Scene II
A hall in the castle
Enter Hamlet and Players.[1127]
Ham. Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced[1128]
it to you, trippingly on the tongue: but if you mouth it, as[1129]
many of your players do, I had as lief the town-crier spoke[1130]
my lines. Nor do not saw the air too much with your[1131]
hand, thus; but use all gently: for in the very torrent, tempest, 5
and, as I may say, whirlwind of your passion, you[1132]
must acquire and beget a temperance that may give it
smoothness. O, it offends me to the soul to hear a robustious[1133]
periwig-pated fellow tear a passion to tatters, to very[1134]
rags, to split the ears of the groundlings, who, for the most[1135] 10
part, are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb-shows
and noise: I would have such a fellow whipped for o'er-doing[1136]
Termagant; it out-herods Herod: pray you, avoid it.
it to you, trippingly on the tongue: but if you mouth it, as[1129]
many of your players do, I had as lief the town-crier spoke[1130]
my lines. Nor do not saw the air too much with your[1131]
hand, thus; but use all gently: for in the very torrent, tempest, 5
and, as I may say, whirlwind of your passion, you[1132]
must acquire and beget a temperance that may give it
smoothness. O, it offends me to the soul to hear a robustious[1133]
periwig-pated fellow tear a passion to tatters, to very[1134]
rags, to split the ears of the groundlings, who, for the most[1135] 10
part, are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb-shows
and noise: I would have such a fellow whipped for o'er-doing[1136]
Termagant; it out-herods Herod: pray you, avoid it.
First Play. I warrant your honour.[1137]
Ham. Be not too tame neither, but let your own discretion 15
be your tutor: suit the action to the word, the word[1138]
to the action; with this special observance, that you o'er-step[1139]
not the modesty of nature: for any thing so overdone[1140]
is from the purpose of playing, whose end, both at the first[1141]
and now, was and is, to hold, as 'twere, the mirror up to 20
nature; to show virtue her own feature, scorn her own[1142]
image, and the very age and body of the time his form and[1143]
pressure. Now this overdone or come tardy off, though[1144][1145]
it make the unskilful laugh, cannot but make the judicious[1145]
grieve; the censure of the which one must in your allowance[1146] 25
o'erweigh a whole theatre of others. O, there be[1147]
players that I have seen play, and heard others praise, and[1148]
that highly, not to speak it profanely, that neither having[1149]
the accent of Christians nor the gait of Christian, pagan,[1150]
nor man, have so strutted and bellowed, that I have thought[1150][1151] 30
some of nature's journeymen had made men, and not made[1152]
them well, they imitated humanity so abominably.
be your tutor: suit the action to the word, the word[1138]
to the action; with this special observance, that you o'er-step[1139]
not the modesty of nature: for any thing so overdone[1140]
is from the purpose of playing, whose end, both at the first[1141]
and now, was and is, to hold, as 'twere, the mirror up to 20
nature; to show virtue her own feature, scorn her own[1142]
image, and the very age and body of the time his form and[1143]
pressure. Now this overdone or come tardy off, though[1144][1145]
it make the unskilful laugh, cannot but make the judicious[1145]
grieve; the censure of the which one must in your allowance[1146] 25
o'erweigh a whole theatre of others. O, there be[1147]
players that I have seen play, and heard others praise, and[1148]
that highly, not to speak it profanely, that neither having[1149]
the accent of Christians nor the gait of Christian, pagan,[1150]
nor man, have so strutted and bellowed, that I have thought[1150][1151] 30
some of nature's journeymen had made men, and not made[1152]
them well, they imitated humanity so abominably.
Ham. O, reform it altogether. And let those that play 35
your clowns speak no more than is set down for them: for
there be of them that will themselves laugh, to set on some[1154]
quantity of barren spectators to laugh too, though in the[1155]
mean time some necessary question of the play be then to
be considered: that's villanous, and shows a most pitiful ambition 40
in the fool that uses it. Go, make you ready.
your clowns speak no more than is set down for them: for
there be of them that will themselves laugh, to set on some[1154]
quantity of barren spectators to laugh too, though in the[1155]
mean time some necessary question of the play be then to
be considered: that's villanous, and shows a most pitiful ambition 40
in the fool that uses it. Go, make you ready.
[Exeunt Players.
