Note return to page 1 Charles Kean's characteristically Victorian acting edition of HAMLET, recording his 1859 production at the Princess's Theatre, transposes scenes and cuts the play still more heavily than had its eighteenth-century predecessors, in order to make way for the lavish ‘historical’ stage designs and pictorial effects which are explained and justified at length in the edition's notes.

Note return to page 2 1Me:] i. e., me who am already on the watch, and have a right to demand the watch-word.

Note return to page 3 2Unfold] Announce, make known.

Note return to page 4 3Long live the king.] The watch-word.

Note return to page 5 4The rivals of my watch,] Rivals, for partners or associates.

Note return to page 6 5And liegemen to the Dane.] i. e., owing allegiance to Denmark.

Note return to page 7 6A piece of him.] Probably a cant expression.

Note return to page 8 7To watch the minutes of this night;] This seems to have been an expression common in Shakespeare's time.

Note return to page 9 8Approve our eyes,] To approve, in Shakespeare's age, signified to make good or establish.

Note return to page 10 9What we have seen.] We must here supply “with,” or “by relating” before “what we have seen.”

Note return to page 11 10It harrows me with fear and wonder.] i. e., it confounds and overwhelms me.

Note return to page 12 11Usurp'st this time of night,] i. e., abuses, uses against right, and the order of things.

Note return to page 13 12I might not this believe, &c.] I could not: it had not been permitted me, &c., without the full and perfect evidence, &c.

Note return to page 14 13Jump at this dead hour,] Jump and just were synonymous in Shakespeare's time.

Note return to page 15 14In what particular thought to work,] In what particular course to set my thoughts at work: in what particular train to direct the mind and exercise it in conjecture.

Note return to page 16 15Gross and scope] Upon the whole, and in a general view.

Note return to page 17 16Bodes some strange eruption to our state,] i. e., some political distemper, which will break out in dangerous consequences.

Note return to page 18 17Palmy state] Outspread, flourishing. Palm branches were the emblem of victory.

Note return to page 19 18Sound, or use of voice,] Articulation.

Note return to page 20 19Uphoarded in thy life Extorted treasure in the womb of earth,] So in Decker's Knight's Conjuring, &c. “If any of them had bound the spirit of gold by any charmes in caves, or in iron fetters, under the ground, they should, for their own soule's quiet (which, questionless, else would whine up and down,) not for the good of their children, release it.”

Note return to page 21 20And then it started like a guilty thing Upon a fearful summons.] Apparitions were supposed to fly from the crowing of the cock, because it indicated the approach of day.

Note return to page 22 21Lofty] High and loud.

Note return to page 23 22The extravagant and erring spirit] Extravagant is, got out of his bounds. Erring is here used in the sense of wandering.

Note return to page 24 23Laertes is unknown in the original story, being an introduction of Shakespeare's.

Note return to page 25 24Green;] Fresh.

Note return to page 26 25Wisest sorrow] Sober grief, passion discreetly reined.

Note return to page 27 26With a defeated joy,] i. e., with joy baffled; with joy interrupted by grief.

Note return to page 28 27Barr'd] Excluded—acted without the concurrence of.

Note return to page 29 28Your leave and favour] The favour of your leave granted, the kind permission. Two substantives with a copulative being here, as is the frequent practice of our author, used for an adjective and substantive: an adjective sense is given to a substantive.

Note return to page 30 29Upon his will I sealed my hard consent:] At or upon his earnest and importunate suit, I gave my full and final, though hardly obtained and reluctant, consent.

Note return to page 31 30Take thy fair hour! time be thine; And thy best graces spend it at thy will!] Catch the auspicious moment! be time thine own! and may the exercise of thy fairest virtue fill up those hours, that are wholly at your command!

Note return to page 32 31A little more than kin, and less than kind.] Dr. Johnson says that kind is the Teutonic word for child. Hamlet, therefore, answers to the titles of cousin and son, which the king had given him, that he was somewhat more than cousin, and less than son. Steevens remarks, that it seems to have been another proverbial phrase: “The nearer we are in blood, the further we must be from love; the greater the kindred is, the less the kindness must be.” Kin is still used in the Midland Counties for cousin, and kind signifies nature. Hamlet may, therefore, mean that the relationship between them had become unnatural.

Note return to page 33 32I am too much i'the sun.] Meaning, probably, his being sent for from his studies to be exposed at his uncle's marriage as his chiefest courtier, and being thereby placed too much in the radiance of the king's presence; or, perhaps, an allusion to the proverb, “Out of Heaven's blessing, into the warm sun:” but it is not unlikely that a quibble is meant between son and sun.

Note return to page 34 33Nighted colour] Black—night-like.

Note return to page 35 34Vailed lids] Cast down.

Note return to page 36 35Which passeth show;] i. e., “external manners of lament.”

Note return to page 37 36Trappings] Trappings are “furnishings.”

Note return to page 38 37That father lost, lost his;] “That lost father (of your father, i. e., your grandfather), or father so lost, lost his.”

Note return to page 39 38Do obsequious sorrow:] Follow with becoming and ceremonious observance the memory of the deceased.

Note return to page 40 39But to perséver] This word was anciently accented on the second syllable.

Note return to page 41 40Obstinate condolement,] Ceaseless and unremitted expression of grief.

Note return to page 42 41Incorrect to Heaven.] Contumacious towards Heaven.

Note return to page 43 42Unprevailing] Fruitless, unprofitable.

Note return to page 44 43Sits smiling to my heart:] To is at: gladdens my heart.

Note return to page 45 44In grace whereof,] i. e., respectful regard or honour of which.

Note return to page 46 45No jocund health, that Denmark drinks to-day,] Dr. Johnson remarks, that the king's intemperance is very strongly impressed; everything that happens to him gives him occasion to drink. The Danes were supposed to be hard drinkers.

Note return to page 47 46Resolve itself] To resolve is an old word signifying to dissolve.

Note return to page 48 47His canon] i. e., his rule or law.

Note return to page 49 48The uses of this world!] i. e., the habitudes and usages of life.

Note return to page 50 49Merely.] Wholly—entirely.

Note return to page 51 50Hyperion to a satyr:] An allusion to the exquisite beauty of Apollo, compared with the deformity of a satyr; that satyr, perhaps, being Pan, the brother of Apollo. Our great poet is here guilty of a false quantity, by calling Hyp&eshort;r&ibar;on, Hyp&ebar;r&ishort;on, a mistake not unusual among our English poets.

Note return to page 52 51Might not beteem] i. e., might not allow, permit.

Note return to page 53 52I'll change that name with you.] i. e., do not call yourself my servant, you are my friend; so I shall call you, and so I would have you call me.

Note return to page 54 53In faith.] Faithfully, in pure and simple verity.

Note return to page 55 54But what make you] What is your object? What are you doing?

Note return to page 56 55What, in faith, make you from Wittenberg?] In Shakespeare's time there was a university at Wittenberg; but as it was not founded till 1502, it consequently did not exist in the time to which this play refers.

Note return to page 57 56My dearest foe] i. e., my direst or most important foe. This epithet was commonly used to denote the strongest and liveliest interest in any thing or person, for or against.

Note return to page 58 57Goodly king.] i. e., a good king.

Note return to page 59 58Season your admiration for a while With an attent ear;] i. e., suppress your astonishment for a short time, that you may be the better able to give your attention to what we will relate.

Note return to page 60 59In the dead waste and middle of the night,] i. e., in the dark and desolate vast, or vacant space and middle of the night. It was supposed that spirits had permission to range the earth by night alone.

