Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

2.2.21022Moreover that we much did long to see you,

2.2.31023The need we have to use you did provoke

2.2.41024Our hasty sending. Something have you heard

2.2.51025Of Hamlet's transformation--so I call it,

2.2.61026Since not th'exterior nor the inward man

2.2.71027Resembles that it was. What it should be,

2.2.81028More than his father's death, that thus hath put him

2.2.91029So much from th'understanding of himself,

2.2.101030I cannot deem of. I entreat you both

2.2.111031That, being of so young days brought up with him,

2.2.121032And since so neighbored to his youth and humor,

2.2.131033That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court

2.2.141034Some little time, so by your companies

2.2.151035To draw him on to pleasures, and to gather

2.2.161036So much as from occasions you may glean

2.2.171037That, opened, lies within our remedy.

Good gentlemen, he hath much talked of you,

2.2.191039And sure I am two men there are not living

2.2.201040To whom he more adheres. If it will please you

2.2.211041To show us so much gentry and good will

2.2.221042As to expend your time with us awhile

2.2.231043For the supply and profit of our hope,

2.2.241044Your visitation shall receive such thanks

2.2.251045As fits a king's remembrance.

As fits a king's remembrance. Both your majesties

2.2.261047Might, by the sovereign power you have of us,

2.2.271048Put your dread pleasures more into command

2.2.281049Than to entreaty.

Than to entreaty. We both obey,

2.2.291051And here give up ourselves in the full bent

2.2.301052To lay our services freely at your feet

2.2.311053To be commanded.

Thanks, Rosencrantz, and gentle Guildenstern.

Thanks, Guildenstern, and gentle Rosencrantz.

2.2.341056And I beseech you instantly to visit

2.2.351057My too-much-changèd son.--1058Go, some of ye,

2.2.361059And bring the gentlemen where Hamlet is.

Heavens make our presence and our practices

2.2.381061Pleasant and helpful to him!

Amen.

Th'ambassadors from Norway, my good lord,

2.2.411065Are joyfully returned.

Thou still hast been the father of good news.

Have I, my lord? Assure you, my good liege,

2.2.441068I hold my duty, as I hold my soul,

2.2.451069Both to my God, one to my gracious king;

2.2.461070And I do think, or else this brain of mine

2.2.471071Hunts not the trail of policy so sure

2.2.481072As I have used to do, that I have found

2.2.491073The very cause of Hamlet's lunacy.

Oh, speak of that! That I do long to hear.

Give first admittance to th'ambassadors.

2.2.521076My news shall be the fruit to that great feast.

Thyself do grace to them, and bring them in.--

2.2.541078He tells me, my sweet Queen, that he hath found

2.2.551079The head and source of all your son's distemper.

I doubt it is no other but the main:

2.2.571081His father's death, and our o'erhasty marriage.

Well, we shall sift him.--Welcome, good friends.

2.2.591084Say, Voltemand, what from our brother Norway?

Most fair return of greetings and desires.

2.2.611086Upon our first, he sent out to suppress

2.2.621087His nephew's levies, which to him appeared

2.2.631088To be a preparation 'gainst the Polack,

2.2.641089But, better looked into, he truly found

2.2.651090It was against your highness; whereat grieved

2.2.661091That so his sickness, age, and impotence

2.2.671092Was falsely borne in hand, sends out arrests

2.2.681093On Fortinbras, which he (in brief) obeys,

2.2.691094Receives rebuke from Norway, and, in fine,

2.2.701095Makes vow before his uncle never more

2.2.711096To give th'assay of arms against your majesty.

2.2.721097Whereon old Norway, overcome with joy,

2.2.731098Gives him three thousand crowns in annual fee

2.2.741099And his commission to employ those soldiers

2.2.751100So levied, as before, against the Polack,

2.2.761101With an entreaty herein further shown

2.2.771102That it might please you to give quiet pass

2.2.781103Through your dominions for his enterprise

2.2.791104On such regards of safety and allowance

2.2.801105As therein are set down.

