Act I.

SCENE I. An apartment in the DUKE'S palace.

Enter DUKE, CURIO, and other Lords; Musicians attending.

Duke. If music be the food of love, play on; Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting, The appetite may sicken, and so die. That strain again! it had a dying fall: O, it came o'er my ear like the sweet sound, 5 That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour! Enough; no more: 'Tis not so sweet now as it was before. O spirit of love, how quick and fresh art thou! That, notwithstanding thy capacity 10 Receiveth as the sea, nought enters there, Of what validity and pitch soe'er, But falls into abatement and low price, Even in a minute! so full of shapes is fancy, That it alone is high fantastical. 15

Cur. Will you go hunt, my lord?

Duke. What, Curio?

Cur. The hart.

Duke. Why, so I do, the noblest that I have: O, when mine eyes did see Olivia first, Methought she purged the air of pestilence! 20 That instant was I turn'd into a hart; And my desires, like fell and cruel hounds, E'er since pursue me.

Enter VALENTINE.

How now! what news from her?

Val. So please my lord, I might not be admitted; But from her handmaid do return this answer: 25 The element itself, till seven years' heat, Shall not behold her face at ample view; But, like a cloistress, she will veiled walk And water once a day her chamber round With eye-offending brine: all this to season 30 A brother's dead love, which she would keep fresh And lasting in her sad remembrance.

Duke. O, she that hath a heart of that fine frame To pay this debt of love but to a brother, How will she love, when the rich golden shaft 35 Hath kill'd the flock of all affections else That live in her; when liver, brain and heart, These sovereign thrones, are all supplied, and fill'd Her sweet perfections with one self king! Away before me to sweet beds of flowers: 40 Love-thoughts lie rich when canopied with bowers. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

TWELFTH NIGHT] TWELFE NIGHT F1.

Musicians ...] Musick ... Capell. om. Ff.

sound] Ff. wind Rowe (ed. 1). south Pope. sou' wind Anon. conj. scent Dent MS. apud Halliwell. sough Anon. conj.

sea,] Rowe (ed. 2). sea. Ff. sea; Rowe (ed. 1).

is fancy] in fancy Theobald (Warburton).

That it alone is] And thou all o'er art Hanmer.

high] hight Warburton.

Curio] Curia F4.

mine] my Pope (ed. 2).

Methought ... pestilence!] (Methought ... pestilence) Capell.

E'er] Rowe. Ere F1 F2 F4. E're F3.

Enter V.] Ff (after her).

years' heat] Harness. yeares heate F1 F2. yeares heat F3. years heat F4. years hence Rowe (ed. 2). See note (II).

chamber] F1. chambers F2 F3 F4. chamber's Capell.

remembrance] remembrance still Pope, rememberance Capell conj. MS.

These] Three Hanmer (Warburton).

self] selfe F1. selfe same F2. self same F3. self-same F4.

Love-thoughts] F1 F2 F3. Love thoughts F4.

SCENE II. The sea-coast.

Enter VIOLA, a Captain, and Sailors.

Vio. What country, friends, is this?

Cap. This is Illyria, lady.

Vio. And what should I do in Illyria? My brother he is in Elysium. Perchance he is not drown'd: what think you, sailors? 5

Cap. It is perchance that you yourself were saved.

Vio. O my poor brother! and so perchance may he be.

Cap. True, madam: and, to comfort you with chance, Assure yourself, after our ship did split, When you and those poor number saved with you 10 Hung on our driving boat, I saw your brother, Most provident in peril, bind himself, Courage and hope both teaching him the practice, To a strong mast that lived upon the sea; Where, like Arion on the dolphin's back, 15 I saw him hold acquaintance with the waves So long as I could see.

Vio. For saying so, there's gold: Mine own escape unfoldeth to my hope, Whereto thy speech serves for authority, 20 The like of him. Know'st thou this country?

Cap. Ay, madam, well; for I was bred and born Not three hours' travel from this very place.

Vio. Who governs here?

Cap. A noble Duke, in nature as in name. 25

Vio. What is his name?

Cap. Orsino.

Vio. Orsino! I have heard my father name him: He was a bachelor then.

Cap. And so is now, or was so very late; 30 For but a month ago I went from hence, And then 'twas fresh in murmur,--as, you know, What great ones do the less will prattle of,-- That he did seek the love of fair Olivia.

