Twelfth Night: Act 3, Scene 4
Enter OLIVIA and MARIA.
OLIVIA
1 I have sent after him: he says he'll come;
1. him: i.e., "Cesario". he says he'll come: i.e.,: if he says he'll come. 2. bestow of: give to.
2 How shall I feast him? what bestow of him?
3 For youth is bought more oft than begg'd or borrow'd.
4 I speak too loud.
5 Where is Malvolio? he is sad and civil,
5. sad and civil: serious and decorous.
6 And suits well for a servant with my fortunes:
7 Where is Malvolio?
MARIA
8 He's coming, madam; but in very strange manner. He
9 is, sure, possessed, madam.
9. possessed: possessed by an evil spirit, crazy.
OLIVIA
10 Why, what's the matter? does he rave?
10. rave: talk nonsense (like a madman).
MARIA
11 No. madam, he does nothing but smile: your
12 ladyship were best to have some guard about you, if
13 he come; for, sure, the man is tainted in's wits.
13. tainted: diseased. in's: in his.
OLIVIA
14 Go call him hither.
[Exit MARIA.]
14 I am as mad as he,
15 If sad and merry madness equal be.
Enter [MARIA, with] MALVOLIO.
16 How now, Malvolio!
MALVOLIO
17 Sweet lady, ho, ho.
OLIVIA
18 Smilest thou? I sent for thee upon a sad occasion.
18. sad: serious, but Malvolio takes "sad" to mean "unhappy" or "painful."
MALVOLIO
19 Sad, lady! I could be sad: this does make some
20 obstruction in the blood, this cross-gartering;
21 but what of that? if it please the eye of one, it is
22 with me as the very true sonnet is, 'Please one,
21-23. sonnet: 
poem, song.
poem, song. 23 and please all.'
OLIVIA
24 Why, how dost thou, man? what is the matter
25 with thee?
MALVOLIO
26 Not black in my mind, though yellow in my legs. It
27 did come to his hands, and commands shall be
28 executed: I think we do know the sweet Roman hand.
28. Roman hand: Italian style of handwriting—it was coming into style at that time.
OLIVIA
29 Wilt thou go to bed, Malvolio?
29. to bed: Olivia means that he should lie down and rest to alleviate whatever strange afflication he has.
MALVOLIO
30 To bed! ay, sweet heart, and I'll come to thee.
30. To bed!: Malvolio thinks he's just gotten lucky.
OLIVIA
31 God comfort thee! Why dost thou smile so and kiss
32 thy hand so oft?
31-32. kiss thy hand: (Malvolio is kissing his hand to Olivia.)
MARIA
33 How do you, Malvolio?
MALVOLIO
34 At your request! yes; nightingales answer daws.
34. At your request!: i.e., Am I likely to answer your question?—I think not. daws crows, i.e., Maria, and others like her. (He's being "surly with servants," as the letter said he should.)
MARIA
35 Why appear you with this ridiculous boldness
36 before my lady?
MALVOLIO
37 'Be not afraid of greatness:' 'twas well writ.
OLIVIA
38 What meanest thou by that, Malvolio?
MALVOLIO
39 'Some are born great,' —
OLIVIA
40 Ha!
MALVOLIO
41 'Some achieve greatness,' —
OLIVIA
42 What sayest thou?
MALVOLIO
43 'And some have greatness thrust upon them.'
OLIVIA
44 Heaven restore thee!
44. restore thee: return you to sanity.
MALVOLIO
45 'Remember who commended thy yellow
46 stockings,' —
OLIVIA
47 Thy yellow stockings!
MALVOLIO
48 'And wished to see thee cross-gartered.'
OLIVIA
49 Cross-gartered!
MALVOLIO
50 'Go to thou art made, if thou desirest to
51 be so;' —
OLIVIA
52 Am I made?
MALVOLIO
53 'If not, let me see thee a servant still.'
OLIVIA
54 Why, this is very midsummer madness.
54. midsummer madness: inexplicable madness—the midsummer moon was thought to cause sudden attacks of insanity.
Enter Servant.
Servant
55 Madam, the young gentleman of the Count Orsino's
55. young gentleman: i.e., "Cesario".