Note return to page 61 60With the act of fear,] i. e., by the influence or power of fear.

Note return to page 62 61Address] i. e., make ready.

Note return to page 63 62Writ down] Prescribed by our own duty.

Note return to page 64 63He wore his beaver up.] That part of the helmet which may be lifted up, to take breath the more freely.

Note return to page 65 64Tenable] i. e., strictly maintained.

Note return to page 66 65Benefit,] Favourable means.

Note return to page 67 66Trifling of his favour,] Gay and thoughtless intimation.

Note return to page 68 67Pérfume and suppliance of a minute.] i. e., an amusement to fill up a vacant moment, and render it agreeable.

Note return to page 69 68Keep within the rear of your affection,] Front not the peril; withdraw or check every warm emotion: advance not so far as your affection would lead you.

Note return to page 70 69The chariest maid] Chary is cautious.

Note return to page 71 70Puff'd and reckless libertine.] Bloated and swollen, the effect of excess; and heedless and indifferent to consequences.

Note return to page 72 71Recks not his own read.] i. e., heeds not his own lessons or counsel.

Note return to page 73 72Shoulder of your sail,] A common sea phrase.

Note return to page 74 73Look thou charácter.] i. e., a word often used by Shakespeare to signify to write, strongly infix; the accent is on the second syllable.

Note return to page 75 74Unproportion'd thought] Irregular, disorderly thought.

Note return to page 76 75Each man's censure,] Sentiment, opinion.

Note return to page 77 76Chief in that.] i. e., chiefly in that.

Note return to page 78 77Husbandry] i. e., thrift, economical prudence.

Note return to page 79 78Season this in thee!] i. e., infix it in such a manner as that it may never wear out.

Note return to page 80 79Yourself shall keep the key of it.] Thence it shall not be dismissed, till you think it needless to retain it.

Note return to page 81 80Given private time to you;] Spent his time in private visits to you.

Note return to page 82 81As so 'tis put on me,] Suggested to, impressed on me.

Note return to page 83 82Is between] i. e., what has passed—what intercourse had.

Note return to page 84 83Green girl, Unsifted] i. e., inexperienced girl. Unsifted means one who has not nicely canvassed and examined the peril of her situation.

Note return to page 85 84Woodcocks.] Witless things.

Note return to page 86 85Slander any leisure moment,] i. e., I would not have you so disgrace your most idle moments, as not to find better employment for them than lord Hamlet's conversation.

Note return to page 87 86An eager air.] Eager here means sharp, from aigre, French.

Note return to page 88 87Doth wake to-night,] i. e., holds a late revel.

Note return to page 89 88Takes his rouse,] Rouse means drinking bout, carousal.

Note return to page 90 89Questionable shape,] To question, in our author's time, signified to converse. Questionable, therefore, means capable of being conversed with.

Note return to page 91 90Hearsed in death,] Deposited with the accustomed funeral rites.

Note return to page 92 91Cerements;] Those precautions usually adopted in preparing dead bodies for sepulture.

Note return to page 93 92Fools of nature] i. e., making sport for nature.

Note return to page 94 93Disposition] Frame of mind and body.

Note return to page 95 94Removèd ground:] Removed for remote.

Note return to page 96 95At a pin's fee;] i. e., the value of a pin.

Note return to page 97 96What if it tempt you toward the flood, &c.] Malignant spirits were supposed to entice their victims into places of gloom and peril, and exciting in them the deepest terror.

Note return to page 98 97Beetles o'er his base into the sea,] i. e., projects darkly over the sea.

Note return to page 99 98Némean lion's nerve.] Shakespeare, and nearly all the poets of his time, disregarded the quantity of Latin names. The poet has here placed the accent on the first syllable, instead of the second.

Note return to page 100 99That lets me:] To let, in the sense in which it is here used, means to hinder—to obstruct—to oppose. The word is derived from the Saxon.

Note return to page 101 100To fast in fires,] Chaucer has a similar passage with regard to eternal punishment—“And moreover the misery of Hell shall be in default of meat and drink.”

Note return to page 102 101Harrow up thy soul;] Agitate and convulse.

Note return to page 103 102Hair to stand on end,] A common image of that day. “Standing as frighted with erected haire.”

Note return to page 104 103The fretful porcupine:] This animal being considered irascible and timid.

Note return to page 105 104Eternal blazon] i. e., publication or divulgation of things eternal.

Note return to page 106 105Rots itself in ease on Lethe wharf,] i. e., in indolence and sluggishness, by its torpid habits contributes to that morbid state of its juices which may figuratively be denominated rottenness.

Note return to page 107 106Orchard,] Garden.

Note return to page 108 107Forged process] i. e., false report of proceedings.

Note return to page 109 108Decline upon a wretch.] Stoop with degradation to.

Note return to page 110 109Secure] Unguarded.

Note return to page 111 110Hebenon] Hebenon is described by Nares in his Glossary, as the juice of ebony, supposed to be a deadly poison.

Note return to page 112 111Despatch'd:] Despoiled—bereft.

Note return to page 113 112Unhousel'd, disappointed, unanel'd;] To housel is to minister the sacrament to one lying on his death bed. Disappointed is the same as unappointed, which here means unprepared. Unanel'd is without extreme unction.

Note return to page 114 113Luxury] Lasciviousness.

Note return to page 115 114Pale his uneffectual fire:] i. e., not seen by the light of day; or it may mean, shining without heat.

Note return to page 116 115In this distracted globe.] i. e., his head distracted with thought.

Note return to page 117 116Pressures past,] Impressions heretofore made.

Note return to page 118 117Come, bird, come.] This is the call which falconers used to their hawk in the air when they would have him come down to them.

Note return to page 119 118There's ne'er a villain dwelling in all Denmark— But he's an arrant knave.] Hamlet probably begins these words in the ardour of confidence and sincerity; but suddenly alarmed at the magnitude of the disclosure he was going to make, and considering that, not his friend Horatio only, but another person was present, he breaks off suddenly:—“There's ne'er a villain in all Denmark that can match (perhaps he would have said) my uncle in villainy; but recollecting the danger of such a declaration, he pauses for a moment, and then abruptly concludes:—“but he's an arrant knave.”

Note return to page 120 119Whirling words,] Random words thrown out with no specific aim.

Note return to page 121 120By Saint Patrick,] At this time all the whole northern world had their learning from Ireland; to which place it had retired, and there flourished under the auspices of this Saint.

Note return to page 122 121O'er-master it] Get the better of it.

Note return to page 123 122Give it welcome.] Receive it courteously, as you would a stranger when introduced.

Note return to page 124 123Antick disposition] i. e., strange, foreign to my nature, a disposition which Hamlet assumes as a protection against the danger which he apprehends from his uncle. and as a cloak for the concealment of his own meditated designs.

Note return to page 125 124Arms encumber'd thus,] i. e., folded.

Note return to page 126 125Friending to you—shall not lack] Disposition to serve you shall not be wanting.

Note return to page 127 1Polonius,] Doctor Johnson describes Polonius as “a man bred in courts, exercised in business, stored with observation, confident in his knowledge, proud of his eloquence, and declining into dotage. A man positive and confident, because he knows his mind was once strong, and knows not that it is become weak.” The idea of dotage encroaching upon wisdom will solve all the phenomena of the character of Polonius.

Note return to page 128 2His bulk,] Frame.

Note return to page 129 3Ecstacy of love;] i. e., madness of love. In this sense the word is now obsolete.

