{"id":227,"date":"2017-06-24T20:36:36","date_gmt":"2017-06-24T20:36:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-geneseo-humanities1-1\/chapter\/hamlet-act-v\/"},"modified":"2017-07-10T20:23:02","modified_gmt":"2017-07-10T20:23:02","slug":"hamlet-act-v","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-geneseo-humanities1-1\/chapter\/hamlet-act-v\/","title":{"raw":"Hamlet, Act V","rendered":"Hamlet, Act V"},"content":{"raw":"

Act 5<\/h2>\r\n

Scene 1. A churchyard.<\/span><\/h3>\r\nEnter two Clowns, with spades, & pickaxes.<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
Is she to be buried in Christian burial when<\/dd>\r\n \t
she wilfully seeks her own salvation?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Second Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
I tell thee she is: and therefore make her grave<\/dd>\r\n \t
straight: the crowner hath sat on her, and finds it<\/dd>\r\n \t
Christian burial.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
How can that be, unless she drowned herself in her<\/dd>\r\n \t
own defence?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Second Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
Why, 'tis found so.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
It must be 'se offendendo;' it cannot be else. For<\/dd>\r\n \t
here lies the point: if I drown myself wittingly,<\/dd>\r\n \t
it argues an act: and an act hath three branches: it<\/dd>\r\n \t
is, to act, to do, and to perform. Argal, she drowned<\/dd>\r\n \t
herself wittingly.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Second Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
Nay, but hear you, goodman delver,--<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
Give me leave. Here lies the water; good: here<\/dd>\r\n \t
stands the man; good; if the man go to this water,<\/dd>\r\n \t
and drown himself, it is, will he, nill he, he<\/dd>\r\n \t
goes,--mark you that; but if the water come to him<\/dd>\r\n \t
and drown him, he drowns not himself. Argal, he<\/dd>\r\n \t
that is not guilty of his own death shortens not his own life.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Second Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
But is this law?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
Ay, marry, is't; crowner's quest law.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Second Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
Will you ha' the truth on't? If this had not been<\/dd>\r\n \t
a gentlewoman, she should have been buried out o'<\/dd>\r\n \t
Christian burial.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
Why, there thou say'st: and the more pity that<\/dd>\r\n \t
great folk should have countenance in this world to<\/dd>\r\n \t
drown or hang themselves, more than their even-<\/dd>\r\n \t
Christian. Come, my spade. There is no ancient<\/dd>\r\n \t
gentleman but gardeners, ditchers, and grave-makers:<\/dd>\r\n \t
they hold up Adam's profession.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Second Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
Was he a gentleman?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
A' was the first that ever bore arms.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Second Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
Why, he had none.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
What, art a heathen? How dost thou understand the<\/dd>\r\n \t
Scripture? The Scripture says 'Adam digged:'<\/dd>\r\n \t
could he dig without arms? I'll put another<\/dd>\r\n \t
question to thee: if thou answerest me not to the<\/dd>\r\n \t
purpose, confess thyself--<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Second Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
Go to.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
What is he that builds stronger than either the<\/dd>\r\n \t
mason, the shipwright, or the carpenter?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Second Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
The gallows-maker; for that frame outlives a<\/dd>\r\n \t
thousand tenants.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
I like thy wit well, in good faith: the gallows<\/dd>\r\n \t
does well; but how does it well? it does well to<\/dd>\r\n \t
those that do ill: now thou dost ill to say the<\/dd>\r\n \t
gallows is built stronger than the church: argal,<\/dd>\r\n \t
the gallows may do well to thee. To't again, come.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Second Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
'Who builds stronger than a mason, a shipwright, or<\/dd>\r\n \t
a carpenter?'<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
Ay, tell me that, and unyoke.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Second Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
Marry, now I can tell.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
To't.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Second Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
Mass, I cannot tell.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
<\/div>\r\nEnter HAMLET and HORATIO, at a distance<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
Cudgel thy brains no more about it, for your dull<\/dd>\r\n \t
ass will not mend his pace with beating; and, when<\/dd>\r\n \t
you are asked this question next, say 'a<\/dd>\r\n \t
grave-maker: 'the houses that he makes last till<\/dd>\r\n \t
doomsday. Go, get thee to Yaughan: fetch me a<\/dd>\r\n \t
stoup of liquor.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nExit Second Clown<\/i>\u00a0He digs and sings<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
In youth, when I did love, did love,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Methought it was very sweet,<\/dd>\r\n \t
To contract, O, the time, for, ah, my behove,<\/dd>\r\n \t
O, methought, there was nothing meet.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Has this fellow no feeling of his business, that he<\/dd>\r\n \t
sings at grave-making?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
Custom hath made it in him a property of easiness.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
'Tis e'en so: the hand of little employment hath<\/dd>\r\n \t
the daintier sense.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
Sings<\/i><\/dd>\r\n \t
But age, with his stealing steps,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Hath claw'd me in his clutch,<\/dd>\r\n \t
And hath shipped me intil the land,<\/dd>\r\n \t
As if I had never been such.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nThrows up a skull<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
That skull had a tongue in it, and could sing once:<\/dd>\r\n \t
how the knave jowls it to the ground, as if it were<\/dd>\r\n \t
Cain's jaw-bone, that did the first murder! It<\/dd>\r\n \t
might be the pate of a politician, which this ass<\/dd>\r\n \t
now o'er-reaches; one that would circumvent God,<\/dd>\r\n \t
might it not?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
It might, my lord.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Or of a courtier; which could say 'Good morrow,<\/dd>\r\n \t
sweet lord! How dost thou, good lord?' This might<\/dd>\r\n \t
be my lord such-a-one, that praised my lord<\/dd>\r\n \t
such-a-one's horse, when he meant to beg it; might it not?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
Ay, my lord.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Why, e'en so: and now my Lady Worm's; chapless, and<\/dd>\r\n \t
knocked about the mazzard with a sexton's spade:<\/dd>\r\n \t
here's fine revolution, an we had the trick to<\/dd>\r\n \t
see't. Did these bones cost no more the breeding,<\/dd>\r\n \t
but to play at loggats with 'em? mine ache to think on't.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nSings<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
A pick-axe, and a spade, a spade,<\/dd>\r\n \t
For and a shrouding sheet:<\/dd>\r\n \t
O, a pit of clay for to be made<\/dd>\r\n \t
For such a guest is meet.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nThrows up another skull<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
There's another: why may not that be the skull of a<\/dd>\r\n \t
lawyer? Where be his quiddities now, his quillets,<\/dd>\r\n \t
his cases, his tenures, and his tricks? why does he<\/dd>\r\n \t
suffer this rude knave now to knock him about the<\/dd>\r\n \t
sconce with a dirty shovel, and will not tell him of<\/dd>\r\n \t
his action of battery? Hum! This fellow might be<\/dd>\r\n \t
in's time a great buyer of land, with his statutes,<\/dd>\r\n \t
his recognizances, his fines, his double vouchers,<\/dd>\r\n \t
his recoveries: is this the fine of his fines, and<\/dd>\r\n \t
the recovery of his recoveries, to have his fine<\/dd>\r\n \t
pate full of fine dirt? will his vouchers vouch him<\/dd>\r\n \t
no more of his purchases, and double ones too, than<\/dd>\r\n \t
the length and breadth of a pair of indentures? The<\/dd>\r\n \t
very conveyances of his lands will hardly lie in<\/dd>\r\n \t
this box; and must the inheritor himself have no more, ha?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
Not a jot more, my lord.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Is not parchment made of sheepskins?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
Ay, my lord, and of calf-skins too.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
They are sheep and calves which seek out assurance<\/dd>\r\n \t
in that. I will speak to this fellow. Whose<\/dd>\r\n \t
grave's this, sirrah?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
Mine, sir.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nSings<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
O, a pit of clay for to be made<\/dd>\r\n \t
For such a guest is meet.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
I think it be thine, indeed; for thou liest in't.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
You lie out on't, sir, and therefore it is not<\/dd>\r\n \t
yours: for my part, I do not lie in't, and yet it is mine.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Thou dost lie in't, to be in't and say it is thine:<\/dd>\r\n \t
'tis for the dead, not for the quick; therefore thou liest.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
'Tis a quick lie, sir; 'twill away again, from me to<\/dd>\r\n \t
you.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
What man dost thou dig it for?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
For no man, sir.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
What woman, then?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
For none, neither.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Who is to be buried in't?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
One that was a woman, sir; but, rest her soul, she's dead.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
How absolute the knave is! we must speak by the<\/dd>\r\n \t
card, or equivocation will undo us. By the Lord,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Horatio, these three years I have taken a note of<\/dd>\r\n \t
it; the age is grown so picked that the toe of the<\/dd>\r\n \t
peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier, he<\/dd>\r\n \t
gaffs his kibe. How long hast thou been a<\/dd>\r\n \t
grave-maker?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
Of all the days i' the year, I came to't that day<\/dd>\r\n \t
that our last king Hamlet overcame Fortinbras.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
How long is that since?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
Cannot you tell that? every fool can tell that: it<\/dd>\r\n \t
was the very day that young Hamlet was born; he that<\/dd>\r\n \t
is mad, and sent into England.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Ay, marry, why was he sent into England?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
Why, because he was mad: he shall recover his wits<\/dd>\r\n \t
there; or, if he do not, it's no great matter there.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Why?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
