Jaq. Nay then, God be wi' you, an you talk
in blank verse. [Exit.]
Ros. Farewell, Monsieur Traveller: look you
lisp, and wear strange suits, disable all the
benefits of your own country, be out of love with
your nativity, and almost chide God for making 38
you that countenance you are; or I will scarce
think you have swam in a gondola. Why, how
now, Orlando! where have you been all this
while? You a lover! An you serve me such
another trick, never come in my sight more.
Orl. My fair Rosalind, I come within an hour
of my promise. 45
Ros. Break an hour's promise in love! He
that will divide a minute into a thousand parts,
and break but a part of the thousandth part of a
minute in the affairs of love, it may be said of
him that Cupid hath clapped him o' the shoulder,
but I'll warrant him heart-whole.
Orl. Pardon me, dear Rosalind. 52
Ros. Nay, an you be so tardy, come no more
in my sight: I had as lief be wooed of a snail.
Orl. Of a snail!
Ros. Ay, of a snail; for though he comes
slowly, he carries his house on his head; a
better jointure, I think, than you make a wo-
man: besides, he brings his destiny with him.
Orl. What's that? 60
Ros. Why, horns; that such as you are fain
to be beholding to your wives for: but he comes
36 lisp: i.e., talk with the affectation of a foreign accent
disable: disparage
38 nativity: place of birth
40 swam . . . gondola; cf. n.
58 jointure: marriage portion
61 fain: i.e., glad under the circumstances, obliged
62 beholding: beholden
