Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: David Bevington
Not Peer Reviewed

Hamlet (Modern, Quarto 2)

2630[4.2]
Enter Hamlet, Rosencrantz, and others.
Hamlet
Safely stowed. But soft, what noise? Who calls on Hamlet? Oh, here they come.
Rosencrantz
What have you done, my lord, with the dead body?
Hamlet
Compound[ed] 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 ape] 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, and go with us 2655to 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.
2660Exeunt.