Page 529 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Go to, y’are a dry fool: I’ll no more of you. Besides, you grow dishonest.

CLOWN
Two faults, madonna, that drink and good counsel will amend: for give the
dry fool drink, then is the fool not dry: bid the dishonest man mend himself,
[40] if he mend, he is no longer dishonest; if he cannot, let the botcher mend
him. Anything that’s mended is but patched: virtue that transgresses is but

patched with sin, and sin that amends is but patched with virtue. If that this
simple syllogism will serve, so: if it will not, [45] what remedy? As there is no
true cuckold but calamity, so beauty’s a flower. The lady bade take away the

fool, therefore I say again, take her away.

OLIVIA

Sir, I bade them take away you.

CLOWN
Misprision in the highest degree! Lady, cucullus [50] non facit monachum:
that’s as much to say, as I wear not motley in my brain. Good madonna, give
me leave to prove you a fool.

OLIVIA
Can you do it?

CLOWN
Dexteriously, good madonna. [55]

OLIVIA
Make your proof.

CLOWN
I must catechise you for it, madonna. Good my mouse of virtue, answer me.

OLIVIA
Well sir, for want of other idleness, I’ll bide your proof. [60]

CLOWN
Good madonna, why mourn’st thou?