Twelfth Night |
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| Twelfth Night
| Act 3, Scene 4
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Enter OLIVIA and MARIAOLIVIA
I have sent after him: he says he'll come;MARIA
How shall I feast him? what bestow of him?
For youth is bought more oft than begg'd or borrow'd.
I speak too loud.
Where is Malvolio? he is sad and civil,
And suits well for a servant with my fortunes:
Where is Malvolio?
He's coming, madam; but in very strange manner. HeOLIVIA
is, sure, possessed, madam.
Why, what's the matter? does he rave?MARIA
No. madam, he does nothing but smile: yourOLIVIA
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.MALVOLIO
Exit MARIA
I am as mad as he,
If sad and merry madness equal be.
Re-enter MARIA, with MALVOLIO
How now, Malvolio!
Sweet lady, ho, ho.OLIVIA
Smilest thou?MALVOLIO
I sent for thee upon a sad occasion.
Sad, lady! I could be sad: this does make someOLIVIA
obstruction in the blood, this cross-gartering; but
what of that? if it please the eye of one, it is
with me as the very true sonnet is, 'Please one, and
please all.'
Why, how dost thou, man? what is the matter with thee?MALVOLIO
Not black in my mind, though yellow in my legs. ItOLIVIA
did come to his hands, and commands shall be
executed: I think we do know the sweet Roman hand.
Wilt thou go to bed, Malvolio?MALVOLIO
To bed! ay, sweet-heart, and I'll come to thee.OLIVIA
God comfort thee! Why dost thou smile so and kissMARIA
thy hand so oft?
How do you, Malvolio?MALVOLIO
At your request! yes; nightingales answer daws.MARIA
Why appear you with this ridiculous boldness before my lady?MALVOLIO
'Be not afraid of greatness:' 'twas well writ.OLIVIA
What meanest thou by that, Malvolio?MALVOLIO
'Some are born great,'--OLIVIA
Ha!MALVOLIO
'Some achieve greatness,'--OLIVIA
What sayest thou?MALVOLIO
'And some have greatness thrust upon them.'OLIVIA
Heaven restore thee!MALVOLIO
'Remember who commended thy yellow stocking s,'--OLIVIA
Thy yellow stockings!MALVOLIO
'And wished to see thee cross-gartered.'OLIVIA
Cross-gartered!MALVOLIO
'Go to thou art made, if thou desirest to be so;'--OLIVIA
Am I made?MALVOLIO
'If not, let me see thee a servant still.'OLIVIA
Why, this is very midsummer madness.Servant
Enter Servant
Madam, the young gentleman of the Count Orsino's isOLIVIA
returned: I could hardly entreat him back: he
attends your ladyship's pleasure.
I'll come to him.MALVOLIO
Exit Servant
Good Maria, let this fellow be looked to. Where's
my cousin Toby? Let some of my people have a special
care of him: I would not have him miscarry for the
half of my dowry.
Exeunt OLIVIA and MARIA
O, ho! do you come near me now? no worse man thanSIR TOBY BELCH
Sir Toby to look to me! This concurs directly with
the letter: she sends him on purpose, that I may
appear stubborn to him; for she incites me to that
in the letter. 'Cast thy humble slough,' says she;
'be opposite with a kinsman, surly with servants;
let thy tongue tang with arguments of state; put
thyself into the trick of singularity;' and
consequently sets down the manner how; as, a sad
face, a reverend carriage, a slow tongue, in the
habit of some sir of note, and so forth. I have
limed her; but it is Jove's doing, and Jove make me
thankful! And when she went away now, 'Let this
fellow be looked to:' fellow! not Malvolio, nor
after my degree, but fellow. Why, every thing
adheres together, that no dram of a scruple, no
scruple of a scruple, no obstacle, no incredulous
or unsafe circumstance--What can be said? Nothing
that can be can come between me and the full
prospect of my hopes. Well, Jove, not I, is the
doer of this, and he is to be thanked.
