The Online Library of Liberty

A project of Liberty Fund, Inc.

• As You Like It: Dramatis PersonÆ.
• Act I.
• Scene I.—: An Orchard Nearoliver’shouse. Enterorlandoandadam.
• Scene II.—: A Lawn Before Theduke’spalace.
• Scene III.—: A Room In the Palace.
• Act II.
• Scene I.—: The Forest of Arden.
• Scene II.—: A Room In the Palace.
• Scene III.—: Beforeoliver’shouse.
• Scene IV.—: The Forest of Arden.
• Scene V.—: Another Part of the Forest.
• Scene VI.—: Another Part of the Forest.
• Scene VII.—: Another Part of the Forest.
• Act III.
• Scene I.—: A Room In the Palace.
• Scene II.—: The Forest of Arden.
• Scene III.—: Another Part of the Forest.
• Scene IV.—: Another Part of the Forest.
• Scene V.—: Another Part of the Forest.
• Act IV.
• Scene I.—: The Forest of Arden.
• Scene II.—: Another Part of the Forest.
• Scene III.—: Another Part of the Forest.
• Act V.
• Scene I.—: The Forest of Arden.
• Scene II.—: Another Part of the Forest.
• Scene III.—: Another Part of the Forest.
• Scene IV.—: Another Part of the Forest.
• Epilogue.

EPILOGUE.

Spoken by Rosalind.

It is not the fashion to see the lady the epilogue; but it is no more unhandsome than to see the lord the prologue. If it be true that good wine needs no bush, ’tis true that a good play needs no epilogue; yet to good wine they do use good bushes, and good plays prove the better by the help of good epilogues. What a case am I in then, that am neither a good epilogue, nor cannot insinuate with you in the behalf of a good play! I am not furnished like a beggar, therefore to beg will not become me: my way is, to conjure you; and I’ll begin with the women. I charge you, O women! for the love you bear to men, to like as much of this play as please you: and I charge you, O men! for the love you bear to women,—as I perceive by your simpering none of you hate them,—that between you and the women, the play may please. If I were a woman I would kiss as many of you as had beards that pleased me, complexions that liked me, and breaths that I defied not; and, I am sure, as many as have good beards, or good faces, or sweet breaths, will, for my kind offer, when I make curtsy, bid me farewell.

[Exeunt.