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Speeches (Lines) for Amiens
in "As You Like It"

Total: 10

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# Act, Scene, Line
(Click to see in context)
Speech text

1

II,1,566

Duke. Now, my co-mates and brothers in exile,
Hath not old custom made this life more sweet
Than that of painted pomp? Are not these woods
More free from peril than the envious court?
Here feel we not the penalty of Adam,
The seasons' difference; as the icy fang
And churlish chiding of the winter's wind,
Which when it bites and blows upon my body,
Even till I shrink with cold, I smile and say
'This is no flattery; these are counsellors
That feelingly persuade me what I am.'
Sweet are the uses of adversity,
Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious jewel in his head;
And this our life, exempt from public haunt,
Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks,
Sermons in stones, and good in everything.
I would not change it.

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


2

II,5,820

(stage directions). Enter AMIENS, JAQUES, and OTHERS

Amiens. Under the greenwood tree
Who loves to lie with me,
And turn his merry note
Unto the sweet bird's throat,
Come hither, come hither, come hither.
Here shall he see
No enemy
But winter and rough weather.


3

II,5,829

Jaques (lord). More, more, I prithee, more.

Amiens. It will make you melancholy, Monsieur Jaques.


4

II,5,832

Jaques (lord). I thank it. More, I prithee, more. I can suck melancholy
out of a song, as a weasel sucks eggs. More, I prithee, more.

Amiens. My voice is ragged; I know I cannot please you.


5

II,5,835

Jaques (lord). I do not desire you to please me; I do desire you to sing.
Come, more; another stanzo. Call you 'em stanzos?

Amiens. What you will, Monsieur Jaques.


6

II,5,838

Jaques (lord). Nay, I care not for their names; they owe me nothing. Will
you sing?

Amiens. More at your request than to please myself.


7

II,5,844

Jaques (lord). Well then, if ever I thank any man, I'll thank you; but
that they call compliment is like th' encounter of two dog-apes;
and when a man thanks me heartily, methinks have given him a
penny, and he renders me the beggarly thanks. Come, sing; and you
that will not, hold your tongues.

Amiens. Well, I'll end the song. Sirs, cover the while; the Duke
will drink under this tree. He hath been all this day to look
you.


8

II,5,862

Jaques (lord). I'll give you a verse to this note that I made yesterday in
despite of my invention.

Amiens. And I'll sing it.


9

II,5,872

Jaques (lord). Thus it goes:
If it do come to pass
That any man turn ass,
Leaving his wealth and ease
A stubborn will to please,
Ducdame, ducdame, ducdame;
Here shall he see
Gross fools as he,
An if he will come to me.

Amiens. What's that 'ducdame'?


10

II,5,876

Jaques (lord). 'Tis a Greek invocation, to call fools into a circle. I'll
go sleep, if I can; if I cannot, I'll rail against all the
first-born of Egypt.

Amiens. And I'll go seek the Duke; his banquet is prepar'd.


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