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DUKE.

Here comes the Countess; now heaven walks on earth.

But for thee, fellow- fellow, thy words are madness.

Three months this youth hath tended upon me-

But more of that anon. Take him aside.

OLIVIA.

What would my lord, but that he may not have,

Wherein Olivia may seem serviceable?

Cesario, you do not keep promise with me.

VIOLA.

Madam?

DUKE.

Gracious Olivia-

OLIVIA.

What do you say, Cesario? Good my lord-

VIOLA.

My lord would speak; my duty hushes me.

OLIVIA.

If it be aught to the old tune, my lord,

It is as fat and fulsome to mine ear

As howling after music.

DUKE.

Still so cruel?

OLIVIA.

Still so constant, lord.

DUKE.

What, to perverseness? You uncivil lady,

To whose ingrate and unauspicious altars

My soul the faithfull'st off'rings hath breath'd out

That e'er devotion tender'd! What shall I do?

OLIVIA.

Even what it please my lord, that shall become him.

DUKE.

Why should I not, had I the heart to do it,

Like to the Egyptian thief at point of death,

Kill what I love?- a savage jealousy

That sometime savours nobly. But hear me this:

Since you to non-regardance cast my faith,

And that I partly know the instrument

That screws me from my true place in your favour,

Live you the marble-breasted tyrant still;

But this your minion, whom I know you love,

And whom, by heaven I swear, I tender dearly,

Him will I tear out of that cruel eye

Where he sits crowned in his master's spite.

Come, boy, with me; my thoughts are ripe in mischief:

I'll sacrifice the lamb that I do love

To spite a raven's heart within a dove.

VIOLA.

And I, most jocund, apt, and willingly,

To do you rest, a thousand deaths would die.

OLIVIA.

Where goes Cesario?

VIOLA.

After him I love

More than I love these eyes, more than my life,

More, by all mores, than e'er I shall love wife.

If I do feign, you witnesses above

Punish my life for tainting of my love!

OLIVIA.

Ay me, detested! How am I beguil'd!

VIOLA.

Who does beguile you? Who does do you wrong?

OLIVIA.

Hast thou forgot thyself? Is it so long?

Call forth the holy father. Exit an ATTENDANT

DUKE.

Come, away!

OLIVIA.

Whither, my lord? Cesario, husband, stay.

DUKE.

Husband?

OLIVIA.

Ay, husband; can he that deny?

DUKE.

Her husband, sirrah?

VIOLA.

No, my lord, not I.

OLIVIA.

Alas, it is the baseness of thy fear

That makes thee strangle thy propriety.

Fear not, Cesario, take thy fortunes up;

Be that thou know'st thou art, and then thou art

As great as that thou fear'st.

Enter PRIEST

O, welcome, father!

Father, I charge thee, by thy reverence,

Here to unfold- though lately we intended

To keep in darkness what occasion now

Reveals before 'tis ripe- what thou dost know

Hath newly pass'd between this youth and me.

PRIEST.

A contract of eternal bond of love,

Confirm'd by mutual joinder of your hands,

Attested by the holy close of lips,

Strength'ned by interchangement of your rings;

And all the ceremony of this compact

Seal'd in my function, by my testimony;

Since when, my watch hath told me, toward my grave,

I have travell'd but two hours.

DUKE.

O thou dissembling cub! What wilt thou be,

When time hath sow'd a grizzle on thy case?

Or will not else thy craft so quickly grow

That thine own trip shall be thine overthrow?

Farewell, and take her; but direct thy feet

Where thou and I henceforth may never meet.

VIOLA.

My lord, I do protest-

OLIVIA.

O, do not swear!

Hold little faith, though thou has too much fear.

Enter SIR ANDREW

AGUECHEEK.

For the love of God, a surgeon!

Send one presently to Sir Toby.

OLIVIA.

What's the matter?

AGUECHEEK.

Has broke my head across, and has given Sir Toby a

bloody coxcomb too. For the love of God, your help! I had rather

than forty pound I were at home.

OLIVIA.

Who has done this, Sir Andrew?

AGUECHEEK.

The Count's gentleman, one Cesario. We took him for a

coward, but he's the very devil incardinate.

DUKE.

My gentleman, Cesario?

AGUECHEEK.

Od's lifelings, here he is!