Hamlet (Quarto 2, 1604) :: Internet Shakespeare Editions

¶Ham. Safely stowd, but soft, what noyse, who calls on Hamlet?

¶O heere they come.

2635Ros. What haue you doone my Lord with the dead body?

¶Ham. Compound it with dust whereto tis kin.

¶Ros. Tell vs where tis that we may take it thence,

¶_And beare it to the Chappell.

¶Ham. Doe not beleeue it.

2640Ros. Beleeue what.

¶Ham. That I can keepe your counsaile & not mine owne, besides

¶to be demaunded of a spunge, what replycation should be made by

¶the sonne of a King.

¶Ros. Take you me for a spunge my Lord?

2645Ham. I sir, that sokes vp the Kings countenaunce, his rewards, his

¶authorities, but such Officers doe the King best seruice in the end, he

¶keepes them like an apple in the corner of his iaw, first mouth'd to be

¶last swallowed, when hee needs what you haue gleand, it is but squee-

2650sing you, and spunge you shall be dry againe.

¶Ros. I vnderstand you not my Lord.

¶Ham. I am glad of it, a knauish speech sleepes in a foolish eare.

¶Ros. My Lord, you must tell vs where the body is, and goe with vs

2655to the King.

¶Ham. The body is with the King, but the King is not with the

¶body. The King is a thing.

¶Guyl. A thing my Lord.

¶Ham. Of nothing, bring me to him.

Exeunt.

Toolbox