Page 1066 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

ANTONIO

I am more serious than my custom: you
Must be so too, if heed me; which to do [215]
Trebles thee o’er.

SEBASTIAN
Well, I am standing water.

ANTONIO

I’ll teach you how to flow.

SEBASTIAN

Do so: to ebb
Hereditary sloth instructs me.

ANTONIO
O,
If you but knew how you the purpose cherish
Whiles thus you mock it! how, in stripping it, [220]

You more invest it. Ebbing men, indeed,
Most often do so near the bottom run
By their own fear or sloth.

SEBASTIAN
Prithee, say on:

The setting of thine eye and cheek proclaim
A matter from thee; and a birth, indeed, [225]
Which throes thee much to yield.

ANTONIO
Thus, sir:
Although this lord of weak remembrance, this,

Who shall be of as little memory
When he is earth’d, hath here almost persuaded, −
For he’s a spirit of persuasion, only [230]

Professes to persuade, − the King his son’s alive,
Tis as impossible that he’s undrown’d