Act 1, Scene 4
SCENE IV. DUKE ORSINO's palace.
(Director's Note: I want the Big Chair right in the middle of the right half of the stage. Very visible, obviously not meant to be interacted with.)
Enter VALENTINE and VIOLA in man's attire
VALENTINE
D --> 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
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?
VALENTINE
D --> No, believe me
VIOLA
I thank you. Here comes the count.
Enter DUKE ORSINO, CURIO, and Attendants
(Director's Notes: Aradia, Tavros, you are attendants. Nepeta, as soon as the Duke sees Cesvio, run over to Equius and hug him. This will give the audience something to look at while they cross.)
DUKE ORSINO
WHO SAW CESARIO, HO?
VIOLA
On your attendance, my lord; here.
DUKE ORSINO
STAND YOU A WHILE ALOOF, CESARIO, THOU KNOW'ST NO LESS BUT ALL; I HAVE UNCLASP'D 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 abandon'd to her sorrow As it is spoke, she never will admit me.
DUKE ORSINO
BE CLAMOROUS AND LEAP ALL CIVIL BOUNDS RATHER THAN MAKE UNPROFITED RETURN.
VIOLA
Say I do speak with her, my lord, what then?
DUKE 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.
VIOLA
I think not so, my lord.
DUKE 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. 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 To woo your lady:
(Aside)
yet, a barful strife! Whoe'er I woo, myself would be his wife.
Exeunt
(Director's Note: Equius, piggy-back Nepeta and carry her offstage that way. Get her up as soon as Jane stops speaking; it's a joke. Karkat and Aradia, strike the chair as soon as the lights come down.)