Act IV, Scene ii:
Another room in the Castle.

[Enter Hamlet.]

Ham.:

Safely stowed.

Ros. and Guil.

[Within.] Hamlet! Lord Hamlet!

Ham.:

What noise? who calls on Hamlet? O, here they come.

[Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.]

Ros.:

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

Ham.:

Compounded it with dust, whereto 'tis kin.

Ros.:

Tell us where 'tis, that we may take it thence,

And bear it to the chapel.

Ham.:

Do not believe it.

Ros.:

Believe what?

Ham.:

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?

Ros.:

Take you me for a sponge, my lord?

Ham.:

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.

Ros.:

I understand you not, my lord.

Ham.:

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

Ros.:

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

the king.

Ham.:

The body is with the king, but the king is not with the body.

The king is a thing,—

Guil.:

A thing, my lord!

Ham.:

Of nothing: bring me to him. Hide fox, and all after.

[Exeunt.]