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  • Title: Hamlet (Quarto 1, 1603)
  • Textual editor: Eric Rasmussen
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-434-9

    Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Hamlet (Quarto 1, 1603)

    Prince of Denmarke
    2235You would seeme to know my stops, you would play vpon mee,
    You would search the very inward part of my hart,
    And diue into the secrect of my soule.
    2240Zownds do you thinke I am easier to be pla'yd
    On, then a pipe? call mee what Instrument
    You will, though you can frett mee, yet you can not
    Play vpon mee, besides, to be demanded by a spunge.
    Ros. How a spunge my Lord?
    2645Ham. I sir, a spunge, that sokes vp the kings
    Countenance, fauours, and rewardes, that makes
    His liberalitie your store house: but such as you,
    Do the king, in the end, best seruise;
    For hee doth keep you as an Ape doth nuttes,
    In the corner of his Iaw, first mouthes you,
    Then swallowes you: so when hee hath need
    Of you, t'is but squeesing of you,
    2650And spunge, you shall be dry againe, you shall.
    2650.1Ros. Wel my Lord wee'le take our leaue.
    Ham Farewell, farewell, God blesse you.
    2242.1 Exit Rossencraft and Gilderstone.

    Enter Corambis
    2245Cor. My lord, the Queene would speake with you.
    Ham. Do you see yonder clowd in the shape of a camell?
    Cor. T'is like a camell in deed.
    2250Ham. Now me thinkes it's like a weasel.
    Cor. T'is back't like a weasell.
    Ham. Or like a whale.
    Cor. Very like a whale. exit Coram.
    Ham. Why then tell my mother i'le come by and by.
    2254.1Good night Horatio.
    Hor. Good night vnto your Lordship. exit Horatio.
    Ham. My mother she hath sent to speake with me:
    O God, let ne're the heart of Nero enter
    2265This soft bosome.
    Let me be cruell, not vnnaturall.
    G I