Page 175 - Hamlet: The Cambridge Dover Wilson Shakespeare

68 H A M L E T 3.2.90

The KING and QUEEN enter, followed by POLONIVS,
OPHELIA, ROSENCRANTZ, GVILDEN STERN, and other
courtiers; they sit, the King, the tgjfeen and Polonius
on this side, Ophelia with Horatio and others on that
90 King. How fares our cousin Hamlet?
Hamlet. Excellent i'faith, of the chameleon's dish, I eat
the air, promise-crammed—you cannot feed capons so.
King. I have nothing with this answer, Hamlet. These
words are not mine.
Hamlet. No, nor mine now. [to Polentas] My lord,
you played once i'th'university, you say?
Polonius. That did I, my lord, and was accounted a
good actor.
Hamlet. What did you enact?
100 Polonius. I did enact Julius Caesar. I was killed i'th'
Capitol, Brutus killed me.
Hamlet. It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a
calf there. Be the players ready?
Rosencrantz. Ay, my lord, they stay upon your
patience.
Qyeen. Come hither, my dear Hamlet, sit by me.
Hamlet. No, good mother, here's metal more at-
tractive, [he turns towards Ophelia
(Polonius [to the King]. O ho! do you mark that?
[they whisper together, watching Hamlet
n o Hamlet. Lady, shall I lie in your lap?
Ophelia. No, my lord.
Hamlet. I mean, my head upon your lap?
Ophelia. Ay, my lord. [he lies at her feet
Hamlet. Do you think I meant country matters?
Ophelia. I think nothing, my lord.
Hamlet. That's a fair thought to lie between maids!
legs.