[Hamlet (Quarto 1) 1.1] [Hamlet (Folio) 1.1]
Actus Primus. Scoena Prima.
Enter Two Centinels.
Enter Barnardo and Francisco two Centinels.
Barnardo.
  1. STand: who is that? 
  2. Tis I.		 WHo's there? 
  Fran. Nay answer me: Stand & vnfold
your selfe. 
  Bar. Long liue the King. 
  Fran. Barnardo? 
  Bar. He.
  1. O you come most carefully vpon your watch,   [10]   Fran. You come most carefully vpon your houre.   [10]
  Bar. 'Tis now strook twelue, 
get thee to bed Francisco. 
  Fran. For this releefe much thankes: 'Tis bitter cold,
And I am sicke at heart. 
  Barn. Haue you had quiet Guard? 
  Fran. Not a Mouse stirring.
  2. And if you meete Marcellus and Horatio,
The partners of my watch, bid them make haste.		   Barn. Well, goodnight. If you do meet Horatio and
Marcellus, the Riuals of my Watch, bid them make hast.
  1. I will: See who goes there.
Enter Horatio and Marcellus.
Enter Horatio and Marcellus.
  Fran. I thinke I heare them. Stand: who's there?
  Hor. Friends to this ground.   [20] 
  Mar. And leegemen to the Dane,		   Hor. Friends to this ground.   [20] 
  Mar. And Leige-men to the Dane.
  Fran. Giue you good night.
O farewell honest souldier, who hath releeued you? 
Barnardo hath my place, giue you good night.		   Mar. O farwel honest Soldier, who hath relieu'd you? 
  Fra. Barnardo ha's my place: giue you goodnight.
                                        Exit Fran.
  Mar. Holla, Barnardo. 
  2. Say, is Horatio there? 
  Hor. A peece of him. 
  2. Welcome Horatio, welcome good Marcellus. 
  Mar. What hath this thing appear'd againe to night.   [30]
   2. I haue seene nothing.
   Mar. Horatio sayes tis but our fantasie,
And wil not let beliefe take hold of him,
Touching this dreaded sight twice seene by vs,
Therefore I haue intreated him a long with vs
To watch the minutes of this night,
That if againe this apparition come,
He may approoue our eyes, and speake to it.
  Hor. Tut, t'will not appeare. 
  2. Sit downe I pray, and let vs once againe   [40]
Assaile your eares that are so fortified,		   Mar. Holla Barnardo. 
  Bar. Say, what is Horatio there?
  Hor. A peece of him.
  Bar. Welcome Horatio, welcome good Marcellus. 
  Mar. What, ha's this thing appear'd againe to night.   [30]
  Bar. I haue seene nothing. 
  Mar. Horatio saies, 'tis but our Fantasie,
And will not let beleefe take hold of him
Touching this dreaded sight, twice seene of vs,
Therefore I haue intreated him along
With vs, to watch the minutes of this Night,
That if againe this Apparition come,
He may approue our eyes, and speake to it. 
  Hor. Tush, tush, 'twill not appeare. 
  Bar. Sit downe a-while,   [40]
And let vs once againe assaile your eares,
That are so fortified against our Story,
What we haue two nights seene. 
  Hor. Wel, sit we downe, and let vs heare Bernardo 
speake of this. 
  2. Last night of al, when yonder starre that's west-
ward from the pole, had made his course to
Illumine that part of heauen. Where now it burnes,		 What we two Nights haue seene. 
  Hor. Well, sit we downe,
And let vs heare Barnardo speake of this. 
  Barn. Last night of all,
When yond same Starre that's Westward from the Pole
Had made his course t'illume that part of Heauen
Where now it burnes, Marcellus and my selfe,
The bell then towling one.   [50] The Bell then beating one.   [50]
Enter Ghost.
Enter the Ghost
  Mar. Breake off your talke, see where it comes againe.   Mar. Peace, breake thee of:
Looke where it comes againe.
  2. In the same figure like the King that's dead, 
  Mar. Thou art a scholler, speake to it Horatio. 
  2. Lookes it not like the king? 
  Hor. Most like, it horrors mee with feare and wonder. 
  2. It would be spoke to. 
  Mar. Question it Horatio. 
  Hor. What art thou that thus vsurps the state, in		   Barn. In the same figure, like the King that's dead. 
  Mar. Thou art a Scholler; speake to it Horatio. 
  Barn. Lookes it not like the King? Marke it Horatio. 
  Hora. Most like: It harrowes me with fear & wonder 
  Barn. It would be spoke too. 
  Mar. Question it Horatio. 
  Hor. What art thou that vsurp'st this time of night,
Together with that Faire and Warlike forme   [60]
Which the Maiestie of buried Denmarke did sometimes
Walke? By heauen I charge thee speake. 
  Mar. It is offended.         exit Ghost.
  2. See, it stalkes away. 
  Hor. Stay, speake, speake, by heauen I charge thee
speake. 
  Mar. Tis gone and makes no answer. 
  2. How now Horatio, you tremble and looke pale,
Is not this something more than fantasie?
What thinke you on't?   [70] 
  Hor. Afore my God, I might not this beleeue, without
the sensible and true auouch of my owne eyes.		 In which the Maiesty of buried Denmarke
Did sometimes march: By Heauen I charge thee speake. 
  Mar. It is offended. 
  Barn. See, it stalkes away. 
  Hor. Stay: speake; speake: I Charge thee,speake. 
Exit the Ghost.
  Mar. 'Tis gone, and will not answer. 
  Barn. How now Horatio? You tremble & look pale:
Is not this something more then Fantasie?
What thinke you on't?   [70] 
  Hor. Before my God, I might not this beleeue
Without the sensible and true auouch
Of mine owne eyes.
  Mar. Is it not like the King? 
  Hor. As thou art to thy selfe,
Such was the very armor he had on,
When he the ambitious Norway combated.
So frownd he once, when in an angry parle
He smot the sleaded pollax on the yce,
Tis strange.   [80] 
  Mar. Thus twice before, and iump at this dead hower,
With Marshall stalke he passed through our watch. 
  Hor. In what particular to worke, I know not,
But in the thought and scope of my opinion,
This bodes some strange eruption to the state. 
  Mar. Good, now sit downe, and tell me he that knowes
Why this same strikt and most obseruant watch,
So nightly toyles the subiect of the land,
And why such dayly cost of brazen Cannon
And forraine marte, for implements of warre,   [90]
Why such impresse of ship-writes, whose sore taske
Does not diuide the sunday from the weeke:
What might be toward that this sweaty march
Doth make the night ioynt labourer with the day,
Who is't that can informe me? 
  Hor. Mary that can I, at least the whisper goes so,
Our late King, who as you know was by Forten-		   Mar. Is it not like the King? 
  Hor. As thou art to thy selfe,
Such was the very Armour he had on,
When th'Ambitious Norwey combatted:
So frown'd he once, when in an angry parle
He smot the sledded Pollax on the Ice.
'Tis strange.   [80] 
  Mar. Thus twice before, and iust at this dead houre,
With Martiall stalke, hath he gone by our Watch. 
  Hor. In what particular thought to work, I know not:
But in the grosse and scope of my Opinion,
This boades some strange erruption to our State. 
  Mar. Good now sit downe, & tell me he that knowes
Why this same strict and most obseruant Watch,
So nightly toyles the subiect of the Land,
And why such dayly Cast of Brazon Cannon
And Forraigne Mart for Implements of warre:   [90]
Why such impresse of Ship-wrights, whose sore Taske
Do's not diuide the Sunday from the weeke,
What might be toward, that this sweaty hast
Doth make the Night ioynt-Labourer with the day:
Who is't that can informe me? 
  Hor. That can I,
At least the whisper goes so: Our last King,
Whose Image euen but now appear'd to vs,
Brasse of Norway,
Thereto prickt on by a most emulous cause, dared to 
The combate, in which our valiant Hamlet,
For so this side of our knowne world esteemed him,
Did slay this Fortenbrasse,
Who by a seale compact well ratified, by law
And heraldrie, did forfeit with his life all those
His lands which he stoode seazed of by the conqueror,
Against the which a moity competent,
Was gaged by our King:		 Was (as you know) by Fortinbras of Norway,
(Thereto prick'd on by a most emulate Pride)   [100]
Dar'd to the Combate. In which, our Valiant Hamlet,
(For so this side of our knowne world esteem'd him)
Did slay this Fortinbras: who by a Seal'd Compact,
Well ratified by Law, and Heraldrie,
Did forfeite (with his life) all those his Lands
Which he stood seiz'd on, to the Conqueror:
Against the which, a Moity competent
Was gaged by our King: which had return'd
To the Inheritance of Fortinbras,
Had he bin Vanquisher, as by the same Cou'nant   [110]
And carriage of the Article designe,
Now sir, yong Fortenbrasse,
Of inapproued mettle hot and full,
Hath in the skirts of Norway here and there,
Sharkt vp a fight of lawlesse Resolutes
For food and diet to some enterprise,		 His fell to Hamlet. Now sir, young Fortinbras,
Of vnimproued Mettle, hot and full,
Hath in the skirts of Norway, heere and there,
Shark'd vp a List of Landlesse Resolutes,
For Foode and Diet, to some Enterprize
That hath a stomacke in't: which is no other
(And it doth well appeare vnto our State)
But to recouer of vs by strong hand
And termes Compulsatiue, those foresaid Lands   [120]
That hath a stomacke in it: and this (I take it) is the So by his Father lost: and this (I take it)
Is the maine Motiue of our Preparations,
Chiefe head and ground of this our watch. The Sourse of this our Watch, and the cheefe head
Of this post-hast, and Romage in the Land.
Enter Ghost.
Enter Ghost againe.
But loe, behold, see where it comes againe,
Ile crosse it, though it blast me: stay illusion,		 But soft, behold: Loe, where it comes againe:
Ile crosse it, though it blast me. Stay Illusion:
If thou hast any sound, or vse of Voyce,
If there be any good thing to be done,
That may doe ease to thee, and grace to mee,   [130]
Speake to mee.   [130]
If thou are priuy to thy countries fate,
Which happly foreknowing may preuent, O speake to me,
Or if thou hast extorted in thy life,
Or hoorded treasure in the wombe of earth,
For which they say you Spirites oft walke in death, speake
to me, stay and speake, speake, stoppe it Marcellus.		 Speake to me. If there be any good thing to be done,
That may to thee do ease, and grace to me; speak to me.   [130]
If thou art priuy to thy Countries Fate
(Which happily foreknowing may auoyd) Oh speake.
Or, if thou hast vp-hoorded in thy life
Extorted Treasure in the wombe of Earth,
(For which, they say, you Spirits oft walke in death)
Speake of it. Stay, and speake. Stop it Marcellus.
  Mar. Shall I strike at it with my Partizan? 
  Hor. Do, if it will not stand.
  2. Tis heere.        exit Ghost.
  Hor. Tis heere.   [140]		   Barn. 'Tis heere. 
  Hor. 'Tis heere.   [140]
  Marc.   Mar. 'Tis gone.         Exit Ghost. 
            Tis gone, O we doe it wrong, being so maiesti-
call, to offer it the shew of violence,
For it is as the ayre invelmorable,
And our vaine blowes malitious mockery. 
  2. It was about to speake when the Cocke crew. 
  Hor. And then it faded like a guilty thing,
Vpon a fearefull summons: I haue heard
The Cocke, that is the trumpet to the morning,
Doth with his earely and shrill crowing throate,   [150]
Awake the god of day, and at his sound,
Whether in earth or ayre, in sea or fire,
The strauagant and erring spirite hies
To his confines, and of the trueth heereof
This present obiect made probation. 
  Marc. It faded on the crowing of the Cocke,
Some say, that euer gainst that season comes,
Wherein our Sauiours birth is celebrated,
The bird of dawning singeth all night long,
And then they say, no spirite dare walke abroade,   [160]
The nights are wholesome, then no planet frikes,
No Fairie takes, nor Witch hath powre to charme,
So gratious, and so hallowed is that time. 
  Hor. So haue I heard, and doe in parte beleeue it:
But see the Sunne in russet mantle clad,
Walkes ore the deaw of yon hie mountaine top,
Breake we our watch vp, and by my aduise,
Let vs impart what wee haue seene to night
Vnto yong H amlet:: for vpon my life
This Spirite dumbe to vs will speake to him:   [170]
Do you consent, wee shall acquaint him with it,
As needefull in our loue, fitting our duetie? 
  Marc. Lets doo't I pray, and I this morning know,
Where we shall finde him most conueniently.		 We do it wrong, being so Maiesticall
To offer it the shew of Violence,
For it is as the Ayre, invulnerable,
And our vaine blowes, malicious Mockery. 
  Barn. It was about to speake, when the Cocke crew. 
  Hor. And then it started, like a guilty thing
Vpon a fearfull Summons. I haue heard,
The Cocke that is the Trumpet to the day,
Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding Throate   [150]
Awake the God of Day: and at his warning,
Whether in Sea, or Fire, in Earth, or Ayre,
Th'extrauagant, and erring Spirit, hyes
To his Confine. And of the truth heerein,
This present Obiect made probation. 
  Mar. It faded on the crowing of the Cocke.
Some sayes, that euer 'gainst that Season comes
Wherein our Sauiours Birth is celebrated,
The Bird of Dawning singeth all night long:
And then (they say) no Spirit can walke abroad,   [160]
The nights are wholsome, then no Planets strike,
No Faiery talkes, nor Witch hath power to Charme:
So hallow'd, and so gracious is the time. 
  Hor. So haue I heard, and do in part beleeue it.
But looke, the Morne in Russet mantle clad,
Walkes o're the dew of yon high Easterne Hill,
Breake we our Watch vp, and by my aduice
Let vs impart what we haue seene to night
Vnto yong Hamlet. For vpon my life,
This Spirit dumbe to vs, will speake to him:   [170]
Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it,
As needfull in our Loues, fitting our Duty? 
  Mar. Let do't I pray, and I this morning know
Where we shall finde him most conueniently.               Exeunt

