4Who's there?

Nay, answer me. Stand and unfold yourself.

Long live the King!

Barnardo?

He.

You come most carefully upon your hour.

'Tis now struck twelve. Get thee to bed, Francisco.

For this relief much thanks. 'Tis bitter cold,

1.1.91310And I am sick at heart.

Have you had quiet guard?

Not a mouse stirring.

Well, good night.

1.1.1314If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus,

1.1.141715The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste.

I think I hear them.--Stand, ho! Who is there?

Friends to this ground.

And liegemen to the Dane.

Give you good night.

Oh, farewell, honest soldier. Who hath relieved you?

Barnardo hath my place. Give you good night.

Holla, Barnardo!

Say, what, is Horatio there?

A piece of him.

Welcome, Horatio. Welcome, good Marcellus.

What, has this thing appeared again tonight?

I have seen nothing.

Horatio says 'tis but our fantasy,

1.1.283330And will not let belief take hold of him,

1.1.293431Touching this dreaded sight twice seen of us.

1.1.303532Therefore I have entreated him along

1.1.313633With us to watch the minutes of this night,

1.1.323734That if again this apparition come

1.1.333835He may approve our eyes and speak to it.

Tush, tush, 'twill not appear.

Tush, tush, 'twill not appear. Sit down awhile,

1.1.354138And let us once again assail your ears,

1.1.364239That are so fortified against our story,

1.1.374340What we two nights have seen.

What we two nights have seen. Well, sit we down,

1.1.384542And let us hear Barnardo speak of this.

Last night of all,

1.1.404744When yond same star that's westward from the pole

1.1.414845Had made his course t'illume that part of heaven

1.1.424946Where now it burns, Marcellus and myself,

1.1.435047The bell then beating one--

Peace, break thee off! Look where it comes again!

In the same figure like the King that's dead.

Thou art a scholar. Speak to it, Horatio.

Looks it not like the King? Mark it, Horatio.

Most like. It harrows me with fear and wonder.

It would be spoke to.

It would be spoke to. Question it, Horatio.

What art thou that usurp'st this time of night,

1.1.516057Together with that fair and warlike form

1.1.526158In which the majesty of buried Denmark

1.1.536259Did sometimes march? By heaven, I charge thee speak!

It is offended.

It is offended. See, it stalks away.

Stay, speak, speak, I charge thee speak!

'Tis gone, and will not answer.

How now, Horatio, you tremble and look pale.

1.1.586965Is not this something more than fantasy?

1.1.597066What think you on't?

Before my God, I might not this believe

1.1.617268Without the sensible and true avouch

1.1.627369Of mine own eyes.

Of mine own eyes. Is it not like the King?

As thou art to thyself.

1.1.647672Such was the very armor he had on

1.1.657773When he the ambitious Norway combated.

1.1.667874So frowned he once, when in an angry parle

1.1.677975He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice.

1.1.688076'Tis strange.

Thus twice before, and jump at this dead hour,

1.1.708278With martial stalk hath he gone by our watch.

In what particular thought to work I know not,

1.1.728480But in the gross and scope of mine opinion

1.1.738581This bodes some strange eruption to our state.

Good now, sit down, and tell me, he that knows,

1.1.758783Why this same strict and most observant watch

1.1.768884So nightly toils the subject of the land,

1.1.778985And why such daily cast of brazen cannon

1.1.789086And foreign mart for implements of war,

1.1.799187Why such impress of shipwrights, whose sore task

1.1.809288Does not divide the Sunday from the week:

1.1.819389What might be toward, that this sweaty haste

1.1.829490Doth make the night joint-laborer with the day?

1.1.839591Who is't that can inform me?

Who is't that can inform me? That can I.

1.1.849793At least the whisper goes so: our last King,

1.1.859894Whose image even but now appeared to us,

1.1.869995Was as you know by Fortinbras of Norway,

1.1.8710096Thereto pricked on by a most emulate pride,

1.1.8810197Dared to the combat; in which our valiant Hamlet--

1.1.8910298For so this side of our known world esteemed him--

1.1.9010399Did slay this Fortinbras, who by a sealed compact

1.1.91104100Well ratified by law and heraldry

1.1.92105101Did forfeit, with his life, all those his lands

1.1.93106102Which he stood seized of, to the conqueror;

1.1.94107103Against the which a moiety competent

1.1.95108104Was gagèd by our King, which had returned

1.1.96109105To the inheritance of Fortinbras

1.1.97110106Had he been vanquisher, as, by the same cov'nant

1.1.98111107And carriage of the article design[ed]

1.1.99112108His fell to Hamlet. Now, sir, young Fortinbras,

1.1.100113109Of unimprovèd mettle hot and full,

1.1.101114110Hath in the skirts of Norway here and there

1.1.102115111Sharked up a list of landless resolutes

1.1.103116112For food and diet to some enterprise

1.1.104117113That hath a stomach in't, which is no other,

1.1.105118114As it doth well appear unto our state,

1.1.106119115But to recover of us by strong hand

1.1.107120116And terms compulsative those foresaid lands

1.1.108121117So by his father lost. And this, I take it,

1.1.109122118Is the main motive of our preparations,

1.1.110123119The source of this our watch, and the chief head

1.1.111124120Of this post-haste and rummage in the land.

I think it be no other but e'en so.

1.1.113124.2122Well may it sort that this portentous figure

1.1.114124.3123Comes armèd through our watch so like the King

1.1.115124.4124That was and is the question of these wars.

A mote it is to trouble the mind's eye.

1.1.117124.6126In the most high and palmy state of Rome,

1.1.118124.7127A little ere the mightiest Julius fell,

1.1.119124.8128The graves stood tenantless, and the sheeted dead

1.1.120124.9129Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets,

1.1.121124.10130As stars with trains of fire and dews of blood,

1.1.122124.11131Disasters in the sun; and the moist star,

1.1.123124.12132Upon whose influence Neptune's empire stands,

1.1.124124.13133Was sick almost to doomsday with eclipse.

1.1.125124.14134And even the like precurse of feared events,

1.1.126124.15135As harbingers preceding still the fates

1.1.127124.16136And prologue to the omen coming on,

1.1.128124.17137Have heaven and earth together demonstrated

1.1.129124.18138Unto our climatures and countrymen.

1.1.130126140But soft, behold, lo, where it comes again!

1.1.131127141I'll cross it though it blast me.--Stay, illusion!

1.1.132128142If thou hast any sound or use of voice,

1.1.133129143Speak to me!

1.1.134If there be any good thing to be done

1.1.135130144That may to thee do ease and grace to me,

1.1.136145Speak to me!

1.1.137131146If thou art privy to thy country's fate,

1.1.138132147Which happily foreknowing may avoid,

1.1.139148Oh, speak!

1.1.140133149Or if thou hast uphoarded in thy life

1.1.141134150Extorted treasure in the womb of earth,

1.1.142135151For which, they say, you spirits oft walk in death,

1.1.143136152Speak of it. Stay and speak!

Speak of it. Stay and speak! Stop it, Marcellus!

Shall I strike at it with my partisan?

Do, if it will not stand.

'Tis here.

'Tis here.

'Tis gone.

1.1.149142158We do it wrong, being so majestical,

1.1.150143159To offer it the show of violence,

1.1.151144160For it is as the air, invulnerable,

1.1.152145161And our vain blows malicious mockery.

It was about to speak when the cock crew.

And then it started like a guilty thing

1.1.155148164Upon a fearful summons. I have heard

1.1.156149165The cock, that is the trumpet to the morn,

1.1.157150166Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding throat

1.1.158151167Awake the god of day, and, at his warning,

1.1.159152168Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air,

1.1.160153169Th'extravagant and erring spirit hies

1.1.161154170To his confine; and of the truth herein

1.1.162155171This present object made probation.

It faded on the crowing of the cock.

1.1.164157173Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes

1.1.165158174Wherein our Savior's birth is celebrated,

1.1.166159175The bird of dawning singeth all night long,

1.1.167160176And then they say no spirit can walk abroad;

1.1.168161177The nights are wholesome, then no planets strike,

1.1.169162178No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm,

1.1.170163179So hallowed and so gracious is that time.

So have I heard and do in part believe it.

1.1.172165181But look, the morn in russet mantle clad

1.1.173166182Walks o'er the dew of yon high eastward hill.

1.1.174167183Break we our watch up, and by my advice

1.1.175168184Let us impart what we have seen tonight

1.1.176169185Unto young Hamlet, for, upon my life,

1.1.177170186This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him.

1.1.178171187Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it

1.1.179172188As needful in our loves, fitting our duty?

Let's do 't, I pray, and I this morning know

1.1.181174190Where we shall find him most conveniently.

Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death

1.2.2180195The memory be green, and that it us befitted

1.2.3181196To bear our hearts in grief, and our whole kingdom

1.2.4182197To be contracted in one brow of woe,

1.2.5183198Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature

1.2.6184199That we with wisest sorrow think on him

1.2.7185200Together with remembrance of ourselves.

1.2.8186201Therefore our sometime sister, now our queen,

1.2.9187202Th'imperial jointress of this warlike state,

1.2.10188203Have we as 'twere with a defeated joy,

1.2.11189204With one auspicious and one dropping eye,

1.2.12190205With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage,

1.2.13191206In equal scale weighing delight and dole,

1.2.14192207Taken to wife. Nor have we herein barred

1.2.15193208Your better wisdoms, which have freely gone

1.2.16194209With this affair along. For all, our thanks.

1.2.17195210Now follows that you know: young Fortinbras,

1.2.18196211Holding a weak supposal of our worth,

1.2.19197212Or thinking by our late dear brother's death

1.2.20198213Our state to be disjoint and out of frame,

1.2.21199214Co-leaguèd with this dream of his advantage,

1.2.22200215He hath not failed to pester us with message

1.2.23201216Importing the surrender of those lands

1.2.24202217Lost by his father, with all bonds of law,

1.2.25203218To our most valiant brother. So much for him.

