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
_Duke._ That face of his I do remember well; 45
Yet, when I saw it last, it was besmear'd
As black as Vulcan in the smoke of war:
A bawbling vessel was he captain of,
For shallow draught and bulk unprizable;
With which such scathful grapple did he make 50
With the most noble bottom of our fleet,
That very envy and the tongue of loss
Cried fame and honour on him. What's the matter?
_First Off._ Orsino, this is that Antonio
That took the Phoenix and her fraught from Candy; 55
And this is he that did the Tiger board,
When your young nephew Titus lost his leg:
Here in the streets, desperate of shame and state,
In private brabble did we apprehend him.
_Vio._ He did me kindness, sir, drew on my side; 60
But in conclusion put strange speech upon me:
I know not what 'twas but distraction.
_Duke._ Notable pirate! thou salt-water thief!
What foolish boldness brought thee to their mercies,
Whom thou, in terms so bloody and so dear, 65
Hast made thine enemies?
_Ant._ Orsino, noble sir,
Be pleased that I shake off these names you give me:
Antonio never yet was thief or pirate,
Though I confess, on base and ground enough,
Orsino's enemy. A witchcraft drew me hither: 70
That most ingrateful boy there by your side,
From the rude sea's enraged and foamy mouth
Did I redeem; a wreck past hope he was:
His life I gave him and did thereto add
My love, without retention or restraint, 75
All his in dedication; for his sake
Did I expose myself, pure for his love,
Into the danger of this adverse town;
Drew to defend him when he was beset:
Where being apprehended, his false cunning, 80
Not meaning to partake with me in danger,
Taught him to face me out of his acquaintance,
And grew a twenty years removed thing
While one would wink; denied me mine own purse,
Which I had recommended to his use 85
Not half an hour before.
_Vio._ How can this be?
_Duke._ When came he to this town?
_Ant._ Today, my lord; and for three months before,
No interim, not a minute's vacancy,
Both day and night did we keep company. 90
_Enter_ OLIVIA _and_ Attendants.
_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.
_Oli._ What would my lord, but that he may not have, 95
Wherein Olivia may seem serviceable?
Cesario, you do not keep promise with me.
_Vio._ Madam!
_Duke._ Gracious Olivia,--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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