Enter Polonius, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern.[1156]
How now, my lord! will the king hear this piece of work?[1157]
Pol. And the queen too, and that presently.[1158]
Ham. Bid the players make haste. [Exit Polonius.][1159]
Will you two help to hasten them? 45
Will you two help to hasten them? 45
Ros. Guil. We will, my lord.
[Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.[1160]
Ham. What ho! Horatio!
Enter Horatio.[1161]
Hor. Here, sweet lord, at your service.[1162]
Ham. Horatio, thou art e'en as just a man
As e'er my conversation coped withal.[1163] 50
As e'er my conversation coped withal.[1163] 50
Hor. O, my dear lord,—[1164]
Ham. Nay, do not think I flatter;
For what advancement may I hope from thee,
That no revenue hast but thy good spirits,[1165]
To feed and clothe thee? Why should the poor be flatter'd?[1166]
No, let the candied tongue lick absurd pomp,[1167] 55
And crook the pregnant hinges of the knee[1168]
Where thrift may follow fawning. Dost thou hear?[1169]
Since my dear soul was mistress of her choice,[1170]
And could of men distinguish, her election[1171]
Hath seal'd thee for herself: for thou hast been[1171] 60
As one, in suffering all, that suffers nothing;
A man that fortune's buffets and rewards[1172]
Hast ta'en with equal thanks: and blest are those[1173]
Whose blood and judgement are so well commingled[1174]
That they are not a pipe for fortune's finger 65
To sound what stop she please. Give me that man[1175]
That is not passion's slave, and I will wear him
In my heart's core, ay, in my heart of heart,[1176]
As I do thee. Something too much of this.
There is a play to-night before the king; 70
One scene of it comes near the circumstance
Which I have told thee of my father's death:[1177]
I prithee, when thou seest that act a-foot,[1178]
Even with the very comment of thy soul[1179]
Observe my uncle: if his occulted guilt[1180] 75
Do not itself unkennel in one speech,[1181]
It is a damned ghost that we have seen,
And my imaginations are as foul
As Vulcan's stithy. Give him heedful note;[1182]
For I mine eyes will rivet to his face,[1183] 80
And after we will both our judgements join[1184]
In censure of his seeming.[1185]
For what advancement may I hope from thee,
That no revenue hast but thy good spirits,[1165]
To feed and clothe thee? Why should the poor be flatter'd?[1166]
No, let the candied tongue lick absurd pomp,[1167] 55
And crook the pregnant hinges of the knee[1168]
Where thrift may follow fawning. Dost thou hear?[1169]
Since my dear soul was mistress of her choice,[1170]
And could of men distinguish, her election[1171]
Hath seal'd thee for herself: for thou hast been[1171] 60
As one, in suffering all, that suffers nothing;
A man that fortune's buffets and rewards[1172]
Hast ta'en with equal thanks: and blest are those[1173]
Whose blood and judgement are so well commingled[1174]
That they are not a pipe for fortune's finger 65
To sound what stop she please. Give me that man[1175]
That is not passion's slave, and I will wear him
In my heart's core, ay, in my heart of heart,[1176]
As I do thee. Something too much of this.
There is a play to-night before the king; 70
One scene of it comes near the circumstance
Which I have told thee of my father's death:[1177]
I prithee, when thou seest that act a-foot,[1178]
Even with the very comment of thy soul[1179]
Observe my uncle: if his occulted guilt[1180] 75
Do not itself unkennel in one speech,[1181]
It is a damned ghost that we have seen,
And my imaginations are as foul
As Vulcan's stithy. Give him heedful note;[1182]
For I mine eyes will rivet to his face,[1183] 80
And after we will both our judgements join[1184]
In censure of his seeming.[1185]
Hor. Well, my lord:
If he steal aught the whilst this play is playing,[1186]
And 'scape detecting, I will pay the theft.[1187]
If he steal aught the whilst this play is playing,[1186]
And 'scape detecting, I will pay the theft.[1187]
Ham. They are coming to the play: I must be idle:[1188] 85
Get you a place.
Get you a place.
Danish march. A flourish. Enter King, Queen, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and other Lords attendant, with the Guard carrying torches.[1189]
King. How fares our cousin Hamlet?[1190]
Ham. Excellent, i' faith; of the chameleon's dish: I eat[1191][1192]
the air, promise-crammed: you cannot feed capons so.[1191]
the air, promise-crammed: you cannot feed capons so.[1191]
Ham. No, nor mine now. [To Polonius] My lord, you[1191][1193]
played once i' the university, you say?[1191][1194]
played once i' the university, you say?[1191][1194]
Pol. That did I, my lord, and was accounted a good[1195]
actor. 95
actor. 95
Ham. What did you enact?[1196]
Pol. I did enact Julius Cæsar: I was killed i' the Capitol;[1197]
Brutus killed me.
