t
have it so understood; he too lays it to his madness, though he too
knows better.]

[Footnote 3: 'he, although mad'; 'his nature, in spite of his madness.']

[Footnote 4: by his weeping, in the midst of much to give a different
impression.]

[Footnote 5: We have no reason to think the queen inventing here: what
could she gain by it? the point indeed was rather against Hamlet, as
showing it was not Polonius he had thought to kill. He was more than
ever annoyed with the contemptible old man, who had by his
meddlesomeness brought his death to his door; but he was very sorry
nevertheless over Ophelia's father: those rough words in his last speech
are spoken with the tears running down his face. We have seen the
strange, almost discordant mingling in him of horror and humour, after
the first appearance of the Ghost, 58, 60: something of the same may be
supposed when he finds he has killed Polonius: in the highstrung nervous
condition that must have followed such a talk with his mother, it would
be nowise strange that he should weep heartily even in the midst of
contemptuous anger. Or perhaps a sudden breakdown from attempted show of
indifference, would not be amiss in the representation.]

[Footnote 6: 'both countenance with all our majesty, and excuse with all
our skill.']

[Footnote 7: In the _Quarto_ a line back.]

[Footnote 8: _Not in Q._]

[Page 184]

And what's vntimely[1] done. [A] Oh come away, [Sidenote: doone,]
My soule is full of discord and dismay. _Exeunt._

_Enter Hamlet._ [Sidenote: _Hamlet, Rosencrans, and others._]

_Ham._ Safely stowed.[2] [Sidenote: stowed, but soft, what noyse,]

_Gentlemen within._ _Hamlet_. Lord _Hamlet_?

_Ham._ What noise? Who cals on _Hamlet_?
Oh heere they come.

_Enter Ros. and Guildensterne._[4]

_Ro._ What haue you done my Lord with the dead body?

_Ham._ Compounded it with dust, whereto 'tis Kinne.[5]
[Sidenote: Compound it]

_Rosin._ Tell vs where 'tis, that we may take it thence,
And beare it to the Chappell.

_Ham._ Do not beleeue it.[6]

_Rosin._ Beleeue what?

[Sidenote: 156] _Ham._ That I can keepe your counsell, and not
mine owne. Besides, to be demanded of a Spundge,
what replication should be made by the Sonne of
a King.[7]

_Rosin._ Take you me for a Spundge, my Lord?

_Ham._ I sir, that sokes vp the Kings Countenance,
his Rewards, his Authorities, but such Office