As You Like It, Act 1, Scene 2

I pray thee, Rosalind, sweet my coz, be merry.

Please, Rosalind, my sweet cousin, be cheerful.

Dear Celia, I show more mirth than I am mistress of, and would you yet I were merrier? Unless you could teach me to forget a banished father, you must not learn me how to remember any extraordinary pleasure.

Dear Celia, I'm showing more cheerfulness than I actually feel, and you want me to be merrier still? Unless you can teach me to forget a banished father, you mustn't teach me how to keep any unusual pleasure in mind.

Herein I see thou lov’st me not with the full weight that I love thee. If my uncle, thy banished father, had banished thy uncle, the Duke my father, so thou hadst been still with me, I could have taught my love to take thy father for mine. So wouldst thou, if the truth of thy love to me were so righteously tempered as mine is to thee.

In this I see you don't love me with the full measure that I love you. If my uncle, your banished father, had banished your uncle, the Duke my father, as long as you had stayed with me, I could have taught my love to take your father for my own. So would you, if the truth of your love for me were as rightly balanced as mine is for you.

Well, I will forget the condition of my estate to rejoice in yours.

All right, I'll forget the state of my own situation and be glad about yours.

You know my father hath no child but I, nor none is like to have; and truly, when he dies thou shalt be his heir, for what he hath taken away from thy father perforce, I will render thee again in affection. By mine honour I will! And when I break that oath, let me turn monster. Therefore, my sweet Rose, my dear Rose, be merry.

You know my father has no child but me, and isn't likely to have another; and truly, when he dies you'll be his heir, because what he has taken from your father by force, I will give back to you in love. On my honour I will! And if I ever break that oath, let me be turned into a monster. So, my sweet Rose, my dear Rose, be cheerful.

From henceforth I will, coz, and devise sports. Let me see—what think you of falling in love?

From now on I will, cousin, and I'll think up some games. Let me see — what do you think of falling in love?

Marry, I prithee do, to make sport withal; but love no man in good earnest, nor no further in sport neither than with safety of a pure blush thou mayst in honour come off again.

Yes, please do, to make a game of it; but don't love any man seriously, and don't go further even in play than you can safely back out of with nothing worse than an innocent blush and your honour intact.

What shall be our sport, then?

What shall our game be, then?

Let us sit and mock the good housewife Fortune from her wheel, that her gifts may henceforth be bestowed equally.

Let's sit and mock that good housewife Fortune away from her spinning wheel, so that from now on her gifts may be handed out fairly.

I would we could do so, for her benefits are mightily misplaced, and the bountiful blind woman doth most mistake in her gifts to women.

I wish we could do that, for her favours are terribly misplaced, and the generous blind woman goes most wrong in her gifts to women.

’Tis true, for those that she makes fair she scarce makes honest, and those that she makes honest she makes very ill-favouredly.

That's true, for the ones she makes beautiful she hardly ever makes chaste, and the ones she makes chaste she makes very ugly.

Nay, now thou goest from Fortune’s office to Nature’s. Fortune reigns in gifts of the world, not in the lineaments of Nature.

No, now you're moving from Fortune's department to Nature's. Fortune rules over the gifts of the world, not over the features Nature gives.

No? When Nature hath made a fair creature, may she not by Fortune fall into the fire? Though Nature hath given us wit to flout at Fortune, hath not Fortune sent in this fool to cut off the argument?

No? When Nature has made a beautiful creature, can't she fall into the fire by Fortune's doing? Though Nature has given us the wit to jeer at Fortune, hasn't Fortune sent in this fool to cut our argument short?

Indeed, there is Fortune too hard for Nature, when Fortune makes Nature’s natural the cutter-off of Nature’s wit.

Indeed, there Fortune is too strong for Nature, when Fortune uses Nature's own born idiot to cut off Nature's wit.

Peradventure this is not Fortune’s work neither, but Nature’s, who perceiveth our natural wits too dull to reason of such goddesses, and hath sent this natural for our whetstone; for always the dullness of the fool is the whetstone of the wits.—How now, wit, whither wander you?

