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Shakespeare on Stage
Original Shakespeare Company, A Midsommer Night's Dreame (Midsummer Midsommer). To Jun. 21, 2013.
American Shakespeare Center, All's Well That Ends Well. To Nov. 29, 2013.
SIP Editors, Measure for Measure. To Aug. 4, 2013.
American Shakespeare Center, Return to the Forbidden Planet. To Dec. 1, 2013.
Original Shakespeare Company, As You Like It. To Jun. 23, 2013.
More Performances…
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Hamlet (Modern, based on the First Folio)

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: David Bevington
Not Peer Reviewed

[4.2]

2630
Enter Hamlet.
Hamlet Safely stowed.
Gentlemen Within Hamlet, Lord Hamlet!
Hamlet Who calls on Hamlet? Oh, here they come.
Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
2635RosencrantzWhat have you done, my lord, with the dead body?
Hamlet Compounded it with dust, whereto 'tis kin.
Rosencrantz Tell us where 'tis, that we may take it thence and bear it to the chapel.
Hamlet Do not believe it.
2640Rosencrantz Believe what?
Hamlet That I can keep your counsel and not mine own. Besides, to be demanded of a sponge, what replication should be made by the son of a king?
Rosencrantz Take you me for a sponge, my lord?
2645Hamlet Ay, sir, that soaks up the King's countenance, his rewards, his authorities. But such officers do the King best service in the end: he keeps them like an apple in the corner of his jaw, first mouthed to be last swallowed. When he needs what you have gleaned, it is but 2650squeezing you, and, sponge, you shall be dry again.
Rosencrantz I understand you not, my lord.
Hamlet I am glad of it. A knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear.
Rosencrantz My lord, you must tell us where the body is 2655and go with us to the King.
Hamlet The body is with the King, but the King is not with the body. The King is a thing--
Guildenstern A thing, my lord?
Hamlet Of nothing. Bring me to him. Hide fox, and all 2660after!
Exeunt.