Hamlet

Follow KickAss Shakespeare on Facebook

Quick Tips

Click to show Quick Tips

Quick Tips
Click to close

KickAss Shakespeare isn't just Shakespeare: it is readable Shakespeare.

Every play and poem is dynamically linked to the extensive KickAss Glossary and Companion to Shakespeare.
To look up a word highlight or select a word and click the Glossary lookup button

To search the page, the Internet or the glossary for a term you enter click or touch the Search button

To jump to a specific scene click or touch the current scene bar

and select a scene from the list of scenes that pops up.

For more options and settings including changing text size, sending comments and suggestions, and setting and returning to bookmarks click or touch the menu button

To see the power of a fully produced KickAss play please check out the KickAss production of Macbeth.

And now for KickAss Shakespeare's presentation of

The Tragedie of Hamlet,
Prince of Denmark

Close Quick Tips

expandMe Act I.

expandMe Act I. Scene I. Elsinore. A platform before the castle.

1 - 1:    Act I. Scene I. Elsinore. A platform before the castle.

Francisco at his post. Enter to him Bernardo

 

Bernardo (1)

Who's there?

Barnardo. Who's there?

 

Francisco (2)

Nay, answer me: stand, and unfold yourself.

Fran. Nay answer me: Stand & vnfold

your selfe

 

Bernardo (3)

Long live the king!

Bar. Long liue the King

 

Francisco (4)

Bernardo?

Fran. Barnardo?

 

Bernardo (5)

He.

Bar. He

 

Francisco (6)

You come most carefully upon your hour.

Fran. You come most carefully vpon your houre

 

Bernardo (7)

'Tis now struck twelve; get thee to bed, Francisco.

Bar. 'Tis now strook twelue, get thee to bed Francisco

 

Francisco (8)

For this relief much thanks: 'tis bitter cold,

And I am sick at heart.

Fran. For this releefe much thankes: 'Tis bitter cold,

And I am sicke at heart

 

Bernardo (9)

Have you had quiet guard?

Barn. Haue you had quiet Guard?

 

Francisco (10)

10

Not a mouse stirring.

Fran. Not a Mouse stirring

 

Bernardo (11)

Well, good night.

If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus,

The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste.

Barn. Well, goodnight. If you do meet Horatio and

Marcellus, the Riuals of my Watch, bid them make hast.

 

Francisco (12)

I think I hear them. Stand, ho! Who's there?

Enter Horatio and Marcellus.

Fran. I thinke I heare them. Stand: who's there?

Enter Horatio and Marcellus

 

Horatio (13)

Friends to this ground.

Hor. Friends to this ground

 

Marcellus (14)

And liegemen to the Dane.

Mar. And Leige-men to the Dane

 

Francisco (15)

Give you good night.

Fran. Giue you good night

 

Marcellus (16)

O, farewell, honest soldier:

Who hath relieved you?

Mar. O farwel honest Soldier, who hath relieu'd you?

 

Francisco (17)

20

Bernardo has my place.

Give you good night.

Exit

Fra. Barnardo ha's my place: giue you goodnight.

Exit Fran.

 

Marcellus (18)

Holla! Bernardo!

Mar. Holla Barnardo

 

Bernardo (19)

Say,

What, is Horatio there?

Bar. Say, what is Horatio there?

 

Horatio (20)

A piece of him.

Hor. A peece of him

 

Bernardo (21)

Welcome, Horatio: welcome, good Marcellus.

Bar. Welcome Horatio, welcome good Marcellus

 

Marcellus (22)

What, has this thing appear'd again toight?

Mar. What, ha's this thing appear'd againe to night

 

Bernardo (23)

I have seen nothing.

Bar. I haue seene nothing

 

Marcellus (24)

Horatio says 'tis but our fantasy,

30

And will not let belief take hold of him

Touching this dreaded sight, twice seen of us:

Therefore I have entreated him along

With us to watch the minutes of this night;

That if again this apparition come,

He may approve our eyes and speak to it.

Mar. Horatio saies, 'tis but our Fantasie,

And will not let beleefe take hold of him

Touching this dreaded sight, twice seene of vs,

Therefore I haue intreated him along

With vs, to watch the minutes of this Night,

That if againe this Apparition come,

He may approue our eyes, and speake to it

 

Horatio (25)

Tush, tush, 'twill not appear.

Hor. Tush, tush, 'twill not appeare

 

Bernardo (26)

Sit down awhile;

And let us once again assail your ears,

That are so fortified against our story

40

What we have two nights seen.

Bar. Sit downe a-while,

And let vs once againe assaile your eares,

That are so fortified against our Story,

What we two Nights haue seene

 

Horatio (27)

Well, sit we down,

And let us hear Bernardo speak of this.

Hor. Well, sit we downe,

And let vs heare Barnardo speake of this

 

Bernardo (28)

Last night of all,

When yond same star that's westward from the pole

Had made his course to illume that part of heaven

Where now it burns, Marcellus and myself,

The bell then beating one.

Barn. Last night of all,

When yond same Starre that's Westward from the Pole

Had made his course t' illume that part of Heauen

Where now it burnes, Marcellus and my selfe,

The Bell then beating one

Enter Ghost

 

Marcellus (29)

Peace, break thee off; look, where it comes again!

Mar. Peace, breake thee of:

Enter the Ghost.

Looke where it comes againe

 

Bernardo (30)

In the same figure, like the king that's dead.

Barn. In the same figure, like the King that's dead

 

Marcellus (31)

50

Thou art a scholar; speak to it, Horatio.

Mar. Thou art a Scholler; speake to it Horatio

 

Bernardo (32)

Looks it not like the king? mark it, Horatio.

Barn. Lookes it not like the King? Marke it Horatio

 

Horatio (33)

Most like: it harrows me with fear and wonder.

Hora. Most like: It harrowes me with fear & wonder

 

Bernardo (34)

It would be spoke to.

Barn. It would be spoke too

 

Marcellus (35)

Question it, Horatio.

Mar. Question it Horatio

 

Horatio (36)

What art thou that usurp'st this time of night,

Together with that fair and warlike form

In which the majesty of buried Denmark

Did sometimes march? by heaven I charge thee, speak!

Hor. What art thou that vsurp'st this time of night,

Together with that Faire and Warlike forme

In which the Maiesty of buried Denmarke

Did sometimes march: By Heauen I charge thee speake

 

Marcellus (37)

It is offended.

Mar. It is offended

 

Bernardo (38)

60

See, it stalks away!

Barn. See, it stalkes away

 

Horatio (39)

Stay! speak, speak! I charge thee, speak!

Exit Ghost

Hor. Stay: speake; speake: I Charge thee, speake.

Exit the Ghost.

 

Marcellus (40)

'Tis gone, and will not answer.

Mar. 'Tis gone, and will not answer

 

Bernardo (41)

How now, Horatio! you tremble and look pale:

Is not this something more than fantasy?

What think you on't?

Barn. How now Horatio? You tremble & look pale:

Is not this something more then Fantasie?

What thinke you on't?

 

Horatio (42)

Before my God, I might not this believe

Without the sensible and true avouch

Of mine own eyes.

Hor. Before my God, I might not this beleeue

Without the sensible and true auouch

Of mine owne eyes

 

Marcellus (43)

Is it not like the king?

Mar. Is it not like the King?

 

Horatio (44)

70

As thou art to thyself:

Such was the very armour he had on

When he the ambitious Norway combated;

So frown'd he once, when, in an angry parle,

He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice.

'Tis strange.

Hor. As thou art to thy selfe,

Such was the very Armour he had on,

When th' Ambitious Norwey combatted:

So frown'd he once, when in an angry parle

He smot the sledded Pollax on the Ice.

'Tis strange

 

Marcellus (45)

Thus twice before, and jump at this dead hour,

With martial stalk hath he gone by our watch.

Mar. Thus twice before, and iust at this dead houre,

With Martiall stalke, hath he gone by our Watch

 

Horatio (46)

In what particular thought to work I know not;

But in the gross and scope of my opinion,

80

This bodes some strange eruption to our state.

Hor. In what particular thought to work, I know not:

But in the grosse and scope of my Opinion,

This boades some strange erruption to our State

 

Marcellus (47)

Good now, sit down, and tell me, he that knows,

Why this same strict and most observant watch

So nightly toils the subject of the land,

And why such daily cast of brazen cannon,

And foreign mart for implements of war;

Why such impress of shipwrights, whose sore task

Does not divide the Sunday from the week;

What might be toward, that this sweaty haste

Doth make the night joint-labourer with the day:

90

Who is't that can inform me?

Mar. Good now sit downe, & tell me he that knowes

Why this same strict and most obseruant Watch,

So nightly toyles the subiect of the Land,

And why such dayly Cast of Brazon Cannon

And Forraigne Mart for Implements of warre:

Why such impresse of Ship-wrights, whose sore Taske

Do's not diuide the Sunday from the weeke,

What might be toward, that this sweaty hast

Doth make the Night ioynt-Labourer with the day:

Who is't that can informe me?

 

Horatio (48)

That can I;

At least, the whisper goes so. Our last king,

Whose image even but now appear'd to us,

Was, as you know, by Fortinbras of Norway,

Thereto prick'd on by a most emulate pride,

Dared to the combat; in which our valiant Hamlet--

For so this side of our known world esteem'd him--

Did slay this Fortinbras; who by a seal'd compact,

Well ratified by law and heraldry,

100

Did forfeit, with his life, all those his lands

Which he stood seized of, to the conqueror:

Against the which, a moiety competent

Was gaged by our king; which had return'd

To the inheritance of Fortinbras,

Had he been vanquisher; as, by the same covenant,

And carriage of the article design'd,

His fell to Hamlet. Now, sir, young Fortinbras,

Of unimproved mettle hot and full,

Hath in the skirts of Norway here and there

110

Shark'd up a list of lawless resolutes,

For food and diet, to some enterprise

That hath a stomach in't; which is no other--

As it doth well appear unto our state--

But to recover of us, by strong hand

And terms compulsatory, those foresaid lands

So by his father lost: and this, I take it,

Is the main motive of our preparations,

The source of this our watch and the chief head

Of this post-haste and romage in the land.

Hor. That can I,

At least the whisper goes so: Our last King,

Whose Image euen but now appear'd to vs,

Was (as you know) by Fortinbras of Norway,

(Thereto prick'd on by a most emulate Pride)

Dar'd to the Combate. In which, our Valiant Hamlet,

(For so this side of our knowne world esteem'd him)

Did slay this Fortinbras: who by a Seal'd Compact,

Well ratified by Law, and Heraldrie,

Did forfeite (with his life) all those his Lands

Which he stood seiz'd on, to the Conqueror:

Against the which, a Moity competent

Was gaged by our King: which had return'd

To the Inheritance of Fortinbras,

Had he bin Vanquisher, as by the same Cou'nant

And carriage of the Article designe,

His fell to Hamlet. Now sir, young Fortinbras,

Of vnimproued Mettle, hot and full,

Hath in the skirts of Norway, heere and there,

Shark'd vp a List of Landlesse Resolutes,

For Foode and Diet, to some Enterprize

That hath a stomacke in't: which is no other

(And it doth well appeare vnto our State)

But to recouer of vs by strong hand

And termes Compulsatiue, those foresaid Lands

So by his Father lost: and this (I take it)

Is the maine Motiue of our Preparations,

The Sourse of this our Watch, and the cheefe head

Of this post-hast, and Romage in the Land.

Enter Ghost againe.

But soft, behold: Loe, where it comes againe:

Ile crosse it, though it blast me. Stay Illusion:

If thou hast any sound, or vse of Voyce,

Speake to me. If there be any good thing to be done,

That may to thee do ease, and grace to me; speak to me.

If thou art priuy to thy Countries Fate

(Which happily foreknowing may auoyd) Oh speake.

Or, if thou hast vp-hoorded in thy life

Extorted Treasure in the wombe of Earth,

(For which, they say, you Spirits oft walke in death)

Speake of it. Stay, and speake. Stop it Marcellus

 

Bernardo (49)

120

I think it be no other but e'en so:

Well may it sort that this portentous figure

Comes armed through our watch; so like the king

That was and is the question of these wars.

[Not in First Folio]

 

Horatio (50)

A mote it is to trouble the mind's eye.

In the most high and palmy state of Rome,

A little ere the mightiest Julius fell,

The graves stood tenantless and the sheeted dead

Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets:

As stars with trains of fire and dews of blood,

130

Disasters in the sun; and the moist star

Upon whose influence Neptune's empire stands

Was sick almost to doomsday with eclipse:

And even the like precurse of fierce events,

As harbingers preceding still the fates

And prologue to the omen coming on,

Have heaven and earth together demonstrated

Unto our climatures and countrymen.--

Enter Ghost

But soft, behold! lo, where it comes again!

I'll cross it, though it blast me. Stay, illusion!

140

If thou hast any sound, or use of voice,

Speak to me:

If there be any good thing to be done,

That may to thee do ease and grace to me,

Speak to me:

Cock crows

If thou art privy to thy country's fate,

Which, happily, foreknowing may avoid, O, speak!

Or if thou hast uphoarded in thy life

Extorted treasure in the womb of earth,

For which, they say, you spirits oft walk in death,

150

Speak of it: stay, and speak! Stop it, Marcellus.

[Not in First Folio]

 

Marcellus (51)

Shall I strike at it with my partisan?

Mar. Shall I strike at it with my Partizan?

 

Horatio (52)

Do, if it will not stand.

Hor. Do, if it will not stand

 

Bernardo (53)

'Tis here!

Barn. 'Tis heere

 

Horatio (54)

'Tis here!

Hor. 'Tis heere

 

Marcellus (55)

Exit Ghost

'Tis gone!

We do it wrong, being so majestical,

To offer it the show of violence;

For it is, as the air, invulnerable,

And our vain blows malicious mockery.

Mar. 'Tis gone.

Exit Ghost.

We do it wrong, being so Maiesticall

To offer it the shew of Violence,

For it is as the Ayre, invulnerable,

And our vaine blowes, malicious Mockery

 

Bernardo (56)

160

It was about to speak, when the cock crew.

Barn. It was about to speake, when the Cocke crew

 

Horatio (57)

And then it started like a guilty thing

Upon a fearful summons. I have heard,

The cock, that is the trumpet to the morn,

Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding throat

Awake the god of day; and, at his warning,

Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air,

The extravagant and erring spirit hies

To his confine: and of the truth herein

This present object made probation.

Hor. And then it started, like a guilty thing

Vpon a fearfull Summons. I haue heard,

The Cocke that is the Trumpet to the day,

Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding Throate

Awake the God of Day: and at his warning,

Whether in Sea, or Fire, in Earth, or Ayre,

Th' extrauagant, and erring Spirit, hyes

To his Confine. And of the truth heerein,

This present Obiect made probation

 

Marcellus (58)

170

It faded on the crowing of the cock.

Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes

Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated,

The bird of dawning singeth all night long:

And then, they say, no spirit dares stir abroad;

The nights are wholesome; then no planets strike,

No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm,

So hallow'd and so gracious is the time.

Mar. It faded on the crowing of the Cocke.

Some sayes, that euer 'gainst that Season comes

Wherein our Sauiours Birch is celebrated,

The Bird of Dawning singeth all night long:

And then (they say) no Spirit can walke abroad,

The nights are wholsome, then no Planets strike,

No Faiery talkes, nor Witch hath power to Charme:

So hallow'd, and so gracious is the time

 

Horatio (59)

So have I heard and do in part believe it.

But, look, the morn, in russet mantle clad,

180

Walks o'er the dew of yon high eastward hill:

Break we our watch up; and by my advice,

Let us impart what we have seen toight

Unto young Hamlet; for, upon my life,

This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him.

Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it,

As needful in our loves, fitting our duty?

Hor. So haue I heard, and do in part beleeue it.

But looke, the Morne in Russet mantle clad,

Walkes o're the dew of yon high Easterne Hill,

Breake we our Watch vp, and by my aduice

Let vs impart what we haue seene to night

Vnto yong Hamlet. For vpon my life,

This Spirit dumbe to vs, will speake to him:

Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it,

As needfull in our Loues, fitting our Duty?

 

Marcellus (60)

Let's do't, I pray; and I this morning know

Where we shall find him most conveniently.

Exeunt

Mar. Let do't I pray, and I this morning know

Where we shall finde him most conueniently.

Exeunt.

Scena Secunda.

expandMe Act I. Scene II. A room of state in the castle.

1 - 2:    Act I. Scene II. A room of state in the castle.

Enter King Claudius, Queen Gertrude, Hamlet, Polonius, Laertes, Voltimand,

 

King Claudius (61)

Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death

The memory be green, and that it us befitted

To bear our hearts in grief and our whole kingdom

To be contracted in one brow of woe,

Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature

That we with wisest sorrow think on him,

Together with remembrance of ourselves.

Therefore our sometime sister, now our queen,

The imperial jointress to this warlike state,

10

Have we, as 'twere with a defeated joy,

With an auspicious and a dropping eye,

With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage,

In equal scale weighing delight and dole

Taken to wife: nor have we herein barr'd

Your better wisdoms, which have freely gone

With this affair along. For all, our thanks.

Now follows, that you know, young Fortinbras,

Holding a weak supposal of our worth,

Or thinking by our late dear brother's death

20

Our state to be disjoint and out of frame,

Colleagued with the dream of his advantage,

He hath not fail'd to pester us with message,

Importing the surrender of those lands

Lost by his father, with all bonds of law,

To our most valiant brother. So much for him.

Enter Voltemand and Cornelius.

Now for ourself and for this time of meeting:

Thus much the business is: we have here writ

To Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras,

Who, impotent and bed-rid, scarcely hears

30

Of this his nephew's purpose to suppress

His further gait herein; in that the levies,

The lists and full proportions, are all made

Out of his subject: and we here dispatch

You, good Cornelius, and you, Voltimand,

For bearers of this greeting to old Norway;

Giving to you no further personal power

To business with the king, more than the scope

Of these delated articles allow.

Farewell, and let your haste commend your duty.

Enter Claudius King of Denmarke, Gertrude the Queene, Hamlet, Polonius,Laertes, and his Sister Ophelia, Lords Attendant.

King. Though yet of Hamlet our deere Brothers death

The memory be greene: and that it vs befitted

To beare our hearts in greefe, and our whole Kingdome

To be contracted in one brow of woe:

Yet so farre hath Discretion fought with Nature,

That we with wisest sorrow thinke on him,

Together with remembrance of our selues.

Therefore our sometimes Sister, now our Queene,

Th' imperiall Ioyntresse of this warlike State,

Haue we, as 'twere, with a defeated ioy,

With one Auspicious, and one Dropping eye,

With mirth in Funerall, and with Dirge in Marriage,

In equall Scale weighing Delight and Dole

Taken to Wife; nor haue we heerein barr'd

Your better Wisedomes, which haue freely gone

With this affaire along, for all our Thankes.

Now followes, that you know young Fortinbras,

Holding a weake supposall of our worth;

Or thinking by our late deere Brothers death,

Our State to be disioynt, and out of Frame,

Colleagued with the dreame of his Aduantage;

He hath not fayl'd to pester vs with Message,

Importing the surrender of those Lands

Lost by his Father: with all Bonds of Law

To our most valiant Brother. So much for him.

Enter Voltemand and Cornelius.

Now for our selfe, and for this time of meeting

Thus much the businesse is. We haue heere writ

To Norway, Vncle of young Fortinbras,

Who Impotent and Bedrid, scarsely heares

Of this his Nephewes purpose, to suppresse

His further gate heerein. In that the Leuies,

The Lists, and full proportions are all made

Out of his subiect: and we heere dispatch

You good Cornelius, and you Voltemand,

For bearing of this greeting to old Norway,

Giuing to you no further personall power

To businesse with the King, more then the scope

Of these dilated Articles allow:

Farewell, and let your hast commend your duty

 

Cornelius (62)

40

In that and all things will we show our duty.

Volt. In that, and all things, will we shew our duty

 

King Claudius (63)

We doubt it nothing: heartily farewell.

Exit Voltimand and Cornelius

And now, Laertes, what's the news with you?

You told us of some suit; what is't, Laertes?

You cannot speak of reason to the Dane,

And loose your voice: what wouldst thou beg, Laertes,

That shall not be my offer, not thy asking?

The head is not more native to the heart,

The hand more instrumental to the mouth,

Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father.

50

What wouldst thou have, Laertes?

King. We doubt it nothing, heartily farewell.

Exit Voltemand and Cornelius.

And now Laertes, what's the newes with you?

You told vs of some suite. What is't Laertes?

You cannot speake of Reason to the Dane,

And loose your voyce. What would'st thou beg Laertes,

That shall not be my Offer, not thy Asking?

The Head is not more Natiue to the Heart,

The Hand more instrumentall to the Mouth,

Then is the Throne of Denmarke to thy Father.

What would'st thou haue Laertes?

 

Laertes (64)

My dread lord,

Your leave and favour to return to France;

From whence though willingly I came to Denmark,

To show my duty in your coronation,

Yet now, I must confess, that duty done,

My thoughts and wishes bend again toward France

And bow them to your gracious leave and pardon.

Laer. Dread my Lord,

Your leaue and fauour to returne to France,

From whence, though willingly I came to Denmarke

To shew my duty in your Coronation,

Yet now I must confesse, that duty done,

My thoughts and wishes bend againe towards France,

And bow them to your gracious leaue and pardon

 

King Claudius (65)

Have you your father's leave? What says Polonius?

King. Haue you your Fathers leaue?

What sayes Pollonius?

 

Lord Polonius (66)

He hath, my lord, wrung from me my slow leave

60

By laboursome petition, and at last

Upon his will I seal'd my hard consent:

I do beseech you, give him leave to go.

Pol. He hath my Lord:

I do beseech you giue him leaue to go

 

King Claudius (67)

Take thy fair hour, Laertes; time be thine,

And thy best graces spend it at thy will!

But now, my cousin Hamlet, and my son?

King. Take thy faire houre Laertes, time be thine,

And thy best graces spend it at thy will:

But now my Cosin Hamlet, and my Sonne?

 

Hamlet (68)

[Aside] A little more than kin, and less than kind.

Ham. A little more then kin, and lesse then kinde

 

King Claudius (69)

How is it that the clouds still hang on you?

King. How is it that the Clouds still hang on you?

 

Hamlet (70)

Not so, my lord; I am too much i' the sun.

Ham. Not so my Lord, I am too much i'th' Sun

 

Queen Gertrude (71)

Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted colour off,

70

And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark.

Do not for ever with thy vailed lids

Seek for thy noble father in the dust:

Thou know'st 'tis common; all that lives must die,

Passing through nature to eternity.

Queen. Good Hamlet cast thy nightly colour off,

And let thine eye looke like a Friend on Denmarke.

Do not for euer with thy veyled lids

Seeke for thy Noble Father in the dust;

Thou know'st 'tis common, all that liues must dye,

Passing through Nature, to Eternity

 

Hamlet (72)

Ay, madam, it is common.

Ham. I Madam, it is common

 

Queen Gertrude (73)

If it be,

Why seems it so particular with thee?

Queen. If it be;

Why seemes it so particular with thee

 

Hamlet (74)

Seems, madam! nay it is; I know not 'seems.'

'Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother,

80

Nor customary suits of solemn black,

Nor windy suspiration of forced breath,

No, nor the fruitful river in the eye,

Nor the dejected 'havior of the visage,

Together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief,

That can denote me truly: these indeed seem,

For they are actions that a man might play:

But I have that within which passeth show;

These but the trappings and the suits of woe.

