OpEdNews - Page 6 of Article: Hamlet 5:2

(Lord signals Attendants who bring in
TABLE. TRUMPETS and DRUMS and OFFICERS
with CUSHIONS enter.)

LORD
The Queen asks that you show some courtesy to Laertes before
the match begins.

HAMLET
She instructs me well.

(Enter Claudius, Gertrude, Laertes,
Osric, members of the court, and
Attendants with foils and daggers.)

CLAUDIUS
Come Hamlet, come; take Laertes' hand.

HAMLET
(to Laertes)
Give me your pardon sir, I have done you wrong. You're a
gentleman, forgive me. All assembled know, and you too must
have heard, I've been suffering a sore distraction. Whatever
was done to offend your honor and sense of grief, I proclaim
was madness, not Hamlet. Sir, before this audience, free me
with your generosity from the harm which was caused.

LAERTES
In respect of honor I will reserve judgement and will not
reconcile till the wisdom of elders deems it right. Till
then I accept your love as you have presented it, and will
not wrong it.

HAMLET
I embrace this state and am ready to engage in this wager as
brothers. Give us the foils.

LAERTES
Come, one for me.

HAMLET
I'll be your foil Laertes. My abilities will make yours
shine like the brightest of stars on the darkest of nights.

LAERTES
You mock me, sir.

HAMLET
No, I swear it.

CLAUDIUS
Give them the foils Osric. Cousin Hamlet, you know the
wager?

HAMLET
I know it well, but your majesty has laid odds on the weaker
side.

CLAUDIUS
I have no fear. I have seen you both, but since he is in
better form, we'll have odds.

LAERTES
(to Osric about foil)
This one is too heavy, let me see another.

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