Twelfth Night: Act 5, Scene 1
Enter Clown and FABIAN.
FABIAN
1
Now, as thou lovest me, let me see his letter.
1. his: i.e., Malvolio's.
Clown
2
Good Master Fabian, grant me another
3
request.
2-3. another request: a counterpart to the request you're making of me.
FABIAN
4
Any thing.
Clown
5
Do not desire to see this letter.
FABIAN
6
This is, to give a dog, and in recompense desire
7
my dog again.
Enter DUKE [ORSINO], VIOLA, CURIO,
and Lords.
DUKE ORSINO
8
Belong you to the Lady Olivia, friends?
Clown
9
Ay, sir; we are some of her trappings.
DUKE ORSINO
10
I know thee well; how dost thou, my good
11
fellow?
Clown
12
Truly, sir, the better for my foes and the worse
12. for: because of.
13
for my friends.
13. for: because of.
DUKE ORSINO
14
Just the contrary; the better for thy friends.
Clown
15
No, sir, the worse.
DUKE ORSINO
16
How can that be?
Clown
17
Marry, sir, they praise me and make an ass of
18
me; now my foes tell me plainly I am an ass: so
19
that by my foes, sir I profit in the knowledge of
20
myself, and by my friends, I am abused: so that,
20. abused: i.e., falsely flattered.
21
conclusions to be as kisses, if your four negatives
22
make your two affirmatives why then, the worse
20-23.
so that . . . foes:
23
for my friends and the better for my foes.
DUKE ORSINO
24
Why, this is excellent.
24. this: i.e., the Clown's foolery, his word play.
Clown
25
By my troth, sir, no; though it please you
26
to be one of my friends.
DUKE ORSINO
27
Thou shalt not be the worse for me: there's
28
gold.
27-28. there's gold: Duke Orsino gives the Clown a coin.
Clown
29
But that it would be double-dealing, sir, I
30
would you could make it another.
DUKE ORSINO
31
O, you give me ill counsel.
31. ill counsel: evil advice. (The Duke is picking up on the Clown's begging jokethat giving another coin would be double-dealing.)
Clown
32
Put your grace in your pocket, sir, for this
32. grace: virtue, also generosity.
33
once, and let your flesh and blood obey it.
33. flesh and blood: i.e., human weakness. it: the "ill counsel."
DUKE ORSINO
34
Well, I will be so much a sinner, to be a
35
double-dealer: there's another.
Clown
36
Primo, secundo, tertio, is a good play; and the
36. Primo, secundo, tertio: one, two, three in Latin, also, perhaps, a lucky roll of the dice. 37. the third pays for all: This is still an "old saying," in another form: "the third time's a charm." triplex: triple time in music. 38. tripping: dancing.
37
old saying is, the third pays for all: the triplex,
38
sir, is a good tripping measure; or the bells of
39
Saint Bennet, sir, may put you in mind; one,
39. Saint Bennet: a church across the Thames from the Globe Theatre where Shakespeare plays were (and are) performed.
40
two, three.
DUKE ORSINO
41
You can fool no more money out of me at this
41. fool: cheat, also charm with your foolery.
42
throw: if you will let your lady know I am here
41-42. at this throw: at this time, also in this way.
43
to speak with her, and bring her along with you,
44
it may awake my bounty further.
Clown
45
Marry, sir, lullaby to your bounty till I come
46
again. I go, sir; but I would not have you to think
47
that my desire of having is the sin of covetousness:
46-47. I would not . . . the sin of covetousness: The Clown says he's more interested in the art of begging than the actual money. 49. anon: in a little while.
48
but, as you say, sir, let your bounty take a nap, I
49
will awake it anon.
Exit.
VIOLA
50
Here comes the man, sir, that did rescue me.
Enter ANTONIO and Officers.
DUKE ORSINO
51
That face of his I do remember well;
52
Yet, when I saw it last, it was besmear'd
53
As black as Vulcan in the smoke of war:
53. Vulcan: Vulcan was the blacksmith of the gods, and had a face blackened with smoke. baubling: toy-like.
54
A baubling vessel was he captain of,
55
For shallow draught and bulk unprizable;
55. For . . . unprizable: not worth taking as a prize because of its flat bottom and small size. 56. scathful grapple: damaging battle. bottom: ship.
