[Footnote 4: 'or be quits with Laertes the third bout':—in any case, whatever the probabilities, even if Hamlet be wounded, the king, who has not perfect confidence in the 'unction,' will fall back on his second line of ambush—in which he has more trust: he will drink to Hamlet, when Hamlet will be bound to drink also.]
[Footnote 5: The Latin unio was a large pearl. The king's union I take to be poison made up like a pearl.]
[Footnote 6: —a well-known one in the crown.]
[Footnote 7: —of whom Osricke was one.]
[Footnote 8: Not in Q.]
[Footnote 9: —appealing to the judges.]
[Footnote 10: He throws in the pearl, and drinks—for it will take some moments to dissolve and make the wine poisonous—then sends the cup to Hamlet.]
[Footnote 11: Not in Q.]
[Footnote 12: He does not refuse to drink, but puts it by, neither showing nor entertaining suspicion, fearing only the effect of the draught on his play. He is bent on winning the wager—perhaps with further intent.]
[Footnote 13: Laertes has little interest in the match, but much in his own play.]