THE TRAGEDY OF HAMLET,

PRINCE OF DENMARK (16001602)

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Dramatis Person
CLAUDIUS, King of Denmark.
HAMLET, son to the late, and nehe! to the resent King.
P"L"#I$S, Lord %ham&erlain.
H"RA'I", friend to Hamlet.
LAER'ES, son to Poloni(s.
)"L'IMA#D, %"R#ELI$S, R"SE#%RA#'*, +$ILDE#S'ER#, "SRI% , A +entleman- .o(rtiers.
MAR%ELL$S , /ER#ARD"- offi.ers.
0RA#%IS%", a soldier.
RE1#ALD", ser2ant to Poloni(s.
A Priest.
Pla3ers.
'!o %lo!ns, gra2e4diggers.
0"R'I#/RAS, Prin.e of #or!a3.
A %atain.
English Am&assadors.

GERTRUDE, 5(een of Denmark, and mother to Hamlet.
OPHELIA, da(ghter to Poloni(s.

Ghost of Hamlet`s Father.
Lords, Ladies, "ffi.ers, Soldiers, Sailors, Messengers, and other Attendants
6S%E#E- ELSINORE, DENMARK7
A%' I
SCENE I. Elsinore. A platform before the castle.
FRANCISCO at his post. Enter to him BERNARDO
BERNARDO
Who8s there9
FRANCISCO
#a3, ans!er me- stand, and (nfold 3o(rself.
BERNARDO
Long li2e the king:
FRANCISCO
/ernardo9
BERNARDO
He.
FRANCISCO
1o( .ome most .aref(ll3 (on 3o(r ho(r.
BERNARDO
8'is no! str(.k t!el2e; get thee to &ed, 0ran.is.o.
FRANCISCO
0or this relief m(.h thanks- 8tis &itter .old,
And I am si.k at heart.
BERNARDO
Ha2e 3o( had <(iet g(ard9
FRANCISCO
#ot a mo(se stirring.
BERNARDO
Well, good night.
If 3o( do meet Horatio and Mar.ell(s,
'he ri2als of m3 !at.h, &id them make haste.
FRANCISCO
I think I hear them. Stand, ho: Who8s there9
Enter HORATIO and MARCELLUS
HORATIO
0riends to this gro(nd.
MARCELLUS
And liegemen to the Dane.
FRANCISCO
+i2e 3o( good night.
MARCELLUS
", fare!ell, honest soldier-
Who hath relie2ed 3o(9
FRANCISCO
/ernardo has m3 la.e.
+i2e 3o( good night.
Exit
MARCELLUS
Holla: /ernardo:
BERNARDO
Sa3,
What, is Horatio there9
HORATIO
A ie.e of him.
BERNARDO
Wel.ome, Horatio- !el.ome, good Mar.ell(s.
MARCELLUS
What, has this thing aear8d again to4night9
BERNARDO
I ha2e seen nothing.
MARCELLUS
Horatio sa3s 8tis &(t o(r fantas3,
And !ill not let &elief take hold of him
'o(.hing this dreaded sight, t!i.e seen of (s-
'herefore I ha2e entreated him along
With (s to !at.h the min(tes of this night;
'hat if again this aarition .ome,
He ma3 aro2e o(r e3es and seak to it.
HORATIO
'(sh, t(sh, 8t!ill not aear.
BERNARDO
Sit do!n a!hile;
And let (s on.e again assail 3o(r ears,
'hat are so fortified against o(r stor3
What !e ha2e t!o nights seen.
HORATIO
Well, sit !e do!n,
And let (s hear /ernardo seak of this.
BERNARDO
Last night of all,
When 3ond same star that8s !est!ard from the ole
Had made his .o(rse to ill(me that art of hea2en
Where no! it &(rns, Mar.ell(s and m3self,
'he &ell then &eating one,44
Enter host
MARCELLUS
Pea.e, &reak thee off; look, !here it .omes again:
BERNARDO
In the same fig(re, like the king that8s dead.
MARCELLUS
'ho( art a s.holar; seak to it, Horatio.
BERNARDO
Looks it not like the king9 mark it, Horatio.
HORATIO
Most like- it harro!s me !ith fear and !onder.
BERNARDO
It !o(ld &e soke to.
MARCELLUS
5(estion it, Horatio.
HORATIO
What art tho( that (s(r8st this time of night,
'ogether !ith that fair and !arlike form
In !hi.h the ma=est3 of &(ried Denmark
Did sometimes mar.h9 &3 hea2en I .harge thee, seak:
MARCELLUS
It is offended.
BERNARDO
See, it stalks a!a3:
HORATIO
Sta3: seak, seak: I .harge thee, seak:
Exit host
MARCELLUS
8'is gone, and !ill not ans!er.
BERNARDO
Ho! no!, Horatio: 3o( trem&le and look ale-
Is not this something more than fantas39
What think 3o( on8t9
HORATIO
/efore m3 +od, I might not this &elie2e
Witho(t the sensi&le and tr(e a2o(.h
"f mine o!n e3es.
MARCELLUS
Is it not like the king9
HORATIO
As tho( art to th3self-
S(.h !as the 2er3 armo(r he had on
When he the am&itio(s #or!a3 .om&ated;
So fro!n8d he on.e, !hen, in an angr3 arle,
He smote the sledded Pola.ks on the i.e.
8'is strange.
MARCELLUS
'h(s t!i.e &efore, and =(m at this dead ho(r,
With martial stalk hath he gone &3 o(r !at.h.
HORATIO
In !hat arti.(lar tho(ght to !ork I kno! not;
/(t in the gross and s.oe of m3 oinion,
'his &odes some strange er(tion to o(r state.
MARCELLUS
+ood no!, sit do!n, and tell me, he that kno!s,
Wh3 this same stri.t and most o&ser2ant !at.h
So nightl3 toils the s(&=e.t of the land,
And !h3 s(.h dail3 .ast of &ra>en .annon,
And foreign mart for imlements of !ar;
Wh3 s(.h imress of shi!rights, !hose sore task
Does not di2ide the S(nda3 from the !eek;
What might &e to!ard, that this s!eat3 haste
Doth make the night =oint4la&o(rer !ith the da3-
Who is8t that .an inform me9
HORATIO
'hat .an I;
At least, the !hiser goes so. "(r last king,
Whose image e2en &(t no! aear8d to (s,
Was, as 3o( kno!, &3 0ortin&ras of #or!a3,
'hereto ri.k8d on &3 a most em(late ride,
Dared to the .om&at; in !hi.h o(r 2aliant Hamlet44
0or so this side of o(r kno!n !orld esteem8d him44
Did sla3 this 0ortin&ras; !ho &3 a seal8d .oma.t,
Well ratified &3 la! and heraldr3,
Did forfeit, !ith his life, all those his lands
Whi.h he stood sei>ed of, to the .on<(eror-
Against the !hi.h, a moiet3 .ometent
Was gaged &3 o(r king; !hi.h had ret(rn8d
'o the inheritan.e of 0ortin&ras,
Had he &een 2an<(isher; as, &3 the same .o2enant,
And .arriage of the arti.le design8d,
His fell to Hamlet. #o!, sir, 3o(ng 0ortin&ras,
"f (nimro2ed mettle hot and f(ll,
Hath in the skirts of #or!a3 here and there
Shark8d ( a list of la!less resol(tes,
0or food and diet, to some enterrise
'hat hath a stoma.h in8t; !hi.h is no other44
As it doth !ell aear (nto o(r state44
/(t to re.o2er of (s, &3 strong hand
And terms .om(lsator3, those foresaid lands
So &3 his father lost- and this, I take it,
Is the main moti2e of o(r rearations,
'he so(r.e of this o(r !at.h and the .hief head
"f this ost4haste and romage in the land.
BERNARDO
I think it &e no other &(t e8en so-
Well ma3 it sort that this ortento(s fig(re
%omes armed thro(gh o(r !at.h; so like the king
'hat !as and is the <(estion of these !ars.
HORATIO
A mote it is to tro(&le the mind8s e3e.
In the most high and alm3 state of Rome,
A little ere the mightiest ?(li(s fell,
'he gra2es stood tenantless and the sheeted dead
Did s<(eak and gi&&er in the Roman streets-
As stars !ith trains of fire and de!s of &lood,
Disasters in the s(n; and the moist star
$on !hose infl(en.e #et(ne8s emire stands
Was si.k almost to doomsda3 !ith e.lise-
And e2en the like re.(rse of fier.e e2ents,
As har&ingers re.eding still the fates
And rolog(e to the omen .oming on,
Ha2e hea2en and earth together demonstrated
$nto o(r .limat(res and .o(ntr3men.44
/(t soft, &ehold: lo, !here it .omes again:
Re!enter host
I8ll .ross it, tho(gh it &last me. Sta3, ill(sion:
If tho( hast an3 so(nd, or (se of 2oi.e,
Seak to me-
If there &e an3 good thing to &e done,
'hat ma3 to thee do ease and gra.e to me,
Seak to me-
Co"# "ro$s
If tho( art ri23 to th3 .o(ntr38s fate,
Whi.h, hail3, forekno!ing ma3 a2oid, ", seak:
"r if tho( hast (hoarded in th3 life
E@torted treas(re in the !om& of earth,
0or !hi.h, the3 sa3, 3o( sirits oft !alk in death,
Seak of it- sta3, and seak: Sto it, Mar.ell(s.
MARCELLUS
Shall I strike at it !ith m3 artisan9
HORATIO
Do, if it !ill not stand.
BERNARDO
8'is here:
HORATIO
8'is here:
MARCELLUS
8'is gone:
Exit host
We do it !rong, &eing so ma=esti.al,
'o offer it the sho! of 2iolen.e;
0or it is, as the air, in2(lnera&le,
And o(r 2ain &lo!s mali.io(s mo.ker3.
BERNARDO
It !as a&o(t to seak, !hen the .o.k .re!.
HORATIO
And then it started like a g(ilt3 thing
$on a fearf(l s(mmons. I ha2e heard,
'he .o.k, that is the tr(met to the morn,
Doth !ith his loft3 and shrill4so(nding throat
A!ake the god of da3; and, at his !arning,
Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air,
'he e@tra2agant and erring sirit hies
'o his .onfine- and of the tr(th herein
'his resent o&=e.t made ro&ation.
MARCELLUS
It faded on the .ro!ing of the .o.k.
Some sa3 that e2er 8gainst that season .omes
Wherein o(r Sa2io(r8s &irth is .ele&rated,
'he &ird of da!ning singeth all night long-
And then, the3 sa3, no sirit dares stir a&road;
'he nights are !holesome; then no lanets strike,
#o fair3 takes, nor !it.h hath o!er to .harm,
So hallo!8d and so gra.io(s is the time.
HORATIO
So ha2e I heard and do in art &elie2e it.
/(t, look, the morn, in r(sset mantle .lad,
Walks o8er the de! of 3on high east!ard hill-
/reak !e o(r !at.h (; and &3 m3 ad2i.e,
Let (s imart !hat !e ha2e seen to4night
$nto 3o(ng Hamlet; for, (on m3 life,
'his sirit, d(m& to (s, !ill seak to him.
Do 3o( .onsent !e shall a.<(aint him !ith it,
As needf(l in o(r lo2es, fitting o(r d(t39
MARCELLUS
Let8s do8t, I ra3; and I this morning kno!
Where !e shall find him most .on2enientl3.
Exe%nt
SCENE II. A room of state in the castle.
Enter &IN CLAUDIUS' (UEEN ERTRUDE' HAMLET' )OLONIUS' LAERTES' *OLTIMAND'
CORNELIUS' Lords' and Attendants
KING CLAUDIUS
'ho(gh 3et of Hamlet o(r dear &rother8s death
'he memor3 &e green, and that it (s &efitted
'o &ear o(r hearts in grief and o(r !hole kingdom
'o &e .ontra.ted in one &ro! of !oe,
1et so far hath dis.retion fo(ght !ith nat(re
'hat !e !ith !isest sorro! think on him,
'ogether !ith remem&ran.e of o(rsel2es.
'herefore o(r sometime sister, no! o(r <(een,
'he imerial =ointress to this !arlike state,
Ha2e !e, as 8t!ere !ith a defeated =o3,44
With an a(si.io(s and a droing e3e,
With mirth in f(neral and !ith dirge in marriage,
In e<(al s.ale !eighing delight and dole,44
'aken to !ife- nor ha2e !e herein &arr8d
1o(r &etter !isdoms, !hi.h ha2e freel3 gone
With this affair along. 0or all, o(r thanks.
#o! follo!s, that 3o( kno!, 3o(ng 0ortin&ras,
Holding a !eak s(osal of o(r !orth,
"r thinking &3 o(r late dear &rother8s death
"(r state to &e dis=oint and o(t of frame,
%olleag(ed !ith the dream of his ad2antage,
He hath not fail8d to ester (s !ith message,
Imorting the s(rrender of those lands
Lost &3 his father, !ith all &onds of la!,
'o o(r most 2aliant &rother. So m(.h for him.
#o! for o(rself and for this time of meeting-
'h(s m(.h the &(siness is- !e ha2e here !rit
'o #or!a3, (n.le of 3o(ng 0ortin&ras,44
Who, imotent and &ed4rid, s.ar.el3 hears
"f this his nehe!8s (rose,44to s(ress
His f(rther gait herein; in that the le2ies,
'he lists and f(ll roortions, are all made
"(t of his s(&=e.t- and !e here disat.h
1o(, good %orneli(s, and 3o(, )oltimand,
0or &earers of this greeting to old #or!a3;
+i2ing to 3o( no f(rther ersonal o!er
'o &(siness !ith the king, more than the s.oe
"f these delated arti.les allo!.
0are!ell, and let 3o(r haste .ommend 3o(r d(t3.
CORNELIUS VOLTIMAND
In that and all things !ill !e sho! o(r d(t3.
KING CLAUDIUS
We do(&t it nothing- heartil3 fare!ell.
Exe%nt *OLTIMAND and CORNELIUS
And no!, Laertes, !hat8s the ne!s !ith 3o(9
1o( told (s of some s(it; !hat is8t, Laertes9
1o( .annot seak of reason to the Dane,
And loose 3o(r 2oi.e- !hat !o(ldst tho( &eg, Laertes,
'hat shall not &e m3 offer, not th3 asking9
'he head is not more nati2e to the heart,
'he hand more instr(mental to the mo(th,
'han is the throne of Denmark to th3 father.
What !o(ldst tho( ha2e, Laertes9
LAERTES
M3 dread lord,
1o(r lea2e and fa2o(r to ret(rn to 0ran.e;
0rom !hen.e tho(gh !illingl3 I .ame to Denmark,
'o sho! m3 d(t3 in 3o(r .oronation,
1et no!, I m(st .onfess, that d(t3 done,
M3 tho(ghts and !ishes &end again to!ard 0ran.e
And &o! them to 3o(r gra.io(s lea2e and ardon.
KING CLAUDIUS
Ha2e 3o( 3o(r father8s lea2e9 What sa3s Poloni(s9
LORD POLONIUS
He hath, m3 lord, !r(ng from me m3 slo! lea2e
/3 la&o(rsome etition, and at last
$on his !ill I seal8d m3 hard .onsent-
I do &esee.h 3o(, gi2e him lea2e to go.
KING CLAUDIUS
'ake th3 fair ho(r, Laertes; time &e thine,
And th3 &est gra.es send it at th3 !ill:
/(t no!, m3 .o(sin Hamlet, and m3 son,44
HAMLET
6Aside7 A little more than kin, and less than kind.
KING CLAUDIUS
Ho! is it that the .lo(ds still hang on 3o(9
HAMLET
#ot so, m3 lord; I am too m(.h i8 the s(n.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
+ood Hamlet, .ast th3 nighted .olo(r off,
And let thine e3e look like a friend on Denmark.
Do not for e2er !ith th3 2ailed lids
Seek for th3 no&le father in the d(st-
'ho( kno!8st 8tis .ommon; all that li2es m(st die,
Passing thro(gh nat(re to eternit3.
HAMLET
A3, madam, it is .ommon.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
If it &e,
Wh3 seems it so arti.(lar !ith thee9
HAMLET
Seems, madam: na3 it is; I kno! not 8seems.8
8'is not alone m3 ink3 .loak, good mother,
#or .(stomar3 s(its of solemn &la.k,
#or !ind3 s(siration of for.ed &reath,
#o, nor the fr(itf(l ri2er in the e3e,
#or the de=e.ted 8ha2ior of the 2isage,
'ogether !ith all forms, moods, shaes of grief,
'hat .an denote me tr(l3- these indeed seem,
0or the3 are a.tions that a man might la3-
/(t I ha2e that !ithin !hi.h asseth sho!;
'hese &(t the traings and the s(its of !oe.
KING CLAUDIUS
8'is s!eet and .ommenda&le in 3o(r nat(re, Hamlet,
'o gi2e these mo(rning d(ties to 3o(r father-
/(t, 3o( m(st kno!, 3o(r father lost a father;
'hat father lost, lost his, and the s(r2i2or &o(nd
In filial o&ligation for some term
'o do o&se<(io(s sorro!- &(t to erse2er
In o&stinate .ondolement is a .o(rse
"f imio(s st(&&ornness; 8tis (nmanl3 grief;
It sho!s a !ill most in.orre.t to hea2en,
A heart (nfortified, a mind imatient,
An (nderstanding simle and (ns.hool8d-
0or !hat !e kno! m(st &e and is as .ommon
As an3 the most 2(lgar thing to sense,
Wh3 sho(ld !e in o(r ee2ish oosition
'ake it to heart9 0ie: 8tis a fa(lt to hea2en,
A fa(lt against the dead, a fa(lt to nat(re,
'o reason most a&s(rd- !hose .ommon theme
Is death of fathers, and !ho still hath .ried,
0rom the first .orse till he that died to4da3,
8'his m(st &e so.8 We ra3 3o(, thro! to earth
'his (nre2ailing !oe, and think of (s
As of a father- for let the !orld take note,
1o( are the most immediate to o(r throne;
And !ith no less no&ilit3 of lo2e
'han that !hi.h dearest father &ears his son,
Do I imart to!ard 3o(. 0or 3o(r intent
In going &a.k to s.hool in Witten&erg,
It is most retrograde to o(r desire-
And !e &esee.h 3o(, &end 3o( to remain
Here, in the .heer and .omfort of o(r e3e,
"(r .hiefest .o(rtier, .o(sin, and o(r son.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
Let not th3 mother lose her ra3ers, Hamlet-
I ra3 thee, sta3 !ith (s; go not to Witten&erg.
HAMLET
I shall in all m3 &est o&e3 3o(, madam.
KING CLAUDIUS
Wh3, 8tis a lo2ing and a fair rel3-
/e as o(rself in Denmark. Madam, .ome;
'his gentle and (nfor.ed a..ord of Hamlet
Sits smiling to m3 heart- in gra.e !hereof,
#o =o.(nd health that Denmark drinks to4da3,
/(t the great .annon to the .lo(ds shall tell,
And the king8s ro(se the hea2ens all &r(it again,
Re4seaking earthl3 th(nder. %ome a!a3.
Exe%nt a++ ,%t HAMLET
HAMLET
O, that this too too solid flesh !o(ld melt
'ha! and resol2e itself into a de!:
"r that the Everlasting had not fix'd
His canon 'gainst self-slaughter! " +od: +od:
Ho! !ear3, stale, flat and (nrofita&le,
Seem to me all the (ses of this !orld:
0ie on8t: ah fie: 8tis an (n!eeded garden,
'hat gro!s to seed; things rank and gross in nat(re
Possess it merel3. 'hat it sho(ld .ome to this:
/(t t!o months dead- na3, not so m(.h, not t!o-
So e@.ellent a king; that !as, to this,
H3erion to a sat3r; so lo2ing to m3 mother
'hat he might not &eteem the !inds of hea2en
)isit her fa.e too ro(ghl3. Hea2en and earth:
M(st I remem&er9 !h3, she !o(ld hang on him,
As if in.rease of aetite had gro!n
/3 !hat it fed on- and 3et, !ithin a month44
Let me not think on8t44Frailty, thy name is woman!44
A little month, or ere those shoes !ere old
With !hi.h she follo!8d m3 oor father8s &od3,
Like #io&e, all tears-44!h3 she, e2en she44
", +od: a &east, that !ants dis.o(rse of reason,
Wo(ld ha2e mo(rn8d longer44married !ith m3 (n.le,
M3 father8s &rother, &(t no more like m3 father
'han I to Her.(les- !ithin a month-
Ere 3et the salt of most (nrighteo(s tears
Had left the fl(shing in her galled e3es,
She married. ", most !i.ked seed, to ost
With s(.h de@terit3 to in.est(o(s sheets:
It is not nor it .annot .ome to good-
/(t &reak, m3 heart; for I m(st hold m3 tong(e.
Enter HORATIO' MARCELLUS' and BERNARDO
HORATIO
Hail to 3o(r lordshi:
HAMLET
I am glad to see 3o( !ell-
Horatio,44or I do forget m3self.
HORATIO
'he same, m3 lord, and 3o(r oor ser2ant e2er.
HAMLET
Sir, m3 good friend; I8ll .hange that name !ith 3o(-
And !hat make 3o( from Witten&erg, Horatio9 Mar.ell(s9
MARCELLUS
M3 good lord44
HAMLET
I am 2er3 glad to see 3o(. +ood e2en, sir.
/(t !hat, in faith, make 3o( from Witten&erg9
HORATIO
A tr(ant disosition, good m3 lord.
HAMLET
I !o(ld not hear 3o(r enem3 sa3 so,
#or shall 3o( do mine ear that 2iolen.e,
'o make it tr(ster of 3o(r o!n reort
Against 3o(rself- I kno! 3o( are no tr(ant.
/(t !hat is 3o(r affair in Elsinore9
We8ll tea.h 3o( to drink dee ere 3o( deart.
HORATIO
M3 lord, I .ame to see 3o(r father8s f(neral.
HAMLET
I ra3 thee, do not mo.k me, fello!4st(dent;
I think it !as to see m3 mother8s !edding.
HORATIO
Indeed, m3 lord, it follo!8d hard (on.
HAMLET
'hrift, thrift, Horatio: the funeral baked meats
Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables.
Wo(ld I had met m3 dearest foe in hea2en
"r e2er I had seen that da3, Horatio:
M3 father:44methinks I see m3 father.
HORATIO
Where, m3 lord9
HAMLET
In m3 mind8s e3e, Horatio.
HORATIO
I sa! him on.e; he !as a goodl3 king.
HAMLET
He !as a man, take him for all in all,
I shall not look (on his like again.
HORATIO
M3 lord, I think I sa! him 3esternight.
HAMLET
Sa!9 !ho9
HORATIO
M3 lord, the king 3o(r father.
HAMLET
'he king m3 father:
HORATIO
Season 3o(r admiration for a!hile
With an attent ear, till I ma3 deli2er,
$on the !itness of these gentlemen,
'his mar2el to 3o(.
HAMLET
0or +od8s lo2e, let me hear.
HORATIO
'!o nights together had these gentlemen,
Mar.ell(s and /ernardo, on their !at.h,
In the dead 2ast and middle of the night,
/een th(s en.o(nter8d. A fig(re like 3o(r father,
Armed at oint e@a.tl3, .a4a4e,
Aears &efore them, and !ith solemn mar.h
+oes slo! and statel3 &3 them- thri.e he !alk8d
/3 their oress8d and fear4s(rrised e3es,
Within his tr(n.heon8s length; !hilst the3, distilled
Almost to =ell3 !ith the a.t of fear,
Stand d(m& and seak not to him. 'his to me
In dreadf(l se.re.3 imart the3 did;
And I !ith them the third night ket the !at.h;
Where, as the3 had deli2er8d, &oth in time,
0orm of the thing, ea.h !ord made tr(e and good,
'he aarition .omes- I kne! 3o(r father;
'hese hands are not more like.
HAMLET
/(t !here !as this9
MARCELLUS
M3 lord, (on the latform !here !e !at.h8d.
HAMLET
Did 3o( not seak to it9
HORATIO
M3 lord, I did;
/(t ans!er made it none- 3et on.e metho(ght
It lifted ( its head and did address
Itself to motion, like as it !o(ld seak;
/(t e2en then the morning .o.k .re! lo(d,
And at the so(nd it shr(nk in haste a!a3,
And 2anish8d from o(r sight.
HAMLET
8'is 2er3 strange.
HORATIO
As I do li2e, m3 hono(r8d lord, 8tis tr(e;
And !e did think it !rit do!n in o(r d(t3
'o let 3o( kno! of it.
HAMLET
Indeed, indeed, sirs, &(t this tro(&les me.
Hold 3o( the !at.h to4night9
MARCELLUS BERNARDO
We do, m3 lord.
HAMLET
Arm8d, sa3 3o(9
MARCELLUS BERNARDO
Arm8d, m3 lord.
HAMLET
0rom to to toe9
MARCELLUS BERNARDO
M3 lord, from head to foot.
HAMLET
'hen sa! 3o( not his fa.e9
HORATIO
", 3es, m3 lord; he !ore his &ea2er (.
HAMLET
What, look8d he fro!ningl39
HORATIO
A .o(ntenan.e more in sorro! than in anger.
HAMLET
Pale or red9
HORATIO
#a3, 2er3 ale.
HAMLET
And fi@8d his e3es (on 3o(9
HORATIO
Most .onstantl3.
HAMLET
I !o(ld I had &een there.
HORATIO
It !o(ld ha2e m(.h ama>ed 3o(.
HAMLET
)er3 like, 2er3 like. Sta38d it long9
HORATIO
While one !ith moderate haste might tell a h(ndred.
MARCELLUS BERNARDO
Longer, longer.
HORATIO
#ot !hen I sa!8t.
HAMLET
His &eard !as gri>>led44no9
HORATIO
It !as, as I ha2e seen it in his life,
A sa&le sil2er8d.
HAMLET
I !ill !at.h to4night;
Per.han.e 8t!ill !alk again.
HORATIO
I !arrant it !ill.
HAMLET
If it ass(me m3 no&le father8s erson,
I8ll seak to it, tho(gh hell itself sho(ld gae
And &id me hold m3 ea.e. I ra3 3o( all,
If 3o( ha2e hitherto .on.eal8d this sight,
Let it &e tena&le in 3o(r silen.e still;
And !hatsoe2er else shall ha to4night,
+i2e it an (nderstanding, &(t no tong(e-
I !ill re<(ite 3o(r lo2es. So, fare 3o( !ell-
$on the latform, 8t!i@t ele2en and t!el2e,
I8ll 2isit 3o(.
All
"(r d(t3 to 3o(r hono(r.
HAMLET
1o(r lo2es, as mine to 3o(- fare!ell.
Exe%nt a++ ,%t HAMLET
M3 father8s sirit in arms: all is not !ell;
I do(&t some fo(l la3- !o(ld the night !ere .ome:
'ill then sit still, m3 so(l- fo(l deeds !ill rise,
'ho(gh all the earth o8er!helm them, to men8s e3es.
Exit
SCENE III. A room in Polonius' house.
Enter LAERTES and O)HELIA
LAERTES
M3 ne.essaries are em&ark8d- fare!ell-
And, sister, as the !inds gi2e &enefit
And .on2o3 is assistant, do not slee,
/(t let me hear from 3o(.
OPHELIA
Do 3o( do(&t that9
LAERTES
0or Hamlet and the trifling of his fa2o(r,
Hold it a fashion and a to3 in &lood,
A 2iolet in the 3o(th of rim3 nat(re,
0or!ard, not ermanent, s!eet, not lasting,
'he erf(me and s(lian.e of a min(te; #o more.
OPHELIA
#o more &(t so9
LAERTES
'hink it no more;
0or nat(re, .res.ent, does not gro! alone
In the!s and &(lk, &(t, as this temle !a@es,
'he in!ard ser2i.e of the mind and so(l
+ro!s !ide !ithal. Perhaps he loves you now,
And no! no soil nor .a(tel doth &esmir.h
'he 2irt(e of his !ill- but you must fear,
His greatness !eigh8d, his will is not his own;
For he himself is subject to his birth:
He may not, as unvalued persons do,
Carve for himself; for on his .hoi.e deends
'he safet3 and health of this !hole state;
And therefore m(st his .hoi.e &e .ir.(ms.ri&ed
$nto the 2oi.e and 3ielding of that &od3
Whereof he is the head. 'hen if he says he loves you,
It fits your wisdom so far to believe it
As he in his particular act and place
May give his saying deed; which is no further
Than the main voice of Denmark goes withal.
'hen !eigh !hat loss 3o(r hono(r ma3 s(stain,
If !ith too .redent ear 3o( list his songs,
"r lose 3o(r heart, or 3o(r .haste treas(re oen
'o his (nmaster8d imort(nit3.
