If it do come to pass That any man turn ass,
Leaving his wealth and ease A stubborn will to please,
Ducdame, ducdame, ducdame.
Here shall he see Gross fools as he,
An if he will come to me. (44-51)
Jacques is clearly criticizing Duke Senior. As Jacques sees the situation, the Duke was a fool or ass to give up his throne and castle and fortune and position; and the only reason the Duke gave up such glory and splendor was his stubborn or willful pride. The words “an if” in the last line (51) mean “if only.” Jacques admits that he was also a fool or an ass for coming along with Duke Senior.
The meaning of the word ducdame (at line 48) is uncertain. Jacques tells Amiens that that the word is a “Greek” (meaning gibberish or nonsense) term to call fools to a gathering. The editors of the Norton edition of the play suggest that the word may be derived from a Welsh phrasing meaning “come here.” In terms of spelling, though, the word is quite similar to “dukedom” or “duke dome.” The medieval word dome (as in domesday or doomsday) means judgment; and Jacque is quite clearly questioning the judgment of Duke Senior in regards to his decision to leave the city and live in the woods.