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Contents

Front Matter |
ACT 1 |
ACT 2 |
ACT 3 |
ACT 4 |
ACT 5 |

From the Director of the Folger Shakespeare Library

It is hard to imagine a world without Shakespeare. Since their composition four hundred years ago, Shakespeare’s plays and poems have traveled the globe, inviting those who see and read his works to make them their own.

Readers of the New Folger Editions are part of this ongoing process of “taking up Shakespeare,” finding our own thoughts and feelings in language that strikes us as old or unusual and, for that very reason, new. We still struggle to keep up with a writer who could think a mile a minute, whose words paint pictures that shift like clouds. These expertly edited texts are presented to the public as a resource for study, artistic adaptation, and enjoyment. By making the classic texts of the New Folger Editions available in electronic form as Folger Digital Texts, we place a trusted resource in the hands of anyone who wants them.

The New Folger Editions of Shakespeare’s plays, which are the basis for the texts realized here in digital form, are special because of their origin. The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is the single greatest documentary source of Shakespeare’s works. An unparalleled collection of early modern books, manuscripts, and artwork connected to Shakespeare, the Folger’s holdings have been consulted extensively in the preparation of these texts. The Editions also reflect the expertise gained through the regular performance of Shakespeare’s works in the Folger’s Elizabethan Theater.

I want to express my deep thanks to editors Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine for creating these indispensable editions of Shakespeare’s works, which incorporate the best of textual scholarship with a richness of commentary that is both inspired and engaging. Readers who want to know more about Shakespeare and his plays can follow the paths these distinguished scholars have tread by visiting the Folger either in-person or online, where a range of physical and digital resources exists to supplement the material in these texts. I commend to you these words, and hope that they inspire.

Michael Witmore
Director, Folger Shakespeare Library

Textual Introduction
By Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine

Until now, with the release of the Folger Digital Texts, readers in search of a free online text of Shakespeare’s plays had to be content primarily with using the Moby™ Text, which reproduces a late-nineteenth century version of the plays. What is the difference? Many ordinary readers assume that there is a single text for the plays: what Shakespeare wrote. But Shakespeare’s plays were not published the way modern novels or plays are published today: as a single, authoritative text. In some cases, the plays have come down to us in multiple published versions, represented by various Quartos (Qq) and by the great collection put together by his colleagues in 1623, called the First Folio (F). There are, for example, three very different versions of Hamlet, two of King Lear, Henry V, Romeo and Juliet, and others. Editors choose which version to use as their base text, and then amend that text with words, lines or speech prefixes from the other versions that, in their judgment, make for a better or more accurate text.

Other editorial decisions involve choices about whether an unfamiliar word could be understood in light of other writings of the period or whether it should be changed; decisions about words that made it into Shakespeare’s text by accident through four hundred years of printings and misprinting; and even decisions based on cultural preference and taste. When the Moby™ Text was created, for example, it was deemed “improper” and “indecent” for Miranda to chastise Caliban for having attempted to rape her. (See The Tempest, 1.2: “Abhorred slave,/Which any print of goodness wilt not take,/Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee…”). All Shakespeare editors at the time took the speech away from her and gave it to her father, Prospero.

The editors of the Moby™ Shakespeare produced their text long before scholars fully understood the proper grounds on which to make the thousands of decisions that Shakespeare editors face. The Folger Library Shakespeare Editions, on which the Folger Digital Texts depend, make this editorial process as nearly transparent as is possible, in contrast to older texts, like the Moby™, which hide editorial interventions. The reader of the Folger Shakespeare knows where the text has been altered because editorial interventions are signaled by square brackets (for example, from Othello: “If she in chains of magic were not bound,”), half-square brackets (for example, from Henry V: “With blood and sword and fire to win your right,”), or angle brackets (for example, from Hamlet: “O farewell, honest soldier. Who hath relieved/you?”). At any point in the text, you can hover your cursor over a bracket for more information.

Because the Folger Digital Texts are edited in accord with twenty-first century knowledge about Shakespeare’s texts, the Folger here provides them to readers, scholars, teachers, actors, directors, and students, free of charge, confident of their quality as texts of the plays and pleased to be able to make this contribution to the study and enjoyment of Shakespeare.

Synopsis

In As You Like It, witty words and romance play out against the disputes of divided pairs of brothers. Orlando’s older brother, Oliver, treats him badly and refuses him his small inheritance from their father’s estate; Oliver schemes instead to have Orlando die in a wrestling match. Meanwhile, Duke Frederick has forced his older brother, Duke Senior, into exile in the Forest of Arden.

Duke Senior’s daughter, Rosalind, and Duke Frederick’s daughter, Celia, meet the victorious Orlando at the wrestling match; Orlando and Rosalind fall in love. Banished by her uncle, Rosalind assumes a male identity and leaves with Celia and their fool, Touchstone. Orlando flees Oliver’s murderous plots.

In the Forest of Arden, Rosalind, in her male disguise, forms a teasing friendship with Orlando. Oliver, searching for Orlando, reforms after Orlando saves his life. Rosalind reveals her identity, triggering several weddings, including her own with Orlando and Celia’s with Oliver. Duke Frederick restores the dukedom to Duke Senior, who leaves the forest with his followers.

Characters in the Play
Orlando, youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys
Oliver, his elder brother
Second Brother, brother to Orlando and Oliver, named Jaques
Adam, servant to Oliver and friend to Orlando
Dennis, servant to Oliver
Rosalind, daughter to Duke Senior
Celia, Rosalind’s cousin, daughter to Duke Frederick
Touchstone, a court Fool
Duke Frederick, the usurping duke
Charles, wrestler at Duke Frederick’s court
Le Beau, a courtier at Duke Frederick’s court
First Lord
Second Lord
attending Duke Frederick
Duke Senior, the exiled duke, brother to Duke Frederick
Jaques
Amiens
First Lord
Second Lord
Lords attending Duke Senior in exile
First Page
Second Page
attending Duke Senior in exile
Corin, a shepherd
Silvius, a young shepherd in love
Phoebe, a disdainful shepherdess
Audrey, a goat-keeper
William, a country youth in love with Audrey
Sir Oliver Martext, a parish priest
Hymen, god of marriage
Lords, Attendants, Musicians

ACT 1
Scene 1
Enter Orlando and Adam.
ORLANDO FTLN 0001 As I remember, Adam, it was upon this
FTLN 0002 fashion bequeathed me by will but poor a thousand
FTLN 0003 crowns, and, as thou sayst, charged my brother on
FTLN 0004 his blessing to breed me well. And there begins my
FTLN 0005 5 sadness. My brother Jaques he keeps at school, and
FTLN 0006 report speaks goldenly of his profit. For my part, he
FTLN 0007 keeps me rustically at home, or, to speak more
FTLN 0008 properly, stays me here at home unkept; for call you
FTLN 0009 that “keeping,” for a gentleman of my birth, that
FTLN 0010 10 differs not from the stalling of an ox? His horses are
FTLN 0011 bred better, for, besides that they are fair with their
FTLN 0012 feeding, they are taught their manage and, to that
FTLN 0013 end, riders dearly hired. But I, his brother, gain
FTLN 0014 nothing under him but growth, for the which his
FTLN 0015 15 animals on his dunghills are as much bound to him
FTLN 0016 as I. Besides this nothing that he so plentifully gives
FTLN 0017 me, the something that nature gave me his countenance
FTLN 0018 seems to take from me. He lets me feed with
FTLN 0019 his hinds, bars me the place of a brother, and, as
FTLN 0020 20 much as in him lies, mines my gentility with my
FTLN 0021 education. This is it, Adam, that grieves me, and the
FTLN 0022 spirit of my father, which I think is within me,
FTLN 0023 begins to mutiny against this servitude. I will no
7

9
As You Like It
ACT 1. SC. 1
FTLN 0024 longer endure it, though yet I know no wise remedy
FTLN 0025 25 how to avoid it.
Enter Oliver.
ADAM FTLN 0026 Yonder comes my master, your brother.
ORLANDO FTLN 0027 Go apart, Adam, and thou shalt hear how he
FTLN 0028 will shake me up. Adam steps aside.
OLIVER FTLN 0029 Now, sir, what make you here?
ORLANDO FTLN 0030 30 Nothing. I am not taught to make anything.
OLIVER FTLN 0031 What mar you then, sir?
ORLANDO FTLN 0032 Marry, sir, I am helping you to mar that
FTLN 0033 which God made, a poor unworthy brother of
FTLN 0034 yours, with idleness.
OLIVER FTLN 0035 35 Marry, sir, be better employed, and be naught
FTLN 0036 awhile.
ORLANDO FTLN 0037 Shall I keep your hogs and eat husks with
FTLN 0038 them? What prodigal portion have I spent that I
FTLN 0039 should come to such penury?
OLIVER FTLN 0040 40 Know you where you are, sir?
ORLANDO FTLN 0041 O, sir, very well: here in your orchard.
OLIVER FTLN 0042 Know you before whom, sir?
ORLANDO FTLN 0043 Ay, better than him I am before knows me. I
FTLN 0044 know you are my eldest brother, and in the gentle
FTLN 0045 45 condition of blood you should so know me. The
FTLN 0046 courtesy of nations allows you my better in that you
FTLN 0047 are the first-born, but the same tradition takes not
FTLN 0048 away my blood, were there twenty brothers betwixt
FTLN 0049 us. I have as much of my father in me as you, albeit I
FTLN 0050 50 confess your coming before me is nearer to his
FTLN 0051 reverence.
OLIVER , threatening Orlando FTLN 0052 What, boy!
ORLANDO , holding off Oliver by the throat FTLN 0053 Come,
FTLN 0054 come, elder brother, you are too young in this.
OLIVER FTLN 0055 55 Wilt thou lay hands on me, villain?
ORLANDO FTLN 0056 I am no villain. I am the youngest son of Sir

11
As You Like It
ACT 1. SC. 1
FTLN 0057 Rowland de Boys. He was my father, and he is
FTLN 0058 thrice a villain that says such a father begot villains.
FTLN 0059 Wert thou not my brother, I would not take this
FTLN 0060 60 hand from thy throat till this other had pulled out
FTLN 0061 thy tongue for saying so. Thou hast railed on thyself.
ADAM , coming forward FTLN 0062 Sweet masters, be patient. For
FTLN 0063 your father’s remembrance, be at accord.
OLIVER , to Orlando FTLN 0064 Let me go, I say.
ORLANDO FTLN 0065 65 I will not till I please. You shall hear me. My
FTLN 0066 father charged you in his will to give me good
FTLN 0067 education. You have trained me like a peasant,
FTLN 0068 obscuring and hiding from me all gentlemanlike
FTLN 0069 qualities. The spirit of my father grows strong in
FTLN 0070 70 me, and I will no longer endure it. Therefore allow
FTLN 0071 me such exercises as may become a gentleman, or
FTLN 0072 give me the poor allottery my father left me by
FTLN 0073 testament. With that I will go buy my fortunes.
Orlando releases Oliver.
OLIVER FTLN 0074 And what wilt thou do—beg when that is
FTLN 0075 75 spent? Well, sir, get you in. I will not long be
FTLN 0076 troubled with you. You shall have some part of your
FTLN 0077 will. I pray you leave me.
ORLANDO FTLN 0078 I will no further offend you than becomes
FTLN 0079 me for my good.
OLIVER , to Adam FTLN 0080 80 Get you with him, you old dog.
ADAM FTLN 0081 Is “old dog” my reward? Most true, I have lost
FTLN 0082 my teeth in your service. God be with my old
FTLN 0083 master. He would not have spoke such a word.
Orlando and Adam exit.
OLIVER FTLN 0084 Is it even so? Begin you to grow upon me? I
FTLN 0085 85 will physic your rankness, and yet give no thousand
FTLN 0086 crowns neither.—Holla, Dennis!
Enter Dennis.
DENNIS FTLN 0087 Calls your Worship?

13
As You Like It
ACT 1. SC. 1
OLIVER FTLN 0088 Was not Charles, the Duke’s wrestler, here to
FTLN 0089 speak with me?
DENNIS FTLN 0090 90 So please you, he is here at the door and
FTLN 0091 importunes access to you.
OLIVER FTLN 0092 Call him in. Dennis exits. ’Twill be a good
FTLN 0093 way, and tomorrow the wrestling is.
Enter Charles.
CHARLES FTLN 0094 Good morrow to your Worship.
OLIVER FTLN 0095 95 Good Monsieur Charles, what’s the new news
FTLN 0096 at the new court?
CHARLES FTLN 0097 There’s no news at the court, sir, but the old
FTLN 0098 news. That is, the old duke is banished by his
FTLN 0099 younger brother the new duke, and three or four
FTLN 0100 100 loving lords have put themselves into voluntary
FTLN 0101 exile with him, whose lands and revenues enrich
FTLN 0102 the new duke. Therefore he gives them good leave
FTLN 0103 to wander.
OLIVER FTLN 0104 Can you tell if Rosalind, the Duke’s daughter,
FTLN 0105 105 be banished with her father?
CHARLES FTLN 0106 O, no, for the Duke’s daughter her cousin so
FTLN 0107 loves her, being ever from their cradles bred together,
FTLN 0108 that she would have followed her exile or have
FTLN 0109 died to stay behind her. She is at the court and no
FTLN 0110 110 less beloved of her uncle than his own daughter,
FTLN 0111 and never two ladies loved as they do.
OLIVER FTLN 0112 Where will the old duke live?
CHARLES FTLN 0113 They say he is already in the Forest of Arden,
FTLN 0114 and a many merry men with him; and there they
FTLN 0115 115 live like the old Robin Hood of England. They say
FTLN 0116 many young gentlemen flock to him every day and
FTLN 0117 fleet the time carelessly, as they did in the golden
FTLN 0118 world.
OLIVER FTLN 0119 What, you wrestle tomorrow before the new
FTLN 0120 120 duke?

15
As You Like It
ACT 1. SC. 1
CHARLES FTLN 0121 Marry, do I, sir, and I came to acquaint you
FTLN 0122 with a matter. I am given, sir, secretly to understand
FTLN 0123 that your younger brother Orlando hath a
FTLN 0124 disposition to come in disguised against me to try a
FTLN 0125 125 fall. Tomorrow, sir, I wrestle for my credit, and he
FTLN 0126 that escapes me without some broken limb shall
FTLN 0127 acquit him well. Your brother is but young and
FTLN 0128 tender, and for your love I would be loath to foil
FTLN 0129 him, as I must for my own honor if he come in.
FTLN 0130 130 Therefore, out of my love to you, I came hither to
FTLN 0131 acquaint you withal, that either you might stay him
FTLN 0132 from his intendment, or brook such disgrace well
FTLN 0133 as he shall run into, in that it is a thing of his own
FTLN 0134 search and altogether against my will.
OLIVER FTLN 0135 135 Charles, I thank thee for thy love to me, which
FTLN 0136 thou shalt find I will most kindly requite. I had
FTLN 0137 myself notice of my brother’s purpose herein, and
FTLN 0138 have by underhand means labored to dissuade him
FTLN 0139 from it; but he is resolute. I’ll tell thee, Charles, it is
FTLN 0140 140 the stubbornest young fellow of France, full of
FTLN 0141 ambition, an envious emulator of every man’s good
FTLN 0142 parts, a secret and villainous contriver against me
FTLN 0143 his natural brother. Therefore use thy discretion. I
FTLN 0144 had as lief thou didst break his neck as his finger.
FTLN 0145 145 And thou wert best look to ’t, for if thou dost him
FTLN 0146 any slight disgrace, or if he do not mightily grace
FTLN 0147 himself on thee, he will practice against thee by
FTLN 0148 poison, entrap thee by some treacherous device,
FTLN 0149 and never leave thee till he hath ta’en thy life by
FTLN 0150 150 some indirect means or other. For I assure thee—
FTLN 0151 and almost with tears I speak it—there is not one so
FTLN 0152 young and so villainous this day living. I speak but
FTLN 0153 brotherly of him, but should I anatomize him to
FTLN 0154 thee as he is, I must blush and weep, and thou must
FTLN 0155 155 look pale and wonder.
CHARLES FTLN 0156 I am heartily glad I came hither to you. If he

17
As You Like It
ACT 1. SC. 2
FTLN 0157 come tomorrow, I’ll give him his payment. If ever
FTLN 0158 he go alone again, I’ll never wrestle for prize more.
FTLN 0159 And so God keep your Worship.
OLIVER FTLN 0160 160 Farewell, good Charles. Charles exits.
FTLN 0161 Now will I stir this gamester. I hope I shall see an
FTLN 0162 end of him, for my soul—yet I know not why—
FTLN 0163 hates nothing more than he. Yet he’s gentle, never
FTLN 0164 schooled and yet learned, full of noble device, of all
FTLN 0165 165 sorts enchantingly beloved, and indeed so much in
FTLN 0166 the heart of the world, and especially of my own
FTLN 0167 people, who best know him, that I am altogether
FTLN 0168 misprized. But it shall not be so long; this wrestler
FTLN 0169 shall clear all. Nothing remains but that I kindle the
FTLN 0170 170 boy thither, which now I’ll go about.
He exits.
Scene 2
Enter Rosalind and Celia.
CELIA FTLN 0171 I pray thee, Rosalind, sweet my coz, be merry.
ROSALIND FTLN 0172 Dear Celia, I show more mirth than I am
FTLN 0173 mistress of, and would you yet I were merrier?
FTLN 0174 Unless you could teach me to forget a banished
FTLN 0175 5 father, you must not learn me how to remember
FTLN 0176 any extraordinary pleasure.
CELIA FTLN 0177 Herein I see thou lov’st me not with the full
FTLN 0178 weight that I love thee. If my uncle, thy banished
FTLN 0179 father, had banished thy uncle, the Duke my father,
FTLN 0180 10 so thou hadst been still with me, I could have taught
FTLN 0181 my love to take thy father for mine. So wouldst thou,
FTLN 0182 if the truth of thy love to me were so righteously
FTLN 0183 tempered as mine is to thee.
ROSALIND FTLN 0184 Well, I will forget the condition of my estate
FTLN 0185 15 to rejoice in yours.

19
As You Like It
ACT 1. SC. 2
CELIA FTLN 0186 You know my father hath no child but I, nor
FTLN 0187 none is like to have; and truly, when he dies, thou
FTLN 0188 shalt be his heir, for what he hath taken away from
FTLN 0189 thy father perforce, I will render thee again in
FTLN 0190 20 affection. By mine honor I will, and when I break
FTLN 0191 that oath, let me turn monster. Therefore, my sweet
FTLN 0192 Rose, my dear Rose, be merry.
ROSALIND FTLN 0193 From henceforth I will, coz, and devise
FTLN 0194 sports. Let me see—what think you of falling in
FTLN 0195 25 love?
CELIA FTLN 0196 Marry, I prithee do, to make sport withal; but
FTLN 0197 love no man in good earnest, nor no further in
FTLN 0198 sport neither than with safety of a pure blush thou
FTLN 0199 mayst in honor come off again.
ROSALIND FTLN 0200 30 What shall be our sport, then?
CELIA FTLN 0201 Let us sit and mock the good housewife Fortune
FTLN 0202 from her wheel, that her gifts may henceforth be
FTLN 0203 bestowed equally.
ROSALIND FTLN 0204 I would we could do so, for her benefits are
FTLN 0205 35 mightily misplaced, and the bountiful blind woman
FTLN 0206 doth most mistake in her gifts to women.
CELIA FTLN 0207’Tis true, for those that she makes fair she scarce
FTLN 0208 makes honest, and those that she makes honest she
FTLN 0209 makes very ill-favoredly.
ROSALIND FTLN 0210 40 Nay, now thou goest from Fortune’s office to
FTLN 0211 Nature’s. Fortune reigns in gifts of the world, not in
FTLN 0212 the lineaments of nature.
CELIA FTLN 0213 No? When Nature hath made a fair creature,
FTLN 0214 may she not by fortune fall into the fire?
Enter Touchstone.
FTLN 0215 45 Though Nature hath given us wit to flout at Fortune,
FTLN 0216 hath not Fortune sent in this fool to cut off the
FTLN 0217 argument?

21
As You Like It
ACT 1. SC. 2
ROSALIND FTLN 0218 Indeed, there is Fortune too hard for Nature,
FTLN 0219 when Fortune makes Nature’s natural the
FTLN 0220 50 cutter-off of Nature’s wit.
CELIA FTLN 0221 Peradventure this is not Fortune’s work neither,
FTLN 0222 but Nature’s, who perceiveth our natural wits too
FTLN 0223 dull to reason of such goddesses, and hath sent
FTLN 0224 this natural for our whetstone, for always the dullness
FTLN 0225 55 of the fool is the whetstone of the wits. To
Touchstone. FTLN 0226 How now, wit, whither wander you?
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 0227 Mistress, you must come away to your
FTLN 0228 father.
CELIA FTLN 0229 Were you made the messenger?
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 0230 60 No, by mine honor, but I was bid to come
FTLN 0231 for you.
ROSALIND FTLN 0232 Where learned you that oath, fool?
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 0233 Of a certain knight that swore by his
FTLN 0234 honor they were good pancakes, and swore by his
FTLN 0235 65 honor the mustard was naught. Now, I’ll stand to it,
FTLN 0236 the pancakes were naught and the mustard was
FTLN 0237 good, and yet was not the knight forsworn.
CELIA FTLN 0238 How prove you that in the great heap of your
FTLN 0239 knowledge?
ROSALIND FTLN 0240 70 Ay, marry, now unmuzzle your wisdom.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 0241 Stand you both forth now: stroke your
FTLN 0242 chins, and swear by your beards that I am a knave.
CELIA FTLN 0243 By our beards (if we had them), thou art.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 0244 By my knavery (if I had it), then I were.
FTLN 0245 75 But if you swear by that that is not, you are not
FTLN 0246 forsworn. No more was this knight swearing by his
FTLN 0247 honor, for he never had any, or if he had, he had
FTLN 0248 sworn it away before ever he saw those pancakes or
FTLN 0249 that mustard.
CELIA FTLN 0250 80 Prithee, who is ’t that thou mean’st?
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 0251 One that old Frederick, your father, loves.
CELIA FTLN 0252 My father’s love is enough to honor him.

