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Title: The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 8 of 9]

Author: William Shakespeare

Editor: William George Clark

William Aldis Wright

Release date: May 21, 2015 [eBook #49008]
Most recently updated: October 24, 2024

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Richard Tonsing, Jonathan Ingram and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE [CAMBRIDGE EDITION] [VOL. 8 OF 9] ***

The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.

[Pg i]

THE WORKS

OF

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

[Pg ii]
[Pg iii]


THE WORKS
OF
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

EDITED BY

WILLIAM GEORGE CLARK, M.A.
FELLOW AND TUTOR OF TRINITY COLLEGE, AND PUBLIC ORATOR IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE;

AND WILLIAM ALDIS WRIGHT, M.A.
LIBRARIAN OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE.

VOLUME VIII.

London and Cambridge:
MACMILLAN AND CO.
1866.

[Pg iv]

CAMBRIDGE:
PRINTED BY C. J. CLAY, M.A.
AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS.

[Pg v]


CONTENTS.

PAGE
The Preface vii
Hamlet 3
Notes to Hamlet 185
The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet Prince of Denmarke 197
King Lear 249
Notes to King Lear 427
Othello 437
Notes to Othello 593
[Pg vi]
[Pg vii]

PREFACE.

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

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

We refer to it as (Q1).

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the Quarto of 1603 the passage runs thus:

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

In that of 1604:

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

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

[Pg ix]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Pg xv]

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

nothing almost sees my rackles
But miserie, &c.

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

The Stationer to the Reader.

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

Yours,

Thomas Walkley.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Pg xviii]

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

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

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

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

[Pg xix]

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

ADDENDA.

Hamlet, I. 1. 117, 118. Add to note, As stars with ... Distempered or As stars with ... Discoloured Staunton conj.

I. 4. 36, 37. Add to note, the dram of leaven ... of a dough Cartwright conj. the dram of evil ... oft weigh down Bailey conj.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

King Lear, I. 1. 72. Add to note, precious treasure Bailey conj.

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

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

[Pg xx]
[Pg 1]

[Pg 2]


HAMLET.


DRAMATIS PERSONÆ[A].

Claudius, king of Denmark.
Hamlet, son to the late, and nephew to the present king.
Polonius, lord chamberlain.
Horatio, friend to Hamlet.
Laertes, son to Polonius.
Voltimand, courtiers.
Cornelius,
Rosencrantz,
Guildenstern,
Osric,
A Gentleman,
A Priest.
Marcellus, officers.
Bernardo,
Francisco, a soldier.
Reynaldo, servant to Polonius.
Players.
Two Clowns, grave-diggers.
Fortinbras, prince of Norway.
A Captain.
English Ambassadors.
Gertrude, queen of Denmark, and mother to Hamlet.
Ophelia, daughter to Polonius.
Lords, Ladies, Officers, Soldiers, Sailors, Messengers, and other Attendants.
Ghost of Hamlet's Father.

Scene: Denmark[B].

[A] Dramatis Personæ.] First given by Rowe.

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

[Pg 3]

THE TRAGEDY OF
HAMLET
PRINCE OF DENMARK.


ACT I.

Scene I. Elsinore. A platform before the castle.

Francisco at his post. Enter to him Bernardo.[1]

Ber. Who's there?[2][3]
Fran. Nay, answer me: stand, and unfold yourself.[3]
Ber. Long live the king![3]
Fran. Bernardo?[3][4]
Ber. He.[3] 5
Fran. You come most carefully upon your hour.[5]
Ber. 'Tis now struck twelve; get thee to bed, Francisco.[6]
Fran. For this relief much thanks: 'tis bitter cold,
And I am sick at heart.
[Pg 4]
Ber. Have you had quiet guard?
Fran. Not a mouse stirring. 10
Ber. Well, good night.[7]
If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus,[7][8]
The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste.[7][8]
Fran. I think I hear them. Stand, ho! Who is there?[9]

Enter Horatio and Marcellus.

Hor. Friends to this ground.
Mar. And liegemen to the Dane. 15
Fran. Give you good night.[10]
Mar. O, farewell, honest soldier:[11][12]
Who hath relieved you?[13]
Fran. Bernardo hath my place.[13]
Give you good night. [Exit.[10][13]
Mar. Holla! Bernardo!
Ber. Say,[14][15]
What, is Horatio there?[14]
Hor. A piece of him.[16]
Ber. Welcome, Horatio: welcome, good Marcellus. 20
Mar. What, has this thing appear'd again to-night?[17]
Ber. I have seen nothing.
Mar. Horatio says 'tis but our fantasy,[18]
And will not let belief take hold of him
Touching this dreaded sight, twice seen of us:[19] 25
Therefore I have entreated him along[20]
With us to watch the minutes of this night,[20]
That if again this apparition come,
[Pg 5] He may approve our eyes and speak to it.
Hor. Tush, tush, 'twill not appear.
Ber. Sit down awhile;[21] 30
And let us once again assail your ears,
That are so fortified against our story,[22]
What we have two nights seen.[22][23]
Hor. Well, sit we down,
And let us hear Bernardo speak of this.
Ber. Last night of all, 35
When yond same star that's westward from the pole[24]
Had made his course to illume that part of heaven[25]
Where now it burns, Marcellus and myself,
The bell then beating one,—[26]

Enter Ghost.

Mar. Peace, break thee off; look, where it comes again![27] 40
Ber. In the same figure, like the king that's dead.
Mar. Thou art a scholar; speak to it, Horatio.
Ber. Looks it not like the king? mark it, Horatio.[28]
Hor. Most like: it harrows me with fear and wonder.[29]
Ber. It would be spoke to.
Mar. Question it, Horatio.[30] 45
Hor. What art thou, that usurp'st this time of night,[31]
Together with that fair and warlike form
In which the majesty of buried Denmark
Did sometimes march? by heaven I charge thee, speak![32]
[Pg 6]
Mar. It is offended.
Ber. See, it stalks away! 50
Hor. Stay! speak, speak! I charge thee, speak![33]

[Exit Ghost.

Mar. 'Tis gone, and will not answer.
Ber. How now, Horatio! you tremble and look pale:
Is not this something more than fantasy?
What think you on't?[34] 55
Hor. Before my God, I might not this believe[35]
Without the sensible and true avouch[36]
Of mine own eyes.
Mar. Is it not like the king?
Hor. As thou art to thyself:
Such was the very armour he had on[37] 60
When he the ambitious Norway combated;[38]
So frown'd he once, when, in an angry parle,
He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice.[39]
'Tis strange.[40]
Mar. Thus twice before, and jump at this dead hour,[41] 65
With martial stalk hath he gone by our watch.[42]
Hor. In what particular thought to work I know not;[43]
But, in the gross and scope of my opinion,[44]
This bodes some strange eruption to our state.
Mar. Good now, sit down, and tell me, he that knows,[45] 70
Why this same strict and most observant watch
[Pg 7] So nightly toils the subject of the land,[46]
And why such daily cast of brazen cannon,[47]
And foreign mart for implements of war;
Why such impress of shipwrights, whose sore task 75
Does not divide the Sunday from the week;[48]
What might be toward, that this sweaty haste
Doth make the night joint-labourer with the day:[49]
Who is't that can inform me?
Hor. That can I;
At least the whisper goes so. Our last king, 80
Whose image even but now appear'd to us,
Was, as you know, by Fortinbras of Norway,
Thereto prick'd on by a most emulate pride,[50]
Dared to the combat; in which our valiant Hamlet—[51]
For so this side of our known world esteem'd him— 85
Did slay this Fortinbras; who by a seal'd compact,[52]
Well ratified by law and heraldry,[53]
Did forfeit, with his life, all those his lands[54]
Which he stood seized of, to the conqueror:[55]
Against the which, a moiety competent 90
Was gaged by our king; which had return'd[56]
To the inheritance of Fortinbras,
Had he been vanquisher; as, by the same covenant[57]
And carriage of the article design'd,[58]
His fell to Hamlet. Now, sir, young Fortinbras,[59] 95
Of unimproved mettle hot and full,[60]
[Pg 8] Hath in the skirts of Norway here and there
Shark'd up a list of lawless resolutes,[61][62]
For food and diet, to some enterprise[62]
That hath a stomach in't: which is no other—[63] 100
As it doth well appear unto our state—[64]
But to recover of us, by strong hand
And terms compulsatory, those foresaid lands[65]
So by his father lost: and this, I take it,
Is the main motive of our preparations, 105
The source of this our watch and the chief head
Of this post-haste and romage in the land.
Ber. I think it be no other but e'en so:[66][67]
Well may it sort, that this portentous figure[66]
Comes armed through our watch, so like the king[66] 110
That was and is the question of these wars.[66]
Hor. A mote it is to trouble the mind's eye.[66][68]
In the most high and palmy state of Rome,[66][69]
A little ere the mightiest Julius fell,[66]
The graves stood tenantless, and the sheeted dead[66][70] 115
Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets:[66][71]
. . . . . . .
As stars with trains of fire and dews of blood,[66][72][73]
Disasters in the sun; and the moist star,[66][74][73]
[Pg 9] Upon whose influence Neptune's empire stands,[66]
Was sick almost to doomsday with eclipse:[66] 120
And even the like precurse of fierce events,[66][75]
As harbingers preceding still the fates[66][76]
And prologue to the omen coming on,[66][77]
Have heaven and earth together demonstrated[66]
Unto our climatures and countrymen.[66][78] 125

Re-enter Ghost.

But soft, behold! lo, where it comes again!
I'll cross it, though it blast me. Stay, illusion![79]
If thou hast any sound, or use of voice,
Speak to me:[80]
If there be any good thing to be done,[80] 130
That may to thee do ease and grace to me,[81]
Speak to me:[81]
If thou art privy to thy country's fate,
Which, happily, foreknowing may avoid,[82][83]
O, speak![82] 135
Or if thou hast uphoarded in thy life
Extorted treasure in the womb of earth,
For which, they say, you spirits oft walk in death,[84]
Speak of it: stay, and speak! [The cock crows.] Stop it, Marcellus.[85]
[Pg 10]
Mar. Shall I strike at it with my partisan?[86] 140
Hor. Do, if it will not stand.[87][88]
Ber. 'Tis here![87]
Hor. 'Tis here![87]
Mar. 'Tis gone! [Exit Ghost.[87][89]
We do it wrong, being so majestical,
To offer it the show of violence;
For it is, as the air, invulnerable,[90] 145
And our vain blows malicious mockery.
Ber. It was about to speak, when the cock crew.
Hor. And then it started like a guilty thing
Upon a fearful summons. I have heard,
The cock, that is the trumpet to the morn,[91] 150
Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding throat
Awake the god of day, and at his warning,[92]
Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air,[92]
The extravagant and erring spirit hies[92][93]
To his confine: and of the truth herein[92] 155
This present object made probation.
Mar. It faded on the crowing of the cock.[94]
Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes[95]
Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated,
The bird of dawning singeth all night long:[96] 160
And then, they say, no spirit dare stir abroad,[97]
The nights are wholesome, then no planets strike,
No fairy takes nor witch hath power to charm,[98]
So hallow'd and so gracious is the time.[99]
[Pg 11]
Hor. So have I heard and do in part believe it. 165
But look, the morn, in russet mantle clad,
Walks o'er the dew of yon high eastward hill:[100]
Break we our watch up; and by my advice,[101]
Let us impart what we have seen to-night
Unto young Hamlet; for, upon my life,[102] 170
This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him:
Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it,[103]
As needful in our loves, fitting our duty?
Mar. Let's do't, I pray; and I this morning know[104]
Where we shall find him most conveniently. [Exeunt.[105] 175

Scene II. A room of state in the castle.

Flourish. Enter the King, Queen, Hamlet, Polonius, Laertes, Voltimand, Cornelius, Lords, and Attendants.[106]

King. Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death[107]
The memory be green, and that it us befitted[107][108]
To bear our hearts in grief and our whole kingdom[109]
To be contracted in one brow of woe,
Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature 5
That we with wisest sorrow think on him,
Together with remembrance of ourselves.
Therefore our sometime sister, now our queen,[110]
The imperial jointress to this warlike state,[111]
Have we, as 'twere with a defeated joy,— 10
[Pg 12] With an auspicious and a dropping eye,[112]
With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage,
In equal scale weighing delight and dole,—
Taken to wife: nor have we herein barr'd
Your better wisdoms, which have freely gone 15
With this affair along. For all, our thanks.[113]
Now follows, that you know, young Fortinbras,[114]
Holding a weak supposal of our worth,
Or thinking by our late dear brother's death
Our state to be disjoint and out of frame, 20
Colleagued with this dream of his advantage,[115]
He hath not fail'd to pester us with message,
Importing the surrender of those lands
Lost by his father, with all bonds of law,[116]
To our most valiant brother. So much for him.[117] 25
Now for ourself, and for this time of meeting:[118]
Thus much the business is: we have here writ
To Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras,—
Who, impotent and bed-rid, scarcely hears[119]
Of this his nephew's purpose,—to suppress 30
His further gait herein; in that the levies,[120]
The lists and full proportions, are all made
Out of his subject: and we here dispatch[121]
You, good Cornelius, and you, Voltimand,[122]
For bearers of this greeting to old Norway,[123] 35
[Pg 13] Giving to you no further personal power[124]
To business with the king more than the scope[124]
Of these delated articles allow.[125]
Farewell, and let your haste commend your duty.[126]
Cor. } In that and all things will we show our duty.[127] 40
Vol. }
King. We doubt it nothing: heartily farewell.[128]

[Exeunt Voltimand and Cornelius.

And now, Laertes, what's the news with you?[129]
You told us of some suit; what is't, Laertes?
You cannot speak of reason to the Dane,
And lose your voice: what wouldst thou beg, Laertes,[130] 45
That shall not be my offer, not thy asking?[131]
The head is not more native to the heart,[132]
The hand more instrumental to the mouth,
Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father.[133]
What wouldst thou have, Laertes?
Laer. My dread lord,[134] 50
Your leave and favour to return to France,
From whence though willingly I came to Denmark,
To show my duty in your coronation,
Yet now, I must confess, that duty done,
My thoughts and wishes bend again toward France[135] 55
And bow them to your gracious leave and pardon.
King. Have you your father's leave? What says Polonius?[136]
[Pg 14]
Pol. He hath, my lord, wrung from me my slow leave[137][138][139]
By laboursome petition, and at last[138][139][140]
Upon his will I seal'd my hard consent:[139] 60
I do beseech you, give him leave to go.
King. Take thy fair hour, Laertes; time be thine,[141]
And thy best graces spend it at thy will![141][142]
But now, my cousin Hamlet, and my son,—[143]
Ham. [Aside] A little more than kin, and less than kind.[144]65
King. How is it that the clouds still hang on you?
Ham. Not so, my lord; I am too much i' the sun.[145]
Queen Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted colour off,[146]
And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark.
Do not for ever with thy vailed lids[147] 70
Seek for thy noble father in the dust:
Thou know'st 'tis common; all that lives must die,[148]
Passing through nature to eternity.
Ham. Ay, madam, it is common.
Queen. If it be,
Why seems it so particular with thee? 75
Ham. Seems, madam! nay, it is; I know not 'seems.'
'Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother,[149]
Nor customary suits of solemn black,
Nor windy suspiration of forced breath,
No, nor the fruitful river in the eye, 80
Nor the dejected haviour of the visage,
[Pg 15] Together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief,[150]
That can denote me truly: these indeed seem,[151]
For they are actions that a man might play:
But I have that within which passes show;[152] 85
These but the trappings and the suits of woe.
King. 'Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet,[153]
To give these mourning duties to your father:
But, you must know, your father lost a father,
That father lost, lost his, and the survivor bound[154] 90
In filial obligation for some term
To do obsequious sorrow: but to persever[155]
In obstinate condolement is a course[156]
Of impious stubbornness; 'tis unmanly grief:[156][157]
It shows a will most incorrect to heaven, 95
A heart unfortified, a mind impatient,[158]
An understanding simple and unschool'd:
For what we know must be and is as common
As any the most vulgar thing to sense,
Why should we in our peevish opposition 100
Take it to heart? Fie! 'tis a fault to heaven,
A fault against the dead, a fault to nature,
To reason most absurd, whose common theme[159]
Is death of fathers, and who still hath cried,
From the first corse till he that died to-day,[160] 105
'This must be so.' We pray you, throw to earth
This unprevailing woe, and think of us[161]
As of a father: for let the world take note,[162]
[Pg 16] You are the most immediate to our throne,
And with no less nobility of love[163][164] 110
Than that which dearest father bears his son[164]
Do I impart toward you. For your intent[164][165]
In going back to school in Wittenberg,[166]
It is most retrograde to our desire:[167]
And we beseech you, bend you to remain[168] 115
Here in the cheer and comfort of our eye,
Our chiefest courtier, cousin and our son.
Queen. Let not thy mother lose her prayers, Hamlet:[169]
I pray thee, stay with us; go not to Wittenberg.[170]
Ham. I shall in all my best obey you, madam.[171] 120
King. Why, 'tis a loving and a fair reply:[172]
Be as ourself in Denmark. Madam, come;
This gentle and unforced accord of Hamlet
Sits smiling to my heart: in grace whereof,[173]
No jocund health that Denmark drinks to-day, 125
But the great cannon to the clouds shall tell,[174]
And the king's rouse the heaven shall bruit again,[175]
Re-speaking earthly thunder. Come away.[176]

[Flourish. Exeunt all but Hamlet.

Ham. O, that this too too solid flesh would melt,[177]
Thaw and resolve itself into a dew! 130
Or that the Everlasting had not fix'd
[Pg 17] His canon 'gainst self-slaughter! O God! God![178]
How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable[179]
Seem to me all the uses of this world![180]
Fie on't! ah fie! 'tis an unweeded garden,[181] 135
That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merely. That it should come to this![182]
But two months dead! nay, not so much, not two:
So excellent a king; that was, to this,[183]
Hyperion to a satyr: so loving to my mother,[183][184] 140
That he might not beteem the winds of heaven[185]
Visit her face too roughly. Heaven and earth![186]
Must I remember? why, she would hang on him,[186][187]
As if increase of appetite had grown
By what it fed on: and yet, within a month—[188] 145
Let me not think on't—Frailty, thy name is woman!—[189]
A little month, or ere those shoes were old[190]
With which she follow'd my poor father's body,[191]
Like Niobe, all tears:—why she, even she,—[192]
O God! a beast, that wants discourse of reason,[193] 150
[Pg 18] Would have mourn'd longer,—married with my uncle,[194]
My father's brother, but no more like my father[195]
Than I to Hercules: within a month;
Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears[196]
Had left the flushing in her galled eyes,[197] 155
She married. O, most wicked speed, to post
With such dexterity to incestuous sheets![198]
It is not, nor it cannot come to good:
But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue![199]

Enter Horatio, Marcellus, and Bernardo.

Hor. Hail to your lordship!
Ham. I am glad to see you well:[200][201] 160
Horatio,—or I do forget myself.[201][202]
Hor. The same, my lord, and your poor servant ever.[203]
Ham. Sir, my good friend; I'll change that name with you:[204]
And what make you from Wittenberg, Horatio?
Marcellus?[205] 165
Mar. My good lord?[206]
Ham. I am very glad to see you. [To Ber.] Good even, sir.[207]
But what, in faith, make you from Wittenberg?[208]
[Pg 19]
Hor. A truant disposition, good my lord.[209]
Ham. I would not hear your enemy say so,[210] 170
Nor shall you do my ear that violence,[211]
To make it truster of your own report[212]
Against yourself: I know you are no truant.
But what is your affair in Elsinore?[213]
We'll teach you to drink deep ere you depart.[214] 175
Hor. My lord, I came to see your father's funeral.
Ham. I prethee, do not mock me, fellow-student;[215]
I think it was to see my mother's wedding.[216]
Hor. Indeed, my lord, it follow'd hard upon.[217]
Ham. Thrift, thrift, Horatio! the funeral baked-meats 180
Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables.
Would I had met my dearest foe in heaven
Or ever I had seen that day, Horatio![218]
My father!—methinks I see my father.
Hor. O where, my lord?
Ham. In my mind's eye, Horatio.[219] 185
Hor. I saw him once; he was a goodly king.[220]
Ham. He was a man, take him for all in all,[220][221]
I shall not look upon his like again.[222]
Hor. My lord, I think I saw him yesternight.
Ham. Saw? Who?[223] 190
Hor. My lord, the king your father.
Ham. The king my father!
[Pg 20]
Hor. Season your admiration for a while[224]
With an attent ear, till I may deliver,[225]
Upon the witness of these gentlemen,
This marvel to you.
Ham. For God's love, let me hear.[226] 195
Hor. Two nights together had these gentlemen,
Marcellus and Bernardo, on their watch,
In the dead vast and middle of the night,[227]
Been thus encounter'd. A figure like your father,
Armed at point exactly, cap-a-pe,[228] 200
Appears before them, and with solemn march
Goes slow and stately by them: thrice he walk'd[229]
By their oppress'd and fear-surprised eyes,[230]
Within his truncheon's length; whilst they, distill'd[231]
Almost to jelly with the act of fear,[232] 205
Stand dumb, and speak not to him. This to me
In dreadful secrecy impart they did;[233]
And I with them the third night kept the watch:
Where, as they had deliver'd, both in time,[234]
Form of the thing, each word made true and good, 210
The apparition comes: I knew your father;[235]
These hands are not more like.
Ham. But where was this?
[Pg 21]
Mar. My lord, upon the platform where we watch'd.
Ham. Did you not speak to it?
Hor. My lord, I did,[236]
But answer made it none: yet once methought[237] 215
It lifted up its head and did address[238]
Itself to motion, like as it would speak:[239]
But even then the morning cock crew loud,
And at the sound it shrunk in haste away
And vanish'd from our sight.
Ham. 'Tis very strange. 220
Hor. As I do live, my honour'd lord, 'tis true,[240]
And we did think it writ down in our duty[241]
To let you know of it.[242]
Ham. Indeed, indeed, sirs, but this troubles me.[243]
Hold you the watch to-night?
Mar. } We do, my lord.[244] 225
Ber. }
Ham. Arm'd, say you?
Mar. } Arm'd, my lord.
Ber. }
Ham. From top to toe?[244]
Mar. } My lord, from head to foot.[244][245][246]
Ber. }
Ham. Then saw you not his face?[246][247]
Hor. O, yes, my lord; he wore his beaver up.[246][248]
Ham. What, look'd he frowningly?[249] 230
Hor. A countenance more in sorrow than in anger.
Ham. Pale or red?
Hor. Nay, very pale.
Ham. And fix'd his eyes upon you?
[Pg 22]
Hor. Most constantly.
Ham. I would I had been there.
Hor. It would have much amazed you.[250] 235
Ham. Very like, very like. Stay'd it long?[250][251]
Hor. While one with moderate haste might tell a hundred.[250][252]
Mar.} Longer, longer.[250][253]
Ber.}
Hor. Not when I saw't.
Ham. His beard was grizzled? no?[254][255]
Hor. It was, as I have seen it in his life,[255][256] 240
A sable silver'd.[257]
Ham. I will watch to-night;
Perchance 'twill walk again.
Hor. I warrant it will.[258]
Ham. If it assume my noble father's person,
I'll speak to it, though hell itself should gape
And bid me hold my peace. I pray you all, 245
If you have hitherto conceal'd this sight,[259]
Let it be tenable in your silence still,[260]
And whatsoever else shall hap to-night,[261]
Give it an understanding, but no tongue:
I will requite your loves. So fare you well:[262] 250
Upon the platform, 'twixt eleven and twelve.[263]
I'll visit you.
[Pg 23]
All. Our duty to your honour.[264]
Ham. Your loves, as mine to you: farewell.[265]

[Exeunt all but Hamlet.

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

Scene III. A room in Polonius's house.

Enter Laertes and Ophelia.[268]

Laer. My necessaries are embark'd: farewell:[269]
And, sister, as the winds give benefit
And convoy is assistant, do not sleep,[270]
But let me hear from you.
Oph. Do you doubt that?
Laer. For Hamlet, and the trifling of his favour,[271] 5
Hold it a fashion, and a toy in blood,
A violet in the youth of primy nature,[272]
Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting,[273]
The perfume and suppliance of a minute;[274]
[Pg 24] No more.
Oph. No more but so?
Laer. Think it no more:[275] 10
For nature crescent does not grow alone[276]
In thews and bulk; but, as this temple waxes,[277]
The inward service of the mind and soul[278]
Grows wide withal. Perhaps he loves you now;
And now no soil nor cautel doth besmirch[279] 15
The virtue of his will: but you must fear,[280]
His greatness weigh'd, his will is not his own;[281]
For he himself is subject to his birth:[282]
He may not, as unvalued persons do,[283]
Carve for himself, for on his choice depends[284] 20
The safety and health of this whole state,[285]
And therefore must his choice be circumscribed
Unto the voice and yielding of that body
Whereof he is the head. Then if he says he loves you,[286]
It fits your wisdom so far to believe it 25
As he in his particular act and place[287]
May give his saying deed; which is no further
Than the main voice of Denmark goes withal.
Then weigh what loss your honour may sustain,[288]
[Pg 25] If with too credent ear you list his songs,[289] 30
Or lose your heart, or your chaste treasure open[290]
To his unmaster'd importunity.[291]
Fear it, Ophelia, fear it, my dear sister,
And keep you in the rear of your affection,[292]
Out of the shot and danger of desire. 35
The chariest maid is prodigal enough,
If she unmask her beauty to the moon:
Virtue itself 'scapes not calumnious strokes:
The canker galls the infants of the spring[293]
Too oft before their buttons be disclosed,[294] 40
And in the morn and liquid dew of youth
Contagious blastments are most imminent.
Be wary then; best safety lies in fear:
Youth to itself rebels, though none else near.
Oph. I shall the effect of this good lesson keep,[295] 45
As watchman to my heart. But, good my brother,[296]
Do not, as some ungracious pastors do,
Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven,[297]
Whilst, like a puff'd and reckless libertine,[298]
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads[299] 50
And recks not his own rede.[300]
Laer. O, fear me not.
I stay too long: but here my father comes.

[Pg 26]

Enter Polonius.[301]

A double blessing is a double grace;[302]
Occasion smiles upon a second leave.
Pol. Yet here, Laertes! Aboard, aboard, for shame![303] 55
The wind sits in the shoulder of your sail,
And you are stay'd for. There; my blessing with thee![304]
And these few precepts in thy memory
Look thou character. Give thy thoughts no tongue,[305]
Nor any unproportion'd thought his act. 60
Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar.
Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,[306]
Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel,[307]
But do not dull thy palm with entertainment[308]
Of each new-hatch'd, unfledged comrade. Beware[309] 65
Of entrance to a quarrel; but being in,
Bear't, that th' opposed may beware of thee.[310]
Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice:[311]
Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgement.
Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy, 70
But not express'd in fancy; rich, not gaudy:
For the apparel oft proclaims the man;
And they in France of the best rank and station
Are of a most select and generous chief in that.[312]
Neither a borrower nor a lender be:[313] 75
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,[314]
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.[315]
[Pg 27] This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,[316]
Thou canst not then be false to any man. 80
Farewell: my blessing season this in thee![317]
Laer. Most humbly do I take my leave, my lord.[318]
Pol. The time invites you; go, your servants tend.[319]
Laer. Farewell, Ophelia, and remember well
What I have said to you.
Oph. 'Tis in my memory lock'd,[320] 85
And you yourself shall keep the key of it.
Laer. Farewell. [Exit.[321]
Pol. What is't, Ophelia, he hath said to you?[322]
Oph. So please you, something touching the Lord Hamlet.[323]
Pol. Marry, well bethought: 90
'Tis told me, he hath very oft of late
Given private time to you, and you yourself
Have of your audience been most free and bounteous:
If it be so—as so 'tis put on me,
And that in way of caution—I must tell you, 95
You do not understand yourself so clearly
As it behoves my daughter and your honour.
What is between you? give me up the truth.[324]
Oph. He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders
Of his affection to me. 100
Pol. Affection! pooh! you speak like a green girl,[325]
Unsifted in such perilous circumstance.[326]
Do you believe his tenders, as you call them?
[Pg 28]
Oph. I do not know, my lord, what I should think.
Pol. Marry, I'll teach you: think yourself a baby,[327] 105
That you have ta'en these tenders for true pay,[328]
Which are not sterling. Tender yourself more dearly;[329]
Or—not to crack the wind of the poor phrase,
Running it thus—you'll tender me a fool.[330]
Oph. My lord, he hath importuned me with love 110
In honourable fashion.
Pol. Ay, fashion you may call it; go to, go to.[331]
Oph. And hath given countenance to his speech, my lord,[332][333]
With almost all the holy vows of heaven.[332][334]
Pol. Ay, springes to catch woodcocks. I do know,[335] 115
When the blood burns, how prodigal the soul[336]
Lends the tongue vows: these blazes, daughter,[337]
Giving more light than heat, extinct in both,[338]
Even in their promise, as it is a-making,[339]
You must not take for fire. From this time[340] 120
Be something scanter of your maiden presence;[341]
Set your entreatments at a higher rate[342]
Than a command to parley. For Lord Hamlet,[343]
Believe so much in him, that he is young,
And with a larger tether may he walk[344] 125
Than may be given you: in few, Ophelia,
[Pg 29] Do not believe his vows; for they are brokers,
Not of that dye which their investments show,[345]
But mere implorators of unholy suits,[346]
Breathing like sanctified and pious bawds,[347] 130
The better to beguile. This is for all:[348]
I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth,
Have you so slander any moment leisure,[349]
As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet.
Look to't, I charge you: come your ways.[350] 135
Oph. I shall obey, my lord. [Exeunt.[351]

Scene IV. The platform.[352]

Enter Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus.

Ham. The air bites shrewdly; it is very cold.[353]
Hor. It is a nipping and an eager air.[354]
Ham. What hour now?
Hor. I think it lacks of twelve.
Mar. No, it is struck.[355]
Hor. Indeed? I heard it not: it then draws near the season[356] 5
Wherein the spirit held his wont to walk.
[Pg 30]

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

What does this mean, my lord?[358]
Ham. The king doth wake to-night and takes his rouse,[359]
Keeps wassail, and the swaggering up-spring reels;[360]
And as he drains his draughts of Rhenish down,[361] 10
The kettle-drum and trumpet thus bray out[362]
The triumph of his pledge.
Hor. Is it a custom?[363]
Ham. Ay, marry, is't:[364]
But to my mind, though I am native here[365]
And to the manner born, it is a custom 15
More honour'd in the breach than the observance.
This heavy-headed revel east and west[366][367][368][369]
Makes us traduced and tax'd of other nations:[366][367][369][370]
They clepe us drunkards, and with swinish phrase[366][367][371]
Soil our addition; and indeed it takes[366][367] 20
From our achievements, though perform'd at height,[366][367]
The pith and marrow of our attribute.[366][367]
So, oft it chances in particular men,[366][367][372]
That for some vicious mole of nature in them,[366][367][373]
As, in their birth,—wherein they are not guilty,[366][367] 25
[Pg 31] Since nature cannot choose his origin,—[366][367]
By the o'ergrowth of some complexion,[366][367][374]
Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason,[366][367]
Or by some habit that too much o'er-leavens[366][367]
The form of plausive manners, that these men,—[366][367] 30
Carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect,[366][367]
Being nature's livery, or fortune's star,—[366][367][375]
Their virtues else—be they as pure as grace,[366][367][376]
As infinite as man may undergo—[366][367]
Shall in the general censure take corruption[366][367] 35
From that particular fault: the dram of eale[366][367][377][378]
Doth all the noble substance of a doubt[367][377][378]
To his own scandal.[367][377][379]

[Pg 32]

Enter Ghost.

Hor. Look, my lord, it comes![380]
Ham. Angels and ministers of grace defend us![381]
Be thou a spirit of health or goblin damn'd, 40
Bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from hell,
Be thy intents wicked or charitable,[382]
Thou comest in such a questionable shape[383]
That I will speak to thee: I'll call thee Hamlet,
King, father, royal Dane: O, answer me![384] 45
Let me not burst in ignorance; but tell[385]
Why thy canonized bones, hearsed in death,[385][386]
Have burst their cerements; why the sepulchre,[387]
Wherein we saw thee quietly inurn'd,[388]
Hath oped his ponderous and marble jaws, 50
To cast thee up again. What may this mean,
That thou, dead corse, again, in complete steel,
Revisit'st thus the glimpses of the moon,[389]
Making night hideous; and we fools of nature[390]
So horridly to shake our disposition[391] 55
With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls?[392]
Say, why is this? wherefore? what should we do?[393]

[Ghost beckons Hamlet.

Hor. It beckons you to go away with it,
As if it some impartment did desire
[Pg 33] To you alone.
Mar. Look, with what courteous action 60
It waves you to a more removed ground:[394]
But do not go with it.
Hor. No, by no means.[395]
Ham. It will not speak; then I will follow it.[396]
Hor. Do not, my lord.
Ham. Why, what should be the fear?[397]
I do not set my life at a pin's fee;[398] 65
And for my soul, what can it do to that,
Being a thing immortal as itself?[399]
It waves me forth again: I'll follow it.
Hor. What if it tempt you toward the flood, my lord,[400]
Or to the dreadful summit of the cliff[401] 70
That beetles o'er his base into the sea,[402]
And there assume some other horrible form,[403]
Which might deprive your sovereignty of reason[404]
And draw you into madness? think of it:[405]
The very place puts toys of desperation,[406] 75
Without more motive, into every brain[406]
That looks so many fathoms to the sea[406]
And hears it roar beneath.[406][407][408]
Ham. It waves me still.[407]
Go on; I'll follow thee.
[Pg 34]
Mar. You shall not go, my lord.
Ham. Hold off your hands.[409] 80
Hor. Be ruled; you shall not go.
Ham. My fate cries out,[410]
And makes each petty artery in this body[411]
As hardy as the Nemean lion's nerve.[412]
Still am I call'd: unhand me, gentlemen;[413]
By heaven, I'll make a ghost of him that lets me: 85
I say, away! Go on; I'll follow thee.

[Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet.[414]

Hor. He waxes desperate with imagination.[415]
Mar. Let's follow; 'tis not fit thus to obey him.
Hor. Have after. To what issue will this come?
Mar. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. 90
Hor. Heaven will direct it.
Mar. Nay, let's follow him. [Exeunt.[416]

Scene V. Another part of the platform.