Note return to page 130 4This must be known; which being kept close, might move More grief to hide than hate to utter love.] i. e., this must be made known to the king, for (being kept secret) the hiding Hamlet's love might occasion more mischief to us from him and the queen, than the uttering or revealing of it will occasion hate and resentment from Hamlet. It was the custom of Shakespeare's age, to conclude acts and scenes with a couplet, a custom which was continued for nearly a century afterwards.

Note return to page 131 5The understanding of himself.] i. e., the just estimate of himself.

Note return to page 132 6Vouchsafe your rest] Please to reside.

Note return to page 133 7Of us,] i. e., over us.

Note return to page 134 8In the full bent,] To the full stretch and range—a term derived from archery.

Note return to page 135 9The trail of policy] The trail is the course of an animal pursued by the scent.

Note return to page 136 10Expostulate] To expostulate is to discuss, to put the pros and cons, to answer demands upon the question. Expose is an old term of similar import.

Note return to page 137 11Perpend.] i. e., reflect, consider attentively.

Note return to page 138 12Most beautified Ophelia,] Heywood, in his History of Edward VI., says “Katharine Parre, Queen Dowager to King Henry VIII., was a woman beautified with many excellent virtues.” The same expression is frequently used by other old authors.

Note return to page 139 13In her excellent white bosom,] The ladies, in Shakespeare's time, wore pockets in the front of their stays.

Note return to page 140 14These, &c.] In our poet's time, the word these was usually added at the end of the superscription of letters.

Note return to page 141 15I am ill at these numbers;] No talent for these rhymes.

Note return to page 142 16O most best,] An ancient mode of expression.

Note return to page 143 17Whilst this machine is to him,] Belongs to, obey his impulse; so long as he is “a sensible warm motion,” the similar expression to “While my wits are my own.”

Note return to page 144 18And more above,] i. e., moreover, besides.

Note return to page 145 19His solicitings,] i. e., his love-making, his tender expressions.

Note return to page 146 20If I had played the desk, or table book;] This line may either mean if I had conveyed intelligence between them, or, known of their love, if I had locked up his secret in my own breast, as closely as it were confined in a desk or table book.

Note return to page 147 21Or given my heart a winking, mute and dumb;] i. e., connived at it.

Note return to page 148 22With idle sight;] i. e., with indifference.

Note return to page 149 23Round to work,] i. e., roundly, without reserve.

Note return to page 150 24Which done, she took the fruits of my advice;] She took the fruits of advice when she obeyed advice, the advice was then made fruitful. —Johnson.

Note return to page 151 25I'll board him presently.] Accost, address him.

Note return to page 152 26You are a fishmonger.] This was an expression better understood in Shakespeare's time than at present, and no doubt was relished by the audience of the Globe Theatre as applicable to the Papists, who in Queen Elizabeth's time were esteemed enemies to the Government. Hence the proverbial phrase of He's an honest man and eats no fish; to signify he's a friend to the Government and a Protestant.

Note return to page 153 27For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a god, kissing carrion,—Have you a daughter?] i. e., Hamlet having just remarked that honesty is very rare in the world, adds, that since there is so little virtue, since corruption abounds everywhere, and maggots are bred by the sun, which is a god, even in a dead dog, Polonius ought to take care to prevent his daughter from walking in the sun, lest she should prove “a breeder of sinners;” for though conception (understanding) in general be a blessing, yet as Ophelia might chance to conceive (to be pregnant), it might be a calamity. Hamlet's abrupt question, “Have you a daughter?” is evidently intended to impress Polonius with the belief of the Prince's madness. —Malone.

Note return to page 154 28The satirical rogue] Hamlet alludes to Juvenal, who in his 10th Satire, describes the evils of long life.

Note return to page 155 29How pregnant his replies] Big with meaning.

Note return to page 156 30Beaten way of friendship,] Plain track, open and unceremonious course.

Note return to page 157 31Rights of our fellowship and consonancy of our youth,] Habits of familiar intercourse and correspondent years.

Note return to page 158 32A better proposer] An advocate of more address in shaping his aims, who could make a stronger appeal.

Note return to page 159 33Even] Without inclination any way.

Note return to page 160 34Nay, then, I have an eye of you.] i. e., I have a glimpse of your meaning. Hamlet's penetration having shown him that his two friends are set over him as spies.

Note return to page 161 35So shall my anticipation prevent your discovery, and your secrecy to the king and queen moult no feather.] Be beforehand with your discovery, and the plume and gloss of your secret pledge be in no feather shed or tarnished.

Note return to page 162 36Express] According to pattern, justly and perfectly modelled.

Note return to page 163 37Paragon] Model of perfection.

Note return to page 164 38Lenten entertainment] i. e., sparing, like the entertainments given in Lent.

Note return to page 165 39We coted them on the way;] To cote, is to pass by, to pass the side of another. It appears to be a word of French origin, and was a common sporting term in Shakespeare's time.

Note return to page 166 40The humorous man shall end his part in peace;] The fretful or capricious man shall vent the whole of his spleen undisturbed.

Note return to page 167 41The lady shall say her mind freely, or the blank verse shall halt for't.] i. e., the lady shall mar the measure of the verse, rather than not express herself freely and fully.

Note return to page 168 42Travel?] Become strollers.

Note return to page 169 43It is not very strange; for my uncle is king of Denmark;] This is a reflection on the mutability of fortune, and the variableness of man's mind.

Note return to page 170 44Make mouths at him] i. e., deride him by antic gestures and mockery.

Note return to page 171 45In little.] In miniature.

Note return to page 172 46I know a hawk from a hern-shaw.] A hernshaw is a heron or hern. To know a hawk from a hernshaw is an ancient proverb, sometimes corrupted into handsaw. Spencer quotes the proverb, as meaning, wise enough to know the hawk from its game.

Note return to page 173 47Buz, buz!] Sir William Blackstone states that buz used to be an interjection at Oxford when any one began a story that was generally known before.

Note return to page 174 48Then came each actor on his ass.] This seems to be a line of a ballad.

Note return to page 175 49Seneca cannot be too heavy, nor Plautus too light.] An English translation of the tragedies of Seneca was published in 1581, and one comedy of Plautus, viz., the Menœchme, in 1595.

Note return to page 176 50For the law of writ and the liberty, these are the only men.] The probable meaning of this passage is,—For the observance of the rules of the Drama, while they take such liberties, as are allowable, they are the only men—writ is an old word for writing.

Note return to page 177 51As by lot, God wot,] There was an old ballad entitled the song of Jephthah, from which these lines are probably quotations. The story of Jephthah was also one of the favourite subjects of ancient tapestry.

Note return to page 178 52The first row of the pious Chanson] This expression does not appear to be very well understood. Steevens tells us that the pious chansons were a kind of Christmas carols, containing some scriptural history thrown into loose rhymes, and sung about the streets. The first row appears to mean the first division of one of these.

Note return to page 179 53My abridgment comes.] Hamlet alludes to the players, whose approach will shorten his talk.

Note return to page 180 54Thy face is valanced] i. e., fringed with a beard. The valance is the fringes or drapery hanging round the tester of a bed.

Note return to page 181 55Com'st thou to beard me] To beard anciently meant to set at defiance. Hamlet having just told the player that his face is valanced, is playing upon the word beard.

