Re-enter Players with recorders. O, the recorders :-let me see one.(58)-To withdraw with you: why do you go about to recover the wind of me, as if you would drive me into a toil? Guil. O, my lord, if my duty be too bold, my love is too unmannerly. Ham. I do not well understand that. Will you play upon this pipe? Guil. My lord, I cannot. Ham. I pray you. Guil. Believe me, I cannot. Ham. I do beseech you. Guil. I know no touch of it, my lord. Ham. 'Tis as easy as lying: govern these ventages with your finger and thumb, give it breath with your mouth, and it will discourse most eloquent music. Look you, these are the stops. Guil. But these cannot I command to any utterance of harmony; I have not the skill. Ham. Why, look you now, how unworthy a thing you make of me! You would play upon me; you would seem to know my stops; you would pluck out the heart of my mystery; you would sound me from my lowest note to the top of my compass: and there is much music, excellent voice, in this little organ; yet cannot you make it speak.(59) 'Sblood, do you think that I am easier to be played on than a pipe? Call me what instrument you will, though you can fret me, you cannot play upon me. God bless you, sir! Enter POLONIUS. Pol. My lord, the queen would speak with you, and presently. Ham. Do you see yonder cloud that's almost in shape of a camel? Pol. By the mass, and 'tis like a camel, indeed. Ham. Methinks it is like a weasel. Pol. It is backed like a weasel. Ham. Or like a whale? Pol. Very like a whale. Ham. Then will I come to my mother by and by.—They fool me to the top of my bent.-I will come by and by. Pol. I will say so. Ham. By and by is easily said. [Exit Polonius.]—Leave me, friends. [Exeunt Ros., Guil., Hor., and Players. 'Tis now the very witching time of night, When churchyards yawn, and hell itself breathes out Would quake to look on. Soft! now to my mother.- The soul of Nero enter this firm bosom : I will speak daggers to her, but use none; [Exit. SCENE III. A room in the same. Enter King, ROSENCRANTZ, and GUILDENSTERN. The terms of our estate may not endure Guil. We will ourselves provide: To keep those many many bodies safe Ros. The single and peculiar life is bound, The lives of many. The cease of majesty Did the king sigh, but with a general groan. King. Arm you, I pray you, to this speedy voyage; For we will fetters put upon this fear, Which now goes too free-footed. Ros. Guil. We will haste us. [Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Enter POLONIUS. Pol. My lord, he's going to his mother's closet: To hear the process; I'll warrant she'll tax him home: 'Tis meet that some more audience than a mother, And tell you what I know. King. Thanks, dear my lord. [Exit Polonius. O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven; And what's in prayer but this twofold force,- Or pardon'd being down? Then I'll look up; Of those effects for which I did the murder,- Art more engag'd! Help, angels! make assay: All may be well. Enter HAMLET. [Retires and kneels. Ham. Now might I do it pat, now he is praying; And now I'll do 't;-and so he goes to heaven; And so am I reveng'd:-that would be scann'd: A villain kills my father; and, for that, I, his sole son, do this same villain send To heaven. O, this is hire and salary, not revenge. He took my father grossly, full of bread; With all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May; When he is fit and season'd for his passage? Up, sword; and know thou a more horrid hent: Then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven; [Exit. [The King rises and advances. King. My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: Words without thoughts never to heaven go. [Exit. SCENE IV. Another room in the same. Enter Queen and POLONIUS. Pol. He will come straight. Look you lay home to him: Ham. [within] Mother, mother, mother! (61) I'll warrant you; Fear me not-withdraw, I hear him coming. [Polonius goes behind the arras. Enter HAMLET. Ham. Now, mother, what's the matter? Queen. Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended. Queen. Have you forgot me? What's the matter now? No, by the rood, not so: You are the queen, your husband's brother's wife; |