Diana: a nun of winter's sisterhood kisses not
more religiously; the very ice of chastity is in them. 17
Ros. But why did he swear he would come
this morning, and comes not?
Cel. Nay, certainly, there is no truth in him.
Ros. Do you think so? 21
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 covered goblet or a
worm-eaten nut. 25
Ros. Not true in love?
Cel. Yes, when he is in; but I think he is
not in. 28
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. 35
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 laughed, and let me go. But what talk we
of fathers, when there is such a man as Orlando? 40
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 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?
Enter Corin.
16 winter's sisterhood; cf. n.
24 concave: hollow
41 brave: fine
43 traverse: across; cf. n.
44 puisny: paltry
