## The Tragedie of Hamlet

**Hora.** My Lord, I came to see your fathers funeral,
**Ham.** I prethee doe not mock me fellow student,
I thinke it was to my mothers wedding.

**Hora.** Indeed my Lord it followed hard upon.

**Ham.** Thrift, thrift, Horatio, the funeral bak't meats
Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables,
Would I had met my dearest foe in Heauen
Or euer I had seene that day Horatio,
My father me thinkes I see my father.

**Hora.** Where my Lord?

**Ham.** In my minds eie Horatio.

**Hora.** I saw him once, a was a goodly King.

**Ham.** A was a man take him for all in all
I shall not looke vpon his like againe.

**Hora.** My Lord, I thinke I saw him yesternight.

**Ham.** Saw, who?

**Hora.** My Lord the King your father.

**Ham.** The King my father?

**Hora.** Season your admiration for a while
With an attentiue eare till I may deliuer
Vpon the witnesse of these Gentlemen
This maruaile to you.

**Ham.** For Gods loue let me heare?

**Hora.** Two nights together had these Gentlemen,
Marcellus, and Barnardo, on their watch,
In the dead vaſt and middle of the night
Beene thus incountred, a figure like your father
Armed at point, exactly Cap apea
Appeares before them, and with Solemne march,
Goes flow and flately by them; thrice he walkt
By their oppreſt and feare surprized eies,
Within this trnnchions length, whilft they diſtill'd
Almoſt to gelly, with the act of feare
Stand dumbe and ſpeake not to him; this to me,
In dreadfull ſecreie impart they did,
And I with them the third night kept the watch,
Whereas they had deliuered both in time,
Forme of the thing, each word made true and good,
The apparition comes; I knew your father,

Theſe

## Prince of Denmark.

These hands are not more like.

**Ham.** But where was this?

**Mar.** My Lord vpon the platforme where we watcht,

**Ham.** Did you not ſpeake to it?

**Hora.** My Lord, I did,

But anſwer made it none, yet once me thought

It lifted vp its head and did addreſſe

It ſelſe to motion, like as it would ſpeake:

But euen then the morning Cock crew loud,
And at the ſound it ſhrunke in haſt a way

And vanifht from our fight.

**Ham.** Tis verie ſtrange.

**Hora.** As I doe liue my honor'd Lord tis true
And we did thinke it writ downe in our dutie
To let you know of it.

**Ham.** Indeed firſ but this troubles me,
Hold you the watch to night?

**All.** We doe my Lord.

**Ham.** Arm'd ſay you?

**All.** Arm'd my Lord.

**Ham.** From top to toe?

**All.** My Lord from head to foot.

**Ham.** Then ſaw you not his face?

**Hora.** O yes my Lord, he wore his beauer vp.

**Ham.** What look't he frowningly?

**Hora.** A countenance more in ſorrow then in anger.

**Ham.** Pale or red?

**Hora.** Nay verie pale.

**Ham.** And fixt his eies vpon you?

**Hora.** Moſt conſtantly.

**Ham.** I would I had beene there.

**Hora.** It would haue much amaz'd you.

**Ham.** Verie like; ſtaid it long?

**Hora.** While one with moderate haſte might tell a hundreth,

**Both.** Longer, longer.

**Hora.** Not when I ſaw't.

**Ham.** His beard was griffeld, no.

**Hora.** It was as I haue seene it in his life
A ſable filuer'd.

Ham.

The Tragedie of Hamlet

Ham. I will watch to night
Perchance twill walke againe.

Hora. I warn't it will.

Ham. If it affume my noble fathers person,
Ile speake to it though hell it selfe should gape
And bid me hold my peace; I pray you all
If you haue hitherto conceal'd this fight
Let it be tenable in your silence still,
And whatsoever else shall hap to night,
Gue it an ynderstanding but no tongue,
I will requite your loues, so fare you well:
Vpon the platforme twixt eleuen and twelue
Ile visit you.

All Our dutie to your honour.

Exeunt.

Ham. Your loues as mine to you, farewell.
My fathers spirit (in armes) all is not well,
I doubt some foule play, would the night were come
Till then fit still my foule, foule deeds will rife
Though all the earth ore-whelme them to mens cies.

Exit.

Enter Laertes and Ophelia his Sister.

Laer. My necessaries are imbarkt, farewell,
And fister as the winds giue benefit
And conuay, in affiftant, doe not sleepe
But let me heare from you.

Ophe. Doe you doubt that ?

Laer. For Hamlet and the trifling of his fauour,
Hold it a fashion, and a toy in bloud,
A violet in the youth of primie nature,
Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting,
The perfume and fuppliance of a minute
No more.

Ophe. No more but so.

Laer. Thinke it no more.

For nature creffant does nor grow alone,
In thewes and bulkes, but as this Temple waxes
The inward feruice of the mind and foule
Growes wide withall, perhaps he loues you now,
And now no foule nor cautell doth besmerch
The vertue of his will, but you muft feare,

His

Prince of Denmark.

His greatnesse waid, his will is not his owne.
He may not as vnvalued persons doe,
Craue for himselfe, for on his choice depends
The safetie and health of this whole state,
And therefore muft his choise be circumſcrib'd,
Vnto the voice and yeelding of that bodie,
Whereof he is the head, then if he faies he loues you,
It fits your wifdome so farre to beleeeue it
As he in his particular act and place
May giue his ſaying deed, which is no further,
Then the maine voice of Denmarke goes withall.
Then weigh what loſſe your honour may ſuſtaine,
If with too credent eare you lift his ſongs
Or loſſe your heart, or your chaſt treasure open,
To his vnmaſtr'd importunitie.

Feare it Ophelia, feare it my deare fister,
And keepe you in the reare of your affection
Out of the ſhot and danger of desire,
" The charieſt maide is prodigall enough
If the vnmaske her beautie to the Moone
" Vertue it ſelfe ſcapes not calumnious strokes
" The Canker gaules the infant of the Spring
Too oft before their buttons be disclosed,
And in the morne and liquid dew of youth
Contagious blastments are moſt iminent,
Be warie then, beſt safetie lies in feare,
Youth to it ſelfe rebels, though none else neere.

Ophe. I ſhall the effect of this good ſeffon keepe,
As watchmen to my heart: but good my brother
Doe not as ſome vngracious Pастors doe.
Shew me the sleepe and thornie way to heauen
Whiles a puſt, and reckles libertine,
Himſelſe the primrose path of daliance treads.
And reakes not his owne Reed.

Enter Polonius.

Laer. O feare me not,
I stay too long, but heere my father comes
A double bleſſing, is a double grace,
Occafion ſmiles vpon a ſecond leaue.

Pol. Yet here Laertes? aboord, aboord for ſhame,

C

The

ROUND

The Tragedie of Hamlet

The wind fits in the shoulder of your faile,
And you are staied for, there my bleffing with thee,
And these few precepts in thy memorie
Looke thou character, giue thy thoughts no tongue,
Nor any vnproportion'd thought his act,
Be thou familiar, but by no meanes vulgar,
Thofe friends thou haft and their adoption tried,
Grapple them vnto thy foule with hoopes of steele,
But doe not dull thy palme with entertainment.
Of each new hatcht vnſledgd courage; beware
Of entrance to a quarrell, but being in,
Bear't that th' oppoſer may beware of thee;
Giuue euerie man thy eare, but few thy voice,
Take each mans cenſure, but reſerue thy iudgement,
Coſtly thy habit as thy purſe can buy,
But not expreſt in fancie; rich not gaudie,
For the apparell oft proclaimes the man :
And they in France of the best ranke and ſtation,
Are of a moſt ſelect and generous, chieſe in that :
Neither a borrower nor a lender boy,
For loue oft looſes both it ſelfe and friend,
And borrowing dulleth the edge of husbandry :
This aboue all, to thine owne ſelfe be true
And it muſt follow as the night the day
Thou canſt not then be ſalſe to any man :
Farewell my bleſſing ſeason this in thee.

Laer. Moſt humbly doe I take my leaue my Lord.

Pol. The time inueſts you, go, your ſeruants tend,

Laer. Farewell Ophelia, and remember well

What I haue ſaid to you.

Ophe. Tis in my memorie locke

And you your ſelfe shall keepe the key of it.

Laer. Farewell.

Exit, Laertes.

Pol. What iſt Ophelia he hath ſaid to you?

Ophe. Sopleaſe you, ſomething touching the Lord Hamlet.

Pol. Marrie well bethought

Tis told me he hath very oft of late

Guen priuate time to you, and you your ſelfe

Haue of your audience beene moſt free and bounteous,

If

Prince of Denmark.

If it be so, as so ris put on me,
And that in way of caution I muſt tell you,
You doe not vnderstand your ſelfe so cleerely
As it behooues my daughter and your honour,
What is betweene you giue me vp the truth.

Ophe. He hath my Lord of late made many tenders
Of his affection to me.

Pol. Affection, pub, you ſpeake like a greene girle,
Vnſifted in ſuch perillous circumſtance,
Doe you beleeue his tenders, as you call them ?

Ophe. I doe not know my Lord what I should thinke,

Pol. Marrie I will teach you, thinke your ſelfe a babie,
That you haue tane these tenders for true pay,
Which are not ſterling: tender your ſelfe more dearely
Or (not to cracke the wind of the poore phraſe)
Wrong it thus, youle tender me a ſoole.

Ophe. My Lord he hath importun'd me with loue
In honorable ſashion.

Pol. I, ſashion you may call it, goe to, goe to.

Ophe. And hath giuen countenance to his ſpeech
My Lord, with almoſt all the holy vowes of heauen.

Pol. I, ſpringes to catch Wood-cocks, I do know
When the bloud burnes, how prodigall the ſoule
Lends the tongue vowes, theſe blazes daughter
Giuing more light then heate, extinet in both
Euen in their promife, as it is a making
You muſt not tak't for fire: from this time
Be ſome thing ſcanter of your maiden preſence
Set your intreatments at a higher rate
Then a command to parle: for Lord Hamlet,
Beleeue me so much in him, that he is young,
And with a larger teder may he walke
Then may be giuen you: in ſew Ophelia,
Doe not beleeue his vowes, for they are Brokers
Not of that die which their inueſtments ſhew
But meere implorators of vnholy ſuites,
Breathing like a nſtified and pious bonds
The better to beguile: this is for all,
I would not in plaine termes from this time forth

C 2

Haue

The Tragedie of Hamlet

Haue you so slander any moments leisure

As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet,

Looke too't I charge you, come your waes,

Ophe. I shall obey my Lord.

Exeunt.

Enter Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus.

Ham. The aire bites shroudly, it is very cold.

Hora. It is nipping, and an eager aire.

Ham. What houre now ?

Hora. I thinke it lacke of twelue.

Mar. No, it is brooke

Hora. Indeed; I heard it not, it then drawes neere the season.

Wherein the spirit held his wont to walke
A flourish of Trump

What does this meane my Lord? pets, and two Peeees goes off.

Ham. The King doth walke to night and takes his rowle,

Keeps waffell and the swaggering vp-spring recles :

And as he draines his drafts of Rhenish downe,

The Kettle Drumme and Trumpet, thus bray our

The triumph of his pledge,

Hora. Is it a custome?

Ham. I marrie it,

But to my mind, though I am native heere

And to the manner borne, it is a custome

More honour in the breach, then the obseruance.

This heauie-headed reuell East and West

Makes vs traduc'd and taxed of other Nations,

They clip vs Drunkards and with Swinish phrase

Soile our addition, and indeed it takes

From our atchievements, though perform'd at height

The pith and marow of our attribute,

So oft it chances in particular men,

That for some vicious mole of nature in them

As in their birth wherein they are not guiltie,
(Since nature cannot choose his origen)

By their ore-grow'th of some complexion

Oft breaking downe the Pales and Forts of Reason,

Or by some habit that too much ore-leauens

The forme of plauiue manners, that these men

Carrying I say the stampe of one defect

Being

Prince of Denmark.

To Tell

Being Natures liuery, or Fortunes starre,

His Vertues els be they as pure as grace.

As infinite as man may vndergoe,

Shall in the generall censure take corruption

From that particular fault: the dram of eafe

Doth all the noble substance of a doubt

To his owne scandall.

Enter Ghost.

Hora. Looke my Lord it comes.

Ham. Angels and Minifters of grace defend vs!

Be thou a spirit of health, or Goblin damn'd,

Bring with thee aires from heauen, or bnafts from hel,

Be thy intents wicked or charitable,

Thon com't in such a questionable shape,

That I will speake to thee, Ile call thee Hamlet,

King, Father, Royall Dane, O answere me,

Let me not burft in ignorance, but tell

Why thy canoniz'd bones hearfed in death

Haue burft their cerements ? why the Sepulchre,

Wherein we saw thee quietly interr'd

Hath op't his ponderous and marble iawes,

To caft thee vp againe? what may this meane

That thou dead coarse, againe in compleat steele

Reuifites thus the glimples of the Moone,

Making night hideous, and we fooled of Nature

So horribly to shake our disposition

With thoughts beyond the reaches of our foules,

Say why is this, wherefore, what should we doe ?

Beckons.

Hora. It beckons you to goe away with it
As if it some impartment did desire

To you alone.

Mar. Looke with what courteous action

It waues you to a more remooued ground,

But doe not goe with it.

Hora. No, by no meanes.

Ham. It will not speake, then I will follow it.

Hora. Doenot my Lord.

Ham. Why? what should be the feare,

I do not let my life at a pinnes fee,

C 3

And

## The Tragedie of Hamlet

And for my foule, what can it doe to that
Being a thing immorral as it selfe;
It waues me forth againe, Ile follow it.

Hora. What if it tempt you towards the cloud my Lord,
Or to the dreadfull fomnet of the cleefe
That bettels ore his base into the Sea,

And there affume some other horrible forme.

Which might depriue your Soueraigntie of reason,

And draw you into madnesse, thinke of it,

The verie place puts toyes of desperation

Without more motive, into euery braine

That lookes so many fadomes to the Sea

And heares it rore beneath.

Ham. It waues me still,

Goe on, Ile follow thee.

Mar. You shall not goe my Lord.

Ham. Hold off your hands.

Hora. Be rul'd, you shall not goe.

Ham. My fate cries out

And makes each pettie attire in this bodie

As hardie as the Nemean Lions nerve;

Still am I cald, vnhand me Gentlemen.

By heauen Ile make a Ghoſt of him that lets me,

I say away, goe one, Ile follow thee. Exit Ghoſt and Hamlet.

Hora. He waxes desperate with imagination.

Mar. Lets follow, tis not fit thus to obey him.

Hora. Haue after, to what iflue will this come?

Mar. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

Hora. Heauen will direct it.

Mar. Nay lets follow him.

Exeunt.

### Enter Ghoſt and Hamlet.

Ham. Whether wilt thou lead me, ſpeake, Ile go no further.

Ghoſt. Marke me.

Ham. I will.

Ghoſt. My houre is almost come

When I to sulphrous and tormenting flames

Must render vp my selfe.

Ham. Alas poore Ghoſt.

Ghoſt.

## Prince of Denmark.

Ghoſt. Pittie mee not but lend my serious hearing to
what I shall vnfold.

Ham. Speake I am bound to heare.

Ghoſt. So art thou to reuenge, when thou shalt heare.

Ham. What?

Ghoſt. I am thy fathers ſpirit,

Doom'd for a certaine tearme to walke the night,

And for the day confin'd to faſt in ſires,

Till the foule crimes done in my daies of nature

Are burnt and purg'd away : but that I am forbid

To tell the ſecrets of my prifon-house,

I could a tale vnfold whose lighteſt word

Would harrow vp thy foule, freeze thy young blood,

Make thy two eies like ſtarres ſtart from their Spheres,

Thy knotted and combined locks to part,

And each particular haire to stand an end,

Like quils vpon the fearefull Porpentine :

But this eternall blazon muſt not be

To eares of ſlesh and blood, lift, lift, O lift,

If thou didst euer thy deare father loue.

Ham. O God.

Ghoſt. Reuenge his foule, and moſt vnnatural murther.

Ham. Murther.

Ghoſt. Murther moſt foule, as in the beſt it is,

But this moſt foule, ſtrange and vnnatural.

Ham. Hafte me to know't, that I with wings as ſwift,

As meditation, or the thoughts of loue

May swoepe to my reuenge.

Ghoſt. I find thee apt,

And duller shouldſt thou be then the fat weed

That roots it selfe in eafe on Lethe wharſe,

Would ſt thou not ſtirre in this; now Hamlet heare,

Tis giuen out, that ſleeping in my Orchard,

A Serpent ſtung me, so the whole care of Danmarkes

Is by a forged processle of my death

Rankely abufed: but know thou noble Youth,

The Serpent that did ſting thy fathers life

Now weares his Crowne.

Ham. O my Prophetike foule my Vnkle.

Ghoſt.

The Tragedie of Hamlet

Ghost. I that incesious, that adulterate beast,
With witchcraft of his wits, with trayterous gifts,
O wicked wit, and gifts that haue the power
So to seduce; wonne to his shamefull lust
The will of my most seeming vertuous Queene;
O Hamlet, what falling off was there
From me whose loue was of that dignitie
That it went hand in hand, euen with the vow
I made to her in marriage, and to decline
Vpon a wretch whose naturall gifts were poore,
To those of mine; but vertue as it neuer will be mooved,
Though lewdnesse court it in a shape of Hcauen
So but though to a radiant Angle linke.
Will sort it selfe in a celestiall bed
And prey on garbage.
But soft, me thinkes I scent the morning aire,
Briefe let me be; sleeping within my Orchard,
My custome alwaies of the afternoone,
Vpon my secure hour, thy Vncle stole
With iuice of cursed Hebona in a Viall,
And in the porches of my cares did poure,
The leprous distilment, whose effect
Holds such an enmitie with cloud of man,
That swift as Quick-siluer it courtes through
The naturall gates and allies of the bodie,
And with a sodaine vigour it doth posseff
And curde like eager droppings into milke,
The thinne and wholsome bloud; so did it mine,
And a most instant Tetter barkt about
Most Lazerlike with vile and lothsome cruft
All my smooth bodie.
Thus was I sleeping by a brothers hand,
Of life, of Crowne, of Queene at once dispatcht,
Cut off even in the blossomes of my sinne,
Vnnuzled, disappointed, vn-anueld,
No reckning made, but sent to my account
With all my imperfections on my head,
O horrible, O horrible, most horrible.
If thou haft nature in thee beare it not,

Let

Prince of Denmark.

Let not the Royall bed of Denmarke be
A Couch for Luxurie and damned Incest.
But howsomeuer thou pursues this aft,
Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soule contriue
Against thy mother ought, leaue her to heauen,
And to those thornes that in her boſome lodge
To prick and sting her : fare thee well at once,
The Gloworme she wes the matine to be neere
And gins to pale his vn effectuall fire,
Adiew, adiew, adiew, remember me.

Ham. O all you hoſt of heauen! O earth! what eſſe,
And ſhall I couple hell, O ſie! hold my heart,
And you my ſinewes; grow not inſtant old,
But beare me SWIFtly vp; remember thee,
I thou poore Ghoſt whiles memorie holds a ſeat
In this diſtraſted Globe, remember thee,
Yea, from the table of my memorie
Ile wipe away all triuiall fond records,
All ſaw of Bookes, all ſormes, all preſſures paff
That youth and obſeruation copped there,
And thy commandement all alone ſhall liue,
Within the Booke and volume of my braine
Vnmixt with baſer matter, yes by heauen.
O moſt pernicious woman.
O villaine, villaine, ſmiling damned villaine,
My tables, meet it is I fet it downe
That one may ſmile, and ſmile, and be a villaine,
At least I am ſure it may be so in Denmarke.
So Vncle, there you are, now to my word.
It is adiew, adiew, remember me.
I haue ſworne't.

