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  • Title: Hamlet (Modern, Quarto 1)
  • Editor: David Bevington
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-434-9

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    Not Peer Reviewed

    Hamlet (Modern, Quarto 1)

    [Scene 6]
    Enter Corambis and Montano.
    890Corambis
    Montano, here, these letters to my son,
    And this same money with my blessing to him,
    And bid him ply his learning, good Montano.
    Montano
    I will, my lord.
    Corambis
    You shall do very well, Montano, to say thus:
    905"I knew the gentleman," or "know his father,"
    To inquire the manner of his life,
    898.1As thus; being amongst his acquaintance,
    You may say, you saw him at such a time, mark you me,
    At game, or drinking, swearing, or drabbing,
    You may go so far.
    Montano
    My lord, that will impeach his reputation.
    920Corambis
    I'faith, not a whit, no, not a whit.
    Now happily he closeth with you in the consequence,
    As you may bridle it, not disparage him a jot.
    What was I about to say?
    945Montano
    He closeth with him in the consequence.
    Corambis
    Ay, you say right, he closeth with him thus,
    This will he say--let me see what he will say--
    Marry, this: "I saw him yesterday," or "t'other day,"
    950Or "then," or "at such time," "a-dicing,"
    Or "at tennis," ay, or "drinking drunk," or "ent'ring
    Of a house of lightness," viz. brothel.
    Thus, sir, do we that know the world, being men of reach,
    By indirections find directions forth,
    And so shall you my son. You ha' me, ha' you not?
    Montano
    I have, my lord.
    Corambis
    Well, fare you well. Commend me to him.
    965Montano
    I will, my lord.
    Corambis
    And bid him ply his music.
    Montano
    My lord, I will.
    Exit.
    Enter Ofelia.
    Corambis
    Farewell.--How now, Ofelia, what's the news with you?
    Ofelia
    O my dear father, such a change in nature,
    971.1So great an alteration in a prince,
    So pitiful to him, fearful to me,
    978.1A maiden's eye ne'er lookèd on!
    970Corambis
    Why, what's the matter, my Ofelia?
    Ofelia
    Oh, young Prince Hamlet, the only flower of Denmark,
    974.1He is bereft of all the wealth he had!
    The jewel that adorned his feature most
    Is filched and stol'n away: his wit's bereft him.
    He found me walking in the gallery all alone.
    There comes he to me, with a distracted look,
    His garters lagging down, his shoes untied,
    And fixed his eyes so steadfast on my face
    987.1As if they had vowed this is their latest object.
    Small while he stood, but grips me by the wrist,
    984.1And there he holds my pulse till, with a sigh,
    He doth unclasp his hold and parts away
    993.1Silent as is the mid time of the night.
    And as he went, his eye was still on me,
    For thus his head over his shoulder looked.
    995He seemed to find the way without his eyes,
    For out of doors he went without their help,
    996.1And so did leave me.
    Corambis
    Mad for thy love.
    What, have you given him any cross words of late?
    I did repel his letters, deny his gifts,
    1005As you did charge me.
    Corambis
    Why, that hath made him mad.
    By heav'n, 'tis as proper for our age to cast
    Beyond ourselves as 'tis for the younger sort
    To leave their wantonness. Well, I am sorry
    That I was so rash. But what remedy?
    1015Let's to the King. This madness may prove,
    Though wild awhile, yet more true to thy love.
    Exeunt