56
With which such scathful grapple did he make
57
With the most noble bottom of our fleet,
58
That very envy and the tongue of loss
58. envy: enmity. tongue of loss: the talk of the losers of the battle. 59. matter: charge (against Antonio).
59
Cried fame and honour on him. What's the matter?
First Officer
60
Orsino, this is that Antonio
61
That took the Phoenix and her fraught from Candy;
62
And this is he that did the Tiger board,
63
When your young nephew Titus lost his leg:
64
Here in the streets, desperate of shame and state,
65
In private brabble did we apprehend him.
64. desperate of: with reckless disregard. 65. brabble: brawl.
VIOLA
66
He did me kindness, sir, drew on my side;
66. drew on my side: drew his sword in defense of me.
67
But in conclusion put strange speech upon me:
67. put strange speech upon me: said strange things to me. 68. 'twas: it was (the "strange speech" was). but distraction: but madness.
68
I know not what 'twas but distraction.
DUKE ORSINO
69
Notable pirate! thou salt-water thief!
70
What foolish boldness brought thee to their mercies,
70. to their mercies: under their control.
71
Whom thou, in terms so bloody and so dear,
71. in terms: in a manner. dear: costly (to your enemies).
72
Hast made thine enemies?
ANTONIO
72
Orsino, noble sir,
73
Be pleased that I shake off these names you give me:
74
Antonio never yet was thief or pirate,
75
Though I confess, on base and ground enough,
75. base and ground: basis and grounds.
76
Orsino's enemy. A witchcraft drew me hither:
76. witchcraft: i.e., Sebastian's bewitching appearance.
77
That most ingrateful boy there by your side,
77. boy there by your side: (Antonio looks at "Cesario" and thinks he sees Sebastian.)
78
From the rude sea's enraged and foamy mouth
79
Did I redeem; a wreck past hope he was:
80
His life I gave him and did thereto add
81
My love, without retention or restraint,
81. without retention or restraint: without holding anything back. 82. All his in dedication: all (my love was) dedicated to him. 83. pure: purely.
82
All his in dedication; for his sake
83
Did I expose myself, pure for his love,
84
Into the danger of this adverse town;
84. Into: to. adverse: hostile.
85
Drew to defend him when he was beset:
85. beset: under attack.
86
Where being apprehended, his false cunning,
86. Where being apprehended: at which time, when I was arrested. 87. Not . . . danger: not wanting to share my danger. 88. face me out of his acquaintance: hypocritically pretend that he didn't know me.
87
Not meaning to partake with me in danger,
88
Taught him to face me out of his acquaintance,
89
And grew a twenty years removed thing
90
While one would wink; denied me mine own purse,
90. While one would wink: in the blink of an eye. denied . . . purse: i.e., denied that my money was mine.
91
Which I had recommended to his use
91. recommended: generously offered and freely given.
92
Not half an hour before.
VIOLA
92
How can this be?
DUKE ORSINO
93
When came he to this town?
ANTONIO
94
Today, my lord; and for three months before,
95
No interim, not a minute's vacancy,
95. No: without an. vacancy: gap, interval.
96
Both day and night did we keep company.
Enter OLIVIA and Attendants.
DUKE ORSINO
97
Here comes the countess: now heaven walks on earth.
98
But for thee, fellow; fellow, thy words are madness:
99
Three months this youth hath tended upon me;
100
But more of that anon. Take him aside.
OLIVIA
101
What would my lord, but that he may not have,
101. What . . . not have: What does my lord (i.e., Orsino) want, except for that which he may not have (i.e., my love). 102. seem serviceable: be of assistance.
102
Wherein Olivia may seem serviceable?
103
Cesario, you do not keep promise with me.
VIOLA
104
Madam!
DUKE ORSINO
105
Gracious Olivia,
OLIVIA
106
What do you say, Cesario? Good my lord,
VIOLA
107
My lord would speak; my duty hushes me.
