What is thy excellence in a galliard, knight?

SIR AND. Faith, I can cut a caper.

SIR TO. And I can cut the mutton to't.

SIR AND. And I think I have the back-trick simply as strong as any man in Illyria.

SIR TO. Wherefore are these things hid? Wherefore have these gifts a curtain before 'em? Are they like to take dust, like Mistress Mall's picture? Why dost thou not go to church in a galliard, and come home in a coranto? My very walk should be a jig.

I would not so much as make water but in a sink-a- pace. What dost thou mean? Is it a world to hide virtues in? I did think by the excellent constitution of thy leg, it was form'd under the star of a galliard.

SIR AND. Ay, 'tis strong; and it does indifferent well in a [dun-]color'd stock. Shall we [set] about some revels?

SIR TO. What shall we do else? were we not born under Taurus?

SIR AND. Taurus? That['s] sides and heart.

SIR TO. No, sir, it is legs and thighs. Let me see thee caper. Ha, higher! Ha, ha, excellent!

 

Exeunt.

 

 

Scene IV

Enter Valentine, and Viola in man's attire.

 

VAL. If the Duke continue these favors towards you, Cesario, you are like to be much advanc'd; he hath known you but three days, and already you are no stranger.

VIO. 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?

VAL. No, believe me.

 

Enter Duke, Curio, and Attendants.

 

VIO. I thank you. Here comes the Count.

DUKE. Who saw Cesario, ho?

VIO. On your attendance, my lord, here.

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 nuntio's 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,

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.

VIO.

I'll do my best

To woo your lady.

 

[Aside.]

 

Yet a barful strife!

Whoe'er I woo, myself would be his wife.

 

Exeunt.

 

 

Scene V

Enter Maria and Clown [Feste].

 

MAR.