Rosencrantz Do you take me for a sponge, my lord hamlet Ay, sir that soaks up the kings countenance, his rewards, his authorities. But such officers do the king best service in the end he keeps them, like an ape, in the corner of his jaw first mouthed, to be last swallowed when he needs what you have gleaned, it is but squeezing you, and, sponge, you shall be dry again. rosencrantz I understand you not, my lord. hamlet I am glad of it a knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear.