VIOLA & OLIVIA w/ Maria

Speech
Arden 3 | 2008

Enter Maria.

OLIVIA
Give me my veil; come throw it o’er my face.
We’ll once more hear Orsino’s embassy.

Enter Viola [as Cesario].

VIOLA
The honourable lady of the house, which is she?

OLIVIA
Speak to me, I shall answer for her. Your will?

VIOLA
Most radiant, exquisite and unmatchable beauty [165]
– I pray you, tell me if this be the lady of the house,
for I never saw her. I would be loath to cast away my
speech, for, besides that it is excellently well penned, I
have taken great pains to con it. Good beauties, let me
sustain no scorn: I am very comptible, even [170]
to the least sinister usage.

OLIVIA
Whence came you, sir?

VIOLA
I can say little more than I have studied, and that
question’s out of my part. Good gentle one, give me
modest assurance if you be the lady of the house, that I [175]
may proceed in my speech.

OLIVIA
Are you a comedian?

VIOLA
No, my profound heart. And yet – by the very
fangs of malice, I swear – I am not that I play. Are you
the lady of the house? [180]

OLIVIA
If I do not usurp myself, I am.

VIOLA
Most certain if you are she you do usurp yourself,
for what is yours to bestow is not yours to reserve. But
this is from my commission. I will on with my speech
in your praise, and then show you the heart of my [185]
message.

OLIVIA
Come to what is important in’t – I forgive you
the praise.

VIOLA
Alas, I took great pains to study it, and ’tis
poetical. [190]

OLIVIA
It is the more like to be feigned, I pray you keep
it in. I heard you were saucy at my gates, and allowed
your approach rather to wonder at you than to hear
you. If you be not mad, be gone. If you have reason, be
brief. ’Tis not that time of moon with me to make one [195]
in so skipping a dialogue.

MARIA
Will you hoist sail, sir? Here lies your way.

VIOLA
No, good swabber, I am to hull here a little longer.
– Some mollification for your giant, sweet lady. Tell me
your mind, I am a messenger. [200]

OLIVIA
Sure you have some hideous matter to deliver
when the courtesy of it is so fearful. Speak your office.

VIOLA
It alone concerns your ear. I bring no overture of
war, no taxation of homage. I hold the olive in my hand:
my words are as full of peace as matter. [205]

OLIVIA
Yet you began rudely. What are you? What would
you?

VIOLA
The rudeness that hath appeared in me have I
learned from my entertainment. What I am and what
I would are as secret as maidenhead: to your ears, [210]
divinity; to any other’s, profanation.

OLIVIA
[to Maria and Attendant] Give us the place alone,
we will hear this divinity. [Exeunt Maria and Attendants.]
Now sir, what is your text?

VIOLA
Most sweet lady – [215]

OLIVIA
A comfortable doctrine, and much may be said of
it. Where lies your text?

VIOLA
In Orsino’s bosom.

OLIVIA
In his bosom? In what chapter of his bosom?

VIOLA
To answer by the method, in the first of his heart. [220]

OLIVIA
O, I have read it, it is heresy. Have you no more
to say?

VIOLA
Good madam, let me see your face.

OLIVIA
Have you any commission from your lord to
negotiate with my face? You are now out of your text. [225]
But we will draw the curtain and show you the picture.
[Unveils.] Look you, sir, such a one I was this present.
Is’t not well done?

VIOLA
Excellently done, if God did all.

OLIVIA
’Tis in grain, sir, ’twill endure wind and weather. [230]

VIOLA
’Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and white
Nature’s own sweet and cunning hand laid on.
Lady, you are the cruell’st she alive
If you will lead these graces to the grave
And leave the world no copy. [235]

OLIVIA
O sir, I will not be so hard-hearted. I will give out
diverse schedules of my beauty. It shall be inventoried,
and every particle and utensil labelled to my will , as,
item, two lips, indifferent red; item, two grey eyes, with
lids to them; item , one neck, one chin and so forth. [240]
Were you sent hither to praise me?

VIOLA
I see you what you are, you are too proud;
But if you were the devil you are fair.
My lord and master loves you. O, such love
Could be but recompensed, though you were crowned [245]
The nonpareil of beauty.

OLIVIA
How does he love me?

VIOLA
With adoration’s fertile tears,
With groans that thunder love, with sighs of fire.

OLIVIA
Your lord does know my mind: I cannot love him.
Yet I suppose him virtuous, know him noble, [250]
Of great estate, of fresh and stainless youth,
In voices well divulged, free, learn’d and valiant,
And in dimension and the shape of nature
A gracious person; but yet I cannot love him.
He might have took his answer long ago. [255]

VIOLA
If I did love you in my master’s flame,
With such a suffering, such a deadly life,
In your denial I would find no sense,
I would not understand it.

OLIVIA
Why, what would you?

VIOLA
Make me a willow cabin at your gate [260]
And call upon my soul within the house;
Write loyal cantons of contemned love
And sing them loud even in the dead of night;
Hallow your name to the reverberate hills
And make the babbling gossip of the air [265]
Cry out ‘Olivia!’ O, you should not rest
Between the elements of air and earth
But you should pity me.

OLIVIA
You might do much.
What is your parentage?

VIOLA
Above my fortunes, yet my state is well: [270]
I am a gentleman.

OLIVIA
Get you to your lord.
I cannot love him; let him send no more,
Unless perchance you come to me again
To tell me how he takes it. Fare you well.
I thank you for your pains. [Offers money.] Spend this for me. [275]

VIOLA
I am no fee’d post, lady; keep your purse.
My master, not myself, lacks recompense.
Love make his heart of flint that you shall love,
And let your fervour like my master’s be
Placed in contempt. Farewell, fair cruelty. [280]

(Exit.)

OLIVIA
‘What is your parentage?’
‘Above my fortunes, yet my state is well:
I am a gentleman.’ I’ll be sworn thou art –
Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions and spirit
Do give thee fivefold blazon. Not too fast, soft, soft – [285]
unless the master were the man. How now?
Even so quickly may one catch the plague?
Methinks I feel this youth’s perfections
With an invisible and subtle stealth
To creep in at mine eyes. Well, let it be. [290]

Top

Words + Pronunciation
Arden 3 | 2006

Mewling: To cry out or whine (O.E.D). to wail almost like a kitten (Arden)

Ballad: A light song that is typically romantic in nature (O.E.D)

Pard: To be or be like a panther or leopard (Crystal) A leopard (Arden)

Quarrel: some dispute or hostility, a complaint against another person (O.E.D)

Bubble Reputation:  Fame and pride that is as fragile and fleeting as a bubble(No Fear Shakespeare)

Justice: An officer of the court or a Judge (O.E.D)

Fair: Nice or well. In context it means well fed. (No Fear Shakespeare) With Justice or honesty (O.E.D)

Capon: A corrupt justice who takes bribes (O.E.D) A castrated cock, a fat chicken to eat (Arden)

Wise saws: Wise words or phrases (No Fear Shakespeare) Sage sayings (Arden)

Modern instances: Relevant and recent information (No Fear Shakespeare) Recent or new arguments, used in a legal case (Arden)

Lean: Alight, poor and gaunt (Crystal)

Slippered: well worn or shoddy (O.E.D)

Pantaloon: The clothes of an old man (Crystal) Baggy trousers worn by old men over their emaciated legs (Arden)

Pouch: A money bag or purse (Crystal)

Hose: A pair of pants (Crystal)

A World: Much (Arden) by a great deal, infinitely, vastly. (O.E.D)

Shrunk: To wither or shrivel (O.E.D)

Shank: Legs (Crystal)

Treble: Multiplied by three time (Crystal) The high pitched voice of a child (Arden)

Pipes: Voice (Crystal)

Whistles: To become quiet or whisper (Crystal) The indistinct articulation of children (Arden)

Mere: Total (Arden) Undiluted (O.E.D)

Top

Pronunciation+

——————–All the world’s a stage, [140]
And all the men and women merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms; [145]
Then the whining school-boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school; and then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress’ eyebrow; then a soldier, [150]
Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon’s mouth; and then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined, [155]
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slippered pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side, [160]
His youthful hose well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history, [165]
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

Re-enter ORLANDO, with ADAM

Top

Translation
No Fear Shakespeare

MARIA enters.