23
As You Like It
ACT 1. SC. 2
FTLN 0253 Enough. Speak no more of him; you’ll be whipped
FTLN 0254 for taxation one of these days.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 0255 85 The more pity that fools may not speak
FTLN 0256 wisely what wise men do foolishly.
CELIA FTLN 0257 By my troth, thou sayest true. For, since the little
FTLN 0258 wit that fools have was silenced, the little foolery
FTLN 0259 that wise men have makes a great show. Here
FTLN 0260 90 comes Monsieur Le Beau.
Enter Le Beau.
ROSALIND FTLN 0261 With his mouth full of news.
CELIA FTLN 0262 Which he will put on us as pigeons feed their
FTLN 0263 young.
ROSALIND FTLN 0264 Then shall we be news-crammed.
CELIA FTLN 0265 95 All the better. We shall be the more
FTLN 0266 marketable.—Bonjour, Monsieur Le Beau. What’s
FTLN 0267 the news?
LE BEAU FTLN 0268 Fair princess, you have lost much good sport.
CELIA FTLN 0269 Sport? Of what color?
LE BEAU FTLN 0270 100 What color, madam? How shall I answer you?
ROSALIND FTLN 0271 As wit and fortune will.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 0272 Or as the destinies decrees.
CELIA FTLN 0273 Well said. That was laid on with a trowel.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 0274 Nay, if I keep not my rank—
ROSALIND FTLN 0275 105 Thou losest thy old smell.
LE BEAU FTLN 0276 You amaze me, ladies. I would have told you of
FTLN 0277 good wrestling, which you have lost the sight of.
ROSALIND FTLN 0278 Yet tell us the manner of the wrestling.
LE BEAU FTLN 0279 I will tell you the beginning, and if it please
FTLN 0280 110 your Ladyships, you may see the end, for the best is
FTLN 0281 yet to do, and here, where you are, they are coming
FTLN 0282 to perform it.
CELIA FTLN 0283 Well, the beginning that is dead and buried.
LE BEAU FTLN 0284 There comes an old man and his three sons—
CELIA FTLN 0285 115 I could match this beginning with an old tale.

25
As You Like It
ACT 1. SC. 2
LE BEAU FTLN 0286 Three proper young men of excellent growth
FTLN 0287 and presence.
ROSALIND FTLN 0288 With bills on their necks: “Be it known unto
FTLN 0289 all men by these presents.”
LE BEAU FTLN 0290 120 The eldest of the three wrestled with Charles,
FTLN 0291 the Duke’s wrestler, which Charles in a moment
FTLN 0292 threw him and broke three of his ribs, that there is
FTLN 0293 little hope of life in him. So he served the second,
FTLN 0294 and so the third. Yonder they lie, the poor old man
FTLN 0295 125 their father making such pitiful dole over them that
FTLN 0296 all the beholders take his part with weeping.
ROSALIND FTLN 0297 Alas!
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 0298 But what is the sport, monsieur, that the
FTLN 0299 ladies have lost?
LE BEAU FTLN 0300 130 Why, this that I speak of.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 0301 Thus men may grow wiser every day. It is
FTLN 0302 the first time that ever I heard breaking of ribs was
FTLN 0303 sport for ladies.
CELIA FTLN 0304 Or I, I promise thee.
ROSALIND FTLN 0305 135 But is there any else longs to see this broken
FTLN 0306 music in his sides? Is there yet another dotes upon
FTLN 0307 rib-breaking? Shall we see this wrestling, cousin?
LE BEAU FTLN 0308 You must if you stay here, for here is the place
FTLN 0309 appointed for the wrestling, and they are ready to
FTLN 0310 140 perform it.
CELIA FTLN 0311 Yonder sure they are coming. Let us now stay
FTLN 0312 and see it.
Flourish. Enter Duke Frederick, Lords, Orlando,
Charles, and Attendants.
DUKE FREDERICK FTLN 0313 Come on. Since the youth will not be
FTLN 0314 entreated, his own peril on his forwardness.
ROSALIND , to Le Beau FTLN 0315 145 Is yonder the man?
LE BEAU FTLN 0316 Even he, madam.
CELIA FTLN 0317 Alas, he is too young. Yet he looks successfully.

27
As You Like It
ACT 1. SC. 2
DUKE FREDERICK FTLN 0318 How now, daughter and cousin? Are
FTLN 0319 you crept hither to see the wrestling?
ROSALIND FTLN 0320 150 Ay, my liege, so please you give us leave.
DUKE FREDERICK FTLN 0321 You will take little delight in it, I can
FTLN 0322 tell you, there is such odds in the man. In pity of the
FTLN 0323 challenger’s youth, I would fain dissuade him, but
FTLN 0324 he will not be entreated. Speak to him, ladies; see if
FTLN 0325 155 you can move him.
CELIA FTLN 0326 Call him hither, good Monsieur Le Beau.
DUKE FREDERICK FTLN 0327 Do so. I’ll not be by.
He steps aside.
LE BEAU , to Orlando FTLN 0328 Monsieur the challenger, the
FTLN 0329 Princess calls for you.
ORLANDO FTLN 0330 160 I attend them with all respect and duty.
ROSALIND FTLN 0331 Young man, have you challenged Charles the
FTLN 0332 wrestler?
ORLANDO FTLN 0333 No, fair princess. He is the general challenger.
FTLN 0334 I come but in as others do, to try with him the
FTLN 0335 165 strength of my youth.
CELIA FTLN 0336 Young gentleman, your spirits are too bold for
FTLN 0337 your years. You have seen cruel proof of this man’s
FTLN 0338 strength. If you saw yourself with your eyes or knew
FTLN 0339 yourself with your judgment, the fear of your adventure
FTLN 0340 170 would counsel you to a more equal enterprise.
FTLN 0341 We pray you for your own sake to embrace your
FTLN 0342 own safety and give over this attempt.
ROSALIND FTLN 0343 Do, young sir. Your reputation shall not
FTLN 0344 therefore be misprized. We will make it our suit to
FTLN 0345 175 the Duke that the wrestling might not go forward.
ORLANDO FTLN 0346 I beseech you, punish me not with your hard
FTLN 0347 thoughts, wherein I confess me much guilty to deny
FTLN 0348 so fair and excellent ladies anything. But let your
FTLN 0349 fair eyes and gentle wishes go with me to my trial,
FTLN 0350 180 wherein, if I be foiled, there is but one shamed that
FTLN 0351 was never gracious; if killed, but one dead that is
FTLN 0352 willing to be so. I shall do my friends no wrong, for

29
As You Like It
ACT 1. SC. 2
FTLN 0353 I have none to lament me; the world no injury, for
FTLN 0354 in it I have nothing. Only in the world I fill up a
FTLN 0355 185 place which may be better supplied when I have
FTLN 0356 made it empty.
ROSALIND FTLN 0357 The little strength that I have, I would it
FTLN 0358 were with you.
CELIA FTLN 0359 And mine, to eke out hers.
ROSALIND FTLN 0360 190 Fare you well. Pray heaven I be deceived in
FTLN 0361 you.
CELIA FTLN 0362 Your heart’s desires be with you.
CHARLES FTLN 0363 Come, where is this young gallant that is so
FTLN 0364 desirous to lie with his mother Earth?
ORLANDO FTLN 0365 195 Ready, sir; but his will hath in it a more
FTLN 0366 modest working.
DUKE FREDERICK , coming forward FTLN 0367 You shall try but
FTLN 0368 one fall.
CHARLES FTLN 0369 No, I warrant your Grace you shall not entreat
FTLN 0370 200 him to a second, that have so mightily persuaded
FTLN 0371 him from a first.
ORLANDO FTLN 0372 You mean to mock me after, you should not
FTLN 0373 have mocked me before. But come your ways.
ROSALIND FTLN 0374 Now Hercules be thy speed, young man!
CELIA FTLN 0375 205 I would I were invisible, to catch the strong
FTLN 0376 fellow by the leg.
Orlando and Charles wrestle.
ROSALIND FTLN 0377 O excellent young man!
CELIA FTLN 0378 If I had a thunderbolt in mine eye, I can tell who
FTLN 0379 should down.
Orlando throws Charles. Shout.
DUKE FREDERICK FTLN 0380 210 No more, no more.
ORLANDO FTLN 0381 Yes, I beseech your Grace. I am not yet well
FTLN 0382 breathed.
DUKE FREDERICK FTLN 0383 How dost thou, Charles?
LE BEAU FTLN 0384 He cannot speak, my lord.
DUKE FREDERICK FTLN 0385 215 Bear him away.
Charles is carried off by Attendants.
FTLN 0386 What is thy name, young man?

31
As You Like It
ACT 1. SC. 2
ORLANDO FTLN 0387 Orlando, my liege, the youngest son of Sir
FTLN 0388 Rowland de Boys.
DUKE FREDERICK
FTLN 0389 I would thou hadst been son to some man else.
FTLN 0390 220 The world esteemed thy father honorable,
FTLN 0391 But I did find him still mine enemy.
FTLN 0392 Thou shouldst have better pleased me with this
FTLN 0393 deed
FTLN 0394 Hadst thou descended from another house.
FTLN 0395 225 But fare thee well. Thou art a gallant youth.
FTLN 0396 I would thou hadst told me of another father.
Duke exits with Touchstone, Le Beau,
Lords, and Attendants.
CELIA , to Rosalind
FTLN 0397 Were I my father, coz, would I do this?
ORLANDO
FTLN 0398 I am more proud to be Sir Rowland’s son,
FTLN 0399 His youngest son, and would not change that calling
FTLN 0400 230 To be adopted heir to Frederick.
ROSALIND , to Celia
FTLN 0401 My father loved Sir Rowland as his soul,
FTLN 0402 And all the world was of my father’s mind.
FTLN 0403 Had I before known this young man his son,
FTLN 0404 I should have given him tears unto entreaties
FTLN 0405 235 Ere he should thus have ventured.
CELIA FTLN 0406 Gentle cousin,
FTLN 0407 Let us go thank him and encourage him.
FTLN 0408 My father’s rough and envious disposition
FTLN 0409 Sticks me at heart.—Sir, you have well deserved.
FTLN 0410 240 If you do keep your promises in love
FTLN 0411 But justly, as you have exceeded all promise,
FTLN 0412 Your mistress shall be happy.
ROSALIND , giving Orlando a chain from her neck
FTLN 0413 Gentleman,
FTLN 0414 Wear this for me—one out of suits with Fortune,

33
As You Like It
ACT 1. SC. 2
FTLN 0415 245 That could give more but that her hand lacks
FTLN 0416 means.—
FTLN 0417 Shall we go, coz?
CELIA FTLN 0418 Ay.—Fare you well, fair gentleman.
ORLANDO , aside
FTLN 0419 Can I not say “I thank you”? My better parts
FTLN 0420 250 Are all thrown down, and that which here stands up
FTLN 0421 Is but a quintain, a mere lifeless block.
ROSALIND , to Celia
FTLN 0422 He calls us back. My pride fell with my fortunes.
FTLN 0423 I’ll ask him what he would.—Did you call, sir?
FTLN 0424 Sir, you have wrestled well and overthrown
FTLN 0425 255 More than your enemies.
CELIA FTLN 0426 Will you go, coz?
ROSALIND FTLN 0427 Have with you. To Orlando. Fare you well.
Rosalind and Celia exit.
ORLANDO
FTLN 0428 What passion hangs these weights upon my tongue?
FTLN 0429 I cannot speak to her, yet she urged conference.
FTLN 0430 260 O poor Orlando! Thou art overthrown.
FTLN 0431 Or Charles or something weaker masters thee.
Enter Le Beau.
LE BEAU
FTLN 0432 Good sir, I do in friendship counsel you
FTLN 0433 To leave this place. Albeit you have deserved
FTLN 0434 High commendation, true applause, and love,
FTLN 0435 265 Yet such is now the Duke’s condition
FTLN 0436 That he misconsters all that you have done.
FTLN 0437 The Duke is humorous. What he is indeed
FTLN 0438 More suits you to conceive than I to speak of.
ORLANDO
FTLN 0439 I thank you, sir, and pray you tell me this:
FTLN 0440 270 Which of the two was daughter of the duke
FTLN 0441 That here was at the wrestling?

35
As You Like It
ACT 1. SC. 3
LE BEAU
FTLN 0442 Neither his daughter, if we judge by manners,
FTLN 0443 But yet indeed the smaller is his daughter.
FTLN 0444 The other is daughter to the banished duke,
FTLN 0445 275 And here detained by her usurping uncle
FTLN 0446 To keep his daughter company, whose loves
FTLN 0447 Are dearer than the natural bond of sisters.
FTLN 0448 But I can tell you that of late this duke
FTLN 0449 Hath ta’en displeasure ’gainst his gentle niece,
FTLN 0450 280 Grounded upon no other argument
FTLN 0451 But that the people praise her for her virtues
FTLN 0452 And pity her for her good father’s sake;
FTLN 0453 And, on my life, his malice ’gainst the lady
FTLN 0454 Will suddenly break forth. Sir, fare you well.
FTLN 0455 285 Hereafter, in a better world than this,
FTLN 0456 I shall desire more love and knowledge of you.
ORLANDO
FTLN 0457 I rest much bounden to you. Fare you well.
Le Beau exits.
FTLN 0458 Thus must I from the smoke into the smother,
FTLN 0459 From tyrant duke unto a tyrant brother.
FTLN 0460 290 But heavenly Rosalind!
He exits.
Scene 3
Enter Celia and Rosalind.
CELIA FTLN 0461 Why, cousin! Why, Rosalind! Cupid have mercy,
FTLN 0462 not a word?
ROSALIND FTLN 0463 Not one to throw at a dog.
CELIA FTLN 0464 No, thy words are too precious to be cast away
FTLN 0465 5 upon curs. Throw some of them at me. Come, lame
FTLN 0466 me with reasons.
ROSALIND FTLN 0467 Then there were two cousins laid up, when
FTLN 0468 the one should be lamed with reasons, and the
FTLN 0469 other mad without any.

37
As You Like It
ACT 1. SC. 3
CELIA FTLN 0470 10 But is all this for your father?
ROSALIND FTLN 0471 No, some of it is for my child’s father. O,
FTLN 0472 how full of briers is this working-day world!
CELIA FTLN 0473 They are but burs, cousin, thrown upon thee in
FTLN 0474 holiday foolery. If we walk not in the trodden paths,
FTLN 0475 15 our very petticoats will catch them.
ROSALIND FTLN 0476 I could shake them off my coat. These burs
FTLN 0477 are in my heart.
CELIA FTLN 0478 Hem them away.
ROSALIND FTLN 0479 I would try, if I could cry “hem” and have
FTLN 0480 20 him.
CELIA FTLN 0481 Come, come, wrestle with thy affections.
ROSALIND FTLN 0482 O, they take the part of a better wrestler
FTLN 0483 than myself.
CELIA FTLN 0484 O, a good wish upon you. You will try in time, in
FTLN 0485 25 despite of a fall. But turning these jests out of
FTLN 0486 service, let us talk in good earnest. Is it possible on
FTLN 0487 such a sudden you should fall into so strong a liking
FTLN 0488 with old Sir Rowland’s youngest son?
ROSALIND FTLN 0489 The Duke my father loved his father dearly.
CELIA FTLN 0490 30 Doth it therefore ensue that you should love his
FTLN 0491 son dearly? By this kind of chase I should hate him,
FTLN 0492 for my father hated his father dearly. Yet I hate not
FTLN 0493 Orlando.
ROSALIND FTLN 0494 No, faith, hate him not, for my sake.
CELIA FTLN 0495 35 Why should I not? Doth he not deserve well?
ROSALIND FTLN 0496 Let me love him for that, and do you love
FTLN 0497 him because I do.
Enter Duke Frederick with Lords.
FTLN 0498 Look, here comes the Duke.
CELIA FTLN 0499 With his eyes full of anger.
DUKE FREDERICK , to Rosalind
FTLN 0500 40 Mistress, dispatch you with your safest haste,
FTLN 0501 And get you from our court.
ROSALIND FTLN 0502 Me, uncle?

39
As You Like It
ACT 1. SC. 3
DUKE FREDERICK FTLN 0503 You, cousin.
FTLN 0504 Within these ten days if that thou beest found
FTLN 0505 45 So near our public court as twenty miles,
FTLN 0506 Thou diest for it.
ROSALIND FTLN 0507 I do beseech your Grace,
FTLN 0508 Let me the knowledge of my fault bear with me.
FTLN 0509 If with myself I hold intelligence
FTLN 0510 50 Or have acquaintance with mine own desires,
FTLN 0511 If that I do not dream or be not frantic—
FTLN 0512 As I do trust I am not—then, dear uncle,
FTLN 0513 Never so much as in a thought unborn
FTLN 0514 Did I offend your Highness.
DUKE FREDERICK FTLN 0515 55 Thus do all traitors.
FTLN 0516 If their purgation did consist in words,
FTLN 0517 They are as innocent as grace itself.
FTLN 0518 Let it suffice thee that I trust thee not.
ROSALIND
FTLN 0519 Yet your mistrust cannot make me a traitor.
FTLN 0520 60 Tell me whereon the likelihood depends.
DUKE FREDERICK
FTLN 0521 Thou art thy father’s daughter. There’s enough.
ROSALIND
FTLN 0522 So was I when your Highness took his dukedom.
FTLN 0523 So was I when your Highness banished him.
FTLN 0524 Treason is not inherited, my lord,
FTLN 0525 65 Or if we did derive it from our friends,
FTLN 0526 What’s that to me? My father was no traitor.
FTLN 0527 Then, good my liege, mistake me not so much
FTLN 0528 To think my poverty is treacherous.
CELIA FTLN 0529 Dear sovereign, hear me speak.
DUKE FREDERICK
FTLN 0530 70 Ay, Celia, we stayed her for your sake;
FTLN 0531 Else had she with her father ranged along.
CELIA
FTLN 0532 I did not then entreat to have her stay.
FTLN 0533 It was your pleasure and your own remorse.

41
As You Like It
ACT 1. SC. 3
FTLN 0534 I was too young that time to value her,
FTLN 0535 75 But now I know her. If she be a traitor,
FTLN 0536 Why, so am I. We still have slept together,
FTLN 0537 Rose at an instant, learned, played, eat together,
FTLN 0538 And, wheresoe’er we went, like Juno’s swans
FTLN 0539 Still we went coupled and inseparable.
DUKE FREDERICK
FTLN 0540 80 She is too subtle for thee, and her smoothness,
FTLN 0541 Her very silence, and her patience
FTLN 0542 Speak to the people, and they pity her.
FTLN 0543 Thou art a fool. She robs thee of thy name,
FTLN 0544 And thou wilt show more bright and seem more
FTLN 0545 85 virtuous
FTLN 0546 When she is gone. Then open not thy lips.
FTLN 0547 Firm and irrevocable is my doom
FTLN 0548 Which I have passed upon her. She is banished.
CELIA
FTLN 0549 Pronounce that sentence then on me, my liege.
FTLN 0550 90 I cannot live out of her company.
DUKE FREDERICK
FTLN 0551 You are a fool.—You, niece, provide yourself.
FTLN 0552 If you outstay the time, upon mine honor
FTLN 0553 And in the greatness of my word, you die.
Duke and Lords exit.
CELIA
FTLN 0554 O my poor Rosalind, whither wilt thou go?
FTLN 0555 95 Wilt thou change fathers? I will give thee mine.
FTLN 0556 I charge thee, be not thou more grieved than I am.
ROSALIND FTLN 0557 I have more cause.
CELIA FTLN 0558 Thou hast not, cousin.
FTLN 0559 Prithee, be cheerful. Know’st thou not the Duke
FTLN 0560 100 Hath banished me, his daughter?
ROSALIND FTLN 0561 That he hath not.
CELIA
FTLN 0562 No, hath not? Rosalind lacks then the love
FTLN 0563 Which teacheth thee that thou and I am one.

43
As You Like It
ACT 1. SC. 3
FTLN 0564 Shall we be sundered? Shall we part, sweet girl?
FTLN 0565 105 No, let my father seek another heir.
FTLN 0566 Therefore devise with me how we may fly,
FTLN 0567 Whither to go, and what to bear with us,
FTLN 0568 And do not seek to take your change upon you,
FTLN 0569 To bear your griefs yourself and leave me out.
FTLN 0570 110 For, by this heaven, now at our sorrows pale,
FTLN 0571 Say what thou canst, I’ll go along with thee.
ROSALIND FTLN 0572 Why, whither shall we go?
CELIA
FTLN 0573 To seek my uncle in the Forest of Arden.
ROSALIND
FTLN 0574 Alas, what danger will it be to us,
FTLN 0575 115 Maids as we are, to travel forth so far?
FTLN 0576 Beauty provoketh thieves sooner than gold.
CELIA
FTLN 0577 I’ll put myself in poor and mean attire,
FTLN 0578 And with a kind of umber smirch my face.
FTLN 0579 The like do you. So shall we pass along
FTLN 0580 120 And never stir assailants.
ROSALIND FTLN 0581 Were it not better,
FTLN 0582 Because that I am more than common tall,
FTLN 0583 That I did suit me all points like a man?
FTLN 0584 A gallant curtal-ax upon my thigh,
FTLN 0585 125 A boar-spear in my hand, and in my heart
FTLN 0586 Lie there what hidden woman’s fear there will,
FTLN 0587 We’ll have a swashing and a martial outside—
FTLN 0588 As many other mannish cowards have
FTLN 0589 That do outface it with their semblances.
CELIA
FTLN 0590 130 What shall I call thee when thou art a man?
ROSALIND
FTLN 0591 I’ll have no worse a name than Jove’s own page,
FTLN 0592 And therefore look you call me Ganymede.
FTLN 0593 But what will you be called?

45
As You Like It
ACT 1. SC. 3
CELIA
FTLN 0594 Something that hath a reference to my state:
FTLN 0595 135 No longer Celia, but Aliena.
ROSALIND
FTLN 0596 But, cousin, what if we assayed to steal
FTLN 0597 The clownish fool out of your father’s court?
FTLN 0598 Would he not be a comfort to our travel?
CELIA
FTLN 0599 He’ll go along o’er the wide world with me.
FTLN 0600 140 Leave me alone to woo him. Let’s away
FTLN 0601 And get our jewels and our wealth together,
FTLN 0602 Devise the fittest time and safest way
FTLN 0603 To hide us from pursuit that will be made
FTLN 0604 After my flight. Now go we in content
FTLN 0605 145 To liberty, and not to banishment.
They exit.

