Page:Hamlet (1917) Yale.djvu/116

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King. But where is he?

Ros. Without, my lord; guarded, to know your pleasure.

King. Bring him before us.

Ros. Ho, Guildenstern! bring in my lord.

King. Now, Hamlet, where's Polonius?

Ham. At supper.

King. At supper! Where?

Ham. Not where he eats, but where he is

eaten: a certain convocation of politic worms

are e'en at him. Your worm is your only

emperor for diet: we fat all creatures else to fat

us, and we fat ourselves for maggots: your fat

king and your lean beggar is but variable ser-

vice; two dishes, but to one table: that's the

end.

[King. Alas, alas!

Ham. A man may fish with the worm that

hath eat of a king, and eat of the fish that

hath fed of that worm.]

King. What dost thou mean by this?

Ham. Nothing, but to show you how a king

may go a progress through the guts of a beggar.

King. Where is Polonius?

Ham. In heaven; send thither to see: if

your messenger find him not there, seek him

i' the other place yourself. But, indeed, if you

find him not within this month, you shall nose

him as you go up the stairs into the lobby.

King. [To some Attendants.] Go seek him there.

Ham. He will stay till you come.

 21 convocation: assembly; cf. n.

politic: crafty

25 variable service: variety of food

34 progress: state journey