Maybe this isn't Fortune's work either, but Nature's, who sees that our natural wits are too dull to argue about such goddesses, and has sent this idiot to be our sharpening stone; for the fool's dullness is always the whetstone of the clever. — Well now, wit, where are you wandering?

Mistress, you must come away to your father.

My lady, you must come along to your father.

Were you made the messenger?

Were you made the messenger?

No, by mine honour, but I was bid to come for you.

No, on my honour, but I was told to come and fetch you.

Where learned you that oath, fool?

Where did you learn that oath, fool?

Of a certain knight that swore by his honour they were good pancakes, and swore by his honour the mustard was naught. Now, I’ll stand to it, the pancakes were naught and the mustard was good, and yet was not the knight forsworn.

From a certain knight who swore by his honour that the pancakes were good, and swore by his honour that the mustard was worthless. Now I'll maintain that the pancakes were worthless and the mustard was good, and yet the knight wasn't lying under oath.

How prove you that in the great heap of your knowledge?

How do you prove that out of the great pile of your learning?

Ay, marry, now unmuzzle your wisdom.

Yes, indeed, now take the muzzle off your wisdom.

Stand you both forth now: stroke your chins, and swear by your beards that I am a knave.

Both of you step forward now: stroke your chins, and swear by your beards that I'm a scoundrel.

By our beards, if we had them, thou art.

By our beards, if we had any, you are one.

By my knavery, if I had it, then I were. But if you swear by that that is not, you are not forsworn. No more was this knight swearing by his honour, for he never had any; or if he had, he had sworn it away before ever he saw those pancackes or that mustard.

By my scoundrelhood, if I had any, then I would be. But if you swear by something that doesn't exist, you haven't sworn falsely. Neither did this knight when he swore by his honour, because he never had any; or if he had, he had sworn it all away long before he ever saw those pancakes or that mustard.

Prithee, who is’t that thou mean’st?

Please, who is it you mean?

One that old Frederick, your father, loves.

Someone that old Frederick, your father, is fond of.

My father’s love is enough to honour him. Enough! Speak no more of him. You’ll be whipped for taxation one of these days.

My father's love is honour enough for him. Enough! Say no more about him. You'll be whipped for slander one of these days.

The more pity that fools may not speak wisely what wise men do foolishly.

All the more of a shame that fools aren't allowed to speak wisely about what wise men do foolishly.

By my troth, thou sayest true. For since the little wit that fools have was silenced, the little foolery that wise men have makes a great show. Here comes Monsieur Le Beau.

Honestly, you're right. Since the little wit that fools have was silenced, the little foolery that wise men have makes a great display. Here comes Monsieur Le Beau.

With his mouth full of news.

With his mouth full of news.

Which he will put on us as pigeons feed their young.

Which he'll stuff into us the way pigeons feed their young.

Then shall we be news-crammed.

Then we'll be crammed full of news.

All the better; we shall be the more marketable. Bonjour, Monsieur Le Beau. What’s the news?

All the better; we'll be easier to sell. Bonjour, Monsieur Le Beau. What's the news?

Fair princess, you have lost much good sport.

Lovely princess, you've missed some very good entertainment.

Sport! Of what colour?

Entertainment! Of what colour?

What colour, madam? How shall I answer you?

What colour, madam? How am I to answer you?

As wit and fortune will.

However your wit and your luck allow.

Or as the destinies decrees.

Or as the fates decrees.

Well said. That was laid on with a trowel.

Well said. That was laid on thick, like plaster with a trowel.

Nay, if I keep not my rank—

Indeed, if I don't keep up my standing—

Thou losest thy old smell.

You lose your old smell.

You amaze me, ladies. I would have told you of good wrestling, which you have lost the sight of.

You bewilder me, ladies. I was going to tell you about some fine wrestling that you've missed seeing.

Yet tell us the manner of the wrestling.

Still, tell us how the wrestling went.

I will tell you the beginning and, if it please your ladyships, you may see the end, for the best is yet to do; and here, where you are, they are coming to perform it.

