ARKCODEX
Act I, Scene 4
1The Duke’s palace.
2Enter Valentine and Viola in man’s attire.
3ValentineIf the duke continue these favours towards you, Cesario, you are like to be much advanced: he hath known you but three days, and already you are no stranger.
4ViolaYou either fear his humour or my negligence, that you call in question the continuance of his love: is he inconstant, sir, in his favours?
5ValentineNo, believe me.
6ViolaI thank you. Here comes the count.
7Enter Duke, Curio, and Attendants.
8DukeWho saw Cesario, ho?
9ViolaOn your attendance, my lord; here.
10DukeStand you a while aloof, Cesario,
Thou know’st no less but all; I have unclasp’d
To thee the book even of my secret soul:
Therefore, good youth, address thy gait unto her;
Be not denied access, stand at her doors,
And tell them, there thy fixed foot shall grow
Till thou have audience.
11ViolaSure, my noble lord,
If she be so abandon’d to her sorrow
As it is spoke, she never will admit me.
12DukeBe clamorous and leap all civil bounds
Rather than make unprofited return.
13ViolaSay I do speak with her, my lord, what then?
14DukeO, then unfold the passion of my love,
Surprise her with discourse of my dear faith:
It shall become thee well to act my woes;
She will attend it better in thy youth
Than in a nuncio’s of more grave aspect.
15ViolaI think not so, my lord.
16DukeDear lad, believe it;
For they shall yet belie thy happy years,
That say thou art a man: Diana’s lip
Is not more smooth and rubious; thy small pipe
Is as the maiden’s organ, shrill and sound,
And all is semblative a woman’s part.
I know thy constellation is right apt
For this affair. Some four or five attend him;
All, if you will; for I myself am best
When least in company. Prosper well in this,
And thou shalt live as freely as thy lord,
To call his fortunes thine.
17ViolaI’ll do my best
To woo your lady: aside yet, a barful strife!
Whoe’er I woo, myself would be his wife. Exeunt.