Lords.
Clo.
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 borrow'd mine
oaths of him, and might not spend them at my pleasure.
1. L.
What got he by that? You have broke his pate
with your bowl.
&clquo;2. L.
&clquo;If his wit had been like his that note broke it, it
would have run all out.&crquo;
Clo.
When a gentleman is dispos'd to swear, it is not
for any standers-by to curtail his oaths: Ha?
2. L.
No, my lord; nor crop the ears of them.
Clo.
Whoreson dog!—I give note him satisfaction?—
'Would, he had been one of my rank!
&clquo;2. L.
&clquo;To have smelt like a fool.&crquo;
Clo.
I am not vext 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.
&clquo;2. L.
&clquo;You are a cock and capon too; and you
crow, cock, with your comb on.&crquo;
Clo.
Sayest thou?
-- 31 --
2. L.
It is not fit, your lordship should undertake every
companion that you give offence to.
Clo.
No, I know that: but it is fit, I should commit
offence to my inferiors.
2. L.
Ay, it is fit for your lordship only.
Clo.
Why, so I say.
1. L.
Did you hear of a stranger, that's come to court
to-night note?
Clo.
A stranger! and I not know on't!
&clquo;2. L.
&clquo;He's a strange fellow himself, and knows it not.&crquo;
1. L.
There's an Italian come; and, 'tis thought, one note
of Leonatus' friends.
Clo.
Leonatus! a banish'd rascal; and he's another,
whosoever note he be. Who told you of this stranger?
1. L.
One of your lordship's pages.
Clo.
Is it fit, I went to look upon him? Is there no
derogation in't?
2. L.
You cannot derogate, my lord.
Clo.
Not easily, I think.
&clquo;2. L.
&clquo;You are a fool granted; therefore your issues,
being foolish, do not derogate,&crquo;
Clo.
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. L.
I'll attend your lordship.
[Exeunt Cloten, and 1. 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 stepdame govern'd;
-- 32 --
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 he'd make!14Q1259 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.
Edward Capell [1767], Mr William Shakespeare his comedies, histories, and tragedies, set out by himself in quarto, or by the Players his Fellows in folio, and now faithfully republish'd from those Editions in ten Volumes octavo; with an introduction: Whereunto will be added, in some other Volumes, notes, critical and explanatory, and a Body of Various Readings entire (Printed by Dryden Leach, for J. and R. Tonson [etc.], London) [word count] [S10601].
