|Lords, Priests, Sailors, Officers, Musicians, and other Attendants.|
Scene.—A City in Illyria; and the Sea-coast near it.
If music be the food of love, play on;
Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting,
The appetite may sicken, and so die.
That strain again! it had a dying fall: 4
O! it came o’er my ear like the sweet sound
That breathes upon a bank of violets,
Stealing and giving odour. Enough! no more:
’Tis not so sweet now as it was before. 8
O spirit of love! how quick and fresh art thou,
That, notwithstanding thy capacity
Receiveth as the sea, nought enters there,
Of what validity and pitch soe’er, 12
But falls into abatement and low price,
Even in a minute: so full of shapes is fancy,
That it alone is high fantastical.
Will you go hunt, my lord?
What, Curio? 16
Why, so I do, the noblest that I have.
O! when mine eyes did see Olivia first,
Methought she purg’d the air of pestilence. 20
That instant was I turn’d into a hart,
And my desires, like fell and cruel hounds,
E’er since pursue me.
How now! what news from her?
So please my lord, I might not be admitted; 24
But from her handmaid do return this answer:
The element itself, till seven years’ heat,
Shall not behold her face at ample view;
But, like a cloistress, she will veiled walk, 28
And water once a day her chamber round
With eve-offending brine: all this, to season
A brother’s dead love, which she would keep fresh
And lasting in her sad remembrance. 32
O! she that hath a heart of that fine frame
To pay this debt of love but to a brother,
How will she love, when the rich golden shaft
Hath kill’d the flock of all affections else 36
That live in her; when liver, brain, and heart,
These sovereign thrones, are all supplied, and fill’d
Her sweet perfections with one self king.
Away before me to sweet beds of flowers; 40
Love-thoughts lie rich when canopied with bowers.
Enter Viola, Captain, and Sailors.
What country, friends, is this?
This is Illyria, lady.
And what should I do in Illyria?
My brother he is in Elysium.
Perchance he is not drown’d: what think you sailors? 4
It is perchance that you yourself were sav’d.
O my poor brother! and so perchance may he be.
True, madam: and, to comfort you with chance,
Assure yourself, after our ship did split, 8
When you and those poor number sav’d with you
Hung on our driving boat, I saw your brother,
Most provident in peril, bind himself,—
Courage and hope both teaching him the practice,— 12
To a strong mast that liv’d upon the sea;
Where, like Arion on the dolphin’s back,
I saw him hold acquaintance with the waves
So long as I could see.
For saying so there’s gold. 16
Mine own escape unfoldeth to my hope,
Whereto thy speech serves for authority,
The like of him. Know’st thou this country?
Ay, madam, well; for I was bred and born 20
Not three hours’ travel from this very place.
Who governs here?
A noble duke, in nature as in name.
What is his name? 24
Orsino! I have heard my father name him:
He was a bachelor then.
And so is now, or was so very late; 28
For but a month ago I went from hence,
And then ’twas fresh in murmur,—as, you know,
What great ones do the less will prattle of,—
That he did seek the love of fair Olivia. 32
A virtuous maid, the daughter of a count
That died some twelvemonth since; then leaving her
In the protection of his son, her brother, 36
Who shortly also died: for whose dear love,
They say she hath abjur’d the company
And sight of men.
O! that I serv’d that lady,
And might not be deliver’d to the world, 40
Till I had made mine own occasion mellow,
What my estate is.
That were hard to compass,
Because she will admit no kind of suit,
No, not the duke’s. 44
There is a fair behaviour in thee, captain;
And though that nature with a beauteous wall
Doth oft close in pollution, yet of thee
I will believe thou hast a mind that suits 48
With this thy fair and outward character.
I prithee,—and I’ll pay thee bounteously,—
Conceal me what I am, and be my aid
For such disguise as haply shall become 52
The form of my intent. I’ll serve this duke:
Thou shalt present me as a eunuch to him:
It may be worth thy pains; for I can sing
And speak to him in many sorts of music 56
That will allow me very worth his service.
What else may hap to time I will commit;
Only shape thou thy silence to my wit.
Be you his eunuch, and your mute I’ll be: 60
When my tongue blabs, then let mine eyes not see.
I thank thee: lead me on.
Accost, Sir Andrew, accost.
My niece’s chambermaid.
Good Mistress Accost, I desire better acquaintance. 57
My name is Mary, sir.
Good Mistress Mary Accost,—
You mistake, knight: ‘accost’ is, front her, board her, woo her, assail her. 61
By my troth, I would not undertake her in this company. Is that the meaning of ‘accost?’ 64
Fare you well, gentlemen.
An thou let her part so, Sir Andrew, would thou mightst never draw sword again!
An you part so, mistress, I would I might never draw sword again. Fair lady, do you think you have fools in hand? 70
Sir, I have not you by the hand.
Marry, but you shall have; and here’s my hand.
Now, sir, ‘thought is free:’ I pray you, bring your hand to the buttery-bar and let it drink. 76
Wherefore, sweetheart? what’s your metaphor?
It’s dry, sir.
Why, I think so: I am not such an ass but I can keep my hand dry. But what’s your jest?
A dry jest, sir.
Are you full of them? 84
Ay, sir, I have them at my fingers’ ends: marry, now I let go your hand, I am barren.
O knight! thou lackest a cup of canary: when did I see thee so put down? 88
Never in your life, I think; unless you see canary put me down. Methinks sometimes I have no more wit than a Christian or an ordinary man has; but I am a great eater of beef, and I believe that does harm to my wit. 93
An I thought that, I’d forswear it.
I’ll ride home to-morrow, Sir Toby. 96
Pourquoi, my dear knight?
What is ‘pourquoi?’ do or not do? I would I had bestowed that time in the tongues that I have in fencing, dancing, and bear-baiting. O! had I but followed the arts! 101
Then hadst thou had an excellent head of hair.
Why, would that have mended my hair? 105
Past question; for thou seest it will not curl by nature.
But it becomes me well enough, does’t not? 109
Excellent; it hangs like flax on a distaff, and I hope to see a housewife take thee between her legs, and spin it off. 112
Faith, I’ll home to-morrow, Sir Toby: your niece will not be seen; or if she be, it’s four to one she’ll none of me. The count himself here hard by woos her. 116
She’ll none o’ the count; she’ll not match above her degree, neither in estate, years, nor wit; I have heard her swear it. Tut, there’s life in’t, man. 120
I’ll stay a month longer. I am a fellow o’ the strangest mind i’ the world; I delight in masques and revels sometimes altogether.
Art thou good at these kickchawses, knight? 125
As any man in Illyria, whatsoever he be, under the degree of my betters: and yet I will not compare with an old man. 128
What is thy excellence in a galliard, knight?
Faith, I can cut a caper.
And I can cut the mutton to’t. 132
And I think I have the back-trick simply as strong as any man in Illyria.
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 formed under the star of a galliard. 144
Ay, ’tis strong, and it does indifferent well in a flame-coloured stock. Shall we set about some revels?
What shall we do else? were we not born under Taurus? 149
Taurus! that’s sides and heart.
No, sir, it is legs and thighs. Let me see thee caper. Ha! higher: ha, ha! excellent!
Enter Valentine, and Viola in man’s attire.
If the duke continue these favours towards you, Cesario, you are like to be much advanced: he hath known you but three days, and already you are no stranger. 4
You either fear his humour or my negligence, that you call in question the continuance of his love. Is he inconstant, sir, in his favours?
No, believe me. 8
I thank you. Here comes the count.
Enter Duke, Curio, and Attendants.
Who saw Cesario? ho!
On your attendance, my lord; here.
Stand you awhile aloof. Cesario, 12
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, 16
And tell them, there thy fixed foot shall grow
Till thou have audience.
Sure, my noble lord,
If she be so abandon’d to her sorrow
As it is spoke, she never will admit me. 20
Be clamorous and leap all civil bounds
Rather than make unprofited return.
Say I do speak with her, my lord, what then?
O! then unfold the passion of my love;
Surprise her with discourse of my dear faith: 25
It shall become thee well to act my woes;
She will attend it better in thy youth
Than in a nuncio of more grave aspect. 28
I think not so, my lord.
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; 33
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 37
When least in company. Prosper well in this,
And thou shalt live as freely as thy lord,
To call his fortunes thine.
I’ll do my best 40
To woo your lady: [Aside] yet, a barful strife!
Whoe’er I woo, myself would be his wife.
Enter Maria and Clown.
Nay, either tell me where thou hast been, or I will not open my lips so wide as a bristle may enter in way of thy excuse. My lady will hang thee for thy absence. 4
Let her hang me: he that is well hanged in this world needs to fear no colours.
Make that good.
He shall see none to fear. 8
A good lenten answer: I can tell thee where that saying was born, of, ‘I fear no colours.’
Where, good Mistress Mary?
In the wars; and that may you be bold to say in your foolery. 13
Well, God give them wisdom that have it; and those that are fools, let them use their talents. 16
Yet you will be hanged for being so long absent; or, to be turned away, is not that as good as a hanging to you?
Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage; and, for turning away, let summer bear it out. 22
You are resolute then?
Not so, neither; but I am resolved on two points. 25
That if one break, the other will hold; or, if both break, your gaskins fall.
Apt, in good faith; very apt. Well, go thy way: if Sir Toby would leave drinking, thou wert as witty a piece of Eve’s flesh as any in Illyria. 30
Peace, you rogue, no more o’ that. Here comes my lady: make your excuse wisely, you were best.
Wit, an’t be thy will, put me into good fooling! Those wits that think they have thee, do very oft prove fools; and I, that am sure I lack thee, may pass for a wise man: for what says Quinapalus? ‘Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.’
Enter Olivia with Malvolio.
God bless thee, lady! 40
Take the fool away.
Do you not hear, fellows? Take away the lady.
Go to, you’re a dry fool; I’ll no more of you: besides, you grow dishonest. 45
Two faults, madonna, that drink and good counsel will amend: for give the dry fool drink, then is the fool not dry; bid the dishonest man mend himself: if he mend, he is no longer dishonest; if he cannot, let the botcher mend him. Any thing that’s mended is but patched: virtue that transgresses is but patched with sin; and sin that amends is but patched with virtue. If that this simple syllogism will serve, so; if it will not, what remedy? As there is no true cuckold but calamity, so beauty’s a flower. The lady bade take away the fool; therefore, I say again, take her away. 58
Sir, I bade them take away you.
