Page 240 - Hamlet: The Cambridge Dover Wilson Shakespeare

5.2.278 PRINCE OF DENMARK 133

Hamlet. Come on, sir.
Laertes. Come, my lord.
They play
Hamlet. One!
Laertes. No.
Hamlet. Judgement?
Osric. A hit, a very palpable hit.
[they break off; the kettle-drum sounds, the trumpets
blow, and a cannon-shot is heard without
Laertes. Well, again.
King. Stay, give me drink, [a servant fills a cup]
Hamlet, [he holds up a jewel], this pearl is thine. 280
Here's to thy health! [he drinks and then seems to cast
the pearl into the cup
Give him the cup.
Hamlet. I'll play this bout first, set it by a while.
[the servant sets it on a table behind Mm
Come.
They play again

Another hit! What say you ?
Laertes. A touch, a touch, I do confess't.
[they break off
King. Our son shall win.
Qyeen. He's fat, and scant of breath.
Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows.
[she gives it him, and going to the table
takes up Ms cup of wine
The queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.
Hamlet. Good madam!
King. Gertrude, do not drink.
§lyeen. I will, my lord, I pray you pardon me.
[she drinks and offers the cup to Hamlet
(King. It is the poisoned cup, it is too late! 290