Page 2002 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

And how oft did you say his beard was not well cut?

TOUCHSTONE
I durst go no further than the Lie Circumstantial, nor he durst not give me the
Lie Direct. And so we measured swords and parted. [85]

JAQUES
Can you nominate in order now the degrees of the lie?

TOUCHSTONE
O sir, we quarrel in print, by the book; as you have books for good manners. I
will name you the degrees. The first, the Retort Courteous; the second, the

[90] Quip Modest; the third, the Reply Churlish; the fourth, the Reproof
Valiant; the fifth, the Countercheck Quarrelsome; the sixth, the Lie with
Circumstance; the seventh, the Lie Direct. All these you may avoid but the Lie

Direct; and you may avoid that too, with an If. I [95] knew when seven
justices could not take up a quarrel, but when the parties were met
themselves, one of them thought but of an If, as, ‘If you said so, then I said
so’. And they shook hands and swore brothers. Your If is the only
peacemaker: much virtue in If. [100]

JAQUES
Is not this a rare fellow my Lord? He’s as good at anything, and yet a fool.

DUKE SENIOR
He uses his folly like a stalking-horse, and under the presentation of that he
shoots his wit.

Enter Hymen, Rosalind and Celia. Still music.

HYMEN
Then is there mirth in heaven, [105]
When earthly things made even

Atone together.
Good Duke receive thy daughter,
Hymen from heaven brought her,

Yea brought her hither, [110]