quotes, notes, timelines & more

Home » Quotes » As You Like It » And how like you this shepherd’s life, Master Touchstone?

And how like you this shepherd’s life, Master Touchstone?

Corin
And how like you this shepherd’s life, Master Touchstone?
Touchstone
Truly, shepherd, in respect of itself, it is a
good life; but in respect that it is a shepherd’s life, it
is naught. In respect that it is solitary, I like it very
well; but in respect that it is private, it is a very vile
life. Now in respect it is in the fields, it pleaseth me
well; but in respect it is not in the court, it is
tedious. As it is a spare life, look you, it fits my
humor well; but as there is no more plenty in it, it
goes much against my stomach. Hast any philosophy
in thee, shepherd?

Such a one is a natural philosopher.

Corin
No more but that I know the more one sickens,
the worse at ease he is, and that he that wants
money, means, and content is without three good
friends; that the property of rain is to wet, and fire
to burn; that good pasture makes fat sheep; and that
a great cause of the night is lack of the sun; that he
that hath learned no wit by nature nor art may
complain of good breeding or comes of a very
dull kindred.
Touchstone
Such a one is a natural philosopher. Wast
ever in court, shepherd?
Corin
No, truly.
Touchstone
Then thou art damned.
Corin
Nay, I hope.
Touchstone
Truly, thou art damned, like an ill-roasted
egg, all on one side.
Corin
For not being at court? Your reason.
Touchstone
Why, if thou never wast at court, thou
never saw’st good manners; if thou never saw’st
good manners, then thy manners must be wicked,
and wickedness is sin, and sin is damnation. Thou
art in a parlous state, shepherd.
Corin
Not a whit, Touchstone. Those that are good
manners at the court are as ridiculous in the
country as the behavior of the country is most
mockable at the court.

Source:
Act 3
Scene 2
Line 11

Source Type:

Spoken by:
,