ACT 2
Scene 1
Enter Duke Senior, Amiens, and two or three Lords, like
foresters.
DUKE SENIOR
FTLN 0606 Now, my co-mates and brothers in exile,
FTLN 0607 Hath not old custom made this life more sweet
FTLN 0608 Than that of painted pomp? Are not these woods
FTLN 0609 More free from peril than the envious court?
FTLN 0610 5 Here feel we not the penalty of Adam,
FTLN 0611 The seasons’ difference, as the icy fang
FTLN 0612 And churlish chiding of the winter’s wind,
FTLN 0613 Which when it bites and blows upon my body
FTLN 0614 Even till I shrink with cold, I smile and say
FTLN 0615 10 “This is no flattery. These are counselors
FTLN 0616 That feelingly persuade me what I am.”
FTLN 0617 Sweet are the uses of adversity,
FTLN 0618 Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous,
FTLN 0619 Wears yet a precious jewel in his head.
FTLN 0620 15 And this our life, exempt from public haunt,
FTLN 0621 Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks,
FTLN 0622 Sermons in stones, and good in everything.
AMIENS
FTLN 0623 I would not change it. Happy is your Grace,
FTLN 0624 That can translate the stubbornness of fortune
FTLN 0625 20 Into so quiet and so sweet a style.
49

51
As You Like It
ACT 2. SC. 1
DUKE SENIOR
FTLN 0626 Come, shall we go and kill us venison?
FTLN 0627 And yet it irks me the poor dappled fools,
FTLN 0628 Being native burghers of this desert city,
FTLN 0629 Should in their own confines with forkèd heads
FTLN 0630 25 Have their round haunches gored.
FIRST LORD FTLN 0631 Indeed, my lord,
FTLN 0632 The melancholy Jaques grieves at that,
FTLN 0633 And in that kind swears you do more usurp
FTLN 0634 Than doth your brother that hath banished you.
FTLN 0635 30 Today my Lord of Amiens and myself
FTLN 0636 Did steal behind him as he lay along
FTLN 0637 Under an oak, whose antique root peeps out
FTLN 0638 Upon the brook that brawls along this wood;
FTLN 0639 To the which place a poor sequestered stag
FTLN 0640 35 That from the hunter’s aim had ta’en a hurt
FTLN 0641 Did come to languish. And indeed, my lord,
FTLN 0642 The wretched animal heaved forth such groans
FTLN 0643 That their discharge did stretch his leathern coat
FTLN 0644 Almost to bursting, and the big round tears
FTLN 0645 40 Coursed one another down his innocent nose
FTLN 0646 In piteous chase. And thus the hairy fool,
FTLN 0647 Much markèd of the melancholy Jaques,
FTLN 0648 Stood on th’ extremest verge of the swift brook,
FTLN 0649 Augmenting it with tears.
DUKE SENIOR FTLN 0650 45 But what said Jaques?
FTLN 0651 Did he not moralize this spectacle?
FIRST LORD
FTLN 0652 O yes, into a thousand similes.
FTLN 0653 First, for his weeping into the needless stream:
FTLN 0654 “Poor deer,” quoth he, “thou mak’st a testament
FTLN 0655 50 As worldlings do, giving thy sum of more
FTLN 0656 To that which had too much.” Then, being there
FTLN 0657 alone,
FTLN 0658 Left and abandoned of his velvet friends:
FTLN 0659 “’Tis right,” quoth he. “Thus misery doth part

53
As You Like It
ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 0660 55 The flux of company.” Anon a careless herd,
FTLN 0661 Full of the pasture, jumps along by him
FTLN 0662 And never stays to greet him. “Ay,” quoth Jaques,
FTLN 0663 “Sweep on, you fat and greasy citizens.
FTLN 0664 ’Tis just the fashion. Wherefore do you look
FTLN 0665 60 Upon that poor and broken bankrupt there?”
FTLN 0666 Thus most invectively he pierceth through
FTLN 0667 The body of country, city, court,
FTLN 0668 Yea, and of this our life, swearing that we
FTLN 0669 Are mere usurpers, tyrants, and what’s worse,
FTLN 0670 65 To fright the animals and to kill them up
FTLN 0671 In their assigned and native dwelling place.
DUKE SENIOR
FTLN 0672 And did you leave him in this contemplation?
SECOND LORD
FTLN 0673 We did, my lord, weeping and commenting
FTLN 0674 Upon the sobbing deer.
DUKE SENIOR FTLN 0675 70 Show me the place.
FTLN 0676 I love to cope him in these sullen fits,
FTLN 0677 For then he’s full of matter.
FIRST LORD FTLN 0678 I’ll bring you to him straight.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Duke Frederick with Lords.
DUKE FREDERICK
FTLN 0679 Can it be possible that no man saw them?
FTLN 0680 It cannot be. Some villains of my court
FTLN 0681 Are of consent and sufferance in this.
FIRST LORD
FTLN 0682 I cannot hear of any that did see her.
FTLN 0683 5 The ladies her attendants of her chamber
FTLN 0684 Saw her abed, and in the morning early
FTLN 0685 They found the bed untreasured of their mistress.

55
As You Like It
ACT 2. SC. 3
SECOND LORD
FTLN 0686 My lord, the roinish clown at whom so oft
FTLN 0687 Your Grace was wont to laugh is also missing.
FTLN 0688 10 Hisperia, the Princess’ gentlewoman,
FTLN 0689 Confesses that she secretly o’erheard
FTLN 0690 Your daughter and her cousin much commend
FTLN 0691 The parts and graces of the wrestler
FTLN 0692 That did but lately foil the sinewy Charles,
FTLN 0693 15 And she believes wherever they are gone
FTLN 0694 That youth is surely in their company.
DUKE FREDERICK
FTLN 0695 Send to his brother. Fetch that gallant hither.
FTLN 0696 If he be absent, bring his brother to me.
FTLN 0697 I’ll make him find him. Do this suddenly,
FTLN 0698 20 And let not search and inquisition quail
FTLN 0699 To bring again these foolish runaways.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Orlando and Adam, meeting.
ORLANDO FTLN 0700 Who’s there?
ADAM
FTLN 0701 What, my young master, O my gentle master,
FTLN 0702 O my sweet master, O you memory
FTLN 0703 Of old Sir Rowland! Why, what make you here?
FTLN 0704 5 Why are you virtuous? Why do people love you?
FTLN 0705 And wherefore are you gentle, strong, and valiant?
FTLN 0706 Why would you be so fond to overcome
FTLN 0707 The bonny prizer of the humorous duke?
FTLN 0708 Your praise is come too swiftly home before you.
FTLN 0709 10 Know you not, master, to some kind of men
FTLN 0710 Their graces serve them but as enemies?
FTLN 0711 No more do yours. Your virtues, gentle master,
FTLN 0712 Are sanctified and holy traitors to you.

57
As You Like It
ACT 2. SC. 3
FTLN 0713 O, what a world is this when what is comely
FTLN 0714 15 Envenoms him that bears it!
ORLANDO FTLN 0715 Why, what’s the matter?
ADAM FTLN 0716 O unhappy youth,
FTLN 0717 Come not within these doors. Within this roof
FTLN 0718 The enemy of all your graces lives.
FTLN 0719 20 Your brother—no, no brother—yet the son—
FTLN 0720 Yet not the son, I will not call him son—
FTLN 0721 Of him I was about to call his father,
FTLN 0722 Hath heard your praises, and this night he means
FTLN 0723 To burn the lodging where you use to lie,
FTLN 0724 25 And you within it. If he fail of that,
FTLN 0725 He will have other means to cut you off.
FTLN 0726 I overheard him and his practices.
FTLN 0727 This is no place, this house is but a butchery.
FTLN 0728 Abhor it, fear it, do not enter it.
ORLANDO
FTLN 0729 30 Why, whither, Adam, wouldst thou have me go?
ADAM
FTLN 0730 No matter whither, so you come not here.
ORLANDO
FTLN 0731 What, wouldst thou have me go and beg my food,
FTLN 0732 Or with a base and boist’rous sword enforce
FTLN 0733 A thievish living on the common road?
FTLN 0734 35 This I must do, or know not what to do;
FTLN 0735 Yet this I will not do, do how I can.
FTLN 0736 I rather will subject me to the malice
FTLN 0737 Of a diverted blood and bloody brother.
ADAM
FTLN 0738 But do not so. I have five hundred crowns,
FTLN 0739 40 The thrifty hire I saved under your father,
FTLN 0740 Which I did store to be my foster nurse
FTLN 0741 When service should in my old limbs lie lame,
FTLN 0742 And unregarded age in corners thrown.
FTLN 0743 Take that, and He that doth the ravens feed,
FTLN 0744 45 Yea, providently caters for the sparrow,

59
As You Like It
ACT 2. SC. 3
FTLN 0745 Be comfort to my age. Here is the gold.
FTLN 0746 All this I give you. Let me be your servant.
FTLN 0747 Though I look old, yet I am strong and lusty,
FTLN 0748 For in my youth I never did apply
FTLN 0749 50 Hot and rebellious liquors in my blood,
FTLN 0750 Nor did not with unbashful forehead woo
FTLN 0751 The means of weakness and debility.
FTLN 0752 Therefore my age is as a lusty winter,
FTLN 0753 Frosty but kindly. Let me go with you.
FTLN 0754 55 I’ll do the service of a younger man
FTLN 0755 In all your business and necessities.
ORLANDO
FTLN 0756 O good old man, how well in thee appears
FTLN 0757 The constant service of the antique world,
FTLN 0758 When service sweat for duty, not for meed.
FTLN 0759 60 Thou art not for the fashion of these times,
FTLN 0760 Where none will sweat but for promotion,
FTLN 0761 And having that do choke their service up
FTLN 0762 Even with the having. It is not so with thee.
FTLN 0763 But, poor old man, thou prun’st a rotten tree
FTLN 0764 65 That cannot so much as a blossom yield
FTLN 0765 In lieu of all thy pains and husbandry.
FTLN 0766 But come thy ways. We’ll go along together,
FTLN 0767 And ere we have thy youthful wages spent,
FTLN 0768 We’ll light upon some settled low content.
ADAM
FTLN 0769 70 Master, go on, and I will follow thee
FTLN 0770 To the last gasp with truth and loyalty.
FTLN 0771 From seventeen years till now almost fourscore
FTLN 0772 Here livèd I, but now live here no more.
FTLN 0773 At seventeen years, many their fortunes seek,
FTLN 0774 75 But at fourscore, it is too late a week.
FTLN 0775 Yet fortune cannot recompense me better
FTLN 0776 Than to die well, and not my master’s debtor.
They exit.

61
As You Like It
ACT 2. SC. 4
Scene 4
Enter Rosalind for Ganymede, Celia for Aliena, and
Clown, alias Touchstone.
ROSALIND
FTLN 0777 O Jupiter, how weary are my spirits!
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 0778 I care not for my spirits, if my legs were
FTLN 0779 not weary.
ROSALIND FTLN 0780 I could find in my heart to disgrace my
FTLN 0781 5 man’s apparel and to cry like a woman, but I must
FTLN 0782 comfort the weaker vessel, as doublet and hose
FTLN 0783 ought to show itself courageous to petticoat. Therefore
FTLN 0784 courage, good Aliena.
CELIA FTLN 0785 I pray you bear with me. I cannot go no further.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 0786 10 For my part, I had rather bear with you
FTLN 0787 than bear you. Yet I should bear no cross if I did
FTLN 0788 bear you, for I think you have no money in your
FTLN 0789 purse.
ROSALIND FTLN 0790 Well, this is the Forest of Arden.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 0791 15 Ay, now am I in Arden, the more fool I.
FTLN 0792 When I was at home I was in a better place, but
FTLN 0793 travelers must be content.
ROSALIND FTLN 0794 Ay, be so, good Touchstone.
Enter Corin and Silvius.
FTLN 0795 Look you who comes here, a young man and an old
FTLN 0796 20 in solemn talk.
Rosalind, Celia, and Touchstone step aside and
eavesdrop.
CORIN , to Silvius
FTLN 0797 That is the way to make her scorn you still.
SILVIUS
FTLN 0798 O Corin, that thou knew’st how I do love her!
CORIN
FTLN 0799 I partly guess, for I have loved ere now.

63
As You Like It
ACT 2. SC. 4
SILVIUS
FTLN 0800 No, Corin, being old, thou canst not guess,
FTLN 0801 25 Though in thy youth thou wast as true a lover
FTLN 0802 As ever sighed upon a midnight pillow.
FTLN 0803 But if thy love were ever like to mine—
FTLN 0804 As sure I think did never man love so—
FTLN 0805 How many actions most ridiculous
FTLN 0806 30 Hast thou been drawn to by thy fantasy?
CORIN
FTLN 0807 Into a thousand that I have forgotten.
SILVIUS
FTLN 0808 O, thou didst then never love so heartily.
FTLN 0809 If thou rememb’rest not the slightest folly
FTLN 0810 That ever love did make thee run into,
FTLN 0811 35 Thou hast not loved.
FTLN 0812 Or if thou hast not sat as I do now,
FTLN 0813 Wearing thy hearer in thy mistress’ praise,
FTLN 0814 Thou hast not loved.
FTLN 0815 Or if thou hast not broke from company
FTLN 0816 40 Abruptly, as my passion now makes me,
FTLN 0817 Thou hast not loved.
FTLN 0818 O Phoebe, Phoebe, Phoebe! He exits.
ROSALIND
FTLN 0819 Alas, poor shepherd, searching of thy wound,
FTLN 0820 I have by hard adventure found mine own.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 0821 45 And I mine. I remember when I was in
FTLN 0822 love I broke my sword upon a stone and bid him
FTLN 0823 take that for coming a-night to Jane Smile; and I
FTLN 0824 remember the kissing of her batler, and the cow’s
FTLN 0825 dugs that her pretty chopped hands had milked;
FTLN 0826 50 and I remember the wooing of a peascod instead of
FTLN 0827 her, from whom I took two cods and, giving her
FTLN 0828 them again, said with weeping tears “Wear these for
FTLN 0829 my sake.” We that are true lovers run into strange
FTLN 0830 capers. But as all is mortal in nature, so is all nature
FTLN 0831 55 in love mortal in folly.

65
As You Like It
ACT 2. SC. 4
ROSALIND FTLN 0832 Thou speak’st wiser than thou art ware of.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 0833 Nay, I shall ne’er be ware of mine own
FTLN 0834 wit till I break my shins against it.
ROSALIND
FTLN 0835 Jove, Jove, this shepherd’s passion
FTLN 0836 60 Is much upon my fashion.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 0837 And mine, but it grows something stale
FTLN 0838 with me.
CELIA FTLN 0839 I pray you, one of you question yond man, if he
FTLN 0840 for gold will give us any food. I faint almost to death.
TOUCHSTONE , to Corin FTLN 0841 65 Holla, you clown!
ROSALIND FTLN 0842 Peace, fool. He’s not thy kinsman.
CORIN FTLN 0843 Who calls?
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 0844 Your betters, sir.
CORIN FTLN 0845 Else are they very wretched.
ROSALIND , to Touchstone
FTLN 0846 70 Peace, I say. As Ganymede, to Corin. Good even to
FTLN 0847 you, friend.
CORIN
FTLN 0848 And to you, gentle sir, and to you all.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede
FTLN 0849 I prithee, shepherd, if that love or gold
FTLN 0850 Can in this desert place buy entertainment,
FTLN 0851 75 Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.
FTLN 0852 Here’s a young maid with travel much oppressed,
FTLN 0853 And faints for succor.
CORIN FTLN 0854 Fair sir, I pity her
FTLN 0855 And wish for her sake more than for mine own
FTLN 0856 80 My fortunes were more able to relieve her.
FTLN 0857 But I am shepherd to another man
FTLN 0858 And do not shear the fleeces that I graze.
FTLN 0859 My master is of churlish disposition
FTLN 0860 And little recks to find the way to heaven
FTLN 0861 85 By doing deeds of hospitality.
FTLN 0862 Besides, his cote, his flocks, and bounds of feed
FTLN 0863 Are now on sale, and at our sheepcote now,

67
As You Like It
ACT 2. SC. 5
FTLN 0864 By reason of his absence, there is nothing
FTLN 0865 That you will feed on. But what is, come see,
FTLN 0866 90 And in my voice most welcome shall you be.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede
FTLN 0867 What is he that shall buy his flock and pasture?
CORIN
FTLN 0868 That young swain that you saw here but erewhile,
FTLN 0869 That little cares for buying anything.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede
FTLN 0870 I pray thee, if it stand with honesty,
FTLN 0871 95 Buy thou the cottage, pasture, and the flock,
FTLN 0872 And thou shalt have to pay for it of us.
CELIA , as Aliena
FTLN 0873 And we will mend thy wages. I like this place,
FTLN 0874 And willingly could waste my time in it.
CORIN
FTLN 0875 Assuredly the thing is to be sold.
FTLN 0876 100 Go with me. If you like upon report
FTLN 0877 The soil, the profit, and this kind of life,
FTLN 0878 I will your very faithful feeder be
FTLN 0879 And buy it with your gold right suddenly.
They exit.
Scene 5
Enter Amiens, Jaques, and others.
Song.
AMIENS sings
FTLN 0880 Under the greenwood tree
FTLN 0881 Who loves to lie with me
FTLN 0882 And turn his merry note
FTLN 0883 Unto the sweet bird’s throat,
FTLN 0884 5 Come hither, come hither, come hither.
FTLN 0885 Here shall he see
FTLN 0886 No enemy
FTLN 0887 But winter and rough weather.
JAQUES FTLN 0888 More, more, I prithee, more.

69
As You Like It
ACT 2. SC. 5
AMIENS FTLN 0889 10 It will make you melancholy, Monsieur
FTLN 0890 Jaques.
JAQUES FTLN 0891 I thank it. More, I prithee, more. I can suck
FTLN 0892 melancholy out of a song as a weasel sucks eggs.
FTLN 0893 More, I prithee, more.
AMIENS FTLN 0894 15 My voice is ragged. I know I cannot please you.
JAQUES FTLN 0895 I do not desire you to please me. I do desire
FTLN 0896 you to sing. Come, more, another stanzo. Call you
FTLN 0897 ’em “stanzos”?
AMIENS FTLN 0898 What you will, Monsieur Jaques.
JAQUES FTLN 0899 20 Nay, I care not for their names. They owe me
FTLN 0900 nothing. Will you sing?
AMIENS FTLN 0901 More at your request than to please myself.
JAQUES FTLN 0902 Well then, if ever I thank any man, I’ll thank
FTLN 0903 you. But that they call “compliment” is like th’
FTLN 0904 25 encounter of two dog-apes. And when a man thanks
FTLN 0905 me heartily, methinks I have given him a penny and
FTLN 0906 he renders me the beggarly thanks. Come, sing. And
FTLN 0907 you that will not, hold your tongues.
AMIENS FTLN 0908 Well, I’ll end the song.—Sirs, cover the while;
FTLN 0909 30 the Duke will drink under this tree.—He hath been
FTLN 0910 all this day to look you.
JAQUES FTLN 0911 And I have been all this day to avoid him. He is
FTLN 0912 too disputable for my company. I think of as many
FTLN 0913 matters as he, but I give heaven thanks and make no
FTLN 0914 35 boast of them. Come, warble, come.
Song.
ALL together here.
FTLN 0915 Who doth ambition shun
FTLN 0916 And loves to live i’ th’ sun,
FTLN 0917 Seeking the food he eats
FTLN 0918 And pleased with what he gets,
FTLN 0919 40 Come hither, come hither, come hither.
FTLN 0920 Here shall he see
FTLN 0921 No enemy
FTLN 0922 But winter and rough weather.

71
As You Like It
ACT 2. SC. 6
JAQUES FTLN 0923 I’ll give you a verse to this note that I made
FTLN 0924 45 yesterday in despite of my invention.
AMIENS FTLN 0925 And I’ll sing it.
JAQUES FTLN 0926 Thus it goes:
FTLN 0927 If it do come to pass
FTLN 0928 That any man turn ass,
FTLN 0929 50 Leaving his wealth and ease
FTLN 0930 A stubborn will to please,
FTLN 0931 Ducdame, ducdame, ducdame.
FTLN 0932 Here shall he see
FTLN 0933 Gross fools as he,
FTLN 0934 55 An if he will come to me.
AMIENS FTLN 0935 What’s that “ducdame”?
JAQUES FTLN 0936’Tis a Greek invocation to call fools into a
FTLN 0937 circle. I’ll go sleep if I can. If I cannot, I’ll rail
FTLN 0938 against all the first-born of Egypt.
AMIENS FTLN 0939 60 And I’ll go seek the Duke. His banquet is
FTLN 0940 prepared.
They exit.
Scene 6
Enter Orlando and Adam.
ADAM FTLN 0941 Dear master, I can go no further. O, I die for
FTLN 0942 food. Here lie I down and measure out my grave.
FTLN 0943 Farewell, kind master. He lies down.
ORLANDO FTLN 0944 Why, how now, Adam? No greater heart in
FTLN 0945 5 thee? Live a little, comfort a little, cheer thyself a
FTLN 0946 little. If this uncouth forest yield anything savage, I
FTLN 0947 will either be food for it or bring it for food to thee.
FTLN 0948 Thy conceit is nearer death than thy powers. For my
FTLN 0949 sake, be comfortable. Hold death awhile at the
FTLN 0950 10 arm’s end. I will here be with thee presently, and if
FTLN 0951 I bring thee not something to eat, I will give thee
FTLN 0952 leave to die. But if thou diest before I come, thou art

73
As You Like It
ACT 2. SC. 7
FTLN 0953 a mocker of my labor. Well said. Thou look’st
FTLN 0954 cheerly, and I’ll be with thee quickly. Yet thou liest
FTLN 0955 15 in the bleak air. Come, I will bear thee to some
FTLN 0956 shelter, and thou shalt not die for lack of a dinner if
FTLN 0957 there live anything in this desert. Cheerly, good
FTLN 0958 Adam.
They exit.
Scene 7
Enter Duke Senior and Lords, like outlaws.
DUKE SENIOR
FTLN 0959 I think he be transformed into a beast,
FTLN 0960 For I can nowhere find him like a man.
FIRST LORD
FTLN 0961 My lord, he is but even now gone hence.
FTLN 0962 Here was he merry, hearing of a song.
DUKE SENIOR
FTLN 0963 5 If he, compact of jars, grow musical,
FTLN 0964 We shall have shortly discord in the spheres.
FTLN 0965 Go seek him. Tell him I would speak with him.
Enter Jaques.
FIRST LORD
FTLN 0966 He saves my labor by his own approach.
DUKE SENIOR , to Jaques
FTLN 0967 Why, how now, monsieur? What a life is this
FTLN 0968 10 That your poor friends must woo your company?
FTLN 0969 What, you look merrily.
JAQUES
FTLN 0970 A fool, a fool, I met a fool i’ th’ forest,
FTLN 0971 A motley fool. A miserable world!
FTLN 0972 As I do live by food, I met a fool,
FTLN 0973 15 Who laid him down and basked him in the sun
FTLN 0974 And railed on Lady Fortune in good terms,

