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Re-enter Sir Toby, and Fabian.

Sir To. Gentleman, God fave thee.

Vio. And you, fir.

Sir To. That defence thou haft, betake thee to't: of what nature the wrongs are thou haft done him, I know not; but thy intercepter, full of defpight, bloody as the hunter, attends thee at the orchard end: difmount thy tuck, beyare in thy preparation, for thy affailant is quick, fkilful and deadly.

Vio. You mistake, fir; I am fure, 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 otherwife, I affure you: therefore, if you hold your life at any price, betake you to your guard; for your oppofite hath in him what youth, ftrength, fkill, and wrath, can furnifh man withal. Vio. I pray you, fir, what is he?

f

Sir To. He is knight, dubb'd with unhack'd rapier, and on carpet confideration; but he is a devil in private brawl: fouls and bodies hath he divorc'd three; and his incenfement at this moment is fo implacable, that fatisfaction can be none but by pangs of death and fepulcher: hob, nob, is his word; give't, or take't.

Vio. I will return again into the house, and defire fome " conduct of the lady. I am no fighter. I have heard of fome kind of men, that put quarrels purpofely on others to taste their valour; belike, this is a man of that 'quirk.

d intercepter,]-antagonist.

yare]-dextrous, nimble; put thyself inftantly into a posture of

defence.

with unhac'kd rapier, and on carpet confideration ;]-not in the field, but at a feftival-alluding to the frequent and indifcriminate profufion of that Title, about the time of this play.

bob, nob,]-hab, nab, let it happen or not.
conduct]-fafe conduct.

i

quirk.]-turn.

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Sir To. Sir, no; his indignation derives itself out of a very competent injury; therefore, get you on, and give him his defire. Back you fhall not to the house, unless you undertake that with me, which with as much safety you might answer him: therefore, on, and ftrip your sword stark naked; for 'meddle you must, that's certain, or forfwear to wear iron about you.

k

Vio. This is as uncivil, as ftrange. I beseech you, do me this courteous office, as to know of the knight what my offence to him is; " it is fomething of my negligence, nothing of my purpose.

m

Sir To. I will do fo. Signior Fabian, ftay you by this gentleman till my return.

[Exit Sir Toby. Vio. Pray you, fir, do you know of this matter? Fab. I know, the knight is incens'd against you, even to a mortal arbitrement; but nothing of the circumstance more.

Vio. I beseech you, what manner of man is he?

Fab. Nothing of that wonderful promife, to read him by his form, as you are like to find him in the proof of his valour. He is, indeed, fir, the most skilful, bloody, and fatal opposite that you could poffibly have found in any part of Illyria: Will you walk towards him? I will make your peace with him, if I can.

Vio. I fhall be much bound to you for't: I am one, that had rather go with fir prieft, than fir knight: I care not who knows fo much of my mettle.

Re-enter Sir Toby, with Sir Andrew.

[Exeunt.

Sir To. Why, man, he's a very devil; I have not seen fuch a virago. I had a pass with him, rapier, fcabbard,

k on or ftrip

1 meddle]-engage.

it is fomething of my negligence, &c.]-it muft proceed from overfight, not defign.

n

a mortal arbitrement;]-a decifion by Duel.

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virago]-blufterer-firago-fury.

and

and all, and he gives me the ' ftuck in with fuch a mortal motion, that it is inevitable; and on the answer, he pays you as furely as your feet hit the ground they step on : They say, he has been fencer to the Sophy.

Sir And. Pox on't, I'll not medle with him.

Sir To. Ay, but he will not now be pacified: Fabian can fcarce hold him yonder.

Sir And. Plague on't; an I thought he had been valiant, and fo cunning in fence, I'd have seen him damn'd ere I'd have challeng'd him. Let him let the matter flip, and I'll give him my horfe, grey Capilet.

Sir To. I'll make the motion: Stand here, make a good fhew on't; this shall end without the perdition of fouls: Marry, I'll ride your horfe as well as I ride you. [Afide.

Re-enter Fabian and Viola.

I have his horse to take up the quarrel; I have perfuaded him, the youth's a devil. [To Fabian. Fab. He is as horribly conceited of him; and pants, and looks pale, as if a bear were at his heels.

Sir To. There's no remedy, fir, he will fight with you for's oath fake: marry, he had better bethought him of his quarrel, and he finds that now scarce to be worth talking of therefore draw for the fupportance of his vow; he protests, he will not hurt you,

Vio. Pray God defend me! A little thing would make me tell them how much I lack of a man.

Fab. Give ground, if you see him furious.

Sir To. Come, fir Andrew, there's no remedy; the gentleman will for his honour's fake, have one bout with you: he cannot by the duello avoid it: but he has promis'd

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Pftuck in]-the close thrust.

by the duello]-the laws of combat.

M m 4

me,

me, as he is a gentleman and a foldier, he will not hurt

you. Come on; to't.

Sir And. Pray God, he keep his oath!

Enter Antonio.

[They draw.

Vio. I do affure you, 'tis against my will.
Ant. Put up your fword; 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, fir? why, what are you?

[Drawing.

Ant. One, fir, that for his love dares yet to do more

Than you have heard him brag to you he will.

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Sir To. Nay, if you be an undertaker, I am for you.

Enter Officers.

[Draws.

Fab. O good fir Toby, hold; here come the officers.

Sir To. I'll be with you anon.

Vio. Pray, fir, put your

fword up, if you please.

[To Sir Andrew.

Sir And. Marry, will I, fir, and, for that I promis'd you, I'll be as good as my word:-He will bear you eafily, and reins well.

I Off. This is the man; do thy office.

2 Off. Antonio, I arreft thee at the fuit of count Orfino.

Ant. You do mistake me, fir.

1 Off. No, fir, no jot; I know your favour well, Though now you have no fea-cap on your head.Take him away; he knows, I know him well.

Ant. I must obey.-This comes with feeking you; But there's no remedy; I shall answer it.

What will

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you

do? Now my neceffity

an undertaker,]-an intermeddler in other men's quarrels.
favour]-face.

Makes

Makes me to ask you for my purfe: It grieves me
Much more, for what I cannot do for you,
Than what befals myself. You ftand amaz'd;
But be of comfort.

2 Off. Come, fir, away.

Ant. I must entreat of you fome of that money.
Vio. What money, fir?

For the fair kindness you have fhew'd me here,

And, part, being prompted by your present trouble,

Out of my lean and low ability

I'll lend you fomething: my having is not much;
I'll make divifion of my prefent with you:
Hold, there's half my coffer.

Ant. Will you deny me now?

Is't poffible, that my deserts to you

Can lack perfuafion? Do not tempt my mifery,
Left that it make me fo unfound a man,
As to upbraid you with thofe kindnesses
That I have done for you.

Vio. I know of none;

Nor know I you by voice, or any feature :
I hate ingratitude more in a man,

Than lying, vainness, babbling drunkenness,

Or any taint of vice, whose strong corruption
Inhabits our frail blood.

Ant. O heavens themselves!

2 Off. Come, fir, I pray you, go.

Ant. Let me fpeak a little. This youth that you see here,

I fnatch'd one half out of the jaws of death;
Reliev'd him with fuch fanctity of love,

And to his image, which, methought, did promise
Most venerable worth, did I devotion.

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