SCENE I.
Cymbeline's palace.
Enter Cloten, and two Lords.
Clot.
Was there ever man had such luck! when I
7 note
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 borrow'd my 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.
-- 214 --
Clot.
When a gentleman is dispos'd to swear, it is
not for any standers-by to curtail his oaths: Ha?
2 Lord.
8 note
No, my lord; nor crop the ears of them.
[Aside.
Clot.
Whoreson dog!—I give him satisfaction?
'Would, he had been one of my rank!
2 Lord.
To have smelt like a fool.
[Aside.
Clot.
I am not vex'd more at any thing 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 belly full of fighting,
and I must go up and down like a cock that no
body can match.
2 Lord.
You are a cock and a capon too; and you
crow, cock, 9 notewith your comb on.
[Aside.
Clot.
Sayest thou?
1 Lord.
It is not fit, your lordship should undertake
1 noteevery companion that you give offence to.
Clot.
No, I know that: but it is fit, I should commit
offence to my inferiors.
2 Lord.
Ay, it is fit for your lordship only.
Clot.
Why, so I say.
1 Lord.
Did you hear of a stranger, that's come to
court to-night?
Clot.
A 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.
Clot.
Leonatus! a banish'd rascal; and he's another,
whatsoever he be. Who told you of this stranger?
-- 215 --
1 Lord.
One of your lordship's pages.
Clot.
Is it fit, I went to look upon him? Is there
no derogation in't?
1 Lord.
You cannot derogate, my lord.
Clot.
Not easily, I think.
2 Lord.
You are a fool granted; therefore your
issues being foolish, do not derogate.
[Aside.
Clot.
Come, I'll go see this Italian: What I have
lost to-day at bowls, I'll win to-night of him. Come,
go.
2 Lord.
I'll attend your lordship.
[Exeunt Cloten, and first Lord.
That such a crafty devil as 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, than that horrid act
Of the divorce 2 note
he'd make! The heavens hold firm
The walls of thy dear honour; keep unshak'd
That temple, thy fair mind; that thou may'st stand,
To enjoy thy banish'd lord, and this great land!
[Exit.
Samuel Johnson [1778], The plays of William Shakspeare. In ten volumes. With the corrections and illustrations of various commentators; to which are added notes by Samuel Johnson and George Steevens. The second edition, Revised and Augmented (Printed for C. Bathurst [and] W. Strahan [etc.], London) [word count] [S10901].
