beautiful stories from shakespeare-第8章
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a; hearing how her instructions were defied and curious to see this daring youth; said; 〃We'll once more hear Orsino's embassy。〃
When Viola was admitted to her presence and the servants had been sent away; she listened patiently to the reproaches which this bold messenger from the Duke poured upon her; and listening she fell in love with the supposed Cesario; and when Cesario had gone; Olivia longed to send some love…token after him。 So; calling Malvolio; she bade him follow the boy。
〃He left this ring behind him;〃 she said; taking one from her finger。 〃Tell him I will none of it。〃
Malvolio did as he was bid; and then Viola; who of course knew perfectly well that she had left no ring behind her; saw with a woman's quickness that Olivia loved her。 Then she went back to the Duke; very sad at heart for her lover; and for Olivia; and for herself。
It was but cold comfort she could give Orsino; who now sought to ease the pangs of despised love by listening to sweet music; while Cesario stood by his side。
〃Ah;〃 said the Duke to his page that night; 〃you too have been in love。〃
〃A little;〃 answered Viola。
〃What kind of woman is it?〃 he asked。
〃Of your complexion;〃 she answered。
〃What years; i' faith?〃 was his next question。
To this came the pretty answer; 〃About your years; my lord。〃
〃Too old; by Heaven!〃 cried the Duke。 〃Let still the woman take an elder than herself。〃
And Viola very meekly said; 〃I think it well; my lord。〃
By and by Orsino begged Cesario once more to visit Olivia and to plead his love…suit。 But she; thinking to dissuade him; said
〃If some lady loved you as you love Olivia?〃
〃Ah! that cannot be;〃 said the Duke。
〃But I know;〃 Viola went on; 〃what love woman may have for a man。 My father had a daughter loved a man; as it might be;〃 she added blushing; 〃perhaps; were I a woman; I should love your lordship。〃
〃And what is her history?〃 he asked。
〃A blank; my lord;〃 Viola answered。 〃She never told her love; but let concealment like a worm in the bud feed on her damask cheek: she pined in thought; and with a green and yellow melancholy she sat; like Patience on a monument; smiling at grief。 Was not this love indeed?〃
〃But died thy sister of her love; my boy?〃 the Duke asked; and Viola; who had all the time been telling her own love for him in this pretty fashion; said
〃I am all the daughters my father has and all the brothers Sir; shall I go to the lady?〃
〃To her in haste;〃 said the Duke; at once forgetting all about the story; 〃and give her this jewel。〃
So Viola went; and this time poor Olivia was unable to hide her love; and openly confessed it with such passionate truth; that Viola left her hastily; saying
〃Nevermore will I deplore my master's tears to you。〃
But in vowing this; Viola did not know the tender pity she would feel for other's suffering。 So when Olivia; in the violence of her love; sent a messenger; praying Cesario to visit her once more; Cesario had no heart to refuse the request。
But the favors which Olivia bestowed upon this mere page aroused the jealousy of Sir Andrew Aguecheek; a foolish; rejected lover of hers; who at that time was staying at her house with her merry old uncle Sir Toby。 This same Sir Toby dearly loved a practical joke; and knowing Sir Andrew to be an arrant coward; he thought that if he could bring off a duel between him and Cesario; there would be rare sport indeed。 So he induced Sir Andrew to send a challenge; which he himself took to Cesario。 The poor page; in great terror; said
〃I will return again to the house; I am no fighter。〃
〃Back you shall not to the house;〃 said Sir Toby; 〃unless you fight me first。〃
And as he looked a very fierce old gentleman; Viola thought it best to await Sir Andrew's coming; and when he at last made his appearance; in a great fright; if the truth had been known; she tremblingly drew her sword; and Sir Andrew in like fear followed her example。 Happily for them both; at this moment some officers of the Court came on the scene; and stopped the intended duel。 Viola gladly made off with what speed she might; while Sir Toby called after her
