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Pox on't, I'll not meddle with him.

SIR TOBY.

Ay, but he will not now be pacified; Fabian can scarce hold him yonder.

AGUECHEEK.

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

challeng'd him. Let him let the matter slip, and I'll give him

my horse, grey Capilet.

SIR TOBY.

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.

Re-enter FABIAN and VIOLA

[To FABIAN] I have his horse to take up the quarrel; I have

persuaded him the youth's a devil.

FABIAN.

[To SIR TOBY] He is as horribly conceited of him; and pants

and looks pale, as if a bear were at his heels.

SIR TOBY.

[To VIOLA] 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 talking of.

Therefore draw for the supportance of his vow; he protests he will not hurt you.

VIOLA.

[Aside] Pray God defend me! A little thing would make me

tell them how much I lack of a man.

FABIAN.

Give ground if you see him furious.

SIR TOBY.

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 promis'd me, as he is a gentleman and

a soldier, he will not hurt you. Come on; to't.

AGUECHEEK.

Pray God he keep his oath! [They

draw]

Enter ANTONIO

VIOLA.

I do assure you 'tis against my will.

ANTONIO.

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 TOBY.

You, sir! Why, what are you?

ANTONIO.

One, sir, that for his love dares yet do more

Than you have heard him brag to you he will.

SIR TOBY.

Nay, if you be an undertaker, I am for you.

[They draw]

Enter OFFICERS

FABIAN.

O good Sir Toby, hold! Here come the officers.

SIR TOBY.

[To ANTONIO] I'll be with you anon.

VIOLA.

Pray, sir, put your sword up, if you please.

AGUECHEEK.

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.

FIRST OFFICER.

This is the man; do thy office.

SECOND OFFICER.

Antonio, I arrest thee at the suit

Of Count Orsino.

ANTONIO.

You do mistake me, sir.

FIRST OFFICER.

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.

ANTONIO.

I Must obey. [To VIOLA] 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 amaz'd;

But be of comfort.

SECOND OFFICER.

Come, sir, away.

ANTONIO.

I must entreat of you some of that money.

VIOLA.

What money, sir?

For the fair kindness you have show'd me here,

And part being prompted by your present trouble,

Out of my lean and low ability

I'll lend you something. My having is not much;

I'll make division of my present with you;

Hold, there's half my coffer.

ANTONIO.

Will you deny me now?

Is't possible that my deserts to you

Can lack persuasion? Do not tempt my misery,

Lest that it make me so unsound a man

As to upbraid you with those kindnesses

That I have done for you.

VIOLA.

I know of none,

Nor know I you by voice or any feature.

I hate ingratitude more in a man

Than lying, vainness, babbling drunkenness,

Or any taint of vice whose strong corruption

Inhabits our frail blood.

ANTONIO.

O heavens themselves!

SECOND OFFICER.

Come, sir, I pray you go.

ANTONIO.

Let me speak a little. This youth that you see here

I snatch'd one half out of the jaws of death,

Reliev'd him with such sanctity of love,

And to his image, which methought did promise

Most venerable worth, did I devotion.

FIRST OFFICER.

What's that to us? The time goes by; away.

ANTONIO.

But, O, how vile an idol proves