Page 1906 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

LE BEAU

Monsieur the challenger, the Princess calls for you.

ORLANDO
I attend them with all respect and duty.

ROSALIND
Young man, have you challenged Charles the wrestler? [155]

ORLANDO
No fair Princess: he is the general challenger. I come but in as others do, to
try with him the strength of my youth.

CELIA

Young gentleman, your spirits are too bold for your years. You have seen
cruel proof of this man’s strength; [160] 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. [165]

ROSALIND

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.

ORLANDO
I beseech you, punish me not with your hard thoughts, wherein I confess me
much guilty to deny so [170] 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 [175] 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.

ROSALIND

The little strength that I have, I would it were with you. [180]

CELIA