ee-booted.

_Ros._ }
} We will haste us.
_Guil._}

[_Cross behind the_ KING, _and exeunt_ ROSENCRANTZ _and_
GUILDENSTERN, L.H.]

_Enter_ POLONIUS (R.H.)

_Pol._ My lord, he's going to his mother's closet:
Behind the arras I'll convey myself,[109]
To hear the process;[110] I'll warrant, she'll tax him home:
And, as you said, and wisely was it said,
'Tis meet that some more audience than a mother,
Since nature makes them partial, should o'erhear
The speech of vantage.[111] Fare you well, my liege:

[POLONIUS _crosses to_ L.H.]

I'll call upon you ere you go to bed,
And tell you what I know.

_King._ Thanks, dear my lord.

[_Exeunt_ POLONIUS, L.H., _and_ KING, R.H.]

SCENE III.--THE QUEEN'S CHAMBER.

_Enter_ QUEEN _and_ POLONIUS (L.H.)

_Pol._ He will come straight. Look, you lay home to him:[112]
Tell him his pranks have been too broad[113] to bear with,
And that your grace hath screen'd and stood between
Much heat and him. I'll sconce me even here.[114]
Pray you, be round with him.

_Queen._ I'll warrant you;
Fear me not:--withdraw, I hear him coming.

[POLONIUS _hides himself_, L.H.U.E.

_Enter_ HAMLET (R.)

_Ham._ (R.C.) Now, mother, what's the matter?

_Queen._ (L.C.) Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended.

_Ham._ Mother, you have my father much offended.

_Queen._ Come, come, you answer with an idle tongue.

_Ham._ Go, go, you question with a wicked tongue.

_Queen._ Why, how now, Hamlet!

_Ham._ What's the matter now?

_Queen._ Have you forgot me?

_Ham._ No, by the rood,[115] not so:
You are the queen, your husband's brother's wife;
And--would it were not so!--you are my mother.

_Queen._ Nay, then, I'll set those to you that can speak.

_Ham._ Come, come, and sit you down; you shall not budge;
You go not till I set you up a glass
Where you may see the inmost part of you.

_Queen._ What wilt thou do? thou wilt not murder me?
Help, help, ho!

_Pol._

(_Behind._)

What, ho! help!

_Ham._ How now! a rat?[116]

[_Draws._]

Dead, for a ducat, dead!

[HAMLET _rushes off behind the arras._]

_Pol._ (_Behind._) O, I am slain!

[_Falls and dies._]

_Queen._ O me, what hast thou done?