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As You Like ItModern English

As You Like It, Act 3, Scene 1

A Room in the Palace

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Which text to show for Act 3, Scene 1

Original

Modern English

  1. Enter Duke Frederick, Lords and Oliver.

    Duke Frederick, Lords and Oliver come in.

  2. Duke Frederick1

    Not see him since? Sir, sir, that cannot be. But were I not the better part made mercy, I should not seek an absent argument Of my revenge, thou present. But look to it: Find out thy brother wheresoe’er he is. Seek him with candle. Bring him dead or living Within this twelvemonth, or turn thou no more To seek a living in our territory. Thy lands, and all things that thou dost call thine Worth seizure, do we seize into our hands, Till thou canst quit thee by thy brother’s mouth Of what we think against thee.

    You haven't seen him since? Sir, sir, that can't be true. If I weren't mostly made of mercy, I wouldn't go looking for an absent target for my revenge when you're standing right here. But see to it: find your brother wherever he is. Search for him with a candle. Bring him, dead or alive, within the next twelve months, or don't come back to make a living in my territory. Your lands, and everything you call yours that's worth confiscating, I confiscate into my own hands, until you can clear yourself, through your brother's own words, of what I suspect about you.

  3. Oliver13

    O that your highness knew my heart in this: I never loved my brother in my life.

    I wish your highness knew my true feelings in this matter: I never loved my brother in all my life.

  4. Duke Frederick15

    More villain thou. Well, push him out of doors, And let my officers of such a nature Make an extent upon his house and lands. Do this expediently, and turn him going.

    That makes you more of a villain. Right—throw him out of the doors, and let my officers whose job this is put a legal valuation and seizure on his house and lands. Do this immediately, and send him on his way.

  5. Exeunt.

    They all leave.

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