Page 263 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3
P. 263
ROSENCRANTZ
Faith, there has been much to do on [350] both sides; and the nation holds it
no sin to tar them to controversy. There was for a while no money bid for
argument unless the poet and the player went to cuffs in the question.
HAMLET
Is’t possible? [355]
GUILDENSTERN
O, there has been much throwing about of brains.
HAMLET
Do the boys carry it away?
ROSENCRANTZ
Ay, that they do, my lord, Hercules and his load too.
HAMLET
It is not very strange; for my uncle is King of Denmark, and those that would
make mouths at him [360] while my father lived give twenty, forty, fifty, a
hundred ducats apiece for his picture in little. ’Sblood, there is something in
this more than natural, if philosophy could find it out.
A flourish of trumpets.
GUILDENSTERN
There are the players. [365]
HAMLET
Gentlemen, you are welcome to Elsinore. Your hands, come then.
Th’appurtenance of welcome is fashion and ceremony. Let me comply with
you in this garb − lest my extent to the players, which I tell you must show
fairly outwards, should more [370] appear like entertainment than yours. You
are welcome. But my uncle-father and aunt-mother are deceived.
GUILDENSTERN
In what, my dear lord?
