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Preface

1. The earliest edition of HAMLET appeared in 1603, with the following title-page:

THE | Tragicall Historie of | HAMLET | Prince of Denmarke | By William Shake-speare. | As it hath beene diuerse times acted by his Highnesse ser-| uants in the Cittie of London: as also in the two V-| niuersities of Cambridge and Oxford, and else-where | At London printed for N: L. and Iohn Trundell. | 1603.

We refer to it as (Q₁).

A copy of this edition belonged to Sir Thomas Hanmer, though he does not appear to have mentioned it in his notes to Shakespeare or in his correspondence, and its existence was not known till his library came into the possession of Sir E. H. Bunbury in 1821. In a copy of the Reprint of 1825, now at Barton, Sir E. H. Bunbury wrote the following note:

'The only copy of this edition of Hamlet (1603) which is known to be in existence was found by me in the Library at Barton when it came into my possession in 1821. The Hamlet was bound up with ten others of the small 4to editions of Shakespeare's Plays (1598 to 1603) and with The Two Noble Kinsmen (1634). Most of these were complete. I sold the volume in Dec. 1824 for £180 to Messrs Payne and Foss, who resold it to the Duke of Devonshire for £230.'

This copy wanted the last leaf containing the 22 concluding lines. A second copy, wanting the title-page but otherwise perfect, was discovered in 1856 by Mr W. H. Rooney of Dublin. 'It was bought,' says Mr Timmins, 'by Mr Rooney from a student of Trinity College, Dublin, who had brought it from Nottinghamshire with his other books. After reprinting the last leaf, Mr Rooney sold the pamphlet to Mr Boone for £70, from whom Mr J. O. Halliwell bought it for £120, and it is now in the British Museum.'

We have reprinted this edition, and recorded in foot-notes the few discrepancies which are found between the two copies.

An extremely accurate reprint was made from the Devonshire copy in 1825, and it was lithographed in facsimile, with the addition of the missing leaf, in 1858, under the direction of Mr Collier and at the expense of the Duke. In 1860 Mr J. Allen, Junr., reprinted this edition and the Quarto of 1604, placing the corresponding passages as nearly as possible on opposite pages, with a preface by Mr Samuel Timmins.

The edition of 1603 is obviously a very imperfect reproduction of the play, and there is every reason to believe that it was printed from a manuscript surreptitiously obtained. This manuscript may have been compiled in the first instance from short hand notes taken during the representation, but there are many errors in the printed text which seem like errors of a copyist rather than of a hearer. Compare for example lines 37, 38 of Scene III. of our Reprint, p. 205, with the corresponding lines of the more perfect drama as it was printed in the Quarto of 1604, Act I. Scene 3, lines 73, 74, p. 26.

In the Quarto of 1603 the passage runs thus:

And they of France of the chiefe rancke and station Are of a most select and generall chiefe in that:

In that of 1604:

'And they in Fraunce of the best ranck and station, Or of a most select and generous, chiefe in that:'

It is clear that the corruption in both passages is due to an error in the transcript from which both were copied. Probably the author had originally written:

'And they in France of the best rank and station Are most select and generous in that:'

and then given between the lines or in the margin, 'of,' 'chief', meaning these as alternative readings for 'in' and 'best' in the first line. The transcriber by mistake inserted them in the second line. A few lines above both Quartos give 'courage' for 'comrade,' a mistake due undoubtedly to the eye and not to the ear.

We believe then that the defects of the manuscript from which the Quarto of 1603 was printed had been in part at least supplemented by a reference to the authentic copy in the library of the theatre. Very probably the man employed for this purpose was some inferior actor or servant, who would necessarily work in haste and by stealth, and in any case would not be likely to work very conscientiously for the printer or bookseller who was paying him to deceive his masters.

The Quarto of 1604, which we call Q₂, has the following title-page:

THE | Tragicall Historie of | HAMLET, | Prince of Denmarke. | By William Shakespeare. | Newly imprinted and enlarged to almost as much | againe as it was, according to the true and perfect | Coppie. | AT LONDON, | Printed by I. R. for N. L. and are to be sold at his | shoppe vnder Saint Dunstons Church in | Fleetstreet. 1604.

The printer 'I. R.' was no doubt, as Mr Collier says, James Roberts, who had made an entry in the books of the Stationers' company as early as July 26, 1602, of 'A booke, The Revenge of Hamlett prince of Denmarke, as yt was latelie acted by the Lord Chamberleyn his servantes.'

For some unknown reason the projected edition was delayed, and in the mean time the popularity of the play encouraged N. L., i.e. Nicholas Ling, and the other publisher, Trundell, to undertake a surreptitious edition.

In the interval between the two editions Shakespeare seems to have changed the names of some of his Dramatis Personæ, substituting 'Polonius' for 'Corambis' and 'Reynaldo' for 'Montano.' He may also have changed the order of one or two scenes, and here and there erased or inserted a few lines, but we think that no substantial change was made, and that the chief differences between (Q₁) and Q₂ are only such as might be expected between a bona fide, and a mala fide, transcription.

The Quarto of 1605, which we call Q₃, is not, properly speaking, a new edition, being printed from the same forms as Q₂, and differing from it no more than one copy of the same edition may differ from another. The title-page differs only in the date, where 1605 is substituted for 1604.

Another Quarto, our Q₄, printed in 1611, bears a title-page which does not substantially differ from that of Q₃, except that it is said to be:

'Printed for Iohn Smethwicke, and are to be sold at his shoppe | in Saint Dunstons Church-yeard in Fleetstreet. | Under the Diall. 1611. |'

Another Quarto, without date, is said on the title-page to be 'Newly imprinted and inlarged, according to the true | and perfect Copy lastly Printed,' and to be 'Printed by W. S. for Iohn Smethwicke.' Otherwise the title-page is identical with that of Q₄. Mr Collier supposes this undated Quarto to have been printed in 1607, because there is an entry in the Stationers' books of that year and no edition with that date is known to exist. We are convinced however that the undated Quarto was printed from that of 1611, and we have therefore called it Q₅.

Another Quarto, printed 'by R. Young for John Smethwicke,' was published in 1637. This we call Q₆. It is printed from Q₅, though the spelling is considerably modernized and the punctuation amended.

The symbol Qq signifies the agreement of Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅ and Q₆.

Besides these, several editions, usually known as Players' Quartos, were printed at the end of the seventeenth and beginning of the following century. Of these we have had before us during our collation, editions of 1676, 1685, 1695 and 1703. These we call respectively Q(1676), Q(1685), Q(1695) and Q(1703). We have given all readings which seemed in any way remarkable, though we need scarcely say that the changes made in these editions have no authority whatever. It is however worthy of notice that many emendations usually attributed to Rowe and Pope are really derived from one or other of these Players' Quartos. When we give a reading as belonging to one of these Quartos, it is to be understood that it occurs there for the first time and that all the subsequent Quartos adopt it.

The text of Hamlet given in the Folio of 1623 is not derived from any of the previously existing Quartos, but from an independent manuscript. Many passages are found in the Folio which do not appear in any of the Quartos. On the other hand many passages found in the Quartos are not found in the Folio. It is to be remarked that several of those which appear in the Folio and not in the Quarto of 1604 or its successors, are found in an imperfect form in the Quarto of 1603, and therefore are not subsequent additions. Both the Quarto text of 1604 and the Folio text of 1623 seem to have been derived from manuscripts of the play curtailed, and curtailed differently, for purposes of representation. Therefore in giving in our text all the passages from both Folio and Quarto we are reproducing, as near as may be, the work as it was originally written by Shakespeare, or rather as finally retouched by him after the spurious edition of 1603.

We have been unable to procure a copy of the Quarto edition of this play, edited in 1703 by 'the accurate Mr John Hughs' (Theobald's Shakespeare Restored, p. 26), and have therefore quoted the readings of it on Theobald's authority. It is different from the Players' Quarto of 1703, and is not mentioned in Bohn's edition of Lowndes's Bibliographer's Manual. No copy of it exists in the British Museum, the Bodleian, the library of the Duke of Devonshire, the Capell collection, or any other to which we have had access.

We have to thank Dr C. M. Ingleby for the loan of several editions of Hamlet which we should otherwise have had difficulty in procuring.

2. KING LEAR first appeared in 1608. In this year there were two editions in Quarto. One bears the following title:

M. William Shakespeare, | HIS | True Chronicle History of the life | and death of King Lear, and his | three Daughters. | With the unfortunate life of EDGAR, | sonne and heire to the Earle of Glocester, and | his sullen and assumed humour of TOM | of Bedlam. | As it was plaid before the Kings Maiesty at White-Hall, vp- | on S. Stephens night, in Christmas Hollidaies. | By his Maiesties Seruants, playing vsually at the | Globe on the Banck-side. | Printed for Nathaniel Butter. | 1608. |

The printer's device is that of J. Roberts.

This we have called Q₁. In the few instances in which there are differences between Capell's copy and that in the Duke of Devonshire's library, we have distinguished the readings as those of Q₁ (Cap.) and Q₁ (Dev.) respectively. Through the kindness of Sir S. Morton Peto and Mr Lilly, we have been enabled to collate two other copies, but without discovering any variations from that in the Capell collection.

In the same year another Quarto edition of this play was issued by the same publisher. Its title is as follows:

M. William Shak-speare: | HIS | True Chronicle Historie of the life and | death of King LEAR and his three | Daughters. | With the vnfortunate life of Edgar, sonne | and heire to the Earle of Gloster, and his | sullen and assumed humor of | TOM of Bedlam: | As it was played before the Kings Maiestie at Whitehall vpon | S. Stephans night in Christmas Hollidayes. | By his Maiesties seruants playing vsually at the Gloabe | on the Bancke-side. | LONDON,| Printed for Nathaniel Butter, and are to be sold at his shop in Pauls | Church-yard at the signe of the Pide Bull neere | Sᵗ. Austins Gate. 1608. |

We have called this Q₂. In the six copies we have collated there are a large number of very curious and important variations. To distinguish them we have made use of the following notation.

1. Q₂ (Cap.) The copy in Capell's collection.

2. Q₂ (Dev.) The copy in the Library of the Duke of Devonshire.

3. Q₂ (Mus. per.) A perfect copy in the British Museum (C. 34. K. 18).

4. Q₂ (Mus. imp.) An imperfect copy (wanting title) in the British Museum (C. 34. K. 17); formerly in the possession of Mr Halliwell.

5. Q₂ (Bodl. 1). A copy in the Bodleian Library (Malone 35), with the title, but wanting the last leaf.

6. Q₂ (Bodl. 2). A copy in the Bodleian Library (Malone 37), wanting title but having the last leaf.

It has been supposed in consequence of statements made by Malone and Boswell that a third edition of King Lear was published in 1608. We shall show that there is no evidence for this. In the Variorum Shakespeare (II. 652), edited by Boswell in 1821, three Quartos are described, which are distinguished in the notes to the play by the letters A, B, C, respectively. The first of these is a copy of Q₂, quoted by us as Q₂ (Bodl. 1); the second is a copy of Q₁; and the third, which is in reality another copy of Q₂ and is quoted by us as Q₂ (Bodl. 2), is described as follows:

"Title the same as the two former, except that like the first it begins at signature B: and like the second, has no reference to the place of sale."

This statement of Boswell's is taken from a note in Malone's handwriting prefixed to the copy in question, which we transcribe.

"This copy of King Lear differs in some particulars from the two others in Vol. IV.

"The title-page of it is the same as the second of those copies, that is, it has no direction to the place of sale, and the first signat. is B,--notwithstanding which there are minute diversities; thus, in this copy in H₃ verso, we have 'A foole vsurps my bed'; in the other whose first signature is also B, we find--'My foote usurps my body', and in the copy without any direction to the place of sale (whose first signature is A) 'My foote usurps my head'."

Now it is a little remarkable that at present the copy has no title-page at all, and there is no trace of the title-page having been removed since the volume has been in its present condition. The probability is that the title was originally wanting and that one had been supplied from a copy of Q₁ before it came into Malone's hands, and that while it was in this condition he wrote the above note upon it. It was then sent to be bound in a volume with other quartos, and the title may have been lost at the binder's, or may have been intentionally removed as not belonging to the book. That alterations were made by the binder is evident from the fact that the copy to which Malone refers as the second of those in Vol. IV. is in reality the first. Malone, writing his note when Vol. IV. was arranged for binding, described the then order of the plays, which must afterwards have been altered. In any case, however Malone's statement is to be accounted for, it is quite clear that Boswell must have described the Quarto after it was bound, when the title could not have existed.

We have said that Boswell quotes the three Quartos of Lear, now in the Bodleian, by the letters A, B, C, respectively. In doing so, however, he is not consistent. We record his mistakes that others may not be misled by them. Bearing in mind therefore that A = Q₂ (Bodl. 1), B = Q₁, and C = Q₂ (Bodl. 2), we find in Act II. Scene 2 (Vol. X. p. 97) 'Quarto B, ausrent; Quarto A, reads unreverent.' Here B and A should change places. In Act III. Scene 7 (p. 188), 'Quarto A omits roguish:' for A read C. In Act IV. Scene 2 (p. 199), for 'Quartos B and C, the whistling,' read 'Quarto C' alone. In Act IV. Scene 6 (p. 220) B and A should again be interchanged. In Act V. Scene 3 (p. 277), 'Quarto A omits this line'; for A read B. It will be seen from these instances that A has been in turn made to represent three different copies.

The differences in various copies of Q₂ are accounted for by supposing that the corrections were made before the sheets were all worked off, and that the corrected and uncorrected sheets were bound up indiscriminately. It will be observed that the readings of the uncorrected sheets of Q₂ agree for the most part with those of Q₁, and this led us to the conclusion which had previously been arrived at by Capell and also by J. P. Kemble, that the edition which we have called Q₁ was the earlier of the two printed in the same year. But upon collating a copy of Q₂ in the Bodleian, which we have called Q₂ (Bodl. 1), we found evidence which points to an opposite conclusion. In Kent's soliloquy (II. 2. 160) that copy, as will be seen in our notes, reads,

nothing almost sees my rackles But miserie, &c.

which of course is an accidental corruption, by displacement of the type, of 'myrackles' (i.e. 'miracles') the true reading. In the corrected copies of Q₂ this is altered, apparently by the printer's conjecture, to 'my wracke', which is also the reading of Q₁. Throughout the sheet in which this occurs the readings of Q₁ agree with the corrected copies of Q₂, and had it not been for the instance quoted, we might have supposed that the corrections in the latter were made from Q₁. But the corruption 'my rackles' for 'miracles' must have come from the original MS., and 'my wracke' is only a conjectural emendation, so that the order of succession in this sheet at least appears to be the following. First the uncorrected copy of Q₂, then the same corrected, and lastly Q₁. On the other hand it is remarkable that Q₁, if printed from Q₂ at all, must have been printed from a copy made up, with the exception just mentioned from II. 1. 128 to II. 4. 133, and another containing from IV. 6. 224 to V. 3. 64, of uncorrected sheets. Another hypothesis which might be made is that Q₁ and Q₂ were printed from the same manuscript, and that the printer of Q₁ corrupted 'miracles' into 'my wracke', while the printer of Q₂ made it 'my rackles', which was afterwards altered by a reference to Q₁. The question, however, is very difficult to decide, and at most is one rather of bibliographical curiosity than of critical importance. We may mention that, without giving the reasons for his conclusion, Jennens, in his edition of Lear in 1770, quotes as the 1st Quarto that which we have called Q₂ and vice versa.

A third Quarto, which we have called Q₃, was printed very carelessly page for page from Q₁ and published in 1655.

In the first Folio King Lear was printed from an independent manuscript, and its text is on the whole much superior to that of the Quartos. Each however supplies passages which are wanting in the other.

Capell appears to have prepared the play for press in the first instance from Pope's first edition. The manuscript readings and stage directions, marked in his copy of that edition but not adopted in his own, we have quoted as 'Capell MS'.

* * * * *

3. OTHELLO was first printed in Quarto in 1622 with the following title:

THE | Tragœdy of Othello, | The Moore of Venice. | _As it hath beene diuerse times acted at the_ | Globe, and at the Black-Friers, by | his Maiesties Seruants. | Written by William Shakespeare. | LONDON,| Printed by N. O. for Thomas Walkley, and are to be sold at his | shop, at the Eagle and Child, in Brittans Bursse. | 1622. |

To this edition which we call Q₁, the following preface was affixed by the publisher:

The Stationer to the Reader.

To set forth a booke without an Epistle, were like to the old English prouerbe, A blew coat without a badge, & the Author being dead, I thought good to take that piece of worke vpon mee: To commend it, I will not, for that which is good, I hope euery man will commend, without intreaty: and I am the bolder, because the Authors name is sufficient to vent his worke. Thus leauing euery one to the liberty of iudgement: I haue ventered to print this Play, and leaue it to the generall censure.

Yours,

Thomas Walkley.

This first Quarto contains many oaths and expletives, which in all the later editions are altered or omitted. This shows that the MS. from which it was printed had not been recently used as an acting copy. Many passages are omitted in Q₁, by accident or design, and some which we find only in the later editions look like afterthoughts of the author.

The title-page of the second Quarto is letter for letter the same as the first, except that it has the following imprint:

LONDON,| Printed by A. M. for Richard Hawkins, and are to be sold at | his shoppe in Chancery-Lane, neere Sergeants-Inne. | 1630. |

Of this Quarto, which we term Q₂, Mr Collier says: 'It was unquestionably printed from a manuscript different from that used for the Quarto of 1622, or for the Folio of 1623.' But after a minute comparison of the two it appears to us clear that the Quarto of 1630 must have been printed from a copy of the Quarto of 1622, which had received additions and corrections in manuscript. The resemblances between the two are too close to allow of any other supposition. These additions and corrections, though agreeing for the most part with the first Folio, which had appeared in the interval, were derived from an independent source.

The third Quarto, which we refer to as Q₃, was printed from the second, and is called 'The Fourth Edition.' It has the following imprint:

LONDON, | Printed for William Leak at the Crown _in Fleet-_ | street, between the two Temple Gates, 1655 |

Jennens, in his edition of Othello, published in 1773, was not aware of the existence of the Quarto of 1630, and quotes as the readings of the second Quarto those of the edition of 1655.

An edition in Quarto, without date, is quoted by Capell on the authority of Pope; but on reference to Pope's list it appears that, though he has omitted the date, he refers to the Quarto of 1622, which contains the publisher's preface.

The kindness of Sir S. Morton Peto has enabled us to consult a copy of the first Quarto in the library at Chipstead, which, in cases where its readings differ from those of the copies in the Capell and Devonshire collections, we have distinguished as Q₁ (Chip.) A Players' Quarto of 1695, for the use of which, as well as for other acts of kindness, we have to thank Sir Charles Bunbury, is quoted as Q (1695).

In the Addenda we have given some readings which we had not previously seen from an anonymous tract published in 1752, with the title, Miscellaneous Observations on the Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. The rest are chiefly from books which have been published since the greater part of our volume was struck off.

W. G. C. W. A. W.

ADDENDA.

HAMLET, I. 1. 117, 118. Add to note, _As stars with ... Distempered_ or As stars with ... Discoloured Staunton conj.

I. 4. 36, 37. Add to note, _the dram of leaven ... of a dough_ Cartwright conj. _the dram of evil ... oft weigh down_ Bailey conj.

