TEXT:
HAMLET (continued)
He does well to commend it himself; there are no
tongues else for's turn.
HORATIO
This lapwing runs away with the shell on his head.
HAMLET
He did comply with his dug, before he sucked it.
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 of encounter; a kind of
yeasty collection, which carries them through and
through the most fond and winnowed opinions; and do
but blow them to their trial, the bubbles are out.
Enter a Lord
Lord
My lord, his majesty commended him to you by young
Osric, 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.
HAMLET
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.
HAMLET
In happy time.
Lord
The queen desires you to use some gentle
entertainment to Laertes before you fall to play.
HAMLET
She well instructs me.
Exit Lord
NOTES:
Lapwing
There are quite a few varieties of lapwings, although they seem to be in terrible and worrying decline these days. Both the northern and southern lapwing have the kinds of crest or plume mentioned in this episode. The image of the bird emerging from the shell with a piece of it stuck to its head is proverbial.