Note return to page 182 56By the altitude of a chopine.] A chioppine is a high shoe, or rather clog, worn by the Italians. Venice was more famous for them than any other place. They are described as having been made of wood covered with coloured leather, and sometimes even half a yard high, their altitude being proportioned to the rank of the lady, so that they could not walk without being supported.

Note return to page 183 57Like French falconers,] The French seem to have been the first and noblest falconers in the western part of Europe. The French king sent over his falconers to show that sport to King James the First. —See Weldon's Court of King James.

Note return to page 184 58Quality;] Qualifications, faculty.

Note return to page 185 59Caviare to the general;] Caviare is the spawn of fish pickled, salted, and dried. It is imported from Russia, and was considered in the time of Shakespeare a new and fashionable luxury, not obtained or relished by the vulgar, and therefore used by him to signify anything above their comprehension—general is here used for the people.

Note return to page 186 60As much modesty as cunning.] As much propriety and decorum as skill.

Note return to page 187 61Falls with the whiff and wind of his fell sword] Our author employs the same image in almost the same phrase: “The Grecians fall Even in the fan and wind of your fair sword.” Tr. & Cress. V. 3. Tr.

Note return to page 188 62The rack] The clouds or congregated vapour.

Note return to page 189 63The mobled queen?] Mobled is veiled, muffled, disguised.

Note return to page 190 64All his visage wann'd;] i. e., turned pale or wan.

Note return to page 191 65His whole functions suiting with forms to his conceit?] i. e., his powers and faculties—the whole energies of his soul and body giving material forms to his passion, such as tone of voice, expression of face, requisite action, in accordance with the ideas that floated in his conceit or imagination.

Note return to page 192 66The cue] The point—the direction.

Note return to page 193 67Like John a-dreams,] Or dreaming John, a name apparently coined to suit a dreaming, stupid person; he seems to have been a well-known character.

Note return to page 194 68Unpregnant of my cause,] i. e., not quickened with a new desire of vengeance; not teeming with revenge.

Note return to page 195 69Defeat was made.] Overthrow.

Note return to page 196 70Lack gall to make oppression bitter;] i. e., lack gall to make me feel the bitterness of oppression.

Note return to page 197 71Kindless] Unnatural.

Note return to page 198 72About, my brains!] Wits to work.

Note return to page 199 73I'll tent him to the quick:] i. e., probe him—search his wounds.

Note return to page 200 74Blench,] Shrink, start aside.

Note return to page 201 75More relative than this:] Directly applicable.

Note return to page 202 1Forward] Disposed, inclinable.

Note return to page 203 2Assay him to] Try his disposition towards.

Note return to page 204 3O'er-raught on the way:] Reached or overtook.

Note return to page 205 4Have closely sent] i. e., privately sent.

Note return to page 206 5May here affront Ophelia:] To affront is to come face to face—to confront.

Note return to page 207 6Lawful espials,] Spies justifiably inquisitive. From the French, espier.

Note return to page 208 7Too much prov'd,] Found by too frequent experience.

Note return to page 209 8To be, or not to be, that is the question:] Hamlet is deliberating whether he should continue to live, or put an end to his existence.

Note return to page 210 9Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,] A sea of troubles among the Greeks grew into a proverbial usage; so that the expression figuratively means, the troubles of human life, which flow in upon us, and encompass us round like a sea.

Note return to page 211 10This mortal coil,] Coil is here used in each of its senses, that of turmoil or bustle, and that which entwines or wraps round.

Note return to page 212 11Must give us pause:] i. e., occasion for reflection.

Note return to page 213 12There's the respect That makes calamity of so long life;] The consideration that makes the evils of life so long submitted to, lived under.

Note return to page 214 13The whips and scorns of time,] Those sufferings of body and mind, those stripes and mortifications to which, in its course, the life of man is subjected.

Note return to page 215 14Contumely,] Contemptuousness, rudeness.

Note return to page 216 15His quietus make] Quietus means the official discharge of an account: from the Latin. Particularly in the Exchequer accounts, where it is still current. Chiefly used by authors in metaphorical senses.

Note return to page 217 16A bare bodkin?] Bodkin was an ancient term for a small dagger. In the margin of Stowe's Chronicle it is said that Cæsar was slain with bodkins.

Note return to page 218 17Who would fardels bear,] Fardel is a burden. Fardellus, low Latin.

Note return to page 219 18From whose bourn] i. e., boundary.

Note return to page 220 19No traveller returns,] The traveller whom Hamlet had seen, though he appeared in the same habit which he had worn in his life-time, was nothing but a shadow, “invulnerable as the air,” and, consequently, incorporeal. The Ghost has given us no account of the region from whence he came, being, as he himself informed us, “forbid to tell the secrets of his prison-house.” —Malone.

Note return to page 221 20Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;] A state of doubt and uncertainty, a conscious feeling or apprehension, a misgiving “How our audit stands.”

Note return to page 222 21Of great pith and moment,] i. e., of great vigour and importance.

Note return to page 223 22With this regard, their currents turn away, And lose the name of action.] From this sole consideration have their drifts diverted, and lose the character and name of enterprise.

Note return to page 224 23Soft you now!] A gentler pace! have done with lofty march!

Note return to page 225 24Nymph, in thy orisons] i. e., in thy prayers. Orison is from oraison—French.

Note return to page 226 25If you be honest and fair, your honesty should admit no discourse to your beauty.] i. e., if you really possess these qualities, chastity and beauty, and mean to support the character of both, your honesty should be so chary of your beauty, as not to suffer a thing so fragile to entertain discourse, or to be parleyed with. The lady interprets the words otherwise, giving them the turn best suited to her purpose.

Note return to page 227 26His likeness:] Shakespeare and his contemporaries frequently use the personal for the neutral pronoun.

Note return to page 228 27Inoculate our old stock, but we shall relish of it:] So change the original constitution and properties, as that no smack of them shall remain. “Inoculate our stock” are terms in gardening.

Note return to page 229 28With more offences at my beck] That is, always ready to come about me—at my beck and call.

Note return to page 230 29Than I have thoughts to put them in, &c.] “To put a thing into thought,” Johnson says, is “to think on it.”

Note return to page 231 30I have heard of your paintings,] These destructive aids of beauty seem, in the time of Shakespeare, to have been general objects of satire.

Note return to page 232 31Heaven hath given you one face, and you make yourselves another:] i. e., Heaven hath given you one face, and you disfigure his image by making yourself another.

Note return to page 233 32You jig, you amble, and you lisp,] This is an allusion to the manners of the age, which Shakespeare, in the spirit of his contemporaries, means here to satirise.

Note return to page 234 33Make your wantonness your ignorance.] You mistake by wanton affectation, and pretend to mistake by ignorance.

Note return to page 235 34All but one shall live;] One is the king.

Note return to page 236 35To a nunnery, go. Exit Hamlet.] There is no doubt that Hamlet's attachment to Ophelia is ardent and sincere, but he treats her with apparent severity because he is aware that Ophelia has been purposely thrown in his way; that spies are about them; and that it is necessary for the preservation of his life, to assume a conduct which he thought would be attributed to madness only.

Note return to page 237 36The expectancy and rose of the fair state,] The first hope and fairest flower. “The gracious mark o' the land.”

Note return to page 238 37Glass of fashion] Speculum consuetudinis. —Cicero.

Note return to page 239 38The mould of form,] The cast, in which is shaped the only perfect form.

Note return to page 240 39Musick vows,] Musical, mellifluous.

Note return to page 241 40Be round with him;] i. e., plain with him—without reserve.

Note return to page 242 41If she find him not,] Make him not out.

