Literature | High school » Mowat-Werstine - The Tragedy of Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Folger Shakespeare Library https://shakespeare.folgeredu/ Get even more from the Folger You can get your own copy of this text to keep. Purchase a full copy to get the text, plus explanatory notes, illustrations, and more. Buy a copy Contents Front Matter From the Director of the Folger Shakespeare Library Textual Introduction Synopsis Characters in the Play ACT 1 Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3 Scene 4 Scene 5 ACT 2 Scene 1 Scene 2 ACT 3 Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3 Scene 4 ACT 4 Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3 Scene 4 Scene 5 Scene 6 Scene 7 ACT 5 Scene 1 Scene 2 From the Director of the Folger Shakespeare Library It is hard to imagine a world without Shakespeare. Since their composition four hundred years ago, Shakespeare’s plays and poems have traveled the globe, inviting those who see and read his works to make them their own. Readers of the New Folger Editions are part of this ongoing process of “taking up Shakespeare,” finding our own thoughts and feelings in language

that strikes us as old or unusual and, for that very reason, new. We still struggle to keep up with a writer who could think a mile a minute, whose words paint pictures that shift like clouds. These expertly edited texts are presented to the public as a resource for study, artistic adaptation, and enjoyment. By making the classic texts of the New Folger Editions available in electronic form as The Folger Shakespeare (formerly Folger Digital Texts), we place a trusted resource in the hands of anyone who wants them. The New Folger Editions of Shakespeare’s plays, which are the basis for the texts realized here in digital form, are special because of their origin. The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is the single greatest documentary source of Shakespeare’s works. An unparalleled collection of early modern books, manuscripts, and artwork connected to Shakespeare, the Folger’s holdings have been consulted extensively in the preparation of these texts. The Editions also

reflect the expertise gained through the regular performance of Shakespeare’s works in the Folger’s Elizabethan Theatre. I want to express my deep thanks to editors Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine for creating these indispensable editions of Shakespeare’s works, which incorporate the best of textual scholarship with a richness of commentary that is both inspired and engaging. Readers who want to know more about Shakespeare and his plays can follow the paths these distinguished scholars have tread by visiting the Folger either in-person or online, where a range of physical and digital resources exists to supplement the material in these texts. I commend to you these words, and hope that they inspire. Michael Witmore Director, Folger Shakespeare Library Textual Introduction By Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine Until now, with the release of The Folger Shakespeare (formerly Folger Digital Texts), readers in search of a free online text of Shakespeare’s plays had to be content

primarily with using the Moby™ Text, which reproduces a late-nineteenth century version of the plays. What is the difference? Many ordinary readers assume that there is a single text for the plays: what Shakespeare wrote. But Shakespeare’s plays were not published the way modern novels or plays are published today: as a single, authoritative text. In some cases, the plays have come down to us in multiple published versions, represented by various Quartos (Qq) and by the great collection put together by his colleagues in 1623, called the First Folio (F). There are, for example, three very different versions of Hamlet, two of King Lear, Henry V, Romeo and Juliet, and others. Editors choose which version to use as their base text, and then amend that text with words, lines or speech prefixes from the other versions that, in their judgment, make for a better or more accurate text. Other editorial decisions involve choices about whether an unfamiliar word could be understood in light of

other writings of the period or whether it should be changed; decisions about words that made it into Shakespeare’s text by accident through four hundred years of printings and misprinting; and even decisions based on cultural preference and taste. When the Moby™ Text was created, for example, it was deemed “improper” and “indecent” for Miranda to chastise Caliban for having attempted to rape her. (See The Tempest, 1.2: “Abhorred slave,/Which any print of goodness wilt not take,/Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee”). All Shakespeare editors at the time took the speech away from her and gave it to her father, Prospero. The editors of the Moby™ Shakespeare produced their text long before scholars fully understood the proper grounds on which to make the thousands of decisions that Shakespeare editors face. The Folger Library Shakespeare Editions, on which the Folger Shakespeare texts depend, make this editorial process as nearly transparent as is possible, in

contrast to older texts, like the Moby™, which hide editorial interventions. The reader of the Folger Shakespeare knows where the text has been altered because editorial interventions are signaled by square brackets (for example, from Othello: “ If she in chains of magic were not bound, ”), half-square brackets (for example, from Henry V: “With blood and sword and fire to win your right,”), or angle brackets (for example, from Hamlet: “O farewell, honest soldier. Who hath relieved/you?”) At any point in the text, you can hover your cursor over a bracket for more information. Because the Folger Shakespeare texts are edited in accord with twenty-first century knowledge about Shakespeare’s texts, the Folger here provides them to readers, scholars, teachers, actors, directors, and students, free of charge, confident of their quality as texts of the plays and pleased to be able to make this contribution to the study and enjoyment of Shakespeare. Synopsis Events

before the start of Hamlet set the stage for tragedy. When the king of Denmark, Prince Hamlet’s father, suddenly dies, Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude, marries his uncle Claudius, who becomes the new king. A spirit who claims to be the ghost of Hamlet’s father describes his murder at the hands of Claudius and demands that Hamlet avenge the killing. When the councilor Polonius learns from his daughter, Ophelia, that Hamlet has visited her in an apparently distracted state, Polonius attributes the prince’s condition to lovesickness, and he sets a trap for Hamlet using Ophelia as bait. To confirm Claudius’s guilt, Hamlet arranges for a play that mimics the murder; Claudius’s reaction is that of a guilty man. Hamlet, now free to act, mistakenly kills Polonius, thinking he is Claudius. Claudius sends Hamlet away as part of a deadly plot. After Polonius’s death, Ophelia goes mad and later drowns. Hamlet, who has returned safely to confront the king, agrees to a fencing match with

Ophelia’s brother, Laertes, who secretly poisons his own rapier. At the match, Claudius prepares poisoned wine for Hamlet, which Gertrude unknowingly drinks; as she dies, she accuses Claudius, whom Hamlet kills. Then first Laertes and then Hamlet die, both victims of Laertes’ rapier. Characters in the Play THE GHOST HAMLET, Prince of Denmark, son of the late King Hamlet and Queen Gertrude QUEEN GERTRUDE, widow of King Hamlet, now married to Claudius KING CLAUDIUS, brother to the late King Hamlet OPHELIA LAERTES, her brother POLONIUS, father of Ophelia and Laertes, councillor to King Claudius REYNALDO, servant to Polonius HORATIO, Hamlet’s friend and confidant VOLTEMAND CORNELIUS ROSENCRANTZ GUILDENSTERN courtiers at the Danish court OSRIC Gentlemen A Lord FRANCISCO BARNARDO Danish soldiers MARCELLUS FORTINBRAS, Prince of Norway A Captain in Fortinbras’s army Ambassadors to Denmark from England Players who take the roles of Prologue, Player King, Player Queen, and

Lucianus in The Murder of Gonzago Two Messengers Sailors Gravedigger Gravedigger’s companion Doctor of Divinity Attendants, Lords, Guards, Musicians, Laertes’s Followers, Soldiers, Officers ACT 1 Scene 1 Enter Barnardo and Francisco, two sentinels. FTLN 0001 BARNARDO Who’s there? FRANCISCO FTLN 0002 FTLN 0003 FTLN 0004 FTLN 0005 Nay, answer me. Stand and unfold yourself BARNARDO Long live the King! FRANCISCO Barnardo? BARNARDO He. 5 FRANCISCO FTLN 0006 You come most carefully upon your hour. BARNARDO FTLN 0007 ’Tis now struck twelve. Get thee to bed, Francisco FRANCISCO FTLN 0008 FTLN 0009 FTLN 0010 FTLN 0011 FTLN 0012 FTLN 0013 FTLN 0014 For this relief much thanks. ’Tis bitter cold, And I am sick at heart. BARNARDO Have you had quiet guard? FRANCISCO Not a mouse stirring. BARNARDO Well, good night. If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus, The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste. 10 Enter Horatio and Marcellus. FRANCISCO FTLN 0015 FTLN 0016 I think I hear

them.Stand ho! Who is there? HORATIO Friends to this ground. 7 15 9 Hamlet FTLN 0017 MARCELLUS FTLN 0018 FRANCISCO ACT 1. SC 1 And liegemen to the Dane. Give you good night. MARCELLUS FTLN 0019 FTLN 0020 O farewell, honest soldier. Who hath relieved you? 20 FRANCISCO FTLN 0021 FTLN 0022 FTLN 0023 FTLN 0024 Barnardo hath my place. Give you good night Francisco exits. MARCELLUS Holla, Barnardo. BARNARDO Say, what, is Horatio there? HORATIO A piece of him. BARNARDO FTLN 0025 Welcome, Horatio.Welcome, good Marcellus 25 HORATIO FTLN 0026 FTLN 0027 What, has this thing appeared again tonight? I have seen nothing. BARNARDO MARCELLUS FTLN 0028 FTLN 0029 FTLN 0030 FTLN 0031 FTLN 0032 FTLN 0033 FTLN 0034 Horatio says ’tis but our fantasy 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. 30 HORATIO FTLN 0035 FTLN 0036 FTLN 0037 FTLN 0038 FTLN 0039 FTLN 0040 FTLN 0041 FTLN 0042 FTLN 0043 FTLN 0044 FTLN 0045 FTLN 0046 Tush, tush, ’twill not appear. Sit down awhile, And let us once again assail your ears, That are so fortified against our story, What we have two nights seen. HORATIO Well, sit we down, And let us hear Barnardo speak of this. BARNARDO Last night of all, When yond same star that’s westward from the pole Had made his course t’ illume that part of heaven Where now it burns, Marcellus and myself, The bell then beating one 35 BARNARDO 40 45 11 ACT 1. SC 1 Hamlet Enter Ghost. MARCELLUS FTLN 0047 Peace, break thee off! Look where it comes again. BARNARDO FTLN 0048 In the same figure like the King that’s dead. to Horatio Thou art a scholar. Speak to it, Horatio MARCELLUS, FTLN 0049 BARNARDO FTLN 0050 Looks he not like the King? Mark it, Horatio. 50 HORATIO FTLN 0051 Most like. It harrows me with fear and wonder BARNARDO

FTLN 0052 FTLN 0053 It would be spoke to. Speak to it, Horatio. MARCELLUS HORATIO FTLN 0054 FTLN 0055 FTLN 0056 FTLN 0057 FTLN 0058 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. 55 MARCELLUS FTLN 0059 FTLN 0060 It is offended. BARNARDO See, it stalks away. 60 HORATIO FTLN 0061 Stay! speak! speak! I charge thee, speak! Ghost exits. FTLN 0062 MARCELLUS ’Tis gone and will not answer. BARNARDO FTLN 0063 FTLN 0064 FTLN 0065 How now, Horatio, you tremble and look pale. Is not this something more than fantasy? What think you on ’t? HORATIO FTLN 0066 FTLN 0067 FTLN 0068 Before my God, I might not this believe Without the sensible and true avouch Of mine own eyes. 65 13 FTLN 0069 FTLN 0070 FTLN 0071 FTLN 0072 FTLN 0073 FTLN 0074 FTLN 0075 Hamlet ACT 1. SC 1 Is it not like the King? HORATIO As thou art to thyself. Such was the

very armor he had on When he the ambitious Norway combated. So frowned he once when, in an angry parle, He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice. ’Tis strange. MARCELLUS 70 75 MARCELLUS FTLN 0076 FTLN 0077 Thus twice before, and jump at this dead hour, With martial stalk hath he gone by our watch. HORATIO FTLN 0078 FTLN 0079 FTLN 0080 In what particular thought to work I know not, But in the gross and scope of mine opinion This bodes some strange eruption to our state. 80 MARCELLUS FTLN 0081 FTLN 0082 FTLN 0083 FTLN 0084 FTLN 0085 FTLN 0086 FTLN 0087 FTLN 0088 FTLN 0089 FTLN 0090 FTLN 0091 FTLN 0092 FTLN 0093 FTLN 0094 FTLN 0095 FTLN 0096 FTLN 0097 FTLN 0098 FTLN 0099 FTLN 0100 FTLN 0101 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 laborer with the day? Who is ’t that can inform me? HORATIO That can I. At least the whisper goes so: our last king, Whose image even but now appeared to us, Was, as you know, by Fortinbras of Norway, Thereto pricked on by a most emulate pride, Dared to the combat; in which our valiant Hamlet (For so this side of our known world esteemed him) Did slay this Fortinbras, who by a sealed compact, Well ratified by law and heraldry, Did forfeit, with his life, all those his lands Which he stood seized of, to the conqueror. 85 90 95 100 15 FTLN 0102 FTLN 0103 FTLN 0104 FTLN 0105 FTLN 0106 FTLN 0107 FTLN 0108 FTLN 0109 FTLN 0110 FTLN 0111 FTLN 0112 FTLN 0113 FTLN 0114 FTLN 0115 FTLN 0116 FTLN 0117 FTLN 0118 FTLN 0119 Hamlet Against the which a moiety competent Was gagèd by our king, which had returned To the inheritance of Fortinbras Had he been vanquisher, as, by the same comart And carriage of

the article designed, His fell to Hamlet. Now, sir, young Fortinbras, Of unimprovèd mettle hot and full, Hath in the skirts of Norway here and there Sharked 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 posthaste and rummage in the land. ACT 1. SC 1 105 110 115 BARNARDO FTLN 0120 FTLN 0121 FTLN 0122 FTLN 0123 I think it be no other but e’en so. Well may it sort that this portentous figure Comes armèd through our watch so like the king That was and is the question of these wars. 120 HORATIO FTLN 0124 FTLN 0125 FTLN 0126 FTLN 0127 FTLN 0128 FTLN 0129 FTLN 0130 FTLN 0131 FTLN 0132 FTLN 0133 FTLN 0134 FTLN 0135 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, 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 feared events, As harbingers preceding still the fates And prologue to the omen coming on, 125 130 135 17 FTLN 0136 FTLN 0137 ACT 1. SC 1 Hamlet Have heaven and Earth together demonstrated Unto our climatures and countrymen. Enter Ghost. FTLN 0138 FTLN 0139 FTLN 0140 FTLN 0141 FTLN 0142 FTLN 0143 FTLN 0144 FTLN 0145 FTLN 0146 FTLN 0147 FTLN 0148 FTLN 0149 FTLN 0150 FTLN 0151 FTLN 0152 But soft, behold! Lo, where it comes again! I’ll cross it though it blast me.Stay, illusion! It spreads his arms. 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. 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, Speak of it. The cock crows. Stay and speak!Stop it, Marcellus. 140 145 150 MARCELLUS FTLN 0153 FTLN 0154 FTLN 0155 FTLN 0156 Shall I strike it with my partisan? HORATIO Do, if it will not stand. BARNARDO ’Tis here. HORATIO ’Tis here. 155 Ghost exits. FTLN 0157 FTLN 0158 FTLN 0159 FTLN 0160 FTLN 0161 ’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. MARCELLUS BARNARDO FTLN 0162 It was about to speak when the cock crew. HORATIO FTLN 0163 FTLN 0164 And then it started like a guilty thing Upon a fearful summons. I have heard 160 19 FTLN 0165 FTLN 0166 FTLN 0167 FTLN 0168 FTLN 0169 FTLN 0170

FTLN 0171 ACT 1. SC 1 Hamlet 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, Th’ extravagant and erring spirit hies To his confine, and of the truth herein This present object made probation. 165 170 MARCELLUS FTLN 0172 FTLN 0173 FTLN 0174 FTLN 0175 FTLN 0176 FTLN 0177 FTLN 0178 FTLN 0179 It faded on the crowing of the cock. Some say that ever ’gainst that season comes Wherein our Savior’s birth is celebrated, This bird of dawning singeth all night long; And then, they say, no spirit dare stir abroad, The nights are wholesome; then no planets strike, No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm, So hallowed and so gracious is that time. 175 HORATIO FTLN 0180 FTLN 0181 FTLN 0182 FTLN 0183 FTLN 0184 FTLN 0185 FTLN 0186 FTLN 0187 FTLN 0188 So have I heard and do in part believe it. But look, the morn in russet mantle clad 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 tonight 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? 180 185 MARCELLUS FTLN 0189 FTLN 0190 Let’s do ’t, I pray, and I this morning know Where we shall find him most convenient. 190 They exit. 21 Hamlet ACT 1. SC 2 Scene 2 Flourish. Enter Claudius, King of Denmark, Gertrude the Queen, the Council, as Polonius, and his son Laertes, Hamlet, with others, among them Voltemand and Cornelius. KING FTLN 0191 FTLN 0192 FTLN 0193 FTLN 0194 FTLN 0195 FTLN 0196 FTLN 0197 FTLN 0198 FTLN 0199 FTLN 0200 FTLN 0201 FTLN 0202 FTLN 0203 FTLN 0204 FTLN 0205 FTLN 0206 FTLN 0207 FTLN 0208 FTLN 0209 FTLN 0210 FTLN 0211 FTLN 0212 FTLN 0213 FTLN 0214 FTLN 0215 FTLN 0216 FTLN 0217 FTLN 0218 FTLN 0219 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, Th’ imperial jointress to this warlike state, 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 barred 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 Our state to be disjoint and out of frame, Colleaguèd with this dream of his advantage, He hath not failed to pester us with message Importing the surrender of those lands Lost by his father, with all bonds of law, To our most valiant brotherso

much for him. 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 bedrid, scarcely hears 5 10 15 20 25 23 FTLN 0220 FTLN 0221 FTLN 0222 FTLN 0223 FTLN 0224 FTLN 0225 FTLN 0226 FTLN 0227 FTLN 0228 FTLN 0229 Hamlet ACT 1. SC 2 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, Voltemand, 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 dilated articles allow. Giving them a paper. Farewell, and let your haste commend your duty. 30 35 CORNELIUS/VOLTEMAND FTLN 0230 In that and all things will we show our duty. 40 KING FTLN 0231 FTLN 0232 FTLN 0233 FTLN 0234 FTLN 0235 FTLN 0236 FTLN 0237 FTLN 0238 FTLN 0239 FTLN 0240 FTLN 0241 FTLN 0242

FTLN 0243 FTLN 0244 FTLN 0245 FTLN 0246 FTLN 0247 FTLN 0248 We doubt it nothing. Heartily farewell Voltemand and Cornelius exit. 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 lose 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. What wouldst thou have, Laertes? LAERTES My dread lord, Your leave and favor 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. KING FTLN 0249 Have you your father’s leave? What says Polonius? 45 50 55 25 Hamlet ACT 1. SC 2 POLONIUS FTLN 0250 FTLN 0251 FTLN 0252 FTLN 0253 Hath, my lord, wrung from me my

slow leave By laborsome petition, and at last Upon his will I sealed my hard consent. I do beseech you give him leave to go. 60 KING FTLN 0254 FTLN 0255 FTLN 0256 FTLN 0257 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 HAMLET, aside A little more than kin and less than kind. 65 KING FTLN 0258 How is it that the clouds still hang on you? HAMLET FTLN 0259 Not so, my lord; I am too much in the sun. QUEEN FTLN 0260 FTLN 0261 FTLN 0262 FTLN 0263 FTLN 0264 FTLN 0265 Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted color off, And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark. Do not forever with thy vailèd lids Seek for thy noble father in the dust. Thou know’st ’tis common; all that lives must die, Passing through nature to eternity. 70 75 HAMLET FTLN 0266 FTLN 0267 FTLN 0268 Ay, madam, it is common. If it be, Why seems it so particular with thee? QUEEN HAMLET FTLN 0269 FTLN 0270 FTLN 0271 FTLN 0272 FTLN 0273 FTLN

0274 FTLN 0275 FTLN 0276 FTLN 0277 “Seems,” madam? Nay, it is. I know not “seems” ’Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother, 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; 80 85 27 FTLN 0278 FTLN 0279 Hamlet ACT 1. SC 2 But I have that within which passes show, These but the trappings and the suits of woe. KING FTLN 0280 FTLN 0281 FTLN 0282 FTLN 0283 FTLN 0284 FTLN 0285 FTLN 0286 FTLN 0287 FTLN 0288 FTLN 0289 FTLN 0290 FTLN 0291 FTLN 0292 FTLN 0293 FTLN 0294 FTLN 0295 FTLN 0296 FTLN 0297 FTLN 0298 FTLN 0299 FTLN 0300 FTLN 0301 FTLN 0302 FTLN 0303 FTLN 0304 FTLN 0305 FTLN 0306 FTLN 0307 FTLN 0308 FTLN 0309 FTLN 0310 FTLN 0311 ’Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet, 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 unschooled. 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 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. 90 95 100 105 110 115 120 29 Hamlet ACT 1. SC 2 QUEEN FTLN 0312 FTLN 0313 Let not thy mother lose her prayers, Hamlet. I pray thee, stay with us. Go not to Wittenberg HAMLET FTLN 0314 I shall in all my best obey you, madam. KING FTLN 0315 FTLN 0316 FTLN 0317 FTLN 0318 FTLN 0319 FTLN 0320 FTLN 0321 FTLN 0322 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 heaven shall bruit again, Respeaking earthly thunder. Come away Flourish. All but Hamlet exit 125 130 HAMLET FTLN 0323 FTLN 0324 FTLN 0325 FTLN 0326 FTLN 0327

FTLN 0328 FTLN 0329 FTLN 0330 FTLN 0331 FTLN 0332 FTLN 0333 FTLN 0334 FTLN 0335 FTLN 0336 FTLN 0337 FTLN 0338 FTLN 0339 FTLN 0340 FTLN 0341 FTLN 0342 O, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt, Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew, Or that the Everlasting had not fixed 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: But two months deadnay, 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 With

which she followed my poor father’s body, 135 140 145 150 31 FTLN 0343 FTLN 0344 FTLN 0345 FTLN 0346 FTLN 0347 FTLN 0348 FTLN 0349 FTLN 0350 FTLN 0351 FTLN 0352 FTLN 0353 FTLN 0354 Hamlet ACT 1. SC 2 Like Niobe, all tearswhy she, even she (O God, a beast that wants discourse of reason Would have mourned 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 gallèd 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 break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue. 155 160 Enter Horatio, Marcellus, and Barnardo. Hail to your Lordship. I am glad to see you well. Horatioor I do forget myself! FTLN 0355 HORATIO FTLN 0356 HAMLET FTLN 0357 165 HORATIO FTLN 0358 The same, my lord, and your poor servant ever. HAMLET FTLN 0359 FTLN 0360 FTLN 0361 FTLN 0362

Sir, my good friend. I’ll change that name with you And what make you from Wittenberg, Horatio? Marcellus? MARCELLUS My good lord. 170 HAMLET FTLN 0363 FTLN 0364 FTLN 0365 I am very glad to see you. To Barnardo Good even, sir. But what, in faith, make you from Wittenberg? 175 HORATIO FTLN 0366 A truant disposition, good my lord. HAMLET FTLN 0367 FTLN 0368 FTLN 0369 FTLN 0370 FTLN 0371 FTLN 0372 I would not hear your enemy say so, Nor shall you do my 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. 180 33 ACT 1. SC 2 Hamlet HORATIO FTLN 0373 My lord, I came to see your father’s funeral. HAMLET FTLN 0374 FTLN 0375 I prithee, do not mock me, fellow student. I think it was to see my mother’s wedding. 185 HORATIO FTLN 0376 Indeed, my lord, it followed hard upon. HAMLET FTLN 0377 FTLN 0378 FTLN 0379 FTLN 0380 FTLN 0381 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 fathermethinks I see my father. 190 HORATIO FTLN 0382 FTLN 0383 Where, my lord? HAMLET In my mind’s eye, Horatio. HORATIO FTLN 0384 I saw him once. He was a goodly king HAMLET FTLN 0385 FTLN 0386 He was a man. Take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again. 195 HORATIO FTLN 0387 FTLN 0388 My lord, I think I saw him yesternight. Saw who? HAMLET HORATIO FTLN 0389 FTLN 0390 My lord, the King your father. HAMLET The King my father? 200 HORATIO FTLN 0391 FTLN 0392 FTLN 0393 FTLN 0394 FTLN 0395 Season your admiration for a while With an attent ear, till I may deliver Upon the witness of these gentlemen This marvel to you. HAMLET For God’s love, let me hear! HORATIO FTLN 0396 FTLN 0397 Two nights together had these gentlemen, Marcellus and Barnardo, on their watch, 205 35 FTLN 0398

FTLN 0399 FTLN 0400 FTLN 0401 FTLN 0402 FTLN 0403 FTLN 0404 FTLN 0405 FTLN 0406 FTLN 0407 FTLN 0408 FTLN 0409 FTLN 0410 FTLN 0411 FTLN 0412 FTLN 0413 Hamlet ACT 1. SC 2 In the dead waste and middle of the night, Been thus encountered: a figure like your father, Armed at point exactly, cap-à-pie, Appears before them and with solemn march Goes slow and stately by them. Thrice he walked By their oppressed and fear-surprisèd eyes Within his truncheon’s length, whilst they, distilled 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 delivered, 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. HAMLET But where was this? 210 215 220 MARCELLUS FTLN 0414 My lord, upon the platform where we watch. HAMLET FTLN 0415 FTLN 0416 FTLN 0417 FTLN 0418 FTLN 0419 FTLN 0420

FTLN 0421 FTLN 0422 FTLN 0423 Did you not speak to it? 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 vanished from our sight. HAMLET ’Tis very strange. 225 HORATIO 230 HORATIO FTLN 0424 FTLN 0425 FTLN 0426 FTLN 0427 FTLN 0428 FTLN 0429 As I do live, my honored lord, ’tis true. And we did think it writ down in our duty To let you know of it. HAMLET Indeed, sirs, but this troubles me. Hold you the watch tonight? ALL We do, my lord. 235 HAMLET FTLN 0430 Armed, say you? 240 37 ACT 1. SC 2 Hamlet Armed, my lord. FTLN 0431 ALL FTLN 0432 HAMLET FTLN 0433 ALL FTLN 0434 HAMLET From top to toe? My lord, from head to foot. Then saw you not his face? HORATIO FTLN 0435 FTLN 0436 O, yes, my lord, he wore his beaver up. What, looked he frowningly? 245 HAMLET HORATIO FTLN 0437 FTLN 0438 A

countenance more in sorrow than in anger. HAMLET Pale or red? HORATIO FTLN 0439 FTLN 0440 Nay, very pale. And fixed his eyes upon you? HAMLET 250 HORATIO FTLN 0441 Most constantly. FTLN 0442 HAMLET FTLN 0443 HORATIO FTLN 0444 HAMLET I would I had been there. It would have much amazed you. Very like. Stayed it long? HORATIO FTLN 0445 FTLN 0446 FTLN 0447 While one with moderate haste might tell a hundred. BARNARDO/MARCELLUS Longer, longer. 255 HORATIO FTLN 0448 FTLN 0449 Not when I saw ’t. HAMLET His beard was grizzled, no? HORATIO FTLN 0450 FTLN 0451 FTLN 0452 FTLN 0453 FTLN 0454 It was as I have seen it in his life, A sable silvered. HAMLET I will watch tonight. Perchance ’twill walk again. HORATIO I warrant it will. 260 HAMLET FTLN 0455 FTLN 0456 FTLN 0457 FTLN 0458 If it assume my noble father’s person, I’ll speak to it, though hell itself should gape And bid me hold my peace. I pray you all, If you have hitherto concealed this sight, 265 39 FTLN