'Twill, a not be seen in him there; there the men<\/dd>\r\n \t
are as mad as he.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
How came he mad?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
Very strangely, they say.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
How strangely?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
Faith, e'en with losing his wits.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Upon what ground?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
Why, here in Denmark: I have been sexton here, man<\/dd>\r\n \t
and boy, thirty years.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
How long will a man lie i' the earth ere he rot?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
I' faith, if he be not rotten before he die--as we<\/dd>\r\n \t
have many pocky corses now-a-days, that will scarce<\/dd>\r\n \t
hold the laying in--he will last you some eight year<\/dd>\r\n \t
or nine year: a tanner will last you nine year.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Why he more than another?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
Why, sir, his hide is so tanned with his trade, that<\/dd>\r\n \t
he will keep out water a great while; and your water<\/dd>\r\n \t
is a sore decayer of your whoreson dead body.<\/dd>\r\n \t
Here's a skull now; this skull has lain in the earth<\/dd>\r\n \t
three and twenty years.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Whose was it?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
A whoreson mad fellow's it was: whose do you think it was?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Nay, I know not.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
A pestilence on him for a mad rogue! a' poured a<\/dd>\r\n \t
flagon of Rhenish on my head once. This same skull,<\/dd>\r\n \t
sir, was Yorick's skull, the king's jester.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
This?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Clown<\/dt>\r\n \t
E'en that.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Let me see.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nTakes the skull<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow<\/dd>\r\n \t
of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy: he hath<\/dd>\r\n \t
borne me on his back a thousand times; and now, how<\/span><\/dd>\r\n \t
abhorred in my imagination it is! my gorge rims at<\/dd>\r\n \t
it. Here hung those lips that I have kissed I know<\/dd>\r\n \t
not how oft. Where be your gibes now? your<\/dd>\r\n \t
gambols? your songs? your flashes of merriment,<\/dd>\r\n \t
that were wont to set the table on a roar? Not one<\/dd>\r\n \t
now, to mock your own grinning? quite chap-fallen?<\/dd>\r\n \t
Now get you to my lady's chamber, and tell her, let<\/dd>\r\n \t
her paint an inch thick, to this favour she must<\/dd>\r\n \t
come; make her laugh at that. Prithee, Horatio, tell<\/dd>\r\n \t
me one thing.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
What's that, my lord?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Dost thou think Alexander looked o' this fashion i'<\/dd>\r\n \t
the earth?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
E'en so.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
And smelt so? pah!<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nPuts down the skull<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
E'en so, my lord.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
To what base uses we may return, Horatio! Why may<\/dd>\r\n \t
not imagination trace the noble dust of Alexander,<\/dd>\r\n \t
till he find it stopping a bung-hole?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
'Twere to consider too curiously, to consider so.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
No, faith, not a jot; but to follow him thither with<\/dd>\r\n \t
modesty enough, and likelihood to lead it: as<\/dd>\r\n \t
thus: Alexander died, Alexander was buried,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Alexander returneth into dust; the dust is earth; of<\/dd>\r\n \t
earth we make loam; and why of that loam, whereto he<\/dd>\r\n \t
was converted, might they not stop a beer-barrel?<\/dd>\r\n \t
Imperious Caesar, dead and turn'd to clay,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Might stop a hole to keep the wind away:<\/dd>\r\n \t
O, that that earth, which kept the world in awe,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Should patch a wall to expel the winter flaw!<\/dd>\r\n \t
But soft! but soft! aside: here comes the king.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nEnter Priest, &c. in procession; the Corpse of<\/i>\u00a0OPHELIA, LAERTES and Mourners following; KING<\/i>\u00a0CLAUDIUS, QUEEN GERTRUDE, their trains, &c<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
The queen, the courtiers: who is this they follow?<\/dd>\r\n \t
And with such maimed rites? This doth betoken<\/dd>\r\n \t
The corse they follow did with desperate hand<\/dd>\r\n \t
Fordo its own life: 'twas of some estate.<\/dd>\r\n \t
Couch we awhile, and mark.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nRetiring with HORATIO<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Laertes<\/dt>\r\n \t
What ceremony else?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
That is Laertes,<\/dd>\r\n \t
A very noble youth: mark.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Laertes<\/dt>\r\n \t
What ceremony else?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Priest<\/dt>\r\n \t
Her obsequies have been as far enlarged<\/dd>\r\n \t
As we have warrantise: her death was doubtful;<\/dd>\r\n \t
And, but that great command o'ersways the order,<\/dd>\r\n \t
She should in ground unsanctified have lodged<\/dd>\r\n \t
Till the last trumpet: for charitable prayers,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Shards, flints and pebbles should be thrown on her;<\/dd>\r\n \t
Yet here she is allow'd her virgin crants,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Her maiden strewments and the bringing home<\/dd>\r\n \t
Of bell and burial.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Laertes<\/dt>\r\n \t
Must there no more be done?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Priest<\/dt>\r\n \t
No more be done:<\/dd>\r\n \t
We should profane the service of the dead<\/dd>\r\n \t
To sing a requiem and such rest to her<\/dd>\r\n \t
As to peace-parted souls.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Laertes<\/dt>\r\n \t
Lay her i' the earth:<\/dd>\r\n \t
And from her fair and unpolluted flesh<\/dd>\r\n \t
May violets spring! I tell thee, churlish priest,<\/dd>\r\n \t
A ministering angel shall my sister be,<\/dd>\r\n \t
When thou liest howling.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
What, the fair Ophelia!<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Queen Gertrude<\/dt>\r\n \t
Sweets to the sweet: farewell!<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nScattering flowers<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
I hoped thou shouldst have been my Hamlet's wife;<\/dd>\r\n \t
I thought thy bride-bed to have deck'd, sweet maid,<\/dd>\r\n \t
And not have strew'd thy grave.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Laertes<\/dt>\r\n \t
O, treble woe<\/dd>\r\n \t
Fall ten times treble on that cursed head,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Whose wicked deed thy most ingenious sense<\/dd>\r\n \t
Deprived thee of! Hold off the earth awhile,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Till I have caught her once more in mine arms:<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nLeaps into the grave<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Now pile your dust upon the quick and dead,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Till of this flat a mountain you have made,<\/dd>\r\n \t
To o'ertop old Pelion, or the skyish head<\/dd>\r\n \t
Of blue Olympus.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Advancing<\/i>\u00a0What is he whose grief<\/dd>\r\n \t
Bears such an emphasis? whose phrase of sorrow<\/dd>\r\n \t
Conjures the wandering stars, and makes them stand<\/dd>\r\n \t
Like wonder-wounded hearers? This is I,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Hamlet the Dane.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nLeaps into the grave<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Laertes<\/dt>\r\n \t
The devil take thy soul!<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\nGrappling with him<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Thou pray'st not well.<\/dd>\r\n \t
I prithee, take thy fingers from my throat;<\/dd>\r\n \t
For, though I am not splenitive and rash,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Yet have I something in me dangerous,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Which let thy wiseness fear: hold off thy hand.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
King Claudius<\/dt>\r\n \t
Pluck them asunder.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Queen Gertrude<\/dt>\r\n \t
Hamlet, Hamlet!<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
All<\/dt>\r\n \t
Gentlemen,--<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
Good my lord, be quiet.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nThe Attendants part them, and they come out of the grave<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Why, I will fight with him upon this theme<\/dd>\r\n \t
Until my eyelids will no longer wag.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Queen Gertrude<\/dt>\r\n \t
O my son, what theme?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
I loved Ophelia: forty thousand brothers<\/dd>\r\n \t
Could not, with all their quantity of love,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Make up my sum. What wilt thou do for her?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
King Claudius<\/dt>\r\n \t
O, he is mad, Laertes.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Queen Gertrude<\/dt>\r\n \t
For love of God, forbear him.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
'Swounds, show me what thou'lt do:<\/dd>\r\n \t
Woo't weep? woo't fight? woo't fast? woo't tear thyself?<\/dd>\r\n \t
Woo't drink up eisel? eat a crocodile?<\/dd>\r\n \t
I'll do't. Dost thou come here to whine?<\/dd>\r\n \t
To outface me with leaping in her grave?<\/dd>\r\n \t
Be buried quick with her, and so will I:<\/dd>\r\n \t
And, if thou prate of mountains, let them throw<\/dd>\r\n \t
Millions of acres on us, till our ground,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Singeing his pate against the burning zone,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Make Ossa like a wart! Nay, an thou'lt mouth,<\/dd>\r\n \t
I'll rant as well as thou.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Queen Gertrude<\/dt>\r\n \t
This is mere madness:<\/dd>\r\n \t
And thus awhile the fit will work on him;<\/dd>\r\n \t
Anon, as patient as the female dove,<\/dd>\r\n \t
When that her golden couplets are disclosed,<\/dd>\r\n \t
His silence will sit drooping.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Hear you, sir;<\/dd>\r\n \t
What is the reason that you use me thus?<\/dd>\r\n \t
I loved you ever: but it is no matter;<\/dd>\r\n \t
Let Hercules himself do what he may,<\/dd>\r\n \t
The cat will mew and dog will have his day.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nExit<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
King Claudius<\/dt>\r\n \t
I pray you, good Horatio, wait upon him.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nExit HORATIO<\/i>\u00a0To LAERTES<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Strengthen your patience in our last night's speech;<\/dd>\r\n \t
We'll put the matter to the present push.<\/dd>\r\n \t
Good Gertrude, set some watch over your son.<\/dd>\r\n \t
This grave shall have a living monument:<\/dd>\r\n \t
An hour of quiet shortly shall we see;<\/dd>\r\n \t
Till then, in patience our proceeding be.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nExeunt<\/i>\r\n