Enter Horatio, and Marceſtus.

Hora. My Lord, my Lord.

Mar. Lord Hamlet.

Hora. Heauens ſecure him.

Ham. So be it.

Mar. Illo, ho, ho, my Lord.

Ham. Hillo, ho, ho, boy come, and come.

D

Mar.

The Tragedie of Hamlet

Mar. How ift my noble Lord?

Hra. O wonderfull!

Hor. Good my Lord tell it.

Ham. No, you will reueale it.

Hora. Not I my Lord by Heauen.

Mar. Nor I my Lord.

Ham. How say you then, would heart of man once thinke it,
But you'l be secret.

Both. I by heauen.

Ham. There's neuer a villaine,
Dwelling in all Denmake

But he's an arrant Knaue.

Hora. There needs no Ghoſt my Lord, come from the graue
To tell vs this.

Ham. Why right, you are in the right,
And so without more circumſtance at all,
I hold it fit that we ſhake hands and part,
You, as your buſineſſe and deſire ſhall point you,
For every man hath buſineſſe and deſire
Such as it is, and for my owne poore part

I will goe pray.

Hora. These are but wild and whirling words my Lord.

Ham. I am forrie they offend you heartily,
Yes faith heartily.

Hora. There's no offence my Lord.

Ham. Yes by Saint Patrick but there is Horatio,
And much offence to, touching this viſion heere,
It is an honest Ghoſt, that let me tell you,
For your deſire to know what is betweene vs,
Ore-maftert as you may, and now good friends,
As you are friends, Schollers, and Souldiers,
Gue me one poore requeſt,

Hora. What ift my Lord, we will.

Ham. Neuer make knowne what you haue ſcene to night.

Both. My Lord we will not.

Ham. Nay but ſweare't.

Hora. In faith my Lord not I.

Mar. Nor I my Lord in faith.

Ham. Vpon my Sword.

Mar.

Prince of Denmark.

Mar. We haue ſworne my Lord alreadye.

Ham. Indeed vpon my Sword, indeed.

Ghoſt cries under the Stage.

Ghoſt. Sweare.

Ham. Ha, ha, boy, ſay'ft thou so, art thou there true penny ?
Come on, you heare this fellow in the Sellerige,
Consent to ſweare.

Hora. Propoſe the oath my Lord.

Ham. Neuer to ſpeake of this that you haue ſcene,
Sweare by my Sword.

Ghoſt. Sweare.

Ham. Hie, & vbiſ, then weele ſhift our ground :
Come hether Gentlemen,
And lay your hands againe vpon my Sword,
Sweare by my Sword
Neuer to ſpeake of this that you haue heard.
Ghoſt. Sweare by his Sword.
Ham. Well ſaid old Mole, canſt worke it h' earth so faſt,
A worthy Pioner once moremoone good friends.
Hora. O day and night, but this is wondrous ſtrange.
Ham. And therefore as a ſtranger giue it welcome,
There are more things in heauen and earth Horatio,
Then are dream't of in your Philofophy : but come
Heere as before, neuer so helpe you mercy,
(How ſtrange or odde so mere I beare my ſelfe,
As I perchance hereafter ſhall thinke meet,
To put an Antike diſpoſition on

That you at ſuch times ſeeing me, neuer ſhall
With armes incombred thus, or this head ſhake,
Or by pronouncing of ſome doubtfull phrase,
As, wel, well we know, or we could and if we would,
Or if we lift to ſpeake, or there be and if they might,
Or ſuch ambiguous giuing out, to note)

That you know ought of me, this do ſweare,
So grace and mercy at your moſt need helpe you.

Ghoſt. Sweare.

Ham. Reſt, reſt perturbed ſpirit: so Gentlemen,
With all my loue I doe commend me to you,

D 2

And

The Tragedie of Hamlet

And what so poore a man as Hamlet is,
May doe t'expresse his lone and friending to you
God willing shall not lacke: let vs goe in together,
And still your fingers on your lips I pray,
The time is out of ioynt, O curled spight!
That euer I was borne to let it right,
Nay come, lets goe together.
Exeunt.

Enter old Polonius, with his man or two.

Pol. Giue him this mony, and theſe two notes Reynaldo,

Rey. I will my Lord.

Pol. You ſhal do marucllous wifely good Reynaldo.

Before you visit him, to make inquire,
Of his behauiour.

Rey. My Lord, I did intend it.

Pol. Marrie well said, very well said, looke you fir,
Enquire me firſt what Danskers are in Paris.

And how, & who, what means, and where they keep,
What company, at what expence, and finding,

By this encompaſſment and drift of question

That they do know my ſonne, come you more neerer

Then your particular demands will tuch it,

Take you as't were ſome diſtant knowledge of him,
As thus, I know his father, and his friends,

And in part him, doe you marke this Reynaldo ?

Rey. I, very well my Lord.

Pol. And in part him, but you may ſay, not well,
But y'ſt be he I meane, he's verie wilde,
Addicted ſo and ſo, and there put on him

What forgeries you please, marrie none ſo ranke
As may diſhonour him, take heed of that,
But fir, ſuch wanton, wild, and vſuall slips,
As are companions noted and moſt knowne
To youth and libertie.

Rey. As gaming my Lord.

Pol. I, or drinking, fencing, ſwearing,
Quarrelling, drabbing, you may goe ſo farre.

Rey. My Lord, that would diſhonour him.

Pol. Faith as you may feason it in the charge.

You

Prince of Denmark.

You muſt not put another ſcand all on him,
That he is open to incontinencie,

That's not my meaning, but breath his faulſs ſo quently
That they may ſeeme the taints of libertie,
The flash and out-breake of a ſierie mind,
A ſauageneſſe in vnreclaimed cloud,
Of generall aſſault.

Rey. But my good Lord.

Pol. Wherefore ſhould you doe this ?

Rey. I my Lord, I would know that.

Pol. Marrie fir, heere's my drift,

And I beleeue it is a fetch of wit,
You laying theſe flight ſullies on my ſonne
As t'were a thing a little ſoilde with working,
Marke you, your partie in conuerſe, him you would ſound
Hauing euer ſeene in the prenominate crimes
The youth you breath of guiltie, be aſſur'd
He cloſes with you in this conſequence,
Good fir (or ſo) or friend, or gentleman,
According to the phraſe, or the addition
Of man and Countrie.

Rey. Verie good my Lord.

Pol. And then fir doos a this, a doos: what was I about to ſay ?
By the maffe I was about to ſay ſome thing,
Where did I leaue ?

Rey. At cloſes in the conſequence.

Pol. At cloſes in the conſequence, I marrie,
He cloſes thus, I know the Gentleman
I ſaw him yefterday, or th' other day.
Or then, or then, with ſuch or ſuch, and as you ſay:
There was a gaming there, or tooke in's rowſe,
There falling out at Tennis, or perchance
I ſaw him enter ſuch or ſuch a houſe of ſale,
Videlicet, a Brothell or ſo ſorth, ſee you now,
Your bait of ſaſhood: take this carpe of truth,
And thus doe we of wifdome, and of reach,
With windleſſes: and with aſſayes of bias,
By indirects find directions out,
So by my former lecture and aduife

D 3

Shall

The Tragedie of Hamlet

Shall you my fonne; you haue me, haue you not ?

Rey. My Lord, I haue.

Pol. God buy yee, far yee well.

Rey. Good my Lord.

Pol. Obferue his inclination in your selfe.

Rey. I shall my Lord.

Pol. And let him ply his Musick.

Rey. Well my Lord.

Exit Rey.

Enter Ophelia.

Polo. Farwel. How now Ophelia, what's the matter?

Ophe. O my Lord, my Lord, I haue bin so affrighted

Polo. With what i'th name of God ?

Ophe. My Lord, as I was lowing in my Clofset,

Lord Hamlet with his doublet all vnbrac'd,
No hat vpon his head his stockins fouled,
Vngartred, and downe gyred to his ankle,
Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other,
And with a looke so pittious in purport

As if he had beene loofed out of hell

To speake of horrors, he comes before me.

Pol. Mad for thy loue ?

Ophe. My Lord I doe not know,

But truly I doe feare it.

Polo. What said he ?

Ophe. He took me by the wrift, and held me hard,
Then goes he to the length of all his arme,
And with his other hand thus ore his brow,

He fals to such peruall of my face
As a would draw it; long ftaid he so,
At laft, a little shaking of mine arme,
And thrice his head thus wauing vp and downe,
He raied a figh so pittious and profound,

As it did seeme to fholder all his bulke,
And end his being; that done, he lets me goe,
And with his head ouer his shoulders turn'd

He seem'd to find his way without his eyes,
For out of dooroes he went without their helpes,
And to the laft bended their light on me.

Prince of Denmark.

Polo. Come, goe with me, I will go seeke the King,
This is the very extafie of loue,

Whose violent propertie forgoes it selfe,
And leads the will to desperate vndertakings

As oft as any passions vnder heauen

That does afflict our natures : I am forrie,
What, haue you giuen him any hard words of late?

Ophe. No my good Lord, but as you did command
I did repell his Letters : and denied
His acceſſe to me.

Pol. That hath made him mad,
I am forrie, that with better heed and iudgement

I had not coted him, I fear'd he did but trifle

And meant to wracke thee, but beſhow my Iealouſe:

By heauen it is as proper to our age

To caſt beyond our ſelues in our opinions,

As it is common for the younger ſon

To lacke discretion; come, goe we to the King,

This muſt be knowne, which being kept close, might moue

More griefe to hide, then hate to vitter loue,

Come.

Exeunt.

Florish.
Enter King and Queene, Rosencrass and
Guydenſterne.

King. Welcome deere Rosencrass and Guyldenſterne,
Moreover, that we much did long to see you,

The need we haue to vſe you did prouoke

Our haſtie ſending, ſomething haue you heard

Of Hamlets transformation so call it,

Sith nor th' exterior, nor the inward man

Reſembles that it was, what it should be,

More then his fathers death, that thus hath put him,

So much from the vnderſanding of himſelfe

I cannot dreame of : I intreat you both,

That being of ſo young dayes brought vp with him,

And ſith so neighboured to his youth and hauour,

That you vouchſaſe your reſt heere in our Court

Some little time, so by your companies.

To draw him on to pleatures, and to gather

So

## The Tragedie of Hamlet

So much as from occasion you may gleane,
Whether ought to vs unknowne afflicts him thus,
That opend lies within our remedie.

Quee. Good gentlemen, he hath much talkt of you,
And sure I am, two men there are not liuing,
To whom he more adheres, if it will please you
To shew vs so much gentry and good will,
As to extend your time with vs a while,
For the supply and profit of our hope,
Your visitation shall receiue such thanks
As fits a Kings remembrance.

Ros. Both your Maiesties

Might by the Soueraigne power you haue of vs,
Put your dread pleatures more into command
Then to intreatie.

Gujl. But we both obey,
And here give vp our selues in the full bent,
To lay our seruice freely at your feet.

King. Thanks Rosencraws, and gentle Guyldensterne,

Quee. Thanks. Guyldensterne, and gentle Rosencraws.

And beseech you instantly to visit

My too much changed Sonne: goe some of you

And bring thefe Gentlemen where Hamlet is,

Gujl. Heauens make our preſence and our practices
Pleasant and helpfull to him.

Quee. I Amen.

Exeunt Ros. and Guyl.

Enter Polonius.

Pol. Th'embassadors from Norway my good Lord,
Are ioyfully return'd.

King. Thou still haſt bin the father of good newes.

Pol. Haue I my Lord? I aſſure my good Liege,

I hold my dutie as I hold my soule.

Both to my God, and to my gracious King;

And I doe thinke, or eſſe this braine of mine

Hunts not the trayle of policie so ſure

As it hath vs'd to doe, that I haue found

The very cause of Hamlets lunacie.

King. O speake of that, that doe I long to heare.

Pol.

## Prince of Denmark.

Polo. Giue first admittance to the Embassdors;
My newes ſhall be the fruit to that great feast.

King. Thy ſelfe doe grace to them, and bring them in;
He tells me my decree: Gertrud he hath found
The head and ſource of all your ſonnes diſtemper.

Quee. I doubt it is no other but the maine,
His fathers death, and our haſtie marriage.

Enter Embaſſadors.

King. Well, we shall fit him, welcome my good friends,
Say Voltemand, what from our brother Norway?

Volte. Moſt faire returne of greetings and desires;
Vpon our first, he ſent out to ſuppresse

His Nephewes leuies, which to him appear'd

To be a preparation gainſt the Pollacke,

But better lookt into, he truly found

It was againſt your Highneſſe, whereat grieu'd

That ſo his ſickneſſe, age, and impotence

Was falſly borne in hand, ſends out arreſts

On Fortenbraſſe, which he in briefe obeyes,

Receiues rebuke from Norway, and in fine,

Makes vow before his Vncle neuer more

To giue th'aſſay of Armes againſt your Maiestie :

Whereon old Norway ouercome with ioy,

Gives him three ſcore thousand crownes in anual fee,

And his commiſſion to imploy thofe Souldiers,

So leuied (as before) againſt the Pollacke,

With an entreaty herein further ſhone,

That it might pleafe you to giue quiet paffe

Through your Dominions for this enterprize

On ſuch regards of ſafetie and allowance

As therein are ſet downe.

King. It likes vs well,

And at our more considered time, wee'le read,

Anſwer, and thinke vpon this buſineſſe :

Meane time, we thank you for your wel took labour,

Go to your rest, at night weele feast together,

Moſt welcome home.

Exeunt Embaſſadors.

E

My

The Tragedie of Hamlet

My Liege and Madam, to expostulate
What Maiestie should be, what dutie is,
Why day is day, night night, and time is time,
Were nothing but to waste night, day, and time,
Therefore breuitie is the Soule of wit,
And tediousnesse the limmes and outward florishes
I will be briefe your noble Sonne is mad :
Mad call I it, for to define true madneſſe,
What is but to be nothing eſſe but mad ?
But let that goe.

Quee. More matter with leſſe art.

Pol. Madam, I ſweare Ivſe no art at all,
That he's mad tis true, tis true, tis pittie,
And pittie tis, tis true, a foolish figure,
But farewell it, for I will vſe no art,
Mad let vs grant him then, and now remaines
That we find out the cauſe of this eſſet,
Or rather ſay the cauſe of this defect
For this effect defective comes by cauſe :
Thus it remaines and the remainder thus
Perpend,
I haue a daughter, haue while ſhe is mine,
Who in her dutie and obedience, marke,
Hath giuen me this, now gather and furmiſe,

To the Celestiall and my ſoules I doll the moſt beaſtified
Ophelia, that's an ill phrase, a vile phrase, beauti-
fied is a vile phrase, but you ſhall heare : thus in her
excellent white boſome, theſe etc.

Quee. Came this from Hamlet to her ?

Pol. Good Madam stay awile, I will be faithfull,
Doubt then the stars are ſies, Letter.
Doubt that the Sunne doth mowe,
Doubt truth to be a lyer,
But neuer doubt I loue.

O deere Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers, I haue not art to reckon my groanes, but that I loue thee beſt, oh moſt beſt beeue it! adiew. Thine cuermore moſt deare Ladie, whileſt this machine is to him.

Pol. This in obedience hath my daughter ſhown me (Hamlet,
And more about hath his ſolicitings

As

Prince of Denmark.

As they fell out by time, by meaneſ, and place,
All giuen to mine eare.

King. But how hath ſhe receiued his loue ?

Pol. What doe you thinke of me ?

King. As of a man faithfull and honourable.

Pol. I would faire proue ſo, but what might you thinke
When I had ſeene this hot loue on the wing ?

As I perceiued it (I muſt tell you that)
Before my daughter told me, what might you,
Or my deare Maiestie your Queene heere thinke,
If I had plaid the Deske, or Table-booke,
Or giuen my heart a working mute and dumbe,
Or lookt vpon this loue with idle ſight,
What might you thinke no, I went round to worke,
And my young Miftrefſe this I did beſpeake,
Lord Hamlet is a Prince out of thy Starre,
This muſt not be : and then I preſcripts gaue her
That ſhe should locke her ſelfe from his reſort,
Admit no meſſengers, receiue no tokens.
Which done ſhe rooke the fruits of my aduife,
And he repel'd, a ſhort tale to make,
Fell into a ſadneſſe, then into a ſaſt,
Thence to a watch, thence into a weakneſſe,
Thence to lightneſſe, and by this declenſion,
Into the madneſſe wherein now he raues,
And all we mourne for.

King. Doe you thinke this ?

Quee. It may be very like.

Pol. Hath there beene ſuch a time, I would faire know that,
That I haue poſitiuely ſaid, tis so,

When it prou'd otherwise ?

King. Not that I know.

Pol. Take this, from this, if this be otherwise ;
If circumſtances leade me, I will find
Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed
Within the Centre.

King. How may we trie it further ?

Pol. You know ſometimes he walkes ſoure houres together
Heere in the Lobbie.

E 2

Quee.

The Tragedie of Hamlet

Quee. So he does indeed.

Pol. At such a time; ile loose my daughter to him,
Be you and I behind an Arras then,
Marke the encounter, if he loue her not,
And be not from his reason falne thereon
Let me be no affiftant for a State
But keepe a Farme and Carters.

King. We will trie it.

Enter Hamlet.

Quee. But looke where sadly the poore wretch comes reading.

Pol. Away, I do beseech you both away, Exit King and Queens.
Ile boord him prefently, oh giue me leaue,
How does my good Lord Hamlet?

Ham. Well, God a mercy.

Pol. Doe you know me my Lord?

Ham. Excellent well, you are a Fife nonger.

Pol. Not I my Lord.

Ham. Then I would you were so honest a man.

Pol. Honest my Lord.

Ham. I fir to be honest as this world goes,
Is to be one man pickt out of ten thou and,

Pol. That's very true my Lord.

Ham. For if the Sun breed maggots in a dead dogge, being a
good kiffing carrion. Haue you a daughter?

Pol. I haue my Lord.

Ham. Let her not walke i'th Sun, conception is a blessing,
But as your daughter may conceive, friend looke to't.

Pol. How fay you by that, it ll harping on my daughter, yet
he knew me not at firſt, a faid I was a Fife nonger, a is farre gone,
and truly in my youth, I suffered much extremity for loue, very
neere this. Ile ſpeake to him againe. What doe you reade my
Lord.

Ham. Words, words, words.

Pol. What is the matter my Lord.

Ham. Betwene who.

Pol. I meane the matter that you read my Lord.

Ham. Slanders fir; for the Satericall Rogue faies here, that old
men haue grey beards, that their faces are wrinkled, their eies
purging thick Amber, and Plum-tree Gum, and that they haue a
plenti-

Prince of Denmark.

plentifull lacke of wit, together with moſt weake hams, all which
fir though I moſt powerfully and potently beleee, yet I hold it
not honettie to haue it thus fet down, for your ſelie fir shall grow
old as I am; if like a Crab you could goe backeward.

Pol. Though this be madneſſe, yet there is method in't, wil you
walke out of the aire my Lord?

Ham. Into my graue.