I. 4. 73. your ... reason] of sovereignty your Hunter conj.

I. 5. 11. And for] Tho' in Anon. MS.

I. 5. 32, 34. shouldst ... Wouldst] _wouldst ... Shouldst_ Anon. conj. (Misc. Obs. on Hamlet, 1752).

II. 2. 82. Add to note, And think upon and answer Anon. conj. (Misc. Obs. on Hamlet, 1752).

II. 2. 140. out of thy star] out of thy soar Bailey conj.

II. 2. 162. Be ... then;] Let ... then Anon. conj. (Misc. Obs. on Hamlet, 1752).

II. 2. 438, 439. tyrannous ... murder] _treacherous and damned light To the vile murtherer_ Anon. conj. (Misc. Obs. on Hamlet, 1752).

III. 1. 58. slings and arrows] stings and harrows Anon. conj. (Misc. Obs. on Hamlet, 1752). _stings and horrors_ Anon. MS.

III. 2. 21. scorn] sin Bailey conj.

III. 2. 22. the very age] the visage Bailey conj.

III. 2. 23. pressure] posture Bailey conj.

III. 2. 206. Nor ... give] Let earth not give me Anon. conj. (Misc. Obs. on Hamlet, 1752).

III. 3. 15. The cease of] Deceasing Bailey conj.

III. 3. 169. Add to note, And either house Bailey conj.

IV. 7. 112. begun] begnawn Bailey conj.

V. 2, 180. and outward ... a kind] _and out of the habit of encounter get a kind_ Bailey conj.

V. 2. 180, 181. collection] diction Bailey conj.

V. 2. 182. Add to note, profound and renowned Bailey conj.

KING LEAR, I. 1. 72. Add to note, precious treasure Bailey conj.

I. 1. 226. Add to note, burden, or Bailey conj.

II. 4. 92. Add to note, Fiery? what? quality? Taylor conj. MS.

HAMLET.

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ[A].

CLAUDIUS, king of Denmark. HAMLET, son to the late, and nephew to the present king. POLONIUS, lord chamberlain. HORATIO, friend to Hamlet. LAERTES, son to Polonius.

VOLTIMAND, } CORNELIUS, } ROSENCRANTZ, } courtiers. GUILDENSTERN, } OSRIC, } A Gentleman, } A Priest. MARCELLUS, } officers. BERNARDO, } FRANCISCO, a soldier. REYNALDO, servant to Polonius. Players. Two Clowns, grave-diggers. FORTINBRAS, prince of Norway. A Captain. English Ambassadors.

GERTRUDE, queen of Denmark, and mother to Hamlet. OPHELIA, daughter to Polonius.

Lords, Ladies, Officers, Soldiers, Sailors, Messengers, and other Attendants.

Ghost of Hamlet's Father.

SCENE: Denmark[B].

[A] DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.] First given by Rowe.

[B] Denmark] Edd. (Globe ed.) Elsinoor. Rowe.

THE TRAGEDY OF HAMLET PRINCE OF DENMARK.

Act I, Scene I — Elsinore. A platform before the castle.

FRANCISCO at his post. Enter to him BERNARDO.[1]

Ber. Who's there?[2][3]

Fran. Nay, answer me: stand, and unfold yourself.[3]

Ber. Long live the king![3]

Fran. Bernardo?[3][4]

Ber. He.[3] 5

Fran. You come most carefully upon your hour.[5]

Ber. 'Tis now struck twelve; get thee to bed, Francisco.[6]

Fran. For this relief much thanks: 'tis bitter cold, And I am sick at heart.

Ber. Have you had quiet guard?

Fran. Not a mouse stirring. 10

Ber. Well, good night.[7] If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus,[7][8] The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste.[7][8]

Fran. I think I hear them. Stand, ho! Who is there?[9]

Enter HORATIO and MARCELLUS.

Hor. Friends to this ground.

Mar. And liegemen to the Dane. 15

Fran. Give you good night.[10]

Mar. O, farewell, honest soldier:[11][12] Who hath relieved you?[13]

Fran. Bernardo hath my place.[13] Give you good night. [Exit.[10][13]

Mar. Holla! Bernardo!

Ber. Say,[14][15] What, is Horatio there?[14]

Hor. A piece of him.[16]

Ber. Welcome, Horatio: welcome, good Marcellus. 20

Mar. What, has this thing appear'd again to-night?[17]

Ber. I have seen nothing.

Mar. Horatio says 'tis but our fantasy,[18] And will not let belief take hold of him Touching this dreaded sight, twice seen of us:[19] 25 Therefore I have entreated him along[20] With us to watch the minutes of this night,[20] That if again this apparition come, He may approve our eyes and speak to it.

Hor. Tush, tush, 'twill not appear.

Ber. Sit down awhile;[21] 30 And let us once again assail your ears, That are so fortified against our story,[22] What we have two nights seen.[22][23]

Hor. Well, sit we down, And let us hear Bernardo speak of this.

Ber. Last night of all, 35 When yond same star that's westward from the pole[24] Had made his course to illume that part of heaven[25] Where now it burns, Marcellus and myself, The bell then beating one,--[26]

Enter Ghost.

Mar. Peace, break thee off; look, where it comes again![27] 40

Ber. In the same figure, like the king that's dead.

Mar. Thou art a scholar; speak to it, Horatio.

Ber. Looks it not like the king? mark it, Horatio.[28]

Hor. Most like: it harrows me with fear and wonder.[29]

Ber. It would be spoke to.

Mar. Question it, Horatio.[30] 45

Hor. What art thou, that usurp'st this time of night,[31] Together with that fair and warlike form In which the majesty of buried Denmark Did sometimes march? by heaven I charge thee, speak![32]

Mar. It is offended.

Ber. See, it stalks away! 50

Hor. Stay! speak, speak! I charge thee, speak![33]

[Exit Ghost.

Mar. 'Tis gone, and will not answer.

Ber. How now, Horatio! you tremble and look pale: Is not this something more than fantasy? What think you on't?[34] 55

Hor. Before my God, I might not this believe[35] Without the sensible and true avouch[36] Of mine own eyes.

Mar. Is it not like the king?

Hor. As thou art to thyself: Such was the very armour he had on[37] 60 When he the ambitious Norway combated;[38] So frown'd he once, when, in an angry parle, He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice.[39] 'Tis strange.[40]

Mar. Thus twice before, and jump at this dead hour,[41] 65 With martial stalk hath he gone by our watch.[42]

Hor. In what particular thought to work I know not;[43] But, in the gross and scope of my opinion,[44] This bodes some strange eruption to our state.

Mar. Good now, sit down, and tell me, he that knows,[45] 70 Why this same strict and most observant watch So nightly toils the subject of the land,[46] And why such daily cast of brazen cannon,[47] And foreign mart for implements of war; Why such impress of shipwrights, whose sore task 75 Does not divide the Sunday from the week;[48] What might be toward, that this sweaty haste Doth make the night joint-labourer with the day:[49] Who is't that can inform me?

Hor. That can I; At least the whisper goes so. Our last king, 80 Whose image even but now appear'd to us, Was, as you know, by Fortinbras of Norway, Thereto prick'd on by a most emulate pride,[50] Dared to the combat; in which our valiant Hamlet--[51] For so this side of our known world esteem'd him-- 85 Did slay this Fortinbras; who by a seal'd compact,[52] Well ratified by law and heraldry,[53] Did forfeit, with his life, all those his lands[54] Which he stood seized of, to the conqueror:[55] Against the which, a moiety competent 90 Was gaged by our king; which had return'd[56] To the inheritance of Fortinbras, Had he been vanquisher; as, by the same covenant[57] And carriage of the article design'd,[58] His fell to Hamlet. Now, sir, young Fortinbras,[59] 95 Of unimproved mettle hot and full,[60] Hath in the skirts of Norway here and there Shark'd up a list of lawless resolutes,[61][62] For food and diet, to some enterprise[62] That hath a stomach in't: which is no other--[63] 100 As it doth well appear unto our state--[64] But to recover of us, by strong hand And terms compulsatory, those foresaid lands[65] So by his father lost: and this, I take it, Is the main motive of our preparations, 105 The source of this our watch and the chief head Of this post-haste and romage in the land.

Ber. I think it be no other but e'en so:[66][67] Well may it sort, that this portentous figure[66] Comes armed through our watch, so like the king[66] 110 That was and is the question of these wars.[66]

Hor. A mote it is to trouble the mind's eye.[66][68] In the most high and palmy state of Rome,[66][69] A little ere the mightiest Julius fell,[66] The graves stood tenantless, and the sheeted dead[66][70] 115 Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets:[66][71] . . . . . . . As stars with trains of fire and dews of blood,[66][72][73] Disasters in the sun; and the moist star,[66][74][73] Upon whose influence Neptune's empire stands,[66] Was sick almost to doomsday with eclipse:[66] 120 And even the like precurse of fierce events,[66][75] As harbingers preceding still the fates[66][76] And prologue to the omen coming on,[66][77] Have heaven and earth together demonstrated[66] Unto our climatures and countrymen.[66][78] 125

Re-enter Ghost.

But soft, behold! lo, where it comes again! I'll cross it, though it blast me. Stay, illusion![79] If thou hast any sound, or use of voice, Speak to me:[80] If there be any good thing to be done,[80] 130 That may to thee do ease and grace to me,[81] Speak to me:[81] If thou art privy to thy country's fate, Which, happily, foreknowing may avoid,[82][83] O, speak![82] 135 Or if thou hast uphoarded in thy life Extorted treasure in the womb of earth, For which, they say, you spirits oft walk in death,[84] Speak of it: stay, and speak! [The cock crows.] Stop it, Marcellus.[85]

Mar. Shall I strike at it with my partisan?[86] 140

Hor. Do, if it will not stand.[87][88]

Ber. 'Tis here![87]

Hor. 'Tis here![87]

Mar. 'Tis gone! [Exit Ghost.[87][89] We do it wrong, being so majestical, To offer it the show of violence; For it is, as the air, invulnerable,[90] 145 And our vain blows malicious mockery.

Ber. It was about to speak, when the cock crew.

Hor. And then it started like a guilty thing Upon a fearful summons. I have heard, The cock, that is the trumpet to the morn,[91] 150 Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding throat Awake the god of day, and at his warning,[92] Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air,[92] The extravagant and erring spirit hies[92][93] To his confine: and of the truth herein[92] 155 This present object made probation.

Mar. It faded on the crowing of the cock.[94] Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes[95] Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated, The bird of dawning singeth all night long:[96] 160 And then, they say, no spirit dare stir abroad,[97] The nights are wholesome, then no planets strike, No fairy takes nor witch hath power to charm,[98] So hallow'd and so gracious is the time.[99]

Hor. So have I heard and do in part believe it. 165 But look, the morn, in russet mantle clad, Walks o'er the dew of yon high eastward hill:[100] Break we our watch up; and by my advice,[101] Let us impart what we have seen to-night Unto young Hamlet; for, upon my life,[102] 170 This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him: Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it,[103] As needful in our loves, fitting our duty?

Mar. Let's do't, I pray; and I this morning know[104] Where we shall find him most conveniently. [Exeunt.[105] 175

Act I, Scene II — A room of state in the castle.

Flourish. Enter the KING, QUEEN, HAMLET, POLONIUS, LAERTES, VOLTIMAND, CORNELIUS, Lords, and Attendants.[106]

King. Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death[107] The memory be green, and that it us befitted[107][108] To bear our hearts in grief and our whole kingdom[109] To be contracted in one brow of woe, Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature 5 That we with wisest sorrow think on him, Together with remembrance of ourselves. Therefore our sometime sister, now our queen,[110] The imperial jointress to this warlike state,[111] Have we, as 'twere with a defeated joy,-- 10 With an auspicious and a dropping eye,[112] With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage, In equal scale weighing delight and dole,-- Taken to wife: nor have we herein barr'd Your better wisdoms, which have freely gone 15 With this affair along. For all, our thanks.[113] Now follows, that you know, young Fortinbras,[114] Holding a weak supposal of our worth, Or thinking by our late dear brother's death Our state to be disjoint and out of frame, 20 Colleagued with this dream of his advantage,[115] He hath not fail'd to pester us with message, Importing the surrender of those lands Lost by his father, with all bonds of law,[116] To our most valiant brother. So much for him.[117] 25 Now for ourself, and for this time of meeting:[118] Thus much the business is: we have here writ To Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras,-- Who, impotent and bed-rid, scarcely hears[119] Of this his nephew's purpose,--to suppress 30 His further gait herein; in that the levies,[120] The lists and full proportions, are all made Out of his subject: and we here dispatch[121] You, good Cornelius, and you, Voltimand,[122] For bearers of this greeting to old Norway,[123] 35 Giving to you no further personal power[124] To business with the king more than the scope[124] Of these delated articles allow.[125] Farewell, and let your haste commend your duty.[126]

Cor.} In that and all things will we show our duty.[127] 40 Vol.}

King. We doubt it nothing: heartily farewell.[128]

[Exeunt Voltimand and Cornelius.

And now, Laertes, what's the news with you?[129] You told us of some suit; what is't, Laertes? You cannot speak of reason to the Dane, And lose your voice: what wouldst thou beg, Laertes,[130] 45 That shall not be my offer, not thy asking?[131] The head is not more native to the heart,[132] The hand more instrumental to the mouth, Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father.[133] What wouldst thou have, Laertes?

Laer. My dread lord,[134] 50 Your leave and favour to return to France, From whence though willingly I came to Denmark, To show my duty in your coronation, Yet now, I must confess, that duty done, My thoughts and wishes bend again toward France[135] 55 And bow them to your gracious leave and pardon.

King. Have you your father's leave? What says Polonius?[136]

Pol. He hath, my lord, wrung from me my slow leave[137][138][139] By laboursome petition, and at last[138][139][140] Upon his will I seal'd my hard consent:[139] 60 I do beseech you, give him leave to go.

King. Take thy fair hour, Laertes; time be thine,[141] And thy best graces spend it at thy will![141][142] But now, my cousin Hamlet, and my son,--[143]

Ham. [Aside] A little more than kin, and less than kind.[144] 65

King. How is it that the clouds still hang on you?

Ham. Not so, my lord; I am too much i' the sun.[145]

Queen Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted colour off,[146] And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark. Do not for ever with thy vailed lids[147] 70 Seek for thy noble father in the dust: Thou know'st 'tis common; all that lives must die,[148] Passing through nature to eternity.

Ham. Ay, madam, it is common.

Queen. If it be, Why seems it so particular with thee? 75

Ham. Seems, madam! nay, it is; I know not 'seems.' 'Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother,[149] Nor customary suits of solemn black, Nor windy suspiration of forced breath, No, nor the fruitful river in the eye, 80 Nor the dejected haviour of the visage, Together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief,[150] That can denote me truly: these indeed seem,[151] For they are actions that a man might play: But I have that within which passes show;[152] 85 These but the trappings and the suits of woe.

King. 'Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet,[153] To give these mourning duties to your father: But, you must know, your father lost a father, That father lost, lost his, and the survivor bound[154] 90 In filial obligation for some term To do obsequious sorrow: but to persever[155] In obstinate condolement is a course[156] Of impious stubbornness; 'tis unmanly grief:[156][157] It shows a will most incorrect to heaven, 95 A heart unfortified, a mind impatient,[158] An understanding simple and unschool'd: For what we know must be and is as common As any the most vulgar thing to sense, Why should we in our peevish opposition 100 Take it to heart? Fie! 'tis a fault to heaven, A fault against the dead, a fault to nature, To reason most absurd, whose common theme[159] Is death of fathers, and who still hath cried, From the first corse till he that died to-day,[160] 105 'This must be so.' We pray you, throw to earth This unprevailing woe, and think of us[161] As of a father: for let the world take note,[162] You are the most immediate to our throne, And with no less nobility of love[163][164] 110 Than that which dearest father bears his son[164] Do I impart toward you. For your intent[164][165] In going back to school in Wittenberg,[166] It is most retrograde to our desire:[167] And we beseech you, bend you to remain[168] 115 Here in the cheer and comfort of our eye, Our chiefest courtier, cousin and our son.

Queen. Let not thy mother lose her prayers, Hamlet:[169] I pray thee, stay with us; go not to Wittenberg.[170]

Ham. I shall in all my best obey you, madam.[171] 120

King. Why, 'tis a loving and a fair reply:[172] Be as ourself in Denmark. Madam, come; This gentle and unforced accord of Hamlet Sits smiling to my heart: in grace whereof,[173] No jocund health that Denmark drinks to-day, 125 But the great cannon to the clouds shall tell,[174] And the king's rouse the heaven shall bruit again,[175] Re-speaking earthly thunder. Come away.[176]

[Flourish. Exeunt all but Hamlet.

Ham. O, that this too too solid flesh would melt,[177] Thaw and resolve itself into a dew! 130 Or that the Everlasting had not fix'd His canon 'gainst self-slaughter! O God! God![178] How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable[179] Seem to me all the uses of this world![180] Fie on't! ah fie! 'tis an unweeded garden,[181] 135 That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature Possess it merely. That it should come to this![182] But two months dead! nay, not so much, not two: So excellent a king; that was, to this,[183] Hyperion to a satyr: so loving to my mother,[183][184] 140 That he might not beteem the winds of heaven[185] Visit her face too roughly. Heaven and earth![186] Must I remember? why, she would hang on him,[186][187] As if increase of appetite had grown By what it fed on: and yet, within a month--[188] 145 Let me not think on't--Frailty, thy name is woman!--[189] A little month, or ere those shoes were old[190] With which she follow'd my poor father's body,[191] Like Niobe, all tears:--why she, even she,--[192] O God! a beast, that wants discourse of reason,[193] 150 Would have mourn'd longer,--married with my uncle,[194] My father's brother, but no more like my father[195] Than I to Hercules: within a month; Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears[196] Had left the flushing in her galled eyes,[197] 155 She married. O, most wicked speed, to post With such dexterity to incestuous sheets![198] It is not, nor it cannot come to good: But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue![199]

Enter HORATIO, MARCELLUS, and BERNARDO.

Hor. Hail to your lordship!

Ham. I am glad to see you well:[200][201] 160 Horatio,--or I do forget myself.[201][202]

Hor. The same, my lord, and your poor servant ever.[203]

Ham. Sir, my good friend; I'll change that name with you:[204] And what make you from Wittenberg, Horatio? Marcellus?[205] 165

Mar. My good lord?[206]

Ham. I am very glad to see you. [To Ber.] Good even, sir.[207] But what, in faith, make you from Wittenberg?[208]

Hor. A truant disposition, good my lord.[209]

Ham. I would not hear your enemy say so,[210] 170 Nor shall you do my ear that violence,[211] To make it truster of your own report[212] Against yourself: I know you are no truant. But what is your affair in Elsinore?[213] We'll teach you to drink deep ere you depart.[214] 175

Hor. My lord, I came to see your father's funeral.

Ham. I prethee, do not mock me, fellow-student;[215] I think it was to see my mother's wedding.[216]

Hor. Indeed, my lord, it follow'd hard upon.[217]

Ham. Thrift, thrift, Horatio! the funeral baked-meats 180 Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables. Would I had met my dearest foe in heaven Or ever I had seen that day, Horatio![218] My father!--methinks I see my father.

Hor. O where, my lord?

Ham. In my mind's eye, Horatio.[219] 185

Hor. I saw him once; he was a goodly king.[220]

Ham. He was a man, take him for all in all,[220][221] I shall not look upon his like again.[222]

Hor. My lord, I think I saw him yesternight.

Ham. Saw? Who?[223] 190

Hor. My lord, the king your father.

Ham. The king my father!

Hor. Season your admiration for a while[224] With an attent ear, till I may deliver,[225] Upon the witness of these gentlemen, This marvel to you.