0459 FTLN 0460 FTLN 0461 FTLN 0462 FTLN 0463 FTLN 0464 FTLN 0465 Hamlet ACT 1. SC 3 Let it be tenable in your silence still; And whatsomever else shall hap tonight, 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. ALL Our duty to your Honor. 270 275 HAMLET FTLN 0466 FTLN 0467 FTLN 0468 FTLN 0469 FTLN 0470 FTLN 0471 Your loves, as mine to you. Farewell All but Hamlet exit. My father’s spiritin 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. He exits. 280 Scene 3 Enter Laertes and Ophelia, his sister. LAERTES FTLN 0472 FTLN 0473 FTLN 0474 FTLN 0475 FTLN 0476 My necessaries are embarked. Farewell And, sister, as the winds give benefit And convey is assistant, do not sleep, But let me hear from you. OPHELIA Do you doubt that? 5 LAERTES FTLN

0477 FTLN 0478 FTLN 0479 FTLN 0480 FTLN 0481 FTLN 0482 FTLN 0483 FTLN 0484 For Hamlet, and the trifling of his favor, Hold it a fashion and a toy in blood, A violet in the youth of primy nature, Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting, The perfume and suppliance of a minute, No more. OPHELIA No more but so? LAERTES Think it no more. 10 41 FTLN 0485 FTLN 0486 FTLN 0487 FTLN 0488 FTLN 0489 FTLN 0490 FTLN 0491 FTLN 0492 FTLN 0493 FTLN 0494 FTLN 0495 FTLN 0496 FTLN 0497 FTLN 0498 FTLN 0499 FTLN 0500 FTLN 0501 FTLN 0502 FTLN 0503 FTLN 0504 FTLN 0505 FTLN 0506 FTLN 0507 FTLN 0508 FTLN 0509 FTLN 0510 FTLN 0511 FTLN 0512 FTLN 0513 FTLN 0514 FTLN 0515 FTLN 0516 FTLN 0517 FTLN 0518 FTLN 0519 Hamlet 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 weighed, his will is

not his own, 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 the 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 Than the main voice of Denmark goes withal. Then weigh what loss your honor may sustain If with too credent ear you list his songs Or lose your heart or your chaste treasure open To his unmastered 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. 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. OPHELIA FTLN 0520 I shall the effect of this good lesson keep ACT 1. SC 3 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 43 FTLN 0521 FTLN 0522 FTLN 0523 FTLN 0524 FTLN 0525 FTLN 0526 FTLN 0527 Hamlet ACT 1. SC 3 As watchman to my heart. But, good my brother, Do not, as some ungracious pastors do, Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven, Whiles, like a puffed and reckless libertine, Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads And recks not his own rede. LAERTES O, fear me not. 50 55 Enter Polonius. FTLN 0528 FTLN 0529 FTLN 0530 I stay too long. But here my father comes A double blessing is a double grace. Occasion smiles upon a second leave. POLONIUS FTLN 0531 FTLN 0532 FTLN 0533 FTLN 0534 FTLN 0535 FTLN 0536 FTLN 0537 FTLN 0538 FTLN 0539 FTLN 0540 FTLN 0541 FTLN 0542 FTLN 0543 FTLN 0544 FTLN 0545 FTLN 0546 FTLN 0547 FTLN

0548 FTLN 0549 FTLN 0550 FTLN 0551 FTLN 0552 FTLN 0553 Yet here, Laertes? Aboard, aboard, for shame! The wind sits in the shoulder of your sail, And you are stayed for. There, my blessing with thee. And these few precepts in thy memory Look 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 unto thy soul with hoops of steel, But do not dull thy palm with entertainment Of each new-hatched, unfledged courage. Beware Of entrance to a quarrel, but, being in, Bear ’t that th’ opposèd 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 expressed 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, 60 65 70 75 80 45 FTLN 0554 FTLN 0555 FTLN 0556 FTLN 0557 FTLN 0558 ACT 1. SC 3 Hamlet And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. This above all: to thine own self 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 85 LAERTES FTLN 0559 Most humbly do I take my leave, my lord. POLONIUS FTLN 0560 The time invests you. Go, your servants tend LAERTES FTLN 0561 FTLN 0562 FTLN 0563 FTLN 0564 FTLN 0565 Farewell, Ophelia, and remember well What I have said to you. OPHELIA ’Tis in my memory locked, And you yourself shall keep the key of it. LAERTES Farewell. 90 Laertes exits. POLONIUS FTLN 0566 What is ’t, Ophelia, he hath said to you? 95 OPHELIA FTLN 0567 FTLN 0568 FTLN 0569 FTLN 0570 FTLN 0571 FTLN 0572 FTLN 0573 FTLN 0574 FTLN 0575 FTLN 0576 FTLN 0577 FTLN 0578 So please you, something touching the Lord Hamlet. POLONIUS 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 You do not understand yourself so clearly As it behooves my daughter and your honor. What is between you? Give me up the truth. 100 105 OPHELIA FTLN 0579 FTLN 0580 He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders Of his affection to me. POLONIUS FTLN 0581 FTLN 0582 FTLN 0583 Affection, puh! You speak like a green girl Unsifted in such perilous circumstance. Do you believe his “tenders,” as you call them? 110 47 Hamlet ACT 1. SC 3 OPHELIA FTLN 0584 I do not know, my lord, what I should think. POLONIUS FTLN 0585 FTLN 0586 FTLN 0587 FTLN 0588 FTLN 0589 Marry, I will teach you. Think yourself a baby 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. 115 OPHELIA FTLN 0590 FTLN 0591 My lord, he hath importuned me with love In honorable fashion 120 POLONIUS FTLN 0592 Ay, “fashion” you may call it. Go to, go to! OPHELIA FTLN 0593 FTLN 0594 And hath given countenance to his speech, my lord, With almost all the holy vows of heaven. POLONIUS FTLN 0595 FTLN 0596 FTLN 0597 FTLN 0598 FTLN 0599 FTLN 0600 FTLN 0601 FTLN 0602 FTLN 0603 FTLN 0604 FTLN 0605 FTLN 0606 FTLN 0607 FTLN 0608 FTLN 0609 FTLN 0610 FTLN 0611 FTLN 0612 FTLN 0613 Ay, springes to catch woodcocks. I do know, 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 something scanter of your maiden presence. Set your entreatments at a higher rate Than a command to parle. For Lord Hamlet, Believe so much in him that he is young, And with a larger tether may

he walk 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 125 130 135 140 49 FTLN 0614 FTLN 0615 FTLN 0616 ACT 1. SC 4 Hamlet As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet. Look to ’t, I charge you. Come your ways OPHELIA I shall obey, my lord. 145 They exit. Scene 4 Enter Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus. HAMLET FTLN 0617 The air bites shrewdly; it is very cold. HORATIO FTLN 0618 FTLN 0619 FTLN 0620 FTLN 0621 It is a nipping and an eager air. HAMLET What hour now? HORATIO I think it lacks of twelve. MARCELLUS No, it is struck. 5 HORATIO FTLN 0622 FTLN 0623 FTLN 0624 Indeed, I heard it not. It then draws near the season Wherein the spirit held his wont to walk. A flourish of

trumpets and two pieces goes off. What does this mean, my lord? HAMLET FTLN 0625 FTLN 0626 FTLN 0627 FTLN 0628 FTLN 0629 FTLN 0630 FTLN 0631 FTLN 0632 FTLN 0633 FTLN 0634 FTLN 0635 FTLN 0636 FTLN 0637 FTLN 0638 The King doth wake tonight and takes his rouse, Keeps wassail, and the swagg’ring upspring reels; And, as he drains his draughts of Rhenish down, The kettledrum and trumpet thus bray out The triumph of his pledge. HORATIO Is it a custom? HAMLET Ay, marry, is ’t, But, to my mind, though I am native here And to the manner born, it is a custom More honored in the breach than the observance. This heavy-headed revel east and west Makes us traduced and taxed of other nations. They clepe us drunkards and with swinish phrase Soil our addition. And, indeed, it takes 10 15 20 51 FTLN 0639 FTLN 0640 FTLN 0641 FTLN 0642 FTLN 0643 FTLN 0644 FTLN 0645 FTLN 0646 FTLN 0647 FTLN 0648 FTLN 0649 FTLN 0650 FTLN 0651 FTLN 0652 FTLN 0653 FTLN 0654 FTLN 0655 FTLN 0656 FTLN 0657 Hamlet

From our achievements, though performed 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 (Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason), Or by some habit that too much o’erleavens The form of plausive mannersthat these men, Carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect, Being nature’s livery or fortune’s star, His 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 evil Doth all the noble substance of a doubt To his own scandal. ACT 1. SC 4 25 30 35 40 Enter Ghost. FTLN 0658 HORATIO Look, my lord, it comes. HAMLET FTLN 0659 FTLN 0660 FTLN 0661 FTLN 0662 FTLN 0663 FTLN 0664 FTLN 0665 FTLN 0666 FTLN 0667 FTLN 0668 FTLN 0669 FTLN 0670 FTLN 0671 Angels and ministers

of grace, defend us! Be thou a spirit of health or goblin damned, Bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from hell, Be thy intents wicked or charitable, Thou com’st 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 Why thy canonized bones, hearsèd in death, Have burst their cerements; why the sepulcher, Wherein we saw thee quietly interred, Hath oped his ponderous and marble jaws 45 50 55 53 FTLN 0672 FTLN 0673 FTLN 0674 FTLN 0675 FTLN 0676 FTLN 0677 FTLN 0678 Hamlet ACT 1. SC 4 To cast thee up again. What may this mean That thou, dead corse, again in complete steel, Revisits 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? Say, why is this? Wherefore? What should we do? Ghost beckons. 60 HORATIO FTLN 0679 FTLN 0680 FTLN 0681

FTLN 0682 FTLN 0683 FTLN 0684 FTLN 0685 It beckons you to go away with it As if it some impartment did desire To you alone. MARCELLUS Look with what courteous action It waves you to a more removèd ground. But do not go with it. HORATIO No, by no means. 65 HAMLET FTLN 0686 It will not speak. Then I will follow it 70 HORATIO FTLN 0687 FTLN 0688 FTLN 0689 FTLN 0690 FTLN 0691 FTLN 0692 Do not, my lord. Why, what should be the fear? I do not set my life at 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 HAMLET 75 HORATIO FTLN 0693 FTLN 0694 FTLN 0695 FTLN 0696 FTLN 0697 FTLN 0698 FTLN 0699 FTLN 0700 FTLN 0701 FTLN 0702 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 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. 80 85 55 Hamlet ACT 1. SC 5 HAMLET FTLN 0703 It waves me still.Go on, I’ll follow thee MARCELLUS FTLN 0704 FTLN 0705 You shall not go, my lord. HAMLET They hold back Hamlet. Hold off your hands. HORATIO FTLN 0706 FTLN 0707 FTLN 0708 FTLN 0709 FTLN 0710 FTLN 0711 FTLN 0712 Be ruled. You shall not go 90 My fate cries out And makes each petty arture in this body As hardy as the Nemean lion’s nerve. Still am I called. Unhand me, gentlemen By heaven, I’ll make a ghost of him that lets me! I say, away!Go on. I’ll follow thee Ghost and Hamlet exit. HAMLET 95 HORATIO FTLN 0713 He waxes desperate with imagination. MARCELLUS FTLN 0714 Let’s follow. ’Tis not fit thus to obey him HORATIO FTLN 0715 Have after. To what issue will this come? MARCELLUS FTLN 0716 Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. 100 HORATIO FTLN 0717 FTLN 0718

Heaven will direct it. MARCELLUS Nay, let’s follow him. They exit. Scene 5 Enter Ghost and Hamlet. HAMLET FTLN 0719 FTLN 0720 Whither wilt thou lead me? Speak. I’ll go no further. GHOST FTLN 0721 Mark me. 57 FTLN 0722 HAMLET FTLN 0723 GHOST FTLN 0724 FTLN 0725 FTLN 0726 Hamlet ACT 1. SC 5 I will. My hour is almost come When I to sulf’rous and tormenting flames Must render up myself. HAMLET Alas, poor ghost! 5 GHOST FTLN 0727 FTLN 0728 FTLN 0729 Pity me not, but lend thy serious hearing To what I shall unfold. HAMLET Speak. I am bound to hear 10 GHOST FTLN 0730 FTLN 0731 FTLN 0732 FTLN 0733 FTLN 0734 FTLN 0735 FTLN 0736 FTLN 0737 FTLN 0738 FTLN 0739 FTLN 0740 FTLN 0741 FTLN 0742 FTLN 0743 FTLN 0744 FTLN 0745 FTLN 0746 FTLN 0747 FTLN 0748 So art thou to revenge, when thou shalt hear. What? GHOST I am thy father’s spirit, Doomed 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 Would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood, Make thy two eyes, like stars, start from their spheres, Thy knotted and combinèd locks to part, And each particular hair to stand an end, Like quills upon the fearful 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 HAMLET O God! HAMLET 15 20 25 30 GHOST FTLN 0749 FTLN 0750 Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder. Murder? HAMLET GHOST FTLN 0751 FTLN 0752 Murder most foul, as in the best it is, But this most foul, strange, and unnatural. HAMLET FTLN 0753 Haste me to know ’t, that I, with wings as swift 35 59 FTLN 0754 FTLN 0755 FTLN 0756 FTLN 0757 FTLN 0758 FTLN 0759 FTLN 0760 FTLN 0761 FTLN 0762 FTLN 0763 FTLN 0764 FTLN 0765 FTLN 0766 Hamlet As meditation or the thoughts of love, May sweep to my

revenge. GHOST 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 ’Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard, A serpent stung me. So the whole ear of Denmark Is by a forgèd process of my death Rankly abused. But know, thou noble youth, The serpent that did sting thy father’s life Now wears his crown. HAMLET O, my prophetic soul! My uncle! ACT 1. SC 5 40 45 GHOST FTLN 0767 FTLN 0768 FTLN 0769 FTLN 0770 FTLN 0771 FTLN 0772 FTLN 0773 FTLN 0774 FTLN 0775 FTLN 0776 FTLN 0777 FTLN 0778 FTLN 0779 FTLN 0780 FTLN 0781 FTLN 0782 FTLN 0783 FTLN 0784 FTLN 0785 FTLN 0786 FTLN 0787 FTLN 0788 Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast, With witchcraft of his wits, with traitorous gifts O wicked wit and gifts, that have the power 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, So, lust, though to a radiant angel linked, 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 cursèd hebona in a vial And in the porches of my ears did pour 50 55 60 65 70 61 FTLN 0789 FTLN 0790 FTLN 0791 FTLN 0792 FTLN 0793 FTLN 0794 FTLN 0795 FTLN 0796 FTLN 0797 FTLN 0798 FTLN 0799 FTLN 0800 FTLN 0801 FTLN 0802 FTLN 0803 FTLN 0804 FTLN 0805 FTLN 0806 FTLN 0807 FTLN 0808 FTLN 0809 FTLN 0810 FTLN 0811 FTLN 0812 FTLN 0813 FTLN 0814 FTLN 0815 FTLN 0816 Hamlet ACT 1. SC 5 The leprous distilment, whose effect 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 vigor it doth posset And curd, like eager droppings into milk, The thin and wholesome blood. So did it mine, And a most instant tetter barked about, Most lazar-like, with vile and loathsome crust All my smooth body. Thus was I, sleeping, by a brother’s hand Of life, of crown, of queen at once dispatched, Cut off, even in the blossoms of my sin, Unhouseled, disappointed, unaneled, No reck’ning 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 damnèd incest. But, howsomever thou pursues this act, 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 glowworm shows the matin to be near And ’gins to pale his

uneffectual fire. Adieu, adieu, adieu. Remember me He exits. 75 80 85 90 95 HAMLET FTLN 0817 FTLN 0818 FTLN 0819 FTLN 0820 FTLN 0821 FTLN 0822 FTLN 0823 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, But bear me stiffly up. Remember thee? Ay, thou poor ghost, whiles memory holds a seat In this distracted globe. Remember thee? Yea, from the table of my memory 100 105 63 FTLN 0824 FTLN 0825 FTLN 0826 FTLN 0827 FTLN 0828 FTLN 0829 FTLN 0830 FTLN 0831 FTLN 0832 FTLN 0833 FTLN 0834 FTLN 0835 FTLN 0836 FTLN 0837 Hamlet ACT 1. SC 5 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, Unmixed with baser matter. Yes, by heaven! O most pernicious woman! O villain, villain, smiling, damnèd villain! My tablesmeet it is I set

it down That one may smile and smile and be a villain. At least I am sure it may be so in Denmark. He writes. So, uncle, there you are. Now to my word It is “adieu, adieu, remember me.” I have sworn ’t. 110 115 Enter Horatio and Marcellus. My lord, my lord! Lord Hamlet. HORATIO Heavens secure him! HAMLET So be it. MARCELLUS Illo, ho, ho, my lord! HAMLET Hillo, ho, ho, boy! Come, bird, come! FTLN 0838 HORATIO FTLN 0839 MARCELLUS FTLN 0840 FTLN 0841 FTLN 0842 FTLN 0843 120 125 MARCELLUS FTLN 0844 How is ’t, my noble lord? FTLN 0845 HORATIO FTLN 0846 HAMLET What news, my lord? O, wonderful! HORATIO FTLN 0847 FTLN 0848 Good my lord, tell it. HAMLET No, you will reveal it. 130 HORATIO FTLN 0849 FTLN 0850 Not I, my lord, by heaven. MARCELLUS Nor I, my lord. HAMLET FTLN 0851 FTLN 0852 FTLN 0853 How say you, then? Would heart of man once think it? But you’ll be secret? 135 65 FTLN 0854 HORATIO/MARCELLUS Hamlet ACT 1. SC 5 Ay, by heaven, my lord.

HAMLET FTLN 0855 FTLN 0856 There’s never a villain dwelling in all Denmark But he’s an arrant knave. HORATIO FTLN 0857 FTLN 0858 FTLN 0859 FTLN 0860 FTLN 0861 FTLN 0862 FTLN 0863 FTLN 0864 FTLN 0865 There needs no ghost, my lord, come from the grave To tell us this. HAMLET Why, right, you are in the right. And so, without more circumstance at all, I hold it fit that we shake hands and part, You, as your business and desire shall point you (For every man hath business and desire, Such as it is), and for my own poor part, I will go pray. 140 145 HORATIO FTLN 0866 These are but wild and whirling words, my lord. HAMLET FTLN 0867 FTLN 0868 FTLN 0869 I am sorry they offend you, heartily; Yes, faith, heartily. HORATIO There’s no offense, my lord. 150 HAMLET FTLN 0870 FTLN 0871 FTLN 0872 FTLN 0873 FTLN 0874 FTLN 0875 FTLN 0876 FTLN 0877 Yes, by Saint Patrick, but there is, Horatio, And much offense, too. Touching this vision here, It is an honest ghostthat 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. HORATIO What is ’t, my lord? We will. 155 HAMLET FTLN 0878 FTLN 0879 FTLN 0880 FTLN 0881 FTLN 0882 Never make known what you have seen tonight. My lord, we will not. HAMLET Nay, but swear ’t. HORATIO In faith, my lord, not I. MARCELLUS Nor I, my lord, in faith. 160 HORATIO/MARCELLUS HAMLET FTLN 0883 Upon my sword. 165 67 FTLN 0884 FTLN 0885 FTLN 0886 Hamlet ACT 1. SC 5 We have sworn, my lord, already. HAMLET Indeed, upon my sword, indeed. GHOST cries under the stage Swear. MARCELLUS HAMLET FTLN 0887 FTLN 0888 FTLN 0889 FTLN 0890 FTLN 0891 Ha, ha, boy, sayst thou so? Art thou there, truepenny? Come on, you hear this fellow in the cellarage. Consent to swear. HORATIO Propose the oath, my lord. 170 HAMLET FTLN 0892 FTLN 0893 FTLN 0894 Never to speak of this that you have seen, Swear by my sword.

GHOST, beneath Swear. 175 HAMLET FTLN 0895 FTLN 0896 FTLN 0897 FTLN 0898 FTLN 0899 FTLN 0900 Hic et ubique? Then we’ll shift our ground. Come hither, gentlemen, And lay your hands again upon my sword. Swear by my sword Never to speak of this that you have heard. GHOST, beneath Swear by his sword. 180 HAMLET FTLN 0901 FTLN 0902 Well said, old mole. Canst work i’ th’ earth so fast? A worthy pioner! Once more remove, good friends. HORATIO FTLN 0903 O day and night, but this is wondrous strange. 185 HAMLET FTLN 0904 FTLN 0905 FTLN 0906 FTLN 0907 FTLN 0908 FTLN 0909 FTLN 0910 FTLN 0911 FTLN 0912 FTLN 0913 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 some’er I bear myself (As I perchance hereafter shall think meet To put an antic disposition on) That you, at such times seeing me, never shall, With arms encumbered

thus, or this headshake, Or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase, 190 195 69 FTLN 0914 FTLN 0915 FTLN 0916 FTLN 0917 FTLN 0918 FTLN 0919 FTLN 0920 FTLN 0921 Hamlet ACT 1. SC 5 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 methis do swear, So grace and mercy at your most need help you. GHOST, beneath Swear. 200 HAMLET FTLN 0922 FTLN 0923 FTLN 0924 FTLN 0925 FTLN 0926 FTLN 0927 FTLN 0928 FTLN 0929 FTLN 0930 Rest, rest, perturbèd spirit.So, gentlemen, With all my love I do commend me to you, And what so poor a man as Hamlet is May do t’ 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 cursèd spite That ever I was born to set it right! Nay, come, let’s go together. They exit. 205 210 ACT 2 Scene 1 Enter old

Polonius with his man Reynaldo. POLONIUS FTLN 0931 FTLN 0932 Give him this money and these notes, Reynaldo. REYNALDO I will, my lord. POLONIUS FTLN 0933 FTLN 0934 FTLN 0935 FTLN 0936 You shall do marvelous wisely, good Reynaldo, Before you visit him, to make inquire Of his behavior. REYNALDO My lord, I did intend it. 5 POLONIUS FTLN 0937 FTLN 0938 FTLN 0939 FTLN 0940 FTLN 0941 FTLN 0942 FTLN 0943 FTLN 0944 FTLN 0945 FTLN 0946 FTLN 0947 FTLN 0948 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, 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? REYNALDO Ay, very well, my lord. POLONIUS FTLN 0949 “And, in part,

him, but,” you may say, “not well. 73 10 15 75 FTLN 0950 FTLN 0951 FTLN 0952 FTLN 0953 FTLN 0954 FTLN 0955 FTLN 0956 FTLN 0957 FTLN 0958 FTLN 0959 FTLN 0960 Hamlet But if ’t be he I mean, he’s very wild, Addicted so and so.” And there put on him What forgeries you pleasemarry, none so rank As may dishonor him, take heed of that, But, sir, such wanton, wild, and usual slips As are companions noted and most known To youth and liberty. REYNALDO As gaming, my lord. POLONIUS Ay, or drinking, fencing, swearing, Quarreling, drabbingyou may go so far. REYNALDO My lord, that would dishonor him. ACT 2. SC 1 20 25 30 POLONIUS FTLN 0961 FTLN 0962 FTLN 0963 FTLN 0964 FTLN 0965 FTLN 0966 FTLN 0967 FTLN 0968 FTLN 0969 FTLN 0970 FTLN 0971 FTLN 0972 FTLN 0973 FTLN 0974 FTLN 0975 FTLN 0976 FTLN 0977 FTLN 0978 FTLN 0979 FTLN 0980 FTLN 0981 FTLN 0982 FTLN 0983 FTLN 0984 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 unreclaimèd blood, Of general assault. REYNALDO But, my good lord POLONIUS Wherefore should you do this? REYNALDO Ay, my lord, I would know that. POLONIUS 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 soiled i’ th’ 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: “Good sir,” or so, or “friend,” or “gentleman,” According to the phrase or the addition Of man and country 35 40 45 50 77 FTLN 0985 FTLN 0986 FTLN 0987 FTLN 0988 FTLN 0989 FTLN 0990 ACT 2. SC 1 Hamlet Very good, my lord. POLONIUS And then, sir, does he this, he doeswhat was I about to say? By the

Mass, I was about to say something. Where did I leave? REYNALDO At “closes in the consequence,” at “friend, or so,” and “gentleman.” REYNALDO 55 60 POLONIUS FTLN 0991 FTLN 0992 FTLN 0993 FTLN 0994 FTLN 0995 FTLN 0996 FTLN 0997 FTLN 0998 FTLN 0999 FTLN 1000 FTLN 1001 FTLN 1002 FTLN 1003 FTLN 1004 FTLN 1005 At “closes in the consequence”ay, marry He closes thus: “I know the gentleman. I saw him yesterday,” or “th’ other day” (Or then, or then, with such or such), “and as you say, There was he 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 brothelor so forth. See you now Your bait of falsehood take this carp of truth; And thus do we of wisdom and of reach, 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? 65 70 75 REYNALDO FTLN 1006 My lord, I have.

