Ophelia. We know very well that advice cheap as dirt is, But in spite of the lessons of brother Laertes, Hamlet and Ophelia. Then here be an end to our squabbles and strife And as no other woman shall e'er be my wife, Young Hamlet's the lad for me. (Tune-" Liberty-Hall.”) Tho' a talent for acting must nature impart, Tol de rol, &c. When speaking a speech, it an actor becomes without it? Tol de rol, &c. All actors should study what folks call the graces-- They, like C. saw the air, as it were, into slices. Tol de rol, &c. Some will tell you, "be calm;" but, in spite of their cant, And their critical jargon, strut, bellow, and rant: To bamboozle the flats and to keep them from snoring, - proves that there's nothing like ranting and roaring. Tol de rol, &c. R But in speeches which, teeming with passion, require -'s own fire, If you'd hope H S to equal in fame, You, like him, must be lifeless, insipid, and tame. Tol de rol, &c. Some critics assert (but I stoutly dispute it), That each word stands in need of an action to suit it :Their principle's false;—and, if fairly they'll try it, and twenty besides, will deny it. C Like M or D Tol de rol, &c. when playing the clown, Always garnish the author's with wit of your own: Tol de rol, &c. [Exit First Actor. Enter HORATIO. Hamlet. Horatio, is that you? I'm glad to meet you. Horatio. My honour'd lord, most proud am I to greet you. Hamlet. Horatio, you're as tight a lad, I say, As one may meet with in a summer's day. (e) Horatio. Come, that won't do, my lord:-now that's all gam mon. ·(ƒ) He's throwing out a sprat to catch a salmon. Sir, if Hamlet. you think it gammon, you mistake me; [Aside. You're ne'er down-hearted; fortune's freaks you smother, And when she slaps one cheek, you t'other. hold up Give me the man that stands all sorts of weather, And we shall soon be hand and glove together. Something too much of this. Horatio. Your lordship sent for me? Hamlet. Pray what's the reason To smoke out treason. You must with me in a good joke unite: To represent my dad's untimely end. And I have all this time been drunk or dreaming My lord, we will. Horatio. [Flourish of Trumpets and Drums. Hamlet. This trumpeting and drumming Give notice that the King and Queen are coming. To keep the joke up I must idle be; Go to your place, and keep a seat for me. A GRAND MARCH. Enter POLONIUS, KING, QUEEN, OPHELIA, ROSENCRANTZ, GUILDENSTERN, OSRICK, MARCELLUS, BERNardo, GENTLEMEN, and LADIES. King. How fares our cousin Hamlet? Hamlet. Tightly, tightly; I eat the air-You can't feed pigs so lightly. King. Pooh!-Nonsense Sir!-Such words I don't acknow ledge. Hamlet. (To Pol.) You told me, Sir, you acted once at college. Polonius. I acted Cæsar-Brutus laid me lower. Hamlet. A brute, indeed, to kill so great a bore! Queen. Come, sit by me, dear Hamlet, whilst they're acting. Hamlet. I'd rather not; here's metal more attracting. (To Ophelia) Ophelia, may I lie upon your knees? Ophelia. O, surely; or wherever else you please. |