75
As You Like It
ACT 2. SC. 7
FTLN 0975 In good set terms, and yet a motley fool.
FTLN 0976 “Good morrow, fool,” quoth I. “No, sir,” quoth he,
FTLN 0977 “Call me not ‘fool’ till heaven hath sent me
FTLN 0978 20 fortune.”
FTLN 0979 And then he drew a dial from his poke
FTLN 0980 And, looking on it with lack-luster eye,
FTLN 0981 Says very wisely “It is ten o’clock.
FTLN 0982 Thus we may see,” quoth he, “how the world wags.
FTLN 0983 25 ’Tis but an hour ago since it was nine,
FTLN 0984 And after one hour more ’twill be eleven.
FTLN 0985 And so from hour to hour we ripe and ripe,
FTLN 0986 And then from hour to hour we rot and rot,
FTLN 0987 And thereby hangs a tale.” When I did hear
FTLN 0988 30 The motley fool thus moral on the time,
FTLN 0989 My lungs began to crow like chanticleer
FTLN 0990 That fools should be so deep-contemplative,
FTLN 0991 And I did laugh sans intermission
FTLN 0992 An hour by his dial. O noble fool!
FTLN 0993 35 A worthy fool! Motley’s the only wear.
DUKE SENIOR FTLN 0994 What fool is this?
JAQUES
FTLN 0995 O worthy fool!—One that hath been a courtier,
FTLN 0996 And says “If ladies be but young and fair,
FTLN 0997 They have the gift to know it.” And in his brain,
FTLN 0998 40 Which is as dry as the remainder biscuit
FTLN 0999 After a voyage, he hath strange places crammed
FTLN 1000 With observation, the which he vents
FTLN 1001 In mangled forms. O, that I were a fool!
FTLN 1002 I am ambitious for a motley coat.
DUKE SENIOR
FTLN 1003 45 Thou shalt have one.
JAQUES FTLN 1004 It is my only suit,
FTLN 1005 Provided that you weed your better judgments
FTLN 1006 Of all opinion that grows rank in them
FTLN 1007 That I am wise. I must have liberty
FTLN 1008 50 Withal, as large a charter as the wind,

77
As You Like It
ACT 2. SC. 7
FTLN 1009 To blow on whom I please, for so fools have.
FTLN 1010 And they that are most gallèd with my folly,
FTLN 1011 They most must laugh. And why, sir, must they so?
FTLN 1012 The “why” is plain as way to parish church:
FTLN 1013 55 He that a fool doth very wisely hit
FTLN 1014 Doth very foolishly, although he smart,
FTLN 1015 Not to seem senseless of the bob. If not,
FTLN 1016 The wise man’s folly is anatomized
FTLN 1017 Even by the squand’ring glances of the fool.
FTLN 1018 60 Invest me in my motley. Give me leave
FTLN 1019 To speak my mind, and I will through and through
FTLN 1020 Cleanse the foul body of th’ infected world,
FTLN 1021 If they will patiently receive my medicine.
DUKE SENIOR
FTLN 1022 Fie on thee! I can tell what thou wouldst do.
JAQUES
FTLN 1023 65 What, for a counter, would I do but good?
DUKE SENIOR
FTLN 1024 Most mischievous foul sin in chiding sin;
FTLN 1025 For thou thyself hast been a libertine,
FTLN 1026 As sensual as the brutish sting itself,
FTLN 1027 And all th’ embossèd sores and headed evils
FTLN 1028 70 That thou with license of free foot hast caught
FTLN 1029 Wouldst thou disgorge into the general world.
JAQUES FTLN 1030 Why, who cries out on pride
FTLN 1031 That can therein tax any private party?
FTLN 1032 Doth it not flow as hugely as the sea
FTLN 1033 75 Till that the weary very means do ebb?
FTLN 1034 What woman in the city do I name
FTLN 1035 When that I say the city-woman bears
FTLN 1036 The cost of princes on unworthy shoulders?
FTLN 1037 Who can come in and say that I mean her,
FTLN 1038 80 When such a one as she such is her neighbor?
FTLN 1039 Or what is he of basest function
FTLN 1040 That says his bravery is not on my cost,
FTLN 1041 Thinking that I mean him, but therein suits

79
As You Like It
ACT 2. SC. 7
FTLN 1042 His folly to the mettle of my speech?
FTLN 1043 85 There then. How then, what then? Let me see
FTLN 1044 wherein
FTLN 1045 My tongue hath wronged him. If it do him right,
FTLN 1046 Then he hath wronged himself. If he be free,
FTLN 1047 Why then my taxing like a wild goose flies
FTLN 1048 90 Unclaimed of any man.
Enter Orlando, brandishing a sword.
FTLN 1049 But who comes here?
ORLANDO FTLN 1050 Forbear, and eat no more.
JAQUES FTLN 1051 Why, I have eat none yet.
ORLANDO
FTLN 1052 Nor shalt not till necessity be served.
JAQUES FTLN 1053 95 Of what kind should this cock come of?
DUKE SENIOR , to Orlando
FTLN 1054 Art thou thus boldened, man, by thy distress,
FTLN 1055 Or else a rude despiser of good manners,
FTLN 1056 That in civility thou seem’st so empty?
ORLANDO
FTLN 1057 You touched my vein at first. The thorny point
FTLN 1058 100 Of bare distress hath ta’en from me the show
FTLN 1059 Of smooth civility, yet am I inland bred
FTLN 1060 And know some nurture. But forbear, I say.
FTLN 1061 He dies that touches any of this fruit
FTLN 1062 Till I and my affairs are answerèd.
JAQUES FTLN 1063 105 An you will not be answered with reason, I
FTLN 1064 must die.
DUKE SENIOR , to Orlando
FTLN 1065 What would you have? Your gentleness shall force
FTLN 1066 More than your force move us to gentleness.
ORLANDO
FTLN 1067 I almost die for food, and let me have it.
DUKE SENIOR
FTLN 1068 110 Sit down and feed, and welcome to our table.

81
As You Like It
ACT 2. SC. 7
ORLANDO
FTLN 1069 Speak you so gently? Pardon me, I pray you.
FTLN 1070 I thought that all things had been savage here,
FTLN 1071 And therefore put I on the countenance
FTLN 1072 Of stern commandment. But whate’er you are
FTLN 1073 115 That in this desert inaccessible,
FTLN 1074 Under the shade of melancholy boughs,
FTLN 1075 Lose and neglect the creeping hours of time,
FTLN 1076 If ever you have looked on better days,
FTLN 1077 If ever been where bells have knolled to church,
FTLN 1078 120 If ever sat at any good man’s feast,
FTLN 1079 If ever from your eyelids wiped a tear
FTLN 1080 And know what ’tis to pity and be pitied,
FTLN 1081 Let gentleness my strong enforcement be,
FTLN 1082 In the which hope I blush and hide my sword.
He sheathes his sword.
DUKE SENIOR
FTLN 1083 125 True is it that we have seen better days,
FTLN 1084 And have with holy bell been knolled to church,
FTLN 1085 And sat at good men’s feasts and wiped our eyes
FTLN 1086 Of drops that sacred pity hath engendered.
FTLN 1087 And therefore sit you down in gentleness,
FTLN 1088 130 And take upon command what help we have
FTLN 1089 That to your wanting may be ministered.
ORLANDO
FTLN 1090 Then but forbear your food a little while
FTLN 1091 Whiles, like a doe, I go to find my fawn
FTLN 1092 And give it food. There is an old poor man
FTLN 1093 135 Who after me hath many a weary step
FTLN 1094 Limped in pure love. Till he be first sufficed,
FTLN 1095 Oppressed with two weak evils, age and hunger,
FTLN 1096 I will not touch a bit.
DUKE SENIOR FTLN 1097 Go find him out,
FTLN 1098 140 And we will nothing waste till you return.
ORLANDO
FTLN 1099 I thank you; and be blessed for your good comfort.
He exits.

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As You Like It
ACT 2. SC. 7
DUKE SENIOR
FTLN 1100 Thou seest we are not all alone unhappy.
FTLN 1101 This wide and universal theater
FTLN 1102 Presents more woeful pageants than the scene
FTLN 1103 145 Wherein we play in.
JAQUES FTLN 1104 All the world’s a stage,
FTLN 1105 And all the men and women merely players.
FTLN 1106 They have their exits and their entrances,
FTLN 1107 And one man in his time plays many parts,
FTLN 1108 150 His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
FTLN 1109 Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms.
FTLN 1110 Then the whining schoolboy with his satchel
FTLN 1111 And shining morning face, creeping like snail
FTLN 1112 Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
FTLN 1113 155 Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
FTLN 1114 Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. Then a soldier,
FTLN 1115 Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,
FTLN 1116 Jealous in honor, sudden and quick in quarrel,
FTLN 1117 Seeking the bubble reputation
FTLN 1118 160 Even in the cannon’s mouth. And then the justice,
FTLN 1119 In fair round belly with good capon lined,
FTLN 1120 With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
FTLN 1121 Full of wise saws and modern instances;
FTLN 1122 And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
FTLN 1123 165 Into the lean and slippered pantaloon
FTLN 1124 With spectacles on nose and pouch on side,
FTLN 1125 His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide
FTLN 1126 For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice,
FTLN 1127 Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
FTLN 1128 170 And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
FTLN 1129 That ends this strange eventful history,
FTLN 1130 Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
FTLN 1131 Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.
Enter Orlando, carrying Adam.

85
As You Like It
ACT 2. SC. 7
DUKE SENIOR
FTLN 1132 Welcome. Set down your venerable burden,
FTLN 1133 175 And let him feed.
ORLANDO FTLN 1134 I thank you most for him.
ADAM FTLN 1135 So had you need.—
FTLN 1136 I scarce can speak to thank you for myself.
DUKE SENIOR
FTLN 1137 Welcome. Fall to. I will not trouble you
FTLN 1138 180 As yet to question you about your fortunes.—
FTLN 1139 Give us some music, and, good cousin, sing.
The Duke and Orlando continue their conversation,
apart.
Song.
AMIENS sings
FTLN 1140 Blow, blow, thou winter wind.
FTLN 1141 Thou art not so unkind
FTLN 1142 As man’s ingratitude.
FTLN 1143 185 Thy tooth is not so keen,
FTLN 1144 Because thou art not seen,
FTLN 1145 Although thy breath be rude.
FTLN 1146 Heigh-ho, sing heigh-ho, unto the green holly.
FTLN 1147 Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly.
FTLN 1148 190 Then heigh-ho, the holly.
FTLN 1149 This life is most jolly.
FTLN 1150 Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky,
FTLN 1151 That dost not bite so nigh
FTLN 1152 As benefits forgot.
FTLN 1153 195 Though thou the waters warp,
FTLN 1154 Thy sting is not so sharp
FTLN 1155 As friend remembered not.
FTLN 1156 Heigh-ho, sing heigh-ho, unto the green holly.
FTLN 1157 Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly.
FTLN 1158 200 Then heigh-ho, the holly.
FTLN 1159 This life is most jolly.

87
As You Like It
ACT 2. SC. 7
DUKE SENIOR , to Orlando
FTLN 1160 If that you were the good Sir Rowland’s son,
FTLN 1161 As you have whispered faithfully you were,
FTLN 1162 And as mine eye doth his effigies witness
FTLN 1163 205 Most truly limned and living in your face,
FTLN 1164 Be truly welcome hither. I am the duke
FTLN 1165 That loved your father. The residue of your fortune
FTLN 1166 Go to my cave and tell me.—Good old man,
FTLN 1167 Thou art right welcome as thy master is.
FTLN 1168 210 To Lords. Support him by the arm. To Orlando.
FTLN 1169 Give me your hand,
FTLN 1170 And let me all your fortunes understand.
They exit.

ACT 3
Scene 1
Enter Duke Frederick, Lords, and Oliver.
DUKE FREDERICK , to Oliver
FTLN 1171 Not see him since? Sir, sir, that cannot be.
FTLN 1172 But were I not the better part made mercy,
FTLN 1173 I should not seek an absent argument
FTLN 1174 Of my revenge, thou present. But look to it:
FTLN 1175 5 Find out thy brother wheresoe’er he is.
FTLN 1176 Seek him with candle. Bring him, dead or living,
FTLN 1177 Within this twelvemonth, or turn thou no more
FTLN 1178 To seek a living in our territory.
FTLN 1179 Thy lands and all things that thou dost call thine,
FTLN 1180 10 Worth seizure, do we seize into our hands
FTLN 1181 Till thou canst quit thee by thy brother’s mouth
FTLN 1182 Of what we think against thee.
OLIVER
FTLN 1183 O, that your Highness knew my heart in this:
FTLN 1184 I never loved my brother in my life.
DUKE FREDERICK
FTLN 1185 15 More villain thou.—Well, push him out of doors,
FTLN 1186 And let my officers of such a nature
FTLN 1187 Make an extent upon his house and lands.
FTLN 1188 Do this expediently, and turn him going.
They exit.
91

93
As You Like It
ACT 3. SC. 2
Scene 2
Enter Orlando, with a paper.
ORLANDO
FTLN 1189 Hang there, my verse, in witness of my love.
FTLN 1190 And thou, thrice-crownèd queen of night, survey
FTLN 1191 With thy chaste eye, from thy pale sphere above,
FTLN 1192 Thy huntress’ name that my full life doth sway.
FTLN 1193 5 O Rosalind, these trees shall be my books,
FTLN 1194 And in their barks my thoughts I’ll character,
FTLN 1195 That every eye which in this forest looks
FTLN 1196 Shall see thy virtue witnessed everywhere.
FTLN 1197 Run, run, Orlando, carve on every tree
FTLN 1198 10 The fair, the chaste, and unexpressive she.
He exits.
Enter Corin and Touchstone.
CORIN FTLN 1199 And how like you this shepherd’s life, Master
FTLN 1200 Touchstone?
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1201 Truly, shepherd, in respect of itself, it is a
FTLN 1202 good life; but in respect that it is a shepherd’s life, it
FTLN 1203 15 is naught. In respect that it is solitary, I like it very
FTLN 1204 well; but in respect that it is private, it is a very vile
FTLN 1205 life. Now in respect it is in the fields, it pleaseth me
FTLN 1206 well; but in respect it is not in the court, it is
FTLN 1207 tedious. As it is a spare life, look you, it fits my
FTLN 1208 20 humor well; but as there is no more plenty in it, it
FTLN 1209 goes much against my stomach. Hast any philosophy
FTLN 1210 in thee, shepherd?
CORIN FTLN 1211 No more but that I know the more one sickens,
FTLN 1212 the worse at ease he is, and that he that wants
FTLN 1213 25 money, means, and content is without three good
FTLN 1214 friends; that the property of rain is to wet, and fire
FTLN 1215 to burn; that good pasture makes fat sheep; and that
FTLN 1216 a great cause of the night is lack of the sun; that he
FTLN 1217 that hath learned no wit by nature nor art may

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ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1218 30 complain of good breeding or comes of a very dull
FTLN 1219 kindred.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1220 Such a one is a natural philosopher. Wast
FTLN 1221 ever in court, shepherd?
CORIN FTLN 1222 No, truly.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1223 35 Then thou art damned.
CORIN FTLN 1224 Nay, I hope.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1225 Truly, thou art damned, like an ill-roasted
FTLN 1226 egg, all on one side.
CORIN FTLN 1227 For not being at court? Your reason.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1228 40 Why, if thou never wast at court, thou
FTLN 1229 never saw’st good manners; if thou never saw’st
FTLN 1230 good manners, then thy manners must be wicked,
FTLN 1231 and wickedness is sin, and sin is damnation. Thou
FTLN 1232 art in a parlous state, shepherd.
CORIN FTLN 1233 45 Not a whit, Touchstone. Those that are good
FTLN 1234 manners at the court are as ridiculous in the
FTLN 1235 country as the behavior of the country is most
FTLN 1236 mockable at the court. You told me you salute not at
FTLN 1237 the court but you kiss your hands. That courtesy
FTLN 1238 50 would be uncleanly if courtiers were shepherds.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1239 Instance, briefly. Come, instance.
CORIN FTLN 1240 Why, we are still handling our ewes, and their
FTLN 1241 fells, you know, are greasy.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1242 Why, do not your courtier’s hands sweat?
FTLN 1243 55 And is not the grease of a mutton as wholesome as
FTLN 1244 the sweat of a man? Shallow, shallow. A better
FTLN 1245 instance, I say. Come.
CORIN FTLN 1246 Besides, our hands are hard.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1247 Your lips will feel them the sooner. Shallow
FTLN 1248 60 again. A more sounder instance. Come.
CORIN FTLN 1249 And they are often tarred over with the surgery
FTLN 1250 of our sheep; and would you have us kiss tar? The
FTLN 1251 courtier’s hands are perfumed with civet.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1252 Most shallow man. Thou worms’ meat in
FTLN 1253 65 respect of a good piece of flesh, indeed. Learn of the

97
As You Like It
ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1254 wise and perpend: civet is of a baser birth than tar,
FTLN 1255 the very uncleanly flux of a cat. Mend the instance,
FTLN 1256 shepherd.
CORIN FTLN 1257 You have too courtly a wit for me. I’ll rest.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1258 70 Wilt thou rest damned? God help thee,
FTLN 1259 shallow man. God make incision in thee; thou art
FTLN 1260 raw.
CORIN FTLN 1261 Sir, I am a true laborer. I earn that I eat, get that
FTLN 1262 I wear, owe no man hate, envy no man’s happiness,
FTLN 1263 75 glad of other men’s good, content with my harm,
FTLN 1264 and the greatest of my pride is to see my ewes graze
FTLN 1265 and my lambs suck.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1266 That is another simple sin in you, to bring
FTLN 1267 the ewes and the rams together and to offer to get
FTLN 1268 80 your living by the copulation of cattle; to be bawd to
FTLN 1269 a bell-wether and to betray a she-lamb of a twelvemonth
FTLN 1270 to a crooked-pated old cuckoldly ram, out of
FTLN 1271 all reasonable match. If thou be’st not damned for
FTLN 1272 this, the devil himself will have no shepherds. I
FTLN 1273 85 cannot see else how thou shouldst ’scape.
Enter Rosalind, as Ganymede.
CORIN FTLN 1274 Here comes young Master Ganymede, my new
FTLN 1275 mistress’s brother.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede, reading a paper
FTLN 1276 From the east to western Ind
FTLN 1277 No jewel is like Rosalind.
FTLN 1278 90 Her worth being mounted on the wind,
FTLN 1279 Through all the world bears Rosalind.
FTLN 1280 All the pictures fairest lined
FTLN 1281 Are but black to Rosalind.
FTLN 1282 Let no face be kept in mind
FTLN 1283 95 But the fair of Rosalind.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1284 I’ll rhyme you so eight years together,
FTLN 1285 dinners and suppers and sleeping hours excepted.
FTLN 1286 It is the right butter-women’s rank to market.

99
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ACT 3. SC. 2
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1287 Out, fool.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1288 100 For a taste:
FTLN 1289 If a hart do lack a hind,
FTLN 1290 Let him seek out Rosalind.
FTLN 1291 If the cat will after kind,
FTLN 1292 So be sure will Rosalind.
FTLN 1293 105 Wintered garments must be lined;
FTLN 1294 So must slender Rosalind.
FTLN 1295 They that reap must sheaf and bind;
FTLN 1296 Then to cart with Rosalind.
FTLN 1297 Sweetest nut hath sourest rind;
FTLN 1298 110 Such a nut is Rosalind.
FTLN 1299 He that sweetest rose will find
FTLN 1300 Must find love’s prick, and Rosalind.
FTLN 1301 This is the very false gallop of verses. Why do you
FTLN 1302 infect yourself with them?
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1303 115 Peace, you dull fool. I found
FTLN 1304 them on a tree.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1305 Truly, the tree yields bad fruit.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1306 I’ll graft it with you, and
FTLN 1307 then I shall graft it with a medlar. Then it will be
FTLN 1308 120 the earliest fruit i’ th’ country, for you’ll be rotten
FTLN 1309 ere you be half ripe, and that’s the right virtue of
FTLN 1310 the medlar.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1311 You have said, but whether wisely or no,
FTLN 1312 let the forest judge.
Enter Celia, as Aliena, with a writing.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1313 125 Peace. Here comes my sister
FTLN 1314 reading. Stand aside.
CELIA , as Aliena, reads
FTLN 1315 Why should this a desert be?
FTLN 1316 For it is unpeopled? No.
FTLN 1317 Tongues I’ll hang on every tree
FTLN 1318 130 That shall civil sayings show.
FTLN 1319 Some how brief the life of man
FTLN 1320 Runs his erring pilgrimage,

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ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1321 That the stretching of a span
FTLN 1322 Buckles in his sum of age;
FTLN 1323 135 Some of violated vows
FTLN 1324 ’Twixt the souls of friend and friend.
FTLN 1325 But upon the fairest boughs,
FTLN 1326 Or at every sentence’ end,
FTLN 1327 Will I “Rosalinda” write,
FTLN 1328 140 Teaching all that read to know
FTLN 1329 The quintessence of every sprite
FTLN 1330 Heaven would in little show.
FTLN 1331 Therefore heaven nature charged
FTLN 1332 That one body should be filled
FTLN 1333 145 With all graces wide-enlarged.
FTLN 1334 Nature presently distilled
FTLN 1335 Helen’s cheek, but not her heart,
FTLN 1336 Cleopatra’s majesty,
FTLN 1337 Atalanta’s better part,
FTLN 1338 150 Sad Lucretia’s modesty.
FTLN 1339 Thus Rosalind of many parts
FTLN 1340 By heavenly synod was devised
FTLN 1341 Of many faces, eyes, and hearts
FTLN 1342 To have the touches dearest prized.
FTLN 1343 155 Heaven would that she these gifts should have
FTLN 1344 And I to live and die her slave.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1345 O most gentle Jupiter, what
FTLN 1346 tedious homily of love have you wearied your parishioners
FTLN 1347 withal, and never cried “Have patience,
FTLN 1348 160 good people!”
CELIA , as Aliena FTLN 1349 How now?—Back, friends. Shepherd,
FTLN 1350 go off a little.—Go with him, sirrah.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1351 Come, shepherd, let us make an honorable
FTLN 1352 retreat, though not with bag and baggage, yet
FTLN 1353 165 with scrip and scrippage.
Touchstone and Corin exit.
CELIA FTLN 1354 Didst thou hear these verses?
ROSALIND FTLN 1355 O yes, I heard them all, and more too, for

