No Fear Shakespeare: Twelfth Night: Act 3 Scene 1

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Twelfth Night

William Shakespeare

Act 3 Scene 1

Original Text

Modern Text

Original Text

Modern Text

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Original Text	Modern Text
Enter VIOLA , and the FOOL playing with a tabor	Enter VIOLA , and the FOOL playing with a tabor
VIOLA Save thee, friend, and thy music. Dost thou live by thy tabour?	VIOLA Save thee, friend, and thy music. Dost thou live by thy tabour?
FOOL No, sir, I live by the church.	FOOL No, sir, I live by the church.
VIOLA Art thou a churchman?	VIOLA Art thou a churchman?
FOOL No such matter, sir. I do live by the church; for I do live at my house, and my house doth stand by the church.	FOOL No such matter, sir. I do live by the church; for I do live at my house, and my house doth stand by the church.
VIOLA So thou mayst say the king lies by a beggar if a beggar dwell near him, or the church stands by thy tabor, if thy tabor stand by the church.	VIOLA So thou mayst say the king lies by a beggar if a beggar dwell near him, or the church stands by thy tabor, if thy tabor stand by the church.
FOOL You have said, sir. To see this age! A sentence is but a cheveril glove to a good wit. How quickly the wrong side may be turned outward!	FOOL You have said, sir. To see this age! A sentence is but a cheveril glove to a good wit. How quickly the wrong side may be turned outward!
VIOLA Nay, that’s certain. They that dally nicely with words may quickly make them wanton.	VIOLA Nay, that’s certain. They that dally nicely with words may quickly make them wanton.
FOOL 15 I would therefore my sister had no name, sir.	FOOL I would therefore my sister had no name, sir.
VIOLA Why, man?	VIOLA Why, man?
FOOL Why, sir, her name’s a word, and to dally with that word might make my sister wanton. But, indeed, words are very rascals since bonds disgraced them.	FOOL Why, sir, her name’s a word, and to dally with that word might make my sister wanton. But, indeed, words are very rascals since bonds disgraced them.
VIOLA 20 Thy reason, man?	VIOLA Thy reason, man?
FOOL Troth, sir, I can yield you none without words, and words are grown so false, I am loath to prove reason with them.	FOOL Troth, sir, I can yield you none without words, and words are grown so false, I am loath to prove reason with them.
VIOLA I warrant thou art a merry fellow and carest for nothing.	VIOLA I warrant thou art a merry fellow and carest for nothing.
FOOL Not so, sir, I do care for something. But in my conscience, sir, I do not care for you. If that be to care for nothing, sir, I would it would make you invisible.	FOOL Not so, sir, I do care for something. But in my conscience, sir, I do not care for you. If that be to care for nothing, sir, I would it would make you invisible.
VIOLA Art not thou the Lady Olivia’s fool?	VIOLA Art not thou the Lady Olivia’s fool?
FOOL No, indeed, sir; the Lady Olivia has no folly. She will keep no fool, sir, till she be married, and fools are as like husbands as pilchards are to herrings; the husband’s the bigger: I am indeed not her fool, but her corrupter of words.	FOOL No, indeed, sir; the Lady Olivia has no folly. She will keep no fool, sir, till she be married, and fools are as like husbands as pilchards are to herrings; the husband’s the bigger: I am indeed not her fool, but her corrupter of words.
VIOLA I saw thee late at the Count Orsino’s.	VIOLA I saw thee late at the Count Orsino’s.
FOOL Foolery, sir, does walk about the orb like the sun. It shines everywhere. I would be sorry, sir, but the fool should be as oft with your master as with my mistress: I think I saw your wisdom there.	FOOL Foolery, sir, does walk about the orb like the sun. It shines everywhere. I would be sorry, sir, but the fool should be as oft with your master as with my mistress: I think I saw your wisdom there.
VIOLA Nay, an thou pass upon me, I’ll no more with thee. Hold, there’s expenses for thee.	VIOLA Nay, an thou pass upon me, I’ll no more with thee. Hold, there’s expenses for thee.
FOOL Now Jove, in his next commodity of hair, send thee a beard!	FOOL Now Jove, in his next commodity of hair, send thee a beard!
VIOLA By my troth, I’ll tell thee, I am almost sick for one, (aside) though I would not have it grow on my chin. (to fool) Is thy lady within?	VIOLA By my troth, I’ll tell thee, I am almost sick for one, (aside) though I would not have it grow on my chin. (to fool) Is thy lady within?
FOOL Would not a pair of these have bred, sir?	FOOL Would not a pair of these have bred, sir?
