Twelfth Night

ACT III

SCENE I. OLIVIA's garden.

Enter VIOLA, and Clown with a tabour

VIOLA

Save thee, friend, and thy music: dost thou live by

thy tabour?

Clown

No, sir, I live by the church.

VIOLA

Art thou a churchman?

Clown

No such matter, sir: I do live by the church, for

I do live at my house, and my house doth stand by

the church.

VIOLA

So thou mayst say, the king lies by a beggar, if a

beggar dwell near him, or, the church stands by thy

tabour, if thy tabour stand by the church.

Clown

You have said, sir. To see this age! A sentence is

but a cheveril glove to a good wit: how quickly the

wrong side may be turned outward!

VIOLA

Nay, that's certain, they that dally nicely with

words may quickly make them wanton.

Clown

I would, therefore, my sister had had no name, sir.

VIOLA

Why, man?

Clown

Why, sir, her name's a word, and to dally with that

word might make my sister wanton. But indeed words

are very rascals since bonds disgraced them.

VIOLA

Thy reason, man?

Clown

Troth, sir, I can yield you none without words, and

words are grown so false, I am loath to prove

reason with them.

VIOLA

I warrant thou art a merry fellow and carest for nothing.

Clown

Not so, sir, I do care for something, but in my

conscience, sir, I do not care for you: if that be

to care for nothing, sir, I would it would make you invisible.

VIOLA

Art not thou the Lady Olivia's fool?

Clown

No, indeed, sir, the Lady Olivia has no folly: she

will keep no fool, sir, till she be married, and

fools are as like husbands as pilchards are to

herrings, the husband's the bigger: I am indeed not

her fool, but her corrupter of words.

VIOLA

I saw thee late at the Count Orsino's.

Clown

Foolery, sir, does walk about the orb like the sun,

it shines every where. I would be sorry, sir, but

the fool should be as oft with your master as with

my mistress: I think I saw your wisdom there.

VIOLA

Nay, an thou pass upon me, I'll no more with thee.

Hold, there's expenses for thee.

Clown

Now Jove, in his next commodity of hair, send thee a beard!

VIOLA

By my troth, I'll tell thee, I am almost sick for

one,

Aside

though I would not have it grow on my chin. Is thy

lady within?

Clown

Would not a pair of these have bred, sir?

VIOLA

Yes, being kept together and put to use.

Clown

I would play Lord Pandarus of Phrygia, sir, to bring

a Cressida to this Troilus.

VIOLA

I understand you, sir, 'tis well begged.

Clown

The matter, I hope, is not great, sir, begging but

a beggar: Cressida was a beggar. My lady is

within, sir. I will construe to them whence you

come, who you are and what you would are out of my

welkin, I might say 'element,' but the word is over-worn.

Exit

VIOLA

This fellow is wise enough to play the fool,

And to do that well craves a kind of wit:

He must observe their mood on whom he jests,

The quality of persons, and the time,

And, like the haggard, cheque at every feather

That comes before his eye. This is a practise

As full of labour as a wise man's art

For folly that he wisely shows is fit,

But wise men, folly-fall'n, quite taint their wit.

Enter SIR TOBY BELCH, and SIR ANDREW

SIR TOBY BELCH

Save you, gentleman.

VIOLA

And you, sir.

SIR ANDREW

Dieu vous garde, monsieur.

VIOLA

Et vous aussi, votre serviteur.

SIR ANDREW

I hope, sir, you are, and I am yours.

SIR TOBY BELCH

Will you encounter the house? my niece is desirous

you should enter, if your trade be to her.

VIOLA

I am bound to your niece, sir, I mean, she is the

list of my voyage.

SIR TOBY BELCH

Taste your legs, sir, put them to motion.

VIOLA

My legs do better understand me, sir, than I

understand what you mean by bidding me taste my legs.

SIR TOBY BELCH

I mean, to go, sir, to enter.

VIOLA

I will answer you with gait and entrance. But we

are prevented.

Enter OLIVIA and MARIA

Most excellent accomplished lady, the heavens rain

odours on you!

SIR ANDREW

That youth's a rare courtier: 'Rain odours,' well.

