Speak the lines the way I taught you, tripping lightly off your tongue. But if you exaggerate it, the way many actors do, I'd just as soon have the town crier deliver my words instead. And don't wave your hand around too much in the air like this—use all restraint. Because even in the middle of the most intense, stormy, tempestuous passion, you must maintain a balance that gives it smoothness and control. It really upsets me deeply to hear a loud, rough fellow tear passion to shreds, destroy it completely, to burst the ears of the common groundlings, who are only capable of understanding obvious pantomime and noise anyway. I'd have such an actor whipped for overdoing it—going even beyond the wildest Turkish emperors. It completely outdoes Herod himself. Please avoid doing this.

Say the lines like I showed you, smooth and natural. But don't ham it up like most actors do—I'd rather have some random street vendor say my words. And stop waving your arms all over the place. Just be restrained and controlled. When you're in the middle of intense emotion, you need to keep it balanced and smooth. It honestly disgusts me to watch some loud guy rip the passion apart, totally destroy it, and blow out the ears of the groundlings—you know, the people who only understand silly pantomimes and noise. I'd whip any actor who overdoes it like that. It's worse than anything you've ever seen. Just don't do it.

speak it smooth don't ham it up keep control no waving seriously overacting is the worst

I guarantee you, sir.

You've got my word on it.

promise i'll do it right

But don't be too restrained either. Let your own judgment be your guide instead. Match the action to the words, and the words to the action, with this special attention: don't overstep the boundaries of natural behavior. Because anything overdone goes against the whole purpose of acting, which from the beginning and still today was and is to reflect nature honestly—to show virtue her own face, show scorn its own image, and show this age and society its true form and pressure. Now, when this is overdone, or performed badly, even though it makes unsophisticated people laugh, it can only make educated people grieve. The judgment of those educated people should outweigh a whole theater of others. I have seen actors perform—and heard others praise them highly—without exaggeration, who neither had the bearing of Christians nor the walk of Christian, pagan, or man, but strutted and bellowed so much that I thought Nature's apprentices had made men, and hadn't done a very good job, so badly did they imitate being human.

But don't be too stiff either. Use your own judgment about what feels right. Make the action fit the words and the words fit the action. The key thing is: don't go beyond what's natural. Anything too much defeats the whole point of theater, which is basically to hold up a mirror to nature—to show virtue what it looks like, show mockery what it looks like, show this present time what it actually looks like. When you overdo it or mess up the execution, sure, it makes regular people laugh, but it just makes educated people sad. And honestly, the opinion of those educated people matters way more than a whole crowd of others. I've seen actors—really praised ones too—who weren't even acting like normal people. They'd strut and bellow so much that they seemed like they were made by Nature's trainees, and not very well-made either.

use your own judgment match words to action stay natural overacting kills the whole point educated people will hate it

I hope we've performed reasonably well, sir.

I think we did pretty well, sir.

we did okay good performance

Please fix it completely. And don't let the actors who play clowns say anything more than what's written for them. Some of them will laugh by themselves on purpose, just to make a bunch of stupid audience members laugh too, even when it ruins some important part of the play that should be happening. That's terrible behavior and shows a pathetic kind of ambition in the fool who does it. Now go prepare.

Seriously, fix everything. And make sure the clown actors don't ad-lib or add anything extra. Some of them will start laughing just to get the crowd going, even if it messes up an important moment in the play. That's awful and shows how desperate they are for attention. Go get ready.

fix it all no improv from clowns stick to the script no ruining scenes for laughs

How are things, my lord? Will the King listen to this play?

How's it going, sir? Is the King going to watch the play?

hey whats up king gonna watch this

And the Queen too, right away.

And tell the Queen to come too, immediately.

queen needs to come now

Tell the players to hurry.

Get the actors to speed it up.

players hurry up

Will you two help hurry them along?

Can you two help speed things up?

can you two speed them up

Hey, Horatio!

Horatio! Hey!

horatio

Here I am, my lord, ready to serve you.

