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her. I

would be loath to cast away my speech; for, besides that it is

excellently well penn'd, I have taken great pains to con it.

Good

beauties, let me sustain no scorn; I am very comptible, even to

the least sinister usage.

OLIVIA.

Whence came you, sir?

VIOLA.

I can say little more than I have studied, and that

question's out of my part. Good gentle one, give me modest

assurance if you be the lady of the house, that I may proceed in my speech.

OLIVIA.

Are you a comedian?

VIOLA.

No, my profound heart; and yet, by the very fangs of malice

I swear, I am not that I play. Are you the lady of the house?

OLIVIA.

If I do not usurp myself, I am.

VIOLA.

Most certain, if you are she, you do usurp yourself; for

what is yours to bestow is not yours to reserve. But this is from

my commission. I will on with my speech in your praise, and then

show you the heart of my message.

OLIVIA.

Come to what is important in't. I forgive you the praise.

VIOLA.

Alas, I took great pains to study it, and 'tis poetical.

OLIVIA.

It is the more like to be feigned; I pray you keep it

in. I

heard you were saucy at my gates, and allow'd your approach

rather to wonder at you than to hear you. If you be not mad, be

gone; if you have reason, be brief; 'tis not that time of moon

with me to make one in so skipping dialogue.

MARIA.

Will you hoist sail, sir? Here lies your way.

VIOLA.

No, good swabber, I am to hull here a little longer.

Some mollification for your giant, sweet lady.

OLIVIA.

Tell me your mind.

VIOLA.

I am a messenger.

OLIVIA.

Sure, you have some hideous matter to deliver, when the

courtesy of it is so fearful. Speak your office.

VIOLA.

It alone concerns your ear. I bring no overture of war, no

taxation of homage: I hold the olive in my hand; my words are as

full of peace as matter.

OLIVIA.

Yet you began rudely. What are you? What would you?

VIOLA.

The rudeness that hath appear'd in me have I learn'd from my

entertainment. What I am and what I would are as secret as

maidenhead- to your cars, divinity; to any other's, profanation.

OLIVIA.

Give us the place alone; we will hear this divinity.

[Exeunt MARIA and ATTENDANTS] Now, sir, what is your text?

VIOLA.

Most sweet lady-

OLIVIA.

A comfortable doctrine, and much may be said of it.

Where lies your text?

VIOLA.

In Orsino's bosom.

OLIVIA.

In his bosom! In what chapter of his bosom?

VIOLA.

To answer by the method: in the first of his heart.

OLIVIA.

O, I have read it; it is heresy. Have you no more to say?

VIOLA.

Good madam, let me see your face.

OLIVIA.

Have you any commission from your lord to negotiate with my

face? You are now out of your text; but we will draw the curtain

and show you the picture. [Unveiling] Look you, sir, such a

one I

was this present. Is't not well done?

VIOLA.

Excellently done, if God did all.

OLIVIA.

'Tis in grain, sir; 'twill endure wind and weather.

VIOLA.

'Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and white

Nature's own sweet and cunning hand laid on.

Lady, you are the cruell'st she alive,

If you will lead these graces to the grave,

And leave the world no copy.

OLIVIA.

O, sir, I will not be so hard-hearted; I will give out

divers schedules of my beauty. It shall be inventoried, and every

particle and utensil labell'd to my will: as- item, two lips

indifferent red; item, two grey eyes with lids to them; item, one

neck, one chin, and so forth. Were you sent hither to praise me?

VIOLA.

I see you what you are: you are too proud;

But, if you were the devil, you are fair.

My lord and master loves you- O, such love

Could be but recompens'd though you were crown'd

The nonpareil of beauty!

OLIVIA.

How does he love me?

VIOLA.

With adorations, fertile tears,

With groans that thunder love, with sighs of fire.

OLIVIA.

Your lord does know my mind; I cannot love him.

Yet I suppose him virtuous, know him noble,

Of great estate, of fresh and stainless youth;

In voices