Brutus killed me.
Ham. It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a
calf there. Be the players ready? 100
calf there. Be the players ready? 100
Ros. Ay, my lord; they stay upon your patience.[1198]
Queen. Come hither, my dear Hamlet, sit by me.[1199]
Ham. No, good mother, here's metal more attractive.[1200]
Pol. [To the King] O, ho! do you mark that?[1201]
Ham. Lady, shall I lie in your lap?[1202] 105
[Lying down at Ophelia's feet.
Oph. No, my lord.
Oph. Ay, my lord.[1203]
Ham. Do you think I meant country matters?[1205]
Oph. I think nothing, my lord. 110
Ham. That's a fair thought to lie between maids' legs.[1206]
Oph. What is, my lord?
Ham. Nothing.
Oph. You are merry, my lord.[1207]
Ham. Who, I? 115
Oph. Ay, my lord.
Ham. O God, your only jig-maker. What should a[1208]
man do but be merry? for, look you, how cheerfully my
mother looks, and my father died within 's two hours.[1209]
man do but be merry? for, look you, how cheerfully my
mother looks, and my father died within 's two hours.[1209]
Oph. Nay, 'tis twice two months, my lord.[1210] 120
Ham. So long? Nay, then, let the devil wear black, for[1211][1212]
I'll have a suit of sables. O heavens! die two months ago,[1212][1213]
and not forgotten yet? Then there's hope a great man's
memory may outlive his life half a year: but, by'r lady, he[1214][1215]
must build churches then; or else shall he suffer not thinking[1215] 125
on, with the hobby-horse, whose epitaph is, 'For, O,
for, O, the hobby-horse is forgot.'[1216]
I'll have a suit of sables. O heavens! die two months ago,[1212][1213]
and not forgotten yet? Then there's hope a great man's
memory may outlive his life half a year: but, by'r lady, he[1214][1215]
must build churches then; or else shall he suffer not thinking[1215] 125
on, with the hobby-horse, whose epitaph is, 'For, O,
for, O, the hobby-horse is forgot.'[1216]
Hautboys play. The dumb-show enters.
Enter a King and a Queen very lovingly; the Queen embracing him, and he her. She kneels, and makes show of protestation unto him. He takes her up, and declines his head upon her neck: lays him down upon a bank of flowers: she, seeing him asleep, leaves him. Anon comes in a fellow, takes off his crown, kisses it, and pours poison in the King's ears, and exit. The Queen returns; finds the King dead, and makes passionate action. The Poisoner, with some two or three Mutes, comes in again, seeming to lament with her. The dead body is carried away. The Poisoner wooes the Queen with gifts: she seems loath and unwilling awhile, but in the end accepts his love.[1217]
[Exeunt.
Oph. What means this, my lord?[1218]
Ham. Marry, this is miching mallecho; it means mischief. 130
Oph. Belike this show imports the argument of the play.
Enter Prologue.[1219]
Oph. Will he tell us what this show meant?[1222]
Ham. Ay, or any show that you'll show him: be not you[1223] 135
ashamed to show, he'll not shame to tell you what it means.
ashamed to show, he'll not shame to tell you what it means.
Oph. You are naught, you are naught: I'll mark the[1224]
play.
play.
Pro. For us, and for our tragedy,
Here stooping to your clemency, 140
We beg your hearing patiently.
Here stooping to your clemency, 140
We beg your hearing patiently.
Ham. Is this a prologue, or the posy of a ring?[1225]
Oph. 'Tis brief, my lord.
Ham. As woman's love.
Enter two Players, King and Queen.[1226]
P. King. Full thirty times hath Phœbus' cart gone round[1227][1228][1229] 145
Neptune's salt wash and Tellus' orbed ground,[1228][1230]
And thirty dozen moons with borrowed sheen[1231]
About the world have times twelve thirties been,[1232]
Since love our hearts and Hymen did our hands
Unite commutual in most sacred bands.[1233] 150
Neptune's salt wash and Tellus' orbed ground,[1228][1230]
And thirty dozen moons with borrowed sheen[1231]
About the world have times twelve thirties been,[1232]
Since love our hearts and Hymen did our hands
Unite commutual in most sacred bands.[1233] 150
P. Queen. So many journeys may the sun and moon[1234]
Make us again count o'er ere love be done!