OLIVIA
108
If it be aught to the old tune, my lord,
109
It is as fat and fulsome to mine ear
109. fat and fulsome: gross and distasteful.
110
As howling after music.
DUKE ORSINO
110
                                       Still so cruel?
OLIVIA
111
Still so constant, lord.
DUKE ORSINO
112
What, to perverseness? you uncivil lady,
112. uncivil: rude, lacking in feeling for others.
113
To whose ingrate and unauspicious altars
113. ingrate: ungrateful. unauspicious: unwelcoming, unrewarding.
114
My soul the faithfull'st offerings hath breathed out
115
That e'er devotion tender'd! What shall I do?
115. e'er: ever. tender'd: offered.
OLIVIA
116
Even what it please my lord, that shall become him.
116. become him: be becoming to him. (Orsino has already shown some unbecoming behavior by throwing insults at Olivia, whom he professes to love.)
DUKE ORSINO
117
Why should I not, had I the heart to do it,
118
Like to the Egyptian thief at point of death,
118.
Egyptian thief: 119. what I love: i.e., "Cesario". 120. savours nobly: has a flavor of nobility. 121. non-regardance: neglect. cast: discard. faith: constant love. 122. partly know: i.e., can guess. 123. screws: pries, forces.
119
Kill what I love? a savage jealousy
120
That sometimes savours nobly. But hear me this:
121
Since you to non-regardance cast my faith,
122
And that I partly know the instrument
123
That screws me from my true place in your favour,
124
Live you the marble-breasted tyrant still;
124. marble-breasted: i.e., stony-hearted.
125
But this your minion, whom I know you love,
125. this: i.e., "Cesario". minion: darling, favorite.
126
And whom, by heaven I swear, I tender dearly,
126. tender dearly: deeply care for.
127
Him will I tear out of that cruel eye,
127. that cruel eye: i.e., Olivia's sight and concern.
128
Where he sits crowned in his master's spite.
128. in his master's spite: to the mortification of his master (i.e., Orsino)
129
Come, boy, with me; my thoughts are ripe in
mischief:
130
I'll sacrifice the lamb that I do love,
131
To spite a raven's heart within a dove.
131. a raven's heart within a dove: i.e., the black heart of the beautiful white Olivia.
VIOLA
132
And I, most jocund, apt and willingly,
132. jocund: cheerfully. apt: readily.
133
To do you rest, a thousand deaths would die.
133. To do you rest: to give you peace and satisfaction.
OLIVIA
134
Where goes Cesario?
VIOLA
134
After him I love
135
More than I love these eyes, more than my life,
136
More, by all mores, than e'er I shall love wife.
136. by all mores: i.e, beyond all comparison.
137
If I do feign, you witnesses above
137. feign: lie, pretend.
138
Punish my life for tainting of my love!
138. Punish my life for tainting of my love: put me to death for dishonoring my love.
OLIVIA
139
Ay me, detested! how am I beguiled!
139. detested: renounced. beguiled: fooled, conned. (Olivia thinks that "Cesario" is denying his vows to her, but it was Sebastian who made those vows.)
VIOLA
140
Who does beguile you? who does do you wrong?
OLIVIA
141
Hast thou forgot thyself? is it so long?
142
Call forth the holy father.
142. Call . . . father: (An attendant leaves and soon returns with the priest who witnessed the betrothal.)
DUKE ORSINO
142
Come, away!
OLIVIA
143
Whither, my lord? Cesario, husband, stay.
DUKE ORSINO
144
Husband!
OLIVIA
144
Ay, husband: can he that deny?
DUKE ORSINO
145
Her husband, sirrah!
145. sirrah: A contemptuous form of address.
VIOLA
145
No, my lord, not I.
OLIVIA
146
Alas, it is the baseness of thy fear
147
That makes thee strangle thy propriety:
147. strangle: smother, cover up. thy propriety: your true identity (as my betrothed husband).
148
Fear not, Cesario; take thy fortunes up;
149
Be that thou know'st thou art, and then thou art
150
As great as that thou fear'st.
Enter Priest.
150
O, welcome, father!
