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- Edition: Hamlet
Hamlet (Modern, Quarto 2)
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3499[5.2]
3407Enter Hamlet and Horatio.
So much for this, sir. Now shall you see the other.
Remember it, my lord!
Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting
That is most certain.
Up from my cabin,
Is't possible?
[Showing a document] Here's the commission. Read it at more leisure.
I beseech you.
Being thus benetted round with villains--
Ay, good my lord.
An earnest conjuration from the King,
How was this sealed?
Why, even in that was heaven ordinant.
So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to't.
They are not near my conscience. Their defeat
Why, what a King is this!
Does it not, think thee, stand me now upon?
Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark.
I humbly thank you, sir. 3482[Aside to Horatio] Dost know this water-fly?
[Aside to Hamlet] No, my good lord.
[Aside to Horatio] Thy state is the more gracious, for 'tis a vice to know him. 35913485He hath much land, and fertile. Let a beast be lord of beasts, and his 35923486crib shall stand at the King's 3593mess. 'Tis a chough, but, as I say, 3487spacious in the 3594possession of dirt.
Sweet lord, if your lordship were at leisure, I should 35963489impart a thing to you from his majesty.
I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of spirit. [Put] your bonnet 35983491to his right use. 'Tis for the head.
I thank your lordship, it is very hot.
No, believe me, 'tis very cold. The wind is northerly.
It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed.
Exceedingly, my lord, it is very sultry, as 'twere--I 36063498cannot tell how. My lord, his majesty bade me signify to you that 'a 36073499has laid a great wager on your head. Sir, this is the matter--
[Reminding Osric once more about his hat] I beseech you, remember.
Nay, good my lord, for my ease, in good faith. Sir, here is newly 3610.13502come to court Laertes--believe me, an absolute gentlemen, full of most 3610.23503excellent differences, of very soft society and great showing. 3610.33504Indeed, to speak feelingly of him, he is the card or calendar of 3610.43505gentry, for you shall find in him the continent of what part a 3610.53506gentleman would see.
Sir, his definement suffers no perdition in you, though I 3610.73508know to divide him inventorially would dazzle th'arithmetic of 3610.83509memory, and yet but yaw neither, in respect of his quick sail. But 3610.93510in the verity of extolment, I take him to be a soul of great article, 3610.103511and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as, to make true diction 3610.113512of him, his semblable is his mirror, and who else would trace him, his 3610.123513umbrage, nothing more.
Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him.
Sir?
[To Hamlet] Is't not possible to understand in another tongue? You will 3610.183519do't, sir, really.
[To Osric] What imports the nomination of this gentleman?
Of Laertes?
[To Hamlet] His purse is empty already; all's golden words are spent.
[To Osric] Of him, sir.
I know you are not ignorant--
You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is--
I dare not confess that, lest I should compare with 3612.23529him in excellence. But to know a man well were to know himself.
I mean, sir, for his weapon. But in the imputation laid on 3612.43531him by them, in his meed he's unfellowed.
What's his weapon?
Rapier and dagger.
That's two of his weapons--but well.
The King, sir, hath wagered with him six Barbary horses, 36173536against the which he has impawned, as I take it, six French rapiers 36183537and poniards, with their assigns, as girdle, hanger, and so. Three 36193538of the carriages, in faith, are very dear to fancy, very responsive to 36203539the hilts, most delicate carriages, 3621and of very liberal conceit.
What call you the carriages?
[To Hamlet] I knew you must be edified by the margin ere you had 3542done.
The carriage, sir, are the hangers.
The phrase would be more germane to the matter if we 36253545could carry a cannon by our sides; I would it might be "hangers" till 36263546then. But on. Six Barbary horses against six French swords, their 36273547assigns, and three liberal-conceited carriages: that's the French 36283548bet against the Danish. Why is this all you call it?
The King, sir, hath laid, sir, that in a dozen passes between 36313550yourself and him, he shall not exceed you three hits. He hath 36323551laid on twelve for nine, and it would come to 3633immediate trial, if 3552your lordship would vouchsafe the 3634answer.
How if I answer no?
I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial.
Sir, I will walk here in the hall. If it please his majesty, it 36393556is the breathing time of day with me. Let the foils be brought, the 36403557gentleman willing, and the King hold his purpose, I will win 36413558for him an I can; if not, I will gain nothing but my shame and 36423559the odd hits.
Shall I deliver you so?
To this effect, sir, after what flourish your nature will.
I commend my duty to your lordship.
Yours.
[Exit Courtier, Osric.]
This lapwing runs away with the shell on his head.
'A did so, sir, with his dug before 'a sucked it. Thus has he, and 36523567many more of the same breed that I know the drossy age dotes on, 36533568only got the tune of the time and, out of an habit of encounter, a 36543569kind of yeasty collection, which carries them through and through 36563570the most profane and winnowed opinions; and do but blow 36573571them to their trial, the bubbles are out.
Enter a Lord.
