As You Like It (Folger Shakespeare Library)

by William Shakespeare

As I remember, Adam, it was upon this 1 fashion bequeathed me by will but poor a thousand 2 crowns, and, as thou sayst, charged my brother on 3 his blessing to breed me well

Scene 1 Enter Orlando and Adam. ORLANDO As I remember, Adam, it was upon this 1 fashion bequeathed me by will but poor a thousand 2 crowns , and, as thou sayst, charged my brother on 3 his blessing to breed me well . And there begins my 4 sadness. My brother Jaques he keeps at school , and 5 report speaks goldenly of his profit . For my part, he 6 keeps me rustically at home, or, to speak more 7 properly, stays me here at home unkept ; for call you 8 that “keeping” for a gentleman of my birth , that 9 differs not from the stalling of an ox? His horses are 10 bred better, for, besides that they are fair with their 11 feeding , they are taught their manage and, to that 12 end, riders dearly hired . But I, his brother, gain 13 nothing under him but growth, for the which his 14 animals on his dunghills are as much bound to him 15 as I. Besides this nothing that he so plentifully gives 16 me, the something that nature gave me his counte-17 nance seems to take from me. He lets me feed with 18 his hinds , bars me the place of a brother, and, as 19 much as in him lies , mines my gentility with my 20 education . This is it, Adam, that grieves me, and the 21 spirit of my father, which I think is within me, 22 begins to mutiny against this servitude. I will no 23 longer endure it, though yet I know no wise remedy 24 how to avoid it. 25

They say he is already in the Forest of Arden, 113 and a many merry men with him; and there they 114 live like the old Robin Hood of England. They say 115 many young gentlemen flock to him every day and 116 fleet the time carelessly, as they did in the golden 117 world

CHARLES They say he is already in the Forest of Arden , 113 and a many merry men with him; and there they 114 live like the old Robin Hood of England. They say 115 many young gentlemen flock to him every day and 116 fleet the time carelessly , as they did in the golden 117 world . 118

should I anatomize him to 153 thee as he is, I must blush and weep, and thou must 154 look pale and wonder.

I hope I shall see an 161 end of him, for my soul—yet I know not why— 162 hates nothing more than he.

he’s gentle, never 163 schooled and yet learned, full of noble device, of all 164 sorts enchantingly beloved, and indeed so much in 165 the heart of the world, and especially of my own 166 people, who best know him, that I am altogether 167 misprized

< OLIVER > Farewell, good Charles. 160 < Charles > exits. Now will I stir this gamester . I hope I shall see an 161 end of him, for my soul—yet I know not why—162 hates nothing more than he. Yet he’s gentle, never 163 schooled and yet learned , full of noble device , of all 164 sorts enchantingly beloved, and indeed so much in 165 the heart of the world, and especially of my own 166 people , who best know him, that I am altogether 167 misprized . But it shall not be so long; this wrestler 168 shall clear all. Nothing remains but that I kindle the 169 boy thither, which now I’ll go about. 170 He exits.

I show more mirth than I am 2 mistress of,

ROSALIND Dear Celia, I show more mirth than I am 2 mistress of, and would you yet < I > were merrier ? 3 Unless you could teach me to forget a banished 4 father, you must not learn me how to remember 5 any extraordinary pleasure. 6

when I break 20 that oath, let me turn monster.

Of a certain knight that swore by his 63 honor they were good pancakes, and swore by his 64 honor the mustard was naught. Now, I’ll stand to it, 65 the pancakes were naught and the mustard was 66 good, and yet was not the knight forsworn

TOUCHSTONE Of a certain knight that swore by his 63 honor they were good pancakes, and swore by his 64 honor the mustard was naught . Now, I’ll stand to it , 65 the pancakes were naught and the mustard was 66 good, and yet was not the knight forsworn . 67

The more pity that fools may not speak 85 wisely what wise men do foolishly.

the little foolery 88 that wise men have makes a great show.

We shall be the more 95 marketable.—Bonjour, Monsieur Le Beau. What’s 96 the news?

