Duke Frederick. You are a fool. You, niece, provide your self. If you outstay the time, upon mine honor, [Exit R.] Celia. Oh, my poor Rosalind, whither wilt thou go? Rosalind. That he hath not. Celia. Hath not? Rosalind lacks then the love Therefore devise with me how we may fly, Rosalind. Why, whither shall we go? Celia. (With sudden inspiration.) To seek my uncle in the forest of Arden. [Exeunt L.] 2 [Prolog.] ACT II In the forest of Arden The Duke, Amiens, and Jaques enter [C.]. Duke. Now, my co-mates and brothers in exile, Here feel we not the penalty of Adam. [Exit.] 1 heaven, now at our sorrows pale: The stage lights may be dimmed perceptibly just before Celia's cry of alarm, "Look, here comes the Duke, with his eyes full of anger." The sudden dimming of stage lights has an influence upon an audience greater than one can entirely realize. 2 Unless the stage has no curtain, it is better for the actors to hold their pose until the curtain falls, in such a scene as this. The seasons' difference, as the icy fang And churlish chiding of the winter's wind, Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, I would not change it. Amiens. Happy is your Grace, That can translate the stubbornness of fortune Duke. Come, shall we go and kill us venison? And yet it irks2 me the poor dappled deer, Being natives of this desert city, Should in their own confines with forkéd heads,3 Have their round haunches gored. Jaques. I have often grieved at that; Indeed, my lord, And in that kind, think you do more usurp Than doth your brother that hath banished you. They leave [R.]. And Rosalind appears [L.], travel-stained and dressed in boy's clothes, with Celia, who is dressed like a shepherdess. Rosalind. O Jupiter, how weary are my spirits! Celia. I care not for my spirits, if my legs were not weary. 1 jewel: toadstone, which people thought grew in the heads of old and large toads. 2irks: pains. 3 forked heads: the barbed heads of arrows. Rosalind. I could find in my heart' to disgrace mv man's apparel and cry like a woman; but I must comfort the weaker vessel; therefore, courage, good Aliena.2 Celia. I pray you, bear with me; I can go no further. Rosalind. I had rather bear with you than bear you. this is the forest of Arden. Celia. Ay, and travellers must be content. They drag their way on farther into the forest [R.]. - Well, Orlando and Adam have also sought refuge in the forest. They come in [L.], Orlando almost carrying Adam. Adam. Dear master, I can go no further. O, I die for food!3 Here lie I down and measure out my grave. Farewell, kind master. Orlando. Why, how now, Adam! no greater heart in thee?4 Comfort a little; cheer thyself a little. If this uncouth forest yield anything wild, I will either be food for it or bring it for food to thee. Well said! thou look'st cheerly, and I'll be with thee quickly. Yet thou liest in the bleak air. Come, I will bear thee to some shelter. Thou shalt not die for lack of dinner if there live anything in this forest. Orlando carries him away [R.]. The Duke, Jaques, and Amiens appear with food. [They spread a cloth and sit down to eat.] Orlando reappears, with his sword drawn. Orlando. Forbear, and eat no more. Jaques. Why, I have eat none yet. Orlando. Nor shalt not, till necessity be served. Duke. [Rising.] Art thou thus boldened, man, by thy distress? Or else a rude despiser of good manners? 1 could find in my heart: I feel almost inclined. 2 Aliena (ǎl-I-ē'na), a name they have adopted for Celia in her dis guise as a shepherdess. 3 die for food: die for want of food. 4 no greater heart in thee? no greater courage? Orlando. You touched my vein at first. The thorny point Of bare distress hath taken from me the show Of smooth civility. Duke. What would you have? Your gentleness shall force, More than your force move us to gentleness. Orlando. I almost die for food; and let me have it. Duke. Sit down and eat, and welcome to our table. Orlando. Speak you so gently? Pardon me, I pray you. I thought that all things had been savage here, And therefore put I on the countenance Of stern commandment. But whate'er you are, That in this forest inaccessible, Under the shade of melancholy boughs, Lose and neglect the creeping hours of time; If ever you have looked on better days, If ever been where bells have knolled to church, If ever from your eyelids wiped a tear, And know what 'tis to pity and be pitied, Orlando. Then forbear your food a little while. Who after me hath many a weary step Limped in pure love; till he be first sufficed, |