Orlando wins the wrestling match and, at the same time, wins the heart of Rosalind, daughter of the legitimate duke, now banished by his usurping brother, Duke Frederick. Orlando is equally attracted to Rosalind.
Enter Rosalind and Celia.
CELIA0171
I pray thee, Rosalind, sweet my coz, be merry. ROSALIND0172
Dear Celia, I show more mirth than I am 0173mistress of, and would you yet ⌜I⌝ were merrier? 0174Unless you could teach me to forget a banished 01755father, you must not learn me how to remember 0176any extraordinary pleasure. CELIA0177
Herein I see thou lov’st me not with the full 0178weight that I love thee. If my uncle, thy banished 0179father, had banished thy uncle, the Duke my father, 018010so thou hadst been still with me, I could have taught 0181my love to take thy father for mine. So wouldst thou, 0182if the truth of thy love to me were so righteously 0183tempered as mine is to thee. ROSALIND0184
Well, I will forget the condition of my estate 018515to rejoice in yours.
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CELIA0186
You know my father hath no child but I, nor 0187none is like to have; and truly, when he dies, thou 0188shalt be his heir, for what he hath taken away from 0189thy father perforce, I will render thee again in 019020affection. By mine honor I will, and when I break 0191that oath, let me turn monster. Therefore, my sweet 0192Rose, my dear Rose, be merry. ROSALIND0193
From henceforth I will, coz, and devise 0194sports. Let me see—what think you of falling in 019525love? CELIA0196
Marry, I prithee do, to make sport withal; but 0197love no man in good earnest, nor no further in 0198sport neither than with safety of a pure blush thou 0199mayst in honor come off again. ROSALIND020030What shall be our sport, then? CELIA0201
Let us sit and mock the good housewife Fortune 0202from her wheel, that her gifts may henceforth be 0203bestowed equally. ROSALIND0204
I would we could do so, for her benefits are 020535mightily misplaced, and the bountiful blind woman 0206doth most mistake in her gifts to women. CELIA0207
’Tis true, for those that she makes fair she scarce 0208makes honest, and those that she makes honest she 0209makes very ill-favoredly. ROSALIND021040Nay, now thou goest from Fortune’s office to 0211Nature’s. Fortune reigns in gifts of the world, not in 0212the lineaments of nature. CELIA0213
No? When Nature hath made a fair creature, 0214may she not by fortune fall into the fire?
Enter ⌜Touchstone.⌝
021545Though Nature hath given us wit to flout at Fortune, 0216hath not Fortune sent in this fool to cut off the 0217argument?
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ROSALIND0218
Indeed, there is Fortune too hard for Nature, 0219when Fortune makes Nature’s natural the 022050cutter-off of Nature’s wit. CELIA0221
Peradventure this is not Fortune’s work neither, 0222but Nature’s, who perceiveth our natural wits too 0223dull to reason of such goddesses, ⌜and⌝ hath sent 0224this natural for our whetstone, for always the dullness 022555of the fool is the whetstone of the wits.⌜To Touchstone.⌝0226
How now, wit, whither wander you? TOUCHSTONE0227
Mistress, you must come away to your 0228father. CELIA0229
Were you made the messenger? TOUCHSTONE023060No, by mine honor, but I was bid to come 0231for you. ROSALIND0232
Where learned you that oath, fool? TOUCHSTONE0233
Of a certain knight that swore by his 0234honor they were good pancakes, and swore by his 023565honor the mustard was naught. Now, I’ll stand to it, 0236the pancakes were naught and the mustard was 0237good, and yet was not the knight forsworn. CELIA0238
How prove you that in the great heap of your 0239knowledge? ROSALIND024070Ay, marry, now unmuzzle your wisdom. TOUCHSTONE0241
Stand you both forth now: stroke your 0242chins, and swear by your beards that I am a knave. CELIA0243
By our beards (if we had them), thou art. TOUCHSTONE0244
By my knavery (if I had it), then I were. 024575But if you swear by that that is not, you are not 0246forsworn. No more was this knight swearing by his 0247honor, for he never had any, or if he had, he had 0248sworn it away before ever he saw those pancakes or 0249that mustard. CELIA025080Prithee, who is ’t that thou mean’st? TOUCHSTONE0251
One that old Frederick, your father, loves. ⌜CELIA⌝0252
My father’s love is enough to honor him.
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0253Enough. Speak no more of him; you’ll be whipped 0254for taxation one of these days. TOUCHSTONE025585The more pity that fools may not speak 0256wisely what wise men do foolishly. CELIA0257
By my troth, thou sayest true. For, since the little 0258wit that fools have was silenced, the little foolery 0259that wise men have makes a great show. Here 026090comes Monsieur ⌜Le⌝ Beau.
Enter Le Beau.
