Scene II
A hall in the castle.[2137]
Enter Hamlet and Horatio.
Ham. So much for this, sir: now shall you see the other;[2138]
You do remember all the circumstance?[2139]
You do remember all the circumstance?[2139]
Hor. Remember it, my lord!
Ham. Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting,
That would not let me sleep: methought I lay[2140] 5
Worse than the mutines in the bilboes. Rashly,[2141][2142]
And praised be rashness for it, let us know,[2142][2143][2144][2145]
Our indiscretion sometime serves us well[2144][2145][2146]
When our deep plots do pall; and that should learn us[2144][2147]
There's a divinity that shapes our ends,[2144] 10
Rough-hew them how we will.[2144]
That would not let me sleep: methought I lay[2140] 5
Worse than the mutines in the bilboes. Rashly,[2141][2142]
And praised be rashness for it, let us know,[2142][2143][2144][2145]
Our indiscretion sometime serves us well[2144][2145][2146]
When our deep plots do pall; and that should learn us[2144][2147]
There's a divinity that shapes our ends,[2144] 10
Rough-hew them how we will.[2144]
Hor. That is most certain.
Ham. Up from my cabin,
My sea-gown scarf'd about me, in the dark[2148]
Groped I to find out them; had my desire,[2149]
Finger'd their packet, and in fine withdrew 15
To mine own room again; making so bold,[2150][2151]
My fears forgetting manners, to unseal[2151][2152]
Their grand commission; where I found, Horatio,—
O royal knavery!—an exact command,[2153]
Larded with many several sorts of reasons,[2154] 20
Importing Denmark's health and England's too,
With, ho! such bugs and goblins in my life,[2155]
That, on the supervise, no leisure bated,
No, not to stay the grinding of the axe,[2156]
My head should be struck off.[2157]
My sea-gown scarf'd about me, in the dark[2148]
Groped I to find out them; had my desire,[2149]
Finger'd their packet, and in fine withdrew 15
To mine own room again; making so bold,[2150][2151]
My fears forgetting manners, to unseal[2151][2152]
Their grand commission; where I found, Horatio,—
O royal knavery!—an exact command,[2153]
Larded with many several sorts of reasons,[2154] 20
Importing Denmark's health and England's too,
With, ho! such bugs and goblins in my life,[2155]
That, on the supervise, no leisure bated,
No, not to stay the grinding of the axe,[2156]
My head should be struck off.[2157]
Hor. Is't possible? 25
Ham. Here's the commission: read it at more leisure.
But wilt thou hear now how I did proceed?[2158]
But wilt thou hear now how I did proceed?[2158]
Hor. I beseech you.[2159]
Ham. Being thus be-netted round with villanies,—[2160][2161]
Or I could make a prologue to my brains,[2160][2162] 30
They had begun the play,—I sat me down;[2160][2163]
Devised a new commission; wrote it fair:
I once did hold it, as our statists do,
A baseness to write fair, and labour'd much[2164]
How to forget that learning; but, sir, now 35
It did me yeoman's service: wilt thou know[2165]
The effect of what I wrote?[2166]
Or I could make a prologue to my brains,[2160][2162] 30
They had begun the play,—I sat me down;[2160][2163]
Devised a new commission; wrote it fair:
I once did hold it, as our statists do,
A baseness to write fair, and labour'd much[2164]
How to forget that learning; but, sir, now 35
It did me yeoman's service: wilt thou know[2165]
The effect of what I wrote?[2166]
Hor. Ay, good my lord.
Ham. An earnest conjuration from the king,
As England was his faithful tributary,
As love between them like the palm might flourish,[2167] 40
As peace should still her wheaten garland wear
And stand a comma 'tween their amities,[2168]
And many such-like 'As'es of great charge,[2169]
That, on the view and knowing of these contents,[2170]
Without debatement further, more or less, 45
He should the bearers put to sudden death,[2171]
Not shriving-time allow'd.[2172]
As England was his faithful tributary,
As love between them like the palm might flourish,[2167] 40
As peace should still her wheaten garland wear
And stand a comma 'tween their amities,[2168]
And many such-like 'As'es of great charge,[2169]
That, on the view and knowing of these contents,[2170]
Without debatement further, more or less, 45
He should the bearers put to sudden death,[2171]
Not shriving-time allow'd.[2172]
Hor. How was this seal'd?