56 is returned. I could hardly entreat him back: he
56. I could hardly entreat him back: I could hardly persuade him to come back. 57. attends: awaits.
57 attends your ladyship's pleasure.
OLIVIA
58 I'll come to him.
Exit Servant.
59 Good Maria, let this fellow be looked to. Where's
59. fellow: i.e., Malvolio—"Fellow" is a nice word for a servant, but Malvolio later takes it to mean "companion."
60 my cousin Toby? Let some of my people have a
61 special care of him: I would not have him miscarry
61. miscarry: come to harm.
62 for the half of my dowry.
Exeunt OLIVIA and MARIA.
MALVOLIO
63 O, ho! do you come near me now? no worse man
63. do you come near me now?: do you (Olivia) begin to understand me now?
64 than Sir Toby to look to me! This concurs directly
65 with the letter: she sends him on purpose, that I
66 may appear stubborn to him; for she incites me to
66. stubborn: rude.
67 that in the letter. 'Cast thy humble slough,' says
68 she; 'be opposite with a kinsman, surly with
69 servants; let thy tongue tang with arguments of
70 state; put thyself into the trick of singularity;' and
71 consequently sets down the manner how; as, a sad
71. consequently: after that. sets down: writes out. the manner how: the way to do it. sad: serious. 72. reverend carriage: dignified way of walking. 73. habit of some sir of note: clothes of a distinguished gentleman. limed: caught—birdlime, a sticky paste, was used to catch birds.
72 face, a reverend carriage, a slow tongue, in the
73 habit of some sir of note, and so forth. I have
74 limed her; but it is Jove's doing, and Jove make
75 me thankful! And when she went away now, 'Let
76 this fellow be looked to:' fellow! not Malvolio, nor
77 after my degree, but fellow. Why, every thing
77. after my degree: according to my position (steward).
78 adheres together, that no dram of a scruple, no
78. adheres together: fits. dram: one-eighth of a fluid ounce. scruple: one-third of a dram, and doubt.
79 scruple of a scruple, no obstacle, no incredulous
79. incredulous: incredible. unsafe: uncertain.
80 or unsafe circumstance — What can be said?
81 Nothing that can be can come between me and
82 the full prospect of my hopes. Well, Jove, not I,
82. full prospect of my hopes: everything that I have looked forward to.
83 is the doer of this, and he is to be thanked.
Enter [SIR] TOBY [BELCH], FABIAN,
and MARIA.
SIR TOBY BELCH
84 Which way is he, in the name of sanctity? If all
84. in the name of sanctity: i.e., by all that's holy.
85 the devils of hell be drawn in little, and Legion
86 himself possessed him, yet I'll speak to him.
86. drawn in little: crammed into a small space. i.e., Malvolio's heart. 
Legion:
Legion: FABIAN
87 Here he is, here he is. How is't with you, sir?
SIR TOBY BELCH
88 How is't with you, man?
MALVOLIO
89 Go off; I discard you: let me enjoy my private: go
89. discard you: cast you off. private: privacy.
90 off.
MARIA
91 Lo, how hollow the fiend speaks within him! Did
91. hollow: resoundingly.
92 not I tell you? Sir Toby, my lady prays you to have
92. prays: earnestly requests. 92-93. have a care of: take care of, keep safe.
93 a care of him.
MALVOLIO
94 Ah, ha! does she so?
SIR TOBY BELCH
95 Go to, go to; peace, peace; we must deal gently
95. Go to: 
i.e., let's get to work peace: quiet. 96. Let me alone: leave him to me.
97. defy: renounce.
i.e., let's get to work peace: quiet. 96. Let me alone: leave him to me. 97. defy: renounce.
96 with him: let me alone. How do you, Malvolio?
97 How is't with you? What, man! defy the devil!
98 Consider, he's an enemy to mankind.
MALVOLIO
99 Do you know what you say?
MARIA
100 La you, an you speak ill of the devil, how he takes
100. La you: i.e., Did you hear that?! an: if. 100-101. takes it at heart: resents it. Maria's satirical point is that Malvolio, possessed by the devil, doesn't like to hear ill spoken of his master.
