Outline
Characters
Dreamweaver
[Enter Rosalind and Celia.]
Rosalind
Never talk to me, I will weep.
Celia
Do, I prithee, but yet have the grace to consider that tears do not
become a man.
Rosalind
But have I not cause to weep?
Celia
As good cause as one would desire; therefore weep.
Rosalind
His very hair is of the dissembling colour.
Celia
Something browner than Judas’s. Marry, his kisses are Judas’s own
children.
Rosalind
I’ faith, his hair is of a good colour.
Celia
An excellent colour. Your chestnut was ever the only colour.
Rosalind
And his kissing is as full of sanctity as the touch of holy bread.
Celia
He 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.
Rosalind
But why did he swear he would come this morning, and comes not?
Celia
Nay, certainly, there is no truth in him.
Rosalind
Do you think so?
Celia
Yes. 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.
Rosalind
Not true in love?
Celia
Yes, when he is in, but I think he is not in.
Rosalind
You have heard him swear downright he was.
Celia
“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.
Rosalind
I 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?
Celia
O, 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 puny 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?
[Enter Corin.]
Corin
Mistress and master, you have oft enquired
After the shepherd that complained of love,
Who you saw sitting by me on the turf,
Praising the proud disdainful shepherdess
That was his mistress.
Celia
Well, and what of him?
Corin
If you will see a pageant truly played
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.
Rosalind
O, 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.]