As therein are set down. It likes us well,

2.2.811107And at our more considered time we'll read,

2.2.821108Answer, and think upon this business.

2.2.831109Meantime, we thank you for your well-took labor.

2.2.841110Go to your rest. At night we'll feast together.

2.2.851111Most welcome home!

Most welcome home! This business is very well ended.

2.2.861113My liege and madam, to expostulate

2.2.871114What majesty should be, what duty is,

2.2.881115Why day is day, night, night, and time is time,

2.2.891116Were nothing but to waste night, day, and time.

2.2.901117Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,

2.2.911118And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes.

2.2.921119I will be brief. Your noble son is mad.

2.2.931120Mad call I it, for to define true madness,

2.2.941121What is't but to be nothing else but mad?

2.2.951122But let that go.

But let that go. More matter, with less art.

Madam, I swear I use no art at all.

2.2.971125That he is mad, 'tis true, 'Tis true 'tis pity,

2.2.981126And pity it is true--a foolish figure,

2.2.991127But farewell it, for I will use no art.

2.2.1001128Mad let us grant him, then. And now remains

2.2.1011129That we find out the cause of this effect,

2.2.1021130Or rather say the cause of this defect,

2.2.1031131For this effect defective comes by cause.

2.2.1041132Thus it remains, and the remainder thus.

2.2.105Perpend.

2.2.1061133I have a daughter--have whilst she is mine--

2.2.1071134Who in her duty and obedience, mark,

2.2.1081135Hath given me this. Now gather and surmise.

Came this from Hamlet to her?

Good madam, stay awhile, I will be faithful.

2.2.1171153This in obedience hath my daughter showed me,

2.2.1181154And, more above, hath his soliciting,

2.2.1191155As they fell out, by time, by means, and place,

2.2.1201156All given to mine ear.

But how hath she received his love?

What do you think of me?

As of a man faithful and honorable.

I would fain prove so. But what might you think,

2.2.1251161When I had seen this hot love on the wing--

2.2.1261162As I perceived it (I must tell you that)

2.2.1271163Before my daughter told me--what might you,

2.2.1281164Or my dear majesty your queen here, think

2.2.1291165If I had played the desk or table-book,

2.2.1301166Or given my heart a winking, mute and dumb,

2.2.1311167Or looked upon this love with idle sight,

2.2.1321168What might you think? No, I went round to work,

2.2.1331169And my young mistress thus I did bespeak:

2.2.1341170"Lord Hamlet is a prince out of thy star.

2.2.1351171This must not be." And then I precepts gave her

2.2.1361172That she should lock herself from his resort,

2.2.1371173Admit no messengers, receive no tokens.

2.2.1381174Which done, she took the fruits of my advice,

2.2.1391175And he, repulsèd, a short tale to make,

2.2.1401176Fell into a sadness, then into a fast,

2.2.1411177Thence to a watch, thence into a weakness,

2.2.1421178Thence to a lightness, and by this declension

2.2.1431179Into the madness whereon now he raves,

2.2.1441180And all we wail for.

2.2.1451181King"/[To Queen]

Do you think 'tis this?

It may be, very likely.

Hath there been such a time--I'd fain know that--

2.2.1481184That I have positively said 'tis so

2.2.1491185When it proved otherwise?

When it proved otherwise? Not that I know.

Take this from this, if this be otherwise.

2.2.1511188If circumstances lead me, I will find

2.2.1521189Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed

2.2.1531190Within the center.

Within the center. How may we try it further?

You know sometimes1193he walks four hours together here

2.2.1551194In the lobby.

In the lobby. So he has indeed.

At such a time I'll loose my daughter to him.

2.2.1571197Be you and I behind an arras then;

2.2.1581198Mark the encounter. If he love her not,

2.2.1591199And be not from his reason fall'n thereon,

2.2.1601200Let me be no assistant for a state

2.2.1611201And keep a farm and carters.

