Osr. Ham.

Osr.

Ham.

Osr.
Ham.

Osr.

Ham.

Osr.

Ham.

Hor.

Ham.

The carriages, sir, are girdles, and hangers, and such like. The phrase would be more germane to the matter if we could carry a cannon by our sides; I would it be hangers till then. But, on-six Barbary horses against six French swords, their assigns, and three liberal-conceited carriages; that's the French bet against the Danish. Why is this all you call it?

The king, sir, hath laid, sir, that in a dozen passes between yourself and him, he shall not exceed you three hits; he hath laid on twelve for nine; and it would come to immediate trial if your lordship would vouchsafe the

answer.

How if I answer "no"?

I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial.
Sir, if it please his majesty, I will attend him in the hall.
It is the breathing time of day with me. Let the foils
be brought, the gentleman willing, and the king hold
purpose; I will win for him and I can; if not, I
will gain nothing but my shame, and the odd hits.
Shall I deliver you so ?

his

To this effect, sir; after what flourish your nature will.
I commend my duty to your lordship.

Yours does well to commend it himself

[Exit Osric]

[To Horatio] There are no tongues else for's turn.
This lapwing runs away with the shell on his head.
He did sir with his dug before he sucked it. Thus has he,
(and many more of the same breed that I know the
drossy age dotes on) only got the tune of the time, and
out of an habit of encounter, a kind of yeasty collection,
which carries them through and through the most pro-
fane and trended opinions; and do but blow them to
their trial, the bubbles are out.

Lord

Ham.

Enter a Lord

My lord, his majesty commended him to you by young Osric, who brings back to him that you will attend him in the hall: he sends to know if your pleasure hold to play with Laertes, or that you will take longer time?

I am constant to my purposes; they follow the king's
pleasure; if his fitness speaks, mine is ready: now
or whensoever, provided I be so able as now.

The king, and queen, and all are coming down.
In happy time.

The queen desires you to use some gentle entertainment
to Laertes, before you fall to play.

Lord

Ham.

Lord

Ham.

Hor.

You will lose, my lord.

Ham.

She well instructs me.

Hor.

Ham.

Hor.

Ham.

[Exit Lord]

I do not think so; since he went into France, I have been in continual practice; I shall win at the odds. But thou wouldst not think how ill all's here about my heart; but it is no matter.

Nay, good my lord,—

It is but foolery; but it is such a kind of gam-giving, as would perhaps trouble a woman.

If your mind dislike anything, obey it. I will forestall their repair hither, and say you are not fit.

Not a whit; we defy augury; there's a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be, 'tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come; the readiness is all; since no man of aught he leaves, knows what is't to leave betimes- -let be.

[Exeunt Hamlet and Horatio]

King

Ham.

Laer.

SCENE III-ELSINORE

THE CASTLE HALL

Flourish of Trumpets and Kettle-drums. KING, QUEEN, LAERTES, OSRIC, Lords and Ladies assembled in full state. Some Attendants with foils, daggers, and gauntlets, others with cushions. A table prepared with flagons of wine on it.

Enter HAMLET and HORATIO

Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.
[The King puts Laertes' hand into Hamlet's]
Give me your pardon, sir; I've done you wrong;
But pardon't, as you are a gentleman. This presence

knows,

And you must needs have heard, how I am punish'd
With a sore distraction. What I have done,
That might your nature, honour, and exception
Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness.
Was't Hamlet wrong'd Laertes? Never Hamlet.
If Hamlet from himself be ta'en away,

And when he's not himself, does wrong Laertes,
Then Hamlet does it not; Hamlet denies it.
Who does it then? His madness; if't be so,
Hamlet is of the faction that is wronged;
His madness is poor Hamlet's enemy.
Let my disclaiming from a purpos'd evil,
Free me so far in your most generous thoughts,
That I have shot mine arrow o'er the house,
And hurt my brother.

I am satisfied in nature,
Whose motive (in this case) should stir me most
To my revenge: but in my terms of honour

I stand aloof, and will no reconcilement,
Till by some elder masters of known honour

Ham.

Laer.

I have a voice and precedent of peace,

To keep my name ungor'd. But till that time
I do receive your offer'd love, like love,

And will not wrong it.

Ham.

Laer.

Ham.

King

Ham.

King

Laer.

Ham.

Osr.

King

I'll be your foil, Laertes; in mine ignorance
Your skill shall, like a star i' the darkest night,
Stick fiery off indeed.

No, by this hand.

You mock me, sir.

Give them the foils, young Osric.-Cousin Hamlet,
You know the wager?

Very well, my lord;

Your grace has laid the odds o' the weaker side.

I do not fear it; I have seen you both :
But since he is better, we have therefore odds.

This is too heavy: let me see another.

This likes me well. These foils have all a length?
[They prepare to play]

Ay, my good lord.

Set me the stoups of wine upon that table.
If Hamlet give the first or second hit,
Or quit in answer of the third exchange,
Let all the battlements their ordnance fire;
The king shall drink to Hamlet's better breath;
And in the cup an Unice shall he throw,
Richer than that which four successive kings
In Denmark's crown have worn.
Give me the cups;

And let the kettle to the trumpet speak,
The trumpet to the cannoneer without,

The cannons to the heavens, the heaven to earth,
"Now the king drinks to Hamlet!" Come, begin.
And you, the judges, bear a wary eye.

Ham.

[Trumpets souna, and cannons shot off within]
Give him the cup.

I'll play this bout first; set it by a while.
Come-

Another hit!

[They play]

What say you

Laer.

King Queen

Ham.

King

Queen

King

Ham.

Queen

Laer.

I do confess't; a touch, a touch.

Our son shall win.

He's fat, and scant of breath.

Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows;
queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.

The

I will my lord; I pray you, pardon me.
[Aside] It is the poison'd cup! it is too late!
I dare not drink yet, madam; by and by.

Come, let me wipe thy face.

[Aside to the King] My lord, I'll hit him now.