Scene 2. A hall in the castle.<\/span><\/h3>\r\nEnter Hamlet and Horatio<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
So much for this, sir: now shall you see the other;<\/dd>\r\n \t
You do remember all the circumstance?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
Remember it, my lord?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting,<\/dd>\r\n \t
That would not let me sleep: methought I lay<\/dd>\r\n \t
Worse than the mutines in the bilboes. Rashly,<\/dd>\r\n \t
And praised be rashness for it, let us know,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Our indiscretion sometimes serves us well,<\/dd>\r\n \t
When our deep plots do pall: and that should teach us<\/dd>\r\n \t
There's a divinity that shapes our ends,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Rough-hew them how we will,--<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
That is most certain.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Up from my cabin,<\/dd>\r\n \t
My sea-gown scarf'd about me, in the dark<\/dd>\r\n \t
Groped I to find out them; had my desire.<\/dd>\r\n \t
Finger'd their packet, and in fine withdrew<\/dd>\r\n \t
To mine own room again; making so bold,<\/dd>\r\n \t
My fears forgetting manners, to unseal<\/dd>\r\n \t
Their grand commission; where I found, Horatio,--<\/dd>\r\n \t
O royal knavery!--an exact command,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Larded with many several sorts of reasons<\/dd>\r\n \t
Importing Denmark's health and England's too,<\/dd>\r\n \t
With, ho! such bugs and goblins in my life,<\/dd>\r\n \t
That, on the supervise, no leisure bated,<\/dd>\r\n \t
No, not to stay the grinding of the axe,<\/dd>\r\n \t
My head should be struck off.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
Is't possible?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Here's the commission: read it at more leisure.<\/dd>\r\n \t
But wilt thou hear me how I did proceed?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
I beseech you.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Being thus be-netted round with villanies,--<\/dd>\r\n \t
Ere I could make a prologue to my brains,<\/dd>\r\n \t
They had begun the play--I sat me down,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Devised a new commission, wrote it fair:<\/dd>\r\n \t
I once did hold it, as our statists do,<\/dd>\r\n \t
A baseness to write fair and labour'd much<\/dd>\r\n \t
How to forget that learning, but, sir, now<\/dd>\r\n \t
It did me yeoman's service: wilt thou know<\/dd>\r\n \t
The effect of what I wrote?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
Ay, good my lord.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
An earnest conjuration from the king,<\/dd>\r\n \t
As England was his faithful tributary,<\/dd>\r\n \t
As love between them like the palm might flourish,<\/dd>\r\n \t
As peace should stiff her wheaten garland wear<\/dd>\r\n \t
And stand a comma 'tween their amities,<\/dd>\r\n \t
And many such-like 'As'es of great charge,<\/dd>\r\n \t
That, on the view and knowing of these contents,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Without debatement further, more or less,<\/dd>\r\n \t
He should the bearers put to sudden death,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Not shriving-time allow'd.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
How was this seal'd?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Why, even in that was heaven ordinant.<\/dd>\r\n \t
I had my father's signet in my purse,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Which was the model of that Danish seal;<\/dd>\r\n \t
Folded the writ up in form of the other,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Subscribed it, gave't the impression, placed it safely,<\/dd>\r\n \t
The changeling never known. Now, the next day<\/dd>\r\n \t
Was our sea-fight; and what to this was sequent<\/dd>\r\n \t
Thou know'st already.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to't.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Why, man, they did make love to this employment;<\/dd>\r\n \t
They are not near my conscience; their defeat<\/dd>\r\n \t
Does by their own insinuation grow:<\/dd>\r\n \t
'Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes<\/dd>\r\n \t
Between the pass and fell incensed points<\/dd>\r\n \t
Of mighty opposites.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
Why, what a king is this!<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Does it not, think'st thee, stand me now upon--<\/dd>\r\n \t
He that hath kill'd my king and whored my mother,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Popp'd in between the election and my hopes,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Thrown out his angle for my proper life,<\/dd>\r\n \t
And with such cozenage--is't not perfect conscience,<\/dd>\r\n \t
To quit him with this arm? and is't not to be damn'd,<\/dd>\r\n \t
To let this canker of our nature come<\/dd>\r\n \t
In further evil?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
It must be shortly known to him from England<\/dd>\r\n \t
What is the issue of the business there.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
It will be short: the interim is mine;<\/dd>\r\n \t
And a man's life's no more than to say 'One.'<\/dd>\r\n \t
But I am very sorry, good Horatio,<\/dd>\r\n \t
That to Laertes I forgot myself;<\/dd>\r\n \t
For, by the image of my cause, I see<\/dd>\r\n \t
The portraiture of his: I'll court his favours.<\/dd>\r\n \t
But, sure, the bravery of his grief did put me<\/dd>\r\n \t
Into a towering passion.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
Peace! who comes here?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nEnter OSRIC<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
I humbly thank you, sir. Dost know this water-fly?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
No, my good lord.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Thy state is the more gracious; for 'tis a vice to<\/dd>\r\n \t
know him. He hath much land, and fertile: let a<\/dd>\r\n \t
beast be lord of beasts, and his crib shall stand at<\/dd>\r\n \t
the king's mess: 'tis a chough; but, as I say,<\/dd>\r\n \t
spacious in the possession of dirt.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
Sweet lord, if your lordship were at leisure, I<\/dd>\r\n \t
should impart a thing to you from his majesty.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of<\/dd>\r\n \t
spirit. Put your bonnet to his right use; 'tis for the head.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
I thank your lordship, it is very hot.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
No, believe me, 'tis very cold; the wind is<\/dd>\r\n \t
northerly.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
But yet methinks it is very sultry and hot for my<\/dd>\r\n \t
complexion.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
Exceedingly, my lord; it is very sultry,--as<\/dd>\r\n \t
'twere,--I cannot tell how. But, my lord, his<\/dd>\r\n \t
majesty bade me signify to you that he has laid a<\/dd>\r\n \t
great wager on your head: sir, this is the matter,--<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
I beseech you, remember--<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nHAMLET moves him to put on his hat<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
Nay, good my lord; for mine ease, in good faith.<\/dd>\r\n \t
Sir, here is newly come to court Laertes; believe<\/dd>\r\n \t
me, an absolute gentleman, full of most excellent<\/dd>\r\n \t
differences, of very soft society and great showing:<\/dd>\r\n \t
indeed, to speak feelingly of him, he is the card or<\/dd>\r\n \t
calendar of gentry, for you shall find in him the<\/dd>\r\n \t
continent of what part a gentleman would see.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Sir, his definement suffers no perdition in you;<\/dd>\r\n \t
though, I know, to divide him inventorially would<\/dd>\r\n \t
dizzy the arithmetic of memory, and yet but yaw<\/dd>\r\n \t
neither, in respect of his quick sail. But, in the<\/dd>\r\n \t
verity of extolment, I take him to be a soul of<\/dd>\r\n \t
great article; and his infusion of such dearth and<\/dd>\r\n \t
rareness, as, to make true diction of him, his<\/dd>\r\n \t
semblable is his mirror; and who else would trace<\/dd>\r\n \t
him, his umbrage, nothing more.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
The concernancy, sir? why do we wrap the gentleman<\/dd>\r\n \t
in our more rawer breath?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
Sir?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
Is't not possible to understand in another tongue?<\/dd>\r\n \t
You will do't, sir, really.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
What imports the nomination of this gentleman?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
Of Laertes?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
His purse is empty already; all's golden words are spent.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Of him, sir.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
I know you are not ignorant--<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
I would you did, sir; yet, in faith, if you did,<\/dd>\r\n \t
it would not much approve me. Well, sir?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is--<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
I dare not confess that, lest I should compare with<\/dd>\r\n \t
him in excellence; but, to know a man well, were to<\/dd>\r\n \t
know himself.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
I mean, sir, for his weapon; but in the imputation<\/dd>\r\n \t
laid on him by them, in his meed he's unfellowed.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
What's his weapon?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
Rapier and dagger.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
That's two of his weapons: but, well.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
The king, sir, hath wagered with him six Barbary<\/dd>\r\n \t
horses: against the which he has imponed, as I take<\/dd>\r\n \t
it, six French rapiers and poniards, with their<\/dd>\r\n \t
assigns, as girdle, hangers, and so: three of the<\/dd>\r\n \t
carriages, in faith, are very dear to fancy, very<\/dd>\r\n \t
responsive to the hilts, most delicate carriages,<\/dd>\r\n \t
and of very liberal conceit.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
What call you the carriages?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
I knew you must be edified by the margent ere you had done.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
The carriages, sir, are the hangers.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
The phrase would be more german to the matter, if we<\/dd>\r\n \t
could carry cannon by our sides: I would it might<\/dd>\r\n \t
be hangers till then. But, on: six Barbary horses<\/dd>\r\n \t
against six French swords, their assigns, and three<\/dd>\r\n \t
liberal-conceited carriages; that's the French bet<\/dd>\r\n \t
against the Danish. Why is this 'imponed,' as you call it?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
The king, sir, hath laid, that in a dozen passes<\/dd>\r\n \t
between yourself and him, he shall not exceed you<\/dd>\r\n \t
three hits: he hath laid on twelve for nine; and it<\/dd>\r\n \t
would come to immediate trial, if your lordship<\/dd>\r\n \t
would vouchsafe the answer.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
How if I answer 'no'?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Sir, I will walk here in the hall: if it please his<\/dd>\r\n \t
majesty, 'tis the breathing time of day with me; let<\/dd>\r\n \t
the foils be brought, the gentleman willing, and the<\/dd>\r\n \t
king hold his purpose, I will win for him an I can;<\/dd>\r\n \t
if not, I will gain nothing but my shame and the odd hits.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
Shall I re-deliver you e'en so?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
To this effect, sir; after what flourish your nature will.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
I commend my duty to your lordship.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Yours, yours.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nExit OSRIC<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
He does well to commend it himself; there are no<\/dd>\r\n \t
tongues else for's turn.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
This lapwing runs away with the shell on his head.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
He did comply with his dug, before he sucked it.<\/dd>\r\n \t
Thus has he--and many more of the same bevy that I<\/dd>\r\n \t
know the dressy age dotes on--only got the tune of<\/dd>\r\n \t
the time and outward habit of encounter; a kind of<\/dd>\r\n \t
yesty collection, which carries them through and<\/dd>\r\n \t
through the most fond and winnowed opinions; and do<\/dd>\r\n \t
but blow them to their trial, the bubbles are out.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nEnter a Lord<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Lord<\/dt>\r\n \t
My lord, his majesty commended him to you by young<\/dd>\r\n \t
Osric, who brings back to him that you attend him in<\/dd>\r\n \t
the hall: he sends to know if your pleasure hold to<\/dd>\r\n \t
play with Laertes, or that you will take longer time.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
I am constant to my purpose; they follow the king's<\/dd>\r\n \t
pleasure: if his fitness speaks, mine is ready; now<\/dd>\r\n \t
or whensoever, provided I be so able as now.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Lord<\/dt>\r\n \t
The king and queen and all are coming down.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
In happy time.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Lord<\/dt>\r\n \t
The queen desires you to use some gentle<\/dd>\r\n \t
entertainment to Laertes before you fall to play.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
She well instructs me.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nExit Lord<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
You will lose this wager, my lord.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
I do not think so: since he went into France, I<\/dd>\r\n \t
have been in continual practise: I shall win at the<\/dd>\r\n \t
odds. But thou wouldst not think how ill all's here<\/dd>\r\n \t
about my heart: but it is no matter.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
Nay, good my lord,--<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
It is but foolery; but it is such a kind of<\/dd>\r\n \t
gain-giving, as would perhaps trouble a woman.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
If your mind dislike any thing, obey it: I will<\/dd>\r\n \t
forestall their repair hither, and say you are not<\/dd>\r\n \t
fit.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Not a whit, we defy augury: there's a special<\/dd>\r\n \t
providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now,<\/dd>\r\n \t
'tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be<\/dd>\r\n \t
now; if it be not now, yet it will come: the<\/dd>\r\n \t
readiness is all: since no man has aught of what he<\/dd>\r\n \t
leaves, what is't to leave betimes? Let be.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nEnter KING CLAUDIUS, QUEEN GERTRUDE, LAERTES,<\/i>\u00a0Lords, OSRIC, and Attendants with foils, &c<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
King Claudius<\/dt>\r\n \t
Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nKING CLAUDIUS puts LAERTES' hand into HAMLET's<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Give me your pardon, sir: I've done you wrong;<\/dd>\r\n \t
But pardon't, as you are a gentleman.<\/dd>\r\n \t