Misprision in the highest degree! Lady, cucullus non facit monachum; that’s as much to say as I wear not motley in my brain. Good madonna, give me leave to prove you a fool.
Can you do it? 64
Dexteriously, good madonna.
Make your proof.
I must catechise you for it, madonna: good my mouse of virtue, answer me. 68
Well, sir, for want of other idleness, I’ll bide your proof.
Good madonna, why mournest thou?
Good fool, for my brother’s death. 72
I think his soul is in hell, madonna.
I know his soul is in heaven, fool.
The more fool, madonna, to mourn for your brother’s soul being in heaven. Take away the fool, gentlemen. 77
What think you of this fool, Malvolio? doth he not mend?
Yes; and shall do, till the pangs of death shake him: infirmity, that decays the wise, doth ever make the better fool. 82
God send you, sir, a speedy infirmity, for the better increasing your folly! Sir Toby will be sworn that I am no fox, but he will not pass his word for two pence that you are no fool.
How say you to that, Malvolio? 87
I marvel your ladyship takes delight in such a barren rascal: I saw him put down the other day with an ordinary fool that has no more brain than a stone. Look you now, he’s out of his guard already; unless you laugh and minister occasion to him, he is gagged. I protest, I take these wise men, that crow so at these set kind of fools, no better than the fools’ zanies. 95
O! you are sick of self-love, Malvolio, and taste with a distempered appetite. To be generous, guiltless, and of free disposition, is to take those things for bird-bolts that you deem cannon-bullets. There is no slander in an allowed fool, though he do nothing but rail; nor no railing in a known discreet man, though he do nothing but reprove.
Now, Mercury endue thee with leasing, for thou speakest well of fools! 105
Madam, there is at the gate a young gentleman much desires to speak with you.
From the Count Orsino, is it? 108
I know not, madam: ’tis a fair young man, and well attended.
Who of my people hold him in delay?
Sir Toby, madam, your kinsman. 112
Fetch him off, I pray you: he speaks nothing but madman. Fie on him! [Exit Maria.] Go you, Malvolio: if it be a suit from the count, I am sick, or not at home; what you will, to dismiss it. [Exit Malvolio.] Now you see, sir, how your fooling grows old, and people dislike it.
Thou hast spoken for us, madonna, as if thy eldest son should be a fool; whose skull Jove cram with brains! for here comes one of thy kin has a most weak pia mater.
Enter Sir Toby Belch.
By mine honour, half drunk. What is he at the gate, cousin? 124
A gentleman! what gentleman?
’Tis a gentleman here,—a plague o’ these pickle herring! How now, sot! 128
Good Sir Toby.
Cousin, cousin, how have you come so early by this lethargy?
Lechery! I defy lechery! There’s one at the gate. 133
Ay, marry, what is he?
Let him be the devil, an he will, I care not: give me faith, say I. Well, it’s all one.
What’s a drunken man like, fool? 137
Like a drowned man, a fool, and a madman: one draught above heat makes him a fool, the second mads him, and a third drowns him.
Go thou and seek the crowner, and let him sit o’ my coz; for he’s in the third degree of drink, he’s drowned: go, look after him. 144
He is but mad yet, madonna; and the fool shall look to the madman.
Madam, yond young fellow swears he will speak with you. I told him you were sick: he takes on him to understand so much, and therefore comes to speak with you. I told him you were asleep: he seems to have a foreknowledge of that too, and therefore comes to speak with you. What is to be said to him, lady? he’s fortified against any denial. 154
Tell him he shall not speak with me.
Ha’s 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.
What kind o’ man is he? 160
Why, of mankind.
What manner of man?
Of very ill manner: he’ll speak with you, will you or no. 164
Of what personage and years is he?
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 speaks very shrewishly: one would think his mother’s milk were scarce out of him. 172
Let him approach. Call in my gentlewoman.
Gentlewoman, my lady calls.
Give me my veil: come, throw it o’er my face. 176
We’ll once more hear Orsino’s embassy.
Enter Viola and Attendants.
The honourable lady of the house, which is she?
Speak to me; I shall answer for her.
Your will? 181
Most radiant, exquisite, and unmatchable beauty,—I pray you tell me if this be the lady of the house, for I 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. 189
Whence came you, sir?
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.
Are you a comedian? 195
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?
If I do not usurp myself, I am. 199
Most certain, if you are she, you do usurp yourself; 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. 204
Come to what is important in’t: I forgive you the praise.
Alas! I took great pains to study it, and ’tis poetical. 208
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. 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. 215
Will you hoist sail, sir? here lies your way.
No, good swabber; I am to hull here a little longer. Some mollification for your giant, sweet lady.
Tell me your mind. 220
I am a messenger.
Sure, you have some hideous matter to deliver, when the courtesy of it is so fearful. Speak your office. 224
It alone concerns your ear. I bring no overture of war, no taxation of homage: I hold the olive in my hand; my words are as full of peace as matter. 228
Yet you began rudely. What are you? what would you?
The rudeness that hath appear’d in me have I learn’d from my entertainment. What I am, and what I would, are as secret as maiden-head; to your ears, divinity; to any other’s, profanation. 235
Give us the place alone: we will hear this divinity. [Exit Maria and Attendants.] Now, sir; what is your text?
Most sweet lady,—
A comfortable doctrine, and much may be said of it. Where lies your text? 241
In Orsino’s bosom.
In his bosom! In what chapter of his bosom? 244
To answer by the method, in the first of his heart.
O! I have read it: it is heresy. Have you no more to say? 248
Good madam, let me see your face.
Have you any commission from your lord to negotiate with my face? you are now out of your text: but we will draw the curtain and show you the picture. [Unveiling.] Look you, sir, such a one I was as this present: is’t not well done?
Excellently done, if God did all. 256
’Tis in grain, sir; ’twill endure wind and weather.
’Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and white
Nature’s own sweet and cunning hand laid on:
Lady, you are tho cruell’st she alive, 261
If you will lead these graces to the grave
And leave the world no copy.
O! sir, I will not be so hard-hearted; I will give out divers schedules of my beauty: it shall be inventoried, and every particle and utensil labelled to my will: as Item, Two lips, indifferent red; Item, Two grey eyes, with lids to them; Item, One neck, one chin, and so forth. Were you sent hither to praise me?
I see you what you are: you are too proud;
But, if you were the devil, you are fair. 272
My lord and master loves you: O! such love
Could be but recompens’d, though you were crown’d
The nonpareil of beauty.
How does he love me?
With adorations, with fertile tears, 276
With groans that thunder love, with sighs of fire.
Your lord does know my mind; I cannot love him;
Yet I suppose him virtuous, know him noble,
Of great estate, of fresh and stainless youth; 280
In voices well divulg’d, free, learn’d, and valiant;
And, in dimension and the shape of nature
A gracious person; but yet I cannot love him:
He might have took his answer long ago. 284
If I did love you in my master’s flame,
With such a suffering, such a deadly life,
In your denial I would find no sense;
I would not understand it.
Why, what would you? 288
Make me a willow cabin at your gate,
And call upon my soul within the house;
Write loyal cantons of contemned love,
And sing them loud even in the dead of night;
Holla your name to the reverberate hills, 293
And make the babbling gossip of the air
Cry out, ‘Olivia!’ O! you should not rest
Between the elements of air and earth, 296
But you should pity me!
You might do much. What is your parentage?
Above my fortune, yet my state is well:
I am a gentleman.
Get you to your lord: 300
I cannot love him. Let him send no more,
Unless, perchance, you come to me again,
To tell me how he takes it. Fare you well:
I thank you for your pains: spend this for me.
I am no fee’d post, lady; keep your purse: 305
My master, not myself, lacks recompense.
Love make his heart of flint that you shall love,
And let your fervour, like my master’s, be 308
Plac’d in contempt! Farewell, fair cruelty.
‘What is your parentage?’
‘Above my fortunes, yet my state is well:
I am a gentleman.’ I’ll be sworn thou art: 312
Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions, and spirit,
Do give thee five-fold blazon. Not too fast: soft! soft!
Unless the master were the man. How now!
Even so quickly may one catch the plague? 316
Methinks I feel this youth’s perfections
With an invisible and subtle stealth
To creep in at mine eyes. Well, let it be.
What, ho! Malvolio!
Here, madam, at your service. 320
Run after that same peevish messenger,
The county’s man: he left this ring behind him,
Would I, or not: tell him I’ll none of it.
Desire him not to flatter with his lord, 324
Nor hold him up with hopes: I’m not for him.
If that the youth will come this way to-morrow,
I’ll give him reasons for’t. Hie thee, Malvolio.
Madam, I will.
I do I know not what, and fear to find 329
Mine eye too great a flatterer for my mind.
Fate, show thy force: ourselves we do not owe;
What is decreed must be, and be this so!
Enter Antonio and Sebastian.
Will you stay no longer? nor will you not that I go with you?
By your patience, no. My stars shine darkly over me; the malignancy of my fate might, perhaps, distemper yours; therefore I shall crave of you your leave that I may bear my evils alone. It were a bad recompense for your love to lay any of them on you. 8
Let me yet know of you whither you are bound.
No, sooth, sir: my determinate voyage is mere extravagancy. But I perceive in you so excellent a touch of modesty that you will not extort from me what I am willing to keep in; therefore, it charges me in manners the rather to express myself. You must know of me then, Antonio, my name is Sebastian, which I called Roderigo. My father was that Sebastian of Messaline, whom I know you have heard of. He left behind him myself and a sister, both born in an hour: if the heavens had been pleased, would we had so ended! but you, sir, altered that; for some hour before you took me from the breach of the sea was my sister drowned. 24
Alas the day!
A lady, sir, though it was said she much resembled me, was yet of many accounted beautiful: but, though I could not with such estimable wonder overfar believe that, yet thus far I will boldly publish her: she bore a mind that envy could not but call fair. She is drowned already, sir, with salt water, though I seem to drown her remembrance again with more. 33
Pardon me, sir, your bad entertainment.
O good Antonio! forgive me your trouble! 36
If you will not murder me for my love, let me be your servant.
