Hamlet

Prepare to play

OSRIC Ay, my good lord.

KING Set me the stoups216 of wine upon that table: If Hamlet give the first or second hit,

Or quit in answer of the third exchange218, Let all the battlements their ordnance219 fire: The king shall drink to Hamlet's better breath220, And in the cup an union221 shall he throw Richer than that which four successive kings

In Denmark's crown have worn. Give me the cups,

And let the kettle224 to the trumpets 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.

HAMLET Come on, sir.

They play

LAERTES Come on, sir.

HAMLET One.

LAERTES No.

HAMLET Judgement.

OSRIC A hit, a very palpable hit.

LAERTES Well, again.

Drinks, then puts the pearl in the cup?

KING Stay, give me drink.-- Hamlet, this

pearl is thine: Here's to thy health.--

Give him the cup.

Trumpets sound and shot goes off

HAMLET I'll play this bout first: set by awhile.-- Come.

They play

Another hit; what say you?

LAERTES A touch, a touch, I do confess.

KING Our son shall win.

GERTRUDE He's fat243, and scant of breath.--

To Hamlet

Here's a napkin244, rub thy brows: The queen carouses to245 thy fortune, Hamlet.