This presence knows,<\/dd>\r\n \t
And you must needs have heard, how I am punish'd<\/dd>\r\n \t
With sore distraction. What I have done,<\/dd>\r\n \t
That might your nature, honour and exception<\/dd>\r\n \t
Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness.<\/dd>\r\n \t
Was't Hamlet wrong'd Laertes? Never Hamlet:<\/dd>\r\n \t
If Hamlet from himself be ta'en away,<\/dd>\r\n \t
And when he's not himself does wrong Laertes,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it.<\/dd>\r\n \t
Who does it, then? His madness: if't be so,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Hamlet is of the faction that is wrong'd;<\/dd>\r\n \t
His madness is poor Hamlet's enemy.<\/dd>\r\n \t
Sir, in this audience,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Let my disclaiming from a purposed evil<\/dd>\r\n \t
Free me so far in your most generous thoughts,<\/dd>\r\n \t
That I have shot mine arrow o'er the house,<\/dd>\r\n \t
And hurt my brother.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Laertes<\/dt>\r\n \t
I am satisfied in nature,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Whose motive, in this case, should stir me most<\/dd>\r\n \t
To my revenge: but in my terms of honour<\/dd>\r\n \t
I stand aloof; and will no reconcilement,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Till by some elder masters, of known honour,<\/dd>\r\n \t
I have a voice and precedent of peace,<\/dd>\r\n \t
To keep my name ungored. But till that time,<\/dd>\r\n \t
I do receive your offer'd love like love,<\/dd>\r\n \t
And will not wrong it.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
I embrace it freely;<\/dd>\r\n \t
And will this brother's wager frankly play.<\/dd>\r\n \t
Give us the foils. Come on.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Laertes<\/dt>\r\n \t
Come, one for me.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
I'll be your foil, Laertes: in mine ignorance<\/dd>\r\n \t
Your skill shall, like a star i' the darkest night,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Stick fiery off indeed.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Laertes<\/dt>\r\n \t
You mock me, sir.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
No, by this hand.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
King Claudius<\/dt>\r\n \t
Give them the foils, young Osric. Cousin Hamlet,<\/dd>\r\n \t
You know the wager?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Very well, my lord;<\/dd>\r\n \t
Your grace hath laid the odds o' the weaker side.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
King Claudius<\/dt>\r\n \t
I do not fear it; I have seen you both:<\/dd>\r\n \t
But since he is better'd, we have therefore odds.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Laertes<\/dt>\r\n \t
This is too heavy, let me see another.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
This likes me well. These foils have all a length?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nThey prepare to play<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
Ay, my good lord.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
King Claudius<\/dt>\r\n \t
Set me the stoops of wine upon that table.<\/dd>\r\n \t
If Hamlet give the first or second hit,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Or quit in answer of the third exchange,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Let all the battlements their ordnance fire:<\/dd>\r\n \t
The king shall drink to Hamlet's better breath;<\/dd>\r\n \t
And in the cup an union shall he throw,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Richer than that which four successive kings<\/dd>\r\n \t
In Denmark's crown have worn. Give me the cups;<\/dd>\r\n \t
And let the kettle to the trumpet speak,<\/dd>\r\n \t
The trumpet to the cannoneer without,<\/dd>\r\n \t
The cannons to the heavens, the heavens to earth,<\/dd>\r\n \t
'Now the king drinks to Hamlet.' Come, begin:<\/dd>\r\n \t
And you, the judges, bear a wary eye.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Come on, sir.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Laertes<\/dt>\r\n \t
Come, my lord.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nThey play<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
One.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Laertes<\/dt>\r\n \t
No.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Judgment.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
A hit, a very palpable hit.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Laertes<\/dt>\r\n \t
Well; again.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
King Claudius<\/dt>\r\n \t
Stay; give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is thine;<\/dd>\r\n \t
Here's to thy health.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nTrumpets sound, and cannon shot off within<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Give him the cup.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
I'll play this bout first; set it by awhile. Come.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nThey play<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Another hit; what say you?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Laertes<\/dt>\r\n \t
A touch, a touch, I do confess.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
King Claudius<\/dt>\r\n \t
Our son shall win.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Queen Gertrude<\/dt>\r\n \t
He's fat, and scant of breath.<\/dd>\r\n \t
Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows;<\/dd>\r\n \t
The queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Good madam!<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
King Claudius<\/dt>\r\n \t
Gertrude, do not drink.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Queen Gertrude<\/dt>\r\n \t
I will, my lord; I pray you, pardon me.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
King Claudius<\/dt>\r\n \t
Aside<\/i>\u00a0It is the poison'd cup: it is too late.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
I dare not drink yet, madam; by and by.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Queen Gertrude<\/dt>\r\n \t
Come, let me wipe thy face.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Laertes<\/dt>\r\n \t
My lord, I'll hit him now.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
King Claudius<\/dt>\r\n \t
I do not think't.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Laertes<\/dt>\r\n \t
Aside<\/i>\u00a0And yet 'tis almost 'gainst my conscience.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Come, for the third, Laertes: you but dally;<\/dd>\r\n \t
I pray you, pass with your best violence;<\/dd>\r\n \t
I am afeard you make a wanton of me.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Laertes<\/dt>\r\n \t
Say you so? come on.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nThey play<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
Nothing, neither way.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Laertes<\/dt>\r\n \t
Have at you now!<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nLAERTES wounds HAMLET; then in scuffling, they<\/i>\u00a0change rapiers, and HAMLET wounds LAERTES<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
King Claudius<\/dt>\r\n \t
Part them; they are incensed.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Nay, come, again.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nQUEEN GERTRUDE falls<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
Look to the queen there, ho!<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
They bleed on both sides. How is it, my lord?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
How is't, Laertes?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Laertes<\/dt>\r\n \t
Why, as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric;<\/dd>\r\n \t
I am justly kill'd with mine own treachery.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
How does the queen?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
King Claudius<\/dt>\r\n \t
She swounds to see them bleed.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Queen Gertrude<\/dt>\r\n \t
No, no, the drink, the drink,--O my dear Hamlet,--<\/dd>\r\n \t
The drink, the drink! I am poison'd.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nDies<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
O villany! Ho! let the door be lock'd:<\/dd>\r\n \t
Treachery! Seek it out.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Laertes<\/dt>\r\n \t
It is here, Hamlet: Hamlet, thou art slain;<\/dd>\r\n \t
No medicine in the world can do thee good;<\/dd>\r\n \t
In thee there is not half an hour of life;<\/dd>\r\n \t
The treacherous instrument is in thy hand,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Unbated and envenom'd: the foul practise<\/dd>\r\n \t
Hath turn'd itself on me lo, here I lie,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Never to rise again: thy mother's poison'd:<\/dd>\r\n \t
I can no more: the king, the king's to blame.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
The point!--envenom'd too!<\/dd>\r\n \t
Then, venom, to thy work.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nStabs KING CLAUDIUS<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
All<\/dt>\r\n \t
Treason! treason!<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
King Claudius<\/dt>\r\n \t
O, yet defend me, friends; I am but hurt.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Drink off this potion. Is thy union here?<\/dd>\r\n \t
Follow my mother.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nKING CLAUDIUS dies<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Laertes<\/dt>\r\n \t
He is justly served;<\/dd>\r\n \t
It is a poison temper'd by himself.<\/dd>\r\n \t
Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet:<\/dd>\r\n \t
Mine and my father's death come not upon thee,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Nor thine on me.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nDies<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
Heaven make thee free of it! I follow thee.<\/dd>\r\n \t
I am dead, Horatio. Wretched queen, adieu!<\/dd>\r\n \t
You that look pale and tremble at this chance,<\/dd>\r\n \t
That are but mutes or audience to this act,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Had I but time--as this fell sergeant, death,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Is strict in his arrest--O, I could tell you--<\/dd>\r\n \t
But let it be. Horatio, I am dead;<\/dd>\r\n \t
Thou livest; report me and my cause aright<\/dd>\r\n \t
To the unsatisfied.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
Never believe it:<\/dd>\r\n \t
I am more an antique Roman than a Dane:<\/dd>\r\n \t
Here's yet some liquor left.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
As thou'rt a man,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Give me the cup: let go; by heaven, I'll have't.<\/dd>\r\n \t
O good Horatio, what a wounded name,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Things standing thus unknown, shall live behind me!<\/dd>\r\n \t
If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart<\/dd>\r\n \t
Absent thee from felicity awhile,<\/dd>\r\n \t
And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain,<\/dd>\r\n \t
To tell my story.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nMarch afar off, and shot within<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
What warlike noise is this?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Osric<\/dt>\r\n \t
Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland,<\/dd>\r\n \t
To the ambassadors of England gives<\/dd>\r\n \t
This warlike volley.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Hamlet<\/dt>\r\n \t
O, I die, Horatio;<\/dd>\r\n \t
The potent poison quite o'er-crows my spirit:<\/dd>\r\n \t
I cannot live to hear the news from England;<\/dd>\r\n \t
But I do prophesy the election lights<\/dd>\r\n \t
On Fortinbras: he has my dying voice;<\/dd>\r\n \t
So tell him, with the occurrents, more and less,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Which have solicited. The rest is silence.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nDies<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
Now cracks a noble heart. Good night sweet prince:<\/dd>\r\n \t
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!<\/dd>\r\n \t
Why does the drum come hither?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nMarch within<\/i>\u00a0Enter FORTINBRAS, the English Ambassadors,<\/i>\u00a0and others<\/i>\r\n
\r\n \t
Prince Fortinbras<\/dt>\r\n \t
Where is this sight?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
What is it ye would see?<\/dd>\r\n \t
If aught of woe or wonder, cease your search.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Prince Fortinbras<\/dt>\r\n \t
This quarry cries on havoc. O proud death,<\/dd>\r\n \t
What feast is toward in thine eternal cell,<\/dd>\r\n \t
That thou so many princes at a shot<\/dd>\r\n \t
So bloodily hast struck?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
First Ambassador<\/dt>\r\n \t
The sight is dismal;<\/dd>\r\n \t
And our affairs from England come too late:<\/dd>\r\n \t
The ears are senseless that should give us hearing,<\/dd>\r\n \t
To tell him his commandment is fulfill'd,<\/dd>\r\n \t
That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead:<\/dd>\r\n \t
Where should we have our thanks?<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
Not from his mouth,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Had it the ability of life to thank you:<\/dd>\r\n \t
He never gave commandment for their death.<\/dd>\r\n \t
But since, so jump upon this bloody question,<\/dd>\r\n \t
You from the Polack wars, and you from England,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Are here arrived give order that these bodies<\/dd>\r\n \t
High on a stage be placed to the view;<\/dd>\r\n \t
And let me speak to the yet unknowing world<\/dd>\r\n \t
How these things came about: so shall you hear<\/dd>\r\n \t
Of carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Of accidental judgments, casual slaughters,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Of deaths put on by cunning and forced cause,<\/dd>\r\n \t
And, in this upshot, purposes mistook<\/dd>\r\n \t
Fall'n on the inventors' heads: all this can I<\/dd>\r\n \t
Truly deliver.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Prince Fortinbras<\/dt>\r\n \t
Let us haste to hear it,<\/dd>\r\n \t
And call the noblest to the audience.<\/dd>\r\n \t
For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune:<\/dd>\r\n \t
I have some rights of memory in this kingdom,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Which now to claim my vantage doth invite me.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Horatio<\/dt>\r\n \t
Of that I shall have also cause to speak,<\/dd>\r\n \t
And from his mouth whose voice will draw on more;<\/dd>\r\n \t
But let this same be presently perform'd,<\/dd>\r\n \t
Even while men's minds are wild; lest more mischance<\/dd>\r\n \t
On plots and errors, happen.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n
\r\n \t
Prince Fortinbras<\/dt>\r\n \t
Let four captains<\/dd>\r\n \t
Bear Hamlet, like a soldier, to the stage;<\/dd>\r\n \t
For he was likely, had he been put on,<\/dd>\r\n \t
To have proved most royally: and, for his passage,<\/dd>\r\n \t
The soldiers' music and the rites of war<\/dd>\r\n \t
Speak loudly for him.<\/dd>\r\n \t
Take up the bodies: such a sight as this<\/dd>\r\n \t
Becomes the field, but here shows much amiss.<\/dd>\r\n \t
Go, bid the soldiers shoot.<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\nA dead march. Exeunt, bearing off the dead bodies; after which a peal of ordnance is shot off<\/i>","rendered":"

