fury, and impetuofity. This will fo fright them both, that they will kill one another by the look, like cockatrices. Fab. Here he comes with your niece; give them way 'till he take leave, and prefently after him. Šir 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 headstrong, potent fault it is, That it but mocks reproof. Vio. With the fame 'haviour that your paffion Goes on my master's grief. [bears, Oli. Here, wear this jewel for me, 'tis my picture: Refufe it not, it hath no tongue to vex you: And, I befeech you, come again to-morrow. What fhall you afk of me that I'll deny, That, honour fav'd, may upon asking give? Vio. Nothing but this, your true love for my master: 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 interpreter, full of despight, bloody as the hunter, attends thee at the orchardend; difmount thy tuck, be yare in thy preparation, for thy affailant is quick, fkilful, 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, strength, skill and wrath can furnish man withal. 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 brawl; fouls and bodies hath he divorc'd three; and his incenfement at this moment is fo implacable, that fatisfaction can be none but by pangs of death and fepulchre: hob, nob is his word give't, or take't. Vio. I will return again into the house, and defire fome conduct of the lady. I am no fighter. I have heard of fome kind of men that put quarrels purposely on others to taste their valour: belike this is a man 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 houfe, unless you undertake that with me which with as much fafety you might anfwer him; therefore on, or ftrip your fword ftark naked; for meddle you must, that's certain, or forfwear to wear iron about you. Vio. This is as uncivil as strange. I beseech 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 befeech you, what manner of man is he? Fab. Nothing of that wonderful promise to read him by his form, as you are like to find in the proof of his valour. He is, indeed, Sir, the moft skilful, bloody, and fatal opposite 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 fuch a mortal motion, that it is inevitable; and on the answer, 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 valiant, and fo cunning in fence, I'd have seen him damn'd ere I'd have challeng'd him. Let him ler the matter flip, and I'll give him my horfe, 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. [Afide. 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 had better bethought him of his quarrel, and he finds that now fcarce 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. [They draw. Sir And. Pray God he keep his oath! Vio. I do affure you 'tis against my will. man Have done offence, I take the fault on me; Ant. One, Sir, that for his love dares yet do more Than you have heard him brag to you he will. Sir To. Nay, Sir, if you be an undertaker, I am [Draws. for you. Enter Officers. Fab. O good Sir Toby, hold; here come the offi cers. Sir To. I'll be with you anon. Vio. Pray, Sir, put your fword up if you pleafe. [To Sir Andrew. Sir And. Marry will I, Sir; and for that I promis'd you, I'll be as good as my word.-He will bear you easily, and reins well. 1 Offic. This is the man; do thy office. 2 Offic. Antonio, I arreft thee at the fuit of Duke Orfino. Ant. You do mistake me, Sir. Offic. 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 feeking you; But there's no remedy. I fhall answer it. 2 Offic. Come, Sir, away. Ant. I must intreat of you fome of that money. Vio. What money, Sir? For the fair kindness you have fhew'd me here, I'll lend you fomething; my having is not much; Ant. Will you deny me now? Can lack perfuafion? do not tempt my mifery, As to upbraid you with those kindnefles Vio. I know of none, Nor know I you by voice, or any feature: Than lying, vainnefs, babling, drunkenness, Ant. Oh, heav'ns themselves!. 2 Offic. Come, Sir, I pray you go. I fnach'd one half out of the jaws of death; you And to his image, which, methought, did promife Moft venerable worth, did I devotion. 1 Offic. What's that to us?—the time goes by away. Ant. But oh, how vile an idol proves this god! |