[Hamlet (Quarto 1) 1.2]
[Hamlet (Folio) 1.2]
Scena Secunda.
Enter King, Queene, H amlet, Leartes, Corambis,
and the two Ambassadors, with Attendants.
Enter Claudius King of Denmarke, Gertrude the Queene,Hamlet, Polonius, Laertes, and his Sister O-
phelia, Lords Attendant..
  King. Though yet of Hamlet our deere Brothers death
The memory be greene: and that it vs befitted   [180]
To beare our hearts in greefe, and our whole Kingdome
To be contracted in one brow of woe:
Yet so farre hath Discretion fought with Nature,
That we with wisest sorrow thinke on him,
Together with remembrance of our selues.
Therefore our sometimes Sister, now our Queen,
Th'Imperiall Ioyntresse of this warlike State,
Haue we, as 'twere, with a defeated ioy,
With one Auspicious, and one Dropping eye,
With mirth in Funerall, and with Dirge in Marriage,   [190]
In equall Scale weighing Delight and Dole
Taken to Wife; nor haue we heerein barr'd
Your better Wisedomes, which haue freely gone
With this affaire along, for all our Thankes.
Now followes, that you know young Fortinbras,
Holding a weake supposall of our worth;
Or thinking by our late deere Brothers death,
Our State to be disioynt, and out of Frame,
Colleagued with the dreame of his Aduantage;
He hath not fayl'd to pester vs with Message,   [200]
Importing the surrender of those Lands
Lost by his Father: with all Bonds of Law
To our most valiant Brother. So much for him.
Enter Voltemand and Cornelius.

Now for our selfe, and for this time of meeting
  King Lordes, we here haue writ to Fortenbrasse,
Nephew to olde Norway, who impudent
And bed-rid, scarcely heares of this his
Nephews purpose: and Wee heere dispatch		 Thus much the businesse is. We haue heere writ
To Norway, Vncle of young Fortinbras,
Who Impotent and Bedrid, scarsely heares
Of this his Nephewes purpose, to suppresse
His further gate heerein. In that the Leuies,   [210]
The Lists, and full proportions are all made
Out of his subiect: and we heere dispatch
Yong good Cornelia, and you Voltemar
For bearers of these greetings to olde
Norway, giuing to you no further personall power
To businesse with the King,
Then those related articles do shew:
Farewell, and let your haste commend your dutie. 
  Gent. In this and all things will wee shew our dutie. 
  King. Wee doubt nothing, hartily farewel:   [220]		 You good Cornelius, and you Voltemand,
For bearing of this greeting to old Norway,
Giuing to you no further personall power
To businesse with the King, more then the scope
Of these dilated Articles allow:
Farewell, and let your hast commend your duty. 
  Volt. In that, and all things, will we shew our duty. 
  King. We doubt it nothing, heartily farewell.   [220]
Exit Voltemand and Cornelius.
And now Leartes, what's the news with you?
You said you had a sute what i'st Leartes?		 And now Laertes, what's the newes with you?
You told vs of some suite. What is't Laertes?
You cannot speake of Reason to the Dane,
And loose your voyce. What would'st thou beg Laertes,
That shall not be my Offer, not thy Asking?
The Head is not more Natiue to the Heart,
The Hand more instrumentall to the Mouth,
Then is the Throne of Denmarke to thy Father.
What would'st thou haue Laertes?   [230]
  Lea. My gratious Lord, your fauorable licence,
Now that the funerall rites are all performed,
I may haue leaue to go againe to France,
For though the fauour of your grace might stay mee,
Yet something is there whispers in my hart,
Which makes my minde and spirits bend all for France.		   Laer. Dread my Lord,
Your leaue and fauour to returne to France,
From whence, though willingly I came to Denmarke
To shew my duty in your Coronation,
Yet now I must confesse, that duty done,
My thoughts and wishes bend againe towards France,
And bow them to your gracious leaue and pardon.
  King: Haue you your fathers leaue, Leartes?   King. Haue you your Fathers leaue?
What sayes Pollonius?
  Cor. He hath, my lord, wrung from me a forced graunt, 
And I beseech you grant your Highnesse leaue. 
  King With all our heart, Leartes fare thee well.		   Pol. He hath my Lord:   [240]
I do beseech you giue him leaue to go. 
  King. Take thy faire houre Laertes, time be thine,
  Lear. I in all loue and dutie take my leaue.
And thy best graces spend it at thy will:
  King. And now princely Sonne Hamlet,          Exit. But now my Cosin Hamlet, and my Sonne?
  Ham. A little more then kin, and lesse then kinde.
  King. How is it that the Clouds still hang on you? 
  Ham. Not so my Lord, I am too much i'th' Sun.
What meanes these sad and melancholy moodes?   Queen. Good Hamlet cast thy nightly colour off,
For your intent going to Wittenburg,
Wee hold it most vnmeet and vnconuenient,
Being the Ioy and halfe heart of your mother.
Therefore let mee intreat you stay in Court,
All Denmarkes hope our coosin and dearest Sonne. And let thine eye looke like a Friend on Denmarke.
Do not for euer with thy veyled lids   [250]
Seeke for thy Noble Father in the dust;
Thou know'st 'tis common, all that liues must dye,
Passing through Nature, to Eternity. 
  Ham. I Madam, it is common. 
  Queen. If it be;
Why seemes it so particular with thee.
  Ham.   Ham. Seemes Madam? Nay, it is: I know not Seemes:
             My lord, ti's not the sable sute I weare: 'Tis not alone my Inky Cloake (good Mother)
Nor Customary suites of solemne Blacke,
Nor windy suspiration of forc'd breath,   [260]
No nor the teares that still stand in my eyes,
Nor the distracted hauiour in the visage,
Nor all together mixt with outward semblance,
Is equall to the sorrow of my heart,		 No, nor the fruitfull Riuer in the Eye,
Nor the deiected hauiour of the Visage,
Together with all Formes, Moods, shewes of Griefe,
That can denote me truly. These indeed Seeme,
For they are actions that a man might play:
Him haue I lost I must of force forgoe,
These but the ornaments and sutes of woe. 
  King This shewes a louing care in you, Sonne Hamlet,		 But I haue that Within, which passeth show;
These, but the Trappings, and the Suites of woe. 
  King. 'Tis sweet and commendable In your Nature 
Hamlet,
To giue these mourning duties to your Father:   [270]
But you must thinke your father lost a father,
That father dead, lost his, and so shalbe vntill the
Generall ending. Therefore cease laments,		 But you must know, your Father lost a Father,
That Father lost, lost his, and the Suruiuer bound
In filiall Obligation, for some terme
To do obsequious Sorrow. But to perseuer
In obstinate Condolement, is a course
Of impious stubbornnesse. 'Tis vnmanly greefe,
It shewes a will most incorrect to Heauen,
A Heart vnfortified, a Minde impatient,
An Vnderstanding simple, and vnschool'd:
For, what we know must be, and is as common   [280]
As any the most vulgar thing to sence,
Why should we in our peeuish Opposition
It is a fault gainst heauen, fault gainst the dead,
A fault gainst nature, and in reasons		 Take it to heart? Fye, 'tis a fault to Heauen,
A fault against the Dead, a fault to Nature,
To Reason most absurd, whose common Theame
Is death of Fathers, and who still hath cried,
Common course most certaine,
None liues on earth, but hee is borne to die.		 From the first Coarse, till he that dyed to day,
This must be so. We pray you throw to earth
This vnpreuayling woe, and thinke of vs
As of a Father; For let the world take note,   [290]
You are the most immediate to our Throne,
And with no lesse Nobility of Loue,
Then that which deerest Father beares his Sonne,
Do I impart towards you. For your intent
In going backe to Schoole in Wittenberg,
It is most retrograde to our desire:
And we beseech you, bend you to remaine
Heere in the cheere and comfort of our eye,
Our cheefest Courtier Cosin, and our Sonne.
  Que. Let not thy mother loose her praiers H amlet,
Stay here with vs, go not to Wittenburg. 
  Ham. I shall in all my best obay you madam. 
  King. Spoke like a kinde and a most louing Sonne,		   Qu. Let not thy Mother lose her Prayers Hamlet:   [300]
I prythee stay with vs, go not to Wittenberg. 
  Ham. I shall in all my best Obey you Madam. 
  King. Why 'tis a louing, and a faire Reply,
Be as our selfe in Denmarke. Madam come,
This gentle and vnforc'd accord of Hamlet
Sits smiling to my heart; in grace whereof,
And there's no health the King shall drinke to day,
But the great Canon to the clowdes shall tell
The rowse the King shall drinke vnto Prince Hamlet.		 No iocond health that Denmarke drinkes to day,
But the great Cannon to the Clowds shall tell,
And the Kings Rouce, the Heauens shall bruite againe,   [310]
Respeaking earthly Thunder. Come away.           Exeunt
Exeunt all but H amlet.
Manet Hamlet.
  Ham. O that this too much grieu'd and sallied flesh
Would melt to nothing, or that the vniuersall
Globe of heauen would turne al to a Chaos!
O God,		 Ham. Oh that this too too solid Flesh, would melt,
Thaw, and resolue it selfe into a Dew:
Or that the Euerlasting had not fixt
His Cannon 'gainst Selfe-slaughter. O God, O God!
How weary, stale, flat, and vnprofitable
Seemes to me all the vses of this world?
Fie on't? Oh fie, fie, 'tis an vnweeded Garden
That growes to Seed: Things rank, and grosse in Nature   [320]
Possesse it meerely. That it should come to this:
                within two months; no not two: married, But two months dead: Nay, not so much; not two,
So excellent a King, that was to this
Hiperion to a Satyre: so louing to my Mother,
That he might not beteene the windes of heauen
Visit her face too roughly. Heauen and Earth
Must I remember: why she would hang on him,
As if encrease of Appetite had growne
By what it fed on; and yet within a month?
Mine vncle: O let me not thinke of it,      [330] Let me not thinke on't: Frailty, thy name is woman.   [330]
My fathers brother: but no more like
My father, then I to Hercules.
Within two months, ere yet the salt of most
Vnrighteous teares had left their flushing
In her galled eyes: she married, O God, a beast
Deuoyd of reason would not haue made
Such speede: Frailtie, thy name is Woman,   [330]
Why she would hang on him, as if increase
Of appetite had growne by what it looked on.
A little Month, or ere those shooes were old,
With which she followed my poore Fathers body
Like Niobe, all teares. Why she, euen she.
(O Heauen! A beast that wants discourse of Reason
Would haue mourn'd longer) married with mine Vnkle,
My Fathers Brother: but no more like my Father,
Then I to Hercules. Within a Moneth?
Ere yet the salt of most vnrighteous Teares
Had left the flushing of her gauled eyes,
O wicked wicked speede, to make such   [340]
Dexteritie to incestuous sheetes,		 She married. O most wicked speed, to post   [340]
With such dexterity to Incestuous sheets:
Ere yet the shooes were olde, 
The which she followed my dead fathers corse
Like Nyobe, all teares: married, well it is not,
Nor it cannot come to good:
But breake my heart, for I must holde my tongue.		 It is not, nor it cannot come to good.
But breake my heart, for I must hold my tongue.
Enter Horatio and Marcellus.
Enter Horatio, Barnard, and Marcellus.