Act 5<\/h2>\n

Scene 1. A churchyard.<\/span><\/h3>\n

Enter two Clowns, with spades, & pickaxes.<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
Is she to be buried in Christian burial when<\/dd>\n
she wilfully seeks her own salvation?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Second Clown<\/dt>\n
I tell thee she is: and therefore make her grave<\/dd>\n
straight: the crowner hath sat on her, and finds it<\/dd>\n
Christian burial.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
How can that be, unless she drowned herself in her<\/dd>\n
own defence?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Second Clown<\/dt>\n
Why, ’tis found so.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
It must be ‘se offendendo;’ it cannot be else. For<\/dd>\n
here lies the point: if I drown myself wittingly,<\/dd>\n
it argues an act: and an act hath three branches: it<\/dd>\n
is, to act, to do, and to perform. Argal, she drowned<\/dd>\n
herself wittingly.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Second Clown<\/dt>\n
Nay, but hear you, goodman delver,–<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
Give me leave. Here lies the water; good: here<\/dd>\n
stands the man; good; if the man go to this water,<\/dd>\n
and drown himself, it is, will he, nill he, he<\/dd>\n
goes,–mark you that; but if the water come to him<\/dd>\n
and drown him, he drowns not himself. Argal, he<\/dd>\n
that is not guilty of his own death shortens not his own life.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Second Clown<\/dt>\n
But is this law?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
Ay, marry, is’t; crowner’s quest law.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Second Clown<\/dt>\n
Will you ha’ the truth on’t? If this had not been<\/dd>\n
a gentlewoman, she should have been buried out o’<\/dd>\n
Christian burial.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
Why, there thou say’st: and the more pity that<\/dd>\n
great folk should have countenance in this world to<\/dd>\n
drown or hang themselves, more than their even-<\/dd>\n
Christian. Come, my spade. There is no ancient<\/dd>\n
gentleman but gardeners, ditchers, and grave-makers:<\/dd>\n
they hold up Adam’s profession.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Second Clown<\/dt>\n
Was he a gentleman?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
A’ was the first that ever bore arms.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Second Clown<\/dt>\n
Why, he had none.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
What, art a heathen? How dost thou understand the<\/dd>\n
Scripture? The Scripture says ‘Adam digged:’<\/dd>\n
could he dig without arms? I’ll put another<\/dd>\n
question to thee: if thou answerest me not to the<\/dd>\n
purpose, confess thyself–<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Second Clown<\/dt>\n
Go to.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
What is he that builds stronger than either the<\/dd>\n
mason, the shipwright, or the carpenter?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Second Clown<\/dt>\n
The gallows-maker; for that frame outlives a<\/dd>\n
thousand tenants.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
I like thy wit well, in good faith: the gallows<\/dd>\n
does well; but how does it well? it does well to<\/dd>\n
those that do ill: now thou dost ill to say the<\/dd>\n
gallows is built stronger than the church: argal,<\/dd>\n
the gallows may do well to thee. To’t again, come.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Second Clown<\/dt>\n
‘Who builds stronger than a mason, a shipwright, or<\/dd>\n
a carpenter?’<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
Ay, tell me that, and unyoke.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Second Clown<\/dt>\n
Marry, now I can tell.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
To’t.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Second Clown<\/dt>\n
Mass, I cannot tell.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
<\/div>\n

Enter HAMLET and HORATIO, at a distance<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
Cudgel thy brains no more about it, for your dull<\/dd>\n
ass will not mend his pace with beating; and, when<\/dd>\n
you are asked this question next, say ‘a<\/dd>\n
grave-maker: ‘the houses that he makes last till<\/dd>\n
doomsday. Go, get thee to Yaughan: fetch me a<\/dd>\n
stoup of liquor.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Exit Second Clown<\/i>\u00a0He digs and sings<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
In youth, when I did love, did love,<\/dd>\n
Methought it was very sweet,<\/dd>\n
To contract, O, the time, for, ah, my behove,<\/dd>\n
O, methought, there was nothing meet.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Has this fellow no feeling of his business, that he<\/dd>\n
sings at grave-making?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
Custom hath made it in him a property of easiness.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
‘Tis e’en so: the hand of little employment hath<\/dd>\n
the daintier sense.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
Sings<\/i><\/dd>\n
But age, with his stealing steps,<\/dd>\n
Hath claw’d me in his clutch,<\/dd>\n
And hath shipped me intil the land,<\/dd>\n
As if I had never been such.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Throws up a skull<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
That skull had a tongue in it, and could sing once:<\/dd>\n
how the knave jowls it to the ground, as if it were<\/dd>\n
Cain’s jaw-bone, that did the first murder! It<\/dd>\n
might be the pate of a politician, which this ass<\/dd>\n
now o’er-reaches; one that would circumvent God,<\/dd>\n
might it not?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
It might, my lord.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Or of a courtier; which could say ‘Good morrow,<\/dd>\n
sweet lord! How dost thou, good lord?’ This might<\/dd>\n
be my lord such-a-one, that praised my lord<\/dd>\n
such-a-one’s horse, when he meant to beg it; might it not?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
Ay, my lord.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Why, e’en so: and now my Lady Worm’s; chapless, and<\/dd>\n
knocked about the mazzard with a sexton’s spade:<\/dd>\n
here’s fine revolution, an we had the trick to<\/dd>\n
see’t. Did these bones cost no more the breeding,<\/dd>\n
but to play at loggats with ’em? mine ache to think on’t.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n