Note return to page 243 42As lief] As willingly.

Note return to page 244 43Thus;] i. e., thrown out thus.

Note return to page 245 44Robustious perrywig-pated fellow] This is a ridicule on the quantity of false hair worn in Shakespeare's time, for wigs were not in common use till the reign of Charles the Second. Robustious means making an extravagant show of passion.

Note return to page 246 45The ears of the groundlings,] The meaner people appear to have occupied the pit of the theatre (which had neither floor nor benches in Shakespeare's time), as they now sit in the upper gallery.

Note return to page 247 46O'er-doing Termagant;] The Crusaders, and those who celebrated them, confounded Mahometans with Pagans, and supposed Mahomet, or Mahound, to be one of their deities, and Tervagant or Termagant, another. This imaginary personage was introduced into our old plays and moralities, and represented as of a most violent character, so that a ranting actor might always appear to advantage in it. The word is now used for a scolding woman.

Note return to page 248 47It out-herods Herod:] In all the old moralities and mysteries this personage was always represented as a tyrant of a very violent temper, using the most exaggerated language. Hence the expression.

Note return to page 249 48The very age and body of the time its form and pressure.] i. e., to delineate exactly the manners of the age, and the particular humours of the day—pressure signifying resemblance, as in a print.

Note return to page 250 49Come tardy off,] Without spirit or animation; heavily, sleepily done.

Note return to page 251 50The censure of which one] i. e., the censure of one of which.

Note return to page 252 51Your allowance,] In your approbation.

Note return to page 253 52Not to speak it profanely,] i. e., irreverently, in allusion to Hamlet's supposition that God had not made such men, but that they were only the handy work of God's assistants.

Note return to page 254 53Indifferently] In a reasonable degree.

Note return to page 255 54Speak no more than is set down for them:] Shakespeare alludes to a custom of his time, when the clown, or low comedian, as he would now be called, addressing the audience during the play, entered into a contest of raillery and sarcasm with such spectators as chose to engage with him.

Note return to page 256 55Barren spectators] i. e., dull, unapprehensive spectators.

Note return to page 257 56Question] Point, topic.

Note return to page 258 57Cop'd withal.] Encountered with.

Note return to page 259 58Pregnant hinges of the knee,] i. e., bowed or bent: ready to kneel where thrift, that is, thriving, or emolument may follow sycophancy.

Note return to page 260 59Since my dear soul] Dear is out of which arises the liveliest interest.

Note return to page 261 60Whose blood and judgment] Dr. Johnson says that according to the doctrine of the four humours, desire, and confidence were seated in the blood, and judgment in the phlegm, and the due mixture of the humours made a perfect character.

Note return to page 262 61The very comment of thy soul] The most intense direction of every faculty.

Note return to page 263 62Occulted guilt do not itself unkennel] Stifled, secret guilt, do not develope itself.

Note return to page 264 63As Vulcan's stithy.] A stithy is the smith's shop, as stith is the anvil.

Note return to page 265 64In censure of his seeming.] In making our estimate of the appearance he shall put on.

Note return to page 266 65I have nothing with this answer; these words are not mine.] i. e., they grow not out of mine: have no relation to anything said by me.

Note return to page 267 66No, nor mine, now.] They are now anybody's. Dr. Johnson observes, “a man's words, says the proverb, are his own no longer than while he keeps them unspoken.”

Note return to page 268 67You played once in the university, you say?] The practice of acting Latin plays in the universities of the Oxford and Cambridge is very ancient, and continued to near the middle of the last century.

Note return to page 269 68I did enact Julius Cæsar:] A Latin play on the subject of Cæsar's death, was performed at Christ-church, Oxford, in 1582.

Note return to page 270 69They stay upon your patience.] Patience is here used for leisure.

Note return to page 271 70Lying down at Ophelia's feet.] To lie at the feet of a mistress during any dramatic representation, seems to have been a common act of gallantry.

Note return to page 272 71Jig-maker.] Writer of ludicrous interludes. A jig was not in Shakespeare's time only a dance, but a ludicrous dialogue in metre; many historical ballads were also called jigs.

Note return to page 273 72For I'll have a suit of sables.] Wherever his scene might be, the customs of his country were ever in Shakespeare's thoughts. A suit trimmed with sables was in our author's own time the richest dress worn by men in England. By the Statute of Apparel, 24 Henry VIII., c. 13, (article furres), it is ordained, that none under the degree of an Earl may use sables.

Note return to page 274 73He must build churches, then.] Such benefactors to society were sure to be recorded by means of the feast day on which the patron saints and founders of the churches were commemorated in every parish. This custom has long since ceased.

Note return to page 275 74Miching mallecho;] To mich is a provincial word, signifying to lie hid, or to skulk, or act by stealth. It was probably once generally used. Mallecho is supposed to be corrupted from the Spanish Malechor, which means a poisoner.

Note return to page 276 75The posy of a ring?] Such poetry as you may find engraven on a ring.

Note return to page 277 76Phœbus' cart] A chariot was anciently called a cart.

Note return to page 278 77Tellus' orbèd ground,] i. e., the globe of the earth. Tellus is the personification of the earth, being described as the first being that sprung from Chaos.

Note return to page 279 78My operant powers their functions leave to do:] i. e., my active energies cease to perform their offices.

Note return to page 280 79What we do determine, oft we break.] Unsettle our most fixed resolves.

Note return to page 281 80The argument?] The subject matter.

Note return to page 282 81The mouse-trap.] He calls it the mouse-trap, because it is the thing, In which he'll catch the conscience of the king.

Note return to page 283 82Tropically.] i. e., figuratively.

Note return to page 284 83The image of a murder,] i. e., the lively portraiture, the correct and faithful representation of a murder, &c.

Note return to page 285 84Let the galled jade wince,] A proverbial saying.

Note return to page 286 85Our withers are unwrung.] Withers is the joining of the shoulder bones at the bottom of the neck and mane of a horse. Unwrung is not pinched.

Note return to page 287 86You are as good as a chorus,] The persons who are supposed to behold what passes in the acts of a tragedy, and sing their sentiments between the acts. The use to which Shakespeare converted the chorus, may be seen in King Henry V.

Note return to page 288 87I could interpret between you and your love, if I could see the puppets dallying.] This refers to the interpreter, who formerly sat on the stage at all puppet shows, and explained to the audience. The puppets dallying are here made to signify to the agitations of Ophelia's bosom.

Note return to page 289 88The croaking raven Doth bellow for revenge.] i. e., begin without more delay; for the raven, foreknowing the deed, is already croaking, and, as it were, calling out for the revenge which will ensue.

Note return to page 290 89Midnight weeds] The force of the epithet midnight, will be best displayed by a corresponding passage in Macbeth: “Root of hemlock, digg'd i' the dark.”

Note return to page 291 90Usurp] Encroach upon.

Note return to page 292 91Let the strucken deer go weep,] Shakespeare, in As you like it, in allusion to the wounded stag, speaks of the big round tears which cours'd one another down his innocent nose in piteous chase. In the 13th song of Drayton's Polyolbion, is a similar passage—“The harte weepeth at his dying; his tears are held to be precious in medicine.”

Note return to page 293 92Marvellous distempered.] i. e., discomposed.

Note return to page 294 93Admiration.] i. e., wonder.

Note return to page 295 94Trade with us?] i. e. Occasion of intercourse.

Note return to page 296 95By these pickers and stealers.] i. e., by these hands. The phrase is taken from the Church catechism, where, in our duty to our neighbour, we are taught to keep our hands from picking and stealing.