VIOLA

My matter hath no voice, to your own most pregnant

and vouchsafed ear.

SIR ANDREW

'Odours,' 'pregnant' and 'vouchsafed:' I'll get 'em

all three all ready.

OLIVIA

Let the garden door be shut, and leave me to my hearing.

Exeunt SIR TOBY BELCH, SIR ANDREW, and MARIA

Give me your hand, sir.

VIOLA

My duty, madam, and most humble service.

OLIVIA

What is your name?

VIOLA

Cesario is your servant's name, fair princess.

OLIVIA

My servant, sir! 'Twas never merry world

Since lowly feigning was call'd compliment:

You're servant to the Count Orsino, youth.

VIOLA

And he is yours, and his must needs be yours:

Your servant's servant is your servant, madam.

OLIVIA

For him, I think not on him: for his thoughts,

Would they were blanks, rather than fill'd with me!

VIOLA

Madam, I come to whet your gentle thoughts

On his behalf.

OLIVIA

O, by your leave, I pray you,

I bade you never speak again of him:

But, would you undertake another suit,

I had rather hear you to solicit that

Than music from the spheres.

VIOLA

Dear lady,--

OLIVIA

Give me leave, beseech you. I did send,

After the last enchantment you did here,

A ring in chase of you: so did I abuse

Myself, my servant and, I fear me, you:

Under your hard construction must I sit,

To force that on you, in a shameful cunning,

Which you knew none of yours: what might you think?

Have you not set mine honour at the stake

And baited it with all the unmuzzled thoughts

That tyrannous heart can think? To one of your receiving

Enough is shown: a cypress, not a bosom,

Hideth my heart. So, let me hear you speak.

VIOLA

I pity you.

OLIVIA

That's a degree to love.

VIOLA

No, not a grize, for 'tis a vulgar proof,

That very oft we pity enemies.

OLIVIA

Why, then, methinks 'tis time to smile again.

O, world, how apt the poor are to be proud!

If one should be a prey, how much the better

To fall before the lion than the wolf!

Clock strikes

The clock upbraids me with the waste of time.

Be not afraid, good youth, I will not have you:

And yet, when wit and youth is come to harvest,

Your were is alike to reap a proper man:

There lies your way, due west.

VIOLA

Then westward-ho! Grace and good disposition

Attend your ladyship!

You'll nothing, madam, to my lord by me?

OLIVIA

Stay:

I prithee, tell me what thou thinkest of me.

VIOLA

That you do think you are not what you are.

OLIVIA

If I think so, I think the same of you.

VIOLA

Then think you right: I am not what I am.

OLIVIA

I would you were as I would have you be!

VIOLA

Would it be better, madam, than I am?

I wish it might, for now I am your fool.

OLIVIA

O, what a deal of scorn looks beautiful

In the contempt and anger of his lip!

A murderous guilt shows not itself more soon

Than love that would seem hid: love's night is noon.

Cesario, by the roses of the spring,

By maidhood, honour, truth and every thing,

I love thee so, that, maugre all thy pride,

Nor wit nor reason can my passion hide.

Do not extort thy reasons from this clause,

For that I woo, thou therefore hast no cause,

But rather reason thus with reason fetter,

Love sought is good, but given unsought better.

VIOLA

By innocence I swear, and by my youth

I have one heart, one bosom and one truth,

And that no woman has, nor never none

Shall mistress be of it, save I alone.

And so adieu, good madam: never more

Will I my master's tears to you deplore.

OLIVIA

Yet come again, for thou perhaps mayst move

That heart, which now abhors, to like his love.

Exeunt

SCENE II. OLIVIA's house.

Enter SIR TOBY BELCH, SIR ANDREW, and FABIAN

SIR ANDREW

No, faith, I'll not stay a jot longer.

SIR TOBY BELCH

Thy reason, dear venom, give thy reason.

FABIAN

You must needs yield your reason, Sir Andrew.

SIR ANDREW

Marry, I saw your niece do more favours to the

count's serving-man than ever she bestowed upon me,

I saw't i' the orchard.

SIR TOBY BELCH

Did she see thee the while, old boy? tell me that.

