HAMLET.

And smelt so? pah! (Puts down the skull.)

E'en so, my lord.

HORATIO.

HAMLET.

To what base uses we may return, Horatio! Why may not imagination trace the noble dust of Alexander, till he find it stopping a bunghole ?

HORATIO.

'Twere to consider too curiously, to consider so. HAMLET.

No, faith, not a jot; but to follow him thither with modesty enough and likelihood to lead it: as thus: Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander returneth into dust; the dust is earth; of earth we make loam; and why of that loam, whereto he was converted, might they not stop a beer-barrel ?

Imperious Cæsar, dead and turn'd to clay,
Might stop a hole to keep the wind away:
O, that that earth, which kept the world in awe,
Should patch a wall to expel the winter's flaw!
But soft! but soft! aside: here comes the king.
Enter PRIESTS, &c., in procession; the Corpse of
OPHELIA, LAERTES and Mourners following ;
KING, QUEEN, their trains, &c.

The queen, the courtiers: who is this they follow?
And with such maimed rites? This doth betoken
The corse they follow did with desperate hand
Fordo its own life: 'twas of some estate.

Couch we awhile, and mark.

(Retiring with HORATIO.)

LAERTES.

What ceremony else?

HAMLET.

That is Laertes, a very noble youth: mark.

Her obsequies have been as far enlarged
As we have warranty: her death was doubtful;
And, but that great command o'ersways the order
She should in ground unsanctified have lodged
Till the last trumpet; for charitable prayers,
Shards, flints and pebbles should be thrown on
her:

Yet here she is allow'd her virgin crants,

Her maiden strewments and the bringing home Of bell and burial.

LAERTES.

Must there no more be done?

FIRST PRIEST.

No more be done :

We should profane the service of the dead
To sing a requiem and such rest to her.
As to peace-parted souls.

LAERTES.

Lay her i' the earth:

And from her fair and unpolluted flesh

May violets spring! I tell thee, churlish priest, A ministering angel shall my sister be,

When thou liest howling.

HAMLET.

What, the fair Ophelia !