: 1 Ros. Nay, now thou goest from fortune's office to nature's: fortune reigns in gifts of the world, not in the lineaments of nature. Enter TOUCHSTONE, a Clown. 211 Cel. No? When nature hath made a fair creature, may she not by fortune fall into the fire-Though nature hath given us wit to flout at fortune, hath not fortune sent in this fool to cut off the argument? Ros. Indeed, there is fortune too hard for nature; when fortune makes nature's natural the cutter off of nature's wit. Cel. Peradventure, this is not fortune's work neither, but nature's; who perceiving our natural wits too dull to reason of such goddesses, hath sent this natural for our whetstone: for always the dulness of the fool is the whetstone of the wits.-How now, wit? whither wander you ? Clo. Mistress, you must come away to your father. Clo. No, by mine honour; but I was bid to come for you. 229 Ros. Where learned you that oath, fool? Clo. Of a certain knight, that swore by his honour they were good pancakes, and swore by his honour the mustard was naught: now, I'll stand to it, the pancakes were naught, and the mustard was good; and yet was not the knight forsworn. Cel. How prove you that, in the great heap of your knowledge? Ros. Ros. Ay, marry; now unmuzzle your wisdom. and swear by your beards that I am a knave. Cel. By our beards, if we had them, thou art. 240 Clo. By my knavery, if I had it, then I were: but if you swear by that that is not, you are not forsworn: no more was this knight, swearing by his honour, for he never had any; or if he had, he had sworn it away, before ever he saw those pancakes or that mustard.:. Cel. Pr'ythee, who is't that thou mean'st? Clo. One that old Frederick, your father, loves. Cel. My father's love is enough to honour him : Enought speak no more of him; you'll be whip'd for taxation, one of these days. 251 Clo. The more pity, that fools may not speak wisely what wise men do foolishly. Cel. By my troth, thou say'st true: for since the little wit, that fools have, was silenc'd, the little foolery, that wise men have, makes a great show. Here comes Monsieur Le Beau. Enter LE BEAU. Ros. With his mouth full of news. Cel. Which he will put on us, as pigeons feed their young. Ros. Then shall we be news-cramm'd. 260 Cel. All the better; we shall be the more marketable. Bon jour, Monsieur le Beau; what's the news? Le Beau. Le Beau. Fair princess, you have lost much good sport. Cel. Sport? of what colour? Le Beau. What colour, madam? How shall I an 1 swer you? Ros. As wit and fortune will. Clo. Or as the destinies decree. 270 Cel. Well said; that was laid on with a trowel. Clo. Nay, if I keep not my rank, Ros. Thou losest thy old smell. Le Beau. You amaze me, ladies: I would have told you of good wrestling, which you have lost the sight of. Ros. Yet tell us the manner of the wrestling. Le Beau. I will tell you the beginning, and, if it please your ladyships, you may see the end; for the best is yet to do; and here, where you are, they are coming to perform it. 281 Cel. Well, the beginning, that is dead and buried. sons Cel. I could match this beginning with an old tale growth and presence Ros. With bills on their necks, Be it known unto all men by these presents 289 Le Beau. The eldest of the three wrestled with Charles the duke's wrestler; which Charles in a moment threw him, and broke three of his ribs, that there is little hope of life in him: so he serv'd the second, second, and so the third : Yonder they lie; the poor old man, their father, making such pitiful dole over them, that all the beholders take his part with weeping. Ros. Alas! Clo. But what is the sport, monsieur, that the ladies have lost? Le Beau. Why this, that I speak of. Clo. 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 musick 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. 311 Cel. Yonder, sure, they are coming: Let us now stay and see it. Flourish. Enter Duke FREDERICK, Lords, ORLANDO, CHARLES, and Attendants. Duke. Come on: since the youth will not be en treated, his own peril on his forwardness. Ros. Is yonder the man? Le Beau. Even he, madam. Cel. Alas, he is too young: yet he looks success fully. Duke. م Duke. How now, daughter, and cousin? are you crept hither to see the wrestling? 321 Ros. Ay, my liege, so please you give us leave. Duke. You will take little delight in it, I can tell you, there is such odds in the men: In 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 goes apart. Le Beau. Monsieur the challenger, the princesses call for you. 331 Orla. I attend them with all respect and duty. Ros. Young man, have you challeng'd Charles the wrestler? Orla. No, fair princess; he is the general challen→ger: 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 judgment, 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. 344 Ros. Do, young sir; your reputation shall not there. fore be misprised: we will make it our suit to the duke, that the wrestling might not go forward. Orla. I beseech you, punish me not with your hard thoughts; wherein I confess me much guilty, to deny |