Be soft as sinews of the new-born babe! All may be well. 71 [Retires and kneels. Enter HAMLET. Ham. Now might I do it pat, now he is praying; I, his sole son, do this same villain send O, this is hire and salary, not revenge. He took my father grossly, full of bread, 80 With all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May; And how his audit stands who knows save heaven? Up, sword, and know thou a more horrid hent: 90 [Exit. King. [Rising] My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: Words without thoughts never to heaven go. [Exit. SCENE IV The Queen's closet. Enter QUEEN and POLONIUS. Pol. He will come straight. Look you lay home to him: Ham. [Within] Mother, mother, mother! Queen. I'll warrant you; fear me not. Withdraw, I hear him coming. [Polonius hides behind the arras. Enter HAMlet. Ham. Now, mother, what's the matter? Queen. Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended. Ham. Mother, you have my father much offended. Queen. Come, come, you answer with an idle tongue. Ham. Go, go, you question with a wicked tongue. Queen. Why, how now, Hamlet! Ham. Queen. Have you forgot me? 10 What's the matter now? No, by the rood, not so: You are the queen, your husband's brother's wife; Queen. Nay, then, I'll set those to you that can speak. Ham. Come, come, and sit you down; you shall not budge; You go not till I set you up a glass Where you may see the inmost part of you. Queen. What wilt thou do? thou wilt not murder me? Help, help, ho! Pol. [Behind] What, ho! help, help, help! 20 Ham. [Drawing] How now! a rat? Dead, for a ducat, Queen. O, what a rash and bloody deed is this! Ham. 30 Ay, lady, 'twas my word. Thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell! Leave wringing of your hands: peace! sit you down, If it be made of penetrable stuff; If damned custom have not brass'd it so That it be proof and bulwark against sense. Queen. What have I done, that thou darest wag thy tongue In noise so rude against me? Ham. Such an act 40 That blurs the grace and blush of modesty, Queen. Ay me, what act, That roars so loud and thunders in the index? The counterfeit presentment of two brothers. follows: 50 60 what Here is your husband; like a mildew'd ear, And batten on this moor? Ha! have you eyes? You cannot call it love, for at your age 69 The hey-day in the blood is tame, it's humble, But it reserved some quantity of choice, O shame! where is thy blush? Rebellious hell, To flaming youth let virtue be as wax, And reason pandars will. Queen. O Hamlet, speak no more: Thou turn'st mine eyes into my very soul, And there I see such black and grained spots As will not leave their tinct. Ham. 80 90 A murderer and a villain; A slave that is not twentieth part the tithe |