Marcellus.
Hor.
Friends to this ground.
Mar.
And liegemen to the Dane.
Fran.
Give you note good night.
Mar.
O, farewell, honest soldier note:
Who hath note relieved you?
Fran.
Bernardo hath my note place.
Give you note good night. note
[Exit. note
Mar.
Holla! Bernardo!
Ber.
Say, note
note
What, is Horatio there? note
Hor.
A piece of him.
Ber.
Welcome, Horatio: welcome, good Marcellus.
Mar. note
What, has note this thing appear'd again to-night? note
Ber.
I have seen nothing.
Mar.
Horatio says 'tis but our note fantasy,
And will not let belief take hold of him
Touching this dreaded sight note, twice seen of us:
Therefore I have entreated him along
With us to note watch the minutes of this night,
-- 5 --
That if again this apparition come,
He may approve our eyes and speak to it.
Hor.
Tush, tush, note 'twill not appear.
Ber.
Sit down awhile;
And let us once again assail your ears,
That are so fortified against our story,
What we have two nights note seen. note
Hor.
Well, sit we note down,
And let us hear Bernardo speak of this.
Ber.
Last night of all,
When yond note same star that's westward from the pole
Had made his course to illume note that part of heaven
Where now it burns, Marcellus and myself,
note
The bell then beating note one,— note
Enter Ghost. note
Mar.
Peace, break thee off note; look, where it comes again! note
Ber.
In the same figure, like the king that's dead.
Mar.
Thou art a scholar; speak to it, Horatio.
Ber.
Looks it note not like the king? mark it, Horatio. note
Hor.
Most like: it harrows note me with fear and wonder.
Ber.
It would be spoke to.
Mar.
Question note it, Horatio.
Hor.
What art thou, that usurp'st note this time of night,
Together with that fair and warlike form
In which the majesty of buried Denmark
-- 6 --
Did sometimes march? note by heaven note I charge thee, note speak!
Mar.
It is offended.
Ber.
See, it stalks away!
Hor.
Stay! speak, speak! note I charge thee, speak!
[Exit Ghost. note
Mar.
'Tis gone, and will not answer.
Ber.
How now, Horatio! you tremble and look pale:
Is not this something more than fantasy?
What think you on't note?
Hor.
Before my God, I might not note this believe note
Without the sensible and true note avouch
Of mine own eyes.
Mar.
Is it not like the king?
Hor.
As thou art to thyself:
Such was the very note armour he had on
When he note the ambitious Norway combated;
So frown'd he once, when, in an angry parle,
He smote note the sledded note Polacks note on the ice.
'Tis strange. note
Mar.
Thus twice before, and jump note at this dead note note hour,
With martial stalk hath he gone by note our watch.
Hor.
In what particular thought to note work I know not;
But, in the gross and note scope of my note opinion,
This bodes some strange eruption to our state.
Mar.
Good now, note sit down, and tell me, he that knows,
-- 7 --
Why this same strict and most observant watch
So nightly toils the subject note of the land,
And why note such daily cast note of brazen cannon,
And foreign mart for implements of war;
Why such impress of shipwrights, whose sore task
Does note not divide the Sunday from the week;
What might be toward, that this sweaty haste
Doth make note the night joint-labourer note with the day:
Who is't that can inform me?
Hor.
That can I;
At least the whisper goes so. Our last king,
Whose image even but now appear'd to us,
Was, as you know, by Fortinbras of Norway,
Thereto prick'd on by a most emulate note pride,
Dared to the combat note; in which our valiant Hamlet—
For so this side of our known world esteem'd him—
Did slay this Fortinbras; who by a note seal'd compact,
Well ratified by law and note heraldry note,
Did forfeit, with his life, all those note his lands
Which he stood seized of note, to the conqueror:
Against the which, a moiety competent
Was gaged by our king; which had return'd note
To the inheritance of Fortinbras,
Had he been vanquisher; note as, by the same note covenant note
And carriage of the article design'd note,
His fell to Hamlet. Now, sir note, young Fortinbras,
-- 8 --
Of unimproved note mettle note hot and full,
Hath in the skirts of Norway here and there
Shark'd up a list of lawless note resolutes,
For food and diet, to note some enterprise
That hath a stomach in't: which is note no other—
As note it doth well appear unto our state—
But to recover of us, by strong hand
And terms compulsatory note, those foresaid lands
So by his father lost: and this, I take it,
Is the main motive of our preparations,
The source of this our watch and the chief head
Of this post-haste and romage in the land.
Ber.
I think it be no other but e'en so note:
Well may it sort, that this portentous figure
Comes armed through our watch, so like the king
That was and is the question of these wars.
Hor.
A mote note it is to trouble the mind's eye.
In the most high and palmy note state note of Rome,
A little ere the mightiest Julius fell,
The graves stood tenantless note, and note the sheeted dead
Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets: note
As stars with trains of fire and dews note of blood, note
-- 9 --
Disasters in note note the sun; and the moist star,
Upon whose influence Neptune's empire stands,
Was sick almost to doomsday with eclipse:
And even the like precurse of fierce note events,
As note harbingers preceding still the fates
And prologue to the omen note coming on,
Have heaven and earth together demonstrated
Unto our climatures note and countrymen. note
Re-enter Ghost. note
But soft, behold! lo, where it comes again!
note
I'll cross it, though it blast me. Stay, illusion!
If thou hast any sound, or use of voice,
Speak to me:
If there be any good thing to be done note,
That may to thee do ease and grace to me,
Speak to me note:
If thou art privy to thy country's fate,
Which, happily, foreknowing note may avoid,
O, speak! note
Or if thou hast uphoarded in thy life
Extorted treasure in the womb of earth,
For which, they say, you note spirits oft walk in death,
Speak of it: stay, and speak! [The cock crows. note] Stop it, Marcellus.
-- 10 --
Mar.
Shall I strike at note it with my partisan?
Hor.
Do, if it will note not stand.
Ber.
'Tis here!
Hor.
'Tis here!
Mar. note
'Tis gone!
[Exit Ghost. note
We do it wrong, being so majestical,
To offer it the show of violence;
For it is, as note the air, invulnerable,
And our vain blows malicious mockery.
Ber.
It was about to speak, when the cock crew.
Hor.
And then it started like a guilty thing
Upon a fearful summons. I have heard,
The cock, that is the trumpet to the morn note,
Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding throat
Awake the god of day, and at his warning,
Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air,
The extravagant note and erring spirit hies
To his confine: note and of the truth herein
This present object made probation.
Mar.
It faded on note the crowing of the cock.
Some say note that ever 'gainst that season comes
Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated,
The note bird of dawning singeth all night long:
And then note, they say, no spirit dare stir note abroad,
The nights are wholesome, then no planets strike,
No fairy takes note nor note witch hath power to charm,
So hallow'd and so gracious is the note time.
-- 11 --
Hor.
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 note hill:
Break we our watch up; and by my advice note,
Let us impart what we have seen to-night
Unto young Hamlet; for, upon my life, note
This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him:
Do you consent we shall note acquaint him with it,
As needful in our loves, fitting our duty?
Mar.
Let's note do't, I pray; and I this morning know
Where we shall find him most conveniently note.
[Exeunt.
Scene II.
A room note of state in the castle.
Flourish. note Enter note the King, Queen, Hamlet, Polonius, Laertes, Voltimand, Cornelius, Lords, and Attendants.
King.
Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death
The memory be note green, and that it us befitted note note
To bear note 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 note sister, now our queen,
The imperial jointress to note this warlike state,
-- 12 --
Have we, as 'twere with a defeated joy,—
With an auspicious and a note dropping note eye,
With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage,
In equal scale weighing delight and dole,—
Taken to wife: nor have we herein barr'd
Your better wisdoms, which have freely gone
With this affair along. For all, our thanks. note
Now follows, that you know, young note 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,
Colleagued note with this note dream of his note advantage,
He hath not fail'd to pester us with message,
Importing the surrender of those lands
Lost by his father, with note all bonds note of law,
note
To our most valiant brother. So much for him.
Now for ourself, and for this time of meeting: note
Thus much the business is: we have here writ
To Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras,—
Who, impotent and bed-rid note, scarcely hears
Of this his nephew's purpose,—to suppress
His further gait note herein; in note that the note levies,
The lists and full proportions, are all made
Out of his subject note: and we here note dispatch
You, good Cornelius, and you, Voltimand note,
-- 13 --
For bearers note of this greeting note to old Norway,
Giving to you no further personal power
To business note with the king more than note the scope
Of note these delated note articles allow. note
Farewell, and let your haste commend your duty note.
Cor. Vol. note
In that and all things will we show our duty.
King.
We doubt it nothing note: heartily farewell.
[Exeunt note Voltimand and Cornelius.
And note 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 note your voice: what wouldst thou beg, Laertes,
That shall not be my offer, not thy note asking?
The head note is not more native note to the heart,
The hand more instrumental to the mouth,
Than is the throne of Denmark to note thy father.
What wouldst thou have, Laertes?
Laer.
My dread note lord,
Your leave and favour to return to France,
From whence though willingly I came to Denmark,
To show my duty in your coronation,
Yet now, I must confess, that duty done,
My thoughts and wishes bend again toward note France
And bow them to your gracious leave and pardon.
King.
Have you your father's leave? What says Polonius? note
-- 14 --
Pol.
He hath note, my lord, note wrung from me my slow leave
By laboursome petition note, and at last note
Upon his will I seal'd my hard consent: note
I do beseech you, give him leave to go.
King.
Take thy fair hour, Laertes; time be thine,
note
And thy best graces note spend note it at thy will!
But now, my cousin Hamlet, and note my son,— note
Ham. [Aside] note
A little more than kin, and less than kind.
King.
How is it that the clouds still hang on you?
Ham.
Not so note, my lord; I am too much i' the sun note.
Queen.
Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted note colour off,
And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark.
Do not for ever with thy vailed note lids
Seek for thy noble father in the dust:
Thou know'st 'tis note common; note all that lives note must die,
Passing through nature to eternity.
Ham.
Ay, madam, it is common.
Queen.
If it be,
Why seems it so particular with thee?
Ham.
Seems, madam! nay, it is; I know not ‘seems.’
'Tis not alone my inky note cloak, good mother note,
Nor customary suits of solemn black,
Nor windy suspiration of forced breath,
No, nor the fruitful river in the eye,
-- 15 --
Nor the dejected haviour of the visage,
Together with all forms, moods note, shapes note of grief,
That can denote note me truly: these indeed note seem,
For they are actions that a man might play:
But I have that within which passes note show;
These but the trappings and the suits of woe.
King.
'Tis sweet and note commendable in your nature, Hamlet, note note
To give these mourning duties to your father:
But, you must know, your father lost a father,
That note father lost, lost his note, and the survivor bound
In filial obligation for some term
To do obsequious sorrow note: but to persever note
In obstinate condolement is a course
Of note impious stubbornness; 'tis note unmanly grief:
It shows a will most incorrect to heaven,
A heart unfortified, a mind note impatient,
An understanding simple and unschool'd:
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 note, whose common theme
Is death of fathers, and who still hath cried,
From the first corse note till he that died to-day,
‘This must be so.’ We pray you, throw to earth
This unprevailing note woe, and think of us
-- 16 --
As of a father: for let note the world take note,
You are the most immediate to our throne,
And with note no less nobility note of love
Than that which dearest father bears his son
Do I note impart note toward note you. For note your intent
In going back to school in Wittenberg note,
It is most retrograde note to our desire:
And we beseech you, bend note you to remain
Here in the cheer and comfort of our eye,
Our chiefest courtier, cousin and our son.
Queen.
Let not thy mother note lose note her prayers, Hamlet:
I pray thee note, stay with us; go not to Wittenberg.
Ham.
I shall in all my best obey you, madam. note
King.
Why note, 'tis a loving and a fair reply:
Be as ourself in Denmark. Madam, come;
This gentle and unforced accord of Hamlet
Sits smiling to note my heart: in grace whereof,
No jocund health that Denmark drinks to-day,
But the great cannon to the clouds shall tell note,
And the king's rouse note the heaven note shall bruit note again,
Re-speaking earthly thunder. Come away.
[Flourish note. Exeunt note all but Hamlet.
note
Ham.
O, that this too too solid note note flesh would melt,
Thaw and resolve itself into a dew!
-- 17 --
Or that the Everlasting had not fix'd
His canon note 'gainst self-slaughter note! O God! O God! note
How weary note, stale, flat and unprofitable
Seem note to me all the uses of this world!
Fie on't! ah fie note! note 'tis an unweeded garden,
That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merely. That note it should come to this note!
But two months dead! nay, not so much, not two:
So excellent a king; that was, to this,
Hyperion to a satyr note: note so loving to my mother,
That he might not beteem note note the winds of heaven note
Visit her face too roughly. Heaven and earth!
Must I remember? note note why, she would note hang on note him,
As if increase of appetite had grown
By what it fed on: and note yet, within a month—
Let me not think on't note—Frailty, thy name is woman!—
A little month, or note ere note those shoes note were old
With which she follow'd note my poor father's body,
Like Niobe, all tears note:—why note she, even she, note—
-- 18 --
O God note! a beast, that wants discourse of reason note,
Would have mourn'd longer,—married with my note uncle,
My father's brother, but note no more like my father
Than I to Hercules: within a month;
Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous note tears
Had left the flushing in note her galled eyes,
She married. O, most wicked speed, to post
With such dexterity note to incestuous sheets!
It is not, nor it cannot come to good:
But break, my note heart, for I must hold my tongue!
Enter Horatio, Marcellus, and Bernardo. note
note
Hor.
Hail to your lordship!
Ham.
I am glad to see you well note:
Horatio,— noteor I do note forget myself. note
Hor.
The same, my lord, and your poor servant ever. note
Ham.
Sir, my good friend; I'll change that name with you: note
And what make you from Wittenberg, Horatio?
Marcellus? note
Mar.
My good lord? note
Ham.
I am very glad to see you. [To Ber.] note Good even note, sir. note
-- 19 --
But what note, in faith note, make you from Wittenberg?
Hor.
A truant disposition, good my note lord.
Ham.
I would not hear note your enemy say so,
Nor shall you do my note ear that violence,
To make note it truster note of your own report
Against yourself: I know you are no truant.
But what is your affair in Elsinore note?
We'll teach you to drink deep note ere you depart.
Hor.
My lord, I came to see your father's funeral.
Ham.
I prethee note, do not mock me, fellow-student note;
I think it was to see note my mother's wedding.
Hor.
Indeed, my lord, it follow'd note hard upon.
Ham.
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 note seen that day, Horatio!
My father!—methinks I see my father.
Hor.
O where note, my lord?
Ham.
In my mind's eye, Horatio.
Hor.
I saw him once; he was a goodly king.
Ham.
He note was a man, take him for note all in all,
I shall note not look upon his like again.
Hor.
My lord, I think I saw him yesternight.
Ham.
Saw? who? note
Hor.
My lord, the king your father.
Ham.
The king my father!
-- 20 --
Hor.
Season note your admiration for note a while
With an attent note ear, till I may note deliver,
Upon the witness of these gentlemen,
This marvel note to you.
Ham.
For God's note love, note let me hear.
Hor.
Two nights together had these gentlemen,
Marcellus and Bernardo, on their watch,
In the dead vast note and middle of the night,
Been thus encounter'd. A figure like your father,
Armed at point note exactly, cap-a-pe note,
Appears before them, and with solemn march
Goes slow and stately by them: thrice note he walk'd
By their oppress'd and fear-surprised note eyes,
Within his note truncheon's length; whilst they, distill'd note
Almost to jelly with the act of note fear, note
Stand dumb, and speak not to him. This to me
In dreadful secrecy impart they did; note
And I with them the third night kept the watch:
Where, as note they had deliver'd, both in note time,
Form of the thing, each word made true and good,
The apparition note comes: I knew your father;
These hands are not more like.
Ham.
But where was this?
-- 21 --
Mar.
My lord, upon the platform where we watch'd.
Ham.
Did you not note speak to it?
Hor.
My lord, I did,
But answer made it note none: yet once methought
It lifted up its note head and did address
Itself to motion, like note as it would speak:
But even then the morning cock crew loud,
And at the sound it shrunk in haste away
And vanish'd from our sight.
Ham.
'Tis very strange.
Hor.
As I do live, my honour'd note lord, 'tis true,
And we did think it writ down in note our duty
To let you know of note it.
Ham.
Indeed, indeed note, sirs, but this troubles me.
Hold you the watch to-night?
Mar. Ber. note
We do, my lord.
Ham.
Arm'd, say you?
Mar. Ber. note
Arm'd, my lord.
Ham.
From top to toe?
Mar. Ber. note
My lord note, from head to foot.
Ham.
Then saw you not his face? note
Hor.
O, yes, my lord; he wore his beaver up note. note
Ham.
What, look'd he note frowningly?
Hor.
A countenance more in sorrow than in anger.
Ham.
Pale or red?
Hor.
Nay, very pale.
Ham.
And fix'd his eyes upon you?
-- 22 --
Hor.
Most constantly.
Ham.
I would I had been there.
Hor.
It would have much amazed you.
Ham.
Very like, very like note. Stay'd it long?
Hor.
While one with moderate note haste might tell a note hundred note.
Mar. Ber. note note
Longer, longer.
Hor.
Not when I saw't.
Ham.
His beard was grizzled? no? note
Hor.
It was note, as note I have seen it in his life,
A sable silver'd.
Ham.
I will note watch to-night;
Perchance 'twill walk note again.
Hor.
I warrant note it will.
Ham.
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 conceal'd note this sight,
Let it be tenable note in note your note silence still note,
And whatsoever note else shall hap note to-night,
Give it an understanding, but no tongue:
I will requite your loves. So fare note you note well:
Upon the platform, 'twixt eleven note and twelve,
-- 23 --
I'll visit you.
All.
Our duty note to your honour note.
Ham.
Your loves note, as mine to you: farewell. note
[Exeunt all but Hamlet. note
My father's spirit in arms! note all is not well;
I doubt some foul play: would the night were come!
Till then sit still, my soul: foul note deeds will rise,
Though all the earth o'erwhelm them, to note men's eyes.
[Exit.
note
Scene III. [Footnote:
A room note in Polonius's house.
Enter Laertes and Ophelia. note
Laer.
My necessaries are embark'd note: farewell:
And, sister, as the winds give benefit
And convoy is assistant note, do not sleep note,
But let me hear from you.
Oph.
Do you doubt that?
Laer.
For Hamlet, and the trifling of his favour note,
Hold it a fashion, and a toy in blood,
A violet in the youth of primy note note nature,
Forward note, not permanent, sweet, not note lasting,
-- 24 --
The perfume and note suppliance note of a minute; note
No more. note
Oph.
No more but so? note
Laer.
Think it no more note:
For nature crescent note does not grow alone
In thews and bulk note; but, as this note temple waxes,
The inward service of the mind and note soul
Grows wide withal. Perhaps he loves you now;
And now no soil nor note cautel doth besmirch
The virtue of his will note: but you must fear, note
His greatness weigh'd note, his will is not his own;
For he himself is subject to his birth: note
He may not, as unvalued note persons do,
Carve for note himself, for on his choice depends
The safety note and health note of this note whole note state,
And therefore must his choice be circumscribed
Unto the voice and yielding of that body
Whereof he is the note 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 note
May give his saying deed; which is no further
Than the main voice of Denmark goes withal.
-- 25 --
Then weigh note what note loss your honour may sustain,
If with too note credent ear you list his songs,
Or lose note your heart, or your chaste treasure open
To his unmaster'd note importunity.
Fear it, Ophelia, fear it, my dear sister,
And keep you in note 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 note the infants note of the spring
Too oft before their note 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.
Oph.
I shall the effect note of this good lesson keep,
As watchman note to note my note heart. But, good my brother,
Do not, as some ungracious pastors do,
Show me the steep note and thorny way to heaven note,
Whilst, like a note puff'd and reckless note note libertine,
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads note
And recks note not his note own rede note.
