Page 1897 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

CHARLES

There’s no news at the court sir, but the old news. That is, the old Duke is
banished by his younger brother the new Duke, and three or four loving lords
have put themselves into voluntary exile with him, [95] whose lands and

revenues enrich the new Duke, therefore he gives them good leave to
wander.

OLIVER
Can you tell if Rosalind the Duke’s daughter be banished with her father?

CHARLES
O no; for the Duke’s daughter her cousin so [100] loves her, being ever from
their cradles bred together, that she would have followed her exile, or have
died to stay behind her. She is at the court, and no less beloved of her uncle

than his own daughter, and never two ladies loved as they do. [105]

OLIVER
Where will the old Duke live?

CHARLES
They say he is already in the Forest of Arden, and a many merry men with
him; and there they live like the old Robin Hood of England. They say many

young gentlemen flock to him every day, and fleet the time [110] carelessly
as they did in the golden world.

OLIVER
What, you wrestle tomorrow before the new Duke?

CHARLES
Marry do I sir. And I came to acquaint you with a matter. I am given, sir,
secretly to understand that your [115] younger brother Orlando hath a
disposition to come in disguised against me to try a fall. Tomorrow, sir, I

wrestle for my credit, and he that escapes me without some broken limb shall
acquit him well. Your brother is but young and tender, and for your love I
would be loath [120] to foil him, as I must for my own honour if he come in.

Therefore out of my love to you, I came hither to acquaint you withal, that
either you might stay him from his intendment, or brook such disgrace well as