Ham. Why, even in that was heaven ordinant.[2173]
I had my father's signet in my purse,
Which was the model of that Danish seal: 50
Folded the writ up in the form of the other;[2174]
Subscribed it; gave't the impression; placed it safely,[2175]
The changeling never known. Now, the next day[2176]
Was our sea-fight; and what to this was sequent[2177]
Thou know'st already.[2178] 55
I had my father's signet in my purse,
Which was the model of that Danish seal: 50
Folded the writ up in the form of the other;[2174]
Subscribed it; gave't the impression; placed it safely,[2175]
The changeling never known. Now, the next day[2176]
Was our sea-fight; and what to this was sequent[2177]
Thou know'st already.[2178] 55
Hor. So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to't.[2179]
Ham. Why, man, they did make love to this employment;[2180]
They are not near my conscience; their defeat[2181]
Does by their own insinuation grow:[2182]
'Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes[2183] 60
Between the pass and fell incensed points[2184]
Of mighty opposites.
They are not near my conscience; their defeat[2181]
Does by their own insinuation grow:[2182]
'Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes[2183] 60
Between the pass and fell incensed points[2184]
Of mighty opposites.
Hor. Why, what a king is this!
Ham. Does it not, thinks't thee, stand me now upon—[2185]
He that hath kill'd my king, and whored my mother;[2186]
Popp'd in between the election and my hopes;[2187] 65
Thrown out his angle for my proper life,[2188]
And with such cozenage—is't not perfect conscience,[2189]
To quit him with this arm? and is't not to be damn'd,[2190][2191]
To let this canker of our nature come[2190]
In further evil?[2190][2192] 70
He that hath kill'd my king, and whored my mother;[2186]
Popp'd in between the election and my hopes;[2187] 65
Thrown out his angle for my proper life,[2188]
And with such cozenage—is't not perfect conscience,[2189]
To quit him with this arm? and is't not to be damn'd,[2190][2191]
To let this canker of our nature come[2190]
In further evil?[2190][2192] 70
Hor. It must be shortly known to him from England[2190]
What is the issue of the business there.[2190]
What is the issue of the business there.[2190]
Ham. It will be short: the interim is mine;[2190][2193][2194]
And a man's life's no more than to say 'One.'[2190][2193][2195]
But I am very sorry, good Horatio,[2190][2193] 75
That to Laertes I forgot myself;[2190]
For, by the image of my cause, I see[2190]
The portraiture of his: I'll court his favours:[2190][2196]
But, sure, the bravery of his grief did put me[2190]
Into a towering passion.[2190]
And a man's life's no more than to say 'One.'[2190][2193][2195]
But I am very sorry, good Horatio,[2190][2193] 75
That to Laertes I forgot myself;[2190]
For, by the image of my cause, I see[2190]
The portraiture of his: I'll court his favours:[2190][2196]
But, sure, the bravery of his grief did put me[2190]
Into a towering passion.[2190]
Enter Osric.
Hor. No, my good lord.[2201]
Ham. Thy state is the more gracious, for 'tis a vice to[2201]
know him. He hath much land, and fertile: let a beast be[2201] 85
lord of beasts, and his crib shall stand at the king's mess:[2201]
'tis a chough, but, as I say, spacious in the possession of dirt.[2201][2202]
know him. He hath much land, and fertile: let a beast be[2201] 85
lord of beasts, and his crib shall stand at the king's mess:[2201]
'tis a chough, but, as I say, spacious in the possession of dirt.[2201][2202]
Osr. Sweet lord, if your lordship were at leisure, I[2203]
should impart a thing to you from his majesty.
should impart a thing to you from his majesty.
Ham. I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of spirit.[2204] 90
Put your bonnet to his right use; 'tis for the head.[2205]
Put your bonnet to his right use; 'tis for the head.[2205]
Osr. I thank your lordship, it is very hot.[2206]
Ham. No, believe me, 'tis very cold; the wind is
northerly.
northerly.
