Page 296 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

GUILDENSTERN

Believe me, I cannot. [345]

HAMLET
I do beseech you.

GUILDENSTERN
I know no touch of it, my lord.

HAMLET
It is as easy as lying. Govern these ventages with your fingers and thumb,
give it breath with your mouth, and it will discourse most eloquent music.

[350] Look you, these are the stops.

GUILDENSTERN
But these cannot I command to any utterance of harmony. I have not the
skill.

HAMLET
Why, look you now, how unworthy a thing you make of me. You would play
upon me, you [355] would seem to know my stops, you would pluck out the

heart of my mystery, you would sound me from my lowest note to the top of
my compass; and there is much music, excellent voice, in this little organ, yet
cannot you make it speak. ’Sblood, do you think I am [360] easier to be
played on than a pipe? Call me what instrument you will, though you fret me,

you cannot play upon me.

Enter Polonius.

God bless you, sir.

POLONIUS
My lord, the Queen would speak with you, [365] and presently.

HAMLET
Do you see yonder cloud that’s almost in shape of a camel?