As you like it. has said upon his honour, occafions an egregious but laughable quibble of terms. When Le Beu enters, he acquaints the ladies that they have loft much sport; upon enquiry into the nature of the amusement they have missed, it appears to be a wrestling match, wherein three young fellows have had many bones broke, are in danger of their lives, while their aged father is distracted with grief at their misfortune, which, as the clown sensibly observes, must be notable sport for ladies. Duke Frederic, with Orlando, Charles, &c. enter, the duke humanely pitying Orlando's inequality of person for an athletic contention, has endeavoured to diffuade him from the trial, but in vain; wherefore Frederic defires the young ladies to try their perfuafion; this kind task they readily undertake, and delicately enter upon the subject; however, the young man appears to be under a gloominess of mind, which makes life or death a matter of indifference to him; the ladies seeing him so hazardoufly bent afford him all they can, good wishes for fuccefs. The wrestler vaunts his superiority with great apparent confidence, while Orlando shews engaging contrast modesty; this contention, though an odd incident for the stage, occasions an agreeable anxiety, and the effect of it, Orlando's victory, very pleasfing sensations; making Rosalind and her coufin extend favour to the weaker party, is a juft, and genteel compliment to female generosity. Upon As you Like it. Upon enquiry who Orlando is, and finding him the son of Sir Rowland de Boys, Duke Frederic feems to entertain strong prejudice against his father, and goes off abruptly. Rosalind here mentions the affectionate regard her father had for Sir Rowland, which prejudices her in favour of Orlando, to whom she and her coufin offer congratulation for his escape and unexpected success; upon their going off he drops a hint in two lines of a particular effect Rofalind has had on him. Here Le Beu enters, and acquaints Orlando, that whatever fair appearance Duke Frederic might wear, his temper is of a dangerous, uncertain nature, and cannot fafely be trusted, therefore advices his departure, Orlando's enquiry which was the duke's daughter, is answered by information, that Rosalind, the taller, is daughter of the banished, and Celia of the reigning duke; who, by Le Beu's intimation, entertains a dislike of his niece, which is foon likely to appear; Orlando thanks his friendly adviser, and they go off severally. Celia and Rofalind re-enter, from what occurs between them we perceive, that Rosalind has fuddenly conceived more than a friendly regard for Orlando. The duke now makes his appearance in great wrath, though from what immediate provocation we know not, and dooms his niece to sudden banishment; Rosalind modestly pleads her innocence, and Celia urges her friendship as motives for remiffion of fo harsh a fentence, but the duke feems immoveable in his whimfical severity, and even limits the extent of Rofalind's I As you Like it Rosalind's stay. Celia's determination to share the exile of her cousin and friend, manifests most amiable and tender generosity of mind; they determine to feek Duke Senior in the foreft of Arden, agree to difguise themselves, Rosalind as a man, Celia as a shepherdess, and go off with a composure of mind truly philofophical. The fecond act commences with the old duke and his faithful followers, as forresters; we have more than once objected to frequency and length of quotation, notwithstanding confiderable pains might have been saved thereby; however, we are now come to a speech so replete with moral meaning and poetical beauty, that we cannot avoid presenting it as a treat to the reader. Now my co-mates, and brothers in exile, Hath not old custom made this life more sweet Jaques's As you Like it. Jaques's account of the sequestered stag, which follows this excellent speech, the fatire therein couched against that most abominable perversion of nature, ingratitude, is pathetically pleasing, but we are resolved to resist the temptation of tranfcribing it, and therefore refer those to the play who with a perusal of it, assuring every competent judge, that taste cannot have a higher, or more valuable gratification. When these rural philosophers, as we may call them, retire, Duke Frederic, and fome attendant lords appear; the duke intent upon finding out his eloped daughter; as we remember, this short scene is omitted in representation, and in perusal feems of very little importance, unless we receive it in the light of mere connection, nor can it be then very material; however, search is ordered for the runaways, and as Orlando is supposed of the party, his elder brother is called upon. The scene changing to Oliver's house, Orlando appears knocking at the door, and is answered by Adam; a most feeling conversation ensues, wherein Adam speaks powerfully to every generous sensati on; his offering the small sum his economy has faved, to Orlando's use, is truly affecting; his reliance on that general providence which caters for beasts of the field, and birds of the air, is worthy a pious, sensible heart; and the distinction he makes between temperate and licentious youth admirably instructive. Orlando's grateful sense of this good and affectionate old steward's behaviour, is by no VOL. I. 00 means As you Like it. means inadequate, and their going off stamps a regard which must render them both acceptable to the audience whenever they appear. Rofalind, in her masculine habit, with Celia and the Clown now present themselves, much wearied with their journey; however, the Clown indulges. his quaint witticisms. Corin, an old shepherd, and Sylvius, a young one, come forward, the latter mentioning his love for Phœbe, the former advising him to a moderation of his passion; Rosalind sympathizes with Sylvius; they ask Corin for his assistance in respect of some refreshment, and receive an hospitable answer; upon his telling them that the farm and flocks he belongs to are to be fold, Rofalind and Celia express a defire of becoming purchafers, and constitute the old shepherd their agent for that purpose. A very infignificant scene between Jacques, Amiens, &c. ensues, indeed, there is a fong which, by the help of Dr. ARNE's very agreeable music, renders it tolerable. We next perceive Orlando sustaining Adam, who faints for want of food, with very tender care; and promifing to procure something, he defires the good old man to rest under some shelter till he comes back. Duke Senior and his lords appear next, to whom Jaques comes with mirthful aspect, occafioned, as he fays, by a conference he has had with a motley fool, of which he gives a beautiful and instructive account; upon their fitting down to a rural entertainment, |