151
Father, I charge thee, by thy reverence,
152
Here to unfold, though lately we intended
152. unfold: reveal, explain.
153
To keep in darkness what occasion now
153. occasion: the necessities of the present occasion.
154
Reveals before 'tis ripe, what thou dost know
155
Hath newly pass'd between this youth and me.
155. newly: very recently.
Priest
156
A contract of eternal bond of love,
157
Confirm'd by mutual joinder of your hands,
157. joinder: joining.
158
Attested by the holy close of lips,
158. close: coming together.
159
Strengthen'd by interchangement of your rings;
160
And all the ceremony of this compact
161
Seal'd in my function, by my testimony:
161. Seal'd: ratified. in my function: in my official capacity.
162
Since when, my watch hath told me, toward my
grave
163
I have travell'd but two hours.
DUKE ORSINO
164
O thou dissembling cub! what wilt thou be
165
When time hath sow'd a grizzle on thy case?
165. sow'd: planted. grizzle: a salt-and-pepper growth of hair. case: skin, pelt. 166. craft: craftiness.
166
Or will not else thy craft so quickly grow,
167
That thine own trip shall be thine overthrow?
167. thine own trip shall be thine overthrow: your own tricks (or traps) will trick (or trap) you.
168
Farewell, and take her; but direct thy feet
169
Where thou and I henceforth may never meet.
VIOLA
170
My lord, I do protest
170. protest: promise, swear.
OLIVIA
170
O, do not swear!
171
Hold little faith, though thou hast too much fear.
171. Hold little: keep a little. (Olivia wants Cesario to not swear his faith to Orsino, so that he may keep a little of the faith he swore to her in their betrothal.)
Enter SIR ANDREW.
SIR ANDREW
172
For the love of God, a surgeon! Send one presently
172. presently: immediately.
173
to Sir Toby.
OLIVIA
174
What's the matter?
SIR ANDREW
175
He has broke my head across and has given
175. He has broke my head across: he has given me a scalp wound. 176. coxcomb: head, but "coxcomb" is also the name of the fool's cap that looks like a rooster's comb.I would rather be at home: I would rather be at home than have forty pounds, (now hundreds of pounds).
176
Sir Toby a bloody coxcomb too: for the love
177
of God, your help! I had rather than forty pound
178
I were at home.
OLIVIA
179
Who has done this, Sir Andrew?
SIR ANDREW
180
The count's gentleman, one Cesario: we took
181
him for a coward, but he's the very devil
182
incardinate.
182. incardinate: There's no such word. Sir Andrew probably means "incarnate," but "incardinate" also suggests "incarnadine," blood-red.
DUKE ORSINO
183
My gentleman, Cesario?
SIR ANDREW
184
'Od's lifelings, here he is! You broke my head for
184. 'Od's lifelings: by God's little livesa senseless oath.
185
nothing; and that that I did, I was set on to do't
184-185. for nothing: for no reason. 185. set on: goaded. (Note Sir Andrew's contradiction: he didn't do anything and what he did do was Sir Toby's fault.)
186
by Sir Toby.
VIOLA
187
Why do you speak to me? I never hurt you:
188
You drew your sword upon me without cause;
189
But I bespoke you fair, and hurt you not.
189. bespoke you fair: spoke courteously to you.
SIR ANDREW
190
If a bloody coxcomb be a hurt, you have hurt me: I
191
think you set nothing by a bloody coxcomb.
191. set nothing by: don't care about. (Sir Andrew is in full pout mode.)
Enter SIR TOBY [BELCH] and Clown.
192
Here comes Sir Toby halting; you shall hear more:
192. halting: limping. more: i.e., more about all the horrible things you did. 193. in drink: drunk.
193
but if he had not been in drink, he would have
194
tickled you othergates than he did.
194. tickled you othergates than he did: touched you (with his sword) otherwise than he did. (Sir Toby didn't hurt Sebastian at all.)
DUKE ORSINO
195
How now, gentleman! how is't with you?
SIR TOBY BELCH
196
That's all one: H'as hurt me, and there's the end
196. That's all one: it doesn't matter. H'as: he has. there's the end on't: that's all there is to it. 197. Sot: fool. It's ironic that the drunken Sir Toby uses a word which also means "drunkard."
