Folger Shakespeare Library

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Contents

Front Matter |
ACT 1 |
ACT 2 |
ACT 3 |
ACT 4 |
ACT 5 |

From the Director of the Folger Shakespeare Library

It is hard to imagine a world without Shakespeare. Since their composition four hundred years ago, Shakespeare’s plays and poems have traveled the globe, inviting those who see and read his works to make them their own.

Readers of the New Folger Editions are part of this ongoing process of “taking up Shakespeare,” finding our own thoughts and feelings in language that strikes us as old or unusual and, for that very reason, new. We still struggle to keep up with a writer who could think a mile a minute, whose words paint pictures that shift like clouds. These expertly edited texts are presented to the public as a resource for study, artistic adaptation, and enjoyment. By making the classic texts of the New Folger Editions available in electronic form as Folger Digital Texts, we place a trusted resource in the hands of anyone who wants them.

The New Folger Editions of Shakespeare’s plays, which are the basis for the texts realized here in digital form, are special because of their origin. The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is the single greatest documentary source of Shakespeare’s works. An unparalleled collection of early modern books, manuscripts, and artwork connected to Shakespeare, the Folger’s holdings have been consulted extensively in the preparation of these texts. The Editions also reflect the expertise gained through the regular performance of Shakespeare’s works in the Folger’s Elizabethan Theater.

I want to express my deep thanks to editors Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine for creating these indispensable editions of Shakespeare’s works, which incorporate the best of textual scholarship with a richness of commentary that is both inspired and engaging. Readers who want to know more about Shakespeare and his plays can follow the paths these distinguished scholars have tread by visiting the Folger either in-person or online, where a range of physical and digital resources exists to supplement the material in these texts. I commend to you these words, and hope that they inspire.

Michael Witmore
Director, Folger Shakespeare Library

Textual Introduction
By Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine

Until now, with the release of the Folger Digital Texts, readers in search of a free online text of Shakespeare’s plays had to be content primarily with using the Moby™ Text, which reproduces a late-nineteenth century version of the plays. What is the difference? Many ordinary readers assume that there is a single text for the plays: what Shakespeare wrote. But Shakespeare’s plays were not published the way modern novels or plays are published today: as a single, authoritative text. In some cases, the plays have come down to us in multiple published versions, represented by various Quartos (Qq) and by the great collection put together by his colleagues in 1623, called the First Folio (F). There are, for example, three very different versions of Hamlet, two of King Lear, Henry V, Romeo and Juliet, and others. Editors choose which version to use as their base text, and then amend that text with words, lines or speech prefixes from the other versions that, in their judgment, make for a better or more accurate text.

Other editorial decisions involve choices about whether an unfamiliar word could be understood in light of other writings of the period or whether it should be changed; decisions about words that made it into Shakespeare’s text by accident through four hundred years of printings and misprinting; and even decisions based on cultural preference and taste. When the Moby™ Text was created, for example, it was deemed “improper” and “indecent” for Miranda to chastise Caliban for having attempted to rape her. (See The Tempest, 1.2: “Abhorred slave,/Which any print of goodness wilt not take,/Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee…”). All Shakespeare editors at the time took the speech away from her and gave it to her father, Prospero.

The editors of the Moby™ Shakespeare produced their text long before scholars fully understood the proper grounds on which to make the thousands of decisions that Shakespeare editors face. The Folger Library Shakespeare Editions, on which the Folger Digital Texts depend, make this editorial process as nearly transparent as is possible, in contrast to older texts, like the Moby™, which hide editorial interventions. The reader of the Folger Shakespeare knows where the text has been altered because editorial interventions are signaled by square brackets (for example, from Othello: “If she in chains of magic were not bound,”), half-square brackets (for example, from Henry V: “With blood and sword and fire to win your right,”), or angle brackets (for example, from Hamlet: “O farewell, honest soldier. Who hath relieved/you?”). At any point in the text, you can hover your cursor over a bracket for more information.

Because the Folger Digital Texts are edited in accord with twenty-first century knowledge about Shakespeare’s texts, the Folger here provides them to readers, scholars, teachers, actors, directors, and students, free of charge, confident of their quality as texts of the plays and pleased to be able to make this contribution to the study and enjoyment of Shakespeare.

Synopsis

Events before the start of Hamlet set the stage for tragedy. When the king of Denmark, Prince Hamlet’s father, suddenly dies, Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude, marries his uncle Claudius, who becomes the new king.

A spirit who claims to be the ghost of Hamlet’s father describes his murder at the hands of Claudius and demands that Hamlet avenge the killing. When the councilor Polonius learns from his daughter, Ophelia, that Hamlet has visited her in an apparently distracted state, Polonius attributes the prince’s condition to lovesickness, and he sets a trap for Hamlet using Ophelia as bait.

To confirm Claudius’s guilt, Hamlet arranges for a play that mimics the murder; Claudius’s reaction is that of a guilty man. Hamlet, now free to act, mistakenly kills Polonius, thinking he is Claudius. Claudius sends Hamlet away as part of a deadly plot.

After Polonius’s death, Ophelia goes mad and later drowns. Hamlet, who has returned safely to confront the king, agrees to a fencing match with Ophelia’s brother, Laertes, who secretly poisons his own rapier. At the match, Claudius prepares poisoned wine for Hamlet, which Gertrude unknowingly drinks; as she dies, she accuses Claudius, whom Hamlet kills. Then first Laertes and then Hamlet die, both victims of Laertes’ rapier.

Characters in the Play
The Ghost
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, son of the late King Hamlet
and Queen Gertrude
Queen Gertrude, widow of King Hamlet, now married to Claudius
King Claudius, brother to the late King Hamlet
Ophelia
Laertes, her brother
Polonius, father of Ophelia and Laertes, councillor to King Claudius
Reynaldo, servant to Polonius
Horatio, Hamlet’s friend and confidant
Voltemand
Cornelius
Rosencrantz
Guildenstern
Osric
Gentlemen
A Lord
courtiers at the Danish court
Francisco
Barnardo
Marcellus
Danish soldiers
Fortinbras, Prince of Norway
A Captain in Fortinbras’s army
Ambassadors to Denmark from England
Players who take the roles of Prologue, Player King, Player Queen, and Lucianus in The Murder of Gonzago
Two Messengers
Sailors
Gravedigger
Gravedigger’s companion
Doctor of Divinity
Attendants, Lords, Guards, Musicians, Laertes’s Followers, Soldiers, Officers

ACT 1
Scene 1
Enter Barnardo and Francisco, two sentinels.
BARNARDO FTLN 0001 Who’s there?
FRANCISCO
FTLN 0002 Nay, answer me. Stand and unfold yourself.
BARNARDO FTLN 0003 Long live the King!
FRANCISCO FTLN 0004 Barnardo.
BARNARDO FTLN 0005 5 He.
FRANCISCO
FTLN 0006 You come most carefully upon your hour.
BARNARDO
FTLN 0007 ’Tis now struck twelve. Get thee to bed, Francisco.
FRANCISCO
FTLN 0008 For this relief much thanks. ’Tis bitter cold,
FTLN 0009 And I am sick at heart.
BARNARDO FTLN 0010 10 Have you had quiet guard?
FRANCISCO FTLN 0011 Not a mouse stirring.
BARNARDO FTLN 0012 Well, good night.
FTLN 0013 If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus,
FTLN 0014 The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste.
Enter Horatio and Marcellus.
FRANCISCO
FTLN 0015 15 I think I hear them.—Stand ho! Who is there?
HORATIO FTLN 0016 Friends to this ground.
7

9
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 1
MARCELLUS FTLN 0017 And liegemen to the Dane.
FRANCISCO FTLN 0018 Give you good night.
MARCELLUS
FTLN 0019 O farewell, honest soldier. Who hath relieved
FTLN 0020 20 you?
FRANCISCO
FTLN 0021 Barnardo hath my place. Give you good night.
Francisco exits.
MARCELLUS FTLN 0022 Holla, Barnardo.
BARNARDO FTLN 0023 Say, what, is Horatio there?
HORATIO FTLN 0024 A piece of him.
BARNARDO
FTLN 0025 25 Welcome, Horatio.—Welcome, good Marcellus.
HORATIO
FTLN 0026 What, has this thing appeared again tonight?
BARNARDO FTLN 0027 I have seen nothing.
MARCELLUS
FTLN 0028 Horatio says ’tis but our fantasy
FTLN 0029 And will not let belief take hold of him
FTLN 0030 30 Touching this dreaded sight twice seen of us.
FTLN 0031 Therefore I have entreated him along
FTLN 0032 With us to watch the minutes of this night,
FTLN 0033 That, if again this apparition come,
FTLN 0034 He may approve our eyes and speak to it.
HORATIO
FTLN 0035 35 Tush, tush, ’twill not appear.
BARNARDO FTLN 0036 Sit down awhile,
FTLN 0037 And let us once again assail your ears,
FTLN 0038 That are so fortified against our story,
FTLN 0039 What we have two nights seen.
HORATIO FTLN 0040 40 Well, sit we down,
FTLN 0041 And let us hear Barnardo speak of this.
BARNARDO FTLN 0042 Last night of all,
FTLN 0043 When yond same star that’s westward from the pole
FTLN 0044 Had made his course t’ illume that part of heaven
FTLN 0045 45 Where now it burns, Marcellus and myself,
FTLN 0046 The bell then beating one—

11
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 1
Enter Ghost.
MARCELLUS
FTLN 0047 Peace, break thee off! Look where it comes again.
BARNARDO
FTLN 0048 In the same figure like the King that’s dead.
MARCELLUS , to Horatio
FTLN 0049 Thou art a scholar. Speak to it, Horatio.
BARNARDO
FTLN 0050 50 Looks he not like the King? Mark it, Horatio.
HORATIO
FTLN 0051 Most like. It harrows me with fear and wonder.
BARNARDO
FTLN 0052 It would be spoke to.
MARCELLUS FTLN 0053 Speak to it, Horatio.
HORATIO
FTLN 0054 What art thou that usurp’st this time of night,
FTLN 0055 55 Together with that fair and warlike form
FTLN 0056 In which the majesty of buried Denmark
FTLN 0057 Did sometimes march? By heaven, I charge thee,
FTLN 0058 speak.
MARCELLUS
FTLN 0059 It is offended.
BARNARDO FTLN 0060 60 See, it stalks away.
HORATIO
FTLN 0061 Stay! speak! speak! I charge thee, speak!
Ghost exits.
MARCELLUS FTLN 0062’Tis gone and will not answer.
BARNARDO
FTLN 0063 How now, Horatio, you tremble and look pale.
FTLN 0064 Is not this something more than fantasy?
FTLN 0065 65 What think you on ’t?
HORATIO
FTLN 0066 Before my God, I might not this believe
FTLN 0067 Without the sensible and true avouch
FTLN 0068 Of mine own eyes.

13
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 1
MARCELLUS FTLN 0069 Is it not like the King?
HORATIO FTLN 0070 70 As thou art to thyself.
FTLN 0071 Such was the very armor he had on
FTLN 0072 When he the ambitious Norway combated.
FTLN 0073 So frowned he once when, in an angry parle,
FTLN 0074 He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice.
FTLN 0075 75 ’Tis strange.
MARCELLUS
FTLN 0076 Thus twice before, and jump at this dead hour,
FTLN 0077 With martial stalk hath he gone by our watch.
HORATIO
FTLN 0078 In what particular thought to work I know not,
FTLN 0079 But in the gross and scope of mine opinion
FTLN 0080 80 This bodes some strange eruption to our state.
MARCELLUS
FTLN 0081 Good now, sit down, and tell me, he that knows,
FTLN 0082 Why this same strict and most observant watch
FTLN 0083 So nightly toils the subject of the land,
FTLN 0084 And why such daily cast of brazen cannon
FTLN 0085 85 And foreign mart for implements of war,
FTLN 0086 Why such impress of shipwrights, whose sore task
FTLN 0087 Does not divide the Sunday from the week.
FTLN 0088 What might be toward that this sweaty haste
FTLN 0089 Doth make the night joint laborer with the day?
FTLN 0090 90 Who is ’t that can inform me?
HORATIO FTLN 0091 That can I.
FTLN 0092 At least the whisper goes so: our last king,
FTLN 0093 Whose image even but now appeared to us,
FTLN 0094 Was, as you know, by Fortinbras of Norway,
FTLN 0095 95 Thereto pricked on by a most emulate pride,
FTLN 0096 Dared to the combat; in which our valiant Hamlet
FTLN 0097 (For so this side of our known world esteemed him)
FTLN 0098 Did slay this Fortinbras, who by a sealed compact,
FTLN 0099 Well ratified by law and heraldry,
FTLN 0100 100 Did forfeit, with his life, all those his lands
FTLN 0101 Which he stood seized of, to the conqueror.

15
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 1
FTLN 0102 Against the which a moiety competent
FTLN 0103 Was gagèd by our king, which had returned
FTLN 0104 To the inheritance of Fortinbras
FTLN 0105 105 Had he been vanquisher, as, by the same comart
FTLN 0106 And carriage of the article designed,
FTLN 0107 His fell to Hamlet. Now, sir, young Fortinbras,
FTLN 0108 Of unimprovèd mettle hot and full,
FTLN 0109 Hath in the skirts of Norway here and there
FTLN 0110 110 Sharked up a list of lawless resolutes
FTLN 0111 For food and diet to some enterprise
FTLN 0112 That hath a stomach in ’t; which is no other
FTLN 0113 (As it doth well appear unto our state)
FTLN 0114 But to recover of us, by strong hand
FTLN 0115 115 And terms compulsatory, those foresaid lands
FTLN 0116 So by his father lost. And this, I take it,
FTLN 0117 Is the main motive of our preparations,
FTLN 0118 The source of this our watch, and the chief head
FTLN 0119 Of this posthaste and rummage in the land.
BARNARDO
FTLN 0120 120 I think it be no other but e’en so.
FTLN 0121 Well may it sort that this portentous figure
FTLN 0122 Comes armèd through our watch so like the king
FTLN 0123 That was and is the question of these wars.
HORATIO
FTLN 0124 A mote it is to trouble the mind’s eye.
FTLN 0125 125 In the most high and palmy state of Rome,
FTLN 0126 A little ere the mightiest Julius fell,
FTLN 0127 The graves stood tenantless, and the sheeted dead
FTLN 0128 Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets;
FTLN 0129 As stars with trains of fire and dews of blood,
FTLN 0130 130 Disasters in the sun; and the moist star,
FTLN 0131 Upon whose influence Neptune’s empire stands,
FTLN 0132 Was sick almost to doomsday with eclipse.
FTLN 0133 And even the like precurse of feared events,
FTLN 0134 As harbingers preceding still the fates
FTLN 0135 135 And prologue to the omen coming on,

17
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 1
FTLN 0136 Have heaven and Earth together demonstrated
FTLN 0137 Unto our climatures and countrymen.
Enter Ghost.
FTLN 0138 But soft, behold! Lo, where it comes again!
FTLN 0139 I’ll cross it though it blast me.—Stay, illusion!
It spreads his arms.
FTLN 0140 140 If thou hast any sound or use of voice,
FTLN 0141 Speak to me.
FTLN 0142 If there be any good thing to be done
FTLN 0143 That may to thee do ease and grace to me,
FTLN 0144 Speak to me.
FTLN 0145 145 If thou art privy to thy country’s fate,
FTLN 0146 Which happily foreknowing may avoid,
FTLN 0147 O, speak!
FTLN 0148 Or if thou hast uphoarded in thy life
FTLN 0149 Extorted treasure in the womb of earth,
FTLN 0150 150 For which, they say, you spirits oft walk in death,
FTLN 0151 Speak of it. The cock crows.
FTLN 0152 Stay and speak!—Stop it, Marcellus.
MARCELLUS
FTLN 0153 Shall I strike it with my partisan?
HORATIO FTLN 0154 Do, if it will not stand.
BARNARDO FTLN 0155 155’Tis here.
HORATIO FTLN 0156’Tis here.
Ghost exits.
MARCELLUS FTLN 0157’Tis gone.
FTLN 0158 We do it wrong, being so majestical,
FTLN 0159 To offer it the show of violence,
FTLN 0160 160 For it is as the air, invulnerable,
FTLN 0161 And our vain blows malicious mockery.
BARNARDO
FTLN 0162 It was about to speak when the cock crew.
HORATIO
FTLN 0163 And then it started like a guilty thing
FTLN 0164 Upon a fearful summons. I have heard

19
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 1
FTLN 0165 165 The cock, that is the trumpet to the morn,
FTLN 0166 Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding throat
FTLN 0167 Awake the god of day, and at his warning,
FTLN 0168 Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air,
FTLN 0169 Th’ extravagant and erring spirit hies
FTLN 0170 170 To his confine, and of the truth herein
FTLN 0171 This present object made probation.
MARCELLUS
FTLN 0172 It faded on the crowing of the cock.
FTLN 0173 Some say that ever ’gainst that season comes
FTLN 0174 Wherein our Savior’s birth is celebrated,
FTLN 0175 175 This bird of dawning singeth all night long;
FTLN 0176 And then, they say, no spirit dare stir abroad,
FTLN 0177 The nights are wholesome; then no planets strike,
FTLN 0178 No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm,
FTLN 0179 So hallowed and so gracious is that time.
HORATIO
FTLN 0180 180 So have I heard and do in part believe it.
FTLN 0181 But look, the morn in russet mantle clad
FTLN 0182 Walks o’er the dew of yon high eastward hill.
FTLN 0183 Break we our watch up, and by my advice
FTLN 0184 Let us impart what we have seen tonight
FTLN 0185 185 Unto young Hamlet; for, upon my life,
FTLN 0186 This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him.
FTLN 0187 Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it
FTLN 0188 As needful in our loves, fitting our duty?
MARCELLUS
FTLN 0189 Let’s do ’t, I pray, and I this morning know
FTLN 0190 190 Where we shall find him most convenient.
They exit.

21
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 2
Scene 2
Flourish. Enter Claudius, King of Denmark, Gertrude the
Queen, the Council, as Polonius, and his son Laertes,
Hamlet, with others, among them Voltemand and
Cornelius.
KING
FTLN 0191 Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother’s death
FTLN 0192 The memory be green, and that it us befitted
FTLN 0193 To bear our hearts in grief, and our whole kingdom
FTLN 0194 To be contracted in one brow of woe,
FTLN 0195 5 Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature
FTLN 0196 That we with wisest sorrow think on him
FTLN 0197 Together with remembrance of ourselves.
FTLN 0198 Therefore our sometime sister, now our queen,
FTLN 0199 Th’ imperial jointress to this warlike state,
FTLN 0200 10 Have we (as ’twere with a defeated joy,
FTLN 0201 With an auspicious and a dropping eye,
FTLN 0202 With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage,
FTLN 0203 In equal scale weighing delight and dole)
FTLN 0204 Taken to wife. Nor have we herein barred
FTLN 0205 15 Your better wisdoms, which have freely gone
FTLN 0206 With this affair along. For all, our thanks.
FTLN 0207 Now follows that you know. Young Fortinbras,
FTLN 0208 Holding a weak supposal of our worth
FTLN 0209 Or thinking by our late dear brother’s death
FTLN 0210 20 Our state to be disjoint and out of frame,
FTLN 0211 Colleaguèd with this dream of his advantage,
FTLN 0212 He hath not failed to pester us with message
FTLN 0213 Importing the surrender of those lands
FTLN 0214 Lost by his father, with all bonds of law,
FTLN 0215 25 To our most valiant brother—so much for him.
FTLN 0216 Now for ourself and for this time of meeting.
FTLN 0217 Thus much the business is: we have here writ
FTLN 0218 To Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras,
FTLN 0219 Who, impotent and bedrid, scarcely hears

23
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 2
FTLN 0220 30 Of this his nephew’s purpose, to suppress
FTLN 0221 His further gait herein, in that the levies,
FTLN 0222 The lists, and full proportions are all made
FTLN 0223 Out of his subject; and we here dispatch
FTLN 0224 You, good Cornelius, and you, Voltemand,
FTLN 0225 35 For bearers of this greeting to old Norway,
FTLN 0226 Giving to you no further personal power
FTLN 0227 To business with the King more than the scope
FTLN 0228 Of these dilated articles allow.
Giving them a paper.
FTLN 0229 Farewell, and let your haste commend your duty.
CORNELIUS/VOLTEMAND
FTLN 0230 40 In that and all things will we show our duty.
KING
FTLN 0231 We doubt it nothing. Heartily farewell.
Voltemand and Cornelius exit.
FTLN 0232 And now, Laertes, what’s the news with you?
FTLN 0233 You told us of some suit. What is ’t, Laertes?
FTLN 0234 You cannot speak of reason to the Dane
FTLN 0235 45 And lose your voice. What wouldst thou beg,
FTLN 0236 Laertes,
FTLN 0237 That shall not be my offer, not thy asking?
FTLN 0238 The head is not more native to the heart,
FTLN 0239 The hand more instrumental to the mouth,
FTLN 0240 50 Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father.
FTLN 0241 What wouldst thou have, Laertes?
LAERTES FTLN 0242 My dread lord,
FTLN 0243 Your leave and favor to return to France,
FTLN 0244 From whence though willingly I came to Denmark
FTLN 0245 55 To show my duty in your coronation,
FTLN 0246 Yet now I must confess, that duty done,
FTLN 0247 My thoughts and wishes bend again toward France
FTLN 0248 And bow them to your gracious leave and pardon.
KING
FTLN 0249 Have you your father’s leave? What says Polonius?

25
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 2
POLONIUS
FTLN 0250 60 Hath, my lord, wrung from me my slow leave
FTLN 0251 By laborsome petition, and at last
FTLN 0252 Upon his will I sealed my hard consent.
FTLN 0253 I do beseech you give him leave to go.
KING
FTLN 0254 Take thy fair hour, Laertes. Time be thine,
FTLN 0255 65 And thy best graces spend it at thy will.—
FTLN 0256 But now, my cousin Hamlet and my son—
HAMLET , aside
FTLN 0257 A little more than kin and less than kind.
KING
FTLN 0258 How is it that the clouds still hang on you?
HAMLET
FTLN 0259 Not so, my lord; I am too much in the sun.
QUEEN
FTLN 0260 70 Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted color off,
FTLN 0261 And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark.
FTLN 0262 Do not forever with thy vailèd lids
FTLN 0263 Seek for thy noble father in the dust.
FTLN 0264 Thou know’st ’tis common; all that lives must die,
FTLN 0265 75 Passing through nature to eternity.
HAMLET
FTLN 0266 Ay, madam, it is common.
QUEEN FTLN 0267 If it be,
FTLN 0268 Why seems it so particular with thee?
HAMLET
FTLN 0269 “Seems,” madam? Nay, it is. I know not “seems.”
FTLN 0270 80 ’Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother,
FTLN 0271 Nor customary suits of solemn black,
FTLN 0272 Nor windy suspiration of forced breath,
FTLN 0273 No, nor the fruitful river in the eye,
FTLN 0274 Nor the dejected havior of the visage,
FTLN 0275 85 Together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief,
FTLN 0276 That can denote me truly. These indeed “seem,”
FTLN 0277 For they are actions that a man might play;

27
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 2
FTLN 0278 But I have that within which passes show,
FTLN 0279 These but the trappings and the suits of woe.
KING
FTLN 0280 90 ’Tis sweet and commendable in your nature,
FTLN 0281 Hamlet,
FTLN 0282 To give these mourning duties to your father.
FTLN 0283 But you must know your father lost a father,
FTLN 0284 That father lost, lost his, and the survivor bound
FTLN 0285 95 In filial obligation for some term
FTLN 0286 To do obsequious sorrow. But to persever
FTLN 0287 In obstinate condolement is a course
FTLN 0288 Of impious stubbornness. ’Tis unmanly grief.
FTLN 0289 It shows a will most incorrect to heaven,
FTLN 0290 100 A heart unfortified, a mind impatient,
FTLN 0291 An understanding simple and unschooled.
FTLN 0292 For what we know must be and is as common
FTLN 0293 As any the most vulgar thing to sense,
FTLN 0294 Why should we in our peevish opposition
FTLN 0295 105 Take it to heart? Fie, ’tis a fault to heaven,
FTLN 0296 A fault against the dead, a fault to nature,
FTLN 0297 To reason most absurd, whose common theme
FTLN 0298 Is death of fathers, and who still hath cried,
FTLN 0299 From the first corse till he that died today,
FTLN 0300 110 “This must be so.” We pray you, throw to earth
FTLN 0301 This unprevailing woe and think of us
FTLN 0302 As of a father; for let the world take note,
FTLN 0303 You are the most immediate to our throne,
FTLN 0304 And with no less nobility of love
FTLN 0305 115 Than that which dearest father bears his son
FTLN 0306 Do I impart toward you. For your intent
FTLN 0307 In going back to school in Wittenberg,
FTLN 0308 It is most retrograde to our desire,
FTLN 0309 And we beseech you, bend you to remain
FTLN 0310 120 Here in the cheer and comfort of our eye,
FTLN 0311 Our chiefest courtier, cousin, and our son.

29
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 2
QUEEN
FTLN 0312 Let not thy mother lose her prayers, Hamlet.
FTLN 0313 I pray thee, stay with us. Go not to Wittenberg.
HAMLET
FTLN 0314 I shall in all my best obey you, madam.
KING
FTLN 0315 125 Why, ’tis a loving and a fair reply.
FTLN 0316 Be as ourself in Denmark.—Madam, come.
FTLN 0317 This gentle and unforced accord of Hamlet
FTLN 0318 Sits smiling to my heart, in grace whereof
FTLN 0319 No jocund health that Denmark drinks today
FTLN 0320 130 But the great cannon to the clouds shall tell,
FTLN 0321 And the King’s rouse the heaven shall bruit again,
FTLN 0322 Respeaking earthly thunder. Come away.
Flourish. All but Hamlet exit.
HAMLET
FTLN 0323 O, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt,
FTLN 0324 Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew,
FTLN 0325 135 Or that the Everlasting had not fixed
FTLN 0326 His canon ’gainst self-slaughter! O God, God,
FTLN 0327 How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable
FTLN 0328 Seem to me all the uses of this world!
FTLN 0329 Fie on ’t, ah fie! ’Tis an unweeded garden
FTLN 0330 140 That grows to seed. Things rank and gross in nature
FTLN 0331 Possess it merely. That it should come to this:
FTLN 0332 But two months dead—nay, not so much, not two.
FTLN 0333 So excellent a king, that was to this
FTLN 0334 Hyperion to a satyr; so loving to my mother
FTLN 0335 145 That he might not beteem the winds of heaven
FTLN 0336 Visit her face too roughly. Heaven and Earth,
FTLN 0337 Must I remember? Why, she would hang on him
FTLN 0338 As if increase of appetite had grown
FTLN 0339 By what it fed on. And yet, within a month
FTLN 0340 150 (Let me not think on ’t; frailty, thy name is woman!),
FTLN 0341 A little month, or ere those shoes were old
FTLN 0342 With which she followed my poor father’s body,

31
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 2
FTLN 0343 Like Niobe, all tears—why she, even she
FTLN 0344 (O God, a beast that wants discourse of reason
FTLN 0345 155 Would have mourned longer!), married with my
FTLN 0346 uncle,
FTLN 0347 My father’s brother, but no more like my father
FTLN 0348 Than I to Hercules. Within a month,
FTLN 0349 Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears
FTLN 0350 160 Had left the flushing in her gallèd eyes,
FTLN 0351 She married. O, most wicked speed, to post
FTLN 0352 With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!
FTLN 0353 It is not, nor it cannot come to good.
FTLN 0354 But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue.
Enter Horatio, Marcellus, and Barnardo.
HORATIO FTLN 0355 165 Hail to your Lordship.
HAMLET FTLN 0356 I am glad to see you well.
FTLN 0357 Horatio—or I do forget myself!
HORATIO
FTLN 0358 The same, my lord, and your poor servant ever.
HAMLET
FTLN 0359 Sir, my good friend. I’ll change that name with you.
FTLN 0360 170 And what make you from Wittenberg, Horatio?—
FTLN 0361 Marcellus?
MARCELLUS FTLN 0362 My good lord.
HAMLET
FTLN 0363 I am very glad to see you. To Barnardo. Good
FTLN 0364 even, sir.—
FTLN 0365 175 But what, in faith, make you from Wittenberg?
HORATIO
FTLN 0366 A truant disposition, good my lord.
HAMLET
FTLN 0367 I would not hear your enemy say so,
FTLN 0368 Nor shall you do my ear that violence
FTLN 0369 To make it truster of your own report
FTLN 0370 180 Against yourself. I know you are no truant.
FTLN 0371 But what is your affair in Elsinore?
FTLN 0372 We’ll teach you to drink deep ere you depart.

33
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 2
HORATIO
FTLN 0373 My lord, I came to see your father’s funeral.
HAMLET
FTLN 0374 I prithee, do not mock me, fellow student.
FTLN 0375 185 I think it was to see my mother’s wedding.
HORATIO
FTLN 0376 Indeed, my lord, it followed hard upon.
HAMLET
FTLN 0377 Thrift, thrift, Horatio. The funeral baked meats
FTLN 0378 Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables.
FTLN 0379 Would I had met my dearest foe in heaven
FTLN 0380 190 Or ever I had seen that day, Horatio!
FTLN 0381 My father—methinks I see my father.
HORATIO
FTLN 0382 Where, my lord?
HAMLET FTLN 0383 In my mind’s eye, Horatio.
HORATIO
FTLN 0384 I saw him once. He was a goodly king.
HAMLET
FTLN 0385 195 He was a man. Take him for all in all,
FTLN 0386 I shall not look upon his like again.
HORATIO
FTLN 0387 My lord, I think I saw him yesternight.
HAMLET FTLN 0388 Saw who?
HORATIO
FTLN 0389 My lord, the King your father.
HAMLET FTLN 0390 200 The King my father?
HORATIO
FTLN 0391 Season your admiration for a while
FTLN 0392 With an attent ear, till I may deliver
FTLN 0393 Upon the witness of these gentlemen
FTLN 0394 This marvel to you.
HAMLET FTLN 0395 205 For God’s love, let me hear!
HORATIO
FTLN 0396 Two nights together had these gentlemen,
FTLN 0397 Marcellus and Barnardo, on their watch,

35
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 2
FTLN 0398 In the dead waste and middle of the night,
FTLN 0399 Been thus encountered: a figure like your father,
FTLN 0400 210 Armed at point exactly, cap-à-pie,
FTLN 0401 Appears before them and with solemn march
FTLN 0402 Goes slow and stately by them. Thrice he walked
FTLN 0403 By their oppressed and fear-surprisèd eyes
FTLN 0404 Within his truncheon’s length, whilst they, distilled
FTLN 0405 215 Almost to jelly with the act of fear,
FTLN 0406 Stand dumb and speak not to him. This to me
FTLN 0407 In dreadful secrecy impart they did,
FTLN 0408 And I with them the third night kept the watch,
FTLN 0409 Where, as they had delivered, both in time,
FTLN 0410 220 Form of the thing (each word made true and good),
FTLN 0411 The apparition comes. I knew your father;
FTLN 0412 These hands are not more like.
HAMLET FTLN 0413 But where was this?
MARCELLUS
FTLN 0414 My lord, upon the platform where we watch.
HAMLET
FTLN 0415 225 Did you not speak to it?
HORATIO FTLN 0416 My lord, I did,
FTLN 0417 But answer made it none. Yet once methought
FTLN 0418 It lifted up its head and did address
FTLN 0419 Itself to motion, like as it would speak;
FTLN 0420 230 But even then the morning cock crew loud,
FTLN 0421 And at the sound it shrunk in haste away
FTLN 0422 And vanished from our sight.
HAMLET FTLN 0423 ’Tis very strange.
HORATIO
FTLN 0424 As I do live, my honored lord, ’tis true.
FTLN 0425 235 And we did think it writ down in our duty
FTLN 0426 To let you know of it.
HAMLET FTLN 0427 Indeed, sirs, but this troubles me.
FTLN 0428 Hold you the watch tonight?
ALL FTLN 0429 We do, my lord.
HAMLET
FTLN 0430 240 Armed, say you?