1.2.26205219Now for ourself, and for this time of meeting,

1.2.27206220Thus much the business is: we have here writ

1.2.28207221To Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras,

1.2.29208222Who, impotent and bed-rid, scarcely hears

1.2.30209223Of this his nephew's purpose, to suppress

1.2.31210224His further gait herein, in that the levies,

1.2.32211225The lists, and full proportions are all made

1.2.33212226Out of his subject; and we here dispatch

1.2.34213227You, good Cornelius, and you, Voltemand,

1.2.35214228For bearers of this greeting to old Norway,

1.2.36215229Giving to you no further personal power

1.2.37216230To business with the King more than the scope

1.2.38217231Of these dilated articles allow.

1.2.39218232Farewell, and let your haste commend your duty.

1.2.40219233Cornelius and Voltemand In that and all things will we show our duty.

We doubt it nothing. Heartily farewell.

1.2.42222235And now, Laertes, what's the news with you?

1.2.43223236You told us of some suit. What is't, Laertes?

1.2.44224237You cannot speak of reason to the Dane

1.2.45225238And lose your voice. What wouldst thou beg, Laertes,

1.2.46226239That shall not be my offer, not thy asking?

1.2.47227240The head is not more native to the heart,

1.2.48228241The hand more instrumental to the mouth,

1.2.49229242Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father.

1.2.50230243What wouldst thou have, Laertes?

What wouldst thou have, Laertes? Dread my lord,

1.2.51232245Your leave and favor to return to France,

1.2.52233246From whence though willingly I came to Denmark

1.2.53234247To show my duty in your coronation,

1.2.54235248Yet now I must confess, that duty done,

1.2.55236249My thoughts and wishes bend again toward France

1.2.56237250And bow them to your gracious leave and pardon.

Have you your father's leave? What says Polonius?

H'ath, my lord, wrung from me my slow leave

1.2.59240.1253By laborsome petition, and at last

1.2.60240.2254Upon his will I sealed my hard consent.

1.2.61241255I do beseech you, give him leave to go.

Take thy fair hour, Laertes. Time be thine,

1.2.63243257And thy best graces spend it at thy will.

1.2.64244258But now, my cousin Hamlet, and my son--

A little more than kin, and less than kind.

How is it that the clouds still hang on you?

Not so, my lord, I am too much i'th' sun.

Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted color off

1.2.69249263And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark.

1.2.70250264Do not forever with thy vailèd lids

1.2.71251265Seek for thy noble father in the dust.

1.2.72252266Thou know'st 'tis common: all that lives must die,

1.2.73253267Passing through nature to eternity.

Ay, madam, it is common.

Ay, madam, it is common. If it be,

1.2.75256270Why seems it so particular with thee?

"Seems," madam? Nay, it is, I know not "seems."

1.2.77258272'Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother,

1.2.78259273Nor customary suits of solemn black,

1.2.79260274Nor windy suspiration of forced breath,

1.2.80261275No, nor the fruitful river in the eye,

1.2.81262276Nor the dejected havior of the visage,

1.2.82263277Together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief

1.2.83264278That can denote me truly. These indeed seem,

1.2.84265279For they are actions that a man might play.

1.2.85266280But I have that within which passeth show;

1.2.86267281These but the trappings and the suits of woe.

'Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet,

1.2.88270283To give these mourning duties to your father.

1.2.89271284But you must know your father lost a father;

1.2.90272285That father lost, lost his, and the survivor bound

1.2.91273286In filial obligation for some term

1.2.92274287To do obsequious sorrow; but to persever

1.2.93275288In obstinate condolement is a course

1.2.94276289Of impious stubbornness. 'Tis unmanly grief.

1.2.95277290It shows a will most incorrect to heaven,

1.2.96278291A heart unfortified, a mind impatient,

1.2.97279292An understanding simple and unschooled;

1.2.98280293For what we know must be and is as common

1.2.99281294As any the most vulgar thing to sense,

1.2.100282295Why should we in our peevish opposition

1.2.101283296Take it to heart? Fie, 'tis a fault to heaven,

1.2.102284297A fault against the dead, a fault to nature,

1.2.103285298To reason most absurd, whose common theme

1.2.104286299Is death of fathers, and who still hath cried

1.2.105287300From the first corpse till he that died today

1.2.106288301"This must be so." We pray you throw to earth

1.2.107289302This unprevailing woe, and think of us

1.2.108290303As of a father; for let the world take note

1.2.109291304You are the most immediate to our throne,

1.2.110292305And with no less nobility of love

1.2.111293306Than that which dearest father bears his son

1.2.112294307Do I impart toward you. For your intent

1.2.113295308In going back to school in Wittenberg,

1.2.114296309It is most retrograde to our desire,

1.2.115297310And we beseech you bend you to remain

1.2.116298311Here in the cheer and comfort of our eye,

1.2.117299312Our chiefest courtier, cousin, and our son.

Let not thy mother lose her prayers, Hamlet.

1.2.119301314I pray thee stay with us, go not to Wittenberg.

I shall in all my best obey you, madam.

Why, 'tis a loving and a fair reply.

1.2.122305317Be as ourself in Denmark.--Madam, come.

1.2.123306318This gentle and unforced accord of Hamlet

1.2.124307319Sits smiling to my heart, in grace whereof

1.2.125308320No jocund health that Denmark drinks today

1.2.126309321But the great cannon to the clouds shall tell,

1.2.127310322And the King's rouse the heavens shall bruit again,

1.2.128311323Respeaking earthly thunder. Come, away!

Oh, that this too too solid flesh would melt,

1.2.130314325Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew!

1.2.131315326Or that the Everlasting had not fixed

1.2.132316327His canon 'gainst self-slaughter! Oh, God, God,

1.2.133317328How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable

1.2.134318329Seem to me all the uses of this world!

1.2.135319330Fie on't, ah, fie! 'Tis an unweeded garden

1.2.136320331That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature

1.2.137321332Possess it merely. That it should come to this!

1.2.138322333But two months dead--nay, not so much, not two!

1.2.139323334So excellent a king, that was to this

1.2.140324335Hyperion to a satyr, so loving to my mother

1.2.141325336That he might not beteem the winds of heaven

1.2.142326337Visit her face too roughly. Heaven and earth,

1.2.143327338Must I remember? Why, she would hang on him

1.2.144328339As if increase of appetite had grown

1.2.145329340By what it fed on. And yet within a month--

1.2.146330341Let me not think on't; frailty, thy name is woman!

1.2.147331342A little month, or ere those shoes were old

1.2.148332343With which she followed my poor father's body,

1.2.149333344Like Niobe, all tears, why, she, even she--

1.2.150334345Oh, God, a beast that wants discourse of reason

1.2.151335346Would have mourned longer!--married with my uncle,

1.2.152336347My father's brother, but no more like my father

1.2.153337348Than I to Hercules. Within a month,

1.2.154338349Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears

1.2.155339350Had left the flushing of her gallèd eyes,

1.2.156340351She married. Oh, most wicked speed, to post

1.2.157341352With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!

1.2.158342353It is not, nor it cannot come to good,

1.2.159343354But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue.

Hail to your lordship!

Hail to your lordship! I am glad to see you well.--

1.2.161347Horatio, or I do forget myself!

The same, my lord, and your poor servant ever.

Sir, my good friend, I'll change that name with you.

1.2.164352360And what make you from Wittenberg,

Horatio?--

1.2.165353361Marcellus.

My good lord.

I am very glad to see you. [To Barnardo.] Good even, sir.

1.2.168356364[To Horatio] But what, in faith, make you from Wittenberg?

A truant disposition, good my lord.

I would not have your enemy say so,

1.2.171359367Nor shall you do my ear that violence

1.2.172360368To make it truster of your own report

1.2.173361369Against yourself. I know you are no truant.

1.2.174362370But what is your affair in Elsinore?

1.2.175363371We'll teach you to drink deep ere you depart.

My lord, I came to see your father's funeral.

I prithee do not mock me, fellow student.

1.2.178366374I think it was to see my mother's wedding.

Indeed, my lord, it followed hard upon.

Thrift, thrift, Horatio. The funeral baked meats

1.2.181369377Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables.

1.2.182370378Would I had met my dearest foe in heaven

1.2.183371379Ere I had ever

seen that day, Horatio!

1.2.184372380My father--methinks I see my father.

Oh, where, my lord?

Oh, where, my lord? In my mind's eye, Horatio.

I saw him once. 'A was a goodly king.

'A was a man, take him for all in all,

1.2.188377385I shall not look upon his like again.

My lord, I think I saw him yesternight.

Saw? Who?

My lord, the King your father.

The King my father?

Season your admiration for a while

1.2.194383391With an attent ear till I may deliver,

1.2.195384392Upon the witness of these gentlemen,

1.2.196385393This marvel to you.

This marvel to you. For God's love, let me hear!

Two nights together had these gentlemen,

1.2.198388396Marcellus and Barnardo, on their watch

1.2.199389397In the dead waste and middle of the night

1.2.200390398Been thus encountered: a figure like your father

1.2.201391399Armed at all points, exactly, cap-à-pie,

1.2.202392400Appears before them, and with solemn march

1.2.203393401Goes slow and stately by them. Thrice he walked

1.2.204394402By their oppressed and fear-surprisèd eyes

1.2.205395403 Within his truncheon's length, whilst they, distilled

1.2.206396404Almost to jelly with the act of fear,

1.2.207397405Stand dumb and speak not to him. This to me

1.2.208398406In dreadful secrecy impart they did,

1.2.209399407And I with them the third night kept the watch,

1.2.210400408Where, as they had delivered, both in time,

1.2.211401409Form of the thing, each word made true and good,

1.2.212402410The apparition comes. I knew your father.

1.2.213403411These hands are not more like.

These hands are not more like. But where was this?

My lord, upon the platform where we watched.

Did you not speak to it?

Did you not speak to it? My lord, I did,

1.2.216408416But answer made it none. Yet once methought

1.2.217409417It lifted up it head and did address

1.2.218410418Itself to motion, like as it would speak;

1.2.219411419But even then the morning cock crew loud,

1.2.220412420And at the sound it shrunk in haste away

1.2.221413421And vanished from our sight.

And vanished from our sight. 'Tis very strange.

As I do live, my honored lord, 'tis true,

1.2.223416424And we did think it writ down in our duty

1.2.224417425To let you know of it.

Indeed, indeed, sirs, but this troubles me.

1.2.226419427Hold you the watch tonight?

Hold you the watch tonight? We do, my lord.

Armed, say you?

