Hamlet (Quarto 2, 1604)
Not Peer Reviewed
Prince of Denmarke.
2295Attends the boystrous raine, neuer alone
¶Did the King sigh, but a generall grone.
¶For we will fetters put about this feare
¶Which now goes too free-footed.
¶
Enter Polonius.
¶Behind the Arras I'le conuay my selfe
¶Tis meete that some more audience then a mother,
¶Since nature makes them parciall, should ore-heare
¶The speech of vantage; farre you well my Leige,
¶I'le call vpon you ere you goe to bed.
2310And tell you what I knowe.
Exit.
¶King. Thankes deere my Lord.
¶O my offence is ranck, it smels to heauen,
¶A brothers murther, pray can I not,
2315Though inclination be as sharp as will,
¶And both neglect, what if this cursed hand
2320Were thicker then it selfe with brothers blood,
¶Is there not raine enough in the sweete Heauens
¶But to confront the visage of offence?
¶And what's in prayer but this two fold force,
2325To be forestalled ere we come to fall,
¶Or pardon being downe, then I'le looke vp.
¶My fault is past, but oh what forme of prayer
¶Can serue my turne, forgiue me my foule murther,
2330Of those effects for which I did the murther;
¶My Crowne, mine owne ambition, and my Queene;
I.
May
