No Fear Shakespeare
Twelfth Night
Get this No Fear to go!
Act 4, Scene 2, Page 6
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100 |
MALVOLIO
By this hand, I am. Good fool, some ink, paper, and light,
and convey what I will set down to my lady. It shall
advantage thee more than ever the bearing of letter did.
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MALVOLIO
I swear I am. Get me some ink, paper, and a candle. I’ll write a letter and you’ll take it to my lady. You’ll get a bigger reward than you ever got delivering a letter before.
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FOOL
I will help you to ’t. But tell me true, are you not mad
indeed? Or do you but counterfeit?
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FOOL
I’ll help you. But tell me honestly, are you sure you’re not insane? Or are you just pretending?
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MALVOLIO
Believe me, I am not. I tell thee true.
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MALVOLIO
Believe me, I’m not. I’m telling the truth.
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FOOL
Nay, I’ll ne'er believe a madman till I see his brains. I will
fetch you light, and paper, and ink.
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FOOL
I’ll never believe a madman until I can see his brains. But I’ll get you a candle and paper and ink.
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MALVOLIO
Fool, I’ll requite it in the highest degree. I prithee, be gone.
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MALVOLIO
Fool, I’ll repay you for this favor. Please, hurry.
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FOOL
(sings)
I am gone, sir,
And anon, sir,
I’ll be with you again,
In a trice,
Like to the old Vice,
Your need to sustain,
Who, with dagger of lath
In his rage and his wrath,
Cries “Aha,” to the devil,
Like a mad lad,
“Pare thy nails, dad,
Adieu, goodman devil.”
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FOOL
(he sings)
I’m going now, sir, but soon
I’ll be with you again,
To help you resist the devil,
Like the sidekick in the old plays
Who shakes a wooden dagger,
Fumes in rage and wrath,
And shouts “Whoa!” to the devil.
He yells, “Trim your nails, old man.
And goodbye, Satan, you peasant.”
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Exit |
FOOL exits. |
