Peer Reviewed
- Edition: As You Like It
Galathea (Modern)
- Introduction
- Texts of this edition
- Contextual materials
- Facsimiles
Now, Cupid, under the shape of a silly girl show the power of 274a mighty god. Let Diana and all her coy nymphs know that there is no heart so 275chaste but thy bow can wound, nor eyes so modest but thy brands can kindle, nor thoughts 276so staid but thy shafts can make wavering, weak, and wanton. Cupid, though he be a child, 277is no baby. I will make their pains my pastimes, and so confound their loves in their 278own sex that they shall dote in their desires, delight in their affections, and practice only impossibilities. 279Whilst I truant from my mother, I will use some tyranny in these woods, and so shall 280their exercise in foolish love be my excuse for running away. I will see whether fair faces 281be always chaste, or Diana's virgins only modest; else will I spend both my shafts and shifts; 282and then, ladies, if you see these dainty dames entrapped in love, say softly to yourselves, we may all love.
Exit.
Do silly shepherds go about to deceive great Neptune in putting on man's 284attire upon women, and Cupid, to make sport, deceive them all by using a woman's apparel upon 285a god? Then, Neptune, that hast taken sundry shapes to obtain love, stick not to practice some 286deceit to show thy deity, and, having often thrust thyself into the shape of beasts to deceive 287men, be not coy to use the shape of a shepherd to show thyself a god. Neptune 288cannot be overreached by swains. Himself is subtle, and, if Diana be overtaken by craft, Cupid is 289wise. I will into these woods and mark all, and in the end will mar all.
Exit.