  Hor. Health to your Lordship. 
  Ham. I am very glad to see you, (Horatio) or I much
forget my selfe. 
  Hor. The same my Lord, and your poore seruant euer.
  Hor. Haile to your Lordship. 
  Ham. I am glad to see you well:
Horatio, or I do forget my selfe. 
  Hor. The same my Lord,
And your poore Seruant euer.
  Ham. O my good friend, I change that name with you:    Ham. Sir my good friend,   [350]
Ile change that name with you:
but what make you from Wittenburg Horatio?
Marcellus.
  Marc. My good Lord. 
  Ham. I am very glad to see you, good euen sirs:
But what is your affaire in Elsenoure?		 And what make you from Wittenberg Horatio?
Marcellus. 
  Mar. My good Lord. 
  Ham. I am very glad to see you: good euen Sir.
But what in faith make you from Wittemberge?
Weele teach you to drinke deepe ere you depart.
  Hor. A trowant disposition, my good Lord. 
  Ham. 
            Nor shall you make mee truster 
Of your owne report against your selfe:   [360]
Sir, I know you are no trowant:
But what is your affaire in Elsenoure?		   Hor. A truant disposition, good my Lord. 
  Ham. I would not haue your Enemy say so;
Nor shall you doe mine eare that violence,
To make it truster of your owne report   [360]
Against your selfe. I know you are no Truant:
But what is your affaire in Elsenour?
Wee'l teach you to drinke deepe, ere you depart.
  Hor. My good Lord, I came to see your fathers funerall. 
  Ham. O I pre thee do not mocke mee fellow studient,
I thinke it was to see my mothers wedding. 
  Hor. Indeede my Lord, it followed hard vpon. 
  Ham. Thrift, thrift, Horatio, the funerall bak't meates
Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables,
Would I had met my deerest foe in heauen   [370]
Ere euer I had seene that day Horatio;
O my father, my father, me thinks I see my father. 
  Hor. Where my Lord? 
  Ham. Why, in my mindes eye Horatio. 
  Hor. I saw him once, he was a gallant King. 
  Ham. He was a man, take him for all in all,
I shall not looke vpon his like againe. 
  Hor. My Lord, I thinke I saw him yesternight, 
  Ham. Saw, who? 
  Hor. My Lord, the King your father.   [380] 
  Ham. Ha, ha, the King my father ke you. 
  Hor. Ceasen your admiration for a while
With an attentiue eare, till I may deliuer,
Vpon the witnesse of these Gentlemen
This wonder to you. 
  Ham. For Gods loue let me heare it. 
  Hor. Two nights together had these Gentlemen,
Marcellus and Bernardo, on their watch,
In the dead vast and middle of the night.
Beene thus incountered by a figure like your father,   [390] Armed to poynt, exactly Capapea
Appeeres before them thrise, he walkes
Before their weake and feare oppressed eies
Within his tronchions length,
While they distilled almost to gelly.
With the act of feare stands dumbe,
And speake not to him: this to mee
In dreadfull secresie impart they did.
And I with them the third night kept the watch,
Where as they had deliuered forme of the thing.   [400]
Each part made true and good,
The Apparition comes: I knew your father,
These handes are not more like.		   Hor. My Lord, I came to see your Fathers Funerall. 
  Ham. I pray thee doe not mock me (fellow Student)
I thinke it was to see my Mothers Wedding. 
  Hor. Indeed my Lord, it followed hard vpon. 
  Ham. Thrift thrift Horatio: the Funerall Bakt-meats
Did coldly furnish forth the Marriage Tables;
Would I had met my dearest foe in heauen,   [370]
Ere I had euer seene that day Horatio.
My father, me thinkes I see my father. 
  Hor. Oh where my Lord? 
  Ham. In my minds eye ( Horatio) 
  Hor. I saw him once; he was a goodly King. 
  Ham. He was a man, take him for all in all:
I shall not look vpon his like againe. 
  Hor. My Lord, I thinke I saw him yesternight. 
  Ham. Saw? Who? 
  Hor. My Lord, the King your Father.   [380] 
  Ham. The King my Father? 
  Hor. Season your admiration for a while
With an attent eare; till I may deliuer
Vpon the witnesse of these Gentlemen,
This maruell to you. 
  Ham. For Heauens loue let me heare. 
  Hor. Two nights together, had these Gentlemen
( Marcellus and Barnardo) on their Watch
In the dead wast and middle of the night
Beene thus encountred. A figure like your Father,   [390]
Arm'd at all points exactly, Cap a Pe,
Appeares before them, and with sollemne march
Goes slow and stately: By them thrice he walkt,
By their opprest and feare-surprized eyes,
Within his Truncheons length; whilst they bestil'd
Almost to Ielly with the Act of feare,
Stand dumbe and speake not to him. This to me
In dreadfull secrecie impart they did,
And I with them the third Night kept the Watch,
Whereas they had deliuer'd both in time,   [400]
Forme of the thing; each word made true and good,
The Apparition comes. I knew your Father:
These hands are not more like.
  Ham. Tis very strange. 
  Hor. As I do liue, my honord lord, tis true,
And wee did thinke it right done,
In our dutie to let you know it.
  Ham. Where was this? 
  Mar. My Lord, vpon the platforme where we watched. 
  Ham. Did you not speake to it? 
  Hor. My Lord we did, but answere made it none,
Yet once me thought it was about to speake,
And lifted vp his head to motion,
Like as he would speake, but euen then   [410]
The morning cocke crew lowd, and in all haste,
It shruncke in haste away, and vanished
Our sight.		   Ham. But where was this? 
  Mar. My Lord, vpon the platforme where we watcht
  Ham. Did you not speake to it? 
  Hor. My Lord, I did;
But answere made it none: yet once me thought
It lifted vp it head, and did addresse
It selfe to motion, like as it would speake:   [410]
But euen then, the Morning Cocke crew lowd;
And at the sound it shrunke in hast away,
And vanisht from our sight.
  Ham. Tis very strange. 
  Hor. As I doe liue my honourd Lord 'tis true;
And we did thinke it writ downe in our duty
To let you know of it.
  Ham. Indeed, indeed sirs, but this troubles me:
Hold you the watch to night?
All We do my Lord.   [420] 
  Ham. Armed say ye? 
  All Armed my good Lord. 
  Ham. From top to toe? 
  All. My good Lord, from head to foote. 
  Ham. When then saw you not his face? 
  Hor. O yes my Lord, he wore his beuer vp. 
  Ham. How look't he, frowningly? 
  Hor. A countenance more in sorrow than in anger. 
  Ham. Pale, or red? 
  Hor. Nay, verie pal   [430] 
  Ham. And fixt his eies vpon you. 
  Hor. Most constantly. 
  Ham. I would I had beene there. 
  Hor. It would a much amazed you. 
  Ham. Yea very like, very like, staid it long? 
  Hor. While one with moderate pace		   Ham. Indeed, indeed Sirs; but this troubles me.
Hold you the watch to Night? 
  Both. We doe my Lord.   [420] 
  Ham. Arm'd, say you? 
  Both. Arm'd, my Lord. 
  Ham. From top to toe? 
  Both. My Lord, from head to foote. 
  Ham. Then saw you not his face? 
  Hor. O yes, my Lord, he wore his Beauer vp. 
  Ham. What, lookt he frowningly? 
  Hor. A countenance more in sorrow then in anger. 
  Ham. Pale, or red? 
  Hor. Nay very pale.   [430] 
  Ham. And fixt his eyes vpon you? 
  Hor. Most constantly. 
  Ham. I would I had beene there. 
  Hor. It would haue much amaz'd you. 
  Ham. Very like, very like: staid it long?              ((dred. 
  Hor. While one with moderate hast might tell a hun-
Might tell a hundred.
  Mar. O longer, longer.   All. Longer, longer.
  Hor. Not when I saw't.
  Ham. His beard was grisleld, no. 
  Hor. It was as I haue seene it in his life,   [440]
A sable siluer. 
  Ham. I wil watch to night, perchance t'wil walke againe. 
  Hor. I warrant it will. 
  Ham. If it assume my noble fathers person,
Ile speake to it, if hell if selfe should gape,
And bid me hold my peace, Gentlemen,
If you haue hither consealed this sight,
Let it be tenible in your silence still,
And whatsoeuer else shall chance to night,
Giue it an vnderstanding, but no tongue,   [450]
I will requit your loues, so fare you well,
Vpon the platforme, twixt eleuen and twelue,
Ile visit you.  All. Our duties to your honor.        excunt.
  Ham. O your loues, your loues, as mine to you,
Farewell, my fathers spirit in Armes,
Well, all's not well. I doubt some foule play,
Would the night were come,
Till then, sit still my soule, foule deeds will rise
Though all the world orewhelme them to mens eies.   Exit.		   Ham. His Beard was grisly? no. 
  Hor. It was, as I haue seene it in his life,   [440]
A Sable Siluer'd.                                                   ((gaine.
  Ham. Ile watch to Night; perchance 'twill wake a- 
  Hor. I warrant you it will. 
  Ham. If it assume my noble Fathers person,
Ile speake to it, though Hell it selfe should gape
And bid me hold my peace. I pray you all,
If you haue hitherto conceald this sight;
Let it bee treble in your silence still:
And whatsoeuer els shall hap to night,
Giue it an vnderstanding but no tongue;   [450]
I will requite your loues; so, fare ye well:
Vpon the Platforme twixt eleuen and twelue,
Ile visit you.  All. Our duty to your Honour.        Exeunt.
  Ham. Your loue, as mine to you: farewell.
My Fathers Spirit in Armes? All is not well:
I doubt some foule play: would the Night were come;

Till then sit still my soule; foule deeds will rise,
Though all the earth orewhelm them to mens eies.   Exit.

[Hamlet (Quarto 1) 1.3]
[Hamlet (Folio) 1.3]
Scena Tertia.
Enter Leartes and Ofelia.
Enter Laertes and Ophelia.

