me :

Which might deprive your sovereignty of reason, And duller shouldst thou be than the fat weed
And draw you into madness ? think of it: That rots itself in ease on Lethe wharf,
The very place puts toys' of desperation,

Wouldst thou not stir in this. Now, Hamlet, bear: Without more motive, into every brain,

'Tis given out, that, sleeping in mine orchard, That looks so many fathoms to the sea,

A serpent stung me; so the whole ear of Denmark And hears it roar beneath.

Is by a forged process of my death Нат.

It waves me still : Rankly abus'd; but know, thou noble youth, Go on, I'll follow thee.

The serpent that did sting thy father's life, Mar. You shall not go, my lord.

Now wears his crown. Ham.

Hold off your hands. Ham. O, my prophetic soul! my uncle. Hor. Be rul'd, you shall not go.

Ghost. Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast Ham.

My fate cries out, With witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts, And makes each petty artery in this body

(0 wicked wit, and gifts, that have the power As hardy as the Némean lion's nerve.

So to seduce!) won to his shameful lust

[Ghost beckons. The will of my most seeming-virtuous queen: Still am I call’d;—unhand me, gentlemen ;- O, Hamlet, what a falling-off was there!

[Breaking from them. From me, whose love was of that dignity, By heaven, I'll make a ghost of him that lets That it went hand in hand even with tbe row

I made to her in marriage; and to decline I say, away :-Go on, I'll follow thee.

Upon a wretch, whose natural gifts were poor [Exeunt Ghost and HAMLET. To those of mine! Hor. He waxes desperate with imagination. But virtue, as it never will be mov'd, Mar. Let's follow; 'tis not fit thus to obey him. Though lewdness court it in a shape of heaven; Hor. Have after:-To what issue will this come? So lust, though to a radiant angel link'd, Mar. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. Will sate itself in a celestial bed, Hor. Heaven will direct it.

And prey on garbage. Mar.

Nay, let's follow him. But, soft! methinks I scent the morning air:

[Exeunt. Brief let me be :- Sleeping within mine orchard SCENE V.- A more remote Part of the Platform. Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole,

My custom always of the afternoon,
Re-enter Ghost and HAMLET.

With juice of cursed hebenon' in a vial, Ham. Whither wilt thou lead me ? Speak, I'll And in the porches of mine ears did pour go no further.

The leperous distilment: whose effect
Ghost. Mark me.

Holds such an enmity with blood of man,
Ham.
I will.

That, swift as quicksilver, it courses through
Ghost.

My hour is almost come, The natural gates and alleys of the body; When I to sulphurous and tormenting flames And, with a sudden vigor, it doth posset Must render up myself.

And curd, like eager droppings into milk, Нат.

Alas, poor ghost ! The thin and wholesome blood: so did it mine; Ghost. Pity me not, but lend thy serious hearing And a most instant tetter bark'd about, To what I shall unfold.

Most lazar-like, with vile and loathsome crust, Ham.

Speak, I am bound to hear. All my smooth body. Ghost. So art thou to revenge, when thou shalt Thus was I, sleeping, by a brother's hand, hear.

Of life, of crown, of queen, at once despatch'd:' Ham. What?

Cut off even in the blossoms of my sin, Ghost. I am thy father's spirit;

Unhousel'd,' disappointed,' unaneled;* Doom'd for a certain term to walk the night; No reckoning made, but sent to my account And, for the day, confin'd to fast in fires,

With all my imperfections on my bead: Till the foul crimes, done in my days of nature, 0, horrible! 0, horrible! most borrible! Are burnt and purged away. But that I am forbid If thou hast nature in thee, bear it not; To tell the secrets of my prison-house,

Let not the royal bed of Denmark be I could a tale unfold, whose lightest word

A couch for luxury and damned incest. Would harrow up thy soul; freeze thy young blood; But, howsoever thou pursuest this act, Make thy two eyes, like stars, start from their Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive spheres;

Against thy mother aught ; leave her to heaven Thy knotted and combined locks to part,

And to those thorns that in her bosom lodge, And each particular hair to stand on end

To prick and sting her. Fare thee well at once! Like quills upon the fretful porcupine:

The glow-worm shows the matin to be near. But this eternal blazon must not be

And 'gins to pale his uneffectual fire : To ears of flesh and blood :-List, list, O list !- Adieu, adieu, adieu! remember me. If thou didst ever thy dear father love,

Ham. O all you host of heaven ! O earth! Wha: Ham. O heaven!

else? Ghost. Revenge his foul and most unnatural And shall I couple hell ?-O fye!-Hold, bodo murder.

my heart; Ham. Murder ?

