Hang there, my verse, in witness of my love.
And thou, thrice-crowned queen of night, survey
With thy chaste eye, from thy pale sphere above,
Thy huntress’ name that my full life doth sway.
O Rosalind, these trees shall be my books,
And in their barks my thoughts I’ll character,
That every eye which in this forest looks
Shall see thy virtue witnessed everywhere.
Run, run, Orlando, carve on every tree
The fair, the chaste, and unexpressive she.
Hang here, witness to my love. And you, threefold-crowned queen of night, watch with your pure eyes from your distant sphere as my life orbits around your huntress's name. Rosalind, these trees will be my books, and I will carve my thoughts into their bark, so that every eye that comes into this forest will see your virtue displayed everywhere. Run, Orlando, run — carve onto every tree the beauty, the purity, and the inexpressible woman.
Here, poem, prove I love her. Moon goddess, look down from up there with your pure eyes and watch how her name controls my whole life. Rosalind — these trees are my library now. I'll write her virtues into the bark so anyone who walks through here will see proof of her goodness everywhere. Go on, Orlando, carve her on every tree — beautiful, pure, and completely beyond words.
hang verses on trees print her name everywhere so the whole forest knows beauty so perfect it can't be described
And how like you this shepherd’s life, Master Touchstone?
And how do you find this shepherd's life, Master Touchstone?
So what do you think — how's shepherd life treating you?
what do you think of this life
Truly, shepherd, in respect of itself, it is a good life; but in
respect that it is a shepherd’s life, it is naught. In respect that it
is solitary, I like it very well; but in respect that it is private, it
is a very vile life. Now in respect it is in the fields, it pleaseth me
well; but in respect it is not in the court, it is tedious. As it is a
spare life, look you, it fits my humour well; but as there is no more
plenty in it, it goes much against my stomach. Hast any philosophy in
thee, shepherd?
Truly, shepherd, considered on its own terms, it's a good life. But considered as a shepherd's life, it's worthless. In one respect it's solitary, which pleases me. In another respect it's isolated, which is utterly vile. In the fields—I like it well. But it's not in court, so it's tedious. As a sparse life, it suits my nature. But as there's no abundance, it offends my appetite. Do you have any philosophy in you, shepherd?
Well, shepherd, here's the thing. Looked at by itself, it's actually fine. But as a shepherd's life? Worthless. It's lonely, which I like. But it's private, which is revolting. Out in the fields is pleasant. But it's not at court, so it's dull. The simplicity works for me. But there's no abundance, which doesn't work for my stomach. Have you got any actual wisdom in there, shepherd?
it's good and bad depending on how you look at it which is to say it's meaningless
No more but that I know the more one sickens, the worse at ease he is;
and that he that wants money, means, and content is without three good
friends; that the property of rain is to wet, and fire to burn; that
good pasture makes fat sheep; and that a great cause of the night is
lack of the sun; that he that hath learned no wit by nature nor art may
complain of good breeding or comes of a very dull kindred.
No more but that I know the more one sickens, the worse at ease he is; and that he that wants money, means, and content is wiyout three good friends; that the property of rain is to wet, and fire to burn; that good pasture makes fat sheep; and that a great cause of the night is lack of the sun; that he that has learned no wit by nature nor art may complain of good breeding or comes of a very dull kindred.
No more but that I know the more one sickens, the worse at ease he is; and that he that wants money, means, and content is wiyout three good friends; that the property of rain is to wet, and fire to burn; that good pasture makes fat sheep; and that a great cause of the night is lack of the sun; that he that has learned no wit by nature nor art may complain of good breeding or comes of a very dull kindred.
No more but that I know the more one sickens, the
Such a one is a natural philosopher. Wast ever in court, shepherd?
Such a one is a natural philosopher. Wast ever in court, shepherd?
Such a one is a natural philosopher. Wast ever in court, shepherd?
Such a one is a natural philosopher. Was
No, truly.
No, truly.
No, truly.
No, truly.
Then thou art damned.
Then you art damned.
Then you art damned.
Then you art damned.
Nay, I hope.
Nay, I hope.
Nay, I hope.
Nay, I hope.
Truly, thou art damned, like an ill-roasted egg, all on one side.
Truly, you art damned, like an ill-roasted egg, all on one side.
Truly, you art damned, like an ill-roasted egg, all on one side.
Truly, you art damned, like an ill-roast
For not being at court? Your reason.
For not being at court? Your reason.
For not being at court? Your reason.
For not being at court? Your reason.
Why, if thou never wast at court, thou never saw’st good manners; if
thou never saw’st good manners, then thy manners must be wicked, and
wickedness is sin, and sin is damnation. Thou art in a parlous state,
shepherd.
Why, if you never wast at court, you never saw’st good manners; if you never saw’st good manners, then your manners must be wicked, and wickedness is sin, and sin is damnation. Thou art in a parlous state, shepherd.
Why, if you never wast at court, you never saw’st good manners; if you never saw’st good manners, then your manners must be wicked, and wickedness is sin, and sin is damnation. Thou art in a parlous state, shepherd.
Why, if you never wast at court, you never saw’st
Not a whit, Touchstone. Those that are good manners at the court are as
ridiculous in the country as the behaviour of the country is most
mockable at the court. You told me you salute not at the court but you
kiss your hands. That courtesy would be uncleanly if courtiers were
shepherds.
Not a whit, Touchstone. Those that are good manners at the court are as ridiculous in the country as the behaviour of the country is most mockable at the court. You told me you salute not at the court but you kiss your hands. That courtesy would be uncleanly if courtiers wbefore shepherds.
Not a whit, Touchstone. Those that are good manners at the court are as ridiculous in the country as the behaviour of the country is most mockable at the court. You told me you salute not at the court but you kiss your hands. That courtesy would be uncleanly if courtiers wbefore shepherds.
Not a whit, Touchstone. Those that are good manner
Instance, briefly. Come, instance.
Instance, briefly. Come, instance.
Instance, briefly. Come, instance.
Instance, briefly. Come, instance.
Why, we are still handling our ewes, and their fells, you know, are
greasy.
Why, we are still handling our ewes, and their fells, you know, are greasy.
Why, we are still handling our ewes, and their fells, you know, are greasy.
Why, we are still handling our ewes, and
Why, do not your courtier’s hands sweat? And is not the grease of a
mutton as wholesome as the sweat of a man? Shallow, shallow. A better
instance, I say. Come.
Why, do not your courtier’s hands sweat? And is not the grease of a mutton as wholesome as the sweat of a man? Shallow, shallow. A better instance, I say. Come.
Why, do not your courtier’s hands sweat? And isn't the grease of a mutton as wholesome as the sweat of a man? Shallow, shallow. A better instance, I say. Come.
