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Ham. Why what a dunghill idiote slaue am I?
Why these Players here draw water from eyes:
For Hecuba, why what is Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba?
What would he do and if he had my losse? 210
His father murdred, and a Crowne bereft him,
He would turne all his teares to droppes of blood,
Amaze the standers by with his laments,
Strike more then wonder in the iudiciall eares,
Confound the ignorant, and make mute the wise, 215
Indeede his passion would be generall.
Yet I like to an asse and Iohn a Dreames,
Hauing my father murdred by a villaine,
Stand still, and let it passe, why sure I am a coward:
Who pluckes me by the beard, or twites my nose, 220
Giue's me the lie i'th throate downe to the lungs,
Sure I should take it, or else I haue no gall,
Or by this I should a fatted all the region kites
With this slaues offell, this damned villaine,
Treacherous, bawdy, murderous villaine: 225
Why this is braue, that I the sonne of my deare father,
Should like a scalion, like a very drabbe
Thus raile in wordes. About my braine,
I haue heard that guilty creatures sitting at a play,
Hath, by the very cunning of the scene, confest a murder 230
Committed long before.
This spirit that I haue seene may be the Diuell,
And out of my weakenesse and my melancholy,
As he is very potent with such men,
Doth seeke to damne me, I will haue sounder proofes, 235
The play's the thing,
Wherein I'le catch the conscience of the King. exit.
Why these Players here draw water from eyes:
For Hecuba, why what is Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba?
What would he do and if he had my losse? 210
His father murdred, and a Crowne bereft him,
He would turne all his teares to droppes of blood,
Amaze the standers by with his laments,
Strike more then wonder in the iudiciall eares,
Confound the ignorant, and make mute the wise, 215
Indeede his passion would be generall.
Yet I like to an asse and Iohn a Dreames,
Hauing my father murdred by a villaine,
Stand still, and let it passe, why sure I am a coward:
Who pluckes me by the beard, or twites my nose, 220
Giue's me the lie i'th throate downe to the lungs,
Sure I should take it, or else I haue no gall,
Or by this I should a fatted all the region kites
With this slaues offell, this damned villaine,
Treacherous, bawdy, murderous villaine: 225
Why this is braue, that I the sonne of my deare father,
Should like a scalion, like a very drabbe
Thus raile in wordes. About my braine,
I haue heard that guilty creatures sitting at a play,
Hath, by the very cunning of the scene, confest a murder 230
Committed long before.
This spirit that I haue seene may be the Diuell,
And out of my weakenesse and my melancholy,
As he is very potent with such men,
Doth seeke to damne me, I will haue sounder proofes, 235
The play's the thing,
Wherein I'le catch the conscience of the King. exit.
[Sc. viii.]
Enter the King, Queene, and Lordes.
King Lordes, can you by no meanes finde
The cause of our sonne Hamlets lunacie?
You being so neere in loue, euen from his youth,
Me thinkes should gaine more than a stranger should.
The cause of our sonne Hamlets lunacie?
You being so neere in loue, euen from his youth,
Me thinkes should gaine more than a stranger should.
Gil. My lord, we haue done all the best we could, 5
To wring from him the cause of all his griefe,
But still he puts vs off, and by no meanes
Would make an answere to that we exposde.
To wring from him the cause of all his griefe,
But still he puts vs off, and by no meanes
Would make an answere to that we exposde.
Ross. Yet was he something more inclin'd to mirth
Before we left him, and I take it, 10
He hath giuen order for a play to night,
At which he craues your highnesse company.
Before we left him, and I take it, 10
He hath giuen order for a play to night,
At which he craues your highnesse company.
King With all our heart, it likes vs very well:
Gentlemen, seeke still to increase his mirth,
Spare for no cost, our coffers shall be open, 15
And we vnto your selues will still be thankefull.
Gentlemen, seeke still to increase his mirth,
Spare for no cost, our coffers shall be open, 15
And we vnto your selues will still be thankefull.
Both In all wee can, be sure you shall commaund.
Queene Thankes gentlemen, and what the Queene of Denmarke
May pleasure you, be sure you shall not want.
May pleasure you, be sure you shall not want.
Gil. Weele once againe vnto the noble Prince. 20
King Thanks to you both: Gertred you'l see this play.
Queene My lord I will, and it ioyes me at the soule
He is inclin'd to any kinde of mirth.
He is inclin'd to any kinde of mirth.
Cor. Madame, I pray be ruled by me:
And my good Soueraigne, giue me leaue to speake, 25
We cannot yet finde out the very ground
Of his distemperance, therefore
I holde it meete, if so it please you,
Else they shall not meete, and thus it is.
