Enter Viola, a Captain, and Sailors. Vio. What country, friends, is this? Cap. This is Illyria, lady. Vio. And what should I do in Illyria? My brother he is in Elysium. 5 Perchance he is not drown'd: what think you, sailors? Cap. It is perchance that you yourself were saved. Vio. O my poor brother! and so perchance may he be. Cap. True, madam: and, to comfort you with chance, Assure yourself, after our ship did split, 10 When you and those poor number saved with you Hung on our driving boat, I saw your brother, Most provident in peril, bind himself, Courage and hope both teaching him the practice, To a strong mast that lived upon the sea; 15 Where, like Arion on the dolphin's back, I saw him hold acquaintance with the waves So long as I could see. Vio. For saying so, there's gold: Mine own escape unfoldeth to my hope, 20 Whereto thy speech serves for authority, The like of him. Know'st thou this country? Cap. Ay, madam, well; for I was bred and born Not three hours' travel from this very place. Vio. Who governs here? 25 Cap. A noble Duke, in nature as in name. Vio. What is his name? Cap. Orsino. Vio. Orsino! I have heard my father name him: He was a bachelor then. 30 Cap. And so is now, or was so very late; For but a month ago I went from hence, And then 'twas fresh in murmur,—as, you know, What great ones do the less will prattle of,— That he did seek the love of fair Olivia. 35 Vio. What's she? Cap. A virtuous maid, the daughter of a count That died some twelvemonth since; then leaving her In the protection of his son, her brother, Who shortly also died: for whose dear love, 40 They say, she hath abjured the company And sight of men. Vio. O that I served that lady, And might not be delivered to the world, Till I had made mine own occasion mellow, What my estate is! Cap. That were hard to compass; 45 Because she will admit no kind of suit, No, not the Duke's. Vio. There is a fair behaviour in thee, captain; And though that nature with a beauteous wall Doth oft close in pollution, yet of thee 50 I will believe thou hast a mind that suits With this thy fair and outward character. I prithee, and I'll pay thee bounteously, Conceal me what I am, and be my aid For such disguise as haply shall become 55 The form of my intent. I'll serve this Duke: Thou shalt present me as an eunuch to him: It may be worth thy pains; for I can sing, And speak to him in many sorts of music, That will allow me very worth his service. 60 What else may hap to time I will commit; Only shape thou thy silence to my wit. Cap. Be you his eunuch, and your mute I'll be: When my tongue blabs, then let mine eyes not see. Vio. I thank thee: lead me on. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

Scene II.: The sea-coast] Capell. The street. Rowe.

[2] This is] om. Pope.

[7] and so] so Pope.

[10] those] that Rowe (ed. 2). this Capell. the Anon. conj.

[11] our] your Rowe.

driving] droving F3 F4.

[15] Arion] Pope. Orion Ff.

[18] For ... gold] There's gold for saying so Pope.

[21] Know'st] And knowest Hanmer.

[24-27] Who ... Orsino] As two lines in Hanmer, ending nature ... Orsino.

[25] in name] in his name Hanmer.

[29-35] He was ... she?] As six lines in Steevens (1793), ending, now, ... month ... fresh ... do, ... seek ... she?

[37] twelvemonth] twelve months Rowe.

[39] love] loss S. Walker conj.

[40] hath] F1. had F2 F3 F4.

[40, 41] company And sight] Hanmer. sight And company Ff.

[42] And] And't Hanmer.

delivered] deliver'd Rowe.

[43] mellow,] Hanmer. mellow Ff. fellow Anon. conj.

[50] will] weil S. Walker conj.