SIR ANDREW

As plain as I see you now.

FABIAN

This was a great argument of love in her toward you.

SIR ANDREW

'Slight, will you make an ass o' me?

FABIAN

I will prove it legitimate, sir, upon the oaths of

judgment and reason.

SIR TOBY BELCH

And they have been grand-jury-men since before Noah

was a sailor.

FABIAN

She did show favour to the youth in your sight only

to exasperate you, to awake your dormouse valour, to

put fire in your heart and brimstone in your liver.

You should then have accosted her, and with some

excellent jests, fire-new from the mint, you should

have banged the youth into dumbness. This was

looked for at your hand, and this was balked: the

double gilt of this opportunity you let time wash

off, and you are now sailed into the north of my

lady's opinion, where you will hang like an icicle

on a Dutchman's beard, unless you do redeem it by

some laudable attempt either of valour or policy.

SIR ANDREW

An't be any way, it must be with valour, for policy

I hate: I had as lief be a Brownist as a

politician.

SIR TOBY BELCH

Why, then, build me thy fortunes upon the basis of

valour. Challenge me the count's youth to fight

with him, hurt him in eleven places: my niece shall

take note of it, and assure thyself, there is no

love-broker in the world can more prevail in man's

commendation with woman than report of valour.

FABIAN

There is no way but this, Sir Andrew.

SIR ANDREW

Will either of you bear me a challenge to him?

SIR TOBY BELCH

Go, write it in a martial hand, be curst and brief,

it is no matter how witty, so it be eloquent and fun

of invention: taunt him with the licence of ink:

if thou thou'st him some thrice, it shall not be

amiss, and as many lies as will lie in thy sheet of

paper, although the sheet were big enough for the

bed of Ware in England, set 'em down: go, about it.

Let there be gall enough in thy ink, though thou

write with a goose-pen, no matter: about it.

SIR ANDREW

Where shall I find you?

SIR TOBY BELCH

We'll call thee at the cubiculo: go.

Exit SIR ANDREW

FABIAN

This is a dear manikin to you, Sir Toby.

SIR TOBY BELCH

I have been dear to him, lad, some two thousand

strong, or so.

FABIAN

We shall have a rare letter from him: but you'll

not deliver't?

SIR TOBY BELCH

Never trust me, then, and by all means stir on the

youth to an answer. I think oxen and wainropes

cannot hale them together. For Andrew, if he were

opened, and you find so much blood in his liver as

will clog the foot of a flea, I'll eat the rest of

the anatomy.

FABIAN

And his opposite, the youth, bears in his visage no

great presage of cruelty.

Enter MARIA

SIR TOBY BELCH

Look, where the youngest wren of nine comes.

MARIA

If you desire the spleen, and will laugh yourself

into stitches, follow me. Yond gull Malvolio is

turned heathen, a very renegado, for there is no

Christian, that means to be saved by believing

rightly, can ever believe such impossible passages

of grossness. He's in yellow stockings.

SIR TOBY BELCH

And cross-gartered?

MARIA

Most villanously, like a pedant that keeps a school

i' the church. I have dogged him, like his

murderer. He does obey every point of the letter

that I dropped to betray him: he does smile his

face into more lines than is in the new map with the

augmentation of the Indies: you have not seen such

a thing as 'tis. I can hardly forbear hurling things

at him. I know my lady will strike him: if she do,

he'll smile and take't for a great favour.

SIR TOBY BELCH

Come, bring us, bring us where he is.

Exeunt

SCENE III. A street.

Enter SEBASTIAN and ANTONIO

SEBASTIAN

I would not by my will have troubled you,

But, since you make your pleasure of your pains,

I will no further chide you.

ANTONIO

I could not stay behind you: my desire,

More sharp than filed steel, did spur me forth,

And not all love to see you, though so much

As might have drawn one to a longer voyage,

But jealousy what might befall your travel,

Being skilless in these parts, which to a stranger,

Unguided and unfriended, often prove

Rough and unhospitable: my willing love,

The rather by these arguments of fear,

Set forth in your pursuit.

