereaft|er in | a bet|ter world | than this,
, 2 ,
, ,
,
I shall de|sire more*| love and | knowledge | of
you.
ORLANDO
,
, ,
, ,
I rest | much bound|en to | you: fare | you well.
, ,
, , 2 ,
Thus^must | I from | the smoke | into the |
smother,
,
, , 2 ,
,
From ty|rant duke,| unto a | tyrant | brother.
x
, ,
But heaven|ly Ros|alind. \\
[Exit]