hree times he has burst out singing.

Or might not his whole carriage, with the call for music, be the outcome
of a grimly merry satisfaction at the success of his scheme?]

[Page 152]

For if the King like not the Comedie,
Why then belike he likes it not perdie.[1]
Come some Musicke.

_Guild._ Good my Lord, vouchsafe me a word
with you.

_Ham._ Sir, a whole History.

_Guild._ The King, sir.

_Ham._ I sir, what of him?

_Guild._ Is in his retyrement, maruellous distemper'd.

_Ham._ With drinke Sir?

_Guild._ No my Lord, rather with choller.[2] [Sidenote: Lord, with]

_Ham._ Your wisedome should shew it selfe more
richer, to signifie this to his Doctor: for me to
[Sidenote: the Doctor,]
put him to his Purgation, would perhaps plundge
him into farre more Choller.[2] [Sidenote: into more]

_Guild._ Good my Lord put your discourse into
some frame,[3] and start not so wildely from my [Sidenote: stare]
affayre.

_Ham._ I am tame Sir, pronounce.

_Guild._ The Queene your Mother, in most great
affliction of spirit, hath sent me to you.

_Ham._ You are welcome.[4]

_Guild._ Nay, good my Lord, this courtesie is
not of the right breed. If it shall please you to
make me a wholsome answer, I will doe your
Mothers command'ment: if not, your pardon, and
my returne shall bee the end of my Businesse. [Sidenote: of busines.]

_Ham._ Sir, I cannot.

_Guild._ What, my Lord?

_Ham._ Make you a wholsome answere: my wits
diseas'd. But sir, such answers as I can make, you [Sidenote: answere]
shal command: or rather you say, my Mother: [Sidenote: rather as you]
therfore no more but to the matter. My Mother
you say.

[Footnote 1: These two lines he may be supposed to sing.]

[Footnote 2: Choler means bile, and thence anger. Hamlet in his answer
plays on the two meanings:--'to give him the kind of medicine I think
fit for him, would perhaps much increase his displeasure.']

[Footnote 3: some logical consistency.]

[Footnote 4: _--with an exaggeration of courtesy_.]

[Page 154]

_Rosin._ Then thus she sayes: your behauior
hath stroke her into amazement, and admiration.[1]

_Ham._ Oh wonderfull Sonne, that can so astonish [Sidenote: stonish]
a Mother. But is there no sequell at the heeles
of this Mothers admiration? [Sidenote: admiration, impart.]

_Rosin._ She desires to speake with you in her
Closset,