Osr. It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed. 95
Osr. Exceedingly, my lord; it is very sultry, as 'twere,—I[2209]
cannot tell how. But, my lord, his majesty bade me[2210]
signify to you that he has laid a great wager on your head:[2211] 100
sir, this is the matter—[2212]
cannot tell how. But, my lord, his majesty bade me[2210]
signify to you that he has laid a great wager on your head:[2211] 100
sir, this is the matter—[2212]
Ham. I beseech you, remember—[2213]
[Hamlet moves him to put on his hat.
Osr. Nay, good my lord; for mine ease, in good faith.[2214]
Sir, here is newly come to court Laertes; believe me, an absolute[2215]
gentleman, full of most excellent differences, of very[2215][2216] 105
soft society and great showing: indeed, to speak feelingly of[2215][2217]
him, he is the card or calendar of gentry, for you shall find[2215][2218]
in him the continent of what part a gentleman would see.[2215][2219]
Sir, here is newly come to court Laertes; believe me, an absolute[2215]
gentleman, full of most excellent differences, of very[2215][2216] 105
soft society and great showing: indeed, to speak feelingly of[2215][2217]
him, he is the card or calendar of gentry, for you shall find[2215][2218]
in him the continent of what part a gentleman would see.[2215][2219]
Ham. Sir, his definement suffers no perdition in you;[2215]
though, I know, to divide him inventorially would dizzy the[2215][2220] 110
arithmetic of memory, and yet but yaw neither, in respect[2215][2221]
of his quick sail. But in the verity of extolment, I take[2215]
him to be a soul of great article, and his infusion of such[2215][2222]
dearth and rareness, as, to make true diction of him, his[2215]
semblable is his mirror, and who else would trace him, his[2215] 115
umbrage, nothing more.[2215]
though, I know, to divide him inventorially would dizzy the[2215][2220] 110
arithmetic of memory, and yet but yaw neither, in respect[2215][2221]
of his quick sail. But in the verity of extolment, I take[2215]
him to be a soul of great article, and his infusion of such[2215][2222]
dearth and rareness, as, to make true diction of him, his[2215]
semblable is his mirror, and who else would trace him, his[2215] 115
umbrage, nothing more.[2215]
Osr. Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him.[2215]
Hor. Is't not possible to understand in another tongue?[2215][2225]
You will do't, sir, really.[2215][2226]
You will do't, sir, really.[2215][2226]
Ham. What imports the nomination of this gentleman?[2215]
Ham. I would you did, sir; yet, in faith, if you did, it[2215]
would not much approve me. Well, sir?[2215][2230] 130
would not much approve me. Well, sir?[2215][2230] 130
Ham. I dare not confess that, lest I should compare[2215]
with him in excellence; but, to know a man well, were to[2215][2232]
know himself.[2215]
with him in excellence; but, to know a man well, were to[2215][2232]
know himself.[2215]
Osr. I mean, sir, for his weapon; but in the imputation[2215][2233] 135
laid on him by them, in his meed he's unfellowed.[2215][2234]
laid on him by them, in his meed he's unfellowed.[2215][2234]
Ham. What's his weapon?
Osr. Rapier and dagger.
Ham. That's two of his weapons: but, well.
Osr. The king, sir, hath wagered with him six Barbary[2235] 140
horses: against the which he has imponed, as I take it, six[2236]
French rapiers and poniards, with their assigns, as girdle,
hanger, and so: three of the carriages, in faith, are very[2237]
dear to fancy, very responsive to the hilts, most delicate
carriages, and of very liberal conceit. 145
horses: against the which he has imponed, as I take it, six[2236]
French rapiers and poniards, with their assigns, as girdle,
hanger, and so: three of the carriages, in faith, are very[2237]
dear to fancy, very responsive to the hilts, most delicate
carriages, and of very liberal conceit. 145
Ham. What call you the carriages?