If you will not undo what you have done, that is, kill him whom you have recovered, desire it not. Fare ye well at once: my bosom is full of kindness; and I am yet so near the manners of my mother, that upon the least occasion more mine eyes will tell tales of me. I am bound to the Count Orsino’s court: farewell.
The gentleness of all the gods go with thee!
I have many enemies in Orsino’s court, 48
Else would I very shortly see thee there;
But, come what may, I do adore thee so,
That danger shall seem sport, and I will go.
Enter Viola; Malvolio following.
Were not you even now with the Countess Olivia?
Even now, sir: on a moderate pace I have since arrived but hither. 4
She returns this ring to you, sir: you might have saved me my pains, to have taken it away yourself. She adds, moreover, that you should put your lord into a desperate assurance she will none of him. And one thing more; that you be never so hardy to come again in his affairs, unless it be to report your lord’s taking of this. Receive it so. 12
She took the ring of me; I’ll none of it.
Come, sir, you peevishly threw it to her; and her will is it should be so returned: if it be worth stooping for, there it lies in your eye; if not, be it his that finds it.
I left no ring with her: what means this lady?
Fortune forbid my outside have not charm’d her!
She made good view of me; indeed, so much, 20
That sure methought her eyes had lost her tongue,
For she did speak in starts distractedly.
She loves me, sure; the cunning of her passion
Invites me in this churlish messenger. 24
None of my lord’s ring! why, he sent her none.
I am the man: if it be so, as ’tis,
Poor lady, she were better love a dream.
Disguise, I see, thou art a wickedness, 28
Wherein the pregnant enemy does much.
How easy is it for the proper-false
In women’s waxen hearts to set their forms!
Alas! our frailty is the cause, not we! 32
For such as we are made of, such we be.
How will this fadge? My master loves her dearly;
And I, poor monster, fond as much on him;
And she, mistaken, seems to dote on me. 36
What will become of this? As I am man,
My state is desperate for my master’s love;
As I am woman,—now alas the day!—
What thriftless sighs shall poor Olivia breathe!
O time! thou must untangle this, not I; 41
It is too hard a knot for me to untie.
Approach, Sir Andrew: not to be a-bed after midnight is to be up betimes; and diluculo surgere, thou knowest,—
Nay, by my troth, I know not; but I know, to be up late is to be up late. 5
A false conclusion: I hate it as an unfilled can. To be up after midnight and to go to bed then, is early; so that to go to bed after midnight is to go to bed betimes. Does not our life consist of the four elements?
Faith, so they say; but, I think, it rather consists of eating and drinking. 12
Thou art a scholar; let us therefore eat and drink. Marian, I say! a stoup of wine!
Here comes the fool, i’ faith.
How now, my hearts! Did you never see the picture of ‘we three?’ 17
Welcome, ass. Now let’s have a catch.
By my troth, the fool has an excellent breast. I had rather than forty shillings I had such a leg, and so sweet a breath to sing, as the fool has. In sooth, thou wast in very gracious fooling last night, when thou spokest of Pigrogromitus, of the Vapians passing the equinoctial of Queubus: ’twas very good, i’ faith. I sent thee sixpence for thy leman: hadst it? 27
I did impeticos thy gratillity; for Malvolio’s nose is no whipstock: my lady has a white hand, and the Myrmidons are no bottleale houses.
Excellent! Why, this is the best fooling, when all is done. Now, a song. 33
Come on; there is sixpence for you: let’s have a song.
There’s a testril of me too: if one knight give a— 37
Would you have a love-song, or a song of good life?
A love-song, a love-song. 40
Ay, ay; I care not for good life.
O mistress mine! where are you roaming?
O! stay and hear; your true love’s coming,
That can sing both high and low. 44
Trip no further, pretty sweeting;
Journeys end in lovers meeting,
Every wise man’s son doth know.
Excellent good, i’ faith. 48
What is love? ’tis not hereafter;
Present mirth hath present laughter;
What’s to come is still unsure: 52
In delay there lies no plenty;
Then come kiss me, sweet and twenty,
Youth’s a stuff will not endure.
A mellifluous voice, as I am true knight. 57
A contagious breath.
Very sweet and contagious, i’ faith.
To hear by the nose, it is dulcet in contagion. But shall we make the welkin dance indeed? Shall we rouse the night-owl in a catch that will draw three souls out of one weaver? shall we do that? 64
An you love me, let’s do’t: I am dog at a catch.
By’r lady, sir, and some dogs will catch well. 68
Most certain. Let our catch be, ‘Thou knave.’
Hold thy peace, thou knave,’ knight? I shall be constrain’d in’t to call thee knave, knight. 73
’Tis not the first time I have constrained one to call me knave. Begin, fool: it begins, ‘Hold thy peace.’ 76
I shall never begin if I hold my peace.
Good, i’ faith. Come, begin.
[They sing a catch.
What a caterwauling do you keep here! If my lady have not called up her steward Malvolio and bid him turn you out of doors, never trust me. 82
My lady’s a Cataian; we are politicians; Malvolio’s a Peg-a-Ramsey, and ‘Three merry men be we.’ Am not I consanguineous? am I not of her blood? Tillyvally, lady!
There dwelt a man in Babylon, lady, lady!
Beshrew me, the knight’s in admirable fooling. 89
Ay, he does well enough if he be disposed, and so do I too: he does it with a better grace, but I do it more natural.
O! the twelfth day of December,—
For the love o’ God, peace! 94
My masters, are you mad? or what are you? Have you no wit, manners, nor honesty, but to gabble like tinkers at this time of night? Do ye make an alehouse of my lady’s house, that ye squeak out your coziers’ catches without any mitigation or remorse of voice? Is there no respect of place, persons, nor time, in you? 101
We did keep time, sir, in our catches. Sneck up!
Sir Toby, I must be round with you. My lady bade me tell you, that, though she harbours you as her kinsman, she’s nothing allied to your disorders. If you can separate yourself and your misdemeanours, you are welcome to the house; if not, an it would please you to take leave of her, she is very willing to bid you farewell.
Farewell, dear heart, since I must needs be gone. 112
Nay, good Sir Toby.
His eyes do show his days are almost done.
Is’t even so?
But I will never die. 116
Sir Toby, there you lie.
This is much credit to you.
Shall I bid him go?
What an if you do? 120
Shall I bid him go, and spare not?
O! no, no, no, no, you dare not.
‘Out o’ time!’ Sir, ye lie. Art any more than a steward? Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?
Yes, by Saint Anne; and ginger shall be hot i’ the mouth too. 128
Thou’rt i’ the right. Go, sir, rub your chain with crumbs. A stoup of wine, Maria!
Mistress Mary, if you prized my lady’s favour at anything more than contempt, you would not give means for this uncivil rule: she shall know of it, by this hand.
Go shake your ears. 135
’Twere as good a deed as to drink when a man’s a-hungry, to challenge him the field, and then to break promise with him and make a fool of him.
Do’t, knight: I’ll write thee a challenge; or I’ll deliver thy indignation to him by word of mouth. 142
Sweet Sir Toby, be patient for to-night: since the youth of the count’s was to-day with my lady, she is much out of quiet. For Monsieur Malvolio, let me alone with him: if I do not gull him into a nayword, and make him a common recreation, do not think I have wit enough to lie straight in my bed. I know I can do it.
Possess us, possess us; tell us something of him. 152
Marry, sir, sometimes he is a kind of puritan.
O! if I thought that, I’d beat him like a dog. 156
What, for being a puritan? thy exquisite reason, dear knight?
I have no exquisite reason for’t, but I have reason good enough. 160
The devil a puritan that he is, or anything constantly but a time-pleaser; an affectioned ass, that cons state without book, and utters it by great swarths: the best persuaded of himself; so crammed, as he thinks, with excellences, that it is his ground of faith that all that look on him love him; and on that vice in him will my revenge find notable cause to work. 169
What wilt thou do?
I will drop in his way some obscure epistles of love; wherein, by the colour of his beard, the shape of his leg, the manner of his gait, the expressure of his eye, forehead, and complexion, he shall find himself most feelingly personated. I can write very like my lady your niece; on a forgotten matter we can hardly make distinction of our hands.
Excellent! I smell a device.
I have’t in my nose too. 180
He shall think, by the letters that thou wilt drop, that they come from my niece, and that she is in love with him.
My purpose is, indeed, a horse of that colour. 185
And your horse now would make him an ass.
Ass, I doubt not. 188
O! ’twill be admirable.
Sport royal, I warrant you: I know my physic will work with him. I will plant you two, and let the fool make a third, where he shall find the letter: observe his construction of it. For this night, to bed, and dream on the event. Farewell.
Good night, Penthesilea. 196
Before me, she’s a good wench.
She’s a beagle, true-bred, and one that adores me: what o’ that?
I was adored once too. 200
Let’s to bed, knight. Thou hadst need send for more money.
If I cannot recover your niece, I am a foul way out. 204
Send for money, knight: if thou hast her not i’ the end, call me cut.
If I do not, never trust me, take it how you will. 208
Come, come: I’ll go burn some sack; ’tis too late to go to bed now. Come, knight; come, knight.
Enter Duke, Viola, Curio, and Others.
Give me some music. Now, good morrow, friends:
Now, good Cesario, but that piece of song,
That old and antique song we heard last night;
Methought it did relieve my passion much, 4
More than light airs and recollected terms
Of these most brisk and giddy-paced times:
Come; but one verse.
He is not here, so please your lordship, that should sing it. 9
Who was it?
Feste, the jester, my lord; a fool that the Lady Olivia’s father took much delight in. He is about the house. 13
Seek him out, and play the tune the while.
[Exit Curio. Music.
Come hither, boy: if ever thou shalt love,
In the sweet pangs of it remember me; 16
For such as I am all true lovers are:
Unstaid and skittish in all motions else
Save in the constant image of the creature
That is belov’d. How dost thou like this tune? 20
It gives a very echo to the seat
Where love is thron’d.
Thou dost speak masterly.
My life upon’t, young though thou art, thine eye
Hath stay’d upon some favour that it loves; 24
Hath it not, boy?
A little, by your favour.
What kind of woman is’t?
Of your complexion.
She is not worth thee, then. What years, i’ faith?
