Duke Orsino’s Palace
Narrator: Viola has taken on the identity of a young boy named “Cesario.” As planned, she has become a member of Duke Orsino’s household. In only a few days, she has become a trusted friend to the Duke – but things get complicated for the young girl when she falls in love with him herself! The Duke, of course, is unaware of this situation, and he sends the reluctant Viola to Countess Olivia to bear messages of his love.
(Enter Duke Orsino from Upstage Center followed by Viola. As he sits, she stands Stage Left of Orsino.)
Duke: Cesario, thou knowest 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.
Viola: Sure, my noble lord,
If she be so abandoned 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 passions 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 do not think it so, my lord.
Duke: Dear lad, believe it; (he stands)
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.
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. (She bows to Orsino.)
(Aside to the Audience) Yet a barful strife!
Who’er I woo, myself would be his wife.
(Viola exits Upstage Left, while Orsino exits Upstage Center through the curtain.)