And so I've lost my noble father, had my sister driven
insane—my sister who once was (if I can praise her for
what she once was, not what she is now) the most perfect girl who
ever lived. But I'll get my revenge.
CLAUDIUS
30
Break not your sleeps for that. You must not think
That we are made of stuff so flat and dull
That we can let our beard be shook with danger
And think it pastime. You shortly shall hear more.
I loved your father, and we love ourself.
35
And that, I hope, will teach you to imagine—
CLAUDIUS
Don't you worry about that. You must not think that
I'm so lazy and dull that I can be severely threatened
and think it's just a game. You'll hear more
about my plans soon enough. I loved your father, and I love myself,
which should be enough to—
Enter a MESSENGER
A MESSENGER enters with
letters.
How now, what news?
What is it? What's the news?
MESSENGER
Letters, my lord, from Hamlet.
This to your majesty, this to the queen.
(gives CLAUDIUS
letters)
MESSENGER
Letters, my lord, from Hamlet. This one's for Your
Highness, this one for the queen.
(gives CLAUDIUS
letters)
CLAUDIUS
From Hamlet? Who brought them?
CLAUDIUS
From Hamlet? Who delivered them?
MESSENGER
Sailors, my lord, they say. I saw them not.
40
They were given me by Claudio. He received them
Of him that brought them.
MESSENGER
Sailors, my lord, or so they say. I didn't see them.
Claudio gave them to me, and he got them from the one who delivered
them.
CLAUDIUS
Laertes, you shall hear them.—Leave us.
CLAUDIUS
Laertes, I want you to hear what they say. Leave us alone
now.
Exit MESSENGER
The MESSENGER
exits.
(reads)
“High and mighty,
You shall know I am set naked on your kingdom.
Tomorrow shall I beg leave to see your kingly eyes,
45
when I shall, first asking your pardon thereunto,
(reads)
“High and Mighty one,
You know I've been set down naked, you
might say, in your kingdom. Tomorrow I'll beg permission
to look into your kingly eyes, at which point I'll
tell