Armed, my lord.

From top to toe?

My lord, from head to foot.

Then saw you not his face?

Oh, yes, my lord, he wore his beaver up.

What looked he, frowningly?

A countenance more in sorrow than in anger.

Pale, or red?

Nay, very pale.

And fixed his eyes upon you?

Most constantly.

I would I had been there.

It would have much amazed you.

Very like, very like. Stayed it long?

While one with moderate haste might tell a hundred.

Longer, longer.

Not when I saw't.

His beard was grizzled, no?

It was as I have seen it in his life,

1.2.247441449A sable silvered.

A sable silvered. I will watch tonight.

1.2.248451Perchance 'twill walk again.

Perchance 'twill walk again. I warr'nt it will.

If it assume my noble father's person,

1.2.250445454I'll speak to it, though hell itself should gape

1.2.251446455And bid me hold my peace. I pray you all,

1.2.252447456If you have hitherto concealed this sight

1.2.253448457Let it be tenable in your silence still,

1.2.254449458And whatsomever else shall hap tonight,

1.2.255450459Give it an understanding but no tongue;

1.2.256451460I will requite your loves. So, fare you well.

1.2.257452461Upon the platform 'twixt eleven and twelve

1.2.258453462I'll visit you.

I'll visit you. Our duty to your honor.

Your loves, as mine to you. Farewell.

1.2.260456465My father's spirit--in arms! All is not well.

1.2.261457466I doubt some foul play. Would the night were come!

1.2.262458467Till then, sit still, my soul. Foul deeds will rise,

1.2.263459468Though all the earth o'erwhelm them, to men's eyes.

My necessaries are embarked. Farewell.

1.3.2463471And sister, as the winds give benefit

1.3.3464472And convoy is assistant, do not sleep

1.3.4465473But let me hear from you.

But let me hear from you. Do you doubt that?

For Hamlet, and the trifling of his favor,

1.3.6468476Hold it a fashion and a toy in blood,

1.3.7469477A violet in the youth of primy nature,

1.3.8470478Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting,

1.3.9471479The perfume and suppliance of a minute,

1.3.10480No more.

No more. No more but so?

No more. No more but so? Think it no more.

1.3.11474483For nature crescent does not grow alone

1.3.12475484In thews and bulk, but as this temple waxes

1.3.13476485The inward service of the mind and soul

1.3.14477486Grows wide withal. Perhaps he loves you now,

1.3.15478487And now no soil nor cautel doth besmirch

1.3.16479488The virtue of his will; but you must fear,

1.3.17480489His greatness weighed, his will is not his own,

1.3.18481For he himself is subject to his birth.

1.3.19482490He may not, as unvalued persons do,

1.3.20483491Carve for himself, for on his choice depends

1.3.21484492The safety and health of the whole state,

1.3.22485493And therefore must his choice be circumscribed

1.3.23486494Unto the voice and yielding of that body

1.3.24487495Whereof he is the head. Then if he says he loves you,

1.3.25488496It fits your wisdom so far to believe it

1.3.26489497As he in his particular act and place

1.3.27490498May give his saying deed, which is no further

1.3.28491499Than the main voice of Denmark goes withal.

1.3.29492500Then weigh what loss your honor may sustain

1.3.30493501If with too credent ear you list his songs,

1.3.31494502Or lose your heart, or your chaste treasure open

1.3.32495503To his unmastered importunity.

1.3.33496504Fear it, Ophelia, fear it, my dear sister,

1.3.34497505And keep within the rear of your affection,

1.3.35498506Out of the shot and danger of desire.

1.3.36499507The chariest maid is prodigal enough

1.3.37500508If she unmask her beauty to the moon.

1.3.38501509Virtue itself scapes not calumnious strokes.

1.3.39502510The canker galls the infants of the spring

1.3.40503511Too oft before their buttons be disclosed,

1.3.41504512And in the morn and liquid dew of youth

1.3.42505513Contagious blastments are most imminent.

1.3.43506514Be wary, then; best safety lies in fear.

1.3.44507515Youth to itself rebels, though none else near.

I shall the effect of this good lesson keep

1.3.46509517As watchman to my heart. But, good my brother,

1.3.47510518Do not, as some ungracious pastors do,

1.3.48511519Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven

1.3.49512520Whilst, like a puffed and reckless libertine,

1.3.50513521Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads,

1.3.51514522And recks not his own rede.

And recks not his own rede. Oh, fear me not.

1.3.52517524I stay too long. But here my father comes.

1.3.53518525A double blessing is a double grace;

1.3.54519526Occasion smiles upon a second leave.

Yet here, Laertes? Aboard, aboard, for shame!

1.3.56521528The wind sits in the shoulder of your sail,

1.3.57522529And you are stayed for. There, my blessing with thee,

1.3.58523530And these few precepts in thy memory

1.3.59524531See thou character. Give thy thoughts no tongue,

1.3.60525532Nor any unproportioned thought his act.

1.3.61526533Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar.

1.3.62527534Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,

1.3.63528535Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel,

1.3.64529536But do not dull thy palm with entertainment

1.3.65530537Of each new-hatched, unfledged comrade. Beware

1.3.66531538Of entrance to a quarrel, but, being in,

1.3.67532539Bear't that th'opposèd may beware of thee.

1.3.68533540Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice.

1.3.69534541Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment.

1.3.70535542Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy,

1.3.71536543But not expressed in fancy--rich, not gaudy,

1.3.72537544For the apparel oft proclaims the man,

1.3.73538545And they in France of the best rank and station

1.3.74539546Are of all most select and generous, chief in that.

1.3.75540547Neither a borrower nor a lender be,

1.3.76541548For loan oft loses both itself and friend,

1.3.77542549And borrowing dulleth edge of husbandry.

1.3.78543550This above all: to thine own self be true,

1.3.79544551And it must follow as the night the day

1.3.80545552Thou canst not then be false to any man.

1.3.81546553Farewell. My blessing season this in thee!

Most humbly do I take my leave, my lord.

The time invites you. Go. Your servants tend.

Farewell, Ophelia, and remember well

1.3.85550557What I have said to you.

'Tis in my memory locked,

1.3.87552559And you yourself shall keep the key of it.

Farewell.

What is't, Ophelia, he hath said to you?

So please you, something touching the Lord Hamlet.

Marry, well bethought.

1.3.92557564'Tis told me he hath very oft of late

1.3.93558565Given private time to you, and you yourself

1.3.94559566Have of your audience been most free and bounteous.

1.3.95560567If it be so--as so 'tis put on me,

1.3.96561568And that in way of caution--I must tell you

1.3.97562569You do not understand yourself so clearly

1.3.98563570As it behooves my daughter and your honor.

1.3.99564571What is between you? Give me up the truth.

He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders

1.3.101566573Of his affection to me.

Affection? Pooh, you speak like a green girl,

1.3.103568575Unsifted in such perilous circumstance.

1.3.104569576Do you believe his "tenders," as you call them?

I do not know, my lord, what I should think.

Marry, I'll teach you. Think yourself a baby

1.3.107572579That you have ta'en his tenders for true pay

1.3.108573580Which are not sterling. Tender yourself more dearly,

1.3.109574581Or--not to crack the wind of the poor phrase

1.3.110575582Running it thus--you'll tender me a fool.

My lord, he hath importuned me with love

1.3.112577584In honorable fashion.

Ay, fashion you may call it. Go to, go to.

And hath given countenance to his speech, my lord,

1.3.115580587With almost all the holy vows of heaven.

Ay, springes to catch woodcocks. I do know

1.3.117582589When the blood burns, how prodigal the soul

1.3.118583590Lends the tongue vows. These blazes, daughter,

1.3.119584591Giving more light than heat, extinct in both

1.3.120585592Even in their promise as it is a-making,

1.3.121586593You must not take for fire. From this time, daughter,

1.3.122587594Be something scanter of your maiden presence.

1.3.123588595Set your entreatments at a higher rate

1.3.124589596Than a command to parley. For Lord Hamlet,

1.3.125590597Believe so much in him that he is young,

1.3.126591598And with a larger tether may he walk

1.3.127592599Than may be given you. In few, Ophelia,

1.3.128593600Do not believe his vows, for they are brokers

1.3.129594601Not of that dye which their investments show,

1.3.130595602But mere implorators of unholy suits,

1.3.131596603Breathing like sanctified and pious bawds

1.3.132597604The better to beguile. This is for all:

1.3.133598605I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth

1.3.134599606Have you so slander any moment leisure

1.3.135600607As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet.

1.3.136601608Look to't, I charge you. Come your ways.

I shall obey, my lord.

The air bites shrewdly; it is very cold.

It is a nipping and an eager air.

What hour now?

I think it lacks of twelve.

No, it is struck.

Indeed? I heard it not. It then draws near the season

1.4.7610617Wherein the spirit held his wont to walk.

1.4.8611618What does this mean, my lord?

The King doth wake tonight and takes his rouse,

1.4.10613620Keeps wassail, and the swagg'ring upspring reels;

1.4.11614621And as he drains his drafts of Rhenish down

1.4.12615622The kettledrum and trumpet thus bray out

1.4.13616623The triumph of his pledge.

Is it a custom?

Ay, marry, is't,

1.4.16619626But to my mind, though I am native here

1.4.17620627And to the manner born, it is a custom

1.4.18621628More honored in the breach than the observance.

1.4.19621.1629This heavy-headed revel east and west

1.4.20621.2630Makes us traduced and taxed of other nations.

1.4.21621.3631They clepe us drunkards, and with swinish phrase

1.4.22621.4632Soil our addition, and indeed it takes

1.4.23621.5633From our achievements, though performed at height,

1.4.24621.6634The pith and marrow of our attribute.

1.4.25621.7635So, oft it chances in particular men,

1.4.26621.8636That, for some vicious mole of nature in them,

1.4.27621.9637As in their birth, wherein they are not guilty,

1.4.28621.10638Since nature cannot choose his origin,

1.4.29621.11639By the o'ergrowth of some complexion,

1.4.30621.12640Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason,

1.4.31621.13641Or by some habit that too much o'erleavens

1.4.32621.14642The form of plausive manners, that these men,

1.4.33621.15643Carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect,

1.4.34621.16644Being Nature's livery, or Fortune's star,

1.4.35621.17645His virtues else, be they as pure as grace,

1.4.36621.18646As infinite as man may undergo,

1.4.37621.19647Shall in the general censure take corruption

1.4.38621.20648From that particular fault. The dram of evil

1.4.39621.21649Doth all the noble substance often dout

1.4.40621.22650To his own scandal.

