But mere implorators of unholy suits, 129
Breathing like sanctified and pious bonds,
The better to beguile. This is for all:
I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth,
Have you so slander any moment's leisure, 133
As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet.
Look to 't, I charge you; come your ways.
Oph. I shall obey, my lord. Exeunt.
Scene Four
[A Platform of the Castle]
Enter Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus.
Ham. The air bites shrewdly; it is very cold.
Hor. It is a nipping and an eager air.
Ham. What hour now?
Hor. I think it lacks of twelve.
Mar. No, it is struck. 4
Hor. Indeed? I heard it not: then it draws near the season
Wherein the spirit held his wont to walk.
A flourish of trumpets, and two pieces [of ordnance] go off.
What does this mean, my lord?
Ham. The king doth wake to-night and takes his rouse, 8
Keeps wassail, and the swaggering up-spring reels;
And, as he drains his draughts of Rhenish down,
The kettle-drum and trumpet thus bray out
The triumph of his pledge.
129 implorators: solicitors
133 slander: bring reproach upon
2 eager: sharp
8 wake: hold a revel by night
9 Keeps wassail: holds a drinking-bout
up-spring: wild dance of German origin
10 Rhenish: Rhine wine
12 pledge: toast
