a

HAM. Sir, his definement suffers no perdition in you; though, I know, to divide him inventorially, would dizzy the arithmetick of memory; and yet but raw neither, in respect of his quick sail. But, in the verity of extolment, I take him to be a soul of great article; and his infusion of such dearth and rareness, as, to make true diction of him, his semblable is his mirrour; and, who else would trace him, his umbrage, nothing more.

C

OSR. Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him.

HAM. The concernancy, sir? why do we wrap the gentleman in our more rawer breath?

OSR. Sir?

Sir, his definement-in respect of his quick sail] "His qualifications lose nothing in your detail of them: though to make an exact enumeration would distract the arithmetic and utmost powers of memory; and yet these most elaborate efforts would appear no better than sluggish inaptitude, in comparison with his quick conceptions, and the rapidity of his mind." But it has been rendered very naturally and simply by Dr. Warburton: "Sir, he suffers nothing in your account of him, though to enumerate his good qualities particularly would be endless; yet when we had done our best, it would still come short of him.”

Raw is unready, untrained and awkward. "Instruct her what she has to do, that she may not be raw in her entertainment." Pericl. IV. 3. Pandar.; and Touchst. in As you, &c. tells the Shepherd, "You are raw." III. 2.

a soul of great article] Of great account or value. Dr. Johnson says, of large comprehension, of many contents; the particulars of an inventory are called articlès.

and his infusion-umbrage, nothing more] The qualities, with which he is imbued, or tinctured, are of a description so scarce and choice, that, to say the truth of him, in himself, in his own glass alone, can he be reflected, and an attempt by whomsoever else to delineate him, would prove but the faintest shadow.

infallibly] With the most oracular insight and fidelity.

concernancy, sir-more rawer breath] The tendency of all this blazon of character? Why do we clothe this gentleman's perfections in our humble and imperfect language? make him the subject of our rude discussion?

HOR. Is't not possible to understand in another tongue? You will do't, sir, really."

HAM. What imports the nomination of this gentleman? b

OSR. Of Laertes ?

HOR. His purse is empty already; all his golden words are spent.

HAM. Of him, sir.

OSR. I know, you are not ignorant

HAM. I would, you did, sir; yet, in faith, if you did, it would not much approve me:-Well, sir.]

OSR. Sir, you are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is at his weapon?

HAM. [I dare not confess that, lest I should compare with him in excellence: but, to know a man well, were to know himself."

Is't not possible-you will do't] Seeing the facility with which Hamlet caught the knack and gibberish of this affected phraseology, Horatio asks, "Is it not possible to understand even in another, a different tongue from one's own; in a language also, as well as a dialect, not one's own? He then instantly adds, answering his own question: since, as Mr. Seymour says, you have so aptly answered the jargon of this fellow, I really think, you will do't, you will effect it: you will be, or are, possessed of this talent or faculty. I cease to wonder or make question of the possibility. I see you really have done it.

What imports the nomination, &c.] What is the object of the introduction of this gentleman's name?

if you did, it would not much approve me] Yet if you knew I was not ignorant, your judgment would not much advance my reputation. To approve is to recommend to approbation.

JOHNSON.

d I dare not-lest I should compare-were to know himself] No one can have a perfect conception of the measure of another's excellence, unless he shall himself come up to that standard. Dr. Johnson says, I dare not pretend to know him, lest I should pretend to an equality: no man can completely know another, but by knowing himself, which is the utmost extent of human wisdom.

OSR. I mean, sir, for this weapon; but in the imputation laid on him by them, in his meed he's unfellowed.]

HAM. What's his weapon?

OSR. Rapier and dagger.

HAM. That's two of his weapons: but, well.

OSR. The king, sir, hath wagered with him six Barbary horses: against the which he has imponed,(48) as I take it, six French rapiers and poniards, with their assigns, as girdle, hangers, or so: Three of the carriages, in faith, are very dear to fancy, very responsive to the hilts, most delicate carriages, and of very liberal conceit."

