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
_Ros._ But is there any else longs to see this broken music 125
in his sides? is there yet another dotes upon rib-breaking?
Shall we see this wrestling, cousin?
_Le Beau._ You must, if you stay here; for here is the
place appointed for the wrestling, and they are ready to
perform it. 130
_Cel._ Yonder, sure, they are coming: let us now stay
and see it.
_Flourish._ _Enter_ DUKE FREDERICK, Lords, ORLANDO, CHARLES,
_and_ Attendants.
_Duke F._ Come on: since the youth will not be entreated,
his own peril on his forwardness.
_Ros._ Is yonder the man? 135
_Le Beau._ Even he, madam.
_Cel._ Alas, he is too young! yet he looks successfully.
_Duke F._ How now, daughter and cousin! are you
crept hither to see the wrestling?
_Ros._ Ay, my liege, so please you give us leave. 140
_Duke F._ You will take little delight in it, I can tell you,
there is such odds in the man. In pity of the challenger’s
youth I would fain dissuade him, but he will not be entreated.
Speak to him, ladies; see if you can move him.
_Cel._ Call him hither, good Monsieur Le Beau. 145
_Duke F._ Do so: I’ll not be by.
_Le Beau._ Monsieur the challenger, the princess calls for
you.
_Orl._ I attend them with all respect and duty.
_Ros._ Young man, have you challenged Charles the 150
wrestler?
_Orl._ No, fair princess; he is the general challenger: I
come but in, as others do, to try with him the strength
of my youth.
_Cel._ Young gentleman, your spirits are too bold for your 155
years. You have seen cruel proof of this man’s strength: if
you saw yourself with your eyes, or knew yourself with your
judgement, the fear of your adventure would counsel you to
a more equal enterprise. We pray you, for your own sake,
to embrace your own safety, and give over this attempt. 160
_Ros._ Do, young sir; your reputation shall not therefore
be misprised: we will make it our suit to the Duke that the
wrestling might not go forward.
_Orl._ I beseech you, punish me not with your hard
thoughts; wherein I confess me much guilty, to deny so 165
fair and excellent ladies any thing. But let your fair eyes
and gentle wishes go with me to my trial: wherein if I be
foiled, there is but one shamed that was never gracious; if
killed, but one dead that is willing to be so: I shall do my
friends no wrong, for I have none to lament me, the world 170
no injury, for in it I have nothing; only in the world I fill
up a place, which may be better supplied when I have
made it empty.
_Ros._ The little strength that I have, I would it were
with you. 175
_Cel._ And mine, to eke out hers.
_Ros._ Fare you well: pray heaven I be deceived in you!
_Cel._ Your heart’s desires be with you!
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