And keep a farm and carters. We will try it.

But look where sadly the poor wretch 1205comes reading.

Away, I do beseech you, both away.

2.2.1641207I'll board him presently.

2.2.1651208 Oh, give me leave.--How does my good Lord Hamlet?

Well, God-a-mercy.

Do you know me, my lord?

Excellent, excellent well. Y'are a fishmonger.

Not I, my lord.

Then I would you were so honest a man.

Honest, my lord?

Ay, sir, to be honest, as this world goes, is to be 1216one man picked out of two thousand.

That's very true, my lord.

For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, 1219being a good kissing carrion-- 1220Have you a daughter?

I have, my lord.

Let her not walk i'th' sun. Conception is a 1223blessing, but not as your daughter may conceive. Friend, 1224 look to't.

[Aside] How say you by that? Still harping on my 1226daughter. Yet he knew me not at first. He said I was a 1227fishmonger. He is far gone, far gone. And truly, in my youth 1228I suffered much extremity for love, very near this. I'll 1229speak to him again.--What do you read, my lord?

Words, words, words.

What is the matter, my lord?

Between who?

I mean the matter you mean, my lord.

Slanders sir; for the satirical slave says here 1235that old men have gray beards, that their faces are 1236wrinkled, their eyes purging thick amber or plumtree 1237gum, and that they have a plentiful lack of wit, 1238together with weak hams--all which, sir, though I 1239most powerfully and potently believe, yet I hold it 1240not honesty to have it thus set down; for you 1241yourself, sir, should be old as I am, if, like a crab, you could 1242 go backward.

[Aside] Though this be madness, 1244yet there is method in't,--Will you walk 1245out of the air, my lord?

Into my grave?

[Aside] Indeed, that is out o'th'air. 1248How pregnant sometimes his replies are! 1249 A happiness 1250that often madness hits on, 1251which reason and sanity could not 1252so prosperously be delivered of. 1253I will leave him, 1254and suddenly contrive the means of meeting 1255between him and my daughter.-- 1256My honorable lord, I will most humbly 1257take my leave of you.

You cannot, sir, take from me anything that I 1259will more willingly part withal--except my life, my 1260life.

Fare you well, my lord.

These tedious old fools!

[To Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, as they enter] You go to seek my Lord Hamlet? There 1264he is.

2.2.1901266Rosencrantz[To Polonius]

God save you, sir.

[To Hamlet] Mine honored lord!

My most dear lord!

My excellent good friends! How dost thou, 1270Guildenstern? Oh, Rosencrantz! Good lads, how do ye 1271 both?

As the indifferent children of the earth.

Happy in that we are not over-happy. On 1274Fortune's cap we are not the very button.

Nor the soles of her shoe?

Neither, my lord.

Then you live about her waist, or in the 1278middle of her favor?

Faith, her privates we.

In the secret parts of Fortune? Oh, most true, 1281she is a strumpet. What's the news?

None, my lord, but that the world's grown 1283honest.

Then is doomsday near. But your news is 1385 not true. Let me question more in particular. What have 1286you, my good friends, deserved at the hands of Fortune 1287that she sends you to prison hither?

Prison, my lord?

Denmark's a prison.

Then is the world one.

A goodly one, in which there are many 1292confines, wards, and dungeons, Denmark being one o'th' 1293worst.

We think not so, my lord.

Why, then 'tis none to you, for there is nothing 1296either good or bad but thinking makes it so. To me it is 1297a prison.

Why, then your ambition makes it one. 'Tis 1299too narrow for your mind.

Oh, God, I could be bounded in a nutshell and 1301count myself a king of infinite space, were it not that 1302I have bad dreams.

Which dreams indeed are ambition, for the 1304very substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow 1305of a dream.

A dream itself is but a shadow.

Truly, and I hold ambition of so airy and 1308light a quality that it is but a shadow's shadow.

