Page 320 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3
P. 320
CAPTAIN
They are of Norway, sir. [10]
HAMLET
How purpos’d, sir, I pray you?
CAPTAIN
Against some part of Poland.
HAMLET
Who commands them, sir?
CAPTAIN
The nephew to old Norway, Fortinbras.
HAMLET
Goes it against the main of Poland, sir, [15]
Or for some frontier?
CAPTAIN
Truly to speak, and with no addition,
We go to gain a little patch of ground
That hath in it no profit but the name.
To pay five ducats − five − I would not farm it; [20]
Nor will it yield to Norway or the Pole
A ranker rate should it be sold in fee.
HAMLET
Why, then the Polack never will defend it.
CAPTAIN
Yes, it is already garrison’d.
HAMLET
Two thousand souls and twenty thousand ducats [25]
Will not debate the question of this straw!
This is th’impostume of much wealth and peace,
