Cymbeline, King of Britain: Act 2, Scene 1 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 2, Scene 1 of Cymbeline, King of Britain from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text	Translated Text
Source: Folger Shakespeare Library
Enter Cloten and the two Lords. CLOTEN Was there ever man had such luck? When I kissed the jack, upon an upcast to be hit away? I had a hundred pound on ’t. And then a whoreson jackanapes must take me up for swearing, as if I borrowed mine oaths of him and might not spend 5 them at my pleasure.	Poor Cloten. He's in the palace bowling with two lords and complaining about his life. He has the worst luck of anyone alive, he says.
FIRST LORD What got he by that? You have broke his pate with your bowl. SECOND LORD, aside If his wit had been like him that broke it, it would have run all out. 10 CLOTEN When a gentleman is disposed to swear, it is not for any standers-by to curtail his oaths, ha? SECOND LORD No, my lord, (aside) nor crop the ears of them. CLOTEN Whoreson dog! I gave him satisfaction. Would 15 he had been one of my rank. SECOND LORD, aside To have smelled like a fool. CLOTEN I am not vexed more at anything in th’ Earth. A pox on ’t! I had rather not be so noble as I am. They dare not fight with me because of the Queen 20 my mother. Every jack-slave hath his bellyful of fighting, and I must go up and down like a cock that nobody can match. SECOND LORD, aside You are cock and capon too, and you crow cock with your comb on. 25 CLOTEN Sayest thou? SECOND LORD It is not fit your Lordship should undertake every companion that you give offense to. CLOTEN No, I know that, but it is fit I should commit offense to my inferiors. 30 SECOND LORD Ay, it is fit for your Lordship only. CLOTEN Why, so I say.	The lords agree with everything Cloten says, but behind his back, they're making fun of him: what an idiot; he's got no wit; he's a fool, a sucker. We think you get the idea.
FIRST LORD Did you hear of a stranger that’s come to court tonight? CLOTEN A stranger, and I not know on ’t? 35 SECOND LORD, aside He’s a strange fellow himself and knows it not. FIRST LORD There’s an Italian come, and ’tis thought one of Leonatus’ friends. CLOTEN Leonatus? A banished rascal; and he’s another, 40 whatsoever he be. Who told you of this stranger? FIRST LORD One of your Lordship’s pages. CLOTEN Is it fit I went to look upon him? Is there no derogation in ’t? SECOND LORD You cannot derogate, my lord. 45 CLOTEN Not easily, I think. SECOND LORD, aside You are a fool granted; therefore your issues, being foolish, do not derogate. CLOTEN Come, I’ll go see this Italian. What I have lost today at bowls I’ll win tonight of him. Come, go. 50 SECOND LORD I’ll attend your Lordship.	The conversation turns to an Italian who has just come to town. (That would be Iachimo). Cloten lost to him at bowls, but he's sure he'll win tonight.
Cloten and First Lord exit. That such a crafty devil as is his mother Should yield the world this ass! A woman that Bears all down with her brain, and this her son Cannot take two from twenty, for his heart, 55 And leave eighteen. Alas, poor princess, Thou divine Imogen, what thou endur’st, Betwixt a father by thy stepdame governed, A mother hourly coining plots, a wooer More hateful than the foul expulsion is 60 Of thy dear husband, than that horrid act Of the divorce he’d make! The heavens hold firm The walls of thy dear honor, keep unshaked That temple, thy fair mind, that thou mayst stand T’ enjoy thy banished lord and this great land. 65 He exits.	As Cloten and the first lord leave, the second lord stays behind to share some thoughts with the audience. In case we didn't catch on, he says he thinks Cloten is just about the stupidest guy he's ever met. The second lord is shocked that the "crafty devil" Queen has a son who has such a small brain. Then he thinks of poor Imogen, who has to endure a dumb suitor and a father governed by a wicked stepmother.