ACT 1
Scene 2

...canopied with bowers.
Enter Viola, a Captain, and Sailors.

...friends, is this?
This is Illyria, lady.

...you, sailors?
It is perchance that you yourself were saved.

...may he be.
True, madam. And to comfort you with chance,
Assure yourself, after our ship did split,
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,
Where, like Arion on the dolphin’s back,
I saw him hold acquaintance with the waves
So long as I could see.
VIOLA, giving him money

...thou this country?
Ay, madam, well, for I was bred and born
Not three hours’ travel from this very place.

...Who governs here?
A noble duke, in nature as in name.

...is his name?
Orsino.

...a bachelor then.
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.

... What’s she?
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,
They say, she hath abjured the sight
And company of men.

...my estate is.
That were hard to compass
Because she will admit no kind of suit,
No, not the Duke’s.

...to my wit.
Be you his eunuch, and your mute I’ll be.
When my tongue blabs, then let mine eyes not see.

...Lead me on.
They exit.