Page 283 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

If a steal aught the whilst this play is playing
And scape detecting, I will pay the theft.

Enter Trumpets and Kettle-drums and sound a flourish.

HAMLET
They are coming to the play. I must be idle.[90] Get you a place.

Enter King, Queen, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and other
Lords attendant, with the King’s Guard carrying torches.

KING
How fares our cousin Hamlet?

HAMLET
Excellent, i’faith, of the chameleon’s dish. I eat the air, promise-crammed.
You cannot feed capons so.

KING
I have nothing with this answer, Hamlet. These [95] words are not mine.

HAMLET
No, nor mine now. − [To Polonius ] My lord, you played once i’th’ university,

you say?

POLONIUS

That did I, my lord, and was accounted a good actor. [100]

HAMLET
What did you enact?

POLONIUS
I did enact Julius Caesar. I was killed i’th’ Capitol. Brutus killed me.

HAMLET
It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there. Be the players ready?
[105]