Polo. Indeed that's out of the aire; how pregnant sometimes
his replies are, a happines that often madnes hits on, which reaſon
and fanctitie could not ſo ſproſperouſly be deliuered of. I will leaue
him and my daughter. My Lord, I will take my leaue of you.

Ham. You cannot take from me any thing that I will not more
willingly part withall: except my life, except my life,
life.

Enter Guilderſterne, and Rofoneraus.

Polo. Fare you well my Lord.

Ham. These tedious old fooles.

Polo. You goe to ſeeke the Lord Hamlet, there he is.

Ros. God faue you fir.

Guhl. My honer'd Lord.

Ros. My moſt deere Lord.

Ham. My excellent good friends, how doſt thou Gildenſterne?

A Rofoneraus, good lads how doe you both?

Ros. As the indifferent children of the earth.

Guyl. Happy, in that we are not euer happy on Fortunes lap,
We are not the very button.

Ham. Nor the soles of her ſhooes.

Ros. Neither my Lord.

Ham. Then you line about her waſt, or in the middle of her fa-
Guhl. Faith her priuates we.

(uors.)

Ham. Then is Doomes day neere, but your neues is not

Ha. In the ſecret parts of fortune, oh moſt true, ſhe is a ſtrumpet
What neues?

Ros. None my Lord, but the worlds growne honest. (true;

Ham. Then is Doomes day neere, but your neues is not
But in the beaten way of friendſhip, what make you at Elſonoure?

Ros. To viſit you my Lord, no other occasion.

Ham. Begger that I am, I am euer poore in thankes, but I thank
you, and ſute deare friends, my thanks are too deare a halfpeny:
were you not ſent for? is it your owne inclining? is it a free viſita
tion? come, come, deale iuſly with me, come, come, nay ſpeake.

Guyl. VWhat ſhould we ſay my Lord?

Ham.

E 3

## The Tragedie of Hamlet

Ham. Any thing but toth purpose; you were sent for, and there is a kind of confection in your lookes, which your modeflies haue not craft enough to cullour. I know the good King and Queene haue sent for you.

Ros. To what end my Lord?

Ham. That you muft teach me: but let me coniure you, by the rights of our fellowship, by the conſonancie of our youth, by the obligation of our euer preferted loue; and by what more deare a better propofer can change you withal, be euen and direct with mee whether you were ſent for or no.

Ros. What say you?

Ham. Nay then I haue an eie of you, if you loue me hold not off.

Guyl. My Lord we were ſent for.

Ham. I will tell you, why so shall, my anticipation preuent your diſcouerie & your ſecrecie to the King and Queen moult no fearer, I haue of late, but wherefore I know not, loft all my mirth, forgon all eutome of exercifes, and indeede it goes foe heauily with my diſpoſition, that this goodly frame the earth, ſeems to me a ſterill promontorie, this moſt excellent Canopie the aire, looke you, this braue ore-hanged firmament, this maieſticall rooſe fretted with golden fire, why it appears nothing to mee but a foule and peſtilent congregation of vapours. What peee of worke is a man, how noble in reaſon, how infinit in faculties, in forme and moouing, how expreſſe and admirable in action, how like an Angell in apprehenſion, how like a God: the beautie of the world; the parragon of Annimales, & yet to me, what is this quinteſſence of duſt? man delights not mee nor woman neither, though by your ſmiling you ſeeme to ſay so.

Ros. My Lord there was no ſuch ſtuffe in my thoughts.

Ham. Why did yee laugh then, when I ſaid man delights not me.

Ros. To thinke my Lord if you delight not in man, what Lenton entertainment the plaiers shall receiue from you, wee coted them on the way, and hether are the coming to offer you ſeruice.

Ham. He that plaies the King shall be welcome, his Maieſtie shall haue tribute on mee, the aduenterous Knight shall vſe his foyle and target, the louer shall not ſing gratis, the humorous man shall end his part in peace and the Ladie shall ſay her mind freely: or the blanke verse shall hault for't. What players are they?

Ros. Euen those you were wont to take ſuch delight in, the Tragedians of the Citie.

Ham.

## Prince of Denmark.

Ham. How chances it the trauaile? their refidence both in reputation and profit was better both waies.

Ros. I thinke their inhibition, comes by the meanes of the late innovation.

Ham. Do the hold the fame eſtimation they did when I was in the Citie? are they ſo followed?

Ros. No indeede are they not.

Ham. It is not very ſtrange, for my Vncle is King of Denmarke, & those that would make mouths at him while my father liued, giue twentie, fortie, ſiftie, a hundred duckets a peeece, for his Picture in little: s'bloud there is something in this more then natural, if Philosophy could find it out.

A flourish.

Guyl. There are plaiers.

Ham. Gentlemen you are welcome to Elſonoure, your hands, come then th'apportenance of welcome is fashion and ceremonie: let mee comply with you in this garb: let my extent to the Plaiers, which I tell you muſt ſhowe fairely outwards, should more appeare like entertainment then yours? you are welcome: but my Vncle-father, and Aunt-mother, are deceaued.

Guyl. In what my deare Lord.

Ham. I am but mad North North-weſt; when the wind is Southerly, I know a Hawke, from a Hand-law.

Enter Polonius.

Pol. Well be with you Gentlemen.

Ham. Hark you, Guyldeſterne, and you to, are each eare a hearer, that great babie as you ſee is not yet out of his swadling clouts.

Ros. Happily he is the ſecond time come to them, for they ſay an old man is twice a child.

Ham. I will prophecie that he comes to tell me of the Plaiers; marke it, you ſay right fir a Monday morning: it was then indeed.

Pol. My Lord I haue newes to tell you.

Ham. My Lord I haue newes to tell you: when Roffiniu was an Aſtor in Rome,

Pol. The Aſtors are come hether my Lord.

Ham. Buz, buz,

Pol. Vpon my honour.

Ham. Then came each Aſtor on his Aſſe.

Pol. The beſt Aſtors in the world, either for Tragedie, Comedie, Hiftorie, Paſtorall, Paſtoral: Comicall, Hiftorical: Paſtorall, ſeeme inſciduable.

The Tragedie of Hamlet

indevidable, or Poem vnlimited. Seneca cannot be too heauie,
nor *Plautus* too light for the law of writ, and the libertie: these
are the onely men.

*Ham.* O Ieptha Iudge of Israel, what a treasure hadst thou?

*Pol.* What a treasure had he my Lord?

*Ham.* Why one faire daughter and no more, the which he lo-
ued passing well.

*Pol.* Still on my daughter.

*Ham.* Am I not i'th right old Ieptha?

*Pol.* What followes then my Lord?

*Ham.* Why as by lot God wot, and then you know it came to
paffe, as moft like it was; the firſt rowe of the pious chanſon will
thow you more, for looke where my abridgement comes.

Enter the Players.

*Ham.* You are welcome maifters, welcome all, I am glad to see
thee well, welcome good friends, oh old friend, why thy face is
valanc'd since I saw thee laſt, com'ſt thou to beard mee in Den-
marke? what my young Ladie and Miftris, my Ladie your Ladi-
ship is neerer to Heauen, then when I saw you laſt by the altitude
of a chopine, pray God your voice like a peeece of vncurrent gold,
be not crackt within the ring : maifters you are all welcome,
weele ento't like friendly Faukners, flie at anything we fee, weele
haue a ſpeech ſtraight, come giue vs a taſte of your qualitie, come a
paffionate ſpeech.

*Player.* What ſpeech my good Lord?

*Ham.* I heard thee ſpeake me a ſpeech once, but it was neuer ac-
ted, or if it was, not aboue once, for the play I remember pleafd
not the million, t'was cauiary to the general, but it was as I recei-
ued it and others, whose iudgements in ſuch matters cried in the
top of mine, an excellent play, well digeſted in the ſcenes, ſet
downe with as much modesty as cunning. I remember one ſaid
there were no ſallets in the lines, to make the matter ſauory, nor
no matter in the phraſe that might indite the author of affection,
but cald it an honeſt method, as wholesome as sweeter, and by very
much, more handsome then fine : one ſpeech in't I chiefly loued,
t'was Æneas talke to Dido, and there about of it especially when
he ſpeakes of Priams ſlaughter, if it liue in your memory begin at
this line, let me ſee, let me ſee, the rugged Pyrbus like Th'ircanian
Beaſt,

Beaſt,

Prince of Denmark.

*Beaſt*, tis not it begins with *Pyrbus*. The rugged *Pyrbus*, he
whose ſable armes,

Blacke as his purpose did the night ſelembc,
When he lay couched in th'ominous horſe,

Hath now this dread and black completion ſmeard,

With Heraldy more diſmall head to ſoot,

Now is he totall Gules,Horridly trickt

With blood of fathers, mothers, daughters, ſonnes,

Bak'd and embaſted with the parching streets

Than lend a tirrancus and a damned light

To their Lords murther, roſted in wrath and ſire,

And thus ore-cised with coagulate gore,

VVith eyes like Carbuncles, the helſh Pyrbus

Old granſire *Priam* ſeekeſ; ſo proceed you.

*Pol.* Foregod my Lord well ſpoken, with good accent and

*Play.* Anon he finds him

(good diſcretion,

Striking too ſhort at Greekeſ, his antick ſword

Rebellious to his armes, lies where it falls,

Repugnant to command; vnequall mateht,

*Pirrhus* at *Priams* diuries, in rage ſtrikes wide,

But with the whiffe and wind of his ſell ſword,

Th' vnnerued father falls :

Seeming to feelc this blow, with ſlaming top

Stooopes to his baſe; and with a hiddious craft

Takes prifonct *Pirrhus* eare, for lo his ſword

Which was declining on the milkie head

Of reuerent *Priams*, ſee'm'd i'th ayre to ſtick,

So as a painted tyrant *Pyrbus* ſtood

Like a newtrall to his will and matter,

Did nothing :

But as we often ſee againſt ſome ſtorme,

A ſilence in the heauens, the racke stand ſill,

The bould winds ſpeechleſſe, and the orbe below.

As huff as death, anon the dreadfull thunder

Doth tend the region, ſo after *Pirrhus* paſſe,

A rowſed vengeance fets him new a worke,

And neuer did the Cyclops hammers fall,

On *Marses* Armor ſorg'd for proofe eterne,

VVith leſſe remorſe then *Pirrhus* bleeding ſword

Now falls on *Priams*.

F

Out

The Tragedie of Hamlet

Out, out, thou flumper Fortune ! all you gods,
In generally nod take away her power,
Breake all the spokes, and fellowes from her wheele,
And boule the round naue downe the hill of heauen
As lowe as to the fiends.

Polo. This is too long.

Ha. It shal to the barbers with your beard; prethee say on, he's
for a lig, or a tale of bawdry, or he sleepes, say on, come to Hecuba
to Hecuba.

Play. But who, a woe, had seene the mobled Queene.

Ham. The mobled Queene.

Polo. That's good.

Play. Runne barefoot vp and downe, threatening the flames.
With Bifon rhume, a clout vpon that head

Where late the Diadem stood, and for a robe,
About her lanck and all ore-teamed loynes,
A blanket in the alarme of feare caught vp.
Who this had seene, with tongue in venom steept,
Gainst fortunes state would treason haue pronounc'd;
But if the gods themselves did see her then,
When she saw Pirbus make malicious sport
In mincing with his word her husbands limmes,
The instant burst of clamor that she made,
Vnleffe things mortall mooue them not at all,
Would haue made milch the burning eyes of heauen
And passion in the gods.

Pol. Looke where he has not turned his collour, and has teares
in's eyes prethee no more.

Ham. Tis well, Ile haue thee speake out the rest of this stoon,
good my Lord will you see the Players well bestowed; doe you
heare, let them be well vfed, for they are the abstract and brieſe
Chronicles of the time; after your death you were better haue a
bad Epitaph then their ill report while you liue.

Pol. My Lord, I will vſe them according to their desert.

Ham. Gods bodkin man, much better, vſe every man after his
defert, and who shall ſcape whipping, vſe them after your owne
honour and dignitie, the leſſe they deferue the more merrit is in
your bouncy.
Take them in.

Pol. Come firs.

Ha. Follow him friends, weele here a play to morrow, doſt thou here

Prince of Denmark.

heare me old friend, can you play the murtherer of Gengago ?

Play. I my Lord.

Ham. Weele hau't to morrow night, you could for need ſtudy
a ſpeech of some doſen lines, or fixteene lines, which I would ſet
downe and inſert in't: could you not?

Play. I my Lord.

Ham. Very well, follow that Lord, and looke you mocke him
not. My good friends, Ile leaue you till night, you are welcome
to Elſonoure.
Exeunt Pol. and Players.

Rof. Good my Lord.

Exit.

Ham. I ſo, God buy to you, now I am alone,
O what a rogue and pefant ſlaue am I!

Is it not monſtrous that this Player here
But in a ſixion, in a dreame of paffion
Could force his ſoule ſo to his owne conceit
That from her working all the viſage wand,
Teares in his eyes, diſtraCTION in his ſpect,
A broken voice, and his whole function ſuting
VWith formes to his conceit; and all for nothing,
For Hecuba.
VWhat's Hecuba to him, or he to her,

That he should weep for her ? what would he doe
Had he the motiue, and that for paffion
That I haue? he would droune the ſtage with teares,
And cleaue the generall earre with horrid ſpeech,
Make mad the guilty, and appeale the free,
Conſound the ignorant, and amaze indeed,
The very faculties of eyes and eares; yet I,
A dull and muddy mettled raskall peake,
Like Iohm-a-dreames, vnpregnant of my caufe,
And can ſay nothing; no not for a King,
Vpon whose property and moſt deare life,
A damn'd defeate was made: am I a coward,
VWho calls me villain, breaks my pate a croſſe,
Plucks off my beard, and blowes it in my face,
Twekes me by the nose, giues me the ly i'th throat
As deepe as to the lunges: who does me this,
Hah! s'wounds I should take it: for it cannot be
But I am pidgion liuerd, and lacke gall

F 2

To

The Tragedie of Hamlet

To make oppression bitter, or ere this
I should haue fatted all the region kytes
VWith this flaues offall, bloody, baudy villaine,
Remorſſe, treacherous, letchering, kindleſſe villain.
VVhy what an Aſſe am I ? this is moſt braue,
That I the ſonne of a deere father murthered,
Prompted to my reuence by heauen and hell,
Moft like a whole vnpack my heart with words,
And fal a curſing like a very drabbe ;
ſtallion, ſie vppont, ſoh.
About my braines, hum, I haue heard,
That guiltie creatures sitting at a play,
Hauing the very cunning of the Scene,
Bene ſtrooke ſo to the ſoule, that preſently
They have proclaim'd their maleſactions;
For murther though it haue no tongue will ſpeake
With moſt miraculous organ. Ile haue theſe Players
Play ſomthing like the murther of my father
Before mine Vncle, Ile obſerue his lookes,
Ile tent him to the quick, if a do blench
I know my cowſe. The ſpirit that I haue ſeen
May be a diuell, and the diuell haeth pow er
T'attume a pleasing ſhape ; yea and perhaps,
Out of my weakeneſſe and my melancholly,
As he is very potent with ſuch ſpirits,
Abuſes me to damne me ; Ile haue grounds
More relative then this, the play's the thing.
VWherein Ile catch the conscience of the King.
Exit.

Enter King, Queene, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, Lords

King. And can you by no drift of conference
Get from him why he puts on this confuſion,
Grating so harſhly all his daies of quiet
VWith turbulent and dangerous lunacie ?
Ros: He doese confesse he feeles himſelfe distracted,
But from what cause a will by no meanes ſpeake.
Guyf. Nor do we find him forward to be founded,
But with a crafty madneſſe keepeſe aloofe
VWhen we would bring him on to some confession.

Of

Prince of Denmark.

Of his true state.

**Quee.** Did he receiue you well ?

**Ros.** Moſt like a Gentleman.

**Guyf.** But with much forcing of his diſpoſiſon.

**Ros.** Niggard of queſtion, but of our demands
Moſt free in his reply.

**Quee.** Did you affay him to any paſtime ?

**Ros.** Madam, it ſo fell out that certaine Players
We ore-raught on the way, of theſe we told him,
And there did ſeeme in him a kind of joy
To heare of it : they are heere about the Court,
And as I thinke, they haue already order
This night to play before him.

**Pol.** Is moſt true.

And he beſeecht me to intreat your Maieſtles
To heare and ſee the matter.

**King.** With all my hearts,
And it doth much content me
To heare him ſo inclin'd.
Good Gentlemen giue him a further edge,
And drive his purpose into theſe delights.

**Ros.** We shall my Lord, Exeunt Ros. & Guyf.

**King.** Sweet Gertrard, leaue vs two,
For we haue cloſely ſent for Hamlet hether,
That he as t'were by accedent, may heere.
Affront Ophelia; her father and my ſelfe,
VVeele to beſtow our ſlues, that ſeeing vnſeene,
VVe may of their encounter frankly iudge,
And gather by him as he is behau'd,
If be th'affuſion of his loue or no.
That thus he ſuffers for.

**Quee.** I shall obey you.

And for my part Ophelia I doe wifh
That your good beauties be the happy cauſe
Of Hamlets wildneſſe, ſo shall I hope your vertues
Will bring him to his wanted way againe,
To both your honours.

**Ophe.** Madam, I wifh it may.

**Pol. Ophelia walk you here: gracious ſo please you,**

F 3

We

The Tragedie of Hamlet

We will bestow our felues; read on this Booke,

That show of such an exercife may colour

Your lowlineſſe; we are oft too blame in this,

Tis too much proud, that with deuotions viſage

And pious action, we doe sugar ore

The Deuill himſelfe.

King. O tis too true,

How ſmart a laſh that ſpeech doth giue my conſcience ?

The harlots cheeke beautied with plaſtring art,

Is not more vgly to the thing that helps it,

Then is my deed to my moſt painted words :

O heavy burthen :

Enter Hamlet.

Pol. I heare him comming, withdraw my Lord.

Ham. To be, or not to be, that is the question,

Whether tis nobler in the mind to ſuffer

The flings and arrowes of outragious Fortune,

Orito take armes againſt a Sea of troubles,

And by oppoſing end them : To die to ſleep

No more : and by a ſleepe, to ſay we end

The hart-ake, and the thousand naturall ſhocks

That ſlesh is heire to ; tis a conſummation

Deuoutly to be wifht to die to ſleep,

To ſleep, perchance to dreame, I there's the rub,

For in that ſleep of death what dreames may come ?

When we haue shuffled off this mortall coyle

Muſt giue vs paſſe, there's the reſpect

That makes calamity of ſo long life :

For who would beare the whips and ſcornes of time,

Th' oppreſſors wrog, the proud mans contumely,

The pangs of office and the Lawes delay,

The infolence of office, and the ſpurnes

That patient merit of th' vnworthy takes,

When himſelfe might his *quietus* make

With a bare bodkin; who would fardels beare,

To grunt and sweat vnder a weary life ?

But that the dread of something after death,

The vndifcouer'd Countrie, from whose borne

No

Prince of Denmark.

No traueler returnes, puzzels the will,

And makes vs rather beare those ills we haue,

Then flie to others that we know not of.

Thus conſcience dooes make cowards,

And thus the native hiew of reſolution

Is fickled ore with the pale caſt of thought.

And Enterprizes of great pitch and moment,

VWith this regard their currents turne awry,

And loose the name of action. Soft you now,

The faire Ophelia, Nimph in thy Orizons

Be all my fins remembred.

