_Ham._ I'll be your foil, Laertes: in mine ignorance Your skill shall, like a star i' the darkest night,[2300] Stick fiery off indeed.[2301] _Laer._ You mock me, sir. _Ham._ No, by this hand.[2302] 245 _King._ Give them the foils, young Osric. Cousin[2303][2304] Hamlet,[2303] You know the wager? _Ham._ Very well, my lord;[2305][2306] Your grace has laid the odds o' the weaker side.[2306][2307] _King._ I do not fear it; I have seen you both:[2308] But since he is better'd, we have therefore odds.[2309] 250 _Laer._ This is too heavy; let me see another.[2310][2311] _Ham._ This likes me well. These foils have all a length?[2310][2312] [_They prepare to play._ _Osr._ Ay, my good lord. _King._ Set me the stoups of wine upon that table.[2313] If Hamlet give the first or second hit,[2314] 255 Or quit in answer of the third exchange,[2315] Let all the battlements their ordnance fire; The king shall drink to Hamlet's better breath; And in the cup an union shall he throw,[2316] Richer than that which four successive kings 260 In Denmark's crown have worn. Give me the cups;[2317] And let the kettle to the trumpet speak,[2318] The trumpet to the cannoneer without,[2319] The cannons to the heavens, the heaven to earth,[2320] 'Now the king drinks to Hamlet.' Come, begin;[2321] 265 And you, the judges, bear a wary eye. _Ham._ Come on, sir. _Laer._ Come, my lord. [_They play._[2322] _Ham._ One. _Laer._ No. _Ham._ Judgement. _Osr._ A hit, a very palpable hit.[2323] _Laer._ Well; again. _King._ Stay; give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is thine;[2324] Here's to thy health. [_Trumpets sound, and cannon shot off within._[2325] Give him the cup. 270 _Ham._ I'll play this bout first; set it by awhile.[2326] Come. [_They play._] Another hit; what say you?[2327] _Laer._ A touch, a touch, I do confess.[2328] _King._ Our son shall win. _Queen._ He's fat and scant of breath.[2329] Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows:[2330] 275 The queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet. _Ham._ Good madam! _King._ Gertrude, do not drink.[2331] _Queen._ I will, my lord; I pray you, pardon me.[2332] _King._ [_Aside_] It is the poison'd cup; it is too late.[2333] _Ham._ I dare not drink yet, madam; by and by.[2334] 280 _Queen._ Come, let me wipe thy face. _Laer._ My lord, I'll hit him now.[2335]