I'm right here, my lord, whatever you need.

im here for u

Horatio, you are as honest a man as I have ever known in all my dealings.

Horatio, you're one of the most genuinely decent people I've ever met.

youre one of the good ones

Oh, my most valued lord.

Oh man, you really get me.

lord

No, don't think I'm flattering you. What advancement could you hope to get from me when you have no income except your own good character to support yourself with? Why should the poor be flattered? No, let the ambitious lick the boots of power and crook their knees before those who have wealth to give. But have you heard how I feel? Since my soul has been able to choose, she has picked you for herself. You've been the kind of person who endures everything with equal grace, a man who takes both Fortune's blows and her gifts with the same thanks. And blessed are those whose good judgment and natural inclination are so well mixed that they're not just an instrument for Fortune to play whatever notes she wants. Give me that man who is not a slave to his passions, and I'll treasure him in the deepest part of my heart, exactly as I do you. But I'm saying too much. There's a play tonight before the King. One scene of it is very similar to what I've told you about my father's death. Please, when you see that scene act itself out, watch my uncle carefully with complete attention. If his hidden guilt doesn't reveal itself in just one speech, then the ghost we've seen is a damned one and my suspicions are as foul as a blacksmith's forge. Pay careful attention to him, because I'll keep my eyes fixed on his face. After the play we'll compare what we've both seen and judge whether he seems guilty.

No, don't think I'm just flattering you. What could I actually give you? You don't have money—just your character and good nature to get by on. Why would I flatter someone poor? No way. Let the ambitious people bow and scrape to those with power and wealth. But here's the thing: since I could choose who I wanted to be close to, I picked you. You're the kind of person who takes everything—good and bad—without complaining, someone Fortune can knock down and reward equally and you just accept it all. Those are the really blessed people, the ones who know themselves so well that nobody can manipulate them. Give me a man like that—someone who doesn't let his emotions control him—and I'll cherish him like my own heart. That's you. Okay, but anyway, there's a play tonight for the King. One scene in it is basically the same as what I told you about my father's death. So when you see it happen, watch my uncle really carefully. If his guilt doesn't come pouring out during just one speech, then that ghost was lying and I'm crazy. But I don't think so. Watch him.

youre honest n i trust u theres a play tonight watch my uncle if hes guilty itll show im betting on u to tell me what u see

Well, my lord. If he steals anything while this play is being performed and escapes being caught, I'll make it good by paying for what he stole.

Absolutely, my lord. If he manages to sneak away without getting caught during the play, I'll make up for it.

if he pulls it off ill cover it

They're coming to the play. I need to act casual. Take a seat for yourself.

Here they come for the play. I should act like I'm not up to anything. Find a good spot to watch from.

theyre here act normal get ur seat

How is our cousin Hamlet doing?

Hamlet, how are you doing?

hey hamlet how's it going

Excellent, truly. I eat only air like a chameleon eating on empty promises you keep stuffing into me. You can't feed roosters that way.

Doing great, honestly. I'm living on nothing but broken promises—like a chameleon that only eats air. You can't keep a rooster alive that way either.

im living on air and ur promises no substance

I have nothing to say to that answer, Hamlet. Those words mean nothing.

That's not an answer, Hamlet. That's just words.

that doesn't mean anything just words no substance

No, that's not mine anymore. [To Polonius.] My lord, you performed once at the university, you say?

No, those aren't my words. [To Polonius.] So I heard you did some acting at university back in the day?

not my words hey polonius you acted in college

Yes, I did, my lord, and I was considered a good actor.

I sure did, my lord, and people thought I was pretty good at it.

yeah i was good too

What did you perform?

What did you act in?

what role

I performed as Julius Caesar. I was killed in the Capitol. Brutus killed me.

I played Julius Caesar. I got stabbed to death in the Capitol. Brutus was the one who did it.

i was caesar brutal death in the capitol

That was a savage thing for him to do — to kill such a fool there. Are the players ready?

