Ham.
So much for this, Sir; now let me see the other,
You do remember all the circumstance.

Hor.
Remember it, my Lord?

Ham.
Sir, in my Heart there was a kind of fighting,
That would not let me sleep; methought I lay
Worse than the mutineers in the Bilboes; rashly,
(And prais'd be rashness for it) let us know
Our Indiscretion sometimes serves us well,
When our dear Plots do pall; and that should teach us,
There's a Divinity that shapes our ends,
Rough-hew them how we will.

Hor.
That is most certain.

Ham.
Up from my Cabin,
My Sea-Gown scarft about me, in the dark,
Grop'd I to find out them; had my desire,
Finger'd their Packet, and in fine withdrew
To mine own Room again, making so bold,
My Fears forgetting Manners, to unseal
Their grand Commission, where I found, Horatio,
Oh Royal knavery! an exact command,
Larded with many several sorts of reason,
Importing Denmark's Health, and England's too,
With hoo, such Buggs and Goblins in my life,
That on the supervize, no leisure bated,
No not to stay the grinding of the Axe,
My Head should be struck off.

Hor.
Is't possible?

Ham.
Here's the Commission, read it at more leisure;
But wilt thou hear how I did proceed?

Hor.
I beseech you.

Ham.
Being thus benetted round with Villains,
E'er I could make a Prologue to my Brains,

They had begun the Play. I sate me down,
Devis'd a new Commission, wrote it fair:
I once did hold it as our Statists do,
A baseness to write fair; and labour'd much,
How to forget that learning; But, Sir, now
It did me Yeoman's service; wilt thou know
The effects 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, as the Palm should flourish,
As Peace should still her wheaten Garland wear,
And stand a Comma 'tween their amities,
And many such like As's of great charge,
That on the view and know of these contents,
Without debatement further, more or less,
He should the bearers put to sudden death,
No shriving time allowed.

Hor.
How was this seal'd?

Ham.
Why even in that was Heav'n ordinate;
I had my Father's Signet in my Purse,
Which was the Model of that Danish Seal:
I folded the Writ up in form of the other,
Subscrib'd it, gave th' Impression, plac'd it safely,
The Changeling never known: Now, the next day
Was our Sea-fight, and what to this was sequent,
Thou know'st already.

Hor.
So, Guildenstern and Roseneraus, go to't.

Ham.
Why Man, they did make love to this employment,
They are not near my Conscience; their debate
Doth by their own insinuation grow:
'Tis dangerous when baser nature comes
Between the pass, and fell incensed points
Of mighty opposites.

Hor.
Why, what a King is this!

Ham.
Does it not, think'st thou, stand me now upon?
He that hath kill'd my King, and whor'd my Mother,
Popt in between th' election and my hopes,
Thrown out his Angle for my proper life,
And with such cozenage; is't not perfect Conscience,
To quit him with his arm? And is't not to be damn'd,

To let this Canker of our Nature come
In further evil?

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's mine, and a Man's Life's no more
Than to say one: But I am very sorry, good Horatio,
That to Laertes I forgot my self;
For by the Image of my cause I see
The Pourtraiture of his; I'll court his favours:
But sure the bravery of his grief did put me
Into a towring Passion.

Hor.
Peace, who comes here? Enter Osrick.

Osr.
Your Lordship is right welcome back to Denmark.

Ham.
I humbly thank you, Sir. Dost know this water-fly?

Hor.
No, my good Lord.

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 Messe; 'tis a Chough; but as I say, spacious in the possession of dirt.

Osr.

Sweet Lord, if your friendship were at leisure, I should impart a thing to you from his Majesty.

Ham.

I will receive it with all diligence of Spirit; put your Bonnet to his right use, 'tis for the Head.

Osr.

I thank your Lordship, 'tis very hot.

Ham.

No, believe me, 'tis very cold, the wind is Northerly.

Osr.

It is indifferent cold, my Lord, indeed.

Ham.

Methinks it is very sultry, and hot for my Complexion.

Osr.

Exceedingly, my Lord, it is very sultry, as 'twere, I cannot tell how: but, my Lord, his Majesty bid me signifie to you, that he has laid a great wager on your head: Sir, this is the matter—

Ham.

I beseech you remember.

Osr.

Nay in good faith, for mine ease in good faith: Sir, you are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is at his weapon.

Ham.

What's his weapon?

Osr.

Rapier and Dagger.

Ham.

That's two of his Weapons; but well.

Osr.

The King, Sir, has wag'd with him six Barbary Horses, against the which he impon'd, as I take it, six French Rapiers and Poinards, with their Assigns, as Girdle, Hangers, or so: 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?

Osr.

The carriages, Sir, are the Hangers.

Ham.

The Phrase would be more germane to the matter, if we could carry Cannon by our sides; I would it might be Hangers 'till then; but on, six Barbary Horses, against six French Swords, their Assigns, and three liberal conceited carriages, that's the French; but against the Danish, why is this impon'd, as you call it?

Osr.

