[Footnote 19: 'They are well-come.']
[Footnote 20: 'to be polite to Laertes.' The print shows where to has slipped out.
The queen is anxious; she distrusts Laertes, and the king's influence over him.]
[Page 262]
it[1] be now, 'tis not to come: if it bee not to come,
[Sidenote: be, tis]
it will bee now: if it be not now; yet it will come;
[Sidenote: it well come,]
[Sidenote: 54, 164] the readinesse is all,[2] since no man ha's ought of
[Sidenote: man of ought he leaues, knowes what ist
to leaue betimes, let be.]
[Sidenote: 252] what he leaues. What is't to leaue betimes?[3]
Enter King, Queene, Laertes and Lords, with other
Attendants with Foyles, and Gauntlets, a Table
and Flagons of Wine on it.
[Sidenote: A table prepard, Trumpets, Drums and officers
with cushion, King, Queene, and all the state,
Foiles, Daggers, and Laertes.]
Kin. Come Hamlet come, and take this hand from me.
[Sidenote: 245] Ham.[4] Giue me your pardon Sir, I'ue done you
wrong,[5] [Sidenote: I haue]
But pardon't as you are a Gentleman.
This presence[6] knowes,
And you must needs haue heard how I am punisht
With sore distraction?[7] What I haue done [Sidenote: With a sore]
That might your nature honour, and exception
[Sidenote: 242, 252] Roughly awake,[8] heere proclaime was madnesse:[9]
Was't Hamlet wrong'd Laertes? Neuer Hamlet.
If Hamlet from himselfe be tane away: [Sidenote: fane away,]
And when he's not himselfe, do's wrong Laertes,
Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it:[10]
Who does it then? His Madnesse? If't be so,
Hamlet is of the Faction that is wrong'd,
His madnesse is poore Hamlets Enemy.[11]
Sir, in this Audience,[12]
Let my disclaiming from a purpos'd euill,[13]
Free me so farre[14] in your most generous thoughts,
That I haue shot mine Arrow o're the house, [Sidenote: my]
And hurt my Mother.[15] [Sidenote: brother.[15]
[Footnote 1: 'it'—death, the end.]
[Footnote 2: His father had been taken unready. 54.]