University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

Another Room in the Palace.
Enter Hamlet.
Hamlet.
I think my plan will hit—they're caught, egad!
And all the family believe I'm mad.
Guild'stern and Rosencrantz just now they sent
To sift my secrets, but they miss'd their scent—
And Old Polonius too—that sneaking prig—
But if I let them pump me, dash my wig.
Hold! something of the play'rs he said—aye—right.
I'll have them act a play this very night:
For guilty people oft (I've heard folks say)
Confess their sins when sitting at a play.—
They shall not act their tragedies; I'd rather
Have something 'bout the murder of my father:

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'Twill make a charming ballet-pantomime—
We'll get it up in stile,—if we have time.
The king shall come; he'll not suspect the trick;
I'll watch him close—I'll touch him to the quick.
The charge against him is, as yet, deficient,—
The honour of a Ghost is not sufficient:
But if the play affect him, I shall tell O!
That he's a knave—the Ghost an honest fellow.
[Exit Hamlet.