Ham. For God's love, let me hear.[226] 195

Hor. Two nights together had these gentlemen, Marcellus and Bernardo, on their watch, In the dead vast and middle of the night,[227] Been thus encounter'd. A figure like your father, Armed at point exactly, cap-a-pe,[228] 200 Appears before them, and with solemn march Goes slow and stately by them: thrice he walk'd[229] By their oppress'd and fear-surprised eyes,[230] Within his truncheon's length; whilst they, distill'd[231] Almost to jelly with the act of fear,[232] 205 Stand dumb, and speak not to him. This to me In dreadful secrecy impart they did;[233] And I with them the third night kept the watch: Where, as they had deliver'd, both in time,[234] Form of the thing, each word made true and good, 210 The apparition comes: I knew your father;[235] These hands are not more like.

Ham. But where was this?

Mar. My lord, upon the platform where we watch'd.

Ham. Did you not speak to it?

Hor. My lord, I did,[236] But answer made it none: yet once methought[237] 215 It lifted up its head and did address[238] Itself to motion, like as it would speak:[239] But even then the morning cock crew loud, And at the sound it shrunk in haste away And vanish'd from our sight.

Ham. 'Tis very strange. 220

Hor. As I do live, my honour'd lord, 'tis true,[240] And we did think it writ down in our duty[241] To let you know of it.[242]

Ham. Indeed, indeed, sirs, but this troubles me.[243] Hold you the watch to-night?

Mar. } We do, my lord.[244] 225 Ber. }

Ham. Arm'd, say you?

Mar. } Arm'd, my lord. Ber. }

Ham. From top to toe?[244]

Mar. } My lord, from head to foot.[244][245][246] Ber. }

Ham. Then saw you not his face?[246][247]

Hor. O, yes, my lord; he wore his beaver up.[246][248]

Ham. What, look'd he frowningly?[249] 230

Hor. A countenance more in sorrow than in anger.

Ham. Pale or red?

Hor. Nay, very pale.

Ham. And fix'd his eyes upon you?

Hor. Most constantly.

Ham. I would I had been there.

Hor. It would have much amazed you.[250] 235

Ham. Very like, very like. Stay'd it long?[250][251]

Hor. While one with moderate haste might tell a hundred.[250][252]

Mar.} Longer, longer.[250][253] Ber.}

Hor. Not when I saw't.

Ham. His beard was grizzled? no?[254][255]

Hor. It was, as I have seen it in his life,[255][256] 240 A sable silver'd.[257]

Ham. I will watch to-night; Perchance 'twill walk again.

Hor. I warrant it will.[258]

Ham. If it assume my noble father's person, I'll speak to it, though hell itself should gape And bid me hold my peace. I pray you all, 245 If you have hitherto conceal'd this sight,[259] Let it be tenable in your silence still,[260] And whatsoever else shall hap to-night,[261] Give it an understanding, but no tongue: I will requite your loves. So fare you well:[262] 250 Upon the platform, 'twixt eleven and twelve.[263] I'll visit you.

All. Our duty to your honour.[264]

Ham. Your loves, as mine to you: farewell.[265]

[Exeunt all but Hamlet.

My father's spirit in arms! all is not well;[266] I doubt some foul play: would the night were come! 255 Till then sit still, my soul: foul deeds will rise,[267] Though all the earth o'erwhelm them, to men's eyes. [Exit.

Act I, Scene III — A room in Polonius's house.

Enter LAERTES and OPHELIA.[268]

Laer. My necessaries are embark'd: farewell:[269] And, sister, as the winds give benefit And convoy is assistant, do not sleep,[270] But let me hear from you.

Oph. Do you doubt that?

Laer. For Hamlet, and the trifling of his favour,[271] 5 Hold it a fashion, and a toy in blood, A violet in the youth of primy nature,[272] Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting,[273] The perfume and suppliance of a minute;[274] No more.

Oph. No more but so?

Laer. Think it no more:[275] 10 For nature crescent does not grow alone[276] In thews and bulk; but, as this temple waxes,[277] The inward service of the mind and soul[278] Grows wide withal. Perhaps he loves you now; And now no soil nor cautel doth besmirch[279] 15 The virtue of his will: but you must fear,[280] His greatness weigh'd, his will is not his own;[281] For he himself is subject to his birth:[282] He may not, as unvalued persons do,[283] Carve for himself, for on his choice depends[284] 20 The safety and health of this whole state,[285] And therefore must his choice be circumscribed Unto the voice and yielding of that body Whereof he is the head. Then if he says he loves you,[286] It fits your wisdom so far to believe it 25 As he in his particular act and place[287] May give his saying deed; which is no further Than the main voice of Denmark goes withal. Then weigh what loss your honour may sustain,[288] If with too credent ear you list his songs,[289] 30 Or lose your heart, or your chaste treasure open[290] To his unmaster'd importunity.[291] Fear it, Ophelia, fear it, my dear sister, And keep you in the rear of your affection,[292] Out of the shot and danger of desire. 35 The chariest maid is prodigal enough, If she unmask her beauty to the moon: Virtue itself 'scapes not calumnious strokes: The canker galls the infants of the spring[293] Too oft before their buttons be disclosed,[294] 40 And in the morn and liquid dew of youth Contagious blastments are most imminent. Be wary then; best safety lies in fear: Youth to itself rebels, though none else near.

Oph. I shall the effect of this good lesson keep,[295] 45 As watchman to my heart. But, good my brother,[296] Do not, as some ungracious pastors do, Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven,[297] Whilst, like a puff'd and reckless libertine,[298] Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads[299] 50 And recks not his own rede.[300]

Laer. O, fear me not. I stay too long: but here my father comes.

Enter POLONIUS.[301]

A double blessing is a double grace;[302] Occasion smiles upon a second leave.

Pol. Yet here, Laertes! Aboard, aboard, for shame![303] 55 The wind sits in the shoulder of your sail, And you are stay'd for. There; my blessing with thee![304] And these few precepts in thy memory Look thou character. Give thy thoughts no tongue,[305] Nor any unproportion'd thought his act. 60 Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,[306] Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel,[307] But do not dull thy palm with entertainment[308] Of each new-hatch'd, unfledged comrade. Beware[309] 65 Of entrance to a quarrel; but being in, Bear't, that th' opposed may beware of thee.[310] Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice:[311] Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgement. Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy, 70 But not express'd in fancy; rich, not gaudy: For the apparel oft proclaims the man; And they in France of the best rank and station Are of a most select and generous chief in that.[312] Neither a borrower nor a lender be:[313] 75 For loan oft loses both itself and friend,[314] And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.[315] This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day,[316] Thou canst not then be false to any man. 80 Farewell: my blessing season this in thee![317]

Laer. Most humbly do I take my leave, my lord.[318]

Pol. The time invites you; go, your servants tend.[319]

Laer. Farewell, Ophelia, and remember well What I have said to you.

Oph. 'Tis in my memory lock'd,[320] 85 And you yourself shall keep the key of it.

Laer. Farewell. [Exit.[321]

Pol. What is't, Ophelia, he hath said to you?[322]

Oph. So please you, something touching the Lord Hamlet.[323]

Pol. Marry, well bethought: 90 'Tis told me, he hath very oft of late Given private time to you, and you yourself Have of your audience been most free and bounteous: If it be so--as so 'tis put on me, And that in way of caution--I must tell you, 95 You do not understand yourself so clearly As it behoves my daughter and your honour. What is between you? give me up the truth.[324]

Oph. He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders Of his affection to me. 100

Pol. Affection! pooh! you speak like a green girl,[325] Unsifted in such perilous circumstance.[326] Do you believe his tenders, as you call them?

Oph. I do not know, my lord, what I should think.

Pol. Marry, I'll teach you: think yourself a baby,[327] 105 That you have ta'en these tenders for true pay,[328] Which are not sterling. Tender yourself more dearly;[329] Or--not to crack the wind of the poor phrase, Running it thus--you'll tender me a fool.[330]

Oph. My lord, he hath importuned me with love 110 In honourable fashion.

Pol. Ay, fashion you may call it; go to, go to.[331]

Oph. And hath given countenance to his speech, my lord,[332][333] With almost all the holy vows of heaven.[332][334]

Pol. Ay, springes to catch woodcocks. I do know,[335] 115 When the blood burns, how prodigal the soul[336] Lends the tongue vows: these blazes, daughter,[337] Giving more light than heat, extinct in both,[338] Even in their promise, as it is a-making,[339] You must not take for fire. From this time[340] 120 Be something scanter of your maiden presence;[341] Set your entreatments at a higher rate[342] Than a command to parley. For Lord Hamlet,[343] Believe so much in him, that he is young, And with a larger tether may he walk[344] 125 Than may be given you: in few, Ophelia, Do not believe his vows; for they are brokers, Not of that dye which their investments show,[345] But mere implorators of unholy suits,[346] Breathing like sanctified and pious bawds,[347] 130 The better to beguile. This is for all:[348] I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth, Have you so slander any moment leisure,[349] As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet. Look to't, I charge you: come your ways.[350] 135

Oph. I shall obey, my lord. [Exeunt.[351]

Act I, Scene IV — The platform.[352]

Enter HAMLET, HORATIO, and MARCELLUS.

Ham. The air bites shrewdly; it is very cold.[353]

Hor. It is a nipping and an eager air.[354]

Ham. What hour now?

Hor. I think it lacks of twelve.

Mar. No, it is struck.[355]

Hor. Indeed? I heard it not: it then draws near the season[356] 5 Wherein the spirit held his wont to walk.

[A flourish of trumpets, and ordnance shot off within.[357]

What does this mean, my lord?[358]

Ham. The king doth wake to-night and takes his rouse,[359] Keeps wassail, and the swaggering up-spring reels;[360] And as he drains his draughts of Rhenish down,[361] 10 The kettle-drum and trumpet thus bray out[362] The triumph of his pledge.

Hor. Is it a custom?[363]

Ham. Ay, marry, is't:[364] But to my mind, though I am native here[365] And to the manner born, it is a custom 15 More honour'd in the breach than the observance. This heavy-headed revel east and west[366][367][368][369] Makes us traduced and tax'd of other nations:[366][367][369][370] They clepe us drunkards, and with swinish phrase[366][367][371] Soil our addition; and indeed it takes[366][367] 20 From our achievements, though perform'd at height,[366][367] The pith and marrow of our attribute.[366][367] So, oft it chances in particular men,[366][367][372] That for some vicious mole of nature in them,[366][367][373] As, in their birth,--wherein they are not guilty,[366][367] 25 Since nature cannot choose his origin,--[366][367] By the o'ergrowth of some complexion,[366][367][374] Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason,[366][367] Or by some habit that too much o'er-leavens[366][367] The form of plausive manners, that these men,--[366][367] 30 Carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect,[366][367] Being nature's livery, or fortune's star,--[366][367][375] Their virtues else--be they as pure as grace,[366][367][376] As infinite as man may undergo--[366][367] Shall in the general censure take corruption[366][367] 35 From that particular fault: the dram of eale[366][367][377][378] Doth all the noble substance of a doubt[367][377][378] To his own scandal.[367][377][379]

Enter Ghost.

Hor. Look, my lord, it comes![380]

Ham. Angels and ministers of grace defend us![381] Be thou a spirit of health or goblin damn'd, 40 Bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from hell, Be thy intents wicked or charitable,[382] Thou comest in such a questionable shape[383] That I will speak to thee: I'll call thee Hamlet, King, father, royal Dane: O, answer me![384] 45 Let me not burst in ignorance; but tell[385] Why thy canonized bones, hearsed in death,[385][386] Have burst their cerements; why the sepulchre,[387] Wherein we saw thee quietly inurn'd,[388] Hath oped his ponderous and marble jaws, 50 To cast thee up again. What may this mean, That thou, dead corse, again, in complete steel, Revisit'st thus the glimpses of the moon,[389] Making night hideous; and we fools of nature[390] So horridly to shake our disposition[391] 55 With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls?[392] Say, why is this? wherefore? what should we do?[393]

[Ghost beckons Hamlet.

Hor. It beckons you to go away with it, As if it some impartment did desire To you alone.

Mar. Look, with what courteous action 60 It waves you to a more removed ground:[394] But do not go with it.

Hor. No, by no means.[395]

Ham. It will not speak; then I will follow it.[396]

Hor. Do not, my lord.

Ham. Why, what should be the fear?[397] I do not set my life at a pin's fee;[398] 65 And for my soul, what can it do to that, Being a thing immortal as itself?[399] It waves me forth again: I'll follow it.

Hor. What if it tempt you toward the flood, my lord,[400] Or to the dreadful summit of the cliff[401] 70 That beetles o'er his base into the sea,[402] And there assume some other horrible form,[403] Which might deprive your sovereignty of reason[404] And draw you into madness? think of it:[405] The very place puts toys of desperation,[406] 75 Without more motive, into every brain[406] That looks so many fathoms to the sea[406] And hears it roar beneath.[406][407][408]

Ham. It waves me still.[407] Go on; I'll follow thee.

Mar. You shall not go, my lord.

Ham. Hold off your hands.[409] 80

Hor. Be ruled; you shall not go.

Ham. My fate cries out,[410] And makes each petty artery in this body[411] As hardy as the Nemean lion's nerve.[412] Still am I call'd: unhand me, gentlemen;[413] By heaven, I'll make a ghost of him that lets me: 85 I say, away! Go on; I'll follow thee.

[Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet.[414]

Hor. He waxes desperate with imagination.[415]

Mar. Let's follow; 'tis not fit thus to obey him.

Hor. Have after. To what issue will this come?

Mar. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. 90

Hor. Heaven will direct it.

Mar. Nay, let's follow him. [Exeunt.[416]

Act I, Scene V — Another part of the platform.

Enter Ghost and HAMLET.[417]

Ham. Whither wilt thou lead me? speak; I'll go no further.[418]

Ghost. Mark me.

Ham. I will.

Ghost. My hour is almost come, When I to sulphurous and tormenting flames[419] Must render up myself.

Ham. Alas, poor ghost!

Ghost. Pity me not, but lend thy serious hearing[420][421] 5 To what I shall unfold.[420]

Ham. Speak; I am bound to hear.[422]

Ghost. So art thou to revenge, when thou shalt hear.[423]

Ham. What?[424]

Ghost. I am thy father's spirit; Doom'd for a certain term to walk the night, 10 And for the day confined to fast in fires,[425] Till the foul crimes done in my days of nature Are burnt and purged away. But that I am forbid[426] To tell the secrets of my prison-house, I could a tale unfold whose lightest word 15 Would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood, Make thy two eyes, like stars, start from their spheres, Thy knotted and combined locks to part[427] And each particular hair to stand an end,[428] Like quills upon the fretful porpentine:[429] 20 But this eternal blazon must not be To ears of flesh and blood. List, list, O, list![430] If thou didst ever thy dear father love--[431]

Ham. O God![432]

Ghost. Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder. 25

Ham. Murder![433]

Ghost. Murder most foul, as in the best it is,[434] But this most foul, strange, and unnatural.

Ham. Haste me to know't, that I, with wings as swift[435] As meditation or the thoughts of love,[436] 30 May sweep to my revenge.[437]

Ghost. I find thee apt; And duller shouldst thou be than the fat weed[438][439] That roots itself in ease on Lethe wharf,[440] Wouldst thou not stir in this. Now, Hamlet, hear:[440] 'Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard,[441] 35 A serpent stung me; so the whole ear of Denmark[442] Is by a forged process of my death Rankly abused: but know, thou noble youth,[443] The serpent that did sting thy father's life[444] Now wears his crown.

Ham. O my prophetic soul![445] 40 My uncle![445][446]

Ghost. Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast,[447] With witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts,--[448] O wicked wit and gifts, that have the power[449] So to seduce!--won to his shameful lust[450] 45 The will of my most seeming-virtuous queen:[451] O Hamlet, what a falling-off was there![452] From me, whose love was of that dignity That it went hand in hand even with the vow I made to her in marriage; and to decline[453] 50 Upon a wretch, whose natural gifts were poor To those of mine![454][455] But virtue, as it never will be moved,[454] Though lewdness court it in a shape of heaven, So lust, though to a radiant angel link'd,[456] 55 Will sate itself in a celestial bed[457][458] And prey on garbage.[457][459] But, soft! methinks I scent the morning air;[460] Brief let me be. Sleeping within my orchard,[461] My custom always of the afternoon,[462] 60 Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole,[463] With juice of cursed hebenon in a vial,[464] And in the porches of my ears did pour[465] The leperous distilment; whose effect[466] Holds such an enmity with blood of man[466] 65 That swift as quicksilver it courses through The natural gates and alleys of the body;[467] And with a sudden vigour it doth posset[468] And curd, like eager droppings into milk,[469] The thin and wholesome blood: so did it mine; 70 And a most instant tetter bark'd about,[470] Most lazar-like, with vile and loathsome crust, All my smooth body. Thus was I, sleeping, by a brother's hand Of life, of crown, of queen, at once dispatch'd:[471] 75 Cut off even in the blossoms of my sin,[472] Unhousel'd, disappointed, unanel'd;[473] No reckoning made, but sent to my account With all my imperfections on my head:[474] O, horrible! O, horrible! most horrible![475] 80 If thou hast nature in thee, bear it not; Let not the royal bed of Denmark be A couch for luxury and damned incest. But, howsoever thou pursuest this act,[476] Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive[477] 85 Against thy mother aught: leave her to heaven, And to those thorns that in her bosom lodge, To prick and sting her. Fare thee well at once! The glow-worm shows the matin to be near,[478] And 'gins to pale his uneffectual fire: 90 Adieu, adieu, adieu! remember me. [Exit.[479]

Ham. O all you host of heaven! O earth! what else? And shall I couple hell? O, fie! Hold, hold, my heart;[480] And you, my sinews, grow not instant old, But bear me stiffly up. Remember thee![481][482] 95 Ay, thou poor ghost, while memory holds a seat[483] In this distracted globe. Remember thee![482] Yea, from the table of my memory I'll wipe away all trivial fond records, All saws of books, all forms, all pressures past,[484] 100 That youth and observation copied there; And thy commandment all alone shall live Within the book and volume of my brain, Unmix'd with baser matter: yes, by heaven![485] O most pernicious woman![486] 105 0 villain, villain, smiling, damned villain! My tables,--meet it is I set it down,[487][488] That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain;[488] At least I'm sure it may be so in Denmark. [Writing.[488][489] So, uncle, there you are. Now to my word;[488] 110 It is 'Adieu, adieu! remember me.'[488][490][491] I have sworn't.[488][490][492]

Hor.} [Within] My lord, my lord! Mar.}

Enter HORATIO and MARCELLUS.[493]

Mar. Lord Hamlet!

Hor. Heaven secure him![494]

Ham. So be it![495]

Mar. Illo, ho, ho, my lord![496] 115

Ham. Hillo, ho, ho, boy! come, bird, come.[497]

Mar. How is't, my noble lord?

Hor. What news, my lord?[498]

Ham. O, wonderful![499]

Hor. Good my lord, tell it.

Ham. No; you will reveal it.[500]

Hor. Not I, my lord, by heaven.

Mar. Nor I, my lord. 120

Ham. How say you, then; would heart of man once think it?[501] But you'll be secret?[502]

Hor.} Ay, by heaven, my lord. Mar.}

Ham. There's ne'er a villain dwelling in all Denmark[503][504] But he's an arrant knave.[504][505]

Hor. There needs no ghost, my lord, come from the grave[506] 125 To tell us this.[506][507]

Ham. Why, right; you are i' the right; And so, without more circumstance at all, I hold it fit that we shake hands and part: You, as your business and desire shall point you;[508] For every man hath business and desire,[509] 130 Such as it is; and for my own poor part,[510] Look you, I'll go pray.[511]

Hor. These are but wild and whirling words, my lord.[512]

Ham. I'm sorry they offend you, heartily;[513] Yes, faith, heartily.[514]

Hor. There's no offence, my lord. 135

Ham. Yes, by Saint Patrick, but there is, Horatio,[515] And much offence too. Touching this vision here,[516] It is an honest ghost, that let me tell you: For your desire to know what is between us, O'ermaster't as you may. And now, good friends,[517] 140 As you are friends, scholars and soldiers, Give me one poor request.