The King, Sir, hath laid that in a dozen passes between you and him, he shall not exceed you three hits; He hath laid on twelve for nine, and that 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, 'tis the breathing time of day with me; let the Foils be brought, the Gentleman willing, and the King hold his purpose; I will win for him if I can: if not, I'll gain nothing but my shame, and the odd hits.

Osr.

Shall I redeliver you e'en so?

Ham.

To this effect, Sir, after what flourish your nature will.

Osr.

I commend my duty to your Lordship.

Ham.

Yours, yours; he does well to commend it himself, there are no tongues else for's turn.

Hor.

This Lapwing runs away with the shell on his Head.

Ham.

He did so with his Dug before he suck'd it: thus has he and nine more of the same Beavy that I know the droslie Age dotes on, only got the tune of the time, and outward habit of encounter, a kind of yesty Collection,

which carries them through and through the most fond and winnowed Opinions; and do but blow them to their Trials, the Bubbles are out.

Lord.

My Lord, his Majesty commended him to you by young Osrick, 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?

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 some gentle entertainment to Laertes before you go to play.

Ham.

She well instructs me.

Hor.

You will lose this Wager, 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 thou wouldest not think how all's here about my Heart: but it is no matter.

Hor.

Nay, good my Lord.

Ham.

It is but foolery; but it is such a kind of gain-giving as would perhaps trouble a Woman.

Hor.

If your mind dislike any thing, obey. I will forestal their repair hither, and say you are not fit.

Ham.

Not a whit, we defie Augury; there's a special Providence in the fall of a Sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to come: if it be not to come, it will be now: if it be not now, yet it will come; the readiness is all; since no Man has ought of what he leaves, what is't to leave betimes?

King.
Come, Hamlet, come, and take this Hand from me.

Ham.
Give me your pardon, Sir, I've done you wrong,
But pardon't, as you are a Gentleman.
This Presence knows, and you must needs have heard
How I am punish'd with sore distraction.
What I have done

That might your Nature, Honour, 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, do's wrong Laertes;
Then Hamlet do's it not, Hamlet denies it:
Who does it then? His madness. If't be so,
Hamlet is of the Faction that is wrong'd,
His madness is poor Hamlet's Enemy.
Sir, in this Audience,
Let my disclaiming from a purpos'd evil,
Free me so far in your most generous thoughts,
That I have shot mine Arrow o'er the House,
And hurt my Mother.

Laer.
I am satisfi d 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 of known honour,
I have a Voice, and president of peace
To keep my Name ungorg'd. But 'till that time,
I do receive your offer'd love like love,
And will not wrong it.

Ham.
I do embrace it freely,
And will this Brother's Wager frankly play,
Gives us the Foils: Come on.

Laer.
Come one for me.

Ham.
I'll be your Foil, Laertes, in mine ignorance,
Your skill shall like a Star i'th' brightest Night,
Stick fiery off indeed.

Laer.
You mock me, Sir.

Ham.
No, by this Hand.

King.
Give the Foils, young Osrick.
Cousin Hamlet, you know the Wager.

Ham.
Very well, my Lord,
Your Grace hath laid the odds o'th' weaker side.

King.
I do not fear it, I have seen you both:
But since he is better'd, we have therefore odds.

Laer.
This is too heavy,
Let me see another.

Ham.
This likes me well;
These Foils have all a length? [Prepare to Play.

Osr.
Ay, my good Lord.

King.
Set me the Stopes of Wine upon that Table:
If Hamlet give the first, or second hit,
Or quit in answer of a third exchange,
Let all the Battlements their Ordnance fire.
The King shall drink to Hamlet's better breath,
And in the Cup an Union shall he throw
Richer than that, which four successive Kings
In Denmark's Crown have worn. Give me the Cups,
And let the Kettle to the Trumpets speak,
The Trupets to the Canoneer without,
The Canons to the Heav'ns, the Heav'n to Earth,
Now the King drinks to Hamlet. Come, begin,
And you the Judges bear a wary Eye.

Ham.
Come on, Sir.

Laer.
Come on, Sir. [They play.

Ham.
One.

Laer.
No.

Ham.
Judgment.

Osr.
A hit, a very palpable hit.

Laer.
Well—again—

King.
Stay, give me drink. Hamlet, this Pearl is thine,
Here's to thy health. Give him the Cup. [Trumpet sound, Shot goes off.

Ham.
I'll play this bout first, set it by a while.
Come—another hit—what say you? [They Play again.

Laer.
A touch, a touch, I do confess.

King.
Our Son shall win.

Queen.
He's fat, and scant of breath.
Here's a Napkin, rub thy brows,
The Queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.

Ham.
Good Madam—

King.
Gertrude, do not drink.

Queen.
I will, my Lord; I pray you pardon me.

King.
It is the poison'd Cup, it is too late. [Aside.

Ham.
I dare not drink yet, Madam, by and by.

Queen.
Come, let me wipe thy Face.

Laer.
My Lord, I'll hit him now.

King.
I do not think't.

Laer.
And yet 'tis almost 'gainst my Conscience. [Aside.

Ham.
Come, for the third. Laertes, you but dally,
I pray you pass with your best violence,
I am afraid you make a wanton of me.

