Open Source Shakespeare

As You Like It

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Act IV, Scene 2

The forest

       

Enter JAQUES and LORDS, in the habit of foresters

  • Jaques (lord). Which is he that killed the deer?
  • Lord. Sir, it was I.
  • Jaques (lord). Let's present him to the Duke, like a Roman conqueror; and
    it would do well to set the deer's horns upon his head for a
    branch of victory. Have you no song, forester, for this purpose? 1985
  • Lord. Yes, sir.
  • Jaques (lord). Sing it; 'tis no matter how it be in tune, so it make noise
    enough.
    SONG.
    What shall he have that kill'd the deer? 1990
    His leather skin and horns to wear.
    [The rest shall hear this burden:]
    Then sing him home.
    Take thou no scorn to wear the horn;
    It was a crest ere thou wast born. 1995
    Thy father's father wore it;
    And thy father bore it.
    The horn, the horn, the lusty horn,
    Is not a thing to laugh to scorn. Exeunt