Twelfth Night: Act 3, Scene 4
Enter OLIVIA and MARIA.
OLIVIA
1
I have sent after him: he says he'll come;
1. him: i.e., "Cesario". he says he'll come: i.e.,: if he says he'll come. 2. bestow of: give to.
2
How shall I feast him? what bestow of him?
3
For youth is bought more oft than begg'd or borrow'd.
4
I speak too loud.
5
Where is Malvolio? he is sad and civil,
5. sad and civil: serious and decorous.
6
And suits well for a servant with my fortunes:
7
Where is Malvolio?
MARIA
8
He's coming, madam; but in very strange manner. He
9
is, sure, possessed, madam.
9. possessed: possessed by an evil spirit, crazy.
OLIVIA
10
Why, what's the matter? does he rave?
10. rave: talk nonsense (like a madman).
MARIA
11
No. madam, he does nothing but smile: your
12
ladyship were best to have some guard about you, if
13
he come; for, sure, the man is tainted in's wits.
13. tainted: diseased. in's: in his.
OLIVIA
14
Go call him hither.
[Exit MARIA.]
14
I am as mad as he,
15
If sad and merry madness equal be.
Enter [MARIA, with] MALVOLIO.
16
How now, Malvolio!
MALVOLIO
17
Sweet lady, ho, ho.
OLIVIA
18
Smilest thou? I sent for thee upon a sad occasion.
18. sad: serious, but Malvolio takes "sad" to mean "unhappy" or "painful."
MALVOLIO
19
Sad, lady! I could be sad: this does make some
20
obstruction in the blood, this cross-gartering;
21
but what of that? if it please the eye of one, it is
22
with me as the very true sonnet is, 'Please one,
21-23. sonnet: poem, song.
23
and please all.'
OLIVIA
24
Why, how dost thou, man? what is the matter
25
with thee?
MALVOLIO
26
Not black in my mind, though yellow in my legs. It
27
did come to his hands, and commands shall be
28
executed: I think we do know the sweet Roman hand.
28. Roman hand: Italian style of handwritingit was coming into style at that time.
OLIVIA
29
Wilt thou go to bed, Malvolio?
29. to bed: Olivia means that he should lie down and rest to alleviate whatever strange afflication he has.
MALVOLIO
30
To bed! ay, sweet heart, and I'll come to thee.
30. To bed!: Malvolio thinks he's just gotten lucky.
OLIVIA
31
God comfort thee! Why dost thou smile so and kiss
32
thy hand so oft?
31-32. kiss thy hand: (Malvolio is kissing his hand to Olivia.)
MARIA
33
How do you, Malvolio?
MALVOLIO
34
At your request! yes; nightingales answer daws.
34. At your request!: i.e., Am I likely to answer your question?I think not. daws crows, i.e., Maria, and others like her. (He's being "surly with servants," as the letter said he should.)
MARIA
35
Why appear you with this ridiculous boldness
36
before my lady?
MALVOLIO
37
'Be not afraid of greatness:' 'twas well writ.
OLIVIA
38
What meanest thou by that, Malvolio?
MALVOLIO
39
'Some are born great,'
OLIVIA
40
Ha!
MALVOLIO
41
'Some achieve greatness,'
OLIVIA
42
What sayest thou?
MALVOLIO
43
'And some have greatness thrust upon them.'
OLIVIA
44
Heaven restore thee!
44. restore thee: return you to sanity.
MALVOLIO
45
'Remember who commended thy yellow
46
stockings,'
OLIVIA
47
Thy yellow stockings!
MALVOLIO
48
'And wished to see thee cross-gartered.'
OLIVIA
49
Cross-gartered!
MALVOLIO
50
'Go to thou art made, if thou desirest to
51
be so;'
OLIVIA
52
Am I made?
MALVOLIO
53
'If not, let me see thee a servant still.'
OLIVIA
54
Why, this is very midsummer madness.
54. midsummer madness: inexplicable madnessthe midsummer moon was thought to cause sudden attacks of insanity.
Enter Servant.
Servant
55
Madam, the young gentleman of the Count Orsino's
55. young gentleman: i.e., "Cesario".
