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John Bell [1774], Bell's Edition of Shakespeare's Plays, As they are now performed at the Theatres Royal in London; Regulated from the Prompt Books of each House By Permission; with Notes Critical and Illustrative; By the Authors of the Dramatic Censor (Printed for John Bell... and C. Etherington [etc.], York) [word count] [S10401].
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Scene SCENE. Enter Olivia.

Duke.
Here comes the countess.
But for thee, 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
Wherein Olivia may seem serviceable?
Cesario, you don't keep promise with me.

Vio.
Madam!

Duke.
Gracious Olivia!

Oli.
What do you say, Cesario?

Vio.
My lord would speak, my duty hushes me.

Oli.
If it be ought to the old tune, my lord,
It is as fat and fulsome to mine ear,
As howling after musick.

Duke.
Still so cruel?

Oli.
Still, Lord, so constant.

Duke.
What, to perverseness? you uncivil lady,
To whose ingrate and inauspicious altars,
My soul the faithfull'st offerings has breath'd out,
That e'er devotion tender'd.
Why should I not, had I the heart to do't,
* noteLike to th' Egyptian thief, at point of death,
Kill what I love? yet hear this:
Live you the marble-breasted tyrant still.
But this your minion, whom I know you love,
And whom, by heav'n I swear, I tender dearly,
Him will I tear out of that cruel eye,
Where he sits crowned in his master's spight.
Come, boy, with me;
I'll sacrifice the lamb that I do love,
To spight a raven's heart within a dove.

Vio.
And I most jocund, apt, and willingly,
To do you rest, a thousand deaths would die.

Oli.
Where goes Cesario?

-- 343 --

Vio.
After him I love,
More than I love these eyes, more than my life,
More by all mores, than e'er I shall love wife.
If I do feign, you witnesses above,
Punish my life, for tainting of my love!

Oli.
Ah me, detested! how am I beguil'd?

Vio.
Who does beguile you, who does do you wrong?

Oli.
Hast thou forgot thyself? Is it so long?
Call forth the holy father.

Duke.
Come away.
[To Viola.

Oli.
Whither, my lord; Cesario, husband, stay.

Duke.
Husband?

Oli.
Ay husband. Can he that deny?

Duke.
Her husband, sirrah?

Vio.
No, my lord, not I.

Oli.
Alas, it is the baseness of thy fear,
That makes thee strangle thy propriety:
Fear not, Cesario, take thy fortunes up,
Be that thou know'st thou art, and then thou art,
As great as that thou fear'st. Enter Priest.
O welcome, father.
Father, I charge thee by thy reverence,
Here to unfold what thou dost know
Hath newly past between this youth and me.

Priest.
A contract of eternal bond of love,
Confirm'd by mutual joinder of your hands,
Attested by the holy close of lips,
Strengthened by interchangement of your rings,
And all the ceremony of this compact,
Seal'd in my function, by my testimony:
Since when, my watch hath told me, tow'rd my grave
I have travell'd but two hours.

Duke.
O thou dissembling cub! what wilt thou be,
When time hath sow'd a grizzel on thy case?
Farewel, and take her; but direct thy feet,
Where thou and I henceforth may never meet.

-- 344 --

Vio.
My lord, I do protest—

Oli.
O, do not swear;
Hold little faith, tho' thou hast too much fear!
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John Bell [1774], Bell's Edition of Shakespeare's Plays, As they are now performed at the Theatres Royal in London; Regulated from the Prompt Books of each House By Permission; with Notes Critical and Illustrative; By the Authors of the Dramatic Censor (Printed for John Bell... and C. Etherington [etc.], York) [word count] [S10401].
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