I'll tell you the beginning, and if it pleases your ladyships, you can see the end, because the best of it is still to come; and they're coming here, to this very spot where you are, to do it.

Well, the beginning that is dead and buried.

Well then, let's have the beginning, which is dead and buried.

There comes an old man and his three sons—

Along comes an old man with his three sons—

I could match this beginning with an old tale.

I could match that opening with any old fairy tale.

Three proper young men of excellent growth and presence.

Three fine young men, splendidly grown and impressive to look at.

With bills on their necks: “Be it known unto all men by these presents.”

With notices hung round their necks: "Let it be known to all men by these present documents."

The eldest of the three wrestled with Charles, the Duke’s wrestler, which Charles in a moment threw him and broke three of his ribs, that there is little hope of life in him. So he served the second, and so the third. Yonder they lie, the poor old man their father making such pitiful dole over them that all the beholders take his part with weeping.

The eldest of the three wrestled with Charles, the Duke's wrestler, and this Charles threw him in an instant and broke three of his ribs, so that there's little hope he'll live. He did the same to the second, and the same to the third. Over there they lie, with their poor old father making such pitiful lament over them that everyone watching sides with him and weeps.

Alas!

How sad!

But what is the sport, monsieur, that the ladies have lost?

But what is the entertainment, monsieur, that the ladies have missed?

Why, this that I speak of.

Why, this that I'm telling you about.

Thus men may grow wiser every day. It is the first time that ever I heard breaking of ribs was sport for ladies.

So men may grow wiser every day. It's the first time I ever heard that breaking ribs was entertainment for ladies.

Or I, I promise thee.

Nor did I, I assure you.

But is there any else longs to see this broken music in his sides? Is there yet another dotes upon rib-breaking? Shall we see this wrestling, cousin?

But is there anyone else who longs to hear this broken music in his ribs? Is there yet another who's in love with rib-breaking? Shall we go and watch this wrestling, cousin?

You must if you stay here, for here is the place appointed for the wrestling, and they are ready to perform it.

You'll have to if you stay here, because this is the place appointed for the wrestling, and they're ready to begin.

Yonder, sure, they are coming. Let us now stay and see it.

There, surely, they're coming. Let's stay now and watch it.

Come on. Since the youth will not be entreated, his own peril on his forwardness.

Come on. Since the young man won't be talked out of it, let the danger fall on his own rashness.

Is yonder the man?

Is that the man over there?

Even he, madam.

That's him, madam.

Alas, he is too young. Yet he looks successfully.

Oh no, he's too young. Still, he looks like a winner.

How now, daughter and cousin? Are you crept hither to see the wrestling?

Well now, daughter and niece? Have you sneaked over here to watch the wrestling?

Ay, my liege, so please you give us leave.

Yes, my lord, if you'll give us permission.

You will take little delight in it, I can tell you, there is such odds in the man. In pity of the challenger’s youth I would fain dissuade him, but he will not be entreated. Speak to him, ladies; see if you can move him.

You'll get little pleasure from it, I can promise you, the man has such an advantage. Out of pity for the challenger's youth I'd gladly talk him out of it, but he won't be persuaded. Speak to him, ladies; see if you can change his mind.

Call him hither, good Monsieur Le Beau.

Call him over here, good Monsieur Le Beau.

Do so; I’ll not be by.

Do that; I won't stay nearby.

Monsieur the challenger, the Princess calls for you.

Monsieur the challenger, the Princess is asking for you.

I attend them with all respect and duty.

I come to them with all respect and duty.

Young man, have you challenged Charles the wrestler?

Young man, have you challenged Charles the wrestler?

No, fair princess. He is the general challenger. I come but in as others do, to try with him the strength of my youth.

No, lovely princess. He's the one who challenges everyone. I'm only coming forward like the others, to test the strength of my youth against him.

Young gentleman, your spirits are too bold for your years. You have seen cruel proof of this man’s strength. If you saw yourself with your eyes or knew yourself with your judgement, the fear of your adventure would counsel you to a more equal enterprise. We pray you for your own sake to embrace your own safety and give over this attempt.

