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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    Not Peer Reviewed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.
    Cor. This busines is very well dispatched.
    Now my Lord, touching the yong Prince Hamlet,
    Certaine it is that hee is madde: mad let vs grant him then:
    Now to know the cause of this effect,
    1130Or else to say the cause of this defect,
    For this effect defectiue comes by cause.
    Queene Good my Lord be briefe.
    Cor. Madam I will: my Lord, I haue a daughter,
    Haue while shee's mine: for that we thinke
    1133.1Is surest, we often loose: now to the Prince.
    My Lord, but note this letter,
    The which my daughter in obedience
    1135Deliuer'd to my handes.
    1135.1King Reade it my Lord.
    Cor. Marke my Lord.
    Doubt that in earth is fire,
    1145Doubt that the starres doe moue,
    Doubt trueth to be a liar,
    But doe not doubt I loue.
    To the beautifull Ofelia:
    Thine euer the most vnhappy Prince Hamlet.
    My Lord, what doe you thinke of me?
    1160I, or what might you thinke when I sawe this?
    King As of a true friend and a most louing subiect.
    Cor. I would be glad to prooue so.
    Now when I saw this letter, thus I bespake my maiden:
    1170Lord Hamlet is a Prince out of your starre,
    1170.1And one that is vnequall for your loue:
    Therefore I did commaund her refuse his letters,
    Deny his tokens, and to absent her selfe.
    Shee as my childe obediently obey'd me.
    1174.1Now since which time, seeing his loue thus cross'd,
    Which I tooke to be idle, and but sport,
    He straitway grew into a melancholy,
    From that vnto a fast, then vnto distraction,
    Then into a sadnesse, from that vnto a madnesse,
    And