Hamlet

Hamlet   

My excellent good friends! How dost thou, Guildenstern?
Oh, Rosencrantz! Good lads, how do you both?

Rosencrantz

As the indifferent children of the earth.

Guildenstern

Happy in that we are not over-happy. 
On Fortune's cap we are not the very button.    

Hamlet

Nor the soles of her shoe?

Rosencrantz

Neither, my lord.

Both

We'll wait upon you.

Hamlet   

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 attended. – But in the beaten way of    
friendship, what make you at Elsinore?

Rosencrantz   

To visit you my lord, no other occasion.

Both

We'll wait upon you.

Hamlet   

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 attended. – But in the beaten way of    
friendship, what make you at Elsinore?

Rosencrantz   

To visit you my lord, no other occasion.

Rosencrantz   

To think, my lord, if you delight not in man, what 
lenten entertainment the players shall receive from
you. We coted them on the way, and hither are they
coming to offer you service.

Hamlet   

He that plays the king shall be welcome; his majesty
shall have tribute of me. The Adventurous Knight shall    
use his foil and target; the Lover shall not sigh gratis;
the Humorous Man shall end his part in peace; the Clown
shall make those laugh whose lungs are tickled o'th' sear; 
and the Lady shall say her mind freely, or the blank verse
shall halt for't. What players are they?

Hamlet   

How chances it they travel? Their residence both in
reputation and profit was better both ways.

Rosencrantz   

I think their inhibition comes by the means of
the late innovation.

Rosencrantz   

Nay, their endeavor keeps in the wonted 
pace. But there is, sir, an eyrie of children, little eyases,
that cry out on the top of question, and are most
tyrannically clapped for't. These are now the fashion, and so
berattle the common stages (so they call them) that
many wearing rapiers are afraid of goose quills and dare
scarce come thither.

Rosencrantz   

Faith, there has been much to-do on both 
sides, and the nation holds it no sin to tar them to 
controversy. There was, for a while, no money bid
for argument unless the poet and the player went to
cuffs on the question.

Hamlet   

Is't possible? 

Guildenstern   

Oh, there has been much throwing about of brains.

Hamlet   

Do the boys carry it away?

Rosencrantz   

Ay, that they do, my lord, Hercules and his load
too.    

Hamlet

Gentlemen, you are welcome to Elsinore. Your hands,
come. Th' appurtenance of welcome is fashion and
ceremony. Let me comply with you in the garb, lest
my extent to the players (which, I tell you, must show 
fairly outward) should more appear like entertainment
than yours. You are welcome. – But my uncle-father and
aunt-mother are deceived.

Guildenstern

In what, my dear lord?

Hamlet   

I am but mad north-northwest. When the wind is 
southerly, I know a hawk from a hand saw.

Polonius

My lord, I have news to tell you ...

Hamlet   

[Interrupting] My lord, I have news to tell you. When Roscius was 
an actor in Rome ...    

Polonius

The actors are come hither, my lord.

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