Enter Ghost and Hamlet.[417]

Ham. Whither wilt thou lead me? speak; I'll go no further.[418]
Ghost. Mark me.
Ham. I will.
[Pg 35]
Ghost. My hour is almost come,
When I to sulphurous and tormenting flames[419]
Must render up myself.
Ham. Alas, poor ghost!
Ghost. Pity me not, but lend thy serious hearing[420][421] 5
To what I shall unfold.[420]
Ham. Speak; I am bound to hear.[422]
Ghost. So art thou to revenge, when thou shalt hear.[423]
Ham. What?[424]
Ghost. I am thy father's spirit;
Doom'd for a certain term to walk the night, 10
And for the day confined to fast in fires,[425]
Till the foul crimes done in my days of nature
Are burnt and purged away. But that I am forbid[426]
To tell the secrets of my prison-house,
I could a tale unfold whose lightest word 15
Would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood,
Make thy two eyes, like stars, start from their spheres,
Thy knotted and combined locks to part[427]
And each particular hair to stand an end,[428]
Like quills upon the fretful porpentine:[429] 20
But this eternal blazon must not be
To ears of flesh and blood. List, list, O, list![430]
If thou didst ever thy dear father love—[431]
Ham. O God![432]
Ghost. Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder. 25
[Pg 36]
Ham. Murder![433]
Ghost. Murder most foul, as in the best it is,[434]
But this most foul, strange, and unnatural.
Ham. Haste me to know't, that I, with wings as swift[435]
As meditation or the thoughts of love,[436] 30
May sweep to my revenge.[437]
Ghost. I find thee apt;
And duller shouldst thou be than the fat weed[438][439]
That roots itself in ease on Lethe wharf,[440]
Wouldst thou not stir in this. Now, Hamlet, hear:[440]
'Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard,[441] 35
A serpent stung me; so the whole ear of Denmark[442]
Is by a forged process of my death
Rankly abused: but know, thou noble youth,[443]
The serpent that did sting thy father's life[444]
Now wears his crown.
Ham. O my prophetic soul![445] 40
My uncle![445][446]
Ghost. Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast,[447]
With witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts,—[448]
O wicked wit and gifts, that have the power[449]
[Pg 37] So to seduce!—won to his shameful lust[450] 45
The will of my most seeming-virtuous queen:[451]
O Hamlet, what a falling-off was there![452]
From me, whose love was of that dignity
That it went hand in hand even with the vow
I made to her in marriage; and to decline[453] 50
Upon a wretch, whose natural gifts were poor
To those of mine![454][455]
But virtue, as it never will be moved,[454]
Though lewdness court it in a shape of heaven,
So lust, though to a radiant angel link'd,[456] 55
Will sate itself in a celestial bed[457][458]
And prey on garbage.[457][459]
But, soft! methinks I scent the morning air;[460]
Brief let me be. Sleeping within my orchard,[461]
My custom always of the afternoon,[462] 60
Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole,[463]
With juice of cursed hebenon in a vial,[464]
And in the porches of my ears did pour[465]
The leperous distilment; whose effect[466]
Holds such an enmity with blood of man[466] 65
That swift as quicksilver it courses through
The natural gates and alleys of the body;[467]
And with a sudden vigour it doth posset[468]
[Pg 38] And curd, like eager droppings into milk,[469]
The thin and wholesome blood: so did it mine; 70
And a most instant tetter bark'd about,[470]
Most lazar-like, with vile and loathsome crust,
All my smooth body.
Thus was I, sleeping, by a brother's hand
Of life, of crown, of queen, at once dispatch'd:[471] 75
Cut off even in the blossoms of my sin,[472]
Unhousel'd, disappointed, unanel'd;[473]
No reckoning made, but sent to my account
With all my imperfections on my head:[474]
O, horrible! O, horrible! most horrible![475] 80
If thou hast nature in thee, bear it not;
Let not the royal bed of Denmark be
A couch for luxury and damned incest.
But, howsoever thou pursuest this act,[476]
Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive[477] 85
Against thy mother aught: leave her to heaven,
And to those thorns that in her bosom lodge,
To prick and sting her. Fare thee well at once!
The glow-worm shows the matin to be near,[478]
And 'gins to pale his uneffectual fire: 90
Adieu, adieu, adieu! remember me. [Exit.[479]
Ham. O all you host of heaven! O earth! what else?
And shall I couple hell? O, fie! Hold, hold, my heart;[480]
[Pg 39] And you, my sinews, grow not instant old,
But bear me stiffly up. Remember thee![481][482] 95
Ay, thou poor ghost, while memory holds a seat[483]
In this distracted globe. Remember thee![482]
Yea, from the table of my memory
I'll wipe away all trivial fond records,
All saws of books, all forms, all pressures past,[484] 100
That youth and observation copied there;
And thy commandment all alone shall live
Within the book and volume of my brain,
Unmix'd with baser matter: yes, by heaven![485]
O most pernicious woman![486] 105
0 villain, villain, smiling, damned villain!
My tables,—meet it is I set it down,[487][488]
That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain;[488]
At least I'm sure it may be so in Denmark. [Writing.[488][489]
So, uncle, there you are. Now to my word;[488] 110
It is 'Adieu, adieu! remember me.'[488][490][491]
I have sworn't.[488][490][492]
Hor.} [Within] My lord, my lord!
Mar.}

Enter Horatio and Marcellus.[493]

Mar. Lord Hamlet!
[Pg 40]
Hor. Heaven secure him![494]
Ham. So be it![495]
Mar. Illo, ho, ho, my lord![496] 115
Ham. Hillo, ho, ho, boy! come, bird, come.[497]
Mar. How is't, my noble lord?
Hor. What news, my lord?[498]
Ham. O, wonderful![499]
Hor. Good my lord, tell it.
Ham. No; you will reveal it.[500]
Hor. Not I, my lord, by heaven.
Mar. Nor I, my lord. 120
Ham. How say you, then; would heart of man once think it?[501]
But you'll be secret?[502]
Hor.} Ay, by heaven, my lord.
Mar.}
Ham. There's ne'er a villain dwelling in all Denmark[503][504]
But he's an arrant knave.[504][505]
Hor. There needs no ghost, my lord, come from the grave[506] 125
To tell us this.[506][507]
Ham. Why, right; you are i' the right;
And so, without more circumstance at all,
I hold it fit that we shake hands and part:
You, as your business and desire shall point you;[508]
For every man hath business and desire,[509] 130
Such as it is; and for my own poor part,[510]
[Pg 41] Look you, I'll go pray.[511]
Hor. These are but wild and whirling words, my lord.[512]
Ham. I'm sorry they offend you, heartily;[513]
Yes, faith, heartily.[514]
Hor. There's no offence, my lord. 135
Ham. Yes, by Saint Patrick, but there is, Horatio,[515]
And much offence too. Touching this vision here,[516]
It is an honest ghost, that let me tell you:
For your desire to know what is between us,
O'ermaster't as you may. And now, good friends,[517] 140
As you are friends, scholars and soldiers,
Give me one poor request.
Hor. What is't, my lord? we will.[518]
Ham. Never make known what you have seen to-night.
Hor.}
Mar.} My lord, we will not.
Ham. Nay, but swear't.
Hor. In faith,[519][520] 145
My lord, not I.[520]
Mar. Nor I, my lord, in faith.
Ham. Upon my sword.
Mar. We have sworn, my lord, already.[521]
Ham. Indeed, upon my sword, indeed.[522]
Ghost. [Beneath] Swear.[523]
[Pg 42]
Ham. Ah, ha, boy! say'st thou so? art thou there, true-penny?[524][525]150
Come on: you hear this fellow in the cellarage:[524][526]
Consent to swear.
Hor. Propose the oath, my lord.[527]
Ham. Never to speak of this that you have seen,[528]
Swear by my sword.
Ghost. [Beneath] Swear.[529] 155
Ham. Hic et ubique? then we'll shift our ground.[530]
Come hither, gentlemen,[531]
And lay your hands again upon my sword:[531]
Never to speak of this that you have heard,[531][532]
Swear by my sword.[531] 160
Ghost. [Beneath] Swear.[529][533]
Ham. Well said, old mole! canst work i' the earth so fast?[534]
A worthy pioner! Once more remove, good friends.[535]
Hor. O day and night, but this is wondrous strange!
Ham. And therefore as a stranger give it welcome.[536] 165
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.[537][538]
But come;[538][539]
Here, as before, never, so help you mercy,[539][540]
How strange or odd soe'er I bear myself,[541][542][543] 170
[Pg 43] As I perchance hereafter shall think meet[541][542][544][545]
To put an antic disposition on,[541][542][544]
That you, at such times seeing me, never shall,[542][546]
With arms encumber'd thus, or this head-shake,[542][547]
Or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase,[542][548] 175
As 'Well, well, we know,' or 'We could, an if we would,'[542][549][550]
Or 'If we list to speak,' or 'There be, an if they might,'[542][550][551]
Or such ambiguous giving out, to note[542][552]
That you know aught of me: this not to do,[553]
So grace and mercy at your most need help you,[553] 180
Swear.[553]
Ghost. [Beneath] Swear.[529]
Ham. Rest, rest, perturbed spirit! [They swear.] So, gentlemen,[554]
With all my love I do commend me to you:[555]
And what so poor a man as Hamlet is 185
May do, to express his love and friending to you,[556]
God willing, shall not lack. Let us go in together;[557]
And still your fingers on your lips, I pray.[558]
[Pg 44] The time is out of joint: O cursed spite,
That ever I was born to set it right![559] 190
Nay, come, let's go together. [Exeunt.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Act i. Scene i.] Actus Primus. Scæna prima. Ff. Omitted in Qq. See note [I]

Elsinore.] Capell.

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

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

[2] Who's] Ff Q6. Whose The rest.

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

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

[5] carefully] chearfully F3 F4.

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

struck] strooke Qq. strook F1.

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

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

[9] ho] Qq. om. Ff.

Who is] Qq. who's Ff.

Enter ...] Qq Ff (after line 13).

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

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

[12] soldier] Ff. souldiers Qq.

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

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

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

Say,] Say. Knight.

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

[16] [Giving his hand. Warburton.

[17] Mar.] (Q1) Ff. Hora. Qq.

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

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

[18] our] a Q4 Q5 Q6.

[19] sight] spright Warburton conj.

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

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

[22] story, What ... seen.] story. Mar. What ... seen—Hanmer.

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

sit we] let's Q (1676).

[24] yond] yon F3 F4.

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

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

one,—] one— Rowe. one. Qq Ff.

[Castle-bell tolls one. Ingleby conj.

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

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

off] of Q2 Q3 F1 (Capell's copy).

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

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

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

[30] Question] (Q1) Ff. Speake to Qq.

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

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

by heaven] om. Q (1676).

thee,] Rowe. thee Qq Ff.

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

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

[34] on't] of it Q4 Q5 Q6.

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

not] nor F2.

[36] true] try'd Warburton.

[37] very] om. F2 F3 F4.

[38] he] om. Ff.

[39] smote] smot Q2 Q3 F1 F2 F3.

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

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

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

[41] jump] (Q1) Qq. just Ff.

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

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

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

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

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

my] (Q1) Ff. mine Qq.

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

[46] subject] subjects Pope.

[47] why] (Q1) Ff. with Qq.

cast] cost (Q1) Qq.

[48] Does] Dos't F3 F4.

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

joint-labourer] joint labour Q5 Q6.

[50] emulate] emulant Seymour conj.

[51] combat] fight Pope.

[52] a] om. Pope.

[53] and] of Hanmer (Warburton).

heraldry] heraldy Q2 Q3.

[54] those] Ff. these Qq.

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

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

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

the same] that Pope.

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

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

[59] sir] om. Pope

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

mettle] metall Q6.

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

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

[63] is] om. Q4 Q5 Q6.

[64] As] Qq. And Ff.

[65] compulsatory] Qq. compulsative Ff.

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

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

[68] mote] Q5 Q6. moth Q2 Q3 Q4.

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

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

[70] tenantless] tennatlesse Q2 Q3.

and] om. Pope.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[76] As] Are Mitford conj.

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

[78] climatures] climature Dyce conj.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[84] you] Ff. your Qq.

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

[86] at] Ff. om. Qq.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[93] extravagant] extra-vagate Grey conj.

[94] on] at Q (1676).

[95] say] Qq. sayes Ff.

[96] The] (Q1) Ff. This Qq.

[97] then] om. F2F3F4.

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

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

nor] no Q6 F4.

[99] the] Ff. that (Q1) Qq.

[100] eastward] Qq. easterne Ff.

[101] advice] Ff. advise Qq.

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

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

[104] Let's] Let F1.

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

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

Flourish.] Qq. om. Ff.

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

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

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

us befitted] fitted Pope.

[109] bear] bathe Collier MS.

[110] sometime] Qq. sometimes Ff.

[111] to] Qq. of Ff.

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

a dropping] one drooping Grant White.

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

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

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

this] Qq. the Ff.

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

[116] with] by Pope.

bonds] Ff. bands Qq.

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

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

[119] bed-rid] bedred Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

[120] gait] Capell. gate Qq Ff.

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

the] he F3 F4.

[121] subject] subjects Q6.

here] now Q (1676).

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

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

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

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

more than] than does Seymour conj.

[125] Of] Which Pope.

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

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

[126] duty] service S. Walker conj.

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

[128] it nothing] in nothing F4.

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

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

[130] lose] Qq. loose Ff.

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

[132] head] blood Hanmer (Warburton).

native] motive Bubier conj.

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

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

[135] toward] Qq. towards Ff.

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

[137] He hath] Hath Q2 Q3.

lord,] lord: Ff.

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

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

[140] at last] at the last Pope.

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

[142] graces] graces; Q6.

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

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

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

[144] [Aside] Warburton.

[145] so] Ff. so much Qq.

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

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

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

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

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

lives] Qq F1. live F2 F3 F4.

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

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

[150] moods] modes Capell.

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

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

indeed] may Pope.

[152] passes] Qq. passeth Ff.

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

sweet and] om. Seymour conj.

Hamlet,] om. Pope.

[154] That] The F4.

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

[155] sorrow] sorrowes Q4 Q5 Q6.

persever] persevere Q6 F4.

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

[157] 'tis] om. Pope.

[158] a mind] or minde Qq.

[159] absurd] absur'd F2 F3.

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

[161] unprevailing] unavailing Hanmer.

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

[163] with] with't Theobald.

no less nobility] nobility no less Badham conj.

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

[165] Do I] Mine do I Keightley.

toward] Qq. towards Ff.

you. For] Ff. you for Qq.

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

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

[168] bend] beg Anon. MS.

[169] mother] Brother F4.

lose] Ff Q6. loose The rest.

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

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

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

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

[174] tell] tell it Hanmer.

[175] rouse] rowse Qq. rouce Ff.

heaven] Qq. heavens Ff.

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

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

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

[177] Scene iii. Pope.

too too solid] too-too-solid Theobald.

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

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

self-slaughter] seale slaughter Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

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

[179] weary] Ff Q6. wary The rest.

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

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

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

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

come to this] Ff. come thus Qq.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

on] upon Anon MS.

[188] and] om. Pope.

[189] on't] om. Pope.

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

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

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

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

[192] tears] in tears Anon. MS.

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

even she,] Ff. Omitted in Qq.

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

of reason] and reason Gifford conj.

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

[195] but] om. Pope.

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

[197] in] Qq. of Ff.

[198] dexterity] celerity S. Walker conj.

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

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

[200] Scene iv. Pope.

well] om. Collier (Collier MS.)

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

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

do] om. Q (1676).

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

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

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

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

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

[To Ber.] Edd.

even] morning Hanmer.

[208] what] om. F4.

in faith] om. Q (1676).

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

[210] hear] heare Qq. have Ff.

[211] my] Qq. mine Ff.

[212] make] take F2 F3 F4.

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

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

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

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

student] studient Q2 Q3.

[216] see] (Q1) Ff. Omitted in Qq.

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

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

[219] O where] Ff. Where Qq.

[220] He ... He] Ff. a ... A Qq.

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

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

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

[224] Season] Defer Q (1676).

for] but Q (1676) and Theobald.

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

may] om. Pope.

[226] marvel] wonder Q (1676).

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

God's] Gods Qq. Heavens Ff.

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

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

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

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

[230] fear-surprised] Hyphened in Ff.

[231] his] this Q4 Q5 Q6.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[235] apparition] apparision Q2 Q3 Q4.

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

[237] made it] it made Q6.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[247] face?] face. Q2 Q3.

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

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

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

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

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

a] an Q6.

hundred] hundreth Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

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

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

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

[256] as] om. F3 F4.

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

[258] walk] wake F1.

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

[259] conceal'd] concealed F3 F4.

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

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

tenable in your] in your treble Bailey conj.

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

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

[262] fare] farre Q2 Q3.

you] Qq. ye Ff.

[263] eleven] a leaven Q2 Q3.

[264] duty] duties (Q1) Grant White.

honour] homor Q4.

[265] loves] Qq. love Ff.

farewell.] so fare you well. Seymour conj.

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

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

[267] foul] fonde Q2 Q3.

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

[268] Scene iii.] Scene v. Pope.

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

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

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

sleep] slip Theobald conj. (withdrawn).

[271] favour] Qq. favours Ff.

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

primy] prime Q6.

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

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

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

suppliance] soffiance Johnson conj.

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

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

so?] Rowe. so. Qq Ff.

no more] mo more Q4.

[276] crescent] F4. cressant The rest.

[277] bulk] bulkes Qq.

this] Qq. his Ff. the Hanmer.

[278] and] om. Q4.

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

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

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

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

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

[283] unvalued] inferior Q (1676).

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

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

health] the health Warburton.

this] Qq. the Ff.

whole] weole F1.

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

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

[288] weigh] way Q2 Q3 Q4.

what] that F3 F4.

[289] too] two F2 F3.

[290] lose] F1 F2 F3. loose Qq F4.

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

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

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

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

[294] their] Qq. the Ff.

[295] effect] effects Pope.

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

watchman] Q2 Q3. watchmen The rest.

my] om. Q (1676).

[297] steep] step Q2.

to heaven] of heaven Q6.

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

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

reckless] careless Pope.

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

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

his] thine Seymour conj.

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

[301] Scene vi. Pope.

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

[302] [Kneeling to Polonius. Capell.

[303] Aboard, aboard] Get aboard Pope.

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

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

thee] (Q1) Qq. you Ff.

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

[305] Look] Qq. See Ff.

[306] Those] (Q1) Qq. The Ff.

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

hoops] hooks Pope.

[308] dull] stale S. Walker conj.

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

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

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

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

[312] Are ... that.] See note (III).

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

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

loses] Ff Q6. looses Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

[315] And] Qq F1. A F2 F3 F4.

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

[316] night] light Warburton.]

the day] to day Q6.

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

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

[319] invites] Ff. invests Qq.

[320] to you] om. Pope.

in] om. F3.

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

[322] hath] om. F3 F4.

[323] Lord] Qq. L. Ff.

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

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

[326]
Unsifted] Unsighted Becket
conj.

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

[328] these] Qq. his Ff.

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

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

[331] call it] call't Pope.

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

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

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

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

[336] prodigal] prodigally Q (1676).

[337] Lends] (Q1) Qq. Gives Ff.

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

[338] both] birth Badham conj.

[339] their] the Warburton.

[340] take] take't Q4 Q5 Q6.

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

[341] something] Qq. somewhat Ff.

your] thy Johnson.

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

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

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

may he] he may Warburton.

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

[346] mere] om. Seymour conj.

implorators] imploratotors Q2 Q3. implorers Pope.

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

[348] beguile] beguide Q2 Q3.

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

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

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

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

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

[352] Scene iv.] Capell. om. Ff. Scene iii. Rowe. Scene vii. Pope.

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

and] om. Ff.

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

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

[354] a] om. Qq.

an] om. F3 F4.

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

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

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

it then] Qq. then it Ff.

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

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

[359] wake] walke Q4 Q5 Q6.

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

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

[361] drains] takes Q (1676).

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

[363] Is it] It is F2.

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

[365] But] Qq. And Ff.

native] a native Hammer (ed. 2).

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

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

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

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

[370] traduced] tradust Q2 Q3.

tax'd] Pope. taxed Qq.

[371] clepe] Q6. clip Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

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

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

[374] the] Pope. their Qq.

[375] livery] levity Becket conj.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[383] a questionable] unquestionable Becket conj.

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

O] Qq. Oh, oh Ff.

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

tell Why thy] tell why Thy Lloyd conj.

[386] canonized] canoniz'd Qq Ff.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[391] horridly] horribly Theobald.

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

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

[394] waves] (Q1) Qq. wafts Ff.

to a more] off to a Johnson.

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

[395] [Holding Hamlet. Rowe.

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

[397] should] shall Q (1676).

[398] fee;] fee? F3 F4.

[399] as] like (Q1) Q6.

[400] toward] towards Q4 Q5.

flood] floods Q (1676).

lord] om. Q2.

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

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

[402] beetles] Ff. bettels Q4 Q5 Q6.

[403] assume] Qq. assumes Ff.

[404] deprive] deprave Hanmer (Warburton).

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

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

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

it:] it, Qq. it? F1. it. F2 F3 F4.

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

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

[408] waves] Qq. wafts Ff.

[409] off] of Q2 Q3 Q4.

hands] Qq. hand Ff.

[410] Hor.] Mar. Theobald.

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

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

this] his F3 F4.

[412] As hardy] Hardy Capell.

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

[Ghost beckons. Malone.

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

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

[Breaking from them. Rowe.

[414] on] one Q4 Q5.

[Exeunt....] Ff. Exit ... Qq.

[415] imagination] imagion Q2 Q3.

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

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

[417] Scene v.] Capell. Scene viii. Pope. Scene continued in Ff.

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

Enter....] Re-enter ... Pope.

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

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

[420] Pity ... unfold] Prose in Q4 Q5.

[421] thy] my Q5.

[422] hear.] here, Q4.

[423] when] what Q (1676).

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

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

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

And for] Tho' in Anon. MS.

[426] that I am] being Seymour conj.

[427] knotted] (Q1) Qq. knotty Ff.

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

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

porpentine] porcupine Q (1676).

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

[431] love—] Rowe. love. Qq Ff.

[432] God] Qq. Heaven Ff.

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

[434] Murder most] Most Seymour conj.

in] at Long MS.

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

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

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

I] om. F1.

[436] meditation] mediation Q6.

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

[438] shouldst] shouldest Q4 Q5.

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

[440] roots] Q5 Q6. rootes (Q1) Q2 Q3 Q4. rots Ff.

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

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

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

my] Qq. mine Ff.

orchard] garden Q (1676).

[442] so] om. Pope.

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

[444] life] heart Q (1676).

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

[446] My] my Qq. mine Ff.

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

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

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

[448] witchcraft] witchraft F2.

wit] Pope. wits Qq Ff.

with] Qq. hath F1 F2 F3. and F4.

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

[449] wit] wits Q6.

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

[451] seeming-virtuous] Hyphen inserted by Theobald.

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

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

[454] To those ... moved,] As in Pope. One line in Qq Ff.

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

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

angel] F4. angell F1 F2 F3. angle Qq.

[457] Will ... garbage.] Arranged as in Qq. One line in Ff.

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

[459] prey] pray Q2 Q3 Q4.

on] in F3 F4.

[460] scent] sent Q2 Q3 F1 Q6.

morning] Qq. mornings Ff.

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

my] Qq. mine Ff.

[462] of] Qq. in (Q1) Ff.

[463] secure] secret Johnson.

stole] to me stole Q (1676).

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

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

[465] my] Qq. mine Ff.

[466] effect Holds] effects Hold Q (1676).

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

[468] vigour] rigour Staunton conj.

posset] Ff. possesse Qq.

[469] eager] (Q1) Qq. Aygre Ff.

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

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

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

[472] blossoms] blossom Dyce conj.

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

disappointed] unanointed Pope. unappointed Theobald.

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

[474] With all] Withall Q2 Q3.

[475] See note (VIII).

[476] howsoever] Ff. howsomever Qq.

pursuest] Ff Q6. pursues Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

[477] Taint] Tain't Q2 Q3 Q4.

contrive] design Q (1676).

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

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

[Exit.] Ff. om. Qq.

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

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

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

[482] thee!] Q6. thee, Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. thee? Ff.

[483] while] Ff. whiles Qq.

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

all pressures] and pressures Q (1676).

[485] yes] Qq. yes, yes Ff.

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

[487] My tables,—] Pope. (My tables) (Q1). My tables, Qq. My Tables, my Tables; Ff.

set it] set Q6.

[488] down, ... villain; ... me.' ... sworn't.] down.— ... villain!... me.' [Writing ... sworn it. [Having kissed the tables. Brae conj.

[489] I'm] Ff. I am Qq.

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

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

[491] It is] Its— Jackson conj.

[492] I have sworn't.] I've sworn it— Pope.

[493] Scene ix. Pope.

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

[494] Heaven] Ff. Heavens (Q1) Qq.

[495] Ham.] Qq. Mar. Ff. Mar. [within. Knight.

[496] Mar.] Qq. Hor. Ff.

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

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

[499] Ham.] Hora. Q4 Q5.

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

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

[502] secret?] Ff. secret. Qq. secret— Theobald.

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

my lord.] (Q1) Ff. Omitted in Qq.

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

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

[504] Denmark But] Denmark—But Seymour conj.

[505] But] Bate Becket conj.

[506] There ... this.] As in Qq. Prose in Ff.

[507] i' the] i' th' Ff. in the Qq.

[508] desire] Qq. desires (Q1) Ff.

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

[510] my] Qq. mine Ff.

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

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

[513] I'm] Ff. I am Qq.

offend] offended F3 F4.

[514] Yes, faith,] Yes, Pope. 'Faith, Capell.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[520] In faith, ... I.] Arranged as by Capell. One line in Qq Ff.

[521] We have] We've Pope.

[522] Indeed ... indeed.] In deed ... in deed Staunton.

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

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

[524] Ah, ha, ... cellarage] Arranged as in Qq. Prose in Ff.

[525] Ah] Ff. Ha Qq.

so?] Q6. so, Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. so. Ff.

[526] on: you hear] one you here F1.

[527] the oath] my oath F3 F4.

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

[529] [Beneath] Capell. om. Qq Ff.

[530] Hic] Hie Q4 Q5.

ubique?] Ff. ubique, Qq.

our] Qq. for Ff.

[531] See note (X).

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

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

[534] canst] canst thou Q6.

earth] (Q1) Qq. ground Ff.

[535] good friends] om. Seymour conj.]

friends] Qq F1. friend F2 F3 F4.

[536] give] bid F3 F4.

[537] your] (Q1) Qq. our Ff.

[538] Than ... come;] As in Hanmer. One line in Qq Ff.

[539] But come; Here] But Seymour conj.

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

[541] How ... on] Put in parentheses in Pope. (ed. 1).

[542] How ... note] Put in parentheses in Qq.

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

[544] As ... on] Put in parentheses in Ff.

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

[546] times] (Q1) Qq. time Ff.

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

[548] Or] Nor Malone conj.

[549] Well, well,] Qq. well, Ff.

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

[551] they] (Q1) Qq. there Ff.

[552] giving] givings Warburton.

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

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

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

[554] Rest, rest,] Rest, Seymour conj.

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

[555] I do] om. F2 F3 F4. do I Theobald.

[556] friending] friendship Q (1676).

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

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

together] om. Hanmer.

[558] pray.] Rowe. pray, Qq Ff.

[559] set] see F3 F4.


ACT II.

Scene I. A room in Polonius's house.

Enter Polonius and Reynaldo.[560]

Pol. Give him this money and these notes, Reynaldo.[561][562]
Rey. I will, my lord.
Pol. You shall do marvellous wisely, good Reynaldo,[562][563]
Before you visit him, to make inquire[564]
Of his behaviour.
Rey. My lord, I did intend it. 5
Pol. Marry, well said, very well said. Look you, sir,[565]
Inquire me first what Danskers are in Paris,[566]
And how, and who, what means, and where they keep,
What company, at what expense, and finding[567]
By this encompassment and drift of question 10
That they do know my son, come you more nearer[568]
Than your particular demands will touch it:[568]
Take you, as 'twere, some distant knowledge of him,
As thus, 'I know his father and his friends,[569]
[Pg 45] And in part him:' do you mark this, Reynaldo?[562] 15
Rey. Ay, very well, my lord.
Pol. 'And in part him; but,' you may say, 'not well:
But if't be he I mean, he's very wild,[570]
Addicted so and so;' and there put on him
What forgeries you please; marry, none so rank 20
As may dishonour him; take heed of that;
But, sir, such wanton, wild and usual slips
As are companions noted and most known
To youth and liberty.
Rey. As gaming, my lord.
Pol. Ay, or drinking, fencing, swearing, quarrelling,[571][572] 25
Drabbing: you may go so far.[571]
Rey. My lord, that would dishonour him.
Pol. Faith, no; as you may season it in the charge.[573]
You must not put another scandal on him,[574]
That he is open to incontinency;[575] 30
That's not my meaning: but breathe his faults so quaintly
That they may seem the taints of liberty,
The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind,
A savageness in unreclaimed blood,[576][577]
Of general assault.[576]
Rey. But, my good lord,—[578] 35
Pol. Wherefore should you do this?
Rey. Ay, my lord,[579][580]
I would know that.[579]
Pol. Marry, sir, here's my drift,
And I believe it is a fetch of warrant:[581]
[Pg 46] You laying these slight sullies on my son,[582]
As 'twere a thing a little soil'd i' the working,[583] 40
Mark you,[584][585]
Your party in converse, him you would sound,[584][586]
Having ever seen in the prenominate crimes[587]
The youth you breathe of guilty, be assured[588]
He closes with you in this consequence;[589] 45
'Good sir,' or so, or 'friend,' or 'gentleman,'[590]
According to the phrase or the addition[591]
Of man and country.
Rey. Very good, my lord.
Pol. And then, sir, does he this—he does—what was I[592][593]
about to say? By the mass, I was about to say something:[592][594] 50
where did I leave?[592]
Rey. At 'closes in the consequence,' at 'friend or so,'[595]
and 'gentleman.'[595]
Pol. At 'closes in the consequence,' ay, marry;[596]
He closes with you thus: 'I know the gentleman;[597] 55
I saw him yesterday, or t'other day,[598]
[Pg 47] Or then, or then, with such, or such, and, as you say,[599]
There was a' gaming, there o'ertook in's rouse,[600]
There falling out at tennis:' or perchance,[601]
'I saw him enter such a house of sale,'[602] 60
Videlicet, a brothel, or so forth.[603]
See you now;[603]
Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth:[604]
And thus do we of wisdom and of reach,
With windlasses and with assays of bias,[605] 65
By indirections find directions out:[606]
So, by my former lecture and advice,[607]
Shall you my son. You have me, have you not?
Rey. My lord, I have.
Pol. God be wi' ye; fare ye well.[608]
Rey. Good my lord![609] 70
Pol. Observe his inclination in yourself.[610]
Rey. I shall, my lord.
Pol. And let him ply his music.
Rey. Well, my lord.
Pol. Farewell! [Exit Reynaldo.

Enter Ophelia.[611]

How now, Ophelia! what's the matter?
[Pg 48]
Oph. O, my lord, my lord, I have been so affrighted![612] 75
Pol. With what, i' the name of God?[613]
Oph. My lord, as I was sewing in my closet,[614]
Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced,[615]
No hat upon his head, his stockings foul'd,[616]
Ungarter'd and down-gyved to his ancle;[617] 80
Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other,
And with a look so piteous in purport
As if he had been loosed out of hell
To speak of horrors, he comes before me.[618]
Pol. Mad for thy love?
Oph. My lord, I do not know,[619] 85
But truly I do fear it.[619]
Pol. What said he?
Oph. He took me by the wrist and held me hard;[620]
Then goes he to the length of all his arm,
And with his other hand thus o'er his brow,
He falls to such perusal of my face 90
As he would draw it. Long stay'd he so;[621]
At last, a little shaking of mine arm,[622]
And thrice his head thus waving up and down,
He raised a sigh so piteous and profound[623]
As it did seem to shatter all his bulk[624] 95
And end his being: that done, he lets me go:[625]
And with his head over his shoulder turn'd,[626]
[Pg 49] He seem'd to find his way without his eyes;
For out o' doors he went without their helps,[627]
And to the last bended their light on me. 100
Pol. Come, go with me: I will go seek the king.[628]
This is the very ecstasy of love;
Whose violent property fordoes itself[629]
And leads the will to desperate undertakings
As oft as any passion under heaven[630] 105
That does afflict our natures. I am sorry.
What, have you given him any hard words of late?
Oph. No, my good lord, but, as you did command,
I did repel his letters and denied
His access to me.
Pol. That hath made him mad. 110
I am sorry that with better heed and judgement[631]
I had not quoted him: I fear'd he did but trifle[632]
And meant to wreck thee; but beshrew my jealousy![633]
By heaven, it is as proper to our age[634]
To cast beyond ourselves in our opinions 115
As it is common for the younger sort
To lack discretion. Come, go we to the king:[635]
This must be known; which, being kept close, might move[636]
More grief to hide than hate to utter love.[637]
Come. [Exeunt.[638] 120

[Pg 50]

Scene II. A room in the castle.

Flourish. Enter King, Queen, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and Attendants.[639]

King. Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern![640][641]
Moreover that we much did long to see you,
The need we have to use you did provoke
Our hasty sending. Something have you heard[642]
Of Hamlet's transformation; so call it,[643] 5
Sith nor the exterior nor the inward man[644]
Resembles that it was. What it should be,
More than his father's death, that thus hath put him
So much from th' understanding of himself,
I cannot dream of: I entreat you both,[645] 10
That, being of so young days brought up with him
And sith so neighbour'd to his youth and haviour,[646]
That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court
Some little time: so by your companies
To draw him on to pleasures, and to gather 15
So much as from occasion you may glean,[647]
Whether aught to us unknown afflicts him thus,[648]
[Pg 51] That open'd lies within our remedy.[649]
Queen. Good gentlemen, he hath much talk'd of you,
And sure I am two men there are not living[650] 20
To whom he more adheres. If it will please you
To show us so much gentry and good will[651]
As to expend your time with us awhile[652]
For the supply and profit of our hope,
Your visitation shall receive such thanks[653] 25
As fits a king's remembrance.
Ros. Both your majesties
Might, by the sovereign power you have of us,[654]
Put your dread pleasures more into command
Than to entreaty.
Guil. But we both obey,[655]
And here give up ourselves, in the full bent 30
To lay our service freely at your feet,[656]
To be commanded.[657]
King. Thanks, Rosencrantz and gentle Guildenstern.[640][641]
Queen. Thanks, Guildenstern and gentle Rosencrantz:[640][641]
And I beseech you instantly to visit 35
My too much changed son. Go, some of you,[658]
And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is.[659]
Guil. Heavens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him!
Queen. Ay, amen!

