Act IV, Scene VII — Another room in the castle.[1835]
Enter KING and LAERTES.
King. Now must your conscience my acquittance seal, And you must put me in your heart for friend, Sith you have heard, and with a knowing ear, That he which hath your noble father slain[1836] Pursued my life.
Laer. It well appears: but tell me 5 Why you proceeded not against these feats,[1837] So crimeful and so capital in nature,[1838] As by your safety, wisdom, all things else,[1839] You mainly were stirr'd up.
King. O, for two special reasons,[1840] Which may to you perhaps seem much unsinew'd,[1841] 10 But yet to me they're strong. The queen his mother[1842] Lives almost by his looks; and for myself-- My virtue or my plague, be it either which--[1843] She's so conjunctive to my life and soul,[1844] That, as the star moves not but in his sphere, 15 I could not but by her. The other motive, Why to a public count I might not go, Is the great love the general gender bear him; Who, dipping all his faults in their affection, Would, like the spring that turneth wood to stone,[1845] 20 Convert his gyves to graces; so that my arrows,[1846] Too slightly timber'd for so loud a wind,[1847] Would have reverted to my bow again[1848] And not where I had aim'd them.[1849]
Laer. And so have I a noble father lost;[1850] 25 A sister driven into desperate terms, Whose worth, if praises may go back again,[1851] Stood challenger on mount of all the age[1852] For her perfections: but my revenge will come.[1853]
King. Break not your sleeps for that: you must not think[1854] 30 That we are made of stuff so flat and dull That we can let our beard be shook with danger[1855] And think it pastime. You shortly shall hear more:[1856] I loved your father, and we love ourself;[1857] And that, I hope, will teach you to imagine--[1858] 35
Enter a Messenger, with letters.
How now! what news?[1859]
Mess. Letters, my lord, from Hamlet: This to your majesty; this to the queen.[1860]
King. From Hamlet! who brought them?[1861]
Mess. Sailors, my lord, they say; I saw them not: They were given me by Claudio; he received them 40 Of him that brought them.
King. Laertes, you shall hear them.[1862] Leave us. [Exit Messenger.[1863]
[Reads] 'High and mighty, You shall know I am set[1864] naked on your kingdom. To-morrow shall I beg leave[1865] to see your kingly eyes: when I shall, first asking your[1866][1867] 45 pardon thereunto, recount the occasion of my sudden and[1866][1868][1869] more strange return.[1869] 'HAMLET.'[1870]
What should this mean? Are all the rest come back? Or is it some abuse, and no such thing?[1871] 50
Laer. Know you the hand?
King. Tis Hamlet's character. 'Naked!'[1872][1873] And in a postscript here, he says 'alone.'[1872][1873] Can you advise me?[1872][1874]
Laer. I'm lost in it, my lord. But let him come;[1875] 55 It warms the very sickness in my heart, That I shall live and tell him to his teeth,[1876] 'Thus didest thou.'[1877]
King. If it be so, Laertes,--[1878] As how should it be so? how otherwise?--[1878][1879] Will you be ruled by me?[1878]
Laer. Ay, my lord;[1880][1881] 60 So you will not o'errule me to a peace.[1880]
King. To thine own peace. If he be now return'd,[1882] As checking at his voyage, and that he means[1883] No more to undertake it, I will work him To an exploit now ripe in my device,[1884] 65 Under the which he shall not choose but fall: And for his death no wind of blame shall breathe; But even his mother shall uncharge the practice, And call it accident.[1885]
Laer. My lord, I will be ruled;[1886][1887] The rather, if you could devise it so[1886] 70 That I might be the organ.[1886][1888]
King. It falls right.[1886] You have been talk'd of since your travel much,[1886] And that in Hamlet's hearing, for a quality[1886] Wherein, they say, you shine: your sum of parts[1886] Did not together pluck such envy from him,[1886] 75 As did that one, and that in my regard[1886] Of the unworthiest siege.[1886]
Laer. What part is that, my lord?[1886]
King. A very riband in the cap of youth,[1886][1889] Yet needful too; for youth no less becomes[1886] The light and careless livery that it wears[1886] 80 Than settled age his sables and his weeds,[1886] Importing health and graveness. Two months since,[1886][1890] Here was a gentleman of Normandy:--[1891] I've seen myself, and served against, the French,[1892] And they can well on horseback: but this gallant[1893] 85 Had witchcraft in't; he grew unto his seat,[1894] And to such wondrous doing brought his horse As had he been incorpsed and demi-natured[1895] With the brave beast: so far he topp'd my thought[1896] That I, in forgery of shapes and tricks, 90 Come short of what he did.[1897]
Laer. A Norman was't?
King. A Norman.
Laer. Upon my life, Lamond.
King. The very same.[1898]
Laer. I know him well: he is the brooch indeed And gem of all the nation.[1899] 95
King. He made confession of you,[1900] And gave you such a masterly report, For art and exercise in your defence, And for your rapier most especial,[1901] That he cried out, 'twould be a sight indeed[1902] 100 If one could match you: the scrimers of their nation.[1903][1904] He swore, had neither motion, guard, nor eye,[1903] If you opposed them. Sir, this report of his[1903] Did Hamlet so envenom with his envy[1905] That he could nothing do but wish and beg 105 Your sudden coming o'er, to play with him.[1906] Now, out of this--
Laer. What out of this, my lord?
King. Laertes, was your father dear to you?[1907] Or are you like the painting of a sorrow, A face without a heart?
Laer. Why ask you this? 110
King. Not that I think you did not love your father, But that I know love is begun by time,[1908] And that I see, in passages of proof, Time qualifies the spark and fire of it. There lives within the very flame of love[1909] 115 A kind of wick or snuff that will abate it;[1909][1910] And nothing is at a like goodness still,[1909] For goodness, growing to a plurisy,[1909][1911] Dies in his own too much: that we would do[1909][1912] We should do when we would; for this 'would' changes[1909][1913] 120 And hath abatements and delays as many[1909] As there are tongues, are hands, are accidents,[1909][1914] And then this 'should' is like a spendthrift sigh,[1909][1913][1915] That hurts by easing. But, to the quick o' the ulcer:[1909] Hamlet comes back: what would you undertake,[1916] 125 To show yourself your father's son in deed[1917] More than in words?
Laer. To cut his throat i' the church.
King. No place indeed should murder sanctuarize;[1918] Revenge should have no bounds. But, good Laertes, Will you do this, keep close within your chamber.[1919] 130 Hamlet return'd shall know you are come home: We'll put on those shall praise your excellence And set a double varnish on the fame[1920] The Frenchman gave you; bring you in fine together[1921] And wager on your heads: he, being remiss,[1922] 135 Most generous and free from all contriving, Will not peruse the foils, so that with ease,[1923] Or with a little shuffling, you may choose A sword unbated, and in a pass of practice[1924] Requite him for your father.
Laer. I will do't 140 And for that purpose I'll anoint my sword.[1925] I bought an unction of a mountebank, So mortal that but dip a knife in it,[1926] Where it draws blood no cataplasm so rare, Collected from all simples that have virtue 145 Under the moon, can save the thing from death That is but scratch'd withal: I'll touch my point With this contagion, that, if I gall him slightly,[1927][1928] It may be death.[1927]
King. Let's further think of this; Weigh what convenience both of time and means[1929] 150 May fit us to our shape: if this should fail,[1930] And that our drift look through our bad performance,[1931] 'Twere better not assay'd: therefore this project Should have a back or second, that might hold If this did blast in proof. Soft! let me see:[1932] 155 We'll make a solemn wager on your cunnings:[1933] I ha't:[1934][1935] When in your motion you are hot and dry--[1935][1936] As make your bouts more violent to that end--[1937] And that he calls for drink, I'll have prepared him[1938] 160 A chalice for the nonce; whereon but sipping,[1939] If he by chance escape your venom'd stuck,[1940] Our purpose may hold there. But stay, what noise?
