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
 5.2.0.13499[5.2]
 5.2.0.2Enter Hamlet and Horatio.
 5.2.13500Hamlet
 So much for this, sir. Now let me see, the other.
 5.2.23501You do remember all the circumstance?
 5.2.33502Horatio+
 Remember it, my lord!
 5.2.43503Hamlet
 Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting
 5.2.53504That would not let me sleep. Methought I lay
 5.2.63505Worse than the mutines in the bilboes. Rashly--
 5.2.73506And praise be rashness for it!--let us know,
 5.2.83507Our indiscretion sometimes serves us well
 5.2.93508When our dear plots do pall, and that should teach us
 5.2.103509There's a divinity that shapes our ends,
 5.2.113510Rough-hew them how we will.
 3511Horatio
 Rough-hew them how we will.  That is most certain.
 5.2.123512Hamlet
 Up from my cabin,
 5.2.133513My sea-gown scarfed about me in the dark,
 5.2.143514Groped I to find out them; had my desire,
 5.2.153515Fingered their packet, and in fine withdrew
 5.2.163516To mine own room again, making so bold,
 5.2.173517My fears forgetting manners, to unseal 
 5.2.183518Their grand commission; where I found, Horatio--
 5.2.193519Oh, royal knavery!-- an exact command,
 5.2.203520Larded with many several sorts of reason, 
 5.2.213521Importing Denmark's health, and England's too,
 5.2.223522With, hoo! such bugs and goblins in my life,
 5.2.233523That on the supervise, no leisure bated,
 5.2.243524No, not to stay the grinding of the ax,
 5.2.253525My head should be struck off.
 3526Horatio
 My head should be struck off.  Is't possible?
 5.2.263527Hamlet[Showing a document]
 Here's the commission. Read it at more leisure.
 5.2.273528But wilt thou hear me how I did proceed?
 5.2.283529Horatio
 I beseech you.
 5.2.293530Hamlet
 Being thus benetted round with villains,
 5.2.303531Ere I could make a prologue to my brains,
 5.2.313532They had begun the play. I sat me down,
 5.2.323533Devised a new commission, wrote it fair.
 5.2.333534I once did hold it, as our statists do,
 5.2.343535A baseness to write fair, and labored much
 5.2.353536How to forget that learning, but, sir, now
 5.2.363537It did me yeoman's service. Wilt thou know
 5.2.373538The effects of what I wrote?
 3539Horatio
 The effects of what I wrote?  Ay, good my lord.
 5.2.383540Hamlet
 An earnest conjuration from the King,
 5.2.393541As England was his faithful tributary,
 5.2.403542As love between them as the palm should flourish,
 5.2.413543As peace should still her wheaten garland wear
 5.2.423544And stand a comma 'tween their amities,
 5.2.433545And many suchlike "as"es of great charge,
 5.2.443546That on the view and know of these contents,
 5.2.453547Without debatement further, more or less,
 5.2.463548He should the bearers put to sudden death,
 5.2.473549Not shriving time allowed.
 3550Horatio
 Not shriving time allowed.  How was this sealed?
 5.2.483551Hamlet
 Why, even in that was heaven ordinate.
 5.2.493552I had my father's signet in my purse,
 5.2.503553Which was the model of that Danish seal;
 5.2.513554Folded the writ up in form of the other,
 5.2.523555Subscribed it, gave't th'impression, placed it safely,
 5.2.533556The changeling never known. Now the next day
 5.2.543557Was our sea fight, and what to this was sequent 
 5.2.553558Thou know'st already.
 5.2.563559Horatio
 So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to't.
 5.2.573561Hamlet
 Why, man, they did make love to this employment. 
 5.2.583562They are not near my conscience. Their debate 
 5.2.59Doth by their own insinuation grow.
 5.2.603563'Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes
 5.2.613564Between the pass and fell incensèd points
 5.2.623565Of mighty opposites.
 3566Horatio
 Of mighty opposites.  Why, what a King is this!