To his own scandal. Look, my lord, it comes!

Angels and ministers of grace defend us!

1.4.42625654Be thou a spirit of health or goblin damned,

1.4.43626655Bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from hell,

1.4.44627656Be thy intents wicked or charitable,

1.4.45628657Thou com'st in such a questionable shape

1.4.46629658That I will speak to thee. I'll call thee Hamlet,

1.4.47630659King, father, royal Dane. Oh, answer me!

1.4.48631660Let me not burst in ignorance, but tell

1.4.49632661Why thy canonized bones, hearsèd in death,

1.4.50633662Have burst their cerements? Why the sepulcher

1.4.51634663Wherein we saw thee quietly inurned

1.4.52635664Hath oped his ponderous and marble jaws

1.4.53636665To cast thee up again? What may this mean

1.4.54637666That thou, dead corpse, again in complete steel

1.4.55638667Revisits thus the glimpses of the moon,

1.4.56639668Making night hideous, and we fools of nature

1.4.57640669So horridly to shake our disposition

1.4.58641670With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls?

1.4.59642671Say, why is this? Wherefore? What should we do?

It beckons you to go away with it,

1.4.61645673As if it some impartment did desire

1.4.62646674To you alone.

To you alone. Look with what courteous action

1.4.63648676It wafts you to a more removèd ground.

1.4.64649677But do not go with it.

But do not go with it. No, by no means.

It will not speak. Then I will follow it.

Do not, my lord.

Do not, my lord. Why, what should be the fear?

1.4.67654682I do not set my life at a pin's fee,

1.4.68655683And for my soul, what can it do to that,

1.4.69656684Being a thing immortal as itself?

1.4.70657685It waves me forth again. I'll follow it.

What if it tempt you toward the flood, my lord,

1.4.72659687Or to the dreadful summit of the cliff

1.4.73660688That beetles o'er his base into the sea,

1.4.74661689And there assume some other horrible form

1.4.75662690Which might deprive your sovereignty of reason

1.4.76663691And draw you into madness? Think of it:

1.4.77663.1692The very place puts toys of desperation,

1.4.78663.2693Without more motive, into every brain

1.4.79663.3694That looks so many fathoms to the sea

1.4.80663.4695And hears it roar beneath.

It wafts me still.--697Go on, I'll follow thee.

You shall not go, my lord.

You shall not go, my lord. Hold off your hands!

Be ruled. You shall not go.

Be ruled. You shall not go. My fate cries out

1.4.84669702And makes each petty artery in this body

1.4.85670703As hardy as the Nemean lion's nerve.

1.4.86671704Still am I called. Unhand me, gentlemen!

1.4.87672705By heav'n, I'll make a ghost of him that lets me.

1.4.88673706I say, away!--Go on, I'll follow thee.

He waxes desperate with imagination.

Let's follow. 'Tis not fit thus to obey him.

Have after. To what issue will this come?

Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

Heaven will direct it.

Heaven will direct it. Nay, let's follow him.

Whither wilt thou lead me? Speak. I'll go no further.

Mark me.

Mark me. I will.

Mark me. I will. My hour is almost come

1.5.3686718When I to sulf'rous and tormenting flames

1.5.4687719Must render up myself.

Must render up myself. Alas, poor ghost!

Pity me not, but lend thy serious hearing

1.5.6690722To what I shall unfold.

Speak. I am bound to hear.

So art thou to revenge, when thou shalt hear.

What?

I am thy father's spirit,

1.5.11695727Doomed for a certain term to walk the night,

1.5.12696728And for the day confined to fast in fires,

1.5.13697729Till the foul crimes done in my days of nature

1.5.14698730Are burnt and purged away. But that I am forbid

1.5.15699731To tell the secrets of my prison house,

1.5.16700732I could a tale unfold whose lightest word

1.5.17701733Would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood,

1.5.18702734Make thy two eyes like stars start from their spheres,

1.5.19703735Thy knotted and combinèd locks to part,

1.5.20704736And each particular hair to stand on end

1.5.21705737Like quills upon the fretful porpentine.

1.5.22706738But this eternal blazon must not be

1.5.23707739To ears of flesh and blood. List, Hamlet, oh, list:

1.5.24708740If thou didst ever thy dear father love--

O God!

Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder.

Murder?

Murder most foul, as in the best it is,

1.5.29713745But this most foul, strange, and unnatural.

Haste me to know't, 715that I with wings as swift

1.5.31716747As meditation or the thoughts of love

1.5.32717748May sweep to my revenge.

May sweep to my revenge. I find thee apt,

1.5.33719750And duller shouldst thou be than the fat weed

1.5.34720751That rots itself in ease on Lethe wharf

1.5.35721752Wouldst thou not stir in this. Now, Hamlet, hear:

1.5.36722753'Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard,

1.5.37723754A serpent stung me. So the whole ear of Denmark

1.5.38724755Is by a forgèd process of my death

1.5.39725756Rankly abused. But know, thou noble youth,

1.5.40726757The serpent that did sting thy father's life

1.5.41727758Now wears his crown.

Oh, my prophetic soul! My uncle?

Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast,

1.5.44730761With witchcraft of his wits, with traitorous gifts--

1.5.45731762Oh, wicked wit and gifts, that have the power

1.5.46732763So to seduce!--won to his shameful lust

1.5.47733764The will of my most seeming virtuous queen.

1.5.48734765Oh, Hamlet, what a falling off was there!

1.5.49735766From me, whose love was of that dignity

1.5.50736767That it went hand in hand even with the vow

1.5.51737768I made to her in marriage, and to decline

1.5.52738769Upon a wretch whose natural gifts were poor

1.5.53739770To those of mine. But virtue, as it never will be moved,

1.5.54740771Though lewdness court it in a shape of heaven,

1.5.55741772So lust, though to a radiant angel linked,

1.5.56742773Will sate itself in a celestial bed

1.5.57774And prey on garbage.

1.5.58743775But soft, methinks I scent the morning's air.

1.5.59744776Brief let me be. Sleeping within my orchard,

1.5.60745777My custom always of the afternoon,

1.5.61746778Upon my secure hour, thy uncle stole

1.5.62747779With juice of cursèd hebona in a vial,

1.5.63748780And in the porches of my ears did pour

1.5.64749781The leperous distillment, whose effect

1.5.65750782Holds such an enmity with blood of man

1.5.66751783That swift as quicksilver it courses through

1.5.67752784The natural gates and alleys of the body,

1.5.68753785And with a sudden vigor it doth posset

1.5.69754786And curd like eager droppings into milk

1.5.70755787The thin and wholesome blood; so did it mine,

1.5.71756788And a most instant tetter barked about,

1.5.72757789Most lazarlike with vile and loathsome crust,

1.5.73758790All my smooth body.

1.5.74759791Thus was I sleeping by a brother's hand

1.5.75760792Of life, of crown, of queen at once dispatched,

1.5.76761793Cut off even in the blossoms of my sin,

1.5.77762794Unhousled, disappointed, unaneled,

1.5.78763795No reck'ning made, but sent to my account

1.5.79764796With all my imperfections on my head.

1.5.80765797Oh, horrible, oh, horrible, most horrible!

1.5.81766798If thou hast nature in thee, bear it not.

1.5.82767799Let not the royal bed of Denmark be

1.5.83768800A couch for luxury and damnèd incest.

1.5.84769801But howsomever thou pursues this act,

1.5.85770802Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive

1.5.86771803Against thy mother aught; leave her to heaven

1.5.87772804And to those thorns that in her bosom lodge

1.5.88773805To prick and sting her. Fare thee well at once.

1.5.89774806The glow-worm shows the matin to be near

1.5.90775807And 'gins to pale his uneffectual fire.

1.5.91776808Adieu, adieu, Hamlet! Remember me.

O all you host of heaven! O earth! What else?

1.5.93778810And shall I couple hell? Oh, fie! Hold, hold, my heart,

1.5.94779811And you, my sinews, grow not instant old,

1.5.95780812But bear me stiffly up. Remember thee?

1.5.96781813Ay, thou poor ghost, whiles memory holds a seat

1.5.97782814In this distracted globe. Remember thee?

1.5.98783815Yea, from the table of my memory

1.5.99784816I'll wipe away all trivial fond records,

1.5.100785817All saws of books, all forms, all pressures past

1.5.101786818That youth and observation copied there,

1.5.102787819And thy commandment all alone shall live

1.5.103788820Within the book and volume of my brain,

1.5.104789821Unmixed with baser matter. Yes, yes, by heaven.

1.5.105790822Oh, most pernicious woman!

1.5.106791823Oh, villain, villain, smiling damnèd villain!

1.5.107792824My tables, my tables--meet it is I set it down

1.5.108793825That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain.

1.5.109794826At least I am sure it may be so in Denmark.

1.5.110795827So, uncle, there you are. Now to my word.

1.5.111796828It is "Adieu, adieu, remember me."

1.5.112829I have sworn't.

My lord, my lord!

Lord Hamlet!

Heavens secure him!

So be it.

Illo, ho, ho, my lord!

Hillo, ho, ho, boy, come, bird, come!

How is't, my noble lord?

What news, my lord?

Oh, wonderful!

Good my lord, tell it.

No, you'll reveal it.

Not I, my lord, by heaven.

Nor I, my lord.

How say you then, would heart of man once think it--

1.5.127812845But you'll be secret?

But you'll be secret? Ay, by heaven, my lord.

There's ne'er a villain848dwelling in all Denmark

1.5.129815849But he's an arrant knave.

There needs no ghost, my lord, come from the grave

1.5.131817851To tell us this.

To tell us this. Why, right, you are i'th' right.

1.5.132819853And so, without more circumstance at all

1.5.133820854I hold it fit that we shake hands and part:

1.5.134821855You as your business and desires shall point you

1.5.135822856(For every man hath business and desire,

1.5.136823857Such as it is), and for my own poor part,

1.5.137824858Look you, I'll go pray.