About your years, my lord. 28
Too old, by heaven. Let still the woman take
An elder than herself, so wears she to him,
So sways she level in her husband’s heart:
For, boy, however we do praise ourselves, 32
Our fancies are more giddy and unfirm,
More longing, wavering, sooner lost and worn,
Than women’s are.
I think it well, my lord.
Then, let thy love be younger than thyself, 36
Or thy affection cannot hold the bent;
For women are as roses, whose fair flower
Being once display’d, doth fall that very hour.
And so they are: alas, that they are so; 40
To die, even when they to perfection grow!
Re-enter Curio with Clown.
O, fellow! come, the song we had last night.
Mark it, Cesario; it is old and plain;
The spinsters and the knitters in the sun, 44
And the free maids that weave their thread with bones,
Do use to chant it: it is silly sooth,
And dallies with the innocence of love,
Like the old age. 48
Are you ready, sir?
Ay; prithee, sing.
Come away, come away, death,
And in sad cypress let me be laid; 52
Fly away, fly away, breath;
I am slain by a fair cruel maid.
My shroud of white, stuck all with yew,
O! prepare it 56
My part of death, no one so true
Did share it.
Not a flower, not a flower sweet,
On my black coffin let there be strown, 60
Not a friend, not a friend greet
My poor corse, where my bones shall be thrown.
A thousand thousand sighs to save,
Lay me, O! where 64
Sad true lover never find my grave,
To weep there.
There’s for thy pains.
No pains, sir; I take pleasure in singing, sir. 69
I’ll pay thy pleasure then.
Truly, sir, and pleasure will be paid, one time or another. 72
Give me now leave to leave thee.
Now, the melancholy god protect thee, and the tailor make thy doublet of changeable taffeta, for thy mind is a very opal! I would have men of such constancy put to sea, that their business might be everything and their intent everywhere; for that’s it that always makes a good voyage of nothing. Farewell.
Let all the rest give place.
[Exeunt Curio and Attendants.
Once more, Cesario, 81
Get thee to yond same sovereign cruelty:
Tell her, my love, more noble than the world,
Prizes not quantity of dirty lands; 84
The parts that fortune hath bestow’d upon her,
Tell her, I hold as giddily as fortune;
But ’tis that miracle and queen of gems
That nature pranks her in attracts my soul. 88
But if she cannot love you, sir?
I cannot be so answer’d.
Sooth, but you must.
Say that some lady, as perhaps, there is,
Hath for your love as great a pang of heart 92
As you have for Olivia: you cannot love her;
You tell her so; must she not then be answer’d?
There is no woman’s sides
Can bide the beating of so strong a passion 96
As love doth give my heart; no woman’s heart
So big, to hold so much; they lack retention.
Alas! their love may be call’d appetite,
No motion of the liver, but the palate, 100
That suffer surfeit, cloyment, and revolt;
But mine is all as hungry as the sea,
And can digest as much. Make no compare
Between that love a woman can bear me 104
And that I owe Olivia.
Ay, but I know,—
What dost thou know?
Too well what love women to men may owe:
In faith, they are as true of heart as we. 108
My father had a daughter lov’d a man,
As it might be, perhaps, were I a woman,
I should your lordship.
And what’s her history?
A blank, my lord. She never told her love, 112
But let concealment, like a worm i’ the bud,
Feed on her damask cheek: she pin’d in thought,
And with a green and yellow melancholy,
She sat like Patience on a monument, 116
Smiling at grief. Was not this love indeed?
We men may say more, swear more; but indeed
Our shows are more than will, for still we prove
Much in our vows, but little in our love. 120
But died thy sister of her love, my boy?
I am all the daughters of my father’s house,
And all the brothers too; and yet I know not.
Sir, shall I to this lady?
Ay, that’s the theme. 124
To her in haste; give her this jewel; say
My love can give no place, bide no denay.
Enter Sir Toby Belch, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and Fabian.
Come thy ways, Signior Fabian.
Nay, I’ll come: if I lose a scruple of this sport, let me be boiled to death with melancholy. 4
Wouldst thou not be glad to have the niggardly rascally sheep-biter come by some notable shame?
I would exult, man: you know he brought me out o’ favour with my lady about a bear-baiting here. 10
To anger him we’ll have the bear again; and we will fool him black and blue; shall we not, Sir Andrew? 13
An we do not, it is pity of our lives.
Here comes the little villain. 16
How now, my metal of India!
Get ye all three into the box-tree. Malvolio’s coming down this walk: he has been yonder i’ the sun practising behaviour to his own shadow this half-hour. Observe him, for the love of mockery; for I know this letter will make a contemplative idiot of him. Close, in the name of jesting! Lie thou there: [Throws down a letter.] for here comes the trout that must be caught with tickling.
’Tis but fortune; all is fortune. Maria once told me she did affect me; and I have heard herself come thus near, that should she fancy, it should be one of my complexion. Besides, she uses me with a more exalted respect than anyone else that follows her. What should I think on’t? 33
Here’s an over-weening rogue!
O, peace! Contemplation makes a rare turkey-cock of him: how he jets under his advanced plumes! 37
’Slight, I could so beat the rogue!
Peace! I say.
To be Count Malvolio! 40
Pistol him, pistol him.
There is example for’t: the lady of the Strachy married the yeoman of the wardrobe.
Fie on him, Jezebel!
O, peace! now he’s deeply in; look how imagination blows him. 49
Having been three months married to her, sitting in my state,—
O! for a stone-bow, to hit him in the eye! 53
Calling my officers about me, in my branched velvet gown; having come from a daybed, where I have left Olivia sleeping,— 56
Fire and brimstone!
O, peace! peace!
And then to have the humour of state: and after a demure travel of regard, telling them I know my place, as I would they should do theirs, to ask for my kinsman Toby,—
Bolts and shackles!
O, peace, peace, peace! now, now. 64
Seven of my people, with an obedient start, make out for him. I frown the while; and perchance wind up my watch, or play with my—some rich jewel. Toby approaches; curtsies there to me,— 69
Shall this fellow live?
Though our silence be drawn from us with cars, yet peace! 72
I extend my hand to him thus, quenching my familiar smile with an austere regard of control,—
And does not Toby take you a blow o’ the lips then? 76
Saying, ‘Cousin Toby, my fortunes having cast me on your niece give me this prerogative of speech,’—
What, what? 80
‘You must amend your drunkenness.’
Nay, patience, or we break the sinews of our plot. 84
‘Besides, you waste the treasure of your time with a foolish knight,’—
That’s me, I warrant you.
‘One Sir Andrew,’— 88
I knew ’twas I; for many do call me fool.
[Seeing the letter.] What employment have we here? 92
Now is the woodcock near the gin.
O, peace! and the spirit of humours intimate reading aloud to him!
[Taking up the letter.] By my life, this is my lady’s hand! these be her very C’s, her U’s, and her T’s; and thus makes she her great P’s. It is, in contempt of question, her hand.
Her C’s, her U’s, and her T’s: why that— 101
[Reads.] To the unknown beloved, this and my good wishes: her very phrases! By your leave, wax. Soft! and the impressure her Lucrece, with which she uses to seal: ’tis my lady. To whom should this be?
This wins him, liver and all.
Jove knows I love; 108
Lips, do not move
No man must know.
‘No man must know.’ What follows? the numbers altered! ‘No man must know:’ if this should be thee, Malvolio!
Marry, hang thee, brock!
I may command where I adore; 116
But silence, like a Lucrece knife,
With bloodless stroke my heart doth gore:
M, O, A, I, doth sway my life.
A fustian riddle! 120
Excellent wench, say I.
‘M, O, A, I, doth sway my life.’ Nay, but first, let me see, let me see, let me see.
What dish o’ poison has she dressed him! 125
And with what wing the staniel checks at it!
‘I may command where I adore.’ Why, she may command me: I serve her; she is my lady. Why, this is evident to any formal capacity; there is no obstruction in this. And the end, what should that alphabetical position portend? if I could make that resemble something in me,—Softly!—M, O, A, I,—
O! ay, make up that: he is now at a cold scent. 136
Sowter will cry upon ’t, for all this, though it be as rank as a fox.
M, Malvolio; M, why, that begins my name. 140
Did not I say he would work it out? the cur is excellent at faults.
M,—But then there is no consonancy in the sequel; that suffers under probation: A should follow, but O does. 145
And O shall end, I hope.
Ay, or I’ll cudgel him, and make him cry, O! 148
And then I comes behind.
Ay, an you had any eye behind you, you might see more detraction at your heels than fortunes before you. 152
M, O, A, I; this simulation is not as the former; and yet, to crush this a little, it would bow to me, for every one of these letters are in my name. Soft! here follows prose. 156
If this fall into thy hand, revolve. In my stars I am above thee; but be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. Thy Fates open their hands; let thy blood and spirit embrace them; and to inure thyself to what thou art like to be, cast thy humble slough, and appear fresh. Be opposite with a kinsman, surly with servants; let thy tongue tang arguments of state; put thyself into the trick of singularity She thus advises thee that sighs for thee. Remember who commended thy yellow stockings, and wished to see thee ever cross-gartered: I say, remember. Go to, thou art made, if thou desirest to be so; if not, let me see thee a steward still, the fellow of servants, and not worthy to touch Fortune’s fingers. Farewell. She that would alter services with thee. 173
Daylight and champian discovers not more: this is open. I will be proud, I will read politic authors, I will baffle Sir Toby, I will wash off gross acquaintance, I will be point-devise the very man. I do not now fool myself, to let imagination jade me, for every reason excites to this, that my lady loves me. She did commend my yellow stockings of late, she did praise my leg being cross-gartered; and in this she manifests herself to my love, and, with a kind of injunction drives me to these habits of her liking. I thank my stars I am happy. I will be strange, stout, in yellow stockings, and cross-gartered, even with the swiftness of putting on. Jove and my stars be praised! Here is yet a postscript. 190
Thou canst not choose but know who I am. If thou entertainest my love, let it appear in thy smiling; thy smiles become thee well; therefore in my presence still smile, dear my sweet, I prithee.
Jove, I thank thee. I will smile: I will do everything that thou wilt have me.
I will not give my part of this sport for a pension of thousands to be paid from the Sophy.
I could marry this wench for this device. 201
So could I too.
And ask no other dowry with her but such another jest. 204
Nor I neither.
Here comes my noble gull-catcher.
Wilt thou set thy foot o’ my neck?
