| [Enter VALENTINE and VIOLA in man's attire] | |
| VALENTINE | If 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. |
| VIOLA | You either fear his humour or my negligence, that you call in question the continuance of his love: is he inconstant, sir, in his favours? |
| VALENTINE | No, believe me. |
| VIOLA | I thank you. Here comes the count. |
| [Enter DUKE ORSINO, CURIO, and Attendants] | |
| DUKE ORSINO | Who saw Cesario, ho? |
| VIOLA | On your attendance, my lord; here. |
| DUKE ORSINO | Stand 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. |
| VIOLA | Sure, my noble lord, If she be so abandon'd to her sorrow As it is spoke, she never will admit me. |
| DUKE ORSINO | Be clamorous and leap all civil bounds Rather than make unprofited return. |
| VIOLA | Say I do speak with her, my lord, what then? |
| DUKE ORSINO | O, 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. |
| VIOLA | I think not so, my lord. |
| DUKE ORSINO | Dear 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. |
| VIOLA | I'll do my best To woo your lady: |
| [Aside] | |
| yet, a barful strife! Whoe'er I woo, myself would be his wife. |
|
| [Exeunt] |