Page images
PDF
EPUB

Mar. You may have very fit occafion for't: he is. now in fome commerce with my lady, and will by-andby depart.

Sir To. Go, Sir Andrew, scout me for him at the corner of the orchard like a bum bailiff; fo foon as ever thou feeft him, draw; and, as thou drawft, fwear horribly; for it comes to pass oft, that a terrible oath, with a fwaggering accent fharply twang'd off, gives manhood more approbation than ever proof itself would have earn'd him. Away.

Sir And. Nay, let me alone for fwearing. [Exit. Sir To. Now will not I deliver his letter; for the behaviour of the young gentleman gives him out to be of good capacity and breeding; his employment between his lord and my neice confirms no lefs; therefore this letter, being fo excellently ignorant, will breed no terror in the youth; he will find, that it comes from a clodpole. But, Sir, I will deliver his challenge by word of mouth; fet upon Ague-cheek a notable report of valour; and drive the gentleman, (as, I know, his youth will aptly receive it,) into a most hideous opinion of his rage, skill, fury, and impetuofity. This will fo fright them both, that they will kill one another by the look, like cockatrices.

Enter Olivia and Viola.

Fab. Here he comes with your neice; give them way, 'till he take leave, and presently after him.

Sir To. I will meditate the while upon fome horrid meffage for a challenge. [Exeunt. Oli. I've faid too much unto a heart of stone, And laid mine honour too unchary out.

There's fomething in me, that reproves my fault;
But fuch a head ftrong potent fault it is,

That it but mocks reproof.

Vio. With the fame 'haviour that your paffion bears, Goes on my master's grief.

Oli. Here, wear this jewel for me, 'tis my picture ; Refuse it not, it hath no tongue to vex you:

And, I beseech you, come again to-morrow.

G 4

What

1

What shall you ask of me that I'll deny,
That honour fav'd may upon asking give?

Vio. Nothing but this, your true love for my mafter. Oli. How with mine honour may I give him that, Which I have given to you?

Vio. I will acquit you.

Oli. Well, come again to-morrow: fare thee well.
A fiend, like thee, might bear my foul to hell. [Exit.
Enter Sir Toby and Fabian.

Sir To. Gentleman, God fave thee.
Vio. And you, Sir.

Sir To. That defence thou haft, betake thee to't; of what nature the wrongs are thou haft done him, I know not; but thy intercepter, full of defpight, bloody as the hunter, attends thee at the orchard end; difmount thy tuck, be yare in thy preparation, for thy affailant is quick, skilful, and deadly.

Vio. You mistake, Sir; I am fure, no man hath any quarrel to me; my remembrance is very free and clear from any image of offence done to any man.

Sir To. You'll find it otherwise, I affure you; therefore, if you hold your life at any price, betake you to your guard; for your oppofite hath in him, what youth, ftrength, skill, and wrath can furnish man withal.

1

Vio. I pray you, Sir, what is he?

Sir To. He is Knight, dubb'd with unhack'd rapier, and on carpet confideration; but he is a devil in private brawls; fouls and bodies hath he divorc'd three ; and his incensement at this moment is fo implacable, that fatiffaction can be none but by pangs of death and fepulcher hob, nob, is his word; give't, or take't.

:

Vio. I will return again into the house, and defire some conduct of the lady. I am no fighter. I have heard of fome kind of men, that put quarrels purpofely on others to taste their valour: belike, this is a inan of that quirk.

Sir To. Sir, no his indignation derives itself out of a very competent injury; therefore get you on, and give him his defire. Back you fhall not to the house, unless

you

you undertake that with me, which with as much fafety you might answer him; therefore, on, or ftrip your fword ftark naked; for meddle you muft, that's certain, or forfwear to wear iron about you.

Vio. This is as uncivil, as ftrange. I befeech you, do me this courteous office, as to know of the Knight what my offence to him is: it is fomething of my negligence, nothing of my purpose.

Sir To. I will do fo. Signior Fabian, ftay you by this gentleman 'till my return. [Exit Sir Toby. Vio. Pray you, Sir, do you know of this matter? Fab. I know, the Knight is incens'd against you, even to a mortal arbitrement; but nothing of the circumstance

more.

Vio. I beseech you, what manner of man is he?

