Hamlet
So long? Nay then, let the devil wear black, for I’ll have a suit of sables. O heavens! die two months ago, and not forgotten yet? Then there’s hope a great man’s memory may outlive his life half a year: but, by’r lady, he must build churches, then; or else shall he suffer not thinking on, with the hobby-horse, whose epitaph is “For, O, for, O, the hobby-horse is forgot.”
Ophelia
What means this, my lord?
Hamlet
Marry, this is miching mallecho; it means mischief.
Ophelia
Belike this show imports the argument of the play.
Hamlet
We shall know by this fellow: the players cannot keep counsel; they’ll tell all.
Ophelia
Will he tell us what this show meant?
Hamlet
Ay, or any show that you’ll show him: be not you ashamed to show, he’ll not shame to tell you what it means.
Ophelia
You are naught, you are naught: I’ll mark the play.
Prologue
For us, and for our tragedy,
Here stooping to your clemency,
We beg your hearing patiently.
Exit.