some kind of men that put quarrels purposely on others, to taste 21 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 desire. Back you shall not to the house, unless you undertake that with me which with as much safety you might answer him therefore on, or strip your sword stark naked; for meddle you must, that's certain, or forswear 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 something of my negligence, nothing of my purpose. Sir To. I will do so.-Signior Fabian, stay you by this gentleman till my return. [Exit. Vio. Pray you, sir, do you know of this matter? Fab. I know the knight is incensed 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 promise, to read him by his form, as you are like to find him in the proof of his valour. He is, indeed, sir, the most skilful, bloody, and fatal opposite that you could possibly have found in any part of Illyria. Will you walk towards him? I will make your peace with him, if I can. Vio. I shall be much bound to you for't: I am one that had rather go with sir priest than sir knight: 22 I care not who knows so much of my mettle. [Exeunt. "There is in this business more than Nature was ever conduct of." Also in The Merchant, iv, 1: 'Go give him courteous conduct to this place." 21 Taste in the sense of try has occurred before in this Act. 22 Viola's fright does not quench her humour, or her sense of the ludicrous in her position. Her meaning is, that she would rather be one of the parties in a marriage than in a duel. SCENE V.- The Street adjoining OLIVIA'S Garden. Sir To. Why, man, he's a very devil; I have not seen such a firago. I had a pass with him, rapier, scabbard, and all, and he gives me the stuck-in with such a mortal motion, that it is inevitable; and, on the answer, he pays you as surely as your feet hit the ground they step on. has been fencer to the Sophy. Sir And. Pox on't, I'll not meddle with him. They say he Sir To. Ay, but he will not now be pacified: Fabian can scarce hold him yonder. Sir And. Plague on't, an I thought he had been valiant and so cunning in fence, I'd have seen him damn'd ere I'd have challenged him. Let him let the matter slip, and I'll give him my horse, gray Capulet. Sir To. I'll make the motion: stand here, make a good show on't this shall end without the perdition of souls. [Aside.] Marry, I'll ride your horse as well as I ride you. Enter FABIAN and VIOLA. [To FAB.] I have his horse to take up3 the quarrel: I have persuaded him the youth's a devil. Fab. He is as horribly conceited of him ; and pants and looks pale, as if a bear were at his heels. Sir To. [To Vio.] There's no remedy, sir; he will fight with you for's oath-sake: marry, he hath better bethought him of his quarrel, and he finds that now scarce to be worth 1 Firago, for virago. The meaning appears to be, "I have never seen a viraginous woman so obstreperous and violent as he is." 2 A corruption of stoccata, an Italian term in fencing. 8 Take up is the old phrase for make up or settle. See page 107, note 7. 4 He has as horrid a conception of him. talking of: therefore draw, for the supportance of his vow; he protests he will not hurt you. Vio. [Aside.] 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 sake, have one bout with you; he cannot by the duello avoid it but he has promised me, as he is a gentleman and a soldier, he will not hurt you. Come on; to't. Sir And. Pray God, he keep his oath ! Enter ANTONIO. [Draws. [Draws. Ant. Put up your sword. If this young gentleman Have done offence, I take the fault on me : If you offend him, I for him defy you. Sir To. You, sir! why, what are you? Ant. [Drawing.] 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,5 I am for you. [Draws. Fab. O good Sir Toby, hold! here come the officers. Sir To. [To ANTONIO.] I'll be with you anon. Vio. [Sir ANDREW.] Pray, sir, put your sword up, if you please. Sir And. Marry, will I, sir; and, for that I promised you, I'll be as good as my word: he will bear you easily, and reins well. Enter Officers. I Off. This is the man; do thy office. 5 One who takes up or undertakes the quarrels of others; an intermeddler or intruder. 2 Off. Antonio, I arrest thee at the suit Of Count Orsino. 1 Off. No, sir, no jot; I know your favour well, Though now you have no sea-cap on your head. Take him away: he knows I know him well. Ant. I must obey.-[To Vio.] This comes with seeking you: But there's no remedy; I shall answer it. What will you do, now my necessity Makes me to ask you for my purse? It grieves me Much more for what I cannot do for you Than what befalls myself. You stand amazed; 2 Off. Come, sir, away. Ant. I must entreat of you some of that money. For the fair kindness you have show'd me here, I'll lend you something: my having is not much; Hold, there is half my coffer. Ant. Will you deny me now? Is't possible that my deserts to you Can lack persuasion? Do not tempt my misery, 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 Be of comfort is old language for be comforted. Than lying, vainness, babbling, drunkenness, Ant. O Heavens themselves! 2 Off. Come, sir, I pray you, go. Ant. Let me speak a little. This youth that you see here I snatch'd one half out of the jaws of death; Relieved him with all sanctity of love; And to this image, which methought did promise Most venerable worth, did I devotion. I Off. What's that to us? The time goes by: away! 1 Off. The man grows mad: away with him! — Come, come, sir. Ant. Lead me on. [Exeunt Officers with ANTONIO. Vio. Methinks his words do from such passion fly, That he believes himself; so do not I.9 Prove true, imagination, O, prove true, That I, dear brother, be now ta'en for you! Sir To. Come hither, knight; come hither, Fabian: we'll whisper o'er a couplet or two of most sage saws. Vio. He named Sebastian: I my brother know Yet living in my glass; 10 even such, and so, 7 Unkind, here, is unnatural, ungrateful, or without natural affection. So the Poet often has kind for nature. See page 92, note 3. 8 Trunks, being then part of the furniture of apartments, were ornamented with scroll-work or flourished devices. 9 That is, "I do not yet believe myself, when from this accident I gather hope of my brother's life." 10" His resemblance survives in the reflection of my own figure." |