Enter Hieronimo,
with a poniard in one hand,
and a rope in the other.
HIERONIMO
Now sir, perhaps I come and see the King; |
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The King sees me, and fain will hear my suit. |
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Why, is not this a strange and seld-seen thing, |
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That standers-by with toys should strike me mute? |
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Go to, I see their shifts, and say no more. |
5 |
Hieronimo, 'tis time for thee to trudge. |
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Down by the dale that flows with purple gore |
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Standeth a fiery tower; there sits a judge |
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Upon a seat of steel and molten brass, |
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And 'twixt his teeth he holds a fire-brand, |
10 |
And leads unto the lake where hell doth stand. |
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Away, Hieronimo, to him be gone! |
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He'll do thee justice for Horatio's death. |
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Turn down this path, thou shalt be with him straight; |
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Or this, and then thou need'st not take thy breath. |
15 |
This way or that way? - Soft and fair, not so! |
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For if I hang or kill myself, let's know, |
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Who will revenge Horatio's murder then? |
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No, no! Fie, no! Pardon me, I'll none of that. |
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He flings away the dagger and halter. |
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This way I'll take, and this way comes the King; |
20 |
He takes them up again. |
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And here I'll have a fling at him, that's flat; |
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And, Balthazar, I’ll be with thee to bring, |
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And thee, Lorenzo! Here’s the King - nay, stay; |
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And here, ay here - there goes the hare away. |
24 |