What woman in the city do I name,
When that I say the city-woman bears
The cost of princes on unworthy shoulders? 76
Who can come in and say that I mean her,
When such a one as she such is her neighbour?
Or what is he of basest function,
That says his bravery is not on my cost,— 80
Thinking that I mean him,—but therein suits
His folly to the mettle of my speech?
There then; how then? what then? Let me see wherein
My tongue hath wrong'd him: if it do him right, 84
Then he hath wrong'd himself; if he be free,
Why then, my taxing like a wild goose flies,
Unclaim'd of any man. But who comes here?
Enter Orlando [with his sword drawn].
Orl. Forbear, and eat no more.
Jaq.Why, I have eat none yet. 88
Orl. Nor shalt not, till necessity be serv'd.
Jaq. Of what kind should this cock come of?
Duke S. Art thou thus bolden'd, man, by thy distress,
Or else a rude despiser of good manners, 92
That in civility thou seem'st so empty?
Orl. You touch'd my vein at first: the thorny point
Of bare distress hath ta'en from me the show
Of smooth civility; yet I am inland bred 96
And know some nurture. But forbear, I say:
He dies that touches any of this fruit
Till I and my affairs are answered.
79 function: office, or employment
79-82 Cf. n.
81 suits: fits
82 mettle: substance
85 free: i.e., from guilt or blame
91 bolden'd: emboldened
94 vein: disposition
96 inland; cf. n.
97 nurture: gentle upbringing
