Then it shall go to the barber's. (To 1st Player) If it's
not a farce or bawdy tale, he falls asleep. But please, go
on. Speak of Hecuba.
1ST PLAYER
But who--ah, woe--had seen the mobled queen--
HAMLET
The mobled queen?
POLONIUS
That's good!
"Run barefoot up and down, threatening the flames/ With
bisson rheum; a clout upon that head/ Where late the diadem
stood, and for a robe,/ About her lank and all o'er-teemed
loins,/ A blanket, in the alarm of fear caught up;/ Who this
had seen, with tongue in venom steep'd,/ 'Gainst Fortune's
state would treason have pronounced./ But if the gods
themselves did see her then/ When she saw Pyrrhus make
malicious sport/ In mincing with his sword her husband's
limbs,/ The instant burst of clamor that she made, Unless
things mortal move them not at all,/ Would have made milch
the burning eyes of heaven,/ And passion in the gods."
POLONIUS
(noticing Hamlet is moved, his
eyes welling up)
Please, no more.
HAMLET
'Tis fine. We'll have you recite more later. (To Polonius)
Good lord, will you see that the players are taken care of?
Make sure they're treated royally, they are our recorders of
time. We'd be better off with a bad epitaph chasing our
death, than their ill reports while we live.
POLONIUS
I'll treat them accordingly, as they deserve.
HAMLET
Treat everyone as they deserve--and who doesn't deserve a
whipping?! Treat them after your own honor and dignity: the
less they deserve, the more merit in generosity. Take them.
POLONIUS
Come, sirs.
HAMLET
Follow him, friends. We'll hear a play tomorrow. (To 1st
Player, holding him back) And friend, a brief word: Can you
perform The Murder of Gonzago?
1ST PLAYER
Yes, my lord.
HAMLET
We'll have it tomorrow night. I may write a speech of a
dozen lines or so for you to insert.
1ST PLAYER
Yes, my lord.
HAMLET
Excellent then. Follow that lord--and don't make fun of him!
(Polonius and Players exit.)
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