| [Enter POLONIUS] | |
| God bless you, sir! | |
| LORD POLONIUS | My lord, the queen would speak with you, and presently. |
|---|---|
| HAMLET | Do you see yonder cloud that's almost in shape of a camel? |
| LORD POLONIUS | By the mass, and 'tis like a camel, indeed. |
| HAMLET | Methinks it is like a weasel. |
| LORD POLONIUS | It is backed like a weasel. |
| HAMLET | Or like a whale? |
| LORD POLONIUS | Very like a whale. |
| HAMLET | Then I will come to my mother by and by. They fool me to the top of my bent. I will come by and by. |
| LORD POLONIUS | I will say so. |
| HAMLET | By and by is easily said. Leave me, friends. |
| [Exit POLONIUS] | |
| [Exeunt all but HAMLET] | |
| 'Tis now the very witching time of night, When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out Contagion to this world: now could I drink hot blood, And do such bitter business as the day Would quake to look on. Soft! now to my mother. O heart, lose not thy nature; let not ever The soul of Nero enter this firm bosom: Let me be cruel, not unnatural: I will speak daggers to her, but use none; My tongue and soul in this be hypocrites; How in my words soever she be shent, To give them seals never, my soul, consent! | |
| [Exit] | |