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As You Like It, Act 2, Scene 4

William Shakespeare
Every note, for your class

The story so far

Earlier in the play

Rosalind loves Orlando, who has defeated Charles in wrestling. Banished by Duke Frederick, she plans to seek her father in Arden, disguised as Ganymede, with Celia as Aliena and Touchstone accompanying them. Frederick discovers their flight and orders a search, suspecting Orlando has joined them.

In the last scene: Act 2, Scene 3

Adam warns Orlando that Oliver plans to burn him in his lodging that night and will find other means to kill him if that fails. Adam offers his savings of five hundred crowns and asks to serve Orlando. Orlando agrees that they will leave together and seek somewhere to live.

SCENE IV. The Forest of Arden

Enter Rosalind as Ganymede, Celia as Aliena, and Touchstone.
ROSALIND
O Jupiter, how weary are my spirits!
TOUCHSTONE
I care not for my spirits, if my legs were not weary.
ROSALIND
I could find in my heart to disgrace my man’s apparel, and to cry like a woman, but I must comfort the weaker vessel, as doublet and hose ought to show itself courageous to petticoat. Therefore, courage, good Aliena.
CELIA
I pray you bear with me, I cannot go no further.
TOUCHSTONE
For my part, I had rather bear with you than bear you. Yet I should bear no cross if I did bear you, for I think you have no money in your purse.
ROSALIND
Well, this is the forest of Arden.
TOUCHSTONE
Ay, now am I in Arden, the more fool I! When I was at home I was in a better place, but travellers must be content.
Enter Corin and Silvius.
ROSALIND
Ay, be so, good Touchstone. Look you, who comes here? A young man and an old in solemn talk.
CORIN
That is the way to make her scorn you still.
SILVIUS
O Corin, that thou knew’st how I do love her!
CORIN
I partly guess, for I have loved ere now.
SILVIUS
No, Corin, being old, thou canst not guess,Though in thy youth thou wast as true a loverAs ever sighed upon a midnight pillow.But if thy love were ever like to mine—As sure I think did never man love so—How many actions most ridiculousHast thou been drawn to by thy fantasy?
CORIN
Into a thousand that I have forgotten.
SILVIUS
O, thou didst then never love so heartily!If thou rememb’rest not the slightest follyThat ever love did make thee run into,Thou hast not loved.Or if thou hast not sat as I do now,Wearing thy hearer in thy mistress’ praise,Thou hast not loved.Or if thou hast not broke from companyAbruptly, as my passion now makes me,Thou hast not loved.O Phoebe, Phoebe, Phoebe!
Exit Silvius.
ROSALIND
Alas, poor shepherd, searching of thy wound,I have by hard adventure found mine own.
TOUCHSTONE
And I mine. I remember when I was in love I broke my sword upon a stone and bid him take that for coming a-night to Jane Smile; and I remember the kissing of her batlet, and the cow’s dugs that her pretty chopped hands had milked; and I remember the wooing of a peascod instead of her, from whom I took two cods, and, giving her them again, said with weeping tears, “Wear these for my sake.” We that are true lovers run into strange capers. But as all is mortal in nature, so is all nature in love mortal in folly.
ROSALIND
Thou speak’st wiser than thou art ware of.
TOUCHSTONE
Nay, I shall ne’er be ware of mine own wit till I break my shins against it.
ROSALIND
Jove, Jove, this shepherd’s passionIs much upon my fashion.
TOUCHSTONE
And mine, but it grows something stale with me.
CELIA
I pray you, one of you question yond manIf he for gold will give us any food.I faint almost to death.
TOUCHSTONE
Holla, you clown!
ROSALIND
Peace, fool, he’s not thy kinsman.
CORIN
Who calls?
TOUCHSTONE
Your betters, sir.
CORIN
Else are they very wretched.
ROSALIND
Peace, I say.—Good even to you, friend.
CORIN
And to you, gentle sir, and to you all.
ROSALIND
I prithee, shepherd, if that love or goldCan in this desert place buy entertainment,Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.Here’s a young maid with travel much oppressed,And faints for succour.
CORIN
Fair sir, I pity herAnd wish, for her sake more than for mine own,My fortunes were more able to relieve her.But I am shepherd to another manAnd do not shear the fleeces that I graze.My master is of churlish dispositionAnd little recks to find the way to heavenBy doing deeds of hospitality.Besides, his cote, his flocks, and bounds of feedAre now on sale, and at our sheepcote now,By reason of his absence, there is nothingThat you will feed on. But what is, come see,And in my voice most welcome shall you be.
ROSALIND
What is he that shall buy his flock and pasture?
CORIN
That young swain that you saw here but erewhile,That little cares for buying anything.
ROSALIND
I pray thee, if it stand with honesty,Buy thou the cottage, pasture, and the flock,And thou shalt have to pay for it of us.
CELIA
And we will mend thy wages. I like this place,And willingly could waste my time in it.
CORIN
Assuredly the thing is to be sold.Go with me. If you like upon reportThe soil, the profit, and this kind of life,I will your very faithful feeder be,And buy it with your gold right suddenly.
Exeunt.

Characters

Speaking

  • 12 speeches
  • 9 speeches
  • 8 speeches
  • 3 speeches
  • 3 speeches

All the characters ›

Themes

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Questions on this scene

  • Reading

    Which forest does Rosalind announce they have reached?

Locations

  • Forest of Arden?Scene

    The principal setting, where the banished Duke Senior lives with his followers, Rosalind disguises herself as Ganymede, and the lovers are eventually united. Shakespeare's forest evokes both Warwickshire's Arden and the continental Ardennes, but its dramatic geography cannot be located precisely.

    Set here · 3 quotes in this scene

Also mentioned

  • The shepherd's cottage and pastures?8 quotes in this scene · characters travel here or from here
  • Duke Frederick's court?characters travel here or from here