Hor. What is't, my lord? we will.[518]

Ham. Never make known what you have seen to-night.

Hor.} Mar.} My lord, we will not.

Ham. Nay, but swear't.

Hor. In faith,[519][520] 145 My lord, not I.[520]

Mar. Nor I, my lord, in faith.

Ham. Upon my sword.

Mar. We have sworn, my lord, already.[521]

Ham. Indeed, upon my sword, indeed.[522]

Ghost. [Beneath] Swear.[523]

Ham. Ah, ha, boy! say'st thou so? art thou there, true-penny?[524][525] 150 Come on: you hear this fellow in the cellarage:[524][526] Consent to swear.

Hor. Propose the oath, my lord.[527]

Ham. Never to speak of this that you have seen,[528] Swear by my sword.

Ghost. [Beneath] Swear.[529] 155

Ham. Hic et ubique? then we'll shift our ground.[530] Come hither, gentlemen,[531] And lay your hands again upon my sword:[531] Never to speak of this that you have heard,[531][532] Swear by my sword.[531] 160

Ghost. [Beneath] Swear.[529][533]

Ham. Well said, old mole! canst work i' the earth so fast?[534] A worthy pioner! Once more remove, good friends.[535]

Hor. O day and night, but this is wondrous strange!

Ham. And therefore as a stranger give it welcome.[536] 165 There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.[537][538] But come;[538][539] Here, as before, never, so help you mercy,[539][540] How strange or odd soe'er I bear myself,[541][542][543] 170 As I perchance hereafter shall think meet[541][542][544][545] To put an antic disposition on,[541][542][544] That you, at such times seeing me, never shall,[542][546] With arms encumber'd thus, or this head-shake,[542][547] Or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase,[542][548] 175 As 'Well, well, we know,' or 'We could, an if we would,'[542][549][550] Or 'If we list to speak,' or 'There be, an if they might,'[542][550][551] Or such ambiguous giving out, to note[542][552] That you know aught of me: this not to do,[553] So grace and mercy at your most need help you,[553] 180 Swear.[553]

Ghost. [Beneath] Swear.[529]

Ham. Rest, rest, perturbed spirit! [They swear.] So, gentlemen,[554] With all my love I do commend me to you:[555] And what so poor a man as Hamlet is 185 May do, to express his love and friending to you,[556] God willing, shall not lack. Let us go in together;[557] And still your fingers on your lips, I pray.[558] The time is out of joint: O cursed spite, That ever I was born to set it right![559] 190 Nay, come, let's go together. [Exeunt.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] ACT I. SCENE I.] Actus Primus. Scæna prima. Ff. Omitted in Qq. See note [I]

Elsinore.] Capell.

A platform ...] Malone. An open Place before the Palace. Rowe. A Platform before the Palace. Theobald. Platform of the Castle. Capell.

Francisco at ...] Francisco upon ... Capell. Enter Barnardo, and Francisco, two Centinels. Qq Ff.

[2] Who's] Ff Q₆. Whose The rest.

[3] Who's ... He] As in Qq Ff. Two lines of verse in Capell, the first ending unfold.

[4] Bernardo?] Barnardo? F₁ F₂ Q₆ F₃. Barnardo. The rest.

[5] carefully] chearfully F₃ F₄.

[6] now struck] new-struck Elze (Steevens conj.)

struck] strooke Qq. strook F₁.

[7] Well, ... haste.] As in Qq. Prose in Ff.

[8] Horatio ... rivals] Horatio, and Marcellus The rival Warner conj.

[9] ho] Qq. om. Ff.

Who is] Qq. who's Ff.

Enter ...] Qq Ff (after line 13).

[10] Give you] om. Q (1676).

[11] O, farewell ... night.] Arranged as by Capell. Two lines in Qq Ff.

[12] soldier] Ff. souldiers Qq.

[13] Who hath] Who has Q (1676).

hath my] Qq. ha's my F₁ F₂ has my F₃ F₄.

[14] [Exit.] Exit Fran. Qq F₁. Exit Francisco. F₂ F₃ F₄.

Say,] Say. Knight.

[15] Say, ... there?] As in Capell. One line in Qq Ff.

[16] [Giving his hand. Warburton.

[17] Mar.] (Q₁) Ff. Hora. Qq.

What, has] Q₂ Q₃ Ff Q₆. What has Q₄ Q₅.

to-night?] to night? Qq. to night. Ff.

[18] our] a Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.

[19] sight] spright Warburton conj.

[20] along With us to] along, With us to Qq. along With us, to Ff.

[21] Tush, tush,] om. Q (1676).

[22] story, What ... seen.] story. Mar. _What ... seen--_Hanmer.

[23] have two nights] (Q₁) Qq. two nights have Ff.

sit we] let's Q (1676).

[24] yond] yon F₃ F₄.

[25] to illume] t' illume Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Ff. t' illumin Q₅. t' illumine Q₆. to Illumine (Q₁). to enlighten Q (1676).

[26] beating] towling (Q₁). tolling Collier MS. See note (II).

one,--] one-- Rowe. one. Qq Ff.

[Castle-bell tolls one. Ingleby conj.

Enter Ghost.] Qq. Enter the Ghost. Ff, after off; line 40. Enter the Ghost armed. Collier MS.

[27] Peace ... again!] As in Qq. Two lines in Ff.

off] of Q₂ Q₃ F₁ (Capell's copy).

[28] Ber. Looks ... Horatio.] Omitted in Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.

Looks it] Lookes a Q₂ Q₃. Looke it F₂.

[29] harrows] F₃ F₄. horrowes Qq. harrowes F₁ F₂. horrors (Q₁). startles Q (1676).

[30] Question] (Q₁) Ff. Speake to Qq.

[31] usurp'st] usurpest Q (1676).

[32] march?] Q₆. march, Q₂ Q₃. march: The rest.

by heaven] om. Q (1676).

thee,] Rowe. thee Qq Ff.

[33] speak, speak!] speak; Pope.

[Exit Ghost.] Qq. Exit the Ghost. Ff.

[34] on't] of it Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.

[35] Before ... believe] I could not believe this Q (1676).

not] nor F₂.

[36] true] try'd Warburton.

[37] very] om. F₂ F₃ F₄.

[38] he] om. Ff.

[39] smote] smot Q₂ Q₃ F₁ F₂ F₃.

sledded] Ff. sleaded (Q₁) Qq. sturdy Leo conj.

Polacks] Malone. pollax (Q₁)Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. Pollax Q₅ F₁ F₂ Q₆. Polax F₃. Pole-axe F₄. Pole-axe Rowe. Polack Pope.

[40] 'Tis strange.] 'Tis strange-- Rowe. om. Seymour conj.

[41] jump] (Q₁) Qq. just Ff.

jump at this dead] at the same Q (1676).

dead] same F₂ Q₆ F₃ F₄. dread Anon. conj.

[42] hath he gone by] he passed throught (Q₁) Staunton.

[43] thought to] it Collier MS. See note(II).

[44] gross and] om. Q (1676).

my] (Q₁) Ff. mine Qq.

[45] Good now,] Pray Q (1676).

[46] subject] subjects Pope.

[47] why] (Q₁) Ff. with Qq.

cast] cost (Q₁) Qq.

[48] Does] Dos't F₃ F₄.

[49] Doth make] Makes Q (1676).

joint-labourer] joint labour Q₅ Q₆.

[50] emulate] emulant Seymour conj.

[51] combat] fight Pope.

[52] a] om. Pope.

[53] and] of Hanmer (Warburton).

heraldry] heraldy Q₂ Q₃.

[54] those] Ff. these Qq.

[55] of] Qq. on Ff. in Collier MS. See note (II).

[56] return'd] Ff. returne Qq. remain'd Collier MS. See note (II).

[57] vanquisher;] Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. vanquisher, Ff. vanquisht; Q₆.

the same] that Pope.

covenant] Cov'nant Ff. comart Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. co-mart Q₆. compact Q (1676).

[58] article design'd] F₂ F₃ F₄. article desseigne Q₂ Q₃. articles deseigne Q₄. Articles designe Q₅ Q₆. Article designe F₁. articles design'd Pope. article then sign'd Collier MS. See note (II).

[59] sir] om. Pope

[60] unimproved] inapproved (Q₁) Collier conj. unapproved Anon. conj.

mettle] metall Q₆.

[61] lawless] lawelesse Q₂ Q₃. lawlesse (Q₁) Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. landlesse F₁ F₂ F₃. landless F₄.

[62] lawless ... diet, to] landless resolutes, For food; and dieted to Theobald conj. (withdrawn).

[63] is] om. Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.

[64] As] Qq. And Ff.

[65] compulsatory] Qq. compulsative Ff.

[66] Ber. I think ... countrymen.] Qq. Omitted in Ff.

[67] e'en so] enso Q₂ Q₃. even so Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.

[68] mote] Q₅ Q₆. moth Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.

[69] palmy] flourishing Q (1676) and Rowe.

state] State (i.e. city) Wilson conj.

[70] tenantless] tennatlesse Q₂ Q₃.

and] om. Pope.

[71] streets: ...] Omission first marked by Jennens, who suggests Tremendous prodigies in heaven appear'd. Boaden proposes The heavens too spoke in silent prodigies. Hunter suggests In the heavens above strange portents did appear. Becket would transfer line 123 And prologue ... on to follow streets: line 116.

[72] As ... blood,] Stars shon with trains of fire, dews of blood fell, Rowe. Omitted by Rann. Transferred by Mitford to follow events, line 121.

and dews] shed dews Harness, reading Disasters dimm'd in line 118.

[73] As stars with ... Disasters in] Astres with ... Disasterous dimm'd Malone conj. Disastrous ... Disasters in Becket conj. A star with ... Disasters in Jackson conj. As stars with ... Did usher in Duane conj. As stars with ... Disastering Anon. apud Singer (ed. 2) conj. Astres with ... Did overcast Williams conj. Ay, stars with ... Did darken e'en or Ay, stars with ... Did enter in or Ay, stars with ... Dy'd darkening Leo conj. As stars with ... Disastrous dimm'd or And stars with ... Disastrous dimm'd Anon. conj. (N. and Q.) Asters with ... Disasters in Brae conj. (N. and Q.) As stars, with ... Disastrous, ev'n or As stars, with ... Disastrous hid Taylor conj. MS.

As stars with ... Distempered or As stars with ... Discoloured Staunton conj.

[74] in] veil'd Rowe. dim'd Capell.

[75] fierce] Q₅ Q₆. fearce Q₄. feare Q₂ Q₃. fear'd Collier conj.

[76] As] Are Mitford conj.

[77] omen] omen'd Theobald. omens Becket conj.

[78] climatures] climature Dyce conj.

Re-enter Ghost.] Enter Ghost. Qq. Enter Ghost againe. Ff.

[79] [It spreads his armes. Qq. om. Ff. He spreads his arms. Q (1676).

[80] Speak ... done] As in Pope. One line in Qq Ff.

[81] That ... Speak to me] As in Qq. One line in Ff.

[82] Which ... speak!] As in Qq. One line in Ff.

[83] foreknowing] foreknowledge Collier MS. See note (II).

[84] you] Ff. your Qq.

[85] [The cock crows.] Qq, after line 138. om. Ff.

[86] at] Ff. om. Qq.

[87] Hor ... Ber ... Hor ... Mar.] Ber ... Mar ... Ber ... Hor. Steevens conj.

[88] if it will] if't will S. Walker conj., ending lines 140, 141 Do, ... gone!

[89] [Exit Ghost.] Ff. om. Qq.

[90] For it is, as] It is ever as Q (1676).

[91] morn] morne Qq. morning (Q₁). day Ff.

[92] warning, ... confine:] warning, Th' extravagant ... hies To his confine, whether in sea or air, Or earth or fire Johnson conj.

[93] extravagant] extra-vagate Grey conj.

[94] on] at Q (1676).

[95] say] Qq. sayes Ff.

[96] The] (Q₁) Ff. This Qq.

[97] then] om. F₂F₃F₄.

dare stir] dare sturre Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. dare stirre Q₅. dares stirre Q₆. dare walke (Q₁). can walke Ff. dares walk Rowe. walks Pope.

[98] takes] Qq. talkes F₁ F₂. talks F₃ F₄.

nor] no Q₆ F₄.

[99] the] Ff. that (Q₁) Qq.

[100] eastward] Qq. easterne Ff.

[101] advice] Ff. advise Qq.

[102] for, upon my life,] perhaps Q (1676).

[103] shall] do Rowe (ed. 2).

[104] Let's] Let F₁.

[105] conveniently] (Q₁) Ff. convenient Qq.

A room ...] Capell, substantially. The Palace. Rowe

Flourish.] Qq. om. Ff.

[106] Enter ...] Malone, after Capell. Enter Claudius, King of Denmarke, Gertrad the Queene, Counsaile: as Polonius, and his Sonne Laertes, Hamlet, Cum Alijs. Qq. Enter Claudius King of Denmarke, Gertrude the Queene, Hamlet, Polonius, Laertes, and his Sister Ophelia, Lords Attendant. Ff (Attendants F₂ F₃ F₄).

[107] Though ... memory be] As ... memory's Seymour conj.

[108] that it us befitted] us befitted Steevens conj. it befitted us Seymour conj.

us befitted] fitted Pope.

[109] bear] bathe Collier MS.

[110] sometime] Qq. sometimes Ff.

[111] to] Qq. of Ff.

[112] an ... a] Qq. one ... one Ff. once ... once Becket conj.

a dropping] one drooping Grant White.

[113] along. For ... thanks.] along: (for ... thanks.) Pope. along (for all our thankes) Qq. along, for all our thankes. Ff.

[114] know, young] know: young S. Walker conj.

[115] Colleagued] Collogued Hanmer (Theobald conj). Co-leagued Capell. Colluded Becket conj.

this] Qq. the Ff.

his] this Long MS. and Collier MS. See note (II).

[116] with] by Pope.

bonds] Ff. bands Qq.

[117] [Enter Voltemand and Cornelius. Ff (Voltimand F₂ F₃ F₄). om. Qq.

[118] meeting:] F₄. meeting, Qq. meeting F₁ F₂ F₃.

[119] bed-rid] bedred Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.

[120] gait] Capell. gate Qq Ff.

herein; in] heerein, in Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. herein, in Q₅ Q₆. herein. In Ff.

the] he F₃ F₄.

[121] subject] subjects Q₆.

here] now Q (1676).

[122] Voltimand] F₂ F₃ F₄. Valtemand Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. Voltemand F₁ Q₆. Voltemar (Q₁).

[123] For bearers] (Q₁) Qq. For bearing Ff. Our bearers Theobald conj.

For bearers of this greeting] Ambassadors Q (1676).

[124] Giving to you ... To business] Who have ... Of treaty Q (1676). Giving to you ... Of treaty Rowe.

more than] than does Seymour conj.

[125] Of] Which Pope.

delated] Qq. dilated Ff. related (Q₁) Singer (ed. 1).

allow.] allows. Johnson. allow. [Give them. Collier MS. See note (II).

[126] duty] service S. Walker conj.

[127] Cor. Vol.] Cor. Vo. Qq. Volt. Ff.

[128] it nothing] in nothing F₄.

[Exeunt....] F₄. Exit ... F₁ F₂ F₃. Omitted in Qq.

[129] And] om. Q (1676).

[130] lose] Qq. loose Ff.

[131] not thy] nor thy Q (1676).

[132] head] blood Hanmer (Warburton).

native] motive Bubier conj.

[133] is ... to] to ... is Hanmer (Warburton).

[134] My dread] Qq. Dread my Ff. My Dear Q (1676).

[135] toward] Qq. towards Ff.

[136] Have ... Polonius?] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.

[137] He hath] Hath Q₂ Q₃.

lord,] lord: Ff.

[138] wrung ... petition] by laboursome petition, Wrung from me my slow leave Rowe and Pope.

[139] wrung ... consent:] Qq. Omitted in Ff.

[140] at last] at the last Pope.

[141] be thine ... spend] is thine, And my best graces; spend Johnson conj.

[142] graces] graces; Q₆.

[Exit Laertes. Anon. conj. Exit. (Q₁).

[143] Hamlet, and] Hamlet.--Kind Warburton.

son,--] son-- Rowe. sonne. Qq. sonne? Ff.

[144] [Aside] Warburton.

[145] so] Ff. so much Qq.

i' the sun] i' th' Sun Ff. in the sonne Qq. in the Sun Q (1676).

[146] nighted] Qq. nightly Ff. night-like Collier MS.

[147] vailed] Qq. veyled F₁ F₂. veiled F₃ F₄.

[148] know'st 'tis] know'st--'tis Seymour conj.

common;] Theobald. common, Ff. common Qq.

lives] Qq F₁. live F₂ F₃ F₄.

[149] my inky] this mourning Q (1676).

good mother] Ff. coold mother Q₂ Q₃. could smother Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.

[150] moods] modes Capell.

shapes] Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. chapes Q₂ Q₃. shewes F₁ F₂. shews F₃ F₄.

[151] denote] Ff Q₆. deuote Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. deuoute Q₅.

indeed] may Pope.

[152] passes] Qq. passeth Ff.

[153] 'Tis ... Hamlet,] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.

sweet and] om. Seymour conj.

Hamlet,] om. Pope.

[154] That] The F₄.

lost, lost his] dead, lost his (Q₁). his Pope.

[155] sorrow] sorrowes Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.

persever] persevere Q₆ F₄.

[156] is a course Of] dares express An Q (1676).

[157] 'tis] om. Pope.

[158] a mind] or minde Qq.

[159] absurd] absur'd F₂ F₃.

[160] corse] course Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. coarse Ff Q₆.

[161] unprevailing] unavailing Hanmer.

[162] for let] and let Q (1676).

[163] with] with't Theobald.

no less nobility] nobility no less Badham conj.

[164] with ... impart] still ... impart or with ... my part Mason conj.

[165] Do I] Mine do I Keightley.

toward] Qq. towards Ff.

you. For] Ff. you for Qq.

[166] in Wittenberg] to Wittenberg Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.

[167] retrograde] F₁ Q₆ F₄. retrogard Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. retrograd Q₅. retrogarde F₂ F₃.

[168] bend] beg Anon. MS.

[169] mother] Brother F₄.

lose] Ff Q₆. loose The rest.

[170] I pray thee] Qq. I prythee F₁. I prethee F₂ F₃. I prithee F₄.

[171] I ... madam.] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.

[172] Why] om. Q (1676).

[173] to] at Hanmer. on Ritson conj.

[174] tell] tell it Hanmer.

[175] rouse] rowse Qq. rouce Ff.

heaven] Qq. heavens Ff.

bruit] Q₆ F₃ F₄. brute Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. bruite F₁ F₂.

[176] Flourish.] Qq. om. Ff.

Exeunt....] Qq. Exeunt. Manet Hamlet. Ff.

[177] SCENE III. Pope.

too too solid] too-too-solid Theobald.

solid] Ff. sallied (Q₁) Qq. sullied Anon. conj.

[178] canon] Q (1703). cannon Qq Ff.

self-slaughter] seale slaughter Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.

O God! God!] O God, O God! Ff. Om. Q (1676).