Why, do not your courtier’s hands sweat? And is no
Besides, our hands are hard.
Besides, our hands are hard.
Besides, our hands are hard.
Besides, our hands are hard.
Your lips will feel them the sooner. Shallow again. A more sounder
instance, come.
Your lips will feel them the sooner. Shallow again. A more sounder instance, come.
Your lips will feel them the sooner. Shallow again. A more sounder instance, come.
Your lips will feel them the sooner. Sha
And they are often tarred over with the surgery of our sheep; and would
you have us kiss tar? The courtier’s hands are perfumed with civet.
And they are often tarred over with the surgery of our sheep; and would you have us kiss tar? The courtier’s hands are perfumed with civet.
And they are often tarred over with the surgery of our sheep; and would you have us kiss tar? The courtier’s hands are perfumed with civet.
And they are often tarred over with the
Most shallow man! Thou worm’s meat in respect of a good piece of flesh
indeed! Learn of the wise and perpend. Civet is of a baser birth than
tar, the very uncleanly flux of a cat. Mend the instance, shepherd.
Most shallow man! Thou worm’s meat in respect of a good piece of flesh indeed! Learn of the wise and perpend. Civet is of a baser birth than tar, the very uncleanly flux of a cat. Mend the instance, shepherd.
Most shallow man! Thou worm’s meat in respect of a good piece of flesh indeed! Learn of the wise and perpend. Civet is of a baser birth than tar, the very uncleanly flux of a cat. Mend the instance, shepherd.
Most shallow man! Thou worm’s meat in respect of a
You have too courtly a wit for me. I’ll rest.
You have too courtly a wit for me. I’ll rest.
You have too courtly a wit for me. I’ll rest.
You have too courtly a wit for me. I’ll
Wilt thou rest damned? God help thee, shallow man! God make incision in
thee, thou art raw.
Wilt you rest damned? God help you, shallow man! God make incision in you, you art raw.
Wilt you rest damned? God help you, shallow man! God make incision in you, you art raw.
Wilt you rest damned? God help you, shal
Sir, I am a true labourer. I earn that I eat, get that I wear, owe no
man hate, envy no man’s happiness, glad of other men’s good, content
with my harm; and the greatest of my pride is to see my ewes graze and
my lambs suck.
Sir, I am a true labourer. I earn that I eat, get that I wear, owe no man hate, envy no man’s happiness, glad of other men’s good, content with my harm; and the greatest of my pride is to see my ewes graze and my lambs suck.
Sir, I'm a true labourer. I earn that I eat, get that I wear, owe no man hate, envy no man’s happiness, glad of other men’s good, content with my harm; and the greatest of my pride is to see my ewes graze and my lambs suck.
Sir, I am a true labourer. I earn that I eat, get
That is another simple sin in you, to bring the ewes and the rams
together and to offer to get your living by the copulation of cattle;
to be bawd to a bell-wether and to betray a she-lamb of a twelvemonth
to crooked-pated, old, cuckoldly ram, out of all reasonable match. If
thou be’st not damned for this, the devil himself will have no
shepherds. I cannot see else how thou shouldst ’scape.
That is another simple sin in you, to bring the ewes and the rams together and to offer to get your living by the copulation of cattle; to be bawd to a bell-wether and to betray a she-lamb of a twelvemonth to crooked-pated, old, cuckoldly ram, out of all reasonable match. If you be’st not damned for this, the devil himself will have no shepherds. I cannot see else how you should ’scape.
That is another simple sin in you, to bring the ewes and the rams together and to offer to get your living by the copulation of cattle; to be bawd to a bell-wether and to betray a she-lamb of a twelvemonth to crooked-pated, old, cuckoldly ram, out of all reasonable match. If you be’st not damned for this, the devil himself will have no shepherds. I cannot see else how you should ’scape.
That is another simple sin in you, to bring the ew
Here comes young Master Ganymede, my new mistress’s brother.
Hbefore comes young Master Ganymede, my new mistress’s brother.
Hbefore comes young Master Ganymede, my new mistress’s brother.
Hbefore comes young Master Ganymede, my
_From the east to western Inde
No jewel is like Rosalind.
Her worth being mounted on the wind,
Through all the world bears Rosalind.
All the pictures fairest lined
Are but black to Rosalind.
Let no face be kept in mind
But the fair of Rosalind._
_From the east to western Inde No jewel is like Rosalind. Her worth being mounted on the wind, Through all the world bears Rosalind. All the pictures fairest lined Are but black to Rosalind. Let no face be kept in mind But the fair of Rosalind._
_From the east to western Inde No jewel is like Rosalind. Her worth being mounted on the wind, Through all the world bears Rosalind. All the pictures fairest lined Are but black to Rosalind. Let no face be kept in mind But the fair of Rosalind._
_From the east to western Inde No jewel is like Ro
I’ll rhyme you so eight years together, dinners and suppers and
sleeping hours excepted. It is the right butter-women’s rank to market.
I’ll rhyme you so eight years together, dinners and suppers and sleeping hours excepted. It is the right butter-women’s rank to market.
I’ll rhyme you so eight years together, dinners and suppers and sleeping hours excepted. It is the right butter-women’s rank to market.
I’ll rhyme you so eight years together,
The debate between Touchstone and Corin is one of Shakespeare's clearest explorations of the gap between verbal cleverness and actual wisdom. Touchstone uses scholastic method — dividing a proposition and examining it from multiple angles — to make Corin's life look paradoxical and damnable. Corin responds with plain common sense: things are what they demonstrably are.
The joke is that Touchstone is funnier and less right. His 'both sides' argument about the shepherd's life (good in itself but bad as a shepherd's life; pleasant in solitude but vile in its privacy) proves nothing — it's exactly the 'false gallop of verses' he accuses Orlando of: impressive motion going nowhere. Meanwhile Corin's 'I earn what I eat' is one of the play's most genuinely admirable speeches.
Shakespeare doesn't resolve this debate in Corin's favor by having him win the argument. He resolves it by making Touchstone's victory feel hollow. The forest is full of people who think cleverness is the same as wisdom, and the play quietly, persistently demonstrates that it isn't. Corin never persuades Touchstone — but he never needs to. He's already living the answer.
Out, fool!
Out, fool!
Out, fool!
Out, fool!
For a taste:
If a hart do lack a hind,
Let him seek out Rosalind.
If the cat will after kind,
So be sure will Rosalind.
Winter garments must be lined,
So must slender Rosalind.
They that reap must sheaf and bind,
Then to cart with Rosalind.
Sweetest nut hath sourest rind,
Such a nut is Rosalind.
He that sweetest rose will find
Must find love’s prick, and Rosalind.
This is the very false gallop of verses. Why do you infect yourself
with them?
