Clown. Alas, sir, how fell you besides your five wits? 1

Mal. Fool, there was never man so notoriously abused: I am as well in my wits, fool, as thou art. Clown. But as well? then you are mad, indeed, if you be no better in your wits than a fool.

2

Mal. They have here propertied me; keep me in darkness, send ministers to me, asses, and do all they can to face me out of my wits.

Clown. Advise you what you say; the minister is here.-Malvolio, Malvolio, thy wits the heavens restore! endeavor thyself to sleep, and leave thy vain bibble babble.

Mal. Sir Topas,

Clown. Maintain no words with him, good fellow. -Who, I, sir? not I, sir. God h' wi' you, good sir Topas.-Marry, amen.-I will, sir, I will.

Mal. Fool, fool, fool, I say.-
Clown. Alas, sir, be patient.

I am shent for speaking to you.

What say you, sir?

Mal. Good fool, help me to some light and some paper: I tell thee, I am as well in my wits as any man in Illyria.

Clown. Well-a-day,—that you were, sir!

Mal. By this hand, I am. Good fool, some ink, paper, and light, and convey what I will set down

1 Senses.

• Reprimanded,

2 Taken possession of me.

to my lady; it shall advantage thee more than ever the bearing of letter did.

Clown. I will help you to 't. But tell me true, are you not mad indeed? or do you but counterfeit ? Mul. Believe me, I am not; I tell thee true.

Clown. Nay, I'll ne'er believe a madman, till I see his brains. I will fetch you light, and paper. and ink.

Mal. Fool, I'll requite it in the highest degree: I pr'ythee, be gone.

Clown.

I am gone, sir,

And anon, sir,

I'll be with you again,

Sb. This is the air; that is the glorious sun;

1 The vice was the fool of the old moralities.

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
Το 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 fol

lowers,

Take, and give back, affairs, and their despatch, 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.

Enter OLIVIA and PRIEST.

Oli. 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,

Information.

• Belief.

2 Example and reason.
4 Little chapel.