SEBASTIAN

My kind Antonio,

I can no other answer make but thanks,

And thanks, and ever [ ] oft good turns

Are shuffled off with such uncurrent pay:

But, were my worth as is my conscience firm,

You should find better dealing. What's to do?

Shall we go see the reliques of this town?

ANTONIO

To-morrow, sir: best first go see your lodging.

SEBASTIAN

I am not weary, and 'tis long to night:

I pray you, let us satisfy our eyes

With the memorials and the things of fame

That do renown this city.

ANTONIO

Would you'ld pardon me,

I do not without danger walk these streets:

Once, in a sea-fight, 'gainst the count his galleys

I did some service, of such note indeed,

That were I ta'en here it would scarce be answer'd.

SEBASTIAN

Belike you slew great number of his people.

ANTONIO

The offence is not of such a bloody nature,

Albeit the quality of the time and quarrel

Might well have given us bloody argument.

It might have since been answer'd in repaying

What we took from them, which, for traffic's sake,

Most of our city did: only myself stood out,

For which, if I be lapsed in this place,

I shall pay dear.

SEBASTIAN

Do not then walk too open.

ANTONIO

It doth not fit me. Hold, sir, here's my purse.

In the south suburbs, at the Elephant,

Is best to lodge: I will bespeak our diet,

Whiles you beguile the time and feed your knowledge

With viewing of the town: there shall you have me.

SEBASTIAN

Why I your purse?

ANTONIO

Haply your eye shall light upon some toy

You have desire to purchase, and your store,

I think, is not for idle markets, sir.

SEBASTIAN

I'll be your purse-bearer and leave you

For an hour.

ANTONIO

To the Elephant.

SEBASTIAN

I do remember.

Exeunt

SCENE IV. OLIVIA's garden.

Enter OLIVIA and MARIA

OLIVIA

I have sent after him: he says he'll come,

How shall I feast him? what bestow of him?

For youth is bought more oft than begg'd or borrow'd.

I speak too loud.

Where is Malvolio? he is sad and civil,

And suits well for a servant with my fortunes:

Where is Malvolio?

MARIA

He's coming, madam, but in very strange manner. He

is, sure, possessed, madam.

OLIVIA

Why, what's the matter? does he rave?

MARIA

No. madam, he does nothing but smile: your

ladyship were best to have some guard about you, if

he come, for, sure, the man is tainted in's wits.

OLIVIA

Go call him hither.

Exit MARIA

I am as mad as he,

If sad and merry madness equal be.

Re-enter MARIA, with MALVOLIO

How now, Malvolio!

MALVOLIO

Sweet lady, ho, ho.

OLIVIA

Smilest thou?

I sent for thee upon a sad occasion.

MALVOLIO

Sad, lady! I could be sad: this does make some

obstruction in the blood, this cross-gartering, but

what of that? if it please the eye of one, it is

with me as the very true sonnet is, 'Please one, and

please all.'

OLIVIA

Why, how dost thou, man? what is the matter with thee?

MALVOLIO

Not black in my mind, though yellow in my legs. It

did come to his hands, and commands shall be

executed: I think we do know the sweet Roman hand.

OLIVIA

Wilt thou go to bed, Malvolio?

MALVOLIO

To bed! ay, sweet-heart, and I'll come to thee.

OLIVIA

God comfort thee! Why dost thou smile so and kiss

thy hand so oft?

MARIA

How do you, Malvolio?

MALVOLIO

At your request! yes, nightingales answer daws.

MARIA

Why appear you with this ridiculous boldness before my lady?

MALVOLIO

'Be not afraid of greatness:' 'twas well writ.

OLIVIA

What meanest thou by that, Malvolio?

MALVOLIO

'Some are born great,'--

OLIVIA

Ha!

MALVOLIO

'Some achieve greatness,'--

OLIVIA

What sayest thou?

MALVOLIO

'And some have greatness thrust upon them.'

OLIVIA

Heaven restore thee!

MALVOLIO

'Remember who commended thy yellow stocking s,'--

OLIVIA

Thy yellow stockings!

MALVOLIO

'And wished to see thee cross-gartered.'

OLIVIA

Cross-gartered!

MALVOLIO

'Go to thou art made, if thou desirest to be so,'--

OLIVIA

Am I made?

