Feste's Tale

Two twins by storm were sundered part
No one in fair Illyria knew
Viola hid her sex and heart
But the captain knew, and so do you
Acted the squire for Orsino
No one in fair Illyria knew
Under the name “Cesario”
But the captain knew, and so do you

Skilled and shrewd, she was his right hand
No one in fair Illyria knew
Privy to his most precious plan
But the captain knew, and so do you
To woe for whom she wished to wed
No one in fair Illyria knew
She to the Duchess’ house was led
But the captain knew, and so do you

Her august bearing caught the eyes
No one in fair Illyria knew
Of the dulcet island’s fairest prize
But the captain knew, and so do you
Olivia, from her own brother torn
No one in fair Illyria knew
Who’d vowed for seven years to mourn
But the captain knew, and so do you

The Duchess broke her sad concord
No one in fair Illyria knew
For the squire of the courting lord
But the captain knew, and so do you
And sought Cesario to wed
No one in fair Illyria knew
Viola from her mansion fled
But the captain knew, and so do you

Back to Orsino’s manse she fled
No one in fair Illyria knew
To find she was already wed
But the captain knew, and so do you
Orsino’s wrath had filled the hall
No one in fair Illyria knew
None knew her brother lived the squall

For Viola’s brother survived
No one in fair Illyria knew
And at Olivia’s house arrived
But the captain knew, and so do you
The duchess, scared he’d get away
No one in fair Illyria knew
Married him in her house that day
But the captain knew, and so do you

Viola cast off her disguise
Then all in fair Illyria knew
And Orsino was immediately wise
And found at last a love that’s true