OLIVIA
Give me my veil. Come, put it over my face.(OLIVIA puts on her veil) We’re going to hear Orsino’s pleas again.

VIOLA enters, dressed as CESARIO, with attendants.

 

Top

Assonance
Arden 3 | 2006

Enter Maria.

OLIVIA
Give me my veil; come throw it o’er my face.
We’ll once more hear Orsino’s embassy.

Enter Viola [as Cesario].

VIOLA
The honourable lady of the house, which is she?

OLIVIA
Speak to me, I shall answer for her. Your will?

VIOLA
Most radiant, exquisite and unmatchable beauty [165]
– I pray you, tell me if this be the lady of the house,
for I never saw her. I would be loath to cast away my
speech, for, besides that it is excellently well penned, I
have taken great pains to con it. Good beauties, let me
sustain no scorn: I am very comptible, even [170]
to the least sinister usage.

OLIVIA
Whence came you, sir?

VIOLA
I can say little more than I have studied, and that
question’s out of my part. Good gentle one, give me
modest assurance if you be the lady of the house, that I [175]
may proceed in my speech.

OLIVIA
Are you a comedian?

VIOLA
No, my profound heart. And yet – by the very
fangs of malice, I swear – I am not that I play. Are you
the lady of the house? [180]

OLIVIA
If I do not usurp myself, I am.

VIOLA
Most certain if you are she you do usurp yourself,
for what is yours to bestow is not yours to reserve. But
this is from my commission. I will on with my speech
in your praise, and then show you the heart of my [185]
message.

OLIVIA
Come to what is important in’t – I forgive you
the praise.

VIOLA
Alas, I took great pains to study it, and ’tis
poetical. [190]

OLIVIA
It is the more like to be feigned, I pray you keep
it in. I heard you were saucy at my gates, and allowed
your approach rather to wonder at you than to hear
you. If you be not mad, be gone. If you have reason, be
brief. ’Tis not that time of moon with me to make one [195]
in so skipping a dialogue.

MARIA
Will you hoist sail, sir? Here lies your way.

VIOLA
No, good swabber, I am to hull here a little longer.
– Some mollification for your giant, sweet lady. Tell me
your mind, I am a messenger. [200]

OLIVIA
Sure you have some hideous matter to deliver
when the courtesy of it is so fearful. Speak your office.

VIOLA
It alone concerns your ear. I bring no overture of
war, no taxation of homage. I hold the olive in my hand:
my words are as full of peace as matter. [205]

OLIVIA
Yet you began rudely. What are you? What would
you?

VIOLA
The rudeness that hath appeared in me have I
learned from my entertainment. What I am and what
I would are as secret as maidenhead: to your ears, [210]
divinity; to any other’s, profanation.

OLIVIA
[to Maria and Attendant] Give us the place alone,
we will hear this divinity. [Exeunt Maria and Attendants.]
Now sir, what is your text?

VIOLA
Most sweet lady – [215]

OLIVIA
A comfortable doctrine, and much may be said of
it. Where lies your text?

VIOLA
In Orsino’s bosom.

OLIVIA
In his bosom? In what chapter of his bosom?

VIOLA
To answer by the method, in the first of his heart. [220]

OLIVIA
O, I have read it, it is heresy. Have you no more
to say?

VIOLA
Good madam, let me see your face.

OLIVIA
Have you any commission from your lord to
negotiate with my face? You are now out of your text. [225]
But we will draw the curtain and show you the picture.
[Unveils.] Look you, sir, such a one I was this present.
Is’t not well done?

VIOLA
Excellently done, if God did all.

OLIVIA
’Tis in grain, sir, ’twill endure wind and weather. [230]

VIOLA
’Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and white
Nature’s own sweet and cunning hand laid on.
Lady, you are the cruell’st she alive
If you will lead these graces to the grave
And leave the world no copy. [235]

OLIVIA
O sir, I will not be so hard-hearted. I will give out
diverse schedules of my beauty. It shall be inventoried,
and every particle and utensil labelled to my will , as,
item, two lips, indifferent red; item, two grey eyes, with
lids to them; item , one neck, one chin and so forth. [240]
Were you sent hither to praise me?

VIOLA
I see you what you are, you are too proud;
But if you were the devil you are fair.
My lord and master loves you. O, such love
Could be but recompensed, though you were crowned [245]
The nonpareil of beauty.

OLIVIA
How does he love me?

VIOLA
With adoration’s fertile tears,
With groans that thunder love, with sighs of fire.

OLIVIA
Your lord does know my mind: I cannot love him.
Yet I suppose him virtuous, know him noble, [250]
Of great estate, of fresh and stainless youth,
In voices well divulged, free, learn’d and valiant,
And in dimension and the shape of nature
A gracious person; but yet I cannot love him.
He might have took his answer long ago. [255]

VIOLA
If I did love you in my master’s flame,
With such a suffering, such a deadly life,
In your denial I would find no sense,
I would not understand it.

OLIVIA
Why, what would you?

VIOLA
Make me a willow cabin at your gate [260]
And call upon my soul within the house;
Write loyal cantons of contemned love
And sing them loud even in the dead of night;
Hallow your name to the reverberate hills
And make the babbling gossip of the air [265]
Cry out ‘Olivia!’ O, you should not rest
Between the elements of air and earth
But you should pity me.

OLIVIA
You might do much.
What is your parentage?

VIOLA
Above my fortunes, yet my state is well: [270]
I am a gentleman.

OLIVIA
Get you to your lord.
I cannot love him; let him send no more,
Unless perchance you come to me again
To tell me how he takes it. Fare you well.
I thank you for your pains. [Offers money.] Spend this for me. [275]

VIOLA
I am no fee’d post, lady; keep your purse.
My master, not myself, lacks recompense.
Love make his heart of flint that you shall love,
And let your fervour like my master’s be
Placed in contempt. Farewell, fair cruelty. [280]

(Exit.)

OLIVIA
‘What is your parentage?’
‘Above my fortunes, yet my state is well:
I am a gentleman.’ I’ll be sworn thou art –
Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions and spirit
Do give thee fivefold blazon. Not too fast, soft, soft – [285]
unless the master were the man. How now?
Even so quickly may one catch the plague?
Methinks I feel this youth’s perfections
With an invisible and subtle stealth
To creep in at mine eyes. Well, let it be. [290]

Top

Alliteration
Arden 3 | 2006

Enter Maria.

OLIVIA
Give me my veil; come throw it o’er my face.
We’ll once more hear Orsino’s embassy.

Enter Viola [as Cesario].

VIOLA
The honourable lady of the house, which is she?

OLIVIA
Speak to me, I shall answer for her. Your will?

VIOLA
Most radiant, exquisite and unmatchable beauty [165]
– I pray you, tell me if this be the lady of the house,
for I never saw her. I would be loath to cast away my
speech, for, besides that it is excellently well penned, I
have taken great pains to con it. Good beauties, let me
sustain no scorn: I am very comptible, even [170]
to the least sinister usage.

OLIVIA
Whence came you, sir?

VIOLA
I can say little more than I have studied, and that
question’s out of my part. Good gentle one, give me
modest assurance if you be the lady of the house, that I [175]
may proceed in my speech.

OLIVIA
Are you a comedian?

VIOLA
No, my profound heart. And yet – by the very
fangs of malice, I swear – I am not that I play. Are you
the lady of the house? [180]

OLIVIA
If I do not usurp myself, I am.

VIOLA
Most certain if you are she you do usurp yourself,
for what is yours to bestow is not yours to reserve. But
this is from my commission. I will on with my speech
in your praise, and then show you the heart of my [185]
message.

OLIVIA
Come to what is important in’t – I forgive you
the praise.