  Leart. My necessaries are inbarkt, I must aboord,
  Laer. My necessaries are imbark't; Farewell:
And Sister, as the Winds giue Benefit, 
And Conuoy is assistant; doe not sleepe,
But ere I part, marke what I say to thee: But let me heare from you.
  Ophel. Doe you doubt that? 
  Laer. For Hamlet, and the trifling of his fauours,
Hold it a fashion and a toy in Bloud;
A Violet in the youth of Primy Nature;
Froward, not permanent; sweet not lasting   [470]
The suppliance of a minute? No more. 
  Ophel. No more but so. 
  Laer. Thinke it no more:
For nature cressant does not grow alone,
In thewes and Bulke: but as his Temple waxes,
The inward seruice of the Minde and Soule
Growes wide withall. Perhaps he loues you now,
And now no soyle nor cautell doth besmerch
The vertue of his feare: but you must feare
His greatnesse weigh'd, his will is not his owne;   [480]
For hee himselfe is subiect to his Birth:
Hee may not, as vnuallued persons doe,
Carue for himselfe; for, on his choyce depends
The sanctity and health of the weole State.
And therefore must his choyce be circumscrib'd
Vnto the voyce and yeelding of that Body,
I see Prince Hamlet makes a shew of loue Whereof he is the Head. Then if he sayes he loues you,
It fits your wisedome so farre to beleeue it;
As he in his peculiar Sect and force
May giue his saying deed: which is no further,   [490]
Then the maine voyce of Denmarke goes withall.
Then weigh what losse your Honour may sustaine,
If with too credent eare you list his Songs;
Or lose your Heart; or your chast Treasure open
To his vnmastred importunity.
Beware Ofelia, do not trust his vowes,
Perhaps he loues you now, and now his tongue,
Speakes from his heart, but yet take heed my sister,
The Chariest maide is prodigall enough,
If she vnmaske hir beautie to the Moone.   [500]
Vertue it selfe scapes not calumnious thoughts,		 Feare it Ophelia, feare it my deare Sister,
And keepe within the reare of your Affection;
Out of the shot and danger of Desire.
The chariest Maid is Prodigall enough,
If she vnmaske her beauty to the Moone:   [500]
Vertue it selfe scapes not calumnious stroakes,
The Canker Galls, the Infants of the Spring
Too oft before the buttons be disclos'd,
And in the Morne and liquid dew of Youth,
Contagious blastments are most imminent.
Belieu't Ofelia, therefore keepe a loofe
Lest that he trip thy honor and thy fame. 
  Ofel. Brother, to this I haue lent attentiue eare,		 Be wary then, best safety lies in feare;
Youth to it selfe rebels, though none else neere. 
  Ophe. I shall th'effect of this good Lesson keepe,
And doubt not but to keepe my honour firme,
But my deere brother, do not you
Like to a cunning Sophister,   [510]
Teach me the path and ready way to heauen,		 As watchmen to my heart: but good my Brother
Doe not as some vngracious Pastors doe,   [510]
Shew me the steepe and thorny way to Heauen;
While you forgetting what is said to me,
Your selfe, like to a carelesse libertine
Doth giue his heart, his appetite at ful,
And little recks how that his honour dies. 
  Lear. No, feare it not my deere Ofelia,		 Whilst like a puft and recklesse Libertine
Himselfe, the Primrose path of dalliance treads, 
And reaks not his owne reade.
  Laer. Oh, feare me not.
Here comes my father, occasion smiles vpon a second 
leaue.
Enter Corambis.
Enter Polonius.
I stay too long; but here my Father comes:
A double blessing is a double grace;
Occasion smiles vpon a second leaue.
  Cor. Yet here Leartes? aboord, aboord, for shame, 
[520]
The winde sits in the shoulder of your saile,
And you are staid for, there my blessing with thee
And these few precepts in thy memory.		   Polon. Yet heere Laertes? Aboord, aboord for shame,   [520]
The winde sits in the shoulder of your saile,
And you are staid for there: my blessing with you;
And these few Precepts in thy memory,
See thou Character. Giue thy thoughts no tongue,
Nor any vnproportion'd thought his Act:
"Be thou familiar, but by no meanes vulgare;
"Those friends thou hast, and their adoptions tried,
"Graple them to thee with a hoope of steele,
"But do not dull the palme with entertaine,
"Of euery new vnfleg'd courage,   [530]
"Beware of entrance into a quarrell; but being in,   [530]
"Beare it that the opposed may beware of thee,		 Be thou familiar; but by no meanes vulgar:
The friends thou hast, and their adoption tride,
Grapple them to thy Soule, with hoopes of Steele:
But doe not dull thy palme, with entertainment
Of each vnhatch't, vnfledg'd Comrade. Beware   [530]
Of entrance to a quarrell: but being in
Bear't that th'opposed may beware of thee.
Giue euery man thine eare; but few thy voyce:
Take each mans censure; but reserue thy iudgement:
"Costly thy apparrell, as thy purse can buy.
"But not exprest in fashion,
"For the apparrell oft proclaimes the man.
And they of France of the chiefe rancke and station
Are of a most select and generall chiefe in that:		 Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy;
But not exprest in fancie; rich, not gawdie:
For the Apparell oft proclaimes the man.
And they in France of the best ranck and station,
Are of a most select and generous cheff in that.
Neither a borrower, nor a lender be;   [540]
For lone oft loses both it selfe and friend:
And borrowing duls the edge of Husbandry.
"This aboue all, to thy owne selfe be true,
And it must follow as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any one,
Farewel, my blessing with thee. 
  Lear. I humbly take my leaue, farewell Ofelia,		 This aboue all; to thine owne selfe be true:
And it must follow, as the Night the Day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Farewell: my Blessing season this in thee. 
  Laer. Most humbly doe I take my leaue, my Lord.
  Polon. The time inuites you, goe, your seruants tend.
And remember well what I haue said to you.    Laer. Farewell Ophelia, and remember well
What I haue said to you.   [550]
exit.

  Ofel. It is already lock't within my hart,And you your selfe shall keepe the key of it.
  Ophe. Tis in my memory lockt,
And you your selfe shall keepe the key of it.
  Laer. Farewell.           Exit Laer.
  Cor. What i'st Ofelia he hath saide to you? 
  Ofel. Somthing touching the prince Hamlet. 
  Cor. Mary wel thought on, t'is giuen me to vnderstand,		   Polon. What ist Ophelia he hath said to you? 
  Ophe. So please you, somthing touching the L. Hamlet.
  Polon. Marry, well bethought:
Tis told me he hath very oft of late
Giuen priuate time to you; and you your selfe
That you haue bin too prodigall of your maiden presence
Vnto Prince Hamlet, if it be so,   [560]
As so tis giuen to mee, and that in waie of caution   [560]
I must tell you; you do not vnderstand your selfe
So well as befits my honor, and your credite.		 Haue of your audience beene most free and bounteous.
If it be so, as so tis put on me;   [560]
And that in way of caution: I must tell you,
You doe not vnderstand your selfe so cleerely,
As it behoues my Daughter, and your Honour.
What is betweene you, giue me vp the truth?
  Ofel. My lord, he hath made many tenders of his loue
to me. 
  Cor.		   Ophe. He hath my Lord of late, made many tenders
Of his affection to me. 
  Polon. Affection, puh. You speake like a greene Girle,
Vnsifted in such perillous Circumstance.
          Tenders, I, I, tenders you may call them. Doe you beleeue his tenders, as you call them?
  Ophe. I do not know, my Lord, what I should thinke. [570] 
  Polon. Marry Ile teach you; thinke your selfe a Baby,
That you haue tane his tenders for true pay,
Which are not starling. Tender your selfe more dearly;
Or not to crack the winde of the poore Phrase,
Roaming it thus, you'l tender me a foole. 
  Ophe. My Lord, he hath importun'd me with loue,
In honourable fashion. 
  Polon. I, fashion you may call it, go too, go too.
  Ofel.
          And withall, such earnest vowes.   [580]
  Cor. Springes to catch woodcocks,
What, do not I know when the blood doth burne,
How prodigall the tongue lends the heart vowes,		   Ophe. And hath giuen countenance to his speech,
My Lord, with all the vowes of Heauen.   [580] 
  Polon. I, Springes to catch Woodcocks. I doe know
When the Bloud burnes, how Prodigall the Soule
Giues the tongue vowes: these blazes, Daughter,
Giuing more light then heate; extinct in both,
Euen in their promise, as it is a making;
You must not take for fire. For this time Daughter,
In briefe, be more scanter of your maiden presence, Be somewhat scanter of your Maiden presence;
Or tendring thus you'l tender mee a foole.
Set your entreatments at a higher rate,
  Ofel. I shall obay my lord in all I may.
Then a command to parley. For Lord Hamlet,
Beleeue so much in him, that he is young,   [590]
And with a larger tether may he walke,
Then may be giuen you. In few, Ophelia,
Doe not beleeue his vowes; for they are Broakers,
Not of the eye, which their Inuestments show:
But meere implorators of vnholy Sutes,
Breathing like sanctified and pious bonds,
The better to beguile. This is for all:
I would not, in plaine tearmes, from this time forth,
Haue you so slander any moment leisure,
  Cor. Ofelia, receiue none of his letters, As to giue words or talke with the Lord Hamlet:   [600]
"For louers lines are snares to intrap the heart;
"Refuse his tokens, both of them are keyes
To vnlocke Chastitie vnto Desire;
Come in Ofelia, such men often proue,
"Great in their wordes, but little in their loue.
Looke too't, I charge you; come your wayes.
  Ofel. I will my lord.           exeunt   Ophe. I shall obey my Lord.           Exeunt.

[Hamlet (Quarto 1) 1.4]
[Hamlet (Folio) 1.4]
Enter Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus.
Enter Hamlet, Horatio, Marcellus.
  Ham. The ayre bites shrewd; it is an eager and
An nipping winde,
                               what houre i'st? 
Hor. I think it lackes of twelue,           Sound Trumpets.   Mar. No, t'is strucke. 
Hor. Indeed I heard it not, 		   Ham. The Ayre bites shrewdly: is it very cold?
  Hor. It is a nipping and an eager ayre.
  Ham. What hower now? 
  Hor. I thinke it lacks of twelue. 
  Mar. No, it is strooke. 
  Hor. Indeed I heard it not: then it drawes neere the season,
Wherein the Spirit held his wont to walke.   [610]
Ham. O the king doth wake to night, & takes his rowse, Keepe wassel, and the swaggering vp-spring reeles,
And as he dreames, his draughts of renish downe,
The kettle, drumme, and trumpet, thus bray out,
The triumphes of his pledge. 
Hor. Is it a custome here? 
Ham. I mary i'st and though I am
Natiue here, and to the maner borne,
It is a custome, more honourd in the breach,   [620]
Then in the obseruance.-		   Ham. The King doth wake to night, and takes his rouse,
Keepes wassels and the swaggering vpspring reeles,
And as he dreines his draughts of Renish downe,
The kettle Drum and Trumpet thus bray out
The triumph of his Pledge. 
Horat. Is it a custome? 
Ham. I marry ist;
And to my mind, though I am natiue heere,
And to the manner borne: It is a Custome   [620]
More honour'd in the breach, then the obseruance.
Enter the Ghost.
Enter Ghost.