37
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 2
ALL FTLN 0431 Armed, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 0432 From top to toe?
ALL FTLN 0433 My lord, from head to foot.
HAMLET FTLN 0434 Then saw you not his face?
HORATIO
FTLN 0435 245 O, yes, my lord, he wore his beaver up.
HAMLET FTLN 0436 What, looked he frowningly?
HORATIO
FTLN 0437 A countenance more in sorrow than in anger.
HAMLET FTLN 0438 Pale or red?
HORATIO
FTLN 0439 Nay, very pale.
HAMLET FTLN 0440 250 And fixed his eyes upon you?
HORATIO
FTLN 0441 Most constantly.
HAMLET FTLN 0442 I would I had been there.
HORATIO FTLN 0443 It would have much amazed you.
HAMLET FTLN 0444 Very like. Stayed it long?
HORATIO
FTLN 0445 255 While one with moderate haste might tell a
FTLN 0446 hundred.
BARNARDO/MARCELLUS FTLN 0447 Longer, longer.
HORATIO
FTLN 0448 Not when I saw ’t.
HAMLET FTLN 0449 His beard was grizzled, no?
HORATIO
FTLN 0450 260 It was as I have seen it in his life,
FTLN 0451 A sable silvered.
HAMLET FTLN 0452 I will watch tonight.
FTLN 0453 Perchance ’twill walk again.
HORATIO FTLN 0454 I warrant it will.
HAMLET
FTLN 0455 265 If it assume my noble father’s person,
FTLN 0456 I’ll speak to it, though hell itself should gape
FTLN 0457 And bid me hold my peace. I pray you all,
FTLN 0458 If you have hitherto concealed this sight,

39
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 3
FTLN 0459 Let it be tenable in your silence still;
FTLN 0460 270 And whatsomever else shall hap tonight,
FTLN 0461 Give it an understanding but no tongue.
FTLN 0462 I will requite your loves. So fare you well.
FTLN 0463 Upon the platform, ’twixt eleven and twelve,
FTLN 0464 I’ll visit you.
ALL FTLN 0465 275 Our duty to your Honor.
HAMLET
FTLN 0466 Your loves, as mine to you. Farewell.
All but Hamlet exit.
FTLN 0467 My father’s spirit—in arms! All is not well.
FTLN 0468 I doubt some foul play. Would the night were come!
FTLN 0469 Till then, sit still, my soul. Foul deeds will rise,
FTLN 0470 280 Though all the earth o’erwhelm them, to men’s
FTLN 0471 eyes.
He exits.
Scene 3
Enter Laertes and Ophelia, his sister.
LAERTES
FTLN 0472 My necessaries are embarked. Farewell.
FTLN 0473 And, sister, as the winds give benefit
FTLN 0474 And convey is assistant, do not sleep,
FTLN 0475 But let me hear from you.
OPHELIA FTLN 0476 5 Do you doubt that?
LAERTES
FTLN 0477 For Hamlet, and the trifling of his favor,
FTLN 0478 Hold it a fashion and a toy in blood,
FTLN 0479 A violet in the youth of primy nature,
FTLN 0480 Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting,
FTLN 0481 10 The perfume and suppliance of a minute,
FTLN 0482 No more.
OPHELIA FTLN 0483 No more but so?
LAERTES FTLN 0484 Think it no more.

41
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 3
FTLN 0485 For nature, crescent, does not grow alone
FTLN 0486 15 In thews and bulk, but, as this temple waxes,
FTLN 0487 The inward service of the mind and soul
FTLN 0488 Grows wide withal. Perhaps he loves you now,
FTLN 0489 And now no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
FTLN 0490 The virtue of his will; but you must fear,
FTLN 0491 20 His greatness weighed, his will is not his own,
FTLN 0492 For he himself is subject to his birth.
FTLN 0493 He may not, as unvalued persons do,
FTLN 0494 Carve for himself, for on his choice depends
FTLN 0495 The safety and the health of this whole state.
FTLN 0496 25 And therefore must his choice be circumscribed
FTLN 0497 Unto the voice and yielding of that body
FTLN 0498 Whereof he is the head. Then, if he says he loves
FTLN 0499 you,
FTLN 0500 It fits your wisdom so far to believe it
FTLN 0501 30 As he in his particular act and place
FTLN 0502 May give his saying deed, which is no further
FTLN 0503 Than the main voice of Denmark goes withal.
FTLN 0504 Then weigh what loss your honor may sustain
FTLN 0505 If with too credent ear you list his songs
FTLN 0506 35 Or lose your heart or your chaste treasure open
FTLN 0507 To his unmastered importunity.
FTLN 0508 Fear it, Ophelia; fear it, my dear sister,
FTLN 0509 And keep you in the rear of your affection,
FTLN 0510 Out of the shot and danger of desire.
FTLN 0511 40 The chariest maid is prodigal enough
FTLN 0512 If she unmask her beauty to the moon.
FTLN 0513 Virtue itself ’scapes not calumnious strokes.
FTLN 0514 The canker galls the infants of the spring
FTLN 0515 Too oft before their buttons be disclosed,
FTLN 0516 45 And, in the morn and liquid dew of youth,
FTLN 0517 Contagious blastments are most imminent.
FTLN 0518 Be wary, then; best safety lies in fear.
FTLN 0519 Youth to itself rebels, though none else near.
OPHELIA
FTLN 0520 I shall the effect of this good lesson keep

43
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 3
FTLN 0521 50 As watchman to my heart. But, good my brother,
FTLN 0522 Do not, as some ungracious pastors do,
FTLN 0523 Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven,
FTLN 0524 Whiles, like a puffed and reckless libertine,
FTLN 0525 Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
FTLN 0526 55 And recks not his own rede.
LAERTES FTLN 0527 O, fear me not.
Enter Polonius.
FTLN 0528 I stay too long. But here my father comes.
FTLN 0529 A double blessing is a double grace.
FTLN 0530 Occasion smiles upon a second leave.
POLONIUS
FTLN 0531 60 Yet here, Laertes? Aboard, aboard, for shame!
FTLN 0532 The wind sits in the shoulder of your sail,
FTLN 0533 And you are stayed for. There, my blessing with
FTLN 0534 thee.
FTLN 0535 And these few precepts in thy memory
FTLN 0536 65 Look thou character. Give thy thoughts no tongue,
FTLN 0537 Nor any unproportioned thought his act.
FTLN 0538 Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar.
FTLN 0539 Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,
FTLN 0540 Grapple them unto thy soul with hoops of steel,
FTLN 0541 70 But do not dull thy palm with entertainment
FTLN 0542 Of each new-hatched, unfledged courage. Beware
FTLN 0543 Of entrance to a quarrel, but, being in,
FTLN 0544 Bear ’t that th’ opposèd may beware of thee.
FTLN 0545 Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.
FTLN 0546 75 Take each man’s censure, but reserve thy judgment.
FTLN 0547 Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy,
FTLN 0548 But not expressed in fancy (rich, not gaudy),
FTLN 0549 For the apparel oft proclaims the man,
FTLN 0550 And they in France of the best rank and station
FTLN 0551 80 Are of a most select and generous chief in that.
FTLN 0552 Neither a borrower nor a lender be,
FTLN 0553 For loan oft loses both itself and friend,

45
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 3
FTLN 0554 And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.
FTLN 0555 This above all: to thine own self be true,
FTLN 0556 85 And it must follow, as the night the day,
FTLN 0557 Thou canst not then be false to any man.
FTLN 0558 Farewell. My blessing season this in thee.
LAERTES
FTLN 0559 Most humbly do I take my leave, my lord.
POLONIUS
FTLN 0560 The time invests you. Go, your servants tend.
LAERTES
FTLN 0561 90 Farewell, Ophelia, and remember well
FTLN 0562 What I have said to you.
OPHELIA FTLN 0563’Tis in my memory locked,
FTLN 0564 And you yourself shall keep the key of it.
LAERTES FTLN 0565 Farewell. Laertes exits.
POLONIUS
FTLN 0566 95 What is ’t, Ophelia, he hath said to you?
OPHELIA
FTLN 0567 So please you, something touching the Lord
FTLN 0568 Hamlet.
POLONIUS FTLN 0569 Marry, well bethought.
FTLN 0570 ’Tis told me he hath very oft of late
FTLN 0571 100 Given private time to you, and you yourself
FTLN 0572 Have of your audience been most free and
FTLN 0573 bounteous.
FTLN 0574 If it be so (as so ’tis put on me,
FTLN 0575 And that in way of caution), I must tell you
FTLN 0576 105 You do not understand yourself so clearly
FTLN 0577 As it behooves my daughter and your honor.
FTLN 0578 What is between you? Give me up the truth.
OPHELIA
FTLN 0579 He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders
FTLN 0580 Of his affection to me.
POLONIUS
FTLN 0581 110 Affection, puh! You speak like a green girl
FTLN 0582 Unsifted in such perilous circumstance.
FTLN 0583 Do you believe his “tenders,” as you call them?

47
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 3
OPHELIA
FTLN 0584 I do not know, my lord, what I should think.
POLONIUS
FTLN 0585 Marry, I will teach you. Think yourself a baby
FTLN 0586 115 That you have ta’en these tenders for true pay,
FTLN 0587 Which are not sterling. Tender yourself more dearly,
FTLN 0588 Or (not to crack the wind of the poor phrase,
FTLN 0589 Running it thus) you’ll tender me a fool.
OPHELIA
FTLN 0590 My lord, he hath importuned me with love
FTLN 0591 120 In honorable fashion—
POLONIUS
FTLN 0592 Ay, “fashion” you may call it. Go to, go to!
OPHELIA
FTLN 0593 And hath given countenance to his speech, my lord,
FTLN 0594 With almost all the holy vows of heaven.
POLONIUS
FTLN 0595 Ay, springes to catch woodcocks. I do know,
FTLN 0596 125 When the blood burns, how prodigal the soul
FTLN 0597 Lends the tongue vows. These blazes, daughter,
FTLN 0598 Giving more light than heat, extinct in both
FTLN 0599 Even in their promise as it is a-making,
FTLN 0600 You must not take for fire. From this time
FTLN 0601 130 Be something scanter of your maiden presence.
FTLN 0602 Set your entreatments at a higher rate
FTLN 0603 Than a command to parle. For Lord Hamlet,
FTLN 0604 Believe so much in him that he is young,
FTLN 0605 And with a larger tether may he walk
FTLN 0606 135 Than may be given you. In few, Ophelia,
FTLN 0607 Do not believe his vows, for they are brokers,
FTLN 0608 Not of that dye which their investments show,
FTLN 0609 But mere implorators of unholy suits,
FTLN 0610 Breathing like sanctified and pious bawds
FTLN 0611 140 The better to beguile. This is for all:
FTLN 0612 I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth
FTLN 0613 Have you so slander any moment leisure

49
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 4
FTLN 0614 As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet.
FTLN 0615 Look to ’t, I charge you. Come your ways.
OPHELIA FTLN 0616 145 I shall obey, my lord.
They exit.
Scene 4
Enter Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus.
HAMLET
FTLN 0617 The air bites shrewdly; it is very cold.
HORATIO
FTLN 0618 It is a nipping and an eager air.
HAMLET FTLN 0619 What hour now?
HORATIO FTLN 0620 I think it lacks of twelve.
MARCELLUS FTLN 0621 5 No, it is struck.
HORATIO
FTLN 0622 Indeed, I heard it not. It then draws near the season
FTLN 0623 Wherein the spirit held his wont to walk.
A flourish of trumpets and two pieces goes off.
FTLN 0624 What does this mean, my lord?
HAMLET
FTLN 0625 The King doth wake tonight and takes his rouse,
FTLN 0626 10 Keeps wassail, and the swagg’ring upspring reels;
FTLN 0627 And, as he drains his draughts of Rhenish down,
FTLN 0628 The kettledrum and trumpet thus bray out
FTLN 0629 The triumph of his pledge.
HORATIO FTLN 0630 Is it a custom?
HAMLET FTLN 0631 15 Ay, marry, is ’t,
FTLN 0632 But, to my mind, though I am native here
FTLN 0633 And to the manner born, it is a custom
FTLN 0634 More honored in the breach than the observance.
FTLN 0635 This heavy-headed revel east and west
FTLN 0636 20 Makes us traduced and taxed of other nations.
FTLN 0637 They clepe us drunkards and with swinish phrase
FTLN 0638 Soil our addition. And, indeed, it takes

51
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 4
FTLN 0639 From our achievements, though performed at
FTLN 0640 height,
FTLN 0641 25 The pith and marrow of our attribute.
FTLN 0642 So oft it chances in particular men
FTLN 0643 That for some vicious mole of nature in them,
FTLN 0644 As in their birth (wherein they are not guilty,
FTLN 0645 Since nature cannot choose his origin),
FTLN 0646 30 By the o’ergrowth of some complexion
FTLN 0647 (Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason),
FTLN 0648 Or by some habit that too much o’erleavens
FTLN 0649 The form of plausive manners—that these men,
FTLN 0650 Carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect,
FTLN 0651 35 Being nature’s livery or fortune’s star,
FTLN 0652 His virtues else, be they as pure as grace,
FTLN 0653 As infinite as man may undergo,
FTLN 0654 Shall in the general censure take corruption
FTLN 0655 From that particular fault. The dram of evil
FTLN 0656 40 Doth all the noble substance of a doubt
FTLN 0657 To his own scandal.
Enter Ghost.
HORATIO FTLN 0658 Look, my lord, it comes.
HAMLET
FTLN 0659 Angels and ministers of grace, defend us!
FTLN 0660 Be thou a spirit of health or goblin damned,
FTLN 0661 45 Bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from
FTLN 0662 hell,
FTLN 0663 Be thy intents wicked or charitable,
FTLN 0664 Thou com’st in such a questionable shape
FTLN 0665 That I will speak to thee. I’ll call thee “Hamlet,”
FTLN 0666 50 “King,” “Father,” “Royal Dane.” O, answer me!
FTLN 0667 Let me not burst in ignorance, but tell
FTLN 0668 Why thy canonized bones, hearsèd in death,
FTLN 0669 Have burst their cerements; why the sepulcher,
FTLN 0670 Wherein we saw thee quietly interred,
FTLN 0671 55 Hath oped his ponderous and marble jaws

53
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 4
FTLN 0672 To cast thee up again. What may this mean
FTLN 0673 That thou, dead corse, again in complete steel,
FTLN 0674 Revisits thus the glimpses of the moon,
FTLN 0675 Making night hideous, and we fools of nature
FTLN 0676 60 So horridly to shake our disposition
FTLN 0677 With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls?
FTLN 0678 Say, why is this? Wherefore? What should we do?
Ghost beckons.
HORATIO
FTLN 0679 It beckons you to go away with it
FTLN 0680 As if it some impartment did desire
FTLN 0681 65 To you alone.
MARCELLUS FTLN 0682 Look with what courteous action
FTLN 0683 It waves you to a more removèd ground.
FTLN 0684 But do not go with it.
HORATIO FTLN 0685 No, by no means.
HAMLET
FTLN 0686 70 It will not speak. Then I will follow it.
HORATIO
FTLN 0687 Do not, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 0688 Why, what should be the fear?
FTLN 0689 I do not set my life at a pin’s fee.
FTLN 0690 And for my soul, what can it do to that,
FTLN 0691 75 Being a thing immortal as itself?
FTLN 0692 It waves me forth again. I’ll follow it.
HORATIO
FTLN 0693 What if it tempt you toward the flood, my lord?
FTLN 0694 Or to the dreadful summit of the cliff
FTLN 0695 That beetles o’er his base into the sea,
FTLN 0696 80 And there assume some other horrible form
FTLN 0697 Which might deprive your sovereignty of reason
FTLN 0698 And draw you into madness? Think of it.
FTLN 0699 The very place puts toys of desperation,
FTLN 0700 Without more motive, into every brain
FTLN 0701 85 That looks so many fathoms to the sea
FTLN 0702 And hears it roar beneath.

55
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 5
HAMLET
FTLN 0703 It waves me still.—Go on, I’ll follow thee.
MARCELLUS
FTLN 0704 You shall not go, my lord. They hold back Hamlet.
HAMLET FTLN 0705 Hold off your hands.
HORATIO
FTLN 0706 90 Be ruled. You shall not go.
HAMLET FTLN 0707 My fate cries out
FTLN 0708 And makes each petty arture in this body
FTLN 0709 As hardy as the Nemean lion’s nerve.
FTLN 0710 Still am I called. Unhand me, gentlemen.
FTLN 0711 95 By heaven, I’ll make a ghost of him that lets me!
FTLN 0712 I say, away!—Go on. I’ll follow thee.
Ghost and Hamlet exit.
HORATIO
FTLN 0713 He waxes desperate with imagination.
MARCELLUS
FTLN 0714 Let’s follow. ’Tis not fit thus to obey him.
HORATIO
FTLN 0715 Have after. To what issue will this come?
MARCELLUS
FTLN 0716 100 Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.
HORATIO
FTLN 0717 Heaven will direct it.
MARCELLUS FTLN 0718 Nay, let’s follow him.
They exit.
Scene 5
Enter Ghost and Hamlet.
HAMLET
FTLN 0719 Whither wilt thou lead me? Speak. I’ll go no
FTLN 0720 further.
GHOST
FTLN 0721 Mark me.

57
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 5
HAMLET FTLN 0722 I will.
GHOST FTLN 0723 5 My hour is almost come
FTLN 0724 When I to sulf’rous and tormenting flames
FTLN 0725 Must render up myself.
HAMLET FTLN 0726 Alas, poor ghost!
GHOST
FTLN 0727 Pity me not, but lend thy serious hearing
FTLN 0728 10 To what I shall unfold.
HAMLET FTLN 0729 Speak. I am bound to hear.
GHOST
FTLN 0730 So art thou to revenge, when thou shalt hear.
HAMLET FTLN 0731 What?
GHOST FTLN 0732 I am thy father’s spirit,
FTLN 0733 15 Doomed for a certain term to walk the night
FTLN 0734 And for the day confined to fast in fires
FTLN 0735 Till the foul crimes done in my days of nature
FTLN 0736 Are burnt and purged away. But that I am forbid
FTLN 0737 To tell the secrets of my prison house,
FTLN 0738 20 I could a tale unfold whose lightest word
FTLN 0739 Would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood,
FTLN 0740 Make thy two eyes, like stars, start from their
FTLN 0741 spheres,
FTLN 0742 Thy knotted and combinèd locks to part,
FTLN 0743 25 And each particular hair to stand an end,
FTLN 0744 Like quills upon the fearful porpentine.
FTLN 0745 But this eternal blazon must not be
FTLN 0746 To ears of flesh and blood. List, list, O list!
FTLN 0747 If thou didst ever thy dear father love—
HAMLET FTLN 0748 30 O God!
GHOST
FTLN 0749 Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder.
HAMLET FTLN 0750 Murder?
GHOST
FTLN 0751 Murder most foul, as in the best it is,
FTLN 0752 But this most foul, strange, and unnatural.
HAMLET
FTLN 0753 35 Haste me to know ’t, that I, with wings as swift

59
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 5
FTLN 0754 As meditation or the thoughts of love,
FTLN 0755 May sweep to my revenge.
GHOST FTLN 0756 I find thee apt;
FTLN 0757 And duller shouldst thou be than the fat weed
FTLN 0758 40 That roots itself in ease on Lethe wharf,
FTLN 0759 Wouldst thou not stir in this. Now, Hamlet, hear.
FTLN 0760 ’Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard,
FTLN 0761 A serpent stung me. So the whole ear of Denmark
FTLN 0762 Is by a forgèd process of my death
FTLN 0763 45 Rankly abused. But know, thou noble youth,
FTLN 0764 The serpent that did sting thy father’s life
FTLN 0765 Now wears his crown.
HAMLET FTLN 0766 O, my prophetic soul! My uncle!
GHOST
FTLN 0767 Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast,
FTLN 0768 50 With witchcraft of his wits, with traitorous gifts—
FTLN 0769 O wicked wit and gifts, that have the power
FTLN 0770 So to seduce!—won to his shameful lust
FTLN 0771 The will of my most seeming-virtuous queen.
FTLN 0772 O Hamlet, what a falling off was there!
FTLN 0773 55 From me, whose love was of that dignity
FTLN 0774 That it went hand in hand even with the vow
FTLN 0775 I made to her in marriage, and to decline
FTLN 0776 Upon a wretch whose natural gifts were poor
FTLN 0777 To those of mine.
FTLN 0778 60 But virtue, as it never will be moved,
FTLN 0779 Though lewdness court it in a shape of heaven,
FTLN 0780 So, lust, though to a radiant angel linked,
FTLN 0781 Will sate itself in a celestial bed
FTLN 0782 And prey on garbage.
FTLN 0783 65 But soft, methinks I scent the morning air.
FTLN 0784 Brief let me be. Sleeping within my orchard,
FTLN 0785 My custom always of the afternoon,
FTLN 0786 Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole,
FTLN 0787 With juice of cursèd hebona in a vial
FTLN 0788 70 And in the porches of my ears did pour

61
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 5
FTLN 0789 The leprous distilment, whose effect
FTLN 0790 Holds such an enmity with blood of man
FTLN 0791 That swift as quicksilver it courses through
FTLN 0792 The natural gates and alleys of the body,
FTLN 0793 75 And with a sudden vigor it doth posset
FTLN 0794 And curd, like eager droppings into milk,
FTLN 0795 The thin and wholesome blood. So did it mine,
FTLN 0796 And a most instant tetter barked about,
FTLN 0797 Most lazar-like, with vile and loathsome crust
FTLN 0798 80 All my smooth body.
FTLN 0799 Thus was I, sleeping, by a brother’s hand
FTLN 0800 Of life, of crown, of queen at once dispatched,
FTLN 0801 Cut off, even in the blossoms of my sin,
FTLN 0802 Unhouseled, disappointed, unaneled,
FTLN 0803 85 No reck’ning made, but sent to my account
FTLN 0804 With all my imperfections on my head.
FTLN 0805 O horrible, O horrible, most horrible!
FTLN 0806 If thou hast nature in thee, bear it not.
FTLN 0807 Let not the royal bed of Denmark be
FTLN 0808 90 A couch for luxury and damnèd incest.
FTLN 0809 But, howsomever thou pursues this act,
FTLN 0810 Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive
FTLN 0811 Against thy mother aught. Leave her to heaven
FTLN 0812 And to those thorns that in her bosom lodge
FTLN 0813 95 To prick and sting her. Fare thee well at once.
FTLN 0814 The glowworm shows the matin to be near
FTLN 0815 And ’gins to pale his uneffectual fire.
FTLN 0816 Adieu, adieu, adieu. Remember me. He exits.
HAMLET
FTLN 0817 O all you host of heaven! O Earth! What else?
FTLN 0818 100 And shall I couple hell? O fie! Hold, hold, my heart,
FTLN 0819 And you, my sinews, grow not instant old,
FTLN 0820 But bear me stiffly up. Remember thee?
FTLN 0821 Ay, thou poor ghost, whiles memory holds a seat
FTLN 0822 In this distracted globe. Remember thee?
FTLN 0823 105 Yea, from the table of my memory

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ACT 1. SC. 5
FTLN 0824 I’ll wipe away all trivial, fond records,
FTLN 0825 All saws of books, all forms, all pressures past,
FTLN 0826 That youth and observation copied there,
FTLN 0827 And thy commandment all alone shall live
FTLN 0828 110 Within the book and volume of my brain,
FTLN 0829 Unmixed with baser matter. Yes, by heaven!
FTLN 0830 O most pernicious woman!
FTLN 0831 O villain, villain, smiling, damnèd villain!
FTLN 0832 My tables—meet it is I set it down
FTLN 0833 115 That one may smile and smile and be a villain.
FTLN 0834 At least I am sure it may be so in Denmark.
He writes.
FTLN 0835 So, uncle, there you are. Now to my word.
FTLN 0836 It is “adieu, adieu, remember me.”
FTLN 0837 I have sworn ’t.
Enter Horatio and Marcellus.
HORATIO FTLN 0838 120 My lord, my lord!
MARCELLUS FTLN 0839 Lord Hamlet.
HORATIO FTLN 0840 Heavens secure him!
HAMLET FTLN 0841 So be it.
MARCELLUS FTLN 0842 Illo, ho, ho, my lord!
HAMLET FTLN 0843 125 Hillo, ho, ho, boy! Come, bird, come!
MARCELLUS
FTLN 0844 How is ’t, my noble lord?
HORATIO FTLN 0845 What news, my lord?
HAMLET FTLN 0846 O, wonderful!
HORATIO
FTLN 0847 Good my lord, tell it.
HAMLET FTLN 0848 130 No, you will reveal it.
HORATIO
FTLN 0849 Not I, my lord, by heaven.
MARCELLUS FTLN 0850 Nor I, my lord.
HAMLET
FTLN 0851 How say you, then? Would heart of man once think
FTLN 0852 it?
FTLN 0853 135 But you’ll be secret?

65
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 5
HORATIO/MARCELLUS FTLN 0854 Ay, by heaven, my lord.
HAMLET
FTLN 0855 There’s never a villain dwelling in all Denmark
FTLN 0856 But he’s an arrant knave.
HORATIO
FTLN 0857 There needs no ghost, my lord, come from the grave
FTLN 0858 140 To tell us this.
HAMLET FTLN 0859 Why, right, you are in the right.
FTLN 0860 And so, without more circumstance at all,
FTLN 0861 I hold it fit that we shake hands and part,
FTLN 0862 You, as your business and desire shall point you
FTLN 0863 145 (For every man hath business and desire,
FTLN 0864 Such as it is), and for my own poor part,
FTLN 0865 I will go pray.
HORATIO
FTLN 0866 These are but wild and whirling words, my lord.
HAMLET
FTLN 0867 I am sorry they offend you, heartily;
FTLN 0868 150 Yes, faith, heartily.
HORATIO FTLN 0869 There’s no offense, my lord.
HAMLET
FTLN 0870 Yes, by Saint Patrick, but there is, Horatio,
FTLN 0871 And much offense, too. Touching this vision here,
FTLN 0872 It is an honest ghost—that let me tell you.
FTLN 0873 155 For your desire to know what is between us,
FTLN 0874 O’ermaster ’t as you may. And now, good friends,
FTLN 0875 As you are friends, scholars, and soldiers,
FTLN 0876 Give me one poor request.
HORATIO FTLN 0877 What is ’t, my lord? We will.
HAMLET
FTLN 0878 160 Never make known what you have seen tonight.
HORATIO/MARCELLUS FTLN 0879 My lord, we will not.
HAMLET FTLN 0880 Nay, but swear ’t.
HORATIO FTLN 0881 In faith, my lord, not I.
MARCELLUS FTLN 0882 Nor I, my lord, in faith.
HAMLET
FTLN 0883 165 Upon my sword.

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ACT 1. SC. 5
MARCELLUS FTLN 0884 We have sworn, my lord, already.
HAMLET FTLN 0885 Indeed, upon my sword, indeed.
GHOST cries under the stage FTLN 0886 Swear.
HAMLET
FTLN 0887 Ha, ha, boy, sayst thou so? Art thou there,
FTLN 0888 170 truepenny?
FTLN 0889 Come on, you hear this fellow in the cellarage.
FTLN 0890 Consent to swear.
HORATIO FTLN 0891 Propose the oath, my lord.
HAMLET
FTLN 0892 Never to speak of this that you have seen,
FTLN 0893 175 Swear by my sword.
GHOST , beneath FTLN 0894 Swear.
HAMLET
FTLN 0895 Hic et ubique? Then we’ll shift our ground.
FTLN 0896 Come hither, gentlemen,
FTLN 0897 And lay your hands again upon my sword.
FTLN 0898 180 Swear by my sword
FTLN 0899 Never to speak of this that you have heard.
GHOST , beneath FTLN 0900 Swear by his sword.
HAMLET
FTLN 0901 Well said, old mole. Canst work i’ th’ earth so fast?—
FTLN 0902 A worthy pioner! Once more remove, good friends.
HORATIO
FTLN 0903 185 O day and night, but this is wondrous strange.
HAMLET
FTLN 0904 And therefore as a stranger give it welcome.
FTLN 0905 There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
FTLN 0906 Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. But come.
FTLN 0907 Here, as before, never, so help you mercy,
FTLN 0908 190 How strange or odd some’er I bear myself
FTLN 0909 (As I perchance hereafter shall think meet
FTLN 0910 To put an antic disposition on)
FTLN 0911 That you, at such times seeing me, never shall,
FTLN 0912 With arms encumbered thus, or this headshake,
FTLN 0913 195 Or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase,

69
Hamlet
ACT 1. SC. 5
FTLN 0914 As “Well, well, we know,” or “We could an if we
FTLN 0915 would,”
FTLN 0916 Or “If we list to speak,” or “There be an if they
FTLN 0917 might,”
FTLN 0918 200 Or such ambiguous giving-out, to note
FTLN 0919 That you know aught of me—this do swear,
FTLN 0920 So grace and mercy at your most need help you.
GHOST , beneath FTLN 0921 Swear.
HAMLET
FTLN 0922 Rest, rest, perturbèd spirit.—So, gentlemen,
FTLN 0923 205 With all my love I do commend me to you,
FTLN 0924 And what so poor a man as Hamlet is
FTLN 0925 May do t’ express his love and friending to you,
FTLN 0926 God willing, shall not lack. Let us go in together,
FTLN 0927 And still your fingers on your lips, I pray.
FTLN 0928 210 The time is out of joint. O cursèd spite
FTLN 0929 That ever I was born to set it right!
FTLN 0930 Nay, come, let’s go together.
They exit.

