Ham.

They're coming to the Play; I must be idle. Get you a place.

King.

How fares our cousin Hamlet?

Ham.

Excellent, i' faith, of the camelion's dish. I eat the air, promise-cramm'd. You cannot feed capons so.

King.

I have nothing with this answer, Hamlet; these words are not mine.

Ham.

No, ^{7 note}nor mine now.—My Lord; you play'd once i' th' university, you say?

Pol.

That I did, my Lord, and was accounted a good actor.

Ham.

And what did you enact?

Pol.

I did enact Julius Cæsar, I was kill'd i' th' Capitol. Brutus kill'd me.

Ham.

It was a brute part of him, to kill so capital a calf there. Be the players ready?

Ros.

Ay, my Lord, ^{8 note}
they stay upon your patience.

Queen.

Come hither, my dear Hamlet, sit by me.

Ham.

No, good mother, here's metal more attractive.

Pol.

Oh ho, do you mark that?

Ham.

Lady, shall I lie in your lap?

Oph.

No, my Lord.

Ham.

I mean, my Head upon your Lap?

Oph.

Ay, my Lord,

Ham.

^{9 note}Do you think, I meant country matters?

Oph.

I think nothing, my Lord.

Ham.

That's a fair thought, to lie between a maid's legs.

Oph.

What is, my Lord!

Ham.

Nothing,

Oph.

You are merry, my Lord.

Ham.

Who, I?

Oph.

Ay, my Lord.

Ham.

Oh! your only jig-maker; what should a man do, but be merry? For, look you, how chearfully my mother looks, and my father dy'd within these two hours.

Oph.

Nay, 'tis twice two months, my Lord.

Ham.

So long? ^{1 note}

black, for I'll have a suit of sables. Oh heav'ns! die two months ago, and not forgotten yet! then there's hope, a Great man's memory may outlive his life half a year; but, by'r-lady, he must build churches then; or else shall he ^{2 note}

Previous section

Next section