Twelfth Night Translation Act 4, Scene 3
Enter SEBASTIAN
SEBASTIAN
This is the air, that is the glorious sun. This pearl she gave me, I do feel ’t and see ’t, And though ’tis wonder that enwraps me thus, Yet ’tis not madness. Where’s Antonio, then? I could not find him at the Elephant. Yet there he was, and there I found this credit, That he did range the town to seek me out. His counsel now might do me golden service. For though my soul disputes well with my sense That this may be some error, but no madness, Yet doth this accident and flood of fortune So far exceed all instance, all discourse, That I am ready to distrust mine eyes And wrangle with my reason that persuades me To any other trust but that I am mad— Or else the lady’s mad. Yet if ’twere so, She could not sway her house, command her followers, Take and give back affairs and their dispatch With such a smooth, discreet, and stable bearing As I perceive she does. There’s something in ’t That is deceivable. But here the lady comes.
SEBASTIAN
This is really the air, and that's really the glorious sun. Here's the pearl she gave me—I can feel it and see it. And though I'm full of amazement and confusion, I'm not crazy. But where's Antonio, then? I couldn't find him at the Elephant. But he had been there before me, and they told me that he was walking about the town and looking for me. His advice would be like gold to me right now. My soul makes the same strong argument as my senses, which is that all this is some mistake, but that I'm not crazy. Yet this mistake is such a sudden flood of good fortune, which exceeds all my expectations or possibility, that it makes me distrust my own eyes and wrestle with my reason, and suggests that maybe I am insane—or that the lady's insane. But if that were so, she wouldn't be able to run her house, command her servants, and take care of all her business affairs in the smooth, discreet, and stable way that she does. There's something deceptive going on here. But here comes the lady.
Enter OLIVIA and PRIEST
OLIVIA
[t o SEBASTIAN ] Blame not this haste of mine. If you mean well, Now go with me and with this holy man Into the chantry by. There, before him And underneath that consecrated roof, Plight me the full assurance of your faith, That my most jealous and too doubtful soul May live at peace. He shall conceal it Whiles you are willing it shall come to note, What time we will our celebration keep According to my birth. What do you say?
OLIVIA
[To SEBASTIAN] Don't blame me for being so hasty. If you mean well, then come with me and this holy priest into the little chapel over there. There, before the priest and under that sacred roof, you can swear your everlasting love for me, make your marriage vows, and soothe my jealous and doubtful soul. The priest will keep it a secret until you're willing for it to be made public, and then we can have a full wedding ceremony and celebration that fits my social rank. What do you say?
SEBASTIAN
I’ll follow this good man, and go with you;And, having sworn truth, ever will be true.
SEBASTIAN
I'll follow this good priest, and go with you; and once I've sworn to be faithful, I'll be faithful forever.
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Then lead the way, good father; and heavens so shine That they may fairly note this act of mine.
OLIVIA
Then lead the way, good father; and may the sun shine brightly to recognize and bless this marriage.
Exeunt