Laer.
O, fear me not.
note
I stay too long: but here my father comes.
-- 26 --
Enter Polonius. note
note
A double blessing is a double grace;
Occasion smiles upon a second leave.
Pol.
Yet here, Laertes! Aboard, aboard note, for shame!
The wind sits in the shoulder of your sail,
note
And you are stay'd note for. There; my note blessing with thee note!
And these few precepts in thy memory
Look note thou character. Give thy thoughts no tongue,
Nor any unproportion'd thought his act.
Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar.
Those note friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,
Grapple them to note thy soul with hoops note of steel,
But do not dull note thy palm with entertainment
Of each new-hatch'd note, unfledged comrade note. Beware
Of entrance to a quarrel; but being in,
Bear't, that th' opposed note may beware of thee.
Give every man thy ear note, but few thy voice:
Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgement.
Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy,
But not express'd in fancy; rich, not gaudy:
For the apparel oft proclaims the man;
And they in France of the best rank and station
Are of a most select and generous chief in that. note
Neither a borrower nor a lender be note:
For loan note oft loses note both itself and friend,
-- 27 --
And note borrowing dulls the edge note of husbandry.
This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night note the day note,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Farewell: my blessing season this in thee! note
Laer.
Most humbly do I note take my leave, my lord.
Pol.
The time invites note you; go, your servants tend.
Laer.
Farewell, Ophelia, and remember well
What I have said to you note.
Oph.
'Tis in note my memory lock'd,
And you yourself shall keep the key of it.
Laer.
Farewell.
[Exit. note
Pol.
What is't, Ophelia, he hath note said to you?
Oph.
So please you, something touching the Lord note Hamlet.
Pol.
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 behoves my daughter and your honour.
What is between you? give me up the truth. note
Oph.
He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders
Of his affection to me.
Pol.
Affection! pooh! note you speak like a green girl,
Unsifted note in such perilous circumstance.
Do you believe his tenders, as you call them?
-- 28 --
Oph.
I do not know, my lord, what I should think.
Pol.
Marry, I'll note teach you: think yourself a baby,
That you have ta'en these note tenders for true pay,
Which are not sterling note. Tender yourself more dearly;
Or—not to crack the wind of the poor phrase,
Running note it thus—you'll tender me a fool.
Oph.
My lord, he hath importuned me with love
In honourable fashion.
Pol.
Ay, fashion you may call it note; go to, go to.
Oph.
And hath given countenance to his note speech, my lord,
With almost all the holy note vows of heaven note.
Pol.
Ay, springes note to catch woodcocks. I do know,
When the blood burns, how prodigal note the soul
Lends note the tongue vows: these blazes, daughter note,
Giving more light than heat, extinct in both note,
Even in their note promise, as it is a-making,
You must not take note for fire. From this time note
Be something note scanter of your note maiden presence;
Set your entreatments note at a higher rate
Than a command to parley note. For Lord Hamlet,
Believe so much in him, that he is young,
And with a larger tether note may he note walk
-- 29 --
Than may be given you: in few, Ophelia,
Do not believe his vows; for they are brokers,
Not of that dye note which their investments show,
But mere note implorators note of unholy suits,
Breathing like sanctified and pious bawds note,
The better to beguile note. This is for all:
I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth,
Have you so slander note any moment note leisure,
As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet.
Look to't, I charge you: come note your ways note.
Oph.
I shall obey, my lord note.
[Exeunt.
note
Scene IV. [Footnote:
The platform. note
Enter Hamlet, Horatio, and note Marcellus.
Ham.
The air bites shrewdly note; it is very cold. note
Hor.
It is a note nipping and an note eager air.
Ham.
What hour now?
Hor.
I think it lacks of twelve.
Mar.
No, it is note struck note.
Hor.
Indeed? I note heard it not: it then note draws near the season
-- 30 --
Wherein the spirit held his wont to walk.
[A flourish note of trumpets, and ordnance shot off within.
What does this mean, my lord? note
Ham.
The king doth wake note to-night and takes his rouse,
Keeps wassail note, and the swaggering up-spring reels note;
And as he drains note his draughts of Rhenish down,
The kettle-drum and trumpet thus bray out note
The triumph of his pledge.
Hor.
Is it note a custom?
Ham.
Ay, marry, is't: note
But note to my mind, though I am native note here
And to the manner born, it is a custom
More honour'd in the breach than the observance.
This heavy-headed revel note east and west
Makes note us traduced note and tax'd note of other nations:
They clepe note us drunkards, and with swinish phrase
Soil our addition; and indeed it takes
From our achievements, though perform'd at height,
The pith and marrow of our attribute.
So, oft note it chances in particular men,
That for some vicious mole note of nature in them,
-- 31 --
As, in their birth,—wherein they are not guilty,
Since nature cannot choose his origin,—
By the note o'ergrowth of some complexion,
Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason,
Or by some habit that too much o'er-leavens
The form of plausive manners, that these men,—
Carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect,
Being nature's livery note, or fortune's star note,—
Their note 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 note: the dram of eale
Doth all the noble substance of a doubt note
To his note own scandal note. note
-- 32 --
Enter Ghost. note
Hor.
Look, my lord, it note comes!
Ham.
note
Angels and ministers of grace defend us!
Be thou a spirit of health or goblin damn'd,
Bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from hell,
Be thy intents note wicked or charitable,
Thou comest in such a questionable note shape
That I will speak to thee: I'll call thee Hamlet,
King, father, royal Dane: O note note, answer me!
Let me not burst in ignorance; but tell
Why thy note canonized note bones, hearsed in death note note,
Have burst their cerements note; why the sepulchre,
Wherein we saw thee quietly inurn'd note,
Hath oped his ponderous and marble jaws,
To cast thee up again. What may this mean,
That thou, dead corse, again, in complete steel,
Revisit'st note thus the glimpses of the moon, note
Making night hideous; and we note fools of nature
So horridly note to shake our disposition
With thoughts beyond the reaches note of our souls?
Say, why is this? wherefore? what should we do?
[Ghost beckons Hamlet. note
Hor.
It beckons you to go away with it,
-- 33 --
As if it some impartment did desire
To you alone.
Mar.
Look, with what courteous action
It waves note you to a more note removed note ground:
note
But do not go with it.
Hor.
No, by no means.
Ham.
It will not speak; then I will note follow it.
Hor.
Do not, my lord.
Ham.
Why, what should note be the fear?
I do not set my life at a pin's fee; note
And for my soul, what can it do to that,
Being a thing immortal as note itself?
It waves me forth again: I'll follow it.
Hor.
What if it tempt you toward note the flood note, my lord note,
Or to the dreadful summit note of the cliff note
That beetles note o'er his base into the sea,
And there assume note some other horrible form,
Which might deprive note your sovereignty of reason note
And draw note you into madness? think of it: note
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. note
Ham.
It waves note me still.
-- 34 --
Go on; I'll follow thee. note
Mar.
You shall not go, my lord.
Ham.
Hold off note your hands note.
Hor. note
note
Be ruled; you shall not go.
Ham.
My fate cries out,
And makes each petty artery note in this note body
note
As hardy note as the Nemean note lion's nerve.
note
Still am I note call'd: note unhand me, gentlemen;
By heaven, I'll make a ghost of him that lets me:
I say, away! Go on note; I'll follow thee.
[Exeunt note Ghost and Hamlet.
Hor.
He waxes desperate with imagination note.
Mar.
Let's follow; 'tis not fit thus to obey him.
Hor.
Have after. To what issue will this come?
Mar.
Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.
Hor.
Heaven note will direct it note.
Mar.
Nay, let's follow him.
[Exeunt.
note
Scene V. [Footnote:
Another part note of the platform.
Enter note Ghost and Hamlet.
Ham.
Whither note wilt thou lead me? speak; I'll go no further.
Ghost.
Mark me.
Ham.
I will.
-- 35 --
Ghost.
My hour note is almost come,
When I to sulphurous and tormenting flames
Must render up myself.
Ham.
Alas, poor ghost!
Ghost.
Pity me not, but lend thy note serious hearing
To what I shall unfold. note
Ham.
Speak; I am bound to hear. note
Ghost.
So art thou to revenge, when note thou shalt hear.
Ham.
What? note
Ghost.
I am thy father's spirit;
Doom'd for a certain term to walk the night,
And for note the day confined note to fast in note fires,
Till the foul crimes done in my days of nature
Are burnt and purged away. But that I am note 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 note and combined locks to part
And each particular hair to stand an end note,
Like quills upon the fretful note porpentine note:
But this eternal blazon must not be
To ears of flesh and blood. List, list note, O, list!
If thou didst ever thy dear father love— note
Ham.
O God note!
Ghost.
Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder.
-- 36 --
Ham.
Murder! note
Ghost.
Murder most note foul, as in note the best it is,
But this most foul, strange, and unnatural.
Ham.
Haste me note to know't note, that I note, with wings as swift note
As meditation note or the thoughts of love,
May sweep note to my revenge.
Ghost.
I find thee apt;
And duller shouldst note thou be than the fat weed
That roots note itself in ease on Lethe note wharf, note
Wouldst note thou not stir in this. Now, Hamlet, hear:
'Tis note given out that, sleeping in my note orchard note,
A serpent stung me; so note the whole ear of Denmark
Is by a forged process of my death
Rankly abused: but know, thou note noble youth,
The serpent that did sting thy father's life note
Now wears his crown.
Ham.
O my prophetic soul!
My note uncle! note note
Ghost.
Ay, note that incestuous, that adulterate note beast,
With witchcraft note of his wit note, with note traitorous gifts,— note
-- 37 --
O wicked wit note and gifts, that have the power
So to seduce!—won to his note shameful lust
The will of my most seeming-virtuous note queen:
O Hamlet, what a note 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 note decline
Upon a wretch, whose natural gifts were poor
To those of mine! note
But virtue, as it never will be moved, note
Though lewdness court it in a shape of heaven,
So lust, note though to a radiant angel note link'd,
Will sate note itself in a celestial bed
And prey note on note garbage. note
But, soft! methinks I scent note the morning note air;
Brief let me be. Sleeping within my note orchard note,
My custom always of note the afternoon,
Upon my secure note hour thy uncle stole note,
With juice of cursed hebenon note in a vial note,
And in the porches of my note ears did pour
The leperous distilment; whose effect
Holds note such an enmity with blood of man
That swift as quicksilver it courses through
The natural gates and alleys note of the body;
-- 38 --
And with a sudden vigour note it doth posset note
And curd, like eager note droppings into milk,
The thin and wholesome blood: so did it mine;
And a most instant tetter bark'd note 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 note, at once dispatch'd note:
Cut off even in the blossoms note of my sin,
Unhousel'd note, disappointed note, unanel'd note;
No reckoning made, but sent to my account
With all note my imperfections on my head:
note
O, horrible! O, horrible! most horrible!
If thou hast nature in thee, bear it not;
Let not the royal bed of Denmark be
A couch for luxury and damned incest.
But, howsoever note thou pursuest note this act,
Taint note not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive note
Against thy mother aught: leave her to heaven,
And to those thorns that in her bosom lodge,
To prick and sting her. Fare thee well at once!
The glow-worm shows the matin note to be near,
And 'gins to pale his uneffectual fire:
Adieu, adieu, adieu! note remember me.
[Exit. note
Ham.
O all you host of heaven! O earth! what else?
-- 39 --
And shall I couple hell? O, fie! Hold, hold, my note note heart;
And you, my sinews, grow not instant old,
But bear me stiffly note up. Remember thee!
Ay, thou poor ghost, while note memory holds a seat
In this distracted globe. Remember thee! note
Yea, from the table of my memory
I'll wipe away all trivial fond records,
All saws note of books, all forms, all pressures note past,
That youth and observation copied there;
And thy commandment all alone shall live
Within the book and volume of my brain,
Unmix'd with baser matter: yes note, by heaven!
O most pernicious note woman!
O villain, villain, smiling, damned villain!
My tables,— notemeet it is I set it note down,
That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain;
At least I'm note sure it may be so in Denmark.
[Writing. note
So, uncle, there you are. Now to my word;
It is note ‘Adieu, adieu! remember me.’
I have sworn't. note note note
note
Hor. Mar. [Within] note
My lord, my lord!
Enter Horatio and Marcellus.
Mar.
Lord Hamlet!
-- 40 --
Hor.
Heaven note secure him!
Ham. note
So be it!
Mar. note
Illo, ho, ho, my lord!
Ham.
Hillo, ho, ho, boy! come, bird, note come.
Mar.
How is't, my noble lord? note
Hor.
What news, my lord?
Ham. note
O, wonderful!
Hor.
Good my lord, tell it.
Ham.
No; you will note reveal it.
Hor.
Not I, my lord, by heaven.
Mar.
Nor I, my lord.
Ham.
How say you, then; would heart of man once think it? note
But you'll be secret? note
Hor. Mar. note
Ay, by heaven, my lord. note
Ham.
There's ne'er note a villain dwelling in all Denmark note
But note note he's an arrant knave.
Hor.
There needs no ghost, my lord, come from the grave
To tell us this. note
Ham.
Why, right; you are i' the note right;
And so, without more circumstance at all,
I hold it fit that we shake hands and part:
You, as your business and desire note shall point you;
For every man hath note business and desire,
-- 41 --
Such as it is; and for my note own poor part,
Look you, I'll note go pray.
Hor.
These are but wild and whirling note words, my lord.
Ham.
I'm note sorry they offend note you, heartily;
Yes, faith, note heartily.
Hor.
There's no offence, my lord.
Ham.
Yes, by Saint Patrick, but there is, Horatio note,
And much offence too. Touching note this vision here, note
It is an honest ghost, that let me tell you:
For your desire to know what is between us,
O'ermaster't note as you may. And now, good friends,
As you are friends, scholars and soldiers,
Give me one poor request.
Hor.
What is't, my lord? we will note.
Ham.
Never make known what you have seen to-night.
Hor. Mar. note
My lord, we will not.
Ham.
Nay, but swear't.
Hor.
In faith,
My lord, not I. note
Mar.
Nor I, my lord, in faith.
Ham.
Upon my sword.
Mar.
We have note sworn, my lord, already.
Ham.
Indeed, upon my sword, indeed. note
Ghost. [Beneath] note
Swear.
-- 42 --
Ham.
Ah note, ha, boy! say'st thou so? note art thou there, true-penny?
Come on: you hear note this fellow in the cellarage: note
Consent to swear.
Hor.
Propose the oath note, my lord.
Ham.
Never to speak of this that you have seen, note
Swear by my sword.
Ghost. [Beneath] note
Swear.
Ham.
Hic note et ubique? note then we'll shift our note ground.
Come hither, gentlemen,
And lay your hands again upon my sword:
Never to speak of this that note you have heard,
note
Swear by my sword.
Ghost. [Beneath] note
Swear. note
Ham.
Well said, old mole! canst note work i' the earth note so fast?
A worthy pioner! Once more remove, good friends note note.
Hor.
O day and night, but this is wondrous strange!
Ham.
And therefore as a stranger give note it welcome.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your note philosophy.
But come; note
Here note note, as before, never, so help you mercy,
-- 43 --
How strange or odd soe'er note I bear myself,
As I perchance hereafter shall think meet note
To put an antic disposition on note note,
That you, at such times note seeing me, never shall,
With arms encumber'd thus, or this head-shake note,
Or note by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase,
As ‘Well, well note, we know,’ or ‘We could, an if we would,’
Or ‘If we list to speak,’ or ‘There be, an if note they note might,’
Or such ambiguous giving note out, to note note note note
That you know aught of me: this not to do,
So grace and mercy at your most need help you,
Swear. note
Ghost. [Beneath] note
Swear.
Ham.
Rest, rest, note perturbed spirit! [They swear.] note So, gentlemen,
With all my love I do note commend me to you:
And what so poor a man as Hamlet is
May do, to express his love and friending note to you,
God willing, shall not lack. note Let us go in note together note;
-- 44 --
And still your fingers on your lips, I pray. note
The time is out of joint: O cursed spite,
That ever I was born to set note it right!
Nay, come, let's go together.
[Exeunt.
ACT II.
note
Scene I. [Footnote:
A room note in Polonius's house.
Enter Polonius and Reynaldo. note
Pol.
Give him this note money and these note notes, Reynaldo note.
Rey.
I will, my lord.
Pol.
You shall do marvellous note wisely, note good Reynaldo note,
Before you visit him, to make inquire note
Of his behaviour.
Rey.
My lord, I did intend it.
Pol.
Marry note, well said, very well said. Look you, sir, note
Inquire me first what Danskers note are in Paris,
And how, and who, what means, and where they keep,
What company, at note what expense, and finding
By this encompassment and drift of question
That they do know my son, come you more nearer
Than note your particular demands will touch it:
Take you, as 'twere, some distant knowledge of him,
-- 45 --
As note thus, ‘I know his father and his friends,
And in part him:’ do you mark this, Reynaldo note?
Rey.
Ay, very well, my lord.
Pol.
‘And in part him; but,’ you may say, ‘not well:
But if't note be he I mean, he's very wild,
Addicted so and so;’ and there put on him
What forgeries you please; marry, none so rank
As may dishonour him; take heed of that;
But, sir, such wanton, wild and usual slips
As are companions noted and most known
To youth and liberty.
Rey.
As gaming, my lord.
Pol.
Ay, or drinking, fencing note, swearing, quarrelling,
Drabbing: you may go so far. note
Rey.
My lord, that would dishonour him.
Pol.
Faith, no note; as you may season it in the charge.
You must not put another note scandal on him,
That note he is open to incontinency;
That's not my meaning: but breathe his faults so quaintly
That they may seem the taints of liberty,
The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind,
A savageness in unreclaimed note blood,
Of general assault. note
Rey.
But, my good lord,— note
Pol.
Wherefore should you do this?
Rey.
Ay, my lord note,
I would know that. note
Pol.
Marry, sir, here's my drift,
-- 46 --
And I believe it is a fetch of warrant note:
You laying these slight sullies note on my son,
As 'twere a thing a little soil'd i' the note working,
Mark you, note
Your party in converse, him note you would note sound, note
Having ever seen in note the prenominate note crimes
The youth you breathe note of guilty, be assured
He closes with you in this consequence note;
‘Good sir,’ or so note, or note ‘friend,’ or ‘gentleman,’
According to the phrase or note the addition note
Of man and country.
Rey.
Very good, my lord.
Pol.
And then, sir, does he this—he does note—what was I
about to say? By the mass note, I was about to say something note:
where did I leave? note
Rey.
At ‘closes in the consequence,’ at ‘friend or so,’
and ‘gentleman.’ note note
Pol. note
At ‘closes in the consequence,’ ay, marry;
He closes with you thus note: ‘I know the gentleman;
-- 47 --
I saw him yesterday, or t'other note day,
Or then, or then note, with such, or such note, and, as you say,
There was a' note gaming, there note o'ertook note in's rouse,
There note falling out at tennis:’ or perchance,
‘I saw him enter such note a house of sale note,’
Videlicet, a brothel, or so forth.
See you now note;
Your bait of falsehood takes note this carp note of truth:
And thus do we of wisdom and of reach,
With windlasses and with assays note of bias,
By indirections note find directions out:
So, by my former lecture and advice note,
Shall you my son. You have me, have you not?
Rey.
My lord, I have.
Pol.
God be wi' ye note; fare ye note well.
Rey.
Good my lord! note
Pol.
Observe his inclination in note yourself.
Rey.
I shall, my lord.
Pol.
And let him ply his music.
Rey.
Well, my lord.
note
Pol.
Farewell!
[Exit Reynaldo. note
Enter Ophelia. note
How now, Ophelia! what's the matter?
-- 48 --
Oph.
O, my lord note, my lord, I have been so affrighted!
Pol.
With what, i' the note name of God note?
Oph.
My lord, as I was sewing note in my closet note,
Lord note Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced,
No hat upon his head, his stockings foul'd note,
Ungarter'd and down-gyved note to his ancle;
Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other,
And with a look so piteous in purport
As if he had been loosed out of hell
To speak of horrors, he note comes before me.