CELIA . . . Here 89 comes Monsieur < Le > Beau . 90 Enter Le Beau. ROSALIND With his mouth full of news. 91 CELIA Which he will put on us as pigeons feed their 92 young. 93 ROSALIND Then shall we be news-crammed . 94 CELIA All the better. We shall be the more 95 marketable.—Bonjour , Monsieur Le Beau. What’s 96 the news? 97

Well said. That was laid on with a trowel.

me—one out of suits with fortune

ROSALIND , < giving Orlando a chain from her neck > Gentleman, 243 Wear this for me—one out of suits with fortune , 244 That could give more but that her hand lacks 245 means.—246 Shall we go, coz? 247 Footnote 244 . out of suits with fortune: i.e., out of Fortune’s favor (The image may be related to the livery [uniform, suits ] that a member of Fortune’s retinue would wear; or it may relate to the petitions [ suits ] that Fortune will no longer hear.)

of late this duke 278 Hath ta’en displeasure ’gainst his gentle niece, 279 Grounded upon no other argument 280 But that the people praise her for her virtues 281 And pity her for her good father’s sake; 282 And, on my life, his malice ’gainst the lady 283 Will suddenly break forth.

ORLANDO . . . Which of the two was daughter of the duke 270 That here was at the wrestling? 271 LE BEAU Neither his daughter, if we judge by manners, 272 But yet indeed the < smaller > is his daughter. 273 The other is daughter to the banished duke, 274 And here detained by her usurping uncle 275 To keep his daughter company, whose loves 276 Are dearer than the natural bond of sisters. 277 But I can tell you that of late this duke 278 Hath ta’en displeasure ’gainst his gentle niece, 279 Grounded upon no other argument 280 But that the people praise her for her virtues 281 And pity her for her good father’s sake; 282 And, on my life, his malice ’gainst the lady 283 Will suddenly break forth. Sir, fare you well. 284 Hereafter, in a better world than this, 285 I shall desire more love and knowledge of you. 286

Hereafter, in a better world than this, 285 I shall desire more love and knowledge of you.

Thus must I from the smoke into the smother, 288 From tyrant duke unto a tyrant brother.

Not one to throw at a dog

ROSALIND Not one to throw at a dog . 3 Footnote 3 . Not one . . . dog: proverbial

O, 11 how full of briers is this working-day world!

Yet your mistrust cannot make me a traitor.

Treason is not inherited, my lord, 64 Or if we did derive it from our friends, 65 What’s that to me? My father was no traitor.

ROSALIND So was I when your Highness took his dukedom. 62 So was I when your Highness banished him. 63 Treason is not inherited, my lord, 64 Or if we did derive it from our friends , 65 What’s that to me? My father was no traitor. 66 Then, good my liege, mistake me not so much 67 To think my poverty is treacherous. 68

I was too young that time to value her, 74 But now I know her. If she be a traitor, 75 Why, so am I. We still have slept together, 76 Rose at an instant, learned, played, eat together, 77 And, wheresoe’er we went, like Juno’s swans 78 Still we went coupled and inseparable.

CELIA I did not then entreat to have her stay. 72 It was your pleasure and your own remorse . 73 I was too young that time to value her, 74 But now I know her. If she be a traitor, 75 Why, so am I. We still have slept together, 76 Rose at an instant , learned, played, eat together, 77 And, wheresoe’er we went, like Juno’s swans 78 Still we went coupled and inseparable. 79

Sweet are the uses of adversity, 12 Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, 13 Wears yet a precious jewel in his head. 14 And this our life, exempt from public haunt, 15 Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, 16 Sermons in stones, and good in everything.

Scene 1 Enter Duke Senior, Amiens, and two or three Lords, like foresters . DUKE SENIOR Now, my co-mates and brothers in exile, 1 Hath not old custom made this life more sweet 2 Than that of painted pomp ? Are not these woods 3 More free from peril than the envious court? 4 Here feel we not the penalty of Adam, 5 The seasons’ difference , as the icy fang 6 And churlish chiding of the winter’s wind, 7 Which when it bites and blows upon my body 8 Even till I shrink with cold, I smile and say 9 “This is no flattery. These are counselors 10 That feelingly persuade me what I am.” 11 Sweet are the uses of adversity, 12 Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, 13 Wears yet a precious jewel in his head . 14 And this our life, exempt from public haunt , 15 Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, 16 Sermons in stones, and good in everything. 17 AMIENS I would not change it. . . .