  Hor. Looke my Lord, it comes. 
  Ham. Angels and Ministers of grace defend vs,
Be thou a spirite of health, or goblin damn'd,
Bring with thee ayres from heanen, or blasts from hell:
Be thy intents wicked or charitable,
Thou commest in such questionable shape,
That I will speake to thee,
Ile call thee Hamlet, King, Father, Royall Dane,
O answere mee, let mee not burst in ignorance,   [630]
But say why thy canonizd bones hearsed in death
Haue burst their ceremonies: why thy Sepulcher,
In which wee saw thee quietly interr'd,
Hath burst his ponderous and marble Iawes,
To cast thee vp againe: what may this meane,
That thou, dead corse, againe in compleate steele,
Reuissets thus the glimses of the Moone,
Making night hideous, and we fooles of nature,
So horridely to shake our disposition,   [640]
With thoughts beyond the reaches of our soules?
Say, speake, wherefore, what may this meane?
  Hor. Looke my Lord, it comes. 
  Ham. Angels and Ministers of Grace defend vs:
Be thou a Spirit of health, or Goblin damn'd,
Bring with thee ayres from Heauen, or blasts from Hell,
Be thy euents wicked or charitable,
Thou com'st in such a questionable shape
That I will speake to thee. Ile call thee Hamlet,
King, Father, Royall Dane: Oh, oh, answer me,   [630]
Let me not burst in Ignorance; but tell
Why thy Canoniz'd bones Hearsed in death,
Haue burst their cerments, why the Sepulcher
Wherein we saw thee quietly enurn'd,
Hath op'd his ponderous and Marble iawes,
To cast thee vp againe? What may this meane?
That thou dead Coarse againe in compleat steele,
Reuisits thus the glimpses of the Moone,
Making Night hidious? And we fooles of Nature,
So horridly to shake our disposition,   [640]
With thoughts beyond thee; reaches of our Soules,
Say, why is this? wherefore? what should we doe?
Ghost beckens Hamlet.
  Hor. It beckons you, as though it had something
To impart to you alone.		   Hor. It beckons you to goe away with it,
As if it some impartment did desire
To you alone.
  Mar. Looke with what courteous action
It waues you to a more remoued ground,
But do not go with it. 
  Hor. No, by no meanes my Lord.   [650] 
  Ham. It will not speake, then will I follow it.		   Mar. Looke with what courteous action
It wafts you to a more remoued ground:
But doe not goe with it. 
  Hor. No, by no meanes.   [650] 
  Ham. It will not speake: then will I follow it.
  Hor. Doe not my Lord. 
  Ham. Why, what should be the feare?
I doe not set my life at a pins fee;
And for my Soule, what can it doe to that?
Being a thing immortall as it selfe:
It waues me forth againe; Ile follow it.
  Hor. What if it tempt you toward the flood my Lord.   Hor. What if it tempt you toward the Floud my Lord?
Or to the dreadfull Sonnet of the Cliffe,
That beckles ore his bace, into the sea,   [660]
And there assume some other horrible shape,
What might depriue your soueraigntie of reason,
And driue you into madnesse: thinke of it. 
  Ham. Still am I called, go on, ile follow thee. 
  Hor. My Lord, you shall not go. 
  Ham. Why what should be the feare?		 That beetles o're his base into the Sea,   [660]
And there assumes some other horrible forme,
Which might depriue your Soueraignty of Reason,
And draw you into madnesse thinke of it? 
  Ham. It wafts me still: goe on, Ile follow thee. 
  Mar. You shall not goe my Lord.
  Ham. Hold off your hand.
I do not set my life at a pinnes fee,
And for my soule, what can it do to that?
Being a thing immortall, like it selfe,
Go on, ile follow thee.
  Mar. My Lorde be rulde, you shall not goe. 
  Ham. My fate cries out, and makes each pety Artiue		   Hor. Be rul'd, you shall not goe. 
  Ham. My fate cries out,
And makes each petty Artire in this body,
As hardy as the Nemeon Lyons nerue,   [670]
Still am I cald, vnhand me gentlemen;
By heauen ile make a ghost of him that lets me,
Away I say, go on, ile follow thee.		 As hardy as the Nemian Lions nerue:   [670]
Still am I cal'd? Vnhand me Gentlemen:
By Heau'n, Ile make a Ghost of him that lets me:
I say away, goe on, Ile follow thee.
                                          Exeunt Ghost & Hamlet. 
  Hor. He waxeth desperate with imagination.   Hor. He waxes desperate with imagination.
  Mar. Let's follow; 'tis not fit thus to obey him. 
  Hor. Haue after, to what issue will this come?
  Mar. Something is rotten in the state of Denmarke. 
  Hor. Haue after; to what issue will this sort? 
  Mar. Lets follow, tis not fit thus to obey him. 		   Mar. Something is rotten in the State of Denmarke. 
  Hor. Heauen will direct it. 
  Mar. Nay, let's follow him.           Exeunt.   [680]
                                          exit.

[Hamlet (Quarto 1) 1.5]
[Hamlet (Folio) 1.5]
Enter Ghost and Hamlet.
Enter Ghost and Hamlet.

  Ham. Ile go no farther, whither wilt thou leade me? 
  Ghost. Marke me. 
  Ham. I will. 
  Ghost. I am thy fathers spirit, doomd for a time
  Ham. Where wilt thou lead me? speak; Ile go no further.
  Gho. Marke me. 
  Ham. I will. 
  Gho. My hower is almost come,
To walke the night, and all the day
Confinde in flaming fire,
Till the foule crimes done in my dayes of Nature		 When I to sulphurous and tormenting Flames
Must render vp my selfe
Are purged and burnt away.
  Ham. Alas poore Ghost. 
  Ghost. Nay pitty me not, but to my vnfolding		   Ham. Alas poore Ghost. 
  Gho. Pitty me not, but lend thy serious hearing
To what I shall vnfold.   [690] 
Ham. Speake, I am bound to heare. 
Gho. So art thou to reuenge, when thou shalt heare. 
Ham. What? 
Gho. I am thy Fathers Spirit,
Doom'd for a certaine terme to walke the night;
And for the day confin'd to fast in Fiers,
Till the foule crimes done in my dayes of Nature
Lend thy listning eare, but that I am forbid
To tell the secrets of my prison houseI would a tale vnfold, whose lightest word   [700]
Would harrow vp thy soule, freeze thy yong blood,
Make thy two eyes like stars start from their spheres,
Thy knotted and combined locks to part,
And each particular haire to stand on end
Like quils vpon the fretfull Porpentine,
But this same blazon must not be, to eares of flesh and 
blood
Hamlet, if euer thou didst thy deere father loue. 
Ham. O God. 
Gho. Reuenge his foule, and most vnnaturall murder:   [710]		 Are burnt and purg'd away? But that I am forbid
To tell the secrets of my Prison-House;
I could a Tale vnfold, whose lightest word   [700]
Would harrow vp thy soule, freeze thy young blood,
Make thy two eyes like Starres, start from their Spheres,
Thy knotty and combined lockes to part,
And each particular haire to stand an end,
Like Quilles vpon the fretfull Porpentine:
But this eternall blason must not be
To eares of flesh and bloud; list Hamlet, oh list,
If thou didst euer thy deare Father loue. 
Ham. Oh Heauen! 
Gho. Reuenge his foule and most vnnaturall Murther.   [710]
  Ham. Murder. 
  Ghost Yea, murder in the highest degree,		   Ham. Murther? 
  Ghost. Murther most foule, as in the best it is;
As in the least tis bad,
  Ham. Haste me to knowe it, that with wings as swift as
meditation, or the thought of it, may sweepe to my 
reuenge.		   Ham. Hast, hast me to know it,
That with wings as swift
As meditation, or the thoughts of Loue,
May sweepe to my Reuenge.
  Ghost. O I finde thee apt, and duller shouldst thou be
Then the fat weede which rootes it selfe in ease
On Lethe wharffe: briefe let me be.   [720]		   Ghost. I finde thee apt,
And duller should'st thou be then the fat weede
That rots it selfe in ease, on Lethe Wharfe,   [720]
Would'st thou not stirre in this. Now Hamlet heare:
Tis giuen out, that sleeping in my orchard,
A Serpent stung me; so the whole eare of Denmarke
Is with a forged Prosses of my death rankely abusde:
But know thou noble Youth: he that did sting
Thy fathers heart, now weares his Crowne.		 It's giuen out, that sleeping in mine Orchard,
A Serpent stung me: so the whole eare of Denmarke,
Is by a forged processe of my death
Rankly abus'd: But know thou Noble youth,
The Serpent that did sting thy Fathers life,
Now weares his Crowne.
  Ham. O my prophetike soule, my vncle! my vncle! 
  Ghost Yea he, that incestuous wretch, wonne to his will		   Ham. O my Propheticke soule: mine Vncle? 
  Ghost. I that incestuous, that adulterate Beast
With witchcraft of his wits, hath Traitorous guifts.   [730]
O wicked will, and gifts! that haue the power with gifts,
So to seduce my most seeming vertuous Queene,		 Oh wicked Wit, and Gifts, that haue the power
So to seduce? Won to to this shamefull Lust
The will of my most seeming vertuous Queene:
Oh Hamlet, what a falling off was there,
From me, whose loue was of that dignity,
That it went hand in hand, euen with the Vow
I made to her in Marriage; and to decline
Vpon a wretch, whose Naturall gifts were poore
But vertue, as it neuer will be moued,
Though Lewdnesse court it in a shape of heauen,   [740]
So Lust, thought to a radiant angle linckt,
Would fate it selfe from a celestiall bedde,
And prey on garbage: but soft, me thinkes
I sent the mornings ayre, briefe let me be,
Sleeping within my Orchard, my custome alwayes
In the after noone, vpon my secure houre
Thy vncle came, with iuyce of Hebona
In a viall, and through the porches of my eares
Did powre the leaprous distilment, whose effect
Hold such an enmitie with blood of man,   [750]
That swift as quickesilner, it posteth through
The naturall gates and allies of the body,
And turnes the thinne and wholesome blood
Like eager dropings into milke.		 To those of mine. But Vertue, as it neuer wil be moued,
Though Lewdnesse court it in a shape of Heauen:   [740]
So Lust, though to a radiant Angell link'd,
Will sate it selfe in a Celestiallbed, & prey on Garbage.
But soft, me thinkes I sent the Mornings Ayre;
Briefe let me be: Sleeping within mine Orchard,
My custome alwayes in the afternoone;
Vpon my secure hower thy Vncle stole
With iuyce of cursed Hebenon in a Violl,
And in the Porches of mine eares did poure
The leaperous Distilment; whose effect
Holds such an enmity with bloud of Man,   [750]
That swift as Quick-siluer, it courses through
The naturall Gates and Allies of the body;
And with a sodaine vigour it doth posset
And curd, like Aygre droppings into Milke,
The thin and wholsome blood: so did it mine;
And a most instant Tetter bak'd about,
Most Lazar-like, with vile and loathsome crust,
And all my smoothe body, barked, and tetterd ouer.
Thus was I sleeping by a brothers hand		 All my smooth Body.
Thus was I, sleeping, by a Brothers hand,
Of Crowne, of Queene, of life, of dignitie   [760]
At once depriued, no reckoning made of,   [760]		 Of Life, of Crowne, and Queene at once dispatcht;   [760]
Cut off euen in the Blossomes of my Sinne,
Vnhouzzled, disappointed, vnnaneld,
But sent vnto my graue,
With all my accompts and sinnes vpon my head,
O horrible, most horrible!		 No reckoning made, but sent to my account
With all my imperfections on my head;
Oh horrible, Oh horrible, most horrible:
  Ham. O God!
  ghost. If thou hast nature in thee, beare it not, If thou hast nature in thee beare it not;
Let not the Royall Bed of Denmarke be
A Couch for Luxury and damned Incest.
But howsoeuer, let not thy heart
Conspire against thy mother aught,   [770]
Leaue her to heauen,
And to the burthen that her conscience beares.		 But howsoeuer thou pursuest this Act,
Taint not thy mind; nor let thy Soule contriue   [770]
Against thy Mother ought; leaue her to heauen,
And to those Thornes that in her bosome lodge,
To pricke and sting her. Fare thee well at once;
I must be gone, the Glo-worme shewes the Martin
To be neere, and gin's to pale his vneffectuall fire:
Hamlet adue, adue, adue: remember me.            Exit
  Ham. O all you hoste of heauen! O earth, what else?
And shall I couple hell; remember thee?		 The Glow-worme showes the Matine to be neere,
And gins to pale his vneffectuall Fire:
Adue, adue, Hamlet: remember me.            Exit. 
  Ham. Oh all you host of Heauen! Oh Earth; what els?
And shall I couple Hell? Oh fie: hold my heart;
And you my sinnewes, grow not instant Old;
But beare me stiffely vp: Remember thee?   [780]
Yes thou poore Ghost; from the tables I, thou poore Ghost, while memory holds a seate
In this distracted Globe: Remember thee?
Of my memorie, ile wipe away all sawes of Bookes,
All triuiall fond conceites		 Yea, from the Table of my Memory,
Ile wipe away all triuiall fond Records,
All sawes of Bookes, all formes, all presures past,
That euer youth, or else obseruance noted,
And thy remembrance, all alone shall sit.		 That youth and obseruation coppied there;
And thy Commandment all alone shall liue
Within the Booke and Volume of my Braine,
Vnmixt with baser matter; yes yes, by Heauen:
Yes, yes, by heauen, a damnd pernitious villaine,
Murderons, bawdy, smiling damned villaine,
(My tables) meet it is I set it downe,
That one may smile, and smile, and be a villayne;
At least I am sure, it may be so in Denmarke.
So vncle, there you are, there you are.
Now to the words; it is adue adue: remember me,		 Oh most pernicious woman!   [790]
Oh Villaine, Villaine, smiling damned Villaine!
My Tables, my Tables; meet it is I set it downe,
That one may smile, and smile and be a Villaine;
At least I'm sure it may be so in Denmarke;
So Vnckle there you are: now to my word;
It is; Adue, Adue, Remember me: I haue sworn't.
Soe t'is enough I haue sworne.
  Hor. My lord, my  lord.           Enter .Horatio,
                                                    and Marcellus. 
  Mar. Lord Hamlet. 		   Hor. & Mar. within. My Lord, my Lord.
                                             Enter Horatio and Marcellus. 
  Mar. Lord Hamlet.
  Hor. Ill, lo, lo, ho, ho. 
  Mar. Ill, lo, lo, so, ho, so, come boy, come.
  Hor. Heauens secure him.   [800]   Hor. Heauen secure him.   [800]
  Mar. So be it. 
  Hor. Illo, ho, ho, my Lord. 
  Ham. Hillo, ho, ho, boy; come bird, come.
  Mar. How i'st my noble lord? 
  Hor. What news my lord? 
  Ham. Oh wonderfull, wonderful. 
  Hor. Good my lord tel it. 
  Ham. No not I, you'l reueale it. 
  Hor. Not I my Lord by heauen. 
  Mar. Nor I my Lord.   [810] 
  Ham. How say you then? would hart of man
Once thinke it? but you'l be secret. 
  Both. I by heauen, my lord. 
  Ham. There's neuer a villaine dwelling in all Denmarke,
But hee's an arrant knaue. 
  Hor. There need no Ghost come from the graue to tell
you this. 
  Ham. Right, you are in the right, and therefore
I holde it meet without more circumstance at all,
Wee shake hands and part; you as your busines   [820]
And desiers shall leade you: for looke you,
Euery man hath busines, and desires, such
As it is, and for my owne poor parte, ile go pray.		   Mar. How ist't my Noble Lord? 
  Hor. What newes, my Lord? 
  Ham. Oh wonderfull! 
  Hor. Good my Lord tell it. 
  Ham. No you'l reueale it. 
  Hor. Not I, my Lord, by Heauen. 
  Mar. Nor I, my Lord.   [810] 
  Ham. How say you then, would heart of man once think it? 
But you'l be secret? 
  Both. I, by Heau'n, my Lord. 
  Ham. There's nere a villaine dwelling in all Denmarke
But hee's an arrant knaue. 
  Hor. There needs no Ghost my Lord, come from the
Graue, to tell vs this. 
  Ham. Why right, you are i'th' right;
And so, without more circumstance at all,
I hold it fit that we shake hands, and part:   [820]
You, as your busines and desires shall point you:
For euery man ha's businesse and desire,
Such as it is: and for mine owne poore part,
Looke you, Ile goe pray.
  Hor. These are but wild and wherling words, my Lord. 
  Ham. I am sory they offend you; hartely, yes faith hartily.		   Hor. These are but wild and hurling words, my Lord.
  Ham. I'm sorry they offend you heartily:
Yes faith, heartily.
  Hor. Ther's no offence my Lord. 
  Ham. Yes by Saint Patrike but there is Horatio,
And much offence too, touching this vision,   [830]
It is an honest ghost, that let mee tell you,
For your desires to know what is betweene vs,
Or'emaister it as you may:
And now kind frends, as yon are frends,		   Hor. There's no offence my Lord. 
  Ham. Yes, by Saint Patricke, but there is my Lord,
And much offence too, touching this Vision heere:   [830]
It is an honest Ghost, that let me tell you:
For your desire to know what is betweene vs,
O'remaster't as you may. And now good friends,
As you are Friends, Schollers and Soldiers,
Schollers and gentlmen,
Grant mee one poore request. 
  Both. What i'st my Lord? 
  Ham. Neuer make known what you haue seene to night 
  Both. My lord, we will not. 
  Ham. Nay but sweare. 
  Hor. In faith my Lord not I.   [840] 
  Mar. Nor I my Lord in faith.		 Giue me one poore request. 
  Hor. What is't my Lord? we will. 
  Ham. Neuer make known what you haue seen to night. 
  Both. My Lord, we will not. 
  Ham. Nay, but swear't. 
  Hor. Infaith my Lord, not I.   [840] 
  Mar. Nor I my Lord: in faith.
  Ham. Vpon my sword. 
  Marcell. We haue sworne my Lord already.
  Ham. Nay vpon my sword, indeed vpon my sword. 
  Gho. Sweare.		   Ham. Indeed, vpon my sword, Indeed. 
  Gho. Sweare.            Ghost cries vnder the Stage. 
The Gost vnder the stage.