MALVOLIO

'If not, let me see thee a servant still.'

OLIVIA

Why, this is very midsummer madness.

Enter Servant

Servant

Madam, the young gentleman of the Count Orsino's is

returned: I could hardly entreat him back: he

attends your ladyship's pleasure.

OLIVIA

I'll come to him.

Exit Servant

Good Maria, let this fellow be looked to. Where's

my cousin Toby? Let some of my people have a special

care of him: I would not have him miscarry for the

half of my dowry.

Exeunt OLIVIA and MARIA

MALVOLIO

O, ho! do you come near me now? no worse man than

Sir Toby to look to me! This concurs directly with

the letter: she sends him on purpose, that I may

appear stubborn to him, for she incites me to that

in the letter. 'Cast thy humble slough,' says she,

'be opposite with a kinsman, surly with servants,

let thy tongue tang with arguments of state, put

thyself into the trick of singularity,' and

consequently sets down the manner how, as, a sad

face, a reverend carriage, a slow tongue, in the

habit of some sir of note, and so forth. I have

limed her, but it is Jove's doing, and Jove make me

thankful! And when she went away now, 'Let this

fellow be looked to:' fellow! not Malvolio, nor

after my degree, but fellow. Why, every thing

adheres together, that no dram of a scruple, no

scruple of a scruple, no obstacle, no incredulous

or unsafe circumstance--What can be said? Nothing

that can be can come between me and the full

prospect of my hopes. Well, Jove, not I, is the

doer of this, and he is to be thanked.

Re-enter MARIA, with SIR TOBY BELCH and FABIAN

SIR TOBY BELCH

Which way is he, in the name of sanctity? If all

the devils of hell be drawn in little, and Legion

himself possessed him, yet I'll speak to him.

FABIAN

Here he is, here he is. How is't with you, sir?

how is't with you, man?

MALVOLIO

Go off, I discard you: let me enjoy my private: go

off.

MARIA

Lo, how hollow the fiend speaks within him! did not

I tell you? Sir Toby, my lady prays you to have a

care of him.

MALVOLIO

Ah, ha! does she so?

SIR TOBY BELCH

Go to, go to, peace, peace, we must deal gently

with him: let me alone. How do you, Malvolio? how

is't with you? What, man! defy the devil:

consider, he's an enemy to mankind.

MALVOLIO

Do you know what you say?

MARIA

La you, an you speak ill of the devil, how he takes

it at heart! Pray God, he be not bewitched!

FABIAN

Carry his water to the wise woman.

MARIA

Marry, and it shall be done to-morrow morning, if I

live. My lady would not lose him for more than I'll say.

MALVOLIO

How now, mistress!

MARIA

O Lord!

SIR TOBY BELCH

Prithee, hold thy peace, this is not the way: do

you not see you move him? let me alone with him.

FABIAN

No way but gentleness, gently, gently: the fiend is

rough, and will not be roughly used.

SIR TOBY BELCH

Why, how now, my bawcock! how dost thou, chuck?

MALVOLIO

Sir!

SIR TOBY BELCH

Ay, Biddy, come with me. What, man! 'tis not for

gravity to play at cherry-pit with Satan: hang

him, foul collier!

MARIA

Get him to say his prayers, good Sir Toby, get him to pray.

MALVOLIO

My prayers, minx!

MARIA

No, I warrant you, he will not hear of godliness.

MALVOLIO

Go, hang yourselves all! you are idle shallow

things: I am not of your element: you shall know

more hereafter.

Exit

SIR TOBY BELCH

Is't possible?

FABIAN

If this were played upon a stage now, I could

condemn it as an improbable fiction.

SIR TOBY BELCH

His very genius hath taken the infection of the device, man.

MARIA

Nay, pursue him now, lest the device take air and taint.

FABIAN

Why, we shall make him mad indeed.

MARIA

The house will be the quieter.

SIR TOBY BELCH

Come, we'll have him in a dark room and bound. My

niece is already in the belief that he's mad: we

may carry it thus, for our pleasure and his penance,

till our very pastime, tired out of breath, prompt

us to have mercy on him: at which time we will

bring the device to the bar and crown thee for a

finder of madmen. But see, but see.

