Page:Hamlet (1917) Yale.djvu/153

Prince of Denmark, V. ii

Hor. It must be shortly known to him from England

What is the issue of the business there.

Ham. It will be short: the interim is mine;

And a man's life's no more than to say 'One.'

But I am very sorry, good Horatio,

That to Laertes I forgot myself;

For, by the image of my cause, I see

The portraiture of his: I'll count his favours:

But, sure, the bravery of his grief did put me

Into a towering passion.

Hor. Peace! who comes here?

Osr. Your lordship is right welcome back to

Denmark.

Ham. I humbly thank you, sir. [Aside to

Horatio.] Dost know this water-fly?

Hor. [Aside to Hamlet.] No, my good lord.

Ham. [Aside to Horatio.] 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 king's

mess: 'tis a chough; but, as I say, spacious in

the possession of dirt.

Osr. Sweet lord, if your lordship were at

leisure, I should impart a thing to you from his

majesty.

Ham. I will receive it, sir, with all diligence

of spirit. Your bonnet to his right use; 'tis for

the head.

Osr. I thank your lordship, 'tis very hot.

 78 count: make account of

79 bravery: ostentatious display

84 water-fly; cf. n.

90 mess; cf. n.

chough: small chattering bird (?); cf. n.

