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  • Title: Hamlet (Quarto 1, 1603)
  • Textual editor: Eric Rasmussen
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-434-9

    Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Hamlet (Quarto 1, 1603)

    Prince of Denmarke
    While they distilled almost to gelly.
    With the act of feare stands dumbe,
    And speake not to him: this to mee
    In dreadfull secresie impart they did.
    And I with them the third night kept the watch,
    400Where as they had deliuered forme of the thing.
    Each part made true and good,
    The Apparition comes: I knew your father,
    These handes are not more like.
    Ham. Tis very strange.
    415Hor. As I do liue, my honord lord, tis true,
    And wee did thinke it right done,
    In our dutie to let you know it.
    Ham. Where was this?
    405Mar. My Lord, vpon the platforme where we watched.
    Ham. Did you not speake to it?
    Hor. My Lord we did, but answere made it none,
    Yet once me thought it was about to speake,
    And lifted vp his head to motion,
    410Like as he would speake, but euen then
    The morning cocke crew lowd, and in all haste,
    It shruncke in haste away, and vanished
    Our sight.
    Ham. Indeed, indeed sirs, but this troubles me:
    Hold you the watch to night?
    420All We do my Lord.
    Ham. Armed say ye?
    All Armed my good Lord.
    Ham. From top to toe?
    All. My good Lord, from head to foote.
    425Ham. Why then saw you not his face?
    Hor. O yes my Lord, he wore his beuer vp.
    Ham. How look't he, frowningly?
    Hor. A countenance more in sorrow than in anger.
    Ham. Pale, or red?
    430Hor. Nay, verie pal
    C H am.