_Ham._ How chances it they travel? their residence,[829] both in reputation and profit, was better both ways.[830] _Ros._ I think their inhibition comes by the means of the[831][832] 320 late innovation.[831][833] _Ham._ Do they hold the same estimation they did when[834] I was in the city? are they so followed? _Ros._ No, indeed, are they not.[835] _Ham._ How comes it? do they grow rusty?[836] 325 _Ros._ Nay, their endeavour keeps in the wonted pace:[836] but there is, sir, an eyrie of children, little eyases, that cry[836][837] out on the top of question and are most tyranically clapped[836][838] for't: these are now the fashion, and so berattle the common[836][839] stages--so they call them--that many wearing rapiers[836][840] 330 are afraid of goose-quills, and dare scarce come thither.[836] _Ham._ What, are they children? who maintains 'em?[836][841] how are they escoted? Will they pursue the quality no[836] longer than they can sing? will they not say afterwards, if[836] they should grow themselves to common players,--as it is[836][842] 335 most like, if their means are no better,--their writers do them[836][843] wrong, to make them exclaim against their own succession?[836][844] _Ros._ Faith, there has been much to do on both sides,[836] and the nation holds it no sin to tarre them to controversy:[836] there was for a while no money bid for argument unless[836] 340 the poet and the player went to cuffs in the question.[836] _Ham._ Is't possible?[836] _Guil._ O, there has been much throwing about of brains.[836] _Ham._ Do the boys carry it away?[836] _Ros._ Ay, that they do, my lord; Hercules and his load too.[836][845] 345 _Ham._ It is not very strange; for my uncle is king of[846] Denmark, and those that would make mows at him while[847] my father lived, give twenty, forty, fifty, a hundred ducats[848] a-piece, for his picture in little. 'Sblood, there is something[849] in this more than natural, if philosophy could find it out.[850] 350 [_Flourish of trumpets within._ _Guil._ There are the players.[851] _Ham._ Gentlemen, you are welcome to Elsinore. Your[793] hands, come then: the appurtenance of welcome is fashion[852] and ceremony: let me comply with you in this garb, lest[853][854] my extent to the players, which, I tell you, must show[854][855] 355 fairly outwards, should more appear like entertainment[856] than yours. You are welcome: but my uncle-father and aunt-mother are deceived. _Guil._ In what, my dear lord? _Ham._ I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind 360 is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw.[857] _Enter_ POLONIUS. _Pol._ Well be with you, gentlemen![858]