VIOLA Yes, being kept together and put to use.	VIOLA Yes, being kept together and put to use.
FOOL 45 I would play Lord Pandarus of Phrygia, sir, to bring a Cressida to this Troilus.	FOOL I would play Lord Pandarus of Phrygia, sir, to bring a Cressida to this Troilus.
VIOLA (giving him money) I understand you, sir. 'Tis well begged.	VIOLA (giving him money) I understand you, sir. 'Tis well begged.
FOOL The matter, I hope, is not great, sir, begging but a beggar. Cressida was a beggar. My lady is within, sir. I will construe to them whence you come. Who you are and what you would are out of my welkin, I might say “element,” but the word is overworn.	FOOL The matter, I hope, is not great, sir, begging but a beggar. Cressida was a beggar. My lady is within, sir. I will construe to them whence you come. Who you are and what you would are out of my welkin, I might say “element,” but the word is overworn.
Exit	Exit
VIOLA This fellow is wise enough to play the fool, And to do that well craves a kind of wit. 55 He must observe their mood on whom he jests, The quality of persons, and the time, And, like the haggard, check at every feather That comes before his eye. This is a practise As full of labor as a wise man’s art, 60 For folly that he wisely shows is fit. But wise men, folly-fall'n, quite taint their wit.	VIOLA This fellow is wise enough to play the fool, And to do that well craves a kind of wit. He must observe their mood on whom he jests, The quality of persons, and the time, And, like the haggard, check at every feather That comes before his eye. This is a practise As full of labor as a wise man’s art, For folly that he wisely shows is fit. But wise men, folly-fall'n, quite taint their wit.
Enter SIR TOBY BELCH , and SIR ANDREW	Enter SIR TOBY BELCH , and SIR ANDREW
SIR TOBY BELCH Save you, gentleman.	SIR TOBY BELCH Save you, gentleman.
VIOLA And you, sir.	VIOLA And you, sir.
SIR ANDREW Dieu vous garde, monsieur.	SIR ANDREW Dieu vous garde, monsieur.
VIOLA Et vous aussi. Votre serviteur!	VIOLA Et vous aussi. Votre serviteur!
SIR ANDREW I hope, sir, you are, and I am yours.	SIR ANDREW I hope, sir, you are, and I am yours.
SIR TOBY BELCH Will you encounter the house? My niece is desirous you should enter, if your trade be to her.	SIR TOBY BELCH Will you encounter the house? My niece is desirous you should enter, if your trade be to her.
VIOLA I am bound to your niece, sir. I mean, she is the list of my voyage.	VIOLA I am bound to your niece, sir. I mean, she is the list of my voyage.
SIR TOBY BELCH Taste your legs, sir. Put them to motion.	SIR TOBY BELCH Taste your legs, sir. Put them to motion.
VIOLA My legs do better understand me, sir, than I understand what you mean by bidding me taste my legs.	VIOLA My legs do better understand me, sir, than I understand what you mean by bidding me taste my legs.
SIR TOBY BELCH I mean, to go, sir, to enter.	SIR TOBY BELCH I mean, to go, sir, to enter.
VIOLA I will answer you with gait and entrance. But we are prevented.	VIOLA I will answer you with gait and entrance. But we are prevented.
Enter OLIVIA and MARIA	Enter OLIVIA and MARIA
Most excellent accomplished lady, the heavens rain odors on you!	Most excellent accomplished lady, the heavens rain odors on you!
SIR ANDREW (aside) That youth’s a rare courtier. “Rain odors.” Well.	SIR ANDREW (aside) That youth’s a rare courtier. “Rain odors.” Well.
VIOLA My matter hath no voice, lady, but to your own most pregnant and vouchsafed ear.	VIOLA My matter hath no voice, lady, but to your own most pregnant and vouchsafed ear.
SIR ANDREW (aside) “Odors,” “pregnant,” and “vouchsafed.” I’ll get 'em all three all ready.	SIR ANDREW (aside) “Odors,” “pregnant,” and “vouchsafed.” I’ll get 'em all three all ready.
OLIVIA Let the garden door be shut, and leave me to my hearing.	OLIVIA Let the garden door be shut, and leave me to my hearing.
Exeunt SIR TOBY BELCH , SIR ANDREW , and MARIA	Exeunt SIR TOBY BELCH , SIR ANDREW , and MARIA
85 Give me your hand, sir.	Give me your hand, sir.
VIOLA My duty, madam, and most humble service.	VIOLA My duty, madam, and most humble service.
OLIVIA What is your name?	OLIVIA What is your name?
VIOLA Cesario is your servant’s name, fair princess.	VIOLA Cesario is your servant’s name, fair princess.
OLIVIA My servant, sir! 'Twas never merry world 90 Since lowly feigning was call’d compliment. You’re servant to the Count Orsino, youth.	OLIVIA My servant, sir! 'Twas never merry world Since lowly feigning was call’d compliment. You’re servant to the Count Orsino, youth.