0ear it, "helia, fear it, m3 dear sister,
And kee 3o( in the rear of 3o(r affe.tion,
"(t of the shot and danger of desire.
'he .hariest maid is rodigal eno(gh,
If she (nmask her &ea(t3 to the moon-
)irt(e itself 8s.aes not .al(mnio(s strokes-
'he .anker galls the infants of the sring,
'oo oft &efore their &(ttons &e dis.losed,
And in the morn and li<(id de! of 3o(th
%ontagio(s &lastments are most imminent.
/e !ar3 then; best safety lies in fear:
1o(th to itself re&els, tho(gh none else near.
OPHELIA
I shall the effe.t of this good lesson kee,
As !at.hman to m3 heart. /(t, good m3 &rother,
Do not, as some (ngra.io(s astors do,
Sho! me the stee and thorn3 !a3 to hea2en;
Whiles, like a (ff8d and re.kless li&ertine,
Himself the rimrose ath of dallian.e treads,
And re.ks not his o!n rede.
LAERTES
", fear me not.
I sta3 too long- &(t here m3 father .omes.
Enter )OLONIUS
A do(&le &lessing is a do(&le gra.e,
"..asion smiles (on a se.ond lea2e.
LORD POLONIUS
1et here, Laertes: a&oard, a&oard, for shame:
'he !ind sits in the sho(lder of 3o(r sail,
And 3o( are sta38d for. 'here; m3 &lessing !ith thee:
And these fe! re.ets in th3 memor3
See tho( .hara.ter. Give thy thoughts no tongue,
#or an3 (nroortioned tho(ght his a.t.
Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar.
'hose friends tho( hast, and their adotion tried,
+rale them to th3 so(l !ith hoos of steel;
/(t do not d(ll th3 alm !ith entertainment
"f ea.h ne!4hat.h8d, (nfledged .omrade. /e!are
"f entran.e to a <(arrel, &(t &eing in,
/ear8t that the oosed ma3 &e!are of thee.
Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice;
Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment.
Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy,
/(t not e@ress8d in fan.3; ri.h, not ga(d3;
0or the aarel oft ro.laims the man,
And the3 in 0ran.e of the &est rank and station
Are of a most sele.t and genero(s .hief in that.
Neither a borrower nor a lender be;
0or loan oft loses &oth itself and friend,
And &orro!ing d(lls the edge of h(s&andr3.
'his a&o2e all- to thine ownself be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
0are!ell- m3 &lessing season this in thee:
LAERTES
Most h(m&l3 do I take m3 lea2e, m3 lord.
LORD POLONIUS
'he time in2ites 3o(; go; 3o(r ser2ants tend.
LAERTES
0are!ell, "helia; and remem&er !ell
What I ha2e said to 3o(.
OPHELIA
8'is in m3 memor3 lo.k8d,
And 3o( 3o(rself shall kee the ke3 of it.
LAERTES
0are!ell.
Exit
LORD POLONIUS
What is8t, "helia, &e hath said to 3o(9
OPHELIA
So lease 3o(, something to(.hing the Lord Hamlet.
LORD POLONIUS
Marr3, !ell &etho(ght-
8'is told me, he hath 2er3 oft of late
+i2en ri2ate time to 3o(; and 3o( 3o(rself
Ha2e of 3o(r a(dien.e &een most free and &o(nteo(s-
If it &e so, as so 8tis (t on me,
And that in !a3 of .a(tion, I m(st tell 3o(,
1o( do not (nderstand 3o(rself so .learl3
As it &eho2es m3 da(ghter and 3o(r hono(r.
What is &et!een 3o(9 gi2e me ( the tr(th.
OPHELIA
He hath, m3 lord, of late made man3 tenders
"f his affe.tion to me.
LORD POLONIUS
Affe.tion: ooh: 3o( seak like a green girl,
$nsifted in s(.h erilo(s .ir.(mstan.e.
Do 3o( &elie2e his tenders, as 3o( .all them9
OPHELIA
I do not kno!, m3 lord, !hat I sho(ld think.
LORD POLONIUS
Marr3, I8ll tea.h 3o(- think 3o(rself a &a&3;
'hat 3o( ha2e ta8en these tenders for tr(e a3,
Whi.h are not sterling. 'ender 3o(rself more dearl3;
"r44not to .ra.k the !ind of the oor hrase,
R(nning it th(s443o(8ll tender me a fool.
OPHELIA
M3 lord, he hath importuned me with love
In honourable fashion.
LORD POLONIUS
A3, fashion 3o( ma3 .all it; go to, go to.
OPHELIA
And hath gi2en .o(ntenan.e to his see.h, m3 lord,
With almost all the hol3 2o!s of hea2en.
LORD POLONIUS
A3, sringes to .at.h !ood.o.ks. I do kno!,
When the blood burns, how prodigal the soul
Lends the tongue vows: these blazes, daughter,
Giving more light than heat, e@tin.t in &oth,
E2en in their romise, as it is a4making,
1o( m(st not take for fire. 0rom this time
Be somewhat scanter of your maiden presence;
Set 3o(r entreatments at a higher rate
'han a .ommand to arle3. 0or Lord Hamlet,
/elie2e so m(.h in him, that he is 3o(ng
And !ith a larger tether ma3 he !alk
'han ma3 &e gi2en 3o(- in fe!, "helia,
Do not &elie2e his 2o!s; for the3 are &rokers,
#ot of that d3e !hi.h their in2estments sho!,
/(t mere imlorators of (nhol3 s(its,
/reathing like san.tified and io(s &a!ds,
'he &etter to &eg(ile. 'his is for all-
I !o(ld not, in lain terms, from this time forth,
Ha2e 3o( so slander an3 moment leis(re,
As to gi2e !ords or talk !ith the Lord Hamlet.
Look to8t, I .harge 3o(- .ome 3o(r !a3s.
OPHELIA
I shall o&e3, m3 lord.
Exe%nt
SCENE IV. The platform.
Enter HAMLET' HORATIO' and MARCELLUS
HAMLET
'he air &ites shre!dl3; it is 2er3 .old.
HORATIO
It is a niing and an eager air.
HAMLET
What ho(r no!9
HORATIO
I think it la.ks of t!el2e.
HAMLET
#o, it is str(.k.
HORATIO
Indeed9 I heard it not- then it dra!s near the season
Wherein the sirit held his !ont to !alk.
A -+o%rish o- tr%mpets' and ordnan"e shot o--' $ithin
What does this mean, m3 lord9
HAMLET
'he king doth !ake to4night and takes his ro(se,
Kees !assail, and the s!aggering (4sring reels;
And, as he drains his dra(ghts of Rhenish do!n,
'he kettle4dr(m and tr(met th(s &ra3 o(t
'he tri(mh of his ledge.
HORATIO
Is it a .(stom9
HAMLET
A3, marr3, is8t-
/(t to m3 mind, tho(gh I am nati2e here
And to the manner &orn, it is a .(stom
More hono(r8d in the &rea.h than the o&ser2an.e.
'his hea234headed re2el east and !est
Makes (s trad(.ed and ta@8d of other nations-
'he3 .lee (s dr(nkards, and !ith s!inish hrase
Soil o(r addition; and indeed it takes
0rom o(r a.hie2ements, tho(gh erform8d at height,
'he ith and marro! of o(r attri&(te.
So, oft it .han.es in arti.(lar men,
'hat for some 2i.io(s mole of nat(re in them,
As, in their &irth44!herein the3 are not g(ilt3,
Sin.e nat(re .annot .hoose his origin44
/3 the o8ergro!th of some .omle@ion,
"ft &reaking do!n the ales and forts of reason,
"r &3 some ha&it that too m(.h o8er4lea2ens
'he form of la(si2e manners, that these men,
%arr3ing, I sa3, the stam of one defe.t,
/eing nat(re8s li2er3, or fort(ne8s star,44
'heir 2irt(es else44&e the3 as (re as gra.e,
As infinite as man ma3 (ndergo44
Shall in the general .ens(re take .orr(tion
0rom that arti.(lar fa(lt- the dram of eale
Doth all the no&le s(&stan.e of a do(&t
'o his o!n s.andal.
HORATIO
Look, m3 lord, it .omes:
Enter host
HAMLET
Angels and ministers of gra.e defend (s:
/e tho( a sirit of health or go&lin damn8d,
/ring !ith thee airs from hea2en or &lasts from hell,
/e th3 intents !i.ked or .harita&le,
'ho( .omest in s(.h a <(estiona&le shae
'hat I !ill seak to thee- I'll call thee Hamlet,
King, father, royal Dane: ", ans!er me:
Let me not &(rst in ignoran.e; &(t tell
Wh3 th3 .anoni>ed &ones, hearsed in death,
Ha2e &(rst their .erements; !h3 the se(l.hre,
Wherein !e sa! thee <(ietl3 in(rn8d,
Hath oed his ondero(s and mar&le =a!s,
'o .ast thee ( again. What ma3 this mean,
'hat tho(, dead .orse, again in .omlete steel
Re2isit8st th(s the glimses of the moon,
Making night hideo(s; and !e fools of nat(re
So horridl3 to shake o(r disosition
With tho(ghts &e3ond the rea.hes of o(r so(ls9
Sa3, !h3 is this9 !herefore9 !hat sho(ld !e do9
host ,e"#ons HAMLET
HORATIO
It &e.kons 3o( to go a!a3 !ith it,
As if it some imartment did desire
'o 3o( alone.
MARCELLUS
Look, !ith !hat .o(rteo(s a.tion
It !a2es 3o( to a more remo2ed gro(nd-
/(t do not go !ith it.
HORATIO
#o, &3 no means.
HAMLET
It !ill not seak; then I !ill follo! it.
HORATIO
Do not, m3 lord.
HAMLET
Wh3, !hat sho(ld &e the fear9
I do not set m3 life in a in8s fee;
And for m3 so(l, !hat .an it do to that,
/eing a thing immortal as itself9
It !a2es me forth again- I8ll follo! it.
HORATIO
What if it temt 3o( to!ard the flood, m3 lord,
"r to the dreadf(l s(mmit of the .liff
'hat &eetles o8er his &ase into the sea,
And there ass(me some other horri&le form,
Whi.h might deri2e 3o(r so2ereignt3 of reason
And dra! 3o( into madness9 think of it-
'he 2er3 la.e (ts to3s of deseration,
Witho(t more moti2e, into e2er3 &rain
'hat looks so man3 fathoms to the sea
And hears it roar &eneath.
HAMLET
It !a2es me still.
+o on; I8ll follo! thee.
MARCELLUS
1o( shall not go, m3 lord.
HAMLET
Hold off 3o(r hands.
HORATIO
/e r(led; 3o( shall not go.
HAMLET
M3 fate .ries o(t,
And makes ea.h ett3 arter3 in this &od3
As hard3 as the #emean lion8s ner2e.
Still am I .all8d. $nhand me, gentlemen.
/3 hea2en, I8ll make a ghost of him that lets me:
I sa3, a!a3: +o on; I8ll follo! thee.
Exe%nt host and HAMLET
HORATIO
He !a@es deserate !ith imagination.
MARCELLUS
Let8s follo!; 8tis not fit th(s to o&e3 him.
HORATIO
Ha2e after. 'o !hat iss(e !ill this .ome9
MARCELLUS
Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.
HORATIO
Hea2en !ill dire.t it.
MARCELLUS
#a3, let8s follo! him.
Exe%nt
SCENE V. Another part of the platform.
Enter HOST and HAMLET
HAMLET
Where !ilt tho( lead me9 seak; I8ll go no f(rther.
Ghost
Mark me.
HAMLET
I !ill.
Ghost
M3 ho(r is almost .ome,
When I to s(lh(ro(s and tormenting flames
M(st render ( m3self.
HAMLET
Alas, oor ghost:
Ghost
Pit3 me not, &(t lend th3 serio(s hearing
'o !hat I shall (nfold.
HAMLET
Seak; I am &o(nd to hear.
Ghost
So art tho( to re2enge, !hen tho( shalt hear.
HAMLET
What9
Ghost
I am th3 father8s sirit,
Doom8d for a .ertain term to !alk the night,
And for the da3 .onfined to fast in fires,
'ill the fo(l .rimes done in m3 da3s of nat(re
Are &(rnt and (rged a!a3. /(t that I am for&id
'o tell the se.rets of m3 rison4ho(se,
I .o(ld a tale (nfold !hose lightest !ord
Wo(ld harro! ( th3 so(l, free>e th3 3o(ng &lood,
Make th3 t!o e3es, like stars, start from their sheres,
'h3 knotted and .om&ined lo.ks to art
And ea.h arti.(lar hair to stand on end,
Like <(ills (on the fretf(l orentine-
/(t this eternal &la>on m(st not &e
'o ears of flesh and &lood. List, list, ", list:
If tho( didst e2er th3 dear father lo2e44
HAMLET
" +od:
Ghost
Re2enge his fo(l and most (nnat(ral m(rder.
HAMLET
M(rder:
Ghost
M(rder most fo(l, as in the &est it is;
/(t this most fo(l, strange and (nnat(ral.
HAMLET
Haste me to kno!8t, that I, !ith !ings as s!ift
As meditation or the tho(ghts of lo2e,
Ma3 s!ee to m3 re2enge.
Ghost
I find thee at;
And d(ller sho(ldst tho( &e than the fat !eed
'hat roots itself in ease on Lethe !harf,
Wo(ldst tho( not stir in this. #o!, Hamlet, hear-
8'is gi2en o(t that, sleeing in m3 or.hard,
A serent st(ng me; so the !hole ear of Denmark
Is &3 a forged ro.ess of m3 death
Rankl3 a&(sed- &(t kno!, tho( no&le 3o(th,
'he serent that did sting th3 father8s life
#o! !ears his .ro!n.
HAMLET
" m3 roheti. so(l: M3 (n.le:
Ghost
A3, that in.est(o(s, that ad(lterate &east,
With !it.h.raft of his !it, !ith traitoro(s gifts,44
" !i.ked !it and gifts, that ha2e the o!er
So to sed(.e:44!on to his shamef(l l(st
'he !ill of m3 most seeming42irt(o(s <(een-
" Hamlet, !hat a falling4off !as there:
0rom me, !hose lo2e !as of that dignit3
'hat it !ent hand in hand e2en !ith the 2o!
I made to her in marriage, and to de.line
$on a !ret.h !hose nat(ral gifts !ere oor
'o those of mine:
/(t 2irt(e, as it ne2er !ill &e mo2ed,
'ho(gh le!dness .o(rt it in a shae of hea2en,
So l(st, tho(gh to a radiant angel link8d,
Will sate itself in a .elestial &ed,
And re3 on gar&age.
/(t, soft: methinks I s.ent the morning air;
/rief let me &e. Sleeing !ithin m3 or.hard,
M3 .(stom al!a3s of the afternoon,
$on m3 se.(re ho(r th3 (n.le stole,
With =(i.e of .(rsed he&enon in a 2ial,
And in the or.hes of m3 ears did o(r
'he leero(s distilment; !hose effe.t
Holds s(.h an enmit3 !ith &lood of man
'hat s!ift as <(i.ksil2er it .o(rses thro(gh
'he nat(ral gates and alle3s of the &od3,
And !ith a s(dden 2igo(r doth osset
And .(rd, like eager droings into milk,
'he thin and !holesome &lood- so did it mine;
And a most instant tetter &ark8d a&o(t,
Most la>ar4like, !ith 2ile and loathsome .r(st,
All m3 smooth &od3.
'h(s !as I, sleeing, by a brother's hand
Of life, of crown, of queen, at once dispatch'd:
%(t off e2en in the &lossoms of m3 sin,
$nho(sel8d, disaointed, (nanel8d,
#o re.koning made, &(t sent to m3 a..o(nt
With all m3 imerfe.tions on m3 head-
", horri&le: ", horri&le: most horri&le:
If thou hast nature in thee, bear it not;
Let not the royal bed of Denmark be
A couch for luxury and damned incest.
/(t, ho!soe2er tho( (rs(est this a.t,
'aint not th3 mind, nor let th3 so(l .ontri2e
Against th3 mother a(ght- lea2e her to hea2en
And to those thorns that in her &osom lodge,
'o ri.k and sting her. 0are thee !ell at on.e:
'he glo!4!orm sho!s the matin to &e near,
And 8gins to ale his (neffe.t(al fire-
Adie(, adie(: Hamlet, remem&er me.
Exit
HAMLET
" all 3o( host of hea2en: " earth: !hat else9
And shall I .o(le hell9 ", fie: Hold, hold, m3 heart;
And 3o(, m3 sine!s, gro! not instant old,
/(t &ear me stiffl3 (. Remem&er thee:
A3, tho( oor ghost, !hile memor3 holds a seat
In this distra.ted glo&e. Remem&er thee:
1ea, from the table of my memory
I'll wipe away all trivial fond records,
All saws of books, all forms, all pressures past,
That youth and observation copied there;
And thy commandment all alone shall live
Within the book and volume of my brain,
Unmix'd with baser matter: 3es, &3 hea2en:
" most erni.io(s !oman:
" 2illain, 2illain, smiling, damned 2illain:
M3 ta&les,44meet it is I set it do!n,
'hat one may smile, and smile, and be a villain;
At least I8m s(re it ma3 &e so in Denmark-
.ritin/
So, (n.le, there 3o( are. #o! to m3 !ord;
It is 8Adie(, adie(: remem&er me.8
I ha2e s!orn 8t.
MARCELLUS HORATIO
6Within7 M3 lord, m3 lord,44
MARCELLUS
6Within7 Lord Hamlet,44
HORATIO
6Within7 Hea2en se.(re him:
HAMLET
So &e it:
HORATIO
6Within7 Hillo, ho, ho, m3 lord:
HAMLET
Hillo, ho, ho, &o3: .ome, &ird, .ome.
Enter HORATIO and MARCELLUS
MARCELLUS
Ho! is8t, m3 no&le lord9
HORATIO
What ne!s, m3 lord9
HAMLET
", !onderf(l:
HORATIO
+ood m3 lord, tell it.
HAMLET
#o; 3o(8ll re2eal it.
HORATIO
#ot I, m3 lord, &3 hea2en.
MARCELLUS
#or I, m3 lord.
HAMLET
Ho! sa3 3o(, then; !o(ld heart of man on.e think it9
/(t 3o(8ll &e se.ret9
HORATIO MARCELLUS
A3, &3 hea2en, m3 lord.
HAMLET
'here8s ne8er a 2illain d!elling in all Denmark
/(t he8s an arrant kna2e.
HORATIO
There needs no ghost, my lord, come from the grave
To tell us this.
HAMLET
Wh3, right; 3o( are i8 the right;
And so, !itho(t more .ir.(mstan.e at all,
I hold it fit that !e shake hands and art-
1o(, as 3o(r &(siness and desire shall oint 3o(;
0or e2er3 man has &(siness and desire,
S(.h as it is; and for mine o!n oor art,
Look 3o(, I8ll go ra3.
HORATIO
'hese are &(t !ild and !hirling !ords, m3 lord.
HAMLET
I8m sorr3 the3 offend 3o(, heartil3;
1es, 8faith heartil3.
HORATIO
'here8s no offen.e, m3 lord.
HAMLET
1es, &3 Saint Patri.k, &(t there is, Horatio,
And m(.h offen.e too. 'o(.hing this 2ision here,
It is an honest ghost, that let me tell 3o(-
0or 3o(r desire to kno! !hat is &et!een (s,
"8ermaster 8t as 3o( ma3. And no!, good friends,
As 3o( are friends, s.holars and soldiers,
+i2e me one oor re<(est.
HORATIO
What is8t, m3 lord9 !e !ill.
HAMLET
#e2er make kno!n !hat 3o( ha2e seen to4night.
HORATIO MARCELLUS
M3 lord, !e !ill not.
HAMLET
#a3, &(t s!ear8t.
HORATIO
In faith,
M3 lord, not I.
MARCELLUS
#or I, m3 lord, in faith.
HAMLET
$on m3 s!ord.
MARCELLUS
We ha2e s!orn, m3 lord, alread3.
HAMLET
Indeed, (on m3 s!ord, indeed.
Ghost
6/eneath7 S!ear.
HAMLET
Ah, ha, &o3: sa38st tho( so9 art tho( there,
tr(eenn39
%ome on443o( hear this fello! in the .ellarage44
%onsent to s!ear.
HORATIO
Proose the oath, m3 lord.
HAMLET
#e2er to seak of this that 3o( ha2e seen,
S!ear &3 m3 s!ord.
Ghost
6/eneath7 S!ear.
HAMLET
Hi. et (&i<(e9 then !e8ll shift o(r gro(nd.
%ome hither, gentlemen,
And la3 3o(r hands again (on m3 s!ord-
#e2er to seak of this that 3o( ha2e heard,
S!ear &3 m3 s!ord.
Ghost
6/eneath7 S!ear.
HAMLET
Well said, old mole: .anst !ork i8 the earth so fast9
A !orth3 ioner: "n.e more remo2e, good friends.
HORATIO
" da3 and night, &(t this is !ondro(s strange:
HAMLET
And therefore as a stranger gi2e it !el.ome.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. /(t .ome;
Here, as &efore, ne2er, so hel 3o( mer.3,
Ho! strange or odd soe8er I &ear m3self,
As I er.han.e hereafter shall think meet
'o (t an anti. disosition on,
'hat 3o(, at s(.h times seeing me, ne2er shall,
With arms en.(m&er8d th(s, or this headshake,
"r &3 rono(n.ing of some do(&tf(l hrase,
As 8Well, !ell, !e kno!,8 or 8We .o(ld, an if !e !o(ld,8
"r 8If !e list to seak,8 or 8'here &e, an if the3 might,8
"r s(.h am&ig(o(s gi2ing o(t, to note
'hat 3o( kno! a(ght of me- this not to do,
So gra.e and mer.3 at 3o(r most need hel 3o(, S!ear.
Ghost
6/eneath7 S!ear.
HAMLET
Rest, rest, ert(r&ed sirit:
The0 s$ear
So, gentlemen,
With all m3 lo2e I do .ommend me to 3o(-
And !hat so oor a man as Hamlet is
Ma3 do, to e@ress his lo2e and friending to 3o(,
+od !illing, shall not la.k. Let (s go in together;
And still 3o(r fingers on 3o(r lis, I ra3.
The time is out of joint: O cursed spite,
That ever I was born to set it right!
#a3, .ome, let8s go together.
Exe%nt
ACT II
SCENE I. A room in POLONIUS' house.
Enter )OLONIUS and RE1NALDO
LORD POLONIUS
+i2e him this mone3 and these notes, Re3naldo.
REYNALDO
I !ill, m3 lord.
LORD POLONIUS
1o( shall do mar2ello(s !isel3, good Re3naldo,
/efore 3o( 2isit him, to make in<(ire
"f his &eha2ior.
REYNALDO
M3 lord, I did intend it.
LORD POLONIUS
Marr3, !ell said; 2er3 !ell said. Look 3o(, sir,
In<(ire me first !hat Danskers are in Paris;
And ho!, and !ho, !hat means, and !here the3 kee,
What .oman3, at !hat e@ense; and finding
/3 this en.omassment and drift of <(estion
'hat the3 do kno! m3 son, .ome 3o( more nearer
'han 3o(r arti.(lar demands !ill to(.h it-
'ake 3o(, as 8t!ere, some distant kno!ledge of him;
As th(s, 8I kno! his father and his friends,
And in art him- 8 do 3o( mark this, Re3naldo9
REYNALDO
A3, 2er3 !ell, m3 lord.
LORD POLONIUS
8And in art him; &(t8 3o( ma3 sa3 8not !ell-
/(t, if8t &e he I mean, he8s 2er3 !ild;
Addi.ted so and so-8 and there (t on him
What forgeries 3o( lease; marr3, none so rank
As ma3 dishono(r him; take heed of that;
/(t, sir, s(.h !anton, !ild and (s(al slis
As are .omanions noted and most kno!n
'o 3o(th and li&ert3.
REYNALDO
As gaming, m3 lord.
LORD POLONIUS
A3, or drinking, fen.ing, s!earing, <(arrelling,
Dra&&ing- 3o( ma3 go so far.
REYNALDO
M3 lord, that !o(ld dishono(r him.
LORD POLONIUS
80aith, no; as 3o( ma3 season it in the .harge
1o( m(st not (t another s.andal on him,
'hat he is oen to in.ontinen.3;
'hat8s not m3 meaning- &(t &reathe his fa(lts so <(aintl3
'hat the3 ma3 seem the taints of li&ert3,
'he flash and o(t&reak of a fier3 mind,
A sa2ageness in (nre.laimed &lood,
"f general assa(lt.
REYNALDO
/(t, m3 good lord,44
LORD POLONIUS
Wherefore sho(ld 3o( do this9
REYNALDO
A3, m3 lord,
I !o(ld kno! that.
LORD POLONIUS
Marr3, sir, here8s m3 drift;
And I &elie2e, it is a fet.h of !it-
1o( la3ing these slight s(llies on m3 son,
As 8t!ere a thing a little soil8d i8 the !orking, Mark 3o(,
1o(r art3 in .on2erse, him 3o( !o(ld so(nd,
Ha2ing e2er seen in the renominate .rimes
'he 3o(th 3o( &reathe of g(ilt3, &e ass(red
He .loses !ith 3o( in this .onse<(en.e;
8+ood sir,8 or so, or 8friend,8 or 8gentleman,8
A..ording to the hrase or the addition
"f man and .o(ntr3.
REYNALDO
)er3 good, m3 lord.
LORD POLONIUS
And then, sir, does he this44he does44!hat !as I
a&o(t to sa39 /3 the mass, I !as a&o(t to sa3
something- !here did I lea2e9
REYNALDO
At 8.loses in the .onse<(en.e,8 at 8friend or so,8
and 8gentleman.8
LORD POLONIUS
At 8.loses in the .onse<(en.e,8 a3, marr3;
He .loses th(s- 8I kno! the gentleman;
I sa! him 3esterda3, or t8 other da3,
"r then, or then; !ith s(.h, or s(.h; and, as 3o( sa3,
'here !as a8 gaming; there o8ertook in8s ro(se;
'here falling o(t at tennis-8 or er.han.e,
8I sa! him enter s(.h a ho(se of sale,8
)ideli.et, a &rothel, or so forth.
See 3o( no!;
1o(r &ait of falsehood takes this .ar of tr(th-
And th(s do !e of !isdom and of rea.h,
With !indlasses and !ith assa3s of &ias,
/3 indire.tions find dire.tions o(t-
So &3 m3 former le.t(re and ad2i.e,
Shall 3o( m3 son. 1o( ha2e me, ha2e 3o( not9
REYNALDO
M3 lord, I ha2e.
LORD POLONIUS
+od &e !i8 3o(; fare 3o( !ell.
REYNALDO
+ood m3 lord:
LORD POLONIUS
"&ser2e his in.lination in 3o(rself.
REYNALDO
I shall, m3 lord.
LORD POLONIUS
And let him l3 his m(si..
REYNALDO
Well, m3 lord.
LORD POLONIUS
0are!ell:
Exit RE1NALDO
Enter O)HELIA
Ho! no!, "helia: !hat8s the matter9
OPHELIA
", m3 lord, m3 lord, I ha2e &een so affrighted:
LORD POLONIUS
With !hat, i8 the name of +od9
OPHELIA
M3 lord, as I !as se!ing in m3 .loset,
Lord Hamlet, !ith his do(&let all (n&ra.ed;
#o hat (on his head; his sto.kings fo(l8d,
$ngarter8d, and do!n4g32ed to his an.le;
Pale as his shirt; his knees kno.king ea.h other;
And !ith a look so iteo(s in (rort
As if he had &een loosed o(t of hell
'o seak of horrors,44he .omes &efore me.
LORD POLONIUS
Mad for th3 lo2e9
OPHELIA
M3 lord, I do not kno!;
/(t tr(l3, I do fear it.
LORD POLONIUS
What said he9
OPHELIA
He took me &3 the !rist and held me hard;
'hen goes he to the length of all his arm;
And, !ith his other hand th(s o8er his &ro!,
He falls to s(.h er(sal of m3 fa.e
As he !o(ld dra! it. Long sta38d he so;
At last, a little shaking of mine arm
And thri.e his head th(s !a2ing ( and do!n,
He raised a sigh so iteo(s and rofo(nd
As it did seem to shatter all his &(lk
And end his &eing- that done, he lets me go-
And, !ith his head o2er his sho(lder t(rn8d,
He seem8d to find his !a3 !itho(t his e3es;
0or o(t o8 doors he !ent !itho(t their hels,
And, to the last, &ended their light on me.
LORD POLONIUS
%ome, go !ith me- I !ill go seek the king.
'his is the 2er3 e.stas3 of lo2e,
Whose 2iolent roert3 fordoes itself
And leads the !ill to deserate (ndertakings
As oft as an3 assion (nder hea2en
'hat does affli.t o(r nat(res. I am sorr3.
