information. Rosalind becomes impatient and describes Celia’s mouth as a wine bottle with a cork in it. Rosalind thus demands that Celia should “pour this concealed man out of thy mouth” (182-83). Celia, still teasing, wittily responds with “So you may put a man in your belly” (186). Celia’s remark has two meanings: (1) that Rosalind may drink in the name as if she were drinking wine, and (2) that Rosalind may produce a child with the man who wrote the verses. The word belly means both stomach and womb.
Celia finally relents and tells Rosalind that Orlando is the writer of the poems. Rosalind is excited and questions Celia about the details of her encounter with the man. Celia describes Orlando as “a wounded knight” (219), for he is wounded by Cupid’s arrow. However, before Celia can say much more, the ladies are interrupted by the arrival of Orlando and Jacques (at line 228). Rosalind and Celia then stand aside and are unseen by the men.