Vio. What's she? 35

Cap. A virtuous maid, the daughter of a count That died some twelvemonth since; then leaving her In the protection of his son, her brother, Who shortly also died: for whose dear love, They say, she hath abjured the company 40 And sight of men.

Vio. O that I served that lady, And might not be delivered to the world, Till I had made mine own occasion mellow, What my estate is!

Cap. That were hard to compass; Because she will admit no kind of suit, 45 No, not the Duke's.

Vio. There is a fair behaviour in thee, captain; And though that nature with a beauteous wall Doth oft close in pollution, yet of thee I will believe thou hast a mind that suits 50 With this thy fair and outward character. I prithee, and I'll pay thee bounteously, Conceal me what I am, and be my aid For such disguise as haply shall become The form of my intent. I'll serve this Duke: 55 Thou shalt present me as an eunuch to him: It may be worth thy pains; for I can sing, And speak to him in many sorts of music, That will allow me very worth his service. What else may hap to time I will commit; 60 Only shape thou thy silence to my wit.

Cap. Be you his eunuch, and your mute I'll be: When my tongue blabs, then let mine eyes not see.

Vio. I thank thee: lead me on. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

SCENE II.: The sea-coast] Capell. The street. Rowe.

This is] om. Pope.

and so] so Pope.

those] that Rowe (ed. 2). this Capell. the Anon. conj.

our] your Rowe.

driving] droving F3 F4.

Arion] Pope. Orion Ff.

For ... gold] There's gold for saying so Pope.

Know'st] And knowest Hanmer.

in name] in his name Hanmer.

twelvemonth] twelve months Rowe.

love] loss S. Walker conj.

hath] F1. had F2 F3 F4.

And] And't Hanmer.

delivered] deliver'd Rowe.

mellow,] Hanmer. mellow Ff. fellow Anon. conj.

will] weil S. Walker conj.

SCENE III. OLIVIA'S house.

Enter Sir TOBY BELCH and MARIA.

Sir To. What a plague means my niece, to take the death of her brother thus? I am sure care's an enemy to life.

Mar. By my troth, Sir Toby, you must come in earlier o' nights: your cousin, my lady, takes great exceptions to your ill hours. 5

Sir Toby. Why, let her except, before excepted.

Mar. Ay, but you must confine yourself within the modest limits of order.

Sir To. Confine! I'll confine myself no finer than I am: these clothes are good enough to drink in; and so be 10 these boots too: an they be not, let them hang themselves in their own straps.

Mar. That quaffing and drinking will undo you: I heard my lady talk of it yesterday; and of a foolish knight that you brought in one night here to be her wooer. 15

Sir To. Who, Sir Andrew Aguecheek?

Mar. Ay, he.

Sir To. He's as tall a man as any's in Illyria.

Mar. What's that to the purpose?

Sir To. Why, he has three thousand ducats a year. 20

Mar. Ay, but he'll have but a year in all these ducats: he's a very fool and a prodigal.

Sir To. Fie, that you'll say so! he plays o' the viol-de-gamboys, and speaks three or four languages word for word without book, and hath all the good gifts of nature. 25

Mar. He hath indeed, almost natural: for besides that he's a fool, he's a great quarreller; and but that he hath the gift of a coward to allay the gust he hath in quarrelling, 'tis thought among the prudent he would quickly have the gift of a grave. 30

Sir To. By this hand, they are scoundrels and substractors that say so of him. Who are they?

Mar. They that add, moreover, he's drunk nightly in your company.

Sir To. With drinking healths to my niece: I 'll drink 35 to her as long as there is a passage in my throat and drink in Illyria: he's a coward and a coystrill that will not drink to my niece till his brains turn o' the toe like a parish-top. What, wench! Castiliano vulgo; for here comes Sir Andrew Agueface. 40

Enter Sir ANDREW AGUECHEEK.

Sir And. Sir Toby Belch! how now, Sir Toby Belch!

Sir To. Sweet Sir Andrew!

Sir And. Bless you, fair shrew.

Mar. And you too, sir.

Sir To. Accost, Sir Andrew, accost. 45

Sir And. What's that?

Sir To. My niece's chambermaid.

Sir And. Good Mistress Accost, I desire better acquaintance.

Mar. My name is Mary, sir. 50

Sir And. Good Mistress Mary Accost,--

Sir To. You mistake, knight: 'accost' is front her, board her, woo her, assail her.