 5.2.633567Hamlet
 Does it not, think'st thee, stand me now upon--
 5.2.643568He that hath killed my King and whored my mother,
 5.2.653569Popped in between th'election and my hopes,
 5.2.663570Thrown out his angle for my proper life,
 5.2.673571And with such cozenage--is't not perfect conscience
 5.2.683572To quit him with this arm? And is't not to be damned
 5.2.693573To let this canker of our nature come
 5.2.703574In further evil?
 5.2.713575Horatio
 It must be shortly known to him from England
 5.2.723576What is the issue of the business there.
 5.2.733577Hamlet
 It will be short. 
 5.2.743578The interim's mine, and a man's life's no more
 5.2.753579Than to say one. But I am very sorry, good Horatio,
 5.2.763580That to Laertes I forgot myself,
 5.2.773581For by the image of my cause I see
 5.2.783582The portraiture of his. I'll count his favors.
 5.2.793583But sure the bravery of his grief did put me
 5.2.803584Into a tow'ring passion.
 3585Horatio
 Into a tow'ring passion.  Peace, who comes here?
 5.2.80.13586Enter young Osric.
 5.2.813587Osric
 Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark.
 5.2.823588Hamlet
 I humbly thank you, sir. [Aside to Horatio] Dost know this water-fly?
 5.2.833589Horatio
 [Aside to Hamlet] No, my good lord.
 5.2.843590Hamlet
 [Aside to Horatio] 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 King's 3593mess. 'Tis a chough, but, as I saw, spacious in the 3594possession of dirt.
 5.2.853595Osric
 Sweet lord, if your friendship were at leisure, 3596I should impart a thing to you from his majesty.
 5.2.863597Hamlet
 I will receive it with all diligence of spirit. Put 3598your bonnet to his right use. 'Tis for the head.
 5.2.873599Osric
 I thank your lordship, 'tis very hot.
 5.2.883600Hamlet
 No, believe me, 'tis very cold. The wind is 3601northerly.
 5.2.893602Osric
 It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed.
 5.2.903603Hamlet
 Methinks it is very sultry and hot for my 3604complexion.
 5.2.913605Osric
 Exceedingly, my lord, it is very sultry, as 'twere--3606I cannot tell how. But, my lord, his majesty bade me 3607signify to you that he has laid a great wager on your head. 3608Sir, this is the matter--
 5.2.923609Hamlet[Reminding Osric once more about his hat] I beseech you, remember.
 5.2.933610Osric
 Nay, in good faith, for mine ease, in good faith.  3611Sir, you are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is at 3612his weapon.
 5.2.943613Hamlet
 What's his weapon?
 5.2.953614Osric
 Rapier and dagger.
 5.2.963615Hamlet
 That's two of his weapons--but well.
 5.2.973616Osric
 The King, sir, has waged with him six Barbary 3617horses, against the which he imponed, as I take it, six French 3618rapiers and poniards, with their assigns, as girdle, 3619hangers, or so. Three of the carriages, in faith, are very 3620dear to fancy, very responsive to the hilts, most delicate 3621carriages, and of very liberal conceit.
 5.2.983622Hamlet
 What call you the carriages?
 5.2.993623Osric
 The carriages, sir, are the hangers.
 5.2.1003624Hamlet
 The phrase would be more germane to the 3625matter if we could carry cannon by our sides; I would 3626it might be "hangers" till then. But on. Six Barbary 3627horses against six French swords, their assigns, and three 3628liberal-conceited carriages: that's the French bet 3629against the Danish. Why is this "imponed," as you call it?
 5.2.1013630Osric
 The King, sir, hath laid that in a dozen passes 3631between you and him, he shall not exceed you three hits. 3632He hath one twelve for nine, and that would come to 3633immediate trial, if your lordship would vouchsafe the 3634answer.
 5.2.1023635Hamlet
 How if I answer no?
 5.2.1033636Osric
 I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person 3637in trial.
 5.2.1043638Hamlet
 Sir, I will walk here in the hall. If it please 3639his majesty, 'tis the breathing time of day with me. Let 3640the foils be brought, the gentleman willing, and the 3641King hold his purpose, I will win for him if I can; if 3642not, I'll gain nothing but my shame and the odd hits.