Note return to page 297 96You do freely bar the door of your own liberty, if you deny your griefs to your friend.] By your own act you close the way against your own ease, and the free discharge of your griefs, if you open not the source of them to your friends.

Note return to page 298 97You have the voice of the king himself for your succession in Denmark?] Though the crown was elective, yet regard was paid to the recommendation of the preceding prince, and preference given to royal blood, which, by degrees, produced hereditary succession.

Note return to page 299 98“While the grass grows,”—the proverb is something musty.] The proverb is, “While the grass grows, the steed starves.” Hamlet alludes to his own position, while waiting for his succession to the throne of Denmark. A similar adage is, “A slip between the cup and the lip.”

Note return to page 300 99Recorder:] i. e. A kind of flute, or pipe.

Note return to page 301 100Why do you go about to recover the wind of me,] Equivalent to our more modern saying of Get on the blind side.

Note return to page 302 101Into a toil?] i. e., net or snare.

Note return to page 303 102If my duty be too bold, my love is too unmannerly.] If my sense of duty have led me too far, it is affection and regard for you that makes the carriage of that duty border on disrespect.

Note return to page 304 103Govern these ventages—and it will discourse most eloquent music.] Justly order these vents, or air-holes, and it will breathe or utter, &c.

Note return to page 305 104Though you can fret me, you cannot play upon me.] A fret is a stop or key of a musical instrument. Here is, therefore, a play upon the words. Though you cannot fret, stop, or vex, you cannot play or impose upon me.

Note return to page 306 105They fool me to the top of my bent.] To the height; as far as they see me incline to go: an allusion to the utmost flexure of a bow.

Note return to page 307 106Bitter business] i. e., shocking, horrid business.

Note return to page 308 107Stands it safe with us] Is it consistent with our security.

Note return to page 309 108This fear,] Bugbear.

Note return to page 310 109Behind the arras I'll convey myself,] The arras-hangings, in Shakespeare's time, were hung at such a distance from the walls, that a person might easily stand behind them unperceived.

Note return to page 311 110To hear the process;] The course of the conversation.

Note return to page 312 111The speech of vantage.] i. e., opportunity or advantage of secret observations.

Note return to page 313 112Lay home to him:] Pointedly and closely charge him.

Note return to page 314 113Pranks too broad] Open and bold.

Note return to page 315 114I'll 'sconce me even here.] 'Sconce and ensconce are constantly used figuratively for hide. In “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” Falstaff says, “I will ensconce me behind the arras.”

Note return to page 316 115By the rood,] i. e., the cross or crucifix.

Note return to page 317 116How now! a rat?] This is an expression borrowed from the History of Hamblet.

Note return to page 318 117Have not braz'd it so,] i. e., soldered with brass.

Note return to page 319 118Proof and bulwark against sense.] Against all feeling.

Note return to page 320 119Takes off the rose From the fair forehead of an innocent love, And sets a blister there;] i. e., takes the clear tint from the brow of unspotted, untainted innocence. “True or honest as the skin between one's brows” was a proverbial expression, and is frequently used by Shakespeare.

Note return to page 321 120As from the body of contraction plucks The very soul;] Annihilates the very principle of contracts. Contraction for marriage contract.

Note return to page 322 121The counterfeit presentment] i. e., picture or mimic representation.

Note return to page 323 122Hypérion's curls;] Hyperion is used by Spenser with the same error in quantity.

Note return to page 324 123A station like the herald Mercury] Station is attitude—act of standing.

Note return to page 325 124Like a mildew'd ear, Blasting his wholesome brother.] This alludes to Pharaoh's dream, in the 41st chapter of Genesis.

Note return to page 326 125Batten on this moor?] Batten is to feed rankly.

Note return to page 327 126Hey-day in the blood] This expression is occasionally used by old authors.

Note return to page 328 127Thou canst mutine] i. e., rebel.

Note return to page 329 128As will not leave their tinct.] So dyed in grain, that they will not relinquish or lose their tinct—are not to be discharged. In a sense not very dissimilar he presently says, “Then what I have to do Will want true colour.”

Note return to page 330 129An enseamed bed.] i. e., greasy bed of grossly fed indulgence.

Note return to page 331 130A vice of kings;] i. e., a low mimick of kings. The vice was the fool of the old moralities or dramas, who was generally engaged in contests with the devil, by whom he was finally carried away. Dr. Johnson says the modern Punch is descended from the vice.

Note return to page 332 131From a shelf the precious diadem stole, And put it in his pocket!] In allusion to the usurper procuring the crown as a common pilferer or thief, and not by open villainy that carried danger with it.

Note return to page 333 132A king of shreds and patches.] This is said, pursuing the idea of the vice of kings. The vice being dressed as a fool, in a coat of party-coloured patches.

Note return to page 334 133Laps'd in time and passion,] That having suffered time to slip, and passion to cool, &c. It was supposed that nothing was more offensive to apparitions than the neglect to attach importance to their appearance, or to be inattentive to their admonitions.

Note return to page 335 134Cool patience.] i. e., moderation.

Note return to page 336 135Make them capable.] Make them intelligent—capable of conceiving.

Note return to page 337 136My stern effects:] i. e., change the nature of my purposes, or what I mean to effect.

Note return to page 338 137Nothing at all; yet all that is, I see.] It is in perfect consistency with the belief that all spirits were not only naturally invisible, but that they possessed the power of making themselves visible to such persons only as they pleased.

Note return to page 339 138My father, in his habit as he lived!] In the habit he was accustomed to wear when living.

Note return to page 340 139This bodiless creation ecstacy Is very cunning in.] i. e., “Such shadows are the weak brain's forgeries.” Ecstasy in the place, as in many others, means a temporary alienation of mind—a fit.

Note return to page 341 140Gambol from.] Start away from.

Note return to page 342 141Skin and film,] Cover with a thin skin.

Note return to page 343 142And when you are desirous to be bless'd, I'll blessing beg of you] When you are desirous to receive a blessing from heaven (which you cannot, seriously, till you reform), I will beg to receive a blessing from you.

Note return to page 344 1Translate:] Interpret.

Note return to page 345 2In this brainish apprehension,] Distempered, brainsick mood.

Note return to page 346 3Where the offender's scourge is weigh'd, But never the offence.] When an offender is popular, the people never consider what his crime was, but they scrutinise his punishment.

Note return to page 347 4Politick worms] i. e., artful, cunning worms.

Note return to page 348 5The wind at help,] i. e., ready.

Note return to page 349 6May'st not coldly set] Set is to value or estimate. “Thou may'st not set little by it, or estimate it lightly.”

Note return to page 350 7Our sovereign process:] i. e., our royal design.

Note return to page 351 8By letters conjuring to that effect,] The verb to conjure, in the sense of to supplicate, was formerly accented on the first syllable.

Note return to page 352 9Howe'er my haps,] Chances of fortune.

Note return to page 353 10His sandal shoon.] Shoon is the old plural of shoe. The verse is descriptive of a pilgrim. While this kind of devotion was in favour, love intrigues were carried on under that mask.

Note return to page 354 11Larded with sweet flowers;] i. e., Garnished with sweet flowers.

Note return to page 355 12Heaven 'ield you.] Requite; yield you recompence.

Note return to page 356 13The owl was a baker's daughter.] This is in reference to a story that was once prevalent among the common people of Gloucestershire.

Note return to page 357 14Conceit upon her father.] Fancies respecting her father.

