It came his turn to beg — Claudius' Prayer

It came his turn to beg－¹
The begging for the life
Is different from another Alms
'Tis Penury in Chief－

I scanned his narrow realm ⁵
I gave him leave to live
Lest Gratitude revive the snake
Though smuggled his reprieve

(F.1519/J.1500)

[2] begging for the life:: Hamlet (I) saw King Claudius (he) alone praying. Hamlet had the chance to kill him but didn't do it.
[1, 2] his turn, begging:: King Claudius' begging in his soliloquy, "my offense is rank, it smells to heaven."
[3, 4] Alms, Penury in Chief:: a king's (chief's) penury of pardon from God, not for food or money.
[5, 6] I gave him leave:: Hamlet gave Claudius leave to live.
[7] snake:: indicating Claudius; the ghost called him serpent, "in mine Orchard, a Serpent stung me."
[8] smuggled, Reprieve:: Hamlet didn't kill Claudius in his praying, but later in the fencing bout.