Sir And. By my troth, I would not undertake her in this company. Is that the meaning of 'accost'? 55

Mar. Fare you well, gentlemen.

Sir To. An thou let part so, Sir Andrew, would thou mightst never draw sword again.

Sir And. An you part so, mistress, I would I might never draw sword again. Fair lady, do you think you have 60 fools in hand?

Mar. Sir, I have not you by the hand.

Sir And. Marry, but you shall have; and here's my hand.

Mar. Now, sir, 'thought is free': I pray you, bring your 65 hand to the buttery-bar and let it drink.

Sir And. Wherefore, sweet-heart? what's your metaphor?

Mar. It's dry, sir.

Sir And. Why, I think so: I am not such an ass but I 70 can keep my hand dry. But what's your jest?

Mar. A dry jest, sir.

Sir And. Are you full of them?

Mar. Ay, sir, I have them at my fingers' ends: marry, now I let go your hand, I am barren. [Exit. 75

Sir To. O knight, thou lackest a cup of canary: when did I see thee so put down?

Sir And. Never in your life, I think; unless you see canary put me down. Methinks sometimes I have no more wit than a Christian or an ordinary man has: but I am a 80 great eater of beef and I believe that does harm to my wit.

Sir To. No question.

Sir And. An I thought that, I'ld forswear it. I'll ride home to-morrow, Sir Toby.

Sir To. Pourquoi, my dear knight? 85

Sir And. What is 'pourquoi'? do or not do? I would I had bestowed that time in the tongues that I have in fencing, dancing and bear-baiting: O, had I but followed the arts!

Sir To. Then hadst thou had an excellent head of 90 hair.

Sir And. Why, would that have mended my hair?

Sir To. Past question; for thou seest it will not curl by nature.

Sir And. But it becomes me well enough, does't not? 95

Sir To. Excellent; it hangs like flax on a distaff; and I hope to see a housewife take thee between her legs and spin it off.

Sir And. Faith, I'll home to-morrow, Sir Toby: your niece will not be seen; or if she be, it's four to one she'll 100 none of me: the count himself here hard by woos her.

Sir To. She'll none o' the count: she'll not match above her degree, neither in estate, years, nor wit; I have heard her swear't. Tut, there's life in't, man.

Sir And. I'll stay a month longer. I am a fellow o' 105 the strangest mind i' the world; I delight in masques and revels sometimes altogether.

Sir To. Art thou good at these kickshawses, knight?

Sir And. As any man in Illyria, whatsoever he be, under the degree of my betters; and yet I will not compare 110 with an old man.

Sir To. What is thy excellence in a galliard, knight?

Sir And. Faith, I can cut a caper.

Sir To. And I can cut the mutton to't.

Sir And. And I think I have the back-trick simply as 115 strong as any man in Illyria.

Sir To. Wherefore are these things hid? wherefore have these gifts a curtain before 'em? are they like to take dust, like Mistress Mall's picture? why dost thou not go to church in a galliard and come home in a coranto? My 120 very walk should be a jig; I would not so much as make water but in a sink-a-pace. What dost thou mean? Is it a world to hide virtues in? I did think, by the excellent constitution of thy leg, it was formed under the star of a galliard. 125

Sir And. Ay, 'tis strong, and it does indifferent well in a flame-coloured stock. Shall we set about some revels?

Sir To. What shall we do else? were we not born under Taurus?

Sir And. Taurus! That's sides and heart. 130

Sir To. No, sir; it is legs and thighs. Let me see thee caper: ha! higher: ha, ha! excellent! [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

SCENE III.: OLIVIA'S house.] Rowe.

o'] Capell. a Ff.

cousin] neice Rowe (ed. 2).

except,] Ff. except Hanmer.

before] as before Rann (Farmer conj.).

an] Theobald. and Ff. if Pope.

any's] any Pope.

has] F3 F4. ha's F1 F2.

indeed, almost] indeed all, most Collier (Upton conj.).

gust] gift Meredith conj.

substractors] subtractors Warburton.

that add, moreover,] add, moreover, that Anon. conj.

there is] there's Pope (ed. 2).

coystrill] coystril F4. kestrel Hanmer.

vulgo] volto Hanmer (Warburton). volgo Johnson.

Agueface] Auge-cheek Theobald.

SCENE IV. Pope.

Enter ...] Enter Sir Andrew. Ff.

Sir And.] Ma. F1.

acquaintance] acquaintance-- S. Walker conj. See note (III).

