As You Like It: Act 3, Scene 1
Enter DUKE [FREDERICK], Lords, and OLIVER.
DUKE FREDERICK
1 Not see him since? Sir, sir, that cannot be:2-4. But were I . . . thou present: i.e., if I weren't composed mostly of mercy, I wouldn't bother to seek out [Orlando], the absent cause of my thirst for revenge, because you [Orlando's brother] are right here [and I could take out my anger on you]. 6. Seek him with candle: i.e., look until you find him, and don't give up. —This echoes the parable . . . 7. turn: return.
2 But were I not the better part made mercy, 3 I should not seek an absent argument 4 Of my revenge, thou present. But look to it: 5 Find out thy brother, wheresoe'er he is; 6 Seek him with candle; bring him dead or living 7 Within this twelvemonth, or turn thou no more 8 To seek a living in our territory. 9 Thy lands and all things that thou dost call thine 10 Worth seizure do we seize into our hands,11-12. Till thou canst quit thee by thy brother's mouth / Of what we think against thee: until you can acquit yourself, by your brother's testimony, of what I think you're guilty of. —Apparently . . .
11 Till thou canst quit thee by thy brother's mouth 12 Of what we think against thee. OLIVER
13 O that your highness knew my heart in this! 14 I never loved my brother in my life. DUKE FREDERICK
15 More villain thou. Well, push him out of doors;16. of such a nature: whose duty it is to see to such matters. 17. Make an extent upon his house and lands: carry out the seizure of his house and lands by an official writ. 18. expediently: quickly. turn him going: get him on his way.
16 And let my officers of such a nature 17 Make an extent upon his house and lands: 18 Do this expediently and turn him going.
Exeunt.