Sings<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
A pick-axe, and a spade, a spade,<\/dd>\n
For and a shrouding sheet:<\/dd>\n
O, a pit of clay for to be made<\/dd>\n
For such a guest is meet.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Throws up another skull<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
There’s another: why may not that be the skull of a<\/dd>\n
lawyer? Where be his quiddities now, his quillets,<\/dd>\n
his cases, his tenures, and his tricks? why does he<\/dd>\n
suffer this rude knave now to knock him about the<\/dd>\n
sconce with a dirty shovel, and will not tell him of<\/dd>\n
his action of battery? Hum! This fellow might be<\/dd>\n
in’s time a great buyer of land, with his statutes,<\/dd>\n
his recognizances, his fines, his double vouchers,<\/dd>\n
his recoveries: is this the fine of his fines, and<\/dd>\n
the recovery of his recoveries, to have his fine<\/dd>\n
pate full of fine dirt? will his vouchers vouch him<\/dd>\n
no more of his purchases, and double ones too, than<\/dd>\n
the length and breadth of a pair of indentures? The<\/dd>\n
very conveyances of his lands will hardly lie in<\/dd>\n
this box; and must the inheritor himself have no more, ha?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
Not a jot more, my lord.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Is not parchment made of sheepskins?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
Ay, my lord, and of calf-skins too.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
They are sheep and calves which seek out assurance<\/dd>\n
in that. I will speak to this fellow. Whose<\/dd>\n
grave’s this, sirrah?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
Mine, sir.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Sings<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
O, a pit of clay for to be made<\/dd>\n
For such a guest is meet.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
I think it be thine, indeed; for thou liest in’t.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
You lie out on’t, sir, and therefore it is not<\/dd>\n
yours: for my part, I do not lie in’t, and yet it is mine.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Thou dost lie in’t, to be in’t and say it is thine:<\/dd>\n
’tis for the dead, not for the quick; therefore thou liest.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
‘Tis a quick lie, sir; ’twill away again, from me to<\/dd>\n
you.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
What man dost thou dig it for?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
For no man, sir.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
What woman, then?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
For none, neither.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Who is to be buried in’t?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
One that was a woman, sir; but, rest her soul, she’s dead.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
How absolute the knave is! we must speak by the<\/dd>\n
card, or equivocation will undo us. By the Lord,<\/dd>\n
Horatio, these three years I have taken a note of<\/dd>\n
it; the age is grown so picked that the toe of the<\/dd>\n
peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier, he<\/dd>\n
gaffs his kibe. How long hast thou been a<\/dd>\n
grave-maker?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
Of all the days i’ the year, I came to’t that day<\/dd>\n
that our last king Hamlet overcame Fortinbras.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
How long is that since?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
Cannot you tell that? every fool can tell that: it<\/dd>\n
was the very day that young Hamlet was born; he that<\/dd>\n
is mad, and sent into England.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Ay, marry, why was he sent into England?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
Why, because he was mad: he shall recover his wits<\/dd>\n
there; or, if he do not, it’s no great matter there.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Why?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
‘Twill, a not be seen in him there; there the men<\/dd>\n
are as mad as he.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
How came he mad?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
Very strangely, they say.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
How strangely?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
Faith, e’en with losing his wits.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Upon what ground?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
Why, here in Denmark: I have been sexton here, man<\/dd>\n
and boy, thirty years.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
How long will a man lie i’ the earth ere he rot?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
I’ faith, if he be not rotten before he die–as we<\/dd>\n
have many pocky corses now-a-days, that will scarce<\/dd>\n
hold the laying in–he will last you some eight year<\/dd>\n
or nine year: a tanner will last you nine year.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Why he more than another?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
Why, sir, his hide is so tanned with his trade, that<\/dd>\n
he will keep out water a great while; and your water<\/dd>\n
is a sore decayer of your whoreson dead body.<\/dd>\n
Here’s a skull now; this skull has lain in the earth<\/dd>\n
three and twenty years.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Whose was it?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
A whoreson mad fellow’s it was: whose do you think it was?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Nay, I know not.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
A pestilence on him for a mad rogue! a’ poured a<\/dd>\n
flagon of Rhenish on my head once. This same skull,<\/dd>\n
sir, was Yorick’s skull, the king’s jester.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
This?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Clown<\/dt>\n
E’en that.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Let me see.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Takes the skull<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow<\/dd>\n
of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy: he hath<\/dd>\n
borne me on his back a thousand times; and now, how<\/span><\/dd>\n
abhorred in my imagination it is! my gorge rims at<\/dd>\n
it. Here hung those lips that I have kissed I know<\/dd>\n
not how oft. Where be your gibes now? your<\/dd>\n
gambols? your songs? your flashes of merriment,<\/dd>\n
that were wont to set the table on a roar? Not one<\/dd>\n
now, to mock your own grinning? quite chap-fallen?<\/dd>\n
Now get you to my lady’s chamber, and tell her, let<\/dd>\n
her paint an inch thick, to this favour she must<\/dd>\n
come; make her laugh at that. Prithee, Horatio, tell<\/dd>\n
me one thing.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
What’s that, my lord?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Dost thou think Alexander looked o’ this fashion i’<\/dd>\n
the earth?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
E’en so.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
And smelt so? pah!<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Puts down the skull<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
E’en so, my lord.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
To what base uses we may return, Horatio! Why may<\/dd>\n
not imagination trace the noble dust of Alexander,<\/dd>\n
till he find it stopping a bung-hole?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
‘Twere to consider too curiously, to consider so.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
No, faith, not a jot; but to follow him thither with<\/dd>\n
modesty enough, and likelihood to lead it: as<\/dd>\n
thus: Alexander died, Alexander was buried,<\/dd>\n
Alexander returneth into dust; the dust is earth; of<\/dd>\n
earth we make loam; and why of that loam, whereto he<\/dd>\n
was converted, might they not stop a beer-barrel?<\/dd>\n
Imperious Caesar, dead and turn’d to clay,<\/dd>\n
Might stop a hole to keep the wind away:<\/dd>\n
O, that that earth, which kept the world in awe,<\/dd>\n
Should patch a wall to expel the winter flaw!<\/dd>\n
But soft! but soft! aside: here comes the king.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Enter Priest, &c. in procession; the Corpse of<\/i>\u00a0OPHELIA, LAERTES and Mourners following; KING<\/i>\u00a0CLAUDIUS, QUEEN GERTRUDE, their trains, &c<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
The queen, the courtiers: who is this they follow?<\/dd>\n
And with such maimed rites? This doth betoken<\/dd>\n
The corse they follow did with desperate hand<\/dd>\n
Fordo its own life: ’twas of some estate.<\/dd>\n
Couch we awhile, and mark.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Retiring with HORATIO<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Laertes<\/dt>\n
What ceremony else?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
That is Laertes,<\/dd>\n
A very noble youth: mark.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Laertes<\/dt>\n
What ceremony else?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Priest<\/dt>\n
Her obsequies have been as far enlarged<\/dd>\n
As we have warrantise: her death was doubtful;<\/dd>\n
And, but that great command o’ersways the order,<\/dd>\n
She should in ground unsanctified have lodged<\/dd>\n
Till the last trumpet: for charitable prayers,<\/dd>\n
Shards, flints and pebbles should be thrown on her;<\/dd>\n
Yet here she is allow’d her virgin crants,<\/dd>\n
Her maiden strewments and the bringing home<\/dd>\n
Of bell and burial.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Laertes<\/dt>\n
Must there no more be done?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Priest<\/dt>\n
No more be done:<\/dd>\n
We should profane the service of the dead<\/dd>\n
To sing a requiem and such rest to her<\/dd>\n
As to peace-parted souls.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Laertes<\/dt>\n
Lay her i’ the earth:<\/dd>\n
And from her fair and unpolluted flesh<\/dd>\n
May violets spring! I tell thee, churlish priest,<\/dd>\n
A ministering angel shall my sister be,<\/dd>\n
When thou liest howling.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
What, the fair Ophelia!<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Queen Gertrude<\/dt>\n
Sweets to the sweet: farewell!<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Scattering flowers<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
I hoped thou shouldst have been my Hamlet’s wife;<\/dd>\n
I thought thy bride-bed to have deck’d, sweet maid,<\/dd>\n
And not have strew’d thy grave.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Laertes<\/dt>\n
O, treble woe<\/dd>\n
Fall ten times treble on that cursed head,<\/dd>\n
Whose wicked deed thy most ingenious sense<\/dd>\n
Deprived thee of! Hold off the earth awhile,<\/dd>\n
Till I have caught her once more in mine arms:<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Leaps into the grave<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Now pile your dust upon the quick and dead,<\/dd>\n
Till of this flat a mountain you have made,<\/dd>\n
To o’ertop old Pelion, or the skyish head<\/dd>\n
Of blue Olympus.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Advancing<\/i>\u00a0What is he whose grief<\/dd>\n
Bears such an emphasis? whose phrase of sorrow<\/dd>\n
Conjures the wandering stars, and makes them stand<\/dd>\n
Like wonder-wounded hearers? This is I,<\/dd>\n
Hamlet the Dane.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Leaps into the grave<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Laertes<\/dt>\n
The devil take thy soul!<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Grappling with him<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Thou pray’st not well.<\/dd>\n
I prithee, take thy fingers from my throat;<\/dd>\n
For, though I am not splenitive and rash,<\/dd>\n
Yet have I something in me dangerous,<\/dd>\n
Which let thy wiseness fear: hold off thy hand.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
King Claudius<\/dt>\n
Pluck them asunder.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Queen Gertrude<\/dt>\n
Hamlet, Hamlet!<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
All<\/dt>\n
Gentlemen,–<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
Good my lord, be quiet.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

The Attendants part them, and they come out of the grave<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Why, I will fight with him upon this theme<\/dd>\n
Until my eyelids will no longer wag.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Queen Gertrude<\/dt>\n
O my son, what theme?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
I loved Ophelia: forty thousand brothers<\/dd>\n
Could not, with all their quantity of love,<\/dd>\n
Make up my sum. What wilt thou do for her?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
King Claudius<\/dt>\n
O, he is mad, Laertes.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Queen Gertrude<\/dt>\n
For love of God, forbear him.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
‘Swounds, show me what thou’lt do:<\/dd>\n
Woo’t weep? woo’t fight? woo’t fast? woo’t tear thyself?<\/dd>\n
Woo’t drink up eisel? eat a crocodile?<\/dd>\n
I’ll do’t. Dost thou come here to whine?<\/dd>\n
To outface me with leaping in her grave?<\/dd>\n
Be buried quick with her, and so will I:<\/dd>\n
And, if thou prate of mountains, let them throw<\/dd>\n
Millions of acres on us, till our ground,<\/dd>\n
Singeing his pate against the burning zone,<\/dd>\n
Make Ossa like a wart! Nay, an thou’lt mouth,<\/dd>\n
I’ll rant as well as thou.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Queen Gertrude<\/dt>\n
This is mere madness:<\/dd>\n
And thus awhile the fit will work on him;<\/dd>\n
Anon, as patient as the female dove,<\/dd>\n
When that her golden couplets are disclosed,<\/dd>\n
His silence will sit drooping.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Hear you, sir;<\/dd>\n
What is the reason that you use me thus?<\/dd>\n
I loved you ever: but it is no matter;<\/dd>\n
Let Hercules himself do what he may,<\/dd>\n
The cat will mew and dog will have his day.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Exit<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
King Claudius<\/dt>\n
I pray you, good Horatio, wait upon him.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Exit HORATIO<\/i>\u00a0To LAERTES<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Strengthen your patience in our last night’s speech;<\/dd>\n
We’ll put the matter to the present push.<\/dd>\n
Good Gertrude, set some watch over your son.<\/dd>\n
This grave shall have a living monument:<\/dd>\n
An hour of quiet shortly shall we see;<\/dd>\n
Till then, in patience our proceeding be.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Exeunt<\/i><\/p>\n