ACT 2
Scene 1
Enter old Polonius with his man Reynaldo.
POLONIUS
FTLN 0931 Give him this money and these notes, Reynaldo.
REYNALDO FTLN 0932 I will, my lord.
POLONIUS
FTLN 0933 You shall do marvelous wisely, good Reynaldo,
FTLN 0934 Before you visit him, to make inquire
FTLN 0935 5 Of his behavior.
REYNALDO FTLN 0936 My lord, I did intend it.
POLONIUS
FTLN 0937 Marry, well said, very well said. Look you, sir,
FTLN 0938 Inquire me first what Danskers are in Paris;
FTLN 0939 And how, and who, what means, and where they
FTLN 0940 10 keep,
FTLN 0941 What company, at what expense; and finding
FTLN 0942 By this encompassment and drift of question
FTLN 0943 That they do know my son, come you more nearer
FTLN 0944 Than your particular demands will touch it.
FTLN 0945 15 Take you, as ’twere, some distant knowledge of him,
FTLN 0946 As thus: “I know his father and his friends
FTLN 0947 And, in part, him.” Do you mark this, Reynaldo?
REYNALDO FTLN 0948 Ay, very well, my lord.
POLONIUS
FTLN 0949 “And, in part, him, but,” you may say, “not well.
73

75
Hamlet
ACT 2. SC. 1
FTLN 0950 20 But if ’t be he I mean, he’s very wild,
FTLN 0951 Addicted so and so.” And there put on him
FTLN 0952 What forgeries you please—marry, none so rank
FTLN 0953 As may dishonor him, take heed of that,
FTLN 0954 But, sir, such wanton, wild, and usual slips
FTLN 0955 25 As are companions noted and most known
FTLN 0956 To youth and liberty.
REYNALDO FTLN 0957 As gaming, my lord.
POLONIUS FTLN 0958 Ay, or drinking, fencing, swearing,
FTLN 0959 Quarreling, drabbing—you may go so far.
REYNALDO FTLN 0960 30 My lord, that would dishonor him.
POLONIUS
FTLN 0961 Faith, no, as you may season it in the charge.
FTLN 0962 You must not put another scandal on him
FTLN 0963 That he is open to incontinency;
FTLN 0964 That’s not my meaning. But breathe his faults so
FTLN 0965 35 quaintly
FTLN 0966 That they may seem the taints of liberty,
FTLN 0967 The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind,
FTLN 0968 A savageness in unreclaimèd blood,
FTLN 0969 Of general assault.
REYNALDO FTLN 0970 40 But, my good lord—
POLONIUS FTLN 0971 Wherefore should you do this?
REYNALDO FTLN 0972 Ay, my lord, I would know that.
POLONIUS FTLN 0973 Marry, sir, here’s my drift,
FTLN 0974 And I believe it is a fetch of wit.
FTLN 0975 45 You, laying these slight sullies on my son,
FTLN 0976 As ’twere a thing a little soiled i’ th’ working,
FTLN 0977 Mark you, your party in converse, him you would
FTLN 0978 sound,
FTLN 0979 Having ever seen in the prenominate crimes
FTLN 0980 50 The youth you breathe of guilty, be assured
FTLN 0981 He closes with you in this consequence:
FTLN 0982 “Good sir,” or so, or “friend,” or “gentleman,”
FTLN 0983 According to the phrase or the addition
FTLN 0984 Of man and country—

77
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ACT 2. SC. 1
REYNALDO FTLN 0985 55 Very good, my lord.
POLONIUS FTLN 0986 And then, sir, does he this, he does—what
FTLN 0987 was I about to say? By the Mass, I was about to say
FTLN 0988 something. Where did I leave?
REYNALDO FTLN 0989 At “closes in the consequence,” at “friend,
FTLN 0990 60 or so,” and “gentleman.”
POLONIUS
FTLN 0991 At “closes in the consequence”—ay, marry—
FTLN 0992 He closes thus: “I know the gentleman.
FTLN 0993 I saw him yesterday,” or “th’ other day”
FTLN 0994 (Or then, or then, with such or such), “and as you
FTLN 0995 65 say,
FTLN 0996 There was he gaming, there o’ertook in ’s rouse,
FTLN 0997 There falling out at tennis”; or perchance
FTLN 0998 “I saw him enter such a house of sale”—
FTLN 0999 Videlicet, a brothel—or so forth. See you now
FTLN 1000 70 Your bait of falsehood take this carp of truth;
FTLN 1001 And thus do we of wisdom and of reach,
FTLN 1002 With windlasses and with assays of bias,
FTLN 1003 By indirections find directions out.
FTLN 1004 So by my former lecture and advice
FTLN 1005 75 Shall you my son. You have me, have you not?
REYNALDO
FTLN 1006 My lord, I have.
POLONIUS FTLN 1007 God be wi’ you. Fare you well.
REYNALDO FTLN 1008 Good my lord.
POLONIUS
FTLN 1009 Observe his inclination in yourself.
REYNALDO FTLN 1010 80 I shall, my lord.
POLONIUS FTLN 1011 And let him ply his music.
REYNALDO FTLN 1012 Well, my lord.
POLONIUS
FTLN 1013 Farewell. Reynaldo exits.
Enter Ophelia.
FTLN 1014 How now, Ophelia, what’s the matter?

79
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ACT 2. SC. 1
OPHELIA
FTLN 1015 85 O, my lord, my lord, I have been so affrighted!
POLONIUS FTLN 1016 With what, i’ th’ name of God?
OPHELIA
FTLN 1017 My lord, as I was sewing in my closet,
FTLN 1018 Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced,
FTLN 1019 No hat upon his head, his stockings fouled,
FTLN 1020 90 Ungartered, and down-gyvèd to his ankle,
FTLN 1021 Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other,
FTLN 1022 And with a look so piteous in purport
FTLN 1023 As if he had been loosèd out of hell
FTLN 1024 To speak of horrors—he comes before me.
POLONIUS
FTLN 1025 95 Mad for thy love?
OPHELIA FTLN 1026 My lord, I do not know,
FTLN 1027 But truly I do fear it.
POLONIUS FTLN 1028 What said he?
OPHELIA
FTLN 1029 He took me by the wrist and held me hard.
FTLN 1030 100 Then goes he to the length of all his arm,
FTLN 1031 And, with his other hand thus o’er his brow,
FTLN 1032 He falls to such perusal of my face
FTLN 1033 As he would draw it. Long stayed he so.
FTLN 1034 At last, a little shaking of mine arm,
FTLN 1035 105 And thrice his head thus waving up and down,
FTLN 1036 He raised a sigh so piteous and profound
FTLN 1037 As it did seem to shatter all his bulk
FTLN 1038 And end his being. That done, he lets me go,
FTLN 1039 And, with his head over his shoulder turned,
FTLN 1040 110 He seemed to find his way without his eyes,
FTLN 1041 For out o’ doors he went without their helps
FTLN 1042 And to the last bended their light on me.
POLONIUS
FTLN 1043 Come, go with me. I will go seek the King.
FTLN 1044 This is the very ecstasy of love,
FTLN 1045 115 Whose violent property fordoes itself

81
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ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 1046 And leads the will to desperate undertakings
FTLN 1047 As oft as any passions under heaven
FTLN 1048 That does afflict our natures. I am sorry.
FTLN 1049 What, have you given him any hard words of late?
OPHELIA
FTLN 1050 120 No, my good lord, but as you did command
FTLN 1051 I did repel his letters and denied
FTLN 1052 His access to me.
POLONIUS FTLN 1053 That hath made him mad.
FTLN 1054 I am sorry that with better heed and judgment
FTLN 1055 125 I had not coted him. I feared he did but trifle
FTLN 1056 And meant to wrack thee. But beshrew my jealousy!
FTLN 1057 By heaven, it is as proper to our age
FTLN 1058 To cast beyond ourselves in our opinions
FTLN 1059 As it is common for the younger sort
FTLN 1060 130 To lack discretion. Come, go we to the King.
FTLN 1061 This must be known, which, being kept close, might
FTLN 1062 move
FTLN 1063 More grief to hide than hate to utter love.
FTLN 1064 Come.
They exit.
Scene 2
Flourish. Enter King and Queen, Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern and Attendants.
KING
FTLN 1065 Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
FTLN 1066 Moreover that we much did long to see you,
FTLN 1067 The need we have to use you did provoke
FTLN 1068 Our hasty sending. Something have you heard
FTLN 1069 5 Of Hamlet’s transformation, so call it,
FTLN 1070 Sith nor th’ exterior nor the inward man
FTLN 1071 Resembles that it was. What it should be,
FTLN 1072 More than his father’s death, that thus hath put him

83
Hamlet
ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 1073 So much from th’ understanding of himself
FTLN 1074 10 I cannot dream of. I entreat you both
FTLN 1075 That, being of so young days brought up with him
FTLN 1076 And sith so neighbored to his youth and havior,
FTLN 1077 That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court
FTLN 1078 Some little time, so by your companies
FTLN 1079 15 To draw him on to pleasures, and to gather
FTLN 1080 So much as from occasion you may glean,
FTLN 1081 Whether aught to us unknown afflicts him thus
FTLN 1082 That, opened, lies within our remedy.
QUEEN
FTLN 1083 Good gentlemen, he hath much talked of you,
FTLN 1084 20 And sure I am two men there is not living
FTLN 1085 To whom he more adheres. If it will please you
FTLN 1086 To show us so much gentry and goodwill
FTLN 1087 As to expend your time with us awhile
FTLN 1088 For the supply and profit of our hope,
FTLN 1089 25 Your visitation shall receive such thanks
FTLN 1090 As fits a king’s remembrance.
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1091 Both your Majesties
FTLN 1092 Might, by the sovereign power you have of us,
FTLN 1093 Put your dread pleasures more into command
FTLN 1094 30 Than to entreaty.
GUILDENSTERN FTLN 1095 But we both obey,
FTLN 1096 And here give up ourselves in the full bent
FTLN 1097 To lay our service freely at your feet,
FTLN 1098 To be commanded.
KING
FTLN 1099 35 Thanks, Rosencrantz and gentle Guildenstern.
QUEEN
FTLN 1100 Thanks, Guildenstern and gentle Rosencrantz.
FTLN 1101 And I beseech you instantly to visit
FTLN 1102 My too much changèd son.—Go, some of you,
FTLN 1103 And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is.
GUILDENSTERN
FTLN 1104 40 Heavens make our presence and our practices
FTLN 1105 Pleasant and helpful to him!

85
Hamlet
ACT 2. SC. 2
QUEEN FTLN 1106 Ay, amen!
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern exit
with some Attendants.
Enter Polonius.
POLONIUS
FTLN 1107 Th’ ambassadors from Norway, my good lord,
FTLN 1108 Are joyfully returned.
KING
FTLN 1109 45 Thou still hast been the father of good news.
POLONIUS
FTLN 1110 Have I, my lord? I assure my good liege
FTLN 1111 I hold my duty as I hold my soul,
FTLN 1112 Both to my God and to my gracious king,
FTLN 1113 And I do think, or else this brain of mine
FTLN 1114 50 Hunts not the trail of policy so sure
FTLN 1115 As it hath used to do, that I have found
FTLN 1116 The very cause of Hamlet’s lunacy.
KING
FTLN 1117 O, speak of that! That do I long to hear.
POLONIUS
FTLN 1118 Give first admittance to th’ ambassadors.
FTLN 1119 55 My news shall be the fruit to that great feast.
KING
FTLN 1120 Thyself do grace to them and bring them in.
Polonius exits.
FTLN 1121 He tells me, my dear Gertrude, he hath found
FTLN 1122 The head and source of all your son’s distemper.
QUEEN
FTLN 1123 I doubt it is no other but the main—
FTLN 1124 60 His father’s death and our o’erhasty marriage.
KING
FTLN 1125 Well, we shall sift him.
Enter Ambassadors Voltemand and Cornelius with
Polonius.

87
Hamlet
ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 1126 Welcome, my good friends.
FTLN 1127 Say, Voltemand, what from our brother Norway?
VOLTEMAND
FTLN 1128 Most fair return of greetings and desires.
FTLN 1129 65 Upon our first, he sent out to suppress
FTLN 1130 His nephew’s levies, which to him appeared
FTLN 1131 To be a preparation ’gainst the Polack,
FTLN 1132 But, better looked into, he truly found
FTLN 1133 It was against your Highness. Whereat, grieved
FTLN 1134 70 That so his sickness, age, and impotence
FTLN 1135 Was falsely borne in hand, sends out arrests
FTLN 1136 On Fortinbras, which he, in brief, obeys,
FTLN 1137 Receives rebuke from Norway, and, in fine,
FTLN 1138 Makes vow before his uncle never more
FTLN 1139 75 To give th’ assay of arms against your Majesty.
FTLN 1140 Whereon old Norway, overcome with joy,
FTLN 1141 Gives him three-score thousand crowns in annual
FTLN 1142 fee
FTLN 1143 And his commission to employ those soldiers,
FTLN 1144 80 So levied as before, against the Polack,
FTLN 1145 With an entreaty, herein further shown,
He gives a paper.
FTLN 1146 That it might please you to give quiet pass
FTLN 1147 Through your dominions for this enterprise,
FTLN 1148 On such regards of safety and allowance
FTLN 1149 85 As therein are set down.
KING FTLN 1150 It likes us well,
FTLN 1151 And, at our more considered time, we’ll read,
FTLN 1152 Answer, and think upon this business.
FTLN 1153 Meantime, we thank you for your well-took labor.
FTLN 1154 90 Go to your rest. At night we’ll feast together.
FTLN 1155 Most welcome home!
Voltemand and Cornelius exit.
POLONIUS FTLN 1156 This business is well ended.
FTLN 1157 My liege, and madam, to expostulate
FTLN 1158 What majesty should be, what duty is,

89
Hamlet
ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 1159 95 Why day is day, night night, and time is time
FTLN 1160 Were nothing but to waste night, day, and time.
FTLN 1161 Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,
FTLN 1162 And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,
FTLN 1163 I will be brief. Your noble son is mad.
FTLN 1164 100 “Mad” call I it, for, to define true madness,
FTLN 1165 What is ’t but to be nothing else but mad?
FTLN 1166 But let that go.
QUEEN FTLN 1167 More matter with less art.
POLONIUS
FTLN 1168 Madam, I swear I use no art at all.
FTLN 1169 105 That he’s mad, ’tis true; ’tis true ’tis pity,
FTLN 1170 And pity ’tis ’tis true—a foolish figure,
FTLN 1171 But farewell it, for I will use no art.
FTLN 1172 Mad let us grant him then, and now remains
FTLN 1173 That we find out the cause of this effect,
FTLN 1174 110 Or, rather say, the cause of this defect,
FTLN 1175 For this effect defective comes by cause.
FTLN 1176 Thus it remains, and the remainder thus.
FTLN 1177 Perpend.
FTLN 1178 I have a daughter (have while she is mine)
FTLN 1179 115 Who, in her duty and obedience, mark,
FTLN 1180 Hath given me this. Now gather and surmise.
FTLN 1181 He reads. To the celestial, and my soul’s idol, the
FTLN 1182 most beautified Ophelia—
FTLN 1183 That’s an ill phrase, a vile phrase; “beautified” is a
FTLN 1184 120 vile phrase. But you shall hear. Thus: He reads.
FTLN 1185 In her excellent white bosom, these, etc.—
QUEEN FTLN 1186 Came this from Hamlet to her?
POLONIUS
FTLN 1187 Good madam, stay awhile. I will be faithful.
He reads the letter.
FTLN 1188 Doubt thou the stars are fire,
FTLN 1189 125 Doubt that the sun doth move,
FTLN 1190 Doubt truth to be a liar,
FTLN 1191 But never doubt I love.

91
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ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 1192 O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers. I have not
FTLN 1193 art to reckon my groans, but that I love thee best, O
FTLN 1194 130 most best, believe it. Adieu.
FTLN 1195 Thine evermore, most dear lady, whilst
FTLN 1196 this machine is to him, Hamlet.
FTLN 1197 This, in obedience, hath my daughter shown me,
FTLN 1198 And more above, hath his solicitings,
FTLN 1199 135 As they fell out by time, by means, and place,
FTLN 1200 All given to mine ear.
KING FTLN 1201 But how hath she received his love?
POLONIUS FTLN 1202 What do you think of me?
KING
FTLN 1203 As of a man faithful and honorable.
POLONIUS
FTLN 1204 140 I would fain prove so. But what might you think,
FTLN 1205 When I had seen this hot love on the wing
FTLN 1206 (As I perceived it, I must tell you that,
FTLN 1207 Before my daughter told me), what might you,
FTLN 1208 Or my dear Majesty your queen here, think,
FTLN 1209 145 If I had played the desk or table-book
FTLN 1210 Or given my heart a winking, mute and dumb,
FTLN 1211 Or looked upon this love with idle sight?
FTLN 1212 What might you think? No, I went round to work,
FTLN 1213 And my young mistress thus I did bespeak:
FTLN 1214 150 “Lord Hamlet is a prince, out of thy star.
FTLN 1215 This must not be.” And then I prescripts gave her,
FTLN 1216 That she should lock herself from his resort,
FTLN 1217 Admit no messengers, receive no tokens;
FTLN 1218 Which done, she took the fruits of my advice,
FTLN 1219 155 And he, repelled (a short tale to make),
FTLN 1220 Fell into a sadness, then into a fast,
FTLN 1221 Thence to a watch, thence into a weakness,
FTLN 1222 Thence to a lightness, and, by this declension,
FTLN 1223 Into the madness wherein now he raves
FTLN 1224 160 And all we mourn for.
KING , to Queen FTLN 1225 Do you think ’tis this?

93
Hamlet
ACT 2. SC. 2
QUEEN FTLN 1226 It may be, very like.
POLONIUS
FTLN 1227 Hath there been such a time (I would fain know
FTLN 1228 that)
FTLN 1229 165 That I have positively said “’Tis so,”
FTLN 1230 When it proved otherwise?
KING FTLN 1231 Not that I know.
POLONIUS
FTLN 1232 Take this from this, if this be otherwise.
FTLN 1233 If circumstances lead me, I will find
FTLN 1234 170 Where truth is hid, though it were hid, indeed,
FTLN 1235 Within the center.
KING FTLN 1236 How may we try it further?
POLONIUS
FTLN 1237 You know sometimes he walks four hours together
FTLN 1238 Here in the lobby.
QUEEN FTLN 1239 175 So he does indeed.
POLONIUS
FTLN 1240 At such a time I’ll loose my daughter to him.
FTLN 1241 To the King. Be you and I behind an arras then.
FTLN 1242 Mark the encounter. If he love her not,
FTLN 1243 And be not from his reason fall’n thereon,
FTLN 1244 180 Let me be no assistant for a state,
FTLN 1245 But keep a farm and carters.
KING FTLN 1246 We will try it.
Enter Hamlet reading on a book.
QUEEN
FTLN 1247 But look where sadly the poor wretch comes
FTLN 1248 reading.
POLONIUS
FTLN 1249 185 Away, I do beseech you both, away.
FTLN 1250 I’ll board him presently. O, give me leave.
King and Queen exit with Attendants.
FTLN 1251 How does my good Lord Hamlet?
HAMLET FTLN 1252 Well, God-a-mercy.

95
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POLONIUS FTLN 1253 Do you know me, my lord?
HAMLET FTLN 1254 190 Excellent well. You are a fishmonger.
POLONIUS FTLN 1255 Not I, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 1256 Then I would you were so honest a man.
POLONIUS FTLN 1257 Honest, my lord?
HAMLET FTLN 1258 Ay, sir. To be honest, as this world goes, is to
FTLN 1259 195 be one man picked out of ten thousand.
POLONIUS FTLN 1260 That’s very true, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 1261 For if the sun breed maggots in a dead
FTLN 1262 dog, being a good kissing carrion—Have you a
FTLN 1263 daughter?
POLONIUS FTLN 1264 200 I have, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 1265 Let her not walk i’ th’ sun. Conception is a
FTLN 1266 blessing, but, as your daughter may conceive,
FTLN 1267 friend, look to ’t.
POLONIUS , aside FTLN 1268 How say you by that? Still harping on
FTLN 1269 205 my daughter. Yet he knew me not at first; he said I
FTLN 1270 was a fishmonger. He is far gone. And truly, in my
FTLN 1271 youth, I suffered much extremity for love, very near
FTLN 1272 this. I’ll speak to him again.—What do you read, my
FTLN 1273 lord?
HAMLET FTLN 1274 210 Words, words, words.
POLONIUS FTLN 1275 What is the matter, my lord?
HAMLET FTLN 1276 Between who?
POLONIUS FTLN 1277 I mean the matter that you read, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 1278 Slanders, sir; for the satirical rogue says here
FTLN 1279 215 that old men have gray beards, that their faces are
FTLN 1280 wrinkled, their eyes purging thick amber and
FTLN 1281 plum-tree gum, and that they have a plentiful lack of
FTLN 1282 wit, together with most weak hams; all which, sir,
FTLN 1283 though I most powerfully and potently believe, yet I
FTLN 1284 220 hold it not honesty to have it thus set down; for
FTLN 1285 yourself, sir, shall grow old as I am, if, like a crab,
FTLN 1286 you could go backward.
POLONIUS , aside FTLN 1287 Though this be madness, yet there is
FTLN 1288 method in ’t.—Will you walk out of the air, my lord?

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HAMLET FTLN 1289 225 Into my grave?
POLONIUS FTLN 1290 Indeed, that’s out of the air. Aside. How
FTLN 1291 pregnant sometimes his replies are! A happiness
FTLN 1292 that often madness hits on, which reason and
FTLN 1293 sanity could not so prosperously be delivered of. I
FTLN 1294 230 will leave him and suddenly contrive the means of
FTLN 1295 meeting between him and my daughter.—My lord,
FTLN 1296 I will take my leave of you.
HAMLET FTLN 1297 You cannot, sir, take from me anything that I
FTLN 1298 will more willingly part withal—except my life,
FTLN 1299 235 except my life, except my life.
POLONIUS FTLN 1300 Fare you well, my lord.
HAMLET , aside FTLN 1301 These tedious old fools.
Enter Guildenstern and Rosencrantz.
POLONIUS FTLN 1302 You go to seek the Lord Hamlet. There he is.
ROSENCRANTZ , to Polonius FTLN 1303 God save you, sir.
Polonius exits.
GUILDENSTERN FTLN 1304 240 My honored lord.
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1305 My most dear lord.
HAMLET FTLN 1306 My excellent good friends! How dost thou,
FTLN 1307 Guildenstern? Ah, Rosencrantz! Good lads, how do
FTLN 1308 you both?
ROSENCRANTZ
FTLN 1309 245 As the indifferent children of the earth.
GUILDENSTERN
FTLN 1310 Happy in that we are not overhappy.
FTLN 1311 On Fortune’s cap, we are not the very button.
HAMLET FTLN 1312 Nor the soles of her shoe?
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1313 Neither, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 1314 250 Then you live about her waist, or in the
FTLN 1315 middle of her favors?
GUILDENSTERN FTLN 1316 Faith, her privates we.
HAMLET FTLN 1317 In the secret parts of Fortune? O, most true!
FTLN 1318 She is a strumpet. What news?
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1319 255 None, my lord, but that the world’s
FTLN 1320 grown honest.

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ACT 2. SC. 2
HAMLET FTLN 1321 Then is doomsday near. But your news is not
FTLN 1322 true. Let me question more in particular. What
FTLN 1323 have you, my good friends, deserved at the hands of
FTLN 1324 260 Fortune that she sends you to prison hither?
GUILDENSTERN FTLN 1325 Prison, my lord?
HAMLET FTLN 1326 Denmark’s a prison.
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1327 Then is the world one.
HAMLET FTLN 1328 A goodly one, in which there are many confines,
FTLN 1329 265 wards, and dungeons, Denmark being one o’
FTLN 1330 th’ worst.
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1331 We think not so, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 1332 Why, then, ’tis none to you, for there is
FTLN 1333 nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it
FTLN 1334 270 so. To me, it is a prison.
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1335 Why, then, your ambition makes it one.
FTLN 1336 ’Tis too narrow for your mind.
HAMLET FTLN 1337 O God, I could be bounded in a nutshell and
FTLN 1338 count myself a king of infinite space, were it not
FTLN 1339 275 that I have bad dreams.
GUILDENSTERN FTLN 1340 Which dreams, indeed, are ambition,
FTLN 1341 for the very substance of the ambitious is merely
FTLN 1342 the shadow of a dream.
HAMLET FTLN 1343 A dream itself is but a shadow.
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1344 280 Truly, and I hold ambition of so airy
FTLN 1345 and light a quality that it is but a shadow’s shadow.
HAMLET FTLN 1346 Then are our beggars bodies, and our monarchs
FTLN 1347 and outstretched heroes the beggars’ shadows.
FTLN 1348 Shall we to th’ court? For, by my fay, I cannot
FTLN 1349 285 reason.
ROSENCRANTZ/GUILDENSTERN FTLN 1350 We’ll wait upon you.
HAMLET FTLN 1351 No such matter. I will not sort you with the
FTLN 1352 rest of my servants, for, to speak to you like an
FTLN 1353 honest man, I am most dreadfully attended. But,
FTLN 1354 290 in the beaten way of friendship, what make you at
FTLN 1355 Elsinore?
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1356 To visit you, my lord, no other occasion.

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HAMLET FTLN 1357 Beggar that I am, I am even poor in thanks;
FTLN 1358 but I thank you, and sure, dear friends, my thanks
FTLN 1359 295 are too dear a halfpenny. Were you not sent for?
FTLN 1360 Is it your own inclining? Is it a free visitation?
FTLN 1361 Come, come, deal justly with me. Come, come; nay,
FTLN 1362 speak.
GUILDENSTERN FTLN 1363 What should we say, my lord?
HAMLET FTLN 1364 300 Anything but to th’ purpose. You were sent
FTLN 1365 for, and there is a kind of confession in your looks
FTLN 1366 which your modesties have not craft enough to
FTLN 1367 color. I know the good king and queen have sent for
FTLN 1368 you.
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1369 305 To what end, my lord?
HAMLET FTLN 1370 That you must teach me. But let me conjure
FTLN 1371 you by the rights of our fellowship, by the consonancy
FTLN 1372 of our youth, by the obligation of our ever-preserved
FTLN 1373 love, and by what more dear a better
FTLN 1374 310 proposer can charge you withal: be even and direct
FTLN 1375 with me whether you were sent for or no.
ROSENCRANTZ , to Guildenstern FTLN 1376 What say you?
HAMLET , aside FTLN 1377 Nay, then, I have an eye of you.—If
FTLN 1378 you love me, hold not off.
GUILDENSTERN FTLN 1379 315 My lord, we were sent for.
HAMLET FTLN 1380 I will tell you why; so shall my anticipation
FTLN 1381 prevent your discovery, and your secrecy to the
FTLN 1382 King and Queen molt no feather. I have of late, but
FTLN 1383 wherefore I know not, lost all my mirth, forgone all
FTLN 1384 320 custom of exercises, and, indeed, it goes so heavily
FTLN 1385 with my disposition that this goodly frame, the
FTLN 1386 Earth, seems to me a sterile promontory; this most
FTLN 1387 excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave o’erhanging
FTLN 1388 firmament, this majestical roof, fretted
FTLN 1389 325 with golden fire—why, it appeareth nothing to me
FTLN 1390 but a foul and pestilent congregation of vapors.
FTLN 1391 What a piece of work is a man, how noble in
FTLN 1392 reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving

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ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 1393 how express and admirable; in action how like
FTLN 1394 330 an angel, in apprehension how like a god: the
FTLN 1395 beauty of the world, the paragon of animals—and
FTLN 1396 yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust? Man
FTLN 1397 delights not me, no, nor women neither, though by
FTLN 1398 your smiling you seem to say so.
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1399 335 My lord, there was no such stuff in my
FTLN 1400 thoughts.
HAMLET FTLN 1401 Why did you laugh, then, when I said “man
FTLN 1402 delights not me”?
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1403 To think, my lord, if you delight not in
FTLN 1404 340 man, what Lenten entertainment the players shall
FTLN 1405 receive from you. We coted them on the way, and
FTLN 1406 hither are they coming to offer you service.
HAMLET FTLN 1407 He that plays the king shall be welcome—his
FTLN 1408 Majesty shall have tribute on me. The adventurous
FTLN 1409 345 knight shall use his foil and target, the lover shall
FTLN 1410 not sigh gratis, the humorous man shall end his
FTLN 1411 part in peace, the clown shall make those laugh
FTLN 1412 whose lungs are tickle o’ th’ sear, and the lady
FTLN 1413 shall say her mind freely, or the blank verse shall
FTLN 1414 350 halt for ’t. What players are they?
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1415 Even those you were wont to take such
FTLN 1416 delight in, the tragedians of the city.
HAMLET FTLN 1417 How chances it they travel? Their residence,
FTLN 1418 both in reputation and profit, was better both ways.
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1419 355 I think their inhibition comes by the
FTLN 1420 means of the late innovation.
HAMLET FTLN 1421 Do they hold the same estimation they did
FTLN 1422 when I was in the city? Are they so followed?
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1423 No, indeed are they not.
HAMLET FTLN 1424 360 How comes it? Do they grow rusty?
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1425 Nay, their endeavor keeps in the wonted
FTLN 1426 pace. But there is, sir, an aerie of children, little
FTLN 1427 eyases, that cry out on the top of question and are
FTLN 1428 most tyrannically clapped for ’t. These are now the

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ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 1429 365 fashion and so berattle the common stages (so
FTLN 1430 they call them) that many wearing rapiers are afraid
FTLN 1431 of goose quills and dare scarce come thither.
HAMLET FTLN 1432 What, are they children? Who maintains ’em?
FTLN 1433 How are they escoted? Will they pursue the quality
FTLN 1434 370 no longer than they can sing? Will they not say
FTLN 1435 afterwards, if they should grow themselves to common
FTLN 1436 players (as it is most like, if their means are
FTLN 1437 no better), their writers do them wrong to make
FTLN 1438 them exclaim against their own succession?
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1439 375 Faith, there has been much to-do on
FTLN 1440 both sides, and the nation holds it no sin to tar
FTLN 1441 them to controversy. There was for a while no
FTLN 1442 money bid for argument unless the poet and the
FTLN 1443 player went to cuffs in the question.
HAMLET FTLN 1444 380 Is ’t possible?
GUILDENSTERN FTLN 1445 O, there has been much throwing
FTLN 1446 about of brains.
HAMLET FTLN 1447 Do the boys carry it away?
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1448 Ay, that they do, my lord—Hercules
FTLN 1449 385 and his load too.
HAMLET FTLN 1450 It is not very strange; for my uncle is King of
FTLN 1451 Denmark, and those that would make mouths at
FTLN 1452 him while my father lived give twenty, forty, fifty,
FTLN 1453 a hundred ducats apiece for his picture in little.
FTLN 1454 390 ’Sblood, there is something in this more than natural,
FTLN 1455 if philosophy could find it out.
A flourish for the Players.
GUILDENSTERN FTLN 1456 There are the players.
HAMLET FTLN 1457 Gentlemen, you are welcome to Elsinore.
FTLN 1458 Your hands, come then. Th’ appurtenance of welcome
FTLN 1459 395 is fashion and ceremony. Let me comply
FTLN 1460 with you in this garb, lest my extent to the players,
FTLN 1461 which, I tell you, must show fairly outwards, should
FTLN 1462 more appear like entertainment than yours. You are
FTLN 1463 welcome. But my uncle-father and aunt-mother are
FTLN 1464 400 deceived.

107
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ACT 2. SC. 2
GUILDENSTERN FTLN 1465 In what, my dear lord?
HAMLET FTLN 1466 I am but mad north-north-west. When the
FTLN 1467 wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw.
Enter Polonius.
POLONIUS FTLN 1468 Well be with you, gentlemen.
HAMLET FTLN 1469 405 Hark you, Guildenstern, and you too—at
FTLN 1470 each ear a hearer! That great baby you see there is
FTLN 1471 not yet out of his swaddling clouts.
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1472 Haply he is the second time come to
FTLN 1473 them, for they say an old man is twice a child.
HAMLET FTLN 1474 410 I will prophesy he comes to tell me of the
FTLN 1475 players; mark it.—You say right, sir, a Monday
FTLN 1476 morning, ’twas then indeed.
POLONIUS FTLN 1477 My lord, I have news to tell you.
HAMLET FTLN 1478 My lord, I have news to tell you: when Roscius
FTLN 1479 415 was an actor in Rome—
POLONIUS FTLN 1480 The actors are come hither, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 1481 Buzz, buzz.
POLONIUS FTLN 1482 Upon my honor—
HAMLET FTLN 1483 Then came each actor on his ass.
POLONIUS FTLN 1484 420 The best actors in the world, either for
FTLN 1485 tragedy, comedy, history, pastoral, pastoral-comical,
FTLN 1486 historical-pastoral, tragical-historical,
FTLN 1487 tragical-comical-historical-pastoral, scene individable, or
FTLN 1488 poem unlimited. Seneca cannot be too heavy, nor
FTLN 1489 425 Plautus too light. For the law of writ and the liberty,
FTLN 1490 these are the only men.
HAMLET FTLN 1491 O Jephthah, judge of Israel, what a treasure
FTLN 1492 hadst thou!
POLONIUS FTLN 1493 What a treasure had he, my lord?
HAMLET FTLN 1494 430 Why,
FTLN 1495 One fair daughter, and no more,
FTLN 1496 The which he lovèd passing well.
POLONIUS , aside FTLN 1497 Still on my daughter.
HAMLET FTLN 1498 Am I not i’ th’ right, old Jephthah?