56
is returned. I could hardly entreat him back: he
56. I could hardly entreat him back: I could hardly persuade him to come back. 57. attends: awaits.
57
attends your ladyship's pleasure.
OLIVIA
58
I'll come to him.
Exit Servant.
59
Good Maria, let this fellow be looked to. Where's
59. fellow: i.e., Malvolio"Fellow" is a nice word for a servant, but Malvolio later takes it to mean "companion."
60
my cousin Toby? Let some of my people have a
61
special care of him: I would not have him miscarry
61. miscarry: come to harm.
62
for the half of my dowry.
Exeunt OLIVIA and MARIA.
MALVOLIO
63
O, ho! do you come near me now? no worse man
63. do you come near me now?: do you (Olivia) begin to understand me now?
64
than Sir Toby to look to me! This concurs directly
65
with the letter: she sends him on purpose, that I
66
may appear stubborn to him; for she incites me to
66. stubborn: rude.
67
that in the letter. 'Cast thy humble slough,' says
68
she; 'be opposite with a kinsman, surly with
69
servants; let thy tongue tang with arguments of
70
state; put thyself into the trick of singularity;' and
71
consequently sets down the manner how; as, a sad
71. consequently: after that. sets down: writes out. the manner how: the way to do it. sad: serious. 72. reverend carriage: dignified way of walking. 73. habit of some sir of note: clothes of a distinguished gentleman. limed: caughtbirdlime, a sticky paste, was used to catch birds.
72
face, a reverend carriage, a slow tongue, in the
73
habit of some sir of note, and so forth. I have
74
limed her; but it is Jove's doing, and Jove make
75
me thankful! And when she went away now, 'Let
76
this fellow be looked to:' fellow! not Malvolio, nor
77
after my degree, but fellow. Why, every thing
77. after my degree: according to my position (steward).
78
adheres together, that no dram of a scruple, no
78. adheres together: fits. dram: one-eighth of a fluid ounce. scruple: one-third of a dram, and doubt.
79
scruple of a scruple, no obstacle, no incredulous
79. incredulous: incredible. unsafe: uncertain.
80
or unsafe circumstance What can be said?
81
Nothing that can be can come between me and
82
the full prospect of my hopes. Well, Jove, not I,
82. full prospect of my hopes: everything that I have looked forward to.
83
is the doer of this, and he is to be thanked.
Enter [SIR] TOBY [BELCH], FABIAN,
and MARIA.
SIR TOBY BELCH
84
Which way is he, in the name of sanctity? If all
84. in the name of sanctity: i.e., by all that's holy.
85
the devils of hell be drawn in little, and Legion
86
himself possessed him, yet I'll speak to him.
86. drawn in little: crammed into a small space. i.e., Malvolio's heart. Legion:
FABIAN
87
Here he is, here he is. How is't with you, sir?
SIR TOBY BELCH
88
How is't with you, man?
MALVOLIO
89
Go off; I discard you: let me enjoy my private: go
89. discard you: cast you off. private: privacy.
90
off.
MARIA
91
Lo, how hollow the fiend speaks within him! Did
91. hollow: resoundingly.
92
not I tell you? Sir Toby, my lady prays you to have
92. prays: earnestly requests. 92-93. have a care of: take care of, keep safe.
93
a care of him.
MALVOLIO
94
Ah, ha! does she so?
SIR TOBY BELCH
95
Go to, go to; peace, peace; we must deal gently
95. Go to: i.e., let's get to work peace: quiet. 96. Let me alone: leave him to me.
97. defy: renounce.
97. defy: renounce.
96
with him: let me alone. How do you, Malvolio?
97
How is't with you? What, man! defy the devil!
98
Consider, he's an enemy to mankind.
MALVOLIO
99
Do you know what you say?
MARIA
100
La you, an you speak ill of the devil, how he takes
100. La you: i.e., Did you hear that?! an: if. 100-101. takes it at heart: resents it. Maria's satirical point is that Malvolio, possessed by the devil, doesn't like to hear ill spoken of his master.
101
it at heart! Pray God, he be not bewitched!
FABIAN
102
Carry his water to the wise woman.
