VALENTINE
If the duke continue these favours towards you, Cesario, you are like to be much advanced; he known you but three days, and already you are no stranger.
VIOLA
You either fear his 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.
DUKE
Who saw Cesario, ho?
VIOLA
On your attendance, my lord, here.
DUKE
Stand you awhile aloof.—Cesario,
know’st no less but all; I have unclasp’d
To the book even of my secret soul.
Therefore, good youth, address gait unto her,
Be not denied access, stand at her doors,
And tell them, there fixed foot shall grow
Till 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 well to act my woes;
She will attend it better in 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 happy years,
That say art a man: Diana’s lip
Is not more smooth and rubious; small pipe
Is as the maiden’s organ, shrill and sound,
And all is semblative a woman’s part.
I know 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 live as freely as lord,
To call his fortunes .
VIOLA
I’ll do my best
To woo your lady. Yet, a barful strife!
Whoe’er I woo, myself would be his wife.