Pol.
Mad for thy love?
Oph.
My lord, I do not know,
But truly I do fear it. note
Pol.
What said he?
Oph.
He took me by the wrist and held me hard note;
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 note would draw it. Long note stay'd he so;
At last, a little shaking of mine note arm,
And thrice his head thus waving up and down,
He raised a sigh so piteous note and profound
As note it did seem to shatter all his bulk
And end his being: that done, note he lets me note go:
-- 49 --
And with his head over his shoulder note turn'd,
He seem'd to find his way without his eyes;
For out o' doors note he went without their helps note,
And to the last bended their light on me.
Pol.
Come note, go with me: I will go seek the king.
This is the very ecstasy of love;
Whose violent property fordoes note itself
And leads the will to desperate undertakings
As oft as any passion note under heaven
That does afflict our natures. I am sorry.
What, have you given him any hard words of late?
Oph.
No, my good lord, but, as you did command,
I did repel his letters and denied
His access to me.
Pol.
That hath made him mad.
I am note sorry that with better heed note and judgement
I had not quoted note him: I fear'd note he did but trifle note
And meant to wreck note thee; but beshrew note my jealousy!
By heaven, note 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 note to the king:
This must be known; which note, being kept close, might move
More grief to hide than hate note to utter love.
Come. note
[Exeunt.
-- 50 --
note
Scene II. [Footnote:
A room note in the castle.
Flourish. note Enter King, Queen, Rosencrantz, note Guildenstern note, and Attendants. note
King.
Welcome, dear Rosencrantz note and Guildenstern note!
Moreover that we much did long to see you,
The need we have to use you did provoke
Our hasty sending. Something have you note heard
Of Hamlet's transformation; so call note it,
Sith nor note the exterior nor the inward man
Resembles that it was. What it should be,
More than his father's death, that thus hath put him
So much from th' understanding of himself,
I cannot dream note of: I entreat you both,
That, being of so young days brought up with him
And sith note so neighbour'd note to his youth and haviour note,
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 note you may glean,
-- 51 --
Whether aught to us unknown afflicts him thus, note
That open'd note lies within our remedy.
Queen.
Good gentlemen, he hath much talk'd of you,
And sure I am two men there are note not living
To whom he more adheres. If it will please you
To show us so much gentry note and good will
As to expend note your time with us awhile
For the supply and profit of our hope,
Your visitation shall note receive such thanks
As fits a king's remembrance.
Ros.
Both your majesties
Might, by the sovereign power you have of us note,
Put your dread pleasures more into command
Than to note entreaty.
Guil.
But we note both obey,
And here give up ourselves, in the full bent
To lay our service note freely at your feet,
To be commanded. note
King.
Thanks, Rosencrantz note and gentle Guildenstern note.
Queen.
Thanks, Guildenstern note and gentle Rosencrantz note:
And I beseech you instantly to visit
My too much changed son. Go, some of you note, note
And bring these note gentlemen where Hamlet is.
Guil.
Heavens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him!
Queen.
Ay, note amen!
[Exeunt Rosencrantz note, Guildenstern, and some Attendants.
-- 52 --
Enter Polonius.
Pol.
The ambassadors from Norway, my good lord,
Are joyfully return'd.
King.
Thou still hast been the father of good news.
Pol.
note
Have I, my lord? I assure note my good liege,
I hold my duty as I hold my soul,
Both to my God and note to my gracious king:
And I do think, or else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of policy so sure note
As it hath note used to do, that I have found
The very cause of Hamlet's lunacy.
King.
O, speak of that; that note do I note long to hear.
Pol.
Give first admittance to the ambassadors;
My news shall be the fruit note to note that great feast.
King.
Thyself do grace to them, and bring them in.
[Exit Polonius. note
He tells me, my dear Gertrude note, he hath found
The head and source of all your son's distemper.
Queen.
I doubt it is no other but the main;
His father's death and our o'erhasty note marriage.
note
King.
Well, we shall sift him.
Re-enter Polonius note, with Voltimand and Cornelius.
Welcome, my note note good friends!
-- 53 --
Say, Voltimand note, what from our brother Norway?
Volt.
Most fair return of greetings and desires.
Upon our first, he sent out to suppress
His nephew's levies note, which to him appear'd
To be a preparation 'gainst the Polack note,
But better look'd 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 the assay of arms against your majesty.
Whereon old Norway, overcome with joy,
Gives him three note thousand crowns in annual fee
And his commission to employ those soldiers,
So levied as before, against the Polack note:
With an entreaty, herein further shown note,
[Giving a paper. note
That it might please you to give quiet pass
Through your dominions for this note enterprise,
On such regards of safety and allowance
As therein note are set down.
King.
It likes us well,
And at our more consider'd note time we'll read,
Answer, and think upon note this business.
Meantime we thank note you for your well-took note labour:
Go to your rest; at night we'll feast together:
Most welcome home!
[Exeunt Voltimand and Cornelius. note
Pol.
This business is well note ended.
-- 54 --
My liege, and madam, to expostulate
What majesty should be, what duty is,
Why day is day, night night, and time is time,
Were nothing but to waste night, day and time.
Therefore, since note brevity is note the soul of wit
And tediousness the limbs note and outward flourishes,
I will be brief. Your noble son is mad:
Mad call I it; note for, to define true madness,
What is't but to be nothing else but mad? note
But let that go.
Queen.
More matter, with less art.
Pol.
Madam, I swear I use no art at all.
That he is note mad, 'tis note true: 'tis true 'tis pity,
And pity 'tis 'tis note true: a foolish figure;
But farewell it note, for I will use no art.
Mad let us grant him then: and now remains
That we find out the note 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. note
Perpend. note note
I have a daughter,—have while note she is mine,—
Who in her duty and obedience, mark,
Hath given me this: now gather and surmise.
[Reads. note
‘To the celestial, and note my soul's idol note, the most beautified note Ophelia,’—
-- 55 --
That's an ill phrase, a vile note phrase; ‘beautified note’ is a vile note
phrase: but you shall hear. Thus:
[Reads. note
‘In her excellent white note bosom, these,’ &c. note note
Queen.
Came this from Hamlet to her?
Pol.
Good madam, stay awhile; I will be faithful.
[Reads. note
‘Doubt thou the stars are fire;
Doubt that the sun doth move;
Doubt truth to be a liar;
But never doubt I love.
‘O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers; I have not
art to reckon my groans: but that I love thee best, O most
best, believe it. Adieu.
‘Thine evermore, most dear lady, whilst this
machine is to him, Hamlet. note’
This in obedience hath my daughter shown note me;
And more above note, hath note his solicitings note,
As they fell out by time, by means and place,
All given to mine ear.
King.
But how hath she
Received his love? note
Pol.
What do you think of me?
King.
As of a man faithful and honourable.
Pol.
I would fain prove so. But what might you think, note
When I had seen this note hot love on the wing,— note
As I perceived it, I must tell you that,
Before my daughter told me,—what might you,
-- 56 --
Or my dear majesty your note queen here, think,
If I had play'd note the desk or table-book,
Or given my heart a winking note, mute and dumb,
Or look'd upon this love with idle sight;
What might you think? No, I went round to work,
And my young mistress note thus note I did bespeak:
‘Lord Hamlet is a prince, out note of thy star; note
This must not be:’ and then I prescripts note gave her,
That she should lock herself from his note resort,
Admit no messengers, receive no tokens.
Which done, she took the fruits of my advice;
And he note repulsed, a note short tale to make,
Fell into note a sadness, then into a fast,
Thence to a watch note, thence into note a weakness,
Thence to note a note lightness, and by this declension
Into the madness wherein note now he raves
And all we mourn note for.
King.
Do you think this note?
Queen.
It may be, very like note.
Pol.
Hath there been such a time, I'ld note fain know that,
That I have positively said ‘'tis so,’
When it proved otherwise?
King.
Not that I know.
-- 57 --
Pol. [Pointing to his head and shoulder] note
Take this from this, if this be otherwise: note
If circumstances lead me, I will find
Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed
Within the centre.
King.
How may we try it further note?
Pol.
You know, sometimes he walks four note hours together
Here in the lobby. note
Queen.
So he does note, indeed.
Pol.
At such a time I'll loose my daughter to him:
Be you and I behind an arras note then; note
Mark note 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 note keep a farm and note carters.
King.
We will try it.
note
Queen.
But look where sadly the poor wretch comes reading. note
Pol.
Away, I do beseech you, both note away:
I'll board him presently.
[Exeunt King, Queen, and Attendants.
Enter note Hamlet, reading.
O, give me leave: how does my good Lord Hamlet?
Ham.
Well, God-a-mercy. note
Pol.
Do you know me, my lord?
-- 58 --
Ham.
Excellent note well; you are note a fishmonger.
Pol.
Not I, my lord.
Ham.
Then I would you were so honest a man.
Pol.
Honest, my lord! note
Ham.
Ay, sir; to be honest, as this world goes, is to
be one man note picked out of ten note thousand. note
Pol.
That's very true, my lord.
Ham. note
For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog,
being a god kissing carrion note— noteHave you a daughter?
Pol.
I have, my lord.
Ham.
Let her not walk i' the sun: conception is a
blessing; but as your daughter may conceive,—friend note, look
to't.
Pol. [Aside]
How say you by that? Still harping on
my daughter: yet he knew me not at first note; he said I was a
fishmonger: he note is far gone
note: and truly in my youth I
suffered much note extremity for love; very near this. I'll
speak to him again. note note note What do you read, my lord? note
Ham.
Words, words, words.
Pol.
What is the matter, my lord? note
Ham.
Between who? note
Pol.
I mean, the matter that you read note, my lord.
-- 59 --
Ham.
Slanders, sir: for the satirical rogue note says here that
old men have grey beards, that their faces are wrinkled,
their eyes purging thick amber and plum-tree note gum, and
that they have a plentiful lack note of wit, together with most note
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 note, sir, shall grow old note as I am, if like a
crab you could go backward.
Pol. [Aside] note
Though this be madness, yet there is note
method in't. Will you walk out of the air, my lord? note
Ham.
Into my grave. note
Pol.
Indeed, that's out of the note air. [Aside] note How pregnant
sometimes his replies are! a happiness that often madness note
hits on, which reason and sanity note could not so prosperously
be note delivered of. I will note leave him, and suddenly contrive
the means of meeting between him note and my daughter. My
honourable lord, I will humbly note take my leave of you. note
Ham.
You cannot, sir note, take from me any thing that I
will note more willingly part withal: except my life, except my
life note, except my life.
-- 60 --
Pol.
Fare you well, my lord.
Ham.
These tedious old fools! note
Enter note Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
Pol.
You go to seek the Lord note Hamlet; there he is.
note
Ros. [To Polonius] note
God save you, sir!
[Exit Polonius. note
Guil.
My note honoured lord!
Ros.
My most dear lord!
Ham.
My excellent note good friends! How dost thou, Guildenstern?
Ah note, Rosencrantz! Good lads, how do you note both?
Ros.
As the indifferent children of the earth.
Guil.
Happy, in that we are not over-happy;
On note Fortune's cap we note are not the very button. note
Ham.
Nor the soles of her shoe note? note
Ros.
Neither, my lord.
Ham.
Then you live about her waist note, or in the middle
of her favours? note
Guil.
Faith, her note privates we.
Ham.
In the secret parts of Fortune? O, most true;
she is a strumpet. What's the note news? note
Ros.
None, my lord, but that note the world's grown honest.
Ham.
Then is doomsday near: but note your news is not
-- 61 --
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?
Guil.
Prison, my lord!
Ham.
Denmark's a prison.
Ros.
Then is the world one.
Ham.
A goodly one; in which there are many confines,
wards and dungeons, Denmark being one o' the note worst.
Ros.
We think not so, my lord.
Ham.
Why, then 'tis none to you; for there is nothing
either good or bad, but thinking makes it so: note to me it is a
prison.
Ros.
Why, then your ambition makes it one; 'tis too
narrow for your mind.
Ham.
O God, I could be bounded in a nut-shell and
count myself a king of infinite space, were it not that I
have bad note dreams.
Guil.
Which dreams indeed are ambition; for the very
substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream.
Ham.
A dream itself is but a shadow.
Ros.
Truly, and I hold ambition of so airy and light a
quality that it is but a shadow's shadow.
Ham.
Then are our beggars bodies, and our monarchs
and outstretched heroes the beggars' shadows. Shall we to
the court? for, by my fay note, I cannot reason.
Ros. Guil. note
We'll wait upon you.
Ham.
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. note But, in the beaten way of
friendship, note what make you at Elsinore note?
Ros.
To visit you, my lord; no other occasion.
Ham.
Beggar that I am, I am even note poor in thanks; but
-- 62 --
I thank you: and sure, dear friends, my thanks are too dear
a halfpenny note. Were you not sent for? Is it your own
inclining? Is it a free visitation? Come, deal note justly with me:
come, come; nay, speak.
Guil.
What should we say, my lord?
Ham.
Why note, any thing, but note to the purpose. You note were
sent for; and there is a kind of note confession in your looks,
which your modesties have not craft enough to colour: I
know the good king and queen have sent for you.
Ros.
To what end, my lord?
Ham.
That you must teach me. But let me conjure you,
by the rights of our fellowship note, by the consonancy of our
youth, by the obligation of our ever-preserved note love, and by
what more dear a better proposer could note charge note you withal, be
even and direct with me, whether you were sent for, or no. note
Ros. [Aside to Guil.] note
What say you?
Ham. [Aside] note
Nay then, I have an eye of you.— noteIf you
love me, hold not off. note
Guil.
My lord, we were sent for.
Ham.
I will tell you why; so shall my anticipation prevent
your discovery, and note your secrecy to the king and queen
moult note no feather. I note have of late—but wherefore I know not
—lost all my mirth, foregone all custom of exercises note; and indeed
it goes so heavily note with my disposition that this goodly
frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory; this most
-- 63 --
excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave o'erhanging note note
firmament note, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire, why,
it appears note no other thing to me than note a foul and pestilent
congregation of vapours. What a piece note of work is a man note!
how noble in reason! how infinite in faculty note! in form and
moving how express and admirable! in action how like an
angel! in apprehension how like a god! note the beauty of the
world! the paragon of animals! And yet, to me, what is this
quintessence of dust? man delights not me; no note, nor woman note
neither, though by your smiling you seem note to say so.
Ros.
My lord, there was no such stuff in my thoughts.
Ham.
Why did you note laugh then note, when I said ‘man
delights not me’?
Ros.
To think, my lord, if you delight not in man, what
lenten note entertainment the players shall receive from you:
we coted note them on the way; and hither are they note coming, to
offer you service.
Ham.
He that plays the king shall be welcome; his
majesty shall have tribute of me note; the adventurous knight
shall use his foil and target; the lover shall not sigh note gratis;
the humourous man shall end his part in peace; the clown
shall make those laugh whose lungs are tickled o' the note sere note, note
and the lady shall say her mind freely, or the blank note verse
shall halt for't. What players are they?
-- 64 --
Ros.
Even those you were wont to take such note delight
in, the note tragedians of the city.
Ham.
How chances it they note travel note? their residence,
both in reputation and profit, was note better both ways.
Ros.
I think their inhibition comes by the means note of the
late innovation. note note
Ham.
Do they note hold the same estimation they did when
I was in the city? are they so followed?
Ros.
No, indeed, are they note not.
Ham.
How comes it? do they grow rusty?
Ros.
Nay, their endeavour keeps in the wonted pace:
but there is, sir, an eyrie note of children, little eyases note, that cry
out on the top of question note and are most tyranically clapped
for't: these are now the fashion note, and so berattle note the common
stages note—so they call them—that many wearing rapiers
are afraid of goose-quills, and dare scarce come thither.
Ham.
What, are they children? who maintains 'em note?
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, note—as it is
most like, note if their means are no note better,—their writers do them note
wrong, to make them exclaim against their own succession? note
Ros.
Faith, there has been much to do on both sides,
and the nation holds it no sin to tarre them to controversy:
-- 65 --
there was for a while no money bid for argument unless
the poet and the player went to cuffs in the question.
Ham.
Is't possible?
Guil.
O, there has been much throwing about of brains.
Ham.
Do the boys carry it away?
Ros.
Ay, that they do, my lord; Hercules and his load note too. note
Ham.
It is not very strange; for note my note uncle is king of
Denmark, and those that would make mows note at him while
my father lived, give twenty, forty, fifty note, a note hundred ducats
a-piece, for his picture in little. 'Sblood note, there is something
in this more than natural, if philosophy could find it out.
[Flourish note of trumpets within.
Guil.
There are the players. note
Ham.
Gentlemen, you are welcome to Elsinore note. Your
hands, come then note: the appurtenance note of welcome is fashion
and ceremony: let me comply note with you in this note garb, lest
my note extent note to the players, which, I tell you, must show
fairly outwards note, should more appear like entertainment
than yours. You are welcome: but my uncle-father and
aunt-mother are deceived.
Guil.
In what, my dear lord?
Ham.
I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind
is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw note.
Enter Polonius.
note
Pol.
Well be with you, gentlemen!
-- 66 --
Ham.
Hark you, Guildenstern; and you too: at note each
ear a hearer: that great baby you see there is note not yet out
of his swaddling clouts note.
Ros.
Happily note he's note the second time come to them; for
they say an old man is twice a child.
Ham.
I will prophesy he note comes to tell me of the
players; mark it. You note say right, sir: o' noteMonday morning; note
'twas so note, indeed.
Pol.
My lord, I have news to tell you.
Ham.
My lord, I have news to tell you. When Roscius note
was note an actor in Rome,— note
Pol.
The actors are come hither, my lord.
Ham.
Buz, buz!
Pol.
Upon my note honour,— note
Ham.
Then came note each actor on his ass,— note note
Pol.
The best actors in the world, either for tragedy,
comedy, history, pastoral, pastoral-comical, historical-pastoral, note
tragical-historical, tragical-comical-historical-pastoral note,
scene note individable note, or poem unlimited: Seneca cannot be too
-- 67 --
heavy, nor Plautus too light. For the law of writ note and the
liberty note, these note are the only men.
Ham.
O Jephthah note, judge of Israel note, what a treasure
hadst thou!
Pol.
What a treasure note had he, my lord?
Ham.
Why,
‘One fair daughter, and no more,
The which he loved passing well.’ note
Pol. [Aside] note
Still on my daughter.
Ham.
Am I not i' the right, old Jephthah?
Pol.
If you note call me Jephthah, my lord, I have a daughter
that I love passing well.
Ham.
Nay, that follows not. note
Pol.
What follows, then, my lord?
Ham.
Why,
‘As by lot, God wot,’ note
and then, you know,
‘It came to pass, as most like it was,’ note—
the first row of the pious chanson note will show you more;
for look, where my abridgement note comes.
-- 68 --
Enter note four or five Players.
You are note welcome, masters; welcome, all. I am glad to see
thee note well. Welcome, good friends. O, my note old friend! Why
thy note face is valanced note since I saw thee last; comest thou to
beard me in Denmark? What, my young lady and mistress!
By'r lady note, your ladyship note is nearer to heaven note than
when I saw you last, by the altitude of a chopine note. 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 note like French note falconers note, fly at any thing we
see: we'll have a speech straight: come, give us a taste of
your quality; come, a passionate speech.
First Play. note
What speech, my good note lord?
Ham.
I heard thee speak me a speech once, but it was
never acted; or, if it was, not above once; for the play, I remember,
pleased not the million; 'twas caviare note to the general:
but it was—as I received note it, and others, whose judgements note
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 note in
the lines to make the matter savoury, nor no matter in the
-- 69 --
phrase that might indict note the author of affection note; but note called
it an honest method, as wholesome as sweet, and by very
much more handsome than fine note. One speech note in it note I chiefly
loved: 'twas Æneas' note tale note to Dido; and thereabout of it especially,
where note he speaks of Priam's slaughter: if it live in
your memory, begin at this line; let me see, let me see;
‘The rugged Pyrrhus, like th' Hyrcanian note beast,’—
It is not so: note it begins with ‘Pyrrhus.’