〃A very paltry boy; and more a coward than a hare!〃
Now; while these things were happening; Sebastian had escaped all the dangers of the deep; and had landed safely in Illyria; where he determined to make his way to the Duke's Court。 On his way thither he passed Olivia's house just as Viola had left it in such a hurry; and whom should he meet but Sir Andrew and Sir Toby。 Sir Andrew; mistaking Sebastian for the cowardly Cesario; took his courage in both hands; and walking up to him struck him; saying; 〃There's for you。〃
〃Why; there's for you; and there; and there!〃 said Sebastian; bitting back a great deal harder; and again and again; till Sir Toby came to the rescue of his friend。 Sebastian; however; tore himself free from Sir Toby's clutches; and drawing his sword would have fought them both; but that Olivia herself; having heard of the quarrel; came running in; and with many reproaches sent Sir Toby and his friend away。 Then turning to Sebastian; whom she too thought to be Cesario; she besought him with many a pretty speech to come into the house with her。
Sebastian; half dazed and all delighted with her beauty and grace; readily consented; and that very day; so great was Olivia's baste; they were married before she had discovered that he was not Cesario; or Sebastian was quite certain whether or not he was in a dream。
Meanwhile Orsino; hearing how ill Cesario sped with Olivia; visited her himself; taking Cesario with him。 Olivia met them both before her door; and seeing; as she thought; her husband there; reproached him for leaving her; while to the Duke she said that his suit was as fat and wholesome to her as howling after music。
〃Still so cruel?〃 said Orsino。
〃Still so constant;〃 she answered。
Then Orsino's anger growing to cruelty; he vowed that; to be revenged on her; he would kill Cesario; whom he knew she loved。 〃Come; boy;〃 he said to the page。
And Viola; following him as he moved away; said; 〃I; to do you rest; a thousand deaths would die。〃
A great fear took hold on Olivia; and she cried aloud; 〃Cesario; husband; stay!〃
〃Her husband?〃 asked the Duke angrily。
〃No; my lord; not I;〃 said Viola。
〃Call forth the holy father;〃 cried Olivia。
And the priest who had married Sebastian and Olivia; coming in; declared Cesario to be the bridegroom。
〃O thou dissembling cub!〃 the Duke exclaimed。 〃Farewell; and take her; but go where thou and I henceforth may never meet。〃
At this moment Sir Andrew came up with bleeding crown; complaining that Cesario had broken his head; and Sir Toby's as well。
〃I never hurt you;〃 said Viola; very positively; 〃you drew your sword on me; but I bespoke you fair; and hurt you not。〃
Yet; for all her protesting; no one there believed her; but all their thoughts were on a sudden changed to wonder; when Sebastian came in。
〃I am sorry; madam;〃 he said to his wife; 〃I have hurt your kinsman。 Pardon me; sweet; even for the vows we made each other so late ago。〃
〃One face; one voice; one habit; and two persons!〃 cried the Duke; looking first at Viola; and then at Sebastian。
〃An apple cleft in two;〃 said one who knew Sebastian; 〃is not more twin than these two creatures。 Which is Sebastian?〃
〃I never had a brother;〃 said Sebastian。 〃I had a sister; whom the blind waves and surges have devoured。〃 〃Were you a woman;〃 he said to Viola; 〃I should let my tears fall upon your cheek; and say; 'Thrice welcome; drowned Viola!'〃
Then Viola; rejoicing to see her dear brother alive; confessed that she was indeed his sister; Viola。 As she spoke; Orsino felt the pity that is akin to love。
〃Boy;〃 he said; 〃thou hast said to me a thousand times thou never shouldst love woman like to me。〃
〃And all those sayings will I overswear;〃 Viola replied; 〃and all those swearings keep true。〃
〃Give me thy hand;〃 Orsino cried in gladness。 〃Thou shalt be my wife; and my fancy's queen。〃
Thus was the gentle Viola made happy; while Olivia found in Sebastian a constant lover; and a good husband; and he in her a true and loving wife。
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