[179] weary] Ff Q₆. wary The rest.

[180] Seem] Seeme Qq. Seemes F₁ F₂. Seems F₃ F₄.

[181] Fie on't! ah fie!] om. Q (1676).

ah fie] Qq. Oh fie, fie F₁ F₂. Oh fie F₃. O fie F₄.

[182] merely. That] Pointed as in Ff. meerely that Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. meerly: that Q₆.

come to this] Ff. come thus Qq.

[183] that ... satyr:] Omitted in Q (1676).

[184] satyr] F₄. satire Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. Satyre Q₅ F₁ F₂ Q₆ F₃.

[185] he ... heaven] the beteened winds of heaven might not Becket conj.

might not beteem] permitted not Q (1676) and Rowe. would not let e'en Theobald (in text, ed. 1). might not let e'en Theobald (in note, ed. 1, and text, ed. 2).

beteem] beteeme Qq. beteene F₁ F₂. beteen F₃. between F₄. permit Southern MS.

[186] Heaven ... remember?] Omitted in Q (1676).

[187] remember?] Rowe. remember, Qq. remember: Ff.

why, she would] Pope. why she would Ff. why she should Qq. she used to Q (1676).

on] upon Anon MS.

[188] and] om. Pope.

[189] on't] om. Pope.

[190] shoes] shoos F₃. shooes The rest. shows Ingleby conj.

month, or] Ff. month or Q₂ Q₃. month. Or Q₄ Q₅. month: Or Q₆.

or ere] Qq Ff. or e'er Rowe.

[191] follow'd] Rowe. followed Qq Ff.

[192] tears] in tears Anon. MS.

tears:--why] teares, why Qq. teares. Why Ff.

even she,] Ff. Omitted in Qq.

[193] O God] Qq. O Heaven Ff.

of reason] and reason Gifford conj.

[194] with my] Qq. with mine Ff.

[195] but] om. Pope.

[196] most unrighteous] moist and righteous Badham conj.

[197] in] Qq. of Ff.

[198] dexterity] celerity S. Walker conj.

[199] break, my] F₄. breake my or break my The rest.

Marcellus, and Bernardo.] Qq (Barnardo Q₆). Barnard, and Marcellus. Ff.

[200] SCENE IV. Pope.

well] om. Collier (Collier MS.)

[201] I ... myself] As in Ff. One line in Qq.

[202] Horatio,--] Theobald. Horatio, Qq Ff. Horatio? Pope.

do] om. Q (1676).

[203] The ... ever.] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.

[204] Sir, ... you:] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.

[205] Marcellus?] Capell. Marcellus. Qq Ff. Marcellus!-- Rowe.

[206] lord?] Edd. lord. Qq Ff. lord-- Rowe. lord! Keightley.

[207] you. Good even, sir.] you, (good even sir) Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. you (good even sir) Q₅ Q₆. you: good even sir. Ff (even, F₄). you good:--even, sir. Jackson conj.

[To Ber.] Edd.

even] morning Hanmer.

[208] what] om. F₄.

in faith] om. Q (1676).

[209] good my] my good Q (1676).

[210] hear] heare Qq. have Ff.

[211] my] Qq. mine Ff.

[212] make] take F₂ F₃ F₄.

make it truster] be a witness Q (1676).

[213] Elsinore] Malone. Elsonoure Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. Elsenour F₁ F₂ Q₆ F₃. Elsenoore F₄.

[214] to drink deep] (Q₁) Ff. for to drinke Qq.

[215] I prethee] Qq. I pray thee F₁. I prythee F₂. I prithee F₃ F₄.

student] studient Q₂ Q₃.

[216] see] (Q₁) Ff. Omitted in Qq.

[217] follow'd] Q₆. followed Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅ F₁. followeth F₂ F₃ F₄.

[218] Or ever I had] Qq. Ere I had ever Ff. Ere ever I had (Q₁) Collier. E're I had Q (1676).

[219] O where] Ff. Where Qq.

[220] He ... He] Ff. a ... A Qq.

[221] for] from Theobald (ed. 1), a misprint.

[222] I shall] I should F₂ F₃ F₄. Eye shall Samwell apud Holt conj.

[223] Saw? who?] Ff. Saw, who? (Q₁) Qq. Saw who? Q (1676) and Singer (ed. 2). Saw! whom? Johnson.

[224] Season] Defer Q (1676).

for] but Q (1676) and Theobald.

[225] attent] Q₂ Q₃ F₁ F₂. attentive (Q₁) Q₄ Q₅ Q₆ F₃ F₄.]

may] om. Pope.

[226] marvel] wonder Q (1676).

For God's love,] Pray Q (1676).

God's] Gods Qq. Heavens Ff.

[227] vast] (Q₁) Q₅ Q₆. wast Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ F₁. waste F₂ F₃ F₄. waist Malone.

[228] Armed at point] Qq (poynt Q₂ Q₃ Q₄). Armed to poynt (Q₁). Arm'd at all points Ff.

cap-a-pe] Capapea (Q₁) Q₂ Q₃. Cap apea Q₄ Q₅. Cap a Pe Ff. Cap a pe Q₆.

[229] stately by them: thrice] stately by them; thrice Qq. stately: By them thrice Ff.

[230] fear-surprised] Hyphened in Ff.

[231] his] this Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.

distill'd] Q₅ Q₆ distilled (Q₁). distil'd Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. bestil'd F₁. bestill'd F₂. be still'd F₃ F₄. bechill'd Collier (Collier MS). dissolv'd or both thrill'd or bethrill'd Bailey conj.

[232] the act of] their Q (1676). th' effect of Warburton.

act of fear,] act: Of fear Becket conj.

[233] In ... did;] They did impart in dreadful secresie, Q (1676).

[234] Where, as] Q₆. Where as (Q₁). Whereas The rest.

deliver'd, both in] deliver'd both, in Long MS.

[235] apparition] apparision Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.

[236] you not] not you Players' reading.

[237] made it] it made Q₆.

[238] its] Q₅ Q₆ F₃ F₄. his (Q₁) Staunton. it Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ F₁ F₂.

[239] like] om. Q (1676).

[240] honour'd] honourable F₂ F₄. honorable F₃.

[241] writ down in] then Q (1676).

[242] of] om. Q (1676).

[243] Indeed, indeed] (Q₁) Ff. Indeede Qq. Seymour would read as Qq, and end the lines but ... to-night?

[244] Mar. Ber.] All. (Q₁) Qq. Both. Ff.

[245] My lord,] om. Q (1676).

[246] My ... up.] As two lines, the first ending not, in Steevens (1793).

[247] face?] face. Q₂ Q₃.

[248] up] down Anon. ap. Hunter conj.

[249] What, look'd he] Pointed as in Ff. No stop in Qq. How look'd he, Staunton, from (Q₁).

[250] Three lines ending like, ... haste ... longer, in Capell.

[251] Very like, very like] (Q₁) Ff. Very like Qq.

[252] moderate] modern Knight, ed. 1 (a misprint).

a] an Q₆.

hundred] hundreth Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.

[253] Mar. Ber.] Both. Qq. All. Ff.

[254] grizzled? no?] grissl'd, no. Qq. grisly? no. F₁. grisly? F₂ F₃ F₄. grizled? Q (1676). grisl'd? no. Warburton. grizl'd? no? Capell.

[255] no? Hor. It was] Hor. No! It was Anon. conj. (Gent. Mag. LX. 403).

[256] as] om. F₃ F₄.

[257] I will] Qq. Ile or I'll Ff, reading Ile ... againe as one line.

[258] walk] wake F₁.

warrant] (Q₁). warn't Qq. warrant you Ff.

[259] conceal'd] concealed F₃ F₄.

[260] be tenable in] require Q (1676).

tenable] Qq. tenible (Q₁). treble F₁ F₄. trebble F₂ F₃. tabled Nicholson conj. (withdrawn).]

tenable in your] in your treble Bailey conj.

tenable ... still] treble ... now Warburton conj. (withdrawn).

[261] whatsoever] what somever Q₂ Q₃. else shall hap] shall befall Pope.

[262] fare] farre Q₂ Q₃.

you] Qq. ye Ff.

[263] eleven] a leaven Q₂ Q₃.

[264] duty] duties (Q₁) Grant White.

honour] homor Q₄.

[265] loves] Qq. love Ff.

farewell.] so fare you well. Seymour conj.

[Exeunt ... Hamlet.] Exeunt. Manet Hamlet. Q (1676). Exeunt Hor. Mar. and Ber. Capell. Exeunt. (after line 252) (Q₁) Qq Ff.

[266] spirit in arms!] F₄. spirit in armes? F₁ F₂ F₃. spirit (in armes) Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. spirit in armes, Q₆. spirit! in arms! Rann (Whalley conj.)

[267] foul] fonde Q₂ Q₃.

rise, Though ... them, to] rise, (Tho' ... them) to Pope. _rise Though ... them to_ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. rise, Though ... them to Ff Q₆. rise, Though ... them from Q (1676) and Long MS.

[268] SCENE III.] SCENE V. Pope.

A room....] An apartment.... Pope. Ophelia.] Ff. Ophelia his Sister. Qq.

[269] embark'd] inbarekt Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. imbarkt Q₅ Q₆. imbark't F₁ F₂. imbark'd F₃ F₄.

[270] convoy is assistant,] convoy is assistant; Ff. convay, in assistant Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. convay, in assistant, Q₅. convay in assistant, Q₆.

sleep] slip Theobald conj. (withdrawn).

[271] favour] Qq. favours Ff.

[272] youth of primy] youth, a prime of Q (1676).

primy] prime Q₆.

[273] Forward] Qq F₃ F₄. Froward F₁ F₂.

sweet, not] tho' sweet, not Rowe. sweet, but not Capell.

[274] perfume and] Qq. om. Ff.

suppliance] soffiance Johnson conj.

minute;] F₂ F₃ F₄. minute Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. minute? F₁. minute: Q₆.

[275] No more.] As in Qq. At end of line 9, in Ff. but no more Collier MS. See note (II).

so?] Rowe. so. Qq Ff.

no more] mo more Q₄.

[276] crescent] F₄. cressant The rest.

[277] bulk] bulkes Qq.

this] Qq. his Ff. the Hanmer.

[278] and] om. Q₄.

[279] soil nor] foyle nor F₂ F₃. foil nor F₄. soil of Warburton. soil, or So quoted by Heath.

[280] will] Qq. feare F₁ F₂. fear F₃ F₄.

fear,] feare, Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. feare F₁ F₂ Q₆. fear F₃ F₄. fear; Keightley.

[281] weigh'd] Ff. wayd Q₂ Q₃. waid Q₄ Q₅. wai'd Q₆.

[282] For ... birth:] Ff. Omitted in Qq.

[283] unvalued] inferior Q (1676).

[284] Carve for] Crave for Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. Bestow Q (1676).

[285] safety] Q₄ Q₆. safty Q₂ Q₃. safetie Q₅. sanctity Ff. sanity Hanmer (Theobald conj.)

health] the health Warburton.

this] Qq. the Ff.

whole] weole F₁.

[286] he is the] he's Pope.

[287] particular act and place] Qq. peculiar sect and force Ff. peculiar act and place Pope.

[288] weigh] way Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.

what] that F₃ F₄.

[289] too] two F₂ F₃.

[290] lose] F₁ F₂ F₃. loose Qq F₄.

[291] unmaster'd] unmastred Qq F₁ F₂ F₃. unmastered F₄.

[292] keep you in] Qq. keepe within Ff.

[293] galls] gaules Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. Galls, F₁.

infants] Q₂ Q₃ F₁. infant Q₄ Q₅ F₂ Q₆ F₃ F₄.

[294] their] Qq. the Ff.

[295] effect] effects Pope.

[296] As watchman to] About Q (1676).

watchman] Q₂ Q₃. watchmen The rest.

my] om. Q (1676).

[297] steep] step Q₂.

to heaven] of heaven Q₆.

[298] Whilst, like a] Whilst like a Ff. Whiles a Qq. Whilst, he a Warburton. While as a Seymour conj.

puff'd and reckless] om. Q (1676).

reckless] careless Pope.

[299] Himself ... treads] Thyself ... tread'st Seymour conj.

[300] recks] Pope, reakes Qq F₂. reaks F₁ F₃ F₄. reck'st Seymour conj.

his] thine Seymour conj.

rede] reed Qq. reade F₁ F₂. read F₃ F₄. tread Smyth conj. MS.

[301] SCENE VI. Pope.

Enter Polonius.] As in Capell. After reed in Qq: after not in Ff.

[302] [Kneeling to Polonius. Capell.

[303] Aboard, aboard] Get aboard Pope.

[304] stay'd] stayed Q₂ Q₃. staied Q₄ Q₅.

for. There; my] Theobald, substantially. for, there my (Q₁) Qq. for there: my Ff.

thee] (Q₁) Qq. you Ff.

[Laying his hand on Laertes's head. Theobald.

[305] Look] Qq. See Ff.

[306] Those] (Q₁) Qq. The Ff.

[307] them to] (Q₁) Ff. them unto Qq. unto Seymour conj.

hoops] hooks Pope.

[308] dull] stale S. Walker conj.

[309] new-hatch'd] new hatcht Qq. unhatch't Ff.

comrade] Ff. courage (Q₁) Qq. court-ape Badham conj.

[310] opposed] (Q₁) Q₂ Q₃ Ff. opposer Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.

[311] thy ear] thy eare Qq. thine eare or thine ear Ff.

[312] Are ... that.] See note (III).

[313] lender be] Ff. lender boy Qq.

[314] loan] F₃ F₄. Loane F₂. lone F₁. loue Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. love Q₆.

loses] Ff Q₆. looses Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.

[315] And] Qq F₁. A F₂ F₃ F₄.

dulls the edge] Ff Q₆. dulleth edge Q₂ Q₃. dulleth the edge Q₄ Q₅.

[316] night] light Warburton.]

the day] to day Q₆.

[317] thee!] Pope. thee. Qq Ff.

[318] do I] I do Q (1676).

[319] invites] Ff. invests Qq.

[320] to you] om. Pope.

in] om. F₃.

[321] [Exit.] Exit Laertes. Qq. Exit Laer. Ff.

[322] hath] om. F₃ F₄.

[323] Lord] Qq. L. Ff.

[324] you? give ... truth.] Q₆. you give ... truth, Q₂ Q₃. you give ... truth. Q₄ Q₅. you, give ... truth? Ff.

[325] pooh!] puh, Qq. puh. Ff.

[326] Unsifted] Unsighted Becket conj.

[327] I'll] Ile F₁ F₂. I'le F₃ F₄. I will Qq.

[328] these] Qq. his Ff.

[329] sterling] Qq. starling F₁ F₂ F₄. startling F₃.

[330] Running] Dyce (Collier conj.) Wrong Qq. Roaming Ff. Wronging Pope. Wringing Theobald (Warburton). Ranging Theobald conj. Worrying Badham conj. Urging or Working Anon. conj. See note (IV).

[331] call it] call't Pope.

[332] to his] to it in his Collier MS. See note (II).

[333] my lord ... heaven] As in Rowe. One line in Qq Ff.

[334] almost ... holy] Qq. all the Ff. almost all the Rowe.

[335] springes] (Q₁) Q₅ F₁ F₂ Q₆. springs Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ F₃ F₄.

[336] prodigal] prodigally Q (1676).

[337] Lends] (Q₁) Qq. Gives Ff.

daughter] oh my daughter Pope. gentle daughter Capell. See note (V).

[338] both] birth Badham conj.

[339] their] the Warburton.

[340] take] take't Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.

From this time] Qq. For this time daughter, Ff. From this time daughter, Long MS.

[341] something] Qq. somewhat Ff.

your] thy Johnson.

[342] entreatments] Ff Q₆. intreatments Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. intraitments Warburton.

[343] parley] Ff Q₆. parle Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.

[344] tether] Ff. tider Q₂ Q₃. teder Q₄ Q₅. tedder Q₆.

may he] he may Warburton.

[345] that dye] Q₆. that die Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. the eye Ff. that eye Grant White.

[346] mere] om. Seymour conj.

implorators] imploratotors Q₂ Q₃. implorers Pope.

[347] bawds] Pope, ed. 2 (Theobald). bonds Qq Ff. bans Becket conj. lauds Anon. conj.

[348] beguile] beguide Q₂ Q₃.

[349] slander] squander Collier (Collier MS.)

moment] Q₂ Q₃ Ff. moments Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. moment's Pope. moments' Collier (ed. 2).

[350] come] and so come Seymour conj. so now, come Collier MS.

ways] wayes Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ F₁ Q₆. waies Q₅. way F₂ F₃ F₄.

[351] Oph. I ... lord.] om. Seymour conj.

[352] SCENE IV.] Capell. om. Ff. SCENE III. Rowe. SCENE VII. Pope.

The platform.] The Platform before the Palace. Rowe.

and] om. Ff.

[353] shrewdly] F₁ Q₆. shroudly Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. shrew'dly F₂ F₃ F₄.

it is very cold.] Qq. is it very cold? F₁ F₂. it is very cold? F₃ F₄.

[354] a] om. Qq.

an] om. F₃ F₄.

[355] is] ha's F₃ F₄. has not Rowe (ed. 2).

struck] F₄. strooke Qq F₁ F₂. strook F₃.

[356] Indeed? I] Capell. Indeed; I Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. Indeed I (Q₁) Ff. Indeed, I Q₆. I Rowe.

it then] Qq. then it Ff.

[357] [A flourish....] Malone, after Capell. A florish of trumpets and 2. peeces goes of. Qq (goe Q₆. off Q₄ Q₅ Q₆). A flourish of Trumpets and Guns. Q (1676). Omitted in Ff. Noise of warlike Musick within. Rowe.

[358] What ... my lord?] Omitted in Steevens's reprint of Q₄.

[359] wake] walke Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.

[360] wassail] wassel (Q₁). wassell Qq. wassels Ff.

up-spring reels] up-spring reeles (Q₁) Qq. upspring reeles F₁ F₂. upspring reels F₃ F₄. upstart reels Pope. upsy freeze Badham conj.

[361] drains] takes Q (1676).

[362] bray out] proclaim Q (1676).

[363] Is it] It is F₂.

[364] is't:] is it; of an antique date: Seymour conj.

[365] But] Qq. And Ff.

native] a native Hammer (ed. 2).

[366] This ... fault.] Put in the margin by Pope.

[367] This ... scandal.] Qq. Omitted in Ff.

[368] revel] reueale Q₂ Q₃. reuelle Q₄. reuell Q₅ Q₆.

[369] revel east and west Makes] Pointed as in Qq. revell, east and west: Makes Pope (ed. 1). revell, east and west, Makes Pope (ed. 2). revel east and west, Makes Warburton.

[370] traduced] tradust Q₂ Q₃.

tax'd] Pope. taxed Qq.

[371] clepe] Q₆. clip Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.

[372] So, oft] Theobald. So oft Qq.

[373] mole] mould Theobald conj. (withdrawn).

[374] the] Pope. their Qq.

[375] livery] levity Becket conj.

star] starre Qq. scar Pope, ed. 2 (Theobald).

[376] Their] Pope, ed. 2 (Theobald). His Qq.

[377] the ... scandal] Omitted by Pope.

