CHASTITY. Mine honour's such a ring: My chastity's the jewel of our house, Which were the greatest obloquy i'the world, LIFE CHEQUERED. The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together: our virtues would be proud, if our faults whipped them not; and our crimes would despair, if they were not cherished by our virtues. A COWARDLY BRAGGART. Yet am I thankful: if my heart were great, 'Twould burst at this: Captain, I'll be no more; But I will eat and drink, and sleep as soft As captain shall: simply the thing I am Shall make me live. Who knows himself a braggart, Let him fear this; for it will come to pass, That every braggart shall be found an ass. Rust, sword! cool, blushes! and, Parolles live, Safest in shame! being fool'd, by foolery thrive! There's place, and means, for every man alive. ACT V. AGAINST DELAY. Let's take the instant by the forward top; For we are old, and on our quick'st decrees The inaudible and noiseless foot of time Steals ere we can effect them. EXCUSE FOR UNSEASONABLE DISLIKE. At first I stuck my choice upon her, ere my heart To a most hideous object: Thence it came, AS YOU LIKE IT. ACT I. MODESTY AND COURAGE IN YOUTH. I BESEECH you, punish me not with your hard thoughts; wherein I confess me much guilty, to deny so fair and excellent ladies any thing. But let your fair eyes and gentle wishes, go with me to my trial: wherein if I be foiled, there is but one shamed that was never gracious; if killed, but one dead that is willing to be so: I shall do my friends no wrong, for I have none to lament me; the world no injury, for in it I have nothing; only in the world I fill up a place, which may be better supplied when I have made it empty. PLAY-FELLOWS. We still have slept together, Rose at an instant, learn'd, play'd, eat together; BEAUTY. Beauty provoketh thieves sooner than gold. ROSALIND PROPOSING TO WEAR MEN'S CLOTHES. Were it not better, Because that I am more than common tall, That I did suit me all points like a man? A boar-spear in my hand; and (in my heart *Cutlass. As many other manish cowards have, ACT II. SOLITUDE PREFERRED TO A court life, AND THE ADVANTAGES OF ADVERSITY. Now, my co-mates, and brothers in exile, Hath not old custom made this life more sweet Than that of painted pomp? are not these woods More free from peril than the envious court? Here feel we but the penalty of Adam, The seasons' difference; as the icy fang, And churlish chiding of the winter's wind; Which, when it bites and blows upon my body, Even till I shrink with cold, I smile, and say, This is no flattery: these are counsellors That feelingly persuade me what I am. Sweet are the uses of adversity; Which, like the toad, ugly and venemous, Wears yet a precious jewel in his head; And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in every thing. REFLECTIONS ON THE WOUNDED STAG. Duke S. Come, shall we go and kill us venison? And yet it irks me, the poor dappled fools,Being native burghers of this desert city,Should, in their own confines, with forked heads,* Have their round haunches gor'd. 1 Lord. Indeed, my lord, The melancholy Jaques grieves at that; The wretched animal heav'd forth such groans, Duke S. 1 Lord. O, yes, into a thousand similes. Tis just the fashion: Wherefore do you look GRATITUDE IN AN OLD SERVANT. But do not so: I have five hundred crowns, Be comfort to my age! Here is the gold; I'll do the service of a younger man DESCRIPTION OF A LOVER. O, thou didst then ne'er love so heartily: If thou remember'st not the slightest folly That ever love did make thee run into, Thou hast not lov'd: Or if thou hast not sat as I do now, Wearying thy hearer in thy mistress' praise, Or if thou hast not broke from company, DESCRIPTION OF A FOOL, AND HIS MORALIZING ON TIME. Good-morrow, fool, quoth I: No, sir, quoth he, Thus may we see, quoth he, how the world wags: A worthy fool! Motley's the only wear.* Duke S. What fool is this? Jaq. O worthy fool!-One that hath been a courtier; And says if ladies be but young, and fair, They have the gift to know it: and in his brain,- *The fool was anciently dressed in a party-coloured |