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 it: 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
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; nor crop the ears of them.
 
CLOTEN
Whoreson dog! I give him satisfaction? Would he had been one of my rank!
 
SECOND LORD
To have smelt like a fool.
 
CLOTEN
I am not vexed more at any thing in the earth: a pox on it! 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
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 offense to.
 
CLOTEN
No, I know that: but it is fit I should commit offense to my inferiors.
 
SECOND LORD
Aye, 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 tonight?
 
CLOTEN
A stranger, and I not know on it!
 
SECOND LORD
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 it?
 
SECOND LORD
You cannot derogate, my lord.
 
CLOTEN
Not easily, I think.
 
SECOND LORD
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 today at bowls I'll win tonight of him. Come, go.
 
SECOND LORD
I'll attend your lordship.
             ,        ,       x         ,          x
      That such | a craf|ty devil | as is | his mother
               ,           ,           ,       ,        ,
      Should yield | the world | this ass:| a wom|an, that
        T    T    T        2      ,           ,         ,
      Bears all down | with her brain,| and this | her son,
          ,      T   T    T      ,         2      ,
      Cannot | take two from | twenty | for his heart,
            ,          ,       ,      T    T   T
      And leave | eighteen.| Alas | poor princess,
                ,   ,   ,           ,        ,
      Thou di/vine Im|ogen,| what thou | endurst,
          ,        ,        2        ,    ,     ,
      Betwixt | a fath|er by thy / step-dame | governed,
          ,       ,       ,        ,         x
      A moth|er hour|ly coin|ing plots:| a wooer,
        ,    ,                   ,       ,        ,
      More hate/ful than | the foul | expul|sion is
                 ,   ,          ,          ,       ,
      Of thy / dear hus|band. Then | that hor|rid act
       ,    2     ,             ,           Tx     T    T
      Of the di|vorce, he'd | make the | heavens hold firm
            ,                ,   ,        ,         ,
      The walls | of thy / dear hon|or. Keep | unshaked
            ,              ,    ,           ,            ,
      That temp|le thy / fair mind,| that thou | mayst^stand
        2   ,         ,          ,     .    T    T     T
      To enjoy | thy ban|ished lord,| and this great land.
 
[Exit]