Twelfth Night | Act III, Scene III

Scene III

A street.

[Enter Sebastian and Antonio.]

SEBASTIAN:
I would not by my will have troubled you;
But, since you make your pleasure of your pains,
I will no further chide you.
ANTONIO:
I could not stay behind you: my desire,
More sharp than filed steel, did spur me forth;(5)
And not all love to see you, though so much
As might have drawn one to a longer voyage,
But jealousy what might befall your travel,
Being skilless in these parts; which to a stranger,
Unguided and unfriended, often prove(10)
Rough and unhospitable: my willing love,
The rather by these arguments of fear,
Set forth in your pursuit.
SEBASTIAN:
My kind Antonio,
I can no other answer make but thanks,(15)
And thanks; and ever oft good turns
Are shuffled off with such uncurrent pay:
But, were my worth as is my conscience firm,
You should find better dealing. What's to do?
Shall we go see the reliques of this town?(20)
ANTONIO:
Tomorrow, sir; best, first, go see your lodging.
SEBASTIAN:
I am not weary, and 'tis long to night:
I pray you, let us satisfy our eyes
With the memorials and the things of fame
That do renown this city.(25)
ANTONIO:
Would you'd pardon me;
I do not without danger walk these streets:
Once, in a sea-fight, 'gainst the Count his galleys
I did some service; of such note indeed,
That were I ta'en here it would scarce be answer'd.(30)
SEBASTIAN:
Belike you slew great number of his people.
ANTONIO:
The offence is not of such a bloody nature;
Albeit the quality of the time and quarrel
Might well have given us bloody argument.
It might have since been answer'd in repaying(35)
What we took from them; which, for traffic's sake,
Most of our city did: only myself stood out;
For which, if I be lapsed in this place,
I shall pay dear.
SEBASTIAN:
Do not then walk too open.(40)
ANTONIO:
It doth not fit me. Hold, sir, here's my purse.
In the south suburbs, at the Elephant,
Is best to lodge: I will bespeak our diet,
Whiles you beguile the time and feed your knowledge
With viewing of the town: there shall you have me.(45)
SEBASTIAN:
Why I your purse?
ANTONIO:
Haply your eye shall light upon some toy
You have desire to purchase; and your store,
I think, is not for idle markets, sir.
SEBASTIAN:
I'll be your purse-bearer, and leave you
For an hour.
ANTONIO:
To the Elephant.
SEBASTIAN:
I do remember.

[Exeunt.]

  • suspicion, apprehension
  • unwelcoming, unfriendly
  • My fear for your safety is what made me pursue you.
  • “Often kind actions are answered with just a ‘thank-you’ and nothing of more value. I wish I had money to give you that would equal the gratitude I owe you.”
  • remnants, scraps
  • first, find a place to stay
  • that make this city well-known
  • against the count's boats
  • military fighting
  • it would be hard to explain
  • It sounds like you killed
  • Although
  • for the sake of trade or commerce
  • caught by surprise
  • openly, conspicuously
  • Take this
  • a reference to the name of an inn located in London during Shakespeare's time
  • order our meals
  • you will find me
  • Why do you give me your purse?
  • Perhaps
  • the money you have
  • useless purchases

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