Then are our beggars bodies, and our 1310monarchs and outstretched heroes the beggars' shadows. 1311Shall we to th'court? For, by my fay, I cannot 1312reason.

We'll wait upon you.

No such matter. I will not sort you with the 1315rest of my servants, for, to speak to you like an honest 1316man, I am most dreadfully attended. But, in the beaten 1317way of friendship, what make you at Elsinore?

To visit you my lord, no other occasion.

Beggar that I am, I am even poor in thanks, 1320but I thank you; and sure, dear friends, my thanks 1321are too dear a halfpenny. Were you not sent for? Is it 1322your own inclining? Is it a free visitation? Come, 1323deal justly with me. Come, come, nay, speak.

What should we say, my lord?

Why, anything. But to the purpose: you were 1326sent for, and there is a kind [of] confession in your looks, 1327which your modesties have craft enough to 1328color. I know the good King and Queen have sent for you.

To what end, my lord?

That you must teach me. But let me conjure 1331you, by the rights of our fellowship, by the consonancy of 1332our youth, by the obligation of our ever-preserved love, 1333and by what more dear a better proposer could charge 1334you withal, be even and direct with me whether you 1335were sent for or no.

[Aside to Guildenstern] What say you?

[Aside] Nay, then, I have an eye of you.--If you love me, 1338hold not off.

My lord, we were sent for.

I will tell you why; so shall my anticipation 1341prevent your discovery, and your secrecy to the King and 1342Queen molt no feather. I have of late, but wherefore 1343I know not, lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of 1344exercise; and indeed it goes so heavily with my 1345disposition that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a 1346sterile promontory. This most excellent canopy the air, 1347 look you, this brave o'erhanging, this majestical roof 1348fretted with golden fire, why, it appears no other thing 1349to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of 1350vapors. What a piece of work is a man! How noble in 1351reason! How infinite in faculty! In form and moving 1352how express and admirable! In action, how like an 1353angel! In apprehension, how like a god! The beauty of the 1354 world, the paragon of animals. And yet to me what is 1355this quintessence of dust? Man delights not me, no, 1356nor woman neither, though by your smiling you seem 1357 to say so.

My lord, there was no such stuff in my 1359thoughts.

Why did you laugh, when I said man delights 1361not me?

To think, my lord, if you delight not in man, 1363what lenten entertainment the players shall receive 1364from you. We coted them on the way, and hither are 1365they coming to offer you service.

He that plays the King shall be welcome; his 1367majesty shall have tribute of me. The Adventurous 1368Knight shall use his foil and target, the Lover shall 1369not sigh gratis, the Humorous Man shall end his part in 1370peace, the Clown shall make those laugh whose lungs 1371are tickled o'th'sear, and the Lady shall say her mind 1372freely, or the blank verse shall halt for't. What players 1373 are they?

Even those you were wont to take delight in, 1375the tragedians of the city.

How chances it they travel? Their 1377residence both in reputation and profit was better both 1378 ways.

I think their inhibition comes by the means 1380of the late innovation.

Do they hold the same estimation they did 1382when I was in the city? Are they so followed?

No, indeed, they are not.

How comes it? Do they grow rusty?

Nay, their endeavor keeps in the wonted 1386pace. But there is, sir, an eyrie of children, little 1387eyases, that cry out on the top of question, and 1388are most tyrannically clapped for't. These are now the 1389fashion, and so berattle the common stages--so they 1390call them--that many wearing rapiers are afraid of 1391goose quills and dare scarce come thither.

What, are they children? Who maintains 'em? 1393How are they escoted? Will they pursue the quality no 1394longer than they can sing? Will they not say afterwards, 1395if they should grow themselves to common players--as 1396it is most like if their means are not better--their 1397writers do them wrong to make them exclaim against their 1398own succession?

Faith, there has been much to-do on both sides, 1400and the nation holds it no sin to tarre them to 1401controversy. There was for a while no money bid for 1402argument unless the poet and the player went to cuffs in 1403the question.

Is't possible?