  Ham. Ha, ha, come you here, this fellow in the sellerige,
  Ham. Ah ha boy, sayest thou so. Art thou there true-
penny? Come one you here this fellow in the selleredge
Here consent to sweare. 
  Hor. Propose the oth my Lord. 
  Ham. Neuer to speake what you haue seene to night,   [850]		 Consent to sweare. 
  Hor. Propose the Oath my Lord. 
  Ham. Neuer to speake of this that you haue seene.   [850]
Sweare by my sword. 
  Gost. Sweare. 
  Ham. Hic & vbique; nay then weele shift our ground:
Come hither Gentlemen, and lay your handes
Againe vpon this sword, neuer to speake
Of that which you haue seene, sweare by my sword.		 Sweare by my sword. 
  Gho. Sweare. 
  Ham. Hic & vbique? Then wee'l shift for grownd,
Come hither Gentlemen,
And lay your hands againe vpon my sword,
Neuer to speake of this that you haue heard:
Sweare by my Sword.
  Ghost. Sweare. 
  Ham. Well said old Mole, can'st worke in the earth?
so fast, a worthy Pioner, once more remoue. 
  Hor. Day and night but this is wondrous strange. 
  Ham. And therefore as a stranger giue it welcome,
There are more things in the heauen and earth Horatio,
Then are Dream't of, in your philosophie,
But come here, as before you neuer shall
How strange or odde soere I beare my selfe,
As I perchance hereafter shall thinke meet,
To put an Anticke disposition on,
That you at such times seeing me, neuer shall
With Armes, incombred thus, or this head shake,   [870]
Or by pronouncing some vndoubtfull phrase,
As well well, wee know, or wee could and if we would,
Or there be, and if they might, or such ambiguous:
Giuing out to note, that you know aught of mee,
This not to doe, so grace, and mercie
At your most need helpe you, sweare		   Gho. Sweare. 
  Ham. Well said old Mole, can'st worke i'th' ground so fast?
A worthy Pioner, once more remoue good friends.   [860] 
  Hor. Oh day and night: but this is wondrous strange. 
  Ham. And therefore as a stranger giue it welcome.
There are more things in Heauen and Earth, Horatio,
Then are dream't of in our Philosophy. But come,
Here as before, neuer so helpe you mercy,
How strange or odde so ere I beare my selfe;
(As I perchance heereafter shall thinke meet
To put an Anticke disposition on:)
That you at such time seeing me, neuer shall
With Armes encombred thus, or thus, head shake;   [870]
Or by pronouncing of some doubtfull Phrase;
As well, we know, or we could and if we would,
Or if we list to speake; or there be and if there might,
Or such ambiguous giuing out to note,
That you know ought of me; this not to doe:
So grace and mercy at your most neede helpe you:
Sweare.
  Ghost. sweare.
  Ham. Rest, rest, perturbed spirit: so gentlemen,
In all my loue I do commend mee to you,   [880]
And what so poore a man as Hamlet may,
To pleasure you, God willing shall not want,
Nay come lett's go together,
But stil your fingers on your lippes I pray,
The time is out of ioynt, O cursed spite,
That euer I was borne to set it right,
Nay come lett's go together.            Exeunt. 		   Ghost. Sweare. 
  Ham. Rest, rest perturbed Spirit: so Gentlemen,
With all my loue I doe commend me to you;   [880]
And what so poore a man as Hamlet is,
May doe t' expresse his loue and friending to you,
God willing shall not lacke: let vs goe in together,
And still your fingers on your lippes I pray,
The time is out of ioynt: Oh cursed spight,
That euer I was borne to set it right.
Nay, come let's goe together.            Exeunt. 

[Hamlet (Quarto 1) 2.1]
[Hamlet (Folio) 2.1]
Actus Secundus.
Enter Corambis, and Montano.
Enter Polonius, and Reynoldo.

