Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
not take for fire. From this time Be something scanter of your maiden presence; Set your entreatments at a higher rate Than a command to parley. For Lord Hamlet, Believe so much in him that he is young; And with a larger tether may he walk Than may be given you. In few, Ophelia, Do not believe his vows; for they are brokers, Not of that dye which their investments show, But mere implorators of unholy suits, Breathing like sanctified and pious bawds, The better to beguile. This is for all. I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth Have you so slander any moment leisure As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet. Look to’t, I charge you; come your ways. 

 OPHELIA. I shall obey, my lord. 

 [Exeunt.] 

 SCENE IV. The platform.

 Enter Hamlet, Horatio and Marcellus. 

Hamlet, Horatio

Marcellus

 HAMLET. The air bites shrewdly; it is very cold. 

 HORATIO. It is a nipping and an eager air. 

 HAMLET. What hour now? 

 HORATIO. I think it lacks of twelve. 

 MARCELLUS. No, it is struck. 

 HORATIO. Indeed? I heard it not. It then draws near the season Wherein the spirit held his wont to walk. 

 [A flourish of trumpets, and ordnance shot off within.] 

 What does this mean, my lord? 

 HAMLET. The King doth wake tonight and takes his rouse, Keeps wassail, and the swaggering upspring reels; And as he drains his draughts of Rhenish down, The kettle-drum and trumpet thus bray out The triumph of his pledge. 


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