St. Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1845-1863, 1861-03-07
SELECTED MISCELLANY.
From the Latin Of Sax"-Gramnaticus.
ORIGINAL STORY or HAMLET.

ried Gcrutha. Cor Gertruds,) the only
daughter of Ruric. King of Denmark.
The produce Of this union was son cal
led Amlettus. When he grew
toward manhood. his spirit and extraordi-
nary abilities excited the envy and hatred
Of his uncle. who, before the birth Of
Amlettus. was regarded as presumptive
heir to the throne. Fengo which was
the name Of this naughty prince. con-
eciyed passion for his sister-in-lsw, the
Queen; and, meeting with reciprocal feel
iags. they soon arranged plan, which.
putting into execution. he assembled the
throne Of bis brother. aud espousod the
widowed princess. Amiettus, Ger Ham
let suspectiug his father had died by
the hand or devices of his uncle, deter
miued to be revenged; but, pcrceiving
the jsnlousy With which the usurper eyed
his superior talents and the better to con
ce.l His hatred aud intentions he affected
a gradual dcrangemen. of reason, and.
at last, acted oil the extravaganza Of All
absolute madman. Fengos guilt induced
him to doubt the reality Of malady so
favorable to his security--aud, suspicious
of some direful project being hidden be-
meath assumed insanity, be tried By diff
ferent stratagems to penetrate the truth
One of them was TO draw him in.o con
fidentixl interview with young dan,scl.
who had been the companion Of his in
fancy, but Hsmlet's ssgacity und thu
timely caution of his intimate friend frus-
trated this design. In these two per-
sons we may recognize the Ophclia aud
Horatio of Shakespeare; second plot was
attended with equal want of success. Il
was concerted by Fengo that the Queen
should take her son to task in private
conversation, vsinly aattering himself that
the Prince would not conceal his true
state from the feeling of q mother.
Shakespeare has adopted every part of this
scene. not snly the precise situation and
circumstances, but the sentiments. and
sometimes the very words themselves.
The Queens apartment was the ap-
pointed place Of conference, where the
King, to secure certain testimony. had
previously ordered one Of his courticrs to
secr.te himself under heap of straw So
says the historian; and though Shakespeare.
In unison with refinement of more modern
times. changes that rustic covering for
the Royal tapestry. yet it was even as
Saro Gra,nmxticas relates it. Iu those
primitive ages, straw, hay or rushes
s,rewed on the door, were the usual car
pets in the chambers Of the great. One
nf our Henrys. in making a progress to
the north of England, previously sent for
ward courticr to order clean straw at
erery house where be was to take his
iodgiugs But, to rcturn the subject:
Tac Princc, suspecting there might be
q concealed listener, and that it was the
King, pursued his wild aud frantic acts.
hoping that. by some iocky chance, he
might discover bis hiding-place. Watch
falIof all that passed in the room, as he
dashed from side to side, he deserted a
liatle movement Of the uneasy courtier's
covering. Suddenly Ha,alet sprung on
Ills feet. began 10 crow like a cock. and
Tapping his arms against his sides.
lssped upon the straw: feeling something
u,ider him. he snatched out his sword and
thrust it through the unfortunate lord.
The barbarism of the times is most shock
inely displayed in the brutal manuer he
treats the dead body; but for the honor of
the Danish Prince, We, isust suppose it
was not merely wanton act, but done
the more decidedly to convince the King.
wien the strange situation Of the corpse
was seen. bow absolutely he must be di-
vested of reason. Being assured he was
n,w alone with his mother. in a most
awful manner he turns upon Lsr, and
avaws HE madness tn be assumed: he re-
ssoashss her yish her wicked deeds aud
i.sc.inoss marriage. and threatens a
,uigh.y vengeance upon tbs instiga.or Of
In the hiAorian.i We find that the admo-
si,ious of Hamle, awakened the conscience
of'hc taeen, ard called her to pcsitcnce
.nd virtue. The King. observing the
{ shange. became doubly suspicious of the