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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.

Give me your hand, Sir.

Vio.

My duty, madam, and most humble service.

Oli.

What is your name?

Vio.

Cesario is your servant's name, fair princess.

Oli.
My servant, Sir? 'Twas never merry world,
Since lowly feigning was call'd compliment:
Y'are servant to the duke Orsino, youth.

Vio.
And he is yours, and his must needs be yours:
Your servant's servant is your servant, madam.

Oli.
For him, I think not on him: for his thoughts,
Would they were blanks, rather than fill'd with me.

Vio.
Madam, I come to whet your gentle thoughts,
On his behalf.

Oli.
O, by your leave, I pray you;
I bade you never speak again of him.
But would you undertake another suit,
I'd rather hear you to solicit that,
Than musick from the spheres.

Vio.
O dearest lady,—

Oli.
Give me leave, I beseech you: I did send,
After the last enchantment (you did hear)
A ring in chase of you. So did I abuse
Myself, my servant, and, I fear me, you;
Under your hard construction must I sit,
To force that on you in a shameful cunning,
Which you knew none of yours. What might you think?
Have you not set mine honour at the stake,

-- 352 --


And baited it with all th' unmuzzled* note thoughts
That tyrannous heart can think? to your receiving
Enough is shewn; a cypress,† note not a bosom,
Hides my poor heart. So let us hear you speak.

Vio.
I pity you.

Oli.
That's a degree of love.

Vio.
No not a grice:‡ note for 'tis a vulgar proof,
That very oft we pity enemies.

Oli.
Why then methinks 'tis time to smile again;
O world, how apt the poor are to be proud!
If one should be a prey, how much the better,
To fall before the lion, than the wolf! [Clock strikes.
The clock upbraids me with the waste of time.
Be not afraid, good youth, I will not have you;
And yet when wit and youth are come to harvest,
Your wife is like to reap a proper man:
There lies your way, due west.

Vio.
Then westward, hoa!
Grace and good disposition attend your ladyship,
You'll nothing, madam, to my lord, by me?

Oli.
Stay; pr'ythee tell me what thou think'st of me?

Vio.
That you do think, you are not what you are.

Oli.
If I think so, I think the same of you.

Vio.
Then think you right: I am not what I am.

Oli.
I would you were as I would have you be!

Vio.
Would it were better, madam, than I am.§ note




Oli.
Cesario, by the roses of the spring,
By maid-hood, honour, truth, and ev'ry thing,

-- 353 --


I love thee so, that maugre* note all thy pride,
Nor wit nor reason can my passion hide.
Do not extort thy reasons from this clause,
For that I woo; thou therefore hast no cause:
But rather reason thus with reason fetter:
Love sought is good; but given unsought, is better.

Vio.
By innocence I swear, and by my youth,
I have one heart, one bosom, and one truth;
And that no woman has, nor never none
Shall mistress be of it.

Oli.
Save I alone!

Vio.
And so adieu, good madam; never more
Will I my master's tears to you deplore.

Oli.
Yet come again; for thou perhaps may'st move
That heart, which now abhors to like his love.
[Exeunt. (Olivia introduces a song.)
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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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