Clo. Come, shepherd, let us make an honourable retreat; though not with bag and baggage, yet with

scrip and scrippage.

[Exeunt CORIN, and Clown.

181

Cel. Didst thou hear these verses ? Ros. O, yes, I heard them all, and more too; for some of them had in them more feet than the verses would bear.

Cel. That's no matter; the feet might bear the

verses.

Ros. Ay, but the feet were lame, and could not bear themselves without the verse, and therefore stood lamely in the verse.

Cel. But didst thou hear, without wondring how thy name should be hang'd and carv'd upon these 192

trees?

Ros. I was seven of the nine days out of wonder, before you came; for look here what I found on a palm-tree: I was never so be-rhimed since Pythagoras' time, that I was an Irish rat, which I can hardly remember.

Cel. Trow you, who hath done this?

Ros. Is it a man ?

Cel. And a chain, that you once wore, about his

neck; Change you colour?

Ros. I pr'ythee, who?

201

Cel. O lord, lord! it is a hard matter for friends to meet; but mountains may be remov'd with earth

quakes, and so encounter.

Ros. Nay, but who is it?
Cel. Is it possible?

Ros.

Ros. Nay, I pry'thee now, with most petitionary vehemence, tell me who it is.

Cel. O wonderful, wonderful, and most wonderful wonderful, and yet again wonderful, and after that out of all whooping!

212

Ros. Good my complexion! dost thou think, though I am caparison'd like a man, I have a doublet - and hose in my disposition? One inch of delay more is a South-sea off discovery. I pr'ythee, tell me, who is it; quickly, and speak apace: I would thou couldst stammer, that thou might'st pour this concealed man out of thy mouth, as wine comes out of a narrowmouth'd bottle; either too much at once, or none at all. I pr'ythee take the cork out of thy mouth, that I may drink thy tidings.

222

Cel. So you may put a man in your belly. Ros. Is he of God's making? What manner of man? Is his head worth a hat, or his chin worth a beard?

Cel. Nay, he hath but a little beard.

Ros. Why, God will send more, if the man will be thankful: let me stay the growth of his beard, if thou delay me not the knowledge of his chin.

Cel. It is young Orlando, that tripp'd up the wrest

ler's heels, and your heart, both in an instant.

231

Ros. Nay, but the devil take mocking; speak sad

brow, and true maid.

Cel. I'faith, coz, 'tis he.

Ros. Orlando?

Cel. Orlando.

Fiij

Ros.

Ros. Alas the day! what shall I do with my doublet and hose? - What did he, when thou saw'st him? What said he? How look'd he? Wherein went he? What makes he here? Did he ask for me? Where remains he? How parted he with thee? and when shalt thou see him again? Answer me in one word. Cel. You must borrow me Garagantua's mouth first: 'tis a word too great for any mouth of this age's size: To say, ay, and no, to these particulars, is more than to answer in a catechism.

Ros. But doth he know that I am in this forest, and in man's apparel ? Looks he as freshly as he did the day he wrestled ?

249

Cel. It is as easy to count atomies, as to resolve the

propositions of a lover':--but take a taste of my finding him, and relish it with good observance. I found him under a tree, like a dropp'd acorn.

Ros. It may well be call'd Jove's tree, when it drops forth such fruit.

Cel. Give me audience, good madam.

Ros. Proceed.

Cel. There lay he, stretch'd along, like a wounded knight.

Ros. Though it be pity to see such a sight, it well becomes the ground.

261

Cel. Cry, holla! to thy tongue, I pry'thee; it curvets unseasonably. He was furnish'd like a hunter. Ros. Oh ominous! he comes to kill my heart.

Cel. I would sing my song without a burden: thou bringst me out of tune.

Ros.

1

Ros. Do you not know I am a woman? when I think, I must speak. Sweet, say on.

Enter ORLANDO, and JAQUES.

Cel. You bring me out:-Soft! comes he not here? Ros. 'Tis he; slink by, and note him.

270

[CELIA and ROSALIND retire.

Jaq. I thank you for your company; but, good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.

Orla. And so had I; but yet, for fashion sake, I thank you too for your society.

Jaq. God be with you; let's meet as little as we

can.

Orla. I do desire we may be better strangers.

Jaq. I pray you, mar no more trees with writing

love-songs in their barks.

Orla. I pray you, mar no more of my verses with

reading them ill-favouredly.

Jaq. Rosalind is your love's name?

Orla. Yes, just.

Jaq. I do not like her name.

280

Orla. There was no thought of pleasing you, when

she was christen'd.

Jag. What stature is she of?

Orla. Just as high as my heart.

Jaq. You are full of pretty answers: Have ou

not been acquainted with goldsmiths wives, and conn'd them out of rings ?

290

Oria.

Orla. Not so: but I answer you right painted cloth, from whence you have studied your questions.

Jaq. You have a nimble wit; I think it was made of Atalanta's heels. Will you sit down with me; and we two will rail against our mistress, the world, and all our misery.

Orla. I will chide no breather in the world, but myself, against whom I know most faults.

Jaq. The worst fault you have is, to be in love. Orla. 'Tis a fault I would not change for your best

virtue. I am weary of you.

301

Jaq. By my troth, I was seeking for a fool, when I found you.

Orla. He is drown'd in the brook; look but in, and you shall see him.

Jaq. There I shall see mine own figure.

Orla. Which I take to be either a fool, or a cypher. Jaq. I'll tarry no longer with you: farewel, good

signior love.

[Exit.

Orla. I am glad of your departure: adieu, good monsieur melancholy. [CEL. and Ros. come forward. Ros. I will speak to him like a saucy lacquey, and under that habit play the knave with him. Do you hear, forester ?

Orla. Very well; What would you?

Ros. I pray you, what is't a clock?

314

Orla. You should ask me, what time o'day; there's no clock in the forest.

Ros. Then there is no true lover in the forest; else

sighing every minute, and groaning every hour, would