Another Room in the Castle.
 Enter HAMLET.

Hamlet	Safely stowed.

Rosencrantz &
Guildenstern	[Within.] Hamlet! Lord Hamlet!

Hamlet	What noise? Who calls on Hamlet?

                   Enter ROSENCRANTZ and GUILDENSTERN.

										O, here they come.

Rosencrantz	What have you done, my lord, with the dead body?

Hamlet	Compounded it with dust, whereto 'tis kin.

Rosencrantz	Tell us where 'tis, that we may take it thence
	And bear it to the chapel.

Hamlet	Do not believe it.

Rosencrantz	Believe what?

Hamlet	That I can keep your counsel and not mine own. Besides, to 
	be demanded of a sponge - what replication should be made 
	by the son of a king?

Rosencrantz	Take you me for a sponge, my lord?

Hamlet	Ay, sir, that soaks up the king's countenance, his rewards, 
	his authorities. But such officers do the king best service 
	in the end. He keeps them, like an ape, in the corner of 
	his jaw, first mouthed to be last swallowed. When he needs 
	what you have gleaned, it is but squeezing you, and, 
	sponge, you shall be dry again.

Rosencrantz	I understand you not, my lord.

Hamlet	I am glad of it. A knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear.

Rosencrantz	My lord, you must tell us where the body is, and go with us 
	to the king.

Hamlet	The body is with the king, but the king is not with the 
	body. The king is a thing-

Guildenstern	A thing, my lord?

Hamlet	Of nothing. Bring me to him. Hide fox, and all after.
												[Exeunt.
