Gertrude tells Claudius that Hamlet killed the hidden Polonius in a fit of madness. Fearing blame and danger, Claudius sends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find Hamlet and recover Polonius's body.
SCENE II. Another room in the Castle.
Enter Hamlet.
HAMLET
Safely stowed.
HAMLET
ROSENCRANTZ and GUILDENSTERN.Hamlet! Lord Hamlet!
HAMLET
What noise? Who calls on Hamlet? O, here they come.
Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
ROSENCRANTZ
What have you done, my lord, with the dead body?
HAMLET
Compounded it with dust, whereto ’tis kin.
ROSENCRANTZ
Tell us where ’tis, that we may take it thence,And bear it to the chapel.
HAMLET
Do not believe it.
ROSENCRANTZ
Believe what?
HAMLET
That I can keep your counsel, and not mine own. Besides, to be demanded of a sponge—what replication should be made by the son of a king?
ROSENCRANTZ
Take you me for a sponge, my lord?
HAMLET
Ay, sir; that soaks up the King’s countenance, his rewards, his authorities.But such officers do the King best service in the end: he keeps them, like an ape, in the corner of his jaw; first mouthed, to be last swallowed: when he needs what you have gleaned, it is but squeezing you, and, sponge, you shall be dry again.
ROSENCRANTZ
I understand you not, my lord.
HAMLET
I am glad of it. A knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear.
ROSENCRANTZ
My lord, you must tell us where the body is and go with us to the King.
HAMLET
The body is with the King, but the King is not with the body. The King is a thing—
GUILDENSTERN
A thing, my lord!
HAMLET
Of nothing. Bring me to him. Hide fox, and all aftera children’s chasing game in which one player hides and the others follow in pursuit..