Touch. But what is the sport, monsieur, that the ladies have lost? Le Beau. Why, this that I speak of. Touch. Thus men may grow wiser every day: it is the first time that ever I heard breaking of ribs was sport for ladies. Cel. Or I, I promise thee. Ros. But is there any else longs to see this broken music in his sides? is there yet another dotes upon rib-breaking? Shall we see this wrestling, cousin? Le Beau. You must, if you stay here; for here is the place appointed for the wrestling, and they are ready to perform it. Cel. Yonder, sure, they are coming: let us now stay and see it.. Flourish. Enter DUKE FREDERICK, Lords, ORLANDO, CHARLES, and Attendants. Duke F. Come on: since the youth will not be entreated, his own peril on his forwardness. Ros. Is yonder the man? Le Beau. Even he, madam. 160 Cel. Alas, he is too young! yet he looks successfully. Duke F How now, daughter and cousin! are you crept hither to see the wrestling? Ros. Ay, my liege, so please you give us leave. In Duke F. You will take little delight in it, I can tell you; there is such odds in the man. pity of the challenger's youth I would fain dissuade him, but he will not be entreated. Speak to him, ladies; see if you can move him. Cel. Call him hither, good Monsieur Le Beau. Duke F. Do so: I'll not be by. Le Beau. Monsieur the challenger, the princesses call for you. Orl. I attend them with all respect and duty. Ros. Young man, have you challenged Charles the wrestler? 179 Orl. No, fair princess; he is the general challenger: I come but in, as others do, to try with him the strength of my youth. Cel. Young gentleman, your spirits are too bold for your years. You have seen cruel proof of this man's strength: if you saw yourself with your eyes or knew yourself with your judgement, the fear of your adventure would counsel you to a more equal enterprise. We pray you, for your own sake, to embrace your own safety and give over this attempt. 190 Ros. Do, young sir; your reputation shall not therefore be misprised: we will make it our suit to the duke that the wrestling might not go forward. Orl. I beseech you, punish me not with your hard thoughts; wherein I confess me much guilty, to deny so fair and excellent ladies any thing. But let your fair eyes and gentle wishes go with me to my trial: wherein if I be foiled, there is but one shamed that was never gracious; if killed, but one dead that is willing to be so: I shall do my friends no wrong, for I have none to lament me, the world no injury, for in it I have nothing; only in the world I fill up a place, which may be better supplied when I have made it empty. Ros. The little strength that I have, I would it were with you. Cel. And mine, to eke out hers. Ros. Fare you well: pray heaven I be deceived in you! 210 Cel. Your heart's desires be with you! is so desirous to lie with his mother earth? Orl. Ready, sir; but his will hath in it a more modest working. Duke F. You shall try but one fall. Cha. No, I warrant your grace, you shall not entreat him to a second, that have so mightily persuaded him from a first. 219 Orl. An you mean to mock me after, you should not have mocked me before: but come your ways. Ros. Now Hercules be thy speed, young man! Cel. I would I were invisible, to catch the strong fellow by the leg. [They wrestle. Ros. O excellent young man! AS YOU LIKE IT. Act I. Scene 2. ORLANDO AND THE WRESTLER. Than Maclise, no painter in the annals of English art has brought to the illustration of Shakespeare more tender and true appreciation. The original painting from which the accompanying reproduction is taken was one of his acknowledged masterpieces. It will be noticed with what art the group has been composed, yet how thoroughly free from artifice it appears. |