Twelfth Night, or What You Will: Act 4, Scene 3 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 4, Scene 3 of Twelfth Night, or What You Will from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

  Original Text

 Translated Text

  Source: Folger Shakespeare Library

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. 5
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, 10
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— 15
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 20
As I perceive she does. There’s something in ’t
That is deceivable. But here the lady comes.

In Olivia's garden, Sebastian can't believe his good fortune—Olivia, who he has just met, is totally into him and recently gave him a pearl as a token of her love. (Sebastian doesn't know that Olivia thinks he's "Cesario.")

Sebastian wonders aloud where Antonio is—he sure wishes he could find his trusty pal because Antonio might be able to tell him if the rich, gorgeous Olivia is a dream or reality. Sebastian says that if he isn't crazy, it's possible Olivia is.

Enter Olivia, and a Priest.

OLIVIA, to 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 25
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, 30
What time we will our celebration keep
According to my birth. What do you say?

SEBASTIAN
I’ll follow this good man and go with you,
And, having sworn truth, ever will be true.

OLIVIA
Then lead the way, good father, and heavens so 35
shine
That they may fairly note this act of mine.

They exit.

Olivia enters the garden with a priest in tow. 

She still thinks Sebastian is "Cesario," who now appears to be in love with her. 

She tells Sebastian they should get hitched ASAP before he changes his mind. Best to nail down this whole deal before he runs off with some other woman.

Sebastian thinks this is a terrific idea and says he'll go along with whatever Olivia says.