Andrew.
Sir To.
Why, man, he's a very devil; I have not
seen such a virago: I had a pass with him, rapier,
scabbard, and all; and he gives me the stuck-in with
such a mortal motion, that it is inevitable; and on
the answer, he pays you as surely 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 meddle with him.
Sir To.
Ay, but he will not now be pacified.
Fabian can scarce hold him, yonder.
Sir And.
Plague on't, if I thought he had been
valiant, and so cunning in fence, I'd have seen him
damn'd, ere I'd have challeng'd him. Let him let
the matter slip, and I'll give him my horse, grey
Capilet.
Sir To.
I'll make the motion; stand here, make a
good shew on't, this shall end, without the perdition
of souls; marry, I'll ride your horse, as well as I
ride you.
[Aside.
Enter Fabian and Viola.
I have his horse to take up the quarrel, I have persuaded
him the youth's a devil.
[To Fabian.
Fab.
He is horribly conceited of him; and pants
and looks pale, as if a bear were at his heels.
Sir To.
There's no remedy, Sir, he will fight with
you, for's oath sake; marry, he hath better bethought
him of his quarrel, and he finds that now
scarce to be worth talking of; therefore draw, for
the supportance of his vow, he protests he will not
hurt you.
Vio.
Pray heav'n 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, 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
-- 366 --
has promis'd me, as he is a gentleman and a soldier,
he will not hurt you. Come on, to't.
[They draw.
Sir And.
Pray heav'n he keep his oath!
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].