103
As You Like It
ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1356 some of them had in them more feet than the verses
FTLN 1357 would bear.
CELIA FTLN 1358 170 That’s no matter. The feet might bear the verses.
ROSALIND FTLN 1359 Ay, but the feet were lame and could not
FTLN 1360 bear themselves without the verse, and therefore
FTLN 1361 stood lamely in the verse.
CELIA FTLN 1362 But didst thou hear without wondering how thy
FTLN 1363 175 name should be hanged and carved upon these
FTLN 1364 trees?
ROSALIND FTLN 1365 I was seven of the nine days out of the
FTLN 1366 wonder before you came, for look here what I
FTLN 1367 found on a palm tree. She shows the paper she
read. FTLN 1368 180 I was never so berhymed since Pythagoras’
FTLN 1369 time that I was an Irish rat, which I can hardly
FTLN 1370 remember.
CELIA FTLN 1371 Trow you who hath done this?
ROSALIND FTLN 1372 Is it a man?
CELIA FTLN 1373 185 And a chain, that you once wore, about his neck.
FTLN 1374 Change you color?
ROSALIND FTLN 1375 I prithee, who?
CELIA FTLN 1376 O Lord, Lord, it is a hard matter for friends to
FTLN 1377 meet, but mountains may be removed with earthquakes
FTLN 1378 190 and so encounter.
ROSALIND FTLN 1379 Nay, but who is it?
CELIA FTLN 1380 Is it possible?
ROSALIND FTLN 1381 Nay, I prithee now, with most petitionary
FTLN 1382 vehemence, tell me who it is.
CELIA FTLN 1383 195 O wonderful, wonderful, and most wonderful
FTLN 1384 wonderful, and yet again wonderful, and after that
FTLN 1385 out of all whooping!
ROSALIND FTLN 1386 Good my complexion, dost thou think
FTLN 1387 though I am caparisoned like a man, I have a
FTLN 1388 200 doublet and hose in my disposition? One inch of
FTLN 1389 delay more is a South Sea of discovery. I prithee,
FTLN 1390 tell me who is it quickly, and speak apace. I would
FTLN 1391 thou couldst stammer, that thou might’st pour this

105
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ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1392 concealed man out of thy mouth as wine comes out
FTLN 1393 205 of a narrow-mouthed bottle—either too much at
FTLN 1394 once, or none at all. I prithee take the cork out of
FTLN 1395 thy mouth, that I may drink thy tidings.
CELIA FTLN 1396 So you may put a man in your belly.
ROSALIND FTLN 1397 Is he of God’s making? What manner of
FTLN 1398 210 man? Is his head worth a hat, or his chin worth a
FTLN 1399 beard?
CELIA FTLN 1400 Nay, he hath but a little beard.
ROSALIND FTLN 1401 Why, God will send more, if the man will be
FTLN 1402 thankful. Let me stay the growth of his beard, if
FTLN 1403 215 thou delay me not the knowledge of his chin.
CELIA FTLN 1404 It is young Orlando, that tripped up the wrestler’s
FTLN 1405 heels and your heart both in an instant.
ROSALIND FTLN 1406 Nay, but the devil take mocking. Speak sad
FTLN 1407 brow and true maid.
CELIA FTLN 1408 220 I’ faith, coz, ’tis he.
ROSALIND FTLN 1409 Orlando?
CELIA FTLN 1410 Orlando.
ROSALIND FTLN 1411 Alas the day, what shall I do with my doublet
FTLN 1412 and hose? What did he when thou saw’st him? What
FTLN 1413 225 said he? How looked he? Wherein went he? What
FTLN 1414 makes he here? Did he ask for me? Where remains
FTLN 1415 he? How parted he with thee? And when shalt thou
FTLN 1416 see him again? Answer me in one word.
CELIA FTLN 1417 You must borrow me Gargantua’s mouth first.
FTLN 1418 230 ’Tis a word too great for any mouth of this age’s size.
FTLN 1419 To say ay and no to these particulars is more than to
FTLN 1420 answer in a catechism.
ROSALIND FTLN 1421 But doth he know that I am in this forest and
FTLN 1422 in man’s apparel? Looks he as freshly as he did the
FTLN 1423 235 day he wrestled?
CELIA FTLN 1424 It is as easy to count atomies as to resolve the
FTLN 1425 propositions of a lover. But take a taste of my
FTLN 1426 finding him, and relish it with good observance. I
FTLN 1427 found him under a tree like a dropped acorn.

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ACT 3. SC. 2
ROSALIND FTLN 1428 240 It may well be called Jove’s tree when it
FTLN 1429 drops forth such fruit.
CELIA FTLN 1430 Give me audience, good madam.
ROSALIND FTLN 1431 Proceed.
CELIA FTLN 1432 There lay he, stretched along like a wounded
FTLN 1433 245 knight.
ROSALIND FTLN 1434 Though it be pity to see such a sight, it well
FTLN 1435 becomes the ground.
CELIA FTLN 1436 Cry “holla” to thy tongue, I prithee. It curvets
FTLN 1437 unseasonably. He was furnished like a hunter.
ROSALIND FTLN 1438 250 O, ominous! He comes to kill my heart.
CELIA FTLN 1439 I would sing my song without a burden. Thou
FTLN 1440 bring’st me out of tune.
ROSALIND FTLN 1441 Do you not know I am a woman? When I
FTLN 1442 think, I must speak. Sweet, say on.
CELIA FTLN 1443 255 You bring me out.
Enter Orlando and Jaques.
FTLN 1444 Soft, comes he not here?
ROSALIND FTLN 1445’Tis he. Slink by, and note him.
Rosalind and Celia step aside.
JAQUES , to Orlando FTLN 1446 I thank you for your company,
FTLN 1447 but, good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.
ORLANDO FTLN 1448 260 And so had I, but yet, for fashion sake, I
FTLN 1449 thank you too for your society.
JAQUES FTLN 1450 God be wi’ you. Let’s meet as little as we can.
ORLANDO FTLN 1451 I do desire we may be better strangers.
JAQUES FTLN 1452 I pray you mar no more trees with writing love
FTLN 1453 265 songs in their barks.
ORLANDO FTLN 1454 I pray you mar no more of my verses with
FTLN 1455 reading them ill-favoredly.
JAQUES FTLN 1456 Rosalind is your love’s name?
ORLANDO FTLN 1457 Yes, just.
JAQUES FTLN 1458 270 I do not like her name.
ORLANDO FTLN 1459 There was no thought of pleasing you when
FTLN 1460 she was christened.

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As You Like It
ACT 3. SC. 2
JAQUES FTLN 1461 What stature is she of?
ORLANDO FTLN 1462 Just as high as my heart.
JAQUES FTLN 1463 275 You are full of pretty answers. Have you not
FTLN 1464 been acquainted with goldsmiths’ wives and
FTLN 1465 conned them out of rings?
ORLANDO FTLN 1466 Not so. But I answer you right painted cloth,
FTLN 1467 from whence you have studied your questions.
JAQUES FTLN 1468 280 You have a nimble wit. I think ’twas made of
FTLN 1469 Atalanta’s heels. Will you sit down with me? And we
FTLN 1470 two will rail against our mistress the world and all
FTLN 1471 our misery.
ORLANDO FTLN 1472 I will chide no breather in the world but
FTLN 1473 285 myself, against whom I know most faults.
JAQUES FTLN 1474 The worst fault you have is to be in love.
ORLANDO FTLN 1475’Tis a fault I will not change for your best
FTLN 1476 virtue. I am weary of you.
JAQUES FTLN 1477 By my troth, I was seeking for a fool when I
FTLN 1478 290 found you.
ORLANDO FTLN 1479 He is drowned in the brook. Look but in, and
FTLN 1480 you shall see him.
JAQUES FTLN 1481 There I shall see mine own figure.
ORLANDO FTLN 1482 Which I take to be either a fool or a cipher.
JAQUES FTLN 1483 295 I’ll tarry no longer with you. Farewell, good
FTLN 1484 Signior Love.
ORLANDO FTLN 1485 I am glad of your departure. Adieu, good
FTLN 1486 Monsieur Melancholy. Jaques exits.
ROSALIND , aside to Celia FTLN 1487 I will speak to him like a
FTLN 1488 300 saucy lackey, and under that habit play the knave
FTLN 1489 with him. As Ganymede. Do you hear, forester?
ORLANDO FTLN 1490 Very well. What would you?
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1491 I pray you, what is ’t
FTLN 1492 o’clock?
ORLANDO FTLN 1493 305 You should ask me what time o’ day. There’s
FTLN 1494 no clock in the forest.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1495 Then there is no true lover
FTLN 1496 in the forest; else sighing every minute and

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ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1497 groaning every hour would detect the lazy foot of
FTLN 1498 310 time as well as a clock.
ORLANDO FTLN 1499 And why not the swift foot of time? Had not
FTLN 1500 that been as proper?
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1501 By no means, sir. Time
FTLN 1502 travels in divers paces with divers persons. I’ll tell
FTLN 1503 315 you who time ambles withal, who time trots withal,
FTLN 1504 who time gallops withal, and who he stands still
FTLN 1505 withal.
ORLANDO FTLN 1506 I prithee, who doth he trot withal?
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1507 Marry, he trots hard with a
FTLN 1508 320 young maid between the contract of her marriage
FTLN 1509 and the day it is solemnized. If the interim be but a
FTLN 1510 se’nnight, time’s pace is so hard that it seems the
FTLN 1511 length of seven year.
ORLANDO FTLN 1512 Who ambles time withal?
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1513 325 With a priest that lacks Latin
FTLN 1514 and a rich man that hath not the gout, for the one
FTLN 1515 sleeps easily because he cannot study, and the other
FTLN 1516 lives merrily because he feels no pain—the one
FTLN 1517 lacking the burden of lean and wasteful learning,
FTLN 1518 330 the other knowing no burden of heavy tedious
FTLN 1519 penury. These time ambles withal.
ORLANDO FTLN 1520 Who doth he gallop withal?
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1521 With a thief to the gallows,
FTLN 1522 for though he go as softly as foot can fall, he thinks
FTLN 1523 335 himself too soon there.
ORLANDO FTLN 1524 Who stays it still withal?
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1525 With lawyers in the vacation,
FTLN 1526 for they sleep between term and term, and
FTLN 1527 then they perceive not how time moves.
ORLANDO FTLN 1528 340 Where dwell you, pretty youth?
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1529 With this shepherdess, my
FTLN 1530 sister, here in the skirts of the forest, like fringe
FTLN 1531 upon a petticoat.
ORLANDO FTLN 1532 Are you native of this place?

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ACT 3. SC. 2
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1533 345 As the cony that you see
FTLN 1534 dwell where she is kindled.
ORLANDO FTLN 1535 Your accent is something finer than you
FTLN 1536 could purchase in so removed a dwelling.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1537 I have been told so of many.
FTLN 1538 350 But indeed an old religious uncle of mine taught
FTLN 1539 me to speak, who was in his youth an inland man,
FTLN 1540 one that knew courtship too well, for there he fell in
FTLN 1541 love. I have heard him read many lectures against it,
FTLN 1542 and I thank God I am not a woman, to be touched
FTLN 1543 355 with so many giddy offenses as he hath generally
FTLN 1544 taxed their whole sex withal.
ORLANDO FTLN 1545 Can you remember any of the principal evils
FTLN 1546 that he laid to the charge of women?
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1547 There were none principal.
FTLN 1548 360 They were all like one another as halfpence are,
FTLN 1549 every one fault seeming monstrous till his fellow
FTLN 1550 fault came to match it.
ORLANDO FTLN 1551 I prithee recount some of them.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1552 No, I will not cast away my
FTLN 1553 365 physic but on those that are sick. There is a man
FTLN 1554 haunts the forest that abuses our young plants with
FTLN 1555 carving “Rosalind” on their barks, hangs odes upon
FTLN 1556 hawthorns and elegies on brambles, all, forsooth,
FTLN 1557 deifying the name of Rosalind. If I could meet
FTLN 1558 370 that fancy-monger, I would give him some good
FTLN 1559 counsel, for he seems to have the quotidian of love
FTLN 1560 upon him.
ORLANDO FTLN 1561 I am he that is so love-shaked. I pray you tell
FTLN 1562 me your remedy.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1563 375 There is none of my uncle’s
FTLN 1564 marks upon you. He taught me how to know a man
FTLN 1565 in love, in which cage of rushes I am sure you are
FTLN 1566 not prisoner.
ORLANDO FTLN 1567 What were his marks?
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1568 380 A lean cheek, which you

115
As You Like It
ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1569 have not; a blue eye and sunken, which you have
FTLN 1570 not; an unquestionable spirit, which you have not; a
FTLN 1571 beard neglected, which you have not—but I pardon
FTLN 1572 you for that, for simply your having in beard is a
FTLN 1573 385 younger brother’s revenue. Then your hose should
FTLN 1574 be ungartered, your bonnet unbanded, your sleeve
FTLN 1575 unbuttoned, your shoe untied, and everything
FTLN 1576 about you demonstrating a careless desolation. But
FTLN 1577 you are no such man. You are rather point-device in
FTLN 1578 390 your accouterments, as loving yourself than seeming
FTLN 1579 the lover of any other.
ORLANDO FTLN 1580 Fair youth, I would I could make thee believe
FTLN 1581 I love.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1582 Me believe it? You may as
FTLN 1583 395 soon make her that you love believe it, which I
FTLN 1584 warrant she is apter to do than to confess she does.
FTLN 1585 That is one of the points in the which women still
FTLN 1586 give the lie to their consciences. But, in good sooth,
FTLN 1587 are you he that hangs the verses on the trees
FTLN 1588 400 wherein Rosalind is so admired?
ORLANDO FTLN 1589 I swear to thee, youth, by the white hand of
FTLN 1590 Rosalind, I am that he, that unfortunate he.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1591 But are you so much in love
FTLN 1592 as your rhymes speak?
ORLANDO FTLN 1593 405 Neither rhyme nor reason can express how
FTLN 1594 much.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1595 Love is merely a madness,
FTLN 1596 and, I tell you, deserves as well a dark house and a
FTLN 1597 whip as madmen do; and the reason why they are
FTLN 1598 410 not so punished and cured is that the lunacy is so
FTLN 1599 ordinary that the whippers are in love too. Yet I
FTLN 1600 profess curing it by counsel.
ORLANDO FTLN 1601 Did you ever cure any so?
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1602 Yes, one, and in this manner.
FTLN 1603 415 He was to imagine me his love, his mistress,
FTLN 1604 and I set him every day to woo me; at which time

117
As You Like It
ACT 3. SC. 3
FTLN 1605 would I, being but a moonish youth, grieve, be
FTLN 1606 effeminate, changeable, longing and liking, proud,
FTLN 1607 fantastical, apish, shallow, inconstant, full of tears,
FTLN 1608 420 full of smiles; for every passion something, and for
FTLN 1609 no passion truly anything, as boys and women are,
FTLN 1610 for the most part, cattle of this color; would now
FTLN 1611 like him, now loathe him; then entertain him, then
FTLN 1612 forswear him; now weep for him, then spit at him,
FTLN 1613 425 that I drave my suitor from his mad humor of love
FTLN 1614 to a living humor of madness, which was to forswear
FTLN 1615 the full stream of the world and to live in a
FTLN 1616 nook merely monastic. And thus I cured him, and
FTLN 1617 this way will I take upon me to wash your liver as
FTLN 1618 430 clean as a sound sheep’s heart, that there shall not
FTLN 1619 be one spot of love in ’t.
ORLANDO FTLN 1620 I would not be cured, youth.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1621 I would cure you if you
FTLN 1622 would but call me Rosalind and come every day to
FTLN 1623 435 my cote and woo me.
ORLANDO FTLN 1624 Now, by the faith of my love, I will. Tell me
FTLN 1625 where it is.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1626 Go with me to it, and I’ll
FTLN 1627 show it you; and by the way you shall tell me where
FTLN 1628 440 in the forest you live. Will you go?
ORLANDO FTLN 1629 With all my heart, good youth.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1630 Nay, you must call me
FTLN 1631 Rosalind.—Come, sister, will you go?
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Touchstone and Audrey, followed by Jaques.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1632 Come apace, good Audrey. I will fetch up
FTLN 1633 your goats, Audrey. And how, Audrey? Am I the
FTLN 1634 man yet? Doth my simple feature content you?

119
As You Like It
ACT 3. SC. 3
AUDREY FTLN 1635 Your features, Lord warrant us! What
FTLN 1636 5 features?
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1637 I am here with thee and thy goats, as the
FTLN 1638 most capricious poet, honest Ovid, was among the
FTLN 1639 Goths.
JAQUES , aside FTLN 1640 O knowledge ill-inhabited, worse than
FTLN 1641 10 Jove in a thatched house.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1642 When a man’s verses cannot be understood,
FTLN 1643 nor a man’s good wit seconded with the
FTLN 1644 forward child, understanding, it strikes a man more
FTLN 1645 dead than a great reckoning in a little room. Truly, I
FTLN 1646 15 would the gods had made thee poetical.
AUDREY FTLN 1647 I do not know what “poetical” is. Is it honest
FTLN 1648 in deed and word? Is it a true thing?
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1649 No, truly, for the truest poetry is the most
FTLN 1650 feigning, and lovers are given to poetry, and what
FTLN 1651 20 they swear in poetry may be said as lovers they do
FTLN 1652 feign.
AUDREY FTLN 1653 Do you wish, then, that the gods had made me
FTLN 1654 poetical?
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1655 I do, truly, for thou swear’st to me thou
FTLN 1656 25 art honest. Now if thou wert a poet, I might have
FTLN 1657 some hope thou didst feign.
AUDREY FTLN 1658 Would you not have me honest?
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1659 No, truly, unless thou wert hard-favored;
FTLN 1660 for honesty coupled to beauty is to have honey a
FTLN 1661 30 sauce to sugar.
JAQUES , aside FTLN 1662 A material fool.
AUDREY FTLN 1663 Well, I am not fair, and therefore I pray the
FTLN 1664 gods make me honest.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1665 Truly, and to cast away honesty upon a
FTLN 1666 35 foul slut were to put good meat into an unclean
FTLN 1667 dish.
AUDREY FTLN 1668 I am not a slut, though I thank the gods I am
FTLN 1669 foul.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1670 Well, praised be the gods for thy foulness;

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ACT 3. SC. 3
FTLN 1671 40 sluttishness may come hereafter. But be it as it may
FTLN 1672 be, I will marry thee; and to that end I have been
FTLN 1673 with Sir Oliver Martext, the vicar of the next village,
FTLN 1674 who hath promised to meet me in this place of the
FTLN 1675 forest and to couple us.
JAQUES , aside FTLN 1676 45 I would fain see this meeting.
AUDREY FTLN 1677 Well, the gods give us joy.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1678 Amen. A man may, if he were of a fearful
FTLN 1679 heart, stagger in this attempt, for here we have no
FTLN 1680 temple but the wood, no assembly but horn-beasts.
FTLN 1681 50 But what though? Courage. As horns are odious,
FTLN 1682 they are necessary. It is said “Many a man knows no
FTLN 1683 end of his goods.” Right: many a man has good
FTLN 1684 horns and knows no end of them. Well, that is the
FTLN 1685 dowry of his wife; ’tis none of his own getting.
FTLN 1686 55 Horns? Even so. Poor men alone? No, no. The
FTLN 1687 noblest deer hath them as huge as the rascal. Is the
FTLN 1688 single man therefore blessed? No. As a walled town
FTLN 1689 is more worthier than a village, so is the forehead of
FTLN 1690 a married man more honorable than the bare brow
FTLN 1691 60 of a bachelor. And by how much defense is better
FTLN 1692 than no skill, by so much is a horn more precious
FTLN 1693 than to want.
Enter Sir Oliver Martext.
FTLN 1694 Here comes Sir Oliver.—Sir Oliver Martext, you are
FTLN 1695 well met. Will you dispatch us here under this tree,
FTLN 1696 65 or shall we go with you to your chapel?
OLIVER MARTEXT FTLN 1697 Is there none here to give the
FTLN 1698 woman?
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1699 I will not take her on gift of any man.
OLIVER MARTEXT FTLN 1700 Truly, she must be given, or the
FTLN 1701 70 marriage is not lawful.
JAQUES , coming forward FTLN 1702 Proceed, proceed. I’ll give
FTLN 1703 her.

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ACT 3. SC. 3
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1704 Good even, good Monsieur What-you-call-’t.
FTLN 1705 How do you, sir? You are very well met. God
FTLN 1706 75 ’ild you for your last company. I am very glad to see
FTLN 1707 you. Even a toy in hand here, sir. Nay, pray be
FTLN 1708 covered.
JAQUES FTLN 1709 Will you be married, motley?
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1710 As the ox hath his bow, sir, the horse his
FTLN 1711 80 curb, and the falcon her bells, so man hath his
FTLN 1712 desires; and as pigeons bill, so wedlock would be
FTLN 1713 nibbling.
JAQUES FTLN 1714 And will you, being a man of your breeding, be
FTLN 1715 married under a bush like a beggar? Get you to
FTLN 1716 85 church, and have a good priest that can tell you
FTLN 1717 what marriage is. This fellow will but join you
FTLN 1718 together as they join wainscot. Then one of you will
FTLN 1719 prove a shrunk panel and, like green timber, warp,
FTLN 1720 warp.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1721 90 I am not in the mind but I were better to
FTLN 1722 be married of him than of another, for he is not like
FTLN 1723 to marry me well, and not being well married, it
FTLN 1724 will be a good excuse for me hereafter to leave my
FTLN 1725 wife.
JAQUES FTLN 1726 95 Go thou with me, and let me counsel thee.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 1727 Come, sweet Audrey. We must be married,
FTLN 1728 or we must live in bawdry.—Farewell, good
FTLN 1729 Master Oliver, not
FTLN 1730 O sweet Oliver,
FTLN 1731 100 O brave Oliver,
FTLN 1732 Leave me not behind thee,
FTLN 1733 But
FTLN 1734 Wind away,
FTLN 1735 Begone, I say,
FTLN 1736 105 I will not to wedding with thee.
Audrey, Touchstone, and Jaques exit.
OLIVER MARTEXT FTLN 1737’Tis no matter. Ne’er a fantastical
FTLN 1738 knave of them all shall flout me out of my calling.
He exits.

125
As You Like It
ACT 3. SC. 4
Scene 4
Enter Rosalind, dressed as Ganymede, and Celia,
dressed as Aliena.
ROSALIND FTLN 1739 Never talk to me. I will weep.
CELIA FTLN 1740 Do, I prithee, but yet have the grace to consider
FTLN 1741 that tears do not become a man.
ROSALIND FTLN 1742 But have I not cause to weep?
CELIA FTLN 1743 5 As good cause as one would desire. Therefore
FTLN 1744 weep.
ROSALIND FTLN 1745 His very hair is of the dissembling color.
CELIA FTLN 1746 Something browner than Judas’s. Marry, his
FTLN 1747 kisses are Judas’s own children.
ROSALIND FTLN 1748 10 I’ faith, his hair is of a good color.
CELIA FTLN 1749 An excellent color. Your chestnut was ever the
FTLN 1750 only color.
ROSALIND FTLN 1751 And his kissing is as full of sanctity as the
FTLN 1752 touch of holy bread.
CELIA FTLN 1753 15 He hath bought a pair of cast lips of Diana. A
FTLN 1754 nun of winter’s sisterhood kisses not more religiously.
FTLN 1755 The very ice of chastity is in them.
ROSALIND FTLN 1756 But why did he swear he would come this
FTLN 1757 morning, and comes not?
CELIA FTLN 1758 20 Nay, certainly, there is no truth in him.
ROSALIND FTLN 1759 Do you think so?
CELIA FTLN 1760 Yes, I think he is not a pickpurse nor a horse-stealer,
FTLN 1761 but for his verity in love, I do think him as
FTLN 1762 concave as a covered goblet or a worm-eaten nut.
ROSALIND FTLN 1763 25 Not true in love?
CELIA FTLN 1764 Yes, when he is in, but I think he is not in.
ROSALIND FTLN 1765 You have heard him swear downright he
FTLN 1766 was.
CELIA FTLN 1767“Was” is not “is.” Besides, the oath of a lover is
FTLN 1768 30 no stronger than the word of a tapster. They are
FTLN 1769 both the confirmer of false reckonings. He attends
FTLN 1770 here in the forest on the Duke your father.