And my good Soueraigne, giue me leaue to speake, 25
We cannot yet finde out the very ground
Of his distemperance, therefore
I holde it meete, if so it please you,
Else they shall not meete, and thus it is.
King What i'st Corambis? 30
Cor. Mary my good lord this, soone when the sports are done,
Madam, send you in haste to speake with him,
And I my selfe will stand behind the Arras,
There question you the cause of all his griefe,
And then in loue and nature vnto you, hee'le tell you all: 35
My Lord, how thinke you on't?
Madam, send you in haste to speake with him,
And I my selfe will stand behind the Arras,
There question you the cause of all his griefe,
And then in loue and nature vnto you, hee'le tell you all: 35
My Lord, how thinke you on't?
King It likes vs well, Gertred, what say you?
Queene With all my heart, soone will I send for him.
Cor. My selfe will be that happy messenger,
Who hopes his griefe will be reueal'd to her. exeunt omnes 40
Who hopes his griefe will be reueal'd to her. exeunt omnes 40
[Sc. ix.]
Enter Hamlet and the Players.
Ham. Pronounce me this speech trippingly a the tongue
as I taught thee,
Mary and you mouth it, as a many of your players do
I'de rather heare a towne bull bellow,
Then such a fellow speake my lines. 5
Nor do not saw the aire thus with your hands,
But giue euery thing his action with temperance.
O it offends mee to the soule, to heare a rebustious periwig fellow,
To teare a passion in totters, into very ragges,
To split the eares of the ignoraut, who for the
Most parte are capable of nothing but dumbe shewes and noises,
I would haue such a fellow whipt, for o're doing, tarmagant
It out, Herodes Herod.
as I taught thee,
Mary and you mouth it, as a many of your players do
I'de rather heare a towne bull bellow,
Then such a fellow speake my lines. 5
Nor do not saw the aire thus with your hands,
But giue euery thing his action with temperance.
O it offends mee to the soule, to heare a rebustious periwig fellow,
To teare a passion in totters, into very ragges,
To split the eares of the ignoraut, who for the
Most parte are capable of nothing but dumbe shewes and noises,
I would haue such a fellow whipt, for o're doing, tarmagant
It out, Herodes Herod.
players My Lorde, wee haue indifferently reformed that
among vs. 15
among vs. 15
Ham. The better, the better, mend it all together:
There be fellowes that I haue seene play,
And heard others commend them, and that highly too,
That hauing neither the gate of Christian, Pagan,
Nor Turke, haue so strutted and bellowed, 20
That you would a thought, some of Natures journeymen
Had made men, and not made them well,
They imitated humanitie, so abhominable:
Take heede, auoyde it.
There be fellowes that I haue seene play,
And heard others commend them, and that highly too,
That hauing neither the gate of Christian, Pagan,
Nor Turke, haue so strutted and bellowed, 20
That you would a thought, some of Natures journeymen
Had made men, and not made them well,
They imitated humanitie, so abhominable:
Take heede, auoyde it.
players I warrant you my Lord. 25
Ham. And doe you heare? let not your Clowne speake
More then is set downe, there be of them I can tell you
That will laugh themselues, to set on some
Quantitie of barren spectators to laugh with them,
Albeit there is some necessary point in the Play 30
Then to be obserued: O t'is vile, and shewes
A pittifull ambition in the foole that vseth it.
And then you haue some agen, that keepes one sute
Of ieasts, as a man is knowne by one sute of
Apparell, and Gentlemen quotes his ieasts downe 35
In their tables, before they come to the play, as thus:
Cannot you stay till I eate my porrige? and, you owe me
A quarters wages: and, my coate wants a cullison:
And, your beere is sowre: and, blabbering with his lips,
And thus keeping in his cinkapase of ieasts, 40
When, God knows, the warme Clowne cannot make a iest
Vnlesse by chance, as the blinde man catcheth a hare:
Maisters tell him of it.
More then is set downe, there be of them I can tell you
That will laugh themselues, to set on some
Quantitie of barren spectators to laugh with them,
Albeit there is some necessary point in the Play 30
Then to be obserued: O t'is vile, and shewes
A pittifull ambition in the foole that vseth it.
And then you haue some agen, that keepes one sute
Of ieasts, as a man is knowne by one sute of
Apparell, and Gentlemen quotes his ieasts downe 35
In their tables, before they come to the play, as thus:
Cannot you stay till I eate my porrige? and, you owe me
A quarters wages: and, my coate wants a cullison:
And, your beere is sowre: and, blabbering with his lips,
And thus keeping in his cinkapase of ieasts, 40
When, God knows, the warme Clowne cannot make a iest
Vnlesse by chance, as the blinde man catcheth a hare:
Maisters tell him of it.
players We will my Lord.