102. water: urine. wise woman: white witch (who can make a diagnosis and provide a charm to cure the patient).
MARIA
103
Marry, and it shall be done tomorrow morning,
104
if I live. My lady would not lose him for more
105
than I'll say
MALVOLIO
106
How now, mistress!
MARIA
107
O Lord!
SIR TOBY BELCH
108
Prithee, hold thy peace; this is not the way. Do
109
you not see you move him? Let me alone with him.
109. move: agitate.
FABIAN
110
No way but gentleness; gently, gently: the fiend
111
is rough, and will not be roughly used.
111. rough: violent. used: treated.
SIR TOBY BELCH
112
Why, how now, my bawcock! how dost thou,
112. bawcock: fine fellow (From the French beau coq,literally, "handsome rooster." 113. chuck: i.e., chick ("Chuck" is a term of affection, but of course Sir Toby is not really being affectionate.)
113
chuck?
MALVOLIO
114
Sir!
SIR TOBY BELCH
115
Ay, Biddy, come with me. What, man! 'tis not
115. Biddy: A childish word for "chicken."
116
for gravity to play at cherry-pit with Satan.
116. gravity: i.e., a serious man. cherry-pit: a child's game.
117
Hang him, foul collier!
117. foul collier: filthy coal miner. (Devils were called "foul" and not pictured as red, but coal-blacklike a collier after a day in the mines.)
MARIA
118
Get him to say his prayers, good Sir Toby, get
119
him to pray.
MALVOLIO
120
My prayers, minx!
120. minx: A playful, sly, or boldly flirtatious young woman.
MARIA
121
No, I warrant you, he will not hear of godliness.
121. warrant you: promise you, assure you.
MALVOLIO
122
Go, hang yourselves all! you are idle shallow
122. idle: foolish, worthless.
123
things: I am not of your element: you shall know
123. element: kind. Malvolio thinks they live in a lower elementplace in the universethan he does. 124. You shall know more hereafter: i.e., You'll hear from me later. (He's vowing revenge.)
124
more hereafter.
Exit.
SIR TOBY BELCH
125
Is't possible?
FABIAN
126
If this were played upon a stage now, I could
127
condemn it as an improbable fiction.
SIR TOBY BELCH
128
His very genius hath taken the infection of the
128. genius: soulliterally, guiding spirit.
129
device, man.
MARIA
130
Nay, pursue him now, lest the device take air
130. device: trick, plot. 130-131. take air and taint: Literally, "be exposed to the air and rot." Metaphorically, "become known and be ruined."
131
and taint.
FABIAN
132
Why, we shall make him mad indeed.
MARIA
133
The house will be the quieter.
133. quieter: calmerwith Malvolio out of the house.
SIR TOBY BELCH
134
Come, we'll have him in a dark room and
134. have him: get him put into. 134-135. a dark room and bound: Standard treatment for the insane.
135
bound. My niece is already in the belief
136
that he's mad. We may carry it thus, for
136. carry it thus: keep the plot going.
137
our pleasure and his penance, till our very
138
pastime, tired out of breath, prompt us to
138. out of breath: (Maybe from laughing so hard.)
139
have mercy on him: at which time we will
140
bring the device to the bar and crown thee
140. the bar: i.e., the bar of judgment. thee: i.e., Maria.
141
for a finder of madmen. But see, but see.
141. finder: one who, like a judge, makes a finding. (Maria knows a madman when she sees one.)
Enter SIR ANDREW.
FABIAN
142
More matter for a May morning.
142. More matter for a May morning: i.e., Here's someone else we can have a lot of fun with.
SIR ANDREW
143
Here's the challenge, read it. I warrant there's
143. warrant: promise.
144
vinegar and pepper in't.
FABIAN
145
Is't so saucy?
145. saucy: heavily spiced and insulting.
SIR ANDREW
146
Ay, is't, I warrant him. Do but read.
146. I warrant him: I promise him. (Sir Andrew is sure his letter will have a devastating effect on Cesario.)
SIR TOBY BELCH
147
Give me. [Reads.] 'Youth, whatsoever thou art,
148
thou art but a scurvy fellow.'