Enter QUEEN.[1941]
How now, sweet queen![1942]
Queen. One woe doth tread upon another's heel,[1943] 165 So fast they follow: your sister's drown'd, Laertes.[1944]
Laer. Drown'd! O, where?
Queen. There is a willow grows aslant a brook,[1945] That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream;[1946] There with fantastic garlands did she come[1947] 170 Of crow-flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples, That liberal shepherds give a grosser name,[1948] But our cold maids do dead men's fingers call them:[1949] There, on the pendent boughs her coronet weeds[1950] Clambering to hang, an envious sliver broke;[1951] 175 When down her weedy trophies and herself[1952] Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide, And mermaid-like awhile they bore her up:[1953] Which time she chanted snatches of old tunes,[1954] As one incapable of her own distress, 180 Or like a creature native and indued[1955] Unto that element: but long it could not be Till that her garments, heavy with their drink,[1956] Pull'd the poor wretch from her melodious lay[1957] To muddy death.
Laer. Alas, then she is drown'd![1958] 185
Queen. Drown'd, drown'd.
Laer. Too much of water hast thou, poor Ophelia, And therefore I forbid my tears: but yet It is our trick; nature her custom holds, Let shame say what it will: when these are gone, 190 The woman will be out. Adieu, my lord: I have a speech of fire that fain would blaze,[1959] But that this folly douts it. [Exit.[1960]
King. Let's follow, Gertrude: How much I had to do to calm his rage![1961] Now fear I this will give it start again; 195 Therefore let's follow. [Exeunt.
FOOTNOTES:
[1571] ACT IV. SCENE I.] Q (1676) and Rowe.
A room....] A Royal apartment. Rowe. The same. Capell.
Enter....] Enter King, and Queene, with Rosencraus and Guyldensterne. Qq (Eenter Q₂ Q₃). Enter King. Ff. Enter the King and Lordes. (Q₁).
[1572] There's ... heaves:] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.
matter] Qq. matters Ff.
sighs, these ... heaves:] sighs, these ... heaves; Rowe. sighes, these ... heaves, Qq. sighes. These ... heaves Ff.
[1573] &c. Queen.] Ger. or Gert. in Qq. Bestow ... while.] Qq. Omitted in Ff.
a little while] om. Seymour conj.
[Exeunt....] Q (1676) and Capell. To Ros. and Guild. who go out. Theobald. om. Qq Ff.
[1574] mine own] Qq. my good Ff.
to-night!] to night? Qq Ff.
[1575] Gertrude] Ff. Gertrard Q₂ Q₃ Q₆. Gertrad Q₄. Gertard Q₅.
How] hast thou seen? and how Seymour conj.
[1576] sea] Qq. seas Ff.
[1577] mightier:] mightier; Rowe. ightier, Q₂ Q₃ Ff. mightier Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.
fit,] Qq. fit Ff.
[1578] Whips out ... cries] Qq (Whyps Q₂ Q₃. cryeis Q₄ Q₅). He whips his Rapier out, and cries Ff.
'a rat, a rat!'] a rat! Pope, reading the rest of the line with Ff.
[1579] this] Qq. his Ff.
[1580] been] Q₆ F₃ F₄. beene Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. bin F₁. bine F₂.
been] Q₂ Q₃ F₃ Q₆ F₄. beene Q₄ F₁ F₂. bin Q₅.
[1581] answer'd] Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. answered Ff Q₆.
[1582] haunt] harm Johnson conj.
[1583] let] Qq. let's F₁ F₃ F₄. lets F₂.
[1584] ore] Qq F₄. oare F₁ F₂ F₃. or (i.e. gold) Johnson conj.
[1585] metals] metal Mason conj.
[1586] he] Ff. a Qq.
[1587] O] Q₂ Q₃. Oh Ff. om. Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.
[1588] vile] Qq F₄. vilde F₁ F₂ F₃.
[1589] Both ... Guildenstern!] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.
Re-enter ...] Dyce. Enter Ros. & Guild. Qq (after line 31). After excuse in Ff.
[1590] you with] with you Q (1676).
[1591] mother's closet] Mother Clossets F₁.
dragg'd] dreg'd Q₂ Q₃.
[1592] I pray] Pray Pope.
[Exeunt ...] Ex. Ros. and Guild. Rowe. Exit Gent. Ff. om. Qq.
[1593] And let] Qq. To let Ff.
[1594] See note (XXIII).
[1595] his] its Theobald.
poison'd] poysned Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. poysoned Q₅ Q₆.
[1596] SCENE II.] Pope.
Another....] Capell.
Enter Hamlet.] Ff. Enter Hamlet, Rosencraus, and others. Qq.
[1597] Ros. Guil. [Within] ... Hamlet!] Gentlemen within. _Hamlet, Lord Hamlet._ Ff. Omitted in Qq.
[1598] But soft,] See note (XXIV).
[1599] Enter....] Ff. om. Qq.
[1600] Compounded] Compound Q₂ Q₃.
'tis kin] it is kin Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. it is akin Q (1676).
[1601] sponge!] sponge!-- Steevens. sponge,-- Capell. spunge, or spundge, Qq Ff.
[1602] like an ape] Ff. like an apple Qq. like an ape, an apple Farmer conj. like an ape doth nuts Singer, from (Q₁).
[1603] with the king, but] not with the king, for Johnson conj.
[1604] a thing--] Ff. a thing. Qq. nothing. Hanmer.
[1605] A thing] Nothing Hanmer.
lord?] Ff Q₆. lord. The rest.
[1606] Of nothing:] F₁. Of nothing Qq. Of nothing? F₂ F₃ F₄. A thing or nothing Hanmer. Or nothing. Johnson conj.
[1607] Hide ... after.] Ff. Omitted in Qq.
[1608] SCENE III.] Pope.
Another....] Capell.
Enter King, attended.] Capell. Enter King, and two or three. Qq. Enter King. Ff.
[1609] I have] I've Pope.
[1610] on] upon Keightley.
[1611] weigh'd] Ff. wayed Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. waigh'd Q₆.
[1612] never] Qq. neerer F₁ F₂. nearer F₃ F₄. ne'er Long MS.
and even] om. Pope. even Jennens (a misprint).
[1613] Enter Rosencrantz.] Enter Rosencraus and all the rest. Qq. Enter Rosencrane. F₁. Enter Rosincros. F₂ F₃ F₄.
[1614] Ho, Guildenstern!] Hoa, Guildensterne? F₁. _Hoa, Guildenstar?_ F₂ F₃. Ho, Guildenstare? F₄. How, Q₂ Q₃. Hoe, Q₄ Q₅. Ho, Q₆.
Guildenstern] om. Qq.
my lord] Ff. the lord Qq. the lord Hamlet Q (1676).
Enter ...] Ff. They enter. Qq.
[1615] he is] a is Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[1616] convocation] convacation Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
politic] politique Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. politick Q₅ Q₆. om. Ff. palated Collier MS.
e'en] om. Pope.
[1617] ourselves] our selfe F₁.
[1618] service, two] service to F₁.
[1619] but] om. Pope.
[1620] King. Alas, alas! Ham. A ... that worm.] Qq. Omitted in Ff.
[1621] and] om. Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.
[1622] guts] Qq F₁. gut F₂ F₃ F₄.
[1623] indeed, if] Ff. indeed if Q₆. if indeed Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.
within] Qq. om. Ff.
[1624] [To some Attendants.] Capell. om. Qq Ff.
[1625] He] Ff. A Qq.
you] Qq. ye Ff.
[Exeunt Attendants.] Capell. om. Qq Ff.
[1626] deed, for thine] Qq. deed of thine, for thine Ff.
[1627] With fiery quickness:] Ff. Omitted in Qq.
therefore] then Pope.
[1628] at help] sits fair Q (1676). at helm Johnson conj.
[1629] is bent] Qq. at bent Ff.
[1630] For England ... Good.] As one line first by Steevens (1793).
England?] F₁ Q₆ F₃ F₄. England. The rest.
