Hamlet, Act 4, Scene 2
Original
Modern English
Enter Hamlet.
Hamlet comes in.
Hamlet1
Safely stowed.
Safely hidden away.
ROSENCRANTZ and GUILDENSTERN2
[Within.] Hamlet! Lord Hamlet!
[Offstage.] Hamlet! Lord Hamlet!
Hamlet3
What noise? Who calls on Hamlet? O, here they come.
What's that noise? Who's calling Hamlet? Oh, here they come.
Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern come in.
Rosencrantz4
What have you done, my lord, with the dead body?
What have you done with the dead body, my lord?
Hamlet5
Compounded it with dust, whereto ’tis kin.
Mixed it with the dust it's related to.
Rosencrantz6
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 from there and carry it to the chapel.
Hamlet8
Do not believe it.
Don't believe it.
Rosencrantz9
Believe what?
Believe what?
Hamlet10
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 answer should the son of a king give?
Rosencrantz12
Take you me for a sponge, my lord?
Do you take me for a sponge, my lord?
Hamlet13
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 in the corner of his jaw the way an ape keeps food — 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.
Rosencrantz18
I understand you not, my lord.
I don't understand you, my lord.
Hamlet19
I am glad of it. A knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear.
I'm glad of that. A cunning remark lies unnoticed in a foolish ear.
Rosencrantz20
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.
Hamlet21
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 —
Guildenstern23
A thing, my lord!
A thing, my lord!
Hamlet24
Of nothing. Bring me to him. Hide fox, and all after.
Of nothing. Take me to him. Hide, fox, and everyone after him.
Exeunt.
They all leave.
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