TEXT:
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 the which he has imponed, 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.
NOTES:
Rapier and dagger
This phrase - referring to two particular kinds of weapon - has so entered the language of the theatre that most acting students are likely to get certified in their use during their training. “Rapier and dagger” is a specific and marketable skill for actors! Obviously most young actors surely dream of playing Hamlet - and the final scene certainly insists on facility with at least one of these weapons.
Poniard
A poniard (or poignard) is another kind of sword, with a thin, sharp blade. They’re particularly associated with stabbing, given how often the two words appear together in Shakespeare.
Barbary
The only things referred to as Barbary in Shakespeare are horses or pirates. Both come from the north coastal area of the continent of Africa. The name is an Anglicised version of Berber, the name of an ethnic group native to the region.
Hilt
It is possible that Osric is nervous to talk about the hilt as a scabbard. If you ever studied Latin, as he presumably did, you’ll know why he’s loath to mention it.