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ACT 2. SC. 2
POLONIUS FTLN 1499 435 If you call me “Jephthah,” my lord: I have a
FTLN 1500 daughter that I love passing well.
HAMLET FTLN 1501 Nay, that follows not.
POLONIUS FTLN 1502 What follows then, my lord?
HAMLET FTLN 1503 Why,
FTLN 1504 440 As by lot, God wot
FTLN 1505 and then, you know,
FTLN 1506 It came to pass, as most like it was—
FTLN 1507 the first row of the pious chanson will show you
FTLN 1508 more, for look where my abridgment comes.
Enter the Players.
FTLN 1509 445 You are welcome, masters; welcome all.—I am glad
FTLN 1510 to see thee well.—Welcome, good friends.—O my
FTLN 1511 old friend! Why, thy face is valanced since I saw thee
FTLN 1512 last. Com’st thou to beard me in Denmark?—What,
FTLN 1513 my young lady and mistress! By ’r Lady, your Ladyship
FTLN 1514 450 is nearer to heaven than when I saw you last, by
FTLN 1515 the altitude of a chopine. Pray God your voice, like a
FTLN 1516 piece of uncurrent gold, be not cracked within the
FTLN 1517 ring. Masters, you are all welcome. We’ll e’en to ’t
FTLN 1518 like French falconers, fly at anything we see. We’ll
FTLN 1519 455 have a speech straight. Come, give us a taste of your
FTLN 1520 quality. Come, a passionate speech.
FIRST PLAYER FTLN 1521 What speech, my good lord?
HAMLET FTLN 1522 I heard thee speak me a speech once, but it
FTLN 1523 was never acted, or, if it was, not above once; for
FTLN 1524 460 the play, I remember, pleased not the million:
FTLN 1525 ’twas caviary to the general. But it was (as I
FTLN 1526 received it, and others whose judgments in such
FTLN 1527 matters cried in the top of mine) an excellent play,
FTLN 1528 well digested in the scenes, set down with as much
FTLN 1529 465 modesty as cunning. I remember one said there
FTLN 1530 were no sallets in the lines to make the matter
FTLN 1531 savory, nor no matter in the phrase that might indict
FTLN 1532 the author of affection, but called it an honest

111
Hamlet
ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 1533 method, as wholesome as sweet and, by very much,
FTLN 1534 470 more handsome than fine. One speech in ’t I
FTLN 1535 chiefly loved. ’Twas Aeneas’ tale to Dido, and
FTLN 1536 thereabout of it especially when he speaks of
FTLN 1537 Priam’s slaughter. If it live in your memory, begin at
FTLN 1538 this line—let me see, let me see:
FTLN 1539 475 The rugged Pyrrhus, like th’ Hyrcanian beast—
FTLN 1540 ’tis not so; it begins with Pyrrhus:
FTLN 1541 The rugged Pyrrhus, he whose sable arms,
FTLN 1542 Black as his purpose, did the night resemble
FTLN 1543 When he lay couchèd in th’ ominous horse,
FTLN 1544 480 Hath now this dread and black complexion smeared
FTLN 1545 With heraldry more dismal. Head to foot,
FTLN 1546 Now is he total gules, horridly tricked
FTLN 1547 With blood of fathers, mothers, daughters, sons,
FTLN 1548 Baked and impasted with the parching streets,
FTLN 1549 485 That lend a tyrannous and a damnèd light
FTLN 1550 To their lord’s murder. Roasted in wrath and fire,
FTLN 1551 And thus o’ersizèd with coagulate gore,
FTLN 1552 With eyes like carbuncles, the hellish Pyrrhus
FTLN 1553 Old grandsire Priam seeks.
FTLN 1554 490 So, proceed you.
POLONIUS FTLN 1555’Fore God, my lord, well spoken, with good
FTLN 1556 accent and good discretion.
FIRST PLAYER FTLN 1557 Anon he finds him
FTLN 1558 Striking too short at Greeks. His antique sword,
FTLN 1559 495 Rebellious to his arm, lies where it falls,
FTLN 1560 Repugnant to command. Unequal matched,
FTLN 1561 Pyrrhus at Priam drives, in rage strikes wide;
FTLN 1562 But with the whiff and wind of his fell sword
FTLN 1563 Th’ unnervèd father falls. Then senseless Ilium,
FTLN 1564 500 Seeming to feel this blow, with flaming top
FTLN 1565 Stoops to his base, and with a hideous crash
FTLN 1566 Takes prisoner Pyrrhus’ ear. For lo, his sword,
FTLN 1567 Which was declining on the milky head
FTLN 1568 Of reverend Priam, seemed i’ th’ air to stick.

113
Hamlet
ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 1569 505 So as a painted tyrant Pyrrhus stood
FTLN 1570 And, like a neutral to his will and matter,
FTLN 1571 Did nothing.
FTLN 1572 But as we often see against some storm
FTLN 1573 A silence in the heavens, the rack stand still,
FTLN 1574 510 The bold winds speechless, and the orb below
FTLN 1575 As hush as death, anon the dreadful thunder
FTLN 1576 Doth rend the region; so, after Pyrrhus’ pause,
FTLN 1577 Arousèd vengeance sets him new a-work,
FTLN 1578 And never did the Cyclops’ hammers fall
FTLN 1579 515 On Mars’s armor, forged for proof eterne,
FTLN 1580 With less remorse than Pyrrhus’ bleeding sword
FTLN 1581 Now falls on Priam.
FTLN 1582 Out, out, thou strumpet Fortune! All you gods
FTLN 1583 In general synod take away her power,
FTLN 1584 520 Break all the spokes and fellies from her wheel,
FTLN 1585 And bowl the round nave down the hill of heaven
FTLN 1586 As low as to the fiends!
POLONIUS FTLN 1587 This is too long.
HAMLET FTLN 1588 It shall to the barber’s with your beard.—
FTLN 1589 525 Prithee say on. He’s for a jig or a tale of bawdry, or
FTLN 1590 he sleeps. Say on; come to Hecuba.
FIRST PLAYER
FTLN 1591 But who, ah woe, had seen the moblèd queen—
HAMLET FTLN 1592“The moblèd queen”?
POLONIUS FTLN 1593 That’s good. “Moblèd queen” is good.
FIRST PLAYER
FTLN 1594 530 Run barefoot up and down, threat’ning the flames
FTLN 1595 With bisson rheum, a clout upon that head
FTLN 1596 Where late the diadem stood, and for a robe,
FTLN 1597 About her lank and all o’erteemèd loins
FTLN 1598 A blanket, in the alarm of fear caught up—
FTLN 1599 535 Who this had seen, with tongue in venom steeped,
FTLN 1600 ’Gainst Fortune’s state would treason have
FTLN 1601 pronounced.
FTLN 1602 But if the gods themselves did see her then

115
Hamlet
ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 1603 When she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport
FTLN 1604 540 In mincing with his sword her husband’s limbs,
FTLN 1605 The instant burst of clamor that she made
FTLN 1606 (Unless things mortal move them not at all)
FTLN 1607 Would have made milch the burning eyes of heaven
FTLN 1608 And passion in the gods.
POLONIUS FTLN 1609 545 Look whe’er he has not turned his color and
FTLN 1610 has tears in ’s eyes. Prithee, no more.
HAMLET FTLN 1611’Tis well. I’ll have thee speak out the rest of
FTLN 1612 this soon.—Good my lord, will you see the players
FTLN 1613 well bestowed? Do you hear, let them be well used,
FTLN 1614 550 for they are the abstract and brief chronicles of the
FTLN 1615 time. After your death you were better have a bad
FTLN 1616 epitaph than their ill report while you live.
POLONIUS FTLN 1617 My lord, I will use them according to their
FTLN 1618 desert.
HAMLET FTLN 1619 555 God’s bodykins, man, much better! Use every
FTLN 1620 man after his desert and who shall ’scape
FTLN 1621 whipping? Use them after your own honor and
FTLN 1622 dignity. The less they deserve, the more merit is in
FTLN 1623 your bounty. Take them in.
POLONIUS FTLN 1624 560 Come, sirs.
HAMLET FTLN 1625 Follow him, friends. We’ll hear a play
FTLN 1626 tomorrow. As Polonius and Players exit, Hamlet speaks to
the First Player. FTLN 1627 Dost thou hear me, old friend? Can
FTLN 1628 you play “The Murder of Gonzago”?
FIRST PLAYER FTLN 1629 565 Ay, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 1630 We’ll ha ’t tomorrow night. You could, for a
FTLN 1631 need, study a speech of some dozen or sixteen
FTLN 1632 lines, which I would set down and insert in ’t,
FTLN 1633 could you not?
FIRST PLAYER FTLN 1634 570 Ay, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 1635 Very well. Follow that lord—and look you
FTLN 1636 mock him not. First Player exits. My good friends,
FTLN 1637 I’ll leave you till night. You are welcome to Elsinore.
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1638 Good my lord.

117
Hamlet
ACT 2. SC. 2
HAMLET
FTLN 1639 575 Ay, so, good-bye to you.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern exit.
FTLN 1640 Now I am alone.
FTLN 1641 O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!
FTLN 1642 Is it not monstrous that this player here,
FTLN 1643 But in a fiction, in a dream of passion,
FTLN 1644 580 Could force his soul so to his own conceit
FTLN 1645 That from her working all his visage wanned,
FTLN 1646 Tears in his eyes, distraction in his aspect,
FTLN 1647 A broken voice, and his whole function suiting
FTLN 1648 With forms to his conceit—and all for nothing!
FTLN 1649 585 For Hecuba!
FTLN 1650 What’s Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba,
FTLN 1651 That he should weep for her? What would he do
FTLN 1652 Had he the motive and the cue for passion
FTLN 1653 That I have? He would drown the stage with tears
FTLN 1654 590 And cleave the general ear with horrid speech,
FTLN 1655 Make mad the guilty and appall the free,
FTLN 1656 Confound the ignorant and amaze indeed
FTLN 1657 The very faculties of eyes and ears. Yet I,
FTLN 1658 A dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peak
FTLN 1659 595 Like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause,
FTLN 1660 And can say nothing—no, not for a king
FTLN 1661 Upon whose property and most dear life
FTLN 1662 A damned defeat was made. Am I a coward?
FTLN 1663 Who calls me “villain”? breaks my pate across?
FTLN 1664 600 Plucks off my beard and blows it in my face?
FTLN 1665 Tweaks me by the nose? gives me the lie i’ th’ throat
FTLN 1666 As deep as to the lungs? Who does me this?
FTLN 1667 Ha! ’Swounds, I should take it! For it cannot be
FTLN 1668 But I am pigeon-livered and lack gall
FTLN 1669 605 To make oppression bitter, or ere this
FTLN 1670 I should have fatted all the region kites
FTLN 1671 With this slave’s offal. Bloody, bawdy villain!
FTLN 1672 Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless
FTLN 1673 villain!

119
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ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 1674 610 O vengeance!
FTLN 1675 Why, what an ass am I! This is most brave,
FTLN 1676 That I, the son of a dear father murdered,
FTLN 1677 Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell,
FTLN 1678 Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words
FTLN 1679 615 And fall a-cursing like a very drab,
FTLN 1680 A stallion! Fie upon ’t! Foh!
FTLN 1681 About, my brains!—Hum, I have heard
FTLN 1682 That guilty creatures sitting at a play
FTLN 1683 Have, by the very cunning of the scene,
FTLN 1684 620 Been struck so to the soul that presently
FTLN 1685 They have proclaimed their malefactions;
FTLN 1686 For murder, though it have no tongue, will speak
FTLN 1687 With most miraculous organ. I’ll have these players
FTLN 1688 Play something like the murder of my father
FTLN 1689 625 Before mine uncle. I’ll observe his looks;
FTLN 1690 I’ll tent him to the quick. If he do blench,
FTLN 1691 I know my course. The spirit that I have seen
FTLN 1692 May be a devil, and the devil hath power
FTLN 1693 T’ assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps,
FTLN 1694 630 Out of my weakness and my melancholy,
FTLN 1695 As he is very potent with such spirits,
FTLN 1696 Abuses me to damn me. I’ll have grounds
FTLN 1697 More relative than this. The play’s the thing
FTLN 1698 Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the King.
He exits.

ACT 3
Scene 1
Enter King, Queen, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz,
Guildenstern, and Lords.
KING
FTLN 1699 And can you by no drift of conference
FTLN 1700 Get from him why he puts on this confusion,
FTLN 1701 Grating so harshly all his days of quiet
FTLN 1702 With turbulent and dangerous lunacy?
ROSENCRANTZ
FTLN 1703 5 He does confess he feels himself distracted,
FTLN 1704 But from what cause he will by no means speak.
GUILDENSTERN
FTLN 1705 Nor do we find him forward to be sounded,
FTLN 1706 But with a crafty madness keeps aloof
FTLN 1707 When we would bring him on to some confession
FTLN 1708 10 Of his true state.
QUEEN FTLN 1709 Did he receive you well?
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1710 Most like a gentleman.
GUILDENSTERN
FTLN 1711 But with much forcing of his disposition.
ROSENCRANTZ
FTLN 1712 Niggard of question, but of our demands
FTLN 1713 15 Most free in his reply.
QUEEN FTLN 1714 Did you assay him to any pastime?
ROSENCRANTZ
FTLN 1715 Madam, it so fell out that certain players
123

125
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 1
FTLN 1716 We o’erraught on the way. Of these we told him,
FTLN 1717 And there did seem in him a kind of joy
FTLN 1718 20 To hear of it. They are here about the court,
FTLN 1719 And, as I think, they have already order
FTLN 1720 This night to play before him.
POLONIUS FTLN 1721 ’Tis most true,
FTLN 1722 And he beseeched me to entreat your Majesties
FTLN 1723 25 To hear and see the matter.
KING
FTLN 1724 With all my heart, and it doth much content me
FTLN 1725 To hear him so inclined.
FTLN 1726 Good gentlemen, give him a further edge
FTLN 1727 And drive his purpose into these delights.
ROSENCRANTZ
FTLN 1728 30 We shall, my lord. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
and Lords exit.
KING FTLN 1729 Sweet Gertrude, leave us too,
FTLN 1730 For we have closely sent for Hamlet hither,
FTLN 1731 That he, as ’twere by accident, may here
FTLN 1732 Affront Ophelia.
FTLN 1733 35 Her father and myself, lawful espials,
FTLN 1734 Will so bestow ourselves that, seeing unseen,
FTLN 1735 We may of their encounter frankly judge
FTLN 1736 And gather by him, as he is behaved,
FTLN 1737 If ’t be th’ affliction of his love or no
FTLN 1738 40 That thus he suffers for.
QUEEN FTLN 1739 I shall obey you.
FTLN 1740 And for your part, Ophelia, I do wish
FTLN 1741 That your good beauties be the happy cause
FTLN 1742 Of Hamlet’s wildness. So shall I hope your virtues
FTLN 1743 45 Will bring him to his wonted way again,
FTLN 1744 To both your honors.
OPHELIA FTLN 1745 Madam, I wish it may.
Queen exits.
POLONIUS
FTLN 1746 Ophelia, walk you here.—Gracious, so please you,

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Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 1
FTLN 1747 We will bestow ourselves. To Ophelia. Read on this
FTLN 1748 50 book,
FTLN 1749 That show of such an exercise may color
FTLN 1750 Your loneliness.—We are oft to blame in this
FTLN 1751 (’Tis too much proved), that with devotion’s visage
FTLN 1752 And pious action we do sugar o’er
FTLN 1753 55 The devil himself.
KING , aside FTLN 1754 O, ’tis too true!
FTLN 1755 How smart a lash that speech doth give my
FTLN 1756 conscience.
FTLN 1757 The harlot’s cheek beautied with plast’ring art
FTLN 1758 60 Is not more ugly to the thing that helps it
FTLN 1759 Than is my deed to my most painted word.
FTLN 1760 O heavy burden!
POLONIUS
FTLN 1761 I hear him coming. Let’s withdraw, my lord.
They withdraw.
Enter Hamlet.
HAMLET
FTLN 1762 To be or not to be—that is the question:
FTLN 1763 65 Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
FTLN 1764 The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
FTLN 1765 Or to take arms against a sea of troubles
FTLN 1766 And, by opposing, end them. To die, to sleep—
FTLN 1767 No more—and by a sleep to say we end
FTLN 1768 70 The heartache and the thousand natural shocks
FTLN 1769 That flesh is heir to—’tis a consummation
FTLN 1770 Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep—
FTLN 1771 To sleep, perchance to dream. Ay, there’s the rub,
FTLN 1772 For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,
FTLN 1773 75 When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
FTLN 1774 Must give us pause. There’s the respect
FTLN 1775 That makes calamity of so long life.
FTLN 1776 For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
FTLN 1777 Th’ oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely,

129
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 1
FTLN 1778 80 The pangs of despised love, the law’s delay,
FTLN 1779 The insolence of office, and the spurns
FTLN 1780 That patient merit of th’ unworthy takes,
FTLN 1781 When he himself might his quietus make
FTLN 1782 With a bare bodkin? Who would fardels bear,
FTLN 1783 85 To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
FTLN 1784 But that the dread of something after death,
FTLN 1785 The undiscovered country from whose bourn
FTLN 1786 No traveler returns, puzzles the will
FTLN 1787 And makes us rather bear those ills we have
FTLN 1788 90 Than fly to others that we know not of?
FTLN 1789 Thus conscience does make cowards of us all,
FTLN 1790 And thus the native hue of resolution
FTLN 1791 Is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought,
FTLN 1792 And enterprises of great pitch and moment
FTLN 1793 95 With this regard their currents turn awry
FTLN 1794 And lose the name of action.—Soft you now,
FTLN 1795 The fair Ophelia.—Nymph, in thy orisons
FTLN 1796 Be all my sins remembered.
OPHELIA FTLN 1797 Good my lord,
FTLN 1798 100 How does your Honor for this many a day?
HAMLET FTLN 1799 I humbly thank you, well.
OPHELIA
FTLN 1800 My lord, I have remembrances of yours
FTLN 1801 That I have longèd long to redeliver.
FTLN 1802 I pray you now receive them.
HAMLET
FTLN 1803 105 No, not I. I never gave you aught.
OPHELIA
FTLN 1804 My honored lord, you know right well you did,
FTLN 1805 And with them words of so sweet breath composed
FTLN 1806 As made the things more rich. Their perfume
FTLN 1807 lost,
FTLN 1808 110 Take these again, for to the noble mind
FTLN 1809 Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind.
FTLN 1810 There, my lord.

131
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 1
HAMLET FTLN 1811 Ha, ha, are you honest?
OPHELIA FTLN 1812 My lord?
HAMLET FTLN 1813 115 Are you fair?
OPHELIA FTLN 1814 What means your Lordship?
HAMLET FTLN 1815 That if you be honest and fair, your honesty
FTLN 1816 should admit no discourse to your beauty.
OPHELIA FTLN 1817 Could beauty, my lord, have better commerce
FTLN 1818 120 than with honesty?
HAMLET FTLN 1819 Ay, truly, for the power of beauty will sooner
FTLN 1820 transform honesty from what it is to a bawd than
FTLN 1821 the force of honesty can translate beauty into his
FTLN 1822 likeness. This was sometime a paradox, but now
FTLN 1823 125 the time gives it proof. I did love you once.
OPHELIA FTLN 1824 Indeed, my lord, you made me believe so.
HAMLET FTLN 1825 You should not have believed me, for virtue
FTLN 1826 cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall
FTLN 1827 relish of it. I loved you not.
OPHELIA FTLN 1828 130 I was the more deceived.
HAMLET FTLN 1829 Get thee to a nunnery. Why wouldst thou be
FTLN 1830 a breeder of sinners? I am myself indifferent honest,
FTLN 1831 but yet I could accuse me of such things that it
FTLN 1832 were better my mother had not borne me: I am
FTLN 1833 135 very proud, revengeful, ambitious, with more offenses
FTLN 1834 at my beck than I have thoughts to put them
FTLN 1835 in, imagination to give them shape, or time to act
FTLN 1836 them in. What should such fellows as I do crawling
FTLN 1837 between earth and heaven? We are arrant knaves
FTLN 1838 140 all; believe none of us. Go thy ways to a nunnery.
FTLN 1839 Where’s your father?
OPHELIA FTLN 1840 At home, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 1841 Let the doors be shut upon him that he may
FTLN 1842 play the fool nowhere but in ’s own house. Farewell.
OPHELIA FTLN 1843 145 O, help him, you sweet heavens!
HAMLET FTLN 1844 If thou dost marry, I’ll give thee this plague
FTLN 1845 for thy dowry: be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as
FTLN 1846 snow, thou shalt not escape calumny. Get thee to a

133
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 1
FTLN 1847 nunnery, farewell. Or if thou wilt needs marry,
FTLN 1848 150 marry a fool, for wise men know well enough what
FTLN 1849 monsters you make of them. To a nunnery, go, and
FTLN 1850 quickly too. Farewell.
OPHELIA FTLN 1851 Heavenly powers, restore him!
HAMLET FTLN 1852 I have heard of your paintings too, well
FTLN 1853 155 enough. God hath given you one face, and you
FTLN 1854 make yourselves another. You jig and amble, and
FTLN 1855 you lisp; you nickname God’s creatures and make
FTLN 1856 your wantonness your ignorance. Go to, I’ll no
FTLN 1857 more on ’t. It hath made me mad. I say we will have
FTLN 1858 160 no more marriage. Those that are married already,
FTLN 1859 all but one, shall live. The rest shall keep as they are.
FTLN 1860 To a nunnery, go. He exits.
OPHELIA
FTLN 1861 O, what a noble mind is here o’erthrown!
FTLN 1862 The courtier’s, soldier’s, scholar’s, eye, tongue,
FTLN 1863 165 sword,
FTLN 1864 Th’ expectancy and rose of the fair state,
FTLN 1865 The glass of fashion and the mold of form,
FTLN 1866 Th’ observed of all observers, quite, quite down!
FTLN 1867 And I, of ladies most deject and wretched,
FTLN 1868 170 That sucked the honey of his musicked vows,
FTLN 1869 Now see that noble and most sovereign reason,
FTLN 1870 Like sweet bells jangled, out of time and harsh;
FTLN 1871 That unmatched form and stature of blown youth
FTLN 1872 Blasted with ecstasy. O, woe is me
FTLN 1873 175 T’ have seen what I have seen, see what I see!
KING , advancing with Polonius
FTLN 1874 Love? His affections do not that way tend;
FTLN 1875 Nor what he spake, though it lacked form a little,
FTLN 1876 Was not like madness. There’s something in his soul
FTLN 1877 O’er which his melancholy sits on brood,
FTLN 1878 180 And I do doubt the hatch and the disclose
FTLN 1879 Will be some danger; which for to prevent,
FTLN 1880 I have in quick determination

135
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1881 Thus set it down: he shall with speed to England
FTLN 1882 For the demand of our neglected tribute.
FTLN 1883 185 Haply the seas, and countries different,
FTLN 1884 With variable objects, shall expel
FTLN 1885 This something-settled matter in his heart,
FTLN 1886 Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
FTLN 1887 From fashion of himself. What think you on ’t?
POLONIUS
FTLN 1888 190 It shall do well. But yet do I believe
FTLN 1889 The origin and commencement of his grief
FTLN 1890 Sprung from neglected love.—How now, Ophelia?
FTLN 1891 You need not tell us what Lord Hamlet said;
FTLN 1892 We heard it all.—My lord, do as you please,
FTLN 1893 195 But, if you hold it fit, after the play
FTLN 1894 Let his queen-mother all alone entreat him
FTLN 1895 To show his grief. Let her be round with him;
FTLN 1896 And I’ll be placed, so please you, in the ear
FTLN 1897 Of all their conference. If she find him not,
FTLN 1898 200 To England send him, or confine him where
FTLN 1899 Your wisdom best shall think.
KING FTLN 1900 It shall be so.
FTLN 1901 Madness in great ones must not unwatched go.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Hamlet and three of the Players.
HAMLET FTLN 1902 Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced
FTLN 1903 it to you, trippingly on the tongue; but if you mouth
FTLN 1904 it, as many of our players do, I had as lief the
FTLN 1905 town-crier spoke my lines. Nor do not saw the air
FTLN 1906 5 too much with your hand, thus, but use all gently;
FTLN 1907 for in the very torrent, tempest, and, as I may say,
FTLN 1908 whirlwind of your passion, you must acquire and
FTLN 1909 beget a temperance that may give it smoothness. O,

137
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1910 it offends me to the soul to hear a robustious,
FTLN 1911 10 periwig-pated fellow tear a passion to tatters, to very
FTLN 1912 rags, to split the ears of the groundlings, who for the
FTLN 1913 most part are capable of nothing but inexplicable
FTLN 1914 dumb shows and noise. I would have such a fellow
FTLN 1915 whipped for o’erdoing Termagant. It out-Herods
FTLN 1916 15 Herod. Pray you, avoid it.
PLAYER FTLN 1917 I warrant your Honor.
HAMLET FTLN 1918 Be not too tame neither, but let your own
FTLN 1919 discretion be your tutor. Suit the action to the
FTLN 1920 word, the word to the action, with this special
FTLN 1921 20 observance, that you o’erstep not the modesty of
FTLN 1922 nature. For anything so o’erdone is from the purpose
FTLN 1923 of playing, whose end, both at the first and
FTLN 1924 now, was and is to hold, as ’twere, the mirror up to
FTLN 1925 nature, to show virtue her own feature, scorn her
FTLN 1926 25 own image, and the very age and body of the time
FTLN 1927 his form and pressure. Now this overdone or come
FTLN 1928 tardy off, though it makes the unskillful laugh,
FTLN 1929 cannot but make the judicious grieve, the censure
FTLN 1930 of the which one must in your allowance o’erweigh
FTLN 1931 30 a whole theater of others. O, there be players that I
FTLN 1932 have seen play and heard others praise (and that
FTLN 1933 highly), not to speak it profanely, that, neither
FTLN 1934 having th’ accent of Christians nor the gait of
FTLN 1935 Christian, pagan, nor man, have so strutted and
FTLN 1936 35 bellowed that I have thought some of nature’s
FTLN 1937 journeymen had made men, and not made them
FTLN 1938 well, they imitated humanity so abominably.
PLAYER FTLN 1939 I hope we have reformed that indifferently
FTLN 1940 with us, sir.
HAMLET FTLN 1941 40 O, reform it altogether. And let those that play
FTLN 1942 your clowns speak no more than is set down for
FTLN 1943 them, for there be of them that will themselves
FTLN 1944 laugh, to set on some quantity of barren spectators
FTLN 1945 to laugh too, though in the meantime some necessary

139
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1946 45 question of the play be then to be considered.
FTLN 1947 That’s villainous and shows a most pitiful ambition
FTLN 1948 in the fool that uses it. Go make you ready.
Players exit.
Enter Polonius, Guildenstern, and Rosencrantz.
FTLN 1949 How now, my lord, will the King hear this piece of
FTLN 1950 work?
POLONIUS FTLN 1951 50 And the Queen too, and that presently.
HAMLET FTLN 1952 Bid the players make haste. Polonius exits.
FTLN 1953 Will you two help to hasten them?
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 1954 Ay, my lord. They exit.
HAMLET FTLN 1955 What ho, Horatio!
Enter Horatio.
HORATIO FTLN 1956 55 Here, sweet lord, at your service.
HAMLET
FTLN 1957 Horatio, thou art e’en as just a man
FTLN 1958 As e’er my conversation coped withal.
HORATIO
FTLN 1959 O, my dear lord—
HAMLET FTLN 1960 Nay, do not think I flatter,
FTLN 1961 60 For what advancement may I hope from thee
FTLN 1962 That no revenue hast but thy good spirits
FTLN 1963 To feed and clothe thee? Why should the poor be
FTLN 1964 flattered?
FTLN 1965 No, let the candied tongue lick absurd pomp
FTLN 1966 65 And crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
FTLN 1967 Where thrift may follow fawning. Dost thou hear?
FTLN 1968 Since my dear soul was mistress of her choice
FTLN 1969 And could of men distinguish, her election
FTLN 1970 Hath sealed thee for herself. For thou hast been
FTLN 1971 70 As one in suffering all that suffers nothing,
FTLN 1972 A man that Fortune’s buffets and rewards
FTLN 1973 Hast ta’en with equal thanks; and blessed are those
FTLN 1974 Whose blood and judgment are so well
FTLN 1975 commeddled

141
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1976 75 That they are not a pipe for Fortune’s finger
FTLN 1977 To sound what stop she please. Give me that man
FTLN 1978 That is not passion’s slave, and I will wear him
FTLN 1979 In my heart’s core, ay, in my heart of heart,
FTLN 1980 As I do thee.—Something too much of this.—
FTLN 1981 80 There is a play tonight before the King.
FTLN 1982 One scene of it comes near the circumstance
FTLN 1983 Which I have told thee of my father’s death.
FTLN 1984 I prithee, when thou seest that act afoot,
FTLN 1985 Even with the very comment of thy soul
FTLN 1986 85 Observe my uncle. If his occulted guilt
FTLN 1987 Do not itself unkennel in one speech,
FTLN 1988 It is a damnèd ghost that we have seen,
FTLN 1989 And my imaginations are as foul
FTLN 1990 As Vulcan’s stithy. Give him heedful note,
FTLN 1991 90 For I mine eyes will rivet to his face,
FTLN 1992 And, after, we will both our judgments join
FTLN 1993 In censure of his seeming.
HORATIO FTLN 1994 Well, my lord.
FTLN 1995 If he steal aught the whilst this play is playing
FTLN 1996 95 And ’scape detecting, I will pay the theft.
Sound a flourish.
HAMLET FTLN 1997 They are coming to the play. I must be idle.
FTLN 1998 Get you a place.
Enter Trumpets and Kettle Drums. Enter King, Queen,
Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and other
Lords attendant with the King’s guard carrying
torches.
KING FTLN 1999 How fares our cousin Hamlet?
HAMLET FTLN 2000 Excellent, i’ faith, of the chameleon’s dish. I
FTLN 2001 100 eat the air, promise-crammed. You cannot feed
FTLN 2002 capons so.
KING FTLN 2003 I have nothing with this answer, Hamlet. These
FTLN 2004 words are not mine.
HAMLET FTLN 2005 No, nor mine now. To Polonius. My lord, you
FTLN 2006 105 played once i’ th’ university, you say?

143
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 2
POLONIUS FTLN 2007 That did I, my lord, and was accounted a
FTLN 2008 good actor.
HAMLET FTLN 2009 What did you enact?
POLONIUS FTLN 2010 I did enact Julius Caesar. I was killed i’ th’
FTLN 2011 110 Capitol. Brutus killed me.
HAMLET FTLN 2012 It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a
FTLN 2013 calf there.—Be the players ready?
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 2014 Ay, my lord. They stay upon your
FTLN 2015 patience.
QUEEN FTLN 2016 115 Come hither, my dear Hamlet, sit by me.
HAMLET FTLN 2017 No, good mother. Here’s metal more
FTLN 2018 attractive. Hamlet takes a place near Ophelia.
POLONIUS , to the King FTLN 2019 Oh, ho! Do you mark that?
HAMLET FTLN 2020 Lady, shall I lie in your lap?
OPHELIA FTLN 2021 120 No, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 2022 I mean, my head upon your lap?
OPHELIA FTLN 2023 Ay, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 2024 Do you think I meant country matters?
OPHELIA FTLN 2025 I think nothing, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 2026 125 That’s a fair thought to lie between maids’
FTLN 2027 legs.
OPHELIA FTLN 2028 What is, my lord?
HAMLET FTLN 2029 Nothing.
OPHELIA FTLN 2030 You are merry, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 2031 130 Who, I?
OPHELIA FTLN 2032 Ay, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 2033 O God, your only jig-maker. What should a
FTLN 2034 man do but be merry? For look you how cheerfully
FTLN 2035 my mother looks, and my father died within ’s two
FTLN 2036 135 hours.
OPHELIA FTLN 2037 Nay, ’tis twice two months, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 2038 So long? Nay, then, let the devil wear black,
FTLN 2039 for I’ll have a suit of sables. O heavens, die two
FTLN 2040 months ago, and not forgotten yet? Then there’s
FTLN 2041 140 hope a great man’s memory may outlive his life half
FTLN 2042 a year. But, by ’r Lady, he must build churches, then,

145
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 2043 or else shall he suffer not thinking on, with the
FTLN 2044 hobby-horse, whose epitaph is “For oh, for oh, the
FTLN 2045 hobby-horse is forgot.”
The trumpets sounds. Dumb show follows.
FTLN 2046 145 Enter a King and a Queen, very lovingly, the Queen
FTLN 2047 embracing him and he her. She kneels and makes show of
FTLN 2048 protestation unto him. He takes her up and declines his
FTLN 2049 head upon her neck. He lies him down upon a bank of
FTLN 2050 flowers. She, seeing him asleep, leaves him. Anon
FTLN 2051 150 comes in another man, takes off his crown, kisses it, pours
FTLN 2052 poison in the sleeper’s ears, and leaves him. The Queen
FTLN 2053 returns, finds the King dead, makes passionate action. The
FTLN 2054 poisoner with some three or four come in again, seem to
FTLN 2055 condole with her. The dead body is carried away. The
FTLN 2056 155 poisoner woos the Queen with gifts. She seems harsh
FTLN 2057 awhile but in the end accepts his love.
Players exit.
OPHELIA FTLN 2058 What means this, my lord?
HAMLET FTLN 2059 Marry, this is miching mallecho. It means
FTLN 2060 mischief.
OPHELIA FTLN 2061 160 Belike this show imports the argument of the
FTLN 2062 play.
Enter Prologue.
HAMLET FTLN 2063 We shall know by this fellow. The players
FTLN 2064 cannot keep counsel; they’ll tell all.
OPHELIA FTLN 2065 Will he tell us what this show meant?
HAMLET FTLN 2066 165 Ay, or any show that you will show him. Be
FTLN 2067 not you ashamed to show, he’ll not shame to tell you
FTLN 2068 what it means.
OPHELIA FTLN 2069 You are naught, you are naught. I’ll mark the
FTLN 2070 play.
PROLOGUE
FTLN 2071 170 For us and for our tragedy,
FTLN 2072 Here stooping to your clemency,
FTLN 2073 We beg your hearing patiently. He exits.