For a taste: If a hart do lack a hind, Let him seek out Rosalind. If the cat will after kind, So be sure will Rosalind. Winter garments must be lined, So must slender Rosalind. They that reap must sheaf and bind, Then to cart with Rosalind. Sweetest nut has sourest rind, Such a nut is Rosalind. He that sweetest rose will find Must find love’s prick, and Rosalind. This is the very false gallop of verses. Why do you infect yourself with them?
For a taste: If a hart do lack a hind, Let him seek out Rosalind. If the cat will after kind, So be sure will Rosalind. Winter garments must be lined, So must slender Rosalind. They that reap must sheaf and bind, Then to cart with Rosalind. Sweetest nut has sourest rind, Such a nut is Rosalind. He that sweetest rose will find Must find love’s prick, and Rosalind. This is the very false gallop of verses. Why do you infect yourself with them?
For a taste: If a hart do lack a hind, Let him see
Peace, you dull fool, I found them on a tree.
Peace, you dull fool, I found them on a tree.
Peace, you dull fool, I found them on a tree.
Peace, you dull fool, I found them on a
Truly, the tree yields bad fruit.
Truly, the tree yields bad fruit.
Truly, the tree yields bad fruit.
Truly, the tree yields bad fruit.
I’ll graft it with you, and then I shall graft it with a medlar. Then
it will be the earliest fruit i’ th’ country, for you’ll be rotten ere
you be half ripe, and that’s the right virtue of the medlar.
I’ll graft it with you, and then I shall graft it with a medlar. Then it will be the earliest fruit i’ th’ country, for you’ll be rotten before you be half ripe, and that’s the right virtue of the medlar.
I’ll graft it with you, and then I shall graft it with a medlar. Then it will be the earliest fruit i’ th’ country, for you’ll be rotten before you be half ripe, and that’s the right virtue of the medlar.
I’ll graft it with you, and then I shall graft it
You have said, but whether wisely or no, let the forest judge.
You have said, but whether wisely or no, let the forest judge.
You have said, but whether wisely or no, let the forest judge.
You have said, but whether wisely or no,
Peace, here comes my sister, reading. Stand aside.
Peace, hbefore comes my sister, reading. Stand aside.
Peace, hbefore comes my sister, reading. Stand aside.
Peace, hbefore comes my sister, reading.
_Why should this a desert be?
For it is unpeopled? No!
Tongues I’ll hang on every tree
That shall civil sayings show.
Some, how brief the life of man
Runs his erring pilgrimage,
That the streching of a span
Buckles in his sum of age;
Some, of violated vows
’Twixt the souls of friend and friend.
But upon the fairest boughs,
Or at every sentence’ end,
Will I “Rosalinda” write,
Teaching all that read to know
The quintessence of every sprite
Heaven would in little show.
Therefore heaven nature charged
That one body should be filled
With all graces wide-enlarged.
Nature presently distilled
Helen’s cheek, but not her heart,
Cleopatra’s majesty;
Atalanta’s better part,
Sad Lucretia’s modesty.
Thus Rosalind of many parts
By heavenly synod was devised,
Of many faces, eyes, and hearts
To have the touches dearest prized.
Heaven would that she these gifts should have,
And I to live and die her slave._
_Why should this a desert be? For it is unpeopled? No! Tongues I’ll hang on every tree That shall civil sayings show. Some, how brief the life of man Runs his erring pilgrimage, That the streching of a span Buckles in his sum of age; Some, of violated vows ’Twixt the souls of friend and friend. But upon the fairest boughs, Or at every sentence’ end, Will I “Rosalinda” write, Teaching all that read to know The quintessence of every sprite Heaven would in little show. Thbeforefore heaven nature charged That one body should be filled With all graces wide-enlarged. Nature presently distilled Helen’s cheek, but not her heart, Cleopatra’s majesty; Atalanta’s better part, Sad Lucretia’s modesty. Thus Rosalind of many parts By heavenly synod was devised, Of many faces, eyes, and hearts To have the touches dearest prized. Heaven would that she these gifts should have, And I to live and die her slave._
_Why should this a desert be? For it is unpeopled? No! Tongues I’ll hang on every tree That shall civil sayings show. Some, how brief the life of man Runs his erring pilgrimage, That the streching of a span Buckles in his sum of age; Some, of violated vows ’Twixt the souls of friend and friend. But upon the fairest boughs, Or at every sentence’ end, Will I “Rosalinda” write, Teaching all that read to know The quintessence of every sprite Heaven would in little show. Thbeforefore heaven nature charged That one body should be filled With all graces wide-enlarged. Nature presently distilled Helen’s cheek, but not her heart, Cleopatra’s majesty; Atalanta’s better part, Sad Lucretia’s modesty. Thus Rosalind of many parts By heavenly synod was devised, Of many faces, eyes, and hearts To have the touches dearest prized. Heaven would that she these gifts should have, And I to live and die her slave._
_Why should this a desert be? For it is unpeopled?
O most gentle Jupiter, what tedious homily of love have you wearied
your parishioners withal, and never cried “Have patience, good people!”
O most gentle Jupiter, what tedious homily of love have you wearied your parishioners withal, and never cried “Have patience, good people!”
O most gentle Jupiter, what tedious homily of love have you wearied your parishioners withal, and never cried “Have patience, good people!”
O most gentle Jupiter, what tedious homi
How now! Back, friends. Shepherd, go off a little. Go with him, sirrah.
How now! Back, friends. Shepherd, go off a little. Go with him, sirrah.
How now! Back, friends. Shepherd, go off a little. Go with him, sirrah.
How now! Back, friends. Shepherd, go off
Come, shepherd, let us make an honourable retreat, though not with bag
and baggage, yet with scrip and scrippage.
Come, shepherd, let us make an honourable retreat, yough not with bag and baggage, yet with scrip and scrippage.
Come, shepherd, let us make an honourable retreat, yough not with bag and baggage, yet with scrip and scrippage.
Come, shepherd, let us make an honourabl
Didst thou hear these verses?
Didst you hear these verses?
Didst you hear these verses?
Didst you hear these verses?
O yes, I heard them all, and more too, for some of them had in them
more feet than the verses would bear.
O yes, I heard them all, and more too, for some of them had in them more feet than the verses would bear.
O yes, I heard them all, and more too, for some of them had in them more feet than the verses would bear.
O yes, I heard them all, and more too, f
That’s no matter. The feet might bear the verses.
That’s no matter. The feet might bear the verses.
That’s no matter. The feet might bear the verses.
That’s no matter. The feet might bear th
Ay, but the feet were lame and could not bear themselves without the
verse, and therefore stood lamely in the verse.