VIOLA
Alas, I took great pains to study it, and ’tis
poetical. [190]

OLIVIA
It is the more like to be feigned, I pray you keep
it in. I heard you were saucy at my gates, and allowed
your approach rather to wonder at you than to hear
you. If you be not mad, be gone. If you have reason, be
brief. ’Tis not that time of moon with me to make one [195]
in so skipping a dialogue.

MARIA
Will you hoist sail, sir? Here lies your way.

VIOLA
No, good swabber, I am to hull here a little longer.
– Some mollification for your giant, sweet lady. Tell me
your mind, I am a messenger. [200]

OLIVIA
Sure you have some hideous matter to deliver
when the courtesy of it is so fearful. Speak your office.

VIOLA
It alone concerns your ear. I bring no overture of
war, no taxation of homage. I hold the olive in my hand:
my words are as full of peace as matter. [205]

OLIVIA
Yet you began rudely. What are you? What would
you?

VIOLA
The rudeness that hath appeared in me have I
learned from my entertainment. What I am and what
I would are as secret as maidenhead: to your ears, [210]
divinity; to any other’s, profanation.

OLIVIA
[to Maria and Attendant] Give us the place alone,
we will hear this divinity. [Exeunt Maria and Attendants.]
Now sir, what is your text?

VIOLA
Most sweet lady – [215]

OLIVIA
A comfortable doctrine, and much may be said of
it. Where lies your text?

VIOLA
In Orsino’s bosom.

OLIVIA
In his bosom? In what chapter of his bosom?

VIOLA
To answer by the method, in the first of his heart. [220]

OLIVIA
O, I have read it, it is heresy. Have you no more
to say?

VIOLA
Good madam, let me see your face.

OLIVIA
Have you any commission from your lord to
negotiate with my face? You are now out of your text. [225]
But we will draw the curtain and show you the picture.
[Unveils.] Look you, sir, such a one I was this present.
Is’t not well done?

VIOLA
Excellently done, if God did all.

OLIVIA
’Tis in grain, sir, ’twill endure wind and weather. [230]

VIOLA
’Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and white
Nature’s own sweet and cunning hand laid on.
Lady, you are the cruell’st she alive
If you will lead these graces to the grave
And leave the world no copy. [235]

OLIVIA
O sir, I will not be so hard-hearted. I will give out
diverse schedules of my beauty. It shall be inventoried,
and every particle and utensil labelled to my will , as,
item, two lips, indifferent red; item, two grey eyes, with
lids to them; item , one neck, one chin and so forth. [240]
Were you sent hither to praise me?

VIOLA
I see you what you are, you are too proud;
But if you were the devil you are fair.
My lord and master loves you. O, such love
Could be but recompensed, though you were crowned [245]
The nonpareil of beauty.

OLIVIA
How does he love me?

VIOLA
With adoration’s fertile tears,
With groans that thunder love, with sighs of fire.

OLIVIA
Your lord does know my mind: I cannot love him.
Yet I suppose him virtuous, know him noble, [250]
Of great estate, of fresh and stainless youth,
In voices well divulged, free, learn’d and valiant,
And in dimension and the shape of nature
A gracious person; but yet I cannot love him.
He might have took his answer long ago. [255]

VIOLA
If I did love you in my master’s flame,
With such a suffering, such a deadly life,
In your denial I would find no sense,
I would not understand it.

OLIVIA
Why, what would you?

VIOLA
Make me a willow cabin at your gate [260]
And call upon my soul within the house;
Write loyal cantons of contemned love
And sing them loud even in the dead of night;
Hallow your name to the reverberate hills
And make the babbling gossip of the air [265]
Cry out ‘Olivia!’ O, you should not rest
Between the elements of air and earth
But you should pity me.

OLIVIA
You might do much.
What is your parentage?

VIOLA
Above my fortunes, yet my state is well: [270]
I am a gentleman.

OLIVIA
Get you to your lord.
I cannot love him; let him send no more,
Unless perchance you come to me again
To tell me how he takes it. Fare you well.
I thank you for your pains. [Offers money.] Spend this for me. [275]

VIOLA
I am no fee’d post, lady; keep your purse.
My master, not myself, lacks recompense.
Love make his heart of flint that you shall love,
And let your fervour like my master’s be
Placed in contempt. Farewell, fair cruelty. [280]

(Exit.)

OLIVIA
‘What is your parentage?’
‘Above my fortunes, yet my state is well:
I am a gentleman.’ I’ll be sworn thou art –
Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions and spirit
Do give thee fivefold blazon. Not too fast, soft, soft – [285]
unless the master were the man. How now?
Even so quickly may one catch the plague?
Methinks I feel this youth’s perfections
With an invisible and subtle stealth
To creep in at mine eyes. Well, let it be. [290]

Top

Consonance
Arden 3 | 2006

Enter Maria.

OLIVIA
Give me my veil; come throw it o’er my face.
We’ll once more hear Orsino’s embassy.

Enter Viola [as Cesario].

VIOLA
The honourable lady of the house, which is she?

OLIVIA
Speak to me, I shall answer for her. Your will?

VIOLA
Most radiant, exquisite and unmatchable beauty [165]
– I pray you, tell me if this be the lady of the house,
for I never saw her. I would be loath to cast away my
speech, for, besides that it is excellently well penned, I
have taken great pains to con it. Good beauties, let me
sustain no scorn: I am very comptible, even [170]
to the least sinister usage.

OLIVIA
Whence came you, sir?

VIOLA
I can say little more than I have studied, and that
question’s out of my part. Good gentle one, give me
modest assurance if you be the lady of the house, that I [175]
may proceed in my speech.

OLIVIA
Are you a comedian?

VIOLA
No, my profound heart. And yet – by the very
fangs of malice, I swear – I am not that I play. Are you
the lady of the house? [180]

OLIVIA
If I do not usurp myself, I am.

VIOLA
Most certain if you are she you do usurp yourself,
for what is yours to bestow is not yours to reserve. But
this is from my commission. I will on with my speech
in your praise, and then show you the heart of my [185]
message.

OLIVIA
Come to what is important in’t – I forgive you
the praise.

VIOLA
Alas, I took great pains to study it, and ’tis
poetical. [190]

OLIVIA
It is the more like to be feigned, I pray you keep
it in. I heard you were saucy at my gates, and allowed
your approach rather to wonder at you than to hear
you. If you be not mad, be gone. If you have reason, be
brief. ’Tis not that time of moon with me to make one [195]
in so skipping a dialogue.

MARIA
Will you hoist sail, sir? Here lies your way.

VIOLA
No, good swabber, I am to hull here a little longer.
– Some mollification for your giant, sweet lady. Tell me
your mind, I am a messenger. [200]

OLIVIA
Sure you have some hideous matter to deliver
when the courtesy of it is so fearful. Speak your office.

VIOLA
It alone concerns your ear. I bring no overture of
war, no taxation of homage. I hold the olive in my hand:
my words are as full of peace as matter. [205]

OLIVIA
Yet you began rudely. What are you? What would
you?

VIOLA
The rudeness that hath appeared in me have I
learned from my entertainment. What I am and what
I would are as secret as maidenhead: to your ears, [210]
divinity; to any other’s, profanation.

OLIVIA
[to Maria and Attendant] Give us the place alone,
we will hear this divinity. [Exeunt Maria and Attendants.]
Now sir, what is your text?

VIOLA
Most sweet lady – [215]

OLIVIA
A comfortable doctrine, and much may be said of
it. Where lies your text?

VIOLA
In Orsino’s bosom.

OLIVIA
In his bosom? In what chapter of his bosom?

VIOLA
To answer by the method, in the first of his heart. [220]

OLIVIA
O, I have read it, it is heresy. Have you no more
to say?

VIOLA
Good madam, let me see your face.

OLIVIA
Have you any commission from your lord to
negotiate with my face? You are now out of your text. [225]
But we will draw the curtain and show you the picture.
[Unveils.] Look you, sir, such a one I was this present.
Is’t not well done?