Re-enter MARIA, with SIR TOBY BELCH and FABIAN
Which way is he, in the name of sanctity? If allFABIAN
the devils of hell be drawn in little, and Legion
himself possessed him, yet I'll speak to him.
Here he is, here he is. How is't with you, sir?MALVOLIO
how is't with you, man?
Go off; I discard you: let me enjoy my private: goMARIA
off.
Lo, how hollow the fiend speaks within him! did notMALVOLIO
I tell you? Sir Toby, my lady prays you to have a
care of him.
Ah, ha! does she so?SIR TOBY BELCH
Go to, go to; peace, peace; we must deal gentlyMALVOLIO
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?MARIA
La you, an you speak ill of the devil, how he takesFABIAN
it at heart! Pray God, he be not bewitched!
Carry his water to the wise woman.MARIA
Marry, and it shall be done to-morrow morning, if IMALVOLIO
live. My lady would not lose him for more than I'll say.
How now, mistress!MARIA
O Lord!SIR TOBY BELCH
Prithee, hold thy peace; this is not the way: doFABIAN
you not see you move him? let me alone with him.
No way but gentleness; gently, gently: the fiend isSIR TOBY BELCH
rough, and will not be roughly used.
Why, how now, my bawcock! how dost thou, chuck?MALVOLIO
Sir!SIR TOBY BELCH
Ay, Biddy, come with me. What, man! 'tis not forMARIA
gravity to play at cherry-pit with Satan: hang
him, foul collier!
Get him to say his prayers, good Sir Toby, get him to pray.MALVOLIO
My prayers, minx!MARIA
No, I warrant you, he will not hear of godliness.MALVOLIO
Go, hang yourselves all! you are idle shallowSIR TOBY BELCH
things: I am not of your element: you shall know
more hereafter.
Exit
Is't possible?FABIAN
If this were played upon a stage now, I couldSIR TOBY BELCH
condemn it as an improbable fiction.
His very genius hath taken the infection of the device, man.MARIA
Nay, pursue him now, lest the device take air and taint.FABIAN
Why, we shall make him mad indeed.MARIA
The house will be the quieter.SIR TOBY BELCH
Come, we'll have him in a dark room and bound. MyFABIAN
niece is already in the belief that he's mad: we
may carry it thus, for our pleasure and his penance,
till our very pastime, tired out of breath, prompt
us to have mercy on him: at which time we will
bring the device to the bar and crown thee for a
finder of madmen. But see, but see.
Enter SIR ANDREW
More matter for a May morning.SIR ANDREW
Here's the challenge, read it: warrant there'sFABIAN
vinegar and pepper in't.
Is't so saucy?SIR ANDREW
Ay, is't, I warrant him: do but read.SIR TOBY BELCH
Give me.FABIAN
Reads
'Youth, whatsoever thou art, thou art but a scurvy fellow.'
Good, and valiant.SIR TOBY BELCH
[Reads] 'Wonder not, nor admire not in thy mind,FABIAN
why I do call thee so, for I will show thee no reason for't.'
A good note; that keeps you from the blow of the law.SIR TOBY BELCH
[Reads] 'Thou comest to the lady Olivia, and in myFABIAN
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.SIR TOBY BELCH
[Reads] 'I will waylay thee going home; where if itFABIAN
be thy chance to kill me,'--
Good.SIR TOBY BELCH
[Reads] 'Thou killest me like a rogue and a villain.'FABIAN
Still you keep o' the windy side of the law: good.SIR TOBY BELCH
[Reads] 'Fare thee well; and God have mercy uponMARIA
one of our souls! He may have mercy upon mine; but
my hope is better, and so look to thyself. Thy
friend, as thou usest him, and thy sworn enemy,
ANDREW AGUECHEEK.
If this letter move him not, his legs cannot:
I'll give't him.
You may have very fit occasion for't: he is now inSIR TOBY BELCH
some commerce with my lady, and will by and by depart.