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ACT 3. SC. 4
ROSALIND FTLN 1771 I met the Duke yesterday and had much
FTLN 1772 question with him. He asked me of what parentage
FTLN 1773 35 I was. I told him, of as good as he. So he laughed
FTLN 1774 and let me go. But what talk we of fathers when
FTLN 1775 there is such a man as Orlando?
CELIA FTLN 1776 O, that’s a brave man. He writes brave verses,
FTLN 1777 speaks brave words, swears brave oaths, and breaks
FTLN 1778 40 them bravely, quite traverse, athwart the heart of
FTLN 1779 his lover, as a puny tilter that spurs his horse but on
FTLN 1780 one side breaks his staff like a noble goose; but all’s
FTLN 1781 brave that youth mounts and folly guides.
Enter Corin.
FTLN 1782 Who comes here?
CORIN
FTLN 1783 45 Mistress and master, you have oft inquired
FTLN 1784 After the shepherd that complained of love,
FTLN 1785 Who you saw sitting by me on the turf,
FTLN 1786 Praising the proud disdainful shepherdess
FTLN 1787 That was his mistress.
CELIA , as Aliena FTLN 1788 50 Well, and what of him?
CORIN
FTLN 1789 If you will see a pageant truly played
FTLN 1790 Between the pale complexion of true love
FTLN 1791 And the red glow of scorn and proud disdain,
FTLN 1792 Go hence a little, and I shall conduct you
FTLN 1793 55 If you will mark it.
ROSALIND , aside to Celia FTLN 1794 O come, let us remove.
FTLN 1795 The sight of lovers feedeth those in love.
FTLN 1796 As Ganymede, to Corin. Bring us to this sight, and
FTLN 1797 you shall say
FTLN 1798 60 I’ll prove a busy actor in their play.
They exit.

129
As You Like It
ACT 3. SC. 5
Scene 5
Enter Silvius and Phoebe.
SILVIUS
FTLN 1799 Sweet Phoebe, do not scorn me. Do not, Phoebe.
FTLN 1800 Say that you love me not, but say not so
FTLN 1801 In bitterness. The common executioner,
FTLN 1802 Whose heart th’ accustomed sight of death makes
FTLN 1803 5 hard,
FTLN 1804 Falls not the axe upon the humbled neck
FTLN 1805 But first begs pardon. Will you sterner be
FTLN 1806 Than he that dies and lives by bloody drops?
Enter, unobserved, Rosalind as Ganymede, Celia as
Aliena, and Corin.
PHOEBE
FTLN 1807 I would not be thy executioner.
FTLN 1808 10 I fly thee, for I would not injure thee.
FTLN 1809 Thou tell’st me there is murder in mine eye.
FTLN 1810 ’Tis pretty, sure, and very probable
FTLN 1811 That eyes, that are the frail’st and softest things,
FTLN 1812 Who shut their coward gates on atomies,
FTLN 1813 15 Should be called tyrants, butchers, murderers.
FTLN 1814 Now I do frown on thee with all my heart,
FTLN 1815 And if mine eyes can wound, now let them kill thee.
FTLN 1816 Now counterfeit to swoon; why, now fall down;
FTLN 1817 Or if thou canst not, O, for shame, for shame,
FTLN 1818 20 Lie not, to say mine eyes are murderers.
FTLN 1819 Now show the wound mine eye hath made in thee.
FTLN 1820 Scratch thee but with a pin, and there remains
FTLN 1821 Some scar of it. Lean upon a rush,
FTLN 1822 The cicatrice and capable impressure
FTLN 1823 25 Thy palm some moment keeps. But now mine eyes,
FTLN 1824 Which I have darted at thee, hurt thee not;
FTLN 1825 Nor I am sure there is no force in eyes
FTLN 1826 That can do hurt.

131
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ACT 3. SC. 5
SILVIUS FTLN 1827 O dear Phoebe,
FTLN 1828 30 If ever—as that ever may be near—
FTLN 1829 You meet in some fresh cheek the power of fancy,
FTLN 1830 Then shall you know the wounds invisible
FTLN 1831 That love’s keen arrows make.
PHOEBE FTLN 1832 But till that time
FTLN 1833 35 Come not thou near me. And when that time
FTLN 1834 comes,
FTLN 1835 Afflict me with thy mocks, pity me not,
FTLN 1836 As till that time I shall not pity thee.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede, coming forward
FTLN 1837 And why, I pray you? Who might be your mother,
FTLN 1838 40 That you insult, exult, and all at once,
FTLN 1839 Over the wretched? What though you have no
FTLN 1840 beauty—
FTLN 1841 As, by my faith, I see no more in you
FTLN 1842 Than without candle may go dark to bed—
FTLN 1843 45 Must you be therefore proud and pitiless?
FTLN 1844 Why, what means this? Why do you look on me?
FTLN 1845 I see no more in you than in the ordinary
FTLN 1846 Of nature’s sale-work.—’Od’s my little life,
FTLN 1847 I think she means to tangle my eyes, too.—
FTLN 1848 50 No, faith, proud mistress, hope not after it.
FTLN 1849 ’Tis not your inky brows, your black silk hair,
FTLN 1850 Your bugle eyeballs, nor your cheek of cream
FTLN 1851 That can entame my spirits to your worship.—
FTLN 1852 You foolish shepherd, wherefore do you follow her,
FTLN 1853 55 Like foggy south puffing with wind and rain?
FTLN 1854 You are a thousand times a properer man
FTLN 1855 Than she a woman. ’Tis such fools as you
FTLN 1856 That makes the world full of ill-favored children.
FTLN 1857 ’Tis not her glass but you that flatters her,
FTLN 1858 60 And out of you she sees herself more proper
FTLN 1859 Than any of her lineaments can show her.—
FTLN 1860 But, mistress, know yourself. Down on your knees
FTLN 1861 And thank heaven, fasting, for a good man’s love,

133
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ACT 3. SC. 5
FTLN 1862 For I must tell you friendly in your ear,
FTLN 1863 65 Sell when you can; you are not for all markets.
FTLN 1864 Cry the man mercy, love him, take his offer.
FTLN 1865 Foul is most foul, being foul to be a scoffer.—
FTLN 1866 So take her to thee, shepherd. Fare you well.
PHOEBE
FTLN 1867 Sweet youth, I pray you chide a year together.
FTLN 1868 70 I had rather hear you chide than this man woo.
ROSALIND ,as Ganymede FTLN 1869 He’s fall’n in love with your
FTLN 1870 foulness. (To Silvius.) And she’ll fall in love with
FTLN 1871 my anger. If it be so, as fast as she answers thee with
FTLN 1872 frowning looks, I’ll sauce her with bitter words. (To
Phoebe.) FTLN 1873 75 Why look you so upon me?
PHOEBE FTLN 1874 For no ill will I bear you.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede
FTLN 1875 I pray you, do not fall in love with me,
FTLN 1876 For I am falser than vows made in wine.
FTLN 1877 Besides, I like you not. If you will know my house,
FTLN 1878 80 ’Tis at the tuft of olives, here hard by.—
FTLN 1879 Will you go, sister?—Shepherd, ply her hard.—
FTLN 1880 Come, sister.—Shepherdess, look on him better,
FTLN 1881 And be not proud. Though all the world could see,
FTLN 1882 None could be so abused in sight as he.—
FTLN 1883 85 Come, to our flock.
She exits, with Celia and Corin.
PHOEBE , aside
FTLN 1884 Dead shepherd, now I find thy saw of might:
FTLN 1885 “Who ever loved that loved not at first sight?”
SILVIUS
FTLN 1886 Sweet Phoebe—
PHOEBE FTLN 1887 Ha, what sayst thou, Silvius?
SILVIUS FTLN 1888 90 Sweet Phoebe, pity me.
PHOEBE
FTLN 1889 Why, I am sorry for thee, gentle Silvius.
SILVIUS
FTLN 1890 Wherever sorrow is, relief would be.

135
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ACT 3. SC. 5
FTLN 1891 If you do sorrow at my grief in love,
FTLN 1892 By giving love your sorrow and my grief
FTLN 1893 95 Were both extermined.
PHOEBE
FTLN 1894 Thou hast my love. Is not that neighborly?
SILVIUS
FTLN 1895 I would have you.
PHOEBE FTLN 1896 Why, that were covetousness.
FTLN 1897 Silvius, the time was that I hated thee;
FTLN 1898 100 And yet it is not that I bear thee love;
FTLN 1899 But since that thou canst talk of love so well,
FTLN 1900 Thy company, which erst was irksome to me,
FTLN 1901 I will endure, and I’ll employ thee too.
FTLN 1902 But do not look for further recompense
FTLN 1903 105 Than thine own gladness that thou art employed.
SILVIUS
FTLN 1904 So holy and so perfect is my love,
FTLN 1905 And I in such a poverty of grace,
FTLN 1906 That I shall think it a most plenteous crop
FTLN 1907 To glean the broken ears after the man
FTLN 1908 110 That the main harvest reaps. Loose now and then
FTLN 1909 A scattered smile, and that I’ll live upon.
PHOEBE
FTLN 1910 Know’st thou the youth that spoke to me erewhile?
SILVIUS
FTLN 1911 Not very well, but I have met him oft,
FTLN 1912 And he hath bought the cottage and the bounds
FTLN 1913 115 That the old carlot once was master of.
PHOEBE
FTLN 1914 Think not I love him, though I ask for him.
FTLN 1915 ’Tis but a peevish boy—yet he talks well—
FTLN 1916 But what care I for words? Yet words do well
FTLN 1917 When he that speaks them pleases those that hear.
FTLN 1918 120 It is a pretty youth—not very pretty—
FTLN 1919 But sure he’s proud—and yet his pride becomes
FTLN 1920 him.

137
As You Like It
ACT 3. SC. 5
FTLN 1921 He’ll make a proper man. The best thing in him
FTLN 1922 Is his complexion; and faster than his tongue
FTLN 1923 125 Did make offense, his eye did heal it up.
FTLN 1924 He is not very tall—yet for his years he’s tall.
FTLN 1925 His leg is but so-so—and yet ’tis well.
FTLN 1926 There was a pretty redness in his lip,
FTLN 1927 A little riper and more lusty red
FTLN 1928 130 Than that mixed in his cheek: ’twas just the
FTLN 1929 difference
FTLN 1930 Betwixt the constant red and mingled damask.
FTLN 1931 There be some women, Silvius, had they marked
FTLN 1932 him
FTLN 1933 135 In parcels as I did, would have gone near
FTLN 1934 To fall in love with him; but for my part
FTLN 1935 I love him not nor hate him not; and yet
FTLN 1936 I have more cause to hate him than to love him.
FTLN 1937 For what had he to do to chide at me?
FTLN 1938 140 He said mine eyes were black and my hair black,
FTLN 1939 And now I am remembered, scorned at me.
FTLN 1940 I marvel why I answered not again.
FTLN 1941 But that’s all one: omittance is no quittance.
FTLN 1942 I’ll write to him a very taunting letter,
FTLN 1943 145 And thou shalt bear it. Wilt thou, Silvius?
SILVIUS
FTLN 1944 Phoebe, with all my heart.
PHOEBE FTLN 1945 I’ll write it straight.
FTLN 1946 The matter’s in my head and in my heart.
FTLN 1947 I will be bitter with him and passing short.
FTLN 1948 150 Go with me, Silvius.
They exit.

ACT 4
Scene 1
Enter Rosalind as Ganymede, and Celia as Aliena,
and Jaques.
JAQUES FTLN 1949 I prithee, pretty youth, let me be better
FTLN 1950 acquainted with thee.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1951 They say you are a melancholy
FTLN 1952 fellow.
JAQUES FTLN 1953 5 I am so. I do love it better than laughing.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1954 Those that are in extremity
FTLN 1955 of either are abominable fellows and betray
FTLN 1956 themselves to every modern censure worse than
FTLN 1957 drunkards.
JAQUES FTLN 1958 10 Why, ’tis good to be sad and say nothing.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1959 Why then, ’tis good to be a
FTLN 1960 post.
JAQUES FTLN 1961 I have neither the scholar’s melancholy, which
FTLN 1962 is emulation; nor the musician’s, which is fantastical;
FTLN 1963 15 nor the courtier’s, which is proud; nor the
FTLN 1964 soldier’s, which is ambitious; nor the lawyer’s,
FTLN 1965 which is politic; nor the lady’s, which is nice; nor
FTLN 1966 the lover’s, which is all these; but it is a melancholy
FTLN 1967 of mine own, compounded of many simples, extracted
FTLN 1968 20 from many objects, and indeed the sundry
FTLN 1969 contemplation of my travels, in which my often
FTLN 1970 rumination wraps me in a most humorous sadness.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1971 A traveller. By my faith, you
141

143
As You Like It
ACT 4. SC. 1
FTLN 1972 have great reason to be sad. I fear you have sold
FTLN 1973 25 your own lands to see other men’s. Then to have
FTLN 1974 seen much and to have nothing is to have rich eyes
FTLN 1975 and poor hands.
JAQUES FTLN 1976 Yes, I have gained my experience.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1977 And your experience makes
FTLN 1978 30 you sad. I had rather have a fool to make me merry
FTLN 1979 than experience to make me sad—and to travel for
FTLN 1980 it too.
Enter Orlando.
ORLANDO
FTLN 1981 Good day and happiness, dear Rosalind.
JAQUES FTLN 1982 Nay then, God be wi’ you, an you talk in blank
FTLN 1983 35 verse.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1984 Farewell, Monsieur Traveller.
FTLN 1985 Look you lisp and wear strange suits, disable all
FTLN 1986 the benefits of your own country, be out of love with
FTLN 1987 your nativity, and almost chide God for making you
FTLN 1988 40 that countenance you are, or I will scarce think you
FTLN 1989 have swam in a gondola.
Jaques exits.
FTLN 1990 Why, how now, Orlando, where have you been all
FTLN 1991 this while? You a lover? An you serve me such
FTLN 1992 another trick, never come in my sight more.
ORLANDO FTLN 1993 45 My fair Rosalind, I come within an hour of
FTLN 1994 my promise.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 1995 Break an hour’s promise in
FTLN 1996 love? He that will divide a minute into a thousand
FTLN 1997 parts and break but a part of the thousand part of a
FTLN 1998 50 minute in the affairs of love, it may be said of him
FTLN 1999 that Cupid hath clapped him o’ th’ shoulder, but I’ll
FTLN 2000 warrant him heart-whole.
ORLANDO FTLN 2001 Pardon me, dear Rosalind.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2002 Nay, an you be so tardy,

145
As You Like It
ACT 4. SC. 1
FTLN 2003 55 come no more in my sight. I had as lief be wooed of
FTLN 2004 a snail.
ORLANDO FTLN 2005 Of a snail?
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2006 Ay, of a snail, for though he
FTLN 2007 comes slowly, he carries his house on his head—a
FTLN 2008 60 better jointure, I think, than you make a woman.
FTLN 2009 Besides, he brings his destiny with him.
ORLANDO FTLN 2010 What’s that?
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2011 Why, horns, which such as
FTLN 2012 you are fain to be beholding to your wives for. But
FTLN 2013 65 he comes armed in his fortune and prevents the
FTLN 2014 slander of his wife.
ORLANDO FTLN 2015 Virtue is no hornmaker, and my Rosalind is
FTLN 2016 virtuous.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2017 And I am your Rosalind.
CELIA , as Aliena FTLN 2018 70 It pleases him to call you so, but he
FTLN 2019 hath a Rosalind of a better leer than you.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede, to Orlando FTLN 2020 Come, woo me,
FTLN 2021 woo me, for now I am in a holiday humor, and like
FTLN 2022 enough to consent. What would you say to me now
FTLN 2023 75 an I were your very, very Rosalind?
ORLANDO FTLN 2024 I would kiss before I spoke.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2025 Nay, you were better speak
FTLN 2026 first, and when you were gravelled for lack of
FTLN 2027 matter, you might take occasion to kiss. Very good
FTLN 2028 80 orators, when they are out, they will spit; and for
FTLN 2029 lovers lacking—God warn us—matter, the cleanliest
FTLN 2030 shift is to kiss.
ORLANDO FTLN 2031 How if the kiss be denied?
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2032 Then she puts you to entreaty,
FTLN 2033 85 and there begins new matter.
ORLANDO FTLN 2034 Who could be out, being before his beloved
FTLN 2035 mistress?
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2036 Marry, that should you if I
FTLN 2037 were your mistress, or I should think my honesty
FTLN 2038 90 ranker than my wit.

147
As You Like It
ACT 4. SC. 1
ORLANDO FTLN 2039 What, of my suit?
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2040 Not out of your apparel, and
FTLN 2041 yet out of your suit. Am not I your Rosalind?
ORLANDO FTLN 2042 I take some joy to say you are because I
FTLN 2043 95 would be talking of her.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2044 Well, in her person I say I
FTLN 2045 will not have you.
ORLANDO FTLN 2046 Then, in mine own person I die.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2047 No, faith, die by attorney.
FTLN 2048 100 The poor world is almost six thousand years old,
FTLN 2049 and in all this time there was not any man died in
FTLN 2050 his own person, videlicet, in a love cause. Troilus
FTLN 2051 had his brains dashed out with a Grecian club, yet
FTLN 2052 he did what he could to die before, and he is one of
FTLN 2053 105 the patterns of love. Leander, he would have lived
FTLN 2054 many a fair year though Hero had turned nun, if it
FTLN 2055 had not been for a hot midsummer night, for, good
FTLN 2056 youth, he went but forth to wash him in the Hellespont
FTLN 2057 and, being taken with the cramp, was
FTLN 2058 110 drowned; and the foolish chroniclers of that age
FTLN 2059 found it was Hero of Sestos. But these are all lies.
FTLN 2060 Men have died from time to time and worms have
FTLN 2061 eaten them, but not for love.
ORLANDO FTLN 2062 I would not have my right Rosalind of this
FTLN 2063 115 mind, for I protest her frown might kill me.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2064 By this hand, it will not kill a
FTLN 2065 fly. But come; now I will be your Rosalind in a more
FTLN 2066 coming-on disposition, and ask me what you will, I
FTLN 2067 will grant it.
ORLANDO FTLN 2068 120 Then love me, Rosalind.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2069 Yes, faith, will I, Fridays and
FTLN 2070 Saturdays and all.
ORLANDO FTLN 2071 And wilt thou have me?
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2072 Ay, and twenty such.
ORLANDO FTLN 2073 125 What sayest thou?

149
As You Like It
ACT 4. SC. 1
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2074 Are you not good?
ORLANDO FTLN 2075 I hope so.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2076 Why then, can one desire
FTLN 2077 too much of a good thing?—Come, sister, you shall
FTLN 2078 130 be the priest and marry us.—Give me your hand,
FTLN 2079 Orlando.—What do you say, sister?
ORLANDO , to Celia FTLN 2080 Pray thee marry us.
CELIA , as Aliena FTLN 2081 I cannot say the words.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2082 You must begin “Will you,
FTLN 2083 135 Orlando—”
CELIA , as Aliena FTLN 2084 Go to.—Will you, Orlando, have to
FTLN 2085 wife this Rosalind?
ORLANDO FTLN 2086 I will.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2087 Ay, but when?
ORLANDO FTLN 2088 140 Why now, as fast as she can marry us.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2089 Then you must say “I take
FTLN 2090 thee, Rosalind, for wife.”
ORLANDO FTLN 2091 I take thee, Rosalind, for wife.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2092 I might ask you for your
FTLN 2093 145 commission, but I do take thee, Orlando, for my
FTLN 2094 husband. There’s a girl goes before the priest, and
FTLN 2095 certainly a woman’s thought runs before her
FTLN 2096 actions.
ORLANDO FTLN 2097 So do all thoughts. They are winged.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2098 150 Now tell me how long you
FTLN 2099 would have her after you have possessed her?
ORLANDO FTLN 2100 Forever and a day.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2101 Say “a day” without the
FTLN 2102 “ever.” No, no, Orlando, men are April when they
FTLN 2103 155 woo, December when they wed. Maids are May
FTLN 2104 when they are maids, but the sky changes when
FTLN 2105 they are wives. I will be more jealous of thee than a
FTLN 2106 Barbary cock-pigeon over his hen, more clamorous
FTLN 2107 than a parrot against rain, more newfangled than
FTLN 2108 160 an ape, more giddy in my desires than a monkey. I
FTLN 2109 will weep for nothing, like Diana in the fountain,

151
As You Like It
ACT 4. SC. 1
FTLN 2110 and I will do that when you are disposed to be
FTLN 2111 merry. I will laugh like a hyena, and that when thou
FTLN 2112 art inclined to sleep.
ORLANDO FTLN 2113 165 But will my Rosalind do so?
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2114 By my life, she will do as I
FTLN 2115 do.
ORLANDO FTLN 2116 O, but she is wise.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2117 Or else she could not have
FTLN 2118 170 the wit to do this. The wiser, the waywarder. Make
FTLN 2119 the doors upon a woman’s wit, and it will out at the
FTLN 2120 casement. Shut that, and ’twill out at the keyhole.
FTLN 2121 Stop that, ’twill fly with the smoke out at the
FTLN 2122 chimney.
ORLANDO FTLN 2123 175 A man that had a wife with such a wit, he
FTLN 2124 might say “Wit, whither wilt?”
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2125 Nay, you might keep that
FTLN 2126 check for it till you met your wife’s wit going to
FTLN 2127 your neighbor’s bed.
ORLANDO FTLN 2128 180 And what wit could wit have to excuse that?
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2129 Marry, to say she came to
FTLN 2130 seek you there. You shall never take her without her
FTLN 2131 answer unless you take her without her tongue. O,
FTLN 2132 that woman that cannot make her fault her husband’s
FTLN 2133 185 occasion, let her never nurse her child
FTLN 2134 herself, for she will breed it like a fool.
ORLANDO FTLN 2135 For these two hours, Rosalind, I will leave
FTLN 2136 thee.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2137 Alas, dear love, I cannot lack
FTLN 2138 190 thee two hours.
ORLANDO FTLN 2139 I must attend the Duke at dinner. By two
FTLN 2140 o’clock I will be with thee again.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2141 Ay, go your ways, go your
FTLN 2142 ways. I knew what you would prove. My friends told
FTLN 2143 195 me as much, and I thought no less. That flattering
FTLN 2144 tongue of yours won me. ’Tis but one cast away, and
FTLN 2145 so, come, death. Two o’clock is your hour?

