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
_Oli._ I have said too much unto a heart of stone
And laid mine honour too unchary out:
There's something in me that reproves my fault;
But such a headstrong potent fault it is,
That it but mocks reproof. 195
_Vio._ With the same 'haviour that your passion bears
Goes on my master's grief.
_Oli._ Here, wear this jewel for me, 'tis my picture;
Refuse it not; it hath no tongue to vex you;
And I beseech you come again to-morrow. 200
What shall you ask of me that I'll deny,
That honour saved may upon asking give?
_Vio._ Nothing but this;--your true love for my master.
_Oli._ How with mine honour may I give him that
Which I have given to you?
_Vio._ I will acquit you. 205
_Oli._ Well, come again to-morrow: fare thee well:
A fiend like thee might bear my soul to hell. [_Exit._
_Re-enter_ SIR TOBY _and_ FABIAN.
_Sir To._ Gentleman, God save thee.
_Vio._ And you, sir.
_Sir To._ That defence thou hast, betake thee to't: of 210
what nature the wrongs are thou hast done him, I know
not; but thy intercepter, full of despite, bloody as the
hunter, attends thee at the orchard-end: dismount thy tuck,
be yare in thy preparation, for thy assailant is quick, skilful
and deadly. 215
_Vio._ You mistake, sir; I am sure no man hath any
quarrel to me: my remembrance is very free and clear
from any image of offence done to any man.
_Sir To._ You'll find it otherwise, I assure you: therefore,
if you hold your life at any price, betake you to your 220
guard; for your opposite hath in him what youth, strength,
skill and wrath can furnish man withal.
_Vio._ I pray you, sir, what is he?
_Sir To._ He is knight, dubbed with unhatched rapier
and on carpet consideration; but he is a devil in private 225
brawl: souls and bodies hath he divorced three; and his incensement
at this moment is so implacable, that satisfaction
can be none but by pangs of death and sepulchre. Hob,
nob, is his word; give't or take't.
_Vio._ I will return again into the house and desire some 230
conduct of the lady. I am no fighter. I have heard of
some kind of men that put quarrels purposely on others, to
taste their valour: belike this is a man of that quirk.
_Sir To._ Sir, no; his indignation derives itself out of a
very competent injury: therefore, get you on and give him 235
his desire. Back you shall not to the house, unless you undertake
that with me which with as much safety you might
answer him: therefore, on, or strip your sword stark naked;
for meddle you must, that's certain, or forswear to wear iron
about you. 240
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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