Mary Accost] Rowe. Mary, accost Ff.

An thou let part] Capell. And thou let part F1 F2. And thou let her part F3 F4. If thou let her part Pope. An thou let her part Theobald.

An] Theobald. And Ff. If Pope.

Now] Nay S. Walker conj.

Fingers'] fingers F1 F2. finger F3 F4. finger's Steevens.

put me] F1. put F2 F3 F4.

has] F4. ha's F1 F2 F3.

An] Theobald. And Ff. If Pope.

Pourquoi] Pur-quoy Ff.

me] we F1.

swear't] sweare t F1. sweare F2. swear F3 F4. swear it Theobald.

kickshawses] F3. kicke-chawses F1 F2. kick-shaws F4.

an old man] a nobleman Theobald conj.

excellence] excellence? Mason conj.

coranto] Rowe (ed. 2). carranto Ff.

sink-a-pace] cinque-pace Hanmer.

think] not think Rowe.

in a] in Warburton.

flame-coloured] Rowe (ed. 2). dam'd colour'd Ff. damask-coloured Knight. dun-colour'd Collier MS. damson-coloured Phelps conj. dove-coloured Anon. conj.

stock] stocke F1 F2. stocken F3 F4. stocking Pope.

set] Rowe (ed. 2). sit Ff.

That's] F3 F4. That F1 F2.

SCENE IV. The DUKE'S palace.

Enter VALENTINE, and VIOLA in man's attire.

Val. If the Duke continue these favours towards you, Cesario, you are like to be much advanced: he hath known you but three days, and already you are no stranger.

Vio. You either fear his humour or my negligence, that you call in question the continuance of his love: is he 5 inconstant, sir, in his favours?

Val. No, believe me.

Vio. I thank you. Here comes the count.

Enter DUKE, CURIO, and Attendants.

Duke. Who saw Cesario, ho?

Vio. On your attendance, my lord; here. 10

Duke. Stand you a while aloof. Cesario, Thou know'st no less but all; I have unclasp'd To thee the book even of my secret soul: Therefore, good youth, address thy gait unto her; Be not denied access, stand at her doors, 15 And tell them, there thy fixed foot shall grow Till thou have audience.

Vio. Sure, my noble lord, If she be so abandon'd to her sorrow As it is spoke, she never will admit me.

Duke. Be clamorous and leap all civil bounds 20 Rather than make unprofited return.

Vio. Say I do speak with her, my lord, what then?

Duke. O, then unfold the passion of my love, Surprise her with discourse of my dear faith: It shall become thee well to act my woes; 25 She will attend it better in thy youth Than in a nuncio's of more grave aspect.

Vio. I think not so, my lord.

Duke. Dear lad, believe it; For they shall yet belie thy happy years, That say thou art a man: Diana's lip 30 Is not more smooth and rubious; thy small pipe Is as the maiden's organ, shrill and sound; And all is semblative a woman's part. I know thy constellation is right apt For this affair. Some four or five attend him; 35 All, if you will; for I myself am best When least in company. Prosper well in this, And thou shalt live as freely as thy lord, To call his fortunes thine.

Vio. I'll do my best To woo your lady: [Aside] yet, a barful strife! 40 Whoe'er I woo, myself would be his wife. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

SCENE IV.] SCENE V. Pope.

The DUKE'S palace.] The Palace. Rowe.

count] Ff. Duke Rowe.

Enter ...] Ff (after line 7).

CURIO, and Attendants.] attended. Capell.

nuncio's] Ff. nuncio Theobald.

and sound] in sound ANON. conj.

lady] lady [Exit Duke] Johnson.

a barful] F4. a barrefull F1 F2 F3. O baneful Pope. O barful Collier (Thirlby conj. MS.), a woeful Daniel conj.

SCENE V. OLIVIA'S house.

Enter MARIA and CLOWN.

Mar. Nay, either tell me where thou hast been, or I will not open my lips so wide as a bristle may enter in way of thy excuse: my lady will hang thee for thy absence.

Clo. Let her hang me: he that is well hanged in this world needs to fear no colours. 5

Mar. Make that good.

Clo. He shall see none to fear.

Mar. A good lenten answer: I can tell thee where that saying was born, of 'I fear no colours.'

Clo. Where, good Mistress Mary? 10

Mar. In the wars; and that may you be bold to say in your foolery.

