CYMBELINE, Act 2 Scene 1

Act 2, Scene 1

Britain. Before Cymbeline's palace.

Enter Cloten and two Lords

Cloten Was there ever man had such luck! when I kissed 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. 5

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. 10

Cloten When a gentleman is disposed 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! 15

Second Lord [Aside] To have smelt like a fool.

Cloten I am not vexed 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 bellyful of 20

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? 25

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 know 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 banished 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 endurest,
	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 he'ld make! The heavens hold firm
	The walls of thy dear honour, keep unshaked
	That temple, thy fair mind, that thou mayst stand,
	To enjoy thy banish'd lord and this great land!

Exit

Cloten	Was there ever man had such luck! when I kissed 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.	5

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.	10

Cloten	When a gentleman is disposed 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!	15

Cloten	I am not vexed 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 bellyful of	20
	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.

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.

First Lord	There's an Italian come; and, 'tis thought, one of
	Leonatus' friends.

Cloten	Leonatus! a banished rascal; and he's another,
	whatsoever he be. Who told you of this stranger?

Cloten	Is it fit I went to look upon him? is there no
	derogation in't?

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.