[Dramatis Personae Duke Senior, a banished duke Duke Frederick, his usurping brother Rosalind, daughter of Duke Senior, later disguised as Ganymede Celia, daughter of Duke Frederick, later disguised as Aliena Oliver, Jaques, sons of Sir Rowland de Boys Orlando, Amiens, lords attending Duke Senior Jaques, le beau, a courtier attending Duke Frederick Charles, a wrestler in the court of Duke Frederick Adam, an aged servant of Oliver and then Orlando Dennis, a servant of Oliver touchstone, the clown or fool Corin, an old shepherd Silvius, a young shepherd, in love with Phoebe phoebe, a shepherdess William, a country youth, in love with Audrey Audrey, a country wench sir Oliver mar-text, a country vicar hymen, god of marriage Lords and Attendants waiting on Duke Frederick and Duke Senior scene: Oliver's house; Duke Frederick's court; and the Forest of Arden] 1.1 Location: The garden of Oliver's house. 1-3 it was . . . crowns it was in this way that I was left, by the terms of my father's will, a mere thousand crowns or £250 3 crowns coins worth five shillings 3-4 charged . . . well my brother was instructed as a condition of my father's blessing to educate me well 5 My . . . school My oldest brother Oliver maintains my other brother, Jaques, at university 6 profit progress. 8 stays detains. unkept poorly supported 11-12 fair . . . feeding kept well groomed with good diet 12 manage manage, paces and maneuvers in the art of horsemanship 13 riders trainers. dearly expensively 17 countenance behavior; (neglectful) patronage 19 hinds farm hands. bars me excludes me from 19-20 as much . . . education with all the power at his disposal, undermines my right to be educated as a gentleman. 26 Go apart Stand aside 27 shake me up abuse me. 28 make do. (But Orlando takes it in the more usual sense.) 1.1 * Enter Orlando and Adam. Orlando As I remember, Adam, it was upon this fash- 1 ion bequeathed me by will but poor a thousand 2 crowns and, as thou say'st, charged my brother on his 3 blessing to breed me well; and there begins my 4 sadness. My brother Jaques he keeps at school, and 5 report speaks goldenly of his profit. For my part, he 6 keeps me rustically at home--or, to speak more properly, stays me here at home unkept; for call you 8 that "keeping" for a gentleman of my birth, that differs not from the stalling of an ox? His horses are bred better, for besides that they are fair with their 11 feeding, they are taught their manage, and to that end 12 riders dearly hired. But I, his brother, gain nothing 13 under him but growth, for the which his animals on his dunghills are as much bound to him as I. Besides this nothing that he so plentifully gives me, the something that nature gave me his countenance 17 seems to take from me. He lets me feed with his hinds, bars me the place of a brother, and as much as 19 in him lies, mines my gentility with my education. 20 This is it, Adam, that grieves me; and the spirit of my father, which I think is within me, begins to mutiny against this servitude. I will no longer endure it, though yet I know no wise remedy how to avoid it. Enter Oliver. Adam Yonder comes my master, your brother. Orlando Go apart, Adam, and thou shalt hear how 26 he will shake me up. [Adam stands aside.] 27 Oliver Now, sir, what make you here? 28 30 mar ("To make or mar" is a commonplace antithesis.) 31 Marry i.e., Indeed. (Originally an oath by the Virgin Mary.) 34-5 be naught awhile i.e., stay in your place, don't grumble. 36-8 Shall . . . penury? (Alluding to the story of the Prodigal Son, in Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 15:11-32, who, having wasted his "portion" or inheritance, had to tend swine and eat with them.) 39 where in whose presence. (But Orlando sarcastically takes the more literal meaning.) 40 orchard garden. 43-4 in . . . blood acknowledging the bond of our being of gentle birth 44-5 courtesy of nations recognized custom (of primogeniture, whereby the eldest son inherits all the land) 47 blood (1) gentlemanly lineage (2) spirit 49 is nearer . . . reverence is closer to his position of authority (as head of family). 52 young inexperienced (at fighting) 53 villain i.e., wicked fellow. (But Orlando plays on the literal meaning of "bondman" or "serf," as well as Oliver's meaning.) 55 he anyone 59 railed on thyself insulted your own blood. 60-1 your father's remembrance the sake of your father's memory Orlando Nothing. I am not taught to make anything. Oliver What mar you then, sir? 30 Orlando Marry, sir, I am helping you to mar that 31 which God made, a poor unworthy brother of yours, with idleness. Oliver Marry, sir, be better employed, and be naught 34 awhile. 