Hamlet Read online

  But, sure, the bravery84 of his grief did put me Into a tow'ring passion.

  HORATIO Peace, who comes here?

  Takes off his hat

  Enter young Osric

  OSRIC Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark.

  HAMLET I humbly thank you, sir.-- Dost know this water-fly88?

  HORATIO No, my good lord.

  HAMLET Thy state is the more gracious90, for 'tis a vice to know him. He hath much land, and fertile: let a beast be lord of91

  beasts, and his crib92 shall stand at the king's mess; 'tis a chough93, but, as I say, spacious in the possession of dirt.

  OSRIC Sweet lord, if your friendship were at leisure94, I should impart a thing to you from his majesty.

  HAMLET I will receive it with all diligence of spirit. Put your bonnet97 to his right use: 'tis for the head.

  OSRIC I thank your lordship, 'tis very hot.

  HAMLET No, believe me, 'tis very cold: the wind is northerly.

  OSRIC It is indifferent100 cold, my lord, indeed.

  HAMLET Methinks it is very sultry and hot for my complexion101.

  OSRIC Exceedingly, my lord: it is very sultry, as 'twere, I cannot tell how. But, my lord, his majesty bade me signify to

  you that he has laid a great wager on your head: sir, this is

  the matter--

  Gestures towards hat

  HAMLET I beseech you remember106--

  OSRIC Nay, in good faith, for mine ease107, in good faith. Sir, you are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is at his

  weapon.

  HAMLET What's his weapon?

  OSRIC Rapier111 and dagger.

  HAMLET That's two of his weapons; but, well112.

  OSRIC The king, sir, has waged with him six Barbary113

  horses, against the which he imponed114, as I take it, six French rapiers and poniards, with their assigns, as girdle, hangers115

  or so. Three of the carriages, in faith, are very dear to fancy116, very responsive to the hilts, most delicate117 carriages, and of very liberal conceit118.

  HAMLET What call you119 the carriages?

  OSRIC The carriages, sir, are the hangers.

  HAMLET The phrase would be more germane121 to the matter, if we could carry cannon by our sides122: I would it might be hangers till then. But, on: six Barbary horses against six

  French swords, their assigns, and three liberal-conceited

  carriages: that's the French bet against the Danish. Why is

  this 'imponed' as you call it?

  OSRIC The king, sir, hath laid, that in a dozen passes127

  between you and him128, he shall not exceed you three hits: he hath laid on twelve for nine, and that would come to

  immediate trial, if your lordship would vouchsafe the answer130.

  HAMLET How if I answer 'no'?

  OSRIC I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in132

  trial.

  HAMLET Sir, I will walk here in the hall: if it please his majesty, 'tis the breathing time135 of day with me; let the foils be brought, the gentleman willing, and the king hold his

  purpose, I will win for him if I can: if not, I'll gain nothing

  but my shame and the odd138 hits.

  OSRIC Shall I redeliver you139 e'en so?

  HAMLET To this effect, sir, after what flourish140 your nature will.

  OSRIC I commend142 my duty to your lordship.

  HAMLET Yours, yours.--

  [Exit Osric]

  He does well to commend it himself, there are no tongues

  else for's turn145.

  HORATIO This lapwing146 runs away with the shell on his head.

  HAMLET He did comply with his dug147, before he sucked it.

  Thus has he -- and many more of the same bevy148 that I know the drossy age dotes on -- only got the tune149 of the time and outward habit of encounter, a kind of yeasty collection150, which carries them through and through the most fond151 and winnowed opinions; and do but blow them to their trials, the152

  bubbles are out.

  HORATIO You will lose this wager, my lord.

  HAMLET I do not think so: since he went into France, I have been in continual practice; I shall win at the odds156. But thou wouldst not think how ill all's here about my heart, but it is

  no matter.

  HORATIO Nay, good my lord--

  HAMLET It is but foolery; but it is such a kind of gain-giving160

  as would perhaps trouble a woman.

  HORATIO If your mind dislike anything, obey it: I will forestall their repair163 hither, and say you are not fit.

  HAMLET Not a whit, we defy augury: there's a special164

  providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it165 be now, 'tis not to come: if it be not to come, it will be now: if it be not now, yet

  it will come: the readiness is all. Since no man has aught of167

  what he leaves, what is't to leave betimes168?

  Enter King, Queen, Laertes and Lords, with [Osric and] other Attendants with foils and gauntlets, a table and flagons of wine on it

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

  Puts Laertes' hand into Hamlet's

  HAMLET Give me your pardon, sir: I've done you wrong, But pardon't, as you are a gentleman.

  This presence172 knows, And you must needs have heard, how I am punished

  With sore distraction. What I have done

  That might your nature, honour and exception175

  Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness.

  Was't Hamlet wronged Laertes? Never Hamlet:

  If Hamlet from himself be ta'en away,

  And when he's not himself does wrong Laertes,

  Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it.

  Who does it, then? His madness. If't be so,

  Hamlet is of the faction182 that is wronged, His madness is poor Hamlet's enemy.

  Sir, in this audience,

  Let my disclaiming from a purposed185 evil Free me so far in your most generous186 thoughts That I have187 shot mine arrow o'er the house, And hurt my brother.

  LAERTES I am satisfied in nature,

  Whose motive in this case should stir me most

  To my revenge: but in my terms of honour191

  I stand aloof, and will192 no reconcilement Till by some elder masters, of known honour

  I have a voice and precedent of peace194, To keep my name ungored195. But till that time, I do receive your offered love like love,

  And will not wrong it.