Fab. Nothing of that wonderful promife to read him by his form, as you are like to find in the proof of his valour. He is, indeed, Sir, the most skilful, bloody, and fatal opposite that you could poffibly have found in any part of Illyria: will you walk towards him? I will make your peace with him, if I can.

Vio. I fhall be much bound to you for't: I am one, that had rather go with Sir Prieft than Sir Knight: I care not who knows so much of my mettle. [Exeunt.

Enter Sir Toby, and Sir Andrew.

Sir To. Why, man, he's a very devil; I have not feen fuch a virago: I had a pafs with him, rapier, fcabbard and all; and he gives me the ftuck in with such a mortal motion, that it is inevitable; and on the anfwer, he pays you as furely as your feet hit the ground they step on. They fay, he has been fencer to the Sophy.

Sir And. Pox on't, I'll not meddle with him.. Sir To. Ay, but he will not now be pacified : Fabian can fcarce hold him yonder.

Sir And. Plague on't, an I thought he had been vali ant, and fo cunning in fence, I'd have feen him damn'd ere I'd have challeng'd him. Let him let the matter flip, and I'll give him my horse, grey Capilet.

Sir To. I'll make the motion; ftand here, make a good fhew on't;- This fhall end without the perdition of fouls; marry, I'll ride your horfe as well as I ride you. [Afte

Enter Fabian and Viola.

I have his horfe to take up the quarrel: I have perfuaded him, the youth's a devil. [To Fabian. Fab He is as horribly conceited of him; and pants and looks pale, as if a bear were at his heels.

Sir To There's no remedy, Sir, he will fight with you for's oath fake: 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 his vow, he protefts he will not hurt you.

Vio. Pray God defend me! a little thing would make me tell them how much I lack of a man.

Fab. Give ground, if you see him furious.

Sir To. Come, Sir Andrew, there's no remedy; the gentleman will for his honour's fake have one bout with you; he cannot by the duello avoid it; but he has promis'd me, as he is a gentleman and a foldier, he will not hurt you. Come on, to't.

Sir And. Pray God, he keep his oath!
Enter Anthonio.

[They drant.

Vio. I do affure you, 'tis against my will. Ant. Put up your fword; if this young gentleman Have done offence, I take the fault on me;

If you offend him, I for him defie

you.

[Drawing:

Sir To. You, Sir? Why, what are you?
Ant. One, Sir, that for his love dares yet do more
Than you have heard him brag to you he will.

Sir To. Nay, if you be an undertaker, I am for you. [Draws.

Enter Officers.

Fab. O good Sir Toby, hold; here come the officers. Sir To I'll be with you anon.

Vio. Pray, Sir, put your fword up if you please.

[To Sir Andrew.

d

Sir And. Marry, will I, Sir; and for that I promis" you, I'll be as good as my word. He will bear you eafily, and reins well.

1 Off. This is the man; do thy office.

2 Off. Anthonio, I arreft thee at the fuit of Duke Orfino.

Ant. You do mistake me, Sir.

Off. No, Sir, no jot: I know your favour well;
Tho' now you have no fea-cap on your head.
Take him away; he knows, I know him well..
Ant. I must obey. This comes with seeking you ;
But there's no remedy. I shall answer it.
What will you do? now my neceffity
Makes me to ask you for my purfe. It grieves me
Much more, for what I cannot do for you,
Than what befals myfelf: you ftand amaz'd,
But be of comfort.

2 Off. Come, Sir, away. Ant. I muft intreat of you Vio. What mony, Sir?

[blocks in formation]

For the fair kindness you have fhew'd me here,
And part being prompted by your present trouble,
Out of my lean and low ability

I'll lend you fomething; my Having is not much;
I'll make divifion of my present with you:
Hold, there's half my coffer.

Ant. Will you deny me now?
Is't poffible, that my deferts to you

Can lack perfuafion? do not tempt my mifery,
Left that it make me fo unfound a man,
As to upbraid you with those kindnesses
That I have done for you.

Vio. I know of none,

Nor know I you by voice, or any feature:
I hate ingratitude more in a man,

Than lying, vainness, babling drunkenness,
Or any taint of vice, whofe ftrong corruption
Inhabits our frail blood.

Ant. Oh, heav'ns themselves!

2 Off. Come, Sir, I pray you, go.

[merged small][ocr errors]
« PreviousContinue »