These are but wild and whirling words, my lord.

I am sorry they offend you--heartily,

1.5.140827861Yes, faith, heartily.

Yes, faith, heartily. There's no offense, my lord.

Yes, by Saint Patrick, but there is, Horatio,

1.5.142830864And much offense too. Touching this vision here,

1.5.143831865It is an honest ghost, that let me tell you.

1.5.144832866For your desire to know what is between us,

1.5.145833867O'ermaster it as you may. And now, good friends,

1.5.146834868As you are friends, scholars, and soldiers,

1.5.147835869Give me one poor request.

What is't, my lord? We will.

Never make known what you have seen tonight.

My lord, we will not.

Nay, but swear't.

In faith, my lord, not I.

Nor I, my lord, in faith.

Upon my sword.

We have sworn, my lord, already.

Indeed, upon my sword, indeed.

Swear.

Ha, ha, boy, say'st thou so? Art thou there, truepenny?--

1.5.159847882Come on, you hear this fellow in the cellarage.

1.5.160848883Consent to swear.

Consent to swear. Propose the oath, my lord.

Never to speak of this that you have seen.

1.5.162851886Swear by my sword.

Swear.

Hic et ubique? Then we'll shift our ground.

1.5.165854889Come hither, gentlemen,

1.5.166855890And lay your hands again upon my sword.

1.5.167856892Never to speak of this that you have heard

1.5.168857891Swear by my sword.

1.5.169858893Ghost Swear by his sword.

Well said, old mole. Canst work i'th' earth so fast?

1.5.171860895A worthy pioneer!--Once more remove, good friends.

Oh, day and night, but this is wondrous strange.

And therefore as a stranger give it welcome.

1.5.174863898There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,

1.5.175864899Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. But come,

1.5.176865900Here as before: never, so help you mercy,

1.5.177866901How strange or odd some'er I bear myself

1.5.178867902(As I perchance hereafter shall think meet

1.5.179868903To put an antic disposition on),

1.5.180869904That you at such times seeing me never shall,

1.5.181870905With arms encumbered thus, or this headshake,

1.5.182871906Or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase

1.5.183872907As, "Well, well, we know," or "We could an if we would,"

1.5.184873908Or "If we list to speak," or "There be, an if they might,"

1.5.185874909Or such ambiguous giving out, to note

1.5.186875910That you know aught of me. This not to do,

1.5.187876911So grace and mercy at your most need help you,

1.5.188877Swear.

Swear.

Rest, rest, perturbèd spirit.--So, gentlemen,

1.5.191880914With all my love I do commend me to you,

1.5.192881915And what so poor a man as Hamlet is

1.5.193882916May do t'express his love and friending to you,

1.5.194883917God willing, shall not lack. Let us go in together,

1.5.195884918And still your fingers on your lips, I pray.

1.5.196885919The time is out of joint. Oh, cursèd spite,

1.5.197886920That ever I was born to set it right!

1.5.198887921Nay, come, let's go together.

Give him this money, and these notes, Reynaldo.

I will, my lord.

You shall do marv'lous wisely, good Reynaldo,

2.1.4893926Before you visit him, to make inquire

2.1.5894927Of his behavior.

Of his behavior. My lord, I did intend it.

Marry, well said, very well said. Look you, sir,

2.1.7898930Inquire me first what Danskers are in Paris,

2.1.8899931And how, and who, what means, and where they keep,

2.1.9900932What company, at what expense; and finding

2.1.10901933By this encompassment and drift of question

2.1.11902934That they do know my son, come you more nearer

2.1.12903935Than your particular demands will touch it;

2.1.13904936Take you, as 'twere, some distant knowledge of him,

2.1.14905937As thus: "I know his father, and his friends,

2.1.15906938And in part him." Do you mark this, Reynaldo?

Ay, very well, my lord.

"And in part him. But," you may say, "not well,

2.1.18909941But if't be he I mean, he's very wild,

2.1.19910942Addicted so and so," and there put on him

2.1.20911943What forgeries you please--marry, none so rank

2.1.21912944As may dishonor him, take heed of that,

2.1.22913945But, sir, such wanton, wild, and usual slips

2.1.23914946As are companions noted and most known

2.1.24915947To youth and liberty.

As gaming, my lord?

Ay, or drinking, fencing, swearing,

2.1.27918950Quarreling, drabbing--you may go so far.

My lord, that would dishonor him.

Faith, no, as you may season it in the charge.

2.1.30921953You must not put another scandal on him

2.1.31922954That he is open to incontinency;

2.1.32923955That's not my meaning. But breathe his faults so quaintly

2.1.33924956That they may seem the taints of liberty,

2.1.34925957The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind,

2.1.35926958A savageness in unreclaimèd blood,

2.1.36959Of general assault.

But, my good lord--

Wherefore should you do this?

Ay, my lord, I would know that.

Marry sir, here's my drift,

2.1.41931964And I believe it is a fetch of warrant.

2.1.42932965You laying these slight sullies on my son

2.1.43933966As 'twere a thing a little soiled i'th' working,

2.1.44934967Mark you, your party in converse, him you would sound,

2.1.45935968Having ever seen in the prenominate crimes

2.1.46936969The youth you breathe of guilty, be assured

2.1.47937970He closes with you in this consequence:

2.1.48938971"Good sir" (or so), or "friend," or "gentleman,"

2.1.49939972According to the phrase and the addition

2.1.50940973Of man and country.

Of man and country. Very good, my lord.

And then, sir, does 'a this, 'a does--what was I about to say?

2.1.52943976By the mass, I was about to say something.

2.1.53944977Where did I leave?

At "closes in the consequence."

2.1.55946At "friend," or so, and "gentleman."

At "closes in the consequence." Ay, marry,

2.1.57948980He closes with you thus: "I know the gentleman,

2.1.58949981I saw him yesterday"--or t'other day,

2.1.59950982Or then, or then--"with such and such, and as you say,

2.1.60951983There was 'a gaming, there o'ertook in's rouse,

2.1.61952984There falling out at tennis," or perchance

2.1.62953985"I saw him enter such a house of sale,"

2.1.63954986Videlicet, a brothel, or so forth. See you now,

2.1.64955987Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth,

2.1.65956988And thus do we of wisdom and of reach,

2.1.66957989With windlasses and with assays of bias,

2.1.67958990By indirections find directions out;

2.1.68959991So by my former lecture and advice

2.1.69960992Shall you my son. You have me, have you not?

My lord, I have.

My lord, I have. God b'wi' ye, fare ye well.

Good my lord.

Observe his inclination in yourself.

I shall, my lord.

And let him ply his music.

Well, my lord.

Farewell.--How now, Ophelia, what's the matter?

Alas, my lord, I have been so affrighted!

With what, i'th' name of God?

My lord, as I was sewing in my chamber,

2.1.809741005Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced,

2.1.819751006No hat upon his head, his stockings fouled,

2.1.829761007Ungartered, and down-gyvèd to his ankle,

2.1.839771008Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other,

2.1.849781009And with a look so piteous in purport

2.1.859791010As if he had been loosèd out of hell

2.1.869801011To speak of horrors, he comes before me.

Mad for thy love?

Mad for thy love? My lord, I do not know,

2.1.881014But truly I do fear it.

But truly I do fear it. What said he?

He took me by the wrist, and held me hard.

2.1.909851017Then goes he to the length of all his arm,

2.1.919861018And with his other hand thus o'er his brow

2.1.929871019He falls to such perusal of my face

2.1.939881020As 'a would draw it. Long stayed he so.

2.1.949891021At last, a little shaking of mine arm,

2.1.959901022And thrice his head thus waving up and down,

2.1.969911023He raised a sigh so piteous and profound

2.1.979921024That it did seem to shatter all his bulk

2.1.989931025And end his being. That done, he lets me go,

2.1.999941026And with his head over his shoulder turned

2.1.1009951027He seemed to find his way without his eyes,

2.1.1019961028For out o' doors he went without their help,

2.1.1029971029And to the last bended their light on me.

Come, go with me. I will go seek the King.

2.1.1049991031This is the very ecstasy of love,

2.1.10510001032Whose violent property fordoes itself

2.1.10610011033And leads the will to desperate undertakings

2.1.10710021034As oft as any passion under heaven

2.1.10810031035That does afflict our natures. I am sorry.

2.1.10910041036What, have you given him any hard words of late?

No, my good lord, but as you did command

2.1.11110061038I did repel his letters, and denied

2.1.11210071039His access to me.

His access to me. That hath made him mad.

2.1.11310091041I am sorry that with better heed and judgment

2.1.11410101042I had not quoted him. I feared he did but trifle

2.1.11510111043And meant to wrack thee; but beshrew my jealousy!

2.1.11610121044By heaven, it is as proper to our age

2.1.11710131045To cast beyond ourselves in our opinions

2.1.11810141046As it is common for the younger sort

2.1.11910151047To lack discretion. Come, go we to the King.

2.1.12010161048This must be known, which, being kept close, might move

2.1.12110171049More grief to hide than hate to utter love.

2.1.1221050Come.

Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

2.2.210221054Moreover that we much did long to see you,

2.2.310231055The need we have to use you did provoke

2.2.410241056Our hasty sending. Something have you heard

2.2.510251057Of Hamlet's transformation--so I call it,

2.2.610261058Since not th'exterior nor the inward man

2.2.710271059Resembles that it was. What it should be,

2.2.810281060More than his father's death, that thus hath put him

2.2.910291061So much from th'understanding of himself,

2.2.1010301062I cannot dream of. I entreat you both

2.2.1110311063That, being of so young days brought up with him,

2.2.1210321064And since so neighbored to his youth and humor,

2.2.1310331065That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court

2.2.1410341066Some little time, so by your companies

2.2.1510351067To draw him on to pleasures, and to gather

2.2.1610361068So much as from occasions you may glean,

2.2.171036.11069Whether aught to us unknown afflicts him thus

2.2.1810371070That, opened, lies within our remedy.

Good gentlemen, he hath much talked of you,

2.2.2010391072And sure I am two men there is not living

2.2.2110401073To whom he more adheres. If it will please you

2.2.2210411074To show us so much gentry and good will

2.2.2310421075As to expend your time with us awhile

2.2.2410431076For the supply and profit of our hope,

2.2.2510441077Your visitation shall receive such thanks

2.2.2610451078As fits a king's remembrance.

