Nothing. I've never been taught how to make anything.
OLIVER
What mar you then, sir?
OLIVER
Well, then, what are you messing up?
ORLANDO
Marry, sir, I am helping you to mar that which God made,
a poor unworthy brother of yours, with idleness.
ORLANDO
I'm helping you mess up one of God's creations—your poor, unworthy brother—by having him do nothing.
OLIVER
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Marry, sir, be better employed, and be naught awhile.
OLIVER
Indeed, sir, find something better to do and get lost for a while.
ORLANDO
Shall I keep your hogs and eat husks with them? What
prodigal portion have I spent that I should come to such
penury?
ORLANDO
Should I tend your pigs and eat husks with them? When did I waste
so much money that I ended up this poor?
OLIVER
Know you where you are, sir?
OLIVER
Do you know where you are, sir?
ORLANDO
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O sir, very well: here in your orchard.
ORLANDO
Yes, sir, very well—I'm here in your orchard.
OLIVER
Know you before whom, sir?
OLIVER
Do you know whom you're talking to?
ORLANDO
Ay, better than him I am before knows me. I know you are
my eldest brother, and in the gentle condition of blood you
should so know me. The courtesy of nations allows you my
40
better, in that you are the first-born, but the same tradition
takes not away my blood, were there twenty brothers
betwixt us. I have as much of my father in me as you, albeit,
I confess, your coming before me is nearer to his reverence.
ORLANDO
Yes, better than you know me. I know you're my oldest brother, and deserve more respect. But we're in the same family, so you should acknowledge that I am a gentleman too. According to custom, as the first-born you are my superior. But it's not customary to treat me like I'm not even a gentleman, even if there were twenty brothers between you and me. I have as much of our father in me as you do, though I admit you're closer to him and matter more because you're older.
