QUEEN. This is mere madness: And thus a while the fit will work on him; When that her golden couplets are disclosed, HAMLET. Hear you, sir; What is the reason that you use me thus ? KING. I pray thee, good Horatio, wait upon him. (Exit.) (Exit HORATIO.) (To LAERTES) Strengthen your patience in our last night's speech; We'll put the matter to the present push. (Exeunt.) [A hall in the castle. HAMLET and HORATIO enter.] HAMLET. BUT I am very sorry, good Horatio, The portraiture of his: I'll court his favours: HORATIO. Peace! who comes here? Enter OSRIC. OSRIC. Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark. HAMLET. I humbly thank you, sir. Dost know this waterfly? No, my good lord. HORATIO. HAMLET. Thy state is the more gracious, for 'tis a vice to know him. OSRIC. Sweet lord, if your lordship were at leisure, I should impart a thing to you from his majesty. HAMLET. I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of spirit. Put your bonnet to his right use; 'tis for the head. OSRIC. I thank your lordship, it is very hot. HAMLET. No, believe me, 'tis very cold; the wind is northerly. OSRIC. It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed. HAMLET. But yet methinks it is very sultry and hot, or my complexion OSRIC. Exceedingly, my lord; it is very sultry, as 'twere,-I cannot tell how. But, my lord, his majesty bade me signify to you that he has laid a great wager on your head: sir, this is the mat ter HAMLET. I beseech you, remember— (HAMLET moves him to put on his hat.) OSRIC. Nay, good my lord; for mine ease, in good faith. Sir, here is newly come to court Laertes; believe me, an absolute gentleman, full of most excellent differences, of very soft society and great showing: indeed, to speak feelingly of him, he is the card or calendar of gentry, for you shall find in him the continent of what part a gentleman would see. HAMLET. What imports the nomination of this gentleman ? OSRIC. Of Laertes? Of him, sir. HAMLET. OSRIC. You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is 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. HAMLET. What's his weapon? OSRIC. Rapier and dagger. 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, hanger, 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? OSRIC. The carriages, sir, are the hangers. HAMLET. The phrase would be more germane to the matter if we could carry a cannon by our sides. t OSRIC. The king, sir, hath laid, sir, 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"? OSRIC. I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial. HAMLET. Sir, I will walk here in the hall: if it please his majesty, it is 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 an I can; if not, I will gain nothing but my shame and the odd hits. OSRIC. Shall I redeliver you e'en so? HAMLET. To this effect, sir, after what flourish your nature will. OSRIC. I commend my duty to your lordship. HAMLET. Yours, yours. (Exit OSRIC.) He does well to commend it himself; there are no tongues else for 's turn. HORATIO. You will lose this wager, my lord. |