Ham. Seemes Madam? Nay, it is: I know not Seemes:

'Tis not alone my Inky Cloake (good Mother)

Nor Customary suites of solemne Blacke,

Nor windy suspiration of forc'd breath,

No, nor the fruitfull Riuer in the Eye,

Nor the deiected hauiour of the Visage,

Together with all Formes, Moods, shewes of Griefe,

That can denote me truly. These indeed Seeme,

For they are actions that a man might play:

But I haue that Within, which passeth show;

These, but the Trappings, and the Suites of woe

 

King Claudius (75)

'Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet,

90

To give these mourning duties to your father:

But, you must know, your father lost a father;

That father lost, lost his, and the survivor bound

In filial obligation for some term

To do obsequious sorrow: but to persever

In obstinate condolement is a course

Of impious stubbornness; 'tis unmanly grief;

It shows a will most incorrect to heaven,

A heart unfortified, a mind impatient,

An understanding simple and unschool'd:

100

For what we know must be and is as common

As any the most vulgar thing to sense,

Why should we in our peevish opposition

Take it to heart? Fie! 'tis a fault to heaven,

A fault against the dead, a fault to nature,

To reason most absurd: whose common theme

Is death of fathers, and who still hath cried,

From the first corse till he that died today,

'This must be so.' We pray you, throw to earth

This unprevailing woe, and think of us

110

As of a father: for let the world take note,

You are the most immediate to our throne;

And with no less nobility of love

Than that which dearest father bears his son,

Do I impart toward you. For your intent

In going back to school in Wittenberg,

It is most retrograde to our desire:

And we beseech you, bend you to remain

Here, in the cheer and comfort of our eye,

Our chiefest courtier, cousin, and our son.

King. 'Tis sweet and commendable

In your Nature Hamlet,

To giue these mourning duties to your Father:

But you must know, your Father lost a Father,

That Father lost, lost his, and the Suruiuer bound

In filiall Obligation, for some terme

To do obsequious Sorrow. But to perseuer

In obstinate Condolement, is a course

Of impious stubbornnesse. 'Tis vnmanly greefe,

It shewes a will most incorrect to Heauen,

A Heart vnfortified, a Minde impatient,

An Vnderstanding simple, and vnschool'd:

For, what we know must be, and is as common

As any the most vulgar thing to sence,

Why should we in our peeuish Opposition

Take it to heart? Fye, 'tis a fault to Heauen,

A fault against the Dead, a fault to Nature,

To Reason most absurd, whose common Theame

Is death of Fathers, and who still hath cried,

From the first Coarse, till he that dyed to day,

This must be so. We pray you throw to earth

This vnpreuayling woe, and thinke of vs

As of a Father; For let the world take note,

You are the most immediate to our Throne,

And with no lesse Nobility of Loue,

Then that which deerest Father beares his Sonne,

Do I impart towards you. For your intent

In going backe to Schoole in Wittenberg,

It is most retrograde to our desire:

And we beseech you, bend you to remaine

Heere in the cheere and comfort of our eye,

Our cheefest Courtier Cosin, and our Sonne

 

Queen Gertrude (76)

120

Let not thy mother lose her prayers, Hamlet:

I pray thee, stay with us; go not to Wittenberg.

Qu. Let not thy Mother lose her Prayers Hamlet:

I prythee stay with vs, go not to Wittenberg

 

Hamlet (77)

I shall in all my best obey you, madam.

Ham. I shall in all my best

Obey you Madam

 

King Claudius (78)

Why, 'tis a loving and a fair reply:

Be as ourself in Denmark. Madam, come;

This gentle and unforced accord of Hamlet

Sits smiling to my heart: in grace whereof,

No jocund health that Denmark drinks today,

But the great cannon to the clouds shall tell,

And the king's rouse the heavens all bruit again,

130

Re-speaking earthly thunder. Come away.

Exit all but Hamlet

King. Why 'tis a louing, and a faire Reply,

Be as our selfe in Denmarke. Madam come,

This gentle and vnforc'd accord of Hamlet

Sits smiling to my heart; in grace whereof,

No iocond health that Denmarke drinkes to day,

But the great Cannon to the Clowds shall tell,

And the Kings Rouce, the Heauens shall bruite againe,

Respeaking earthly Thunder. Come away.

Exeunt.
Manet Hamlet.

 

Hamlet (79)

O, that this too too solid flesh would melt

Thaw and resolve itself into a dew!

Or that the Everlasting had not fix'd

His canon 'gainst self-slaughter! O God! God!

How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable,

Seem to me all the uses of this world!

Fie on't! ah fie! 'tis an unweeded garden,

That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature

Possess it merely. That it should come to this!

140

But two months dead: nay, not so much, not two:

So excellent a king; that was, to this,

Hyperion to a satyr; so loving to my mother

That he might not beteem the winds of heaven

Visit her face too roughly. Heaven and earth!

Must I remember? why, she would hang on him,

As if increase of appetite had grown

By what it fed on: and yet, within a month--

Let me not think on't:Frailty, thy name is woman!.

A little month, or ere those shoes were old

150

With which she follow'd my poor father's body,

Like Niobe, all tears: why she, even she.

O, God! a beast, that wants discourse of reason,

Would have mourn'd longer--married with my uncle,

My father's brother, but no more like my father

Than I to Hercules: within a month:

Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears

Had left the flushing in her galled eyes,

She married. O, most wicked speed, to post

With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!

160

It is not nor it cannot come to good:

But break, my heart; for I must hold my tongue.

Ham. Oh that this too too solid Flesh, would melt,

Thaw, and resolue it selfe into a Dew:

Or that the Euerlasting had not fixt

His Cannon 'gainst Selfe-slaughter. O God, O God!

How weary, stale, flat, and vnprofitable

Seemes to me all the vses of this world?

Fie on't? Oh fie, fie, 'tis an vnweeded Garden

That growes to Seed: Things rank, and grosse in Nature

Possesse it meerely. That it should come to this:

But two months dead: Nay, not so much; not two,

So excellent a King, that was to this

Hiperion to a Satyre: so louing to my Mother,

That he might not beteene the windes of heauen

Visit her face too roughly. Heauen and Earth

Must I remember: why she would hang on him,

As if encrease of Appetite had growne

By what is fed on; and yet within a month?

Let me not thinke on't: Frailty, thy name is woman.

A little Month, or ere those shooes were old,

With which she followed my poore Fathers body

Like Niobe, all teares. Why she, euen she.

(O Heauen! A beast that wants discourse of Reason

Would haue mourn'd longer) married with mine Vnkle,

My Fathers Brother: but no more like my Father,

Then I to Hercules. Within a Moneth?

Ere yet the salt of most vnrighteous Teares

Had left the flushing of her gauled eyes,

She married. O most wicked speed, to post

With such dexterity to Incestuous sheets:

It is not, nor it cannot come to good.

But breake my heart, for I must hold my tongue.

Enter Horatio, Barnardo and Marcellus

 

Horatio (80)

Hail to your lordship!

Enter Horatio, Barnardo, and Marcellus.

Hor. Haile to your Lordship

 

Hamlet (81)

I am glad to see you well:

Horatio, or I do forget myself.

Ham. I am glad to see you well:

Horatio, or I do forget my selfe

 

Horatio (82)

The same, my lord, and your poor servant ever.

Hor. The same my Lord,

And your poore Seruant euer

 

Hamlet (83)

Sir, my good friend; I'll change that name with you:

And what make you from Wittenberg, Horatio? Marcellus?

Ham. Sir my good friend,

Ile change that name with you:

And what make you from Wittenberg Horatio?

Marcellus

 

Marcellus (84)

My good lord--

Mar. My good Lord

 

Hamlet (85)

I am very glad to see you. Good even, sir.

170

But what, in faith, make you from Wittenberg?

Ham. I am very glad to see you: good euen Sir.

But what in faith make you from Wittemberge?

 

Horatio (86)

A truant disposition, good my lord.

Hor. A truant disposition, good my Lord

 

Hamlet (87)

I would not hear your enemy say so,

Nor shall you do mine ear that violence,

To make it truster of your own report

Against yourself: I know you are no truant.

But what is your affair in Elsinore?

We'll teach you to drink deep ere you depart.

Ham. I would not haue your Enemy say so;

Nor shall you doe mine eare that violence,

To make it truster of your owne report

Against your selfe. I know you are no Truant:

But what is your affaire in Elsenour?

Wee'l teach you to drinke deepe, ere you depart

 

Horatio (88)

My lord, I came to see your father's funeral.

Hor. My Lord, I came to see your Fathers Funerall

 

Hamlet (89)

I pray thee, do not mock me, fellow-student;

180

I think it was to see my mother's wedding.

Ham. I pray thee doe not mock me (fellow Student)

I thinke it was to see my Mothers Wedding

 

Horatio (90)

Indeed, my lord, it follow'd hard upon.

Hor. Indeed my Lord, it followed hard vpon

 

Hamlet (91)

Thrift, thrift, Horatio! the funeral baked meats

Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables.

Would I had met my dearest foe in heaven

Or ever I had seen that day, Horatio!

My father!--methinks I see my father.

Ham. Thrift thrift Horatio: the Funerall Bakt-meats

Did coldly furnish forth the Marriage Tables;

Would I had met my dearest foe in heauen,

Ere I had euer seene that day Horatio.

My father, me thinkes I see my father

 

Horatio (92)

Where, my lord?

Hor. Oh where my Lord?

 

Hamlet (93)

In my mind's eye, Horatio.

Ham. In my minds eye (Horatio)

 

Horatio (94)

I saw him once; he was a goodly king.

Hor. I saw him once; he was a goodly King

 

Hamlet (95)

190

He was a man, take him for all in all,

I shall not look upon his like again.

Ham. He was a man, take him for all in all:

I shall not look vpon his like againe

 

Horatio (96)

My lord, I think I saw him yesternight.

Hor. My Lord, I thinke I saw him yesternight

 

Hamlet (97)

Saw? who?

Ham. Saw? Who?

 

Horatio (98)

My lord, the king your father.

Hor. My Lord, the King your Father

 

Hamlet (99)

The king my father!

Ham. The King my Father?

 

Horatio (100)

Season your admiration for awhile

With an attent ear, till I may deliver,

Upon the witness of these gentlemen,

This marvel to you.

Hor. Season your admiration for a while

With an attent eare; till I may deliuer

Vpon the witnesse of these Gentlemen,

This maruell to you

 

Hamlet (101)

200

For God's love, let me hear.

Ham. For Heauens loue let me heare

 

Horatio (102)

Two nights together had these gentlemen,

Marcellus and Bernardo, on their watch,

In the dead vast and middle of the night,

Been thus encounter'd. A figure like your father,

Armed at point exactly, cap-a-pe,

Appears before them, and with solemn march

Goes slow and stately by them: thrice he walk'd

By their oppress'd and fear-surprised eyes,

Within his truncheon's length; whilst they, distilled

210

Almost to jelly with the act of fear,

Stand dumb and speak not to him. This to me

In dreadful secrecy impart they did;

And I with them the third night kept the watch;

Where, as they had deliver'd, both in time,

Form of the thing, each word made true and good,

The apparition comes: I knew your father;

These hands are not more like.

Hor. Two nights together, had these Gentlemen

(Marcellus and Barnardo) on their Watch

In the dead wast and middle of the night

Beene thus encountred. A figure like your Father,

Arm'd at all points exactly, Cap a Pe,

Appeares before them, and with sollemne march

Goes slow and stately: By them thrice he walkt,

By their opprest and feare-surprized eyes,

Within his Truncheons length; whilst they bestil'd

Almost to Ielly with the Act of feare,

Stand dumbe and speake not to him. This to me

In dreadfull secrecie impart they did,

And I with them the third Night kept the Watch,

Whereas they had deliuer'd both in time,

Forme of the thing; each word made true and good,

The Apparition comes. I knew your Father:

These hands are not more like

 

Hamlet (103)

But where was this?

Ham. But where was this?

 

Marcellus (104)

My lord, upon the platform where we watch'd.

Mar. My Lord vpon the platforme where we watcht

 

Hamlet (105)

220

Did you not speak to it?

Ham. Did you not speake to it?

 

Horatio (106)

My lord, I did;

But answer made it none: yet once methought

It lifted up its head and did address

Itself to motion, like as it would speak;

But even then the morning cock crew loud,

And at the sound it shrunk in haste away,

And vanish'd from our sight.

Hor. My Lord, I did;

But answere made it none: yet once me thought

It lifted vp it head, and did addresse

It selfe to motion, like as it would speake:

But euen then, the Morning Cocke crew lowd;

And at the sound it shrunke in hast away,

And vanisht from our sight

 

Hamlet (107)

'Tis very strange.

Ham. Tis very strange

 

Horatio (108)

As I do live, my honour'd lord, 'tis true;

230

And we did think it writ down in our duty

To let you know of it.

Hor. As I doe liue my honourd Lord 'tis true;

And we did thinke it writ downe in our duty

To let you know of it

 

Hamlet (109)

Indeed, indeed, sirs, but this troubles me.

Hold you the watch toight?

Ham. Indeed, indeed Sirs; but this troubles me.

Hold you the watch to Night?

 

Marcellus (110)

We do, my lord.

Both. We doe my Lord

 

Hamlet (111)

Arm'd, say you?

Ham. Arm'd, say you?

 

Marcellus (112)

Arm'd, my lord.

Both. Arm'd, my Lord

 

Hamlet (113)

From top to toe?

Ham. From top to toe?

 

Marcellus (114)

My lord, from head to foot.

Both. My Lord, from head to foote

 

Hamlet (115)

Then saw you not his face?

Ham. Then saw you not his face?

 

Horatio (116)

240

O, yes, my lord; he wore his beaver up.

Hor. O yes, my Lord, he wore his Beauer vp

 

Hamlet (117)

What, look'd he frowningly?

Ham. What, lookt he frowningly?

 

Horatio (118)

A countenance more in sorrow than in anger.

Hor. A countenance more in sorrow then in anger

 

Hamlet (119)

Pale or red?

Ham. Pale, or red?

 

Horatio (120)

Nay, very pale.

Hor. Nay very pale

 

Hamlet (121)

And fix'd his eyes upon you?

Ham. And fixt his eyes vpon you?

 

Horatio (122)

Most constantly.

Hor. Most constantly

 

Hamlet (123)

I would I had been there.

Ham. I would I had beene there

 

Horatio (124)

It would have much amazed you.

Hor. It would haue much amaz'd you

 

Hamlet (125)

Very like, very like. Stay'd it long?

Ham. Very like, very like: staid it long?

 

Horatio (126)

250

While one with moderate haste might tell a hundred.

Hor. While one with moderate hast might tell a hundred

 

Marcellus (127)

Longer, longer.

All. Longer, longer

 

Horatio (128)

Not when I saw't.

Hor. Not when I saw't

 

Hamlet (129)

His beard was grizzled--no?

Ham. His Beard was grisly? no

 

Horatio (130)

It was, as I have seen it in his life,

A sable silver'd.

Hor. It was, as I haue seene it in his life,

A Sable Siluer'd

 

Hamlet (131)

I will watch toight;

Perchance 'twill walk again.

Ham. Ile watch to Night; perchance 'twill wake againe

 

Horatio (132)

I warrant it will.

Hor. I warrant you it will

 

Hamlet (133)

If it assume my noble father's person,

260

I'll speak to it, though hell itself should gape

And bid me hold my peace. I pray you all,

If you have hitherto conceal'd this sight,

Let it be tenable in your silence still;

And whatsoever else shall hap toight,

Give it an understanding, but no tongue:

I will requite your loves. So, fare you well:

Upon the platform, 'twixt eleven and twelve,

I'll visit you.

Ham. If it assume my noble Fathers person,

Ile speake to it, though Hell it selfe should gape

And bid me hold my peace. I pray you all,

If you haue hitherto conceald this sight;

Let it bee treble in your silence still:

And whatsoeuer els shall hap to night,

Giue it an vnderstanding but no tongue;

I will requite your loues; so fare ye well:

Vpon the Platforme twixt eleuen and twelue,

Ile visit you

 

All (134)

Our duty to your honour.

All. Our duty to your Honour.

Exeunt

 

Hamlet (135)

270

Your loves, as mine to you: farewell.

Exeunt all but Hamlet

My father's spirit in arms! all is not well;

I doubt some foul play: would the night were come!

Till then sit still, my soul: foul deeds will rise,

Though all the earth o'erwhelm them, to men's eyes.

Exit

Ham. Your loue, as mine to you: farewell.

My Fathers Spirit in Armes? All is not well:

I doubt some foule play: would the Night were come;

Till then sit still my soule; foule deeds will rise,

Though all the earth orewhelm them to mens eies.

Exit.

expandMe Act I. Scene III. A room in Polonius' house.

1 - 3:    Act I. Scene III. A room in Polonius' house.

Enter Laertes and Ophelia

 

Laertes (136)

My necessaries are embark'd: farewell:

And, sister, as the winds give benefit

And convoy is assistant, do not sleep,

But let me hear from you.

Scena Tertia

Enter Laertes and Ophelia.

Laer. My necessaries are imbark't; Farewell:

And Sister, as the Winds giue Benefit,

And Conuoy is assistant; doe not sleepe,

But let me heare from you

 

Ophelia (137)

Do you doubt that?

Ophel. Doe you doubt that?

 

Laertes (138)

For Hamlet and the trifling of his favour,

Hold it a fashion and a toy in blood,

A violet in the youth of primy nature,

Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting,

10

The perfume and suppliance of a minute; No more.

Laer. For Hamlet, and the trifling of his fauours,

Hold it a fashion and a toy in Bloude;

A Violet in the youth of Primy Nature;

Froward, not permanent; sweet not lasting

The suppliance of a minute? No more

 

Ophelia (139)

No more but so?

Ophel. No more but so

 

Laertes (140)

Think it no more;

For nature, crescent, does not grow alone

In thews and bulk, but, as this temple waxes,

The inward service of the mind and soul

Grows wide withal. Perhaps he loves you now,

And now no soil nor cautel doth besmirch

The virtue of his will: but you must fear,

His greatness weigh'd, his will is not his own;

20

For he himself is subject to his birth:

He may not, as unvalued persons do,

Carve for himself; for on his choice depends

The safety and health of this whole state;

And therefore must his choice be circumscribed

Unto the voice and yielding of that body

Whereof he is the head. Then if he says he loves you,

It fits your wisdom so far to believe it

As he in his particular act and place

May give his saying deed; which is no further

30

Than the main voice of Denmark goes withal.

Then weigh what loss your honour may sustain,

If with too credent ear you list his songs,

Or lose your heart, or your chaste treasure open

To his unmaster'd importunity.

Fear it, Ophelia, fear it, my dear sister,

And keep you in the rear of your affection,

Out of the shot and danger of desire.

The chariest maid is prodigal enough,

If she unmask her beauty to the moon:

40

Virtue itself 'scapes not calumnious strokes:

The canker galls the infants of the spring,

Too oft before their buttons be disclosed,

And in the morn and liquid dew of youth

Contagious blastments are most imminent.

Be wary then; best safety lies in fear:

Youth to itself rebels, though none else near.

Laer. Thinke it no more:

For nature cressant does not grow alone,

In thewes and Bulke: but as his Temple waxes,

The inward seruice of the Minde and Soule

Growes wide withall. Perhaps he loues you now,

And now no soyle nor cautell doth besmerch

The vertue of his feare: but you must feare

His greatnesse weigh'd, his will is not his owne;

For hee himselfe is subiect to his Birth:

Hee may not, as vnuallued persons doe,

Carue for himselfe; for, on his choyce depends

The sanctity and health of the whole State.

And therefore must his choyce be circumscrib'd

Vnto the voyce and yeelding of that Body,

Whereof he is the Head. Then if he sayes he loues you,

It fits your wisedome so farre to beleeue it;

As he in his peculiar Sect and force

May giue his saying deed: which is no further,

Then the maine voyce of Denmarke goes withall.

Then weight what losse your Honour may sustaine,

If with too credent eare you list his Songs;

Or lose your Heart; or your chast Treasure open

To his vnmastred importunity.

Feare it Ophelia, feare it my deare Sister,

And keepe within the reare of your Affection;

Out of the shot and danger of Desire.

The chariest Maid is Prodigall enough,

If she vnmaske her beauty to the Moone:

Vertue it selfe scapes not calumnious stroakes,

The Canker Galls, the Infants of the Spring

Too oft before the buttons be disclos'd,

And in the Morne and liquid dew of Youth,

Contagious blastments are most imminent.

Be wary then, best safety lies in feare;

Youth to it selfe rebels, though none else neere

 

Ophelia (141)

I shall the effect of this good lesson keep,

As watchman to my heart. But, good my brother,

Do not, as some ungracious pastors do,

50

Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven;

Whiles, like a puff'd and reckless libertine,

Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads,

And recks not his own rede.

Ophe. I shall th' effect of this good Lesson keepe,

As watchmen to my heart: but good my Brother

Doe not as some vngracious Pastors doe,

Shew me the steepe and thorny way to Heauen;

Whilst like a puft and recklesse Libertine

Himselfe, the Primrose path of dalliance treads,

And reaks not his owne reade

 

Laertes (142)

O, fear me not.

Enter Polonius

I stay too long: but here my father comes.

A double blessing is a double grace,

Occasion smiles upon a second leave.

Laer. Oh, feare me not.

Enter Polonius.

I stay too long; but here my Father comes:

A double blessing is a double grace;

Occasion smiles vpon a second leaue

 

Lord Polonius (143)

Yet here, Laertes! aboard, aboard, for shame!

The wind sits in the shoulder of your sail,

60

And you are stay'd for. There; my blessing with thee!

And these few precepts in thy memory

See thou character. Give thy thoughts no tongue,

Nor any unproportioned thought his act.

Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar.

Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,

Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel;

But do not dull thy palm with entertainment

Of each new-hatch'd, unfledged comrade. Beware

Of entrance to a quarrel, but being in,

70

Bear't that the opposed may beware of thee.

Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice;

Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment.

Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy,

But not express'd in fancy; rich, not gaudy;

For the apparel oft proclaims the man,

And they in France of the best rank and station

Are of a most select and generous chief in that.

Neither a borrower nor a lender be;

For loan oft loses both itself and friend,

80

And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.

This above all: to thine ownself be true,

And it must follow, as the night the day,

Thou canst not then be false to any man.

Farewell: my blessing season this in thee!

Polon. Yet heere Laertes? Aboord, aboord for shame,

The winde sits in the shoulder of your saile,

And you are staid for there: my blessing with you;

And these few Precepts in thy memory,

See thou Character. Giue thy thoughts no tongue,

Nor any vnproportion'd thoughts his Act:

Be thou familiar; but by no meanes vulgar:

The friends thou hast, and their adoption tride,

Grapple them to thy Soule, with hoopes of Steele:

But doe not dull thy palme, with entertainment

Of each vnhatch't, vnfledg'd Comrade. Beware

Of entrance to a quarrell: but being in

Bear't that th' opposed may beware of thee.

Giue euery man thine eare; but few thy voyce:

Take each mans censure; but reserue thy iudgement:

Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy;

But not exprest in fancie; rich, not gawdie:

For the Apparell oft proclaimes the man.

And they in France of the best ranck and station,

Are of a most select and generous cheff in that.

Neither a borrower, nor a lender be;

For lone oft loses both it selfe and friend:

And borrowing duls the edge of Husbandry.

This aboue all; to thine owne selfe be true:

And it must follow, as the Night the Day,

Thou canst not then be false to any man.

Farewell: my Blessing season this in thee

 

Laertes (144)

Most humbly do I take my leave, my lord.

Laer. Most humbly doe I take my leaue, my Lord

 

Lord Polonius (145)

The time invites you; go; your servants tend.

Polon. The time inuites you, goe, your seruants tend

 

Laertes (146)

Farewell, Ophelia; and remember well

What I have said to you.

Laer. Farewell Ophelia, and remember well

What I haue said to you

 

Ophelia (147)

'Tis in my memory lock'd,

90

And you yourself shall keep the key of it.

Ophe. Tis in my memory lockt,

And you your selfe shall keepe the key of it

 

Laertes (148)

Farewell.

Exit

Laer. Farewell.

Exit Laer.

 

Lord Polonius (149)

What is't, Ophelia, be hath said to you?

Polon. What ist Ophelia he hath said to you?

 

Ophelia (150)

So please you, something touching the Lord Hamlet.

Ophe. So please you, somthing touching the L[ord]. Hamlet

 

Lord Polonius (151)

Marry, well bethought:

'Tis told me, he hath very oft of late

Given private time to you; and you yourself

Have of your audience been most free and bounteous:

If it be so, as so 'tis put on me,

And that in way of caution, I must tell you,

100

You do not understand yourself so clearly

As it behoves my daughter and your honour.