197
on't. Sot, didst see Dick surgeon, sot?
Clown
198
O, he's drunk, Sir Toby, an hour agone; his eyes
199
were set at eight i' the morning.
199. were set: went dark.
SIR TOBY BELCH
200
Then he's a rogue, and a passy-measures pavin:
201
I hate a drunken rogue.
OLIVIA
202
Away with him! Who hath made this havoc with
203
them?
SIR ANDREW
204
I'll help you, Sir Toby, because we'll be dressed
204. help you: i.e., help you to walk. dressed: bandaged.
205
together.
SIR TOBY BELCH
206
Will you help? an ass-head and a coxcomb and
206. coxcomb: fool.
207
a knave, a thin-faced knave, a gull!
207. gull: dupe, sucker.
OLIVIA
208
Get him to bed, and let his hurt be look'd to.
[Exeunt Clown, FABIAN, SIR TOBY BELCH,
and SIR ANDREW.]
Enter SEBASTIAN.
SEBASTIAN
209
I am sorry, madam, I have hurt your kinsman:
210
But, had it been the brother of my blood,
210. brother of my blood: biological brother.
211
I must have done no less with wit and safety.
211. with wit and safety: with wisdom and caution. (In other words, he acted in self-defense.) 212. throw a strange regard upon me: look at me as though I were a stranger.
212
You throw a strange regard upon me, and by that
213
I do perceive it hath offended you:
214
Pardon me, sweet one, even for the vows
214. for the vows: for the sake of the vows.
215
We made each other but so late ago.
215. but so late ago: only recently
DUKE ORSINO
216
One face, one voice, one habit, and two persons,
216. habit: manner of dress, as in "nun's habit".
217
A natural perspective, that is and is not!
217. natural perspective: optical illusion produced by naturelike mirage water on the road on a hot summer's day.
SEBASTIAN
218
Antonio, O my dear Antonio!
219
How have the hours rack'd and tortured me,
220
Since I have lost thee!
ANTONIO
221
Sebastian are you?
SEBASTIAN
221
Fear'st thou that, Antonio?
221. Fear'st thou that: Do you doubt that?
ANTONIO
222
How have you made division of yourself?
223
An apple, cleft in two, is not more twin
224
Than these two creatures. Which is Sebastian?
OLIVIA
225
Most wonderful!
225. wonderful: amazing.
SEBASTIAN
226
Do I stand there? I never had a brother;
226. there: i.e., where Viola is standing.
227
Nor can there be that deity in my nature,
227. deity . . .
every where: divine ability to be omnipresent.
228
Of here and every where. I had a sister,
229
Whom the blind waves and surges have devour'd.
229. blind: insensitive, remorseless.
230
Of charity, what kin are you to me?
230. Of charity: please, kindly (tell me).
231
What countryman? what name? what parentage?
VIOLA
232
Of Messaline: Sebastian was my father;
233
Such a Sebastian was my brother too,
233. Such a Sebastian: i.e., such a Sebastian as you are.
234
So went he suited to his watery tomb:
234. suited: dressed (as you are).
235
If spirits can assume both form and suit
235. spirits: ghosts. form and suit: human form and clothes.
236
You come to fright us.
SEBASTIAN
236
A spirit I am indeed;
236. spirit: soul.
237
But am in that dimension grossly clad
238
Which from the womb I did participate.
237-238. But . . . participate: but I am wearing the same earthly form which I've had since birth. 239. as the rest goes even: since the rest (of your characteristics) agree (with the idea that you are my sister).
239
Were you a woman, as the rest goes even,
240
I should my tears let fall upon your cheek,
241
And say 'Thrice-welcome, drowned Viola!'
VIOLA
242
My father had a mole upon his brow.
SEBASTIAN
243
And so had mine.
VIOLA
244
And died that day when Viola from her birth
245
Had number'd thirteen years.
SEBASTIAN
246
O, that record is lively in my soul!
246. record: memory. lively: vivid.
247
He finished indeed his mortal act
247. mortal act: life on earth.
