Hamlet

ROSENCRANTZ Faith, there has been much to-do on both sides,

and the nation holds it no sin to tar349 them to controversy.

There was for a while no money bid for argument unless the350

poet and the player went to cuffs in the question.

HAMLET Is't possible?

GUILDENSTERN O, there has been much throwing about of

brains.

HAMLET Do the boys carry it away355?

ROSENCRANTZ Ay, that they do, my lord: Hercules and his load356

too.

HAMLET It is not strange, for mine uncle is King of Denmark,

and those that would make mows359 at him while my father

lived, give twenty, forty, an hundred ducats360 a-piece for his

picture in little. There is something in this more than361

natural, if philosophy362 could find it out.

Flourish for the Players

GUILDENSTERN There are the players.

HAMLET Gentlemen, you are welcome to Elsinore. Your hands,

come: the appurtenance365 of welcome is fashion and ceremony:

let me comply with you in the garb, lest my extent366 to the

players -- which, I tell you, must show fairly367 outward --

should more appear like entertainment368 than yours. You are

welcome: but my uncle-father and aunt-mother are deceived.

GUILDENSTERN In what, my dear lord?

HAMLET I am but mad north-north-west371: when the wind is

southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw372.

Enter Polonius

POLONIUS Well be with you, gentlemen.

HAMLET Hark you, Guildenstern, and you too -- at each ear

a hearer: that great baby you see there is not yet out of his