Part 26 (1/2)

I beseech you, remember,-- [Hamlet moves him to put on his hat.]

Osr.

Nay, in good faith; for mine ease, in good faith. Sir, here is newly come to court Laertes; believe me, an absolute gentleman, full of most excellent differences, of very soft society and great showing: indeed, to speak feelingly of him, he is the card or calendar of gentry; for you shall find in him the continent of what part a gentleman would see.

Ham.

Sir, his definement suffers no perdition in you;--though, I know, to divide him inventorially would dizzy the arithmetic of memory, and yet but yaw neither, in respect of his quick sail. But, in the verity of extolment, I take him to be a soul of great article, and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as, to make true diction of him, his semblable is his mirror, and who else would trace him, his umbrage, nothing more.

Osr.

Your lords.h.i.+p speaks most infallibly of him.

Ham.

The concernancy, sir? why do we wrap the gentleman in our more rawer breath?

Osr.

Sir?

Hor.

Is't not possible to understand in another tongue? You will do't, sir, really.

Ham.

What imports the nomination of this gentleman?

Osr.

Of Laertes?

Hor.

His purse is empty already; all's golden words are spent.

Ham.

Of him, sir.

Osr.

I know, you are not ignorant,-- Ham.

I would you did, sir; yet, in faith, if you did, it would not much approve me.--Well, sir.

Osr.

You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is,-- Ham.

I dare not confess that, lest I should compare with him in excellence; but to know a man well were to know himself.

Osr.

I mean, sir, for his weapon; but in the imputation laid on him by them, in his meed he's unfellowed.

Ham.

What's his weapon?

Osr.

Rapier and dagger.

Ham.

That's two of his weapons:--but well.

Osr.

The king, sir, hath wager'd with him six Barbary horses: against the which he has imponed, as I take it, six French rapiers and poniards, with their a.s.signs, as girdle, hangers, and so: three of the carriages, in faith, are very dear to fancy, very responsive to the hilts, most delicate carriages, and of very liberal conceit.

Ham.

What call you the carriages?

Hor.

I knew you must be edified by the margent ere you had done.

Osr.

The carriages, sir, are the hangers.

Ham.

The phrase would be more german to the matter if we could carry cannon by our sides. I would it might be hangers till then. But, on: six Barbary horses against six French swords, their a.s.signs, and three liberal conceited carriages: that's the French bet against the Danish: why is this all imponed, as you call it?

Osr.

The king, sir, hath laid that, in a dozen pa.s.ses between your and him, he shall not exceed you three hits: he hath laid on twelve for nine; and it would come to immediate trial if your lords.h.i.+p would vouchsafe the answer.

Ham.

How if I answer no?

Osr.

I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial.