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Home : Twelfth Night : Act 2, scene iv : page 96 Read the Study Guide: Twelfth Night
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Twelfth Night
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 VIOLA
  A blank, my lord. She never told her love,
  But let concealment, like a worm i' the bud,
110 Feed on her damask cheek. She pined in thought,
  And with a green and yellow melancholy
  She sat like patience on a monument,
  Smiling at grief. Was not this love indeed?
  We men may say more, swear more, but indeed
115 Our shows are more than will, for still we prove
  Much in our vows, but little in our love.
VIOLA
There was no story, my lord. She never told him she loved him. She kept her love bottled up inside her until it destroyed her, ruining her beauty. She pined away. She just sat waiting patiently, sadly, smiling despite her sadness. Her complexion turned greenish from depression. Doesn't that sound like true love? We men might talk more and promise more, but in fact we talk more than we really feel. We might be great at making vows, but our love isn't sincere.
 ORSINO
  But died thy sister of her love, my boy?
ORSINO
But did your sister die of love?
 VIOLA
  I am all the daughters of my father's house,
  And all the brothers too—and yet I know not.
120 Sir, shall I to this lady?
VIOLA
I am the only daughter in my father's family, and all the brothers too—but I'm not completely sure about that. Anyway, sir, should I go see the lady?
 ORSINO
                          Ay, that's the theme.
  To her in haste. Give her this jewel. Say
  My love can give no place, bide no denay.
  (he hands her a jewel)
ORSINO
Yes, go quickly and give her this jewel. Tell her my love won't go away and won't be denied. (he hands her a jewel)
Exeunt
They exit.

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