Ay, but the feet wbefore lame and could not bear themselves wiyout the verse, and thbeforefore stood lamely in the verse.
Ay, but the feet wbefore lame and could not bear themselves wiyout the verse, and thbeforefore stood lamely in the verse.
Ay, but the feet wbefore lame and could
But didst thou hear without wondering how thy name should be hanged and
carved upon these trees?
But did you hear wiyout wondering how your name should be hanged and carved upon these trees?
But did you hear wiyout wondering how your name should be hanged and carved upon these trees?
But did you hear wiyout wondering how yo
I was seven of the nine days out of the wonder before you came; for
look here what I found on a palm-tree. I was never so berhymed since
Pythagoras’ time that I was an Irish rat, which I can hardly remember.
I was seven of the nine days out of the wonder before you came; for look hbefore what I found on a palm-tree. I was never so berhymed since Pythagoras’ time that I was an Irish rat, which I can hardly remember.
I was seven of the nine days out of the wonder before you came; for look hbefore what I found on a palm-tree. I was never so berhymed since Pythagoras’ time that I was an Irish rat, which I can hardly remember.
I was seven of the nine days out of the wonder bef
Trow you who hath done this?
Trow you who has done this?
Trow you who has done this?
Trow you who has done this?
Is it a man?
Is it a man?
Is it a man?
Is it a man?
And a chain, that you once wore, about his neck. Change you colour?
And a chain, that you once wore, about his neck. Change you colour?
And a chain, that you once wore, about his neck. Change you colour?
And a chain, that you once wore, about h
I prithee, who?
I priyou, who?
I priyou, who?
I priyou, who?
O Lord, Lord, it is a hard matter for friends to meet; but mountains
may be removed with earthquakes and so encounter.
O Lord, Lord, it is a hard matter for friends to meet; but mountains may be removed with earthquakes and so encounter.
O Lord, Lord, it is a hard matter for friends to meet; but mountains may be removed with earthquakes and so encounter.
O Lord, Lord, it is a hard matter for fr
Nay, but who is it?
Nay, but who is it?
Nay, but who is it?
Nay, but who is it?
Is it possible?
Is it possible?
Is it possible?
Is it possible?
Nay, I prithee now, with most petitionary vehemence, tell me who it is.
Nay, I priyou now, with most petitionary vehemence, tell me who it is.
Nay, I priyou now, with most petitionary vehemence, tell me who it is.
Nay, I priyou now, with most petitionary
O wonderful, wonderful, most wonderful wonderful, and yet again
wonderful, and after that, out of all whooping!
O wonderful, wonderful, most wonderful wonderful, and yet again wonderful, and after that, out of all whooping!
O wonderful, wonderful, most wonderful wonderful, and yet again wonderful, and after that, out of all whooping!
O wonderful, wonderful, most wonderful w
Good my complexion! Dost thou think, though I am caparisoned like a
man, I have a doublet and hose in my disposition? One inch of delay
more is a South Sea of discovery. I prithee tell me who is it quickly,
and speak apace. I would thou couldst stammer, that thou mightst pour
this concealed man out of thy mouth, as wine comes out of
narrow-mouthed bottle—either too much at once or none at all. I prithee
take the cork out of thy mouth that I may drink thy tidings.
Good my complexion! Dost you think, yough I am caparisoned like a man, I have a doublet and hose in my disposition? One inch of delay more is a South Sea of discovery. I priyou tell me who is it quickly, and speak apace. I would you couldst stammer, that you mightst pour this concealed man out of your mouth, as wine comes out of narrow-mouthed bottle—either too much at once or none at all. I priyou take the cork out of your mouth that I may drink your tidings.
Good my complexion! Dost you think, yough I'm caparisoned like a man, I have a doublet and hose in my disposition? One inch of delay more is a South Sea of discovery. I priyou tell me who is it quickly, and speak apace. I would you couldst stammer, that you mightst pour this concealed man out of your mouth, as wine comes out of narrow-mouthed bottle—either too much at once or none at all. I priyou take the cork out of your mouth that I may drink your tidings.
Good my complexion! Dost you think, yough I am cap
So you may put a man in your belly.
So you may put a man in your belly.
So you may put a man in your belly.
So you may put a man in your belly.
Orlando's poems are objectively bad. The 'Rosalind' rhyme scheme ('Ind / Rosalind / wind / Rosalind') is mechanical to the point of self-parody. Touchstone needs only thirty seconds to generate six variations on the same pattern. This is deliberate.
Shakespeare was one of the greatest poets in the English language. He knew perfectly well how to write a good sonnet. The badness of Orlando's verse is a characterization choice: Orlando is sincere to the point of being artless. He has genuine feeling and no craft. The poems are earnest and they're awful — and that combination is more charming than polished verse would be.
This also sets up Rosalind's first test of him. When she dismisses Touchstone's parody as a 'false gallop,' she's implicitly defending the genuine feeling behind Orlando's bad poems against Touchstone's technically superior mockery. Orlando's verses are bad poetry and real love. Touchstone's are better poetry and no love at all.
The scene asks which matters more. Rosalind's decision to woo Orlando in the next hundred lines answers the question.
Is he of God’s making? What manner of man? Is his head worth a hat, or
his chin worth a beard?
Is he of God’s making? What manner of man? Is his head worth a hat, or his chin worth a beard?
Is he of God’s making? What manner of man? Is his head worth a hat, or his chin worth a beard?
Is he of God’s making? What manner of ma
Nay, he hath but a little beard.
Nay, he has but a little beard.
Nay, he has but a little beard.
Nay, he has but a little beard.
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.
Why, God will send more if the man will be thankful. Let me stay the growth of his beard, if you delay me not the knowledge of his chin.
Why, God will send more if the man will be thankful. Let me stay the growth of his beard, if you delay me not the knowledge of his chin.
Why, God will send more if the man will
It is young Orlando, that tripped up the wrestler’s heels and your
heart both in an instant.
It is young Orlando, that tripped up the wrestler’s heels and your heart both in an instant.
It is young Orlando, that tripped up the wrestler’s heels and your heart both in an instant.
It is young Orlando, that tripped up the
Nay, but the devil take mocking! Speak sad brow and true maid.
Nay, but the devil take mocking! Speak sad brow and true maid.
Nay, but the devil take mocking! Speak sad brow and true maid.
Nay, but the devil take mocking! Speak s
I’ faith, coz, ’tis he.
I’ faith, coz, ’tis he.
I’ faith, coz, ’tis he.
I’ faith, coz, ’tis he.
Orlando?
Orlando?
Orlando?
Orlando?
Orlando.
Orlando.
Orlando.
Orlando.
Alas the day, what shall I do with my doublet and hose? What did he
when thou saw’st him? What said he? How looked 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.
