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The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Israel Gollancz William Shakespeare [666]

By Root 18909 0
begging but a beggar:

Cressida was a beggar. My lady is within, sir. I will construe to

them whence you come; who you are and what you would are out of

my welkin- I might say 'element' but the word is overworn.

Exit CLOWN

VIOLA.

This fellow is wise enough to play the fool;

And to do that well craves a kind of wit.

He must observe their mood on whom he jests,

The quality of persons, and the time;

And, like the haggard, check at every feather

That comes before his eye. This is a practice

As full of labour as a wise man's art;

For folly that he wisely shows is fit;

But wise men, folly-fall'n, quite taint their wit.

Enter SIR TOBY and SIR ANDREW

SIR TOBY.

Save you, gentleman!

VIOLA.

And you, sir.

AGUECHEEK.

Dieu vous garde, monsieur.

VIOLA.

Et vous aussi; votre serviteur.

AGUECHEEK.

I hope, sir, you are; and I am yours.

SIR TOBY.

Will you encounter the house? My niece is desirous you

should enter, if your trade be to her.

VIOLA.

I am bound to your niece, sir; I mean, she is the list of my voyage.

SIR TOBY.

Taste your legs, sir; put them to motion.

VIOLA.

My legs do better understand me, sir, than I understand what

you mean by bidding me taste my legs.

SIR TOBY.

I mean, to go, sir, to enter.

VIOLA.

I will answer you with gait and entrance. But we are prevented.

Enter OLIVIA and MARIA

Most excellent accomplish'd lady, the heavens rain odours on you!

AGUECHEEK.

That youth's a rare courtier- 'Rain odours' well!

VIOLA.

My matter hath no voice, lady, but to your own most pregnant

and vouchsafed car.

AGUECHEEK.

'Odours,' 'pregnant,' and 'vouchsafed'- I'll get 'em all three all ready.

OLIVIA.

Let the garden door be shut, and leave me to my hearing.

[Exeunt all but OLIVIA and VIOLA] Give me your hand, sir.

VIOLA.

My duty, madam, and most humble service.

OLIVIA.

What is your name?

VIOLA.

Cesario is your servant's name, fair Princess.

OLIVIA.

My servant, sir! 'Twas never merry world

Since lowly feigning was call'd compliment.

Y'are servant to the Count Orsino, youth.

VIOLA.

And he is yours, and his must needs be yours:

Your servant's servant is your servant, madam.

OLIVIA.

For him, I think not on him; for his thoughts,

Would they were blanks rather than fill'd with me!

VIOLA.

Madam, I come to whet your gentle thoughts

On his behalf.

OLIVIA.

O, by your leave, I pray you:

I bade you never speak again of him;

But, would you undertake another suit,

I had rather hear you to solicit that

Than music from the spheres.

VIOLA.

Dear lady-

OLIVIA.

Give me leave, beseech you. I did send,

After the last enchantment you did here,

A ring in chase of you; so did I abuse

Myself, my servant, and, I fear me, you.

Under your hard construction must I sit,

To force that on you in a shameful cunning

Which you knew none of yours. What might you think?

Have you not set mine honour at the stake,

And baited it with all th' unmuzzled thoughts

That tyrannous heart can think? To one of your receiving

Enough is shown: a cypress, not a bosom,

Hides my heart. So, let me hear you speak.

VIOLA.

I Pity YOU.

OLIVIA.

That's a degree to love.

VIOLA.

No, not a grize; for 'tis a vulgar proof

That very oft we pity enemies.

OLIVIA.

Why, then, methinks 'tis time to smile again.

O world, how apt the poor are to be proud!

If one should be a prey, how much the better

To fall before the lion than the wolf! [Clock strikes]

The clock upbraids me with the waste of time.

Be not afraid, good youth; I will not have you;

And yet, when wit and youth is come to harvest,

Your wife is like to reap a proper man.

There lies your way, due west.

VIOLA.

Then westward-ho!

Grace and good disposition attend your ladyship!

You'll nothing, madam, to my lord by me?

OLIVIA.

Stay.

I prithee tell me what thou think'st of me.

VIOLA.

That you do think you are not what you are.

OLIVIA.

If I think so, I think the same of you.

VIOLA.

Then think you right: I am not what I am.

OLIVIA.

I would you were as I would have

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