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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    Not Peer Reviewed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.
    The bird of dawning singeth all night long,
    160And then they say, no spirite dare walke abroade,
    The nights are wholesome, then no planet frikes,
    No Fairie takes, nor Witch hath powre to charme,
    So gratious, and so hallowed is that time.
    Hor. So haue I heard, and doe in parte beleeue it:
    165But see the Sunne in russet mantle clad,
    Walkes ore the deaw of yon hie mountaine top,
    Breake we our watch vp, and by my aduise,
    Let vs impart what wee haue seene to night
    Vnto yong Hamlet: for vpon my life
    170This Spirite dumbe to vs will speake to him:
    Do you consent, wee shall acquaint him with it,
    As needefull in our loue, fitting our duetie?
    Marc. Lets doo't I pray, and I this morning know,
    Where we shall finde him most conueniently.

    Enter King, Queene, Hamlet, Leartes, Corambis,
    and the two Ambassadors, with Attendants.

    King Lordes, we here haue writ to Fortenbrasse,
    Nephew to olde Norway, who impudent
    And bed-rid, scarcely heares of this his
    Nephews purpose: and Wee heere dispatch
    Yong good Cornelia, and you Voltemar
    For bearers of these greetings to olde
    Norway, giuing to you no further personall power
    To businesse with the King,
    Then those related articles do shew:
    Farewell, and let your haste commend your dutie.
    Gent. In this and all things will wee shew our dutie.
    220King. Wee doubt nothing, hartily farewel:
    And now Leartes, what's the news with you?
    You said you had a sute what i'st Leartes?
    Lea. My gratious Lord, your fauorable licence,
    231.1Now that the funerall rites are all performed,
    B3 I