Page:Hamlet (1917) Yale.djvu/158

146

Lord. The queen desires you to use some

gentle entertainment to Laertes before you fall

to play.

Ham. She well instructs me.]

Hor. You will lose this wager, my lord.

Ham. I do not think so; since he went into

France, I have been in continual practice; I

shall win at the odds. But thou wouldst not

think how ill all 's here about my heart; but it

is no matter.

Hor. Nay, good my lord,—

Ham. It is but foolery; but it is such a kind

of gain-giving as would perhaps trouble a

woman.

Hor. If your mind dislike any thing, obey it;

I will forestall their repair hither, and say you

are not fit.

Ham. Not a whit, we defy augury; there's a

special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it

be now, 'tis not to come; if it be not to come, it

will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come:

the readiness is all. Since no man has aught

of what he leaves, what is 't to leave betimes?

[Let be.]

Enter King, Queen, Laertes and Lords, with other Attendants with foils and gauntlets, a table and flagons of wine on it.

King. Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.

[The King puts the hand of Laertes into that of Hamlet.]

Ham. Give me your pardon, sir; I've done you wrong;

 227 gain-giving: misgiving