147
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 2
HAMLET FTLN 2074 Is this a prologue or the posy of a ring?
OPHELIA FTLN 2075’Tis brief, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 2076 175 As woman’s love.
Enter the Player King and Queen.
PLAYER KING
FTLN 2077 Full thirty times hath Phoebus’ cart gone round
FTLN 2078 Neptune’s salt wash and Tellus’ orbèd ground,
FTLN 2079 And thirty dozen moons with borrowed sheen
FTLN 2080 About the world have times twelve thirties been
FTLN 2081 180 Since love our hearts and Hymen did our hands
FTLN 2082 Unite commutual in most sacred bands.
PLAYER QUEEN
FTLN 2083 So many journeys may the sun and moon
FTLN 2084 Make us again count o’er ere love be done!
FTLN 2085 But woe is me! You are so sick of late,
FTLN 2086 185 So far from cheer and from your former state,
FTLN 2087 That I distrust you. Yet, though I distrust,
FTLN 2088 Discomfort you, my lord, it nothing must.
FTLN 2089 For women fear too much, even as they love,
FTLN 2090 And women’s fear and love hold quantity,
FTLN 2091 190 In neither aught, or in extremity.
FTLN 2092 Now what my love is, proof hath made you know,
FTLN 2093 And, as my love is sized, my fear is so:
FTLN 2094 Where love is great, the littlest doubts are fear;
FTLN 2095 Where little fears grow great, great love grows there.
PLAYER KING
FTLN 2096 195 Faith, I must leave thee, love, and shortly too.
FTLN 2097 My operant powers their functions leave to do.
FTLN 2098 And thou shall live in this fair world behind,
FTLN 2099 Honored, beloved; and haply one as kind
FTLN 2100 For husband shalt thou—
PLAYER QUEEN FTLN 2101 200 O, confound the rest!
FTLN 2102 Such love must needs be treason in my breast.
FTLN 2103 In second husband let me be accurst.
FTLN 2104 None wed the second but who killed the first.

149
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 2
HAMLET FTLN 2105 That’s wormwood!
PLAYER QUEEN
FTLN 2106 205 The instances that second marriage move
FTLN 2107 Are base respects of thrift, but none of love.
FTLN 2108 A second time I kill my husband dead
FTLN 2109 When second husband kisses me in bed.
PLAYER KING
FTLN 2110 I do believe you think what now you speak,
FTLN 2111 210 But what we do determine oft we break.
FTLN 2112 Purpose is but the slave to memory,
FTLN 2113 Of violent birth, but poor validity,
FTLN 2114 Which now, the fruit unripe, sticks on the tree
FTLN 2115 But fall unshaken when they mellow be.
FTLN 2116 215 Most necessary ’tis that we forget
FTLN 2117 To pay ourselves what to ourselves is debt.
FTLN 2118 What to ourselves in passion we propose,
FTLN 2119 The passion ending, doth the purpose lose.
FTLN 2120 The violence of either grief or joy
FTLN 2121 220 Their own enactures with themselves destroy.
FTLN 2122 Where joy most revels, grief doth most lament;
FTLN 2123 Grief joys, joy grieves, on slender accident.
FTLN 2124 This world is not for aye, nor ’tis not strange
FTLN 2125 That even our loves should with our fortunes change;
FTLN 2126 225 For ’tis a question left us yet to prove
FTLN 2127 Whether love lead fortune or else fortune love.
FTLN 2128 The great man down, you mark his favorite flies;
FTLN 2129 The poor, advanced, makes friends of enemies.
FTLN 2130 And hitherto doth love on fortune tend,
FTLN 2131 230 For who not needs shall never lack a friend,
FTLN 2132 And who in want a hollow friend doth try
FTLN 2133 Directly seasons him his enemy.
FTLN 2134 But, orderly to end where I begun:
FTLN 2135 Our wills and fates do so contrary run
FTLN 2136 235 That our devices still are overthrown;
FTLN 2137 Our thoughts are ours, their ends none of our own.
FTLN 2138 So think thou wilt no second husband wed,
FTLN 2139 But die thy thoughts when thy first lord is dead.

151
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 2
PLAYER QUEEN
FTLN 2140 Nor Earth to me give food, nor heaven light,
FTLN 2141 240 Sport and repose lock from me day and night,
FTLN 2142 To desperation turn my trust and hope,
FTLN 2143 An anchor’s cheer in prison be my scope.
FTLN 2144 Each opposite that blanks the face of joy
FTLN 2145 Meet what I would have well and it destroy.
FTLN 2146 245 Both here and hence pursue me lasting strife,
FTLN 2147 If, once a widow, ever I be wife.
HAMLET FTLN 2148 If she should break it now!
PLAYER KING
FTLN 2149 ’Tis deeply sworn. Sweet, leave me here awhile.
FTLN 2150 My spirits grow dull, and fain I would beguile
FTLN 2151 250 The tedious day with sleep. Sleeps.
PLAYER QUEEN FTLN 2152 Sleep rock thy brain,
FTLN 2153 And never come mischance between us twain.
Player Queen exits.
HAMLET FTLN 2154 Madam, how like you this play?
QUEEN FTLN 2155 The lady doth protest too much, methinks.
HAMLET FTLN 2156 255 O, but she’ll keep her word.
KING FTLN 2157 Have you heard the argument? Is there no
FTLN 2158 offense in ’t?
HAMLET FTLN 2159 No, no, they do but jest, poison in jest. No
FTLN 2160 offense i’ th’ world.
KING FTLN 2161 260 What do you call the play?
HAMLET FTLN 2162“The Mousetrap.” Marry, how? Tropically.
FTLN 2163 This play is the image of a murder done in Vienna.
FTLN 2164 Gonzago is the duke’s name, his wife Baptista. You
FTLN 2165 shall see anon. ’Tis a knavish piece of work, but
FTLN 2166 265 what of that? Your Majesty and we that have free
FTLN 2167 souls, it touches us not. Let the galled jade wince;
FTLN 2168 our withers are unwrung.
Enter Lucianus.
FTLN 2169 This is one Lucianus, nephew to the king.
OPHELIA FTLN 2170 You are as good as a chorus, my lord.

153
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 2
HAMLET FTLN 2171 270 I could interpret between you and your love,
FTLN 2172 if I could see the puppets dallying.
OPHELIA FTLN 2173 You are keen, my lord, you are keen.
HAMLET FTLN 2174 It would cost you a groaning to take off mine
FTLN 2175 edge.
OPHELIA FTLN 2176 275 Still better and worse.
HAMLET FTLN 2177 So you mis-take your husbands.—Begin,
FTLN 2178 murderer. Pox, leave thy damnable faces and
FTLN 2179 begin. Come, the croaking raven doth bellow for
FTLN 2180 revenge.
LUCIANUS
FTLN 2181 280 Thoughts black, hands apt, drugs fit, and time
FTLN 2182 agreeing,
FTLN 2183 Confederate season, else no creature seeing,
FTLN 2184 Thou mixture rank, of midnight weeds collected,
FTLN 2185 With Hecate’s ban thrice blasted, thrice infected,
FTLN 2186 285 Thy natural magic and dire property
FTLN 2187 On wholesome life usurp immediately.
Pours the poison in his ears.
HAMLET FTLN 2188 He poisons him i’ th’ garden for his estate. His
FTLN 2189 name’s Gonzago. The story is extant and written in
FTLN 2190 very choice Italian. You shall see anon how the
FTLN 2191 290 murderer gets the love of Gonzago’s wife.
Claudius rises.
OPHELIA FTLN 2192 The King rises.
HAMLET FTLN 2193 What, frighted with false fire?
QUEEN FTLN 2194 How fares my lord?
POLONIUS FTLN 2195 Give o’er the play.
KING FTLN 2196 295 Give me some light. Away!
POLONIUS FTLN 2197 Lights, lights, lights!
All but Hamlet and Horatio exit.
HAMLET
FTLN 2198 Why, let the strucken deer go weep,
FTLN 2199 The hart ungallèd play.
FTLN 2200 For some must watch, while some must sleep:
FTLN 2201 300 Thus runs the world away.

155
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 2202 Would not this, sir, and a forest of feathers (if the
FTLN 2203 rest of my fortunes turn Turk with me) with two
FTLN 2204 Provincial roses on my razed shoes, get me a
FTLN 2205 fellowship in a cry of players?
HORATIO FTLN 2206 305 Half a share.
HAMLET FTLN 2207 A whole one, I.
FTLN 2208 For thou dost know, O Damon dear,
FTLN 2209 This realm dismantled was
FTLN 2210 Of Jove himself, and now reigns here
FTLN 2211 310 A very very—pajock.
HORATIO FTLN 2212 You might have rhymed.
HAMLET FTLN 2213 O good Horatio, I’ll take the ghost’s word for
FTLN 2214 a thousand pound. Didst perceive?
HORATIO FTLN 2215 Very well, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 2216 315 Upon the talk of the poisoning?
HORATIO FTLN 2217 I did very well note him.
HAMLET FTLN 2218 Ah ha! Come, some music! Come, the
FTLN 2219 recorders!
FTLN 2220 For if the King like not the comedy,
FTLN 2221 320 Why, then, belike he likes it not, perdy.
FTLN 2222 Come, some music!
Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
GUILDENSTERN FTLN 2223 Good my lord, vouchsafe me a word
FTLN 2224 with you.
HAMLET FTLN 2225 Sir, a whole history.
GUILDENSTERN FTLN 2226 325 The King, sir—
HAMLET FTLN 2227 Ay, sir, what of him?
GUILDENSTERN FTLN 2228 Is in his retirement marvelous
FTLN 2229 distempered.
HAMLET FTLN 2230 With drink, sir?
GUILDENSTERN FTLN 2231 330 No, my lord, with choler.
HAMLET FTLN 2232 Your wisdom should show itself more richer
FTLN 2233 to signify this to the doctor, for for me to put him to
FTLN 2234 his purgation would perhaps plunge him into more
FTLN 2235 choler.

157
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 2
GUILDENSTERN FTLN 2236 335 Good my lord, put your discourse into
FTLN 2237 some frame and start not so wildly from my
FTLN 2238 affair.
HAMLET FTLN 2239 I am tame, sir. Pronounce.
GUILDENSTERN FTLN 2240 The Queen your mother, in most great
FTLN 2241 340 affliction of spirit, hath sent me to you.
HAMLET FTLN 2242 You are welcome.
GUILDENSTERN FTLN 2243 Nay, good my lord, this courtesy is not
FTLN 2244 of the right breed. If it shall please you to make me
FTLN 2245 a wholesome answer, I will do your mother’s
FTLN 2246 345 commandment. If not, your pardon and my return
FTLN 2247 shall be the end of my business.
HAMLET FTLN 2248 Sir, I cannot.
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 2249 What, my lord?
HAMLET FTLN 2250 Make you a wholesome answer. My wit’s
FTLN 2251 350 diseased. But, sir, such answer as I can make, you
FTLN 2252 shall command—or, rather, as you say, my mother.
FTLN 2253 Therefore no more but to the matter. My mother,
FTLN 2254 you say—
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 2255 Then thus she says: your behavior hath
FTLN 2256 355 struck her into amazement and admiration.
HAMLET FTLN 2257 O wonderful son that can so ’stonish a mother!
FTLN 2258 But is there no sequel at the heels of this
FTLN 2259 mother’s admiration? Impart.
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 2260 She desires to speak with you in her
FTLN 2261 360 closet ere you go to bed.
HAMLET FTLN 2262 We shall obey, were she ten times our mother.
FTLN 2263 Have you any further trade with us?
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 2264 My lord, you once did love me.
HAMLET FTLN 2265 And do still, by these pickers and stealers.
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 2266 365 Good my lord, what is your cause of
FTLN 2267 distemper? You do surely bar the door upon your
FTLN 2268 own liberty if you deny your griefs to your friend.
HAMLET FTLN 2269 Sir, I lack advancement.
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 2270 How can that be, when you have the
FTLN 2271 370 voice of the King himself for your succession in
FTLN 2272 Denmark?

159
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 2
HAMLET FTLN 2273 Ay, sir, but “While the grass grows”—the
FTLN 2274 proverb is something musty.
Enter the Players with recorders.
FTLN 2275 O, the recorders! Let me see one. He takes a
recorder and turns to Guildenstern. FTLN 2276 375 To withdraw
FTLN 2277 with you: why do you go about to recover the wind
FTLN 2278 of me, as if you would drive me into a toil?
GUILDENSTERN FTLN 2279 O, my lord, if my duty be too bold, my
FTLN 2280 love is too unmannerly.
HAMLET FTLN 2281 380 I do not well understand that. Will you play
FTLN 2282 upon this pipe?
GUILDENSTERN FTLN 2283 My lord, I cannot.
HAMLET FTLN 2284 I pray you.
GUILDENSTERN FTLN 2285 Believe me, I cannot.
HAMLET FTLN 2286 385 I do beseech you.
GUILDENSTERN FTLN 2287 I know no touch of it, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 2288 It is as easy as lying. Govern these ventages
FTLN 2289 with your fingers and thumb, give it breath with
FTLN 2290 your mouth, and it will discourse most eloquent
FTLN 2291 390 music. Look you, these are the stops.
GUILDENSTERN FTLN 2292 But these cannot I command to any
FTLN 2293 utt’rance of harmony. I have not the skill.
HAMLET FTLN 2294 Why, look you now, how unworthy a thing
FTLN 2295 you make of me! You would play upon me, you
FTLN 2296 395 would seem to know my stops, you would pluck
FTLN 2297 out the heart of my mystery, you would sound me
FTLN 2298 from my lowest note to the top of my compass;
FTLN 2299 and there is much music, excellent voice, in this
FTLN 2300 little organ, yet cannot you make it speak. ’Sblood,
FTLN 2301 400 do you think I am easier to be played on than a pipe?
FTLN 2302 Call me what instrument you will, though you can
FTLN 2303 fret me, you cannot play upon me.
Enter Polonius.
FTLN 2304 God bless you, sir.

161
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 2
POLONIUS FTLN 2305 My lord, the Queen would speak with you,
FTLN 2306 405 and presently.
HAMLET FTLN 2307 Do you see yonder cloud that’s almost in
FTLN 2308 shape of a camel?
POLONIUS FTLN 2309 By th’ Mass, and ’tis like a camel indeed.
HAMLET FTLN 2310 Methinks it is like a weasel.
POLONIUS FTLN 2311 410 It is backed like a weasel.
HAMLET FTLN 2312 Or like a whale.
POLONIUS FTLN 2313 Very like a whale.
HAMLET FTLN 2314 Then I will come to my mother by and by.
FTLN 2315 Aside. They fool me to the top of my bent.—I will
FTLN 2316 415 come by and by.
POLONIUS FTLN 2317 I will say so.
HAMLET FTLN 2318“By and by” is easily said. Leave me,
FTLN 2319 friends.
All but Hamlet exit.
FTLN 2320 ’Tis now the very witching time of night,
FTLN 2321 420 When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes
FTLN 2322 out
FTLN 2323 Contagion to this world. Now could I drink hot
FTLN 2324 blood
FTLN 2325 And do such bitter business as the day
FTLN 2326 425 Would quake to look on. Soft, now to my mother.
FTLN 2327 O heart, lose not thy nature; let not ever
FTLN 2328 The soul of Nero enter this firm bosom.
FTLN 2329 Let me be cruel, not unnatural.
FTLN 2330 I will speak daggers to her, but use none.
FTLN 2331 430 My tongue and soul in this be hypocrites:
FTLN 2332 How in my words somever she be shent,
FTLN 2333 To give them seals never, my soul, consent.
He exits.

163
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 3
Scene 3
Enter King, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern.
KING
FTLN 2334 I like him not, nor stands it safe with us
FTLN 2335 To let his madness range. Therefore prepare you.
FTLN 2336 I your commission will forthwith dispatch,
FTLN 2337 And he to England shall along with you.
FTLN 2338 5 The terms of our estate may not endure
FTLN 2339 Hazard so near ’s as doth hourly grow
FTLN 2340 Out of his brows.
GUILDENSTERN FTLN 2341 We will ourselves provide.
FTLN 2342 Most holy and religious fear it is
FTLN 2343 10 To keep those many many bodies safe
FTLN 2344 That live and feed upon your Majesty.
ROSENCRANTZ
FTLN 2345 The single and peculiar life is bound
FTLN 2346 With all the strength and armor of the mind
FTLN 2347 To keep itself from noyance, but much more
FTLN 2348 15 That spirit upon whose weal depends and rests
FTLN 2349 The lives of many. The cess of majesty
FTLN 2350 Dies not alone, but like a gulf doth draw
FTLN 2351 What’s near it with it; or it is a massy wheel
FTLN 2352 Fixed on the summit of the highest mount,
FTLN 2353 20 To whose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
FTLN 2354 Are mortised and adjoined, which, when it falls,
FTLN 2355 Each small annexment, petty consequence,
FTLN 2356 Attends the boist’rous ruin. Never alone
FTLN 2357 Did the king sigh, but with a general groan.
KING
FTLN 2358 25 Arm you, I pray you, to this speedy voyage,
FTLN 2359 For we will fetters put about this fear,
FTLN 2360 Which now goes too free-footed.
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 2361 We will haste us.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern exit.
Enter Polonius.

165
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 3
POLONIUS
FTLN 2362 My lord, he’s going to his mother’s closet.
FTLN 2363 30 Behind the arras I’ll convey myself
FTLN 2364 To hear the process. I’ll warrant she’ll tax him
FTLN 2365 home;
FTLN 2366 And, as you said (and wisely was it said),
FTLN 2367 ’Tis meet that some more audience than a mother,
FTLN 2368 35 Since nature makes them partial, should o’erhear
FTLN 2369 The speech of vantage. Fare you well, my liege.
FTLN 2370 I’ll call upon you ere you go to bed
FTLN 2371 And tell you what I know.
KING FTLN 2372 Thanks, dear my lord.
Polonius exits.
FTLN 2373 40 O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven;
FTLN 2374 It hath the primal eldest curse upon ’t,
FTLN 2375 A brother’s murder. Pray can I not,
FTLN 2376 Though inclination be as sharp as will.
FTLN 2377 My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent,
FTLN 2378 45 And, like a man to double business bound,
FTLN 2379 I stand in pause where I shall first begin
FTLN 2380 And both neglect. What if this cursèd hand
FTLN 2381 Were thicker than itself with brother’s blood?
FTLN 2382 Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens
FTLN 2383 50 To wash it white as snow? Whereto serves mercy
FTLN 2384 But to confront the visage of offense?
FTLN 2385 And what’s in prayer but this twofold force,
FTLN 2386 To be forestallèd ere we come to fall,
FTLN 2387 Or pardoned being down? Then I’ll look up.
FTLN 2388 55 My fault is past. But, O, what form of prayer
FTLN 2389 Can serve my turn? “Forgive me my foul murder”?
FTLN 2390 That cannot be, since I am still possessed
FTLN 2391 Of those effects for which I did the murder:
FTLN 2392 My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen.
FTLN 2393 60 May one be pardoned and retain th’ offense?
FTLN 2394 In the corrupted currents of this world,
FTLN 2395 Offense’s gilded hand may shove by justice,

167
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 3
FTLN 2396 And oft ’tis seen the wicked prize itself
FTLN 2397 Buys out the law. But ’tis not so above:
FTLN 2398 65 There is no shuffling; there the action lies
FTLN 2399 In his true nature, and we ourselves compelled,
FTLN 2400 Even to the teeth and forehead of our faults,
FTLN 2401 To give in evidence. What then? What rests?
FTLN 2402 Try what repentance can. What can it not?
FTLN 2403 70 Yet what can it, when one cannot repent?
FTLN 2404 O wretched state! O bosom black as death!
FTLN 2405 O limèd soul, that, struggling to be free,
FTLN 2406 Art more engaged! Help, angels! Make assay.
FTLN 2407 Bow, stubborn knees, and heart with strings of steel
FTLN 2408 75 Be soft as sinews of the newborn babe.
FTLN 2409 All may be well. He kneels.
Enter Hamlet.
HAMLET
FTLN 2410 Now might I do it pat, now he is a-praying,
FTLN 2411 And now I’ll do ’t. He draws his sword.
FTLN 2412 And so he goes to heaven,
FTLN 2413 80 And so am I revenged. That would be scanned:
FTLN 2414 A villain kills my father, and for that,
FTLN 2415 I, his sole son, do this same villain send
FTLN 2416 To heaven.
FTLN 2417 Why, this is hire and salary, not revenge.
FTLN 2418 85 He took my father grossly, full of bread,
FTLN 2419 With all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May;
FTLN 2420 And how his audit stands who knows save heaven.
FTLN 2421 But in our circumstance and course of thought
FTLN 2422 ’Tis heavy with him. And am I then revenged
FTLN 2423 90 To take him in the purging of his soul,
FTLN 2424 When he is fit and seasoned for his passage?
FTLN 2425 No.
FTLN 2426 Up sword, and know thou a more horrid hent.
He sheathes his sword.
FTLN 2427 When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage,

169
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 4
FTLN 2428 95 Or in th’ incestuous pleasure of his bed,
FTLN 2429 At game, a-swearing, or about some act
FTLN 2430 That has no relish of salvation in ’t—
FTLN 2431 Then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven,
FTLN 2432 And that his soul may be as damned and black
FTLN 2433 100 As hell, whereto it goes. My mother stays.
FTLN 2434 This physic but prolongs thy sickly days.
Hamlet exits.
KING , rising
FTLN 2435 My words fly up, my thoughts remain below;
FTLN 2436 Words without thoughts never to heaven go.
He exits.
Scene 4
Enter Queen and Polonius.
POLONIUS
FTLN 2437 He will come straight. Look you lay home to him.
FTLN 2438 Tell him his pranks have been too broad to bear
FTLN 2439 with
FTLN 2440 And that your Grace hath screened and stood
FTLN 2441 5 between
FTLN 2442 Much heat and him. I’ll silence me even here.
FTLN 2443 Pray you, be round with him.
HAMLET , within FTLN 2444 Mother, mother, mother!
QUEEN FTLN 2445 I’ll warrant you. Fear me not. Withdraw,
FTLN 2446 10 I hear him coming.
Polonius hides behind the arras.
Enter Hamlet.
HAMLET FTLN 2447 Now, mother, what’s the matter?
QUEEN
FTLN 2448 Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended.
HAMLET
FTLN 2449 Mother, you have my father much offended.

171
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 4
QUEEN
FTLN 2450 Come, come, you answer with an idle tongue.
HAMLET
FTLN 2451 15 Go, go, you question with a wicked tongue.
QUEEN
FTLN 2452 Why, how now, Hamlet?
HAMLET FTLN 2453 What’s the matter now?
QUEEN
FTLN 2454 Have you forgot me?
HAMLET FTLN 2455 No, by the rood, not so.
FTLN 2456 20 You are the Queen, your husband’s brother’s wife,
FTLN 2457 And (would it were not so) you are my mother.
QUEEN
FTLN 2458 Nay, then I’ll set those to you that can speak.
HAMLET
FTLN 2459 Come, come, and sit you down; you shall not budge.
FTLN 2460 You go not till I set you up a glass
FTLN 2461 25 Where you may see the inmost part of you.
QUEEN
FTLN 2462 What wilt thou do? Thou wilt not murder me?
FTLN 2463 Help, ho!
POLONIUS , behind the arras FTLN 2464 What ho! Help!
HAMLET
FTLN 2465 How now, a rat? Dead for a ducat, dead.
He kills Polonius by thrusting a rapier
through the arras.
POLONIUS , behind the arras
FTLN 2466 30 O, I am slain!
QUEEN FTLN 2467 O me, what hast thou done?
HAMLET FTLN 2468 Nay, I know not. Is it the King?
QUEEN
FTLN 2469 O, what a rash and bloody deed is this!
HAMLET
FTLN 2470 A bloody deed—almost as bad, good mother,
FTLN 2471 35 As kill a king and marry with his brother.
QUEEN
FTLN 2472 As kill a king?

173
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 4
HAMLET FTLN 2473 Ay, lady, it was my word.
He pulls Polonius’ body from behind the arras.
FTLN 2474 Thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell.
FTLN 2475 I took thee for thy better. Take thy fortune.
FTLN 2476 40 Thou find’st to be too busy is some danger.
FTLN 2477 To Queen. Leave wringing of your hands. Peace, sit
FTLN 2478 you down,
FTLN 2479 And let me wring your heart; for so I shall
FTLN 2480 If it be made of penetrable stuff,
FTLN 2481 45 If damnèd custom have not brazed it so
FTLN 2482 That it be proof and bulwark against sense.
QUEEN
FTLN 2483 What have I done, that thou dar’st wag thy tongue
FTLN 2484 In noise so rude against me?
HAMLET FTLN 2485 Such an act
FTLN 2486 50 That blurs the grace and blush of modesty,
FTLN 2487 Calls virtue hypocrite, takes off the rose
FTLN 2488 From the fair forehead of an innocent love
FTLN 2489 And sets a blister there, makes marriage vows
FTLN 2490 As false as dicers’ oaths—O, such a deed
FTLN 2491 55 As from the body of contraction plucks
FTLN 2492 The very soul, and sweet religion makes
FTLN 2493 A rhapsody of words! Heaven’s face does glow
FTLN 2494 O’er this solidity and compound mass
FTLN 2495 With heated visage, as against the doom,
FTLN 2496 60 Is thought-sick at the act.
QUEEN FTLN 2497 Ay me, what act
FTLN 2498 That roars so loud and thunders in the index?
HAMLET
FTLN 2499 Look here upon this picture and on this,
FTLN 2500 The counterfeit presentment of two brothers.
FTLN 2501 65 See what a grace was seated on this brow,
FTLN 2502 Hyperion’s curls, the front of Jove himself,
FTLN 2503 An eye like Mars’ to threaten and command,
FTLN 2504 A station like the herald Mercury
FTLN 2505 New-lighted on a heaven-kissing hill,

175
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 4
FTLN 2506 70 A combination and a form indeed
FTLN 2507 Where every god did seem to set his seal
FTLN 2508 To give the world assurance of a man.
FTLN 2509 This was your husband. Look you now what follows.
FTLN 2510 Here is your husband, like a mildewed ear
FTLN 2511 75 Blasting his wholesome brother. Have you eyes?
FTLN 2512 Could you on this fair mountain leave to feed
FTLN 2513 And batten on this moor? Ha! Have you eyes?
FTLN 2514 You cannot call it love, for at your age
FTLN 2515 The heyday in the blood is tame, it’s humble
FTLN 2516 80 And waits upon the judgment; and what judgment
FTLN 2517 Would step from this to this? Sense sure you have,
FTLN 2518 Else could you not have motion; but sure that sense
FTLN 2519 Is apoplexed; for madness would not err,
FTLN 2520 Nor sense to ecstasy was ne’er so thralled,
FTLN 2521 85 But it reserved some quantity of choice
FTLN 2522 To serve in such a difference. What devil was ’t
FTLN 2523 That thus hath cozened you at hoodman-blind?
FTLN 2524 Eyes without feeling, feeling without sight,
FTLN 2525 Ears without hands or eyes, smelling sans all,
FTLN 2526 90 Or but a sickly part of one true sense
FTLN 2527 Could not so mope. O shame, where is thy blush?
FTLN 2528 Rebellious hell,
FTLN 2529 If thou canst mutine in a matron’s bones,
FTLN 2530 To flaming youth let virtue be as wax
FTLN 2531 95 And melt in her own fire. Proclaim no shame
FTLN 2532 When the compulsive ardor gives the charge,
FTLN 2533 Since frost itself as actively doth burn,
FTLN 2534 And reason panders will.
QUEEN FTLN 2535 O Hamlet, speak no more!
FTLN 2536 100 Thou turn’st my eyes into my very soul,
FTLN 2537 And there I see such black and grainèd spots
FTLN 2538 As will not leave their tinct.
HAMLET FTLN 2539 Nay, but to live
FTLN 2540 In the rank sweat of an enseamèd bed,
FTLN 2541 105 Stewed in corruption, honeying and making love
FTLN 2542 Over the nasty sty!