101 it at heart! Pray God, he be not bewitched!
FABIAN
102 Carry his water to the wise woman.
102. water: urine. wise woman: white witch (who can make a diagnosis and provide a charm to cure the patient).
MARIA
103 Marry, and it shall be done tomorrow morning,
104 if I live. My lady would not lose him for more
105 than I'll say
MALVOLIO
106 How now, mistress!
MARIA
107 O Lord!
SIR TOBY BELCH
108 Prithee, hold thy peace; this is not the way. Do
109 you not see you move him? Let me alone with him.
109. move: agitate.
FABIAN
110 No way but gentleness; gently, gently: the fiend
111 is rough, and will not be roughly used.
111. rough: violent. used: treated.
SIR TOBY BELCH
112 Why, how now, my bawcock! how dost thou,
112. bawcock: fine fellow (From the French beau coq,literally, "handsome rooster." 113. chuck: i.e., chick ("Chuck" is a term of affection, but of course Sir Toby is not really being affectionate.)
113 chuck?
MALVOLIO
114 Sir!
SIR TOBY BELCH
115 Ay, Biddy, come with me. What, man! 'tis not
115. Biddy: A childish word for "chicken."
116 for gravity to play at cherry-pit with Satan.
116. gravity: i.e., a serious man. cherry-pit: a child's game.
117 Hang him, foul collier!
117. foul collier: filthy coal miner. (Devils were called "foul" and not pictured as red, but coal-black—like a collier after a day in the mines.)
MARIA
118 Get him to say his prayers, good Sir Toby, get
119 him to pray.
MALVOLIO
120 My prayers, minx!
120. minx: A playful, sly, or boldly flirtatious young woman.
MARIA
121 No, I warrant you, he will not hear of godliness.
121. warrant you: promise you, assure you.
MALVOLIO
122 Go, hang yourselves all! you are idle shallow
122. idle: foolish, worthless.
123 things: I am not of your element: you shall know
123. element: kind. Malvolio thinks they live in a lower element—place in the universe—than he does. 124. You shall know more hereafter: i.e., You'll hear from me later. (He's vowing revenge.)
124 more hereafter.
Exit.
SIR TOBY BELCH
125 Is't possible?
FABIAN
126 If this were played upon a stage now, I could
127 condemn it as an improbable fiction.
SIR TOBY BELCH
128 His very genius hath taken the infection of the
128. genius: soul—literally, guiding spirit.
129 device, man.
MARIA
130 Nay, pursue him now, lest the device take air
130. device: trick, plot. 130-131. take air and taint: Literally, "be exposed to the air and rot." Metaphorically, "become known and be ruined."
131 and taint.
FABIAN
132 Why, we shall make him mad indeed.
MARIA
133 The house will be the quieter.
133. quieter: calmer—with Malvolio out of the house.
SIR TOBY BELCH
134 Come, we'll have him in a dark room and
134. have him: get him put into. 134-135. a dark room and bound: Standard treatment for the insane.
135 bound. My niece is already in the belief
136 that he's mad. We may carry it thus, for
136. carry it thus: keep the plot going.
137 our pleasure and his penance, till our very
138 pastime, tired out of breath, prompt us to
138. out of breath: (Maybe from laughing so hard.)
139 have mercy on him: at which time we will
140 bring the device to the bar and crown thee
140. the bar: i.e., the bar of judgment. thee: i.e., Maria.
141 for a finder of madmen. But see, but see.
141. finder: one who, like a judge, makes a finding. (Maria knows a madman when she sees one.)
Enter SIR ANDREW.
FABIAN
142 More matter for a May morning.
142. More matter for a May morning: i.e., Here's someone else we can have a lot of fun with.
SIR ANDREW
143 Here's the challenge, read it. I warrant there's
143. warrant: promise.
144 vinegar and pepper in't.
FABIAN
145 Is't so saucy?
145. saucy: heavily spiced and insulting.
SIR ANDREW
146 Ay, is't, I warrant him. Do but read.
146. I warrant him: I promise him. (Sir Andrew is sure his letter will have a devastating effect on Cesario.)
SIR TOBY BELCH
147 Give me. [Reads.] 'Youth, whatsoever thou art,
148 thou art but a scurvy fellow.'
