corner of the orchard, like a bum-bailiff; so soon as ever thou see'st him; draw; and, as thou drawest, swear horribly for it comes to pass oft, that a terrible oath, with a swaggering accent, sharply twanged off, gives manhood, more approbation, than ever proof itself would have earned him. Away!

Sir A. Nay, let me alone for swearing.

[Exit. Sir T. 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 not error in the youth-he will find, that it comes from a clod-pole. 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.

2

Enter OLIVIA and VIOLA.

Fab. Here he comes, with your nicce! give them way, till he take leave, and presently, after him.

Sir T. I will meditate the while, upon some horrid message for a challenge. [Exeunt. Ohio. I have said too much unto a heart of stone, And laid mine honour too unchary out.

There's something in me, that reproves my fault;
But such a headstrong potent fault it is,

That it but mocks reproof.

Viola. With the same 'haviour that your passion bears,

Goes on my master's grief..

Oliv. Here, wear this jewel for me, 'tis my picture ;Refuse it not, it hath no tongue to vex you:

And, I beseech you, come again to-morrow.

What shall

you ask of me, that I'll deny ; That, honour sav'd, may, upon asking, give?

Viola. Nothing but this, your true-love for my

master.

Oliv. How, with mine honour, may I give him that, Which I have given to you?

Viola. I will acquit you.

Oliv. Well, come again to-morrow: Fare thee well!

Enter SIR TOBY BELCH and FABIAN.

Sir T. Gentleman, Heav'n save thee!
Viola. And you, sir!

[Exit.

Sir T. That defence thou hast, betake thee to't :of what nature the wrongs are, thou hast done him, I know not; but thy interceptor, full of despight, bloody as the hunter, attends thee at the orchard-end: dismount thy tuck, be yare in thy preparation, for thy assailant is quick, skilful and deadly.

Viola. You mistake, sir; I am sure no man hath any quarrel to me; my remembrance is very free and clear, from any image of offence done to any man.

Sir T. You'll find it otherwise, I assure you; therefore, if you hold your life at any price, betake you to your guard; for your opposite hath in him, what youth, strength, skill, and wrath, can furnish man withal.

Viola. I pray you, sir, what is he?

Sir T. He is knight, dubbed with unhacked rapier, and on carpet consideration; but he is a devil in private brawl: souls and bodies hath he divorced, three; and his incensement at this moment is so implacable, that, satisfaction can be none, but by pangs of death and sepulchre: hob, nob, is his word; give't, or take't. Viola. I will return again into the house, and desire some conduct of the lady.-I am no fighter.

Sir T. Back you shall not to the house, unless you undertake that with me, which with as much safety

as you might answer him: therefore on, or strip your sword stark naked; for meddle you must, that's cerlain, or foreswear to wear iron about you.

Viola. This is as uncivil, as strange! I beseech you, do me this courteous office, as to know of the knight, what my offence to him is it is something of my negligence, nothing of my purpose.

Sir T. I will do so. Signior, Fabian, stay by this gentleman, till my return.

[Exit. Viola. Pray you, sir, do you know of this matter? Fab. I know, the knight is incensed against you, even to a mortal arbitrement; but nothing of the cir

cumstance more.

Viola. I beseech you, what manner of man is he? Fab. Nothing of that wonderful promise, to read him by his form, as you are like to find in the proof of his valour. He is, indeed, sir, the most skilful, bloody, and fatal opposite, that you could possibly have found in any part of Illyria: Will you walk towards him? I will make your peace with him, if I

can.

Viola. I shall be much bound to you for't: I am one that had rather go with Sir Priest, than Sir Knight: I care not who knows so much of

my mettle.

SCENE II.

The Street.

[Exeunt.

Enter SIR TOBY BELCH and SIR ANDREW AGUE

CHEEK.

Sir T. 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 Sophi.

Sir A. Plague on't, I'll not meddle with him.

Sir T. Ay, but he will not now be pacified: Fabian can scarce hold him yonder.

Sir A. Plague on't! an I thought he had been valiant, and so cunning in fence, I'd have seen him damned ere I'd have challenged him. Let him let the matter slip, and I'll give him my horse, grey Capilet.

Sir T. I'll make the motion: Stand here, make a good show 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 bave persuaded him, the youth's a devil. [TO FABIAN. Fab. He is as horribly conceited of him, and pants and looks pale, as if a bear were at his heels.

Sir T. There's no remedy, sir, he will fight with you, for's oath's sake: marry, he had better bethought him of his quarrel, and he finds that now scarce to be worth talking of; therefore draws for the supportance of his vow, he protests, he will not hurt you.

Viola. 'Pray God 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 T. 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 has promised me, as he is a gentleman, and a soldier, he will not hurt you. Come on, to't. [They draw. Sir A. 'Pray Heav'n he keep his oath!

Enter ANTONIO.

Viola. I do assure you, 'tis against my will! Ant. Put up your sword: If this young gentleman Have done offence, I take the fault on me; If you offend him, I, for him, defy you. Sir T. You, sir? Why, what are you?

[Drawing.

Ant. One, sir, that for his love, dares yet to do

more

Than you have heard him brag to you, he will.

Sir T. Nay, if you be an undertaker, I am for you.

[Draws. Fab. O, good Sir Toby, hold!-here come the ofacers.

Sir T. I'll be with you anon.

Viola. Pray, sir, put up your sword, if you please. [To SIR ANDREW. Sir A. Marry, will I, sir; and for that I promised you, I'll be as good as my word.-He will bear you easily, and reins well.

Enter OFFICERS.

1 Offi. This is the man; do thy office.

2 Offi. Antonio, I arrest thee at the suit of Duke Orsino.

Ant. You do mistake me, sir.

1 Offi. No, sir, no jot, I know your favour well; Though now you have no sea-cap on your head. Take him away; he knows, I know him well.

Ant. I must obey.-This comes with seeking you;
But there's no remedy :—I shall answer it.
What will you do? Now my necessity

Makes me to ask you for my purse. It grieves me
Much more, for what I cannot do for you,
Than what befalls myself: You stand amaz'd,
But be of comfort.

2 Offi. Come, sir, away.