As fits a king's remembrance. Both your majesties

2.2.2710471080Might, by the sovereign power you have of us,

2.2.2810481081Put your dread pleasures more into command

2.2.2910491082Than to entreaty.

Than to entreaty. But we both obey,

2.2.3010511084And here give up ourselves in the full bent

2.2.3110521085To lay our service freely at your feet

2.2.3210531086To be commanded.

Thanks, Rosencrantz, and gentle Guildenstern.

Thanks, Guildenstern, and gentle Rosencrantz.

2.2.3510561089And I beseech you instantly to visit

2.2.3610571090My too-much-changèd son.--Go, some of you,

2.2.3710591091And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is.

Heavens make our presence and our practices

2.2.3910611093Pleasant and helpful to him!

Pleasant and helpful to him! Ay, amen.

Th'ambassadors from Norway, my good lord,

2.2.4110651097Are joyfully returned.

Thou still hast been the father of good news.

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

2.2.4410681100I hold my duty as I hold my soul,

2.2.4510691101Both to my God and to my gracious king;

2.2.4610701102And I do think--or else this brain of mine

2.2.4710711103Hunts not the trail of policy so sure

2.2.4810721104As it hath used to do--that I have found

2.2.4910731105The very cause of Hamlet's lunacy.

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

Give first admittance to th'ambassadors.

2.2.5210761108My news shall be the fruit to that great feast.

Thyself do grace to them, and bring them in.

2.2.5410781110He tells me, my sweet Queen, that he hath found

2.2.5510791111The head and source of all your son's distemper.

I doubt it is no other but the main:

2.2.5710811113His father's death, and our o'erhasty marriage.

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

2.2.5910841116Say, Voltemand, what from our brother Norway?

Most fair return of greetings and desires.

2.2.6110861118Upon our first, he sent out to suppress

2.2.6210871119His nephew's levies, which to him appeared

2.2.6310881120To be a preparation 'gainst the Polack,

2.2.6410891121But, better looked into, he truly found

2.2.6510901122It was against your highness; whereat grieved

2.2.6610911123That so his sickness, age, and impotence

2.2.6710921124Was falsely borne in hand, sends out arrests

2.2.6810931125On Fortinbras, which he in brief obeys,

2.2.6910941126Receives rebuke from Norway, and, in fine,

2.2.7010951127Makes vow before his uncle never more

2.2.7110961128To give th'assay of arms against your majesty.

2.2.7210971129Whereon old Norway, overcome with joy,

2.2.7310981130Gives him three thousand crowns in annual fee

2.2.7410991131And his commission to employ those soldiers

2.2.7511001132So levied (as before) against the Polack,

2.2.7611011133With an entreaty herein further shown

2.2.7711021134That it might please you to give quiet pass

2.2.7811031135Through your dominions for his enterprise

2.2.7911041136On such regards of safety and allowance

2.2.8011051137As therein are set down.

As therein are set down. It likes us well,

2.2.8111071139And at our more considered time we'll read,

2.2.8211081140Answer, and think upon this business.

2.2.8311091141Meantime, we thank you for your well-took labor.

2.2.8411101142Go to your rest. At night we'll feast together.

2.2.8511111143Most welcome home!

Most welcome home! This business is well ended.

2.2.8611131145My liege and madam, to expostulate

2.2.8711141146What majesty should be, what duty is,

2.2.8811151147Why day is day, night night, and time is time,

2.2.8911161148Were nothing but to waste night, day, and time.

2.2.9011171149Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,

2.2.9111181150And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,

2.2.9211191151I will be brief. Your noble son is mad.

2.2.9311201152Mad call I it, for to define true madness,

2.2.9411211153What is't but to be nothing else but mad?

2.2.9511221154But let that go.

But let that go. More matter with less art.

Madam, I swear I use no art at all.

2.2.9711251157That he is mad, 'tis true. 'Tis true 'tis pity,

2.2.9811261158And pity 'tis 'tis true--a foolish figure,

2.2.9911271159But farewell it, for I will use no art.

2.2.10011281160Mad let us grant him, then. And now remains

2.2.10111291161That we find out the cause of this effect,

2.2.10211301162Or rather say the cause of this defect,

2.2.10311311163For this effect defective comes by cause.

2.2.10411321164Thus it remains, and the remainder thus.

2.2.1051165Perpend.

2.2.10611331166I have a daughter--have whilst she is mine--

2.2.10711341167Who in her duty and obedience, mark,

2.2.10811351168Hath given me this. Now gather and surmise.

Came this from Hamlet to her?

Good madam, stay awhile, I will be faithful.

2.2.11711531182This in obedience hath my daughter shown me,

2.2.11811541183And, more above, hath his solicitings,

2.2.11911551184As they fell out, by time, by means, and place,

2.2.12011561185All 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,

2.2.12511611190When I had seen this hot love on the wing--

2.2.12611621191As I perceived it (I must tell you that)

2.2.12711631192Before my daughter told me--what might you,

2.2.12811641193Or my dear majesty your queen here, think

1137-

2.2.12911651194If I had played the desk or table-book,

2.2.13011661195Or given my heart a winking, mute and dumb,

2.2.13111671196Or looked upon this love with idle sight,

2.2.13211681197What might you think? No, I went round to work,

2.2.13311691198And my young mistress thus I did bespeak:

2.2.13411701199"Lord Hamlet is a prince out of thy star.

2.2.13511711200This must not be." And then I precepts gave her

2.2.13611721201That she should lock herself from his resort,

2.2.13711731202Admit no messengers, receive no tokens.

2.2.13811741203Which done, she took the fruits of my advice,

2.2.13911751204And he, repulsèd, a short tale to make,

2.2.14011761205Fell into a sadness, then into a fast,

2.2.14111771206Thence to a watch, thence into a weakness,

2.2.14211781207Thence to a lightness, and by this declension

2.2.14311791208Into the madness wherein now he raves,

2.2.14411801209And all we mourn for.

[To Queen] Do you think 'tis this?

2.2.1461182Queen:

It may be, very like.

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

2.2.14811841213That I have positively said "'Tis so"

2.2.14911851214When it proved otherwise?

When it proved otherwise? Not that I know.

Take this from this, if this be otherwise.

2.2.15111881217If circumstances lead me, I will find

2.2.15211891218Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed

2.2.15311901219 Within the center.

Within the center. How may we try it further?

You know sometimes he walks four hours together

2.2.15511931222Here in the lobby.

Here in the lobby. So he does indeed.

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

2.2.15711971225Be you and I behind an arras then;

2.2.15811981226Mark the encounter. If he love her not,

2.2.15911991227And be not from his reason fall'n thereon,

2.2.16012001228Let me be no assistant for a state

2.2.16112011229But keep a farm and carters.

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

But look where sadly the poor wretch comes reading.

Away, I do beseech you both, away.

2.2.16412071234I'll board him presently. Oh, give me leave.--

2.2.16512081235How does my good Lord Hamlet?

Well, God-a-mercy.

Do you know me, my lord?

Excellent, excellent well. You're 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, 1216is to be one man picked out of ten thousand.

That's very true, my lord.

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

I have, my lord.

Let her not walk i'th' sun. Conception is a blessing, 12231249but as your daughter may conceive, friend, look to't.

[Aside] How say you by that? Still harping on my daughter. Yet he 12261251knew me not at first. 'A said I was a fishmonger. 'A is far gone, far gone. 12271252And truly, in my youth I suffered much extremity for love, very 12281253near this. I'll speak to him again.--What do you read, my 12291254lord?

Words, words, words.

What is the matter, my lord?

Between who?

I mean the matter that you read, my lord.

Slanders sir; for the satirical rogue says here that old 12351260men have gray beards, that their faces are wrinkled, their eyes 12361261purging thick amber and plumtree gum, and that they have a 12371262plentiful lack of wit, together with most weak hams--all which, sir, 12381263though I most powerfully and potently believe, yet I hold it not 12401264honesty to have it thus set down; for you yourself, sir, shall grow old 12411265as I am, if, like a crab, you could go backward.

[Aside] Though this be madness, yet there is method in't.--Will you 12441267walk out of the air, my lord?

Into my grave.

[Aside] Indeed, that's out of the air. How pregnant sometimes 12481270his replies are! A happiness that often madness hits on, 1251which reason 1271and sanity could not 1252so prosperously be delivered of. 1253I will leave 1272him, and 1254suddenly 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 will more 12591274willingly part withal--except my life, except my life, except my 12601275life.

Fare you well, my lord.

These tedious old fools!

[To Rosencrantz and Guildenstern] You go to seek the Lord Hamlet? There he is.

[To Polonius] God save you, sir.

My honored lord!

My most dear lord!

My excellent good friends! How dost thou, Guildenstern? 12701283Ah, Rosencrantz! Good lads, how do ye both?

As the indifferent children of the earth.

Happy in that we are not over-happy. On Fortune's cap 12741286we are not the very button.

Nor the soles of her shoe?

Neither, my lord.

Then you live about her waist, or in the middle of her favors.

Faith, her privates we.

In the secret parts of Fortune? Oh, most true, she is a strumpet. 12811292What's the news?

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

Then is doomsday near. But your news is 1285 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. 13171295But, in the beaten way 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, but I 1320thank 1298you; and sure, dear friends, my thanks 1321are too dear a halfpenny. 1299Were you not sent for? Is it 1322your own inclining? Is it a free 1300visitation? Come, come, 1323deal justly with me. Come, come, nay, speak.

What should we say, my lord?

Why, anything--but to th' purpose. You were sent for, and there is 13261303a kind of confession in your looks which your modesties have not 13271304craft enough to color. I know the good King and Queen have 13281305sent for you.

To what end, my lord?

