Internet Shakespeare Editions

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