Pretty brutal of him to kill that idiot. Hey, are the actors ready?

killing a fool what brutality are the players ready

Yes, my lord. They're waiting for your signal.

Yes, they're ready whenever you are.

yes they're waiting whenever you're ready

Come here, my dear Hamlet, sit next to me.

Come here, Hamlet, sit with me.

come sit by me

No thanks, Mother. There's something more attractive here to sit with.

No thanks, Mom. I found someone more interesting to sit next to.

nah got someone better to sit with

Oh! Are you watching that?

See that? Did you catch what he just did?

yo u seeing this rn

Lady, may I rest my head on your lap?

Can I put my head on your lap?

let me lay on you let me rest there

No, I'd rather not, my lord.

No, I don't think so.

nope

I mean, with my head resting on your lap?

I mean, can I rest my head on your lap?

can i put my head on ur lap

Yes, my lord.

Sure, my lord.

ok

Don't you think I was making a sexual innuendo?

You don't think I was being dirty, do you?

u think i meant something rude

I'm thinking nothing, my lord.

I'm not thinking anything, my lord.

nothing

That's a pleasant way to think about being between a woman's legs.

Yeah, that's a nice image — a man lying between a woman's legs.

lying between legs sexual obscene

What are you referring to, my lord?

What do you mean, my lord?

what

Nothing.

Nothing at all.

nothing

You're in a happy mood, my lord.

You're being pretty cheerful, my lord.

you seem happy

Me?

Me? Am I?

me

Yes, certainly, my lord.

Yeah, you're pretty entertaining.

yeah

What about me? Look at how cheerfully my mother is acting, and my father died only two hours ago.

Me? Seriously, look how happy my mother is acting right now, and my father died literally two hours ago.

look how happy mom is dad dead 2 hours ago

No, it's actually been four months already, my lord.

No way, it's been four months already.

no its been 4 months

Two months already? Well then, let the devil wear black for mourning; I'll wear a suit of black fur too. O heavens! My father died two months ago, and not forgotten yet? Then there's hope that a great man's memory might outlive his life by half a year. But by our lady, he would have to build churches; otherwise he'll suffer from being forgotten, along with the old hobby-horse game, whose epitaph reads 'For, O, for O, the hobby-horse is forgot!' [Trumpets sound. There enters a silent scene: A King and a Queen embrace with great affection; the Queen kneels and makes a show of devotion to him. He helps her up and lays his head on her neck. He lies down upon a bank of flowers. Seeing him asleep, she leaves. Then comes a man, takes off his crown, kisses it, pours poison in the sleeping King's ears, and exits. The Queen returns, finds the King dead, and reacts with great emotion. The Poisoner returns with attendants, seeming to mourn with her. The dead body is carried away. The Poisoner woos the Queen with gifts. She seems reluctant at first, but eventually accepts his love.]

Two months? Well, the devil can wear black for mourning; I'll dress in black too. My God, my father died two months ago and people still remember him? So there's a chance a powerful man's memory might last half a year after he's dead. But he'd need to build churches, or else he'll be forgotten just like that old hobby-horse game whose saying goes 'The hobby-horse is forgot!' [Trumpets sound. There enters a silent scene: A King and Queen embrace lovingly; the Queen kneels and shows devotion to him. He raises her up and rests his head on her neck. He lies down on a bed of flowers. Seeing him asleep, she leaves. Then a man comes, takes off his crown, kisses it, pours poison in the sleeping King's ears, and exits. The Queen returns, finds him dead, and shows deep emotion. The Poisoner returns with attendants, appearing to grieve with her. The body is carried away. The Poisoner courts the Queen with gifts. She seems unwilling at first, but eventually accepts his love.]

two months? still remembered? maybe great men outlive their memory by half a year if they build churches or they're forgotten like the hobby-horse [silent scene plays out: king and queen together queen shows devotion king sleeps poison poured in his ear queen finds him dead poisoner woos her she accepts him]

What is the meaning of this, my lord?

