King. Laertes, I lament your situation: But come; we'll have a private conversation, You may depend on ample reparation. Laertes. His shabby fun'ral too-O sad reproach! No mutes, no pall-bearers, and (what's still worse) King. You shall.-Tip us your daddle: But on the right horse see you place the saddle. SCENE III. Another Room in the Palace. Enter KING and LAERTES. King. And now, my cock of wax, I've prov'd that I Thinking to murder me, did Hamlet kill him. Laertes. O, let me catch him, and I'll sweetly mill him (g). [Exeunt. King. That may you speedily.-E'en now I've learn'd, Now, I've a scheme will suit us to a T; Laertes. I will be rul'd by you; but plan it so, King. 'Tis rumour'd you're a famous pugilist ;- Laertes. To give him a sound drubbing I'll engage, Sir: King. Contrive to give him an unlucky blow. But, to make sure of him, (should this plan fail,) And when he's hot and thirsty with the fight, Laertes. Enter QUEEN. Queen. Misfortunes ne'er come singly, oft I've found; Right! SONG.-QUEEN. (Tune-"Our Polly is a sad slut.") Ophelia is a sad slut! In spite of all I'd taught her, And fell into the water. An envious bramble near the ditch Fast by the ankle caught her, Slap-dash into the water. Laertes. Oh! I've a speech of fire; but, like a spout, King. I've had enough ado to keep him quiet, [Exit. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. A Church-Yard. GRAVEDIGGER discovered digging a Grave. SONG.-GRAVEDIGGER. (Tune-" Black Joke.") O, long life to the sons of the pick-axe and spade, With my dig, dig, pick-axe and spade. In the hist'ry of all early states 'twill be found, That each half-naked nobleman dug his own ground ; For antiquity, all trades to delving must give in, Since by digging e'en Adam himself earn'd his living. Whilst the GRAVEDIGGER is singing this Verse, Hamlet. This fellow digs and sings -unfeeling knave! Use, Sir, is second nature. Horatio. Hamlet. On reflection, I think I'd do the same were I a sexton. Gravedigger (sings). The carpenter, shipwright, and mason, may boast Of the strength of their buildings—they're nut-shells at most: But the sexton builds stronger than all put together, [Gravedigger throws up several skulls. Hamlet. That skull might once have been a politician's; |