HAM. What call you the carriages?

[HOR. I knew, you must be edified by the margent,(50) ere you had done.]

OSR. The carriages, sir, are the hangers.

HAM. The phrase would be more german to the matter, if we could carry a cannon by our sides; I would it might be hangers till then. But on six Barbary horses against six French swords, their assigns, and three liberal-conceited carriages; that's the French bet against the Danish.(5) Why is this imponed, as you call it?

* in the imputation laid on him by them] There is here nothing to refer to, no antecedent, to "them.' It must mean, "the qualities ascribed or assigned to him by the public voice." Meed seems to be the term, that imports "reward or recompence," used fantastically for that which challenges it "merit," and is," in this his particular faculty, or branch of science, he is excellent and matchless." My meed hath got me fame." III H. VI. K. Henr. IV. 8. and ib. II. 1. Edw.

very dear to fancy-very liberal conceit] Of exquisite invention, well adapted to their hilts, and in their conception rich and high fashioned.

more german] A-kin.

"Those that are german to him, though removed fifty times, shall come under the hangman."

Wint. T.

STEEVENS.

OSR. The king, sir, hath laid, that in a dozen passes between yourself and him, he shall not exceed you three hits; he hath one twelve for 'mine; (52) and it would come to immediate trial, if your lordship would vouchsafe the answer.

HAM. How, if I answer, no ?c

OSR. I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial.

HAM. Sir, I will walk here in the hall; If it please his majesty, it is the breathing time of day with me:(53) let the foils be brought, the gentleman willing, and the king hold his purpose, I will win for him, if I can; if not, I will gain nothing but my shame, and the odd hits.

OSR. Shall I re-deliver you e'en so?

HAM. To this effect, sir; after what flourish your nature will.

OSR. I commend my duty to your lordship.

[Exit.

HAM. Yours, yours. He does well, to commend it himself; there are no tongues else for's

turn.

HOR. This lapwing runs away with the shell on his head.(54)

HAM. He did comply with his dug, before he sucked it.(55) Thus has he (and many more of the same bevy, that I know, the drossy age dotes on,) only got the tune of the time, and outward habit

he hath one twelve for mine] The reading of the quartos, adopted by the modern editors is," he hath laid on twelve for nine."

vouchsafe the answer] Condescend to answer, or meet, his wishes.

• How, if I answer, no] Reply.

re-deliver] Report, or in return make such representation on your behalf. "Brings back to him," Lord, infra.

of encounter,; a kind of yesty collection, which carries them through and through the most fond trennow and winnowed opinions; and do but blow them to their trial, the bubbles are out."

ed, trennowned,

4tos.

Enter a Lord.

LORD. My lord, his majesty commended him to you by young Osric,(56) who brings back to him, that you attend him in the hall: He sends to know, if your pleasure hold to play with Laertes, or that you will take longer time.

HAM. I am constant to my purposes, they follow the king's pleasure: if his fitness speaks, mine is ready; now, or whensoever, provided I be so able as now.

LORD. The king, and queen, and all are coming down.

HAM. In happy time.

LORD. The queen desires you, to use some gentle entertainment to Laertes, before you fall to play.

HAM. She well instructs me.

[Exit Lord.

• Thus has he—the bubbles are out] Thus has he-only got the tune of the time and outward habit of encounter (i. e. the turn of character, and exterior carriage or address), a kind of yesty collection (i. e. a frothy mass, compounded of modern phrase and manner) which carries them (i. e. enables them to pass current) through and through the most fond and winnowed opinions; (i. e. all judgments, not the simplest only, but the most sifted and wisest) and do but blow them to their trial, (i. e. prove them by how slight soever a breath of inquiry or examination) the bubbles are out (i. e. burst) the imposition is detected.

if his fitness speaks] If it suits the king, and he calls for it: or it may be, if Laertes announces or admits his aptness or sufficiency.

use some gentle entertainment] Conciliating address or behaviour.