Hamlet

Calls

Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern

With Attendants?

KING Now, Hamlet, where's Polonius?

HAMLET At supper.

KING At supper? Where?

HAMLET Not where he eats, but where he is eaten: a certain convocation of worms are e'en22 at him. Your worm is your only emperor for diet: we fat all creatures else to fat us, and

we fat ourselves for maggots: your fat king and your lean

beggar is but variable service25, two dishes, but to one table.

That's the end.

KING Alas, alas!

HAMLET A man may fish with the worm that hath eat28 of a king, and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm.

KING What dost thou mean by this?

HAMLET Nothing but to show you how a king may go a

progress32 through the guts of a beggar.

KING Where is Polonius?

HAMLET In heaven, send thither to see. If your messenger find him not there, seek him i'th'other place yourself. But

indeed, if you find him not this month, you shall nose him as

you go up the stairs into the lobby.

To Rosencrantz or Attendants

KING Go seek him there.

HAMLET He will stay till ye come.

[Exit Rosencrantz or Attendants]

KING Hamlet, this deed of thine, for thine especial safety --

Which we do tender41, as we dearly grieve For that which thou hast done -- must send thee hence

With fiery quickness: therefore prepare thyself.

The bark44 is ready and the wind at help, Th'associates tend and everything at bent45

For England.

HAMLET For England?

KING Ay, Hamlet.