What, ha2e 3o( gi2en him an3 hard !ords of late9
OPHELIA
#o, m3 good lord, &(t, as 3o( did .ommand,
I did reel his fetters and denied
His a..ess to me.
LORD POLONIUS
'hat hath made him mad.
I am sorr3 that !ith &etter heed and =(dgment
I had not <(oted him- I fear8d he did &(t trifle,
And meant to !re.k thee; &(t, &eshre! m3 =ealo(s3:
/3 hea2en, it is as roer to o(r age
'o .ast &e3ond o(rsel2es in o(r oinions
As it is .ommon for the 3o(nger sort
'o la.k dis.retion. %ome, go !e to the king-
'his m(st &e kno!n; !hi.h, &eing ket .lose, might
mo2e
More grief to hide than hate to (tter lo2e.
Exe%nt
SCENE II. A room in the castle.
Enter &IN CLAUDIUS' (UEEN ERTRUDE' ROSENCRANT2' UILDENSTERN' and Attendants
KING CLAUDIUS
Wel.ome, dear Rosen.rant> and +(ildenstern:
Moreo2er that !e m(.h did long to see 3o(,
'he need !e ha2e to (se 3o( did ro2oke
"(r hast3 sending. Something ha2e 3o( heard
"f Hamlet8s transformation; so .all it,
Sith nor the e@terior nor the in!ard man
Resem&les that it !as. What it should be,
More than his father's death, that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself,
I cannot dream of: I entreat 3o( &oth,
'hat, &eing of so 3o(ng da3s &ro(ght ( !ith him,
And sith so neigh&o(r8d to his 3o(th and ha2ior,
'hat 3o( 2o(.hsafe 3o(r rest here in o(r .o(rt
Some little time- so &3 3o(r .omanies
'o dra! him on to leas(res, and to gather,
So m(.h as from o..asion 3o( ma3 glean,
Whether a(ght, to (s (nkno!n, affli.ts him th(s,
'hat, oen8d, lies !ithin o(r remed3.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
+ood gentlemen, he hath m(.h talk8d of 3o(;
And s(re I am t!o men there are not li2ing
'o !hom he more adheres. If it !ill lease 3o(
'o sho! (s so m(.h gentr3 and good !ill
As to e@end 3o(r time !ith (s a!hile,
0or the s(l3 and rofit of o(r hoe,
1o(r 2isitation shall re.ei2e s(.h thanks
As fits a king8s remem&ran.e.
ROSENCRANTZ
/oth 3o(r ma=esties
Might, &3 the so2ereign o!er 3o( ha2e of (s,
P(t 3o(r dread leas(res more into .ommand
'han to entreat3.
GUILDENSTERN
/(t !e &oth o&e3,
And here gi2e ( o(rsel2es, in the f(ll &ent
'o la3 o(r ser2i.e freel3 at 3o(r feet,
'o &e .ommanded.
KING CLAUDIUS
'hanks, Rosen.rant> and gentle +(ildenstern.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
'hanks, +(ildenstern and gentle Rosen.rant>-
And I &esee.h 3o( instantl3 to 2isit
M3 too m(.h .hanged son. +o, some of 3o(,
And &ring these gentlemen !here Hamlet is.
GUILDENSTERN
Hea2ens make o(r resen.e and o(r ra.tises
Pleasant and helf(l to him:
QUEEN GERTRUDE
A3, amen:
Exe%nt ROSENCRANT2' UILDENSTERN' and some Attendants
Enter )OLONIUS
LORD POLONIUS
'he am&assadors from #or!a3, m3 good lord,
Are =o3f(ll3 ret(rn8d.
KING CLAUDIUS
'ho( still hast &een the father of good ne!s.
LORD POLONIUS
Ha2e I, m3 lord9 I ass(re m3 good liege,
I hold m3 d(t3, as I hold m3 so(l,
/oth to m3 +od and to m3 gra.io(s king-
And I do think, or else this &rain of mine
H(nts not the trail of oli.3 so s(re
As it hath (sed to do, that I ha2e fo(nd
'he 2er3 .a(se of Hamlet's lunacy.
KING CLAUDIUS
", seak of that; that do I long to hear.
LORD POLONIUS
+i2e first admittan.e to the am&assadors;
M3 ne!s shall &e the fr(it to that great feast.
KING CLAUDIUS
'h3self do gra.e to them, and &ring them in.
Exit )OLONIUS
He tells me, m3 dear +ertr(de, he hath fo(nd
'he head and so(r.e of all 3o(r son8s distemer.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
I do(&t it is no other &(t the main;
His father's death, and our o'erhasty marriage.
KING CLAUDIUS
Well, !e shall sift him.
Re!enter )OLONIUS' $ith *OLTIMAND and CORNELIUS
Wel.ome, m3 good friends:
Sa3, )oltimand, !hat from o(r &rother #or!a39
VOLTIMAND
Most fair ret(rn of greetings and desires.
$on o(r first, he sent o(t to s(ress
His nehe!8s le2ies; !hi.h to him aear8d
'o &e a rearation 8gainst the Pola.k;
/(t, &etter look8d into, he tr(l3 fo(nd
It !as against 3o(r highness- !hereat grie2ed,
'hat so his si.kness, age and imoten.e
Was falsel3 &orne in hand, sends o(t arrests
"n 0ortin&ras; !hi.h he, in &rief, o&e3s;
Re.ei2es re&(ke from #or!a3, and in fine
Makes 2o! &efore his (n.le ne2er more
'o gi2e the assa3 of arms against 3o(r ma=est3.
Whereon old #or!a3, o2er.ome !ith =o3,
+i2es him three tho(sand .ro!ns in ann(al fee,
And his .ommission to emlo3 those soldiers,
So le2ied as &efore, against the Pola.k-
With an entreat3, herein f(rther sho!n,
i3in/ a paper
'hat it might lease 3o( to gi2e <(iet ass
'hro(gh 3o(r dominions for this enterrise,
"n s(.h regards of safet3 and allo!an.e
As therein are set do!n.
KING CLAUDIUS
It likes (s !ell;
And at o(r more .onsider8d time !ell read,
Ans!er, and think (on this &(siness.
Meantime !e thank 3o( for 3o(r !ell4took la&o(r-
+o to 3o(r rest; at night !e8ll feast together-
Most !el.ome home:
Exe%nt *OLTIMAND and CORNELIUS
LORD POLONIUS
'his &(siness is !ell ended.
M3 liege, and madam, to e@ost(late
What ma=est3 sho(ld &e, !hat d(t3 is,
Wh3 da3 is da3, night night, and time is time,
Were nothing &(t to !aste night, da3 and time.
'herefore, sin.e &re2it3 is the so(l of !it,
And tedio(sness the lim&s and o(t!ard flo(rishes,
I !ill &e &rief- your noble son is mad:
Mad call I it; for, to define true madness,
What is't but to be nothing else but mad?
/(t let that go.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
More matter, !ith less art.
LORD POLONIUS
Madam, I s!ear I (se no art at all.
'hat he is mad, 8tis tr(e- 8tis tr(e 8tis it3;
And it3 8tis 8tis tr(e- a foolish fig(re;
/(t fare!ell it, for I !ill (se no art.
Mad let (s grant him, then- and no! remains
'hat !e find o(t the .a(se of this effe.t,
"r rather sa3, the .a(se of this defe.t,
0or this effe.t defe.ti2e .omes &3 .a(se-
'h(s it remains, and the remainder th(s. Perend.
I have a daughter--have while she is mine--
Who, in her duty and obedience, mark,
Hath given me this: no! gather, and s(rmise.
Reads
8'o the .elestial and m3 so(l8s idol, the most
&ea(tified "helia,844
'hat8s an ill hrase, a 2ile hrase; 8&ea(tified8 is
a 2ile hrase- &(t 3o( shall hear. 'h(s-
Reads
8In her e@.ellent !hite &osom, these, , ..8
QUEEN GERTRUDE
%ame this from Hamlet to her9
LORD POLONIUS
+ood madam, sta3 a!hile; I !ill &e faithf(l.
Reads
'Doubt thou the stars are fire;
Doubt that the sun doth move;
Doubt truth to be a liar;
But never doubt I love.
8" dear "helia, I am ill at these n(m&ers;
I ha2e not art to re.kon m3 groans- &(t that
I lo2e thee &est, " most &est, &elie2e it. Adie(.
8'hine e2ermore most dear lad3, !hilst
this ma.hine is to him, HAMLE'.8
'his, in o&edien.e, hath m3 da(ghter sho!n me,
And more a&o2e, hath his soli.itings,
As the3 fell o(t &3 time, &3 means and la.e,
All gi2en to mine ear.
KING CLAUDIUS
/(t ho! hath she
Re.ei2ed his lo2e9
LORD POLONIUS
What do 3o( think of me9
KING CLAUDIUS
As of a man faithf(l and hono(ra&le.
LORD POLONIUS
I !o(ld fain ro2e so. /(t !hat might 3o( think,
When I had seen this hot lo2e on the !ing44
As I er.ei2ed it, I m(st tell 3o( that,
/efore m3 da(ghter told me44!hat might 3o(,
"r m3 dear ma=est3 3o(r <(een here, think,
If I had la38d the desk or ta&le4&ook,
"r gi2en m3 heart a !inking, m(te and d(m&,
"r look8d (on this lo2e !ith idle sight;
What might 3o( think9 #o, I !ent ro(nd to !ork,
And m3 3o(ng mistress th(s I did &eseak-
'Lord Hamlet is a prince, out of thy star;
This must not be:' and then I re.ets ga2e her,
'hat she sho(ld lo.k herself from his resort,
Admit no messengers, re.ei2e no tokens.
Whi.h done, she took the fr(its of m3 ad2i.e;
And he, re(lsed44a short tale to make44
0ell into a sadness, then into a fast,
'hen.e to a !at.h, then.e into a !eakness,
'hen.e to a lightness, and, &3 this de.lension,
Into the madness !herein no! he ra2es,
And all !e mo(rn for.
KING CLAUDIUS
Do 3o( think 8tis this9
QUEEN GERTRUDE
It ma3 &e, 2er3 likel3.
LORD POLONIUS
Hath there &een s(.h a time44I8d fain kno! that44
'hat I ha2e ositi2el3 said 8'is so,8
When it ro2ed other!ise9
KING CLAUDIUS
#ot that I kno!.
LORD POLONIUS
6Pointing to his head and sho(lder7
'ake this from this, if this &e other!ise-
If .ir.(mstan.es lead me, I !ill find
Where tr(th is hid, tho(gh it !ere hid indeed
Within the .entre.
KING CLAUDIUS
Ho! ma3 !e tr3 it f(rther9
LORD POLONIUS
1o( kno!, sometimes he !alks fo(r ho(rs together
Here in the lo&&3.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
So he does indeed.
LORD POLONIUS
At s(.h a time I8ll loose m3 da(ghter to him-
/e 3o( and I &ehind an arras then;
Mark the en.o(nter- if he lo2e her not
And &e not from his reason fall8n thereon,
Let me &e no assistant for a state,
/(t kee a farm and .arters.
KING CLAUDIUS
We !ill tr3 it.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
/(t, look, !here sadl3 the oor !ret.h .omes reading.
LORD POLONIUS
A!a3, I do &esee.h 3o(, &oth a!a3-
I8ll &oard him resentl3.
Exe%nt &IN CLAUDIUS' (UEEN ERTRUDE' and Attendants
Enter HAMLET' readin/
", gi2e me lea2e-
Ho! does m3 good Lord Hamlet9
HAMLET
Well, +od4a4mer.3.
LORD POLONIUS
Do 3o( kno! me, m3 lord9
HAMLET
E@.ellent !ell; 3o( are a fishmonger.
LORD POLONIUS
#ot I, m3 lord.
HAMLET
'hen I !o(ld 3o( !ere so honest a man.
LORD POLONIUS
Honest, m3 lord:
HAMLET
A3, sir; to &e honest, as this !orld goes, is to &e
one man i.ked o(t of ten tho(sand.
LORD POLONIUS
'hat8s 2er3 tr(e, m3 lord.
HAMLET
0or if the s(n &reed maggots in a dead dog, &eing a
god kissing .arrion,44Ha2e 3o( a da(ghter9
LORD POLONIUS
I ha2e, m3 lord.
HAMLET
Let her not !alk i8 the s(n- .on.etion is a
&lessing- &(t not as 3o(r da(ghter ma3 .on.ei2e.
0riend, look to 8t.
LORD POLONIUS
6Aside7 Ho! sa3 3o( &3 that9 Still haring on m3
da(ghter- 3et he kne! me not at first; he said I
!as a fishmonger- he is far gone, far gone- and
tr(l3 in m3 3o(th I s(ffered m(.h e@tremit3 for
lo2e; 2er3 near this. I8ll seak to him again.
What do 3o( read, m3 lord9
HAMLET
Words, words, words.
LORD POLONIUS
What is the matter, m3 lord9
HAMLET
/et!een !ho9
LORD POLONIUS
I mean, the matter that 3o( read, m3 lord.
HAMLET
Slanders, sir- for the satiri.al rog(e sa3s here
that old men ha2e gre3 &eards, that their fa.es are
!rinkled, their e3es (rging thi.k am&er and
l(m4tree g(m and that the3 ha2e a lentif(l la.k of
!it, together !ith most !eak hams- all !hi.h, sir,
tho(gh I most o!erf(ll3 and otentl3 &elie2e, 3et
I hold it not honest3 to ha2e it th(s set do!n, for
3o(rself, sir, sho(ld &e old as I am, if like a .ra&
3o( .o(ld go &a.k!ard.
LORD POLONIUS
6Aside7 Though this be madness, yet there is method
in 't. Will 3o( !alk o(t of the air, m3 lord9
HAMLET
Into m3 gra2e.
LORD POLONIUS
Indeed, that is o(t o8 the air.
Aside
Ho! regnant sometimes his relies are: a happiness
that often madness hits on, which reason and sanity
could not so prosperously be delivered of. I !ill
lea2e him, and s(ddenl3 .ontri2e the means of
meeting &et!een him and m3 da(ghter.44M3 hono(ra&le
lord, I !ill most h(m&l3 take m3 lea2e of 3o(.
HAMLET
1o( .annot, sir, take from me an3 thing that I !ill
more !illingl3 art !ithal- e@.et m3 life, e@.et
m3 life, e@.et m3 life.
LORD POLONIUS
0are 3o( !ell, m3 lord.
HAMLET
'hese tedio(s old fools:
Enter ROSENCRANT2 and UILDENSTERN
LORD POLONIUS
1o( go to seek the Lord Hamlet; there he is.
ROSENCRANTZ
6'o P"L"#I$S7 +od sa2e 3o(, sir:
Exit )OLONIUS
GUILDENSTERN
M3 hono(red lord:
ROSENCRANTZ
M3 most dear lord:
HAMLET
M3 e@.ellent good friends: Ho! dost tho(,
+(ildenstern9 Ah, Rosen.rant>: +ood lads, ho! do 3e &oth9
ROSENCRANTZ
As the indifferent .hildren of the earth.
GUILDENSTERN
Happy, in that we are not over-happy;
"n fort(ne8s .a !e are not the 2er3 &(tton.
HAMLET
#or the soles of her shoe9
ROSENCRANTZ
#either, m3 lord.
HAMLET
'hen 3o( li2e a&o(t her !aist, or in the middle of
her fa2o(rs9
GUILDENSTERN
80aith, her ri2ates !e.
HAMLET
In the se.ret arts of fort(ne9 ", most tr(e; she
is a str(met. What8s the ne!s9
ROSENCRANTZ
#one, m3 lord, &(t that the !orld8s gro!n honest.
HAMLET
'hen is doomsda3 near- &(t 3o(r ne!s is not tr(e.
Let me <(estion more in arti.(lar- !hat ha2e 3o(,
m3 good friends, deser2ed at the hands of fort(ne,
that she sends 3o( to rison hither9
GUILDENSTERN
Prison, m3 lord:
HAMLET
Denmark's a prison.
ROSENCRANTZ
Then is the world one.
HAMLET
A goodly one; in which there are many confines,
wards and dungeons, Denmark &eing one o8 the !orst.
ROSENCRANTZ
We think not so, m3 lord.
HAMLET
Wh3, then, 8tis none to 3o(; for there is nothing
either good or bad, but thinking makes it so: to me
it is a rison.
ROSENCRANTZ
Wh3 then, 3o(r am&ition makes it one; 8tis too
narro! for 3o(r mind.
HAMLET
" +od, I could be bounded in a nut shell and count
myself a king of infinite space , !ere it not that I
ha2e &ad dreams.
GUILDENSTERN
Whi.h dreams indeed are am&ition, for the 2er3
s(&stan.e of the am&itio(s is merel3 the shado! of a dream.
HAMLET
A dream itself is but a shadow.
ROSENCRANTZ
'r(l3, and I hold am&ition of so air3 and light a
<(alit3 that it is &(t a shado!8s shado!.
HAMLET
'hen are o(r &eggars &odies, and o(r monar.hs and
o(tstret.hed heroes the &eggars8 shado!s. Shall !e
to the .o(rt9 for, &3 m3 fa3, I .annot reason.
ROSENCRANTZ GUILDENSTERN
We8ll !ait (on 3o(.
HAMLET
#o s(.h matter- I !ill not sort 3o( !ith the rest
of m3 ser2ants, for, to seak to 3o( like an honest
man, I am most dreadf(ll3 attended. /(t, in the
&eaten !a3 of friendshi, !hat make 3o( at Elsinore9
ROSENCRANTZ
'o 2isit 3o(, m3 lord; no other o..asion.
HAMLET
/eggar that I am, I am e2en oor in thanks; &(t I
thank 3o(- and s(re, dear friends, m3 thanks are
too dear a halfenn3. Were 3o( not sent for9 Is it
3o(r o!n in.lining9 Is it a free 2isitation9 %ome,
deal =(stl3 !ith me- .ome, .ome; na3, seak.
GUILDENSTERN
What sho(ld !e sa3, m3 lord9
HAMLET
Wh3, an3 thing, &(t to the (rose. 1o( !ere sent
for; and there is a kind of .onfession in 3o(r looks
!hi.h 3o(r modesties ha2e not .raft eno(gh to .olo(r-
I kno! the good king and <(een ha2e sent for 3o(.
ROSENCRANTZ
'o !hat end, m3 lord9
HAMLET
'hat 3o( m(st tea.h me. /(t let me .on=(re 3o(, &3
the rights of o(r fello!shi, &3 the .onsonan.3 of
o(r 3o(th, &3 the o&ligation of o(r e2er4reser2ed
lo2e, and &3 !hat more dear a &etter rooser .o(ld
.harge 3o( !ithal, &e e2en and dire.t !ith me,
!hether 3o( !ere sent for, or no9
ROSENCRANTZ
6Aside to +$ILDE#S'ER#7 What sa3 3o(9
HAMLET
6Aside7 #a3, then, I ha2e an e3e of 3o(.44If 3o(
lo2e me, hold not off.
GUILDENSTERN
M3 lord, !e !ere sent for.
HAMLET
I !ill tell 3o( !h3; so shall m3 anti.iation
re2ent 3o(r dis.o2er3, and 3o(r se.re.3 to the king
and <(een mo(lt no feather. I ha2e of late44&(t
!herefore I kno! not44lost all m3 mirth, forgone all
.(stom of e@er.ises; and indeed it goes so hea2il3
!ith m3 disosition that this goodl3 frame, the
earth, seems to me a sterile romontor3, this most
e@.ellent .ano3, the air, look 3o(, this &ra2e
o8erhanging firmament, this ma=esti.al roof fretted
!ith golden fire, !h3, it aears no other thing to
me than a fo(l and estilent .ongregation of 2ao(rs.
What a piece of work is a man! how noble in reason!
how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how
express and admirable! in action how like an angel!
in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the
world! the paragon of animals! And yet, to me,
what is this quintessence of dust? man delights not
me: no, nor woman neither, tho(gh &3 3o(r smiling
3o( seem to sa3 so.
ROSENCRANTZ
M3 lord, there !as no s(.h st(ff in m3 tho(ghts.
HAMLET
Wh3 did 3o( la(gh then, !hen I said 8man delights not me89
ROSENCRANTZ
'o think, m3 lord, if 3o( delight not in man, !hat
lenten entertainment the la3ers shall re.ei2e from
3o(- !e .oted them on the !a3; and hither are the3
.oming, to offer 3o( ser2i.e.
HAMLET
He that la3s the king shall &e !el.ome; his ma=est3
shall ha2e tri&(te of me; the ad2ent(ro(s knight
shall (se his foil and target; the lo2er shall not
sigh gratis; the h(mo(ro(s man shall end his art
in ea.e; the .lo!n shall make those la(gh !hose
l(ngs are ti.kled o8 the sere; and the lad3 shall
sa3 her mind freel3, or the &lank 2erse shall halt
for8t. What la3ers are the39
ROSENCRANTZ
E2en those 3o( !ere !ont to take delight in, the
tragedians of the .it3.
HAMLET
Ho! .han.es it the3 tra2el9 their residen.e, &oth
in re(tation and rofit, !as &etter &oth !a3s.
ROSENCRANTZ
I think their inhi&ition .omes &3 the means of the
late inno2ation.
HAMLET
Do the3 hold the same estimation the3 did !hen I !as
in the .it39 are the3 so follo!ed9
ROSENCRANTZ
#o, indeed, are the3 not.
HAMLET
Ho! .omes it9 do the3 gro! r(st39
ROSENCRANTZ
#a3, their endea2o(r kees in the !onted a.e- &(t
there is, sir, an aer3 of .hildren, little e3ases,
that .r3 o(t on the to of <(estion, and are most
t3ranni.all3 .laed for8t- these are no! the
fashion, and so &erattle the .ommon stages44so the3
.all them44that man3 !earing raiers are afraid of
goose4<(ills and dare s.ar.e .ome thither.
HAMLET
What, are the3 .hildren9 !ho maintains 8em9 ho! are
the3 es.oted9 Will the3 (rs(e the <(alit3 no
longer than the3 .an sing9 !ill the3 not sa3
after!ards, if the3 sho(ld gro! themsel2es to .ommon
la3ers44as it is most like, if their means are no
&etter44their !riters do them !rong, to make them
e@.laim against their o!n s(..ession9
ROSENCRANTZ
80aith, there has &een m(.h to do on &oth sides; and
the nation holds it no sin to tarre them to
.ontro2ers3- there !as, for a !hile, no mone3 &id
for arg(ment, (nless the oet and the la3er !ent to
.(ffs in the <(estion.
HAMLET
Is8t ossi&le9
GUILDENSTERN
", there has been much throwing about of brains.
HAMLET
Do the &o3s .arr3 it a!a39
ROSENCRANTZ
A3, that the3 do, m3 lord; Her.(les and his load too.
HAMLET
It is not 2er3 strange; for mine (n.le is king of
Denmark, and those that !o(ld make mo!s at him !hile
m3 father li2ed, gi2e t!ent3, fort3, fift3, an
h(ndred d(.ats a4ie.e for his i.t(re in little.
8S&lood, there is something in this more than
nat(ral, if hilosoh3 .o(ld find it o(t.
F+o%rish o- tr%mpets $ithin
GUILDENSTERN
'here are the la3ers.
HAMLET
+entlemen, 3o( are !el.ome to Elsinore. 1o(r hands,
.ome then- the a(rtenan.e of !el.ome is fashion
and .eremon3- let me .oml3 !ith 3o( in this gar&,
lest m3 e@tent to the la3ers, !hi.h, I tell 3o(,
m(st sho! fairl3 o(t!ard, sho(ld more aear like
entertainment than 3o(rs. 1o( are !el.ome- &(t m3
(n.le4father and a(nt4mother are de.ei2ed.
GUILDENSTERN
In !hat, m3 dear lord9
HAMLET
I am &(t mad north4north4!est- !hen the !ind is
so(therl3 I kno! a ha!k from a handsa!.
Enter )OLONIUS
LORD POLONIUS
Well &e !ith 3o(, gentlemen:
HAMLET
Hark 3o(, +(ildenstern; and 3o( too- at ea.h ear a
hearer- that great &a&3 3o( see there is not 3et
o(t of his s!addling4.lo(ts.
ROSENCRANTZ
Hail3 he8s the se.ond time .ome to them; for the3
sa3 an old man is twice a child.
HAMLET
I !ill rohes3 he .omes to tell me of the la3ers;
mark it. 1o( sa3 right, sir- o8 Monda3 morning;
8t!as so indeed.
LORD POLONIUS
M3 lord, I ha2e ne!s to tell 3o(.
HAMLET
M3 lord, I ha2e ne!s to tell 3o(.
When Ros.i(s !as an a.tor in Rome,44
LORD POLONIUS
'he a.tors are .ome hither, m3 lord.
HAMLET
/(>, &(>:
LORD POLONIUS
$on mine hono(r,44
HAMLET
'hen .ame ea.h a.tor on his ass,44
LORD POLONIUS
'he &est a.tors in the !orld, either for traged3,
.omed3, histor3, astoral, astoral4.omi.al,
histori.al4astoral, tragi.al4histori.al, tragi.al4
.omi.al4histori.al4astoral, s.ene indi2ida&le, or
oem (nlimited- Sene.a .annot &e too hea23, nor
Pla(t(s too light. 0or the la! of !rit and the
li&ert3, these are the onl3 men.
HAMLET
" ?ehthah, =(dge of Israel, !hat a treas(re hadst tho(:
LORD POLONIUS
What a treas(re had he, m3 lord9
HAMLET
Wh3,
8"ne fair da(ghter and no more,
'he !hi.h he lo2ed assing !ell.8
LORD POLONIUS
6Aside7 Still on m3 da(ghter.
HAMLET
Am I not i8 the right, old ?ehthah9
LORD POLONIUS
If 3o( .all me ?ehthah, m3 lord, I ha2e a da(ghter
that I lo2e assing !ell.
HAMLET
#a3, that follo!s not.
LORD POLONIUS
What follo!s, then, m3 lord9
HAMLET
Wh3,
8As &3 lot, +od !ot,8
and then, 3o( kno!,
8It .ame to ass, as most like it !as,844
the first ro! of the io(s .hanson !ill sho! 3o(
more; for look, !here m3 a&ridgement .omes.
Enter -o%r or -i3e )+a0ers
1o( are !el.ome, masters; !el.ome, all. I am glad
to see thee !ell. Wel.ome, good friends. ", m3 old
friend: th3 fa.e is 2alen.ed sin.e I sa! thee last-
.omest tho( to &eard me in Denmark9 What, m3 3o(ng
lad3 and mistress: /38r lad3, 3o(r lad3shi is
nearer to hea2en than !hen I sa! 3o( last, &3 the
altit(de of a .hoine. Pra3 +od, 3o(r 2oi.e, like
aie.e of (n.(rrent gold, &e not .ra.ked !ithin the
ring. Masters, 3o( are all !el.ome. We8ll e8en
to8t like 0ren.h fal.oners, fl3 at an3 thing !e see-
!e8ll ha2e a see.h straight- .ome, gi2e (s a taste
of 3o(r <(alit3; .ome, a assionate see.h.
First Player
What see.h, m3 lord9
HAMLET
I heard thee seak me a see.h on.e, &(t it !as
ne2er a.ted; or, if it !as, not a&o2e on.e; for the
play, I remember, pleased not the million; 'twas
caviare to the general: &(t it !as44as I re.ei2ed
it, and others, !hose =(dgments in s(.h matters
.ried in the to of mine44an e@.ellent la3, !ell
digested in the s.enes, set do!n !ith as m(.h
modest3 as .(nning. I remem&er, one said there
!ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter
sa2o(r3, nor no matter in the hrase that might
indi.t the a(thor of affe.tation; &(t .alled it an
honest method, as !holesome as s!eet, and &3 2er3
m(.h more handsome than fine. "ne see.h in it I
.hiefl3 lo2ed- 8t!as Aeneas8 tale to Dido; and
therea&o(t of it ese.iall3, !here he seaks of
Priam8s sla(ghter- if it li2e in 3o(r memor3, &egin
at this line- let me see, let me see44
8'he r(gged P3rrh(s, like the H3r.anian &east,844
it is not so-44it &egins !ith P3rrh(s-44
8'he r(gged P3rrh(s, he !hose sa&le arms,
/la.k as his (rose, did the night resem&le
When he la3 .o(.hed in the omino(s horse,
Hath no! this dread and &la.k .omle@ion smear8d
With heraldr3 more dismal; head to foot
#o! is he total g(les; horridl3 tri.k8d
With &lood of fathers, mothers, da(ghters, sons,
/aked and imasted !ith the ar.hing streets,
'hat lend a t3ranno(s and damned light
'o their lord8s m(rder- roasted in !rath and fire,
And th(s o8er4si>ed !ith .oag(late gore,
With e3es like .ar&(n.les, the hellish P3rrh(s
"ld grandsire Priam seeks.8
So, ro.eed 3o(.