FABIAN
149 Good, and valiant.
SIR TOBY BELCH
150 [Reads] 'Wonder not, nor admire not in thy mind,
150. admire: marvel.
151 why I do call thee so, for I will show thee no
152 reason for't.'
FABIAN
153 A good note; that keeps you from the blow of the
153. note: awareness (Sir Andrew has noted that if he writes anything specific he could be charged with slander.)
154 law.
SIR TOBY BELCH
155 [Reads.] 'Thou comest to the lady Olivia, and in my
156 sight she uses thee kindly. But thou liest in thy
157 throat; that is not the matter I challenge thee for.'
156-157. thou liest in thy throat: A modern equivalent is "You lie like a rug."
FABIAN
158 Very brief, and to exceeding good sense — less.
158. —less: Probably an aside to Maria.
SIR TOBY BELCH
159 [Reads] 'I will waylay thee going home; where if it
159. waylay: intercept, ambush.
160 be thy chance to kill me,' —
159-160. if it be thy chance to: if you should happen to.
FABIAN
161 Good.
SIR TOBY BELCH
162 [Reads] 'Thou killest me like a rogue and a villain.'
FABIAN
163 Still you keep o' the windy side of the law; good.
163. o': on. windy: windward, i.e., safe. good: (How smart of Sir Andrew to make sure that if he is killed, he can't be charged with the crime!).
SIR TOBY BELCH
164 [Reads] 'Fare thee well; and God have mercy upon
God have mercy upon one of our souls!: 165 one of our souls! He may have mercy upon mine,
166 but my hope is better, and so look to thyself. Thy
167 friend, as thou usest him, and thy sworn enemy,
166-167. Thy friend, as thou usest him: your friend, to the extent that you treat him as a friend. (Sir Andrew wants to make it perfectly clear that this is all Cesario's fault.) 168. move him: stir him up. (Then Sir Toby uses the other sense of "move" to make a joke.)
167 ANDREW AGUECHEEK.'
168 If this letter move him not, his legs cannot:
169 I'll give't him.
MARIA
170 You may have very fit occasion for't: he is
170. fit occasion: convenient opportunity.
171 now in some commerce with my lady, and
171. in some commerce: doing some business.
172 will by and by depart.
172. by and by: pretty soon.
SIR TOBY BELCH
173 Go, Sir Andrew: scout me for him at the
173. scout me for him: keep watch for him. The "me" adds the sense of "I've got a good idea."
174 corner of the orchard like a bum-baily. So
174. bum-baily: sheriff's official who arrested debtors. (Like modern repo men, they were sneaky.)
175 soon as ever thou seest him, draw; and, as
176 thou drawest swear horrible; for it comes to
177 pass oft that a terrible oath, with a swaggering
178 accent sharply twanged off, gives manhood
179 more approbation than ever proof itself would
180 have earned him. Away!
178-180. gives manhood more approbation than ever proof itself would have earned him: gives a greater reputation for manly courage than actually doing something courageous. 181. let me alone for: i.e., I'm really good at.
SIR ANDREW
181 Nay, let me alone for swearing.
Exit.
SIR TOBY BELCH
182 Now will not I deliver his letter: for the
183 behavior of the young gentleman gives
184 him out to be of good capacity and breeding;
184. gives him out to be: shows him to be. capacity: intelligence. breeding: education.
185 his employment between his lord and my
186 niece confirms no less. Therefore this letter,
187 being so excellently ignorant, will breed no
187. breed: arouse.
188 terror in the youth: he will find it comes from
188. find: see, detect that.
189 a clodpole. But, sir, I will deliver his challenge
189. clodpole: knucklehead.
190 by word of mouth; set upon Aguecheek a
191 notable report of valour; and drive the gentle-
190-191. set upon Aguecheek a notable report of valour: i.e., say that Aguecheek has a great reputation for valour.
192 man, as I know his youth will aptly receive it,
192. his youth will aptly receive it: i.e., his inexperience will make him believe (that Sir Andrew is valorous).
193 into a most hideous opinion of his rage, skill,
194 fury and impetuosity. This will so fright them
195 both that they will kill one another by the look,
196 like cockatrices.
