Twelfth Night: Act 1, Scene 4

    comedy

    DUKE ORSINO's palace.

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    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