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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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    The Tragedy of Hamlet
    He made to you in marriage, and he is dead.
    Murdred, damnably murdred, this was your husband,
    Looke you now, here is your husband,
    2447.1With a face like Vulcan.
    A looke fit for a murder and a rape,
    A dull dead hanging looke, and a hell-bred eie,
    To affright children and amaze the world:
    2450And this same haue you left to change with this.
    2455What Diuell thus hath cosoned you at hob-man blinde?
    A! haue you eyes and can you looke on him
    2449.1That slew my father, and your deere husband,
    To liue in the incestuous pleasure of his bed?
    Queene O Hamlet, speake no more.
    2464.1Ham. To leaue him that bare a Monarkes minde,
    For a king of clowts, of very shreads.
    Queene Sweete Hamlet cease.
    Ham. Nay but still to persist and dwell in sinne,
    To sweate vnder the yoke of infamie,
    2469.1To make increase of shame, to seale damnation.
    Queene Hamlet, no more.
    Ham. Why appetite with you is in the waine,
    2453.1Your blood runnes backeward now from whence it came,
    Who'le chide hote blood within a Virgins heart,
    When lust shall dwell within a matrons breast?
    Queene Hamlet, thou cleaues my heart in twaine.
    Ham. O throw away the worser part of it, and keepe the
    better.
    Enter the ghost in his night gowne.

    Saue me, saue me, you gratious
    Powers aboue, and houer ouer mee,
    With your celestiall wings.
    Doe you not come your tardy sonne to chide,
    That I thus long haue let reuenge slippe by?
    O do not glare with lookes so pittifull!
    Lest that my heart of stone yeelde to compassion,
    And