Twelfth Night, or What You Will: Act 1, Scene 4 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 1, Scene 4 of Twelfth Night, or What You Will from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text	Translated Text
Source: Folger Shakespeare Library
Enter Valentine, and Viola in man’s attire as Cesario. VALENTINE 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 5 you call in question the continuance of his love. Is he inconstant, sir, in his favors? VALENTINE No, believe me. VIOLA I thank you. Enter Orsino, Curio, and Attendants. Here comes the Count. 10 ORSINO Who saw Cesario, ho? VIOLA On your attendance, my lord, here. ORSINO, to Curio and Attendants Stand you awhile aloof.—Cesario, Thou know’st no less but all. I have unclasped To thee the book even of my secret soul. 15 Therefore, good youth, address thy gait unto her. Be not denied access. Stand at her doors And tell them, there thy fixèd foot shall grow Till thou have audience.	Back at Duke Orsino's pad, Valentine gives props to "Cesario" (Viola in disguise) for making a name for "himself" in such a short time in the Duke's service. Viola (as "Cesario"), who has clearly spent a lot of time with Orsino in the past three days, asks Valentine if the Duke has mood swings. Orsino enters and tells "Cesario" to trot on over to Olivia's place to chat her up for him. Orsino says that "Cesario" is the man for the job since "he" already knows how Orsino feels about Olivia (apparently they've had a heart-to-heart) and that "he" shouldn't take no for an answer if Olivia's servants try to shoo "him" away.
VIOLA Sure, my noble lord, 20 If she be so abandoned to her sorrow As it is spoke, she never will admit me. ORSINO Be clamorous and leap all civil bounds Rather than make unprofited return. VIOLA Say I do speak with her, my lord, what then? 25 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. 30 VIOLA I think not so, my lord.	"Cesario" is skeptical since it sounds like Olivia is really upset about her dead brother. Orsino tells "Cesario" to do whatever it takes to get the job done, even if he has to cause a big scene at Olivia's house. Okay, fine, agrees "Cesario," who asks what "he" is supposed to do if "he" actually makes it inside Olivia's pad. Duke Orsino seems to think that Olivia will be so moved by "Cesario's" youth and girlish beauty that she'll want to hook up with the 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 35 Is as the maiden’s organ, shrill and sound, And all is semblative a womans 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 40 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! 45 Whoe’er I woo, myself would be his wife. They exit.	Orsino proceeds to describe "Cesario's" luscious ruby red lips and high pitched voice, all of which he believes will get Olivia in the mood for some lovin'. Viola (as "Cesario) agrees to do this but then she drops a bombshell on the audience: it's going to be brutal for her to be Orsino's wingman because she (Viola) is falling for the Duke.

Original Text

Translated Text

Enter Valentine, and Viola in man’s attire as Cesario.

VALENTINE 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 5
you call in question the continuance of his love. Is
he inconstant, sir, in his favors?

VALENTINE No, believe me.

VIOLA I thank you.

Enter Orsino, Curio, and Attendants.

Here comes the Count. 10

ORSINO Who saw Cesario, ho?

VIOLA On your attendance, my lord, here.

ORSINO, to Curio and Attendants
Stand you awhile aloof.—Cesario,
Thou know’st no less but all. I have unclasped
To thee the book even of my secret soul. 15
Therefore, good youth, address thy gait unto her.
Be not denied access. Stand at her doors
And tell them, there thy fixèd foot shall grow
Till thou have audience.

Back at Duke Orsino's pad, Valentine gives props to "Cesario" (Viola in disguise) for making a name for "himself" in such a short time in the Duke's service.

Viola (as "Cesario"), who has clearly spent a lot of time with Orsino in the past three days, asks Valentine if the Duke has mood swings.

Orsino enters and tells "Cesario" to trot on over to Olivia's place to chat her up for him. Orsino says that "Cesario" is the man for the job since "he" already knows how Orsino feels about Olivia (apparently they've had a heart-to-heart) and that "he" shouldn't take no for an answer if Olivia's servants try to shoo "him" away.

VIOLA Sure, my noble lord, 20
If she be so abandoned to her sorrow
As it is spoke, she never will admit me.

ORSINO
Be clamorous and leap all civil bounds
Rather than make unprofited return.

VIOLA
Say I do speak with her, my lord, what then? 25

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. 30

VIOLA
I think not so, my lord.

"Cesario" is skeptical since it sounds like Olivia is really upset about her dead brother. Orsino tells "Cesario" to do whatever it takes to get the job done, even if he has to cause a big scene at Olivia's house.

Okay, fine, agrees "Cesario," who asks what "he" is supposed to do if "he" actually makes it inside Olivia's pad.

Duke Orsino seems to think that Olivia will be so moved by "Cesario's" youth and girlish beauty that she'll want to hook up with the 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 35
Is as the maiden’s organ, shrill and sound,
And all is semblative a womans 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 40
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! 45
Whoe’er I woo, myself would be his wife.

They exit.

Orsino proceeds to describe "Cesario's" luscious ruby red lips and high pitched voice, all of which he believes will get Olivia in the mood for some lovin'.

Viola (as "Cesario) agrees to do this but then she drops a bombshell on the audience: it's going to be brutal for her to be Orsino's wingman because she (Viola) is falling for the Duke.

Twelfth Night, or What You Will: Act 1, Scene 4 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 1, Scene 4 of Twelfth Night, or What You Will from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text

Translated Text

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