Happy is your Grace, 18 That can translate the stubbornness of fortune 19 Into so quiet and so sweet a style

O, what a world is this when what is comely 14 Envenoms him that bears it!

Master, go on, and I will follow thee 70 To the last gasp with truth and loyalty.

Yet fortune cannot recompense me better 76 Than to die well, and not my master’s debtor.

O, thou didst then never love so heartily. 32 If thou rememb’rest not the slightest folly 33 That ever love did make thee run into, 34 Thou hast not loved. 35 Or if thou hast not sat as I do now, 36 Wearing thy hearer in thy mistress’ praise, 37 Thou hast not loved. 38 Or if thou hast not broke from company 39 Abruptly, as my passion now makes me, 40 Thou hast not loved.

SILVIUS O, thou didst then never love so heartily. 32 If thou rememb’rest not the slightest folly 33 That ever love did make thee run into, 34 Thou hast not loved. 35 Or if thou hast not sat as I do now, 36 Wearing thy hearer in thy mistress’ praise, 37 Thou hast not loved. 38 Or if thou hast not broke from company 39 Abruptly, as my passion now makes me, 40 Thou hast not loved. 41 O Phoebe, Phoebe, Phoebe! 42 He exits.

We that are true lovers run into strange 53 capers.

ROSLIND . . . We that are true lovers run into strange 53 capers. But as all is mortal in nature, so is all nature 54 in love mortal in folly. 55

Under the greenwood tree 1 Who loves to lie with me 2 And turn his merry note 3 Unto the sweet bird’s throat, 4 Come hither, come hither, come hither. 5 Here shall he see 6 No enemy 7 But winter and rough weather

Scene 5 Enter Amiens, Jaques, and others. Song. < AMIENS sings > Under the greenwood tree 1 Who loves to lie with me 2 And turn his merry note 3 Unto the sweet bird’s throat , 4 Come hither, come hither, come hither. 5 Here shall he see 6 No enemy 7 But winter and rough weather . 8

And then he drew a dial from his poke 21 And, looking on it with lack-luster eye, 22 Says very wisely “It is ten o’clock. 23 Thus we may see,” quoth he, “how the world wags. 24 ’Tis but an hour ago since it was nine, 25 And after one hour more ’twill be eleven. 26 And so from hour to hour we ripe and ripe, 27 And then from hour to hour we rot and rot,

JAQUES . . . And then he drew a dial from his poke 21 And, looking on it with lack-luster eye, 22 Says very wisely “It is ten o’clock. 23 Thus we may see,” quoth he, “how the world wags . 24 ’Tis but an hour ago since it was nine, 25 And after one hour more ’twill be eleven. 26 And so from hour to hour we ripe and ripe, 27 And then from hour to hour we rot and rot, 28 And thereby hangs a tale.” When I did hear 29 The motley fool thus moral on the time, 30 My lungs began to crow like chanticleer 31 That fools should be so deep-contemplative , 32 And I did laugh sans intermission 33 An hour by his dial. O noble fool! 34 A worthy fool! Motley’s the only wear. 35

Motley’s the only wear.

Your gentleness shall force 107 More than your force move us to gentleness

DUKE SENIOR , < to Orlando > What would you have? Your gentleness shall force 107 More than your force move us to gentleness . 108 Footnote 107 –8. Your gentleness . . . gentleness: wordplay on gentleness as (1) behavior appropriate for a gentleman, and (2) kindness, compassion

Lose and neglect the creeping hours of time,

Thou seest we are not all alone unhappy. 142 This wide and universal theater 143 Presents more woeful pageants than the scene 144 Wherein we play in

DUKE SENIOR Thou seest we are not all alone unhappy . 142 This wide and universal theater 143 Presents more woeful pageants than the scene 144 Wherein we play in . 145

All the world’s a stage, 146 And all the men and women merely players.