[Exeunt Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and some Attendants.[660]

[Pg 52]

Enter Polonius.

Pol. The ambassadors from Norway, my good lord, 40
Are joyfully return'd.
King. Thou still hast been the father of good news.
Pol. Have I, my lord? I assure my good liege,[661]
I hold my duty as I hold my soul,
Both to my God and to my gracious king:[662] 45
And I do think, or else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of policy so sure[663]
As it hath used to do, that I have found[664]
The very cause of Hamlet's lunacy.
King. O, speak of that; that do I long to hear.[665] 50
Pol. Give first admittance to the ambassadors;
My news shall be the fruit to that great feast.[666]
King. Thyself do grace to them, and bring them in.

[Exit Polonius.[667]

He tells me, my dear Gertrude, he hath found[668]
The head and source of all your son's distemper. 55
Queen. I doubt it is no other but the main;
His father's death and our o'erhasty marriage.[669]
King. Well, we shall sift him.

Re-enter Polonius, with Voltimand and Cornelius.

Welcome, my good friends![670]
Say, Voltimand, what from our brother Norway?[671]
[Pg 53]
Volt. Most fair return of greetings and desires. 60
Upon our first, he sent out to suppress
His nephew's levies, which to him appear'd[672]
To be a preparation 'gainst the Polack,[673]
But better look'd into, he truly found
It was against your highness: whereat grieved, 65
That so his sickness, age and impotence
Was falsely borne in hand, sends out arrests
On Fortinbras; which he, in brief, obeys,
Receives rebuke from Norway, and in fine
Makes vow before his uncle never more 70
To give the assay of arms against your majesty.
Whereon old Norway, overcome with joy,
Gives him three thousand crowns in annual fee[674]
And his commission to employ those soldiers,
So levied as before, against the Polack:[673] 75
With an entreaty, herein further shown, [Giving a paper.[675]
That it might please you to give quiet pass
Through your dominions for this enterprise,[676]
On such regards of safety and allowance
As therein are set down.[677]
King. It likes us well, 80
And at our more consider'd time we'll read,[678]
Answer, and think upon this business.[679]
Meantime we thank you for your well-took labour:
Go to your rest; at night we'll feast together:[680]
Most welcome home! [Exeunt Voltimand and Cornelius.
Pol. This business is well ended.[681] 85
My liege, and madam, to expostulate
[Pg 54] What majesty should be, what duty is,
Why day is day, night night, and time is time,
Were nothing but to waste night, day and time.
Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit[682] 90
And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,[683]
I will be brief. Your noble son is mad:
Mad call I it; for, to define true madness,[684]
What is't but to be nothing else but mad?[685]
But let that go.
Queen. More matter, with less art. 95
Pol. Madam, I swear I use no art at all.
That he is mad, 'tis true: 'tis true 'tis pity,[686]
And pity 'tis 'tis true: a foolish figure;[687]
But farewell it, for I will use no art.[688]
Mad let us grant him then: and now remains 100
That we find out the cause of this effect,[689]
Or rather say, the cause of this defect,
For this effect defective comes by cause:
Thus it remains and the remainder thus.[690][691]
Perpend.[690][692] 105
I have a daughter,—have while she is mine,—[693]
Who in her duty and obedience, mark,
Hath given me this: now gather and surmise. [Reads.[694]
'To the celestial, and my soul's idol, the most beautified Ophelia,'—[695]
That's an ill phrase, a vile phrase; 'beautified' is a vile[696] 110
[Pg 55] phrase: but you shall hear. Thus: [Reads.[697][698]
'In her excellent white bosom, these,' &c.[697][699]
Queen. Came this from Hamlet to her?
Pol. Good madam, stay awhile; I will be faithful. [Reads.[700]
'Doubt thou the stars are fire; 115
Doubt that the sun doth move;
Doubt truth to be a liar;
But never doubt I love.
'O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers; I have not
art to reckon my groans: but that I love thee best, O most 120
best, believe it. Adieu.
'Thine evermore, most dear lady, whilst this
machine is to him, Hamlet.'[701]
This in obedience hath my daughter shown me;[702]
And more above, hath his solicitings,[703] 125
As they fell out by time, by means and place,
All given to mine ear.
King. But how hath she[704]
Received his love?[704]
Pol. What do you think of me?
King. As of a man faithful and honourable.
Pol. I would fain prove so. But what might you think,[705] 130
When I had seen this hot love on the wing,—[706]
As I perceived it, I must tell you that,
Before my daughter told me,—what might you,
Or my dear majesty your queen here, think,[707]
[Pg 56] If I had play'd the desk or table-book,[708] 135
Or given my heart a winking, mute and dumb,[709]
Or look'd upon this love with idle sight;
What might you think? No, I went round to work,
And my young mistress thus I did bespeak:[710]
'Lord Hamlet is a prince, out of thy star;[711] 140
This must not be:' and then I prescripts gave her,[712]
That she should lock herself from his resort,[713]
Admit no messengers, receive no tokens.
Which done, she took the fruits of my advice;[714]
And he repulsed, a short tale to make,[714][715] 145
Fell into a sadness, then into a fast,[716]
Thence to a watch, thence into a weakness,[717][718]
Thence to a lightness, and by this declension[718][719]
Into the madness wherein now he raves[720]
And all we mourn for.[721] 150
King. Do you think this?
Queen. It may be, very like.[722]
Pol. Hath there been such a time, I'ld fain know that,[723]
That I have positively said ''tis so,'
When it proved otherwise?
King. Not that I know.
[Pg 57]
Pol. [Pointing to his head and shoulder] Take this from this, if this be otherwise:[724]155
If circumstances lead me, I will find
Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed
Within the centre.
King. How may we try it further?[725]
Pol. You know, sometimes he walks four hours together[726][727]
Here in the lobby.[726]
Queen. So he does, indeed.[728] 160
Pol. At such a time I'll loose my daughter to him:
Be you and I behind an arras then;[729][730]
Mark the encounter: if he love her not,[729]
And be not from his reason fall'n thereon,
Let me be no assistant for a state, 165
But keep a farm and carters.[731]
King. We will try it.
Queen. But look where sadly the poor wretch comes reading.[732]
Pol. Away, I do beseech you, both away:[733]
I'll board him presently.

[Exeunt King, Queen, and Attendants.

Enter Hamlet, reading.[734]

O, give me leave: how does my good Lord Hamlet?[735] 170
Ham. Well, God-a-mercy.
Pol. Do you know me, my lord?
[Pg 58]
Ham. Excellent well; you are a fishmonger.[736]
Pol. Not I, my lord.
Ham. Then I would you were so honest a man. 175
Pol. Honest, my lord![737]
Ham. Ay, sir; to be honest, as this world goes, is to[738]
be one man picked out of ten thousand.[738][739]
Pol. That's very true, my lord.
Ham. For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog,[740] 180
being a god kissing carrion—Have you a daughter?[741]
Pol. I have, my lord.
Ham. Let her not walk i' the sun: conception is a
blessing; but as your daughter may conceive,—friend, look[742]
to't. 185
Pol. [Aside] How say you by that? Still harping on[743]
my daughter: yet he knew me not at first; he said I was a[743][744][745]
fishmonger: he is far gone: and truly in my youth I[743][745][746][747]
suffered much extremity for love; very near this. I'll[743][746][748]
speak to him again. What do you read, my lord?[743][746][749] 190
Ham. Words, words, words.
Pol. What is the matter, my lord?[749]
Ham. Between who?[750]
Pol. I mean, the matter that you read, my lord.[751]
[Pg 59]
Ham. Slanders, sir: for the satirical rogue says here that[752] 195
old men have grey beards, that their faces are wrinkled,
their eyes purging thick amber and plum-tree gum, and[753]
that they have a plentiful lack of wit, together with most[754]
weak hams: all which, sir, though I most powerfully and
potently believe, yet I hold it not honesty to have it thus 200
set down; for yourself, sir, shall grow old as I am, if like a[755]
crab you could go backward.
Pol. [Aside] Though this be madness, yet there is[756][757][758]
method in't. Will you walk out of the air, my lord?[757]
Ham. Into my grave.[759] 205
Pol. Indeed, that's out of the air. [Aside] How pregnant[760][761]
sometimes his replies are! a happiness that often madness[760][762]
hits on, which reason and sanity could not so prosperously[760][763][764]
be delivered of. I will leave him, and suddenly contrive[760][764][765][766]
the means of meeting between him and my daughter. My[760][766][767] 210
honourable lord, I will most humbly take my leave of you.[760][767]
Ham. You cannot, sir, take from me any thing that I[768]
will more willingly part withal: except my life, except my[769][770]
life, except my life.[770]
[Pg 60]
Pol. Fare you well, my lord. 215
Ham. These tedious old fools!

Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.[771]

Pol. You go to seek the Lord Hamlet; there he is.[772]
Ros. [To Polonius] God save you, sir! [Exit Polonius.[773]
Guil. My honoured lord![774]
Ros. My most dear lord! 220
Ham. My excellent good friends! How dost thou, Guildenstern?[775]
Ah, Rosencrantz! Good lads, how do you both?[776]
Ros. As the indifferent children of the earth.
Guil. Happy, in that we are not over-happy;[777]
On Fortune's cap we are not the very button.[777][778] 225
Ham. Nor the soles of her shoe?[779]
Ros. Neither, my lord.
Ham. Then you live about her waist, or in the middle[780]
of her favours?[781]
Guil. Faith, her privates we.[782] 230
Ham. In the secret parts of Fortune? O, most true;
she is a strumpet. What's the news?[783]
Ros. None, my lord, but that the world's grown honest.[784]
Ham. Then is doomsday near: but your news is not[785]
true. Let me question more in particular: what have you,[786] 235
[Pg 61] my good friends, deserved at the hands of Fortune, that she[786]
sends you to prison hither?[786]
Guil. Prison, my lord![786]
Ham. Denmark's a prison.[786]
Ros. Then is the world one.[786] 240
Ham. A goodly one; in which there are many confines,[786]
wards and dungeons, Denmark being one o' the worst.[786][787]
Ros. We think not so, my lord.[786]
Ham. Why, then 'tis none to you; for there is nothing[786][788]
either good or bad, but thinking makes it so: to me it is a[786][788] 245
prison.[786]
Ros. Why, then your ambition makes it one; 'tis too[786]
narrow for your mind.[786]
Ham. O God, I could be bounded in a nut-shell and[786]
count myself a king of infinite space, were it not that I[786] 250
have bad dreams.[786][789]
Guil. Which dreams indeed are ambition; for the very[786]
substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream.[786]
Ham. A dream itself is but a shadow.[786]
Ros. Truly, and I hold ambition of so airy and light a[786] 255
quality that it is but a shadow's shadow.[786]
Ham. Then are our beggars bodies, and our monarchs[786]
and outstretched heroes the beggars' shadows. Shall we to[786]
the court? for, by my fay, I cannot reason.[786][790]
Ros. Guil. We'll wait upon you.[786][791] 260
Ham. No such matter: I will not sort you with the rest[786]
of my servants; for, to speak to you like an honest man, I[786]
am most dreadfully attended. But, in the beaten way of[786]
friendship, what make you at Elsinore?[792][793]
Ros. To visit you, my lord; no other occasion. 265
Ham. Beggar that I am, I am even poor in thanks; but[794]
I thank you: and sure, dear friends, my thanks are too dear
[Pg 62] a halfpenny. Were you not sent for? Is it your own[795]
inclining? Is it a free visitation? Come, deal justly with me:[796]
come, come; nay, speak. 270
Guil. What should we say, my lord?
Ham. Why, any thing, but to the purpose. You were[797]
sent for; and there is a kind of confession in your looks,[798]
which your modesties have not craft enough to colour: I
know the good king and queen have sent for you. 275
Ros. To what end, my lord?
Ham. That you must teach me. But let me conjure you,
by the rights of our fellowship, by the consonancy of our[799]
youth, by the obligation of our ever-preserved love, and by[800]
what more dear a better proposer could charge you withal, be[801] 280
even and direct with me, whether you were sent for, or no.[802]
Ros. [Aside to Guil.] What say you?[803]
Ham. [Aside] Nay then, I have an eye of you.—If you[804][805]
love me, hold not off.[804]
Guil. My lord, we were sent for. 285
Ham. I will tell you why; so shall my anticipation prevent
your discovery, and your secrecy to the king and queen[806][807]
moult no feather. I have of late—but wherefore I know not—lost[807][808]
all my mirth, foregone all custom of exercises; and indeed[809]
it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goodly[810] 290
frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory; this most
excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave o'erhanging[811]
[Pg 63] firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire, why,[812]
it appears no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent[813]
congregation of vapours. What a piece of work is a man![814] 295
how noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and[815][816]
moving how express and admirable! in action how like an[816]
angel! in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the[816]
world! the paragon of animals! And yet, to me, what is this
quintessence of dust? man delights not me; no, nor woman[817] 300
neither, though by your smiling you seem to say so.[818]
Ros. My lord, there was no such stuff in my thoughts.
Ham. Why did you laugh then, when I said 'man[819]
delights not me'?
Ros. To think, my lord, if you delight not in man, what 305
lenten entertainment the players shall receive from you:[820]
we coted them on the way; and hither are they coming, to[821]
offer you service.
Ham. He that plays the king shall be welcome; his
majesty shall have tribute of me; the adventurous knight[822] 310
shall use his foil and target; the lover shall not sigh gratis;[823]
the humourous man shall end his part in peace; the clown[824]
shall make those laugh whose lungs are tickled o' the sere,[824][825]
and the lady shall say her mind freely, or the blank verse[826]
shall halt for't. What players are they? 315
[Pg 64]
Ros. Even those you were wont to take such delight[827]
in, the tragedians of the city.[828]
Ham. How chances it they travel? their residence,[829]
both in reputation and profit, was better both ways.[830]
Ros. I think their inhibition comes by the means of the[831][832] 320
late innovation.[831][833]
Ham. Do they hold the same estimation they did when[834]
I was in the city? are they so followed?
Ros. No, indeed, are they not.[835]
Ham. How comes it? do they grow rusty?[836] 325
Ros. Nay, their endeavour keeps in the wonted pace:[836]
but there is, sir, an eyrie of children, little eyases, that cry[836][837]
out on the top of question and are most tyranically clapped[836][838]
for't: these are now the fashion, and so berattle the common[836][839]
stages—so they call them—that many wearing rapiers[836][840] 330
are afraid of goose-quills, and dare scarce come thither.[836]
Ham. What, are they children? who maintains 'em?[836][841]
how are they escoted? Will they pursue the quality no[836]
longer than they can sing? will they not say afterwards, if[836]
they should grow themselves to common players,—as it is[836][842] 335
most like, if their means are no better,—their writers do them[836][843]
wrong, to make them exclaim against their own succession?[836][844]
Ros. Faith, there has been much to do on both sides,[836]
and the nation holds it no sin to tarre them to controversy:[836]
there was for a while no money bid for argument unless[836] 340
[Pg 65] the poet and the player went to cuffs in the question.[836]
Ham. Is't possible?[836]
Guil. O, there has been much throwing about of brains.[836]
Ham. Do the boys carry it away?[836]
Ros. Ay, that they do, my lord; Hercules and his load too.[836][845] 345
Ham. It is not very strange; for my uncle is king of[846]
Denmark, and those that would make mows at him while[847]
my father lived, give twenty, forty, fifty, a hundred ducats[848]
a-piece, for his picture in little. 'Sblood, there is something[849]
in this more than natural, if philosophy could find it out.[850] 350

[Flourish of trumpets within.

Guil. There are the players.[851]
Ham. Gentlemen, you are welcome to Elsinore. Your[793]
hands, come then: the appurtenance of welcome is fashion[852]
and ceremony: let me comply with you in this garb, lest[853][854]
my extent to the players, which, I tell you, must show[854][855] 355
fairly outwards, should more appear like entertainment[856]
than yours. You are welcome: but my uncle-father and
aunt-mother are deceived.
Guil. In what, my dear lord?
Ham. I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind 360
is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw.[857]

Enter Polonius.

Pol. Well be with you, gentlemen![858]
[Pg 66]
Ham. Hark you, Guildenstern; and you too: at each[859]
ear a hearer: that great baby you see there is not yet out[860]
of his swaddling clouts.[861] 365
Ros. Happily he's the second time come to them; for[862]
they say an old man is twice a child.
Ham. I will prophesy he comes to tell me of the[863]
players; mark it. You say right, sir: o'Monday morning;[864]
'twas so, indeed.[865] 370
Pol. My lord, I have news to tell you.
Ham. My lord, I have news to tell you. When Roscius[866]
was an actor in Rome,—[867]
Pol. The actors are come hither, my lord.
Ham. Buz, buz! 375
Pol. Upon my honour,—[868]
Ham. Then came each actor on his ass,—[869]
Pol. The best actors in the world, either for tragedy,
comedy, history, pastoral, pastoral-comical, historical-pastoral,[870]
tragical-historical, tragical-comical-historical-pastoral,[870][871] 380
scene individable, or poem unlimited: Seneca cannot be too[872]
heavy, nor Plautus too light. For the law of writ and the[873][874][875]
[Pg 67] liberty these are the only men.[873][875]
Ham. O Jephthah, judge of Israel, what a treasure[876][877]
hadst thou! 385
Pol. What a treasure had he, my lord?[878]
Ham. Why,[879]
'One fair daughter, and no more,[879]
The which he loved passing well.'[879]
Pol. [Aside] Still on my daughter.[880] 390
Ham. Am I not i' the right, old Jephthah?
Pol. If you call me Jephthah, my lord, I have a daughter[881][882]
that I love passing well.[881]
Ham. Nay, that follows not.[881]
Pol. What follows, then, my lord? 395
Ham. Why,[883]
'As by lot, God wot,'[883]
and then, you know,[884]
'It came to pass, as most like it was,'—[884]
the first row of the pious chanson will show you more;[885] 400
for look, where my abridgement comes.[886]

[Pg 68]

Enter four or five Players.

You are welcome, masters; welcome, all. I am glad to see[887]
thee well. Welcome, good friends. O, my old friend! Why[888][889]
thy face is valanced since I saw thee last; comest thou to[889][890]
beard me in Denmark? What, my young lady and mistress! 405
By'r lady, your ladyship is nearer to heaven than[891]
when I saw you last, by the altitude of a chopine. Pray[892]
God, your voice, like a piece of uncurrent gold, be not
cracked within the ring. Masters, you are all welcome.
We'll e'en to 't like French falconers, fly at any thing we[893] 410
see: we'll have a speech straight: come, give us a taste of
your quality; come, a passionate speech.
First Play. What speech, my good lord?[894][895]
Ham. I heard thee speak me a speech once, but it was
never acted; or, if it was, not above once; for the play, I remember,415
pleased not the million; 'twas caviare to the general:[896]
but it was—as I received it, and others, whose judgements[897]
in such matters cried in the top of mine—an excellent play,
well digested in the scenes, set down with as much modesty
as cunning. I remember, one said there were no sallets in[898] 420
the lines to make the matter savoury, nor no matter in the
phrase that might indict the author of affection; but called[899]
[Pg 69] it an honest method, as wholesome as sweet, and by very[900]
much more handsome than fine. One speech in it I chiefly[900][901]
loved: 'twas Æneas' tale to Dido; and thereabout of it especially,[902] 425
where he speaks of Priam's slaughter: if it live in[903]
your memory, begin at this line; let me see, let me see;
'The rugged Pyrrhus, like th' Hyrcanian beast,'—[904]
It is not so: it begins with 'Pyrrhus.'[905]
'The rugged Pyrrhus, he whose sable arms, 430
Black as his purpose, did the night resemble[906]
When he lay couched in the ominous horse,[907]
Hath now this dread and black complexion smear'd[908]
With heraldry more dismal: head to foot[909]
Now is he total gules; horridly trick'd[910] 435
With blood of fathers, mothers, daughters, sons,
Baked and impasted with the parching streets,[911]
That lend a tyrannous and a damned light[912][913]
To their lord's murder: roasted in wrath and fire,[913][914]
And thus o'er-sized with coagulate gore,[915] 440
With eyes like carbuncles, the hellish Pyrrhus[916]
Old grandsire Priam seeks.'
So, proceed you.[917]
[Pg 70]
Pol 'Fore God, my lord, well spoken, with good accent
and good discretion. 445
First Play. 'Anon he finds him[894]
Striking too short at Greeks; his antique sword,[918]
Rebellious to his arm, lies where it falls,[919]
Repugnant to command: unequal match'd,[920]
Pyrrhus at Priam drives; in rage strikes wide; 450
But with the whiff and wind of his fell sword
The unnerved father falls. Then senseless Ilium,[921]
Seeming to feel this blow, with flaming top[922]
Stoops to his base, and with a hideous crash[923]
Takes prisoner Pyrrhus' ear: for, lo! his sword,[924] 455
Which was declining on the milky head
Of reverend Priam, seem'd i' the air to stick:[925]
So, as a painted tyrant, Pyrrhus stood.[926]
And like a neutral to his will and matter,[927][928]
Did nothing.[928] 460
But as we often see, against some storm,
A silence in the heavens, the rack stand still,[929]
The bold winds speechless and the orb below[930]
As hush as death, anon the dreadful thunder
Doth rend the region, so after Pyrrhus' pause[924][931] 465
Aroused vengeance sets him new a-work;[932]
And never did the Cyclops' hammers fall[933]
On Mars's armour, forged for proof eterne,[934]
[Pg 71] With less remorse than Pyrrhus' bleeding sword[924]
Now falls on Priam. 470
Out, out, thou strumpet, Fortune! All you gods,[935]
In general synod take away her power,
Break all the spokes and fellies from her wheel,[936]
And bowl the round nave down the hill of heaven
As low as to the fiends!' 475
Pol. This is too long.[937]
Ham. It shall to the barber's, with your beard. Prithee,[938]
say on: he's for a jig or a tale of bawdry, or he sleeps:
say on: come to Hecuba.
First Play. 'But who, O, who had seen the mobled queen—'[939][940][941] 480
Ham. 'The mobled queen?'[940][942]
Pol. That's good; 'mobled queen' is good.[943]
First Play. 'Run barefoot up and down, threatening the flames[944]
With bisson rheum; a clout upon that head[945]
Where late the diadem stood; and for a robe, 485
About her lank and all o'er-teemed loins,
A blanket, in the alarm of fear caught up:[946]
Who this had seen, with tongue in venom steep'd
'Gainst Fortune's state would treason have pronounced:[947]
[Pg 72] But if the gods themselves did see her then, 490
When she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport
In mincing with his sword her husband's limbs,[948]
The instant burst of clamour that she made,
Unless things mortal move them not at all,[949]
Would have made milch the burning eyes of heaven[950] 495
And passion in the gods.'[951]
Pol. Look, whether he has not turned his colour and[952]
has tears in's eyes. Prithee, no more.[953]
Ham. 'Tis well; I'll have thee speak out the rest of this[954]
soon. Good my lord, will you see the players well bestowed?[955] 500
Do you hear, let them be well used, for they are the abstract[956]
and brief chronicles of the time: after your death you were
better have a bad epitaph than their ill report while you live.[957]
Pol. My lord, I will use them according to their desert.[958]
Ham. God's bodykins, man, much better: use every[959] 505
man after his desert, and who shall 'scape whipping? Use[958][960]
them after your own honour and dignity: the less they deserve,
the more merit is in your bounty. Take them in.
Pol. Come, sirs.
Ham. Follow him, friends: we'll hear a play to-morrow. 510

[Exit Polonius with all the Players but the First.[961]

[Pg 73]

Dost thou hear me, old friend; can you play the Murder of[962]
Gonzago?[963]
First Play. Ay, my lord.
Ham. We'll ha't to-morrow night. You could, for a[961][964][965]
need, study a speech of some dozen or sixteen lines, which[965][966] 515
I would set down and insert in't, could you not?[967]
First Play. Ay, my lord.
Ham. Very well. Follow that lord; and look you[961]
mock him not. [Exit First Player.] My good friends, I'll[968]
leave you till night: you are welcome to Elsinore.[969] 520
Ros. Good my lord![970]
Ham. Ay, so, God be wi' ye! [Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.] Now I am alone.[971]
O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!
Is it not monstrous that this player here,
But in a fiction, in a dream of passion,[972] 525
Could force his soul so to his own conceit[973]
That from her working all his visage wann'd;[974]
Tears in his eyes, distraction in's aspect,[975]
A broken voice, and his whole function suiting[976]
With forms to his conceit? and all for nothing![977] 530
For Hecuba![978]
[Pg 74] What's Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba,[979]
That he should weep for her? What would he do,
Had he the motive and the cue for passion[980]
That I have? He would drown the stage with tears 535
And cleave the general ear with horrid speech,
Make mad the guilty and appal the free,[981]
Confound the ignorant, and amaze indeed
The very faculties of eyes and ears.[982][983]
Yet I,[982][984][985] 540
A dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peak,[984][985][986]
Like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause,[985][987]
And can say nothing; no, not for a king,[985]
Upon whose property and most dear life
A damn'd defeat was made. Am I a coward?[988] 545
Who calls me villain? breaks my pate across?[988]
Plucks off my beard, and blows it in my face?[988]
Tweaks me by the nose? gives me the lie i' the throat,[988]
As deep as to the lungs? who does me this?[988]
Ha![989] 550
'Swounds, I should take it: for it cannot be[990]
But I am pigeon-liver'd and lack gall
To make oppression bitter, or ere this[991]
I should have fatted all the region kites[992]
[Pg 75] With this slave's offal: bloody, bawdy villain![993] 555
Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain![994]
O, vengeance![995]
Why, what an ass am I! This is most brave,[996]
That I, the son of a dear father murder'd,[997]
Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, 560
Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words,
And fall a-cursing, like a very drab,[998][999]
A scullion![998][999]
Fie upon't! foh! About, my brain! Hum, I have heard[998][1000]
That guilty creatures, sitting at a play,[998][1001] 565
Have by the very cunning of the scene
Been struck so to the soul that presently[1002]
They have proclaim'd their malefactions;
For murder, though it have no tongue, will speak
With most miraculous organ. I'll have these players[1003] 570
Play something like the murder of my father
Before mine uncle: I'll observe his looks;
I'll tent him to the quick: if he but blench,[1004]
I know my course. The spirit that I have seen[1005]
[Pg 76] May be the devil; and the devil hath power[1006] 575
To assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps
Out of my weakness and my melancholy,
As he is very potent with such spirits,
Abuses me to damn me. I'll have grounds
More relative than this. The play's the thing 580
Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king. [Exit.

FOOTNOTES:

[560] Act ii. Scene i.] Q (1676) and Rowe. Actus Secundus. Ff.

A room ...] An Apartment ... Rowe.

Enter ... Reynaldo.] Capell. Enter old Polonius, with his man or two. Qq. Enter ... Reynoldo. Ff.

[561] this] Qq. his Ff.

these] Q2 Q3 F1. these two Q4 Q5 Q6. those F2 F3 F4.

[562] Reynaldo] Qq. Reynoldo Ff.

[563] marvellous] Q5 Q6. meruiles Q2 Q3. maruelous Q4. maruels F1. marvels F2 F3 F4.]

wisely,] Q6. wisely Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. wisely: Ff.

[564] to make inquire] Qq. you make inquiry Ff. make you inquiry Rowe. to make inquiry Q (1676) and Pope.

[565] Marry ... sir,] As in Qq. Two lines in Ff.

Marry] Mary Q2 Q3 Q4.

[566] Danskers] Dantz'ckers Capell (corrected in MS.)

[567] at] om. F4.

[568] nearer Than] Capell. neerer Then Qq F1. neere Than F2. near Then F3. near. Then Q (1676) and Pope. near, Then F4.

[569] As] Qq. And Ff.

[570] if't] Ff. y'ft Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. if it Q6.

[571] Ay ... far.] Arranged as in Capell. In Qq Ff the first line ends at swearing.

[572] fencing] Put in brackets by Warburton as an interpolation.

[573] no] Ff. om. Qq.

[574] another] an utter Hanmer (Theobald conj. withdrawn).

[575] That] Than Keightley.

[576] A savageness ... assault.] As in Qq. One line in Ff.

[577] unreclaimed] Q5 Q6. unreclamed Q2 Q3 Q4. unreclaim'd Ff.

[578] lord,—] lord— Pope. Lord. Qq Ff.

[579] Ay, ... that.] As in Steevens (1778). One line in Qq Ff.

[580] lord] good lord Capell, ending the line at lord.

[581] warrant] Ff. wit Qq.

[582] sullies] Q4 Q5 Q6 F4. sallies Q2 Q3. sulleyes F1 F2 F3.

[583] i' the] i' th' Ff. with Qq.

[584] Mark ... sound,] As in Malone. One line in Qq Ff.

[585] you,] Qq. you Ff.

[586] him] he Q6.

you would] you'ld Johnson.

[587] seen in] seene in Qq. seene. In F1 F2 F3. seen. In F4.

prenominate] prenominate] Q2 Q3 Q4.

[588] breathe] Rowe (ed. 2). breath Qq Ff. speak Pope.

[589] consequence] cosequence Q4.

[590] or so] Put in parentheses in Qq.

or so, or] or Sir, or Hanmer. or sire or Warburton. forsooth, or Johnson conj. or so forth, Steevens conj. (1778).

[591] or] Qq. and Ff.

addition] addistion Q2 Q3.

[592] And then ... leave?] Prose first by Malone. Three lines in Qq, ending say?... something, ... leave? Three lines in Ff, ending this?... say? ... leave? Capell ends the lines was I ... say ... leave?

[593] does he this—he does] does he this? He does: Ff. doos a this, a doos, Q2 Q3. doos a this, a doos: Q4 Q5. does a this, a does: Q6.

[594] By the mass] Qq. Omitted in Ff.

something] nothing F2 F3 F4.

[595] At ... gentleman.'] Prose in Globe ed. Two lines, the first ending consequence: in Ff.

at 'friend ... gentleman.'] Omitted in Qq.

[596] Pol.] Reynol. F2. Pelon. F3.

[597] closes with you thus] Ff. closes thus Qq. closeth with him thus (Q1).

[598] t'other] tother F1 F2. 'tother F3 F4. th' other Qq.

[599] Or then, or then,] Or then, Pope.

or such] Qq. and such Ff.

[600] a'] a Qq. he Ff.

gaming, there] gaming, there Ff. gaming there Qq.

o'ertook] or tooke Qq.

[601] There] Their F2 F3.

[602] such] Q2 Q3 Ff. such or such Q4 Q5. such and such Q6.

sale] Qq. saile F1 F2. sail F3 F4.

[603] Videlicet ... now] As in Capell. One line in Qq Ff.

[604] falsehood takes] falshood takes Q6. falshood, takes Ff. falshood take Q2 Q3. falshood: take Q4 Q5.

carp] carpe Qq. cape Ff.

[605] assays] essayes Q6.

[606] indirections] indirects Q4 Q5 Q6.

[607] advice] Ff Q6. advise Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

[608] be wi' ye] buy ye Qq. buy you F1 F2 F3. b'w'you F4.

fare ye] Q6. far ye Q2 Q3. far yee?] Q4 Q5. fare you Ff.

[609] Good my lord!] Dyce. Good my Lord. Qq Ff. Good my Lord— Rowe. But, my good lord,— Capell conj.

[610] in] e'en Hanmer.

[611] [Exit Reynaldo.] Exit Rey. Qq (after lord). Exit. Ff (after lord).

Scene ii.] Pope.

[Enter Ophelia.] As in Singer (ed. 2). Before Farewell! in Qq Ff. Enter Ophelia, hastily. Capell.

[612] O, my lord,] Qq. Alas, Ff.

[613] i' the] i' th Qq. in the Ff.

God] Qq. Heaven Ff.

[614] sewing] Warburton. sowing Qq Ff. reading Q (1676).

closet] Q6. closset Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. chamber Ff.

[615] Lord] Prince Q (1676).

[616] foul'd] Ff Q6. fouled Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. loose Q (1676). See note (XI).

[617] down-gyved] F3 F4. downe gyved Q2 Q3 Q6. downe gyred Q4 Q5. downe gived F1. downe-gyved F2. down-gyred Theobald.

[618] horrors, he] Qq. horrors: he Ff. horrors: thus he Pope. horrors there, he Anon. conj.

[619] My lord ... it.] As in Qq. One line in Ff.

[620] and held me hard] Omitted in F2 F3 F4.

[621] As he] Ff. As a Qq.

Long] Long time Pope.

[622] mine] Qq F1. my F2 F3 F4. his Pope (ed. 2).

[623] piteous] Q6. pittious Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 F1. hideous F2 F3 F4.

[624] As] Qq. That Ff.

[625] that done,] Then Pope.

me] om. F2 F3 F4.

[626] shoulder] Q2 Q3. shoulders The rest.

[627] o'doors] Theobald. adoores Q2 Q3. a doores Q4. of doores Q5 Q6. adores F1 F2. adoors F3 F4.

helps] Q2 Q3 Q4. helpes Q5 Q6. helpe (Q1) F1 F2. help F3 F4.

[628] Come] Qq. om. Ff.

[629] fordoes] forgoes Q4 Q5 Q6.

[630] passion] Ff. passions Qq.

[631] I am] I'm Pope.

heed] Q5 Q6. heede Q2 Q3 Q4. speed Ff.

[632] quoted] Ff. coted Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. coated Q6. noted Warburton.

fear'd] Qq. feare F1 F2. fear F3 F4.

did but trifle] trifl'd Pope.

[633] wreck] wrack Qq F3 F4. wracke F1 F2. rack Upton conj.

beshrew] Ff Q6. beshrow Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

[634] By heaven,] (Q1) Qq. It seemes F1 F2. It seems F3 F4.

[635] we] with me Q (1676).

[636] which] F1.

[637] than hate] hate, than Hanmer. than haste Anon. conj.

[638] Come.] Qq. om. Ff.

[639] Scene ii.] Scena secunda. Ff. Scene iii. Pope.

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

Flourish.] om. Ff.

Rosencratz,] Malone. Rossencraft, (Q1). Rosencraus Qq. Rosincrane, F1. Rosincrosse, F2 F3. Rosincross, F4. Roseneraus, Rowe (ed. 2). Rosincrantz, Theobald.

Guildenstern] Rowe. Gilderstone (Q1). Guyldensterne Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. Guildensterne F1 Q6. Guildenstare F2 F3 F4.

and Attendants.] Lords and other Attendants. Rowe. Omitted in Qq. Cumalijs. F1 F2. cum aliis. F3 F4.

[640] Rosencrantz] Malone. Rosencraus Qq. Rosincrance F1. Rosincros F2. Rosincross F3 F4.

[641] Guildenstern] Rowe. Guyldensterne Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. Guildensterne F1 Q6. Guildenstare F2 F3 F4.