Go, Sir Andrew: scout me for him at the corner theSIR ANDREW
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.SIR TOBY BELCH
Exit
Now will not I deliver his letter: for the behaviorFABIAN
of the young gentleman gives him out to be of good
capacity and breeding; his employment between his
lord and my niece confirms no less: therefore this
letter, being so excellently ignorant, will breed no
terror in the youth: he will find it comes from a
clodpole. But, sir, I will deliver his challenge by
word of mouth; set upon Aguecheek a notable report
of valour; and drive the gentleman, as I know his
youth will aptly receive it, into a most hideous
opinion of his rage, skill, fury and impetuosity.
This will so fright them both that they will kill
one another by the look, like cockatrices.
Re-enter OLIVIA, with VIOLA
Here he comes with your niece: give them way tillSIR TOBY BELCH
he take leave, and presently after him.
I will meditate the while upon some horrid messageOLIVIA
for a challenge.
Exeunt SIR TOBY BELCH, FABIAN, and MARIA
I have said too much unto a heart of stoneVIOLA
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.
With the same 'havior that your passion bearsOLIVIA
Goes on my master's grief.
Here, wear this jewel for me, 'tis my picture;VIOLA
Refuse it not; it hath no tongue to vex you;
And I beseech you come again to-morrow.
What shall you ask of me that I'll deny,
That honour saved may upon asking give?
Nothing but this; your true love for my master.OLIVIA
How with mine honour may I give him thatVIOLA
Which I have given to you?
I will acquit you.OLIVIA
Well, come again to-morrow: fare thee well:SIR TOBY BELCH
A fiend like thee might bear my soul to hell.
Exit
Re-enter SIR TOBY BELCH and FABIAN
Gentleman, God save thee.VIOLA
And you, sir.SIR TOBY BELCH
That defence thou hast, betake thee to't: of whatVIOLA
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.
You mistake, sir; I am sure no man hath any quarrelSIR TOBY BELCH
to me: my remembrance is very free and clear from
any image of offence done to any man.
You'll find it otherwise, I assure you: therefore,VIOLA
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?SIR TOBY BELCH
He is knight, dubbed with unhatched rapier and onVIOLA
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.
I will return again into the house and desire someSIR TOBY BELCH
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 aVIOLA
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.
This is as uncivil as strange. I beseech you, do meSIR TOBY BELCH
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 thisVIOLA
gentleman till my return.
Exit
Pray you, sir, do you know of this matter?FABIAN
I know the knight is incensed against you, even to aVIOLA
mortal arbitrement; but nothing of the circumstance more.
I beseech you, what manner of man is he?FABIAN
Nothing of that wonderful promise, to read him byVIOLA
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.
I shall be much bound to you for't: I am one thatSIR TOBY BELCH
had rather go with sir priest than sir knight: I
care not who knows so much of my mettle.
Exeunt
Re-enter SIR TOBY BELCH, with SIR ANDREW
Why, man, he's a very devil; I have not seen such aSIR ANDREW
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.
Pox on't, I'll not meddle with him.SIR TOBY BELCH
Ay, but he will not now be pacified: Fabian canSIR ANDREW
scarce hold him yonder.
Plague on't, an I thought he had been valiant and soSIR TOBY BELCH
cunning in fence, I'ld have seen him damned ere I'ld
have challenged him. Let him let the matter slip,
and I'll give him my horse, grey Capilet.
I'll make the motion: stand here, make a good showFABIAN
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.
He is as horribly conceited of him; and pants andSIR TOBY BELCH
looks pale, as if a bear were at his heels.
[To VIOLA] There's no remedy, sir; he will fightVIOLA
with you for's oath sake: marry, he hath better
bethought him of his quarrel, and he finds that now
scarce to be worth talking of: therefore draw, for
the supportance of his vow; he protests he will not hurt you.
[Aside] Pray God defend me! A little thing wouldFABIAN
make me tell them how much I lack of a man.
Give ground, if you see him furious.SIR TOBY BELCH
Come, Sir Andrew, there's no remedy; the gentlemanSIR ANDREW
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.
