Ophelia by Lisa Klein Read Free Book Online Page B

younger game," said Hamlet. "What do you say to some sport with the ladies?"
    Without waiting for Horatio's reply, Hamlet bent over and brought Cristiana's hand to his lips. She began to flutter like a moth and a honeyed laugh spilled from her.
    "How does my lady Ophelia?" said Horatio, bowing.
    "Well, I thank you."
    I noticed that Horatio was now taller than the prince. His hair, still the color of afternoon sunlight on ripe wheat, fell to his shoulders, revealing a high and wide brow over his frank brown eyes. He had none of Hamlet's noble beauty, but a woman might find him somewhat fair of countenance.
    Hamlet then turned to greet me, though he did not try to take my hand.
    "The wild doe has become a gentle deer," he said, showing that he recognized my transformation. I dared to look up at him.
    "Indeed, my lord, this collar and chain do hold me fast," I said, touching my ruff and the links of the chatelaine at my waist, where my needlework tools were suspended. "I fear I have been forcibly tamed."
    "She scored a hit, a palpable hit!" Hamlet cried, and staggered as if pierced by a sword. "Sharp as a rapier is this lady's wit."
    I laughed at this playful outburst, seeing in Hamlet the lively boy he once was. Cristiana looked from me to Hamlet, suspicion flickering in her eyes.
    "Let us ask the ladies to join our debate," said Horatio, seating himself on a stool so that his long legs stuck out to the sides. "Should beauty of the body or beauty of the mind be more prized by true lovers?"
    I pondered Horatio's question in earnest, for this was a chance to talk of love like the noble ladies in Castiglione's Book of the Courtier.
    "I maintain," said Horatio, "that a woman's beauty leads her lover's soul to higher goodness."
    While I considered how to reply to this lofty idea, Hamlet answered Horatio.
    "My friend, you know that beauty enchants men's souls and makes them lust for pleasure. Why, look upon Diana, whose many beauties distracted Actaeon from his hunting." He gestured toward the woven arras.
    Frowning, Cristiana looked from Hamlet to Horatio, seemingly confused.
    My hands trembled and I clasped them tightly together, for I was about to contradict the prince.
    "My lord, Actaeon trespassed in gazing at the goddess. Being turned into a stag and devoured by his own dogs was a fitting punishment," I said.
    "Indeed, though she was naked, the virtuous Diana did no wrong," Horatio agreed.
    "Yes, and now you will tell me that desire turns men into beasts," said Hamlet with scorn. "I deny it."
    "To return to Horatio's question," I said with a reasoned tone, "I believe that a virtuous mind outlasts the fleeting beauty of youth and thus is more desirable."
    "Well spoken," said Horatio with a nod to me.
    "If we were not beautiful, who would love us?" complained Cristiana, pleased that she had made a point. Then she pressed her shoulders back so that her breasts swelled forth, and looking from Hamlet to Horatio, she sighed at length.
    Lady Elnora snorted and stirred in her sleep, and her cap slipped over her eyes.
    "A blind man might love an ill-favored woman," said Horatio, glancing toward Elnora. Cristiana laughed. Frowning, I reached over and straightened Elnora's cap so that she did not look so silly.
    "Then the blind man is deceived, and the woman is an enchantress!" said Hamlet, slapping his thighs for emphasis. "And there you have it again: Women are wantons, for they make men to want them."
    Hamlet laughed at his own joke, but Horatio had the grace to look uncomfortable. I found Hamlet's conclusion unjust, and forgoing my modest manner, I spoke boldly.
    "Lord Hamlet, it seems you see all women as deceivers, be they beautiful or ugly. Perhaps the fault lies in the man who trusts only his sight and is a slave to his base desire!"
    My words were greeted with silence. Hamlet's eyebrows lifted in surprise. My heart pounded as if it would be heard. After a moment Hamlet spoke.
    "I yield the combat. Horatio, this lady's mind is a