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Scene II.—: The Same. A Public Place. - William Shakespeare, Cymbeline [1623]

Edition used:

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (The Oxford Shakespeare), ed. with a glossary by W.J. Craig M.A. (Oxford University Press, 1916).

Part of: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (The Oxford Shakespeare)

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Scene II.—

The Same. A Public Place.

EnterClotenand 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.

Clo.

If my shirt were bloody, them to shift it. Have I hurt him?

Sec. 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 throughfare for steel if it be not hurt.

Sec. Lord.

[Aside.] His steel was in debt; it went o’ the backside the town.

Clo.

The villain would not stand me.

Sec. 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.

Sec. Lord.

[Aside.] As many inches as you have oceans. Puppies!

Clo.

I would they had not come between us.

Sec. Lord.

[Aside.] So would I till you had measured how long a fool you were upon the ground.

Clo.

And that she should love this fellow and refuse me!

Sec. 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.

Sec. Lord.

[Aside.] She shines not upon fools, lest the reflection should hurt her.

Clo.

Come, I’ll to my chamber. Would there had been some hurt done!

Sec. Lord.

[Aside.] I wish not so; unless it had been the fall of an ass, which is no great hurt.

Clo.

You’ll go with us?

First Lord.

I’ll attend your lordship.

Clo.

Nay, come, let’s go together.

Sec. Lord.

Well, my lord.

[Exeunt.