FTLN 1007 POLONIUS FTLN 1008 REYNALDO God be wi’ you. Fare you well Good my lord. POLONIUS FTLN 1009 FTLN 1010 FTLN 1011 FTLN 1012 Observe his inclination in yourself. I shall, my lord. POLONIUS And let him ply his music. REYNALDO Well, my lord. 80 REYNALDO POLONIUS FTLN 1013 Farewell. Reynaldo exits. Enter Ophelia. FTLN 1014 How now, Ophelia, what’s the matter? 79 Hamlet ACT 2. SC 1 OPHELIA FTLN 1015 FTLN 1016 O, my lord, my lord, I have been so affrighted! With what, i’ th’ name of God? 85 POLONIUS OPHELIA FTLN 1017 FTLN 1018 FTLN 1019 FTLN 1020 FTLN 1021 FTLN 1022 FTLN 1023 FTLN 1024 My lord, as I was sewing in my closet, Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced, No hat upon his head, his stockings fouled, Ungartered, and down-gyvèd to his ankle, Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other, And with a look so piteous in purport As if he had been loosèd out of hell To speak of horrorshe comes before me. 90 POLONIUS FTLN 1025 FTLN 1026 FTLN

1027 FTLN 1028 Mad for thy love? 95 My lord, I do not know, But truly I do fear it. POLONIUS What said he? OPHELIA OPHELIA FTLN 1029 FTLN 1030 FTLN 1031 FTLN 1032 FTLN 1033 FTLN 1034 FTLN 1035 FTLN 1036 FTLN 1037 FTLN 1038 FTLN 1039 FTLN 1040 FTLN 1041 FTLN 1042 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, He falls to such perusal of my face As he would draw it. Long stayed 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 turned, He seemed to find his way without his eyes, For out o’ doors he went without their helps And to the last bended their light on me. 100 105 110 POLONIUS FTLN 1043 FTLN 1044 FTLN 1045 Come, go with me. I will go seek the King This is the very ecstasy of love, Whose

violent property fordoes itself 115 81 FTLN 1046 FTLN 1047 FTLN 1048 FTLN 1049 Hamlet ACT 2. SC 2 And leads the will to desperate undertakings As oft as any passions under heaven That does afflict our natures. I am sorry What, have you given him any hard words of late? OPHELIA FTLN 1050 FTLN 1051 FTLN 1052 FTLN 1053 FTLN 1054 FTLN 1055 FTLN 1056 FTLN 1057 FTLN 1058 FTLN 1059 FTLN 1060 FTLN 1061 FTLN 1062 FTLN 1063 FTLN 1064 No, my good lord, but as you did command I did repel his letters and denied His access to me. POLONIUS That hath made him mad. I am sorry that with better heed and judgment I had not coted him. I feared he did but trifle And meant to wrack 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 move More grief to hide than hate to utter love. Come. They exit. 120 125 130

Scene 2 Flourish. Enter King and Queen, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and Attendants. KING FTLN 1065 FTLN 1066 FTLN 1067 FTLN 1068 FTLN 1069 FTLN 1070 FTLN 1071 FTLN 1072 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 th’ exterior nor the inward man Resembles that it was. What it should be, More than his father’s death, that thus hath put him 5 83 FTLN 1073 FTLN 1074 FTLN 1075 FTLN 1076 FTLN 1077 FTLN 1078 FTLN 1079 FTLN 1080 FTLN 1081 FTLN 1082 Hamlet ACT 2. SC 2 So much from th’ understanding of himself I cannot dream of. I entreat you both That, being of so young days brought up with him And sith so neighbored 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, opened, lies within our remedy. 10 15 QUEEN FTLN 1083 FTLN 1084 FTLN 1085 FTLN 1086 FTLN 1087 FTLN 1088 FTLN 1089 FTLN 1090 FTLN 1091 FTLN 1092 FTLN 1093 FTLN 1094 FTLN 1095 FTLN 1096 FTLN 1097 FTLN 1098 Good gentlemen, he hath much talked of you, And sure I am two men there is not living To whom he more adheres. If it will please you To show us so much gentry and goodwill 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. ROSENCRANTZ Both your Majesties Might, by the sovereign power you have of us, Put your dread pleasures more into command Than to entreaty. GUILDENSTERN But we both obey, And here give up ourselves in the full bent To lay our service freely at your feet, To be commanded. 20 25 30 KING FTLN 1099 Thanks, Rosencrantz and gentle Guildenstern. 35 QUEEN FTLN 1100 FTLN 1101 FTLN 1102 FTLN 1103 Thanks,

Guildenstern and gentle Rosencrantz. And I beseech you instantly to visit My too much changèd son.Go, some of you, And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is. GUILDENSTERN FTLN 1104 FTLN 1105 Heavens make our presence and our practices Pleasant and helpful to him! 40 85 FTLN 1106 Hamlet ACT 2. SC 2 Ay, amen! Rosencrantz and Guildenstern exit with some Attendants. QUEEN Enter Polonius. POLONIUS FTLN 1107 FTLN 1108 Th’ ambassadors from Norway, my good lord, Are joyfully returned. KING FTLN 1109 Thou still hast been the father of good news. 45 POLONIUS FTLN 1110 FTLN 1111 FTLN 1112 FTLN 1113 FTLN 1114 FTLN 1115 FTLN 1116 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 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. 50 KING FTLN 1117 O, speak of that! That do I long to hear. POLONIUS FTLN

1118 FTLN 1119 Give first admittance to th’ ambassadors. My news shall be the fruit to that great feast. 55 KING FTLN 1120 FTLN 1121 FTLN 1122 Thyself do grace to them and bring them in. Polonius exits. He tells me, my dear Gertrude, he hath found The head and source of all your son’s distemper. QUEEN FTLN 1123 FTLN 1124 I doubt it is no other but the main His father’s death and our o’erhasty marriage. KING FTLN 1125 Well, we shall sift him. Enter Ambassadors Voltemand and Cornelius with Polonius. 60 87 FTLN 1126 FTLN 1127 Hamlet ACT 2. SC 2 Welcome, my good friends. Say, Voltemand, what from our brother Norway? VOLTEMAND FTLN 1128 FTLN 1129 FTLN 1130 FTLN 1131 FTLN 1132 FTLN 1133 FTLN 1134 FTLN 1135 FTLN 1136 FTLN 1137 FTLN 1138 FTLN 1139 FTLN 1140 FTLN 1141 FTLN 1142 FTLN 1143 FTLN 1144 FTLN 1145 FTLN 1146 FTLN 1147 FTLN 1148 FTLN 1149 FTLN 1150 FTLN 1151 FTLN 1152 FTLN 1153 FTLN 1154 FTLN 1155 FTLN 1156 FTLN 1157 FTLN 1158 Most fair return of greetings

and desires. Upon our first, he sent out to suppress His nephew’s levies, which to him appeared To be a preparation ’gainst the Polack, But, better looked into, he truly found It was against your Highness. Whereat, grieved 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 th’ assay of arms against your Majesty. Whereon old Norway, overcome with joy, Gives him three-score thousand crowns in annual fee And his commission to employ those soldiers, So levied as before, against the Polack, With an entreaty, herein further shown, He gives 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. KING It likes us well, And, at our more considered time, we’ll read, Answer, and think upon this business. Meantime, we

thank you for your well-took labor. Go to your rest. At night we’ll feast together Most welcome home! Voltemand and Cornelius exit. POLONIUS This business is well ended. My liege, and madam, to expostulate What majesty should be, what duty is, 65 70 75 80 85 90 89 FTLN 1159 FTLN 1160 FTLN 1161 FTLN 1162 FTLN 1163 FTLN 1164 FTLN 1165 FTLN 1166 FTLN 1167 Hamlet ACT 2. SC 2 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, What is ’t but to be nothing else but mad? But let that go. QUEEN More matter with less art. 95 100 POLONIUS FTLN 1168 FTLN 1169 FTLN 1170 FTLN 1171 FTLN 1172 FTLN 1173 FTLN 1174 FTLN 1175 FTLN 1176 FTLN 1177 FTLN 1178 FTLN 1179 FTLN 1180 FTLN 1181 FTLN 1182 FTLN 1183 FTLN 1184 FTLN 1185 FTLN 1186 Madam, I swear I use no art

at all. That he’s mad, ’tis true; ’tis true ’tis pity, And pity ’tis ’tis truea 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, 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 He 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: He reads In her excellent white bosom, these, etc. QUEEN Came this from Hamlet to her? 105 110 115 120 POLONIUS FTLN 1187 FTLN 1188 FTLN 1189 FTLN 1190 FTLN 1191 Good madam, stay awhile. I will be faithful He reads the letter. Doubt thou the stars are fire, Doubt that the sun doth move, Doubt truth to be a liar, But never

doubt I love. 125 91 FTLN 1192 FTLN 1193 FTLN 1194 FTLN 1195 FTLN 1196 FTLN 1197 FTLN 1198 FTLN 1199 FTLN 1200 FTLN 1201 FTLN 1202 Hamlet ACT 2. SC 2 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 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. KING But how hath she received his love? POLONIUS What do you think of me? 130 135 KING FTLN 1203 As of a man faithful and honorable. POLONIUS FTLN 1204 FTLN 1205 FTLN 1206 FTLN 1207 FTLN 1208 FTLN 1209 FTLN 1210 FTLN 1211 FTLN 1212 FTLN 1213 FTLN 1214 FTLN 1215 FTLN 1216 FTLN 1217 FTLN 1218 FTLN 1219 FTLN 1220 FTLN 1221 FTLN 1222 FTLN 1223 FTLN 1224 FTLN 1225 I would fain prove so. But what might you think, 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 played the desk or table-book Or given my heart a winking, mute and dumb, Or looked 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. This must not be.” And then I prescripts 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, repelled (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. KING, to Queen Do you think ’tis this? 140 145 150 155 160 93 FTLN 1226 QUEEN Hamlet ACT 2. SC 2 It may be, very like. POLONIUS FTLN 1227 FTLN 1228 FTLN 1229 FTLN 1230 FTLN 1231 Hath there been

such a time (I would fain know that) That I have positively said “’Tis so,” When it proved otherwise? KING Not that I know. 165 POLONIUS FTLN 1232 FTLN 1233 FTLN 1234 FTLN 1235 FTLN 1236 Take this from this, if this be otherwise. If circumstances lead me, I will find Where truth is hid, though it were hid, indeed, Within the center. KING How may we try it further? 170 POLONIUS FTLN 1237 FTLN 1238 FTLN 1239 You know sometimes he walks four hours together Here in the lobby. QUEEN So he does indeed. 175 POLONIUS FTLN 1240 FTLN 1241 FTLN 1242 FTLN 1243 FTLN 1244 FTLN 1245 FTLN 1246 At such a time I’ll loose my daughter to him. To the King. 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, But keep a farm and carters. KING We will try it. 180 Enter Hamlet reading on a book. QUEEN FTLN 1247 FTLN 1248 But look where sadly the poor wretch comes reading. POLONIUS FTLN

1249 FTLN 1250 FTLN 1251 FTLN 1252 Away, I do beseech you both, away. I’ll board him presently. O, give me leave King and Queen exit with Attendants. How does my good Lord Hamlet? HAMLET Well, God-a-mercy. 185 95 FTLN 1253 FTLN 1254 FTLN 1255 FTLN 1256 FTLN 1257 FTLN 1258 FTLN 1259 FTLN 1260 FTLN 1261 FTLN 1262 FTLN 1263 FTLN 1264 FTLN 1265 FTLN 1266 FTLN 1267 FTLN 1268 FTLN 1269 FTLN 1270 FTLN 1271 FTLN 1272 FTLN 1273 FTLN 1274 FTLN 1275 FTLN 1276 FTLN 1277 FTLN 1278 FTLN 1279 FTLN 1280 FTLN 1281 FTLN 1282 FTLN 1283 FTLN 1284 FTLN 1285 FTLN 1286 FTLN 1287 FTLN 1288 Hamlet ACT 2. SC 2 Do you know me, my lord? HAMLET Excellent well. You are a fishmonger POLONIUS Not I, my lord. HAMLET Then I would you were so honest a man. POLONIUS Honest, my lord? HAMLET Ay, sir. To be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of ten thousand. POLONIUS That’s very true, my lord. HAMLET For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a good kissing carrionHave you a

daughter? POLONIUS I have, my lord. HAMLET Let her not walk i’ th’ sun. Conception is a blessing, but, as your daughter may conceive, friend, look to ’t. POLONIUS, 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 And truly, in my youth, I suffered much extremity for love, very near this. I’ll speak to him againWhat do you read, my lord? HAMLET Words, words, words. POLONIUS What is the matter, my lord? HAMLET Between who? POLONIUS I mean the matter that you read, my lord. HAMLET Slanders, sir; for the satirical rogue says here that old men have gray 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, shall grow old as I am, if, like a crab, you could go

backward. POLONIUS, aside Though this be madness, yet there is method in ’t.Will you walk out of the air, my lord? POLONIUS 190 195 200 205 210 215 220 97 FTLN 1289 FTLN 1290 FTLN 1291 FTLN 1292 FTLN 1293 FTLN 1294 FTLN 1295 FTLN 1296 FTLN 1297 FTLN 1298 FTLN 1299 FTLN 1300 FTLN 1301 Hamlet ACT 2. SC 2 Into my grave? POLONIUS Indeed, that’s out of 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 lord, I will take my leave of you. HAMLET You cannot, sir, take from me anything that I will more willingly part withalexcept my life, except my life, except my life. POLONIUS Fare you well, my lord. HAMLET, aside These tedious old fools. HAMLET 225 230 235 Enter Guildenstern and Rosencrantz. FTLN 1302 FTLN 1303 FTLN 1304 FTLN 1305 FTLN 1306 FTLN 1307 FTLN 1308 You go to

seek the Lord Hamlet. There he is ROSENCRANTZ, to Polonius God save you, sir. Polonius exits. GUILDENSTERN My honored lord. ROSENCRANTZ My most dear lord. HAMLET My excellent good friends! How dost thou, Guildenstern? Ah, Rosencrantz! Good lads, how do you both? POLONIUS 240 ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1309 As the indifferent children of the earth. 245 GUILDENSTERN FTLN 1310 FTLN 1311 FTLN 1312 FTLN 1313 FTLN 1314 FTLN 1315 FTLN 1316 FTLN 1317 FTLN 1318 FTLN 1319 FTLN 1320 Happy in that we are not overhappy. On Fortune’s cap, we are not the very button. HAMLET Nor the soles of her shoe? ROSENCRANTZ Neither, my lord. HAMLET Then you live about her waist, or in the middle of her favors? GUILDENSTERN Faith, her privates we. HAMLET In the secret parts of Fortune? O, most true! She is a strumpet. What news? ROSENCRANTZ None, my lord, but that the world’s grown honest. 250 255 99 FTLN 1321 FTLN 1322 FTLN 1323 FTLN 1324 FTLN 1325 FTLN 1326 FTLN 1327 FTLN 1328 FTLN 1329 FTLN 1330 FTLN

1331 FTLN 1332 FTLN 1333 FTLN 1334 FTLN 1335 FTLN 1336 FTLN 1337 FTLN 1338 FTLN 1339 FTLN 1340 FTLN 1341 FTLN 1342 FTLN 1343 FTLN 1344 FTLN 1345 FTLN 1346 FTLN 1347 FTLN 1348 FTLN 1349 FTLN 1350 FTLN 1351 FTLN 1352 FTLN 1353 FTLN 1354 FTLN 1355 FTLN 1356 Hamlet ACT 2. SC 2 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? GUILDENSTERN Prison, my lord? HAMLET Denmark’s a prison. ROSENCRANTZ Then is the world one. HAMLET A goodly one, in which there are many confines, wards, and dungeons, Denmark being one o’ th’ worst. ROSENCRANTZ We think not so, my lord. HAMLET 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 Why, then, your ambition makes it one. ’Tis too narrow for your mind. HAMLET O God, I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself a king of infinite

space, were it not that I have bad dreams. GUILDENSTERN Which dreams, indeed, are ambition, for the very substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream. HAMLET A dream itself is but a shadow. ROSENCRANTZ Truly, and I hold ambition of so airy and light a quality that it is but a shadow’s shadow. HAMLET Then are our beggars bodies, and our monarchs and outstretched heroes the beggars’ shadows. Shall we to th’ court? For, by my fay, I cannot reason. ROSENCRANTZ/GUILDENSTERN We’ll wait upon you. HAMLET 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? ROSENCRANTZ To visit you, my lord, no other occasion. HAMLET 260 265 270 275 280 285 290 101 FTLN 1357 FTLN 1358 FTLN 1359 FTLN 1360 FTLN 1361 FTLN 1362 FTLN 1363 FTLN 1364 FTLN 1365 FTLN 1366 FTLN 1367 FTLN 1368 FTLN 1369 FTLN 1370 FTLN 1371 FTLN 1372 FTLN 1373

FTLN 1374 FTLN 1375 FTLN 1376 FTLN 1377 FTLN 1378 FTLN 1379 FTLN 1380 FTLN 1381 FTLN 1382 FTLN 1383 FTLN 1384 FTLN 1385 FTLN 1386 FTLN 1387 FTLN 1388 FTLN 1389 FTLN 1390 FTLN 1391 FTLN 1392 Hamlet ACT 2. SC 2 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, come, deal justly with me. Come, come; nay, speak. GUILDENSTERN What should we say, my lord? HAMLET Anything but to th’ purpose. You were sent for, and there is a kind of confession in your looks which your modesties have not craft enough to color. I know the good king and queen have sent for you. ROSENCRANTZ To what end, my lord? HAMLET 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 can charge you withal: be even and direct with

me whether you were sent for or no. ROSENCRANTZ, to Guildenstern What say you? HAMLET, aside Nay, then, I have an eye of you.If you love me, hold not off. GUILDENSTERN My lord, we were sent for. HAMLET I will tell you why; so shall my anticipation prevent your discovery, and your secrecy to the King and Queen molt no feather. I have of late, but wherefore I know not, lost all my mirth, forgone all 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 firewhy, it appeareth nothing to me but a foul and pestilent congregation of vapors. What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving HAMLET 295 300 305 310 315 320 325 103 FTLN 1393 FTLN 1394 FTLN 1395 FTLN 1396 FTLN 1397 FTLN 1398 FTLN 1399 FTLN 1400 FTLN 1401 FTLN 1402

FTLN 1403 FTLN 1404 FTLN 1405 FTLN 1406 FTLN 1407 FTLN 1408 FTLN 1409 FTLN 1410 FTLN 1411 FTLN 1412 FTLN 1413 FTLN 1414 FTLN 1415 FTLN 1416 FTLN 1417 FTLN 1418 FTLN 1419 FTLN 1420 FTLN 1421 FTLN 1422 FTLN 1423 FTLN 1424 FTLN 1425 FTLN 1426 FTLN 1427 FTLN 1428 Hamlet ACT 2. SC 2 how express and admirable; in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god: the beauty of the world, the paragon of animalsand yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust? Man delights not me, no, nor women neither, though by your smiling you seem to say so. ROSENCRANTZ My lord, there was no such stuff in my thoughts. HAMLET Why did you laugh, then, when I said “man delights not me”? ROSENCRANTZ 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 coming to offer you service. HAMLET He that plays the king shall be welcomehis Majesty shall have tribute on me. The adventurous knight shall use

his foil and target, the lover shall not sigh gratis, the humorous man shall end his part in peace, the clown shall make those laugh whose lungs are tickle o’ th’ sear, and the lady shall say her mind freely, or the blank verse shall halt for ’t. What players are they? ROSENCRANTZ Even those you were wont to take such delight in, the tragedians of the city. HAMLET How chances it they travel? Their residence, both in reputation and profit, was better both ways. ROSENCRANTZ I think their inhibition comes by the means of the late innovation. HAMLET Do they hold the same estimation they did when I was in the city? Are they so followed? ROSENCRANTZ No, indeed are they not. HAMLET How comes it? Do they grow rusty? ROSENCRANTZ Nay, their endeavor keeps in the wonted pace. But there is, sir, an aerie of children, little eyases, that cry out on the top of question and are most tyrannically clapped for ’t. These are now the 330 335 340 345 350 355 360 105 FTLN 1429 FTLN 1430

FTLN 1431 FTLN 1432 FTLN 1433 FTLN 1434 FTLN 1435 FTLN 1436 FTLN 1437 FTLN 1438 FTLN 1439 FTLN 1440 FTLN 1441 FTLN 1442 FTLN 1443 FTLN 1444 FTLN 1445 FTLN 1446 FTLN 1447 FTLN 1448 FTLN 1449 FTLN 1450 FTLN 1451 FTLN 1452 FTLN 1453 FTLN 1454 FTLN 1455 FTLN 1456 FTLN 1457 FTLN 1458 FTLN 1459 FTLN 1460 FTLN 1461 FTLN 1462 FTLN 1463 FTLN 1464 Hamlet ACT 2. SC 2 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. HAMLET 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 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? ROSENCRANTZ Faith, there has been much to-do on both sides, and the nation holds it no sin to tar 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. HAMLET Is ’t possible? GUILDENSTERN O, there has been much throwing about of brains. HAMLET Do the boys carry it away? ROSENCRANTZ Ay, that they do, my lordHercules and his load too. HAMLET It is not very strange; for my uncle is King of Denmark, and those that would make mouths at him while my father lived give twenty, forty, fifty, a hundred ducats apiece for his picture in little. ’Sblood, there is something in this more than natural, if philosophy could find it out. A flourish for the Players. GUILDENSTERN There are the players. HAMLET Gentlemen, you are welcome to Elsinore. Your hands, come then. Th’ 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 outwards, should more appear like entertainment than yours. You are welcome. But my uncle-father and aunt-mother are deceived. 365 370 375

380 385 390 395 400 107 FTLN 1465 FTLN 1466 FTLN 1467 Hamlet ACT 2. SC 2 In what, my dear lord? HAMLET I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw. GUILDENSTERN Enter Polonius. Well be with you, gentlemen. Hark you, Guildenstern, and you tooat each ear a hearer! That great baby you see there is not yet out of his swaddling clouts. ROSENCRANTZ Haply he is the second time come to them, for they say an old man is twice a child. HAMLET I will prophesy he comes to tell me of the players; mark it.You say right, sir, a Monday morning, ’twas then indeed. POLONIUS My lord, I have news to tell you. HAMLET My lord, I have news to tell you: when Roscius was an actor in Rome POLONIUS The actors are come hither, my lord. HAMLET Buzz, buzz. POLONIUS Upon my honor HAMLET Then came each actor on his ass. POLONIUS 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 Plautus too light. For the law of writ and the liberty, these are the only men. HAMLET O Jephthah, judge of Israel, what a treasure hadst thou! POLONIUS What a treasure had he, my lord? HAMLET Why, One fair daughter, and no more, The which he lovèd passing well. POLONIUS, aside Still on my daughter. HAMLET Am I not i’ th’ right, old Jephthah? FTLN 1468 POLONIUS FTLN 1469 HAMLET FTLN 1470 FTLN 1471 FTLN 1472 FTLN 1473 FTLN 1474 FTLN 1475 FTLN 1476 FTLN 1477 FTLN 1478 FTLN 1479 FTLN 1480 FTLN 1481 FTLN 1482 FTLN 1483 FTLN 1484 FTLN 1485 FTLN 1486 FTLN 1487 FTLN 1488 FTLN 1489 FTLN 1490 FTLN 1491 FTLN 1492 FTLN 1493 FTLN 1494 FTLN 1495 FTLN 1496 FTLN 1497 FTLN 1498 405 410 415 420 425 430 109 FTLN 1499 FTLN 1500 FTLN 1501 FTLN 1502 FTLN 1503 FTLN 1504 FTLN 1505 FTLN 1506 FTLN 1507 FTLN 1508 Hamlet ACT 2. SC 2 If you call me “Jephthah,”

my lord: I have a daughter that I love passing well. HAMLET Nay, that follows not. POLONIUS What follows then, my lord? HAMLET 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 abridgment comes. POLONIUS 435 440 Enter the Players. FTLN 1509 FTLN 1510 FTLN 1511 FTLN 1512 FTLN 1513 FTLN 1514 FTLN 1515 FTLN 1516 FTLN 1517 FTLN 1518 FTLN 1519 FTLN 1520 FTLN 1521 FTLN 1522 FTLN 1523 FTLN 1524 FTLN 1525 FTLN 1526 FTLN 1527 FTLN 1528 FTLN 1529 FTLN 1530 FTLN 1531 FTLN 1532 You are welcome, masters; welcome all.I am glad to see thee well.Welcome, good friendsO my old friend! Why, thy face is valanced since I saw thee last. Com’st 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 a piece 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 anything we see. We’ll have a speech straight. Come, give us a taste of your quality. Come, a passionate speech FIRST PLAYER What speech, my good lord? HAMLET 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 caviary 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 were no sallets in the lines to make the matter savory, nor no matter in the phrase that might indict the author of affection, but called it an honest 445 450 455 460 465 111 FTLN 1533 FTLN 1534 FTLN 1535 FTLN 1536 FTLN 1537 FTLN 1538 FTLN 1539 FTLN 1540 FTLN 1541 FTLN 1542 FTLN 1543 FTLN 1544 FTLN 1545 FTLN 1546 FTLN 1547 FTLN 1548 FTLN 1549 FTLN 1550 FTLN 1551

FTLN 1552 FTLN 1553 FTLN 1554 FTLN 1555 FTLN 1556 FTLN 1557 FTLN 1558 FTLN 1559 FTLN 1560 FTLN 1561 FTLN 1562 FTLN 1563 FTLN 1564 FTLN 1565 FTLN 1566 FTLN 1567 FTLN 1568 Hamlet ACT 2. SC 2 method, as wholesome as sweet and, by very much, more handsome than fine. One speech in ’t I chiefly loved. ’Twas Aeneas’ tale to Dido, and thereabout of it especially when he speaks of Priam’s slaughter. If it live in your memory, begin at this linelet me see, let me see: The rugged Pyrrhus, like th’ Hyrcanian beast ’tis not so; it begins with Pyrrhus: The rugged Pyrrhus, he whose sable arms, Black as his purpose, did the night resemble When he lay couchèd in th’ ominous horse, Hath now this dread and black complexion smeared With heraldry more dismal. Head to foot, Now is he total gules, horridly tricked With blood of fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, Baked and impasted with the parching streets, That lend a tyrannous and a damnèd light To their lord’s murder. Roasted in wrath

and fire, And thus o’ersizèd with coagulate gore, With eyes like carbuncles, the hellish Pyrrhus Old grandsire Priam seeks. So, proceed you. POLONIUS ’Fore God, my lord, well spoken, with good accent and good discretion. Anon he finds him FIRST PLAYER Striking too short at Greeks. His antique sword, Rebellious to his arm, lies where it falls, Repugnant to command. Unequal matched, Pyrrhus at Priam drives, in rage strikes wide; But with the whiff and wind of his fell sword Th’ unnervèd 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, seemed i’ th’ air to stick. 470 475 480 485 490 495 500 113 FTLN 1569 FTLN 1570 FTLN 1571 FTLN 1572 FTLN 1573 FTLN 1574 FTLN 1575 FTLN 1576 FTLN 1577 FTLN 1578 FTLN 1579 FTLN 1580 FTLN 1581 FTLN 1582 FTLN 1583 FTLN 1584 FTLN 1585 FTLN 1586 FTLN 1587 FTLN

1588 FTLN 1589 FTLN 1590 Hamlet ACT 2. SC 2 So as a painted tyrant Pyrrhus stood 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, Arousèd vengeance sets him new a-work, And never did the Cyclops’ hammers fall On Mars’s armor, forged for proof eterne, 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! POLONIUS This is too long. HAMLET It shall to the barber’s with your beard. Prithee say on. He’s for a jig or a tale of bawdry, or he sleeps. Say on; come to Hecuba 505 510 515 520 525 FIRST PLAYER FTLN 1591 FTLN 1592 FTLN

1593 But who, ah woe, had seen the moblèd queen HAMLET “The moblèd queen”? POLONIUS That’s good. “ Moblèd queen” is good FIRST PLAYER FTLN 1594 FTLN 1595 FTLN 1596 FTLN 1597 FTLN 1598 FTLN 1599 FTLN 1600 FTLN 1601 FTLN 1602 Run barefoot up and down, threat’ning 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’erteemèd loins A blanket, in the alarm of fear caught up Who this had seen, with tongue in venom steeped, ’Gainst Fortune’s state would treason have pronounced. But if the gods themselves did see her then 530 535 115 FTLN 1603 FTLN 1604 FTLN 1605 FTLN 1606 FTLN 1607 FTLN 1608 FTLN 1609 FTLN 1610 FTLN 1611 FTLN 1612 FTLN 1613 FTLN 1614 FTLN 1615 FTLN 1616 FTLN 1617 FTLN 1618 FTLN 1619 FTLN 1620 FTLN 1621 FTLN 1622 FTLN 1623 FTLN 1624 FTLN 1625 FTLN 1626 FTLN 1627 FTLN 1628 FTLN 1629 FTLN 1630 FTLN 1631 FTLN 1632 FTLN 1633 FTLN 1634 FTLN 1635 FTLN 1636 FTLN 1637 FTLN 1638 Hamlet

ACT 2. SC 2 When she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport In mincing with his sword her husband’s limbs, The instant burst of clamor 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. POLONIUS Look whe’er he has not turned his color and has tears in ’s eyes. Prithee, no more HAMLET ’Tis well. I’ll have thee speak out the rest of this 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. POLONIUS My lord, I will use them according to their desert. HAMLET God’s bodykins, man, much better! Use every man after his desert and who shall ’scape whipping? Use them after your own honor and dignity. The less they deserve, the more merit is in your bounty. Take them in POLONIUS Come, sirs. HAMLET Follow him, friends.