And you, my sinews, grow not instant old, Ghost. Murder most foul, as in the best it is; But bear me stifly up!-Remember thee? But this most foul, strange, and unnatural. Ay, thou poor ghost, while memory holds a seal Ham. Haste me to know it; that I, with wings In this distracted globe.' Remember thee? as swift

Yea, from the table of my memory As meditation, or the thoughts of love,

1 Henbane. May sweep to my revenge.

- Leprous

• Berett Ghost. I find thee apt;

• Without baving received the sacrament.

• Unappointed, unprepared. Without estremne unetics Whims. Hinders. • Display.

a

I'll wipe away all trivial fond records,

Hor.

What is't, my lord ? All saws of books, all forms, all pressures past,

We will. That youth and observation copied there;

Ham. Never make known what you have seen And thy commandment all alone shall live

to-night. Within the book and volume of my brain,

Hor. Mar. My lord, we will not. Unmix'd with baser matter: yes, by heaven.

Ham.

Nay, but swear't. O most pernicious woman!

Hor.

In faith,
O villain, villain, smiling, damned villain ! My lord, not I.
My tables, meet it is, I set it down,

Mar. Nor I, my lord, in faith.
That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain ; Ham. Upon my sword.
At least, I am sure, it may be so in Denmark:

Mar.

We have sworn, my lord, already.

[Writing Ham. Indeed, upon my sword, indeed. So, uncle, there you are. Now to my word; Ghost. [Beneath.] Swear. It is, Adieu, adieu ! remember me.

Ham. Ha, ha, boy! say'st thou so ? art thou I have sworn't.

there, true-penny? Hor. [Within.] My lord, my lord,—

Come on,—you hear this fellow in the cellarage,Mar. T Within.] Lord Hamlet,

Consent to swear. Hur. | Within.] Heaven secure him.

Hor.

Propose the oath, my lord. Ham.

So be it. Ham. Never to speak of this that you have seen, Mar. [Within.] Illo, ho, ho, my lord!

Swear by my sword.
Ham. Hillo, ho, ho, boy ! come, bird, come. Ghost. [Beneath.] Swear.
Enter HORATIO and MARCELLUS.

Ham. Hic et ubique?' then we'll shift our

ground: Mar. How is't, my noble lord ?

Come hither, gentlemen, Hor.

What news, my lord ? And lay your hands again upon my sword: Ham. O wonderful !

Swear by my sword, Hor.

Good, my lord, tell it. Never to speak of this that you have heard. Ham.

No;

Ghost. [Beneath.] Swear by his sword. You will reveal it.

Ham. Well said, old mole! canst work i' the Hor. Not I, my lord, by heaven.

earth so fast? Mar.

Nor I, my lord. A worthy pioneer !-- Once more remove, good Ham. How say you then: would heart of man

friends. once think it ?

Hor. O day and night, but this is wondrous strange! But you'll be secret,

Ham. And therefore as a stranger give it welcome. Hor. Mar.

Ay, by heaven, my lord. There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Ham. There's ne'er a villain, dwelling in all Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. Denmark,

But come; But he's an arrant knave.

Here, as before, never, so help you mercy! Hor. There needs no ghost, my lord, come from | How strange or odd soe'er I bear myself,

As I, perchance, hereafter shall think meet To tell us this.

To put an antic disposition on,Ham. Why, right; you are in the right; That you, at such times seeing me, never shall, And so, without more circumstance at all,

With arms encumber'd thus, or this head-shake, I hold it fit, that we shake hands, and part: Or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase, You, as your business, and desire, shall point you;- As, Well

, well, we know ;

;-or. We could, an if we For every man hath business, and desire, would ;-or, If we list to speak;—or, There be, an Such as it is;—and, for my own poor part, if they might ; Look you, I will go pray.

