SCENE X.
Enter Sir Andrew.
Fab.
More matter for a May morning.
Sir And.
Here's the challenge, read it: I warrant,
there's vinegar and pepper in't.
Fab.
Is't so sawcy?
Sir And.
Ay, is't? I warrant him: do but read.
Sir To.
Give me.
[Sir Toby reads.
Youth, whatsoever thou art, thou art but a scurvy
fellow.
Fab.
Good and valiant.
Sir To.
Wonder not, nor admire not in thy mind why
I do call thee so; for I will shew thee no reason for't.
Fab.
A good note; That keeps you from the blow
of the law.
Sir To.
Thou com'st to the Lady Olivia, and in my
sight she uses thee kindly; but thou liest in thy throat,
that is not the matter I challenge thee for.
Fab.
Very brief, and exceeding good sense-less.
Sir To.
I will way-lay thee going home, where if it
be thy chance to kill me—
Fab.
Good.
Sir To.
Thou kill'st me like a rogue and a villain.
Fab.
Still you keep o'th' windy side of the law:
good.
-- 417 --
Sir To.
Fare thee well, and God have mercy upon one
of our souls: he may have mercy upon mine,1 note
but my hope
is better, and so look to thyself. Thy friend as thou
usest him, and thy sworn enemy, Andrew Ague-cheek.
Sir To.
If this letter move him not, his legs cannot:
I'll give't him.
Mar.
You may have very fit occasion for't: he is
now in some commerce with my Lady, and will by-and-by
depart.
Sir To.
Go, Sir Andrew, scout me for him at the
corner of the orchard like a bum-bailiff; so soon as
ever thou seest him, draw; and, as thou drawst, swear
horribly; for it comes to pass oft, that a terrible oath,
with a swaggering accent sharply twang'd off, gives
manhood more approbation than ever proof itself would
have earn'd him. Away.
Sir And.
Nay, let me alone for swearing.
[Exit.
Sir To.
Now will not I deliver his letter; for the
behaviour of the young gentleman gives him out to
be of good capacity and breeding; his employment
between his Lord and my niece confirms no less; therefore
this letter, being so excellently ignorant, will
breed no terror in the youth; he will find, that it
comes from a clodpole. But, Sir, I will deliver his
challenge by word of mouth; set upon Ague-cheek a
notable report of valour; and drive the gentleman,
(as, I know, his youth will aptly receive it,) into a
most hideous opinion of his rage, skill, fury, and impetuosity.
This will so fright them both, that they
will kill one another by the look, like cockatrices.
-- 418 --
Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