35 Orlando Shall I keep your hogs and eat husks with 36 them? What prodigal portion have I spent, that I 37 should come to such penury? 38 Oliver Know you where you are, sir? 39 Orlando Oh, sir, very well: here in your orchard. 40 Oliver Know you before whom, sir? Orlando Ay, better than him I am before knows me. I know you are my eldest brother, and in the gentle 43 condition of blood you should so know me. The cour- 44 tesy of nations allows you my better, in that you are 45 the firstborn, but the same tradition takes not away my blood, were there twenty brothers betwixt us. I 47 have as much of my father in me as you, albeit I con- fess your coming before me is nearer to his reverence. 49 Oliver What, boy! [He strikes Orlando.] Orlando Come, come, elder brother, you are too young in this. [He seizes Oliver by the throat.] 52 Oliver Wilt thou lay hands on me, villain? 53 Orlando I am no villain. I am the youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys. He was my father, and he is thrice 55 a villain that says such a father begot villains. Wert thou not my brother, I would not take this hand from thy throat till this other had pulled out thy tongue for saying so. Thou hast railed on thyself. 59 Adam Sweet masters, be patient! For your father's 60 remembrance, be at accord. 61 66 qualities (1) characteristics (2) accomplishments. 68 exercises employments 69 allottery portion 74 will (1) desire (2) portion from your father's will (3) willfulness (i.e., you'll get what is coming to you). 82 grow upon me take liberties with me; grow too big for your breeches. 83 physic your rankness apply medicine to your overweening 84 neither either. 88 So please you If you please Oliver Let me go, I say. Orlando I will not till I please. You shall hear me. My father charged you in his will to give me good educa- tion. You have trained me like a peasant, obscuring and hiding from me all gentlemanlike qualities. The 66 spirit of my father grows strong in me, and I will no longer endure it; therefore allow me such exercises as 68 may become a gentleman, or give me the poor allottery 69 my father left me by testament. With that I will go buy my fortunes. [He releases Oliver.] Oliver And what wilt thou do? Beg when that is spent? Well, sir, get you in. I will not long be troubled with you; you shall have some part of your will. I pray 74 you, leave me. Orlando I will no further offend you than becomes me for my good. Oliver [to Adam] Get you with him, you old dog. Adam Is "old dog" my reward? Most true, I have lost my teeth in your service. God be with my old master! He would not have spoke such a word. Exeunt Orlando [and] Adam. Oliver Is it even so? Begin you to grow upon me? I will 82 physic your rankness and yet give no thousand 83 crowns neither.--Holla, Dennis! 84 Enter Dennis. Dennis Calls Your Worship? Oliver Was not Charles, the Duke's wrestler, here to speak with me? Dennis So please you, he is here at the door and 88 importunes access to you. Oliver Call him in. [Exit Dennis.] 'Twill be a good way; and tomorrow the wrestling is. 92 Good morrow Good morning 99 whose all of whose 100 good leave full permission 104 being they being 105-6 died to stay died from being forced to stay 113 fleet pass 114 carelessly free from care. golden world the primal age of innocence and ease from which humankind was thought to have degenerated. (See Ovid, Metamorphoses 1.) 120 a fall a bout of wrestling. 121 credit reputation 122 shall . . . well (1) must exert himself very skillfully (2) will be lucky indeed. 124 foil defeat Enter Charles. Charles Good morrow to Your Worship. 92 Oliver Good Monsieur Charles, what's the new news at the new court? Charles There's no news at the court, sir, but the old news: that is, the old Duke is banished by his younger brother the new Duke, and three or four loving lords have put themselves into voluntary exile with him, whose lands and revenues enrich the new Duke; 99 therefore he gives them good leave to wander. 100 Oliver Can you tell if Rosalind, the Duke's daughter, be banished with her father? Charles Oh, no; for the Duke's daughter, her cousin, so loves her, being ever from their cradles bred together, 104 that she would have followed her exile or have died to 105 stay behind her. She is at the court and no less beloved 106 of her uncle than his own daughter, and never two ladies loved as they do. Oliver Where will the old Duke live? Charles They say he is already in the Forest of Arden, and a many merry men with him; and there they live like the old Robin Hood of England. They say many young gentlemen flock to him every day and fleet the 113 time carelessly as they did in the golden world. 