3500Ham. So much for this Sir; now let me see the other,

3501You doe remember all the Circumstance.

3502Hor. Remember it my Lord?

3503Ham. Sir, in my heart there was a kinde of fighting,

3504That would not let me sleepe; me thought I lay

3505Worse then the mutines in the Bilboes, rashly,

3506(And praise be rashnesse for it) let vs know,

3507Our indiscretion sometimes serues vs well,

3508When our deare plots do paule, and that should teach vs,

3509There's a Diuinity that shapes our ends,

3510Rough-hew them how we will.

3511Hor. That is most certaine.

3512Ham. Vp from my Cabin

3513My sea-gowne scarft about me in the darke,

3514Grop'd I to finde out them; had my desire,

3515Finger'd their Packet, and in fine, withdrew

3516To mine owne roome againe, making so bold,

3517(My feares forgetting manners) to vnseale

3518Their grand Commission, where I found Horatio,

3519Oh royall knauery: An exact command,

3520Larded with many seuerall sorts of reason;

3521Importing Denmarks health, and Englands too,

3522With hoo, such Bugges and Goblins in my life,

3523That on the superuize no leasure bated,

3524No not to stay the grinding of the Axe,

3525My head shoud be struck off.

3526Hor. Ist possible?

3527Ham. Here's the Commission, read it at more leysure:

3528But wilt thou heare me how I did proceed?

3529Hor. I beseech you.

3530Ham. Being thus benetted round with Villaines,

3531Ere I could make a Prologue to my braines,

3532They had begun the Play. I sate me downe,

3533Deuis'd a new Commission, wrote it faire,

3534I once did hold it as our Statists doe,

3535A basenesse to write faire; and laboured much

3536How to forget that learning: but Sir now,

3537It did me Yeomans seruice: wilt thou know

3538The effects of what I wrote?

3539Hor. I, good my Lord.

3540Ham. An earnest Coniuration from the King,

3541As England was his faithfull Tributary,

3542As loue betweene them, as the Palme should flourish,

3543As Peace should still her wheaten Garland weare,

3544And stand a Comma 'tweene their amities,

3545And many such like Assis of great charge,

3546That on the view and know of these Contents,

3547Without debatement further, more or lesse,

3548He should the bearers put to sodaine death,

3549Not shriuing time allowed.

3550Hor. How was this seal'd?

3551Ham. Why, euen in that was Heauen ordinate;

3552I had my fathers Signet in my Purse,

3553Which was the Modell of that Danish Seale:

3554Folded the Writ vp in forme of the other,

3555Subscrib'd it, gau't th' impression, plac't it safely,

3556The changeling neuer knowne: Now, the next day

3557Was our Sea Fight, and what to this was sement,

3558Thou know'st already.

3559Hor. So Guildensterne and Rosincrance, go too't.

3560Ham. Why man, they did make loue to this imployment

3561They are not neere my Conscience; their debate

3562Doth by their owne insinuation grow:

3563'Tis dangerous, when the baser nature comes

3564Betweene the passe, and fell incensed points

3565Of mighty opposites.

3566Hor. Why, what a King is this?

3567Ham. Does it not, thinkst thee, stand me now vpon

3568He that bath kil'd my King, and whor'd my Mother,

3569Popt in betweene th'election and my hopes,

3570Throwne out his Angle for my proper life,

3571And with such coozenage; is't not perfect conscience,

3572To quit him with this arme? And is't not to be damn'd

3573To let this Canker of our nature come

3574In further euill.

3575Hor. It must be shortly knowne to him from England

3576What is the issue of the businesse there.

3577Ham. It will be short,

3578The interim's mine, and a mans life's no more

3579Then to say one: but I am very sorry good Horatio,

3580That to Laertes I forgot my selfe;

3581For by the image of my Cause, I see

3582The Portraiture of his; Ile count his fauours:

3583But sure the brauery of his griefe did put me

3584Into a Towring passion.

3585Hor. Peace, who comes heere?

3587Osr. Your Lordship is right welcome back to Den-(marke.

3588Ham. I humbly thank you Sir, dost know this waterflie?

3589Hor. No my good Lord.

3590Ham. Thy state is the more gracious; for 'tis a vice to

3591know him: he hath much Land, and fertile; let a Beast

3592be Lord of Beasts, and his Crib shall stand at the Kings

3593Messe; 'tis a Chowgh; but as I saw spacious in the pos-

3594session of dirt.

3595Osr. Sweet Lord, if your friendship were at leysure,

3596I should impart a thing to you from his Maiesty.

3597Ham. I will receiue it with all diligence of spirit; put

3598your Bonet to his right vse, 'tis for the head.

