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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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    The Tragedie of Hamlet
    2573.1That knowes our thoughts, and lookes into our hearts,
    I will conceale, consent, and doe my best,
    2574.1What stratagem soe're thou shalt deuise.
    Ham. It is enough, mother good night:
    Come sir, I'le prouide for you a graue,
    Who was in life a foolish prating knaue.
    2585 Exit Hamlet with the dead body.

    Enter the King and Lordes.
    King Now Gertred, what sayes our sonne, how doe you
    finde him?
    Queene Alas my lord, as raging as the sea:
    2593.1Whenas he came, I first bespake him faire,
    But then he throwes and tosses me about,
    As one forgetting that I was his mother:
    2392.1At last I call'd for help: and as I cried, Corambis
    Call'd, which Hamlet no sooner heard, but whips me
    Out his rapier, and cries, a Rat, a Rat, and in his rage
    The good olde man he killes.
    2600King Why this his madnesse will vndoe our state.
    Lordes goe to him, inquire the body out.
    2624.1Gil. We will my Lord. Exeunt Lordes.
    King Gertred, your sonne shall presently to England,
    His shipping is already furnished,
    2617.1And we haue sent by Rossencraft and Gilderstone,
    Our letters to our deare brother of England,
    For Hamlets welfare and his happinesse:
    Happly the aire and climate of the Country
    1828.1May please him better than his natiue home:
    See where he comes.

    Enter Hamlet and the Lordes.
    Gil. My lord, we can by no meanes
    Know of him where the body is.
    King Now sonne Hamlet, where is this dead body?
    Ham. At supper, not where he is eating, but
    Where