What are you doing? What is this?

stop what are you doing why

Well, this is sneaky mischief; it means trouble.

Okay, so this is basically a sneaky thing—it's showing trouble or mischief.

it's showing mischief sneak trouble

This show probably tells us what the play is going to be about.

This little play is probably going to show us what the actual play is about.

show explains the play

We'll find out from this fellow—the actors can't keep secrets. They'll tell everything.

We'll know from him. Actors can't keep their mouths shut anyway. They'll tell us what's going on.

actors cant keep secrets theyll tell everything

Will they explain to us what this pantomime show means?

Are they going to tell us what this whole silent show is about?

will they explain what's happening

Yes, or any other performance you show him. Don't be ashamed to show something; he won't be ashamed to tell you what it means.

Yeah, or any other show you put on for him. Don't be embarrassed to show anything—he'll be happy to tell you what it all means.

he'll tell you what it means no shame in asking

You're misbehaving, you're misbehaving. I'll watch the play now.

You're being inappropriate. I'm not listening anymore. Let me watch the play.

stop it stop i'm watching the play now

[Prologue reciting] For our tragedy and the story we're about to tell, we come humbly before you. If you grant us patience, we'll perform for you with diligence and care.

[Prologue reciting] We're here to tell you a tragic story. We hope you'll be patient with us and let us perform it with all our skill.

a tragedy we ask your patience we'll do our best

Is that a prologue or the inscription on a wedding ring?

Is that a prologue or something engraved on a ring?

that's so short it's like a ring inscription not a proper prologue

It is brief, my lord.

It's supposed to be short.

it's supposed to be brief

Like a woman's love.

Like a woman's affection.

like women's love short-lived insincere

The sun has completed thirty full journeys while the moons have circled thirty dozen times over the years, since our hearts were joined and the god of marriage united our hands in sacred bonds.

The sun has gone around thirty times, the months have passed countless times, and for thirty years our hearts have been joined together and marriage has bound our hands.

thirty years together the sun went round our hearts bound our hands joined

May the sun and moon make us count out the days over and over again before our love ends. But sadly, you've been so sick lately, so far from happiness and from how you used to be, that I'm worried about you. Yet even though I'm worried, my lord, nothing should make you uncomfortable. Because women's fear and love go together in equal measure—either in nothing or in extremes. Now you know my love through proof, and my fear is proportional to my love. Where love is great, the tiniest doubts become fears. Where small fears grow large, great love grows there too.

I hope the sun and moon keep bringing us back to count the days together until we die. But lately you've been so sick, so unhappy and different from how you were, that I'm scared. But even though I'm scared, my lord, it shouldn't upset you. Because with women, fear and love are linked—we either feel nothing or we feel everything. You know how much I love you from everything I do, and my fear matches my love exactly. When you really love someone, even tiny worries become huge fears. When small fears grow big, that's where big love is hiding.

you're sick and different i'm worried but also love you fear and love are the same when i love big i fear big

Listen, I have to leave you, love, and very soon too. My strength to live is going away. You'll stay alive in this beautiful world after me, honored and loved, and perhaps one day as kind a man will be your husband—

Listen, I'm leaving you, love, and I'm leaving soon. I can feel my life ending. You'll be left behind in this world, still beautiful and beloved, and maybe someday another man as good as me will be your husband—

i have to leave you soon you'll stay beautiful

Curse all the rest of that thought. If I take a second husband, it would be treason against my heart. Let me be cursed if I marry again! Nobody marries a second time unless they murdered the first one.

Forget all of that. If I married again, it would be like betraying my first love. I'm cursing myself right now—I won't marry again. Nobody remarries unless they killed the first guy to get rid of him.

if i marry again im cursed no one remarries unless they killed the first one

This is poison, poison.

This is killing me, absolutely killing me.

ugh this is so painful to watch

The reasons why women marry a second time are just about money and advantage, never about love. A second marriage is like killing my first husband all over again, when a second husband kisses me in bed.

