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FABIAN:

Good and valiant.

SIR TOBY:

[Reads]

‘Wonder not, nor admire not in thy mind,
why I do call thee so, for I will show thee no reason for't.’

FABIAN:

A good note; that keeps you from the blow of the(145)
law.

SIR TOBY:

[Reads]

‘Thou comest to the Lady Olivia, and in my
sight she uses thee kindly: but thou liest in thy throat; that
is not the matter I challenge thee for.’

FABIAN:

Very brief, and to exceeding good sense [aside]—less.(150)

SIR TOBY:

[Reads]

‘I will waylay thee going home; where if it be thy
chance to kill me,’—

FABIAN:

Good.

SIR TOBY:

[Reads]

‘Thou killest me like a rogue and a villain.’

FABIAN:

Still you keep o' the windy side of the law. Good.(155)

SIR TOBY:

[Reads]

‘Fare thee well; and God have mercy upon one
of our souls! He may have mercy upon mine; but my hope is
better, and so look to thyself. Thy friend, as thou usest him, and
thy sworn enemy,
Andrew Aguecheek.’(160)
If this letter move him not, his legs cannot: I'll give't him.

MARIA:

You may have very fit occasion for't; he is now in some
commerce with my lady, and will by and by depart.

SIR TOBY:

Go, Sir Andrew; scout me for him at the corner of the
orchard, like a bum-baily: so soon as ever thou seest him,(165)
draw; and, as thou drawest, swear horrible; for it comes to
pass oft that a terrible oath, with a swaggering accent sharply
twanged off, gives manhood more approbation than ever
proof itself would have earned him. Away!

SIR ANDREW:

Nay, let me alone for swearing.(170)

[Exit.]

SIR TOBY:

Now will not I deliver his letter: for the behaviour
of the young gentleman gives him out to be of good capacity
and breeding; his employment between his lord and my
niece confirms no less; therefore, this letter, being so excellently
ignorant, will breed no terror in the youth: he will find(175)
it comes from a clodpole. But, sir, I will deliver his challenge
by word of mouth; set upon Aguecheek notable report
of valour, and drive the gentleman, as I know his youth will
aptly receive it, into a most hideous opinion of his rage, skill,
fury, and impetuosity. This will so fright them both that they(180)
will kill one another by the look, like cockatrices.

[Enter Olivia and Viola.]

FABIAN:

Here he comes with your niece: give them way till he
take leave, and presently after him.

SIR TOBY:

I will meditate the while upon some horrid message for
a challenge.(185)

[Exeunt Sir Toby, Fabian, and Maria.]

OLIVIA:

I have said too much unto a heart of stone
And laid mine honour too unchary on't:
There's something in me that reproves my fault;
But such a headstrong potent fault it is,
That it but mocks reproof.(190)

VIOLA:

With the same 'havior that your passion bears
Goes on my master's grief.

OLIVIA:

Here, wear this jewel for me, 'tis my picture;
Refuse it not; it hath no tongue to vex you;
And, I beseech you, come again tomorrow.(195)
What shall you ask of me that I'll deny,
That honour, saved, may upon asking give?

VIOLA:

Nothing but this; your true love for my master.

OLIVIA:

How with mine honour may I give him that
Which I have given to you?(200)

VIOLA:

I will acquit you.

OLIVIA:

Well, come again tomorrow. Fare thee well;
A fiend like thee might bear my soul to hell.

[Exit.]

[Re-enter Sir Toby and Fabian.]

SIR TOBY:

Gentleman, God save thee.

VIOLA:

And you, sir.(205)

SIR TOBY:

That defence thou hast, betake thee to't. Of what
nature the wrongs are thou hast done him, I know not;
but thy intercepter, full of despite, bloody as the hunter,
attends thee at the orchard end: dismount thy tuck, be
yare in thy preparation, for thy assailant is quick, skilful,(210)
and deadly.

