No Fear Shakespeare

As You Like It

William Shakespeare

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Act 4, Scene 1, Page 9

Original Text

Modern Text


160
ORLANDO
Ay, sweet Rosalind.
ORLANDO
Yes, sweet Rosalind.

ROSALIND
By my troth, and in good earnest, and so God mend me, and by all pretty oaths that are not dangerous, if you break one jot of your promise or come one minute behind your hour, I will think you the most pathetical break-promise and the most hollow lover and the most unworthy of her you call Rosalind that may be chosen out of the gross band of the unfaithful. Therefore beware my censure, and keep your promise.
ROSALIND
Honestly, truly, in God’s name, and by all those little girly oaths that don’t actually have any power, if you break even a little bit of your promise, or if you come even a minute after two o'clock, I’ll think you the most pathetic promise breaker, the most lying lover, and the most unworthy partner for Rosalind that could be found anywhere. So beware of my contempt, and keep your promise.


170
ORLANDO
With no less religion than if thou wert indeed my Rosalind.
So, adieu.
ORLANDO
I’ll keep my promise just as if you really were Rosalind. So, goodbye.

ROSALIND
Well, time is the old justice that examines all such offenders, and let time try. Adieu.
ROSALIND
Well, time is the old judge that tries your kind of criminal. Time will tell what kind of a man you are. Goodbye.
Exit ORLANDO
ORLANDO exits.

CELIA
You have simply misused our sex in your love-prate. We must have your doublet and hose plucked over your head and show the world what the bird hath done to her own nest.
CELIA
You have absolutely abused our sex in this love talk of yours. We should rip off your man’s clothing and show the world the woman who has represented her own kind so badly.

ROSALIND
O coz, coz, coz, my pretty little coz, that thou didst know how many fathom deep I am in love. But it cannot be sounded; my affection hath an unknown bottom, like the Bay of Portugal.
ROSALIND
Oh cousin, cousin, cousin, my sweet little cousin, I wish you knew how deep in love I am. The bottom of my love is so deep it can’t be reached. It’s as deep as the bay of Portugal.

CELIA
Or rather bottomless, that as fast as you pour affection in, it runs out.
CELIA
Or it’s bottomless, at least: pour affection in one end, and it runs out the other.

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