[642] have you] you have Q6.

[643] call] Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. I call Ff Q6.

[644] Sith nor] Qq. Since not Ff.

[645] dream] dreame Qq. deeme F1 F2. deem F3 F4.

[646] sith] Qq. since Ff.

neighbour'd] Ff. nabored Q2 Q3. neighbored Q4. neighboured Q5 Q6.

haviour] Q5 Q6. hauior Q2 Q3. hau r Q4. humour Ff. 'havour Warburton.

[647] occasion] Qq. occasions Ff.

[648] Whether ... thus,] Qq. Omitted in Ff. If ... thus, Rowe.

[649] open'd] om. Q (1676).

[650] are] is Q2 Q3.

[651] gentry] gentleness Q (1676).

[652] expend] extend Q4 Q5. employ Q (1676).

[653] shall] should Q6.

[654] of us] over us Q (1676). o'er us Mason conj.

[655] to] into Keightley.

But we] Qq. We Ff.

[656] service] Qq. services Ff.

[657] To be commanded.] Omitted in Q4 Q5 Q6.

[658] My ... you,] As in Qq. Two lines in Ff.

you] Qq. ye Ff.

[659] these] Qq. the Ff.

[660] Ay,] Capell. I Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. om. Ff Q6. Amen, Keightley.

[Exeunt Rosencrantz....] Exeunt Ros. and Gui., Attendants with them. Capell. Exeunt Ros. and Guyld. Qq. Exit. F1 (after him). Exeunt. F2 F3 F4 (after him).

[661] [Aside to the King. Anon. conj.

I assure] Qq. Assure you, Ff.

[662] and] Qq. one Ff.

[663] sure] be sure F3 F4.

[664] it hath] Qq. I have Ff.

[665] that; that] Capell. that, that Qq Ff.

do I] doe I Qq. I do F1 F3 F4. I doe. F2.

[666] fruit] Q5 Q6. fruite Q2 Q3. frute Q4. newes F1 F2. news F3 F4. nuts Hunter conj.

to] of Johnson.

[667] [Exit Polonius.] Ex. Pol. Rowe. Omitted in Qq Ff.

[668] my dear Gertrude] Capell. my deere Gertrard Q2 Q3. my decree: Gertrud Q4 Q5. my deare Gertrud Q6. my sweet queene, that Ff (queen F3 F4).

[669] o'erhasty] hastie Q2 Q3 Q5 Q6. hasty Q4.

[670] Scene iv. Pope.

Re-enter Polonius....] Theobald. Enter Polonius, Voltimand, and Cornelius. Ff (Voltumand, F1), after line 57. Enter Embassadors. Qq, after line 57.

Welcome, my] Welcome home, S. Walker conj.

my] Qq. om. Ff.

[671] Voltimand] F2 F3 F4. Voltemand Qq. Voltumand F1.

[672] levies] lives Q (1695).

[673] Polack] Polacke (Q1). Pollacke Qq. Poleak F1. Polak F2 F3 F4.

[674] three] (Q1) Ff. threescore Qq.

[675] shown] shone Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

[Giving a paper.] Malone. om. Qq Ff. Letter. Collier MS. See note (II).

[676] this] Qq. his Ff. that (Q1).

[677] therein] herein Q6.

[678] consider'd] Ff. considered Qq.

[679] Answer, and think upon] And think upon an answer to Hanmer.

And think upon and answer Anon. conj. (Misc. Obs. on Hamlet, 1752).

[680] thank] take F1.

well-took] well-look't F2 F3 F4. well-luck'd Theobald conj. (withdrawn).

[681] [Exeunt Vol. and Cor.] Capell. Exeunt Embassadors. Qq. Exit Ambass. Ff.

well] Qq. very well Ff.

[682] since] Ff. om. Qq.

brevity is] brevity's Pope.

[683] limbs] lines Theobald. conj. (withdrawn).

[684] it:] it? Q (1676).

[685] mad?] Q4 Q5 Q6. mad, Q2 Q3. mad. Ff.

[686] he is] Ff. hee's Q2 Q3 Q4 Q6. he's Q5.

mad, 'tis] mad, is Capell.

[687] 'tis 'tis] it is Ff. it is, 'tis Hanmer.

[688] farewell it] farewell, wit Anon. conj.

[689] the] the the F2.

[690] remains ... Perpend.] remains: remainder thus perpend. Maginn conj.

[691] thus.] Ff Q6. thus Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

[692] Perpend.] A separate line in Qq. Ending line 104 in Ff. Consider. Q (1676).

[693] while] (Q1) Qq. whil'st F1 F3 F4. whilst F2.

[694] [Reads.] Q (1676). The Letter. Ff. om. Qq. He opens a Letter, and reads. Rowe.

[695] and] om. Q6.

idol] fair idol Capell, reading as verse.

beautified] beatified Theobald.

[696] vile] Qq F4. vilde F1 F2 F3.

beautified] that beatify'd Capell, reading as verse.

vile] Qq F4. vilde F1 F2 F3.

[697] Thus: ... these,' &c.] See note (XII).

[698] [Reads.] Dyce. om. Qq Ff.

[699] excellent white] excellent-white Dyce, ed. 2 (S. Walker conj.)]

&c.] Qq. om. Ff.

[700] [Reads.] Reading. Rowe. Letter. Qq. om. Ff.

[701] Hamlet.] See note (XIII).

[702] shown] showne Qq. shew'd Ff.

[703] above] F2 F3 F4. aboue F1. about Qq.

above, hath] about have Q6. concerning Q (1676).

solicitings] Qq. soliciting Ff.

[704] But ... love?] As in Capell. One line in Qq Ff.

[705] think,] Capell. thinke Qq. think? Ff.

[706] this] his F3 F4.

wing,—] wing, Q2 Q3 Ff Q6. wing? Q4 Q5.

[707] your] you F2.

[708] play'd] ply'd Keightley conj.

[709] a winking] Ff Q6. a working Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. working Pope.

[710] my young mistress] Put in parentheses in F1.

thus] this Q4 Q5.

[711] prince, out] prince:—out Steevens.

out of thy star] Q2 Q3. out of thy starre Q4 Q5 F1. out of your starre (Q1). out of thy sphere F2 Q6 F3 F4. above thy sphere Q (1676).

out of thy star] out of thy soar Bailey conj.

[712] prescripts] Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. precepts Ff Q6.

[713] his] Q4 Q5 Ff Q6. her Q2 Q3.

[714] she took ... And he] see too ... For, he Warburton.

[715] repulsed, a] F2 F3 F4. repulsed. A F1. repell'd, a Q2 Q3 Q6. repel'd. a Q4. repel'd, a Q5. repelled, a Jennens.

[716] Fell into] Fell to Pope.

[717] watch] wath Q2 Q3. watching Pope. watch; and Keightley.

thence into] then into Q (1676). and thence into Maginn conj.

[718] into a weakness, Thence to] to a weakness; thence Into S. Walker conj.

[719] a] om. Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

[720] wherein] Qq. whereon Ff.

[721] all we mourn] all we mourne Qq. all we wail Ff. we all wail Collier MS.

[722] this] Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. 'tis this Ff Q6.

like] Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. likely Ff Q6.

[723] I'ld] I'de Ff. I would Qq.

[724] [Pointing ... shoulder] Pope, ed. 2 (Theobald). om. Qq Ff.

this, if ... otherwise:] this, if ... otherwise; Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. this; if ... otherwise, F1. this, if ... otherwise, F2 Q6 F3 F4.

[725] further] farther Collier.

[726] You ... lobby.] As in Qq. Three lines, ending sometimes ... heere ... lobby, in Ff.

[727] four] F3 F4. foure The rest. for Hanmer.

[728] does] Q4 Q5 Q6. dooes Q2 Q3. ha's F1. has F2 F3 F4.

[729] an arras] the arras Q6.

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

[730] arras then; Mark] arras then, Marke Qq Ff (Mark F4). arras; then Mark Staunton. arras then To mark Keightley.

[731] But] Qq. And Ff.

and] of Q (1703).

[732] Scene v. Pope.

But ... reading.] One line in Qq. Two, the first ending wretch, in Ff.

[733] you, both] Ff. you both Qq. you both, Anon. conj.

[734] [Exeunt.... Enter....] See note (XIV).

[735] Well, God-a-mercy.] Excellent well. Q (1676).

[736] Excellent] Qq. Excellent, excellent Ff.

you are] Qq. y'are Ff. you're Dyce.

[737] lord!] lord? Ff Q6. lord. Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

[738] Ay, sir ... thousand.] Prose in Ff. Two lines, the first ending goes, in Qq.

[739] man] om. F3 F4.

ten] Q5 Q6. tenne Q2 Q3 Q4. two Ff.

[740] Ham.] Ham. [reads]. Staunton.

[741] god kissing carrion] Hanmer (Warburton). good kissing carrion Qq Ff. god-kissing carrion Malone conj. good, kissing carrion Whiter conj. carrion-kissing god Mitford conj.

carrion—] Ff. carrion. Qq.

[742] but as ... conceive,—friend] Malone. but as ... conceave, friend Qq. but not as ... conceive. Friend Ff.

[743] How ... again.] Marked as 'Aside' by Capell.

Still ... again.] Marked as 'Aside' by Steevens. Verse, Maginn conj., ending the lines on ... first; ... he is ... youth ... love; ... again.

[744] at first] at the first Q (1676).

[745] he said ... he] Ff. a said ... a Qq. but said ... he Q (1676).

[746] he is ... again.] Marked as 'Aside' by Pope, who reads as three lines of verse.

[747] far gone] Qq. farre gone, farre gone Ff.

[748] much] om. Maginn conj.

[749] lord?] Ff Q6. lord. Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

[750] who?] F1 Q6. who. Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. whom? F2 F3 F4.

[751] that you read] Qq. you meane F1 F2. you mean F3 F4.

[752] rogue] Qq. slave Ff.

[753] and plum-tree] Q5 Q6. & plum-tree Q2 Q3 Q4. or plum-tree Ff.

[754] lack] lacke Qq. locke F1 F2. lock F3 F4.

most] Qq. om. Ff.

[755] yourself] your selfe Qq. you your selfe F1 F2. you your self F3 F4.

shall grow old] Qq. should be old Ff. shall be as old Rowe. shall be but as old Hanmer. shall grow as old Malone.

[756] [Aside] First marked by Capell.

[757] Though ... lord?] Prose in Qq. Three lines, ending madnesse, ... walke ... lord? in Ff. Two lines of verse, the first ending in't, in Rowe.

[758] there is] there's Rowe.

[759] grave.] Qq. grave? Ff.

[760] Indeed ... you.] Prose in Qq. Eleven irregular lines in Ff: nine in Rowe and Pope.

[761] that's out of the] Qq. that is out oth' Ff.

[Aside] Marked first by Capell.

[762] often madness] madness often Jennens.

[763] reason and sanity] F2 F3 F4. reason and sanitie F1. reason and sanctity Qq. sanity and reason Pope.

[764] so prosperously be] so happily be Q6. be So prosp'rously Pope.

[765] I will] I'll Pope.

[766] and suddenly ... him] Ff. Omitted in Qq.

[767] My ... humbly] Ff. My lord, I will Qq.

[768] sir] Ff. om. Qq.

[769] will] Ff. will not Qq.

[770] except my life] Three times in Qq. except my life, my life. Ff. except my life. Pope. [Aside] except ... life. Anon. conj.

[771] These ... fools!] Thou ... fool! Maginn conj.

Enter....] As in Capell. Enter Guyldersterne, and Rosencraus. Qq (after line 214). Enter Rosincran and Guildensterne. F1. Enter Rosincros and Guildenstar. F2 F3. Enter Rosincros and Guildensterne. F4 (after line 217 in Ff).

[772] the Lord] Qq. my Lord Ff. lord Pope.

[773] Scene vi. Pope.

[To Polonius] Malone.

[Exit Polonius.] As in Capell. Exit. Pope (after line 217).

[774] My] Qq. Mine Ff.

[775] excellent] extent Q2 Q3. exelent Q4.

[776] Ah] Q6. A Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. Oh Ff.

you] Qq. ye Ff.

[777] Happy ... button.] Arranged as by Hanmer. Two lines, the first ending lap, in Qq (cap Q6). Prose in Ff.

over-happy; On Fortune's cap we] Hanmer. over-happy: on Fortune's cap, we Ff. ever happy on Fortunes lap, We Qq (cap Q6).

[778] On] Of Anon. conj.

[779] shoe] shooes Collier MS. See note (II).

shoe?] shoo? F1. shooe? F2 F3 F4. shooe. Qq.

[780] waist] Johnson. wast Qq. waste Ff.

[781] favours?] Pope. favors. Qq. favour? Ff.

[782] her] in her Pope, ed. 2.

[783] What's the] Ff. What Qq.

news?] newes? Qq F1. newes. F2 F3. news. F4.

[784] that] Ff. om. Qq.

[785] but] sure Q (1676).

[786] Let me ... attended.] Ff. Omitted in Qq.

[787] o' the] o' th' Ff. of the Capell.

[788] Why ... so:] Two lines of verse, the first ending nothing, S. Walker conj.

[789] bad] had Anon. conj.

[790] fay] Pope. fey Ff.

[791] Ros. Guil.] Both. Ff.

[792] friendship,] Qq F1. friendship. F2 F3 F4.

[793] Elsinore] Malone. Elsonoure Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. Elsonower F1. Elsinooer F2. Elsenour Q6. Elsinoore F3 F4.

[794] even] Ff Q6. ever Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

[795] a halfpenny] of a halfpenny Theobald. at a halfpenny Hanmer.

[796] Come, deal] Ff. come, come, deale Qq.

[797] Why] Ff. om. Qq.]

any thing, but] Q6. any thing but Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. any thing. But Ff.

purpose. You] purpose you Q (1676).

[798] of] Qq. om. Ff.

[799] our fellowship] our fellowships Q6. your fellowship F3 F4.

[800] ever-preserved] ever preferred Q (1676).

[801] could] Ff. can Qq.

charge] change Q5.

[802] no.] Qq Ff. no? Pope.

[803] [Aside to Guil.] Edd. (Globe ed.) To Guilden. Theobald. To Hamlet. Delius conj.

[804] Ham. Nay ... off.] Omitted by Jennens.

[805] [Aside] Marked first by Steevens (1793).

of you.—] of you: Ff. of you? Q2 Q3. of you, Q4 Q5 Q6. on you Harness conj.

[806] discovery, and] discovery of Ff.

[807] and your ... moult] Qq. of your ... queene: moult Ff. of your ... queen. Moult Knight.

[808] feather. I] feather: I Q6. feather, I The rest.

[809] exercises] Qq. exercise Ff.

[810] heavily] Qq. heavenly Ff.

[811] brave o'erhanging] brave-o'erhanging S. Walker conj.

o'erhanging] ore-hanged Q4 Q5 Q6. o'erchanging] Jennens.

[812] firmament] Qq. Omitted in Ff.

[813] appears] appeares F1. appeared F2 F3 F4. appeareth Qq.

no other thing to me than] nothing to me but Qq.

[814] What a piece] Ff Q6. What peece Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

a man] man Q6.

[815] faculty] Ff. faculties Qq.

[816] faculty!... god!] Pointed as in Q6 and Ff, substantially. faculties, in ... mooving, how ... action, how ... apprehension, how ... God: Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (no other stops).

[817] no] om. Qq.

woman] women Q2 Q3.

[818] seem] see me F2.

[819] you] Ff. yee Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. ye Q6.

then] Qq. om. Ff.

[820] lenten] Q6. Lenton The rest.

[821] coted] Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. coated Ff Q6. met Q (1676). accosted Rowe. 'costed Capell. quoted Jennens conj. escoted Staunton conj.

are they] are the Q4 Q5.

[822] of me] Ff Q6. on me Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

[823] sigh] sing Q4 Q5.

[824] the clown ... sere,] Omitted in Qq.

[825] o' the] a' th' F1. ath' F2 F3 F4.

sere] scene Malone conj.

[826] blank] black Q2 Q3.

[827] such] Qq. om. Ff.

[828] in, the] Qq F4. in the F1 F2 F3.

[829] they] the Q4 Q5.

travel] Q6 F3 F4. travaile The rest.

[830] was] were Anon conj.

[831] inhibition ... innovation.] itineration ... innovation. Theobald conj. (withdrawn). innovation ... inhibition. Johnson conj.

[832] the means] means Johnson.

[833] innovation.] innovation? Ff.

[834] Do they] Do the Q4 Q5.

[835] are they] Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. they are Ff Q6.

[836] Ham. How ... load too.] Omitted in Qq.

[837] eyrie] ayrie F1. ayry F2. airy F3 F4.

eyases] Theobald. Yases Ff.

[838] question] the question Capell.

[839] fashion] faction Hughs.

berattle] be-rattle F3 F4. be ratle F2. be-ratled F1.

[840] stages] stagers Theobald conj. (withdrawn).

[841] 'em] them Capell.

[842] players,] players? Pope (ed. 1).

[843] most like,] Pope. like most Ff. like, most, Capell. like most will, Anon. conj.

no] not F2.

them] them on Pope (ed. 2).

[844] succession?] Pope, ed. 2 (Theobald). succession. Ff.

[845] load] club Theobald conj. (withdrawn).

[846] very strange; for] Q6. very strange, for Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. strange: for F1. strange for F2 F3. strange, for F4.

my] Qq. mine Ff.

[847] mows] mowes Ff. mouths Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. mouthes Q6.

[848] fifty] Qq. om. Ff.

a] Qq. an Ff.

[849] 'Sblood] S'blood Q6. S'bloud Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. om. Ff.

[850] [Flourish ...] Capell. A Florish. Qq. Flourish for the Players. Ff.

[851] There ... players.] Shall we call the players? Q (1676).

[852] then] Qq. om. Ff.

appurtenance] apportenance Q4 Q5.

[853] comply] complement Hanmer.

this] Qq. the Ff.

[854] lest my] Ff Q6. let me Q2 Q3. let my Q4 Q5.

[855] extent] ostent Collier conj.

[856] outwards] Qq. outward Ff.

[857] handsaw] Ff. hand saw Q Q3. hand-saw Q4 Q5 Q6. hernshaw Hanmer. heronsew Anon. conj.

[858] Scene vii. Pope.

[859] too: at] Ff. too, at Q6. to, at Q2 Q3. to, are Q4 Q5.

[860] you see there is] as you see is Q4 Q5 Q6.

[861] swaddling clouts] swadling clouts Qq. swathing clouts Ff. swathling clouts Rowe (ed. 2).

[862] Happily] Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 F1 F2 F3. Happely Q6. Haply F4.

he's] F1 F3 F4. he is Qq. hes F2.

[863] prophesy he] prophecy, he Q2 Q3. prophecy that he Q4. prophecie that he Q5 Q6. prophesie. Hee F1. prophesie, He F2 F3 F4.

[864] it. You] it: You Q6. it, You Q2 Q3. it, you Q4 Q5 Ff.

o'] Capell. a Qq. for a F1 F2 F3. for on F4.

morning;] morning, Q2 Q3. morning Q4 Q5 Ff Q6.

[865] so] (Q1) Ff. then Qq.

[866] Roscius] F2 F3 F4. Rossius Qq F1.

[867] was] Qq. om. Ff.

Rome,—] Rome— Ff. Rome. Qq.

[868] my] Qq. mine Ff.

honour,—] honour— Rowe. honor. or honour. Qq Ff.

[869] Then ... ass,—] Marked as a quotation by Steevens (Johnson conj.)

came] Qq. can Ff.

ass,—] asse— Ff. asse. Qq.

[870] pastoral-comical, historical-pastoral] Q4 Q5 Q6. pastorall comicall, historicall pastorall Q2 Q3. pastoricall-comicall-historicall-pastorall Ff.

[871] tragical-historical, tragical-comical-historical-pastoral] Omitted in Qq.

[872] scene] seeme Q4 Q5.

individable] indevidible Q2 Q3. indevidable Q4 Q5 Q6. indivible Ff. undividable Rowe.

[873] light. For ... liberty, these] Theobald. light for ... liberty: these Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. light, for ... liberty. These Ff. light for ... liberty; these Q6 Q (1676).

[874] writ] wit Q (1676) and Rowe.

[875] the liberty] liberty Q (1676).

[876] O Jephthah ... Israel] As a quotation in Pope.

[877] &c. Jephthah] Hanmer. Ieptha Qq. Iephta F1 F2. Jephta F3 F4.

[878] What a treasure] (Q1) Qq. Ff. What treasure Dyce, ed. 2 (S. Walker conj.)

[879] Why ... well'] As in Capell. Prose in Qq. Two lines in Ff. Marked as a quotation in Pope.

[880] [Aside] Marked first by Capell.

[881] Pol. If ... not.] Omitted in Q4 Q5 Q6.

[882] you] thou Jennens.

[883] Why ... wot,] As in Malone. Prose in Qq Ff. Pope prints as a quotation by ... wot.

[884] and then ... was,'] As in Pope. Prose in Qq Ff.

[885] pious chanson] Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. Pons Chanson F1. Pans Chanson F2 F3 F4. pans chanson Q6. godly Ballet (Q1). rubrick Q (1676). Pont-chansons Hanmer. Pont chanson (i.e. 'chanson du Pont Neuf') Hunter conj.

[886] abridgement comes] (Q1) Q5 Q6. abridgment comes Q2 Q3 Q4. abridgements come Ff.

Enter....] Ff. Enter the Players. Qq. Enter certain players, usher'd. Capell.

[887] You are] Qq. Y'are Ff.

[888] thee] you Hanmer.

my] Ff. om. Qq.

[889] Why, thy] Qq. Thy Ff.

[890] valanced] vallanced (Q1). valanct Q2 Q3. valanc'd Q4 Q5 Q6. valiant Ff.

[891] By'r lady] Byrlady F1. Berlady F2 F3 F4. burlady (Q1). by lady Q2 Q3 Q4. my Ladie Q5. my Lady Q6.

ladyship] lordship F3 F4.

to heaven] Qq. heaven Ff.

[892] chopine] (Q1) Qq. choppine Ff. chioppine Pope. chapin Jennens.

[893] e'en to 't] Q6. ento't Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. e'ne to 't Ff.

French] (Q1) Ff. friendly Qq.

falconers] (Q1). fankners Q2 Q3. faukners Q4 Q5 Q6. faulconers Ff.

[894] First Play.] I Play. Ff. Player. Qq.

[895] good] (Q1) Qq. om. Ff.

[896] caviare] Johnson. cauiary. Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. cauiarie F1. cautary F2 F3 F4. caviary Q6. a caviary Q (1676). caviar Rowe. contrary Long MS.

[897] received] conceived Collier MS. See note (II).

judgements] Qq. judgement Ff.

[898] were no sallets] Qq. was no sallets (Q1) Ff. was no salts Pope (ed. I). was no salt Pope (ed. 2). were no salts Capell. were no saletés Becket conj.

[899] indict] Collier. indite Qq Ff.

affection] Qq. affectation Ff.

but] but I Johnson conj.

[900] as wholesome ... fine] Qq. Omitted in Ff.

[901] speech] Qq. cheefe speech F1. chiefe speech F2. chief speech F3 F4.

in it] (Q1) Ff. in't Qq.

[902] Æneas'] Pope. Aeneas Q2 Q3. Æneas Q4 Q5 Ff Q6.

tale] (Q1) Ff. talke Qq. talkt Q (1676).

[903] where] (Q1) Ff. when Qq.

[904] th' Hyrcanian] Ff. Th' ircanian Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. th' ircanian Q6.

[905] It is not so:] Ff. tis not so, Q2 Q3. tis not Q4 Q5. 'tis not Q6. 'tis not, Q (1695).

[906] his] he F2 F3.

[907] he] his F2 F4.

the ominous] (Q1) Ff. th' omynous Q2 Q3. th' ominous Q4 Q5 Q6.

[908] this] his (Q1) Q6.

[909] heraldry] heraldy Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

dismal: head to foot] Pointed as in Ff. dismall head to foote, Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. dismall head to foot: Q6.

[910] total gules] totall Gules Qq. to take Geulles F1 F2. to take Geules F3 F4.

[911] impasted] imbasted Q4 Q5 Q6.

streets] fires Pope.

[912] and a] Qq. and Ff.

[913] tyrannous ... murder] treacherous and damned light To the vile murtherer Anon. conj. (Misc. Obs. on Hamlet, 1752).

[914] their lord's murder] their Lords murther Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. their Lords murder Q6. their vilde Murthers F1 F2 F3. their vile Murthers F4. the vile Murthers Rowe. murthers vile Pope. their lords' murder S. Walker conj.

[915] o'er-sized] ore-cised Qq.

[916] carbuncles] carbuncle Q6.

[917] So, proceed you.] Qq. Omitted in Ff.

[918] antique] Pope. anticke or antick Qq Ff.

[919] to his] in his Rowe (ed. 2).

[920] match'd] matcht Qq. match Ff.

[921] falls ... Ilium] falls then senseless. Ilium Theobald conj. (withdrawn).

Then senseless Ilium] Ff. Omitted in Qq.

[922] this] Qq. his Ff.

[923] base] Qq. Bace Ff.

[924] Pyrrhus'] Apostrophe inserted by Pope.

[925] reverend] Ff. reverent Qq.

[926] painted] Omitted in F3 F4.

[927] And like] F1 F4. Like Qq. And lik'd F2 F3.

and matter] Erased in Long MS.

[928] And ... nothing.] As in Qq. One line in Ff.

[929] rack] rackes Q6. wrack Theobald conj. (withdrawn).

[930] winds] wind Q6.

[931] region, so] Qq. region. So Ff.

[932] Aroused] Collier. A rowsed Qq F2 F3 F4. A ro wsed F1. A roused Theobald (ed. 2).

a-work] a-worke F1. aworke Q6. a worke Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 F2. a work F3 F4. a' work Capell.

[933] Cyclops'] Apostrophe inserted by Theobald.

[934] Mars's armour] Capell. Marses Armor Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. Mars his Armours Ff. Mars his armour Q6.

[935] strumpet, Fortune] Hyphened in Ff.

[936] fellies] F4. follies Q2 Q3. folles Q4. fellowes Q5. fallies F1 F2 F3. felloes Q6.

[937] too] two F3.

[938] to the] (Q1) Qq. to'th F1 F2. to th' F3 F4.

[939] who, O, who] who, O who (Q1). who, O who, Ff. who, a woe, Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. who, ah woe Q6. who alas Q (1676). who, a woe! Capell. who, ah woe! Malone (Mason conj.)

[940] mobled] Qq. Moblea F2 F3 F4. inobled F1. mob-led Upton conj. ennobl'd Capell. mabled Malone. mobiled Becket conj.

[941] queen—] queen,— Theobald. queene, Q2 Q3 Q4. queene. Q5 F2 Q6. queen. F1 F3. queen? F4.

[942] queen?] Pointed as in Ff. queene. Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. queene! Q6.

[943] mobled ... good.] F2 F3 F4. Inobled ... good. F1. Omitted in Qq.

[944] Run ... flames] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.

flames] Qq. flame Ff.

[945] bisson rheum] F4. Bison rehume (Bison in italics) Q2 Q3. bison rhume Q4 Q5 Q6. bisson rheume F1 F2 F3.

[946] alarm] alarme Qq. alarum Ff.

[947] state] Qq. state, Ff.

pronounced:] pronounst; Q2 Q3. pronounc'd; Q4 Q5. pronounc'd: Q6. pronounc'd? Ff.

[948] husband's] husband Q2 Q3.

[949] move] meant F3 F4.

at] om. F3 F4.

[950] milch] melt Pope.

[951] passion in] passioned Hanmer. passionate Elze (Collier MS.) passion e'en Taylor conj. MS.

[952] whether] Malone. where Qq Ff. if (Q1) Pope. whe're Theobald. whe'r Capell. there, if Long MS. whêr Dyce.

[953] has tears] has not tears Hanmer.

Prithee] Prethee Qq. Pray you Ff.

[954] of this] Qq. Omitted in Ff.

[955] will] doe Q6.

abstract] Qq. abstracts Ff.

[956] you hear] ye heare or ye hear Ff.

[957] live] Qq. lived Ff.

[958] desert] desart F1 F2.

[959] God's] Odd's Johnson.

bodykins] Ff. bodkin Qq. bodikin Capell.

much] Qq. om. Ff. farre (Q1).

[960] shall] Qq. should (Q1) Ff.

[961] hear] here Q4 Q5.

[Exit ...] Dyce. Exit Polon. Ff, after line 509. Exeunt Pol. and Players. Qq (after Elsinore, line 520). Exeunt Polonius, and Players. Capell (after not, line 519). Exit Pol. with some of the Players. Reed (after line 509).

[962] [Aside to Player. Staunton.

[963] Gonzago] Gonzaga Johnson.

[964] ha't] Ff. hate Q2 Q3. hav't Q4 Q5 Q6. have it Q (1676).

[965] for a need] (Q1) Ff. for need Qq.

[966] dozen] (Q1) F3 F4. dosen F1 F2. dosen lines Qq.

or sixteen] om. Q (1676).

[967] you] Qq. ye Ff.

[968] [Exit First Player.] Exit Player. Reed. om Qq Ff.

[To Ros. and Guild. Johnson.

[969] [Exeunt Players. Collier MS. See note (II).

[970] Good my] Good, my Capell.

[971] Scene viii. Pope.

God be wi' ye] God b' w' ye F4. God buy 'ye F1 F2 F3. God buy to you Qq. Good b' w' ye Rowe. God be wi' you Capell.

[Exeunt....] Edd. (Globe ed.) Exeunt. Q2 Q3 Ff (after line 522). Exit. Q4 Q5 Q6 (after line 522).

I am] am I Q6.

[972] fiction] F2 Q6 F3 F4. fixion The rest.

[973] own] Qq. whole Ff.

[974] his visage] Ff. the visage Qq.

wann'd] wand Qq. warm'd Ff.

[975] in's] F1 Q6 F3 F4. ins F2. in his Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

[976] and] an Q2 Q3.

[977] conceit?] Ff. conceit; Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. conceit, Q6.

nothing!] nothing? Ff. nothing, Qq.

[978] For Hecuba!] om. Seymour conj.

Hecuba!] Hecuba? Ff Q6. Hecuba. Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

[979] to Hecuba] (Q1) Ff. to her Qq.

[980] the cue for] Ff. that for Qq. that cue for Anon. conj.

[981] appal] appall Rowe. appale Q2 Q3. appeale Q4 Q5 Q6. apale Ff.

[982] The ... Yet I,] Arranged as in Johnson. One line in Qq Ff.

[983] faculties] Qq. faculty Ff.

eyes and ears] ears and eyes Johnson.

[984] Yet I, A dull and] Yet I, a Seymour conj.

[985] Yet I, A dull ... can say] Yet I say Pope, giving the omitted words in the margin.

[986] muddy-mettled] Hyphened in Ff.

[987] John-a-dreams] John a-deames F2 F3 F4. John-a-droynes Becket, after Steevens, conj.

[988] coward?... this?] Pointed as in Ff, and Q6 substantially. Stops in Qq. Commas in Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

[989] Ha!] As a separate line by Steevens (1793). It begins line 552 in Qq Ff (Hah, Q2 Q3. Hah! Q4 Q5. Hah? Q6. Ha? Ff), and ends line 550 in Collier. Omitted by Pope.

[990] 'Swounds ... it:] Qq (it, Q6). Why I ... it: F1 F2. Why should I take it? F3 F4. Yet I should take it— Pope.

[991] oppression] transgression Collier MS. aggression Singer conj. (withdrawn).

[992] have] a (Q1) Q2 Q3.

[993] offal: bloody,] offall: bloudy, Q6. offall, bloody, Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. offall, bloudy: a Ff (bloody: F3 F4).

[994] Remorseless ... villain!] Omitted by Jennens.

[995] O, vengeance!] Omitted in Qq.

[996] Why,] Why Qq. Who? Ff. om. Knight.

This] Qq. I sure, this Ff.

[997] a dear father murder'd] a dear father murther'd Capell. a deere murthered Q2 Q3. a deere father murthered Q4 Q5. a deare father murthered Q6. the deere murthered Ff (dear F3 F4).

[998] And fall ... play] Arranged as in Capell. Three lines, ending foh ... heard ... play, in Qq. Three lines, ending drab, ... braine ... play, in Ff. Four lines, ending drab, ... foh!... heard, ... play, in Johnson.

[999] drab, A scullion] Ff. drabbe; a stallyon Q2 Q3. drabbe; a stallion Q4. drabbe; stallion Q5. drabbe, stallion Q6. drab—A stallion Pope. drab—A cullion Theobald.

[1000] About, my brain!] About my braine, (Q1). About my braine. Ff (brain. F3 F4). About my braines; Q2 Q3. About my braines, Q4 Q5 Q6. about my brain— Pope (ed. 1). about my brain!— Pope (ed. 2). about, my brain!— Theobald. about 't my brains! Hunter conj. See note (XV).

Hum] Qq. om. Ff.

I have] I've Pope.

[1001] sitting] om. Pope.

[1002] struck so to] F3 F4. strooke so to Qq F1 F2. struck unto Rowe (ed. 2).

[1003] I'll have these players] I'll observe his looks, Pope (ed. 1), corrected in ed. 2.

[1004] tent] Qq F1. rent F2 F3 F4.

he but] Ff. a doe Qq. he do Q (1676) and Capell.

blench] blink Taylor conj. MS. bleach Anon. conj.

[1005] The] This Johnson.

[1006] be the devil] F3 F4. be the divell (Q1) F1 F2. be a deale Q2 Q3. be a divell Q4 Q5 Q6.

and the devil] and the deale Q2 Q3.


ACT III.

Scene I. A room in the castle.

Enter King, Queen, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern.[1007]

King. And can you, by no drift of circumstance,[1008]
Get from him why he puts on this confusion,[1009]
Grating so harshly all his days of quiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacy?
Ros. He does confess he feels himself distracted, 5
But from what cause he will by no means speak.[1010]
Guil. Nor do we find him forward to be sounded;[1011]
But, with a crafty madness, keeps aloof,[1011]
When we would bring him on to some confession[1011]
Of his true state.[1011]
Queen. Did he receive you well?[1011][1012] 10
[Pg 77]
Ros. Most like a gentleman.
Guil. But with much forcing of his disposition.
Ros. Niggard of question, but of our demands[1013]
Most free in his reply.[1013]
Queen. Did you assay him[1014][1015]
To any pastime?[1014][1016] 15
Ros. Madam, it so fell out that certain players[1017]
We o'er-raught on the way: of these we told him,[1018]
And there did seem in him a kind of joy
To hear of it: they are about the court,[1019]
And, as I think, they have already order 20
This night to play before him.
Pol. 'Tis most true:
And he beseech'd me to entreat your majesties
To hear and see the matter.
King. With all my heart; and it doth much content me[1020]
To hear him so inclined.[1020] 25
Good gentlemen, give him a further edge,[1020]
And drive his purpose on to these delights.[1020][1021]
Ros. We shall, my lord.

[Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

King. Sweet Gertrude, leave us too;[1022]
For we have closely sent for Hamlet hither,[1023]
That he, as 'twere by accident, may here[1024][1025] 30
Affront Ophelia:[1024][1026]
[Pg 78] Her father and myself, lawful espials,[1026][1027]
Will so bestow ourselves that, seeing unseen,[1028]
We may of their encounter frankly judge,[1029]
And gather by him, as he is behaved, 35
If't be the affliction of his love or no[1030]
That thus he suffers for.
Queen. I shall obey you:
And for your part, Ophelia, I do wish[1031]
That your good beauties be the happy cause[1032]
Of Hamlet's wildness: so shall I hope your virtues[1032][1033] 40
Will bring him to his wonted way again,[1034]
To both your honours.
Oph. Madam, I wish it may. [Exit Queen.
Pol. Ophelia, walk you here. Gracious, so please you,[1035]
We will bestow ourselves. [To Ophelia] Read on this book;[1036]
That show of such an exercise may colour 45
Your loneliness. We are oft to blame in this,—[1037]
'Tis too much proved—that with devotion's visage
And pious action we do sugar o'er[1038]
The devil himself.
King. [Aside] O, 'tis too true![1039]
How smart a lash that speech doth give my conscience! 50
The harlot's cheek, beautied with plastering art,
Is not more ugly to the thing that helps it
Than is my deed to my most painted word:
O heavy burthen!
[Pg 79]
Pol. I hear him coming: let's withdraw, my lord.[1040] 55

[Exeunt King and Polonius.

Enter Hamlet.[1041]

Ham. To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,[1042]
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,[1043]
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;[1044][1045] 60
No more; and by a sleep to say we end[1045][1046]
The heart-ache, and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation[1047]
Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;[1048]
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub; 65
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,[1049]
Must give us pause: there's the respect[1050]
That makes calamity of so long life;[1050]
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,[1051] 70
The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,[1052]
[Pg 80] The pangs of despised love, the law's delay,[1053]
The insolence of office, and the spurns
That patient merit of the unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make[1054] 75
With a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear,[1055]
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,[1056]
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscover'd country from whose bourn[1057]
No traveller returns, puzzles the will,[1058] 80
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all,[1059]
And thus the native hue of resolution[1060]
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,[1061] 85
And enterprises of great pitch and moment[1062]
With this regard their currents turn awry[1063]
And lose the name of action. Soft you now![1064]
The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons[1065]
Be all my sins remember'd.
Oph. Good my lord,[1066] 90
How does your honour for this many a day?
[Pg 81]
Ham. I humbly thank you: well, well, well.[1067]
Oph. My lord, I have remembrances of yours,
That I have longed long to re-deliver;[1068]
I pray you, now receive them.
Ham. No, not I;[1069][1070] 95
I never gave you aught.[1070]
Oph. My honour'd lord, you know right well you did;[1071]
And with them words of so sweet breath composed
As made the things more rich: their perfume lost,[1072]
Take these again; for to the noble mind 100
Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind.
There, my lord.
Ham. Ha, ha! are you honest?
Oph. My lord?[1073]
Ham. Are you fair? 105
Oph. What means your lordship?
Ham. That if you be honest and fair, your honesty[1074][1075]
should admit no discourse to your beauty.[1075]
Oph. Could beauty, my lord, have better commerce[1076]
than with honesty?[1077] 110
Ham. Ay, truly; for the power of beauty will sooner
transform honesty from what it is to a bawd than the force
of honesty can translate beauty into his likeness: this was[1078]
sometime a paradox, but now the time gives it proof. I[1079]
did love you once. 115
Oph. Indeed, my lord, you made me believe so.
[Pg 82]
Ham. You should not have believed me; for virtue
cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it:[1080]
I loved you not.[1081]
Oph. I was the more deceived. 120
Ham. Get thee to a nunnery: why wouldst thou be a[1082]
breeder of sinners? I am myself indifferent honest; but yet
I could accuse me of such things that it were better my
mother had not borne me: I am very proud, revengeful,
ambitious; with more offences at my beck than I have[1083] 125
thoughts to put them in, imagination to give them shape,[1084]
or time to act them in. What should such fellows as I do
crawling between heaven and earth? We are arrant knaves[1085]
all; believe none of us. Go thy ways to a nunnery.[1086]
Where's your father? 130
Oph. At home, my lord.
Ham. Let the doors be shut upon him, that he may[1087]
play the fool no where but in's own house. Farewell.[1087][1088]
Oph. O, help him, you sweet heavens!
Ham. If thou dost marry, I'll give thee this plague for[1089] 135
thy dowry: be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow, thou
shalt not escape calumny. Get thee to a nunnery, go: farewell.[1090]
Or, if thou wilt needs marry, marry a fool; for wise
men know well enough what monsters you make of them.
To a nunnery, go; and quickly too. Farewell.[1091] 140
Oph. O heavenly powers, restore him![1092]
Ham. I have heard of your paintings too, well enough;[1093]
God hath given you one face, and you make yourselves[1094]
another: you jig, you amble, and you lisp, and nick-name[1095]
[Pg 83] God's creatures, and make your wantonness your ignorance.[1096][1097] 145
Go to, I'll no more on't; it hath made me mad.[1097][1098]
I say, we will have no more marriages: those that are married[1099]
already, all but one, shall live; the rest shall keep as[1100]
they are. To a nunnery, go. [Exit.[1101]
Oph. O, what a noble mind is here o'erthrown![1102] 150
The courtier's, soldier's, scholar's, eye, tongue, sword:[1103]
The expectancy and rose of the fair state,[1104]
The glass of fashion and the mould of form,
The observed of all observers, quite, quite down!
And I, of ladies most deject and wretched,[1105] 155
That suck'd the honey of his music vows,[1106]
Now see that noble and most sovereign reason,[1107]
Like sweet bells jangled, out of tune and harsh;[1108]
That unmatch'd form and feature of blown youth[1109]
Blasted with ecstasy: O, woe is me, 160
To have seen what I have seen, see what I see![1110]

[Pg 84]

Re-enter King and Polonius.

King. Love! his affections do not that way tend;[1111]
Nor what he spake, though it lack'd form a little,[1112]
Was not like madness. There's something in his soul[1113]
O'er which his melancholy sits on brood, 165
And I do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some danger: which for to prevent,[1114]
I have in quick determination
Thus set it down:—he shall with speed to England,[1115]
For the demand of our neglected tribute: 170
Haply the seas and countries different
With variable objects shall expel
This something-settled matter in his heart,[1116]
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus[1117][1118]
From fashion of himself. What think you on 't?[1117] 175
Pol. It shall do well: but yet do I believe[1119][1120]
The origin and commencement of his grief[1119][1121]
Sprung from neglected love. How now, Ophelia![1122]
You need not tell us what Lord Hamlet said;
We heard it all. My lord, do as you please;[1123] 180
But, if you hold it fit, after the play,
Let his queen mother all alone entreat him
To show his grief: let her be round with him;[1124]
And I'll be placed, so please you, in the ear[1125]
Of all their conference. If she find him not, 185
[Pg 85] To England send him, or confine him where
Your wisdom best shall think.
King. It shall be so:
Madness in great ones must not unwatch'd go. [Exeunt.[1126]

Scene II. A hall in the castle.

Enter Hamlet and Players.[1127]

Ham. Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced[1128]
it to you, trippingly on the tongue: but if you mouth it, as[1129]
many of your players do, I had as lief the town-crier spoke[1130]
my lines. Nor do not saw the air too much with your[1131]
hand, thus; but use all gently: for in the very torrent, tempest, 5
and, as I may say, whirlwind of your passion, you[1132]
must acquire and beget a temperance that may give it
smoothness. O, it offends me to the soul to hear a robustious[1133]
periwig-pated fellow tear a passion to tatters, to very[1134]
rags, to split the ears of the groundlings, who, for the most[1135] 10
part, are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb-shows
and noise: I would have such a fellow whipped for o'er-doing[1136]
Termagant; it out-herods Herod: pray you, avoid it.
[Pg 86]
First Play. I warrant your honour.[1137]
Ham. Be not too tame neither, but let your own discretion 15
be your tutor: suit the action to the word, the word[1138]
to the action; with this special observance, that you o'er-step[1139]
not the modesty of nature: for any thing so overdone[1140]
is from the purpose of playing, whose end, both at the first[1141]
and now, was and is, to hold, as 'twere, the mirror up to 20
nature; to show virtue her own feature, scorn her own[1142]
image, and the very age and body of the time his form and[1143]
pressure. Now this overdone or come tardy off, though[1144][1145]
it make the unskilful laugh, cannot but make the judicious[1145]
grieve; the censure of the which one must in your allowance[1146] 25
o'erweigh a whole theatre of others. O, there be[1147]
players that I have seen play, and heard others praise, and[1148]
that highly, not to speak it profanely, that neither having[1149]
the accent of Christians nor the gait of Christian, pagan,[1150]
nor man, have so strutted and bellowed, that I have thought[1150][1151] 30
some of nature's journeymen had made men, and not made[1152]
them well, they imitated humanity so abominably.
First Play. I hope we have reformed that indifferently[1137]
with us, sir.[1153]
Ham. O, reform it altogether. And let those that play 35
your clowns speak no more than is set down for them: for
[Pg 87] there be of them that will themselves laugh, to set on some[1154]
quantity of barren spectators to laugh too, though in the[1155]
mean time some necessary question of the play be then to
be considered: that's villanous, and shows a most pitiful ambition 40
in the fool that uses it. Go, make you ready.

[Exeunt Players.

Enter Polonius, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern.[1156]

How now, my lord! will the king hear this piece of work?[1157]
Pol. And the queen too, and that presently.[1158]
Ham. Bid the players make haste. [Exit Polonius.][1159]
Will you two help to hasten them? 45
Ros. Guil. We will, my lord.

[Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.[1160]

Ham. What ho! Horatio!

Enter Horatio.[1161]

Hor. Here, sweet lord, at your service.[1162]
Ham. Horatio, thou art e'en as just a man
As e'er my conversation coped withal.[1163] 50
Hor. O, my dear lord,—[1164]
Ham. Nay, do not think I flatter;
For what advancement may I hope from thee,
That no revenue hast but thy good spirits,[1165]
[Pg 88] To feed and clothe thee? Why should the poor be flatter'd?[1166]
No, let the candied tongue lick absurd pomp,[1167] 55
And crook the pregnant hinges of the knee[1168]
Where thrift may follow fawning. Dost thou hear?[1169]
Since my dear soul was mistress of her choice,[1170]
And could of men distinguish, her election[1171]
Hath seal'd thee for herself: for thou hast been[1171] 60
As one, in suffering all, that suffers nothing;
A man that fortune's buffets and rewards[1172]
Hast ta'en with equal thanks: and blest are those[1173]
Whose blood and judgement are so well commingled[1174]
That they are not a pipe for fortune's finger 65
To sound what stop she please. Give me that man[1175]
That is not passion's slave, and I will wear him
In my heart's core, ay, in my heart of heart,[1176]
As I do thee. Something too much of this.
There is a play to-night before the king; 70
One scene of it comes near the circumstance
Which I have told thee of my father's death:[1177]
I prithee, when thou seest that act a-foot,[1178]
Even with the very comment of thy soul[1179]
Observe my uncle: if his occulted guilt[1180] 75
Do not itself unkennel in one speech,[1181]
It is a damned ghost that we have seen,
[Pg 89] And my imaginations are as foul
As Vulcan's stithy. Give him heedful note;[1182]
For I mine eyes will rivet to his face,[1183] 80
And after we will both our judgements join[1184]
In censure of his seeming.[1185]
Hor. Well, my lord:
If he steal aught the whilst this play is playing,[1186]
And 'scape detecting, I will pay the theft.[1187]
Ham. They are coming to the play: I must be idle:[1188] 85
Get you a place.

Danish march. A flourish. Enter King, Queen, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and other Lords attendant, with the Guard carrying torches.[1189]

King. How fares our cousin Hamlet?[1190]
Ham. Excellent, i' faith; of the chameleon's dish: I eat[1191][1192]
the air, promise-crammed: you cannot feed capons so.[1191]
King. I have nothing with this answer, Hamlet; these[1191] 90
words are not mine.[1191]
Ham. No, nor mine now. [To Polonius] My lord, you[1191][1193]
played once i' the university, you say?[1191][1194]
Pol. That did I, my lord, and was accounted a good[1195]
actor. 95
Ham. What did you enact?[1196]
[Pg 90]
Pol. I did enact Julius Cæsar: I was killed i' the Capitol;[1197]
Brutus killed me.
Ham. It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a
calf there. Be the players ready? 100
Ros. Ay, my lord; they stay upon your patience.[1198]
Queen. Come hither, my dear Hamlet, sit by me.[1199]
Ham. No, good mother, here's metal more attractive.[1200]
Pol. [To the King] O, ho! do you mark that?[1201]
Ham. Lady, shall I lie in your lap?[1202] 105

[Lying down at Ophelia's feet.

Oph. No, my lord.
Ham. I mean, my head upon your lap?[1203][1204]
Oph. Ay, my lord.[1203]
Ham. Do you think I meant country matters?[1205]
Oph. I think nothing, my lord. 110
Ham. That's a fair thought to lie between maids' legs.[1206]
Oph. What is, my lord?
Ham. Nothing.
Oph. You are merry, my lord.[1207]
Ham. Who, I? 115
Oph. Ay, my lord.
Ham. O God, your only jig-maker. What should a[1208]
man do but be merry? for, look you, how cheerfully my
mother looks, and my father died within 's two hours.[1209]
Oph. Nay, 'tis twice two months, my lord.[1210] 120
Ham. So long? Nay, then, let the devil wear black, for[1211][1212]
I'll have a suit of sables. O heavens! die two months ago,[1212][1213]
[Pg 91] and not forgotten yet? Then there's hope a great man's
memory may outlive his life half a year: but, by'r lady, he[1214][1215]
must build churches then; or else shall he suffer not thinking[1215] 125
on, with the hobby-horse, whose epitaph is, 'For, O,
for, O, the hobby-horse is forgot.'[1216]

Hautboys play. The dumb-show enters.

Enter a King and a Queen very lovingly; the Queen embracing him, and he her. She kneels, and makes show of protestation unto him. He takes her up, and declines his head upon her neck: lays him down upon a bank of flowers: she, seeing him asleep, leaves him. Anon comes in a fellow, takes off his crown, kisses it, and pours poison in the King's ears, and exit. The Queen returns; finds the King dead, and makes passionate action. The Poisoner, with some two or three Mutes, comes in again, seeming to lament with her. The dead body is carried away. The Poisoner wooes the Queen with gifts: she seems loath and unwilling awhile, but in the end accepts his love.[1217]

[Exeunt.

Oph. What means this, my lord?[1218]
[Pg 92]
Ham. Marry, this is miching mallecho; it means mischief. 130
Oph. Belike this show imports the argument of the play.

Enter Prologue.[1219]

Ham. We shall know by this fellow: the players cannot[1220]
keep counsel; they'll tell all.[1221]
Oph. Will he tell us what this show meant?[1222]
Ham. Ay, or any show that you'll show him: be not you[1223] 135
ashamed to show, he'll not shame to tell you what it means.
Oph. You are naught, you are naught: I'll mark the[1224]
play.
Pro. For us, and for our tragedy,
Here stooping to your clemency, 140
We beg your hearing patiently.
Ham. Is this a prologue, or the posy of a ring?[1225]
Oph. 'Tis brief, my lord.
Ham. As woman's love.

Enter two Players, King and Queen.[1226]

P. King. Full thirty times hath Phœbus' cart gone round[1227][1228][1229] 145
Neptune's salt wash and Tellus' orbed ground,[1228][1230]
[Pg 93] And thirty dozen moons with borrowed sheen[1231]
About the world have times twelve thirties been,[1232]
Since love our hearts and Hymen did our hands
Unite commutual in most sacred bands.[1233] 150
P. Queen. So many journeys may the sun and moon[1234]
Make us again count o'er ere love be done!
But, woe is me, you are so sick of late,
So far from cheer and from your former state,[1235]
That I distrust you. Yet, though I distrust, 155
Discomfort you, my lord, it nothing must:[1236]
For women's fear and love holds quantity,[1236][1237]
In neither aught, or in extremity.[1238]
Now, what my love is, proof hath made you know,[1239]
And as my love is sized, my fear is so:[1240] 160
Where love is great, the littlest doubts are fear,[1241][1242]
Where little fears grow great, great love grows there.[1241]
P. King. Faith, I must leave thee, love, and shortly too;
My operant powers their functions leave to do:[1243]
And thou shalt live in this fair world behind,[1244] 165
Honour'd, beloved; and haply one as kind[1245]
For husband shalt thou—[1246]
[Pg 94]
P. Queen. O, confound the rest!
Such love must needs be treason in my breast:
In second husband let me be accurst!
None wed the second but who kill'd the first.[1247] 170
Ham. [Aside] Wormwood, wormwood.[1248]
P. Queen. The instances that second marriage move[1249]
Are base respects of thrift, but none of love:[1250]
A second time I kill my husband dead,[1251]
When second husband kisses me in bed. 175
P. King. I do believe you think what now you speak,[1252]
But what we do determine oft we break.
Purpose is but the slave to memory,
Of violent birth but poor validity:[1253]
Which now, like fruit unripe, sticks on the tree,[1254] 180
But fall unshaken when they mellow be.
Most necessary 'tis that we forget
To pay ourselves what to ourselves is debt:
What to ourselves in passion we propose,
The passion ending, doth the purpose lose. 185
The violence of either grief or joy[1255]
Their own enactures with themselves destroy:[1256]
Where joy most revels, grief doth most lament;
Grief joys, joy grieves, on slender accident.[1257]
This world is not for aye, nor 'tis not strange[1258] 190
That even our loves should with our fortunes change,
For 'tis a question left us yet to prove,
Whether love lead fortune or else fortune love.[1259]
The great man down, you mark his favourite flies;[1260]
[Pg 95] The poor advanced makes friends of enemies: 195
And hitherto doth love on fortune tend;[1261]
For who not needs shall never lack a friend,[1262]
And who in want a hollow friend doth try
Directly seasons him his enemy.[1263]
But, orderly to end where I begun, 200
Our wills and fates do so contrary run,
That our devices still are overthrown,
Our thoughts are ours, their ends none of our own:
So think thou wilt no second husband wed,[1264]
But die thy thoughts when thy first lord is dead.[1265] 205
P. Queen. Nor earth to me give food nor heaven light![1266]
Sport and repose lock from me day and night!
To desperation turn my trust and hope![1267]
An anchor's cheer in prison be my scope![1267][1268]
Each opposite, that blanks the face of joy, 210
Meet what I would have well and it destroy!
Both here and hence pursue me lasting strife,
If, once a widow, ever I be wife![1269]
Ham. If she should break it now![1270]
P. King. 'Tis deeply sworn. Sweet, leave me here awhile;[1271] 215
My spirits grow dull, and fain I would beguile
The tedious day with sleep. [Sleeps.[1272]
[Pg 96]
P. Queen. Sleep rock thy brain;
And never come mischance between us twain! [Exit.[1273]
Ham. Madam, how like you this play?[1274]
Queen. The lady doth protest too much, methinks.[1275] 220
Ham. O, but she'll keep her word.
King. Have you heard the argument? Is there no
offence in't?
Ham. No, no, they do but jest, poison in jest; no offence
i' the world.[1276] 225
King. What do you call the play?
Ham. The Mouse-trap. Marry, how? Tropically.[1277]
This play is the image of a murder done in Vienna: Gonzago[1278]
is the duke's name; his wife, Baptista: you shall see[1279]
anon; 'tis a knavish piece of work: but what o' that? your[1280] 230
majesty, and we that have free souls, it touches us not: let[1281]
the galled jade wince, our withers are unwrung.[1282]

Enter Lucianus.[1283]

This is one Lucianus, nephew to the king.[1284]
Oph. You are as good as a chorus, my lord.[1285]
Ham. I could interpret between you and your love, if 235
I could see the puppets dallying.
Oph. You are keen, my lord, you are keen.
Ham. It would cost you a groaning to take off my edge.[1286]
Oph. Still better, and worse.[1287]
Ham. So you must take your husbands. Begin, murderer;[1288][1289] 240
pox, leave thy damnable faces, and begin. Come:[1289][1290]
[Pg 97] the croaking raven doth bellow for revenge.[1291]
Luc. Thoughts black, hands apt, drugs fit, and time agreeing;[1292]
Confederate season, else no creature seeing;[1293]
Thou mixture rank, of midnight weeds collected, 245
With Hecate's ban thrice blasted, thrice infected,[1294]
Thy natural magic and dire property,[1295]
On wholesome life usurp immediately.

[Pours the poison into the sleeper's ear.[1296]

Ham. He poisons him i' the garden for his estate. His[1297]
name's Gonzago: the story is extant, and written in very[1298] 250
choice Italian: you shall see anon how the murderer gets
the love of Gonzago's wife.
Oph. The king rises.
Ham. What, frighted with false fire![1299]
Queen. How fares my lord? 255
Pol. Give o'er the play.
King. Give me some light. Away!
Pol. Lights, lights, lights!

[Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio.[1300]

Ham. Why, let the stricken deer go weep,[1301]
The hart ungalled play;[1302] 260
For some must watch, while some must sleep:[1303]
[Pg 98] Thus runs the world away.[1304]
Would not this, sir, and a forest of feathers—if the rest of
my fortunes turn Turk with me—with two Provincial roses[1305]
on my razed shoes, get me a fellowship in a cry of players,[1306] 265
sir?[1307]
Hor. Half a share.
Ham. A whole one, I.[1308]
For thou dost know, O Damon dear,
This realm dismantled was[1309] 270
Of Jove himself; and now reigns here[1309]
A very, very—pajock.[1310]
Hor. You might have rhymed.
Ham. O good Horatio, I'll take the ghost's word for a
thousand pound. Didst perceive?[1311] 275
Hor. Very well, my lord.
Ham. Upon the talk of the poisoning?[1312]
Hor. I did very well note him.[1313]
Ham. Ah, ha! Come, some music! come, the recorders! 280
For if the king like not the comedy,[1314]
Why then, belike, he likes it not, perdy.
Come, some music!

[Pg 99]

Re-enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.[1315]

Guil. Good my lord, vouchsafe me a word with you.[1316]
Ham. Sir, a whole history. 285
Guil. The king, sir,—[1317]
Ham. Ay, sir, what of him?[1318]
Guil. Is in his retirement marvellous distempered.
Ham. With drink, sir?
Guil. No, my lord, rather with choler.[1319] 290
Ham. Your wisdom should show itself more richer to[1320]
signify this to the doctor; for, for me to put him to his purgation[1321]
would perhaps plunge him into far more choler.[1322]
Guil. Good my lord, put your discourse into some[1323]
frame, and start not so wildly from my affair.[1323][1324] 295
Ham. I am tame, sir: pronounce.
Guil. The queen, your mother, in most great affliction
of spirit, hath sent me to you.
Ham. You are welcome.[1325]
Guil. Nay, good my lord, this courtesy is not of the 300
right breed. If it shall please you to make me a wholesome
answer, I will do your mother's commandment: if not, your
pardon and my return shall be the end of my business.[1326]
Ham. Sir, I cannot.
Guil. What, my lord?[1327] 305
Ham. Make you a wholesome answer; my wit's diseased:[1328]
but, sir, such answer as I can make, you shall command;[1329]
or rather, as you say, my mother: therefore no[1330]
[Pg 100] more, but to the matter: my mother, you say,—[1331]
Ros. Then thus she says; your behaviour hath struck[1332] 310
her into amazement and admiration.
Ham. O wonderful son, that can so astonish a mother![1333]
But is there no sequel at the heels of this mother's admiration?[1334]
Impart.[1335]
Ros. She desires to speak with you in her closet, ere 315
you go to bed.
Ham. We shall obey, were she ten times our mother.
Have you any further trade with us?
Ros. My lord, you once did love me.
Ham. So I do still, by these pickers and stealers.[1336] 320
Ros. Good my lord, what is your cause of distemper?
you do surely bar the door upon your own liberty, if you[1337]
deny your griefs to your friend.
Ham. Sir, I lack advancement.
Ros. How can that be, when you have the voice of the 325
king himself for your succession in Denmark?
Ham. Ay, sir, but 'while the grass grows,'—the proverb[1338]
is something musty.

Re-enter Players with recorders.[1339]

O, the recorders! let me see one. To withdraw with you:—[1340]
why do you go about to recover the wind of me, as if you 330
[Pg 101] would drive me into a toil?
Guil. O, my lord, if my duty be too bold, my love is[1341]
too unmannerly.[1341]
Ham. I do not well understand that. Will you play
upon this pipe? 335
Guil. My lord, I cannot.[1342]
Ham. I pray you.
Guil. Believe me, I cannot.
Ham. I do beseech you.[1343]
Guil. I know no touch of it, my lord.[1344] 340
Ham. It is as easy as lying: govern these ventages[1345]
with your fingers and thumb, give it breath with your[1346]
mouth, and it will discourse most eloquent music. Look[1347]
you, these are the stops.
Guil. But these cannot I command to any utterance 345
of harmony; I have not the skill.
Ham. Why, look you now, how unworthy a thing you
make of me! You would play upon me; you would seem[1348]
to know my stops; you would pluck out the heart of my
mystery; you would sound me from my lowest note to the[1349] 350
top of my compass: and there is much music, excellent[1349]
voice, in this little organ; yet cannot you make it speak.[1350]
'Sblood, do you think I am easier to be played on than a[1351]
pipe? Call me what instrument you will, though you can[1352]
fret me, yet you cannot play upon me.[1352][1353] 355

[Pg 102]

Enter Polonius.[1354]

God bless you, sir![1355]
Pol. My lord, the queen would speak with you, and
presently.
Ham. Do you see yonder cloud that's almost in shape[1356][1357]
of a camel?[1357][1358][1359] 360
Pol. By the mass, and 'tis like a camel, indeed.[1360][1359]
Ham. Methinks it is like a weasel.[1361]
Pol. It is backed like a weasel.[1361][1362]
Ham. Or like a whale?[1363]
Pol. Very like a whale. 365
Ham. Then I will come to my mother by and by.[1364]
They fool me to the top of my bent. I will come by and[1365][1366]
by.[1366]
Pol. I will say so. [Exit Polonius.[1366][1367]
Ham. 'By and by' is easily said. Leave me, friends.[1366] 370

[Exeunt all but Hamlet.[1368]

'Tis now the very witching time of night,
When churchyards yawn, and hell itself breathes out[1369]
Contagion to this world: now could I drink hot blood,[1370]
And do such bitter business as the day[1371]
Would quake to look on. Soft! now to my mother.[1372] 375
[Pg 103] O heart, lose not thy nature; let not ever[1373]
The soul of Nero enter this firm bosom:
Let me be cruel, not unnatural:[1374]
I will speak daggers to her, but use none;[1375]
My tongue and soul in this be hypocrites; 380
How in my words soever she be shent,[1376][1377]
To give them seals never, my soul, consent! [Exit.[1376][1378]

Scene III. A room in the castle.

Enter King, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern.[1379]

King. I like him not, nor stands it safe with us
To let his madness range. Therefore prepare you;[1380]
I your commission will forthwith dispatch,
And he to England shall along with you:
The terms of our estate may not endure[1381] 5
Hazard so near us as doth hourly grow[1382]
Out of his lunacies.
Guil. We will ourselves provide:[1383]
Most holy and religious fear it is
To keep those many many bodies safe[1384][1385]
[Pg 104] That live and feed upon your majesty.[1384] 10
Ros. The single and peculiar life is bound[1386]
With all the strength and armour of the mind
To keep itself from noyance; but much more[1387]
That spirit upon whose weal depends and rests[1388]
The lives of many. The cease of majesty[1389] 15
Dies not alone, but like a gulf doth draw
What's near it with it: it is a massy wheel,[1390]
Fix'd on the summit of the highest mount,[1391]
To whose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things[1392]
Are mortised and adjoin'd; which, when it falls,[1393] 20
Each small annexment, petty consequence,
Attends the boisterous ruin. Never alone[1394]
Did the king sigh, but with a general groan.[1395]
King. Arm you, I pray you, to this speedy voyage,[1396]
For we will fetters put about this fear,[1397] 25
Which now goes too free-footed.
Ros. } We will haste us.
Guil.}

[Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.[1398]

Enter Polonius.

Pol. My lord, he's going to his mother's closet:
Behind the arras I'll convey myself,
[Pg 105] To hear the process; I'll warrant she'll tax him home:[1399]
And, as you said, and wisely was it said, 30
'Tis meet that some more audience than a mother,
Since nature makes them partial, should o'erhear
The speech, of vantage. Fare you well, my liege:[1400]
I'll call upon you ere you go to bed,
And tell you what I know.
King. Thanks, dear my lord.[1401] 35

[Exit Polonius.

O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven;
It hath the primal eldest curse upon't,[1402]
A brother's murder. Pray can I not,[1403][1404]
Though inclination be as sharp as will:[1404][1405]
My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent,[1406] 40
And like a man to double business bound,
I stand in pause where I shall first begin,
And both neglect. What if this cursed hand[1407]
Were thicker than itself with brother's blood,
Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens 45
To wash it white as snow? Whereto serves mercy
But to confront the visage of offence?
And what's in prayer but this twofold force,
To be forestalled ere we come to fall,
Or pardon'd being down? Then I'll look up;[1408] 50
My fault is past. But O, what form of prayer[1409]
Can serve my turn? 'Forgive me my foul murder?'[1410]
That cannot be, since I am still possess'd
[Pg 106] Of those effects for which I did the murder,[1411]
My crown, mine own ambition and my queen. 55
May one be pardon'd and retain the offence?[1412]
In the corrupted currents of this world[1413]
Offence's gilded hand may shove by justice,[1414]
And oft 'tis seen the wicked prize itself[1415]
Buys out the law: but 'tis not so above; 60
There is no shuffling, there the action lies
In his true nature, and we ourselves compell'd[1416]
Even to the teeth and forehead of our faults
To give in evidence. What then? what rests?
Try what repentance can: what can it not? 65
Yet what can it when one can not repent?[1417]
O wretched state! O bosom black as death!
O limed soul, that struggling to be free
Art more engaged! Help, angels! make assay![1418]
Bow, stubborn knees, and, heart with strings of steel,[1419] 70
Be soft as sinews of the new-born babe!
All may be well. [Retires and kneels.[1420]

Enter Hamlet.

Ham. Now might I do it pat, now he is praying;[1421]
And now I'll do't: and so he goes to heaven:[1422]
[Pg 107] And so am I revenged. That would be scann'd:[1423] 75
A villain kills my father; and for that,
I, his sole son, do this same villain send[1424]
To heaven.[1425]
O, this is hire and salary, not revenge.[1426]
He took my father grossly, full of bread,[1427] 80
With all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May;[1428]
And how his audit stands who knows save heaven?
But in our circumstance and course of thought,
'Tis heavy with him: and am I then revenged,[1429]
To take him in the purging of his soul, 85
When he is fit and season'd for his passage?[1430]
No.[1431]
Up, sword, and know thou a more horrid hent:[1432]
When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage,[1433]
Or in the incestuous pleasure of his bed;[1434] 90
At game, a-swearing, or about some act[1435]
That has no relish of salvation in 't;
Then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven[1436]
And that his soul may be as damn'd and black
As hell, whereto it goes. My mother stays: 95
This physic but prolongs thy sickly days. [Exit.
[Pg 108]
King. [Rising] My words fly up, my thoughts remain below:[1437]
Words without thoughts never to heaven go. [Exit.

Scene IV. The Queen's closet.

Enter Queen and Polonius.[1438]

Pol. He will come straight. Look you lay home to him:[1439]
Tell him his pranks have been too broad to bear with,[1440]
And that your grace hath screen'd and stood between[1441]
Much heat and him. I'll sconce me even here.[1442]
Pray you, be round with him.
Ham. [Within] Mother, mother, mother![1443]5
Queen. I'll warrant you; fear me not. Withdraw, I[1444][1445][1446]
hear him coming.[1445]

[Polonius hides behind the arras.

Enter Hamlet.[1447]

Ham. Now, mother, what's the matter?
[Pg 109]
Queen. Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended.
Ham. Mother, you have my father much offended. 10
Queen. Come, come, you answer with an idle tongue.
Ham. Go, go, you question with a wicked tongue.[1448]
Queen. Why, how now, Hamlet!
Ham. What's the matter now?[1449]
Queen. Have you forgot me?
Ham. No, by the rood, not so:
You are the queen, your husband's brother's wife; 15
And—would it were not so!—you are my mother.[1450]
Queen. Nay, then, I'll set those to you that can speak.[1451]
Ham. Come, come, and sit you down; you shall not budge;[1452]
You go not till I set you up a glass[1453][1454]
Where you may see the inmost part of you.[1454][1455] 20
Queen. What wilt thou do? thou wilt not murder me?
Help, help, ho![1456][1457]
Pol. [Behind] What, ho! help, help, help![1457][1458]
Ham. [Drawing] How now! a rat? Dead, for a ducat, dead![1457]

[Makes a pass through the arras.[1459]

Pol. [Behind] O, I am slain! [Falls and dies.
Queen. O me, what hast thou done?[1460] 25
[Pg 110]
Ham. Nay, I know not: is it the king?[1461]
Queen. O, what a rash and bloody deed is this![1462]
Ham. A bloody deed! almost as bad, good mother,
As kill a king, and marry with his brother.
Queen. As kill a king!
Ham. Ay, lady, 'twas my word.[1463] 30

[Lifts up the arras and discovers Polonius.

Thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell![1464]
I took thee for thy better: take thy fortune;[1465]
Thou find'st to be too busy is some danger.
Leave wringing of your hands: peace! sit you down,
And let me wring your heart: for so I shall, 35
If it be made of penetrable stuff;
If damned custom have not brass'd it so,[1466]
That it be proof and bulwark against sense.[1467]
Queen. What have I done, that thou darest wag thy tongue
In noise so rude against me?
Ham. Such an act 40
That blurs the grace and blush of modesty,
Calls virtue hypocrite, takes off the rose[1468]
From the fair forehead of an innocent love,
And sets a blister there; makes marriage vows[1469]
As false as dicers' oaths: O, such a deed 45
As from the body of contraction plucks
The very soul, and sweet religion makes
A rhapsody of words: heaven's face doth glow;[1470][1471]
Yea, this solidity and compound mass,[1471][1472]
[Pg 111] With tristful visage, as against the doom,[1473]
Is thought-sick at the act. 50
Queen. Ay me, what act,[1474][1475]
That roars so loud and thunders in the index?[1475]
Ham. Look here, upon this picture, and on this,
The counterfeit presentment of two brothers.
See what a grace was seated on this brow;[1476] 55
Hyperion's curls, the front of Jove himself,
An eye like Mars, to threaten and command;[1477]
A station like the herald Mercury
New-lighted on a heaven-kissing hill;[1478]
A combination and a form indeed,[1479] 60
Where every god did seem to set his seal
To give the world assurance of a man:
This was your husband. Look you now, what follows:
Here is your husband; like a mildew'd ear,[1480]
Blasting his wholesome brother. Have you eyes?[1481] 65
Could you on this fair mountain leave to feed,
And batten on this moor? Ha! have you eyes?[1482]
You cannot call it love, for at your age
The hey-day in the blood is tame, it's humble,[1483]
And waits upon the judgement: and what judgement 70
Would step from this to this? Sense sure you have,[1484][1485]
Else could you not have motion: but sure that sense[1485][1486]
Is apoplex'd: for madness would not err,[1485]
[Pg 112] Nor sense to ecstasy was ne'er so thrall'd[1485]
But it reserved some quantity of choice,[1485] 75
To serve in such a difference. What devil was't[1485]
That thus hath cozen'd you at hoodman-blind?[1487]
Eyes without feeling, feeling without sight,[1488]
Ears without hands or eyes, smelling sans all,[1488]
Or but a sickly part of one true sense[1488] 80
Could not so mope.[1488][1489]
O shame! where is thy blush? Rebellious hell,[1489][1490]
If thou canst mutine in a matron's bones,[1491]
To flaming youth let virtue be as wax
And melt in her own fire: proclaim no shame 85
When the compulsive ardour gives the charge,[1492]
Since frost itself as actively doth burn,
And reason panders will.[1493]
Queen. O Hamlet, speak no more:
Thou turn'st mine eyes into my very soul,[1494]
And there I see such black and grained spots[1495] 90
As will not leave their tinct.[1496]
Ham. Nay, but to live
In the rank sweat of an enseamed bed,[1497]
Stew'd in corruption, honeying and making love
Over the nasty sty,—
Queen. O, speak to me no more;[1498]
These words like daggers enter in my ears;[1499] 95
No more, sweet Hamlet!
[Pg 113]
Ham. A murderer and a villain;
A slave that is not twentieth part the tithe[1500]
Of your precedent lord; a vice of kings;
A cutpurse of the empire and the rule,[1501]
That from a shelf the precious diadem stole 100
And put it in his pocket!
Queen. No more![1502]
Ham. A king of shreds and patches—

Enter Ghost.[1503]

Save me, and hover o'er me with your wings,[1504]
You heavenly guards! What would your gracious figure?[1505]
Queen. Alas, he's mad![1506] 105
Ham. Do you not come your tardy son to chide,
That, lapsed in time and passion, lets go by[1507]
The important acting of your dread command?
O, say![1508]
Ghost. Do not forget: this visitation 110
Is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose.
But look, amazement on thy mother sits:
O, step between her and her fighting soul:[1509]
Conceit in weakest bodies strongest works:
Speak to her, Hamlet.
Ham. How is it with you, lady? 115
Queen. Alas, how is't with you,
That you do bend your eye on vacancy[1510]
[Pg 114] And with the incorporal air do hold discourse?[1511]
Forth at your eyes your spirits wildly peep;
And, as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm, 120
Your bedded hairs, like life in excrements,[1512]
Start up and stand an end. O gentle son,[1513]
Upon the heat and flame of thy distemper
Sprinkle cool patience. Whereon do you look?
Ham. On him, on him! Look you, how pale he glares![1514] 125
His form and cause conjoin'd, preaching to stones,[1515]
Would make them capable. Do not look upon me,[1516]
Lest with this piteous action you convert
My stern effects: then what I have to do[1517]
Will want true colour; tears perchance for blood. 130
Queen. To whom do you speak this?
Ham. Do you see nothing there?[1518]
Queen. Nothing at all; yet all that is I see.[1519]
Ham. Nor did you nothing hear?
Queen. No, nothing but ourselves.
Ham. Why, look you there! look, how it steals away![1520]
My father, in his habit as he lived![1521] 135
Look, where he goes, even now, out at the portal![1522]

[Exit Ghost.

Queen. This is the very coinage of your brain:
This bodiless creation ecstasy[1523]
Is very cunning in.[1523]
[Pg 115]
Ham. Ecstasy![1524]
My pulse, as yours, doth temperately keep time, 140
And makes as healthful music: it is not madness
That I have utter'd: bring me to the test,[1525]
And I the matter will re-word, which madness[1526]
Would gambol from. Mother, for love of grace,[1527]
Lay not that flattering unction to your soul,[1528] 145
That not your trespass but my madness speaks:
It will but skin and film the ulcerous place,
Whiles rank corruption, mining all within,[1529]
Infects unseen. Confess yourself to heaven;
Repent what's past, avoid what is to come,[1530] 150
And do not spread the compost on the weeds,[1531]
To make them ranker. Forgive me this my virtue,[1532][1533][1534]
For in the fatness of these pursy times[1533][1535]
Virtue itself of vice must pardon beg,[1533]
Yea, curb and woo for leave to do him good.[1533][1536] 155
Queen. O Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain.[1537]
Ham. O, throw away the worser part of it,[1538]
And live the purer with the other half.[1539]
Good night: but go not to my uncle's bed;[1540]
Assume a virtue, if you have it not. 160
That monster, custom, who all sense doth eat,[1541][1542]
Of habits devil, is angel yet in this,[1541][1542]
[Pg 116] That to the use of actions fair and good[1541]
He likewise gives a frock or livery,[1541]
That aptly is put on. Refrain to-night,[1541][1543] 165
And that shall lend a kind of easiness
To the next abstinence; the next more easy;[1544]
For use almost can change the stamp of nature,[1544][1545]
And either ... the devil, or throw him out[1544][1546]
With wondrous potency. Once more, good night:[1544] 170
And when you are desirous to be blest,
I'll blessing beg of you. For this same lord,

[Pointing to Polonius.[1547]

I do repent: but heaven hath pleased it so,[1548]
To punish me with this, and this with me,[1549]
That I must be their scourge and minister. 175
I will bestow him, and will answer well
The death I gave him. So, again, good night.
I must be cruel, only to be kind:[1550]
Thus bad begins, and worse remains behind.[1550][1551]
One word more, good lady.[1552]
Queen. What shall I do? 180
Ham. Not this, by no means, that I bid you do:
Let the bloat king tempt you again to bed;[1553]
[Pg 117] Pinch wanton on your cheek, call you his mouse;
And let him, for a pair of reechy kisses,
Or paddling in your neck with his damn'd fingers, 185
Make you to ravel all this matter out,[1554]
That I essentially am not in madness,
But mad in craft. 'Twere good you let him know;
For who, that's but a queen, fair, sober, wise,
Would from a paddock, from a bat, a gib,[1555] 190
Such dear concernings hide? who would do so?[1556]
No, in despite of sense and secrecy,
Unpeg the basket on the house's top,
Let the birds fly, and like the famous ape,
To try conclusions, in the basket creep[1557] 195
And break your own neck down.
Queen. Be thou assured, if words be made of breath
And breath of life, I have no life to breathe[1558]
What thou hast said to me.
Ham. I must to England; you know that?
Queen. Alack,[1559][1560] 200
I had forgot: 'tis so concluded on.[1560][1561]
Ham. There's letters seal'd: and my two schoolfellows,[1562]
Whom I will trust as I will adders fang'd,[1562]
They bear the mandate; they must sweep my way,[1562]
And marshal me to knavery. Let it work;[1562][1563] 205
For 'tis the sport to have the enginer[1562][1564]
Hoist with his own petar: and't shall go hard[1562][1565]
[Pg 118] But I will delve one yard below their mines,[1562]
And blow them at the moon: O, 'tis most sweet[1562]
When in one line two crafts directly meet.[1562][1566] 210
This man shall set me packing:[1567]
I'll lug the guts into the neighbour room.
Mother, good night. Indeed this counsellor[1568]
Is now most still, most secret and most grave,
Who was in life a foolish prating knave.[1569] 215
Come, sir, to draw toward an end with you.
Good night, mother.

[Exeunt severally; Hamlet dragging in Polonius.[1570]

FOOTNOTES:

[1007] Act iii. Scene i.] Q (1676) and Rowe. Omitted in Ff.

A room in the castle] Malone. The Palace. Rowe. Another room in the same. Capell.

Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern.] Capell. Rosencraus, Guyldensterne, Lords. Qq. Rosincrance, Guildenstern, and Lords. F1. Rosincros, Guildenstar, and Lords. F2 F3 F4 (Guildenstare, F4).

[1008] circumstance] Ff. conference Qq.

[1009] confusion] confesion Rowe (ed. 2). confession Pope (in margin).

[1010] he will] a will Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

[1011] Nor ... state.] Continued to Ros. by Jennens.

[1012] state] estate Q6.

[1013] Niggard of ... of our ... Most free] Unapt to ... of our ... Most free Q (1676). Most free of ... to our ... Niggard Hanmer. Most free of ... of our ... Niggard Warburton. Niggard of ... to our ... Most free Collier MS.

[1014] Did ... pastime?] As in Capell. One line in Qq Ff.

[1015] assay] invite Q (1676).

[1016] To] unto Hanmer.

[1017] so] om. Johnson.

[1018] o'er-raught] ore-raught Qq. ore-wrought F1 F2. o're-took F3 F4. o'er-rode Warburton.

[1019] about] Ff. heere about Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. here about Q6.

[1020] With ... delights.] Arranged as by Pope. Five lines ending hart, ... me, ... inclin'd ... edge, ... delights, in Qq. Four lines, ending me ... gentlemen, ... on ... delights, in Ff.

[1021] drive ... on to] drive ... on To Ff. drive ... into Qq. urge him to Q (1676).

[1022] [Exeunt....] Exeunt Ros. & Guyl. Qq. Exeunt. Ff.

Gertrude] Ff. Gertrard Qq.

too] Ff. two Qq.

[1023] hither] Ff Q6. hether The rest.

[1024] he] we Jennens.

here] Q6. heere Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. there Ff.

[1025] here Affront Ophelia] meet Ophelia here Q (1676).

[1026] Affront ... espials,] As in Johnson. One line in Ff. One line, ending myself, in Qq.

[1027] lawful espials] Omitted in Qq.

[1028] Will] Ff. Wee'le Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. Wee'll Q6.]

unseen] and unseen Q (1676).

[1029] frankly] om. Q (1676).

[1030] no] Qq. no, F4. no. F1 F2 F3.

[1031] for your] Q2 Q3 Ff. for my Q4 Q5 Q6.

[1032] beauties ... virtues] beauty ... virtue S. Walker conj.

[1033] shall] om. Pope.

[1034] Will] May Pope.

[Exit Queen.] Theobald. om. Qq Ff.

[1035] please you] Qq. please ye Ff.

[1036] [To Ophelia.] To Oph. Johnson.

[1037] loneliness] lowlines Q2 Q3. lowlinesse Q4 Q5.

to blame] Q6 F3 F4. too blame The rest.

[1038] sugar] Qq. surge Ff.

[1039] [Aside] First marked by Pope.

'tis too] Qq. 'tis Ff. it is but too Hanmer.

[1040] Pol.] Erased in Collier MS. See note (II).

let's] om. Qq.

[Exeunt....] Capell. Exeunt. Ff. om. Qq. Exeunt all but Ophelia. Rowe.

[1041] Scene ii. Pope.

Enter Hamlet.] As in Ff. After burthen, line 54, in Qq. Enter Hamlet, with a book in his hand. Hunter conj. He would transfer the soliloquy to II. 2. 169.

[1042] slings] sling Campbell. stings Fleischer (S. Walker conj.)

slings and arrows] stings and harrows Anon. conj. (Misc. Obs. on Hamlet, 1752). stings and horrors Anon. MS.

[1043] a sea of] a siege of Theobald conj. (withdrawn). th' assay of or a 'say of Theobald conj. assailing Hanmer conj. assail of Warburton. assays of Keightley conj. the seat of Bailey conj. assay of Brae conj.

[1044] opposing] a poniard or deposing Bailey conj.

them?] Pope. them, Q2 Q3. them: Q4 Q5 Ff Q6. om. S. Evans conj.

[1045] die: to sleep; No] die to sleepe No Qq (dye Q6). dye, to sleepe No F1. dye, to sleepe: No F2. dye, to sleep No F3 F4. die,—to sleep—No Pope.

[1046] more;] F1 Q6. more, Q2 Q3. more: Q4 Q5 F2 F3 F4. more? Capell.

say we end] straightway end Bailey conj.

[1047] to,] to; Qq. too? F1. to? F2 F3. {to.} F4.

[1048] wish'd. To] Ff. wisht to Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. wisht, to Q6.

[1049] we have] he have F2. he hath F3 F4.

shuffled] shuffel'd F1 F2.

coil] spoil Mason conj. vail or clay Elze conj.

[1050] Must ... life;] As three lines ending pause ... calamity ... life; S. Walker conj.

[1051] whips ... time] quips ... time Grey conj. whips ... th' time Warburton conj. whips ... tyrants or quips ... title Johnson conj. whips ... o' the times Steevens conj. scorns of weapon'd time Becket conj. scorns of whiphand time Id. conj. (withdrawn).

[1052] proud] Q5 Q6. proude Q2 Q3 Q4. poore F1 F2. poor F3 F4.

[1053] pangs] pang Pope.

despised love, the] despiz'd love, the Q2 Q3. office, and the Q4 Q5. dispriz'd love, the Ff. despised love, and the Q6. mispriz'd love, the Collier MS. (erased). See note (II).

[1054] When he] When Q4 Q5. When as Q6.

quietus] quietas Q2 Q3 Q4.

[1055] who would fardels] who'd these fardels Grant White (S. Walker conj.)

fardels] Qq. these fardles Ff.

[1056] grunt] groan Q (1676) and Pope.

[1057] The undiscover'd] Qq. The undiscovered Ff. That undiscover'd Pope. In the undiscover'd Keightley.

bourn] Capell. bourne Pope. borne Qq F1 F2. born F3 F4.

[1058] returns, puzzles] returnes. Puzels F1.

[1059] of us all] (Q1) Ff. om. Qq.

[1060] hue] F3 F4. hiew Qq. hew F1 F2.

[1061] sicklied] Ff Q6. sickled The rest.

[1062] pitch] Qq. pith Ff. See note (XVI).

[1063] awry] Qq. away Ff.

[1064] [Seeing Oph. Rowe.

[1065] Ophelia!] Ophelia? Ff. Ophelia, Qq.

orisons] Theobald. orizons Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 F1. horizons F2 F3 F4. orizons? Q6. oraisons Rowe.

[1066] remember'd.] remembred? Q6.

[1067] you: well, well, well.] Ff. you well. Q2 Q3. you: well. Q4 Q5. you, well. Q6.

[1068] long] om. Q (1676). much Pope.

[1069] No, not I] Qq. No, no Ff. No Pope.

[1070] No ... aught.] Arranged as by Capell. One line in Qq Ff.

[1071] you know] Qq. I know Ff.

[1072] the things] Ff. these things Qq.

rich: their perfume lost,] Q4 Q5 Q6. rich, their perfume lost, Q2 Q3. rich, then perfume left: F1 F2 F3. rich, than perfume left: F4. rich: that perfume lost, Rowe.

[1073] lord?] Capell. lord. Qq Ff. lord— Rowe.

[1074] your honesty] Ff. you Qq.

[1075] your honesty ... beauty.] you should admit your honesty to no discourse with your beauty. Johnson conj.

[1076] commerce] Q5 Q6 F4. comerse Q2 Q3. comerce Q4 F1 F2 F3. converse Anon. conj.

[1077] with] Qq. your Ff.

[1078] into] in Q5 to Q6.

his] its Pope.

[1079] sometime] sometimes F3 F4.

[1080] inoculate] innocculate F1. inocculate F2 F3. inocualte F4. euocutat Q2 Q3. euacuat Q4. euacuate Q5. evacuate Q6.

[1081] I loved you not.] I did love you once. Rowe (ed. 2).

[1082] to] Ff. om. Qq.

[1083] at my beck] on my back Long MS. at my back Collier MS.

[1084] in, imagination to] Qq. in imagination, to Ff. in name, imagination to Warburton.

[1085] heaven and earth] (Q1) Ff. earth and heaven Qq.

[1086] all] (Q1) Ff. om. Qq.

[1087] Let ... house.] Prose in Ff. Two lines, the first ending him, in Qq.

[1088] no where] Qq. no way Ff.

[1089] plague] plage Q4.

[1090] go] Ff. om. Qq.

[1091] too] Ff Q6. to The rest.

[1092] O] Ff. om. Qq.

[1093] paintings] (Q1) Qq. pratlings F1. pratling F2 F3 F4. painting Pope.

too] Ff. om. Qq.

[1094] God] Nature Q (1676).

hath] Qq. has Ff.

face] (Q1) Qq. pace Ff.

yourselves] your selves Q5 Q6. your selfes Q2 Q3 Q4. your selfe F1 F2. your self F3 F4.

[1095] you jig] gig Q6. fig (Q1).

jig] Q (1676). gig Qq. gidge Ff.

you amble] Ff. and amble Qq.

lisp,] Q (1676) F4. lispe, F1 F2 F3. list Qq.

and nick-name] Ff. you nickname Qq.

[1096] God's] Heavens Q (1676).

[1097] wantonness your ignorance] ignorance your wantonness Anon. conj.

your ignorance] (Q1) Ff. ignorance Qq.

[1098] Go to] Q5. Goe to Q2 Q3 Q4. Go too F1 Q6. Goe F2. Go F3 F4.

[1099] no more marriages] (Q1) Ff. no mo marriage Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. no moe marriages Q6.

[1100] live] om. F2 F3 F4.

[1101] [Exit.] Qq. Exit Hamlet. Ff.

[1102] o'erthrown] othrowne Q4 Q5.

[1103] soldier's, scholar's] scholar's, soldier's Hanmer and Staunton, from (Q1).

scholar's,] schollers, Q2 Q3 Q4. scholers, Q5. scholars, Q6. scholiers: F1. schollers? F2. schollars? F3. scholars! F4. om. Jennens.

[1104] expectancy] F3 F4. expectansie F1 F2. expectation Qq.

[1105] And I] Qq. Have I F1 F2. I am F3 F4.

[1106] music] musickt Q2 Q3 Q4.

vows,] Pointed as by Hanmer. vowes; Qq. vowes: or vows: Ff.

[1107] that noble] Ff. what noble Qq.

[1108] jangled, out of tune] Capell. jangled out of time, Qq. jangled out of tune, Ff.

[1109] unmatch'd] unmarcht Q5. unsnatch'd Jennens.

form] forme Qq F1. fortune F2 F3 F4.

feature] Ff. stature Qq. statute Q (1695).

[1110] To have] T' have Qq Ff.

see!] see. Exit. Qq and Elze.

Re-enter....] Capell. Enter.... Qq Ff.

[1111] Scene iii. Pope.

Love!] Q6. Love, Q2 Q3. Love: Q4 Q5. Love? Ff.

[1112] Nor] For Q6.

[1113] There's something] Something's Pope.

soul] soule? F1.

[1114] for to] Qq. to F1 F2. how to F3 F4.

[1115] it] om. Q4 Q5 Q6.

[1116] something-settled] Hyphened by Warburton. sometime-settled Daniel conj.

[1117] Whereon ... on't?] Arranged as in Ff. Three lines, ending beating ... himselfe ... on't? in Qq.

[1118] brains] F3 F4. braines Qq F1 F2. brain Collier MS. brain's Grant White.

[1119] but ... grief] Arranged as in Ff. One line in Q2 Q3.

[1120] do I] I doe Q6.

[1121] his grief] Q2 Q3. it Q4 Q5 Q6, reading But ... of it as one line. this greefe Ff.

[1122] [Enter Ophelia. Elze.

[1123] [Exit Ophelia. Elze.

[1124] grief] griefe Qq. greefes F1. griefes F2. griefs F3 F4.

[1125] placed, so please you] plac'd so, please you F1 F2.

[1126] unwatch'd] Ff. unmatcht Qq.

[1127] Scene ii.] Capell. Scene iv. Pope. om. Ff.

A hall....] A Hall, in the same, fitted as for a Play. Capell.

and Players.] and the Players. (Q1). and three of the Players. Qq. and two or three of the Players. Ff.

[1128] pronounced] pronoun'd Q2 Q3.

[1129] trippingly on] smoothly from Q (1676).

[1130] your players] (Q1) Ff. our players Qq.

lief] Steevens (1793). live Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 F1 F2. lieve Q6 F3 F4.

spoke] Qq. had spoke Ff.

[1131] Nor] And Pope.

much with your] Qq. much your Ff. much, your Caldecott.

[1132] whirlwind of your passion] Qq. the whirle-winde of passion Ff. whirlwind of passion Collier. the whirlwind of your passion Staunton.

[1133] hear] Qq. see Ff.

robustious] robustous Q (1676) F4.

[1134] periwig-pated] Q (1676). perwig-pated Qq. Pery-wig-pated F1. Pery-wig-parted F2. Perriwig-parted F3 F4.

to tatters] Ff. to totters Qq. om. Q (1676).

[1135] split] Ff. spleet Qq.

[1136] would] (Q1) Qq. could Ff.

[1137] First Play.] 1. P. Capell. Player. or Play. Qq Ff.

[1138] suit] Hanmer. sute Qq F1 F3 F4. sure F2.

[1139] o'erstep] ore-steppe Q2 Q3 Q4. ore-step Q5 Q6. ore-stop Ff. ore-top Long MS.

[1140] overdone] ore-doone Q2 Q3 Q4. ore-done Q5 Q6.

[1141] at the first] at first Q5 Q6.

[1142] her own feature] her feature Qq.

scorn] sin Bailey conj.

[1143] the very] every Mason conj.

age] face or page Johnson conj. eye Taylor conj. MS.

the very age] the visage Bailey conj.

[1144] tardy] trady Q4.

off] of Q6, and Mason conj.

pressure] posture Bailey conj.

[1145] though it make] though it makes Qq.

[1146] the censure] in the censure Long MS.

the which one] Ff. which one Qq. one of which Hanmer.

[1147] o'erweigh] ore-weigh Qq. o're-way F1. ore-sway F2 F3 F4.

[1148] praise] Ff Q6. praysd Q2 Q3 Q4. praisd Q5.

[1149] neither ... nor man,] Put within brackets, as an interpolation, by Warburton.

[1150] accent of Christians] accent of Christian Pope.

nor the] or the Rowe.

[1151] nor man] Qq. Nor Turke (Q1). or Norman Ff. nor Mussulman Farmer conj. or man Pope. or Turk Grant White.

[1152] men] them Rann (Theobald conj. withdrawn). the men Farmer conj.

[1153] sir] Ff. om. Qq.

[1154] themselves] of themselves F3 F4.

[1155] too] to Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

[1156] [Exeunt Players.] F2 F3 F4. Exit Players. F1. Omitted in Qq.

Enter ... Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern.] As in Ff. Enter ... Guyldensterne, & Rosencrans. Qq (after work? line 42).

[1157] Scene iv.] Warburton.

[1158] too] Ff Q6. to The rest.

[1159] [Exit Polonius.] Ff. om. Qq.

[1160] Ros. Guil.] Both. Ff. Ros. Qq.

We will] Ff. I Qq.

[Exeunt....] Exeunt they two. Q2 Q3. Exeunt those two. Q4 Q5 Q6. Exeunt. Ff.

[1161] Scene v. Pope.

What ho!] What hoe, Q6. What hoa, F1 F2 F3. What ho, F4. What howe, Q2 Q3. What how, Q4 Q5.

Enter Horatio.] As in Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. After line 46 in Ff. Omitted in Q6.

[1162] sweet lord] my lord Q (1676).

[1163] coped] copt Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. cop't Q6. coap'd Ff. met Q (1676).

[1164] lord,—] lord— Rowe. lord. Qq Ff.

[1165] no revenue hast] hast no revenue Q (1676).

[1166] thee?] Q6. thee, Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. thee. Ff.

Why] om. Pope.

[1167] lick] Q4 Q5. licke Q2 Q3 Q6. like Ff.

absurd] obsurd Q4 Q5.

[1168] pregnant] begging Collier MS. (in pencil). See note (II).

[1169] fawning.] fawning: Q6. fauning; Q2 Q3. fauning, Q4. fawning, Q5. faining. F1 F2 F3. feigning. F4.

hear?] heare? Q6. heare, or hear, The rest.

[1170] dear] clear Johnson conj.

her] Qq. my Ff.

[1171] distinguish, ... Hath] Ff. distinguish her election, S'hath Qq (Shath Q4 Q5. Sh'ath Q6).

[1172] fortune's] fortune F3 F4.

[1173] Hast] Qq. Hath Ff.

[1174] commingled] co-mingled Ff. comedled Qq. commedled Q (1676, 1683, 1695). commended Q (1703). comêl'd Capell conj.

[1175] stop] stops Q (1676).

[1176] of heart] of hearts Q (1676).

[1177] thee of] Qq. thee, of Ff.

[1178] a-foot] on foot Q6.

[1179] very] om. F2 F3 F4.

thy] Qq. my Ff.

[1180] my] Qq. mine Ff.

his occulted] then his hidden Q (1676). his occult Rowe (ed. 2).

[1181] unkennel] discover Q (1676).

[1182] stithy] Qq. stythe F1. styth F2 F3 F4. smithy Theobald.

heedful] Q(1676) F4. heedfull Qq. needfull F1 F2 F3.

[1183] face,] face? F2.

[1184] judgements] judgement F2.

[1185] In] Qq. To Ff.

[1186] he] Ff. a Qq.

[1187] detecting] Ff. detected Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. detection Q6.

[1188] Scene vi. Pope. Scene v. Warburton.

They are] They're Pope.

[1189] Danish march. A flourish. Enter ... the Guard ... torches.] Capell, substantially. Enter ... his Guard ... torches. Danish March. Sound a Flourish. Ff (after line 84). Enter Trumpets and Kettle Drummes, King, Queene, Polonius, Ophelia. Qq (after line 84).

[1190] our] my F3 F4.

[1191] Excellent ... say?] Prose in Ff. Irregular lines in Qq.

[1192] dish: I] dish I Q (1676).

[1193] mine now. My lord,] Johnson. mine now my lord. Qq. mine. Now my lord, Ff.

[To Polonius] Rowe.

[1194] i' the] in the Q6.

[1195] did I] Qq. I did Ff.

[1196] What] Qq. And what Ff.

[1197] Capitol] F1 F4. Capitall Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. Capitoll F2 Q6 F3.

[1198] stay] wait Q (1676).

patience] pleasure Johnson conj. patents Becket conj.

[1199] dear] deere Q2 Q3. deare Q4 Q5 Q6. good Ff.

[1200] metal] metall Q6. mettle The rest.

[1201] [To the King] Capell.

O, ho!] Oh, oh, Q4 Q5.

that?] Ff Q6. that. Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

[1202] [Lying....] Rowe. Seating himself at Ophelia's feet. Capell (after line 103).

[1203] Ham. I mean ... lord.] Omitted in Qq.

[1204] upon] in Capell.

[1205] country] contrary (Q1). contray Singer (ed. 1), a misprint.

matters] manners Johnson conj.

[1206] maids'] maydes or maids Qq Ff. a maid's Rowe.

[1207] lord.] Qq. lord? Ff.

[1208] O God,] om. Q (1676). Oh! Johnson.

[1209] within 's] Qq Ff. within these Pope.

[1210] twice] om. Hanmer. quite Ingleby conj.

[1211] devil] deule Q2 Q3.

[1212] for ... sables] (Q1) Qq Ff. for ... ermyn Hanmer. 'fore ... sable Warburton. for ... sabell Anon. conj. (The Critic, 1854, p. 317).

[1213] have] not have Keightley. leave Lloyd conj. leave him Anon. conj. have ne'er Anon. conj.

a suit] no suit Becket conj.

[1214] by'r lady] by'r-lady F4. byr-lady F1. ber Lady Q2 Q3 Q4 Q6. ber Ladie Q5. berlady F2 F3. om. Q (1676).

[1215] he ... he] Ff. a ... a Qq.

[1216] Hautboys ... love.] Ff, substantially. The Trumpets sounds. Dumbe show followes. Enter a King and a Queene, the Queene embracing him, and he her, he takes her vp, and declines his head vpon her necke, he lyes him downe vppon a bancke of flowers, she seeing him asleepe, leaues him: anon come in an other man, takes off his crowne, kisses it, pours poyson in the sleepers eares, and leaues him: the Queene returnes, finds the King dead, makes passionate action, the poysner with some three or foure come in againe, seeme to condole with her, the dead body is carried away, the poysner wooes the Queene with gifts, shee seemes harsh awhile, but in the end accepts loue. Qq ( ... anon comes ... comes in ... Q4 Q5 Q6). Theobald substitutes 'a Duke and a Dutchess, with regal coronets,' for 'a King and a Queen'.

and a] and Ff.

and he her] om. Ff.

exit.] exits. Ff.

[Exeunt.] Ff. om. Qq.

[During the dumb show King and Queen whisper confidentially to each other and so do not see it. Halliwell conj.

[1217] Scene vii. Pope. Scene vi. Warburton.

[1218] Marry] om. Q(1676).

this is] Ff. this Q2 Q3. tis Q4. it is Q5 Q6.

miching mallecho] Malone. myching Mallico (Q1). munching Mallico Qq. miching Malicho Ff. miching Malhechor Warburton. miching Malbecco Grey conj. munching Malicho Capell. mimicking Malbecco Farmer conj. mucho malhecho Keightley (Maginn conj.)

it] Qq. that Ff.

[1219] Belike] Be like F2.

play.] Qq. play? Ff.

Enter Prologue.] As in Theobald. After fellow, line 132, in Qq. After play, line 138, in Ff.

[1220] this fellow] Qq. these fellowes Ff.

[1221] counsel] Omitted in Qq.

[1222] he] Pope, a Qq. they Ff.

tell us] shew us Q (1676).

[1223] you'll] you will Qq.

not you] not Q (1676).

[1224] mark] make F2 F3 F4.

[1225] posy] posie Qq F4. poesie F1 F2 F3.

[1226] Enter ...] Enter King and Queen, Players. Pope. Enter King and Queene. Qq. Enter King and his Queene. F1 F2. Enter King, and Queen. F3 F4. Enter Duke, and Dutchess, Players. Theobald, from (Q1).

[1227] P. King.] Steevens (1778). King. Qq Ff.

[1228] Phœbus' ... Tellus'] Apostrophes inserted by Pope.

[1229] cart] carr Q (1676). car Rowe.

[1230] orbed] Ff. orb'd the Qq.

[1231] borrowed] Qq Ff. borrow'd Q (1676) and Capell.

[1232] times twelve thirties] Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 F1. time, twelve thirties F2 F3 F4. twelve times thirty Q6. times twelve thirty Hanmer.

[1233] commutual in most] infolding them in Q (1676).

[1234] P. Queen.] Steevens (1778). Quee. or Que. Qq F2 F3. Queen. F4. Bap. or Bapt. F1.

[1235] from cheer and] different Q (1676).

your] our Q2 Q3.

former] forme F1.

[1236] must: For] Ff. must. For women feare too much, even as they love, And Qq. See note (XVII).

[1237] holds] Ff. hold Qq.

[1238] In neither aught] In neither ought Ff. Eyther none, in neither ought Qq. 'Tis either none Pope. In neither: aught Hunter conj. Either in nought Anon. conj.

[1239] love] Lord Q2 Q3.

is, proof hath made] has been, proof makes Q (1676).

[1240] sized] ciz'd Q2 Q3 Q6. ciz'st Q4 Q5. siz'd F1. siz F2. fixt F3 F4. great Q (1676).

[1241] Where love ... there.] Qq. Omitted in Ff.

[1242] littlest] Q6. litlest Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. smallest Q (1676).

[1243] operant] working Q (1676).

their functions] Qq. my functions Ff.

[1244] fair] fare Q4.

[1245] kind] Q6. kind, Q2 Q3 Q4_ Q5. kinde. F1. kind. F2 F3 F4. a kind Rowe (ed. 2).

[1246] thou—] Ff. thou. Qq.

[1247] kill'd] kill Theobald.

[1248] [Aside] Capell.

Wormwood, wormwood.] Ff. O wormewood, wormewood! (Q1). That's wormwood. Qq (in the margin).

[1249] P. Queen.] Bapt. Ff. om. Qq.

[1250] thrift] Trift F2.

[1251] husband dead] lord that's dead (Q1) Staunton.

[1252] you think] Pointed as in Qq. you. Think Ff.

[1253] but] and Q (1676).

[1254] like] Ff. the Qq.

fruit] fruits Q (1676) and Pope.

[1255] either] Q5 Q6. eyther, Q2 Q3. either, Q4. other Ff.

[1256] enactures] Q6. ennactures Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. ennactors F1. enactors F2 F3 F4.

[1257] joys] F4. joyes F1 F2 F3. joy Qq.

grieves F3 F4. greeves F1 F2. griefes Qq.

[1258] nor] and Pope.

'tis not] is it Q (1676).

[1259] lead fortune] fortune lead Pope. leads fortune Theobald.

else] om. Pope.

[1260] favourite] favourites F1.

[1261] hitherto] hither to F2.

[1262] friend,] Qq. friend: F1. friend? F2 F3 F4.

[1263] seasons him] sees in him Anon. conj.

[1264] So think] Think still Q (1676).

[1265] die thy thoughts] thy thoughts dye Q (1676).

[1266] to me give] Qq. to give me Ff. oh! give me Hanmer. do give me Seymour conj.

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

[1267] To desperation ... scope!] Qq. Omitted in Ff.

[1268] An anchor's] Theobald. And anchors Qq. And anchors' Jennens. An anchoret's Anon, apud Rann conj.

cheer] chair Steevens conj.

[1269] once ... wife] (Q1) Ff. once I be a widdow, ever I be a wife Q2 Q3 Q4 Q6 (bee Q4. widow Q6). once I be a widdow, ever I be wife Q5. once I widow be, and then a wife Q (1676). once I be a widow, 'ere a wife Anon. MS.

[1270] Ham. If ... now!] Ham. If ... now. Qq (in the margin) Ff. Ham. If ... now— Pope. Ham. [to Oph.] If ... now,— Capell.

it now] her vow Elze (Collier MS.)

