Scene
SCENE a Palace.
Enter Cloten, and two Lords.
Clot.
Was there ever man had such luck?† note When
I kiss'd the Jack, upon an up-cast, to be hit away! I
had an hundred pounds on't; and then a whorson
jack-an-apes must take me up for swearing, as if I had
borrow'd mine oaths of him, and might not spend
them at my pleasure.
1 Lord.
What got he by that? you have broke his
pate with your bowl.
2 Lord.
If his wit had been like him that broke it,
it would have run all out.
[Aside.
Clot.
When a gentleman is disposed to swear, it is
not for any standers-by to curtail his oaths. Ha!
2 Lord.
No, my lord: nor crop the ears of them.
Clot.
Whoreson dog! I give him satisfaction!
Would he had been one of my rank. 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 belly full of fighting, and
I must go up and down, like a cock that no body can
match.
2 Lord.
It is not fit your lordship should undertake
every companion, that you give offence to.
Clot.
No; I know that: but it is fit I should commit
offence to my inferiors.
-- 257 --
2 Lord.
Ay, it is fit for your lordship, only.
Clot.
Why, so I say.
2 Lord.
Here comes the king.
Enter Cymbeline and Queen.
Clot.
Good-night to your majesty, and gracious
mother.
Cym.
Attend you here the door of our stern daughter?
Will she not forth?
Clot.
She vouchsafes no notice; but I will assail her,
before morning, with mask and music.
Cym.
The exile of her minion is too new;
She hath not yet forgot him; some more time
Must wear the print of his remembrance out,
And then she's yours.
Enter Messenger, and whispers the first Lord.
Queen.
You are most bound to the king,
Who lets go by no 'vantages, that may
Prefer you to his daughter.
1 Lord.
So like you, sir, ambassadors from Rome,
The one is Caius Lucius.
Cym.
A worthy fellow,
Albeit, he comes on angry purpose now;
But that's no fault of his; our dear son,
When you have given good morning to your mistress,
Attend the queen and us, we shall have need
T'employ you towards this Roman.
Betimes to-morrow we'll hear th' embassy.
Come, our queen.
[Exeunt King and Queen.
1 Lord.
Did you hear of another stranger that's come
to court, to-night.
Clot.
Another stranger, and I not know on't?
2 Lord.
He's a strange fellow himself, and knows
it not.
[Aside.
1 Lord.
There's an Italian come, and 'tis thought
one of Leonatus' friends.
-- 258 --
Clot.
Leonatus! a banish'd rascal; and he's another,
wheresoever he be. Who told you of this stranger?
1 Lord.
One of your lordship's pages.
Clot.
Is it fit I went to look upon him? Is there no
derogation in't?
2 Lord.
You cannot derogate, my lord.
Clot.
Not easily, I think.
2 Lord.
You are a fool granted, therefore cannot
derogate.
[Aside.
Clot.
Come, I'll go see this Italian, and if he'll play,
I'll game with him, and to-morrow, with our
Father, we'll hear the ambassador—Come, let's go.
1 Lord.
I'll attend your lordship.
[Exeunt Clot. and 1 Lord.
2 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!
[Exit.
John Bell [1774], Bell's Edition of Shakespeare's Plays, As they are now performed at the Theatres Royal in London; Regulated from the Prompt Books of each House By Permission; with Notes Critical and Illustrative; By the Authors of the Dramatic Censor (Printed for John Bell... and C. Etherington [etc.], York) [word count] [S10401].
