Shakespeare - First Folio facsimile (1910)/As You Like It/Act 2 Scene 4
Scena Quarta.
Enter Rosaline for Ganimed, Celia for Aliena, and Clowne, alias Touchstone.
Ros.
O Iupiter, how merry are my spirits?
Clo.
I care not for my spirits, if my legges were not wearie.
Ros.
I could finde in my heart to disgrace my mans apparell, and to cry like a woman: but I must comfort the weaker vessell, as doublet and hose ought to show it selfe coragious to petty-coate; therefore courage, good Aliena.
Cel.
I pray you beare with me, I cannot goe no further.
Clo.
For my part, I had rather beare with you, then beare you: yet I should beare no crosse if I did beare you, for I thinke you haue no money in your purse.
Ros.
Well, this is the Forrest of Arden.
Clo.
I, now am I in Arden, the more foole I, when I was at home I was in a better place, but Trauellers must be content.
Enter Corin and Siluius.
Ros.
I, be so good Touchstone: Look you, who comes here, a yong man and an old in solemne talke.
Cor.
That is the way to make her scorne you still.
Sil.
Oh Corin, that thou knew'st how I do loue her.
Cor.
I partly guesse: for I haue lou'd ere now.
Sil.
No Corin, being old, thou canst not guesse,
Though in thy youth thou wast as true a louer
As euer sigh'd vpon a midnight pillow:
But if thy loue were euer like to mine,
As sure I thinke did neuer man loue so:
How many actions most ridiculous,
Hast thou beene drawne to by thy fantasie?
Cor.
Into a thousand that I haue forgotten.
Sil.
Oh thou didst then neuer loue so hartily,
If thou remembrest not the slightest folly,
That euer loue did make thee run into,
Thou hast not lou'd.
Or if thou hast not sat as I doe now,
Wearing thy hearer in thy Mistris praise,
Thou hast not lou'd.
Or if thou hast not broke from companie,
Abruptly as my passion now makes me,
Thou hast not lou'd.
O Phebe, Phebe, Phebe. Exit.
Ros.
Alas poore Shepheard searching of they would, I haue by hard aduenture found mine owne.
Clo.
And I mine: I remember when I was in loue, I broke my sword vpon a stone, and bid him take that for comming a night to Iane Smile, and I remember the kissing of her batler, and the Cowes dugs that her prettie chopt hands had milk'd; and I remember the wooing of a peascod instead of her, from whom I tooke two cods, and giuing her them againe, said with weeping teares, weare these for my sake: wee that are true Louers, runne into strange capers; but as all is mortall in nature, so is all nature in loue, mortall in folly.
Ros.
Thou speak'st wiser then thou art ware of.
Clo.
Nay, I shall nere be ware of mine owne wit, till I breake my shins against it.
Ros.
Ioue, Ioue, this Shepherds passion,
Is much vpon my fashion.
Clo.
And mine, but it growes something stale with mee.
Cel.
I pray you, one of you question yon'd man,
If he for gold will giue vs any foode,
I faint almost to death.
Clo.
Holla; you Clowne.
Ros.
Peace foole, he's not thy kinsman.
Cor.
Who cals?
Clo.
Your betters Sir.
Cor. Else are they very wretched.
Ros.
Peace I say; good euen to your friend.
Cor.
And to you gentle Sir, and to you all.
Ros.
I prethee Shepheard, if that loue or gold
Can in this desert place buy entertainment,
Bring vs where we may rest our selues, and feed:
Here's a yong maid with trauaile much oppressed,
And faints for succour.
Cor.
Faire Sir, I pittie her,
And wish for her sake more then for mine owne,
My fortunes were more able to releeue her:
But I am shepheard to another man,
And do not sheere the Fleeces that I graze:
My master is of churlish disposition,
And little wreakes to finde the way to heauen
By doing deeds of hospitalitie.
Besides his Coate, his Flockes, and bounds of feede
Are now on sale, and at our sheep-coat now
By reason of his absence there is nothing
That you will feed on: but what is, come see,
And in my voice most welcome shall you be.
Ros.
What is he that shall buy his flocke and pasture?
Cor.
That yong Swaine that you saw heere but erewhile,
That little cares for buying any thing.
Ros.
I pray thee, if it stand with honestie,
Buy thou the Cottage, pasture, and the flocke,
And thou shalt haue to pay for it of vs.
Cel.
And we will mend thy wages:
I like this place, and willingly could
Waste my time in it.
Cor.
Assuredly the thing is to be sold:
Go with me, if you like vpon report,
The soile, the profit, and this kinde of life,
I will your very faithfull Feeder be,
And buy it with your Gold right sodainly. Exeunt.