VIOLA:

You mistake, sir; I am sure no man hath any quarrel
to me: my remembrance is very free and clear from any
image of offence done to any man.

SIR TOBY:

You'll find it otherwise, I assure you: therefore, if(215)
you hold your life at any price, betake you to your guard;
for your opposite hath in him what youth, strength, skill,
and wrath can furnish man withal.

VIOLA:

I pray you, sir, what is he?

SIR TOBY:

He is knight, dubbed with unhatched rapier and on(220)
carpet consideration; but he is a devil in private brawl:
souls and bodies hath he divorced three; and his incensement
at this moment is so implacable, that satisfaction
can be none but by pangs of death and sepulchre.
Hob, nob is his word; give't or take't.(225)

VIOLA:

I will return again into the house and desire some conduct
of the lady. I am no fighter. I have heard of some
kind of men that put quarrels purposely on others to taste
their valour: belike this is a man of that quirk.

SIR TOBY:

Sir, no; his indignation derives itself out of a very(230)
competent injury; therefore, get you on and give him his
desire. Back you shall not to the house, unless you undertake
that with me which with as much safety you might
answer him: therefore, on, or strip your sword stark
naked; for meddle you must, that's certain, or forswear to(235)
wear iron about you.

VIOLA:

This is as uncivil as strange. I beseech you, do me this
courteous office, as to know of the knight what my offence
to him is: it is something of my negligence, nothing of my
purpose.(240)

SIR TOBY:

I will do so. Signior Fabian, stay you by this gentleman
till my return.

[Exit.]

VIOLA:

Pray you, sir, do you know of this matter?

FABIAN:

I know the knight is incensed against you, even to
a mortal arbitrement; but nothing of the circumstance(245)
more.

VIOLA:

I beseech you, what manner of man is he?

FABIAN:

Nothing of that wonderful promise, to read him by
his form, as you are like to find him in the proof of his
valour. He is indeed, sir, the most skilful, bloody, and fatal(250)
opposite that you could possibly have found in any part of
Illyria. Will you walk towards him? I will make your peace
with him if I can.

• being held legally responsible
• safe
• business
• watch for him
• an arresting officer
• draw your sword
• overconfident, arrogant
• sharply spoken
• confirmation; ratification
• blockhead, fool
• impulsiveness, rashness
• imaginary half-rooster/half-lizard creatures that supposedly had the ability to kill with a glance
• leave them alone
• carelessly
• reprimands me for my mistake
• willful, stubborn
• criticism, blame
• my master's grief continues
• “There is nothing you can ask of me that I will deny you, as long as it does not tarnish my honor.”
• set you free from obligation
• prepare yourself for it
• one who interrupts the progress of someone or something
• scorn
• draw your sword
• quick
• anger
• a double-edged sword
• Sir Andrew is a knight who has never used his sword in battle; he became a knight during peacetime and not during war. Carpet consideration means that he gained his knighthood by service to the court or through some other kind of favor.
• he has killed three men
• anger
• unable to be pacified; unyielding
• have or have not; hit or miss
• escort, guard
• it seems like
• originates
• sufficient
• unless you want to fight with me, which would be just as bad for you
• take on; engage
• “Go on, or take your sword out right now, because you must fight. If you do not, you must give up your right to even carry a sword.”
• kind service; favor
• carelessness, neglect
• deadly decision or judgment
• Nothing great in physical appearance, but extremely brave
• adversary

1. Strategies for Understanding Shakespeare's Language
2. Reading Pointers for Sharper Insights
3. Dramatis Personæ
4. Act I
   1. Scene I
   2. Scene II
   3. Scene III
   4. Scene IV
   5. Scene V
5. Act II
   1. Scene I
   2. Scene II
   3. Scene III
   4. Scene IV
   5. Scene V
6. Act III
   1. Scene I
   2. Scene II
   3. Scene III
   4. Scene IV
7. Act IV
   1. Scene I
   2. Scene II
   3. Scene III
8. Act V
   1. Scene I
9. Copyright