Twelfth Night | Act III, Scene IV - Page 3
- VIOLA:
-
I shall be much bound to you for't. I am one that would
rather go with sir priest than sir knight: I care not who(255)
knows so much of my mettle.
[Exeunt.]
[Re-enter Sir Toby With Sir Andrew.]
- SIR TOBY:
-
Why, man, he's a very devil; I have not seen such a
virago. I had a pass with him, rapier, scabbard, and all,
and he gives me the stuck-in with such a mortal motion,
that it is inevitable; and on the answer, he pays you as(260)
surely as your feet hit the ground they step on. They say he
has been fencer to the Sophy.
- SIR ANDREW:
-
Pox on't, I'll not meddle with him.
- SIR TOBY:
-
Ay, but he will not now be pacified: Fabian can scarce
hold him yonder.(265)
- SIR ANDREW:
-
Plague on't, an I thought he had been valiant, and
so cunning in fence, I'd have seen him damned ere I'd
have challenged him. Let him let the matter slip, and I'll
give him my horse grey Capilet.
- SIR TOBY:
-
I'll make the motion: stand here, make a good(270)
show on't: this shall end without the perdition of souls.
[Aside.]
Marry, I'll ride your horse as well as I ride you.
[Re-enter Fabian and Viola.]
[Aside to Fabian]
I have his horse to take up the quarrel:
I have persuaded him the youth's a devil.
- FABIAN:
-
He is as horribly conceited of him; and pants and(275)
looks pale, as if a bear were at his heels.
- SIR TOBY:
-
[To Viola]
There's no remedy, sir; he will fight with
you for's oath sake: marry, he hath better bethought
him of his quarrel, and he finds that now scarce to be
worth talking of: therefore draw, for the supportance of(280)
his vow; he protests he will not hurt you.
- VIOLA:
-
[Aside]
Pray God defend me! A little thing would
make me tell them how much I lack of a man.
- FABIAN:
-
Give ground, if you see him furious.
- SIR TOBY:
-
Come, Sir Andrew, there's no remedy; the gentleman(285)
will, for his honour's sake, have one bout with you;
he cannot by the duello avoid it; but he has promised
me, as he is a gentleman and a soldier, he will not hurt
you. Come on: to't.
- SIR ANDREW:
-
Pray God, he keep his oath!(290)
[Draws]
- VIOLA:
-
I do assure you 'tis against my will.
[Draws]
[Enter Antonio.]
- ANTONIO:
-
Put up your sword. If this young gentleman
Have done offence, I take the fault on me:
If you offend him, I for him defy you.
- SIR TOBY:
-
You, sir! why, what are you?(295)
- ANTONIO:
-
One, sir, that for his love dares yet do more
Than you have heard him brag to you he will.
- SIR TOBY:
-
Nay, if you be an undertaker, I am for you.
[Draws]
[Enter two Officers.]
- FABIAN:
-
O good Sir Toby, hold! here come the officers.
- SIR TOBY:
-
[To Antonio.]
I'll be with you anon.(300)
- VIOLA:
-
[To Sir Andrew.]
Pray, sir, put your sword up, if you
please.
- SIR ANDREW:
-
Marry, will I, sir; and, for that I promised you,
I'll be as good as my word: he will bear you easily and reins
well.(305)
- FIRST OFFICER:
-
This is the man; do thy office.
- SECOND OFFICER:
-
Antonio, I arrest thee at the suit of Count
Orsino.
- ANTONIO:
-
You do mistake me, sir.
- FIRST OFFICER:
-
No, sir, no jot. I know your favour well,(310)
Though now you have no sea-cap on your head.
Take him away: he knows I know him well.
- ANTONIO:
-
I must obey. [To Viola.] This comes with seeking
you:
But there's no remedy; I shall answer it.(315)
What will you do, now my necessity
Makes me to ask you for my purse? It grieves me
Much more for what I cannot do for you
Than what befalls myself. You stand amazed;
But be of comfort.(320)
- SECOND OFFICER:
-
Come, sir, away.
- ANTONIO:
-
[To Viola.]
I must entreat of you some of that money.
- VIOLA:
-
What money, sir?
For the fair kindness you have show'd me here,
And, part, being prompted by your present trouble,(325)
Out of my lean and low ability
I'll lend you something: my having is not much;
I'll make division of my present with you:
Hold, there is half my coffer.
- ANTONIO:
-
Will you deny me now?(330)
Is't possible that my deserts to you
Can lack persuasion? Do not tempt my misery,
Lest that it make me so unsound a man
As to upbraid you with those kindnesses
That I have done for you.(335)
- VIOLA:
-
I know of none,
Nor know I you by voice or any feature:
I hate ingratitude more in a man
Than lying, vainness, babbling, drunkenness,
Or any taint of vice whose strong corruption(340)
Inhabits our frail blood.
- ANTONIO:
-
O heavens themselves!
- SECOND OFFICER:
-
Come, sir, I pray you go.
- ANTONIO:
-
Let me speak a little. This youth that you see here
I snatch'd one half out of the jaws of death,(345)
Relieved him with such sanctity of love,
And to his image, which methought did promise
Most venerable worth, did I devotion.
- FIRST OFFICER:
-
What's that to us? The time goes by: away!
- ANTONIO:
-
But O how vile an idol proves this god!(350)
Thou hast, Sebastian, done good feature shame.
In nature there's no blemish but the mind;
None can be call'd deform'd but the unkind:
Virtue is beauty, but the beauteous evil
Are empty trunks, o'erflourished by the devil.(355)
- FIRST OFFICER:
-
The man grows mad; away with him. Come,
come, sir.
- ANTONIO:
-
Lead me on.
[Exeunt Officers with Antonio.]
- VIOLA:
-
[Aside]
Methinks his words do from such passion
fly (360)
That he believes himself: so do not I.
Prove true, imagination, O, prove true,
That I, dear brother, be now ta'en for you!
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