Or o’ mine either? 208
Shall I play my freedom at tray-trip, and become thy bond-slave?
I’ faith, or I either?
Why, thou hast put him in such a dream, that when the image of it leaves him he must run mad.
Nay, but say true; does it work upon him? 216
Like aqua-vitæ with a midwife.
If you will, then see the fruits of the sport, mark his first approach before my lady; he will come to her in yellow stockings, and ’tis a colour she abhors; and cross-gartered, a fashion she detests; and he will smile upon her, which will now be so unsuitable to her disposition, being addicted to a melancholy as she is, that it cannot but turn him into a notable contempt. If you will see it, follow me.
To the gates of Tartar, thou most excellent devil of wit! 228
I’ll make one too.
Enter Viola, and Clown with a tabor.
Save thee, friend, and thy music. Dost thou live by thy tabor?
No, sir, I live by the church.
Art thou a churchman? 4
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.
So thou mayst say, the king lies by a beggar, if a beggar dwell near him; or, the church stands by thy tabor, if thy tabor stand by the church. 11
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! 15
Nay, that’s certain: they that dally nicely with words may quickly make them wanton.
I would therefore my sister had had no name, sir. 20
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. 25
Thy reason, man?
Troth, sir, I can yield you none without words; and words are grown so false, I am loath to prove reason with them. 29
I warrant thou art a merry fellow, and carest for nothing.
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.
Art not thou the Lady Olivia’s fool? 36
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.
I saw thee late at the Count Orsino’s. 43
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. 48
Nay, an thou pass upon me, I’ll no more with thee. Hold, there’s sixpence for thee.
[Gives a piece of money.
Now Jove, in his next commodity of hair, send thee a beard! 52
By my troth, I’ll tell thee, I am almost sick for one, though I would not have it grow on my chin. Is thy lady within?
[Pointing to the coin.] Would not a pair of these have bred, sir? 57
Yes, being kept together and put to use.
I would play Lord Pandarus of Phrygia, sir, to bring a Cressida to this Troilus. 60
I understand you, sir; ’tis well begg’d.
The matter, I hope, is not great, sir, begging but a beggar: Cressida was a beggar. My lady is within, sir. I will conster 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 overworn.
This fellow’s wise enough to play the fool, 68
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, check at every feather
That comes before his eye. This is a practice
As full of labour as a wise man’s art; 74
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 Aguecheek.
Save you, gentleman.
And you, sir.
Dieu vous garde, monsieur.
Et vous aussi; votre serviteur. 80
I hope, sir, you are; and I am yours.
Will you encounter the house? my niece is desirous you should enter, if your trade be to her. 85
I am bound to your niece, sir: I mean, she is the list of my voyage.
Taste your legs, sir: put them to motion. 89
My legs do better understand me, sir, than I understand what you mean by bidding me taste my legs. 92
I mean, to go, sir, to enter.
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! 97
That youth’s a rare courtier. ‘Rain odours!’ well.
My matter hath no voice, lady, but to your own most pregnant and vouchsafed ear. 101
‘Odours,’ ‘pregnant,’ and ‘vouchsafed.’ I’ll get ’em all three all ready.
Let the garden door be shut, and leave me to my hearing. 105
[Exeunt Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Maria.
Give me your hand, sir.
My duty, madam, and most humble service.
What is your name? 108
Cesario is your servant’s name, fair princess.
My servant, sir! ’Twas never merry world
Since lowly feigning was call’d compliment.
You’re servant to the Count Orsino, youth. 112
And he is yours, and his must needs be yours:
Your servant’s servant is your servant, madam.
For him, I think not on him: for his thoughts,
Would they were blanks rather than fill’d with me! 116
Madam, I come to whet your gentle thoughts
On his behalf.
O! by your leave, I pray you,
I bade you never speak again of him:
But, would you undertake another suit, 120
I had rather hear you to solicit that
Than music from the spheres.
Give me leave, beseech you. I did send,
After the last enchantment you did here, 125
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, 128
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 th’ unmuzzled thoughts
That tyrannous heart can think? To one of your receiving 133
Enough is shown; a cypress, not a bosom,
Hideth my heart. So, let me hear you speak.
I pity you. 136
That’s a degree to love.
No, not a grize; for ’tis a vulgar proof
That very oft we pity enemies.
Why, then methinks ’tis time to smile again. 140
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!
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 wife is like to reap a proper man:
There lies your way, due west.
Then westward-ho! 148
Grace and good disposition attend your ladyship!
You’ll nothing, madam, to my lord by me?
I prithee, tell me what thou think’st of me. 152
That you do think you are not what you are.
If I think so, I think the same of you.
Then think you right: I am not what I am.
I would you were as I would have you be! 156
Would it be better, madam, than I am?
I wish it might, for now I am your fool.
O! what a deal of scorn looks beautiful
In the contempt and anger of his lip. 160
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, 165
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, 169
Love sought is good, but giv’n unsought is better.
By innocence I swear, and by my youth,
I have one heart, one bosom, and one truth, 172
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. 176
Yet come again, for thou perhaps mayst move
That heart, which now abhors, to like his love.
Enter Sir Toby Belch, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and Fabian.
No, faith, I’ll not stay a jot longer.
Thy reason, dear venom; give thy reason.
You must needs yield your reason, Sir Andrew. 5
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. 8
Did she see thee the while, old boy? tell me that.
As plain as I see you now.
This was a great argument of love in her toward you. 13
’Slight! will you make an ass o’ me?
I will prove it legitimate, sir, upon the oaths of judgment and reason. 17
And they have been grand-jurymen since before Noah was a sailor.
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, firenew 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. 33
An’t be any way, it must be with valour, for policy I hate: I had as lief be a Brownist as a politician. 36
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.
There is no way but this, Sir Andrew. 44
Will either of you bear me a challenge to him?
Go, write it in a martial hand; be curst and brief; it is no matter how witty, so it be eloquent, and full 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. 56
Where shall I find you?
We’ll call thee at the cubiculo: go.
[Exit Sir Andrew.
This is a dear manakin to you, Sir Toby. 60
I have been dear to him, lad, some two thousand strong, or so.
We shall have a rare letter from him; but you’ll not deliver it. 64
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.
And his opposite, the youth, bears in his visage no great presage of cruelty. 72
Look, where the youngest wren of nine comes.
If you desire the spleen, and will laugh yourselves 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. 81
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 are 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. 92
Come, bring us, bring us where he is.
Enter Sebastian and Antonio.
I would not by my will have troubled you;
But since you make your pleasure of your pains,
I will no further chide you.
I could not stay behind you: my desire,
More sharp than filed steel, did spur me forth; 5
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, 8
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, 12
Set forth in your pursuit.
My kind Antonio,
I can no other answer make but thanks,
And thanks, and ever thanks; for oft good turns
Are shuffled off with such uncurrent pay: 16
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?
To-morrow, sir: best first go see your lodging. 20
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.
Would you’d pardon me;
I do not without danger walk these streets: 25
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. 28
Belike you slew great number of his people?
The offence is not of such a bloody nature,
Albeit the quality of the time and quarrel
Might well have given us bloody argument. 32
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, 36
I shall pay dear.
Do not then walk too open.
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, 40
Whiles you beguile the time and feed your knowledge
With viewing of the town: there shall you have me.
Why I your purse?
Haply your eye shall light upon some toy 44
You have desire to purchase; and your store,
I think, is not for idle markets, sir.
I’ll be your purse-bearer and leave you for an hour. 48
To the Elephant.
I do remember.
Enter Olivia and Maria.
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. 4
Where is Malvolio? he is sad, and civil,
And suits well for a servant with my fortunes:
Where is Malvolio?
He’s coming, madam; but in very strange manner. He is sure possess’d, madam. 9
Why, what’s the matter? does he rave?
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.
Go call him hither.
I am as mad as he, 16
If sad and merry madness equal be.
Re-enter Maria, with Malvolio.
How now, Malvolio!
Sweet lady, ho, ho.
Smil’st thou? 20
I sent for thee upon a sad occasion.
Sad, lady! I could be sad: this does make some obstruction in the blood, this crossgartering; 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.’
Why, how dost thou, man? what is the matter with thee? 28
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. 32
Wilt thou go to bed, Malvolio?
To bed! ay, sweetheart; and I’ll come to thee.
God comfort thee! Why dost thou smile so and kiss thy hand so oft? 37
How do you, Malvolio?
At your request! Yes; nightingales answer daws. 40
Why appear you with this ridiculous boldness before my lady?
‘Be not afraid of greatness:’ ’Twas well writ.
What meanest thou by that, Malvolio?
‘Some are born great,’—
‘Some achieve greatness,’— 48
What sayst thou?
‘And some have greatness thrust upon them.’
Heaven restore thee! 52
‘Remember who commended thy yellow stockings,’—
Thy yellow stockings!
‘And wished to see thee cross-gartered.’
‘Go to, thou art made, if thou desirest to be so,’—
Am I made? 60
‘If not, let me see thee a servant still.’
Why, this is very midsummer madness.
Madam, the young gentleman of the Count Orsino’s is returned. I could hardly entreat him back: he attends your ladyship’s pleasure. 66
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. 71
[Exeunt Olivia and Maria.
Oh, 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, everything 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. 94
Re-enter Maria, with Sir Toby Belch and Fabian.
Which way is he, in the name of sanctity? If all the devils in hell be drawn in little, and Legion himself possess’d him, yet I’ll speak to him.
Here he is, here he is. How is’t with you, sir? how is’t with you, man? 100
Go off; I discard you: let me enjoy my private; go off.
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. 105
Ah, ha! does she so?
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.
Do you know what you say? 112
La you! an you speak ill of the devil, how he takes it at heart. Pray God, he be not bewitched!
Carry his water to the wise-woman. 116
Marry, and it shall be done to-morrow morning, if I live. My lady would not lose him for more than I’ll say.
How now, mistress! 120
Prithee, hold thy peace; this is not the way: do you not see you move him? let me alone with him. 124
No way but gentleness; gently, gently: the fiend is rough, and will not be roughly used.
Why, how now, my bawcock! how dost thou, chuck? 128
Ay, Biddy, come with me. What, man! ’tis not for gravity to play at cherry-pit with Satan: hang him, foul collier! 132
Get him to say his prayers, good Sir Toby, get him to pray.