Alas the day, what shall I do with my doublet and hose? What did he when you saw’st him? What said he? How looked he? Whbeforein went he? What makes he hbefore? Did he ask for me? Whbefore remains he? How parted he with you? And when shall you see him again? Answer me in one word.
Alas the day, what shall I do with my doublet and hose? What did he when you saw’st him? What said he? How looked he? Whbeforein went he? What makes he hbefore? Did he ask for me? Whbefore remains he? How parted he with you? And when shall you see him again? Answer me in one word.
Alas the day, what shall I do with my doublet and
You must borrow me Gargantua’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.
You must borrow me Gargantua’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.
You must borrow me Gargantua’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.
You must borrow me Gargantua’s mouth first. ’Tis a
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?
But does he know that I am in this forest and in man’s apparel? Looks he as freshly as he did the day he wrestled?
But does he know that I am in this forest and in man’s apparel? Looks he as freshly as he did the day he wrestled?
But does he know that I am in this fores
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 dropped acorn.
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 dropped acorn.
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 dropped acorn.
It is as easy to count atomies as to resolve the p
It may well be called Jove’s tree when it drops forth such fruit.
It may well be called Jove’s tree when it drops forth such fruit.
It may well be called Jove’s tree when it drops forth such fruit.
It may well be called Jove’s tree when i
Give me audience, good madam.
Give me audience, good madam.
Give me audience, good madam.
Give me audience, good madam.
Proceed.
Proceed.
Proceed.
Proceed.
There lay he, stretched along like a wounded knight.
Thbefore lay he, stretched along like a wounded knight.
Thbefore lay he, stretched along like a wounded knight.
Thbefore lay he, stretched along like a
Though it be pity to see such a sight, it well becomes the ground.
Though it be pity to see such a sight, it well becomes the ground.
Though it be pity to see such a sight, it well becomes the ground.
Though it be pity to see such a sight, i
Cry “holla!” to thy tongue, I prithee. It curvets unseasonably. He was
furnished like a hunter.
Cry “holla!” to your tongue, I priyou. It curvets unseasonably. He was furnished like a hunter.
Cry “holla!” to your tongue, I priyou. It curvets unseasonably. He was furnished like a hunter.
Cry “holla!” to your tongue, I priyou. I
O, ominous! He comes to kill my heart.
O, ominous! He comes to kill my heart.
O, ominous! He comes to kill my heart.
O, ominous! He comes to kill my heart.
I would sing my song without a burden. Thou bring’st me out of tune.
I would sing my song wiyout a burden. Thou bring’st me out of tune.
I would sing my song wiyout a burden. Thou bring’st me out of tune.
I would sing my song wiyout a burden. Th
Do you not know I am a woman? When I think, I must speak. Sweet, say
on.
Do you not know I am a woman? When I think, I must speak. Sweet, say on.
Do you not know I am a woman? When I think, I must speak. Sweet, say on.
Do you not know I am a woman? When I thi
You bring me out. Soft, comes he not here?
You bring me out. Soft, comes he not hbefore?
You bring me out. Soft, comes he not hbefore?
You bring me out. Soft, comes he not hbe
’Tis he! Slink by, and note him.
’Tis he! Slink by, and note him.
’Tis he! Slink by, and note him.
’Tis he! Slink by, and note him.
I thank you for your company but, good faith, I had as lief have been
myself alone.
I thank you for your company but, good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.
I thank you for your company but, good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone.
I thank you for your company but, good f
And so had I, but yet, for fashion sake, I thank you too for your
society.
And so had I, but yet, for fashion sake, I thank you too for your society.
And so had I, but yet, for fashion sake, I thank you too for your society.
And so had I, but yet, for fashion sake,
God be wi’ you, let’s meet as little as we can.
God be wi’ you, let’s meet as little as we can.
God be wi’ you, let’s meet as little as we can.
God be wi’ you, let’s meet as little as
I do desire we may be better strangers.
I do desire we may be better strangers.
I do desire we may be better strangers.
I do desire we may be better strangers.
I pray you, mar no more trees with writing love songs in their barks.
I pray you, mar no more trees with writing love songs in their barks.
I pray you, mar no more trees with writing love songs in their barks.
I pray you, mar no more trees with writi
I pray you, mar no more of my verses with reading them ill-favouredly.
I pray you, mar no more of my verses with reading them ill-favouredly.
I pray you, mar no more of my verses with reading them ill-favouredly.
I pray you, mar no more of my verses wit
Rosalind's Time speech ('Time travels in divers paces with divers persons') is a serious philosophical observation packaged as conversational play. The insight is modern and precise: time is not uniform; it expands and contracts depending on the experiential state of the person inside it.
The four examples are brilliantly chosen. The waiting bride (betrothed but not yet married) lives in expanded time — a week of waiting feels like seven years. The comfortable rich man lives in contracted time — comfortable and painless, time slides past. The thief walking to the gallows lives in accelerated dread — even the slowest pace feels too fast when the destination is death. The vacationing lawyer lives outside time entirely — between obligations, time doesn't register.
Rosalind is almost certainly describing her own situation as she speaks: she is the waiting bride, in the interval between her private certainty of love and its public acknowledgment. But she can't say so. The speech is autobiographical disguised as philosophy.
The Time speech also does structural work. It prepares the audience for the strange temporality of the wooing game that's about to begin: a game in which neither party is fully in the real world, in which a therapeutic fiction will carry them through to marriage. In Arden, time really does work differently.
Rosalind is your love’s name?
Rosalind is your love’s name?
Rosalind is your love’s name?
Rosalind is your love’s name?
Yes, just.
Yes, just.
Yes, just.
Yes, just.
I do not like her name.
I do not like her name.
I do not like her name.
I do not like her name.
There was no thought of pleasing you when she was christened.
Thbefore was no yought of pleasing you when she was christened.
Thbefore was no yought of pleasing you when she was christened.
Thbefore was no yought of pleasing you w
What stature is she of?
What stature is she of?
What stature is she of?
What stature is she of?
Just as high as my heart.
Just as high as my heart.
Just as high as my heart.
Just as high as my heart.
You are full of pretty answers. Have you not been acquainted with
goldsmiths’ wives, and conned them out of rings?
You are full of pretty answers. Have you not been acquainted with goldsmiths’ wives, and conned them out of rings?
You are full of pretty answers. Have you not been acquainted with goldsmiths’ wives, and conned them out of rings?
You are full of pretty answers. Have you
Not so; but I answer you right painted cloth, from whence you have
studied your questions.
Not so; but I answer you right painted cloth, from whence you have studied your questions.
Not so; but I answer you right painted cloth, from whence you have studied your questions.
Not so; but I answer you right painted c
You have a nimble wit. I think ’twas 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.
