TPTT Cymbeline: ACT II
Introduction
ACT I
ACT II
SCENE I. Britain. Before Cymbeline's palace.
SCENE II. Imogen's bedchamber in Cymbeline's palace: a trunk in one corner of it.
Scene III An ante-chamber adjoining Imogen's apartments.
SCENE IV. Rome. Philario's house.
SCENE V. Another room in Philario's house.
ACT III
ACT IV
ACT V
About the Play
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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
5     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
10    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?
15    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
20    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
25    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
30    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
35    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
40    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
45    (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

50    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,
55    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
60    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
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