Page 1898 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

he shall run into, in that it is a thing of his own search, and altogether [125]
against my will.

OLIVER
Charles, I thank thee for thy love to me, which thou shalt find I will most
kindly requite. I had myself notice of my brother’s purpose herein, and have
by underhand means laboured to dissuade him from it; but [130] he is

resolute. I’ll tell thee Charles, it is the stubbornest young fellow of France, full
of ambition, an envious emulator of every man’s good parts, a secret and
villainous contriver against me his natural brother. Therefore use thy

discretion; I had as lief thou didst break his [135] neck as his finger. And thou
wert best look to’t; for if thou dost him any light disgrace, or if he do not
mightily grace himself on thee, he will practise against thee by poison, entrap
thee by some treacherous device, and never leave thee till he hath ta’en thy
life by some indirect [140] means or other. For I assure thee − and almost

with tears I speak it − there is not one so young and so villainous this day
living. I speak but brotherly of him, but should I anatomize him to thee as he
is, I must blush and weep, and thou must look pale and wonder. [145]

CHARLES
I am heartily glad I came hither to you. If he come tomorrow, I’ll give him his

payment. If ever he go alone again, I’ll never wrestle for prize more. And so
God keep your worship.

OLIVER
Farewell good Charles. Exit (Charles). Now will I [150] stir this gamester. I
hope I shall see an end of him; for my soul − yet I know not why − hates
nothing more than he. Yet he’s gentle, never schooled and yet learned, full of

noble device, of all sorts enchantingly beloved, and indeed so much in the
heart of the world, and especially [155] of my own people, who best know
him, that I am altogether misprised. But it shall not be so long; this wrestler

shall clear all. Nothing remains but that I kindle the boy thither, which now I’ll
go about.
Exit.

Scene II IT