[1271] 'Tis ... awhile;] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.

here] heare Q4 Q5 F2.

[1272] [Sleeps.] Ff (after brain). om. Qq. Lays him down. Capell.

[1273] betw 'en] betwixt Q4 Q5.

[Exit.] Ff. Exeunt. Qq. Exit Lady. (Q1). Exit Dutchess. Duke sleeps. Capell.

[1274] this] the F2 F3 F4.

[1275] doth protest] Qq. protests Ff.

[1276] i' the world] om. Q (1676).

[1277] how?] Ff Q6. how Q2Q3Q4Q5.

[1278] Gonzago] Gonzaga Johnson.

[1279] wife] wife's Theobald.

[1280] o'] Ff. a (Q1). of Qq.

[1281] that have] shall have Q4 Q5 Q6.

us not] not us Q (1676).

[1282] wince] (Q1) Steevens. winch Qq Ff.

unwrung] Q4 Q5 Q6 F3 F4 unwrong Q2 Q3. unrung F1F2.

[1283] Enter Lucianus.] Ff. After king, line 233, in Qq.

[1284] king] duke Pope, ed. 2 (Theobald).

[1285] as good as a] (Q1) Qq. a good Ff.

[1286] my] Ff. mine Qq.

[1287] better,] worse Q (1676 and Rowe).

[1288] must take your husbands.] Pope. must take your husband (Q1). mistake your husbands Qq. mistake husbands Ff. most of you take husbands Hanmer. must take husbands Long MS.

[1289] murderer] murther Ff.

[1290] pox,] Ff. om. Qq. a poxe (Q1.)

[1291] the ... revenge.] Printed as a quotation in two half lines, the first ending raven, by Steevens (1793).

[1292] Thoughts ... agreeing;] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.

[1293] Confederate](Q1) Ff. Considerat Q2 Q3 Q4. Considerate Q5 Q6.

else] and Q (1676) and Theobald.

[1294] ban] bane (Q1) Q6 F4.

infected] invected Q2 Q3.

[1295] Thy] The F4. Thou Pope.

[1296] usurp] F3 F4. usurpe F1 F2. usurps (Q1) Qq.

[Pours ... ear.] Capell, substantially. Powres the poyson in his eares. Ff. Omitted in Qq.

[1297] He] (Q1) Ff. A Qq.

for his] (Q1) Qq. for's F1 F3 F4. fors F2

[1298] name's] F1 Q6. names The rest.

written in very] Qq. writ in Ff.

[1299] Ham. What, ... fire] Ff. Ham. Frighted ... fires (Q1). Omitted in Qq.

[1300] Pol.] Qq. All. Ff. [Exeunt ...] Exeunt all but Ham. & Horatio. Qq. Exeunt. Manet Hamlet & Horatio. Ff (Manent F4).

[1301] Scene viii. Pope. Scene vii. Warburton.

stricken] (Q1) Hanmer. strooken Q2 Q3. stroken Q4 Q5. strucken Ff Q6.

[1302] hart] heart F2 F3.

[1303] while] whilst Q4 Q5. whilest Q6.

sleep:] sleepe? F2 F3 F4.

[1304] Thus] (Q1) Qq. So Ff.

[1305] two] Ff. om. Qq.

Provincial] Provencial Capell (Warton conj.) Provençal Warton conj.

[1306] razed] raz'd Qq. rac'd Ff. rack'd Rowe (ed. 2). rayed Pope. rais'd Jennens (Theobald conj.)

cry] city Q4 Q5 Q6.

players] player Q5.

[1307] sir] Ff. om. Qq.

[1308] A whole one, I.] Ay, a whole one. Hanmer. A whole one;—ay— Malone conj. A whole one, ay, Grant White.

[1309] This ... himself] Arranged as in Qq. One line in Ff.

[1310] pajock] F3 F4. paiock Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. paiocke F1 Q6. pajocke F2. paicock Q (1676). pecock Q (1695). peacock Pope. paddock Theobald. puttock or meacock Id. conj. (withdrawn). baiocco Anon. conj. (1814). hedjocke (i.e. hedgehog) S. Evans conj. padge-hawk Id. conj. (withdrawn). patokie (i.e. pataicco or pataikoi) E. Warwick conj. Polack Anon. conj. [hiccups. (as a stage direction) Leo conj.

[1311] pound] pounds Rowe (ed. 2).

[1312] poisoning?] poysoning? Ff. poysning. Q2 Q3. poysoning. Q4. poisoning. Q5 Q6.

[1313] Ah, ha!] Ah ha, Qq. Oh, ha? F1 F2 F3. Oh ha! F4.

[1314] like] likes Q6.

[1315] Re-enter....] Dyce. Enter.... Qq. Enter.... Ff. (after line 278).

[1316] vouchsafe] Ff Q6. voutsafe Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

[1317] sir,—] sir— Rowe. sir. Qq Ff.

[1318] him?] Qq F1. him. F2 F3 F4.

[1319] rather] Ff. om. Qq.

[1320] more richer] Qq F1. more rich F2 F3 F4. richer Q (1676).

[1321] the doctor] Qq. his doctor F1. F2 F3. this doctor F4.

for, for] Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. for for F1 Q6 for F2 F3 F4.

[1322] far] F4. farre F1 F2 F3. om. Qq.

[1323] Good ... affair.] Prose in Ff. Two lines, the first ending frame, in Qq.

[1324] start] Ff. stare Qq.

from] upon Q6.

my] the Collier MS.

affair] business Q (1676).

[1325] [with great ceremony. Capell.

[1326] of my] Ff. of Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. of the Q6.

[1327] Guil.] Guild. Ff. Ros. Qq.

lord?] Ff Q6. lord. The rest.

[1328] wit's] Q6 F4. wits The rest.

[1329] answer] Q5 Q6. answere Q2 Q3 Q4. answers Ff.

[1330] as you] Qq. you Ff.

[1331] say,—] say— Rowe. say. Qq Ff.

[1332] struck] F4. strooke Qq. stroke F1 F2 F3.

[1333] so] thus Q (1676).

astonish] Ff Q6. stonish Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. 'stonish Capell.

[1334] mother's admiration] mother admiration F3. mother-admiration F4.

admiration?] admiration, Q2 Q3.

[1335] Impart.] Qq. om. Ff.

[1336] So I] Ff. And Qq.

[1337] surely ... upon] Qq. freely of Ff. surely ... of Grant White.

bar] but bar Reed (1803).

[1338] sir] Qq. om. Ff.

grows,—] grows— Pope. growes, Q2 Q3 Q4 F1 F2 F3. grows, Q5 F4. growes; Q6.

[1339] Re-enter....] Dyce. Enter the Players with Recorders. Qq (after line 326). Enter one with a Recorder. Ff.

[1340] recorders] Qq. recorder Ff.

see one. To] Pope. see one, to Qq. see, to F1 F2. see to F3 F4. set one. To Rowe. See note (XVIII).

To ... you:] Marked as 'Aside' by Capell.

you:—] you; Q6. you, The rest.

[1341] love is too unmannerly.] love is not unmannerly. Tyrwhitt conj. love too unmannerly.... Keightley.

[1342] Guil.] Ros. Nicholson conj.

[1343] do] om. Q4 Q5 Q6.

[1344] Guil.] Ros. Staunton conj.

[1345] It is] Qq. 'Tis Ff.

ventages] Qq. ventiges Ff.

[1346] with ... thumb] and the umbo with your fingers Becket conj.

fingers] Qq. finger Ff.

and thumb,] F4. and thumbe F1 F2 F3. & the vmber, Q2 Q3. and the thumb Q4 Q5. and the thumbe, Q6.

[1347] eloquent] Qq. excellent Ff.

[1348] make] would make Johnson.

[1349] the top of] Ff. om. Qq.

[1350] speak] om. Ff.

[1351] 'Sblood] s'bloud Q2 Q3 Q6. s'blood Q4 Q5. Why Ff. om. Q (1676).

I] Qq. that I Ff.

[1352] can fret me] (Q1) Ff. fret me not Qq.

[1353] yet] (Q1) Edd. (Globe ed.) om. Qq Ff.

[1354] Enter Polonius.] As in Capell. After sir!, line 356, in Qq Ff.

[1355] you] your F2.

[1356] yonder] Qq. that Ff.

[1357] cloud ... camel?] Pointed as in Qq. cloud?... camell. F1 F2. cloud, ... camell. F3. cloud, ... camel? F4.

[1358] of] Qq. like Ff.

[1359] camel ... camel] weasel ... weasel Capell.

[1360] By the mass] By'th masse Qq. By th' mass F4. By 'th' misse F1 F2. By th' misse F3.

'tis like] Q4 Q5 Q6. tis, like Q2 Q3. it's like Ff (its F2). 'tis—like Jennens.

[1361] a weasel ... a weasel] an ouzle ... an ouzle Pope, reading black in line 363. a camel ... a camel Capell.

[1362] backed] back'd Ff. back't (Q1). backt Q2 Q3. black Q4 Q5. blacke Q6. beck'd Tollet conj.

[1363] whale?] Ff. whale. Qq.

[1364] I will] Qq. will I Ff.

[1365] They fool me] They fool me [to Hor. Capell.

They ... bent.] A separate line in Ff.

[1366] See note (XIX).

[1367] [Exit Polonius.] Exit. Ff. om. Qq. After said, line 370, in Dyce.

[1368] [Exeunt....] Exeunt Ros. and Gui. Horatio, and the Players, withdraw. Capell. Exe. Rowe. om. Qq Ff.

[1369] breathes] Q6 F3 F4. breaths F1 F2. breakes Q2 Q3 Q4. breaks Q5.

[1370] this] the Q6.

[1371] bitter ... day] Ff. busines as the bitter day Qq. business as day it self Q (1676). business as the better day Warburton. business as the bitter'st day Heath conj. business as the light of day Cartwright conj.

[1372] Soft! now] soft, now Qq. Soft now, Ff.

[1373] lose] Q6. loose The rest.

[1374] not] but not Johnson.

[1375] daggers] Ff Q6. dagger Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

[1376] How ... consent!] Omitted by Pope.

[1377] soever] Q6. somever The rest.

[1378] never, my soul, consent] Pointed as by Capell. never my soule consent Qq Ff.

[Exit.] Q2 Q3 Q4. om. Q5 Ff Q6.

[1379] Scene iii.] Capell. Scene ix. Pope. Scene vii. Warburton. om. Ff.

A ... castle.] Capell, substantially.

[1380] range] rage Pope.

[1381] estate may] estate, may F2 F3 F4.

[1382] near us] neare us Q6. neer's Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. dangerous Ff.

[1383] lunacies] Ff. browes Qq. lunes Theobald. frows Johnson conj. braves Anon. conj.

ourselves provide] provide our selves Pope.

[1384] To keep ... live] One line in Rowe, reading many.

[1385] many many] many F2 F3 F4 and Q (1676). very many Collier (Collier MS.) many-many Staunton.

[1386] The ... bound] One line in Qq. Two, the first ending single, in Ff.

[1387] noyance] 'noyance Hanmer.

[1388] upon] on Pope.

weal] weale Qq. spirit Ff.

depends and rests] depend and rest Hanmer.

[1389] many. The] many: the Q6. many, the The rest.

cease] Ff. cesse Qq. decease Pope.

The cease of] Deceasing Bailey conj.

[1390] it is] It is Ff. or it is Qq. It's Pope.

[1391] summit] Rowe. somnet Qq Ff and Q (1676).

[1392] huge] hough Q2 Q3. hugh Q4.

[1393] mortised] morteist Qq. mortiz'd Ff.

[1394] ruin] ruine Ff. raine Qq.

Never] Ne'er Pope.

[1395] with] Ff. om. Qq.

groan] F3 F4. growne Q4 Q5. grone The rest.

[1396] voyage] viage Q2 Q3. voiage Q4 Q5 Q6.

[1397] about] Qq. upon Ff.

[1398] Ros. Guil.] Steevens (1793). Both. Ff. Ros. Qq.

haste us] make haste Q6.

[Exeunt....] Capell. Exeunt Gent. Qq Ff.

[1399] warrant] warnt Q6.

[1400] speech, of vantage] Theobald. speech of vantage Qq Ff.

[1401] know] heare Q6.

[Exit Polonius.] Capell. Exit. Qq Ff (after know).

[1402] upon't] Ff Q6. uppont Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

[1403] A] That of a Theobald.

murder] murderer S. Walker conj.

can I not] I cannot Q (1676) and Rowe. alas! I cannot Hanmer. can I?—No! Jackson conj. that can I not Seymour conj.

[1404] not, ... will:] Pointed as in Ff. not, ... will, Qq.

[1405] will] 't will Hanmer (Anon. ap. Theobald conj.) th' ill Warburton.

[1406] guilt defeats] guilt, defeats F1 F2 F3.

[1407] neglect. What] neglect: what Q4 Q5 Q6. neglect; what Ff. neglect, what Q2 Q3.

[1408] pardon'd] Ff. pardon Qq.

[1409] fault is] faults is Q4 Q5.

[1410] murder?] murther? Q6. murther, Q2 Q3. murther: Q4 Q5 F1 F2 F3. mother: F4. murther! Pope.

[1411] effects] affects Q4 Q5 Q6.

[1412] pardon'd] pardoned Q4 Q5 Q6.

offence] effects Warburton.

[1413] corrupted currents] Q2 Q3 Q5 Q6. conrupted currents Q4. corrupted currants Ff. corrupt occurrents Anon. conj. MS. and Misc. Obs. on Hamlet, 1752. corrupted 'currents Dyce, ed. 2 (S. Walker conj.)

currents of this world] courts of this bad world Long MS.

[1414] gilded] F1 F4. guilded Q2 Q3 F2 F3. guided Q4 Q5 Q6.

shove] Ff. showe Q2 Q3. show Q4 Q5. shew Q6.

[1415] prize] purse Collier (Collier MS.)

[1416] his] it's Long MS.

and] om. Pope.

[1417] it] aught Hanmer.

can not] can but Warburton.

[1418] angels] angles Q4 Q5.

[1419] heart] hearts Q6.

steel] steale Q2 Q3 Q4.

[1420] [Retires....] Malone. hee kneeles. (Q1). The King kneels. Rowe. Remains in Action of Prayer. Capell. om. Qq Ff.

[1421] Scene x. Pope. Scene ix. Warburton.

it pat, now he is] Ff. it, but now a is Q2 Q3 Q5 Q6. it, bot now a is Q4.

praying] a praying Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

[1422] so he goes] Ff. so a goes Q2 Q3 Q5 Q6. so goes Q4.

[1423] revenged.] revendge, Q2 Q3 Q4. revenged, Q5. reveng'd: F1 F2 F3. reveng'd? Q6. revenged: F4.

[1424] sole] Qq. foule F1 F2 F3. foul F4. fal'n Warburton. fool Heath and Capell conj.

[1425] To heaven] A separate line in Qq. Joined to line 79 in Ff.

[1426] O,] Oh Ff. Why Qq.

hire and salary] hire and salery Ff. base and silly Qq. a reward Q (1676). reward Q (1703).

[1427] He] Ff. A Qq.

bread] blood Mason conj.

[1428] as flush] Qq. as fresh Ff. and flush Warburton.

[1429] and] om. Pope.

[1430] season'd] seasoned Q4 Q5 Q6.

[1431] No.] A separate line in Qq. Ends line 86 in Ff. Omitted by Pope.

[1432] hent] bent F4. time Q (1676) and Rowe. hest Warburton conj. (withdrawn). hint Capell (Theobald conj.)

[1433] drunk asleep] Pointed as in Ff. drunke, asleep Qq. drunk-asleep Johnson.

[1434] incestuous] incestious Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

pleasure] pleasures Q (1676) and Capell.

[1435] game, a-swearing] game a swearing Q2 Q3. game swaring (Q1). game, a swearing Q4 Q5 Q6. gaming, swearing Ff.

[1436] heels may] heele mas Q4 Q5. heele may Q6.

[1437] [Rising] Rises. Capell. The King rises, and comes forward. Theobald om. Qq Ff.

[1438] Scene iv.] Capell. Scene ii. Rowe. Scene xi. Pope. Scene x. Warburton.

The Queen's closet.] Steevens. The Queen's Apartment. Rowe.

Enter Queen....] Ff. Enter Gertrard.... Qq.

[1439] He] Ff. A Qq.

He.... him:] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.

[1440] bear] berre F2.

[1441] screen'd] scree'nd F2 F3.

[1442] sconce me even] Hanmer. silence me even Qq. silence me e'ene F1. silence me e'ne F2 F3 F4. 'sconce me e'en Warburton. silence me in Long MS. See note (XX).

[1443] with him] Ff. om. Qq.

Ham ... mother!] Ff. Omitted in Qq.

[1444] Queen.] Qu., Que. or Queen. Ff. Ger. Qq (and throughout the scene, except line 51).

[1445] I'll ... coming.] Prose by Edd. Two lines, the first ending not, in Qq Ff.

[1446] warrant] Ff Q6. wait Q2 Q3. waite Q4 Q5.

not. Withdraw] not: you withdraw Hanmer, ending the previous line warrant you.

[1447] [Polonius hides....] Polonius hides himself.... Rowe. om. Qq Ff.

Enter Hamlet.] Ff. After round, line 5, in Qq. Enter Hamlet, abruptly. Capell.

[1448] a wicked] Qq. an idle Ff.

[1449] What's the matter now?] Continued to Queen, S. Walker conj.

[1450] And—would ... so!—you] Pointed as in Pope, substantially. And would it were not so, you Qq. But would you were not so. You Ff. But 'would it were not so!—You Theobald conj. (withdrawn).

[1451] set] send Collier MS.

[1452] budge] Q6 F3 F4. boudge The rest.

[1453] go not] go not hence Long MS. reading with F2.

set you up] set up F2 F3 F4.

[1454] glass Where ... you.] glasse. Where ... you? F2 F3 F4.

[1455] inmost] Ff. most Qq. utmost Q (1676).

[1456] Help, help, ho!] Helpe, helpe, hoa. F1 F2. Help, help, hoa. F3 F4. Helpe how. Q2 Q3 Q4. Helpe hoe. Q5. Helpe ho. Q6.

[1457] Help, ... rat?] As one line in Capell, reading What, ho! help!

[1458] [Behind] Capell. Behind the arras. Rowe. on. Ff.

What, ho!... help!] Ff. What how helpe. Q2 Q3 Q4. What hoe helpe. Q5 Q6.

[1459] [Drawing] Draws. Malone, after rat? om. Qq Ff.

[Makes ... arras.] Capell, substantially. om. Qq Ff.

[1460] [Behind] Capell. om. Qq Ff.

[Falls and dies.] Falls forward, and dies. Capell. Killes Polonius. Ff. om. Qq.

what hast] hast F3.

[1461] Nay ... king?] As in Qq Ff. Capell ends line 25 at know not.

[1462] is] was Q (1676).

[1463] kill] Qq F1. killd F2. kill'd F3 F4.

king!] king? Ff Q6. king. Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

'twas] F1 F3 F4. twas F2. it was Qq.

[Lifts ... discovers....] Lifts ... sees.... Dyce. Lifts up the arras, and draws forth Polonius. Capell (after line 26). om. Qq Ff.

[1464] [To Polonius. Pope.

[1465] better] Qq. betters Ff.

[1466] brass'd] brasd Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. bras'd Ff Q6.

[1467] be] Qq. is Ff.

sense] thy sense Q (1703).

[1468] hypocrite] hippocrit Q2 Q3. hipocrit Q4.

off] Ff Q6. of The rest.

[1469] sets] Qq. makes Ff.

[1470] rhapsody] F4. rapsedy Q2 Q3. rapsody Q4 F2 F3. rapsodie Q5 Q6. rapsidie F1.

doth] Ff. dooes Q2 Q3 Q4. does Q5 Q6.

[1471] glow; Yea,] glow, Yea Ff. glowe Ore Q2 Q3. glow Ore Q4 Q5. glow Yea Q6. glow; Yet Smyth conj. MS.

[1472] solidity] solidiry Q4 Q5.

[1473] tristful] F4. tristfull F1 F2 F3. heated Qq.

as against] and, as 'gainst Warburton, reading O'er in line 49.

[1474] act.] act. Ah me, that act! Q (1676).

[1475] Ay ... index?] Prose in Ff. See note (XXI).

[1476] was] om. F2 F3 F4.

this] Q2 Q3. his The rest.

[1477] and] Qq. or Ff.

[1478] New-lighted] New lighted Qq F1. Now lighted F2 F3 F4.

a heaven-kissing] Ff Q6 (Ingleby's copy). a heaue, a kissing Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 (Capell's copy).

[1479] and a] and Q4 Q5 Q6.

[1480] mildew'd] Ff Q6. mildewed Q2 Q3 Q4. mil-dewed Q5.

ear] eare Qq F1. deare F2. deer F3 F4.

[1481] brother] Qq. breath Ff.

[1482] batten] batter Q (1676).

[1483] in the] of the Q (1676).

it's] its F2.

[1484] step] stoop Collier (Collier MS. and Anon. MS.) See note (XXII).

[1485] Sense ... difference.] Qq. Omitted in Ff.

[1486] motion] notion Warburton.

[1487] cozen'd] F3 F4. cosund Q2 Q3. cosond Q4 Q5. cousend F1 F2. couzen'd Q6.

hoodman] Ff. hodman Qq. hobman (Q1).

hoodman-blind] Hyphen omitted in Q2 Q3.

[1488] Eyes ... mope.] Qq. Omitted in Ff.

[1489] Could ... blush?] As in Ff. One line in Qq.

[1490] hell] heat Hanmer.

[1491] mutine] mutiny Q (1676) and Rowe.

[1492] ardour] Pope. ardure Qq Ff.

[1493] And] Qq. As Ff.

panders] Ff. pardons Qq. guerdons Anon. conj. MS.

[1494] eyes into my very] Ff. very eyes into my Qq.

[1495] grained] Ff. greeued Q2 Q3 Q4. grieued Q5. grieved Q6.

[1496] not leave] Ff. leave there Qq.

[1497] enseamed] Ff. inseemed Q2 Q3. incestuous Q4 Q5 Q6.

[1498] sty,—] sty;— Theobald. stie. Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. stye. F1 F2 Q6 F3. sty. F4.

to me] om. Pope.

me no] Qq. me, no Ff.

[1499] in] into Q (1676).

my] Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. mine Ff Q6.

[1500] that is not] that's not the Q (1676). that is not a Keightley.

tithe] tythe Ff. kyth Qq.

[1501] the rule,] a rogue Anon. apud Rann conj.

[1502] pocket!] pocket, a— Seymour conj.

Queen. No more!] Omitted in Q4 Q5 Q6.

No] Oh! no Hanmer.

[1503] patches—] Rowe. patches, Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. patches. Ff Q6. patches, all unseemly. Seymour conj.

Enter Ghost.] As in Dyce. Before line 102 in Qq Ff. Enter the Ghost in his night gowne. (Q1). Enter Ghost unarmed. Collier MS.

[1504] [Starting up. Rowe.

[1505] your] Qq. you Ff. you, Knight.

[1506] Queen. Alas, he's mad!] om. (Q1) and Seymour conj.

he's] hee's Qq. hes F2.

[1507] time] fume Collier MS.

[1508] O, say!] As in Theobald. At the end of the previous line in Qq Ff.

[1509] fighting] sighting Q4. sighing Q5 Q6.

[1510] you do] you doe Qq. you F1. thus you F2 F3 F4.

[1511] the incorporal] th' incorporall Qq. their corporall F1. the corporall F2 F3. th' incorporeal Q (1676). the corporal F4.

[1512] bedded] Q2 Q3 Ff. beaded Q4 Q5 Q6. om. Q (1676).

hairs] Rowe. haire Qq F1 F2. hair F3 F4.

like ... excrements] om. Q (1676).

[1513] Start ... stand] Q2 Q3 Ff. Starts ... stands Q4 Q5 Q6.

an end] Qq Ff. on end Q (1676) and Pope (ed. 2).

[1514] glares] gleres Q5 Q6.

[1515] conjoin'd] conioyned Q4 Q5.

[1516] upon] on Pope.

[1517] effects] affects Singer.

I have] have I F3 F4.

[1518] whom] who F1.

[Pointing to the Ghost. Rowe.

[1519] that is] that's here Q (1676).

is] is there Q4 Q5 Q6.

[1520] steals] stalks Anon. conj. MS. and Misc. Obs. on Hamlet, 1752.

[1521] father, in his habit as] father—in his habit—as Steevens conj.

lived] lives Q4.

[1522] [Exit Ghost.] Qq. Exit. Ff.

[1523] This ... in.] As in Pope. One line in Qq Ff.

[1524] Ecstasy!] Extasie? Ff. om. Qq. What ecstasie? Pope. How! ecstasy! Seymour conj.

[1525] utter'd] uttred Qq. uttered Ff.

[1526] And I the] Ff Q6. And the Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

re-word] re-ward Q (1703).

[1527] Would gambol from. Mother,] Cannot do mother, Q (1676).

[1528] that] Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. a Ff. this Q6.

[1529] Whiles] Qq. Whilst Ff.

mining] running F3 F4.

[1530] what is] what else Seymour conj.

[1531] on] Qq. or Ff. o'er Knight.

[1532] ranker] Q5 Q6. rancker Q2 Q3 Q4. ranke F1 F2. rank F3 F4.

[1533] Forgive ... good.] Marked as 'aside' by Staunton.

[1534] me] om. Pope.

[1535] these] this F1.

[1536] curb] F4. curbe Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 F3. courb F1 Q6. courbe F2.

him] it Pope.

[1537] O Hamlet] As in Qq. A separate line in Ff.

in twain] om. Q (1676).

[1538] O] Then Q (1676).

[1539] live] Ff. leave Qq.

[1540] my] Qq. mine Ff.

[1541] That ... put on.] Qq. Omitted in Ff.

[1542] eat, Of habits devil,] eat, Of habits divell, Q6. eate Of habits deuill, Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. eat Of habit's devil, Rowe. eat, Of habit's devil, Pope. eat Of habits evil, Theobald (Thirlby conj.) eat Of habit's evil, Grant White (Theobald conj. withdrawn). eat Of habits, devil, Johnson. eat, Or habit's devil, Steevens conj. eat, If habit's devil, Becket conj. ape, Oft habits devil,, or ape Of devils' habits or ape, Of habits evil Jackson conj. eat, Oft habits' devil, Staunton. create Of habits, devil Keightley. eat,—O shapeless devil!— Bullock conj.

[1543] on. Refrain to-night] on: refrain to night Q6. on to refraine night Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

Refrain to-night] Put at the end of line 160 in Ff.

[1544] the next more ... potency.] Qq. Omitted in Ff.

[1545] almost can] can almost Rowe.

[1546] And either ... the] And either the Q2 Q3. And Maister the Q4. And master the Q5 Q6. And master ev'n the Pope. And master even the Capell. And either curb the Malone. And either quell the Singer (ed. 1). And either mate the Anon. conj. And wither up the Bullock conj. And either lay the Cartwright conj.

And either house Bailey conj.

[1547] [Pointing to Polonius.] Rowe. om. Qq Ff.

[1548] heaven hath] the heavens have Hanmer.

[1549] me ... me] him with me, and me with this Hanmer. this with me, and me with this Johnson.

[1550] I ... behind.] Aside. Delius conj.

[1551] Thus] Ff Q6. This The rest.

[1552] One ... lady.] Qq. Omitted in Ff. Hark, one ... lady. Capell. But one ... lady. Steevens (1793). One ... good my lady. Keightley.

[1553] the bloat] Warburton. the blowt Qq. the blunt Ff. not the Q (1676). the fond Pope.

again to bed] to bed again Q (1676).

[1554] to ravel Q (1676) and F4. to ravell F1 F2 Q6 F3. rouell Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

[1555] gib] Qq. gibbe Ff. gib-cat Keightley.

[1556] concernings] conceruings Q4. conseruings Q5.

[1557] conclusions, in the basket] F3 F4. conclusions in the basket Qq. conclusions in the basket, F1. conclusions, in the basket, F2.

[1558] breathe] F3 Q6 F4. breath The rest.

[1559] that?] Ff. that. Q2 Q3 Q6. that, Q4 Q5.

Alack,] om. Seymour conj., ending lines 196-199, assured ... life ... said ... that?

[1560] Alack ... on.] As in Capell. Two lines, the first ending forgot, in Qq. One line in Ff.

[1561] on] om. Hanmer.

[1562] There's ... meet.] Qq. Omitted in Ff.

[1563] knavery] naiveté or naiverie Becket conj.

[1564] the sport] true sport Anon. conj.

enginer] Qq. engineer Q (1676) and Pope.

[1565] petar] Qq. petard Johnson.

and't] Theobald. an't Qq. and it Steevens.

[1566] meet.] Q6. meete, Q2 Q3 Q4. meet, Q5.

[1567] shall] will Q (1676).

packing:] packing: I'll pack him: Anon. conj.

[1568] good night. Indeed] Pointed as in Ff. good night indeed, Qq.

[1569] in life] in's life Q6.

foolish] (Q1) Ff. most foolish Qq.

foolish prating] foolish-prating S. Walker conj.

[1570] [Exeunt....] Malone, after Capell. Exit. Qq. Exit Hamlet with the dead body. (Q1). Exit Hamlet tugging in Polonius. Ff.


ACT IV.

Scene I. A room in the castle.

Enter King, Queen, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern.[1571]

King. There's matter in these sighs, these profound heaves:[1572]
You must translate: 'tis fit we understand them.
Where is your son?
[Pg 119]
Queen. Bestow this place on us a little while.

[Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.[1573]

Ah, mine own lord, what have I seen to-night![1574] 5
King. What, Gertrude? How does Hamlet?[1575]
Queen. Mad as the sea and wind, when both contend[1576]
Which is the mightier: in his lawless fit,[1577]
Behind the arras hearing something stir,
Whips out his rapier, cries 'a rat, a rat!'[1578] 10
And in this brainish apprehension kills[1579]
The unseen good old man.
King. O heavy deed!
It had been so with us, had we been there:[1580]
His liberty is full of threats to all,
To you yourself, to us, to every one. 15
Alas, how shall this bloody deed be answer'd?[1581]
It will be laid to us, whose providence
Should have kept short, restrain'd and out of haunt,[1582]
This mad young man: but so much was our love,
We would not understand what was most fit, 20
But, like the owner of a foul disease,
To keep it from divulging, let it feed[1583]
Even on the pith of life. Where is he gone?
Queen. To draw apart the body he hath kill'd:
O'er whom his very madness, like some ore[1584] 25
Among a mineral of metals base,[1585]
[Pg 120] Shows itself pure; he weeps for what is done.[1586]
King. O Gertrude, come away![1587]
The sun no sooner shall the mountains touch,
But we will ship him hence: and this vile deed[1588] 30
We must, with all our majesty and skill,
Both countenance and excuse. Ho, Guildenstern!

Re-enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.[1589]

Friends both, go join you with some further aid:[1590]
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain,
And from his mother's closet hath he dragg'd him:[1591] 35
Go seek him out; speak fair, and bring the body
Into the chapel. I pray you, haste in this.

[Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.[1592]

Come, Gertrude, we'll call up our wisest friends;
And let them know, both what we mean to do,[1593]
And what's untimely done....[1594] 40
Whose whisper o'er the world's diameter[1594]
As level as the cannon to his blank[1594]
Transports his poison'd shot, may miss our name[1594][1595]
And hit the woundless air. O, come away![1594]
My soul is full of discord and dismay. [Exeunt. 45

[Pg 121]

Scene II. Another room in the castle.

Enter Hamlet.[1596]

Ham. Safely stowed.
Ros. } [Within] Hamlet! Lord Hamlet![1597]
Guil.}
Ham. But soft, what noise? who calls on Hamlet?[1598]
O, here they come.

Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.[1599]

Ros. What have you done, my lord, with the dead body? 5
Ham. Compounded it with dust, whereto 'tis kin.[1600]
Ros. Tell us where 'tis, that we may take it thence
And bear it to the chapel.
Ham. Do not believe it.
Ros. Believe what? 10
Ham. That I can keep your counsel and not mine
own. Besides, to be demanded of a sponge! what replication[1601]
should be made by the son of a king?
Ros. Take you me for a sponge, my lord?
Ham. Ay, sir; that soaks up the king's countenance, 15
his rewards, his authorities. But such officers do the king
best service in the end: he keeps them, like an ape, in the[1602]
corner of his jaw; first mouthed, to be last swallowed:
when he needs what you have gleaned, it is but squeezing
[Pg 122] you, and, sponge, you shall be dry again. 20
Ros. I understand you not, my lord.
Ham. I am glad of it: a knavish speech sleeps in a
foolish ear.
Ros. My lord, you must tell us where the body is, and
go with us to the king. 25
Ham. The body is with the king, but the king is not[1603]
with the body. The king is a thing—[1604]
Guil. A thing, my lord?[1605]
Ham. Of nothing: bring me to him. Hide fox, and[1606][1607]
all after. [Exeunt.[1607] 30

Scene III. Another room in the castle.

Enter King, attended.[1608]

King. I have sent to seek him, and to find the body.[1609]
How dangerous is it that this man goes loose!
Yet must not we put the strong law on him:[1610]
He's loved of the distracted multitude,
Who like not in their judgement, but their eyes; 5
And where 'tis so, the offender's scourge is weigh'd,[1611]
But never the offence. To bear all smooth and even,[1612]
This sudden sending him away must seem
[Pg 123] Deliberate pause: diseases desperate grown
By desperate appliance are relieved, 10
Or not at all.

Enter Rosencrantz.[1613]

How now! what hath befall'n?
Ros. Where the dead body is bestow'd, my lord,
We cannot get from him.
King. But where is he?
Ros. Without, my lord; guarded, to know your pleasure.
King. Bring him before us. 15
Ros. Ho, Guildenstern! bring in my lord.

Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern.[1614]

King. Now, Hamlet, where's Polonius?
Ham. At supper.
King. At supper! where?
Ham. Not where he eats, but where he is eaten: a[1615] 20
certain convocation of politic worms are e'en at him. Your[1616]
worm is your only emperor for diet: we fat all creatures
else to fat us, and we fat ourselves for maggots: your fat[1617]
king and your lean beggar is but variable service, two[1618]
dishes, but to one table: that's the end.[1619] 25
King. Alas, alas![1620]
Ham. A man may fish with the worm that hath eat of[1620]
a king, and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm.[1620][1621]
[Pg 124]
King. What dost thou mean by this?
Ham. Nothing but to show you how a king may go a 30
progress through the guts of a beggar.[1622]
King. Where is Polonius?
Ham. In heaven; send thither to see: if your messenger
find him not there, seek him i' the other place yourself.
But indeed, if you find him not within this month, you[1623] 35
shall nose him as you go up the stairs into the lobby.
King. Go seek him there. [To some Attendants.[1624]
Ham. He will stay till you come. [Exeunt Attendants.[1625]
King. Hamlet, this deed, for thine especial safety,[1626]
Which we do tender, as we dearly grieve 40
For that which thou hast done, must send thee hence
With fiery quickness: therefore prepare thyself;[1627]
The bark is ready and the wind at help,[1628]
The associates tend, and every thing is bent[1629]
For England.
Ham. For England?
King. Ay, Hamlet.
Ham. Good.[1630] 45
King. So is it, if thou knew'st our purposes.
Ham. I see a cherub that sees them. But, come; for[1631]
England! Farewell, dear mother.
King. Thy loving father, Hamlet.
Ham. My mother: father and mother is man and 50
wife; man and wife is one flesh, and so, my mother.[1632]
Come, for England! [Exit.
King. Follow him at foot; tempt him with speed aboard;[1633]
Delay it not; I'll have him hence to-night:
[Pg 125] Away! for every thing is seal'd and done 55
That else leans on the affair: pray you, make haste.[1634]

[Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

And, England, if my love thou hold'st at aught—
As my great power thereof may give thee sense,
Since yet thy cicatrice looks raw and red
After the Danish sword, and thy free awe 60
Pays homage to us—thou mayst not coldly set[1635]
Our sovereign process; which imports at full,
By letters congruing to that effect,[1636]
The present death of Hamlet. Do it, England;
For like the hectic in my blood he rages, 65
And thou must cure me: till I know 'tis done,
Howe'er my haps, my joys were ne'er begun. [Exit.[1637]

Scene IV. A plain in Denmark.

Enter Fortinbras, a Captain and Soldiers, marching.[1638]

For. Go, captain, from me greet the Danish king;[1639]
Tell him that by his license Fortinbras
Craves the conveyance of a promised march[1640]
Over his kingdom. You know the rendezvous.[1641]
If that his majesty would aught with us, 5
[Pg 126] We shall express our duty in his eye;[1642]
And let him know so.
Cap. I will do't, my lord.
For. Go softly on.[1643]

[Exeunt Fortinbras and Soldiers.[1643]

Enter Hamlet, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and others.[1643][1644]

Ham. Good sir, whose powers are these?[1643][1645]
Cap. They are of Norway, sir.[1643][1645][1646] 10
Ham. How purposed, sir, I pray you?[1643][1645][1647]
Cap. Against some part of Poland.[1643][1645][1648]
Ham. Who commands them, sir?[1643][1645]
Cap. The nephew to old Norway, Fortinbras.[1645][1649]
Ham. Goes it against the main of Poland, sir,[1645] 15
Or for some frontier?[1645]
Cap. Truly to speak, and with no addition,[1645][1650]
We go to gain a little patch of ground[1645]
That hath in it no profit but the name.[1645]
To pay five ducats, five, I would not farm it;[1645][1651] 20
Nor will it yield to Norway or the Pole[1645]
A ranker rate, should it be sold in fee.[1645][1652]
Ham. Why, then the Polack never will defend it.[1645]
Cap. Yes, it is already garrison'd.[1645][1653]
[Pg 127]
Ham. Two thousand souls and twenty thousand ducats[1645][1654][1655] 25
Will not debate the question of this straw:[1645][1655]
This is the imposthume of much wealth and peace,[1645]
That inward breaks, and shows no cause without[1645]
Why the man dies. I humbly thank you, sir.[1645]
Cap. God be wi' you, sir. [Exit.[1645]
Ros. Will't please you go, my lord?[1645][1656] 30
Ham. I'll be with you straight. Go a little before.[1645]

[Exeunt all but Hamlet.[1645][1657]

How all occasions do inform against me,[1645]
And spur my dull revenge! What is a man,[1645]
If his chief good and market of his time[1645]
Be but to sleep and feed? a beast, no more.[1645] 35
Sure, he that made us with such large discourse,[1645]
Looking before and after, gave us not[1645]
That capability and god-like reason[1645]
To fust in us unused. Now, whether it be[1645][1658]
Bestial oblivion, or some craven scruple[1645] 40
Of thinking too precisely on the event,—[1645]
A thought which, quarter'd, hath but one part wisdom[1645]
And ever three parts coward,—I do not know[1645][1659]
Why yet I live to say 'this thing's to do,'[1645][1659]
Sith I have cause, and will, and strength, and means,[1645] 45
To do't. Examples gross as earth exhort me:[1645]
Witness this army, of such mass and charge,[1645]
Led by a delicate and tender prince,[1645]
Whose spirit with divine ambition puff'd[1645]
Makes mouths at the invisible event,[1645] 50
Exposing what is mortal and unsure[1645]
To all that fortune, death and danger dare,[1645]
Even for an egg-shell. Rightly to be great[1645][1660]
[Pg 128] Is not to stir without great argument,[1645][1660][1661]
But greatly to find quarrel in a straw[1645] 55
When honour's at the stake. How stand I then,[1645]
That have a father kill'd, a mother stain'd,[1645]
Excitements of my reason and my blood,[1645]
And let all sleep, while to my shame I see[1645]
The imminent death of twenty thousand men,[1645][1662] 60
That for a fantasy and trick of fame[1645]
Go to their graves like beds, fight for a plot[1645][1663]
Whereon the numbers cannot try the cause,[1645]
Which is not tomb enough and continent[1645]
To hide the slain? O, from this time forth,[1645][1664] 65
My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth! [Exit.[1645]

Scene V. Elsinore. A room in the castle.

Enter Queen, Horatio, and a Gentleman.[1665]

Queen. I will not speak with her.
Gent. She is importunate, indeed distract:[1666][1667]
Her mood will needs be pitied.[1667]
Queen. What would she have?
Gent. She speaks much of her father, says she hears[1666]
There's tricks i' the world, and hems and beats her heart, 5
Spurns enviously at straws; speaks things in doubt,
[Pg 129] That carry but half sense: her speech is nothing,
Yet the unshaped use of it doth move
The hearers to collection; they aim at it,[1668]
And botch the words up fit to their own thoughts;[1669] 10
Which, as her winks and nods and gestures yield them,[1670]
Indeed would make one think there might be thought,[1671]
Though nothing sure, yet much unhappily.
Hor. 'Twere good she were spoken with, for she may strew[1672]
Dangerous conjectures in ill-breeding minds.[1672] 15
Queen. Let her come in. [Exit Gentleman.[1672][1673][1674]
[Aside] To my sick soul, as sin's true nature is,[1674][1675][1676]
Each toy seems prologue to some great amiss:[1676]
So full of artless jealousy is guilt,[1676]
It spills itself in fearing to be spilt.[1676][1677] 20

Re-enter Gentleman, with Ophelia.

Oph. Where is the beauteous majesty of Denmark?
Queen. How now, Ophelia![1678]
Oph. [Sings] How should I your true love know[1679][1680]
From another one?[1680]
By his cockle hat and staff[1680] 25
[Pg 130] And his sandal shoon.[1680][1681]
Queen. Alas, sweet lady, what imports this song?
Oph. Say you? nay, pray you, mark.[1682]
[Sings] He is dead and gone, lady,[1683][1684][1685]
He is dead and gone;[1684][1685] 30
At his head a grass-green turf,[1685][1686]
At his heels a stone.[1685]
Oh, oh![1687]
Queen. Nay, but, Ophelia,—
Oph. Pray you, mark.
[Sings] White his shroud as the mountain snow,—

Enter King.[1688]

Queen. Alas, look here, my lord. 35
Oph. [Sings] Larded with sweet flowers;[1689]
Which bewept to the grave did go[1690]
With true-love showers.[1691]
King. How do you, pretty lady?[1692]
Oph. Well, God 'ild you! They say the owl was a[1693] 40
baker's daughter. Lord, we know what we are, but know[1694]
not what we may be. God be at your table![1695]
King. Conceit upon her father.
Oph. Pray you, let's have no words of this; but when[1696]
they ask you what it means, say you this: 45
[Sings] To-morrow is Saint Valentine's day,[1697][1698][1699]
[Pg 131] All in the morning betime,[1698][1700]
And I a maid at your window,[1698]
To be your Valentine.[1698]
Then up he rose, and donn'd his clothes,[1701][1702] 50
And dupp'd the chamber-door;[1701][1703]
Let in the maid, that out a maid[1701][1704]
Never departed more.[1701]
King. Pretty Ophelia!
Oph. Indeed, la, without an oath, I'll make an end on't:[1705] 55
[Sings] By Gis and by Saint Charity,[1706][1707]
Alack, and fie for shame![1707]
Young men will do't, if they come to't;[1707]
By cock, they are to blame.[1707][1708]
Quoth she, before you tumbled me,[1709][1710] 60
You promised me to wed.[1710]
He answers:[1711]
So would I ha' done, by yonder sun,
An thou hadst not come to my bed.[1712]
King. How long hath she been thus?[1713]
[Pg 132]
Oph. I hope all will be well. We must be patient: but 65
I cannot choose but weep, to think they should lay him i'[1714]
the cold ground. My brother shall know of it: and so I
thank you for your good counsel. Come, my coach!
Good night, ladies; good night, sweet ladies; good night,[1715]
good night. [Exit.[1715][1716] 70
King. Follow her close; give her good watch, I pray you. [Exit Horatio.[1717]
O, this is the poison of deep grief; it springs[1718]
All from her father's death. O Gertrude, Gertrude,[1719]
When sorrows come, they come not single spies,[1720]
But in battalions! First, her father slain:[1721] 75
Next, your son gone; and he most violent author
Of his own just remove: the people muddied,
Thick and unwholesome in their thoughts and whispers,[1722]
For good Polonius' death; and we have done but greenly,[1723]
In hugger-mugger to inter him: poor Ophelia[1724] 80
Divided from herself and her fair judgement,
Without the which we are pictures, or mere beasts:[1725]
Last, and as much containing as all these,
Her brother is in secret come from France,
Feeds on his wonder, keeps himself in clouds,[1726] 85
And wants not buzzers to infect his ear[1727]
With pestilent speeches of his father's death;
[Pg 133] Wherein necessity, of matter beggar'd,[1728]
Will nothing stick our person to arraign[1729]
In ear and ear. O my dear Gertrude, this, 90
Like to a murdering-piece, in many places[1730][1731]
Gives me superfluous death. [A noise within.[1731]
Queen. Alack, what noise is this?[1732]
King. Where are my Switzers? Let them guard the door.[1733][1734]

Enter another Gentleman.[1734]

What is the matter?[1734]
Gent. Save yourself, my lord:[1734][1735]
The ocean, overpeering of his list, 95
Eats not the flats with more impetuous haste[1736]
Than young Laertes, in a riotous head,
O'erbears your officers. The rabble call him lord;[1737]
And, as the world were now but to begin,[1738]
Antiquity forgot, custom not known,[1738] 100
The ratifiers and props of every word,[1738][1739][1740]
They cry 'Choose we; Laertes shall be king!'[1739][1741]
Caps, hands and tongues applaud it to the clouds,[1742]
'Laertes shall be king, Laertes king!'[1743]
[Pg 134]
Queen. How cheerfully on the false trail they cry! 105
O, this is counter, you false Danish dogs! [Noise within.[1744]
King. The doors are broke.

Enter Laertes, armed; Danes following.[1745]

Laer. Where is this king? Sirs, stand you all without.[1746]
Danes. No, let's come in.[1747]
Laer. I pray you, give me leave.
Danes. We will, we will. 110

[They retire without the door.[1747][1748]

Laer. I thank you: keep the door. O thou vile king,[1749][1750]
Give me my father![1749]
Queen. Calmly, good Laertes.
Laer. That drop of blood that's calm proclaims me bastard;[1751]
Cries cuckold to my father; brands the harlot
Even here, between the chaste unsmirched brow[1752] 115
Of my true mother.
King. What is the cause, Laertes,
That thy rebellion looks so giant-like?
Let him go, Gertrude; do not fear our person:
There's such divinity doth hedge a king,
That treason can but peep to what it would,[1753] 120
Acts little of his will. Tell me, Laertes,[1754]
Why thou art thus incensed: let him go, Gertrude:[1755]
[Pg 135] Speak, man.
Laer. Where is my father?
King. Dead.
Queen. But not by him.[1756]
King. Let him demand his fill. 125
Laer. How came he dead? I'll not be juggled with:
To hell, allegiance! vows, to the blackest devil![1757]
Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit![1758]
I dare damnation: to this point I stand,[1758]
That both the worlds I give to negligence, 130
Let come what comes; only I'll be revenged
Most throughly for my father.
King. Who shall stay you?
Laer. My will, not all the world:[1759]
And for my means, I'll husband them so well,
They shall go far with little.[1760]
King. Good Laertes,[1761] 135
If you desire to know the certainty[1761]
Of your dear father's death, is't writ in your revenge,[1762]
That, swoopstake, you will draw both friend and foe,[1763]
Winner and loser?[1764]
Laer. None but his enemies.
King. Will you know them then?[1765] 140
Laer. To his good friends thus wide I'll ope my arms;[1766]
And, like the kind life-rendering pelican,[1767]
[Pg 136] Repast them with my blood.[1768]
King. Why, now you speak
Like a good child and a true gentleman.
That I am guiltless of your father's death, 145
And am most sensibly in grief for it,[1769]
It shall as level to your judgement pierce[1770]
As day does to your eye.
Danes. [Within] Let her come in.
Laer. How now! what noise is that?

Re-enter Ophelia.[1771]

O heat, dry up my brains! tears seven times salt, 150
Burn out the sense and virtue of mine eye![1772]
By heaven, thy madness shall be paid with weight,[1773]
Till our scale turn the beam. O rose of May![1774]
Dear maid, kind sister, sweet Ophelia!
O heavens! is't possible a young maid's wits 155
Should be as mortal as an old man's life?[1775]
Nature is fine in love, and where 'tis fine[1776][1777]
It sends some precious instance of itself[1776][1777]
After the thing it loves.[1776]
Oph. [Sings] They bore him barefaced on the bier;[1778] 160
Hey non nonny, nonny, hey nonny:[1779]
And in his grave rain'd many a tear,—[1780]
[Pg 137] Fare you well, my dove![1781]
Laer. Hadst thou thy wits, and didst persuade revenge,[1782]
It could not move thus.[1782][1783] 165
Oph. [Sings] You must sing down a-down,[1784]
An you call him a-down-a.[1785]
O, how the wheel becomes it! It is the false steward, that[1786]
stole his master's daughter.
Laer. This nothing's more than matter.[1787] 170
Oph. There's rosemary, that's for remembrance: pray[1788][1789]
you, love, remember: and there is pansies, that's for[1789][1790]
thoughts.
Laer. A document in madness; thoughts and remembrance
fitted. 175
Oph. There's fennel for you, and columbines: there's
rue for you; and here's some for me: we may call it herb[1791]
of grace o' Sundays: O, you must wear your rue with a[1791][1792]
difference. There's a daisy: I would give you some
violets, but they withered all when my father died: they 180
say a' made a good end,—[1793]
[Sings] For bonny sweet Robin is all my joy.[1794]
Laer. Thought and affliction, passion, hell itself,[1795]
She turns to favour and to prettiness.
[Pg 138]
Oph. [Sings] And will a' not come again?[1796][1797] 185
And will a' not come again?[1797]
No, no, he is dead,[1798]
Go to thy death-bed,[1798][1799]
He never will come again.
His beard was as white as snow,[1800] 190
All flaxen was his poll:[1801]
He is gone, he is gone,[1802]
And we cast away moan:[1802]
God ha' mercy on his soul![1803]
And of all Christian souls, I pray God. God be wi' you. 195

[Exit.[1804]

Laer. Do you see this, O God?[1805]
King. Laertes, I must commune with your grief,[1806]
Or you deny me right. Go but apart,
Make choice of whom your wisest friends you will,
And they shall hear and judge 'twixt you and me: 200
If by direct or by collateral hand[1807]
They find us touch'd, we will our kingdom give,[1808]
Our crown, our life, and all that we call ours,
To you in satisfaction; but if not,
Be you content to lend your patience to us,[1809] 205
And we shall jointly labour with your soul
[Pg 139] To give it due content.
Laer. Let this be so;
His means of death, his obscure funeral,[1810]
No trophy, sword, nor hatchment o'er his bones,[1811]
No noble rite nor formal ostentation,[1812] 210
Cry to be heard, as 'twere from heaven to earth,
That I must call't in question.[1813]
King. So you shall;
And where the offence is let the great axe fall.[1814]
I pray you, go with me. [Exeunt.

Scene VI. Another room in the castle.

Enter Horatio and a Servant.[1815]

Hor. What are they that would speak with me?[1816]
Serv. Sea-faring men, sir: they say they have letters for you.[1816][1817]
Hor. Let them come in. [Exit Servant.[1816][1818]
I do not know from what part of the world
I should be greeted, if not from Lord Hamlet.[1819] 5

[Pg 140]

Enter Sailors.[1820]

First Sail. God bless you, sir.[1821][1822]
Hor. Let him bless thee too.
First Sail. He shall, sir, an't please him. There's a[1821][1823]
letter for you, sir; it comes from the ambassador that was[1824]
bound for England; if your name be Horatio, as I am let 10
to know it is.
Hor. [Reads] 'Horatio, when thou shalt have over-looked[1825]
this, give these fellows some means to the king:
they have letters for him. Ere we were two days old at
sea, a pirate of very warlike appointment gave us chase. 15
Finding ourselves too slow of sail, we put on a compelled
valour: and in the grapple I boarded them: on the instant[1826]
they got clear of our ship; so I alone became their prisoner.
They have dealt with me like thieves of mercy:
but they knew what they did; I am to do a good turn[1827] 20
for them. Let the king have the letters I have sent; and
repair thou to me with as much speed as thou wouldest[1828]
fly death. I have words to speak in thine ear will make[1829]
thee dumb; yet are they much too light for the bore of[1830]
the matter. These good fellows will bring thee where I[1830] 25
am. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern hold their course for
England: of them I have much to tell thee. Farewell.[1831]
'He that thou knowest thine, Hamlet.'[1832]
Come, I will make you way for these your letters;[1833]
[Pg 141] And do't the speedier, that you may direct me 30
To him from whom you brought them. [Exeunt.[1834]

Scene VII. Another room in the castle.[1835]

Enter King and Laertes.

King. Now must your conscience my acquittance seal,
And you must put me in your heart for friend,
Sith you have heard, and with a knowing ear,
That he which hath your noble father slain[1836]
Pursued my life.
Laer. It well appears: but tell me 5
Why you proceeded not against these feats,[1837]
So crimeful and so capital in nature,[1838]
As by your safety, wisdom, all things else,[1839]
You mainly were stirr'd up.
King. O, for two special reasons,[1840]
Which may to you perhaps seem much unsinew'd,[1841] 10
But yet to me they're strong. The queen his mother[1842]
Lives almost by his looks; and for myself—
My virtue or my plague, be it either which—[1843]
She's so conjunctive to my life and soul,[1844]
That, as the star moves not but in his sphere, 15
I could not but by her. The other motive,
Why to a public count I might not go,
[Pg 142] Is the great love the general gender bear him;
Who, dipping all his faults in their affection,
Would, like the spring that turneth wood to stone,[1845] 20
Convert his gyves to graces; so that my arrows,[1846]
Too slightly timber'd for so loud a wind,[1847]
Would have reverted to my bow again[1848]
And not where I had aim'd them.[1849]
Laer. And so have I a noble father lost;[1850] 25
A sister driven into desperate terms,
Whose worth, if praises may go back again,[1851]
Stood challenger on mount of all the age[1852]
For her perfections: but my revenge will come.[1853]
King. Break not your sleeps for that: you must not think[1854] 30
That we are made of stuff so flat and dull
That we can let our beard be shook with danger[1855]
And think it pastime. You shortly shall hear more:[1856]
I loved your father, and we love ourself;[1857]
And that, I hope, will teach you to imagine—[1858] 35

Enter a Messenger, with letters.

How now! what news?[1859]
[Pg 143]
Mess. Letters, my lord, from Hamlet:
This to your majesty; this to the queen.[1860]
King. From Hamlet! who brought them?[1861]
Mess. Sailors, my lord, they say; I saw them not:
They were given me by Claudio; he received them 40
Of him that brought them.
King. Laertes, you shall hear them.[1862]
Leave us. [Exit Messenger.[1863]
[Reads] 'High and mighty, You shall know I am set[1864]
naked on your kingdom. To-morrow shall I beg leave[1865]
to see your kingly eyes: when I shall, first asking your[1866][1867] 45
pardon thereunto, recount the occasion of my sudden and[1866][1868][1869]
more strange return.[1869]
'Hamlet.'[1870]
What should this mean? Are all the rest come back?
Or is it some abuse, and no such thing?[1871] 50
Laer. Know you the hand?
King. Tis Hamlet's character. 'Naked!'[1872][1873]
And in a postscript here, he says 'alone.'[1872][1873]
Can you advise me?[1872][1874]
Laer. I'm lost in it, my lord. But let him come;[1875] 55
It warms the very sickness in my heart,
That I shall live and tell him to his teeth,[1876]
'Thus didest thou.'[1877]
King. If it be so, Laertes,—[1878]
As how should it be so? how otherwise?—[1878][1879]
[Pg 144] Will you be ruled by me?[1878]
Laer. Ay, my lord;[1880][1881] 60
So you will not o'errule me to a peace.[1880]
King. To thine own peace. If he be now return'd,[1882]
As checking at his voyage, and that he means[1883]
No more to undertake it, I will work him
To an exploit now ripe in my device,[1884] 65
Under the which he shall not choose but fall:
And for his death no wind of blame shall breathe;
But even his mother shall uncharge the practice,
And call it accident.[1885]
Laer. My lord, I will be ruled;[1886][1887]
The rather, if you could devise it so[1886] 70
That I might be the organ.[1886][1888]
King. It falls right.[1886]
You have been talk'd of since your travel much,[1886]
And that in Hamlet's hearing, for a quality[1886]
Wherein, they say, you shine: your sum of parts[1886]
Did not together pluck such envy from him,[1886] 75
As did that one, and that in my regard[1886]
Of the unworthiest siege.[1886]
Laer. What part is that, my lord?[1886]
King. A very riband in the cap of youth,[1886][1889]
Yet needful too; for youth no less becomes[1886]
The light and careless livery that it wears[1886] 80
Than settled age his sables and his weeds,[1886]
Importing health and graveness. Two months since,[1886][1890]
Here was a gentleman of Normandy:—[1891]
[Pg 145] I've seen myself, and served against, the French,[1892]
And they can well on horseback: but this gallant[1893] 85
Had witchcraft in't; he grew unto his seat,[1894]
And to such wondrous doing brought his horse
As had he been incorpsed and demi-natured[1895]
With the brave beast: so far he topp'd my thought[1896]
That I, in forgery of shapes and tricks, 90
Come short of what he did.[1897]
Laer. A Norman was't?
King. A Norman.
Laer. Upon my life, Lamond.
King. The very same.[1898]
Laer. I know him well: he is the brooch indeed
And gem of all the nation.[1899] 95
King. He made confession of you,[1900]
And gave you such a masterly report,
For art and exercise in your defence,
And for your rapier most especial,[1901]
That he cried out, 'twould be a sight indeed[1902] 100
If one could match you: the scrimers of their nation.[1903][1904]
He swore, had neither motion, guard, nor eye,[1903]
If you opposed them. Sir, this report of his[1903]
Did Hamlet so envenom with his envy[1905]
That he could nothing do but wish and beg 105
Your sudden coming o'er, to play with him.[1906]
Now, out of this—
[Pg 146]
Laer. What out of this, my lord?
King. Laertes, was your father dear to you?[1907]
Or are you like the painting of a sorrow,
A face without a heart?
Laer. Why ask you this? 110
King. Not that I think you did not love your father,
But that I know love is begun by time,[1908]
And that I see, in passages of proof,
Time qualifies the spark and fire of it.
There lives within the very flame of love[1909] 115
A kind of wick or snuff that will abate it;[1909][1910]
And nothing is at a like goodness still,[1909]
For goodness, growing to a plurisy,[1909][1911]
Dies in his own too much: that we would do[1909][1912]
We should do when we would; for this 'would' changes[1909][1913] 120
And hath abatements and delays as many[1909]
As there are tongues, are hands, are accidents,[1909][1914]
And then this 'should' is like a spendthrift sigh,[1909][1913][1915]
That hurts by easing. But, to the quick o' the ulcer:[1909]
Hamlet comes back: what would you undertake,[1916] 125
To show yourself your father's son in deed[1917]
More than in words?
Laer. To cut his throat i' the church.
King. No place indeed should murder sanctuarize;[1918]
Revenge should have no bounds. But, good Laertes,
[Pg 147] Will you do this, keep close within your chamber.[1919] 130
Hamlet return'd shall know you are come home:
We'll put on those shall praise your excellence
And set a double varnish on the fame[1920]
The Frenchman gave you; bring you in fine together[1921]
And wager on your heads: he, being remiss,[1922] 135
Most generous and free from all contriving,
Will not peruse the foils, so that with ease,[1923]
Or with a little shuffling, you may choose
A sword unbated, and in a pass of practice[1924]
Requite him for your father.
Laer. I will do't 140
And for that purpose I'll anoint my sword.[1925]
I bought an unction of a mountebank,
So mortal that but dip a knife in it,[1926]
Where it draws blood no cataplasm so rare,
Collected from all simples that have virtue 145
Under the moon, can save the thing from death
That is but scratch'd withal: I'll touch my point
With this contagion, that, if I gall him slightly,[1927][1928]
It may be death.[1927]
King. Let's further think of this;
Weigh what convenience both of time and means[1929] 150
May fit us to our shape: if this should fail,[1930]
And that our drift look through our bad performance,[1931]
[Pg 148] 'Twere better not assay'd: therefore this project
Should have a back or second, that might hold
If this did blast in proof. Soft! let me see:[1932] 155
We'll make a solemn wager on your cunnings:[1933]
I ha't:[1934][1935]
When in your motion you are hot and dry—[1935][1936]
As make your bouts more violent to that end—[1937]
And that he calls for drink, I'll have prepared him[1938] 160
A chalice for the nonce; whereon but sipping,[1939]
If he by chance escape your venom'd stuck,[1940]
Our purpose may hold there. But stay, what noise?

Enter Queen.[1941]

How now, sweet queen![1942]
Queen. One woe doth tread upon another's heel,[1943] 165
So fast they follow: your sister's drown'd, Laertes.[1944]
Laer. Drown'd! O, where?
Queen. There is a willow grows aslant a brook,[1945]
That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream;[1946]
There with fantastic garlands did she come[1947] 170
Of crow-flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples,
That liberal shepherds give a grosser name,[1948]
But our cold maids do dead men's fingers call them:[1949]
[Pg 149] There, on the pendent boughs her coronet weeds[1950]
Clambering to hang, an envious sliver broke;[1951] 175
When down her weedy trophies and herself[1952]
Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide,
And mermaid-like awhile they bore her up:[1953]
Which time she chanted snatches of old tunes,[1954]
As one incapable of her own distress, 180
Or like a creature native and indued[1955]
Unto that element: but long it could not be
Till that her garments, heavy with their drink,[1956]
Pull'd the poor wretch from her melodious lay[1957]
To muddy death.
Laer. Alas, then she is drown'd![1958] 185
Queen. Drown'd, drown'd.
Laer. Too much of water hast thou, poor Ophelia,
And therefore I forbid my tears: but yet
It is our trick; nature her custom holds,
Let shame say what it will: when these are gone, 190
The woman will be out. Adieu, my lord:
I have a speech of fire that fain would blaze,[1959]
But that this folly douts it. [Exit.[1960]
King. Let's follow, Gertrude:
How much I had to do to calm his rage![1961]
Now fear I this will give it start again; 195
[Pg 150] Therefore let's follow. [Exeunt.

FOOTNOTES:

[1571] Act iv. Scene i.] Q (1676) and Rowe.

A room....] A Royal apartment. Rowe. The same. Capell.

Enter....] Enter King, and Queene, with Rosencraus and Guyldensterne. Qq (Eenter Q2 Q3). Enter King. Ff. Enter the King and Lordes. (Q1).

[1572] There's ... heaves:] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.

matter] Qq. matters Ff.

sighs, these ... heaves:] sighs, these ... heaves; Rowe. sighes, these ... heaves, Qq. sighes. These ... heaves Ff.

[1573] &c. Queen.] Ger. or Gert. in Qq. Bestow ... while.] Qq. Omitted in Ff.

a little while] om. Seymour conj.

[Exeunt....] Q (1676) and Capell. To Ros. and Guild. who go out. Theobald. om. Qq Ff.

[1574] mine own] Qq. my good Ff.

to-night!] to night? Qq Ff.

[1575] Gertrude] Ff. Gertrard Q2 Q3 Q6. Gertrad Q4. Gertard Q5.

How] hast thou seen? and how Seymour conj.

[1576] sea] Qq. seas Ff.

[1577] mightier:] mightier; Rowe. ightier, Q2 Q3 Ff. mightier Q4 Q5 Q6.

fit,] Qq. fit Ff.

[1578] Whips out ... cries] Qq (Whyps Q2 Q3. cryeis Q4 Q5). He whips his Rapier out, and cries Ff.

'a rat, a rat!'] a rat! Pope, reading the rest of the line with Ff.

[1579] this] Qq. his Ff.

[1580] been] Q6 F3 F4. beene Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. bin F1. bine F2.

been] Q2 Q3 F3 Q6 F4. beene Q4 F1 F2. bin Q5.

[1581] answer'd] Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. answered Ff Q6.

[1582] haunt] harm Johnson conj.

[1583] let] Qq. let's F1 F3 F4. lets F2.

[1584] ore] Qq F4. oare F1 F2 F3. or (i.e. gold) Johnson conj.

[1585] metals] metal Mason conj.

[1586] he] Ff. a Qq.

[1587] O] Q2 Q3. Oh Ff. om. Q4 Q5 Q6.

[1588] vile] Qq F4. vilde F1 F2 F3.

[1589] Both ... Guildenstern!] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.

Re-enter ...] Dyce. Enter Ros. & Guild. Qq (after line 31). After excuse in Ff.

[1590] you with] with you Q (1676).

[1591] mother's closet] Mother Clossets F1.

dragg'd] dreg'd Q2 Q3.

[1592] I pray] Pray Pope.

[Exeunt ...] Ex. Ros. and Guild. Rowe. Exit Gent. Ff. om. Qq.

[1593] And let] Qq. To let Ff.

[1594] See note (XXIII).

[1595] his] its Theobald.

poison'd] poysned Q2 Q3 Q4. poysoned Q5 Q6.

[1596] Scene II.] Pope.

Another....] Capell.

Enter Hamlet.] Ff. Enter Hamlet, Rosencraus, and others. Qq.

[1597] Ros. Guil. [Within] ... Hamlet!] Gentlemen within. Hamlet, Lord Hamlet. Ff. Omitted in Qq.

[1598] But soft,] See note (XXIV).

[1599] Enter....] Ff. om. Qq.

[1600] Compounded] Compound Q2 Q3.

'tis kin] it is kin Q4 Q5 Q6. it is akin Q (1676).

[1601] sponge!] sponge!— Steevens. sponge,— Capell. spunge, or spundge, Qq Ff.

[1602] like an ape] Ff. like an apple Qq. like an ape, an apple Farmer conj. like an ape doth nuts Singer, from (Q1).

[1603] with the king, but] not with the king, for Johnson conj.

[1604] a thing—] Ff. a thing. Qq. nothing. Hanmer.

[1605] A thing] Nothing Hanmer.

lord?] Ff Q6. lord. The rest.

[1606] Of nothing:] F1. Of nothing Qq. Of nothing? F2 F3 F4. A thing or nothing Hanmer. Or nothing. Johnson conj.

[1607] Hide ... after.] Ff. Omitted in Qq.

[1608] Scene iii.] Pope.

Another....] Capell.

Enter King, attended.] Capell. Enter King, and two or three. Qq. Enter King. Ff.

[1609] I have] I've Pope.

[1610] on] upon Keightley.

[1611] weigh'd] Ff. wayed Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5. waigh'd Q6.

[1612] never] Qq. neerer F1 F2. nearer F3 F4. ne'er Long MS.

and even] om. Pope. even Jennens (a misprint).

[1613] Enter Rosencrantz.] Enter Rosencraus and all the rest. Qq. Enter Rosencrane. F1. Enter Rosincros. F2 F3 F4.

[1614] Ho, Guildenstern!] Hoa, Guildensterne? F1. Hoa, Guildenstar? F2 F3. Ho, Guildenstare? F4. How, Q2 Q3. Hoe, Q4 Q5. Ho, Q6.

Guildenstern] om. Qq.

my lord] Ff. the lord Qq. the lord Hamlet Q (1676).

Enter ...] Ff. They enter. Qq.

[1615] he is] a is Q2 Q3 Q4.

[1616] convocation] convacation Q2 Q3 Q4.

politic] politique Q2 Q3 Q4. politick Q5 Q6. om. Ff. palated Collier MS.

e'en] om. Pope.

[1617] ourselves] our selfe F1.

[1618] service, two] service to F1.

[1619] but] om. Pope.

[1620] King. Alas, alas! Ham. A ... that worm.] Qq. Omitted in Ff.

[1621] and] om. Q4 Q5 Q6.

[1622] guts] Qq F1. gut F2 F3 F4.

[1623] indeed, if] Ff. indeed if Q6. if indeed Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5.

within] Qq. om. Ff.

[1624] [To some Attendants.] Capell. om. Qq Ff.

[1625] He] Ff. A Qq.

you] Qq. ye Ff.

[Exeunt Attendants.] Capell. om. Qq Ff.

[1626] deed, for thine] Qq. deed of thine, for thine Ff.

[1627] With fiery quickness:] Ff. Omitted in Qq.

therefore] then Pope.

[1628] at help] sits fair Q (1676). at helm Johnson conj.

[1629] is bent] Qq. at bent Ff.

[1630] For England ... Good.] As one line first by Steevens (1793).

England?] F1 Q6 F3 F4. England. The rest.

[1631] sees] knows Seymour conj.

them] Qq. him Ff.

[1632] and so] (Q1) Ff Q6. so The rest.

[1633] Follow ... aboard:] One line in Rowe. Two, the first ending foote, in Qq Ff.

at foot] om. Q (1676).

[1634] [Exeunt ...] Theobald. om. Qq Ff.

[1635] set] let Pope (ed. 2). set by Hanmer. jet Becket conj. rate Anon. conj. see Collier MS. See note (