Ham. Well, goe make you ready. exeunt players. 45
Horatio. Heere my Lord.
Ham. Horatio, thou art euen as iust a man,
As e're my conuersation cop'd withall.
As e're my conuersation cop'd withall.
Hor. O my lord!
Ham. Nay why should I flatter thee? 50
Why should the poore be flattered?
What gaine should I receiue by flattering thee,
That nothing hath but thy good minde?
Let flattery sit on those time-pleasing tongs,
To glose with them that loues to heare their praise, 55
And not with such as thou Horatio.
There is a play to night, wherein one Sceane they haue
Comes very neere the murder of my father,
When thou shalt see that Act afoote,
Marke thou the King, doe but obserue his lookes, 60
For I mine eies will riuet to his face:
And if he doe not bleach, and change at that,
It is a damned ghost that we haue seene,
Horatio, haue a care, obserue him well.
Why should the poore be flattered?
What gaine should I receiue by flattering thee,
That nothing hath but thy good minde?
Let flattery sit on those time-pleasing tongs,
To glose with them that loues to heare their praise, 55
And not with such as thou Horatio.
There is a play to night, wherein one Sceane they haue
Comes very neere the murder of my father,
When thou shalt see that Act afoote,
Marke thou the King, doe but obserue his lookes, 60
For I mine eies will riuet to his face:
And if he doe not bleach, and change at that,
It is a damned ghost that we haue seene,
Horatio, haue a care, obserue him well.
Hor. My lord, mine eies shall still be on his face, 65
And not the smallest alteration
That shall appeare in him, but I shall note it.
And not the smallest alteration
That shall appeare in him, but I shall note it.
Ham. Harke, they come.
Enter King, Queene, Corambis, and other Lords.
King How now son Hamlet, how fare you, shall we haue a play?
Ham. Yfaith the Camelions dish, not capon cramm'd, 70
feed a the ayre.
I father: My lord, you playd in the Vniuersitie.
feed a the ayre.
I father: My lord, you playd in the Vniuersitie.
Cor. That I did my L: and I was counted a good actor.
Ham. What did you enact there?
Cor. My lord, I did act Julius Cæsar, I was killed 75
in the Capitoll, Brutus killed me.
in the Capitoll, Brutus killed me.
Ham. It was a brute parte of him,
To kill so capitall a calfe.
Come, be these Players ready?
To kill so capitall a calfe.
Come, be these Players ready?
Queene Hamlet come sit downe by me. 80
Ham. No by my faith mother, heere's a mettle more attractive:
Lady will you giue me leaue, and so forth:
To lay my head in your lappe?
Lady will you giue me leaue, and so forth:
To lay my head in your lappe?
Ofel. No my lord.
Ham. Vpon your lap, what do you thinke I meant contrary matters?85
Enter in a Dumbe Shew, the King and the Queene, he sits downe in an Arbor, she leaues him: Then enters Lucianus with poyson in a Viall, and powres it in his eares, and goes away: Then the Queene commeth and findes him dead: and goes away with the other.
Ofel. What meanes this my Lord? Enter the Prologue.
Ham. This is myching Mallico, that meanes my chiefe.
Ofel. What doth this meane my lord?
Ham. You shall heare anone, this fellow will tell you all.
Ofel. Will he tell vs what this shew meanes? 90
Ham. I, or any shew you'le shew him,
Be not afeard to shew, hee'le not be afeard to tell:
O these Players cannot keepe counsell, thei'le tell all.
Be not afeard to shew, hee'le not be afeard to tell:
O these Players cannot keepe counsell, thei'le tell all.
Prol. For vs, and for our Tragedie,
Heere stowping to your clemencie, 95
We begge your hearing patiently.
Heere stowping to your clemencie, 95
We begge your hearing patiently.
Ham. I'st a prologue, or a poesie for a ring?
Ofel. T'is short my Lord.
Ham. As womens loue.
Enter the Duke and Dutchesse.
Duke Full fortie yeares are past, their date is gone, 100
Since happy time ioyn'd both our hearts as one:
And now the blood that fill'd my youthfull veines,
Runnes weakely in their pipes, and all the straines
Of musicke, which whilome pleasde mine eare,
Is now a burthen that Age cannot beare: 105
And therefore sweete Nature must pay his due,
To heauen must I, and leaue the earth with you.
Since happy time ioyn'd both our hearts as one:
And now the blood that fill'd my youthfull veines,
Runnes weakely in their pipes, and all the straines
Of musicke, which whilome pleasde mine eare,
Is now a burthen that Age cannot beare: 105
And therefore sweete Nature must pay his due,
To heauen must I, and leaue the earth with you.
Dutchesse O say not so, lest that you kill my heart,
When death takes you, let life from me depart.