[378] the dram of eale ... of a doubt] Q₂ Q₃. the dram of ease ... of a doubt Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. the dram of base ... of worth out Theobald. the dram of base ... oft eat out or the dram of base ... soil with doubt Heath conj. the dram of ill ... of worth out Capell conj. the dram of base Doth eat the noble substance of worth out Id. conj. the dram of base ... oft adopt Holt conj. the dram of base ... oft work out Robertson and Davies conj. the dram of ill ... of good out Jennens. the dram of base ... of worth dout Malone. the dram of base ... often dout Steevens (1793). the dram of base ... oft do out Id. conj. (withdrawn). the dram of base ... of't corrupt Mason conj. the dram of doubt ... oft anneal Anon. conj. (1814). the dream of ease, The noble substance of a doubt,--doth all Becket conj. the dram of ale ... over dough or oft a-dough Jackson conj. the dram of ill ... often dout Caldecott. the dram of bale ... often doubt Singer (ed. 1). the dram of base ... of a doubt Singer (ed. 2). the dram of base ... oft adoubt Singer conj. the dram of bale ... off and out Delius. the dram of base ... derogate Ingleby conj. the dram of lead ... of a ducat Id. conj. the dram of ail ... of a doubt Nichols conj. the dram of lead ... of a pound Staunton conj. the dram of evil ... oft outdo Jervis conj. the dram of base ... offer doubt Brae conj. (N. and Q.) the dram of base Doth, all the noble substance o'er, a doubt Anon. conj. (N. and Q.) the dram of eale Doth all the noble, substance of a doubt Corson conj. the dram of vile Turns ... of a draught Leo conj. the dram of evil ... out of doubt or the dram of evil ... of a courtier Keightley conj. (withdrawn). the dram of base ... often draw Arrowsmith conj. the dram of evil ... oft debase Dyce (ed. 2). the dram of eale ... oft endoubt Nicholson conj. the dram of calce ... so adapt Bullock conj. the dram of earth ... so adapt Bullock conj. (withdrawn). the dram of base ... overcloud Lloyd conj. the dram of base ... often drown Taylor conj. MS. the dram of ease ... oft work out Smyth conj. MS. See note (VI).

the dram of leaven ... of a dough Cartwright conj. the dram of evil ... oft weigh down Bailey conj.

[379] To his] To its Steevens conj. By his Malone conj. By it's Anon. apud Rann conj.

Enter Ghost.] Enter Ghost armed as before. Collier MS.

[380] it] where it Q (1676).

[381] Pause marked after this line in Collier MS.

[382] intents] Qq. events Ff. advent Warburton.

[383] a questionable] unquestionable Becket conj.

[384] father, royal Dane: O] father,--Royal Dane, O Anon. conj. (St James's Chronicle, Oct. 15, 1761).

O] Qq. Oh, oh Ff.

[385] tell ... death] tell why Heried and canoniz'd in death, thy bones Becket conj.

tell Why thy] tell why Thy Lloyd conj.

[386] canonized] canoniz'd Qq Ff.

canonized ... death] bones hears'd in canonized earth Hanmer. canoniz'd bones, hearsed in earth Warburton.

[387] cerements] Qq. cerments F₁. cearments F₂ F₃ F₄.

[388] inurn'd] F₂ F₃ F₄. enurn'd F₁. interr'd (Q₁) Qq. immured Anon. conj.

[389] Revisit'st] F₄. Revisitst F₂ F₃. Revisits Qq F₁.

thus the ... moon,] thus, the ... moon Becket conj.

[390] we] us Pope, ed. 2 (Theobald).

[391] horridly] horribly Theobald.

[392] the reaches] Qq. thee; reaches Ff.

[393] [Ghost beckons Hamlet.] Ghost beckens Hamlet. Ff. Beckins. Q₂ Q₃. Beckons. Q₄ Q₅. Beckens. Q₆.

[394] waves] (Q₁) Qq. wafts Ff.

to a more] off to a Johnson.

more removed] remote Q (1676). See note (VII).

[395] [Holding Hamlet. Rowe.

[396] I will] Qq. will I Ff.

[397] should] shall Q (1676).

[398] fee;] fee? F₃ F₄.

[399] as] like (Q₁) Q₆.

[400] toward] towards Q₄ Q₅.

flood] floods Q (1676).

lord] om. Q₂.

[401] summit] Rowe. somnet Qq. sonnet Ff.

cliff] F₃ F₄. cleefe Qq. cliffe F₁ F₂.

[402] beetles] Ff. bettels Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.

[403] assume] Qq. assumes Ff.

[404] deprive] deprave Hanmer (Warburton).

your ... reason] you of your soveraign reason Collier MS. See note (II).

your ... reason] of sovereignty your Hunter conj.

[405] draw] drive (Q₁) S. Walker conj.

it:] it, Qq. it? F₁. it. F₂ F₃ F₄.

[406] The very ... beneath.] Qq. Omitted in Ff.

[407] It ... thee.] As in Qq. One line in Ff.

[408] waves] Qq. wafts Ff.

[409] off] of Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.

hands] Qq. hand Ff.

[410] Hor.] Mar. Theobald.

[They struggle. Collier MS. See note (II).

[411] artery] Q₆. arture Q₂ Q₃. artyre Q₄. attire Q₅ F₄. artire F₁ F₂ F₃.

this] his F₃ F₄.

[412] As hardy] Hardy Capell.

Nemean] Q₄ Q₅ Q₆ F₃ F₄. Nemeon Q₂ Q₃. Nemian F₁ F₂.

[Ghost beckons. Malone.

[413] am I] I am Q (1676).

call'd:] cald, Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. call'd; Q₆. cal'd? F₁. call'd? F₂ F₃ F₄.

[Breaking from them. Rowe.

[414] on] one Q₄ Q₅.

[Exeunt....] Ff. Exit ... Qq.

[415] imagination] imagion Q₂ Q₃.

[416] Heaven] Heaven's Collier MS. See note (II).

direct it] discover it Q (1676). detect it Farmer conj.

[417] SCENE V.] Capell. SCENE VIII. Pope. Scene continued in Ff.Return to passage

Another part ...] Capell. A more remote part ... Theobald.

Enter....] Re-enter ... Pope.

[418] Whither] (Q₁) Q₆. Whether Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. Where Ff.Return to passage

[419] hour] F₃ F₄. houre Qq. hower F₁. honour F₂.Return to passage

[420] Pity ... unfold] Prose in Q₄ Q₅.Return to reference 1 Return to reference 2

[421] thy] my Q₅.Return to passage

[422] hear.] here, Q₄.Return to passage

[423] when] what Q (1676).Return to passage

[424] What?] Hear what? Keightley. Revenge! what? how? Seymour conj.Return to passage

[425] confined to fast] confined fast Theobald conj. (withdrawn).Return to passage

to fast in] to roast in Theobald conj. (withdrawn). too fast in Warburton. to lasting Singer, ed. 2 (Heath conj.) to waste in Steevens conj. (withdrawn). to fasting Jackson conj. fast to Anon. conj. ('Once a Week').

And for] Tho' in Anon. MS.

[426] that I am] being Seymour conj.Return to passage

[427] knotted] (Q₁) Qq. knotty Ff.Return to passage

[428] an end] on end (Q₁) Pope. an-end Boswell.Return to passage

[429] fretful] F₄. fretfull (Q₁) F₁ F₂ F₃. fearefull Qq.Return to passage

porpentine] porcupine Q (1676).

[430] List, list] Qq. list Hamlet Ff (Hamle F₂).Return to passage

[431] love--] Rowe. love. Qq Ff.Return to passage

[432] God] Qq. Heaven Ff.Return to passage

[433] Murder!] Q₆. Murther Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. Murther? Ff.Return to passage

[434] Murder most] Most Seymour conj.Return to passage

in] at Long MS.

[435] Haste me] Rowe. Hast me Qq. Hast, hast me F₁. Haste, haste me F₂ F₃ F₄.Return to passage

Haste ... swift] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.

know't] Qq. know it Ff. know Pope.

I] om. F₁.

[436] meditation] mediation Q₆.Return to passage

[437] sweep] flye Q (1676). swoop Theobald conj. (withdrawn).Return to passage

[438] shouldst] shouldest Q₄ Q₅.Return to passage

[439] shouldst ... Wouldst] wouldst ... Shouldst Anon. conj. (Misc. Obs. on Hamlet, 1752).Return to passage

[440] roots] Q₅ Q₆. rootes (Q₁) Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. rots Ff.Return to reference 1 Return to reference 2

itself ... wharf,] on Lethe's wharf: itself in ease,--Becket conj.

Lethe] Lethe's Q (1676) and Rowe.

[441] 'Tis] Q₆. Tis Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. It's Ff.Return to passage

my] Qq. mine Ff.

orchard] garden Q (1676).

[442] so] om. Pope.Return to passage

[443] know, thou] F₄. knowe thou Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ F₁ F₂ Q₅ F₃. know thou, Q₆.Return to passage

[444] life] heart Q (1676).Return to passage

[445] O my ... uncle!] As in Dyce (S. Walker conj.) One line in Qq Ff.Return to reference 1 Return to reference 2

[446] My] my Qq. mine Ff.Return to passage

uncle!] Q₆. uncle? Q₂ Q₃ Ff. uncle: Q₄. uncle. Q₅.

[447] Ay,] Ay, Ay S. Walker conj., ending line 41 Ay.Return to passage

Ay, ... that adulterate] Incestuous, adulterate Seymour conj.

[448] witchcraft] witchraft F₂.Return to passage

wit] Pope. wits Qq Ff.

with] Qq. hath F₁ F₂ F₃. and F₄.

gifts,--] gifts, Qq F₃. guifts. F₁. gifts. F₂. gifts F₄.

[449] wit] wits Q₆.Return to passage

[450] to his] Qq F₃ F₄. to to this F₁. to this F₂.Return to passage

[451] seeming-virtuous] Hyphen inserted by Theobald.Return to passage

[452] a] Ff Q₆. om. Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.Return to passage

[453] marriage; and to] marriage, to Ingleby conj.Return to passage

[454] To those ... moved,] As in Pope. One line in Qq Ff.Return to reference 1 Return to reference 2

[455] mine!] mine, surpasses, almost, thinking. Seymour conj.Return to passage

[456] lust,] (Q₁) Ff. but Qq.Return to passage

angel] F₄. angell F₁ F₂ F₃. angle Qq.

[457] Will ... garbage.] Arranged as in Qq. One line in Ff.Return to reference 1 Return to reference 2

[458] sate] F₁ F₂. sort Qq. seat F₃ F₄.Return to passage

[459] prey] pray Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.Return to passage

on] in F₃ F₄.

[460] scent] sent Q₂ Q₃ F₁ Q₆.Return to passage

morning] Qq. mornings Ff.

[461] within my orchard] in my garden Q (1676).Return to passage

my] Qq. mine Ff.

[462] of] Qq. in (Q₁) Ff.Return to passage

[463] secure] secret Johnson.Return to passage

stole] to me stole Q (1676).

[464] hebenon] Ff. hebona (Q₁) Qq. hebon or hemlock Elze conj.Return to passage

vial] viall Qq. violl F₁ F₂. viol F₃ F₄.

[465] my] Qq. mine Ff.Return to passage

[466] effect Holds] effects Hold Q (1676).Return to reference 1 Return to reference 2

[467] alleys] Hanmer. allies (Q₁) Qq Ff.Return to passage

[468] vigour] rigour Staunton conj.Return to passage

posset] Ff. possesse Qq.

[469] eager] (Q₁) Qq. Aygre Ff.Return to passage

[470] bark'd] barckt Q₂ Q₃. barkt Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. bak'd Ff. barked (Q₁).Return to passage

[471] of queen] of queene Qq. and queene Ff (queen F₃ F₄).Return to passage

dispatch'd] dismatch'd Becket conj. despoil'd Collier MS.

[472] blossoms] blossom Dyce conj.Return to passage

[473] Unhousel'd] Theobald. Unhuzled Q₂ Q₃. Unnuzled Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. Unhouzzled Ff.Return to passage

disappointed] unanointed Pope. unappointed Theobald.

unanel'd] Pope. unanueld Q₂ Q₃. un-anneld Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. unnaneld Ff. unaneal'd Theobald. unanoil'd Jennens. and unknell'd Anon. conj. (Gent. Mag. XLVI. 267). unassoiled Boucher conj.

[474] With all] Withall Q₂ Q₃.Return to passage

[475] See note (VIII).Return to passage

[476] howsoever] Ff. howsomever Qq.Return to passage

pursuest] Ff Q₆. pursues Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.

[477] Taint] Tain't Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.Return to passage

contrive] design Q (1676).

[478] matin] morning Q (1676). matins so quoted in Drake's Shakespeare and his Times, II. 414.Return to passage

[479] Adieu, adieu, adieu!] Adiew, adiew, adiew, Qq (Adieu Q₆). Adue, adue, Hamlet: F₁ F₂. Adieu, adieu, Hamlet: F₃ F₄. Farewel, Q (1676).Return to passage

[Exit.] Ff. om. Qq.

[480] O fie! Hold, hold, my] Oh hold, my Pope. Hold, hold, my Capell. O fie! Hold, Collier MS.Return to passage

Hold, hold, my] hold, hold my Q₂ Q₃. hold, my Q₄. hold my Q₅ Ff Q₆.

[481] stiffly] Ff. swiftly Qq. strongly Q (1676).Return to passage

[482] thee!] Q₆. thee, Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. thee? Ff.Return to reference 1 Return to reference 2

[483] while] Ff. whiles Qq.Return to passage

[484] saws] sawe Q₄. saw Q₅ Q₆. registers Q (1676).Return to passage

all pressures] and pressures Q (1676).

[485] yes] Qq. yes, yes Ff.Return to passage

[486] pernicious] prenicious Q₄. pernicious and perfidious Collier (Collier MS.)Return to passage

[487] My tables,--] Pope. (My tables) (Q₁). My tables, Qq. My Tables, my Tables; Ff.Return to passage

set it] set Q₆.

[488] down, ... villain; ... me.' ... sworn't.] down.-- ... villain!... me.' [Writing ... sworn it. [Having kissed the tables. Brae conj.Return to reference 1 Return to reference 2 Return to reference 3 Return to reference 4 Return to reference 5 Return to reference 6

[489] I'm] Ff. I am Qq.Return to passage

[Writing.] Rowe. om. Qq Ff. Opposite line 111, Keightley.

[490] It ... sworn't.] Two lines in Qq. One in Ff. Capell puts It is in a separate line.Return to reference 1 Return to reference 2

[491] It is] Its-- Jackson conj.Return to passage

[492] I have sworn't.] I've sworn it-- Pope.Return to passage

[493] SCENE IX. Pope.Return to passage

Hor. Mar. [Within] Ff. Hora. Qq. See note (IX).

[494] Heaven] Ff. Heavens (Q₁) Qq.Return to passage

[495] Ham.] Qq. Mar. Ff. Mar. [within. Knight.Return to passage

[496] Mar.] Qq. Hor. Ff.Return to passage

[497] bird,] Ff. and Qq. boy, (Q₁) Pope.Return to passage

[498] Hor. What news, my lord?] Omitted in Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.Return to passage

[499] Ham.] Hora. Q₄ Q₅.Return to passage

[500] you will] Qq. you'l F₁. you'll F₂ F₃ F₄.Return to passage

[501] it?] (Q₁) Ff Q₆. it, The rest.Return to passage

[502] secret?] Ff. secret. Qq. secret-- Theobald.Return to passage

Hor. Mar.] Booth. Q₂ Q₃. Both. Q₄ Q₅ Ff Q₆.

my lord.] (Q₁) Ff. Omitted in Qq.

[503] There's ... Denmark] One line in (Q₁) Ff. Two in Qq.Return to passage

ne'er] F₂. nere F₁. ne're F₃ F₄. never Qq.

[504] Denmark But] Denmark--But Seymour conj.Return to reference 1 Return to reference 2

[505] But] Bate Becket conj.Return to passage

[506] There ... this.] As in Qq. Prose in Ff.Return to reference 1 Return to reference 2

[507] i' the] i' th' Ff. in the Qq.Return to passage

[508] desire] Qq. desires (Q₁) Ff.Return to passage

[509] hath] Qq. ha's F₁. has F₂ F₃ F₄.Return to passage

[510] my] Qq. mine Ff.Return to passage

[511] Look you, I'll] Ff. I will Qq. Look you, I will Capell.Return to passage

[512] whirling] Theobald. wherling (Q₁) whurling Qq. hurling Ff. windy Q (1676). hurting Collier MS. See note (II).Return to passage

[513] I'm] Ff. I am Qq.Return to passage

offend] offended F₃ F₄.

[514] Yes, faith,] Yes, Pope. 'Faith, Capell.Return to passage

[515] Horatio] (Q₁) Qq. my Lord Ff.Return to passage

[516] too. Touching] too: touching Q₆. too, touching (Q₁) Ff. to, touching Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.Return to passage

here,] heere, or here, Qq. heere: or here: Ff.

[517] O'ermaster't] Oremastret Q₂ Q₃. O'er-master Rowe (ed. 2).Return to passage

[518] we will] om. (Q₁) Pope. Mar. We will Collier MS. See note (II).Return to passage

[519] Hor. Mar.] Booth. Q₂ Q₃. Both. The rest.Return to passage

[520] In faith, ... I.] Arranged as by Capell. One line in Qq Ff.Return to reference 1 Return to reference 2

[521] We have] We've Pope.Return to passage

[522] Indeed ... indeed.] In deed ... in deed Staunton.Return to passage

[523] Ghost. [Beneath] Swear.] Capell. Ghost cries under the Stage.Return to passage

Ghost. Sweare. Qq. Gho. Sweare. Ghost cries under the Stage. Ff.

[524] Ah, ha, ... cellarage] Arranged as in Qq. Prose in Ff.Return to reference 1 Return to reference 2

[525] Ah] Ff. Ha Qq.Return to passage

so?] Q₆. so, Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. so. Ff.

[526] on: you hear] one you here F₁.Return to passage

[527] the oath] my oath F₃ F₄.Return to passage

[528] seen,] seene Q₂ Q₃. seene, Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. seene. F₁ F₂. seen. F₃ F₄.Return to passage

[529] [Beneath] Capell. om. Qq Ff.Return to reference 1 Return to reference 2 Return to reference 3

[530] Hic] Hie Q₄ Q₅.Return to passage

ubique?] Ff. ubique, Qq.

our] Qq. for Ff.

[531] See note (X).Return to reference 1 Return to reference 2 Return to reference 3 Return to reference 4

[532] this that] this which Rowe (ed. 2).Return to passage

[533] Swear.] (Q₁) Ff. Sweare by his sword. Qq.Return to passage

[534] canst] canst thou Q₆.Return to passage

earth] (Q₁) Qq. ground Ff.

[535] good friends] om. Seymour conj.]Return to passage

friends] Qq F₁. friend F₂ F₃ F₄.

[536] give] bid F₃ F₄.Return to passage

[537] your] (Q₁) Qq. our Ff.Return to passage

[538] Than ... come;] As in Hanmer. One line in Qq Ff.Return to reference 1 Return to reference 2

[539] But come; Here] But Seymour conj.Return to reference 1 Return to reference 2

[540] Here] Swear Pope (ed. 2). swear here Keightley, reading But ... mercy! as one line.Return to passage

[541] How ... on] Put in parentheses in Pope. (ed. 1).Return to reference 1 Return to reference 2 Return to reference 3

[542] How ... note] Put in parentheses in Qq.Return to reference 1 Return to reference 2 Return to reference 3 Return to reference 4 Return to reference 5 Return to reference 6 Return to reference 7 Return to reference 8 Return to reference 9

[543] soe'er] so ere Ff Q₆. so mere Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.Return to passage

[544] As ... on] Put in parentheses in Ff.Return to reference 1 Return to reference 2

[545] meet] fit So quoted by Theobald ('Shakespeare Restored').Return to passage

[546] times] (Q₁) Qq. time Ff.Return to passage

[547] this head-shake] Theobald. this head shake (Q₁) Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. thus, head shake Ff. head thus shak't Q₆.Return to passage

[548] Or] Nor Malone conj.Return to passage

[549] Well, well,] Qq. well, Ff.Return to passage

[550] an if ... an if] Hanmer. and if ... and if Qq Ff. and if ... or if Q (1676). an ... those; An if Seymour conj.Return to reference 1 Return to reference 2

[551] they] (Q₁) Qq. there Ff.Return to passage

[552] giving] givings Warburton.Return to passage

out, to note] Steevens, 1793. (Malone conj.) out, to note) Qq. out to note, Ff. out to note Malone.

to note] denote Pope, ed. 2 (Theobald). to-note Porson conj. MS.