Oh, there has been much throwing about of 1406brains.

Do the boys carry it away?

Ay, that they do, my lord, Hercules and his load too.

It is not strange, for mine uncle is King of 1410Denmark, and those that would make mows at him 1411while my father lived give twenty, forty, an hundred 1412ducats apiece for his picture in little. There is 1413something in this more than natural, if philosophy could 1414find it out.

There are the players.

Gentlemen, you are welcome to Elsinore. Your 1418hands, come. The appurtenance of welcome is fashion 1419and ceremony. Let me comply with you in the garb, 1420lest my extent to the players, which, I tell you, must show 1421fairly outward, should more appear like entertainment 1422than yours. You are welcome. But my uncle-father 1423and aunt-mother are deceived.

In what, my dear lord?

I am but mad north-north-west; when the 1426wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw.

Well be with you, gentlemen.

Hark you, Guildenstern, and you too, at each 1430ear a hearer: that great baby you see there is not yet 1431out of his swathing clouts.

Happily he's the second time come to them, for 1433they say an old man is twice a child.

I will prophesy: he comes to tell me of the 1435players. Mark it.--You say right, sir, for o'Monday 1436morning, 'twas so indeed.

My lord, I have news to tell you.

My lord, I have news to tell you.1439When Roscius, an actor in Rome--

The actors are come hither, my lord.

Buzz, buzz.

Upon mine honor.

Then can each actor on his ass--

The best actors in the world, either for 1445tragedy, comedy, history, pastoral, 1446pastoral-comical-historical-pastoral, tragical-historical, 1447tragical-comical-historical-pastoral, scene individable, or 1448poem unlimited. Seneca cannot be too heavy, nor Plautus 1449too light for the law of writ and the liberty. These are 1450the only men.

O Jephthah, Judge of Israel, what a treasure hadst 1452thou?

What a treasure had he, my lord?

Why,

[Aside] Still on my daughter.

Am I not i'th' right, old Jephthah?

If you call me Jephthah, my lord, I have a 1459daughter that I love passing well.

Nay, that follows not.

What follows then, my lord?

Why,

2.2.273and then you know,

2.2.276The first row of the 1464pious chanson will show you more, for look where my 1465abridgments come.

2.2.2771467Y'are welcome, masters, welcome all.--I am glad to see 1468thee well. Welcome, good friends.--Oh, my old friend! 1469Thy face is valiant since I saw thee last. Com'st thou to 1470beard me in Denmark?--What, my young lady and 1471mistress! By'r Lady, your ladyship is nearer heaven than when 1472I saw you last, by the altitude of a chopine. Pray God 1473your voice, like a piece of uncurrent gold, be not cracked 1474within the ring.--Masters, you are all welcome. We'll e'en 1475to't, like French falconers: fly at anything we see. We'll 1476have a speech straight. Come, give us a taste of your 1477quality. Come, a passionate speech.

What speech, my lord?

I heard thee speak me a speech once, but it was 1480never acted, or if it was, not above once; for the play, I 1481remember, pleased not the million, 'twas caviary to the 1482general. But it was, as I received it, and others whose 1483 judgment in such matters cried in the top of mine, an 1484excellent play, well digested in the scenes, set down 1485with as much modesty as cunning. I remember one said 1486there was no sallets in the lines, to make the matter 1487savory, nor no matter in the phrase that might indict the 1488author of affectation, but called it an honest method. One 1489chief speech in it I chiefly loved: 'twas Aeneas' tale 1490to Dido, and thereabout of it especially where he speaks 1491of Priam's slaughter. If it live in your memory, begin at 1492this line--let me see, let me see--

2.2.280The rugged Pyrrhus, like 1493 th'Hyrcanian beast--

2.2.281It is not so, it begins with Pyrrhus.

