1    So much for this, sir: now shall you see the other;
2    You do remember all the circumstance?

3    Remember it, my lord?

4    Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting,
5    That would not let me sleep: methought I lay
6    Worse than the mutines in the bilboes. Rashly,
7    And praised be rashness for it, let us know,
8    Our indiscretion sometimes serves us well,
9    When our deep plots do pall: and that should teach us
10   There's a divinity that shapes our ends,
11   Rough-hew them how we will,--

12   That is most certain.

13   Up from my cabin,
14   My sea-gown scarf'd about me, in the dark
15   Groped I to find out them; had my desire.
16   Finger'd their packet, and in fine withdrew
17   To mine own room again; making so bold,
18   My fears forgetting manners, to unseal
19   Their grand commission; where I found, Horatio,--
20   O royal knavery!--an exact command,
21   Larded with many several sorts of reasons
22   Importing Denmark's health and England's too,
23   With, ho! such bugs and goblins in my life,
24   That, on the supervise, no leisure bated,
25   No, not to stay the grinding of the axe,
26   My head should be struck off.

27   Is't possible?

28   Here's the commission: read it at more leisure.
29   But wilt thou hear me how I did proceed?

30   I beseech you.

31   Being thus be-netted round with villanies,--
32   Ere I could make a prologue to my brains,
33   They had begun the play--I sat me down,
34   Devised a new commission, wrote it fair:
35   I once did hold it, as our statists do,
36   A baseness to write fair and labour'd much
37   How to forget that learning, but, sir, now
38   It did me yeoman's service: wilt thou know
39   The effect of what I wrote?

40   Ay, good my lord.

41   An earnest conjuration from the king,
42   As England was his faithful tributary,
43   As love between them like the palm might flourish,
44   As peace should stiff her wheaten garland wear
45   And stand a comma 'tween their amities,
46   And many such-like 'As'es of great charge,
47   That, on the view and knowing of these contents,
48   Without debatement further, more or less,
49   He should the bearers put to sudden death,
50   Not shriving-time allow'd.

51   How was this seal'd?

52   Why, even in that was heaven ordinant.
53   I had my father's signet in my purse,
54   Which was the model of that Danish seal;
55   Folded the writ up in form of the other,
56   Subscribed it, gave't the impression, placed it safely,
57   The changeling never known. Now, the next day
58   Was our sea-fight; and what to this was sequent
59   Thou know'st already.

60   So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to't.

61   Why, man, they did make love to this employment;
62   They are not near my conscience; their defeat
63   Does by their own insinuation grow:
64   'Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes
65   Between the pass and fell incensed points
66   Of mighty opposites.

67   Why, what a king is this!

68   Does it not, think'st thee, stand me now upon--
69   He that hath kill'd my king and whored my mother,
70   Popp'd in between the election and my hopes,
71   Thrown out his angle for my proper life,
72   And with such cozenage--is't not perfect conscience,
73   To quit him with this arm? and is't not to be damn'd,
74   To let this canker of our nature come
75   In further evil?

76   It must be shortly known to him from England
77   What is the issue of the business there.

78   It will be short: the interim is mine;
79   And a man's life's no more than to say 'One.'
80   But I am very sorry, good Horatio,
81   That to Laertes I forgot myself;
82   For, by the image of my cause, I see
83   The portraiture of his: I'll court his favours.
84   But, sure, the bravery of his grief did put me
85   Into a towering passion.

86   Peace! who comes here?

87   Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark.

88   I humbly thank you, sir. Dost know this water-fly?

89   No, my good lord.

90   Thy state is the more gracious; for 'tis a vice to
91   know him. He hath much land, and fertile: let a
92   beast be lord of beasts, and his crib shall stand at
93   the king's mess: 'tis a chough; but, as I say,
94   spacious in the possession of dirt.

95   Sweet lord, if your lordship were at leisure, I
96   should impart a thing to you from his majesty.

97   I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of
98   spirit. Put your bonnet to his right use; 'tis for the head.

