Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Act 4 - Scene 3
OLIVIA’s garden.
Sebastian : This is the air; that is the glorious sun;
[p]This pearl she gave me,
I do feel't and see't;
[p]And though 'tis wonder that enwraps me
thus,
[p]Yet 'tis not madness. Where's Antonio, then?
[p]I could not
find him at the Elephant:
[p]Yet there he was; and there I found this
credit,
[p]That he did range the town to seek me out.
[p]His counsel
now might do me golden service;
[p]For though my soul disputes well
with my sense,
[p]That this may be some error, but no madness,
[p]Yet
doth this accident and flood of fortune
[p]So far exceed all instance,
all discourse,
[p]That I am ready to distrust mine eyes
[p]And wrangle
with my reason that persuades me
[p]To any other trust but that I am
mad
[p]Or else the lady's mad; yet, if 'twere so,
[p]She could not
sway her house, command her followers,
[p]Take and give back affairs
and their dispatch
[p]With such a smooth, discreet and stable
bearing
[p]As I perceive she does: there's something in't
[p]That is
deceiveable. But here the lady comes.
Olivia : Blame not this haste of mine. If you mean well,
[p]Now go with me and
with this holy man
[p]Into the chantry by: there, before him,
[p]And
underneath that consecrated roof,
[p]Plight me the full assurance of
your faith;
[p]That my most jealous and too doubtful soul
[p]May live
at peace. He shall conceal it
[p]Whiles you are willing it shall come
to note,
[p]What time we will our celebration keep
[p]According to my
birth. What do you say?
Sebastian : I'll follow this good man, and go with you;
[p]And, having sworn
truth, ever will be true.
Olivia : Then lead the way, good father; and heavens so shine,
[p]That they may
fairly note this act of mine!
Previous: Act 4 - Scene 2
Next: Act 5 - Scene 1
