Hamlet (Modern, Folio)

Introduction
Texts of this edition
1. Hamlet (Editor's Choice)
3. Editor's choice
4. Hamlet (First Quarto)
6. Modern
8. Old-spelling transcription
9. Hamlet (Second Quarto)
11. Modern
13. Old-spelling transcription
14. Hamlet (First Folio)
16. Modern
18. Old-spelling transcription
Contextual materials
Facsimiles
 3.2.0.11848[3.2]
 3.2.0.2Enter Hamlet, and two or three of the Players.
 3.2.11849Hamlet
 Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced 1850it to you, trippingly on the tongue; but if you mouth it, 1851as many of your players do, I had as lief the town crier 1852had spoke my lines. Nor do not saw the air too much--1853 your hand thus--but use all gently; for in the very 1854torrent, tempest, and, as I may say, the whirlwind of 1855passion, you must acquire and beget a temperance that 1856may give it smoothness. Oh, it offends me to the soul 1857to see a robustious periwig-pated fellow tear a 1858passion to tatters, to very rags, to split the ears of the 1859groundlings, who, for the most part, are capable of 1860nothing but inexplicable dumb shows and noise. I could 1861have such a fellow whipped for o'erdoing Termagant. It 1862out-Herods Herod. Pray you avoid it.
 3.2.21863Player
 I warrant your honor.
 3.2.31864Hamlet
 Be not too tame, neither, but let your own 1865discretion be your tutor. Suit the action to the word, 1866the word to the action, with this special observance: 1867that you o'erstep not the modesty of nature. For 1868anything so overdone is from the purpose of playing, whose 1869end, both at the first and now, was and is to hold as 'twere 1870the mirror up to nature, to show virtue her own 1871feature, scorn her own image, and the very age and 1872body of the time his form and pressure. Now, this 1873overdone, or come tardy off, though it make the 1874unskillful laugh, cannot but make the judicious grieve, the 1875censure of the which one must in your allowance 1876o'erweigh a whole theater of others. Oh, there be players 1877that I have seen play, and heard others praise, and that 1878highly, not to speak it profanely, that, neither having 1879the accent of Christians nor the gait of Christian, pagan, 1880or Norman, have so strutted and bellowed that I have 1881thought some of nature's journeymen had made men, 1882and not made them well, they imitated humanity so 1883abhominably.
 3.2.41884Player
 I hope we have reformed that indifferently with 1885us, sir.
 3.2.51886Hamlet
 Oh, reform it altogether. And let those that 1887play your clowns speak no more than is set down for 1888them; for there be of them that will themselves laugh, 1889to set on some quantity of barren spectators to laugh 1890too, though in the meantime some necessary question 1891of the play be then to be considered. That's villainous, and 1892shows a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses 1893 it. Go make you ready.
 3.2.5.1Exeunt Players.
 3.2.5.21894Enter Polonius, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern.
 3.2.61895[To Polonius]How now, my lord, 
 1896will the King hear this piece of work?
 3.2.71897Polonius
 And the Queen too, and that presently.
 3.2.81898Hamlet
 Bid the players make haste.
 3.2.8.1Exit Polonius. 
 3.2.91899Will you two help to hasten them?
 1900Both
 Will you two help to hasten them?  We will, my lord. 
 3.2.9.1Exeunt [Rosencrantz and Guildenstern]. 
 3.2.9.21901Enter Horatio. 
 3.2.101902Hamlet
 What ho, Horatio!
 1903Horatio
 What ho, Horatio!  Here, sweet lord, at your service. 
 3.2.111904Hamlet
 Horatio, thou art e'en as just a man
 3.2.121905As e'er my conversation coped withal.
 3.2.131906Horatio
 Oh, my dear lord--
 1907Hamlet
 Oh, my dear lord--  Nay, do not think I flatter,
 3.2.141908For what advancement may I hope from thee
 3.2.151909That no revenue hast but thy good spirits
 3.2.161910To feed and clothe thee? Why should the poor be flattered?
 3.2.171911No, let the candied tongue lick absurd pomp
 3.2.181912And crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
 3.2.191913Where thrift may follow feigning. Dost thou hear?
