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As You Like ItModern English

As You Like It, Act 2, Scene 6

Another part of the Forest

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Which text to show for Act 2, Scene 6

Original

Modern English

  1. Enter Orlando and Adam.

    Orlando and Adam come in.

  2. Adam1

    Dear master, I can go no further. O, I die for food! Here lie I down and measure out my grave. Farewell, kind master.

    Dear master, I can't go any further. Oh, I'm dying for lack of food! Here I lie down and mark out the length of my grave. Goodbye, kind master.

  3. Orlando3

    Why, how now, Adam? No greater heart in thee? Live a little, comfort a little, cheer thyself a little. If this uncouth forest yield anything savage, I will either be food for it or bring it for food to thee. Thy conceit is nearer death than thy powers. For my sake, be comfortable. Hold death awhile at the arm’s end. I will here be with thee presently, and if I bring thee not something to eat, I’ll give thee leave to die. But if thou diest before I come, thou art a mocker of my labour. Well said, thou look’st cheerly, and I’ll be with thee quickly. Yet thou liest in the bleak air. Come, I will bear thee to some shelter and thou shalt not die for lack of a dinner if there live anything in this desert. Cheerly, good Adam!

    What's this, Adam? No more courage in you than that? Live a little, take a little comfort, cheer yourself up a little. If this wild forest produces any wild animal, I'll either be food for it or bring it to you as food. Your idea of dying is closer to death than your actual strength is. For my sake, take heart. Keep death off at arm's length for a while. I'll be back here with you at once, and if I don't bring you something to eat, I'll give you permission to die. But if you die before I come back, you're making a joke of my effort. Well done, you look cheerful, and I'll be with you soon. But you're lying out in the cold air. Come, I'll carry you to some shelter, and you won't die for want of a dinner if there's anything alive in this wilderness. Cheer up, good Adam!

  4. Exeunt.

    They leave.

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