the portion
omitted might, I grant, be regarded as an _aside_.]

[Footnote 11: --to be done _to_ him.]

[Footnote 12: _Hoised_, from verb _hoise_--still used in Scotland.]

[Footnote 13: a kind of explosive shell, which was fixed to the object
meant to be destroyed. Note once more Hamlet's delight in action.]

[Footnote 14: --_said to Ros. and Guild._: in plain speech, 'Leave us a
little while.']

[Page 182]

Behinde the Arras, hearing something stirre,
He whips his Rapier out, and cries a Rat, a Rat,
[Sidenote: Whyps out his Rapier, cryes a]
And in his brainish apprehension killes [Sidenote: in this]
The vnseene good old man.

_King._ Oh heauy deed:
It had bin so with vs[1] had we beene there:
His Liberty is full of threats to all,[2]
To you your selfe, to vs, to euery one.
Alas, how shall this bloody deede be answered?
It will be laide to vs, whose prouidence
Should haue kept short, restrain'd, and out of haunt,
This mad yong man.[2] But so much was our loue,
We would not vnderstand what was most fit,
But like the Owner of a foule disease,
[Sidenote: 176] To keepe it from divulging, let's it feede
[Sidenote: let it]
Euen on the pith of life. Where is he gone?

_Qu._ To draw apart the body he hath kild, [Sidenote: Ger.]
O're whom his very madnesse[3] like some Oare
Among a Minerall of Mettels base
[Sidenote: 181] Shewes it selfe pure.[4] He weepes for what is done.[5]
[Sidenote: pure, a weeepes]

_King:_ Oh _Gertrude_, come away:
The Sun no sooner shall the Mountaines touch,
But we will ship him hence, and this vilde deed,
We must with all our Maiesty and Skill
[Sidenote: 200] Both countenance, and excuse.[6]
_Enter Ros. & Guild_.[7]
Ho _Guildenstern_:
Friends both go ioyne you with some further ayde:
_Hamlet_ in madnesse hath Polonius slaine,
And from his Mother Clossets hath he drag'd him.
[Sidenote: closet | dreg'd]
Go seeke him out, speake faire, and bring the body
Into the Chappell. I pray you hast in this.
_Exit Gent_[8]
Come _Gertrude_, wee'l call vp our wisest friends,
To let them know both what we meane to do, [Sidenote: And let]

[Footnote 1: the royal plural.]

[Footnote 2: He knows the thrust was meant for him. But he would no