dare not confess that, lest I should compare with him in excellence; but to know a man well were to know himself.
Osr. I mean, sir, for his weapon; but in the imputation laid on him by them, in his meed he’s unfellowed.
Ham.
What’s his weapon?
Osr.
Rapier and dagger.
Ham.
That’s two of his weapons:—but well.
Osr. The king, sir, hath wager’d 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, hangers, 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.
Ham.
What call you the carriages?
Hor.
I knew you must be edified by the margent ere you had done.
Osr.
The carriages, sir, are the hangers.
Ham. The phrase would be more german to the matter if we could carry cannon by our sides. I would it might be hangers till then. But, on: six Barbary horses against six French swords, their assigns, and three liberal conceited carriages: that’s the French bet against the Danish: why is this all imponed, as you call it?
Osr. The king, sir, hath laid that, in a dozen passes between your 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.
Ham.
How if I answer no?
Osr.
I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial.
Ham. 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 if I can; if not, I will gain nothing but my shame and the odd hits.
Osr.
Shall I redeliver you e’en so?
Ham.
To this effect, sir; after what flourish your nature will.
Osr.
I commend my duty to your lordship.
Ham.
Yours, yours.
[Exit Osric.]
He does well to commend it himself; there are no tongues else for’s turn.
Hor.
This lapwing runs away with the shell on his head.
Ham. He did comply with his dug before he suck’d it. Thus has he,—and many more of the same bevy that I know the drossy age dotes on,— only got the tune of the time and outward habit of encounter; a kind of yesty collection, which carries them through and through the most fanned and winnowed opinions; and do but blow them to their trial, the bubbles are out,
[Enter a Lord.]
Lord. My lord, his majesty commended him to you by young Osric, who brings back to him that you attend him in the hall: he sends to know if your pleasure hold to play with Laertes, or that you will take longer time.
Ham.
I am constant to my purposes; they follow the king’s pleasure:
if his fitness speaks, mine is ready; now or whensoever, provided
I be so able as now.
Lord.
The King and Queen and all are coming down.
Ham.
In happy time.
Lord.
The queen desires you to use some gentle entertainment to
Laertes before you fall to play.
Ham.
She well instructs me.
[Exit Lord.]
Hor.
You will lose this wager, my lord.
Ham. 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.
Hor.
Nay, good my lord,—
Ham. It is but foolery; but it is such a kind of gain-giving as would perhaps trouble a woman.
Hor. If your mind dislike anything, obey it: I will forestall their repair hither, and say you are not fit.
Ham. Not a whit, we defy augury: there’s a 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: since no man has aught of what he leaves, what is’t to leave betimes?
[Enter King, Queen, Laertes, Lords, Osric, and Attendants with foils &c.]
King.
Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.
[The King puts Laertes’ hand into Hamlet’s.]
Ham.
Give me your pardon, sir: I have done you wrong:
But pardon’t, as you are a gentleman.
This presence knows, and you must needs have heard,
How I am punish’d with sore distraction.
What I have done
That might your nature, honour, and exception
Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness.
Was’t Hamlet wrong’d Laertes? Never Hamlet:
If Hamlet from himself be ta’en away,
And when he’s not himself does wrong Laertes,
Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it.
Who does it, then? His madness: if’t be so,
Hamlet is of the faction that is wrong’d;
His madness is poor Hamlet’s enemy.
Sir, in this audience,
Let my disclaiming from a purpos’d evil
Free me so far in your most generous thoughts
That I have shot my arrow o’er the house
And hurt my brother.
Laer.
I am satisfied in nature,
Whose motive, in this case, should stir me most
To my revenge. But in my terms of honour
I stand aloof; and will no reconcilement
Till by some elder masters of known honour
I have a voice and precedent of peace
To keep my name ungor’d. But till that time
I do receive your offer’d love like love,
And will not wrong it.
Ham.
I embrace it freely;
And will this brother’s wager frankly play.—
Give us the foils; come on.
Laer.
Come, one for me.
Ham.
I’ll be your foil, Laertes; in mine ignorance
Your skill shall, like a star in the darkest night,
Stick fiery off indeed.
Laer.
You mock me, sir.