HAMLETA TRAGEDY

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,—

HAMLET.

It is but foolery; but it is such a kind of gaingiving as would perhaps trouble a woman.

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: there is 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. There's a divinity that shapes our ends, rough hew them how we will. Let be. (Exit HORATIO and HAMLET.)

[128]

[A hall in the castle, where are seen the KING, the QUEEN, LAERTES, and LORDS, OSRIC, and other Attendants with foils and gauntlets; also a table and flagons of wine on it.]

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.

Let my disclaiming from a purposed evil
Free me so far in your most generous thoughts,
That I have shot mine arrow o'er the house,
And hurt my brother.

LAERTES.

I am satisfied in nature,

Whose motive, in this case, should stir me most

To my revenge.

I do receive your offer'd love like love

And will not wrong it.

HAMLET.

I embrace it freely,

And will this brother's wager frankly play.

Give us the foils. Come on.

LAERTES.

Come, one for me.

HAMLET.

I'll be your foil, Laertes: in mine ignorance

Your skill shall, like a star i' the darkest night,

Stick fiery off indeed.

LAERTES.

You mock me, sir.

No, by this hand.

HAMLET.

KING.

Give them the foils, young Osric. Cousin Hamlet, You know the wager?

HAMLET.

Very well, my lord;

Your grace has laid the odds o' the weaker side.

KING.

I do not fear it; I have seen you both:

But since he is better'd, we have therefore odds.

LAERTES.

This is too heavy; let me see another.

HAMLET.

This likes me well. These foils have all a

length?

(They prepare to play.)

OSRIC.

Ay, my good lord.

KING.

Set me the stoups of wine upon that table.
If Hamlet give the first or second hit,
Or quit in answer of the third exchange,
Let all the battlements their ordnance fire;
The king shall drink to Hamlet's better breath;
And in the cup an union shall he throw,
Richer than that which four successive kings
In Denmark's crown have worn.

cups;

Give me the

And let the kettle to the trumpet speak,

The trumpet to the cannoneer without,

The cannons to the heavens, the heaven to earth, "Now the king drinks to Hamlet." Come, begin; And you, the judges, bear a wary eye.

Stay; give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is

thine;

Here's to thy health.

(Trumpets sound, and cannon shot off within.) Give him the cup.

HAMLET.

I'll play this bout first; set it by a while.
Come. (They play.) Another hit; what say you?

LAERTES.

KING.

Gertrude, do not drink.

QUEEN.

I will, my lord; I pray you, pardon me.
KING. (Aside.)

It is the poison'd cup; it is too late.

Come, for the third, Laertes: you but dally;
I pray you, pass with your best violence;
I am afear'd you make a wanton of me.

(LAERTES wounds HAMLET; then, in scuffling, they change rapiers, and HAMLET wounds LAERTES.)