FABIAN
149
Good, and valiant.
SIR TOBY BELCH
150
[Reads] 'Wonder not, nor admire not in thy mind,
150. admire: marvel.
151
why I do call thee so, for I will show thee no
152
reason for't.'
FABIAN
153
A good note; that keeps you from the blow of the
153. note: awareness (Sir Andrew has noted that if he writes anything specific he could be charged with slander.)
154
law.
SIR TOBY BELCH
155
[Reads.] 'Thou comest to the lady Olivia, and in my
156
sight she uses thee kindly. But thou liest in thy
157
throat; that is not the matter I challenge thee for.'
156-157. thou liest in thy throat: A modern equivalent is "You lie like a rug."
FABIAN
158
Very brief, and to exceeding good sense less.
158. less: Probably an aside to Maria.
SIR TOBY BELCH
159
[Reads] 'I will waylay thee going home; where if it
159. waylay: intercept, ambush.
160
be thy chance to kill me,'
159-160. if it be thy chance to: if you should happen to.
FABIAN
161
Good.
SIR TOBY BELCH
162
[Reads] 'Thou killest me like a rogue and a villain.'
FABIAN
163
Still you keep o' the windy side of the law; good.
163. o': on. windy: windward, i.e., safe. good: (How smart of Sir Andrew to make sure that if he is killed, he can't be charged with the crime!).
SIR TOBY BELCH
164
[Reads] 'Fare thee well; and God have mercy upon
165
one of our souls! He may have mercy upon mine,
166
but my hope is better, and so look to thyself. Thy
167
friend, as thou usest him, and thy sworn enemy,
166-167. Thy friend, as thou usest him: your friend, to the extent that you treat him as a friend. (Sir Andrew wants to make it perfectly clear that this is all Cesario's fault.) 168. move him: stir him up. (Then Sir Toby uses the other sense of "move" to make a joke.)
167
ANDREW AGUECHEEK.'
168
If this letter move him not, his legs cannot:
169
I'll give't him.
MARIA
170
You may have very fit occasion for't: he is
170. fit occasion: convenient opportunity.
171
now in some commerce with my lady, and
171. in some commerce: doing some business.
172
will by and by depart.
172. by and by: pretty soon.
SIR TOBY BELCH
173
Go, Sir Andrew: scout me for him at the
173. scout me for him: keep watch for him. The "me" adds the sense of "I've got a good idea."
174
corner of the orchard like a bum-baily. So
174. bum-baily: sheriff's official who arrested debtors. (Like modern repo men, they were sneaky.)
175
soon as ever thou seest him, draw; and, as
176
thou drawest swear horrible; for it comes to
177
pass oft that a terrible oath, with a swaggering
178
accent sharply twanged off, gives manhood
179
more approbation than ever proof itself would
180
have earned him. Away!
178-180. gives manhood more approbation than ever proof itself would have earned him: gives a greater reputation for manly courage than actually doing something courageous. 181. let me alone for: i.e., I'm really good at.
SIR ANDREW
181
Nay, let me alone for swearing.
Exit.
SIR TOBY BELCH
182
Now will not I deliver his letter: for the
183
behavior of the young gentleman gives
184
him out to be of good capacity and breeding;
184. gives him out to be: shows him to be. capacity: intelligence. breeding: education.
185
his employment between his lord and my
186
niece confirms no less. Therefore this letter,
187
being so excellently ignorant, will breed no
187. breed: arouse.
188
terror in the youth: he will find it comes from
188. find: see, detect that.
189
a clodpole. But, sir, I will deliver his challenge
189. clodpole: knucklehead.
190
by word of mouth; set upon Aguecheek a
191
notable report of valour; and drive the gentle-
190-191. set upon Aguecheek a notable report of valour: i.e., say that Aguecheek has a great reputation for valour.
192
man, as I know his youth will aptly receive it,
192. his youth will aptly receive it: i.e., his inexperience will make him believe (that Sir Andrew is valorous).
193
into a most hideous opinion of his rage, skill,
194
fury and impetuosity. This will so fright them
195
both that they will kill one another by the look,
196
like cockatrices.
196. cockatrices: basilisks, able to kill by their glance.
