(Enter the King and two or three
Lords.)
CLAUDIUS
That he goes loose! We cannot charge him, the people love
him; if we charge him, they'll revolt--so we send him off
under careful cover. He's a threat we may not recover from
if things do not go as we manage.
(Claudius takes que from attendant.)
Send them in.
(Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enter.)
CLAUDIUS
What then?
ROSENCRANTZ
We can't get it out of him.
CLAUDIUS
Where is he?
ROSENCRANTZ
Outside, my lord, guarded; at your pleasure.
CLAUDIUS
Bring the prince in.
(Hamlet enters under guard.)
CLAUDIUS
Where's Polonius?
HAMLET
At supper.
CLAUDIUS
Where?
HAMLET
Where does he eat? Or where is he eaten? Our emperors of
diet are busy with him. Right? If we fatten creatures to
fatten ourselves, only to fatten worms, then a king and a
beggar are but two courses served upon the same table. No?
(Claudius cocks head.)
HAMLET (CONT'D)
A man can fish with a worm that fed off the corpse of a king,
and then eat the fish that ate that worm! Think of it, a
king can make a formal journey through the guts of a beggar.
CLAUDIUS
Where is the body of the lord?
HAMLET
In heaven, look for him there. And if your messenger has no
word, seek him out in the other place yourself.
(Beat.)
HAMLET (CONT'D)
If your search takes too long, you'll smell him beneath the
stairs to the lobby.
CLAUDIUS
(to attendants OS)
Check the stairs and get the body to the chapel.
(Beat.)
CLAUDIUS
Prince Hamlet, for your own safety, we're sending thee hence
to England on an errand. With fiery quickness. Your escorts
and ship are waiting.
HAMLET
England.
CLAUDIUS
Away prince Hamlet.
HAMLET
Good.
CLAUDIUS
So it is.
HAMLET
Farewell mother.
CLAUDIUS
Father!
HAMLET
Father and mother are one flesh--therefore mother! Away!
(Hamlet exits.)
CLAUDIUS
(to Lords)
Let me read it again.
(Lord hands him PARCHMENT.)
CLAUDIUS (CONT'D)
(reading aloud)
King of England. I know that since you are still raw from
our Danish victory over you, and the schedule of fees still
incomplete, you cannot dismiss my sovereign request.
Described within the accompanying letters are my instructions
for the immediate death of Prince Hamlet. Do it, England.
The thought of him rages in my blood like a sickness, and you
must cure me. Till I know it's done, my joys will not begin.
(Claudius and lords exit.)
