Lord. The queen desires you to use some
gentle entertainment to Laertes before you fall
to play. 217
Ham. She well instructs me.] [Exit Lord.
Hor. You will lose this wager, my lord.
Ham. I do not think so; since he went into
France, I have been in continual practice; I
shall win at the odds. But thou wouldst not
think how ill all 's here about my heart; but it
is no matter. 224
Hor. Nay, good my lord,—
Ham. It is but foolery; but it is such a kind
of gain-giving as would perhaps trouble a
woman. 228
Hor. If your mind dislike any thing, obey it;
I will forestall their repair hither, and say you
are not fit. 231
Ham. Not a whit, we defy augury; there's a
special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it
be now, 'tis not to come; if it be not to come, it
will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come:
the readiness is all. Since no man has aught
of what he leaves, what is 't to leave betimes?
[Let be.] 238
Enter King, Queen, Laertes and Lords, with other Attendants with foils and gauntlets, a table and flagons of wine on it.
King. Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.
[The King puts the hand of Laertes into that of Hamlet.]
Ham. Give me your pardon, sir; I've done you wrong;
227 gain-giving: misgiving