Enter OLIVIA and VIOLA.
FABIAN
197
Here he comes with your niece: give them way
197. Give them way: stay out of their way.
198
till he take leave, and presently after him.
198. presently after him: immediately (after Olivia is gone) intercept him.
SIR TOBY BELCH
199
I will meditate the while upon some horrid
200
message for a challenge.
[Exeunt SIR TOBY BELCH, FABIAN,
and MARIA.]
OLIVIA
201
I have said too much unto a heart of stone
202
And laid mine honour too unchary out:
202. laid: gambled. unchary: carelessly.
203
There's something in me that reproves my fault;
203. reproves: reprimands.
204
But such a headstrong potent fault it is,
204. potent: powerful.
205
That it but mocks reproof.
205. it but: it only.
VIOLA
206
With the same 'havior that your passion bears
206. havior: behavior. 206-207. With . . . grief: i.e., As your passion compels you to express your love for me, so Orsino suffers because his passion compels him to express his love for you.
207
Goes on my master's grief.
OLIVIA
208
Here, wear this jewel for me, 'tis my picture;
208. jewel: anything made by a jewelerin this case, a locket or brooch containing Olivia's picture.
209
Refuse it not; it hath no tongue to vex you;
210
And I beseech you come again tomorrow.
211
What shall you ask of me that I'll deny,
212
That, honour saved, may upon asking give?
212. That honour, saved, may upon asking give: that honour, certain that it is safe, may give when asked.
VIOLA
213
Nothing but this your true love for my master.
OLIVIA
214
How with mine honour may I give him that
215
Which I have given to you?
VIOLA
215
I will acquit you.
215. acquit you: release you (from any obligation to me).
OLIVIA
216
Well, come again tomorrow. Fare thee well.
217
A fiend like thee might bear my soul to hell.
217. like thee: that looks like you. might: very easily could.
Exit.
Enter [SIR] TOBY [BELCH] and FABIAN.
SIR TOBY BELCH
218
Gentleman, God save thee.
VIOLA
219
And you, sir.
SIR TOBY BELCH
220
That defence thou hast, betake thee to't: of what
220. That defence thou hast: whatever skill in fencing you have.
221
nature the wrongs are thou hast done him, I know
222
not; but thy intercepter, full of despite, bloody as
222. thy intercepter: he who is waiting to ambush you. despite: contempt, malice. 223. attends thee: waits for you.
223
the hunter, attends thee at the orchard-end:
224
dismount thy tuck, be yare in thy preparation, for
224. dismount thy tuck: draw your rapier. yare: quick.
225
thy assailant is quick, skilful and deadly.
VIOLA
226
You mistake, sir; I am sure no man hath any quarrel
227
to me: my remembrance is very free and clear from
226-227. quarrel to me: reason to quarrel with me.
227. remembrance: memory.
227. remembrance: memory.
228
any image of offence done to any man.
SIR TOBY BELCH
229
You'll find it otherwise, I assure you: therefore,
230
if you hold your life at any price, betake you to
230. price: value.
231
your guard; for your opposite hath in him what
231. opposite: adversary.
232
youth, strength, skill and wrath can furnish man
233
withal.
233. withal: with.
VIOLA
234
I pray you, sir, what is he?
SIR TOBY BELCH
235
He is knight, dubbed with unhatched rapier and on
235. unhatched: unhacked i.e., never used in battle.
236
carpet consideration; but he is a devil in private
235-236. on carpet consideration: i.e., for civilian services, or for having the right friends in high places.
237
brawl: souls and bodies hath he divorced three; and
238
his incensement at this moment is so implacable,
238. incensement: anger.
239
that satisfaction can be none but by pangs of death
240
and sepulchre. Hob, nob, is his word; give't or take't.
240. sepulchre: burial vault. Hob, nob, is his word; give't or take't: His motto is "have it, have it not"he doesn't care whether he kills or is killed.
VIOLA
241
I will return again into the house and desire some
241. desire: ask for.
242
conduct of the lady. I am no fighter. I have heard
242. conduct: protective escort.
243
of some kind of men that put quarrels purposely
244
on others, to taste their valour: belike this is a man
244. taste: test.