The only reason women marry again is for money and status, never for love. Marrying again is like killing my first husband all over again, especially when a new husband kisses me.

second marriage kills first love it's all about money all betrayal

I believe you mean what you're saying right now. But what we decide to do, we often break that promise. Purpose is just a slave to memory—born with force but weak in strength. Right now, like unripe fruit stuck on a tree, it stays fixed, but it falls without being shaken when it gets ripe. Most necessarily we forget to pay ourselves what we owe ourselves. What in passionate moments we promise to do, that promise loses its power when the passion ends. The violence of either grief or joy destroys their own consequences. Where joy celebrates most, grief laments most. Grief is joyful, joy grieves, both from small accidents. This world is not permanent, and it's not strange that our loves should change with our fortunes. For it's a question still not proven whether love leads fortune or fortune leads love. When a great man falls, you see his favorite flee. When a poor man rises, he makes friends from enemies. And love so far depends on fortune. For who has no needs will never lack a friend, but who needs help and tries a false friend discovers that person becomes his enemy. But to end where I began: our wills and fate go in such opposite directions that our plans are always overthrown. Our thoughts are our own, but their endings are nobody's to control. So you think you won't marry a second husband, but your thoughts will die when your first husband dies.

I believe you really mean what you're saying. But we often break the promises we make. Our intentions are just slaves to memory—we mean them intensely at the moment, but they're actually weak. Right now they're like unripe fruit on a tree, stuck there, but they fall without anyone pushing when they ripen. The thing is, we naturally forget to pay ourselves what we owe. When we're in the heat of emotion and promise something, we lose that promise when the emotion goes away. Intense feelings, whether grief or joy, destroy themselves. Where there's the most joy there's also the most sadness. It all flips around from one small thing to another. Nothing in this world lasts forever, so it's not weird that our loves change when our luck changes. Nobody really knows if love creates luck or luck creates love. When a rich powerful guy loses everything, his friends disappear. When a poor person gets lucky, they turn enemies into friends. Love just follows the money. If you don't need anything, you'll never lack friends. But if you need help and test a shallow person, you've just made yourself an enemy. But basically, what I'm saying is our plans never work out the way we want. We can't control how things end up, only start them. So yeah, you think you won't marry again after me, but honestly those thoughts will disappear when I'm gone.

we break our promises intentions are weak our plans always fail love follows luck you'll forget me eventually

If I should ever marry again after your death, may the earth deny me food and heaven deny me light. May death be my portion if I break this vow.

If I ever marry again, let the earth starve me and the sky crush me. Let me be damned if I'm lying.

if i remarry let me starve let me die i mean this vow forever

If she breaks that vow right now.

If she goes back on her promise now.

if she ditches that vow rn

It's a solemn vow I've made. Sweet Queen, leave me alone for a while.

I've sworn it truly. Let me rest alone for now.

i've sworn the vow leave me i need to rest

[Singing] May sleep bring peace to your mind, may your dreams be gentle and restful.

[Singing] Sleep well, rest your mind, find peace in dreams.

sleep rest peace in dreams

Madam, what do you think of this play?

What do you think of it?

what do you think about the play

The lady protests too much, I think.

She's overdoing it. She protests way too much.

she talks too much protests too much insincere

No, she will keep her word.

But she means it. She'll keep what she promised.

but she will keep her vow no matter what

Have you heard what the play's about? Is there anything in it that might offend me?

Do you know what this play is? Does it have anything that might hurt me?

what's the story will it offend me does it have meaning

No, no. They're only joking. Poison is mentioned, but in jest. There's no real offense here.

No, no. It's just a story. They poison someone but as a joke. Nothing mean.

just a joke poison mentioned in jest no offense meant

What is the play called?

What's the name of it?

what's it called what's the title

The Mousetrap. How so? Symbolically. This play represents a murder that happened in Vienna. The Duke's name is Gonzago, his wife is Baptista—you'll see it soon. It's a clever, cunning piece of work, but what of it? Your majesty and those of us with innocent consciences, it doesn't touch us. Let the guilty squirm; we innocent ones remain untouched.

