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William Aldis Wright [1863–1866], The works of William Shakespeare edited by William George Clark... and John Glover [and William Aldis Wright] (Macmillan and Co., London) [word count] [S10701].
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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.
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William Aldis Wright [1863–1866], The works of William Shakespeare edited by William George Clark... and John Glover [and William Aldis Wright] (Macmillan and Co., London) [word count] [S10701].
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