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TWELFTH NIGHT
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A monologue from Act II, Scene ii
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by: William Shakespeare
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NOTE: Twelfth Night is generally considered to have been written about 1600. It is now a public domain work and may be performed without royalties. |
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- VIOLA: I left no ring with her. What means this lady?
- Fortune forbid my outside have not charmed her.
- She made good view of me; indeed, so much
- That, as methought, her eyes had lost her tongue,
- For she did speak in starts distractedly.
- She loves me sure; the cunning of her passion
- Invites me in this churlish messenger.
- None of my lord's ring? Why, he sent her none.
- I am the man. If it be so, as 'tis,
- Poor lady, she were better love a dream.
- Disguise, I see thou art a wickedness
- Wherein the pregnant enemy does much.
- How easy is it for the proper false
- In women's waxen hearts to set their forms!
- Alas, our frailty is the cause, not we,
- For such as we are made of, such we be.
- How will this fadge? [1] My master loves her dearly;
- And I (poor monster) fond as much on him;
- And she (mistaken) seems to dote on me.
- What will become of this? As I am man,
- My state is desperate for my master's love.
- As I am woman (now alas the day!)
- What thriftless [2] sighs shall poor Olivea breathe?
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1 Turn out.
2 Pointless; wasted.
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