Enter SIR ANDREW

FABIAN

More matter for a May morning.

SIR ANDREW

Here's the challenge, read it: warrant there's

vinegar and pepper in't.

FABIAN

Is't so saucy?

SIR ANDREW

Ay, is't, I warrant him: do but read.

SIR TOBY BELCH

Give me.

Reads

'Youth, whatsoever thou art, thou art but a scurvy fellow.'

FABIAN

Good, and valiant.

SIR TOBY BELCH

[Reads] 'Wonder not, nor admire not in thy mind,

why I do call thee so, for I will show thee no reason for't.'

FABIAN

A good note, that keeps you from the blow of the law.

SIR TOBY BELCH

[Reads] 'Thou comest to the lady Olivia, and in my

sight she uses thee kindly: but thou liest in thy

throat, that is not the matter I challenge thee for.'

FABIAN

Very brief, and to exceeding good sense--less.

SIR TOBY BELCH

[Reads] 'I will waylay thee going home, where if it

be thy chance to kill me,'--

FABIAN

Good.

SIR TOBY BELCH

[Reads] 'Thou killest me like a rogue and a villain.'

FABIAN

Still you keep o' the windy side of the law: good.

SIR TOBY BELCH

[Reads] 'Fare thee well, and God have mercy upon

one of our souls! He may have mercy upon mine, but

my hope is better, and so look to thyself. Thy

friend, as thou usest him, and thy sworn enemy,

ANDREW AGUECHEEK.

If this letter move him not, his legs cannot:

I'll give't him.

MARIA

You may have very fit occasion for't: he is now in

some commerce with my lady, and will by and by depart.

SIR TOBY BELCH

Go, Sir Andrew: scout me for him at the corner the

orchard like a bum-baily: so soon as ever thou seest

him, draw, and, as thou drawest swear horrible, for

it comes to pass oft that a terrible oath, with a

swaggering accent sharply twanged off, gives manhood

more approbation than ever proof itself would have

earned him. Away!

SIR ANDREW

Nay, let me alone for swearing.

Exit

SIR TOBY BELCH

Now will not I deliver his letter: for the behavior

of the young gentleman gives him out to be of good

capacity and breeding, his employment between his

lord and my niece confirms no less: therefore this

letter, being so excellently ignorant, will breed no

terror in the youth: he will find it comes from a

clodpole. But, sir, I will deliver his challenge by

word of mouth, set upon Aguecheek a notable report

of valour, and drive the gentleman, as I know his

youth will aptly receive it, into a most hideous

opinion of his rage, skill, fury and impetuosity.

This will so fright them both that they will kill

one another by the look, like cockatrices.

Re-enter OLIVIA, with VIOLA

FABIAN

Here he comes with your niece: give them way till

he take leave, and presently after him.

SIR TOBY BELCH

I will meditate the while upon some horrid message

for a challenge.

Exeunt SIR TOBY BELCH, FABIAN, and MARIA

OLIVIA

I have said too much unto a heart of stone

And laid mine honour too unchary out:

There's something in me that reproves my fault,

But such a headstrong potent fault it is,

That it but mocks reproof.

VIOLA

With the same 'havior that your passion bears

Goes on my master's grief.

OLIVIA

Here, wear this jewel for me, 'tis my picture,

Refuse it not, it hath no tongue to vex you,

And I beseech you come again to-morrow.

What shall you ask of me that I'll deny,

That honour saved may upon asking give?

VIOLA

Nothing but this, your true love for my master.

OLIVIA

How with mine honour may I give him that

Which I have given to you?

VIOLA

I will acquit you.

OLIVIA

Well, come again to-morrow: fare thee well:

A fiend like thee might bear my soul to hell.

Exit

Re-enter SIR TOBY BELCH and FABIAN

SIR TOBY BELCH

Gentleman, God save thee.

VIOLA

And you, sir.

SIR TOBY BELCH

That defence thou hast, betake thee to't: of what

nature the wrongs are thou hast done him, I know

not, but thy intercepter, full of despite, bloody as

the hunter, attends thee at the orchard-end:

dismount thy tuck, be yare in thy preparation, for

thy assailant is quick, skilful and deadly.

