Hamlet, Act 4, Scene 2

Safely stowed.

Safely put away.

[Within.] Hamlet! Lord Hamlet!

[Offstage.] Hamlet! Lord Hamlet!

What noise? Who calls on Hamlet? O, here they come.

What's that noise? Who's calling Hamlet? Oh, here they come.

What have you done, my lord, with the dead body?

What have you done with the dead body, my lord?

Compounded it with dust, whereto ’tis kin.

Mixed it with dust, which it's related to.

Tell us where ’tis, that we may take it thence, And bear it to the chapel.

Tell us where it is, so we can take it away from there and carry it to the chapel.

Do not believe it.

Don't believe it.

Believe what?

Believe what?

That I can keep your counsel, and not mine own. Besides, to be demanded of a sponge—what replication should be made by the son of a king?

That I can keep your secrets and not my own. Besides, to be questioned by a sponge—what sort of answer should a king's son give?

Take you me for a sponge, my lord?

Do you take me for a sponge, my lord?

Ay, sir; that soaks up the King’s countenance, his rewards, his authorities. But such officers do the King best service in the end: he keeps them, like an ape, in the corner of his jaw; first mouthed, to be last swallowed: when he needs what you have gleaned, it is but squeezing you, and, sponge, you shall be dry again.

Yes, sir, one that soaks up the King's favour, his rewards, his powers. But officers like that do the King the best service in the end: he keeps them, the way an ape keeps nuts, in the corner of his jaw; taken into the mouth first, to be swallowed last. When he needs what you've gathered up, he only has to squeeze you and, sponge, you'll be dry again.

I understand you not, my lord.

I don't understand you, my lord.

I am glad of it. A knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear.

I'm glad of that. A cunning speech lies asleep in a foolish ear.

My lord, you must tell us where the body is and go with us to the King.

My lord, you must tell us where the body is and come with us to the King.

The body is with the King, but the King is not with the body. The King is a thing—

The body is with the King, but the King is not with the body. The King is a thing—

A thing, my lord!

A thing, my lord!

Of nothing. Bring me to him. Hide fox, and all after.

Of nothing. Take me to him. Hide, fox, and everyone after him.