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Act 1, Scene 4

A Room in the DUKE'S Palace.

  1. [Enter VALENTINE, and VIOLA in man's attire.]
  2. Valentine
  3. 227 If the duke continue these favours towards you, Cesario,
  4. 228 you are like to be much advanced; he hath known you but three
  5. 229 days, and already you are no stranger.
  6. Viola
  7. 230 You either fear his humour or my negligence, that you call
  8. 231 in question the continuance of his love. Is he inconstant, sir,
  9. 232 in his favours?
  10. Valentine
  11. 233 No, believe me.
  12. [Enter DUKE, CURIO, and Attendants.]
  13. Viola
  14. 234 I thank you. Here comes the count.
  15. Orsino
  16. 235 Who saw Cesario, ho?
  17. Viola
  18. 236 On your attendance, my lord; here.
  19. Orsino
  20. 237 Stand you awhile aloof.—Cesario,
  21. 238 Thou know'st no less but all; I have unclasp'd
  22. 239 To thee the book even of my secret soul:
  23. 240 Therefore, good youth, address thy gait unto her;
  24. 241 Be not denied access, stand at her doors,
  25. 242 And tell them there thy fixed foot shall grow
  26. 243 Till thou have audience.
  27. Viola
  28. 244 Sure, my noble lord,
  29. 245 If she be so abandon'd to her sorrow
  30. 246 As it is spoke, she never will admit me.
  31. Orsino
  32. 247 Be clamorous and leap all civil bounds,
  33. 248 Rather than make unprofited return.
  34. Viola
  35. 249 Say I do speak with her, my lord. What then?
  36. Orsino
  37. 250 O, then unfold the passion of my love,
  38. 251 Surprise her with discourse of my dear faith:
  39. 252 It shall become thee well to act my woes;
  40. 253 She will attend it better in thy youth
  41. 254 Than in a nuncio of more grave aspect.
  42. Viola
  43. 255 I think not so, my lord.
  44. Orsino
  45. 256 Dear lad, believe it,
  46. 257 For they shall yet belie thy happy years
  47. 258 That say thou art a man: Diana's lip
  48. 259 Is not more smooth and rubious; thy small pipe
  49. 260 Is as the maiden's organ, shrill and sound,
  50. 261 And all is semblative a woman's part.
  51. 262 I know thy constellation is right apt
  52. 263 For this affair:—some four or five attend him:
  53. 264 All, if you will; for I myself am best
  54. 265 When least in company:—prosper well in this,
  55. 266 And thou shalt live as freely as thy lord,
  56. 267 To call his fortunes thine.
  57. Viola
  58. 268 I'll do my best
  59. 269 To woo your lady.
  60. [Aside]
  61. Viola
  62. 270 Yet, a barful strife!
  63. 271 Whoe'er I woo, myself would be his wife.