Note return to page 358 15Don'd and dupp'd] To don, is to do on, or put on, as doff is to do off, or put off. To dupp is to do up, or lift up the latch.

Note return to page 359 16In a riotous head,] The tide, strongly flowing, is said to pour in with a great head.

Note return to page 360 17The chaste unsmirched brow of my true mother.] Unsmirched] is unstained, not defiled.

Note return to page 361 18Doth hedge a king,] The word hedge is used by the gravest writers upon the highest subjects.

Note return to page 362 19Both the worlds I give to negligence,] I am careless of my present and future prospects, my views in this life, as well as that which is to come.

Note return to page 363 20My will, not all the world's:] i. e., by my will as far as my will is concerned, not all the world shall stop me; and, as for my means, I'll husband them so well, they shall go far, though really little.

Note return to page 364 21Sensible in grief] Poignantly affected with.

Note return to page 365 22You must sing Down-a-down,] This was the burthen of an old song, well known in Shakespeare's time.

Note return to page 366 23How well the wheel becomes it!] This probably means that the song or charm is well adapted to those who are occupied at spinning at the wheel.

Note return to page 367 24There's rosemary, that's for remembrance;] Rosemary was anciently supposed to strengthen the memory, and was carried at funerals and wore at weddings. It was also considered the emblem of fidelity in lovers; and at weddings it was usual to dip the rosemary in the cup, and drink to the health of the new married couple.

Note return to page 368 25There is pansies,] i. e., a little flower called heart's-ease. Pansies in French signifies thoughts.

Note return to page 369 26There's fennel for you, and columbines:] Fennel was considered an emblem of flattery, and columbine was anciently supposed to be a thankless flower; signifying probably that the courtiers flattered to get favours, and were thankless after receiving them. Columbine was emblematical of forsaken lovers.

Note return to page 370 27There's rue for you; and here's some for me:—we may call it herb of grace o' Sundays:] Probably a quibble is meant here, as rue anciently signified the same as ruth, i. e., sorrow. In the common dictionaries of Shakespeare's time, it was called herb of grace. Ophelia wishes to remind the Queen of the sorrow and contrition she ought to feel for her unlawful marriage; and that she may wear her rue with peculiar propriety on Sundays, when she solicits pardon for the crime which she has so much occasion to rue and repent of. —Malone.

Note return to page 371 28You may wear your rue with a difference.] i. e., to distinguish it from that worn by Ophelia, herself: because her tears flowed from the loss of a father—those of the Queen ought to flow for her guilt.

Note return to page 372 29There's a daisy:] A daisy signified a warning to young women, not to trust the fair promises of their lovers.

Note return to page 373 30I would give you some violets,] Violets signified faithfulness.

Note return to page 374 31For bonny sweet Robin is all my joy,—] Part of an old song.

Note return to page 375 32Thought and affliction,] Thought here, as in many other places, means melancholy.

Note return to page 376 33I must commune with your grief,] i. e., confer, discuss, or argue with.

Note return to page 377 34No trophy, sword, nor hatchment o'er his bones,] Not only the sword, but the helmet, gauntlet, spurs, and tabard, (i. e., a coat whereon the armorial ensigns were anciently depicted, from whence the term coat of armour), are hung over the grave of every knight.

Note return to page 378 35Cry to be heard,] All these multiplied incitements are things which cry, &c.

Note return to page 379 36Let the great axe fall.] i. e., the axe that is to be laid to the root.

Note return to page 380 37Naked on your kingdom, i. e., unprovided and defenceless.

Note return to page 381 38'Tis Hamlet's character,] Peculiar mode of shaping his letters.

Note return to page 382 39Made confession of] Acknowledged.

Note return to page 383 40In your defence,] i. e., “in your art and science of defence.”

Note return to page 384 41He, being remiss,] i. e., unsuspicious, not cautious.

Note return to page 385 42Peruse the foils;] Closely inspect them.

Note return to page 386 43A sword unbated,] Not blunted, as foils are by a button fixed to the end.

Note return to page 387 44In a pass of practice,] This probably means some favourite pass, some trick of fencing, with which Hamlet was inexperienced, and by which Laertes may be sure of success.

Note return to page 388 45No cataplasm,] i. e., poultice—a healing application.

Note return to page 389 46Collected from all simples,] i. e., from all ingredients in medicine.

Note return to page 390 47On your cunnings,] i. e., on your dexterity.

Note return to page 391 48In your motion] Exercise, rapid evolutions.

Note return to page 392 49For the nonce;] i. e., present purpose or design.

Note return to page 393 50Venom'd stuck, Thrust. Stuck was a term of the fencing school.

Note return to page 394 51Long purples,] One of the names for a species of orchis, a common English flower.

Note return to page 395 52Our trick:] Our course, or habit; a property that clings to, or makes a part of, us.

Note return to page 396 53When these are gone, The woman will be out.] When these tears are shed, this womanish passion will be over.

Note return to page 397 54But that this folly drowns it.] i. e., my rage had flamed, if this flood of tears had not extinguished it.

Note return to page 398 1Enter two Clowns,] These characters are not in the original story, but are introduced by Shakespeare.

Note return to page 399 2Make her grave straight:] i. e., straightways, forthwith.

Note return to page 400 3The crowner] A corruption of coroner.

Note return to page 401 4It must be se offendendo;] A confusion of things as well as of terms: used for se defendendo, a finding of the jury in justifiable homicide.

Note return to page 402 5To act, to do, and to perform:] Warburton says, this is ridicule on scholastic divisions without distinction, and of distinctions without difference.

Note return to page 403 6Argal,] A corruption of the Latin word, ergo, therefore.

Note return to page 404 7Delver.] i. e., a digger, one that opens the ground with a spade.

Note return to page 405 8If the man go to this water,—it is, will he, nill he, he goes,] Still floundering and confounding himself. He means to represent it as a wilful act, and of course without any mixture of nill or nolens in it. Had he gone, as stated, whether he would or not, it would not have been of his own accord, or his act.

Note return to page 406 9Crowner's-quest law.] Crowner's-quest is a vulgar corruption of coroner's inquest.

Note return to page 407 10Why, there thou say'st] Say'st something, speak'st to the purpose.

Note return to page 408 11More than their even christian.] An old English expression for fellow-christian.

Note return to page 409 12Was he a gentleman?] Mr. Douce says this is intended as a ridicule upon heraldry.

Note return to page 410 13Confess thyself—] Admit, or by acknowledgment pass sentence upon thyself, as a simpleton? “Confess, and be hanged,” was a proverbial sentence.

Note return to page 411 14Tell me that, and unyoke.] Unravel this, and your day's work is done, your team may then unharness.

Note return to page 412 15Cudgel thy brains no more about it;] i. e., beat about thy brains no more.

Note return to page 413 16A stoup of liquor.] A stoup is a jug.

Note return to page 414 17In youth, when I did love, did love.] The three stanzas sung here by the Grave-Digger, are extracted, with a slight variation, from a little poem called The Aged Lover renounceth Love, written by Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, who was beheaded in 1547. The song is to be found in Dr. Percy's Reliques of Ancient English Poetry.

Note return to page 415 18The hand of little employment hath the daintier sense.] i. e., its “palm less dulled or staled.”

Note return to page 416 19But to play at loggats with them?] A loggat is a small log, or piece of wood; a diminutive from log. Hence loggats, as the name of an old game among the common people, and one of those forbidden by a statute of the 33rd of Henry VIII. A stake was fixed into the ground, and those who played threw loggats at it.

