Prescanned Shakespeare.com
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Another room in the castle.
[Enter HAMLET]
HAMLET
Safely stowed.
ROSENCRANTZ and GUILDENSTERN [Within]
Hamlet, Lord Hamlet.
HAMLET
What noise? who calls on Hamlet?
Oh here they come.
[Enter ROSENCRANTZ and GUILDENSTERN]
ROSENCRANTZ
What have you done my lord with the dead body?
HAMLET
Compounded it with dust, whereto 'tis kin.
ROSENCRANTZ
T . T
T ,
, ,
Tell us where 'tis,| that we | may take | it thence,
x ,
,
And bear it | to the | chapel.
HAMLET
, x
Do not | believe it.
ROSENCRANTZ
Believe what?
HAMLET
That I can keep your counsel, and not mine own. Besides, to be demanded of a
sponge, what replication should be made by the son of a king.
ROSENCRANTZ
Take you me for a sponge, my lord?
HAMLET
Aye sir, that soaks up the king's countenance, his rewards, his
authorities (but such officers do the king best service in the end). He keeps
them like an ape in the corner of his jaw, first mouthed to be last
swallowed, when he needs what you have gleaned, it is but squeezing you,
and sponge you shall be dry again.
ROSENCRANTZ
I understand you not my lord.
HAMLET
I am glad of it: a knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear.
ROSENCRANTZ
My lord, you must tell us where the body is, and go with us to the king.
HAMLET
The body is with the king, but the king is not with the body. The king, is a
thing--
GUILDENSTERN
A thing my lord?
HAMLET
Of nothing: bring me to him, hide fox, and all after.
[Exeunt]