That you must teach me. But let me conjure 1331you, by the 1308rights of our fellowship, by the consonancy of 1332our youth, by the 1309obligation of our ever-preserved love, 1333and by what more dear a 1310better proposer could charge 1334you withal, be even and direct with 1311me 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 prevent your 13411316discovery, and your secrecy to the King and Queen molt no 13421317feather. I have of late, but wherefore I know not, lost all my mirth, 13431318forgone all custom of exercise; and indeed it goes so heavily with 13441319my disposition that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a 13451320sterile promontory. This most excellent canopy the air, look 13471321you, this brave o'erhanging firmament, this majestical roof 13481322fretted with golden fire, why, it appears no other thing to me than a foul 13491323and pestilent congregation of vapors. What a piece of work is a 13501324man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and 13511325moving how express and admirable! In action, how like an 13531326angel! In apprehension, how like a god; the beauty of the world; the 13541327paragon of animals. And yet to me what is this quintessence of 13551328dust? Man delights not me, no, nor woman neither, though by your 13561329smiling you seem to say so.

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

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

To think, my lord, if you delight not in man, what lenten 13631333entertainment the players shall receive from you. We coted them 13641334on the way, and hither are they coming to offer you service.

He that plays the King shall be welcome; his 1367majesty shall 1336have tribute of me. The Adventurous 1368Knight shall use his foil and 1337target, the Lover shall 1369not sigh gratis, the Humorous Man shall end 1338his part in peace, the Clown shall make those laugh whose lungs 1370are tickled o'th' sear, and the Lady shall say her mind 1371freely, or the 13721339blank verse shall halt for't. What players are they?

Even those you were wont to take such delight in, the 13751341tragedians of the city.

How chances it they travel? Their residence both in 13771343reputation and profit was better both ways.

I think their inhibition comes by the means of the late 13801345innovation.

Do they hold the same estimation they did when I was in 13821347the 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 very strange, for my uncle is 1410King of Denmark, and 1350those that would make mows at him 1411while my father lived give 1351twenty, forty, fifty, a hundred 1412ducats apiece for his picture 1352in little. 'Sblood, there is 1413something in this more than natural, if 1353philosophy could 1414find it out.

There are the players.

Gentlemen, you are welcome to Elsinore. Your hands, come.14181356Th'appurtenance of welcome is fashion and ceremony. Let 14191357me comply with you in this garb, lest my extent to the players, 14201358which, I tell you, must show fairly outward, should more 14211359appear like entertainment than yours. You are welcome. But my 14221360uncle-father and aunt-mother are deceived.

In what, my dear lord?

I am but mad north-north-west; when the wind is 14261363southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw.

Well be with you, gentlemen.

Hark you, Guildenstern, and you too, at each ear a hearer: 14301367that great baby you see there is not yet out of his swaddling clouts.

Haply he is the second time come to them, for they say an 14331369old man is twice a child.

I will prophesy he comes to tell me of the 1435players. Mark it.-- 1371You say right, sir, o'Monday 1436morning, 'twas then indeed.

My lord, I have news to tell you.

My lord, I have news to tell you. When Roscius was an actor 14391374in Rome--

The actors are come hither, my lord.

Buzz, buzz.

Upon my honor--

Then came each actor on his ass.

The best actors in the world, either for 1445tragedy, comedy, 1380history, pastoral, pastoral-comical, 1446historical-pastoral, tragical-historical, tragical-comical-historical-pastoral, scene 14471381individable, or poem 1448unlimited. Seneca cannot be too heavy nor 1382Plautus 1449too light. For the law of writ and the liberty, these are the 14501383only men.

O Jephthah, judge of Israel, what a treasure hadst thou?

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 daughter 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 pious chanson will 14641395show you more, for look where my 1465abridgment comes.

You are welcome, masters, welcome all.--I am glad to see thee 14681398well. Welcome, good friends.--Oh, my old friend! Thy face is 14691399valanced since I saw thee last. Com'st thou to beard me in Denmark?-- 14701400What, my young lady and mistress! By'r Lady, your ladyship is 14711401nearer heaven than when I saw you last, by the altitude of a 14721402chopine. Pray God your voice, like a piece of uncurrent gold, 14731403be not cracked 1474within the ring.--Masters, you are all welcome. 1404We'll e'en 1475to't, like French falconers: fly at anything we see. 1405 We'll 1476have a speech straight. Come, give us a taste of your quality. 14771406Come, a passionate speech.

What speech, my good lord?

I heard thee speak me a speech once, but it was never acted, 14801409or, if it was, not above once; for the play, I remember, pleased not 14811410the million, 'twas caviare to the general. But it was, as I received 14821411it, and others whose 1483judgments in such matters cried in the top 1412of mine, an 1484excellent play, well digested in the scenes, set down 14851413with as much modesty as cunning. I remember one said there 14861414were no sallets in the lines to make the matter savory, 1487nor no 1415matter in the phrase that might indict the 1488author of affectation, 1416but called it an honest method, 1488.1as wholesome as sweet, and by very 1417much more handsome than fine. 1489One speech in't I chiefly loved: 1418 'twas Aeneas' tale 1490to Dido, and thereabout of it especially where he 1419speaks 1491of Priam's slaughter. If it live in your memory, begin at 14921420this line--let me see, let me see--

2.2.280The rugged Pyrrhus, like 1493th'Hyrcanian 1421beast--

2.2.281'Tis not so, it begins with Pyrrhus.

2.2.2821494The rugged Pyrrhus, he whose 1422sable arms,

2.2.28314951423Black as his purpose, did the night resemble

2.2.28414961424When he lay couchèd in the ominous horse,

2.2.28514971425Hath now this dread and black complexion smeared

2.2.28614981426With heraldry more dismal. Head to foot

2.2.28714991427Now is he total gules, horridly tricked

2.2.28815001428With blood of fathers, mothers, daughters, sons,

2.2.28915011429Baked and empasted with the parching streets

2.2.29015021430That lend a tyrannous and damnèd light

2.2.29115031431To their vile murders. Roasted in wrath and fire,

2.2.29215041432And thus o'ersizèd with coagulate gore,

2.2.29315051433With eyes like carbuncles, the hellish Phyrrhus

2.2.29415061434Old grandsire Priam seeks.

2.2.295So proceed you.

'Fore God, my Lord, well spoken, with good accent and good discretion.

Anon he finds him,

2.2.29815101437Striking too short at Greeks. His antique sword,

2.2.29915111438Rebellious to his arm, lies where it falls,

2.2.30015121439Repugnant to command. Unequal matched,

2.2.30115131440Pyrrhus at Priam drives, in rage strikes wide,

2.2.30215141441But with the whiff and wind of his fell sword

2.2.30315151442Th'unnervèd father falls. Then senseless Ilium,

2.2.30415161443Seeming to feel this blow, with flaming top

2.2.30515171444Stoops to his base, and with a hideous crash

2.2.30615181445Takes prisoner Pyrrhus' ear; for lo! his sword,

2.2.30715191446Which was declining on the milky head

2.2.30815201447Of reverend Priam, seemed i'th' air to stick.

2.2.30915211448So as a painted tyrant Pyrrhus stood,

2.2.31015221449And, like a neutral to his will and matter,

2.2.3111450Did nothing.

2.2.31215231451But as we often see against some storm

2.2.31315241452A silence in the heavens, the rack stand still,

2.2.31415251453The bold winds speechless, and the orb below

2.2.31515261454As hush as death, anon the dreadful thunder

2.2.31615271455Doth rend the region, so, after Pyrrhus' pause,

2.2.31715281456A rousèd vengeance sets him new a-work,

2.2.31815291457And never did the Cyclops' hammers fall

2.2.31915301458On Mars his armor forged for proof eterne

2.2.32015311459With less remorse than Pyrrhus' bleeding sword

2.2.32115321460Now falls on Priam.

2.2.32215331461Out, out, thou strumpet Fortune! All you gods

2.2.32315341462In general synod take away her power,

2.2.32415351463Break all the spokes and fellies from her wheel,

2.2.32515361464And bowl the round nave down the hill of heaven

2.2.32615371465As low as to the fiends!

This is too long.

It shall to the barber's with your beard.--1540Prithee, say on. He's 1468for a jig, or a tale of bawdry, or he sleeps. 1541Say on. Come to Hecuba..

But who, oh, who, had seen the moblèd queen--.

The moblèd queen!

That's good. "Mobleèd queen" is good.

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

2.2.33315471473With bisson rheum, a clout upon that head

2.2.33415481474Where late the diadem stood, and, for a robe,

2.2.33515491475About her lank and all-o'erteemèd loins

2.2.33615501476A blanket in th'alarm of fear caught up--

2.2.33715511477Who this had seen, with tongue in venom steeped

2.2.33815521478'Gainst Fortune's state would treason have pronounced;

2.2.33915531479But if the gods themselves did see her then,

2.2.34015541480When she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport

2.2.34115551481In mincing with his sword her husband's limbs,

2.2.34215561482The instant burst of clamor that she made,

2.2.34315571483Unless things mortal move them not at all,

2.2.34415581484Would have made milch the burning eyes of heaven

2.2.34515591485And passion in the gods.

Look whe'er he has not turned his color, and has tears in's 15611487eyes.--Prithee, no more.

'Tis well. I'll have thee speak out the rest of this soon. 15631489[To Polonius] Good my lord, will you see the players well bestowed? Do ye 15641490hear, let them be well used, for they are the abstracts and brief 15651491chronicles of the time. After your death you were better have a 15661492bad epitaph than their ill report while you live.

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

God's bodykins, man, much better. Use every man after his 15711495desert and who should scape whipping? Use them after your own honor 15721496and dignity; the less they deserve, the more merit is in your 15731497bounty. Take them in.

Come, sirs.

Follow him, friends. We'll hear a play tomorrow. [Aside to the First Player]

Dost thou 15781500hear me, old friend, can you play "The Murder of Gonzago"?

Ay, my lord.

We'll ha't tomorrow night. You could for a need study 15811503a speech of some dozen or sixteen lines, which I would set 15821504down and insert in't, could you not?

Ay, my lord.

Very well. Follow that lord, and look you mock him not.

2.2.35615851507 My good friends, I'll leave you till night. You are welcome to 15861508Elsinore.

Good my lord.

Ay, so, God b'wi' you.

Ay, so, God b'wi' you. Now I am alone.

2.2.35915901511Oh, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!

2.2.36015911512Is it not monstrous that this player here,

2.2.36115921513But in a fiction, in a dream of passion,

2.2.36215931514Could force his soul so to his whole conceit

2.2.36315941515That from her working all his visage wanned,

2.2.36415951516Tears in his eyes, distraction in's aspect,

2.2.36515961517A broken voice, and his whole function suiting

2.2.36615971518With forms to his conceit? And all or nothing?

