_Duke._ Stand you awhile 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. _Vio._ Sure, my noble lord, If she be so abandon'd 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. _Vio._ 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: It shall become thee well to act my woes; She will attend it better in thy youth, Than in a nuncio of more grave aspect. _Vio._ I think not so, my lord. _Duke._ 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: I know, thy constellation is right apt For this affair:--Go:--prosper well in this, And thou shalt live as freely as thy lord, To call his fortunes thine. [_Exeunt_ DUKE, CURIO, VALENTINE, _and Gentlemen_. _Vio._ I'll do my best, To woo his lady: yet,--a barful strife!-- Whoe'er I woo, myself would be his wife. [_Exit._ SCENE V. _A Room in_ OLIVIA'S _House_. _Enter_ CLOWN _and_ MARIA. _Mar._ Nay, either tell me where thou hast been, or I will not open my lips, so wide as a bristle may enter, in way of thy excuse: my lady will hang thee for thy absence. _Clo._ Let her hang me: he, that is well hang'd in this world, needs to fear no colours. _Mar._ Make that good. _Clo._ He shall see none to fear. _Mar._ A good lenten answer: Yet you will be hang'd, for being so long absent; or, to be turn'd away; is not that as good as a hanging to you? _Clo._ Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage; and, for turning away, let summer bear it out. _Mar._ Here comes my lady; make your excuse wisely, you were best. [_Exit_ MARIA. _Clo._ Wit, and't be thy will, put me into good fooling! Those wits, that think they have thee, do very oft prove fools; and I, that am sure I lack thee, may pass for a wise man: For what says Quinapalus? Better a witty fool, than a foolish wit. _Enter_ OLIVIA, MALVOLIO, _and two Servants_. Bless thee, lady! _Oli._ Take the fool away. _Clo._ Do you not hear, fellows? Take away the lady. _Oli._ Go to, you're a dry fool: I'll no more of you; besides, you grow dishonest.