My prayers, minx!
No, I warrant you, he will not hear of godliness. 137
Go, hang yourselves all! you are idle shallow things: I am not of your element. You shall know more hereafter.
Is’t possible? 141
If this were played upon a stage now, I could condemn it as an improbable fiction.
His very genius hath taken the infection of the device, man. 145
Nay, pursue him now, lest the device take air, and taint.
Why, we shall make him mad indeed.
The house will be the quieter. 149
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. 157
Enter Sir Andrew Aguecheek.
More matter for a May morning.
Here’s the challenge; read it: I warrant there’s vinegar and pepper in’t. 160
Is’t so saucy?
Ay, is’t, I warrant him: do but read.
Give me. Youth, whatsoever thou art, thou art but a scurvy fellow. 165
Good, and valiant.
Wonder not, nor admire not in thy mind, why I do call thee so, for I will show thee no reason for’t, 169
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.
Very brief, and to exceeding good sense—less. 177
I will waylay thee going home; where, if it be thy chance to kill me,—
Thou killest me like a rogue and a villain.
Still you keep o’ the windy side of the law: good. 184
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,
If this letter move him not, his legs cannot.
I’ll give’t him. 192
You may have very fit occasion for for’t: he is now in some commerce with my lady, and will by and by depart. 195
Go, Sir Andrew; scout me for him at the corner of 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!
Nay, let me alone for swearing. 204
Now will not I deliver his letter: for the behaviour 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. 219
Here he comes with your niece: give them way till he take leave, and presently after him.
I will meditate the while upon some horrid message for a challenge.
[Exeunt Sir Toby, Fabian, and Maria.
Re-enter Olivia, with Viola.
I have said too much unto a heart of stone, 224
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. 228
With the same haviour that your passion bears
Goes on my master’s griefs.
Here; wear this jewel for me, ’tis my picture;
Refuse it not; it hath no tongue to vex you; 232
And I beseech you come again to-morrow.
What shall you ask of me that I’ll deny,
That honour sav’d may upon asking give?
Nothing but this; your true love for my master. 236
How with mine honour may I give him that
Which I have given to you?
I will acquit you.
Well, come again to-morrow: fare thee well:
A fiend like thee might bear my soul to hell. 240
Re-enter Sir Toby Belch and Fabian.
Gentleman, God save thee.
And you, sir.
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. 249
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. 253
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.
I pray you, sir, what is he? 259
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. 266
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, 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. 279
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.
I will do so. Signior Fabian, stay you by this gentleman till my return.
Pray you, sir, do you know of this matter? 287
I know the knight is incensed against you, even to a mortal arbitrement, but nothing of the circumstance more.
I beseech you, what manner of man is he? 292
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. 299
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.
Re-enter Sir Toby, with Sir Andrew.
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. 310
Pox on’t, I’ll not meddle with him.
Ay, but he will not now be pacified: Fabian can scarce hold him yonder. 313
Plague on’t; an I thought he had been valiant and so cunning in fence I’d have seen him damned ere I’d have challenged him. Let him let the matter slip, and I’ll give him my horse, grey Capilet. 318
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. 325
He is as horribly conceited of him; and pants and looks pale, as if a bear were at his heels. 328
There’s no remedy, sir: he will fight with you for his oath’s 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.
[Aside.] Pray God defend me! A little thing would make me tell them how much I lack of a man. 337
Give ground, if you see him furious.
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. 344
Pray God, he keep his oath!
I do assure you, ’tis against my will.
Put up your sword. If this young gentleman
Have done offence, I take the fault on me: 348
If you offend him, I for him defy you.
You, sir! why, what are you?
One, sir, that for his love dares yet do more
Than you have heard him brag to you he will. 352
Nay, if you be an undertaker, I am for you.
O, good sir Toby, hold! here come the officers. 356
I’ll be with you anon.
[To Sir Andrew.] Pray, sir, put your sword up, if you please.
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.
Enter two Officers.
This is the man; do thy office.
Antonio, I arrest thee at the suit 364
Of Count Orsino.
You do mistake me, sir.
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. 368
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 373
Than what befalls myself. You stand amaz’d:
But be of comfort.
Come, sir, away.
I must entreat of you some of that money.
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 380
I’ll lend you something: my having is not much:
I’ll make division of my present with you.
Hold, there is half my coffer.
Will you deny me now?
Is’t possible that my deserts to you 384
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.
I know of none; 388
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 392
Inhabits our frail blood.
O heavens themselves!
Come, sir: I pray you, go.
Let me speak a little. This youth that you see here
I snatch’d one-half out of the jaws of death, 396
Reliev’d him with such sanctity of love,
And to his image, which methought did promise
Most venerable worth, did I devotion.
What’s that to us? The time goes by: away! 400
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: 404
Virtue is beauty, but the beauteous evil
Are empty trunks o’erflourish’d by the devil.
The man grows mad: away with him! Come, come, sir.
Lead me on. 408
[Exeunt Officers with Antonio.
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! 412
Come hither, knight; come hither,
Fabian: we’ll whisper o’er a couplet or two of most sage saws.
He nam’d Sebastian: I my brother know
Yet living in my glass; even such and so 417
In favour was my brother; and he went
Still in this fashion, colour, ornament,
For him I imitate. O! if it prove, 420
Tempests are kind, and salt waves fresh in love!
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. 425
A coward, a most devout coward, religious in it.
’Slid, I’ll after him again and beat him. 429
Do; cuff him soundly, but never draw thy sword.
An I do not,—
Come, let’s see the event. 433
I dare lay any money ’twill be nothing yet.
Enter Sebastian and Clown.
Will you make me believe that I am not sent for you?
Go to, go to; thou art a foolish fellow:
Let me be clear of thee. 4
Well held out, i’ faith! No, I do not know you; nor I am not sent to you by my lady to bid you come speak with her; nor your name is not Master Cesario; nor this is not my nose neither. Nothing that is so is so. 9
I prithee, vent thy folly somewhere else:
Thou know’st not me.
Vent my folly! He has heard that word of some great man, and now applies it to a fool. Vent my folly! I am afraid this great lubber, the world, will prove a cockney. I prithee now, ungird thy strangeness and tell me what I shall vent to my lady. Shall I vent to her that thou art coming?
I prithee, foolish Greek, depart from me:
There’s money for thee: if you tarry longer 20
I shall give worse payment.
By my troth, thou hast an open hand.
These wise men that give fools money get themselves a good report after fourteen years’ purchase. 25
Enter Sir Andrew.
Now, sir, have I met you again? there’s for you.
Why, there’s for thee, and there, and there, and there!
[Beating Sir Andrew.
Are all the people mad? 29
Enter Sir Toby and Fabian.
Hold, sir, or I’ll throw your dagger o’er the house.
This will I tell my lady straight. I would not be in some of your coats for twopence.
[Holding Sebastian.] Come on, sir: hold. 35
Nay, let him alone; I’ll go another way to work with him: I’ll have an action of battery against him if there be any law in Illyria. Though I struck him first, yet it’s no matter for that. 40
Let go thy hand.
Come, sir, I will not let you go. Come, my young soldier, put up your iron: you are well fleshed; come on. 44
I will be free from thee. [Disengaging himself.] What wouldst thou now?
If thou dar’st tempt me further, draw thy sword.
What, what! Nay then, I must have an ounce or two of this malapert blood from you.
Hold, Toby! on thy life I charge thee, hold! 49
Will it be ever thus? Ungracious wretch!
Fit for the mountains and the barbarous caves,
Where manners ne’er were preach’d. Out of my sight! 53
Be not offended, dear Cesario.
Rudesby, be gone!
[Exeunt Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Fabian.
I prithee, gentle friend,
Let thy fair wisdom, not thy passion, sway 56
In this uncivil and unjust extent
Against thy peace. Go with me to my house,
And hear thou there how many fruitless pranks
This ruffian hath botch’d up, that thou thereby
Mayst smile at this. Thou shalt not choose but go: 61
Do not deny. Beshrew his soul for me,
He started one poor heart of mine in thee.
What relish is in this? how runs the stream? 64
Or I am mad, or else this is a dream:
Let fancy still my sense in Lethe steep;
If it be thus to dream, still let me sleep!
Nay; come, I prithee. Would thou’dst be rul’d by me! 68
Madam, I will.
O! say so, and so be!
Enter Maria and Clown; Malvolio in a dark chamber adjoining.
Nay, I prithee, put on this gown and this beard; make him believe thou art Sir Topas the curate: do it quickly; I’ll call Sir Toby the whilst.
Well, I’ll put it on and I will dissemble myself in’t: and I would I were the first that ever dissembled in such a gown. I am not tall enough to become the function well, nor lean enough to be thought a good student; but to be said an honest man and a good housekeeper goes as fairly as to say a careful man and a great scholar. The competitors enter. 12
Enter Sir Toby Belch and Maria.
God bless thee, Master parson.
Bonos dies, Sir Toby: for, as the old hermit of Prague, that never saw pen and ink, very wittily said to a niece of King Gorboduc, ‘That, that is, is;’ so I, being Master parson, am Master parson; for, what is ‘that,’ but ‘that,’ and ‘is,’ but ‘is?’
To him, Sir Topas. 20
What ho! I say. Peace in this prison!
The knave counterfeits well; a good knave.
[Within]. Who calls there? 24
Sir Topas, the curate, who comes to visit Malvolio the lunatic.
Sir Topas, Sir Topas, good Sir Topas, go to my lady. 28
Out, hyperbolical fiend! how vexest thou this man! Talkest thou nothing but of ladies?
Well said, Master Parson.
[Within.] Sir Topas, never was man thus wronged. Good Sir Topas, do not think I am mad: they have laid me here in hideous darkness. 35
Fie, thou dishonest Satan! I call thee by the most modest terms; for I am one of those gentle ones that will use the devil himself with courtesy. Sayst thou that house is dark?
As hell, Sir Topas. 40
Why, it hath bay-windows transparent as barricadoes, and the clerestories toward the south-north are as lustrous as ebony; and yet complainest thou of obstruction? 44
I am not mad, Sir Topas. I say to you, this house is dark.
Madman, thou errest: I say, there is no darkness but ignorance, in which thou art more puzzled than the Egyptians in their fog. 49
I say this house is as dark as ignorance, though ignorance were as dark as hell; and I say, there was never man thus abused. I am no more mad than you are: make the trial of it in any constant question.
