Enter DUKE SENIOR, AMIENS, and LORDS like outlaws.
DUKE SENIOR, AMIENS, and LORDS enter, dressed like outlaws.
DUKE SENIOR
I think he be transformed into a beast,
For I can nowhere find him like a man.
DUKE SENIOR
I think he must have turned into an animal, because I can't find him anywhere looking like a man.
FIRST LORD
My lord, he is but even now gone hence.
Here was he merry, hearing of a song.
FIRST LORD
My lord, he just left here. He was happy here, listening to a song.
DUKE SENIOR
5
If he, compact of jars, grow musical,
We shall have shortly discord in the spheres.
Go seek him. Tell him I would speak with him.
DUKE SENIOR
If that man, who's made up of conflicts, becomes musical, then there must be something wrong with the universe. Go find him. Tell him I want to speak with him.
Enter JAQUES
JAQUES enters.
FIRST LORD
He saves my labor by his own approach.
FIRST LORD
He saved me the trouble: here he comes.
DUKE SENIOR
Why, how now, monsieur? What a life is this
10
That your poor friends must woo your company?
What, you look merrily.
DUKE SENIOR
Well, what's going on, mister? What kind of life do you lead that your poor friends must beg for your company? What, you look amused.
JAQUES
A fool, a fool, I met a fool i' th' forest,
A motley fool. A miserable world!
As I do live by food, I met a fool,
15
Who laid him down and basked him in the sun
And railed on Lady Fortune in good terms,
In good set terms, and yet a motley fool.
“Good morrow, fool,” quoth I. “No, sir,” quoth he,
“Call me not ‘fool’ till heaven hath sent me fortune.”
JAQUES
A fool, a fool! I met a fool
in the forest, wearing motley. What a miserable world! As sure as I eat to stay alive, I met a fool who was lying in the sun and complaining about his fortune. He spoke smartly, though he was a fool. “Good morning, fool,” I said. “No, sir,” he said, “don't call me a fool until heaven has sent me my fortune
.”
