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Prince of Denmark, V. ii
149

Ham. One.

Laer. No.

Ham. Judgment.

Osr. A hit, a very palpable hit.

Laer. Well; again.

King. Stay; give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is thine; 296
Here's to thy health. Give him the cup.

Trumpets sound; and shot goes off.

Ham. I'll play this bout first; set it by awhile.
Come.—[They play.] Another hit; what say you?

Laer. A touch, a touch, I do confess. 300

King. Our son shall win.

Queen. He's fat, and scant of breath.
Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows;
The queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.

Ham. Good madam!

King. Gertrude, do not drink. 304

Queen. I will, my lord; I pray you, pardon me.

King. [Aside.] It is the poison'd cup! it is too late.

Ham. I dare not drink yet, madam; by and by.

Queen. Come, let me wipe thy face. 308

Laer. My lord, I'll hit him now.

King. I do not think 't.

Laer. [Aside.] And yet 'tis almost 'gainst my conscience.

Ham. Come, for the third, Laertes. You but dally;
I pray you, pass with your best violence. 312
I am afeard you make a wanton of me.

Laer. Say you so? come on. [They] play.

Osr. Nothing, neither way.


301 fat: out of training
302 napkin: handkerchief
313 wanton: spoiled child