As You Like It: Act 2, Scene 2 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 2, Scene 2 of As You Like It from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text	Translated Text
Source: Folger Shakespeare Library
Enter Duke Frederick with Lords. DUKE FREDERICK Can it be possible that no man saw them? It cannot be. Some villains of my court Are of consent and sufferance in this. FIRST LORD I cannot hear of any that did see her. The ladies her attendants of her chamber 5 Saw her abed, and in the morning early They found the bed untreasured of their mistress. SECOND LORD My lord, the roinish clown at whom so oft Your Grace was wont to laugh is also missing. Hisperia, the Princess’ gentlewoman, 10 Confesses that she secretly o’erheard Your daughter and her cousin much commend The parts and graces of the wrestler That did but lately foil the sinewy Charles, And she believes wherever they are gone 15 That youth is surely in their company. DUKE FREDERICK Send to his brother. Fetch that gallant hither. If he be absent, bring his brother to me. I’ll make him find him. Do this suddenly, And let not search and inquisition quail 20 To bring again these foolish runaways. They exit.	Back at the court, Duke Frederick is flipping out because no one is confessing about seeing Rosalind and Celia run away together. Frederick concludes that some court members were in on the girls' escape, and is informed that Touchstone the fool is also missing. One of Celia's maids speculates that Orlando probably went off with the girls as well, since they were so impressed with his wrestling skills. Duke Frederick demands that Orlando be brought to him and, if Orlando is nowhere to be found, then his brother Oliver should be brought in to find the young man.

Original Text

Translated Text

Enter Duke Frederick with Lords.

DUKE FREDERICK
Can it be possible that no man saw them?
It cannot be. Some villains of my court
Are of consent and sufferance in this.

FIRST LORD
I cannot hear of any that did see her.
The ladies her attendants of her chamber 5
Saw her abed, and in the morning early
They found the bed untreasured of their mistress.

SECOND LORD
My lord, the roinish clown at whom so oft
Your Grace was wont to laugh is also missing.
Hisperia, the Princess’ gentlewoman, 10
Confesses that she secretly o’erheard
Your daughter and her cousin much commend
The parts and graces of the wrestler
That did but lately foil the sinewy Charles,
And she believes wherever they are gone 15
That youth is surely in their company.

DUKE FREDERICK
Send to his brother. Fetch that gallant hither.
If he be absent, bring his brother to me.
I’ll make him find him. Do this suddenly,
And let not search and inquisition quail 20
To bring again these foolish runaways.

They exit.

Back at the court, Duke Frederick is flipping out because no one is confessing about seeing Rosalind and Celia run away together.

Frederick concludes that some court members were in on the girls' escape, and is informed that Touchstone the fool is also missing.

One of Celia's maids speculates that Orlando probably went off with the girls as well, since they were so impressed with his wrestling skills.

Duke Frederick demands that Orlando be brought to him and, if Orlando is nowhere to be found, then his brother Oliver should be brought in to find the young man.

As You Like It: Act 2, Scene 2 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 2, Scene 2 of As You Like It from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text

Translated Text

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