What is between you? give me up the truth.

Polon. Marry, well bethought:

Tis told me he hath very oft of late

Giuen priuate time to you; and you your selfe

Haue of your audience beene most free and bounteous.

If it be so, as so tis put on me;

And that in way of caution: I must tell you,

You doe not vnderstand your selfe so cleerely,

As it behoues my Daughter, and your Honour.

What is betweene you, giue me vp the truth?

 

Ophelia (152)

He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders

Of his affection to me.

Ophe. He hath my Lord of late, made many tenders

Of his affection to me

 

Lord Polonius (153)

Affection! pooh! you speak like a green girl,

Unsifted in such perilous circumstance.

Do you believe his tenders, as you call them?

Polon. Affection, puh. You speake like a greene Girle,

Vnsifted in such perillous Circumstance.

Doe you beleeue his tenders, as you call them?

 

Ophelia (154)

I do not know, my lord, what I should think.

Ophe. I do not know, my Lord, what I should thinke

 

Lord Polonius (155)

Marry, I'll teach you: think yourself a baby;

110

That you have ta'en these tenders for true pay,

Which are not sterling. Tender yourself more dearly;

Or--not to crack the wind of the poor phrase,

Running it thus--you'll tender me a fool.

Polon. Marry Ile teach you; thinke your selfe a Baby,

That you haue tane his tenders for true pay,

Which are not starling. Tender your selfe more dearly;

Or not to crack the winde of the poore Phrase,

Roaming it thus, you'l tender me a foole

 

Ophelia (156)

My lord, he hath importuned me with love

In honourable fashion.

Ophe. My Lord, he hath importun'd me with loue,

In honourable fashion

 

Lord Polonius (157)

Ay, fashion you may call it; go to, go to.

Polon. I, fashion you may call it, go too, go too

 

Ophelia (158)

And hath given countenance to his speech, my lord,

With almost all the holy vows of heaven.

Ophe. And hath giuen countenance to his speech,

My Lord, with all the vowes of Heauen

 

Lord Polonius (159)

Ay, springes to catch woodcocks. I do know,

120

When the blood burns, how prodigal the soul

Lends the tongue vows: these blazes, daughter,

Giving more light than heat, extinct in both,

Even in their promise, as it is a-making,

You must not take for fire. From this time

Be somewhat scanter of your maiden presence;

Set your entreatments at a higher rate

Than a command to parley. For Lord Hamlet,

Believe so much in him, that he is young

And with a larger tether may he walk

130

Than may be given you: in few, Ophelia,

Do not believe his vows; for they are brokers,

Not of that dye which their investments show,

But mere implorators of unholy suits,

Breathing like sanctified and pious bawds,

The better to beguile. This is for all:

I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth,

Have you so slander any moment leisure,

As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet.

Look to't, I charge you: come your ways.

Polon. I, Springes to catch Woodcocks. I doe know

When the Bloud burnes, how Prodigall the Soule

Giues the tongue vowes: these blazes, Daughter,

Giuing more light then heate; extinct in both,

Euen in their promise, as it is a making;

You must not take for fire. For this time Daughter,

Be somewhat scanter of your Maiden presence;

Set your entreatments at a higher rate,

Then a command to parley. For Lord Hamlet,

Beleeue so much in him, that he is young,

And with a larger tether may he walke,

Then may be giuen you. In few, Ophelia,

Doe not beleeue his vowes; for they are Broakers,

Not of the eye, which their Inuestments show:

But meere implorators of vnholy Sutes,

Breathing like sanctified and pious bonds,

The better to beguile. This is for all:

I would not, in plaine tearmes, from this time forth,

Haue you so slander any moment leisure,

As to giue words or talke with the Lord Hamlet:

Looke too't, I charge you; come your wayes

 

Ophelia (160)

140

I shall obey, my lord.

Exeunt

Ophe. I shall obey my Lord.

Exeunt.

expandMe Act I. Scene IV. The platform.

1 - 4:    Act I. Scene IV. The platform.

Enter Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus

 

Hamlet (161)

The air bites shrewdly; it is very cold.

Enter Hamlet, Horatio, Marcellus.

Ham. The Ayre bites shrewdly: is it very cold?

 

Horatio (162)

It is a nipping and an eager air.

Hor. It is a nipping and an eager ayre

 

Hamlet (163)

What hour now?

Ham. What hower now?

 

Horatio (164)

I think it lacks of twelve.

Hor. I thinke it lacks of twelue

 

Hamlet (165)

No, it is struck.

Mar. No, it is strooke

 

Horatio (166)

Indeed? I heard it not: then it draws near the season

Wherein the spirit held his wont to walk.

A flourish of trumpets, and ordnance shot off, within

What does this mean, my lord?

Hor. Indeed I heard it not: then it drawes neere the season,

Wherein the Spirit held his wont to walke.

What does this meane my Lord?

 

Hamlet (167)

The king doth wake toight and takes his rouse,

10

Keeps wassail, and the swaggering up-spring reels;

And, as he drains his draughts of Rhenish down,

The kettle-drum and trumpet thus bray out

The triumph of his pledge.

Ham. The King doth wake to night, and takes his rouse,

Keepes wassels and the swaggering vpspring reeles,

And as he dreines his draughts of Renish downe,

The kettle Drum and Trumpet thus bray out

The triumph of his Pledge

 

Horatio (168)

Is it a custom?

Horat. Is it a custome?

 

Hamlet (169)

Ay, marry, is't:

But to my mind, though I am native here

And to the manner born, it is a custom

More honour'd in the breach than the observance.

This heavy-headed revel east and west

20

Makes us traduced and tax'd of other nations:

They clepe us drunkards, and with swinish phrase

Soil our addition; and indeed it takes

From our achievements, though perform'd at height,

The pith and marrow of our attribute.

So, oft it chances in particular men,

That for some vicious mole of nature in them,

As, in their birth--wherein they are not guilty,

Since nature cannot choose his origin--

By the o'ergrowth of some complexion,

30

Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason,

Or by some habit that too much o'er-leavens

The form of plausive manners, that these men,

Carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect,

Being nature's livery, or fortune's star,

Their virtues else be they as pure as grace,

As infinite as man may undergo--

Shall in the general censure take corruption

From that particular fault: the dram of eale

Doth all the noble substance of a doubt

40

To his own scandal.

Ham. I marry ist;

And to my mind, though I am natiue heere,

And to the manner borne: It is a Custome

More honour'd in the breach, then the obseruance.

 

[From the Second Quarto]

 

This heauy headed reueale east and west

Makes vs tradust, and taxed of other nations,

They clip vs drunkards, and with Swinish phrase

Soyle our addition, and indeede it takes

From our atchieuements, though perform'd at height

The pith and marrow of our attribute,

So oft it chaunces in particuler men,

That for some vicious mole of nature in them

As in their birth wherein they are not guilty,

(Since nature cannot choose his origin)

By their ore-grow'th of some complextion

Oft breaking downe the pales and forts of reason,

Or by some habit, that too much ore-leauens

The forme of plausiue manners, that these men

Carrying I say the stamp of one defect

Being Natures liuery, or Fortunes starre,

His vertues els be they as pure as grace,

As infinite as man may vndergoe,

Shall in the generall censure take corruption

From that particuler fault: the dram of eale

Doth all the noble substance of a doubt

To his owne scandle.

 

Horatio (170)

Look, my lord, it comes!

Enter Ghost.

Hor. Looke my Lord, it comes

Enter Ghost

 

Hamlet (171)

Angels and ministers of grace defend us!

Be thou a spirit of health or goblin damn'd,

Bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from hell,

Be thy intents wicked or charitable,

Thou comest in such a questionable shape

That I will speak to thee: I'll call thee Hamlet,

King, father, royal Dane: O, answer me!

Let me not burst in ignorance; but tell

50

Why thy canonized bones, hearsed in death,

Have burst their cerements; why the sepulchre,

Wherein we saw thee quietly inurn'd,

Hath oped his ponderous and marble jaws,

To cast thee up again. What may this mean,

That thou, dead corse, again in complete steel

Revisit'st thus the glimpses of the moon,

Making night hideous; and we fools of nature

So horridly to shake our disposition

With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls?

60

Say, why is this? wherefore? what should we do?

Ham. Angels and Ministers of Grace defend vs:

Be thou a Spirit of health, or Goblin damn'd,

Bring with thee ayres from Heauen, or blasts from Hell,

Be thy euents wicked or charitable,

Thou com'st in such a questionable shape

That I will speake to thee. Ile call thee Hamlet,

King, Father, Royall Dane: Oh, oh, answer me,

Let me not burst in Ignorance; but tell

Why thy Canoniz'd bones Hearsed in death,

Haue burst their cerments, why the Sepulcher

Wherein we saw thee quietly enurn'd,

Hath op'd his ponderous and Marble iawes,

To cast thee vp againe? What may this meane?

That thou dead Coarse againe in compleat steele,

Reuisits thus the glimpses of the Moone,

Making Night hidious? And we fooles of Nature,

So horridly to shake our disposition,

With thoughts beyond thee; reaches of our Soules,

Say, why is this? wherefore? what should we doe?

Ghost beckons Hamlet

 

Horatio (172)

It beckons you to go away with it,

As if it some impartment did desire

To you alone.

Ghost beckens Hamlet.

Hor. It beckons you to goe away with it,

As if it some impartment did desire

To you alone

 

Marcellus (173)

Look, with what courteous action

It waves you to a more removed ground:

But do not go with it.

Mar. Looke with what courteous action

It wafts you to a more remoued ground:

But doe not goe with it

 

Horatio (174)

No, by no means.

Hor. No, by no meanes

 

Hamlet (175)

It will not speak; then I will follow it.

Ham. It will not speake: then will I follow it

 

Horatio (176)

Do not, my lord.

Hor. Doe not my Lord

 

Hamlet (177)

70

Why, what should be the fear?

I do not set my life in a pin's fee;

And for my soul, what can it do to that,

Being a thing immortal as itself?

It waves me forth again: I'll follow it.

Ham. Why, what should be the feare?

I doe not set my life at a pins fee;

And for my Soule, what can it doe to that?

Being a thing immortall as it selfe:

It waues me forth againe; Ile follow it

 

Horatio (178)

What if it tempt you toward the flood, my lord,

Or to the dreadful summit of the cliff

That beetles o'er his base into the sea,

And there assume some other horrible form,

Which might deprive your sovereignty of reason

80

And draw you into madness? think of it:

The very place puts toys of desperation,

Without more motive, into every brain

That looks so many fathoms to the sea

And hears it roar beneath.

Hor. What if it tempt you toward the Floud my Lord?

Or to the dreadfull Sonnet of the Cliffe,

That beetles o're his base into the Sea,

And there assumes some other horrible forme,

Which might depriue your Soueraignty of Reason,

And draw you into madnesse thinke of it?

 

Hamlet (179)

It waves me still.

Go on; I'll follow thee.

Ham. It wafts me still: goe on, Ile follow thee

 

Marcellus (180)

You shall not go, my lord.

Mar. You shall not goe my Lord

 

Hamlet (181)

Hold off your hands.

Ham. Hold off your hand

 

Horatio (182)

Be ruled; you shall not go.

Hor. Be rul'd, you shall not goe

 

Hamlet (183)

90

My fate cries out,

And makes each petty artery in this body

As hardy as the Nemean lion's nerve.

Still am I call'd. Unhand me, gentlemen.

By heaven, I'll make a ghost of him that lets me!

I say, away! Go on; I'll follow thee.

Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet

Ham. My fate cries out,

And makes each petty Artire in this body,

As hardy as the Nemian Lions nerue:

Still am I cal'd? Vnhand me Gentlemen:

By Heau'n, Ile make a Ghost of him that lets me:

I say away, goe on, Ile follow thee.

Exeunt. Ghost & Hamlet.

 

Horatio (184)

He waxes desperate with imagination.

Hor. He waxes desperate with imagination

 

Marcellus (185)

Let's follow; 'tis not fit thus to obey him.

Mar. Let's follow; 'tis not fit thus to obey him

 

Horatio (186)

Have after. To what issue will this come?

Hor. Haue after, to what issue will this come?

 

Marcellus (187)

Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

Mar. Something is rotten in the State of Denmarke

 

Horatio (188)

100

Heaven will direct it.

Hor. Heauen will direct it

 

Marcellus (189)

Nay, let's follow him.

Exeunt

Mar. Nay, let's follow him.

Exeunt.

expandMe Act I. Scene V. Another part of the platform.

1 - 5:    Act I. Scene V. Another part of the platform.

Enter Ghost and Hamlet

 

Hamlet (190)

Where wilt thou lead me? speak; I'll go no further.

Enter Ghost and Hamlet.

Ham. Where wilt thou lead me? speak; Ile go no further

 

Ghost (191)

Mark me.

Gho. Marke me

 

Hamlet (192)

I will.

Ham. I will

 

Ghost (193)

My hour is almost come,

When I to sulphurous and tormenting flames

Must render up myself.

Gho. My hower is almost come,

When I to sulphurous and tormenting Flames

Must render vp my selfe

 

Hamlet (194)

Alas, poor ghost!

Ham. Alas poore Ghost

 

Ghost (195)

Pity me not, but lend thy serious hearing

To what I shall unfold.

Gho. Pitty me not, but lend thy serious hearing

To what I shall vnfold

 

Hamlet (196)

10

Speak; I am bound to hear.

Ham. Speake, I am bound to heare

 

Ghost (197)

So art thou to revenge, when thou shalt hear.

Gho. So art thou to reuenge, when thou shalt heare

 

Hamlet (198)

What?

Ham. What?

 

Ghost (199)

I am thy father's spirit,

Doom'd for a certain term to walk the night,

And for the day confined to fast in fires,

Till the foul crimes done in my days of nature

Are burnt and purged away. But that I am forbid

To tell the secrets of my prison-house,

I could a tale unfold whose lightest word

20

Would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood,

Make thy two eyes, like stars, start from their spheres,

Thy knotted and combined locks to part

And each particular hair to stand on end,

Like quills upon the fretful porpentine:

But this eternal blazon must not be

To ears of flesh and blood. List, list, O, list!

If thou didst ever thy dear father love--

Gho. I am thy Fathers Spirit,

Doom'd for a certaine terme to walke the night;

And for the day confin'd to fast in Fiers,

Till the foule crimes done in my dayes of Nature

Are burnt and purg'd away? But that I am forbid

To tell the secrets of my Prison-House;

I could a Tale vnfold, whose lightest word

Would harrow vp thy soule, freeze thy young blood,

Make thy two eyes like Starres, start from their Spheres,

Thy knotty and combined lockes to part,

And each particular haire to stand an end,

Like Quilles vpon the fretfull Porpentine:

But this eternall blason must not be

To eares of flesh and bloud; list Hamlet, oh list,

If thou didst euer thy deare Father loue

 

Hamlet (200)

O God!

Ham. Oh Heauen!

 

Ghost (201)

Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder.

Gho. Reuenge his foule and most vnnaturall Murther.

 

Hamlet (202)

30

Murder?

Ham. Murther?

 

Ghost (203)

Murder most foul, as in the best it is;

But this most foul, strange and unnatural.

Ghost. Murther most foule, as in the best it is;

But this most foule, strange, and vnnaturall

 

Hamlet (204)

Haste me to know't, that I, with wings as swift

As meditation or the thoughts of love,

May sweep to my revenge.

Ham. Hast, hast me to know it,

That with wings as swift

As meditation, or the thoughts of Loue,

May sweepe to my Reuenge

 

Ghost (205)

I find thee apt;

And duller shouldst thou be than the fat weed

That roots itself in ease on Lethe wharf,

Wouldst thou not stir in this. Now, Hamlet, hear:

40

'Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard,

A serpent stung me; so the whole ear of Denmark

Is by a forged process of my death

Rankly abused: but know, thou noble youth,

The serpent that did sting thy father's life

Now wears his crown.

Ghost. I finde thee apt,

And duller should'st thou be then the fat weede

That rots it selfe in ease, on Lethe Wharfe,

Would'st thou not stirre in this. Now Hamlet heare:

It's giuen out, that sleeping in mine Orchard,

A Serpent stung me: so the whole eare of Denmarke,

Is by a forged processe of my death

Rankly abus'd: But know thou Noble youth,

The Serpent that did sting thy Fathers life,

Now weares his Crowne

 

Hamlet (206)

O my prophetic soul! My uncle!

Ham. O my Propheticke soule: mine Vncle?

 

Ghost (207)

Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast,

With witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts.

O wicked wit and gifts, that have the power

50

So to seduce!--won to his shameful lust

The will of my most seeming-virtuous queen:

O Hamlet, what a falling-off was there!

From me, whose love was of that dignity

That it went hand in hand even with the vow

I made to her in marriage, and to decline

Upon a wretch whose natural gifts were poor

To those of mine!

But virtue, as it never will be moved,

Though lewdness court it in a shape of heaven,

60

So lust, though to a radiant angel link'd,

Will sate itself in a celestial bed,

And prey on garbage.

But, soft! methinks I scent the morning air;

Brief let me be. Sleeping within my orchard,

My custom always of the afternoon,

Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole,

With juice of cursed hebenon in a vial,

And in the porches of my ears did pour

The leperous distilment; whose effect

70

Holds such an enmity with blood of man

That swift as quicksilver it courses through

The natural gates and alleys of the body,

And with a sudden vigour doth posset

And curd, like eager droppings into milk,

The thin and wholesome blood: so did it mine;

And a most instant tetter bark'd about,

Most lazar-like, with vile and loathsome crust,

All my smooth body.

Thus was I, sleeping, by a brother's hand

80

Of life, of crown, of queen, at once dispatch'd:

Cut off even in the blossoms of my sin,

Unhousel'd, disappointed, unanel'd,

No reckoning made, but sent to my account

With all my imperfections on my head:

O, horrible! O, horrible! most horrible!

If thou hast nature in thee, bear it not;

Let not the royal bed of Denmark be

A couch for luxury and damned incest.

But, howsoever thou pursuest this act,

90

Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive

Against thy mother aught: leave her to heaven

And to those thorns that in her bosom lodge,

To prick and sting her. Fare thee well at once!

The glow-worm shows the matin to be near,

And 'gins to pale his uneffectual fire:

Adieu, adieu! Hamlet, remember me.

Exit

Ghost. I that incestuous, that adulterate Beast

With witchcraft of his wits, hath Traitorous guifts.

Oh wicked Wit, and Gifts, that haue the power

So to seduce? Won to this shamefull Lust

The will of my most seeming vertuous Queene:

Oh Hamlet, what a falling off was there,

From me, whose loue was of that dignity,

That it went hand in hand, euen with the Vow

I made to her in Marriage; and to decline

Vpon a wretch, whose Naturall gifts were poore

To those of mine. But Vertue, as it neuer wil be moued,

Though Lewdnesse court it in a shape of Heauen:

So Lust, though to a radiant Angell link'd,

Will sate it selfe in a Celestiall bed, & prey on Garbage.

But soft, me thinkes I sent the Mornings Ayre;

Briefe let me be: Sleeping within mine Orchard,

My custome alwayes in the afternoone;

Vpon my secure hower thy Vncle stole

With iuyce of cursed Hebenon in a Violl,

And in the Porches of mine eares did poure

The leaperous Distilment; whose effect

Holds such an enmity with bloud of Man,

That swift as Quick-siluer, it courses through

The naturall Gates and Allies of the body;

And with a sodaine vigour it doth posset

And curd, like Aygre droppings into Milke,

The thin and wholsome blood: so did it mine;

And a most instant Tetter bak'd about,

Most Lazar-like, with vile and loathsome crust,

All my smooth Body.

Thus was I, sleeping, by a Brothers hand,

Of Life, of Crowne, and Queene at once dispatcht;

Cut off euen in the Blossomes of my Sinne,

Vnhouzzled, disappointed, vnnaneld,

No reckoning made, but sent to my account

With all my imperfections on my head;

Oh horrible Oh horrible, most horrible:

If thou hast nature in thee beare it not;

Let not the Royall Bed of Denmarke be

A Couch for Luxury and damned Incest.

But howsoeuer thou pursuest this Act,

Taint not thy mind; nor let thy Soule contriue

Against thy Mother ought; leaue her to heauen,

And to those Thornes that in her bosome lodge,

To pricke and sting her. Fare thee well at once;

The Glow-worme showes the Matine to be neere,

And gins to pale his vneffectuall Fire:

Adue, adue, Hamlet: remember me.

Exit.

 

Hamlet (208)

O all you host of heaven! O earth! what else?

And shall I couple hell? O, fie! Hold, hold, my heart;

And you, my sinews, grow not instant old,

100

But bear me stiffly up. Remember thee!

Ay, thou poor ghost, while memory holds a seat

In this distracted globe. Remember thee!

Yea, from the table of my memory

I'll wipe away all trivial fond records,

All saws of books, all forms, all pressures past,

That youth and observation copied there;

And thy commandment all alone shall live

Within the book and volume of my brain,

Unmix'd with baser matter: yes, by heaven!

110

O most pernicious woman!

O villain, villain, smiling, damned villain!

My tables; meet it is I set it down,

That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain;

At least I'm sure it may be so in Denmark:

Writing

So, uncle, there you are. Now to my word;

It is 'Adieu, adieu! remember me.'

I have sworn 't.

Ham. Oh all you host of Heauen! Oh Earth; what els?

And shall I couple Hell? Oh fie: hold my heart;

And you my sinnewes, grow not instant Old;

But beare me stiffely vp: Remember thee?

I, thou poore Ghost, while memory holds a seate

In this distracted Globe: Remember thee?

Yea, from the Table of my Memory,

Ile wipe away all triuiall fond Records,

All sawes of Bookes, all formes, all presures past,

That youth and obseruation coppied there;

And thy Commandment all alone shall liue

Within the Booke and Volume of my Braine,

Vnmixt with baser matter; yes yes, by Heauen:

Oh most pernicious woman!

Oh Villaine, Villaine, smiling damned Villaine!

My Tables, my Tables; meet it is I set it downe,

That one may smile, and smile and be a Villaine;

At least I'm sure it may be so in Denmarke;

So Vnckle there you are: now to my word;

It is; Adue, Adue, Remember me: I haue sworn't

 

Marcellus (209)

[From within] My lord, my lord.

Hor. & Mar. within. My Lord, my Lord.

Enter Horatio and Marcellus.

 

Marcellus (210)

[From within] Lord Hamlet.

Mar. Lord Hamlet

 

Horatio (211)

120

[From within] Heaven secure him!

Hor. Heauen secure him

 

Hamlet (212)

So be it!

Mar. So be it

 

Horatio (213)

[From within] Hillo, ho, ho, my lord!

Hor. Illo, ho, ho, my Lord

 

Hamlet (214)

Hillo, ho, ho, boy! come, bird, come.

Ham. Hillo, ho, ho, boy; come bird, come

Enter Horatio and Marcellus

 

Marcellus (215)

How is't, my noble lord?

Mar. How ist my Noble Lord?

 

Horatio (216)

What news, my lord?

Hor. What newes, my Lord?

 

Hamlet (217)

O, wonderful!

Ham. Oh wonderfull!

 

Horatio (218)

Good my lord, tell it.

Hor. Good my Lord tell it

 

Hamlet (219)

No; you'll reveal it.

Ham. No you'l reueale it

 

Horatio (220)

Not I, my lord, by heaven.

Hor. Not I, my Lord, by Heauen

 

Marcellus (221)

130

Nor I, my lord.

Mar. Nor I, my Lord

 

Hamlet (222)

How say you, then; would heart of man once think it?

But you'll be secret?

Ham. How say you then, would heart of man once think it?

But you'l be secret?

 

Horatio (223)

Ay, by heaven, my lord.

Both. I, by Heau'n, my Lord

 

Hamlet (224)

There's ne'er a villain dwelling in all Denmark

But he's an arrant knave.

Ham. There's nere a villaine dwelling in all Denmarke

But hee's an arrant knaue

 

Horatio (225)

There needs no ghost, my lord, come from the grave

To tell us this.