VIOLA

You mistake, sir, I am sure no man hath any quarrel

to me: my remembrance is very free and clear from

any image of offence done to any man.

SIR TOBY BELCH

You'll find it otherwise, I assure you: therefore,

if you hold your life at any price, betake you to

your guard, for your opposite hath in him what

youth, strength, skill and wrath can furnish man withal.

VIOLA

I pray you, sir, what is he?

SIR TOBY BELCH

He is knight, dubbed with unhatched rapier and on

carpet consideration, but he is a devil in private

brawl: souls and bodies hath he divorced three, and

his incensement at this moment is so implacable,

that satisfaction can be none but by pangs of death

and sepulchre. Hob, nob, is his word, give't or take't.

VIOLA

I will return again into the house and desire some

conduct of the lady. I am no fighter. I have heard

of some kind of men that put quarrels purposely on

others, to taste their valour: belike this is a man

of that quirk.

SIR TOBY BELCH

Sir, no, his indignation derives itself out of a

very competent injury: therefore, get you on and

give him his desire. Back you shall not to the

house, unless you undertake that with me which with

as much safety you might answer him: therefore, on,

or strip your sword stark naked, for meddle you

must, that's certain, or forswear to wear iron about you.

VIOLA

This is as uncivil as strange. I beseech you, do me

this courteous office, as to know of the knight what

my offence to him is: it is something of my

negligence, nothing of my purpose.

SIR TOBY BELCH

I will do so. Signior Fabian, stay you by this

gentleman till my return.

Exit

VIOLA

Pray you, sir, do you know of this matter?

FABIAN

I know the knight is incensed against you, even to a

mortal arbitrement, but nothing of the circumstance more.

VIOLA

I beseech you, what manner of man is he?

FABIAN

Nothing of that wonderful promise, to read him by

his form, as you are like to find him in the proof

of his valour. He is, indeed, sir, the most skilful,

bloody and fatal opposite that you could possibly

have found in any part of Illyria. Will you walk

towards him? I will make your peace with him if I

can.

VIOLA

I shall be much bound to you for't: I am one that

had rather go with sir priest than sir knight: I

care not who knows so much of my mettle.

Exeunt

Re-enter SIR TOBY BELCH, with SIR ANDREW

SIR TOBY BELCH

Why, man, he's a very devil, I have not seen such a

firago. I had a pass with him, rapier, scabbard and

all, and he gives me the stuck in with such a mortal

motion, that it is inevitable, and on the answer, he

pays you as surely as your feet hit the ground they

step on. They say he has been fencer to the Sophy.

SIR ANDREW

Pox on't, I'll not meddle with him.

SIR TOBY BELCH

Ay, but he will not now be pacified: Fabian can

scarce hold him yonder.

SIR ANDREW

Plague on't, an I thought he had been valiant and so

cunning in fence, I'ld have seen him damned ere I'ld

have challenged him. Let him let the matter slip,

and I'll give him my horse, grey Capilet.

SIR TOBY BELCH

I'll make the motion: stand here, make a good show

on't: this shall end without the perdition of souls.

Aside

Marry, I'll ride your horse as well as I ride you.

Re-enter FABIAN and VIOLA

To FABIAN

I have his horse to take up the quarrel:

I have persuaded him the youth's a devil.

FABIAN

He is as horribly conceited of him, and pants and

looks pale, as if a bear were at his heels.

SIR TOBY BELCH

[To VIOLA] There's no remedy, sir, he will fight

with you for's oath sake: marry, he hath better

bethought him of his quarrel, and he finds that now

scarce to be worth talking of: therefore draw, for

the supportance of his vow, he protests he will not hurt you.

VIOLA

[Aside] Pray God defend me! A little thing would

make me tell them how much I lack of a man.

FABIAN

Give ground, if you see him furious.

SIR TOBY BELCH

Come, Sir Andrew, there's no remedy, the gentleman

will, for his honour's sake, have one bout with you,

he cannot by the duello avoid it: but he has

promised me, as he is a gentleman and a soldier, he

will not hurt you. Come on, to't.