Ophe. Good my Lord,

How dooes your honour for this many a day ?

Ham. I humbly thanke you; well.

Ophe. My Lord I haue remembrances of yours

That I haue longed long to re-deliver,

I pray you now receiue them.

Ham. No, not I, I neuer gaue you ought.

Ophe. My honor'd Lord, you know right well you did,

And with them words of ſo ſweet breath compoſd

As made theſe things more rich : their perfume loft,

Take theſe againe, for to the noble mind

Rich gifts wax poore when giuers proue vnkind,

There my Lord.

Ham. Ha, ha, are you honest.

Ophe. My Lord.

Ham. Are you faire?

Ophe. VVhat meanes your Lordship?

Ham. That if you be honest and faire, you should admit no diſcours[e] to your beautie.

Ophe. Could beautie my Lord haue better commerce

Then with honesty ?

Ham. I truly, for the power of beautie will sooner transforme honestie from what it is to a Baud, then the force of honesty can transſlate beautie in his likeneſſe, this was ſometime a Paradoxe, but now the time giues it proofe, I did loue you once.

Ophe. Indeed my Lord you made me beleeue so.

Ham. You should not haue beleeu'd me, for vertue cannot ſo evacuate our old ſtock, but we ſhall rellish of it: I loued you not.

Ophe.

The Tragedie of Hamlet

Ophe. I was the more deceiued;

Ham. Get thee a Nunry: why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners? I am my selfe in different honest, but yet I could accuse me of such things, that it were better my Mother had not borne me: I am very proud, reuengeful, ambitious, with more offences at my beck, then I haue thoughts to put them in, imagination to giue the shape, or time to act them in: what should such fellowes as I do crauling betweene Earth and Heauen, we are arrant Knaues, be-lieue none of vs. Go thy waies to a Nunry, VVher's your father?

Ophe. At home my Lord.

Ham. Let the doers be shut upon him,
That he may play the foole no where but in's owne house,
Farewell.

Ophe. O helpe him you sweet Heauens.

Ham. If thou doost mary, Ile giue thee this plague for thy dowry, be thou as chaft as Ice, as pure as Snow, thou shall not escape calumny, get thee to a Nunry, farwell. Or if thou wilt needs marry, marrie a foole, for wemen know well enough what monsters you make of them: to a Nunry go, and quickly to, farwell.

Ophe. Heauenly powers restore him.

Ham. I haue heard of your paintings well enough, God hath giuen you one face, and you make your selues another, you gig & amble, and you lift you nickname Gods creatures, and make your wantonneſſe ignorance; go to, Ile no more on't, it hath made me mad, I ſay we will haue no mo marriage, that ſone that are married already, all but one shall liue, the reſt shall keepe as they are: to a Nuntrie goe.

Exit.

Ophe. O what a noble mind is here othrowne !

The Courtiers, Soldiers, Scholers, eie, tongue, sword,
Th'expectation, and Rose of the faire state,
The glaſſe of ſashion, and the mould of forme,
Th'obferu'd of all obferuers, quite, quite downe,
And I of Ladies moſt delect and wretched,
That ſucke the hony of his Mufick vowes ;
Now ſee what noble and moſt ſouereigne reaſon.
Like ſweet bels iangled out of time, and herſh,
That vnmarcht forme, and ſtature of blowne youth
Blasted with extraſe. O wo is me !
I' haue ſene what I haue ſeenie, ſee what I ſee.

Exit.

Enter

Prince of Denmark.

Enter King and Bolonius.

King. Loue: his affections do not that way tend,
Nor what he ſpake, though it lackt forme a little,
Was not like madness; there's ſomething in his ſoule
Ore which his melancholy fits on brood,
And I doe doubt, the hatch and the difſolſe
Will be ſome danger; which for to preuent,
I haue in quick determination
Thus ſet downe: he ſhall with ſpeed to England,
For the demand of our neglected Tribute,
Haply the Seas, and Countries different,
With variable objects ſhall expell
This ſomething ſetled matter in his heart,
Whereon his braines ſtill beating
Puts him thus from ſashion of himſelfe.
What thinke you on't?

Pol. It shall do well.
But yet do I believe the origen & comencement of it
Sprung from neglected loue: how now, Ophelia?

You need not tell vs what Lord Hamlet ſaid,
We heard it all: my Lord, doe as you pleafe,
But if you hold it fit, after the play.

Let his Queen-mother all alone intreat him
To ſhow his griefe, let her be round with him,
And Ile be plac'd (so please you) in the care
Of all their conference: if he ſind him not,
To England ſend him: or confine him where
Your wifedome beſt ſhall thinke.

King. It shall be so,
Madnes in great ones must not vnmatecht go, Exeunt.

Enter Hamlet, and three of the Players.

Ham. Speake the I priſay you as I pronounc'd it to you,
trippingly on the tongue, but if you mouth it as many of our
Players do, I had as lue the Town-crier ſpoke my lines, nor doe
not ſaw the aire too much with your hand thus, but vſe al gently,
for in the very torrent tempeſt, & as I may ſay, whirlwind of your
paffion you muſt acquire and begger a temperence, that may giue it
ſmoothneſſe, O it offends me to the soule, to heare a robuſi-
ous

G

ous

## The Tragedie of Hamlet

ous Perwig-pated fellowere a passion to totters, to verie rags,
to spleet the eares of the ground-lings, who for the molst part are
capable of nothing but in explicable dumbe shewes, and noife: I
would haue such a fellow whipt for ore-doing Termagant, it out
Herod, Herod, pray you auoid it.

Play. I warrant your honour.

Ham. Be no too tame neither, but let your own discretion be
your tutor, sute the action to the word, the word to the action,
with this special obseruance, that you ore-step not the modestie
of Nature: For any thing so ore-done, is from the purpose of
playing, whose end both at first, and now, was and is, to hold as
twere the Mirrour vp to Nature, to shew vertue her feature; soorn
her own Image, and the very age and bodie of the time his forme
and preffure: Now this ouer-done, or come tardie off though it
makes the vnskilfull laugh, cannot but make the iudicious grieue,
the cenſure of which one muſt in your allowance ore-weigh a
whole Theater of others. O there be Players that I haue ſeen play,
and heard others praisd, and that highly, not to ſpeak it profane-
ly, that neither hauing th' accent of Christians, nor the gate of
Christian, Pagan, nor man, haue so strutted & bellowed, that I haue
thought some of Natures Iournymen had made men, and not
made them well, they imitated humanitie so abominably.

Play. I hope we haue reform'd that indifferently with vs.

Ham. O reforme it altogether, and let those that play your
Clownes ſpeak no more then is ſet downe for them, for there be
of them that will themſelues laugh, to ſet on some quantitie of
barraine Spectators to laugh to, though in the meane time, some
neceſſarie queſtion of the play be then to be confiſered: that's vi-
lanous, and shewes a molſt pittifull ambition in the Foole that v-
ies it: go make you readie. How now my Lord, will the King
heare this piece of work?

Enter Polonius, Guydenſterne, and Rofencras.

Pol. And the Queene to, and that preſently,

Ham. Bid the Players make haſſe. Will you t two help to haſken

Ref. I my Lord.

Exeunt those two.

(them)

Ham. What how, Horatio.

Enter Horatio.

Hora. Heere ſweet Lord, at your ſeruice.

Ham. Horatio, thou art een as just a man

As ere my conversation copt withall.

Horace

## Prince of Denmark.

Hora. O my deare Lord.

Ham. Nay, do not thinke I flatter.

For what aduancement may I hope from thee

That no reuence haſt but thy good ſpirits

To feed and cloath thee, why should the poore be flattered?

No let the candied tongue lick obſurd pompe,

And crooke the pregnant hinges of the knee

Where thrift may follow fawning, doſt thou heare,

Since my deare ſoule was Mistris of her choice,

And could of men diſtinguish her election

Shath scald thee for her ſelfe, for thou haſt bin

As one in suffering all that suffers nothing,

A man that Fortunes buffets and rewards

Haſt tane with equall thanks; and bleft are those

Whose bloud and iudgement are so well comedled,

That they are not a pipe for Fortunes finger

To found what ſtop the please: giue me that man

That is not passions ſlaue, and I will weare him

In my hearts core, I in my heart of heart

As I do thee. Someting too much of this,

There is a play to night before the King,

One Scene of it comes neere the circumstance

Which I have told thee of my fathers death,

I prethee when thou seest that Act a foot,

Euen with the very comment of thy ſoule

Obferue my Vncle, if his occulted guilts

Doe not it ſelfe vnkennill in one ſpeech,

It is a damned Ghoſt that we haue ſcene,

And my imaginations are as ſoule

As Vulcans Rithy; giue him heedfull note

For I mine cies will riuet to his face,

And after we will both our iudgements ioyne

In cenſure of his ſeeming.

Hora. Well my Lord,

If a ſteale ought the whilst this Play is playing

And ſcape detected, I will pay the theft.

Enter Trumpets and Kettle Drummes, King, Queene,

Polonius, Ophelia.

Ham. They are comming to the Play. I muſt be idle,

G 3

Get

The Tragedie of Hamlet

Get you a place.

King. How fares our Cousin Hamlet?

Ham. Excellent faith.

Of the Camelions dish, Leat the aire,

Promp't asram'd, you cannot feed Capons so.

King. I have nothing with this answer Hamlet.

These words are not mine.

Ham. No horsine now my Lord.

You playd once i'th Vniuerfisie you say,

Pol. That did I my Lord, and was accounted a good Actor,

Haw. What did you enact?

Pol. I did enact Julius Caesar, I was kild i'th Capitall,

Brutus kild me.

Ham. It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a calfse there.

Be the Players radic'd.

Ros. I my Lord, they stay vpon your patience.

Ger. Come hither my deare Hamlet, fit by me.

Ham. No good mother here's megle more attractive.

Pol. O, oh, doe you marke that.

Ham. Ladie shall lie in your lap?

Ophe. No my Lord.

Ham. Doe you thinke I meant Countrie matters?

Ophe. I thinke nothing my Lord.

Ham. That's a faire thought to lie between maids legs.

Ophe. What is my Lord?

Ham. Nothing.

Ophe. You are merrie my Lord.

Ham. Who I?

Ophe. I my Lord.

Ham. O God! your onely ligge-maker, what should a man do but be merrie, for looke you how cherefully my mother lookes, and my father died within's two hours.

Ophe. Nay, tis twice two moneths my Lord.

Ham. So long, nay then let the Deuill wereare black, for Ile haue a Suite of Sables; O heauens, die two moneths ago, and not for-gotten yet, then there's hope a great mans memorie may out-lie his life halfe a yeare, but ber Ladie a must build Churches then, or else shall a suffer not thinking on, with the Hobby-horse, whose Epitaph is, for O, for O, the Hobby-horse is forgot.

Enter

Prince of Denmarke.

The Trumpets found.

Dumbe show followes.

Enter a King and a Queene, the Queene embracing him, and he her,
he takes her up, and declines his head vpon her necke, he lies him downe
upon a banke of flowers, hee seeing him a fleepe, leaves him : anon comes
in another man, take's off his Crown, kiffes it, pours poysor in the sleepers
eares, and leaves him : the Queane returns, finds the King dead, makes
passionate action, the poysoner with some three or fourie comes in againe,
seem to condole with her, the dead body is carried away, the poysoner wres
the Queene with gifes, she seems harsh a while, but in the end accepts tonte.

Oph. VWhat means this my Lord?

Ham. Marry it is munching Mallco, it means micheife.

Oph. Belike this show imports the argument of the Play.

Ham. We shall know by this fellow, Enter prologue.

The Players cannot keepe they'l tell all.

Ophe. Will a tell vs what this show meant?

Ha. I, or any show that you will show him, be not you afham'd
to show, heele not shame to tell you what it meanes.

Opb. You are naught, you are naught, Ile marke the Play.

Prologue. For vs and for our Tregedy,

Heere stooping to your clemencie,

We begge your hearing patiently.

Ham. Is this a Prologue or the poſe of a Ring?

Ophe. Tis briefe my Lord.

Ham. As womans loue.

Enter King and Queene.

King. Full thirty times hath Phæbus Cart gone round
Neptunes salt wash, and Tellus orb'd the ground,
And thirty dofen Moones with borrowed ſhene
About the world haue times twelve thirties beene
Since Loue our hearts; and Hymen did our hands
Vnite comutuall in most sacred bands.

Quee. So many iourneys may the Sun and Moon
Make vs againe count one ere loue be done,
But woe is me you are so ſicke of late,
So farre from cheere, and from your former state,
That I diſtruct you, yet though I diſtruct,
Discomfort you my Lord it nothing muſt.

G 3

For

The Tragedie of Hamlet

For women feare too much, euen as they loue,
And womens feare and loue hold quantity,
Either none, in neither ought, or in extremity,
Now what my Lord is proofe hath made you know,
And as my loue is ciz'ft, my feare is so,
Where loue is great, the little doubt are feare,
Where little fears grow great, great loue grows there
King. Faith I muſt leaue thee loue, and ſhortly to,
My operant powers their functions leaue to doe,
And thou ſhalt liue in this faire world behind,
Honord, belou'd, and haply one as kind,
For husband ſhalt thou.

Quee. O confound the reſt.

Such loue muſt needs be treaſon in my breſt,
In ſecond husband let me be accuſt,
None wed the ſecond, but who kild the firſt.
The inſtances that ſecond marriage moue
Are base reſpects of THRIFT, but none of loue,
A ſecond time I kill my husband dead,
When ſecond husband killes me in bed.

King. I do believe you think what now you ſpeak,
But what we doe determine, oft we breake,
Purpose is but the ſlaue to memory,
Of violent birth, but poore validity,
Which now the fruit vnripe ſticks on the tree,
But fall vnshaken when they mellow be.
Most neceſſary tis that we forget
To pay our ſelues what to our ſelues is debt,
What to our ſelues in paſſion we propoſe,
The paſſion ending, doth the purpose loſe,
The violence of either grieſe or ioy,
Their owne ennaſures with them ſelues deſtroy,
Where ioy moſt ruels, grieſe doth moſt lament,
Grieſe ioy, ioy grieſes, on ſlender accedent,
This world is not for aye, nor tis not ſtrange,
That euen our loues ſhould with our fortuns change,
Fort is a question left vs yet to proue,
Whether loue lead fortune, or eſſe fortune loue.
The great man downe, you marke his fauourite flies,

Ham. That's
wormwood.

The

Prince of Denmark.

The poore aduanced makes friends of enemies,
And hether too doth loue on fortune tend,
For who not needs, ſhall neuer lack a friend,
And who in want a hollow friend doth try,
Directly ſeasons him his enemy.
But orderly to end where I begun,
Our wills and fates do ſo contrary run,
That our deuices ſtill are ouerthrowne,
Our thoughts are ours, their ends none of our owne,
So thinke thou wilt no ſecond husband wed,
But dy thy thoughts when thy firſt Lord is dead.

Quee. Nor earth to me giue food, nor heauen light,
Sport and repoſe lock from me day and night,
To desperation turne my truſt and hope,
And Anchors cheere in prison be my scope,
Each oppoſite that blanks the face of ioy,
Meet what I would haue well, and it deſtroy,
Both here and hence purfue me laſting ſtrife,
If once I be a widow, euer I be wife.

King. Tis deeply ſworne, ſweet leaue me heare a while,
My ſpirits grow dull and faine I would beguile
The tedious day with ſleep,

Quee. Sleep rock thy brain,
And neuer come mischance betwixt vs twain

Exeunt.

Ham. Maddam, how like you this Play?

Quee. The Lady doth proteſt too much me thinks.

Ham. O but ſhee'le keepe her word.

King. Haue you heard the argument? is there no ſoffence in't?

Ham. No, no, they do but ieſt, poison in ieſt, no ſoffence in't.

King. What do you call the Play ?
(worid.)

Ham. The Mouſe rap, many how tropically, this Play is the Image of a murther done in Vienna, Gonzago is the Dukes name, his wife Baptiſa, you ſhall fee anon, tis a knauiſh piece of work, but what of that ? your Maiety and we ſhall haue free ſoules, it touches vs not, let the gauled Jade winch, our withers are vn-wrung. This is one Lucianus, Nephew to the King.

Enter Lucianus.

Opb. You are as good as a Chorus my Lord.

Ham. I could interpret betweene you and your loue

If

The Tragedie of Hamlet

If I could see the puppets dallying.

Ophe. You are keene my Lord, you are keene.

Ham. It would cost you a groring to take off mine edge.

Ophe. Still better and worse.

Ham. So you mistake your husbands. Begin murtherer, leaue
thy damnable faces and begin, come, the croking Rauen doth
bellow for revenge.

Luc. Thoughts black, hands apt, drugs fit and time agreeing,
Confiderate season, no creature seeing.

Thou mixture ranker, of midnight weeds collected,
With Hecats ban thrice blasted, thrice infected,

Thy naturall magicke, and dire properties,

On wholesome life vurps immediately.

Ham. A poisons him i'th Garden for his estate, his names Gonzago,
the story is extant and written in very choice Italian, you shall
see anon how the murtherer gets the loue of Gonzagaes wife.

Ophe. The King rifes.

Quee. How fares my Lord?

Pol. Giue ore the Play.

King. give me some light, away.

Pol. Lights, lights, lights.

Excuse, all but Ham, and Horatio.

Ham. Why let the stroken Deere goe weepe,

The Hart vngauled play,

For some must watch whilst some must sleepe,

Thus runs the world away. Would not this fir & a forrest of lea-
thers, if the reft of my fortunes turne Turk with me, with provincial
Roses, on my raz'd fhooes, get me a fellowship in a city of Player?

Hora. Halse a share.

Ham. A whole one L.

For thou doft know oh Damon deere:

This Realme dimantled was

Of Ioue himselfe, and now raignes here

A very very paiock.

Hora. You might haue rim'd.

Ham. O good Horatio, Ile take the Ghofts word for a thousand
pound. Didst perceue?

Hora. Very well my Lord.

Ha. Vpon the talke of the poisoning.

Hora. I did very well note him.

Ham.

Prince of Denmark.

Ham. Ah ha, come some musique, come the Recorders,

For if the King like not the Comodie,

Why then belike he likes it not perdie.

Come, some mulique.

Enter Rofencraus, Guyldensterne.

Gu. Good my Lord, voutsafe me a word with you

Ham. Sir a whole hiftorie.

Gayl. The King fir.

Ham. I fir, what of him?

Gayl. Is in his retirement meruailous diftempred.

Ham. With drinke fir?

Gayl. No my Lord, with choller.

Ham. Your wife, some should fhow it felfe more richer to fig-
nifie this to the Doctor, for, for me to put him to his purgation,
would perhaps plunge him into more choller.

Gayl. Good my Lord put your discourse into some frame,
And itare not so wildly from my affaire.

Ham. I am tamed fir, pronounce.

Gayl. The Queene your mother in moft great affliction of spi-
rit, hath sent me to you.

Ham. You are welcome.

Gay. Nay good my Lord, this curtesie is not of the right breed,
if it shall please you to make me a wholſome anſwer, I will do
your mothers commandement, if not, your pardon and my re-
turne, shall be the end of buſinesſe.

Ham. Sir I cannot.

Ref. What my Lord.

Ha. Make you a wholſome anſwer, my wits diſeaf'd, but fir, ſuch anſwer as I can make, you ſhal command, or rather as you ſay, my mother, therefore no more, but to the matter, my mother you ſay.