[1631] sees] knows Seymour conj.
them] Qq. him Ff.
[1632] and so] (Q₁) Ff Q₆. so The rest.
[1633] Follow ... aboard:] One line in Rowe. Two, the first ending foote, in Qq Ff.
at foot] om. Q (1676).
[1634] [Exeunt ...] Theobald. om. Qq Ff.
[1635] set] let Pope (ed. 2). set by Hanmer. jet Becket conj. rate Anon. conj. see Collier MS. See note (II).
[1636] congruing] Qq. conjuring Ff.
[1637] my haps ... begun] Ff (happes F₁). my haps, my ioyes will nere begin Qq. my hopes, my joys are not begun Johnson conj. 't may hap, my joys will ne'er begin Heath conj. my hopes, my joys were ne're begun Collier MS.
[1638] SCENE IV.] Pope. SCENE II. Rowe.
A plain....] Capell. A camp. Rowe. A camp, on the Frontiers of Denmark. Theobald.
Enter....] Edd. (Globe ed.) Enter Fortinbrasse with his Army over the stage. Qq. Enter Fortinbras with an Armie. Ff. Enter Fortinbras, and Forces, marching. Capell.
[1639] greet the] to the F₂ F₃ F₄.
[1640] Craves] Qq. Claimes F₁ F₂. Claims F₃ F₄.
[1641] kingdom] realm Pope.
rendezvous] Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. randevous Q₂ Q₃. rendevous F₁. rendevouz F₂ F₃ F₄.
[1642] duty] durie F₂.
[1643] Go ... sir?] As four lines, ending these?... sir, ... Who ... sir? in Steevens (1793).
[1644] softly] Qq. safely Ff.
[Exeunt....] Exit Fortinbras, with the Army. Theobald. Exit. Ff. om. Qq.
Enter ... and others.] Dyce. Enter ... Rosincrantz, Guildenstern, &c. Theobald. Enter Hamlet, Rosencraus, &c. Qq. Omitted in Ff.
[1645] Ham. Good sir, ... worth!] Qq. Omitted in Ff.
[1646] They] The Q₄.
[1647] purposed] purposd Q₂ Q₃. proposd Q₄ Q₅. propos'd Q₆.
[1648] Against] Sir, against Capell, reading lines 9-13 as three lines, ending sir ... against ... sir?
[1649] to] of Q₆.
[1650] speak] speak it Pope. speak, sir Capell. speak on't Anon. conj.
no] no more Anon. conj.
[1651] five ducats, five,] fiue duckets, fiue Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. five duckets, five Q₆. five ducats--five, Theobald. five ducats fine Theobald conj. (withdrawn). five ducats; fly! Jackson conj.
[1652] sold] so Rowe (ed. 2).
[1653] Yes, it is] O, yes, it is Capell. Nay, 'tis Q (1676) and Rowe. Yes, 'tis Pope.
[1654] Two] Ten S. Walker conj.
twenty] many Hanmer.
[1655] Two ... straw:] To be continued to Cap. Anon. conj. (Gent. Mag. LX. 403).
[1656] be wi' you] Capell. buy you Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. buy your Q₆. b' w' ye Q (1676) and Rowe.
[1657] I'll] Ile Qq. I will Capell (ending the line straight). I will Malone.
straight] om. Pope.
[Exeunt.] Exe. Manet Hamlet. Rowe. om. Qq.
[1658] fust] rust Rowe.
[1659] know Why yet I live] know. Why yet live I Anon. conj. MS.
[1660] Rightly ... to stir] 'Tis not to be great Never to stir Pope.
[1661] to stir] to never stir Bullock conj.
[1662] imminent] Q₆. iminent Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. eminent Q (1703) and Rowe.
[1663] plot] spot Pope. plat Jennens conj.
[1664] slain] slain men or slaughter'd Anon. conj.
O,] O then Pope.
[1665] SCENE V.] Pope. SCENE III. Rowe.
Elsinore. A room....] Capell. A Palace. Rowe.
Enter....] Pope. Enter Horatio, Gertrard, and a Gentleman. Qq. Enter Queene and Horatio. Ff. Enter Queen, Horatio, and Attendants. Rowe. Enter Queen, and a Gentleman. Hanmer. Enter Queen, attended; Horatio, and a Gentleman. Capell.
[1666] Gent.] Gent. or Gen. Qq. Hor. Ff.
[1667] She ... pitied.] As in Capell. Two lines, the first ending importunat, in Qq. Prose in Ff.
distract: ... pitied.] distracted, and deserves pity. Q (1676).
[1668] collection; ... it] collect at what they aim Long MS. (obliterated).
aim] F₃ F₄. ayme F₁ F₂. yawne Qq. yearn Anon. conj.
[1669] botch] both F₃ F₄.
[1670] as her] as Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. at her F₃ F₄.
[1671] might] Qq. would Ff.
thought] thoughts F₃ F₄. meant or seen Staunton conj.
[1672] Hor. 'Twere ... minds. Queen. Let ... in.] Arranged as by Collier (Blackstone conj.) See note (XXV).
[1673] [Exit Gentleman.] Hanmer. Exit Hor. Johnson, om. Qq Ff.
[1674] in. To] Qq F₁. in To F₂ F₃ F₄.
[1675] [Aside] Edd. om. Qq Ff.
[1676] To my ... spilt.] Marked with inverted commas in Qq.
[1677] Re-enter....] Edd. Enter Ophelia. Qq (after line 16). Enter Ophelia distracted. Ff. Enter Horatio, with Ophelia, distracted. Johnson. Enter Ophelia, wildly. Capell. Re-enter Horatio, with Ophelia. Steevens (1778).
[1678] Ophelia!] Ophelia? Q₂ Q₃ Ff Q₆. Ophelia. Q₄ Q₅.
[1679] [Sings] shee sings, Q₂ Q₃. she sings. Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. om. Ff.
[1680] How ... shoon] Four lines in Capell. Two in Qq Ff.
[1681] And his] and by his Q₆.
sandal] Ff. sendall Qq.
[1682] Say you?] Ff. Say you, Qq.
[1683] [Sings] Song. Qq. om. Ff.
[1684] He is ... He is] He's ... he is Pope. He's ... he's Hanmer.
[1685] He ... stone.] Four lines in Capell. Two in Qq Ff.
[1686] grass-green] green grass Elze (Percy's Reliques).
[1687] Oh, oh!] O ho. Qq. om. Ff.
[1688] his] the Warburton.
[Sings] Capell. om. Qq Ff.
Enter King.] Qq. After stone, line 32, in Ff.
[1689] [Sings] Song. Q₆. Song. Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅ (opposite line 37). om. Ff.
Larded] (Q₁) Ff. Larded all Qq.
[1690] bewept] (Q₁) Ff. beweept Qq. unbewept Keightley, reading did not with Qq Ff.
grave] (Q₁) Ff. ground Qq.
did] Pope. did not Qq Ff.
[1691] true-love] Hyphened in Ff.
showers] flowers F₃ F₄.
[1692] you] Qq. ye Ff.
[1693] God 'ild] Capell. good dild Qq. God dil'd Ff. Godild Hanmer. God yield Warburton. God 'ield Johnson.
[1694] but know] but we know Johnson.
[1695] God ... table!] om. Q (1676).
[1696] Pray you, let's] Pray you let's F₁ F₂. Pray lets Qq (let's Q₆). Pray you let us F₃ F₄. Pray let us Pope.
[1697] [Sings] Song. Qq. om. Ff.
[1698] To-morrow ... Valentine.] Four lines in Qq. Two in Ff.
[1699] To-morrow is] Good Morrow, 'tis Steevens, 1793 (Farmer conj.)
[1700] morning] Qq F₁. morne F₂. morn F₃ F₄.
[1701] Then ... more.] Four lines in Johnson. Two in Qq Ff. Six in Capell.
[1702] clothes] F₁ Q₆ F₃. close Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. cloathes F₂. cloths F₄.