196. cockatrices: basilisks, able to kill by their glance. Enter OLIVIA and VIOLA.
FABIAN
197 Here he comes with your niece: give them way
197. Give them way: stay out of their way.
198 till he take leave, and presently after him.
198. presently after him: immediately (after Olivia is gone) intercept him.
SIR TOBY BELCH
199 I will meditate the while upon some horrid
200 message for a challenge.
[Exeunt SIR TOBY BELCH, FABIAN,
and MARIA.]
OLIVIA
201 I have said too much unto a heart of stone
202 And laid mine honour too unchary out:
202. laid: gambled. unchary: carelessly.
203 There's something in me that reproves my fault;
203. reproves: reprimands.
204 But such a headstrong potent fault it is,
204. potent: powerful.
205 That it but mocks reproof.
205. it but: it only.
VIOLA
206 With the same 'havior that your passion bears
206. havior: behavior. 206-207. With . . . grief: i.e., As your passion compels you to express your love for me, so Orsino suffers because his passion compels him to express his love for you.
207 Goes on my master's grief.
OLIVIA
208 Here, wear this jewel for me, 'tis my picture;
208. jewel: anything made by a jeweler—in this case, a locket or brooch containing Olivia's picture.
209 Refuse it not; it hath no tongue to vex you;
210 And I beseech you come again tomorrow.
211 What shall you ask of me that I'll deny,
212 That, honour saved, may upon asking give?
212. That honour, saved, may upon asking give: that honour, certain that it is safe, may give when asked.
VIOLA
213 Nothing but this — your true love for my master.
OLIVIA
214 How with mine honour may I give him that
215 Which I have given to you?
VIOLA
215 I will acquit you.
215. acquit you: release you (from any obligation to me).
OLIVIA
216 Well, come again tomorrow. Fare thee well.
217 A fiend like thee might bear my soul to hell.
217. like thee: that looks like you. might: very easily could.
Exit.
Enter [SIR] TOBY [BELCH] and FABIAN.
SIR TOBY BELCH
218 Gentleman, God save thee.
VIOLA
219 And you, sir.
SIR TOBY BELCH
220 That defence thou hast, betake thee to't: of what
220. That defence thou hast: whatever skill in fencing you have.
221 nature the wrongs are thou hast done him, I know
222 not; but thy intercepter, full of despite, bloody as
222. thy intercepter: he who is waiting to ambush you. despite: contempt, malice. 223. attends thee: waits for you.
223 the hunter, attends thee at the orchard-end:
224 dismount thy tuck, be yare in thy preparation, for
224. dismount thy tuck: draw your rapier. yare: quick.
225 thy assailant is quick, skilful and deadly.
VIOLA
226 You mistake, sir; I am sure no man hath any quarrel
227 to me: my remembrance is very free and clear from
226-227. quarrel to me: reason to quarrel with me.
227. remembrance: memory.
227. remembrance: memory.
228 any image of offence done to any man.
SIR TOBY BELCH
229 You'll find it otherwise, I assure you: therefore,
230 if you hold your life at any price, betake you to
230. price: value.
231 your guard; for your opposite hath in him what
231. opposite: adversary.
232 youth, strength, skill and wrath can furnish man
233 withal.
233. withal: with.
VIOLA
234 I pray you, sir, what is he?
SIR TOBY BELCH
235 He is knight, dubbed with unhatched rapier and on
235. unhatched: unhacked i.e., never used in battle.
236 carpet consideration; but he is a devil in private
235-236. on carpet consideration: i.e., for civilian services, or for having the right friends in high places.
237 brawl: souls and bodies hath he divorced three; and
238 his incensement at this moment is so implacable,
238. incensement: anger.
239 that satisfaction can be none but by pangs of death
240 and sepulchre. Hob, nob, is his word; give't or take't.
240. sepulchre: burial vault. Hob, nob, is his word; give't or take't: His motto is "have it, have it not"—he doesn't care whether he kills or is killed.
VIOLA
241 I will return again into the house and desire some
241. desire: ask for.
242 conduct of the lady. I am no fighter. I have heard
242. conduct: protective escort.
