SCENE IV.
Enter Cloten, and two Lords.
1 Lord.
Sir, I would advise you to shift a shirt; the
violence of action hath made you reek as a sacrifice.
Where air comes out, air comes in, there's none abroad
so wholesome as that you vent.
Clot.
If my shirt were bloody, then to shift it—
Have I hurt him?
2 Lord.
No, faith: Not so much as his patience.
[Aside.
1 Lord.
Hurt him? his body's a passable carcass, if
-- 267 --
he be not hurt. It is a thorough-fare for steel, if it
be not hurt.
2 Lord.
His steel was in debt, it went o' th' backside
the town.
[Aside.
Clot.
The villain would not stand me.
2 Lord.
No, but he fled forward still, toward your
face.
[Aside.
1 Lord.
Stand you? you have land enough of your
own; but he added to your Having, gave you some
ground.
2 Lord.
As many inches as you have oceans, puppies!
[Aside.
Clot.
I would, they had not come between us.
2 Lord.
So would I, 'till you had measur'd how
long a fool you were upon the ground.
[Aside.
Clot.
And that she should love this fellow, and refuse
me!—
2 Lord.
If it be a sin to make a true election, she's
damn'd.
[Aside.
1 Lord.
Sir, as I told you always, 1 noteher beauty and
her brain go not together. 2 note
She's a good Sign, but
I have seen small reflection of her wit.
2 Lord.
She shines not upon fools, lest the reflection
should hurt her.
[Aside.
Clot.
Come, I'll to my chamber. 'Would there had
been some hurt done!
2 Lord.
I wish not so; unless it had been the fall of
an ass, which is no great hurt.
[Aside.
-- 268 --
Clot.
You'll go with us?
1 Lord.
I'll attend your Lordship.
Clot.
Nay, come, let's go together.
2 Lord.
Well, my Lord.
[Exeunt.
Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].