177
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 4
QUEEN FTLN 2543 O, speak to me no more!
FTLN 2544 These words like daggers enter in my ears.
FTLN 2545 No more, sweet Hamlet!
HAMLET FTLN 2546 110 A murderer and a villain,
FTLN 2547 A slave that is not twentieth part the tithe
FTLN 2548 Of your precedent lord; a vice of kings,
FTLN 2549 A cutpurse of the empire and the rule,
FTLN 2550 That from a shelf the precious diadem stole
FTLN 2551 115 And put it in his pocket—
QUEEN FTLN 2552 No more!
HAMLET FTLN 2553 A king of shreds and patches—
Enter Ghost.
FTLN 2554 Save me and hover o’er me with your wings,
FTLN 2555 You heavenly guards!—What would your gracious
FTLN 2556 120 figure?
QUEEN FTLN 2557 Alas, he’s mad.
HAMLET
FTLN 2558 Do you not come your tardy son to chide,
FTLN 2559 That, lapsed in time and passion, lets go by
FTLN 2560 Th’ important acting of your dread command?
FTLN 2561 125 O, say!
GHOST FTLN 2562 Do not forget. This visitation
FTLN 2563 Is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose.
FTLN 2564 But look, amazement on thy mother sits.
FTLN 2565 O, step between her and her fighting soul.
FTLN 2566 130 Conceit in weakest bodies strongest works.
FTLN 2567 Speak to her, Hamlet.
HAMLET FTLN 2568 How is it with you, lady?
QUEEN FTLN 2569 Alas, how is ’t with you,
FTLN 2570 That you do bend your eye on vacancy
FTLN 2571 135 And with th’ incorporal air do hold discourse?
FTLN 2572 Forth at your eyes your spirits wildly peep,
FTLN 2573 And, as the sleeping soldiers in th’ alarm,
FTLN 2574 Your bedded hair, like life in excrements,
FTLN 2575 Start up and stand an end. O gentle son,

179
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 4
FTLN 2576 140 Upon the heat and flame of thy distemper
FTLN 2577 Sprinkle cool patience! Whereon do you look?
HAMLET
FTLN 2578 On him, on him! Look you how pale he glares.
FTLN 2579 His form and cause conjoined, preaching to stones,
FTLN 2580 Would make them capable. To the Ghost. Do not
FTLN 2581 145 look upon me,
FTLN 2582 Lest with this piteous action you convert
FTLN 2583 My stern effects. Then what I have to do
FTLN 2584 Will want true color—tears perchance for blood.
QUEEN FTLN 2585 To whom do you speak this?
HAMLET FTLN 2586 150 Do you see nothing there?
QUEEN
FTLN 2587 Nothing at all; yet all that is I see.
HAMLET FTLN 2588 Nor did you nothing hear?
QUEEN FTLN 2589 No, nothing but ourselves.
HAMLET
FTLN 2590 Why, look you there, look how it steals away!
FTLN 2591 155 My father, in his habit as he lived!
FTLN 2592 Look where he goes even now out at the portal!
Ghost exits.
QUEEN
FTLN 2593 This is the very coinage of your brain.
FTLN 2594 This bodiless creation ecstasy
FTLN 2595 Is very cunning in.
HAMLET FTLN 2596 160 Ecstasy?
FTLN 2597 My pulse as yours doth temperately keep time
FTLN 2598 And makes as healthful music. It is not madness
FTLN 2599 That I have uttered. Bring me to the test,
FTLN 2600 And I the matter will reword, which madness
FTLN 2601 165 Would gambol from. Mother, for love of grace,
FTLN 2602 Lay not that flattering unction to your soul
FTLN 2603 That not your trespass but my madness speaks.
FTLN 2604 It will but skin and film the ulcerous place,
FTLN 2605 Whiles rank corruption, mining all within,
FTLN 2606 170 Infects unseen. Confess yourself to heaven,

181
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ACT 3. SC. 4
FTLN 2607 Repent what’s past, avoid what is to come,
FTLN 2608 And do not spread the compost on the weeds
FTLN 2609 To make them ranker. Forgive me this my virtue,
FTLN 2610 For, in the fatness of these pursy times,
FTLN 2611 175 Virtue itself of vice must pardon beg,
FTLN 2612 Yea, curb and woo for leave to do him good.
QUEEN
FTLN 2613 O Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain!
HAMLET
FTLN 2614 O, throw away the worser part of it,
FTLN 2615 And live the purer with the other half!
FTLN 2616 180 Good night. But go not to my uncle’s bed.
FTLN 2617 Assume a virtue if you have it not.
FTLN 2618 That monster, custom, who all sense doth eat,
FTLN 2619 Of habits devil, is angel yet in this,
FTLN 2620 That to the use of actions fair and good
FTLN 2621 185 He likewise gives a frock or livery
FTLN 2622 That aptly is put on. Refrain tonight,
FTLN 2623 And that shall lend a kind of easiness
FTLN 2624 To the next abstinence, the next more easy;
FTLN 2625 For use almost can change the stamp of nature
FTLN 2626 190 And either … the devil or throw him out
FTLN 2627 With wondrous potency. Once more, good night,
FTLN 2628 And, when you are desirous to be blest,
FTLN 2629 I’ll blessing beg of you. For this same lord
Pointing to Polonius.
FTLN 2630 I do repent; but heaven hath pleased it so
FTLN 2631 195 To punish me with this and this with me,
FTLN 2632 That I must be their scourge and minister.
FTLN 2633 I will bestow him and will answer well
FTLN 2634 The death I gave him. So, again, good night.
FTLN 2635 I must be cruel only to be kind.
FTLN 2636 200 This bad begins, and worse remains behind.
FTLN 2637 One word more, good lady.
QUEEN FTLN 2638 What shall I do?

183
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 4
HAMLET
FTLN 2639 Not this by no means that I bid you do:
FTLN 2640 Let the bloat king tempt you again to bed,
FTLN 2641 205 Pinch wanton on your cheek, call you his mouse,
FTLN 2642 And let him, for a pair of reechy kisses
FTLN 2643 Or paddling in your neck with his damned fingers,
FTLN 2644 Make you to ravel all this matter out
FTLN 2645 That I essentially am not in madness,
FTLN 2646 210 But mad in craft. ’Twere good you let him know,
FTLN 2647 For who that’s but a queen, fair, sober, wise,
FTLN 2648 Would from a paddock, from a bat, a gib,
FTLN 2649 Such dear concernings hide? Who would do so?
FTLN 2650 No, in despite of sense and secrecy,
FTLN 2651 215 Unpeg the basket on the house’s top,
FTLN 2652 Let the birds fly, and like the famous ape,
FTLN 2653 To try conclusions, in the basket creep
FTLN 2654 And break your own neck down.
QUEEN
FTLN 2655 Be thou assured, if words be made of breath
FTLN 2656 220 And breath of life, I have no life to breathe
FTLN 2657 What thou hast said to me.
HAMLET
FTLN 2658 I must to England, you know that.
QUEEN FTLN 2659 Alack,
FTLN 2660 I had forgot! ’Tis so concluded on.
HAMLET
FTLN 2661 225 There’s letters sealed; and my two schoolfellows,
FTLN 2662 Whom I will trust as I will adders fanged,
FTLN 2663 They bear the mandate; they must sweep my way
FTLN 2664 And marshal me to knavery. Let it work,
FTLN 2665 For ’tis the sport to have the enginer
FTLN 2666 230 Hoist with his own petard; and ’t shall go hard
FTLN 2667 But I will delve one yard below their mines
FTLN 2668 And blow them at the moon. O, ’tis most sweet
FTLN 2669 When in one line two crafts directly meet.
FTLN 2670 This man shall set me packing.

185
Hamlet
ACT 3. SC. 4
FTLN 2671 235 I’ll lug the guts into the neighbor room.
FTLN 2672 Mother, good night indeed. This counselor
FTLN 2673 Is now most still, most secret, and most grave,
FTLN 2674 Who was in life a foolish prating knave.—
FTLN 2675 Come, sir, to draw toward an end with you.—
FTLN 2676 240 Good night, mother.
They exit, Hamlet tugging in Polonius.

ACT 4
Scene 1
Enter King and Queen, with Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern.
KING
FTLN 2677 There’s matter in these sighs; these profound heaves
FTLN 2678 You must translate; ’tis fit we understand them.
FTLN 2679 Where is your son?
QUEEN
FTLN 2680 Bestow this place on us a little while.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern exit.
FTLN 2681 5 Ah, mine own lord, what have I seen tonight!
KING FTLN 2682 What, Gertrude? How does Hamlet?
QUEEN
FTLN 2683 Mad as the sea and wind when both contend
FTLN 2684 Which is the mightier. In his lawless fit,
FTLN 2685 Behind the arras hearing something stir,
FTLN 2686 10 Whips out his rapier, cries “A rat, a rat,”
FTLN 2687 And in this brainish apprehension kills
FTLN 2688 The unseen good old man.
KING FTLN 2689 O heavy deed!
FTLN 2690 It had been so with us, had we been there.
FTLN 2691 15 His liberty is full of threats to all—
FTLN 2692 To you yourself, to us, to everyone.
FTLN 2693 Alas, how shall this bloody deed be answered?
FTLN 2694 It will be laid to us, whose providence
189

191
Hamlet
ACT 4. SC. 1
FTLN 2695 Should have kept short, restrained, and out of haunt
FTLN 2696 20 This mad young man. But so much was our love,
FTLN 2697 We would not understand what was most fit,
FTLN 2698 But, like the owner of a foul disease,
FTLN 2699 To keep it from divulging, let it feed
FTLN 2700 Even on the pith of life. Where is he gone?
QUEEN
FTLN 2701 25 To draw apart the body he hath killed,
FTLN 2702 O’er whom his very madness, like some ore
FTLN 2703 Among a mineral of metals base,
FTLN 2704 Shows itself pure: he weeps for what is done.
KING FTLN 2705 O Gertrude, come away!
FTLN 2706 30 The sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
FTLN 2707 But we will ship him hence; and this vile deed
FTLN 2708 We must with all our majesty and skill
FTLN 2709 Both countenance and excuse.—Ho, Guildenstern!
Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
FTLN 2710 Friends both, go join you with some further aid.
FTLN 2711 35 Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain,
FTLN 2712 And from his mother’s closet hath he dragged him.
FTLN 2713 Go seek him out, speak fair, and bring the body
FTLN 2714 Into the chapel. I pray you, haste in this.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern exit.
FTLN 2715 Come, Gertrude, we’ll call up our wisest friends
FTLN 2716 40 And let them know both what we mean to do
FTLN 2717 And what’s untimely done. …
FTLN 2718 Whose whisper o’er the world’s diameter,
FTLN 2719 As level as the cannon to his blank
FTLN 2720 Transports his poisoned shot, may miss our name
FTLN 2721 45 And hit the woundless air. O, come away!
FTLN 2722 My soul is full of discord and dismay.
They exit.

193
Hamlet
ACT 4. SC. 2
Scene 2
Enter Hamlet.
HAMLET FTLN 2723 Safely stowed.
GENTLEMEN , within FTLN 2724 Hamlet! Lord Hamlet!
HAMLET FTLN 2725 But soft, what noise? Who calls on Hamlet?
FTLN 2726 O, here they come.
Enter Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and others.
ROSENCRANTZ
FTLN 2727 5 What have you done, my lord, with the dead body?
HAMLET
FTLN 2728 Compounded it with dust, whereto ’tis kin.
ROSENCRANTZ
FTLN 2729 Tell us where ’tis, that we may take it thence
FTLN 2730 And bear it to the chapel.
HAMLET FTLN 2731 Do not believe it.
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 2732 10 Believe what?
HAMLET FTLN 2733 That I can keep your counsel and not mine
FTLN 2734 own. Besides, to be demanded of a sponge, what
FTLN 2735 replication should be made by the son of a king?
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 2736 Take you me for a sponge, my lord?
HAMLET FTLN 2737 15 Ay, sir, that soaks up the King’s countenance,
FTLN 2738 his rewards, his authorities. But such officers do the
FTLN 2739 King best service in the end. He keeps them like an
FTLN 2740 ape an apple in the corner of his jaw, first mouthed,
FTLN 2741 to be last swallowed. When he needs what you have
FTLN 2742 20 gleaned, it is but squeezing you, and, sponge, you
FTLN 2743 shall be dry again.
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 2744 I understand you not, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 2745 I am glad of it. A knavish speech sleeps in a
FTLN 2746 foolish ear.
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 2747 25 My lord, you must tell us where the
FTLN 2748 body is and go with us to the King.
HAMLET FTLN 2749 The body is with the King, but the King is not
FTLN 2750 with the body. The King is a thing—

195
Hamlet
ACT 4. SC. 3
GUILDENSTERN FTLN 2751 A “thing,” my lord?
HAMLET FTLN 2752 30 Of nothing. Bring me to him. Hide fox, and
FTLN 2753 all after!
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter King and two or three.
KING
FTLN 2754 I have sent to seek him and to find the body.
FTLN 2755 How dangerous is it that this man goes loose!
FTLN 2756 Yet must not we put the strong law on him.
FTLN 2757 He’s loved of the distracted multitude,
FTLN 2758 5 Who like not in their judgment, but their eyes;
FTLN 2759 And, where ’tis so, th’ offender’s scourge is weighed,
FTLN 2760 But never the offense. To bear all smooth and even,
FTLN 2761 This sudden sending him away must seem
FTLN 2762 Deliberate pause. Diseases desperate grown
FTLN 2763 10 By desperate appliance are relieved
FTLN 2764 Or not at all.
Enter Rosencrantz.
FTLN 2765 How now, what hath befallen?
ROSENCRANTZ
FTLN 2766 Where the dead body is bestowed, my lord,
FTLN 2767 We cannot get from him.
KING FTLN 2768 15 But where is he?
ROSENCRANTZ
FTLN 2769 Without, my lord; guarded, to know your pleasure.
KING
FTLN 2770 Bring him before us.
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 2771 Ho! Bring in the lord.
They enter with Hamlet.
KING FTLN 2772 Now, Hamlet, where’s Polonius?
HAMLET FTLN 2773 20 At supper.

197
Hamlet
ACT 4. SC. 3
KING FTLN 2774 At supper where?
HAMLET FTLN 2775 Not where he eats, but where he is eaten. A
FTLN 2776 certain convocation of politic worms are e’en at
FTLN 2777 him. Your worm is your only emperor for diet. We
FTLN 2778 25 fat all creatures else to fat us, and we fat ourselves
FTLN 2779 for maggots. Your fat king and your lean beggar is
FTLN 2780 but variable service—two dishes but to one table.
FTLN 2781 That’s the end.
KING FTLN 2782 Alas, alas!
HAMLET FTLN 2783 30 A man may fish with the worm that hath eat
FTLN 2784 of a king and eat of the fish that hath fed of that
FTLN 2785 worm.
KING FTLN 2786 What dost thou mean by this?
HAMLET FTLN 2787 Nothing but to show you how a king may go a
FTLN 2788 35 progress through the guts of a beggar.
KING FTLN 2789 Where is Polonius?
HAMLET FTLN 2790 In heaven. Send thither to see. If your messenger
FTLN 2791 find him not there, seek him i’ th’ other
FTLN 2792 place yourself. But if, indeed, you find him not
FTLN 2793 40 within this month, you shall nose him as you go up
FTLN 2794 the stairs into the lobby.
KING , to Attendants. FTLN 2795 Go, seek him there.
HAMLET FTLN 2796 He will stay till you come. Attendants exit.
KING
FTLN 2797 Hamlet, this deed, for thine especial safety
FTLN 2798 45 (Which we do tender, as we dearly grieve
FTLN 2799 For that which thou hast done) must send thee
FTLN 2800 hence
FTLN 2801 With fiery quickness. Therefore prepare thyself.
FTLN 2802 The bark is ready, and the wind at help,
FTLN 2803 50 Th’ associates tend, and everything is bent
FTLN 2804 For England.
HAMLET FTLN 2805 For England?
KING FTLN 2806 Ay, Hamlet.
HAMLET FTLN 2807 Good.
KING
FTLN 2808 55 So is it, if thou knew’st our purposes.

199
Hamlet
ACT 4. SC. 4
HAMLET
FTLN 2809 I see a cherub that sees them. But come, for
FTLN 2810 England.
FTLN 2811 Farewell, dear mother.
KING FTLN 2812 Thy loving father, Hamlet.
HAMLET
FTLN 2813 60 My mother. Father and mother is man and wife,
FTLN 2814 Man and wife is one flesh, and so, my mother.—
FTLN 2815 Come, for England. He exits.
KING
FTLN 2816 Follow him at foot; tempt him with speed aboard.
FTLN 2817 Delay it not. I’ll have him hence tonight.
FTLN 2818 65 Away, for everything is sealed and done
FTLN 2819 That else leans on th’ affair. Pray you, make haste.
All but the King exit.
FTLN 2820 And England, if my love thou hold’st at aught
FTLN 2821 (As my great power thereof may give thee sense,
FTLN 2822 Since yet thy cicatrice looks raw and red
FTLN 2823 70 After the Danish sword, and thy free awe
FTLN 2824 Pays homage to us), thou mayst not coldly set
FTLN 2825 Our sovereign process, which imports at full,
FTLN 2826 By letters congruing to that effect,
FTLN 2827 The present death of Hamlet. Do it, England,
FTLN 2828 75 For like the hectic in my blood he rages,
FTLN 2829 And thou must cure me. Till I know ’tis done,
FTLN 2830 Howe’er my haps, my joys will ne’er begin.
He exits.
Scene 4
Enter Fortinbras with his army over the stage.
FORTINBRAS
FTLN 2831 Go, Captain, from me greet the Danish king.
FTLN 2832 Tell him that by his license Fortinbras
FTLN 2833 Craves the conveyance of a promised march
FTLN 2834 Over his kingdom. You know the rendezvous.

201
Hamlet
ACT 4. SC. 4
FTLN 2835 5 If that his Majesty would aught with us,
FTLN 2836 We shall express our duty in his eye;
FTLN 2837 And let him know so.
CAPTAIN FTLN 2838 I will do ’t, my lord.
FORTINBRAS FTLN 2839 Go softly on. All but the Captain exit.
Enter Hamlet, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and others.
HAMLET FTLN 2840 10 Good sir, whose powers are these?
CAPTAIN FTLN 2841 They are of Norway, sir.
HAMLET FTLN 2842 How purposed, sir, I pray you?
CAPTAIN FTLN 2843 Against some part of Poland.
HAMLET FTLN 2844 Who commands them, sir?
CAPTAIN
FTLN 2845 15 The nephew to old Norway, Fortinbras.
HAMLET
FTLN 2846 Goes it against the main of Poland, sir,
FTLN 2847 Or for some frontier?
CAPTAIN
FTLN 2848 Truly to speak, and with no addition,
FTLN 2849 We go to gain a little patch of ground
FTLN 2850 20 That hath in it no profit but the name.
FTLN 2851 To pay five ducats, five, I would not farm it;
FTLN 2852 Nor will it yield to Norway or the Pole
FTLN 2853 A ranker rate, should it be sold in fee.
HAMLET
FTLN 2854 Why, then, the Polack never will defend it.
CAPTAIN
FTLN 2855 25 Yes, it is already garrisoned.
HAMLET
FTLN 2856 Two thousand souls and twenty thousand ducats
FTLN 2857 Will not debate the question of this straw.
FTLN 2858 This is th’ impostume of much wealth and peace,
FTLN 2859 That inward breaks and shows no cause without
FTLN 2860 30 Why the man dies.—I humbly thank you, sir.
CAPTAIN FTLN 2861 God be wi’ you, sir. He exits.
ROSENCRANTZ FTLN 2862 Will ’t please you go, my lord?

203
Hamlet
ACT 4. SC. 4
HAMLET
FTLN 2863 I’ll be with you straight. Go a little before.
All but Hamlet exit.
FTLN 2864 How all occasions do inform against me
FTLN 2865 35 And spur my dull revenge. What is a man
FTLN 2866 If his chief good and market of his time
FTLN 2867 Be but to sleep and feed? A beast, no more.
FTLN 2868 Sure He that made us with such large discourse,
FTLN 2869 Looking before and after, gave us not
FTLN 2870 40 That capability and godlike reason
FTLN 2871 To fust in us unused. Now whether it be
FTLN 2872 Bestial oblivion or some craven scruple
FTLN 2873 Of thinking too precisely on th’ event
FTLN 2874 (A thought which, quartered, hath but one part
FTLN 2875 45 wisdom
FTLN 2876 And ever three parts coward), I do not know
FTLN 2877 Why yet I live to say “This thing’s to do,”
FTLN 2878 Sith I have cause, and will, and strength, and means
FTLN 2879 To do ’t. Examples gross as Earth exhort me:
FTLN 2880 50 Witness this army of such mass and charge,
FTLN 2881 Led by a delicate and tender prince,
FTLN 2882 Whose spirit with divine ambition puffed
FTLN 2883 Makes mouths at the invisible event,
FTLN 2884 Exposing what is mortal and unsure
FTLN 2885 55 To all that fortune, death, and danger dare,
FTLN 2886 Even for an eggshell. Rightly to be great
FTLN 2887 Is not to stir without great argument,
FTLN 2888 But greatly to find quarrel in a straw
FTLN 2889 When honor’s at the stake. How stand I, then,
FTLN 2890 60 That have a father killed, a mother stained,
FTLN 2891 Excitements of my reason and my blood,
FTLN 2892 And let all sleep, while to my shame I see
FTLN 2893 The imminent death of twenty thousand men
FTLN 2894 That for a fantasy and trick of fame
FTLN 2895 65 Go to their graves like beds, fight for a plot
FTLN 2896 Whereon the numbers cannot try the cause,

205
Hamlet
ACT 4. SC. 5
FTLN 2897 Which is not tomb enough and continent
FTLN 2898 To hide the slain? O, from this time forth
FTLN 2899 My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth!
He exits.
Scene 5
Enter Horatio, Queen, and a Gentleman.
QUEEN FTLN 2900 I will not speak with her.
GENTLEMAN FTLN 2901 She is importunate,
FTLN 2902 Indeed distract; her mood will needs be pitied.
QUEEN FTLN 2903 What would she have?
GENTLEMAN
FTLN 2904 5 She speaks much of her father, says she hears
FTLN 2905 There’s tricks i’ th’ world, and hems, and beats her
FTLN 2906 heart,
FTLN 2907 Spurns enviously at straws, speaks things in doubt
FTLN 2908 That carry but half sense. Her speech is nothing,
FTLN 2909 10 Yet the unshapèd use of it doth move
FTLN 2910 The hearers to collection. They aim at it
FTLN 2911 And botch the words up fit to their own thoughts;
FTLN 2912 Which, as her winks and nods and gestures yield
FTLN 2913 them,
FTLN 2914 15 Indeed would make one think there might be
FTLN 2915 thought,
FTLN 2916 Though nothing sure, yet much unhappily.
HORATIO
FTLN 2917 ’Twere good she were spoken with, for she may
FTLN 2918 strew
FTLN 2919 20 Dangerous conjectures in ill-breeding minds.
QUEEN FTLN 2920 Let her come in. Gentleman exits.
FTLN 2921 Aside. To my sick soul (as sin’s true nature is),
FTLN 2922 Each toy seems prologue to some great amiss.
FTLN 2923 So full of artless jealousy is guilt,
FTLN 2924 25 It spills itself in fearing to be spilt.

207
Hamlet
ACT 4. SC. 5
Enter Ophelia distracted.
OPHELIA
FTLN 2925 Where is the beauteous Majesty of Denmark?
QUEEN FTLN 2926 How now, Ophelia?
OPHELIA sings
FTLN 2927 How should I your true love know
FTLN 2928 From another one?
FTLN 2929 30 By his cockle hat and staff
FTLN 2930 And his sandal shoon.
QUEEN
FTLN 2931 Alas, sweet lady, what imports this song?
OPHELIA FTLN 2932 Say you? Nay, pray you, mark.
Sings. FTLN 2933 He is dead and gone, lady,
FTLN 2934 35 He is dead and gone;
FTLN 2935 At his head a grass-green turf,
FTLN 2936 At his heels a stone.
FTLN 2937 Oh, ho!
QUEEN FTLN 2938 Nay, but Ophelia—
OPHELIA FTLN 2939 40 Pray you, mark.
Sings. FTLN 2940 White his shroud as the mountain snow—
Enter King.
QUEEN FTLN 2941 Alas, look here, my lord.
OPHELIA sings
FTLN 2942 Larded all with sweet flowers;
FTLN 2943 Which bewept to the ground did not go
FTLN 2944 45 With true-love showers.
KING FTLN 2945 How do you, pretty lady?
OPHELIA FTLN 2946 Well, God dild you. They say the owl was a
FTLN 2947 baker’s daughter. Lord, we know what we are but
FTLN 2948 know not what we may be. God be at your table.
KING FTLN 2949 50 Conceit upon her father.
OPHELIA FTLN 2950 Pray let’s have no words of this, but when
FTLN 2951 they ask you what it means, say you this:

209
Hamlet
ACT 4. SC. 5
Sings. FTLN 2952 Tomorrow is Saint Valentine’s day,
FTLN 2953 All in the morning betime,
FTLN 2954 55 And I a maid at your window,
FTLN 2955 To be your Valentine.
FTLN 2956 Then up he rose and donned his clothes
FTLN 2957 And dupped the chamber door,
FTLN 2958 Let in the maid, that out a maid
FTLN 2959 60 Never departed more.
KING FTLN 2960 Pretty Ophelia—
OPHELIA
FTLN 2961 Indeed, without an oath, I’ll make an end on ’t:
Sings. FTLN 2962 By Gis and by Saint Charity,
FTLN 2963 Alack and fie for shame,
FTLN 2964 65 Young men will do ’t, if they come to ’t;
FTLN 2965 By Cock, they are to blame.
FTLN 2966 Quoth she “Before you tumbled me,
FTLN 2967 You promised me to wed.”
FTLN 2968 He answers:
FTLN 2969 70 “So would I ’a done, by yonder sun,
FTLN 2970 An thou hadst not come to my bed.”
KING FTLN 2971 How long hath she been thus?
OPHELIA FTLN 2972 I hope all will be well. We must be patient,
FTLN 2973 but I cannot choose but weep to think they would
FTLN 2974 75 lay him i’ th’ cold ground. My brother shall know of
FTLN 2975 it. And so I thank you for your good counsel. Come,
FTLN 2976 my coach! Good night, ladies, good night, sweet
FTLN 2977 ladies, good night, good night. She exits.
KING
FTLN 2978 Follow her close; give her good watch, I pray you.
Horatio exits.
FTLN 2979 80 O, this is the poison of deep grief. It springs
FTLN 2980 All from her father’s death, and now behold!
FTLN 2981 O Gertrude, Gertrude,
FTLN 2982 When sorrows come, they come not single spies,
FTLN 2983 But in battalions: first, her father slain;
FTLN 2984 85 Next, your son gone, and he most violent author
FTLN 2985 Of his own just remove; the people muddied,

211
Hamlet
ACT 4. SC. 5
FTLN 2986 Thick, and unwholesome in their thoughts and
FTLN 2987 whispers
FTLN 2988 For good Polonius’ death, and we have done but
FTLN 2989 90 greenly
FTLN 2990 In hugger-mugger to inter him; poor Ophelia
FTLN 2991 Divided from herself and her fair judgment,
FTLN 2992 Without the which we are pictures or mere beasts;
FTLN 2993 Last, and as much containing as all these,
FTLN 2994 95 Her brother is in secret come from France,
FTLN 2995 Feeds on his wonder, keeps himself in clouds,
FTLN 2996 And wants not buzzers to infect his ear
FTLN 2997 With pestilent speeches of his father’s death,
FTLN 2998 Wherein necessity, of matter beggared,
FTLN 2999 100 Will nothing stick our person to arraign
FTLN 3000 In ear and ear. O, my dear Gertrude, this,
FTLN 3001 Like to a murd’ring piece, in many places
FTLN 3002 Gives me superfluous death.
A noise within.
QUEEN FTLN 3003 Alack, what noise is this?
KING FTLN 3004 105 Attend!
FTLN 3005 Where is my Switzers? Let them guard the door.
Enter a Messenger.
FTLN 3006 What is the matter?
MESSENGER FTLN 3007 Save yourself, my lord.
FTLN 3008 The ocean, overpeering of his list,
FTLN 3009 110 Eats not the flats with more impiteous haste
FTLN 3010 Than young Laertes, in a riotous head,
FTLN 3011 O’erbears your officers. The rabble call him “lord,”
FTLN 3012 And, as the world were now but to begin,
FTLN 3013 Antiquity forgot, custom not known,
FTLN 3014 115 The ratifiers and props of every word,
FTLN 3015 They cry “Choose we, Laertes shall be king!”
FTLN 3016 Caps, hands, and tongues applaud it to the clouds,
FTLN 3017 “Laertes shall be king! Laertes king!”
A noise within.

213
Hamlet
ACT 4. SC. 5
QUEEN
FTLN 3018 How cheerfully on the false trail they cry.
FTLN 3019 120 O, this is counter, you false Danish dogs!
KING FTLN 3020 The doors are broke.
Enter Laertes with others.
LAERTES
FTLN 3021 Where is this king?—Sirs, stand you all without.
ALL FTLN 3022 No, let’s come in!
LAERTES FTLN 3023 I pray you, give me leave.
ALL FTLN 3024 125 We will, we will.
LAERTES
FTLN 3025 I thank you. Keep the door. Followers exit. O, thou
FTLN 3026 vile king,
FTLN 3027 Give me my father!
QUEEN FTLN 3028 Calmly, good Laertes.
LAERTES
FTLN 3029 130 That drop of blood that’s calm proclaims me
FTLN 3030 bastard,
FTLN 3031 Cries “cuckold” to my father, brands the harlot
FTLN 3032 Even here between the chaste unsmirchèd brow
FTLN 3033 Of my true mother.
KING FTLN 3034 135 What is the cause, Laertes,
FTLN 3035 That thy rebellion looks so giant-like?—
FTLN 3036 Let him go, Gertrude. Do not fear our person.
FTLN 3037 There’s such divinity doth hedge a king
FTLN 3038 That treason can but peep to what it would,
FTLN 3039 140 Acts little of his will.—Tell me, Laertes,
FTLN 3040 Why thou art thus incensed.—Let him go,
FTLN 3041 Gertrude.—
FTLN 3042 Speak, man.
LAERTES FTLN 3043 Where is my father?
KING FTLN 3044 145 Dead.
QUEEN
FTLN 3045 But not by him.
KING FTLN 3046 Let him demand his fill.

215
Hamlet
ACT 4. SC. 5
LAERTES
FTLN 3047 How came he dead? I’ll not be juggled with.
FTLN 3048 To hell, allegiance! Vows, to the blackest devil!
FTLN 3049 150 Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit!
FTLN 3050 I dare damnation. To this point I stand,
FTLN 3051 That both the worlds I give to negligence,
FTLN 3052 Let come what comes, only I’ll be revenged
FTLN 3053 Most throughly for my father.
KING FTLN 3054 155 Who shall stay you?
LAERTES FTLN 3055 My will, not all the world.
FTLN 3056 And for my means, I’ll husband them so well
FTLN 3057 They shall go far with little.
KING FTLN 3058 Good Laertes,
FTLN 3059 160 If you desire to know the certainty
FTLN 3060 Of your dear father, is ’t writ in your revenge
FTLN 3061 That, swoopstake, you will draw both friend and
FTLN 3062 foe,
FTLN 3063 Winner and loser?
LAERTES FTLN 3064 165 None but his enemies.
KING FTLN 3065 Will you know them, then?
LAERTES
FTLN 3066 To his good friends thus wide I’ll ope my arms
FTLN 3067 And, like the kind life-rend’ring pelican,
FTLN 3068 Repast them with my blood.
KING FTLN 3069 170 Why, now you speak
FTLN 3070 Like a good child and a true gentleman.
FTLN 3071 That I am guiltless of your father’s death
FTLN 3072 And am most sensibly in grief for it,
FTLN 3073 It shall as level to your judgment ’pear
FTLN 3074 175 As day does to your eye.
FTLN 3075 A noise within: “Let her come in!”
LAERTES FTLN 3076 How now, what noise is that?
Enter Ophelia.
FTLN 3077 O heat, dry up my brains! Tears seven times salt
FTLN 3078 Burn out the sense and virtue of mine eye!

217
Hamlet
ACT 4. SC. 5
FTLN 3079 180 By heaven, thy madness shall be paid with weight
FTLN 3080 Till our scale turn the beam! O rose of May,
FTLN 3081 Dear maid, kind sister, sweet Ophelia!
FTLN 3082 O heavens, is ’t possible a young maid’s wits
FTLN 3083 Should be as mortal as an old man’s life?
FTLN 3084 185 Nature is fine in love, and, where ’tis fine,
FTLN 3085 It sends some precious instance of itself
FTLN 3086 After the thing it loves.
OPHELIA sings
FTLN 3087 They bore him barefaced on the bier,
FTLN 3088 Hey non nonny, nonny, hey nonny,
FTLN 3089 190 And in his grave rained many a tear.
FTLN 3090 Fare you well, my dove.
LAERTES
FTLN 3091 Hadst thou thy wits and didst persuade revenge,
FTLN 3092 It could not move thus.
OPHELIA FTLN 3093 You must sing “A-down a-down”—and you
FTLN 3094 195 “Call him a-down-a.”—O, how the wheel becomes
FTLN 3095 it! It is the false steward that stole his master’s
FTLN 3096 daughter.
LAERTES FTLN 3097 This nothing’s more than matter.
OPHELIA FTLN 3098 There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance.
FTLN 3099 200 Pray you, love, remember. And there is pansies,
FTLN 3100 that’s for thoughts.
LAERTES FTLN 3101 A document in madness: thoughts and remembrance
FTLN 3102 fitted.
OPHELIA FTLN 3103 There’s fennel for you, and columbines.
FTLN 3104 205 There’s rue for you, and here’s some for me; we
FTLN 3105 may call it herb of grace o’ Sundays. You must wear
FTLN 3106 your rue with a difference. There’s a daisy. I would
FTLN 3107 give you some violets, but they withered all when
FTLN 3108 my father died. They say he made a good end.
FTLN 3109 210 Sings. For bonny sweet Robin is all my joy.
LAERTES
FTLN 3110 Thought and afflictions, passion, hell itself
FTLN 3111 She turns to favor and to prettiness.

