Shakespeare on Recorders

RECORDERS

Hamlet, O, the recorders:-let me see one.- To withdraw with you:-why do you go about to recover the wind of me, as if you would drive me into a toil?

Guildenstern, O, my lord, if were my duty be too bold my love is too unmannerly.

Hamlet, I do well understand that. Will you play upon this pipe.

Guildenstern, My lord, I cannot.

Hamlet, I pray you.

Guildenstern, Believe me, I cannot.

Hamlet, I do beseech you.

Guildenstern, I know no touch of it, my lord.

Hamlet, 'Tis as easy as lying: govern these ventages with your finger and thumb, give it breath with your mouth, and it will disclose most eloquent music. Look you, these are the stops.

Guildenstern, But these I cannot command to any utterance of harmony; I have not the skill.

Hamlet, Why, look you now, how unworthy a thing you make of me! You would play on me; you would seem to know my stops; you would pluck out the heart of my mystery; you would sound me from my lowest note to the top of my compass: and there is much music, excellent voice, in this little organ; yet cannot you make it speak. 'Sblood, do you think that I am easier to be played on than a pipe? Call me what instrument you will, though you can fret me you cannot play on me.

Hamlet,	O, the recorders:-let me see one.- To withdraw with you:-why do you go about to recover the wind of me, as if you would drive me into a toil?
Guildenstern,	O, my lord, if were my duty be too bold my love is too unmannerly.
Hamlet,	I do well understand that. Will you play upon this pipe.
Guildenstern,	My lord, I cannot.
Hamlet,	I pray you.
Guildenstern,	Believe me, I cannot.
Hamlet,	I do beseech you.
Guildenstern,	I know no touch of it, my lord.
Hamlet,	'Tis as easy as lying: govern these ventages with your finger and thumb, give it breath with your mouth, and it will disclose most eloquent music. Look you, these are the stops.
Guildenstern,	But these I cannot command to any utterance of harmony; I have not the skill.
Hamlet,	Why, look you now, how unworthy a thing you make of me! You would play on me; you would seem to know my stops; you would pluck out the heart of my mystery; you would sound me from my lowest note to the top of my compass: and there is much music, excellent voice, in this little organ; yet cannot you make it speak. 'Sblood, do you think that I am easier to be played on than a pipe? Call me what instrument you will, though you can fret me you cannot play on me.