Or such ambiguous giving out, to note Hor. These are but wild and whirling words, That you know aught of me:- This do you swear,

So grace and mercy at your most need help you ! Ham. I am sorry they offend you, heartily; yes, Ghost. [Beneath.] Swear. Faith, heartily.

Ham. Rest, rest, perturbed spirit! So gentlemen, Hor.

There's no offence, my lord. With all my love I do commend me to you: Ham. Yes, by Saint Patrick, but there is, Horatio, And what so poor a man as Hamlet is And much offence too. Touching this vision here, May do, to express his love and friending to you, It is an honest ghost, that let me tell you ; God willing, shall not lack. Let us go in together; For your desire to know what is hetween us, And still your fingers on your lips, I pray. O'er-master it as you may. And now, good friends, The time is out of joint;=0 cursed spite ! As you are friends, scholars, and soldiers, That ever I was born to set it right! Give me one poor request.

Nay, come, let's go together.

[Exeunt.

the grave,

my lord.

ACT II.

SCENE I.-A Room in Polonius's House.

Enter POLONIUS and REINALDO.

Pol. You shall do marvellous wisely, good Rey

naldo,
Before you visit him, to make inquiry
Of his behavior.
Rey.

My lord, I did intend it.
Pol. Marry, well said: very well said. Look

Pol. Give him this money, and these notes, Rey

Inquire me first what Danskers are in Paris; Rey. Good, my lord,-
And how, and who, what means, and wbere they Pol. Observe his inclination in yourself.
keep,

Rey. I shall, my lord.
What company, at what expense; and finding, Pol. And let him ply his music.
By this encompassment and drift of question,

Rey.

Well, my lord. (Ezi. That they do know my son, come you more nearer

Enter OPHELIA. Than your particular demands will touch it: Take you, as 'twere, some distant knowledge of him; Pol. Farewell !-How now, Ophelia ? what's the As thus,— I know his father, and his friends,

matter? And, in part, him;-Do you mark this, Reynaldo? Oph. O, my lord, my lord, I have been so al Rey. Ay, very well, my lord.

frighted! Pol. And, in part, him;—but, you may say, not Pol. With what, in the name of heaven! well:

Oph. My lord, as I was sewing in my closet

, But, if 't be he I mean, he's

very
wild;

Lord Hamlet,-- with his doublet all unbraced;
Addicted so and s0;—and there put on him No hat upon his head; his stockings fould,
What forgeries you please; marry, none so rank Ungarter'd, and down-gyved' to his ankle;
As
may dishonor him ; take heed of that:

Pale as his shirt; his knees knocking each other, But, sir, such wanton, wild, and usual slips, And with a look so piteous in purport, As are companions noted and most known As if he had been loosed out of hell, To youth and liberty.

To speak of horrors,—he comes before me. Rey.

As gaming, my lord. Pol. Mad for thy love? Pol. Ay, or drinking, fencing, swearing, quar- Oph.

My lord, I do not know relling,

But, truly, I do fear it. Drabbing:—You may go so far.

Pol.

What said he? Rey. My lord, that would dishonor him.

Oph. He took me by the wrist, and held me bard: Pol Faith, no; as you may season it in the charge. Then goes he to the length of all his arm: You must not put another scandal on him, And with his other hand thus o'er his brow, That he is open to incontinency;

He falls to such perusal of my face, That's not my meaning: but breathe his faults so As he would draw it. Long stay'd be so; quaintly,

At last,--a little shaking of mine arm, That they may seem the taints of liberty: And thrice his head thus waving up and downThe flash and out-break of a fiery mind;

He rais'd a sigh so piteous and profound, A savageness in unreclaimed blood,

As it did seem to shatter all his bulk, Of general assault.

And end his being: That done, he lets me go: Rey:

But, my good lord,- And, with his head over his shoulder turnd, Pol. Wherefore should you do this ?

He seem'd to find his way without his eyes; Rey.

Ay, my lord, For out of doors he went without their helps I would know that.

And, to the last, bended their light on me. Pol.

