Twelfth Night: Act 4, Scene 3
Enter SEBASTIAN.
SEBASTIAN
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 thisi.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
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 blessperhaps Olivia is worried about the secrecy of the betrothal.
Exeunt.