No, by this hand.

HAMLET.

KING.

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

HAMLET.

Very well, my lord;

Your grace

has laid the odds o' the weaker side.

KING.

I do not fear it; I have seen you both:

But since he is better'd, we have therefore odds.

LAERTES.

This is too heavy; let me see another.

HAMLET.

This likes me well. These foils have all a

length?

(They prepare to play.)

OSRIC.

Ay, my good lord.

KING.

Set me the stoups of wine upon that table.
If Hamlet give the first or second hit,
Or quit in answer of 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 shall he throw,
Richer than that which four successive kings
In Denmark's crown have worn.

cups;

Give me the

And let the kettle to the trumpet speak,

The trumpet to the cannoneer without,

The cannons to the heavens, the heaven to earth, "Now the king drinks to Hamlet." Come, begin; And you, the judges, bear a wary eye.

Stay; give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is

thine;

Here's to thy health.

(Trumpets sound, and cannon shot off within.) Give him the cup.

HAMLET.

I'll play this bout first; set it by a while.
Come. (They play.) Another hit; what say you?

LAERTES.

A touch, a touch, I do confess.

KING.

Our son shall win.

QUEEN.

The queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.

HAMLET.

Good madam!

KING.

Gertrude, do not drink.

QUEEN.

I will, my lord; I pray you, pardon me.
KING. (Aside.)

It is the poison'd cup; it is too late.

LAERTES.

My lord, I'll hit him now.

KING.

I do not think 't.

LAERTES. (Aside.)

it is almost against my conscience.

HAMLET.

Come, for the third, Laertes: you but dally;
I pray you, pass with your best violence;
I am afear'd you make a wanton of me.

(LAERTES wounds HAMLET; then, in scuffling, they change rapiers, and HAMLET wounds LAERTES.)