Scene 2. A hall in the castle.<\/span><\/h3>\n

Enter Hamlet and Horatio<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
So much for this, sir: now shall you see the other;<\/dd>\n
You do remember all the circumstance?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
Remember it, my lord?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting,<\/dd>\n
That would not let me sleep: methought I lay<\/dd>\n
Worse than the mutines in the bilboes. Rashly,<\/dd>\n
And praised be rashness for it, let us know,<\/dd>\n
Our indiscretion sometimes serves us well,<\/dd>\n
When our deep plots do pall: and that should teach us<\/dd>\n
There’s a divinity that shapes our ends,<\/dd>\n
Rough-hew them how we will,–<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
That is most certain.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Up from my cabin,<\/dd>\n
My sea-gown scarf’d about me, in the dark<\/dd>\n
Groped I to find out them; had my desire.<\/dd>\n
Finger’d their packet, and in fine withdrew<\/dd>\n
To mine own room again; making so bold,<\/dd>\n
My fears forgetting manners, to unseal<\/dd>\n
Their grand commission; where I found, Horatio,–<\/dd>\n
O royal knavery!–an exact command,<\/dd>\n
Larded with many several sorts of reasons<\/dd>\n
Importing Denmark’s health and England’s too,<\/dd>\n
With, ho! such bugs and goblins in my life,<\/dd>\n
That, on the supervise, no leisure bated,<\/dd>\n
No, not to stay the grinding of the axe,<\/dd>\n
My head should be struck off.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
Is’t possible?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Here’s the commission: read it at more leisure.<\/dd>\n
But wilt thou hear me how I did proceed?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
I beseech you.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Being thus be-netted round with villanies,–<\/dd>\n
Ere I could make a prologue to my brains,<\/dd>\n
They had begun the play–I sat me down,<\/dd>\n
Devised a new commission, wrote it fair:<\/dd>\n
I once did hold it, as our statists do,<\/dd>\n
A baseness to write fair and labour’d much<\/dd>\n
How to forget that learning, but, sir, now<\/dd>\n
It did me yeoman’s service: wilt thou know<\/dd>\n
The effect of what I wrote?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
Ay, good my lord.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
An earnest conjuration from the king,<\/dd>\n
As England was his faithful tributary,<\/dd>\n
As love between them like the palm might flourish,<\/dd>\n
As peace should stiff her wheaten garland wear<\/dd>\n
And stand a comma ‘tween their amities,<\/dd>\n
And many such-like ‘As’es of great charge,<\/dd>\n
That, on the view and knowing of these contents,<\/dd>\n
Without debatement further, more or less,<\/dd>\n
He should the bearers put to sudden death,<\/dd>\n
Not shriving-time allow’d.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
How was this seal’d?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Why, even in that was heaven ordinant.<\/dd>\n
I had my father’s signet in my purse,<\/dd>\n
Which was the model of that Danish seal;<\/dd>\n
Folded the writ up in form of the other,<\/dd>\n
Subscribed it, gave’t the impression, placed it safely,<\/dd>\n
The changeling never known. Now, the next day<\/dd>\n
Was our sea-fight; and what to this was sequent<\/dd>\n
Thou know’st already.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to’t.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Why, man, they did make love to this employment;<\/dd>\n
They are not near my conscience; their defeat<\/dd>\n
Does by their own insinuation grow:<\/dd>\n
‘Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes<\/dd>\n
Between the pass and fell incensed points<\/dd>\n
Of mighty opposites.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
Why, what a king is this!<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Does it not, think’st thee, stand me now upon–<\/dd>\n
He that hath kill’d my king and whored my mother,<\/dd>\n
Popp’d in between the election and my hopes,<\/dd>\n
Thrown out his angle for my proper life,<\/dd>\n
And with such cozenage–is’t not perfect conscience,<\/dd>\n
To quit him with this arm? and is’t not to be damn’d,<\/dd>\n
To let this canker of our nature come<\/dd>\n
In further evil?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
It must be shortly known to him from England<\/dd>\n
What is the issue of the business there.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
It will be short: the interim is mine;<\/dd>\n
And a man’s life’s no more than to say ‘One.’<\/dd>\n
But I am very sorry, good Horatio,<\/dd>\n
That to Laertes I forgot myself;<\/dd>\n
For, by the image of my cause, I see<\/dd>\n
The portraiture of his: I’ll court his favours.<\/dd>\n
But, sure, the bravery of his grief did put me<\/dd>\n
Into a towering passion.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
Peace! who comes here?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Enter OSRIC<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
I humbly thank you, sir. Dost know this water-fly?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
No, my good lord.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Thy state is the more gracious; for ’tis a vice to<\/dd>\n
know him. He hath much land, and fertile: let a<\/dd>\n
beast be lord of beasts, and his crib shall stand at<\/dd>\n
the king’s mess: ’tis a chough; but, as I say,<\/dd>\n
spacious in the possession of dirt.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
Sweet lord, if your lordship were at leisure, I<\/dd>\n
should impart a thing to you from his majesty.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of<\/dd>\n
spirit. Put your bonnet to his right use; ’tis for the head.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
I thank your lordship, it is very hot.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
No, believe me, ’tis very cold; the wind is<\/dd>\n
northerly.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
But yet methinks it is very sultry and hot for my<\/dd>\n
complexion.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
Exceedingly, my lord; it is very sultry,–as<\/dd>\n
’twere,–I cannot tell how. But, my lord, his<\/dd>\n
majesty bade me signify to you that he has laid a<\/dd>\n
great wager on your head: sir, this is the matter,–<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
I beseech you, remember–<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

HAMLET moves him to put on his hat<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
Nay, good my lord; for mine ease, in good faith.<\/dd>\n
Sir, here is newly come to court Laertes; believe<\/dd>\n
me, an absolute gentleman, full of most excellent<\/dd>\n
differences, of very soft society and great showing:<\/dd>\n
indeed, to speak feelingly of him, he is the card or<\/dd>\n
calendar of gentry, for you shall find in him the<\/dd>\n
continent of what part a gentleman would see.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Sir, his definement suffers no perdition in you;<\/dd>\n
though, I know, to divide him inventorially would<\/dd>\n
dizzy the arithmetic of memory, and yet but yaw<\/dd>\n
neither, in respect of his quick sail. But, in the<\/dd>\n
verity of extolment, I take him to be a soul of<\/dd>\n
great article; and his infusion of such dearth and<\/dd>\n
rareness, as, to make true diction of him, his<\/dd>\n
semblable is his mirror; and who else would trace<\/dd>\n
him, his umbrage, nothing more.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
The concernancy, sir? why do we wrap the gentleman<\/dd>\n
in our more rawer breath?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
Sir?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
Is’t not possible to understand in another tongue?<\/dd>\n
You will do’t, sir, really.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
What imports the nomination of this gentleman?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
Of Laertes?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
His purse is empty already; all’s golden words are spent.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Of him, sir.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
I know you are not ignorant–<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
I would you did, sir; yet, in faith, if you did,<\/dd>\n
it would not much approve me. Well, sir?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is–<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
I dare not confess that, lest I should compare with<\/dd>\n
him in excellence; but, to know a man well, were to<\/dd>\n
know himself.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
I mean, sir, for his weapon; but in the imputation<\/dd>\n
laid on him by them, in his meed he’s unfellowed.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
What’s his weapon?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
Rapier and dagger.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
That’s two of his weapons: but, well.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
The king, sir, hath wagered with him six Barbary<\/dd>\n
horses: against the which he has imponed, as I take<\/dd>\n
it, six French rapiers and poniards, with their<\/dd>\n
assigns, as girdle, hangers, and so: three of the<\/dd>\n
carriages, in faith, are very dear to fancy, very<\/dd>\n
responsive to the hilts, most delicate carriages,<\/dd>\n
and of very liberal conceit.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
What call you the carriages?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
I knew you must be edified by the margent ere you had done.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
The carriages, sir, are the hangers.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
The phrase would be more german to the matter, if we<\/dd>\n
could carry cannon by our sides: I would it might<\/dd>\n
be hangers till then. But, on: six Barbary horses<\/dd>\n
against six French swords, their assigns, and three<\/dd>\n
liberal-conceited carriages; that’s the French bet<\/dd>\n
against the Danish. Why is this ‘imponed,’ as you call it?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
The king, sir, hath laid, that in a dozen passes<\/dd>\n
between yourself and him, he shall not exceed you<\/dd>\n
three hits: he hath laid on twelve for nine; and it<\/dd>\n
would come to immediate trial, if your lordship<\/dd>\n
would vouchsafe the answer.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
How if I answer ‘no’?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Sir, I will walk here in the hall: if it please his<\/dd>\n
majesty, ’tis the breathing time of day with me; let<\/dd>\n
the foils be brought, the gentleman willing, and the<\/dd>\n
king hold his purpose, I will win for him an I can;<\/dd>\n
if not, I will gain nothing but my shame and the odd hits.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
Shall I re-deliver you e’en so?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
To this effect, sir; after what flourish your nature will.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
I commend my duty to your lordship.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Yours, yours.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Exit OSRIC<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
He does well to commend it himself; there are no<\/dd>\n
tongues else for’s turn.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
This lapwing runs away with the shell on his head.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
He did comply with his dug, before he sucked it.<\/dd>\n
Thus has he–and many more of the same bevy that I<\/dd>\n
know the dressy age dotes on–only got the tune of<\/dd>\n
the time and outward habit of encounter; a kind of<\/dd>\n
yesty collection, which carries them through and<\/dd>\n
through the most fond and winnowed opinions; and do<\/dd>\n
but blow them to their trial, the bubbles are out.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Enter a Lord<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Lord<\/dt>\n
My lord, his majesty commended him to you by young<\/dd>\n
Osric, who brings back to him that you attend him in<\/dd>\n
the hall: he sends to know if your pleasure hold to<\/dd>\n
play with Laertes, or that you will take longer time.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
I am constant to my purpose; they follow the king’s<\/dd>\n
pleasure: if his fitness speaks, mine is ready; now<\/dd>\n
or whensoever, provided I be so able as now.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Lord<\/dt>\n
The king and queen and all are coming down.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
In happy time.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Lord<\/dt>\n
The queen desires you to use some gentle<\/dd>\n
entertainment to Laertes before you fall to play.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
She well instructs me.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Exit Lord<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
You will lose this wager, my lord.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
I do not think so: since he went into France, I<\/dd>\n
have been in continual practise: I shall win at the<\/dd>\n
odds. But thou wouldst not think how ill all’s here<\/dd>\n
about my heart: but it is no matter.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
Nay, good my lord,–<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
It is but foolery; but it is such a kind of<\/dd>\n
gain-giving, as would perhaps trouble a woman.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
If your mind dislike any thing, obey it: I will<\/dd>\n
forestall their repair hither, and say you are not<\/dd>\n
fit.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Not a whit, we defy augury: there’s a special<\/dd>\n
providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now,<\/dd>\n
’tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be<\/dd>\n
now; if it be not now, yet it will come: the<\/dd>\n
readiness is all: since no man has aught of what he<\/dd>\n
leaves, what is’t to leave betimes? Let be.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Enter KING CLAUDIUS, QUEEN GERTRUDE, LAERTES,<\/i>\u00a0Lords, OSRIC, and Attendants with foils, &c<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
King Claudius<\/dt>\n
Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

