face; And after we will both our judgements join In censure of his seeming. 

 HORATIO. Well, my lord. If he steal aught the whilst this play is playing, And scape detecting, I will pay the theft. 

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

 Danish march. A flourish. Enter King, Queen, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern and others. 

King, Queen, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern

 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 words are not mine. 

 HAMLET. No, nor mine now. [To Polonius.] My lord, you play’d once i’ th’university, you say? 

 POLONIUS. That did I, my lord, and was accounted a good actor. 

 HAMLET. What did you enact? 

 POLONIUS. I did enact Julius Caesar. I was kill’d 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? 

 ROSENCRANTZ. Ay, my lord; they stay upon your patience. 

 QUEEN. Come hither, my dear Hamlet, sit by me. 

 HAMLET. No, good mother, here’s metal more attractive. 

 POLONIUS. [To the King.] O ho! do you mark that? 

 HAMLET. Lady, shall I lie in your lap? 

 [Lying down at Ophelia’s feet.] 

Ophelia’s

 Prev. P 50/106 next