One day, when Celia was talking in her usual kind manner to
Rosalind, saying: 'I pray you, Rosalind, my sweet cousin, be merry,' a
messenger entered from the duke, to tell them that if they wished to
see a wrestling match, which was just going to begin, they must come
instantly to the court before the palace; and Celia, thinking it would
amuse Rosalind, agreed to go and see it.

In those times wrestling, which is only practiced now by country
clowns, was a favourite sport even in the courts of princes, and before
fair ladies and princesses. To this wrestling match, therefore, Celia
and Rosalind went. They found that it was likely to prove a very
tragical sight; for a large and powerful man, who had been long
practiced in the art of wrestling, and had slain many men in contests
of this kind, was just going to wrestle with a very young man, who,
from his extreme youth and inexperience in the art, the beholders all
thought would certainly be killed.

When the duke saw Celia and Rosalind, he said: 'How now, daughter
and niece, are you crept hither to see the wrestling? You will take
little delight in it, there is such odds in the men: in pity to this young
man, I would wish to persuade him from wrestling. Speak to him,
ladies, and see if you can move him.'

The ladies were well pleased to perform this humane office, and first
Celia entreated the young stranger that he would desist from the
attempt; and then Rosalind spoke so kindly to him, and with such
feeling consideration for, the danger he was about to undergo, that
instead of being persuaded by her gentle words to forego his purpose,
all his thoughts were bent to distinguish himself by his courage in this
lovely lady's eyes. He refused the request of Celia and Rosalind in