Act II, Scene I

Twelfth Night | Act II, Scene I

The sea-coast.

[Enter Antonio and Sebastian.]

SEBASTIAN:: By your patience, no. My stars shine darkly over me:
the malignancy of my fate might perhaps distemper yours;
therefore I shall crave of you your leave that I may bear my(5)
evils alone: it were a bad recompense for your love, to lay any
of them on you.

SEBASTIAN:: No, sooth, sir: my determinate voyage is mere
extravagancy. But I perceive in you so excellent a touch of(10)
modesty, that you will not extort from me what I am willing
to keep in; therefore it charges me in manners the rather
to express myself. You must know of me then, Antonio, my
name is Sebastian, which I called Rodorigo. My father was
that Sebastian of Messaline, whom I know you have heard of.(15)
He left behind him myself and a sister, both born in an hour:
if the heavens had been pleased, would we had so ended!
but you, sir, altered that; for some hours before you took me
from the breach of the sea was my sister drowned.

SEBASTIAN:: A lady, sir, though it was said she much resembled
me, was yet of many accounted beautiful: but, though I
could not with such estimable wonder overfar believe that,
yet thus far I will boldly publish her; she bore a mind that
envy could not but call fair. She is drowned already, sir, with(25)
salt water, though I seem to drown her remembrance again
with more.

ANTONIO:: If you will not murder me for my love, let me be(30)
your servant.

SEBASTIAN:: If you will not undo what you have done—that
is, kill him whom you have recovered—desire it not.
Fare ye well at once: my bosom is full of kindness, and I
am yet so near the manners of my mother, that upon the(35)
least occasion more mine eyes will tell tales of me. I am
bound to the Count Orsino's court: farewell.

[Exit.]

ANTONIO:: The gentleness of all the gods go with thee!
I have many enemies in Orsino's court,
Else would I very shortly see thee there.(40)
But, come what may, I do adore thee so,
That danger shall seem sport, and I will go.

[Exit.]