 5.2.1053643Osric
 Shall I redeliver you e'en so?
 5.2.1063644Hamlet
 To this effect, sir, after what flourish your 3645nature will.
 5.2.1073646Osric
 I commend my duty to your lordship.
 5.2.1083647Hamlet
 Yours, yours. 
 5.2.108.1[Exit Osric.]
 5.2.109He does well to commend it 3648himself; there are no tongues else for's turn.
 5.2.1103649Horatio
 This lapwing runs away with the shell on his 3650head.
 5.2.1113651Hamlet
 He did comply with his dug before he 3652sucked it. Thus had he, and many more of the same bevy 3653that I know the drossy age dotes on, only got the tune of 3654the time and outward habit of encounter, a kind of 3655yeasty collection, which carries them through and through 3656the most fanned and winnowed opinions; and do but blow3657them to their trials, the bubbles are out.
 5.2.1123658Horatio
 You will lose this wager, my lord.
 5.2.1133659Hamlet
 I do not think so. Since he went into France, 3660I have been in continual practice; I shall win at the 3661odds. But thou wouldest not think how all here 3662about my heart, but it is no matter.
 5.2.1143663Horatio
 Nay, good my lord--
 5.2.1153664Hamlet
 It is but foolery, but it is such a kind of 3665gaingiving as would perhaps trouble a woman.
 5.2.1163666Horatio
 If your mind dislike anything, obey. I will 3667forestall their repair hither and say you are not fit.
 5.2.1173668Hamlet
 Not a whit, we defy augury. There's a special 3669providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not 3670to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it 3671be not now, yet it will come. The readiness is all, since no man 3672has aught of what he leaves. What is't to leave 3673betimes?
 5.2.117.13674Enter King, Queen, and Lords, with other 3675Attendants, with foils and gauntlets, a table, and 3676flagons of wine on it.
 5.2.1183677King
 Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.[The King puts Laertes's hand into Hamlet's.]
 5.2.1193678Hamlet[To Laertes]
 Give me your pardon, sir. I've done you wrong,
 5.2.1203679But pardon't as you are a gentleman. 
 5.2.1213680This presence knows,
 5.2.1223681And you must needs have heard, how I am punished
 5.2.1233682With sore distraction. What I have done
 5.2.1243683That might your nature, honor, and exception
 5.2.1253684Roughly awake, I hear proclaim was madness.
 5.2.1263685Was't Hamlet wronged Laertes? Never Hamlet.
 5.2.1273686If Hamlet from himself be ta'en away,
 5.2.1283687And when he's not himself does wrong Laertes,
 5.2.1293688Then Hamlet does it not; Hamlet denies it.
 5.2.1303689Who does it, then? His madness? If't be so,
 5.2.1313690Hamlet is of the faction that is wronged;
 5.2.1323691His madness is poor Hamlet's enemy.
 5.2.1333692Sir, in this audience,
 5.2.1343693Let my disclaiming from a purposed evil
 5.2.1353694Free me so far in your most generous thoughts
 5.2.1363695That I have shot mine arrow o'er the house
 5.2.1373696And hurt my mother.
 3697Laertes
 And hurt my mother.  I am satisfied in nature,
 5.2.1383698Whose motive in this case should stir me most
 5.2.1393699To my revenge. But in my terms of honor
 5.2.1403700I stand aloof, and will no reconcilement,
 5.2.1413701Till by some elder masters of known honor
 5.2.1423702I have a voice and precedent of peace
 5.2.1433703To keep my name ungorged. But till that time
 5.2.1443704I do receive your offered love like love,
 5.2.1453705And will not wrong it.
 3706Hamlet
 And will not wrong it.  I do embrace it freely, 
 5.2.1463707 And will this brother's wager frankly play.--
 5.2.1473708Give us the foils.--Come on.
 3709Laertes
 Give us the foils.--Come on.  Come, one for me.
 5.2.1483710Hamlet
 I'll be your foil, Laertes. In mine ignorance
 5.2.1493711Your skill shall like a star i'th'darkest night
 5.2.1503712Stick fiery off indeed.