Clo. Well, God give them wisdom that have it; and those that are fools, let them use their talents.

Mar. Yet you will be hanged for being so long absent; 15 or, to be turned away, is not that as good as a hanging to you?

Clo. Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage; and, for turning away, let summer bear it out.

Mar. You are resolute, then? 20

Clo. Not so, neither; but I am resolved on two points.

Mar. That if one break, the other will hold; or, if both break, your gaskins fall.

Clo. Apt, in good faith; very apt. Well, go thy way; if Sir Toby would leave drinking, thou wert as witty a 25 piece of Eve's flesh as any in Illyria.

Mar. Peace, you rogue, no more o' that. Here comes my lady: make your excuse wisely, you were best. [Exit.

Clo. Wit, an't be thy will, put me into good fooling! Those wits, that think they have thee, do very oft prove 30 fools; and I, that am sure I lack thee, may pass for a wise man: for what says Quinapalus? 'Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.'

Enter Lady OLIVIA with MALVOLIO.

God bless thee, lady!

Oli. Take the fool away. 35

Clo. Do you not hear, fellows? Take away the lady.

Oli. Go to, you're a dry fool; I'll no more of you: besides, you grow dishonest.

Clo. Two faults, madonna, that drink and good counsel will amend: for give the dry fool drink, then is the fool not 40 dry: bid the dishonest man mend himself; if he mend, he is no longer dishonest; if he cannot, let the botcher mend him. Any thing that's mended is but patched: virtue that transgresses is but patched with sin; and sin that amends is but patched with virtue. If that this simple syllogism will serve, 45 so; if it will not, what remedy? As there is no true cuckold but calamity, so beauty's a flower. The lady bade take away the fool; therefore, I say again, take her away.

Oli. Sir, I bade them take away you.

Clo. Misprision in the highest degree! Lady, cucullus 50 non facit monachum; that's as much to say as I wear not motley in my brain. Good madonna, give me leave to prove you a fool.

Oli. Can you do it?

Clo. Dexteriously, good madonna. 55

Oli. Make your proof.

Clo. I must catechize you for it, madonna: good my mouse of virtue, answer me.

Oli. Well, sir, for want of other idleness, I 'll bide your proof. 60

Clo. Good madonna, why mournest thou?

Oli. Good fool, for my brother's death.

Clo. I think his soul is in hell, madonna.

Oli. I know his soul is in heaven, fool.

Clo. The more fool, madonna, to mourn for your brother's 65 soul being in heaven. Take away the fool, gentlemen.

Oli. What think you of this fool, Malvolio? doth he not mend?

Mal. Yes, and shall do till the pangs of death shake 70 him: infirmity, that decays the wise, doth ever make the better fool.

Clo. God send you, sir, a speedy infirmity, for the better increasing your folly! Sir Toby will be sworn that I am no fox; but he will not pass his word for two pence 75 that you are no fool.

Oli. How say you to that, Malvolio?

Mal. I marvel your ladyship takes delight in such a barren rascal: I saw him put down the other day with an ordinary fool that has no more brain than a stone. Look 80 you now, he's out of his guard already; unless you laugh and minister occasion to him, he is gagged. I protest, I take these wise men, that crow so at these set kind of fools, no better than the fools' zanies.

Oli. O, you are sick of self-love, Malvolio, and taste 85 with a distempered appetite. To be generous, guiltless and of free disposition, is to take those things for bird-bolts that you deem cannon-bullets: there is no slander in an allowed fool, though he do nothing but rail; nor no railing in a known discreet man, though he do nothing but reprove. 90

Clo. Now Mercury endue thee with leasing, for thou speakest well of fools!

Re-enter MARIA.

Mar. Madam, there is at the gate a young gentleman much desires to speak with you.

Oli. From the Count Orsino, is it? 95

Mar. I know not, madam: 'tis a fair young man, and well attended.

Oli. Who of my people hold him in delay?

Mar. Sir Toby, madam, your kinsman.

Oli. Fetch him off, I pray you; he speaks nothing but 100 madman: fie on him! [Exit Maria.] Go you, Malvolio: if it be a suit from the count, I am sick, or not at home; what you will, to dismiss it. [Exit Malvolio.] Now you see, sir, how your fooling grows old, and people dislike it.

Clo. Thou hast spoke for us, madonna, as if thy eldest son 105 should be a fool; whose skull Jove cram with brains! for,--here he comes,--one of thy kin has a most weak pia mater.

