Cel. An excellent colour: your chesnut was ever the only colour. Ros. And his kissing is as full of sanctity as the touch of holy bread. Cel. 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. Ros. But why did he swear he would come this morning, and comes not? Cel. Nay, certainly, there is no truth in him. : Cel. 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 cover'd goblet, or a wormeaten nut.. Ros. Not true in love? Cel. Yes, when he is in; but I think he is not in. Ros. You have heard him swear downright, he was. Cel. Was is not is: besides, the oath of a lover is no stronger than the word of a tapster; they are both the confirmers of false reckonings: He attends here in the forest on the duke your father. Ros. 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 laugh'd, and let me go. But what talk we of fathers, when there is such a man as Orlando ? Cel. 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 lovert: 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. Cor. Mistress, and master, you have oft enquired + Mistress. *Conversation, After she shepherd that complain'd of love; Cel. Well, and what of him? Cor. If you will see a pageant truly play'd, Ros. [Exeunt. SCENE V. Another part of the Forest. Enter Silvius and Phebe. Sil. Sweet Phebe, do not scorn me; do not, Phebe: Falls not the axe upon the humbled neck, Enter Rosalind, Celia, and Corin, at a distance. Phe. I would not be thy executioner; That eyes, that are the frail'st and softest things, Should be call'd tyrants, butchers, murderers! And, if mine eyes can wound, now let them kill thee: Now counterfeit to swoon; why now fall down; Or, if thou canst not, O, for shame, for shame, Lie not, to say mine eyes are murderers. Now show the wound mine eye hath made in thee: Scratch thee but with a pin, and there remains Some scar of it; lean but upon a rush, The cicatrice and capable impressure Thy palm some moment keeps: but now mine eyes, Which I have darted at thee, hurt thee not; Nor, I am sure, there is no force in eyes That can do hurt. Sil. O dear Phebe, If ever (as that ever may be near), You meet in some fresh cheek the power of fancy*, Then shall you know the wounds invisible That love's keen arrows make. Phe. But, till that time, Come not thou near me: and, when that time comes, Afflict me with thy mocks, pity me not; As, till that time, I shall not pity thee. Ros. And why, I pray you? [Advancing.] Who might be your mother, That you insult, exult, and all at once, Over the wretched? What though you have more beauty (As, by my faith, I see no more in you Than without candle may go dark to bed), Why, what means this? Why do you look on me? Like foggy south, puffing with wind and rain? Sell when you can; you are not for all markets: I had rather hear you chide, than this man woo. Ros. He's fallen in love with her foulness, and she'll fall in love with my anger: If it be so, as fast as she answers thee with frowning looks, I'll sauce her with bitter words. Why look you so upon me? Phe. For no ill will I bear you. Ros. I pray you, do not fall in love with me, For I am falser than vows made in wine : Besides, I like you not: If you will know my house, 'Tis at the tuft of olives, here hard by : Will you go, sister?-Shepherd, ply her hard :Come, sister-Shepherdess, look on him better, And be not proud: though all the world could see, None could be so abus'd in sight as he. Come, to our flock. [Exeunt Rosalind, Celia, and Corin. Phe. Dead shepherd! now I find thy saw of might; Who ever lov'd, that lov'd not at first sight? Sil. Sweet Phebe, Phe. Ha! what say'st thou, Silvius? Sil. Sweet Phebe, pity me. Phe. Why, I am sorry for thee, gentle Silvius. Sil. Wherever sorrow is, relief would be; If you do sorrow at my grief in love, By giving love, your sorrow and my grief. Phe. Thou hast my love; Is not that neighbourly? Sil. I would have you. Phe. Why, that were covetousness. Silvius, the time was, that I hated thee; And yet it is not, that I bear thee love: But since that thou canst talk of love so well, That I shall think it a most plenteous crop That the main harvest reaps: loose now and then Phe. Know'st thou the youth that spoke to me ere while? Sil. Not very well, but I have met him oft; And he hath bought the cottage, and the bounds, That the old carlot* once was master of. Phe. Think not I love him, though I ask for him; 'Tis but a peevish† boy:—yet he talks well ;But what care I for words? yet words do well, When he that speaks them pleases those that hear. It is a pretty youth :-not very pretty :— But, sure, he's proud; and yet his pride becomes him : He'll make a proper man: The best thing in him |