ARKCODEX
Act III, Scene 4
1The forest.
2Enter Rosalind and Celia.
3RosalindNever talk to me; I will weep.
4CeliaDo, I prithee; but yet have the grace to consider that tears do not become a man.
5RosalindBut have I not cause to weep?
6CeliaAs good cause as one would desire; therefore weep.
7RosalindHis very hair is of the dissembling colour.
8CeliaSomething browner than Judas’s marry, his kisses are Judas’s own children.
9RosalindI’ faith, his hair is of a good colour.
10CeliaAn excellent colour: your chestnut was ever the only colour.
11RosalindAnd his kissing is as full of sanctity as the touch of holy bread.
12CeliaHe hath bought a pair of cast lips of Diana: a nun of winter’s sisterhood kisses not more religiously; the very ice of chastity is in them.
13RosalindBut why did he swear he would come this morning, and comes not?
14CeliaNay, certainly, there is no truth in him.
15RosalindDo you think so?
16CeliaYes; I think he is not a pick-purse nor a horse-stealer, but for his verity in love, I do think him as concave as a covered goblet or a worm-eaten nut.
17RosalindNot true in love?
18CeliaYes, when he is in; but I think he is not in.
19RosalindYou have heard him swear downright he was.
20Celia“Was” is not “is:” besides, the oath of a lover is no stronger than the word of a tapster; they are both the confirmer of false reckonings. He attends here in the forest on the duke your father.
21RosalindI met the duke yesterday and had much question with him: he asked me of what parentage I was; I told him, of as good as he; so he laughed and let me go. But what talk we of fathers, when there is such a man as Orlando?
22CeliaO, that’s a brave man! he writes brave verses, speaks brave words, swears brave oaths and breaks them bravely, quite traverse, athwart the heart of his lover; as a puisny tilter, that spurs his horse but on one side, breaks his staff like a noble goose: but all’s brave that youth mounts and folly guides. Who comes here?
23Enter Corin.
24CorinMistress and master, you have oft inquired
After the shepherd that complain’d of love,
Who you saw sitting by me on the turf,
Praising the proud disdainful shepherdess
That was his mistress.
25CeliaWell, and what of him?
26CorinIf you will see a pageant truly play’d,
Between the pale complexion of true love
And the red glow of scorn and proud disdain,
Go hence a little and I shall conduct you,
If you will mark it.
27RosalindO, come, let us remove:
The sight of lovers feedeth those in love.
Bring us to this sight, and you shall say
I’ll prove a busy actor in their play. Exeunt.