Enter Sir TOBY.

Oli. By mine honour, half drunk. What is he at the gate, cousin?

Sir To. A gentleman. 110

Oli. A gentleman! what gentleman?

Sir To. 'Tis a gentleman here--a plague o' these pickle-herring! How now, sot!

Clo. Good Sir Toby!

Oli. Cousin, cousin, how have you come so early by 115 this lethargy?

Sir To. Lechery! I defy lechery. There's one at the gate.

Oli. Ay, marry, what is he?

Sir To. Let him be the devil, an he will, I care not: give me faith, say I. Well, it's all one. [Exit. 120

Oli. What's a drunken man like, fool?

Clo. Like a drowned man, a fool and a mad man: one draught above heat makes him a fool; the second mads him; and a third drowns him.

Oli. Go thou and seek the crowner, and let him sit o' 125 my coz; for he's in the third degree of drink, he's drowned: go, look after him.

Clo. He is but mad yet, madonna; and the fool shall look to the madman. [Exit.

Re-enter MALVOLIO.

Mal. Madam, yond young fellow swears he will speak 130 with you. I told him you were sick; he takes on him to understand so much, and therefore comes to speak with you. I told him you were asleep; he seems to have a foreknowledge of that too, and therefore comes to speak with you. What is to be said to him, lady? he's fortified 135 against any denial.

Oli. Tell him he shall not speak with me.

Mal. Has been told so; and he says, he'll stand at your door like a sheriff's post, and be the supporter to a bench, but he'll speak with you. 140

Oli. What kind o' man is he?

Mal. Why, of mankind.

Oli. What manner of man?

Mal. Of very ill manner; he'll speak with you, will you or no. 145

Oli. Of what personage and years is he?

Mal. Not yet old enough for a man, nor young enough for a boy; as a squash is before 'tis a peascod, or a codling when 'tis almost an apple: 'tis with him in standing water, between boy and man. He is very well-favoured and he 150 speaks very shrewishly; one would think his mother's milk were scarce out of him.

Oli. Let him approach: call in my gentlewoman.

Mal. Gentlewoman, my lady calls. [Exit.

Re-enter MARIA.

Oli. Give me my veil: come, throw it o'er my face. 155 We'll once more hear Orsino's embassy.

Enter VIOLA, and Attendants.

Vio. The honourable lady of the house, which is she?

Oli. Speak to me; I shall answer for her. Your will?

Vio. Most radiant, exquisite and unmatchable beauty,--I pray you, tell me if this be the lady of the house, for I 160 never saw her: I would be loath to cast away my speech, for besides that it is excellently well penned, I have taken great pains to con it. Good beauties, let me sustain no scorn; I am very comptible, even to the least sinister usage.

Oli. Whence came you, sir? 165

Vio. I can say little more than I have studied, and that question's out of my part. Good gentle one, give me modest assurance if you be the lady of the house, that I may proceed in my speech.

Oli. Are you a comedian? 170

Vio. No, my profound heart: and yet, by the very fangs of malice I swear, I am not that I play. Are you the lady of the house?

Oli. If I do not usurp myself, I am.

Vio. Most certain, if you are she, you do usurp your-self; 175 for what is yours to bestow is not yours to reserve. But this is from my commission: I will on with my speech in your praise, and then show you the heart of my message.

Oli. Come to what is important in't: I forgive you the praise. 180

Vio. Alas, I took great pains to study it, and 'tis poetical.

Oli. It is the more like to be feigned: I pray you, keep it in. I heard you were saucy at my gates, and allowed your approach rather to wonder at you than to hear you. 185 If you be not mad, be gone; if you have reason, be brief: 'tis not that time of moon with me to make one in so skipping a dialogue.

Mar. Will you hoist sail, sir? here lies your way.

Vio. No, good swabber; I am to hull here a little 190 longer. Some mollification for your giant, sweet lady. Tell me your mind: I am a messenger.

Oli. Sure, you have some hideous matter to deliver, when the courtesy of it is so fearful. Speak your office.

Vio. It alone concerns your ear. I bring no overture 195 of war, no taxation of homage: I hold the olive in my hand; my words are as full of peace as matter.

Oli. Yet you began rudely. What are you? what would you?

Vio. The rudeness that hath appeared in me have I 200 learned from my entertainment. What I am, and what I would, are as secret as maidenhead; to your ears, divinity, to any other's, profanation.