[1703] dupp'd] dupt Qq Ff. op'd Hanmer. do'pt Warburton. d'op'd Capell.
[1704] the maid, that out] Qq F₁. the maid, let in F₂. a maid, that out F₃ F₄. a maid, but out Hanmer.
[1705] Indeed, la,] Indeed la? Ff. Indeede Q₂ Q₃. Indeed Q₄ Q₅. Indeed, Q₆. Indeed? Pope.
[1706] [Sings] Capell. om. Qq Ff.
Gis] F₃ F₄. gis Qq F₁ F₂. Cis Johnson conj.
[1707] By ... blame.] Four lines in Qq Ff. Six in Capell.
[1708] to blame] Q₅ Q₆ F₃ F₄. too blame The rest.
[1709] Quoth she, before] Before, quoth she, Capell.
[1710] Quoth ... wed.] Two lines in Ff. One in Qq. Three lines in Capell.
[1711] He answers:] (He answers.) Qq. Omitted in Ff.
So ... sun,] Two lines in Capell.
would] Q₂ Q₃ Ff. should Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.
ha' done] ha done Ff. a done Qq.
[1712] An] Hanmer. And Qq Ff.
[1713] been thus] bin this F₁.
[1714] should] Ff. would Qq.
[1715] Good ... good ... good ... good] God ... god ... god ... god Q₂ Q₃. God ... God ... God ... God Q₄ Q₅.
night, sweet ... night.] Pointed as in Ff, substantially. _night. Sweet ... night._ Qq, reading Sweet ... night as a separate line.
[1716] [Exit.] Ff. om. Qq.
[1717] Follow ... you.] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.
[Exit Horatio.] Theobald. Exeunt Hor. and Att. Capell. om. Qq Ff.
[1718] O, this] This Pope.
[1719] death. O] death. Oh Ff. death, and now behold, ô Qq, reading lines 72, 73 as prose.
[1720] come, they] comes, they F₁.
spies] spyes Q₂ Q₃. spies The rest. files Anon. conj. (Gent. Mag. LX. 307).
[1721] battalions] Q (1676) and Rowe. battalians Qq. battaliaes F₁ F₂. battels F₃ F₄.
[1722] their] Ff. om. Qq.
[1723] and we have] We've Pope.
but greenly,] om. Q (1676).
[1724] In hugger-mugger] Obscurely Q (1676). In private Pope. Omitted by Capell, ending the previous line at done.
[1725] the which we are] which we are but Q₆. the which we're Pope.
[1726] Feeds on his wonder] Johnson. Feeds on this wonder Qq. Keepes on his wonder Ff (Keeps F₃ F₄). Feeds on his anger Hanmer.
in clouds] inclos'd Thirlby conj.
[1727] buzzers] whispers Q (1676).
[1728] Wherein] Qq. Where in Ff.
Wherein necessity] Whence animosity Hanmer.
[1729] person] Qq. persons Ff.
[1730] murdering-piece] Hyphen inserted in Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.
[1731] places Gives] Qq. places, Gives Ff.
[1732] Queen. Alack, ... this?] Ff. Omitted in Qq.
[1733] SCENE VI. Pope.
Where] Ff. Attend, where Qq.
are] is Q₂ Q₃.
Switzers] Ff. Swissers Qq.
[1734] Let ... matter] As in Qq. One line in Ff.
Enter another Gentleman.] Enter a Gentleman, hastily. Capell. Enter a Messenger. Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅ Ff, after death, line 92. Enter Messenger. Q₆.
[1735] Gent.] Gen. Capell. Messen. Qq. Mes. Ff.
[1736] Eats] Beats Williams conj.
impetuous] impitious Q₂ Q₃. impittious F₁.
[1737] lord] king Collier MS.
[1738] And ... word,] Put in a parenthesis, Anon. conj. (Gent. Mag. LX. 403).
[1739] The ... shall be king!] The ... to be king, Q₆. The ... for our king, Q (1676) and Rowe. They cry ... for our king: The ratifiers ... word Hanmer.
[1740] word] ward Warburton. weal Johnson conj. work Capell (Tyrwhitt conj.)
[1741] They] The Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.
we;] we, Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. we? Ff. we Q₆.
[1742] tongues] shouts Hanmer.
[1743] [Noise again, and Shouts: Door assaulted. Capell.
[1744] [Noise within.] Ff. A noise within. Qq, opposite to line 105.
[1745] Enter ... following.] Capell. Enter Laertes with others. Qq, after line 106. Enter Laertes. Ff, after line 106. Enter Laertes, with a Party at the Door. Theobald.
[1746] this king? Sirs] Qq. the king, sirs? Ff.
[1747] Danes.] Dan. Capell. All. Qq Ff.
[1748] [They retire....] Capell. Exeunt. Theobald. om. Qq Ff.
[1749] O thou ... father!] Arranged as in Qq. One line in Ff.
[1750] vile] Qq F₄. vilde F₁ F₂. vild F₃.
[1751] That ... bastard;] One line in Qq. Two lines in Ff.
that's calm] that's calme Q₅ Q₆. thats calme Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. that calmes F₁ F₂ F₃. that calms F₄.
[1752] unsmirched brow] unsmitched brow F₂ F₃ F₄. brows Q (1676). and unsmich'd brow Pope. and unsmirch'd brow Theobald. and unsmirch'd brows Johnson. unsmirched brows Grant White.
[1753] can but] cannot Q₄ Q₅.
can but peep to] dares not reach at Q (1676).
[1754] Acts] Act's Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. Act Hanmer.
his] its Pope.
[1755] thou art] art thou F₃ F₄. are you Rowe (ed. 2).
[1756] Where is] Qq. Wheres F₁ F₂. Where's F₃ F₄.
Dead] Dead, Laertes Capell.
[1757] blackest] black Hanmer.
[1758] grace, to ... pit! I] grace, to ... pit. I Ff. grace, to ... pit I Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. grace to ... pit, I Q₆.
[1759] world] Ff. worlds Qq. world's Hanmer.
[1760] They] The Q₄.
[1761] Good ... certainty] As in Ff. One line in Qq.
[1762] father's death] F₃ F₄. fathers death F₁ F₂. father Qq.
is't] Q₆. i'st Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. if Ff. if 'tis not Rowe.
[1763] That, swoopstake] Swoop-stake-like (Q₁). That soopstake Q₂ Q₃. That soope-stake Q₄. That soop-stake Q₅ Ff Q₆. (That sweep-stake) Pope. That, sweep-stake Johnson.
you will] will you Hanmer (Theobald conj.)
[1764] loser?] Q₆. loser. F₄. looser. The rest.
[1765] then?] Qq F₄. then. The rest.
[1766] his good friends] this, good friends, Q (1676).
ope] hope F₂.
[1767] pelican] Politician F₁.
[1768] Repast] Relieve Q (1676).
Why, now you speak] Why now? what noyse is that? F₂ F₃ F₄.
[1769] sensibly] sencibly Q₂ Q₃. sencible Q₄. sensible The rest.
[1770] pierce] Ff. peare Qq. lye Q (1676). 'pear Johnson.
Act IV, Scene VII — Pope
Danes. [Within] Capell. See note (XXVI).
[1771] Re-enter....] Collier. Enter Ophelia, fantastically drest with Straws and Flowers. Rowe.
[1772] Burn out] Burn on Pope (ed. 1).
[1773] with] Qq. by Ff.
[1774] Till] Tell Q₂ Q₃.
turn] turne Qq. turnes F₁ F₂. turns F₃ F₄.
[1775] an old] Ff. a poore Qq. a sick Q (1676).
[1776] Nature ... loves.] Ff. Omitted in Qq.
[1777] fine ... fine, ... instance] fire ... fire, ... incense Pope conj. fal'n ... fal'n, ... instance Warburton.
[1778] barefaced] bure-faste Q₂ Q₃.
[Sings] Song. Qq. om. Ff.
[1779] Hey ... nonny:] Hey ... nony: or Hey ... noney: Ff. Omitted in Qq.