ROSALIND0261
With his mouth full of news. CELIA0262
Which he will put on us as pigeons feed their 0263young. ROSALIND0264
Then shall we be news-crammed. CELIA026595All the better. We shall be the more 0266marketable.—Bonjour, Monsieur Le Beau. What’s 0267the news? LE BEAU0268
Fair princess, you have lost much good sport. CELIA0269
Sport? Of what color? LE BEAU0270100What color, madam? How shall I answer you? ROSALIND0271
As wit and fortune will. TOUCHSTONE0272
Or as the destinies decrees. CELIA0273
Well said. That was laid on with a trowel. TOUCHSTONE0274
Nay, if I keep not my rank— ROSALIND0275105Thou losest thy old smell. LE BEAU0276
You amaze me, ladies. I would have told you of 0277good wrestling, which you have lost the sight of. ROSALIND0278
Yet tell us the manner of the wrestling. LE BEAU0279
I will tell you the beginning, and if it please 0280110your Ladyships, you may see the end, for the best is 0281yet to do, and here, where you are, they are coming 0282to perform it. CELIA0283
Well, the beginning that is dead and buried. LE BEAU0284
There comes an old man and his three sons— CELIA0285115I could match this beginning with an old tale.
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LE BEAU0286
Three proper young men of excellent growth 0287and presence. ROSALIND0288
With bills on their necks: “Be it known unto 0289all men by these presents.” LE BEAU0290120The eldest of the three wrestled with Charles, 0291the Duke’s wrestler, which Charles in a moment 0292threw him and broke three of his ribs, that there is 0293little hope of life in him. So he served the second, 0294and so the third. Yonder they lie, the poor old man 0295125their father making such pitiful dole over them that 0296all the beholders take his part with weeping. ROSALIND0297
Alas! TOUCHSTONE0298
But what is the sport, monsieur, that the 0299ladies have lost? LE BEAU0300130Why, this that I speak of. TOUCHSTONE0301
Thus men may grow wiser every day. It is 0302the first time that ever I heard breaking of ribs was 0303sport for ladies. CELIA0304
Or I, I promise thee. ROSALIND0305135But is there any else longs to see this broken 0306music in his sides? Is there yet another dotes upon 0307rib-breaking? Shall we see this wrestling, cousin? LE BEAU0308
You must if you stay here, for here is the place 0309appointed for the wrestling, and they are ready to 0310140perform it. CELIA0311
Yonder sure they are coming. Let us now stay 0312and see it.
Flourish. Enter Duke ⌜Frederick,⌝ Lords, Orlando, Charles, and Attendants.
DUKE FREDERICK0313
Come on. Since the youth will not be 0314entreated, his own peril on his forwardness. ROSALIND, ⌜to Le Beau⌝0315145Is yonder the man? LE BEAU0316
Even he, madam. CELIA0317
Alas, he is too young. Yet he looks successfully.
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DUKE FREDERICK0318
How now, daughter and cousin? Are 0319you crept hither to see the wrestling? ROSALIND0320150Ay, my liege, so please you give us leave. DUKE FREDERICK0321
You will take little delight in it, I can 0322tell you, there is such odds in the man. In pity of the 0323challenger’s youth, I would fain dissuade him, but 0324he will not be entreated. Speak to him, ladies; see if 0325155you can move him. CELIA0326
Call him hither, good Monsieur Le Beau. DUKE FREDERICK0327
Do so. I’ll not be by. ⌜He steps aside.⌝ LE BEAU, ⌜to Orlando⌝0328
Monsieur the challenger, the 0329Princess calls for you. ORLANDO0330160I attend them with all respect and duty. ROSALIND0331
Young man, have you challenged Charles the 0332wrestler? ORLANDO0333
No, fair princess. He is the general challenger. 0334I come but in as others do, to try with him the 0335165strength of my youth. CELIA0336
Young gentleman, your spirits are too bold for 0337your years. You have seen cruel proof of this man’s 0338strength. If you saw yourself with your eyes or knew 0339yourself with your judgment, the fear of your adventure 0340170would counsel you to a more equal enterprise. 0341We pray you for your own sake to embrace your 0342own safety and give over this attempt. ROSALIND0343
Do, young sir. Your reputation shall not 0344therefore be misprized. We will make it our suit to 0345175the Duke that the wrestling might not go forward. ORLANDO0346
I beseech you, punish me not with your hard 0347thoughts, wherein I confess me much guilty to deny 0348so fair and excellent ladies anything. But let your 0349fair eyes and gentle wishes go with me to my trial, 0350180wherein, if I be foiled, there is but one shamed that 0351was never gracious; if killed, but one dead that is 0352willing to be so. I shall do my friends no wrong, for
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0353I have none to lament me; the world no injury, for 0354in it I have nothing. Only in the world I fill up a 0355185place which may be better supplied when I have 0356made it empty. ROSALIND0357
The little strength that I have, I would it 0358were with you. CELIA0359
And mine, to eke out hers. ROSALIND0360190Fare you well. Pray heaven I be deceived in 0361you. CELIA0362
Your heart’s desires be with you. CHARLES0363
Come, where is this young gallant that is so 0364desirous to lie with his mother Earth? ORLANDO0365195Ready, sir; but his will hath in it a more 0366modest working. DUKE FREDERICK, ⌜coming forward⌝0367
You shall try but 0368one fall. CHARLES0369
No, I warrant your Grace you shall not entreat 0370200him to a second, that have so mightily persuaded 0371him from a first. ORLANDO0372
You mean to mock me after, you should not 0373have mocked me before. But come your ways. ROSALIND0374
Now Hercules be thy speed, young man! CELIA0375205I would I were invisible, to catch the strong 0376fellow by the leg. ⌜Orlando and Charles⌝ wrestle. ROSALIND0377
O excellent young man! CELIA0378
If I had a thunderbolt in mine eye, I can tell who 0379should down. ⌜Orlando throws Charles.⌝Shout. DUKE FREDERICK0380210No more, no more. ORLANDO0381
Yes, I beseech your Grace. I am not yet well 0382breathed. DUKE FREDERICK0383
How dost thou, Charles? LE BEAU0384
He cannot speak, my lord. DUKE FREDERICK0385215Bear him away. ⌜Charles is carried off by Attendants.⌝ 0386What is thy name, young man?