LORD POLONIUS
80ore +od, m3 lord, !ell soken, !ith good a..ent and
good dis.retion.
First Player
8Anon he finds him
Striking too short at +reeks; his anti<(e s!ord,
Re&ellio(s to his arm, lies !here it falls,
Re(gnant to .ommand- (ne<(al mat.h8d,
P3rrh(s at Priam dri2es; in rage strikes !ide;
/(t !ith the !hiff and !ind of his fell s!ord
'he (nner2ed father falls. 'hen senseless Ili(m,
Seeming to feel this &lo!, !ith flaming to
Stoos to his &ase, and !ith a hideo(s .rash
'akes risoner P3rrh(s8 ear- for, lo: his s!ord,
Whi.h !as de.lining on the milk3 head
"f re2erend Priam, seem8d i8 the air to sti.k-
So, as a ainted t3rant, P3rrh(s stood,
And like a ne(tral to his !ill and matter,
Did nothing.
/(t, as !e often see, against some storm,
A silen.e in the hea2ens, the ra.k stand still,
'he &old !inds see.hless and the or& &elo!
As h(sh as death, anon the dreadf(l th(nder
Doth rend the region, so, after P3rrh(s8 a(se,
Aro(sed 2engean.e sets him ne! a4!ork;
And ne2er did the %3.los8 hammers fall
"n Mars8s armo(r forged for roof eterne
With less remorse than P3rrh(s8 &leeding s!ord
#o! falls on Priam.
"(t, o(t, tho( str(met, 0ort(ne: All 3o( gods,
In general s3nod 8take a!a3 her o!er;
/reak all the sokes and fellies from her !heel,
And &o!l the ro(nd na2e do!n the hill of hea2en,
As lo! as to the fiends:8
LORD POLONIUS
'his is too long.
HAMLET
It shall to the &ar&er8s, !ith 3o(r &eard. Prithee,
sa3 on- he8s for a =ig or a tale of &a!dr3, or he
slees- sa3 on- .ome to He.(&a.
First Player
8/(t !ho, ", !ho had seen the mo&led <(een448
HAMLET
8'he mo&led <(een98
LORD POLONIUS
'hat8s good; 8mo&led <(een8 is good.
First Player
8R(n &arefoot ( and do!n, threatening the flames
With &isson rhe(m; a .lo(t (on that head
Where late the diadem stood, and for a ro&e,
A&o(t her lank and all o8er4teemed loins,
A &lanket, in the alarm of fear .a(ght (;
Who this had seen, !ith tong(e in 2enom stee8d,
8+ainst 0ort(ne8s state !o(ld treason ha2e
rono(n.ed-
/(t if the gods themsel2es did see her then
When she sa! P3rrh(s make mali.io(s sort
In min.ing !ith his s!ord her h(s&and8s lim&s,
'he instant &(rst of .lamo(r that she made,
$nless things mortal mo2e them not at all,
Wo(ld ha2e made mil.h the &(rning e3es of hea2en,
And assion in the gods.8
LORD POLONIUS
Look, !hether he has not t(rned his .olo(r and has
tears in8s e3es. Pra3 3o(, no more.
HAMLET
8'is !ell- I8ll ha2e thee seak o(t the rest soon.
+ood m3 lord, !ill 3o( see the la3ers !ell
&esto!ed9 Do 3o( hear, let them &e !ell (sed; for
the3 are the a&stra.t and &rief .hroni.les of the
time- after 3o(r death 3o( !ere &etter ha2e a &ad
eitah than their ill reort !hile 3o( li2e.
LORD POLONIUS
M3 lord, I !ill (se them a..ording to their desert.
HAMLET
+od8s &od3kins, man, m(.h &etter- (se e2er3 man
after his desert, and !ho sho(ld 8s.ae !hiing9
$se them after 3o(r o!n hono(r and dignit3- the less
the3 deser2e, the more merit is in 3o(r &o(nt3.
'ake them in.
LORD POLONIUS
%ome, sirs.
HAMLET
0ollo! him, friends- !e8ll hear a la3 to4morro!.
Exit )OLONIUS $ith a++ the )+a0ers ,%t the First
Dost tho( hear me, old friend; .an 3o( la3 the
Murder of Gonzago?
First Player
A3, m3 lord.
HAMLET
We8ll ha8t to4morro! night. 1o( .o(ld, for a need,
st(d3 a see.h of some do>en or si@teen lines, !hi.h
I !o(ld set do!n and insert in8t, .o(ld 3o( not9
First Player
A3, m3 lord.
HAMLET
)er3 !ell. 0ollo! that lord; and look 3o( mo.k him
not.
Exit First )+a0er
M3 good friends, I8ll lea2e 3o( till night- 3o( are
!el.ome to Elsinore.
ROSENCRANTZ
+ood m3 lord:
HAMLET
A3, so, +od &e !i8 3e;
Exe%nt ROSENCRANT2 and UILDENSTERN
#o! I am alone.
", !hat a rog(e and easant sla2e am I:
Is it not monstro(s that this la3er here,
/(t in a fi.tion, in a dream of assion,
%o(ld for.e his so(l so to his o!n .on.eit
'hat from her !orking all his 2isage !ann8d,
'ears in his e3es, distra.tion in8s ase.t,
A &roken 2oi.e, and his !hole f(n.tion s(iting
With forms to his .on.eit9 and all for nothing:
0or He.(&a:
What8s He.(&a to him, or he to He.(&a,
'hat he sho(ld !ee for her9 What !o(ld he do,
Had he the moti2e and the .(e for assion
'hat I ha2e9 He !o(ld dro!n the stage !ith tears
And .lea2e the general ear !ith horrid see.h,
Make mad the g(ilt3 and aal the free,
%onfo(nd the ignorant, and ama>e indeed
'he 2er3 fa.(lties of e3es and ears. 1et I,
A d(ll and m(dd34mettled ras.al, eak,
Like ?ohn4a4dreams, (nregnant of m3 .a(se,
And .an sa3 nothing; no, not for a king,
$on !hose roert3 and most dear life
A damn8d defeat !as made. Am I a .o!ard9
Who .alls me 2illain9 &reaks m3 ate a.ross9
Pl(.ks off m3 &eard, and &lo!s it in m3 fa.e9
'!eaks me &3 the nose9 gi2es me the lie i8 the throat,
As dee as to the l(ngs9 !ho does me this9
Ha:
8S!o(nds, I sho(ld take it- for it .annot &e
/(t I am igeon4li2er8d and la.k gall
'o make oression &itter, or ere this
I sho(ld ha2e fatted all the region kites
With this sla2e8s offal- &lood3, &a!d3 2illain:
Remorseless, trea.hero(s, le.hero(s, kindless 2illain:
", 2engean.e:
Why, what an ass am I! 'his is most &ra2e,
'hat I, the son of a dear father murder'd,
Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell,
M(st, like a !hore, (na.k m3 heart !ith !ords,
And fall a4.(rsing, like a 2er3 dra&,
A s.(llion:
0ie (on8t: foh: A&o(t, m3 &rain: I ha2e heard
'hat g(ilt3 .reat(res sitting at a la3
Ha2e &3 the 2er3 .(nning of the s.ene
/een str(.k so to the so(l that resentl3
'he3 ha2e ro.laim8d their malefa.tions;
0or m(rder, tho(gh it ha2e no tong(e, !ill seak
With most mira.(lo(s organ. I8ll ha2e these la3ers
Pla3 something like the m(rder of m3 father
/efore mine (n.le- I8ll o&ser2e his looks;
I8ll tent him to the <(i.k- if he &(t &len.h,
I kno! m3 .o(rse. 'he sirit that I ha2e seen
Ma3 &e the de2il- and the de2il hath o!er
'o ass(me a leasing shae; 3ea, and erhas
"(t of m3 !eakness and m3 melan.hol3,
As he is 2er3 otent !ith s(.h sirits,
A&(ses me to damn me- I8ll ha2e gro(nds
More relati2e than this- the play 's the thing
Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king.
Exit
ACT III
SCENE I. A room in the castle.
Enter &IN CLAUDIUS' (UEEN ERTRUDE' )OLONIUS' O)HELIA' ROSENCRANT2' and
UILDENSTERN
KING CLAUDIUS
And .an 3o(, &3 no drift of .ir.(mstan.e,
+et from him !h3 he (ts on this .onf(sion,
+rating so harshl3 all his da3s of <(iet
With t(r&(lent and dangero(s l(na.39
ROSENCRANTZ
He does .onfess he feels himself distra.ted;
/(t from !hat .a(se he !ill &3 no means seak.
GUILDENSTERN
#or do !e find him for!ard to &e so(nded,
/(t, !ith a .raft3 madness, kees aloof,
When !e !o(ld &ring him on to some .onfession
"f his tr(e state.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
Did he re.ei2e 3o( !ell9
ROSENCRANTZ
Most like a gentleman.
GUILDENSTERN
/(t !ith m(.h for.ing of his disosition.
ROSENCRANTZ
#iggard of <(estion; &(t, of o(r demands,
Most free in his rel3.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
Did 3o( assa3 him9
'o an3 astime9
ROSENCRANTZ
Madam, it so fell o(t, that .ertain la3ers
We o8er4ra(ght on the !a3- of these !e told him;
And there did seem in him a kind of =o3
'o hear of it- the3 are a&o(t the .o(rt,
And, as I think, the3 ha2e alread3 order
'his night to la3 &efore him.
LORD POLONIUS
8'is most tr(e-
And he &esee.h8d me to entreat 3o(r ma=esties
'o hear and see the matter.
KING CLAUDIUS
With all m3 heart; and it doth m(.h .ontent me
'o hear him so in.lined.
+ood gentlemen, gi2e him a f(rther edge,
And dri2e his (rose on to these delights.
ROSENCRANTZ
We shall, m3 lord.
Exe%nt ROSENCRANT2 and UILDENSTERN
KING CLAUDIUS
S!eet +ertr(de, lea2e (s too;
0or !e ha2e .losel3 sent for Hamlet hither,
'hat he, as 8t!ere &3 a..ident, ma3 here
Affront "helia-
Her father and m3self, la!f(l esials,
Will so &esto! o(rsel2es that, seeing, (nseen,
We ma3 of their en.o(nter frankl3 =(dge,
And gather &3 him, as he is &eha2ed,
If 8t &e the affli.tion of his lo2e or no
'hat th(s he s(ffers for.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
I shall o&e3 3o(.
And for 3o(r art, "helia, I do !ish
'hat 3o(r good &ea(ties &e the ha3 .a(se
"f Hamlet8s !ildness- so shall I hoe 3o(r 2irt(es
Will &ring him to his !onted !a3 again,
'o &oth 3o(r hono(rs.
OPHELIA
Madam, I !ish it ma3.
Exit (UEEN ERTRUDE
LORD POLONIUS
"helia, !alk 3o( here. +ra.io(s, so lease 3o(,
We !ill &esto! o(rsel2es.
To O)HELIA
Read on this &ook;
'hat sho! of s(.h an e@er.ise ma3 .olo(r
1o(r loneliness. We are oft to &lame in this,44
8'is too m(.h ro2ed44that !ith de2otion8s 2isage
And io(s a.tion !e do s(gar o8er
'he de2il himself.
KING CLAUDIUS
6Aside7 ", 8tis too tr(e:
Ho! smart a lash that see.h doth gi2e m3 .ons.ien.e:
'he harlot8s .heek, &ea(tied !ith lastering art,
Is not more (gl3 to the thing that hels it
'han is m3 deed to m3 most ainted !ord-
" hea23 &(rthen:
LORD POLONIUS
I hear him .oming- let8s !ithdra!, m3 lord.
Exe%nt &IN CLAUDIUS and )OLONIUS
Enter HAMLET
HAMLET
To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub;
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause: there's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life;
For who would bear the !his and s.orns of time,
'he oressor8s !rong, the ro(d man8s .ont(mel3,
'he angs of desised lo2e, the la!8s dela3,
'he insolen.e of offi.e and the s(rns
'hat atient merit of the (n!orth3 takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? !ho !o(ld fardels &ear,
'o gr(nt and s!eat (nder a !ear3 life,
/(t that the dread of something after death,
The undiscover'd country from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;
And th(s the nati2e h(e of resol(tion
Is si.klied o8er !ith the ale .ast of tho(ght,
And enterrises of great ith and moment
With this regard their .(rrents t(rn a!r3,
And lose the name of a.tion.44Soft 3o( no!:
The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons
Be all my sins remember'd.
OPHELIA
+ood m3 lord,
Ho! does 3o(r hono(r for this man3 a da39
HAMLET
I h(m&l3 thank 3o(; !ell, !ell, !ell.
OPHELIA
M3 lord, I ha2e remem&ran.es of 3o(rs,
'hat I ha2e longed long to re4deli2er;
I ra3 3o(, no! re.ei2e them.
HAMLET
#o, not I;
I ne2er ga2e 3o( a(ght.
OPHELIA
M3 hono(r8d lord, 3o( kno! right !ell 3o( did;
And, !ith them, !ords of so s!eet &reath .omosed
As made the things more ri.h- their erf(me lost,
'ake these again; for to the no&le mind
Ri.h gifts !a@ oor !hen gi2ers ro2e (nkind.
'here, m3 lord.
HAMLET
Ha, ha: are 3o( honest9
OPHELIA
M3 lord9
HAMLET
Are 3o( fair9
OPHELIA
What means 3o(r lordshi9
HAMLET
'hat if 3o( &e honest and fair, 3o(r honest3 sho(ld
admit no dis.o(rse to 3o(r &ea(t3.
OPHELIA
%o(ld &ea(t3, m3 lord, ha2e &etter .ommer.e than
!ith honest39
HAMLET
A3, tr(l3; for the power of beauty will sooner
transform honesty from what it is to a bawd than the
force of honesty can translate beauty into his
likeness: this !as sometime a arado@, &(t no! the
time gi2es it roof. I did love you once.
OPHELIA
Indeed, m3 lord, 3o( made me &elie2e so.
HAMLET
1o( sho(ld not ha2e &elie2ed me; for 2irt(e .annot
so ino.(late o(r old sto.k &(t !e shall relish of
it- I lo2ed 3o( not.
OPHELIA
I was the more deceived.
HAMLET
Get thee to a nunnery: why wouldst thou be a
breeder of sinners? I am m3self indifferent honest;
&(t 3et I .o(ld a..(se me of s(.h things that it
!ere &etter m3 mother had not &orne me- I am very
proud, revengeful, ambitious, with more offences at
my beck than I have thoughts to put them in,
imagination to give them shape, or time to act them
in. What should such fellows as I do crawling
between earth and heaven? We are arrant kna2es,
all; &elie2e none of (s. +o th3 !a3s to a n(nner3.
Where8s 3o(r father9
OPHELIA
At home, m3 lord.
HAMLET
Let the doors &e sh(t (on him, that he ma3 la3 the
fool no !here &(t in8s o!n ho(se. 0are!ell.
OPHELIA
", hel him, 3o( s!eet hea2ens:
HAMLET
If tho( dost marr3, I8ll gi2e thee this lag(e for
th3 do!r3- be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as
snow, thou shalt not escape calumny. +et thee to a
n(nner3, go- fare!ell. "r, if thou wilt needs
marry, marry a fool; for wise men know well enough
what monsters you make of them. 'o a n(nner3, go,
and <(i.kl3 too. 0are!ell.
OPHELIA
" hea2enl3 o!ers, restore him:
HAMLET
I ha2e heard of 3o(r aintings too, !ell eno(gh; +od
has gi2en 3o( one fa.e, and 3o( make 3o(rsel2es
another- 3o( =ig, 3o( am&le, and 3o( lis, and
ni.k4name +od8s .reat(res, and make 3o(r !antonness
3o(r ignoran.e. +o to, I8ll no more on8t; it hath
made me mad. I sa3, !e !ill ha2e no more marriages-
those that are married alread3, all &(t one, shall
li2e; the rest shall kee as the3 are. 'o a
n(nner3, go.
Exit
OPHELIA
", what a noble mind is here o'erthrown!
The courtier's, soldier's, scholar's, eye, tongue, sword;
'he e@e.tan.3 and rose of the fair state,
'he glass of fashion and the mo(ld of form,
'he o&ser2ed of all o&ser2ers, <(ite, <(ite do!n:
And I, of ladies most de=e.t and !ret.hed,
'hat s(.k8d the hone3 of his m(si. 2o!s,
#o! see that no&le and most so2ereign reason,
Like s!eet &ells =angled, o(t of t(ne and harsh;
'hat (nmat.h8d form and feat(re of &lo!n 3o(th
/lasted !ith e.stas3- ", !oe is me,
'o ha2e seen !hat I ha2e seen, see !hat I see:
Re!enter &IN CLAUDIUS and )OLONIUS
KING CLAUDIUS
Lo2e: his affe.tions do not that !a3 tend;
#or !hat he sake, tho(gh it la.k8d form a little,
Was not like madness. 'here8s something in his so(l,
"8er !hi.h his melan.hol3 sits on &rood;
And I do do(&t the hat.h and the dis.lose
Will &e some danger- !hi.h for to re2ent,
I ha2e in <(i.k determination
'h(s set it do!n- he shall !ith seed to England,
0or the demand of o(r negle.ted tri&(te
Hal3 the seas and .o(ntries different
With 2aria&le o&=e.ts shall e@el
'his something4settled matter in his heart,
Whereon his &rains still &eating (ts him th(s
0rom fashion of himself. What think 3o( on8t9
LORD POLONIUS
It shall do !ell- &(t 3et do I believe
The origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected love. Ho! no!, "helia:
1o( need not tell (s !hat Lord Hamlet said;
We heard it all. M3 lord, do as 3o( lease;
/(t, if 3o( hold it fit, after the la3
Let his <(een mother all alone entreat him
'o sho! his grief- let her &e ro(nd !ith him;
And I8ll &e la.ed, so lease 3o(, in the ear
"f all their .onferen.e. If she find him not,
'o England send him, or .onfine him !here
1o(r !isdom &est shall think.
KING CLAUDIUS
It shall &e so-
Madness in great ones must not unwatch'd go.
Exe%nt
SCENE II. A hall in the castle.
Enter HAMLET and )+a0ers
HAMLET
Seak the see.h, I ra3 3o(, as I rono(n.ed it to
3o(, triingl3 on the tong(e- &(t if 3o( mo(th it,
as man3 of 3o(r la3ers do, I had as lief the
to!n4.rier soke m3 lines. #or do not sa! the air
too m(.h !ith 3o(r hand, th(s, &(t (se all gentl3;
for in the 2er3 torrent, temest, and, as I ma3 sa3,
the !hirl!ind of assion, 3o( m(st a.<(ire and &eget
a temeran.e that ma3 gi2e it smoothness. ", it
offends me to the so(l to hear a ro&(stio(s
eri!ig4ated fello! tear a assion to tatters, to
2er3 rags, to slit the ears of the gro(ndlings, !ho
for the most art are .aa&le of nothing &(t
ine@li.a&le d(m&sho!s and noise- I !o(ld ha2e s(.h
a fello! !hied for o8erdoing 'ermagant; it
o(t4herods Herod- ra3 3o(, a2oid it.
First Player
I !arrant 3o(r hono(r.
HAMLET
/e not too tame neither, &(t let 3o(r o!n dis.retion
&e 3o(r t(tor- s(it the a.tion to the !ord, the
!ord to the a.tion; !ith this se.ial o8erste not
the modest3 of nat(re- for an3 thing so o2erdone is
from the (rose of la3ing, !hose end, &oth at the
first and no!, !as and is, to hold, as 8t!ere, the
mirror ( to nat(re; to sho! 2irt(e her o!n feat(re,
s.orn her o!n image, and the 2er3 age and &od3 of
the time his form and ress(re. #o! this o2erdone,
or .ome tard3 off, tho(gh it make the (nskilf(l
la(gh, .annot &(t make the =(di.io(s grie2e; the
.ens(re of the !hi.h one m(st in 3o(r allo!an.e
o8er!eigh a !hole theatre of others. ", there &e
la3ers that I ha2e seen la3, and heard others
raise, and that highl3, not to seak it rofanel3,
that, neither ha2ing the a..ent of %hristians nor
the gait of %hristian, agan, nor man, ha2e so
str(tted and &ello!ed that I ha2e tho(ght some of
nat(re8s =o(rne3men had made men and not made them
!ell, they imitated humanity so abominably.
First Player
I hoe !e ha2e reformed that indifferentl3 !ith (s,
sir.
HAMLET
", reform it altogether. And let those that la3
3o(r .lo!ns seak no more than is set do!n for them;
for there &e of them that !ill themsel2es la(gh, to
set on some <(antit3 of &arren se.tators to la(gh
too; tho(gh, in the mean time, some ne.essar3
<(estion of the la3 &e then to &e .onsidered-
that8s 2illano(s, and sho!s a most itif(l am&ition
in the fool that (ses it. +o, make 3o( read3.
Exe%nt )+a0ers
Enter )OLONIUS' ROSENCRANT2' and UILDENSTERN
Ho! no!, m3 lord: I !ill the king hear this ie.e of !ork9
LORD POLONIUS
And the <(een too, and that resentl3.
HAMLET
/id the la3ers make haste.
Exit )OLONIUS
Will 3o( t!o hel to hasten them9
ROSENCRANTZ GUILDENSTERN
We !ill, m3 lord.
Exe%nt ROSENCRANT2 and UILDENSTERN
HAMLET
What ho: Horatio:
Enter HORATIO
HORATIO
Here, s!eet lord, at 3o(r ser2i.e.
HAMLET
Horatio, tho( art e8en as =(st a man
As e8er m3 .on2ersation .oed !ithal.
HORATIO
", m3 dear lord,44
HAMLET
#a3, do not think I flatter;
0or !hat ad2an.ement ma3 I hoe from thee
'hat no re2en(e hast &(t th3 good sirits,
'o feed and .lothe thee9 Wh3 sho(ld the oor &e flatter8d9
#o, let the .andied tong(e li.k a&s(rd om,
And .rook the regnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma3 follo! fa!ning. Dost tho( hear9
Sin.e m3 dear so(l !as mistress of her .hoi.e
And .o(ld of men disting(ish, her ele.tion
Hath seal8d thee for herself; for tho( hast &een
As one, in s(ffering all, that s(ffers nothing,
A man that fort(ne8s &(ffets and re!ards
Hast ta8en !ith e<(al thanks- and &lest are those
Whose &lood and =(dgment are so !ell .ommingled,
'hat the3 are not a ie for fort(ne8s finger
'o so(nd !hat sto she lease. Give me that man
That is not passion's slave, and I will wear him
In my heart's core, ay, in my heart of heart,
As I do thee.44Something too m(.h of this.44
'here is a la3 to4night &efore the king;
"ne s.ene of it .omes near the .ir.(mstan.e
Whi.h I ha2e told thee of m3 father8s death-
I rithee, !hen tho( seest that a.t afoot,
E2en !ith the 2er3 .omment of th3 so(l
"&ser2e mine (n.le- if his o..(lted g(ilt
Do not itself (nkennel in one see.h,
It is a damned ghost that !e ha2e seen,
And m3 imaginations are as fo(l
As )(l.an8s stith3. +i2e him heedf(l note;
0or I mine e3es !ill ri2et to his fa.e,
And after !e !ill &oth o(r =(dgments =oin
In .ens(re of his seeming.
HORATIO
Well, m3 lord-
If he steal a(ght the !hilst this la3 is la3ing,
And 8s.ae dete.ting, I !ill a3 the theft.
HAMLET
'he3 are .oming to the la3; I m(st &e idle-
+et 3o( a la.e.
Danish mar"h. A -+o%rish. Enter &IN CLAUDIUS' (UEEN ERTRUDE' )OLONIUS' O)HELIA'
ROSENCRANT2' UILDENSTERN' and others
KING CLAUDIUS
Ho! fares o(r .o(sin Hamlet9
HAMLET
E@.ellent, i8 faith; of the .hameleon8s dish- I eat
the air, romise4.rammed- 3o( .annot feed .aons so.
KING CLAUDIUS
I ha2e nothing !ith this ans!er, Hamlet; these !ords
are not mine.
HAMLET
#o, nor mine no!.
To )OLONIUS
M3 lord, 3o( la3ed on.e i8 the (ni2ersit3, 3o( sa39
LORD POLONIUS
'hat did I, m3 lord; and !as a..o(nted a good a.tor.
HAMLET
What did 3o( ena.t9
LORD POLONIUS
I did ena.t ?(li(s %aesar- I !as killed i8 the
%aitol; /r(t(s killed me.
HAMLET
It !as a &r(te art of him to kill so .aital a .alf
there. /e the la3ers read39
ROSENCRANTZ
A3, m3 lord; the3 sta3 (on 3o(r atien.e.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
%ome hither, m3 dear Hamlet, sit &3 me.
HAMLET
#o, good mother, here8s metal more attra.ti2e.
LORD POLONIUS
6'o KI#+ %LA$DI$S7 ", ho: do 3o( mark that9
HAMLET
Lad3, shall I lie in 3o(r la9
L0in/ do$n at O)HELIA4s -eet
OPHELIA
#o, m3 lord.
HAMLET
I mean, m3 head (on 3o(r la9
OPHELIA
A3, m3 lord.
HAMLET
Do 3o( think I meant .o(ntr3 matters9
OPHELIA
I think nothing, m3 lord.
HAMLET
'hat8s a fair tho(ght to lie &et!een maids8 legs.
OPHELIA
What is, m3 lord9
HAMLET
#othing.
OPHELIA
1o( are merr3, m3 lord.
HAMLET
Who, I9
OPHELIA
A3, m3 lord.
HAMLET
" +od, 3o(r onl3 =ig4maker. What sho(ld a man do
&(t &e merr39 for, look 3o(, ho! .heerf(ll3 m3
mother looks, and m3 father died !ithin these t!o ho(rs.
OPHELIA
#a3, 8tis t!i.e t!o months, m3 lord.
HAMLET
So long9 #a3 then, let the de2il !ear &la.k, for
I8ll ha2e a s(it of sa&les. " hea2ens: die t!o
months ago, and not forgotten 3et9 'hen there8s
hoe a great man8s memor3 ma3 o(tli2e his life half
a 3ear- &(t, &38r lad3, he m(st &(ild .h(r.hes,
then; or else shall he s(ffer not thinking on, !ith
the ho&&34horse, !hose eitah is 80or, ", for, ",
the ho&&34horse is forgot.8
Ha%t,o0s p+a0. The d%m,!sho$ enters
Enter a &in/ and a (%een 3er0 +o3in/+05 the (%een em,ra"in/ him' and he her. She #nee+s' and ma#es sho$
o- protestation %nto him. He ta#es her %p' and de"+ines his head %pon her ne"#6 +a0s him do$n %pon a ,an#
o- -+o$ers6 she' seein/ him as+eep' +ea3es him. Anon "omes in a -e++o$' ta#es o-- his "ro$n' #isses it' and
po%rs poison in the &in/4s ears' and exit. The (%een ret%rns5 -inds the &in/ dead' and ma#es passionate
a"tion. The )oisoner' $ith some t$o or three M%tes' "omes in a/ain' seemin/ to +ament $ith her. The dead
,od0 is "arried a$a0. The )oisoner $ooes the (%een $ith /i-ts6 she seems +oath and %n$i++in/ a$hi+e' ,%t in
the end a""epts his +o3e
Exe%nt
OPHELIA
What means this, m3 lord9
HAMLET
Marr3, this is mi.hing malle.ho; it means mis.hief.
OPHELIA
/elike this sho! imorts the arg(ment of the la3.
Enter )ro+o/%e
HAMLET
We shall kno! &3 this fello!- the la3ers .annot
kee .o(nsel; the38ll tell all.
OPHELIA
Will he tell (s !hat this sho! meant9
HAMLET
A3, or an3 sho! that 3o(8ll sho! him- &e not 3o(
ashamed to sho!, he8ll not shame to tell 3o( !hat it means.
OPHELIA
1o( are na(ght, 3o( are na(ght- I8ll mark the la3.
Prologue
0or (s, and for o(r traged3,
Here stooing to 3o(r .lemen.3,
We &eg 3o(r hearing atientl3.
Exit
HAMLET
Is this a rolog(e, or the os3 of a ring9
OPHELIA
'Tis brief, my lord.
HAMLET
As woman's love.
Enter t$o )+a0ers' &in/ and (%een
Player King
0(ll thirt3 times hath Phoe&(s8 .art gone ro(nd
#et(ne8s salt !ash and 'ell(s8 or&ed gro(nd,
And thirt3 do>en moons !ith &orro!8d sheen
A&o(t the !orld ha2e times t!el2e thirties &een,
Sin.e lo2e o(r hearts and H3men did o(r hands
$nite .omm(t(al in most sa.red &ands.
