William Shakespeare, As You Like It
W. G. Clark, W. Aldis Wright, Ed.

SCENE VI

Adam.
Dear master, I can go no further:
O, I die for food! Here lie I down, and measure
out my grave. Farewell, kind master.

Orl.
Why, how now, Adam! no greater
heart in thee? Live a little; comfort a little;
cheer thyself a little. If this uncouth forest
yield any thing savage, I will either be food
for it or bring it for food to thee. Thy conceit
is nearer death than thy powers. For my sake
be comfortable; hold death awhile at the
arm's end: I will here be with thee presently;
and if I bring thee not something to eat, I
will give thee leave to die: but if thou diest
before I come, thou art a mocker of my labor.
Well said! thou lookest cheerly, and I'll be
with thee quickly. Yet thou liest in the bleak
air: come, I will bear thee to some shelter;
and thou shalt not die for lack of a dinner,
if there live any thing in this desert. Cheerly,
good Adam! [Exeunt.