| The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark |
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| Hamlet
| Act 4, Scene 2
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Enter HAMLETHAMLET
Safely stowed.ROSENCRANTZ: GUILDENSTERN:
[Within] Hamlet! Lord Hamlet!HAMLET
What noise? who calls on Hamlet?ROSENCRANTZ
O, here they come.
Enter ROSENCRANTZ and GUILDENSTERN
What have you done, my lord, with the dead body?HAMLET
Compounded it with dust, whereto 'tis kin.ROSENCRANTZ
Tell us where 'tis, that we may take it thenceHAMLET
And bear it to the chapel.
Do not believe it.ROSENCRANTZ
Believe what?HAMLET
That I can keep your counsel and not mine own.ROSENCRANTZ
Besides, to be demanded of a sponge! what
replication should be made by the son of a king?
Take you me for a sponge, my lord?HAMLET
Ay, sir, that soaks up the king's countenance, hisROSENCRANTZ
rewards, his authorities. But such officers do the
king best service in the end: he keeps them, like
an ape, in the corner of his jaw; first mouthed, to
be last swallowed: when he needs what you have
gleaned, it is but squeezing you, and, sponge, you
shall be dry again.
I understand you not, my lord.HAMLET
I am glad of it: a knavish speech sleeps in aROSENCRANTZ
foolish ear.
My lord, you must tell us where the body is, and goHAMLET
with us to the king.
The body is with the king, but the king is not withGUILDENSTERN
the body. The king is a thing--
A thing, my lord!HAMLET
Of nothing: bring me to him. Hide fox, and all after.
Exeunt
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| Hamlet
| Act 4, Scene 2
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