, I have been
in continual practice; I shall win at the odds.[65] 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,[66]
as would, perhaps, trouble a woman.

_Hor._ If your mind dislike any thing, obey it:[67] I will forestall
their repair hither, and say, you are not fit.

_Ham._ Not a whit, we defy augury: there is a special providence in
the fall of a sparrow.

[_Exeunt_, L.H.]

SCENE III.--ROOM IN THE CASTLE.

KING _and_ QUEEN, _on a dais_, LAERTES (R.), LORDS (R.),
LADIES (L.), OSRIC (R.) _and_ Attendants, _with Foils, &c.,
discovered_ (R.H.); _Tables_ (R. _and_ L.)--
_Flourish of Trumpets._

_Enter_ HAMLET _and_ HORATIO (L.H.)

_King._ Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from
me.

_Ham._ (_offering his hand to_ LAERTES) Give me your
pardon, sir: I have done you wrong;
But pardon it, as you are a gentleman.
Let my disclaiming from a purpos'd evil
Free me so far in your most generous thoughts,
That I have shot my arrow o'er the house,
And hurt my brother.

_Laer._ (R.) I am satisfied in nature,
Whose motive, in this case, should stir me most
To my revenge.
I do receive your offer'd love like love,
And will not wrong it.

_Ham._ I embrace it freely:
And will this brother's wager frankly play.
Give us the foils.

_Laer._ Come, one for me.

_Ham._ I'll be your foil, Laertes: in mine ignorance
Your skill shall, like a star i'the darkest night,
Stick fiery off indeed.[68]

_Laer._ You mock me, sir.

_Ham._ No, by this hand.

_King._ Give them the foils, young Osric. Cousin Hamlet,
You know the wager?

_Ham._ Very well, my lord;
Your grace hath laid the odds o'the weaker side.

_King._ I do not fear it; I have seen you both:
But since he's better'd,[69] we have therefore odds.

_Laer._ This is too heavy, let me see another.

_Ham._ This likes me well. These foils have all a length?

_Osr._ Ay, my good lord.

_King._ Set me the stoups of wine[70] upon that table.--

[Pages _exeunt_ R. _and_ L.]

If Hamlet give the first or second hit,
Or quit[71] in answer to the third exchange,
Let all the battlements their ordnance fire;
The king shall drink to Hamlet's better breath;
And in the cup an union shal