[1780] in] Qq. on Ff.
rain'd] Qq. raines F₁ F₂. rains F₃ F₄. remains Warburton. rain Collier MS. See note (II).
[1781] Fare ... dove!] See note (XXVII).
[1782] Hadst ... thus.] Verse in Qq. Prose in Ff.
[1783] move] move me S. Walker conj.
[1784] See note (XXVIII).
[1785] An] an Capell. And Qq. and Ff.
[1786] wheel becomes it] wheele becomes it Qq F₁. wheeles become it F₂. wheels become? F₃ F₄. weal becomes it Warburton.
[1787] nothing's] nothing is much Q (1676).
[1788] There's ... remembrance:] Prose in Qq. One line in Ff.
that's] that Q₄ Q₅.
[1789] pray you] Qq. Pray Ff.
[1790] there is] there's Q₆ F₃ F₄.
pansies] Johnson. paconcies F₁. pancies The rest.
[1791] herb of grace] herbe of grace Qq. herbe-grace Ff (herb F₃ F₄). hearb a grace (Q₁).
[1792] o'] Theobald. a Qq Ff.
O, you must] Oh you must or O you must Ff. you may Qq. you must (Q₁).
[1793] a' made] a made Qq. he made Ff.
[1794] [Sings] Capell. om. Qq Ff.
[1795] Thought] Thoughts (Q₁) Q₆.
affliction] Ff. afflictions (Q₁) Qq.
[1796] [Sings] Song. Qq. om. Ff.
[1797] a' ... a'] a ... a Qq. he ... he Ff.
[1798] Two lines in Johnson. One in Qq Ff.
[1799] Go to thy] Gone to his Collier (Collier MS.)
[1800] was as] Qq. as Ff. was Collier (Collier MS.)
[1801] All flaxen] Ff. Flaxen Qq.
poll] Johnson. pole Qq Ff.
[1802] He ... moan:] Two lines in Johnson. One in Qq Ff.
[1803] God ha' mercy] Collier. God a mercy Qq. Gramercy Ff. God a' mercy Steevens (1778).
[1804] of] Q₂ Q₃ Ff. om. Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. on Johnson.
Christian] Ff Q₆. Christians Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.
I pray God] Ff. om. Qq.
God be wi' you] God buy you Q₂ Q₃ Q₆. God buy yous, Q₄ Q₅. God buy ye F₁ F₂. God bu'ye F₃. God b' w' ye F₄. See note (XXIX).
[Exit.] Exit dancing distractedly. Collier MS.
[1805] Do you see this, O God?] Capell. Doe you this ô God. Qq (God! Q₆). Do you see this, you Gods? Ff.
[1806] commune] Qq F₂ F₃ F₄. common F₁.
[1807] collateral] F₃ F₄. colaturall Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. collaturall Q₅. colaterall F₁. collaterall F₂ Q₆.
[1808] kingdom] kindome Q₄.
[1809] patience] paience F₂.
[1810] funeral] funerall Qq. buriall F₁ F₂. burial F₃ F₄.
[1811] trophy] trophe Q₂ Q₃. trophae Q₄ Q₅. trophee Ff. trophey Q₆.
[1812] rite] Ff. right Qq.
[1813] call't] Qq. call Ff.
[1814] axe] tax Warburton.
[1815] SCENE VI.] Capell. SCENE VIII. Pope.
Another ...] Another Room in the same. Capell.
Enter ...] Capell. Enter Horatio, with an Attendant. Ff. Enter Horatio and others. Qq.
[1816] What ... in.] Verse by Capell, ending the lines sir ... in.
[1817] Serv.] Ser. Ff. Gent. or Gen. Qq.
Sea-faring men] Qq. Saylors F₁ F₂. Sailors F₃ F₄.
[1818] [Exit Servant.] Capell. om. Qq Ff.
[1819] greeted, if] Ff Q₆. greeted. If Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.
[1820] Enter Sailors.] Enter Saylers. Qq. Enter Saylor. Ff (Sailor F₄).
[1821] First Sail.] 1. S. Capell. Say. Qq F₁ F₂. Sayl. F₃. Sail. F₄.
[1822] you] your F₂.
[1823] He] Ff. A Qq.
an't] Q₆ F₄. and Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. and't F₁ F₂ F₃.
[1824] comes] Ff. came Qq.
ambassador] embassador Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. Ambassadours F₁ F₂ F₃. embassadour Q₆. Ambassadour F₄.
[1825] Hor. [Reads] Reads the Letter. Ff. Hor. Qq.
[1826] and in] Qq. in Ff.
on the instant] in the instant Q₆.
[1827] good] Ff. om. Qq.
[1828] speed] Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. speede Q₂ Q₃. hast F₁ F₂. haste F₃ F₄.
wouldest] Q₂ Q₃ F₁ F₂ F₃. wouldst Q₄ Q₅ Q₆ F₄.
[1829] thine] Qq. your Ff. thy Pope.
[1830] bore of the] Ff. bord of the Qq. om. Q (1676) and Pope.
[1831] much] as much F₃ F₄.
[1832] He that ... thine, Hamlet.] Ff. So that ... thine Hamlet. Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. So that ... thine, Hamlet. Q₆. Hamlet. Q (1676).
[1833] make] Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. give Ff. om. Q₂ Q₃.
[1834] [Exeunt.] Qq. Exit. Ff.
[1835] SCENE VII.] Capell. SCENE IX. Pope.
Another ... castle.] Another ... same. Capell.
[1836] which] who Q (1676).
[1837] proceeded] Ff. proceede Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. proceed Q₅ Q₆.
[1838] crimeful] F₄. crimefull F₁ F₂ F₃. criminall Qq.
and so] and Q₆.
[1839] safety] Ff. safetie, greatnes Q₂ Q₃. safety, greatnes Q₄. safetie, greatnesse Q₅. safety, greatnesse Q₆.
[1840] O, for two] For two Q (1676). Two Pope.
[1841] unsinew'd] unsinnow'd Qq. unsinnowed F₁ F₂. unsinewed F₃ F₄.
[1842] But] Qq. And Ff.
they're] tha'r Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. tha're Q₆. they are Ff. are Pope.
[1843] be it] be't Pope.
[1844] She's so conjunctive] Ff (Shes F₂). She is so concliue Qq. She is so precious Q (1676).
[1845] Would] Ff. Worke Qq.
[1846] gyves] F₁ F₂ Q₆ F₃. gives Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅ F₄. gybes Theobald conj. (withdrawn).
that] om. Pope.
[1847] timber'd] tymberd Q₂ Q₃. tymbered Q₄. timbered Q₅ Q₆. timbred Ff.
loud a wind] Ff (winde F₁). loued Arm'd Q₂ Q₃. loued armes Q₄ Q₅. loved armes Q₆. loved, arm'd Jennens.
[1848] bow] brow Long MS.
[1849] And] Ff. But Qq.
not] not gone Keightley conj.
had] Ff. have Qq.
aim'd] arm'd F₁.
[1850] have I] I have Q₅ Q₆.
[1851] Whose worth] Qq. Who was Ff. Who has Johnson.
[1852] Stood] Sole Collier MS.
on mount] on the mount Q (1676).
[1853] my] om. Pope.
[1854] Break ... think] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.
[1855] beard] berd Q₄. beards Q₆.
with danger] of danger Capell conj.
[1856] pastime] pasttime F₂.
shortly shall] shall soon Pope.
[1857] ourself] your selfe F₂. your self F₃ F₄.
[1858] imagine--] Ff. imagine. Qq.
Enter....] Qq. Enter a Messenger. Ff.
[1859] How ... news?] Ff. Omitted in Qq.
Letters ... Hamlet:] Ff. Omitted in Qq.
[1860] This] Ff. These Qq.
[1861] Hamlet!] Hamlet? Ff Q₆. Hamlet, The rest.
[1862] Of ... them.] Omitted in Ff.
him] them S. Walker conj.
hear] om. F₂. read F₃ F₄.
