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[Exit.]

SIR TOBY:

[To Sir Andrew.]

A very dishonest paltry boy, and
more a coward than a hare: his dishonesty appears in
leaving his friend here in necessity and denying him; and
for his cowardship, ask Fabian.(375)

FABIAN:

A coward, a most devout coward, religious in it.

SIR ANDREW:

'Slid, I'll after him again and beat him.

SIR TOBY:

Do; cuff him soundly, but never draw thy sword.

SIR ANDREW:

And I do not,—

[Exit.]

FABIAN:

Come, let's see the event.(380)

SIR TOBY:

I dare lay any money 'twill be nothing yet.

[Exeunt.]

• wretched, miserable
• The hare (or rabbit) was believed to be a cowardly animal.
• religious, devoted
• By God's eyelid (an exclamation)
• I bet it will still amount to nothing.

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