an impertinence to your audience, for it seemeth to imply that they are unable to recognise a joke unless it be pointed out to them. I pray you avoid it.
First Player. Sir, we are beholden to you for your good counsels. But we would urge upon your consideration that we are accomplished players, who have spent many years in learning our profession; and we would venture to suggest that it would better befit your Lordship to confine yourself to such matters as your Lordship may be likely to understand. We, on our part, may have our own ideas as to the duties of heirs apparent; but it would ill become us to air them before your Lordship, who may be reasonably supposed to understand such matters more perfectly than your very
humble servants. [Exeunt Hamlet and Players R. and L.
Cl. Come let us take our places. Call the Court
That all may see this fooling. Here's a chair [The Court enter
When laughter takes possession of my soul.
Now we are ready.
The Curtain rises.—Enter a loving couple lovingly.
She. "Should'st thou prove faithless?
He. If I do
Then let the world forget to woo,
The mountain tops bow down in fears,
The midday sun dissolve in tears.