But, woe is me, you are so sick of late,
So far from cheer and from your former state,[1235]
That I distrust you. Yet, though I distrust, 155
Discomfort you, my lord, it nothing must:[1236]
For women's fear and love holds quantity,[1236][1237]
In neither aught, or in extremity.[1238]
Now, what my love is, proof hath made you know,[1239]
And as my love is sized, my fear is so:[1240] 160
Where love is great, the littlest doubts are fear,[1241][1242]
Where little fears grow great, great love grows there.[1241]
Make us again count o'er ere love be done!
But, woe is me, you are so sick of late,
So far from cheer and from your former state,[1235]
That I distrust you. Yet, though I distrust, 155
Discomfort you, my lord, it nothing must:[1236]
For women's fear and love holds quantity,[1236][1237]
In neither aught, or in extremity.[1238]
Now, what my love is, proof hath made you know,[1239]
And as my love is sized, my fear is so:[1240] 160
Where love is great, the littlest doubts are fear,[1241][1242]
Where little fears grow great, great love grows there.[1241]
P. King. Faith, I must leave thee, love, and shortly too;
My operant powers their functions leave to do:[1243]
And thou shalt live in this fair world behind,[1244] 165
Honour'd, beloved; and haply one as kind[1245]
For husband shalt thou—[1246]
My operant powers their functions leave to do:[1243]
And thou shalt live in this fair world behind,[1244] 165
Honour'd, beloved; and haply one as kind[1245]
For husband shalt thou—[1246]
P. Queen. O, confound the rest!
Such love must needs be treason in my breast:
In second husband let me be accurst!
None wed the second but who kill'd the first.[1247] 170
Such love must needs be treason in my breast:
In second husband let me be accurst!
None wed the second but who kill'd the first.[1247] 170
Ham. [Aside] Wormwood, wormwood.[1248]
P. Queen. The instances that second marriage move[1249]
Are base respects of thrift, but none of love:[1250]
A second time I kill my husband dead,[1251]
When second husband kisses me in bed. 175
Are base respects of thrift, but none of love:[1250]
A second time I kill my husband dead,[1251]
When second husband kisses me in bed. 175
P. King. I do believe you think what now you speak,[1252]
But what we do determine oft we break.
Purpose is but the slave to memory,
Of violent birth but poor validity:[1253]
Which now, like fruit unripe, sticks on the tree,[1254] 180
But fall unshaken when they mellow be.
Most necessary 'tis that we forget
To pay ourselves what to ourselves is debt:
What to ourselves in passion we propose,
The passion ending, doth the purpose lose. 185
The violence of either grief or joy[1255]
Their own enactures with themselves destroy:[1256]
Where joy most revels, grief doth most lament;
Grief joys, joy grieves, on slender accident.[1257]
This world is not for aye, nor 'tis not strange[1258] 190
That even our loves should with our fortunes change,
For 'tis a question left us yet to prove,
Whether love lead fortune or else fortune love.[1259]
The great man down, you mark his favourite flies;[1260]
The poor advanced makes friends of enemies: 195
And hitherto doth love on fortune tend;[1261]
For who not needs shall never lack a friend,[1262]
And who in want a hollow friend doth try
Directly seasons him his enemy.[1263]
But, orderly to end where I begun, 200
Our wills and fates do so contrary run,
That our devices still are overthrown,
Our thoughts are ours, their ends none of our own:
So think thou wilt no second husband wed,[1264]
But die thy thoughts when thy first lord is dead.[1265] 205
But what we do determine oft we break.
Purpose is but the slave to memory,
Of violent birth but poor validity:[1253]
Which now, like fruit unripe, sticks on the tree,[1254] 180
But fall unshaken when they mellow be.