Pray God, he keep his oath!VIOLA
I do assure you, 'tis against my will.ANTONIO
They draw
Enter ANTONIO
Put up your sword. If this young gentlemanSIR TOBY BELCH
Have done offence, I take the fault on me:
If you offend him, I for him defy you.
You, sir! why, what are you?ANTONIO
One, sir, that for his love dares yet do moreSIR TOBY BELCH
Than you have heard him brag to you he will.
Nay, if you be an undertaker, I am for you.FABIAN
They draw
Enter Officers
O good Sir Toby, hold! here come the officers.SIR TOBY BELCH
I'll be with you anon.VIOLA
Pray, sir, put your sword up, if you please.SIR ANDREW
Marry, will I, sir; and, for that I promised you,First Officer
I'll be as good as my word: he will bear you easily
and reins well.
This is the man; do thy office.Second Officer
Antonio, I arrest thee at the suit of Count Orsino.ANTONIO
You do mistake me, sir.First Officer
No, sir, no jot; I know your favour well,ANTONIO
Though now you have no sea-cap on your head.
Take him away: he knows I know him well.
I must obey.Second Officer
To VIOLA
This comes with seeking you:
But there's no remedy; I shall answer it.
What will you do, now my necessity
Makes me to ask you for my purse? It grieves me
Much more for what I cannot do for you
Than what befalls myself. You stand amazed;
But be of comfort.
Come, sir, away.ANTONIO
I must entreat of you some of that money.VIOLA
What money, sir?ANTONIO
For the fair kindness you have show'd me here,
And, part, being prompted by your present trouble,
Out of my lean and low ability
I'll lend you something: my having is not much;
I'll make division of my present with you:
Hold, there's half my coffer.
Will you deny me now?VIOLA
Is't possible that my deserts to you
Can lack persuasion? Do not tempt my misery,
Lest that it make me so unsound a man
As to upbraid you with those kindnesses
That I have done for you.
I know of none;ANTONIO
Nor know I you by voice or any feature:
I hate ingratitude more in a man
Than lying, vainness, babbling, drunkenness,
Or any taint of vice whose strong corruption
Inhabits our frail blood.
O heavens themselves!Second Officer
Come, sir, I pray you, go.ANTONIO
Let me speak a little. This youth that you see hereFirst Officer
I snatch'd one half out of the jaws of death,
Relieved him with such sanctity of love,
And to his image, which methought did promise
Most venerable worth, did I devotion.
What's that to us? The time goes by: away!ANTONIO
But O how vile an idol proves this godFirst Officer
Thou hast, Sebastian, done good feature shame.
In nature there's no blemish but the mind;
None can be call'd deform'd but the unkind:
Virtue is beauty, but the beauteous evil
Are empty trunks o'erflourish'd by the devil.
The man grows mad: away with him! Come, come, sir.ANTONIO
Lead me on.VIOLA
Exit with Officers
Methinks his words do from such passion fly,SIR TOBY BELCH
That he believes himself: so do not I.
Prove true, imagination, O, prove true,
That I, dear brother, be now ta'en for you!
Come hither, knight; come hither, Fabian: we'llVIOLA
whisper o'er a couplet or two of most sage saws.
He named Sebastian: I my brother knowSIR TOBY BELCH
Yet living in my glass; even such and so
In favour was my brother, and he went
Still in this fashion, colour, ornament,
For him I imitate: O, if it prove,
Tempests are kind and salt waves fresh in love.
Exit
A very dishonest paltry boy, and more a coward thanFABIAN
a hare: his dishonesty appears in leaving his
friend here in necessity and denying him; and for
his cowardship, ask Fabian.
A coward, a most devout coward, religious in it.SIR ANDREW
'Slid, I'll after him again and beat him.SIR TOBY BELCH
Do; cuff him soundly, but never draw thy sword.SIR ANDREW
An I do not,--FABIAN
Come, let's see the event.SIR TOBY BELCH
I dare lay any money 'twill be nothing yet.
Exeunt
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