248
That day that made my sister thirteen years.
VIOLA
249
If nothing lets to make us happy both
249. If nothing lets to make us happy both: if nothing else prevents us from both being happy. 250. usurp'd: i.e., deceptive.
250
But this my masculine usurp'd attire,
251
Do not embrace me till each circumstance
252
Of place, time, fortune, do cohere and jump
252. cohere and jump: fit together and point directly to the conclusion that.
253
That I am Viola: which to confirm,
254
I'll bring you to a captain in this town,
255
Where lie my maiden weeds; by whose gentle help
255. Where: at whose house. weeds: clothes.
256
I was preserved to serve this noble count.
257
All the occurrence of my fortune since
258
Hath been between this lady and this lord.
257-258. All . . . lord: i.e., the only thing I've done since then is serve as a messenger between Orsino and Olivia.
SEBASTIAN [To OLIVIA]
259
So comes it, lady, you have been mistook:
260
But nature to her bias drew in that.
260. nature . . .
that: i.e., in your affection for Cesario you were drawn on by your natural inclination (for someone like me). 261. maid: young woman.
261
You would have been contracted to a maid;
262
Nor are you therein, by my life, deceived,
263
You are betroth'd both to a maid and man.
263. maid: virgin i.e., Sebastian.
DUKE ORSINO
264
Be not amazed; right noble is his blood.
264. amazed: astounded and fearful.
265
If this be so, as yet the glass seems true,
265. glass: mirror. (Sebastian is the mirror of Viola and vice-versa.) wrack: goods salvaged from a wrecked ship.
266
I shall have share in this most happy wreck.
[To VIOLA.]
267
Boy, thou hast said to me a thousand times
268
Thou never shouldst love woman like to me.
268. like to me: i.e., as much as you love me.
VIOLA
269
And all those sayings will I overswear;
269. over swear: swear again.
270
And those swearings keep as true in soul
271
As doth that orbed continent the fire
271. orbed continent:
sphere (of the sun).
272
That severs day from night.
DUKE ORSINO
272
Give me thy hand;
272. Give me thy hand: i.e., marry me.
273
And let me see thee in thy woman's weeds.
273. weeds: clothes.
VIOLA
274
The captain that did bring me first on shore
275
Hath my maid's garments: he upon some action
276
Is now in durance, at Malvolio's suit,
276. in durance: imprisoned. at Malvolio's suit: because of a lawsuit brought by Malvolio.
277
A gentleman, and follower of my lady's.
OLIVIA
278
He shall enlarge him: fetch Malvolio hither:
278. enlarge: release.
279
And yet, alas, now I remember me,
279. remember me: recall.
280
They say, poor gentleman, he's much distract.
280. much distract: mentally confused.
Enter Clown with a letter, and FABIAN.
281
A most extracting frenzy of mine own
281. extracting frenzy of mine own: madness that took me away from myself. (Olivia's frenzy was her pursuit of "Cesario.") 282. From . . . his: i.e., made me forget Malvolio's problems.
282
From my remembrance clearly banish'd his.
283
How does he, sirrah?
Clown
284
Truly, madam, he holds Belzebub at the staves's
284. holds Belzebub at the stave's end: staves off the devil.
285
end as well as a man in his case may do: has here
286
writ a letter to you; I should have given't you today
285-286. has here writ a letter: he has written a letter which I have here. given't you: given it to you.
287
morning, but as a madman's epistles are no gospels,
286-287. today morning: this morning. 287. a madman's . . . gospels: a madman's letters aren't gospel truth. it skills not much: doesn't matter much.
288
so it skills not much when they are delivered.
OLIVIA
289
Open't, and read it.
Clown
290
Look then to be well edified when the fool delivers
290. delivers: speaks the words of.
291
the madman.
[Reads madly.]
292
'By the Lord, madam,'
OLIVIA
293
How now! art thou mad?
Clown
294
No, madam, I do but read madness: an your
295
ladyship will have it as it ought to be, you must
296
allow vox.
296. vox: voice (Latin); a dramatic reading.
OLIVIA
297
Prithee, read i' thy right wits.