Marry, sir, here's my drift; Pol. Come, go with me; I will go seek the king. And, I believe, it is a fetch of warrant:

This is the very ecstasy of love; You laying these slight sullies on my son, Whose violent property foredoes itself, As 'twere a thing a little soil'd i' the working, And leads the will to desperate undertakings,

As oft as any passion under heaven, Your party in converse, him you would sound, That does afflict our natures. I am sorry, Having ever seen in the prenominate' crimes, What, have you given him any hard words of The youth you breathe of, guilty, be assur’d,

late? He closes with you in this consequence;

Oph. No, my good lord: but, as you did command Good sir, or so; or friend, or gentleman

I did repel his letters, and denied According to the phrase, or the addition,

His access to me. Of man, and country.

Pol.

That hath made him mad. Rey. Very good, my lord. I am sorry, that with better heed and judgment

, Pol. And then, sir, does he this,—He does- I had not quoted him: I fear'd, he did but trife What was I about to say ?-By the mass, I was And meant to wreck thee; but, beshrew my je about to say something :- Where did I leave ?

lousy! Rey. At, closes in the consequence.

It seems, it is as proper to our age Pol. At, closes in the consequence,- Ay, marry; To cast beyond ourselves in our opinions, He closes with you thus:- I know the gentleman; As it is common for the younger sort I saw him yesterday, or t’other day,

To lack discretion. Come, go we to the king; Or then,or then; with such, or such; and, as you say, This must be known; which, being kept close There was he gaming; there o'ertook in his rouse; might move There falling out al tennis: or, perchance, More grief to hide, than hate to utter love. I saw him enter such a house of sale,

Come. (Videlicet, a brothel) or so forth.

SCENE II.-A Room in the Castk. See you now; Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth:

Enter King, QUEEN, Rosencrantz, GUILDES And thus do we of wisdom and of reach,

STERN, and Attendants. With windlaces, and with assays of bias,

King. Welcome, dear Rosencrantz, and Guilder By indirections find directions out;

stern! So, by former lecture and advice,

Moreover that we much did long to see you, Shall you, my son: You have me, have you not? The need, we have to use you, did provoke Rey. My lord, I have.

Our hasty sending. Something have you heard Pol.

God be wi' you; fare you well. Of Hamlet's transformation; so I call it, Danes. * Already Damed. • Hanging down like fetters. • Destroys. Obserreal

.

Mark you,

stern.

1

Since not the exterior nor the inward man

Re-enter PolonIUS, with VOLTIMAND and Resembles that it was: What it should be,

CORNELIUS. More than his father's death, that thus hath put

King. Well, we shall sist him.-Welcome, my him

good friends! So much from the understanding of himself, Say, Voltimand, what from our brother Norway? I cannot dream of: I entreat you both,

Volt. Most fair return of greetings, and desires. That,-being of so young days brought up with Upon our first, he sent out to suppress him :

His nephew's levies; which to him appear'd And, since, so neighbor'd to his youth and hu- To be a preparation 'gainst the Polack;' mor,

But, better look'd into, he truly found That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court

It was against your highness: Whereat griev'd,Some little time: so by your companies

That so his sickness, age, and impotence, To draw him on to pleasures; and to gather,

Was falsely borne in hand, -sends out arrests So much as from occasion you may glean, On Fortinbras; which he, in brief, obeys; Whether aught, to us unknown, afflicts him Receives rebuke from Norway; and, in fine, thus,

Makes vow before his uncle, never more That, open'd, lies within our remedy.

To give the assay of arms against your majesty. Queen. Good gentlemen, he hath much talk'd of Whereon old Norway, overcome with joy, you;

Gives him three thousand crowns in annual fee;
And, sure I am, two men there are not living,

And his commission to employ those soldiers,
To whom he more adheres. If it will please you So levied as before, against the Polack:
To show us so much gentry, and good will, With an entreaty, herein further shown,
As to expend your time with us awhile,

[Gires a Paper. For the supply and profit of our hope,

That it might please you to give quiet pass Your visitation shall receive such thanks

Through your dominions for this enterprize; As fits a king's remembrance.

On such regards of safety, and allowance, Ros.