VIOLA
Excellently done, if God did all.

OLIVIA
’Tis in grain, sir, ’twill endure wind and weather. [230]

VIOLA
’Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and white
Nature’s own sweet and cunning hand laid on.
Lady, you are the cruell’st she alive
If you will lead these graces to the grave
And leave the world no copy. [235]

OLIVIA
O sir, I will not be so hard-hearted. I will give out
diverse schedules of my beauty. It shall be inventoried,
and every particle and utensil labelled to my will , as,
item, two lips, indifferent red; item, two grey eyes, with
lids to them; item , one neck, one chin and so forth. [240]
Were you sent hither to praise me?

VIOLA
I see you what you are, you are too proud;
But if you were the devil you are fair.
My lord and master loves you. O, such love
Could be but recompensed, though you were crowned [245]
The nonpareil of beauty.

OLIVIA
How does he love me?

VIOLA
With adoration’s fertile tears,
With groans that thunder love, with sighs of fire.

OLIVIA
Your lord does know my mind: I cannot love him.
Yet I suppose him virtuous, know him noble, [250]
Of great estate, of fresh and stainless youth,
In voices well divulged, free, learn’d and valiant,
And in dimension and the shape of nature
A gracious person; but yet I cannot love him.
He might have took his answer long ago. [255]

VIOLA
If I did love you in my master’s flame,
With such a suffering, such a deadly life,
In your denial I would find no sense,
I would not understand it.

OLIVIA
Why, what would you?

VIOLA
Make me a willow cabin at your gate [260]
And call upon my soul within the house;
Write loyal cantons of contemned love
And sing them loud even in the dead of night;
Hallow your name to the reverberate hills
And make the babbling gossip of the air [265]
Cry out ‘Olivia!’ O, you should not rest
Between the elements of air and earth
But you should pity me.

OLIVIA
You might do much.
What is your parentage?

VIOLA
Above my fortunes, yet my state is well: [270]
I am a gentleman.

OLIVIA
Get you to your lord.
I cannot love him; let him send no more,
Unless perchance you come to me again
To tell me how he takes it. Fare you well.
I thank you for your pains. [Offers money.] Spend this for me. [275]

VIOLA
I am no fee’d post, lady; keep your purse.
My master, not myself, lacks recompense.
Love make his heart of flint that you shall love,
And let your fervour like my master’s be
Placed in contempt. Farewell, fair cruelty. [280]

(Exit.)

OLIVIA
‘What is your parentage?’
‘Above my fortunes, yet my state is well:
I am a gentleman.’ I’ll be sworn thou art –
Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions and spirit
Do give thee fivefold blazon. Not too fast, soft, soft – [285]
unless the master were the man. How now?
Even so quickly may one catch the plague?
Methinks I feel this youth’s perfections
With an invisible and subtle stealth
To creep in at mine eyes. Well, let it be. [290]

Top

Thoughts
Arden 3 | 2006

Enter Maria.

OLIVIA
Give me my veil; come throw it o’er my face.
We’ll once more hear Orsino’s embassy.

Enter Viola [as Cesario].

VIOLA
The honourable lady of the house, which is she?

OLIVIA
Speak to me, I shall answer for her. Your will?

VIOLA
Most radiant, exquisite and unmatchable beauty [165]
– I pray you, tell me if this be the lady of the house,
for I never saw her. I would be loath to cast away my
speech, for, besides that it is excellently well penned, I
have taken great pains to con it. Good beauties, let me
sustain no scorn: I am very comptible, even [170]
to the least sinister usage.

OLIVIA
Whence came you, sir?

VIOLA
I can say little more than I have studied, and that
question’s out of my part. Good gentle one, give me
modest assurance if you be the lady of the house, that I [175]
may proceed in my speech.

OLIVIA
Are you a comedian?

VIOLA
No, my profound heart. And yet – by the very
fangs of malice, I swear – I am not that I play. Are you
the lady of the house? [180]

OLIVIA
If I do not usurp myself, I am.

VIOLA
Most certain if you are she you do usurp yourself,
for what is yours to bestow is not yours to reserve. But
this is from my commission. I will on with my speech
in your praise, and then show you the heart of my [185]
message.

OLIVIA
Come to what is important in’t – I forgive you
the praise.

VIOLA
Alas, I took great pains to study it, and ’tis
poetical. [190]

OLIVIA
It is the more like to be feigned, I pray you keep
it in. I heard you were saucy at my gates, and allowed
your approach rather to wonder at you than to hear
you. If you be not mad, be gone. If you have reason, be
brief. ’Tis not that time of moon with me to make one [195]
in so skipping a dialogue.

MARIA
Will you hoist sail, sir? Here lies your way.

VIOLA
No, good swabber, I am to hull here a little longer.
– Some mollification for your giant, sweet lady. Tell me
your mind, I am a messenger. [200]

OLIVIA
Sure you have some hideous matter to deliver
when the courtesy of it is so fearful. Speak your office.

VIOLA
It alone concerns your ear. I bring no overture of
war, no taxation of homage. I hold the olive in my hand:
my words are as full of peace as matter. [205]

OLIVIA
Yet you began rudely. What are you? What would
you?

VIOLA
The rudeness that hath appeared in me have I
learned from my entertainment. What I am and what
I would are as secret as maidenhead: to your ears, [210]
divinity; to any other’s, profanation.

OLIVIA
[to Maria and Attendant] Give us the place alone,
we will hear this divinity. [Exeunt Maria and Attendants.]
Now sir, what is your text?

VIOLA
Most sweet lady – [215]

OLIVIA
A comfortable doctrine, and much may be said of
it. Where lies your text?

VIOLA
In Orsino’s bosom.

OLIVIA
In his bosom? In what chapter of his bosom?

VIOLA
To answer by the method, in the first of his heart. [220]

OLIVIA
O, I have read it, it is heresy. Have you no more
to say?

VIOLA
Good madam, let me see your face.

OLIVIA
Have you any commission from your lord to
negotiate with my face? You are now out of your text. [225]
But we will draw the curtain and show you the picture.
[Unveils.] Look you, sir, such a one I was this present.
Is’t not well done?

VIOLA
Excellently done, if God did all.

OLIVIA
’Tis in grain, sir, ’twill endure wind and weather. [230]

VIOLA
’Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and white
Nature’s own sweet and cunning hand laid on.
Lady, you are the cruell’st she alive
If you will lead these graces to the grave
And leave the world no copy. [235]

OLIVIA
O sir, I will not be so hard-hearted. I will give out
diverse schedules of my beauty. It shall be inventoried,
and every particle and utensil labelled to my will , as,
item, two lips, indifferent red; item, two grey eyes, with
lids to them; item , one neck, one chin and so forth. [240]
Were you sent hither to praise me?

VIOLA
I see you what you are, you are too proud;
But if you were the devil you are fair.
My lord and master loves you. O, such love
Could be but recompensed, though you were crowned [245]
The nonpareil of beauty.

OLIVIA
How does he love me?

VIOLA
With adoration’s fertile tears,
With groans that thunder love, with sighs of fire.

OLIVIA
Your lord does know my mind: I cannot love him.
Yet I suppose him virtuous, know him noble, [250]
Of great estate, of fresh and stainless youth,
In voices well divulged, free, learn’d and valiant,
And in dimension and the shape of nature
A gracious person; but yet I cannot love him.
He might have took his answer long ago. [255]

VIOLA
If I did love you in my master’s flame,
With such a suffering, such a deadly life,
In your denial I would find no sense,
I would not understand it.

OLIVIA
Why, what would you?

VIOLA
Make me a willow cabin at your gate [260]
And call upon my soul within the house;
Write loyal cantons of contemned love
And sing them loud even in the dead of night;
Hallow your name to the reverberate hills
And make the babbling gossip of the air [265]
Cry out ‘Olivia!’ O, you should not rest
Between the elements of air and earth
But you should pity me.