My lord, his majesty commended him to you by young 3657.33574Osric, who brings back to him that you attend him in the hall. 3657.43575He sends to know if your pleasure hold to play with Laertes, or that 3657.53576you will take longer time?
I am constant to my purposes; they follow the King's 3657.73578pleasure. If his fitness speaks, mine is ready: now or whensoever, 3657.83579provided I be so able as now.
The King and Queen and all are coming down.
In happy time.
The Queen desires you to use some gentle entertainment 3657.123583to Laertes before you fall to play.
She well instructs me.
118.1[Exit Lord.]
You will lose, my lord.
I do not think so. Since he went into France, I have been 36603587in continual practice; I shall win at the odds. Thou wouldst not 36613588think how ill all's here about my heart, but it is no matter.
Nay, good my lord--
If your mind dislike anything, obey it. I will forestall their 36673593repair hither and say you are not fit.
Not a whit, we defy augury. There is special 3669providence in 3595the fall of a sparrow. If it be, 'tis not 3670to come; if it be not to come, 3596it will be now; if it 3671be not now, yet it will come. The readiness is all, 3597since no man 3672of aught of what he leaves knows what is't to leave 3673betimes. 3673.13598Let be.
124.136743599A table prepared. [Enter] Trumpets, drums, and officers with cushions, 36763600King, Queen, [Osric,] and all the state, foils, daggers, 3601and Laertes. [Wine is borne in.]
Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.
125.1[The King puts Laertes's hand into Hamlet's.]
[To Laertes] Give me your pardon, sir. I have done you wrong,
I am satisfied in nature,
frankly play.--
Come, one for me.
I'll be your foil, Laertes. In mine ignorance
You mock me, sir.
No, by this hand.
Give them the foils, young Osric.
[Foils are handed to Hamlet and Laertes.]
Cousin Hamlet,
Very well, my lord.
I do not fear it; 3720I have seen you both.
This is too heavy. Let me see another.
[He exchanges his foil for another.]
This likes me well. These foils have all a length?
Ay, my good lord.
[They prepare to play.]
Set me the stoups of wine upon that table.
Trumpets the while.
Come on, sir.
Come, my lord.
182.1[They fence. Hamlet scores a hit.]
One.
No.
[To Osric] Judgment.
A hit, a very palpable hit.
Drum, trumpets, and shot. Flourish. A piece goes off.
Well, again.
Stay. Give me drink. Hamlet this pearl is thine.
188.1[He drinks, and throws a pearl in Hamlet's cup.]
I'll play this bout first. Set it by awhile.
I do confess't.
[To the Queen] Our son shall win.
He's fat and scant of breath.--
194.1[The Queen takes a cup of wine to offer a toast to Hamlet.]
Good madam.
Gertrude, do not drink.
I will, my lord, I pray you pardon me.
[She drinks.]
[Aside] It is the poisoned cup. It is too late.
I dare not drink yet, madam; by and by.
Come, let me wipe thy face.
[Aside to the King] My lord, I'll hit him now.
[Aside to Laertes] I do not think't.
[Aside] And yet it is almost against my conscience.
Come for the third, 3771Laertes, you do but dally.
Say you so? Come on.
207.1[They fence.]
Nothing neither way.
Have at you now!
209.13777[Laertes wounds Hamlet with his unbated rapier.] In scuffling they change rapiers. [Hamlet wounds Laertes.]
Part them! They are incensed.
Nay, come again.
210.1[Laertes falls down. The Queen falls down.]
Look to the Queen there, ho!
They bleed on both sides. [To Hamlet] How is it, my lord?
How is't, Laertes?
Why, as a woodcock 3784to mine own springe, Osric;
How does the Queen?
She swoons to see them bleed.
No, no, the drink, the drink, O my dear Hamlet,
218.1[She dies.]
Oh, villainy! Ho, let the door be locked.
220.1[Exit Osric.]
It is here. Hamlet, 3794thou art slain.
The point envenomed to[o]? Then, venom, to thy work.
Treason, treason!
Oh, yet defend me, friends, I am but hurt.
[Forcing the King to drink] Here, thou incestuous, 3808damnèd Dane,
234.1[The King dies.]
He is justly served.
3812It is a poison tempered by himself.
238.1[He dies.]
Heaven make thee free of it! I follow thee.
Never believe it.
[He attempts to drink from the poisoned cup, but is prevented by Hamlet.]
As thou'rt a man,
256.1A march afar off.
3837What warlike noise is this?
Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland,
Oh, I die, Horatio.
265.1[He dies.]
Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince,
267.1[March within.]
268.138523755Enter Fortinbras, with the [English] Ambassadors, [with Drum, 3853 Colors, and Attendants].
Where is this sight?
What is it you would see?
This quarry cries on havoc. O proud Death,
The sight is dismal,
Not from his mouth,
Let us haste to hear it,
Of that I shall have also cause to speak,
Let four captains
310.1Exeunt.