It's called The Mousetrap. How, you ask? Symbolically. The play shows a murder in Vienna. The Duke is Gonzago and his wife is Baptista—you'll see soon. It's a clever piece of work, but so what? Your majesty and anyone with a clear conscience—it doesn't affect us. Let guilty people squirm; we're perfectly fine.

it's the mousetrap symbolic murder gonzago and baptista clever scheming but doesn't matter let the guilty squirm we're untouched

This is a man named Lucianus, the King's nephew.

That's Lucianus, the King's nephew.

thats lucianus the kings nephew

You're a good chorus, my lord.

You're like the chorus — explaining everything.

you're the chorus explaining it all

I could interpret between you and your lover if I wanted to.

I could explain the relationship between you and your boyfriend.

i could explain you and your lover what's really happening

You're sharp, my lord. Very sharp.

You're clever. Very clever.

sharp you're clever too clever

You'd have to cry out to remove my sharpness.

You'd have to make quite a noise to dull this wit.

you'd have to cry out scream and moan to stop me

Your remarks get better and worse at the same time.

Your jokes are getting sharper but also more cutting.

ur getting meaner w ur words

That's how women mistake their husbands. Begin, murderer!

That's exactly what women do — choose the wrong man. But start the scene now.

women choose wrong just like that now play begin

[Reciting] My thoughts are dark, my hands are ready, the poison is prepared, and the moment is right.

[Reciting] Dark thoughts, steady hands, poison ready, and the time is now.

dark thoughts ready hands poison mixed time is now

He poisons him in the garden for the sake of his estate. His name is Gonzago. The story actually exists and is written in very elegant Italian. You'll see in a moment how the murderer wins the love of Gonzago's wife.

So he poisons him in the garden to steal his property. The guy's name is Gonzago. This is a real story, it's written down in Italian. You're about to see how the murderer ends up with Gonzago's wife.

he poisons the duke for the money real story the killer seduces the wife

The King is rising!

He's leaving!

he's getting up he's leaving

What, frightened by false theatrical fire?

What, scared of stage effects?

scared of fake fire of stage tricks scared of the play

How are you, my lord?

Are you all right?

are you okay what's wrong

Stop the play.

Stop it. Stop the performance.

stop stop the play now

Give me light and get me out of here.

Turn on the lights. I'm leaving.

lights get out leave now

Why, let the hunted deer weep, The unharmed hart play; For some must keep watch while some must sleep, That's how the world goes on. Wouldn't this, sir—these fancy feathers, if my fortunes betray me—with two fashionable roses on my worn shoes, get me a place in a company of players, sir?

Come on, let the hunted deer cry, The unscathed deer can play; Because someone's always working while someone rests, That's how life works. Wouldn't all this—these feathers, if my luck goes bad—plus two fancy roses on my beat-up shoes—get me into an acting company, sir?

let the hunted deer cry the unharmed deer plays some work some sleep if my fortunes go bad wouldn't these feathers and roses get me into an acting company

I'll take half a portion.

I'll have half.

half i take half

A whole share for myself. For you know, dear Damon, this realm was stripped bare by Jove himself, and now reigns here a most peculiar... pajock.

The whole share for me. Because you know, my dear Damon, this kingdom was dismantled by Jove himself, and now there reigns here a very strange... pajock.

whole share for me good damon this realm stripped by jove himself now reigns a pajock

You could have continued the rhyme.

You should have rhymed that.

you missed the rhyme should have finished it

Oh good Horatio, I'll stake a thousand pounds on the Ghost's word now. Did you notice his reaction?

Horatio, I'd bet a thousand pounds the Ghost was telling the truth now. Did you see how he reacted?

ghost's word is gold did u see?

I did, my lord.

I saw it all.

yes i saw everything

When they acted out the poisoning — did you notice his reaction then?

Did you see him when they poured the poison in the ear?

during the poison scene did you see him react

I watched him very carefully.