SIR ANDREW

Pray God, he keep his oath!

VIOLA

I do assure you, 'tis against my will.

They draw

Enter ANTONIO

ANTONIO

Put up your sword. If this young gentleman

Have done offence, I take the fault on me:

If you offend him, I for him defy you.

SIR TOBY BELCH

You, sir! why, what are you?

ANTONIO

One, sir, that for his love dares yet do more

Than you have heard him brag to you he will.

SIR TOBY BELCH

Nay, if you be an undertaker, I am for you.

They draw

Enter Officers

FABIAN

O good Sir Toby, hold! here come the officers.

SIR TOBY BELCH

I'll be with you anon.

VIOLA

Pray, sir, put your sword up, if you please.

SIR ANDREW

Marry, will I, sir, and, for that I promised you,

I'll be as good as my word: he will bear you easily

and reins well.

First Officer

This is the man, do thy office.

Second Officer

Antonio, I arrest thee at the suit of Count Orsino.

ANTONIO

You do mistake me, sir.

First Officer

No, sir, no jot, I know your favour well,

Though now you have no sea-cap on your head.

Take him away: he knows I know him well.

ANTONIO

I must obey.

To VIOLA

This comes with seeking you:

But there's no remedy, I shall answer it.

What will you do, now my necessity

Makes me to ask you for my purse? It grieves me

Much more for what I cannot do for you

Than what befalls myself. You stand amazed,

But be of comfort.

Second Officer

Come, sir, away.

ANTONIO

I must entreat of you some of that money.

VIOLA

What money, sir?

For the fair kindness you have show'd me here,

And, part, being prompted by your present trouble,

Out of my lean and low ability

I'll lend you something: my having is not much,

I'll make division of my present with you:

Hold, there's half my coffer.

ANTONIO

Will you deny me now?

Is't possible that my deserts to you

Can lack persuasion? Do not tempt my misery,

Lest that it make me so unsound a man

As to upbraid you with those kindnesses

That I have done for you.

VIOLA

I know of none,

Nor know I you by voice or any feature:

I hate ingratitude more in a man

Than lying, vainness, babbling, drunkenness,

Or any taint of vice whose strong corruption

Inhabits our frail blood.

ANTONIO

O heavens themselves!

Second Officer

Come, sir, I pray you, go.

ANTONIO

Let me speak a little. This youth that you see here

I snatch'd one half out of the jaws of death,

Relieved him with such sanctity of love,

And to his image, which methought did promise

Most venerable worth, did I devotion.

First Officer

What's that to us? The time goes by: away!

ANTONIO

But O how vile an idol proves this god

Thou hast, Sebastian, done good feature shame.

In nature there's no blemish but the mind,

None can be call'd deform'd but the unkind:

Virtue is beauty, but the beauteous evil

Are empty trunks o'erflourish'd by the devil.

First Officer

The man grows mad: away with him! Come, come, sir.

ANTONIO

Lead me on.

Exit with Officers

VIOLA

Methinks his words do from such passion fly,

That he believes himself: so do not I.

Prove true, imagination, O, prove true,

That I, dear brother, be now ta'en for you!

SIR TOBY BELCH

Come hither, knight, come hither, Fabian: we'll

whisper o'er a couplet or two of most sage saws.

VIOLA

He named Sebastian: I my brother know

Yet living in my glass, even such and so

In favour was my brother, and he went

Still in this fashion, colour, ornament,

For him I imitate: O, if it prove,

Tempests are kind and salt waves fresh in love.

Exit

SIR TOBY BELCH

A very dishonest paltry boy, and more a coward than

a hare: his dishonesty appears in leaving his

friend here in necessity and denying him, and for

his cowardship, ask Fabian.

FABIAN

A coward, a most devout coward, religious in it.

SIR ANDREW

'Slid, I'll after him again and beat him.

SIR TOBY BELCH

Do, cuff him soundly, but never draw thy sword.

SIR ANDREW

An I do not,--

FABIAN

Come, let's see the event.

SIR TOBY BELCH

I dare lay any money 'twill be nothing yet.

Exeunt