Cymbeline · Act 1, Scene 2

Listen in app

Original

Modern English

Enter CLOTEN and two Lords
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.

First Lord

Sir, I suggest you change your shirt; the intensity of action has made you stink like a sacrifice: where air comes out, air comes in: there’s no fresh air like the air you release.

Cloten

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

Cloten

If my shirt were covered in blood, I’d change it. Did I hurt him?

Second Lord

[Aside] No, ’faith; not so much as his patience.

Second Lord

[Aside] No, honestly; not even his patience is hurt.

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.

First Lord

Hurt him! His body’s fine, unless he’s actually hurt: it’s just a path for steel, if he’s not injured.

Second Lord

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

Second Lord

[Aside] His sword was broke; it went around the back of the town.

Cloten

The villain would not stand me.

Cloten

The scoundrel wouldn’t stand up to me.

Second Lord

[Aside] No; but he fled forward still, toward your face.

Second Lord

[Aside] No; he kept running forward, straight towards your face.

First Lord

Stand you! You have land enough of your own: but he added to your having; gave you some ground.

First Lord

You stand! You have plenty of land of your own, but he gave you more; he gave you some ground.

Second Lord

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

Second Lord

[Aside] As many inches as you have seas. Idiots!

Cloten

I would they had not come between us.

Cloten

I wish they hadn’t gotten in our way.

Second Lord

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

Second Lord

[Aside] So do I, until you saw just how big a fool you looked on the ground.

Cloten

And that she should love this fellow and refuse me!

Cloten

And that she should love this guy and turn me down!

Second Lord

[Aside] If it be a sin to make a true election, she is damned.

Second Lord

[Aside] If it’s a sin to make a good choice, she is doomed.

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.

First Lord

Sir, like I always told you, her beauty and her brain don’t match: she’s a good looker, but I haven’t seen much proof of her smarts.

Second Lord

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

Second Lord

[Aside] She doesn’t waste time on idiots, in case the reflection damages her.

Cloten

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

Cloten

Fine, I’ll go to my room. I wish something had happened!

Second Lord

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

Second Lord

[Aside] I don’t wish that; unless it was the fall of a donkey, which isn’t really a big deal.

Cloten

You’ll go with us?

Cloten

Are you coming with us?

First Lord

I’ll attend your lordship.

First Lord

I’ll follow you, my lord.

Cloten

Nay, come, let’s go together.

Cloten

No, come on, let’s go together.

Second Lord

Well, my lord.

Second Lord

Alright, my lord.

Exuent
Exuent

End of Act 1, Scene 2

That's the end of this scene. Want to keep going? Pick up the next one below — or hear it narrated in the app.

Get the iOS app Get the Android app

Read the summary & analysis →

♪ Listen with the app Get it free →