3599Osr. I thanke your Lordship, 'tis very hot.

3600Ham. No, beleeue mee 'tis very cold, the winde is

3601Northerly.

3602Osr. It is indifferent cold my Lord indeed.

3603Ham. Mee thinkes it is very soultry, and hot for my

3604Complexion.

280 The Tragedie of Hamlet.

3605Osr. Exceedingly, my Lord, it is very soultry, as 'twere

3606I cannot tell how: but my Lord, his Maiesty bad me sig-

3607nifie to you, that he ha's laid a great wager on your head:

3608Sir, this is the matter.

3609Ham. I beseech you remember.

3610Osr. Nay, in good faith, for mine ease in good faith:

3611Sir, you are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is at

3612his weapon.

3613Ham. What's his weapon?

3614Osr. Rapier and dagger.

3615Ham. That's two of his weapons; but well.

3616Osr. The sir King ha's wag'd with him six Barbary Hor-

3617ses, against the which he impon'd as I take it, sixe French

3618Rapiers and Poniards, with their assignes, as Girdle,

3619Hangers or so: three of the Carriages infaith are very

3620deare to fancy, very responsiue to the hilts, most delicate

3621carriages, and of very liberall conceit.

3622Ham. What call you the Carriages?

3623Osr. The Carriages Sir, are the hangers.

3624Ham. The phrase would bee more Germaine to the

3625matter: If we could carry Cannon by our sides; I would

3626it might be Hangers till then; but on sixe Barbary Hor-

3627ses against sixe French Swords: their Assignes, and three

3628liberall conceited Carriages, that's the French but a-

3629gainst the Danish; why is this impon'd as you call it?

3630Osr. The King Sir, hath laid that in a dozen passes be-

3631tweene you and him, hee shall not exceed you three hits;

3632He hath one twelue for mine, and that would come to

3633imediate tryall, if your Lordship would vouchsafe the

3634Answere.

3635Ham. How if I answere no?

3636Osr. I meane my Lord, the opposition of your person

3637in tryall.

3638Ham. Sir, I will walke heere in the Hall; if it please

3639his Maiestie, 'tis the breathing time of day with me; let

3640the Foyles bee brought, the Gentleman willing, and the

3641King hold his purpose; I will win for him if I can: if

3642not, Ile gaine nothing but my shame, and the odde hits.

3643Osr. Shall I redeliuer you ee'n so?

3644Ham. To this effect Sir, after what flourish your na-

3645ture will.

3646Osr. I commend my duty to your Lordship.

3647Ham. Yours, yours; hee does well to commend it

3648himselfe, there are no tongues else for's tongue.

3649Hor. This Lapwing runs away with the shell on his

3650head.

3651Ham. He did Complie with his Dugge before hee

3652suck't it: thus had he and mine more of the same Beauy

3653that I know the drossie age dotes on; only got the tune of

3654the time, and outward habite of encounter, a kinde of

3655yesty collection, which carries them through & through

3656the most fond and winnowed opinions; and doe but blow

3657them to their tryalls: the Bubbles are out.

3658Hor. You will lose this wager, my Lord.

3659Ham. I doe not thinke so, since he went into France,

3660I haue beene in continuall practice; I shall winne at the

3661oddes: but thou wouldest not thinke how all heere a-

3662bout my heart: but it is no matter.

3663Hor. Nay, good my Lord.

3664Ham. It is but foolery; but it is such a kinde of

3665gain-giuing as would perhaps trouble a woman.

3666Hor. If your minde dislike any thing, obey. I will fore-

3667stall their repaire hither, and say you are not fit.

3668Ham. Not a whit, we defie Augury; there's a speciall

3669Prouidence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not

3670to come: if it bee not to come, it will bee now: if it

3671be not now; yet it will come; the readinesse is all, since no

3672man ha's ought of what he leaues. What is't to leaue be-

3673times?

3677Kin. Come Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.

3678Ham. Giue me your pardon Sir, I'ue done you wrong,

3679But pardon't as you are a Gentleman.

3680This presence knowes,

3681And you must needs haue heard how I am punisht

3682With sore distraction? What I haue done

3683That might your nature honour, and exception

3684Roughly awake, I heere proclaime was madnesse:

3685Was't Hamlet wrong'd Laertes? Neuer Hamlet.

3686If Hamlet from himselfe be tane away:

3687And when he's not himselfe, do's wrong Laertes,

3688Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it:

3689Who does it then? His Madnesse? If't be so,

3690Hamlet is of the Faction that is wrong'd,

3691His madnesse is poore Hamlets Enemy.