Hor. There needs no Ghost my Lord, come from the

Graue, to tell vs this

 

Hamlet (226)

Why, right; you are i' the right;

And so, without more circumstance at all,

140

I hold it fit that we shake hands and part:

You, as your business and desire shall point you;

For every man has business and desire,

Such as it is; and for mine own poor part,

Look you, I'll go pray.

Ham. Why right, you are i'th' right;

And so, without more circumstance at all,

I hold it fit that we shake hands, and part:

You, as your busines and desires shall point you:

For euery man ha's businesse and desire,

Such as it is: and for mine owne poore part,

Looke you, Ile goe pray

 

Horatio (227)

These are but wild and whirling words, my lord.

Hor. These are but wild and hurling words, my Lord

 

Hamlet (228)

I'm sorry they offend you, heartily;

Yes, 'faith heartily.

Ham. I'm sorry they offend you heartily:

Yes faith, heartily

 

Horatio (229)

There's no offence, my lord.

Hor. There's no offence my Lord

 

Hamlet (230)

Yes, by Saint Patrick, but there is, Horatio,

150

And much offence too. Touching this vision here,

It is an honest ghost, that let me tell you:

For your desire to know what is between us,

O'ermaster 't as you may. And now, good friends,

As you are friends, scholars and soldiers,

Give me one poor request.

Ham. Yes, by Saint Patricke, but there is my Lord,

And much offence too, touching this Vision heere:

It is an honest Ghost, that let me tell you:

For your desire to know what is betweene vs,

O'remaster't as you may. And now good friends,

As you are Friends, Schollers and Soldiers,

Giue me one poore request

 

Horatio (231)

What is't, my lord? we will.

Hor. What is't my Lord? we will

 

Hamlet (232)

Never make known what you have seen toight.

Ham. Neuer make known what you haue seen to night

 

Horatio (233)

My lord, we will not.

Both. My Lord, we will not

 

Hamlet (234)

Nay, but swear't.

Ham. Nay, but swear't

 

Horatio (235)

160

In faith,

My lord, not I.

Hor. Infaith my Lord, not I

 

Marcellus (236)

Nor I, my lord, in faith.

Mar. Nor I my Lord: in faith

 

Hamlet (237)

Upon my sword.

Ham. Vpon my sword

 

Marcellus (238)

We have sworn, my lord, already.

Marcell. We haue sworne my Lord already

 

Hamlet (239)

Indeed, upon my sword, indeed.

Ham. Indeed, vpon my sword, Indeed

 

Ghost (240)

[Beneath] Swear.

Gho. Sweare.

Ghost cries vnder the Stage.

 

Hamlet (241)

Ah, ha, boy! say'st thou so? art thou there,

truepenny?

Come on--you hear this fellow in the cellarage--

170

Consent to swear.

Ham. Ah ha boy, sayest thou so. Art thou there truepenny?

Come one you here this fellow in the selleredge

Consent to sweare

 

Horatio (242)

Propose the oath, my lord.

Hor. Propose the Oath my Lord

 

Hamlet (243)

Never to speak of this that you have seen,

Swear by my sword.

Ham. Neuer to speake of this that you haue seene.

Sweare by my sword

 

Ghost (244)

[Beneath] Swear.

Gho. Sweare

 

Hamlet (245)

Hic et ubique? then we'll shift our ground.

Come hither, gentlemen,

And lay your hands again upon my sword:

Never to speak of this that you have heard,

Swear by my sword.

Ham. Hic & vbique? Then wee'l shift for grownd,

Come hither Gentlemen,

And lay your hands againe vpon my sword,

Neuer to speake of this that you haue heard:

Sweare by my Sword

 

Ghost (246)

180

[Beneath] Swear.

Gho. Sweare

 

Hamlet (247)

Well said, old mole! canst work i' the earth so fast?

A worthy pioner! Once more remove, good friends.

Ham. Well said old Mole, can'st worke i'th' ground so fast?

A worthy Pioner, once more remoue good friends

 

Horatio (248)

O day and night, but this is wondrous strange!

Hor. Oh day and night: but this is wondrous strange

 

Hamlet (249)

And therefore as a stranger give it welcome.

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,

Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. But come;

Here, as before, never, so help you mercy,

How strange or odd soe'er I bear myself,

As I perchance hereafter shall think meet

190

To put an antic disposition on,

That you, at such times seeing me, never shall,

With arms encumber'd thus, or this headshake,

Or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase,

As 'Well, well, we know,' or 'We could, an if we would,'

Or 'If we list to speak,' or 'There be, an if they might,'

Or such ambiguous giving out, to note

That you know aught of me: this not to do,

So grace and mercy at your most need help you, Swear.

Ham. And therefore as a stranger giue it welcome.

There are more things in Heauen and Earth, Horatio,

Then are dream't of in our Philosophy. But come,

Here as before, neuer so helpe you mercy,

How strange or odde so ere I beare my selfe;

(As I perchance heereafter shall thinke meet

To put an Anticke disposition on:)

That you at such time seeing me, neuer shall

With Armes encombred thus, or thus, head shake;

Or by pronouncing of some doubtfull Phrase;

As well, we know, or we could and if we would,

Or if we list to speake; or there be and if there might,

Or such ambiguous giuing out to note,

That you know ought of me; this not to doe:

So grace and mercy at your most neede helpe you:

Sweare

 

Ghost (250)

[Beneath] Swear.

Ghost. Sweare

 

Hamlet (251)

200

Rest, rest, perturbed spirit!

They swear

So, gentlemen,

With all my love I do commend me to you:

And what so poor a man as Hamlet is

May do, to express his love and friending to you,

God willing, shall not lack. Let us go in together;

And still your fingers on your lips, I pray.

The time is out of joint: O cursed spite,

That ever I was born to set it right!

Nay, come, let's go together.

Exeunt

Ham. Rest, rest perturbed Spirit: so Gentlemen,

With all my loue I doe commend me to you;

And what so poore a man as Hamlet is,

May doe t' expresse his loue and friending to you,

God willing shall not lacke: let vs goe in together,

And still your fingers on your lippes I pray,

The time is out of ioynt: Oh cursed spight,

That euer I was borne to set it right.

Nay, come let's goe together.

Exeunt.

expandMe Act II.

expandMe Act II. Scene I. A room in Polonius' house.

2 - 1:    Act II. Scene I. A room in Polonius' house.

Enter Polonius and Reynaldo

 

Lord Polonius (252)

Give him this money and these notes, Reynaldo.

Actus Secundus.

Enter Polonius, and Reynoldo.

Polon. Giue him his money, and these notes Reynoldo

 

Reynaldo (253)

I will, my lord.

Reynol. I will my Lord

 

Lord Polonius (254)

You shall do marvellous wisely, good Reynaldo,

Before you visit him, to make inquire

Of his behavior.

Polon. You shall doe maruels wisely: good Reynoldo,

Before you visite him you make inquiry

Of his behauiour

 

Reynaldo (255)

My lord, I did intend it.

Reynol. My Lord, I did intend it

 

Lord Polonius (256)

Marry, well said; very well said. Look you, sir,

Inquire me first what Danskers are in Paris;

And how, and who, what means, and where they keep,

10

What company, at what expense; and finding

By this encompassment and drift of question

That they do know my son, come you more nearer

Than your particular demands will touch it:

Take you, as 'twere, some distant knowledge of him;

As thus, 'I know his father and his friends,

And in part him: ' do you mark this, Reynaldo?

Polon. Marry, well said;

Very well said. Looke you Sir,

Enquire me first what Danskers are in Paris;

And how, and who; what meanes; and where they keepe:

What company, at what expence: and finding

By this encompassement and drift of question,

That they doe know my sonne: Come you more neerer

Then your particular demands will touch it,

Take you as 'twere some distant knowledge of him,

And thus I know his father and his friends,

And in part him. Doe you marke this Reynoldo?

 

Reynaldo (257)

Ay, very well, my lord.

Reynol. I, very well my Lord

 

Lord Polonius (258)

'And in part him; but' you may say 'not well:

But, if't be he I mean, he's very wild;

20

Addicted so and so:' and there put on him

What forgeries you please; marry, none so rank

As may dishonour him; take heed of that;

But, sir, such wanton, wild and usual slips

As are companions noted and most known

To youth and liberty.

Polon. And in part him, but you may say not well;

But if't be hee I meane, hees very wilde;

Addicted so and so; and there put on him

What forgeries you please; marry, none so ranke,

As may dishonour him; take heed of that:

But Sir, such wanton, wild, and vsuall slips,

As are Companions noted and most knowne

To youth and liberty

 

Reynaldo (259)

As gaming, my lord.

Reynol. As gaming my Lord

 

Lord Polonius (260)

Ay, or drinking, fencing, swearing, quarrelling,

Drabbing: you may go so far.

Polon. I, or drinking, fencing, swearing,

Quarelling, drabbing. You may goe so farre

 

Reynaldo (261)

My lord, that would dishonour him.

Reynol. My Lord that would dishonour him

 

Lord Polonius (262)

30

'Faith, no; as you may season it in the charge

You must not put another scandal on him,

That he is open to incontinency;

That's not my meaning: but breathe his faults so quaintly

That they may seem the taints of liberty,

The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind,

A savageness in unreclaimed blood,

Of general assault.

Polon. Faith no, as you may season it in the charge;

You must not put another scandall on him,

That hee is open to Incontinencie;

That's not my meaning: but breath his faults so quaintly,

That they may seeme the taints of liberty;

The flash and out-breake of a fiery minde,

A sauagenes in vnreclaim'd bloud of generall assault

 

Reynaldo (263)

But, my good lord.

Reynol. But my good Lord

 

Lord Polonius (264)

Wherefore should you do this?

Polon. Wherefore should you doe this?

 

Reynaldo (265)

40

Ay, my lord,

I would know that.

Reynol. I my Lord, I would know that

 

Lord Polonius (266)

Marry, sir, here's my drift;

And I believe, it is a fetch of wit:

You laying these slight sullies on my son,

As 'twere a thing a little soil'd i' the working, Mark you,

Your party in converse, him you would sound,

Having ever seen in the prenominate crimes

The youth you breathe of guilty, be assured

He closes with you in this consequence;

50

'Good sir,' or so, or 'friend,' or 'gentleman,'

According to the phrase or the addition

Of man and country.

Polon. Marry Sir, heere's my drift,

And I belieue it is a fetch of warrant:

You laying these slight sulleyes on my Sonne,

As 'twere a thing a little soil'd i'th' working:

Marke you your party in conuerse; him you would sound,

Hauing euer seene. In the prenominate crimes,

The youth you breath of guilty, be assur'd

He closes with you in this consequence:

Good sir, or so, or friend, or Gentleman.

According to the Phrase and the Addition,

Of man and Country

 

Reynaldo (267)

Very good, my lord.

Reynol. Very good my Lord

 

Lord Polonius (268)

And then, sir, does he this--he does--what was I

about to say? By the mass, I was about to say

something: where did I leave?

Polon. And then Sir does he this?

He does: what was I about to say?

I was about say somthing: where did I leaue?

 

Reynaldo (269)

At 'closes in the consequence,' at 'friend or so,'

and 'gentleman.'

Reynol. At closes in the consequence:

At friend, or so, and Gentleman

 

Lord Polonius (270)

At 'closes in the consequence,' ay, marry;

60

He closes thus: 'I know the gentleman;

I saw him yesterday, or t' other day,

Or then, or then; with such, or such; and, as you say,

There was a' gaming; there o'ertook in's rouse;

There falling out at tennis:' or perchance,

'I saw him enter such a house of sale,'

Videlicet, a brothel, or so forth.

See you now;

Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth:

And thus do we of wisdom and of reach,

70

With windlasses and with assays of bias,

By indirections find directions out:

So by my former lecture and advice,

Shall you my son. You have me, have you not?

Polon. At closes in the consequence, I marry,

He closes with you thus. I know the Gentleman,

I saw him yesterday, or tother day;

Or then or then, with such and such; and as you say,

There was he gaming, there o'retooke in's Rouse,

There falling out at Tennis; or perchance,

I saw him enter such a house of saile;

Videlicet, a Brothell, or so forth. See you now;

Your bait of falshood, takes this Cape of truth;

And thus doe we of wisedome and of reach

With windlesses, and with assaies of Bias,

By indirections finde directions out:

So by my former Lecture and aduice

Shall you my Sonne; you haue me, haue you not?

 

Reynaldo (271)

My lord, I have.

Reynol. My Lord I haue

 

Lord Polonius (272)

God be wi' you; fare you well.

Polon. God buy you; fare you well

 

Reynaldo (273)

Good my lord!

Reynol. Good my Lord

 

Lord Polonius (274)

Observe his inclination in yourself.

Polon. Obserue his inclination in your selfe

 

Reynaldo (275)

I shall, my lord.

Reynol. I shall my Lord

 

Lord Polonius (276)

And let him ply his music.

Polon. And let him plye his Musicke

 

Reynaldo (277)

80

Well, my lord.

Reynol. Well, my Lord.

Exit.

 

Lord Polonius (278)

Farewell!

Exit Reynaldo

Enter Ophelia

How now, Ophelia! what's the matter?

Polon. Farewell:

Enter Ophelia.

How now Ophelia, what's the matter?

 

Ophelia (279)

O, my lord, my lord, I have been so affrighted!

Ophe. Alas my Lord, I haue beene so affrighted

 

Lord Polonius (280)

With what, i' the name of God?

Polon. With what, in the name of Heauen?

 

Ophelia (281)

My lord, as I was sewing in my closet,

Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced;

No hat upon his head; his stockings foul'd,

Ungarter'd, and down-gyved to his ancle;

Pale as his shirt; his knees knocking each other;

90

And with a look so piteous in purport

As if he had been loosed out of hell

To speak of horrors: he comes before me.

Ophe. My Lord, as I was sowing in my Chamber,

Lord Hamlet with his doublet all vnbrac'd,

No hat vpon his head, his stockings foul'd,

Vngartred, and downe giued to his Anckle,

Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other,

And with a looke so pitious in purport,

As if he had been loosed out of hell,

To speake of horrors: he comes before me

 

Lord Polonius (282)

Mad for thy love?

Polon. Mad for thy Loue?

 

Ophelia (283)

My lord, I do not know;

But truly, I do fear it.

Ophe. My Lord, I doe not know: but truly I do feare it

 

Lord Polonius (284)

What said he?

Polon. What said he?

 

Ophelia (285)

He took me by the wrist and held me hard;

Then goes he to the length of all his arm;

And, with his other hand thus o'er his brow,

100

He falls to such perusal of my face

As he would draw it. Long stay'd he so;

At last, a little shaking of mine arm

And thrice his head thus waving up and down,

He raised a sigh so piteous and profound

As it did seem to shatter all his bulk

And end his being: that done, he lets me go:

And, with his head over his shoulder turn'd,

He seem'd to find his way without his eyes;

For out o' doors he went without their helps,

110

And, to the last, bended their light on me.

Ophe. He tooke me by the wrist, and held me hard;

Then goes he to the length of all his arme;

And with his other hand thus o're his brow,

He fals to such perusall of my face,

As he would draw it. Long staid he so,

At last, a little shaking of mine Arme:

And thrice his head thus wauing vp and downe;

He rais'd a sigh, so pittious and profound,

That it did seeme to shatter all his bulke,

And end his being. That done, he lets me goe,

And with his head ouer his shoulders turn'd,

He seem'd to finde his way without his eyes,

For out adores he went without their helpe;

And to the last, bended their light on me

 

Lord Polonius (286)

Come, go with me: I will go seek the king.

This is the very ecstasy of love,

Whose violent property fordoes itself

And leads the will to desperate undertakings

As oft as any passion under heaven

That does afflict our natures. I am sorry.

What, have you given him any hard words of late?

Polon. Goe with me, I will goe seeke the King,

This is the very extasie of Loue,

Whose violent property foredoes it selfe,

And leads the will to desperate Vndertakings,

As oft as any passion vnder Heauen,

That does afflict our Natures. I am sorrie,

What haue you giuen him any hard words of late?

 

Ophelia (287)

No, my good lord, but, as you did command,

I did repel his fetters and denied

120

His access to me.

Ophe. No my good Lord: but as you did command,

I did repell his Letters, and deny'de

His accesse to me

 

Lord Polonius (288)

That hath made him mad.

I am sorry that with better heed and judgment

I had not quoted him: I fear'd he did but trifle,

And meant to wreck thee; but, beshrew my jealousy!

By heaven, it is as proper to our age

To cast beyond ourselves in our opinions

As it is common for the younger sort

To lack discretion. Come, go we to the king:

This must be known; which, being kept close, might

130

move

More grief to hide than hate to utter love.

Exeunt

Pol. That hath made him mad.

I am sorrie that with better speed and iudgement

I had not quoted him. I feare he did but trifle,

And meant to wracke thee: but beshrew my iealousie:

It seemes it is as proper to our Age,

To cast beyond our selues in our Opinions,

As it is common for the yonger sort

To lacke discretion. Come, go we to the King,

This must be knowne, being kept close might moue

More greefe to hide, then hate to vtter loue.

Exeunt.

expandMe Act II. Scene II. A room in the castle.

2 - 2:    Act II. Scene II. A room in the castle.

Enter King Claudius, Queen Gertrude, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and attendants

 

King Claudius (289)

Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern!

Moreover that we much did long to see you,

The need we have to use you did provoke

Our hasty sending. Something have you heard

Of Hamlet's transformation; so call it,

Sith nor the exterior nor the inward man

Resembles that it was. What it should be,

More than his father's death, that thus hath put him

So much from the understanding of himself,

10

I cannot dream of: I entreat you both,

That, being of so young days brought up with him,

And sith so neighbour'd to his youth and havior,

That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court

Some little time: so by your companies

To draw him on to pleasures, and to gather,

So much as from occasion you may glean,

Whether aught, to us unknown, afflicts him thus,

That, open'd, lies within our remedy.

Scena Secunda.

Enter King, Queene, Rosincrane, and Guildensterne Cumalys.

King. Welcome deere Rosincrance and Guildensterne.

Moreouer, that we much did long to see you,

The neede we haue to vse you, did prouoke

Our hastie sending. Something haue you heard

Of Hamlets transformation: so I call it,

Since not th' exterior, nor the inward man

Resembles that it was. What it should bee

More then his Fathers death, that thus hath put him

So much from th' vnderstanding of himselfe,

I cannot deeme of. I intreat you both,

That being of so young dayes brought vp with him:

And since so Neighbour'd to his youth, and humour,

That you vouchsafe your rest heere in our Court

Some little time: so by your Companies

To draw him on to pleasures, and to gather

So much as from Occasions you may gleane,

That open'd lies within our remedie

 

Queen Gertrude (290)

Good gentlemen, he hath much talk'd of you;

20

And sure I am two men there are not living

To whom he more adheres. If it will please you

To show us so much gentry and good will

As to expend your time with us awhile,

For the supply and profit of our hope,

Your visitation shall receive such thanks

As fits a king's remembrance.

Qu. Good Gentlemen, he hath much talk'd of you,

And sure I am, two men there are not liuing,

To whom he more adheres. If it will please you

To shew vs so much Gentrie, and good will,

As to expend your time with vs a-while,

For the supply and profit of our Hope,

Your Visitation shall receiue such thankes

As fits a Kings remembrance

 

Rosencrantz (291)

Both your majesties

Might, by the sovereign power you have of us,

Put your dread pleasures more into command

30

Than to entreaty.

Rosin. Both your Maiesties

Might by the Soueraigne power you haue of vs,

Put your dread pleasures, more into Command

Then to Entreatie

 

Guildenstern (292)

But we both obey,

And here give up ourselves, in the full bent

To lay our service freely at your feet,

To be commanded.

Guil. We both obey,

And here giue vp our selues, in the full bent,

To lay our Seruices freely at your feete,

To be commanded

 

King Claudius (293)

Thanks, Rosencrantz and gentle Guildenstern.

King. Thankes Rosincrance, and gentle Guildensterne

 

Queen Gertrude (294)

Thanks, Guildenstern and gentle Rosencrantz:

And I beseech you instantly to visit

My too much changed son. Go, some of you,

And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is.

Qu. Thankes Guildensterne and gentle Rosincrance.

And I beseech you instantly to visit

My too much changed Sonne.

Go some of ye,

And bring the Gentlemen where Hamlet is

 

Guildenstern (295)

40

Heavens make our presence and our practises

Pleasant and helpful to him!

Guil. Heauens make our presence and our practises

Pleasant and helpfull to him.

Exit.

 

Queen Gertrude (296)

Ay, amen!

Exeunt Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and some Attendants

Queene. Amen.

Enter Polonius

 

Lord Polonius (297)

The ambassadors from Norway, my good lord,

Are joyfully return'd.

Enter Polonius.

Pol. Th' Ambassadors from Norwey, my good Lord,

Are ioyfully return'd

 

King Claudius (298)

Thou still hast been the father of good news.

King. Thou still hast bin the father of good Newes

 

Lord Polonius (299)

Have I, my lord? I assure my good liege,

I hold my duty, as I hold my soul,

Both to my God and to my gracious king:

And I do think, or else this brain of mine

50

Hunts not the trail of policy so sure

As it hath used to do, that I have found

The very cause of Hamlet's lunacy.

Pol. Haue I, my Lord? Assure you, my good Liege,

I hold my dutie, as I hold my Soule,

Both to my God, one to my gracious King:

And I do thinke, or else this braine of mine

Hunts not the traile of Policie, so sure

As I haue vs'd to do: that I haue found

The very cause of Hamlets Lunacie

 

King Claudius (300)

O, speak of that; that do I long to hear.

King. Oh speake of that, that I do long to heare

 

Lord Polonius (301)

Give first admittance to the ambassadors;

My news shall be the fruit to that great feast.

Pol. Giue first admittance to th' Ambassadors,

My Newes shall be the Newes to that great Feast

 

King Claudius (302)

Thyself do grace to them, and bring them in.

Exit Polonius

He tells me, my dear Gertrude, he hath found

The head and source of all your son's distemper.

King. Thy selfe do grace to them, and bring them in.

He tels me my sweet Queene, that he hath found

The head and sourse of all your Sonnes distemper

 

Queen Gertrude (303)

I doubt it is no other but the main;

60

His father's death, and our o'erhasty marriage.

Qu. I doubt it is no other, but the maine,

His Fathers death, and our o're-hasty Marriage.

Enter Polonius, Voltumand, and Cornelius.

 

King Claudius (304)

Well, we shall sift him.

Enter Polonius, with Voltimand and Cornelius

Welcome, my good friends!

Say, Voltimand, what from our brother Norway?

King. Well, we shall sift him. Welcome good Frends:

Say Voltumand, what from our Brother Norwey?

 

Voltimand (305)

Most fair return of greetings and desires.

Upon our first, he sent out to suppress

His nephew's levies; which to him appear'd

To be a preparation 'gainst the Polack;

But, better look'd into, he truly found

It was against your highness: whereat grieved,

70

That so his sickness, age and impotence

Was falsely borne in hand, sends out arrests

On Fortinbras; which he, in brief, obeys;

Receives rebuke from Norway, and in fine

Makes vow before his uncle never more

To give the assay of arms against your majesty.

Whereon old Norway, overcome with joy,

Gives him three thousand crowns in annual fee,

And his commission to employ those soldiers,

So levied as before, against the Polack:

80

With an entreaty, herein further shown,

Giving a paper

That it might please you to give quiet pass

Through your dominions for this enterprise,

On such regards of safety and allowance

As therein are set down.

Volt. Most faire returne of Greetings, and Desires.

Vpon our first, he sent out to suppresse

His Nephewes Leuies, which to him appear'd

To be a preparation 'gainst the Poleak:

But better look'd into, he truly found

It was against your Highnesse, whereat greeued,

That so his Sicknesse, Age, and Impotence

Was falsely borne in hand, sends out Arrests

On Fortinbras, which he (in breefe) obeyes,

Receiues rebuke from Norwey: and in fine,

Makes Vow before his Vnkle, neuer more

To giue th' assay of Armes against your Maiestie.

