Act II, Scene 4

The Forest of Arden

Enter ROSALIND for GANYMEDE, CELIA for ALIENA, and CLOWN alias

TOUCHSTONE

• Rosalind. O Jupiter, how weary are my spirits!

• Touchstone. I care not for my spirits, if my legs were not weary.

• Rosalind. I could find in my heart to disgrace my man's apparel, 725
  and to cry like a woman; but I must comfort the weaker vessel, as
  doublet and hose ought to show itself courageous to petticoat;
  therefore, courage, good Aliena.

• Celia. I pray you bear with me; I cannot go no further.

• Touchstone. For my part, I had rather bear with you than bear you; 730
  yet I should bear no cross if I did bear you; for I think you
  have no money in your purse.

• Rosalind. Well, this is the Forest of Arden.

• Touchstone. Ay, now am I in Arden; the more fool I; when I was at
  home I was in a better place; but travellers must be content. 735

Enter CORIN and SILVIUS

• Rosalind. Ay, be so, good Touchstone. Look you, who comes here, a
  young man and an old in solemn talk.

• Corin. That is the way to make her scorn you still.

• Silvius. O Corin, that thou knew'st how I do love her! 740

• Corin. I partly guess; for I have lov'd ere now.

• Silvius. No, Corin, being old, thou canst not guess,
  Though in thy youth thou wast as true a lover
  As ever sigh'd upon a midnight pillow.
  But if thy love were ever like to mine, 745
  As sure I think did never man love so,
  How many actions most ridiculous
  Hast thou been drawn to by thy fantasy?

• Corin. Into a thousand that I have forgotten.

• Silvius. O, thou didst then never love so heartily! 750
  If thou rememb'rest not the slightest folly
  That ever love did make thee run into,
  Thou hast not lov'd;
  Or if thou hast not sat as I do now,
  Wearing thy hearer in thy mistress' praise, 755
  Thou hast not lov'd;
  Or if thou hast not broke from company
  Abruptly, as my passion now makes me,
  Thou hast not lov'd.
  O Phebe, Phebe, Phebe! Exit Silvius 760

• Rosalind. Alas, poor shepherd! searching of thy wound,
  I have by hard adventure found mine own.

• Touchstone. And I mine. I remember, when I was in love, I broke my
  sword upon a stone, and bid him take that for coming a-night to
  Jane Smile; and I remember the kissing of her batler, and the 765
  cow's dugs that her pretty chapt hands had milk'd; and I remember
  the wooing of peascod instead of her; from whom I took two cods,
  and giving her them again, said with weeping tears 'Wear these
  for my sake.' We that are true lovers run into strange capers;
  but as all is mortal in nature, so is all nature in love mortal 770
  in folly.

• Rosalind. Thou speak'st wiser than thou art ware of.

• Touchstone. Nay, I shall ne'er be ware of mine own wit till I break
  my shins against it.

• Rosalind. Jove, Jove! this shepherd's passion 775
  Is much upon my fashion.

• Touchstone. And mine; but it grows something stale with me.

• Celia. I pray you, one of you question yond man
  If he for gold will give us any food;
  I faint almost to death. 780

• Touchstone. Holla, you clown!

• Rosalind. Peace, fool; he's not thy kinsman.

• Corin. Who calls?

• Touchstone. Your betters, sir.

• Corin. Else are they very wretched. 785

• Rosalind. Peace, I say. Good even to you, friend.

• Corin. And to you, gentle sir, and to you all.

• Rosalind. I prithee, shepherd, if that love or gold
  Can in this desert place buy entertainment,
  Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed. 790
  Here's a young maid with travel much oppress'd,
  And faints for succour.

• Corin. Fair sir, I pity her,
  And wish, for her sake more than for mine own,
  My fortunes were more able to relieve her; 795
  But I am shepherd to another man,
  And do not shear the fleeces that I graze.
  My master is of churlish disposition,
  And little recks to find the way to heaven
  By doing deeds of hospitality. 800
  Besides, his cote, his flocks, and bounds of feed,
  Are now on sale; and at our sheepcote now,
  By reason of his absence, there is nothing
  That you will feed on; but what is, come see,
  And in my voice most welcome shall you be. 805

• Rosalind. What is he that shall buy his flock and pasture?

• Corin. That young swain that you saw here but erewhile,
  That little cares for buying any thing.

• Rosalind. I pray thee, if it stand with honesty,
  Buy thou the cottage, pasture, and the flock, 810
  And thou shalt have to pay for it of us.

• Celia. And we will mend thy wages. I like this place,
  And willingly could waste my time in it.

• Corin. Assuredly the thing is to be sold.
  Go with me; if you like upon report 815
  The soil, the profit, and this kind of life,
  I will your very faithful feeder be,
  And buy it with your gold right suddenly. Exeunt