 3.2.201914Since my dear soul was mistress of my choice
 3.2.211915And could of men distinguish, her election
 3.2.221916Hath sealed thee for herself. For thou hast been
 3.2.231917As one in suffering all that suffers nothing,
 3.2.241918A man that Fortune's buffets and rewards
 3.2.251919Hath ta'en with equal thanks. And blest are those
 3.2.261920Whose blood and judgment are so well commingled
 3.2.271921That they are not a pipe for Fortune's finger
 3.2.281922To sound what stop she please. Give me that man
 3.2.291923That is not passion's slave, and I will wear him
 3.2.301924In my heart's core, ay, in my heart of heart,
 3.2.311925As I do thee.--Something too much of this.--
 3.2.321926There is a play tonight before the King.
 3.2.331927One scene of it comes near the circumstance
 3.2.341928Which I have told thee, of my father's death.
 3.2.351929I prithee, when thou see'st that act afoot,
 3.2.361930Even with the very comment of my soul
 3.2.371931Observe mine uncle. If his occulted guilt
 3.2.381932Do not itself unkennel in one speech,
 3.2.391933It is a damnèd ghost that we have seen,
 3.2.401934And my imaginations are as foul
 3.2.411935As Vulcan's stithy. Give him needful note,
 3.2.421936For I mine eyes will rivet to his face,
 3.2.431937And after we will both our judgments join
 3.2.441938To censure of his seeming.
 3.2.451939Horatio
 To censure of his seeming.  Well, my lord,
 1940If he steal aught the whilst this play is playing
 3.2.461941And scape detecting, I will pay the theft.
 3.2.46.11942Enter King, Queen, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, 1943Guildenstern, and other Lords attendant, with 1944his Guard carrying torches. Danish 1945march. Sound a flourish.
 3.2.471946Hamlet
 They are coming to the play. I must be idle. 1947Get you a place.
 3.2.481948King
 How fares our cousin Hamlet?
 3.2.491949Hamlet
 Excellent, i'faith, of the chameleon's dish; I eat 1950the air, promise-crammed. You cannot feed capons so.
 3.2.501951King
 I have nothing with this answer, Hamlet. These 1952words are not mine.
 3.2.511953Hamlet
 No, nor mine. [To Polonius] Now, my lord, you played once 1954i'th' university, you say?
 3.2.521955Polonius
 That I did, my lord, and was accounted a good 1956actor
 3.2.531957Hamlet
 And what did you enact?
 3.2.541958Polonius
 I did enact Julius Caesar. I was killed i'th' Capitol. 1959Brutus killed me.
 3.2.551960Hamlet
 It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a1961calf there.--Be the players ready?
 3.2.561962Rosencrantz
 Ay, my lord, they stay upon your patience.
 3.2.571963Queen
 Come hither, my good Hamlet, sit by me.
 3.2.581964Hamlet
 No, good mother, here's mettle more attractive.
 3.2.591965Polonius[To the King] 
 Oho, do you mark that?
 3.2.601966Hamlet[To Ophelia, as he lies at her feet]Lady, shall I lie in your lap?
 3.2.611967Ophelia
 No, my lord.
 3.2.621968Hamlet
 I mean, my head upon your lap.
 3.2.631969Ophelia
 Ay, my lord.
 3.2.641970Hamlet
 Do you think I meant country matters?
 3.2.651971Ophelia
 I think nothing, my lord.
 3.2.661972Hamlet
 That's a fair thought to lie between maids' legs.
 3.2.671973Ophelia
 What is, my lord?
 3.2.681974Hamlet
 Nothing.
 3.2.691975Ophelia
 You are merry, my lord.
 3.2.701976Hamlet
 Who, I?
 3.2.711977Ophelia
 Ay, my lord.
 3.2.721978Hamlet
 Oh, God, your only jig-maker. What should 1979a man do but be merry? For look you how 1980cheerfully my mother looks, and my father died within's two 1981hours.
 3.2.731982Ophelia
 Nay, 'tis twice two months, my lord.
 3.2.741983Hamlet
 So long? Nay, then, let the devil wear black, 1984for I'll have suit of sables. Oh, heavens! Die two 1985months ago, and not forgotten yet? Then there's hope a 1986great man's memory may outlive his life half a year. 1987But, by'r Lady, he must build churches then, or else shall 1988he suffer not thinking on, with the hobby-horse, whose 1989epitaph is, "For oh, for oh, the hobby-horse is forgot."