What is the opinion of Pythagoras concerning wild fowl? 56
That the soul of our grandam might haply inhabit a bird.
What thinkest thou of his opinion?
I think nobly of the soul, and no way approve his opinion. 61
Fare thee well: remain thou still in darkness: thou shalt hold the opinion of Pythagoras ere I will allow of thy wits, and fear to kill a woodcock, lest thou dispossess the soul of thy grandam. Fare thee well.
Sir Topas! Sir Topas!
My most exquisite Sir Topas! 68
Nay, I am for all waters.
To him in thine own voice, and bring me word how thou findest him: I would we were well rid of this knavery. If he may be conveniently delivered, I would he were; for I am now so far in offence with my niece that I cannot pursue with any safety this sport to the upshot. Come by and by to my chamber.
[Exeunt Sir Toby and Maria.
Hey Robin, jolly Robin,
Tell me how thy lady does. 80
My lady is unkind, perdy!
Alas, why is she so? 84
Fool, I say!
She loves another.
Who calls, ha?
Good fool, as ever thou wilt deserve well at my hand, help me to a candle, and pen, ink, and paper. As I am a gentleman, I will live to be thankful to thee for’t.
Master Malvoliol 92
Ay, good fool.
Alas, sir, how fell you beside your five wits?
Fool, there was never man so notoriously abused: I am as well in my wits, fool, as thou art.
But as well? then you are mad indeed, if you be no better in your wits than a fool. 100
They have here propertied me; keep me in darkness, send ministers to me, asses! and do all they can to face me out of my wits.
Advise you what you say: the minister is here. Malvolio, Malvolio, thy wits the heavens restore! endeavour thyself to sleep, and leave thy vain bibble-babble.
Sir Topas! 108
Maintain no words with him, good fellow.—Who, I, sir? not I, sir. God be wi’ you, good Sir Topas. Marry, amen. I will, sir, I will. 112
Fool, fool, fool, I say!
Alas, sir, be patient. What say you, sir? I am shent for speaking to you.
Good fool, help me to some light and some paper: I tell thee I am as well in my wits as any man in Illyria.
Well-a-day, that you were, sir! 119
By this hand, I am. Good fool, some ink, paper, and light; and convey what I will set down to my lady: it shall advantage thee more than ever the bearing of letter did. 123
I will help you to’t. But tell me true, are you not mad indeed? or do you but counterfeit?
Believe me, I am not: I tell thee true. 128
Nay, I’ll ne’er believe a madman till I see his brains. I will fetch you light and paper and ink.
Fool, I’ll requite it in the highest degree: I prithee, be gone. 133
I am gone, sir,
And anon, sir,
I’ll be with you again 136
In a trice,
Like to the old Vice,
Your need to sustain;
Who with dagger of lath, 140
In his rage and his wrath,
Cries, Ah, ah! to the devil:
Like a mad lad,
Pare thy nails, dad; 144
Adieu, goodman drivel.
This is the air; that is the glorious sun; This pearl she gave me, I do feel’t and see’t;
And though ’tis wonder that enwraps me thus,
Yet ’tis not madness. Where’s Antonio then?
I could not find him at the Elephant; 5
Yet there he was, and there I found this credit,
That he did range the town to seek me out.
His counsel now might do me golden service; 8
For though my soul disputes well with my sense
That this may be some error, but no madness,
Yet doth this accident and flood of fortune
So far exceed all instance, all discourse, 12
That I am ready to distrust mine eyes,
And wrangle with my reason that persuades me
To any other trust but that I am mad
Or else the lady’s mad: yet, if ’twere so, 16
She could not sway her house, command her followers,
Take and give back affairs and their dispatch
With such a smooth, discreet, and stable bearing
As I perceive she does. There’s something in’t
That is deceivable. But here the lady comes. 21
Enter Olivia and a Priest.
Blame not this haste of mine. If you mean well,
Now go with me and with this holy man
Into the chantry by; there, before him, 24
And underneath that consecrated roof,
Plight me the full assurance of your faith;
That my most jealous and too doubtful soul
May live at peace. He shall conceal it 28
Whiles you are willing it shall come to note,
What time we will our celebration keep
According to my birth. What do you say?
I’ll follow this good man, and go with you; 32
And, having sworn truth, ever will be true.
Then lead the way, good father; and heavens so shine
That they may fairly note this act of mine!
Now, as thou lovest me, let me see his letter.
Good Master Fabian, grant me another request. 4
Do not desire to see this letter.
This is, to give a dog, and, in recompense desire my dog again. 8
Enter Duke, Viola, Curio, and Attendants.
Belong you to the Lady Olivia, friends?
Ay, sir; we are some of her trappings.
I know thee well: how dost thou, my good fellow? 12
Truly, sir, the better for my foes and the worse for my friends.
Just the contrary; the better for thy friends. 16
No, sir, the worse.
How can that be?
Marry, sir, they praise me and make an ass of me; now my foes tell me plainly I am an ass: so that by my foes, sir, I profit in the knowledge of myself, and by my friends I am abused: so that, conclusions to be as kisses, if your four negatives make your two affirmatives, why then, the worse for my friends and the better for my foes. 26
Why, this is excellent.
By my troth, sir, no; though it please you to be one of my friends.
Thou shalt not be the worse for me: there’s gold.
But that it would be double-dealing, sir, I would you could make it another. 33
O, you give me ill counsel.
Put your grace in your pocket, sir, for this once, and let your flesh and blood obey it. 36
Well, I will be so much a sinner to be a double-dealer: there’s another.
Primo, secundo, tertio, is a good play; and the old saying is, ‘the third pays for all:’ the triplex, sir, is a good tripping measure; or the bells of Saint Bennet, sir, may put you in mind; one, two, three. 43
You can fool no more money out of me at this throw: if you will let your lady know I am here to speak with her, and bring her along with you, it may awake my bounty further. 47
Marry, sir, lullaby to your bounty till I come again. I go, sir; but I would not have you to think that my desire of having is the sin of covetousness; but as you say, sir, let your bounty take a nap, I will awake it anon.
Here comes the man, sir, that did rescue me.
Enter Antonio and Officers.
That face of his I do remember well;
Yet when I saw it last, it was besmear’d 56
As black as Vulcan in the smoke of war.
A bawbling vessel was he captain of,
For shallow draught and hulk unprizable;
With which such scathful grapple did he make
With the most noble bottom of our fleet, 61
That very envy and the tongue of loss
Cried fame and honour on him. What’s the matter?
Orsino, this is that Antonio 64
That took the Phœnix and her fraught from Candy;
And this is he that did the Tiger board,
When your young nephew Titus lost his leg.
Here in the streets, desperate of shame and state, 68
In private brabble did we apprehend him.
He did me kindness, sir, drew on my side;
But in conclusion put strange speech upon me:
I know not what ’twas but distraction. 72
Notable pirate! thou salt-water thief!
What foolish boldness brought thee to their mercies
Whom thou, in terms so bloody and so dear,
Hast made thine enemies?
Orsino, noble sir, 76
Be pleas’d that I shake off these names you give me:
Antonio never yet was thief or pirate,
Though I confess, on base and ground enough,
Orsino’s enemy. A witchcraft drew me hither:
That most ingrateful boy there by your side, 81
From the rude sea’s enrag’d and foamy mouth
Did I redeem; a wrack past hope he was:
His life I gave him, and did thereto add 84
My love, without retention or restraint,
All his in dedication; for his sake
Did I expose myself, pure for his love,
Into the danger of this adverse town; 88
Drew to defend him when he was beset:
Where being apprehended, his false cunning,
Not meaning to partake with me in danger,
Taught him to face me out of his acquaintance, 92
And grew a twenty years removed thing
While one would wink, denied me mine own purse,
Which I had recommended to his use
Not half an hour before.
How can this be? 96
When came he to this town?
To-day, my lord; and for three months before,—
No interim, not a minute’s vacancy,—
Both day and night did we keep company. 100
Enter Olivia and Attendants.
Here comes the countess: now heaven walks on earth!
But for thee, fellow; fellow, thy words are madness:
Three months this youth hath tended upon me;
But more of that anon. Take him aside. 104
What would my lord, but that he may not have,
Wherein Olivia may seem serviceable?
Cesario, you do not keep promise with me.
What do you say, Cesario? Good my lord,—
My lord would speak; my duty hushes me.
If it be aught to the old tune, my lord,
It is as fat and fulsome to mine ear 113
As howling after music.
Still so cruel?
Still so constant, lord.
What, to perverseness? you uncivil lady, 116
To whose ingrate and unauspicious altars
My soul the faithfull’st offerings hath breath’d out
That e’er devotion tender’d! What shall I do?
Even what it please my lord, that shall become him. 120
Why should I not, had I the heart to do it,
Like to the Egyptian thief at point of death,
Kill what I love? a savage jealousy
That sometimes savours nobly. But hear me this: 124
Since you to non-regardance cast my faith,
And that I partly know the instrument
That screws me from my true place in your favour,
Live you, the marble-breasted tyrant still; 128
But this your minion, whom I know you love,
And whom, by heaven I swear, I tender dearly,
Him will I tear out of that cruel eye,
Where he sits crowned in his master’s spite. 132
Come, boy, with me; my thoughts are ripe in mischief;
I’ll sacrifice the lamb that I do love,
To spite a raven’s heart within a dove.
And I, most jocund, apt, and willingly,
To do you rest, a thousand deaths would die. 137
Where goes Cesario?
After him I love
More than I love these eyes, more than my life,
More, by all mores, than e’er I shall love wife. 140
If I do feign, you witnesses above
Punish my life for tainting of my love!
Ah me, detested! how am I beguil’d!
Who does beguile you? who does do you wrong? 144
Hast thou forgot thyself? Is it so long?
Call forth the holy father.
[Exit an Attendant.
[To Viola.] Come away.
Whither, my lord? Cesario, husband, stay.
Ay, husband: can he that deny? 148
Her husband, sirrah?
No, my lord, not I.
Alas! it is the baseness of thy fear
That makes thee strangle thy propriety.
Fear not, Cesario; take thy fortunes up; 152
Be that thou know’st thou art, and then thou art
As great as that thou fear’st.
