E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Ros’alind.
Daughter of the banished duke, but brought up with Celia in the court of Frederick, the duke’s brother, and usurper of his dominions. When Rosalind fell in love with Orlando, Duke Frederick said she must leave his house and join her father in the forest of Arden. Celia resolved to go with her, and the two ladies started on their journey. For better security, they changed their names and assumed disguises; Celia dressed herself as a peasant-girl, and took for the nonce the name of Aliena.; Rosalind dressed as her brother, and called herself Gan’ymede. They took up their quarters in a peasant’s cottage, where they soon encountered Orlando, and (to make a long tale short) Celia fell in love with Oliver, the brother of Orlando, and Rosalind obtained her father’s consent to marry Orlando. (Shakespeare: As You Like It.)
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Ros’alind, in the Shepherds’ Calendar, is the maiden vainly beloved by Colin Clout, as her choice was fixed on a shepherd named Menalcas. (See below.)