Both your majesties As therein are set down. Might, by the sovereign power you have of us, King

It likes us well: Put your dread pleasures more into command

And, at our more consider'd time, we'll read,
Than to entreaty.

Answer, and think upon this business.
Guil.
But we both obey :

Mean time, we thank you for your well-took labor:
And here give up ourselves, in the full bent;'

Go to your rest; at night we'll feast together: To lay our service freely at your feet,

Most welcome home! To be commanded.

[Exeunt VoLTIMAND and Cornelius. King. Thanks, Rosencrantz, and gentle Guilden- Pol.

This business is well ended.

My liege, and madam, to expostulate? Queen. Thanks, Guildenstern, and gentle Rosen- What majesty should be, what duty is, crantz:

Why day is day, night, night, and time is time,
And I beseech you instantly to visit

Were nothing but to waste night, day, and time,
My too much changed son.-Go, some of you, Therefore,-since brevity is the soul of wit,
And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is.

And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,
Guil. Heavens make our presence, and our prac- I will be brief: your noble son is mad:
tices,

Mad call I it: for, to define true madness, Pleasant and helpful to him!

What is't, but to be nothing else but mad? Queen.

Ay, amen!

But let that go. [Exeunt Rosencrantz, GUILDENSTERN,

Queen.

More matter with less art.
and some Attendants.

Pol. Madam, I swear I use no art at all.
Enter PoloniUS.

That he is mad, 'tis true: 'tis true, 'tis pity;

And pity 'tis 'tis true: a foolish figure; Pol. The ambassadors from Norway, my good But farewell it, for I will use no art. lord,

Mad let us grant him then: and now remains, Are joyfully return'd.

That we find out the cause of this effect; King. Thou still hast been the father of good Or, rather say, the cause of this desect;

For this effect, defective, comes by cause : Pol. Have I, my lord? Assure you, my good Thus it remains, and the remainder thus. liege,

Perpend. I hold my duty, as I hold my soul,

I have a daughter; have, while she is mine; Both to my God, and to my gracious king: Who, in her duty and obedience, mark, And I do think, (or else this brain of mine

Hath given me this: Now gather and surmise. Hunts not the trail of policy so sure

-To the celestial, and my soul's idol, the most As it hath used to do,) that I have found

beaulified Ophelia, The very cause of Hamlet's lunacy.

That's an ill phrase, a vile phrase; beautified is a King. O, speak of that: that do I long to vile phrase; but you shall hear.-Thus: hear.

In her excellent white bosom, these, dc. Pol. Give first admittance to the ambassadors;

Queen. Came this from Hamlet to her? My news shall be the fruit to that great feast.

Pol. Good madam, stay awhile; I will be faithKing. Thyself do grace to them, and bring them

ful. in.

[Exit Polonius. He tells me, my dear Gertrude, he hath found Doubt thou, the stars are fire; [Reads. The head and source of all your son's distemper.

Doubt, that the sun doth move: Queen. I doubt it is no other but the main;

Doubt truth to be a liar; His father's death, and our o'er-hasty marriage.

But never doubt, I love. 1 Utmost exertion.

news.

you think,

0 dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers; I Ham. Then I would you were so honest a man. have not art to reckon my groans; but that I love Pol. Honest, my lord ? thee best, О most best, believe it. Adieu.

Ham. Ay, sir; to be honest, as this world goes, Thine evermore, most dear lady, whilst is to be one man picked out of ten thousand.

this machine is to him, Hamlet. Pol. That's very true, my lord. This in obedience, hath my daughter shown me:

Ham. For if the sun breed maggots in a dead And more above, hath his solicitings,

dog, being a god, kissing carrion,— Have you a As they fell out by time, by means, and place,

daughter? All given to mine ear.

Pol. I have, my lord. king. But how hath she

Ham. Let her not walk i' the sun : conception is Receiv'd his love?

a blessing; but not as your daughter may conceive,' Pol.

