_Duke._ This savours not much of distraction.
_Oli._ See him deliver'd, Fabian; bring him hither. [_Exit Fabian._
My lord, so please you, these things further thought on, To think me as well a sister as a wife, One day shall crown the alliance on't, so please you, 305 Here at my house and at my proper cost.
_Duke._ Madam, I am most apt to embrace your offer. [_To Viola_] Your master quits you; and for your service done him, So much against the mettle of your sex, So far beneath your soft and tender breeding, 310 And since you call'd me master for so long, Here is my hand: you shall from this time be Your master's mistress.
_Oli._ Ay, my lord, this same. How now, Malvolio!
_Mal._ Madam, you have done me wrong, 315 Notorious wrong.
_Mal._ Lady, you have. Pray you, peruse that letter. You must not now deny it is your hand: Write from it, if you can, in hand or phrase; Or say 'tis not your seal, not your invention: 320 You can say none of this: well, grant it then And tell me, in the modesty of honour, Why you have given me such clear lights of favour, Bade me come smiling and cross-garter'd to you, To put on yellow stockings and to frown 325 Upon Sir Toby and the lighter people; And, acting this in an obedient hope, Why have you suffer'd me to be imprison'd, Kept in a dark house, visited by the priest, And made the most notorious geek and gull 330 That e'er invention play'd on? tell me why.
_Oli._ Alas, Malvolio, this is not my writing, Though, I confess, much like the character: But out of question 'tis Maria's hand. And now I do bethink me, it was she 335 First told me thou wast mad; then camest in smiling, And in such forms which here were presupposed Upon thee in the letter. Prithee, be content: This practice hath most shrewdly pass'd upon thee; But when we know the grounds and authors of it, 340 Thou shalt be both the plaintiff and the judge Of thine own cause.
_Fab._ Good madam, hear me speak, And let no quarrel nor no brawl to come Taint the condition of this present hour, Which I have wonder'd at. In hope it shall not, 345 Most freely I confess, myself and Toby Set this device against Malvolio here, Upon some stubborn and uncourteous parts We had conceived against him: Maria writ The letter at Sir Toby's great importance; 350 In recompense whereof he hath married her. How with a sportful malice it was follow'd, May rather pluck on laughter than revenge; If that the injuries be justly weigh'd That have on both sides pass'd. 355