We’ll hear a play tomorrow. As Polonius and Players exit, Hamlet speaks to the First Player. Dost thou hear me, old friend? Can you play “The Murder of Gonzago”? FIRST PLAYER Ay, my lord. HAMLET We’ll ha ’t tomorrow night. You could, for a need, study a speech of some dozen or sixteen lines, which I would set down and insert in ’t, could you not? FIRST PLAYER Ay, my lord. HAMLET Very well. Follow that lordand look you mock him not. First Player exits My good friends, I’ll leave you till night. You are welcome to Elsinore ROSENCRANTZ Good my lord. 540 545 550 555 560 565 570 117 Hamlet ACT 2. SC 2 HAMLET FTLN 1639 FTLN 1640 FTLN 1641 FTLN 1642 FTLN 1643 FTLN 1644 FTLN 1645 FTLN 1646 FTLN 1647 FTLN 1648 FTLN 1649 FTLN 1650 FTLN 1651 FTLN 1652 FTLN 1653 FTLN 1654 FTLN 1655 FTLN 1656 FTLN 1657 FTLN 1658 FTLN 1659 FTLN 1660 FTLN 1661 FTLN 1662 FTLN 1663 FTLN 1664 FTLN 1665 FTLN 1666 FTLN 1667 FTLN 1668 FTLN 1669 FTLN 1670 FTLN 1671 FTLN 1672 FTLN 1673 Ay, so,

good-bye to you. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern exit. Now I am alone. O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I! 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 wanned, Tears in his eyes, distraction in his aspect, A broken voice, and his whole function suiting With forms to his conceitand all for nothing! For Hecuba! What’s Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba, That he should weep for her? What would he do 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 appall 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 nothingno, not for a king Upon whose property and most dear life A damned 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’ th’ 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-livered and lack gall To make oppression bitter, or ere this I should have fatted all the region kites With this slave’s offal. Bloody, bawdy villain! Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain! 575 580 585 590 595 600 605 119 FTLN 1674 FTLN 1675 FTLN 1676 FTLN 1677 FTLN 1678 FTLN 1679 FTLN 1680 FTLN 1681 FTLN 1682 FTLN 1683 FTLN 1684 FTLN 1685 FTLN 1686 FTLN 1687 FTLN 1688 FTLN 1689 FTLN 1690 FTLN 1691 FTLN 1692 FTLN 1693 FTLN 1694 FTLN 1695 FTLN 1696 FTLN 1697 FTLN 1698 Hamlet ACT 2. SC 2 O vengeance! Why, what an ass am I! This is most brave, That I, the son of a dear father murdered, 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 stallion! Fie upon ’t! Foh! About, my brains!Hum, I have heard 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 proclaimed 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 do blench, I know my course. The spirit that I have seen May be a devil, and the devil hath power T’ 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. He exits. 610 615 620 625 630 ACT 3 Scene 1 Enter King, Queen, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and Lords. KING FTLN 1699 FTLN 1700 FTLN 1701 FTLN 1702 And

can you by no drift of conference Get from him why he puts on this confusion, Grating so harshly all his days of quiet With turbulent and dangerous lunacy? ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1703 FTLN 1704 He does confess he feels himself distracted, But from what cause he will by no means speak. 5 GUILDENSTERN FTLN 1705 FTLN 1706 FTLN 1707 FTLN 1708 FTLN 1709 FTLN 1710 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 Of his true state. QUEEN Did he receive you well? ROSENCRANTZ Most like a gentleman. 10 GUILDENSTERN FTLN 1711 But with much forcing of his disposition. ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1712 FTLN 1713 FTLN 1714 Niggard of question, but of our demands Most free in his reply. QUEEN Did you assay him to any pastime? ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1715 Madam, it so fell out that certain players 123 15 125 FTLN 1716 FTLN 1717 FTLN 1718 FTLN 1719 FTLN 1720 FTLN 1721 FTLN 1722 FTLN 1723 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 1 We o’erraught on the

way. Of these we told him, And there did seem in him a kind of joy To hear of it. They are here about the court, And, as I think, they have already order This night to play before him. POLONIUS ’Tis most true, And he beseeched me to entreat your Majesties To hear and see the matter. 20 25 KING FTLN 1724 FTLN 1725 FTLN 1726 FTLN 1727 With all my heart, and it doth much content me To hear him so inclined. Good gentlemen, give him a further edge And drive his purpose into these delights. ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1728 FTLN 1729 FTLN 1730 FTLN 1731 FTLN 1732 FTLN 1733 FTLN 1734 FTLN 1735 FTLN 1736 FTLN 1737 FTLN 1738 FTLN 1739 FTLN 1740 FTLN 1741 FTLN 1742 FTLN 1743 FTLN 1744 FTLN 1745 We shall, my lord. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and Lords exit. KING 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, If ’t be th’ affliction of his love or no That thus he suffers for. QUEEN 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 honors. OPHELIA Madam, I wish it may. Queen exits. POLONIUS FTLN 1746 Ophelia, walk you here.Gracious, so please you, 30 35 40 45 127 FTLN 1747 FTLN 1748 FTLN 1749 FTLN 1750 FTLN 1751 FTLN 1752 FTLN 1753 FTLN 1754 FTLN 1755 FTLN 1756 FTLN 1757 FTLN 1758 FTLN 1759 FTLN 1760 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 1 We will bestow ourselves. To Ophelia Read on this book, That show of such an exercise may color 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. KING, aside O, ’tis too true! How smart a lash that speech doth give my conscience. The

harlot’s cheek beautied with plast’ring art Is not more ugly to the thing that helps it Than is my deed to my most painted word. O heavy burden! 50 55 60 POLONIUS FTLN 1761 I hear him coming. Let’s withdraw, my lord They withdraw. Enter Hamlet. HAMLET FTLN 1762 FTLN 1763 FTLN 1764 FTLN 1765 FTLN 1766 FTLN 1767 FTLN 1768 FTLN 1769 FTLN 1770 FTLN 1771 FTLN 1772 FTLN 1773 FTLN 1774 FTLN 1775 FTLN 1776 FTLN 1777 To be or not to bethat 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 moreand by a sleep to say we end The heartache and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to’tis a consummation Devoutly to be wished. 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, Th’ oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely, 65 70 75 129 FTLN 1778 FTLN 1779 FTLN 1780 FTLN 1781 FTLN 1782 FTLN 1783 FTLN 1784 FTLN 1785 FTLN 1786 FTLN 1787 FTLN 1788 FTLN 1789 FTLN 1790 FTLN 1791 FTLN 1792 FTLN 1793 FTLN 1794 FTLN 1795 FTLN 1796 FTLN 1797 FTLN 1798 FTLN 1799 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 1 The pangs of despised love, the law’s delay, The insolence of office, and the spurns That patient merit of th’ 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 undiscovered country from whose bourn No traveler returns, puzzles the will And makes us rather bear those ills we have 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 pitch 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 remembered. OPHELIA Good my lord, How does your Honor for this many a day? HAMLET I humbly thank you, well. 80 85 90 95 100 OPHELIA FTLN 1800 FTLN 1801 FTLN 1802 My lord, I have remembrances of yours That I have longèd long to redeliver. I pray you now receive them. HAMLET FTLN 1803 No, not I. I never gave you aught 105 OPHELIA FTLN 1804 FTLN 1805 FTLN 1806 FTLN 1807 FTLN 1808 FTLN 1809 FTLN 1810 My honored 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, Take these again, for to the noble mind Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind. There, my lord. 110 131 FTLN 1811 FTLN 1812 FTLN 1813 FTLN 1814 FTLN 1815 FTLN 1816 FTLN 1817 FTLN 1818 FTLN 1819 FTLN 1820 FTLN 1821 FTLN 1822 FTLN 1823 FTLN 1824 FTLN 1825

FTLN 1826 FTLN 1827 FTLN 1828 FTLN 1829 FTLN 1830 FTLN 1831 FTLN 1832 FTLN 1833 FTLN 1834 FTLN 1835 FTLN 1836 FTLN 1837 FTLN 1838 FTLN 1839 FTLN 1840 FTLN 1841 FTLN 1842 FTLN 1843 FTLN 1844 FTLN 1845 FTLN 1846 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 1 Ha, ha, are you honest? OPHELIA My lord? HAMLET Are you fair? OPHELIA What means your Lordship? HAMLET That if you be honest and fair, your honesty should admit no discourse to your beauty. OPHELIA Could beauty, my lord, have better commerce than with honesty? HAMLET 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 OPHELIA Indeed, my lord, you made me believe so. HAMLET You should not have believed me, for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it. I loved you not OPHELIA I was the more deceived. HAMLET 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 offenses 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 all; believe none of us. Go thy ways to a nunnery Where’s your father? OPHELIA At home, my lord. HAMLET Let the doors be shut upon him that he may play the fool nowhere but in ’s own house. Farewell OPHELIA O, help him, you sweet heavens! HAMLET 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 HAMLET 115 120 125 130 135 140 145 133 FTLN 1847 FTLN 1848 FTLN 1849 FTLN 1850 FTLN 1851 FTLN 1852 FTLN 1853 FTLN 1854 FTLN 1855 FTLN 1856 FTLN 1857 FTLN 1858 FTLN 1859 FTLN 1860 Hamlet ACT 3.

SC 1 nunnery, 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. Farewell OPHELIA Heavenly powers, restore him! HAMLET I have heard of your paintings too, well enough. God hath given you one face, and you make yourselves another. You jig and amble, and you lisp; you nickname 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 marriage. Those that are married already, all but one, shall live. The rest shall keep as they are To a nunnery, go. He exits. 150 155 160 OPHELIA FTLN 1861 FTLN 1862 FTLN 1863 FTLN 1864 FTLN 1865 FTLN 1866 FTLN 1867 FTLN 1868 FTLN 1869 FTLN 1870 FTLN 1871 FTLN 1872 FTLN 1873 FTLN 1874 FTLN 1875 FTLN 1876 FTLN 1877 FTLN 1878 FTLN 1879 FTLN 1880 O, what a noble mind is here o’erthrown! The courtier’s, soldier’s, scholar’s, eye, tongue, sword, Th’ expectancy and rose

of the fair state, The glass of fashion and the mold of form, Th’ observed of all observers, quite, quite down! And I, of ladies most deject and wretched, That sucked the honey of his musicked vows, Now see that noble and most sovereign reason, Like sweet bells jangled, out of time and harsh; That unmatched form and stature of blown youth Blasted with ecstasy. O, woe is me T’ have seen what I have seen, see what I see! KING, advancing with Polonius Love? His affections do not that way tend; Nor what he spake, though it lacked 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 Will be some danger; which for to prevent, I have in quick determination 165 170 175 180 135 FTLN 1881 FTLN 1882 FTLN 1883 FTLN 1884 FTLN 1885 FTLN 1886 FTLN 1887 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 2 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? 185 POLONIUS FTLN 1888 FTLN 1889 FTLN 1890 FTLN 1891 FTLN 1892 FTLN 1893 FTLN 1894 FTLN 1895 FTLN 1896 FTLN 1897 FTLN 1898 FTLN 1899 FTLN 1900 FTLN 1901 It shall do well. But yet do I believe 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 Your wisdom best shall think. KING It shall be so. Madness in great ones must not unwatched go. They exit. 190 195 200 Scene 2 Enter Hamlet and three of the Players.

FTLN 1902 FTLN 1903 FTLN 1904 FTLN 1905 FTLN 1906 FTLN 1907 FTLN 1908 FTLN 1909 Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to you, trippingly on the tongue; but if you mouth it, as many of our 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, whirlwind of your passion, you must acquire and beget a temperance that may give it smoothness. O, HAMLET 5 137 FTLN 1910 FTLN 1911 FTLN 1912 FTLN 1913 FTLN 1914 FTLN 1915 FTLN 1916 FTLN 1917 FTLN 1918 FTLN 1919 FTLN 1920 FTLN 1921 FTLN 1922 FTLN 1923 FTLN 1924 FTLN 1925 FTLN 1926 FTLN 1927 FTLN 1928 FTLN 1929 FTLN 1930 FTLN 1931 FTLN 1932 FTLN 1933 FTLN 1934 FTLN 1935 FTLN 1936 FTLN 1937 FTLN 1938 FTLN 1939 FTLN 1940 FTLN 1941 FTLN 1942 FTLN 1943 FTLN 1944 FTLN 1945 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 2 it offends me to the soul to hear a robustious, 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 dumb shows and noise. I would have such a fellow whipped for o’erdoing Termagant. It out-Herods Herod. Pray you, avoid it PLAYER I warrant your Honor. HAMLET 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 observance, that you o’erstep not the modesty of nature. For anything so o’erdone 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 makes the unskillful laugh, cannot but make the judicious grieve, the censure of the which one must in your allowance o’erweigh a whole theater of others. O, there be players that I have seen play and heard others praise (and

that highly), not to speak it profanely, that, neither having th’ 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. PLAYER I hope we have reformed that indifferently with us, sir. HAMLET O, reform it altogether. And let those that play 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 meantime some necessary 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 139 FTLN 1946 FTLN 1947 FTLN 1948 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 2 question of the play be then to be considered. That’s villainous and shows a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it. Go make you ready Players exit. 45 Enter Polonius, Guildenstern, and Rosencrantz. FTLN 1949 FTLN 1950 FTLN 1951 FTLN 1952 FTLN 1953 FTLN 1954 FTLN 1955 How now, my lord, will

the King hear this piece of work? POLONIUS And the Queen too, and that presently. HAMLET Bid the players make haste. Polonius exits. Will you two help to hasten them? ROSENCRANTZ Ay, my lord. They exit. HAMLET What ho, Horatio! 50 Enter Horatio. FTLN 1956 HORATIO Here, sweet lord, at your service. 55 HAMLET FTLN 1957 FTLN 1958 Horatio, thou art e’en as just a man As e’er my conversation coped withal. HORATIO FTLN 1959 FTLN 1960 FTLN 1961 FTLN 1962 FTLN 1963 FTLN 1964 FTLN 1965 FTLN 1966 FTLN 1967 FTLN 1968 FTLN 1969 FTLN 1970 FTLN 1971 FTLN 1972 FTLN 1973 FTLN 1974 FTLN 1975 O, my dear lord Nay, do not think I flatter, For what advancement may I hope from thee That no revenue hast but thy good spirits To feed and clothe thee? Why should the poor be flattered? 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 sealed 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 blessed are those Whose blood and judgment are so well commeddled HAMLET 60 65 70 141 FTLN 1976 FTLN 1977 FTLN 1978 FTLN 1979 FTLN 1980 FTLN 1981 FTLN 1982 FTLN 1983 FTLN 1984 FTLN 1985 FTLN 1986 FTLN 1987 FTLN 1988 FTLN 1989 FTLN 1990 FTLN 1991 FTLN 1992 FTLN 1993 FTLN 1994 FTLN 1995 FTLN 1996 FTLN 1997 FTLN 1998 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 2 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 tonight 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, Even with the very comment of thy soul Observe my uncle. If

his occulted guilt Do not itself unkennel in one speech, It is a damnèd 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. HORATIO Well, my lord. If he steal aught the whilst this play is playing And ’scape detecting , I will pay the theft. Sound a flourish. HAMLET They are coming to the play. I must be idle Get you a place. 75 80 85 90 95 Enter Trumpets and Kettle Drums. Enter King, Queen, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and other Lords attendant with the King’s guard carrying torches. How fares our cousin Hamlet? Excellent, i’ faith, of the chameleon’s dish. I eat the air, promise-crammed. You cannot feed capons so. KING I have nothing with this answer, Hamlet. These words are not mine. HAMLET No, nor mine now. To Polonius My lord, you played once i’ th’ university, you say? FTLN 1999 KING

FTLN 2000 HAMLET FTLN 2001 FTLN 2002 FTLN 2003 FTLN 2004 FTLN 2005 FTLN 2006 100 105 143 FTLN 2007 FTLN 2008 FTLN 2009 FTLN 2010 FTLN 2011 FTLN 2012 FTLN 2013 FTLN 2014 FTLN 2015 FTLN 2016 FTLN 2017 FTLN 2018 FTLN 2019 FTLN 2020 FTLN 2021 FTLN 2022 FTLN 2023 FTLN 2024 FTLN 2025 FTLN 2026 FTLN 2027 FTLN 2028 FTLN 2029 FTLN 2030 FTLN 2031 FTLN 2032 FTLN 2033 FTLN 2034 FTLN 2035 FTLN 2036 FTLN 2037 FTLN 2038 FTLN 2039 FTLN 2040 FTLN 2041 FTLN 2042 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 2 That did I, my lord, and was accounted a good actor. HAMLET What did you enact? POLONIUS I did enact Julius Caesar. I was killed i’ th’ Capitol. Brutus killed me HAMLET It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there.Be the players ready? ROSENCRANTZ Ay, my lord. They stay upon your patience. QUEEN Come hither, my dear Hamlet, sit by me. HAMLET No, good mother. Here’s metal more attractive. Hamlet takes a place near Ophelia. POLONIUS, to the King Oh, ho! Do you mark that? HAMLET Lady, shall I lie in

your lap? OPHELIA No, my lord. HAMLET I mean, my head upon your lap? OPHELIA Ay, my lord. HAMLET Do you think I meant country matters? OPHELIA I think nothing, my lord. HAMLET That’s a fair thought to lie between maids’ legs. OPHELIA What is, my lord? HAMLET Nothing. OPHELIA You are merry, my lord. HAMLET Who, I? OPHELIA Ay, my lord. HAMLET 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 ’s two hours. OPHELIA Nay, ’tis twice two months, my lord. HAMLET 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 hope a great man’s memory may outlive his life half a year. But, by ’r Lady, he must build churches, then, POLONIUS 110 115 120 125 130 135 140 145 FTLN 2043 FTLN 2044 FTLN 2045 FTLN 2046 FTLN 2047 FTLN 2048 FTLN 2049 FTLN 2050 FTLN 2051 FTLN 2052 FTLN 2053 FTLN 2054 FTLN 2055 FTLN

2056 FTLN 2057 FTLN 2058 FTLN 2059 FTLN 2060 FTLN 2061 FTLN 2062 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 2 or else shall he suffer not thinking on, with the hobby-horse, whose epitaph is “For oh, for oh, the hobby-horse is forgot.” The trumpets sounds. Dumb show follows 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. He lies him down upon a bank of flowers. She, seeing him asleep, leaves him Anon comes in another man, takes off his crown, kisses it, pours poison in the sleeper’s ears, and leaves him. The Queen returns, finds the King dead, makes passionate action. The poisoner with some three or four come in again, seem to condole with her. The dead body is carried away The poisoner woos the Queen with gifts. She seems harsh awhile but in the end accepts his love. Players exit. OPHELIA What means this, my lord? HAMLET Marry, this is miching mallecho. It means

mischief. OPHELIA Belike this show imports the argument of the play. 145 150 155 160 Enter Prologue. FTLN 2063 FTLN 2064 FTLN 2065 FTLN 2066 FTLN 2067 FTLN 2068 FTLN 2069 FTLN 2070 We shall know by this fellow. The players cannot keep counsel; they’ll tell all. OPHELIA Will he tell us what this show meant? HAMLET Ay, or any show that you will show him. Be not you ashamed to show, he’ll not shame to tell you what it means. OPHELIA You are naught, you are naught. I’ll mark the play. HAMLET 165 PROLOGUE FTLN 2071 FTLN 2072 FTLN 2073 For us and for our tragedy, Here stooping to your clemency, We beg your hearing patiently. 170 He exits. 147 FTLN 2074 HAMLET FTLN 2075 OPHELIA FTLN 2076 HAMLET Hamlet ACT 3. SC 2 Is this a prologue or the posy of a ring? ’Tis brief, my lord. As woman’s love. 175 Enter the Player King and Queen. PLAYER KING FTLN 2077 FTLN 2078 FTLN 2079 FTLN 2080 FTLN 2081 FTLN 2082 Full thirty times hath Phoebus’ cart gone round

Neptune’s salt wash and Tellus’ orbèd ground, And thirty dozen moons with borrowed sheen About the world have times twelve thirties been Since love our hearts and Hymen did our hands Unite commutual in most sacred bands. 180 PLAYER QUEEN FTLN 2083 FTLN 2084 FTLN 2085 FTLN 2086 FTLN 2087 FTLN 2088 FTLN 2089 FTLN 2090 FTLN 2091 FTLN 2092 FTLN 2093 FTLN 2094 FTLN 2095 So many journeys may the sun and moon Make us again count o’er ere love be done! 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 fear too much, even as they love, And women’s fear and love hold 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. 185 190 PLAYER KING FTLN 2096 FTLN 2097 FTLN 2098

FTLN 2099 FTLN 2100 FTLN 2101 FTLN 2102 FTLN 2103 FTLN 2104 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, Honored, beloved; and haply one as kind For husband shalt thou PLAYER QUEEN 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 killed the first. 195 200 149 FTLN 2105 HAMLET Hamlet ACT 3. SC 2 That’s wormwood! PLAYER QUEEN FTLN 2106 FTLN 2107 FTLN 2108 FTLN 2109 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. 205 PLAYER KING FTLN 2110 FTLN 2111 FTLN 2112 FTLN 2113 FTLN 2114 FTLN 2115 FTLN 2116 FTLN 2117 FTLN 2118 FTLN 2119 FTLN 2120 FTLN 2121 FTLN 2122 FTLN 2123 FTLN 2124 FTLN 2125 FTLN 2126 FTLN 2127 FTLN 2128 FTLN 2129 FTLN 2130 FTLN 2131 FTLN 2132 FTLN 2133 FTLN 2134 FTLN

2135 FTLN 2136 FTLN 2137 FTLN 2138 FTLN 2139 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, the fruit unripe, sticks on the tree But fall unshaken when they mellow be. 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; For ’tis a question left us yet to prove Whether love lead fortune or else fortune love. The great man down, you mark his favorite 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 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. 210 215 220 225 230 235 151 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 2 PLAYER QUEEN FTLN 2140 FTLN 2141 FTLN 2142 FTLN 2143 FTLN 2144 FTLN 2145 FTLN 2146 FTLN 2147 FTLN 2148 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. Both here and hence pursue me lasting strife, If, once a widow, ever I be wife. HAMLET If she should break it now! 240 245 PLAYER KING FTLN 2149 FTLN 2150 FTLN 2151 FTLN 2152 FTLN 2153 FTLN 2154 FTLN 2155 FTLN 2156 FTLN 2157 FTLN 2158 FTLN 2159

FTLN 2160 FTLN 2161 FTLN 2162 FTLN 2163 FTLN 2164 FTLN 2165 FTLN 2166 FTLN 2167 FTLN 2168 ’Tis deeply sworn. Sweet, leave me here awhile My spirits grow dull, and fain I would beguile The tedious day with sleep. Sleeps. PLAYER QUEEN Sleep rock thy brain, And never come mischance between us twain. Player Queen exits. HAMLET Madam, how like you this play? QUEEN The lady doth protest too much, methinks. HAMLET O, but she’ll keep her word. KING Have you heard the argument? Is there no offense in ’t? HAMLET No, no, they do but jest, poison in jest. No offense i’ th’ world. KING What do you call the play? HAMLET “The Mousetrap.” 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 of that? Your Majesty and we that have free souls, it touches us not. Let the galled jade wince; our withers are unwrung. Enter Lucianus. FTLN 2169 FTLN 2170 This is

one Lucianus, nephew to the king. OPHELIA You are as good as a chorus, my lord. 250 255 260 265 153 FTLN 2171 FTLN 2172 FTLN 2173 FTLN 2174 FTLN 2175 FTLN 2176 FTLN 2177 FTLN 2178 FTLN 2179 FTLN 2180 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 2 I could interpret between you and your love, if I could see the puppets dallying. OPHELIA You are keen, my lord, you are keen. HAMLET It would cost you a groaning to take off mine edge. OPHELIA Still better and worse. HAMLET So you mis-take your husbands.Begin, murderer. Pox, leave thy damnable faces and begin. Come, the croaking raven doth bellow for revenge. HAMLET 270 275 LUCIANUS FTLN 2181 FTLN 2182 FTLN 2183 FTLN 2184 FTLN 2185 FTLN 2186 FTLN 2187 FTLN 2188 FTLN 2189 FTLN 2190 FTLN 2191 FTLN 2192 FTLN 2193 FTLN 2194 FTLN 2195 FTLN 2196 FTLN 2197 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 in his ears. HAMLET He poisons him i’ th’ garden for his estate. His name’s Gonzago. The story is extant and written in very choice Italian. You shall see anon how the murderer gets the love of Gonzago’s wife. Claudius rises. OPHELIA The King rises. HAMLET What, frighted with false fire? QUEEN How fares my lord? POLONIUS Give o’er the play. KING Give me some light. Away! POLONIUS Lights, lights, lights! All but Hamlet and Horatio exit. 280 285 290 295 HAMLET FTLN 2198 FTLN 2199 FTLN 2200 FTLN 2201 Why, let the strucken deer go weep, The hart ungallèd play. For some must watch, while some must sleep: Thus runs the world away. 300 155 FTLN 2202 FTLN 2203 FTLN 2204 FTLN 2205 FTLN 2206 FTLN 2207 FTLN 2208 FTLN 2209 FTLN 2210 FTLN 2211 FTLN 2212 FTLN 2213 FTLN 2214 FTLN 2215 FTLN 2216 FTLN 2217 FTLN 2218 FTLN 2219 FTLN 2220 FTLN 2221 FTLN 2222 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 2 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? HORATIO Half a share. HAMLET A whole one, I. For thou dost know, O Damon dear, This realm dismantled was Of Jove himself, and now reigns here A very verypajock. HORATIO You might have rhymed. HAMLET O good Horatio, I’ll take the ghost’s word for a thousand pound. Didst perceive? HORATIO Very well, my lord. HAMLET Upon the talk of the poisoning? HORATIO I did very well note him. HAMLET Ah ha! Come, some music! Come, the recorders! For if the King like not the comedy, Why, then, belike he likes it not, perdy. Come, some music! 305 310 315 320 Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Good my lord, vouchsafe me a word FTLN 2223 GUILDENSTERN FTLN 2224 with you. HAMLET Sir, a whole history. GUILDENSTERN The King, sir HAMLET Ay, sir, what of him? GUILDENSTERN Is in his retirement marvelous distempered. HAMLET With drink,

sir? GUILDENSTERN No, my lord, with choler. HAMLET Your wisdom should show itself more richer to signify this to the doctor, for for me to put him to his purgation would perhaps plunge him into more choler. FTLN 2225 FTLN 2226 FTLN 2227 FTLN 2228 FTLN 2229 FTLN 2230 FTLN 2231 FTLN 2232 FTLN 2233 FTLN 2234 FTLN 2235 325 330 157 FTLN 2236 FTLN 2237 FTLN 2238 FTLN 2239 FTLN 2240 FTLN 2241 FTLN 2242 FTLN 2243 FTLN 2244 FTLN 2245 FTLN 2246 FTLN 2247 FTLN 2248 FTLN 2249 FTLN 2250 FTLN 2251 FTLN 2252 FTLN 2253 FTLN 2254 FTLN 2255 FTLN 2256 FTLN 2257 FTLN 2258 FTLN 2259 FTLN 2260 FTLN 2261 FTLN 2262 FTLN 2263 FTLN 2264 FTLN 2265 FTLN 2266 FTLN 2267 FTLN 2268 FTLN 2269 FTLN 2270 FTLN 2271 FTLN 2272 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 2 Good my lord, put your discourse into some frame and start not so wildly from my affair. HAMLET I am tame, sir. Pronounce GUILDENSTERN The Queen your mother, in most great affliction of spirit, hath sent me to you. HAMLET You are welcome. GUILDENSTERN Nay, good my lord,

this courtesy is not of the right 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. HAMLET Sir, I cannot. ROSENCRANTZ What, my lord? HAMLET Make you a wholesome answer. My wit’s diseased. But, sir, such answer as I can make, you shall commandor, rather, as you say, my mother. Therefore no more but to the matter. My mother, you say ROSENCRANTZ Then thus she says: your behavior hath struck her into amazement and admiration. HAMLET O wonderful son that can so ’stonish a mother! But is there no sequel at the heels of this mother’s admiration? Impart. ROSENCRANTZ She desires to speak with you in her closet ere you go to bed. HAMLET We shall obey, were she ten times our mother. Have you any further trade with us? ROSENCRANTZ My lord, you once did love me. HAMLET And do still, by these pickers and stealers. ROSENCRANTZ Good my lord, what is your cause of distemper? You do