Osr. The carriages, sir, are the hangers.[2239]
Ham. The phrase would be more germane to the[2240] 150
matter if we could carry a cannon by our sides: I would[2241]
it might be hangers till then. But, on: six Barbary horses[2242]
against six French swords, their assigns, and three liberal-conceited
carriages; that's the French bet against the[2243][2244]
Danish. Why is this 'imponed,' as you call it?[2244][2245] 155
matter if we could carry a cannon by our sides: I would[2241]
it might be hangers till then. But, on: six Barbary horses[2242]
against six French swords, their assigns, and three liberal-conceited
carriages; that's the French bet against the[2243][2244]
Danish. Why is this 'imponed,' as you call it?[2244][2245] 155
Osr. The king, sir, hath laid, sir, that in a dozen[2246]
passes between yourself and him, he shall not exceed you[2247]
three hits: he hath laid on twelve for nine; and it would[2248]
come to immediate trial, if your lordship would vouchsafe
the answer. 160
passes between yourself and him, he shall not exceed you[2247]
three hits: he hath laid on twelve for nine; and it would[2248]
come to immediate trial, if your lordship would vouchsafe
the answer. 160
Ham. How if I answer 'no'?
Osr. I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person
in trial.
in trial.
Ham. Sir, I will walk here in the hall: if it please his[2249]
majesty, it is the breathing time of day with me; let the[2249][2250] 165
foils be brought, the gentleman willing, and the king hold[2251]
his purpose, I will win for him an I can; if not, I will gain[2252]
nothing but my shame and the odd hits.
majesty, it is the breathing time of day with me; let the[2249][2250] 165
foils be brought, the gentleman willing, and the king hold[2251]
his purpose, I will win for him an I can; if not, I will gain[2252]
nothing but my shame and the odd hits.
Osr. Shall I redeliver you e'en so?[2253]
Ham. To this effect, sir, after what flourish your nature[2254] 170
will.
will.
Osr. I commend my duty to your lordship.[2255]
Ham. Yours, yours. [Exit Osric.] He does well to[2256]
commend it himself; there are no tongues else for's turn.[2257]
commend it himself; there are no tongues else for's turn.[2257]
Hor. This lapwing runs away with the shell on his[2258] 175
head.
head.
Ham. He did comply with his dug before he sucked[2259]
it. Thus has he—and many more of the same breed that[2260]
I know the drossy age dotes on—only got the tune of the
time and outward habit of encounter; a kind of yesty collection,[2261][2262] 180
which carries them through and through the most[2261]
fond and winnowed opinions; and do but blow them to[2263]
their trial, the bubbles are out.[2264]
it. Thus has he—and many more of the same breed that[2260]
I know the drossy age dotes on—only got the tune of the
time and outward habit of encounter; a kind of yesty collection,[2261][2262] 180
which carries them through and through the most[2261]
fond and winnowed opinions; and do but blow them to[2263]
their trial, the bubbles are out.[2264]
Enter a Lord.[2265]
Lord. My lord, his majesty commended him to you by[2265]
young Osric, who brings back to him, that you attend him[2265][2266] 185
in the hall: he sends to know if your pleasure hold to play[2265]
with Laertes, or that you will take longer time.[2265]
young Osric, who brings back to him, that you attend him[2265][2266] 185
in the hall: he sends to know if your pleasure hold to play[2265]
with Laertes, or that you will take longer time.[2265]
Ham. I am constant to my purposes; they follow the[2265]
king's pleasure: if his fitness speaks, mine is ready; now or[2265]
whensoever, provided I be so able as now.[2265] 190
king's pleasure: if his fitness speaks, mine is ready; now or[2265]
whensoever, provided I be so able as now.[2265] 190
Lord. The king and queen and all are coming down.[2265]
Ham. In happy time.[2265]
Lord. The queen desires you to use some gentle entertainment[2265][2267]
to Laertes before you fall to play.[2265][2268]
to Laertes before you fall to play.[2265][2268]
Hor. You will lose this wager, my lord.[2270]
Ham. I do not think so; since he went into France, I
have been in continual practice; I shall win at the odds.
But thou wouldst not think how ill all's here about my[2271]
heart: but it is no matter. 200
have been in continual practice; I shall win at the odds.
