William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

Cymbeline

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

First Lord

I’ll attend your lordship.

CLOTEN

Nay, come, let’s go together.

Second Lord

Well, my lord.

Exeunt

Act I Scene 1

Act I Scene 3