surely bar the door upon your own liberty if you deny your griefs to your friend. HAMLET Sir, I lack advancement. ROSENCRANTZ How can that be, when you have the voice of the King himself for your succession in Denmark? GUILDENSTERN 335 340 345 350 355 360 365 370 159 FTLN 2273 FTLN 2274 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 2 Ay, sir, but “While the grass grows”the proverb is something musty. HAMLET Enter the Players with recorders. FTLN 2275 FTLN 2276 FTLN 2277 FTLN 2278 FTLN 2279 FTLN 2280 FTLN 2281 FTLN 2282 FTLN 2283 FTLN 2284 FTLN 2285 FTLN 2286 FTLN 2287 FTLN 2288 FTLN 2289 FTLN 2290 FTLN 2291 FTLN 2292 FTLN 2293 FTLN 2294 FTLN 2295 FTLN 2296 FTLN 2297 FTLN 2298 FTLN 2299 FTLN 2300 FTLN 2301 FTLN 2302 FTLN 2303 O, the recorders! Let me see one. He takes a recorder and turns to Guildenstern. To withdraw with you: why do you go about to recover the wind of me, as if you would drive me into a toil? GUILDENSTERN O, my lord, if my duty be too bold, my love is too unmannerly. HAMLET I

do not well understand that. Will you play upon this pipe? GUILDENSTERN My lord, I cannot. HAMLET I pray you. GUILDENSTERN Believe me, I cannot. HAMLET I do beseech you. GUILDENSTERN I know no touch of it, my lord. HAMLET It is as easy as lying. Govern these ventages with your fingers and thumb, give it breath with your mouth, and it will discourse most eloquent music. Look you, these are the stops GUILDENSTERN But these cannot I command to any utt’rance of harmony. I have not the skill HAMLET Why, look you now, how unworthy a thing you make of me! You would play upon me, you would seem to know my stops, you would pluck out the heart of my mystery, you would sound me from my lowest note to the top of my compass; and there is much music, excellent voice, in this little organ, yet cannot you make it speak. ’Sblood, do you think I am easier to be played on than a pipe? Call me what instrument you will, though you can fret me, you cannot play upon me. Enter Polonius. FTLN 2304 God

bless you, sir. 375 380 385 390 395 400 161 FTLN 2305 FTLN 2306 FTLN 2307 FTLN 2308 FTLN 2309 FTLN 2310 FTLN 2311 FTLN 2312 FTLN 2313 FTLN 2314 FTLN 2315 FTLN 2316 FTLN 2317 FTLN 2318 FTLN 2319 FTLN 2320 FTLN 2321 FTLN 2322 FTLN 2323 FTLN 2324 FTLN 2325 FTLN 2326 FTLN 2327 FTLN 2328 FTLN 2329 FTLN 2330 FTLN 2331 FTLN 2332 FTLN 2333 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 2 My lord, the Queen would speak with you, and presently. HAMLET Do you see yonder cloud that’s almost in shape of a camel? POLONIUS By th’ Mass, and ’tis like a camel indeed. HAMLET Methinks it is like a weasel. POLONIUS It is backed like a weasel. HAMLET Or like a whale. POLONIUS Very like a whale. Then I will come to my mother by and by. HAMLET Aside. They fool me to the top of my bentI will come by and by. I will say so. POLONIUS “By and by” is easily said. Leave me, HAMLET friends. All but Hamlet exit. ’Tis now the very witching time of night, When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out Contagion to this

world. Now could I drink hot blood And do such bitter business as the day Would quake to look on. Soft, now to my mother O heart, lose not thy nature; let not ever The soul of Nero enter this firm bosom. Let me be cruel, not unnatural. I will speak daggers to her, but use none. My tongue and soul in this be hypocrites: How in my words somever she be shent, To give them seals never, my soul, consent. He exits. POLONIUS 405 410 415 420 425 430 163 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 3 Scene 3 Enter King, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern. KING FTLN 2334 FTLN 2335 FTLN 2336 FTLN 2337 FTLN 2338 FTLN 2339 FTLN 2340 FTLN 2341 FTLN 2342 FTLN 2343 FTLN 2344 I like him not, nor stands it safe with us To let his madness range. Therefore prepare you I your commission will forthwith dispatch, And he to England shall along with you. The terms of our estate may not endure Hazard so near ’s as doth hourly grow Out of his brows. GUILDENSTERN We will ourselves provide. Most holy and religious fear it is To

keep those many many bodies safe That live and feed upon your Majesty. 5 10 ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 2345 FTLN 2346 FTLN 2347 FTLN 2348 FTLN 2349 FTLN 2350 FTLN 2351 FTLN 2352 FTLN 2353 FTLN 2354 FTLN 2355 FTLN 2356 FTLN 2357 The single and peculiar life is bound With all the strength and armor of the mind To keep itself from noyance, but much more That spirit upon whose weal depends and rests The lives of many. The cess of majesty Dies not alone, but like a gulf doth draw What’s near it with it; or it is a massy wheel Fixed on the summit of the highest mount, To whose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things Are mortised and adjoined, which, when it falls, Each small annexment, petty consequence, Attends the boist’rous ruin. Never alone Did the king sigh, but with a general groan. 15 20 KING FTLN 2358 FTLN 2359 FTLN 2360 FTLN 2361 Arm you, I pray you, to this speedy voyage, For we will fetters put about this fear, Which now goes too free-footed. ROSENCRANTZ We will haste us.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern exit. Enter Polonius. 25 165 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 3 POLONIUS FTLN 2362 FTLN 2363 FTLN 2364 FTLN 2365 FTLN 2366 FTLN 2367 FTLN 2368 FTLN 2369 FTLN 2370 FTLN 2371 FTLN 2372 FTLN 2373 FTLN 2374 FTLN 2375 FTLN 2376 FTLN 2377 FTLN 2378 FTLN 2379 FTLN 2380 FTLN 2381 FTLN 2382 FTLN 2383 FTLN 2384 FTLN 2385 FTLN 2386 FTLN 2387 FTLN 2388 FTLN 2389 FTLN 2390 FTLN 2391 FTLN 2392 FTLN 2393 FTLN 2394 FTLN 2395 My lord, he’s going to his mother’s closet. Behind the arras I’ll convey myself To hear the process. I’ll warrant she’ll tax him home; And, as you said (and wisely was it said), ’Tis meet that some more audience than a mother, Since nature makes them partial, should o’erhear The speech of vantage. Fare you well, my liege I’ll call upon you ere you go to bed And tell you what I know. KING Thanks, dear my lord. Polonius exits. O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven; It hath the primal eldest curse upon ’t, A brother’s murder. Pray can I

not, Though inclination be as sharp as will. My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent, And, like a man to double business bound, I stand in pause where I shall first begin And both neglect. What if this cursèd hand Were thicker than itself with brother’s blood? Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens To wash it white as snow? Whereto serves mercy But to confront the visage of offense? And what’s in prayer but this twofold force, To be forestallèd ere we come to fall, Or pardoned being down? Then I’ll look up. My fault is past. But, O, what form of prayer Can serve my turn? “Forgive me my foul murder”? That cannot be, since I am still possessed Of those effects for which I did the murder: My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen. May one be pardoned and retain th’ offense? In the corrupted currents of this world, Offense’s gilded hand may shove by justice, 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 167 FTLN 2396 FTLN 2397 FTLN 2398 FTLN 2399 FTLN 2400 FTLN 2401 FTLN 2402

FTLN 2403 FTLN 2404 FTLN 2405 FTLN 2406 FTLN 2407 FTLN 2408 FTLN 2409 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 3 And oft ’tis seen the wicked prize itself Buys out the law. But ’tis not so above: There is no shuffling; there the action lies In his true nature, and we ourselves compelled, Even to the teeth and forehead of our faults, To give in evidence. What then? What rests? Try what repentance can. What can it not? Yet what can it, when one cannot repent? O wretched state! O bosom black as death! O limèd soul, that, struggling to be free, Art more engaged! Help, angels! Make assay. Bow, stubborn knees, and heart with strings of steel Be soft as sinews of the newborn babe. All may be well. He kneels. 65 70 75 Enter Hamlet. HAMLET FTLN 2410 FTLN 2411 FTLN 2412 FTLN 2413 FTLN 2414 FTLN 2415 FTLN 2416 FTLN 2417 FTLN 2418 FTLN 2419 FTLN 2420 FTLN 2421 FTLN 2422 FTLN 2423 FTLN 2424 FTLN 2425 FTLN 2426 FTLN 2427 Now might I do it pat, now he is a-praying, And now I’ll do ’t. He draws his sword.

And so he goes to heaven, And so am I revenged. That would be scanned: A villain kills my father, and for that, I, his sole son, do this same villain send To heaven. Why, this is hire and salary, not revenge. He took my father grossly, full of bread, With all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May; And how his audit stands who knows save heaven. But in our circumstance and course of thought ’Tis heavy with him. And am I then revenged To take him in the purging of his soul, When he is fit and seasoned for his passage? No. Up sword, and know thou a more horrid hent. He sheathes his sword. When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage, 80 85 90 169 FTLN 2428 FTLN 2429 FTLN 2430 FTLN 2431 FTLN 2432 FTLN 2433 FTLN 2434 FTLN 2435 FTLN 2436 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 4 Or in th’ incestuous pleasure of his bed, At game, a-swearing, or about some act That has no relish of salvation in ’t Then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven, And that his soul may be as damned and black As hell,

whereto it goes. My mother stays This physic but prolongs thy sickly days. Hamlet exits. KING, rising My words fly up, my thoughts remain below; Words without thoughts never to heaven go. He exits. 95 100 Scene 4 Enter Queen and Polonius. POLONIUS FTLN 2437 FTLN 2438 FTLN 2439 FTLN 2440 FTLN 2441 FTLN 2442 FTLN 2443 FTLN 2444 FTLN 2445 FTLN 2446 He will come straight. Look you lay home to him Tell him his pranks have been too broad to bear with And that your Grace hath screened and stood between Much heat and him. I’ll silence me even here Pray you, be round with him. HAMLET, within Mother, mother, mother! QUEEN I’ll warrant you. Fear me not Withdraw, I hear him coming. Polonius hides behind the arras. Enter Hamlet. FTLN 2447 HAMLET Now, mother, what’s the matter? QUEEN FTLN 2448 Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended. HAMLET FTLN 2449 Mother, you have my father much offended. 5 10 171 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 4 QUEEN FTLN 2450 Come, come, you answer with an idle

tongue. HAMLET FTLN 2451 Go, go, you question with a wicked tongue. 15 QUEEN FTLN 2452 FTLN 2453 Why, how now, Hamlet? HAMLET What’s the matter now? QUEEN FTLN 2454 FTLN 2455 FTLN 2456 FTLN 2457 Have you forgot me? No, by the rood, not so. You are the Queen, your husband’s brother’s wife, And (would it were not so) you are my mother. HAMLET 20 QUEEN FTLN 2458 Nay, then I’ll set those to you that can speak. HAMLET FTLN 2459 FTLN 2460 FTLN 2461 Come, come, and sit you down; you shall not budge. You go not till I set you up a glass Where you may see the inmost part of you. 25 QUEEN FTLN 2462 FTLN 2463 FTLN 2464 What wilt thou do? Thou wilt not murder me? Help, ho! POLONIUS, behind the arras What ho! Help! HAMLET FTLN 2465 FTLN 2466 FTLN 2467 FTLN 2468 How now, a rat? Dead for a ducat, dead. He kills Polonius by thrusting a rapier through the arras. POLONIUS, behind the arras O, I am slain! QUEEN O me, what hast thou done? HAMLET Nay, I know not. Is it the King?

30 QUEEN FTLN 2469 O, what a rash and bloody deed is this! HAMLET FTLN 2470 FTLN 2471 A bloody deedalmost as bad, good mother, As kill a king and marry with his brother. QUEEN FTLN 2472 As kill a king? 35 173 FTLN 2473 FTLN 2474 FTLN 2475 FTLN 2476 FTLN 2477 FTLN 2478 FTLN 2479 FTLN 2480 FTLN 2481 FTLN 2482 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 4 Ay, lady, it was my word. He pulls Polonius’ body from behind the arras. Thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell. I took thee for thy better. Take thy fortune Thou find’st to be too busy is some danger. To Queen. Leave wringing of your hands Peace, sit you down, And let me wring your heart; for so I shall If it be made of penetrable stuff, If damnèd custom have not brazed it so That it be proof and bulwark against sense. HAMLET 40 45 QUEEN FTLN 2483 FTLN 2484 FTLN 2485 FTLN 2486 FTLN 2487 FTLN 2488 FTLN 2489 FTLN 2490 FTLN 2491 FTLN 2492 FTLN 2493 FTLN 2494 FTLN 2495 FTLN 2496 FTLN 2497 FTLN 2498 What have I done, that thou dar’st

wag thy tongue In noise so rude against me? HAMLET Such an act That blurs the grace and blush of modesty, Calls virtue hypocrite, takes off the rose From the fair forehead of an innocent love And sets a blister there, makes marriage vows As false as dicers’ oathsO, such a deed As from the body of contraction plucks The very soul, and sweet religion makes A rhapsody of words! Heaven’s face does glow O’er this solidity and compound mass With heated visage, as against the doom, Is thought-sick at the act. QUEEN Ay me, what act That roars so loud and thunders in the index? 50 55 60 HAMLET FTLN 2499 FTLN 2500 FTLN 2501 FTLN 2502 FTLN 2503 FTLN 2504 FTLN 2505 Look here upon this picture and on this, The counterfeit presentment of two brothers. See what a grace was seated on this brow, Hyperion’s curls, the front of Jove himself, An eye like Mars’ to threaten and command, A station like the herald Mercury New-lighted on a heaven -kissing hill, 65 175 FTLN 2506 FTLN 2507

FTLN 2508 FTLN 2509 FTLN 2510 FTLN 2511 FTLN 2512 FTLN 2513 FTLN 2514 FTLN 2515 FTLN 2516 FTLN 2517 FTLN 2518 FTLN 2519 FTLN 2520 FTLN 2521 FTLN 2522 FTLN 2523 FTLN 2524 FTLN 2525 FTLN 2526 FTLN 2527 FTLN 2528 FTLN 2529 FTLN 2530 FTLN 2531 FTLN 2532 FTLN 2533 FTLN 2534 FTLN 2535 FTLN 2536 FTLN 2537 FTLN 2538 FTLN 2539 FTLN 2540 FTLN 2541 FTLN 2542 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 4 A combination and a form indeed Where every god did seem to set his seal To give the world assurance of a man. This was your husband. Look you now what follows Here is your husband, like a mildewed ear Blasting his wholesome brother. Have you eyes? Could you on this fair mountain leave to feed And batten on this moor? Ha! Have you eyes? You cannot call it love, for at your age The heyday in the blood is tame, it’s humble And waits upon the judgment; and what judgment Would step from this to this? Sense sure you have, Else could you not have motion; but sure that sense Is apoplexed; for madness would not err, Nor sense

to ecstasy was ne’er so thralled, But it reserved some quantity of choice To serve in such a difference. What devil was ’t That thus hath cozened you at hoodman-blind? Eyes without feeling, feeling without sight, Ears without hands or eyes, smelling sans all, Or but a sickly part of one true sense Could not so mope. O shame, where is thy blush? Rebellious hell, If thou canst mutine in a matron’s bones, To flaming youth let virtue be as wax And melt in her own fire. Proclaim no shame When the compulsive ardor gives the charge, Since frost itself as actively doth burn, And reason panders will. QUEEN O Hamlet, speak no more! Thou turn’st my eyes into my very soul, And there I see such black and grainèd spots As will not leave their tinct. HAMLET Nay, but to live In the rank sweat of an enseamèd bed, Stewed in corruption, honeying and making love Over the nasty sty! 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 177 FTLN 2543 FTLN 2544 FTLN 2545 FTLN 2546 FTLN 2547 FTLN 2548 FTLN 2549

FTLN 2550 FTLN 2551 FTLN 2552 FTLN 2553 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 4 O, speak to me no more! These words like daggers enter in my ears. No more, sweet Hamlet! HAMLET A murderer and a villain, A slave that is not twentieth part the tithe Of your precedent lord; a vice of kings, A cutpurse of the empire and the rule, That from a shelf the precious diadem stole And put it in his pocket QUEEN No more! HAMLET A king of shreds and patches QUEEN 110 115 Enter Ghost. FTLN 2554 FTLN 2555 FTLN 2556 FTLN 2557 Save me and hover o’er me with your wings, You heavenly guards!What would your gracious figure? QUEEN Alas, he’s mad. 120 HAMLET FTLN 2558 FTLN 2559 FTLN 2560 FTLN 2561 FTLN 2562 FTLN 2563 FTLN 2564 FTLN 2565 FTLN 2566 FTLN 2567 FTLN 2568 FTLN 2569 FTLN 2570 FTLN 2571 FTLN 2572 FTLN 2573 FTLN 2574 FTLN 2575 Do you not come your tardy son to chide, That, lapsed in time and passion, lets go by Th’ important acting of your dread command? O, say! GHOST Do not forget. This visitation Is but

to whet thy almost blunted purpose. But look, amazement on thy mother sits. O, step between her and her fighting soul. Conceit in weakest bodies strongest works. Speak to her, Hamlet. HAMLET How is it with you, lady? QUEEN Alas, how is ’t with you, That you do bend your eye on vacancy And with th’ incorporal air do hold discourse? Forth at your eyes your spirits wildly peep, And, as the sleeping soldiers in th’ alarm, Your bedded hair, like life in excrements, Start up and stand an end. O gentle son, 125 130 135 179 FTLN 2576 FTLN 2577 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 4 Upon the heat and flame of thy distemper Sprinkle cool patience! Whereon do you look? 140 HAMLET FTLN 2578 FTLN 2579 FTLN 2580 FTLN 2581 FTLN 2582 FTLN 2583 FTLN 2584 FTLN 2585 FTLN 2586 On him, on him! Look you how pale he glares. His form and cause conjoined, preaching to stones, Would make them capable. To the Ghost Do not look upon me, Lest with this piteous action you convert My stern effects. Then what I have

to do Will want true colortears perchance for blood. QUEEN To whom do you speak this? HAMLET Do you see nothing there? 145 150 QUEEN FTLN 2587 FTLN 2588 FTLN 2589 Nothing at all; yet all that is I see. HAMLET Nor did you nothing hear? QUEEN No, nothing but ourselves. HAMLET FTLN 2590 FTLN 2591 FTLN 2592 Why, look you there, look how it steals away! My father, in his habit as he lived! Look where he goes even now out at the portal! Ghost exits. 155 QUEEN FTLN 2593 FTLN 2594 FTLN 2595 FTLN 2596 FTLN 2597 FTLN 2598 FTLN 2599 FTLN 2600 FTLN 2601 FTLN 2602 FTLN 2603 FTLN 2604 FTLN 2605 FTLN 2606 This is the very coinage of your brain. This bodiless creation ecstasy Is very cunning in. HAMLET Ecstasy? My pulse as yours doth temperately keep time And makes as healthful music. It is not madness That I have uttered. Bring me to the test, And I the matter will reword, which madness Would gambol from. Mother, for love of grace, Lay not that flattering unction to your soul That not your

trespass but my madness speaks. It will but skin and film the ulcerous place, Whiles rank corruption, mining all within, Infects unseen. Confess yourself to heaven, 160 165 170 181 FTLN 2607 FTLN 2608 FTLN 2609 FTLN 2610 FTLN 2611 FTLN 2612 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 4 Repent what’s past, avoid what is to come, And do not spread the compost on the weeds To make them ranker. Forgive me this my virtue, For, in the fatness of these pursy times, Virtue itself of vice must pardon beg, Yea, curb and woo for leave to do him good. 175 QUEEN FTLN 2613 O Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain! HAMLET FTLN 2614 FTLN 2615 FTLN 2616 FTLN 2617 FTLN 2618 FTLN 2619 FTLN 2620 FTLN 2621 FTLN 2622 FTLN 2623 FTLN 2624 FTLN 2625 FTLN 2626 FTLN 2627 FTLN 2628 FTLN 2629 FTLN 2630 FTLN 2631 FTLN 2632 FTLN 2633 FTLN 2634 FTLN 2635 FTLN 2636 FTLN 2637 FTLN 2638 O, throw away the worser part of it, And live the purer with the other half! Good night. But go not to my uncle’s bed Assume a virtue if

you have it not. That monster, custom, who all sense doth eat, Of habits devil, is angel yet in this, That to the use of actions fair and good He likewise gives a frock or livery That aptly is put on. Refrain tonight, And that shall lend a kind of easiness To the next abstinence, the next more easy; For use almost can change the stamp of nature And either the devil or throw him out With wondrous potency. Once more, good night, And, when you are desirous to be blest, I’ll blessing beg of you. For this same lord Pointing to Polonius. I do repent; but heaven hath pleased it so To punish me with this and this with me, That I must be their scourge and minister. I will bestow him and will answer well The death I gave him. So, again, good night I must be cruel only to be kind. This bad begins, and worse remains behind. One word more, good lady. QUEEN What shall I do? 180 185 190 195 200 183 ACT 3. SC 4 Hamlet HAMLET FTLN 2639 FTLN 2640 FTLN 2641 FTLN 2642 FTLN 2643 FTLN 2644

FTLN 2645 FTLN 2646 FTLN 2647 FTLN 2648 FTLN 2649 FTLN 2650 FTLN 2651 FTLN 2652 FTLN 2653 FTLN 2654 Not this by no means that I bid you do: Let the bloat king tempt you again to bed, Pinch wanton on your cheek, call you his mouse, And let him, for a pair of reechy kisses Or paddling in your neck with his damned fingers, Make you to ravel all this matter out That I essentially am not in madness, But mad in craft. ’Twere good you let him know, For who that’s but a queen, fair, sober, wise, Would from a paddock, from a bat, a gib, Such dear concernings hide? Who would do so? No, in despite of sense and secrecy, Unpeg the basket on the house’s top, Let the birds fly, and like the famous ape, To try conclusions, in the basket creep And break your own neck down. 205 210 215 QUEEN FTLN 2655 FTLN 2656 FTLN 2657 Be thou assured, if words be made of breath And breath of life, I have no life to breathe What thou hast said to me. 220 HAMLET FTLN 2658 FTLN 2659 FTLN 2660 I must to

England, you know that. QUEEN Alack, I had forgot! ’Tis so concluded on. HAMLET FTLN 2661 FTLN 2662 FTLN 2663 FTLN 2664 FTLN 2665 FTLN 2666 FTLN 2667 FTLN 2668 FTLN 2669 FTLN 2670 There’s letters sealed; and my two schoolfellows, Whom I will trust as I will adders fanged, They bear the mandate; they must sweep my way And marshal me to knavery. Let it work, For ’tis the sport to have the enginer Hoist with his own petard; and ’t shall go hard But I will delve one yard below their mines And blow them at the moon. O, ’tis most sweet When in one line two crafts directly meet. This man shall set me packing. 225 230 185 FTLN 2671 FTLN 2672 FTLN 2673 FTLN 2674 FTLN 2675 FTLN 2676 Hamlet ACT 3. SC 4 I’ll lug the guts into the neighbor room. Mother, good night indeed. This counselor Is now most still, most secret, and most grave, Who was in life a foolish prating knave. Come, sir, to draw toward an end with you. Good night, mother. They exit, Hamlet tugging in Polonius.

235 240 ACT 4 Scene 1 Enter King and Queen, with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. KING FTLN 2677 FTLN 2678 FTLN 2679 There’s matter in these sighs; these profound heaves You must translate; ’tis fit we understand them. Where is your son? QUEEN FTLN 2680 FTLN 2681 FTLN 2682 Bestow this place on us a little while. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern exit. Ah, mine own lord, what have I seen tonight! KING What, Gertrude? How does Hamlet? 5 QUEEN FTLN 2683 FTLN 2684 FTLN 2685 FTLN 2686 FTLN 2687 FTLN 2688 FTLN 2689 FTLN 2690 FTLN 2691 FTLN 2692 FTLN 2693 FTLN 2694 Mad as the sea and wind when both contend Which is the mightier. In his lawless fit, Behind the arras hearing something stir, Whips out his rapier, cries “A rat, a rat,” And in this brainish apprehension kills The unseen good old man. KING O heavy deed! It had been so with us, had we been there. His liberty is full of threats to all To you yourself, to us, to everyone. Alas, how shall this bloody deed be answered? It

will be laid to us, whose providence 189 10 15 191 FTLN 2695 FTLN 2696 FTLN 2697 FTLN 2698 FTLN 2699 FTLN 2700 Hamlet ACT 4. SC 1 Should have kept short, restrained, and out of haunt This mad young man. But so much was our love, We would not understand what was most fit, But, like the owner of a foul disease, To keep it from divulging, let it feed Even on the pith of life. Where is he gone? 20 QUEEN FTLN 2701 FTLN 2702 FTLN 2703 FTLN 2704 FTLN 2705 FTLN 2706 FTLN 2707 FTLN 2708 FTLN 2709 To draw apart the body he hath killed, O’er whom his very madness, like some ore Among a mineral of metals base, Shows itself pure: he weeps for what is done. KING O Gertrude, come away! The sun no sooner shall the mountains touch But we will ship him hence; and this vile deed We must with all our majesty and skill Both countenance and excuse.Ho, Guildenstern! 25 30 Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. FTLN 2710 FTLN 2711 FTLN 2712 FTLN 2713 FTLN 2714 FTLN 2715 FTLN 2716 FTLN 2717 FTLN

