This page has been validated.
84
As You Like It, IV. iii

Enter Oliver.

Oli. Good morrow, fair ones. Pray you if you know, 77
Where in the purlieus of this forest stands
A sheepcote fenc'd about with olive-trees.

Cel. West of this place, down in the neighbour bottom: 80
The rank of osiers by the murmuring stream
Left on your right hand brings you to the place.
But at this hour the house doth keep itself;
There's none within. 84

Oli. If that an eye may profit by a tongue,
Then should I know you by description;
Such garments, and such years: 'The boy is fair,
Of female favour, and bestows himself 88
Like a ripe sister: the woman low,
And browner than her brother.' Are not you
The owner of the house I did inquire for?

Cel. It is no boast, being ask'd, to say, we are. 92

Oli. Orlando doth commend him to you both,
And to that youth he calls his Rosalind
He sends this bloody napkin. Are you he?

Ros. I am: what must we understand by this? 96

Oli. Some of my shame; if you will know of me
What man I am, and how, and why, and where
This handkercher was stain'd.

Cel.I pray you, tell it.

Oli. When last the young Orlando parted from you 100
He left a promise to return again

77 Pray: I pray
78 purlieus: tracts of land on the border of a forest
80 neighbour bottom: neighboring valley
81 rank of osiers: row of willow trees
88 favour: features
bestows himself: carries himself
89 ripe: grown up
low: i.e., in stature
95 napkin: handkerchief