Twelfth Night: Act 1, Scene 4

           Enter VALENTINE and VIOLA in man's attire.

      VALENTINE
  1   If the duke continue these favours towards you,
  2   Cesario, you are like to be much advanced: he

2. advanced: promoted.

  3   hath known you but three days, and already you
  4   are no stranger

      VIOLA
  5   You either fear his humour or my negligence, that

5. humour: changeableness. negligence: neglect of duty.

  6   you call in question the continuance of his love:
  7   is he inconstant, sir, in his favours?

      VALENTINE
  8   No, believe me.

      VIOLA
  9   I thank you. Here comes the count.

           Enter DUKE ORSINO, CURIO,
           and Attendants.

      DUKE ORSINO
10   Who saw Cesario, ho?

      VIOLA
11   On your attendance, my lord; here.

11. On your attendance: ready to attend on you.

DUKE ORSINO
12 Stand you a while aloof, Cesario,

12. you: i.e.,everyone except Viola / Cesario. aloof: out of earshot.

13   Thou know'st no less but all; I have unclasp'd
14   To thee the book even of my secret soul:
15   Therefore, good youth, address thy gait unto her;

15. address thy gait: direct your steps; go.

16 Be not denied access, stand at her doors,
17 And tell them, there thy fixed foot shall grow

17. them: Olivia's servants. fixed: immovable. grow: take root. 18. audience: a hearing (for Orsino's tale of love).

18   Till thou have audience.

      VIOLA
18                          Sure, my noble lord,
19   If she be so abandon'd to her sorrow
20   As it is spoke, she never will admit me.

      DUKE ORSINO
21   Be clamorous and leap all civil bounds

21. civil bounds: limits of civility.

22 Rather than make unprofited return.

22. make unprofited return: i.e., come back empty-handed.

      VIOLA
23   Say I do speak with her, my lord, what then?

      DUKE ORSINO
24   O, then unfold the passion of my love,
25   Surprise her with discourse of my dear faith:

25. surprise: overpower. dear faith: heartfelt love.

26 It shall become thee well to act my woes;

26. become thee well: look well in you.

27 She will attend it better in thy youth

27. attend it: pay attention to it.

28 Than in a nuncio's of more grave aspect.

28. nuncio's: messenger's.

VIOLA

29   I think not so, my lord.

      DUKE ORSINO
29                          Dear lad, believe it;
30   For they shall yet belie thy happy years,

30. yet: as yet. 30-31. belie thy happy years That say thou art a man: 31. Diana: Virgin goddess.

31 That say thou art a man: Diana's lip

32 Is not more smooth and rubious; thy small pipe

32. rubious: ruby-red. pipe: throat, voice.

33 Is as the maiden's organ, shrill and sound,

33. shrill and sound: high and clear.

34 And all is semblative a woman's part.

34. semblative: like. woman's part: role, demeanor.

35 I know thy constellation is right apt

35. constellation: nature (as determined by the stars).

36   For this affair. Some four or five attend him;
37   All, if you will; for I myself am best
38   When least in company. Prosper well in this,
39   And thou shalt live as freely as thy lord,
40   To call his fortunes thine.

      VIOLA
40                             I'll do my best
41   To woo your lady:

41. barful strife: inner conflict.

           [Aside.]

41                                   yet, a barful strife!
42   Whoe'er I woo, myself would be his wife.

           Exeunt.