‘The rugged Pyrrhus, he whose sable arms,
Black as his note purpose, did the night resemble
When he note lay couched in the ominous note horse,
Hath now this note dread and black complexion smear'd
With heraldry note more dismal: head to foot note
Now is he total gules note; horridly trick'd
With blood of fathers, mothers, daughters, sons,
Baked and impasted note with the parching streets note,
That lend a tyrannous and a note damned light
To their lord's murder note: roasted in wrath and fire,
And thus o'er-sized note with coagulate gore,
With eyes like carbuncles note, the hellish Pyrrhus
Old grandsire Priam seeks.’
So, proceed you. note
-- 70 --
Pol.
'Fore God, my lord, well spoken, with good accent
and good discretion.
First Play. note
‘Anon he finds him
Striking too short at Greeks; his antique note sword,
Rebellious to his note arm, lies where it falls,
Repugnant to command: unequal match'd note,
Pyrrhus at Priam drives; in rage strikes wide;
But with the whiff and wind of his fell sword
The unnerved father falls. Then senseless Ilium note note,
Seeming to feel this note blow, with flaming top
Stoops to his base note, and with a hideous crash
Takes prisoner Pyrrhus' note ear: for, lo! his sword,
Which was declining on the milky head
Of reverend note Priam, seem'd i' the air to stick:
So, as a painted note tyrant, Pyrrhus stood,
And like note a neutral to his will and matter note,
Did nothing. note
But as we often see, against some storm,
A silence in the heavens, the rack note stand still,
The bold winds note speechless and the orb below
As hush as death, anon the dreadful thunder
Doth rend the region, so note after Pyrrhus' note pause
Aroused note vengeance sets him new a-work; note
And never did the Cyclops' note hammers fall
-- 71 --
On Mars's armour note, forged for proof eterne,
With less remorse than Pyrrhus' note bleeding sword
Now falls on Priam.
Out, out, thou strumpet, Fortune note! All you gods,
In general synod take away her power,
Break all the spokes and fellies note from her wheel,
And bowl the round nave down the hill of heaven
As low as to the fiends!’
Pol.
This is too note long.
Ham.
It shall to the note 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.
First Play.
‘But who, O, who note had seen the mobled note queen— note’
Ham.
‘The mobled note queen? note’
Pol.
That's good; ‘mobled queen’ is good. note
First Play.
‘Run barefoot up and down, threatening the flames note note
With bisson rheum note; a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood; and for a robe,
About her lank and all o'er-teemed loins,
A blanket, in the alarm note of fear caught up:
Who this had seen, with tongue in venom steep'd
-- 72 --
'Gainst Fortune's state note would treason have pronounced: note
But if the gods themselves did see her then,
When she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport
In mincing with his sword her husband's note limbs,
The instant burst of clamour that she made,
Unless things mortal move note them not at note all,
Would have made milch note the burning eyes of heaven
And passion in note the gods.’
Pol.
Look, whether note he has not turned his colour and
has tears note in 's eyes. Prithee note, no more.
Ham.
'Tis well; I'll have thee speak out the rest of this note
soon. Good my lord, will note you see the players well bestowed?
Do you hear note, let them be well used, for they are the abstract note
and brief chronicles of the time: after your death you were
better have a bad epitaph than their ill report while you live note.
Pol.
My lord, I will use them according to their desert note.
Ham.
God's note bodykins note, man, much note better: use every
man after his desert note, and who shall note 'scape whipping? Use
them after your own honour and dignity: the less they deserve,
the more merit is in your bounty. Take them in.
Pol.
Come, sirs.
Ham.
Follow him, friends: we'll hear note a play to-morrow.
[Exit note Polonius with all the Players but the First.
-- 73 --
noteDost thou hear me, old friend; can you play the Murder of
Gonzago note?
First Play.
Ay, my lord.
Ham.
We'll ha't note to-morrow night. You could, for a
need note, study a speech of some dozen note or sixteen note lines, which
I would set down and insert in 't, could you note not?
First Play.
Ay, my lord.
Ham.
Very well. Follow that lord; and look you
notemock him not. [Exit First Player.] note My good friends, I'll
noteleave you till night: you are welcome to Elsinore.
Ros.
Good my note lord!
note
Ham.
Ay, so, God be wi' ye note! [Exeunt note Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.] Now I am note alone.
O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!
Is it not monstrous that this player here,
But in a fiction note, in a dream of passion,
Could force his soul so to his own note conceit
That from her working all his visage note wann'd note;
Tears in his eyes, distraction in 's note aspect,
A broken voice, and note his whole function suiting
With forms to his conceit? note and all for nothing! note
-- 74 --
For Hecuba! note note
What's Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba note,
That he should weep for her? What would he do,
Had he the motive and the cue for note passion
That I have? He would drown the stage with tears
And cleave the general ear with horrid speech,
Make mad the guilty and appal note the free,
Confound the ignorant, and amaze indeed
The very faculties note of eyes and ears note.
Yet I, note
A dull and note muddy-mettled note rascal, peak,
Like John-a-dreams note, unpregnant of my cause,
And can say note nothing; no, not for a king,
Upon whose property and most dear life
A damn'd defeat was made. Am I a coward?
Who calls me villain? breaks my pate across?
Plucks off my beard, and blows it in my face?
Tweaks me by the nose? gives me the lie i' the throat,
As deep as to the lungs? who does me this? note
Ha! note
'Swounds, I should take it: note for it cannot be
But I am pigeon-liver'd and lack gall
To make oppression note bitter, or ere this
-- 75 --
I should have note fatted all the region kites
With this slave's offal: bloody, note bawdy villain!
Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain! note
O, vengeance! note
Why, note what an ass am I! This note is most brave,
That I, the son of a dear father murder'd note,
Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell,
Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words,
And fall a-cursing, like a very drab,
A scullion note!
Fie upon't! foh! About, my brain! note Hum note, I have note heard
That guilty creatures, sitting note at a play note,
Have by the very cunning of the scene
Been struck so to note the soul that presently
They have proclaim'd their malefactions;
For murder, though it have no tongue, will speak
With most miraculous organ. I'll have these players note
Play something like the murder of my father
Before mine uncle: I'll observe his looks;
I'll tent note him to the quick: if he but note blench note,
-- 76 --
I know my course. The note spirit that I have seen
May be the devil note; and the devil note hath power
To assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps
Out of my weakness and my melancholy,
As he is very potent with such spirits,
Abuses me to damn me. I'll have grounds
More relative than this. The play's the thing
Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king.
[Exit.
ACT III.
note
Scene I. [Footnote:
A room in the castle note.
Enter King, Queen, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern. note
King.
And can you, by no drift of circumstance note,
Get from him why he puts on this confusion note,
Grating so harshly all his days of quiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacy?
Ros.
He does confess he feels himself distracted,
But from what cause he will note by no means speak.
Guil.
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 note. note
Queen.
Did he receive you well?
-- 77 --
Ros.
Most like a gentleman.
Guil.
But with much forcing of his disposition.
Ros.
Niggard of question, but of our demands
Most free note in his reply.
Queen.
Did you assay note him
To note any pastime? note
Ros.
Madam, it so note fell out that certain players
We o'er-raught note on the way: of these we told him,
And there did seem in him a kind of joy
To hear of it: they are about note the court,
And, as I think, they have already order
This night to play before him.
Pol.
'Tis most true:
And he beseech'd me to entreat your majesties
To hear and see the matter.
King.
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 on to note these delights. note
Ros.
We shall, my lord.
[Exeunt note Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
King.
Sweet Gertrude note, leave us too; note
For we have closely sent for Hamlet hither note,
That he note, as 'twere by accident, may here note
-- 78 --
Affront Ophelia note:
Her father and myself, lawful espials note, note
Will note so bestow ourselves that, seeing unseen note,
We may of their encounter frankly note judge,
And gather by him, as he is behaved,
If't be the affliction of his love or no note
That thus he suffers for.
Queen.
I shall obey you:
And for your note part, Ophelia, I do wish
That your good beauties be the happy cause
Of Hamlet's wildness: so shall note I hope your virtues note
Will note bring him to his wonted way again,
To both your honours.
Oph.
Madam, I wish it may.
[Exit Queen. note
Pol.
Ophelia, walk you here. Gracious, so please you note,
We will bestow ourselves. [To Ophelia.] note Read on this book;
That show of such an exercise may colour
Your loneliness note. We are oft to blame note in this,—
'Tis too much proved—that with devotion's visage
And pious action we do sugar note o'er
The devil himself.
King. [Aside] note
O, 'tis too note true!
How smart a lash that speech doth give my conscience!
The harlot's cheek, beautied with plastering art,
Is not more ugly to the thing that helps it
Than is my deed to my most painted word:
-- 79 --
O heavy burthen!
Pol. note
I hear him coming: let's note withdraw, my lord.
[Exeunt note King and Polonius.
Enter Hamlet. note
note
Ham.
To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings note and arrows note of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of note troubles,
And by opposing note end them? note To die: to sleep;
No note more; note and by a sleep to say we end note
The heart-ache, and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to, note 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To note 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 note shuffled note off this mortal coil note,
Must give us pause: there's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life; note
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time note,
-- 80 --
The oppressor's wrong, the proud note man's contumely,
The pangs note of despised love, the note law's delay,
The insolence of office, and the spurns
That patient merit of the unworthy takes,
When he note himself might his quietus note make
With a bare bodkin? who would fardels note note bear,
To grunt note and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscover'd note country from whose bourn note
No traveller returns, puzzles note 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 note,
And thus the native hue note of resolution
Is sicklied note o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pitch note and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry note
note
And lose the name of action. Soft you now!
The fair Ophelia! note Nymph, in thy orisons note
Be all my sins remember'd. note
Oph.
Good my lord,
-- 81 --
How does your honour for this many a day?
Ham.
I humbly thank you: well, well, well. note
Oph.
My lord, I have remembrances of yours,
That I have longed long note to re-deliver;
I pray you, now receive them.
Ham.
No, not I note;
I never gave you aught. note
Oph.
My honour'd lord, you know note right well you did;
And with them words of so sweet breath composed
As made the things note more rich: their perfume lost, note
Take these again; for to the noble mind
Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind.
There, my lord.
Ham.
Ha, ha! are you honest?
Oph.
My lord? note
Ham.
Are you fair?
Oph.
What means your lordship?
Ham.
That if you be honest and fair, your honesty note
should admit no discourse to your beauty. note
Oph.
Could beauty, my lord, have better commerce note
than with note honesty?
Ham.
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 note his note likeness: this was
sometime note a paradox, but now the time gives it proof. I
did love you once.
Oph.
Indeed, my lord, you made me believe so.
-- 82 --
Ham.
You should not have believed me; for virtue
cannot so inoculate note our old stock but we shall relish of it:
I loved you not. note
Oph.
I was the more deceived.
Ham.
Get thee to note a nunnery: why wouldst thou be a
breeder of sinners? I am myself indifferent honest; but yet
I could accuse me of such things that it were better my
mother had not borne me: I am very proud, revengeful,
ambitious; with more offences at my beck note than I have
thoughts to put them in, imagination to note give them shape,
or time to act them in. What should such fellows as I do
crawling between heaven and earth note? We are arrant knaves
all note; believe none of us. Go thy ways to a nunnery.
Where's your father?
Oph.
At home, my lord.
Ham.
Let the doors be shut upon him, that he may
play the fool no where note but in's own house. note Farewell.
Oph.
O, help him, you sweet heavens!
Ham.
If thou dost marry, I'll give thee this plague note for
thy dowry: be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow, thou
shalt not escape calumny. Get thee to a nunnery, go: note 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 note. Farewell.
Oph.
O note heavenly powers, restore him!
Ham.
I have heard of your paintings note too note, well enough;
God note hath note given you one face note, and you make yourselves note
-- 83 --
another: you jig note note, you amble note, and you lisp, note and nick-name note
God's note creatures, and make your wantonness your ignorance note note.
Go to note, I'll no more on't; it hath made me mad.
I say, we will have no more marriages note: those that are married
already, all but one, shall live note; the rest shall keep as
they are. To a nunnery, go.
[Exit. note
Oph.
O, what a noble mind is here o'erthrown note!
The courtier's, soldier's, scholar's note, note eye, tongue, sword:
The expectancy note and rose of the fair state,
The glass of fashion and the mould of form,
The observed of all observers, quite, quite down!
And I note, of ladies most deject and wretched,
That suck'd the honey of his music note vows, note
Now see that noble note and most sovereign reason,
Like sweet bells jangled, out of tune note and harsh;
That unmatch'd note form note and feature note of blown youth
Blasted with ecstasy: O, woe is me,
To have note seen what I have seen, see what I see! note
-- 84 --
Re-enter note King and Polonius.
note
King.
Love! note his affections do not that way tend;
Nor note what he spake, though it lack'd form a little,
Was not like madness. There's something note in his soul note
O'er which his melancholy sits on brood,
And I do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some danger: which for to note prevent,
I have in quick determination
Thus set it note 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 note matter in his heart,
Whereon his brains note still beating puts him thus
From fashion of himself. What think you on't? note
Pol.
It shall do well: but yet do I note believe
The origin and commencement of his grief note note
note
Sprung from neglected love. How now, Ophelia!
You need not tell us what Lord Hamlet said;
note
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 note: let her be round with him;
And I'll be placed, so please you note, in the ear
-- 85 --
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 unwatch'd note go.
[Exeunt.
note
Scene II. [Footnote:
A hall note in the castle.
Enter Hamlet and Players. note
Ham.
Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced note
it to you, trippingly on note the tongue: but if you mouth it, as
many of your players note do, I had as lief note the town-crier spoke note
my lines. Nor note do not saw the air too much with your note
hand, thus; but use all gently: for in the very torrent, tempest,
and, as I may say, whirlwind of your passion note, you
must acquire and beget a temperance that may give it
smoothness. O, it offends me to the soul to hear note a robustious note
periwig-pated note fellow tear a passion to tatters note, to very
rags, to split note the ears of the groundlings, who, for the most
part, are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb-shows
and noise: I would note have such a fellow whipped for o'er-doing
Termagant; it out-herods Herod: pray you, avoid it.
-- 86 --
First Play. note
I warrant your honour.
Ham.
Be not too tame neither, but let your own discretion
be your tutor: suit note the action to the word, the word
to the action; with this special observance, that you o'er-step note
not the modesty of nature: for any thing so overdone note
is from the purpose of playing, whose end, both at the first note
and now, was and is, to hold, as 'twere, the mirror up to
nature; to show virtue her own feature note, scorn note her own
image, and the very note age note and body of the time his form and
pressure note. Now this overdone or come tardy note off note, though
it make note the unskilful laugh, cannot but make the judicious
grieve; the censure noteof the which one note must in your allowance
o'erweigh note a whole theatre of others. O, there be
players that I have seen play, and heard others praise note, and
that highly, not to speak it profanely, that neither having
the accent of Christians note nor the note gait of Christian, pagan,
nor man note, note have so strutted and bellowed, that I have thought
some of nature's journeymen had made men note, and not made
them well, they imitated humanity so abominably.
First Play. note
I hope we have reformed that indifferently
with us, sir note.
Ham.
O, reform it altogether. And let those that play
-- 87 --
your clowns speak no more than is set down for them: for
there be of them that will themselves note laugh, to set on some
quantity of barren spectators to laugh too note, though in the
mean time some necessary question of the play be then to
be considered: that's villanous, and shows a most pitiful ambition
in the fool that uses it. Go, make you ready.
[Exeunt Players. note
Enter Polonius, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern. note
note
How now, my lord! will the king hear this piece of work?
Pol.
And the queen too note, and that presently.
Ham.
Bid the players make haste.
[Exit Polonius. note
Will you two help to hasten them?
Ros. Guil. note
We will note, my lord.
[Exeunt note Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
note
Ham.
What ho! note Horatio!
Enter Horatio. note
Hor.
Here, sweet lord note, at your service.
Ham.
Horatio, thou art e'en as just a man
As e'er my conversation coped note withal.
Hor.
O, my dear lord,— note
Ham.
Nay, do not think I flatter;
For what advancement may I hope from thee,
-- 88 --
That no revenue hast note but thy good spirits,
To feed and clothe thee? note Why note should the poor be flatter'd?
No, let the candied tongue lick note absurd note pomp,
And crook the pregnant note hinges of the knee
Where thrift may follow fawning. note Dost thou hear? note
Since my dear note soul was mistress of her note choice,
And could of men distinguish, her election
Hath note seal'd thee for herself: for thou hast been
As one, in suffering all, that suffers nothing;
A man that fortune's note buffets and rewards
Hast note ta'en with equal thanks: and blest are those
Whose blood and judgement are so well commingled note
That they are not a pipe for fortune's finger
To sound what stop note 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 note,
As I do thee. Something too much of this.
There is a play to-night before the king;
One scene of it comes near the circumstance
Which I have told thee of note my father's death:
I prithee, when thou seest that act a-foot note,
Even with the very note comment of thy note soul
Observe my note uncle: if his occulted note guilt
Do not itself unkennel note in one speech,
-- 89 --
It is a damned ghost that we have seen,
And my imaginations are as foul
As Vulcan's stithy note. Give him heedful note note;
For I mine eyes will rivet to his face, note
And after we will both our judgements note join
In note censure of his seeming.
Hor.
Well, my lord:
If he note steal aught the whilst this play is playing,
And 'scape detecting note, I will pay the theft.
note
Ham.
They are note coming to the play: I must be idle:
Get you a place.
Danish march. A flourish. Enter King, Queen, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and other Lords attendant, with the Guard carrying torches. note
King.
How fares our note cousin Hamlet?
Ham.
Excellent, i' faith; of the chameleon's dish: I note eat
the air, promise-crammed: you cannot feed capons so.
King.
I have nothing with this answer, Hamlet; these
words are not mine.
Ham.
No, nor mine now. [To Polonius] note My lord, note you
played once i' the note university, you say? note
Pol.
That did I note, my lord, and was accounted a good
actor.
Ham.
What note did you enact?
-- 90 --
Pol.
I did enact Julius Cæsar: I was killed i' the Capitol note;
Brutus killed me.
Ham.
It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a
calf there. Be the players ready?
Ros.
Ay, my lord; they stay note upon your patience note.
Queen.
Come hither, my dear note Hamlet, sit by me.
Ham.
No, good mother, here's metal note more attractive.
Pol. [To the King] note
O, ho! note do you mark that? note
Ham.
Lady, shall I lie in your lap?
[Lying note down at Ophelia's feet.
Oph.
No, my lord.
Ham.
I mean, my head upon note your lap?
Oph.
Ay, my lord. note
Ham.
Do you think I meant country note matters note?
Oph.
I think nothing, my lord.
Ham.
That's a fair thought to lie between maids' note legs.
Oph.
What is, my lord?
Ham.
Nothing.
Oph.
You are merry, my lord. note
Ham.
Who, I?
Oph.
Ay, my lord.
Ham.
O God, note 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 note two hours.
Oph.
Nay, 'tis twice note two months, my lord.
Ham.
So long? Nay, then, let the devil note wear black, for
-- 91 --
I'll have note a suit note of sables note. 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 note, he
must build churches then; or else shall he note suffer not thinking
on, with the hobby-horse, whose epitaph is, ‘For, O,
notefor, O, the hobby-horse is forgot.’
Hautboys play. The dumb-show enters.
Enter a King and a note Queen very lovingly; the Queen embracing him,
and he her note. She kneels, and makes show of protestation unto him.
He takes her up, and declines his head upon her neck: lays him
down upon a bank of flowers: she, seeing him asleep, leaves him.
