Twelfth Night: Act 4, Scene 3

           Enter SEBASTIAN.

      SEBASTIAN
Sebastian photo by Mark Douet

  1   This is the air; that is the glorious sun;
  2   This pearl she gave me, I do feel't and see't;
  3   And though 'tis wonder that enwraps me thus,
  4   Yet 'tis not madness. Where's Antonio, then?
  5   I could not find him at the Elephant:
  6   Yet there he was; and there I found this credit,
6. was: had been. I found this credit: I learned that they believed this—i.e., what follows about Antonio.

  7   That he did range the town to seek me out.
  8   His counsel now might do me golden service;
8. counsel: advice, insight.

  9   For though my soul disputes well with my sense,
9. my soul disputes well with my sense: my reason.

 10   That this may be some error, but no madness,
 11   Yet doth this accident and flood of fortune
11. accident and flood of fortune: unexpected and overwhelming good luck. 12. instance: precedent. discourse: reason.

 12   So far exceed all instance, all discourse,
 13   That I am ready to distrust mine eyes
 14   And wrangle with my reason that persuades me
 15   To any other trust but that I am mad
15. trust: belief, conviction.

 16   Or else the lady's mad; yet, if 'twere so,
 17   She could not sway her house, command her
17. sway her house: manage her household. followers: servants.

           followers,
18. Take and give back affairs and their dispatch: conduct business. 19. bearing: manner, demeanor.

 18   Take and give back affairs and their dispatch
 19   With such a smooth, discreet and stable bearing
 20   As I perceive she does: there's something in't
20. in't: i.e., in the whole situation. chapel

 21   That is deceiveable. But here the lady comes.
21. deceiveable: deceiving, delusive.


           Enter OLIVIA and Priest.

      OLIVIA
 22   Blame not this haste of mine. If you mean well,
 23   Now go with me and with this holy man
 24   Into the chantry by: there, before him,
24. chantry by: nearby chapel.

 25   And underneath that consecrated roof,
 26   Plight me the full assurance of your faith;
26. Plight me: pledge to me.

 27   That my most jealous and too doubtful soul
27. jealous: anxious.

 28   May live at peace. He shall conceal it
28. He: i.e., the priest. it: i.e., their betrothal.

 29   Whiles you are willing it shall come to note,
29. Whiles . . . note: until you are willing that it should be made public. 30. What time: at which time. we will our celebration keep: we will have our wedding ceremony. 31. According to my birth: Olivia was born the daughter of a count, so it's going to be a fancy wedding.

 30   What time we will our celebration keep
 31   According to my birth. What do you say?

      SEBASTIAN
 32   I'll follow this good man, and go with you;
 33   And, having sworn truth, ever will be true.

      OLIVIA
 34   Then lead the way, good father; and heavens
           so shine,
 35   That they may fairly note this act of mine!
35. fairly note: recognize and bless—perhaps Olivia is worried about the secrecy of the betrothal.


           Exeunt.