Twelfth Night: Act 3, Scene 3

           Enter SEBASTIAN and ANTONIO.
12th Night Setting paintingThey're on a street of some town which is under the authority of Duke Orsino.


      SEBASTIAN
  1   I would not by my will have troubled you;
  2   But, since you make your pleasure of your pains,
  3   I will no further chide you.

      ANTONIO
  4   I could not stay behind you: my desire,
  5   More sharp than filed steel, did spur me forth;
  6   And not all love to see you, though so much
6. And not all love to see you: i.e., I didn't seek you out just because I wanted to see you.

  7   As might have drawn one to a longer voyage,
  8   But jealousy what might befall your travel,
8. jealousy what might befall your travel: worry about what might happen to you in your journey.

  9   Being skilless in these parts; which to a stranger,
9. skilless in these parts: unfamiliar with this area.

 10   Unguided and unfriended, often prove
 11   Rough and unhospitable. My willing love,
 12   The rather by these arguments of fear,
12. The rather by these arguments of fear: seconded by these worries about your safety.

 13   Set forth in your pursuit.
First Folio edition of Twelfe Night Or what you will

      SEBASTIAN
 13                                               My kind Antonio,
 14   I can no other answer make but thanks,
 15   And thanks; and ever oft good turns
15. oft: often. good turns: good deeds.

 16   Are shuffled off with such uncurrent pay:
15-16. uncurrent pay: worthless payment
17. worth: wealth. conscience: consciousness (of my debt of gratitude). 18. better dealing: i.e., a more worthwhile reward than just "thanks." 19. reliques: antiquities, monuments, etc.

 17   But, were my worth as is my conscience firm ,
 18   You should find better dealing. What's to do?
 19   Shall we go see the reliques of this town?

      ANTONIO
 20   Tomorrow, sir: best first go see your lodging.
20. see: see to, arrange for.


      SEBASTIAN
 21   I am not weary, and 'tis long to night:
 22   I pray you, let us satisfy our eyes
 23   With the memorials and the things of fame
 24   That do renown this city.
24. renown this city: make this city famous.


      ANTONIO
 24                                           Would you'ld pardon me;
 25   I do not without danger walk these streets:
 26   Once, in a sea-fight, 'gainst the count his galleys
26. 'gainst the Count his galleys: against the Count's ships.

 27   I did some service; of such note indeed,
27. note: distinction.

 28   That were I ta'en here it would scarce be answer'd.
28. ta'en: taken, arrested. scarce be answer'd: very hard to defend (myself against the charges).


      SEBASTIAN
 29   Belike you slew great number of his people.
29. Belike you slew: i.e., I think you must have killed.


      ANTONIO
 30   The offence is not of such a bloody nature;
 31   Albeit the quality of the time and quarrel
31. quality of the time and quarrel: nature of that time and that dispute. 32. bloody argument: cause for bloodshed.

 32   Might well have given us bloody argument.
 33   It might have since been answer'd in repaying
33. answer'd: made up for, settled.

 34   What we took from them; which, for traffic's sake,
34. for traffic's sake: for the sake of continued trade relations.

 35   Most of our city did: only myself stood out;
35. stood out: refused to go along (with those who compensated Duke Orsino for his losses in that "sea-fight"). 36. lapsed: caught napping.

 36   For which, if I be lapsed in this place,
 37   I shall pay dear.

      SEBASTIAN
 37                               Do not then walk too open.

      ANTONIO
 38   It doth not fit me. Hold, sir, here's my purse.
38. It doth not fit me: it's not a good idea for me. purse: money pouch. 39. Elephant: (The name of an inn.)

 39   In the south suburbs, at the Elephant,
 40   Is best to lodge: I will bespeak our diet,
40. bespeak our diet: order our meals.

 41   Whiles you beguile the time and feed your knowledge
41. beguile the time: spend your time pleasantly.

 42   With viewing of the town: there shall you have me.
42. There shall you have me: You'll find me there (at The Elephant).


      SEBASTIAN
 43   Why I your purse?
43. Why I your purse?: i.e., Why should I carry your money?.


      ANTONIO
 44   Haply your eye shall light upon some toy
44. Haply: by happenstance. toy: really cool thing.

 45   You have desire to purchase; and your store,
45. store: money supply.

 46   I think, is not for idle markets, sir.
46. not for idle markets: i.e., not to be spent for anything except necessities.


      SEBASTIAN
 47   I'll be your purse-bearer and leave you
 48   For an hour.

      ANTONIO
 48                       To the Elephant.

      SEBASTIAN
 48                                                   I do remember.

           Exeunt.