Most necessary 'tis that we forget
To pay ourselves what to ourselves is debt:
What to ourselves in passion we propose,
The passion ending, doth the purpose lose. 185
The violence of either grief or joy[1255]
Their own enactures with themselves destroy:[1256]
Where joy most revels, grief doth most lament;
Grief joys, joy grieves, on slender accident.[1257]
This world is not for aye, nor 'tis not strange[1258] 190
That even our loves should with our fortunes change,
For 'tis a question left us yet to prove,
Whether love lead fortune or else fortune love.[1259]
The great man down, you mark his favourite flies;[1260]
The poor advanced makes friends of enemies: 195
And hitherto doth love on fortune tend;[1261]
For who not needs shall never lack a friend,[1262]
And who in want a hollow friend doth try
Directly seasons him his enemy.[1263]
But, orderly to end where I begun, 200
Our wills and fates do so contrary run,
That our devices still are overthrown,
Our thoughts are ours, their ends none of our own:
So think thou wilt no second husband wed,[1264]
But die thy thoughts when thy first lord is dead.[1265] 205
P. Queen. Nor earth to me give food nor heaven light![1266]
Sport and repose lock from me day and night!
To desperation turn my trust and hope![1267]
An anchor's cheer in prison be my scope![1267][1268]
Each opposite, that blanks the face of joy, 210
Meet what I would have well and it destroy!
Both here and hence pursue me lasting strife,
If, once a widow, ever I be wife![1269]
Sport and repose lock from me day and night!
To desperation turn my trust and hope![1267]
An anchor's cheer in prison be my scope![1267][1268]
Each opposite, that blanks the face of joy, 210
Meet what I would have well and it destroy!
Both here and hence pursue me lasting strife,
If, once a widow, ever I be wife![1269]
Ham. If she should break it now![1270]
P. King. 'Tis deeply sworn. Sweet, leave me here awhile;[1271] 215
My spirits grow dull, and fain I would beguile
The tedious day with sleep. [Sleeps.[1272]
My spirits grow dull, and fain I would beguile
The tedious day with sleep. [Sleeps.[1272]
P. Queen. Sleep rock thy brain;
And never come mischance between us twain! [Exit.[1273]
And never come mischance between us twain! [Exit.[1273]
Ham. Madam, how like you this play?[1274]
Queen. The lady doth protest too much, methinks.[1275] 220
Ham. O, but she'll keep her word.
King. Have you heard the argument? Is there no
offence in't?
offence in't?
Ham. No, no, they do but jest, poison in jest; no offence
i' the world.[1276] 225
i' the world.[1276] 225
King. What do you call the play?
Ham. The Mouse-trap. Marry, how? Tropically.[1277]
This play is the image of a murder done in Vienna: Gonzago[1278]
is the duke's name; his wife, Baptista: you shall see[1279]
anon; 'tis a knavish piece of work: but what o' that? your[1280] 230
majesty, and we that have free souls, it touches us not: let[1281]
the galled jade wince, our withers are unwrung.[1282]
This play is the image of a murder done in Vienna: Gonzago[1278]
is the duke's name; his wife, Baptista: you shall see[1279]
anon; 'tis a knavish piece of work: but what o' that? your[1280] 230
majesty, and we that have free souls, it touches us not: let[1281]
the galled jade wince, our withers are unwrung.[1282]
Enter Lucianus.[1283]
This is one Lucianus, nephew to the king.[1284]
Oph. You are as good as a chorus, my lord.[1285]
Ham. I could interpret between you and your love, if 235
I could see the puppets dallying.
I could see the puppets dallying.
Oph. You are keen, my lord, you are keen.
Ham. It would cost you a groaning to take off my edge.[1286]
Oph. Still better, and worse.[1287]
Ham. So you must take your husbands. Begin, murderer;[1288][1289] 240
pox, leave thy damnable faces, and begin. Come:[1289][1290]
the croaking raven doth bellow for revenge.[1291]
pox, leave thy damnable faces, and begin. Come:[1289][1290]
the croaking raven doth bellow for revenge.[1291]
Luc. Thoughts black, hands apt, drugs fit, and time agreeing;[1292]
Confederate season, else no creature seeing;[1293]
Thou mixture rank, of midnight weeds collected, 245
With Hecate's ban thrice blasted, thrice infected,[1294]
Thy natural magic and dire property,[1295]
On wholesome life usurp immediately.
Confederate season, else no creature seeing;[1293]
Thou mixture rank, of midnight weeds collected, 245
With Hecate's ban thrice blasted, thrice infected,[1294]
Thy natural magic and dire property,[1295]
On wholesome life usurp immediately.
[Pours the poison into the sleeper's ear.[1296]
Ham. He poisons him i' the garden for his estate. His[1297]
name's Gonzago: the story is extant, and written in very[1298] 250
choice Italian: you shall see anon how the murderer gets
the love of Gonzago's wife.
name's Gonzago: the story is extant, and written in very[1298] 250
choice Italian: you shall see anon how the murderer gets
the love of Gonzago's wife.
