HAMLET - They are sheep and calves which seek out assurance in that. I will speak to this fellow. Whose grave's this, sirrah?

First Clown - Mine, sir.
[Sings]
O, a pit of clay for to be made
For such a guest is meet.

HAMLET - I think it be thine, indeed; for thou liest in't.

First Clown - You lie out on't, sir, and therefore it is not yours: for my part, I do not lie in't, and yet it is mine.

HAMLET - 'Thou dost lie in't, to be in't and say it is thine: 'tis for the dead, not for the quick; therefore thou liest.

First Clown - 'Tis a quick lie, sir; 'twill away gain, from me to you.

HAMLET What man dost thou dig it for?

First Clown For no man, sir.

HAMLET What woman, then?

First Clown For none, neither.

HAMLET Who is to be buried in't?

First Clown One that was a woman, sir; but, rest her soul, she's dead.

HAMLET - How absolute the knave is! we must speak by the card, or equivocation will undo us. By the Lord, Horatio, these three years I have taken a note of it; the age is grown so picked that the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier, he gaffs his kibe. How long hast thou been a grave-maker?

First Clown - Of all the days i' the year, I came to't that day that our last king Hamlet overcame Fortinbras.

HAMLET - How long is that since?

First Clown - Cannot you tell that? every fool can tell that: it was the very day that young Hamlet was born; he that is mad, and sent into England.

HAMLET - Ay, marry, why was he sent into England?

First Clown - Why, because he was mad: he shall recover his wits there; or, if he do not, it's no great matter there.

HAMLET - Why?

First Clown - 'Twill, a not be seen in him there; there the men are as mad as he.

HAMLET - How came he mad?

First Clown - Very strangely, they say.

HAMLET - How strangely?

First Clown - Faith, e'en with losing his wits.

HAMLET - Upon what ground?

First Clown - Why, here in Denmark:

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