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.
6-7. Queen Elizabeth I with dogto give a dog, and in recompense desire 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. the Clown 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 joke—that 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;
Antonio's arrest 61. fraught: freight. from Candy: on her return from Crete.

 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.
110. Anne Hathaway as Viola and Sebastian/CesarioAs 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. Thyamis and Cariclia 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.
150. Olivia and Cesario 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 lives—a 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:
200. pavanea 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 nature—like 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: Copernicus Solar System 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: Clown 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.]