Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: Cymbeline (Modern)
  • Editor: Jennifer Forsyth
  • ISBN: 1-55058-300-X

    Copyright Jennifer Forsyth. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Jennifer Forsyth
    Peer Reviewed

    Cymbeline (Modern)

    225[1.3]
    Enter Clotten and two Lords
    1 Lord
    Sir, I would advise you to shift a shirt: the violence of action hath made you reek as a sacrifice. Where air comes out, air comes in; there's none abroad so 230wholesome as that you vent.
    Clotten
    If my shirt were bloody, then to shift it. Have I hurt him?
    2 Lord [Aside]
    No, faith; not so much as his patience.
    1 Lord
    Hurt him? His body's a passable carcass if he be 235not hurt. It is a throughfare for steel if it be not hurt.
    2 Lord [Aside]
    His steel was in debt: it went o'th' backside the town.
    Clotten
    The villain would not stand me.
    2 Lord [Aside]
    No, but he fled forward still, toward your face.
    2401 Lord
    Stand you? You have land enough of your own, but he added to your having, gave you some ground.
    2 Lord [Aside]
    As many inches as you have oceans, puppies.
    Clotten
    I would they had not come between us.
    2 Lord [Aside]
    So would I, till you had measured how long a fool 245you were upon the ground.
    Clotten
    And that she should love this fellow, and refuse me!
    2 Lord [Aside]
    If it be a sin to make a true election, she is damned.
    1 Lord
    Sir, as I told you always, her beauty and her brain 250go not together. She's a good sign, but I have seen small reflection of her wit.
    2 Lord [Aside]
    She shines not upon fools lest the reflection should hurt her.
    Clotten
    Come, I'll to my chamber. Would there had 255been some hurt done!
    2 Lord [Aside]
    I wish not so, unless it had been the fall of an ass, which is no great hurt.
    Clotten
    You'll go with us?
    1 Lord
    I'll attend your lordship.
    260Clotten
    Nay, come; let's go together.
    2 Lord
    Well, my Lord.
    Exeunt