Clown
298
So I do, madonna; but to read his right wits is to
299
read thus: therefore perpend, my princess, and give
299. perpend: listen, pay attention.
300
ear.
OLIVIA [To Fabian.]
301
Read it you, sirrah.
FABIAN
302
(Reads) 'By the Lord, madam, you wrong me, and
303
the world shall know it: though you have put me into
304
darkness and given your drunken cousin rule over
304. your drunken cousin: i.e., Sir Toby ("Cousin" had a broader meaning than it does now.)
305
me, yet have I the benefit of my senses as well as
306
your ladyship. I have your own letter that induced
307
me to the semblance I put on; with the which I doubt
307. the which: i.e., the letter (which will prove his case).
308
not but to do myself much right, or you much shame.
309
Think of me as you please. I leave my duty a little
309. my duty: i.e., my duty, as your steward, to be polite and deferential.
310
unthought of and speak out of my injury.
311
THE MADLY-USED MALVOLIO.'
OLIVIA
312
Did he write this?
Clown
313
Ay, madam.
DUKE ORSINO
314
This savours not much of distraction.
314. distraction: madness.
OLIVIA
315
See him deliver'd, Fabian; bring him hither.
315. deliver'd: released.
[Exit FABIAN.]
316
My lord so please you, these things further thought on,
316. these things further thought on: i.e., taking into consideration what we have just seen and heard. 317. To . . . sister: to think as well of me as a sister-in-law.
317
To think me as well a sister as a wife,
318
One day shall crown the alliance on't, so please you,
318. One . . . on't: i.e., On one day we'll have the two weddings that will make me your sister-in-law. 319. my proper cost: my own expense.
319
Here at my house and at my proper cost.
DUKE ORSINO
320
Madam, I am most apt to embrace your offer.
320. apt: ready and willing.
[To VIOLA.]
321
Your master quits you; and for your service done him,
321. quits you: frees you from service.
322
So much against the mettle of your sex,
322. mettle: essential nature.
323
So far beneath your soft and tender breeding,
323. breeding: upbringing, family status. (Viola wasn't raised to be a servant.)
324
And since you call'd me master for so long,
325
Here is my hand: you shall from this time be
326
Your master's mistress.
326. mistress: female master.
OLIVIA
326
A sister! you are she.
Enter [FABIAN, with] MALVOLIO.
DUKE ORSINO
327
Is this the madman?
OLIVIA
327
Ay, my lord, this same.
328
How now, Malvolio!
MALVOLIO
328
Madam, you have done me wrong,
329
Notorious wrong.
329. Notorious: obvious.
OLIVIA
329
Have I, Malvolio? no.
MALVOLIO
330
Lady, you have. Pray you, peruse that letter.
330. peruse: read, examine.
331
You must not now deny it is your hand:
331. hand: handwriting.
332
Write from it, if you can, in hand or phrase;
332. from it: differently. in hand or phrase: in handwriting or phraseology. 333. invention: composition.
333
Or say 'tis not your seal, nor your invention:
334
You can say none of this: well, grant it then
335
And tell me, in the modesty of honour,
335. in the modesty of honour: with the sincerity proper to an honorable person. 336. lights: signs.
336
Why you have given me such clear lights of favour,
337
Bade me come smiling and cross-garter'd to you,
338
To put on yellow stockings and to frown
339
Upon Sir Toby and the lighter people;
339. lighter: lesser.
340
And, acting this in an obedient hope,
341
Why have you suffer'd me to be imprison'd,
341. suffer'd: allowed.
342
Kept in a dark house, visited by the priest,
343
And made the most notorious geck and gull
343. geck and gull: fool and sucker.
344
That e'er invention play'd on? tell me why.
344. invention: cunning trickery.
OLIVIA
345
Alas, Malvolio, this is not my writing,
346
Though, I confess, much like the character
346. much like the character: i.e., it looks a lot like my handwriting. 347. out of question: beyond doubt. hand: handwriting
347
But out of question 'tis Maria's hand.
