Act Three
Act
Three Scene One
Sub
Scene One
The
report sought then
“Gertrude,
we have done our best. Hamlet is with friends though not the last ones I
favored in my castle.” Claudius lament on the Lenten players. They had retired
there after their luncheon and were sharing a bottle of sherry wry while their
discussion was on the prodigal son’s accomplices.
“The
hungry troupe may soon eat out our larders, and expedite our wine consumption.
Did I tell you they ran starkers in the corridors and upended the servant’s
modesty that she quit on the next strike of the hour?”
“Alas,
Claudius. Hamlet is young and upon his travels, he met all perks and quips of
society. I can only plea that he recovers himself and brushed off the madness.”
Gertrude spoke like any mother of her children.
“I
may think he brought his madness here.” Claudius snapped back. “I do wonder how
my apprentices fared with Hamlet. They are fine lads with the dignity placed
into their behavior.”
“They
cometh now.” Gertrude saw the servants escorting the two young men into the
hall.
“Good
day, my lord and madam.” Rosencrantz bowed to the duo.
“Have
you taken your lunch? We do have some sizeable loaf still if not there, then
round up the scoundrels who claim to be our son's friends.” Claudius said. “I
hope they leave soon enough.”
“Soon,
my lord. They are here on a short stay and will be on their way after the
play.” Guildenstern assured the lord. “Twice the play was delayed…”
“Play?
So, it was true that there will be a play. Unnotified to me and in my castle,
yet the Emperor claims the stage on every performance.” Claudius was upset.
“For whom were they requested and to who were they to play?”
“By
Hamlet for all of us to see,” Rosencrantz replied. “I thought you knew.”
“Me
knowing? You are sadly mistaken. A play indeed in my castle while the Emperor
sits. It will mountains to move to be seen there.” Claudius looked to his love.
“Did you?”
“Yes,
I heard of it and you did too. Could it be your memory is frailed?”
“Nay,” Claudius turned his attention to the two young
men. “And can you by no drift of conference get from him why he puts on this
confusion, grating so harshly all his days of quiet with turbulent and
dangerous lunacy?”
The Emperor will not spend time on trivial issues and
focus on the task he had assigned to the young men.
“He does confess he feels distracted, but from what
cause he will by no means speak,” Rosencrantz reported to Claudius. “We were
entertained briefly.”
“Nor do we find him forward to be sounded, but with a
crafty madness keeps aloof when we would bring him on to some confession of his
true state,” Guildenstern added.
“Did
he receive you well?” Gertrude asked. “I was told he did with the troupe.”
“Most
like a gentleman,” Rosencrantz replied.
“But
with much forcing of his disposition.” Guildenstern cut in.
“Niggard
of the question, but of our demands, free in his reply.” Rosencrantz elaborated
on the discussion that took place.
“Did
you assay him to any pastime?” Gertrude asked.
“He
reads Madam. Was it some script?” Rosencrantz looked to his friend.
“Yes,
it was.” Guildenstern was drawn to the corner but he casually replied. He
frowned at Rosencrantz for having done that. How was he to tell the Madam that
her son was into the heavy reading of some doctor with tempering with the mind
workings? He had never read any of that except the occasional bawdy writes to
amuse himself.
“He
met some players we also know. It turns out we invite the players here to see
Hamlet. We overbought on the way of these we told him.” Rosencrantz drove to
the amusing moment when he had told Hamlet of the players. “And there did seem
in him a kind of joy to hear of it. They are here about the court.”
Yes,
like his father, the King invites them to play here.” Gertrude smiled while
Claudius scorned his expression. The King did then only on the known troupes
and took the idea to better his plays. Polonius was recalcitrant to support him
on that.
“And,
as I think, they have already ordered this night to play before him; delayed by
several nights.” Rosencrantz smiled at the madam as if he had done well.
“Tis
most true,” Polonius had arrived at the hall. “I do apologize for being delayed,
and yes, Hamlet beseeched me to entreat your Majesties to hear and see the
matter.”
Beseeched
sounded more on the strumpet forced to spread her legs.
“You
must attend, Claudius.” Gertrude looked at the other. “It’s his play.”
“Whatever
makes you glad.” Claudius placed on a weak smile. He looked at Poloniuus; his
Greater Chamberlain who may have failed to do his task while the latter looked
away.
“With
all my heart, and it doth much content me to hear him so inclined. Good
gentlemen, give him a further edge and drive his purpose into these delights.”
Claudius resigned to his coming dire sitting.
“We
shall, my Lord.” Rosencrantz pulled at the sleeve of his friend to leave.
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