Jaq. I would fain fee this meeting. Sud. Well, the gods give us joy! Clo. Amen. A man may, if he were of a fearful heart, ftagger in this attempt; for here we have no temple but the wood, no affembly but horn-beafts. But what tho' courage. As horns are odious, they are neceffary. It is faid, many a man knows no end of his goods: right; many a man has good horns, and knows no end of them. Well, that is the dowry of his wife, 'tis none of his own getting. Horns even fo-poor men alone?—No, no, the noblest deer hath them as huge as the rafcal. Is the fingle man therefore bleffed: No. As a wall'd town is more worthier than a village, fo is the forehead of a married man more honourable than the bare brow of a bachelor; and by how much defence is better than no skill, fo much is a horn more precious than to want. Enter Sir Oliver Mar-text. Here comes Sir Oliver. Sir Oliver Mar-text, you are well met. Will you dispatch us here under this tree, or fhall we go with you to your chapel? Sir Oli. Is there none here to give the woman? Sir Oli. Truly, the must be given, or the marriage is not lawful. Jaq. Proceed, proceed! I'll give her. Clo. Good even, good Mafter What-ye-call: how do you, Sir? you are very well met. God'ild you for your laft company! I am very glad to fee you; even a toy in hand here, Sir: nay, pray be covered. Jaq. Will you be married, Motley? Clo. As the ox hath his bow, Sir, the horse his curb, and the faulcon his bells, fc man hath his defire; and as pidgeons bill, fo wedlock would be nibbling. Jaq. And will you, being a man of your breeding, be married under a buth like a beggar? Get you to church, and have a good priest that can tell you what marriage is: this fellow will but join you together as they join wainscoat; then one of them will prove a fhrunk pannel, and, like green timber, warp, warp. Clo. I am not in the mind, but I were better to be married married of him than of another: for he is not like to marry me well; and not being well married, it will be a good excufe for me hereafter to leave my wife. Jaq. Go thou with me, and let me counfel thee. * Clo. Come, fweet Audrey, we must be married, or we must live in bawdry. Farewel, good Sir, Oliver; not O fweet Oliver, O brave Oliver, leave me not behind thee; but wind away, begone, I fay, I will not to wedding with thee. Sir Oli. 'Tis no matter; ne'er a fantastical knave of them all shall flout me out of my calling. [Exeunt. SCENE X. Changes to a cottage in the foreft. Enter Rofalind and Celia. Rof. Never talk to me, I will weep. Cel. Do, I pr'ythee; but yet have the grace to confider, that tears do not become a man. Rof. But have I not caufe to weep? Cel. As good cause as one would defire, therefore weep. Rof. His very hair is of the diffembling colour. Cel. Something browner than Judas's: marry, his kiffes are Judas's own children. Rof. I' faith, his hair is of a good colour. Cel. An excellent colour: your chefnut was ever the only colour. Ref. And his kiffing is as full of fanctity, as the touch of holy beard *. Cel. He hath bought a pair of caft lips of Diana; a nun of Winter's filterhood kiffes not more religiously; the very ice of chastity is in them. Rof. ut why did he fwear he would come, this morning, and comes not? Cel. Nay, certainly, there is no truth in him. Cel. Yes; I think he is not a pick-purfe nor a horseftealer; but for his verity in love, I do think him as concave as a cover'd goblet, or a worm-eaten nut. Rof. Not true in love? Cel. Yes, when he is in; but I think he is not in. Meaning the kifs of charity from hermits and holy men. Cel Cel. Was, is not is; befides, the oath of a lover is no ftronger than the word of a tapster; they are both the confirmers of false reckonings; he attends here in the foreft on the Duke your father. Rof. I met the Duke yesterday, and had much queftion with him: he afk'd me, of what parentage I was; I told him, of as good as he; fo he laugh'd, and let me go. But what talk we of fathers, when there. is fuch a man as Orlando? Cel. O, that's a brave man! he writes brave verses, fpeaks brave words, fwears brave oaths, and breaks them bravely, quite travers, athwart the heart of his lover; as a puifny tilter, that fpurs his horse but on one fide, breaks his staff like a noble goose; but all's brave that youth mounts, and folly guides. Who comes here? Enter Corin. Cor. Miftrefs and Master, you have oft inquired After the fhepherd that complain'd of love; Whom you faw fitting by me on the turf, Praifing the proud difdainful fhepherdefs That was his mistress. Cel. Well, and what of him? Cor. If you will fee a pageant truly play'd, Ref. O come, let us remove; The fight of lovers feedeth thofe in love: Bring us but to this fight, and you shall say I'll prove a busy actor in their play. [Exeunt. SCENE XI. Changes to another part of the foreft Enter Sylvius and Phebe, Syl. Sweet Phebe, do not fcorn me; do not, Phebe; Say, that you love me not; but fay not fo In bitterness. The common executioner, Whole heart th' accustom'd fight of death makes hard, Falls not the ax upon the humble neck, But firft begs pardon: will you fterner be Than he that deals, and lives by, bloody drops. Enter Enter Rofalind, Celia, and Corin. Phe. I would not be thy executioner; That eyes, that are the frail'ft and softest things, Should be call'd tyrants, butchers, murderers !- And if mine eyes can wound, now let them kill thee: Now fhew the wound mine eyes have made in thee; Thy palm fome moment keeps; but now mine eyes, That can do hurt. Syl. O dear Phebe, If ever (as that ever may be near) You meet in fome fresh cheek the power of fancy, That love's keen arrows make. Phe. But till that time, Come not thou near me; and when that time comes, Afflict me with thy mocks, pity me not; As, till that time, I fhall not pity thee. Rof. And why, I pray you? who might be your That you infult, exult, and rail, at once [mother, Over the wretched? what though you have beauty, (As, by my faith, I fee no more in you "Tis "Tis not your inky brows, your black filk hair, But, Mistress, know yourself; down on your knees, Sell when you can, you are not for all markets, Phe. Sweet youth, I pray you chide a year together; I had rather hear you chide, than this man woo. Rof. He's fallen in love with your foulness, and she'll fall in love with my anger.- -If it be fo, as fast as she answers thee, with frowning looks, I'll fauce her with bitter words. Why look you fo upon me? Phe. For no ill-will I bear you. Rof. I pray you, do not fall in love with me; For I am falfer than vows made in wine; Befides, I like you not. If you will know my house, 'Tis at the tuft of olives, here hard by. Will you go, fifter? fhepherd, ply her hard; Come, to our flock. [Exeunt Rof. Cel. and Corin. Syl. Sweet Phebe ! Phe. Hah: what fay'ft thou, Sylvius? Syl. Sweet Phebe, pity me. Phe. Why I am forry for thee, gentle Sylvius. |