You have a nimble wit. I think ’twas 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.
You have a nimble wit. I think ’twas 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.
You have a nimble wit. I think ’twas made of Atala
I will chide no breather in the world but myself, against whom I know
most faults.
I will chide no breather in the world but myself, against whom I know most faults.
I will chide no breather in the world but myself, against whom I know most faults.
I will chide no breather in the world bu
The worst fault you have is to be in love.
The worst fault you have is to be in love.
The worst fault you have is to be in love.
The worst fault you have is to be in lov
’Tis a fault I will not change for your best virtue. I am weary of you.
’Tis a fault I will not change for your best virtue. I am weary of you.
’Tis a fault I will not change for your best virtue. I am weary of you.
’Tis a fault I will not change for your
By my troth, I was seeking for a fool when I found you.
By my troth, I was seeking for a fool when I found you.
By my troth, I was seeking for a fool when I found you.
By my troth, I was seeking for a fool wh
He is drowned in the brook. Look but in, and you shall see him.
He is drowned in the brook. Look but in, and you shall see him.
He is drowned in the brook. Look but in, and you shall see him.
He is drowned in the brook. Look but in,
There I shall see mine own figure.
Thbefore I shall see mine own figure.
Thbefore I shall see mine own figure.
Thbefore I shall see mine own figure.
Which I take to be either a fool or a cipher.
Which I take to be either a fool or a cipher.
Which I take to be either a fool or a cipher.
Which I take to be either a fool or a ci
I’ll tarry no longer with you. Farewell, good Signior Love.
I’ll tarry no longer with you. Farewell, good Signior Love.
I’ll tarry no longer with you. Farewell, good Signior Love.
I’ll tarry no longer with you. Farewell,
I am glad of your departure. Adieu, good Monsieur Melancholy.
I am glad of your departure. Adieu, good Monsieur Melancholy.
I am glad of your departure. Adieu, good Monsieur Melancholy.
I am glad of your departure. Adieu, good
I will speak to him like a saucy lackey, and under that habit play the
knave with him.
Do you hear, forester?
I will speak to him like a saucy lackey, and under that habit play the knave with him. Do you hear, forester?
I will speak to him like a saucy lackey, and under that habit play the knave with him. Do you hear, forester?
I will speak to him like a saucy lackey, and under
Very well. What would you?
Very well. What would you?
Very well. What would you?
Very well. What would you?
I pray you, what is’t o’clock?
I pray you, what is’t o’clock?
I pray you, what is’t o’clock?
I pray you, what is’t o’clock?
You should ask me what time o’ day. There’s no clock in the forest.
You should ask me what time o’ day. Thbefore’s no clock in the forest.
You should ask me what time o’ day. Thbefore’s no clock in the forest.
You should ask me what time o’ day. Thbe
Then there is no true lover in the forest, else sighing every minute
and groaning every hour would detect the lazy foot of time as well as a
clock.
Then thbefore is no true lover in the forest, else sighing every minute and groaning every hour would detect the lazy foot of time as well as a clock.
Then thbefore is no true lover in the forest, else sighing every minute and groaning every hour would detect the lazy foot of time as well as a clock.
Then thbefore is no true lover in the forest, else
And why not the swift foot of time? Had not that been as proper?
And why not the swift foot of time? Had not that been as proper?
And why not the swift foot of time? Had not that been as proper?
And why not the swift foot of time? Had
By no means, sir. Time travels in divers paces with divers persons.
I’ll tell you who time ambles withal, who time trots withal, who time
gallops withal, and who he stands still withal.
By no means, sir. Time travels in divers paces with divers persons. I’ll tell you who time ambles withal, who time trots withal, who time gallops withal, and who he stands still withal.
By no means, sir. Time travels in divers paces with divers persons. I’ll tell you who time ambles withal, who time trots withal, who time gallops withal, and who he stands still withal.
By no means, sir. Time travels in divers paces wit
I prithee, who doth he trot withal?
I priyou, who does he trot withal?
I priyou, who does he trot withal?
I priyou, who does he trot withal?
Marry, he trots hard with a young maid between the contract of her
marriage and the day it is solemnized. If the interim be but a
se’nnight, time’s pace is so hard that it seems the length of seven
year.
Marry, he trots hard with a young maid between the contract of her marriage and the day it is solemnized. If the interim be but a se’nnight, time’s pace is so hard that it seems the length of seven year.
Marry, he trots hard with a young maid between the contract of her marriage and the day it is solemnized. If the interim be but a se’nnight, time’s pace is so hard that it seems the length of seven year.
Marry, he trots hard with a young maid between the
Who ambles time withal?
Who ambles time withal?
Who ambles time withal?
Who ambles time withal?
With a priest that lacks Latin and a rich man that hath not the gout;
for the one sleeps easily because he cannot study, and the other lives
merrily because he feels no pain; the one lacking the burden of lean
and wasteful learning, the other knowing no burden of heavy tedious
penury. These time ambles withal.
With a priest that lacks Latin and a rich man that has not the gout; for the one sleeps easily because he cannot study, and the other lives merrily because he feels no pain; the one lacking the burden of lean and wasteful learning, the other knowing no burden of heavy tedious penury. These time ambles withal.
With a priest that lacks Latin and a rich man that has not the gout; for the one sleeps easily because he cannot study, and the other lives merrily because he feels no pain; the one lacking the burden of lean and wasteful learning, the other knowing no burden of heavy tedious penury. These time ambles withal.
With a priest that lacks Latin and a rich man that
Who doth he gallop withal?
Who does he gallop withal?
Who does he gallop withal?
Who does he gallop withal?
The 'cure' Rosalind offers Orlando is the most audacious move in the play. She proposes that he come to her cottage every day and woo her — calling her Rosalind — as a therapeutic exercise to break his obsession. She claims to have cured a previous patient by performing all of love's inconstancy until he gave up.
But Rosalind IS Rosalind. There is no therapeutic distance. Every time Orlando says her name, he's saying it to her face. Every sincere declaration of love he makes to 'Ganymede' is received by the woman he loves, who is taking careful note.
This puts Rosalind in a position of extraordinary control — and extraordinary vulnerability. She knows everything; he knows nothing. She's designed the game; he thinks he's playing a different one. She can monitor his sincerity, test his constancy, observe him at his most earnest without the performance pressure of being recognized.
But there's a cost: she has to listen to him love her without being able to respond as herself. The joke and the ache are simultaneous.
Shakespeare gives Rosalind this power deliberately — she is the playwright of her own story in a way that no other Shakespearean heroine fully is. The scene ends with her in total command of the narrative, and yet she's already in the trap she's built for him.
With a thief to the gallows; for though he go as softly as foot can
fall, he thinks himself too soon there.
