ACT II
SCENE I 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.

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.

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!

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
 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?

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]




 CYMBELINE


ACT II