KING CLAUDIUS puts LAERTES’ hand into HAMLET’s<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Give me your pardon, sir: I’ve done you wrong;<\/dd>\n
But pardon’t, as you are a gentleman.<\/dd>\n
This presence knows,<\/dd>\n
And you must needs have heard, how I am punish’d<\/dd>\n
With sore distraction. What I have done,<\/dd>\n
That might your nature, honour and exception<\/dd>\n
Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness.<\/dd>\n
Was’t Hamlet wrong’d Laertes? Never Hamlet:<\/dd>\n
If Hamlet from himself be ta’en away,<\/dd>\n
And when he’s not himself does wrong Laertes,<\/dd>\n
Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it.<\/dd>\n
Who does it, then? His madness: if’t be so,<\/dd>\n
Hamlet is of the faction that is wrong’d;<\/dd>\n
His madness is poor Hamlet’s enemy.<\/dd>\n
Sir, in this audience,<\/dd>\n
Let my disclaiming from a purposed evil<\/dd>\n
Free me so far in your most generous thoughts,<\/dd>\n
That I have shot mine arrow o’er the house,<\/dd>\n
And hurt my brother.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Laertes<\/dt>\n
I am satisfied in nature,<\/dd>\n
Whose motive, in this case, should stir me most<\/dd>\n
To my revenge: but in my terms of honour<\/dd>\n
I stand aloof; and will no reconcilement,<\/dd>\n
Till by some elder masters, of known honour,<\/dd>\n
I have a voice and precedent of peace,<\/dd>\n
To keep my name ungored. But till that time,<\/dd>\n
I do receive your offer’d love like love,<\/dd>\n
And will not wrong it.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
I embrace it freely;<\/dd>\n
And will this brother’s wager frankly play.<\/dd>\n
Give us the foils. Come on.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Laertes<\/dt>\n
Come, one for me.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
I’ll be your foil, Laertes: in mine ignorance<\/dd>\n
Your skill shall, like a star i’ the darkest night,<\/dd>\n
Stick fiery off indeed.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Laertes<\/dt>\n
You mock me, sir.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
No, by this hand.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
King Claudius<\/dt>\n
Give them the foils, young Osric. Cousin Hamlet,<\/dd>\n
You know the wager?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Very well, my lord;<\/dd>\n
Your grace hath laid the odds o’ the weaker side.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
King Claudius<\/dt>\n
I do not fear it; I have seen you both:<\/dd>\n
But since he is better’d, we have therefore odds.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Laertes<\/dt>\n
This is too heavy, let me see another.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
This likes me well. These foils have all a length?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

They prepare to play<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
Ay, my good lord.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
King Claudius<\/dt>\n
Set me the stoops of wine upon that table.<\/dd>\n
If Hamlet give the first or second hit,<\/dd>\n
Or quit in answer of the third exchange,<\/dd>\n
Let all the battlements their ordnance fire:<\/dd>\n
The king shall drink to Hamlet’s better breath;<\/dd>\n
And in the cup an union shall he throw,<\/dd>\n
Richer than that which four successive kings<\/dd>\n
In Denmark’s crown have worn. Give me the cups;<\/dd>\n
And let the kettle to the trumpet speak,<\/dd>\n
The trumpet to the cannoneer without,<\/dd>\n
The cannons to the heavens, the heavens to earth,<\/dd>\n
‘Now the king drinks to Hamlet.’ Come, begin:<\/dd>\n
And you, the judges, bear a wary eye.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Come on, sir.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Laertes<\/dt>\n
Come, my lord.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

They play<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
One.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Laertes<\/dt>\n
No.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Judgment.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
A hit, a very palpable hit.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Laertes<\/dt>\n
Well; again.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
King Claudius<\/dt>\n
Stay; give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is thine;<\/dd>\n
Here’s to thy health.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Trumpets sound, and cannon shot off within<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Give him the cup.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
I’ll play this bout first; set it by awhile. Come.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

They play<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Another hit; what say you?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Laertes<\/dt>\n
A touch, a touch, I do confess.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
King Claudius<\/dt>\n
Our son shall win.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Queen Gertrude<\/dt>\n
He’s fat, and scant of breath.<\/dd>\n
Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows;<\/dd>\n
The queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Good madam!<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
King Claudius<\/dt>\n
Gertrude, do not drink.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Queen Gertrude<\/dt>\n
I will, my lord; I pray you, pardon me.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
King Claudius<\/dt>\n
Aside<\/i>\u00a0It is the poison’d cup: it is too late.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
I dare not drink yet, madam; by and by.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Queen Gertrude<\/dt>\n
Come, let me wipe thy face.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Laertes<\/dt>\n
My lord, I’ll hit him now.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
King Claudius<\/dt>\n
I do not think’t.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Laertes<\/dt>\n
Aside<\/i>\u00a0And yet ’tis almost ‘gainst my conscience.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Come, for the third, Laertes: you but dally;<\/dd>\n
I pray you, pass with your best violence;<\/dd>\n
I am afeard you make a wanton of me.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Laertes<\/dt>\n
Say you so? come on.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

They play<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
Nothing, neither way.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Laertes<\/dt>\n
Have at you now!<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

LAERTES wounds HAMLET; then in scuffling, they<\/i>\u00a0change rapiers, and HAMLET wounds LAERTES<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
King Claudius<\/dt>\n
Part them; they are incensed.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Nay, come, again.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

QUEEN GERTRUDE falls<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
Look to the queen there, ho!<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
They bleed on both sides. How is it, my lord?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
How is’t, Laertes?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Laertes<\/dt>\n
Why, as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric;<\/dd>\n
I am justly kill’d with mine own treachery.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
How does the queen?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
King Claudius<\/dt>\n
She swounds to see them bleed.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Queen Gertrude<\/dt>\n
No, no, the drink, the drink,–O my dear Hamlet,–<\/dd>\n
The drink, the drink! I am poison’d.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Dies<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
O villany! Ho! let the door be lock’d:<\/dd>\n
Treachery! Seek it out.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Laertes<\/dt>\n
It is here, Hamlet: Hamlet, thou art slain;<\/dd>\n
No medicine in the world can do thee good;<\/dd>\n
In thee there is not half an hour of life;<\/dd>\n
The treacherous instrument is in thy hand,<\/dd>\n
Unbated and envenom’d: the foul practise<\/dd>\n
Hath turn’d itself on me lo, here I lie,<\/dd>\n
Never to rise again: thy mother’s poison’d:<\/dd>\n
I can no more: the king, the king’s to blame.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
The point!–envenom’d too!<\/dd>\n
Then, venom, to thy work.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Stabs KING CLAUDIUS<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
All<\/dt>\n
Treason! treason!<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
King Claudius<\/dt>\n
O, yet defend me, friends; I am but hurt.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane,<\/dd>\n
Drink off this potion. Is thy union here?<\/dd>\n
Follow my mother.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

KING CLAUDIUS dies<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Laertes<\/dt>\n
He is justly served;<\/dd>\n
It is a poison temper’d by himself.<\/dd>\n
Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet:<\/dd>\n
Mine and my father’s death come not upon thee,<\/dd>\n
Nor thine on me.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Dies<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
Heaven make thee free of it! I follow thee.<\/dd>\n
I am dead, Horatio. Wretched queen, adieu!<\/dd>\n
You that look pale and tremble at this chance,<\/dd>\n
That are but mutes or audience to this act,<\/dd>\n
Had I but time–as this fell sergeant, death,<\/dd>\n
Is strict in his arrest–O, I could tell you–<\/dd>\n
But let it be. Horatio, I am dead;<\/dd>\n
Thou livest; report me and my cause aright<\/dd>\n
To the unsatisfied.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
Never believe it:<\/dd>\n
I am more an antique Roman than a Dane:<\/dd>\n
Here’s yet some liquor left.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
As thou’rt a man,<\/dd>\n
Give me the cup: let go; by heaven, I’ll have’t.<\/dd>\n
O good Horatio, what a wounded name,<\/dd>\n
Things standing thus unknown, shall live behind me!<\/dd>\n
If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart<\/dd>\n
Absent thee from felicity awhile,<\/dd>\n
And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain,<\/dd>\n
To tell my story.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

March afar off, and shot within<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
What warlike noise is this?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Osric<\/dt>\n
Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland,<\/dd>\n
To the ambassadors of England gives<\/dd>\n
This warlike volley.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Hamlet<\/dt>\n
O, I die, Horatio;<\/dd>\n
The potent poison quite o’er-crows my spirit:<\/dd>\n
I cannot live to hear the news from England;<\/dd>\n
But I do prophesy the election lights<\/dd>\n
On Fortinbras: he has my dying voice;<\/dd>\n
So tell him, with the occurrents, more and less,<\/dd>\n
Which have solicited. The rest is silence.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Dies<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
Now cracks a noble heart. Good night sweet prince:<\/dd>\n
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!<\/dd>\n
Why does the drum come hither?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

March within<\/i>\u00a0Enter FORTINBRAS, the English Ambassadors,<\/i>\u00a0and others<\/i><\/p>\n

\n
Prince Fortinbras<\/dt>\n
Where is this sight?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
What is it ye would see?<\/dd>\n
If aught of woe or wonder, cease your search.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Prince Fortinbras<\/dt>\n
This quarry cries on havoc. O proud death,<\/dd>\n
What feast is toward in thine eternal cell,<\/dd>\n
That thou so many princes at a shot<\/dd>\n
So bloodily hast struck?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
First Ambassador<\/dt>\n
The sight is dismal;<\/dd>\n
And our affairs from England come too late:<\/dd>\n
The ears are senseless that should give us hearing,<\/dd>\n
To tell him his commandment is fulfill’d,<\/dd>\n
That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead:<\/dd>\n
Where should we have our thanks?<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
Not from his mouth,<\/dd>\n
Had it the ability of life to thank you:<\/dd>\n
He never gave commandment for their death.<\/dd>\n
But since, so jump upon this bloody question,<\/dd>\n
You from the Polack wars, and you from England,<\/dd>\n
Are here arrived give order that these bodies<\/dd>\n
High on a stage be placed to the view;<\/dd>\n
And let me speak to the yet unknowing world<\/dd>\n
How these things came about: so shall you hear<\/dd>\n
Of carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts,<\/dd>\n
Of accidental judgments, casual slaughters,<\/dd>\n
Of deaths put on by cunning and forced cause,<\/dd>\n
And, in this upshot, purposes mistook<\/dd>\n
Fall’n on the inventors’ heads: all this can I<\/dd>\n
Truly deliver.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Prince Fortinbras<\/dt>\n
Let us haste to hear it,<\/dd>\n
And call the noblest to the audience.<\/dd>\n
For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune:<\/dd>\n
I have some rights of memory in this kingdom,<\/dd>\n
Which now to claim my vantage doth invite me.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Horatio<\/dt>\n
Of that I shall have also cause to speak,<\/dd>\n
And from his mouth whose voice will draw on more;<\/dd>\n
But let this same be presently perform’d,<\/dd>\n
Even while men’s minds are wild; lest more mischance<\/dd>\n
On plots and errors, happen.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
Prince Fortinbras<\/dt>\n
Let four captains<\/dd>\n
Bear Hamlet, like a soldier, to the stage;<\/dd>\n
For he was likely, had he been put on,<\/dd>\n
To have proved most royally: and, for his passage,<\/dd>\n
The soldiers’ music and the rites of war<\/dd>\n
Speak loudly for him.<\/dd>\n
Take up the bodies: such a sight as this<\/dd>\n
Becomes the field, but here shows much amiss.<\/dd>\n
Go, bid the soldiers shoot.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

A dead march. Exeunt, bearing off the dead bodies; after which a peal of ordnance is shot off<\/i><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t

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Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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