OLIVIA
You might do much.
What is your parentage?

VIOLA
Above my fortunes, yet my state is well: [270]
I am a gentleman.

OLIVIA
Get you to your lord.
I cannot love him; let him send no more,
Unless perchance you come to me again
To tell me how he takes it. Fare you well.
I thank you for your pains. [Offers money.] Spend this for me. [275]

VIOLA
I am no fee’d post, lady; keep your purse.
My master, not myself, lacks recompense.
Love make his heart of flint that you shall love,
And let your fervour like my master’s be
Placed in contempt. Farewell, fair cruelty. [280]

(Exit.)

OLIVIA
‘What is your parentage?’
‘Above my fortunes, yet my state is well:
I am a gentleman.’ I’ll be sworn thou art –
Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions and spirit
Do give thee fivefold blazon. Not too fast, soft, soft – [285]
unless the master were the man. How now?
Even so quickly may one catch the plague?
Methinks I feel this youth’s perfections
With an invisible and subtle stealth
To creep in at mine eyes. Well, let it be. [290]

Top

Thought Count
Arden 3 | 2006

Thoughts |TBD

Short: 2 | 5
Medium: 2 | 5
Long: 2 | 1
Total: 5 | 11

Complex: 2 | 2,6

End-stopped: 2 | 6
Mid-line: 3 | 5

Periods: 5
Exclamations: 0
Questions: 0
Unfinished: 0

Top

Rhythm
Arden 3 | 2006

Enter Maria.

OLIVIA
Give me my veil; come throw it o’er my face.
We’ll once more hear Orsino’s embassy.

Enter Viola [as Cesario].

VIOLA
The honourable lady of the house, which is she?

OLIVIA
Speak to me, I shall answer for her. Your will?

VIOLA
Most radiant, exquisite and unmatchable beauty [165]
– I pray you, tell me if this be the lady of the house,
for I never saw her. I would be loath to cast away my
speech, for, besides that it is excellently well penned, I
have taken great pains to con it. Good beauties, let me
sustain no scorn: I am very comptible, even [170]
to the least sinister usage.

OLIVIA
Whence came you, sir?

VIOLA
I can say little more than I have studied, and that
question’s out of my part. Good gentle one, give me
modest assurance if you be the lady of the house, that I [175]
may proceed in my speech.

OLIVIA
Are you a comedian?

VIOLA
No, my profound heart. And yet – by the very
fangs of malice, I swear – I am not that I play. Are you
the lady of the house? [180]

OLIVIA
If I do not usurp myself, I am.

VIOLA
Most certain if you are she you do usurp yourself,
for what is yours to bestow is not yours to reserve. But
this is from my commission. I will on with my speech
in your praise, and then show you the heart of my [185]
message.

OLIVIA
Come to what is important in’t – I forgive you
the praise.

VIOLA
Alas, I took great pains to study it, and ’tis
poetical. [190]

OLIVIA
It is the more like to be feigned, I pray you keep
it in. I heard you were saucy at my gates, and allowed
your approach rather to wonder at you than to hear
you. If you be not mad, be gone. If you have reason, be
brief. ’Tis not that time of moon with me to make one [195]
in so skipping a dialogue.

MARIA
Will you hoist sail, sir? Here lies your way.

VIOLA
No, good swabber, I am to hull here a little longer.
– Some mollification for your giant, sweet lady. Tell me
your mind, I am a messenger. [200]

OLIVIA
Sure you have some hideous matter to deliver
when the courtesy of it is so fearful. Speak your office.

VIOLA
It alone concerns your ear. I bring no overture of
war, no taxation of homage. I hold the olive in my hand:
my words are as full of peace as matter. [205]

OLIVIA
Yet you began rudely. What are you? What would
you?

VIOLA
The rudeness that hath appeared in me have I
learned from my entertainment. What I am and what
I would are as secret as maidenhead: to your ears, [210]
divinity; to any other’s, profanation.

OLIVIA
[to Maria and Attendant] Give us the place alone,
we will hear this divinity. [Exeunt Maria and Attendants.]
Now sir, what is your text?

VIOLA
Most sweet lady – [215]

OLIVIA
A comfortable doctrine, and much may be said of
it. Where lies your text?

VIOLA
In Orsino’s bosom.

OLIVIA
In his bosom? In what chapter of his bosom?

VIOLA
To answer by the method, in the first of his heart. [220]

OLIVIA
O, I have read it, it is heresy. Have you no more
to say?

VIOLA
Good madam, let me see your face.

OLIVIA
Have you any commission from your lord to
negotiate with my face? You are now out of your text. [225]
But we will draw the curtain and show you the picture.
[Unveils.] Look you, sir, such a one I was this present.
Is’t not well done?

VIOLA
Excellently done, if God did all.

OLIVIA
’Tis in grain, sir, ’twill endure wind and weather. [230]

VIOLA
’Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and white
Nature’s own sweet and cunning hand laid on.
Lady, you are the cruell’st she alive
If you will lead these graces to the grave
And leave the world no copy. [235]

OLIVIA
O sir, I will not be so hard-hearted. I will give out
diverse schedules of my beauty. It shall be inventoried,
and every particle and utensil labelled to my will , as,
item, two lips, indifferent red; item, two grey eyes, with
lids to them; item , one neck, one chin and so forth. [240]
Were you sent hither to praise me?

VIOLA
I see you what you are, you are too proud;
But if you were the devil you are fair.
My lord and master loves you. O, such love
Could be but recompensed, though you were crowned [245]
The nonpareil of beauty.

OLIVIA
How does he love me?

VIOLA
With adoration’s fertile tears,
With groans that thunder love, with sighs of fire.

OLIVIA
Your lord does know my mind: I cannot love him.
Yet I suppose him virtuous, know him noble, [250]
Of great estate, of fresh and stainless youth,
In voices well divulged, free, learn’d and valiant,
And in dimension and the shape of nature
A gracious person; but yet I cannot love him.
He might have took his answer long ago. [255]

VIOLA
If I did love you in my master’s flame,
With such a suffering, such a deadly life,
In your denial I would find no sense,
I would not understand it.

OLIVIA
Why, what would you?

VIOLA
Make me a willow cabin at your gate [260]
And call upon my soul within the house;
Write loyal cantons of contemned love
And sing them loud even in the dead of night;
Hallow your name to the reverberate hills
And make the babbling gossip of the air [265]
Cry out ‘Olivia!’ O, you should not rest
Between the elements of air and earth
But you should pity me.

OLIVIA
You might do much.
What is your parentage?

VIOLA
Above my fortunes, yet my state is well: [270]
I am a gentleman.

OLIVIA
Get you to your lord.
I cannot love him; let him send no more,
Unless perchance you come to me again
To tell me how he takes it. Fare you well.
I thank you for your pains. [Offers money.] Spend this for me. [275]

VIOLA
I am no fee’d post, lady; keep your purse.
My master, not myself, lacks recompense.
Love make his heart of flint that you shall love,
And let your fervour like my master’s be
Placed in contempt. Farewell, fair cruelty. [280]

(Exit.)

OLIVIA
‘What is your parentage?’
‘Above my fortunes, yet my state is well:
I am a gentleman.’ I’ll be sworn thou art –
Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions and spirit
Do give thee fivefold blazon. Not too fast, soft, soft – [285]
unless the master were the man. How now?
Even so quickly may one catch the plague?
Methinks I feel this youth’s perfections
With an invisible and subtle stealth
To creep in at mine eyes. Well, let it be. [290]

Top

Pacing
Arden 3 | 2006

Enter Maria.

OLIVIA
Give me my veil; come throw it o’er my face.
We’ll once more hear Orsino’s embassy.

Enter Viola [as Cesario].

VIOLA
The honourable lady of the house, which is she?

OLIVIA
Speak to me, I shall answer for her. Your will?

VIOLA
Most radiant, exquisite and unmatchable beauty [165]
– I pray you, tell me if this be the lady of the house,
for I never saw her. I would be loath to cast away my
speech, for, besides that it is excellently well penned, I
have taken great pains to con it. Good beauties, let me
sustain no scorn: I am very comptible, even [170]
to the least sinister usage.

