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- William Shakespeare: Twelfth Night, Act I, Scene II
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Scene IIThe sea-coastEnter Viola, a Captain, and SailorsViolaWhat country, friends, is this?CaptainThis is Illyria, lady.ViolaAnd what should I do in Illyria? My brother he is in Elysium. Perchance he is not drown’d: what think you, sailors?CaptainIt is perchance that you yourself were saved.ViolaO my poor brother! and so perchance may he be.CaptainTrue, madam: and, to comfort you with chance, Assure yourself, after our ship did split, When you and those poor number saved with you Hung on our driving boat, I saw your brother, Most provident in peril, bind himself, Courage and hope both teaching him the practise, To a strong mast that lived upon the sea; Where, like Arion on the dolphin’s back, I saw him hold acquaintance with the waves So long as I could see.ViolaFor saying so, there’s gold: Mine own escape unfoldeth to my hope, Whereto thy speech serves for authority, The like of him. Know’st thou this country?CaptainAy, madam, well; for I was bred and born Not three hours’ travel from this very place.ViolaWho governs here?CaptainA noble duke, in nature as in name.ViolaWhat is the name?CaptainOrsino.ViolaOrsino! I have heard my father name him: He was a bachelor then.CaptainAnd so is now, or was so very late; For but a month ago I went from hence, And then ’twas fresh in murmur,—as, you know, What great ones do the less will prattle of,— That he did seek the love of fair Olivia.ViolaWhat’s she?CaptainA virtuous maid, the daughter of a count That died some twelvemonth since, then leaving her In the protection of his son, her brother, Who shortly also died: for whose dear love, They say, she hath abjured the company And sight of men.ViolaO that I served that lady And might not be delivered to the world, Till I had made mine own occasion mellow, What my estate is!CaptainThat were hard to compass; Because she will admit no kind of suit, No, not the duke’s.ViolaThere is a fair behavior in thee, captain; And though that nature with a beauteous wall Doth oft close in pollution, yet of thee I will believe thou hast a mind that suits With this thy fair and outward character. I prithee, and I’ll pay thee bounteously, Conceal me what I am, and be my aid For such disguise as haply shall become The form of my intent. I’ll serve this duke: Thou shall present me as an eunuch to him: It may be worth thy pains; for I can sing And speak to him in many sorts of music That will allow me very worth his service. What else may hap to time I will commit; Only shape thou thy silence to my wit.CaptainBe you his eunuch, and your mute I’ll be: When my tongue blabs, then let mine eyes not see.ViolaI thank thee: lead me on.Exeunt
William Shakespeare: Twelfth Night, Act I
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William Shakespeare: Twelfth Night, Act V
- William Shakespeare: Twelfth Night, Act V
TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.
Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Current Events This Week: January 2023
African Americans by the Numbers
Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.
Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Current Events This Week: January 2023
African Americans by the Numbers
Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
- Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
- The Twelve Dancing Princesses
- Current Events This Week: January 2023
- African Americans by the Numbers
- Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
- The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