When death takes you, let life from me depart.
Duke Content thy selfe, when ended is my date, 110
Thou maist (perchance) haue a more noble mate,
More wise, more youthfull, and one.
Thou maist (perchance) haue a more noble mate,
More wise, more youthfull, and one.
Dutchesse O speake no more, for then I am accurst,
None weds the second, but she kils the first:
A second time I kill my Lord that's dead, 115
When second husband kisses me in bed.
None weds the second, but she kils the first:
A second time I kill my Lord that's dead, 115
When second husband kisses me in bed.
Ham. O wormewood, wormewood!
Duke I doe beleeue you sweete, what now you speake,
But what we doe determine oft we breake,
For our demises stil are ouerthrowne, 120
Our thoughts are ours, their end's none of our owne:
So thinke you will no second husband wed,
But die thy thoughts, when thy first Lord is dead.
But what we doe determine oft we breake,
For our demises stil are ouerthrowne, 120
Our thoughts are ours, their end's none of our owne:
So thinke you will no second husband wed,
But die thy thoughts, when thy first Lord is dead.
Dutchesse Both here and there pursue me lasting strife,
I once a widdow, euer I be wife. 125
I once a widdow, euer I be wife. 125
Ham. If she should breake now.
Duke T'is deepely sworne, sweete leaue me here a while,
My spirites growe dull, and faine I would beguile the tedious
time with sleepe.
My spirites growe dull, and faine I would beguile the tedious
time with sleepe.
Dutchesse Sleepe rocke thy braine, 130
And neuer come mischance betweene vs twaine. exit Lady
And neuer come mischance betweene vs twaine. exit Lady
Ham. Madam, how do you like this play?
Queene The Lady protests too much.
Ham. O but shee'le keepe her word.
King Haue you heard the argument, is there no offence 135
in it?
in it?
Ham. No offence in the world, poyson iniest, poison in iest.
King What do you call the name of the play?
Ham. Mouse-trap: mary how trapically: this play is
The image of a murder done in guyana, Albertus 140
Was the Dukes name, his wife Baptista,
Father, it is a knauish peece a worke: but what
A that, it toucheth not vs, you and I that haue free
Soules, let the galld iade wince, this is one
Lucianus nephew to the King. 145
The image of a murder done in guyana, Albertus 140
Was the Dukes name, his wife Baptista,
Father, it is a knauish peece a worke: but what
A that, it toucheth not vs, you and I that haue free
Soules, let the galld iade wince, this is one
Lucianus nephew to the King. 145
Ofel. Ya're as good as a Chorus my lord.
Ham. I could interpret the loue you beare, if I sawe the
poopies dallying.
poopies dallying.
Ofel. Y'are very pleasant my lord.
Ham. Who I, your onlie jig-maker, why what shoulde 150
a man do but be merry? for looke how cheerefully my mother
lookes, my father died within these two houres.
a man do but be merry? for looke how cheerefully my mother
lookes, my father died within these two houres.
Ofel. Nay, t'is twice two months, my Lord.
Ham. Two months, nay then let the diuell weare blacke,
For i'le haue a sute of Sables: Iesus, two months dead, 155
And not forgotten yet? nay then there's some
Likelyhood, a gentlemans death may outliue memorie,
But by my faith hee must build churches then,
Or els hee must follow the olde Epitithe,
With hoh, with ho, the hobi-horse is forgot. 160
For i'le haue a sute of Sables: Iesus, two months dead, 155
And not forgotten yet? nay then there's some
Likelyhood, a gentlemans death may outliue memorie,
But by my faith hee must build churches then,
Or els hee must follow the olde Epitithe,
With hoh, with ho, the hobi-horse is forgot. 160
Ofel. Your iests are keene my Lord.
Ham. It would cost you a groning to take them off.
Ofel. Still better and worse.
Ham. So you must take your husband, begin. Murdred
Begin, a poxe, leaue thy damnable faces and begin, 165
Come, the croking rauen doth bellow for reuenge.
Begin, a poxe, leaue thy damnable faces and begin, 165
Come, the croking rauen doth bellow for reuenge.
Murd. Thoughts blacke, hands apt, drugs fit, and time agreeing.
Confederate season, else no creature seeing:
Thou mixture rancke, of midnight weedes collected,
With Hecates bane thrise blasted, thrise infected, 170
Thy naturall magicke, and dire propertie,
One wholesome life vsurps immediately. exit.
Confederate season, else no creature seeing:
Thou mixture rancke, of midnight weedes collected,
With Hecates bane thrise blasted, thrise infected, 170
Thy naturall magicke, and dire propertie,
One wholesome life vsurps immediately. exit.
Ham. He poysons him for his estate.