O, welcome, father!
Father, I charge thee, by thy reverence,
Here to unfold,—though lately we intended 156
To keep in darkness what occasion now
Reveals before ’tis ripe,—what thou dost know
Hath newly pass’d between this youth and me.
A contract of eternal bond of love, 160
Confirm’d by mutual joinder of your hands,
Attested by the holy close of lips,
Strengthen’d by interchangement of your rings;
And all the ceremony of this compact 164
Seal’d in my function, by my testimony:
Since when, my watch hath told me, toward my grave
I have travell’d but two hours.
O, thou dissembling cub! what wilt thou be 168
When time hath sow’d a grizzle on thy case?
Or will not else thy craft so quickly grow
That thine own trip shall be thine overthrow?
Farewell, and take her; but direct thy feet 172
Where thou and I henceforth may never meet.
My lord, I do protest,—
O! do not swear:
Hold little faith, though thou hast too much fear.
Enter Sir Andrew Aguecheek, with his head broken.
For the love of God, a surgeon! send one presently to Sir Toby. 177
What’s the matter?
He has broke my head across, and has given Sir Toby a bloody coxcomb too. For the love of God, your help! I had rather than forty pound I were at home. 182
Who has done this, Sir Andrew?
The count’s gentleman, one Cesario: we took him for a coward, but he’s the very devil incardinate. 186
My gentleman, Cesario?
Od’s lifelings! here he is. You broke my head for nothing! and that that I did, I was set on to do’t by Sir Toby.
Why do you speak to me? I never hurt you:
You drew your sword upon me without cause;
But I bespake you fair, and hurt you not. 193
If a bloody coxcomb be a hurt, you have hurt me: I think you set nothing by a bloody coxcomb. Here comes Sir Toby halting; 197
Enter Sir Toby Belch, drunk, led by the Clown.
you shall hear more: but if he had not been in drink he would have tickled you othergates than he did. 200
How now, gentleman! how is’t with you?
That’s all one: he has hurt me, and there’s the end on’t. Sot, didst see Dick surgeon, sot? 205
O! he’s drunk, Sir Toby, an hour agone: his eyes were set at eight i’ the morning.
Then he’s a rogue, and a passy-measures pavin. I hate a drunken rogue. 209
Away with him! Who hath made this havoc with them?
I’ll help you, Sir Toby, because we’ll be dressed together. 213
Will you help? an ass-head and a coxcomb and a knave, a thin-faced knave, a gull! 216
Get him to bed, and let his hurt be look’d to.
[Exeunt Clown, Fabian, Sir Toby, and Sir Andrew.
I am sorry, madam, I have hurt your kinsman;
But, had it been the brother of my blood, 220
I must have done no less with wit and safety.
You throw a strange regard upon me, and by that
I do perceive it hath offended you:
Pardon me, sweet one, even for the vows 224
We made each other but so late ago.
One face, one voice, one habit, and two persons;
A natural perspective, that is, and is not!
Antonio! O my dear Antonio! 228
How have the hours rack’d and tortur’d me
Since I have lost thee!
Sebastian are you?
Fear’st thou that, Antonio?
How have you made division of yourself? 232
An apple cleft in two is not more twin
Than these two creatures. Which is Sebastian?
Do I stand there? I never had a brother; 236
Nor can there be that deity in my nature,
Of here and every where. I had a sister,
Whom the blind waves and surges have devour’d.
Of charity, what kin are you to me? 240
What countryman? what name? what parentage?
Of Messaline: Sebastian was my father;
Such a Sebastian was my brother too,
So went he suited to his watery tomb. 244
If spirits can assume both form and suit
You come to fright us.
A spirit I am indeed;
But am in that dimension grossly clad
Which from the womb I did participate. 248
Were you a woman, as the rest goes even,
I should my tears let fall upon your cheek,
And say, ‘Thrice welcome, drowned Viola!’
My father had a mole upon his brow.
And so had mine. 253
And died that day when Viola from her birth
Had number’d thirteen years.
O! that record is lively in my soul. 256
He finished indeed his mortal act
That day that made my sister thirteen years.
If nothing lets to make us happy both
But this my masculine usurp’d attire, 260
Do not embrace me till each circumstance
Of place, time, fortune, do cohere and jump
That I am Viola: which to confirm,
I’ll bring you to a captain in this town, 264
Where lie my maiden weeds: by whose gentle help
I was preserv’d to serve this noble count.
All the occurrence of my fortune since
Hath been between this lady and this lord. 268
[To Olivia.] So comes it, lady, you have been mistook:
But nature to her bias drew in that.
You would have been contracted to a maid;
Nor are you therein, by my life, deceiv’d, 272
You are betroth’d both to a maid and man.
Be not amaz’d; right noble is his blood.
If this be so, as yet the glass seems true,
I shall have share in this most happy wrack.
[To Viola.] Boy, thou hast said to me a thousand times 277
Thou never shouldst love woman like to me.
And all those sayings will I over-swear,
And all those swearings keep as true in soul 280
As doth that orbed continent the fire
That severs day from night.
Give me thy hand;
And let me see thee in thy woman’s weeds.
The captain that did bring me first on shore 284
Hath my maid’s garments: he upon some action
Is now in durance at Malvolio’s suit,
A gentleman and follower of my lady’s.
He shall enlarge him. Fetch Malvolio hither. 288
And yet, alas, now I remember me,
They say, poor gentleman, he’s much distract.
A most extracting frenzy of mine own
From my remembrance clearly banish’d his. 292
Re-enter Clown with a letter, and Fabian.
How does he, sirrah?
Truly, madam, he holds Belzebub at the stave’s end as well as a man in his case may do. He has here writ a letter to you: I should have given it to you to-day morning; but as a madman’s epistles are no gospels, so it skills not much when they are delivered.
Open it, and read it. 300
Look then to be well edified, when the fool delivers the madman.
By the Lord, madam,—
How now! art thou mad? 304
No, madam, I do but read madness: an your ladyship will have it as it ought to be, you must allow vox.
Prithee, read i’ thy right wits. 308
So I do, madonna; but to read his right wits is to read thus: therefore perpend, my princess, and give ear.
[To Fabian.] Read it you, sirrah. 312
By the Lord, madam, you wrong me, and the world shall know it: though you have put me into darkness, and given your drunken cousin rule over me, yet have I the benefit of my senses as well as your ladyship. I have your own letter that induced me to the semblance I put on; with the which I doubt not but to do myself much right, or you much shame. Think of me as you please. I leave my duty a little unthought of, and speak out of my injury.
The madly-used Malvolio.
Did he write this? 324
This savours not much of distraction.
See him deliver’d, Fabian; bring him hither.
My lord, so please you, these things further thought on, 328
To think me as well a sister as a wife,
One day shall crown the alliance on’t, so please you,
Here at my house and at my proper cost.
Madam, I am most apt to embrace your offer. 332
[To Viola.] Your master quits you; and, for your service done him,
So much against the mettle of your sex,
So far beneath your soft and tender breeding;
And since you call’d me master for so long, 336
Here is my hand: you shall from this time be
Your master’s mistress.
A sister! you are she.
Re-enter Fabian, with Malvolio.
Is this the madman?
Ay, my lord, this same.
How now, Malvolio!
Madam, you have done me wrong,
Have I, Malvolio? no. 341
Lady, you have. Pray you peruse that letter.
You must not now deny it is your hand:
Write from it, if you can, in hand or phrase,
Or say ’tis not your seal nor your invention: 345
You can say none of this. Well, grant it then,
And tell me, in the modesty of honour,
Why you have given me such clear lights of favour, 348
Bade me come smiling and cross-garter’d to you,
To put on yellow stockings, and to frown
Upon Sir Toby and the lighter people;
And, acting this in an obedient hope, 352
Why have you suffer’d me to be imprison’d,
Kept in a dark house, visited by the priest,
And made the most notorious geck and gull
That e’er invention play’d on? tell me why. 356
Alas! Malvolio, this is not my writing,
Though, I confess, much like the character;
But, out of question, ’tis Maria’s hand:
And now I do bethink me, it was she 360
First told me thou wast mad; then cam’st in smiling,
And in such forms which here were presuppos’d
Upon thee in the letter. Prithee, be content:
This practice hath most shrewdly pass’d upon thee; 364
But when we know the grounds and authors of it,
Thou shalt be both the plaintiff and the judge
Of thine own cause.
Good madam, hear me speak,
And let no quarrel nor no brawl to come 368
Taint the condition of this present hour,
Which I have wonder’d at. In hope it shall not,
Most freely I confess, myself and Toby
Set this device against Malvolio here, 372
Upon some stubborn and uncourteous parts
We had conceiv’d against him. Maria writ
The letter at Sir Toby’s great importance;
In recompense whereof he hath married her.
How with a sportful malice it was follow’d, 377
May rather pluck on laughter than revenge,
If that the injuries be justly weigh’d
That have on both sides past. 380
Alas, poor fool, how have they baffled thee!
Why, ‘some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrown upon them.’ I was one, sir, in this interlude; one Sir Topas, sir; but that’s all one. ‘By the Lord, fool, I am not mad:’ But do you remember? ‘Madam, why laugh you at such a barren rascal? an you smile not, he’s gagged:’ and thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges. 389
I’ll be reveng’d on the whole pack of you.
He hath been most notoriously abus’d.
Pursue him, and entreat him to a peace;— 392
He hath not told us of the captain yet:
When that is known and golden time convents,
A solemn combination shall be made
Of our dear souls. Meantime, sweet sister, 396
We will not part from hence. Cesario, come;
For so you shall be, while you are a man;
But when in other habits you are seen,
Orsino’s mistress, and his fancy’s queen. 400
[Exeunt all except Clown.
When that I was and a little tiny boy,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain;
A foolish thing was but a toy,
For the rain it raineth every day. 404
But when I came to man’s estate,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain;
’Gainst knaves and thieves men shut their gates,
For the rain it raineth every day. 408
But when I came, alas! to wive,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain;
By swaggering could I never thrive,
For the rain it raineth every day. 412
But when I came unto my beds,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain;
With toss-pots still had drunken heads,
For the rain it raineth every day. 416
A great while ago the world begun,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain;
But that’s all one, our play is done,
And we’ll strive to please you every day.