99   I thank your lordship, it is very hot.

100  No, believe me, 'tis very cold; the wind is
101  northerly.

102  It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed.

103  But yet methinks it is very sultry and hot for my
104  complexion.

105  Exceedingly, my lord; it is very sultry,--as
106  'twere,--I cannot tell how. But, my lord, his
107  majesty bade me signify to you that he has laid a
108  great wager on your head: sir, this is the matter,--

109  I beseech you, remember--

110  Nay, good my lord; for mine ease, in good faith.
111  Sir, here is newly come to court Laertes; believe
112  me, an absolute gentleman, full of most excellent
113  differences, of very soft society and great showing:
114  indeed, to speak feelingly of him, he is the card or
115  calendar of gentry, for you shall find in him the
116  continent of what part a gentleman would see.

117  Sir, his definement suffers no perdition in you;
118  though, I know, to divide him inventorially would
119  dizzy the arithmetic of memory, and yet but yaw
120  neither, in respect of his quick sail. But, in the
121  verity of extolment, I take him to be a soul of
122  great article; and his infusion of such dearth and
123  rareness, as, to make true diction of him, his
124  semblable is his mirror; and who else would trace
125  him, his umbrage, nothing more.

126  Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him.

127  The concernancy, sir? why do we wrap the gentleman
128  in our more rawer breath?

129  Sir?

130  Is't not possible to understand in another tongue?
131  You will do't, sir, really.

132  What imports the nomination of this gentleman?

133  Of Laertes?

134  His purse is empty already; all's golden words are spent.

135  Of him, sir.

136  I know you are not ignorant--

137  I would you did, sir; yet, in faith, if you did,
138  it would not much approve me. Well, sir?

139  You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is--

140  I dare not confess that, lest I should compare with
141  him in excellence; but, to know a man well, were to
142  know himself.

143  I mean, sir, for his weapon; but in the imputation
144  laid on him by them, in his meed he's unfellowed.

145  What's his weapon?

146  Rapier and dagger.

147  That's two of his weapons: but, well.

148  The king, sir, hath wagered with him six Barbary
149  horses: against the which he has imponed, as I take
150  it, six French rapiers and poniards, with their
151  assigns, as girdle, hangers, and so: three of the
152  carriages, in faith, are very dear to fancy, very
153  responsive to the hilts, most delicate carriages,
154  and of very liberal conceit.

155  What call you the carriages?

156  I knew you must be edified by the margent ere you had done.

157  The carriages, sir, are the hangers.

158  The phrase would be more german to the matter, if we
159  could carry cannon by our sides: I would it might
160  be hangers till then. But, on: six Barbary horses
161  against six French swords, their assigns, and three
162  liberal-conceited carriages; that's the French bet
163  against the Danish. Why is this 'imponed,' as you call it?

164  The king, sir, hath laid, that in a dozen passes
165  between yourself and him, he shall not exceed you
166  three hits: he hath laid on twelve for nine; and it
167  would come to immediate trial, if your lordship
168  would vouchsafe the answer.

169  How if I answer 'no'?

170  I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial.

171  Sir, I will walk here in the hall: if it please his
172  majesty, 'tis the breathing time of day with me; let
173  the foils be brought, the gentleman willing, and the
174  king hold his purpose, I will win for him an I can;
175  if not, I will gain nothing but my shame and the odd hits.

176  Shall I re-deliver you e'en so?

177  To this effect, sir; after what flourish your nature will.

178  I commend my duty to your lordship.

179  Yours, yours.
Exit OSRIC
180  He does well to commend it himself; there are no
181  tongues else for's turn.

182  This lapwing runs away with the shell on his head.

183  He did comply with his dug, before he sucked it.
184  Thus has he--and many more of the same bevy that I
185  know the dressy age dotes on--only got the tune of
186  the time and outward habit of encounter; a kind of
187  yesty collection, which carries them through and
188  through the most fond and winnowed opinions; and do
189  but blow them to their trial, the bubbles are out.

190  My lord, his majesty commended him to you by young
191  Osric, who brings back to him that you attend him in
192  the hall: he sends to know if your pleasure hold to
193  play with Laertes, or that you will take longer time.

194  I am constant to my purpose; they follow the king's
195  pleasure: if his fitness speaks, mine is ready; now
196  or whensoever, provided I be so able as now.

197  The king and queen and all are coming down.

198  In happy time.

199  The queen desires you to use some gentle
200  entertainment to Laertes before you fall to play.

201  She well instructs me.

202  You will lose this wager, my lord.

203  I do not think so: since he went into France, I
204  have been in continual practise: I shall win at the
205  odds. But thou wouldst not think how ill all's here
206  about my heart: but it is no matter.

