So much for this, sir. Now shall you see the other.

35013409You do remember all the circumstance?

Remember it, my lord!

Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting

35043412That would not let me sleep. Methought I lay

35053413Worse than the mutines in the bilboes. Rashly,

35063414And praised be rashness for it: let us know,

35073415Our indiscretion sometime serves us well

35083416When our deep plots do fall, and that should learn us

35093417There's a divinity that shapes our ends,

35103418Rough-hew them how we will.

That is most certain.

Up from my cabin,

35133421My sea-gown scarfed about me, in the dark

35143422Groped I to find out them, had my desire,

35153423Fingered their packet, and in fine withdrew

35163424To mine own room again, making so bold,

35173425My fears forgetting manners, to unfold

35183426Their grand commission; where I found, Horatio--

35193427Ah, royal knavery!--an exact command,

35203428Larded with many several sorts of reasons

35213429Importing Denmark's health, and England's to[o],

35223430With ho! such bugs and goblins in my life,

35233431That on the supervise, no leisure bated,

35243432No, not to stay the grinding of the ax,

35253433My head should be struck off.

Is't possible?

[Showing a document] Here's the commission. Read it at more leisure.

35283436But wilt thou hear now how I did proceed?

I beseech you.

Being thus benetted round with villains--

35313439Or I could make a prologue to my brains,

35323440They had begun the play--I sat me down,

35333441Devised a new commission, wrote it fair.

35343442I once did hold it, as our statists do,

35353443A baseness to write fair, and labored much

35363444How to forget that learning, but, sir, now

35373445It did me yeoman's service. Wilt thou know

35383446Th'effect of what I wrote?

Ay, good my lord.

An earnest conjuration from the King,

35413449As England was his faithful tributary,

35423450As love between them like the palm might flourish,

35433451As peace should still her wheaten garland wear

35443452And stand a comma 'tween their amities,

35453453And many suchlike "as, sir" of great charge,

35463454That on the view and knowing of these contents,

35473455Without debatement further more or less,

35483456He should those bearers put to sudden death,

35493457Not shriving time allowed.

How was this sealed?

Why, even in that was heaven ordinant.

35523460I had my father's signet in my purse,

35533461Which was the model of that Danish seal;

35543462Folded the writ up in the form of th'other,

35553463Subscribe[d] it, gave't th'impression, placed it safely,

35563464The changeling never known. Now the next day

35573465Was our sea fight, and what to this was sequent

35583466Thou knowest already.

So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to't.

They are not near my conscience. Their defeat

35623469Does by their own insinuation grow.

35633470'Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes

35643471Between the pass and fell incensèd points

35653472Of mighty opposites.

Why, what a King is this!

Does it not, think thee, stand me now upon?

35683475He that hath killed my King and whored my mother,

35693476Popped in between th'election and my hopes,

35703477Thrown out his angle for my proper life,

35713478And with such coz'nage--is't not perfect conscience?

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.

But yet methinks it is very sultry and hot [f]or my 36043496complexion.

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.

The concernancy, sir? Why do we wrap the gentleman in 3610.153516our more rawer breath?

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--

I would you did, sir. Yet in faith if you did, it would not 3610.253526much approve me. Well, sir?

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.

['A] does well to commend it himself; there are no 36483564tongues else for's turn.

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.

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.

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--

It is but foolery, but it is such a kind of gaingiving as 36653591would perhaps trouble a woman.

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.

Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.

[To Laertes] Give me your pardon, sir. I have done you wrong,

36793604But pardon't as you are a gentleman. This presence knows,

36813605And you must needs have heard, how I am punished

36823606With a sore distraction. What I have done

36833607That might your nature, honor, and exception

36843608Roughly awake, I hear proclaim was madness.

36853609Was't Hamlet wronged Laertes? Never Hamlet.

36863610If Hamlet from himself be ta'en away,

36873611And when he's not himself does wrong Laertes,

36883612Then Hamlet does it not; Hamlet denies it.

36893613Who does it, then? His madness. If't be so,

36903614Hamlet is of the faction that is wronged;

36913615His madness is poor Hamlet's enemy.

36933616Let my disclaiming from a purposed evil

36943617Free me so far in your most generous thoughts

36953618That I have shot my arrow o'er the house

36963619And hurt my brother.

I am satisfied in nature,

36983621Whose motive in this case should stir me most

36993622To my revenge. But in my terms of honor

37003623I stand aloof, and will no reconcilement,

37013624Till by some elder masters of known honor

37023625I have a voice and precedent of peace

37033626To [keep] my name ungored. But all that time

37043627I do receive your offered love like love,

37053628And will not wrong it.

I embrace it freely, 37073630and will this brother's wager

frankly play.--

37083631Give us the foils.

Come, one for me.

I'll be your foil, Laertes. In mine ignorance

37113634Your skill shall like a star i'th' darkest night

37123635Stick fiery off indeed.

You mock me, sir.

No, by this hand.

Give them the foils, young Osric.

Give them the foils, young Osric. Cousin Hamlet,

37163639You know the wager.

Very well, my lord.

37183641Your grace has laid the odds o'th'weaker side.

I do not fear it; 3720I have seen you both.

37213643But since he is better, we have therefore odds.

This is too heavy. Let me see another.

This likes me well. These foils have all a length?

Ay, my good lord.

Set me the stoups of wine upon that table.

37283648If Hamlet give the first or second hit,

37293649Or quit in answer of the third exchange,

37303650Let all the battlements their ordnance fire.