114 Oliver What, you wrestle tomorrow before the new Duke? Charles Marry, do I, sir; and I came to acquaint you with a matter. I am given, sir, secretly to understand that your younger brother Orlando hath a disposition to come in disguised against me to try a fall. Tomor- 120 row, sir, I wrestle for my credit, and he that escapes 121 me without some broken limb shall acquit him well. 122 Your brother is but young and tender, and for your love I would be loath to foil him, as I must for my 124 126 withal with this 127 stay . . . intendment restrain him from his intent. brook endure 129 search seeking 133 underhand unobtrusive 135-6 envious emulator malicious disparager. 136 parts qualities 137 contriver plotter. natural blood 138 lief willingly 139-40 thou . . . to't you'd better beware 140-1 if he . . . on thee if he fails to distinguish himself at your expense 141 practice plot 147 brotherly as a brother should. anatomize analyze 152 go alone walk unassisted 155 gamester sportsman. (Said sardonically.) 157 gentle gentlemanly 158 noble device lofty aspiration. sorts classes of people. enchantingly as if they were under his spell own honor if he come in. Therefore, out of my love to you, I came hither to acquaint you withal, that either 126 you might stay him from his intendment or brook 127 such disgrace well as he shall run into, in that it is a thing of his own search and altogether against my will. 129 Oliver Charles, I thank thee for thy love to me, which thou shalt find I will most kindly requite. I had myself notice of my brother's purpose herein and have by underhand means labored to dissuade him from it, but 133 he is resolute. I'll tell thee, Charles, it is the stubbornest young fellow of France, full of ambition, an envious 135 emulator of every man's good parts, a secret and 136 villainous contriver against me his natural brother. 137 Therefore use thy discretion. I had as lief thou didst 138 break his neck as his finger. And thou wert best look 139 to't; for if thou dost him any slight disgrace, or if he 140 do not mightily grace himself on thee, he will practice 141 against thee by poison, entrap thee by some treacher- ous device, and never leave thee till he hath ta'en thy life by some indirect means or other; for I assure thee, and almost with tears I speak it, there is not one so young and so villainous this day living. I speak but brotherly of him, but should I anatomize him to thee as 147 he is, I must blush and weep, and thou must look pale and wonder. Charles I am heartily glad I came hither to you. If he come tomorrow, I'll give him his payment. If ever he go alone again, I'll never wrestle for prize more. And 152 so God keep Your Worship! Oliver Farewell, good Charles. Exit [Charles]. Now will I stir this gamester. I hope I shall see an end of 155 him; for my soul, yet I know not why, hates nothing more than he. Yet he's gentle, never schooled and yet 157 learned, full of noble device, of all sorts enchantingly 158 beloved, and indeed so much in the heart of the world 160 people servants 161 misprized undervalued, scorned. 162 clear all solve everything. 163 kindle . . . thither inflame Orlando with desire to go to the wrestling match 1.2 Location: Duke Frederick's court. A place suitable for wrestling. 1 sweet my coz my sweet cousin 5 learn teach 8 that with which 10 so provided that 12-13 righteously tempered harmoniously composed 14 condition of my estate state of my fortunes 17 like likely 19 perforce by force 25 sport pastimes and especially of my own people, who best know him, 160 that I am altogether misprized. But it shall not be so 161 long; this wrestler shall clear all. Nothing remains but 162 that I kindle the boy thither, which now I'll go about. 163 Exit. 1.2 * Enter Rosalind and Celia. Celia I pray thee, Rosalind, sweet my coz, be merry. 1 Rosalind Dear Celia, I show more mirth than I am mistress of, and would you yet I were merrier? Unless you could teach me to forget a banished father, you must not learn me how to remember any extraordi- 5 nary pleasure. Celia Herein I see thou lov'st me not with the full weight that I love thee. If my uncle, thy banished 8 Excerpted from As You Like It by William Shakespeare All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
