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Enter VALENTINE and VIOLA in man’s attire, as Cesario |
VALENTINE enters with VIOLA, who is dressed as a young man named Cesario. |
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VALENTINE
If the duke continue these favors towards you, Cesario, you are like to be much advanced. He hath known you but three days, and already you are no stranger. |
VALENTINE
If the Duke keeps treating you so well, Cesario, you’ll go far. He’s only known you for three days, but he’s already treating you like a close friend. |
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VIOLA
You either fear his humor or my negligence, that you call in question the continuance of his love. Is he inconstant, sir, in his favors? |
VIOLA
When you wonder whether he’ll keep treating me well, it makes me think his mood might change—or else I’ll mess up somehow. Do his feelings toward people change suddenly? |
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VALENTINE
No, believe me. |
VALENTINE
No, not at all. |
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VIOLA
I thank you. Here comes the count. |
VIOLA
Thanks for telling me. Here comes the Duke now. |
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Enter ORSINO, CURIO, and attendants |
ORSINO, CURIO, and attendants enter. |
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ORSINO
Who saw Cesario, ho? |
ORSINO
Has anyone seen Cesario? |
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VIOLA
On your attendance, my lord, here. |
VIOLA
I’m right here, my lord, at your service. |
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ORSINO
(to VIOLA and attendants) Stand you a while aloof. (to VIOLA) Cesario, Thou know’st no less but all. I have unclasped 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. |
ORSINO
(to VIOLA and attendants) We’ll need some privacy for a little while. (to VIOLA) Cesario, I want a word with you. You know everything about me. I’ve told you all the secrets of my soul. So please go to her house; if they don’t let you in, plant yourself outside her door and tell them you won’t leave until they let you see her. |
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VIOLA
Sure, my noble lord, If she be so abandoned to her sorrow As it is spoke, she never will admit me. |
VIOLA
But my lord, I’m sure that if she’s as depressed as people say, she’ll never let me in. |
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ORSINO
Be clamorous, and leap all civil bounds, Rather than make unprofited return. |
ORSINO
Be loud and obnoxious. Do whatever it takes, just get the job done. |
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VIOLA
Say I do speak with her, my lord, what then? |
VIOLA
Well, all right, let’s say hypothetically that I do get a chance to speak with her, my lord. What do I do then? |
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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. |
ORSINO
Tell her how passionately I love her. Overwhelm her with examples of how faithful I am. The best thing would be to act out my feelings for her. She’ll pay more attention to a young guy like you than to an older, more serious man. |
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VIOLA
I think not so, my lord. |
VIOLA
I don’t think so, my lord. |
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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. (to CURIO and attendants) Some four or five attend him. All, if you will, for I myself am best When least in company. (to VIOLA) Prosper well in this, And thou shalt live as freely as thy lord, To call his fortunes thine. |
ORSINO
My boy, it’s true. Anyone who says you’re a man must not notice how young you are. Your lips are as smooth and red as the goddess Diana’s. Your soft voice is like a young girl’s, high and clear, and the rest of you is pretty feminine too. I know you’re the right person for this job. (to CURIO and attendants) Four or five of you go along with him, or you can all go if you like. I’m most comfortable when I’m alone. (to VIOLA) If you succeed at this assignment, I’ll reward you well. My whole fortune will be yours. |
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VIOLA
I’ll do my best To woo your lady—(aside) Yet, a barful strife— Whoe’er I woo, myself would be his wife. |
VIOLA
I’ll do my best to make this lady love you.—(to herself)* But what a tough task!—I have to go matchmaking for the man I want to marry myself! |
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Exeunt |
They exit. |