Hamlet. The concernancy, sir? why do we wrap the gentleman in our more rawer breath? Osric. Sir? 125 Horatio. Is't not possible to understand in another tongue? You will do't, sir, really. Hamlet. What imports the nomination of this gentleman? Osric. Of Laertes? 130 Horatio. [Aside to HAMLET] His purse is empty already; all's golden words are spent. Hamlet. Of him, sir. Osric. I know you are not ignorant 135 Hamlet. I would you did, sir; yet, in faith, if you did, it would not much approve me. Well, sir? Osric. You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is 140 Hamlet. I dare not confess that, lest I should compare with him in excellence; but, to know a man well, were to know himself. Osric. I mean, sir, for his weapon; but in the imputation laid on him by them, in his meed he's unfellowed. Hamlet. What's his weapon ? 146 Hamlet. That's two of his weapons; but, well. Osric. The king, sir, hath wagered with him six Barbary horses, against the which he has imponed, as I take it, six French rapiers and poniards, with their assigns, as girdle, hangers, and so. Three of the carriages, in faith, are very dear to fancy, very responsive to the hilts, most delicate carriages, and of very liberal conceit.° Hamlet. What call you the carriages? 156 Horatio. I knew you must be edified by the margent ere you had done. Osric. The carriages, sir, are the hangers.° 160 Hamlet. The phrase would be more germane to the matter, if we could carry cannon by our sides; I would it might 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 "imponed," as you call it? 167 Osric. The king, sir, hath laid, 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. Hamlet. How if I answer No? 172 Osric. I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial. 175 Hamlet. Sir, I will walk here in the hall. If it please his majesty, 'tis the breathing time of day with me. Let the foils be brought, the gentleman willing, and the king hold his purpose, I will win for him if I can; if not, I will gain nothing but my shame and the odd hits. Osric. Shall I re-deliver you e'en so? 181 Hamlet. To this effect, sir; after what flourish your nature will. Osric. I commend my duty to your lordship. 185 Hamlet. Yours, yours. [Exit OSRIC.] He does well. to commend it himself; there are no tongues else for's turn. Horatio. This lapwing runs away with the shell on his head. 190 Hamlet. He did comply with his dug, before he sucked it. Thus has he - and many more of the same bevy that I know the drossy age dotes on-only got the tune of the time and outward habit of encounter; a kind of yesty° collection, which carries them through and through the most fond and winnowed opinions; and do but blow them to their trial, the bubbles are out. 198 Enter a Lord Lord. My lord, his majesty commended him to you by young Osric, who brings back to him, that you attend him in the hall. He sends to know if your pleasure hold to play with Laertes, or that you will take longer time. 203 Hamlet. 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. 207 Lord. The king and queen and all are coming down. Hamlet. In happy time. Lord. The queen desires you to use some gentle entertainment to Laertes before you fall to play. 211 [Exit Lord. Hamlet. She well instructs me. Hamlet. 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. Horatio. Nay, good my lord, 217 Hamlet. It is but foolery; but it is such a kind of gain-giving as would perhaps trouble a woman. 220 Horatio. If your mind dislike any thing, obey it. I will forestal their repair hither, and say you are not fit.° Hamlet. Not a whit, we defy augury. 223 There's a special 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. Since no man has aught of what he leaves, what is't to leave betimes? 229 Enter KING, QUEEN, LAERTES, Lords, OSRIC, and Attendants with foils, etc. King. Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me. [The KING puts LAERTES' hand into HAMLet's. Hamlet. 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 sore distraction. What I have done, That might your nature, honour and exception 231 235 And when he's not himself, does wrong Laertes, 240 |