They had begun the Play. I fate me down, A bafenefs to write fair; and labour'd much, Hor. Ay, good my Lord. Ham. An earnest Conjuration from the King, As love between them, as the Palm fhould flourish, Hor. How was this feal'd? Ham. Why even in that was Heav'n ordinate; Hor. So, Guildenstern and Rofeneraus, go to't. Ham. Why Man, they did make love to this employment, They are not near my Confcience; their debate Doth by their own infinuation grow: 'Tis dangerous when bafer nature comes Between the pass, and fell incenfed points Of mighty oppofites. Hor. Why, what a King is this! Ham. Does it not, think'ft thou, ftand me now upon? And with fuch cozenage; is't not perfect Confcience, Се To To let this Canker of our Nature come In further evil? Hor. It must be fhortly known to him from England, What is the issue of the business there. Ham. It will be short. The Interim's mine, and a Man's Life's no more For by the Image of my cause I see The Pourtraiture of his; I'll court his favours: Into a towring Paffion. Hor. Peace, who comes here? Enter Ofrick. Ofr. Your Lordship is right welcome back to Denmark. Ham. I humbly thank you, Sir. Doft know this water-fly? Hor. No, my good Lord. : Ham. Thy ftate is the more gracious; for 'tis a Vice to know him he hath much Land, and fertile; let a Beaft be Lord of Beafts, and his Crib fhall ftand at the King's Meffe; 'tis a Chough; but as I fay, fpacious in the poffeffion of dirt. Ofr. Sweet Lord, if your friendship were at leifure, I fhould impart a thing to you from his Majefty. Ham. I will receive it with all diligence of Spirit; put your Bonnet to his right ufe, 'tis for the Head. Ofr. I thank your Lordship, 'tis very hot. Ham. No, believe me, 'tis very cold, the wind is Northerly. Ofr. It is indifferent cold, my Lord, indeed. Ham. Methinks it is very fultry, and hot for my Complexion. Ofr. Exceedingly, my Lord, it is very fultry, as 'twere, I cannot tell how: but, my Lord, his Majefty bid me fignifie to you, that he has laid a great wager on your head Sir, this is the matter Ham. I befeech you remember. Ofr. Nay in good faith, for mine eafe in good faith: Sir, you are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is at his weapon. Ham. What's his weapon? Oft. Ofr. Rapier and Dagger. Ham. That's two of his Weapons; but well. Ofr. The King, Sir, has wag'd with him fix Barbary Horfes, against the which he impon'd, as I take it, fix French Rapiers and Poinards, with their Affigns, as Girdle, Hangers, or fo: Three of the carriages in faith are very dear to fancy, very refponfive to the hilts, moft delicate carriages, and of very liberal conceit. Ham. What call you the carriages? Ofr. The carriages, Sir, are the Hangers. Ham. The Phrafe would be more germane to the matter, if we could carry Cannon by our fides; I would it might be Hangers 'till then; but on, fix Barbary Horfes, againft fix French Swords, their Affigns, and three liberal conceited carriages, that's the French; but against the Danish, why is this impon'd, as you call it? Ofr. The King, Sir, hath laid that in a dozen paffes between you and him, he fhall not exceed you three hits; He hath laid on twelve for nine, and that would come to immediate trial, if your Lordship would vouchfafe the Answer. Ham. How if I answer no .! Ofr. I mean, my Lord, the Oppofition of your Person in trial. Hám. Sir, I will walk here in the Hall; if it please his Majefty, 'tis the breathing time of day with me; let the Foils be brought, the Gentleman willing, and the King hold his purpofe; I will win for him if I can: if not, I'll gain nothing but my fhame, and the odd hits. Ofr. Shall I redeliver you e'en fo? Ham. To this effect, Sir, after what flourish your nature will. Ofr. I commend my duty to your Lordship. [Exit. Ham. Yours, yours; he does well to commend it himfelf, there are no tongues elfe for's turn. Hor, This Lapwing runs away with the shell on his Head. Ham. He did fo with his Dug before he fuck'd it thus has he and nine more of the fame Beavy that I know the droflie Age dotes on, only got the tune of the time, and outward habit of encounter, a kind of yefty Collection, which carries them through and through th moft fond and winnowed Opinions; and do but blow them to their Trials, the Bubbles are out. Enter a Lord. Lord. My Lord, his Majefty commended him to you by young Ofrick, who brings back to him that you attend him in the Hall, he fends to know if your pleasure hold to play with Laertes, or that you will take longer time? Ham. I am conftant to my purposes, they follow the King's pleafure; if his fitnefs fpeaks, mine is ready, now or whenfoever, provided I be fo able as now. Lord. The King and Queen and all are coming down. Lord. The Queen defires you to use fome gentle entertainment to Laertes before you go to play. Ham. She well instructs me. Hor. You will lofe this Wager, my Lord. Ham. I do not think fo; fince he went into France, I have been in continual Practice; I fhall win at the odds; but thou wouldeft not think how all's here about my Heart: but it is no matter. Hor. Nay, good my Lord. Ham. It is but foolery; but it is fuch a kind of gaingiving as would perhaps trouble a Woman. Hor. If your mind diflike any thing, obey. I will foreftal their repair hither, and fay you are not fit. Ham. Not a whit, we defie Augury; there's a fpecial Providence in the fall of a Sparrow. If it be now, '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; fince no Man has ought of what he leaves, what is't to leave betimes? Enter King, Queen, Laertes and Lords, with other Attendants with Foils, and Gantlets, a Table and Flagons of Wine on it. King. Come, Hamlet, come, and take this Hand from me. Ham. Give me your pardon, Sir, I've done you wrong, But pardon't, as you are a Gentleman. This Prefence knows, and you must needs have heard What I have done That That might your Nature, Honour, and Exception And when he's not himself, do's wrong Laertes; Let my difclaiming from a purpos'd evil, Laer. I am fatisfied in Nature, Whofe Motive, in this cafe, fhould ftir me moft To keep my Name ungorg'd. But 'till that time, Ham. I do embrace it freely, And will this Brother's Wager frankly play, Laer. Come one for me. Ham. I'll be your Foil, Laertes, in mine ignorance, Your skill fhall like a Star i'th' brightest Night, Stick fiery off indeed. Laer. You mock me, Sir. Ham. No, by this Hand.. King. Give the Foils, young Ofrick. Coufin Hamlet, you know the Wager. Ham. Very well, my Lord, Your Grace hath laid the odds o'th' weaker fide. Let me fee another. |