recount the occasion of my sudden and more strange
return.
Hamlet.”
What should this mean? Are all the rest come back?
Or is it some abuse, and no such thing?
you the story (after first apologizing) of how I came back to
Denmark so strangely and suddenly.
Hamlet”
What does this mean? Has everyone else come back too? Or is it all
a lie—and no one has yet returned?
LAERTES
Know you the hand?
LAERTES
Do you recognize the handwriting?
CLAUDIUS
'Tis Hamlet's
character. “Naked”?
50
And in a postscript here, he says “alone.”
Can you advise me?
CLAUDIUS
It's Hamlet's writing.
“Naked,” he says. And in a P.S. he adds,
“alone.” Can you help me out with this?
LAERTES
I'm lost in it, my lord. But let him come.
It warms the very sickness in my heart
That I shall live and tell him to his teeth,
55
“Thus diddest thou.”
LAERTES
I have no clue, my lord. But let him come. It warms my weary heart
to think I'll get the chance to look him in the eye and
say, “You did this.”
CLAUDIUS
If it be so, Laertes—
As how should it be so? How otherwise?—
Will you be ruled by me?
CLAUDIUS
If that's how you feel, Laertes—and why
shouldn't you? Will you let me guide and direct
you?
LAERTES
Ay, my
lord—
So you will not o'errule me to a peace.
LAERTES
Yes, my lord, as long as you won't lead me toward
peace.
CLAUDIUS
To thine own peace. If he be now returned,
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As checking at his voyage, and that he means
No more to undertake it, I will work him
To an exploit, now ripe in my devise,
Under the which he shall not choose but fall.
And for his death no wind of blame shall breathe,
65
But even his mother shall uncharge the practice
And call it accident.
CLAUDIUS
No, just toward your own peace of mind. If he's come
back to Denmark without plans to continue on his trip, then
I'll trick him into an undertaking, which I'm
working out now, that's sure to kill him. When he dies,
no one will be blamed, even his mother will call it an
accident.
LAERTES
My lord, I will be ruled
The rather if you could devise it so
That I might be the organ.
LAERTES
My lord, I'll let you make the decision. I only ask to
be in on your plans, the agent of his death.