153
As You Like It
ACT 4. SC. 1
ORLANDO FTLN 2146 Ay, sweet Rosalind.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2147 By my troth, and in good
FTLN 2148 200 earnest, and so God mend me, and by all pretty
FTLN 2149 oaths that are not dangerous, if you break one jot of
FTLN 2150 your promise or come one minute behind your
FTLN 2151 hour, I will think you the most pathetical break-promise,
FTLN 2152 and the most hollow lover, and the most
FTLN 2153 205 unworthy of her you call Rosalind that may be
FTLN 2154 chosen out of the gross band of the unfaithful.
FTLN 2155 Therefore beware my censure, and keep your
FTLN 2156 promise.
ORLANDO FTLN 2157 With no less religion than if thou wert indeed
FTLN 2158 210 my Rosalind. So, adieu.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2159 Well, time is the old justice
FTLN 2160 that examines all such offenders, and let time try.
FTLN 2161 Adieu.
Orlando exits.
CELIA FTLN 2162 You have simply misused our sex in your love-prate.
FTLN 2163 215 We must have your doublet and hose plucked
FTLN 2164 over your head and show the world what the bird
FTLN 2165 hath done to her own nest.
ROSALIND FTLN 2166 O coz, coz, coz, my pretty little coz, that thou
FTLN 2167 didst know how many fathom deep I am in love. But
FTLN 2168 220 it cannot be sounded; my affection hath an
FTLN 2169 unknown bottom, like the Bay of Portugal.
CELIA FTLN 2170 Or rather bottomless, that as fast as you pour
FTLN 2171 affection in, it runs out.
ROSALIND FTLN 2172 No, that same wicked bastard of Venus, that
FTLN 2173 225 was begot of thought, conceived of spleen, and born
FTLN 2174 of madness, that blind rascally boy that abuses
FTLN 2175 everyone’s eyes because his own are out, let him be
FTLN 2176 judge how deep I am in love. I’ll tell thee, Aliena, I
FTLN 2177 cannot be out of the sight of Orlando. I’ll go find a
FTLN 2178 230 shadow and sigh till he come.
CELIA FTLN 2179 And I’ll sleep.
They exit.

155
As You Like It
ACT 4. SC. 3
Scene 2
Enter Jaques and Lords, like foresters.
JAQUES FTLN 2180 Which is he that killed the deer?
FIRST LORD FTLN 2181 Sir, it was I.
JAQUES , to the other Lords FTLN 2182 Let’s present him to the
FTLN 2183 Duke like a Roman conqueror. And it would do well
FTLN 2184 5 to set the deer’s horns upon his head for a branch of
FTLN 2185 victory.—Have you no song, forester, for this
FTLN 2186 purpose?
SECOND LORD FTLN 2187 Yes, sir.
JAQUES FTLN 2188 Sing it. ’Tis no matter how it be in tune, so it
FTLN 2189 10 make noise enough.
Music. Song.
SECOND LORD sings
FTLN 2190 What shall he have that killed the deer?
FTLN 2191 His leather skin and horns to wear.
FTLN 2192 Then sing him home.
(The rest shall bear this burden:)
FTLN 2193 Take thou no scorn to wear the horn.
FTLN 2194 15 It was a crest ere thou wast born.
FTLN 2195 Thy father’s father wore it,
FTLN 2196 And thy father bore it.
FTLN 2197 The horn, the horn, the lusty horn
FTLN 2198 Is not a thing to laugh to scorn.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Rosalind dressed as Ganymede and Celia
dressed as Aliena.
ROSALIND FTLN 2199 How say you now? Is it not past two o’clock?
FTLN 2200 And here much Orlando.
CELIA FTLN 2201 I warrant you, with pure love and troubled brain
FTLN 2202 he hath ta’en his bow and arrows and is gone forth
FTLN 2203 5 to sleep.

157
As You Like It
ACT 4. SC. 3
Enter Silvius.
FTLN 2204 Look who comes here.
SILVIUS , to Rosalind
FTLN 2205 My errand is to you, fair youth.
FTLN 2206 My gentle Phoebe did bid me give you this.
He gives Rosalind a paper.
FTLN 2207 I know not the contents, but as I guess
FTLN 2208 10 By the stern brow and waspish action
FTLN 2209 Which she did use as she was writing of it,
FTLN 2210 It bears an angry tenor. Pardon me.
FTLN 2211 I am but as a guiltless messenger.
Rosalind reads the letter.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede
FTLN 2212 Patience herself would startle at this letter
FTLN 2213 15 And play the swaggerer. Bear this, bear all.
FTLN 2214 She says I am not fair, that I lack manners.
FTLN 2215 She calls me proud, and that she could not love me
FTLN 2216 Were man as rare as phoenix. ’Od’s my will,
FTLN 2217 Her love is not the hare that I do hunt.
FTLN 2218 20 Why writes she so to me? Well, shepherd, well,
FTLN 2219 This is a letter of your own device.
SILVIUS
FTLN 2220 No, I protest. I know not the contents.
FTLN 2221 Phoebe did write it.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2222 Come, come, you are a
FTLN 2223 25 fool,
FTLN 2224 And turned into the extremity of love.
FTLN 2225 I saw her hand. She has a leathern hand,
FTLN 2226 A freestone-colored hand. I verily did think
FTLN 2227 That her old gloves were on, but ’twas her hands.
FTLN 2228 30 She has a huswife’s hand—but that’s no matter.
FTLN 2229 I say she never did invent this letter.
FTLN 2230 This is a man’s invention, and his hand.
SILVIUS FTLN 2231 Sure it is hers.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede
FTLN 2232 Why, ’tis a boisterous and a cruel style,

159
As You Like It
ACT 4. SC. 3
FTLN 2233 35 A style for challengers. Why, she defies me
FTLN 2234 Like Turk to Christian. Women’s gentle brain
FTLN 2235 Could not drop forth such giant-rude invention,
FTLN 2236 Such Ethiop words, blacker in their effect
FTLN 2237 Than in their countenance. Will you hear the letter?
SILVIUS
FTLN 2238 40 So please you, for I never heard it yet,
FTLN 2239 Yet heard too much of Phoebe’s cruelty.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede
FTLN 2240 She Phoebes me. Mark how the tyrant writes.
(Read.)
FTLN 2241 Art thou god to shepherd turned,
FTLN 2242 That a maiden’s heart hath burned?
FTLN 2243 45 Can a woman rail thus?
SILVIUS FTLN 2244 Call you this railing?
ROSALIND , as Ganymede
(Read.)
FTLN 2245 Why, thy godhead laid apart,
FTLN 2246 Warr’st thou with a woman’s heart?
FTLN 2247 Did you ever hear such railing?
FTLN 2248 50 Whiles the eye of man did woo me,
FTLN 2249 That could do no vengeance to me.
FTLN 2250 Meaning me a beast.
FTLN 2251 If the scorn of your bright eyne
FTLN 2252 Have power to raise such love in mine,
FTLN 2253 55 Alack, in me what strange effect
FTLN 2254 Would they work in mild aspect?
FTLN 2255 Whiles you chid me, I did love.
FTLN 2256 How then might your prayers move?
FTLN 2257 He that brings this love to thee
FTLN 2258 60 Little knows this love in me,
FTLN 2259 And by him seal up thy mind
FTLN 2260 Whether that thy youth and kind
FTLN 2261 Will the faithful offer take
FTLN 2262 Of me, and all that I can make,
FTLN 2263 65 Or else by him my love deny,
FTLN 2264 And then I’ll study how to die.

161
As You Like It
ACT 4. SC. 3
SILVIUS FTLN 2265 Call you this chiding?
CELIA , as Aliena FTLN 2266 Alas, poor shepherd.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2267 Do you pity him? No, he
FTLN 2268 70 deserves no pity.—Wilt thou love such a woman?
FTLN 2269 What, to make thee an instrument and play false
FTLN 2270 strains upon thee? Not to be endured. Well, go your
FTLN 2271 way to her, for I see love hath made thee a tame
FTLN 2272 snake, and say this to her: that if she love me, I
FTLN 2273 75 charge her to love thee; if she will not, I will never
FTLN 2274 have her unless thou entreat for her. If you be a true
FTLN 2275 lover, hence, and not a word, for here comes more
FTLN 2276 company. Silvius exits.
Enter Oliver.
OLIVER
FTLN 2277 Good morrow, fair ones. Pray you, if you know,
FTLN 2278 80 Where in the purlieus of this forest stands
FTLN 2279 A sheepcote fenced about with olive trees?
CELIA , as Aliena
FTLN 2280 West of this place, down in the neighbor bottom;
FTLN 2281 The rank of osiers by the murmuring stream
FTLN 2282 Left on your right hand brings you to the place.
FTLN 2283 85 But at this hour the house doth keep itself.
FTLN 2284 There’s none within.
OLIVER
FTLN 2285 If that an eye may profit by a tongue,
FTLN 2286 Then should I know you by description—
FTLN 2287 Such garments, and such years. “The boy is fair,
FTLN 2288 90 Of female favor, and bestows himself
FTLN 2289 Like a ripe sister; the woman low
FTLN 2290 And browner than her brother.” Are not you
FTLN 2291 The owner of the house I did inquire for?
CELIA , as Aliena
FTLN 2292 It is no boast, being asked, to say we are.
OLIVER
FTLN 2293 95 Orlando doth commend him to you both,

163
As You Like It
ACT 4. SC. 3
FTLN 2294 And to that youth he calls his Rosalind
FTLN 2295 He sends this bloody napkin. Are you he?
He shows a stained handkerchief.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede
FTLN 2296 I am. What must we understand by this?
OLIVER
FTLN 2297 Some of my shame, if you will know of me
FTLN 2298 100 What man I am, and how, and why, and where
FTLN 2299 This handkercher was stained.
CELIA , as Aliena FTLN 2300 I pray you tell it.
OLIVER
FTLN 2301 When last the young Orlando parted from you,
FTLN 2302 He left a promise to return again
FTLN 2303 105 Within an hour, and pacing through the forest,
FTLN 2304 Chewing the food of sweet and bitter fancy,
FTLN 2305 Lo, what befell. He threw his eye aside—
FTLN 2306 And mark what object did present itself:
FTLN 2307 Under an old oak, whose boughs were mossed with
FTLN 2308 110 age
FTLN 2309 And high top bald with dry antiquity,
FTLN 2310 A wretched, ragged man, o’ergrown with hair,
FTLN 2311 Lay sleeping on his back. About his neck
FTLN 2312 A green and gilded snake had wreathed itself,
FTLN 2313 115 Who with her head, nimble in threats, approached
FTLN 2314 The opening of his mouth. But suddenly,
FTLN 2315 Seeing Orlando, it unlinked itself
FTLN 2316 And, with indented glides, did slip away
FTLN 2317 Into a bush, under which bush’s shade
FTLN 2318 120 A lioness, with udders all drawn dry,
FTLN 2319 Lay couching, head on ground, with catlike watch
FTLN 2320 When that the sleeping man should stir—for ’tis
FTLN 2321 The royal disposition of that beast
FTLN 2322 To prey on nothing that doth seem as dead.
FTLN 2323 125 This seen, Orlando did approach the man
FTLN 2324 And found it was his brother, his elder brother.

165
As You Like It
ACT 4. SC. 3
CELIA , as Aliena
FTLN 2325 O, I have heard him speak of that same brother,
FTLN 2326 And he did render him the most unnatural
FTLN 2327 That lived amongst men.
OLIVER FTLN 2328 130 And well he might so do,
FTLN 2329 For well I know he was unnatural.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede
FTLN 2330 But to Orlando: did he leave him there,
FTLN 2331 Food to the sucked and hungry lioness?
OLIVER
FTLN 2332 Twice did he turn his back and purposed so,
FTLN 2333 135 But kindness, nobler ever than revenge,
FTLN 2334 And nature, stronger than his just occasion,
FTLN 2335 Made him give battle to the lioness,
FTLN 2336 Who quickly fell before him; in which hurtling,
FTLN 2337 From miserable slumber I awaked.
CELIA , as Aliena FTLN 2338 140 Are you his brother?
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2339 Was ’t you he rescued?
CELIA , as Aliena
FTLN 2340 Was ’t you that did so oft contrive to kill him?
OLIVER
FTLN 2341 ’Twas I, but ’tis not I. I do not shame
FTLN 2342 To tell you what I was, since my conversion
FTLN 2343 145 So sweetly tastes, being the thing I am.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede
FTLN 2344 But for the bloody napkin?
OLIVER FTLN 2345 By and by.
FTLN 2346 When from the first to last betwixt us two
FTLN 2347 Tears our recountments had most kindly bathed—
FTLN 2348 150 As how I came into that desert place—
FTLN 2349 In brief, he led me to the gentle duke,
FTLN 2350 Who gave me fresh array and entertainment,
FTLN 2351 Committing me unto my brother’s love;
FTLN 2352 Who led me instantly unto his cave,
FTLN 2353 155 There stripped himself, and here upon his arm
FTLN 2354 The lioness had torn some flesh away,

167
As You Like It
ACT 4. SC. 3
FTLN 2355 Which all this while had bled; and now he fainted,
FTLN 2356 And cried in fainting upon Rosalind.
FTLN 2357 Brief, I recovered him, bound up his wound,
FTLN 2358 160 And after some small space, being strong at heart,
FTLN 2359 He sent me hither, stranger as I am,
FTLN 2360 To tell this story, that you might excuse
FTLN 2361 His broken promise, and to give this napkin
FTLN 2362 Dyed in his blood unto the shepherd youth
FTLN 2363 165 That he in sport doth call his Rosalind.
Rosalind faints.
CELIA , as Aliena
FTLN 2364 Why, how now, Ganymede, sweet Ganymede?
OLIVER
FTLN 2365 Many will swoon when they do look on blood.
CELIA , as Aliena
FTLN 2366 There is more in it.—Cousin Ganymede.
OLIVER FTLN 2367 Look, he recovers.
ROSALIND FTLN 2368 170 I would I were at home.
CELIA , as Aliena FTLN 2369 We’ll lead you thither.—I pray you,
FTLN 2370 will you take him by the arm?
OLIVER , helping Rosalind to rise FTLN 2371 Be of good cheer,
FTLN 2372 youth. You a man? You lack a man’s heart.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2373 175 I do so, I confess it. Ah,
FTLN 2374 sirrah, a body would think this was well-counterfeited.
FTLN 2375 I pray you tell your brother how well I
FTLN 2376 counterfeited. Heigh-ho.
OLIVER FTLN 2377 This was not counterfeit. There is too great
FTLN 2378 180 testimony in your complexion that it was a passion
FTLN 2379 of earnest.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2380 Counterfeit, I assure you.
OLIVER FTLN 2381 Well then, take a good heart, and counterfeit to
FTLN 2382 be a man.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2383 185 So I do; but, i’ faith, I should
FTLN 2384 have been a woman by right.
CELIA , as Aliena FTLN 2385 Come, you look paler and paler. Pray
FTLN 2386 you draw homewards.—Good sir, go with us.

169
As You Like It
ACT 4. SC. 3
OLIVER
FTLN 2387 That will I, for I must bear answer back
FTLN 2388 190 How you excuse my brother, Rosalind.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2389 I shall devise something.
FTLN 2390 But I pray you commend my counterfeiting to him.
FTLN 2391 Will you go?
They exit.

ACT 5
Scene 1
Enter Touchstone and Audrey.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2392 We shall find a time, Audrey. Patience,
FTLN 2393 gentle Audrey.
AUDREY FTLN 2394 Faith, the priest was good enough, for all the
FTLN 2395 old gentleman’s saying.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2396 5 A most wicked Sir Oliver, Audrey, a most
FTLN 2397 vile Martext. But Audrey, there is a youth here in
FTLN 2398 the forest lays claim to you.
AUDREY FTLN 2399 Ay, I know who ’tis. He hath no interest in me
FTLN 2400 in the world.
Enter William.
FTLN 2401 10 Here comes the man you mean.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2402 It is meat and drink to me to see a clown.
FTLN 2403 By my troth, we that have good wits have much to
FTLN 2404 answer for. We shall be flouting. We cannot hold.
WILLIAM FTLN 2405 Good ev’n, Audrey.
AUDREY FTLN 2406 15 God gi’ good ev’n, William.
WILLIAM , to Touchstone FTLN 2407 And good ev’n to you, sir.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2408 Good ev’n, gentle friend. Cover thy head,
FTLN 2409 cover thy head. Nay, prithee, be covered. How old
FTLN 2410 are you, friend?
WILLIAM FTLN 2411 20 Five-and-twenty, sir.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2412 A ripe age. Is thy name William?
WILLIAM FTLN 2413 William, sir.
173

175
As You Like It
ACT 5. SC. 1
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2414 A fair name. Wast born i’ th’ forest here?
WILLIAM FTLN 2415 Ay, sir, I thank God.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2416 25“Thank God.” A good answer. Art rich?
WILLIAM FTLN 2417’Faith sir, so-so.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2418“So-so” is good, very good, very excellent
FTLN 2419 good. And yet it is not: it is but so-so. Art thou wise?
WILLIAM FTLN 2420 Ay, sir, I have a pretty wit.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2421 30 Why, thou sayst well. I do now remember
FTLN 2422 a saying: “The fool doth think he is wise, but the
FTLN 2423 wise man knows himself to be a fool.” The heathen
FTLN 2424 philosopher, when he had a desire to eat a grape,
FTLN 2425 would open his lips when he put it into his mouth,
FTLN 2426 35 meaning thereby that grapes were made to eat and
FTLN 2427 lips to open. You do love this maid?
WILLIAM FTLN 2428 I do, sir.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2429 Give me your hand. Art thou learned?
WILLIAM FTLN 2430 No, sir.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2431 40 Then learn this of me: to have is to have.
FTLN 2432 For it is a figure in rhetoric that drink, being poured
FTLN 2433 out of a cup into a glass, by filling the one doth
FTLN 2434 empty the other. For all your writers do consent
FTLN 2435 that ipse is “he.” Now, you are not ipse, for I am he.
WILLIAM FTLN 2436 45 Which he, sir?
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2437 He, sir, that must marry this woman.
FTLN 2438 Therefore, you clown, abandon—which is in the
FTLN 2439 vulgar “leave”—the society—which in the boorish
FTLN 2440 is “company”—of this female—which in the common
FTLN 2441 50 is “woman”; which together is, abandon the
FTLN 2442 society of this female, or, clown, thou perishest; or,
FTLN 2443 to thy better understanding, diest; or, to wit, I kill
FTLN 2444 thee, make thee away, translate thy life into death,
FTLN 2445 thy liberty into bondage. I will deal in poison with
FTLN 2446 55 thee, or in bastinado, or in steel. I will bandy with
FTLN 2447 thee in faction. I will o’errun thee with policy. I
FTLN 2448 will kill thee a hundred and fifty ways. Therefore
FTLN 2449 tremble and depart.

177
As You Like It
ACT 5. SC. 2
AUDREY FTLN 2450 Do, good William.
WILLIAM , to Touchstone FTLN 2451 60 God rest you merry, sir.
He exits.
Enter Corin.
CORIN FTLN 2452 Our master and mistress seeks you. Come away,
FTLN 2453 away.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2454 Trip, Audrey, trip, Audrey.—I attend, I
FTLN 2455 attend.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Orlando, with his arm in a sling, and Oliver.
ORLANDO FTLN 2456 Is ’t possible that on so little acquaintance
FTLN 2457 you should like her? That, but seeing, you should
FTLN 2458 love her? And loving, woo? And wooing, she should
FTLN 2459 grant? And will you persever to enjoy her?
OLIVER FTLN 2460 5 Neither call the giddiness of it in question, the
FTLN 2461 poverty of her, the small acquaintance, my sudden
FTLN 2462 wooing, nor her sudden consenting, but say with
FTLN 2463 me “I love Aliena”; say with her that she loves me;
FTLN 2464 consent with both that we may enjoy each other. It
FTLN 2465 10 shall be to your good, for my father’s house and all
FTLN 2466 the revenue that was old Sir Rowland’s will I estate
FTLN 2467 upon you, and here live and die a shepherd.
Enter Rosalind, as Ganymede.
ORLANDO FTLN 2468 You have my consent. Let your wedding be
FTLN 2469 tomorrow. Thither will I invite the Duke and all ’s
FTLN 2470 15 contented followers. Go you and prepare Aliena,
FTLN 2471 for, look you, here comes my Rosalind.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede, to Oliver FTLN 2472 God save you,
FTLN 2473 brother.
OLIVER FTLN 2474 And you, fair sister. He exits.