  Cor. Montano, here, these letters to my sonne,   [890] 
And this same mony with my blessing to him,   [890]
  Polon. Giue him his money, and these notes Reynoldo.   [890]
And bid him ply his learning good Montano.
  Mon. I will my lord. 
  Cor. You shall do very well Montano, to say thus,		   Reynol. I will my Lord. 
  Polon. You shall doe maruels wisely: good Reynoldo,
Before you visite him you make inquiry
Of his behauiour. 
  Reynol. My Lord, I did intend it. 
  Polon. Marry, well said;
Very well said. Looke you Sir,
Enquire me first what Danskers are in Paris;
And how, and who; what meanes; and where they keepe:
What company, at what expence: and finding   [900]
By this encompassement and drift of question,
That they doe know my sonne: Come you more neerer
Then your particular demands will touch it,
I knew the gentleman, or know his father,
To inquire the manner of his life,
As thus; being amongst his acquaintance,		 Take you as 'twere some distant knowledge of him,
And thus I know his father and his friends,
And in part him. Doe you marke this Reynoldo?
You may say, you saw him at such a time, marke you 
mee,
  Reynol. I, very well my Lord. 
  Polon. And in part him, but you may say not well;
But if't be hee I meane, hees very wilde;
Addicted so and so; and there put on him   [910]
What forgeries you please; marry, none so ranke,
As may dishonour him; take heed of that:
But Sir, such wanton, wild, and vsuall slips,
As are Companions noted and most knowne
To youth and liberty. 
  Reynol. As gaming my Lord
At game, or drincking, swearing, or drabbing,
You may go so farre 
  Mon. My lord, that will impeach his reputation. 
  Cor. I faith not a whit, no not a whit,   [920]
Now happely hee closeth with you in the consequence,
As you may bridle it not disparage him a iote.   [920]		   Polon. I, or drinking, fencing, swearing,
Quarelling, drabbiug. You may goe so farre. 
  Reynol. My Lord that would dishonour him. 
  Polon. Faith no, as you may season it in the charge;   [920]
You must not put another scandall on him,
That hee is open to Incontinencie;
That's not my meaning: but breath his faults so quaintly,
That they may seeme the taints of liberty;
The flash and out-breake of a fiery minde,
A sauagenes in vnreclaim'd bloud of generall assault. 
  Reynol. But my good Lord. 
  Polon. Wherefore should you doe this? 
  Reynol. I my Lord, I would know that. 
  Polon. Marry Sir, heere's my drift,   [930]
And I belieue it is a fetch of warrant:
You laying these slight sulleyes on my Sonne,
As 'twere a thing a little soil'd i'th' working: 
Marke you your party in conuerse; him you would sound,
Hauing euer seene. In the prenominate crimes,
The youth you breath of guilty, be assur'd
He closes with you in this consequence:
Good sir, or so, or friend, or Gentleman.
According to the Phrase and the Addition,
Of man and Country.   [940] 
  Reynol. Very good my Lord. 
  Polon. And then Sir does he this?
What was I a bout to say,  He does: what was I about to say?
I was about say somthing: where did I leaue? 
  Mon. He closeth with him in the consequence.   Reynol. At closes in the consequence:
At friend, or so, and Gentleman.
  Cor. I, you say right, he closeth with him thus,
This will hee say, let mee see what hee will say,
Mary this, I saw him yesterday, or tother day,
Or then, or at such time, a dicing,   [950]		   Polon. At closes in the consequence, I marry,
He closes with you thus. I know the Gentleman,
I saw him yesterday, or tother day;
Or then or then, with such and such; and as you say,   [950]
There was he gaming, there o'retooke in's Rouse,
Or at Tennis, I or drincking drunke, or entring
Of a howse of lightnes viz. brothell,		 There falling out at Tennis; or perchance,
I saw him enter such a house of saile;
Videlicet, a Brothell, or so forth. See you now;
Your bait of falshood, takes this Cape of truth;
Thus sir do wee that know the world, being men of reach, And thus doe we of wisedome and of reach
With windlesses, and with assaies of Bias,
By indirections, finde directions forth, By indirections finde directions out:
So by my former Lecture and aduice
And so shall you my sonne; you ha me, ha you not? 
  Mon. I haue my lord. 
  Cor. Wel, fare you well, commend mee to him.		 Shall you my Sonne; you haue me, haue you not?   [960] 
  Reynol. My Lord I haue. 
  Polon. God buy you; fare you well.
  Reynol. Good my Lord. 
  Polon. Obserue his inclination in your selfe.
  Mon. I will my lord. 
  Cor. And bid him ply his musicke 
  Mon. My lord I wil.            exit.		   Reynol. I shall my Lord. 
  Polon. And let him plye his Musicke. 
  Reynol. Well, my Lord.            Exit. 
Enter, Ofelia.
Enter Ophelia.
  Cor. Farewel, how now Ofelia, what's the news with 
you? 
  Ofe. O my deare father, such a change in nature,		   Polon. Farewell:
How now Ophelia, what's the matter?   [970] 
  Ophe. Alas my Lord, I haue beene so affrighted.
So great an alteration in a Prince,
So pitifull to him, fearefull to mee,
A maidens eye ne're looked on.
  Cor. What what's the matter my Ofelia?   [970] 
  Of. O yong Prince Hamlet, the only floure of Denmark,
Hee is bereft of all the wealth he had,
The Iewell that ador'nd his feature most
Is filcht and stolne away, his wit's bereft him,
Hee found mee walking in the gallery all alone,
There comes hee to mee, with a distracted looke,
His garters lagging downe, his shooes vntide,
And fixt his eyes so stedfast on my face,		   Polon. With what, in the name of Heauen? 
  Ophe. My Lord, as I was sowing in my Chamber,
Lord Hamlet with his doublet all vnbrac'd,
No hat vpon his head, his stockings foul'd,
Vngartred, and downe giued to his Anckle,
Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other,
And with a looke so pitious in purport,
As if he had been loosed out of hell,
To speake of horrors: he comes before me.   [980]
As if they had vow'd, this is their latest obiect.
Small while he stoode, but gripes me by the wrist,
And there he holdes my pulse till with a sigh
He doth vnclaspe his holde, and parts away
Silent, as is the mid time of the night:
And as he went, his eie was still on mee,
For thus his head ouer his shoulder looked,
He seemed to finde the way without his eies:
For out of doores he went without their helpe,
And so did leaue me.
  Cor. Madde for thy loue,   Polon. Mad for thy Loue?
  Ophe. My Lord, I doe not know: but truly I do feare it.  Polon. What said he? 
Ophe. He tooke me by the wrist, and held me hard;
Then goes he to the length of all his arme;
And with his other hand thus o're his brow,
He fals to such perusall of my face,
As he would draw it. Long staid he so,
At last, a little shaking of mine Arme:
And thrice his head thus wauing vp and downe;   [990]
He rais'd a sigh, so pittious and profound,
That it did seeme to shatter all his bulke,
And end his being. That done, he lets me goe,
And with his head ouer his shoulders turn'd,
He seem'd to finde his way without his eyes,
For out adores he went without their helpe;
And to the last, bended their light on me. 
Polon. Goe with me, I will goe seeke the King,
This is the very extasie of Loue,
Whose violent property foredoes it selfe,   [1000]
And leads the will to desperate Vndertakings,
As oft as any passion vnder Heauen,
That does afflict our Natures. I am sorrie,
What haue you giuen him any crosse wordes of late? 
  Ofelia I did repell his letters, deny his gifts,
As you did charge me.		 What haue you giuen him any hard words of late? 
  Ophe. No my good Lord: but as you did command,
I did repell his Letters, and deny'de
His accesse to me.
  Cor. What that hath made him madde:
By heau'n t'is as proper for our age to cast
Beyond our selues, as t'is for the yonger sort
To leaue their wantonnesse. Well, I am sory
That I was so rash: but what remedy?		   Pol. That hath made him mad.
I am sorrie that with better speed and iudgement
I had not quoted him. I feare he did but trifle,   [1010]
And meant to wracke thee: but beshrew my iealousie:
It seemes it is as proper to our Age,
To cast beyond our selues in our Opinions,
As it is common for the yonger sort
Lets to the King, this madnesse may prooue, To lacke discretion. Come, go we to the King,
This must be knowne, ~w being kept close might moue
Though wilde a while, yet more true to thy loue.  More greefe to hide, then hate to vtter loue.            Exeunt.
exeunt.

[Hamlet (Quarto 1) 2.2a]
[Hamlet (Folio) 2.2]
Scena Secunda.
Enter King and Queene, Rossencrast, and Gilderstone.
Enter King, Queene, Rosincrane, and Guilden-sterne Cumaliys   [1020]

  King. Right noble friends, that our deere cosin Hamlet
Hath lost the very heart of all his sence,
It is most right, and we most sory for him:
  King. Welcome deere Rosincrance and Guildensterne.
Moreouer, that we much did long to see you,
The neede we haue to vse you, did prouoke
Our hastie sending. Something haue you heard
Of Hamlets transformation: so I call it,
Since not th'exterior, nor the inward man
Resembles that it was. What it should bee
More then his Fathers death, that thus hath put him
So much from th'vnderstanding of himselfe,
Therefore we doe desire, euen as you tender   [1030]
Our care to him, and our great loue to you,
That you will labour but to wring from him
The cause and ground of his distemperancie.
Doe this, the king of Denmarke shal be thankefull.		 I cannot deeme of. I intreat you both,   [1030]
That being of so young dayes brought vp with him:
And since so Neighbour'd to his youth, and humour,
That you vouchsafe your rest heere in our Court
Some little time: so by your Companies
To draw him on to pleasures, and to gather
So much as from Occasions you may gleane,
That open'd lies within our remedie. 
Qu. Good Gentlemen, he hath much talk'd of you,
And sure I am, two men there are not liuing,
To whom he more adheres. If it will please you   [1040]
To shew vs so much Gentrie, and good will,
As to expend your time with vs a-while,
For the supply and profit of our Hope,
Your Visitation shall receiue such thankes
As fits a Kings remembrance.
  Ros. My Lord, whatsoeuer lies within our power
Your maiestie may more commaund in wordes
Then vse perswasions to your liege men, bound
By loue, by duetie, and obedience. 
  Guil. What we may doe for both your Maiesties
To know the griefe troubles the Prince your sonne,
We will indeuour all the best we may,
So in all duetie doe we take our leaue. 
  King. Thankes Guilderstone, and gentle Rossencrast. 
  Que. Thankes Rossencrast, and gentle Gilderstone.		   Rosin. Both your Maiesties
Might by the Soueraigne power you haue of vs,
Put your dread pleasures, more into Command
Then to Entreatie. 
  Guil. We both obey,   [1050]
And here giue vp our selues, in the full bent,
To lay our Seruices freely at your feete,
To be commanded. 
  King. Thankes Rosincrance, and gentle Guildensterne. 
  Qu. Thankes Guildensterne and gentle Rosincrance.
And I beseech you instantly to visit
My too much changed Sonne.
Go some of ye,
And bring the Gentlemen where Hamlet is. 
  Guil. Heauens make our presence and our practises   [1060]
Pleasant and helpfull to him.            Exit. 
  Queene. Amen.
Enter Corambis and Ofelia.
  Cor. My Lord, the Ambassadors are ioyfully
Return'd from Norway. 
  King. Thou still hast beene the father of good news. 
  Cor. Haue I my Lord? I assure your grace,
I holde my duetie as I holde my life,
Both to my God, and to my soueraigne King:
And I beleeue, or else this braine of mine   [1070]
Hunts not the traine of policie so well
As it had wont to doe, but I haue found
The very depth of Hamlets lunacie.
Enter Polonius. 
  Pol. Th'Ambassadors from Norwey, my good Lord,
Are ioyfully return'd. 
  King. Thou still hast bin the Father of good Newes. 
  Pol. Haue I, my Lord? Assure you, my good Liege,
I hold my dutie, as I hold my Soule,
Both to my God, one to my gracious King:
And I do thinke, or else this braine of mine   [1070]
Hunts not the traile of Policie, so sure
As I haue vs'd to do: that I haue found
The very cause of Hamlets Lunacie.
  King. Oh speake of that, that I do long to heare. 
Pol. Giue first admittance to th'Ambassadors,
My Newes shall be the Newes to that great Feast. 
King. Thy selfe do grace to them, and bring them in.
He tels me my sweet Queene, that he hath found
The head and sourse of all your Sonnes distemper.
  Queene. God graunt he hath.   Qu. I doubt it is no other, but the maine,   [1080]
His Fathers death, and our o're-hasty Marriage.
Enter the Ambassadors.
Enter Polonius, Voltumand, and Cornelius.