348
And now I do bethink me, it was she
349
First told me thou wast mad; then camest in smiling,
350
And in such forms which here were presupposed
351
Upon thee in the letter. Prithee, be content:
350-351. in . . . letter: in the forms (in clothing and manners) suggested to you in the letter. content: i.e., not so upset. 352. practise: practical joke. 352. shrewdly pass'd upon thee: cruelly fooled you. 353. grounds and authors: motivations and perpetrators.
352
This practise hath most shrewdly pass'd upon thee;
353
But when we know the grounds and authors of it,
354
Thou shalt be both the plaintiff and the judge
355
Of thine own cause.
355. cause: case.
FABIAN
355
Good madam, hear me speak,
356
And let no quarrel nor no brawl to come
356. to come: in the future.
357
Taint the condition of this present hour,
357. Taint: cast a shadow over. the condition of this present hour: i.e., the surprised joy of Orsino, Olivia, Viola, and Sebastian. 358. have wonder'd at: been amazed by.
358
Which I have wonder'd at. In hope it shall not,
359
Most freely I confess, myself and Toby
360
Set this device against Malvolio here,
360. device: plot, trick.
361
Upon some stubborn and uncourteous parts
361. Upon: because of. stubborn: arrogant. parts: qualities or actions. 362. conceived against him: observed in him and resented. 363. great importance:
urgent request. 365. sportful: jesting. it: i.e., the practical joke played on Malvolio. follow'd: carried out. 366. pluck on: incite.
362
We had conceived against him: Maria writ
363
The letter at Sir Toby's great importance;
364
In recompense whereof he hath married her.
365
How with a sportful malice it was follow'd,
366
May rather pluck on laughter than revenge;
367
If that the injuries be justly weigh'd
368
That have on both sides pass'd.
OLIVIA
369
Alas, poor fool, how have they baffled thee!
369. baffled thee: put you down.
Clown
370
Why, 'some are born great, some achieve
371
greatness, and some have greatness thrown
372
upon them.' I was one, sir, in this interlude
372. interlude: farce.
373
one Sir Topas, sir; but that's all one. 'By the
374
Lord, fool, I am not mad.' But do you remember?
374. "By . . . mad.": The clown quotes Malvolio's previous words. (See 4.2.106 ff.)
375
'Madam, why laugh you at such a barren rascal?
376
an you smile not, he's gagged.' And thus the
375-376. "Madam . . . gagged.": Again, the clown quotes Malvolio's previous words. (See 1.5.83 ff.).
377
whirligig of time brings in his revenges.
377. whirligig: spinning top.
MALVOLIO
378
I'll be revenged on the whole pack of you.
[Exit.]
OLIVIA
379
He hath been most notoriously abused.
379. notoriously: blatantly.
DUKE ORSINO
380
Pursue him and entreat him to a peace;
381
He hath not told us of the captain yet.
381. the captain: (Who has Viola's woman's clothes and who has been jailed because of a lawsuit filed by Malvolio.) convents: suits.
382
When that is known and golden time convents,
383
A solemn combination shall be made
383. solemn combination: i.e., marriage.
384
Of our dear souls. Meantime, sweet sister,
385
We will not part from hence. Cesario, come;
386
For so you shall be, while you are a man;
387
But when in other habits you are seen,
388
Orsino's mistress and his fancy's queen.
Exeunt [all, except Clown.]
   Clown sings.
389
When that I was and a little tiny boy,
390
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
391
A foolish thing was but a toy,
391. A foolish thing was but a toy: i.e., mischief and mistakes weren't taken seriously.
392
For the rain it raineth every day.
393
But when I came to man's estate,
394
With hey, ho, etc.
395
'Gainst knaves and thieves men shut their gate,
396
For the rain, etc.
397
But when I came, alas! to wive,
398
With hey, ho, etc.
399
By swaggering could I never thrive,
399. swaggering: bragging and bluffing.
400
For the rain, etc.
401
But when I came unto my beds,
402
With hey, ho, etc.
403
With toss-pots still had drunken heads,
403. toss-pots: drunkards.
404
For the rain, etc.
405
A great while ago the world begun,
406
With hey, ho, etc.
407
But that's all one, our play is done,
408
And we'll strive to please you every day.
[Exit.]