 5.2.1513713Laertes
 You mock me, sir.
 5.2.1523714Hamlet
 No, by this hand.
 5.2.1533715King
 Give them the foils, young Osric. 
 5.2.153.1[Foils are handed to Hamlet and Laertes.]
 5.2.1543716 
 Cousin Hamlet, you know the wager.
 5.2.1553717Hamlet
 Very well, my lord.
 5.2.1563718Your grace hath laid the odds o'th'weaker side.
 5.2.1573719King
 I do not fear it; 3720I have seen you both.
 5.2.1583721But since he is bettered, we have therefore odds.
 5.2.1593722Laertes
 This is too heavy. 3723Let me see another.
 5.2.159.1[He exchanges his foil for another.]
 5.2.1603724Hamlet
 This likes me well. These foils have all a length?
 5.2.160.1Prepare to play.
 5.2.1613726Osric
 Ay, my good lord.
 5.2.1623727King
 Set me the stoups of wine upon that table.
 5.2.1633728If Hamlet give the first or second hit,
 5.2.1643729Or quit in answer of the third exchange,
 5.2.1653730Let all the battlements their ordnance fire.
 5.2.1663731The King shall drink to Hamlet's better breath,
 5.2.1673732And in the cup an union shall he throw
 5.2.1683733Richer then that which four successive kings
 5.2.1693734In Denmark's crown have worn. 3735Give me the cups,
 5.2.1703736And let the kettle to the trumpets speak,
 5.2.1713737The trumpet to the cannoneer without,
 5.2.1723738The cannons to the heavens, the heaven to earth,
 5.2.1733739"Now the King drinks to Hamlet." Come, begin.
 5.2.173.1[Trumpets the while.]
 5.2.1743740And you, the judges, bear a wary eye.
 5.2.1753741Hamlet
 Come on, sir.
 5.2.176.1They play. [Hamlet scores a hit.]
 5.2.1773743Hamlet
 One.
 5.2.1783744Laertes
 No.
 5.2.1793745Hamlet
 Judgment.
 5.2.1803746Osric
 A hit, a very palpable hit. 
 5.2.1813747Laertes
 Well, again.
 5.2.1823748King
 Stay. Give me drink. 3749Hamlet, this pearl is thine. 
 5.2.182.1[He drinks, and throws a pearl in Hamlet's cup.]
 5.2.1833750Here's to thy health.--Give him the cup.
 5.2.183.13751Trumpets sound, and shot goes off.
 5.2.1843752Hamlet
 I'll play this bout first. Set [it] by awhile.
 5.2.1853753Come.[They fence.]Another hit. What say you? 
 5.2.1863754Laertes
 A touch, a touch, I do confess.
 5.2.1873755King[To the Queen] Our son shall win.
 3756Queen
 King[To the Queen] Our son shall win.  He's fat and scant of breath.
 5.2.1883757[To Hamlet]Here's a napkin, rub thy brows. 
 5.2.188.1[The Queen takes a cup of wine to offer a toast to Hamlet.]
 5.2.1893758The Queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.
 5.2.1903759Hamlet
 Good madam.
 5.2.1913760King
 Gertrude, do not drink.
 5.2.1923761Queen
 I will, my lord, 3762I pray you pardon me.[She drinks.]
 5.2.1933763King
 [Aside] It is the poisoned cup. It is too late.
 5.2.1943764Hamlet
 I dare not drink yet, madam; 3765by and by.
 5.2.1953766Queen
 Come, let me wipe thy face.
 5.2.1963767Laertes
 [Aside to the King] My lord, I'll hit him now.
 3768King
 [Aside to the King] My lord, I'll hit him now.  [Aside to Laertes] I do not think't.
 5.2.1973769Laertes[Aside]
 And yet 'tis almost 'gainst my conscience.
 5.2.1983770Hamlet
 Come, for the third. 3771Laertes, you but dally.
 5.2.1993772I pray you, pass with your best violence;
 5.2.2003773I am afeard you make a wanton of me.
