Page 177 - Hamlet: The Cambridge Dover Wilson Shakespeare

70 H A M L E T 3.S.134.

the Qyeen with gifts, she seems harsh awhile, but in the
end accepts his love' [the curtains are closed
Hamlet seems troubled and casts glances at the King and
<%yeen as the show goes forward,- they continue in talk
with Polonius throughout

Ophelia. What means this, my lord?
Hamlet. Marry, this is miching mallecho, it means
mischief.
Ophelia. Belike this show imports the argument of
the play.
Enter a player before the curtains; the King and
Qyeen turn to listen
Hamlet. We shall know by this fellow. The players
140 cannot keep counsel, they'll tell all.
Ophelia. Will a' tell us what this show meant?
Hamlet [savagely]. Ay, or any show that you will show
him—be not you ashamed to show, he'll not shame to tell
you what it means.
Ophelia. You are naught, you are naught, I'll mark
the play.
Player. For us and for our tragedy,
Here stooping to your clemency,
We beg your hearing patiently. [exit
150 Hamlet. Is this a prologue, or the posy of a ring?
Ophelia. Tis brief, my lord.
Hamlet. As woman's love.

Enter on the dais two Players t a King and
a £>jeen

Player King. Full thirty times hath Phoebus' cart
gone round
Neptune's salt wash, and Tellus' orbe"d ground,