Page 1946 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

Will I Rosalind write,
Teaching all that read to know [135]
The quintessence of every sprite
Heaven would in little show.

Therefore Heaven Nature charg’d
That one body should be fill’d
With all graces wide-enlarg’d. [140]
Nature presently distill’d

Helen’s cheek, but not her heart,
Cleopatra’s majesty,
Atalanta’s better part,
Sad Lucretia’s modesty. [145]

Thus Rosalind of many parts
By heavenly synod was devis’d,
Of many faces, eyes, and hearts,
To have the touches dearest priz’d.

Heaven would that she these gifts should have, [150]
And I to live and die her slave.

ROSALIND
O most gentle Jupiter, what tedious homily of love have you wearied your
parishioners withal, and never cried, ‘Have patience good people!’

CELIA
How now? Back-friends! Shepherd, go off a little. [155] Go with him sirrah.

TOUCHSTONE
Come shepherd, let us make an honourable retreat, though not with bag and

baggage, yet with scrip and scrippage.
Exit (with Corin).

CELIA
Didst thou hear these verses? [160]

ROSALIND
O yes, I heard them all, and more too, for some of them had in them more

feet than the verses would bear.