King Lights, I will to bed.
Cor. The king rises, lights hoe. 175
Exeunt King and Lordes.
Ham. What, frighted with false fires?
Then let the stricken deere goe weepe,
The Hart vngalled play,
For some must laugh, while some must weepe,
Thus runnes the world away. 180
Then let the stricken deere goe weepe,
The Hart vngalled play,
For some must laugh, while some must weepe,
Thus runnes the world away. 180
Hor. The king is mooued my lord.
Hor. I Horatio, i'le take the Ghosts word
For more then all the coyne in Denmarke.
For more then all the coyne in Denmarke.
Enter Rossencraft and Gilderstone.
Ross. Now my lord, how i'st with you?
Ham. And if the king like not the tragedy, 185
Why then belike he likes it not perdy.
Why then belike he likes it not perdy.
Ross. We are very glad to see your grace so pleasant,
My good lord, let vs againe intreate
To know of you the ground and cause of your distemperature.
My good lord, let vs againe intreate
To know of you the ground and cause of your distemperature.
Gil. My lord, your mother craues to speake with you. 190
Ham. We shall obey, were she ten times our mother.
Ross. But my good Lord, shall I intreate thus much?
Ham. I pray will you play vpon this pipe?
Ross. Alas my lord I cannot.
Ham. Pray will you. 195
Gil. I haue no skill my Lord.
Ham. Why looke, it is a thing of nothing,
T'is but stopping of these holes,
And with a little breath from your lips,
It will giue most delicate musick. 200
T'is but stopping of these holes,
And with a little breath from your lips,
It will giue most delicate musick. 200
Gil. But this cannot wee do my Lord.
Ham. Pray now, pray hartily, I beseech you.
Ross. My lord wee cannot.
Ham. Why how vnworthy a thing would you make of me?
You would seeme to know my stops, you would play vpon mee, 205
You would search the very inward part of my hart,
And diue into the secreet of my soule.
Zownds do you thinke I am easier to be pla'yd
On, then a pipe? call mee what Instrument
You will, though you can frett mee, yet you can not 210
Play vpon mee, besides, to be demanded by a spunge.
You would seeme to know my stops, you would play vpon mee, 205
You would search the very inward part of my hart,
And diue into the secreet of my soule.
Zownds do you thinke I am easier to be pla'yd
On, then a pipe? call mee what Instrument
You will, though you can frett mee, yet you can not 210
Play vpon mee, besides, to be demanded by a spunge.
Ros. How a spunge my Lord?
Ham. I sir, a spunge, that sokes vp the kings
Countenance, fauours, and rewardes, that makes
His liberalitie your store house: but such as you, 215
Do the king, in the end, best seruise;
For hee doth keep you as an Ape doth nuttes,
In the corner of his Iaw, first mouthes you,
Then swallowes you: so when hee hath need
Of you, t'is but squeesing of you, 220
And spunge, you shall be dry againe you shall.
Countenance, fauours, and rewardes, that makes
His liberalitie your store house: but such as you, 215
Do the king, in the end, best seruise;
For hee doth keep you as an Ape doth nuttes,
In the corner of his Iaw, first mouthes you,
Then swallowes you: so when hee hath need
Of you, t'is but squeesing of you, 220
And spunge, you shall be dry againe you shall.
Ros. Wel my Lord wee'le take our leaue.
Ham. Farewell, farewell, God blesse you.
Exit Rossencraft and Gilderstone.
Enter Corambis.
Ham. Do you see yonder clowd in the shape of a camell?
Cor. T'is like a camell in deed.
Ham. Now me thinkes it's like a weasel.
Cor. T'is back't like a weasell.
Ham. Or like a whale.
Cor. Very like a whale. exit Coram. 230
Ham. Why then tell my mother i'le come by and by.
Good night Horatio.
Good night Horatio.
Hor. Good night vnto your Lordship. exit Horatio.
Ham. My mother she hath sent to speake with me:
O God, let ne're the heart of Nero enter 235
This soft bosome.
Let me be cruell, not vnnaturall.
I will speake daggers, those sharpe wordes being spent,
To doe her wrong my soule shall ne're consent. exit.
O God, let ne're the heart of Nero enter 235
This soft bosome.
Let me be cruell, not vnnaturall.
I will speake daggers, those sharpe wordes being spent,
To doe her wrong my soule shall ne're consent. exit.
[Sc. x.]
Enter the King.
King O that this wet that falles vpon my face
Would wash the crime cleere from my conscience!