But thou wouldst not think how ill all's here about my[2271]
heart: but it is no matter. 200
Hor. Nay, good my lord,—[2272]
Ham. It is but foolery; but it is such a kind of gain-giving[2273]
as would perhaps trouble a woman.[2273]
as would perhaps trouble a woman.[2273]
Hor. If your mind dislike any thing, obey it. I will[2274]
forestal their repair hither, and say you are not fit. 205
forestal their repair hither, and say you are not fit. 205
Ham. Not a whit; we defy augury: there is special[2275]
providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to[2276]
come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now,
yet it will come: the readiness is all; since no man has[2277][2278]
aught of what he leaves, what is't to leave betimes? Let 210
be.[2278]
providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to[2276]
come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now,
yet it will come: the readiness is all; since no man has[2277][2278]
aught of what he leaves, what is't to leave betimes? Let 210
be.[2278]
Enter King, Queen, Laertes, and Lords, Osric and other Attendants with foils and gauntlets; a table and flagons of wine on it.[2279]
King. Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.[2280]
[The King puts Laertes' hand into Hamlet's.
Ham. Give me your pardon, sir: I've done you wrong;[2281]
But pardon't, as you are a gentleman.[2282]
This presence knows,[2282][2283][2284] 215
And you must needs have heard, how I am punish'd[2283][2284][2285]
With sore distraction. What I have done,[2283][2284][2286]
That might your nature, honour and exception[2284][2287]
Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness.[2284]
Was't Hamlet wrong'd Laertes? Never Hamlet:[2284] 220
If Hamlet from himself be ta'en away,[2284]
And when he's not himself does wrong Laertes,[2284]
Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it.[2284]
Who does it then? His madness: if't be so,[2284][2288]
Hamlet is of the faction that is wrong'd;[2284][2289] 225
His madness is poor Hamlet's enemy.[2284]
Sir, in this audience,[2284][2290]
Let my disclaiming from a purposed evil
Free me so far in your most generous thoughts,
That I have shot mine arrow o'er the house,[2291] 230
And hurt my brother.[2292]
But pardon't, as you are a gentleman.[2282]
This presence knows,[2282][2283][2284] 215
And you must needs have heard, how I am punish'd[2283][2284][2285]
With sore distraction. What I have done,[2283][2284][2286]
That might your nature, honour and exception[2284][2287]
Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness.[2284]
Was't Hamlet wrong'd Laertes? Never Hamlet:[2284] 220
If Hamlet from himself be ta'en away,[2284]
And when he's not himself does wrong Laertes,[2284]
Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it.[2284]
Who does it then? His madness: if't be so,[2284][2288]
Hamlet is of the faction that is wrong'd;[2284][2289] 225
His madness is poor Hamlet's enemy.[2284]
Sir, in this audience,[2284][2290]
Let my disclaiming from a purposed evil
Free me so far in your most generous thoughts,
That I have shot mine arrow o'er the house,[2291] 230
And hurt my brother.[2292]
Laer. I am satisfied in nature,
Whose motive, in this case, should stir me most
To my revenge: but in my terms of honour
I stand aloof, and will no reconcilement,
Till by some elder masters of known honour[2293] 235
I have a voice and precedent of peace,[2294]
To keep my name ungored. But till that time[2295]
I do receive your offer'd love like love[2296]
And will not wrong it.
Whose motive, in this case, should stir me most
To my revenge: but in my terms of honour
I stand aloof, and will no reconcilement,
Till by some elder masters of known honour[2293] 235
I have a voice and precedent of peace,[2294]
To keep my name ungored. But till that time[2295]
I do receive your offer'd love like love[2296]
And will not wrong it.
Ham. I embrace it freely,[2297][2298]
And will this brother's wager frankly play.[2298] 240
Give us the foils. Come on.[2299]
And will this brother's wager frankly play.[2298] 240
Give us the foils. Come on.[2299]
Laer. Come, one for me.
