Cymbeline, King of Britain: Act 4, Scene 1 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 4, Scene 1 of Cymbeline, King of Britain from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

  Original Text

 Translated Text

  Source: Folger Shakespeare Library

Enter Cloten alone, dressed in Posthumus’s garments.

CLOTEN I am near to th’ place where they should meet,
if Pisanio have mapped it truly. How fit his garments
serve me! Why should his mistress, who
was made by him that made the tailor, not be fit
too? The rather, saving reverence of the word, for 5
’tis said a woman’s fitness comes by fits. Therein I
must play the workman. I dare speak it to myself,
for it is not vainglory for a man and his glass to
confer in his own chamber. I mean, the lines of my
body are as well drawn as his, no less young, more 10
strong; not beneath him in fortunes, beyond him
in the advantage of the time, above him in birth,
alike conversant in general services, and more remarkable
in single oppositions. Yet this imperceiverant
thing loves him in my despite. What 15
mortality is! Posthumus, thy head, which now is
growing upon thy shoulders, shall within this hour
be off, thy mistress enforced, thy garments cut to
pieces before thy face; and all this done, spurn her
home to her father, who may haply be a little angry 20
or my so rough usage. But my mother, having
power of his testiness, shall turn all into my commendations.
My horse is tied up safe. Out, sword,
and to a sore purpose. Fortune, put them into my
hand! This is the very description of their meeting 25
place, and the fellow dares not deceive me.

He draws his sword and exits.

Cloten enters, alone, dressed in Posthumus's clothes, near Belarius's cave.

He congratulates himself on his brilliant plan. There's a lot of "Wow, I'm amazing" happening here.

Cloten's pretty sure that no matter what he does to Imogen, he won't get in trouble. His mom controls the king, after all.

Cloten comes upon the meeting place and hopes Pisanio hasn't lied to him.