 3.2.74.11990Hautboys play. The dumb-show enters. 1991Enter [Players as] a King and Queen very lovingly; the Queen 1992embracing him. She kneels and makes show of protestation unto 1993him. He takes her up, and declines his head upon her neck. 1994Lays him down upon a bank of flowers. She, seeing him 1995asleep, leaves him. Anon comes in a fellow, takes off his 1996crown, kisses it, pours poison in the King's ears, and 1997exits. The Queen returns, finds the King dead, and 1998makes passionate action. The Poisoner, with some two or 1999three mutes, comes in again, seeming to lament with her. 2000The dead body is carried away. The Poisoner woos the 2001Queen with gifts. She seems loath and unwilling awhile, 2002but in the end accepts his love. 
 3.2.74.2Exeunt [Players].
 3.2.752003Ophelia
 What means this, my lord?
 3.2.762004Hamlet
 Marry, this is miching mallico. That means 2005mischief.
 3.2.772006Ophelia
 Belike this show imports the argument of the 2007play?
 3.2.782008Hamlet
 We shall know by these fellows. The players 2009cannot keep counsel; they'll tell all.
 3.2.792010Ophelia
 Will they tell us what this show meant?
 3.2.802011Hamlet
 Ay, or any show that you'll show him. Be not 2012you ashamed to show, he'll not shame to tell you what it 2013means.
 3.2.812014Ophelia
 You are naught, you are naught. I'll mark the 2015play.
 3.2.81.12016Enter Prologue.
 3.2.822017[Prologue]
 For us and for our tragedy,
 3.2.832018Here stooping to your clemency,
 3.2.842019We beg your hearing patiently.
 3.2.84.1[Exit.] 
 3.2.852020Hamlet
 Is this a prologue, or the posy of a ring?
 3.2.862021Ophelia
 'Tis brief, my lord.
 3.2.872022Hamlet
 As woman's love.
 2023Enter [two Players as] King and his Queen [Baptista].
 3.2.882024King
 Full thirty times hath Phoebus' cart gone round
 3.2.892025Neptune's salt wash and Tellus' orbèd ground,
 3.2.902026And thirty dozen moons with borrowed sheen
 3.2.912027About the world have times twelve thirties been
 3.2.922028Since love our hearts and Hymen did our hands
 3.2.932029Unite commutual in most sacred bands.
 3.2.942030Baptista
 So many journeys may the sun and moon
 3.2.952031Make us again count o'er, ere love be done!
 3.2.962032But woe is me, you are so sick of late,
 3.2.972033So far from cheer and from your former state,
 3.2.982034That I distrust you. Yet though I distrust,
 3.2.992035Discomfort you, my lord, it nothing must.
 3.2.1002036For women's fear and love hold quantity;
 3.2.1012037In neither aught, or in extremity.
 3.2.1022038Now what my love is, proof hath made you know,
 3.2.1032039And as my love is sized, my fear is so.
 3.2.1042040King
 Faith, I must leave thee, love, and shortly too;
 3.2.1052041My operant powers my functions leave to do.
 3.2.1062042And thou shalt live in this fair world behind,
 3.2.1072043Honored, beloved; and haply one as kind
 3.2.1082044For husband shalt thou-- 
 2045Baptista
 For husband shalt thou--   Oh, confound the rest!
 3.2.1092046Such love must needs be treason in my breast.
 3.2.1102047In second husband let me be accurst!
 3.2.1112048None wed the second but who killed the first.
 3.2.1122049Hamlet
 Wormwood, wormwood.
 3.2.1132050Baptista
 The instances that second marriage move
 3.2.1142051Are base respects of thrift, but none of love.
 3.2.1152052A second time I kill my husband dead
 3.2.1162053When second husband kisses me in bed.
 3.2.1172054King
 I do believe you think what now you speak,
 3.2.1182055But what we do determine, oft we break.
 3.2.1192056Purpose is but the slave to memory,
 3.2.1202057Of violent birth, but poor validity,
 3.2.1212058Which now like fruit unripe sticks on the tree,
 3.2.1222059But fall unshaken when they mellow be.