Whereon old Norwey, ouercome with ioy,

Giues him three thousand Crownes in Annuall Fee,

And his Commission to imploy those Soldiers

So leuied as before, against the Poleak:

With an intreaty heerein further shewne,

That it might please you to giue quiet passe

Through your Dominions, for his Enterprize,

On such regards of safety and allowance,

As therein are set downe

 

King Claudius (306)

It likes us well;

And at our more consider'd time well read,

Answer, and think upon this business.

Meantime we thank you for your well-took labour:

Go to your rest; at night we'll feast together:

90

Most welcome home!

Exit Voltimand and Cornelius

King. It likes vs well:

And at our more consider'd time wee'l read,

Answer, and thinke vpon this Businesse.

Meane time we thanke you, for your well-tooke Labour.

Go to your rest, at night wee'l Feast together.

Most welcome home.

Exit Ambass.

 

Lord Polonius (307)

This business is well ended.

My liege, and madam, to expostulate

What majesty should be, what duty is,

Why day is day, night night, and time is time,

Were nothing but to waste night, day and time.

Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,

And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,

I will be brief: your noble son is mad:

Mad call I it; for, to define true madness,

100

What is't but to be nothing else but mad?

But let that go.

Pol. This businesse is very well ended.

My Liege, and Madam, to expostulate

What Maiestie should be, what Dutie is,

Why day is day; night, night; and time is time,

Were nothing but to waste Night, Day, and Time.

Therefore, since Breuitie is the Soule of Wit,

And tediousnesse, the limbes and outward flourishes,

I will be breefe. Your Noble Sonne is mad:

Mad call I it; for to define true Madnesse,

What is't, but to be nothing else but mad.

But let that go

 

Queen Gertrude (308)

More matter, with less art.

Qu. More matter, with lesse Art

 

Lord Polonius (309)

Madam, I swear I use no art at all.

That he is mad, 'tis true: 'tis true 'tis pity;

And pity 'tis 'tis true: a foolish figure;

But farewell it, for I will use no art.

Mad let us grant him, then: and now remains

That we find out the cause of this effect,

Or rather say, the cause of this defect,

110

For this effect defective comes by cause:

Thus it remains, and the remainder thus. Perpend.

I have a daughter--have while she is mine--

Who, in her duty and obedience, mark,

Hath given me this: now gather, and surmise.

Reads

'To the celestial and my soul's idol, the most

beautified Ophelia.

That's an ill phrase, a vile phrase; 'beautified' is

a vile phrase: but you shall hear. Thus:

Reads

'In her excellent white bosom, these

Pol. Madam, I sweare I vse no Art at all:

That he is mad, 'tis true: 'Tis true 'tis pittie,

And pittie it is true: A foolish figure,

But farewell it: for I will vse no Art.

Mad let vs grant him then: and now remaines

That we finde out the cause of this effect,

Or rather say, the cause of this defect;

For this effect defectiue, comes by cause,

Thus it remaines, and the remainder thus. Perpend,

I haue a daughter: haue, whil'st she is mine,

Who in her Dutie and Obedience, marke,

Hath giuen me this: now gather, and surmise.

The Letter.

To the Celestiall, and my Soules Idoll, the most beautifed Ophelia.

That's an ill Phrase, a vilde Phrase, beautified is a vilde

Phrase: but you shall heare these in her excellent white

bosome, these

 

Queen Gertrude (310)

120

Came this from Hamlet to her?

Qu. Came this from Hamlet to her

 

Lord Polonius (311)

Good madam, stay awhile; I will be faithful.

Reads

'Doubt thou the stars are fire;

Doubt that the sun doth move;

Doubt truth to be a liar;

But never doubt I love.

'O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers;

I have not art to reckon my groans: but that

I love thee best, O most best, believe it. Adieu.

'Thine evermore most dear lady, whilst

130

this machine is to him, Hamlet.'

This, in obedience, hath my daughter shown me,

And more above, hath his solicitings,

As they fell out by time, by means and place,

All given to mine ear.

Pol. Good Madam stay awhile, I will be faithfull.

Doubt thou, the Starres are fire,

Doubt, that the Sunne doth moue:

Doubt Truth to be a Lier,

But neuer Doubt, I loue.

O deere Ophelia, I am ill at these Numbers: I haue not Art to

reckon my grones; but that I loue thee best, oh most Best beleeue

it. Adieu.

Thine euermore most deere Lady, whilst this

Machine is to him, Hamlet.

This in Obedience hath my daughter shew'd me:

And more aboue hath his soliciting,

As they fell out by Time, by Meanes, and Place,

All giuen to mine eare

 

King Claudius (312)

But how hath she

Received his love?

King. But how hath she receiu'd his Loue?

 

Lord Polonius (313)

What do you think of me?

Pol. What do you thinke of me?

 

King Claudius (314)

As of a man faithful and honourable.

King. As of a man, faithfull and Honourable

 

Lord Polonius (315)

I would fain prove so. But what might you think,

140

When I had seen this hot love on the wing--

As I perceived it, I must tell you that,

Before my daughter told me--what might you,

Or my dear majesty your queen here, think,

If I had play'd the desk or table-book,

Or given my heart a winking, mute and dumb,

Or look'd upon this love with idle sight;

What might you think? No, I went round to work,

And my young mistress thus I did bespeak:

'Lord Hamlet is a prince, out of thy star;

150

This must not be:' and then I precepts gave her,

That she should lock herself from his resort,

Admit no messengers, receive no tokens.

Which done, she took the fruits of my advice;

And he, repulsed--a short tale to make--

Fell into a sadness, then into a fast,

Thence to a watch, thence into a weakness,

Thence to a lightness, and, by this declension,

Into the madness wherein now he raves,

And all we mourn for.

Pol. I wold faine proue so. But what might you think?

When I had seene this hot loue on the wing,

As I perceiued it, I must tell you that

Before my Daughter told me what might you

Or my deere Maiestie your Queene heere, think,

If I had playd the Deske or Table-booke,

Or giuen my heart a winking, mute and dumbe,

Or look'd vpon this Loue, with idle sight,

What might you thinke? No, I went round to worke,

And (my yong Mistris) thus I did bespeake

Lord Hamlet is a Prince out of thy Starre,

This must not be: and then, I Precepts gaue her,

That she should locke her selfe from his Resort,

Admit no Messengers, receiue no Tokens:

Which done, she tooke the Fruites of my Aduice,

And he repulsed. A short Tale to make,

Fell into a Sadnesse, then into a Fast,

Thence to a Watch, thence into a Weaknesse,

Thence to a Lightnesse, and by this declension

Into the Madnesse whereon now he raues,

And all we waile for

 

King Claudius (316)

160

Do you think 'tis this?

King. Do you thinke 'tis this?

 

Queen Gertrude (317)

It may be, very likely.

Qu. It may be very likely

 

Lord Polonius (318)

Hath there been such a time--I'd fain know that--

That I have positively said 'Tis so,'

When it proved otherwise?

Pol. Hath there bene such a time, I'de fain know that,

That I haue possitiuely said, 'tis so,

When it prou'd otherwise?

 

King Claudius (319)

Not that I know.

King. Not that I know

 

Lord Polonius (320)

[Pointing to his head and shoulder]

Take this from this, if this be otherwise:

If circumstances lead me, I will find

Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed

170

Within the centre.

Pol. Take this from this; if this be otherwise,

If Circumstances leade me, I will finde

Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeede

Within the Center

 

King Claudius (321)

How may we try it further?

King. How may we try it further?

 

Lord Polonius (322)

You know, sometimes he walks four hours together

Here in the lobby.

Pol. You know sometimes

He walkes foure houres together, heere

In the Lobby

 

Queen Gertrude (323)

So he does indeed.

Qu. So he ha's indeed

 

Lord Polonius (324)

At such a time I'll loose my daughter to him:

Be you and I behind an arras then;

Mark the encounter: if he love her not

And be not from his reason fall'n thereon,

Let me be no assistant for a state,

180

But keep a farm and carters.

Pol. At such a time Ile loose my Daughter to him,

Be you and I behinde an Arras then,

Marke the encounter: If he loue her not,

And be not from his reason falne thereon;

Let me be no Assistant for a State,

And keepe a Farme and Carters

 

King Claudius (325)

We will try it.

King. We will try it.

 

Queen Gertrude (326)

But, look, where sadly the poor wretch comes reading.

Enter Hamlet reading on a Booke.

Qu. But looke where sadly the poore wretch

Comes reading.

 

Lord Polonius (327)

Away, I do beseech you, both away:

I'll board him presently.

Exeunt King Claudius, Queen Gertrude, and Attendants

Enter Hamlet, reading

O, give me leave:

How does my good Lord Hamlet?

Pol. Away I do beseech you, both away,

Ile boord him presently.

Exit King & Queen.

Oh giue me leaue. How does my good Lord Hamlet?

 

Hamlet (328)

Well, God-a-mercy.

Ham. Well, God-a-mercy

 

Lord Polonius (329)

Do you know me, my lord?

Pol. Do you know me, my Lord?

 

Hamlet (330)

Excellent well; you are a fishmonger.

Ham. Excellent, excellent well: y'are a Fishmonger

 

Lord Polonius (331)

190

Not I, my lord.

Pol. Not I my Lord

 

Hamlet (332)

Then I would you were so honest a man.

Ham. Then I would you were so honest a man

 

Lord Polonius (333)

Honest, my lord!

Pol. Honest, my Lord?

 

Hamlet (334)

Ay, sir; to be honest, as this world goes, is to be

one man picked out of ten thousand.

Ham. I sir, to be honest as this world goes, is to bee

one man pick'd out of two thousand

 

Lord Polonius (335)

That's very true, my lord.

Pol. That's very true, my Lord

 

Hamlet (336)

For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a

god kissing carrion, Have you a daughter?

Ham. For if the Sun breed Magots in a dead dogge,

being a good kissing Carrion-

Haue you a daughter?

 

Lord Polonius (337)

I have, my lord.

Pol. I haue my Lord

 

Hamlet (338)

Let her not walk i' the sun: conception is a

200

blessing: but not as your daughter may conceive.

Friend, look to 't.

Ham. Let her not walke i'thSunne: Conception is a

blessing, but not as your daughter may conceiue. Friend

looke too't

 

Lord Polonius (339)

[Aside] How say you by that? Still harping on my

daughter: yet he knew me not at first; he said I

was a fishmonger: he is far gone, far gone: and

truly in my youth I suffered much extremity for

love; very near this. I'll speak to him again.

What do you read, my lord?

Pol. How say you by that? Still harping on my daughter:

yet he knew me not at first; he said I was a Fishmonger:

he is farre gone, farre gone: and truly in my youth,

I suffred much extreamity for loue: very neere this. Ile

speake to him againe. What do you read my Lord?

 

Hamlet (340)

Words, words, words.

Ham. Words, words, words

 

Lord Polonius (341)

What is the matter, my lord?

Pol. What is the matter, my Lord?

 

Hamlet (342)

210

Between who?

Ham. Betweene who?

 

Lord Polonius (343)

I mean, the matter that you read, my lord.

Pol. I meane the matter you meane, my Lord

 

Hamlet (344)

Slanders, sir: for the satirical rogue says here

that old men have grey beards, that their faces are

wrinkled, their eyes purging thick amber and

plum-tree gum and that they have a plentiful lack of

wit, together with most weak hams: all which, sir,

though I most powerfully and potently believe, yet

I hold it not honesty to have it thus set down, for

yourself, sir, should be old as I am, if like a crab

220

you could go backward.

Ham. Slanders Sir: for the Satyricall slaue saies here,

that old men haue gray Beards; that their faces are wrinkled;

their eyes purging thicke Amber, or Plum-Tree

Gumme: and that they haue a plentifull locke of Wit,

together with weake Hammes. All which Sir, though I

most powerfully, and potently beleeue; yet I holde it

not Honestie to haue it thus set downe: For you your

selfe Sir, should be old as I am, if like a Crab you could

go backward

 

Lord Polonius (345)

[Aside] Though this be madness, yet there is method

in 't. Will you walk out of the air, my lord?

Pol. Though this be madnesse,

Yet there is Method in't: will you walke

Out of the ayre my Lord?

 

Hamlet (346)

Into my grave.

Ham. Into my Graue?

 

Lord Polonius (347)

Indeed, that is out o' the air.

Aside

How pregnant sometimes his replies are! a happiness

that often madness hits on, which reason and sanity

could not so prosperously be delivered of. I will

leave him, and suddenly contrive the means of

meeting between him and my daughter. My honourable

230

lord, I will most humbly take my leave of you.

[Version from Second Quarto]

Pol. Indeede that's out of the ayre; how pregnant sometimes

his replies are, a happines that often madnesse hits on, which reason

and sanctity could not so prosperously be deliuered of. I will leaue

him and my daughter. My Lord, I will take my leaue of you.

 

[Version from First Folio]

Pol. Indeed that is out o'th' Ayre:

How pregnant (sometimes) his Replies are?

A happinesse,

That often Madnesse hits on,

Which Reason and Sanitie could not

So prosperously be deliuer'd of.

I will leaue him,

And sodainely contriue the meanes of meeting

Betweene him, and my daughter.

My Honourable Lord, I will most humbly

Take my leaue of you

 

Hamlet (348)

You cannot, sir, take from me any thing that I will

more willingly part withal: except my life, except

my life, except my life.

Ham. You cannot Sir take from me any thing, that I

will more willingly part withall, except my life, my

life

 

Lord Polonius (349)

Fare you well, my lord.

Polon. Fare you well my Lord

 

Hamlet (350)

These tedious old fools!

Ham. These tedious old fooles

 

Lord Polonius (351)

Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

You go to seek the Lord Hamlet; there he is.

Polon. You goe to seeke my Lord Hamlet; there

hee is.

Enter Rosincran and Guildensterne.

 

Rosencrantz (352)

[To Polonius] God save you, sir!

Exit Polonius

Rosin. God saue you Sir

 

Guildenstern (353)

My honoured lord!

Guild. Mine honour'd Lord?

 

Rosencrantz (354)

My most dear lord!

Rosin. My most deare Lord?

 

Hamlet (355)

240

My excellent good friends! How dost thou,

Guildenstern? Ah, Rosencrantz! Good lads, how do ye both?

Ham. My excellent good friends? How do'st thou

Guildensterne? Oh, Rosincrane; good Lads: How doe ye

both?

 

Rosencrantz (356)

As the indifferent children of the earth.

Rosin. As the indifferent Children of the earth

 

Guildenstern (357)

Happy, in that we are not over-happy;

On fortune's cap we are not the very button.

Guild. Happy, in that we are not ouer-happy: on Fortunes

Cap, we are not the very Button

 

Hamlet (358)

Nor the soles of her shoe?

Ham. Nor the Soales of her Shoo?

 

Rosencrantz (359)

Neither, my lord.

Rosin. Neither my Lord

 

Hamlet (360)

Then you live about her waist, or in the middle of

her favours?

Ham. Then you liue about her waste, or in the middle

of her fauour?

 

Guildenstern (361)

'Faith, her privates we.

Guil. Faith, her priuates, we

 

Hamlet (362)

250

In the secret parts of fortune? O, most true; she

is a strumpet. What's the news?

Ham. In the secret parts of Fortune? Oh, most true:

she is a Strumpet. What's the newes?

 

Rosencrantz (363)

None, my lord, but that the world's grown honest.

Rosin. None my Lord; but that the World's growne

honest

 

Hamlet (364)

Then is doomsday near: but your news is not true.

Let me question more in particular: what have you,

my good friends, deserved at the hands of fortune,

that she sends you to prison hither?

Ham. Then is Doomesday neere: But your newes is

not true. Let me question more in particular: what haue

you my good friends, deserued at the hands of Fortune,

that she sends you to Prison hither?

 

Guildenstern (365)

Prison, my lord!

Guil. Prison, my Lord?

 

Hamlet (366)

Denmark's a prison.

Ham. Denmark's a Prison

 

Rosencrantz (367)

Then is the world one.

Rosin. Then is the World one

 

Hamlet (368)

260

A goodly one; in which there are many confines,

wards and dungeons, Denmark being one o' the worst.

Ham. A goodly one, in which there are many Confines,

Wards, and Dungeons; Denmarke being one o'th'

worst

 

Rosencrantz (369)

We think not so, my lord.

Rosin. We thinke not so my Lord

 

Hamlet (370)

Why, then, 'tis none to you; for there is nothing

either good or bad, but thinking makes it so: to me

it is a prison.

Ham. Why then 'tis none to you; for there is nothing

either good or bad, but thinking makes it so: to me it is

a prison

 

Rosencrantz (371)

Why then, your ambition makes it one; 'tis too

narrow for your mind.

Rosin. Why then your Ambition makes it one: 'tis

too narrow for your minde

 

Hamlet (372)

O God, I could be bounded in a nut shell and count

myself a king of infinite space, were it not that I

270

have bad dreams.

Ham. O God, I could be bounded in a nutshell, and

count my selfe a King of infinite space; were it not that

I haue bad dreames

 

Guildenstern (373)

Which dreams indeed are ambition, for the very

substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream.

Guil. Which dreames indeed are Ambition: for the

very substance of the Ambitious, is meerely the shadow

of a Dreame

 

Hamlet (374)

A dream itself is but a shadow.

Ham. A dreame it selfe is but a shadow

 

Rosencrantz (375)

Truly, and I hold ambition of so airy and light a

quality that it is but a shadow's shadow.

Rosin. Truely, and I hold Ambition of so ayry and

light a quality, that it is but a shadowes shadow

 

Hamlet (376)

Then are our beggars bodies, and our monarchs and

outstretched heroes the beggars' shadows. Shall we

to the court? for, by my fay, I cannot reason.

Ham. Then are our Beggers bodies; and our Monarchs

and out-stretcht Heroes the Beggers Shadowes:

shall wee to th' Court: for, by my fey I cannot reason?

 

Rosencrantz (377)

We'll wait upon you.

Both. Wee'l wait vpon you

 

Hamlet (378)

280

No such matter: I will not sort you with the rest

of my servants, for, to speak to you like an honest

man, I am most dreadfully attended. But, in the

beaten way of friendship, what make you at Elsinore?

Ham. No such matter. I will not sort you with the

rest of my seruants: for to speake to you like an honest

man: I am most dreadfully attended; but in the beaten

way of friendship, What make you at Elsonower?

 

Rosencrantz (379)

To visit you, my lord; no other occasion.

Rosin. To visit you my Lord, no other occasion

 

Hamlet (380)

Beggar that I am, I am even poor in thanks; but I

thank you: and sure, dear friends, my thanks are

too dear a halfpenny. Were you not sent for? Is it

your own inclining? Is it a free visitation? Come,

deal justly with me: come, come; nay, speak.

Ham. Begger that I am, I am euen poore in thankes;

but I thanke you: and sure deare friends my thanks

are too deare a halfepeny; were you not sent for? Is it

your owne inclining? Is it a free visitation? Come,

deale iustly with me: come, come; nay speake

 

Guildenstern (381)

290

What should we say, my lord?

Guil. What should we say my Lord?

 

Hamlet (382)

Why, any thing, but to the purpose. You were sent

for; and there is a kind of confession in your looks

which your modesties have not craft enough to colour:

I know the good king and queen have sent for you.

Ham. Why any thing. But to the purpose; you were

sent for; and there is a kinde confession in your lookes;

which your modesties haue not craft enough to color,

I know the good King & Queene haue sent for you

 

Rosencrantz (383)

To what end, my lord?

Rosin. To what end my Lord?

 

Hamlet (384)

That you must teach me. But let me conjure you, by

the rights of our fellowship, by the consonancy of

our youth, by the obligation of our ever-preserved

love, and by what more dear a better proposer could

300

charge you withal, be even and direct with me,

whether you were sent for, or no?

Ham. That you must teach me: but let mee coniure

you by the rights of our fellowship, by the consonancy of

our youth, by the Obligation of our euer-preserued loue,

and by what more deare, a better proposer could charge

you withall; be euen and direct with me, whether you

were sent for or no

 

Rosencrantz (385)

[Aside to Guildenstern] What say you?

Rosin. What say you?

 

Hamlet (386)

[Aside] Nay, then, I have an eye of you.--If you

love me, hold not off.

Ham. Nay then I haue an eye of you: if you loue me

hold not off

 

Guildenstern (387)

My lord, we were sent for.

Guil. My Lord, we were sent for

 

Hamlet (388)

I will tell you why; so shall my anticipation

prevent your discovery, and your secrecy to the king

and queen moult no feather. I have of late--but

wherefore I know not--lost all my mirth, forgone all

310

custom of exercises; and indeed it goes so heavily

with my disposition that this goodly frame, the

earth, seems to me a sterile promontory, this most

excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave

o'erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted

with golden fire, why, it appears no other thing to

me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours.

What a piece of work is a man! how noble in reason!

how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how

express and admirable! in action how like an angel!

320

in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the

world! the paragon of animals! And yet, to me,

what is this quintessence of dust? man delights not

me: no, nor woman neither, though by your smiling

you seem to say so.

Ham. I will tell you why; so shall my anticipation

preuent your discouery of your secricie to the King and

Queene: moult no feather, I haue of late, but wherefore

I know not, lost all my mirth, forgone all custome of exercise;

and indeed, it goes so heauenly with my disposition;

that this goodly frame the Earth, seemes to me a sterrill

Promontory; this most excellent Canopy the Ayre,

look you, this braue ore-hanging, this Maiesticall Roofe,

fretted with golden fire: why, it appeares no other thing

to mee, then a foule and pestilent congregation of vapours.

What a piece of worke is a man! how Noble in

Reason? how infinite in faculty? in forme and mouing

how expresse and admirable? in Action, how like an Angel?

in apprehension, how like a God? the beauty of the

world, the Parragon of Animals; and yet to me, what is

this Quintessence of Dust? Man delights not me; no,

nor Woman neither; though by your smiling you seeme

to say so

 

Rosencrantz (389)

My lord, there was no such stuff in my thoughts.

Rosin. My Lord, there was no such stuffe in my

thoughts

 

Hamlet (390)

Why did you laugh then, when I said 'man delights not me'?

Ham. Why did you laugh, when I said, Man delights

not me?

 

Rosencrantz (391)

To think, my lord, if you delight not in man, what

lenten entertainment the players shall receive from

you: we coted them on the way; and hither are they

330

coming, to offer you service.

Rosin. To thinke, my Lord, if you delight not in Man,

what Lenton entertainment the Players shall receiue

from you: wee coated them on the way, and hither are

they comming to offer you Seruice

 

Hamlet (392)

He that plays the king shall be welcome; his majesty

shall have tribute of me; the adventurous knight

shall use his foil and target; the lover shall not

sigh gratis; the humourous man shall end his part

in peace; the clown shall make those laugh whose

lungs are tickled o' the sere; and the lady shall

say her mind freely, or the blank verse shall halt

for't. What players are they?

Ham. He that playes the King shall be welcome; his

Maiesty shall haue Tribute of mee: the aduenturous

Knight shal vse his Foyle and Target: the Louer shall

not sigh gratis, the humorous man shall end his part in

peace: the Clowne shall make those laugh whose lungs

are tickled a'th' sere: and the Lady shall say her minde

freely; or the blanke Verse shall halt for't: what Players

are they?

 

Rosencrantz (393)

Even those you were wont to take delight in, the

340

tragedians of the city.

Rosin. Euen those you were wont to take delight in

the Tragedians of the City

 

Hamlet (394)

How chances it they travel? their residence, both

in reputation and profit, was better both ways.

Ham. How chances it they trauaile? their residence

both in reputation and profit was better both

wayes

 

Rosencrantz (395)

I think their inhibition comes by the means of the

late innovation.

Rosin. I thinke their Inhibition comes by the meanes

of the late Innouation?

 

Hamlet (396)

Do they hold the same estimation they did when I was

in the city? are they so followed?

Ham. Doe they hold the same estimation they did

when I was in the City? Are they so follow'd?

 

Rosencrantz (397)

No, indeed, are they not.

Rosin. No indeed, they are not

 

Hamlet (398)

How comes it? do they grow rusty?

Ham. How comes it? doe they grow rusty?

