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As You Like ItModern English

As You Like It, Act 2, Scene 2

A Room in the Palace

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Which text to show for Act 2, Scene 2

Original

Modern English

  1. Enter Duke Frederick with Lords.

    Duke Frederick comes in with Lords.

  2. Duke Frederick1

    Can it be possible that no man saw them? It cannot be! Some villains of my court Are of consent and sufferance in this.

    Can it really be that nobody saw them? It's impossible! Some villains of my court have agreed to this and allowed it.

  3. First Lord4

    I cannot hear of any that did see her. The ladies, her attendants of her chamber, Saw her abed, and in the morning early They found the bed untreasured of their mistress.

    I can't find anyone who saw her. The ladies who attend her bedchamber saw her go to bed, and early in the morning they found the bed robbed of its treasure, their mistress.

  4. Second Lord8

    My lord, the roynish clown, at whom so oft Your grace was wont to laugh, is also missing. Hesperia, the princess’ gentlewoman, Confesses that she secretly o’erheard Your daughter and her cousin much commend The parts and graces of the wrestler That did but lately foil the sinewy Charles; And she believes wherever they are gone That youth is surely in their company.

    My lord, the scabby fool your grace used to laugh at so often is missing too. Hesperia, the princess's waiting-woman, admits that she secretly overheard your daughter and her cousin praising highly the qualities and graces of the wrestler who recently threw the muscular Charles; and she believes that wherever they have gone, that young man is certainly with them.

  5. Duke Frederick17

    Send to his brother; fetch that gallant hither. If he be absent, bring his brother to me. I’ll make him find him. Do this suddenly! And let not search and inquisition quail To bring again these foolish runaways.

    Send to his brother; bring that fine fellow here. If he's not there, bring his brother to me. I'll make him find him. Do this at once! And don't let the search and questioning slacken until these foolish runaways are brought back.

  6. Exeunt.

    They all leave.

Original text: Project Gutenberg edition #1523 (public domain, edited by the PG Shakespeare Team). Modern English rendering by Storgy.