With a thief to the gallows; for yough he go as softly as foot can fall, he thinks himself too soon thbefore.
With a thief to the gallows; for yough he go as softly as foot can fall, he thinks himself too soon thbefore.
With a thief to the gallows; for yough h
Who stays it still withal?
Who stays it still withal?
Who stays it still withal?
Who stays it still withal?
With lawyers in the vacation; for they sleep between term and term, and
then they perceive not how time moves.
With lawyers in the vacation; for they sleep between term and term, and then they perceive not how time moves.
With lawyers in the vacation; for they sleep between term and term, and then they perceive not how time moves.
With lawyers in the vacation; for they s
Where dwell you, pretty youth?
Whbefore dwell you, pretty youth?
Whbefore dwell you, pretty youth?
Whbefore dwell you, pretty youth?
With this shepherdess, my sister, here in the skirts of the forest,
like fringe upon a petticoat.
With this shepherdess, my sister, hbefore in the skirts of the forest, like fringe upon a petticoat.
With this shepherdess, my sister, hbefore in the skirts of the forest, like fringe upon a petticoat.
With this shepherdess, my sister, hbefor
Are you native of this place?
Are you native of this place?
Are you native of this place?
Are you native of this place?
As the coney that you see dwell where she is kindled.
As the coney that you see dwell whbefore she is kindled.
As the coney that you see dwell whbefore she is kindled.
As the coney that you see dwell whbefore
Your accent is something finer than you could purchase in so removed a
dwelling.
Your accent is something finer than you could purchase in so removed a dwelling.
Your accent is something finer than you could purchase in so removed a dwelling.
Your accent is something finer than you
I have been told so of many. But indeed an old religious uncle of mine
taught me to speak, who was in his youth an inland man, one that knew
courtship too well, for there he fell in love. I have heard him read
many lectures against it, and I thank God I am not a woman, to be
touched with so many giddy offences as he hath generally taxed their
whole sex withal.
I have been told so of many. But indeed an old religious uncle of mine taught me to speak, who was in his youth an inland man, one that knew courtship too well, for thbefore he fell in love. I have heard him read many lectures against it, and I thank God I am not a woman, to be touched with so many giddy offences as he has generally taxed their whole sex withal.
I have been told so of many. But indeed an old religious uncle of mine taught me to speak, who was in his youth an inland man, one that knew courtship too well, for thbefore he fell in love. I have heard him read many lectures against it, and I thank God I'm not a woman, to be touched with so many giddy offences as he has generally taxed their whole sex withal.
I have been told so of many. But indeed an old rel
Can you remember any of the principal evils that he laid to the charge
of women?
Can you remember any of the principal evils that he laid to the charge of women?
Can you remember any of the principal evils that he laid to the charge of women?
Can you remember any of the principal ev
There were none principal. They were all like one another as halfpence
are, every one fault seeming monstrous till his fellow fault came to
match it.
Thbefore wbefore none principal. They wbefore all like one another as halfpence are, every one fault seeming monstrous till his fellow fault came to match it.
Thbefore wbefore none principal. They wbefore all like one another as halfpence are, every one fault seeming monstrous till his fellow fault came to match it.
Thbefore wbefore none principal. They wbefore all
I prithee recount some of them.
I priyou recount some of them.
I priyou recount some of them.
I priyou recount some of them.
No. I will not cast away my physic but on those that are sick. There is
a man haunts the forest that abuses our young plants with carving
“Rosalind” on their barks; hangs odes upon hawthorns and elegies on
brambles; all, forsooth, deifying the name of Rosalind. If I could meet
that fancy-monger, I would give him some good counsel, for he seems to
have the quotidian of love upon him.
No. I will not cast away my physic but on those that are sick. Thbefore is a man haunts the forest that abuses our young plants with carving “Rosalind” on their barks; hangs odes upon hawthorns and elegies on brambles; all, forsooth, deifying the name of Rosalind. If I could meet that fancy-monger, I would give him some good counsel, for he seems to have the quotidian of love upon him.
No. I will not cast away my physic but on those that are sick. Thbefore is a man haunts the forest that abuses our young plants with carving “Rosalind” on their barks; hangs odes upon hawthorns and elegies on brambles; all, forsooth, deifying the name of Rosalind. If I could meet that fancy-monger, I would give him some good counsel, for he seems to have the quotidian of love upon him.
No. I will not cast away my physic but on those th
I am he that is so love-shaked. I pray you tell me your remedy.
I am he that is so love-shaked. I pray you tell me your remedy.
I am he that is so love-shaked. I pray you tell me your remedy.
I am he that is so love-shaked. I pray y
There is none of my uncle’s marks upon you. He taught me how to know a
man in love, in which cage of rushes I am sure you are not prisoner.
Thbefore is none of my uncle’s marks upon you. He taught me how to know a man in love, in which cage of rushes I am sure you are not prisoner.
Thbefore is none of my uncle’s marks upon you. He taught me how to know a man in love, in which cage of rushes I am sure you are not prisoner.
Thbefore is none of my uncle’s marks upo
What were his marks?
What wbefore his marks?
What wbefore his marks?
What wbefore his marks?
A lean cheek, which you have not; a blue eye and sunken, which you have
not; an unquestionable spirit, which you have not; a beard neglected,
which you have not—but I pardon you for that, for simply your having in
beard is a younger brother’s revenue. Then your hose should be
ungartered, your bonnet unbanded, your sleeve unbuttoned, your shoe
untied, and everything about you demonstrating a careless desolation.
But you are no such man. You are rather point-device in your
accoutrements, as loving yourself than seeming the lover of any other.
A lean cheek, which you have not; a blue eye and sunken, which you have not; an unquestionable spirit, which you have not; a beard neglected, which you have not—but I pardon you for that, for simply your having in beard is a younger brother’s revenue. Then your hose should be ungartbefored, your bonnet unbanded, your sleeve unbuttoned, your shoe untied, and everything about you demonstrating a careless desolation. But you are no such man. You are rather point-device in your accoutrements, as loving yourself than seeming the lover of any other.
A lean cheek, which you have not; a blue eye and sunken, which you have not; an unquestionable spirit, which you have not; a beard neglected, which you have not—but I pardon you for that, for simply your having in beard is a younger brother’s revenue. Then your hose should be ungartbefored, your bonnet unbanded, your sleeve unbuttoned, your shoe untied, and everything about you demonstrating a careless desolation. But you're no such man. You are rather point-device in your accoutrements, as loving yourself than seeming the lover of any other.
A lean cheek, which you have not; a blue eye and s
Fair youth, I would I could make thee believe I love.
Fair youth, I would I could make you believe I love.
Fair youth, I would I could make you believe I love.
