And after an hour more, 'twill be eleven; † And so, from hour to hour, we ripe and ripe, And then, from hour to hour, we rot, and rot, And thereby hangs a tale. When I did hear The motley fool thus moral on the time, My lungs began to crow like chanticleer, That fools should be so deep-contemplative; And I did laugh, sans intermission, An hour by his dial. O noble fool! A worthy fool! Motley's the only wear*. Duke S. What fool is this? Jaq. O worthy fool!One that hath been a cour tier; And says, if ladies be but young, and fair, They have the gift to know it: and in his brain,→→→ After a voyage, he hath strange places cramm'd In mangled forms:-O, that I were a fool! Duke S. Thou shalt have one. ¡Jaq. swt It is my only suit; Provided, that you weed your better judgements Of all opinion that grows rank in them, To blow on whom I please; for so fools have: He, that a fool doth very wisely hit, Even by the squandring glances of the fool. To speak my mind, and I will through and through * The fool was anciently dressed in a party-colour. ed coat. Cleanse the foul body of the infected world, Duke S. Fy on thee! I can tell what thou would'st do. Jaq. What, for a counter, would I do, but good? Duke S. Most mischievous foul sin, in chiding sin: " For thou thyself hast been a libertine, And all the embossed sores, and headed evils That says, his bravery* is not on my cost There then; How, what then? Let me see wherein Enter Orlando, with his sword drawn. Orl. Forbear, and eat no more. Jaq. Why, I have eat none yet. Orl. Nor shalt not, till necessity be serv'd. * Finery. Duke S. Art thou thus bolden'd, man, by thy dis tress; Or else a rude despiser of good manners, That in civility thou seem'st so empty? Orl. You touch'd my vein at first; the thorny point Of bare distress hath ta'en from me the show Jaq. An you will not be answered with reason, I must die. Duke S. What would you have? Your gentleness shall force, More than your force move us to gentleness. Orl. I almost die for food, and let me have it. Duke S. Sit down and feed, welcome to our table. Orl. Speak you so gently? Pardon me, I pray you: I thought that all things had been savage here; Of stern commandment: But whate'er you are, Under the shade of melancholy boughs, Lose and neglect the creeping hours of time; If ever you have look'd on better days; If ever been where bells have knoll'd to church: If ever from your eye-lids wip'd a tear, • Well brought up. + Good manners. And therefore sit you down in gentleness, Orl. Then, but forbear your food a little while, Whiles, like a doe, I go to find my fawn, And give it food. There is an old poor man, Who after me hath many a weary step Limp'd in pure love; till he be first suffic'd,- Duke S. Orl. I thank ye; and be bless'd for your good comfort! [Exit. Duke S. Thou seest, we are not all alone un happy : This wide and universal theatre Presents more woeful pageants than the scene Jaq. And then, the whining school-boy, with his satchel, Even in the cannon's mouth: And then, the justice; • Violent. + Trite, common. And so he plays his part: The sixth age shifts With spectacles on nose, and pouch on side; Re-enter Orlando, with Adam. Duke S. Welcome: set down your venerable burden, And let him feed. Orl. I thank you most for him. Adam. So had you need; I scarce can speak to thank you for myself. Duke S. Welcome, fall to: I will not trouble you As yet, to question you about your fortunes:Give us some musick; and, good cousin, sing. Amiens sings. SONG. I. Blow, blow, thou winter wind, As man's ingratitude; Thy tooth is not so keen, • Unnatural. · |