Page:Hamlet (1917) Yale.djvu/35

Prince of Denmark, I. iv

But mere implorators of unholy suits,

Breathing like sanctified and pious bonds,

The better to beguile. This is for all:

I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth,

Have you so slander any moment's leisure,

As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet.

Look to 't, I charge you; come your ways.

Oph. I shall obey, my lord.

Ham. The air bites shrewdly; it is very cold.

Hor. It is a nipping and an eager air.

Ham. What hour now?

Hor. I think it lacks of twelve.

Mar. No, it is struck.

Hor. Indeed? I heard it not: then it draws near the season

Wherein the spirit held his wont to walk.

What does this mean, my lord?

Ham. The king doth wake to-night and takes his rouse,

Keeps wassail, and the swaggering up-spring reels;

And, as he drains his draughts of Rhenish down,

The kettle-drum and trumpet thus bray out

The triumph of his pledge.

 129 implorators: solicitors

133 slander: bring reproach upon  2 eager: sharp

8 wake: hold a revel by night

9 Keeps wassail: holds a drinking-bout

up-spring: wild dance of German origin

10 Rhenish: Rhine wine

12 pledge: toast

