Act II, Scene i
| Britain. Before CYMBELINE'S palace. |
| [Enter CLOTEN and the two LORDS.] |
| CLOTEN: |
| Was there ever man had such luck! When I kiss'd the jack, |
| upon an up-cast to be hit away! I had a hundred pound on't; and |
| then a whoreson jackanapes must take me up for swearing, as if I |
| borrowed mine oaths of him and might not spend them at my |
| pleasure. |
| FIRST LORD: |
| What got he by that? You have broke his pate with your bowl. |
| SECOND LORD: |
| [Aside.] |
| If his wit had been like him that broke it, it would have run all |
| out. |
| CLOTEN: |
| When a gentleman is dispos'd to swear, it is not for any |
| standers-by to curtail his oaths, ha? |
| SECOND LORD: |
| No, my lord; |
| [Aside.] |
| nor crop the ears of them. |
| CLOTEN: |
| Whoreson dog! I give him satisfaction? Would he had been one of |
| my rank! |
| SECOND LORD: |
| [Aside.] |
| To have smelt like a fool. |
| CLOTEN: |
| I am not vex'd more at anything in the earth; a pox on't! I had |
| rather not be so noble as I am. They dare not fight with me, |
| because of the Queen my mother. Every Jack-slave hath his |
| bellyful of fighting, and I must go up and down like a cock |
| that nobody can match. |
| SECOND LORD: |
| [Aside.] |
| You are cock and capon too; and you crow, cock, with your comb |
| on. |
| CLOTEN: |
| Sayest thou? |
| SECOND LORD: |
| It is not fit your lordship should undertake every companion that |
| you give offence to. |
| CLOTEN: |
| No, I know that; but it is fit I should commit offence to my |
| inferiors. |
| SECOND LORD: |
| Ay, it is fit for your lordship only. |
| CLOTEN: |
| Why, so I say. |
| FIRST LORD: |
| Did you hear of a stranger that's come to court to-night? |
| CLOTEN: |
| A stranger, and I not known on't! |
| SECOND LORD: |
| [Aside.] |
| He's a strange fellow himself, and knows it not. |
| FIRST LORD: |
| There's an Italian come; and, 'tis thought, one of Leonatus' |
| friends. |
| CLOTEN: |
| Leonatus! a banish'd rascal; and he's another, whatsoever he be. |
| Who told you of this stranger? |
| FIRST LORD: |
| One of your lordship's pages. |
| CLOTEN: |
| Is it fit I went to look upon him? Is there no derogation in't? |
| SECOND LORD: |
| You cannot derogate, my lord. |
| CLOTEN: |
| Not easily, I think. |
| SECOND LORD: |
| [Aside.] |
| You are a fool granted; therefore your issues, being foolish, do |
| not derogate. |
| CLOTEN: |
| Come, I'll go see this Italian. What I have lost to-day at bowls |
| I'll win to-night of him. Come, go. |
| SECOND LORD: |
| I'll attend your lordship. |
| [Exeunt CLOTEN and FIRST LORD.] |
| That such a crafty devil as is his mother |
| Should yield the world this ass! A woman that |
| Bears all down with her brain; and this her son |
| Cannot take two from twenty, for his heart, |
| And leave eighteen. Alas, poor princess, |
| Thou divine Imogen, what thou endur'st, |
| Betwixt a father by thy step-dame govern'd, |
| A mother hourly coining plots, a wooer |
| More hateful than the foul expulsion is |
| Of thy dear husband! Then that horrid act |
| Of the divorce he'd make! The heavens hold firm |
| The walls of thy dear honour, keep unshak'd |
| That temple, thy fair mind, that thou mayst stand |
| To enjoy thy banish'd lord and this great land! |
| [Exit.] |
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