245
of that quirk.
245. quirk: temperament. ("Cesario" is hoping that if he shows himself to be a coward, his enemy will then let him alone.)
SIR TOBY BELCH
246
Sir, no; his indignation derives itself out of
247
a very competent injury: therefore, get you
247. competent injury: sufficient injury or insult.
248
on and give him his desire. Back you shall
247-248. get you on: go ahead.
249
not to the house, unless you undertake that
249. that: i.e., a duel:.
250
with me which with as much safety you might
251
answer him: therefore, on, or strip your sword
252
stark naked; for meddle you must, that's certain,
251-252. strip your sword stark naked: draw your sword. 252. meddle: get involved (in a fight). wear iron: carry a sword.
253
or forswear to wear iron about you.
VIOLA
254
This is as uncivil as strange. I beseech you, do
255
me this courteous office, as to know of the knight
255. to know of: find out from.
256
what my offence to him is. It is something of my
257
negligence, nothing of my purpose.
257. purpose: intention.
SIR TOBY BELCH
258
I will do so. Signior Fabian, stay you by this
259
gentleman till my return.
Exit Toby.
VIOLA
260
Pray you, sir, do you know of this matter?
FABIAN
261
I know the knight is incensed against you,
262
even to a mortal arbitrement; but nothing
262. even to a mortal arbitrement: to the point that nothing can settle it but a fight to the death.
263
of the circumstance more.
VIOLA
264
I beseech you, what manner of man is he?
FABIAN
265
Nothing of that wonderful promise, to read him
266
by his form, as you are like to find him in the proof
267
of his valour. He is, indeed, sir, the most skilful,
265-267. Nothing . . . valour: i.e., He doesn't look like much, but you'll find that he's fearsome when he fights. 268. opposite: adversary.
268
bloody and fatal opposite that you could possibly
269
have found in any part of Illyria. Will you walk
270
towards him? I will make your peace with him if
271
I can.
VIOLA
272
I shall be much bound to you for't: I am one
272. much bound: very grateful.
273
that had rather go with sir priest than sir knight:
273. sir priest: Priests were often called "sir."
274
I care not who knows so much of my mettle.
274. mettle: courage, or lack of it.
Exeunt.
Enter [SIR] TOBY [BELCH]
and [SIR] ANDREW.
SIR TOBY BELCH
275
Why, man, he's a very devil; I have not seen such a
276
firago. I had a pass with him, rapier, scabbard and
276. firago: virago. pass with him, rapier, scabbard: practice bout. 276. stuck in: thrustfrom the Italian, stoccado.
277
all, and he gives me the stuck in with such a mortal
278
motion, that it is inevitable; and on the answer, he
278. it: i.e., his opponent's death. answer: counterattack.
279
pays you as surely as your feet hit the ground they
279. pays you: repays, makes you pay.
280
step on. They say he has been fencer to the Sophy.
280. Sophy: Shah of Persia.
SIR ANDREW
281
Pox on't, I'll not meddle with him.
281. not meddle with him: not have anything to do with him.
SIR TOBY BELCH
282
Ay, but he will not now be pacified: Fabian can
283
scarce hold him yonder.
SIR ANDREW
284
Plague on't, an I thought he had been valiant and
284. an I thought he had been: if I had thought he was.
285
so cunning in fence, I'ld have seen him damned
285. I'ld have: I would have.
286
ere I'ld have challenged him. Let him let the matter
287
slip, and I'll give him my horse, grey Capilet.
287. Capilet: The name means "little nag."
SIR TOBY BELCH
288
I'll make the motion: stand here, make a good show
288. motion: offer. make a good show on't: i.e., put on a brave face. 289. perdition of souls: loss of life.
289
on't: this shall end without the perdition of souls.
290
[Aside] Marry, I'll ride your horse as well as I ride
291
you.
Enter FABIAN and VIOLA.
292
[To Fabian] I have his horse to take up the quarrel:
292. take up: settle.
293
I have persuaded him the youth's a devil.
FABIAN
294
He is as horribly conceited of him; and pants and
294. He is as horribly conceited of him: He has the same kind of wild ideas about him.
295
looks pale, as if a bear were at his heels.