 

Rosencrantz (399)

Nay, their endeavour keeps in the wonted pace: but

350

there is, sir, an aery of children, little eyases,

that cry out on the top of question, and are most

tyrannically clapped for't: these are now the

fashion, and so berattle the common stages--so they

call them--that many wearing rapiers are afraid of

goose-quills and dare scarce come thither.

Rosin. Nay, their indeauour keepes in the wonted

pace; But there is Sir an ayrie of Children, little

Yases, that crye out on the top of question; and

are most tyrannically clap't for't: these are now the

fashion, and so be-ratled the common Stages (so they

call them) that many wearing Rapiers, are affraide of

Goose-quils, and dare scarse come thither

 

Hamlet (400)

What, are they children? who maintains 'em? how are

they escoted? Will they pursue the quality no

longer than they can sing? will they not say

afterwards, if they should grow themselves to common

360

players--as it is most like, if their means are no

better--their writers do them wrong, to make them

exclaim against their own succession?

Ham. What are they Children? Who maintains 'em?

How are they escorted? Will they pursue the Quality no

longer then they can sing? Will they not say afterwards

if they should grow themselues to common Players (as

it is most like if their meanes are not better) their Writers

do them wrong, to make them exclaim against their

owne Succession

 

Rosencrantz (401)

'Faith, there has been much to do on both sides; and

the nation holds it no sin to tarre them to

controversy: there was, for a while, no money bid

for argument, unless the poet and the player went to

cuffs in the question.

Rosin. Faith there ha's bene much to do on both sides:

and the Nation holds it no sinne, to tarre them to Controuersie.

There was for a while, no mony bid for argument,

vnlesse the Poet and the Player went to Cuffes in

the Question

 

Hamlet (402)

Is't possible?

Ham. Is't possible?

 

Guildenstern (403)

O, there has been much throwing about of brains.

Guild. Oh there ha's beene much throwing about of

Braines

 

Hamlet (404)

370

Do the boys carry it away?

Ham. Do the Boyes carry it away?

 

Rosencrantz (405)

Ay, that they do, my lord; Hercules and his load too.

Rosin. I that they do my Lord. Hercules & his load too

 

Hamlet (406)

It is not very strange; for mine uncle is king of

Denmark, and those that would make mows at him while

my father lived, give twenty, forty, fifty, an

hundred ducats a-piece for his picture in little.

'Sblood, there is something in this more than

natural, if philosophy could find it out.

Flourish of trumpets within

Ham. It is not strange: for mine Vnckle is King of

Denmarke, and those that would make mowes at him

while my Father liued; giue twenty, forty, an hundred

Ducates a peece, for his picture in Little. There is something

in this more then Naturall, if Philosophie could

finde it out.

Flourish for the Players.

 

Guildenstern (407)

There are the players.

Guil. There are the Players

 

Hamlet (408)

Gentlemen, you are welcome to Elsinore. Your hands,

380

come then: the appurtenance of welcome is fashion

and ceremony: let me comply with you in this garb,

lest my extent to the players, which, I tell you,

must show fairly outward, should more appear like

entertainment than yours. You are welcome: but my

uncle-father and aunt-mother are deceived.

Ham. Gentlemen, you are welcom to Elsonower: your

hands, come: The appurtenance of Welcome, is Fashion

and Ceremony. Let me comply with you in the Garbe,

lest my extent to the Players (which I tell you must shew

fairely outward) should more appeare like entertainment

then yours. You are welcome: but my Vnckle Father,

and Aunt Mother are deceiu'd

 

Guildenstern (409)

In what, my dear lord?

Guil. In what my deere Lord?

 

Hamlet (410)

I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is

southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw.

Ham. I am but mad North, North-West: when the

Winde is Southerly, I know a Hawke from a Handsaw.

Enter Polonius

 

Lord Polonius (411)

Well be with you, gentlemen!

Enter Polonius.

Pol. Well be with you Gentlemen

 

Hamlet (412)

390

Hark you, Guildenstern; and you too: at each ear a

hearer: that great baby you see there is not yet

out of his swaddling-clouts.

Ham. Hearke you Guildensterne, and you too: at each

eare a hearer: that great Baby you see there, is not yet

out of his swathing clouts

 

Rosencrantz (413)

Happily he's the second time come to them; for they

say an old man is twice a child.

Rosin. Happily he's the second time come to them: for

they say, an old man is twice a childe

 

Hamlet (414)

I will prophesy he comes to tell me of the players;

mark it. You say right, sir: o' Monday morning;

'twas so indeed.

Ham. I will Prophesie. Hee comes to tell me of the

Players. Mark it, you say right Sir: for a Monday morning

'twas so indeed

 

Lord Polonius (415)

My lord, I have news to tell you.

Pol. My Lord, I haue Newes to tell you

 

Hamlet (416)

My lord, I have news to tell you.

400

When Roscius was an actor in Rome.

Ham. My Lord, I haue Newes to tell you.

When Rossius an Actor in Rome-

 

Lord Polonius (417)

The actors are come hither, my lord.

Pol. The Actors are come hither my Lord

 

Hamlet (418)

Buz, buz!

Ham. Buzze, buzze

 

Lord Polonius (419)

Upon mine honour.

Pol. Vpon mine Honor

 

Hamlet (420)

Then came each actor on his ass-

Ham. Then can each Actor on his Asse-

 

Lord Polonius (421)

The best actors in the world, either for tragedy,

comedy, history, pastoral, pastoral-comical,

historical-pastoral, tragical-historical, tragical-

comical-historical-pastoral, scene individable, or

poem unlimited: Seneca cannot be too heavy, nor

410

Plautus too light. For the law of writ and the

liberty, these are the only men.

Polon. The best Actors in the world, either for Tragedie,

Comedie, Historie, Pastorall:

Pastoricall-Comicall-Historicall-Pastorall:

Tragicall-Historicall: Tragicall-Comicall-Historicall-Pastorall:

Scene indiuidible: or Poem

vnlimited. Seneca cannot be too heauy, nor Plautus

too light, for the law of Writ, and the Liberty. These are

the onely men

 

Hamlet (422)

O Jephthah, judge of Israel, what a treasure hadst thou!

Ham. O Iephta Iudge of Israel, what a Treasure had'st

thou?

 

Lord Polonius (423)

What a treasure had he, my lord?

Pol. What a Treasure had he, my Lord?

 

Hamlet (424)

Why,

'One fair daughter and no more,

The which he loved passing well.'

Ham. Why one faire Daughter, and no more,

The which he loued passing well

 

Lord Polonius (425)

[Aside] Still on my daughter.

Pol. Still on my Daughter

 

Hamlet (426)

Am I not i' the right, old Jephthah?

Ham. Am I not i'th' right old Iephta?

 

Lord Polonius (427)

If you call me Jephthah, my lord, I have a daughter

420

that I love passing well.

Polon. If you call me Iephta my Lord, I haue a daughter

that I loue passing well

 

Hamlet (428)

Nay, that follows not.

Ham. Nay that followes not

 

Lord Polonius (429)

What follows, then, my lord?

Polon. What followes then, my Lord?

 

Hamlet (430)

Why,

'As by lot, God wot,'

and then, you know,

'It came to pass, as most like it was,

the first row of the pious chanson will show you

more; for look, where my abridgement comes.

Enter four or five Players

You are welcome, masters; welcome, all. I am glad

430

to see thee well. Welcome, good friends. O, my old

friend! thy face is valenced since I saw thee last:

comest thou to beard me in Denmark? What, my young

lady and mistress! By'r lady, your ladyship is

nearer to heaven than when I saw you last, by the

altitude of a chopine. Pray God, your voice, like

apiece of uncurrent gold, be not cracked within the

ring. Masters, you are all welcome. We'll e'en

to't like French falconers, fly at any thing we see:

we'll have a speech straight: come, give us a taste

440

of your quality; come, a passionate speech.

Ha. Why, As by lot, God wot: and then you know, It

came to passe, as most like it was: The first rowe of the

Pons Chanson will shew you more. For looke where my

Abridgements come.

Enter foure or fiue Players.

Y'are welcome Masters, welcome all. I am glad to see

thee well: Welcome good Friends. Oh my olde Friend?

Thy face is valiant since I saw thee last: Com'st thou to

beard me in Denmarke? What, my yong Lady and Mistris?

Byrlady your Ladiship is neerer Heauen then when

I saw you last, by the altitude of a Choppine. Pray God

your voice like a peece of vncurrant Gold be not crack'd

within the ring. Masters, you are all welcome: wee'l e'ne

to't like French Faulconers, flie at any thing we see: wee'l

haue a Speech straight. Come giue vs a tast of your quality:

come, a passionate speech

 

First Player (431)

What speech, my lord?

1.Play. What speech, my Lord?

 

Hamlet (432)

I heard thee speak me a speech once, but it was

never acted; or, if it was, not above once; for the

play, I remember, pleased not the million; 'twas

caviare to the general: but it was (as I received

it, and others, whose judgments in such matters

cried in the top of mine) an excellent play, well

digested in the scenes, set down with as much

modesty as cunning. I remember, one said there

450

were no sallets in the lines to make the matter

savoury, nor no matter in the phrase that might

indict the author of affectation; but called it an

honest method, as wholesome as sweet, and by very

much more handsome than fine. One speech in it I

chiefly loved: 'twas Aeneas' Tale to Dido; and

thereabout of it especially, where he speaks of

Priam's slaughter: if it live in your memory, begin

at this line: let me see, let me see--

'The rugged Pyrrhus, like the Hyrcanian beast.'

460

It is not so: it begins with Pyrrhus

'The rugged Pyrrhus, he whose sable arms,

Black as his purpose, did the night resemble

When he lay couched in the ominous horse,

Hath now this dread and black complexion smear'd

With heraldry more dismal; head to foot

Now is he total gules; horridly trick'd

With blood of fathers, mothers, daughters, sons,

Baked and impasted with the parching streets,

That lend a tyrannous and damned light

470

To their lord's murder: roasted in wrath and fire,

And thus o'er-sized with coagulate gore,

With eyes like carbuncles, the hellish Pyrrhus

Old grandsire Priam seeks.'

So, proceed you.

Ham. I heard thee speak me a speech once, but it was

neuer Acted: or if it was, not aboue once, for the Play I

remember pleas'd not the Million, 'twas Cauiarie to the

Generall: but it was (as I receiu'd it, and others, whose

iudgement in such matters, cried in the top of mine) an

excellent Play; well digested in the Scoenes, set downe

with as much modestie, as cunning. I remember one said,

there was no Sallets in the lines, to make the matter sauory;

nor no matter in the phrase, that might indite the

Author of affectation, but cal'd it an honest method. One

cheefe Speech in it, I cheefely lou'd, 'twas Aeneas Tale

to Dido, and thereabout of it especially, where he speaks

of Priams slaughter. If it liue in your memory, begin at

this Line, let me see, let me see: The rugged Pyrrhus like

th'Hyrcanian Beast. It is not so: it begins with Pyrrhus

The rugged Pyrrhus, he whose Sable Armes

Blacke as his purpose, did the night resemble

When he lay couched in the Ominous Horse,

Hath now this dread and blacke Complexion smear'd

With Heraldry more dismall: Head to foote

Now is he to take Geulles, horridly Trick'd

With blood of Fathers, Mothers, Daughters, Sonnes,

Bak'd and impasted with the parching streets,

That lend a tyrannous, and damned light

To their vilde Murthers, roasted in wrath and fire,

And thus o're-sized with coagulate gore,

With eyes like Carbuncles, the hellish Pyrrhus

Olde Grandsire Priam seekes

 

Lord Polonius (433)

'Fore God, my lord, well spoken, with good accent and

good discretion.

Pol. Fore God, my Lord, well spoken, with good accent,

and good discretion

 

First Player (434)

'Anon he finds him

Striking too short at Greeks; his antique sword,

Rebellious to his arm, lies where it falls,

480

Repugnant to command: unequal match'd,

Pyrrhus at Priam drives; in rage strikes wide;

But with the whiff and wind of his fell sword

The unnerved father falls. Then senseless Ilium,

Seeming to feel this blow, with flaming top

Stoops to his base, and with a hideous crash

Takes prisoner Pyrrhus' ear: for, lo! his sword,

Which was declining on the milky head

Of reverend Priam, seem'd i' the air to stick:

So as a painted tyrant Pyrrhus stood,

490

And like a neutral to his will and matter,

Did nothing.

But, as we often see, against some storm,

A silence in the heavens, the rack stand still,

The bold winds speechless and the orb below

As hush as death, anon the dreadful thunder

Doth rend the region, so, after Pyrrhus' pause,

Aroused vengeance sets him new a-work;

And never did the Cyclops' hammers fall

On Mars's armour forged for proof eterne

500

With less remorse than Pyrrhus' bleeding sword

Now falls on Priam.

Out, out, thou strumpet, Fortune! All you gods,

In general synod 'take away her power;

Break all the spokes and fellies from her wheel,

And bowl the round nave down the hill of heaven,

As low as to the fiends!'

1.Player. Anon he findes him,

Striking too short at Greekes. His anticke Sword,

Rebellious to his Arme, lyes where it falles

Repugnant to command: vnequall match,

Pyrrhus at Priam driues, in Rage strikes wide:

But with the whiffe and winde of his fell Sword,

Th' vnnerued Father fals. Then senselesse Illium,

Seeming to feele his blow, with flaming top

Stoopes to his Bace, and with a hideous crash

Takes Prisoner Pyrrhus eare. For loe, his Sword

Which was declining on the Milkie head

Of Reuerend Priam, seem'd i'th' Ayre to sticke:

So as a painted Tyrant Pyrrhus stood,

And like a Newtrall to his will and matter, did nothing.

But as we often see against some storme,

A silence in the Heauens, the Racke stand still,

The bold windes speechlesse, and the Orbe below

As hush as death: Anon the dreadfull Thunder

Doth rend the Region. So after Pyrrhus pause,

A rowsed Vengeance sets him new a-worke,

And neuer did the Cyclops hammers fall

On Mars his Armours, forg'd for proofe Eterne,

With lesse remorse then Pyrrhus bleeding sword

Now falles on Priam.

Out, out, thou Strumpet-Fortune, all you Gods,

In generall Synod take away her power:

Breake all the Spokes and Fallies from her wheele,

And boule the round Naue downe the hill of Heauen,

As low as to the Fiends

 

Lord Polonius (435)

This is too long.

Pol. This is too long

 

Hamlet (436)

It shall to the barber's, with your beard. Prithee,

say on: he's for a jig or a tale of bawdry, or he

510

sleeps: say on: come to Hecuba.

Ham. It shall to'th Barbars, with your beard. Prythee

say on: He's for a Iigge, or a tale of Baudry, or hee

sleepes. Say on; come to Hecuba

 

First Player (437)

'But who, O, who had seen the mobled queen--'

1.Play. But who, O who, had seen the inobled Queen

 

Hamlet (438)

'The mobled queen?'

Ham. The inobled Queene?

 

Lord Polonius (439)

That's good; 'mobled queen' is good.

Pol. That's good: Inobled Queene is good

 

First Player (440)

'Run barefoot up and down, threatening the flames

With bisson rheum; a clout upon that head

Where late the diadem stood, and for a robe,

About her lank and all o'er-teemed loins,

A blanket, in the alarm of fear caught up;

Who this had seen, with tongue in venom steep'd,

520

'Gainst Fortune's state would treason have

pronounced:

But if the gods themselves did see her then

When she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport

In mincing with his sword her husband's limbs,

The instant burst of clamour that she made,

Unless things mortal move them not at all,

Would have made milch the burning eyes of heaven,

And passion in the gods.'

1.Play. Run bare-foot vp and downe,

Threatning the flame

With Bisson Rheume: A clout about that head,

Where late the Diadem stood, and for a Robe

About her lanke and all ore-teamed Loines,

A blanket in th' Alarum of feare caught vp.

Who this had seene, with tongue in Venome steep'd,

'Gainst Fortunes State, would Treason haue pronounc'd?

But if the Gods themselues did see her then,

When she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport

In mincing with his Sword her Husbands limbes,

The instant Burst of Clamour that she made

(Vnlesse things mortall moue them not at all)

Would haue made milche the Burning eyes of Heauen,

And passion in the Gods

 

Lord Polonius (441)

Look, whether he has not turned his colour and has

530

tears in's eyes. Pray you, no more.

Pol. Looke where he ha's not turn'd his colour, and

ha's teares in's eyes. Pray you no more

 

Hamlet (442)

'Tis well: I'll have thee speak out the rest soon.

Good my lord, will you see the players well

bestowed? Do you hear, let them be well used; for

they are the abstract and brief chronicles of the

time: after your death you were better have a bad

epitaph than their ill report while you live.

Ham. 'Tis well, Ile haue thee speake out the rest,

soone. Good my Lord, will you see the Players wel bestow'd.

Do ye heare, let them be well vs'd: for they are

the Abstracts and breefe Chronicles of the time. After

your death, you were better haue a bad Epitaph, then

their ill report while you liued

 

Lord Polonius (443)

My lord, I will use them according to their desert.

Pol. My Lord, I will vse them according to their desart

 

Hamlet (444)

God's bodykins, man, much better: use every man

after his desert, and who should 'scape whipping?

540

Use them after your own honour and dignity: the less

they deserve, the more merit is in your bounty.

Take them in.

Ham. Gods bodykins man, better. Vse euerie man

after his desart, and who should scape whipping: vse

them after your own Honor and Dignity. The lesse they

deserue, the more merit is in your bountie. Take them

in

 

Lord Polonius (445)

Come, sirs.

Pol. Come sirs.

Exit Polon.

 

Hamlet (446)

Exit Polonius.

Follow him, friends: we'll hear a play to-morrow.

All the players except the first follow Polonius out.

Dost thou hear me, old friend; can you play the

Murder of Gonzago?

Ham. Follow him Friends: wee'l heare a play to morrow.

Dost thou heare me old Friend, can you play the

murther of Gonzago?

 

First Player (447)

Ay, my lord.

Play. I my Lord

 

Hamlet (448)

We'll ha't to-morrow night. You could, for a need,

study a speech of some dozen or sixteen lines, which

550

I would set down and insert in't, could you not?

Ham. Wee'l ha't to morrow night. You could for a

need study a speech of some dosen or sixteene lines, which

I would set downe, and insert in't? Could ye not?

 

First Player (449)

Ay, my lord.

Play. I my Lord

 

Hamlet (450)

Very well. Follow that lord; and look you mock him

not.

Exit First Player

My good friends, I'll leave you till night: you are

welcome to Elsinore.

Ham. Very well. Follow that Lord, and looke you

mock him not. My good Friends, Ile leaue you til night

you are welcome to Elsonower?

 

Rosencrantz (451)

Good my lord!

Everyone exits except Hamlet.

Rosin. Good my Lord.

Exeunt.

Manet Hamlet.

 

Hamlet (452)

Ay, so, God be wi' ye;

Now I am alone.

O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!

560

Is it not monstrous that this player here,

But in a fiction, in a dream of passion,

Could force his soul so to his own conceit

That from her working all his visage wann'd,

Tears in his eyes, distraction in's aspect,

A broken voice, and his whole function suiting

With forms to his conceit? and all for nothing!

For Hecuba!

What's Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba,

That he should weep for her? What would he do,

570

Had he the motive and the cue for passion

That I have? He would drown the stage with tears

And cleave the general ear with horrid speech,

Make mad the guilty and appal the free,

Confound the ignorant, and amaze indeed

The very faculties of eyes and ears. Yet I,

A dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peak,

Like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause,

And can say nothing; no, not for a king,

Upon whose property and most dear life

580

A damn'd defeat was made. Am I a coward?

Who calls me villain? breaks my pate across?

Plucks off my beard, and blows it in my face?

Tweaks me by the nose? gives me the lie i' the throat,

As deep as to the lungs? who does me this?

Ha!

'Swounds, I should take it: for it cannot be

But I am pigeon-liver'd and lack gall

To make oppression bitter, or ere this

I should have fatted all the region kites

590

With this slave's offal: bloody, bawdy villain!

Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain!

O, vengeance!

Why, what an ass am I! This is most brave,

That I, the son of a dear father murder'd,

Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell,

Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words,

And fall a-cursing, like a very drab,

A scullion!

Fie upon't! foh! About, my brain! I have heard

600

That guilty creatures sitting at a play

Have by the very cunning of the scene

Been struck so to the soul that presently

They have proclaim'd their malefactions;

For murder, though it have no tongue, will speak

With most miraculous organ. I'll have these players

Play something like the murder of my father

Before mine uncle: I'll observe his looks;

I'll tent him to the quick: if he but blench,

I know my course. The spirit that I have seen

610

May be the devil: and the devil hath power

To assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps

Out of my weakness and my melancholy,

As he is very potent with such spirits,

Abuses me to damn me: I'll have grounds

More relative than this: the play 's the thing

Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king.

Exit

Ham. I so, God buy'ye: Now I am alone.

Oh what a Rogue and Pesant slaue am I?

Is it not monstrous that this Player heere,

But in a Fixion, in a dreame of Passion,

Could force his soule so to his whole conceit,

That from her working, all his visage warm'd;

Teares in his eyes, distraction in's Aspect,

A broken voyce, and his whole Function suiting

With Formes, to his Conceit? And all for nothing?

For Hecuba?

What's Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba,

That he should weepe for her? What would he doe,

Had he the Motiue and the Cue for passion

That I haue? He would drowne the Stage with teares,

And cleaue the generall eare with horrid speech:

Make mad the guilty, and apale the free,

Confound the ignorant, and amaze indeed,

The very faculty of Eyes and Eares. Yet I,

A dull and muddy-metled Rascall, peake

Like Iohn a-dreames, vnpregnant of my cause,

And can say nothing: No, not for a King,

Vpon whose property, and most deere life,

A damn'd defeate was made. Am I a Coward?

Who calles me Villaine? breakes my pate a-crosse?

Pluckes off my Beard, and blowes it in my face?

Tweakes me by'th' Nose? giues me the Lye i'th' Throate,

As deepe as to the Lungs? Who does me this?

Ha? Why I should take it: for it cannot be,

But I am Pigeon-Liuer'd, and lacke Gall

To make Oppression bitter, or ere this,

I should haue fatted all the Region Kites

With this Slaues Offall, bloudy: a Bawdy villaine,

Remorselesse, Treacherous, Letcherous, kindles villaine!

Oh Vengeance!

Who? What an Asse am I? I sure, this is most braue,

That I, the Sonne of the Deere murthered,

Prompted to my Reuenge by Heauen, and Hell,

Must (like a Whore) vnpacke my heart with words,

And fall a Cursing like a very Drab.

A Scullion? Fye vpon't: Foh. About my Braine.

I haue heard, that guilty Creatures sitting at a Play,

Haue by the very cunning of the Scoene,

Bene strooke so to the soule, that presently

They haue proclaim'd their Malefactions.

For Murther, though it haue no tongue, will speake

With most myraculous Organ. Ile haue these Players,

Play something like the murder of my Father,

Before mine Vnkle. Ile obserue his lookes,

Ile rent him to the quicke: If he but blench

I know my course. The Spirit that I haue seene

May be the Diuell, and the Diuel hath power

T' assume a pleasing shape, yea and perhaps

Out of my Weaknesse, and my Melancholly,

As he is very potent with such Spirits,

Abuses me to damne me. Ile haue grounds

More Relatiue then this: The Play's the thing,

Wherein Ile catch the Conscience of the King.

Exit

expandMe Act III.

expandMe Act III. Scene I. A room in the castle.

3 - 1:    Act III. Scene I. A room in the castle.

Enter King Claudius, Queen Gertrude, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, and Lords

 

King Claudius (453)

And can you, by no drift of circumstance,

Get from him why he puts on this confusion,

Grating so harshly all his days of quiet

With turbulent and dangerous lunacy?

Enter King, Queene, Polonius, Ophelia, Ro-
sincrance, Guildenstern, and Lords.

King. And can you by no drift of circumstance

Get from him why he puts on this Confusion:

Grating so harshly all his dayes of quiet

With turbulent and dangerous Lunacy

 

Rosencrantz (454)

He does confess he feels himself distracted;

But from what cause he will by no means speak.