Anon comes in a fellow, takes off his crown, kisses it, and pours
poison in the King's ears, and exit. note The Queen returns; finds the
King dead, and makes passionate action. The Poisoner, with
some two or three Mutes, comes in again, seeming to lament with
her. The dead body is carried away. The Poisoner wooes the
Queen with gifts: she seems loath and unwilling awhile, but in
the end accepts his love. note
[Exeunt. note
note
Oph.
What means this, my lord?
-- 92 --
Ham.
Marry note, this is note miching mallecho note; it note means
mischief.
Oph.
Belike note this show imports the argument of the play. note
Enter Prologue. note
Ham.
We shall know by this fellow note: the players cannot
keep counsel note; they'll tell all.
Oph.
Will he note tell us note what this show meant?
Ham.
Ay, or any show that you'll note show him: be not you note
ashamed to show, he'll not shame to tell you what it means.
Oph.
You are naught, you are naught: I'll mark note the
play.
Pro.
For us, and for our tragedy,
Here stooping to your clemency,
We beg your hearing patiently.
Ham.
Is this a prologue, or the posy note of a ring?
Oph.
'Tis brief, my lord.
Ham.
As woman's love.
Enter note two Players, King and Queen.
P. King. note
Full thirty times hath Phœbus' cart note gone round
-- 93 --
Neptune's salt wash and Tellus' note orbed note ground,
And thirty dozen moons with borrowed note sheen
About the world have times twelve thirties note been,
Since love our hearts and Hymen did our hands
Unite commutual in most note sacred bands.
P. Queen. note
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 note from your note former note state,
That I distrust you. Yet, though I distrust,
Discomfort you, my lord, it nothing must:
For note women's fear and love holds note quantity,
In neither aught note, or in extremity.
Now, what my love note is, proof hath made note you know,
And as my love is sized note, my fear is so:
Where love is great, the littlest note doubts are fear,
Where little fears grow great, great love grows there. note
P. King.
Faith, I must leave thee, love, and shortly too;
My operant note powers their functions note leave to do:
And thou shalt live in this fair note world behind,
Honour'd, beloved; and haply one as kind note
-- 94 --
For husband shalt thou— note
P. 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 kill'd note the first.
Ham. [Aside] note
Wormwood, wormwood. note
P. Queen. note
The instances that second marriage move
Are base respects of thrift note, but none of love:
A second time I kill my husband dead note,
When second husband kisses me in bed.
P. King.
I do believe you think note what now you speak,
But what we do determine oft we break.
Purpose is but the slave to memory,
Of violent birth but note poor validity:
Which now, like note fruit note 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 note grief or joy
Their own enactures note with themselves destroy:
Where joy most revels, grief doth most lament;
Grief joys note, joy grieves note, on slender accident.
This world is not for aye, nor note 'tis not note strange
That even our loves should with our fortunes change,
For 'tis a question left us yet to prove,
Whether love lead fortune note or else note fortune love.
-- 95 --
The great man down, you mark his favourite note flies;
The poor advanced makes friends of enemies:
And hitherto note doth love on fortune tend;
For who not needs shall never lack a friend, note
And who in want a hollow friend doth try
Directly seasons him note 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 note thou wilt no second husband wed,
But die thy thoughts note when thy first lord is dead.
P. Queen.
Nor earth to me give note food nor heaven light!
Sport and repose lock from me day and night!
To desperation turn my trust and hope!
An anchor's note cheer note in prison be my scope! note
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 note!
Ham.
If she should break it now note! note
P. King.
'Tis deeply sworn. Sweet, leave me here note awhile; note
My spirits grow dull, and fain I would beguile
The tedious day with sleep.
[Sleeps. note
-- 96 --
P. Queen.
Sleep rock thy brain;
And never come mischance between note us twain!
[Exit. note
Ham.
Madam, how like you this note play?
Queen.
The lady doth protest note too much, methinks.
Ham.
O, but she'll keep her word.
King.
Have you heard the argument? Is there no
offence in't?
Ham.
No, no, they do but jest, poison in jest; no offence
i' the world note.
King.
What do you call the play?
Ham.
The Mouse-trap. Marry, how? note Tropically.
This play is the image of a murder done in Vienna: Gonzago note
is the duke's name; his wife note, Baptista: you shall see
anon; 'tis a knavish piece of work: but what o' note that? your
majesty, and we that have note free souls, it touches us not note: let
the galled jade wince note, our withers are unwrung note.
Enter Lucianus. note
This is one Lucianus, nephew to the king note.
Oph.
You are as good as a note chorus, my lord.
Ham.
I could interpret between you and your love, if
I could see the puppets dallying.
Oph.
You are keen, my lord, you are keen.
Ham.
It would cost you a groaning to take off my note edge.
Oph.
Still better, note and worse.
Ham.
So you must take your husbands. note Begin murderer; note
-- 97 --
pox, note leave thy damnable faces, and begin. Come:
the croaking raven doth bellow for revenge. note
Luc.
Thoughts black, hands apt, drugs fit, and time agreeing; note
Confederate note season, else note no creature seeing;
Thou mixture rank, of midnight weeds collected,
With Hecate's ban note thrice blasted, thrice infected note,
Thy note natural magic and dire property,
On wholesome life usurp note immediately.
[Pours the poison into the sleeper's ear. note
Ham.
He note poisons him i' the garden for his note estate. His
name's note Gonzago: the story is extant, and written in very note
choice Italian: you shall see anon how the murderer gets
the love of Gonzago's wife.
Oph.
The king rises.
Ham.
What, frighted with false fire note!
Queen.
How fares my lord?
Pol.
Give o'er the play.
King.
Give me some light. Away!
Pol. note
Lights, lights, lights!
[Exeunt note all but Hamlet and Horatio.
note
Ham.
Why, let the stricken note deer go weep,
The hart note ungalled play;
-- 98 --
For some must watch, while note some must sleep: note
Thus note runs the world away.
Would not this, sir, and a forest of feathers—if the rest of
my fortunes turn Turk with me—with two note Provincial note roses
on my razed note shoes, get me a fellowship in a cry note of players note,
sir note?
Hor.
Half a share.
Ham.
A whole one, I. note
For thou dost know, O Damon dear,
This realm dismantled was
Of Jove himself note; and now reigns here
A very, very—pajock note.
Hor.
You might have rhymed.
Ham.
O good Horatio, I'll take the ghost's word for a
thousand pound note. Didst perceive?
Hor.
Very well, my lord.
Ham.
Upon the talk of the poisoning? note
Hor.
I did very well note him.
Ham.
Ah, ha! note Come, some music! come, the recorders!
For if the king like note not the comedy,
Why then, belike, he likes it not, perdy.
Come, some music!
-- 99 --
Re-enter note Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
Guil.
Good my lord, vouchsafe note me a word with you.
Ham.
Sir, a whole history.
Guil.
The king, sir,— note
Ham.
Ay, sir, what of him? note
Guil.
Is in his retirement marvellous distempered.
Ham.
With drink, sir?
Guil.
No, my lord, rather note with choler.
Ham.
Your wisdom should show itself more richer note to
signify this to the doctor note; for, for note me to put him to his purgation
would perhaps plunge him into far note more choler.
Guil.
Good my lord, put your discourse into some
frame, and start note not so wildly from note my note affair note. note
Ham.
I am tame, sir: pronounce.
Guil.
The queen, your mother, in most great affliction
of spirit, hath sent me to you.
Ham.
note
You are welcome.
Guil.
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 note business.
Ham.
Sir, I cannot.
Guil. note
What, my lord? note
Ham.
Make you a wholesome answer; my wit's note diseased:
but, sir, such answer note as I can make, you shall command;
-- 100 --
or rather, as you note say, my mother: therefore no
more, but to the matter: my mother, you say,— note
Ros.
Then thus she says; your behaviour hath struck note
her into amazement and admiration.
Ham.
O wonderful son, that can so note astonish note a mother!
But is there no sequel at the heels of this mother's admiration note? note
Impart. note
Ros.
She desires to speak with you in her closet, ere
you go to bed.
Ham.
We shall obey, were she ten times our mother.
Have you any further trade with us?
Ros.
My lord, you once did love me.
Ham.
So I note do still, by these pickers and stealers.
Ros.
Good my lord, what is your cause of distemper?
you do surely bar note the door upon note your own liberty, if you
deny your griefs to your friend.
Ham.
Sir, I lack advancement.
Ros.
How can that be, when you have the voice of the
king himself for your succession in Denmark?
Ham.
Ay, sir note, but ‘while the grass grows,’— notethe proverb
is something musty.
Re-enter note Players with recorders.
O, the recorders note! let me see one. To note withdraw with you: note— note
-- 101 --
why do you go about to recover the wind of me, as if you
would drive me into a toil?
Guil.
O, my lord, if my duty be too bold, my love is
too unmannerly. note
Ham.
I do not well understand that. Will you play
upon this pipe?
Guil. note
My lord, I cannot.
Ham.
I pray you.
Guil.
Believe me, I cannot.
Ham.
I do note beseech you.
Guil. note
I know no touch of it, my lord.
Ham.
It is note as easy as lying: govern these ventages note
with your fingers note and thumb note, note give it breath with your
mouth, and it will discourse most eloquent note music. Look
you, these are the stops.
Guil.
But these cannot I command to any utterance
of harmony; I have not the skill.
Ham.
Why, look you now, how unworthy a thing you
make note 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 note my compass: and there is much music, excellent
voice, in this little organ; yet cannot you make it speak note.
'Sblood note, do you think I note am easier to be played on than a
pipe? Call me what instrument you will, though you can
fret me note, yet note you cannot play upon me.
-- 102 --
Enter Polonius. note
God bless you note, sir!
Pol.
My lord, the queen would speak with you, and
presently.
Ham.
Do you see yonder note cloud that's almost in shape
of note a camel? note
Pol.
By the mass note, and 'tis like note a camel note, indeed.
Ham.
Methinks it is like a weasel.
Pol.
It is backed note like a weasel note.
Ham.
Or like a whale? note
Pol.
Very like a whale.
Ham.
Then I will note come to my mother by and by.
They fool me note to the top of my bent. note I will come by and
by.
Pol.
I will say so.
[Exit Polonius. note
note
Ham.
‘By and by’ is easily said. Leave me, friends.
[Exeunt note all but Hamlet.
'Tis now the very witching time of night,
When churchyards yawn, and hell itself breathes note out
Contagion to this note world: now could I drink hot blood,
And do such bitter business as the day note
-- 103 --
Would quake to look on. Soft! now note to my mother.
O heart, lose note not thy nature; let not ever
The soul of Nero enter this firm bosom:
Let me be cruel, not note unnatural:
I will speak daggers note to her, but use none;
My tongue and soul in this be hypocrites;
How in my words soever note she be shent,
To give them seals never, my soul, consent note! note
[Exit. note
note
Scene III. [Footnote:
A room in the castle. note
Enter King, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern.
King.
I like him not, nor stands it safe with us
To let his madness range note. Therefore prepare you;
I your commission will forthwith dispatch,
And he to England shall along with you:
The terms of our estate may note not endure
Hazard so near us note as doth hourly grow
Out of his lunacies note.
Guil.
We will ourselves provide note:
Most holy and religious fear it is
-- 104 --
To keep those many many note bodies safe
That live note and feed upon your majesty.
Ros.
The single and peculiar life is bound note
With all the strength and armour of the mind
To keep itself from noyance note; but much more
That spirit upon note whose weal note depends and rests note
The lives of many. The note cease note of note majesty
Dies not alone, but like a gulf doth draw
What's near it with it: it is note a massy wheel,
Fix'd on the summit note of the highest mount,
To whose huge note spokes ten thousand lesser things
Are mortised note and adjoin'd; which, when it falls,
Each small annexment, petty consequence,
Attends the boisterous ruin note. Never note alone
Did the king sigh, but with note a general groan note.
King.
Arm you, I pray you, to this speedy voyage note,
For we will fetters put about note this fear,
Which now goes too free-footed.
Ros. Guil. note
We will haste us note.
[Exeunt note Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
Enter Polonius.
Pol.
My lord, he's going to his mother's closet:
-- 105 --
Behind the arras I'll convey myself,
To hear the process; I'll warrant note 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 note. Fare you well, my liege:
I'll call upon you ere you go to bed,
And tell you what I know note.
King.
Thanks, dear my lord.
[Exit Polonius. note
O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven;
It hath the primal eldest curse upon't note,
A note brother's murder note. Pray can I not note,
Though inclination be as sharp as will note: note
My stronger guilt defeats note my strong intent,
And like a man to double business bound,
I stand in pause where I shall first begin,
And both neglect. What note if this cursed 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 offence?
And what's in prayer but this twofold force,
To be forestalled ere we come to fall,
Or pardon'd note being down? Then I'll look up;
My fault is note past. But O, what form of prayer
Can serve my turn? ‘Forgive me my foul murder? note’
-- 106 --
That cannot be, since I am still possess'd
Of those effects note for which I did the murder,
My crown, mine own ambition and my queen.
May one be pardon'd note and retain the offence note?
In the corrupted currents note of this world note
Offence's gilded note hand may shove note by justice,
And oft 'tis seen the wicked prize note itself
Buys out the law: but 'tis not so above;
There is no shuffling, there the action lies
In his note true nature, and note we ourselves compell'd
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 note when one can not note repent?
O wretched state! O bosom black as death!
O limed soul, that struggling to be free
Art more engaged! Help, angels note! make assay!
Bow, stubborn knees, and, heart note with strings of steel note,
Be soft as sinews of the new-born babe!
All may be well.
[Retires note and kneels.
Enter Hamlet.
note
Ham.
Now might I do it pat, now he is note praying note;
-- 107 --
And now I'll do't: and so he goes note to heaven:
And so am I revenged. note That would be scann'd:
A villain kills my father; and for that,
I, his sole note son, do this same villain send
To heaven. note
O, note this is hire and salary note, not revenge.
He note took my father grossly, full of bread note,
With all his crimes broad blown, as flush note as May;
And how his audit stands who knows save heaven?
But in our circumstance and course of thought,
'Tis heavy with him: and note am I then revenged,
To take him in the purging of his soul,
When he is fit and season'd note for his passage?
No. note
Up, sword, and know thou a more horrid hent note:
When he is drunk asleep note, or in his rage,
Or in the incestuous note pleasure note of his bed;
At game, a-swearing note, or about some act
That has no relish of salvation in't;
Then trip him, that his heels may note kick at heaven
And that his soul may be as damn'd and black
As hell, whereto it goes. My mother stays:
-- 108 --
This physic but prolongs thy sickly days.
[Exit.
King. [Rising note]
My words fly up, my thoughts remain below:
Words without thoughts never to heaven go.
[Exit.
note
Scene IV. [Footnote:
The Queen's closet. note
Enter Queen note and Polonius.
Pol.
He note will come straight. Look you lay home to him: note
Tell him his pranks have been too broad to bear note with,
And that your grace hath screen'd note and stood between
Much heat and him. I'll sconce me even note here.
Pray you, be round with him note.
Ham.[Within]
Mother, mother, mother! note
Queen. note
I'll warrant note you; fear me not. Withdraw note, I
hear him coming. note
[Polonius hides note behind the arras.
Enter Hamlet. note
Ham.
Now, mother, what's the matter?
-- 109 --
Queen.
Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended.
Ham.
Mother, you have my father much offended.
Queen.
Come, come, you answer with an idle tongue.
Ham.
Go, go, you question with a wicked note tongue.
Queen.
Why, how now, Hamlet!
Ham.
What's the matter now? note
Queen.
Have you forgot me?
Ham.
No, by the rood, not so:
You are the queen, your husband's brother's wife;
And—would it were not so!—you note are my mother.
Queen.
Nay, then, I'll set note those to you that can speak.
Ham.
Come, come, and sit you down; you shall not budge note;
You go not note till I set you up note a glass
Where you may see the inmost note part of you. note
Queen.
What wilt thou do? thou wilt not murder me?
Help, help, ho! note
Pol. [Behind] note
What, ho! help, help, help! note
Ham. [Drawing] note
How now! a rat? note Dead, for a ducat, dead!
[Makes a pass through the arras. note
Pol. [Behind] note
O, I am slain!
[Falls and dies. note
Queen.
O me, what hast note thou done?
-- 110 --
Ham.
Nay, I know not: is it the king? note
Queen.
O, what a rash and bloody deed is note this!
Ham.
A bloody deed! almost as bad, good mother,
As kill a king, and marry with his brother.
Queen.
As kill note a king! note
Ham.
Ay, lady, 'twas note my word.
[Lifts up the arras and discovers note Polonius.
note
Thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell!
I took thee for thy better note: take thy fortune;
Thou find'st to be too busy is some danger.
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 damned custom have not brass'd note it so,
That it be note proof and bulwark against sense note.
Queen.
What have I done, that thou darest wag thy tongue
In noise so rude against me?
Ham.
Such an act
That blurs the grace and blush of modesty,
Calls virtue hypocrite note, takes off note the rose
From the fair forehead of an innocent love,
And sets note a blister there; makes marriage vows
As false as dicers' oaths: O, such a deed
As from the body of contraction plucks
The very soul, and sweet religion makes
A rhapsody note of words: heaven's face doth note glow;
-- 111 --
Yea, note this solidity note and compound mass,
With tristful note visage, as against note the doom,
Is thought-sick at the act. note
Queen.
Ay me, what act,
That roars so loud and thunders in the index? note
Ham.
Look here, upon this picture, and on this,
The counterfeit presentment of two brothers.
See what a grace was note seated on this note brow;
Hyperion's curls, the front of Jove himself,
An eye like Mars, to threaten and note command;
A station like the herald Mercury
New-lighted note on a heaven-kissing note hill;
A combination and a note 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 mildew'd note ear note,
Blasting his wholesome brother note. Have you eyes?
Could you on this fair mountain leave to feed,
And batten note on this moor? Ha! have you eyes?
You cannot call it love, for at your age
The hey-day in the note blood is tame, it's note humble,
And waits upon the judgement: and what judgement
Would step note from this to this? Sense sure you have,
Else could you not have motion note: but sure that sense
-- 112 --
Is apoplex'd: for madness would not err,
Nor sense to ecstasy was ne'er so thrall'd
But it reserved some quantity of choice,
To serve in such a difference. note What devil was 't
That thus hath cozen'd note you at hoodman note-blind note?
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. note
O shame! where is thy blush? note Rebellious hell note,
If thou canst mutine note 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 ardour note gives the charge,
Since frost itself as actively doth burn,
And note reason panders note will.
Queen.
O Hamlet, speak no more:
Thou turn'st mine eyes into my very note soul,
And there I see such black and grained note spots
As will not leave note their tinct.
Ham.
Nay, but to live
In the rank sweat of an enseamed note bed,
Stew'd in corruption, honeying and making love
Over the nasty sty,— note
Queen.
O, speak to me note no note more;
These words like daggers enter in note my note ears;
-- 113 --
No more, sweet Hamlet!
Ham.
A murderer and a villain;
A slave that is not note twentieth part the tithe note
Of your precedent lord; a vice of kings;
A cutpurse of the empire and the rule, note
That from a shelf the precious diadem stole
And put it in his pocket! note
Queen.
No note more! note
Ham.
A king of shreds and patches— note
Enter Ghost. note
note
Save me, and hover o'er me with your wings,
You heavenly guards! What would your note gracious figure?
Queen.
Alas, he's note mad! note
Ham.
Do you not come your tardy son to chide,
That, lapsed in time note and passion, lets go by
The important acting of your dread command?
O, say! note
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 note soul:
Conceit in weakest bodies strongest works:
Speak to her, Hamlet.
Ham.
How is it with you, lady?
Queen.
Alas, how is't with you,
-- 114 --
That you do note bend your eye on vacancy
And with the incorporal note air do hold discourse?
Forth at your eyes your spirits wildly peep;
And, as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm,
Your bedded note hairs note, like life in excrements note,
Start up and stand note an end note. O gentle son,
Upon the heat and flame of thy distemper
Sprinkle cool patience. Whereon do you look?
Ham.
On him, on him! Look you, how pale he glares note!