Young gentleman, your courage is too daring for your age. You've seen brutal evidence of this man's strength. If you could see yourself with your own eyes, or judge yourself with your own reason, the fear of what you're risking would advise you to take on something more evenly matched. We beg you, for your own sake, to look after your own safety and give up this attempt.

Do, young sir. Your reputation shall not therefore be misprized. We will make it our suit to the Duke that the wrestling might not go forward.

Do, young sir. Your reputation won't be undervalued for it. We'll make it our request to the Duke that the wrestling not go ahead.

I beseech you, punish me not with your hard thoughts, wherein I confess me much guilty to deny so fair and excellent ladies anything. 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.

I beg you, don't punish me with a poor opinion of me; I admit I'm very much at fault to refuse such beautiful and excellent ladies anything. But let your lovely eyes and kind wishes come with me into my contest. If I'm beaten in it, only one man is disgraced who was never in favour anyway; if I'm killed, only one man is dead who is willing to be. I'll do my friends no harm, for I have none to mourn me; the world no damage, for I own nothing in it. In the world I only take up a space, which may be better filled once I've emptied it.

The little strength that I have, I would it were with you.

The little strength I have, I wish it were with you.

And mine to eke out hers.

And mine added on to hers.

Fare you well. Pray heaven I be deceived in you.

Goodbye. I pray to heaven I've misjudged you.

Your heart’s desires be with you.

May your heart's wishes go with you.

Come, where is this young gallant that is so desirous to lie with his mother earth?

Come on, where is this young fine gentleman who's so eager to lie down on his mother earth?

Ready, sir; but his will hath in it a more modest working.

Ready, sir; but his ambition is a more modest one than that.

You shall try but one fall.

You'll try only one round.

No, I warrant your grace you shall not entreat him to a second, that have so mightily persuaded him from a first.

No, I guarantee your grace you won't have to talk him into a second, since you worked so hard to talk him out of a first.

You mean to mock me after; you should not have mocked me before. But come your ways.

You plan to mock me afterwards; you shouldn't have mocked me beforehand. But come on.

Now, Hercules be thy speed, young man!

Now, may Hercules help you along, young man!

I would I were invisible, to catch the strong fellow by the leg.

I wish I were invisible, so I could grab the big fellow by the leg.

O excellent young man!

Oh, what an excellent young man!

If I had a thunderbolt in mine eye, I can tell who should down.

If I had a thunderbolt in my eye, I know who would go down.

No more, no more.

Stop, stop.

Yes, I beseech your grace. I am not yet well breathed.

Please, your grace, let us go on. I'm not even warmed up yet.

How dost thou, Charles?

How are you, Charles?

He cannot speak, my lord.

He can't speak, my lord.

Bear him away.

Carry him away.

What is thy name, young man?

What is your name, young man?

Orlando, my liege, the youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys.

Orlando, my lord, the youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys.

I would thou hadst been son to some man else. The world esteemed thy father honourable, But I did find him still mine enemy. Thou shouldst have better pleased me with this deed Hadst thou descended from another house. But fare thee well, thou art a gallant youth. I would thou hadst told me of another father.

I wish you had been some other man's son. The world considered your father honourable, but I always found him my enemy. You would have pleased me more with this feat if you had come from another family. But goodbye, you're a fine young man. I wish you had named a different father to me.

Were I my father, coz, would I do this?

If I were my father, cousin, would I behave like this?

I am more proud to be Sir Rowland’s son, His youngest son, and would not change that calling To be adopted heir to Frederick.

I'm all the prouder to be Sir Rowland's son, his youngest son, and I wouldn't trade that title to be made Frederick's adopted heir.

My father loved Sir Rowland as his soul, And all the world was of my father’s mind. Had I before known this young man his son, I should have given him tears unto entreaties Ere he should thus have ventured.

My father loved Sir Rowland as much as his own soul, and everyone in the world felt the same as my father. If I had known beforehand that this young man was his son, I would have added tears to my pleading before he took such a risk.

