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King.

Good Gertrude, see your crazy son you make fast.

And now,

[Exit Queen.

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;
I fear 'twill get me in a precious hobble.

Enter Osrick.

Osrick.

(To Hamlet) His Majesty hath made a match for you,

Sir,

To spar with young Laertes,-a prime bruiser ;-
And betted him ten shillings to a crown,

That you, my lord, will give the first knock down.
Laertes is quite ready to set to;

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.

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,
Shake hands and make it up, my jolly boys.

[To Hamlet and Laertes.

Hamlet.

(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, lets set to.

Bring us the gloves

Laertes.

And bring me a pair too.

[blocks in formation]

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;
If you don't win, I know at least you'll try.

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,
Or 'scape the third without a bloody nose,
Let all the guns we've got make the discovery ;—
The King shall drink to Hamlet's quick recovery :
And in the beer this nutmeg shall he pound,
The largest that in Denmark could be found.-
Give me the mug: now drum a loud tattoo;
The drum shall tell the trumpet what to do;
The trumpet's tantarara, post, shall set off,
And tell the cannoneer the guns to let off;
The cannoneer shall fire 'em, and then-stop-
I think I've said enough—I'll drink a drop.

Here's Hamlet's health! (Drums, trumpets, and cannon) Come, now begin the bout.

And you, the judges, keep a sharp look out.

Hamlet and Laertes spar.

Hamlet.

A hit.

Laertes.

No hit.

Osrick.

A hit, I'll bet a crown.

Hamlet.

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 fight again.)

Egad, I had him there in the bread-basket (1).

Queen.

Hamlet, your health. (drinks) Ha! this is famous stingo!

[blocks in formation]

[Aside.

I'll nab him ;-but it goes against my conscience.

Hamlet.

Laertes, you're afraid to hit.

Laertes.

Pooh! nonsense.

They fight again-Hamlet 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;

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