Stay, give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is thine;
Here’s to thy health.
– William Shakespeare
Hamlet, Act 5, Scene 2. Claudius wants to make doubly certain that Hamlet dies. If Laertes’ poisoned sword fails to do the job, Claudius has a cup of wine containing a pearl for him. Claudius places the pearl in the cup ostensibly to show his faith in Hamlet’s ability to win and to reward his stepson. But the "gift" is not what it appears, and is a poisoned pearl. However, Hamlet refuses the wine, wishing to remain clear-headed for the duel with Laertes.