Rosin. He does confesse he feeles himselfe distracted,

But from what cause he will by no meanes speake

 

Guildenstern (455)

Nor do we find him forward to be sounded,

But, with a crafty madness, keeps aloof,

When we would bring him on to some confession

10

Of his true state.

Guil. Nor do we finde him forward to be sounded,

But with a crafty Madnesse keepes aloofe:

When we would bring him on to some Confession

Of his true state

 

Queen Gertrude (456)

Did he receive you well?

Qu. Did he receiue you well?

 

Rosencrantz (457)

Most like a gentleman.

Rosin. Most like a Gentleman

 

Guildenstern (458)

But with much forcing of his disposition.

Guild. But with much forcing of his disposition

 

Rosencrantz (459)

Niggard of question; but, of our demands,

Most free in his reply.

Rosin. Niggard of question, but of our demands

Most free in his reply

 

Queen Gertrude (460)

Did you assay him?

To any pastime?

Qu. Did you assay him to any pastime?

 

Rosencrantz (461)

Madam, it so fell out, that certain players

We o'er-raught on the way: of these we told him;

20

And there did seem in him a kind of joy

To hear of it: they are about the court,

And, as I think, they have already order

This night to play before him.

Rosin. Madam, it so fell out, that certaine Players

We ore-wrought on the way: of these we told him,

And there did seeme in him a kinde of ioy

To heare of it: They are about the Court,

And (as I thinke) they haue already order

This night to play before him

 

Lord Polonius (462)

'Tis most true:

And he beseech'd me to entreat your majesties

To hear and see the matter.

Pol. 'Tis most true:

And he beseech'd me to intreate your Maiesties

To heare, and see the matter

 

King Claudius (463)

With all my heart; and it doth much content me

To hear him so inclined.

Good gentlemen, give him a further edge,

30

And drive his purpose on to these delights.

King. With all my heart, and it doth much content me

To heare him so inclin'd. Good Gentlemen,

Giue him a further edge, and driue his purpose on

To these delights

 

Rosencrantz (464)

We shall, my lord.

Exit Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

Rosin. We shall my Lord.

Exeunt.

 

King Claudius (465)

Sweet Gertrude, leave us too;

For we have closely sent for Hamlet hither,

That he, as 'twere by accident, may here

Affront Ophelia:

Her father and myself, lawful espials,

Will so bestow ourselves that, seeing, unseen,

We may of their encounter frankly judge,

And gather by him, as he is behaved,

40

If 't be the affliction of his love or no

That thus he suffers for.

King. Sweet Gertrude leaue vs too,

For we haue closely sent for Hamlet hither,

That he, as 'twere by accident, may there

Affront Ophelia. Her Father, and my selfe (lawful espials)

Will so bestow our selues, that seeing vnseene

We may of their encounter frankely iudge,

And gather by him, as he is behaued,

If't be th' affliction of his loue, or no.

That thus he suffers for

 

Queen Gertrude (466)

I shall obey you.

And for your part, Ophelia, I do wish

That your good beauties be the happy cause

Of Hamlet's wildness: so shall I hope your virtues

Will bring him to his wonted way again,

To both your honours.

Qu. I shall obey you,

And for your part Ophelia, I do wish

That your good Beauties be the happy cause

Of Hamlets wildenesse: so shall I hope your Vertues

Will bring him to his wonted way againe,

To both your Honors

 

Ophelia (467)

Madam, I wish it may.

Exit Queen Gertrude

Ophe. Madam, I wish it may

 

Lord Polonius (468)

Ophelia, walk you here. Gracious, so please you,

50

We will bestow ourselves.

To Ophelia

Read on this book;

That show of such an exercise may colour

Your loneliness. We are oft to blame in this,

'Tis too much proved--that with devotion's visage

And pious action we do sugar o'er

The devil himself.

Pol. Ophelia, walke you heere. Gracious so please ye

We will bestow our selues: Reade on this booke,

That shew of such an exercise may colour

Your lonelinesse. We are oft too blame in this,

'Tis too much prou'd, that with Deuotions visage,

And pious Action, we do surge o're

The diuell himselfe

 

King Claudius (469)

[Aside] O, 'tis too true!

How smart a lash that speech doth give my conscience!

The harlot's cheek, beautied with plastering art,

60

Is not more ugly to the thing that helps it

Than is my deed to my most painted word:

O heavy burthen!

King. Oh 'tis true:

How smart a lash that speech doth giue my Conscience?

The Harlots Cheeke beautied with plaist'ring Art

Is not more vgly to the thing that helpes it,

Then is my deede, to my most painted word.

Oh heauie burthen!

 

Lord Polonius (470)

I hear him coming: let's withdraw, my lord.

Exit King Claudius and Polonius

Pol. I heare him comming, let's withdraw my Lord.

Exeunt.

 

Hamlet (471)

Enter Hamlet

To be, or not to be: that is the question:

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,

And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;

No more; and by a sleep to say we end

70

The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks

That flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation

Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;

To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub;

For in that sleep of death what dreams may come

When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,

Must give us pause: there's the respect

That makes calamity of so long life;

For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,

The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,

80

The pangs of despised love, the law's delay,

The insolence of office and the spurns

That patient merit of the unworthy takes,

When he himself might his quietus make

With a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear,

To grunt and sweat under a weary life,

But that the dread of something after death,

The undiscover'd country from whose bourn

No traveller returns, puzzles the will

And makes us rather bear those ills we have

90

Than fly to others that we know not of?

Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;

And thus the native hue of resolution

Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,

And enterprises of great pith and moment

With this regard their currents turn awry,

And lose the name of action.--Soft you now!

The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons

Be all my sins remember'd.

Enter Hamlet.

Ham. To be, or not to be, that is the Question:

Whether 'tis Nobler in the minde to suffer

The Slings and Arrowes of outragious Fortune,

Or to take Armes against a Sea of troubles,

And by opposing end them: to dye, to sleepe

No more; and by a sleepe, to say we end

The Heart-ake, and the thousand Naturall shockes

That Flesh is heyre too? 'Tis a consummation

Deuoutly to be wish'd. To dye to sleepe,

To sleepe, perchance to Dreame; I, there's the rub,

For in that sleepe of death, what dreames may come,

When we haue shuffel'd off this mortall coile,

Must giue vs pawse. There's the respect

That makes Calamity of so long life:

For who would beare the Whips and Scornes of time,

The Oppressors wrong, the poore mans Contumely,

The pangs of dispriz'd Loue, the Lawes delay,

The insolence of Office, and the Spurnes

That patient merit of the vnworthy takes,

When he himselfe might his Quietus make

With a bare Bodkin? Who would these Fardles beare

To grunt and sweat vnder a weary life,

But that the dread of something after death,

The vndiscouered Countrey, from whose Borne

No Traueller returnes, Puzels the will,

And makes vs rather beare those illes we haue,

Then flye to others that we know not of.

Thus Conscience does make Cowards of vs all,

And thus the Natiue hew of Resolution

Is sicklied o're, with the pale cast of Thought,

And enterprizes of great pith and moment,

With this regard their Currants turne away,

And loose the name of Action. Soft you now,

The faire Ophelia? Nimph, in thy Orizons

Be all my sinnes remembred

 

Ophelia (472)

Good my lord,

100

How does your honour for this many a day?

Ophe. Good my Lord,

How does your Honor for this many a day?

 

Hamlet (473)

I humbly thank you; well, well, well.

Ham. I humbly thanke you: well, well, well

 

Ophelia (474)

My lord, I have remembrances of yours,

That I have longed long to re-deliver;

I pray you, now receive them.

Ophe. My Lord, I haue Remembrances of yours,

That I haue longed long to re-deliuer.

I pray you now, receiue them

 

Hamlet (475)

No, not I;

I never gave you aught.

Ham. No, no, I neuer gaue you ought

 

Ophelia (476)

My honour'd lord, you know right well you did;

And, with them, words of so sweet breath composed

As made the things more rich: their perfume lost,

110

Take these again; for to the noble mind

Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind.

There, my lord.

Ophe. My honor'd Lord, I know right well you did,

And with them words of so sweet breath compos'd,

As made the things more rich, then perfume left:

Take these againe, for to the Noble minde

Rich gifts wax poore, when giuers proue vnkinde.

There my Lord

 

Hamlet (477)

Ha, ha! are you honest?

Ham. Ha, ha: Are you honest?

 

Ophelia (478)

My lord?

Ophe. My Lord

 

Hamlet (479)

Are you fair?

Ham. Are you faire?

 

Ophelia (480)

What means your lordship?

Ophe. What meanes your Lordship?

 

Hamlet (481)

That if you be honest and fair, your honesty should

admit no discourse to your beauty.

Ham. That if you be honest and faire, your Honesty

should admit no discourse to your Beautie

 

Ophelia (482)

Could beauty, my lord, have better commerce than

120

with honesty?

Ophe. Could Beautie my Lord, haue better Comerce

then your Honestie?

 

Hamlet (483)

Ay, truly; for the power of beauty will sooner

transform honesty from what it is to a bawd than the

force of honesty can translate beauty into his

likeness: this was sometime a paradox, but now the

time gives it proof. I did love you once.

Ham. I trulie: for the power of Beautie, will sooner

transforme Honestie from what is, to a Bawd, then the

force of Honestie can translate Beautie into his likenesse.

This was sometime a Paradox, but now the time giues it

proofe. I did loue you once

 

Ophelia (484)

Indeed, my lord, you made me believe so.

Ophe. Indeed my Lord, you made me beleeue so

 

Hamlet (485)

You should not have believed me; for virtue cannot

so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of

it: I loved you not.

Ham. You should not haue beleeued me. For vertue

cannot so innocculate our old stocke, but we shall rellish

of it. I loued you not

 

Ophelia (486)

130

I was the more deceived.

Ophe. I was the more deceiued

 

Hamlet (487)

Get thee to a nunnery: why wouldst thou be a

breeder of sinners? I am myself indifferent honest;

but yet I could accuse me of such things that it

were better my mother had not borne me: I am very

proud, revengeful, ambitious, with more offences at

my beck than I have thoughts to put them in,

imagination to give them shape, or time to act them

in. What should such fellows as I do crawling

between earth and heaven? We are arrant knaves,

140

all; believe none of us. Go thy ways to a nunnery.

Where's your father?

Ham. Get thee to a Nunnerie. Why would'st thou

be a breeder of Sinners? I am my selfe indifferent honest,

but yet I could accuse me of such things, that it were better

my Mother had not borne me. I am very prowd, reuengefull,

Ambitious, with more offences at my becke,

then I haue thoughts to put them in imagination, to giue

them shape, or time to acte them in. What should such

Fellowes as I do, crawling betweene Heauen and Earth.

We are arrant Knaues all, beleeue none of vs. Goe thy

wayes to a Nunnery. Where's your Father?

 

Ophelia (488)

At home, my lord.

Ophe. At home, my Lord

 

Hamlet (489)

Let the doors be shut upon him, that he may play the

fool no where but in's own house. Farewell.

Ham. Let the doores be shut vpon him, that he may

play the Foole no way, but in's owne house. Farewell

 

Ophelia (490)

O, help him, you sweet heavens!

Ophe. O helpe him, you sweet Heauens

 

Hamlet (491)

If thou dost marry, I'll give thee this plague for

thy dowry: be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as

snow, thou shalt not escape calumny. Get thee to a

nunnery, go: farewell. Or, if thou wilt needs

150

marry, marry a fool; for wise men know well enough

what monsters you make of them. To a nunnery, go,

and quickly too. Farewell.

Ham. If thou doest Marry, Ile giue thee this Plague

for thy Dowrie. Be thou as chast as Ice, as pure as Snow,

thou shalt not escape Calumny. Get thee to a Nunnery.

Go, Farewell. Or if thou wilt needs Marry, marry a fool:

for Wise men know well enough, what monsters you

make of them. To a Nunnery go, and quickly too. Farwell

 

Ophelia (492)

O heavenly powers, restore him!

Ophe. O heauenly Powers, restore him

 

Hamlet (493)

I have heard of your paintings too, well enough; God

has given you one face, and you make yourselves

another: you jig, you amble, and you lisp, and

nick-name God's creatures, and make your wantonness

your ignorance. Go to, I'll no more on't; it hath

made me mad. I say, we will have no more marriages:

160

those that are married already, all but one, shall

live; the rest shall keep as they are. To a

nunnery, go.

Exit

Ham. I haue heard of your pratlings too wel enough.

God has giuen you one pace, and you make your selfe another:

you gidge, you amble, and you lispe, and nickname

Gods creatures, and make your Wantonnesse, your Ignorance.

Go too, Ile no more on't, it hath made me mad.

I say, we will haue no more Marriages. Those that are

married already, all but one shall liue, the rest shall keep

as they are. To a Nunnery, go.

Exit Hamlet

 

Ophelia (494)

O, what a noble mind is here o'erthrown!

The courtier's, soldier's, scholar's, eye, tongue, sword;

The expectancy and rose of the fair state,

The glass of fashion and the mould of form,

The observed of all observers, quite, quite down!

And I, of ladies most deject and wretched,

That suck'd the honey of his music vows,

170

Now see that noble and most sovereign reason,

Like sweet bells jangled, out of tune and harsh;

That unmatch'd form and feature of blown youth

Blasted with ecstasy: O, woe is me,

To have seen what I have seen, see what I see!

Ophe. O what a Noble minde is heere o're-throwne?

The Courtiers, Soldiers, Schollers: Eye, tongue, sword,

Th' expectansie and Rose of the faire State,

The glasse of Fashion, and the mould of Forme,

Th' obseru'd of all Obseruers, quite, quite downe.

Haue I of Ladies most deiect and wretched,

That suck'd the Honie of his Musicke Vowes:

Now see that Noble, and most Soueraigne Reason,

Like sweet Bels iangled out of tune, and harsh,

That vnmatch'd Forme and Feature of blowne youth,

Blasted with extasie. Oh woe is me,

T'haue seene what I haue seene: see what I see.

Enter King Claudius and Polonius

 

King Claudius (495)

Love? His affections do not that way tend;

Nor what he spake, though it lack'd form a little,

Was not like madness. There's something in his soul,

O'er which his melancholy sits on brood;

And I do doubt the hatch and the disclose

180

Will be some danger: which for to prevent,

I have in quick determination

Thus set it down: he shall with speed to England,

For the demand of our neglected tribute

Haply the seas and countries different

With variable objects shall expel

This something-settled matter in his heart,

Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus

From fashion of himself. What think you on't?

Enter King, and Polonius.

King. Loue? His affections do not that way tend,

Nor what he spake, though it lack'd Forme a little,

Was not like Madnesse. There's something in his soule?

O're which his Melancholly sits on brood,

And I do doubt the hatch, and the disclose

Will be some danger, which to preuent

I haue in quicke determination

Thus set it downe. He shall with speed to England

For the demand of our neglected Tribute:

Haply the Seas and Countries different

With variable Obiects, shall expell

This something setled matter in his heart:

Whereon his Braines still beating, puts him thus

From fashion of himselfe. What thinke you on't?

 

Lord Polonius (496)

It shall do well: but yet do I believe

190

The origin and commencement of his grief

Sprung from neglected love. How now, Ophelia!

You need not tell us what Lord Hamlet said;

We heard it all. My lord, do as you please;

But, if you hold it fit, after the play

Let his queen mother all alone entreat him

To show his grief: let her be round with him;

And I'll be placed, so please you, in the ear

Of all their conference. If she find him not,

To England send him, or confine him where

200

Your wisdom best shall think.

Pol. It shall do well. But yet do I beleeue

The Origin and Commencement of this greefe

Sprung from neglected loue. How now Ophelia?

You neede not tell vs, what Lord Hamlet saide,

We heard it all. My Lord, do as you please,

But if you hold it fit after the Play,

Let his Queene Mother all alone intreat him

To shew his Greefes: let her be round with him,

And Ile be plac'd so, please you in the eare

Of all their Conference. If she finde him not,

To England send him: Or confine him where

Your wisedome best shall thinke

 

King Claudius (497)

It shall be so:

Madness in great ones must not unwatch'd go.

Exeunt

King. It shall be so:

Madnesse in great Ones, must not vnwatch'd go.

Exeunt.

expandMe Act III. Scene II. A hall in the castle.

3 - 2:    Act III. Scene II. A hall in the castle.

Enter Hamlet and Players

 

Hamlet (498)

Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to

you, trippingly on the tongue: but if you mouth it,

as many of your players do, I had as lief the

town-crier spoke my lines. Nor do not saw the air

too much with your hand, thus, but use all gently;

for in the very torrent, tempest, and, as I may say,

the whirlwind of passion, you must acquire and beget

a temperance that may give it smoothness. O, it

offends me to the soul to hear a robustious

10

periwig-pated fellow tear a passion to tatters, to

very rags, to split the ears of the groundlings, who

for the most part are capable of nothing but

inexplicable dumbshows and noise: I would have such

a fellow whipped for o'erdoing Termagant; it

out-herods Herod: pray you, avoid it.

Enter Hamlet, and two or three of the Players.

Ham. Speake the Speech I pray you, as I pronounc'd

it to you trippingly on the Tongue: But if you mouth it,

as many of your Players do, I had as liue the Town-Cryer

had spoke my Lines: Nor do not saw the Ayre too much

your hand thus, but vse all gently; for in the verie Torrent,

Tempest, and (as I say) the Whirle-winde of

Passion, you must acquire and beget a Temperance that

may giue it Smoothnesse. O it offends mee to the Soule,

to see a robustious Pery-wig-pated Fellow, teare a Passion

to tatters, to verie ragges, to split the eares of the

Groundlings: who (for the most part) are capeable of

nothing, but inexplicable dumbe shewes, & noise: I could

haue such a Fellow whipt for o're-doing Termagant: it

outHerod's Herod. Pray you auoid it

 

First Player (499)

I warrant your honour.

Player. I warrant your Honor

 

Hamlet (500)

Be not too tame neither, but let your own discretion

be your tutor: suit the action to the word, the

word to the action; with this special o'erstep not

20

the modesty of nature: for any thing so overdone is

from the purpose of playing, whose end, both at the

first and now, was and is, to hold, as 'twere, the

mirror up to nature; to show virtue her own feature,

scorn her own image, and the very age and body of

the time his form and pressure. Now this overdone,

or come tardy off, though it make the unskilful

laugh, cannot but make the judicious grieve; the

censure of the which one must in your allowance

o'erweigh a whole theatre of others. O, there be

30

players that I have seen play, and heard others

praise, and that highly, not to speak it profanely,

that, neither having the accent of Christians nor

the gait of Christian, pagan, nor man, have so

strutted and bellowed that I have thought some of

nature's journeymen had made men and not made them

well, they imitated humanity so abominably.

Ham. Be not too tame neyther: but let your owne

Discretion be your Tutor. Sute the Action to the Word,

the Word to the Action, with this speciall obseruance:

That you ore-stop not the modestie of Nature; for any

thing so ouer-done, is fro[m] the purpose of Playing, whose

end both at the first and now, was and is, to hold as 'twer

the Mirrour vp to Nature; to shew Vertue her owne

Feature, Scorne her owne Image, and the verie Age and

Bodie of the Time, his forme and pressure. Now, this

ouer-done, or come tardie off, though it make the vnskilfull

laugh, cannot but make the Iudicious greeue; The

censure of the which One, must in your allowance o'reway

a whole Theater of Others. Oh, there bee Players

that I haue seene Play, and heard others praise, and that

highly (not to speake it prophanely) that neyther hauing

the accent of Christians, nor the gate of Christian, Pagan,

or Norman, haue so strutted and bellowed, that I haue

thought some of Natures Iouerney-men had made men,

and not made them well, they imitated Humanity so abhominably

 

First Player (501)

I hope we have reformed that indifferently with us,

sir.

Play. I hope we haue reform'd that indifferently with

vs, Sir

 

Hamlet (502)

O, reform it altogether. And let those that play

40

your clowns speak no more than is set down for them;

for there be of them that will themselves laugh, to

set on some quantity of barren spectators to laugh

too; though, in the mean time, some necessary

question of the play be then to be considered:

that's villanous, and shows a most pitiful ambition

in the fool that uses it. Go, make you ready.

Exit Players

Enter Polonius, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern

How now, my lord! I will the king hear this piece of work?

Ham. O reforme it altogether. And let those that

play your Clownes, speake no more then is set downe for

them. For there be of them, that will themselues laugh,

to set on some quantitie of barren Spectators to laugh

too, though in the meane time, some necessary Question

of the Play be then to be considered: that's Villanous, &

shewes a most pittifull Ambition in the Foole that vses

it. Go make you readie.

Exit Players.

Enter Polonius, Rosincrance, and Guildensterne.

How now my Lord,

Will the King heare this peece of Worke?

 

Lord Polonius (503)

And the queen too, and that presently.

Pol. And the Queene too, and that presently

 

Hamlet (504)

Bid the players make haste.

Exit Polonius

50

Will you two help to hasten them?

Ham. Bid the Players make hast.

Exit Polonius.

Will you two helpe to hasten them?

 

Rosencrantz (505)

We will, my lord.

Exit Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

Both. We will my Lord.

Exeunt.

Enter Horatio

 

Hamlet (506)

What ho! Horatio!

Enter Horatio.

Ham. What hoa, Horatio?

 

Horatio (507)

Here, sweet lord, at your service.

Hora. Heere sweet Lord, at your Seruice

 

Hamlet (508)

Horatio, thou art e'en as just a man

As e'er my conversation coped withal.

Ham. Horatio, thou art eene as iust a man

As ere my Conuersation coap'd withall

 

Horatio (509)

O, my dear lord.

Hora. O my deere Lord

 

Hamlet (510)

Nay, do not think I flatter;

For what advancement may I hope from thee

That no revenue hast but thy good spirits,

60

To feed and clothe thee? Why should the poor be flatter'd?

No, let the candied tongue lick absurd pomp,

And crook the pregnant hinges of the knee

Where thrift may follow fawning. Dost thou hear?

Since my dear soul was mistress of her choice

And could of men distinguish, her election

Hath seal'd thee for herself; for thou hast been

As one, in suffering all, that suffers nothing,

A man that fortune's buffets and rewards

Hast ta'en with equal thanks: and blest are those

70

Whose blood and judgment are so well commingled,

That they are not a pipe for fortune's finger

To sound what stop she please. Give me that man

That is not passion's slave, and I will wear him

In my heart's core, ay, in my heart of heart,

As I do thee.--Something too much of this.--

There is a play toight before the king;

One scene of it comes near the circumstance

Which I have told thee of my father's death:

I prithee, when thou seest that act afoot,

80

Even with the very comment of thy soul

Observe mine uncle: if his occulted guilt

Do not itself unkennel in one speech,

It is a damned ghost that we have seen,

And my imaginations are as foul

As Vulcan's stithy. Give him heedful note;

For I mine eyes will rivet to his face,

And after we will both our judgments join

In censure of his seeming.

Ham. Nay, do not thinke I flatter:

For what aduancement may I hope from thee,

That no Reuennew hast, but thy good spirits

To feed & cloath thee. Why shold the poor be flatter'd?

No, let the Candied tongue, like absurd pompe,

And crooke the pregnant Hindges of the knee,

Where thrift may follow faining? Dost thou heare,

Since my deere Soule was Mistris of my choyse,

And could of men distinguish, her election

Hath seal'd thee for her selfe. For thou hast bene

As one in suffering all, that suffers nothing.

A man that Fortunes buffets, and Rewards

Hath 'tane with equall Thankes. And blest are those,

Whose Blood and Iudgement are so well co-mingled,

That they are not a Pipe for Fortunes finger.

To sound what stop she please. Giue me that man,

That is not Passions Slaue, and I will weare him

In my hearts Core. I, in my Heart of heart,

As I do thee. Something too much of this.

There is a Play to night to before the King.

One Scoene of it comes neere the Circumstance

Which I haue told thee, of my Fathers death.

