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Laertes:
I am satisfied in nature,
Whose motive in this case should stir me most
To my revenge. But in my terms of honour
I stand aloof, and will no reconcilement
Till by some elder masters of known honour
I have a voice and precedent of peace
To keep my name ungor’d. But till that time
I do receive your offer’d love like love,
And will not wrong it.
Hamlet:
I embrace it freely,
And will this brother’s wager frankly play.—
Give us the foils; come on.
Laertes:
Come, one for me.
Hamlet:
I’ll be your foil, Laertes; in mine ignorance
Your skill shall like a star i’ th’ darkest night,
Stick fiery off indeed.
Laertes:
You mock me, sir.
Hamlet:
No, by this hand.
King:
Give them the foils, young Osric. Cousin Hamlet,
You know the wager?
Hamlet:
Very well, my lord.
Your Grace has laid the odds o’ the weaker side.
King:
I do not fear it. I have seen you both;
But since he is better’d, we have therefore odds.
Laertes:
This is too heavy. Let me see another.
Hamlet:
This likes me well. These foils have all a length?
(They prepare to play.)
Osric:
Ay, my good lord.
King:
Set me the stoups of wine upon that table.
If Hamlet give the first or second hit,
Or quit in answer of the third exchange,
Let all the battlements their ordnance fire;
The King shall drink to Hamlet’s better breath,
And in the cup an union shall he throw
Richer than that which four successive kings
In Denmark’s crown have worn. Give me the cups;
And let the kettle to the trumpet speak,
The trumpet to the cannoneer without,
The cannons to the heavens, the heavens to earth,
‘Now the King drinks to Hamlet.’ Come, begin.
And you, the judges, bear a wary eye.
Hamlet:
Come on, sir.
Laertes:
Come, my lord.
(They play.)
Hamlet:
One.
Laertes:
No.
Hamlet:
Judgement.
Osric:
A hit, a very palpable hit.
Laertes:
Well; again.
King:
Stay, give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is thine;
Here’s to thy health.
(Trumpets sound, and cannon shot off within.)
Give him the cup.
Hamlet:
I’ll play this bout first; set it by awhile.
(They play.)
Come. Another hit; what say you?
Laertes:
A touch, a touch, I do confess.
King:
Our son shall win.