Ref. Then thus ſhe faies, your behauion hath ſtrooke her into
amazement and admiration.

Ham. O wonderfull ſonne that can ſo ſtoniſh a mother! but is
there no ſequell at the heeles of this mothers admiration? impart.

Ref. She deſires to speak with you in her closet ere you go to bed.

Ham. We ſhall obey, were ſhe ten times our mother, haue you
any further trade with vs ?

Ref. My Lord you once did loue me.

Ham. And doe still by these pickers and stealers.

H

Ref.

## The Tragedie of Hamlet

Ros. Good my Lord, what is your cause of distemper, you do furiously bar the doore vpon your owne liberty, if you deny your griefes to your friend.

Ham. Sir I lack aduancement.

Ros. How can that be when you haue the voyce of the King himselfe for your succession in Denmarke.

Enter the Players with Recorders.

Ham. I fir, but wile the graffe grows, the prouerb is something mufty, oh the Recorders, let me see one, to withdraw with you, why do you go about to recouer the wind of me, as if you would drive me into a toyle ?

Guyl. O my lord if my duty be too bold, my loue is too vnmanerly

Ham. I do not well vnderstand that, will you play vpon this pipe ?

Guyl. My Lord I cannot.

Ham. Ipray you.

Guyl. Bel eeue me I cannot.

Ham. I beleech you.

Guyl. I know no touch of it my Lord.

Ham. It is as easie as lying; governing these ventages with your fingers, & the thumb give it breath with your mouth, and it will discontinue most eloquent muſique, look you, these are the stops.

Guyl. But these cannot I command to any vtrance of harmony, I haue not the skill.

Ham. Why look you now how vnworthy a thing you make of me, you would play vpon me, you would seem to know my stops, you would pluck out the heart of my myſterie, you would found me from my loweſt note to my compaſſe, and there is much muſique, excellent voice in this little organ, yet cannot you make it ſpeak, s'blood do you think I am easier to be plaid on then a pipe, call me what Instrument you will, though you fret me not, you cannot play vpon me. God bleſſe you fir.

Enter Polonius.

Pol. My Lord, the Queen would ſpeak with you, and presently.

Hs. Do you ſee yonder cloud that's almost in shape of a Camel?

Pol. By'tMASSE and tis like a Camell indeed.

Ham. Me thinks it is like a Wczell.

Pol. It is black like a Wczell.

Ham. Or like a Whale.

Pol. Very like a Whale.

Ham. Then

## Prince of Denmarke.

Ham. Then I will come to my mother by and by,
They fool me to the top of my bent, I wil come by & by,
Leaue me friends.

I will, say so. By and by is easily said,

Tis now the very witching time of night,

When Church-yards yawne, and hell it ſelſe breaks out
Contagion to this world: now could I drink hot blood,
And do such businesſe as the bitter day

Would quake to looke on: ſoſt, now to my mother,
O heart loose not thy nature! let not euer,

The ſoule of Nero enter this firme boſome!

Let me be cruell, not vn natural,

I will ſpeak dagger to her, but vſe none,

My tongue and ſoule in this be hypocrites,

How in my words ſomeuer ſhe be ſhent,

To giue them ſeales neuer my ſoule consent.

Enter King, Rosencraus, and Guyldensterne.

King. I like him not, nor stands it ſafe with vs
To let his madneſſe range, therefore prepare you,

I your commission will forthwith dispatch,
And he to England ſhall along with you,
The termes of our eſtate may not endure
Hazard so neer's as doth hourly grow,
Out of his browses.

Guyl. We will our ſelues prouide,
Most holy and religious ſeare it is
To keep those many many bodies ſafe
That liue and feed vpon your Maiety.

Ros. The ſingle and peculiar life is bound,
With all the ſtrength and armour of the mind
To keep it ſelſe from noyance, but much more
That ſpirit, vpon whose weale depends and reſts
The liues of many, the ceſſe of Maiety
Dies not alone; but like a gulſe doth draw
What's neere it, with it, or it is a maffe wheele
Fixt on the ſomnet of the highest mount,
To whose huge ſpokes, ten thousand leſſer things
Are morteſt and adioynd, which when it falls,

H 2

Each

The Tragedie of Hamlet

Each small annexment,petie consequence
Attends the boiftrous raine, neuer alone
Did the King fight, but a generall growne
King. Arme you I pray you to this speedie voiage,
For we will fetters put about this feare
Which now goes to free-footed.
Ref. VVe will haft vs.
Excunt. Gent.

Enter Polonius.

Pol. My Lord, he's going to his mothers closet,
Behind the Arras I'le conuy my selfe
To here the proffesse, I'le warrant him selfe
And as you faid, and wifely was it faid,
Tis meet that some more audience then a mother,
Since nature makes them partiall, should ore-heare
The speech of vantage; fare you well my Leige,
I'le call vpon you ere you goe to bed,
And tell you what I know.
Exit.

King. Thanks deere my Lord.
O my offence is ranke, it smels to heauen,
It hath the primall eldeft curse vppont;
A brothers murther, pray can I not,
Though inclination be as sharp as will,
My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent,
And like a man to double businesse bound,
I stand in pause where I shall first begin,
And both neglect: what if this cursed hand
Were thicker then it selfe with brothers blood,
Is there not raine enough in the sweet Heavens
To wash it white as snow? wherefore serues mercie
But to confront the visage of offence?
And what's in praier but this two-fold force,
To be forestalled ere we come to fall,
Or pardon being downe, then I'le looke vp.

My faults is past, but oh! what forme of praier
Can serve my turne? forgive me my foule murther:
That cannot be since I am still poiffet
Of those affects for which I did the murther;
My Crowne, mine owne ambition, and my Queene;

May

Prince of Denmark.

May one be pardoned and retaineth'offence?
In the corrupted currents of this world,
Offences guided hand may show by justice,
And oft his scene the wicked prize it selfe,
Buyes out the Law, but tis not so above,
There is no shuffling, there the action lies
In his true nature, and we our selues compeld
Euen to the teeth and forehead of our faults
To giue in cience: what then, what refts?
Try what repentance can, what can it not,
Yet what can it, when one cannot repent?
O wretched state, O boſome blacke as death,
O limed foule, that fugling to be free,
Art more engaged! helpe Angles make affay,
Bow stubborne knees and heart with strings of Steele
Be soft as finnewes of the new borne babe,
All may be well.

Enter Hamlet.

Ham. Now might I do it, but now a is a praying,
And now I dee't, and so a goes to heauen,
And so am I reuenged, that would be scand
A villaine kils my father, and for that,
I his sole ſonne, do this same villaine ſend
To heauen.
Why, this is bafe and filly.—not reuendge,
A tooke my father grosely, full of bread,
Withall his crimes broad blowne, as flush as May,
And how his Audit stands who knowes faue heauen,
But in our circumſtance and course of thought,
Tis heauie with him: and am I then reuendged
To take him in the purging of his ſoule,
When he is fit and seasoned for his paſſage?
No.

Vp Sword, and know thou a more horrid hent,
When he is drunke, a sleepe, or in his rage,
Or in th' inceſtious pleasure of his bed,
At game, a wearing, or about some act
That has no relish of ſuluation in't.

H 3

Then

The Tragedie of Hamlet

Then trip him that his heele mas kick at heauen,
And that his soule may be as damnd and blacke
As hell whereto it goes; my mother stayes,
This Phyſick but prolongs thy fickly dayes.

King. My words flie vp, my thoughts remaine below
Words without thoughts neuer to heauen go.

Exit.

Exit.

Enter Gertrard and Polonius.

Polo. A will come ſtrait, look you lay home to him,
Tell him his pranks haue bin too broad to beare with,
And that your grace hath ſcreen'd and ſlood betweene
Much heat and him, Ile ſilence me euen heree,
Pray you be round.

Enter Hamlet.

Ger. Ile waite you, ſcare me not,
Withdraw, I heare him comming.

Ham. Now mother, what's the matter ?

Ger. Hamlet, thou haſt thy father much offended.

Ham. Mother you haue my father much offended.

Ger. Come, come, you anſwer with an idle tongue.

Ham. Go go, you queſtion with a wicked tongue.

Ger. Why how now Hamlet ?

Ham. What's the matter now ?

Ger. Haue you forgot me ?

Ham. No by Rood not so,

You are the Queene, your husbands brothers wife,
And would it were not so, you are my mother.

Ger. Nay, then Ile ſet those to you that can ſpeake.

Ham. Come, come, and ſit you downe, you shall not boudge,
You go not till I ſet you vp a Glasse

Where you may ſee the moſt part of you,

Ger. What wilt thou do, thou wilt not murther me?

Helpe hoe.

Polo. What hoe helpe.

Ham. How now, a Rat, dead for a Duckat, dead.

Polo. O I am flaine.

Ger. O me, what haſt thou done ?

Ham. Nay I know not, is it the King ?

Ger.

Prince of Denmark.

Ger. O what a rafh and bloudie deed is this.

Ham. A bloudie deed, almost as bad good mother
As kill a King, and marrie with his brother.

Ger. As kill a King.

Ham. I Lady it was my word.

Thou wretched, rafh, intruding Foole farwell,
I tooke thee for thy better, take thy fortune,
Thou find'ft to be too buſe is some danger.

Leaue wringing of your hands, peace fit you downe,
And let me wring your heart, for so I shall

If it be made of penetrable ſtuffe,

If damned cuſtome haue nor braf'd it so,

That it be proofe and bulwarke againſt ſence.

Ger. What haue I done, that thou dar'ſt wagge thy tongue
In noife so rude againſt me ?

Ham. Such an aſt

That blurres the grace and bluſh of modestie,

Cals vertue Hypocrite, takes of the Rofe

From the faire forehead of an innocent loue,

And fets a blifter there, makes marriage vowes

As falſe as Dicers oathes, Oh ſuch a deed!

As from the body of conſtraction plucks

The very ſoule : and ſweet Religion makes

A rapsodie of words; heauens face does glow

Ore this ſolidry and compound maſſe

With heated viſage, as againſt the doome

Is thought-fick at the aſt.

Quee. Ay me what aſt ?

Ham. That rores so lowd and thunders in the Index,
Looke here vpon this Picture, and on this,

The counterfeit preſentment of two brothers,

See what a grace was feated on his brow,

Hiperions curles the front of loue himselfſe,

An eie like Mars, to threaten and command,

A ſtation like the Herald *Mercurie*,

New lighted on a heaue, a kiffing hill,

A combination and forme indeed,

Where euery God did ſeeme to ſet his ſeale

To giue the world aſſurance of a man,

This

The Tragedie of Hamlet

This was your husband, look you now what followes,
Heere is your husband like a mil-dewed eare,
Blaſting his wholſome brother; haue you eies ?
Could you on this faire Mountaine leaue to feed
And batton on this Moore; ha, haue you eies ?

You cannot call it loue, for at your age
The heyday in the bloud is tame, it's humble,
And waits vpon the iudgement, and what iudgement
Would ſtep from this to this? a ſence ſure you haue
Elſe could you not haue motion, but ſure that ſence
Is appoplext, for madneſſe would not erre
Nor ſence to extaſſe was neere ſo chral'd
But it referu'd ſome quantitie of choice
To ſerue in ſuch a difference. What Deuill waſt
That thus hath cofond you at hodman-blind ?
Eies without ſeeling, ſeeling without ſight,
Eares without hands, or eies, ſmelling ſance all,
Or but a ſickly part of one true ſence
Could not ſo mope. Oh ſhame ! where is thy bluſh ?
Rebellious hell.

Ger. O Hamlet ſpeake no more,
Thou turnſt my very eies into my ſoule,
And there I ſee ſuch black and griecued ſpots
As will leaue there their tinct.

Ham. Nay but to liue

In the ranke sweat of an inceſtuous bed
Stewed in corruption, honying and making loue
Ouer the naſtie ſtie.

Ger. O ſpeake to me no more,
Theſe words like Daggers enter in my eares
No more ſweet Hamlet.

Ham. A murtherer and a villaine,
A ſlaue that is not twentith part the kyth.

Of

Prince of Denmark.

Of your precedent Lord, a vice of Kings,
A Cut-purse of the Empire and the rule,
That from a ſhelfe the precious Diadem ſtole
And put it in his pocket.

Enter Ghoſt.

Ham. A King of ſhreds and patches,
Saue me and houere me with your wings
You heauenly guards: what would your gracious figure ?

Ger. Alaſſe he's mad.

Ham. Doe you not come your tardie ſonne to chide,
That lap'ſt in time and paſſion lets goe by
Th' important acting of your dread command, O ſay !

Ghoſt. Doe not forget : this viſitation
Is but to whet thy almoſt blunted purpose,
But looke, amazement on thy mother ſits,
O ſtep betweene her, and her ſighting ſoule !
Conceit in weakeſt bodies ſtrongeſt workes,
Speake to her Hamsket.

Ham. How is it with you Ladie ?

Ger. Alaſſe how i'ſt with you ?
That you doe bend your eie on vacancie.
And with th'incorporall aire do hold diſtournſe,
Forth at your eyes your ſpirits wildly peepe,
And as the ſleeping Souldiers in th'alarme,
Your beaded haine like life in excrements
Starts vp and ſtands an end : O gentle ſonne !
Vpon the heate and flame of thy diſtemper
Sprinkle coole patience, whereon do you looke?

Ham. On him, on him, looke you how pale he gleres,
His forme and caufe conioyned, preaching to ſones
Would make them capable, do not looke vpon me,
Left with this pittious action you conduet
My ſterne effects, then what I haue to doe
Will want true colour, teares perchance for bloud.

Ger. To whom doe you ſpeake this ?

Ham. Doe you ſee nothing there ?

Ger. Nothing at all, yet all that is there I ſee.

Ham. Nor did you nothing heare ?

Ger. No, nothing but our ſelues.

I

Ham.

The Tragedie of Hamlet

Ham. Why looke you there, looke how it feales away,
My father in his habit as he liu'd,
Looke where he goes, even now out at the portall. Exit Gheoff.

Ger. This is the coynage of your braine,
This bodileffe creation, extafie is very cunning in
Ham. My pulfe as yours doth temperately keepe time.

And makes as healthfull muſick, it is not madneſſe
That I haue vttred, bring me to the teſt.

And the matter will reword, which madneſſe
Would gambole from, Mother for loue of grace,
Lay not that flattering vnaction to your ſoule
That not your trefpaffe but my madneſſe ſpeakes,

It will but skin and filme the vlerous place,
Whiles ranke corruption mining all within

Infects vnſene : confefſe your ſelfe to heauen,
Repent what's paſt, auoid what is to come,
And doe not ſpread the compoſt on the weeds

To make them ranker, forgiue me this my vertue.

For in the fatneſſe of these purſiſe times
Vertue it ſelfe of vice muſt pardon beg,

Yea curbe and wooe for leaueto doe him good.

Ger. O Hamlet ! thou haſt cleft my hart in twaine.

Ham. O throw away the worſer part of it,
And leaue the purer with the other halſe,
Good night, but goe not to my Vncles bed,

Aſſume a vertue if you haue it not,

That monſter cuſtome, who all ſence doth eate:

Of habits Deuill, is Angell yet in this

That to the vſe of actions faire and good,

He likewife giues a Frock or Liuerie

That aptly is put on to refraine night,

And that ſhall lend a kind of eafineſſe

To the next abſtinence, the next more eafie :

For vſe almost can change the ſtampe of nature,

And after the Deuill, or throw him out

With wondrous potencie : once more good night,

And when you are deftous to be bleſſ,

He bleſſing beg of you, for this ſame Lord

I do: repent; but heauen hath pleas'd it so.

To

Prince of Denmark.

To punish me with this, and this with me,

That I muſt be their ſcourge and minifter,
I will beſtow him and will anſwer well

The death I gaue him; ſo againe good night

I muſt be cruell onely to be kind,

This bad begins, and worſe remaines behind.

One word more good Ladie.

Ger. What ſhall I doe ?

Ham. Not this by no meanes that I bid you doe,
Let the blowt King tempt you againe to bed,
Pinch wanton on your cheeke, call you his Mouſe,
And let him for a paire of reechie kiffes,

Or padling in your necke with his damn'd fingers.

Make you to rouell all this matter out

That I effentially am not in madneſſe,

But mad in craft, t'were good you let him know.

For who that's but a Quene, faire, sober, wife,

Would from a paddack, from a Bat, a Gib,

Such deere conferuings hide, who would doe so,

No, in deſpight of ſence and ſecrecie,

Vnpeg the basket on the houſes top,

Let the birds ſlie, and like the famous Ape,

To try conclusions in the basket creepe,

And breake your owne necke downe.

Ger. Be thou aſſur'd, if words be made of breath,
And breath of life, I haue no life to breath

What thou haſt laid to me.

Ham. I muſt to England, you know that,

Ger. Alack I had forſот.

Tis ſo concluded on.

Ham. There's letters ſeald, &c my two ſchool-fellowes,
Whom I will truſt as I will Adders ſang'd,
They beare the Mandate, they muſt ſweep my way

And marſhall me to knauery : let it worke,

Fortis the ſport to haue the Enginer

Hoſt with his owne petar, an't ſhall goe hard

But I will delue one yard below their mines.

And blow them at the Moone : O tis moſt ſweet

When in one line two crafts directly meer,

I 2

This

The Tragedie of Hamlet

This man shall set me packing,
He lugge the guts into the neighbour roome;
Mother good night indeed, this Counfaller
Is now most still, most secret, and most graue,
VWho was in life a most foolish prating knaue.
Come fir, to draw toward an end with you.
Good night mother.
Exit.

Enter King, and Queene, with Rofencraus
and Guyldensterne.

King. There's matter in these fighes, these profound haues,
You must translate, tis fit we vnderstand them,
VWhere is your sonne?

Gert. Beftow this place on vs a lit: le while.
Al mine owne Lord, what haue I feene to night?

King. VVhat Gertard, how doocs Hamlet?

Gert. Mad as the sea and wind when both contend
Which is the mightier in his lawleffe fit,
Behind the Arras hearing some thing fir,
Whips out his Rapier, cycie is a Rat, a Rat,
And in this brainifh apprehension kills
The vnfeene good old man.

King. O heauy deed !
It had beene so with vs had we bin there,
His libertie is full of threats to all,
To you your felie, to vs, to euery one,
Alas, how shall this bloody deed be answer'd?
It will be laid, to vs, whose prouidence
Should haue kept short, refrain'd, and out of haunt
This mad young man; but so much was our loue,
We would not vnderstand what was most fit,
But like the owner of a foule discafe
To keep it from divulging, let it feed
Euen on the pith of life : where is he gone?

Gert. To draw apart the body he hath kild,
Ore whom, his very madneſſe like some ore
Among a minerall of mettals bafe,
Showes it ſelſe pure, a weeps for what is done.

King. Gertrud, come away,

The

Prince of Denmark.

The Sun no sooner shall the mountaines touch,
But we will ship him hence, and this vile deed
We must with all our Maieſtie and skill
Enter Rof and Guyld.
Both countenance and excuse. Ho Guyldensterne,
Friends both, go ioyne you with some further ayd,
Hamlet in madneſſe hath Polonius ſlaine,
And from his mothers cloſet hath he drag'd him,
Go ſeeke him out ſpeake faire and bring the body
Into the Chappell; I pray you haſt in this,
Come Gertrard, wee'le call vp our wifſt friends,
And let them know both what we meane to do
And what's vntimely done,
Whose whisper ore the worlds Diameter,
As leuell as the Cannon to his blank,
Transports his poyſoned ſhot, may miſſe our name,
And hit the woundleſſe ayre, O come away,
My ſoule is full of diſcord and diſmay.
Exeunt.

Enter Hamlet, Rofencraus and others.

Ha. Safely ſtowd, but softly, what noife, who calls on Hamlet?
O here they come.

Rof. What haue you done my Lord with the dead body?

Ham. Compounded it with duſt whereto it is kin.

Rof. Tell vs where tis that we may take it thence,
And beare it to the Chappell.

Ham. Do not beleeue it.

Rof. Beleeue what?

Ham. That I can keep your counſaile and not mine owne, be-
fides to be demanded of a ſpunge, what replication should be
made by the ſonne of a King.

Rof. Take you me for a ſpunge my Lord?

Ha. I fir, that ſokes vp the Kings countenance, his rewards, his authorities, but ſuch Officers do the King beſt ſeruice in the end, he keepſthem like an apple in the corner of his iaw, firſt mouth'd to be laſt ſwallowed, when he needs what you haue gleand, it is but ſqeeſing you, and ſpunge you ſhall be dry againe.

Rof. I vnderstand you not my Lord.

Ham. I am glad of it, a knauiſh ſpeech ſleeps in a foolish ear!

Rof. My Lord, you muſt tell vs where the body is, and go with
vs to the King.

13

Hamlet

## The Tragedie of Hamlet

Ham. The body is with the King, but the King is not with the body. The King is a thing.

Guyl. A thing my Lord.

Ham. Of nothing, bring me to him.

Exeunt.

### Enter King, and two or three.

King. I haue sent to seek him, and to find the body,
How dangerous it is that this man goes loose,
Yet must not we put the strong Law on him,
Hee's lou'd of the distracted multitude,
Who like not in their iudgement, but their eyes,
And where tis so, their offenders scourge is wayed
But neuer the offence: to beare all smooth and euen,
This suddaine sending him away must seem
Deliberate pause, discaſes desperate growne,
By desperate apphylance are relieu'd
Or not at all.

### Enter Rosencrantz and all the rest.

King. How now, what hath befalne?

Ros. Where the dead body is bestow'd my Lord

We cannot get from him.

King. But where is he?

Ros. Without my Lord, guarded to know your pleasure.

King. Bring him before vs.

Ros. Hoe, bring in the Lord.

They Enter.

King. Now Hamlet, where's Polonius?

Ham. At supper.

King. At supper where.

Ha. Not where he eates, but where he is eaten; a certain convec-
tion of politick worms are een at him: your worme is your only
Emperour for dyet, we fat all creatures else to fat vs, and we fat
our selues for maggots, your fat King & your leane Beggar is but
variable seruice, two dishes but to one table, that's the end.

King. Alas, alas.

Ham. A man may fish with the worme that hath eat of a King,
eat of the fish that hath fed of that worme.

King. What doft thou meane by this?

Ham. Nothing but to shew you how a King may go a greſſe

## Prince of Denmark.

greſſe through the guttes of a Beggar.

King. Where is Polonius?

Ham. In heauen, send tither to see, if your messengër find him not there, seeke him i'th other place your selfe, but if indeed you find him not within this moneth, you shall noſe him as you go vp the flaires into the Lobby.

King. Go seek him there.

Ham. A will stay till you come,

King. Hamlet this deed for thine eſpeciall safety
Which we doe tender, as we deerely grieue
For that which thou haſt done, muſt send thee hence
Therefore prepare thy selfe;
The Barke is readie, and the wind at help,
Th' affotiats tend, and every thing is bent.

For England,

Ham. For England.

King. I Hamlet.

Ham. Good,

King. So is it if thou knew'st our purpofes.

Ham. I fee a Cherub that fees them, but come for England:
Farewell deere mother.

King. Thy louing father Hamlet,

Ham. My mother, father and mother is man and wife,
Man and wife is one flesh, so my mother :

Come for England.

Exit.

King. Follow him at foot;
Tempt him with ſpeed abourd;
D:elay it not, I'le haue him hence to night.
Away, for euery thing is ſeald and done
That els leanes on the affaire, pray you make haſt;
And England if my loue thou hold'st at ought,
As my great power thereof may giue thee ſence,
Since yet thy Cicatrice lookes raw and red,
After the Daniſh Sword; and thy free awe
Paies homage to vs, thou maſt not coldly ſet
Our Soueraigne proceſſe, which imports at full
By letters congruing to that effect.
The preſent death of Hamlet, do it England,
For like the Heſtick in my blood he rages,

And

## The Tragedie of Hamlet

And thou must cure me till I know this done.
How ere my haps, my ioes will neere begin.

Exit.

*Enter Fortinbrasse with his Armie ouer the Stage.*

Fortin. Go Captaine, from me greet the Danilo King,
Tell him, that by his licence Fortinbrasse
Craues the convecyence of a promis'd march
Ouer his Kingdome, you know the rendezvous,
If that his Maiesty would ought with vs,
We shall expresse our duty in his eye,
And let him know so.

Cap. I will doot my Lord,
Fortin. Go softly on.

*Enter Hamlet, Rosencrantz, &c.*

Ham. Good sir whose powers are these?

Cap. They are of Norway fir.

Ham. How propofed fir I pray you ?

Cap. Against some part of Poland.

Ham. Who commands them fir ?

Cap. The Nephew to old Norway, Fortinbrasse.

Ham. Goes it against the maine of Poland fur ?

Or for some frontire ?

Cap. Truly, to speake, and with no addition,

We goe to gaine a little patch of ground

That hath in it no profit but the name

To pay five duckets, five I would not farme it ?

Now will it yeeld to Norway or the Pole

A ranckerrate, should it beould in fee.

Ham. Why then the Pollacks neuer will defend it.

Cap. Yes it is already garisond.

Ham. Two thousand foules and twenty thousand duckets
Will not debate the question of this straw,

This is the impostume of much wealth and peace,

That inward breakes and shewes no cause without

Why the man dies. I humbly thanke you fir.

Cap. God buy you fir.

Ros. Wil't please you goe my Lord?

Ham. I'le be with you straight, go a little before.

How all occasions do informe against me.

And

## Prince of Denmark

And spur my dull reuenge. What is an man

If his chiefe good and market of his time

Be but to sleep and feed, a beast, no more:

Sure he that made vs with such large discours[e]

Looking before and after, gaue vs not

That capability and God-like reason

To suft in vs vnus'd, now whether it be

Bestial obliuion, or some krauen scruple

Of thinking too precisely on th'event,

A thought which quartered hath but one part wildome,

And euer three parts coward I do not know

VWhy yet I liue to say this thing's to doe,

Sith I haue cause, and will and strength, and meane[s]

To doo't; examples groffe as earth exhort me,

VVitneſſe this Army of such maſſe and charge,

Led by a delicate and tender Prince,

VVhole ſpirit with diuine ambition puſt,

Makes mouthes at the inuible euent,

Expoſing what is mortall, and vnſure,

To all that fortune, death and danger dare,

Euen for an Egge-shell, Rightly to be great,

Is not to ſtir without great argument,

But greatly to find quarrell in a straw.

VVhen honour's at the stake. How I stand I then

That haue a father kild, a mother ſtain'd,

Excitements of my reason, and my blood,

And let all sleep, while to my ſhame I see.

The imminent death of twenty thousand men,

That for a fabtaſe and trick of fame

Go to their graues like beds, fight for a plot

VVhereon the numbers cannot try the cause,

VVhich is not tombe enough and continent

To hide the ſlaine. O from this time forth,

My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth.

Exit.

*Enter Horatio, Gertrard, and a Gentleman.*

*Qneer. I will not ſpeak with her.*

*Gen. She is importunate.*

Indeed diſtraſt, her mood will needs be pittied.

K

Quee.

The Tragedie of Hamlet

*Quee.* What would she haue?

*Gent.* She speaks much of her Father, sayes she heares
There's tricks i'th world, and hems, and beats her heart,
Spurnes enuiously at strawes, speaks things in doubt
That carry but halfsence, her speech is nothing,
Yet the vnshaped vse of it doth moue
The hearers to collection, they yawne at it,
And botch the words vp fit to their owne thoughts,
Which as winks and nods, and gestures yeeld them,
Indeed would make one thinke there might be thought
Though nothing sure, yet much vnhappily.

*Hora.* T'were good she were spoken with, for she may strew
Dangerous conicctures in ill-breeding mindes,
Let her come in.

*Enter.* Ophelia.

*Quee.* 'To my sicke soule, as fins true nature is,
Each toy ſtemes prologue to some great amiffes,
So full of artleſſe ialleuſe, is guilts,
It ſpills it ſelfe, in ſearing to be ſpilt.

*Oph.* Where is the beauteous Maieſtyl of Denmark?

*Quee.* How now Ophelia?

*Oph.* How should I your true loue know from another one,
By his cockle hat and ſtaffe, and his Sendall ſhoone.

*Quee.* Alaffe ſweet Lady, what imports this ſong?

*Oph.* Say you, nay pray you marke,
He is dead and gone Lady, he is dead and gone,
At his head a graſſe greene turph, at his heeles a ſtome.
O ho.

*Quee.* Nay but Ophelia.

*Oph.* Pray you marke. White his ſhrowd as the mountain ſnow
*Enter King.*

*Quee.* Alaffe looke here my Lord.

*Oph.* Larded all with ſweete flowers,
Which bewept to the ground did not go,
With true loue ſhowers.

*King.* How do you pretty Lady?

*Oph.* VVell good dild you, they say the Owle was a Bakers
daughter, Lord we know what we are, but know not what wee
may be; God be at your table.

*King.*

Prince of Denmark.

*King.* Conceit vpon her Father.

*Oph.* Pray let's haue no words of this, but when they ask you
what it means, say you this.

To morrow is S. Valentines day,
All in the morning bedime,
And I mayd at your window
To be your Valentine.

Then vp he rose, and dond his close, and dupt the chamber doore.
Let in the maide, that out a maide, neuer departed more.

*King.* Pretty Ophelia.

*Oph.* Indeed without an oath I le make an end on't,
By gis and by Saint charity,
alack and ſie for ſhame,

Young men will doort if they come too't,
by Cock they are to blame.

Quoth she, before you tumbled me, you promised me to wed,
(He answers) So should I a done by yonder fun.

And thou hadst not come to my bed.

*King.* How long hath she beene thus?

*Oph.* I hope all will be well, we must be patient, but I cannot
chuse but weep to think they would lay him i'th cold ground, my
brother shall know of it, & so I thank you for your good counsel.
Come my Coach, God night Ladies, God night.

Sweet Ladies God night, God night.

*King.* Follow her close, giue her good watch I pray you.
O this is the poison of deep griefe, it springs all from her Fathers
death, and now behold, O Gertrard, Gertrard,

When ſorrowes come, they come not ſingle ſpies,
But in battalians: firſt her Father ſlaine,
Next, your ſonne gone, and he moſt violent Author
Of his owne iuſt remoue, the people muddied
Thick and vnwholſome in thoughts, and whispeſ
For good Polonius death: & we haue done but greenly

In hugger mugger to inter him: poore Ophelia
Divided from her ſelfe, and her faire iudgement,
Without the which we are pietures, or meere beaſts,
Left, and as much containing as all theſe,
Her brother is in ſecret come from France,
Feeds on this wonder, keeps him ſelfe in clouds,

K 2

And

## The Tragedie of Hamlet

And wants not buzzers to infect his care,
With peſtilent ſpeeches of his fathers death,

Wherein neceſſitie of matter beggerd,

Will nothing flick our perſon to arraigne

In care and care: O my deare Gertrard, this

Like to a Murdring-peece in many places

Gives me ſuperfluous death. A noife within.

Enter a Mefſenger.

King. Attend, where are my Swiſſers, let them guard the door,
VWhat is the matter?

Meffen. Saue your ſelfe my Lord!
The Ocean ouer-peering of his lift,

Eates not the flats with more impetuous haſt

Then young Laertes in a riotous head

Ore-beares your Officers: the rabble call him Lord,

And as the world were now but to begin,

Antiquitie forgot, cuſtome not knowne,

The ratifiers and props of every word,

The cry choose we, Laertes shall be King,

Caps, hands and tongues applau'd it to the clouds,

Laertes shall be King, Laertes King.

Quee. How cheerfully on the false traile they cry. A noife within.
O this is counter, you false Danish dogs.

Enter Laertes with others.

King. The doores are broke.

Laer. VWhere is this King ? first stand you all without.

All. No lets come in.

Laer. I pray you giue me leaue.

All. VVe will, we will.

Laer. I thanke you keepe the doore, O thou vile King,
Give me my father.

Quee. Calmely good Laertes.

Laer. That drop of blood that's calme proclaimes me Baſtard,
Cries%/cuckold to my father, brands the Harlot
Euen here between the chaſt vnſmerched brow
Of my true mother.

King. What is the cauſe Laertes

That thy rebellion lookes so Giant-like?

Let

## Prince of Denmark.

Let him goe Gertrard, do not feare our perſon,
Ther's ſuch diuinitie doth hedge a King,

That treaſon cannot peepe to what it would,

A certain little of his will, tell me Laertes

Why thou art thus incenſt, let him go Gertrard,
Speake man.

Laer. Where is my father?

King. Dead.

Quee. But not by him.

King. Let him demand his fill,

Laer. How came he dead? Ile not be iugled with,
To hell allegiance,owes to the blacke deuil,
Conſcience and grace, to the profounde pit
I dare damnation, to this point I ſtand,
That both the worlds I giue to negligence,
Let come what comes, onely Ile be reueng'd
Moft throughly for my father.

King. Who ſhall ſtay you ?

Laer. My will, not all the worlds :
And for my meanes Ile husband them ſo well,
They ſhall goe farre with little.

King. Good Laertes, if you deſire to know the certaintie
Of your deare father, i't writ in your reuenge,
That ſloop-ſtake, you will draw both friend and foe
Winner and looſer.

Laer. None but his enemies.

King. Will you know them then?

Laer. To his good friends thus wide Ile ope my armes,
And like the kind life-rendering Pelican,
Repaſt them with my bloud.

King. Why now you ſpeake
Like a good child and a true Gentleman.
That I am guiltleſſe of your fathers death,
And am moſt ſenſible in griefe for it,
It shall as leuell to your iudgement peare
As day does to your eie.

A noife within.

Enter Ophelia.

Laer. Let her come in.
How now what noife is that?

K 3

The Tragedie of Hamlet

O heate, dry vp my braines, teares seuen times salt
Burne out the fence and vertue of mine eye,
By heauen thy madnes shall be paid with weight
Till our scale turne the beame. O Rose of May,
Deere maid, kind fister, sweet Ophelia,
O Heauens, ift poffible a young maids wits
Should be as mortall as a poore mans life !

Ophe. They bore him bare-fac'd on the Beere,
And in his graue rain'd many a teare,
Fare you well my Doue.
Song.

Laer. Hadst thou thy wits, and did it perſwade reuenge
It could not mooue thus.

Ophe. You muſt ſing a downe, a downe,
And you call him a downe a. O how the wheele becomes it,
It is the falſe Steward that ſtole his Maſters Daughteŕ,

Laer. This nothing's more then matter.

Ophe. There's Roſemary, that for remembrance, pray you loue
remember, and there is Pancies, thats for thoughts.

Laer. A document in madnes, thoughts and remembrance fitted.

Ophe. There's Fennill for you, and Colembines, there's Rew for
you, and heere's ſome for mee, wee may call it herbe of Grace a
Sundayes, you may weare your Rew with a difference, there's a
Dafie, I would giue you ſome Violets, but they witherd all when
my Father died, they ſay a made a good end.
For bonny sweet Robin is all my joy.

Laer. Thought and affliCTIONS, paſſion, hell it ſelſe
She turnes to ſaurour and to prettineſſe.

Ophe. And will a not come againe,
And will a not come againe,
No, no, he is dead, go to thy death bed,
He neuer will come againe.
His beard was as white as snow,
Flaxen was his pole,
He is gone, he is gone, and we caſt away mone,
God a mercie on his ſoule, and all Chriſtians ſoules,
God buy yous.

Laer. Doe you this O God.

King. Laeries, I muſt commune with your griefe,
Or you deny me right, goe but a part,

Make

Prince of Denmarke.

Make choice of whom your wifſt friends you will,
And they ſhall heare and iudge twixt you and me,
If by direct or by collaturall hand
They find vs toucht, we will our Kingdome giue,
Our crowne, our life, and all that we call ours
To you in ſatisfaction; but if not,
Be you content to lend your patience to vs,
And we ſhall ioyntly labour with your ſoule
To giue it due content.

Laer. Let this be so,
His meanes of death, his obſcure ſunerall,
No Trophæ, Sword, nor Hatchment ore his bones,
No noble right, nor formall oftentation,
Cry to be heard as twere from heauen to earth,
That I muſt call't in question.

King. So you ſhall,
And where th' Offence is, let the great axe fall,
I pray you goe with me.

Enter Horatio and others.

Hora. What are they that would ſpeake with me?

Gen. Sea-faring men fir, they ſay they haue Letters for you.

Hora. Let them come in.

I do not know from what part of the world
I should be greeted. If not from Lord Hamlet.
Enter Saylors.

Say. God bleſſe you fir.

Hora. Let him bleſſe thee to.

Say. A ſhall fir and pleafe him, there's a Letter for you fir, it
came from the Embaſſador that was bound for England, if your
name be Horatio, as I am let to know it is.

Hor. Horatio, when thou ſhalt haue ouer-look't this, giue these
fellowes ſome meanes to the King, they haue Letters for him: Ere
we were two daies old at Sea, a Pirat of very warlike appoint-
ment gaue vs chase, finding our ſelues too flow of ſaile, we put on
a compelled valour, and in the grapple I boorded them, on the in-
ſtant they got cleere of our ship, ſo I alone became their prifoner,
they haue dealt with me like theeues of mercy, but they knew
what they did: I am to doe a turne for them, let the King haue the
Letters I haue ſent, and repaire thou to me with as much ſpeed
as thou wouldſt ſlie death. I haue words to ſpeake in thine eare
will.

The Tragedie of Hamlet

will make thee dumbe, yet are they much too light for the bord
of the matter, these good fellowes will bring thee where I am,
*Rosencraus and Guildersterne* hold their course for *England*, of them
I haue much to tell thee, farwell.

So that, *thou knowest* Hamlet.

Hora. Come I will make you way for these your Letters.
And doot the speedier that you may direct me
To him from whom you brought them.
Exeunt.

Enter King and Laertes.

King. Now must your confidence my acquittance scale,
And you must put me in your heart for friend,
Sith you haue heard and with a knowing eare,
That he which hath your noble father flaine
Purfued my life.

Laer. It well appears : but tell me
Why you proceed not againft these feates
So criminall and so capitall in nature,
As by your safetie, greatnesſe, wurdome, all things else,
You mainly were stirr'd vp.

King. O for two speciall reaſons

Which may to you perhaps seeme much vnſinnow'd,
But yet to me that's strong, the Queene his mother
Lives almost by his looks, and for my ſelfe,
My vertue or my plague, be it either which,
She is so concluie to my life and ſoule,
That as the ſtarre mooues not but in his Sphere
I could not but by her: the other motiue,
Why to a publike count I might not goe,
Is the great loue the generall gender beare him,
Who dipping all his faults in their affection,
Worke like the Spring that turneth wood to ſtone,
Conuert his Gines to graces, so that my arrowes
Too slightly timbered for so loued armes,
VWould haue reuerted to my bow againe,
But not where I haue aim'd them.

Laer. And so I haue a noble father loft,
A firſt druen into deſperate terms,
VVhoſe worth, if prais'd may goe backe againe

Stood

Prince of Denmark.

Stood challenger on mount of all the age
For her perfections, but my reuenge will come.

King. Breake not your sleepſ for that, you muſt not thinke
That we are made of fluffe, ſo flat and dull,
That we can let our beard be ſhooke with danger,
And thinke it pastime, you ſhortly ſhall heare more,
I lou'd your father, and we loue our ſelſe,
And that I hope will teach you to imagine.

Enter a Messenger with Letters.

Meffen. Theſe to your Maiefy, this to the Queene.

King. From Hamlet, who brought them?

Meffen. Sailers my Lord they ſay, I ſaw them not,
They were giuen me by Claudio, he receiued them
Of him that brought them.

King. Laertes you ſhall heare them : leauës.
High and mighty, you ſhall know I am ſet naked on your King-
dome, to morrow ſhall I beg leauë to ſee your Kingly cies, when
I ſhall, firſt asking you pardon, thereunto recount the occasion of
my ſudden returne.

King. What ſhould this meane, are all the reſt come backe,
Or is it ſome abuse, and no ſuch thing?

Laer. Know you the hand?

King. Tis Hamlets character. Naked,
And in a poſtscript here he faies alone,
Can you deuife me?

Laer. I am loft in it my Lord, but let him come,
It warmes the very ſickneſſe in my heart
That I lieu and tell him to his teeth,
Thus didſt thou.

King. If it be so Laertes,
As how ſhould it be so, how orherwife,
Will you be rul'd by me?

Laer. I my Lord, so you will not ore-rule me to a peace.
King. To thine owne peace, if he be now returned,
As liking not his Voyage, and that he meanes,
No more to vndertake it, I will worke him
To an exploite, now ripe in my deuife,
Vnder the which he ſhall not choose but fall :

L

And

The Tragedie of Hamlet

And for his death no wind of blame shall breathe,
But euen his mother shall vncharge the practice,
And call it accident.

Laer. My Lord I will be rul'd,
The rather if you could deuise it so
That I might be the organ.

King. It falls right,
You haue bin talkt of since your travel much,
And that in Hamlets hearing for a qualitie
Wherein they say you shine, your fumme of parts
Did not together plucke such enuie from him,
As did that one, and that in my regard
Of the vowworthiestliege.

Laer. What part is that my Lord?

King. A very riband in the cap of youth
Yet needfull too, for youth no lesse becomes
The light and carelesse liuerie that it weares
Then feled age, his fables, and his weeds
Importing health and grauenesse; two moneths since
Heere was a Gentleman of Normandie,
I haue seene my selfe, and seru'd against the French,
And they can well on horse-back, but this Gallant
Had witch-craft in't, he grew vnto his selfe,
And to such wondrous doing brought his horse,
As had he bin incorp'ft, and demy-natur'd
With the braue beaſt, so farre he topt me thought,
That I in forgerie of shapes and tricks
Come short of what he did.

Laer. A Norman waſt?

King. A Norman.

Laer. Vpon my life Lamord.

King. The very fame.

Laer. I know him, well he is the brooch indeed.
And Gemme of all the Nation.

King. He made confession of you,
And gaue you such a masterly report
For art and exercise in your defence,
And for your Rapier most especially,
That he crid out t'would be a fight indeed

If

Prince of Denmark

If one could match you; the Scrimers of their nation:
He were had neither motion, guard, nor eie,
If you oppos'd them; fir this report of his
Did Hamlet so enuenom with his enuie.
That he could nothing do, but wifh and beg
Your sodaine comming ore to play with you.
Now out of this.

Laer. What out of this my Lord?

King. Laertes was your father, deere to you?
Or are you like the painting of a sorrow,
A face without a heart?

Laer. Why aske you this?

King. Not that I think you did not loue your father,
But that I know, loue is begun by time,
And that I see in passages of proofe,
Time quallifies the sparke and fire of it,
There liues within the very flame of loue
A kind of weeke or smuffe that will abate it,
And nothing is at a like goodneſſe still,
For goodneſſe growing to a plurifie,
Dies in his owne too much, that we would doe
We should doe when we would : for this Would changes,
And haath abatements and delayes as many,
As there are tongues, are hands, are accidents,
And then this Should is like a ſpend-thrifts ſigh,
That hurts by eating; but to the quicke of thvicer,
Hamlets comes back what would you vndertake
To ſhew your ſelfe indeed your fathers ſonne
More then in words?

Laer. To cut his throat i'th Church.

King. No place indeed should murther ſanctuatize,
Reuenge should haue no bounds: but good Laertes
Will you do this, keepe close within your chamber
Hamlets return'd, shall know you are come home,
Weele put on those ſhall praisc your excellence,
And fer a double varnifh on the fame
The Frenchmangaue you:bring you in in fine together
And wager ore your heads; he being remiſſe,
Moſt generous, and free from all contriuing,

L a

Will

## The Tragedie of Hamlet

Will not peruse the foiles, so that with eafe,
Or with a little shuffling, you may choose
A Sword vnbated, and in a pace of practise,
Requite him for your father.

Laer. I will doo't,
And for the purpose, Ile annoint my Sword,
I bought an Vnction of a Mountebanke
So mortall, that but dip a Knife in it,
Where it drawes bloud, no Cataplasme so rare
Collected from all fimples that haue vertue
Vnder the Moone, can faue the thing from death
That is but scratcht with all, Ile touch my point
With this contagion, that if I gall him slightly, it may be death.

King. Lets further thinke of this.

Weigh what conueiance both of time and meanes
May fit vs to our shape if this should faile,
And that our drift looke through our bad performance,
Twere better not affayd. Therefore this proieст,
Should haue a backe or second that might hold
If this did blast in proofe; soft let me see,
Wee'le make a solemne wager on your cunnings,
I hau't, when in your motion you are hot and drie,
As make your bouts more violent to that end,
And that he cals for drinke, Ile haue preferd him
A Chalice for the once, whereon but fipping,
If he by chance eſcape your venom'd ſtuck,
Our purpose may hold there; but ſtay, what noife ?

### Enter Queene.

Quee. One woe doth tread vpon anothers heele,
So fall they follow; your fifters drownd Laertes.

Laer. Drown'd, O where ?

Quee. There is a Willow growes aſcaunt the Brook,
That showes his hoarie leaues in the glaſſe ſtreame,
There with fantastick garlands did she make
Of Crow-flowres, Nettles, Dafies, and long Purples
That liberall Shepherds giue a groſſer name,
But our culcold maids do dead mens fingers cal them
There on the pendant boughes her Coronet weeds

Clam-

## Prince of Denmark.

Clambring to hang, an enuious fluer broke
When downe her weedy trophæs and her ſelfe,
Fell in the weeping Brookc, her clothes spred wide,
And Mermaid-like a while they bore her vp,
VVhich time she chanted snatches of old lauds,
As one incapable of her owne diſtresse.
Or like a creature natüe and indewed
Vnto that element, but long it could not be
Till that her garments heauy with their drink,
Püld the poore wench from her melodious lay
To muddy death.

Laer. Alas! then is she drown'd.

Quee. Drown'd, drown'd.

Laer. Too much of water haſt thou poore Ophelia,
And therefore I forbid my teares; but yet
It is our trick, nature her custome holds,
Let ſhame how what it will, when theſe are gone,
The woman will be out. Adiew my Lord,
Ihaue a ſpeech a fire that faine would blaze,
But that this folly drownes it Exit.

King. Let's follow Gertrard,

How much I had to do to calme his rage,
Now feare I this will giue it start againe.

Therefore lets follow.

Exemn.

### Enter two Clownes.

Clown. Is she to be buried in Chriſtian burial, when she wilſually
feeks her owne ſaluation ?

Othe. I tell thee she is, therefore make her graue ſtraight, the
Crowner hath ſate on her, and finds it Chriſtian buriall.
Clow. How can that be, vnleſſe she drown'd her ſelfe in her own
defence.

Oth. Why tis found so,

Clow. It must be so offended, it cannot be else, for here lies the
point, if I drowne my ſelfe wittingly, it argues an act, and an act
hath three branches, it is to act, to do, to performe, or all; she
drown'd her ſelfe wittingly.

Oth. Nay, but here you good man deluer.

Clow. Giue me leaue, here lies the water, good, here stands the
man,

L 3

## The Tragedie of Hamlet

man, good, if the man goe to this water and drowne himselfe, it is
will he, nill he, he goes, marke you that, but if the water come to
him, and drowne him, he drownes not himselfe, argall, he that is
not guilty of his owne death shortens not his owne life.

Oth. But is this law?

Clow. I marry it, Crowners queft law.

Oth. Will you ha the truth an't, if this had not been a gentlewoman, she should haue bin buried out a Christian buriall.

Clow. Why there thou faist, and the more pity that great folke should haue countenance in this world to drowne or hang them-felues, more then their even Chriften: Come my spade, there is no ancient gentlemen but Gardners, Ditchers, and Graue-makers, they hold vp Adams profession.

Oth. Was he a gentleman?

Clow. A was the first that euuer bore armes.

Ile put another queftion to thee, if thou answerest me not to the
purpose, confesse thy selfe.

Oth. Go to.

Clow. What is he that builds stronger then either the Mason,
the Shipwright, or the Carpenter.

Oth. The gallowes-maker, for that out-lines a thousand tenants.

Clow. I like thy wit well in good faith, the gallowes dooes well,
but how does it well? It dooes well to those that do ill, now thou
dooft ill to say the gallowes is built stronger then the Church, ar-
gall, the gallowes may doe well to thee. Too't againe, come.

Oth. VVho builds stronger then a Mason, a Shipwright, or a
Carpenter.

Clow. I, tell me that and vnyoke.

Oth. Marry now I can tell.

Oth. Too't.

Clow. Masse I cannot tell.

Clow. Cudgel thy brains no more about it, for your dul affe wil
not mend his pace with beating, & when you are askt this queftiò
next, say a graue-maker, the houfes he makes lafts tel Doomday.
Goe get thee in and fetch me a slope of liquer.

In youth when I did loue did loue,

Me thought it was very sweet

To contract O the time for a my behoue,

O me thought there a was nothing a meet.

Enter

## Prince of Denmark.

Enter Hamlet and Horatio.

Ham. Has this fellow no feeling of his buſines? a ſings in grave-
making.

Hora. Cuffome hath made it in him a property of eafines.

Ha. Tis een so, the hand of little impleiment hath the daintier

Clow. But age with his ſtealing ſteps

Song.

(fence.

hath clawed me in his clutch,

And hath ſhipped me into the land,

as if I had neuer been ſuch.

Ham. That skull had a tongue in it, and could ſing once, how the
knaua iowles it to the ground, as ift were Cains iaw-bone, that
did the first murder : this might be the pate of a polititian, which
this Aſſe now ore-reaches ; one that would circumuent God,
might it not?

Hora. It might my Lord.

Ham. Or of a Courtier, which could ſay good morrow my
Lord: how doſt thou ſweet Lord? This might be my Lord ſuch
a one, that prais'd my Lord ſuch a ones horſe, when a meant to
beg it : might it not?

Hora. I my Lord.

Ha. Why een so, and now my Lady worms Chopley, and knocke
about the mazer with a Sextens spade ; heer's fine reuolution and
we had the tricke to see't, did these bones coſt no more the bree-
ding, but to play at loggits with them: mine ake to thinke on't.

Clow. A pickax and a spade a spade,

Song.

for and a ſhowding ſheet,

O a pit of Clay for to be made

for ſuch a queſt is meet.

Ha. There's another, why may not that be the skul of a Lawyer?
where be his quiddities now, his quillities, his caſes, his tenures,
and his tricks? why dooes he ſuffer this mad knaua now to knock
him about the ſconce with a dirty ſhouell, and will not tell him of
his actions of battery: hum, this fellow might be in's time a great
buyer of Land, with his Statutes, his recognifances, his fines, his
double vouchers, his recoueries, to haue his fine pate full of fine
durt : will vouchers vouch him no more of his purchoſes and
doubles, then the length and breadth of a payre of Indentures?
The very conueyances of his Lands will ſcarcely lye in this box,
and muſt th'inheritor himselfe haue no more ? ha.

Hora. Not a iot more my Lord.

Ham.

The Tragedie of Hamlet

Ham. Is not parchment made of sheep-skins?

Hora. I my Lord, and of Value-skins too.

Ham. They are Sheep and Calues which feeke out assurance in that, I will speake to this fellow. Whose graue's this firra?

Clow. Mine fir, or a pit of clay for to be made.

Ham. I thinke it thine indeed for thou lyest in't.

Clow. You lye out on't fir, and therefore tis not yours; for my part I do not lye in't, yet it is mine.

Ham. Thou doft lye in't to be in't and say it is thine, tis for the dead, not for the quick, therefore thou lyeft.

Clow. Tis a quick lye fir, twill away againe from me to you.

Ha. VWhat man doft thou dig it for?

Clow. For no man fir.

Ham. What woman then?

Clow. For none neither.

Ham. Who is to be buried in't?

Clow. One that was a woman fir, but reft her soule fhee's dead.

Ham. How abfolute the knaue is, we muft speak by the card or equiuocatió wil vndoo vs. By the Lord Horatio, this three yeres I haue took note of it, the age is grown so picked, that the toe of the pefant comes so neere the heele of the Courtier he galls his kybe. How long haft thou been a Graue-maker?

Clow. Of the daies i'th yeere I came too't that day that our laft King Hamlet ouercame Fortinbraffe.

Ham. How long is that since?

Clo. Cannot you tell that? euery foole can tell that, it was that very day that young Hamlet was borne: he that is mad and ſent into England.

Ham. I marry, why was he ſent into England?

Clo. Why because a was mad: a ſhall recouer his wits there, or if a doe not, tis no great matter there.

Ham. Why?

(as he.

Clow. Twill not bee ſene in him there, there are men as mad

Ham. How came he mad?

Clow. Very ſtrangely they ſay.

Ham. How ſtrangely?

Clow. Faith een with loofing his wits.

Ham. Upon what ground?

Clow. Why here in Denmark: I haue bin Sexton here man and boy thirty yeares.

Prince of Denmark

Ham. How long will a man lye i'th earth ere he rot?

Clow. Faith if a be not rotten before a dye, as we haue many pocky cosſes, that will ſcarce hold the laying in, a will laſt you ſome eight yeere, or mine yeere. A Tanner will laſt you nine yeare.

Ham. VWhy he more then another?

Clow. Why fir, his hide is ſo tand with his trade, that a will keep out water a great while; and your water is a ſore decayer of your whorſon dead body, heer's a ſcull now hath lyen you i'th earth

Ham. VVhoſe was it?

(twenty three yeares.

Clow. A whorſon mad fellowes it was, whose do you think it

Ham. Nay I know not.

( was ?

Clow. A peſtience on him for a mad rogue, a pourd a flagon of Reniſh on my head once; this fame skull fir, was fir Torick's skull, the Kings Iſter.

Ham. This?

Clow. Een that.

Ha. Als poore Toricke. I knew him Horatio, a fellow of ſinite iſt, of moſt excellent fancy, he hath bore me on his back a thouſand times, and now how abhorred in my imagination it is: my gorge rifes at it. Here hung thate lips that I haue kift I know not how oft: where be your gibes now ? your gamboles, your ſongs, your flashes of merriment, that were wont to ſet the table on a roare, not one now to mock your own grinning, quite chopſalne. Now get you to my Ladies table, and tell her, let her paint an inch thick, to this fauour ſhe muſt come, make her laught at that. Prethee Horatio tell me one thing.

Hora. VWhat's that my Lord?

Ha. Doſt thou think Alexander lookt a this fashion i'th earth?

Hora. Een ſo.

Ham. And ſmelt ſo: pah.

Hora. Een ſo my Lord.

Ham. To what baſe vſes we may returne Horatio? Why may not imagination trace the noble duſt of Alexander, till a find it flopping a bunghole?

Hora. I were to consider too curiously, to consider ſo.

Ha. No faith, not a iot, but to follow him thether with modety enough, and likelihood to lead it. Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander retourneth to duſt, the duſt is earth, of earth we make lome, & why of that lome whereto he was converted, might they

M

The Tragedie of Hamlet

They not stop a Beere-barrell?

Imperious Cefar dead, and turn'd to Clay,
Might stop a hole to keep the wind away.

O that that earth which keept the world in awe,
Sould patch a wall t'expell the waters flaw.

But soft, but soft; a while, here comes the King,
The Queen, the Courtiers, who is this they follow?

And with such maimed rites ? this doth betoken,
The corse they follow, did with defrate hand

Foredoo it owne life, 'twas of some estate,
Couch we a while and marke.

Laer. What Ceremony else ?

Ham. That is *Laertes* a very noble youh, make.

Laer. What Ceremony else ?

Doct. Her obsequies haue been as far inlarg'd

As we haue warranty, her death was doubtfull,
And but that great command ore-swayes the order.

She should in ground vnſanctified bin lodg'd

Till the last trumpet : for charitable prayers,

Flints and Peebles should be throwne on her :

Yet here she is allow'd her virgin Crants,

Her mayden strewments, and the bringing home

Of bell and buriall.

Laer. Muſt there no more be doone ?

Doct. No more be doone.

We should prophane the ſernice of the dead,

To ſing a Requiem and ſuch reſt to her

As to peace-parted ſoules.

Laer. Lay her i'th earth,

And from her faire and vnpolluted ſelect

May Violets ſpring : I tell thee churliſh Priest,

A miniftring Angell shall my ſitter be

When thou lyest howling.

Ham. What, the faire Ophelia.

Quee. Sweets to the sweet, farewell,

I hop't thou should'd haue bin my *Hamlets* wife,
I thought thy bride-bed to haue deckt sweet mayd,

And not haue strew'd thy graue.

Laer. O trebble woe

Fall

Prince of Denmark

Fall ten times double on that curled head,

Whose wicked deed thy moſtingenious ſence

Depriued thee of, hold off the earth a while,

Til I haue caught her once more in mine arms,

Now pile your duſt vpon the quick and dead,

Till of this flat a mountaine you haue made

To retop old Pelion, or the skyeſh head

Of blew Olympus.

Ham. What is he whose ſrieſe

Becares ſuch an Emphasis, whose ſhade of ſorrow

Coniures the wandring Stars, and makes them stand

Like wonder wounded hearers ? is I

Hamlet the Dane.

Laer. The Diuell take thy ſoule,

Ha. Thou pray't not well, I prethee take thy fingers

For though I am not ſpleenatiue rafh, (from my throat,

Yet haue I in me ſomething dangerous,

Which let thy wifdome ſeare; hold off thy hand ?

King. Pluck them alunder,

Quee. Hamlet, Hamlet.

All. Gentlemen.

Hora. Good my Lord be quiet.

Ham. Why I will fight with him vpon this theame

Vntill my eye-lids will no longer wagge,

Quee. O my ſonne, what theame ?

Ham. I lou'd Ophelia: forty thouſand brothers

Could not with all their quantity of loue

Make vp my ſum. What wilt thou doo for her.

King. O he is mad *Laertes*.

Quee. For loue of God forbeare him ?

Ham. S'wounds ſhew me what th'out doo :

Woo't weep, woo't fight, woo't faſt, woo't teare thy

Woo't drinke vp Eſill, eat a Crocadile

I'le doo't: dooſt come here to whine?

To out-face me with leaping in her graue,

Be buried quick with her, and so will I.

And if thou prate of mountaines, let them throw

Millions of Acres on vs, till our ground

Sinding his pate againſt the burning Zone

jM 2

Make

## The Tragedie of Hamlet

Make Offa like a wart, nay and thou'lt mouth,
Ile rant as well as thou.

*Quee.* This is meere madnesse,

And this a while the fit will worke on him,
Anon as patient as a female Doe.

When that her golden cuplets are disclosed
His silence will fit drooping.

*Ham.* Heare you fir,

What is the reason that you vse me thus?

I lou'd you euer, but it is no matter,

Let Hercules himselfe do what he may

The Cat will mew, a Dog will haue his day.

*Exit Hamlet,*

*King.* I pray thee good Horatio wait vpon him.

*and Horatio.*

Strengthen your patience in our last nights speech,
Weele put the matter to the present pasha:

Good Gertrard let some watch ouer your sonne,

This graue shall haue a living monument,

An houre of quiet thereby shall we see

Tell then in patience our proceeding be.

*Exeunt.*

*Enter Hamlet and Horatio.*

*Ha.* So much for this fir, now shall you see the other,

You do remember all the circumstance,

*Hor.* Remember it my Lord.

*Ham.* Sir in my heart there was a kind of fighting

That would not let me sleep, me thought I lay

Worfe then the mutines in the bilbo's, rafhly,

And praisd be rafines for it : let vs know,

Our indiscretion sometimes serves vs well

When our deep plots do fal, and that should learne vs

There's a divinity that shapes our ends,

Rough hew them how we will.

*Hora.* That is most certaine.

*Ham.* Vp from my Cabin,

My sea-gowne scarft about me in the darke

Gropt I to find out them, had my desire,

Fingard their packet, and in fine withdrew

To mine owne rooms againe making so bold

My

## Prince of Denmark.

My feares forgetting manners to vnfold

Their grand commission, where I found Horatio

A royall knaucry, an exact command

Larded with many feuerall sorts of reasons,

Importing Denmarks health, and Englands to,

With hoe such Bugs and Goblins in my life,

That on the superuise no leisure bated,

No not to stay the grinding of the Axe,

My head should be brooke off.

*Hora.* It is possible?

*Ham.* Here's the commission, read it at more leisure,
But wilt thou heare now how I did proceed?

*Hora.* I be eech you.

*Ham.* Being thus be-netted round with villaines,

Or I could make a Prologue to my braines,

They had begun the Play, I fat me downe,

Devis'd a new commission, wrote it faire,

I once did hold it as onr Statifts doe

A baseneſſe to write faire, and labourd much

How to forget that learning, but fir now

It did me yeomans ſeruice, wilt thou know

Th' effect of what I wrote?

*Hora.* I good my Lord.

*Ham.* An earnest coniuration from the King,

As England was his faithful Tributarie,

As loue between them like the Palme might florish,

As peace should fill her wheaten Garland weare.

And stand a Comma tweene their amities,

And many such like, as fir of great charge,

That on the view, and knowing of theſe contens,

Without debatement further more or leſſe

He should those bearers put to sudden death,

Not ſhriuing time allow'd.

*Hora.* How was this feald?

*Ham.* Why euen in that was Heauen ordinance,

I had my fathers ſignet in my purſe

Which was the modell of that Danſh ſeale,

Folded the writ vp in the forme of th'other,

Subſcrib'd it, gau't th' impreſſion, plac'd it safely,

M 3.

The

The Tragedie of Hamlet

The changling neuer knowne: now the next day
Was our Sea-fight, and what to this was sequent
Thou knowest already,

Hora, So Guyldensterne and Rosencraws go too't.

Ham. They are not neer my conscience; their defeat
Does by their owne infinuation grow,
Tis dangerous when the bafer nature comes
Betweene the paffe and fell incensed points
Of mightie Oppofites.

Hora. Why what a King is this!

Ham. Does it not think thee stand me now vpon?
He that hath kild my King, and whor'd my mother,
Pop't in betweene the election and my hopes,
Throwne out his Angle for my proper life,
And with such cosnage, it not perfect conscience?

Enter a Courtier.

Cour. Your Lordship is right welcome backe to Denmark.

Ham. I humbly thanke you fir,

Doo't know this Water-flie?

Hora. No my good Lord.

Ham. Thy flate is the more gracious, for tis a vice to know
him, He hath much land and fertil: let a beaſt be Lord of beaſts,
and his Crib shall stand at the Kings mesſe, tis a chough, but as I
lay, spacious in the poſſession of durt.

Cour. Sweet Lord, if your Lordſhip were at leifure, I should
impart a thing to you from his Maiety.

Ham. I will receiue it fir with all diligence of ſpirit, your bon-
net to his right vſe, tis for the head.

Cour. I thanke your Lordſhip, it is very hot.

Ham. No beleeue me, tis very cold, the wind is Northerly.

Cour. It is indifferent cold my Lord indeed.

Ham. But yet me thinks it is very ſoultry and hot, or my com-
plexion.

Cour. Exceedingly my Lord, it is very ſoultry. as t'were I can-
not tell how : my Lord his Maiety bad me ſigniſc to you, that a
has layed a great wager on your head, fir this is the matter.

Ham. I beſeech you remember.

Cour. Nay good my Lord for my eafe in good faith, fir here is
newly come to Court Laertes, beleeue mee an absolute Gentle-
man,

Prince of Denmarkke.

man, full of moſt excellent differences, of very ſoft ſocietie,
and great ſhowing indeed to ſpeake feelingly of him, he is the
Card or Kalender of Gentrie : for you ſhall find in him the conti-
nent of what part a Gentleman would ſee.

Ham. Sir, his deſinement ſuffers no perdition in you, though I
know to diuide him inuentorially, would dizzie th'arithmetick
of memorie, and yet but raw neither, in reſpect of his quick ſaile,
but in the verity of extolment, I take him to be a ſoule of great ar-
ticle, and his infuſion of ſuch dearth and rareneſſe, as to make true
dixion of him, his ſemblable is his mirrour, and who els would
trace him, his vmbrage, nothing more.

Cour. Your Lordſhip ſpeakes moſt infallibly of him.

Ham. The concernancy fir, why do we wrap the Gentleman in
our morawer breath?

Cour. Sir.

Hora. Iſt not poſſible to vnderſtand in another tongue, you will
doo't fir really.

Ham. What imports the nomination of this Gentleman?

Cour. Of Laertes.

Hora. His purſe is empty already, all's golden words are ſpent.

Ham. Of him fir.

Cour. I know you are not ignorant.

Ham. I would you did fir, yet in faith if you did, it would, not
much approue me, well fir.

Cour. You are ignorant of what excellence Laertes is.

Ham. I dare not ſonſeſſe that, leaſt I should compare with him
in excellence, but to know a man well, were to know himſelfe.

Cour. I meane fir for this weapon, but in the imputation laid
on him by them in his meed, he's vnſollowed.

Ham. What's his weapon?

Cour. Rapiar and Dagger.

Ham. That's two of his weapons, but well.

Cour. The King fir hath wagerd with him ſix Barbary horſes
againſt the which he has impaund as I take it ſix French Rapiers
and Poinards, with their aſſignes, as girdle, hanger and ſo. Three
of the carriages in faith, are very deare to fancie, very reſponſiue
to the hilts, moſt delicate carriages, and of very liberall conceit.

Ham. What call you the carriages?

Hora. I knew you muſt be edified by the margent ere you had
done.

## The Tragedie of Hamlet

Cour. The carriage fir are the hangers.

Ham. The phrase would be more German to the matter if we could carry a Canon by our sides, I would it might bee hangers till then, but on, fix Barbary horSES against fix French Swords their affignes, and three liberall conceited carriages, that's the French bet against the Danilb, why is this all you call it?

Cour. The King fir, hath laid fir, that in a dozen paffes betweene your felfe and him, he shall not exceed you three hits, he hath laid on twelve for nine, and it would come to immediate triall, if your Lordship would vouchsafe the anſwere.

Ham. How if I anſwere no?

Cour. I meane my Lord the oppofition of your perſon in trial.

Ham. Sir I will walke heere in the hall, If it please his Maiſety, it is the breathing time of day with me, let the foiles be brought, the Gentleman willing, and the King hold his purpofe; I will win for him and I can, if not I will gaine nothing but my ſhame, and the odde hits.

Cour. Shall I deliuer you ſo?

Ham. To this effect fir, after what florish your nature will.

Cour. I commend my dutie to your Lordship.

Ham. Yours doo's well to commend it himſelfe, there are no tongues eſſe for his turne.

Hora. This Lapwing runs away with the ſhell on his head.

Ham. A did ſo fir with his dugge before a fuckt it, thus has he and many more of the ſame breed that I know the droſſe age dotes on, onely got the tune of the time, and out of an habit of encounter, a kind of miſtie collection, which carries them through and through the moſt profane and trennowned opinions, and doe but blow them to their triall, the bubbles are out.

Enter a Lord.

Lord. My Lord, his Maiſtie commended him to you by yong Oſtrickes, who brings back to him that you attend him in the hall, he funds to know if your pleasure hold to play with Laertes, or that you will take longer time?

Ham. I am conſtant to my purpofes, they follow the Kings pleasure, if his fitneſſe ſpeakes, mine is ready; now or when ſoefuer, prouided I be ſo able as now.

Lord,

## Prince of Denmark.

Lord. The King and Queene and all are comming downe.

Ham. In happy time.

Lord. The Queene deſires you to vſe some gentle entertainment to Laertes, before you go to play.

Ham. Shee well inſtructs me.

Hora. You will loose my Lord.

Ham. I do not think ſo, ſince he went into France, I haue bin in continuall practice, I ſhall winne at the odds; thou wouldst not thinke how ill all's heere about my heart, but it is no matter.

Hora. Nay good my Lord.

Ham. It is but foolerie, but it is ſuch a kind of game-giuing, as would perhaps trouble a woman.

Hora. If your mind diſlike any thing, obay it. I ſhall forestall their repaire hither and ſay you are not fit.

Ham. Not a whit we deſie Augurie, there is ſpeciall prouidence in the fall of a Sparrow, if it bee, tis not to come, if it bee not to come, it will be now, if it be not now, yet it will come, the readi- neſſe is all, ſince no man of ought he leaues, knowes what it to leaue betimes, let be.

A table prepared, Trumpets, Drums and Officers with Cuffions, King, Queene, and all the flate, Foiles, Daggers, and Laertes.

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

Ham. Giue me your pardon fir, I haue done you wrong. But pardon't as you are a Gentleman, this preſence knowes, And you muſt needs haue heard, how I am puniſt.

With a ſore diſtraction: what I haue done.

That might your nature, honour, and exception.

Roughly awake I heere proclaime was madneſſe, Wailt Hamlet wronged Laertes? neuer Hamlet,

If Hamlet from himſelfe be tane away,

And when he's not himſelfe, doe's wrong Laertes.

Then Hamlet doe's it not, Hamlet denies it,

Who does it then? his madneſſe. If it be so,

Hamlet is of the faſtion that is wronged,

His madneſſe is poore Hamlets enemie,

Let my diſclaiming from a purpòs'd euill,

Free me ſo farre in your moſt generous thoughts

That Ihaue ſhot my Arrow ore the houſe

N

And

The Tragedie of Hamlet

And hurt my brother.

Laer. I am satisfied in nature,
Whose motive in this cafe should flirre me most
To my reuenge, but in my tearmes of honor
I fland aloofe, and will no reconcilement,
Till by some elder Masters of knowne honour
I haue a voice and preſident of peace
To my name vngor'd: but all that time
I doe receine your offered loue, like loue,
And will not wrong it.

Ham. I imbrace it freely, and will this brothers wager
frankly play.

Giu vs the Foiles.

Laer. Come, one for me.

Ham. Ile be your foile Laertes, in mine ignorance
Your skill shall like a starre i'th darkeſt night
Stick fiery of indeed.

Laer. You mock me fir.

Ham. No by this hand.

King. Give them the foiles yong Oſtrick, colin Ham.

You know the wager.

Ham. Very well my Lord.

Your Grace has laid the oddes a'th weaker ſide.

King. I doe not feare it, I haue ſene you both,
But ſince he is better, we haue therefore oddes.

Laer. This is to heauy: let me see another.

Ham. This likes me well, these foiles haue all a length.

Oſtr. I my good Lord.

King. Set me the Stoops of wine vpon the table,
If Hamlet giue the firſt or ſecond hit,
Or quit in anſwer of the third exchange,
Let all the battlements their Ordnance fire.
The King ſhall drinke to Hamlets better breath,
And in the cup an Onix ſhall he throw,
Richer then that which ſoure ſuſeſſue Kings
In Denmarkes Crowne haue worne: giue me the cups,
And let the Kettle to the Trumpet ſpeake,
The Trumpet to the Cannoneere without,
The Canons to the Heauens, the Heauens to Earth,

Now

Prince of Denmarkke.

Now the King drinkes to Hamlet, come begin.
And you the Iudges beare a warie eye.

Trumpets
the while.

Ham. Come on fir.

Laer. Come my Lord.

Ham. One.

Laer. No.

Ham. Iudgement.

Oſtr. A hit, a very palpable hit.

Drum, Trumpets and ſtoot.

Laer. Well, againe.

Flourish, a Peece goes off.

King. Stay, giue me drink, Hamlet this Pearle is thine.

Heere's to thy health, giue him the cup.

Ham. Ile play this bout firſt, fet it by a while

Come, another hit.

What say you?

Laer. I doe conſeſt.

King. Our ſonne shall winne.

Quee. He's fat and ſcant of breath.

Heere Hamlet take my napkin rub thy browes,
The Queene carowles to thy fortune Hamlet.

Ham. Good Madam.

King. Gertrard, doe not drinke.

Quee. I will my Lord, I pray you pardon me.

King. It is the poſhed cup, it is too late.

Ham. I dare not drinke yet Madam, by and by.

Quee. Come, let me wipe thy face.

Laer. My Lord, Ile hit him now.

King. I doe not think't.

Laer. And yet it is almost againſt my confidence,

Ham. Come for the third Laertes, you doe but dally.

I pray you paffe with your beſt violence

I am ſure you make a wanton of me

Laer. Say you so come on.

Oſtr. Nothing neither way.

Laer. Haue at you now.

King. Part them, they are incenſt.

Ham. Nay come againe.

Oſtr. Looke to the Queene there hoe.

Hora. They bleed on both ſides, how is it my Lord?

Oſtr. How iſt Laertes?

Laer. Why as a Woodcock to mine owne ſpringe. Oſtrick

N 2

1

The Tragedie of Hamlet

I am iustly kild with mine owne treachery.

Ham. How does the Queene?

King. She sounds to see them bleed.

Quee. No, no, the drink, the drink, O my deare Ham,

The drink, the drink, I am poyfned.

Ham. O villaine! hoe let the dore be lock't,
Treachery, seek it out.

Laer. It is here Hamlet thou art flaine,

No medecine in the world can do thee good,

In thee there is not halfe an hour's life.

The treacherous instrument is in my hand.

Vubated and enuenom'd, the foule practice

Hath turn'd it selfe on me, loe here I lye

Neuer to rife againe : thy mother's poyfned,

I am no more, the King, the Kings too blame.

Ha. The point enuenom'd to, then venom to thy work

All. Treason, treason.

King. O yet defend me friends, I am but hurt.

Ham. Here thou incestious damned Dane,

Drink of this potion, is the Onixe here ?

Follow my mother.

Laer. He is iustly ferued, it is a poison temperd by him-
Exchange forgiueneſſe with me noble Hamlet, (ſelfe
Mine and my fathers death come not vpon thee,
Nor thine on me.

Ham. Heauen make thee free of it, I follow thee ;

I am dead Horatio, wretched Queene adiew.

You that looke pale and tremble at this chance,

That are but mutes, or audience to this act,

Had I but time as this fell Sergeant Death

Is striet in his arreſt. O I could tell you !

But let it be ; Horatio I am dead,

Thou liueſt, I report me and my cauſe aright

To the vnſatisfied.

Hora. Neuer beleue it ;

I am more an antike Roman then a Dane,

Heer's yet ſome liquor left.

Ham. As th'art a man

Giue me the cup, let goe, by heauen Ile hate,

O

Prince of Denmark,

O God Horatio! what a wounded name

Things standing thus vnknowne, I shall I leaue behind me?

If thou didst euer hold me in thy heart,

Absent thee from felicity a while,

And in this harſh world draw thy breath in paine

To tell my ſtory : what warlike noise is this?

A march a
farre off.

Enter Oſtrick.

Ofr. Young Fortinbraſſe with conqueſt come from Poland,
Th'Embaffadors of England giues this warlike volly.

Ham. O I die Horatio,

The potent poyſon quite ore-growes my ſpirit,
I cannot liue to heare the newes from England,

But I do propheſe the election lights

On Fortinbraſſe, he has my dying voyce,

So tell him with th'occurrants more and leſſe

Which haue ſolicited, the reſt is ſilence.

Hora. Now cracks a noble heart, good night SWEET
And flight of Angels ſinge thee to thy reſt. (Prince,

Why dooes the drum come hether ?

Enter Fortinbraſſe, with the Embaffadors.

Fortin. Where is this fight ?

Hora. VVhat is it you would ſee ?

If ought of woe, or wonder, ceaſe your ſearch.

Fortin. This quarry cries on hauock, O proud death

What feaſt is toward in thine eternall cell,

That thou ſo many Princes at a ſhot

So bloudily haſt ſtrooke ?

Embas. The fight is diſmall

And our affaires from England come too late,

The eares are ſenceleſſe that ſhould giue vs hearing,

To tell him his commandement is fulfill'd,

That Rosencraus and Guyldenſterne are dead,

Where ſhould we haue our thanks ?

Hora. Not from his mouth

Had it th'ability of life to thanke you ;

He neuer gaue commandement for their death ;

But ſince I oump vpon this bloody question

N 3

You

The Tragedie of Hamlet

You from the Pollock warres, and you from England

Are here arriued, giue order that these bodies.

High on a stage be placed so the view,

And let me speak, to th'yet vnknowing world

How these things came about; so shall you heare

Of cruell, bloody and vnnaturall acts.

Of accidentall judgements, cauall floughters,

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

And in this vpshot, purpofes miftooke,

Fale on the Inuenters heads: all this can I

Truly deliver.

Fort. Let vs haft to heare it,
And call the nobleft to the audience,

For me with sorrow I embrace my fortune,

I haue some rights of memory in this Kingdome,

Which now to cleime my vantage doth inuite me.

Hora. Of that I shall haue alio caufe to speake,
And from his mouth, whole voice wil draw no more,
But let this fame be presently perform'd
Even while mens minde are wilde, leaft more mif-

On plots and errors happen.

chance

Fort. Let foure Captaines

Beare Hamlet like a Souldier to the stage,

For he was likely, had he been put on,

To haue proued moft royall; and for his paſſage,

The Souldiers muſick and the right of warre

Speake loudly for him:

Take vp the bodies, such a fight as this,

Becomes the field, but here ſhowes much amiffe.

Goe bid the Souldiers shoot.

Exemns.

F. IN. I. S.