King.

Now, Hamlet, where's Polonius?

Ham.

At supper.

King.

At supper? where?

Ham.

Not where he eats, but where he is eaten, a certain convocation of politique worms are at him. Your worm is your only emperor for diet. We fat all creatures else to fat us, and we fat our selves for maggots. Your fat King and your lean beggar is but variable service, two dishes to one table, that's the end.

King.

Alas, alas!

Ham.

† ^noteA man may fish with the worm that hath eat of a King, and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm.

King.

What dost thou mean by this?

Ham.

Nothing but to shew you how a King may go a progress through the guts of a beggar.

King.

Where is Polonius?

Ham.

In heav'n, send thither to see. If your messenger find him not there, seek him i'th' other place your self. But indeed, if you find him not this month, you shall nose him as you go up the stairs into the lobbey.

King.

Go seek him there.

Ham.

He will stay 'till ye come.

King.
Hamlet, this deed, for thine especial safety
(Which we do tender, as we dearly grieve
For that which thou hast done) must send thee hence
With fiery quickness; then prepare thy self,
The bark is ready, and the wind at help,
Th' associates tend, and every thing is bent
For England.

Ham.

For England?

King.

Ay, Hamlet.

Ham.

Good.

King.

So is it, if thou knew'st our purposes.

Ham.

I see a Cherub that sees them; but come, for England! farewel, dear mother.

King.

Thy loving father, Hamlet.

Ham.

My mother: father and mother is man and wife; man and wife is one flesh, and so my mother. Come, for England.

King.
Follow him at foot, tempt him with speed aboard;
Delay it not, I'll have him hence to-night.
Away, for every thing is seal'd and done
That else leans on th' affair; pray you make haste.
And England! if my love thou hold'st at ought,
As my great power thereof may give thee sense,
Since yet thy cicatrice looks raw and red
After the Danish sword, and thy free awe
Pays homage to' us; thou may'st not coldly set
Our sovereign process, which imports at full
By letters ^{b note}congruing to that effect,
The present death of Hamlet. Do it England:
For like the hectick in my blood he rages,
And thou must cure me; 'till I know 'tis done,
How-e'er my haps, my joys will ne'er begin. [Exit.

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