Act V, Scene 2
[Line 127]
HAMLET
Sir, his definement suffers no perdition
In you, though I know to divide him inventorially
Would dozy the arithmetic of memory.
And yet but yaw neither, in respect of his quick sail.
But, in the verity of extolment, I tak 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 mirror.
And who else would trace him, his umbrage, nothing more.
OSRIC
Your Lordship speaks most infallibly of him.
HAMLET
The concernancy, sir? Why do we wrap the
Gentleman in our more rawer breath?
OSRIC Sir?
HORATIO
Is it not possible to understand in another tongue?
You will to it, sir, really.
HAMLET [to OSRIC]
What imports the nomination of this gentleman?
OSRIC Of Laertes?
HORATIO His purse is empty already; all his
golden words are spent.
HAMLET Of him, sir.
OSRIC I know you are not ignorant…
HAMLET
I would you did, sir. Yet, in faith, if you did,
It would not much approve me. Well, sir?
OSRIC You are not ignorant of what
Excellence Laertes is…
HAMLET
I dare not confess that, lest I should
Compare with him in excellence.
But to know a man well were to know himself.
OSRIC
I mean, sir, for his weapon. But
In the imputation laid on him by them,
In his meed, he’s unfellowed.
HAMLET What’s his weapon?
OSRIC Rapier and dagger.
HAMLET That’s two of his weapons. But, well—
OSRIC
The King, sir, hath wagered with him
Six Barbary horses, against which he has
Impawned, as I take it, six French rapiers
And poniards, with their assigns, as girdle,
Hangers and 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.
HAMLET What call you the “carriages”?
HORATIO
I knew you must be edified by the margent
Ere you had done.
OSRIC
The carriages, sir, are the hangers.
HAMLET
The phrase would be more germane to the matter
Ifr we could carry a cannon by our sides.
I would it might be “hangers” ‘til 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.
Why is this all “impawned”, as you call it?
OSRIC
The King, sir, hath laid, sir, that in
A dozen passes between yourself and him,
He shall not exceed you three hits.
He hath laid on twelve for nine
And it would come to immediate trial
If your Lordship would vouchsafe the answer.
HAMLET How if I answer no?
OSRIC
I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial.
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