himself before—not the goddess of his idolatry, but the step ping-stone to his ambition, with the apish manners of an underbred dandy. Maria having previously prepared her mistress's mind for the most obvious explanation of his absurdities.
He's coming, madam ;
“Mar.
But in strange manner. He is sure possess'd. Oli. Why, what's the matter does he rave 7 No, madam,
Mar.
He does nothing but smile : your ladyship Were best have guard about you, if he come ; For, sure, the man is tainted in his wits. Oli. Go call him hither.—I’m as mad as he,
If sad and merry madness equal be.— How now, Malvolio !
Mal. Sweet lady, ho, ho,
[Smiles fantastically.
Oli. Smil'st thou ?
I sent for thee upon a sad occasion. Mal. Sad, lady ?
I could be sad : This does make some
obstruction in the blood, this cross-gartering; But what of that, if it please the eye of one, it is with me as the very true sonnet is : Please one, and please all. Oli. Why, how dost thou man what is the matter with thee ?
Mal. Not black in my mind, though yellow in my legs: It did come to his hands, and commands shall be executed. I think, we do know the sweet Roman hand.
Oli. God comfort thee! Why dost thou smile so, and kiss thy hand so oft? Mar. How do you, Malvolio ! Mal. At your request ? Yes; Nightingales answer daws. Mar. Why appear you with this ridiculous boldness before my lady ?
Mal. Be mot afraid of greatness.-'twas well writ,” &c. “Oli. Why, this is very midsummer madness.” In what midsummer madness is supposed to differ from that
of the rest of the year is not certain, unless it may be that the heat of the weather is supposed to increase that of the brain,
and render its vagaries more rampant. Olivia's injunction to Maria, to “let this fellow be looked to,” and that the people