Gentle cousin, Let us go thank him and encourage him. My father’s rough and envious disposition Sticks me at heart.—Sir, you have well deserved. If you do keep your promises in love But justly, as you have exceeded promise, Your mistress shall be happy.

Kind cousin, let's go and thank him and give him encouragement. My father's harsh and spiteful nature cuts me to the heart.—Sir, you have thoroughly deserved praise. If you keep your promises in love even half as well as you've gone beyond what was expected here, the woman you love will be happy.

Gentleman,

Gentleman,

Wear this for me—one out of suits with Fortune, That could give more but that her hand lacks means.— Shall we go, coz?

Wear this for my sake—the gift of someone who is out of favour with Fortune, and who would give more except that her hand has no means to.—Shall we go, cousin?

Ay.—Fare you well, fair gentleman.

Yes.—Goodbye, handsome gentleman.

Can I not say, I thank you? My better parts Are all thrown down, and that which here stands up Is but a quintain, a mere lifeless block.

Can't I even say thank you? My better faculties are all knocked down, and what's left standing here is only a tilting post, an absolutely lifeless lump of wood.

He calls us back. My pride fell with my fortunes. I’ll ask him what he would.—Did you call, sir?— Sir, you have wrestled well and overthrown More than your enemies.

He's calling us back. My pride went down along with my fortunes. I'll ask him what he wants.—Did you call, sir?—Sir, you have wrestled well and thrown down more than just your enemies.

Will you go, coz?

Are you coming, cousin?

Have with you.—Fare you well.

I'm with you.—Goodbye.

What passion hangs these weights upon my tongue? I cannot speak to her, yet she urged conference. O poor Orlando, thou art overthrown. Or Charles or something weaker masters thee.

What feeling is hanging these weights on my tongue? I can't speak to her, though she invited conversation. Oh, poor Orlando, you're thrown down. Either Charles or something weaker has beaten you.

Good sir, I do in friendship counsel you To leave this place. Albeit you have deserved High commendation, true applause, and love, Yet such is now the Duke’s condition That he misconsters all that you have done. The Duke is humorous; what he is indeed More suits you to conceive than I to speak of.

Good sir, as a friend I advise you to leave this place. Although you've earned high praise, genuine applause and affection, the Duke's frame of mind now is such that he twists the meaning of everything you've done. The Duke is unpredictable—what he truly is, it suits you better to understand than me to say out loud.

I thank you, sir; and pray you tell me this: Which of the two was daughter of the Duke That here was at the wrestling?

Thank you, sir; and please tell me this: which of the two women who were here at the wrestling was the Duke's daughter?

Neither his daughter, if we judge by manners, But yet indeed the smaller is his daughter. The other is daughter to the banished Duke, And here detained by her usurping uncle To keep his daughter company, whose loves Are dearer than the natural bond of sisters. But I can tell you that of late this Duke Hath ta’en displeasure ’gainst his gentle niece, Grounded upon no other argument But that the people praise her for her virtues And pity her for her good father’s sake; And, on my life, his malice ’gainst the lady Will suddenly break forth. Sir, fare you well. Hereafter, in a better world than this, I shall desire more love and knowledge of you.

Neither of them is his daughter, if we judge by their behaviour, but in fact the shorter one is his daughter. The other is the daughter of the banished Duke, and is kept here by her uncle who seized the throne, to keep his daughter company; their love for each other is closer than the natural tie between sisters. But I can tell you that recently this Duke has become displeased with his gentle niece, based on no other reason than that the people praise her for her virtues and pity her for the sake of her good father; and, on my life, his spite against the lady will break out at any moment. Sir, goodbye. Later on, in better times than these, I'll hope for more friendship with you and to know you better.

I rest much bounden to you; fare you well!

I'm deeply indebted to you; goodbye!

Thus must I from the smoke into the smother, From tyrant Duke unto a tyrant brother. But heavenly Rosalind!

So I have to go from the smoke into the smothering fire, from a tyrant Duke to a tyrant brother. But, heavenly Rosalind!