3692Sir, in this Audience,

3693Let my disclaiming from a purpos'd euill,

3694Free me so farre in your most generous thoughts,

3695That I haue shot mine Arrow o're the house,

3696And hurt my Mother.

3697Laer. I am satisfied in Nature,

3698Whose motiue in this case should stirre me most

3699To my Reuenge. But in my termes of Honor

3700I stand aloofe, and will no reconcilement,

3701Till by some elder Masters of knowne Honor,

3702I haue a voyce, and president of peace

3703To keepe my name vngorg'd. But till that time,

3704I do receiue your offer'd loue like loue,

3705And wil not wrong it.

3706Ham. I do embrace it freely,

3707And will this Brothers wager frankely play.

3708Giue vs the Foyles: Come on.

3709Laer. Come one for me.

3710Ham. Ile be your foile Laertes, in mine ignorance,

3711Your Skill shall like a Starre i'th'darkest night,

3712Sticke fiery off indeede.

3713Laer. You mocke me Sir.

3714Ham. No by this hand.

3715King. Giue them the Foyles yong Osricke,

3716Cousen Hamlet, you know the wager.

3717Ham. Verie well my Lord,

3718Your Grace hath laide the oddes a'th'weaker side.

3719King. I do not feare it,

3720I haue seene you both:

3721But since he is better'd, we haue therefore oddes.

3722Laer. This is too heauy,

3723Let me see another.

3724Ham. This likes me well,

3725These Foyles haue all a length. Prepare to play.

3726Osricke. I my good Lord.

3727King. Set me the Stopes of wine vpon that Table:

3728If Hamlet giue the first, or second hit,

3729Or quit in answer of the third exchange,

3730Let all the Battlements their Ordinance fire,

3731The King shal drinke to Hamlets better breath,

3732And in the Cup an vnion shal he throw

3733Richer then that, which foure successiue Kings

3734In Denmarkes Crowne haue worne.

The Tragedie of Hamlet. 281

3735Giue me the Cups,

3736And let the Kettle to the Trumpets speake,

3737The Trumpet to the Cannoneer without,

3738The Cannons to the Heauens, the Heauen to Earth,

3739Now the King drinkes to Hamlet. Come, begin,

3740And you the Iudges beare a wary eye.

3741Ham. Come on sir.

3742Laer. Come on sir. They play.

3743Ham. One.

3744Laer. No.

3745Ham. Iudgement.

3746Osr. A hit, a very palpable hit.

3747Laer. Well: againe.

3748King. Stay, giue me drinke.

3749Hamlet, this Pearle is thine,

3750Here's to thy health. Giue him the cup,

3752Ham. Ile play this bout first, set by a-while.

3753Come: Another hit; what say you?

3754Laer. A touch, a touch, I do confesse.

3755King. Our Sonne shall win.

3756Qu. He's fat, and scant of breath.

3757Heere's a Napkin, rub thy browes,

3758The Queene Carowses to thy fortune, Hamlet.

3759Ham. Good Madam.

3760King. Gertrude, do not drinke.

3761Qu. I will my Lord;

3762I pray you pardon me.

3763King. It is the poyson'd Cup, it is too late.

3764Ham. I dare not drinke yet Madam,

3765By and by.

3766Qu. Come, let me wipe thy face.

3767Laer. My Lord, Ile hit him now.

3768King. I do not thinke't.

3769Laer. And yet 'tis almost 'gainst my conscience.

3770Ham. Come for the third.

3771Laertes, you but dally,

3772I pray you passe with your best violence,

3773I am affear'd you make a wanton of me.

3774Laer. Say you so? Come on. Play.

3775Osr. Nothing neither way.

3776Laer. Haue at you now.

3778King. Part them, they are incens'd.

3779Ham. Nay come, againe.

3780Osr. Looke to the Queene there hoa.

3781Hor. They bleed on both sides. How is't my Lord?

3782Osr. How is't Laertes?

3783Laer. Why as a Woodcocke

3784To mine Sprindge, Osricke,

3785I am iustly kill'd with mine owne Treacherie.

3786Ham. How does the Queene?

3787King. She sounds to see them bleede.

3788Qu. No, no, the drinke, the drinke.

3789Oh my deere Hamlet, the drinke, the drinke,

3790I am poyson'd.

3791Ham. Oh Villany! How? Let the doore be lock'd.

3792Treacherie, seeke it out.

3793Laer. It is heere Hamlet.

3794Hamlet, thou art slaine,

3795No Medicine in the world can do thee good.

3796In thee, there is not halfe an houre of life;

3797The Treacherous Instrument is in thy hand,

3798Vnbated and envenom'd: the foule practise

3799Hath turn'd it selfe on me. Loe, heere I lye,

3800Neuer to rise againe: Thy Mothers poyson'd:

3801I can no more, the King, the King's too blame.