JAQUES All the world’s a stage, 146 And all the men and women merely players. 147 They have their exits and their entrances, 148 And one man in his time plays many parts, 149 His acts being seven ages . At first the infant, 150 Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms. 151 Then the whining schoolboy with his satchel 152 And shining morning face, creeping like snail 153 Unwillingly to school. And then the lover, 154 Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad 155 Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. Then a soldier, 156 Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard , 157 Jealous in honor , sudden and quick in quarrel, 158 Seeking the bubble reputation 159 Even in the cannon’s mouth. And then the justice , 160 In fair round belly with good capon lined, 161 With eyes severe and beard of formal cut, 162 Full of wise saws and modern instances; 163 And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts 164 Into the lean and slippered pantaloon 165 With spectacles on nose and pouch on side, 166 His youthful hose , well saved, a world too wide 167 For his shrunk shank , and his big manly voice, 168 Turning again toward childish treble, pipes 169 And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all, 170 That ends this strange eventful history , 171 Is second childishness and mere oblivion , 172 Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything. 173 Enter Orlando, < carrying > Adam.

Is second childishness and mere oblivion, 172 Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

JAQUES . . . Last scene of all, 170 That ends this strange eventful history , 171 Is second childishness and mere oblivion , 172 Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything. 173 Enter Orlando, < carrying > Adam.

Blow, blow, thou winter wind. 182 Thou art not so unkind 183 As man’s ingratitude. 184 Thy tooth is not so keen, 185 Because thou art not seen, 186 Although thy breath be rude. 187 Heigh-ho, sing heigh-ho, unto the green holly. 188 Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly. 189 <Then> heigh-ho, the holly. 190 This life is most jolly. 191 Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky, 192 That dost not bite so nigh 193 As benefits forgot. 194 Though thou the waters warp, 195 Thy sting is not so sharp 196 As friend remembered not. 197 Heigh-ho, sing heigh-ho, unto the green holly. 198 Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly. 199 <Then> heigh-ho, the holly. 200 This life is most jolly.

< The Duke and Orlando continue their conversation, apart. > Song. < AMIENS sings > Blow, blow, thou winter wind. 182 Thou art not so unkind 183 As man’s ingratitude. 184 Thy tooth is not so keen, 185 Because thou art not seen, 186 Although thy breath be rude . 187 Heigh-ho, sing heigh-ho, unto the green holly. 188 Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly. 189 < Then > heigh-ho, the holly. 190 This life is most jolly. 191 Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky, 192 That dost not bite so nigh 193 As benefits forgot. 194 Though thou the waters warp , 195 Thy sting is not so sharp 196 As friend remembered not . 197 Heigh-ho, sing heigh-ho, unto the green holly. 198 Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly. 199 < Then > heigh-ho, the holly. 200 This life is most jolly. 201

Truly, shepherd, in respect of itself, it is a 13 good life; but in respect that it is a shepherd’s life, it 14 is naught. In respect that it is solitary, I like it very 15 well; but in respect that it is private, it is a very vile 16 life. Now in respect it is in the fields, it pleaseth me 17 well; but in respect it is not in the court, it is 18 tedious. As it is a spare life, look you, it fits my 19 humor well; but as there is no more plenty in it, it 20 goes much against my stomach. Hast any philoso- 21 phy in thee, shepherd?

TOUCHSTONE Truly, shepherd, in respect of itself, it is a 13 good life; but in respect that it is a shepherd’s life, it 14 is naught . In respect that it is solitary, I like it very 15 well; but in respect that it is private , it is a very vile 16 life. Now in respect it is in the fields, it pleaseth me 17 well; but in respect it is not in the court, it is 18 tedious. As it is a spare life, look you, it fits my 19 humor well; but as there is no more plenty in it, it 20 goes much against my stomach . Hast any philoso-21 phy in thee, shepherd? 22

Truly, thou art damned, like an ill- 37 roasted egg, all on one side

O wonderful, wonderful, and most wonderful 195 wonderful, and yet again wonderful, and after that 196 out of all whooping

CELIA O wonderful, wonderful, and most wonderful 195 wonderful, and yet again wonderful, and after that 196 out of all whooping ! 197

Do you not know I am a woman? When I 253 think, I must speak.