Ham. I'll be your foil, Laertes: in mine ignorance
Your skill shall, like a star i' the darkest night,[2300]
Stick fiery off indeed.[2301]
Your skill shall, like a star i' the darkest night,[2300]
Stick fiery off indeed.[2301]
Laer. You mock me, sir.
Ham. No, by this hand.[2302] 245
King. I do not fear it; I have seen you both:[2308]
But since he is better'd, we have therefore odds.[2309] 250
But since he is better'd, we have therefore odds.[2309] 250
[They prepare to play.
Osr. Ay, my good lord.
King. Set me the stoups of wine upon that table.[2313]
If Hamlet give the first or second hit,[2314] 255
Or quit in answer of the third exchange,[2315]
Let all the battlements their ordnance fire;
The king shall drink to Hamlet's better breath;
And in the cup an union shall he throw,[2316]
Richer than that which four successive kings 260
In Denmark's crown have worn. Give me the cups;[2317]
And let the kettle to the trumpet speak,[2318]
The trumpet to the cannoneer without,[2319]
The cannons to the heavens, the heaven to earth,[2320]
'Now the king drinks to Hamlet.' Come, begin;[2321] 265
And you, the judges, bear a wary eye.
If Hamlet give the first or second hit,[2314] 255
Or quit in answer of the third exchange,[2315]
Let all the battlements their ordnance fire;
The king shall drink to Hamlet's better breath;
And in the cup an union shall he throw,[2316]
Richer than that which four successive kings 260
In Denmark's crown have worn. Give me the cups;[2317]
And let the kettle to the trumpet speak,[2318]
The trumpet to the cannoneer without,[2319]
The cannons to the heavens, the heaven to earth,[2320]
'Now the king drinks to Hamlet.' Come, begin;[2321] 265
And you, the judges, bear a wary eye.
Ham. Come on, sir.
Laer. Come, my lord. [They play.[2322]
Ham. One.
Laer. No.
Ham. Judgement.
Osr. A hit, a very palpable hit.[2323]
Laer. Well; again.
King. Stay; give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is thine;[2324]
Here's to thy health.
Here's to thy health.
[Trumpets sound, and cannon shot off within.[2325]
Give him the cup. 270
Ham. I'll play this bout first; set it by awhile.[2326]
Come. [They play.] Another hit; what say you?[2327]
Come. [They play.] Another hit; what say you?[2327]
Laer. A touch, a touch, I do confess.[2328]
King. Our son shall win.
Queen. He's fat and scant of breath.[2329]
Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows:[2330] 275
The queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.
Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows:[2330] 275
The queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.
Ham. Good madam!
King. Gertrude, do not drink.[2331]
Queen. I will, my lord; I pray you, pardon me.[2332]
King. [Aside] It is the poison'd cup; it is too late.[2333]
Ham. I dare not drink yet, madam; by and by.[2334] 280
Queen. Come, let me wipe thy face.
Laer. My lord, I'll hit him now.[2335]
King. I do not think't.
Ham. Come, for the third, Laertes: you but dally;[2337]
I pray you, pass with your best violence; 285
I am afeard you make a wanton of me.[2338]
I pray you, pass with your best violence; 285
I am afeard you make a wanton of me.[2338]
Laer. Say you so? come on. [They play.[2339]
Osr. Nothing, neither way.
Laer. Have at you now!
[Laertes wounds Hamlet; then, in scuffling, they change rapiers, and Hamlet wounds Laertes.[2340]
King. Part them; they are incensed.
Ham. Nay, come, again. [The Queen falls.
Osr. Look to the queen there, ho![2341] 290
Hor. They bleed on both sides. How is it, my lord?[2342]
Osr. How is't, Laertes?[2343]
Laer. Why, as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric;[2344]
I am justly kill'd with mine own treachery.[2345]
I am justly kill'd with mine own treachery.[2345]
Ham. How does the queen?
King. She swounds to see them bleed.[2346] 295
Queen. No, no, the drink, the drink,—O my dear Hamlet,—[2347]
The drink, the drink! I am poison'd. [Dies.[2347][2348]
The drink, the drink! I am poison'd. [Dies.[2347][2348]
Ham. O villany! Ho! let the door be lock'd:[2349]
Treachery! seek it out.
