ACT II - Scene I Cymbeline
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.
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