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ORLANDO0387
Orlando, my liege, the youngest son of Sir 0388Rowland de Boys. DUKE FREDERICK 0389I would thou hadst been son to some man else. 0390220The world esteemed thy father honorable, 0391But I did find him still mine enemy. 0392Thou shouldst have better pleased me with this 0393deed 0394Hadst thou descended from another house. 0395225But fare thee well. Thou art a gallant youth. 0396I would thou hadst told me of another father. Duke exits ⌜with Touchstone, Le Beau, Lords, and Attendants.⌝ CELIA, ⌜to Rosalind⌝ 0397Were I my father, coz, would I do this? ORLANDO 0398I am more proud to be Sir Rowland’s son, 0399His youngest son, and would not change that calling 0400230To be adopted heir to Frederick. ROSALIND, ⌜to Celia⌝ 0401My father loved Sir Rowland as his soul, 0402And all the world was of my father’s mind. 0403Had I before known this young man his son, 0404I should have given him tears unto entreaties 0405235Ere he should thus have ventured. CELIA0406Gentle cousin, 0407Let us go thank him and encourage him. 0408My father’s rough and envious disposition 0409Sticks me at heart.—Sir, you have well deserved. 0410240If you do keep your promises in love 0411But justly, as you have exceeded all promise, 0412Your mistress shall be happy. ROSALIND, ⌜giving Orlando a chain from her neck⌝ 0413Gentleman, 0414Wear this for me—one out of suits with Fortune,
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0415245That could give more but that her hand lacks 0416means.— 0417Shall we go, coz? CELIA0418Ay.—Fare you well, fair gentleman. ORLANDO, ⌜aside⌝ 0419Can I not say “I thank you”? My better parts 0420250Are all thrown down, and that which here stands up 0421Is but a quintain, a mere lifeless block. ROSALIND, ⌜to Celia⌝ 0422He calls us back. My pride fell with my fortunes. 0423I’ll ask him what he would.—Did you call, sir? 0424Sir, you have wrestled well and overthrown 0425255More than your enemies. CELIA0426
Will you go, coz? ROSALIND0427
Have with you.⌜To Orlando.⌝ Fare you well. ⌜Rosalind and Celia⌝ exit. ORLANDO 0428What passion hangs these weights upon my tongue? 0429I cannot speak to her, yet she urged conference. 0430260O poor Orlando! Thou art overthrown. 0431Or Charles or something weaker masters thee.
Enter Le Beau.
LE BEAU 0432Good sir, I do in friendship counsel you 0433To leave this place. Albeit you have deserved 0434High commendation, true applause, and love, 0435265Yet such is now the Duke’s condition 0436That he misconsters all that you have done. 0437The Duke is humorous. What he is indeed 0438More suits you to conceive than I to speak of. ORLANDO 0439I thank you, sir, and pray you tell me this: 0440270Which of the two was daughter of the duke 0441That here was at the wrestling?
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LE BEAU 0442Neither his daughter, if we judge by manners, 0443But yet indeed the ⌜smaller⌝ is his daughter. 0444The other is daughter to the banished duke, 0445275And here detained by her usurping uncle 0446To keep his daughter company, whose loves 0447Are dearer than the natural bond of sisters. 0448But I can tell you that of late this duke 0449Hath ta’en displeasure ’gainst his gentle niece, 0450280Grounded upon no other argument 0451But that the people praise her for her virtues 0452And pity her for her good father’s sake; 0453And, on my life, his malice ’gainst the lady 0454Will suddenly break forth. Sir, fare you well. 0455285Hereafter, in a better world than this, 0456I shall desire more love and knowledge of you. ORLANDO 0457I rest much bounden to you. Fare you well. ⌜Le Beau exits.⌝ 0458Thus must I from the smoke into the smother, 0459From tyrant duke unto a tyrant brother. 0460290But heavenly Rosalind! He exits.