37313651The King shall drink to Hamlet's better breath,

37323652And in the cup an onyx shall he throw

37333653Richer then that which four successive kings

37343654In Denmark's crown have worn. Give me the cups,

37363655And let the kettle to the trumpet speak,

37373656The trumpet to the cannoneer without,

37383657The cannons to the heavens, the heaven to earth,

37393658"Now the King drinks to Hamlet." Come, begin.

37403659And you, the judges, bear a wary eye.

Come on, sir.

Come, my lord.

One.

No.

[To Osric] Judgment.

A hit, a very palpable hit.

Well, again.

Stay. Give me drink. Hamlet this pearl is thine.

37503668Here's to thy health.--Give him the cup.

I'll play this bout first. Set it by awhile.

37533670Come. [They fence.] Come, another hit. What say you?

I do confess't.

[To the Queen] Our son shall win.

He's fat and scant of breath.--

37573674Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows.

37583675The Queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.

Good madam.

Gertrude, do not drink.

I will, my lord, I pray you pardon me.

[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.

37723686I pray you, pass with your best violence;

37733687I am sure you make a wanton of me.

Say you so? Come on.

Nothing neither way.

Have at you now!

Part them! They are incensed.

Nay, come again.

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;

37853697I am justly killed with mine own treachery.

How does the Queen?

She swoons to see them bleed.

No, no, the drink, the drink, O my dear Hamlet,

37893701The drink, the drink! I am poisoned.

Oh, villainy! Ho, let the door be locked.

37923703Treachery! Seek it out.

It is here. Hamlet, 3794thou art slain.

37953705No med'cine in the world can do thee good;

37963706In thee there is not half an hour's life.

37973707The treacherous instrument is in my hand,

37983708Unbated and envenomed. The foul practice

37993709Hath turned itself on me. Lo, here I lie

38003710Never to rise again. Thy mother's poisoned.

38013711I can no more. The King, the King's to blame.

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,

38093716Drink of[f] this potion. Is the onyx here?

38103717Follow my mother.

He is justly served.

3812It is a poison tempered by himself.

38133719Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet.

38143720Mine and my father's death come not upon thee,

38153721Nor thine on me!

Heaven make thee free of it! I follow thee.

38173723I am dead, Horatio. Wretched Queen, adieu.

38183724You that look pale and tremble at this chance,

38193725That are but mutes or audience to this act,

38203726Had I but time, as this fell sergeant Death

38213727Is strict in his arrest, oh, I could tell you--

38223728But let it be. Horatio, I am dead,

38233729Thou livest. Report me and my cause aright

38243730To the unsatisfied.

Never believe it.

38263732I am more an antique Roman than a Dane.

38273733Here's yet some liquor left.

As thou'rt a man,

3735Give me the cup! 3829Let go! By heaven I'll ha't.

38303736Oh, God, Horatio, what a wounded name,

38313737Things standing thus unknown, shall I leave behind me!

38323738If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart,

38333739Absent thee from felicity awhile,

38343740And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain

38353741To tell my story.

To tell my story. 3837What warlike noise is this?

Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland,

38403744To th'ambassadors of England gives this warlike volley.

Oh, I die, Horatio.

38423746The potent poison quite o'ercrows my spirit.

38433747I cannot live to hear the news from England,

38443748But I do prophesy th'election lights

38453749On Fortinbras. He has my dying voice.

38463750So tell him, with th'occurrents more and less

38473751Which have solicited. The rest is silence.

Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince,

38503753And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!

38513754Why does the drum come hither?

Where is this sight?

What is it you would see?

38563758If aught of woe or wonder, cease your search.

This quarry cries on havoc. O proud Death,

38583760What feast is toward in thine eternal cell,

38593761That thou so many princes at a shot

38603762So bloodily hast struck?

The sight is dismal,

38623764And our affairs from England come too late.

38633765The ears are senseless that should give us hearing,

38643766To tell him his commandment is fulfilled,

38653767That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead.

38663768Where should we have our thanks?

Not from his mouth,

38683770Had it th'ability of life to thank you;

38693771He never gave commandment for their death.

38703772But since so jump upon this bloody question

38713773You from the Polack wars and you from England

38723774Are here arrived, give order that these bodies

38733775High on a stage be placèd the view,

38743776And let me speak to [th']yet unknowing world

38753777How these things came about. So shall you hear

38763778Of carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts,

38773779Of accidental judgments, casual slaughters,

38783780Of deaths put on by cunning and for no cause,

38793781And in this upshot, purposes mistook

38803782Fall'n on th'inventors' heads. All this can I

38813783Truly deliver.

Let us haste to hear it,

38833785And call the noblest to the audience.

38843786For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune.

38853787I have some rights of memory in this kingdom,

38863788Which now to claim my vantage doth invite me.

Of that I shall have also cause to speak,

38893790And from his mouth 3890whose voice will draw no more.

38913791But let this same be presently performed,

38923792Even while men's minds are wild, lest more mischance

38943793On plots and errors happen.

Let four captains

38963795Bear Hamlet like a soldier to the stage,

38973796For he was likely, had he been put on,

38983797To have proved most royal; and for his passage,

39003798The soldiers' music and the rite of war

39013799Speak loudly for him.

39023800Take up the bodies. Such a sight as this

39033801Becomes the field, but here shows much amiss.

39043802Go bid the soldiers shoot.

310.239073803FINIS.