Original
Modern English
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Safely stowed.
Safe and hidden.
[
] Hamlet! Lord Hamlet!
] Hamlet! Lord Hamlet!
] Hamlet! Lord Hamlet!
What noise? Who calls on Hamlet? O, here they come.
What’s that noise? Who’s calling me? Oh, here they come.
What have you done, my lord, with the dead body?
What did you do, my lord, with the dead body?
Compounded it with dust, whereto’tis kin.
I’ve mixed it with dust, since it belongs to it.
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 bring it to the chapel.
Do not believe it.
Don’t believe it.
Believe what?
Believe what?
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, but not my own. Also, to be asked about something like a sponge—what response should the son of a king give?
Take you me for a sponge, my lord?
Do you think I’m a sponge, my lord?
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; you soak up the King’s favor, his rewards, his power. But those types of people serve the King best in the end: he keeps them, like an ape, in the corner of his mouth; first chewed, to be last swallowed: when he needs what you’ve gathered, he just squeezes you, and, sponge, you’ll be dry again.
I understand you not, my lord.
I don’t understand you, my lord.
I am glad of it. A knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear.
I’m glad you don’t. A dishonest speech sounds pointless to a foolish listener.
My lord, you must tell us where the body is and go with us to the King.
My lord, you have to tell us where the body is and come with us to the King.
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—
A thing, my lord!
A thing, my lord!
Of nothing. Bring me to him. Hide fox, and all after.
Of nothing. Take me to him. Hide the fox, and everything else will follow.