SIR TOBY BELCH
296
[To Viola] There's no remedy, sir; he will fight
297
with you for's oath sake: marry, he hath better
297. for's oath sake: for the sake of his vow (to fight).
298
bethought him of his quarrel, and he finds that
297-298. he hath better bethought him of his quarrel: i.e., he has reconsidered the grounds for his challenge.
299
now scarce to be worth talking of: therefore draw,
300
for the supportance of his vow; he protests he will
300. supportance: upholding. protests: promises.
301
not hurt you.
VIOLA
302
[Aside] Pray God defend me! A little thing would
303
make me tell them how much I lack of a man.
FABIAN
304
Give ground, if you see him furious.
SIR TOBY BELCH
305
Come, Sir Andrew, there's no remedy; the gentleman
306
will, for his honour's sake, have one bout with you;
307
he cannot by the duello avoid it: but he has
307. duello: duelling code of honor.
308
promised me, as he is a gentleman and a soldier, he
309
will not hurt you. Come on; to't.
SIR ANDREW
310
Pray God, he keep his oath!
Enter ANTONIO [unseen by the others.]
VIOLA
311
I do assure you, 'tis against my will.
[With great fear, Sir Andrew and Viola begin to
draw their swords.]
ANTONIO
312
[To Viola.] Put up your sword. [To Sir Andrew] If this
young gentleman
313
Have done offence, I take the fault on me:
314
If you offend him, I for him defy you.
SIR TOBY BELCH
315
You, sir! why, what are you?
ANTONIO
316
One, sir, that for his love dares yet do more
316. his love: i.e., love of Sebastian.
317
Than you have heard him brag to you he will.
316-317. do more / Than you have heard him brag to you he will: i.e., I'll do my talking with my sword.
SIR TOBY BELCH
318
Nay, if you be an undertaker, I am for you.
318. undertaker: one who takes on a task for another.
Enter Officers.
FABIAN
319
O good Sir Toby, hold! here come the officers.
SIR TOBY BELCH [To Antonio.]
320
I'll be with you anon.
320. I'll be with you anon: I'll join you right awaySir Toby is promising to continue the fight as soon as the officers are gone.
VIOLA [To Sir Andrew.]
321
Pray, sir, put your sword up, if you please.
SIR ANDREW
322
Marry, will I, sir; and, for that I promised you,
323
I'll be as good as my word: he will bear you easily
323. he: i.e., Sir Andrew's horse, grey Capilet.
324
and reins well.
First Officer
325
This is the man; do thy office.
325. office: duty.
Second Officer
326
Antonio, I arrest thee at the suit of Count Orsino.
326. suit: request, lawsuit.
ANTONIO
327
You do mistake me, sir.
327. You do mistake me: i.e., you've got the wrong person.
First Officer
328
No, sir, no jot; I know your favour well,
328. favour: face.
329
Though now you have no sea-cap on your head.
330
Take him away: he knows I know him well.
ANTONIO
331
I must obey.
[To VIOLA.]
332
This comes with seeking you:
333
But there's no remedy; I shall answer it.
333. answer it: defend myself against the charges or pay the penalty.
334
What will you do, now my necessity
335
Makes me to ask you for my purse? It grieves me
336
Much more for what I cannot do for you
337
Than what befalls myself. You stand amazed;
338
But be of comfort.
338. But be of comfort: i.e., Don't worry about me. (But, he still needs his money back.)
Second Officer
339
Come, sir, away.
ANTONIO
340
I must entreat of you some of that money.
VIOLA
341
What money, sir?
342
For the fair kindness you have show'd me here,
343
And, part, being prompted by your present trouble,
343. part: in part:.
344
Out of my lean and low ability
344. ability: means, ability to lend money.
345
I'll lend you something: my having is not much;
345. my having: what I have.
346
I'll make division of my present with you:
346. present: what I have right now.
347
Hold, there's half my coffer.
347. coffer: money I haveliterally, a strong box.
ANTONIO
347
Will you deny me now?
348
Is't possible that my deserts to you
348. deserts to you: i.e., what I have done for you.