Oli. Give us the place alone: we will hear this divinity. [Exeunt Maria and Attendants.] Now, sir, what is your text? 205

Vio. Most sweet lady,--

Oli. A comfortable doctrine, and much may be said of it. Where lies your text?

Vio. In Orsino's bosom.

Oli. In his bosom! In what chapter of his bosom? 210

Vio. To answer by the method, in the first of his heart.

Oli. O, I have read it: it is heresy. Have you no more to say?

Vio. Good madam, let me see your face.

Oli. Have you any commission from your lord to negotiate 215 with my face? You are now out of your text: but we will draw the curtain and show you the picture. Look you, sir, such a one I was this present: is't not well done? [Unveiling.

Vio. Excellently done, if God did all.

Oli. 'Tis in grain, sir; 'twill endure wind and weather. 220

Vio. 'Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and white Nature's own sweet and cunning hand laid on: Lady, you are the cruell'st she alive, If you will lead these graces to the grave And leave the world no copy. 225

Oli. O, sir, I will not be so hard-hearted; I will give out divers schedules of my beauty: it shall be inventoried, and every particle and utensil labelled to my will: as, item, two lips, indifferent red; item, two grey eyes, with lids to them; item, one neck, one chin, and so forth. Were 230 you sent hither to praise me?

Vio. I see you what you are, you are too proud; But, if you were the devil, you are fair. My lord and master loves you: O, such love Could be but recompensed, though you were crown'd 235 The nonpareil of beauty!

Oli. How does he love me?

Vio. With adorations, fertile tears, With groans that thunder love, with sighs of fire.

Oli. Your lord does know my mind; I cannot love him: Yet I suppose him virtuous, know him noble, 240 Of great estate, of fresh and stainless youth; In voices well divulged, free, learn'd and valiant; And in dimension and the shape of nature A gracious person: but yet I cannot love him; He might have took his answer long ago. 245

Vio. If I did love you in my master's flame, With such a suffering, such a deadly life, In your denial I would find no sense; I would not understand it.

Oli. Why, what would you?

Vio. Make me a willow cabin at your gate, 250 And call upon my soul within the house; Write loyal cantons of contemned love And sing them loud even in the dead of night; Halloo your name to the reverberate hills And make the babbling gossip of the air 255 Cry out 'Olivia!' O, you should not rest Between the elements of air and earth, But you should pity me!

Oli. You might do much. What is your parentage?

Vio. Above my fortunes, yet my state is well: 260 I am a gentleman.

Oli. Get you to your lord; I cannot love him: let him send no more; Unless, perchance, you come to me again, To tell me how he takes it. Fare you well: I thank you for your pains: spend this for me. 265

Vio. I am no fee'd post, lady; keep your purse: My master, not myself, lacks recompense. Love make his heart of flint that you shall love; And let your fervour, like my master's, be Placed in contempt! Farewell, fair cruelty. [Exit. 270

Oli. 'What is your parentage?' 'Above my fortunes, yet my state is well: I am a gentleman.' I'll be sworn thou art; Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions, and spirit, Do give thee five-fold blazon: not too fast: soft, soft! 275 Unless the master were the man. How now! Even so quickly may one catch the plague? Methinks I feel this youth's perfections With an invisible and subtle stealth To creep in at mine eyes. Well, let it be. 280 What ho, Malvolio!

Re-enter MALVOLIO.

Mal. Here, madam, at your service.

Oli. Run after that same peevish messenger, The county's man: he left this ring behind him, Would I or not: tell him I'll none of it. Desire him not to flatter with his lord, 285 Nor hold him up with hopes; I am not for him: If that the youth will come this way to-morrow, I'll give him reasons for't: hie thee, Malvolio.

Mal. Madam, I will. [Exit.

Oli. I do I know not what, and fear to find 290 Mine eye too great a flatterer for my mind. Fate, show thy force: ourselves we do not owe; What is decreed must be, and be this so. [Exit.

LINENOTES:

SCENE V.] SCENE VI. Pope.

OLIVIA'S house.] Rowe.

to fear] fear F3 F4.

colours] collars Anon. conj.

lenten] Rowe. lenton Ff.

to be] F1. be F2 F3 F4.

Many] Marry, Theobald.

turning away] turning o' hay Smith conj. turning of whey Letherland conj.

gaskins] gaskings F4.