2718 FTLN 2719 FTLN 2720 FTLN 2721 FTLN 2722 Friends both, go join you with some further aid. Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain, And from his mother’s closet hath he dragged him. Go seek him out, speak fair, and bring the body Into the chapel. I pray you, haste in this Rosencrantz and Guildenstern exit. Come, Gertrude, we’ll call up our wisest friends And let them know both what we mean to do And what’s untimely done. Whose whisper o’er the world’s diameter, As level as the cannon to his blank Transports his poisoned shot, may miss our name And hit the woundless air. O, come away! My soul is full of discord and dismay. They exit. 35 40 45 193 Hamlet ACT 4. SC 2 Scene 2 Enter Hamlet. FTLN 2723 FTLN 2724 FTLN 2725 FTLN 2726 Safely stowed. GENTLEMEN, within Hamlet! Lord Hamlet! HAMLET But soft, what noise? Who calls on Hamlet? O, here they come. HAMLET Enter Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and others. ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 2727 What have you done, my lord, with the dead

body? 5 HAMLET FTLN 2728 Compounded it with dust, whereto ’tis kin. ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 2729 FTLN 2730 FTLN 2731 FTLN 2732 FTLN 2733 FTLN 2734 FTLN 2735 FTLN 2736 FTLN 2737 FTLN 2738 FTLN 2739 FTLN 2740 FTLN 2741 FTLN 2742 FTLN 2743 FTLN 2744 FTLN 2745 FTLN 2746 FTLN 2747 FTLN 2748 FTLN 2749 FTLN 2750 Tell us where ’tis, that we may take it thence And bear it to the chapel. HAMLET Do not believe it. ROSENCRANTZ Believe what? HAMLET That I can keep your counsel and not mine own. Besides, to be demanded of a sponge, what replication should be made by the son of a king? ROSENCRANTZ Take you me for a sponge, my lord? HAMLET Ay, sir, that soaks up the King’s countenance, his rewards, his authorities. But such officers do the King best service in the end. He keeps them like an ape an apple in the corner of his jaw, first mouthed, to be last swallowed. When he needs what you have gleaned, it is but squeezing you, and, sponge, you shall be dry again. ROSENCRANTZ I understand you not,

my lord. HAMLET I am glad of it. A knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear. ROSENCRANTZ My lord, you must tell us where the body is and go with us to the King. HAMLET The body is with the King, but the King is not with the body. The King is a thing 10 15 20 25 195 FTLN 2751 FTLN 2752 FTLN 2753 Hamlet ACT 4. SC 3 A “thing,” my lord? HAMLET Of nothing. Bring me to him Hide fox, and all after! They exit. GUILDENSTERN 30 Scene 3 Enter King and two or three. KING FTLN 2754 FTLN 2755 FTLN 2756 FTLN 2757 FTLN 2758 FTLN 2759 FTLN 2760 FTLN 2761 FTLN 2762 FTLN 2763 FTLN 2764 I have sent to seek him and to find the body. How dangerous is it that this man goes loose! Yet must not we put the strong law on him. He’s loved of the distracted multitude, Who like not in their judgment, but their eyes; And, where ’tis so, th’ offender’s scourge is weighed, But never the offense. To bear all smooth and even, This sudden sending him away must seem Deliberate pause. Diseases

desperate grown By desperate appliance are relieved Or not at all. 5 10 Enter Rosencrantz. How now, what hath befallen? FTLN 2765 ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 2766 FTLN 2767 FTLN 2768 Where the dead body is bestowed, my lord, We cannot get from him. KING But where is he? 15 ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 2769 Without, my lord; guarded, to know your pleasure. KING FTLN 2770 FTLN 2771 Bring him before us. ROSENCRANTZ Ho! Bring in the lord. They enter with Hamlet. Now, Hamlet, where’s Polonius? At supper. FTLN 2772 KING FTLN 2773 HAMLET 20 197 FTLN 2774 FTLN 2775 FTLN 2776 FTLN 2777 FTLN 2778 FTLN 2779 FTLN 2780 FTLN 2781 FTLN 2782 FTLN 2783 FTLN 2784 FTLN 2785 FTLN 2786 FTLN 2787 FTLN 2788 FTLN 2789 FTLN 2790 FTLN 2791 FTLN 2792 FTLN 2793 FTLN 2794 FTLN 2795 FTLN 2796 Hamlet ACT 4. SC 3 At supper where? HAMLET Not where he eats, but where he is eaten. A certain convocation of politic worms are e’en at him. Your worm is your only emperor for diet We fat all creatures else to fat us,

and we fat ourselves for maggots. Your fat king and your lean beggar is but variable servicetwo dishes but to one table. That’s the end. KING Alas, alas! HAMLET A man may fish with the worm that hath eat of a king and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm. KING What dost thou mean by this? HAMLET Nothing but to show you how a king may go a progress through the guts of a beggar. KING Where is Polonius? HAMLET In heaven. Send thither to see If your messenger find him not there, seek him i’ th’ other place yourself. But if, indeed, you find him not within this month, you shall nose him as you go up the stairs into the lobby. KING, to Attendants. Go, seek him there. HAMLET He will stay till you come. Attendants exit. KING 25 30 35 40 KING FTLN 2797 FTLN 2798 FTLN 2799 FTLN 2800 FTLN 2801 FTLN 2802 FTLN 2803 FTLN 2804 FTLN 2805 FTLN 2806 FTLN 2807 Hamlet, this deed, for thine especial safety (Which we do tender, as we dearly grieve For that which thou hast done) must send

thee hence With fiery quickness. Therefore prepare thyself The bark is ready, and the wind at help, Th’ associates tend, and everything is bent For England. HAMLET For England? KING Ay, Hamlet. HAMLET Good. 45 50 KING FTLN 2808 So is it, if thou knew’st our purposes. 55 199 Hamlet ACT 4. SC 4 HAMLET FTLN 2809 FTLN 2810 FTLN 2811 FTLN 2812 I see a cherub that sees them. But come, for England. Farewell, dear mother. KING Thy loving father, Hamlet. HAMLET FTLN 2813 FTLN 2814 FTLN 2815 My mother. Father and mother is man and wife, Man and wife is one flesh, and so, my mother. Come, for England. He exits. 60 KING FTLN 2816 FTLN 2817 FTLN 2818 FTLN 2819 FTLN 2820 FTLN 2821 FTLN 2822 FTLN 2823 FTLN 2824 FTLN 2825 FTLN 2826 FTLN 2827 FTLN 2828 FTLN 2829 FTLN 2830 Follow him at foot; tempt him with speed aboard. Delay it not. I’ll have him hence tonight Away, for everything is sealed and done That else leans on th’ affair. Pray you, make haste All but the King exit.

And England, if my love thou hold’st at aught (As my great power thereof may give thee sense, Since yet thy cicatrice looks raw and red After the Danish sword, and thy free awe Pays homage to us), thou mayst not coldly set Our sovereign process, which imports at full, By letters congruing to that effect, The present death of Hamlet. Do it, England, For like the hectic in my blood he rages, And thou must cure me. Till I know ’tis done, Howe’er my haps, my joys will ne’er begin. He exits. Scene 4 Enter Fortinbras with his army over the stage. FORTINBRAS FTLN 2831 FTLN 2832 FTLN 2833 FTLN 2834 Go, Captain, from me greet the Danish king. Tell him that by his license Fortinbras Craves the conveyance of a promised march Over his kingdom. You know the rendezvous 65 70 75 201 FTLN 2835 FTLN 2836 FTLN 2837 FTLN 2838 FTLN 2839 Hamlet ACT 4. SC 4 If that his Majesty would aught with us, We shall express our duty in his eye; And let him know so. CAPTAIN I will do ’t, my lord.

FORTINBRAS Go softly on. All but the Captain exit. 5 Enter Hamlet, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and others. FTLN 2840 HAMLET FTLN 2841 CAPTAIN FTLN 2842 HAMLET FTLN 2843 CAPTAIN FTLN 2844 HAMLET Good sir, whose powers are these? They are of Norway, sir. How purposed, sir, I pray you? Against some part of Poland. Who commands them, sir? 10 CAPTAIN FTLN 2845 The nephew to old Norway, Fortinbras. 15 HAMLET FTLN 2846 FTLN 2847 Goes it against the main of Poland, sir, Or for some frontier? CAPTAIN FTLN 2848 FTLN 2849 FTLN 2850 FTLN 2851 FTLN 2852 FTLN 2853 Truly to speak, and with no addition, We go to gain a little patch of ground That hath in it no profit but the name. To pay five ducats, five, I would not farm it; Nor will it yield to Norway or the Pole A ranker rate, should it be sold in fee. 20 HAMLET FTLN 2854 Why, then, the Polack never will defend it. CAPTAIN FTLN 2855 Yes, it is already garrisoned. 25 HAMLET FTLN 2856 FTLN 2857 FTLN 2858 FTLN 2859 FTLN 2860

FTLN 2861 FTLN 2862 Two thousand souls and twenty thousand ducats Will not debate the question of this straw. This is th’ impostume of much wealth and peace, That inward breaks and shows no cause without Why the man dies.I humbly thank you, sir CAPTAIN God be wi’ you, sir. He exits. ROSENCRANTZ Will ’t please you go, my lord? 30 203 Hamlet ACT 4. SC 4 HAMLET FTLN 2863 FTLN 2864 FTLN 2865 FTLN 2866 FTLN 2867 FTLN 2868 FTLN 2869 FTLN 2870 FTLN 2871 FTLN 2872 FTLN 2873 FTLN 2874 FTLN 2875 FTLN 2876 FTLN 2877 FTLN 2878 FTLN 2879 FTLN 2880 FTLN 2881 FTLN 2882 FTLN 2883 FTLN 2884 FTLN 2885 FTLN 2886 FTLN 2887 FTLN 2888 FTLN 2889 FTLN 2890 FTLN 2891 FTLN 2892 FTLN 2893 FTLN 2894 FTLN 2895 FTLN 2896 I’ll be with you straight. Go a little before All but Hamlet exit. How all occasions do inform against me And spur my dull revenge. What is a man If his chief good and market of his time Be but to sleep and feed? A beast, no more. Sure He that made us with such large discourse,

Looking before and after, gave us not That capability and godlike reason To fust in us unused. Now whether it be Bestial oblivion or some craven scruple Of thinking too precisely on th’ event (A thought which, quartered, hath but one part wisdom And ever three parts coward), I do not know Why yet I live to say “This thing’s to do,” Sith I have cause, and will, and strength, and means To do ’t. Examples gross as Earth exhort me: Witness this army of such mass and charge, Led by a delicate and tender prince, Whose spirit with divine ambition puffed Makes mouths at the invisible event, Exposing what is mortal and unsure To all that fortune, death, and danger dare, Even for an eggshell. Rightly to be great Is not to stir without great argument, But greatly to find quarrel in a straw When honor’s at the stake. How stand I, then, That have a father killed, a mother stained, Excitements of my reason and my blood, And let all sleep, while to my shame I see The imminent death of

twenty thousand men That for a fantasy and trick of fame Go to their graves like beds, fight for a plot Whereon the numbers cannot try the cause, 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 205 FTLN 2897 FTLN 2898 FTLN 2899 ACT 4. SC 5 Hamlet Which is not tomb enough and continent To hide the slain? O, from this time forth My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth! He exits. Scene 5 Enter Horatio, Queen, and a Gentleman. FTLN 2900 FTLN 2901 FTLN 2902 FTLN 2903 I will not speak with her. GENTLEMAN She is importunate, Indeed distract; her mood will needs be pitied. QUEEN What would she have? QUEEN GENTLEMAN FTLN 2904 FTLN 2905 FTLN 2906 FTLN 2907 FTLN 2908 FTLN 2909 FTLN 2910 FTLN 2911 FTLN 2912 FTLN 2913 FTLN 2914 FTLN 2915 FTLN 2916 She speaks much of her father, says she hears There’s tricks i’ th’ world, and hems, and beats her heart, Spurns enviously at straws, speaks things in doubt That carry but half sense. Her speech is nothing, Yet the unshapèd use of it doth move The hearers

to collection. They aim at it And botch the words up fit to their own thoughts; Which, as her winks and nods and gestures yield them, Indeed would make one think there might be thought, Though nothing sure, yet much unhappily. 5 10 15 HORATIO FTLN 2917 FTLN 2918 FTLN 2919 FTLN 2920 FTLN 2921 FTLN 2922 FTLN 2923 FTLN 2924 ’Twere good she were spoken with, for she may strew Dangerous conjectures in ill-breeding minds. Let her come in. QUEEN Gentleman exits. Aside. To my sick soul (as sin’s true nature is), Each toy seems prologue to some great amiss. So full of artless jealousy is guilt, It spills itself in fearing to be spilt. 20 25 207 Hamlet ACT 4. SC 5 Enter Ophelia distracted. OPHELIA FTLN 2925 FTLN 2926 FTLN 2927 FTLN 2928 FTLN 2929 FTLN 2930 Where is the beauteous Majesty of Denmark? QUEEN How now, Ophelia? OPHELIA sings How should I your true love know From another one? By his cockle hat and staff And his sandal shoon. 30 QUEEN FTLN 2931 FTLN 2932 FTLN 2933

FTLN 2934 FTLN 2935 FTLN 2936 FTLN 2937 FTLN 2938 FTLN 2939 FTLN 2940 Alas, sweet lady, what imports this song? Say you? Nay, pray you, mark. Sings. He is dead and gone, lady, He is dead and gone; At his head a grass-green turf, At his heels a stone. Oh, ho! QUEEN Nay, but Ophelia OPHELIA Pray you, mark. Sings. White his shroud as the mountain snow OPHELIA 35 40 Enter King. FTLN 2941 Alas, look here, my lord. sings Larded all with sweet flowers; Which bewept to the ground did not go With true-love showers. KING How do you, pretty lady? OPHELIA Well, God dild you. They say the owl was a baker’s daughter. Lord, we know what we are but know not what we may be. God be at your table KING Conceit upon her father. OPHELIA Pray let’s have no words of this, but when they ask you what it means, say you this: QUEEN OPHELIA FTLN 2942 FTLN 2943 FTLN 2944 FTLN 2945 FTLN 2946 FTLN 2947 FTLN 2948 FTLN 2949 FTLN 2950 FTLN 2951 45 50 209 FTLN 2952 ACT 4. SC 5 Sings. FTLN 2953 FTLN

2954 FTLN 2955 FTLN 2956 FTLN 2957 FTLN 2958 FTLN 2959 FTLN 2960 Hamlet KING Tomorrow is Saint Valentine’s day, All in the morning betime, And I a maid at your window, To be your Valentine. Then up he rose and donned his clothes And dupped the chamber door, Let in the maid, that out a maid Never departed more. Pretty Ophelia 55 60 OPHELIA FTLN 2961 FTLN 2962 FTLN 2963 FTLN 2964 FTLN 2965 FTLN 2966 FTLN 2967 FTLN 2968 FTLN 2969 FTLN 2970 FTLN 2971 FTLN 2972 FTLN 2973 FTLN 2974 FTLN 2975 FTLN 2976 FTLN 2977 Indeed, without an oath, I’ll make an end on ’t: Sings. By Gis and by Saint Charity, Alack and fie for shame, Young men will do ’t, if they come to ’t; By Cock, they are to blame. Quoth she “Before you tumbled me, You promised me to wed.” He answers: “So would I ’a done, by yonder sun, An thou hadst not come to my bed.” KING How long hath she been thus? OPHELIA I hope all will be well. We must be patient, but I cannot choose but weep to think they would lay

him i’ th’ cold ground. My brother shall know of it. And so I thank you for your good counsel Come, my coach! Good night, ladies, good night, sweet ladies, good night, good night. She exits. 65 70 75 KING FTLN 2978 FTLN 2979 FTLN 2980 FTLN 2981 FTLN 2982 FTLN 2983 FTLN 2984 FTLN 2985 Follow her close; give her good watch, I pray you. Horatio exits. O, this is the poison of deep grief. It springs All from her father’s death, and now behold! O Gertrude, Gertrude, When sorrows come, they come not single spies, But in battalions: first, her father slain; Next, your son gone, and he most violent author Of his own just remove; the people muddied, 80 85 211 FTLN 2986 FTLN 2987 FTLN 2988 FTLN 2989 FTLN 2990 FTLN 2991 FTLN 2992 FTLN 2993 FTLN 2994 FTLN 2995 FTLN 2996 FTLN 2997 FTLN 2998 FTLN 2999 FTLN 3000 FTLN 3001 FTLN 3002 FTLN 3003 FTLN 3004 FTLN 3005 Hamlet ACT 4. SC 5 Thick, and unwholesome in their thoughts and whispers For good Polonius’ death, and we have done

but greenly In hugger-mugger to inter him; poor Ophelia Divided from herself and her fair judgment, Without the which we are pictures or mere beasts; Last, and as much containing as all these, Her brother is in secret come from France, Feeds on his wonder, keeps himself in clouds, And wants not buzzers to infect his ear With pestilent speeches of his father’s death, Wherein necessity, of matter beggared, Will nothing stick our person to arraign In ear and ear. O, my dear Gertrude, this, Like to a murd’ring piece, in many places Gives me superfluous death. A noise within. QUEEN Alack, what noise is this? KING Attend! Where is my Switzers? Let them guard the door. 90 95 100 105 Enter a Messenger. FTLN 3006 FTLN 3007 FTLN 3008 FTLN 3009 FTLN 3010 FTLN 3011 FTLN 3012 FTLN 3013 FTLN 3014 FTLN 3015 FTLN 3016 FTLN 3017 What is the matter? Save yourself, my lord. The ocean, overpeering of his list, Eats not the flats with more impiteous haste Than young Laertes, in a riotous head,

O’erbears your officers. The rabble call him “lord,” And, as the world were now but to begin, Antiquity forgot, custom not known, The ratifiers and props of every word, They cry “Choose we, Laertes shall be king!” Caps, hands, and tongues applaud it to the clouds, “Laertes shall be king! Laertes king!” A noise within. MESSENGER 110 115 213 Hamlet ACT 4. SC 5 QUEEN FTLN 3018 FTLN 3019 FTLN 3020 How cheerfully on the false trail they cry. O, this is counter, you false Danish dogs! KING The doors are broke. 120 Enter Laertes with others. LAERTES FTLN 3021 FTLN 3022 FTLN 3023 FTLN 3024 Where is this king?Sirs, stand you all without. ALL No, let’s come in! LAERTES I pray you, give me leave. ALL We will, we will. 125 LAERTES FTLN 3025 FTLN 3026 FTLN 3027 FTLN 3028 I thank you. Keep the door Followers exit O, thou vile king, Give me my father! QUEEN Calmly, good Laertes. LAERTES FTLN 3029 FTLN 3030 FTLN 3031 FTLN 3032 FTLN 3033 FTLN 3034 FTLN 3035 FTLN 3036

FTLN 3037 FTLN 3038 FTLN 3039 FTLN 3040 FTLN 3041 FTLN 3042 FTLN 3043 FTLN 3044 That drop of blood that’s calm proclaims me bastard, Cries “cuckold” to my father, brands the harlot Even here between the chaste unsmirchèd brow Of my true mother. KING What is the cause, Laertes, That thy rebellion looks so giant-like? Let him go, Gertrude. Do not fear our person There’s such divinity doth hedge a king That treason can but peep to what it would, Acts little of his will.Tell me, Laertes, Why thou art thus incensed.Let him go, Gertrude. Speak, man. LAERTES Where is my father? KING Dead. QUEEN FTLN 3045 FTLN 3046 But not by him. KING Let him demand his fill. 130 135 140 145 215 Hamlet ACT 4. SC 5 LAERTES FTLN 3047 FTLN 3048 FTLN 3049 FTLN 3050 FTLN 3051 FTLN 3052 FTLN 3053 FTLN 3054 FTLN 3055 FTLN 3056 FTLN 3057 FTLN 3058 FTLN 3059 FTLN 3060 FTLN 3061 FTLN 3062 FTLN 3063 FTLN 3064 FTLN 3065 How came he dead? I’ll not be juggled with. To hell, allegiance! Vows, to

the blackest devil! Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit! I dare damnation. To this point I stand, That both the worlds I give to negligence, Let come what comes, only I’ll be revenged Most throughly for my father. KING Who shall stay you? LAERTES My will, not all the world. And for my means, I’ll husband them so well They shall go far with little. KING Good Laertes, If you desire to know the certainty Of your dear father, is ’t writ in your revenge That, swoopstake, you will draw both friend and foe, Winner and loser? LAERTES None but his enemies. KING Will you know them, then? 150 155 160 165 LAERTES FTLN 3066 FTLN 3067 FTLN 3068 FTLN 3069 FTLN 3070 FTLN 3071 FTLN 3072 FTLN 3073 FTLN 3074 FTLN 3075 FTLN 3076 To his good friends thus wide I’ll ope my arms And, like the kind life-rend’ring pelican, Repast them with my blood. KING Why, now you speak Like a good child and a true gentleman. That I am guiltless of your father’s death And am most sensibly in grief

for it, It shall as level to your judgment ’pear As day does to your eye. A noise within: “Let her come in!” How now, what noise is that? LAERTES Enter Ophelia. FTLN 3077 FTLN 3078 O heat, dry up my brains! Tears seven times salt Burn out the sense and virtue of mine eye! 170 175 217 FTLN 3079 FTLN 3080 FTLN 3081 FTLN 3082 FTLN 3083 FTLN 3084 FTLN 3085 FTLN 3086 FTLN 3087 FTLN 3088 FTLN 3089 FTLN 3090 Hamlet ACT 4. SC 5 By heaven, thy madness shall be paid with weight Till our scale turn the beam! O rose of May, Dear maid, kind sister, sweet Ophelia! O heavens, is ’t possible a young maid’s wits Should be as mortal as an old man’s life? Nature is fine in love, and, where ’tis fine, It sends some precious instance of itself After the thing it loves. OPHELIA sings They bore him barefaced on the bier, Hey non nonny, nonny, hey nonny, And in his grave rained many a tear. Fare you well, my dove. 180 185 190 LAERTES FTLN 3091 FTLN 3092 FTLN 3093 FTLN 3094 FTLN

3095 FTLN 3096 FTLN 3097 FTLN 3098 FTLN 3099 FTLN 3100 FTLN 3101 FTLN 3102 FTLN 3103 FTLN 3104 FTLN 3105 FTLN 3106 FTLN 3107 FTLN 3108 FTLN 3109 Hadst thou thy wits and didst persuade revenge, It could not move thus. OPHELIA You must sing “A-down a-down”and you “Call him a-down-a.”O, how the wheel becomes it! It is the false steward that stole his master’s daughter. LAERTES This nothing’s more than matter. OPHELIA There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance. Pray you, love, remember. And there is pansies, that’s for thoughts. LAERTES A document in madness: thoughts and remembrance fitted. OPHELIA There’s fennel for you, and columbines. There’s rue for you, and here’s some for me; we may call it herb of grace o’ Sundays. You must wear your rue with a difference. There’s a daisy I would give you some violets, but they withered all when my father died. They say he made a good end Sings. For bonny sweet Robin is all my joy LAERTES FTLN 3110 FTLN 3111 Thought and

afflictions, passion, hell itself She turns to favor and to prettiness. 195 200 205 210 219 OPHELIA FTLN 3112 FTLN 3113 FTLN 3114 FTLN 3115 FTLN 3116 FTLN 3117 FTLN 3118 FTLN 3119 FTLN 3120 FTLN 3121 FTLN 3122 FTLN 3123 FTLN 3124 Hamlet ACT 4. SC 5 sings And will he not come again? And will he not come again? No, no, he is dead. Go to thy deathbed. He never will come again. His beard was as white as snow, All flaxen was his poll. He is gone, he is gone, And we cast away moan. God ’a mercy on his soul. And of all Christians’ souls, I pray God. God be wi’ you. She exits. LAERTES Do you see this, O God? 215 220 225 KING FTLN 3125 FTLN 3126 FTLN 3127 FTLN 3128 FTLN 3129 FTLN 3130 FTLN 3131 FTLN 3132 FTLN 3133 FTLN 3134 FTLN 3135 FTLN 3136 FTLN 3137 FTLN 3138 FTLN 3139 FTLN 3140 FTLN 3141 FTLN 3142 FTLN 3143 FTLN 3144 Laertes, I must commune with your grief, Or you deny me right. Go but apart, Make choice of whom your wisest friends you will, And they shall hear and

judge ’twixt you and me. If by direct or by collateral hand They find us touched, we will our kingdom give, Our crown, our life, and all that we call ours, To you in satisfaction; but if not, Be you content to lend your patience to us, And we shall jointly labor with your soul To give it due content. LAERTES Let this be so. His means of death, his obscure funeral (No trophy, sword, nor hatchment o’er his bones, No noble rite nor formal ostentation) Cry to be heard, as ’twere from heaven to earth, That I must call ’t in question. KING So you shall, And where th’ offense is, let the great ax fall. I pray you, go with me. They exit. 230 235 240 245 221 Hamlet ACT 4. SC 6 Scene 6 Enter Horatio and others. FTLN 3145 FTLN 3146 FTLN 3147 FTLN 3148 FTLN 3149 FTLN 3150 What are they that would speak with me? GENTLEMAN Seafaring men, sir. They say they have letters for you. HORATIO Let them come in. Gentleman exits I do not know from what part of the world I should be

greeted, if not from Lord Hamlet. HORATIO 5 Enter Sailors. FTLN 3151 FTLN 3152 FTLN 3153 FTLN 3154 FTLN 3155 FTLN 3156 FTLN 3157 FTLN 3158 FTLN 3159 FTLN 3160 FTLN 3161 FTLN 3162 FTLN 3163 FTLN 3164 FTLN 3165 FTLN 3166 FTLN 3167 FTLN 3168 FTLN 3169 FTLN 3170 FTLN 3171 FTLN 3172 FTLN 3173 FTLN 3174 FTLN 3175 God bless you, sir. HORATIO Let Him bless thee too. SAILOR He shall, sir, an ’t please Him. There’s a letter for you, sir. It came from th’ ambassador that was bound for Englandif your name be Horatio, as I am let to know it is. He hands Horatio a letter. HORATIO reads the letter Horatio, when thou shalt have overlooked this, give these fellows some means to the King. They have letters for him Ere we were two days old at sea, a pirate of very warlike appointment gave us chase. Finding ourselves too slow of sail, we put on a compelled valor, and in the grapple I boarded them. On the instant, they got clear of our ship; so I alone became their prisoner. They have dealt with

me like thieves of mercy, but they knew what they did: I am to do a good turn for them. Let the King have the letters I have sent, and repair thou to me with as much speed as thou wouldst fly death. I have words to speak in thine ear will make thee dumb; yet are they much too light for the bore of the matter. These good fellows will bring thee where I am. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern hold their course for England; of them I have much to tell thee. Farewell He that thou knowest thine, Hamlet. SAILOR 10 15 20 25 30 223 FTLN 3176 FTLN 3177 FTLN 3178 Hamlet ACT 4. SC 7 Come, I will give you way for these your letters And do ’t the speedier that you may direct me To him from whom you brought them. They exit. Scene 7 Enter King and Laertes. KING FTLN 3179 FTLN 3180 FTLN 3181 FTLN 3182 FTLN 3183 FTLN 3184 FTLN 3185 FTLN 3186 FTLN 3187 FTLN 3188 FTLN 3189 FTLN 3190 FTLN 3191 FTLN 3192 FTLN 3193 FTLN 3194 FTLN 3195 FTLN 3196 FTLN 3197 FTLN 3198 FTLN 3199 FTLN 3200 FTLN 3201 FTLN

3202 FTLN 3203 FTLN 3204 Now must your conscience my acquittance seal, And you must put me in your heart for friend, Sith you have heard, and with a knowing ear, That he which hath your noble father slain Pursued my life. LAERTES It well appears. But tell me Why you proceeded not against these feats, So criminal and so capital in nature, As by your safety, greatness, wisdom, all things else, You mainly were stirred up. KING O, for two special reasons, Which may to you perhaps seem much unsinewed, But yet to me they’re strong. The Queen his mother Lives almost by his looks, and for myself (My virtue or my plague, be it either which), She is so conjunctive to my life and soul That, as the star moves not but in his sphere, I could not but by her. The other motive Why to a public count I might not go Is the great love the general gender bear him, Who, dipping all his faults in their affection, Work like the spring that turneth wood to stone, Convert his gyves to graces, so that my

arrows, Too slightly timbered for so loud a wind, Would have reverted to my bow again, But not where I have aimed them. LAERTES FTLN 3205 And so have I a noble father lost, 5 10 15 20 25 225 FTLN 3206 FTLN 3207 FTLN 3208 FTLN 3209 Hamlet ACT 4. SC 7 A sister driven into desp’rate terms, Whose worth, if praises may go back again, Stood challenger on mount of all the age For her perfections. But my revenge will come 30 KING FTLN 3210 FTLN 3211 FTLN 3212 FTLN 3213 FTLN 3214 FTLN 3215 Break not your sleeps for that. You must not think That we are made of stuff so flat and dull That we can let our beard be shook with danger And think it pastime. You shortly shall hear more I loved your father, and we love ourself, And that, I hope, will teach you to imagine 35 Enter a Messenger with letters. FTLN 3216 FTLN 3217 FTLN 3218 FTLN 3219 FTLN 3220 How now? What news? Letters, my lord, from Hamlet. These to your Majesty, this to the Queen. KING From Hamlet? Who brought them?

