doing extremely well there. I ask you, is this any way to treat a gentleman as nobly born as I am, to pen me in like an ox? His horses get treated better than I do—at least he feeds them and trains them properly, and spends a lot 12th Communicative English Book.indb Page of money on trainers for them. He gives me plenty of nothing, and takes away everything else, letting me eat with his servants, refusing me what’s owed me as his brother, and ruining my good birth with a poor education.
This is what angers me, Adam. My father’s temper and spirit, which I think I share, makes me want to mutiny against my brother’s tyranny. I won’ t stand for it any longer, though I haven’t yet figured out how to revolt. (Enter Oliver) ADAM: Here comes my master, your brother.
ORLANDO: Go hide, Adam, You’ll hear how he abuses me. OLIVER: Hey, you! What are you making here? ORLANDO: Nothing.
I’ve never been taught how to make anything. OLIVER: Well, then, what are you messing up? ORLANDO: I’m helping you mess up one of God’s creations. Should I tend your pigs and eat husks with them?
OLIVER: Do you know where you are, sir? ORLANDO: Yes, sir, very well—I’m here in your orchard. OLIVER: Do you know whom you’re talking to? ORLANDO: Yes, better than you know me.
I know you’re my oldest brother and deserve more respect. But we’re in the same family, so you should acknowledge that I am a gentleman too. According to custom, as first-born you are my superior. But it’s not customary to treat me like I’m not even a gentleman.
OLIVER: ( hitting ORLANDO ) What nerve! ORLANDO: ( grabbing hold of OLIVER ) Come on, big brother; you don’t know anything about fighting. OLIVER: What, you dare put your hands on me, villain? ORLANDO: I’m no villain.
I’m the youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys, and anyone who claims my father’s sons is a villain himself. ADAM: Gentlemen, calm down. For the sake of your father’s