_Mal._ Has been told so; and he says, he'll stand at your door like a sheriff's post, and be the supporter to a bench, but he'll speak with you. 140
_Mal._ Of very ill manner; he'll speak with you, will you or no. 145
_Oli._ Of what personage and years is he?
_Mal._ Not yet old enough for a man, nor young enough for a boy; as a squash is before 'tis a peascod, or a codling when 'tis almost an apple: 'tis with him in standing water, between boy and man. He is very well-favoured and he 150 speaks very shrewishly; one would think his mother's milk were scarce out of him.
_Oli._ Let him approach: call in my gentlewoman.
_Mal._ Gentlewoman, my lady calls. [_Exit._
_Oli._ Give me my veil: come, throw it o'er my face. 155 We'll once more hear Orsino's embassy.
_Vio._ The honourable lady of the house, which is she?
_Oli._ Speak to me; I shall answer for her. Your will?
_Vio._ Most radiant, exquisite and unmatchable beauty,--I pray you, tell me if this be the lady of the house, for I 160 never saw her: I would be loath to cast away my speech, for besides that it is excellently well penned, I have taken great pains to con it. Good beauties, let me sustain no scorn; I am very comptible, even to the least sinister usage.
_Vio._ I can say little more than I have studied, and that question's out of my part. Good gentle one, give me modest assurance if you be the lady of the house, that I may proceed in my speech.
_Vio._ No, my profound heart: and yet, by the very fangs of malice I swear, I am not that I play. Are you the lady of the house?
_Vio._ Most certain, if you are she, you do usurp your-self; 175 for what is yours to bestow is not yours to reserve. But this is from my commission: I will on with my speech in your praise, and then show you the heart of my message.
_Oli._ Come to what is important in't: I forgive you the praise. 180
_Vio._ Alas, I took great pains to study it, and 'tis poetical.
_Oli._ It is the more like to be feigned: I pray you, keep it in. I heard you were saucy at my gates, and allowed your approach rather to wonder at you than to hear you. 185 If you be not mad, be gone; if you have reason, be brief: 'tis not that time of moon with me to make one in so skipping a dialogue.