SCENE VI. The Court of Denmark. Flourish of trumpets and drums. KING and QUEEN seated - LAERTES, OSRICK, MARCellus, BERNARDO, GENTLEMEN, and LADIES, discovered. Enter HAMLET and HORATIO. To put an end to squabble, strife, and noise, Hamlet. [To Hamlet and Laertes. (To Laertes) Sir, I have done you wrong, and sorely rue it, But, on my word, I didn't go to do it; Therefore, let's make it up ;-come, don't be hard on— Laertes. Enough; no man can do more than beg pardon. We're friends. Bring me the gloves Hamlet. With all my heart. Come, let's set to. Laertes. And bring me a pair too. King. Hamlet, you know the wager. Hamlet. Aye, my Lord; You've back'd the worser man tho', on my word. King. I'm not afraid; I'm sure you'll not fight shy; Laertes. These gloves are much too tight-another pair Hamlet. Mine fit.-Are his as soft as mine? Osrick. All's fair. King. If i' th' two first rounds Hamlet hit most blows, Here's Hamlet's health! (Drums, trumpets, and cannon) And you, the judges, keep a sharp look-out. A hit or not, 't has almost knock'd him down. [Drums, trumpets, and cannon. King. Give me the beer: this nutmeg is for you. [Puts poison into the drink. Hamlet, your health (pretends to drink). You'd better drink some too. Hamlet. Let's have this round; when I want drink I'll ask it. (They spar again.) Egad, I had him there in the bread-basket (m). I'll nab him ;-but it goes against my conscience. Hamlet. Laertes, you're afraid to hit. Laertes. [Aside. [Aside. Pooh! nonsense. They spar again—in the scuffle, they exchange glovesHamlet knocks Laertes down.-The Queen swoons. Osrick. Look to the Queen. (To Laertes) How is't, my lord? Laertes. I'm caught as neatly as I could have wish'd. I'm dish'd (~); No, no; I'm poison'd: your damn'd uncle, here, Hamlet. O, treachery! I'll smoke it, on my oath. Laertes. O, Hamlet! 'tis all dickey with us both (p)! Hamlet. [Dies. Die, damn’d old murd’rer, die. Laertes. You've serv'd him right. Hamlet, let's square accounts Tho' there's some little diff'rence in amounts— |