I prythee, when thou see'st that Acte a-foot,

Euen with the verie Comment of my Soule

Obserue mine Vnkle: If his occulted guilt,

Do not it selfe vnkennell in one speech,

It is a damned Ghost that we haue seene:

And my Imaginations are as foule

As Vulcans Stythe. Giue him needfull note,

For I mine eyes will riuet to his Face:

And after we will both our iudgements ioyne,

To censure of his seeming

 

Horatio (511)

Well, my lord:

90

If he steal aught the whilst this play is playing,

And 'scape detecting, I will pay the theft.

Hora. Well my Lord.

If he steale ought the whil'st this Play is Playing,

And scape detecting, I will pay the Theft.

 

Hamlet (512)

They are coming to the play; I must be idle:

Get you a place.

Enter King, Queene, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosincrance,
Guildensterne, and
other Lords attendant with his Guard carrying Torches. Danish
March. Sound
a Flourish.

Ham. They are comming to the Play: I must be idle.

Get you a place

Danish march. A flourish. Enter King Claudius, Queen Gertrude, Polonius, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosincrance, Guildensterne, and other Lords attendant with guards carrying torches.

 

King Claudius (513)

How fares our cousin Hamlet?

King. How fares our Cosin Hamlet?

 

Hamlet (514)

Excellent, i' faith; of the chameleon's dish: I eat

the air, promise-crammed: you cannot feed capons so.

Ham. Excellent Ifaith, of the Camelions dish: I eate

the Ayre promise-cramm'd, you cannot feed Capons so

 

King Claudius (515)

I have nothing with this answer, Hamlet; these words

are not mine.

King. I haue nothing with this answer Hamlet, these

words are not mine

 

Hamlet (516)

No, nor mine now.

To Polonius

100

My lord, you played once i' the university, you say?

Ham. No, nor mine. Now my Lord, you plaid once

i'th' Vniuersity, you say?

 

Lord Polonius (517)

That did I, my lord; and was accounted a good actor.

Polon. That I did my Lord, and was accounted a good

Actor

 

Hamlet (518)

What did you enact?

Ham. And what did you enact?

 

Lord Polonius (519)

I did enact Julius Caesar: I was killed i' the

Capitol; Brutus killed me.

Pol. I did enact Iulius Caesar, I was kill'd i'th' Capitol:

Brutus kill'd me

 

Hamlet (520)

It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf

there. Be the players ready?

Ham. It was a bruite part of him, to kill so Capitall a

Calfe there. Be the Players ready?

 

Rosencrantz (521)

Ay, my lord; they stay upon your patience.

Rosin. I my Lord, they stay vpon your patience

 

Queen Gertrude (522)

Come hither, my dear Hamlet, sit by me.

Qu. Come hither my good Hamlet, sit by me

 

Hamlet (523)

No, good mother, here's metal more attractive.

Ha. No good Mother, here's Mettle more attractiue

 

Lord Polonius (524)

110

[To King Claudius] O, ho! do you mark that?

Pol. Oh ho, do you marke that?

 

Hamlet (525)

Lady, shall I lie in your lap?

Lying down at Ophelia's feet

Ham. Ladie, shall I lye in your Lap?

 

Ophelia (526)

No, my lord.

Ophe. No my Lord

 

Hamlet (527)

I mean, my head upon your lap?

Ham. I meane, my Head vpon your Lap?

 

Ophelia (528)

Ay, my lord.

Ophe. I my Lord

 

Hamlet (529)

Do you think I meant country matters?

Ham. Do you thinke I meant Country matters?

 

Ophelia (530)

I think nothing, my lord.

Ophe. I thinke nothing, my Lord

 

Hamlet (531)

That's a fair thought to lie between maids' legs.

Ham. That's a faire thought to ly betweene Maids legs

 

Ophelia (532)

What is, my lord?

Ophe. What is my Lord?

 

Hamlet (533)

Nothing.

Ham. Nothing

 

Ophelia (534)

120

You are merry, my lord.

Ophe. You are merrie, my Lord?

 

Hamlet (535)

Who, I?

Ham. Who I?

 

Ophelia (536)

Ay, my lord.

Ophe. I my Lord

 

Hamlet (537)

O God, your only jig-maker. What should a man do

but be merry? for, look you, how cheerfully my

mother looks, and my father died within these two hours.

Ham. Oh God, your onely Iigge-maker: what should

a man do, but be merrie. For looke you how cheerefully

my Mother lookes, and my Father dyed within's two

Houres

 

Ophelia (538)

Nay, 'tis twice two months, my lord.

Ophe. Nay, 'tis twice two moneths, my Lord

 

Hamlet (539)

So long? Nay then, let the devil wear black, for

I'll have a suit of sables. O heavens! die two

months ago, and not forgotten yet? Then there's

130

hope a great man's memory may outlive his life half

a year: but, by'r lady, he must build churches,

then; or else shall he suffer not thinking on, with

the hobby-horse, whose epitaph is 'For O for O,

the hobby-horse is forgot.'

 

Hautboys play. The dumb-show enters:

Enter a King and a Queen very lovingly; the Queen embracing him, and he her. She kneels, and makes show of protestation unto him. He takes her up, and declines his head upon her neck: lays him down upon a bank of flowers: she, seeing him asleep, leaves him. Anon comes in a fellow, takes off his crown, kisses it, and pours poison in the King's ears, and exit. The Queen returns; finds the King dead, and makes passionate action. The Poisoner, with some two or three Mutes, comes in again, seeming to lament with her. The dead body is carried away. The Poisoner wooes the Queen with gifts: she seems loath and unwilling awhile, but in the end accepts his love

 

Exeunt

Ham. So long? Nay then let the Diuel weare blacke,

for Ile haue a suite of Sables. Oh Heauens! dye two moneths

ago, and not forgotten yet? Then there's hope, a

great mans Memorie, may out-liue his life halfe a yeare:

But byrlady he must builde Churches then: or else shall

he suffer not thinking on, with the Hoby-horsse, whose

Epitaph is, For o, For o, the Hoby-horse is forgot.

Hoboyes play. The dumbe shew enters.

Enter a King and Queene, very louingly; the Queene embra-
cinghim. Shekneeles, and makes shew of Protestation vnto
him. He takes her vp, and declines his head vpon her neck.
Layes him downe vpon a Banke of Flowers. She seeing him
a-sleepe, leaues him. Anon comes in a Fellow, takes off his
Crowne, kisses it, and powres poyson in the Kings eares, and
Exits. The Queene returnes, findes the King dead, and
makes passionate Action. The Poysoner, with some two or
three Mutes comes in againe, seeming to lament with her.
The dead body is carried away: The Poysoner Wooes the
Queene with Gifts, she seemes loath and vnwilling awhile,
but in the end, accepts his loue.

Exeunt.

 

Ophelia (540)

What means this, my lord?

Ophe. What meanes this, my Lord?

 

Hamlet (541)

Marry, this is miching mallecho; it means mischief.

Ham. Marry this is Miching Malicho, that meanes

Mischeefe

 

Ophelia (542)

Belike this show imports the argument of the play.

Ophe. Belike this shew imports the Argument of the

Play?

Enter Prologue

 

Hamlet (543)

140

We shall know by this fellow: the players cannot

keep counsel; they'll tell all.

Ham. We shall know by these Fellowes: the Players

cannot keepe counsell, they'l tell all

 

Ophelia (544)

Will he tell us what this show meant?

Ophe. Will they tell vs what this shew meant?

 

Hamlet (545)

Ay, or any show that you'll show him: be not you

ashamed to show, he'll not shame to tell you what it means.

Ham. I, or any shew that you'l shew him. Bee not

you asham'd to shew, hee'l not shame to tell you what it

meanes

 

Ophelia (546)

You are naught, you are naught: I'll mark the play.

Ophe. You are naught, you are naught, Ile marke the Play.

 

Prologue (547)

For us, and for our tragedy,

Here stooping to your clemency,

We beg your hearing patiently.

Exit

Enter Prologue.

For vs, and for our Tragedie,

Heere stooping to your Clemencie:

We begge your hearing Patientlie

 

Hamlet (548)

Is this a prologue, or the posy of a ring?

Ham. Is this a Prologue, or the Poesie of a Ring?

 

Ophelia (549)

150

'Tis brief, my lord.

Ophe. 'Tis briefe my Lord

 

Hamlet (550)

As woman's love.

Ham. As Womans loue.

Enter two Players as the King and Queen

 

Player King (551)

Full thirty times hath Phoebus' cart gone round

Neptune's salt wash and Tellus' orbed ground,

And thirty dozen moons with borrow'd sheen

About the world have times twelve thirties been,

Since love our hearts and Hymen did our hands

Unite commutual in most sacred bands.

Enter King and his Queene.

King. Full thirtie times hath Phoebus Cart gon round,

Neptunes salt Wash, and Tellus Orbed ground:

And thirtie dozen Moones with borrowed sheene,

About the World haue times twelue thirties beene,

Since loue our hearts, and Hymen did our hands

Vnite comutuall, in most sacred Bands

 

Player Queen (552)

So many journeys may the sun and moon

Make us again count o'er ere love be done!

160

But, woe is me, you are so sick of late,

So far from cheer and from your former state,

That I distrust you. Yet, though I distrust,

Discomfort you, my lord, it nothing must:

For women's fear and love holds quantity;

In neither aught, or in extremity.

Now, what my love is, proof hath made you know;

And as my love is sized, my fear is so:

Where love is great, the littlest doubts are fear;

Where little fears grow great, great love grows there.

Bap. So many iournies may the Sunne and Moone

Make vs againe count o're, ere loue be done.

But woe is me, you are so sicke of late,

So farre from cheere, and from your former state,

That I distrust you: yet though I distrust,

Discomfort you (my Lord) it nothing must:

For womens Feare and Loue, holds quantitie,

In neither ought, or in extremity:

Now what my loue is, proofe hath made you know,

And as my Loue is siz'd, my Feare is so

 

Player King (553)

170

'Faith, I must leave thee, love, and shortly too;

My operant powers their functions leave to do:

And thou shalt live in this fair world behind,

Honour'd, beloved; and haply one as kind

For husband shalt thou--

King. Faith I must leaue thee Loue, and shortly too:

My operant Powers my Functions leaue to do:

And thou shalt liue in this faire world behinde,

Honour'd, belou'd, and haply, one as kinde.

For Husband shalt thou-

 

Player Queen (554)

O, confound the rest!

Such love must needs be treason in my breast:

In second husband let me be accurst!

None wed the second but who kill'd the first.

Bap. Oh confound the rest:

Such Loue, must needs be Treason in my brest:

In second Husband, let me be accurst,

None wed the second, but who kill'd the first

 

Hamlet (555)

[Aside] Wormwood, wormwood.

Ham. Wormwood, Wormwood

 

Player Queen (556)

180

The instances that second marriage move

Are base respects of thrift, but none of love:

A second time I kill my husband dead,

When second husband kisses me in bed.

Bapt. The instances that second Marriage moue,

Are base respects of Thrift, but none of Loue.

A second time, I kill my Husband dead,

When second Husband kisses me in Bed

 

Player King (557)

I do believe you think what now you speak;

But what we do determine oft we break.

Purpose is but the slave to memory,

Of violent birth, but poor validity;

Which now, like fruit unripe, sticks on the tree;

But fall, unshaken, when they mellow be.

190

Most necessary 'tis that we forget

To pay ourselves what to ourselves is debt:

What to ourselves in passion we propose,

The passion ending, doth the purpose lose.

The violence of either grief or joy

Their own enactures with themselves destroy:

Where joy most revels, grief doth most lament;

Grief joys, joy grieves, on slender accident.

This world is not for aye, nor 'tis not strange

That even our loves should with our fortunes change;

200

For 'tis a question left us yet to prove,

Whether love lead fortune, or else fortune love.

The great man down, you mark his favourite flies;

The poor advanced makes friends of enemies.

And hitherto doth love on fortune tend;

For who not needs shall never lack a friend,

And who in want a hollow friend doth try,

Directly seasons him his enemy.

But, orderly to end where I begun,

Our wills and fates do so contrary run

210

That our devices still are overthrown;

Our thoughts are ours, their ends none of our own:

So think thou wilt no second husband wed;

But die thy thoughts when thy first lord is dead.

King. I do beleeue you. Think what now you speak:

But what we do determine, oft we breake:

Purpose is but the slaue to Memorie,

Of violent Birth, but poore validitie:

Which now like Fruite vnripe stickes on the Tree,

But fall vnshaken, when they mellow bee.

Most necessary 'tis, that we forget

To pay our selues, what to our selues is debt:

What to our selues in passion we propose,

The passion ending, doth the purpose lose.

The violence of other Greefe or Ioy,

Their owne ennactors with themselues destroy:

Where Ioy most Reuels, Greefe doth most lament;

Greefe ioyes, Ioy greeues on slender accident.

This world is not for aye, nor 'tis not strange

That euen our Loues should with our Fortunes change.

For 'tis a question left vs yet to proue,

Whether Loue lead Fortune, or else Fortune Loue.

The great man downe, you marke his fauourites flies,

The poore aduanc'd, makes Friends of Enemies:

And hitherto doth Loue on Fortune tend,

For who not needs, shall neuer lacke a Frend:

And who in want a hollow Friend doth try,

Directly seasons him his Enemie.

But orderly to end, where I begun,

Our Willes and Fates do so contrary run,

That our Deuices still are ouerthrowne,

Our thoughts are ours, their ends none of our owne.

So thinke thou wilt no second Husband wed.

But die thy thoughts, when thy first Lord is dead

 

Player Queen (558)

Nor earth to me give food, nor heaven light!

Sport and repose lock from me day and night!

To desperation turn my trust and hope!

An anchor's cheer in prison be my scope!

Each opposite that blanks the face of joy

Meet what I would have well and it destroy!

220

Both here and hence pursue me lasting strife,

If, once a widow, ever I be wife!

Bap. Nor Earth to giue me food, nor Heauen light,

Sport and repose locke from me day and night:

Each opposite that blankes the face of ioy,

Meet what I would haue well, and it destroy:

Both heere, and hence, pursue me lasting strife,

If once a Widdow, euer I be Wife

 

Hamlet (559)

If she should break it now!

Ham. If she should breake it now

 

Player King (560)

'Tis deeply sworn. Sweet, leave me here awhile;

My spirits grow dull, and fain I would beguile

The tedious day with sleep.

Sleeps

King. 'Tis deepely sworne:

Sweet, leaue me heere a while,

My spirits grow dull, and faine I would beguile

The tedious day with sleepe

 

Player Queen (561)

Sleep rock thy brain,

Sleeps

And never come mischance between us twain!

Exit

Qu. Sleepe rocke thy Braine,

Sleepes

And neuer come mischance betweene vs twaine.

Exit

 

Hamlet (562)

Madam, how like you this play?

Ham. Madam, how like you this Play?

 

Queen Gertrude (563)

The lady protests too much, methinks.

Qu. The Lady protests to much me thinkes

 

Hamlet (564)

230

O, but she'll keep her word.

Ham. Oh but shee'l keepe her word

 

King Claudius (565)

Have you heard the argument? Is there no offence in 't?

King. Haue you heard the Argument, is there no Offence

in't?

 

Hamlet (566)

No, no, they do but jest, poison in jest; no offence

i' the world.

Ham. No, no, they do but iest, poyson in iest, no Offence

i'th' world

 

King Claudius (567)

What do you call the play?

King. What do you call the Play?

 

Hamlet (568)

The Mouse-trap. Marry, how? Tropically. This play

is the image of a murder done in Vienna: Gonzago is

the duke's name; his wife, Baptista: you shall see

anon; 'tis a knavish piece of work: but what o'

that? your majesty and we that have free souls, it

240

touches us not: let the galled jade wince, our

withers are unwrung.

Enter Lucianus

This is one Lucianus, nephew to the king.

Ham. The Mouse-trap: Marry how? Tropically:

This Play is the Image of a murder done in Vienna: Gonzago

is the Dukes name, his wife Baptista: you shall see

anon: 'tis a knauish peece of worke: But what o'that?

Your Maiestie, and wee that haue free soules, it touches

vs not: let the gall'd iade winch: our withers are vnrung.

Enter Lucianus.

This is one Lucianus nephew to the King

 

Ophelia (569)

You are as good as a chorus, my lord.

Ophe. You are a good Chorus, my Lord

 

Hamlet (570)

I could interpret between you and your love, if I

could see the puppets dallying.

Ham. I could interpret betweene you and your loue:

if I could see the Puppets dallying

 

Ophelia (571)

You are keen, my lord, you are keen.

Ophe. You are keene my Lord, you are keene

 

Hamlet (572)

It would cost you a groaning to take off my edge.

Ham. It would cost you a groaning, to take off my

edge

 

Ophelia (573)

Still better, and worse.

Ophe. Still better and worse

 

Hamlet (574)

So you must take your husbands. Begin, murderer;

250

pox, leave thy damnable faces, and begin. Come:

'the croaking raven doth bellow for revenge.'

Ham. So you mistake Husbands.

Begin Murderer. Pox, leaue thy damnable Faces, and

begin. Come, the croaking Rauen doth bellow for Reuenge

 

Lucianus (575)

Thoughts black, hands apt, drugs fit, and time agreeing;

Confederate season, else no creature seeing;

Thou mixture rank, of midnight weeds collected,

With Hecate's ban thrice blasted, thrice infected,

Thy natural magic and dire property,

On wholesome life usurp immediately.

Pours the poison into the sleeper's ears

Lucian. Thoughts blacke, hands apt,

Drugges fit, and Time agreeing:

Confederate season, else, no Creature seeing:

Thou mixture ranke, of Midnight Weeds collected,

With Hecats Ban, thrice blasted, thrice infected,

Thy naturall Magicke, and dire propertie,

On wholsome life, vsurpe immediately.

Powres the poyson in his eares.

 

Hamlet (576)

He poisons him i' the garden for's estate. His

name's Gonzago: the story is extant, and writ in

260

choice Italian: you shall see anon how the murderer

gets the love of Gonzago's wife.

Ham. He poysons him i'th' Garden for's estate: His

name's Gonzago: the Story is extant and writ in choyce

Italian. You shall see anon how the Murtherer gets the

loue of Gonzago's wife

 

Ophelia (577)

The king rises.

Ophe. The King rises

 

Hamlet (578)

What, frighted with false fire!

Ham. What, frighted with false fire

 

Queen Gertrude (579)

How fares my lord?

Qu. How fares my Lord?

 

Lord Polonius (580)

Give o'er the play.

Pol. Giue o're the Play

 

King Claudius (581)

Give me some light: away!

King. Giue me some Light. Away

 

All (582)

Lights, lights, lights!

Exit all but Hamlet and Horatio

All. Lights, Lights, Lights.

Exeunt.
Manet Hamlet & Horatio.

 

Hamlet (583)

Why, let the stricken deer go weep,

The hart ungalled play;

270

For some must watch, while some must sleep:

So runs the world away.

Would not this, sir, and a forest of feathers-- if

the rest of my fortunes turn Turk with me--with two

Provincial roses on my razed shoes, get me a

fellowship in a cry of players, sir?

Ham. Why let the strucken Deere go weepe,

The Hart vngalled play:

For some must watch, while some must sleepe;

So runnes the world away.

Would not this Sir, and a Forrest of Feathers, if the rest of

my Fortunes turne Turke with me; with two Prouinciall

Roses on my rac'd Shooes, get me a Fellowship in a crie

of Players sir

 

Horatio (584)

Half a share.

Hor. Halfe a share

 

Hamlet (585)

A whole one, I.

For thou dost know, O Damon dear,

This realm dismantled was

280

Of Jove himself; and now reigns here

A very, very--pajock.

Ham. A whole one I,

For thou dost know: Oh Damon deere,

This Realme dismantled was of Ioue himselfe,

And now reignes heere.

A verie verie Paiocke

 

Horatio (586)

You might have rhymed.

Hora. You might haue Rim'd

 

Hamlet (587)

O good Horatio, I'll take the ghost's word for a

thousand pound. Didst perceive?

Ham. Oh good Horatio, Ile take the Ghosts word for

a thousand pound. Did'st perceiue?

 

Horatio (588)

Very well, my lord.

Hora. Verie well my Lord

 

Hamlet (589)

Upon the talk of the poisoning?

Ham. Vpon the talke of the poysoning?

 

Horatio (590)

I did very well note him.

Hora. I did verie well note him.

 

Hamlet (591)

Ah, ha! Come, some music! come, the recorders!

For if the king like not the comedy,

290

Why then, belike, he likes it not, perdy.

Come, some music!

Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

Enter Rosincrance and Guildensterne.

Ham. Oh, ha? Come some Music Come y Recorders:

For if the King like not the Comedie,

Why then belike he likes it not perdie.

Come some Musicke.

Enter Rosincrance and Guildensterne.

 

Guildenstern (592)

Good my lord, vouchsafe me a word with you.

Guild. Good my Lord, vouchsafe me a word with you

 

Hamlet (593)

Sir, a whole history.

Ham. Sir, a whole History

 

Guildenstern (594)

The king, sir,--

Guild. The King, sir

 

Hamlet (595)

Ay, sir, what of him?

Ham. I sir, what of him?

 

Guildenstern (596)

Is in his retirement marvellous distempered.

Guild. Is in his retyrement, maruellous distemper'd

 

Hamlet (597)

With drink, sir?

Ham. With drinke Sir?

 

Guildenstern (598)

No, my lord, rather with choler.

Guild. No my Lord, rather with choller

 

Hamlet (599)

Your wisdom should show itself more richer to

300

signify this to his doctor; for, for me to put him

to his purgation would perhaps plunge him into far

more choler.

Ham. Your wisedome should shew it selfe more richer,

to signifie this to his Doctor: for for me to put him

to his Purgation, would perhaps plundge him into farre

more Choller

 

Guildenstern (600)

Good my lord, put your discourse into some frame and

start not so wildly from my affair.

Guild. Good my Lord put your discourse into some

frame, and start not so wildely from my affayre

 

Hamlet (601)

I am tame, sir: pronounce.

Ham. I am tame Sir, pronounce

 

Guildenstern (602)

The queen, your mother, in most great affliction of

spirit, hath sent me to you.

Guild. The Queene your Mother, in most great affliction

of spirit, hath sent me to you

 

Hamlet (603)

You are welcome.

Ham. You are welcome

 

Guildenstern (604)

Nay, good my lord, this courtesy is not of the right

310

breed. If it shall please you to make me a

wholesome answer, I will do your mother's

commandment: if not, your pardon and my return

shall be the end of my business.

Guild. Nay, good my Lord, this courtesie is not of

the right breed. If it shall please you to make me a wholsome

answer, I will doe your Mothers command'ment:

if not, your pardon, and my returne shall bee the end of

my Businesse

 

Hamlet (605)

Sir, I cannot.

Ham. Sir, I cannot

 

Guildenstern (606)

What, my lord?

Guild. What, my Lord?

 

Hamlet (607)

Make you a wholesome answer; my wit's diseased: but,

sir, such answer as I can make, you shall command;

or, rather, as you say, my mother: therefore no

more, but to the matter: my mother, you say.

Ham. Make you a wholsome answere: my wits diseas'd.

But sir, such answers as I can make, you shal command:

or rather you say, my Mother: therfore no more

but to the matter. My Mother you say

 

Rosencrantz (608)

320

Then thus she says; your behavior hath struck her

into amazement and admiration.

Rosin. Then thus she sayes: your behauior hath stroke

her into amazement, and admiration

 

Hamlet (609)

O wonderful son, that can so astonish a mother! But

is there no sequel at the heels of this mother's

admiration? Impart.

Ham. Oh wonderfull Sonne, that can so astonish a

Mother. But is there no sequell at the heeles of this Mothers

admiration?

 

Rosencrantz (610)

She desires to speak with you in her closet, ere you

go to bed.

Rosin. She desires to speake with you in her Closset,

ere you go to bed

 

Hamlet (611)

We shall obey, were she ten times our mother. Have

you any further trade with us?

Ham. We shall obey, were she ten times our Mother.

Haue you any further Trade with vs?

 

Rosencrantz (612)

My lord, you once did love me.

Rosin. My Lord, you once did loue me

 

Hamlet (613)

330

So I do still, by these pickers and stealers.

Ham. So I do still, by these pickers and stealers

 

Rosencrantz (614)