Note return to page 417 20For and a shrouding sheet:] For and is an ancient expression, answering to and eke, and likewise.

Note return to page 418 21Where be his quiddits now, his quillets,] Quiddits are subtilties; quillets are nice and frivolous distinctions.

Note return to page 419 22Knock him about the sconce] i. e., head.

Note return to page 420 23How absolute the knave is!] Peremptory, strictly and tyrannously precise.

Note return to page 421 24We must speak by the card,] The card is the mariner's compass. Properly the paper on which the points of the wind are marked. Hence, to speak by the card, meant to speak with great exactness; true to a point.

Note return to page 422 25The very day that young Hamlet was born,] It would appear by this that Hamlet was thirty years old, and knew Yorick well, who had been dead twenty-two years.

Note return to page 423 26Favour] Feature, countenance, or complexion.

Note return to page 424 27'Twere to consider too curiously,] Be pressing the argument with too much critical nicety, to dwell upon mere possibilities.

Note return to page 425 28Imperial Cæsar,] In some edition it is imperious Cæsar. Imperious was a more ancient term, signifying the same as imperial.

Note return to page 426 29The winter's flaw!] i. e., winter's blast.

Note return to page 427 30Maimèd rites?] Curtailed, imperfect.

Note return to page 428 31Fordo its own life:] Destroy.

Note return to page 429 32'Twas of some estate.] i. e., of rank or station.

Note return to page 430 33Command o'ersways the order,] The course which ecclesiastical rules prescribe.

Note return to page 431 34Shards,] i. e., broken pots or tiles.

Note return to page 432 35Virgin crants,] i. e., virgin garlands. Nares, in his Glossary, says that crants is a German word, and probably Icelandic.

Note return to page 433 36Bringing home of bell and burial.] Conveying to her last home with these accustomed forms of the church, and this sepulture in consecrated ground.

Note return to page 434 37A requiem,] A mass performed in Popish churches for the rest of the soul of a person deceased.

Note return to page 435 38Churlish priest,] Churlish is, figuratively, ill-humoured, ill-bred, uncourtly, “rustic and rude.”

Note return to page 436 39Ingenious sense] Life and sense.

Note return to page 437 40To o'ertop old Pelion,] Pelion is one of a lofty range of mountains in Thessaly. The giants, in their war with the gods, are said to have attempted to heap Ossa and Olympus on Pelion, in order to scale Heaven.

Note return to page 438 41Outface me] i. e., brave me.

Note return to page 439 42Our ground,] The earth about us.

Note return to page 440 43Ossa] A celebrated mountain in Thessaly, connected with Pelion, and in the neighbourhood of Mount Olympus.

Note return to page 441 44Her golden couplets are disclos'd,] To disclose, was anciently used for to hatch. A pigeon never lays more than two eggs.

Note return to page 442 45The cat will mew, and dog, &c.] “Things have their appointed course; nor have we power to divert it,” may be the sense here conveyed.

Note return to page 443 46Strengthen your patience in our last night's speech;] Let the consideration of the topics then urged, confirm your resolution taken of quietly waiting events a little longer.

Note return to page 444 47This grave shall have a living monument:] There is an ambiguity in this phrase. It either means an endurable monument such as will outlive time, or it darkly hints at the impending fate of Hamlet.

Note return to page 445 48Image of my cause,] Representation or character.

Note return to page 446 49Dost know this water-fly?] Dr. Johnson remarks that a water-fly skips up and down upon the surface of the water, without any apparent purpose or reason, and is thence the proper emblem of a busy trifler.

Note return to page 447 50All diligence of spirit.] “With the whole bent of my mind.” A happy phraseology; in ridicule, at the same time that it was in conformity with the style of the airy, affected insect that was playing round him.

Note return to page 448 51Very sultry and hot,] Hamlet is here playing over the same farce with Osric which he had formerly done with Polonius. The idea of this scene is evidently suggested by Juvenal.

Note return to page 449 52For mine ease, in good faith.] From contemporary authors this appears to have been the ordinary language of courtesy in our author's own time.

Note return to page 450 53An absolute—a great showing:] A finished gentleman, full of various accomplishments, of gentle manners, and very imposing appearance.

Note return to page 451 54To speak feelingly of him,] With insight and intelligence.

Note return to page 452 55Card or calendar of gentry,] The card by which a gentleman is to direct his course; the calendar by which he is to choose his time, that what he does may be both excellent and seasonable.

Note return to page 453 56The continent of what part a gentleman would see.] The word continent in this sense is frequently used by Shakespeare; i. e., you shall find him containing and comprising every quality which a gentleman would desire to contemplate for imitation.

Note return to page 454 57What imports the nomination, &c.] What is the object of the introduction of this gentleman's name?

Note return to page 455 58I dare not—lest I should compare—were to know himself.] No one can have a perfect conception of the measure of another's excellence, unless he shall himself come up to that standard. Dr. Johnson says, I dare not pretend to know him, lest I should pretend to an equality: no man can completely know another, but by knowing himself, which is the utmost extent of human wisdom.

Note return to page 456 59He has imponed,] i. e., to lay down as a stake or wager. Impono.

Note return to page 457 60Hangers,] That part of the girdle or belt by which the swords were suspended was, in our poet's time, called the hangers.

Note return to page 458 61Very dear to fancy—very liberal conceit.] Of exquisite invention, well adapted to their hilts, and in their conception rich and high fashioned.

Note return to page 459 62More german] More a-kin.

Note return to page 460 63Vouchsafe the answer.] Condescend to answer, or meet his wishes.

Note return to page 461 64How if I answer, no?] Reply.

Note return to page 462 65I shall win at the odds.] I shall succeed with the advantage that I am allowed.

Note return to page 463 66Gain-giving,] Misgiving.

Note return to page 464 67If your mind, &c.] If you have any presentiment of evil, yield to its suggestion.

Note return to page 465 68Like a star i' the darkest night, stick fiery off] Be made by the strongest relief to stand brightly prominent.

Note return to page 466 69Better'd,] He stands higher in estimation.

Note return to page 467 70Stoups of wine] Flagons of wine.

Note return to page 468 71Quit in answer] Make the wager quit, or so far drawn.

Note return to page 469 72An union shall he throw,] i. e., a fine pearl. To swallow a pearl in a draught seems to have been equally common to royal and mercantile prodigality. It may be observed that pearls were supposed to possess an exhilarating quality. It was generally thrown into the drink as a compliment to some distinguished guest, and the King in this scene, under the pretence of throwing a pearl into the cup, drops some poisonous drug into the wine.

Note return to page 470 73Kettle] i. e.. kettle drum.

Note return to page 471 74The Queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.] i. e., drinks to your success.

Note return to page 472 75You make a wanton of me.] i. e., you trifle with me as if you were playing with a child.

Note return to page 473 76As a woodcock to my own springe.] I have run into a springe like a woodcock, and into such a noose or trap as a fool only would have fallen into; one of my own setting.

Note return to page 474 77Unbated, and envenom'd:] i. e., having a sharp point envenomed with poison.

Note return to page 475 78The foul practice] i. e., the wicked trick which I have practised.

Note return to page 476 79Fell sergeant, death,] i. e., cruel sergeant—sergeant being an officer of the law.

Note return to page 477 80Live behind me!] Survive me.

Note return to page 478 81Quite o'ercrows my spirit;] Overpowers, exults over; no doubt an image taken from the lofty carriage of a victorious cock.

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