No Fear Shakespeare
As You Like It
Get this No Fear to go!
Act 3, Scene 3, Page 3
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Well, that is the dowry of his wife; ’tis none of his own
getting. Horns? Even so. Poor men alone? No, no. The
noblest deer hath them as huge as the rascal. Is the single
man therefore blessed? No. As a walled town is more
worthier than a village, so is the forehead of a married man
more honorable than the bare brow of a bachelor. And by
how much defense is better than no skill, by so much is a
horn more precious than to want.
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Well, that’s what the wife brings to the marriage. He didn’t do anything to get them. Horns? Well, there they are. Only for poor men? No, no. The nobleman’s are as huge as the underfed villager’s. Is the single man lucky, then? No. Just as a town protected by a wall around it is worth more than a low-lying village, a married man’s horned forehead is more honorable than a bachelor’s bare forehead. Just as it’s better to be skilled at self-defense than it is to avoid fighting, it’s better to risk a horn by marrying. Here comes Sir Oliver.
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Enter SIR OLIVER MARTEXT
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SIR OLIVER MARTEXT enters. |
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Here comes Sir Oliver.—Sir Oliver Martext, you are well
met. Will you dispatch us here under this tree, or shall we
go with you to your chapel?
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Sir Oliver Martext, we’re glad to see you. Will you marry us here, under this tree, or should we follow you to your chapel?
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SIR OLIVER MARTEXT
Is there none here to give the woman?
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SIR OLIVER MARTEXT
Is there anyone to give the bride away?
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TOUCHSTONE
I will not take her on gift of any man.
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TOUCHSTONE
I don’t want to take another man’s second-hand goods.
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SIR OLIVER MARTEXT
Truly, she must be given, or the marriage is not lawful.
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SIR OLIVER MARTEXT
No, someone has to give her away or the marriage isn’t legal.
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JAQUES
(advancing) Proceed, proceed. I’ll give her.
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JAQUES
(coming forward) Go on, proceed—I’ll give her away.
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TOUCHSTONE
Good even, good Monsieur What-ye-call’t. How do you,
sir? You are very well met. God 'ild you for your last
company. I am very glad to see you. Even a toy in hand here,
sir. Nay, pray be covered.
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TOUCHSTONE
Good evening, Mr. What’shisname. How are you, sir? We’re glad to see you. God bless you for being here. I’m very glad to see you. This is just a trifling matter here, sir. No, no, put your hat back on.
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JAQUES
Will you be married, motley?
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JAQUES
Do you want to get married, fool?
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