Page:As You Like It (1919) Yale.djvu/15

As You Like It, I. i

know me. The courtesy of nations allows you

my better, in that you are the first-born; but

the same tradition takes not away my blood,

were there twenty brothers betwixt us. I have

as much of my father in me as you; albeit, I

confess, your coming before me is nearer to his

reverence.

Oli. What, boy!

Orl. Come, come, elder brother, you are too

young in this.

Oli. Wilt thou lay hands on me, villain?

Orl. I am no villain; I am the youngest son

of Sir Rowland de Boys; he was my father, and

he is thrice a villain that says such a father

begot villains. Wert thou not my brother, I

would not take this hand from thy throat till

this other had pulled out thy tongue for saying

so: thou hast railed on thyself.

Adam. [Coming forward.] Sweet masters, be

patient: for your father's remembrance, be at

accord.

Oli. Let me go, I say.

Orl. I will not, till I please: you shall hear

me. My father charged you in his will to give

me good education: you have trained me like

a peasant, obscuring and hiding from me all

gentleman-like qualities. The spirit of my father

grows strong in me, and I will no longer endure

it; therefore allow me such exercises as may be-

come a gentleman, or give me the poor allottery

 49 courtesy of nations: usage of civilised nations

55 reverence; cf. n.

58 young: inexperienced, i.e., in manly prowess

60 villain: serf, servant. (In 59 the word has its modern meaning)

78 allottery: share, portion 