What do you think of me? -friend, look to't. King. As of a man faithful and honorable. Pol. How say you by that? [Aside.] Still harpPol. I would fain prove so. But what might ing on my daughter :-yet he knew me not at first;

he said, I was a fishmonger; He is far gone, far When I had seen this hot love on the wing,

gone : and, truly in my youth I suffered much er. (As I perceiv'd it, I must tell you that,

tremity for love: very near this. I'll speak to him Before my daughter told me,) what might you,

again. What do you read, my lord ? Or my dear majesty your queen here, think,

Ham. Words, words, words! If I had play'd the desk, or table-book;

Pol. What is the matter, my lord ? Or given my heart a working, mule and dumb;

Ham. Between who? Or look'd upon this love with idle sight;

Pol. I mean the matter that you read, my lord. What mighi you think? no, I went round' to work,

Ham. Slanders, sir: for the satirical rogue says And my young mistress thus did I bespeak :

here, that old men have grey beards; that their faces Lord Hamlet is a prince out of thy sphere;

are wrinkled; their eyes purging thick amber, and This must not be: and then I precepts gave her,

plum-tree gum; and that they have a plentiful That she should lock herself from his resort,

lack of wit, together with most weak hams: All of Admit no messengers, receive no tokens.

which, sir, though I most powerfully and potently Which done, she took the fruits of my advice;

believe, yet I hold it not honesty to have it thus And he, repulsed, (a short tale to make,)

set down; for yourself, sir, shall be as old as I am, Fell into a sadness; then into a fast;

if, like a crab, you could go backward. Thence to a watch; thence into weakness;

Pol. Though this be madness, yet there's method Thence to a lightness; and, by this declension,

in it. [Aside.) Will you walk out of the air, my lord ? Into the madness wherein now he raves,

Ham. Into my grave? And all we mourn for.

Pol. Indeed, that is out o' the air.—How preg. King

Do you think, 'tis this? nant' sometimes his replies are! a happiness that Queen. It may be, very likely.

often madness hits on, which reason and sanity Pol Hath there been such a time, (I'd fain know could not so prosperously be delivered of. I will that)

leave him, and suddenly contrive the means of That I have positively said, 'Tis so,

meeting between him and my daughter.— My When it proved otherwise ?

honorable lord, I will most humbly take my leave King.

Not that I know. Pol. Take this from this, if this be otherwise:

Ham. You cannot, sir, take from me any thing (Pointing to his Head and Shoulder. that I will more willingly part withal; except my If circumstances lead me, I will find

life, except my life, except my life. Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed

Pol. Fare you well, my lord.
Within the centre.

Ham. These tedious old fools!
King.
How may we try it further?

Enter RosenCRANTZ and GUILDENSTERS. Pol. You know sometimes he walks four hours together,

Pol. You go to seek the lord Hamlet; there he is. Here in the lobby.

Ros. God save you, sir !

[To Polonirs. Queen. So he does, indeed.

[Èxit Polonius. Pol. At such a time I'll loose my daughter to

Guil. My honored lord ! him;

Ros. My most dear lord Be you and I behind an arras then;

Ham. My excellent good friends! How dost Mark the encounter: if he love her not,

thou, Guildenstern? Ah, Rosencrantz! Good lads, And be not from his reason fallen thereon, how do ye both ? Let me be no assistant for a state,

Ros. As the indifferent children of the earth. But keep a farm, and carters.

Guil. Happy, in that we are not over happy; King.

We will try it.

On fortune's cap we are not the very button.

Ham. Nor the soles of her shoe?
Enter Hamlet, reading.

Ros. Neither, my lord. Queen. But look, where sadly the poor wretch Ham. Then you live about her waist, or in the comes reading.

middle of her favors? Pol. Away, I do beseech you, both away:

Guil. 'Faith, her privates we. I'll board him presently:-0, give me leave.- Ham. In the secret parts of fortune? O, most

[Exeunt King, Queen, and Attendants. true; she is a strumpet. What news! How does my good lord Hamlet?

Ros. None, my lord: but that the world is Ham. Well, god-'a-mercy.

grown honest. Pol. Do you know me, my lord?

Ham. Then is doomsday near: But your news Ham. Excellent well; you are a fishmonger. is not true. Let me question more in particular: Pol. Not I, my lord.

What have you, my good friends, deserved at the * Roundly, without reserve.

• Understanding. • Be pregnant

• Ready, apt.

of you.