[Footnote 3: 'Come on' is not in the Q.—I suspect this Come on but a misplaced shadow from the 'Come one' immediately below, and better omitted. Hamlet could not say 'Come on' before Laertes was ready, and 'Come one' after 'Give us the foils,' would be very awkward. But it may be said to the attendant courtiers.]
[Footnote 4: He says this while Hamlet is still choosing, in order that a second bundle of foils, in which is the unbated and poisoned one, may be brought him. So 'generous and free from all contriving' is Hamlet, (220) that, even with the presentiment in his heart, he has no fear of treachery.]
[Footnote 5: As persons of the drama, the Poet means Laertes to be foil to Hamlet.—With the play upon the word before us, we can hardly help thinking of the third signification of the word foil.]
[Footnote 6: 'My ignorance will be the foil of darkest night to the burning star of your skill.' This is no flattery; Hamlet believes Laertes, to whose praises he has listened (218)—though not with the envy his uncle attributes to him—the better fencer: he expects to win only 'at the odds.' 260.]
[Footnote 7: —not 'by these pickers and stealers,' his oath to his false friends. 154.]
[Footnote 8: Plainly a favourite with the king.—He is Ostricke always in the Q.]
[Footnote 9: 'seen you both play'—though not together.]
[Footnote 10: Point thus:
I do not fear it—I have seen you both!
But since, he is bettered: we have therefore odds.
'Since'—'since the time I saw him.']