Open Source Shakespeare

Cymbeline, King of Britain

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Act I, Scene 2

The same. A public place.

       

[Enter CLOTEN and two Lords]

  • First Lord. Sir, I would advise you to shift a shirt; the 235
    violence of action hath made you reek as a
    sacrifice: where air comes out, air comes in:
    there's none abroad so wholesome as that you vent.
  • Cloten. If my shirt were bloody, then to shift it. Have I hurt him?
  • Second Lord. [Aside] No, 'faith; not so much as his patience. 240
  • First Lord. Hurt him! his body's a passable carcass, if he be
    not hurt: it is a thoroughfare for steel, if it be not hurt.
  • Second Lord. [Aside] His steel was in debt; it went o' the
    backside the town.
  • Cloten. The villain would not stand me. 245
  • Second Lord. [Aside] No; but he fled forward still, toward your face.
  • First Lord. Stand you! You have land enough of your own: but
    he added to your having; gave you some ground.
  • Second Lord. [Aside] As many inches as you have oceans. Puppies!
  • Cloten. I would they had not come between us. 250
  • Second Lord. [Aside] So would I, till you had measured how long
    a fool you were upon the ground.
  • Cloten. And that she should love this fellow and refuse me!
  • Second Lord. [Aside] If it be a sin to make a true election, she
    is damned. 255
  • First Lord. Sir, as I told you always, her beauty and her brain
    go not together: she's a good sign, but I have seen
    small reflection of her wit.
  • Second Lord. [Aside] She shines not upon fools, lest the
    reflection should hurt her. 260
  • Cloten. Come, I'll to my chamber. Would there had been some
    hurt done!
  • Second Lord. [Aside] I wish not so; unless it had been the fall
    of an ass, which is no great hurt.
  • Cloten. You'll go with us? 265
  • First Lord. I'll attend your lordship.
  • Cloten. Nay, come, let's go together.
  • Second Lord. Well, my lord.

[Exeunt]