Hor. Why, what a King is this? Ham. Does it not, thinkst thee, stand me now vpon He that hath kil'd my King, and whor'd my Mother, Popt in betweene th' election and my hopes, Throwne out his Angle for my proper life, And with such coozenage; is't not perfect conscience, To quit him with this arme? And is't not to be damn'd To let this Canker of our nature come In further euill
Hor. It must be shortly knowne to him from England What is the issue of the businesse there
Ham. It will be short, The interim's mine, and a mans life's no more Then to say one: but I am very sorry good Horatio, That to Laertes I forgot my selfe; For by the image of my Cause, I see The Portraiture of his; Ile count his fauours: But sure the brauery of his griefe did put me Into a Towring passion
Hor. Peace, who comes heere? Enter young Osricke.
Osr. Your Lordship is right welcome back to Denmarke
Ham. I humbly thank you Sir, dost know this waterflie? Hor. No my good Lord
Ham. Thy state is the more gracious; for 'tis a vice to know him: he hath much Land, and fertile; let a Beast be Lord of Beasts, and his Crib shall stand at the Kings Messe; 'tis a Chowgh; but as I saw spacious in the possession of dirt
Osr. Sweet Lord, if your friendship were at leysure, I should impart a thing to you from his Maiesty
Ham. I will receiue it with all diligence of spirit; put your Bonet to his right vse, 'tis for the head
Osr. I thanke your Lordship, 'tis very hot
Ham. No, beleeue mee 'tis very cold, the winde is Northerly
Osr. It is indifferent cold my Lord indeed
Ham. Mee thinkes it is very soultry, and hot for my Complexion
Osr. Exceedingly, my Lord, it is very soultry, as 'twere I cannot tell how: but my Lord, his Maiesty bad me signifie to you, that he ha's laid a great wager on your head: Sir, this is the matter
Ham. I beseech you remember
Osr. Nay, in good faith, for mine ease in good faith: Sir, you are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is at his weapon
Ham. What's his weapon? Osr. Rapier and dagger
Ham. That's two of his weapons; but well
Osr. The sir King ha's wag'd with him six Barbary horses, against the which he impon'd as I take it, sixe French Rapiers and Poniards, with their assignes, as Girdle, Hangers or so: three of the Carriages infaith are very deare to fancy, very responsiue to the hilts, most delicate carriages, and of very liberall conceit
Ham. What call you the Carriages? Osr. The Carriages Sir, are the hangers
Ham. The phrase would bee more Germaine to the matter: If we could carry Cannon by our sides; I would it might be Hangers till then; but on sixe Barbary Horses against sixe French Swords: their Assignes, and three liberall conceited Carriages, that's the French but against the Danish; why is this impon'd as you call it? Osr. The King Sir, hath laid that in a dozen passes betweene you and him, hee shall not exceed you three hits; He hath one twelue for mine, and that would come to imediate tryall, if your Lordship would vouchsafe the Answere
Ham. How if I answere no? Osr. I meane my Lord, the opposition of your person in tryall
Ham. Sir, I will walke heere in the Hall; if it please his Maiestie, 'tis the breathing time of day with me; let the Foyles bee brought, the Gentleman willing, and the King hold his purpose; I will win for him if I can: if not, Ile gaine nothing but my shame, and the odde hits
Osr. Shall I redeliuer you ee'n so? Ham. To this effect Sir, after what flourish your nature will
Osr. I commend my duty to your Lordship