2.2.2821494The rugged Pyrrhus, he whose sable arms,

2.2.2831495Black as his purpose, did the night resemble

2.2.2841496When he lay couchèd in the ominous horse,

2.2.2851497Hath now this dread and black complexion smeared

2.2.2861498With heraldry more dismal. Head to foot

2.2.2871499Now is he total gules, horridly tricked

2.2.2881500With blood of fathers, mothers, daughters, sons,

2.2.2891501Baked and empasted with the parching streets

2.2.2901502That lend a tyrannous and damnèd light

2.2.2911503To their vile murders. Roasted in wrath and fire,

2.2.2921504And thus o'ersizèd with coagulate gore,

2.2.2931505With eyes like carbuncles, the hellish Pyrrhus

2.2.2941506Old grandsire Priam seeks.

Old grandsire Priam seeks. 'Fore God, my Lord, well spoken, with good 1508accent and good discretion.

Old grandsire Priam seeks. 'Fore God, my Lord, well spoken, with good accent and good discretion. Anon he finds him,

2.2.2971510Striking too short at Greeks. His anticke sword,

2.2.2981511Rebellious to his arm, lies where it falls,

2.2.2991512Repugnant to command. Unequal match!

2.2.3001513Pyrrhus at Priam drives, in rage strikes wide,

2.2.3011514But with the whiff and wind of his fell sword

2.2.3021515Th'unnervèd father falls. Then senseless Ilium,

2.2.3031516Seeming to feel his blow, with flaming top

2.2.3041517Stoops to his base, and with a hideous crash

2.2.3051518Takes prisoner Pyrrhus' ear; for lo! his sword,

2.2.3061519Which was declining on the milky head

2.2.3071520Of reverend Priam, seemed i'th' air to stick.

2.2.3081521So as a painted tyrant Pyrrhus stood,

2.2.3091522And, like a neutral to his will and matter,

2.2.310Did nothing.

2.2.3111523But as we often see against some storm

2.2.3121524A silence in the heavens, the rack stand still,

2.2.3131525The bold winds speechless, and the orb below

2.2.3141526As hush as death, anon the dreadful thunder

2.2.3151527Doth rend the region, so, after Pyrrhus' pause,

2.2.3161528A rousèd vengeance sets him new a-work,

2.2.3171529And never did the Cyclops' hammers fall

2.2.3181530On Mars his armor, forged for proof eterne,

2.2.3191531With less remorse than Pyrrhus' bleeding sword

2.2.3201532Now falls on Priam.

2.2.3211533Out, out, thou strumpet Fortune! All you gods

2.2.3221534In general synod take away her power,

2.2.3231535Break all the spokes and fellies from her wheel,

2.2.3241536And bowl the round nave down the hill of heaven

2.2.3251537As low as to the fiends!

This is too long.

It shall to th' barber's with your beard.-- 1540Prithee, say on. He's for a jig, or a tale of bawdry, or he 1541sleeps. Say on. Come to Hecuba..

But who, oh, who, had seen the inobled queen--

"The inobled queen!"

That's good. "Inobled queen" is good.

Run barefoot up and down, 1546 threat'ning the flame

2.2.3321547With bisson rheum, a clout about that head

2.2.3331548Where late the diadem stood, and, for a robe,

2.2.3341549About her lank and all o'er-teemèd loins

2.2.3351550A blanket in th'alarum of fear caught up--

2.2.3361551Who this had seen, with tongue in venom steeped

2.2.3371552'Gainst Fortune's state would treason have pronounced!

2.2.3381553But if the gods themselves did see her then,

2.2.3391554When she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport

2.2.3401555In mincing with his sword her husband's limbs,

2.2.3411556The instant burst of clamor that she made

2.2.3421557(Unless things mortal move them not at all)

2.2.3431558Would have made milch the burning eyes of heaven

2.2.3441559And passion in the gods.

Look where he has not turned his color, and 1561has tears in's eyes.--Pray you, no more.

'Tis well. I'll have thee speak out the rest 1563soon. [To Polonius] Good my lord, will you see the players well 1564bestowed? Do ye hear, let them be well used, for they are 1565the abstracts and brief chronicles of the time. After 1566your death you were better have a bad epitaph than 1567their ill report while you lived.

