Drama
55 Twelfth Night: Act 2
William Shakespeare
Twelfth Night (Modern). Internet Shakespeare Editions. University of Victoria. Editors: David Carnegie and Mark Houlahan.
Scene 1
Enter Antonio[1] and Sebastian[2].
Antonio
Will you stay[3] no longer? Nor will you not[4] that I go with you?
Sebastian
615By your patience[5], no. My stars shine darkly[6] over me. The malignancy[7] of my
fate might perhaps distemper[8] yours; therefore I shall crave of you your leave
that I may bear my evils[9] alone. It were a bad recompense for your love to
lay any of them on you.
Antonio
Let me yet know of you whither you are bound.
620Sebastian
No, sooth[10], sir. My determinate voyage is mere extravagancy[11]. But I perceive
in you so excellent a touch of modesty that you will not extort from me what
I am willing to keep in; therefore it charges me in manners the rather to
625express myself.[12] You must know of me then, Antonio, my name is Sebastian
(which I called Roderigo). My father was that Sebastian of Messaline[13][14] whom
I know you have heard of. He left behind him myself and a sister, both born
in an hour[15]. If the heavens had been pleased, would we had so ended! But
630you, sir, altered that, for some hour[16] before you took me from the breach[17] of
the sea was my sister drowned.
Antonio
Alas the day!
Sebastian
A lady, sir, though it was said she much resembled me, was yet of many
635accounted beautiful. But though I could not with such estimable wonder[18]
overfar believe that, yet thus far I will boldly publish[19] her: she bore a mind
that envy could not but call fair. [Weeping] She is drowned already, sir, with
salt water, though I seem to drown her remembrance again with more[20].
640Antonio
Pardon me, sir, your bad entertainment[21].
Sebastian
O good Antonio, forgive me your trouble[22].
Antonio
If you will not murder me for my love, let me be your servant[23].
Sebastian
645If you will not undo what you have done–that is, kill[24] him whom you have
recovered[25]–desire[26] it not. Fare ye well at once; my bosom is full of kindness[27],
and I am yet so near the manners of my mother[28] that upon the least occasion
more mine eyes will tell tales[29] of me. I am bound to the Count Orsino’s court;
farewell.
Exit.
650Antonio
The gentleness of all the gods go with thee!
I have many enemies in Orsino’s court,
Else would I very shortly see thee there.
But come what may, I do adore thee so
That danger shall seem sport, and I will go.
Exit [following Sebastian].
Scene 2
Enter Viola [as Cesario] and Malvolio [with the ring], at several[30] doors.
Malvolio
Were not you even now with the Countess Olivia?
Viola
660Even now, sir; on a moderate pace, I have since arrived but hither.
Malvolio
She returns this ring to you, sir. You might have saved me my pains to have
taken it away yourself. She adds, moreover, that you should put your lord
665into a desperate assurance[31] she will none of[32] him. And one thing more: that
you be never so hardy[33] to come