Treachery! seek it out.
Laer. It is here, Hamlet: Hamlet, thou art slain;[2350] 300
No medicine in the world can do thee good,[2351]
In thee there is not half an hour of life;[2352]
The treacherous instrument is in thy hand,[2353]
Unbated and envenom'd: the foul practice[2354]
Hath turn'd itself on me; lo, here I lie,[2355] 305
Never to rise again: thy mother's poison'd:[2356]
I can no more: the king, the king's to blame.[2357]
No medicine in the world can do thee good,[2351]
In thee there is not half an hour of life;[2352]
The treacherous instrument is in thy hand,[2353]
Unbated and envenom'd: the foul practice[2354]
Hath turn'd itself on me; lo, here I lie,[2355] 305
Never to rise again: thy mother's poison'd:[2356]
I can no more: the king, the king's to blame.[2357]
Ham. The point envenom'd too![2358][2359][2360]
Then, venom, to thy work. [Stabs the King.[2358][2360][2361]
Then, venom, to thy work. [Stabs the King.[2358][2360][2361]
All. Treason! treason! 310
King. O, yet defend me, friends; I am but hurt.
Ham. Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane,[2362]
Drink off this potion: is thy union here?[2363]
Follow my mother. [King dies.[2364]
Drink off this potion: is thy union here?[2363]
Follow my mother. [King dies.[2364]
Laer. He is justly served;[2365]
It is a poison temper'd by himself.[2365][2366] 315
Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet:
Mine and my father's death come not upon thee,[2367]
Nor thine on me! [Dies.[2368]
It is a poison temper'd by himself.[2365][2366] 315
Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet:
Mine and my father's death come not upon thee,[2367]
Nor thine on me! [Dies.[2368]
Ham. Heaven make thee free of it! I follow thee.[2369]
I am dead, Horatio. Wretched queen, adieu![2370] 320
You that look pale and tremble at this chance,
That are but mutes or audience to this act,[2371]
Had I but time—as this fell sergeant, death,[2372]
Is strict in his arrest—O, I could tell you—[2372][2373]
But let it be. Horatio, I am dead; 325
Thou livest; report me and my cause aright[2374]
To the unsatisfied.
I am dead, Horatio. Wretched queen, adieu![2370] 320
You that look pale and tremble at this chance,
That are but mutes or audience to this act,[2371]
Had I but time—as this fell sergeant, death,[2372]
Is strict in his arrest—O, I could tell you—[2372][2373]
But let it be. Horatio, I am dead; 325
Thou livest; report me and my cause aright[2374]
To the unsatisfied.
Hor. Never believe it:[2375]
I am more an antique Roman than a Dane:[2376]
Here's yet some liquor left.
I am more an antique Roman than a Dane:[2376]
Here's yet some liquor left.
Ham. As thou'rt a man,[2377][2378]
Give me the cup: let go; by heaven, I'll have't.[2377][2379] 330
O good Horatio, what a wounded name,[2380]
Things standing thus unknown, shall live behind me![2381]
If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart,
Absent thee from felicity awhile,[2382]
And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain, 335
To tell my story. [March afar off, and shot within.[2383]
What warlike noise is this?
Give me the cup: let go; by heaven, I'll have't.[2377][2379] 330
O good Horatio, what a wounded name,[2380]
Things standing thus unknown, shall live behind me![2381]
If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart,
Absent thee from felicity awhile,[2382]
And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain, 335
To tell my story. [March afar off, and shot within.[2383]
What warlike noise is this?
Osr. Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland,[2384]
To the ambassadors of England gives[2385][2386][2387]
This warlike volley.[2386]
To the ambassadors of England gives[2385][2386][2387]
This warlike volley.[2386]
Ham. O, I die, Horatio;
The potent poison quite o'er-crows my spirit:[2388] 340
I cannot live to hear the news from England;
But I do prophesy the election lights
On Fortinbras: he has my dying voice;
So tell him, with the occurrents, more and less,[2389]
Which have solicited. The rest is silence. [Dies.[2390] 345
The potent poison quite o'er-crows my spirit:[2388] 340
I cannot live to hear the news from England;
But I do prophesy the election lights
On Fortinbras: he has my dying voice;
So tell him, with the occurrents, more and less,[2389]
Which have solicited. The rest is silence. [Dies.[2390] 345
Hor. Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince,[2391]
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest! [March within.[2392]
Why does the drum come hither?
