The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 2 of 9]Shakespeare, William
General
The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 2 of 9]
Shakespeare, William
English drama
_Orl._ Shall I keep your hogs and eat husks with them?
What prodigal portion have I spent, that I should come to
such penury? 35
_Oli._ Know you where you are, sir?
_Orl._ O, sir, very well: here in your orchard.
_Oli._ Know you before whom, sir?
_Orl._ Ay, better than him I am before knows me. I
know you are my eldest brother; and, in the gentle condition 40
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 45
me is nearer to his reverence.
_Oli._ What, boy!
_Orl._ Come, come, elder brother, you are too young in
this.
_Oli._ Wilt thou lay hands on me, villain? 50
_Orl._ 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 55
hast railed on thyself.
_Adam._ Sweet masters, be patient: for your father’s remembrance,
be at accord.
_Oli._ Let me go, I say.
_Orl._ I will not, till I please: you shall hear me. My 60
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, 65
or give me the poor allottery my father left me by
testament; with that I will go buy my fortunes.
_Oli._ And what wilt thou do? beg, when that is spent?
Well, sir, get you in: I will not long be troubled with you;
you shall have some part of your will: I pray you, leave me. 70
_Orl._ I will no further offend you than becomes me for
my good.
_Oli._ Get you with him, you old dog.
_Adam._ Is ‘old dog’ my reward? Most true, I have lost
my teeth in your service. God be with my old master! he 75
would not have spoke such a word. [_Exeunt Orlando and Adam._
_Oli._ Is it even so? begin you to grow upon me? I
will physic your rankness, and yet give no thousand crowns
neither. Holla, Dennis!
_Enter DENNIS._
_Den._ Calls your worship? 80
_Oli._ Was not Charles, the Duke’s wrestler, here to
speak with me?
_Den._ So please you, he is here at the door and importunes
access to you.
_Oli._ Call him in. [_Exit Dennis._] ’Twill be a good way; 85
and to-morrow the wrestling is.
_Enter CHARLES._
_Cha._ Good morrow to your worship.
_Oli._ Good Monsieur Charles, what’s the new news at
the new court?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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