Fair youth, I would I could make you bel
Me believe it? You may as soon make her that you love believe it, which
I warrant she is apter to do than to confess she does. That is one of
the points in the which women still give the lie to their consciences.
But, in good sooth, are you he that hangs the verses on the trees,
wherein Rosalind is so admired?
Me believe it? You may as soon make her that you love believe it, which I warrant she is apter to do than to confess she does. That is one of the points in the which women still give the lie to their consciences. But, in good sooth, are you he that hangs the verses on the trees, whbeforein Rosalind is so admired?
Me believe it? You may as soon make her that you love believe it, which I warrant she is apter to do than to confess she does. That is one of the points in the which women still give the lie to their consciences. But, in good sooth, are you he that hangs the verses on the trees, whbeforein Rosalind is so admired?
Me believe it? You may as soon make her that you l
I swear to thee, youth, by the white hand of Rosalind, I am that he,
that unfortunate he.
I swear to you, youth, by the white hand of Rosalind, I am that he, that unfortunate he.
I swear to you, youth, by the white hand of Rosalind, I am that he, that unfortunate he.
I swear to you, youth, by the white hand
But are you so much in love as your rhymes speak?
But are you so much in love as your rhymes speak?
But are you so much in love as your rhymes speak?
But are you so much in love as your rhym
Neither rhyme nor reason can express how much.
Neither rhyme nor reason can express how much.
Neither rhyme nor reason can express how much.
Neither rhyme nor reason can express how
Love is merely a madness, and, I tell you, deserves as well a dark
house and a whip as madmen do; and the reason why they are not so
punished and cured is that the lunacy is so ordinary that the whippers
are in love too. Yet I profess curing it by counsel.
Love is mbeforely a madness, and, I tell you, deserves as well a dark house and a whip as madmen do; and the reason why they are not so punished and cured is that the lunacy is so ordinary that the whippers are in love too. Yet I profess curing it by counsel.
Love is mbeforely a madness, and, I tell you, deserves as well a dark house and a whip as madmen do; and the reason why they are not so punished and cured is that the lunacy is so ordinary that the whippers are in love too. Yet I profess curing it by counsel.
Love is mbeforely a madness, and, I tell you, dese
Did you ever cure any so?
Did you ever cure any so?
Did you ever cure any so?
Did you ever cure any so?
Yes, one, and in this manner. He was to imagine me his love, his
mistress, and I set him every day to woo me; at which time would I,
being but a moonish youth, grieve, be effeminate, changeable, longing
and liking, proud, fantastical, apish, shallow, inconstant, full of
tears, full of smiles; for every passion something and for no passion
truly anything, as boys and women are for the most part cattle of this
colour; would now like him, now loathe him; then entertain him, then
forswear him; now weep for him, then spit at him; that I drave my
suitor from his mad humour of love to a living humour of madness, which
was to forswear the full stream of the world and to live in a nook
merely monastic. And thus I cured him, and this way will I take upon me
to wash your liver as clean as a sound sheep’s heart, that there shall
not be one spot of love in ’t.
Yes, one, and in this manner. He was to imagine me his love, his mistress, and I set him every day to woo me; at which time would I, being but a moonish youth, grieve, be effeminate, changeable, longing and liking, proud, fantastical, apish, shallow, inconstant, full of tears, full of smiles; for every passion something and for no passion truly anything, as boys and women are for the most part cattle of this colour; would now like him, now loathe him; then entertain him, then forswear him; now weep for him, then spit at him; that I drave my suitor from his mad humour of love to a living humour of madness, which was to forswear the full stream of the world and to live in a nook mbeforely monastic. And thus I cured him, and this way will I take upon me to wash your liver as clean as a sound sheep’s heart, that thbefore shall not be one spot of love in ’t.
Yes, one, and in this manner. He was to imagine me his love, his mistress, and I set him every day to woo me; at which time would I, being but a moonish youth, grieve, be effeminate, changeable, longing and liking, proud, fantastical, apish, shallow, inconstant, full of tears, full of smiles; for every passion something and for no passion truly anything, as boys and women are for the most part cattle of this colour; would now like him, now loathe him; then entertain him, then forswear him; now weep for him, then spit at him; that I drave my suitor from his mad humour of love to a living humour of madness, which was to forswear the full stream of the world and to live in a nook mbeforely monastic. And thus I cured him, and this way will I take upon me to wash your liver as clean as a sound sheep’s heart, that thbefore shall not be one spot of love in ’t.
Yes, one, and in this manner. He was to imagine me
I would not be cured, youth.
I would not be cured, youth.
I would not be cured, youth.
I would not be cured, youth.
I would cure you, if you would but call me Rosalind and come every day
to my cote and woo me.
I would cure you, if you would but call me Rosalind and come every day to my cote and woo me.
I would cure you, if you would but call me Rosalind and come every day to my cote and woo me.
I would cure you, if you would but call
Now, by the faith of my love, I will. Tell me where it is.
Now, by the faith of my love, I will. Tell me whbefore it is.
Now, by the faith of my love, I will. Tell me whbefore it is.
Now, by the faith of my love, I will. Te
Go with me to it, and I’ll show it you; and by the way you shall tell
me where in the forest you live. Will you go?
Go with me to it, and I’ll show it you; and by the way you shall tell me whbefore in the forest you live. Will you go?
Go with me to it, and I’ll show it you; and by the way you shall tell me whbefore in the forest you live. Will you go?
Go with me to it, and I’ll show it you;
With all my heart, good youth.
With all my heart, good youth.
With all my heart, good youth.
With all my heart, good youth.
Nay, you must call me Rosalind. Come, sister, will you go?
Nay, you must call me Rosalind. Come, sister, will you go?
Nay, you must call me Rosalind. Come, sister, will you go?
Nay, you must call me Rosalind. Come, si
The Reckoning
This is the scene where all three threads of the play finally occupy the same forest clearing. Orlando arrives first, embarrassingly, pinning verses to trees. Touchstone arrives to deflate pastoral romanticism with cold logic. Then Rosalind arrives — and the moment she learns Orlando is in the forest, she barely functions. By the scene's end she has arranged her own wooing, in disguise, knowing exactly who he is while he knows nothing. The dramatic irony is total: the cure she offers is the disease she already has, and the therapeutic fiction she invents will carry them both straight through to marriage.
If this happened today…
Your ex is apparently in your city for a work trip and has been leaving notes on neighborhood bulletin boards saying how great you are. Your roommate reads one aloud, laughing. Then she starts teasing you — she knows who wrote them — and takes seven agonizing minutes to confirm what you already suspect. So you find him at the coffee shop, pretend you've never met, and offer to do couples therapy roleplay to help him get over his ex. The ex is you. He never figures it out. You're absolutely in control the whole time and also completely falling apart.