As You Like It: Act 2, Scene 2



           Enter DUKE [FREDERICK], with Lords.

      DUKE FREDERICK
  1   Can it be possible that no man saw them?
2-3. some villains of my court / Are of consent and sufferance in this: i.e., some villains of my court have connived at this and allowed it to happen. —Here Duke Frederick displays his characteristic paranoia; he can't imagine that his daughter would run away simply because he has been abusive and exiled her best friend.
  2   It cannot be: some villains of my court
  3   Are of consent and sufferance in this.

      First Lord
  4   I cannot hear of any that did see her.
  5   The ladies, her attendants of her chamber,
  6   Saw her abed, and in the morning early
  7   They found the bed untreasured of their mistress.

      Second Lord
8. roynish clown: scurvy fool. —He means Touchstone.
  8   My lord, the roynish clown, at whom so oft
  9   Your grace was wont to laugh, is also missing.
 10   Hisperia, the princess' gentlewoman,
 11   Confesses that she secretly o'erheard
 12   Your daughter and her cousin much commend
13. parts and graces: talents and accomplishments.
 13   The parts and graces of the wrestler
 14   That did but lately foil the sinewy Charles;
 15   And she believes, wherever they are gone,
 16   That youth is surely in their company.

      DUKE FREDERICK
 17   Send to his brother; fetch that gallant hither;
 18   If he be absent, bring his brother to me;
19. suddenly: quickly.
 19   I'll make him find him: do this suddenly,
20. inquisition: inquiry.  quail: slacken.
 20   And let not search and inquisition quail
21. again: back.
 21   To bring again these foolish runaways.

           Exeunt.