His form and cause conjoin'd note, preaching to stones,
Would make them capable. Do not look upon note me,
Lest with this piteous action you convert
My stern effects note: then what I have note to do
Will want true colour; tears perchance for blood.
Queen.
note
To whom note do you speak this?
Ham.
Do you see nothing there?
Queen.
Nothing at all; yet all that is note note I see.
Ham.
Nor did you nothing hear?
Queen.
No, nothing but ourselves.
Ham.
Why, look you there! look, how it steals note away!
My father, in his habit as note he lived note!
Look, where he goes, even now, out at the portal!
[Exit Ghost. note
Queen.
This is the very coinage of your brain:
This bodiless creation ecstasy
Is very cunning in. note
-- 115 --
Ham.
Ecstasy! note
My pulse, as yours, doth temperately keep time,
And makes as healthful music: it is not madness
That I have utter'd note: bring me to the test,
And I the note matter will re-word note, which madness
Would gambol from. Mother, note for love of grace,
Lay not that note flattering unction to your soul,
That not your trespass but my madness speaks:
It will but skin and film the ulcerous place,
Whiles note rank corruption, mining note all within,
Infects unseen. Confess yourself to heaven;
Repent what's past, avoid what is note to come,
And do not spread the compost on note the weeds,
To make them ranker note. Forgive me note this my virtue,
For in the fatness of these note pursy times
Virtue itself of vice must pardon beg,
Yea, curb note and woo for leave to do him note good. note
Queen.
O Hamlet note, thou hast cleft my heart in twain note.
Ham.
O note, throw away the worser part of it,
And live note the purer with the other half.
Good night: but go not to my note uncle's bed;
Assume a virtue, if you have it not.
That monster, custom, who all sense doth eat,
-- 116 --
Of habits devil, note 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. note Refrain to-night note note,
And that shall lend a kind of easiness
To the next abstinence; the next more easy;
For use almost can note change the stamp of nature,
And either......the note devil, or throw him out
With wondrous potency. note 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. note
I do repent: but heaven hath note pleased it so,
To punish me with this, and this with me note,
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:
Thus note bad begins, and worse remains behind. note
One word more, good lady. note
Queen.
What shall I do?
Ham.
Not this, by no means, that I bid you do:
-- 117 --
Let the bloat note king tempt you again to bed note;
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 damn'd fingers,
Make you to ravel note 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 note,
Such dear concernings note 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 note creep
And break your own neck down.
Queen.
Be thou assured, if words be made of breath
And breath of life, I have no life to breathe note
What thou hast said to me.
Ham.
I must to England; you know that? note
Queen.
Alack, note
I had forgot: 'tis so concluded on note. note
Ham.
There's letters seal'd: and my two schoolfellows,
Whom I will trust as I will adders fang'd,
They bear the mandate; they must sweep my way,
And marshal me to knavery note. Let it work;
For 'tis the sport note to have the enginer note
-- 118 --
Hoist with his own petar note: and't note 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. note note
This man shall note set me packing: note
I'll lug the guts into the neighbour room.
Mother, good night. Indeed note this counsellor
Is now most still, most secret and most grave,
Who was in life note a foolish note prating note knave.
Come, sir, to draw toward an end with you.
Good night, mother.
[Exeunt note severally; Hamlet dragging in Polonius.
ACT IV.
note
Scene I. [Footnote:
A room note in the castle.
Enter note King, Queen, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern.
King.
There's matter note in these sighs, these profound heaves: note note
You must translate: 'tis fit we understand them.
Where is your son?
-- 119 --
Queen. note
Bestow this place on us a little while. note note
[Exeunt note Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
Ah, mine own note lord, what have I seen to-night! note
King.
What, Gertrude note? How note does Hamlet?
Queen.
Mad as the sea note and wind, when both contend
Which is the mightier: note in his lawless fit, note
Behind the arras hearing something stir,
Whips out his rapier, cries note ‘a rat, a rat!’ note
And in this note brainish apprehension kills
The unseen good old man.
King.
O heavy deed!
It had been note so with us, had we been note there:
His liberty is full of threats to all,
To you yourself, to us, to every one.
Alas, how shall this bloody deed be answer'd note?
It will be laid to us, whose providence
Should have kept short, restrain'd and out of haunt note,
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 note it feed
Even on the pith of life. Where is he gone?
Queen.
To draw apart the body he hath kill'd:
O'er whom his very madness, like some ore note
-- 120 --
Among a mineral of metals note base,
Shows itself pure; he note weeps for what is done.
King.
O note Gertrude, come away!
The sun no sooner shall the mountains touch,
But we will ship him hence: and this vile note deed
We must, with all our majesty and skill,
Both countenance and excuse. Ho, Guildenstern! note
Re-enter note Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
Friends both, go join you with note some further aid:
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain,
And from his mother's closet note hath he dragg'd note him:
Go seek him out; speak fair, and bring the body
Into the chapel. I pray note you, haste in this.
[Exeunt note Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
Come, Gertrude, we'll call up our wisest friends;
And let note 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 note poison'd note shot, may miss our name
note
And hit the woundless air. O, come away!
My soul is full of discord and dismay.
[Exeunt.
-- 121 --
note
Scene II. [Footnote:
Another note room in the castle.
Enter Hamlet. note
Ham.
Safely stowed.
Ros. Guil. [Within]
Hamlet! note Lord Hamlet!
Ham.
But soft, note what noise? who calls on Hamlet?
O, here they come.
Enter note Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
Ros.
What have you done, my lord, with the dead body?
Ham.
Compounded note it with dust, whereto 'tis kin note.
Ros.
Tell us where 'tis, that we may take it thence
And bear it to the chapel.
Ham.
Do not believe it.
Ros.
Believe what?
Ham.
That I can keep your counsel and not mine
own. Besides, to be demanded of a sponge! note what replication
should be made by the son of a king?
Ros.
Take you me for a sponge, my lord?
Ham.
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 note, in the
corner of his jaw; first mouthed, to be last swallowed:
-- 122 --
when he needs what you have gleaned, it is but squeezing
you, and, sponge, you shall be dry again.
Ros.
I understand you not, my lord.
Ham.
I am glad of it: a knavish speech sleeps in a
foolish ear.
Ros.
My lord, you must tell us where the body is, and
go with us to the king.
Ham.
The body is with the king, but note the king is not
with the body. The king is a thing— note
Guil.
A thing note, my lord? note
Ham.
Of nothing: note bring me to him. Hide fox, and
all after. note
[Exeunt.
note
Scene III. [Footnote:
Another note room in the castle.
Enter King, attended. note
King.
I have notesent 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 note him:
He's loved of the distracted multitude,
Who like not in their judgement, but their eyes;
And where 'tis so, the offender's scourge is weigh'd note,
But never note the offence. To bear all smooth and even, note
-- 123 --
This sudden sending him away must seem
Deliberate pause: diseases desperate grown
By desperate appliance are relieved,
Or not at all.
Enter Rosencrantz. note
How now! what hath befall'n?
Ros.
Where the dead body is bestow'd, my lord,
We cannot get from him.
King.
But where is he?
Ros.
Without, my lord; guarded, to know your pleasure.
King.
Bring him before us.
Ros.
Ho, Guildenstern note! note bring in my lord note.
Enter note Hamlet and Guildenstern.
King.
Now, Hamlet, where's Polonius?
Ham.
At supper.
King.
At supper! where?
Ham.
Not where he eats, but where he is
note eaten: a
certain convocation note of politic note worms are e'en note at him. Your
worm is your only emperor for diet: we fat all creatures
else to fat us, and we fat ourselves note for maggots: your fat
king and your lean beggar is but variable service, two note
dishes, but note to one table: that's the end.
King.
Alas, alas!
Ham.
A man may fish with the worm that hath eat of
a king, and note eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm. note
-- 124 --
King.
What dost thou mean by this?
Ham.
Nothing but to show you how a king may go a
progress through the guts note of a beggar.
King.
Where is Polonius?
Ham.
In heaven; send thither to see: if your messenger
find him not there, seek him i' the other place yourself.
But indeed, if note you find him not within note this month, you
shall nose him as you go up the stairs into the lobby.
King.
Go seek him there.
[To some Attendants. note
Ham.
He note will stay till you note come.
[Exeunt Attendants. note
King.
Hamlet, this deed, for thine note especial safety,
Which we do tender, as we dearly grieve
For that which thou hast done, must send thee hence
With fiery quickness: note therefore note prepare thyself;
The bark is ready and the wind at help note,
The associates tend, and every thing is bent note
For England.
Ham.
For England? note
King.
Ay, Hamlet.
Ham.
Good. note
King.
So is it, if thou knew'st our purposes.
Ham.
I see note a cherub that sees them note. But, come; for
England! Farewell, dear mother.
King.
Thy loving father, Hamlet.
Ham.
My mother: father and mother is man and
wife; man and wife is one flesh, and so note, my mother.
Come, for England!
[Exit.
King.
Follow him at foot note; tempt him with speed aboard; note
-- 125 --
Delay it not; I'll have him hence to-night:
Away! for every thing is seal'd and done
That else leans on the affair: pray you, make haste.
[Exeunt note Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
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 note
Our sovereign process; which imports at full,
By letters congruing note 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 were ne'er begun note.
[Exit.
note
Scene IV. [Footnote:
A plain note in Denmark.
Enter note Fortinbras, a Captain and Soldiers, marching.
For.
Go, captain, from me greet the note Danish king;
Tell him that by his license Fortinbras
Craves note the conveyance of a promised march
Over his kingdom note. You know the rendezvous note.
-- 126 --
If that his majesty would aught with us,
We shall express our duty note in his eye;
And let him know so.
Cap.
I will do't, my lord.
For.
Go softly note on.
[Exeunt note Fortinbras and Soldiers.
Enter note Hamlet, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and others.
Ham.
Good sir, whose powers are these?
Cap.
They note are of Norway, sir.
Ham.
How purposed note, sir, I pray you?
Cap.
Against note some part of Poland.
Ham.
Who commands them, sir? note
Cap.
The nephew to note old Norway, Fortinbras.
Ham.
Goes it against the main of Poland, sir,
Or for some frontier?
Cap.
Truly to speak note, and with no note addition,
We go to gain a little patch of ground
That hath in it no profit but the name.
To pay five ducats, five, note I would not farm it;
Nor will it yield to Norway or the Pole
A ranker rate, should it be sold note in fee.
Ham.
Why, then the Polack never will defend it.
Cap.
Yes, it is note already garrison'd.
-- 127 --
Ham.
Two note thousand souls and twenty note thousand ducats
Will not debate the question of this straw: note
This is the imposthume of much wealth and peace,
That inward breaks, and shows no cause without
Why the man dies. I humbly thank you, sir.
Cap.
God be wi' you note, sir.
[Exit.
Ros.
Will't please you go, my lord?
Ham.
I'll note be with you straight note. Go a little before.
[Exeunt note all but Hamlet.
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 god-like reason
To fust note in us unused. Now, whether it be
Bestial oblivion, or some craven scruple
Of thinking too precisely on the event,—
A thought which, quarter'd, hath but one part wisdom
And ever three parts coward,—I do not know
Why yet I live note 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 puff'd
Makes mouths at the invisible event,
Exposing what is mortal and unsure
To all that fortune, death and danger dare,
-- 128 --
Even for an egg-shell. Rightly to be great
Is not to stir note note without great argument,
But greatly to find quarrel in a straw
When honour's at the stake. How stand I then,
That have a father kill'd, a mother stain'd,
Excitements of my reason and my blood,
And let all sleep, while to my shame I see
The imminent note death of twenty thousand men,
That for a fantasy and trick of fame
Go to their graves like beds, fight for a plot note
Whereon the numbers cannot try the cause,
Which is not tomb enough and continent
To hide the slain note? O, note from this time forth,
My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth! note
[Exit.
note
Scene V. [Footnote:
Elsinore. A room note in the castle.
Enter note Queen, Horatio, and a Gentleman.
Queen.
I will not speak with her.
Gent. note
She is importunate, indeed distract:
Her mood will needs be pitied. note note
Queen.
What would she have?
Gent. note
She speaks much of her father, says she hears
There's tricks i' the world, and hems and beats her heart,
-- 129 --
Spurns enviously at straws; speaks things in doubt,
That carry but half sense: her speech is nothing,
Yet the unshaped use of it doth move
The hearers to collection; they aim note at it note,
And botch note the words up fit to their own thoughts;
Which, as her note winks and nods and gestures yield them,
Indeed would make one think there might note be thought note,
Though nothing sure, yet much unhappily.
Hor.
'Twere good she were spoken with, for she may strew
Dangerous conjectures in ill-breeding minds.
Queen.
Let her come in. note
[Exit Gentleman. note
[Aside] note
To note 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. note
Re-enter note Gentleman, with Ophelia.
Oph.
Where is the beauteous majesty of Denmark?
Queen.
How now, Ophelia! note
Oph. [Sings] note
How should I your true love know
From another one?
-- 130 --
By his cockle hat and staff
And his note sandal note shoon. note
Queen.
Alas, sweet lady, what imports this song?
Oph.
Say you? note nay, pray you, mark.
[Sings] note
He is dead and gone, lady,
He is note dead and gone;
At his head a grass-green note turf,
At his heels a stone. note
Oh, oh! note
Queen.
Nay, but, Ophelia,—
Oph.
Pray you, mark.
[Sings] note
White his note shroud as the mountain snow,—
Enter King. note
Queen.
Alas, look here, my lord.
Oph. [Sings] note
Larded note with sweet flowers;
Which bewept note to the grave note did note go
With true-love note showers note.
King.
How do you note, pretty lady?
Oph.
Well, God 'ild note you! They say the owl was a
baker's daughter. Lord, we know what we are, but know note
not what we may be. God be at your table! note
King.
Conceit upon her father.
Oph.
Pray you, let's note have no words of this; but when
they ask you what it means, say you this:
-- 131 --
[Sings] note
To-morrow is note Saint Valentine's day,
All in the morning note betime,
And I a maid at your window,
To be your Valentine. note
Then up he rose, and donn'd his clothes note,
And dupp'd note the chamber-door;
Let in the maid, that out note a maid
Never departed more. note
King.
Pretty Ophelia!
Oph.
Indeed, la, note without an oath, I'll make an end on't:
[Sings] note
By Gis note 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 note. note
Quoth she, before note you tumbled me,
You promised me to wed. note
He answers: note
So would note I ha' done note, by yonder sun note,
An note thou hadst not come to my bed.
King.
How long hath she been thus note?
-- 132 --
Oph.
I hope all will be well. We must be patient; but
I cannot choose but weep, to think they should note lay him i'
the 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 note night. note
[Exit. note
King.
Follow her close; give her good watch, I pray you. note
[Exit Horatio. note
O, this note is the poison of deep grief; it springs
All from her father's death. O note Gertrude, Gertrude,
When sorrows come, they note come not single spies note,
But in battalions note! First, her father slain:
Next, your son gone; and he most violent author
Of his own just remove: the people muddied,
Thick and unwholesome in their note thoughts and whispers,
For good Polonius' death; and we have note done but greenly, note
In hugger-mugger note to inter him: poor Ophelia
Divided from herself and her fair judgement,
Without the which we are note pictures, or mere beasts:
Last, and as much containing as all these,
Her brother is in secret come from France,
Feeds on his wonder note, keeps himself in clouds note,
And wants not buzzers note to infect his ear
-- 133 --
With pestilent speeches of his father's death;
Wherein note necessity note, of matter beggar'd,
Will nothing stick our person note to arraign
In ear and ear. O my dear Gertrude, this,
Like to a murdering-piece note, in many places
Gives note me superfluous death.
[A noise within.
Queen.
Alack, what noise is this? note
note
King.
Where note are note my Switzers note? Let them guard the door.
Enter another Gentleman. note
What is the matter note?
Gent. note
Save yourself, my lord:
The ocean, overpeering of his list,
Eats note not the flats with more impetuous note haste
Than young Laertes, in a riotous head,
O'erbears your officers. The rabble call him lord note;
And, as the world were now but to begin,
Antiquity forgot, custom not known,
The ratifiers and props of every word note, note
They note cry ‘Choose we; note Laertes shall be king! note’
Caps, hands and tongues note applaud it to the clouds,
-- 134 --
note
‘Laertes shall be king, Laertes king!’
Queen.
How cheerfully on the false trail they cry!
O, this is counter, you false Danish dogs!
[Noise within. note
King.
The doors are broke.
Enter Laertes, armed; Danes following. note
Laer.
Where is this king? Sirs note, stand you all without.
Danes. note
No, let's come in.
Laer.
I pray you, give me leave.
Danes. note
We will, we will.
[They retire note without the door.
Laer.
I thank you: keep the door. O thou vile note king,
Give me my father! note
Queen.
Calmly, good Laertes.
Laer.
That drop of blood that's calm note proclaims me bastard; note
Cries cuckold to my father; brands the harlot
Even here, between the chaste unsmirched brow note
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 note peep to note what it would,
Acts note little of his note will. Tell me, Laertes,
-- 135 --
Why thou art note thus incensed: let him go, Gertrude:
Speak, man.
Laer.
Where is note my father?
King.
Dead note.
Queen.
But not by him.
King.
Let him demand his fill.
Laer.
How came he dead? I'll not be juggled with:
To hell, allegiance! vows, to the blackest note devil!
Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit!
I note 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?
Laer.
My will, not all the world note:
And for my means, I'll husband them so well,
They note shall go far with little.
King.
Good Laertes,
If you desire to know the certainty note
Of your dear father's death note, is 't note writ in your revenge,
That, swoopstake note, you will note draw both friend and foe,
Winner and loser? note
Laer.
None but his enemies.
King.
Will you know them then? note
Laer.
To his good friends note thus wide I'll ope note my arms;
-- 136 --
And, like the kind life-rendering pelican note,
Repast note them with my blood.
King.
Why, now you speak note
Like a good child and a true gentleman.
That I am guiltless of your father's death,
And am most sensibly note in grief for it,
note
It shall as level to your judgement pierce note
As day does to your eye.
Danes. [Within] note
Let her come in.
Laer.
How now! what noise is that?
Re-enter note Ophelia.
O heat, dry up my brains! tears seven times salt,
Burn out note the sense and virtue of mine eye!
By heaven, thy madness shall be paid with note weight,
Till note our scale turn note 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 note man's life?
Nature is fine in love, and where 'tis fine
It sends some precious instance note of itself
After the thing it loves. note
Oph. [Sings] note
They bore him barefaced note on the bier;
Hey non nonny, nonny, hey nonny: note
-- 137 --
And in note his grave rain'd note many a tear,—
Fare you well, my dove! note
Laer.
Hadst thou thy wits, and didst persuade revenge,
It could not move note thus. note
Oph. [Sings]
note
You must sing down a-down,
An note you call him a-down-a.
O, how the wheel becomes it note! It is the false steward, that
stole his master's daughter.
Laer.
This nothing's note more than matter.
Oph.
There's rosemary, that's note for remembrance: note pray
you note, love, remember: and there is note pansies note, that's for
thoughts.
Laer.
A document in madness; thoughts and remembrance
fitted.
Oph.
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 note o' note Sundays: O, you must note 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 a' made note a good end,—
[Sings] note
For bonny sweet Robin is all my joy.
Laer.
Thought note and affliction note, passion, hell itself,
She turns to favour and to prettiness.
-- 138 --
Oph. [Sings] note
And will a' not come again?
And will a' note not come again?
No, no, he is dead,
note
Go to thy note death-bed,
He never will come again.
His beard was as note white as snow,
All flaxen note was his poll note:
He is gone, he is gone,
And we cast away moan: note
God ha' mercy note on his soul!
And of note all Christian note souls, I pray God note. God be wi' you note.
[Exit. note
Laer.
Do you see this, O God? note
King.
Laertes, I must commune note 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 note hand
They find us touch'd, we will our kingdom note 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 note to us,
-- 139 --
And we shall jointly labour with your soul
To give it due content.
Laer.
