As You Like It: Act 4, Scene 2
Enter JAQUES, Lords, and Foresters. JAQUES
1 Which is he that killed the deer? [First] Lord
2 Sir, it was I. JAQUES
3-4. like a Roman conqueror: i.e., in a triumphal procession.
4-5. it . . . branch of victory: Jacques is making a joke; wearing horns was a sign that a man was a cuckold.
4-5. it . . . branch of victory: Jacques is making a joke; wearing horns was a sign that a man was a cuckold.
3 Let's present him to the duke, like a Roman 4 conqueror; and it would do well to set the deer's 5 horns upon his head, for a branch of victory. Have 6 you no song, forester, for this purpose? [Second] Lord
7 Yes, sir. JAQUES
8. 'tis no matter how it be in tune: i.e., it doesn't matter whether it's good or bad music.
8 Sing it: 'tis no matter how it be in tune, so it 9 make noise enough. Music.
SONG
[Second] Lord
10 What shall he have that kill'd the deer? 11 His leather skin and horns to wear. 12 Then sing him home;The rest shall bear this burden: i.e., everybody sing the chorus!
13. Take thou no scorn to wear the horn: do not disdain to wear the horn. —At this point the song becomes a good-natured satire in which it is asserted that every married man wears the horns of a cuckold. 14. crest: heraldic device.
13. Take thou no scorn to wear the horn: do not disdain to wear the horn. —At this point the song becomes a good-natured satire in which it is asserted that every married man wears the horns of a cuckold. 14. crest: heraldic device.
The rest shall bear this burden.
13 Take thou no scorn to wear the horn; 14 It was a crest ere thou wast born: 15 Thy father's father wore it, 16 And thy father bore it: 17 The horn, the horn, the lusty horn 18 Is not a thing to laugh to scorn. Exeunt.
