Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: As You Like It (Modern)
  • Editor: David Bevington
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-369-4

    Copyright David Bevington. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: David Bevington
    Peer Reviewed

    As You Like It (Modern)

    680Enter Duke [Frederick], with Lords.
    Duke Frederick
    Can it be possible that no man saw them?
    It cannot be. Some villains of my court
    Are of consent and sufferance in this.
    First Lord
    I cannot hear of any that did see her.
    685The ladies, her attendants of her chamber,
    Saw her abed, and in the morning early
    They found the bed untreasured of their mistress.
    Second Lord
    My lord, the roinish clown, at whom so oft
    Your Grace was wont to laugh, is also missing.
    690Hisperia, the princess' gentlewoman,
    Confesses that she secretly o'erheard
    Your daughter and her cousin much commend
    The parts and graces of the wrestler
    That did but lately foil the sinewy Charles,
    695And she believes, wherever they are gone,
    That youth is surely in their company.
    Duke Frederick
    Send to his brother; fetch that gallant hither.
    If he be absent, bring his brother to me;
    I'll make him find him. Do this suddenly,
    700And let not search and inquisition quail
    To bring again these foolish runaways.
    Exeunt.