Read the full text of Cymbeline Act 2 Scene 3 with a side-by-side translation HERE.
- Cloten figures that the way to a lady's heart is through music. So he orders musicians to serenade Imogen as she wakes.
- When that doesn't work, Cloten dismisses the musicians. Cymbeline and the Queen see this and tell him to keep it up: they really want this marriage to happen—despite the fact that, you know, Imogen is already married.
- In the middle of the conversation, a messenger enters with news that a man from Rome asks to see the king.
- Cymbeline is worried because he knows the guy from Rome is angry, but he figures he should greet him.
- Cloten takes his mom and stepdad's advice to heart: he'll be persistent whether Imogen likes him or not.
- Cloten knocks on Imogen's door, and one of her ladies in waiting answers. Ever the klutz, Cloten tries to bribe the lady for the gossip on Imogen. He's kidding himself.
- None of this works, of course. Imogen comes out while Cloten's making a fool of himself trying to give the lady gold.
- Imogen is cold toward Cloten and calls him a fool. Cloten retorts by saying that she's disobeying her father by marrying someone other than him.
- Imogen tells Cloten he's too "base" (translation: unworthy) to be even Posthumus's servant. Then she tells him that even Posthumus's cheapest clothes ("meanest garment") are more valuable to her than Cloten.
- It's on.
- Cloten is furious and vows to take vengeance on Posthumus. He's so shocked that he keeps muttering stuff about Posthumus's "garment."
- But Imogen doesn't really care. During the insult slewing, Pisanio came in, and now Imogen orders him to find her precious bracelet.
- Imogen remembers that the bracelet was on her arm, and she kissed it. It's gone now, though, and she's really worried about it.
- They all exit: Pisanio and Imogen to find the bracelet, and Cloten to yell about how he's gonna get revenge on Imogen for dissing him.