When I looke vp to heauen, I see my trespasse,
The earth doth still crie out vpon my fact,
Pay me the murder of a brother and a king, 5
And the adulterous fault I haue committed:
O these are sinnes that are vnpardonable:
Why say thy sinnes were blacker then is ieat,
Yet may contrition make them as white as snowe:
I but still to perseuer in a sinne, 10
It is an act gainst the vniuersall power,
Most wretched man, stoope, bend thee to thy prayer,
Aske grace of heauen to keepe thee from despaire.
Would wash the crime cleere from my conscience!
When I looke vp to heauen, I see my trespasse,
The earth doth still crie out vpon my fact,
Pay me the murder of a brother and a king, 5
And the adulterous fault I haue committed:
O these are sinnes that are vnpardonable:
Why say thy sinnes were blacker then is ieat,
Yet may contrition make them as white as snowe:
I but still to perseuer in a sinne, 10
It is an act gainst the vniuersall power,
Most wretched man, stoope, bend thee to thy prayer,
Aske grace of heauen to keepe thee from despaire.
Hee kneeles. enters Hamlet
Ham. I so, come forth and worke thy last,
And thus hee dies: and so am I reuenged: 15
No, not so: he tooke my father sleeping, his sins brim full,
And how his soule stoode to the state of heauen
Who knowes, saue the immortall powres,
And shall I kill him now,
When he is purging of his soule? 20
Making his way for heauen, this is a benefit,
And not reuenge: no, get thee vp agen,
When hee's at game swaring, taking his carowse, drinking, drunke,
Or in the incestuous pleasure of his bed,
Or at some act that hath no relish 25
Of saluation in't, then trip him
That his heeles may kicke at heauen,
And fall as lowe as hel: my mother stayes,
This phisicke but prolongs thy weary dayes. exit Ham.
And thus hee dies: and so am I reuenged: 15
No, not so: he tooke my father sleeping, his sins brim full,
And how his soule stoode to the state of heauen
Who knowes, saue the immortall powres,
And shall I kill him now,
When he is purging of his soule? 20
Making his way for heauen, this is a benefit,
And not reuenge: no, get thee vp agen,
When hee's at game swaring, taking his carowse, drinking, drunke,
Or in the incestuous pleasure of his bed,
Or at some act that hath no relish 25
Of saluation in't, then trip him
That his heeles may kicke at heauen,
And fall as lowe as hel: my mother stayes,
This phisicke but prolongs thy weary dayes. exit Ham.
King My wordes fly vp, my sinnes remaine below. 30
No King on earth is safe, if Gods his foe. exit King.
No King on earth is safe, if Gods his foe. exit King.
[Sc. xi.]
Enter Queene and Corambis.
Cor. Madame, I heare yong Hamlet comming,
I'le shrowde my selfe behinde the Arras. exit Cor.
I'le shrowde my selfe behinde the Arras. exit Cor.
Queene Do so my Lord.
Ham. Mother, mother, O are you here?
How i'st with you mother? 5
How i'st with you mother? 5
Queene How i'st with you?
Ham. I'le tell you, but first weele make all safe.
Queene Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended.
Ham. Mother, you haue my father much offended.
Queene How now boy? 10
Ham. How now mother! come here, sit downe, for you
shall heare me speake.
shall heare me speake.
Queene What wilt thou doe? thou wilt not murder me:
Helpe hoe.
Helpe hoe.
Cor. Helpe for the Queene. 15
Ham. I a Rat, dead for a Duckat.
Rash intruding foole, farewell,
I tooke thee for thy better.
Rash intruding foole, farewell,
I tooke thee for thy better.
Queene Hamlet, what hast thou done?
Ham. Not so much harme, good mother, 20
As to kill a king, and marry with his brother.
As to kill a king, and marry with his brother.
Queene How! kill a king!
Ham. I a King: nay sit you downe, and ere you part,
If you be made of penitrable stuffe,
I'le make your eyes looke downe into your heart, 25
And see how horride there and blacke it shews.
If you be made of penitrable stuffe,
I'le make your eyes looke downe into your heart, 25
And see how horride there and blacke it shews.
Queene Hamlet, what mean'st thou by these killing words?
Ham. Why this I meane, see here, behold this picture,
It is the portraiture, of your deceased husband,
See here a face, to outface Mars himselfe, 30
An eye, at which his foes did tremble at,
A front wherin all vertues are set downe
For to adorne a king, and guild his crowne,
Whose heart went hand in hand euen with that vow,
He made to you in marriage, and he is dead. 35
Murdred, damnably murdred, this was your husband,
Looke you now, here is your husband,
With a face like Vulcan.
A looke fit for a murder and a rape,
A dull dead hanging looke, and a hell-bred eie, 40
To affright children and amaze the world:
And this same haue you left to change with this.
What Diuell thus hath cosoned you at hob-man blinde?
A! haue you eyes and can you looke on him
That slew my father, and your deere husband, 45
To liue in the incestuous pleasure of his bed?