[553] this ... Swear.] this ... doe: So ... you: Sweare. Ff. this doe sweare, So ... you. Qq. this you must swear. So ... you. Q (1676). this do ye swear. So ... you. Swear. Pope. _This do you swear, So ... you!_ Capell. This not to do, swear; So ... you! Boswell.Return to reference 1 Return to reference 2 Return to reference 3

[554] Rest, rest,] Rest, Seymour conj.Return to passage

[They swear.] Edd. (Globe ed.) om. Qq Ff.

[555] I do] om. F₂ F₃ F₄. do I Theobald.Return to passage

[556] friending] friendship Q (1676).Return to passage

[557] God ... lack.] Shall never fail, Q (1676).Return to passage

Let us go in] Let's go Anon. conj.

together] om. Hanmer.

[558] pray.] Rowe. pray, Qq Ff.Return to passage

[559] set] see F₃ F₄.Return to passage

Act II, Scene I — A room in Polonius's house.

Enter POLONIUS and REYNALDO.[560]

Pol. Give him this money and these notes, Reynaldo.[561][562]

Rey. I will, my lord.

Pol. You shall do marvellous wisely, good Reynaldo,[562][563] Before you visit him, to make inquire[564] Of his behaviour.

Rey. My lord, I did intend it. 5

Pol. Marry, well said, very well said. Look you, sir,[565] Inquire me first what Danskers are in Paris,[566] And how, and who, what means, and where they keep, What company, at what expense, and finding[567] By this encompassment and drift of question 10 That they do know my son, come you more nearer[568] Than your particular demands will touch it:[568] Take you, as 'twere, some distant knowledge of him, As thus, 'I know his father and his friends,[569] And in part him:' do you mark this, Reynaldo?[562] 15

Rey. Ay, very well, my lord.

Pol. 'And in part him; but,' you may say, 'not well: But if't be he I mean, he's very wild,[570] Addicted so and so;' and there put on him What forgeries you please; marry, none so rank 20 As may dishonour him; take heed of that; But, sir, such wanton, wild and usual slips As are companions noted and most known To youth and liberty.

Rey. As gaming, my lord.

Pol. Ay, or drinking, fencing, swearing, quarrelling,[571][572] 25 Drabbing: you may go so far.[571]

Rey. My lord, that would dishonour him.

Pol. Faith, no; as you may season it in the charge.[573] You must not put another scandal on him,[574] That he is open to incontinency;[575] 30 That's not my meaning: but breathe his faults so quaintly That they may seem the taints of liberty, The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind, A savageness in unreclaimed blood,[576][577] Of general assault.[576]

Rey. But, my good lord,--[578] 35

Pol. Wherefore should you do this?

Rey. Ay, my lord,[579][580] I would know that.[579]

Pol. Marry, sir, here's my drift, And I believe it is a fetch of warrant:[581] You laying these slight sullies on my son,[582] As 'twere a thing a little soil'd i' the working,[583] 40 Mark you,[584][585] Your party in converse, him you would sound,[584][586] Having ever seen in the prenominate crimes[587] The youth you breathe of guilty, be assured[588] He closes with you in this consequence;[589] 45 'Good sir,' or so, or 'friend,' or 'gentleman,'[590] According to the phrase or the addition[591] Of man and country.

Rey. Very good, my lord.

Pol. And then, sir, does he this--he does--what was I[592][593] about to say? By the mass, I was about to say something:[592][594] 50 where did I leave?[592]

Rey. At 'closes in the consequence,' at 'friend or so,'[595] and 'gentleman.'[595]

Pol. At 'closes in the consequence,' ay, marry;[596] He closes with you thus: 'I know the gentleman;[597] 55 I saw him yesterday, or t'other day,[598] Or then, or then, with such, or such, and, as you say,[599] There was a' gaming, there o'ertook in's rouse,[600] There falling out at tennis:' or perchance,[601] 'I saw him enter such a house of sale,'[602] 60 Videlicet, a brothel, or so forth.[603] See you now;[603] Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth:[604] And thus do we of wisdom and of reach, With windlasses and with assays of bias,[605] 65 By indirections find directions out:[606] So, by my former lecture and advice,[607] Shall you my son. You have me, have you not?

Rey. My lord, I have.

Pol. God be wi' ye; fare ye well.[608]

Rey. Good my lord![609] 70

Pol. Observe his inclination in yourself.[610]

Rey. I shall, my lord.

Pol. And let him ply his music.

Rey. Well, my lord.

Pol. Farewell! [Exit Reynaldo.

Enter OPHELIA.[611]

How now, Ophelia! what's the matter?

Oph. O, my lord, my lord, I have been so affrighted![612] 75

Pol. With what, i' the name of God?[613]

Oph. My lord, as I was sewing in my closet,[614] Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced,[615] No hat upon his head, his stockings foul'd,[616] Ungarter'd and down-gyved to his ancle;[617] 80 Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other, And with a look so piteous in purport As if he had been loosed out of hell To speak of horrors, he comes before me.[618]

Pol. Mad for thy love?

Oph. My lord, I do not know,[619] 85 But truly I do fear it.[619]

Pol. What said he?

Oph. He took me by the wrist and held me hard;[620] Then goes he to the length of all his arm, And with his other hand thus o'er his brow, He falls to such perusal of my face 90 As he would draw it. Long stay'd he so;[621] At last, a little shaking of mine arm,[622] And thrice his head thus waving up and down, He raised a sigh so piteous and profound[623] As it did seem to shatter all his bulk[624] 95 And end his being: that done, he lets me go:[625] And with his head over his shoulder turn'd,[626] He seem'd to find his way without his eyes; For out o' doors he went without their helps,[627] And to the last bended their light on me. 100

Pol. Come, go with me: I will go seek the king.[628] This is the very ecstasy of love; Whose violent property fordoes itself[629] And leads the will to desperate undertakings As oft as any passion under heaven[630] 105 That does afflict our natures. I am sorry. What, have you given him any hard words of late?

Oph. No, my good lord, but, as you did command, I did repel his letters and denied His access to me.

Pol. That hath made him mad. 110 I am sorry that with better heed and judgement[631] I had not quoted him: I fear'd he did but trifle[632] And meant to wreck thee; but beshrew my jealousy![633] By heaven, it is as proper to our age[634] To cast beyond ourselves in our opinions 115 As it is common for the younger sort To lack discretion. Come, go we to the king:[635] This must be known; which, being kept close, might move[636] More grief to hide than hate to utter love.[637] Come. [Exeunt.[638] 120

Act II, Scene II — A room in the castle.

Flourish. Enter KING, QUEEN, ROSENCRANTZ, GUILDENSTERN, and Attendants.[639]

King. Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern![640][641] Moreover that we much did long to see you, The need we have to use you did provoke Our hasty sending. Something have you heard[642] Of Hamlet's transformation; so call it,[643] 5 Sith nor the exterior nor the inward man[644] Resembles that it was. What it should be, More than his father's death, that thus hath put him So much from th' understanding of himself, I cannot dream of: I entreat you both,[645] 10 That, being of so young days brought up with him And sith so neighbour'd to his youth and haviour,[646] That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court Some little time: so by your companies To draw him on to pleasures, and to gather 15 So much as from occasion you may glean,[647] Whether aught to us unknown afflicts him thus,[648] That open'd lies within our remedy.[649]

Queen. Good gentlemen, he hath much talk'd of you, And sure I am two men there are not living[650] 20 To whom he more adheres. If it will please you To show us so much gentry and good will[651] As to expend your time with us awhile[652] For the supply and profit of our hope, Your visitation shall receive such thanks[653] 25 As fits a king's remembrance.

Ros. Both your majesties Might, by the sovereign power you have of us,[654] Put your dread pleasures more into command Than to entreaty.

Guil. But we both obey,[655] And here give up ourselves, in the full bent 30 To lay our service freely at your feet,[656] To be commanded.[657]

King. Thanks, Rosencrantz and gentle Guildenstern.[640][641]

Queen. Thanks, Guildenstern and gentle Rosencrantz:[640][641] And I beseech you instantly to visit 35 My too much changed son. Go, some of you,[658] And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is.[659]

Guil. Heavens make our presence and our practices Pleasant and helpful to him!

Queen. Ay, amen!

[Exeunt Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and some Attendants.[660]

Enter POLONIUS.

Pol. The ambassadors from Norway, my good lord, 40 Are joyfully return'd.

King. Thou still hast been the father of good news.

Pol. Have I, my lord? I assure my good liege,[661] I hold my duty as I hold my soul, Both to my God and to my gracious king:[662] 45 And I do think, or else this brain of mine Hunts not the trail of policy so sure[663] As it hath used to do, that I have found[664] The very cause of Hamlet's lunacy.

King. O, speak of that; that do I long to hear.[665] 50

Pol. Give first admittance to the ambassadors; My news shall be the fruit to that great feast.[666]

King. Thyself do grace to them, and bring them in.

[Exit Polonius.[667]

He tells me, my dear Gertrude, he hath found[668] The head and source of all your son's distemper. 55

Queen. I doubt it is no other but the main; His father's death and our o'erhasty marriage.[669]

King. Well, we shall sift him.

Re-enter POLONIUS, with VOLTIMAND and CORNELIUS.

Welcome, my good friends![670] Say, Voltimand, what from our brother Norway?[671]

Volt. Most fair return of greetings and desires. 60 Upon our first, he sent out to suppress His nephew's levies, which to him appear'd[672] To be a preparation 'gainst the Polack,[673] But better look'd into, he truly found It was against your highness: whereat grieved, 65 That so his sickness, age and impotence Was falsely borne in hand, sends out arrests On Fortinbras; which he, in brief, obeys, Receives rebuke from Norway, and in fine Makes vow before his uncle never more 70 To give the assay of arms against your majesty. Whereon old Norway, overcome with joy, Gives him three thousand crowns in annual fee[674] And his commission to employ those soldiers, So levied as before, against the Polack:[673] 75 With an entreaty, herein further shown, [Giving a paper.[675] That it might please you to give quiet pass Through your dominions for this enterprise,[676] On such regards of safety and allowance As therein are set down.[677]

King. It likes us well, 80 And at our more consider'd time we'll read,[678] Answer, and think upon this business.[679] Meantime we thank you for your well-took labour: Go to your rest; at night we'll feast together:[680] Most welcome home! [Exeunt Voltimand and Cornelius.

Pol. This business is well ended.[681] 85 My liege, and madam, to expostulate What majesty should be, what duty is, Why day is day, night night, and time is time, Were nothing but to waste night, day and time. Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit[682] 90 And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,[683] I will be brief. Your noble son is mad: Mad call I it; for, to define true madness,[684] What is't but to be nothing else but mad?[685] But let that go.

Queen. More matter, with less art. 95

Pol. Madam, I swear I use no art at all. That he is mad, 'tis true: 'tis true 'tis pity,[686] And pity 'tis 'tis true: a foolish figure;[687] But farewell it, for I will use no art.[688] Mad let us grant him then: and now remains 100 That we find out the cause of this effect,[689] Or rather say, the cause of this defect, For this effect defective comes by cause: Thus it remains and the remainder thus.[690][691] Perpend.[690][692] 105 I have a daughter,--have while she is mine,--[693] Who in her duty and obedience, mark, Hath given me this: now gather and surmise. [Reads.[694] 'To the celestial, and my soul's idol, the most beautified Ophelia,'--[695] That's an ill phrase, a vile phrase; 'beautified' is a vile[696] 110 phrase: but you shall hear. Thus: [Reads.[697][698] 'In her excellent white bosom, these,' &c.[697][699]

Queen. Came this from Hamlet to her?

Pol. Good madam, stay awhile; I will be faithful. [Reads.[700] 'Doubt thou the stars are fire; 115 Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love. 'O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers; I have not art to reckon my groans: but that I love thee best, O most 120 best, believe it. Adieu. 'Thine evermore, most dear lady, whilst this machine is to him, HAMLET.'[701] This in obedience hath my daughter shown me;[702] And more above, hath his solicitings,[703] 125 As they fell out by time, by means and place, All given to mine ear.

King. But how hath she[704] Received his love?[704]

Pol. What do you think of me?

King. As of a man faithful and honourable.

Pol. I would fain prove so. But what might you think,[705] 130 When I had seen this hot love on the wing,--[706] As I perceived it, I must tell you that, Before my daughter told me,--what might you, Or my dear majesty your queen here, think,[707] If I had play'd the desk or table-book,[708] 135 Or given my heart a winking, mute and dumb,[709] Or look'd upon this love with idle sight; What might you think? No, I went round to work, And my young mistress thus I did bespeak:[710] 'Lord Hamlet is a prince, out of thy star;[711] 140 This must not be:' and then I prescripts gave her,[712] That she should lock herself from his resort,[713] Admit no messengers, receive no tokens. Which done, she took the fruits of my advice;[714] And he repulsed, a short tale to make,[714][715] 145 Fell into a sadness, then into a fast,[716] Thence to a watch, thence into a weakness,[717][718] Thence to a lightness, and by this declension[718][719] Into the madness wherein now he raves[720] And all we mourn for.[721] 150

King. Do you think this?

Queen. It may be, very like.[722]

Pol. Hath there been such a time, I'ld fain know that,[723] That I have positively said ''tis so,' When it proved otherwise?

King. Not that I know.

Pol. [Pointing to his head and shoulder] Take this from this, if this be otherwise:[724] 155 If circumstances lead me, I will find Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed Within the centre.

King. How may we try it further?[725]

Pol. You know, sometimes he walks four hours together[726][727] Here in the lobby.[726]

Queen. So he does, indeed.[728] 160

Pol. At such a time I'll loose my daughter to him: Be you and I behind an arras then;[729][730] Mark the encounter: if he love her not,[729] And be not from his reason fall'n thereon, Let me be no assistant for a state, 165 But keep a farm and carters.[731]

King. We will try it.

Queen. But look where sadly the poor wretch comes reading.[732]

Pol. Away, I do beseech you, both away:[733] I'll board him presently.

[Exeunt King, Queen, and Attendants.

Enter HAMLET, reading.[734]

O, give me leave: how does my good Lord Hamlet?[735] 170

Ham. Well, God-a-mercy.

Pol. Do you know me, my lord?

Ham. Excellent well; you are a fishmonger.[736]

Pol. Not I, my lord.

Ham. Then I would you were so honest a man. 175

Pol. Honest, my lord![737]

Ham. Ay, sir; to be honest, as this world goes, is to[738] be one man picked out of ten thousand.[738][739]

Pol. That's very true, my lord.

Ham. For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog,[740] 180 being a god kissing carrion--Have you a daughter?[741]

Pol. I have, my lord.

Ham. Let her not walk i' the sun: conception is a blessing; but as your daughter may conceive,--friend, look[742] to't. 185

Pol. [Aside] How say you by that? Still harping on[743] my daughter: yet he knew me not at first; he said I was a[743][744][745] fishmonger: he is far gone: and truly in my youth I[743][745][746][747] suffered much extremity for love; very near this. I'll[743][746][748] speak to him again. What do you read, my lord?[743][746][749] 190

Ham. Words, words, words.

Pol. What is the matter, my lord?[749]

Ham. Between who?[750]

Pol. I mean, the matter that you read, my lord.[751]

Ham. Slanders, sir: for the satirical rogue says here that[752] 195 old men have grey beards, that their faces are wrinkled, their eyes purging thick amber and plum-tree gum, and[753] that they have a plentiful lack of wit, together with most[754] weak hams: all which, sir, though I most powerfully and potently believe, yet I hold it not honesty to have it thus 200 set down; for yourself, sir, shall grow old as I am, if like a[755] crab you could go backward.

Pol. [Aside] Though this be madness, yet there is[756][757][758] method in't. Will you walk out of the air, my lord?[757]

Ham. Into my grave.[759] 205

Pol. Indeed, that's out of the air. [Aside] How pregnant[760][761] sometimes his replies are! a happiness that often madness[760][762] hits on, which reason and sanity could not so prosperously[760][763][764] be delivered of. I will leave him, and suddenly contrive[760][764][765][766] the means of meeting between him and my daughter. My[760][766][767] 210 honourable lord, I will most humbly take my leave of you.[760][767]

Ham. You cannot, sir, take from me any thing that I[768] will more willingly part withal: except my life, except my[769][770] life, except my life.[770]

Pol. Fare you well, my lord. 215

Ham. These tedious old fools!

Enter ROSENCRANTZ and GUILDENSTERN.[771]

Pol. You go to seek the Lord Hamlet; there he is.[772]

Ros. [To Polonius] God save you, sir! [Exit Polonius.[773]

Guil. My honoured lord![774]

Ros. My most dear lord! 220

Ham. My excellent good friends! How dost thou, Guildenstern?[775] Ah, Rosencrantz! Good lads, how do you both?[776]

Ros. As the indifferent children of the earth.

Guil. Happy, in that we are not over-happy;[777] On Fortune's cap we are not the very button.[777][778] 225

Ham. Nor the soles of her shoe?[779]

Ros. Neither, my lord.

Ham. Then you live about her waist, or in the middle[780] of her favours?[781]

Guil. Faith, her privates we.[782] 230

Ham. In the secret parts of Fortune? O, most true; she is a strumpet. What's the news?[783]

Ros. None, my lord, but that the world's grown honest.[784]

Ham. Then is doomsday near: but your news is not[785] true. Let me question more in particular: what have you,[786] 235 my good friends, deserved at the hands of Fortune, that she[786] sends you to prison hither?[786]

Guil. Prison, my lord![786]

Ham. Denmark's a prison.[786]

Ros. Then is the world one.[786] 240

Ham. A goodly one; in which there are many confines,[786] wards and dungeons, Denmark being one o' the worst.[786][787]

Ros. We think not so, my lord.[786]

Ham. Why, then 'tis none to you; for there is nothing[786][788] either good or bad, but thinking makes it so: to me it is a[786][788] 245 prison.[786]

Ros. Why, then your ambition makes it one; 'tis too[786] narrow for your mind.[786]

Ham. O God, I could be bounded in a nut-shell and[786] count myself a king of infinite space, were it not that I[786] 250 have bad dreams.[786][789]

Guil. Which dreams indeed are ambition; for the very[786] substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream.[786]

Ham. A dream itself is but a shadow.[786]

Ros. Truly, and I hold ambition of so airy and light a[786] 255 quality that it is but a shadow's shadow.[786]

Ham. Then are our beggars bodies, and our monarchs[786] and outstretched heroes the beggars' shadows. Shall we to[786] the court? for, by my fay, I cannot reason.[786][790]

Ros. Guil. We'll wait upon you.[786][791] 260

Ham. No such matter: I will not sort you with the rest[786] of my servants; for, to speak to you like an honest man, I[786] am most dreadfully attended. But, in the beaten way of[786] friendship, what make you at Elsinore?[792][793]

Ros. To visit you, my lord; no other occasion. 265

Ham. Beggar that I am, I am even poor in thanks; but[794] I thank you: and sure, dear friends, my thanks are too dear a halfpenny. Were you not sent for? Is it your own[795] inclining? Is it a free visitation? Come, deal justly with me:[796] come, come; nay, speak. 270

Guil. What should we say, my lord?