Oph. The king rises.
Ham. What, frighted with false fire![1299]
Queen. How fares my lord? 255
Pol. Give o'er the play.
King. Give me some light. Away!
Pol. Lights, lights, lights!
[Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio.[1300]
Ham. Why, let the stricken deer go weep,[1301]
The hart ungalled play;[1302] 260
For some must watch, while some must sleep:[1303]
Thus runs the world away.[1304]
The hart ungalled play;[1302] 260
For some must watch, while some must sleep:[1303]
Thus runs the world away.[1304]
Would not this, sir, and a forest of feathers—if the rest of
my fortunes turn Turk with me—with two Provincial roses[1305]
on my razed shoes, get me a fellowship in a cry of players,[1306] 265
sir?[1307]
my fortunes turn Turk with me—with two Provincial roses[1305]
on my razed shoes, get me a fellowship in a cry of players,[1306] 265
sir?[1307]
Hor. Half a share.
Ham. A whole one, I.[1308]
For thou dost know, O Damon dear,
This realm dismantled was[1309] 270
Of Jove himself; and now reigns here[1309]
A very, very—pajock.[1310]
For thou dost know, O Damon dear,
This realm dismantled was[1309] 270
Of Jove himself; and now reigns here[1309]
A very, very—pajock.[1310]
Hor. You might have rhymed.
Ham. O good Horatio, I'll take the ghost's word for a
thousand pound. Didst perceive?[1311] 275
thousand pound. Didst perceive?[1311] 275
Hor. Very well, my lord.
Ham. Upon the talk of the poisoning?[1312]
Hor. I did very well note him.[1313]
Ham. Ah, ha! Come, some music! come, the recorders! 280
For if the king like not the comedy,[1314]
Why then, belike, he likes it not, perdy.
Come, some music!
For if the king like not the comedy,[1314]
Why then, belike, he likes it not, perdy.
Come, some music!
Re-enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.[1315]
Guil. Good my lord, vouchsafe me a word with you.[1316]
Ham. Sir, a whole history. 285
Guil. The king, sir,—[1317]
Ham. Ay, sir, what of him?[1318]
Guil. Is in his retirement marvellous distempered.
Ham. With drink, sir?
Guil. No, my lord, rather with choler.[1319] 290
Ham. Your wisdom should show itself more richer to[1320]
signify this to the doctor; for, for me to put him to his purgation[1321]
would perhaps plunge him into far more choler.[1322]
signify this to the doctor; for, for me to put him to his purgation[1321]
would perhaps plunge him into far more choler.[1322]
Guil. Good my lord, put your discourse into some[1323]
frame, and start not so wildly from my affair.[1323][1324] 295
frame, and start not so wildly from my affair.[1323][1324] 295
Ham. I am tame, sir: pronounce.
Guil. The queen, your mother, in most great affliction
of spirit, hath sent me to you.
of spirit, hath sent me to you.
Ham. You are welcome.[1325]
Guil. Nay, good my lord, this courtesy is not of the 300
right breed. If it shall please you to make me a wholesome
answer, I will do your mother's commandment: if not, your
pardon and my return shall be the end of my business.[1326]
right breed. If it shall please you to make me a wholesome
answer, I will do your mother's commandment: if not, your
pardon and my return shall be the end of my business.[1326]
Ham. Sir, I cannot.
Guil. What, my lord?[1327] 305
Ham. Make you a wholesome answer; my wit's diseased:[1328]
but, sir, such answer as I can make, you shall command;[1329]
or rather, as you say, my mother: therefore no[1330]
more, but to the matter: my mother, you say,—[1331]
but, sir, such answer as I can make, you shall command;[1329]
or rather, as you say, my mother: therefore no[1330]
more, but to the matter: my mother, you say,—[1331]
Ros. Then thus she says; your behaviour hath struck[1332] 310
her into amazement and admiration.
her into amazement and admiration.
Ham. O wonderful son, that can so astonish a mother![1333]
But is there no sequel at the heels of this mother's admiration?[1334]
Impart.[1335]
But is there no sequel at the heels of this mother's admiration?[1334]
Impart.[1335]
Ros. She desires to speak with you in her closet, ere 315
you go to bed.
you go to bed.
Ham. We shall obey, were she ten times our mother.
