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  Home : English : Shakespeare Classic Books : Twelfth Night : Act I, Scene iv
Twelfth Night
  

READ STUDY GUIDE: Act I, scenes iii–iv

Act I, Scene iv

The DUKE'S palace.
[Enter VALENTINE, and VIOLA in man's attire.]
VALENTINE:
If the duke continue these favours towards you, Cesario, you are
like to be much advanc'd. 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, CURIO, and ATTENDANTS.]
DUKE:
Who saw Cesario, ho?
VIOLA:
On your attendance, my lord; here.
DUKE:
Stand you awhile 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:
Be clamorous and leap all civil bounds
Rather than make unprofited return.
VIOLA:
Say I do speak with her, my lord, what then?
DUKE:
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:
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.]
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