JAQUES. Can you nominate in order now the degrees of the lie?
TOUCHSTONE. O, sir, we quarrel in print by the book, as you
have
books for good manners. I will name you the degrees. The
first,
the Retort Courteous; the second, the Quip Modest; the third,
the
Reply Churlish; the fourth, the Reproof Valiant; the fifth,
the
Countercheck Quarrelsome; the sixth, the Lie with
Circumstance;
the seventh, the Lie Direct. All these you may avoid but the
Lie
Direct; and you may avoid that too with an If. I knew when
seven
justices could not take up a quarrel; but when the parties
were
met themselves, one of them thought but of an If, as: 'If you
said so, then I said so.' And they shook hands, and swore
brothers. Your If is the only peace-maker; much virtue in If.
JAQUES. Is not this a rare fellow, my lord?
He's as good at any thing, and yet a fool.
DUKE SENIOR. He uses his folly like a stalking-horse, and under
the
presentation of that he shoots his wit:
Enter HYMEN, ROSALIND, and CELIA.
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