_Vio._ [_Draws her Sword._] Pray heaven defend me!--[_Aside._] A
little thing would make me tell them how much I lack of a man.
_Fab._ [_To_ VIOLA.] Give ground, if you see him furious.
_Sir To._ 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 promised me, as he is a gentleman and a soldier, he
will not hurt you. Come on; to 't.
_Sir And._ [_Draws._] Pray heaven, he keep his oath!
_Vio._ I do assure you, 'tis against my will.
[_They fight._--SIR TOBY _and_ FABIAN _urge on_ SIR ANDREW _and_ VIOLA.
_Enter_ ANTONIO, _who runs between_ SIR ANDREW _and_ VIOLA.
_Ant._ 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 To._ You, sir? Why, what are you?
_Ant._ [_Draws._] One, sir, that for his love dares yet do more
Than you have heard him brag to you he will.
_Sir To._ [_Draws._] Nay, if you be an undertaker, I
am for you.
[SIR TOBY _and_ ANTONIO _fight_.]
[SIR ANDREW _hides himself behind the Trees_.--VIOLA _retires a
little_.]
_Fab._ [_Parts them._] O good Sir Toby, hold; here come the
officers.
_Sir To._ [_To_ ANTONIO.] I'll be with you anon. [ANTONIO _shows
great alarm_--SIR TOBY _sheathes his sword_.]--Sir knight,--Sir
Andrew,--
_Sir And._ Here I am.
_Sir To._ What, man!--Come on. [_Brings_ SIR ANDREW _forward_.]
_Vio._ [_Advances._] 'Pray, sir, [_To_ SIR ANDREW.] put up your
sword, if you please.
_Sir And._ Marry, will I, sir;--and, for that I promised you, I'll
be as good as my word: He will bear you easily, and reins well.
_Enter two Officers of Justice._
_1 Off._ This is the man; do thy office.
_2 Off._ Antonio, I arrest thee at the suit
Of Duke Orsino.
_Ant._ You do mistake me, sir.
_1 Off._ No, sir, no jot; I know your favour well.--
Take him away; he knows, I know him well.
_Ant._ I must obey.--This comes with seeking you;
But there's no remedy.
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 amazed;
But be of comfort.
_1 Off._ Come, sir, away.
_Ant._ I must entreat of you some of that money.
_Vio._ What money, sir?
For the fair kindness you have showed 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 is half my coffer.
_Ant._ 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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account