Hamlet.

I pray you.

Guil.

Believe me, I cannot.

Hamlet.

I do beseech you.

Ros.

I know no touch of it, my lord.

Hamlet.

'Tis as easy as lying: govern these ventages with your fingers 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.

Hamlet.

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. 'Sdeath, do you think I am easier to be played on than a pipe? Call me what instrument you will, though you may fret me, you cannot play upon me.

[Enter Polonius L.

My lord, the queen would speak with you, and presently.

Hamlet.

Do you see yonder cloud that's almost in shape of a camel ?

Pol.

By the mass, and 't is like a camel, indeed.

Hamlet.

Methinks it is like a weasel.

Pol.

It is backed like a weasel.

Hamlet.

Or like a whale ?

Pol.

Very like a whale.

Hamlet.

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.

I will say so.

Pol.

Hamlet.

By-and-by is easily said, sir. [Exit Polonius.]-Leave me, friends.

[Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

'Tis now the very witching time of night,

When churchyards yawn, and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this world: now could I drink hot blood,
And do such bitter business as the day

Would quake to look on. Soft! now to my mother.—
O, heart, lose not thy nature; let not ever
The soul of Nero enter this firm bosom :
Let me be cruel, not unnatural;

I will speak daggers to her, but use none.

[Exit Hamlet.

A ROOM IN THE CASTLE. [FIRST

Scene Fourth. GROOVES.]

[Enter, L., King, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

King.

I like him not; nor stands it safe with us
To let his madness range. Therefore prepare you;
I your commission will forthwith despatch,
And he to England shall along with you:
Arm you, I pray you, to this speedy voyage;
For we will fetters put upon this fear,

Which now goes too free-footed.

We will haste us.

Ros., Guil.

[Exeunt, R., Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. [Enter Polonius L.

Pol.

My lord, he 's going to his mother's closet:
Behind the arras I'll convey myself,

To hear the process; I'll warrant she 'll tax him home:
And, as you said, and wisely was it said,

'Tis meet that some more audience than a mother,
Since nature makes them partial, should o'erhear
The speech of vantage. Fare you well, my liege :
I'll call upon you ere you go to bed,

And tell you what I know.

Thanks, dear my lord.

King.

[Exit Polonius L.

O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven;
It hath the primal, eldest curse upon 't,—
A brother's murder! - Pray can I not,
Though inclination be as sharp as will:
My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent;
And, like a man to double business bound,
I stand in pause where I shall first begin,