ARKCODEX
Act IV, Scene 2
1Another room in the castle.
2Enter Hamlet.
3HamletSafely stowed.
4Rosencrantz
Guildenstern Within. Hamlet! Lord Hamlet!
5HamletBut soft, what noise? who calls on Hamlet? O, here they come.
6Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
7RosencrantzWhat have you done, my lord, with the dead body?
8HamletCompounded it with dust, whereto ’tis kin.
9RosencrantzTell us where ’tis, that we may take it thence
And bear it to the chapel.
10HamletDo not believe it.
11RosencrantzBelieve what?
12HamletThat I can keep your counsel and not mine own. Besides, to be demanded of a sponge! what replication should be made by the son of a king?
13RosencrantzTake you me for a sponge, my lord?
14HamletAy, sir, that soaks up the king’s countenance, his 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.
15RosencrantzI understand you not, my lord.
16HamletI am glad of it: a knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear.
17RosencrantzMy lord, you must tell us where the body is, and go with us to the king.
18HamletThe body is with the king, but the king is not with the body. The king is a thing—
19GuildensternA thing, my lord!
20HamletOf nothing: bring me to him. Hide fox, and all after. Exeunt.