Have you any further trade with us?
Have you any further trade with us?
Ros. My lord, you once did love me.
Ham. So I do still, by these pickers and stealers.[1336] 320
Ros. Good my lord, what is your cause of distemper?
you do surely bar the door upon your own liberty, if you[1337]
deny your griefs to your friend.
you do surely bar the door upon your own liberty, if you[1337]
deny your griefs to your friend.
Ham. Sir, I lack advancement.
Ros. How can that be, when you have the voice of the 325
king himself for your succession in Denmark?
king himself for your succession in Denmark?
Ham. Ay, sir, but 'while the grass grows,'—the proverb[1338]
is something musty.
is something musty.
Re-enter Players with recorders.[1339]
O, the recorders! let me see one. To withdraw with you:—[1340]
why do you go about to recover the wind of me, as if you 330
would drive me into a toil?
why do you go about to recover the wind of me, as if you 330
would drive me into a toil?
Ham. I do not well understand that. Will you play
upon this pipe? 335
upon this pipe? 335
Guil. My lord, I cannot.[1342]
Ham. I pray you.
Guil. Believe me, I cannot.
Ham. I do beseech you.[1343]
Guil. I know no touch of it, my lord.[1344] 340
Ham. It is as easy as lying: govern these ventages[1345]
with your fingers and thumb, give it breath with your[1346]
mouth, and it will discourse most eloquent music. Look[1347]
you, these are the stops.
with your fingers and thumb, give it breath with your[1346]
mouth, and it will discourse most eloquent music. Look[1347]
you, these are the stops.
Guil. But these cannot I command to any utterance 345
of harmony; I have not the skill.
of harmony; I have not the skill.
Ham. Why, look you now, how unworthy a thing you
make of me! You would play upon me; you would seem[1348]
to know my stops; you would pluck out the heart of my
mystery; you would sound me from my lowest note to the[1349] 350
top of my compass: and there is much music, excellent[1349]
voice, in this little organ; yet cannot you make it speak.[1350]
'Sblood, do you think I am easier to be played on than a[1351]
pipe? Call me what instrument you will, though you can[1352]
fret me, yet you cannot play upon me.[1352][1353] 355
make of me! You would play upon me; you would seem[1348]
to know my stops; you would pluck out the heart of my
mystery; you would sound me from my lowest note to the[1349] 350
top of my compass: and there is much music, excellent[1349]
voice, in this little organ; yet cannot you make it speak.[1350]
'Sblood, do you think I am easier to be played on than a[1351]
pipe? Call me what instrument you will, though you can[1352]
fret me, yet you cannot play upon me.[1352][1353] 355
Enter Polonius.[1354]
God bless you, sir![1355]
Pol. My lord, the queen would speak with you, and
presently.
presently.
Ham. Methinks it is like a weasel.[1361]
Ham. Or like a whale?[1363]
Pol. Very like a whale. 365
Ham. Then I will come to my mother by and by.[1364]
They fool me to the top of my bent. I will come by and[1365][1366]
by.[1366]
They fool me to the top of my bent. I will come by and[1365][1366]
by.[1366]
Ham. 'By and by' is easily said. Leave me, friends.[1366] 370
[Exeunt all but Hamlet.[1368]
'Tis now the very witching time of night,
When churchyards yawn, and hell itself breathes out[1369]
Contagion to this world: now could I drink hot blood,[1370]
And do such bitter business as the day[1371]
Would quake to look on. Soft! now to my mother.[1372] 375
O heart, lose not thy nature; let not ever[1373]
The soul of Nero enter this firm bosom:
Let me be cruel, not unnatural:[1374]
I will speak daggers to her, but use none;[1375]
My tongue and soul in this be hypocrites; 380
How in my words soever she be shent,[1376][1377]
To give them seals never, my soul, consent! [Exit.[1376][1378]
When churchyards yawn, and hell itself breathes out[1369]
Contagion to this world: now could I drink hot blood,[1370]
And do such bitter business as the day[1371]
Would quake to look on. Soft! now to my mother.[1372] 375
O heart, lose not thy nature; let not ever[1373]
The soul of Nero enter this firm bosom:
Let me be cruel, not unnatural:[1374]
I will speak daggers to her, but use none;[1375]
My tongue and soul in this be hypocrites; 380
How in my words soever she be shent,[1376][1377]
To give them seals never, my soul, consent! [Exit.[1376][1378]
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