Antiquity forgot, custom not known, 104
The ratifiers and props of every word,
They cry, 'Choose we; Laertes shall be king!'
Caps, hands, and tongues, applaud it to the clouds,
'Laertes shall be king, Laertes king!' 108
Queen. How cheerfully on the false trail they cry!
O! this is counter, you false Danish dogs!
King. The doors are broke. Noise within.
Enter Laertes with others.
Laer. Where is the king? Sirs, stand you all without. 112
All. No, let's come in.
Laer. I pray you, give me leave.
All. We will, we will.
[They retire without the door.]
Laer. I thank you: keep the door. O thou vile king!
Give me my father.
Queen. Calmly, good Laertes. 116
Laer. That drop of blood that's calm proclaims me bastard,
Cries cuckold to my father, brands the harlot
Even here, between the chaste unsmirched brow
Of my true mother.
King. What is the cause, Laertes,
That thy rebellion looks so giant-like? 121
Let him go, Gertrude; do not fear our person:
There's such divinity doth hedge a king,
That treason can but peep to what it would,
Acts little of his will. Tell me, Laertes, 125
Why thou art thus incens'd. Let him go, Gertrude.
110 counter: following the trail in a direction opposite to that which the game has taken
118 cuckold: husband with an unfaithful wife