219
Hamlet
ACT 4. SC. 5
OPHELIA sings
FTLN 3112 And will he not come again?
FTLN 3113 And will he not come again?
FTLN 3114 215 No, no, he is dead.
FTLN 3115 Go to thy deathbed.
FTLN 3116 He never will come again.
FTLN 3117 His beard was as white as snow,
FTLN 3118 All flaxen was his poll.
FTLN 3119 220 He is gone, he is gone,
FTLN 3120 And we cast away moan.
FTLN 3121 God ’a mercy on his soul.
FTLN 3122 And of all Christians’ souls, I pray God. God be wi’
FTLN 3123 you. She exits.
LAERTES FTLN 3124 225 Do you see this, O God?
KING
FTLN 3125 Laertes, I must commune with your grief,
FTLN 3126 Or you deny me right. Go but apart,
FTLN 3127 Make choice of whom your wisest friends you will,
FTLN 3128 And they shall hear and judge ’twixt you and me.
FTLN 3129 230 If by direct or by collateral hand
FTLN 3130 They find us touched, we will our kingdom give,
FTLN 3131 Our crown, our life, and all that we call ours,
FTLN 3132 To you in satisfaction; but if not,
FTLN 3133 Be you content to lend your patience to us,
FTLN 3134 235 And we shall jointly labor with your soul
FTLN 3135 To give it due content.
LAERTES FTLN 3136 Let this be so.
FTLN 3137 His means of death, his obscure funeral
FTLN 3138 (No trophy, sword, nor hatchment o’er his bones,
FTLN 3139 240 No noble rite nor formal ostentation)
FTLN 3140 Cry to be heard, as ’twere from heaven to earth,
FTLN 3141 That I must call ’t in question.
KING FTLN 3142 So you shall,
FTLN 3143 And where th’ offense is, let the great ax fall.
FTLN 3144 245 I pray you, go with me.
They exit.

221
Hamlet
ACT 4. SC. 6
Scene 6
Enter Horatio and others.
HORATIO FTLN 3145 What are they that would speak with me?
GENTLEMAN FTLN 3146 Seafaring men, sir. They say they have
FTLN 3147 letters for you.
HORATIO FTLN 3148 Let them come in. Gentleman exits. I do not
FTLN 3149 5 know from what part of the world I should be
FTLN 3150 greeted, if not from Lord Hamlet.
Enter Sailors.
SAILOR FTLN 3151 God bless you, sir.
HORATIO FTLN 3152 Let Him bless thee too.
SAILOR FTLN 3153 He shall, sir, an ’t please Him. There’s a letter
FTLN 3154 10 for you, sir. It came from th’ ambassador that was
FTLN 3155 bound for England—if your name be Horatio, as I
FTLN 3156 am let to know it is. He hands Horatio a letter.
HORATIO reads the letter FTLN 3157 Horatio, when thou shalt have
FTLN 3158 overlooked this, give these fellows some means to the
FTLN 3159 15 King. They have letters for him. Ere we were two days
FTLN 3160 old at sea, a pirate of very warlike appointment gave
FTLN 3161 us chase. Finding ourselves too slow of sail, we put on
FTLN 3162 a compelled valor, and in the grapple I boarded them.
FTLN 3163 On the instant, they got clear of our ship; so I alone
FTLN 3164 20 became their prisoner. They have dealt with me like
FTLN 3165 thieves of mercy, but they knew what they did: I am to
FTLN 3166 do a good turn for them. Let the King have the letters
FTLN 3167 I have sent, and repair thou to me with as much speed
FTLN 3168 as thou wouldst fly death. I have words to speak in
FTLN 3169 25 thine ear will make thee dumb; yet are they much too
FTLN 3170 light for the bore of the matter. These good fellows
FTLN 3171 will bring thee where I am. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
FTLN 3172 hold their course for England; of them I have
FTLN 3173 much to tell thee. Farewell.
FTLN 3174 30 He that thou knowest thine,
FTLN 3175 Hamlet.

223
Hamlet
ACT 4. SC. 7
FTLN 3176 Come, I will give you way for these your letters
FTLN 3177 And do ’t the speedier that you may direct me
FTLN 3178 To him from whom you brought them.
They exit.
Scene 7
Enter King and Laertes.
KING
FTLN 3179 Now must your conscience my acquittance seal,
FTLN 3180 And you must put me in your heart for friend,
FTLN 3181 Sith you have heard, and with a knowing ear,
FTLN 3182 That he which hath your noble father slain
FTLN 3183 5 Pursued my life.
LAERTES FTLN 3184 It well appears. But tell me
FTLN 3185 Why you proceeded not against these feats,
FTLN 3186 So criminal and so capital in nature,
FTLN 3187 As by your safety, greatness, wisdom, all things else,
FTLN 3188 10 You mainly were stirred up.
KING FTLN 3189 O, for two special reasons,
FTLN 3190 Which may to you perhaps seem much unsinewed,
FTLN 3191 But yet to me they’re strong. The Queen his mother
FTLN 3192 Lives almost by his looks, and for myself
FTLN 3193 15 (My virtue or my plague, be it either which),
FTLN 3194 She is so conjunctive to my life and soul
FTLN 3195 That, as the star moves not but in his sphere,
FTLN 3196 I could not but by her. The other motive
FTLN 3197 Why to a public count I might not go
FTLN 3198 20 Is the great love the general gender bear him,
FTLN 3199 Who, dipping all his faults in their affection,
FTLN 3200 Work like the spring that turneth wood to stone,
FTLN 3201 Convert his gyves to graces, so that my arrows,
FTLN 3202 Too slightly timbered for so loud a wind,
FTLN 3203 25 Would have reverted to my bow again,
FTLN 3204 But not where I have aimed them.
LAERTES
FTLN 3205 And so have I a noble father lost,

225
Hamlet
ACT 4. SC. 7
FTLN 3206 A sister driven into desp’rate terms,
FTLN 3207 Whose worth, if praises may go back again,
FTLN 3208 30 Stood challenger on mount of all the age
FTLN 3209 For her perfections. But my revenge will come.
KING
FTLN 3210 Break not your sleeps for that. You must not think
FTLN 3211 That we are made of stuff so flat and dull
FTLN 3212 That we can let our beard be shook with danger
FTLN 3213 35 And think it pastime. You shortly shall hear more.
FTLN 3214 I loved your father, and we love ourself,
FTLN 3215 And that, I hope, will teach you to imagine—
Enter a Messenger with letters.
FTLN 3216 How now? What news?
MESSENGER FTLN 3217 Letters, my lord, from
FTLN 3218 40 Hamlet.
FTLN 3219 These to your Majesty, this to the Queen.
KING FTLN 3220 From Hamlet? Who brought them?
MESSENGER
FTLN 3221 Sailors, my lord, they say. I saw them not.
FTLN 3222 They were given me by Claudio. He received them
FTLN 3223 45 Of him that brought them.
KING FTLN 3224 Laertes, you shall hear
FTLN 3225 them.—
FTLN 3226 Leave us. Messenger exits.
FTLN 3227 Reads. High and mighty, you shall know I am set
FTLN 3228 50 naked on your kingdom. Tomorrow shall I beg leave to
FTLN 3229 see your kingly eyes, when I shall (first asking your
FTLN 3230 pardon) thereunto recount the occasion of my sudden
FTLN 3231 and more strange return. Hamlet.
FTLN 3232 What should this mean? Are all the rest come back?
FTLN 3233 55 Or is it some abuse and no such thing?
LAERTES FTLN 3234 Know you the hand?
KING FTLN 3235’Tis Hamlet’s character. “Naked”—
FTLN 3236 And in a postscript here, he says “alone.”
FTLN 3237 Can you advise me?

227
Hamlet
ACT 4. SC. 7
LAERTES
FTLN 3238 60 I am lost in it, my lord. But let him come.
FTLN 3239 It warms the very sickness in my heart
FTLN 3240 That I shall live and tell him to his teeth
FTLN 3241 “Thus didst thou.”
KING FTLN 3242 If it be so, Laertes
FTLN 3243 65 (As how should it be so? how otherwise?),
FTLN 3244 Will you be ruled by me?
LAERTES FTLN 3245 Ay, my lord,
FTLN 3246 So you will not o’errule me to a peace.
KING
FTLN 3247 To thine own peace. If he be now returned,
FTLN 3248 70 As checking at his voyage, and that he means
FTLN 3249 No more to undertake it, I will work him
FTLN 3250 To an exploit, now ripe in my device,
FTLN 3251 Under the which he shall not choose but fall;
FTLN 3252 And for his death no wind of blame shall breathe,
FTLN 3253 75 But even his mother shall uncharge the practice
FTLN 3254 And call it accident.
LAERTES FTLN 3255 My lord, I will be ruled,
FTLN 3256 The rather if you could devise it so
FTLN 3257 That I might be the organ.
KING FTLN 3258 80 It falls right.
FTLN 3259 You have been talked of since your travel much,
FTLN 3260 And that in Hamlet’s hearing, for a quality
FTLN 3261 Wherein they say you shine. Your sum of parts
FTLN 3262 Did not together pluck such envy from him
FTLN 3263 85 As did that one, and that, in my regard,
FTLN 3264 Of the unworthiest siege.
LAERTES FTLN 3265 What part is that, my lord?
KING
FTLN 3266 A very ribbon in the cap of youth—
FTLN 3267 Yet needful too, for youth no less becomes
FTLN 3268 90 The light and careless livery that it wears
FTLN 3269 Than settled age his sables and his weeds,
FTLN 3270 Importing health and graveness. Two months since

229
Hamlet
ACT 4. SC. 7
FTLN 3271 Here was a gentleman of Normandy.
FTLN 3272 I have seen myself, and served against, the French,
FTLN 3273 95 And they can well on horseback, but this gallant
FTLN 3274 Had witchcraft in ’t. He grew unto his seat,
FTLN 3275 And to such wondrous doing brought his horse
FTLN 3276 As had he been encorpsed and demi-natured
FTLN 3277 With the brave beast. So far he topped my thought
FTLN 3278 100 That I in forgery of shapes and tricks
FTLN 3279 Come short of what he did.
LAERTES FTLN 3280 A Norman was ’t?
KING FTLN 3281 A Norman.
LAERTES
FTLN 3282 Upon my life, Lamord.
KING FTLN 3283 105 The very same.
LAERTES
FTLN 3284 I know him well. He is the brooch indeed
FTLN 3285 And gem of all the nation.
KING FTLN 3286 He made confession of you
FTLN 3287 And gave you such a masterly report
FTLN 3288 110 For art and exercise in your defense,
FTLN 3289 And for your rapier most especial,
FTLN 3290 That he cried out ’twould be a sight indeed
FTLN 3291 If one could match you. The ’scrimers of their
FTLN 3292 nation
FTLN 3293 115 He swore had neither motion, guard, nor eye,
FTLN 3294 If you opposed them. Sir, this report of his
FTLN 3295 Did Hamlet so envenom with his envy
FTLN 3296 That he could nothing do but wish and beg
FTLN 3297 Your sudden coming-o’er, to play with you.
FTLN 3298 120 Now out of this—
LAERTES FTLN 3299 What out of this, my lord?
KING
FTLN 3300 Laertes, was your father dear to you?
FTLN 3301 Or are you like the painting of a sorrow,
FTLN 3302 A face without a heart?
LAERTES FTLN 3303 125 Why ask you this?

231
Hamlet
ACT 4. SC. 7
KING
FTLN 3304 Not that I think you did not love your father,
FTLN 3305 But that I know love is begun by time
FTLN 3306 And that I see, in passages of proof,
FTLN 3307 Time qualifies the spark and fire of it.
FTLN 3308 130 There lives within the very flame of love
FTLN 3309 A kind of wick or snuff that will abate it,
FTLN 3310 And nothing is at a like goodness still;
FTLN 3311 For goodness, growing to a pleurisy,
FTLN 3312 Dies in his own too-much. That we would do
FTLN 3313 135 We should do when we would; for this “would”
FTLN 3314 changes
FTLN 3315 And hath abatements and delays as many
FTLN 3316 As there are tongues, are hands, are accidents;
FTLN 3317 And then this “should” is like a spendthrift sigh,
FTLN 3318 140 That hurts by easing. But to the quick of th’ ulcer:
FTLN 3319 Hamlet comes back; what would you undertake
FTLN 3320 To show yourself indeed your father’s son
FTLN 3321 More than in words?
LAERTES FTLN 3322 To cut his throat i’ th’ church.
KING
FTLN 3323 145 No place indeed should murder sanctuarize;
FTLN 3324 Revenge should have no bounds. But, good Laertes,
FTLN 3325 Will you do this? Keep close within your chamber.
FTLN 3326 Hamlet, returned, shall know you are come home.
FTLN 3327 We’ll put on those shall praise your excellence
FTLN 3328 150 And set a double varnish on the fame
FTLN 3329 The Frenchman gave you; bring you, in fine,
FTLN 3330 together
FTLN 3331 And wager on your heads. He, being remiss,
FTLN 3332 Most generous, and free from all contriving,
FTLN 3333 155 Will not peruse the foils, so that with ease,
FTLN 3334 Or with a little shuffling, you may choose
FTLN 3335 A sword unbated, and in a pass of practice
FTLN 3336 Requite him for your father.

233
Hamlet
ACT 4. SC. 7
LAERTES FTLN 3337 I will do ’t,
FTLN 3338 160 And for that purpose I’ll anoint my sword.
FTLN 3339 I bought an unction of a mountebank
FTLN 3340 So mortal that, but dip a knife in it,
FTLN 3341 Where it draws blood no cataplasm so rare,
FTLN 3342 Collected from all simples that have virtue
FTLN 3343 165 Under the moon, can save the thing from death
FTLN 3344 That is but scratched withal. I’ll touch my point
FTLN 3345 With this contagion, that, if I gall him slightly,
FTLN 3346 It may be death.
KING FTLN 3347 Let’s further think of this,
FTLN 3348 170 Weigh what convenience both of time and means
FTLN 3349 May fit us to our shape. If this should fail,
FTLN 3350 And that our drift look through our bad
FTLN 3351 performance,
FTLN 3352 ’Twere better not assayed. Therefore this project
FTLN 3353 175 Should have a back or second that might hold
FTLN 3354 If this did blast in proof. Soft, let me see.
FTLN 3355 We’ll make a solemn wager on your cunnings—
FTLN 3356 I ha ’t!
FTLN 3357 When in your motion you are hot and dry
FTLN 3358 180 (As make your bouts more violent to that end)
FTLN 3359 And that he calls for drink, I’ll have prepared
FTLN 3360 him
FTLN 3361 A chalice for the nonce, whereon but sipping,
FTLN 3362 If he by chance escape your venomed stuck,
FTLN 3363 185 Our purpose may hold there.—But stay, what
FTLN 3364 noise?
Enter Queen.
QUEEN
FTLN 3365 One woe doth tread upon another’s heel,
FTLN 3366 So fast they follow. Your sister’s drowned, Laertes.
LAERTES FTLN 3367 Drowned? O, where?
QUEEN
FTLN 3368 190 There is a willow grows askant the brook

235
Hamlet
ACT 4. SC. 7
FTLN 3369 That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream.
FTLN 3370 Therewith fantastic garlands did she make
FTLN 3371 Of crowflowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples,
FTLN 3372 That liberal shepherds give a grosser name,
FTLN 3373 195 But our cold maids do “dead men’s fingers” call
FTLN 3374 them.
FTLN 3375 There on the pendant boughs her coronet weeds
FTLN 3376 Clamb’ring to hang, an envious sliver broke,
FTLN 3377 When down her weedy trophies and herself
FTLN 3378 200 Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide,
FTLN 3379 And mermaid-like awhile they bore her up,
FTLN 3380 Which time she chanted snatches of old lauds,
FTLN 3381 As one incapable of her own distress
FTLN 3382 Or like a creature native and endued
FTLN 3383 205 Unto that element. But long it could not be
FTLN 3384 Till that her garments, heavy with their drink,
FTLN 3385 Pulled the poor wretch from her melodious lay
FTLN 3386 To muddy death.
LAERTES FTLN 3387 Alas, then she is drowned.
QUEEN FTLN 3388 210 Drowned, drowned.
LAERTES
FTLN 3389 Too much of water hast thou, poor Ophelia,
FTLN 3390 And therefore I forbid my tears. But yet
FTLN 3391 It is our trick; nature her custom holds,
FTLN 3392 Let shame say what it will. When these are gone,
FTLN 3393 215 The woman will be out.—Adieu, my lord.
FTLN 3394 I have a speech o’ fire that fain would blaze,
FTLN 3395 But that this folly drowns it. He exits.
KING FTLN 3396 Let’s follow, Gertrude.
FTLN 3397 How much I had to do to calm his rage!
FTLN 3398 220 Now fear I this will give it start again.
FTLN 3399 Therefore, let’s follow.
They exit.

ACT 5
Scene 1
Enter Gravedigger and Another.
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3400 Is she to be buried in Christian burial,
FTLN 3401 when she willfully seeks her own salvation?
OTHER FTLN 3402 I tell thee she is. Therefore make her grave
FTLN 3403 straight. The crowner hath sat on her and finds it
FTLN 3404 5 Christian burial.
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3405 How can that be, unless she drowned
FTLN 3406 herself in her own defense?
OTHER FTLN 3407 Why, ’tis found so.
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3408 It must be se offendendo; it cannot be
FTLN 3409 10 else. For here lies the point: if I drown myself
FTLN 3410 wittingly, it argues an act, and an act hath three
FTLN 3411 branches—it is to act, to do, to perform. Argal, she
FTLN 3412 drowned herself wittingly.
OTHER FTLN 3413 Nay, but hear you, goodman delver—
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3414 15 Give me leave. Here lies the water;
FTLN 3415 good. Here stands the man; good. If the man go to
FTLN 3416 this water and drown himself, it is (will he, nill he)
FTLN 3417 he goes; mark you that. But if the water come to him
FTLN 3418 and drown him, he drowns not himself. Argal, he
FTLN 3419 20 that is not guilty of his own death shortens not his
FTLN 3420 own life.
OTHER FTLN 3421 But is this law?
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3422 Ay, marry, is ’t—crowner’s ’quest law.
239

241
Hamlet
ACT 5. SC. 1
OTHER FTLN 3423 Will you ha’ the truth on ’t? If this had not been
FTLN 3424 25 a gentlewoman, she should have been buried out o’
FTLN 3425 Christian burial.
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3426 Why, there thou sayst. And the more
FTLN 3427 pity that great folk should have count’nance in this
FTLN 3428 world to drown or hang themselves more than
FTLN 3429 30 their even-Christian. Come, my spade. There is no
FTLN 3430 ancient gentlemen but gard’ners, ditchers, and
FTLN 3431 grave-makers. They hold up Adam’s profession.
OTHER FTLN 3432 Was he a gentleman?
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3433 He was the first that ever bore arms.
OTHER FTLN 3434 35 Why, he had none.
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3435 What, art a heathen? How dost thou
FTLN 3436 understand the scripture? The scripture says Adam
FTLN 3437 digged. Could he dig without arms? I’ll put another
FTLN 3438 question to thee. If thou answerest me not to the
FTLN 3439 40 purpose, confess thyself—
OTHER FTLN 3440 Go to!
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3441 What is he that builds stronger than
FTLN 3442 either the mason, the shipwright, or the carpenter?
OTHER FTLN 3443 The gallows-maker; for that frame outlives a
FTLN 3444 45 thousand tenants.
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3445 I like thy wit well, in good faith. The
FTLN 3446 gallows does well. But how does it well? It does
FTLN 3447 well to those that do ill. Now, thou dost ill to say the
FTLN 3448 gallows is built stronger than the church. Argal, the
FTLN 3449 50 gallows may do well to thee. To ’t again, come.
OTHER FTLN 3450“Who builds stronger than a mason, a shipwright,
FTLN 3451 or a carpenter?”
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3452 Ay, tell me that, and unyoke.
OTHER FTLN 3453 Marry, now I can tell.
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3454 55 To ’t.
OTHER FTLN 3455 Mass, I cannot tell.
Enter Hamlet and Horatio afar off.
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3456 Cudgel thy brains no more about it,

243
Hamlet
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 3457 for your dull ass will not mend his pace with
FTLN 3458 beating. And, when you are asked this question
FTLN 3459 60 next, say “a grave-maker.” The houses he makes
FTLN 3460 lasts till doomsday. Go, get thee in, and fetch me a
FTLN 3461 stoup of liquor.
The Other Man exits
and the Gravedigger digs and sings.
FTLN 3462 In youth when I did love, did love,
FTLN 3463 Methought it was very sweet
FTLN 3464 65 To contract—O—the time for—a—my behove,
FTLN 3465 O, methought there—a—was nothing—a—meet.
HAMLET FTLN 3466 Has this fellow no feeling of his business? He
FTLN 3467 sings in grave-making.
HORATIO FTLN 3468 Custom hath made it in him a property of
FTLN 3469 70 easiness.
HAMLET FTLN 3470’Tis e’en so. The hand of little employment
FTLN 3471 hath the daintier sense.
GRAVEDIGGER sings
FTLN 3472 But age with his stealing steps
FTLN 3473 Hath clawed me in his clutch,
FTLN 3474 75 And hath shipped me into the land,
FTLN 3475 As if I had never been such.
He digs up a skull.
HAMLET FTLN 3476 That skull had a tongue in it and could sing
FTLN 3477 once. How the knave jowls it to the ground as if
FTLN 3478 ’twere Cain’s jawbone, that did the first murder!
FTLN 3479 80 This might be the pate of a politician which this ass
FTLN 3480 now o’erreaches, one that would circumvent God,
FTLN 3481 might it not?
HORATIO FTLN 3482 It might, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 3483 Or of a courtier, which could say “Good
FTLN 3484 85 morrow, sweet lord! How dost thou, sweet lord?”
FTLN 3485 This might be my Lord Such-a-one that praised my
FTLN 3486 Lord Such-a-one’s horse when he went to beg it,
FTLN 3487 might it not?
HORATIO FTLN 3488 Ay, my lord.

245
Hamlet
ACT 5. SC. 1
HAMLET FTLN 3489 90 Why, e’en so. And now my Lady Worm’s,
FTLN 3490 chapless and knocked about the mazard with a
FTLN 3491 sexton’s spade. Here’s fine revolution, an we had
FTLN 3492 the trick to see ’t. Did these bones cost no more the
FTLN 3493 breeding but to play at loggets with them? Mine
FTLN 3494 95 ache to think on ’t.
GRAVEDIGGER sings
FTLN 3495 A pickax and a spade, a spade,
FTLN 3496 For and a shrouding sheet,
FTLN 3497 O, a pit of clay for to be made
FTLN 3498 For such a guest is meet.
He digs up more skulls.
HAMLET FTLN 3499 100 There’s another. Why may not that be the
FTLN 3500 skull of a lawyer? Where be his quiddities now, his
FTLN 3501 quillities, his cases, his tenures, and his tricks? Why
FTLN 3502 does he suffer this mad knave now to knock him
FTLN 3503 about the sconce with a dirty shovel and will not tell
FTLN 3504 105 him of his action of battery? Hum, this fellow might
FTLN 3505 be in ’s time a great buyer of land, with his statutes,
FTLN 3506 his recognizances, his fines, his double vouchers,
FTLN 3507 his recoveries. Is this the fine of his fines and the
FTLN 3508 recovery of his recoveries, to have his fine pate full
FTLN 3509 110 of fine dirt? Will his vouchers vouch him no more
FTLN 3510 of his purchases, and double ones too, than the
FTLN 3511 length and breadth of a pair of indentures? The very
FTLN 3512 conveyances of his lands will scarcely lie in this box,
FTLN 3513 and must th’ inheritor himself have no more, ha?
HORATIO FTLN 3514 115 Not a jot more, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 3515 Is not parchment made of sheepskins?
HORATIO FTLN 3516 Ay, my lord, and of calves’ skins too.
HAMLET FTLN 3517 They are sheep and calves which seek out
FTLN 3518 assurance in that. I will speak to this fellow.—
FTLN 3519 120 Whose grave’s this, sirrah?
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3520 Mine, sir.
Sings. FTLN 3521 O, a pit of clay for to be made
FTLN 3522 For such a guest is meet.

247
Hamlet
ACT 5. SC. 1
HAMLET FTLN 3523 I think it be thine indeed, for thou liest in ’t.
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3524 125 You lie out on ’t, sir, and therefore ’tis
FTLN 3525 not yours. For my part, I do not lie in ’t, yet it is
FTLN 3526 mine.
HAMLET FTLN 3527 Thou dost lie in ’t, to be in ’t and say it is thine.
FTLN 3528 ’Tis for the dead, not for the quick; therefore thou
FTLN 3529 130 liest.
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3530’Tis a quick lie, sir; ’twill away again
FTLN 3531 from me to you.
HAMLET FTLN 3532 What man dost thou dig it for?
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3533 For no man, sir.
HAMLET FTLN 3534 135 What woman then?
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3535 For none, neither.
HAMLET FTLN 3536 Who is to be buried in ’t?
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3537 One that was a woman, sir, but, rest
FTLN 3538 her soul, she’s dead.
HAMLET FTLN 3539 140 How absolute the knave is! We must speak by
FTLN 3540 the card, or equivocation will undo us. By the
FTLN 3541 Lord, Horatio, this three years I have took note of
FTLN 3542 it: the age is grown so picked that the toe of the
FTLN 3543 peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier, he
FTLN 3544 145 galls his kibe.—How long hast thou been
FTLN 3545 grave-maker?
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3546 Of all the days i’ th’ year, I came to ’t
FTLN 3547 that day that our last King Hamlet overcame
FTLN 3548 Fortinbras.
HAMLET FTLN 3549 150 How long is that since?
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3550 Cannot you tell that? Every fool can
FTLN 3551 tell that. It was that very day that young Hamlet
FTLN 3552 was born—he that is mad, and sent into England.
HAMLET FTLN 3553 Ay, marry, why was he sent into England?
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3554 155 Why, because he was mad. He shall
FTLN 3555 recover his wits there. Or if he do not, ’tis no great
FTLN 3556 matter there.
HAMLET FTLN 3557 Why?
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3558’Twill not be seen in him there. There
FTLN 3559 160 the men are as mad as he.

249
Hamlet
ACT 5. SC. 1
HAMLET FTLN 3560 How came he mad?
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3561 Very strangely, they say.
HAMLET FTLN 3562 How “strangely”?
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3563 Faith, e’en with losing his wits.
HAMLET FTLN 3564 165 Upon what ground?
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3565 Why, here in Denmark. I have been
FTLN 3566 sexton here, man and boy, thirty years.
HAMLET FTLN 3567 How long will a man lie i’ th’ earth ere he rot?
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3568 Faith, if he be not rotten before he die
FTLN 3569 170 (as we have many pocky corses nowadays that will
FTLN 3570 scarce hold the laying in), he will last you some
FTLN 3571 eight year or nine year. A tanner will last you nine
FTLN 3572 year.
HAMLET FTLN 3573 Why he more than another?
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3574 175 Why, sir, his hide is so tanned with his
FTLN 3575 trade that he will keep out water a great while; and
FTLN 3576 your water is a sore decayer of your whoreson dead
FTLN 3577 body. Here’s a skull now hath lien you i’ th’ earth
FTLN 3578 three-and-twenty years.
HAMLET FTLN 3579 180 Whose was it?
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3580 A whoreson mad fellow’s it was.
FTLN 3581 Whose do you think it was?
HAMLET FTLN 3582 Nay, I know not.
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3583 A pestilence on him for a mad rogue!
FTLN 3584 185 He poured a flagon of Rhenish on my head once.
FTLN 3585 This same skull, sir, was, sir, Yorick’s skull, the
FTLN 3586 King’s jester.
HAMLET FTLN 3587 This?
GRAVEDIGGER FTLN 3588 E’en that.
HAMLET , taking the skull FTLN 3589 190 Let me see. Alas, poor
FTLN 3590 Yorick! I knew him, Horatio—a fellow of infinite
FTLN 3591 jest, of most excellent fancy. He hath bore me on his
FTLN 3592 back a thousand times, and now how abhorred in
FTLN 3593 my imagination it is! My gorge rises at it. Here hung
FTLN 3594 195 those lips that I have kissed I know not how oft.
FTLN 3595 Where be your gibes now? your gambols? your

251
Hamlet
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 3596 songs? your flashes of merriment that were wont to
FTLN 3597 set the table on a roar? Not one now to mock your
FTLN 3598 own grinning? Quite chapfallen? Now get you to my
FTLN 3599 200 lady’s chamber, and tell her, let her paint an inch
FTLN 3600 thick, to this favor she must come. Make her laugh
FTLN 3601 at that.—Prithee, Horatio, tell me one thing.
HORATIO FTLN 3602 What’s that, my lord?
HAMLET FTLN 3603 Dost thou think Alexander looked o’ this
FTLN 3604 205 fashion i’ th’ earth?
HORATIO FTLN 3605 E’en so.
HAMLET FTLN 3606 And smelt so? Pah! He puts the skull down.
HORATIO FTLN 3607 E’en so, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 3608 To what base uses we may return, Horatio!
FTLN 3609 210 Why may not imagination trace the noble dust of
FTLN 3610 Alexander till he find it stopping a bunghole?
HORATIO FTLN 3611’Twere to consider too curiously to consider
FTLN 3612 so.
HAMLET FTLN 3613 No, faith, not a jot; but to follow him thither,
FTLN 3614 215 with modesty enough and likelihood to lead it, as
FTLN 3615 thus: Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander
FTLN 3616 returneth to dust; the dust is earth; of earth
FTLN 3617 we make loam; and why of that loam whereto he
FTLN 3618 was converted might they not stop a beer barrel?
FTLN 3619 220 Imperious Caesar, dead and turned to clay,
FTLN 3620 Might stop a hole to keep the wind away.
FTLN 3621 O, that that earth which kept the world in awe
FTLN 3622 Should patch a wall t’ expel the winter’s flaw!
Enter King, Queen, Laertes, Lords attendant, and the
corpse of Ophelia, with a Doctor of Divinity.
FTLN 3623 But soft, but soft awhile! Here comes the King,
FTLN 3624 225 The Queen, the courtiers. Who is this they follow?
FTLN 3625 And with such maimèd rites? This doth betoken
FTLN 3626 The corse they follow did with desp’rate hand
FTLN 3627 Fordo its own life. ’Twas of some estate.
FTLN 3628 Couch we awhile and mark. They step aside.

253
Hamlet
ACT 5. SC. 1
LAERTES FTLN 3629 230 What ceremony else?
HAMLET FTLN 3630 That is Laertes, a very noble youth. Mark.
LAERTES FTLN 3631 What ceremony else?
DOCTOR
FTLN 3632 Her obsequies have been as far enlarged
FTLN 3633 As we have warranty. Her death was doubtful,
FTLN 3634 235 And, but that great command o’ersways the order,
FTLN 3635 She should in ground unsanctified been lodged
FTLN 3636 Till the last trumpet. For charitable prayers
FTLN 3637 Shards, flints, and pebbles should be thrown on
FTLN 3638 her.
FTLN 3639 240 Yet here she is allowed her virgin crants,
FTLN 3640 Her maiden strewments, and the bringing home
FTLN 3641 Of bell and burial.
LAERTES
FTLN 3642 Must there no more be done?
DOCTOR FTLN 3643 No more be done.
FTLN 3644 245 We should profane the service of the dead
FTLN 3645 To sing a requiem and such rest to her
FTLN 3646 As to peace-parted souls.
LAERTES FTLN 3647 Lay her i’ th’ earth,
FTLN 3648 And from her fair and unpolluted flesh
FTLN 3649 250 May violets spring! I tell thee, churlish priest,
FTLN 3650 A minist’ring angel shall my sister be
FTLN 3651 When thou liest howling.
HAMLET , to Horatio FTLN 3652 What, the fair Ophelia?
QUEEN FTLN 3653 Sweets to the sweet, farewell!
She scatters flowers.
FTLN 3654 255 I hoped thou shouldst have been my Hamlet’s wife;
FTLN 3655 I thought thy bride-bed to have decked, sweet maid,
FTLN 3656 And not have strewed thy grave.
LAERTES FTLN 3657 O, treble woe
FTLN 3658 Fall ten times treble on that cursèd head
FTLN 3659 260 Whose wicked deed thy most ingenious sense
FTLN 3660 Deprived thee of!—Hold off the earth awhile,
FTLN 3661 Till I have caught her once more in mine arms.
Leaps in the grave.

