Page:As You Like It (1919) Yale.djvu/24

12 Le Beau. Three proper young men, of excel-

lent growth and presence;—

Ros. With bills on their necks, 'Be it known

unto all men by these presents.'

Le Beau. The eldest of the three wrestled

with Charles, the duke's wrestler; which Charles

in a moment threw him and broke three of his

ribs, that there is little hope of life in him: so

he served the second, and so the third. Yonder

they lie; the poor old man, their father, making

such pitiful dole over them that all the beholders

take his part with weeping.

Ros. Alas!

Touch. But what is the sport, monsieur, that

the ladies have lost?

Le Beau. Why, this that I speak of.

Touch. Thus men may grow wiser every day:

it is the first time that ever I heard breaking of

ribs was sport for ladies.

Cel. Or I, I promise thee.

Ros. But is there any else longs to see this

broken music in his sides? is there yet another

dotes upon rib-breaking? Shall we see this

wrestling, cousin?

Le Beau. You must, if you stay here; for

here is the place appointed for the wrestling,

and they are ready to perform it.

Cel. Yonder, sure, they are coming: let us

now stay and see it.

 130 proper: good-looking

131 presence: demeanor, carriage

132 bills: labels

'Be presents': a legal phrase; cf. n.

135 which: the which

137 that: so that

140 dole: grief, lamentation

150 any: anyone

151 broken music; cf. n. 