Player Queen
So man3 =o(rne3s ma3 the s(n and moon
Make (s again .o(nt o8er ere lo2e &e done:
/(t, !oe is me, 3o( are so si.k of late,
So far from .heer and from 3o(r former state,
'hat I distr(st 3o(. 1et, tho(gh I distr(st,
Dis.omfort 3o(, m3 lord, it nothing m(st-
0or !omen8s fear and lo2e holds <(antit3;
In neither a(ght, or in e@tremit3.
#o!, !hat m3 lo2e is, roof hath made 3o( kno!;
And as m3 lo2e is si>ed, m3 fear is so-
Where lo2e is great, the littlest do(&ts are fear;
Where little fears gro! great, great lo2e gro!s there.
Player King
80aith, I m(st lea2e thee, lo2e, and shortl3 too;
M3 oerant o!ers their f(n.tions lea2e to do-
And tho( shalt li2e in this fair !orld &ehind,
Hono(r8d, &elo2ed; and hal3 one as kind
0or h(s&and shalt tho(44
Player Queen
", .onfo(nd the rest:
S(.h lo2e m(st needs &e treason in m3 &reast-
In se.ond h(s&and let me &e a..(rst:
#one !ed the se.ond &(t !ho kill8d the first.
HAMLET
6Aside7 Worm!ood, !orm!ood.
Player Queen
'he instan.es that se.ond marriage mo2e
Are &ase rese.ts of thrift, &(t none of lo2e-
A se.ond time I kill m3 h(s&and dead,
When se.ond h(s&and kisses me in &ed.
Player King
I do &elie2e 3o( think !hat no! 3o( seak;
/(t !hat !e do determine oft !e &reak.
P(rose is &(t the sla2e to memor3,
"f 2iolent &irth, &(t oor 2alidit3;
Whi.h no!, like fr(it (nrie, sti.ks on the tree;
/(t fall, (nshaken, !hen the3 mello! &e.
Most ne.essar3 8tis that !e forget
'o a3 o(rsel2es !hat to o(rsel2es is de&t-
What to ourselves in passion we propose,
The passion ending, doth the purpose lose.
'he 2iolen.e of either grief or =o3
'heir o!n ena.t(res !ith themsel2es destro3-
Where =o3 most re2els, grief doth most lament;
+rief =o3s, =o3 grie2es, on slender a..ident.
'his !orld is not for a3e, nor 8tis not strange
'hat e2en o(r lo2es sho(ld !ith o(r fort(nes .hange;
0or 8tis a <(estion left (s 3et to ro2e,
Whether lo2e lead fort(ne, or else fort(ne lo2e.
'he great man do!n, 3o( mark his fa2o(rite flies;
'he oor ad2an.ed makes friends of enemies.
And hitherto doth lo2e on fort(ne tend;
0or !ho not needs shall ne2er la.k a friend,
And !ho in !ant a hollo! friend doth tr3,
Dire.tl3 seasons him his enem3.
/(t, orderl3 to end !here I &eg(n,
"(r !ills and fates do so .ontrar3 r(n
'hat o(r de2i.es still are o2erthro!n;
"(r tho(ghts are o(rs, their ends none of o(r o!n-
So think tho( !ilt no se.ond h(s&and !ed;
/(t die th3 tho(ghts !hen th3 first lord is dead.
Player Queen
#or earth to me gi2e food, nor hea2en light:
Sort and reose lo.k from me da3 and night:
'o deseration t(rn m3 tr(st and hoe:
An an.hor8s .heer in rison &e m3 s.oe:
Ea.h oosite that &lanks the fa.e of =o3
Meet !hat I !o(ld ha2e !ell and it destro3:
/oth here and hen.e (rs(e me lasting strife,
If, on.e a !ido!, e2er I &e !ife:
HAMLET
If she sho(ld &reak it no!:
Player King
8'is deel3 s!orn. S!eet, lea2e me here a!hile;
M3 sirits gro! d(ll, and fain I !o(ld &eg(ile
'he tedio(s da3 !ith slee.
S+eeps
Player Queen
Slee ro.k th3 &rain,
And ne2er .ome mis.han.e &et!een (s t!ain:
Exit
HAMLET
Madam, ho! like 3o( this la39
QUEEN GERTRUDE
'he lad3 rotests too m(.h, methinks.
HAMLET
", &(t she8ll kee her !ord.
KING CLAUDIUS
Ha2e 3o( heard the arg(ment9 Is there no offen.e in 8t9
HAMLET
#o, no, the3 do &(t =est, oison in =est; no offen.e
i8 the !orld.
KING CLAUDIUS
What do 3o( .all the la39
HAMLET
'he Mo(se4tra. Marr3, ho!9 'roi.all3. 'his la3
is the image of a m(rder done in )ienna- +on>ago is
the d(ke8s name; his !ife, /atista- 3o( shall see
anon; 8tis a kna2ish ie.e of !ork- &(t !hat o8
that9 3o(r ma=est3 and !e that ha2e free so(ls, it
to(.hes (s not- let the galled =ade !in.e, o(r
!ithers are (n!r(ng.
Enter LUCIANUS
'his is one L(.ian(s, nehe! to the king.
OPHELIA
1o( are as good as a .hor(s, m3 lord.
HAMLET
I .o(ld interret &et!een 3o( and 3o(r lo2e, if I
.o(ld see the (ets dall3ing.
OPHELIA
1o( are keen, m3 lord, 3o( are keen.
HAMLET
It !o(ld .ost 3o( a groaning to take off m3 edge.
OPHELIA
Still &etter, and !orse.
HAMLET
So 3o( m(st take 3o(r h(s&ands. /egin, m(rderer;
o@, lea2e th3 damna&le fa.es, and &egin. %ome-
8the .roaking ra2en doth &ello! for re2enge.8
LUCIANUS
'ho(ghts &la.k, hands at, dr(gs fit, and time agreeing;
%onfederate season, else no .reat(re seeing;
'ho( mi@t(re rank, of midnight !eeds .olle.ted,
With He.ate8s &an thri.e &lasted, thri.e infe.ted,
'h3 nat(ral magi. and dire roert3,
"n !holesome life (s(r immediatel3.
)o%rs the poison into the s+eeper4s ears
HAMLET
He oisons him i8 the garden for8s estate. His
name8s +on>ago- the stor3 is e@tant, and !rit in
.hoi.e Italian- 3o( shall see anon ho! the m(rderer
gets the lo2e of +on>ago8s !ife.
OPHELIA
'he king rises.
HAMLET
What, frighted !ith false fire:
QUEEN GERTRUDE
Ho! fares m3 lord9
LORD POLONIUS
+i2e o8er the la3.
KING CLAUDIUS
+i2e me some light- a!a3:
All
Lights, lights, lights:
Exe%nt a++ ,%t HAMLET and HORATIO
HAMLET
Wh3, let the stri.ken deer go !ee,
'he hart (ngalled la3;
0or some m(st !at.h, !hile some m(st slee-
So r(ns the !orld a!a3.
Wo(ld not this, sir, and a forest of feathers44 if
the rest of m3 fort(nes t(rn '(rk !ith me44!ith t!o
Pro2in.ial roses on m3 ra>ed shoes, get me a
fello!shi in a .r3 of la3ers, sir9
HORATIO
Half a share.
HAMLET
A !hole one, I.
0or tho( dost kno!, " Damon dear,
'his realm dismantled !as
"f ?o2e himself; and no! reigns here
A 2er3, 2er344a=o.k.
HORATIO
1o( might ha2e rh3med.
HAMLET
" good Horatio, I8ll take the ghost8s !ord for a
tho(sand o(nd. Didst er.ei2e9
HORATIO
)er3 !ell, m3 lord.
HAMLET
$on the talk of the oisoning9
HORATIO
I did 2er3 !ell note him.
HAMLET
Ah, ha: %ome, some m(si.: .ome, the re.orders:
0or if the king like not the .omed3,
Wh3 then, &elike, he likes it not, erd3.
%ome, some m(si.:
Re!enter ROSENCRANT2 and UILDENSTERN
GUILDENSTERN
+ood m3 lord, 2o(.hsafe me a !ord !ith 3o(.
HAMLET
Sir, a !hole histor3.
GUILDENSTERN
'he king, sir,44
HAMLET
A3, sir, !hat of him9
GUILDENSTERN
Is in his retirement mar2ello(s distemered.
HAMLET
With drink, sir9
GUILDENSTERN
#o, m3 lord, rather !ith .holer.
HAMLET
1o(r !isdom sho(ld sho! itself more ri.her to
signif3 this to his do.tor; for, for me to (t him
to his (rgation !o(ld erhas l(nge him into far
more .holer.
GUILDENSTERN
+ood m3 lord, (t 3o(r dis.o(rse into some frame and
start not so !ildl3 from m3 affair.
HAMLET
I am tame, sir- rono(n.e.
GUILDENSTERN
'he <(een, 3o(r mother, in most great affli.tion of
sirit, hath sent me to 3o(.
HAMLET
1o( are !el.ome.
GUILDENSTERN
#a3, good m3 lord, this .o(rtes3 is not of the right
&reed. If it shall lease 3o( to make me a
!holesome ans!er, I !ill do 3o(r mother8s
.ommandment- if not, 3o(r ardon and m3 ret(rn
shall &e the end of m3 &(siness.
HAMLET
Sir, I .annot.
GUILDENSTERN
What, m3 lord9
HAMLET
Make 3o( a !holesome ans!er; m3 !it8s diseased- &(t,
sir, s(.h ans!er as I .an make, 3o( shall .ommand;
or, rather, as 3o( sa3, m3 mother- therefore no
more, &(t to the matter- m3 mother, 3o( sa3,44
ROSENCRANTZ
'hen th(s she sa3s; 3o(r &eha2ior hath str(.k her
into ama>ement and admiration.
HAMLET
" !onderf(l son, that .an so astonish a mother: /(t
is there no se<(el at the heels of this mother8s
admiration9 Imart.
ROSENCRANTZ
She desires to seak !ith 3o( in her .loset, ere 3o(
go to &ed.
HAMLET
We shall o&e3, !ere she ten times o(r mother. Ha2e
3o( an3 f(rther trade !ith (s9
ROSENCRANTZ
M3 lord, 3o( on.e did lo2e me.
HAMLET
So I do still, &3 these i.kers and stealers.
ROSENCRANTZ
+ood m3 lord, !hat is 3o(r .a(se of distemer9 3o(
do, s(rel3, &ar the door (on 3o(r o!n li&ert3, if
3o( den3 3o(r griefs to 3o(r friend.
HAMLET
Sir, I la.k ad2an.ement.
ROSENCRANTZ
Ho! .an that &e, !hen 3o( ha2e the 2oi.e of the king
himself for 3o(r s(..ession in Denmark9
HAMLET
A3, &(t sir, 8While the grass gro!s,844the ro2er&
is something m(st3.
Re!enter )+a0ers $ith re"orders
", the re.orders: let me see one. 'o !ithdra! !ith
3o(-44!h3 do 3o( go a&o(t to re.o2er the !ind of me,
as if 3o( !o(ld dri2e me into a toil9
GUILDENSTERN
", m3 lord, if m3 d(t3 &e too &old, m3 lo2e is too
(nmannerl3.
HAMLET
I do not !ell (nderstand that. Will 3o( la3 (on
this ie9
GUILDENSTERN
M3 lord, I .annot.
HAMLET
I ra3 3o(.
GUILDENSTERN
/elie2e me, I .annot.
HAMLET
I do &esee.h 3o(.
GUILDENSTERN
I kno! no to(.h of it, m3 lord.
HAMLET
8'is as eas3 as l3ing- go2ern these 2entages !ith
3o(r lingers and th(m&, gi2e it &reath !ith 3o(r
mo(th, and it !ill dis.o(rse most elo<(ent m(si..
Look 3o(, these are the stos.
GUILDENSTERN
/(t these .annot I .ommand to an3 (tteran.e of
harmon3; I ha2e not the skill.
HAMLET
Wh3, look 3o( no!, ho! (n!orth3 a thing 3o( make of
me: 1o( !o(ld la3 (on me; 3o( !o(ld seem to kno!
m3 stos; 3o( !o(ld l(.k o(t the heart of m3
m3ster3; 3o( !o(ld so(nd me from m3 lo!est note to
the to of m3 .omass- and there is m(.h m(si.,
e@.ellent 2oi.e, in this little organ; 3et .annot
3o( make it seak. 8S&lood, do 3o( think I am
easier to &e la3ed on than a ie9 %all me !hat
instr(ment 3o( !ill, tho(gh 3o( .an fret me, 3et 3o(
.annot la3 (on me.
Enter )OLONIUS
+od &less 3o(, sir:
LORD POLONIUS
M3 lord, the <(een !o(ld seak !ith 3o(, and
resentl3.
HAMLET
Do 3o( see 3onder .lo(d that8s almost in shae of a .amel9
LORD POLONIUS
/3 the mass, and 8tis like a .amel, indeed.
HAMLET
Methinks it is like a !easel.
LORD POLONIUS
It is &a.ked like a !easel.
HAMLET
"r like a !hale9
LORD POLONIUS
)er3 like a !hale.
HAMLET
'hen I !ill .ome to m3 mother &3 and &3. 'he3 fool
me to the to of m3 &ent. I !ill .ome &3 and &3.
LORD POLONIUS
I !ill sa3 so.
HAMLET
/3 and &3 is easil3 said.
Exit )OLONIUS
Lea2e me, friends.
Exe%nt a++ ,%t HAMLET
'is no! the very witching time of night,
When .h(r.h3ards 3a!n and hell itself &reathes o(t
%ontagion to this !orld- no! .o(ld I drink hot &lood,
And do s(.h &itter &(siness as the da3
Wo(ld <(ake to look on. Soft: no! to m3 mother.
" heart, lose not th3 nat(re; let not e2er
'he so(l of #ero enter this firm &osom-
Let me &e .r(el, not (nnat(ral-
I will speak daggers to her, but use none;
My tongue and soul in this be hypocrites;
Ho! in m3 !ords soe2er she &e shent,
'o gi2e them seals ne2er, m3 so(l, .onsent:
Exit
SCENE III. A room in the castle.
Enter &IN CLAUDIUS' ROSENCRANT2' and UILDENSTERN
KING CLAUDIUS
I like him not, nor stands it safe !ith (s
'o let his madness range. 'herefore reare 3o(;
I 3o(r .ommission !ill forth!ith disat.h,
And he to England shall along !ith 3o(-
'he terms of o(r estate ma3 not end(re
Ha>ard so dangero(s as doth ho(rl3 gro!
"(t of his l(na.ies.
GUILDENSTERN
We !ill o(rsel2es ro2ide-
Most hol3 and religio(s fear it is
'o kee those man3 man3 &odies safe
'hat li2e and feed (on 3o(r ma=est3.
ROSENCRANTZ
'he single and e.(liar life is &o(nd,
With all the strength and armo(r of the mind,
'o kee itself from no3an.e; &(t m(.h more
'hat sirit (on !hose !eal deend and rest
'he li2es of man3. 'he .ease of ma=est3
Dies not alone; &(t, like a g(lf, doth dra!
What8s near it !ith it- it is a mass3 !heel,
0i@8d on the s(mmit of the highest mo(nt,
'o !hose h(ge sokes ten tho(sand lesser things
Are mortised and ad=oin8d; !hi.h, !hen it falls,
Ea.h small anne@ment, ett3 .onse<(en.e,
Attends the &oistero(s r(in. #e2er alone
Did the king sigh, &(t !ith a general groan.
KING CLAUDIUS
Arm 3o(, I ra3 3o(, to this seed3 2o3age;
0or !e !ill fetters (t (on this fear,
Whi.h no! goes too free4footed.
ROSENCRANTZ GUILDENSTERN
We !ill haste (s.
Exe%nt ROSENCRANT2 and UILDENSTERN
Enter )OLONIUS
LORD POLONIUS
M3 lord, he8s going to his mother8s .loset-
/ehind the arras I8ll .on2e3 m3self,
'o hear the ro.ess; and !arrant she8ll ta@ him home-
And, as 3o( said, and !isel3 !as it said,
8'is meet that some more a(dien.e than a mother,
Sin.e nat(re makes them artial, sho(ld o8erhear
'he see.h, of 2antage. 0are 3o( !ell, m3 liege-
I8ll .all (on 3o( ere 3o( go to &ed,
And tell 3o( !hat I kno!.
KING CLAUDIUS
'hanks, dear m3 lord.
Exit )OLONIUS
", m3 offen.e is rank it smells to hea2en;
It hath the rimal eldest .(rse (on8t,
A &rother8s m(rder. Pra3 .an I not,
'ho(gh in.lination &e as shar as !ill-
M3 stronger g(ilt defeats m3 strong intent;
And, like a man to do(&le &(siness &o(nd,
I stand in a(se !here I shall first &egin,
And &oth negle.t. What if this .(rsed hand
Were thi.ker than itself !ith &rother8s &lood,
Is there not rain eno(gh in the s!eet hea2ens
'o !ash it !hite as sno!9 Whereto ser2es mer.3
/(t to .onfront the 2isage of offen.e9
And !hat8s in ra3er &(t this t!o4fold for.e,
'o &e forestalled ere !e .ome to fall,
"r ardon8d &eing do!n9 'hen I8ll look (;
M3 fa(lt is ast. /(t, ", !hat form of ra3er
%an ser2e m3 t(rn9 80orgi2e me m3 fo(l m(rder89
'hat .annot &e; sin.e I am still ossess8d
"f those effe.ts for !hi.h I did the m(rder,
M3 .ro!n, mine o!n am&ition and m3 <(een.
Ma3 one &e ardon8d and retain the offen.e9
In the .orr(ted .(rrents of this !orld
"ffen.e8s gilded hand ma3 sho2e &3 =(sti.e,
And oft 8tis seen the !i.ked ri>e itself
/(3s o(t the la!- &(t 8tis not so a&o2e;
'here is no sh(ffling, there the a.tion lies
In his tr(e nat(re; and !e o(rsel2es .omell8d,
E2en to the teeth and forehead of o(r fa(lts,
'o gi2e in e2iden.e. What then9 !hat rests9
'r3 !hat reentan.e .an- !hat .an it not9
1et !hat .an it !hen one .an not reent9
" !ret.hed state: " &osom &la.k as death:
" limed so(l, that, str(ggling to &e free,
Art more engaged: Hel, angels: Make assa3:
/o!, st(&&orn knees; and, heart !ith strings of steel,
/e soft as sine!s of the ne!&orn &a&e:
All ma3 &e !ell.
Retires and #nee+s
Enter HAMLET
HAMLET
#o! might I do it at, no! he is ra3ing;
And no! I8ll do8t. And so he goes to hea2en;
And so am I re2enged. 'hat !o(ld &e s.ann8d-
A villain kills my father; and for that,
I, his sole son, do this same villain send
To heaven.
O, this is hire and salary, not revenge.
He took m3 father grossl3, f(ll of &read;
With all his .rimes &road &lo!n, as fl(sh as Ma3;
And ho! his a(dit stands !ho kno!s sa2e hea2en9
/(t in o(r .ir.(mstan.e and .o(rse of tho(ght,
8'is hea23 !ith him- and am I then re2enged,
'o take him in the (rging of his so(l,
When he is fit and season8d for his assage9
#o:
$, s!ord; and kno! tho( a more horrid hent-
When he is dr(nk aslee, or in his rage,
"r in the in.est(o(s leas(re of his &ed;
At gaming, s!earing, or a&o(t some a.t
'hat has no relish of sal2ation in8t;
'hen tri him, that his heels ma3 ki.k at hea2en,
And that his so(l ma3 &e as damn8d and &la.k
As hell, !hereto it goes. M3 mother sta3s-
'his h3si. &(t rolongs th3 si.kl3 da3s.
Exit
KING CLAUDIUS
6Rising7 M3 !ords fl3 (, m3 tho(ghts remain &elo!-
Words !itho(t tho(ghts ne2er to hea2en go.
Exit
SCENE IV. The Queen's closet.
Enter (UEEN ERTRUDE and )OLONIUS
LORD POLONIUS
He !ill .ome straight. Look 3o( la3 home to him-
'ell him his ranks ha2e &een too &road to &ear !ith,
And that 3o(r gra.e hath s.reen8d and stood &et!een
M(.h heat and him. I8ll s.on.e me e2en here.
Pra3 3o(, &e ro(nd !ith him.
HAMLET
6Within7 Mother, mother, mother:
QUEEN GERTRUDE
I8ll !arrant 3o(,
0ear me not- !ithdra!, I hear him .oming.
)OLONIUS hides ,ehind the arras
Enter HAMLET
HAMLET
#o!, mother, !hat8s the matter9
QUEEN GERTRUDE
Hamlet, tho( hast th3 father m(.h offended.
HAMLET
Mother, 3o( ha2e m3 father m(.h offended.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
%ome, .ome, 3o( ans!er !ith an idle tong(e.
HAMLET
+o, go, 3o( <(estion !ith a !i.ked tong(e.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
Wh3, ho! no!, Hamlet:
HAMLET
What8s the matter no!9
QUEEN GERTRUDE
Ha2e 3o( forgot me9
HAMLET
#o, &3 the rood, not so-
1o( are the <(een, 3o(r h(s&and8s &rother8s !ife;
And44!o(ld it !ere not so:443o( are m3 mother.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
#a3, then, I8ll set those to 3o( that .an seak.
HAMLET
%ome, .ome, and sit 3o( do!n; 3o( shall not &(dge;
1o( go not till I set 3o( ( a glass
Where 3o( ma3 see the inmost art of 3o(.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
What !ilt tho( do9 tho( !ilt not m(rder me9
Hel, hel, ho:
LORD POLONIUS
6/ehind7 What, ho: hel, hel, hel:
HAMLET
6Dra!ing7 Ho! no!: a rat9 Dead, for a d(.at, dead:
Ma#es a pass thro%/h the arras
LORD POLONIUS
6/ehind7 ", I am slain:
Fa++s and dies
QUEEN GERTRUDE
" me, !hat hast tho( done9
HAMLET
#a3, I kno! not-
Is it the king9
QUEEN GERTRUDE
", !hat a rash and &lood3 deed is this:
HAMLET
A &lood3 deed: almost as &ad, good mother,
As kill a king, and marr3 !ith his &rother.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
As kill a king:
HAMLET
A3, lad3, 8t!as m3 !ord.
Li-ts %p the arra0 and dis"o3ers )OLONIUS
'ho( !ret.hed, rash, intr(ding fool, fare!ell:
I took thee for th3 &etter- take th3 fort(ne;
'ho( find8st to &e too &(s3 is some danger.
Lea2e !ringing of 3o(r hands- ea.e: sit 3o( do!n,
And let me !ring 3o(r heart; for so I shall,
If it &e made of enetra&le st(ff,
If damned .(stom ha2e not &rass8d it so
'hat it is roof and &(l!ark against sense.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
What ha2e I done, that tho( darest !ag th3 tong(e
In noise so r(de against me9
HAMLET
S(.h an a.t
'hat &l(rs the gra.e and &l(sh of modest3,
%alls 2irt(e h3o.rite, takes off the rose
0rom the fair forehead of an inno.ent lo2e
And sets a &lister there, makes marriage42o!s
As false as di.ers8 oaths- ", s(.h a deed
As from the &od3 of .ontra.tion l(.ks
'he 2er3 so(l, and s!eet religion makes
A rhasod3 of !ords- hea2en8s fa.e doth glo!-
1ea, this solidit3 and .omo(nd mass,
With tristf(l 2isage, as against the doom,
Is tho(ght4si.k at the a.t.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
A3 me, !hat a.t,
'hat roars so lo(d, and th(nders in the inde@9
HAMLET
Look here, (on this i.t(re, and on this,
'he .o(nterfeit resentment of t!o &rothers.
See, !hat a gra.e !as seated on this &ro!;
H3erion8s .(rls; the front of ?o2e himself;
An e3e like Mars, to threaten and .ommand;
A station like the herald Mer.(r3
#e!4lighted on a hea2en4kissing hill;
A .om&ination and a form indeed,
Where e2er3 god did seem to set his seal,
'o gi2e the !orld ass(ran.e of a man-
'his !as 3o(r h(s&and. Look 3o( no!, !hat follo!s-
Here is 3o(r h(s&and; like a milde!8d ear,
/lasting his !holesome &rother. Ha2e 3o( e3es9
%o(ld 3o( on this fair mo(ntain lea2e to feed,
And &atten on this moor9 Ha: ha2e 3o( e3es9
1o( .annot .all it lo2e; for at 3o(r age
'he he34da3 in the &lood is tame, it8s h(m&le,
And !aits (on the =(dgment- and !hat =(dgment
Wo(ld ste from this to this9 Sense, s(re, 3o( ha2e,
Else .o(ld 3o( not ha2e motion; &(t s(re, that sense
Is aole@8d; for madness would not err,
#or sense to e.stas3 !as ne8er so thrall8d
/(t it reser2ed some <(antit3 of .hoi.e,
'o ser2e in s(.h a differen.e. What de2il !as8t
'hat th(s hath .o>en8d 3o( at hoodman4&lind9
E3es !itho(t feeling, feeling !itho(t sight,
Ears !itho(t hands or e3es, smelling sans all,
"r &(t a si.kl3 art of one tr(e sense
%o(ld not so moe.
" shame: !here is th3 &l(sh9 Re&ellio(s hell,
If tho( .anst m(tine in a matron8s &ones,
'o flaming 3o(th let 2irt(e &e as !a@,
And melt in her o!n fire- ro.laim no shame
When the .om(lsi2e ardo(r gi2es the .harge,
Sin.e frost itself as a.ti2el3 doth &(rn
And reason anders !ill.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
" Hamlet, seak no more-
Thou turn'st mine eyes into my very soul;
And there I see such black and grained spots
As !ill not lea2e their tin.t.
HAMLET
#a3, &(t to li2e
In the rank s!eat of an enseamed &ed,
Ste!8d in .orr(tion, hone3ing and making lo2e
"2er the nast3 st3,44
QUEEN GERTRUDE
", seak to me no more;
These words, like daggers, enter in mine ears;
#o more, s!eet Hamlet:
HAMLET
A m(rderer and a 2illain;
A sla2e that is not t!entieth art the tithe
"f 3o(r re.edent lord; a 2i.e of kings;
A .(t(rse of the emire and the r(le,
'hat from a shelf the re.io(s diadem stole,
And (t it in his o.ket:
QUEEN GERTRUDE
#o more:
HAMLET
A king of shreds and at.hes,44
Enter host
Sa2e me, and ho2er o8er me !ith 3o(r !ings,
1o( hea2enl3 g(ards: What !o(ld 3o(r gra.io(s fig(re9
QUEEN GERTRUDE
Alas, he8s mad:
HAMLET
Do 3o( not .ome 3o(r tard3 son to .hide,
'hat, lased in time and assion, lets go &3
'he imortant a.ting of 3o(r dread .ommand9 ", sa3:
Ghost
Do not forget- this 2isitation
Is &(t to !het th3 almost &l(nted (rose.
/(t, look, ama>ement on th3 mother sits-
", ste &et!een her and her fighting so(l-
%on.eit in !eakest &odies strongest !orks-
Seak to her, Hamlet.
HAMLET
Ho! is it !ith 3o(, lad39
QUEEN GERTRUDE
Alas, ho! is8t !ith 3o(,
'hat 3o( do &end 3o(r e3e on 2a.an.3
And !ith the in.ororal air do hold dis.o(rse9
0orth at 3o(r e3es 3o(r sirits !ildl3 ee;
And, as the sleeing soldiers in the alarm,
1o(r &edded hair, like life in e@.rements,
Starts (, and stands on end. " gentle son,
$on the heat and flame of th3 distemer
Srinkle .ool atien.e. Whereon do 3o( look9
HAMLET
"n him, on him: Look 3o(, ho! ale he glares:
His form and .a(se .on=oin8d, rea.hing to stones,
Wo(ld make them .aa&le. Do not look (on me;
Lest !ith this iteo(s a.tion 3o( .on2ert
M3 stern effe.ts- then !hat I ha2e to do
Will !ant tr(e .olo(r; tears er.han.e for &lood.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
'o !hom do 3o( seak this9
HAMLET
Do 3o( see nothing there9
QUEEN GERTRUDE
#othing at all; 3et all that is I see.
HAMLET
#or did 3o( nothing hear9
QUEEN GERTRUDE
#o, nothing &(t o(rsel2es.
HAMLET
Wh3, look 3o( there: look, ho! it steals a!a3:
M3 father, in his ha&it as he li2ed:
Look, !here he goes, e2en no!, o(t at the ortal:
Exit host
QUEEN GERTRUDE
'his the 2er3 .oinage of 3o(r &rain-
'his &odiless .reation e.stas3
Is 2er3 .(nning in.
