Mal. As hell, fir Topas.

Clo. Why, it hath " bay windows tranfparent as barricadoes, and the clear ftones towards the fouth-north are as luftrous as ebony; and yet complainest thou of obstruction ?

Mal. I am not mad, fir Topas; I fay to you, this house is dark.

Clo. Madman, thou erreft: I say, there is no darkness, but ignorance; in which thou art more puzzled, than the Egyptians in their fog.

Mal. I fay, this houfe is as dark as ignorance, though ignorance were as dark as hell; and I fay, there was never man thus abus'd: I am no more mad than you are, make the trial of it in any conftant question.

Clo. What is the opinion of Pythagoras, concerning wild-fowl ?

Mal. That the foul of our grandam might haply inhabit a bird.

Clo. What think'ft thou of his opinion?

Mal. I think nobly of the foul, and no way approve his opinion.

Clo. Fare thee well: Remain thou ftill in darkness: thou fhalt hold the opinion of Pythagoras, ere I will allow of thy wits; and fear to kill a woodcock, left thou difpoffefs the foul of thy grandam. Fare thee well.

Mal. Sir Topas, fir Topas,

Sir To. My moft exquifite fir Topas !

P

Clo. Nay, I am for all waters.

Mar. Thou might'ft have done this without thy beard. and gown; he fees thee not.

Sir To. To him in thine own voice, and bring me word how thou find'ft him: I would we were all rid of this

n bow.

o

• conftant]-regular, determinate.

I am for all waters.]-like a true spaniel; can put on all characters; have a cloak for all kinds of knavery.

knavery.

knavery. If he may be conveniently deliver'd, I would he were; for I am now fo far in offence with my niece, that I cannot pursue with any fafety this fport to the upshot. Come by and by to my chamber. [Exit with Maria. Clo. Hey Robin, jolly Robin,

9

Tell me how thy lady does.

Mal. Fool,

Clo. My lady is unkind, perdy.

Mal. Fool,

Clo. Alas, why is fhe fo?

Mal. Fool, I fay ;

Clo. She loves another--Who calls, ha?

[Singing.

Mal. Good fool, as ever thou wilt deferve well at my hand, help me to a candle, and pen, ink, and paper; as I am a gentleman, I will live to be thankful to thee for't. Clo. Mafter Malvolio!

Mal. Ay, good fool.

Clo. Alas, fir, how fell you befide your five wits? Mal. Fool, there was never man fo notoriously abus'd: I am as well in my wits, fool, as thou art.

Clo. But as well? then you are mad, indeed, if you be no better in your wits than a fool.

Mal. They have here ' property'd me; keep me in darkness, send minifters to me, affes, and do all they can to face me out of my wits.

Clo. Advise you what you fay; the minifter is here.Malvolio, Malvolio, thy wits the heavens restore! endeavour thyself to fleep, and leave thy vain bibble babble.

property'd me ;]-feized me, and ufe me as a property, as a begg'd fool. • Malvolio, Malvolio,]-Here the Clown fupports a double part, counterfeiting, by turns, the voice of Sir Topas.

Mal.

Mal. Sir Topas,

Clo. Maintain no words with him, good fellow-Who, I, fir? not, I, fir. God b'w'you, good fir Topas.-Marry, amen.-I will, fir, I will.

Mal. Fool, fool, fool, I fay,—

Clo. Alas, fir, be patient. What say you, fir? I am fhent for fpeaking to you.

Mal. Good fool, help me to fome light, and fome paper; I tell thee, I am as well in my wits, as any man in Illyria.

Clo. Well-a-day,-that you were, fir!

Mal. By this hand, I am: Good fool, fome ink, paper, and light, and convey what I fet down to my lady; it shall advantage thee more than ever the bearing of letter did.

Clo. I will help you to't. But tell me true," are you not mad indeed, or do you but counterfeit ?

Mal. Believe me, I am not; I tell thee true.

Clo. Nay, I'll ne'er believe a mad man, 'till I fee his brains. I will fetch you light, and paper, and ink. Mal. Fool, I'll requite it in the highest degree: I pr'ythee, begone.

Clo.

t

u

fhent]-abused, rated.

[Singing.

are you not mad indeed, or do you but counterfeit ?]-are you really, or do you only pretend to be in your right senses?

the old vice.]-the droll in old plays.

VOL. II.

N n

Cries

Seb. This is the air; that is the glorious fun;
This pearl fhe gave me, I do feel't, and fee't:
And though 'tis wonder that enwraps me thus,
Yet 'tis not madness. Where's Antonio then?
I could not find him at the Elephant ;

Yet there he was; and there I found this credit,
That he did range the town to seek me out.
His counsel now might do me golden service:
For though my foul difputes well with my fenfe,
That this may be fome error, but no madness,
Yet doth this accident and flood of fortune
So far exceed all inftance, all discourse,
That I am ready to diftruft mine eyes,

And wrangle with my reason, that perfuades me
To any other truft, but that I am mad,

a

Or elfe the lady's mad; yet, if 'twere fo,

She could not fway her house, command her followers,
Take, and give back, affairs, and their dispatch,
With such a smooth, difcreet, and ftable bearing,
As, I perceive, fhe does: there's fomething in't,
That is deceivable. But here the lady comes.

x devil.

Y credited-credibly avouched, reported of him; this account current. inftance, difcourfe,]-example-probability.

a truft,]-fentiment.

Enter

Enter Olivia, and a Priest.

Oli. Blame not this hafte of mine: If you mean well,

Now go with me, and with this holy man,

b

Into the chantry by there, before him,
And underneath that confecrated roof,

Plight me the full affurance of your faith;
That my most jealous and too doubtful foul
May live at peace: He fhall conceal it,

< Whiles you are willing it fhall come to note; What time we will our celebration keep According to my birth.-What do you say?

Seb. I'll follow this good man, and go with you; And, having fworn truth, ever will be true.

Oli. Then lead the way, good father;--And heavens

so shine,

That they may fairly note this act of mine!

[Exeunt.

ACT V. SCENE I.

The Street.

Enter Clown, and Fabian.

Fab. Now, as thou lov't me, let me fee his letter.
Clo. Good mafter Fabian, grant me another request.
Fab. Any thing.

Clo. Do not defire to fee this letter.

Fab. That is, to give a dog, and, in recompence, defire my dog again.

chantry]-chapel.

Whiles-Until.

truth,]-fidelity.

Nn 2

Enter