Act 4 Scene 2

Enter Hamlet.

HAMLET
Safely stowed.

GENTLEMEN
Hamlet! Lord Hamlet!

HAMLET
But soft, what noise? Who calls on Hamlet?
O, here they come.

ROSENCRANTZ
What have you done, my lord, with the dead body?

HAMLET
Compounded it with dust, whereto 'tis kin.

ROSENCRANTZ
Tell us where 'tis, that we may take it thence
And bear it to the chapel.

HAMLET
Do not believe it.

ROSENCRANTZ
Believe what?

HAMLET
That I can keep your counsel and not mine
own. Besides, to be demanded of a sponge, what
replication should be made by the son of a king?

ROSENCRANTZ
Take you me for a sponge, my lord?

HAMLET
Ay, sir, that soaks up the King's countenance,
his rewards, his authorities. But such officers do the
King best service in the end. He keeps them like an
ape an apple in the corner of his jaw, first mouthed,
to be last swallowed. When he needs what you have
gleaned, it is but squeezing you, and, sponge, you
shall be dry again.

ROSENCRANTZ
I understand you not, my lord.

HAMLET
I am glad of it. A knavish speech sleeps in a
foolish ear.

ROSENCRANTZ
My lord, you must tell us where the
body is and go with us to the King.

HAMLET
The body is with the King, but the King is not
with the body. The King is a thing--

GUILDENSTERN
A "thing," my lord?

HAMLET
Of nothing. Bring me to him. Hide fox, and
all after!

They exit.

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