Page 526 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3
P. 526

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; [25]
               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
                               Dear lad, believe it;
               For they shall yet belie thy happy years, [30]

               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 [35]
               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 [40]
               To woo your lady: (Aside) yet, a barful strife!
               Whoe’er I woo, myself would be his wife.

                                                                                                        Exeunt.



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