The Cobbler on Rosenborgade

[Scene i. A young Horatio (perhaps six years old) enters the palace. Two soldiers stand alert while a servant, Hans, sits at a table.]

HORATIO:
Good morrow, sirs. My father has directed me to this court.

HANS:
Indeed, young master, the queen has been expecting you.

HORATIO: [To himself]
What matter is this that I have the Queen's attention?
Here is a fine moment to be counted her son's friend ...

HANS:
This way please, young master.

GERTRUDE: [elated]
Ah, young Horatio! Thank you for coming this fine morning.

HORATIO:
Thank you for the invitation, my lady.

GERTRUDE:
Horatio, a certain matter has come to my attention,
The avenue of my son's career as well the welfare of
Your majesty, my son, and, yes, your own benefit also
Are presently compromised by details I have neither
Interest nor the patience to explain.
I have arranged for you to meet my young son in the market
At the stroke of the third hour, where you must,
For the goodwill of all at hand,
Guide my son to the cobbler on Rosenborgade
Where he is to meet his servant Yorrick.

HORATIO:
I would be delighted your majesty. I will leave at once.



[Scene ii. The Market. Young prince Hamlet is escorted by the servant Anders]

ANDERS:
Is there no shop you wish to inquire upon, then?

HAMLET:
How I wish there was a shop that inquired on me.

ANDERS:
Perhaps the prince would care to see the animals?

HAMLET:
Are you refering to these animals
Who wander from sight to sight
Whose business is the business of
Sights, and smells, and fancies?
Or did you mean the animals at the animal shop here?
Look! My noble peer, Horatio!

[Horatio approaches from the opposite side of the stage]

HORATIO:
Greetings, my friend.
Anders, may I ask for your leave?
I will see to it that the prince is safe.
A company of this size is no place for villainy ...

[Anders leaves]

HAMLET:
Or rather the only place to find it.
Horatio, why are you of such a face?

HORATIO:
You have guessed already?
May my loyalty to the Danes stop me
From withholding secrets from the prince!

HAMLET:
Come, my friend, why do you disclaim yourself thus?
Formalities are not necessary between allies.
Whatever could be the urgency?
Has my own blood conspired against me?

HORATIO:
How uncanny you are to name my burden.
Your mother has instructed me to escort the prince
To the cobbler on Rosenborgade.
Of her designs I was unable to learn,
And sensed she herself was in preference
To forget them altogether.
Her words and mein were fitting
Of a doctor who wishes to explain medicine
While watching the path of a near gadfly.
Surely she has no fancy to end your life,
But her tone was of those with ruse and hatchery.
Why do you sigh? Have you discovered her plan?

HAMLET:
Methinks Queen Gertrude would be better served
In carrying out her office.

HORATIO:
Her office as Queen or as Mother?

HAMLET:
Neither, her office as Gertrude -
The only one to have no interest
in taking up the matter at hand.

HORATIO:
I have offered my burden, now please to me yours.

HAMLET:
Confined minotaurs hath more liberty
than the prince of the Danes.
You were fair to present your account.
I will conceal it even to myself.

HORATIO:
How could a person perform such a task?
Is there a man who can know
That he is no longer aware of a matter?

HAMLET:
All men, and I fear I with them.
Tis' a subject too sorrowful to speak much of.
As to the nature of this plot
I can stomach to be more forthcoming.
My mother has forgotten of my obedience to her
And has laden me with further hardship.

HORATIO:
She wishes you to be a priest?
Are you to study public policy?

HAMLET:
Were I to take up orders it would be my salvation.
As for the court and lawyery, I wish little.
My mother's concern is toward a lesser topic.
Of my garb she is loosely tolerant,
But my preference in shoes hath summoned her wrath.

HORATIO:
Your shoes? Is that the matter at hand?
If you respected my frank warning before,
Please excuse it once again.
Your shoes are a crime against the living,
And if you do not find a new pair
The dead will take note of them.

HAMLET:
Is there no sound to interrupt the gibes
And guffaws I have withstood all morrow?

HORATIO:
My apologies to you, sir. I meant no evil.
Were they given to you in endearment?

HAMLET:
Yes, I selected them myself.

HORATIO:
I prefer your company, though there is little
More than your peculiarity that draws me to it.

HAMLET:
What do you know of peculiarity?

HORATIO:
Here we reach our destination.
Remember the secret I have placed in your hands.

HAMLET:
I will, but not as closely as the burden on my shoulders.
May everything be well with you, my friend.
Whatever tragedy life affords me I hope that you remain unharmed.

HORATIO:
May the will of the prince endure all things!

[Horatio exits]