As You Like It by William Shakespeare






Act 3 - Scene 4



The forest



(stage directions) : 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 [p]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. [p]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 [p]holy bread.

Celia : He hath bought a pair of cast lips of Diana. A nun of [p]winter's
sisterhood kisses not more religiously; the very ice of [p]chastity is
in them.

Rosalind : But why did he swear he would come this morning, and [p]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 [p]for
his verity in love, I do think him as concave as covered [p]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 [p]stronger than
the word of a tapster; they are both the confirmer [p]of false
reckonings. He attends here in the forest on the Duke, [p]your
father.

Rosalind : I met the Duke yesterday, and had much question with him. [p]He asked
me of what parentage I was; I told him, of as good as [p]he; so he
laugh'd and let me go. But what talk we of fathers when [p]there is
such a man as Orlando?

Celia : O, that's a brave man! He writes brave verses, speaks brave [p]words,
swears brave oaths, and breaks them bravely, quite [p]traverse,
athwart the heart of his lover; as a puny tilter, that [p]spurs his
horse but on one side, breaks his staff like a noble [p]goose. But
all's brave that youth mounts and folly guides. Who [p]comes here?

(stage directions) : Enter CORIN

Corin : Mistress and master, you have oft enquired [p]After the shepherd that
complain'd of love, [p]Who you saw sitting by me on the
turf, [p]Praising the proud disdainful shepherdess [p]That was his
mistress.

Celia : Well, and what of him?

Corin : If you will see a pageant truly play'd [p]Between the pale complexion
of true love [p]And the red glow of scorn and proud disdain, [p]Go
hence a little, and I shall conduct you, [p]If you will mark it.

Rosalind : O, come, let us remove! [p]The sight of lovers feedeth those in
love. [p]Bring us to this sight, and you shall say [p]I'll prove a
busy actor in their play. Exeunt



Previous: Act 3 - Scene 3

Next: Act 3 - Scene 5





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