King. Good Gertrude, see your crazy son you make fast. [Exit Queen. And now, Laertes, we'll go home to breakfast. [Exeunt King, Laertes, &c. &c. SCENE V. A Hall in the Palace. Enter HAMLET and HORATIO. Hamlet. Horatio, I am sorry for this squabble; Enter OSRICK. Osrick. (To Hamlet) His Majesty hath made a match for you, Sir, Το spar with young Laertes a prime bruiser ;- That you, my lord, will give the first knock down. They're all assembled, and but wait for you. Hamlet. Lead on: I'll fight him, Sir: I ne'er felt bolder. Horatio. I'll be your second. Osrick. I, your bottle-holder. [Exeunt. 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. King. 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. Hamlet. With all my heart. Come, let's set to. Bring me the gloves 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, F Here's Hamlet's health! (Drums, trumpets, and cannon) Come, now begin the bout; 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). Queen. Hamlet, your health! (drinks.) Ha! this is famous stingo! Don't drink. King. Queen. I have. King. The poison'd cup, by jingo! Laertes. I'll nab him ;-but it goes against my conscience. Hamlet. Laertes, you're afraid to hit. Laertes. Pooh! nonsense. [Aside. [4side. 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 dish'd (n); I'm caught as neatly as I could have wish'd. |