As You Like It by William Shakespeare (knowledgeable books to read TXT) 📕

As You Like It

By William Shakespeare.

Table of Contents Titlepage Imprint Dramatis Personae As You Like It Act I Scene I Scene II Scene III Act II Scene I Scene II Scene III Scene IV Scene V Scene VI Scene VII Act III Scene I Scene II Scene III Scene IV Scene V Act IV Scene I Scene II Scene III Act V Scene I Scene II Scene III Scene IV Epilogue Colophon Uncopyright Imprint

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Dramatis Personae

Duke, living in banishment

Frederick, his brother, and usurper of his dominions

Amiens, lord attending on the banished duke

Jacques, lord attending on the banished duke

Le Beau, a courtier attending on Frederick

Charles, wrestler to Frederick.

Oliver, son of Sir Rowland de Boys

Jacques, son of Sir Rowland de Boys

Orlando, son of Sir Rowland de Boys

Adam, servant to Oliver

Dennis, servant to Oliver

Touchstone, a clown

Sir Oliver Martext, a vicar

Corin, shepherd

Silvius, shepherd

William, a country fellow, in love with Audrey

A person representing Hymen

Rosalind, daughter to the banished duke

Celia, daughter to Frederick

Phebe, a shepherdess

Audrey, a country wench

Lords, pages, and attendants, etc.

Scene: Oliver’s house; Duke Frederick’s court; and the Forest of Arden.

As You Like It Act I Scene I

Orchard of Oliver’s house.

Enter Orlando and Adam. Orlando As I remember, Adam, it was upon this fashion bequeathed me by will but poor a thousand crowns, and, as thou sayest, charged my brother, on his blessing, to breed me well: and there begins my sadness. My brother Jaques he keeps at school, and report speaks goldenly of his profit: for my part, he keeps me rustically at home, or, to speak more properly, stays me here at home unkept; for call you that keeping for a gentleman of my birth, that differs not from the stalling of an ox? His horses are bred better; for, besides that they are fair with their feeding, they are taught their manage, and to that end riders dearly hired: but I, his brother, gain nothing under him but growth; for the which his animals on his dunghills are as much bound to him as I. Besides this nothing that he so plentifully gives me, the something that nature gave me his countenance seems to take from me: he lets me feed with his hinds, bars me the place of a brother, and, as much as in him lies, mines my gentility with my education. This is it, Adam, that grieves me; and the spirit of my father, which I think is within me, begins to mutiny against this servitude: I will no longer endure it, though yet I know no wise remedy how to avoid it. Adam Yonder comes my master, your brother. Orlando Go apart, Adam, and thou shalt hear how he will shake me up. Enter Oliver. Oliver Now, sir! what make you here? Orlando Nothing: I am not taught to make any thing. Oliver What mar you then, sir? Orlando Marry, sir, I am helping you to mar that which God made, a poor unworthy brother of yours, with idleness. Oliver Marry, sir, be better employed, and be naught awhile. Orlando Shall I keep your hogs and eat husks with them? What prodigal portion have I spent, that I should come to such penury? Oliver Know you where your are, sir? Orlando O, sir, very well; here in your orchard. Oliver Know you before whom, sir? Orlando Ay, better than him I am before knows me. I know you are my eldest brother; and, in the gentle condition of blood, you should so know me. The courtesy of nations allows you my better, in that you are the first-born; but the same tradition takes not away my blood, were there twenty brothers betwixt us: I have as much of my father in me as you; albeit, I confess, your coming before me is nearer to his reverence. Oliver What, boy! Orlando Come, come, elder brother, you are too young in this. Oliver Wilt thou lay hands on me, villain? Orlando I am no villain; I am the youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys; he was my father, and he is thrice a villain that says such a father begot villains. Wert thou not my brother, I would not take this hand from thy throat till this other had pulled out thy tongue for saying so: thou hast railed on thyself. Adam Sweet masters, be patient: for your father’s remembrance, be at accord. Oliver Let me go, I say. Orlando I will not, till I please: you shall hear me. My father charged you in his will to give me good education: you have trained me like a peasant, obscuring and hiding from me all gentleman-like qualities. The spirit of my father grows strong in me, and I will no longer endure it: therefore allow me such exercises as may become a gentleman, or give me the poor allottery my