179
As You Like It
ACT 5. SC. 2
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2475 20 O my dear Orlando, how it
FTLN 2476 grieves me to see thee wear thy heart in a scarf.
ORLANDO FTLN 2477 It is my arm.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2478 I thought thy heart had been
FTLN 2479 wounded with the claws of a lion.
ORLANDO FTLN 2480 25 Wounded it is, but with the eyes of a lady.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2481 Did your brother tell you
FTLN 2482 how I counterfeited to swoon when he showed me
FTLN 2483 your handkercher?
ORLANDO FTLN 2484 Ay, and greater wonders than that.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2485 30 O, I know where you are.
FTLN 2486 Nay, ’tis true. There was never anything so sudden
FTLN 2487 but the fight of two rams, and Caesar’s thrasonical
FTLN 2488 brag of “I came, saw, and overcame.” For your
FTLN 2489 brother and my sister no sooner met but they
FTLN 2490 35 looked, no sooner looked but they loved, no sooner
FTLN 2491 loved but they sighed, no sooner sighed but they
FTLN 2492 asked one another the reason, no sooner knew the
FTLN 2493 reason but they sought the remedy; and in these
FTLN 2494 degrees have they made a pair of stairs to marriage,
FTLN 2495 40 which they will climb incontinent, or else be incontinent
FTLN 2496 before marriage. They are in the very wrath
FTLN 2497 of love, and they will together. Clubs cannot part
FTLN 2498 them.
ORLANDO FTLN 2499 They shall be married tomorrow, and I will
FTLN 2500 45 bid the Duke to the nuptial. But O, how bitter a
FTLN 2501 thing it is to look into happiness through another
FTLN 2502 man’s eyes. By so much the more shall I tomorrow
FTLN 2503 be at the height of heart-heaviness by how much I
FTLN 2504 shall think my brother happy in having what he
FTLN 2505 50 wishes for.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2506 Why, then, tomorrow I cannot
FTLN 2507 serve your turn for Rosalind?
ORLANDO FTLN 2508 I can live no longer by thinking.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2509 I will weary you then no
FTLN 2510 55 longer with idle talking. Know of me then—for

181
As You Like It
ACT 5. SC. 2
FTLN 2511 now I speak to some purpose—that I know you are
FTLN 2512 a gentleman of good conceit. I speak not this that
FTLN 2513 you should bear a good opinion of my knowledge,
FTLN 2514 insomuch I say I know you are. Neither do I labor
FTLN 2515 60 for a greater esteem than may in some little measure
FTLN 2516 draw a belief from you to do yourself good, and
FTLN 2517 not to grace me. Believe then, if you please, that I
FTLN 2518 can do strange things. I have, since I was three year
FTLN 2519 old, conversed with a magician, most profound in
FTLN 2520 65 his art and yet not damnable. If you do love Rosalind
FTLN 2521 so near the heart as your gesture cries it out,
FTLN 2522 when your brother marries Aliena shall you marry
FTLN 2523 her. I know into what straits of fortune she is
FTLN 2524 driven, and it is not impossible to me, if it appear
FTLN 2525 70 not inconvenient to you, to set her before your eyes
FTLN 2526 tomorrow, human as she is, and without any
FTLN 2527 danger.
ORLANDO FTLN 2528 Speak’st thou in sober meanings?
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2529 By my life I do, which I
FTLN 2530 75 tender dearly, though I say I am a magician. Therefore
FTLN 2531 put you in your best array, bid your friends; for
FTLN 2532 if you will be married tomorrow, you shall, and to
FTLN 2533 Rosalind, if you will.
Enter Silvius and Phoebe.
FTLN 2534 Look, here comes a lover of mine and a lover of
FTLN 2535 80 hers.
PHOEBE , to Rosalind
FTLN 2536 Youth, you have done me much ungentleness
FTLN 2537 To show the letter that I writ to you.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede
FTLN 2538 I care not if I have. It is my study
FTLN 2539 To seem despiteful and ungentle to you.
FTLN 2540 85 You are there followed by a faithful shepherd.
FTLN 2541 Look upon him, love him; he worships you.

183
As You Like It
ACT 5. SC. 2
PHOEBE , to Silvius
FTLN 2542 Good shepherd, tell this youth what ’tis to love.
SILVIUS
FTLN 2543 It is to be all made of sighs and tears,
FTLN 2544 And so am I for Phoebe.
PHOEBE FTLN 2545 90 And I for Ganymede.
ORLANDO FTLN 2546 And I for Rosalind.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2547 And I for no woman.
SILVIUS
FTLN 2548 It is to be all made of faith and service,
FTLN 2549 And so am I for Phoebe.
PHOEBE FTLN 2550 95 And I for Ganymede.
ORLANDO FTLN 2551 And I for Rosalind.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2552 And I for no woman.
SILVIUS
FTLN 2553 It is to be all made of fantasy,
FTLN 2554 All made of passion and all made of wishes,
FTLN 2555 100 All adoration, duty, and observance,
FTLN 2556 All humbleness, all patience and impatience,
FTLN 2557 All purity, all trial, all observance,
FTLN 2558 And so am I for Phoebe.
PHOEBE FTLN 2559 And so am I for Ganymede.
ORLANDO FTLN 2560 105 And so am I for Rosalind.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2561 And so am I for no
FTLN 2562 woman.
PHOEBE
FTLN 2563 If this be so, why blame you me to love you?
SILVIUS
FTLN 2564 If this be so, why blame you me to love you?
ORLANDO
FTLN 2565 110 If this be so, why blame you me to love you?
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2566 Why do you speak too,
FTLN 2567 “Why blame you me to love you?”
ORLANDO FTLN 2568 To her that is not here, nor doth not hear.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede FTLN 2569 Pray you, no more of this.

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ACT 5. SC. 3
FTLN 2570 115 ’Tis like the howling of Irish wolves against the
FTLN 2571 moon. (To Silvius.) I will help you if I can. (To
Phoebe.) FTLN 2572 I would love you if I could.—Tomorrow
FTLN 2573 meet me all together. (To Phoebe.) I will marry
FTLN 2574 you if ever I marry woman, and I’ll be married
FTLN 2575 120 tomorrow. (To Orlando.) I will satisfy you if ever I
FTLN 2576 satisfy man, and you shall be married tomorrow.
FTLN 2577 (To Silvius.) I will content you, if what pleases you
FTLN 2578 contents you, and you shall be married tomorrow.
FTLN 2579 (To Orlando.) As you love Rosalind, meet. (To
Silvius.) FTLN 2580 125 As you love Phoebe, meet.—And as I love
FTLN 2581 no woman, I’ll meet. So fare you well. I have left
FTLN 2582 you commands.
SILVIUS FTLN 2583 I’ll not fail, if I live.
PHOEBE FTLN 2584 Nor I.
ORLANDO FTLN 2585 130 Nor I.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Touchstone and Audrey.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2586 Tomorrow is the joyful day, Audrey. Tomorrow
FTLN 2587 will we be married.
AUDREY FTLN 2588 I do desire it with all my heart, and I hope it is
FTLN 2589 no dishonest desire to desire to be a woman of the
FTLN 2590 5 world.
Enter two Pages.
FTLN 2591 Here come two of the banished duke’s pages.
FIRST PAGE FTLN 2592 Well met, honest gentleman.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2593 By my troth, well met. Come, sit, sit, and
FTLN 2594 a song.
SECOND PAGE FTLN 2595 10 We are for you. Sit i’ th’ middle.
They sit.
FIRST PAGE FTLN 2596 Shall we clap into ’t roundly, without

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As You Like It
ACT 5. SC. 3
FTLN 2597 hawking or spitting or saying we are hoarse, which
FTLN 2598 are the only prologues to a bad voice?
SECOND PAGE FTLN 2599 I’ faith, i’ faith, and both in a tune like
FTLN 2600 15 two gypsies on a horse.
Song.
PAGES sing
FTLN 2601 It was a lover and his lass,
FTLN 2602 With a hey, and a ho, and a hey-nonny-no,
FTLN 2603 That o’er the green cornfield did pass
FTLN 2604 In springtime, the only pretty ring time,
FTLN 2605 20 When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding.
FTLN 2606 Sweet lovers love the spring.
FTLN 2607 Between the acres of the rye,
FTLN 2608 With a hey, and a ho, and a hey-nonny-no,
FTLN 2609 These pretty country folks would lie
FTLN 2610 25 In springtime, the only pretty ring time,
FTLN 2611 When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding.
FTLN 2612 Sweet lovers love the spring.
FTLN 2613 This carol they began that hour,
FTLN 2614 With a hey, and a ho, and a hey-nonny-no,
FTLN 2615 30 How that a life was but a flower
FTLN 2616 In springtime, the only pretty ring time,
FTLN 2617 When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding.
FTLN 2618 Sweet lovers love the spring.
FTLN 2619 And therefore take the present time,
FTLN 2620 35 With a hey, and a ho, and a hey-nonny-no,
FTLN 2621 For love is crownèd with the prime,
FTLN 2622 In springtime, the only pretty ring time,
FTLN 2623 When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding.
FTLN 2624 Sweet lovers love the spring.

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As You Like It
ACT 5. SC. 4
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2625 40 Truly, young gentlemen, though there
FTLN 2626 was no great matter in the ditty, yet the note was
FTLN 2627 very untunable.
FIRST PAGE FTLN 2628 You are deceived, sir. We kept time. We lost
FTLN 2629 not our time.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2630 45 By my troth, yes. I count it but time lost
FTLN 2631 to hear such a foolish song. God be wi’ you, and
FTLN 2632 God mend your voices.—Come, Audrey.
They rise and exit.
Scene 4
Enter Duke Senior, Amiens, Jaques, Orlando, Oliver,
and Celia as Aliena.
DUKE SENIOR
FTLN 2633 Dost thou believe, Orlando, that the boy
FTLN 2634 Can do all this that he hath promisèd?
ORLANDO
FTLN 2635 I sometimes do believe and sometimes do not,
FTLN 2636 As those that fear they hope, and know they fear.
Enter Rosalind as Ganymede, Silvius, and Phoebe.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede
FTLN 2637 5 Patience once more whiles our compact is urged.
FTLN 2638 To Duke. You say, if I bring in your Rosalind,
FTLN 2639 You will bestow her on Orlando here?
DUKE SENIOR
FTLN 2640 That would I, had I kingdoms to give with her.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede, to Orlando
FTLN 2641 And you say you will have her when I bring her?
ORLANDO
FTLN 2642 10 That would I, were I of all kingdoms king.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede, to Phoebe
FTLN 2643 You say you’ll marry me if I be willing?

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As You Like It
ACT 5. SC. 4
PHOEBE
FTLN 2644 That will I, should I die the hour after.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede
FTLN 2645 But if you do refuse to marry me,
FTLN 2646 You’ll give yourself to this most faithful shepherd?
PHOEBE FTLN 2647 15 So is the bargain.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede, to Silvius
FTLN 2648 You say that you’ll have Phoebe if she will?
SILVIUS
FTLN 2649 Though to have her and death were both one thing.
ROSALIND , as Ganymede
FTLN 2650 I have promised to make all this matter even.
FTLN 2651 Keep you your word, O duke, to give your
FTLN 2652 20 daughter,—
FTLN 2653 You yours, Orlando, to receive his daughter.—
FTLN 2654 Keep you your word, Phoebe, that you’ll marry me,
FTLN 2655 Or else, refusing me, to wed this shepherd.—
FTLN 2656 Keep your word, Silvius, that you’ll marry her
FTLN 2657 25 If she refuse me. And from hence I go
FTLN 2658 To make these doubts all even.
Rosalind and Celia exit.
DUKE SENIOR
FTLN 2659 I do remember in this shepherd boy
FTLN 2660 Some lively touches of my daughter’s favor.
ORLANDO
FTLN 2661 My lord, the first time that I ever saw him
FTLN 2662 30 Methought he was a brother to your daughter.
FTLN 2663 But, my good lord, this boy is forest-born
FTLN 2664 And hath been tutored in the rudiments
FTLN 2665 Of many desperate studies by his uncle,
FTLN 2666 Whom he reports to be a great magician
FTLN 2667 35 Obscurèd in the circle of this forest.
Enter Touchstone and Audrey.
JAQUES FTLN 2668 There is sure another flood toward, and these
FTLN 2669 couples are coming to the ark. Here comes a pair of

193
As You Like It
ACT 5. SC. 4
FTLN 2670 very strange beasts, which in all tongues are called
FTLN 2671 fools.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2672 40 Salutation and greeting to you all.
JAQUES , to Duke FTLN 2673 Good my lord, bid him welcome.
FTLN 2674 This is the motley-minded gentleman that I have so
FTLN 2675 often met in the forest. He hath been a courtier, he
FTLN 2676 swears.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2677 45 If any man doubt that, let him put me to
FTLN 2678 my purgation. I have trod a measure. I have flattered
FTLN 2679 a lady. I have been politic with my friend,
FTLN 2680 smooth with mine enemy. I have undone three
FTLN 2681 tailors. I have had four quarrels, and like to have
FTLN 2682 50 fought one.
JAQUES FTLN 2683 And how was that ta’en up?
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2684 Faith, we met and found the quarrel was
FTLN 2685 upon the seventh cause.
JAQUES FTLN 2686 How “seventh cause”?—Good my lord, like
FTLN 2687 55 this fellow.
DUKE SENIOR FTLN 2688 I like him very well.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2689 God ’ild you, sir. I desire you of the like. I
FTLN 2690 press in here, sir, amongst the rest of the country
FTLN 2691 copulatives, to swear and to forswear, according as
FTLN 2692 60 marriage binds and blood breaks. A poor virgin, sir,
FTLN 2693 an ill-favored thing, sir, but mine own. A poor
FTLN 2694 humor of mine, sir, to take that that no man else
FTLN 2695 will. Rich honesty dwells like a miser, sir, in a poor
FTLN 2696 house, as your pearl in your foul oyster.
DUKE SENIOR FTLN 2697 65 By my faith, he is very swift and
FTLN 2698 sententious.
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2699 According to the fool’s bolt, sir, and such
FTLN 2700 dulcet diseases.
JAQUES FTLN 2701 But for the seventh cause. How did you find the
FTLN 2702 70 quarrel on the seventh cause?
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2703 Upon a lie seven times removed.—Bear
FTLN 2704 your body more seeming, Audrey.—As thus, sir: I
FTLN 2705 did dislike the cut of a certain courtier’s beard. He

195
As You Like It
ACT 5. SC. 4
FTLN 2706 sent me word if I said his beard was not cut well, he
FTLN 2707 75 was in the mind it was. This is called “the retort
FTLN 2708 courteous.” If I sent him word again it was not well
FTLN 2709 cut, he would send me word he cut it to please
FTLN 2710 himself. This is called “the quip modest.” If again it
FTLN 2711 was not well cut, he disabled my judgment. This is
FTLN 2712 80 called “the reply churlish.” If again it was not well
FTLN 2713 cut, he would answer I spake not true. This is called
FTLN 2714 “the reproof valiant.” If again it was not well cut, he
FTLN 2715 would say I lie. This is called “the countercheck
FTLN 2716 quarrelsome,” and so to “the lie circumstantial,”
FTLN 2717 85 and “the lie direct.”
JAQUES FTLN 2718 And how oft did you say his beard was not well
FTLN 2719 cut?
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2720 I durst go no further than the lie circumstantial,
FTLN 2721 nor he durst not give me the lie direct, and
FTLN 2722 90 so we measured swords and parted.
JAQUES FTLN 2723 Can you nominate in order now the degrees of
FTLN 2724 the lie?
TOUCHSTONE FTLN 2725 O sir, we quarrel in print, by the book, as
FTLN 2726 you have books for good manners. I will name you
FTLN 2727 95 the degrees: the first, “the retort courteous”; the
FTLN 2728 second, “the quip modest”; the third, “the reply
FTLN 2729 churlish”; the fourth, “the reproof valiant”; the
FTLN 2730 fifth, “the countercheck quarrelsome”; the sixth,
FTLN 2731 “the lie with circumstance”; the seventh, “the lie
FTLN 2732 100 direct.” All these you may avoid but the lie direct,
FTLN 2733 and you may avoid that too with an “if.” I knew
FTLN 2734 when seven justices could not take up a quarrel, but
FTLN 2735 when the parties were met themselves, one of them
FTLN 2736 thought but of an “if,” as: “If you said so, then I said
FTLN 2737 105 so.” And they shook hands and swore brothers.
FTLN 2738 Your “if” is the only peacemaker: much virtue in
FTLN 2739 “if.”
JAQUES , to Duke FTLN 2740 Is not this a rare fellow, my lord?
FTLN 2741 He’s as good at anything and yet a fool.

197
As You Like It
ACT 5. SC. 4
DUKE SENIOR FTLN 2742 110 He uses his folly like a stalking-horse,
FTLN 2743 and under the presentation of that he shoots his wit.
Enter Hymen, Rosalind, and Celia. Still music.
HYMEN
FTLN 2744 Then is there mirth in heaven
FTLN 2745 When earthly things made even
FTLN 2746 Atone together.
FTLN 2747 115 Good duke, receive thy daughter.
FTLN 2748 Hymen from heaven brought her,
FTLN 2749 Yea, brought her hither,
FTLN 2750 That thou mightst join her hand with his,
FTLN 2751 Whose heart within his bosom is.
ROSALIND , to Duke
FTLN 2752 120 To you I give myself, for I am yours.
FTLN 2753 To Orlando. To you I give myself, for I am yours.
DUKE SENIOR
FTLN 2754 If there be truth in sight, you are my daughter.
ORLANDO
FTLN 2755 If there be truth in sight, you are my Rosalind.
PHOEBE
FTLN 2756 If sight and shape be true,
FTLN 2757 125 Why then, my love adieu.
ROSALIND , to Duke
FTLN 2758 I’ll have no father, if you be not he.
FTLN 2759 To Orlando. I’ll have no husband, if you be not he,
FTLN 2760 To Phoebe. Nor ne’er wed woman, if you be not
FTLN 2761 she.
HYMEN
FTLN 2762 130 Peace, ho! I bar confusion.
FTLN 2763 ’Tis I must make conclusion
FTLN 2764 Of these most strange events.
FTLN 2765 Here’s eight that must take hands
FTLN 2766 To join in Hymen’s bands,
FTLN 2767 135 If truth holds true contents.

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As You Like It
ACT 5. SC. 4
To Rosalind and Orlando.
FTLN 2768 You and you no cross shall part.
To Celia and Oliver.
FTLN 2769 You and you are heart in heart.
To Phoebe.
FTLN 2770 You to his love must accord
FTLN 2771 Or have a woman to your lord.
To Audrey and Touchstone.
FTLN 2772 140 You and you are sure together
FTLN 2773 As the winter to foul weather.
To All.
FTLN 2774 Whiles a wedlock hymn we sing,
FTLN 2775 Feed yourselves with questioning,
FTLN 2776 That reason wonder may diminish
FTLN 2777 145 How thus we met, and these things finish.
Song.
FTLN 2778 Wedding is great Juno’s crown,
FTLN 2779 O blessèd bond of board and bed.
FTLN 2780 ’Tis Hymen peoples every town.
FTLN 2781 High wedlock then be honorèd.
FTLN 2782 150 Honor, high honor, and renown
FTLN 2783 To Hymen, god of every town.
DUKE SENIOR , to Celia
FTLN 2784 O my dear niece, welcome thou art to me,
FTLN 2785 Even daughter, welcome in no less degree.
PHOEBE , to Silvius
FTLN 2786 I will not eat my word. Now thou art mine,
FTLN 2787 155 Thy faith my fancy to thee doth combine.
Enter Second Brother, Jaques de Boys.
SECOND BROTHER
FTLN 2788 Let me have audience for a word or two.
FTLN 2789 I am the second son of old Sir Rowland,
FTLN 2790 That bring these tidings to this fair assembly.

201
As You Like It
ACT 5. SC. 4
FTLN 2791 Duke Frederick, hearing how that every day
FTLN 2792 160 Men of great worth resorted to this forest,
FTLN 2793 Addressed a mighty power, which were on foot
FTLN 2794 In his own conduct, purposely to take
FTLN 2795 His brother here and put him to the sword;
FTLN 2796 And to the skirts of this wild wood he came,
FTLN 2797 165 Where, meeting with an old religious man,
FTLN 2798 After some question with him, was converted
FTLN 2799 Both from his enterprise and from the world,
FTLN 2800 His crown bequeathing to his banished brother,
FTLN 2801 And all their lands restored to them again
FTLN 2802 170 That were with him exiled. This to be true
FTLN 2803 I do engage my life.
DUKE SENIOR FTLN 2804 Welcome, young man.
FTLN 2805 Thou offer’st fairly to thy brothers’ wedding:
FTLN 2806 To one his lands withheld, and to the other
FTLN 2807 175 A land itself at large, a potent dukedom.—
FTLN 2808 First, in this forest let us do those ends
FTLN 2809 That here were well begun and well begot,
FTLN 2810 And, after, every of this happy number
FTLN 2811 That have endured shrewd days and nights with us
FTLN 2812 180 Shall share the good of our returnèd fortune
FTLN 2813 According to the measure of their states.
FTLN 2814 Meantime, forget this new-fall’n dignity,
FTLN 2815 And fall into our rustic revelry.—
FTLN 2816 Play, music.—And you brides and bridegrooms all,
FTLN 2817 185 With measure heaped in joy to th’ measures fall.
JAQUES , to Second Brother
FTLN 2818 Sir, by your patience: if I heard you rightly,
FTLN 2819 The Duke hath put on a religious life
FTLN 2820 And thrown into neglect the pompous court.
SECOND BROTHER FTLN 2821 He hath.
JAQUES
FTLN 2822 190 To him will I. Out of these convertites
FTLN 2823 There is much matter to be heard and learned.

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ACT 5. SC. 4
FTLN 2824 To Duke. You to your former honor I bequeath;
FTLN 2825 Your patience and your virtue well deserves it.
FTLN 2826 To Orlando. You to a love that your true faith doth
FTLN 2827 195 merit.
FTLN 2828 To Oliver. You to your land, and love, and great
FTLN 2829 allies.
FTLN 2830 To Silvius. You to a long and well-deservèd bed.
FTLN 2831 To Touchstone. And you to wrangling, for thy
FTLN 2832 200 loving voyage
FTLN 2833 Is but for two months victualled.—So to your
FTLN 2834 pleasures.
FTLN 2835 I am for other than for dancing measures.
DUKE SENIOR FTLN 2836 Stay, Jaques, stay.
JAQUES
FTLN 2837 205 To see no pastime, I. What you would have
FTLN 2838 I’ll stay to know at your abandoned cave. He exits.
DUKE SENIOR
FTLN 2839 Proceed, proceed. We’ll begin these rites,
FTLN 2840 As we do trust they’ll end, in true delights.
Dance. All but Rosalind exit.

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EPILOGUE
EPILOGUE.
ROSALIND FTLN 2841 It is not the fashion to see the lady the
FTLN 2842 epilogue, but it is no more unhandsome than to see
FTLN 2843 the lord the prologue. If it be true that good wine
FTLN 2844 needs no bush, ’tis true that a good play needs no
FTLN 2845 5 epilogue. Yet to good wine they do use good bushes,
FTLN 2846 and good plays prove the better by the help of good
FTLN 2847 epilogues. What a case am I in then that am neither
FTLN 2848 a good epilogue nor cannot insinuate with you in
FTLN 2849 the behalf of a good play! I am not furnished like a
FTLN 2850 10 beggar; therefore to beg will not become me. My
FTLN 2851 way is to conjure you, and I’ll begin with the
FTLN 2852 women. I charge you, O women, for the love you
FTLN 2853 bear to men, to like as much of this play as please
FTLN 2854 you. And I charge you, O men, for the love you bear
FTLN 2855 15 to women—as I perceive by your simpering, none
FTLN 2856 of you hates them—that between you and the
FTLN 2857 women the play may please. If I were a woman, I
FTLN 2858 would kiss as many of you as had beards that
FTLN 2859 pleased me, complexions that liked me, and breaths
FTLN 2860 20 that I defied not. And I am sure as many as have
FTLN 2861 good beards, or good faces, or sweet breaths will for
FTLN 2862 my kind offer, when I make curtsy, bid me farewell.
She exits.