 3.2.1232060Most necessary 'tis that we forget
 3.2.1242061To pay ourselves what to ourselves is debt.
 3.2.1252062What to ourselves in passion we propose,
 3.2.1262063The passion ending, doth the purpose lose.
 3.2.1272064The violence of either grief or joy
 3.2.1282065Their own enactors with themselves destroy.
 3.2.1292066Where joy most revels, grief doth most lament;
 3.2.1302067Grief joys, joy grieves, on slender accident.
 3.2.1312068This world is not for aye, nor 'tis not strange
 3.2.1322069That even our loves should with our fortunes change;
 3.2.1332070For 'tis a question left us yet to prove
 3.2.1342071Whether love lead fortune, or else fortune love.
 3.2.1352072The great man down, you mark his favorites flies;
 3.2.1362073The poor advanced makes friends of enemies;
 3.2.1372074And hitherto doth love on fortune tend,
 3.2.1382075For who not needs shall never lack a friend,
 3.2.1392076And who in want a hollow friend doth try
 3.2.1402077Directly seasons him his enemy.
 3.2.1412078But orderly to end where I begun,
 3.2.1422079Our wills and fates do so contrary run
 3.2.1432080That our devices still are overthrown;
 3.2.1442081Our thoughts are ours, their ends none of our own.
 3.2.1452082So, think thou wilt no second husband wed,
 3.2.1462083But die thy thoughts when thy first lord is dead.
 3.2.1472084Baptista
 Nor earth to give me food, nor heaven light,
 3.2.1482085Sport and repose lock from me day and night,
 3.2.1492086Each opposite that blanks the face of joy
 3.2.1502087Meet what I would have well, and it destroy!
 3.2.1512088Both here and hence pursue me lasting strife,
 3.2.1522089If once a widow, ever I be wife!
 3.2.1532090Hamlet
 If she should break it now!
 3.2.1542091King
 'Tis deeply sworn.2092Sweet, leave me here awhile.
 3.2.1552093My spirits grow dull, and fain I would beguile
 3.2.1562094The tedious day with sleep.
 2095Baptista
 The tedious day with sleep.  Sleep rock thy brain, 
 3.2.156.1[King] sleeps.
 3.2.1572096And never come mischance between us twain! 
 3.2.157.1Exit [Player Queen].
 3.2.1582097Hamlet
 Madam, how like you this play?
 3.2.1592098Queen
 The lady protests too much, methinks.
 3.2.1602099Hamlet
 Oh, but she'll keep her word.
 3.2.1612100King
 Have you heard the argument? Is there no 2101offense in't?
 3.2.1622102Hamlet
 No, no, they do but jest, poison in jest, no 2103offense i'th' world.
 3.2.1632104King
 What do you call the play?
 3.2.1642105Hamlet
 The Mousetrap. Marry, how? Tropically. 2106This play is the image of a murder done in Vienna. 2107Gonzago is the Duke's name, his wife Baptista. You shall see 2108anon. 'Tis a knavish piece of work, but what o' that? 2109Your majesty and we that have free souls, it touches 2110us not. Let the galled jade winch; our withers are unwrung. 
 3.2.164.12111Enter Lucianus.
 3.2.1652112This is one Lucianus, nephew to the King.
 3.2.1662113Ophelia
 You are a good chorus, my lord.
 3.2.1672114Hamlet
 I could interpret between you and your love, 2115if I could see the puppets dallying.
 3.2.1682116Ophelia
 You are keen, my lord, you are keen.
 3.2.1692117Hamlet
 It would cost you a groaning to take off my 2118edge.
 3.2.1702119Ophelia
 Still better and worse.
 3.2.1712120Hamlet
 So you mistake husbands.-- 2121Begin, murderer. Pox, leave thy damnable faces and 2122begin. Come, the croaking raven doth bellow for 2123revenge.
 3.2.1722124Lucianus
 Thoughts black, hands apt, 2125drugs fit, and time agreeing,
 3.2.1732126Confederate season, else no creature seeing,
 3.2.1742127Thou mixture rank, of midnight weeds collected,
 3.2.1752128With Hecate's ban thrice blasted, thrice infected,
 3.2.1762129Thy natural magic and dire property
 3.2.1772130On wholesome life usurp immediately.
