HAM/THELLO: the moor of denmark
                                                         copyright © 2006 Jeff Goode


           SCENE 3 - A hall in the castle.
                  Enter HAMLET and PLAYERS, rehearsing; BIANCA as the PLAYER QUEEN
           PLAYER QUEEN 
              'But who, O, who had seen the mobled queen--'
           HAMLET
              'The mobled queen?'
           PLAYER QUEEN 
              'Run barefoot up and down, threatening the flames
              With bisson rheum; a clout upon that head
              Where late the diadem stood,--'
           HAMLET
                                                Giving her DESDEMONA's handkerchief 
              Here's for your clout.
           PLAYER QUEEN 
              'And for a robe,
              About her lank and all o'er-teemèd loins,
              A blanket, in the alarm of fear caught up;--'
           HAMLET 
              [Coaching her] 'Zounds, girl, you're robb'd; for shame, put on your gown;
              Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul; 
                                          Tying the handkerchief about her head for a kerchief
              Put your bonnet to his right use; 'tis for the head.
              Proceed you.
           PLAYER QUEEN 
              'But if the gods themselves did see her then--'
           HAMLET 
              Pray you, no more.  
              These words, like daggers, enter in mine ears: 
              Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to you, trippingly on the tongue: but if you
              mouth it, as many of your players do, I had as lief the town-crier spoke my lines. Nor do not
              saw the air too much with your hand, thus, but use all gently; for in the very torrent,
              tempest, and, as I may say, the whirlwind of passion, you must acquire and beget a
              temperance that may give it smoothness.  
           PLAYER QUEEN 
              I warrant your honour.
           HAMLET
              Go, make you ready. 
                                                             Exeunt PLAYERS
                  Enter MARCELLUS
              How now, my lord! Will the king hear this piece of work?
           MARCELLUS 
              And the queen too, and that presently.
           HAMLET
              Bid the players make haste. 
                                                                    Exeunt

Forth!