Seb. Do I stand there? I never had a brother Nor can there be that deity in my nature, Of here and every where. I had a sister, Whom the blind waves and surges have devour'd:-- Vio. Of Messaline: Sebastian was my father; Such a Sebastian was my brother too, So went he suited to his watery tomb : Seb. A spirit I am, indeed, Vio. And died that day when Viola from her birth Had number'd thirteen years. Seb. O, that record is lively in my soul ! He finished, indeed, his mortal act, That day that made my sister thirteen years. Where lie my maiden weeds; by whose gentle help Hath been between this lady, and this lord. [To Olivia. But nature to her bias drew in that. [To Viola. Thou never should'st love woman like to me. As doth that orbed continent the fire That severs day from night. Duke. Give me thy hand; And let me see thee in thy woman's weeds. Vio. The captain, that did bring me first on shore, Hath my maid's garments: he, upon some action, Is now in durance; at Malvolio's suit, A gentleman, and follower of my lady's. Oli. He shall enlarge him:-Fetch Malvolio hi ther: And yet, alas, now I remember me, They say, poor gentleman, he's much distract. Re-enter Clown, with a Letter. A most extracting frenzy of mine own Clo. Truly, madam, he holds Belzebub at the stave's end, as well as a man in his case may do: he has here writ a letter to you, I should have given it to you today morning; but as a madman's epistles are no gospels, so it skills not much, when they are delivered. Oli. Open it, and read it. Clo. Look then to be well edified, when the fool delivers the madman.-By the Lord, madam, Oli. How now! art thou mad? Clo. No, madam, I do but read madness: an your ladyship will have it as it ought to be, you must allow vor. Oli. Pr'ythe, read i'thy right wits. Clo. So I do, madonna; but to read his right wits, is to read thus: therefore perpend, my princess, and give ear. Oli. Read it you, sirrah. [To Fabian. Fab. [reads.] By the Lord, madam, you wrong me, and the world shall know it: though you have put me into darkness, and given your drunken cousin rule over me, yet lave I the benefit of my senses as well as your ladyship. I have your own letter that induced me to the semblance I put on; with the which I doubt not but to do myself much right, or you much shame. Think of me as you please. I leave my duty a little unthought of, and speak out of my injury. Oli. Did he write this? Clo. Ay, madam. The madly-used Malvolio, Duke. This savours not much of distraction. Oli. See him deliver'd, Fabian; bring him hither. [Exit Fabian. My lord, so please you, these things further thought on, To think me as well a sister as a wife, One day shall crown the alliance on't, so please you, Here at my house, and at my proper cost. Duke. Madam, I am most apt to embrace your offer. Your master quits you; [To Viola.] and, for your service done him, So much against the mettle of your sex, Oli. A sister?-you are she. Re-enter FABIAN, with MALVOLIO. Duke. Is this the madman? Mal. Lady, you have. Pray you, peruse that letter: You must not now deny it is your hand, Write from it, if you can, in hand, or phrase; Why you have given me such clear lights of favour; Oli. Alas, Malvolio, this is not my writing, First told me, thou wast mad; then cam'st in smiling, Of thine own cause. Fab. Good madam, hear me speak; And let no quarrel, nor no brawl to come, Taint the condition of this present hour, |