HAMLET
E.stas3:
M3 (lse, as 3o(rs, doth temeratel3 kee time,
And makes as healthf(l m(si.- it is not madness
'hat I ha2e (tter8d- &ring me to the test,
And I the matter !ill re4!ord; !hi.h madness
Wo(ld gam&ol from. Mother, for lo2e of gra.e,
La3 not that mattering (n.tion to 3o(r so(l,
'hat not 3o(r tresass, &(t m3 madness seaks-
It !ill &(t skin and film the (l.ero(s la.e,
Whilst rank .orr(tion, mining all !ithin,
Infe.ts (nseen. %onfess 3o(rself to hea2en;
Reent !hat8s ast; a2oid !hat is to .ome;
And do not sread the .omost on the !eeds,
'o make them ranker. 0orgi2e me this m3 2irt(e;
0or in the fatness of these pursy times
Virtue itself of vice must pardon beg,
1ea, .(r& and !oo for lea2e to do him good.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
" Hamlet, tho( hast .left m3 heart in t!ain.
HAMLET
", thro! a!a3 the !orser art of it,
And li2e the (rer !ith the other half.
+ood night- &(t go not to mine (n.le8s &ed;
Ass(me a 2irt(e, if 3o( ha2e it not.
'hat monster, .(stom, !ho all sense doth eat,
"f ha&its de2il, is angel 3et in this,
'hat to the (se of a.tions fair and good
He like!ise gi2es a fro.k or li2er3,
'hat atl3 is (t on. Refrain to4night,
And that shall lend a kind of easiness
'o the ne@t a&stinen.e- the ne@t more eas3;
0or (se almost .an .hange the stam of nat(re,
And either 6 7 the de2il, or thro! him o(t
With !ondro(s oten.3. "n.e more, good night-
And !hen 3o( are desiro(s to &e &less8d,
I8ll &lessing &eg of 3o(. 0or this same lord,
)ointin/ to )OLONIUS
I do reent- &(t hea2en hath leased it so,
'o (nish me !ith this and this !ith me,
'hat I m(st &e their s.o(rge and minister.
I !ill &esto! him, and !ill ans!er !ell
'he death I ga2e him. So, again, good night.
I must be cruel, only to be kind:
'h(s &ad &egins and !orse remains &ehind.
"ne !ord more, good lad3.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
What shall I do9
HAMLET
#ot this, &3 no means, that I &id 3o( do-
Let the &loat king temt 3o( again to &ed;
Pin.h !anton on 3o(r .heek; .all 3o( his mo(se;
And let him, for a air of ree.h3 kisses,
"r addling in 3o(r ne.k !ith his damn8d fingers,
Make 3o( to ra2el all this matter o(t,
'hat I essentiall3 am not in madness,
/(t mad in .raft. 8'!ere good 3o( let him kno!;
0or !ho, that8s &(t a <(een, fair, so&er, !ise,
Wo(ld from a addo.k, from a &at, a gi&,
S(.h dear .on.ernings hide9 !ho !o(ld do so9
#o, in desite of sense and se.re.3,
$neg the &asket on the ho(se8s to.
Let the &irds fl3, and, like the famo(s ae,
'o tr3 .on.l(sions, in the &asket .ree,
And &reak 3o(r o!n ne.k do!n.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
/e tho( ass(red, if !ords &e made of &reath,
And &reath of life, I ha2e no life to &reathe
What tho( hast said to me.
HAMLET
I m(st to England; 3o( kno! that9
QUEEN GERTRUDE
Ala.k,
I had forgot- 8tis so .on.l(ded on.
HAMLET
'here8s letters seal8d- and m3 t!o s.hoolfello!s,
Whom I !ill tr(st as I !ill adders fang8d,
'he3 &ear the mandate; the3 m(st s!ee m3 !a3,
And marshal me to kna2er3. Let it !ork;
0or 8tis the sort to ha2e the engineer
Hoist !ith his o!n etard- and 8t shall go hard
/(t I !ill del2e one 3ard &elo! their mines,
And &lo! them at the moon- ", 8tis most s!eet,
When in one line t!o .rafts dire.tl3 meet.
'his man shall set me a.king-
I8ll l(g the g(ts into the neigh&o(r room.
Mother, good night. Indeed this .o(nsellor
Is no! most still, most se.ret and most gra2e,
Who !as in life a foolish rating kna2e.
%ome, sir, to dra! to!ard an end !ith 3o(.
+ood night, mother.
Exe%nt se3era++05 HAMLET dra//in/ in )OLONIUS
ACT IV
SCENE I. A room in the castle.
Enter &IN CLAUDIUS' (UEEN ERTRUDE' ROSENCRANT2' and UILDENSTERN
KING CLAUDIUS
'here8s matter in these sighs, these rofo(nd hea2es-
1o( m(st translate- 8tis fit !e (nderstand them.
Where is 3o(r son9
QUEEN GERTRUDE
/esto! this la.e on (s a little !hile.
Exe%nt ROSENCRANT2 and UILDENSTERN
Ah, m3 good lord, !hat ha2e I seen to4night:
KING CLAUDIUS
What, +ertr(de9 Ho! does Hamlet9
QUEEN GERTRUDE
Mad as the sea and !ind, !hen &oth .ontend
Whi.h is the mightier- in his la!less fit,
/ehind the arras hearing something stir,
Whis o(t his raier, .ries, 8A rat, a rat:8
And, in this &rainish arehension, kills
'he (nseen good old man.
KING CLAUDIUS
" hea23 deed:
It had &een so !ith (s, had !e &een there-
His li&ert3 is f(ll of threats to all;
'o 3o( 3o(rself, to (s, to e2er3 one.
Alas, ho! shall this &lood3 deed &e ans!er8d9
It !ill &e laid to (s, !hose ro2iden.e
Sho(ld ha2e ket short, restrain8d and o(t of ha(nt,
'his mad 3o(ng man- &(t so m(.h !as o(r lo2e,
We !o(ld not (nderstand !hat !as most fit;
/(t, like the o!ner of a fo(l disease,
'o kee it from di2(lging, let it feed
E2en on the ith of Life. Where is he gone9
QUEEN GERTRUDE
'o dra! aart the &od3 he hath kill8d-
"8er !hom his 2er3 madness, like some ore
Among a mineral of metals &ase,
Sho!s itself (re; he !ees for !hat is done.
KING CLAUDIUS
" +ertr(de, .ome a!a3:
'he s(n no sooner shall the mo(ntains to(.h,
/(t !e !ill shi him hen.e- and this 2ile deed
We m(st, !ith all o(r ma=est3 and skill,
/oth .o(ntenan.e and e@.(se. Ho, +(ildenstern:
Re!enter ROSENCRANT2 and UILDENSTERN
0riends &oth, go =oin 3o( !ith some f(rther aid-
Hamlet in madness hath Poloni(s slain,
And from his mother8s .loset hath he dragg8d him-
+o seek him o(t; seak fair, and &ring the &od3
Into the .hael. I ra3 3o(, haste in this.
Exe%nt ROSENCRANT2 and UILDENSTERN
%ome, +ertr(de, !e8ll .all ( o(r !isest friends;
And let them kno!, &oth !hat !e mean to do,
And !hat8s (ntimel3 done. ", .ome a!a3:
M3 so(l is f(ll of dis.ord and disma3.
Exe%nt
SCENE II. Another room in the castle.
Enter HAMLET
HAMLET
Safel3 sto!ed.
ROSENCRANTZ: GUILDENSTERN:
6Within7 Hamlet: Lord Hamlet:
HAMLET
What noise9 !ho .alls on Hamlet9
", here the3 .ome.
Enter ROSENCRANT2 and UILDENSTERN
ROSENCRANTZ
What ha2e 3o( done, m3 lord, !ith the dead &od39
HAMLET
%omo(nded it !ith d(st, !hereto 8tis kin.
ROSENCRANTZ
'ell (s !here 8tis, that !e ma3 take it then.e
And &ear it to the .hael.
HAMLET
Do not &elie2e it.
ROSENCRANTZ
/elie2e !hat9
HAMLET
'hat I .an kee 3o(r .o(nsel and not mine o!n.
/esides, to &e demanded of a songe: !hat
reli.ation sho(ld &e made &3 the son of a king9
ROSENCRANTZ
'ake 3o( me for a songe, m3 lord9
HAMLET
A3, sir, that soaks ( the king8s .o(ntenan.e, his
re!ards, his a(thorities. /(t s(.h offi.ers do the
king &est ser2i.e in the end- he kees them, like
an ae, in the .orner of his =a!; first mo(thed, to
&e last s!allo!ed- !hen he needs !hat 3o( ha2e
gleaned, it is &(t s<(ee>ing 3o(, and, songe, 3o(
shall &e dr3 again.
ROSENCRANTZ
I (nderstand 3o( not, m3 lord.
HAMLET
I am glad of it- a kna2ish see.h slees in a
foolish ear.
ROSENCRANTZ
M3 lord, 3o( m(st tell (s !here the &od3 is, and go
!ith (s to the king.
HAMLET
'he &od3 is !ith the king, &(t the king is not !ith
the &od3. 'he king is a thing44
GUILDENSTERN
A thing, m3 lord:
HAMLET
"f nothing- &ring me to him. Hide fo@, and all after.
Exe%nt
SCENE III. Another room in the castle.
Enter &IN CLAUDIUS' attended
KING CLAUDIUS
I ha2e sent to seek him, and to find the &od3.
Ho! dangero(s is it that this man goes loose:
1et m(st not !e (t the strong la! on him-
He8s lo2ed of the distra.ted m(ltit(de,
Who like not in their =(dgment, &(t their e3es;
And !here tis so, the offender8s s.o(rge is !eigh8d,
/(t ne2er the offen.e. 'o &ear all smooth and e2en,
'his s(dden sending him a!a3 m(st seem
Deli&erate a(se- diseases deserate gro!n
/3 deserate alian.e are relie2ed,
"r not at all.
Enter ROSENCRANT2
Ho! no!: !hat hath &efall8n9
ROSENCRANTZ
Where the dead &od3 is &esto!8d, m3 lord,
We .annot get from him.
KING CLAUDIUS
/(t !here is he9
ROSENCRANTZ
Witho(t, m3 lord; g(arded, to kno! 3o(r leas(re.
KING CLAUDIUS
/ring him &efore (s.
ROSENCRANTZ
Ho, +(ildenstern: &ring in m3 lord.
Enter HAMLET and UILDENSTERN
KING CLAUDIUS
#o!, Hamlet, !here8s Poloni(s9
HAMLET
At s(er.
KING CLAUDIUS
At s(er: !here9
HAMLET
#ot !here he eats, &(t !here he is eaten- a .ertain
.on2o.ation of oliti. !orms are e8en at him. 1o(r
!orm is 3o(r onl3 emeror for diet- !e fat all
.reat(res else to fat (s, and !e fat o(rsel2es for
maggots- 3o(r fat king and 3o(r lean &eggar is &(t
2aria&le ser2i.e, t!o dishes, &(t to one ta&le-
that8s the end.
KING CLAUDIUS
Alas, alas:
HAMLET
A man ma3 fish !ith the !orm that hath eat of a
king, and eat of the fish that hath fed of that !orm.
KING CLAUDIUS
What dost 3o( mean &3 this9
HAMLET
#othing &(t to sho! 3o( ho! a king ma3 go a
rogress thro(gh the g(ts of a &eggar.
KING CLAUDIUS
Where is Poloni(s9
HAMLET
In hea2en; send hither to see- if 3o(r messenger
find him not there, seek him i8 the other la.e
3o(rself. /(t indeed, if 3o( find him not !ithin
this month, 3o( shall nose him as 3o( go ( the
stairs into the lo&&3.
KING CLAUDIUS
+o seek him there.
To some Attendants
HAMLET
He !ill sta3 till 3e .ome.
Exe%nt Attendants
KING CLAUDIUS
Hamlet, this deed, for thine ese.ial safet3,44
Whi.h !e do tender, as !e dearl3 grie2e
0or that !hi.h tho( hast done,44m(st send thee hen.e
With fier3 <(i.kness- therefore reare th3self;
'he &ark is read3, and the !ind at hel,
'he asso.iates tend, and e2er3 thing is &ent
0or England.
HAMLET
0or England:
KING CLAUDIUS
A3, Hamlet.
HAMLET
+ood.
KING CLAUDIUS
So is it, if tho( kne!8st o(r (roses.
HAMLET
I see a .her(& that sees them. /(t, .ome; for
England: 0are!ell, dear mother.
KING CLAUDIUS
'h3 lo2ing father, Hamlet.
HAMLET
M3 mother- father and mother is man and !ife; man
and !ife is one flesh; and so, m3 mother. %ome, for England:
Exit
KING CLAUDIUS
0ollo! him at foot; temt him !ith seed a&oard;
Dela3 it not; I8ll ha2e him hen.e to4night-
A!a3: for e2er3 thing is seal8d and done
'hat else leans on the affair- ra3 3o(, make haste.
Exe%nt ROSENCRANT2 and UILDENSTERN
And, England, if m3 lo2e tho( hold8st at a(ght44
As m3 great o!er thereof ma3 gi2e thee sense,
Sin.e 3et th3 .i.atri.e looks ra! and red
After the Danish s!ord, and th3 free a!e
Pa3s homage to (s44tho( ma3st not .oldl3 set
"(r so2ereign ro.ess; !hi.h imorts at f(ll,
/3 letters .ongr(ing to that effe.t,
'he resent death of Hamlet. Do it, England;
0or like the he.ti. in m3 &lood he rages,
And tho( m(st .(re me- till I kno! 8tis done,
Ho!e8er m3 has, m3 =o3s !ere ne8er &eg(n.
Exit
SCENE IV. A plain in Denmark.
Enter FORTINBRAS' a Captain' and So+diers' mar"hin/
PRINCE FORTINBRAS
+o, .atain, from me greet the Danish king;
'ell him that, &3 his li.en.e, 0ortin&ras
%ra2es the .on2e3an.e of a romised mar.h
"2er his kingdom. 1o( kno! the rende>2o(s.
If that his ma=est3 !o(ld a(ght !ith (s,
We shall e@ress o(r d(t3 in his e3e;
And let him kno! so.
Captain
I !ill do8t, m3 lord.
PRINCE FORTINBRAS
+o softl3 on.
Exe%nt FORTINBRAS and So+diers
Enter HAMLET' ROSENCRANT2' UILDENSTERN' and others
HAMLET
+ood sir, !hose o!ers are these9
Captain
'he3 are of #or!a3, sir.
HAMLET
Ho! (rosed, sir, I ra3 3o(9
Captain
Against some art of Poland.
HAMLET
Who .ommands them, sir9
Captain
'he nehe!s to old #or!a3, 0ortin&ras.
HAMLET
+oes it against the main of Poland, sir,
"r for some frontier9
Captain
'r(l3 to seak, and !ith no addition,
We go to gain a little at.h of gro(nd
'hat hath in it no rofit &(t the name.
'o a3 fi2e d(.ats, fi2e, I !o(ld not farm it;
#or !ill it 3ield to #or!a3 or the Pole
A ranker rate, sho(ld it &e sold in fee.
HAMLET
Wh3, then the Pola.k ne2er !ill defend it.
Captain
1es, it is alread3 garrison8d.
HAMLET
'!o tho(sand so(ls and t!ent3 tho(sand d(.ats
Will not de&ate the <(estion of this stra!-
'his is the imosth(me of m(.h !ealth and ea.e,
'hat in!ard &reaks, and sho!s no .a(se !itho(t
Wh3 the man dies. I h(m&l3 thank 3o(, sir.
Captain
+od &e !i8 3o(, sir.
Exit
ROSENCRANTZ
Wilt lease 3o( go, m3 lord9
HAMLET
I8ll &e !ith 3o( straight go a little &efore.
Exe%nt a++ ex"ept HAMLET
Ho! all o..asions do inform against me,
And s(r m3 d(ll re2enge: What is a man,
If his chief good and market of his time
Be but to sleep and feed? a beast, no more.
S(re, he that made (s !ith s(.h large dis.o(rse,
Looking &efore and after, ga2e (s not
'hat .aa&ilit3 and god4like reason
'o f(st in (s (n(sed. #o!, !hether it &e
/estial o&li2ion, or some .ra2en s.r(le
"f thinking too re.isel3 on the e2ent,
A tho(ght !hi.h, <(arter8d, hath &(t one art !isdom
And e2er three arts .o!ard, I do not kno!
Wh3 3et I li2e to sa3 8'his thing8s to do;8
Sith I ha2e .a(se and !ill and strength and means
'o do8t. E@amles gross as earth e@hort me-
Witness this arm3 of s(.h mass and .harge
Led &3 a deli.ate and tender rin.e,
Whose sirit !ith di2ine am&ition (ff8d
Makes mo(ths at the in2isi&le e2ent,
E@osing !hat is mortal and (ns(re
'o all that fort(ne, death and danger dare,
E2en for an egg4shell. Rightl3 to &e great
Is not to stir !itho(t great arg(ment,
/(t greatl3 to find <(arrel in a stra!
When hono(r8s 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? !hile, to m3 shame, I see
'he imminent death of t!ent3 tho(sand men,
'hat, for a fantas3 and tri.k of fame,
+o to their gra2es like &eds, fight for a lot
Whereon the n(m&ers .annot tr3 the .a(se,
Whi.h is not tom& eno(gh and .ontinent
'o hide the slain9 O, from this time forth,
My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!
Exit
SCENE V. Elsinore. A room in the castle.
Enter (UEEN ERTRUDE' HORATIO' and a ent+eman
QUEEN GERTRUDE
I !ill not seak !ith her.
Gentleman
She is imort(nate, indeed distra.t-
Her mood !ill needs &e itied.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
What !o(ld she ha2e9
Gentleman
She seaks m(.h of her father; sa3s she hears
'here8s tri.ks i8 the !orld; and hems, and &eats her heart;
S(rns en2io(sl3 at stra!s; seaks things in do(&t,
'hat .arr3 &(t half sense- her see.h is nothing,
1et the (nshaed (se of it doth mo2e
'he hearers to .olle.tion; the3 aim at it,
And &ot.h the !ords ( fit to their o!n tho(ghts;
Whi.h, as her !inks, and nods, and gest(res
3ield them,
Indeed !o(ld make one think there might &e tho(ght,
'ho(gh nothing s(re, 3et m(.h (nhail3.
HORATIO
8'!ere good she !ere soken !ith; for she ma3 stre!
Dangero(s .on=e.t(res in ill4&reeding minds.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
Let her .ome in.
Exit HORATIO
'o m3 si.k so(l, as sin8s tr(e nat(re is,
Ea.h to3 seems rolog(e to some great amiss-
So f(ll of artless =ealo(s3 is g(ilt,
It sills itself in fearing to &e silt.
Re!enter HORATIO' $ith O)HELIA
OPHELIA
Where is the &ea(teo(s ma=est3 of Denmark9
QUEEN GERTRUDE
Ho! no!, "helia:
OPHELIA
6Sings7
Ho! sho(ld I 3o(r tr(e lo2e kno!
0rom another one9
/3 his .o.kle hat and staff,
And his sandal shoon.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
Alas, s!eet lad3, !hat imorts this song9
OPHELIA
Sa3 3o(9 na3, ra3 3o(, mark.
Sin/s
He is dead and gone, lad3,
He is dead and gone;
At his head a grass4green t(rf,
At his heels a stone.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
#a3, &(t, "helia,44
OPHELIA
Pra3 3o(, mark.
Sin/s
White his shro(d as the mo(ntain sno!,44
Enter &IN CLAUDIUS
QUEEN GERTRUDE
Alas, look here, m3 lord.
OPHELIA
6Sings7
Larded !ith s!eet flo!ers
Whi.h &e!et to the gra2e did go
With tr(e4lo2e sho!ers.
KING CLAUDIUS
Ho! do 3o(, rett3 lad39
OPHELIA
Well, +od 8ild 3o(: 'he3 sa3 the o!l !as a &aker8s
da(ghter. Lord, !e kno! !hat !e are, &(t kno! not
!hat !e ma3 &e. +od &e at 3o(r ta&le:
KING CLAUDIUS
%on.eit (on her father.
OPHELIA
Pra3 3o(, let8s ha2e no !ords of this; &(t !hen the3
ask 3o( !hat it means, sa3 3o( this-
Sin/s
'o4morro! is Saint )alentine8s da3,
All in the morning &etime,
And I a maid at 3o(r !indo!,
'o &e 3o(r )alentine.
'hen ( he rose, and donn8d his .lothes,
And d(8d the .ham&er4door;
Let in the maid, that o(t a maid
#e2er dearted more.
KING CLAUDIUS
Prett3 "helia:
OPHELIA
Indeed, la, !itho(t an oath, I8ll make an end on8t-
Sin/s
/3 +is and &3 Saint %harit3,
Ala.k, and fie for shame:
1o(ng men !ill do8t, if the3 .ome to8t;
/3 .o.k, the3 are to &lame.
5(oth she, &efore 3o( t(m&led me,
1o( romised me to !ed.
So !o(ld I ha8 done, &3 3onder s(n,
An tho( hadst not .ome to m3 &ed.
KING CLAUDIUS
Ho! long hath she &een th(s9
OPHELIA
I hoe all !ill &e !ell. We m(st &e atient- &(t I
.annot .hoose &(t !ee, to think the3 sho(ld la3 him
i8 the .old gro(nd. M3 &rother shall kno! of it-
and so I thank 3o( for 3o(r good .o(nsel. %ome, m3
.oa.h: +ood night, ladies; good night, s!eet ladies;
good night, good night.
Exit
KING CLAUDIUS
0ollo! her .lose; gi2e her good !at.h,
I ra3 3o(.
Exit HORATIO
", this is the oison of dee grief; it srings
All from her father8s death. " +ertr(de, +ertr(de,
When sorro!s .ome, the3 .ome not single sies
/(t in &attalions. 0irst, her father slain-
#e@t, 3o(r son gone; and he most 2iolent a(thor
"f his o!n =(st remo2e- the eole m(ddied,
'hi.k and (n!holesome in their tho(ghts and !hisers,
0or good Poloni(s8 death; and !e ha2e done &(t greenl3,
In h(gger4m(gger to inter him- oor "helia
Di2ided from herself and her fair judgment,
Without the which we are pictures, or mere beasts:
Last, and as m(.h .ontaining as all these,
Her &rother is in se.ret .ome from 0ran.e;
0eeds on his !onder, kees himself in .lo(ds,
And !ants not &(>>ers to infe.t his ear
With estilent see.hes of his father8s death;
Wherein ne.essit3, of matter &eggar8d,
Will nothing sti.k o(r erson to arraign
In ear and ear. " m3 dear +ertr(de, this,
Like to a m(rdering4ie.e, in man3 la.es
+i2es me s(erfl(o(s death.
A noise $ithin
QUEEN GERTRUDE
Ala.k, !hat noise is this9
KING CLAUDIUS
Where are m3 S!it>ers9 Let them g(ard the door.
Enter another ent+eman
What is the matter9
Gentleman
Sa2e 3o(rself, m3 lord-
'he o.ean, o2ereering of his list,
Eats not the flats !ith more imet(o(s haste
'han 3o(ng Laertes, in a rioto(s head,
"8er&ears 3o(r offi.ers. 'he ra&&le .all him lord;
And, as the !orld !ere no! &(t to &egin,
Anti<(it3 forgot, .(stom not kno!n,
'he ratifiers and ros of e2er3 !ord,
'he3 .r3 8%hoose !e- Laertes shall &e king-8
%as, hands, and tong(es, ala(d it to the .lo(ds-
8Laertes shall &e king, Laertes king:8
QUEEN GERTRUDE
Ho! .heerf(ll3 on the false trail the3 .r3:
", this is .o(nter, 3o( false Danish dogs:
KING CLAUDIUS
'he doors are &roke.
Noise $ithin
Enter LAERTES' armed5 Danes -o++o$in/
LAERTES
Where is this king9 Sirs, stand 3o( all !itho(t.
Danes
#o, let8s .ome in.
LAERTES
I ra3 3o(, gi2e me lea2e.
Danes
We !ill, !e !ill.
The0 retire $itho%t the door
LAERTES
I thank 3o(- kee the door. " tho( 2ile king,
+i2e me m3 father:
QUEEN GERTRUDE
%alml3, good Laertes.
LAERTES
'hat dro of &lood that8s .alm ro.laims me &astard,
%ries .(.kold to m3 father, &rands the harlot
E2en here, &et!een the .haste (nsmir.hed &ro!
"f m3 tr(e mother.
KING CLAUDIUS
What is the .a(se, Laertes,
'hat th3 re&ellion looks so giant4like9
Let him go, +ertr(de; do not fear o(r erson-
'here8s s(.h di2init3 doth hedge a king,
'hat treason .an &(t ee to !hat it !o(ld,
A.ts little of his !ill. 'ell me, Laertes,
Wh3 tho( art th(s in.ensed. Let him go, +ertr(de.
Seak, man.
LAERTES
Where is m3 father9
KING CLAUDIUS
Dead.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
/(t not &3 him.
KING CLAUDIUS
Let him demand his fill.
LAERTES
Ho! .ame he dead9 I8ll not &e =(ggled !ith-
'o hell, allegian.e: 2o!s, to the &la.kest de2il:
%ons.ien.e and gra.e, to the rofo(ndest it:
I dare damnation. 'o this oint I stand,
'hat &oth the !orlds I gi2e to negligen.e,
Let .ome !hat .omes; onl3 I8ll &e re2enged
Most thoro(ghl3 for m3 father.
KING CLAUDIUS
Who shall sta3 3o(9
LAERTES
M3 !ill, not all the !orld-
And for m3 means, I8ll h(s&and them so !ell,
'he3 shall go far !ith little.
KING CLAUDIUS
+ood Laertes,
If 3o( desire to kno! the .ertaint3
"f 3o(r dear father8s death, is8t !rit in 3o(r re2enge,
'hat, s!oostake, 3o( !ill dra! &oth friend and foe,
Winner and loser9
LAERTES
#one &(t his enemies.
KING CLAUDIUS
Will 3o( kno! them then9
LAERTES
'o his good friends th(s !ide I8ll oe m3 arms;
And like the kind life4rendering eli.an,
Reast them !ith m3 &lood.
KING CLAUDIUS
Wh3, no! 3o( seak
Like a good .hild and a tr(e gentleman.
'hat I am g(iltless of 3o(r father8s death,
And am most sensi&le in grief for it,
It shall as le2el to 3o(r =(dgment ier.e
As da3 does to 3o(r e3e.
Danes
6Within7 Let her .ome in.
LAERTES
Ho! no!: !hat noise is that9
Re!enter O)HELIA
" heat, dr3 ( m3 &rains: tears se2en times salt,
/(rn o(t the sense and 2irt(e of mine e3e:
/3 hea2en, th3 madness shall &e aid &3 !eight,
'ill o(r s.ale t(rn the &eam. " rose of Ma3:
Dear maid, kind sister, s!eet "helia:
" hea2ens: is8t ossi&le, a 3o(ng maid8s !its
Sho(ld &e as moral as an old man8s life9
#at(re is fine in lo2e, and !here 8tis fine,
It sends some re.io(s instan.e of itself
After the thing it lo2es.
OPHELIA
6Sings7
'he3 &ore him &arefa.ed on the &ier;
He3 non nonn3, nonn3, he3 nonn3;
And in his gra2e rain8d man3 a tear-44
0are 3o( !ell, m3 do2e:
LAERTES
Hadst tho( th3 !its, and didst ers(ade re2enge,
It .o(ld not mo2e th(s.
OPHELIA
6Sings7
1o( m(st sing a4do!n a4do!n,
An 3o( .all him a4do!n4a.
", ho! the !heel &e.omes it: It is the false
ste!ard, that stole his master8s da(ghter.
LAERTES
'his nothing8s more than matter.
OPHELIA
'here8s rosemar3, that8s for remem&ran.e; ra3,
lo2e, remem&er- and there is ansies. that8s for tho(ghts.
LAERTES
A do.(ment in madness, tho(ghts and remem&ran.e fitted.
OPHELIA
'here8s fennel for 3o(, and .ol(m&ines- there8s r(e
for 3o(; and here8s some for me- !e ma3 .all it
her&4gra.e o8 S(nda3s- " 3o( m(st !ear 3o(r r(e !ith
a differen.e. 'here8s a dais3- I !o(ld gi2e 3o(
some 2iolets, &(t the3 !ithered all !hen m3 father
died- the3 sa3 he made a good end,44
Sin/s
0or &onn3 s!eet Ro&in is all m3 =o3.