Let this be so;
His means of death, his obscure funeral note,
No trophy note, sword, nor hatchment o'er his bones,
No noble rite note nor formal ostentation,
Cry to be heard, as 'twere from heaven to earth,
That I must call't note in question.
King.
So you shall;
And where the offence is let the great axe note fall.
I pray you, go with me.
[Exeunt.
note
Scene VI. [Footnote:
Another note room in the castle.
Enter note Horatio and a Servant.
Hor.
What are they that would speak with me?
Serv. note
Sea-faring men note, sir: they say they have letters for you.
Hor.
Let them come in. note
[Exit Servant. note
I do not know from what part of the world
I should be greeted, if note not from Lord Hamlet.
-- 140 --
[Enter Sailors. note
First Sail. note
God bless you note, sir.
Hor.
Let him bless thee too.
First Sail. note
He note shall, sir, an't note please him. There's a
letter for you, sir; it comes note from the ambassador note that was
bound for England; if your name be Horatio, as I am let
to know it is.
Hor. [Reads] note
‘Horatio, when thou shalt have over-looked
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
valour: and in note the grapple I boarded them: on the instant note
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 note turn
for them. Let the king have the letters I have sent; and
repair thou to me with as much speed note as thou wouldest note
fly death. I have words to speak in thine note ear will make
thee dumb; yet are they much too light for the bore of
the note matter. These good fellows will bring thee where I
am. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern hold their course for
England: of them I have much note to tell thee. Farewell.
‘He that thou knowest thine, Hamlet. note’
-- 141 --
Come, I will make note you way for these your letters;
And do't the speedier, that you may direct me
To him from whom you brought them.
[Exeunt. note
note
Scene VII. [Footnote:
Another room in the castle. note
Enter King and Laertes.
King.
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 note hath your noble father slain
Pursued my life.
Laer.
It well appears: but tell me
Why you proceeded note not against these feats,
So crimeful note and so note capital in nature,
As by your safety note, wisdom, all things else,
You mainly were stirr'd up.
King.
O, for two note special reasons,
Which may to you perhaps seem much unsinew'd note,
But note yet to me they're note strong. The queen his mother
Lives almost by his looks; and for myself—
My virtue or my plague, be it note either which—
She's so conjunctive note to my life and soul,
That, as the star moves not but in his sphere,
I could not but by her. The other motive,
-- 142 --
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,
Would note, like the spring that turneth wood to stone,
Convert his gyves note to graces; so that note my arrows,
Too slightly timber'd note for so loud a wind note,
Would have reverted to my bow note again
And note not note where I had note aim'd note them.
Laer.
And so have I note a noble father lost;
A sister driven into desperate terms,
Whose worth note, if praises may go back again,
Stood note challenger on mount note of all the age
For her perfections: but my note revenge will come.
King.
Break not your sleeps for that: you must not think note
That we are made of stuff so flat and dull
That we can let our beard note be shook with danger note
And think it pastime note. You shortly shall note hear more:
I loved your father, and we love ourself note;
And that, I hope, will teach you to imagine— note
Enter note a Messenger, with letters.
How now! what news? note
-- 143 --
Mess.
Letters, my lord, from Hamlet: note
This note to your majesty; this to the queen.
King.
From Hamlet! note who brought them?
Mess.
Sailors, my lord, they say; I saw them not:
They were given me by Claudio; he received them
Of him note that brought them. note
King.
Laertes, you shall hear note them.
Leave us. note
[Exit note Messenger.
[Reads] note
‘High and mighty, You shall know I am set
naked on your kingdom. To-morrow shall I note beg leave
to see your kingly eyes: when I shall, first asking your note
pardon thereunto, note recount the occasion note of my sudden and
more strange note return.
‘Hamlet. note’
What should this mean? Are all the rest come back?
Or is it some abuse, and note no such thing?
Laer.
Know you the hand?
King.
'Tis Hamlet's character. ‘Naked!’
And in a postscript here, he says ‘alone. note’
Can you advise note me? note
Laer.
I'm note lost in it, my lord. But let him come;
It warms the very sickness in my heart,
That I shall note live and tell note him to his teeth,
‘Thus didest note thou.’
King.
If it be so, Laertes,—
-- 144 --
As how should it note be so? how otherwise?—
Will you be ruled by me? note
Laer.
Ay, my lord note;
So you will note not o'errule me to a peace. note
King.
To thine own peace. If he be now return'd note,
As checking at note his voyage, and that he means
No more to undertake it, I will work him
To an exploit now ripe in my device note,
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 note.
Laer.
My lord note, I will be ruled;
The rather, if you could devise it so
That I might be the organ note.
King.
It falls right.
You have been talk'd 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.
Laer.
What part is that, my lord?
King.
A very riband note 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 note and graveness. note Two months since note,
-- 145 --
Here was a gentleman of Normandy:— note
I've note seen myself, and served against, the French,
And they can note well on horseback: but this gallant
Had witchcraft in't; he grew unto note his seat,
And to such wondrous doing brought his horse
As had he note been incorpsed and demi-natured
With the brave beast: so far he topp'd note my thought note
That I, in forgery of shapes and tricks,
Come note short of what he did.
Laer.
A Norman was't?
King.
A Norman.
Laer.
Upon my life, Lamond note.
King.
The very note same.
Laer.
I know him well: he is the brooch indeed
And gem of all the note nation.
King.
He made note confession of you,
And gave you such a masterly report,
For art and exercise in your defence,
And for your rapier most especial note,
That he cried out, 'twould be a sight note indeed
If one could match you: the scrimers note of their nation,
He swore, had neither motion, guard, nor eye,
If you opposed them. Sir, this note report of his
Did Hamlet so envenom with his note envy
That he could nothing do but wish and beg
Your sudden coming o'er note, to play with him note.
-- 146 --
Now, out of this— note
Laer.
What note out of this, my lord?
King.
Laertes, was your father dear to you?
Or are you like the painting of a sorrow,
A face without a heart?
Laer.
Why ask you this?
King.
Not that I think you did not love your father,
But that I know love is begun note by time note note,
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 note or snuff that will abate it;
And nothing is at a like goodness still,
For goodness, growing to a plurisy note,
Dies in his own too much: that note 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 note,
And then this ‘should’ note is like a spendthrift sigh note,
That hurts by easing. But, to the quick o' the ulcer: note
Hamlet comes note back: what would you undertake,
To show yourself your father's son in deed note
More than in words?
Laer.
To cut his throat i' the church.
King.
No place indeed should murder sanctuarize note;
-- 147 --
Revenge should have no bounds. But, good Laertes,
Will you do this, keep close within your chamber. note
Hamlet return'd shall know you are come home:
We'll put on those shall praise your excellence
And set a double varnish on the fame note
The Frenchman note gave you; bring you in fine together
And wager on note your heads: he, being remiss,
Most generous and free from all contriving,
Will not peruse the foils, note so that with ease,
Or with a little shuffling, you may choose
A sword unbated note, and in a pass note of practice
Requite him for your father.
Laer.
I will do 't
And for that note purpose I'll anoint note my sword.
I bought an unction of a mountebank,
So mortal that but dip note 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 scratch'd withal: I'll touch my point
With this contagion, that, if I note gall him slightly,
It may be death. note
King.
Let's further think of this;
Weigh note what convenience note both of time and means
May fit us note to our shape: if this should fail, note
-- 148 --
And that our drift look note through our bad performance,
'Twere better not assay'd: therefore this project
Should have a back or second, that might hold
If this did note blast in proof. Soft! let me see:
We'll make a solemn wager on your cunnings note:
I ha't note:
When in your motion you are hot and dry note note—
As note make your bouts more violent to that end note—
And that he calls for drink, I'll have prepared note him
A chalice for the nonce note; whereon but sipping note,
If he by chance escape your venom'd stuck note,
Our purpose may hold there. But stay, what noise? note
Enter Queen. note
How now, sweet queen! note
note
Queen.
One woe doth tread upon another's heel,
So fast they note follow: your sister's drown'd, Laertes.
Laer.
Drown'd! O, where?
Queen.
There is a willow grows aslant note a note brook,
That shows his hoar note leaves in the glassy stream;
There with fantastic garlands did she come note
Of crow-flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples,
That liberal shepherds give note a grosser name note,
-- 149 --
But our cold note maids do dead men's fingers call them:
There note, on the pendent boughs her coronet note weeds
Clambering to hang, an envious sliver note broke;
When down her note weedy trophies note and herself
Fell-in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide,
And mermaid-like awhile they bore note her up:
Which time she chanted snatches note of old tunes note,
As one incapable of her own distress,
Or like a creature native and indued note
Unto that element: but long it could not be
Till that her garments, heavy with their note drink,
Pull'd the poor wretch note from her melodious lay note
To muddy death.
Laer.
Alas, then she is drown'd! note
Queen.
Drown'd, drown'd.
Laer.
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 of fire note that fain would blaze,
But that this folly douts note it.
[Exit.
King.
Let's note follow, Gertrude:
How much I had note to do to calm his rage!
-- 150 --
Now fear I this will give it start again;
Therefore let's follow.
[Exeunt.
ACT V.
note
Scene I. [Footnote:
A churchyard. note
Enter note two Clowns, with spades, &c.
First Clo. note
Is she to be buried in Christian burial that note
wilfully seeks her own salvation?
Sec. Clo. note
I tell thee she is; and note therefore make her
grave straight: the crowner hath sat on her, and finds it
Christian burial.
First Clo. note
How can that be, unless she note drowned herself
in her own defence?
Sec. Clo. note
Why, 'tis found so.
First Clo.
It must be ‘se offendendo note;’ it cannot be else.
For here lies the point: if I drown myself wittingly, it argues
an act: and an act hath three branches; it is, to act note, to
do, and to perform: argal, note she drowned herself wittingly.
Sec. Clo.
Nay, but hear note you, goodman delver note.
First Clo.
Give me leave. Here note lies the water; good:
here stands the man; good: if the man go to this note water and
-- 151 --
drown himself note, it is, will he, nill he, he goes; mark you
that; note 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.
Sec. Clo.
But is this law?
First Clo.
Ay, marry, is't; crowner's quest law.
Sec. Clo.
Will you ha' note the truth on't note? If this had not
been a gentlewoman, she should have been buried out o' note
Christian burial.
First Clo.
Why, there thou say'st: note and the more pity that
great folk should have countenance in this world to drown
or hang themselves, more than their even Christian note. Come,
my spade. note There is no ancient gentlemen but gardeners,
ditchers and grave-makers: they hold up Adam's profession.
Sec. Clo.
Was he a gentleman?
First Clo.
A' note was the first that ever bore arms.
Sec. Clo.
Why, he had none.
First Clo.
What, art a heathen note? How dost thou understand
the Scripture? The Scripture says Adam digged:
could he dig without arms? note I'll put another question
to thee: if thou answerest me not note to the purpose, confess
thyself— note
Sec. Clo.
Go to.
First Clo.
What is he that builds stronger than either
the mason, the shipwright, or the carpenter?
Sec. Clo.
The gallows-maker; for that frame note outlives a
thousand tenants.
First Clo.
I like thy wit well, in good faith: the gallows
-- 152 --
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.
Sec. Clo.
‘Who builds stronger than a mason, a shipwright,
or a carpenter? note’
First Clo.
Ay, tell me that, and unyoke.
Sec. Clo.
Marry, now I can tell.
First Clo.
To't.
Sec. Clo.
Mass, I cannot tell.
Enter note Hamlet and Horatio, afar off.
First Clo.
Cudgel thy brains no more about it, 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 that note he makes last note till note doomsday. Go, get thee to
Yaughan note; fetch me a stoup note of liquor.
[Exit Sec. Clown. note
[He digs, and sings. note
In youth, when I did love, did love,
Methought it was very sweet,
To contract, O, note the time note, for-a note my behove,
O, methought, there-a was nothing-a note meet.
Ham.
Has this fellow no feeling of note his business, that
he sings at note grave-making?
-- 153 --
Hor.
Custom hath made it in him note a property of easiness.
Ham.
'Tis e'en so: the hand of little employment hath
the daintier note sense.
First Clo. [Sings] note
But age, with his stealing steps,
Hath claw'd note me in his clutch,
And hath note shipped me intil note the note land note,
As if I had never note been such.
[Throws up a skull. note
Ham.
That skull had a tongue in it, and could sing
once: how the knave jowls it to the ground, as if it were note
Cain's jaw-bone, that did the first murder! It might note be
the pate of a politician, which this ass now o'er-reaches note;
one that would note circumvent God note, might it not?
Hor.
It might, my lord.
Ham.
Or of a courtier, which could say ‘Good morrow,
sweet lord note note! How dost thou, sweet lord?’ This might
be my lord such-a-one note, that praised my lord such-a-one's
horse, when he meant note to beg it note; might it not?
Hor.
Ay, my lord.
Ham.
Why, e'en so: and now note my Lady Worm's;
chapless note, and knocked about the mazzard note with a sexton's
-- 154 --
spade: here's fine note revolution, an note we had the trick to see't.
Did these bones cost no more the breeding, but to play at
loggats note with 'em? note mine ache to think on't.
First Clo. [Sings] note
A pick-axe, and a spade, a spade,
For and note a shrouding sheet:
O, a pit of clay for to be made
For such a guest is meet.
[Throws note up another skull.
Ham.
There's another: why may note not that be the skull
of note a lawyer? Where be his quiddities note now, his quillets note, his
cases, his tenures, and his tricks? why does he suffer this
rude note knave now to knock him about the sconce with a dirty
shovel, and will not tell him of his action note 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 note, to have his fine pate full of fine dirt note? will
his vouchers note vouch him no more of his purchases, and double
ones too note, than the length and breadth of a pair of indentures?
The very conveyances of his lands note will hardly note lie in
this box; and must the inheritor himself have no more, ha?
Hor.
Not a jot more, my lord.
Ham.
Is not parchment made of sheep-skins?
Hor.
Ay, my lord, and of calf-skins note too.
Ham.
They are sheep and calves which note seek out assurance
-- 155 --
in that. I will speak to this fellow. Whose grave's
this, sirrah note?
First Clo.
Mine, sir.
[Sings] note
O, a pit of clay for to be made note
For such a guest note is meet. note
Ham.
I think it be note thine indeed, for thou liest in't.
First Clo.
You lie out on't, sir, and therefore 'tis note not
yours: for my part, I do not lie in't, and yet note it is note mine.
Ham.
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.
First Clo.
'Tis a quick lie, sir; 'twill away note again, from
me to you.
Ham.
What man dost thou dig it for?
First Clo.
For no man, sir.
Ham.
What woman then?
First Clo.
For none, neither.
Ham.
Who is to be buried in't?
First Clo.
One that was a woman, sir; but, rest her
soul, she's dead.
Ham.
How absolute the knave is! we must speak by
the card, or equivocation will undo note us. By the Lord,
Horatio, this note three years I have taken note note note of it; the age
is grown so picked note that note the toe of the peasant comes so
near the heel note of the courtier note, he galls his kibe note. How long
hast thou been a note grave-maker?
First Clo.
Of all note the days i' the year, I came to't that
day that our last king Hamlet o'ercame note Fortinbras.
-- 156 --
Ham.
How long is that since?
First Clo.
Cannot you tell that? every fool can tell
that: it was that very note day that young Hamlet was born;
he that is note mad, and sent into England.
Ham.
Ay, marry, why was he sent into England?
First Clo.
Why, because a' was mad: a' shall recover
his wits there; or, if a' note do not, 'tis note no great matter there.
Ham.
Why?
First Clo.
'Twill not be seen in him there; there the
men are note as mad as he.
Ham.
How came he mad?
First Clo.
Very strangely, they say.
Ham.
How ‘strangely’?
First Clo.
Faith, e'en with losing his wits.
Ham.
Upon what ground?
First Clo.
Why, here in Denmark: I have note been sexton note
here note, man and boy, thirty years.
Ham.
How long will a man lie i' the earth ere he rot?
First Clo.
I'faith note, if a' be not rotten before a' die—as
we have many pocky corses now-a-days note, that will scarce
hold the laying in—a' note will last you some eight year or nine
year: a tanner will last you nine year note.
Ham.
Why he more than another?
First Clo.
Why, sir, his hide is so note tanned with his trade
that a' note will keep out water a great while; and your note water is
-- 157 --
a sore decayer of your whoreson dead body. Here's a skull
now: this skull has lain in the note earth three and twenty note years.
Ham.
Whose was it?
First Clo.
A whoreson mad fellow's it was: whose do
you think it was? note
Ham.
Nay, I know not.
First Clo.
A pestilence on him for a mad rogue! a' note
poured a flagon of Rhenish on my head once. This same
skull, sir note, was Yorick's note skull, the king's jester.
Ham.
This?
First Clo.
E'en that.
Ham.
Let me see note. [Takes the skull.] note Alas, poor
Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of
most excellent fancy: he hath borne note me on his back a
thousand times; and now how note abhorred in my imagination
it is note! 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 note? your songs? your flashes of merriment,
that were wont to set the table on a roar note? Not one note
now, to mock your own grinning note? quite chop-fallen? Now
get you to my lady's chamber note, and tell her, let her paint
an inch thick, to this favour note she must come; make her
laugh at that. Prithee, Horatio, tell me one thing.
Hor.
What's that, my lord?
Ham.
Dost thou think Alexander looked o' note this fashion
i' the earth?
-- 158 --
Hor.
E'en so.
Ham.
And smelt so? pah note!
[Puts down note the skull.
Hor.
E'en so, my lord.
Ham.
To what base uses we may note return, Horatio!
Why may not imagination trace the noble dust of Alexander,
till he note find note it stopping a bung-hole?
Hor.
'Twere to consider too curiously, to consider so.
Ham.
No, faith, not a jot; but to follow him thither note
with modesty enough and likelihood to lead it: as thus: note
Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander returneth note
into note dust; the dust is earth; of earth we make loam;
and why of that loam, whereto he was note converted, might
they not stop a beer-barrel?
Imperious note Cæsar, dead and turn'd to clay,
Might stop a hole to keep the wind away:
O, that the earth, which kept the world in awe,
Should note patch a wall to expel note the winter's note flaw!
But soft! but soft! aside note: here comes the king.
Enter note Priests, &c. in procession; the Corpse of Ophelia, Laertes and Mourners following; King, Queen, their trains, &c.
note
The queen, the courtiers: who is this note they follow?
-- 159 --
And with such maimed rites note? This doth betoken
The corse they follow did with desperate hand
Fordo its note own life: 'twas of note some estate.
Couch we note note awhile, and mark.
[Retiring note with Horatio.
Laer.
note
What ceremony else?
Ham.
note
That is Laertes, a very note noble youth: mark note. note
Laer.
What ceremony else?
First Priest. note
Her obsequies have been as far note enlarged
As we have warranty note: her death was doubtful;
And, but that great command o'ersways the order,
She should in ground unsanctified note have note lodged
Till the last trumpet note; for charitable prayers note,
Shards note, flints and pebbles note should be thrown on her:
Yet here she is allow'd note her virgin crants note,
Her maiden strewments note and the bringing home
Of bell and burial.
Laer.
Must there note no more be done?
First Priest. note
No more be done:
We should profane the service of the dead
To sing a requiem note and such rest to her
-- 160 --
note
As to peace-parted note souls.
Laer.
Lay her i' the earth:
And from her fair and unpolluted flesh
May violets spring! I tell thee, churlish priest,
A ministering angel shall my sister be,
When thou liest howling.
Ham.
What, the fair Ophelia!
Queen. [Scattering flowers] note
Sweets to the sweet: farewell note!
I hoped thou shouldst note have been my Hamlet's wife;
I thought thy bride-bed to have deck'd, sweet maid,
And not have note strew'd thy grave.
Laer.
O, treble woe note
Fall ten times treble note on that cursed note head
Whose wicked deed thy most ingenious note sense
Deprived thee of! Hold off the earth awhile,
Till I have caught her once more in mine arms:
[Leaps into the grave. note
Now pile your dust upon the quick and dead,
Till of this flat a mountain you have made
To o'ertop note old Pelion or the skyish head
Of blue Olympus.
