Did not together pluck such envy from him, Laer. I have seen myself, and serv'd against, the French, Come short of what he did. Laer. I know him well: he is the brooch, indeed, And gem of all the nation. King. He made confession of you; And gave you such a masterly report, And for your rapier most especial, That he cried out, 'twould be a sight indeed, If one could match you: the scrimers of their nation, Place. 7 Ornament. 8 Science of defence, i. e. fencing. 9 Fencers. He swore, had neither motion, guard, nor eye, Laer. What out of this, my lord? King. Laertes, was your father dear to you? Or are you like the painting of a sorrow, A face without a heart? Laer. Why ask you this? King. Not that I think, you did not love your father; But that I know, love is begun by time; For goodness, growing to a plurisy, Dies in his own too-much: That we would do, And hath abatements and delays as many, As there are tongues, are hands, are accidents; That hurts by easing. But, to the quick o'the ulcer: More than in words? Laer. To cut his throat i'the church. Daily experience. King. No place, indeed, should murder sanctua rize; Revenge should have no bounds. But, good Laertes, The Frenchman gave you; bring you, in fine, together, And wager o'er your heads: he, being remiss, Laer. I will do't: So mortal, that but dip a knife in it, King. Let's further think of this; Weigh, what convenience, both of time and means, May fit us to our shape: if this should fail, And that our drift look through our bad performance, "Twere better not assay'd: therefore this project Should have a back, or second, that might hold, 2 Not blunted as foils are. 3 Exercise. If this should blast in proof.4 Soft;-let me see :---- When in your motion you are hot and dry, (As make your bouts more violent to that end,) Enter Queen,' How now, sweet queen? Queen. One woe doth tread upon another's heel, So fast they follow :-Your sister's drown'd, Laertes. Laer. Drown'd! O, where? Queen. There is a willow grows ascaunt the brook, That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream; Therewith fantastick garlands did she make Of crow-flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples, That liberal' shepherds give a grosser name, But our cold maids do dead men's fingers call them : There on the pendent boughs her coronet weeds Clambering to hang, an envious sliver broke; When down her weedy trophies, and herself, Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide; And, mermaid-like, awhile they bore her up: Which time, she chanted snatches of old tunes; 4 As fire arms sometimes burst in proving their strength. 7 A cup for the purpose. 8 Thrust. 2 Insensible. 5 Skill. 6 Presented. 9 Orchis morio mas. VOL. X. I Licentious. S Or like a creature native and indu'd Unto that element: but long it could not be, Laer. Alas then, she is drown'd? Queen. Drown'd, drown'd. Laer. Too much of water hast thou, poor Ophelia, And therefore I forbid my tears: But yet It is our trick; nature her custom holds, King. [Exit. Let's follow, Gertrude: How much I had to do to calm his rage! Now fear I, this will give it start again; Therefore, let's follow. ACT V. [Exeunt. SCENE I-A Church Yard. Enter Two Clowns, with Spades, &c. 1 Clo. Is she to be buried in christian burial, that wilfully seeks her own salvation? 2 Clo. I tell thee, she is; therefore make her grave straight:4 the crowner hath set on her, and finds it christian burial. 1 Clo. How can that be, unless she drowned herself in her own defence? |