As You Like It, Act 3 Scene 4 runs 57 lines of dialogue, spoken by 3 speakers. That is shorter than the play’s average scene length of about 122 lines. This scene is part of Act 3 of As You Like It.
Full Dialogue
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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?
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 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?
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?
Corin ♂
Mistress and master, you have oft inquired
After the shepherd that complain'd of love,
Who you saw sitting by me on the turf,
Praising the proud disdainful shepherdess
That was his mistress.
After the shepherd that complain'd 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 play'd,
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.
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.
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.
57 lines rendered verbatim from the dialogue corpus.
Who’s On Stage
Speaking characters in this scene
| Character | Lines | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Celia | 27 | 47.4% |
| Rosalind | 20 | 35.1% |
| Corin | 10 | 17.5% |
Line distribution
The top speaker in this scene delivers 27 lines, while the scene’s average per speaker is about 19 lines.
Total speakers on stage
3 named characters speak in this scene.
Scene in Context
Position within Act 3
This is Scene 4 of 5 in Act 3 of As You Like It.
Scene length vs. play average
At 57 lines, this scene is shorter than the As You Like It average scene in As You Like It (~122 lines).
Adjacent scenes
Previous: Act 3 Scene 3 · Next: Act 3 Scene 5
About Act 3 Scene 4 of As You Like It
Who carries Act 3 Scene 4 of As You Like It?
Celia, with 27 lines — about 47% of the scene.
Is the scene a dialogue or a solo?
With 3 speakers and the lead holding 47% of the lines, this scene is a balanced multi-voice exchange.