Twelfth Night, William Shakespeare [top 100 novels .txt] 📗

note indeed,
That were I ta’en here it would scarce be answer’d. 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
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. 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.

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. Scene IV

Olivia’s garden.

Enter Olivia and Maria. Olivia

I have sent after him: he says he’ll come;
How shall I feast him? what bestow of him?
For youth is bought more oft than begg’d or borrow’d.
I speak too loud.
Where is Malvolio? he is sad and civil,
And suits well for a servant with my fortunes:
Where is Malvolio?

Maria He’s coming, madam; but in very strange manner. He is, sure, possessed, madam. Olivia Why, what’s the matter? does he rave? Maria No, madam, he does nothing but smile: your ladyship were best to have some guard about you, if he come; for, sure, the man is tainted in’s wits. Olivia

Go call him hither. Exit Maria. I am as mad as he,
If sad and merry madness equal be.

Re-enter Maria, with Malvolio. How now, Malvolio! Malvolio Sweet lady, ho, ho. Olivia

Smilest thou?
I sent for thee upon a sad occasion.

Malvolio Sad, lady! I could be sad: this does make some obstruction in the blood, this cross-gartering; but what of that? if it please the eye of one, it is with me as the very true sonnet is, “Please one, and please all.” Olivia Why, how dost thou, man? what is the matter with thee? Malvolio Not black in my mind, though yellow in my legs. It did come to his hands, and commands shall be executed: I think we do know the sweet Roman hand. Olivia Wilt thou go to bed, Malvolio? Malvolio To bed! ay, sweet-heart, and I’ll come to thee. Olivia God comfort thee! Why dost thou smile so and kiss thy hand so oft? Maria How do you, Malvolio? Malvolio At your request! yes; nightingales answer daws. Maria Why appear you with this ridiculous boldness before my lady? Malvolio “Be not afraid of greatness:” ’twas well writ. Olivia What meanest thou by that, Malvolio? Malvolio “Some are born great,”⁠— Olivia Ha! Malvolio “Some achieve greatness,”⁠— Olivia What sayest thou? Malvolio “And some have greatness thrust upon them.” Olivia Heaven restore thee! Malvolio “Remember who commended thy yellow stockings,”⁠— Olivia Thy yellow stockings! Malvolio “And wished to see thee cross-gartered.” Olivia Cross-gartered! Malvolio “Go to, thou art made, if thou desirest to be so;”⁠— Olivia Am I made? Malvolio “If not, let me see thee a servant still.” Olivia Why, this is very midsummer madness. Enter Servant. Servant Madam, the young gentleman of the Count Orsino’s is returned: I could hardly entreat him back: he attends your ladyship’s pleasure. Olivia I’ll come to him. Exit Servant. Good Maria, let this fellow be looked to. Where’s my cousin Toby? Let some of my people have a special care of him: I would not have him miscarry for the half of my dowry. Exeunt Olivia and Maria. Malvolio O, ho! do you come near me now? no worse man than Sir Toby to look to me! This concurs directly with the letter: she sends him on purpose, that I may appear stubborn to him; for she incites me to that in the letter. “Cast thy humble slough,” says she; “be opposite with a kinsman, surly with servants; let thy tongue tang with arguments of state; put thyself into the trick of singularity;” and consequently sets down the manner how; as, a sad face, a reverend carriage, a slow tongue, in the habit of some sir of note, and so forth. I have limed her; but it is Jove’s doing, and Jove make me thankful! And when she went away now, “Let this fellow be looked to:” fellow! not Malvolio, nor after my degree, but fellow. Why, every thing adheres together, that no dram of a scruple, no scruple of a scruple, no obstacle, no incredulous or unsafe circumstance⁠—What can be said? Nothing that can be can come between me and the full prospect of my hopes. Well, Jove, not I, is the doer of this, and he is to be thanked. Re-enter Maria, with Sir Toby and Fabian. Sir Toby Which way is he, in the name of sanctity? If all the devils of hell be drawn in little, and Legion himself possessed him, yet I’ll speak to him. Fabian Here he is, here he is. How is’t with you, sir? how is’t with you, man? Malvolio Go off; I discard you: let me enjoy my private: go off. Maria Lo, how hollow the fiend speaks within him! did not I tell you? Sir Toby, my lady prays you to have a care of him. Malvolio Ah, ha! does she so? Sir Toby Go to, go to; peace, peace; we must deal gently with him: let me alone. How do you, Malvolio? how is’t with you? What, man! defy the devil: consider, he’s an enemy to mankind. Malvolio Do you know what you say? Maria La you, an you speak ill of the devil, how he takes it at heart! Pray God, he be not bewitched! Fabian Carry his water to the wise woman. Maria Marry, and it shall be done to-morrow morning, if I live. My lady would not lose him for more than I’ll say. Malvolio How now, mistress! Maria O Lord! Sir Toby Prithee, hold thy peace; this