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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    Not Peer Reviewed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.
    For out of doores he went without their helpe,
    996.1And so did leaue me.
    Cor. Madde for thy loue,
    What haue you giuen him any crosse wordes of late?
    Ofelia I did repell his letters, deny his gifts,
    1005As you did charge me.
    Cor. Why that hath made him madde:
    By heau'n t'is as proper for our age to cast
    Beyond our selues, as t'is for the yonger sort
    To leaue their wantonnesse. Well, I am sory
    That I was so rash: but what remedy?
    1015Lets to the King, this madnesse may prooue,
    Though wilde a while, yet more true to thy loue. exeunt.
    Enter King and Queene, Rossencraft, and Gilderstone.
    King Right noble friends, that our deere cosin Hamlet
    1021.1Hath lost the very heart of all his sence,
    It is most right, and we most sory for him:
    1030Therefore we doe desire, euen as you tender
    1030.1Our care to him, and our great loue to you,
    1035That you will labour but to wring from him
    The cause and ground of his distemperancie.
    Doe this, the king of Denmarke shal be thankefull.
    1044.1Ros. My Lord, whatsoeuer lies within our power
    Your maiestie may more commaund in wordes
    Then vse perswasions to your liege men, bound
    1049.1By loue, by duetie, and obedience.
    Guil. What we may doe for both your Maiesties
    1046.1To know the griefe troubles the Prince your sonne,
    We will indeuour all the best we may,
    1051.1So in all duetie doe we take our leaue.
    King Thankes Guilderstone, and gentle Rossencraft.
    1055Que. Thankes Rossencraft, and gentle Gilderstone.
    Enter Corambis and Ofelia.
    Cor. My Lord, the Ambassadors are ioyfully
    Return'd from Norway.
    King Thou still hast beene the father of good news.
    D3 Cor.