MESSENGER 40 MESSENGER FTLN 3221 FTLN 3222 FTLN 3223 FTLN 3224 FTLN 3225 FTLN 3226 FTLN 3227 FTLN 3228 FTLN 3229 FTLN 3230 FTLN 3231 FTLN 3232 FTLN 3233 FTLN 3234 FTLN 3235 FTLN 3236 FTLN 3237 Sailors, my lord, they say. I saw them not They were given me by Claudio. He received them Of him that brought them. KING Laertes, you shall hear them. Leave us. Messenger exits. Reads. High and mighty, you shall know I am set naked on your kingdom. Tomorrow shall I beg leave to see your kingly eyes, when I shall (first asking your pardon) thereunto recount the occasion of my sudden and more strange return. Hamlet What should this mean? Are all the rest come back? Or is it some abuse and no such thing? LAERTES Know you the hand? KING ’Tis Hamlet’s character. “Naked” And in a postscript here, he says “alone.” Can you advise me? 45 50 55 227 Hamlet ACT 4. SC 7 LAERTES FTLN 3238 FTLN 3239 FTLN 3240 FTLN 3241 FTLN 3242 FTLN 3243 FTLN 3244 FTLN 3245 FTLN 3246 I am lost in it,

my lord. But let him come It warms the very sickness in my heart That I shall live and tell him to his teeth “Thus didst thou.” KING If it be so, Laertes (As how should it be so? how otherwise?), Will you be ruled by me? LAERTES Ay, my lord, So you will not o’errule me to a peace. 60 65 KING FTLN 3247 FTLN 3248 FTLN 3249 FTLN 3250 FTLN 3251 FTLN 3252 FTLN 3253 FTLN 3254 FTLN 3255 FTLN 3256 FTLN 3257 FTLN 3258 FTLN 3259 FTLN 3260 FTLN 3261 FTLN 3262 FTLN 3263 FTLN 3264 FTLN 3265 To thine own peace. If he be now returned, As checking at his voyage, and that he means No more to undertake it, I will work him To an exploit, now ripe in my device, Under the which he shall not choose but fall; And for his death no wind of blame shall breathe, But even his mother shall uncharge the practice And call it accident. LAERTES My lord, I will be ruled, The rather if you could devise it so That I might be the organ. KING It falls right. You have been talked of since your travel much, And

that in Hamlet’s hearing, for a quality Wherein they say you shine. Your sum of parts Did not together pluck such envy from him As did that one, and that, in my regard, Of the unworthiest siege. LAERTES What part is that, my lord? 70 75 80 85 KING FTLN 3266 FTLN 3267 FTLN 3268 FTLN 3269 FTLN 3270 A very ribbon in the cap of youth Yet needful too, for youth no less becomes The light and careless livery that it wears Than settled age his sables and his weeds, Importing health and graveness. Two months since 90 229 FTLN 3271 FTLN 3272 FTLN 3273 FTLN 3274 FTLN 3275 FTLN 3276 FTLN 3277 FTLN 3278 FTLN 3279 FTLN 3280 FTLN 3281 Hamlet ACT 4. SC 7 Here was a gentleman of Normandy. I have seen myself, and served against, the French, And they can well on horseback, but this gallant Had witchcraft in ’t. He grew unto his seat, And to such wondrous doing brought his horse As had he been encorpsed and demi-natured With the brave beast. So far he topped my thought That I in forgery

of shapes and tricks Come short of what he did. LAERTES A Norman was ’t? KING A Norman. 95 100 LAERTES FTLN 3282 FTLN 3283 Upon my life, Lamord. KING The very same. 105 LAERTES FTLN 3284 FTLN 3285 FTLN 3286 FTLN 3287 FTLN 3288 FTLN 3289 FTLN 3290 FTLN 3291 FTLN 3292 FTLN 3293 FTLN 3294 FTLN 3295 FTLN 3296 FTLN 3297 FTLN 3298 FTLN 3299 I know him well. He is the brooch indeed And gem of all the nation. KING He made confession of you And gave you such a masterly report For art and exercise in your defense, And for your rapier most especial, That he cried out ’twould be a sight indeed If one could match you. The ’scrimers of their nation He swore had neither motion, guard, nor eye, If you opposed them. Sir, this report of his Did Hamlet so envenom with his envy That he could nothing do but wish and beg Your sudden coming-o’er, to play with you. Now out of this LAERTES What out of this, my lord? 110 115 120 KING FTLN 3300 FTLN 3301 FTLN 3302 FTLN 3303 Laertes, was your

father dear to you? Or are you like the painting of a sorrow, A face without a heart? LAERTES Why ask you this? 125 231 Hamlet ACT 4. SC 7 KING FTLN 3304 FTLN 3305 FTLN 3306 FTLN 3307 FTLN 3308 FTLN 3309 FTLN 3310 FTLN 3311 FTLN 3312 FTLN 3313 FTLN 3314 FTLN 3315 FTLN 3316 FTLN 3317 FTLN 3318 FTLN 3319 FTLN 3320 FTLN 3321 FTLN 3322 Not that I think you did not love your father, But that I know love is begun by time And that I see, in passages of proof, Time qualifies the spark and fire of it. There lives within the very flame of love A kind of wick or snuff that will abate it, And nothing is at a like goodness still; For goodness, growing to a pleurisy, Dies in his own too-much. That we would do We should do when we would; for this “would” changes And hath abatements and delays as many As there are tongues, are hands, are accidents; And then this “should” is like a spendthrift sigh, That hurts by easing. But to the quick of th’ ulcer: Hamlet comes back; what would

you undertake To show yourself indeed your father’s son More than in words? LAERTES To cut his throat i’ th’ church. 130 135 140 KING FTLN 3323 FTLN 3324 FTLN 3325 FTLN 3326 FTLN 3327 FTLN 3328 FTLN 3329 FTLN 3330 FTLN 3331 FTLN 3332 FTLN 3333 FTLN 3334 FTLN 3335 FTLN 3336 No place indeed should murder sanctuarize; Revenge should have no bounds. But, good Laertes, Will you do this? Keep close within your chamber. Hamlet, returned, shall know you are come home. We’ll put on those shall praise your excellence And set a double varnish on the fame The Frenchman gave you; bring you, in fine, together And wager on your heads. He, being remiss, Most generous, and free from all contriving, Will not peruse the foils, so that with ease, Or with a little shuffling, you may choose A sword unbated, and in a pass of practice Requite him for your father. 145 150 155 233 FTLN 3337 FTLN 3338 FTLN 3339 FTLN 3340 FTLN 3341 FTLN 3342 FTLN 3343 FTLN 3344 FTLN 3345 FTLN 3346 FTLN 3347

FTLN 3348 FTLN 3349 FTLN 3350 FTLN 3351 FTLN 3352 FTLN 3353 FTLN 3354 FTLN 3355 FTLN 3356 FTLN 3357 FTLN 3358 FTLN 3359 FTLN 3360 FTLN 3361 FTLN 3362 FTLN 3363 FTLN 3364 Hamlet ACT 4. SC 7 I will do ’t, And for that purpose I’ll anoint my sword. I bought an unction of a mountebank So mortal that, but dip a knife in it, Where it draws blood no cataplasm so rare, Collected from all simples that have virtue Under the moon, can save the thing from death That is but scratched withal. I’ll touch my point With this contagion, that, if I gall him slightly, It may be death. KING Let’s further think of this, Weigh what convenience both of time and means May fit us to our shape. If this should fail, And that our drift look through our bad performance, ’Twere better not assayed. Therefore this project Should have a back or second that might hold If this did blast in proof. Soft, let me see We’ll make a solemn wager on your cunnings I ha ’t! When in your motion you are hot and dry

(As make your bouts more violent to that end) And that he calls for drink, I’ll have prepared him A chalice for the nonce, whereon but sipping, If he by chance escape your venomed stuck, Our purpose may hold there.But stay, what noise? LAERTES 160 165 170 175 180 185 Enter Queen. QUEEN FTLN 3365 FTLN 3366 FTLN 3367 One woe doth tread upon another’s heel, So fast they follow. Your sister’s drowned, Laertes LAERTES Drowned? O, where? QUEEN FTLN 3368 There is a willow grows askant the brook 190 235 FTLN 3369 FTLN 3370 FTLN 3371 FTLN 3372 FTLN 3373 FTLN 3374 FTLN 3375 FTLN 3376 FTLN 3377 FTLN 3378 FTLN 3379 FTLN 3380 FTLN 3381 FTLN 3382 FTLN 3383 FTLN 3384 FTLN 3385 FTLN 3386 FTLN 3387 FTLN 3388 Hamlet ACT 4. SC 7 That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream. Therewith fantastic garlands did she make Of crowflowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples, That liberal shepherds give a grosser name, But our cold maids do “dead men’s fingers” call them. There on

the pendant boughs her coronet weeds Clamb’ring to hang, an envious sliver broke, When down her weedy trophies and herself Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide, And mermaid-like awhile they bore her up, Which time she chanted snatches of old lauds, As one incapable of her own distress Or like a creature native and endued Unto that element. But long it could not be Till that her garments, heavy with their drink, Pulled the poor wretch from her melodious lay To muddy death. LAERTES Alas, then she is drowned. QUEEN Drowned, drowned. 195 200 205 210 LAERTES FTLN 3389 FTLN 3390 FTLN 3391 FTLN 3392 FTLN 3393 FTLN 3394 FTLN 3395 FTLN 3396 FTLN 3397 FTLN 3398 FTLN 3399 Too much of water hast thou, poor Ophelia, And therefore I forbid my tears. But yet It is our trick; nature her custom holds, Let shame say what it will. When these are gone, The woman will be out.Adieu, my lord I have a speech o’ fire that fain would blaze, But that this folly drowns it. He exits. KING

Let’s follow, Gertrude. How much I had to do to calm his rage! Now fear I this will give it start again. Therefore, let’s follow. They exit. 215 220 ACT 5 Scene 1 Enter Gravedigger and Another. FTLN 3400 FTLN 3401 FTLN 3402 FTLN 3403 FTLN 3404 FTLN 3405 FTLN 3406 FTLN 3407 FTLN 3408 FTLN 3409 FTLN 3410 FTLN 3411 FTLN 3412 FTLN 3413 FTLN 3414 FTLN 3415 FTLN 3416 FTLN 3417 FTLN 3418 FTLN 3419 FTLN 3420 FTLN 3421 FTLN 3422 Is she to be buried in Christian burial, when she willfully seeks her own salvation? OTHER I tell thee she is. Therefore make her grave straight. The crowner hath sat on her and finds it Christian burial. How can that be, unless she drowned GRAVEDIGGER herself in her own defense? OTHER Why, ’tis found so. GRAVEDIGGER It must be se offendendo; it cannot be else. For here lies the point: if I drown myself wittingly, it argues an act, and an act hath three branchesit is to act, to do, to perform. Argal, she drowned herself wittingly. OTHER Nay, but hear you,

goodman delver Give me leave. Here lies the water; GRAVEDIGGER good. Here stands the man; good If the man go to this water and drown himself, it is (will he, nill he) he goes; mark you that. But if the water come to him and drown him, he drowns not himself. Argal, he that is not guilty of his own death shortens not his own life. OTHER But is this law? Ay, marry, is ’tcrowner’s ’quest law. GRAVEDIGGER GRAVEDIGGER 239 5 10 15 20 241 FTLN 3423 FTLN 3424 FTLN 3425 FTLN 3426 FTLN 3427 FTLN 3428 FTLN 3429 FTLN 3430 FTLN 3431 FTLN 3432 FTLN 3433 FTLN 3434 FTLN 3435 FTLN 3436 FTLN 3437 FTLN 3438 FTLN 3439 FTLN 3440 FTLN 3441 FTLN 3442 FTLN 3443 FTLN 3444 FTLN 3445 FTLN 3446 FTLN 3447 FTLN 3448 FTLN 3449 FTLN 3450 FTLN 3451 FTLN 3452 FTLN 3453 FTLN 3454 FTLN 3455 Hamlet ACT 5. SC 1 Will you ha’ the truth on ’t? If this had not been a gentlewoman, she should have been buried out o’ Christian burial. Why, there thou sayst. And the more GRAVEDIGGER pity that great folk

should have count’nance in this world to drown or hang themselves more than their even-Christian. Come, my spade There is no ancient gentlemen but gard’ners, ditchers, and grave-makers. They hold up Adam’s profession OTHER Was he a gentleman? He was the first that ever bore arms. GRAVEDIGGER OTHER Why, he had none. What, art a heathen? How dost thou GRAVEDIGGER understand the scripture? The scripture says Adam digged. Could he dig without arms? I’ll put another question to thee. If thou answerest me not to the purpose, confess thyself OTHER Go to! What is he that builds stronger than GRAVEDIGGER either the mason, the shipwright, or the carpenter? OTHER The gallows-maker; for that frame outlives a thousand tenants. I like thy wit well, in good faith. The GRAVEDIGGER gallows does well. But how does it well? It does well to those that do ill. Now, thou dost ill to say the gallows is built stronger than the church. Argal, the gallows may do well to thee. To ’t again, come OTHER

“Who builds stronger than a mason, a shipwright, or a carpenter?” Ay, tell me that, and unyoke. GRAVEDIGGER OTHER Marry, now I can tell. To ’t. GRAVEDIGGER OTHER Mass, I cannot tell. OTHER Enter Hamlet and Horatio afar off. FTLN 3456 GRAVEDIGGER Cudgel thy brains no more about it, 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 243 FTLN 3457 FTLN 3458 FTLN 3459 FTLN 3460 FTLN 3461 FTLN 3462 FTLN 3463 FTLN 3464 FTLN 3465 FTLN 3466 FTLN 3467 FTLN 3468 FTLN 3469 FTLN 3470 FTLN 3471 FTLN 3472 FTLN 3473 FTLN 3474 FTLN 3475 FTLN 3476 FTLN 3477 FTLN 3478 FTLN 3479 FTLN 3480 FTLN 3481 FTLN 3482 FTLN 3483 FTLN 3484 FTLN 3485 FTLN 3486 FTLN 3487 FTLN 3488 Hamlet ACT 5. SC 1 for your dull ass will not mend his pace with beating. And, when you are asked this question next, say “a grave-maker.” The houses he makes lasts till doomsday. Go, get thee in, and fetch me a stoup of liquor. The Other Man exits and the Gravedigger digs and sings. In youth when I did love, did love, Methought it was very

sweet To contractOthe time foramy behove, O, methought thereawas nothingameet. HAMLET Has this fellow no feeling of his business? He sings in grave-making. HORATIO Custom hath made it in him a property of easiness. HAMLET ’Tis e’en so. The hand of little employment hath the daintier sense. GRAVEDIGGER sings But age with his stealing steps Hath clawed me in his clutch, And hath shipped me into the land, As if I had never been such. He digs up a skull. HAMLET That skull had a tongue in it and could sing once. How the knave jowls it to the ground as if ’twere Cain’s jawbone, that did the first murder! This might be the pate of a politician which this ass now o’erreaches, one that would circumvent God, might it not? HORATIO It might, my lord. HAMLET Or of a courtier, which could say “Good morrow, sweet lord! How dost thou, sweet lord?” This might be my Lord Such-a-one that praised my Lord Such-a-one’s horse when he went to beg it, might it not? HORATIO Ay, my lord. 60 65

70 75 80 85 245 FTLN 3489 FTLN 3490 FTLN 3491 FTLN 3492 FTLN 3493 FTLN 3494 FTLN 3495 FTLN 3496 FTLN 3497 FTLN 3498 FTLN 3499 FTLN 3500 FTLN 3501 FTLN 3502 FTLN 3503 FTLN 3504 FTLN 3505 FTLN 3506 FTLN 3507 FTLN 3508 FTLN 3509 FTLN 3510 FTLN 3511 FTLN 3512 FTLN 3513 FTLN 3514 FTLN 3515 FTLN 3516 FTLN 3517 FTLN 3518 FTLN 3519 FTLN 3520 FTLN 3521 FTLN 3522 Hamlet ACT 5. SC 1 Why, e’en so. And now my Lady Worm’s, chapless and knocked about the mazard with a sexton’s spade. Here’s fine revolution, an we had the trick to see ’t. Did these bones cost no more the breeding but to play at loggets with them? Mine ache to think on ’t. GRAVEDIGGER sings A pickax and a spade, a spade, For and a shrouding sheet, O, a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet. He digs up more skulls. HAMLET There’s another. Why may not that be the skull of a lawyer? Where be his quiddities now, his quillities, his cases, his tenures, and his tricks? Why does he suffer this mad knave

now to knock him about the sconce with a dirty shovel and will not tell him of his action of battery? Hum, this fellow might be in ’s time a great buyer of land, with his statutes, his recognizances, his fines, his double vouchers, his recoveries. Is this the fine of his fines and the recovery of his recoveries, to have his fine pate full of fine dirt? Will his vouchers vouch him no more of his purchases, and double ones too, than the length and breadth of a pair of indentures? The very conveyances of his lands will scarcely lie in this box, and must th’ inheritor himself have no more, ha? HORATIO Not a jot more, my lord. HAMLET Is not parchment made of sheepskins? HORATIO Ay, my lord, and of calves’ skins too. HAMLET They are sheep and calves which seek out assurance in that. I will speak to this fellow Whose grave’s this, sirrah? Mine, sir. GRAVEDIGGER Sings. O, a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet. HAMLET 90 95 100 105 110 115 120 247 FTLN 3523

FTLN 3524 FTLN 3525 FTLN 3526 FTLN 3527 FTLN 3528 FTLN 3529 FTLN 3530 FTLN 3531 FTLN 3532 FTLN 3533 FTLN 3534 FTLN 3535 FTLN 3536 FTLN 3537 FTLN 3538 FTLN 3539 FTLN 3540 FTLN 3541 FTLN 3542 FTLN 3543 FTLN 3544 FTLN 3545 FTLN 3546 FTLN 3547 FTLN 3548 FTLN 3549 FTLN 3550 FTLN 3551 FTLN 3552 FTLN 3553 FTLN 3554 FTLN 3555 FTLN 3556 FTLN 3557 FTLN 3558 FTLN 3559 Hamlet ACT 5. SC 1 I think it be thine indeed, for thou liest in ’t. You lie out on ’t, sir, and therefore ’tis GRAVEDIGGER not yours. For my part, I do not lie in ’t, yet it is mine. HAMLET Thou dost lie in ’t, to be in ’t and say it is thine. ’Tis for the dead, not for the quick; therefore thou liest. ’Tis a quick lie, sir; ’twill away again GRAVEDIGGER from me to you. HAMLET What man dost thou dig it for? For no man, sir. GRAVEDIGGER HAMLET What woman then? For none, neither. GRAVEDIGGER HAMLET Who is to be buried in ’t? One that was a woman, sir, but, rest GRAVEDIGGER her soul, she’s dead. HAMLET How

absolute the knave is! We must speak by the card, or equivocation will undo us. By the Lord, Horatio, this three years I have took note of it: the age is grown so picked that the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier, he galls his kibe.How long hast thou been grave-maker? GRAVEDIGGER Of all the days i’ th’ year, I came to ’t that day that our last King Hamlet overcame Fortinbras. HAMLET How long is that since? Cannot you tell that? Every fool can GRAVEDIGGER tell that. It was that very day that young Hamlet was bornhe that is mad, and sent into England. HAMLET Ay, marry, why was he sent into England? Why, because he was mad. He shall GRAVEDIGGER recover his wits there. Or if he do not, ’tis no great matter there. HAMLET Why? ’Twill not be seen in him there. There GRAVEDIGGER the men are as mad as he. HAMLET 125 130 135 140 145 150 155 160 249 FTLN 3560 FTLN 3561 FTLN 3562 FTLN 3563 FTLN 3564 FTLN 3565 FTLN 3566 FTLN 3567 FTLN 3568 FTLN 3569

FTLN 3570 FTLN 3571 FTLN 3572 FTLN 3573 FTLN 3574 FTLN 3575 FTLN 3576 FTLN 3577 FTLN 3578 FTLN 3579 FTLN 3580 FTLN 3581 FTLN 3582 FTLN 3583 FTLN 3584 FTLN 3585 FTLN 3586 FTLN 3587 FTLN 3588 FTLN 3589 FTLN 3590 FTLN 3591 FTLN 3592 FTLN 3593 FTLN 3594 FTLN 3595 Hamlet ACT 5. SC 1 How came he mad? Very strangely, they say. GRAVEDIGGER HAMLET How “strangely”? Faith, e’en with losing his wits. GRAVEDIGGER HAMLET Upon what ground? Why, here in Denmark. I have been GRAVEDIGGER sexton here, man and boy, thirty years. HAMLET How long will a man lie i’ th’ earth ere he rot? Faith, if he be not rotten before he die GRAVEDIGGER (as we have many pocky corses nowadays that will scarce hold the laying in), he will last you some eight year or nine year. A tanner will last you nine year. HAMLET Why he more than another? Why, sir, his hide is so tanned with his GRAVEDIGGER trade that he will keep out water a great while; and your water is a sore decayer of your whoreson dead body. Here’s

a skull now hath lien you i’ th’ earth three-and-twenty years. HAMLET Whose was it? A whoreson mad fellow’s it was. GRAVEDIGGER Whose do you think it was? HAMLET Nay, I know not. A pestilence on him for a mad rogue! GRAVEDIGGER He poured a flagon of Rhenish on my head once. This same skull, sir, was, sir, Yorick’s skull, the King’s jester. HAMLET This? E’en that. GRAVEDIGGER HAMLET, taking the skull Let me see. Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatioa fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy. He hath bore me on his back a thousand times, and now how abhorred in my imagination it is! My gorge rises at it. Here hung those lips that I have kissed I know not how oft. Where be your gibes now? your gambols? your HAMLET 165 170 175 180 185 190 195 251 FTLN 3596 FTLN 3597 FTLN 3598 FTLN 3599 FTLN 3600 FTLN 3601 FTLN 3602 FTLN 3603 FTLN 3604 FTLN 3605 FTLN 3606 FTLN 3607 FTLN 3608 FTLN 3609 FTLN 3610 FTLN 3611 FTLN 3612 FTLN 3613 FTLN 3614 FTLN 3615 FTLN 3616 FTLN

3617 FTLN 3618 FTLN 3619 FTLN 3620 FTLN 3621 FTLN 3622 Hamlet ACT 5. SC 1 songs? your flashes of merriment that were wont to set the table on a roar? Not one now to mock your own grinning? Quite chapfallen? Now get you to my lady’s chamber, and tell her, let her paint an inch thick, to this favor she must come. Make her laugh at that.Prithee, Horatio, tell me one thing HORATIO What’s that, my lord? HAMLET Dost thou think Alexander looked o’ this fashion i’ th’ earth? HORATIO E’en so. HAMLET And smelt so? Pah! He puts the skull down. HORATIO E’en so, my lord. HAMLET To what base uses we may return, Horatio! Why may not imagination trace the noble dust of Alexander till he find it stopping a bunghole? HORATIO ’Twere to consider too curiously to consider so. HAMLET No, faith, not a jot; but to follow him thither, with modesty enough and likelihood to lead it, as thus: Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander returneth to dust; the dust is earth; of earth we make

loam; and why of that loam whereto he was converted might they not stop a beer barrel? Imperious Caesar, dead and turned to clay, Might stop a hole to keep the wind away. O, that that earth which kept the world in awe Should patch a wall t’ expel the winter’s flaw! 200 205 210 215 220 Enter King, Queen, Laertes, Lords attendant, and the corpse of Ophelia, with a Doctor of Divinity. FTLN 3623 FTLN 3624 FTLN 3625 FTLN 3626 FTLN 3627 FTLN 3628 But soft, but soft awhile! Here comes the King, The Queen, the courtiers. Who is this they follow? And with such maimèd rites? This doth betoken The corse they follow did with desp’rate hand Fordo its own life. ’Twas of some estate Couch we awhile and mark. They step aside. 225 253 FTLN 3629 LAERTES FTLN 3630 HAMLET FTLN 3631 LAERTES Hamlet ACT 5. SC 1 What ceremony else? That is Laertes, a very noble youth. Mark What ceremony else? 230 DOCTOR FTLN 3632 FTLN 3633 FTLN 3634 FTLN 3635 FTLN 3636 FTLN 3637 FTLN 3638 FTLN

3639 FTLN 3640 FTLN 3641 Her obsequies have been as far enlarged As we have warranty. Her death was doubtful, And, but that great command o’ersways the order, She should in ground unsanctified been lodged Till the last trumpet. For charitable prayers Shards, flints, and pebbles should be thrown on her. Yet here she is allowed her virgin crants, Her maiden strewments, and the bringing home Of bell and burial. 235 240 LAERTES FTLN 3642 FTLN 3643 FTLN 3644 FTLN 3645 FTLN 3646 FTLN 3647 FTLN 3648 FTLN 3649 FTLN 3650 FTLN 3651 FTLN 3652 FTLN 3653 FTLN 3654 FTLN 3655 FTLN 3656 FTLN 3657 FTLN 3658 FTLN 3659 FTLN 3660 FTLN 3661 Must there no more be done? No more be done. We should profane the service of the dead To sing a requiem and such rest to her As to peace-parted souls. LAERTES Lay her i’ th’ earth, And from her fair and unpolluted flesh May violets spring! I tell thee, churlish priest, A minist’ring angel shall my sister be When thou liest howling. HAMLET, to Horatio

What, the fair Ophelia? QUEEN Sweets to the sweet, farewell! She scatters flowers. I hoped thou shouldst have been my Hamlet’s wife; I thought thy bride-bed to have decked, sweet maid, And not have strewed thy grave. LAERTES O, treble woe Fall ten times treble on that cursèd head Whose wicked deed thy most ingenious sense Deprived thee of!Hold off the earth awhile, Till I have caught her once more in mine arms. Leaps in the grave. DOCTOR 245 250 255 260 255 FTLN 3662 FTLN 3663 FTLN 3664 FTLN 3665 FTLN 3666 FTLN 3667 FTLN 3668 FTLN 3669 FTLN 3670 FTLN 3671 FTLN 3672 FTLN 3673 FTLN 3674 FTLN 3675 FTLN 3676 FTLN 3677 FTLN 3678 FTLN 3679 FTLN 3680 Hamlet ACT 5. SC 1 Now pile your dust upon the quick and dead, Till of this flat a mountain you have made T’ o’ertop old Pelion or the skyish head Of blue Olympus. HAMLET, advancing What is he whose grief Bears such an emphasis, whose phrase of sorrow Conjures the wand’ring stars and makes them stand Like wonder-wounded

hearers? This is I, Hamlet the Dane. LAERTES, coming out of the grave The devil take thy soul! HAMLET Thou pray’st not well. They grapple. I prithee take thy fingers from my throat, For though I am not splenitive and rash, Yet have I in me something dangerous, Which let thy wisdom fear. Hold off thy hand KING Pluck them asunder. QUEEN Hamlet! Hamlet! ALL Gentlemen! HORATIO Good my lord, be quiet. Hamlet and Laertes are separated. 265 270 275 280 HAMLET FTLN 3681 FTLN 3682 FTLN 3683 Why, I will fight with him upon this theme Until my eyelids will no longer wag! QUEEN O my son, what theme? HAMLET FTLN 3684 FTLN 3685 FTLN 3686 FTLN 3687 FTLN 3688 FTLN 3689 FTLN 3690 FTLN 3691 FTLN 3692 I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers Could not with all their quantity of love Make up my sum. What wilt thou do for her? KING O, he is mad, Laertes! QUEEN For love of God, forbear him. HAMLET ’Swounds, show me what thou ’t do. Woo’t weep, woo’t fight, woo’t fast, woo’t tear

thyself, Woo’t drink up eisel, eat a crocodile? 285 290 257 FTLN 3693 FTLN 3694 FTLN 3695 FTLN 3696 FTLN 3697 FTLN 3698 FTLN 3699 FTLN 3700 FTLN 3701 FTLN 3702 FTLN 3703 FTLN 3704 FTLN 3705 FTLN 3706 FTLN 3707 FTLN 3708 FTLN 3709 FTLN 3710 Hamlet ACT 5. SC 1 I’ll do ’t. Dost thou come here to whine? To outface me with leaping in her grave? Be buried quick with her, and so will I. And if thou prate of mountains, let them throw Millions of acres on us, till our ground, Singeing his pate against the burning zone, Make Ossa like a wart. Nay, an thou ’lt mouth, I’ll rant as well as thou. QUEEN This is mere madness; And thus awhile the fit will work on him. Anon, as patient as the female dove When that her golden couplets are disclosed, His silence will sit drooping. HAMLET Hear you, sir, What is the reason that you use me thus? I loved you ever. But it is no matter Let Hercules himself do what he may, The cat will mew, and dog will have his day. Hamlet exits. 295 300