SCENE VII. Pope.

an't] Hanmer. and 't Ff.

good] a good Warburton.

Enter ...] Ff (after line 28). Enter O. attended. Capell.

you're] y'are Ff.

madonna] Madona Ff., and passim.

cuckold] counsellor Hanmer.

to say as I wear] to say, as I were F4. as to say, as I were Rowe (ed. 1). as to say, I wear Id. (ed. 2).

Dexteriously] Dexterously F4.

mouse] muse Anon. conj.

answer me] answer F3 F4.

bide] abide Steevens (1785).

fool] F1 F2. fool you F3 F4.

brain] brains F3 F4.

these] those Hanmer.

wise men] F3 F4. wisemen F1 F2.

no better] to be no better Capell.

guiltless] F3 F4. guitlesse F1 F2. guileless ANON. conj.

leasing] learning Rowe. pleasing Warburton.

Re-enter M.] Enter M. Ff.

kinsman] uncle Rowe (ed. 2).

Exit Maria] Capell.

Exit Malvolio] Ff.

Now you] Now Rowe.

has] that has Collier MS.

SCENE VIII. Pope.

Enter ...] Ff (after comes, line 107).

cousin] uncle Rowe (ed. 2).

gentleman here--] Steevens. gentleman heere. F1. gentleman here. F2 F3 F4. gentleman. Here,--[belches.] Theobald. gentleman-heir Warburton. gentleman:--[hiccups.] Capell.

herring] herrings Malone.

Cousin, cousin] Uncle, uncle Rowe.

an] Hanmer. and Ff.

crowner] coroner Rowe.

coz] uncle Rowe (ed. 2). cousin Capell conj.

Exit.] Exit Clown. Rowe.

Re-enter M.] Enter M. Ff.

yond] Ff. you' Capell.

Has] Ha's Ff. He has Pope.

and be] or be Hanmer.

to] of Reed (1803).

o'] of Steevens.

manner] F1 F2. manners F3 F4.

in] e'en Capell.

SCENE IX. Pope.

Re-enter M.] Enter M. Ff.

VIOLA] VIOLENTA. F1.

... and Attendants.] Edd. om.

comptible] prompt Hanmer. domptable Mason conj.

my] om. F3 F4.

fangs] phangs Ff. pangs Rowe (ed. 1).

and] and I Pope.

not mad] mad Rann (Mason conj.). but mad Collier (ed. 2, Staunton conj.).

that time of moon] Ff. the time of the moon Rowe. that time of the moon Pope.

Tell ... messenger] Oli. Tell ... mind. Vio. I ... messenger Hanmer (Warburton). See note (IV).

taxation] F1 F2 F3. taxations F4.

olive] Rowe. Olyffe F1 F2 F3. Oliff F4.

secret as maidenhead] sacred as maidhood Theobald conj.

maidenhead] F1. a maiden-heard F2. a maidenhead F3 F4. maidenhood Collier MS.

other's] Pope (ed. 2). others Ff.

Exeunt M. and Attendants.] Capell. Exit M. Rowe.

your text] the text Rowe.

such ... is't] such a one I wear this present: is't Theobald (Warburton). such a one I was. This presence, is't Steevens conj. such as once I was, this presents: is't Rann (Mason conj). such a one I was, this presents Becket conj. such a one as I was this presents, is't Jackson conj. such a one as I was this present: is't Boswell. such a one I was as this presents: is't Singer conj. such a one I am at this present: is't Collier MS.

praise] 'praise Steevens (Malone).

Could] Should Collier MS.

adorations, fertile] adorations, fertill Ff. adorations, with fertile Pope. adoration's fertile Rann. See note (V).

but] om. Pope.

would you?] would you do? Rowe.

cantons] cantos Rowe (ed. 2). canzons Capell.

Halloo] Hallow F1. Hollaw F2. Hollow F3 F4.

reverberate] reverberant Theobald.

soft, soft!] soft; Capell.

master were the man] man the master were Hanmer, who ends lines

Re-enter M.] Enter M. Ff.

county's] Capell. Countes F1. Counts F2 F3 F4. Duke's Rowe.

left] left here Hanmer.

reasons for't: hie thee] F1. reasons for't: hye thee F2. reasons for't by thee F3. reason for't by thee F4. reason for't. Hye thee Hanmer.

owe] know Long MS.

Rowe. Finis, Actus primus. F1. Finis, Actus primi. F2 F3 F4.