243 of some kind of men that put quarrels purposely
244 on others, to taste their valour: belike this is a man
244. taste: test.
245 of that quirk.
245. quirk: temperament. ("Cesario" is hoping that if he shows himself to be a coward, his enemy will then let him alone.)
SIR TOBY BELCH
246 Sir, no; his indignation derives itself out of
247 a very competent injury: therefore, get you
247. competent injury: sufficient injury or insult.
248 on and give him his desire. Back you shall
247-248. get you on: go ahead.
249 not to the house, unless you undertake that
249. that: i.e., a duel:.
250 with me which with as much safety you might
251 answer him: therefore, on, or strip your sword
252 stark naked; for meddle you must, that's certain,
251-252. strip your sword stark naked: draw your sword. 252. meddle: get involved (in a fight). wear iron: carry a sword.
253 or forswear to wear iron about you.
VIOLA
254 This is as uncivil as strange. I beseech you, do
255 me this courteous office, as to know of the knight
255. to know of: find out from.
256 what my offence to him is. It is something of my
257 negligence, nothing of my purpose.
257. purpose: intention.
SIR TOBY BELCH
258 I will do so. Signior Fabian, stay you by this
259 gentleman till my return.
Exit Toby.
VIOLA
260 Pray you, sir, do you know of this matter?
FABIAN
261 I know the knight is incensed against you,
262 even to a mortal arbitrement; but nothing
262. even to a mortal arbitrement: to the point that nothing can settle it but a fight to the death.
263 of the circumstance more.
VIOLA
264 I beseech you, what manner of man is he?
FABIAN
265 Nothing of that wonderful promise, to read him
266 by his form, as you are like to find him in the proof
267 of his valour. He is, indeed, sir, the most skilful,
265-267. Nothing . . . valour: i.e., He doesn't look like much, but you'll find that he's fearsome when he fights. 268. opposite: adversary.
268 bloody and fatal opposite that you could possibly
269 have found in any part of Illyria. Will you walk
270 towards him? I will make your peace with him if
271 I can.
VIOLA
272 I shall be much bound to you for't: I am one
272. much bound: very grateful.
273 that had rather go with sir priest than sir knight:
273. sir priest: Priests were often called "sir."
274 I care not who knows so much of my mettle.
274. mettle: courage, or lack of it.
Exeunt.
Enter [SIR] TOBY [BELCH]
and [SIR] ANDREW.
SIR TOBY BELCH
275 Why, man, he's a very devil; I have not seen such a
276 firago. I had a pass with him, rapier, scabbard and
276. firago: virago. pass with him, rapier, scabbard: practice bout. 276. stuck in: thrust—from the Italian, stoccado.
277 all, and he gives me the stuck in with such a mortal
278 motion, that it is inevitable; and on the answer, he
278. it: i.e., his opponent's death. answer: counterattack.
279 pays you as surely as your feet hit the ground they
279. pays you: repays, makes you pay.
280 step on. They say he has been fencer to the Sophy.
280. Sophy: Shah of Persia.
SIR ANDREW
281 Pox on't, I'll not meddle with him.
281. not meddle with him: not have anything to do with him.
SIR TOBY BELCH
282 Ay, but he will not now be pacified: Fabian can
283 scarce hold him yonder.
SIR ANDREW
284 Plague on't, an I thought he had been valiant and
284. an I thought he had been: if I had thought he was.
285 so cunning in fence, I'ld have seen him damned
285. I'ld have: I would have.
286 ere I'ld have challenged him. Let him let the matter
287 slip, and I'll give him my horse, grey Capilet.
287. Capilet: The name means "little nag."
SIR TOBY BELCH
288 I'll make the motion: stand here, make a good show
288. motion: offer. make a good show on't: i.e., put on a brave face. 289. perdition of souls: loss of life.
289 on't: this shall end without the perdition of souls.
290 [Aside] Marry, I'll ride your horse as well as I ride
291 you.
Enter FABIAN and VIOLA.
292 [To Fabian] I have his horse to take up the quarrel:
292. take up: settle.