305 310 KING FTLN 3711 FTLN 3712 FTLN 3713 FTLN 3714 FTLN 3715 FTLN 3716 FTLN 3717 FTLN 3718 I pray thee, good Horatio, wait upon him. Horatio exits. To Laertes. Strengthen your patience in our last night’s speech. We’ll put the matter to the present push. Good Gertrude, set some watch over your son. This grave shall have a living monument. An hour of quiet thereby shall we see. Till then in patience our proceeding be. They exit. 315 259 Hamlet ACT 5. SC 2 Scene 2 Enter Hamlet and Horatio. HAMLET FTLN 3719 FTLN 3720 FTLN 3721 So much for this, sir. Now shall you see the other You do remember all the circumstance? HORATIO Remember it, my lord! HAMLET FTLN 3722 FTLN 3723 FTLN 3724 FTLN 3725 FTLN 3726 FTLN 3727 FTLN 3728 FTLN 3729 FTLN 3730 FTLN 3731 FTLN 3732 FTLN 3733 FTLN 3734 FTLN 3735 FTLN 3736 FTLN 3737 FTLN 3738 FTLN 3739 FTLN 3740 FTLN 3741 FTLN 3742 FTLN 3743 FTLN 3744 FTLN 3745 FTLN 3746 FTLN 3747 Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting That would not

let me sleep. Methought I lay Worse than the mutines in the bilboes. Rashly And praised be rashness for it; let us know, Our indiscretion sometime serves us well When our deep plots do pall; and that should learn us There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, Rough-hew them how we will HORATIO That is most certain. HAMLET Up from my cabin, My sea-gown scarfed about me, in the dark Groped I to find out them; had my desire, Fingered their packet, and in fine withdrew To mine own room again, making so bold (My fears forgetting manners) to unfold Their grand commission; where I found, Horatio, A royal knaveryan exact command, Larded with many several sorts of reasons Importing Denmark’s health and England’s too, Withho!such bugs and goblins in my life, That on the supervise, no leisure bated, No, not to stay the grinding of the ax, My head should be struck off. HORATIO Is ’t possible? 5 10 15 20 25 HAMLET FTLN 3748 Here’s the commission. Read it at more leisure Handing him a

paper. 30 261 FTLN 3749 FTLN 3750 Hamlet ACT 5. SC 2 But wilt thou hear now how I did proceed? HORATIO I beseech you. HAMLET FTLN 3751 FTLN 3752 FTLN 3753 FTLN 3754 FTLN 3755 FTLN 3756 FTLN 3757 FTLN 3758 FTLN 3759 FTLN 3760 Being thus benetted round with villainies, Or I could make a prologue to my brains, They had begun the play. I sat me down, Devised a new commission, wrote it fair I once did hold it, as our statists do, A baseness to write fair, and labored much How to forget that learning; but, sir, now It did me yeoman’s service. Wilt thou know Th’ effect of what I wrote? HORATIO Ay, good my lord. 35 40 HAMLET FTLN 3761 FTLN 3762 FTLN 3763 FTLN 3764 FTLN 3765 FTLN 3766 FTLN 3767 FTLN 3768 FTLN 3769 FTLN 3770 FTLN 3771 An earnest conjuration from the King, As England was his faithful tributary, As love between them like the palm might flourish, As peace should still her wheaten garland wear And stand a comma ’tween their amities, And many suchlike ases of

great charge, That, on the view and knowing of these contents, Without debatement further, more or less, He should those bearers put to sudden death, Not shriving time allowed. HORATIO How was this sealed? 45 50 HAMLET FTLN 3772 FTLN 3773 FTLN 3774 FTLN 3775 FTLN 3776 FTLN 3777 FTLN 3778 FTLN 3779 FTLN 3780 Why, even in that was heaven ordinant. I had my father’s signet in my purse, Which was the model of that Danish seal; Folded the writ up in the form of th’ other, Subscribed it, gave ’t th’ impression, placed it safely, The changeling never known. Now, the next day Was our sea-fight; and what to this was sequent Thou knowest already. HORATIO FTLN 3781 So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to ’t. 55 60 263 Hamlet ACT 5. SC 2 HAMLET FTLN 3782 FTLN 3783 FTLN 3784 FTLN 3785 FTLN 3786 FTLN 3787 FTLN 3788 Why, man, they did make love to this employment. They are not near my conscience. Their defeat Does by their own insinuation grow. ’Tis dangerous when the baser

nature comes Between the pass and fell incensèd points Of mighty opposites. HORATIO Why, what a king is this! 65 70 HAMLET FTLN 3789 FTLN 3790 FTLN 3791 FTLN 3792 FTLN 3793 FTLN 3794 FTLN 3795 FTLN 3796 FTLN 3797 FTLN 3798 Does it not, think thee, stand me now upon He that hath killed my king and whored my mother, Popped in between th’ election and my hopes, Thrown out his angle for my proper life, And with such cozenageis ’t not perfect conscience To quit him with this arm? And is ’t not to be damned To let this canker of our nature come In further evil? 75 80 HORATIO FTLN 3799 FTLN 3800 It must be shortly known to him from England What is the issue of the business there. HAMLET FTLN 3801 FTLN 3802 FTLN 3803 FTLN 3804 FTLN 3805 FTLN 3806 FTLN 3807 FTLN 3808 FTLN 3809 It will be short. The interim’s mine, And a man’s life’s no more than to say “one.” But I am very sorry, good Horatio, That to Laertes I forgot myself, For by the image of my cause I see The

portraiture of his. I’ll court his favors But, sure, the bravery of his grief did put me Into a tow’ring passion. HORATIO Peace, who comes here? Enter Osric, a courtier. FTLN 3810 FTLN 3811 Your Lordship is right welcome back to Denmark. OSRIC 85 90 265 FTLN 3812 FTLN 3813 FTLN 3814 FTLN 3815 FTLN 3816 FTLN 3817 FTLN 3818 FTLN 3819 FTLN 3820 FTLN 3821 FTLN 3822 FTLN 3823 FTLN 3824 FTLN 3825 FTLN 3826 FTLN 3827 FTLN 3828 FTLN 3829 FTLN 3830 FTLN 3831 FTLN 3832 FTLN 3833 FTLN 3834 FTLN 3835 FTLN 3836 FTLN 3837 FTLN 3838 FTLN 3839 FTLN 3840 FTLN 3841 FTLN 3842 FTLN 3843 FTLN 3844 FTLN 3845 FTLN 3846 Hamlet ACT 5. SC 2 I humbly thank you, sir. Aside to Horatio Dost know this waterfly? HORATIO, aside to Hamlet No, my good lord. HAMLET, aside to Horatio Thy state is the more gracious, for ’tis a vice to know him. He hath much land, and fertile. Let a beast be lord of beasts and his crib shall stand at the king’s mess. ’Tis a chough, but, as I say, spacious in the

possession of dirt. OSRIC Sweet lord, if your Lordship were at leisure, I should impart a thing to you from his Majesty. HAMLET I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of spirit. Put your bonnet to his right use: ’tis for the head. OSRIC I thank your Lordship; it is very hot. HAMLET No, believe me, ’tis very cold; the wind is northerly. OSRIC It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed. HAMLET But yet methinks it is very sultry and hot for my complexion. OSRIC Exceedingly, my lord; it is very sultry, as ’twereI cannot tell how. My lord, his Majesty bade me signify to you that he has laid a great wager on your head. Sir, this is the matter HAMLET I beseech you, remember. He motions to Osric to put on his hat. OSRIC Nay, good my lord, for my ease, in good faith. Sir, here is newly come to court Laertesbelieve me, an absolute gentleman, full of most excellent differences, of very soft society and great showing. Indeed, to speak feelingly of him, he is the card or calendar of gentry,

for you shall find in him the continent of what part a gentleman would see. HAMLET Sir, his definement suffers no perdition in you, though I know to divide him inventorially would dozy th’ arithmetic of memory, and yet but yaw neither, in respect of his quick sail. But, in the HAMLET 95 100 105 110 115 120 125 267 FTLN 3847 FTLN 3848 FTLN 3849 FTLN 3850 FTLN 3851 FTLN 3852 FTLN 3853 FTLN 3854 FTLN 3855 FTLN 3856 FTLN 3857 FTLN 3858 FTLN 3859 FTLN 3860 FTLN 3861 FTLN 3862 FTLN 3863 FTLN 3864 FTLN 3865 FTLN 3866 FTLN 3867 FTLN 3868 FTLN 3869 FTLN 3870 FTLN 3871 FTLN 3872 FTLN 3873 FTLN 3874 FTLN 3875 FTLN 3876 FTLN 3877 FTLN 3878 FTLN 3879 FTLN 3880 FTLN 3881 FTLN 3882 Hamlet ACT 5. SC 2 verity of extolment, I take him to be a soul of great article, and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as, to make true diction of him, his semblable is his mirror, and who else would trace him, his umbrage, nothing more. OSRIC Your Lordship speaks most infallibly of him. HAMLET The

concernancy, sir? Why do we wrap the gentleman in our more rawer breath? OSRIC Sir? HORATIO Is ’t not possible to understand in another tongue? You will to ’t, sir, really. HAMLET, to Osric What imports the nomination of this gentleman? OSRIC Of Laertes? HORATIO His purse is empty already; all ’s golden words are spent. HAMLET Of him, sir. OSRIC I know you are not ignorant HAMLET I would you did, sir. Yet, in faith, if you did, it would not much approve me. Well, sir? OSRIC You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is HAMLET I dare not confess that, lest I should compare with him in excellence. But to know a man well were to know himself. OSRIC I mean, sir, for his weapon. But in the imputation laid on him by them, in his meed he’s unfellowed. HAMLET What’s his weapon? OSRIC Rapier and dagger. HAMLET That’s two of his weapons. But, well OSRIC The King, sir, hath wagered with him six Barbary horses, against the which he has impawned, as I take it, six French rapiers

and poniards, with their assigns, as girdle, hangers, and so. Three of the carriages, in faith, are very dear to fancy, very 130 135 140 145 150 155 160 269 FTLN 3883 FTLN 3884 FTLN 3885 FTLN 3886 FTLN 3887 FTLN 3888 FTLN 3889 FTLN 3890 FTLN 3891 FTLN 3892 FTLN 3893 FTLN 3894 FTLN 3895 FTLN 3896 FTLN 3897 FTLN 3898 FTLN 3899 FTLN 3900 FTLN 3901 FTLN 3902 FTLN 3903 FTLN 3904 FTLN 3905 FTLN 3906 FTLN 3907 FTLN 3908 FTLN 3909 FTLN 3910 FTLN 3911 FTLN 3912 FTLN 3913 FTLN 3914 FTLN 3915 FTLN 3916 FTLN 3917 FTLN 3918 Hamlet ACT 5. SC 2 responsive to the hilts, most delicate carriages, and of very liberal conceit. HAMLET What call you the “carriages”? HORATIO I knew you must be edified by the margent ere you had done. OSRIC The carriages, sir, are the hangers. HAMLET The phrase would be more germane to the matter if we could carry a cannon by our sides. I would it might be “hangers” till then. But on Six Barbary horses against six French swords, their assigns, and three

liberal-conceited carriages that’s the French bet against the Danish. Why is this all “impawned,” as you call it? OSRIC The King, sir, hath laid, sir, that in a dozen passes between yourself and him, he shall not exceed you three hits. He hath laid on twelve for nine, and it would come to immediate trial if your Lordship would vouchsafe the answer. HAMLET How if I answer no? OSRIC I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial. HAMLET Sir, I will walk here in the hall. If it please his Majesty, it is the breathing time of day with me. Let the foils be brought, the gentleman willing, and the King hold his purpose, I will win for him, an I can. If not, I will gain nothing but my shame and the odd hits. OSRIC Shall I deliver you e’en so? HAMLET To this effect, sir, after what flourish your nature will. OSRIC I commend my duty to your Lordship. HAMLET Yours. Osric exits He does well to commend it himself. There are no tongues else for ’s turn. HORATIO This lapwing runs

away with the shell on his head. 165 170 175 180 185 190 195 200 271 FTLN 3919 FTLN 3920 FTLN 3921 FTLN 3922 FTLN 3923 FTLN 3924 FTLN 3925 FTLN 3926 Hamlet ACT 5. SC 2 He did comply, sir, with his dug before he sucked it. Thus has he (and many more of the same breed that I know the drossy age dotes on) only got the tune of the time, and, out of an habit of encounter, a kind of yeasty collection, which carries them through and through the most fanned and winnowed opinions; and do but blow them to their trial, the bubbles are out. HAMLET 205 Enter a Lord. FTLN 3927 FTLN 3928 FTLN 3929 FTLN 3930 FTLN 3931 FTLN 3932 FTLN 3933 FTLN 3934 FTLN 3935 FTLN 3936 FTLN 3937 FTLN 3938 FTLN 3939 FTLN 3940 FTLN 3941 FTLN 3942 FTLN 3943 FTLN 3944 FTLN 3945 FTLN 3946 FTLN 3947 FTLN 3948 FTLN 3949 FTLN 3950 FTLN 3951 FTLN 3952 FTLN 3953 My lord, his Majesty commended him to you by young Osric, who brings back to him that you attend him in the hall. He sends to know if your pleasure

hold to play with Laertes, or that you will take longer time. HAMLET I am constant to my purposes. They follow the King’s pleasure. If his fitness speaks, mine is ready now or whensoever, provided I be so able as now. LORD The King and Queen and all are coming down. HAMLET In happy time. LORD The Queen desires you to use some gentle entertainment to Laertes before you fall to play. HAMLET She well instructs me. Lord exits. HORATIO You will lose, my lord. HAMLET I do not think so. Since he went into France, I have been in continual practice. I shall win at the odds; but thou wouldst not think how ill all’s here about my heart. But it is no matter HORATIO Nay, good my lord HAMLET It is but foolery, but it is such a kind of gaingiving as would perhaps trouble a woman. HORATIO If your mind dislike anything, obey it. I will forestall their repair hither and say you are not fit. HAMLET Not a whit. We defy augury There is a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, ’tis

not to come; if it be not to come, it will be LORD 210 215 220 225 230 235 273 Hamlet ACT 5. SC 2 now; if it be not now, yet it will come. The readiness is all. Since no man of aught he leaves knows, what is ’t to leave betimes? Let be. FTLN 3954 FTLN 3955 FTLN 3956 A table prepared. Enter Trumpets, Drums, and Officers with cushions, King, Queen, Osric, and all the state, foils, daggers, flagons of wine, and Laertes. KING FTLN 3957 FTLN 3958 FTLN 3959 FTLN 3960 FTLN 3961 FTLN 3962 FTLN 3963 FTLN 3964 FTLN 3965 FTLN 3966 FTLN 3967 FTLN 3968 FTLN 3969 FTLN 3970 FTLN 3971 FTLN 3972 FTLN 3973 FTLN 3974 FTLN 3975 FTLN 3976 FTLN 3977 FTLN 3978 FTLN 3979 FTLN 3980 FTLN 3981 FTLN 3982 FTLN 3983 Come, Hamlet, come and take this hand from me. He puts Laertes’ hand into Hamlet’s. HAMLET, to Laertes Give me your pardon, sir. I have done you wrong; But pardon ’t as you are a gentleman. This presence knows, And you must needs have heard, how I am punished With a sore

distraction. What I have done That might your nature, honor, and exception Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness. Was ’t Hamlet wronged Laertes? Never Hamlet. If Hamlet from himself be ta’en away, And when he’s not himself does wrong Laertes, Then Hamlet does it not; Hamlet denies it. Who does it, then? His madness. If ’t be so, Hamlet is of the faction that is wronged; His madness is poor Hamlet’s enemy. Sir, in this audience Let my disclaiming from a purposed evil Free me so far in your most generous thoughts That I have shot my arrow o’er the house And hurt my brother. LAERTES I am satisfied in nature, Whose motive in this case should stir me most To my revenge; but in my terms of honor I stand aloof and will no reconcilement Till by some elder masters of known honor I have a voice and precedent of peace To keep my name ungored. But till that time 240 245 250 255 260 265 275 FTLN 3984 FTLN 3985 FTLN 3986 FTLN 3987 FTLN 3988 FTLN 3989 Hamlet ACT 5. SC 2

I do receive your offered love like love And will not wrong it. HAMLET I embrace it freely And will this brothers’ wager frankly play. Give us the foils. Come on LAERTES Come, one for me. 270 HAMLET FTLN 3990 FTLN 3991 FTLN 3992 FTLN 3993 FTLN 3994 I’ll be your foil, Laertes; in mine ignorance Your skill shall, like a star i’ th’ darkest night, Stick fiery off indeed. LAERTES You mock me, sir. HAMLET No, by this hand. 275 KING FTLN 3995 FTLN 3996 FTLN 3997 FTLN 3998 Give them the foils, young Osric. Cousin Hamlet, You know the wager? HAMLET Very well, my lord. Your Grace has laid the odds o’ th’ weaker side. 280 KING FTLN 3999 FTLN 4000 I do not fear it; I have seen you both. But, since he is better, we have therefore odds. LAERTES FTLN 4001 This is too heavy. Let me see another HAMLET FTLN 4002 FTLN 4003 This likes me well. These foils have all a length? Ay, my good lord. Prepare to play. OSRIC 285 KING FTLN 4004 FTLN 4005 FTLN 4006 FTLN 4007 FTLN 4008 FTLN

4009 FTLN 4010 FTLN 4011 Set me the stoups of wine upon that table. If Hamlet give the first or second hit Or quit in answer of the third exchange, Let all the battlements their ordnance fire. The King shall drink to Hamlet’s better breath, And in the cup an union shall he throw, Richer than that which four successive kings In Denmark’s crown have worn. Give me the cups, 290 277 FTLN 4012 FTLN 4013 FTLN 4014 FTLN 4015 FTLN 4016 FTLN 4017 FTLN 4018 FTLN 4019 FTLN 4020 FTLN 4021 FTLN 4022 FTLN 4023 ACT 5. SC 2 Hamlet And let the kettle to the trumpet speak, The trumpet to the cannoneer without, The cannons to the heavens, the heaven to earth, “Now the King drinks to Hamlet.” Come, begin And you, the judges, bear a wary eye. Trumpets the while. HAMLET Come on, sir. LAERTES Come, my lord. They play. HAMLET One. LAERTES No. HAMLET Judgment! OSRIC A hit, a very palpable hit. LAERTES Well, again. 295 300 305 KING FTLN 4024 FTLN 4025 FTLN 4026 Stay, give me

drink.Hamlet, this pearl is thine Here’s to thy health. He drinks and then drops the pearl in the cup. Drum, trumpets, and shot. Give him the cup. HAMLET FTLN 4027 FTLN 4028 I’ll play this bout first. Set it by awhile Come. They play Another hit What say you? 310 LAERTES FTLN 4029 A touch, a touch. I do confess ’t KING FTLN 4030 FTLN 4031 FTLN 4032 FTLN 4033 FTLN 4034 FTLN 4035 Our son shall win. He’s fat and scant of breath. Here, Hamlet, take my napkin; rub thy brows. The Queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet. She lifts the cup. HAMLET Good madam. KING Gertrude, do not drink. QUEEN QUEEN FTLN 4036 FTLN 4037 I will, my lord; I pray you pardon me. KING, aside It is the poisoned cup. It is too late She drinks. 315 279 ACT 5. SC 2 Hamlet HAMLET FTLN 4038 FTLN 4039 FTLN 4040 FTLN 4041 FTLN 4042 I dare not drink yet, madamby and by. Come, let me wipe thy face. LAERTES, to Claudius My lord, I’ll hit him now. KING I do not think ’t. LAERTES, aside And yet

it is almost against my conscience. 320 QUEEN HAMLET FTLN 4043 FTLN 4044 FTLN 4045 FTLN 4046 FTLN 4047 FTLN 4048 FTLN 4049 FTLN 4050 FTLN 4051 Come, for the third, Laertes. You do but dally I pray you pass with your best violence. I am afeard you make a wanton of me. LAERTES Say you so? Come on. Play. OSRIC Nothing neither way. LAERTES Have at you now! Laertes wounds Hamlet. Then in scuffling they change rapiers, and Hamlet wounds Laertes. KING Part them. They are incensed HAMLET Nay, come again. The Queen falls. OSRIC Look to the Queen there, ho! 325 330 HORATIO FTLN 4052 FTLN 4053 They bleed on both sides.How is it, my lord? How is ’t, Laertes? OSRIC 335 LAERTES FTLN 4054 FTLN 4055 Why as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric. He falls. I am justly killed with mine own treachery. HAMLET FTLN 4056 FTLN 4057 How does the Queen? KING She swoons to see them bleed. QUEEN FTLN 4058 FTLN 4059 No, no, the drink, the drink! O, my dear Hamlet! The drink, the drink! I am

poisoned. She dies. HAMLET FTLN 4060 FTLN 4061 O villainy! Ho! Let the door be locked. Treachery! Seek it out. Osric exits. 340 281 Hamlet ACT 5. SC 2 LAERTES FTLN 4062 FTLN 4063 FTLN 4064 FTLN 4065 FTLN 4066 FTLN 4067 FTLN 4068 FTLN 4069 It is here, Hamlet. Hamlet, thou art slain No med’cine in the world can do thee good. In thee there is not half an hour’s life. The treacherous instrument is in thy hand, Unbated and envenomed. The foul practice Hath turned itself on me. Lo, here I lie, Never to rise again. Thy mother’s poisoned I can no more. The King, the King’s to blame 345 350 HAMLET FTLN 4070 FTLN 4071 FTLN 4072 The point envenomed too! Then, venom, to thy work. Hurts the King. ALL Treason, treason! KING FTLN 4073 O, yet defend me, friends! I am but hurt. 355 HAMLET FTLN 4074 FTLN 4075 FTLN 4076 FTLN 4077 FTLN 4078 FTLN 4079 FTLN 4080 FTLN 4081 Here, thou incestuous, murd’rous, damnèd Dane, Drink off this potion. Is thy union here? Forcing him to

drink the poison. Follow my mother. King dies. LAERTES He is justly served. It is a poison tempered by himself. Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet. Mine and my father’s death come not upon thee, Nor thine on me. Dies. 360 HAMLET FTLN 4082 FTLN 4083 FTLN 4084 FTLN 4085 FTLN 4086 FTLN 4087 FTLN 4088 FTLN 4089 FTLN 4090 FTLN 4091 Heaven make thee free of it. I follow thee I am dead, Horatio.Wretched queen, adieu You that look pale and tremble at this chance, That are but mutes or audience to this act, Had I but time (as this fell sergeant, Death, Is strict in his arrest), O, I could tell you But let it be.Horatio, I am dead Thou livest; report me and my cause aright To the unsatisfied. HORATIO Never believe it. 365 370 283 FTLN 4092 FTLN 4093 FTLN 4094 FTLN 4095 FTLN 4096 FTLN 4097 FTLN 4098 FTLN 4099 FTLN 4100 FTLN 4101 FTLN 4102 FTLN 4103 Hamlet ACT 5. SC 2 I am more an antique Roman than a Dane. Here’s yet some liquor left. He picks up the cup. HAMLET As thou

’rt a man, Give me the cup. Let go! By heaven, I’ll ha ’t O God, Horatio, what a wounded name, Things standing thus unknown, shall I leave behind me! If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart, Absent thee from felicity awhile And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain To tell my story. A march afar off and shot within. What warlike noise is this? 375 380 385 Enter Osric. OSRIC FTLN 4104 FTLN 4105 FTLN 4106 FTLN 4107 FTLN 4108 FTLN 4109 FTLN 4110 FTLN 4111 FTLN 4112 FTLN 4113 FTLN 4114 Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland, To th’ ambassadors of England gives This warlike volley. HAMLET O, I die, Horatio! The potent poison quite o’ercrows my spirit. I cannot live to hear the news from England. But I do prophesy th’ election lights On Fortinbras; he has my dying voice. So tell him, with th’ occurrents, more and less, Which have solicitedthe rest is silence. O, O, O, O! Dies. 390 395 HORATIO FTLN 4115 FTLN 4116 FTLN 4117 Now cracks a noble heart. Good

night, sweet prince, And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. March within. Why does the drum come hither? Enter Fortinbras with the English Ambassadors with Drum, Colors, and Attendants. FTLN 4118 FORTINBRAS Where is this sight? 400 285 FTLN 4119 FTLN 4120 Hamlet ACT 5. SC 2 What is it you would see? If aught of woe or wonder, cease your search. HORATIO FORTINBRAS FTLN 4121 FTLN 4122 FTLN 4123 FTLN 4124 FTLN 4125 FTLN 4126 FTLN 4127 FTLN 4128 FTLN 4129 FTLN 4130 FTLN 4131 FTLN 4132 FTLN 4133 FTLN 4134 FTLN 4135 FTLN 4136 FTLN 4137 FTLN 4138 FTLN 4139 FTLN 4140 FTLN 4141 FTLN 4142 FTLN 4143 FTLN 4144 FTLN 4145 FTLN 4146 FTLN 4147 FTLN 4148 FTLN 4149 FTLN 4150 FTLN 4151 This quarry cries on havoc. O proud Death, What feast is toward in thine eternal cell That thou so many princes at a shot So bloodily hast struck? AMBASSADOR The sight is dismal, And our affairs from England come too late. The ears are senseless that should give us hearing To tell him his commandment is

fulfilled, That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead. Where should we have our thanks? HORATIO Not from his mouth, Had it th’ ability of life to thank you. He never gave commandment for their death. But since, so jump upon this bloody question, You from the Polack wars, and you from England, Are here arrived, give order that these bodies High on a stage be placed to the view, And let me speak to th’ yet unknowing world How these things came about. So shall you hear Of carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts, Of accidental judgments, casual slaughters, Of deaths put on by cunning and forced cause, And, in this upshot, purposes mistook Fall’n on th’ inventors’ heads. All this can I Truly deliver. FORTINBRAS Let us haste to hear it And call the noblest to the audience. For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune. I have some rights of memory in this kingdom, Which now to claim my vantage doth invite me. HORATIO FTLN 4152 Of that I shall have also cause to speak, 405 410 415 420

425 430 287 FTLN 4153 FTLN 4154 FTLN 4155 FTLN 4156 FTLN 4157 FTLN 4158 FTLN 4159 FTLN 4160 FTLN 4161 FTLN 4162 FTLN 4163 FTLN 4164 FTLN 4165 FTLN 4166 FTLN 4167 Hamlet ACT 5. SC 2 And from his mouth whose voice will draw on more. But let this same be presently performed Even while men’s minds are wild, lest more mischance On plots and errors happen. FORTINBRAS Let four captains Bear Hamlet like a soldier to the stage, For he was likely, had he been put on, To have proved most royal; and for his passage, The soldier’s music and the rite of war Speak loudly for him. Take up the bodies. Such a sight as this Becomes the field but here shows much amiss. Go, bid the soldiers shoot. They exit, marching, after the which, a peal of ordnance are shot off. 435 440 445