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Twelfth Night - Act 1, scene 4
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Twelfth Night - Act 1, scene 4Act 1, scene 4
Scene 4
Synopsis:
At Orsino’s court, Viola, disguised as a page and calling herself Cesario, has gained the trust of Orsino, who decides to send her to woo Olivia for him. Viola confides to the audience that she loves Orsino herself.
Enter Valentine, and Viola in man’s attire ⌜as Cesario.⌝VALENTINE 0250 If the Duke continue these favors towards
0251 you, Cesario, you are like to be much advanced. He
0252 hath known you but three days, and already you
0253 are no stranger.
VIOLA 0254 5You either fear his humor or my negligence, that
0255 you call in question the continuance of his love. Is
0256 he inconstant, sir, in his favors?
VALENTINE 0257 No, believe me.
VIOLA 0258 I thank you.
Enter ⌜Orsino,⌝ Curio, and Attendants.
0259 10 Here comes the Count.
ORSINO 0260 Who saw Cesario, ho?
VIOLA 0261 On your attendance, my lord, here.
ORSINO, ⌜to Curio and Attendants⌝
0262 Stand you awhile aloof.—Cesario,
0263 Thou know’st no less but all. I have unclasped
0264 15 To thee the book even of my secret soul.
0265 Therefore, good youth, address thy gait unto her.
0266 Be not denied access. Stand at her doors
0267 And tell them, there thy fixèd foot shall grow
0268 Till thou have audience.
VIOLA 0269 20 Sure, my noble lord,
0270 If she be so abandoned to her sorrow
0271 As it is spoke, she never will admit me.
p.
25
ORSINO 0272 Be clamorous and leap all civil bounds
0273 Rather than make unprofited return.
VIOLA
0274 25 Say I do speak with her, my lord, what then?
ORSINO
0275 O, then unfold the passion of my love.
0276 Surprise her with discourse of my dear faith.
0277 It shall become thee well to act my woes.
0278 She will attend it better in thy youth
0279 30 Than in a nuncio’s of more grave aspect.
VIOLA
0280 I think not so, my lord.
ORSINO 0281 Dear lad, believe it;
0282 For they shall yet belie thy happy years
0283 That say thou art a man. Diana’s lip
0284 35 Is not more smooth and rubious, thy small pipe
0285 Is as the maiden’s organ, shrill and sound,
0286 And all is semblative a womans part.
0287 I know thy constellation is right apt
0288 For this affair.—Some four or five attend him,
0289 40 All, if you will, for I myself am best
0290 When least in company.—Prosper well in this
0291 And thou shalt live as freely as thy lord,
0292 To call his fortunes thine.
VIOLA 0293 I’ll do my best
0294 45 To woo your lady. ⌜Aside.⌝ Yet a barful strife!
0295 Whoe’er I woo, myself would be his wife.
They exit.