I was watching him the whole time.

i watched him very carefully the whole scene

Excellent! Come now, let's have some music. Bring me the recorders.

Perfect. Let's celebrate. Someone get instruments. I want music.

yes music recorders let's celebrate

Good my lord, may I speak a word with you in private?

My lord, can I talk to you for a moment?

can i talk to you privately

Sir, I could give you an entire biography.

Sure, or I could give you a whole speech.

sure i'll give you an entire history

The King, sir—

The King is—

the king

What about him, sir?

What about him?

what about the king

The King is remarkably upset and has gone to his private chambers.

The King's very disturbed. He's gone to his room.

the king is upset very disturbed he left went to his chambers

Is it because of alcohol?

Did he drink too much?

drunk too much wine

No, my lord. Rather, he's upset and angry.

No, my lord. He's angry. Furious.

no he's angry very angry

You should be wise enough to tell the doctor this, because if I tried to cure him, it might throw him into an even worse angry mood.

You should be smart enough to tell the doctor about this yourself, because if I tried to treat him, it would probably just make him angrier.

tell the doctor yourself if i try to fix it he'll get worse

My lord, please state your thoughts more clearly and systematically.

My lord, just tell me plainly what's going on in your head.

my lord please just explain yourself clearly

I am content, sir. Speak.

Fine. Go ahead.

okay say it

Your mother, the Queen, is in great distress of mind.

Your mother is very upset.

your mother the queen very upset very distraught

You're welcome.

Thank you for telling me.

thanks thank you

No, my lord, this politeness is not genuine. If you'd give me a straightforward answer, I'll carry out your mother's command. If not, I'll apologize and leave, and that will be the end of my business here.

No, my lord, that politeness doesn't seem real. If you'd just give me a straight answer, I'll do what your mother wants. If not, I'll apologize and get out of here, and that's all there is to it.

be straight with me or i'm leaving your mom sent me

Sir, I cannot.

I can't.

i can't i won't

What, my lord?

What do you mean?

what do you mean what can't you do

I cannot give you a rational answer. My mind is afflicted with disease. But I will go to my mother.

I can't think straight. My brain's not working. But yes, I'll see my mother.

i can't think my mind is broken but i'll go to her

The Queen says your behavior has deeply disturbed her.

She says you've hurt her with how you're acting.

your behavior has upset her very much

How wonderful — a son who can so astonish his mother! But I will see her. You can be sure of that.

A son who can shock his mother! How rare. But yes, I'll go to her.

a son who shocks his mother rare talent i'll see her soon

She wants to speak with you in her private chamber before you go to bed.

She wants to see you in her room before you sleep tonight.

in her chamber before bed tonight she needs to talk

We will obey, even if she were ten times our mother. Is there anything else you need from us?

We'll do it, even if she were ten times the mother she is. Anything else you need from me?

we'll obey anything else

My lord, you once loved me.

My lord, we were friends.

you used to care about us about me

And I still do, I swear by these hands of mine.

I still do. I promise.

i still do i care i swear it

Good my lord, what is bothering you? You're basically locking yourself away if you won't tell your troubles to your friend.

My lord, what's wrong? You're basically shutting yourself off from the world if you won't tell your friend what's bothering you.

what's wrong you're shutting me out tell me

Sir, I'm not getting anywhere in life.

Sir, I'm stuck. Nothing's working out for me.

im stuck no opportunities

How can that be? The King speaks well of you.

But the King likes you.

but the king favors you he speaks well of you

True, but as the proverb says, while the grass grows, the horse starves.

Maybe, but while you wait for things to happen, you starve.

while you wait for things to happen the grass grows and you die hungry

Oh, the recorders. Let me see one. But stepping aside with you, why are you trying to get in front of me the way someone would drive prey into a trap?

Oh, let me see a recorder. But seriously, why are you trying to trap me like I'm game you're hunting?

let me see one why u tryna trap me

My lord, if my loyalty seems excessive, it's because my love is even greater.