[1863] us.] us, all-- Pope, reading Laertes ... all-- as one line.
[Exit....] Ff. om. Qq.
[1864] [Reads] Capell. om. Qq Ff.
[1865] shall I] I shall Jennens.
[1866] first ... thereunto,] (first ... pardon) thereunto Q (1676).
[1867] asking your] asking you Q (1676) and Rowe.
[1868] occasion] Qq. occasions Ff.
[1869] and more strange] Ff. Omitted in Qq. and most strange Anon conj.
[1870] HAMLET.] Ff. Omitted in Qq.
[1871] abuse, and] Qq. abuse? Or Ff.
[1872] 'Tis ... me?] Divided as in Qq. Prose in Ff. Pope ends the lines character; ... says) ... me?
[1873] 'Naked!' ... 'alone'.] Marked as quotations first by Johnson.
[1874] advise] Ff. devise Qq.
[1875] I'm] Ff. I am Qq.
[1876] shall] Ff. om. Qq.
and tell] to tell Hanmer.
[1877] didest] diddest Ff. didst Qq.
[1878] If it ... me?] Arranged as in Qq. Two lines, the first ending so?, in Ff.
[1879] should it] should it but Keightley. should't not Anon. conj.
[1880] Ay ... peace.] Arranged as by Steevens. One line in Qq.
Ay ... So you will] I my lord, so you will Qq. If so you'l Ff. I, so you'll Pope. Ay; so you'll Johnson. I will, my lord; So you will Capell, ending the first line at lord.
[1881] lord] good lord S. Walker conj.
[1882] return'd] returned Qq.
[1883] checking at] Ff. the King at Q₂ Q₃. liking not Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. kecking at Long MS.
[1884] device] Ff Q₆. devise Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.
[1885] accident] accedent Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[1886] Laer. My Lord ... graveness.] Qq. Omitted in Ff.
[1887] My Lord,] om. Pope.
[1888] organ] instrument Q(1676) and Rowe.
[1889] riband Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. ribaud Q₂ Q₃. feather Q(1676) and Rowe.
[1890] health] wealth Warburton.
Two months since] Qq. Some two months hence Ff.
[1891] Normandy:--] Normandy. Ff. Normandy, Qq.
[1892] I've] Ff. I have Qq.
[1893] can] Qq. ran Ff.
[1894] unto] Qq. into Ff.
[1895] had he] he had Q₆.
[1896] topp'd] topt Qq. past Ff.
my thought] Ff Q₆. me thought Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.
[1897] Come] Came Capell conj.
[1898] Lamond] Pope. Lamound Ff. Lamord Qq. Lamode Malone conj. Lamont Grant White.
very] om. Warburton.
[1899] the] Qq. our Ff. that Collier MS. See note (II).
[1900] He made] Hee mad F₁.
[1901] especial] especiall Qq. especiallyͨ F₁. especially F₂ F₃ F₄.
[1902] sight] fight Rowe (ed. 2).
[1903] you: the ... them. Sir, this] you; the ... them; sir this Qq. you Sir. This Ff. omitting the ... them, lines 101-103. _you. This_ Pope, following Ff.
[1904] the scrimers] Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. the scrimures Q₂ Q₃. the fencers Q (1676). th' escrimeurs Grant White.
[1905] his] your S. Walker conj.
[1906] o'er] ore Qq F₁. over F₂ F₃ F₄.
him] Ff. you Q₄.
[1907] this--] Rowe. this. Qq Ff.
What] Qq. Why Ff.
[1908] But ... by time] Love is begun betime: but that I know, Becket conj.
begun] begone or by-gone Mason conj. benumb'd Jackson conj.
by time] betime Seymour conj.
begun] begnawn Bailey conj.
[1909] There ... ulcer:] Qq. Omitted in Ff.
[1910] wick] Rowe (ed. 2). weeke Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. wicke Q₆.
[1911] plurisy] plurisie Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. pleurisie Q₆. plethory Hanmer (Warburton conj.)
[1912] that] what Pope.
[1913] 'would' ... 'should'] Put in italics in Q₅ Q₆.
[1914] accidents] accedents Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[1915] spendthrift sigh] spend-thrift sigh Q₆. spend thrifts sigh Q₂ Q₃. spend-thrifts sigh Q₄ Q₅. spend-thrift's sign Warburton.
[1916] Hamlet comes] Qq F₁. Hamlet come F₂ F₃. Hamlet, come F₄.
[1917] your ... in deed] F₄. your fathers sonne indeed F₁ F₂. your father's son indeed F₃. indeede your fathers sonne Qq (indeed Q₄ Q₅ Q₆).
[1918] sanctuarize] sanctuarise Q₂ Q₃. sancturize F₁.
[1919] this, ... chamber.] Pointed substantially as by Steevens (1778). this, ... chamber, Q₂ Q₃ F₁ this, ... chamber Q₄ Q₅. this?... chamber, Q₆. this, ... chamber? F₂ F₃ F₄.
[1920] fame] same Q₅ Q₆ F₃ F₄.
[1921] Frenchman] Frenchmen Warburton.
[1922] on] Ff. ore Qq.
[1923] foils,] Marked with a note of interrogation in Ff.
[1924] unbated] Qq. unbaited F₁ F₂. un-baited F₃ F₄. imbaited Theobald conj. (withdrawn). unrebated Becket conj. See note (XXX).
pass] F₃ F₄. passe F₁ F₂. pace Qq.
[1925] that] Ff. om. Q₂ Q₃. the Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.
anoint] annoiot F₂.
[1926] that but dip] Q₅ Q₆. that but dippe Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. I but dipt Ff.
[1927] With ... death.] As in Ff. One line in Qq.
[1928] if I] if't Anon. conj.
[1929] Weigh] Q₅ Ff Q₆. Wey Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
convenience] conveiance Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.
[1930] us] it Hanmer.
shape: if ... fail,] Pointed substantially as by Rowe. shape if ... fayle, Qq. shape, if ... faile; F₁ F₂ F₃. shape if ... fail; F₄.
[1931] look] lookt F₄.
[1932] did] Qq. should Ff.
[1933] cunnings] Qq. commings F₁ F₂ F₃. comings F₄.
[1934] I ha't] Ff. I hate Q₂ Q₃. I hav't Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. That-- Rowe.
[1935] I ha't ... dry] Arranged as by Johnson. One line in Qq Ff.
[1936] and dry] om. Pope, reading I ha't ... hot as one line.
[1937] As] And Pope.
that end] Qq. the end Ff.
[1938] prepared] prepar'd Ff. prefard Q₂ Q₃. preferd Q₄ Q₅. prefer'd Q₆.
[1939] nonce] once Q₄ Q₅.
sipping] tasting Q (1676).
[1940] stuck] tucke Q₆. tuck Q (1676) and Rowe.
[1941] But ... noise?] Qq. Omitted in Ff.
Enter Queen.] As in Qq. After queen! in Ff.
[1942] How ... queen!] Ff. Omitted in Qq.
[1943] SCENE X. Pope.
[1944] they] Qq. they'l F₁ F₂. they'll F₃ F₄.
[1945] grows aslant] growing o'er Q (1676).
aslant a] Ff. ascaunt the Qq.
[1946] hoar] F₃ F₄. hore F₁ F₂. horry Q₂ Q₃. hoary Q₄. hoarie Q₅ Q₆.
[1947] There with ... come] Ff. Therewith ... make Qq. Near which ... she did make Q (1676).
[1948] give] gave F₄.
name] name to Rowe.
[1949] cold] Ff. cull-cold Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. culcold Q₅ Q₆.
[1950] There] Qq Ff. Then Capell.
coronet] cronet Q₂ Q₃.
[1951] silver] Q₂ Q₃ Ff. sluer Q₄ Q₅. shiver Q₆.
[1952] her] Qq. the Ff.
trophies] Q₂ Q₃ Ff. trophæs Q₄ Q₅. tropheys Q₆.
[1953] bore] bear F₄.