OLIVIA
Whence came you, sir?

VIOLA
I can say little more than I have studied, and that
question’s out of my part. Good gentle one, give me
modest assurance if you be the lady of the house, that I [175]
may proceed in my speech.

OLIVIA
Are you a comedian?

VIOLA
No, my profound heart. And yet – by the very
fangs of malice, I swear – I am not that I play. Are you
the lady of the house? [180]

OLIVIA
If I do not usurp myself, I am.

VIOLA
Most certain if you are she you do usurp yourself,
for what is yours to bestow is not yours to reserve. But
this is from my commission. I will on with my speech
in your praise, and then show you the heart of my [185]
message.

OLIVIA
Come to what is important in’t – I forgive you
the praise.

VIOLA
Alas, I took great pains to study it, and ’tis
poetical. [190]

OLIVIA
It is the more like to be feigned, I pray you keep
it in. I heard you were saucy at my gates, and allowed
your approach rather to wonder at you than to hear
you. If you be not mad, be gone. If you have reason, be
brief. ’Tis not that time of moon with me to make one [195]
in so skipping a dialogue.

MARIA
Will you hoist sail, sir? Here lies your way.

VIOLA
No, good swabber, I am to hull here a little longer.
– Some mollification for your giant, sweet lady. Tell me
your mind, I am a messenger. [200]

OLIVIA
Sure you have some hideous matter to deliver
when the courtesy of it is so fearful. Speak your office.

VIOLA
It alone concerns your ear. I bring no overture of
war, no taxation of homage. I hold the olive in my hand:
my words are as full of peace as matter. [205]

OLIVIA
Yet you began rudely. What are you? What would
you?

VIOLA
The rudeness that hath appeared in me have I
learned from my entertainment. What I am and what
I would are as secret as maidenhead: to your ears, [210]
divinity; to any other’s, profanation.

OLIVIA
[to Maria and Attendant] Give us the place alone,
we will hear this divinity. [Exeunt Maria and Attendants.]
Now sir, what is your text?

VIOLA
Most sweet lady – [215]

OLIVIA
A comfortable doctrine, and much may be said of
it. Where lies your text?

VIOLA
In Orsino’s bosom.

OLIVIA
In his bosom? In what chapter of his bosom?

VIOLA
To answer by the method, in the first of his heart. [220]

OLIVIA
O, I have read it, it is heresy. Have you no more
to say?

VIOLA
Good madam, let me see your face.

OLIVIA
Have you any commission from your lord to
negotiate with my face? You are now out of your text. [225]
But we will draw the curtain and show you the picture.
[Unveils.] Look you, sir, such a one I was this present.
Is’t not well done?

VIOLA
Excellently done, if God did all.

OLIVIA
’Tis in grain, sir, ’twill endure wind and weather. [230]

VIOLA
’Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and white
Nature’s own sweet and cunning hand laid on.
Lady, you are the cruell’st she alive
If you will lead these graces to the grave
And leave the world no copy. [235]

OLIVIA
O sir, I will not be so hard-hearted. I will give out
diverse schedules of my beauty. It shall be inventoried,
and every particle and utensil labelled to my will , as,
item, two lips, indifferent red; item, two grey eyes, with
lids to them; item , one neck, one chin and so forth. [240]
Were you sent hither to praise me?

VIOLA
I see you what you are, you are too proud;
But if you were the devil you are fair.
My lord and master loves you. O, such love
Could be but recompensed, though you were crowned [245]
The nonpareil of beauty.

OLIVIA
How does he love me?

VIOLA
With adoration’s fertile tears,
With groans that thunder love, with sighs of fire.

OLIVIA
Your lord does know my mind: I cannot love him.
Yet I suppose him virtuous, know him noble, [250]
Of great estate, of fresh and stainless youth,
In voices well divulged, free, learn’d and valiant,
And in dimension and the shape of nature
A gracious person; but yet I cannot love him.
He might have took his answer long ago. [255]

VIOLA
If I did love you in my master’s flame,
With such a suffering, such a deadly life,
In your denial I would find no sense,
I would not understand it.

OLIVIA
Why, what would you?

VIOLA
Make me a willow cabin at your gate [260]
And call upon my soul within the house;
Write loyal cantons of contemned love
And sing them loud even in the dead of night;
Hallow your name to the reverberate hills
And make the babbling gossip of the air [265]
Cry out ‘Olivia!’ O, you should not rest
Between the elements of air and earth
But you should pity me.

OLIVIA
You might do much.
What is your parentage?

VIOLA
Above my fortunes, yet my state is well: [270]
I am a gentleman.

OLIVIA
Get you to your lord.
I cannot love him; let him send no more,
Unless perchance you come to me again
To tell me how he takes it. Fare you well.
I thank you for your pains. [Offers money.] Spend this for me. [275]

VIOLA
I am no fee’d post, lady; keep your purse.
My master, not myself, lacks recompense.
Love make his heart of flint that you shall love,
And let your fervour like my master’s be
Placed in contempt. Farewell, fair cruelty. [280]

(Exit.)

OLIVIA
‘What is your parentage?’
‘Above my fortunes, yet my state is well:
I am a gentleman.’ I’ll be sworn thou art –
Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions and spirit
Do give thee fivefold blazon. Not too fast, soft, soft – [285]
unless the master were the man. How now?
Even so quickly may one catch the plague?
Methinks I feel this youth’s perfections
With an invisible and subtle stealth
To creep in at mine eyes. Well, let it be. [290]

Top

Beats
Arden 3 | 2006

Enter Maria.

OLIVIA
Give me my veil; come throw it o’er my face.
We’ll once more hear Orsino’s embassy.

Enter Viola [as Cesario].

VIOLA
The honourable lady of the house, which is she?

OLIVIA
Speak to me, I shall answer for her. Your will?

VIOLA
Most radiant, exquisite and unmatchable beauty [165]
– I pray you, tell me if this be the lady of the house,
for I never saw her. I would be loath to cast away my
speech, for, besides that it is excellently well penned, I
have taken great pains to con it. Good beauties, let me
sustain no scorn: I am very comptible, even [170]
to the least sinister usage.

OLIVIA
Whence came you, sir?

VIOLA
I can say little more than I have studied, and that
question’s out of my part. Good gentle one, give me
modest assurance if you be the lady of the house, that I [175]
may proceed in my speech.

OLIVIA
Are you a comedian?

VIOLA
No, my profound heart. And yet – by the very
fangs of malice, I swear – I am not that I play. Are you
the lady of the house? [180]

OLIVIA
If I do not usurp myself, I am.

VIOLA
Most certain if you are she you do usurp yourself,
for what is yours to bestow is not yours to reserve. But
this is from my commission. I will on with my speech
in your praise, and then show you the heart of my [185]
message.

OLIVIA
Come to what is important in’t – I forgive you
the praise.

VIOLA
Alas, I took great pains to study it, and ’tis
poetical. [190]

OLIVIA
It is the more like to be feigned, I pray you keep
it in. I heard you were saucy at my gates, and allowed
your approach rather to wonder at you than to hear
you. If you be not mad, be gone. If you have reason, be
brief. ’Tis not that time of moon with me to make one [195]
in so skipping a dialogue.

MARIA
Will you hoist sail, sir? Here lies your way.

VIOLA
No, good swabber, I am to hull here a little longer.
– Some mollification for your giant, sweet lady. Tell me
your mind, I am a messenger. [200]

OLIVIA
Sure you have some hideous matter to deliver
when the courtesy of it is so fearful. Speak your office.

VIOLA
It alone concerns your ear. I bring no overture of
war, no taxation of homage. I hold the olive in my hand:
my words are as full of peace as matter. [205]

OLIVIA
Yet you began rudely. What are you? What would
you?