207  Nay, good my lord,--

208  It is but foolery; but it is such a kind of
209  gain-giving, as would perhaps trouble a woman.

210  If your mind dislike any thing, obey it: I will
211  forestall their repair hither, and say you are not
212  fit.

213  Not a whit, we defy augury: there's a special
214  providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now,
215  'tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be
216  now; if it be not now, yet it will come: the
217  readiness is all: since no man has aught of what he
218  leaves, what is't to leave betimes?

219  Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.

220  Give me your pardon, sir: I've done you wrong;
221  But pardon't, as you are a gentleman.
222  This presence knows,
223  And you must needs have heard, how I am punish'd
224  With sore distraction. What I have done,
225  That might your nature, honour and exception
226  Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness.
227  Was't Hamlet wrong'd Laertes? Never Hamlet:
228  If Hamlet from himself be ta'en away,
229  And when he's not himself does wrong Laertes,
230  Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it.
231  Who does it, then? His madness: if't be so,
232  Hamlet is of the faction that is wrong'd;
233  His madness is poor Hamlet's enemy.
234  Sir, in this audience,
235  Let my disclaiming from a purposed evil
236  Free me so far in your most generous thoughts,
237  That I have shot mine arrow o'er the house,
238  And hurt my brother.

239  I am satisfied in nature,
240  Whose motive, in this case, should stir me most
241  To my revenge: but in my terms of honour
242  I stand aloof; and will no reconcilement,
243  Till by some elder masters, of known honour,
244  I have a voice and precedent of peace,
245  To keep my name ungored. But till that time,
246  I do receive your offer'd love like love,
247  And will not wrong it.

248  I embrace it freely;
249  And will this brother's wager frankly play.
250  Give us the foils. Come on.

251  Come, one for me.

252  I'll be your foil, Laertes: in mine ignorance
253  Your skill shall, like a star i' the darkest night,
254  Stick fiery off indeed.

255  You mock me, sir.

256  No, by this hand.

257  Give them the foils, young Osric. Cousin Hamlet,
258  You know the wager?

259  Very well, my lord
260  Your grace hath laid the odds o' the weaker side.

261  I do not fear it; I have seen you both:
262  But since he is better'd, we have therefore odds.

263  This is too heavy, let me see another.

264  This likes me well. These foils have all a length?

265  Ay, my good lord.

266  Set me the stoops of wine upon that table.
267  If Hamlet give the first or second hit,
268  Or quit in answer of the third exchange,
269  Let all the battlements their ordnance fire:
270  The king shall drink to Hamlet's better breath;
271  And in the cup an union shall he throw,
272  Richer than that which four successive kings
273  In Denmark's crown have worn. Give me the cups;
274  And let the kettle to the trumpet speak,
275  The trumpet to the cannoneer without,
276  The cannons to the heavens, the heavens to earth,
277  'Now the king dunks to Hamlet.' Come, begin:
278  And you, the judges, bear a wary eye.

279  Come on, sir.

280  Come, my lord.

281  One.

282  No.

283  Judgment.

284  A hit, a very palpable hit.

285  Well; again.

286  Stay; give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is thine;
287  Here's to thy health.
Trumpets sound, and cannon shot off within
288  Give him the cup.

289  I'll play this bout first; set it by awhile. Come.
They play
290  Another hit; what say you?

291  A touch, a touch, I do confess.

292  Our son shall win.

293  He's fat, and scant of breath.
294  Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows;
295  The queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.

296  Good madam!

297  Gertrude, do not drink.

298  I will, my lord; I pray you, pardon me.

Aside
299   It is the poison'd cup: it is too late.

300  I dare not drink yet, madam; by and by.

301  Come, let me wipe thy face.

302  My lord, I'll hit him now.

303  I do not think't.

Aside
304   And yet 'tis almost 'gainst my conscience.

305  Come, for the third, Laertes: you but dally;
306  I pray you, pass with your best violence;
307  I am afeard you make a wanton of me.