293 I have persuaded him the youth's a devil.
FABIAN
294 He is as horribly conceited of him; and pants and
294. He is as horribly conceited of him: He has the same kind of wild ideas about him.
295 looks pale, as if a bear were at his heels.
SIR TOBY BELCH
296 [To Viola] There's no remedy, sir; he will fight
297 with you for's oath sake: marry, he hath better
297. for's oath sake: for the sake of his vow (to fight).
298 bethought him of his quarrel, and he finds that
297-298. he hath better bethought him of his quarrel: i.e., he has reconsidered the grounds for his challenge.
299 now scarce to be worth talking of: therefore draw,
300 for the supportance of his vow; he protests he will
300. supportance: upholding. protests: promises.
301 not hurt you.
VIOLA
302 [Aside] Pray God defend me! A little thing would
303 make me tell them how much I lack of a man.
FABIAN
304 Give ground, if you see him furious.
SIR TOBY BELCH
305 Come, Sir Andrew, there's no remedy; the gentleman
306 will, for his honour's sake, have one bout with you;
307 he cannot by the duello avoid it: but he has
307. duello: duelling code of honor.
308 promised me, as he is a gentleman and a soldier, he
309 will not hurt you. Come on; to't.
SIR ANDREW
310 Pray God, he keep his oath!
Enter ANTONIO [unseen by the others.]
VIOLA
311 I do assure you, 'tis against my will.
[With great fear, Sir Andrew and Viola begin to
draw their swords.]
ANTONIO
312 [To Viola.] Put up your sword. [To Sir Andrew] If this
young gentleman
313 Have done offence, I take the fault on me:
314 If you offend him, I for him defy you.
SIR TOBY BELCH
315 You, sir! why, what are you?
ANTONIO
316 One, sir, that for his love dares yet do more
316. his love: i.e., love of Sebastian.
317 Than you have heard him brag to you he will.
316-317. do more / Than you have heard him brag to you he will: i.e., I'll do my talking with my sword.
SIR TOBY BELCH
318 Nay, if you be an undertaker, I am for you.
318. undertaker: one who takes on a task for another.
Enter Officers.
FABIAN
319 O good Sir Toby, hold! here come the officers.
SIR TOBY BELCH [To Antonio.]
320 I'll be with you anon.
320. I'll be with you anon: I'll join you right away—Sir Toby is promising to continue the fight as soon as the officers are gone.
VIOLA [To Sir Andrew.]
321 Pray, sir, put your sword up, if you please.
SIR ANDREW
322 Marry, will I, sir; and, for that I promised you,
323 I'll be as good as my word: he will bear you easily
323. he: i.e., Sir Andrew's horse, grey Capilet.
324 and reins well.
First Officer
325 This is the man; do thy office.
325. office: duty.
Second Officer
326 Antonio, I arrest thee at the suit of Count Orsino.
326. suit: request, lawsuit.
ANTONIO
327 You do mistake me, sir.
327. You do mistake me: i.e., you've got the wrong person.
First Officer
328 No, sir, no jot; I know your favour well,
328. favour: face.
329 Though now you have no sea-cap on your head.
330 Take him away: he knows I know him well.
ANTONIO
331 I must obey.
[To VIOLA.]
332 This comes with seeking you:
333 But there's no remedy; I shall answer it.
333. answer it: defend myself against the charges or pay the penalty.
334 What will you do, now my necessity
335 Makes me to ask you for my purse? It grieves me
336 Much more for what I cannot do for you
337 Than what befalls myself. You stand amazed;
338 But be of comfort.
338. But be of comfort: i.e., Don't worry about me. (But, he still needs his money back.)
Second Officer
339 Come, sir, away.
ANTONIO
340 I must entreat of you some of that money.
VIOLA
341 What money, sir?
342 For the fair kindness you have show'd me here,
343 And, part, being prompted by your present trouble,
343. part: in part:.
344 Out of my lean and low ability
344. ability: means, ability to lend money.
345 I'll lend you something: my having is not much;
345. my having: what I have.
346 I'll make division of my present with you:
346. present: what I have right now.
347 Hold, there's half my coffer.
347. coffer: money I have—literally, a strong box.
ANTONIO
347 Will you deny me now?
348 Is't possible that my deserts to you
348. deserts to you: i.e., what I have done for you.