VIOLA
The rudeness that hath appeared in me have I
learned from my entertainment. What I am and what
I would are as secret as maidenhead: to your ears, [210]
divinity; to any other’s, profanation.

OLIVIA
[to Maria and Attendant] Give us the place alone,
we will hear this divinity. [Exeunt Maria and Attendants.]
Now sir, what is your text?

VIOLA
Most sweet lady – [215]

OLIVIA
A comfortable doctrine, and much may be said of
it. Where lies your text?

VIOLA
In Orsino’s bosom.

OLIVIA
In his bosom? In what chapter of his bosom?

VIOLA
To answer by the method, in the first of his heart. [220]

OLIVIA
O, I have read it, it is heresy. Have you no more
to say?

VIOLA
Good madam, let me see your face.

OLIVIA
Have you any commission from your lord to
negotiate with my face? You are now out of your text. [225]
But we will draw the curtain and show you the picture.
[Unveils.] Look you, sir, such a one I was this present.
Is’t not well done?

VIOLA
Excellently done, if God did all.

OLIVIA
’Tis in grain, sir, ’twill endure wind and weather. [230]

VIOLA
’Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and white
Nature’s own sweet and cunning hand laid on.
Lady, you are the cruell’st she alive
If you will lead these graces to the grave
And leave the world no copy. [235]

OLIVIA
O sir, I will not be so hard-hearted. I will give out
diverse schedules of my beauty. It shall be inventoried,
and every particle and utensil labelled to my will , as,
item, two lips, indifferent red; item, two grey eyes, with
lids to them; item , one neck, one chin and so forth. [240]
Were you sent hither to praise me?

VIOLA
I see you what you are, you are too proud;
But if you were the devil you are fair.
My lord and master loves you. O, such love
Could be but recompensed, though you were crowned [245]
The nonpareil of beauty.

OLIVIA
How does he love me?

VIOLA
With adoration’s fertile tears,
With groans that thunder love, with sighs of fire.

OLIVIA
Your lord does know my mind: I cannot love him.
Yet I suppose him virtuous, know him noble, [250]
Of great estate, of fresh and stainless youth,
In voices well divulged, free, learn’d and valiant,
And in dimension and the shape of nature
A gracious person; but yet I cannot love him.
He might have took his answer long ago. [255]

VIOLA
If I did love you in my master’s flame,
With such a suffering, such a deadly life,
In your denial I would find no sense,
I would not understand it.

OLIVIA
Why, what would you?

VIOLA
Make me a willow cabin at your gate [260]
And call upon my soul within the house;
Write loyal cantons of contemned love
And sing them loud even in the dead of night;
Hallow your name to the reverberate hills
And make the babbling gossip of the air [265]
Cry out ‘Olivia!’ O, you should not rest
Between the elements of air and earth
But you should pity me.

OLIVIA
You might do much.
What is your parentage?

VIOLA
Above my fortunes, yet my state is well: [270]
I am a gentleman.

OLIVIA
Get you to your lord.
I cannot love him; let him send no more,
Unless perchance you come to me again
To tell me how he takes it. Fare you well.
I thank you for your pains. [Offers money.] Spend this for me. [275]

VIOLA
I am no fee’d post, lady; keep your purse.
My master, not myself, lacks recompense.
Love make his heart of flint that you shall love,
And let your fervour like my master’s be
Placed in contempt. Farewell, fair cruelty. [280]

(Exit.)

OLIVIA
‘What is your parentage?’
‘Above my fortunes, yet my state is well:
I am a gentleman.’ I’ll be sworn thou art –
Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions and spirit
Do give thee fivefold blazon. Not too fast, soft, soft – [285]
unless the master were the man. How now?
Even so quickly may one catch the plague?
Methinks I feel this youth’s perfections
With an invisible and subtle stealth
To creep in at mine eyes. Well, let it be. [290]

Top

Rhetoric
Arden 3 | 2006

Enter Maria.

OLIVIA
Give me my veil; come throw it o’er my face.
We’ll once more hear Orsino’s embassy.

Enter Viola [as Cesario].

VIOLA
The honourable lady of the house, which is she?

OLIVIA
Speak to me, I shall answer for her. Your will?

VIOLA
Most radiant, exquisite and unmatchable beauty [165]
– I pray you, tell me if this be the lady of the house,
for I never saw her. I would be loath to cast away my
speech, for, besides that it is excellently well penned, I
have taken great pains to con it. Good beauties, let me
sustain no scorn: I am very comptible, even [170]
to the least sinister usage.

OLIVIA
Whence came you, sir?

VIOLA
I can say little more than I have studied, and that
question’s out of my part. Good gentle one, give me
modest assurance if you be the lady of the house, that I [175]
may proceed in my speech.

OLIVIA
Are you a comedian?

VIOLA
No, my profound heart. And yet – by the very
fangs of malice, I swear – I am not that I play. Are you
the lady of the house? [180]

OLIVIA
If I do not usurp myself, I am.

VIOLA
Most certain if you are she you do usurp yourself,
for what is yours to bestow is not yours to reserve. But
this is from my commission. I will on with my speech
in your praise, and then show you the heart of my [185]
message.

OLIVIA
Come to what is important in’t – I forgive you
the praise.

VIOLA
Alas, I took great pains to study it, and ’tis
poetical. [190]

OLIVIA
It is the more like to be feigned, I pray you keep
it in. I heard you were saucy at my gates, and allowed
your approach rather to wonder at you than to hear
you. If you be not mad, be gone. If you have reason, be
brief. ’Tis not that time of moon with me to make one [195]
in so skipping a dialogue.

MARIA
Will you hoist sail, sir? Here lies your way.

VIOLA
No, good swabber, I am to hull here a little longer.
– Some mollification for your giant, sweet lady. Tell me
your mind, I am a messenger. [200]

OLIVIA
Sure you have some hideous matter to deliver
when the courtesy of it is so fearful. Speak your office.

VIOLA
It alone concerns your ear. I bring no overture of
war, no taxation of homage. I hold the olive in my hand:
my words are as full of peace as matter. [205]

OLIVIA
Yet you began rudely. What are you? What would
you?

VIOLA
The rudeness that hath appeared in me have I
learned from my entertainment. What I am and what
I would are as secret as maidenhead: to your ears, [210]
divinity; to any other’s, profanation.

OLIVIA
[to Maria and Attendant] Give us the place alone,
we will hear this divinity. [Exeunt Maria and Attendants.]
Now sir, what is your text?

VIOLA
Most sweet lady – [215]

OLIVIA
A comfortable doctrine, and much may be said of
it. Where lies your text?

VIOLA
In Orsino’s bosom.

OLIVIA
In his bosom? In what chapter of his bosom?

VIOLA
To answer by the method, in the first of his heart. [220]

OLIVIA
O, I have read it, it is heresy. Have you no more
to say?

VIOLA
Good madam, let me see your face.

OLIVIA
Have you any commission from your lord to
negotiate with my face? You are now out of your text. [225]
But we will draw the curtain and show you the picture.
[Unveils.] Look you, sir, such a one I was this present.
Is’t not well done?

VIOLA
Excellently done, if God did all.

OLIVIA
’Tis in grain, sir, ’twill endure wind and weather. [230]

VIOLA
’Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and white
Nature’s own sweet and cunning hand laid on.
Lady, you are the cruell’st she alive
If you will lead these graces to the grave
And leave the world no copy. [235]

OLIVIA
O sir, I will not be so hard-hearted. I will give out
diverse schedules of my beauty. It shall be inventoried,
and every particle and utensil labelled to my will , as,
item, two lips, indifferent red; item, two grey eyes, with
lids to them; item , one neck, one chin and so forth. [240]
Were you sent hither to praise me?

VIOLA
I see you what you are, you are too proud;
But if you were the devil you are fair.
My lord and master loves you. O, such love
Could be but recompensed, though you were crowned [245]
The nonpareil of beauty.

OLIVIA
How does he love me?

VIOLA
With adoration’s fertile tears,
With groans that thunder love, with sighs of fire.

