Act II, Scene IV: The Forest of Arden

by William Shakespeare

　　[Enter ROSALIND in boy's clothes, CELIA dressed like a shepherdess, and TOUCHSTONE.]

　　ROSALINDO Jupiter! how weary are my spirits!

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

　　ROSALINDI 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.

　　CELIAI pray you bear with me; I can go no further.

　　TOUCHSTONEFor 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.

　　ROSALINDWell, this is the forest of Arden.

　　TOUCHSTONEAy, 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.

　　ROSALINDAy, be so, good Touchstone.—Look you, who comes here?, a young man and an old in solemn talk.[Enter CORIN and SILVIUS.]CORINThat is the way to make her scorn you still.

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

　　CORINI partly guess; for I have lov'd ere now.

　　SILVIUSNo, Corin, being old, thou canst not guess;Though in thy youth thou wast as true a loverAs 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 ridiculousHast thou been drawn to by thy fantasy?

　　CORINInto a thousand that I have forgotten.

　　SILVIUSO, thou didst then never love so heartily:If thou remember'st not the slightest follyThat ever love did make thee run into,Thou hast not lov'd:Or if thou hast not sat as I do now,Wearing thy hearer in thy mistress' praise,Thou hast not lov'd:Or if thou hast not broke from companyAbruptly, as my passion now makes me,Thou hast not lov'd: O Phebe, Phebe, Phebe![Exit Silvius.]ROSALINDAlas, poor shepherd! searching of thy wound,I have by hard adventure found mine own.

　　TOUCHSTONEAnd 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 chapp'd hands had milk'd: 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.

　　ROSALINDThou speak'st wiser than thou art 'ware of.

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

　　ROSALINDJove, Jove! this shepherd's passionIs much upon my fashion.

　　TOUCHSTONEAnd mine: but it grows something stale with me.

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

　　TOUCHSTONEHolla, you clown!

　　ROSALINDPeace, fool; he's not thy kinsman.

　　CORINWho calls?

　　TOUCHSTONEYour betters, sir.

　　CORINElse are they very wretched.

　　ROSALINDPeace, I say.—Good even to you, friend.

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

　　ROSALINDI pr'ythee, shepherd, if that love or goldCan 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 succour.

　　CORINFair 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 heavenBy 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 nothingThat you will feed on; but what is, come see,And in my voice most welcome shall you be.

　　ROSALINDWhat is he that shall buy his flock and pasture?

　　CORINThat young swain that you saw here but erewhile,That little cares for buying anything.

　　ROSALINDI 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.

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

　　CORINAssuredly 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.]