My lord, I'm being bold because I care so much.

i care my love my duty to you

I don't understand that well. Will you play this recorder for me?

I don't follow. Can you play this instrument?

play this for me the recorder

My lord, I don't know how.

My lord, I don't have the skill for that.

i dont know how

I beg you.

Please.

please i'm asking

I'm telling you, I genuinely cannot do this.

Look, I just don't know how to play it.

i cant. no skill

I beg you, please.

I'm begging you.

please i'm begging

I have no skill in it, my lord.

I don't know how.

i don't know how to play

It's as simple as lying. Control these finger holes with your breath, and you'll make sweet music. Here, place your finger here, and your thumb here. These holes control the air flow.

It's easy. Just put your fingers on the holes and blow. Come on — thumb here, fingers there. The air goes where you direct it.

it's simple finger holes breath controls it just try

But I cannot make it produce the right sound, no matter what I do.

But even if I do that, I can't make it work.

i can't make it sound right i don't have the skill

Look at this now, how cheap you make me out to be! You want to play me like an instrument? You want to seem to know my secrets? You want to pluck out my heart and discover who I really am? You want to sound me out from my lowest note to my highest range? And there's tremendous music in this little instrument, great possibility in my voice, yet you can't make it speak. Do you think I'm easier to play than a pipe? Call me whatever instrument you want, but even though you can make me irritated, you can't actually play me like an instrument.

Wow, you're trying to treat me like I'm cheap or easy! You want to play me like an instrument? You want to act like you know all my secrets? You want to pull my heart out and figure out who I really am? You want to test me from my worst moment to my best? Look, there's beautiful music in this little tool, incredible sound I can make, but you can't get me to make it. You think I'm easier to mess with than a pipe? Call me whatever you want, but even if you can annoy me, you can't actually play me.

you're trying to play me like i'm an instrument stop trying to use me you can't manipulate me

May the blessings of heaven be upon you, sir.

Take care of yourself, sir.

good luck

My lord, the Queen would speak with you now, and she says it's important.

The Queen wants to see you right away.

the queen wants you now important

Do you see that cloud over there, shaped almost like a camel?

Look at that cloud. Doesn't it look like a camel?

that cloud it looks like a camel

Yes, by God, it does look like a camel.

It does look like one, actually.

yes it does looks like a camel

I think it looks like a weasel.

No wait, it looks like a weasel.

no a weasel looks like a weasel

Yes, it is shaped like a weasel.

You're right, it does look like a weasel.

yes a weasel absolutely

Or perhaps it resembles a whale.

Or it could be a whale.

looks like a whale

It truly does look like a whale.

Yeah, that's totally a whale.

100% a whale

Then I will come to my mother shortly. These men are fools who play along with whatever nonsense I propose.

Then I'll go see my mother soon. But these men are idiots — they'll agree with anything I say.

i'll go to her soon these men are fools they agree with everything

I will tell her so.

I'll tell her.

yes i'll tell her

Immediately is easily said. Leave me, friends.

That's easy to say. Now leave me alone.

leave go away i need to be alone

It's now the very hour when witches are abroad, When graveyards open, and hell itself breathes poison into this world. Right now I could drink blood and do terrible deeds that daylight would refuse to look at. But wait, gently—I'll go to my mother. Heart, don't lose your human nature; don't let Nero's cruelty enter this heart. Let me be harsh, but not evil. I will speak harshly to her, but I won't hurt her physically. My tongue and my true intentions will not match. No matter how much I wound her with harsh words, My soul will never agree to follow through.

It's the dead of night now, when everything feels sinister and twisted. I feel like I could do something violent and terrible. But I need to control myself and keep my humanity. I'm going to go talk to my mother, and I'll be harsh with her—really harsh—but I won't actually hurt her. I'll say cruel things, but I won't act on them. I need to stay human inside.

its the witching hour hell feels loose in the world i could do violent things but im going to my mom gotta stay human gonna say harsh stuff but wont act on it