349
Can lack persuasion? Do not tempt my misery,
349. lack persuasion: fail to persuade you (to help me).
350
Lest that it make me so unsound a man
350. unsound: weak, unhealthy.
351
As to upbraid you with those kindnesses
352
That I have done for you.
VIOLA
352
I know of none;
353
Nor know I you by voice or any feature:
354
I hate ingratitude more in a man
355
Than lying, vainness, babbling, drunkenness,
355. vainness: vanity.
356
Or any taint of vice whose strong corruption
357
Inhabits our frail blood.
ANTONIO
357
O heavens themselves!
Second Officer
358
Come, sir, I pray you, go.
ANTONIO
359
Let me speak a little. This youth that you see here
360
I snatch'd one half out of the jaws of death,
360. I snatch'd . . . death: I snatched him from the jaws of death, which had half swallowed him. 361. Reliev'd him: gave him help. such: so muchas in "I like that sooo much!" 362. his image: what he appeared to be.
361
Relieved him with such sanctity of love,
362
And to his image, which methought did promise
363
Most venerable worth, did I devotion.
363. venerable worth: worth deserving of veneration.
First Officer
364
What's that to us? The time goes by: away!
ANTONIO
365
But O how vile an idol proves this god
366
Thou hast, Sebastian, done good feature shame.
366. done good feature shame: destroyed the moral reputation of good looks.
367
In nature there's no blemish but the mind;
368
None can be call'd deform'd but the unkind:
368. unkind: unnatural: the unnatural deformity of "Sebastian" is ingratitude. 369. the beauteous evil: those who are beautiful but evil. 370. trunks o'erflourish'd: (1) trunks covered with elaborate carvings; (2) bodies with beautiful outward appearances.
369
Virtue is beauty, but the beauteous evil
370
Are empty trunks o'erflourish'd by the devil.
First Officer
371
The man grows mad: away with him! Come, come, sir.
ANTONIO
372
Lead me on.
Exit [with Officers].
VIOLA [Aside.]
373
Methinks his words do from such passion fly,
374
That he believes himself: so do not I.
374. so do not I: i.e, I can't believe that I'm beginning to believe that my brother is alive.
375
Prove true, imagination, O, prove true,
376
That I, dear brother, be now ta'en for you!
376. ta'en: mistaken.
SIR TOBY BELCH
377
Come hither, knight; come hither, Fabian: we'll
378
whisper o'er a couplet or two of most sage saws.
378. sage saws: wise sayings.
VIOLA [Aside.]
379
He named Sebastian: I my brother know
380
Yet living in my glass; even such and so
379-380. I . . . glass: Every time I look in the mirror, I see my brother. 381. favour: facial appearance. 381-382. he went / Still in this fashion, colour, ornament: he always wore exactly the same kind of clothes I'm wearing now. 383. prove: prove true.
381
In favour was my brother, and he went
382
Still in this fashion, colour, ornament,
383
For him I imitate: O, if it prove,
384
Tempests are kind and salt waves fresh in love.
[Exit Viola.]
SIR TOBY BELCH
385
A very dishonest paltry boy, and more a coward
385. dishonest: dishonorable. 385-386. more a coward than a hare: more cowardly than a rabbit.
386
than a hare. His dishonesty appears in leaving his
387
friend here in necessity and denying him; and for
387. his friend: i.e., Antonio. denying him: pretending not to know him.
388
his cowardship, ask Fabian.
FABIAN
389
A coward, a most devout coward, religious in it.
SIR ANDREW
390
'Slid, I'll after him again and beat him.
390. 'Slid: by God's eyelid. (A silly oath from a silly man.)
SIR TOBY BELCH
391
Do; cuff him soundly, but never draw thy sword.
SIR ANDREW
392
An I do not,
392. An: if. ("An I do not" is the first part of the vow of revenge that Sir mutters as he leaves to pursue "Cesario.")
FABIAN
393
Come, let's see the event.
393. event: result, outcome.
SIR TOBY BELCH
394
I dare lay any money 'twill be nothing yet.
394. 'twill be nothing yet: it still won't be anything.
Exeunt.