VIOLA And he is yours, and his must needs be yours: Your servant’s servant is your servant, madam.	VIOLA And he is yours, and his must needs be yours: Your servant’s servant is your servant, madam.
OLIVIA For him, I think not on him. For his thoughts, 95 Would they were blanks, rather than fill’d with me.	OLIVIA For him, I think not on him. For his thoughts, Would they were blanks, rather than fill’d with me.
VIOLA Madam, I come to whet your gentle thoughts On his behalf.	VIOLA Madam, I come to whet your gentle thoughts On his behalf.
OLIVIA O, by your leave, I pray you, I bade you never speak again of him. But, would you undertake another suit, 100 I had rather hear you to solicit that Than music from the spheres.	OLIVIA O, by your leave, I pray you, I bade you never speak again of him. But, would you undertake another suit, I had rather hear you to solicit that Than music from the spheres.
VIOLA Dear lady—	VIOLA Dear lady—
OLIVIA Give me leave, beseech you. I did send, After the last enchantment you did here, A ring in chase of you. So did I abuse 105 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?	OLIVIA Give me leave, beseech you. I did send, After the last enchantment you did here, 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 honor at the stake, 110 And baited it with all the unmuzzled thoughts That tyrannous heart can think? To one of your receiving Enough is shown. A cypress, not a bosom, Hides my heart. So, let me hear you speak.	Have you not set mine honor at the stake, And baited it with all the unmuzzled thoughts That tyrannous heart can think? To one of your receiving Enough is shown. A cypress, not a bosom, Hides my heart. So, let me hear you speak.
VIOLA I pity you.	VIOLA I pity you.
OLIVIA That’s a degree to love.	OLIVIA That’s a degree to love.
VIOLA 115 No, not a grize. For ’tis a vulgar proof That very oft we pity enemies.	VIOLA No, not a grize. For ’tis a vulgar proof That very oft we pity enemies.
OLIVIA 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 120 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 is come to harvest, Your wife is like to reap a proper man. 125 There lies your way, due west.	OLIVIA 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 is come to harvest, Your wife is like to reap a proper man. There lies your way, due west.
VIOLA Then westward ho! Grace and good disposition attend your ladyship! You’ll nothing, madam, to my lord by me?	VIOLA Then westward ho! Grace and good disposition attend your ladyship! You’ll nothing, madam, to my lord by me?
OLIVIA Stay, I prithee, tell me what thou thinkest of me.	OLIVIA Stay, I prithee, tell me what thou thinkest of me.
VIOLA That you do think you are not what you are.	VIOLA That you do think you are not what you are.
OLIVIA 130 If I think so, I think the same of you.	OLIVIA If I think so, I think the same of you.
VIOLA Then think you right: I am not what I am.	VIOLA Then think you right: I am not what I am.
OLIVIA I would you were as I would have you be!	OLIVIA I would you were as I would have you be!
VIOLA Would it be better, madam, than I am? I wish it might, for now I am your fool.	VIOLA Would it be better, madam, than I am? I wish it might, for now I am your fool.
OLIVIA (aside) Oh, what a deal of scorn looks beautiful In the contempt and anger of his lip! A murderous guilt shows not itself more soon Than love that would seem hid. Love’s night is noon. (to VIOLA) Cesario, by the roses of the spring, 140 By maidhood, honor, truth, and everything, I love thee so, that, maugre 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, 145 But rather reason thus with reason fetter. Love sought is good, but given unsought better.	OLIVIA (aside) Oh, what a deal of scorn looks beautiful In the contempt and anger of his lip! A murderous guilt shows not itself more soon Than love that would seem hid. Love’s night is noon. (to VIOLA) Cesario, by the roses of the spring, By maidhood, honor, truth, and everything, I love thee so, that, maugre 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 better.
VIOLA 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 150 Shall mistress be of it, save I alone. And so adieu, good madam. Nevermore Will I my master’s tears to you deplore.	VIOLA 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, save I alone. And so adieu, good madam. Nevermore Will I my master’s tears to you deplore.
OLIVIA Yet come again, for thou perhaps mayst move That heart, which now abhors, to like his love.	OLIVIA Yet come again, for thou perhaps mayst move That heart, which now abhors, to like his love.
Exeunt	Exeunt