It is the portraiture, of your deceased husband,
See here a face, to outface Mars himselfe, 30
An eye, at which his foes did tremble at,
A front wherin all vertues are set downe
For to adorne a king, and guild his crowne,
Whose heart went hand in hand euen with that vow,
He made to you in marriage, and he is dead. 35
Murdred, damnably murdred, this was your husband,
Looke you now, here is your husband,
With a face like Vulcan.
A looke fit for a murder and a rape,
A dull dead hanging looke, and a hell-bred eie, 40
To affright children and amaze the world:
And this same haue you left to change with this.
What Diuell thus hath cosoned you at hob-man blinde?
A! haue you eyes and can you looke on him
That slew my father, and your deere husband, 45
To liue in the incestuous pleasure of his bed?
Queene O Hamlet, speake no more.
Ham. To leaue him that bare a Monarkes minde,
For a king of clowts, of very shreads.
For a king of clowts, of very shreads.
Queene Sweete Hamlet cease. 50
Ham. Nay but still to persist and dwell in sinne,
To sweate vnder the yoke of infamie,
To make increase of shame, to seale damnation.
To sweate vnder the yoke of infamie,
To make increase of shame, to seale damnation.
Queene Hamlet, no more.
Ham. Why appetite with you is in the waine, 55
Your blood runnes backeward now from whence it came,
Who'le chide hote blood within a Virgins heart,
When lust shall dwell within a matrons breast?
Your blood runnes backeward now from whence it came,
Who'le chide hote blood within a Virgins heart,
When lust shall dwell within a matrons breast?
Queene Hamlet, thou cleaues my heart in twaine.
Ham. O throw away the worser part of it, and keepe the 60
better.
better.
Enter the ghost in his night gowne.
Saue me, saue me, you gratious
Powers aboue, and houer ouer mee,
With your celestiall wings.
Doe you not come your tardy sonne to chide, 65
That I thus long haue let reuenge slippe by?
O do not glare with lookes so pittifull!
Lest that my heart of stone yeelde to compassion,
And euery part that should assist reuenge,
Forgoe their proper powers, and fall to pitty. 70
Powers aboue, and houer ouer mee,
With your celestiall wings.
Doe you not come your tardy sonne to chide, 65
That I thus long haue let reuenge slippe by?
O do not glare with lookes so pittifull!
Lest that my heart of stone yeelde to compassion,
And euery part that should assist reuenge,
Forgoe their proper powers, and fall to pitty. 70
Ghost Hamlet, I once againe appeare to thee,
To put thee in remembrance of my death:
Doe not neglect, nor long time put it off.
But I perceiue by thy distracted lookes,
Thy mother's fearefull, and she stands amazde: 75
Speake to her Hamlet, for her sex is weake,
Comfort thy mother, Hamlet, thinke on me.
To put thee in remembrance of my death:
Doe not neglect, nor long time put it off.
But I perceiue by thy distracted lookes,
Thy mother's fearefull, and she stands amazde: 75
Speake to her Hamlet, for her sex is weake,
Comfort thy mother, Hamlet, thinke on me.
Ham. How i'st with you Lady?
Queene Nay, how i'st with you
That thus you bend your eyes on vacancie, 80
And holde discourse with nothing but with ayre?
That thus you bend your eyes on vacancie, 80
And holde discourse with nothing but with ayre?
Ham. Why doe you nothing heare?
Queene Not I.
Queene No neither.
Ham. No, why see the king my father, my father, in the habite
As he liued, looke you how pale he lookes,
See how he steales away out of the Portall,
Looke, there he goes. exit ghost.
As he liued, looke you how pale he lookes,
See how he steales away out of the Portall,
Looke, there he goes. exit ghost.
Queene Alas, it is the weaknesse of thy braine, 90
Which makes thy tongue to blazon thy hearts griefe:
But as I haue a soule, I sweare by heauen,
I neuer knew of this most horride murder:
But Hamlet, this is onely fantasie,
And for my loue forget these idle fits. 95
Which makes thy tongue to blazon thy hearts griefe:
But as I haue a soule, I sweare by heauen,
I neuer knew of this most horride murder:
But Hamlet, this is onely fantasie,
And for my loue forget these idle fits. 95
Ham. Idle, no mother, my pulse doth beate like yours,
It is not madnesse that possesseth Hamlet.
O mother, if euer you did my deare father loue,
Forbeare the adulterous bed to night,
And win your selfe by little as you may, 100
In time it may be you wil lothe him quite:
And mother, but assist mee in reuenge,
And in his death your infamy shall die.
It is not madnesse that possesseth Hamlet.
