Rosalind. Is yonder the man? Le Beau. Even he, madam. Duke Frederick. How now, daughter, and cousin? Are you crept hither to see the wrestling? Rosalind. Ay, my liege, so please you give us leave. Duke Frederick. 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 dissuade him, but he will not be entreated. Celia. [To Orlando.] Young gentleman, your spirits are too bold for your years. Rosalind. The little strength that I have, I would1 it were with you. Duke Frederick. You shall try but one fall. They wrestle, and Charles is thrown.2 Duke Frederick. No more, no more. Orlando. Yes, I beseech your Grace. I am not well breathed.3 Duke Frederick. How dost thou, Charles? Le Beau. He cannot speak, my lord. What is thy name, 2 They wrestle, and Charles is thrown. On the stage Charles usually has much the better of the match until he loses patience and springs at Orlando, who suddenly drops on one knee and lets Charles go hurtling over him. If the wrestling must be omitted, the curtain for this scene may rise on a tableau: Orlando rising and looking back of him at Charles, who lies upon his face several feet beyond; Duke Frederick rising from his chair at the back center of the stage; Le Beau rushing to Charles and stooping over him; Adam starting toward Orlando; Celia and Rosalind, side by side, clasping each other's hands tightly, in excitement and fear. Orlando must remember that in order to arise from a prone or kneeling posture gracefully he must first get his legs well under him. 3 breathed: out of breath. 4 Bear: carry. Orlando. Orlando, my liege;1 the youngest son of Sir Roland de Boys. Duke Frederick. I would thou hadst been son to some man else. The world esteemed thy father honorable, But I did find2 him still3 mine enemy. Fare thee well; thou art a gallant youth. I would thou hadst told me of another father. [Exit the Duke with his train R., Le Beau and Dennis dragging Charles out ahead, and all following except Orlando, Rosalind, and Celia.] Orlando. I am more proud to be Sir Roland's son, His youngest son, and would not change that calling, To be adopted heir to Frederick. [Walks toward the back of the stage.] Celia. [As she and Rosalind cross the stage to R.] Were I my 4 father, coz, would I do this? Rosalind. My father loved Sir Roland as his soul, And all the world was of my father's mind. Celia. Gentle cousin, Let us go thank him and encourage him. My father's rough and envious disposition Sticks me at heart.5. have well deserved. Sir, [Orlando comes forward.] you If you do keep your promises in love, Your sweetheart shall be happy. Rosalind. Gentleman, [Giving him a chain from her neck.] wear this for me, That could give more, but that her hand lacks means. 1 my liege (lēj): my lord. The word allegiance is related in meaning. 2 did find: old style for found. Did was not emphasized. 3 still: always. 4 coz (kŭz): cousin. 5 Sticks me at heart. The usual expression is "stabs me to the heart.” do keep: old style for keep. Compare with did find.2 Celia. [Going R.] Ay. Fare you well, fair gentleman. Orlando. Can I not say, I thank you? Rosalind. [Stopping.] He calls us back. My pride fell with my fortunes; I'll ask him what he would. [Returns.] Did you call, sir? Sir, you have wrestled well, and overthrown Orlando. I cannot speak to her, yet she urged conference. Or Charles, or something weaker, masters thee. Le Beau. Good sir, I do in friendship counsel you Misconstrues what you have done. What he is More suits you to conceive than me to speak of. Orlando. I thank you, sir. Which of the two was daughter of the Duke? Le Beau. The shorter is his daughter. The other is daughter to the banished Duke. I shall desire more love and knowledge of you. 1 Have with you. I'll go with you. 2 They leave: If this stage direction is read by an oral reader with the same expression as if Orlando himself had said "They leave," Orlando's state of mind will be clearer to the audience. 3 on my life: a common oath at that period. 4 in a better world than this: in better times than these. Orlando. I rest much bounden to you; fare you well. [Exit Le Beau R.] Thus must I from the smoke into the smother, From tyrant Duke unto a tyrant brother. But heavenly Rosalind! [Exit L.] Now Celia and Rosalind again enter [R.]. Celia. Why, cousin! why, Rosalind! Cupid have mercy! not a word? Rosalind. Not one to throw at a dog. Celia. But is all this for your father? Rosalind. No, some of it is for my father's child. Celia. Is it possible, on such a sudden you should fall into so strong a liking for old Sir Roland's youngest son? Rosalind. The Duke my father loved his father dearly. Celia. Doth it therefore ensue that you should love his son dearly? By this I should hate him, for my father hated his father dearly; yet I hate not Orlando. Rosalind. No, faith, hate him not, for my sake. Celia. Why should I? Doth he not deserve well? Rosalind. Let me love him for that, and do you love him because I do. Celia. Look, here comes the Duke anger. Duke Frederick. Iwith his eyes full of [Reënter Duke Frederick R.] Cousin,1 Get you from our court. Within these ten days if thou be'st found So near our public court as twenty miles, Celia. Pronounce that sentence then on me; I cannot live out of her company. 1 Cousin: a word more loosely used in Shakespeare's time than now, to mean cousin or niece, nephew, uncle, etc. |