 5.2.2013774Laertes
 Say you so? Come on.
 5.2.201.1[They] play.
 5.2.2023775Osric
 Nothing neither way.
 5.2.2033776Laertes
 Have at you now!
 5.2.203.13777[Laertes wounds Hamlet with his unbated rapier.] In scuffling they change rapiers. [Hamlet and wounds Laertes.]
 3778King
 Have at you now!  Part them! They are incensed.
 5.2.2043779Hamlet
 Nay, come, again.[The Queen falls.]
 3780Osric
 Nay, come, again.[The Queen falls.]  Look to the Queen there, ho!
 5.2.2053781Horatio
 They bleed on both sides. [To Hamlet]How is't, my lord?
 5.2.2063782Osric
 How is't, Laertes?
 5.2.2073783Laertes
 Why, as a woodcock 3784To mine springe, Osric;
 5.2.2083785I am justly killed with mine own treachery.
 5.2.2093786Hamlet
 How does the Queen?
 3787King
 How does the Queen?  She swoons to see them bleed.
 5.2.2103788Queen
 No, no, the drink, the drink.
 5.2.2113789O my dear Hamlet, the drink, the drink! 
 5.2.2123790I am poisoned.
 5.2.212.1[She dies.]
 5.2.2133791Hamlet
 Oh, villainy! Ho! Let the door be locked.
 5.2.2143792Treachery! Seek it out.
 5.2.214.1[Exit Osric. Laertes falls.]
 5.2.2153793Laertes
 It is here, Hamlet. 3794Hamlet, thou art slain.
 5.2.2163795No medicine in the world can do thee good;
 5.2.2173796In thee there is not half an hour of life.
 5.2.2183797The treacherous instrument is in thy hand,
 5.2.2193798Unbated and envenomed. The foul practice
 5.2.2203799Hath turned itself on me. Lo, here I lie,
 5.2.2213800Never to rise again. Thy mother's poisoned.
 5.2.2223801I can no more. The King, the King's to blame.
 5.2.2233802Hamlet
 The point envenomed too? 3803Then, venom, to thy work.
 5.2.223.13804Hurts the King.
 5.2.2243805All
 Treason, treason!
 5.2.2253806King
 Oh, yet defend me, friends, I am but hurt.
 5.2.2263807Hamlet[Forcing the King to drink]Here, thou incestuous, murd'rous, 3808damnèd Dane,
 5.2.2273809Drink off this potion. Is thy union here?
 5.2.2283810Follow my mother.
 5.2.228.1King dies.
 3811Laertes
 Follow my mother.  He is justly served. 
 5.2.2293812It is a poison tempered by himself.
 5.2.2303813Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet.
 5.2.2313814Mine and my father's death come not upon thee,
 5.2.2323815Nor thine on me!
 5.2.232.1 Dies.
 5.2.2333816Hamlet
 Heaven make thee free of it! I follow thee.
 5.2.2343817I am dead, Horatio. Wretched Queen, adieu.
 5.2.2353818You that look pale and tremble at this chance,
 5.2.2363819That are but mutes or audience to this act,
 5.2.2373820Had I but time, as this fell sergeant Death
 5.2.2383821Is strict in his arrest, oh, I could tell you--
 5.2.2393822But let it be. Horatio, I am dead,
 5.2.2403823Thou liv'st. Report me and my causes right
 5.2.2413824To the unsatisfied.
 3825Horatio
 To the unsatisfied.  Never believe it.
 5.2.2423826I am more an antique Roman than a Dane.
 5.2.2433827Here's yet some liquor left.
 5.2.243.1[He attempts to drink from the poisoned cup, but is prevented by Hamlet.]
 3828Hamlet
 Here's yet some liquor left.  As th'art a man,
 5.2.244Give me the cup! 3829Let go! By heaven, I'll have't. 
 5.2.2453830O good Horatio, what a wounded name,
 5.2.2463831Things standing thus unknown, shall live behind me!
 5.2.2473832If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart,
 5.2.2483833Absent thee from felicity awhile,
 5.2.2493834And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain 
 5.2.2503835To tell my story. 