JAQUES God be wi’ you. Let’s meet as little as we can. 262 ORLANDO I do desire we may be better strangers. 263

JAQUES God be wi’ you . Let’s meet as little as we can. 262 ORLANDO I do desire we may be better strangers. 263

JAQUES Rosalind is your love’s name? 268 ORLANDO Yes, just. 269 JAQUES I do not like her name. 270 ORLANDO There was no thought of pleasing you when 271 she was christened. 272

JAQUES Rosalind is your love’s name? 268 ORLANDO Yes, just . 269 JAQUES I do not like her name. 270 ORLANDO There was no thought of pleasing you when 271 she was christened. 272

You are full of pretty answers. Have you not 275 been acquainted with goldsmiths’ wives and 276 conned them out of rings

JAQUES You are full of pretty answers. Have you not 275 been acquainted with goldsmiths’ wives and 276 conned them out of rings ? 277 Footnote 277 . conned them out of rings: i.e., memorized them from the mottoes inscribed in gold rings

The worst fault you have is to be in love.

JAQUES By my troth, I was seeking for a fool when I 289 found you. 290 ORLANDO He is drowned in the brook. Look but in, and 291 you shall see him. 292 JAQUES There I shall see mine own figure. 293 ORLANDO Which I take to be either a fool or a cipher. 294

JAQUES By my troth, I was seeking for a fool when I 289 found you. 290 ORLANDO He is drowned in the brook. Look but in, and 291 you shall see him. 292 JAQUES There I shall see mine own figure. 293 ORLANDO Which I take to be either a fool or a cipher. 294

Time 313 travels in divers paces with divers persons.

ROSALIND , < as Ganymede > By no means, sir. Time 313 travels in divers paces with divers persons. I’ll tell 314 you who time ambles withal, who time trots withal, 315 who time gallops withal , and who he stands still 316 withal. 317 ORLANDO I prithee, who doth he trot withal? 318 ROSALIND , < as Ganymede > Marry, he trots hard with a 319 young maid between the contract of her marriage 320 and the day it is solemnized. If the interim be but a 321 se’nnight , time’s pace is so hard that it seems the 322 length of seven year. 323 ORLANDO Who ambles time withal? 324 ROSALIND , < as Ganymede > With a priest that lacks Latin 325 and a rich man that hath not the gout, for the one 326 sleeps easily because he cannot study, and the other 327 lives merrily because he feels no pain—the one 328 lacking the burden of lean and wasteful learning, 329 the other knowing no burden of heavy tedious 330 penury. These time ambles withal. 331 ORLANDO Who doth he gallop withal? 332 ROSALIND , < as Ganymede > With a thief to the gallows, 333 for though he go as softly as foot can fall, he thinks 334 himself too soon there. 335 ORLANDO Who stays it still withal? 336 ROSALIND , < as Ganymede > With lawyers in the vaca-337 tion , for they sleep between term and term, and 338 then they perceive not how time moves. 339

I will not cast away my 364 physic but on those that are sick.

There is a man 365 haunts the forest that abuses our young plants with 366 carving “Rosalind” on their barks, hangs odes upon 367 hawthorns and elegies on brambles, all, forsooth, 368 <deifying> the name of Rosalind.

ROSALIND , < as Ganymede > No, I will not cast away my 364 physic but on those that are sick. There is a man 365 haunts the forest that abuses our young plants with 366 carving “Rosalind” on their barks, hangs odes upon 367 hawthorns and elegies on brambles, all, forsooth, 368 < deifying > the name of Rosalind. If I could meet 369 that fancy-monger , I would give him some good 370 counsel, for he seems to have the quotidian of love 371 upon him. 372

Love is merely a madness, 407 and, I tell you, deserves as well a dark house and a 408 whip as madmen do; and the reason why they are 409 not so punished and cured is that the lunacy is so 410 ordinary that the whippers are in love too.

ROSALIND , < as Ganymede > Love is merely a madness, 407 and, I tell you, deserves as well a dark house and a 408 whip as madmen do; and the reason why they are 409 not so punished and cured is that the lunacy is so 410 ordinary that the whippers are in love too. Yet I 411 profess curing it by counsel. 412