The Bodleian First Folio

A digital facsimile of the First Folio of Shakespeare's plays, Bodleian Arch. G c.7.



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Reference: Q5r - Comedies, p. 187

Left Column


As you like it.

in dispight of a fall: but turning these iests out of seruice,

let vs talke in good earnest: Is it possible on such a so­

[470]

daine, you should fall into so strong a liking with old Sir

Roulands yongest sonne?

Ros.

The Duke my Father lou'd his Father deerelie.

Cel.

Doth it therefore ensue that you should loue his

Sonne deerelie? By this kinde of chase, I should hate

[475]

him, for my father hated his father deerely; yet I hate

not Orlando.

Ros.

No faith, hate him not for my sake.

Cel.

Why should I not ? doth he not deserue well?

Enter Duke with Lords. Ros. Let me loue him for that, and do you loue him
[480]
Because I doe. Looke, here comes the Duke.
Cel. With his eies full of anger. Duk. Mistris, dispatch you with your safest haste, And get you from our Court. Ros. Me Vncle. Duk.
[485]
You Cosen, Within these ten daies if that thou beest found So neere our publike Court as twentie miles, Thou diest for it.
Ros. I doe beseech your Grace
[490]
Let me the knowledge of my fault beare with me: If with my selfe I hold intelligence, Or haue acquaintance with mine owne desires, If that I doe not dreame, or be not franticke, (As I doe trust I am not) then deere Vncle,
[495]
Neuer so much as in a thought vnborne, Did I offend your highnesse.
Duk. Thus doe all Traitors, If their purgation did consist in words, They are as innocent as grace it selfe;
[500]
Let it suffice thee that I trust thee not.
Ros. Yet your mistrust cannot make me a Traitor; Tell me whereon the likelihoods depends? Duk. Thou art thy Fathers daughter, there's enough. Ros. So was I when your highnes took his Dukdome,
[505]
So was I when your highnesse banisht him; Treason is not inherited my Lord, Or if we did deriue it from our friends, What's that to me, my Father was no Traitor, Then good my Leige, mistake me not so much,
[510]
To thinke my pouertie is treacherous.
Cel. Deere Soueraigne heare me speake. Duk. I Celia, we staid her for your sake, Else had she with her Father rang'd along. Cel. I did not then intreat to haue her stay,
[515]
It was your pleasure, and your owne remorse, I was too yong that time to value her, But now I know her: if she be a Traitor, Why so am I: we still haue slept together, Rose at an instant, learn'd, plaid, eate together,
[520]
And wheresoere we went, like Iunos Swans, Still we went coupled and inseperable.
Duk. She is too subtile for thee, and her smoothnes; Her verie silence, and per patience, Speake to the people, and they pittie her:
[525]
Thou art a foole, she robs thee of thy name, And thou wilt show more bright, & seem more vertuous When she is gone: then open not thy lips Firme, and irreuocable is my doombe, Which I haue past vpon her, she is banish'd.
Cel.
[530]
Pronounce that sentence then on me my Leige, I cannot liue out of her compa

Right Column


Duk. You are a foole: you Neice prouide your selfe, If you out‑stay the time, vpon mine honor, And in the greatnesse of my word you die. Exit Duke, &c. Cel.
[535]
O my poore Rosaline, whether wilt thou goe ? Wilt thou change Fathers? I will giue thee mine: I charge thee be not thou more grieu'd then I am.
Ros. I haue more cause. Cel. Thou hast not Cosen,
[540]
Prethee be cheerefull; know'st thou not the Duke Hath banish'd me his daughter?
Ros. That he hath not. Cel. No, hath not? Rosaline lacks then the loue Which teacheth thee that thou and I am one,
[545]
Shall we be sundred? shall we part sweete girle? No, let my Father seeke another heire: Therefore deuise with me how we may flie Whether to goe, and what to beare with vs, And doe not seeke to take your change vpon you,
[550]
To beare your griefes your selfe, and leaue me out: For by this heauen, now at our sorrowes pale; Say what thou canst, Ile goe along with thee.
Ros. Why, whether shall we goe ? Cel. To seeke my Vncle in the Forrest of Arden. Ros.
[555]
Alas, what danger will it be to vs, (Maides as we are) to trauell forth so farre? Beautie prouoketh theeues sooner then gold.
Cel. Ile put my selfe in poore and meane attire, And with a kinde of vmber smirch my face,
[560]
The like doe you, so shall we passe along, And neuer stir assailants.
Ros. Were it not better, Because that I am more then common tall, That I did suite me all points like a man,
[565]
A gallant curtelax vpon my thigh, A bore‑speare in my hand, and in my heart Lye there what hidden womans feare there will, Weele haue a swashing and a marshall outside, As manie other mannish cowards haue,
[570]
That doe outface it with their semblances.
Cel. What shall I call thee when thou art a man? Ros. Ile haue no worse a name then Ioues owne Page, And therefore looke you call me Ganimed. But what will you be call'd? Cel.
[575]
Something that hath a reference to my state: No longer Celia, but Aliena.
Ros. But Cosen, what if we assaid to steale The clownish Foole out of your Fathers Court: Would he not be a comfort to our trauaile? Cel.
[580]
Heele goe along ore the wide world with me, Leaue me alone to woe him; Let's away And get our Iewels and our wealth together, Deuise the fittest time, and safest way To hide vs from pursuite that will be made
[585]
After my flight: now goe in we content To libertie, and not to banishment.
Actus Secundus. Scœna P [Act 2, Scene 1] Enter Duke Senior: Amyens, and like Forre Duk. Sen. Now my Coe Hath not old custome ma

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