 5.2.250.13836March afar off, and shout within. 
 To tell my story.   3837What warlike noise is this?
 5.2.250.23838Enter Osric.
 5.2.2513839Osric
 Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland,
 5.2.2523840To th'ambassadors of England gives this warlike volley.
 5.2.2533841Hamlet
 Oh, I die, Horatio.
 5.2.2543842The potent poison quite o'ercrows my spirit.
 5.2.2553843I cannot live to hear the news from England,
 5.2.2563844But I do prophesy th'election lights
 5.2.2573845On Fortinbras. He has my dying voice.
 5.2.2583846So tell him, with the occurrents more and less
 5.2.2593847Which have solicited. The rest is silence. 
 5.2.260Oh, oh, oh, oh!
 5.2.260.1Dies.
 5.2.2613848Horatio
 Now crack a noble heart! 3849Good night, sweet prince,
 5.2.2623850And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest! 
 5.2.262.1[March within.]
 5.2.2633851Why does the drum come hither?
 5.2.263.13852Enter Fortinbras and English Ambassador, with Drum, 3853Colors, and Attendants.
 5.2.2643854Fortinbras
 Where is this sight?
 3855Horatio
 Where is this sight?  What is it ye would see?
 5.2.2653856If aught of woe or wonder, cease your search.
 5.2.2663857Fortinbras
 His quarry cries on havoc. O proud Death,
 5.2.2673858What feast is toward in thine eternal cell,
 5.2.2683859That thou so many princes at a shoot 
 5.2.2693860So bloodily hast struck?
 3861Ambassador
 So bloodily hast struck?  The sight is dismal,
 5.2.2703862And our affairs from England come too late.
 5.2.2713863The ears are senseless that should give us hearing,
 5.2.2723864To tell him his commandment is fulfilled,
 5.2.2733865That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead.
 5.2.2743866Where should we have our thanks?
 3867Horatio
 Where should we have our thanks?  Not from his mouth,
 5.2.2753868Had it th'ability of life to thank you;
 5.2.2763869He never gave commandment for their death.
 5.2.2773870But since so jump upon this bloody question
 5.2.2783871You from the Polack wars and you from England
 5.2.2793872Are here arrived, give order that these bodies
 5.2.2803873High on a stage be placèd to the view,
 5.2.2813874And let me speak to th'yet unknowing world
 5.2.2823875How these things came about. So shall you hear
 5.2.2833876Of carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts,
 5.2.2843877Of accidental judgments, casual slaughters,
 5.2.2853878Of deaths put on by cunning, and forced cause,
 5.2.2863879And in this upshot, purpose mistook
 5.2.2873880Fall'n on the inventors' heads. All this can I
 5.2.2883881Truly deliver.
 3882Fortinbras
 Truly deliver.  Let us haste to hear it,
 5.2.2893883And call the noblest to the audience.
 5.2.2903884For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune.
 5.2.2913885I have some rights of memory in this kingdom,
 5.2.2923886Which are to claim; my vantage doth 3887invite me.
 5.2.2933888Horatio
 Of that I shall have always cause to speak,
 5.2.2943889And from his mouth 3890Whose voice will draw on more.
 5.2.2953891But let this same be presently performed,
 5.2.2963892Even whiles men's minds are wild, 3893Lest more mischance
 5.2.2973894On plots and errors happen.
 3895Fortinbras
 On plots and errors happen.  Let four captains
 5.2.2983896Bear Hamlet like a soldier to the stage,
 5.2.2993897For he was likely, had he been put on,
 5.2.3003898To have proved most royally; 3899And for his passage,
 5.2.3013900The soldiers' music and the rites of war
 5.2.3023901Speak loudly for him.
 5.2.3033902Take up the body. Such a sight as this
 5.2.3043903Becomes the field, but here shows much amiss.
 5.2.3053904Go, bid the soldiers shoot. 
 5.2.305.13905Exeunt marching, after the which, a peal of ordnance are shot off. 
 5.2.305.23907FINIS
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Hamlet (Modern, Folio)
