The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 3 of 9]Shakespeare, William
General
The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 3 of 9]
Shakespeare, William
English drama
[_Reads_] If this fall into thy hand, revolve. In my stars I am above
thee; but be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve
greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em. Thy Fates open 130
their hands; let thy blood and spirit embrace them; and, to inure
thyself to what thou art like to be, cast thy humble slough and appear
fresh. Be opposite with a kinsman, surly with servants; let thy
tongue tang arguments of state; put thyself into the trick of
singularity: she thus advises thee that sighs for thee. Remember who 135
commended thy yellow stockings, and wished to see thee ever
cross-gartered: I say, remember. Go to, thou art made, if thou desirest
to be so; if not, let me see thee a steward still, the fellow of
servants, and not worthy to touch Fortune's fingers. Farewell. She that
would alter services with thee, 140
THE FORTUNATE-UNHAPPY.
Daylight and champain discovers not more: this is open.
I will be proud, I will read politic authors, I will baffle Sir
Toby, I will wash off gross acquaintance, I will be point-devise
the very man. I do not now fool myself, to let imagination 145
jade me; for every reason excites to this, that my lady
loves me. She did commend my yellow stockings of late,
she did praise my leg being cross-gartered; and in this she
manifests herself to my love, and with a kind of injunction
drives me to these habits of her liking. I thank my stars I 150
am happy. I will be strange, stout, in yellow stockings, and
cross-gartered, even with the swiftness of putting on. Jove
and my stars be praised! Here is yet a postscript.
[_Reads_] Thou canst not choose but know who I am. If thou entertainest
my love, let it appear in thy smiling; thy smiles become 155
thee well; therefore in my presence still smile, dear my sweet,
I prithee.
Jove, I thank thee: I will smile; I will do every thing that
thou wilt have me. [_Exit._
_Fab._ I will not give my part of this sport for a pension
of thousands to be paid from the Sophy. 160
_Sir To._ I could marry this wench for this device.
_Sir And._ So could I too.
_Sir To._ And ask no other dowry with her but such
another jest.
_Sir And._ Nor I neither. 165
_Fab._ Here comes my noble gull-catcher.
_Re-enter_ MARIA.
_Sir To._ Wilt thou set thy foot o' my neck?
_Sir And._ Or o' mine either?
_Sir To._ Shall I play my freedom at tray-trip, and become
thy bond-slave? 170
_Sir And._ I' faith, or I either?
_Sir To._ Why, thou hast put him in such a dream, that
when the image of it leaves him he must run mad.
_Mar._ Nay, but say true; does it work upon him?
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