Page 1981 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2
P. 1981
She has a hussif’s hand. But that’s no matter.
I say she never did invent this letter.
This is a man’s invention, and his hand.
SILVIUS
Sure it is hers. [30]
ROSALIND
Why, ’tis a boisterous and a cruel style,
A style for challengers. Why, she defies me,
Like Turk to Christian. Women’s gentle brain
Could not drop forth such giant-rude invention,
Such Ethiop words, blacker in their effect [35]
Than in their countenance. Will you hear the letter?
SILVIUS
So please you, for I never heard it yet;
Yet heard too much of Phebe’s cruelty.
ROSALIND
(reads)
She Phebes me. Mark how the tyrant writes.
Art thou god to shepherd turn’d, [40]
That a maiden’s heart hath burn’d?
Can a woman rail thus?
SILVIUS
Call you this railing?
ROSALIND
(reads)
Why, thy godhead laid apart,
Warr’st thou with a woman’s heart? [45]
Did you ever hear such railing?
Whiles the eye of man did woo me,
That could do no vengeance to me.
Meaning me a beast.
