Act 2, Scene 4: The Forest of Arden.

SCENE IV. The Forest of Arden.

    Enter ROSALIND for Ganymede, CELIA for Aliena, and TOUCHSTONE

ROSALIND

    O Jupiter, how weary are my spirits!

TOUCHSTONE

    I care not for my spirits, if my legs were not weary.

ROSALIND

    I could find in my heart to disgrace my man's
    apparel and to cry like a woman; but I must comfort
    the weaker vessel, as doublet and hose ought to show
    itself courageous to petticoat: therefore courage,
    good Aliena!

CELIA

    I pray you, bear with me; I cannot go no further.

TOUCHSTONE

    For my part, I had rather bear with you than bear
    you; yet I should bear no cross if I did bear you,
    for I think you have no money in your purse.

ROSALIND

    Well, this is the forest of Arden.

TOUCHSTONE

    Ay, now am I in Arden; the more fool I; when I was
    at home, I was in a better place: but travellers
    must be content.

ROSALIND

    Ay, be so, good Touchstone.

    Enter CORIN and SILVIUS
    Look you, who comes here; a young man and an old in
    solemn talk.

CORIN

    That is the way to make her scorn you still.

SILVIUS

    O Corin, that thou knew'st how I do love her!

CORIN

    I partly guess; for I have loved ere now.

SILVIUS

    No, Corin, being old, thou canst not guess,
    Though in thy youth thou wast as true a lover
    As ever sigh'd upon a midnight pillow:
    But if thy love were ever like to mine--
    As sure I think did never man love so--
    How many actions most ridiculous
    Hast thou been drawn to by thy fantasy?

CORIN

    Into a thousand that I have forgotten.

SILVIUS

    O, thou didst then ne'er love so heartily!
    If thou remember'st not the slightest folly
    That ever love did make thee run into,
    Thou hast not loved:
    Or if thou hast not sat as I do now,
    Wearying thy hearer in thy mistress' praise,
    Thou hast not loved:
    Or if thou hast not broke from company
    Abruptly, as my passion now makes me,
    Thou hast not loved.
    O Phebe, Phebe, Phebe!

    Exit

ROSALIND

    Alas, poor shepherd! searching of thy wound,
    I have by hard adventure found mine own.

TOUCHSTONE

    And I mine. I remember, when I was in love I broke
    my sword upon a stone and bid him take that for
    coming a-night to Jane Smile; and I remember the
    kissing of her batlet and the cow's dugs that her
    pretty chopt hands had milked; and I remember the
    wooing of a peascod instead of her, from whom I took
    two cods and, giving her them again, said with
    weeping tears 'Wear these for my sake.' We that are
    true lovers run into strange capers; but as all is
    mortal in nature, so is all nature in love mortal in folly.

ROSALIND

    Thou speakest wiser than thou art ware of.

TOUCHSTONE

    Nay, I shall ne'er be ware of mine own wit till I
    break my shins against it.

ROSALIND

    Jove, Jove! this shepherd's passion
    Is much upon my fashion.

TOUCHSTONE

    And mine; but it grows something stale with me.

CELIA

    I pray you, one of you question yond man
    If he for gold will give us any food:
    I faint almost to death.

TOUCHSTONE

    Holla, you clown!

ROSALIND

    Peace, fool: he's not thy kinsman.

CORIN

    Who calls?

TOUCHSTONE

    Your betters, sir.

CORIN

    Else are they very wretched.

ROSALIND

    Peace, I say. Good even to you, friend.

CORIN

    And to you, gentle sir, and to you all.

ROSALIND

    I prithee, shepherd, if that love or gold
    Can in this desert place buy entertainment,
    Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed:
    Here's a young maid with travel much oppress'd
    And faints for succor.

CORIN

    Fair sir, I pity her
    And wish, for her sake more than for mine own,
    My fortunes were more able to relieve her;
    But I am shepherd to another man
    And do not shear the fleeces that I graze:
    My master is of churlish disposition
    And little recks to find the way to heaven
    By doing deeds of hospitality:
    Besides, his cote, his flocks and bounds of feed
    Are now on sale, and at our sheepcote 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.

ROSALIND

    What is he that shall buy his flock and pasture?

CORIN

    That young swain that you saw here but erewhile,
    That little cares for buying any thing.

ROSALIND

    I pray thee, if it stand with honesty,
    Buy thou the cottage, pasture and the flock,
    And thou shalt have to pay for it of us.

CELIA

    And we will mend thy wages. I like this place.
    And willingly could waste my time in it.

CORIN

    Assuredly the thing is to be sold:
    Go with me: if you like upon report
    The soil, the profit and this kind of life,
    I will your very faithful feeder be
    And buy it with your gold right suddenly.

    Exeunt

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