 3.2.177.12131Pours the poison in his ears. [Exit.]
 3.2.1782132Hamlet 
 He poisons him i'th' garden for's estate. His 2133name's Gonzago. The story is extant, and writ in choice 2134Italian. You shall see anon how the murderer gets the 2135love of Gonzago's wife.
 3.2.1792136Ophelia
 The King rises.
 3.2.1802137Hamlet
 What, frighted with false fire?
 3.2.1812138Queen
 How fares my lord?
 3.2.1822139Polonius
 Give o'er the play.
 3.2.1832140King
 Give me some light. Away!
 3.2.1842141All
 Lights, lights, lights! 
 3.2.184.1Exeunt. 2142Hamlet and Horatio remain on stage.
 3.2.1852143Hamlet
 "Why, let the strucken deer go weep,
 3.2.1862144The heart ungallèd play,
 3.2.1872145For some must watch while some must sleep;
 3.2.1882146So runs the world away." 
 3.2.1892147Would not this, sir, and a forest of feathers--if the rest of 2148my fortunes turn Turk with me--with two provincial 2149roses on my razed shoes, get me a fellowship in a cry 2150of players, sir?
 3.2.1902151Horatio
 Half a share.
 3.2.1912152Hamlet
 A whole one, I.
 3.2.1922153For thou dost know, O Damon dear,
 3.2.1932154This realm dismantled was of Jove himself,
 3.2.1942155And now reigns here
 3.2.1952156A very, very pajock.
 3.2.1962157Horatio
 You might have rhymed.
 3.2.1972158Hamlet
 O good Horatio, I'll take the Ghost's word for 2159a thousand pound. Didst perceive?
 3.2.1982160Horatio
 Very well, my lord.
 3.2.1992161Hamlet
 Upon the talk of the poisoning?
 3.2.2002162Horatio
 I did very well note him.
 3.2.200.12163Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
 3.2.2012164Hamlet
 Oh, ha! Come, some music! Come, the recorders. 
 3.2.2022165For if the King like not the comedy,
 3.2.2032166Why, then belike he likes it not, perdie.
 3.2.2042167Come, some music.
 3.2.2052168Guildenstern
 Good my lord, vouchsafe me a word with you.
 3.2.2062169Hamlet
 Sir a whole history.
 3.2.2072170Guildenstern
 The King, sir--
 3.2.2082171Hamlet
 Ay, sir, what of him?
 3.2.2092172Guildenstern
 Is in his retirement, marvelous distempered.
 3.2.2102173Hamlet
 With drink, sir?
 3.2.2112174Guildenstern
 No, my lord, rather with choler.
 3.2.2122175Hamlet
 Your wisdom should show itself more 2176richer to signify this to his doctor, for, for me to put him 2177to his purgation would perhaps plunge him into far 2178more choler.
 3.2.2132179Guildenstern
 Good my lord, put your discourse into some 2180frame, and start not so wildly from my affair.
 3.2.2142181Hamlet
 I am tame sir. Pronounce.
 3.2.2152182Guildenstern
 The Queen your mother, in most great 2183affliction of spirit, hath sent me to you.
 3.2.2162184Hamlet
 You are welcome.
 3.2.2172185Guildenstern
 Nay, good my lord, this courtesy is not of 2186the right breed. If it shall please you to make me a 2187wholesome answer, I will do your mother's commandment. 2188If not, your pardon and my return shall be the end of 2189my business.
 3.2.2182190Hamlet
 Sir, I cannot.
 3.2.2192191Guildenstern
 What, my lord?
 3.2.2202192Hamlet
 Make you a wholesome answer; my wit's 2193diseased. But, sir, such answers as I can make, you shall 2194command, or rather, you say, my mother. Therefore no more 2195but to the matter. My mother, you say.
 3.2.2212196Rosencrantz
 Then thus she says: your behavior hath struck 2197her into amazement and admiration.
 3.2.2222198Hamlet
 Oh, wonderful son, that can so astonish a 2199mother! But is there no sequel at the heels of this 2201mother's admiration?
 3.2.223Rosencrantz
 She desires to speak with you in her closet 2202ere you go to bed.
