Hor. What's that, my lord? 185
Ham. Dost thou think Alexander looked o' this fashion[2070]
i' the earth?
Hor. E'en so.
Ham. And smelt so? pah! [Puts down the skull.[2071]
Hor. E'en so, my lord. 190
Ham. To what base uses we may return, Horatio![2072]
Why may not imagination trace the noble dust of Alexander,
till he find it stopping a bung-hole?[2073]
Hor. 'Twere to consider too curiously, to consider so.
Ham. No, faith, not a jot; but to follow him thither[2074] 195
with modesty enough and likelihood to lead it: as thus:[2075]
Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander returneth[2076]
into dust; the dust is earth; of earth we make loam;[2077]
and why of that loam, whereto he was converted, might[2078]
they not stop a beer-barrel? 200
Imperious Cæsar, dead and turn'd to clay,[2079]
Might stop a hole to keep the wind away:
O, that that earth, which kept the world in awe,
Should patch a wall to expel the winter's flaw![2080]
But soft! but soft! aside: here comes the king. 205
Enter Priests, &c. in procession; the Corpse of Ophelia, Laertes and Mourners following; King, Queen, their trains, &c.[2081]
The queen, the courtiers: who is this they follow?[2082]
And with such maimed rites? This doth betoken[2083]
The corse they follow did with desperate hand
Fordo its own life: 'twas of some estate.[2084]
Couch we awhile, and mark. [Retiring with Horatio.[2085] 210