Reading Help HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK
`
` Osr. `
` Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him. `
` `
` Ham. `
` The concernancy, sir? why do we wrap the gentleman in our more `
` rawer breath? `
` `
` Osr. `
` Sir? `
` `
` Hor. `
` Is't not possible to understand in another tongue? You will do't, `
` sir, really. `
` `
` Ham. `
` What imports the nomination of this gentleman? `
` `
` Osr. `
` Of Laertes? `
` `
` Hor. `
` His purse is empty already; all's golden words are spent. `
` `
` Ham. `
` Of him, sir. `
` `
` Osr. `
` I know, you are not ignorant,-- `
` `
` Ham. `
` I would you did, sir; yet, in faith, if you did, it would not `
` much approve me.--Well, sir. `
` `
` Osr. `
` You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is,-- `
` `
` Ham. `
` I 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 re-deliver 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; `
`
` Osr. `
` Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him. `
` `
` Ham. `
` The concernancy, sir? why do we wrap the gentleman in our more `
` rawer breath? `
` `
` Osr. `
` Sir? `
` `
` Hor. `
` Is't not possible to understand in another tongue? You will do't, `
` sir, really. `
` `
` Ham. `
` What imports the nomination of this gentleman? `
` `
` Osr. `
` Of Laertes? `
` `
` Hor. `
` His purse is empty already; all's golden words are spent. `
` `
` Ham. `
` Of him, sir. `
` `
` Osr. `
` I know, you are not ignorant,-- `
` `
` Ham. `
` I would you did, sir; yet, in faith, if you did, it would not `
` much approve me.--Well, sir. `
` `
` Osr. `
` You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is,-- `
` `
` Ham. `
` I 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 re-deliver 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; `
`