Ham. [Advancing] note
What is he whose grief
Bears note such an emphasis? whose phrase of sorrow
Conjures note the wandering stars and makes them stand
-- 161 --
Like wonder-wounded hearers? This is note I,
Hamlet the Dane.
[Leaps note into the grave.
Laer.
The devil take thy soul!
[Grappling note with him.
Ham.
Thou pray'st not well.
I prithee, take thy fingers from my throat note;
For note, though I am not splenitive note and note rash,
Yet have I in me something note dangerous,
Which let thy wisdom note fear. Hold off note thy hand. note
King.
Pluck them asunder.
Queen.
Hamlet, Hamlet!
All.
Gentlemen,— note
Hor. note
Good my lord, be quiet.
[The Attendants note part them, and they come out of the grave.
Ham.
Why, I will fight with him upon this note theme
Until my eyelids will no longer wag.
Queen.
O my son, what theme?
Ham.
I loved Ophelia: forty thousand brothers
Could not, with all their note 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.
Ham.
'Swounds note, show me what thou'lt note do:
-- 162 --
Woo't weep? woo't fight? woo't fast note? woo't note tear thyself?
Woo't note drink up eisel note? eat note a crocodile? note
I'll do't note. Dost thou note come here note to whine?
To outface me with leaping in note her grave? note
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 note,
Make Ossa like a wart! Nay, an note thou'lt mouth,
I'll rant as well as thou.
Queen. note
This is mere madness:
And thus note awhile the fit will work on him;
Anon note, as patient as the note female dove note
When that note her golden couplets note are disclosed,
His silence will sit drooping.
Ham.
Hear you, sir;
What is the reason that you use me thus?
I loved note you ever note: but it is no matter;
Let Hercules himself do what he may,
The cat will mew, and dog note will have his day.
[Exit. note
-- 163 --
King.
I pray thee note, good Horatio, wait upon him.
[Exit Horatio. note
[To Laertes] note
Strengthen your note 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 note hour of quiet shortly note shall we see;
Till note then, in patience our proceeding be.
[Exeunt.
note
Scene II. [Footnote:
A hall note in the castle.
Enter Hamlet and Horatio.
Ham.
So much for this, sir note: now shall you note see the other;
You do remember all the circumstance? note
Hor.
Remember it, my lord!
Ham.
Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting,
That would not let me sleep: methought note I lay
Worse than the mutines in the note bilboes. note Rashly,
And praised be rashness for it, let note note us know,
-- 164 --
Our note indiscretion sometime note serves us well
When our deep note plots do pall note; and that should learn note us
There's a divinity that shapes our ends,
Rough-hew them how we will. note
Hor.
That is most certain.
Ham.
Up from my cabin,
My sea-gown scarf'd note about me, in the dark note
Groped I note to find out them; had my desire,
Finger'd their packet, and in fine withdrew
To mine own room again; making so note bold,
My fears note forgetting manners, note to unseal note
Their grand commission; where I found, Horatio,—
O note royal knavery!— note notean exact command,
Larded with many several sorts note of reasons note,
Importing Denmark's health and England's too,
With, ho! note such bugs and goblins in my life,
That, on the supervise, no leisure bated,
No, not to stay the grinding note of the axe,
My head should be struck note off.
Hor.
Is't possible?
Ham.
Here's the commission: read it at more leisure.
But wilt thou hear now note how I did proceed?
Hor.
I beseech note you.
-- 165 --
Ham.
Being thus be-netted round with villanies note,—
Or I could make a prologue to my brains note,
They had begun the play,—I note sat note me down;
Devised a new commission; wrote it fair:
I once did hold it, as our statists do,
A baseness to write fair, and labour'd note much
How to forget that learning; but, sir, now
It did me yeoman's note service: wilt thou know
The effect note of what I wrote?
Hor.
Ay, good my lord.
Ham.
An earnest conjuration from the king,
As England was his faithful tributary,
As love between them like note the palm might note flourish,
As peace should still her wheaten garland wear
And stand a comma note note 'tween note their amities note,
And many such-like ‘As’ es note of great charge,
That, on the view and knowing of note these contents,
Without debatement further, more or less,
He should the bearers note put to sudden death,
Not note shriving-time note allow'd note.
-- 166 --
Hor.
How was this seal'd?
Ham.
Why, even in that was heaven ordinant note.
I had my father's signet in my purse,
Which was the model of that Danish seal:
Folded note the writ up in the form of the note other;
Subscribed note it; gave't note the impression; placed it safely,
The changeling note never known. Now, the next day
Was our sea-fight; and what to this was sequent note
Thou know'st note already.
Hor.
So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go note note to't.
Ham.
Why, man, they did make love to this employment; note
They are not near my conscience; their defeat note
Does note by their own insinuation grow:
'Tis dangerous when the baser note nature comes note
Between the pass and fell incensed note points
Of mighty opposites.
Hor.
Why, what a king is this!
Ham.
Does it not, thinks't thee note, stand me now upon— note
He that hath kill'd my king note, and whored my mother;
Popp'd note in between the election and my hopes;
-- 167 --
Thrown out his angle for my proper life note,
And with such cozenage— noteis't not perfect conscience, note
To quit him with this note arm note? and note is't not to be damn'd,
To let this canker of our nature come
In further evil? note
Hor.
It must be shortly known to him from England
What is the issue of the business there.
Ham.
It will be short: the interim is note mine;
And a man's life 's note no more than to say ‘One.’ note
But I am very sorry, good Horatio note,
That to Laertes I forgot myself;
For, by the image of my cause, I see
The portraiture of his: I'll court his favours note:
But, sure, the bravery of his grief did put me
Into a towering passion.
Hor.
Peace! who comes here? note
Enter Osric. note
note
Osr. note
Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark.
Ham.
I humbly thank you, sir. Dost note know this water-fly? note
Hor.
No, my good lord.
-- 168 --
Ham.
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 note a chough note, but, as I say note, spacious in the possession of dirt. note
Osr.
Sweet lord, if your lordship note were at leisure, I
should impart a thing to you from his majesty.
Ham.
I will receive it, sir note, with all diligence of spirit.
Put note your bonnet to his right use; 'tis for the head.
Osr.
I thank your lordship, it is note very hot.
Ham.
No, believe me, 'tis very cold; the wind is
northerly.
Osr.
It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed.
Ham.
But yet note methinks it is very sultry note and hot, or my
complexion— note
Osr.
Exceedingly, my lord; it is very sultry note, as 'twere,
—I cannot tell how. But note, my lord, his majesty bade note me
signify to you note that he note has laid a great wager on your head:
sir, this is the matter— note
Ham.
I beseech you, remember— note
[Hamlet moves him to put on his hat. note
Osr.
Nay, good my lord note; for mine ease, in good faith.
Sir, here is newly come to court Laertes; believe me, an absolute
gentleman note, full of most excellent differences, of very
-- 169 --
soft society and great showing note: indeed, to speak feelingly note of
him, he is the card note or calendar of gentry, for you shall find
in him note the continent of what part note a gentleman would see note.
Ham.
Sir, his definement suffers no perdition in you;
though, I know, to divide him inventorially would dizzy note the
arithmetic of memory, and yet but yaw note neither note, in respect
of his quick sail. But in the verity of extolment, I take
him to be a soul of great article note, 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.
Osr.
Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him.
Ham.
The concernancy, sir? why note do we wrap note the
gentleman in our more rawer breath?
Osr.
Sir? note
Hor.
Is't not possible to understand in another note tongue? note note
You note will do't, sir, really note note.
Ham.
What imports the nomination of this gentleman?
Osr.
Of Laertes? note
-- 170 --
Hor.
His purse is empty already; all's golden words
are spent.
Ham.
Of him, sir. note
Osr.
I know you are not ignorant— note
Ham.
I would you did, sir; yet, in faith, if you did, it
would not much approve me. Well, sir? note
Osr.
You are not ignorant note of what excellence Laertes is— note
Ham.
I dare not confess that, lest I should compare
with him in excellence; but, note to know a man well, were to
know himself.
Osr.
I mean, sir, for his note weapon; but in the imputation
laid on him by them, in his note meed he's unfellowed. note
Ham.
What's his weapon?
Osr.
Rapier and dagger.
Ham.
That's two of his weapons: but, well.
Osr.
The king, sir note, hath wagered note with him six Barbary
horses: against the which he has imponed note, as I take it, six
French rapiers and poniards, with their assigns, as girdle,
hanger note, and so note: three of the carriages, in faith, are very
dear to fancy, very responsive to the hilts, most delicate
carriages, and of very liberal conceit.
Ham.
What call you the carriages?
Hor.
I knew you must be edified by the margent ere
you had done. note
Osr.
The carriages note, sir, are the hangers.
-- 171 --
Ham.
note
The phrase would be more germane to the
matter if note we could carry a cannon note by our sides: I would
it might be note hangers till then. But, on: note six Barbary horses
against six French swords, their assigns, and three liberal-conceited
carriages; that's the French bet note against the
Danish. Why note is this ‘imponed,’ as note you call it?
Osr.
The king, sir, hath laid, sir, that note in a dozen
passes between yourself note and him, he shall not exceed you
three hits: he hath laid on note twelve for nine note; note and it note would
come to immediate trial, if your lordship would vouchsafe
the answer.
Ham.
How if I answer ‘no’?
Osr.
I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person
in trial.
Ham.
Sir, I will walk here in the hall: if it please his
majesty, it note is note the breathing time of day with me; let the
foils be brought, the gentleman willing, and the king hold note
his purpose, I will win for him an note I can; if not, I will note gain
nothing but my shame and the odd hits.
Osr.
Shall I redeliver you e'en so note?
Ham.
To this note effect, sir, after what flourish your nature
will.
-- 172 --
Osr.
note
I commend my duty to your lordship.
Ham.
Yours, yours. [Exit Osric.] note He does well to
commend it himself note; there are no tongues else for's note turn note.
Hor.
This lapwing runs note away with the shell on his
head.
Ham.
He did comply with note his dug before he note sucked
it. Thus has he note—and many note more of the same breed note that
I know the drossy age dotes on—only got the tune of the
time and outward note habit of encounter; a note kind note of yesty note collection note,
which carries them through and through the most
fond and winnowed note opinions; and do but blow them to
their trial note, the bubbles are out.
Enter a Lord.
Lord.
My lord, his majesty commended him to you by
young Osric note, 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.
-- 173 --
Ham.
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.
Ham.
In happy time.
Lord.
The queen desires you to use note some gentle entertainment
to Laertes before you fall note to play.
Ham.
She well instructs me. note
[Exit Lord. note
Hor.
You will lose this wager note, my lord.
Ham.
I do not think so; since he went into France, I
have been in continual practice; I shall win at the odds.
But note thou wouldst not think how ill all's note here about my
heart: but it is no matter.
Hor.
Nay, good my note lord,— note
Ham.
It is but foolery; but it is such a kind of gain-giving note
as would perhaps trouble a woman.
Hor.
If your mind dislike any thing, obey it. note I will
forestal their repair hither, and say you are not fit.
Ham.
Not a whit; we defy augury: there is note special
providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now note, 'tis not to
come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now,
yet it will note come: the readiness is all; since no man has
aught of what he leaves, what is't to leave betimes? Let
be. note
-- 174 --
Enter note King, Queen, Laertes, and Lords, Osric and other Attendants note with foils and gauntlets; a table and flagons of wine on it.
King.
Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.
[The King note puts Laertes' hand into Hamlet's.
Ham.
Give me your pardon, sir: I've note done you wrong;
But pardon't, as you are a gentleman.
This presence knows, note
And you must needs have heard, how I am punish'd note
With sore note distraction. note What I have done note,
That might your nature, honour note and exception
Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness.
Was't Hamlet wrong'd 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: note if't be so,
Hamlet is of the faction that is wrong'd note;
His madness is poor Hamlet's enemy.
Sir, in this audience, note note
Let my disclaiming from a purposed evil
-- 175 --
Free me so far in your most generous thoughts,
That I have shot mine note arrow o'er the house,
And hurt my brother note.
Laer.
I am satisfied in nature,
Whose motive, in this case, should stir me most
To my revenge: but in my terms of honour
I stand aloof, and will no reconcilement,
Till by some elder masters note of known honour
I have a voice and precedent note of peace,
To keep note my name ungored note. But till note that time
I do receive your offer'd note love like love
And will not wrong it.
Ham.
I note embrace it freely,
And will this brother's wager frankly play note.
Give us the foils. Come on. note
Laer.
Come, one for me.
Ham.
I'll be your foil, Laertes: in mine ignorance
Your skill shall, like a star i' the darkest note night,
Stick note fiery off note indeed note.
Laer.
You mock me, sir.
Ham.
No, by this hand note.
King.
Give them note the foils, young Osric note. Cousin note Hamlet note,
-- 176 --
You know the wager? note note
Ham.
Very well note, my lord;
Your grace has note laid note the note odds o' the note note weaker side.
King.
I do not fear it; I have seen you both note:
But note since he is note better'd note, we note have therefore odds.
Laer.
This is too note heavy; let me see another.
Ham.
This likes me well. These foils have note all a length? note note
[They prepare note to play.
Osr.
Ay, my good lord.
King.
Set me the stoups note of wine upon that note table.
If Hamlet give note the first or second hit,
Or quit in answer of the third note exchange,
Let all the battlements their ordnance fire;
The king shall drink to Hamlet's better breath;
And in the cup an union note shall he throw,
Richer than that which four successive kings
In Denmark's crown have worn. Give me the cups note;
And let the kettle to the trumpet note speak,
The trumpet note to the cannoneer without,
The cannons to the heavens, the heaven to note earth,
-- 177 --
note
‘Now the king drinks to Hamlet.’ note Come, begin;
And you, the judges, bear a wary eye.
Ham.
Come on, sir.
Laer.
Come, my lord. note
[They play. note
Ham.
One.
Laer.
No.
Ham.
Judgement.
Osr.
A hit, a very palpable note hit.
Laer.
Well; again.
King.
Stay; give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is thine; note
Here's to thy health.
[Trumpets note sound, and cannon shot off within.
Give him the cup.
Ham.
I'll play this bout first; set it note by awhile.
Come. note [They play.] note Another hit; what say you?
Laer.
A touch, a touch, note I do confess note.
King.
Our son shall win.
Queen.
He's fat note and scant of breath.
Here, Hamlet, take my napkin note, rub note thy brows: note
The queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.
Ham.
Good note madam!
King.
Gertrude note, do not drink.
-- 178 --
Queen.
note
I will, my lord; I pray you, pardon me. note
King. [Aside] note
It is the poison'd cup; it is too late.
Ham.
I dare not drink yet, madam; by and by. note
Queen.
Come, let me wipe thy face.
Laer.
My lord, note I'll hit him now.
King.
I do not think't.
Laer. [Aside] note
And yet it is almost against note my conscience.
Ham.
Come, for the third, Laertes: you note but dally; note
I pray you, pass with your best violence;
I am afeard note you make a wanton of me.
Laer.
Say you so? come on.
[They play. note
Osr.
Nothing, neither way.
Laer.
Have at you now!
[Laertes wounds Hamlet; then, in scuffling, they change rapiers, and Hamlet wounds Laertes. note
King.
Part them; they are incensed.
Ham.
Nay, come, again. note
[The Queen falls. note
Osr.
Look to the queen there, ho note! note
Hor.
They bleed on both sides. How is it note, my lord?
Osr.
How is't, Laertes? note
Laer.
Why, as a woodcock to mine note own note springe note, Osric note; note
-- 179 --
I am note justly kill'd with mine own treachery.
Ham.
How does the queen?
King.
She swounds note to see them bleed.
Queen.
No, no, the drink, the drink,—O my dear Hamlet,—
The drink, the drink! note I am poison'd note.
[Dies. note
Ham.
O villany note! Ho! note let the door be lock'd:
Treachery! seek it out.
Laer.
It is here, Hamlet: Hamlet note, thou art slain; note
No medicine note in the world can do thee good,
In thee there is not half an hour of note life;
The treacherous instrument is in thy hand note,
Unbated note and envenom'd: the foul practice
Hath turn'd itself on me; lo, note here I lie,
Never to rise again: thy mother's poison'd note:
I can note no more: the king, the king's to blame note.
Ham.
The point envenom'd note too!
Then, venom, to thy note work. note note
[Stabs the King. note
All.
Treason! treason!
-- 180 --
King.
O, yet defend me, friends; I am but hurt.
Ham.
Here note, thou incestuous note, murderous note, damned Dane, note
Drink off this note potion: is thy union note here?
Follow my mother.
[King dies. note
Laer.
He is justly served;
It is a poison temper'd note by himself. note
Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet:
Mine and my father's death come not upon note thee,
Nor thine on me! note
[Dies. note
Ham.
Heaven make thee free note of it! I follow thee.
I am note dead, Horatio. Wretched queen, adieu!
You that look pale and tremble at this chance,
That are but mutes or audience to this note act,
Had I but time—as this fell sergeant, death,
Is strict in his note arrest—O note, I could tell you— note
But let it be. Horatio, I am dead;
Thou livest; report me and my cause aright note
To the note unsatisfied.
Hor.
note
Never believe note it:
I am note more an antique note Roman than a Dane:
-- 181 --
Here's yet some liquor left.
Ham.
As thou'rt note a man,
note
Give me the cup: let go; by heaven, note I'll have't note. note
O good Horatio note, what a wounded name,
Things standing thus unknown, shall live note behind me!
If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart,
note
Absent thee from felicity awhile,
And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain,
To tell my story note.
[March afar off, and shot within. note
note
What warlike noise is this? note
note
Osr.
Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland,
To the note ambassadors note of England gives
This warlike volley. note
Ham.
O, I die, Horatio;
The potent poison quite note o'er-crows note my spirit:
I cannot live to hear the news from England;
But I do prophesy the election lights
On Fortinbras: he has my dying voice;
So tell him, with the occurrents, more and less note,
Which have solicited. note The rest is silence note. note
[Dies. note
-- 182 --
Hor.
Now note cracks note a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince note note, note
And flights note of angels sing note thee to thy rest!
[March within. note
Why does the drum come hither?
Enter note Fortinbras, and the English Ambassadors, with drum, colours, and Attendants.
Fort.
Where is this note sight?
Hor.
What is it you note would see?
If aught of woe or wonder, cease your search. note
Fort.
This note quarry cries on note havoc. O proud note death,
What feast is toward in thine eternal note cell,
That thou so many princes at a shot note
So bloodily hast struck note?
First Amb. note
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 fulfill'd,
That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead:
Where should we have our thanks?
Hor.
Not from his mouth
Had it the ability of life note to thank you:
He never gave commandment note for their death.
-- 183 --
But since, so jump note upon this bloody question,
You from the Polack note wars, and you from England,
Are here arrived, give order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the view note;
And let me speak to the yet note unknowing world
How these things came about: so shall you hear
Of carnal note, bloody and unnatural acts,
Of accidental judgements, casual slaughters,
Of deaths note put on by cunning and forced cause note,
And, in this upshot, purposes mistook
Fall'n on the inventors' heads: all this can I
Truly deliver.
Fort.
Let us haste to hear it,
And call the noblest note to the audience.
For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune:
I have some rights note of memory in this kingdom,
Which now to note claim my vantage note doth invite me. note
Hor.
Of that I shall have also note cause to speak,
And from his mouth whose voice will draw on more note: note
But let this same note be presently perform'd,
Even while note men's minds are wild; lest more mischance note
On plots and note errors happen.
Fort.
Let four captains
Bear Hamlet, like a soldier, to the note stage;
-- 184 --
For he was likely, had he been put on,
To have proved most royally note: and, for his passage, note
The soldiers' music and the rites note of war
Speak loudly for him.
Take up the bodies note: such a sight as this
Becomes the field, but here shows much amiss note.
Go, bid the soldiers shoot.
[A dead march. note Exeunt note, bearing off the bodies: after which a peal of ordnance is shot off.