3802Ham. The point envenom'd too,

3803Then venome to thy worke.

3805All. Treason, Treason.

3806King. O yet defend me Friends, I am but hurt.

3807Ham. Heere thou incestuous, murdrous,

3808Damned Dane,

3809Drinke off this Potion: Is thy Vnion heere?

3810Follow my Mother. King Dyes.

3811Laer. He is iustly seru'd.

3812It is a poyson temp'red by himselfe:

3813Exchange forgiuenesse with me, Noble Hamlet;

3814Mine and my Fathers death come not vpon thee,

3815Nor thine on me. Dyes.

3816Ham. Heauen make thee free of it, I follow thee.

3817I am dead Horatio, wretched Queene adiew,

3818You that looke pale, and tremble at this chance,

3819That are but Mutes or audience to this acte:

3820Had I but time (as this fell Sergeant death

3821Is strick'd in his Arrest) oh I could tell you.

3822But let it be: Horatio, I am dead,

3823Thou liu'st, report me and my causes right

3824To the vnsatisfied.

3825Hor. Neuer beleeue it.

3826I am more an Antike Roman then a Dane:

3827Heere's yet some Liquor left.

3828Ham. As th'art a man, giue me the Cup.

3829Let go, by Heauen Ile haue't.

3830Oh good Horatio, what a wounded name,

3831(Things standing thus vnknowne) shall liue behind me.

3832If thou did'st euer hold me in thy heart,

3833Absent thee from felicitie awhile,

3834And in this harsh world draw thy breath in paine,

3835To tell my Storie.

3837What warlike noyse is this?

3839Osr. Yong Fortinbras, with conquest come frõ Poland

3840To th' Ambassadors of England giues rhis warlike volly.

3841Ham. O I dye Horatio:

3842The potent poyson quite ore-crowes my spirit,

3843I cannot liue to heare the Newes from England,

3844But I do prophesie th'election lights

3845On Fortinbras, he ha's my dying voyce,

3846So tell him with the occurrents more and lesse,

3847Which haue solicited. The rest is silence. O, o, o, o. Dyes

3848Hora. Now cracke a Noble heart:

3849Goodnight sweet Prince,

3850And flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest,

3851Why do's the Drumme come hither?

3854Fortin. Where is this sight?

3855Hor. What is it ye would see;

3856If ought of woe, or wonder, cease your search.

3857For. His quarry cries on hauocke. Oh proud death,

3858What feast is toward in thine eternall Cell.

3859That thou so many Princes, at a shoote,

3860So bloodily hast strooke.

3861Amb. The sight is dismall,

3862And our affaires from England come too late,

3863The eares are senselesse that should giue vs hearing,

3864To tell him his command'ment is fulfill'd,

qq That

280 The Tragedie of Hamlet.

3865That Rosincrance and Guildensterne are dead:

3866Where should we haue our thankes?

3867Hor. Not from his mouth,

3868Had it th'abilitie of life to thanke you:

3869He neuer gaue command'ment for their death.

3870But since so iumpe vpon this bloodie question,

3871You from the Polake warres, and you from England

3872Are heere arriued. Giue order that these bodies

3873High on a stage be placed to the view,

3874And let me speake to th'yet vnknowing world,

3875How these things came about. So shall you heare

3876Of carnall, bloudie, and vnnaturall acts,

3877Of accidentall iudgements, casuall slaughters

3878Of death's put on by cunning, and forc'd cause,

3879And in this vpshot, purposes mistooke,

3880Falne on the Inuentors heads. All this can I

3881Truly deliuer.

3882For. Let vs hast to heare it,

3883And call the Noblest to the Audience.

3884For me, with sorrow, I embrace my Fortune,

3885I haue some Rites of memory in this Kingdome,

3886Which are ro claime, my vantage doth

3887Inuite me,

3888Hor. Of that I shall haue alwayes cause to speake,

3889And from his mouth

3890Whose voyce will draw on more:

3891But let this same be presently perform'd,

3892Euen whiles mens mindes are wilde,

3893Lest more mischance

3894On plots, and errors happen.

3895For. Let foure Captaines

3896Beare Hamlet like a Soldier to the Stage,

3897For he was likely, had he beene put on

3898To haue prou'd most royally:

3899And for his passage,

3900The Souldiours Musicke, and the rites of Warre

3901Speake lowdly for him.

3902Take vp the body; Such a sight as this

3903Becomes the Field, but heere shewes much amis.

3904Go, bid the Souldiers shoote.