Orlando, Charles and Attendants.
Duke.
Come on, since the Youth will not be entreated;
his own peril on his forwardness.
Ros.
Is yonder the man?
Le Beu.
Even he, Madam.
Cel.
Alas, he is too young; yet he looks successfully.
Duke.
How now, Daughter and Cousin; are you
crept hither to see the wrestling?
Ros.
Ay, my liege, so please you give us leave.
Duke.
You will take little delight in it, I can tell
you, there is such odds in the men: 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 Beu.
Duke.
Do so; I'll not be by.
[Duke goes apart.
Le Beu.
Monsieur the Challenger, the Princesses
call for you.
-- 303 --
Orla.
I attend them with all respect and duty.
Ros.
Young man, have you challeng'd Charles the
wrestler?
Orla.
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 years: you have seen cruel proof of this
man's strength. 9 noteIf you saw your self with our eyes,
or knew your self with our judgment, 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.
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.
Orla.
I beseech you, punish me not with your hard
thoughts, wherein I confess me much guilty, to deny
so fair and excellent ladies any thing. But let your
fair eyes and gentle wishes go with me to my tryal,
wherein if I be foil'd, there is but one sham'd that
was never gracious; if kill'd, 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 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.
Cel.
And mine to eek out hers.
Ros.
Fare you well; pray heav'n, I be deceiv'd
in you.
-- 304 --
Orla.
Your hearts desires be with you!—
Cha.
Come, where is this young Gallant, that is so
desirous to lie with his mother earth?
Orla.
Ready, Sir; but his Will hath in it a more
modest working.
Duke.
You shall try but one Fall.
Cha.
No, I warrant your Grace, you shall not entreat
him to a second, that have so mightily persuaded
him from a first.
Orla.
You mean to mock me after; you should not
have mockt me before; but come your ways.
Ros.
Now Hercules be thy speed, young man!
Cel.
I would I were invisible, to catch the strong
fellow by the leg!
[They wrestle.
Ros.
O excellent young man!
Cel.
If I had a thunderbolt in mine eye, I can tell
who should down.
[shout.
Duke.
No more, no more.
[Charles is thrown.
Orla.
Yes, I beseech your Grace; I am not yet
well breathed.
Duke.
How dost thou, Charles?
Le Beu.
He cannot speak, my Lord.
Duke.
Bear him away. What is thy name, young
man?
Orla.
Orlando, my liege, the youngest son of Sir
Rowland de Boys.
Duke.
I would, thou hadst been son to some man else!
The world esteem'd thy Father honourable,
But I did find him still mine enemy:
Thou should'st have better pleas'd me with this deed,
Hadst thou descended from another House.
But fare thee well, thou art a gallant youth;
I would, thou hadst told me of another father.
[Exit Duke, with his train.
-- 305 --
Alexander Pope [1747], The works of Shakespear in eight volumes. The Genuine Text (collated with all the former Editions, and then corrected and emended) is here settled: Being restored from the Blunders of the first Editors, and the Interpolations of the two Last: with A Comment and Notes, Critical and Explanatory. By Mr. Pope and Mr. Warburton (Printed for J. and P. Knapton, [and] S. Birt [etc.], London) [word count] [S11301].