[1954] snatches] remnants Q (1676).
tunes] (Q₁) Ff. laudes Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. lauds Q₅ Q₆.
[1955] indued] F₁ Q₆. indewed Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. deduced F₂ F₃ F₄. inured Mason conj. reduced Collier MS.
[1956] their] her F₁.
[1957] poor wretch] poore wench Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. gentle maid Q (1676).
lay] Qq. buy, F₁. by, F₂ F₃. by F₄.
[1958] she is drown'd!] Pope, she is drownd. Q₂ Q₃. is she drownd. Q₄. is she drown'd. Q₅. is she drown'd? Ff Q₆.
[1959] of fire] Ff. a fire Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. afire Q₆.
[1960] douts] Knight. doubts F₁. drownes Qq F₂. drowns F₃ F₄.
Let's] om. Pope.
[1961] I had] had I Pope (ed. 2).
Act V, Scene I — A churchyard.
Enter two Clowns, with spades, &c.[1962]
First Clo. Is she to be buried in Christian burial that[1963][1964] wilfully seeks her own salvation?
Sec. Clo. I tell thee she is; and therefore make her[1965][1966] grave straight: the crowner hath sat on her, and finds it Christian burial. 5
First Clo. How can that be, unless she drowned herself[1963][1967] in her own defence?
Sec. Clo. Why, 'tis found so.[1965]
First Clo. It must be 'se offendendo;' it cannot be else.[1968] For here lies the point: if I drown myself wittingly, it argues 10 an act: and an act hath three branches; it is, to act, to[1969] do, and to perform: argal, she drowned herself wittingly.[1970]
Sec. Clo. Nay, but hear you, goodman delver.[1971]
First Clo. Give me leave. Here lies the water; good:[1972] here stands the man; good: if the man go to this water and[1973] 15 drown himself, it is, will he, nill he, he goes; mark you[1974] that; but if the water come to him and drown him, he[1975] drowns not himself: argal, he that is not guilty of his own death shortens not his own life.
Sec. Clo. But is this law? 20
First Clo. Ay, marry, is't; crowner's quest law.
Sec. Clo. Will you ha' the truth on't? If this had not[1976] been a gentlewoman, she should have been buried out o'[1977] Christian burial.
First Clo. Why, there thou say'st: and the more pity that[1978] 25 great folk should have countenance in this world to drown or hang themselves, more than their even Christian. Come,[1979] my spade. There is no ancient gentlemen but gardeners,[1980] ditchers and grave-makers: they hold up Adam's profession.
Sec. Clo. Was he a gentleman? 30
First Clo. A' was the first that ever bore arms.[1981]
Sec. Clo. Why, he had none.[1982]
First Clo. What, art a heathen? How dost thou understand[1982][1983] the Scripture? The Scripture says Adam digged:[1982] could he dig without arms? I'll put another question[1982] 35 to thee: if thou answerest me not to the purpose, confess[1984] thyself--[1985]
Sec. Clo. Go to.
First Clo. What is he that builds stronger than either the mason, the shipwright, or the carpenter? 40
Sec. Clo. The gallows-maker; for that frame outlives a[1986] thousand tenants.
First Clo. I like thy wit well, in good faith: the gallows does well; but how does it well? it does well to those that do ill: now, thou dost ill to say the gallows is built stronger 45 than the church: argal, the gallows may do well to thee. To't again, come.
Sec. Clo. 'Who builds stronger than a mason, a shipwright, or a carpenter?'[1987]
First Clo. Ay, tell me that, and unyoke. 50
Sec. Clo. Marry, now I can tell.
First Clo. To't.
Sec. Clo. Mass, I cannot tell.
Enter HAMLET and HORATIO, afar off.[1988]
First Clo. Cudgel thy brains no more about it, for your dull ass will not mend his pace with beating, and when 55 you are asked this question next, say 'a grave-maker:' the houses that he makes last till doomsday. Go, get thee to[1989][1990] Yaughan; fetch me a stoup of liquor. [Exit Sec. Clown.[1990][1991]
[He digs, and sings.
In youth, when I did love, did love, Methought it was very sweet, 60 To contract, O, the time, for-a my behove,[1992] O, methought, there-a was nothing-a meet.[1993]
Ham. Has this fellow no feeling of his business, that[1994][1995] he sings at grave-making?[1995]
Hor. Custom hath made it in him a property of easiness.[1996] 65
Ham. 'Tis e'en so: the hand of little employment hath the daintier sense.[1997]
First Clo. [Sings] But age, with his stealing steps,[1998][1999] Hath claw'd me in his clutch,[1999][2000] 70 And hath shipped me intil the land,[1999][2001] As if I had never been such.[2002]
[Throws up a skull.
Ham. That skull had a tongue in it, and could sing once: how the knave jowls it to the ground, as if it were[2003] Cain's jaw-bone, that did the first murder! It might be[2004] 75 the pate of a politician, which this ass now o'er-reaches;[2005] one that would circumvent God, might it not?[2006]
Hor. It might, my lord.
Ham. Or of a courtier, which could say 'Good morrow, sweet lord! How dost thou, sweet lord?' This might[2007] 80 be my lord such-a-one, that praised my lord such-a-one's[2008] horse, when he meant to beg it; might it not?[2009]
Hor. Ay, my lord.
Ham. Why, e'en so: and now my Lady Worm's;[2010] chapless, and knocked about the mazzard with a sexton's[2011] 85 spade: here's fine revolution, an we had the trick to see't.[2012] Did these bones cost no more the breeding, but to play at loggats with 'em? mine ache to think on't.[2013]
First Clo. [Sings] A pick-axe, and a spade, a spade,[1998] For and a shrouding sheet:[2014] 90 O, a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet.
[Throws up another skull.[2015]
Ham. There's another: why may not that be the skull[2016] of a lawyer? Where be his quiddities now, his quillets, his[2017] cases, his tenures, and his tricks? why does he suffer this 95 rude knave now to knock him about the sconce with a dirty[2018] shovel, and will not tell him of his action of battery? Hum![2019] This fellow might be in 's time a great buyer of land, with his statutes, his recognizances, his fines, his double vouchers, his recoveries: is this the fine of his fines and the recovery[2020] 100 of his recoveries, to have his fine pate full of fine dirt? will[2020][2021] his vouchers vouch him no more of his purchases, and double[2022][2023] ones too, than the length and breadth of a pair of indentures?[2023] The very conveyances of his lands will hardly lie in[2024] this box; and must the inheritor himself have no more, ha? 105
Hor. Not a jot more, my lord.
Ham. Is not parchment made of sheep-skins?
Hor. Ay, my lord, and of calf-skins too.[2025]
Ham. They are sheep and calves which seek out assurance[2026] in that. I will speak to this fellow. Whose grave's 110 this, sirrah?[2027]
First Clo. Mine, sir.[2028] [Sings] O, a pit of clay for to be made[2028][2029] For such a guest is meet.[2030]
Ham. I think it be thine indeed, for thou liest in't.[2031] 115
First Clo. You lie out on't, sir, and therefore 'tis not[2032] yours: for my part, I do not lie in't, and yet it is mine.[2033]
Ham. Thou dost lie in't, to be in't and say it is thine: 'tis for the dead, not for the quick; therefore thou liest.
First Clo. 'Tis a quick lie, sir; 'twill away again, from[2034] 120 me to you.
Ham. What man dost thou dig it for?
First Clo. For no man, sir.
Ham. What woman then?
First Clo. For none, neither. 125
Ham. Who is to be buried in 't?
First Clo. One that was a woman, sir; but, rest her soul, she's dead.
Ham. How absolute the knave is! we must speak by the card, or equivocation will undo us. By the Lord,[2035] 130 Horatio, this three years I have taken note of it; the age[2036] is grown so picked that the toe of the peasant comes so[2037] near the heel of the courtier, he galls his kibe. How long[2038] hast thou been a grave-maker?[2039]
First Clo. Of all the days i' the year, I came to't that[2040] 135 day that our last king Hamlet o'ercame Fortinbras.[2041]
Ham. How long is that since?
