The Tragedy of Hamlet — Act 4 Scene 2

Enter Hamlet.

Ham.Safely stowed.

Gentlemen within.Hamlet, Lord Hamlet.

Ham.What noise? Who cals on Hamlet?Enter Ros. and Guildensterne.Oh heere they come.

Ro.What haue you done my Lord with the dead body?

Ham.Compounded it with dust, whereto 'tis Kinne.

Rosin.Tell vs where 'tis, that we may take it thence,And beare it to the Chappell.

Ham.Do not beleeue it.

Rosin.Beleeue what?

Ham.That I can keepe your counsell, and not mineowne. Besides, to be demanded of a Spundge, whatreplication should be made by the Sonne of a King.

Rosin.Take you me for a Spundge, my Lord?

Ham.I sir, that sokes vp the Kings Countenance, hisRewards, his Authorities (but such Officers do the Kingbest seruice in the end. He keepes them like an Ape inthe corner of his iaw, first mouth'd to be last swallowed,when he needes what you haue glean'd, it is but squeezingyou, and Spundge you shall be dry againe.

Rosin.I vnderstand you not my Lord.

Ham.I am glad of it: a knauish speech sleepes in afoolish eare.

Rosin.My Lord, you must tell vs where the body is,and go with vs to the King.

Ham.The body is with the King, but the King is notwith the body. The King, is a thing ———

Guild.A thing my Lord?

Ham.Of nothing: bring me to him, hide Fox, and allExeunt.after.