  King. Now Voltemar, what from our brother Norway?
  King. Well, we shall sift him. Welcome good Frends:
Say Voltumand, what from our Brother Norwey?
  Volt. Most faire returnes of greetings and desires,
Vpon our first he sent forth to suppresse
His nephews leuies, which to him appear'd
To be a preparation gainst the Polacke:
But better look't into, he truely found
It was against your Highnesse, whereat grieued,   [1090]
That so his sickenesse, age, and impotence,
Was falsely borne in hand, sends out arrests
On Fortenbrasse, which he in briefe obays,
Receiues rebuke from Norway :and in fine,
Makes vow before his vncle, neuer more
To giue the assay of Armes against your Maiestie,
Whereon olde Norway ouercome with ioy,
Giues him three thousand crownes in annuall fee,
And his Commission to employ those souldiers,
So leuied as before, against the Polacke,   [1100]
With an intreaty heerein further shewne,
That it would please you to giue quiet passe
Through your dominions, for that enterprise
On such regardes of safety and allowances
As therein are set downe.
  King. It likes vs well, and at fit time and leasure
Weele reade and answere these his Articles,		   Volt. Most faire returne of Greetings, and Desires.
Vpon our first, he sent out to suppresse
His Nephewes Leuies, which to him appear'd
To be a preparation 'gainst the Poleak:
But better look'd into, he truly found
It was against your Highnesse, whereat greeued,   [1090]
That so his Sicknesse, Age, and Impotence
Was falsely borne in hand, sends out Arrests
On Fortinbras, which he (in breefe) obeyes,
Receiues rebuke from Norwey: and in fine,
Makes Vow before his Vnkle, neuer more
To giue th'assay of Armes against your Maiestie.
Whereon old Norwey, ouercome with ioy,
Giues him three thousand Crownes in Annuall Fee,
And his Commission to imploy those Soldiers
So leuied as before, against the Poleak:   [1100]
With an intreaty heerein further shewne,
That it might please you to giue quiet passe
Through your Dominions, for his Enterprize,
On such regards of safety and allowance,
As therein are set downe. 
  King. It likes vs well:
And at our more consider'd time wee'l read,
Answer, and thinke vpon this Businesse.
Meane time we thanke you for your well
Tooke labour: go to your rest, at night weele feast togither:Right welcome home.          exeunt Ambassadors.
  Cor. This busines is very well dispatched.		 Meane time we thanke you, for your well-tooke Labour.
Go to your rest, at night wee'l Feast together.   [1110]
Most welcome home.            Exit Ambass.
  Pol. This businesse is very well ended.
My Liege, and Madam, to expostulate
What Maiestie should be, what Dutie is,
Why day is day; night, night; and time is time,
Were nothing but to waste Night, Day, and Time.
Therefore, since Breuitie is the Soule of Wit,
And tediousnesse, the limbes and outward flourishes,
Now my Lord, touching the yong Prince Hamlet, I will be breefe. Your Noble Sonne is mad:
Mad call I it; for to define true Madnesse,   [1120]
What is't, but to be nothing else but mad.
But let that go. 
  Qu. More matter, with lesse Art. 
  Pol. Madam, I sweare I vse no Art at all:
That he is mad, 'tis true: 'Tis true 'tis pittie,
And pittie it is true: A foolish figure,
But farewell it: for I will vse no Art.
Certaine it is that hee is madde: mad let vs grant him then:
Now to know the cause of this effect,
Or else to say the cause of this defect,   [1130]
For this effect defectiue comes by cause.		 Mad let vs grant him then: and now remaines
That we finde out the cause of this effect,
Or rather say, the cause of this defect;   [1130]
For this effect defectiue, comes by cause,
  Thus it remaines, and the remainder thus. Perpend,
  Queene Good my Lord be briefe.
  Cor. Madam I will: my Lord, I haue a daughter,
Haue while shee's mine: for that we thinke
Is surest, we often loose: now to the Prince.		 I haue a daughter: haue, whil'st she is mine,
Who in her Dutie and Obedience, marke,
Hath giuen me this: now gather, and surmise.
My Lord, but note this letter,
The which my daughter in obedience
Deliuer'd to my handes. 
  King Reade it my Lord.
The Letter.
To the Celestiall, and my Soules Idoll, the most beautifed O-phelia.
That's an ill Phrase, a vilde Phrase, beautified is a vilde
Phrase: but you shall heare these in her excellent white  [1140]
bosome, these. 
  Qu. Came this from Hamlet to her.
  Cor. Marke my Lord.
Doubt that in earth is fire,
Doubt that the starres doe moue,
Doubt trueth to be a liar,
But doe not doubt I loue.
To the beautifull Ofelia:		   Pol. Good Madam stay awhile, I will be faithfull. 
Doubt thou, the Starres are fire, 
Doubt, that the Sunne doth moue: 
Doubt Truth to be a Lier,
But neuer Doubt, I loue.
O deere Ophelia, I am ill at these Numbers: I haue not Art to
reckon my grones; but that I loue thee best, oh most Best be-
leeue it. Adieu.   [1150] 
                                               Thine euermore most deere 
Lady, whilst this
Thine euer the most vnhappy Prince Hamlet.                                           Machine is to him, Hamlet. 
This in Obedience hath my daughter shew'd me:
And more aboue hath his soliciting,
As they fell out by Time, by Meanes, and Place,
All giuen to mine eare. 
King. But how hath she receiu'd his Loue?
My Lord, what doe you thinke of me?   Pol. What do you thinke of me?
  King. As of a man, faithfull and Honourable.
I, or what might you thinke when I sawe this?   [1160]   Pol. I wold faine proue so. But what might you think? [1160]
  King As of a true friend and a most louing subiect. 
  Cor. I would be glad to prooue so.   [1160]
Now when I saw this letter, thus I bespake my maiden: When I had seene this hot loue on the wing,
As I perceiued it, I must tell you that
Before my Daughter told me what might you
Or my deere Maiestie your Queene heere, think,
If I had playd the Deske or Table-booke,
Or giuen my heart a winking, mute and dumbe,
Or look'd vpon this Loue, with idle sight,
What might you thinke? No, I went round to worke,
And (my yong Mistris) thus I did bespeake
Lord Hamlet is a Prince out of your starre,   [1170]
And one that is vnequall for your loue:
Therefore I did commaund her refuse his letters,
Deny his tokens, and to absent her selfe.
Shee as my childe obediently obey'd me.
Now since which time, seeing his loue thus cross'd,		 Lord Hamlet is a Prince out of thy Starre,   [1170]
This must not be: and then, I Precepts gaue her,
That she should locke her selfe from his Resort,
Admit no Messengers, receiue no Tokens:
Which done, she tooke the Fruites of my Aduice,
And he repulsed A short Tale to make,
Which I tooke to be idle, and but sport,
He straitway grew into a melancholy,
From that vnto a fast, then vnto distraction,
Then into a sadnesse, from that vnto a madnesse,
And so by continuance, and weakenesse of the braine
Into this frensie, which now possesseth him:
And if this be not true, take this from this. 
  King Thinke you t'is so?		  Fell into a Sadnesse, then into a Fast,
Thence to a Watch, thence into a Weaknesse,
Thence to a Lightnesse, and by this declension
Into the Madnesse whereon now he raues,
And all we waile for.   [1180]
  King. Do you thinke 'tis this?
  Qu. It may be very likely.
  Cor. How? so my Lord, I would very faine know
That thing that I haue saide t'is so, positiuely,
And it hath fallen out otherwise.		   Pol. Hath there bene such a time, I'de fain know that,
That I haue possitiuely said, 'tis so,
When it prou'd otherwise?
  King. Not that I know. 
  Pol. Take this from this; if this be otherwise,
Nay, if circumstances leade me on,
Ile finde it out, if it were hid
As deepe as the centre of the earth.   [1190] 
  King. how should wee trie this same? 
  Cor. Mary my good lord thus,
The Princes walke is here in the galery,		 If Circumstances leade me, I will finde
Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeede
Within the Center.   [1190] 
  King. How may we try it further? 
  Pol. You know sometimes
He walkes foure houres together, heere
In the Lobby. 
  Qu. So he ha's indeed.
There let Ofelia, walke vntill hee comes:
Your selfe and I will stand close in the study,
There shall you heare the effect of all his hart,
And if it proue any otherwise then loue,
Then let my censure faile an other time.		   Pol. At such a time Ile loose my Daughter to him,
Be you and I behinde an Arras then,
Marke the encounter: If he loue her not,
And be not from his reason falne thereon;
Let me be no Assistant for a State,   [1200]
And keepe a Farme and Carters.
  King. see where hee comes poring vppon a booke.   King. We will try it.
Enter Hamlet reading on a Booke.
[Hamlet (Quarto 1) 2.2b] - [Cor.]
  Qu. But looke where sadly the poore wretch
Comes reading.
I will my selfe goe feele him: let me worke,
Ile try him euery way: see where he comes,
Send you those Gentlemen, let me alone
To finde the depth of this, away, be gone.       Exit King		    Pol. Away I do beseech you, both away,
Ile boord him presently.            Exit King & Queen.
Oh giue me leaue. How does my good Lord Hamlet?
  Ham. Well, God-a-mercy.
Now my good Lord, do you know me?     Enter Hamlet. 
  Ham. Yea very well, y'are a fishmonger. 
  Cor. Not I my Lord. 
  Ham. Then sir, I would you were so honest a man,		   Pol. Do you know me, my Lord?   [1210] 
  Ham. Excellent, excellent well: y'are a Fishmonger. 
  Pol. Not I my Lord. 
  Ham. Then I would you were so honest a man.
  Pol. Honest, my Lord?
For to be honest, as this age goes,
Is one man to be pickt out of tenne thousand.		   Ham. I sir, to be honest as this world goes, is to bee
one man pick'd out of two thousand.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

  Cor. What doe you reade my Lord? 

   Pol. That's very true, my Lord. 
Ham. For if the Sun breed Magots in a dead dogge,
being a good kissing Carrion
Haue you a daughter?   [1220] 
  Pol. I haue my Lord. 
  Ham. Let her not walke i'th'Sunne: Conception is a
blessing, but not as your daughter may conceiue. Friend
looke too't. 
  Pol. How say you by that? Still harping on my daugh-
ter: yet he knew me not at first; he said I was a Fishmon-
ger: he is farre gone, farre gone: and truly in my youth,
I suffred much extreamity for loue: very neere this. Ile
speake to him againe. What do you read my Lord?
  Ham. Wordes, wordes.   [1230] 
  Cor. What's the matter my Lord? 
  Ham. Betweene who? 
  Cor. I meane the matter you reade my Lord. 
  Ham. Mary most vile heresie:
For here the Satyricall Satyre writes,
That olde men haue hollow eyes, weake backes,		   Ham. Words, words, words.   [1230] 
  Pol. What is the matter, my Lord? 
  Ham. Betweene who? 
  Pol. I meane the matter you meane, my Lord. 
  Ham. Slanders Sir: for the Satyricall slaue saies here,
that old men haue gray Beards; that their faces are wrin-
kled; their eyes purging thicke Amber, or Plum-Tree
Gumme: and that they haue a plentifull locke of Wit,
Grey beardes, pittifull weake hammes, gowty legges,
All which sir, I most potently beleeue not:		 together with weake Hammes. All which Sir, though I
most powerfully, and potently beleeue; yet I holde it
not Honestie to haue it thus set downe: For you your   [1240]
For sir, your selfe shalbe olde as I am,   [1240]
If like a Crabbe, you could goe backeward.		 selfe Sir, should be old as I am, if like a Crab you could
go backward.
  Cor.    Pol. Though this be madnesse,
  Yet there is Method in't: will you walke
           How pregnant his replies are, and full of wit: 
Yet at first he tooke me for a fishmonger:
All this comes by loue, the vemencie of loue,
and when I was yong, I was very idle,
And suffered much extasie in loue, very neere this:
Will you walke out of the aire my Lord? 
  Ham. Into my graue. 
  Cor. By the masse that's out of the aire indeed,
Very shrewd answers,		 Out of the ayre my Lord? 
  Ham. Into my Graue? 
  Pol. Indeed that is out o'th' Ayre:
How pregnant (sometimes) his Replies are?
A happinesse,
That often Madnesse hits on,   [1250]
Whi