Guil. I know no touch of it, my Lord. Ham. 'Tis as easy as lying; govern these ventiges with your fingers and thumb, give it breath with your mouth, and it will discourse most eloquent music. Look you, these are the stops. Guil. But these cannot I command to any utterance of harmony; I have not the skill. Ham. Why, look you now, how unworthy a thing you make of me; you would play upon me, you would seem to know my stops; you would pluck out the heart of my mystery; you would sound me from my lowest note to the top of my compass; and there is much music, excellent voice, in this little organ, yet cannot you make it speak. Why, do you think that I am easier to be played on than a pipe? call me what instrument you will, though you can fret me, (56) you cannot -God bless you, Sir. play upon me. Enter POLONIUS. Pol. My Lord, the Queen would speak with you, and presently. (56) You can fret me. May not this singular phrase have regard to the strong resemblance of a hand, in light, situate just before Guildenstern in the moon, and appearing to be applied, as it were, to the fret of a fiddle? Ham. Do you see yonder cloud, that's almost in shape of a camel? (57) Pol. By the mass, and it's like a camel indeed. Ham. Methinks, it is like an ouzle. Pol. It is black like an ouzle. Ham. Or, like a whale ? Pol. Very like a whale. Ham. Then will I come to my mother by and They fool me to the top of my bent.——I by. will come by and by. Pol. I will say so. -I Ham. By and by is easily said. Leave me, friends. [Exeunt. 'Tis now the very witching time of night, [out When church-yards yawn, and hell itself breathes Contagion to this world. Now could I drink hot And do such bitter business as the day [blood, Would quake to look on. Soft, now to my mother-O heart, lose not thy nature; let not ever The soul of Nero enter this firm bosom; Let me be cruel, not unnatural; (57) It is certain that the head opposite to Hamlet's in the moon, (viz. that of Ralph, in Hudibras,) may be assimilated to a cloud, a camel, an owzle, or a whale, according to the different aspects, upwards, downwards, or sideways, in which it is viewed. These numerous similitudes in the same object are a proof of the great variety of which this method of composition is susceptible. I will speak daggers to her, but use none. To give them seals never my soul consent! [Exit. King. I like him not, nor stands it safe with us Guild. We will provide ourselves : Ros. The single and peculiar life is bound, Did the King sigh; but with a general groan. King. Arm you, I pray you, to this speedy voy For we will fetters put upon this fear, [age; Which now goes too free-footed. Both. We will haste us. [Exeunt Gentlemen. Enter POLONIUS. Pol. My Lord, he's gone to his mother's closet; Behind the arras I'll convey myself To hear the process. I'll warrant she'll tax him And, as you said, and wisely was it said, [home. 'Tis meet that some more audience than a mother (Since nature makes them partial,) should o'er-hear The speech, of vantage. Fare you well, my Liege; I'll call upon you ere you go to bed, And tell you what I know. King. Thanks, dear my Lord. [Exit. Oh! my offence is rank, it smells to heaven, But to confront the visage of offence? prayer Or pardoned being down? then I'll look up; Be soft as sinews of the new-born babe! All may be well. [The King retires and kneels. |