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest! [March within.[2392]
Why does the drum come hither?
Enter Fortinbras, and the English Ambassadors, with drum, colours, and Attendants.[2393]
Fort. Where is this sight?
Fort. This quarry cries on havoc. O proud death,[2396]
What feast is toward in thine eternal cell,[2397]
That thou so many princes at a shot[2398]
So bloodily hast struck?
What feast is toward in thine eternal cell,[2397]
That thou so many princes at a shot[2398]
So bloodily hast struck?
First Amb. The sight is dismal;[2399]
And our affairs from England come too late: 355
The ears are senseless that should give us hearing.
To tell him his commandment is fulfill'd,
That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead:
Where should we have our thanks?
And our affairs from England come too late: 355
The ears are senseless that should give us hearing.
To tell him his commandment is fulfill'd,
That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead:
Where should we have our thanks?
Hor. Not from his mouth
Had it the ability of life to thank you:[2400] 360
He never gave commandment for their death.[2401]
But since, so jump upon this bloody question,[2402]
You from the Polack wars, and you from England,[2403]
Are here arrived, give order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the view;[2404] 365
And let me speak to the yet unknowing world[2405]
How these things came about: so shall you hear
Of carnal, bloody and unnatural acts,[2406]
Of accidental judgements, casual slaughters,
Of deaths put on by cunning and forced cause,[2407] 370
And, in this upshot, purposes mistook
Fall'n on the inventors' heads: all this can I
Truly deliver.
Had it the ability of life to thank you:[2400] 360
He never gave commandment for their death.[2401]
But since, so jump upon this bloody question,[2402]
You from the Polack wars, and you from England,[2403]
Are here arrived, give order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the view;[2404] 365
And let me speak to the yet unknowing world[2405]
How these things came about: so shall you hear
Of carnal, bloody and unnatural acts,[2406]
Of accidental judgements, casual slaughters,
Of deaths put on by cunning and forced cause,[2407] 370
And, in this upshot, purposes mistook
Fall'n on the inventors' heads: all this can I
Truly deliver.
Fort. Let us haste to hear it,
And call the noblest to the audience.[2408]
For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune: 375
I have some rights of memory in this kingdom,[2409]
Which now to claim my vantage doth invite me.[2410]
And call the noblest to the audience.[2408]
For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune: 375
I have some rights of memory in this kingdom,[2409]
Which now to claim my vantage doth invite me.[2410]
Hor. Of that I shall have also cause to speak,[2411]
And from his mouth whose voice will draw on more:[2412]
But let this same be presently perform'd,[2413] 380
Even while men's minds are wild; lest more mischance[2414]
On plots and errors happen.[2415]
And from his mouth whose voice will draw on more:[2412]
But let this same be presently perform'd,[2413] 380
Even while men's minds are wild; lest more mischance[2414]
On plots and errors happen.[2415]
Fort. Let four captains
Bear Hamlet, like a soldier, to the stage;[2416]
For he was likely, had he been put on,
To have proved most royally: and, for his passage,[2417] 385
The soldiers' music and the rites of war[2418]
Speak loudly for him.
Take up the bodies: such a sight as this[2419]
Becomes the field, but here shows much amiss.[2420]
Go, bid the soldiers shoot. 390
Bear Hamlet, like a soldier, to the stage;[2416]
For he was likely, had he been put on,
To have proved most royally: and, for his passage,[2417] 385
The soldiers' music and the rites of war[2418]
Speak loudly for him.
Take up the bodies: such a sight as this[2419]
Becomes the field, but here shows much amiss.[2420]
Go, bid the soldiers shoot. 390
[A dead march. Exeunt, bearing off the bodies: after which a peal of ordnance is shot off.[2421]
We’ll remember where you stopped. All chapters