Tell him his pranks have been too broad to bear with,
And that your grace hath screened and stood between
Much heat and him. I'll silence me even here.
5
Pray you, be round with him.
POLONIUS
He'll come right away. Make sure you lay into him. Tell
him his pranks have caused too much trouble, and that Your Highness
has taken a lot of heat for them. I'll be right here,
silent. Please be blunt with him.
HAMLET
(within) Mother, mother,
mother!
HAMLET
(offstage) Mother, mother,
mother!
GERTRUDE
I'll warrant you. Fear me not. Withdraw, I hear him
coming.
GERTRUDE
Don't worry, I'll do what you say. Now hide,
I hear him coming.
POLONIUS hides behind the arras
POLONIUS hides behind the
tapestry.
Enter HAMLET
HAMLET enters.
HAMLET
Now mother, what's the matter?
HAMLET
Now mother, what's this all about?
GERTRUDE
Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended.
GERTRUDE
Hamlet, you've insulted your father.
HAMLET
10
Mother, you have my father much offended.
HAMLET
Mother, you've insulted my father.
GERTRUDE
Come, come, you answer with an idle tongue.
GERTRUDE
Come on, you're answering me foolishly.
HAMLET
Go, go, you question with a wicked tongue.
HAMLET
Go on, you're questioning me evilly.
GERTRUDE
Why, how now, Hamlet?
GERTRUDE
Hamlet, what, why?
HAMLET
What's
the matter now?
HAMLET
What's the problem now?
GERTRUDE
Have you forgot me?
GERTRUDE
Have you forgotten who I am?
HAMLET
No, by the rood, not so.
15
You are the queen, your husband's brother's
wife,
And—would it were not so!—you are my
mother.
HAMLET
For God's sake no, I haven't. You are the
queen, your husband's brother's wife, and you
are my mother, though I wish you weren't.