255
Hamlet
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 3662 Now pile your dust upon the quick and dead,
FTLN 3663 Till of this flat a mountain you have made
FTLN 3664 265 T’ o’ertop old Pelion or the skyish head
FTLN 3665 Of blue Olympus.
HAMLET , advancing
FTLN 3666 What is he whose grief
FTLN 3667 Bears such an emphasis, whose phrase of sorrow
FTLN 3668 Conjures the wand’ring stars and makes them stand
FTLN 3669 270 Like wonder-wounded hearers? This is I,
FTLN 3670 Hamlet the Dane.
LAERTES , coming out of the grave
FTLN 3671 The devil take thy soul!
HAMLET FTLN 3672 Thou pray’st not well. They grapple.
FTLN 3673 I prithee take thy fingers from my throat,
FTLN 3674 275 For though I am not splenitive and rash,
FTLN 3675 Yet have I in me something dangerous,
FTLN 3676 Which let thy wisdom fear. Hold off thy hand.
KING FTLN 3677 Pluck them asunder.
QUEEN FTLN 3678 Hamlet! Hamlet!
ALL FTLN 3679 280 Gentlemen!
HORATIO FTLN 3680 Good my lord, be quiet.
Hamlet and Laertes are separated.
HAMLET
FTLN 3681 Why, I will fight with him upon this theme
FTLN 3682 Until my eyelids will no longer wag!
QUEEN FTLN 3683 O my son, what theme?
HAMLET
FTLN 3684 285 I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers
FTLN 3685 Could not with all their quantity of love
FTLN 3686 Make up my sum. What wilt thou do for her?
KING FTLN 3687 O, he is mad, Laertes!
QUEEN FTLN 3688 For love of God, forbear him.
HAMLET FTLN 3689 290’Swounds, show me what thou ’t do.
FTLN 3690 Woo’t weep, woo’t fight, woo’t fast, woo’t tear
FTLN 3691 thyself,
FTLN 3692 Woo’t drink up eisel, eat a crocodile?

257
Hamlet
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 3693 I’ll do ’t. Dost thou come here to whine?
FTLN 3694 295 To outface me with leaping in her grave?
FTLN 3695 Be buried quick with her, and so will I.
FTLN 3696 And if thou prate of mountains, let them throw
FTLN 3697 Millions of acres on us, till our ground,
FTLN 3698 Singeing his pate against the burning zone,
FTLN 3699 300 Make Ossa like a wart. Nay, an thou ’lt mouth,
FTLN 3700 I’ll rant as well as thou.
QUEEN FTLN 3701 This is mere madness;
FTLN 3702 And thus awhile the fit will work on him.
FTLN 3703 Anon, as patient as the female dove
FTLN 3704 305 When that her golden couplets are disclosed,
FTLN 3705 His silence will sit drooping.
HAMLET FTLN 3706 Hear you, sir,
FTLN 3707 What is the reason that you use me thus?
FTLN 3708 I loved you ever. But it is no matter.
FTLN 3709 310 Let Hercules himself do what he may,
FTLN 3710 The cat will mew, and dog will have his day.
Hamlet exits.
KING
FTLN 3711 I pray thee, good Horatio, wait upon him.
Horatio exits.
FTLN 3712 To Laertes. Strengthen your patience in our last
FTLN 3713 night’s speech.
FTLN 3714 315 We’ll put the matter to the present push.—
FTLN 3715 Good Gertrude, set some watch over your son.—
FTLN 3716 This grave shall have a living monument.
FTLN 3717 An hour of quiet thereby shall we see.
FTLN 3718 Till then in patience our proceeding be.
They exit.

259
Hamlet
ACT 5. SC. 2
Scene 2
Enter Hamlet and Horatio.
HAMLET
FTLN 3719 So much for this, sir. Now shall you see the other.
FTLN 3720 You do remember all the circumstance?
HORATIO FTLN 3721 Remember it, my lord!
HAMLET
FTLN 3722 Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting
FTLN 3723 5 That would not let me sleep. Methought I lay
FTLN 3724 Worse than the mutines in the bilboes. Rashly—
FTLN 3725 And praised be rashness for it: let us know,
FTLN 3726 Our indiscretion sometime serves us well
FTLN 3727 When our deep plots do pall; and that should learn
FTLN 3728 10 us
FTLN 3729 There’s a divinity that shapes our ends,
FTLN 3730 Rough-hew them how we will—
HORATIO FTLN 3731 That is most
FTLN 3732 certain.
HAMLET FTLN 3733 15 Up from my cabin,
FTLN 3734 My sea-gown scarfed about me, in the dark
FTLN 3735 Groped I to find out them; had my desire,
FTLN 3736 Fingered their packet, and in fine withdrew
FTLN 3737 To mine own room again, making so bold
FTLN 3738 20 (My fears forgetting manners) to unfold
FTLN 3739 Their grand commission; where I found, Horatio,
FTLN 3740 A royal knavery—an exact command,
FTLN 3741 Larded with many several sorts of reasons
FTLN 3742 Importing Denmark’s health and England’s too,
FTLN 3743 25 With—ho!—such bugs and goblins in my life,
FTLN 3744 That on the supervise, no leisure bated,
FTLN 3745 No, not to stay the grinding of the ax,
FTLN 3746 My head should be struck off.
HORATIO FTLN 3747 Is ’t possible?
HAMLET
FTLN 3748 30 Here’s the commission. Read it at more leisure.
Handing him a paper.

261
Hamlet
ACT 5. SC. 2
FTLN 3749 But wilt thou hear now how I did proceed?
HORATIO FTLN 3750 I beseech you.
HAMLET
FTLN 3751 Being thus benetted round with villainies,
FTLN 3752 Or I could make a prologue to my brains,
FTLN 3753 35 They had begun the play. I sat me down,
FTLN 3754 Devised a new commission, wrote it fair—
FTLN 3755 I once did hold it, as our statists do,
FTLN 3756 A baseness to write fair, and labored much
FTLN 3757 How to forget that learning; but, sir, now
FTLN 3758 40 It did me yeoman’s service. Wilt thou know
FTLN 3759 Th’ effect of what I wrote?
HORATIO FTLN 3760 Ay, good my lord.
HAMLET
FTLN 3761 An earnest conjuration from the King,
FTLN 3762 As England was his faithful tributary,
FTLN 3763 45 As love between them like the palm might flourish,
FTLN 3764 As peace should still her wheaten garland wear
FTLN 3765 And stand a comma ’tween their amities,
FTLN 3766 And many suchlike ases of great charge,
FTLN 3767 That, on the view and knowing of these contents,
FTLN 3768 50 Without debatement further, more or less,
FTLN 3769 He should those bearers put to sudden death,
FTLN 3770 Not shriving time allowed.
HORATIO FTLN 3771 How was this sealed?
HAMLET
FTLN 3772 Why, even in that was heaven ordinant.
FTLN 3773 55 I had my father’s signet in my purse,
FTLN 3774 Which was the model of that Danish seal;
FTLN 3775 Folded the writ up in the form of th’ other,
FTLN 3776 Subscribed it, gave ’t th’ impression, placed it
FTLN 3777 safely,
FTLN 3778 60 The changeling never known. Now, the next day
FTLN 3779 Was our sea-fight; and what to this was sequent
FTLN 3780 Thou knowest already.
HORATIO
FTLN 3781 So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to ’t.

263
Hamlet
ACT 5. SC. 2
HAMLET
FTLN 3782 Why, man, they did make love to this employment.
FTLN 3783 65 They are not near my conscience. Their defeat
FTLN 3784 Does by their own insinuation grow.
FTLN 3785 ’Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes
FTLN 3786 Between the pass and fell incensèd points
FTLN 3787 Of mighty opposites.
HORATIO FTLN 3788 70 Why, what a king is this!
HAMLET
FTLN 3789 Does it not, think thee, stand me now upon—
FTLN 3790 He that hath killed my king and whored my mother,
FTLN 3791 Popped in between th’ election and my hopes,
FTLN 3792 Thrown out his angle for my proper life,
FTLN 3793 75 And with such cozenage—is ’t not perfect
FTLN 3794 conscience
FTLN 3795 To quit him with this arm? And is ’t not to be
FTLN 3796 damned
FTLN 3797 To let this canker of our nature come
FTLN 3798 80 In further evil?
HORATIO
FTLN 3799 It must be shortly known to him from England
FTLN 3800 What is the issue of the business there.
HAMLET
FTLN 3801 It will be short. The interim’s mine,
FTLN 3802 And a man’s life’s no more than to say “one.”
FTLN 3803 85 But I am very sorry, good Horatio,
FTLN 3804 That to Laertes I forgot myself,
FTLN 3805 For by the image of my cause I see
FTLN 3806 The portraiture of his. I’ll court his favors.
FTLN 3807 But, sure, the bravery of his grief did put me
FTLN 3808 90 Into a tow’ring passion.
HORATIO FTLN 3809 Peace, who comes here?
Enter Osric, a courtier.
OSRIC FTLN 3810 Your Lordship is right welcome back to
FTLN 3811 Denmark.

265
Hamlet
ACT 5. SC. 2
HAMLET FTLN 3812 I humbly thank you, sir. Aside to Horatio.
FTLN 3813 95 Dost know this waterfly?
HORATIO , aside to Hamlet FTLN 3814 No, my good lord.
HAMLET , aside to Horatio FTLN 3815 Thy state is the more gracious,
FTLN 3816 for ’tis a vice to know him. He hath much
FTLN 3817 land, and fertile. Let a beast be lord of beasts and his
FTLN 3818 100 crib shall stand at the king’s mess. ’Tis a chough,
FTLN 3819 but, as I say, spacious in the possession of dirt.
OSRIC FTLN 3820 Sweet lord, if your Lordship were at leisure, I
FTLN 3821 should impart a thing to you from his Majesty.
HAMLET FTLN 3822 I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of
FTLN 3823 105 spirit. Put your bonnet to his right use: ’tis for the
FTLN 3824 head.
OSRIC FTLN 3825 I thank your Lordship; it is very hot.
HAMLET FTLN 3826 No, believe me, ’tis very cold; the wind is
FTLN 3827 northerly.
OSRIC FTLN 3828 110 It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed.
HAMLET FTLN 3829 But yet methinks it is very sultry and hot for
FTLN 3830 my complexion.
OSRIC FTLN 3831 Exceedingly, my lord; it is very sultry, as
FTLN 3832 ’twere—I cannot tell how. My lord, his Majesty
FTLN 3833 115 bade me signify to you that he has laid a great wager
FTLN 3834 on your head. Sir, this is the matter—
HAMLET FTLN 3835 I beseech you, remember. He motions to
Osric to put on his hat.
OSRIC FTLN 3836 Nay, good my lord, for my ease, in good faith.
FTLN 3837 Sir, here is newly come to court Laertes—believe
FTLN 3838 120 me, an absolute gentleman, full of most excellent
FTLN 3839 differences, of very soft society and great showing.
FTLN 3840 Indeed, to speak feelingly of him, he is the card or
FTLN 3841 calendar of gentry, for you shall find in him the
FTLN 3842 continent of what part a gentleman would see.
HAMLET FTLN 3843 125 Sir, his definement suffers no perdition in
FTLN 3844 you, though I know to divide him inventorially
FTLN 3845 would dozy th’ arithmetic of memory, and yet but
FTLN 3846 yaw neither, in respect of his quick sail. But, in the

267
Hamlet
ACT 5. SC. 2
FTLN 3847 verity of extolment, I take him to be a soul of great
FTLN 3848 130 article, and his infusion of such dearth and rareness
FTLN 3849 as, to make true diction of him, his semblable is his
FTLN 3850 mirror, and who else would trace him, his umbrage,
FTLN 3851 nothing more.
OSRIC FTLN 3852 Your Lordship speaks most infallibly of him.
HAMLET FTLN 3853 135 The concernancy, sir? Why do we wrap the
FTLN 3854 gentleman in our more rawer breath?
OSRIC FTLN 3855 Sir?
HORATIO FTLN 3856 Is ’t not possible to understand in another
FTLN 3857 tongue? You will to ’t, sir, really.
HAMLET , to Osric FTLN 3858 140 What imports the nomination of
FTLN 3859 this gentleman?
OSRIC FTLN 3860 Of Laertes?
HORATIO FTLN 3861 His purse is empty already; all ’s golden words
FTLN 3862 are spent.
HAMLET FTLN 3863 145 Of him, sir.
OSRIC FTLN 3864 I know you are not ignorant—
HAMLET FTLN 3865 I would you did, sir. Yet, in faith, if you did, it
FTLN 3866 would not much approve me. Well, sir?
OSRIC FTLN 3867 You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes
FTLN 3868 150 is—
HAMLET FTLN 3869 I dare not confess that, lest I should compare
FTLN 3870 with him in excellence. But to know a man well
FTLN 3871 were to know himself.
OSRIC FTLN 3872 I mean, sir, for his weapon. But in the imputation
FTLN 3873 155 laid on him by them, in his meed he’s
FTLN 3874 unfellowed.
HAMLET FTLN 3875 What’s his weapon?
OSRIC FTLN 3876 Rapier and dagger.
HAMLET FTLN 3877 That’s two of his weapons. But, well—
OSRIC FTLN 3878 160 The King, sir, hath wagered with him six Barbary
FTLN 3879 horses, against the which he has impawned, as I
FTLN 3880 take it, six French rapiers and poniards, with their
FTLN 3881 assigns, as girdle, hangers, and so. Three of the
FTLN 3882 carriages, in faith, are very dear to fancy, very

269
Hamlet
ACT 5. SC. 2
FTLN 3883 165 responsive to the hilts, most delicate carriages, and
FTLN 3884 of very liberal conceit.
HAMLET FTLN 3885 What call you the “carriages”?
HORATIO FTLN 3886 I knew you must be edified by the margent
FTLN 3887 ere you had done.
OSRIC FTLN 3888 170 The carriages, sir, are the hangers.
HAMLET FTLN 3889 The phrase would be more germane to the
FTLN 3890 matter if we could carry a cannon by our sides. I
FTLN 3891 would it might be “hangers” till then. But on. Six
FTLN 3892 Barbary horses against six French swords, their
FTLN 3893 175 assigns, and three liberal-conceited carriages—
FTLN 3894 that’s the French bet against the Danish. Why is this
FTLN 3895 all “impawned,” as you call it?
OSRIC FTLN 3896 The King, sir, hath laid, sir, that in a dozen
FTLN 3897 passes between yourself and him, he shall not
FTLN 3898 180 exceed you three hits. He hath laid on twelve for
FTLN 3899 nine, and it would come to immediate trial if your
FTLN 3900 Lordship would vouchsafe the answer.
HAMLET FTLN 3901 How if I answer no?
OSRIC FTLN 3902 I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person
FTLN 3903 185 in trial.
HAMLET FTLN 3904 Sir, I will walk here in the hall. If it please his
FTLN 3905 Majesty, it is the breathing time of day with me. Let
FTLN 3906 the foils be brought, the gentleman willing, and the
FTLN 3907 King hold his purpose, I will win for him, an I can.
FTLN 3908 190 If not, I will gain nothing but my shame and the odd
FTLN 3909 hits.
OSRIC FTLN 3910 Shall I deliver you e’en so?
HAMLET FTLN 3911 To this effect, sir, after what flourish your
FTLN 3912 nature will.
OSRIC FTLN 3913 195 I commend my duty to your Lordship.
HAMLET FTLN 3914 Yours. Osric exits. He does well to commend
FTLN 3915 it himself. There are no tongues else for ’s
FTLN 3916 turn.
HORATIO FTLN 3917 This lapwing runs away with the shell on his
FTLN 3918 200 head.

271
Hamlet
ACT 5. SC. 2
HAMLET FTLN 3919 He did comply, sir, with his dug before he
FTLN 3920 sucked it. Thus has he (and many more of the same
FTLN 3921 breed that I know the drossy age dotes on) only got
FTLN 3922 the tune of the time, and, out of an habit of
FTLN 3923 205 encounter, a kind of yeasty collection, which carries
FTLN 3924 them through and through the most fanned
FTLN 3925 and winnowed opinions; and do but blow them to
FTLN 3926 their trial, the bubbles are out.
Enter a Lord.
LORD FTLN 3927 My lord, his Majesty commended him to you by
FTLN 3928 210 young Osric, who brings back to him that you
FTLN 3929 attend him in the hall. He sends to know if your
FTLN 3930 pleasure hold to play with Laertes, or that you will
FTLN 3931 take longer time.
HAMLET FTLN 3932 I am constant to my purposes. They follow
FTLN 3933 215 the King’s pleasure. If his fitness speaks, mine is
FTLN 3934 ready now or whensoever, provided I be so able as
FTLN 3935 now.
LORD FTLN 3936 The King and Queen and all are coming down.
HAMLET FTLN 3937 In happy time.
LORD FTLN 3938 220 The Queen desires you to use some gentle
FTLN 3939 entertainment to Laertes before you fall to play.
HAMLET FTLN 3940 She well instructs me. Lord exits.
HORATIO FTLN 3941 You will lose, my lord.
HAMLET FTLN 3942 I do not think so. Since he went into France, I
FTLN 3943 225 have been in continual practice. I shall win at the
FTLN 3944 odds; but thou wouldst not think how ill all’s here
FTLN 3945 about my heart. But it is no matter.
HORATIO FTLN 3946 Nay, good my lord—
HAMLET FTLN 3947 It is but foolery, but it is such a kind of
FTLN 3948 230 gaingiving as would perhaps trouble a woman.
HORATIO FTLN 3949 If your mind dislike anything, obey it. I will
FTLN 3950 forestall their repair hither and say you are not fit.
HAMLET FTLN 3951 Not a whit. We defy augury. There is a
FTLN 3952 special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be
FTLN 3953 235 now, ’tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be

273
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FTLN 3954 now; if it be not now, yet it will come. The
FTLN 3955 readiness is all. Since no man of aught he leaves
FTLN 3956 knows, what is ’t to leave betimes? Let be.
A table prepared. Enter Trumpets, Drums, and Officers
with cushions, King, Queen, Osric, and all the state,
foils, daggers, flagons of wine, and Laertes.
KING
FTLN 3957 Come, Hamlet, come and take this hand from me.
He puts Laertes’ hand into Hamlet’s.
HAMLET , to Laertes
FTLN 3958 240 Give me your pardon, sir. I have done you wrong;
FTLN 3959 But pardon ’t as you are a gentleman. This presence
FTLN 3960 knows,
FTLN 3961 And you must needs have heard, how I am punished
FTLN 3962 With a sore distraction. What I have done
FTLN 3963 245 That might your nature, honor, and exception
FTLN 3964 Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness.
FTLN 3965 Was ’t Hamlet wronged Laertes? Never Hamlet.
FTLN 3966 If Hamlet from himself be ta’en away,
FTLN 3967 And when he’s not himself does wrong Laertes,
FTLN 3968 250 Then Hamlet does it not; Hamlet denies it.
FTLN 3969 Who does it, then? His madness. If ’t be so,
FTLN 3970 Hamlet is of the faction that is wronged;
FTLN 3971 His madness is poor Hamlet’s enemy.
FTLN 3972 Sir, in this audience
FTLN 3973 255 Let my disclaiming from a purposed evil
FTLN 3974 Free me so far in your most generous thoughts
FTLN 3975 That I have shot my arrow o’er the house
FTLN 3976 And hurt my brother.
LAERTES FTLN 3977 I am satisfied in nature,
FTLN 3978 260 Whose motive in this case should stir me most
FTLN 3979 To my revenge; but in my terms of honor
FTLN 3980 I stand aloof and will no reconcilement
FTLN 3981 Till by some elder masters of known honor
FTLN 3982 I have a voice and precedent of peace
FTLN 3983 265 To keep my name ungored. But till that time

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ACT 5. SC. 2
FTLN 3984 I do receive your offered love like love
FTLN 3985 And will not wrong it.
HAMLET FTLN 3986 I embrace it freely
FTLN 3987 And will this brothers’ wager frankly play.—
FTLN 3988 270 Give us the foils. Come on.
LAERTES FTLN 3989 Come, one for me.
HAMLET
FTLN 3990 I’ll be your foil, Laertes; in mine ignorance
FTLN 3991 Your skill shall, like a star i’ th’ darkest night,
FTLN 3992 Stick fiery off indeed.
LAERTES FTLN 3993 275 You mock me, sir.
HAMLET FTLN 3994 No, by this hand.
KING
FTLN 3995 Give them the foils, young Osric. Cousin Hamlet,
FTLN 3996 You know the wager?
HAMLET FTLN 3997 Very well, my lord.
FTLN 3998 280 Your Grace has laid the odds o’ th’ weaker side.
KING
FTLN 3999 I do not fear it; I have seen you both.
FTLN 4000 But, since he is better, we have therefore odds.
LAERTES
FTLN 4001 This is too heavy. Let me see another.
HAMLET
FTLN 4002 This likes me well. These foils have all a length?
OSRIC FTLN 4003 285 Ay, my good lord.
Prepare to play.
KING
FTLN 4004 Set me the stoups of wine upon that table.—
FTLN 4005 If Hamlet give the first or second hit
FTLN 4006 Or quit in answer of the third exchange,
FTLN 4007 Let all the battlements their ordnance fire.
FTLN 4008 290 The King shall drink to Hamlet’s better breath,
FTLN 4009 And in the cup an union shall he throw,
FTLN 4010 Richer than that which four successive kings
FTLN 4011 In Denmark’s crown have worn. Give me the cups,

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ACT 5. SC. 2
FTLN 4012 And let the kettle to the trumpet speak,
FTLN 4013 295 The trumpet to the cannoneer without,
FTLN 4014 The cannons to the heavens, the heaven to earth,
FTLN 4015 “Now the King drinks to Hamlet.” Come, begin.
FTLN 4016 And you, the judges, bear a wary eye.
Trumpets the while.
HAMLET FTLN 4017 Come on, sir.
LAERTES FTLN 4018 300 Come, my lord. They play.
HAMLET FTLN 4019 One.
LAERTES FTLN 4020 No.
HAMLET FTLN 4021 Judgment!
OSRIC FTLN 4022 A hit, a very palpable hit.
LAERTES FTLN 4023 305 Well, again.
KING
FTLN 4024 Stay, give me drink.—Hamlet, this pearl is thine.
FTLN 4025 Here’s to thy health.
He drinks and then drops the pearl in the cup.
Drum, trumpets, and shot.
FTLN 4026 Give him the cup.
HAMLET
FTLN 4027 I’ll play this bout first. Set it by awhile.
FTLN 4028 310 Come. They play. Another hit. What say you?
LAERTES
FTLN 4029 A touch, a touch. I do confess ’t.
KING
FTLN 4030 Our son shall win.
QUEEN FTLN 4031 He’s fat and scant of breath.—
FTLN 4032 Here, Hamlet, take my napkin; rub thy brows.
FTLN 4033 315 The Queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.
She lifts the cup.
HAMLET FTLN 4034 Good madam.
KING FTLN 4035 Gertrude, do not drink.
QUEEN
FTLN 4036 I will, my lord; I pray you pardon me. She drinks.
KING , aside
FTLN 4037 It is the poisoned cup. It is too late.

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ACT 5. SC. 2
HAMLET
FTLN 4038 320 I dare not drink yet, madam—by and by.
QUEEN FTLN 4039 Come, let me wipe thy face.
LAERTES , to Claudius
FTLN 4040 My lord, I’ll hit him now.
KING FTLN 4041 I do not think ’t.
LAERTES , aside
FTLN 4042 And yet it is almost against my conscience.
HAMLET
FTLN 4043 325 Come, for the third, Laertes. You do but dally.
FTLN 4044 I pray you pass with your best violence.
FTLN 4045 I am afeard you make a wanton of me.
LAERTES FTLN 4046 Say you so? Come on. Play.
OSRIC FTLN 4047 Nothing neither way.
LAERTES FTLN 4048 330 Have at you now!
Laertes wounds Hamlet. Then in scuffling they change
rapiers, and Hamlet wounds Laertes.
KING FTLN 4049 Part them. They are incensed.
HAMLET FTLN 4050 Nay, come again.
The Queen falls.
OSRIC FTLN 4051 Look to the Queen there, ho!
HORATIO
FTLN 4052 They bleed on both sides.—How is it, my lord?
OSRIC FTLN 4053 335 How is ’t, Laertes?
LAERTES
FTLN 4054 Why as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric.
He falls.
FTLN 4055 I am justly killed with mine own treachery.
HAMLET
FTLN 4056 How does the Queen?
KING FTLN 4057 She swoons to see them bleed.
QUEEN
FTLN 4058 340 No, no, the drink, the drink! O, my dear Hamlet!
FTLN 4059 The drink, the drink! I am poisoned. She dies.
HAMLET
FTLN 4060 O villainy! Ho! Let the door be locked. Osric exits.
FTLN 4061 Treachery! Seek it out.

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LAERTES
FTLN 4062 It is here, Hamlet. Hamlet, thou art slain.
FTLN 4063 345 No med’cine in the world can do thee good.
FTLN 4064 In thee there is not half an hour’s life.
FTLN 4065 The treacherous instrument is in thy hand,
FTLN 4066 Unbated and envenomed. The foul practice
FTLN 4067 Hath turned itself on me. Lo, here I lie,
FTLN 4068 350 Never to rise again. Thy mother’s poisoned.
FTLN 4069 I can no more. The King, the King’s to blame.
HAMLET
FTLN 4070 The point envenomed too! Then, venom, to thy
FTLN 4071 work. Hurts the King.
ALL FTLN 4072 Treason, treason!
KING
FTLN 4073 355 O, yet defend me, friends! I am but hurt.
HAMLET
FTLN 4074 Here, thou incestuous, murd’rous, damnèd Dane,
FTLN 4075 Drink off this potion. Is thy union here?
Forcing him to drink the poison.
FTLN 4076 Follow my mother. King dies.
LAERTES FTLN 4077 He is justly served.
FTLN 4078 360 It is a poison tempered by himself.
FTLN 4079 Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet.
FTLN 4080 Mine and my father’s death come not upon thee,
FTLN 4081 Nor thine on me. Dies.
HAMLET
FTLN 4082 Heaven make thee free of it. I follow thee.—
FTLN 4083 365 I am dead, Horatio.—Wretched queen, adieu.—
FTLN 4084 You that look pale and tremble at this chance,
FTLN 4085 That are but mutes or audience to this act,
FTLN 4086 Had I but time (as this fell sergeant, Death,
FTLN 4087 Is strict in his arrest), O, I could tell you—
FTLN 4088 370 But let it be.—Horatio, I am dead.
FTLN 4089 Thou livest; report me and my cause aright
FTLN 4090 To the unsatisfied.
HORATIO FTLN 4091 Never believe it.

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FTLN 4092 I am more an antique Roman than a Dane.
FTLN 4093 375 Here’s yet some liquor left. He picks up the cup.
HAMLET FTLN 4094 As thou ’rt a man,
FTLN 4095 Give me the cup. Let go! By heaven, I’ll ha ’t.
FTLN 4096 O God, Horatio, what a wounded name,
FTLN 4097 Things standing thus unknown, shall I leave behind
FTLN 4098 380 me!
FTLN 4099 If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart,
FTLN 4100 Absent thee from felicity awhile
FTLN 4101 And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain
FTLN 4102 To tell my story.
A march afar off and shot within.
FTLN 4103 385 What warlike noise is this?
Enter Osric.
OSRIC
FTLN 4104 Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland,
FTLN 4105 To th’ ambassadors of England gives
FTLN 4106 This warlike volley.
HAMLET FTLN 4107 O, I die, Horatio!
FTLN 4108 390 The potent poison quite o’ercrows my spirit.
FTLN 4109 I cannot live to hear the news from England.
FTLN 4110 But I do prophesy th’ election lights
FTLN 4111 On Fortinbras; he has my dying voice.
FTLN 4112 So tell him, with th’ occurrents, more and less,
FTLN 4113 395 Which have solicited—the rest is silence.
FTLN 4114 O, O, O, O! Dies.
HORATIO
FTLN 4115 Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince,
FTLN 4116 And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.
March within.
FTLN 4117 Why does the drum come hither?
Enter Fortinbras with the English Ambassadors with
Drum, Colors, and Attendants.
FORTINBRAS FTLN 4118 400 Where is this sight?

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Hamlet
ACT 5. SC. 2
HORATIO FTLN 4119 What is it you would see?
FTLN 4120 If aught of woe or wonder, cease your search.
FORTINBRAS
FTLN 4121 This quarry cries on havoc. O proud Death,
FTLN 4122 What feast is toward in thine eternal cell
FTLN 4123 405 That thou so many princes at a shot
FTLN 4124 So bloodily hast struck?
AMBASSADOR FTLN 4125 The sight is dismal,
FTLN 4126 And our affairs from England come too late.
FTLN 4127 The ears are senseless that should give us hearing
FTLN 4128 410 To tell him his commandment is fulfilled,
FTLN 4129 That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead.
FTLN 4130 Where should we have our thanks?
HORATIO FTLN 4131 Not from his
FTLN 4132 mouth,
FTLN 4133 415 Had it th’ ability of life to thank you.
FTLN 4134 He never gave commandment for their death.
FTLN 4135 But since, so jump upon this bloody question,
FTLN 4136 You from the Polack wars, and you from England,
FTLN 4137 Are here arrived, give order that these bodies
FTLN 4138 420 High on a stage be placed to the view,
FTLN 4139 And let me speak to th’ yet unknowing world
FTLN 4140 How these things came about. So shall you hear
FTLN 4141 Of carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts,
FTLN 4142 Of accidental judgments, casual slaughters,
FTLN 4143 425 Of deaths put on by cunning and forced cause,
FTLN 4144 And, in this upshot, purposes mistook
FTLN 4145 Fall’n on th’ inventors’ heads. All this can I
FTLN 4146 Truly deliver.
FORTINBRAS FTLN 4147 Let us haste to hear it
FTLN 4148 430 And call the noblest to the audience.
FTLN 4149 For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune.
FTLN 4150 I have some rights of memory in this kingdom,
FTLN 4151 Which now to claim my vantage doth invite me.
HORATIO
FTLN 4152 Of that I shall have also cause to speak,

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FTLN 4153 435 And from his mouth whose voice will draw on
FTLN 4154 more.
FTLN 4155 But let this same be presently performed
FTLN 4156 Even while men’s minds are wild, lest more
FTLN 4157 mischance
FTLN 4158 440 On plots and errors happen.
FORTINBRAS FTLN 4159 Let four captains
FTLN 4160 Bear Hamlet like a soldier to the stage,
FTLN 4161 For he was likely, had he been put on,
FTLN 4162 To have proved most royal; and for his passage,
FTLN 4163 445 The soldier’s music and the rite of war
FTLN 4164 Speak loudly for him.
FTLN 4165 Take up the bodies. Such a sight as this
FTLN 4166 Becomes the field but here shows much amiss.
FTLN 4167 Go, bid the soldiers shoot.
They exit, marching, after the which, a peal of
ordnance are shot off.