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for the very substance of the ambitious is merely

the shadow of a dream.

Ham. A dream itself is but a shadow.

Ros. Truly, and I hold ambition of so airy

and light a quality that it is but a shadow's

shadow.

Ham. Then are our beggars bodies, and our

monarchs and outstretched heroes the beggars'

shadows. Shall we to the court? for, by my fay,

I cannot reason.

Ham. No such matter; I will not sort you

with the rest of my servants, for, to speak to you

like an honest man, I am most dreadfully at-

tended. But, in the beaten way of friendship,

what make you at Elsinore?

Ros. To visit you, my lord; no other occa-

sion.

Ham. Beggar that I am, I am even poor in

thanks; but I thank you: and sure, dear friends,

my thanks are too dear a halfpenny. Were you

not sent for? Is it your own inclining? Is it

a free visitation? Come, come, deal justly with

me: come, come; nay, speak.

Guil. What should we say, my lord?

Ham. Why anything, but to the purpose.

You were sent for; and there is a kind of con-

fession in your looks which your modesties have

 272 quality: nature

274 beggars bodies; cf. n.

275 outstretched: strutting

276 fay: faith

277 reason: argue

278 wait upon: accompany

279 sort: class

282 beaten way: ordinary course

288 too dear a halfpenny; cf. n.

290 free: voluntary