2.2.36715981519For Hecuba?

2.2.36815991520What's Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba,

2.2.36916001521That he should weep for her? What would he do

2.2.37016011522Had he the motive and the cue for passion

2.2.37116021523That I have? He would drown the stage with tears,

2.2.37216031524And cleave the general ear with horrid speech,

2.2.37316041525Make mad the guilty, and appal the free,

2.2.37416051526Confound the ignorant, and amaze indeed

2.2.37516061527The very faculties of eyes and ears. Yet I,

2.2.37616071528A dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peak

2.2.37716081529Like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause,

2.2.37816091530And can say nothing; no, not for a king

2.2.37916101531Upon whose property and most dear life

2.2.38016111532A damned defeat was made. Am I a coward?

2.2.38116121533Who calls me villain? Breaks my pate across?

2.2.38216131534Plucks off my beard and blows it in my face?

2.2.38316141535Tweaks me by th' nose? Gives me the lie i'th' throat

2.2.38416151536As deep as to the lungs? Who does me this,

2.2.38516161537Ha? 'Swounds, I should take it; for it cannot be

2.2.38616171538But I am pigeon-livered, and lack gall

2.2.38716181539To make oppression bitter, or ere this

2.2.38816191540I should ha' fatted all the region kites

2.2.38916201541With this slave's offal. Bloody, bawdy villain!

2.2.39016211542Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain!

2.2.3911622Oh, vengeance!

2.2.39216231543Why, what an ass am I! This is most brave,

2.2.39316241544That I, the son of a dear father murdered,

2.2.39416251545Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell,

2.2.39516261546Must like a whore unpack my heart with words,

2.2.39616271547And fall a-cursing like a very drab,

2.2.3971628A scullion. Fie upon't, foh! About, my brain!

2.2.39816291548Hum, I have heard

2.2.3991549That guilty creatures sitting at a play

2.2.40016301550Have by the very cunning of the scene

2.2.40116311551Been struck so to the soul that presently

2.2.40216321552They have proclaimed their malefactions;

2.2.40316331553For murder, though it have no tongue, will speak

2.2.40416341554With most miraculous organ. I'll have these players

2.2.40516351555Play something like the murder of my father

2.2.40616361556Before mine uncle. I'll observe his looks;

2.2.40716371557I'll tent him to the quick. If 'a but blench

2.2.40816381558I know my course. The spirit that I have seen

2.2.40916391559May be the devil, and the devil hath power

2.2.41016401560T'assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps,

2.2.41116411561Out of my weakness and my melancholy,

2.2.41216421562As he is very potent with such spirits,

2.2.41316431563Abuses me to damn me. I'll have grounds

2.2.41416441564More relative than this. The play's the thing

2.2.41516451565Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King.

And can you by no drift of circumstance

3.1.216491569Get from him why he puts on this confusion,

3.1.316501570Grating so harshly all his days of quiet

3.1.416511571With turbulent and dangerous lunacy?

He does confess he feels himself distracted,

3.1.616531573But from what cause, 'a will by no means speak.

Nor do we find him forward to be sounded,

3.1.816551575But with a crafty madness keeps aloof

3.1.916561576When we would bring him on to some confession

3.1.1016571577Of his true state.

Did he receive you well?

Most like a gentleman.

But with much forcing of his disposition.

Niggard of question, but of our demands

3.1.1516621582Most free in his reply.

Did you assay him to any pastime?

Madam, it so fell out that certain players

3.1.1816651585We o'erraught on the way. Of these we told him,

3.1.1916661586And there did seem in him a kind of joy

3.1.2016671587To hear of it. They are about the court,

3.1.2116681588And, as I think, they have already order

3.1.2216691589This night to play before him.

This night to play before him. 16701590Polonius 'Tis most true,

3.1.2316711591And he beseeched me to entreat your majesties

3.1.2416721592To hear and see the matter.

With all my heart,1594and it doth much content me

3.1.2616741595To hear him so inclined. Good gentlemen,

3.1.2716751596Give him a further edge, and drive his purpose on

3.1.2816761597 To these delights.

We shall, my lord.

We shall, my lord. Sweet Gertrude, leave us too,

3.1.3016791600For we have closely sent for Hamlet hither,

3.1.3116801601That he, as 'twere by accident, may here

3.1.3216811602Affront Ophelia.

3.1.34Her father and myself, lawful espials,

3.1.3516821603Will so bestow ourselves that, seeing unseen,

3.1.3616831604We may of their encounter frankly judge,

3.1.3716841605And gather by him, as he is behaved,

3.1.3816851606If't be th'affliction of his love or no

3.1.3916861607That thus he suffers for.

That thus he suffers for. I shall obey you.

3.1.4016881609And for your part, Ophelia, I do wish

3.1.4116891610That your good beauties be the happy cause

3.1.4216901611Of Hamlet's wildness. So shall I hope your virtues

3.1.4316911612Will bring him to his wonted way again,

3.1.4416921613To both your honors.

To both your honors. Madam, I wish it may.

Ophelia, walk you here.--Gracious, so please you,

3.1.4616951616We will bestow ourselves. [To Ophelia, as he gives her a book] Read on this book,

3.1.4716961617That show of such an exercise may color

3.1.4816971618Your loneliness. We are oft to blame in this,

3.1.4916981619 'Tis too much proved, that with devotion's visage

3.1.5016991620And pious action we do sugar o'er

3.1.5117001621The devil himself.

The devil himself. [Aside] Oh, 'tis too true!

3.1.5217021623How smart a lash that speech doth give my conscience!

3.1.5317031624The harlot's cheek, beautied with plast'ring art,

3.1.5417041625Is not more ugly to the thing that helps it

3.1.5517051626Than is my deed to my most painted word.

3.1.5617061627Oh, heavy burden!

I hear him coming. Let's withdraw, my lord.

To be, or not to be, that is the question,

3.1.5917111631Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer

3.1.6017121632The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,

3.1.6117131633Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,

3.1.6217141634And by opposing end them. To die, to sleep--

3.1.6317151635No more--and by a sleep to say we end

3.1.6417161636The heartache and the thousand natural shocks

3.1.6517171637That flesh is heir to; 'tis a consummation

3.1.6617181638Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep;

3.1.6717191639To sleep, perchance to dream. Ay, there's the rub,

3.1.6817201640For in that sleep of death what dreams may come

3.1.6917211641When we have shuffled off this mortal coil

3.1.7017221642Must give us pause. There's the respect

3.1.7117231643That makes calamity of so long life.

3.1.7217241644For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,

3.1.7317251645Th'oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,

3.1.7417261646The pangs of disprized love, the law's delay,

3.1.7517271647The insolence of office, and the spurns

3.1.7617281648That patient merit of th'unworthy takes,

3.1.7717291649When he himself might his quietus make

3.1.7817301650With a bare bodkin? Who would these fardels bear,

3.1.7917311651To grunt and sweat under a weary life,

3.1.8017321652But that the dread of something after death,

3.1.8117331653The undiscovered country from whose bourn

3.1.8217341654No traveler returns, puzzles the will,

3.1.8317351655And makes us rather bear those ills we have

3.1.8417361656Than fly to others that we know not of.

3.1.8517371657Thus conscience does make cowards of us all,

3.1.8617381658And thus the native hue of resolution

3.1.8717391659Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,

3.1.8817401660And enterprises of great pith and moment

3.1.8917411661With this regard their currents turn awry

3.1.9017421662And lose the name of action. Soft you now,

3.1.9117431663The fair Ophelia!--Nymph, in thy orisons

3.1.9217441664Be all my sins remembered.

Be all my sins remembered. Good my lord,

3.1.9317461666How does your honor for this many a day?

I humbly thank you, well, well, well.

My lord, I have remembrances of yours

3.1.9617491669That I have longèd long to redeliver.

3.1.9717501670I pray you now receive them.

No, not I. I never gave you aught.

My honored lord, you know right well you did,

3.1.10017531673And with them words of so sweet breath composed

3.1.10117541674As made these things more rich. Their perfume lost,

3.1.10217551675Take these again, for to the noble mind

3.1.10317561676Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind,

3.1.10417571677There, my lord.

Ha, ha! Are you honest?

My lord?

Are you fair?

What means your lordship?

That if you be honest and fair, your honesty should admit 17631683no discourse to your beauty.

Could beauty, my lord, have better commerce 17651685than with honesty?

Ay, truly, for the power of beauty will sooner transform 17671687honesty from what it is to a bawd than the force of honesty can 17681688translate beauty into his likeness. This was sometime a paradox, but now the 17691689time gives it proof. I did love you once.

Indeed, my lord, you made me believe so.

You should not have believed me, for virtue cannot so 17731692inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it. I loved you not.

I was the more deceived.

Get thee to a nunnery. Why wouldst thou 1777be a breeder of 1695sinners? I am myself indifferent honest, 1778but yet I could accuse me of 1696such things that it were better 1779my mother had not borne me: I am 1697very proud, revengeful, 1780ambitious, with more offenses at my beck 17811698than I have thoughts to put them in, imagination to give them shape, 17821699or time to act them in. What should such fellows as I do crawling 17831700between heaven and earth? We are arrant knaves, all; believe none of us.17841701Go thy ways to a nunnery. Where's your father?

At home, my lord.

Let the doors be shut upon him, 1704that he may 1788play the fool nowhere but in's own house. 1705Farewell.

Oh, help him, you sweet heavens!

If thou dost marry, I'll give thee this plague for thy 17911708dowry: be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow, 1792thou shalt not escape 1709calumny. Get thee to a nunnery. 1793Go, farewell. Or if thou wilt needs marry, 1710marry a fool, 1794for wise men know well enough what monsters you 17951711make of them. To a nunnery go, and quickly too. 1796Farewell.

O heavenly powers, restore him!

I have heard of your paintings too, well enough. 1799God hath1714given you one face, and you make yourselves 1800another. You jig, 1715you amble, and you lisp, and nickname 1801God's creatures, and make your 1716wantonness your ignorance. 1802Go to, I'll no more on't; it hath made me mad. 18031717I say we will have no more marriages. Those that are married already, all 18041718but one, shall live; the rest shall keep as they are. To a nunnery, go.