First Clo. Cannot you tell that? every fool can tell that: it was that very day that young Hamlet was born;[2042] he that is mad, and sent into England.[2043] 140
Ham. Ay, marry, why was he sent into England?
First Clo. Why, because a' was mad: a' shall recover[2044] his wits there; or, if a' do not, 'tis no great matter there.[2044][2045]
Ham. Why?
First Clo. 'Twill not be seen in him there; there the[2046] 145 men are as mad as he.[2046]
Ham. How came he mad?
First Clo. Very strangely, they say.
Ham. How 'strangely'?
First Clo. Faith, e'en with losing his wits. 150
Ham. Upon what ground?
First Clo. Why, here in Denmark: I have been sexton[2047] here, man and boy, thirty years.[2048]
Ham. How long will a man lie i' the earth ere he rot?
First Clo. I'faith, if a' be not rotten before a' die--as[2049][2050] 155 we have many pocky corses now-a-days, that will scarce[2051] hold the laying in--a' will last you some eight year or nine[2051] year: a tanner will last you nine year.[2052]
Ham. Why he more than another?
First Clo. Why, sir, his hide is so tanned with his trade[2053] 160 that a' will keep out water a great while; and your water is[2054] a sore decayer of your whoreson dead body. Here's a skull[2055] now: this skull has lain in the earth three and twenty years.[2055][2056]
Ham. Whose was it?
First Clo. A whoreson mad fellow's it was: whose do[2057] 165 you think it was?[2057]
Ham. Nay, I know not.
First Clo. A pestilence on him for a mad rogue! a'[2058] poured a flagon of Rhenish on my head once. This same[2059] skull, sir, was Yorick's skull, the king's jester.[2059][2060] 170
Ham. This?
First Clo. E'en that.
Ham. Let me see. [Takes the skull.] Alas, poor[2061] Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy: he hath borne me on his back a[2062] 175 thousand times; and now how abhorred in my imagination[2063][2064] it is! my gorge rises at it. Here hung those lips that I[2064] have kissed I know not how oft. Where be your gibes now? your gambols? your songs? your flashes of merriment,[2065] that were wont to set the table on a roar? Not one[2066] 180 now, to mock your own grinning? quite chop-fallen? Now[2067] get you to my lady's chamber, and tell her, let her paint[2068] an inch thick, to this favour she must come; make her[2069] laugh at that. Prithee, Horatio, tell me one thing.
Hor. What's that, my lord? 185
Ham. Dost thou think Alexander looked o' this fashion[2070] i' the earth?
Hor. E'en so.
Ham. And smelt so? pah! [Puts down the skull.[2071]
Hor. E'en so, my lord. 190
Ham. To what base uses we may return, Horatio![2072] Why may not imagination trace the noble dust of Alexander, till he find it stopping a bung-hole?[2073]
Hor. 'Twere to consider too curiously, to consider so.
Ham. No, faith, not a jot; but to follow him thither[2074] 195 with modesty enough and likelihood to lead it: as thus:[2075] Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander returneth[2076] into dust; the dust is earth; of earth we make loam;[2077] and why of that loam, whereto he was converted, might[2078] they not stop a beer-barrel? 200 Imperious Cæsar, dead and turn'd to clay,[2079] Might stop a hole to keep the wind away: O, that that earth, which kept the world in awe, Should patch a wall to expel the winter's flaw![2080] But soft! but soft! aside: here comes the king. 205
Enter Priests, &c. in procession; the Corpse of Ophelia, LAERTES and Mourners following; KING, QUEEN, their trains, &c.[2081]
The queen, the courtiers: who is this they follow?[2082] And with such maimed rites? This doth betoken[2083] The corse they follow did with desperate hand Fordo its own life: 'twas of some estate.[2084] Couch we awhile, and mark. [Retiring with Horatio.[2085] 210
Laer. What ceremony else?[2086]
Ham. That is Laertes, a very noble youth: mark.[2087]
Laer. What ceremony else?
First Priest. Her obsequies have been as far enlarged[2088][2089] As we have warranty: her death was doubtful;[2090] 215 And, but that great command o'ersways the order, She should in ground unsanctified have lodged[2091] Till the last trumpet; for charitable prayers,[2092] Shards, flints and pebbles should be thrown on her:[2093] Yet here she is allow'd her virgin crants,[2094] 220 Her maiden strewments and the bringing home[2095] Of bell and burial.
Laer. Must there no more be done?[2096]
First Priest. No more be done:[2088] We should profane the service of the dead To sing a requiem and such rest to her[2097] 225 As to peace-parted souls.
Laer. Lay her i' the earth:[2098] And from her fair and unpolluted flesh May violets spring! I tell thee, churlish priest, A ministering angel shall my sister be, When thou liest howling.
Ham. What, the fair Ophelia! 230
Queen. [Scattering flowers] Sweets to the sweet: farewell![2099] I hoped thou shouldst have been my Hamlet's wife;[2100] I thought thy bride-bed to have deck'd, sweet maid, And not have strew'd thy grave.
Laer. O, treble woe[2101] Fall ten times treble on that cursed head[2102] 235 Whose wicked deed thy most ingenious sense[2103] Deprived thee of! Hold off the earth awhile, Till I have caught her once more in mine arms:
[Leaps into the grave.[2104]
Now pile your dust upon the quick and dead, Till of this flat a mountain you have made 240 To o'ertop old Pelion or the skyish head[2105] Of blue Olympus.[2106][2107]
Ham. [Advancing] What is he whose grief[2107] Bears such an emphasis? whose phrase of sorrow[2108] Conjures the wandering stars and makes them stand Like wonder-wounded hearers? This is I,[2109] 245 Hamlet the Dane. [Leaps into the grave.
Laer. The devil take thy soul!
[Grappling with him.[2110]
Ham. Thou pray'st not well.[2111] I prithee, take thy fingers from my throat;[2111] For, though I am not splenitive and rash,[2112] Yet have I in me something dangerous,[2113] 250 Which let thy wisdom fear. Hold off thy hand.[2114]
King. Pluck them asunder.
Queen. Hamlet, Hamlet!
All. Gentlemen,--
Hor. Good my lord, be quiet.
[The Attendants part them, and they come out of the grave.[2115]
Ham. Why, I will fight with him upon this theme[2116] Until my eyelids will no longer wag. 255
Queen. O my son, what theme?
Ham. I loved Ophelia: forty thousand brothers Could not, with all their quantity of love,[2117] Make up my sum. What wilt thou do for her?
King. O, he is mad, Laertes. 260
Queen. For love of God, forbear him.
Ham. 'Swounds, show me what thou'lt do:[2118] Woo't weep? woo't fight? woo't fast? woo't tear thyself?[2119][2120] Woo't drink up eisel? eat a crocodile?[2119][2121] I'll do't. Dost thou come here to whine?[2122] 265 To outface me with leaping in her grave?[2123] Be buried quick with her, and so will I: And, if thou prate of mountains, let them throw Millions of acres on us, till our ground, Singeing his pate against the burning zone,[2124] 270 Make Ossa like a wart! Nay, an thou'lt mouth,[2125] I'll rant as well as thou.
Queen. This is mere madness:[2126][2127] And thus awhile the fit will work on him;[2128] Anon, as patient as the female dove[2127][2129] When that her golden couplets are disclosed,[2130] 275 His silence will sit drooping.
Ham. Hear you, sir; What is the reason that you use me thus? I loved you ever: but it is no matter;[2131] Let Hercules himself do what he may, The cat will mew, and dog will have his day. [Exit.[2132] 280 King. I pray thee, good Horatio, wait upon him.
[Exit Horatio.[2133]
[To Laertes] Strengthen your patience in our last night's speech;[2134] We'll put the matter to the present push. Good Gertrude, set some watch over your son. This grave shall have a living monument: 285 An hour of quiet shortly shall we see;[2135] Till then, in patience our proceeding be. [Exeunt.[2136]