349 Can lack persuasion? Do not tempt my misery,
349. lack persuasion: fail to persuade you (to help me).
350 Lest that it make me so unsound a man
350. unsound: weak, unhealthy.
351 As to upbraid you with those kindnesses
352 That I have done for you.
VIOLA
352 I know of none;
353 Nor know I you by voice or any feature:
354 I hate ingratitude more in a man
355 Than lying, vainness, babbling, drunkenness,
355. vainness: vanity.
356 Or any taint of vice whose strong corruption
357 Inhabits our frail blood.
ANTONIO
357 O heavens themselves!
Second Officer
358 Come, sir, I pray you, go.
ANTONIO
359 Let me speak a little. This youth that you see here
360 I snatch'd one half out of the jaws of death,
360. I snatch'd . . . death: I snatched him from the jaws of death, which had half swallowed him. 361. Reliev'd him: gave him help. such: so much—as in "I like that sooo much!" 362. his image: what he appeared to be.
361 Relieved him with such sanctity of love,
362 And to his image, which methought did promise
363 Most venerable worth, did I devotion.
363. venerable worth: worth deserving of veneration.
First Officer
364 What's that to us? The time goes by: away!
ANTONIO
365 But O how vile an idol proves this god
366 Thou hast, Sebastian, done good feature shame.
366. done good feature shame: destroyed the moral reputation of good looks.
367 In nature there's no blemish but the mind;
368 None can be call'd deform'd but the unkind:
368. unkind: unnatural: the unnatural deformity of "Sebastian" is ingratitude. 369. the beauteous evil: those who are beautiful but evil. 370. trunks o'erflourish'd: (1) trunks covered with elaborate carvings; (2) bodies with beautiful outward appearances.
369 Virtue is beauty, but the beauteous evil
370 Are empty trunks o'erflourish'd by the devil.
First Officer
371 The man grows mad: away with him! Come, come, sir.
ANTONIO
372 Lead me on.
Exit [with Officers].
VIOLA [Aside.]
373 Methinks his words do from such passion fly,
374 That he believes himself: so do not I.
374. so do not I: i.e, I can't believe that I'm beginning to believe that my brother is alive.
375 Prove true, imagination, O, prove true,
376 That I, dear brother, be now ta'en for you!
376. ta'en: mistaken.
SIR TOBY BELCH
377 Come hither, knight; come hither, Fabian: we'll
378 whisper o'er a couplet or two of most sage saws.
378. sage saws: wise sayings.
VIOLA [Aside.]
379 He named Sebastian: I my brother know
380 Yet living in my glass; even such and so
379-380. I . . . glass: Every time I look in the mirror, I see my brother. 381. favour: facial appearance. 381-382. he went / Still in this fashion, colour, ornament: he always wore exactly the same kind of clothes I'm wearing now. 383. prove: prove true.
381 In favour was my brother, and he went
382 Still in this fashion, colour, ornament,
383 For him I imitate: O, if it prove,
384 Tempests are kind and salt waves fresh in love.
[Exit Viola.]
SIR TOBY BELCH
385 A very dishonest paltry boy, and more a coward
385. dishonest: dishonorable. 385-386. more a coward than a hare: more cowardly than a rabbit.
386 than a hare. His dishonesty appears in leaving his
387 friend here in necessity and denying him; and for
387. his friend: i.e., Antonio. denying him: pretending not to know him.
388 his cowardship, ask Fabian.
FABIAN
389 A coward, a most devout coward, religious in it.
SIR ANDREW
390 'Slid, I'll after him again and beat him.
390. 'Slid: by God's eyelid. (A silly oath from a silly man.)
SIR TOBY BELCH
391 Do; cuff him soundly, but never draw thy sword.
SIR ANDREW
392 An I do not, —
392. An: if. ("An I do not" is the first part of the vow of revenge that Sir mutters as he leaves to pursue "Cesario.")
FABIAN
393 Come, let's see the event.
393. event: result, outcome.
SIR TOBY BELCH
394 I dare lay any money 'twill be nothing yet.
394. 'twill be nothing yet: it still won't be anything.
Exeunt.