Laer.
Say you so? Come on. [Play.

Osr.
Nothing neither way.

Laer.
Have at you now. [Laertes wounds Hamlet, then in scuffling they change Rapiers, and Hamlet wounds Laertes.

King.
Part them, they are incens'd.

Ham.
Nay, come again—

Osr.
Look to the Queen there, ho!

Hor.
They bleed on both sides. How is't, my Lord?

Osr.
How is't Laertes?

Laer.
Why, as a Woodcock to my Sprindge, Osrick,
I am justly kill'd with mine own treachery.

Ham.
How does the Queen?

King.
She swoons to see them bleed.

Queen.
No, no, the drink, the drink—
Oh my dear Hamlet, the drink, the drink,—
I am poison'd— [Queen dies.

Ham.
Oh Villany! How? Let the door be lock'd:
Treachery! seek it out—

Laer.
It is here, Hamlet. Hamlet, thou art slain,
No Medicine in the World can do thee good.
In thee there is not half an hour of life;
The treacherous Instrument is in thy hand,
Unbated and envenom'd: the foul practice
Hath turn'd it self on me. Lo, here I lye,
Never to rise again; thy Mother's poison'd;
I can no more—the King, the King's to blame.

Ham.
The point envenom'd too,
Then venom to thy work. [Stabs the King.

All.
Treason, Treason.

King.
O yet defend me, Friends, I am but hurt.

Ham.
Here thou incestuous, murd'rous, damned Dane,
Drink off this Potion: Is thy Union here?
Follow my Mother. [King dies.

Laer.
He is justly serv'd.

It is a poison temper'd by himself.
Exchange forgiveness with me, Noble Hamlet;
Mine and my Father's Death come not upon thee,
Nor thine on me. [Dies.

Ham.
Heav'n make thee free of it, I follow thee,
I am dead, Horatio; wretched Queen, adieu.
You that look pale and tremble at this chance,
That are but Mutes or audience at this Act,
Had I but time, (as this fell Serjeant Death
Is strict in his Arrest) oh I could tell you,
But let it be—Horatio, I am dead,
Thou liv'st, report me and my causes right
To the unsatisfied.

Hor.
Never believe it.
I am more an Antique Roman than a Dane;
Here's yet some Liquor left

Ham.
As th'art a Man, give me the Cup,
Let go, by Heav'n I'll hav't.
Oh, good Horatio, what a wounded name,
Things standing thus unknown, shall live behind me?
If thou didst ever hold me in thy Heart,
Absent thee from felicity a while,
And in this harsh World draw thy breath in pain,
To tell my story. [March afar off, and shout within.
What warlike noise is this? Enter Osrick.

Osr.
Young Fortinbras, with Conquest come from Poland,
To th' Ambassadors of England gives this Warlike Volley.

Ham.
O, I die, Horatio:
The potent poison quite o'er-crows my Spirit,
I cannot live to hear the News from England.
But I do prophesie th' election lights
On Fortinbras, he has my dying Voice,
So tell him with the occurrents more or less,
Which have solicited.—The rest is silence, O, O, O. [Dies.

Hor.
Now cracks a noble Heart; good Night, sweet Prince;
And flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest.
Why do's the Drum come hither?

Enter Fortinbras and English Ambassador, with Drum, Colours, and Attendants.

Fort.
Where is the sight?

Hor.
What is it you would see?
If ought of woe or wonder, cease your search.

Fort.
This quarry cries on Havock. Oh proud death!
What Feast is toward in thine eternal Cell,
That thou so many Princes at a shoot,
So bloodily hast struck?

Amb.
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 Command'ment is fulfill'd,
That Roseneraus and Guildenstern are dead:
Where should we have our thanks?

Hor.
Not from his mouth,
Had it th' ability of life to thank you:
He never gave Command'ment for their Death.
But since so jump upon this bloody question,
You from the Polack Wars, and you from England
Are here arriv'd: Give order that these Bodies
High on a Stage be placed to the view,
And let me sp ak to th' yet unknowing World,
How these things came about. So shall you hear
Of cruel, bloody, and unnatural acts,
Of accidental judgments, casual slaughters,
Of Deaths put on by cunning, and forc'd cause,
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 to the Audience.
For me, with sorrow, I embrace my Fortune,
I have some rights of Memory in this Kingdom,
Which now to claim, my vantage doth
Invite me.

Hor.
Of that I shall have also cause to speak,
And from his mouth whose Voice will draw no more:
But let this same be presently perform'd,
Even whiles Mens minds are wild, lest more mischance

On plots, and errors happen.

Fort.
Let four Captains
Bear Hamlet like a Soldier off the Stage,
For he was likely, had he been put on,
To have prov'd most royally: and for his passage,
The Soldiers Musick, and the rites of War
Speak loudly for him.
Take up the Body: Such a sight as this,
Becomes the Field, but here shews much amiss.
Go, bid the Soldiers shoot. [Exeunt Marching: after which, a Peal of Ordnance are shot off.

KING LEAR. A TRAGEDY.

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