 3.2.2242203Hamlet
 We shall obey, were she ten times our mother. 2204Have you any further trade with us?
 3.2.2252205Rosencrantz
 My lord, you once did love me.
 3.2.2262206Hamlet
 So I do still, by these pickers and stealers.
 3.2.2272207Rosencrantz
 Good my lord, what is your cause of 2208distemper? You do freely bar the door of your own 2209liberty if you deny your griefs to your friend.
 3.2.2282210Hamlet
 Sir, I lack advancement.
 3.2.2292211Rosencrantz
 How can that be, when you have the voice of 2212the King himself for your succession in Denmark?
 3.2.2302213Hamlet
 Ay, but "while the grass grows"-- the proverb is 2214something musty.
 3.2.230.12215Enter one with a recorder.
 3.2.2312216Oh, the recorder. Let me see. [He takes the recorder.] To withdraw with you, why 2217do you go about to recover the wind of me, as if you 2218would drive me into a toil?
 3.2.2322219Guildenstern
 Oh, my lord, if my duty be too bold, my love 2220is too unmannerly.
 3.2.2332221Hamlet
 I do not well understand that. Will you play 2222upon this pipe?
 3.2.2342223Guildenstern
 My lord, I cannot.
 3.2.2352224Hamlet
 I pray you.
 3.2.2362225Guildenstern
 Believe me, I cannot.
 3.2.2372226Hamlet
 I do beseech you.
 3.2.2382227Guildenstern
 I know no touch of it, my lord.
 3.2.2392228Hamlet
 'Tis as easy as lying. Govern these ventages 2229with your finger and thumb, give it breath with your 2230mouth, and it will discourse most excellent music. 2231Look you, these are the stops.
 3.2.2402232Guildenstern
 But these cannot I command to any utterance 2233of harmony. I have not the skill.
 3.2.2412234Hamlet
 Why, look you now, how unworthy a thing 2235you make of me! You would play upon me, you would 2236seem to know my stops, you would pluck out the heart 2237of my mystery, you would sound me from my lowest 2238note to the top of my compass, and there is much 2239music, excellent voice, in this little organ, yet cannot 2240you make it. Why, do you think that I am easier to be 2241played on than a pipe? Call me what instrument you will, 2242though you can fret me, you cannot play upon me. [To Polonius, as he enters]God 2243bless you, sir.
 3.2.241.12244Enter Polonius.
 3.2.2422245Polonius
 My lord, the Queen would speak with you, 2246and presently.
 3.2.2432247Hamlet
 Do you see that cloud? That's almost in shape 2248like a camel.
 3.2.2442249Polonius
 By th' mass, and it's like a camel indeed.
 3.2.2452250Hamlet
 Methinks it is like a weasel.
 3.2.2462251Polonius
 It is backed like a weasel.
 3.2.2472252Hamlet
 Or like a whale?
 3.2.2482253Polonius
 Very like a whale. 
 3.2.2492254Hamlet
 Then will I come to my mother by and by. 2255[Aside] They fool me to the top of my bent. 
 2256[Aloud] I will come by and by.
 3.2.2502257Polonius
 I will say so.
 3.2.250.1Exit.
 3.2.2512258"By and by" is easily said.--Leave me, friends.
 3.2.251.1[Exeunt all but Hamlet.] 
 3.2.2522259'Tis now the very witching time of night,
 3.2.2532260When churchyards yawn, and hell itself breathes out
 3.2.2542261Contagion to this world. Now could I drink hot blood,
 3.2.2552262And do such bitter business as the day
 3.2.2562263Would quake to look on. Soft now, to my mother.
 3.2.2572264O heart, loose not thy nature! Let not ever
 3.2.2582265The soul of Nero enter this firm bosom.
 3.2.2592266Let me be cruel, not unnatural;
 3.2.2602267I will speak daggers to her, but use none.
 3.2.2612268My tongue and soul in this be hypocrites:
 3.2.2622269How in my words somever she be shent,
 3.2.2632270To give them seals, never my soul consent!
 3.2.263.1[Exit.]
Internet Shakespeare Editions

Reading Room

Toolbox

About this text

Hamlet (Modern, Folio)