Ham. Why, any thing, but to the purpose. You were[797] sent for; and there is a kind of confession in your looks,[798] which your modesties have not craft enough to colour: I know the good king and queen have sent for you. 275

Ros. To what end, my lord?

Ham. That you must teach me. But let me conjure you, by the rights of our fellowship, by the consonancy of our[799] youth, by the obligation of our ever-preserved love, and by[800] what more dear a better proposer could charge you withal, be[801] 280 even and direct with me, whether you were sent for, or no.[802]

Ros. [Aside to Guil.] What say you?[803]

Ham. [Aside] Nay then, I have an eye of you.--If you[804][805] love me, hold not off.[804]

Guil. My lord, we were sent for. 285

Ham. I will tell you why; so shall my anticipation prevent your discovery, and your secrecy to the king and queen[806][807] moult no feather. I have of late--but wherefore I know not--lost[807][808] all my mirth, foregone all custom of exercises; and indeed[809] it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goodly[810] 290 frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory; this most excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave o'erhanging[811] firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire, why,[812] it appears no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent[813] congregation of vapours. What a piece of work is a man![814] 295 how noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and[815][816] moving how express and admirable! in action how like an[816] angel! in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the[816] world! the paragon of animals! And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust? man delights not me; no, nor woman[817] 300 neither, though by your smiling you seem to say so.[818]

Ros. My lord, there was no such stuff in my thoughts.

Ham. Why did you laugh then, when I said 'man[819] delights not me'?

Ros. To think, my lord, if you delight not in man, what 305 lenten entertainment the players shall receive from you:[820] we coted them on the way; and hither are they coming, to[821] offer you service.

Ham. He that plays the king shall be welcome; his majesty shall have tribute of me; the adventurous knight[822] 310 shall use his foil and target; the lover shall not sigh gratis;[823] the humourous man shall end his part in peace; the clown[824] shall make those laugh whose lungs are tickled o' the sere,[824][825] and the lady shall say her mind freely, or the blank verse[826] shall halt for't. What players are they? 315

Ros. Even those you were wont to take such delight[827] in, the tragedians of the city.[828]

Ham. How chances it they travel? their residence,[829] both in reputation and profit, was better both ways.[830]

Ros. I think their inhibition comes by the means of the[831][832] 320 late innovation.[831][833]

Ham. Do they hold the same estimation they did when[834] I was in the city? are they so followed?

Ros. No, indeed, are they not.[835]

Ham. How comes it? do they grow rusty?[836] 325

Ros. Nay, their endeavour keeps in the wonted pace:[836] but there is, sir, an eyrie of children, little eyases, that cry[836][837] out on the top of question and are most tyranically clapped[836][838] for't: these are now the fashion, and so berattle the common[836][839] stages--so they call them--that many wearing rapiers[836][840] 330 are afraid of goose-quills, and dare scarce come thither.[836]

Ham. What, are they children? who maintains 'em?[836][841] how are they escoted? Will they pursue the quality no[836] longer than they can sing? will they not say afterwards, if[836] they should grow themselves to common players,--as it is[836][842] 335 most like, if their means are no better,--their writers do them[836][843] wrong, to make them exclaim against their own succession?[836][844]

Ros. Faith, there has been much to do on both sides,[836] and the nation holds it no sin to tarre them to controversy:[836] there was for a while no money bid for argument unless[836] 340 the poet and the player went to cuffs in the question.[836]

Ham. Is't possible?[836]

Guil. O, there has been much throwing about of brains.[836]

Ham. Do the boys carry it away?[836]

Ros. Ay, that they do, my lord; Hercules and his load too.[836][845] 345

Ham. It is not very strange; for my uncle is king of[846] Denmark, and those that would make mows at him while[847] my father lived, give twenty, forty, fifty, a hundred ducats[848] a-piece, for his picture in little. 'Sblood, there is something[849] in this more than natural, if philosophy could find it out.[850] 350

[Flourish of trumpets within.

Guil. There are the players.[851]

Ham. Gentlemen, you are welcome to Elsinore. Your[793] hands, come then: the appurtenance of welcome is fashion[852] and ceremony: let me comply with you in this garb, lest[853][854] my extent to the players, which, I tell you, must show[854][855] 355 fairly outwards, should more appear like entertainment[856] than yours. You are welcome: but my uncle-father and aunt-mother are deceived.

Guil. In what, my dear lord?

Ham. I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind 360 is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw.[857]

Enter POLONIUS.

Pol. Well be with you, gentlemen![858]

Ham. Hark you, Guildenstern; and you too: at each[859] ear a hearer: that great baby you see there is not yet out[860] of his swaddling clouts.[861] 365

Ros. Happily he's the second time come to them; for[862] they say an old man is twice a child.

Ham. I will prophesy he comes to tell me of the[863] players; mark it. You say right, sir: o'Monday morning;[864] 'twas so, indeed.[865] 370

Pol. My lord, I have news to tell you.

Ham. My lord, I have news to tell you. When Roscius[866] was an actor in Rome,--[867]

Pol. The actors are come hither, my lord.

Ham. Buz, buz! 375

Pol. Upon my honour,--[868]

Ham. Then came each actor on his ass,--[869]

Pol. The best actors in the world, either for tragedy, comedy, history, pastoral, pastoral-comical, historical-pastoral,[870] tragical-historical, tragical-comical-historical-pastoral,[870][871] 380 scene individable, or poem unlimited: Seneca cannot be too[872] heavy, nor Plautus too light. For the law of writ and the[873][874][875] liberty these are the only men.[873][875]

Ham. O Jephthah, judge of Israel, what a treasure[876][877] hadst thou! 385

Pol. What a treasure had he, my lord?[878]

Ham. Why,[879] 'One fair daughter, and no more,[879] The which he loved passing well.'[879]

Pol. [Aside] Still on my daughter.[880] 390

Ham. Am I not i' the right, old Jephthah?

Pol. If you call me Jephthah, my lord, I have a daughter[881][882] that I love passing well.[881]

Ham. Nay, that follows not.[881]

Pol. What follows, then, my lord? 395

Ham. Why,[883] 'As by lot, God wot,'[883] and then, you know,[884] 'It came to pass, as most like it was,'--[884] the first row of the pious chanson will show you more;[885] 400 for look, where my abridgement comes.[886]

Enter four or five Players.

You are welcome, masters; welcome, all. I am glad to see[887] thee well. Welcome, good friends. O, my old friend! Why[888][889] thy face is valanced since I saw thee last; comest thou to[889][890] beard me in Denmark? What, my young lady and mistress! 405 By'r lady, your ladyship is nearer to heaven than[891] when I saw you last, by the altitude of a chopine. Pray[892] God, your voice, like a piece of uncurrent gold, be not cracked within the ring. Masters, you are all welcome. We'll e'en to 't like French falconers, fly at any thing we[893] 410 see: we'll have a speech straight: come, give us a taste of your quality; come, a passionate speech.

First Play. What speech, my good lord?[894][895]

Ham. I heard thee speak me a speech once, but it was never acted; or, if it was, not above once; for the play, I remember, 415 pleased not the million; 'twas caviare to the general:[896] but it was--as I received it, and others, whose judgements[897] in such matters cried in the top of mine--an excellent play, well digested in the scenes, set down with as much modesty as cunning. I remember, one said there were no sallets in[898] 420 the lines to make the matter savoury, nor no matter in the phrase that might indict the author of affection; but called[899] it an honest method, as wholesome as sweet, and by very[900] much more handsome than fine. One speech in it I chiefly[900][901] loved: 'twas Æneas' tale to Dido; and thereabout of it especially,[902] 425 where he speaks of Priam's slaughter: if it live in[903] your memory, begin at this line; let me see, let me see; 'The rugged Pyrrhus, like th' Hyrcanian beast,'--[904] It is not so: it begins with 'Pyrrhus.'[905] 'The rugged Pyrrhus, he whose sable arms, 430 Black as his purpose, did the night resemble[906] When he lay couched in the ominous horse,[907] Hath now this dread and black complexion smear'd[908] With heraldry more dismal: head to foot[909] Now is he total gules; horridly trick'd[910] 435 With blood of fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, Baked and impasted with the parching streets,[911] That lend a tyrannous and a damned light[912][913] To their lord's murder: roasted in wrath and fire,[913][914] And thus o'er-sized with coagulate gore,[915] 440 With eyes like carbuncles, the hellish Pyrrhus[916] Old grandsire Priam seeks.' So, proceed you.[917]

Pol 'Fore God, my lord, well spoken, with good accent and good discretion. 445

First Play. 'Anon he finds him[894] Striking too short at Greeks; his antique sword,[918] Rebellious to his arm, lies where it falls,[919] Repugnant to command: unequal match'd,[920] Pyrrhus at Priam drives; in rage strikes wide; 450 But with the whiff and wind of his fell sword The unnerved father falls. Then senseless Ilium,[921] Seeming to feel this blow, with flaming top[922] Stoops to his base, and with a hideous crash[923] Takes prisoner Pyrrhus' ear: for, lo! his sword,[924] 455 Which was declining on the milky head Of reverend Priam, seem'd i' the air to stick:[925] So, as a painted tyrant, Pyrrhus stood.[926] And like a neutral to his will and matter,[927][928] Did nothing.[928] 460 But as we often see, against some storm, A silence in the heavens, the rack stand still,[929] The bold winds speechless and the orb below[930] As hush as death, anon the dreadful thunder Doth rend the region, so after Pyrrhus' pause[924][931] 465 Aroused vengeance sets him new a-work;[932] And never did the Cyclops' hammers fall[933] On Mars's armour, forged for proof eterne,[934] With less remorse than Pyrrhus' bleeding sword[924] Now falls on Priam. 470 Out, out, thou strumpet, Fortune! All you gods,[935] In general synod take away her power, Break all the spokes and fellies from her wheel,[936] And bowl the round nave down the hill of heaven As low as to the fiends!' 475

Pol. This is too long.[937]

Ham. It shall to the barber's, with your beard. Prithee,[938] say on: he's for a jig or a tale of bawdry, or he sleeps: say on: come to Hecuba.

First Play. 'But who, O, who had seen the mobled queen--'[939][940][941] 480

Ham. 'The mobled queen?'[940][942]

Pol. That's good; 'mobled queen' is good.[943]

First Play. 'Run barefoot up and down, threatening the flames[944] With bisson rheum; a clout upon that head[945] Where late the diadem stood; and for a robe, 485 About her lank and all o'er-teemed loins, A blanket, in the alarm of fear caught up:[946] Who this had seen, with tongue in venom steep'd 'Gainst Fortune's state would treason have pronounced:[947] But if the gods themselves did see her then, 490 When she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport In mincing with his sword her husband's limbs,[948] The instant burst of clamour that she made, Unless things mortal move them not at all,[949] Would have made milch the burning eyes of heaven[950] 495 And passion in the gods.'[951]

Pol. Look, whether he has not turned his colour and[952] has tears in's eyes. Prithee, no more.[953]

Ham. 'Tis well; I'll have thee speak out the rest of this[954] soon. Good my lord, will you see the players well bestowed?[955] 500 Do you hear, let them be well used, for they are the abstract[956] and brief chronicles of the time: after your death you were better have a bad epitaph than their ill report while you live.[957]

Pol. My lord, I will use them according to their desert.[958]

Ham. God's bodykins, man, much better: use every[959] 505 man after his desert, and who shall 'scape whipping? Use[958][960] them after your own honour and dignity: the less they deserve, the more merit is in your bounty. Take them in.

Pol. Come, sirs.

Ham. Follow him, friends: we'll hear a play to-morrow. 510

[Exit Polonius with all the Players but the First.[961]

Dost thou hear me, old friend; can you play the Murder of[962] Gonzago?[963]

First Play. Ay, my lord.

Ham. We'll ha't to-morrow night. You could, for a[961][964][965] need, study a speech of some dozen or sixteen lines, which[965][966] 515 I would set down and insert in't, could you not?[967]

First Play. Ay, my lord.

Ham. Very well. Follow that lord; and look you[961] mock him not. [Exit First Player.] My good friends, I'll[968] leave you till night: you are welcome to Elsinore.[969] 520

Ros. Good my lord![970]

Ham. Ay, so, God be wi' ye! [_Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern._] Now I am alone.[971] O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I! Is it not monstrous that this player here, But in a fiction, in a dream of passion,[972] 525 Could force his soul so to his own conceit[973] That from her working all his visage wann'd;[974] Tears in his eyes, distraction in's aspect,[975] A broken voice, and his whole function suiting[976] With forms to his conceit? and all for nothing![977] 530 For Hecuba![978] What's Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba,[979] That he should weep for her? What would he do, Had he the motive and the cue for passion[980] That I have? He would drown the stage with tears 535 And cleave the general ear with horrid speech, Make mad the guilty and appal the free,[981] Confound the ignorant, and amaze indeed The very faculties of eyes and ears.[982][983] Yet I,[982][984][985] 540 A dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peak,[984][985][986] Like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause,[985][987] And can say nothing; no, not for a king,[985] Upon whose property and most dear life A damn'd defeat was made. Am I a coward?[988] 545 Who calls me villain? breaks my pate across?[988] Plucks off my beard, and blows it in my face?[988] Tweaks me by the nose? gives me the lie i' the throat,[988] As deep as to the lungs? who does me this?[988] Ha![989] 550 'Swounds, I should take it: for it cannot be[990] But I am pigeon-liver'd and lack gall To make oppression bitter, or ere this[991] I should have fatted all the region kites[992] With this slave's offal: bloody, bawdy villain![993] 555 Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain![994] O, vengeance![995] Why, what an ass am I! This is most brave,[996] That I, the son of a dear father murder'd,[997] Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, 560 Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words, And fall a-cursing, like a very drab,[998][999] A scullion![998][999] Fie upon't! foh! About, my brain! Hum, I have heard[998][1000] That guilty creatures, sitting at a play,[998][1001] 565 Have by the very cunning of the scene Been struck so to the soul that presently[1002] They have proclaim'd their malefactions; For murder, though it have no tongue, will speak With most miraculous organ. I'll have these players[1003] 570 Play something like the murder of my father Before mine uncle: I'll observe his looks; I'll tent him to the quick: if he but blench,[1004] I know my course. The spirit that I have seen[1005] May be the devil; and the devil hath power[1006] 575 To assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps Out of my weakness and my melancholy, As he is very potent with such spirits, Abuses me to damn me. I'll have grounds More relative than this. The play's the thing 580 Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king. [Exit.

FOOTNOTES:

[560] ACT II. SCENE I.] Q (1676) and Rowe. Actus Secundus. Ff.

A room ...] An Apartment ... Rowe.

Enter ... Reynaldo.] Capell. Enter old Polonius, with his man or two. Qq. Enter ... Reynoldo. Ff.

[561] this] Qq. his Ff.

these] Q₂ Q₃ F₁. these two Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. those F₂ F₃ F₄.

[562] Reynaldo] Qq. Reynoldo Ff.

[563] marvellous] Q₅ Q₆. meruiles Q₂ Q₃. maruelous Q₄. maruels F₁. marvels F₂ F₃ F₄.]

wisely,] Q₆. wisely Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. wisely: Ff.

[564] to make inquire] Qq. you make inquiry Ff. make you inquiry Rowe. to make inquiry Q (1676) and Pope.

[565] Marry ... sir,] As in Qq. Two lines in Ff.

Marry] Mary Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.

[566] Danskers] Dantz'ckers Capell (corrected in MS.)

[567] at] om. F₄.

[568] nearer Than] Capell. neerer Then Qq F₁. neere Than F₂. near Then F₃. near. Then Q (1676) and Pope. near, Then F₄.

[569] As] Qq. And Ff.

[570] if't] Ff. y'ft Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. if it Q₆.

[571] Ay ... far.] Arranged as in Capell. In Qq Ff the first line ends at swearing.

[572] fencing] Put in brackets by Warburton as an interpolation.

[573] no] Ff. om. Qq.

[574] another] an utter Hanmer (Theobald conj. withdrawn).

[575] That] Than Keightley.

[576] A savageness ... assault.] As in Qq. One line in Ff.

[577] unreclaimed] Q₅ Q₆. unreclamed Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. unreclaim'd Ff.

[578] lord,--] lord-- Pope. Lord. Qq Ff.

[579] Ay, ... that.] As in Steevens (1778). One line in Qq Ff.

[580] lord] good lord Capell, ending the line at lord.

[581] warrant] Ff. wit Qq.

[582] sullies] Q₄ Q₅ Q₆ F₄. sallies Q₂ Q₃. sulleyes F₁ F₂ F₃.

[583] i' the] i' th' Ff. with Qq.

[584] Mark ... sound,] As in Malone. One line in Qq Ff.

[585] you,] Qq. you Ff.

[586] him] he Q₆.

you would] you'ld Johnson.

[587] seen in] seene in Qq. seene. In F₁ F₂ F₃. seen. In F₄.

prenominate] prenominate] Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.

[588] breathe] Rowe (ed. 2). breath Qq Ff. speak Pope.

[589] consequence] cosequence Q₄.

[590] or so] Put in parentheses in Qq.

or so, or] or Sir, or Hanmer. or sire or Warburton. forsooth, or Johnson conj. or so forth, Steevens conj. (1778).

[591] or] Qq. and Ff.

addition] addistion Q₂ Q₃.

[592] And then ... leave?] Prose first by Malone. Three lines in Qq, ending say?... something, ... leave? Three lines in Ff, ending this?... say? ... leave? Capell ends the lines was I ... say ... leave?

[593] does he this--he does] does he this? He does: Ff. doos a this, a doos, Q₂ Q₃. doos a this, a doos: Q₄ Q₅. does a this, a does: Q₆.

[594] By the mass] Qq. Omitted in Ff.

something] nothing F₂ F₃ F₄.

[595] At ... gentleman.'] Prose in Globe ed. Two lines, the first ending consequence: in Ff.

at 'friend ... gentleman.'] Omitted in Qq.

[596] Pol.] Reynol. F₂. Pelon. F₃.

[597] closes with you thus] Ff. closes thus Qq. closeth with him thus (Q₁).

[598] t'other] tother F₁ F₂. 'tother F₃ F₄. th' other Qq.

[599] Or then, or then,] Or then, Pope.

or such] Qq. and such Ff.

[600] a'] a Qq. he Ff.

gaming, there] gaming, there Ff. gaming there Qq.

o'ertook] or tooke Qq.

[601] There] Their F₂ F₃.

[602] such] Q₂ Q₃ Ff. such or such Q₄ Q₅. such and such Q₆.

sale] Qq. saile F₁ F₂. sail F₃ F₄.

[603] Videlicet ... now] As in Capell. One line in Qq Ff.

[604] falsehood takes] falshood takes Q₆. falshood, takes Ff. falshood take Q₂ Q₃. falshood: take Q₄ Q₅.

carp] carpe Qq. cape Ff.

[605] assays] essayes Q₆.

[606] indirections] indirects Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.

[607] advice] Ff Q₆. advise Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.

[608] be wi' ye] buy ye Qq. buy you F₁ F₂ F₃. b'w'you F₄.

fare ye] Q₆. far ye Q₂ Q₃. far yee?] Q₄ Q₅. fare you Ff.

[609] Good my lord!] Dyce. Good my Lord. Qq Ff. Good my Lord-- Rowe. But, my good lord,-- Capell conj.

[610] in] e'en Hanmer.

[611] [Exit Reynaldo.] Exit Rey. Qq (after lord). Exit. Ff (after lord).