LAERTES
'ho(ght and affli.tion, assion, hell itself,
She t(rns to fa2o(r and to rettiness.
OPHELIA
6Sings7
And !ill he not .ome again9
And !ill he not .ome again9
#o, no, he is dead-
+o to th3 death4&ed-
He ne2er !ill .ome again.
His &eard !as as !hite as sno!,
All fla@en !as his oll-
He is gone, he is gone,
And !e .ast a!a3 moan-
+od ha8 mer.3 on his so(l:
And of all %hristian so(ls, I ra3 +od. +od &e !i8 3e.
Exit
LAERTES
Do 3o( see this, " +od9
KING CLAUDIUS
Laertes, I m(st .omm(ne !ith 3o(r grief,
"r 3o( den3 me right. +o &(t aart,
Make .hoi.e of !hom 3o(r !isest friends 3o( !ill.
And the3 shall hear and =(dge 8t!i@t 3o( and me-
If &3 dire.t or &3 .ollateral hand
'he3 find (s to(.h8d, !e !ill o(r kingdom gi2e,
"(r .ro!n, o(r life, and all that !e .an o(rs,
'o 3o( in satisfa.tion; &(t if not,
/e 3o( .ontent to lend 3o(r atien.e to (s,
And !e shall =ointl3 la&o(r !ith 3o(r so(l
'o gi2e it d(e .ontent.
LAERTES
Let this &e so;
His means of death, his o&s.(re f(neral44
#o troh3, s!ord, nor hat.hment o8er his &ones,
#o no&le rite nor formal ostentation44
%r3 to &e heard, as 8t!ere from hea2en to earth,
'hat I m(st .all8t in <(estion.
KING CLAUDIUS
So 3o( shall;
And !here the offen.e is let the great a@e fall.
I ra3 3o(, go !ith me.
Exe%nt
SCENE VI. Another room in the castle.
Enter HORATIO and a Ser3ant
HORATIO
What are the3 that !o(ld seak !ith me9
Servant
Sailors, sir- the3 sa3 the3 ha2e letters for 3o(.
HORATIO
Let them .ome in.
Exit Ser3ant
I do not kno! from !hat art of the !orld
I sho(ld &e greeted, if not from Lord Hamlet.
Enter Sai+ors
First Sailor
+od &less 3o(, sir.
HORATIO
Let him &less thee too.
First Sailor
He shall, sir, an8t lease him. 'here8s a letter for
3o(, sir; it .omes from the am&assador that !as
&o(nd for England; if 3o(r name &e Horatio, as I am
let to kno! it is.
HORATIO
6Reads7 8Horatio, !hen tho( shalt ha2e o2erlooked
this, gi2e these fello!s some means to the king-
the3 ha2e letters for him. Ere !e !ere t!o da3s old
at sea, a irate of 2er3 !arlike aointment ga2e (s
.hase. 0inding o(rsel2es too slo! of sail, !e (t on
a .omelled 2alo(r, and in the grale I &oarded
them- on the instant the3 got .lear of o(r shi; so
I alone &e.ame their risoner. 'he3 ha2e dealt !ith
me like thie2es of mer.3- &(t the3 kne! !hat the3
did; I am to do a good t(rn for them. Let the king
ha2e the letters I ha2e sent; and reair tho( to me
!ith as m(.h seed as tho( !o(ldst fl3 death. I
ha2e !ords to seak in thine ear !ill make thee
d(m&; 3et are the3 m(.h too light for the &ore of
the matter. 'hese good fello!s !ill &ring thee
!here I am. Rosen.rant> and +(ildenstern hold their
.o(rse for England- of them I ha2e m(.h to tell
thee. 0are!ell.
8He that tho( kno!est thine, HAMLE'.8
%ome, I !ill make 3o( !a3 for these 3o(r letters;
And do8t the seedier, that 3o( ma3 dire.t me
'o him from !hom 3o( &ro(ght them.
Exe%nt
SCENE VII. Another room in the castle.
Enter &IN CLAUDIUS and LAERTES
KING CLAUDIUS
#o! m(st 3o(r .ons.ien.e m3 a.<(aintan.e seal,
And 3o( m(st (t me in 3o(r heart for friend,
Sith 3o( ha2e heard, and !ith a kno!ing ear,
'hat he !hi.h hath 3o(r no&le father slain
P(rs(ed m3 life.
LAERTES
It !ell aears- &(t tell me
Wh3 3o( ro.eeded not against these feats,
So .rimef(l and so .aital in nat(re,
As &3 3o(r safet3, !isdom, all things else,
1o( mainl3 !ere stirr8d (.
KING CLAUDIUS
", for t!o se.ial reasons;
Whi.h ma3 to 3o(, erhas, seem m(.h (nsine!8d,
/(t 3et to me the3 are strong. 'he <(een his mother
Li2es almost &3 his looks; and for m3self44
M3 2irt(e or m3 lag(e, &e it either !hi.h44
She8s so .on=(n.ti2e to m3 life and so(l,
'hat, as the star mo2es not &(t in his shere,
I .o(ld not &(t &3 her. 'he other moti2e,
Wh3 to a (&li. .o(nt I might not go,
Is the great lo2e the general gender &ear him;
Who, diing all his fa(lts in their affe.tion,
Wo(ld, like the sring that t(rneth !ood to stone,
%on2ert his g32es to gra.es; so that m3 arro!s,
'oo slightl3 tim&er8d for so lo(d a !ind,
Wo(ld ha2e re2erted to m3 &o! again,
And not !here I had aim8d them.
LAERTES
And so ha2e I a no&le father lost;
A sister dri2en into deserate terms,
Whose !orth, if raises ma3 go &a.k again,
Stood .hallenger on mo(nt of all the age
0or her erfe.tions- &(t m3 re2enge !ill .ome.
KING CLAUDIUS
/reak not 3o(r slees for that- 3o( m(st not think
'hat !e are made of st(ff so flat and d(ll
'hat !e .an let o(r &eard &e shook !ith danger
And think it astime. 1o( shortl3 shall hear more-
I lo2ed 3o(r father, and !e lo2e o(rself;
And that, I hoe, !ill tea.h 3o( to imagine44
Enter a Messen/er
Ho! no!: !hat ne!s9
Messenger
Letters, m3 lord, from Hamlet-
'his to 3o(r ma=est3; this to the <(een.
KING CLAUDIUS
0rom Hamlet: !ho &ro(ght them9
Messenger
Sailors, m3 lord, the3 sa3; I sa! them not-
'he3 !ere gi2en me &3 %la(dio; he re.ei2ed them
"f him that &ro(ght them.
KING CLAUDIUS
Laertes, 3o( shall hear them. Lea2e (s.
Exit Messen/er
Reads
8High and might3, 1o( shall kno! I am set naked on
3o(r kingdom. 'o4morro! shall I &eg lea2e to see
3o(r kingl3 e3es- !hen I shall, first asking 3o(r
ardon there(nto, re.o(nt the o..asion of m3 s(dden
and more strange ret(rn. 8HAMLE'.8
What sho(ld this mean9 Are all the rest .ome &a.k9
"r is it some a&(se, and no s(.h thing9
LAERTES
Kno! 3o( the hand9
KING CLAUDIUS
8'is Hamlets .hara.ter. 8#aked:
And in a osts.rit here, he sa3s 8alone.8
%an 3o( ad2ise me9
LAERTES
I8m lost in it, m3 lord. /(t let him .ome;
It !arms the 2er3 si.kness in m3 heart,
'hat I shall li2e and tell him to his teeth,
8'h(s didest tho(.8
KING CLAUDIUS
If it &e so, Laertes44
As ho! sho(ld it &e so9 ho! other!ise944
Will 3o( &e r(led &3 me9
LAERTES
A3, m3 lord;
So 3o( !ill not o8err(le me to a ea.e.
KING CLAUDIUS
'o thine o!n ea.e. If he &e no! ret(rn8d,
As .he.king at his 2o3age, and that he means
#o more to (ndertake it, I !ill !ork him
'o an e@loit, no! rie in m3 de2i.e,
$nder the !hi.h he shall not .hoose &(t fall-
And for his death no !ind of &lame shall &reathe,
/(t e2en his mother shall (n.harge the ra.tise
And .all it a..ident.
LAERTES
M3 lord, I !ill &e r(led;
'he rather, if 3o( .o(ld de2ise it so
'hat I might &e the organ.
KING CLAUDIUS
It falls right.
1o( ha2e &een talk8d of sin.e 3o(r tra2el m(.h,
And that in Hamlet8s hearing, for a <(alit3
Wherein, the3 sa3, 3o( shine- 3o(r s(m of arts
Did not together l(.k s(.h en23 from him
As did that one, and that, in m3 regard,
"f the (n!orthiest siege.
LAERTES
What art is that, m3 lord9
KING CLAUDIUS
A 2er3 ri&and in the .a of 3o(th,
1et needf(l too; for 3o(th no less &e.omes
'he light and .areless li2er3 that it !ears
'han settled age his sa&les and his !eeds,
Imorting health and gra2eness. '!o months sin.e,
Here !as a gentleman of #ormand3-44
I82e seen m3self, and ser2ed against, the 0ren.h,
And the3 .an !ell on horse&a.k- &(t this gallant
Had !it.h.raft in8t; he gre! (nto his seat;
And to s(.h !ondro(s doing &ro(ght his horse,
As he had &een in.orsed and demi4nat(red
With the &ra2e &east- so far he to8d m3 tho(ght,
'hat I, in forger3 of shaes and tri.ks,
%ome short of !hat he did.
LAERTES
A #orman !as8t9
KING CLAUDIUS
A #orman.
LAERTES
$on m3 life, Lamond.
KING CLAUDIUS
'he 2er3 same.
LAERTES
I kno! him !ell- he is the &roo.h indeed
And gem of all the nation.
KING CLAUDIUS
He made .onfession of 3o(,
And ga2e 3o( s(.h a masterl3 reort
0or art and e@er.ise in 3o(r defen.e
And for 3o(r raier most ese.iall3,
'hat he .ried o(t, 8t!o(ld &e a sight indeed,
If one .o(ld mat.h 3o(- the s.rimers of their nation,
He s!ore, had had neither motion, g(ard, nor e3e,
If 3o( oosed them. Sir, this reort of his
Did Hamlet so en2enom !ith his en23
'hat he .o(ld nothing do &(t !ish and &eg
1o(r s(dden .oming o8er, to la3 !ith him.
#o!, o(t of this,44
LAERTES
What o(t of this, m3 lord9
KING CLAUDIUS
Laertes, !as 3o(r father dear to 3o(9
"r are 3o( like the ainting of a sorro!,
A fa.e !itho(t a heart9
LAERTES
Wh3 ask 3o( this9
KING CLAUDIUS
#ot that I think 3o( did not lo2e 3o(r father;
/(t that I kno! love is begun by time;
And that I see, in assages of roof,
Time qualifies the spark and fire of it.
'here li2es !ithin the 2er3 flame of lo2e
A kind of !i.k or sn(ff that !ill a&ate it;
And nothing is at a like goodness still;
For goodness, gro!ing to a l(ris3,
Dies in his own too much: that we would do
We should do when we would; for this 'would' changes
And hath a&atements and dela3s as man3
As there are tong(es, are hands, are a..idents;
And then this 8sho(ld8 is like a sendthrift sigh,
'hat h(rts &3 easing. /(t, to the <(i.k o8 the (l.er-44
Hamlet .omes &a.k- !hat !o(ld 3o( (ndertake,
'o sho! 3o(rself 3o(r father8s son in deed
More than in !ords9
LAERTES
'o .(t his throat i8 the .h(r.h.
KING CLAUDIUS
No place, indeed, should murder sanctuarize;
Revenge should have no bounds. /(t, good Laertes,
Will 3o( do this, kee .lose !ithin 3o(r .ham&er.
Hamlet ret(rn8d shall kno! 3o( are .ome home-
We8ll (t on those shall raise 3o(r e@.ellen.e
And set a do(&le 2arnish on the fame
'he 0ren.hman ga2e 3o(, &ring 3o( in fine together
And !ager on 3o(r heads- he, &eing remiss,
Most genero(s and free from all .ontri2ing,
Will not er(se the foils; so that, !ith ease,
"r !ith a little sh(ffling, 3o( ma3 .hoose
A s!ord (n&ated, and in a ass of ra.tise
Re<(ite him for 3o(r father.
LAERTES
I !ill do8t-
And, for that (rose, I8ll anoint m3 s!ord.
I &o(ght an (n.tion of a mo(nte&ank,
So mortal that, &(t di a knife in it,
Where it dra!s &lood no .atalasm so rare,
%olle.ted from all simles that ha2e 2irt(e
$nder the moon, .an sa2e the thing from death
'hat is &(t s.rat.h8d !ithal- I8ll to(.h m3 oint
With this .ontagion, that, if I gall him slightl3,
It ma3 &e death.
KING CLAUDIUS
Let8s f(rther think of this;
Weigh !hat .on2enien.e &oth of time and means
Ma3 fit (s to o(r shae- if this sho(ld fail,
And that o(r drift look thro(gh o(r &ad erforman.e,
8'!ere &etter not assa38d- therefore this ro=e.t
Sho(ld ha2e a &a.k or se.ond, that might hold,
If this sho(ld &last in roof. Soft: let me see-
We8ll make a solemn !ager on 3o(r .(nnings- I ha8t.
When in 3o(r motion 3o( are hot and dr344
As make 3o(r &o(ts more 2iolent to that end44
And that he .alls for drink, I8ll ha2e reared him
A .hali.e for the non.e, !hereon &(t siing,
If he &3 .han.e es.ae 3o(r 2enom8d st(.k,
"(r (rose ma3 hold there.
Enter (UEEN ERTRUDE
Ho! no!, s!eet <(een:
QUEEN GERTRUDE
"ne !oe doth tread (on another8s heel,
So fast the3 follo!; 3o(r sister8s dro!n8d, Laertes.
LAERTES
Dro!n8d: ", !here9
QUEEN GERTRUDE
'here is a !illo! gro!s aslant a &rook,
'hat sho!s his hoar lea2es in the glass3 stream;
'here !ith fantasti. garlands did she .ome
"f .ro!4flo!ers, nettles, daisies, and long (rles
'hat li&eral sheherds gi2e a grosser name,
/(t o(r .old maids do dead men8s fingers .all them-
'here, on the endent &o(ghs her .oronet !eeds
%lam&ering to hang, an en2io(s sli2er &roke;
When do!n her !eed3 trohies and herself
0ell in the !eeing &rook. Her .lothes sread !ide;
And, mermaid4like, a!hile the3 &ore her (-
Whi.h time she .hanted snat.hes of old t(nes;
As one in.aa&le of her o!n distress,
"r like a .reat(re nati2e and ind(ed
$nto that element- &(t long it .o(ld not &e
'ill that her garments, hea23 !ith their drink,
P(ll8d the oor !ret.h from her melodio(s la3
'o m(dd3 death.
LAERTES
Alas, then, she is dro!n8d9
QUEEN GERTRUDE
Dro!n8d, dro!n8d.
LAERTES
'oo m(.h of !ater hast tho(, oor "helia,
And therefore I for&id m3 tears- &(t 3et
It is o(r tri.k; nat(re her .(stom holds,
Let shame sa3 !hat it !ill- !hen these are gone,
'he !oman !ill &e o(t. Adie(, m3 lord-
I ha2e a see.h of fire, that fain !o(ld &la>e,
/(t that this foll3 do(ts it.
Exit
KING CLAUDIUS
Let8s follo!, +ertr(de-
Ho! m(.h I had to do to .alm his rage:
#o! fear I this !ill gi2e it start again;
'herefore let8s follo!.
Exe%nt
ACT V
SCENE I. A churchyard.
Enter t$o C+o$ns' $ith spades' 7 "
First Clown
Is she to be buried in Christian burial that
wilfully seeks her own salvation?
Second Clown
I tell thee she is- and therefore make her gra2e
straight- the .ro!ner hath sat on her, and finds it
%hristian &(rial.
First Clown
Ho! .an that &e, (nless she dro!ned herself in her
o!n defen.e9
Second Clown
Wh3, 8tis fo(nd so.
First Clown
It m(st &e 8se offendendo;8 it .annot &e else. 0or
here lies the oint- if I dro!n m3self !ittingl3,
it arg(es an a.t- and an a.t hath three &ran.hes- it
is, to a.t, to do, to erform- argal, she dro!ned
herself !ittingl3.
Second Clown
#a3, &(t hear 3o(, goodman del2er,44
First Clown
+i2e me lea2e. Here lies the !ater; good- here
stands the man; good; if the man go to this !ater,
and dro!n himself, it is, !ill he, nill he, he
goes,44mark 3o( that; &(t if the !ater .ome to him
and dro!n him, he dro!ns not himself- argal, he
that is not g(ilt3 of his o!n death shortens not his o!n life.
Second Clown
/(t is this la!9
First Clown
A3, marr3, is8t; .ro!ner8s <(est la!.
Second Clown
Will 3o( ha8 the tr(th on8t9 If this had not &een
a gentle!oman, she sho(ld ha2e &een &(ried o(t o8
%hristian &(rial.
First Clown
Wh3, there tho( sa38st- and the more it3 that
great folk should have countenance in this world to
drown or hang themselves, more than their e2en
%hristian. %ome, m3 sade. 'here is no an.ient
gentleman &(t gardeners, dit.hers, and gra2e4makers-
the3 hold ( Adam8s rofession.
Second Clown
Was he a gentleman9
First Clown
He !as the first that e2er &ore arms.
Second Clown
Wh3, he had none.
First Clown
What, art a heathen9 Ho! dost tho( (nderstand the
S.rit(re9 'he S.rit(re sa3s 8Adam digged-8
.o(ld he dig !itho(t arms9 I8ll (t another
<(estion to thee- if tho( ans!erest me not to the
(rose, .onfess th3self44
Second Clown
+o to.
First Clown
What is he that &(ilds stronger than either the
mason, the shi!right, or the .arenter9
Second Clown
'he gallo!s4maker; for that frame o(tli2es a
tho(sand tenants.
First Clown
I like th3 !it !ell, in good faith- the gallo!s
does !ell; &(t ho! does it !ell9 it does !ell to
those that do in- no! tho( dost ill to sa3 the
gallo!s is &(ilt stronger than the .h(r.h- argal,
the gallo!s ma3 do !ell to thee. 'o8t again, .ome.
Second Clown
8Who &(ilds stronger than a mason, a shi!right, or
a .arenter98
First Clown
A3, tell me that, and (n3oke.
Second Clown
Marr3, no! I .an tell.
First Clown
'o8t.
Second Clown
Mass, I .annot tell.
Enter HAMLET and HORATIO' at a distan"e
First Clown
%(dgel th3 &rains no more a&o(t it, for 3o(r d(ll
ass !ill not mend his a.e !ith &eating; and, !hen
3o( are asked this <(estion ne@t, sa3 8a
gra2e4maker- 8the ho(ses that he makes last till
doomsda3. +o, get thee to 1a(ghan- fet.h me a
sto( of li<(or.
Exit Se"ond C+o$n
He di/s and sin/s
In 3o(th, !hen I did lo2e, did lo2e,
Metho(ght it !as 2er3 s!eet,
'o .ontra.t, ", the time, for, ah, m3 &eho2e,
", metho(ght, there !as nothing meet.
HAMLET
Has this fello! no feeling of his &(siness, that he
sings at gra2e4making9
HORATIO
%(stom hath made it in him a roert3 of easiness.
HAMLET
8'is e8en so- the hand of little emlo3ment hath
the daintier sense.
First Clown
6Sings7
/(t age, !ith his stealing stes,
Hath .la!8d me in his .l(t.h,
And hath shied me intil the land,
As if I had ne2er &een s(.h.
Thro$s %p a s#%++
HAMLET
That skull had a tongue in it, and could sing once:
ho! the kna2e =o!ls it to the gro(nd, as if it !ere
Cain8s =a!4&one, that did the first murder: It
might &e the ate of a oliti.ian, !hi.h this ass
no! o8er4rea.hes; one that !o(ld .ir.(m2ent +od,
might it not9
HORATIO
It might, m3 lord.
HAMLET
"r of a .o(rtier; !hi.h .o(ld sa3 8+ood morro!,
s!eet lord: Ho! dost tho(, good lord98 'his might
&e m3 lord s(.h4a4one, that raised m3 lord
s(.h4a4one8s horse, !hen he meant to &eg it; might it not9
HORATIO
A3, m3 lord.
HAMLET
Wh3, e8en so- and no! m3 Lad3 Worm8s; .haless, and
kno.ked a&o(t the ma>>ard !ith a se@ton8s sade-
here8s fine re2ol(tion, an !e had the tri.k to
see8t. Did these &ones .ost no more the &reeding,
&(t to la3 at loggats !ith 8em9 mine a.he to think on8t.
First Clown
6Sings7
A i.k4a@e, and a sade, a sade,
0or and a shro(ding sheet-
", a it of .la3 for to &e made
0or s(.h a g(est is meet.
Thro$s %p another s#%++
HAMLET
'here8s another- !h3 ma3 not that &e the sk(ll of a
la!3er9 Where &e his <(iddities no!, his <(illets,
his .ases, his ten(res, and his tri.ks9 !h3 does he
s(ffer this r(de kna2e no! to kno.k him a&o(t the
s.on.e !ith a dirt3 sho2el, and !ill not tell him of
his a.tion of &atter39 H(m: 'his fello! might &e
in8s time a great &(3er of land, !ith his stat(tes,
his re.ogni>an.es, his fines, his do(&le 2o(.hers,
his re.o2eries- is this the fine of his fines, and
the re.o2er3 of his re.o2eries, to ha2e his fine
ate f(ll of fine dirt9 !ill his 2o(.hers 2o(.h him
no more of his (r.hases, and do(&le ones too, than
the length and &readth of a air of indent(res9 'he
2er3 .on2e3an.es of his lands !ill hardl3 lie in
this &o@; and m(st the inheritor himself ha2e no more, ha9
HORATIO
#ot a =ot more, m3 lord.
HAMLET
Is not ar.hment made of sheeskins9
HORATIO
A3, m3 lord, and of .alf4skins too.
HAMLET
'he3 are shee and .al2es !hi.h seek o(t ass(ran.e
in that. I !ill seak to this fello!. Whose
gra2e8s this, sirrah9
First Clown
Mine, sir.
Sin/s
", a it of .la3 for to &e made
0or s(.h a g(est is meet.
HAMLET
I think it &e thine, indeed; for tho( liest in8t.
First Clown
1o( lie o(t on8t, sir, and therefore it is not
3o(rs- for m3 art, I do not lie in8t, and 3et it is mine.
HAMLET
8'ho( dost lie in8t, to &e in8t and sa3 it is thine-
8tis for the dead, not for the <(i.k; therefore tho( liest.
First Clown
8'is a <(i.k lie, sir; 8t!ill a!a3 gain, from me to
3o(.
HAMLET
What man dost tho( dig it for9
First Clown
0or no man, sir.
HAMLET
What !oman, then9
First Clown
0or none, neither.
HAMLET
Who is to &e &(ried in8t9
First Clown
"ne that !as a !oman, sir; &(t, rest her so(l, she8s dead.
HAMLET
Ho! a&sol(te the kna2e is: !e m(st seak &3 the
.ard, or e<(i2o.ation !ill (ndo (s. /3 the Lord,
Horatio, these three 3ears I ha2e taken a note of
it; the age is gro!n so i.ked that the toe of the
easant .omes so near the heel of the .o(rtier, he
gaffs his ki&e. Ho! long hast tho( &een a
gra2e4maker9
First Clown
"f all the da3s i8 the 3ear, I .ame to8t that da3
that o(r last king Hamlet o2er.ame 0ortin&ras.
HAMLET
Ho! long is that sin.e9
First Clown
%annot 3o( tell that9 e2er3 fool .an tell that- it
!as the 2er3 da3 that 3o(ng Hamlet !as &orn; he that
is mad, and sent into England.
HAMLET
A3, marr3, !h3 !as he sent into England9
First Clown
Wh3, &e.a(se he !as mad- he shall re.o2er his !its
there; or, if he do not, it8s no great matter there.
HAMLET
Wh39
First Clown
8'!ill, a not &e seen in him there; there the men
are as mad as he.
HAMLET
Ho! .ame he mad9
First Clown
)er3 strangel3, the3 sa3.
HAMLET
Ho! strangel39
First Clown
0aith, e8en !ith losing his !its.
HAMLET
$on !hat gro(nd9
First Clown
Wh3, here in Denmark- I ha2e &een se@ton here, man
and &o3, thirt3 3ears.
HAMLET
Ho! long !ill a man lie i8 the earth ere he rot9
First Clown
I8 faith, if he &e not rotten &efore he die44as !e
ha2e man3 o.k3 .orses no!4a4da3s, that !ill s.ar.e
hold the la3ing in44he !ill last 3o( some eight 3ear
or nine 3ear- a tanner !ill last 3o( nine 3ear.
HAMLET
Wh3 he more than another9
First Clown
Wh3, sir, his hide is so tanned !ith his trade, that
he !ill kee o(t !ater a great !hile; and 3o(r !ater
is a sore de.a3er of 3o(r !horeson dead &od3.
Here8s a sk(ll no!; this sk(ll has lain in the earth
three and t!ent3 3ears.
HAMLET
Whose !as it9
First Clown
A !horeson mad fello!8s it !as- !hose do 3o( think it !as9
HAMLET
#a3, I kno! not.
First Clown
A estilen.e on him for a mad rog(e: a8 o(red a
flagon of Rhenish on m3 head on.e. 'his same sk(ll,
sir, !as 1ori.k8s sk(ll, the king8s =ester.
HAMLET
'his9
First Clown
E8en that.
HAMLET
Let me see.
Ta#es the s#%++
Alas, oor 1ori.k: I kne! him, Horatio- a fello!
of infinite =est, of most e@.ellent fan.3- he hath
&orne me on his &a.k a tho(sand times; and no!, ho!
a&horred in m3 imagination it is: m3 gorge rims at
it. Here h(ng those lis that I ha2e kissed I kno!
not ho! oft. Where &e 3o(r gi&es no!9 3o(r
gam&ols9 3o(r songs9 3o(r flashes of merriment,
that !ere !ont to set the ta&le on a roar9 #ot one
no!, to mo.k 3o(r o!n grinning9 <(ite .ha4fallen9
#o! get 3o( to m3 lad38s .ham&er, and tell her, let
her aint an in.h thi.k, to this fa2o(r she m(st
.ome; make her la(gh at that. Prithee, Horatio, tell
me one thing.
HORATIO
What8s that, m3 lord9
HAMLET
Dost tho( think Ale@ander looked o8 this fashion i8
the earth9
HORATIO
E8en so.
HAMLET
And smelt so9 ah:
)%ts do$n the s#%++
HORATIO
E8en so, m3 lord.
HAMLET
'o !hat &ase (ses !e ma3 ret(rn, Horatio: Wh3 ma3
not imagination tra.e the no&le d(st of Ale@ander,
till he find it stoing a &(ng4hole9
HORATIO
8'!ere to .onsider too .(rio(sl3, to .onsider so.
HAMLET
#o, faith, not a =ot; &(t to follo! him thither !ith
modest3 eno(gh, and likelihood to lead it- as
th(s- Alexander died, Alexander was buried,
Alexander returneth into dust; the dust is earth; of
earth !e make loam; and !h3 of that loam, !hereto he
!as .on2erted, might the3 not sto a &eer4&arrel9
Imperious Caesar, dead and turn'd to clay,
Might sto a hole to kee the !ind a!a3-
", that that earth, !hi.h ket the !orld in a!e,
Sho(ld at.h a !all to e@el the !inter fla!:
/(t soft: &(t soft: aside- here .omes the king.
Enter )riest' 7 ". in pro"ession5 the Corpse o- O)HELIA' LAERTES and Mo%rners -o++o$in/5 &IN
CLAUDIUS' (UEEN ERTRUDE' their trains' 7 "
'he <(een, the .o(rtiers- !ho is this the3 follo!9
And !ith s(.h maimed rites9 'his doth &etoken
'he .orse the3 follo! did !ith deserate hand
0ordo its o!n life- 8t!as of some estate.
%o(.h !e a!hile, and mark.
Retirin/ $ith HORATIO
LAERTES
What .eremon3 else9
HAMLET
'hat is Laertes,
A 2er3 no&le 3o(th- mark.
LAERTES
What .eremon3 else9
First Priest
Her o&se<(ies ha2e &een as far enlarged
As !e ha2e !arrantise- her death !as do(&tf(l;
And, &(t that great .ommand o8ers!a3s the order,
She sho(ld in gro(nd (nsan.tified ha2e lodged
'ill the last tr(met- for .harita&le ra3ers,
Shards, flints and e&&les sho(ld &e thro!n on her;
1et here she is allo!8d her 2irgin .rants,
Her maiden stre!ments and the &ringing home
"f &ell and &(rial.
LAERTES
M(st there no more &e done9
First Priest
#o more &e done-
We sho(ld rofane the ser2i.e of the dead
'o sing a re<(iem and s(.h rest to her
As to ea.e4arted so(ls.
LAERTES
La3 her i8 the earth-
And from her fair and (noll(ted flesh
Ma3 2iolets sring: I tell thee, .h(rlish riest,
A ministering angel shall m3 sister &e,
When tho( liest ho!ling.
HAMLET
What, the fair "helia:
QUEEN GERTRUDE
S!eets to the s!eet- fare!ell:
S"atterin/ -+o$ers
I hoed tho( sho(ldst ha2e &een m3 Hamlet8s !ife;
I tho(ght th3 &ride4&ed to ha2e de.k8d, s!eet maid,
And not ha2e stre!8d th3 gra2e.
LAERTES
", tre&le !oe
0all ten times tre&le on that .(rsed head,
Whose !i.ked deed th3 most ingenio(s sense
Deri2ed thee of: Hold off the earth a!hile,
'ill I ha2e .a(ght her on.e more in mine arms-
Leaps into the /ra3e
#o! ile 3o(r d(st (on the <(i.k and dead,
'ill of this flat a mo(ntain 3o( ha2e made,
'o o8erto old Pelion, or the sk3ish head
"f &l(e "l3m(s.
HAMLET
6Ad2an.ing7 What is he !hose grief
/ears s(.h an emhasis9 !hose hrase of sorro!
%on=(res the !andering stars, and makes them stand
Like !onder4!o(nded hearers9 'his is I,
Hamlet the Dane.
Leaps into the /ra3e
LAERTES
'he de2il take th3 so(l:
rapp+in/ $ith him
HAMLET
'ho( ra38st not !ell.
I rithee, take th3 fingers from m3 throat;
0or, tho(gh I am not sleniti2e and rash,
1et ha2e I something in me dangero(s,
Whi.h let th3 !iseness fear- hold off th3 hand.
KING CLAUDIUS
Pl(.k them as(nder.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
Hamlet, Hamlet:
All
+entlemen,44
HORATIO
+ood m3 lord, &e <(iet.
The Attendants part them' and the0 "ome o%t o- the /ra3e
HAMLET
Wh3 I !ill fight !ith him (on this theme
$ntil m3 e3elids !ill no longer !ag.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
" m3 son, !hat theme9
HAMLET
I loved Ophelia: forty thousand brothers
Could not, with all their quantity of love,
Make up my sum. What !ilt tho( do for her9
KING CLAUDIUS
", he is mad, Laertes.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
0or lo2e of +od, for&ear him.
HAMLET
8S!o(nds, sho! me !hat tho(8lt do-
Woo8t !ee9 !oo8t fight9 !oo8t fast9 !oo8t tear th3self9
Woo8t drink ( eisel9 eat a .ro.odile9
I8ll do8t. Dost tho( .ome here to !hine9
'o o(tfa.e me !ith leaing in her gra2e9
/e &(ried <(i.k !ith her, and so !ill I-
And, if tho( rate of mo(ntains, let them thro!
Millions of a.res on (s, till o(r gro(nd,
Singeing his ate against the &(rning >one,
Make "ssa like a !art: #a3, an tho(8lt mo(th,
I8ll rant as !ell as tho(.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
'his is mere madness-
And th(s a!hile the fit !ill !ork on him;
Anon, as atient as the female do2e,
When that her golden .o(lets are dis.losed,
His silen.e !ill sit drooing.
HAMLET
Hear 3o(, sir;
What is the reason that 3o( (se me th(s9
I lo2ed 3o( e2er- &(t it is no matter;
Let Her.(les himself do !hat he ma3,
'he .at !ill me! and dog !ill ha2e his da3.
Exit
KING CLAUDIUS
I ra3 3o(, good Horatio, !ait (on him.
Exit HORATIO
To LAERTES
Strengthen 3o(r atien.e in o(r last night8s see.h;
We8ll (t the matter to the resent (sh.
+ood +ertr(de, set some !at.h o2er 3o(r son.
'his gra2e shall ha2e a li2ing mon(ment-
An ho(r of <(iet shortl3 shall !e see;
'ill then, in atien.e o(r ro.eeding &e.
Exe%nt
SCENE II. A hall in the castle.
Enter HAMLET and HORATIO
HAMLET
So m(.h for this, sir- no! shall 3o( see the other;
1o( do remem&er all the .ir.(mstan.e9
HORATIO
Remem&er it, m3 lord9
HAMLET
Sir, in m3 heart there !as a kind of fighting,
'hat !o(ld not let me slee- metho(ght I la3
Worse than the m(tines in the &il&oes. Rashl3,
And raised &e rashness for it, let (s kno!,
"(r indis.retion sometimes ser2es (s !ell,
When o(r dee lots do all- and that sho(ld tea.h (s
'here8s a di2init3 that shaes o(r ends,
Ro(gh4he! them ho! !e !ill,44
HORATIO
'hat is most .ertain.
HAMLET
$ from m3 .a&in,
M3 sea4go!n s.arf8d a&o(t me, in the dark
+roed I to find o(t them; had m3 desire.
0inger8d their a.ket, and in fine !ithdre!
'o mine o!n room again; making so &old,
M3 fears forgetting manners, to (nseal
'heir grand .ommission; !here I fo(nd, Horatio,44
" ro3al kna2er3:44an e@a.t .ommand,
Larded !ith man3 se2eral sorts of reasons
Imorting Denmark8s health and England8s too,
With, ho: s(.h &(gs and go&lins in m3 life,
'hat, on the s(er2ise, no leis(re &ated,
#o, not to sta3 the grinding of the a@e,
M3 head sho(ld &e str(.k off.
HORATIO
Is8t ossi&le9
HAMLET
Here8s the .ommission- read it at more leis(re.
/(t !ilt tho( hear me ho! I did ro.eed9
HORATIO
I &esee.h 3o(.
HAMLET
/eing th(s &e4netted ro(nd !ith 2illanies,44
Ere I .o(ld make a rolog(e to m3 &rains,
'he3 had &eg(n the la344I sat me do!n,
De2ised a ne! .ommission, !rote it fair-
I on.e did hold it, as o(r statists do,
A &aseness to !rite fair and la&o(r8d m(.h
Ho! to forget that learning, &(t, sir, no!
It did me 3eoman8s ser2i.e- !ilt tho( kno!
'he effe.t of !hat I !rote9
HORATIO
A3, good m3 lord.
HAMLET
An earnest .on=(ration from the king,
As England !as his faithf(l tri&(tar3,
As lo2e &et!een them like the alm might flo(rish,
As ea.e sho(ld stiff her !heaten garland !ear
And stand a .omma 8t!een their amities,
And man3 s(.h4like 8As8es of great .harge,
'hat, on the 2ie! and kno!ing of these .ontents,
Witho(t de&atement f(rther, more or less,
He sho(ld the &earers (t to s(dden death,
#ot shri2ing4time allo!8d.
HORATIO
Ho! !as this seal8d9
HAMLET
Wh3, e2en in that !as hea2en ordinant.
I had m3 father8s signet in m3 (rse,
Whi.h !as the model of that Danish seal;
0olded the !rit ( in form of the other,
S(&s.ri&ed it, ga2e8t the imression, la.ed it safel3,
'he .hangeling ne2er kno!n. #o!, the ne@t da3
Was o(r sea4fight; and !hat to this !as se<(ent
'ho( kno!8st alread3.
HORATIO
So +(ildenstern and Rosen.rant> go to8t.
HAMLET
Wh3, man, the3 did make lo2e to this emlo3ment;
'he3 are not near m3 .ons.ien.e; their defeat
Does &3 their o!n insin(ation gro!-
8'is dangero(s !hen the &aser nat(re .omes
/et!een the ass and fell in.ensed oints
"f might3 oosites.
HORATIO
Wh3, !hat a king is this:
HAMLET
Does it not, think8st thee, stand me no! (on44
He that hath kill8d m3 king and !hored m3 mother,
Po8d in &et!een the ele.tion and m3 hoes,
'hro!n o(t his angle for m3 roer life,
And !ith s(.h .o>enage44is8t not erfe.t .ons.ien.e,
'o <(it him !ith this arm9 and is8t not to &e damn8d,
'o let this .anker of o(r nat(re .ome
In f(rther e2il9
HORATIO
It m(st &e shortl3 kno!n to him from England
What is the iss(e of the &(siness there.
HAMLET
It !ill &e short- the interim is mine;
And a man8s life8s no more than to sa3 8"ne.8
/(t I am 2er3 sorr3, good Horatio,
'hat to Laertes I forgot m3self;
0or, &3 the image of m3 .a(se, I see
'he ortrait(re of his- I8ll .o(rt his fa2o(rs.
/(t, s(re, the &ra2er3 of his grief did (t me
Into a to!ering assion.
HORATIO
Pea.e: !ho .omes here9
Enter OSRIC
OSRIC
1o(r lordshi is right !el.ome &a.k to Denmark.
HAMLET
I h(m&l3 thank 3o(, sir. Dost kno! this !ater4fl39
HORATIO
#o, m3 good lord.
HAMLET
'h3 state is the more gra.io(s; for 8tis a 2i.e to
kno! him. He hath m(.h land, and fertile- let a
&east &e lord of &easts, and his .ri& shall stand at
the king8s mess- 8tis a .ho(gh; &(t, as I sa3,
sa.io(s in the ossession of dirt.
OSRIC
S!eet lord, if 3o(r lordshi !ere at leis(re, I
sho(ld imart a thing to 3o( from his ma=est3.
HAMLET
I !ill re.ei2e it, sir, !ith all diligen.e of
sirit. P(t 3o(r &onnet to his right (se; 8tis for the head.
OSRIC
I thank 3o(r lordshi, it is 2er3 hot.
HAMLET
#o, &elie2e me, 8tis 2er3 .old; the !ind is
northerl3.
OSRIC
It is indifferent .old, m3 lord, indeed.
HAMLET
/(t 3et methinks it is 2er3 s(ltr3 and hot for m3
.omle@ion.
OSRIC
E@.eedingl3, m3 lord; it is 2er3 s(ltr3,44as
8t!ere,44I .annot tell ho!. /(t, m3 lord, his
ma=est3 &ade me signif3 to 3o( that he has laid a
great !ager on 3o(r head- sir, this is the matter,44
HAMLET
I &esee.h 3o(, remem&er44
HAMLET mo3es him to p%t on his hat
OSRIC
#a3, good m3 lord; for mine ease, in good faith.
Sir, here is ne!l3 .ome to .o(rt Laertes; &elie2e
me, an a&sol(te gentleman, f(ll of most e@.ellent
differen.es, of 2er3 soft so.iet3 and great sho!ing-
indeed, to seak feelingl3 of him, he is the .ard or
.alendar of gentr3, for 3o( shall find in him the
.ontinent of !hat art a gentleman !o(ld see.
HAMLET
Sir, his definement s(ffers no erdition in 3o(;
tho(gh, I kno!, to di2ide him in2entoriall3 !o(ld
di>>3 the arithmeti. of memor3, and 3et &(t 3a!
neither, in rese.t of his <(i.k sail. /(t, in the
2erit3 of e@tolment, I take him to &e a so(l of
great arti.le; and his inf(sion of s(.h dearth and
rareness, as, to make tr(e di.tion of him, his
sem&la&le is his mirror; and !ho else !o(ld tra.e
him, his (m&rage, nothing more.
OSRIC
1o(r lordshi seaks most infalli&l3 of him.
HAMLET
'he .on.ernan.3, sir9 !h3 do !e !ra the gentleman
in o(r more ra!er &reath9
OSRIC
Sir9
HORATIO
Is8t not ossi&le to (nderstand in another tong(e9
1o( !ill do8t, sir, reall3.
HAMLET
What imorts the nomination of this gentleman9
OSRIC
"f Laertes9
HORATIO
His (rse is emt3 alread3; all8s golden !ords are sent.
HAMLET
"f him, sir.
OSRIC
I kno! 3o( are not ignorant44
HAMLET
I !o(ld 3o( did, sir; 3et, in faith, if 3o( did,
it !o(ld not m(.h aro2e me. Well, sir9
OSRIC
1o( are not ignorant of !hat e@.ellen.e Laertes is44
HAMLET
I dare not .onfess that, lest I sho(ld .omare !ith
him in e@.ellen.e; &(t, to kno! a man !ell, !ere to
kno! himself.
OSRIC
I mean, sir, for his !eaon; &(t in the im(tation
laid on him &3 them, in his meed he8s (nfello!ed.
HAMLET
What8s his !eaon9
OSRIC
Raier and dagger.
HAMLET
'hat8s t!o of his !eaons- &(t, !ell.
OSRIC
'he king, sir, hath !agered !ith him si@ /ar&ar3
horses- against the !hi.h he has imoned, as I take
it, si@ 0ren.h raiers and oniards, !ith their
assigns, as girdle, hangers, and so- three of the
.arriages, in faith, are 2er3 dear to fan.3, 2er3
resonsi2e to the hilts, most deli.ate .arriages,
and of 2er3 li&eral .on.eit.
HAMLET
What .all 3o( the .arriages9
HORATIO
I kne! 3o( m(st &e edified &3 the margent ere 3o( had done.
OSRIC
'he .arriages, sir, are the hangers.
HAMLET
'he hrase !o(ld &e more german to the matter, if !e
.o(ld .arr3 .annon &3 o(r sides- I !o(ld it might
&e hangers till then. /(t, on- si@ /ar&ar3 horses
against si@ 0ren.h s!ords, their assigns, and three
li&eral4.on.eited .arriages; that8s the 0ren.h &et
against the Danish. Wh3 is this 8imoned,8 as 3o( .all it9
OSRIC
'he king, sir, hath laid, that in a do>en asses
&et!een 3o(rself and him, he shall not e@.eed 3o(
three hits- he hath laid on t!el2e for nine; and it
!o(ld .ome to immediate trial, if 3o(r lordshi
!o(ld 2o(.hsafe the ans!er.
HAMLET
Ho! if I ans!er 8no89
OSRIC
I mean, m3 lord, the oosition of 3o(r erson in trial.
HAMLET
Sir, I !ill !alk here in the hall- if it lease his
ma=est3, 8tis the &reathing time of da3 !ith me; let
the foils &e &ro(ght, the gentleman !illing, and the
king hold his (rose, I !ill !in for him an I .an;
if not, I !ill gain nothing &(t m3 shame and the odd hits.
OSRIC
Shall I re4deli2er 3o( e8en so9
HAMLET
'o this effe.t, sir; after !hat flo(rish 3o(r nat(re !ill.
OSRIC
I .ommend m3 d(t3 to 3o(r lordshi.
HAMLET
1o(rs, 3o(rs.
Exit OSRIC
He does !ell to .ommend it himself; there are no
tong(es else for8s t(rn.
HORATIO
'his la!ing r(ns a!a3 !ith the shell on his head.
HAMLET
He did .oml3 !ith his d(g, &efore he s(.ked it.
'h(s has he44and man3 more of the same &e23 that I
kno! the dress3 age dotes on44onl3 got the t(ne of
the time and o(t!ard ha&it of en.o(nter; a kind of
3est3 .olle.tion, !hi.h .arries them thro(gh and
thro(gh the most fond and !inno!ed oinions; and do
&(t &lo! them to their trial, the &(&&les are o(t.
Enter a Lord
Lord
M3 lord, his ma=est3 .ommended him to 3o( &3 3o(ng
"sri., !ho &rings &a.k to him that 3o( attend him in
the hall- he sends to kno! if 3o(r leas(re hold to
la3 !ith Laertes, or that 3o( !ill take longer time.
HAMLET
I am .onstant to m3 (rose; the3 follo! the king8s
leas(re- if his fitness seaks, mine is read3; no!
or !hensoe2er, ro2ided I &e so a&le as no!.
Lord
'he king and <(een and all are .oming do!n.
HAMLET
In ha3 time.
Lord
'he <(een desires 3o( to (se some gentle
entertainment to Laertes &efore 3o( fall to la3.
HAMLET
She !ell instr(.ts me.
Exit Lord
HORATIO
1o( !ill lose this !ager, m3 lord.
HAMLET
I do not think so- sin.e he !ent into 0ran.e, I
ha2e &een in .ontin(al ra.tise- I shall !in at the
odds. /(t tho( !o(ldst not think ho! ill all8s here
a&o(t m3 heart- &(t it is no matter.
HORATIO
#a3, good m3 lord,44
HAMLET
It is &(t fooler3; &(t it is s(.h a kind of
gain4gi2ing, as !o(ld erhas tro(&le a !oman.
HORATIO
If 3o(r mind dislike an3 thing, o&e3 it- I !ill
forestall their reair hither, and sa3 3o( are not
fit.
HAMLET
#ot a !hit, !e def3 a(g(r3- there8s a se.ial
ro2iden.e in the fall of a sarro!. If it &e no!,
8tis not to .ome; if it &e not to .ome, it !ill &e
no!; if it &e not no!, 3et it !ill .ome- the
readiness is all- sin.e no man has a(ght of !hat he
lea2es, !hat is8t to lea2e &etimes9
Enter &IN CLAUDIUS' (UEEN ERTRUDE' LAERTES' Lords' OSRIC' and Attendants $ith -oi+s' 7 "
KING CLAUDIUS
%ome, Hamlet, .ome, and take this hand from me.
&IN CLAUDIUS p%ts LAERTES4 hand into HAMLET4s
HAMLET
+i2e me 3o(r ardon, sir- I82e done 3o( !rong;
/(t ardon8t, as 3o( are a gentleman.
'his resen.e kno!s,
And 3o( m(st needs ha2e heard, ho! I am (nish8d
With sore distra.tion. What I ha2e done,
'hat might 3o(r nat(re, hono(r and e@.etion
Ro(ghl3 a!ake, I here ro.laim !as madness.
Was8t Hamlet !rong8d Laertes9 #e2er Hamlet-
If Hamlet from himself be ta'en away,
And when he's not himself does wrong Laertes,
'hen Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it.
Who does it, then9 His madness- if8t &e so,
Hamlet is of the faction that is wrong'd;
His madness is poor Hamlet's enemy.
Sir, in this a(dien.e,
Let m3 dis.laiming from a (rosed e2il
0ree me so far in 3o(r most genero(s tho(ghts,
'hat I ha2e shot mine arro! o8er the ho(se,
And h(rt m3 &rother.
LAERTES
I am satisfied in nat(re,
Whose moti2e, in this .ase, sho(ld stir me most
'o m3 re2enge- &(t in m3 terms of hono(r
I stand aloof; and !ill no re.on.ilement,
'ill &3 some elder masters, of kno!n hono(r,
I ha2e a 2oi.e and re.edent of ea.e,
'o kee m3 name (ngored. /(t till that time,
I do re.ei2e 3o(r offer8d lo2e like lo2e,
And !ill not !rong it.
HAMLET
I em&ra.e it freel3;
And !ill this &rother8s !ager frankl3 la3.
+i2e (s the foils. %ome on.
LAERTES
%ome, one for me.
HAMLET
I8ll &e 3o(r foil, Laertes- in mine ignoran.e
1o(r skill shall, like a star i8 the darkest night,
Sti.k fier3 off indeed.
LAERTES
1o( mo.k me, sir.
HAMLET
#o, &3 this hand.
KING CLAUDIUS
+i2e them the foils, 3o(ng "sri.. %o(sin Hamlet,
1o( kno! the !ager9
HAMLET
)er3 !ell, m3 lord
1o(r gra.e hath laid the odds o8 the !eaker side.
KING CLAUDIUS
I do not fear it; I ha2e seen 3o( &oth-
/(t sin.e he is &etter8d, !e ha2e therefore odds.
LAERTES
'his is too hea23, let me see another.
HAMLET
'his likes me !ell. 'hese foils ha2e all a length9
The0 prepare to p+a0
OSRIC
A3, m3 good lord.
KING CLAUDIUS
Set me the stoos of !ine (on that ta&le.
If Hamlet gi2e the first or se.ond hit,
"r <(it in ans!er of the third e@.hange,
Let all the &attlements their ordnan.e fire-
'he king shall drink to Hamlet8s &etter &reath;
And in the .( an (nion shall he thro!,
Ri.her than that !hi.h fo(r s(..essi2e kings
In Denmark8s .ro!n ha2e !orn. +i2e me the .(s;
And let the kettle to the tr(met seak,
'he tr(met to the .annoneer !itho(t,
'he .annons to the hea2ens, the hea2ens to earth,
8#o! the king d(nks to Hamlet.8 %ome, &egin-
And 3o(, the =(dges, &ear a !ar3 e3e.
HAMLET
%ome on, sir.
LAERTES
%ome, m3 lord.
The0 p+a0
HAMLET
"ne.
LAERTES
#o.
HAMLET
?(dgment.
OSRIC
A hit, a 2er3 ala&le hit.
LAERTES
Well; again.
KING CLAUDIUS
Sta3; gi2e me drink. Hamlet, this earl is thine;
Here8s to th3 health.
Tr%mpets so%nd' and "annon shot o-- $ithin
+i2e him the .(.
HAMLET
I8ll la3 this &o(t first; set it &3 a!hile. %ome.
The0 p+a0
Another hit; !hat sa3 3o(9
LAERTES
A to(.h, a to(.h, I do .onfess.
KING CLAUDIUS
"(r son shall !in.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
He8s fat, and s.ant of &reath.
Here, Hamlet, take m3 nakin, r(& th3 &ro!s;
'he <(een .aro(ses to th3 fort(ne, Hamlet.
HAMLET
+ood madam:
KING CLAUDIUS
+ertr(de, do not drink.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
I !ill, m3 lord; I ra3 3o(, ardon me.
KING CLAUDIUS
6Aside7 It is the oison8d .(- it is too late.
HAMLET
I dare not drink 3et, madam; &3 and &3.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
%ome, let me !ie th3 fa.e.
LAERTES
M3 lord, I8ll hit him no!.
KING CLAUDIUS
I do not think8t.
LAERTES
6Aside7 And 3et 8tis almost 8gainst m3 .ons.ien.e.
HAMLET
%ome, for the third, Laertes- 3o( &(t dall3;
I ra3 3o(, ass !ith 3o(r &est 2iolen.e;
I am afeard 3o( make a !anton of me.
LAERTES
Sa3 3o( so9 .ome on.
The0 p+a0
OSRIC
#othing, neither !a3.
LAERTES
Ha2e at 3o( no!:
LAERTES $o%nds HAMLET5 then in s"%--+in/' the0 "han/e rapiers' and HAMLET $o%nds LAERTES
KING CLAUDIUS
Part them; the3 are in.ensed.
HAMLET
#a3, .ome, again.
(UEEN ERTRUDE -a++s
OSRIC
Look to the <(een there, ho:
HORATIO
'he3 &leed on &oth sides. Ho! is it, m3 lord9
OSRIC
Ho! is8t, Laertes9
LAERTES
Wh3, as a !ood.o.k to mine o!n sringe, "sri.;
I am =(stl3 kill8d !ith mine o!n trea.her3.
HAMLET
Ho! does the <(een9
KING CLAUDIUS
She s!o(nds to see them &leed.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
#o, no, the drink, the drink,44" m3 dear Hamlet,44
'he drink, the drink: I am oison8d.
Dies
HAMLET
" 2illan3: Ho: let the door &e lo.k8d-
'rea.her3: Seek it o(t.
LAERTES
It is here, Hamlet- Hamlet, tho( art slain;
#o medi.ine in the !orld .an do thee good;
In thee there is not half an ho(r of life;
'he trea.hero(s instr(ment is in th3 hand,
$n&ated and en2enom8d- the fo(l ra.tise
Hath t(rn8d itself on me lo, here I lie,
#e2er to rise again- th3 mother8s oison8d-
I .an no more- the king, the king8s to &lame.
HAMLET
'he oint:44en2enom8d too:
'hen, 2enom, to th3 !ork.
Sta,s &IN CLAUDIUS
All
'reason: treason:
KING CLAUDIUS
", 3et defend me, friends; I am &(t h(rt.
HAMLET
Here, tho( in.est(o(s, m(rdero(s, damned Dane,
Drink off this otion. Is th3 (nion here9
0ollo! m3 mother.
&IN CLAUDIUS dies
LAERTES
He is =(stl3 ser2ed;
It is a oison temer8d &3 himself.
E@.hange forgi2eness !ith me, no&le Hamlet-
Mine and m3 father8s death .ome not (on thee,
#or thine on me.
Dies
HAMLET
Hea2en make thee free of it: I follo! thee.
I am dead, Horatio. Wret.hed <(een, adie(:
1o( that look ale and trem&le at this .han.e,
'hat are &(t m(tes or a(dien.e to this a.t,
Had I but time44as this fell sergeant, death,
Is stri.t in his arrest44O, I could tell you44
/(t let it &e. Horatio, I am dead;
'ho( li2est; reort me and m3 .a(se aright
'o the (nsatisfied.
HORATIO
#e2er &elie2e it-
I am more an anti<(e Roman than a Dane-
Here8s 3et some li<(or left.
HAMLET
As tho(8rt a man,
+i2e me the .(- let go; &3 hea2en, I8ll ha2e8t.
" good Horatio, !hat a !o(nded name,
Things standing thus unknown, shall live behind me :
If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart
A&sent thee from feli.it3 a!hile,
And in this harsh !orld dra! th3 &reath in ain,
'o tell my story .
Mar"h a-ar o--' and shot $ithin
What !arlike noise is this9
OSRIC
1o(ng 0ortin&ras, !ith .on<(est .ome from Poland,
'o the am&assadors of England gi2es
'his !arlike 2olle3.
HAMLET
", I die, Horatio;
'he otent oison <(ite o8er4.ro!s m3 sirit-
I .annot li2e to hear the ne!s from England;
/(t I do rohes3 the ele.tion lights
"n 0ortin&ras- he has m3 d3ing 2oi.e;
So tell him, !ith the o..(rrents, more and less,
Whi.h ha2e soli.ited. The rest is silence.
Dies
HORATIO
Now cracks a noble heart. Good night sweet prince:
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!
Wh3 does the dr(m .ome hither9
Mar"h $ithin
Enter FORTINBRAS' the En/+ish Am,assadors' and others
PRINCE FORTINBRAS
Where is this sight9
HORATIO
What is it 3e !o(ld see9
If a(ght of !oe or !onder, .ease 3o(r sear.h.
PRINCE FORTINBRAS
'his <(arr3 .ries on ha2o.. " proud death,
What feast is to!ard in thine eternal .ell,
'hat tho( so many princes at a shot
So bloodily hast struck?
First Ambassador
'he sight is dismal;
And o(r affairs from England .ome too late-
'he ears are senseless that sho(ld gi2e (s hearing,
'o tell him his .ommandment is f(lfill8d,
'hat Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead:
Where sho(ld !e ha2e o(r thanks9
HORATIO
#ot from his mo(th,
Had it the a&ilit3 of life to thank 3o(-
He ne2er ga2e .ommandment for their death.
/(t sin.e, so =(m (on this &lood3 <(estion,
1o( from the Pola.k !ars, and 3o( from England,
Are here arri2ed gi2e order that these &odies
High on a stage &e la.ed to the 2ie!;
And let me seak to the 3et (nkno!ing !orld
Ho! these things .ame a&o(t- so shall 3o( hear
"f carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts,
Of accidental judgments, casual slaughters,
Of deaths put on by cunning and forced cause,
And, in this upshot, purposes mistook
0all8n on the in2entors8 reads- all this .an I
'r(l3 deli2er.
PRINCE FORTINBRAS
Let (s haste to hear it,
And .all the no&lest to the a(dien.e.
0or me, !ith sorro! I em&ra.e m3 fort(ne-
I ha2e some rights of memor3 in this kingdom,
Whi.h no! to .laim m3 2antage doth in2ite me.
HORATIO
"f that I shall ha2e also .a(se to seak,
And from his mo(th !hose 2oi.e !ill dra! on more;
/(t let this same &e resentl3 erform8d,
E2en !hile men8s minds are !ild; lest more mis.han.e
"n lots and errors, haen.
PRINCE FORTINBRAS
Let fo(r .atains
/ear Hamlet, like a soldier, to the stage;
0or he !as likel3, had he &een (t on,
'o ha2e ro2ed most ro3all3- and, for his assage,
'he soldiers8 m(si. and the rites of !ar
Seak lo(dl3 for him.
'ake ( the &odies- s(.h a sight as this
/e.omes the field, &(t here sho!s m(.h amiss.
+o, &id the soldiers shoot.
A dead mar"h. Exe%nt' ,earin/ o-- the dead ,odies5 a-ter $hi"h a pea+ o- ordnan"e is shot o--