308  Say you so? come on.

309  Nothing, neither way.

310  Have at you now!

311  Part them; they are incensed.

312  Nay, come, again.

313  Look to the queen there, ho!

314  They bleed on both sides. How is it, my lord?

315  How is't, Laertes?

316  Why, as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric;
317  I am justly kill'd with mine own treachery.

318  How does the queen?

319  She swounds to see them bleed.

320  No, no, the drink, the drink,--O my dear Hamlet,--
321  The drink, the drink! I am poison'd.

322  O villany! Ho! let the door be lock'd:
323  Treachery! Seek it out.

324  It is here, Hamlet: Hamlet, thou art slain;
325  No medicine in the world can do thee good;
326  In thee there is not half an hour of life;
327  The treacherous instrument is in thy hand,
328  Unbated and envenom'd: the foul practise
329  Hath turn'd itself on me lo, here I lie,
330  Never to rise again: thy mother's poison'd:
331  I can no more: the king, the king's to blame.

332  The point!--envenom'd too!
333  Then, venom, to thy work.

334  Treason! treason!

335  O, yet defend me, friends; I am but hurt.

336  Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane,
337  Drink off this potion. Is thy union here?
338  Follow my mother.

339  He is justly served;
340  It is a poison temper'd by himself.
341  Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet:
342  Mine and my father's death come not upon thee,
343  Nor thine on me.

344  Heaven make thee free of it! I follow thee.
345  I am dead, Horatio. Wretched queen, adieu!
346  You that look pale and tremble at this chance,
347  That are but mutes or audience to this act,
348  Had I but time--as this fell sergeant, death,
349  Is strict in his arrest--O, I could tell you--
350  But let it be. Horatio, I am dead;
351  Thou livest; report me and my cause aright
352  To the unsatisfied.

353  Never believe it:
354  I am more an antique Roman than a Dane:
355  Here's yet some liquor left.

356  As thou'rt a man,
357  Give me the cup: let go; by heaven, I'll have't.
358  O good Horatio, what a wounded name,
359  Things standing thus unknown, shall live behind me!
360  If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart
361  Absent thee from felicity awhile,
362  And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain,
363  To tell my story.
March afar off, and shot within
364  What warlike noise is this?

365  Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland,
366  To the ambassadors of England gives
367  This warlike volley.

368  O, I die, Horatio;
369  The potent poison quite o'er-crows my spirit:
370  I cannot live to hear the news from England;
371  But I do prophesy the election lights
372  On Fortinbras: he has my dying voice;
373  So tell him, with the occurrents, more and less,
374  Which have solicited. The rest is silence.

375  Now cracks a noble heart. Good night sweet prince:
376  And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!
377  Why does the drum come hither?

378  Where is this sight?

379  What is it ye would see?
380  If aught of woe or wonder, cease your search.

381  This quarry cries on havoc. O proud death,
382  What feast is toward in thine eternal cell,
383  That thou so many princes at a shot
384  So bloodily hast struck?

385  The sight is dismal;
386  And our affairs from England come too late:
387  The ears are senseless that should give us hearing,
388  To tell him his commandment is fulfill'd,
389  That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead:
390  Where should we have our thanks?

391  Not from his mouth,
392  Had it the ability of life to thank you:
393  He never gave commandment for their death.
394  But since, so jump upon this bloody question,
395  You from the Polack wars, and you from England,
396  Are here arrived give order that these bodies
397  High on a stage be placed to the view;
398  And let me speak to the yet unknowing world
399  How these things came about: so shall you hear
400  Of carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts,
401  Of accidental judgments, casual slaughters,
402  Of deaths put on by cunning and forced cause,
403  And, in this upshot, purposes mistook
404  Fall'n on the inventors' reads: all this can I
405  Truly deliver.

406  Let us haste to hear it,
407  And call the noblest to the audience.
408  For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune:
409  I have some rights of memory in this kingdom,
410  Which now to claim my vantage doth invite me.

411  Of that I shall have also cause to speak,
412  And from his mouth whose voice will draw on more;
413  But let this same be presently perform'd,
414  Even while men's minds are wild; lest more mischance
415  On plots and errors, happen.

416  Let four captains
417  Bear Hamlet, like a soldier, to the stage;
418  For he was likely, had he been put on,
419  To have proved most royally: and, for his passage,
420  The soldiers' music and the rites of war
421  Speak loudly for him.
422  Take up the bodies: such a sight as this
423  Becomes the field, but here shows much amiss.
424  Go, bid the soldiers shoot.