My lord, I will use them according to their 1569desert.

God's bodykins, man, better. Use every man 1571after his desert and who should scape whipping? Use 1572them after your own honor and dignity; the less they 1573deserve, the more merit is in your bounty. Take them 1574in.

Come, sirs.

Follow him, friends. We'll hear a play 1577tomorrow. [Aside to the First Player] Dost thou hear me, old friend, can you play The 1578Murder of Gonzago?

Ay, my lord.

We'll ha't tomorrow night. You could for a 1581need study a speech of some dozen or sixteen lines, which 1582I would set down and insert in't, could ye not?

Ay, my lord.

Very well. Follow that lord, and look you 1585mock him not.--My good friends, I'll leave you till night. 1586You are welcome to Elsinore.

Good my lord.

Ay, so, God buy ye.--Now I am alone.

2.2.3571590Oh, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!

2.2.3581591Is it not monstrous that this player here,

2.2.3591592But in a fiction, in a dream of passion,

2.2.3601593Could force his soul so to his whole conceit

2.2.3611594That from her working all his visage warmed,

2.2.3621595Tears in his eyes, distraction in's aspect,

2.2.3631596A broken voice, and his whole function suiting

2.2.3641597With forms to his conceit? And all for nothing?

2.2.3651598For Hecuba?

2.2.3661599What's Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba,

2.2.3671600That he should weep for her? What would he do

2.2.3681601Had he the motive and the cue for passion

2.2.3691602That I have? He would drown the stage with tears

2.2.3701603And cleave the general ear with horrid speech,

2.2.3711604Make mad the guilty, and appal the free,

2.2.3721605Confound the ignorant, and amaze indeed

2.2.3731606The very faculty of eyes and ears. Yet I,

2.2.3741607A dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peak

2.2.3751608Like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause,

2.2.3761609And can say nothing; no, not for a king

2.2.3771610Upon whose property and most dear life

2.2.3781611A damned defeat was made. Am I a coward?

2.2.3791612Who calls me villain? Breaks my pate across?

2.2.3801613Plucks off my beard and blows it in my face?

2.2.3811614Tweaks me by th' nose? Gives me the lie i'th' throat

2.2.3821615As deep as to the lungs? Who does me this?

2.2.3831616Ha? Why, I should take it; for it cannot be

2.2.3841617But I am pigeon-livered, and lack gall

2.2.3851618To make oppression bitter, or ere this

2.2.3861619I should have fatted all the region kites

2.2.3871620With this slave's offal, bloody, a bawdy villain,

2.2.3881621Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain!

2.2.3891622Oh, vengeance!

2.2.3901623Who? What an ass am I! Ay, sure, this is most brave,

2.2.3911624That I, the son of the dear murderèd,

2.2.3921625Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell,

2.2.3931626Must like a whore unpack my heart with words,

2.2.3941627And fall a-cursing like a very drab,

2.2.3951628A scullion? Fie upon't, foh! About, my brain!

2.2.3961629I have heard that guilty creatures sitting at a play

2.2.3971630Have by the very cunning of the scene

2.2.3981631Been struck so to the soul that presently

2.2.3991632They have proclaimed their malefactions;

2.2.4001633For murder, though it have no tongue, will speak

2.2.4011634With most miraculous organ. I'll have these players

2.2.4021635Play something like the murder of my father

2.2.4031636Before mine uncle. I'll observe his looks;

2.2.4041637I'll tent him to the quick. If he but blench

2.2.4051638I know my course. The spirit that I have seen

2.2.4061639May be the devil, and the devil hath power

2.2.4071640T'assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps,

2.2.4081641Out of my weakness and my melancholy,

2.2.4091642As he is very potent with such spirits,

2.2.4101643Abuses me to damn me. I'll have grounds

2.2.4111644More relative than this. The play's the thing

2.2.4121645Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King.