OLIVIA
Your lord does know my mind: I cannot love him.
Yet I suppose him virtuous, know him noble, [250]
Of great estate, of fresh and stainless youth,
In voices well divulged, free, learn’d and valiant,
And in dimension and the shape of nature
A gracious person; but yet I cannot love him.
He might have took his answer long ago. [255]

VIOLA
If I did love you in my master’s flame,
With such a suffering, such a deadly life,
In your denial I would find no sense,
I would not understand it.

OLIVIA
Why, what would you?

VIOLA
Make me a willow cabin at your gate [260]
And call upon my soul within the house;
Write loyal cantons of contemned love
And sing them loud even in the dead of night;
Hallow your name to the reverberate hills
And make the babbling gossip of the air [265]
Cry out ‘Olivia!’ O, you should not rest
Between the elements of air and earth
But you should pity me.

OLIVIA
You might do much.
What is your parentage?

VIOLA
Above my fortunes, yet my state is well: [270]
I am a gentleman.

OLIVIA
Get you to your lord.
I cannot love him; let him send no more,
Unless perchance you come to me again
To tell me how he takes it. Fare you well.
I thank you for your pains. [Offers money.] Spend this for me. [275]

VIOLA
I am no fee’d post, lady; keep your purse.
My master, not myself, lacks recompense.
Love make his heart of flint that you shall love,
And let your fervour like my master’s be
Placed in contempt. Farewell, fair cruelty. [280]

(Exit.)

OLIVIA
‘What is your parentage?’
‘Above my fortunes, yet my state is well:
I am a gentleman.’ I’ll be sworn thou art –
Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions and spirit
Do give thee fivefold blazon. Not too fast, soft, soft – [285]
unless the master were the man. How now?
Even so quickly may one catch the plague?
Methinks I feel this youth’s perfections
With an invisible and subtle stealth
To creep in at mine eyes. Well, let it be. [290]

Top

Scene
Arden 3 | 2006 | 215-233

Enter Maria.

OLIVIA
Give me my veil; come throw it o’er my face.
We’ll once more hear Orsino’s embassy.

Enter Viola [as Cesario].

VIOLA
The honourable lady of the house, which is she?

OLIVIA
Speak to me, I shall answer for her. Your will?

VIOLA
Most radiant, exquisite and unmatchable beauty [165]
– I pray you, tell me if this be the lady of the house,
for I never saw her. I would be loath to cast away my
speech, for, besides that it is excellently well penned, I
have taken great pains to con it. Good beauties, let me
sustain no scorn: I am very comptible, even [170]
to the least sinister usage.

OLIVIA
Whence came you, sir?

VIOLA
I can say little more than I have studied, and that
question’s out of my part. Good gentle one, give me
modest assurance if you be the lady of the house, that I [175]
may proceed in my speech.

OLIVIA
Are you a comedian?

VIOLA
No, my profound heart. And yet – by the very
fangs of malice, I swear – I am not that I play. Are you
the lady of the house? [180]

OLIVIA
If I do not usurp myself, I am.

VIOLA
Most certain if you are she you do usurp yourself,
for what is yours to bestow is not yours to reserve. But
this is from my commission. I will on with my speech
in your praise, and then show you the heart of my [185]
message.

OLIVIA
Come to what is important in’t – I forgive you
the praise.

VIOLA
Alas, I took great pains to study it, and ’tis
poetical. [190]

OLIVIA
It is the more like to be feigned, I pray you keep
it in. I heard you were saucy at my gates, and allowed
your approach rather to wonder at you than to hear
you. If you be not mad, be gone. If you have reason, be
brief. ’Tis not that time of moon with me to make one [195]
in so skipping a dialogue.

MARIA
Will you hoist sail, sir? Here lies your way.

VIOLA
No, good swabber, I am to hull here a little longer.
– Some mollification for your giant, sweet lady. Tell me
your mind, I am a messenger. [200]

OLIVIA
Sure you have some hideous matter to deliver
when the courtesy of it is so fearful. Speak your office.

VIOLA
It alone concerns your ear. I bring no overture of
war, no taxation of homage. I hold the olive in my hand:
my words are as full of peace as matter. [205]

OLIVIA
Yet you began rudely. What are you? What would
you?

VIOLA
The rudeness that hath appeared in me have I
learned from my entertainment. What I am and what
I would are as secret as maidenhead: to your ears, [210]
divinity; to any other’s, profanation.

OLIVIA
[to Maria and Attendant] Give us the place alone,
we will hear this divinity. [Exeunt Maria and Attendants.]
Now sir, what is your text?

VIOLA
Most sweet lady – [215]

OLIVIA
A comfortable doctrine, and much may be said of
it. Where lies your text?

VIOLA
In Orsino’s bosom.

OLIVIA
In his bosom? In what chapter of his bosom?

VIOLA
To answer by the method, in the first of his heart. [220]

OLIVIA
O, I have read it, it is heresy. Have you no more
to say?

VIOLA
Good madam, let me see your face.

OLIVIA
Have you any commission from your lord to
negotiate with my face? You are now out of your text. [225]
But we will draw the curtain and show you the picture.
[Unveils.] Look you, sir, such a one I was this present.
Is’t not well done?

VIOLA
Excellently done, if God did all.

OLIVIA
’Tis in grain, sir, ’twill endure wind and weather. [230]

VIOLA
’Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and white
Nature’s own sweet and cunning hand laid on.
Lady, you are the cruell’st she alive
If you will lead these graces to the grave
And leave the world no copy. [235]

OLIVIA
O sir, I will not be so hard-hearted. I will give out
diverse schedules of my beauty. It shall be inventoried,
and every particle and utensil labelled to my will , as,
item, two lips, indifferent red; item, two grey eyes, with
lids to them; item , one neck, one chin and so forth. [240]
Were you sent hither to praise me?

VIOLA
I see you what you are, you are too proud;
But if you were the devil you are fair.
My lord and master loves you. O, such love
Could be but recompensed, though you were crowned [245]
The nonpareil of beauty.

OLIVIA
How does he love me?

VIOLA
With adoration’s fertile tears,
With groans that thunder love, with sighs of fire.

OLIVIA
Your lord does know my mind: I cannot love him.
Yet I suppose him virtuous, know him noble, [250]
Of great estate, of fresh and stainless youth,
In voices well divulged, free, learn’d and valiant,
And in dimension and the shape of nature
A gracious person; but yet I cannot love him.
He might have took his answer long ago. [255]

VIOLA
If I did love you in my master’s flame,
With such a suffering, such a deadly life,
In your denial I would find no sense,
I would not understand it.

OLIVIA
Why, what would you?

VIOLA
Make me a willow cabin at your gate [260]
And call upon my soul within the house;
Write loyal cantons of contemned love
And sing them loud even in the dead of night;
Hallow your name to the reverberate hills
And make the babbling gossip of the air [265]
Cry out ‘Olivia!’ O, you should not rest
Between the elements of air and earth
But you should pity me.

OLIVIA
You might do much.
What is your parentage?

VIOLA
Above my fortunes, yet my state is well: [270]
I am a gentleman.

OLIVIA
Get you to your lord.
I cannot love him; let him send no more,
Unless perchance you come to me again
To tell me how he takes it. Fare you well.
I thank you for your pains. [Offers money.] Spend this for me. [275]

VIOLA
I am no fee’d post, lady; keep your purse.
My master, not myself, lacks recompense.
Love make his heart of flint that you shall love,
And let your fervour like my master’s be
Placed in contempt. Farewell, fair cruelty. [280]

(Exit.)

OLIVIA
‘What is your parentage?’
‘Above my fortunes, yet my state is well:
I am a gentleman.’ I’ll be sworn thou art –
Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions and spirit
Do give thee fivefold blazon. Not too fast, soft, soft – [285]
unless the master were the man. How now?
Even so quickly may one catch the plague?
Methinks I feel this youth’s perfections
With an invisible and subtle stealth
To creep in at mine eyes. Well, let it be. [290]

Top