O mother, if euer you did my deare father loue,
Forbeare the adulterous bed to night,
And win your selfe by little as you may, 100
In time it may be you wil lothe him quite:
And mother, but assist mee in reuenge,
And in his death your infamy shall die.
Queene Hamlet, I vow by that maiesty,
That knowes our thoughts, and lookes into our hearts, 105
I will conceale, consent, and doe my best,
What stratagem soe're thou shalt deuise.
That knowes our thoughts, and lookes into our hearts, 105
I will conceale, consent, and doe my best,
What stratagem soe're thou shalt deuise.
Ham. It is enough, mother good night:
Come sir, I'le prouide for you a graue,
Who was in life a foolish prating knaue. 110
Come sir, I'le prouide for you a graue,
Who was in life a foolish prating knaue. 110
Exit Hamlet with the dead body.
Enter the King and Lordes.
King Now Gertred, what sayes our sonne, how doe you
finde him?
finde him?
Queene Alas my lord, as raging as the sea:
Whenas he came, I first bespake him faire,
But then he throwes and tosses me about, 115
As one forgetting that I was his mother:
At last I call'd for help: and as I cried, Corambis
Call'd, which Hamlet no sooner heard, but whips me
Out his rapier, and cries, a Rat, a Rat, and in his rage
The good olde man he killes. 120
Whenas he came, I first bespake him faire,
But then he throwes and tosses me about, 115
As one forgetting that I was his mother:
At last I call'd for help: and as I cried, Corambis
Call'd, which Hamlet no sooner heard, but whips me
Out his rapier, and cries, a Rat, a Rat, and in his rage
The good olde man he killes. 120
King Why this his madnesse will vndoe our state.
Lordes goe to him, inquire the body out.
Lordes goe to him, inquire the body out.
Gil. We will my Lord. Exeunt Lordes.
King Gertred, your sonne shall presently to England,
His shipping is already furnished, 125
And we haue sent by Rossencraft and Gilderstone,
Our letters to our deare brother of England,
For Hamlets welfare and his happinesse:
Happly the aire and climate of the Country
May please him better than his natiue home: 130
See where he comes.
His shipping is already furnished, 125
And we haue sent by Rossencraft and Gilderstone,
Our letters to our deare brother of England,
For Hamlets welfare and his happinesse:
Happly the aire and climate of the Country
May please him better than his natiue home: 130
See where he comes.
Enter Hamlet and the Lordes.
Gil. My lord, we can by no meanes
Know of him where the body is.
Know of him where the body is.
King Now sonne Hamlet, where is this dead body?
Ham. At supper, not where he is eating, but 135
Where he is eaten, a certaine company of politicke wormes
are euen now at him.
Father, your fatte King, and your leane Beggar
Are but variable seruices, two dishes to one messe:
Looke you, a man may fish with that worme 140
That hath eaten of a King,
And a Beggar eate that fish,
Which that worme hath caught.
Where he is eaten, a certaine company of politicke wormes
are euen now at him.
Father, your fatte King, and your leane Beggar
Are but variable seruices, two dishes to one messe:
Looke you, a man may fish with that worme 140
That hath eaten of a King,
And a Beggar eate that fish,
Which that worme hath caught.
King What of this?
Ham. Nothing father, but to tell you, how a King 145
May go a progresse through the guttes of a Beggar.
May go a progresse through the guttes of a Beggar.
King But sonne Hamlet, where is this body?
Ham. In heau'n, if you chance to misse him there,
Father, you had best looke in the other partes below
For him, and if you cannot finde him there, 150
You may chance to nose him as you go vp the lobby.
Father, you had best looke in the other partes below
For him, and if you cannot finde him there, 150
You may chance to nose him as you go vp the lobby.
King Make haste and finde him out.
Ham. Nay doe you heare? do not make too much haste,
I'le warrant you hee'le stay till you come.
I'le warrant you hee'le stay till you come.
King Well sonne Hamlet, we in care of you: but specially155
in tender preseruation of your health,
The which we price euen as our proper selfe,
It is our minde you forthwith goe for England,
The winde sits faire, you shall aboorde to night,
Lord Rossencraft and Gilderstone shall goe along with you.160
in tender preseruation of your health,
The which we price euen as our proper selfe,
It is our minde you forthwith goe for England,
The winde sits faire, you shall aboorde to night,
Lord Rossencraft and Gilderstone shall goe along with you.160
Ham. O with all my heart: farewel mother.
King Your louing father, Hamlet.
Ham. My mother I say: you married my mother,
My mother is your wife, man and wife is one flesh,
And so (my mother) farewel: for England hoe. 165
My mother is your wife, man and wife is one flesh,
And so (my mother) farewel: for England hoe. 165
Exeunt all but the king.