  HAMLET I do embrace it freely,

  And will this brother's wager frankly199 play.--

  Give us the foils. Come on.

  LAERTES Come, one for me.

  HAMLET I'll be your foil202, Laertes: in mine ignorance Your skill shall, like a star i'th'darkest night,

  Stick fiery off204 indeed.

  LAERTES You mock me, sir.

  HAMLET No, by this hand.

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

  HAMLET Very well, my lord:

  Your grace hath laid the odds210 o'th'weaker side.

  KING I do not fear it: I have seen you both: But since he is bettered, we have therefore odds212.

  Looks over the foils

  LAERTES This is too heavy, let me see another.

  HAMLET This likes me well. These foils have all a length214?

  Prepare to play

  OSRIC Ay, my good lord.

  KING Set me the stoups216 of wine upon that table: If Hamlet give the first or second hit,

  Or quit in answer of the third exchange218, Let all the battlements their ordnance219 fire: The king shall drink to Hamlet's better breath220, And in the cup an union221 shall he throw Richer than that which four successive kings

  In Denmark's crown have worn. Give me the cups,

  And let the kettle224 to the trumpets speak, The trumpet to the cannoneer without,

  The cannons to the heavens, the heaven to earth,


  'Now the king drinks to Hamlet.' Come, begin:

  And you, the judges, bear a wary eye.

  HAMLET Come on, sir.

  They play

  LAERTES Come on, sir.

  HAMLET One.

  LAERTES No.

  HAMLET Judgement.

  OSRIC A hit, a very palpable hit.

  LAERTES Well, again.

  Drinks, then puts the pearl in the cup?

  KING Stay, give me drink.-- Hamlet, this

  pearl is thine: Here's to thy health.--

  Give him the cup.

  Trumpets sound and shot goes off

  HAMLET I'll play this bout first: set by awhile.-- Come.

  They play

  Another hit; what say you?

  LAERTES A touch, a touch, I do confess.

  KING Our son shall win.

  GERTRUDE He's fat243, and scant of breath.--

  To Hamlet

  Here's a napkin244, rub thy brows: The queen carouses to245 thy fortune, Hamlet.

  HAMLET Good madam.

  KING Gertrude, do not drink!

  Drinks

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

  Aside

  KING It is the poisoned cup: it is too late.

  HAMLET I dare not drink yet, madam: by and by.

  GERTRUDE Come, let me wipe thy face.

  To the King

  LAERTES My lord, I'll hit him now.

  KING I do not think't.

  Aside

  LAERTES And yet 'tis almost gainst my conscience.

  HAMLET Come, for the third: Laertes, you but dally.

  I pray you pass256 with your best violence: I am afeard you make a wanton257 of me.

  Play

  LAERTES Say you so? Come on.

  OSRIC Nothing, neither way.

  LAERTES Have at you now!

  In scuffling260 they change rapiers

  KING Part them: they are incensed.

  Gertrude falls?

  HAMLET Nay, come, again.

  To Hamlet

  OSRIC Look to the queen there, ho!

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

  OSRIC How is't, Laertes?

  LAERTES Why, as a woodcock to mine own springe266, Osric: I am justly killed with mine own treachery.

  HAMLET How does the queen?

  KING She swoons to see them bleed.

  GERTRUDE No, no, the drink, the drink -- O my dear Hamlet --

  The drink, the drink! I am poisoned.

  Dies

  HAMLET O, villainy! Ho! Let the door be locked:

  Treachery! Seek it out.

  LAERTES It is here, Hamlet. Hamlet, thou art slain:

  No medicine in the world can do thee good,

  In thee there is not half an hour of life;

  The treacherous instrument is in thy hand,

  Unbated and envenomed. The foul practice278

  Hath turned itself on me: lo, here I lie,

  Never to rise again. Thy mother's poisoned.

  I can no more. The king, the king's to blame.

  HAMLET The point envenomed too!

  Hurts the King

  Then, venom, to thy work.

  ALL Treason! Treason!

  KING O, yet defend me, friends, I am but hurt.

  HAMLET Here, thou incestuous, murd'rous, damned Dane, Drink off this potion. Is thy union287 here?

  Follow my mother.

  King dies

  LAERTES He is justly served:

  It is a poison tempered290 by himself.

  Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet:

  Mine and my father's death come not upon thee,

  Nor thine on me.

  Dies

  HAMLET Heaven make thee free of it! I follow thee.--

  I am dead, Horatio.-- Wretched queen, adieu!--

  You that look pale and tremble at this chance296, That are but mutes or audience to this act297, Had I but time -- as this fell298 sergeant, death, Is strict in his arrest299 -- O, I could tell you.

  But let it be.-- Horatio, I am dead:

  Thou liv'st: report me and my causes301 right To the unsatisfied302.

  HORATIO Never believe it.

  I am more an antique Roman304 than a Dane: Here's yet some liquor left.

  HAMLET As thou'rt a man,

  Give me the cup: let go, by heaven, I'll have't.

  O, good Horatio, what a wounded name --

  Things standing thus unknown -- shall live behind me!

  If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart,

  Absent thee from felicity311 awhile, And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain,

  To tell my story.

  March afar off and shot within

  What warlike noise is this?

  Enter Osric

  OSRIC Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland, To th'ambassadors of England gives

  This warlike volley.

  HAMLET O, I die, Horatio:

  The potent poison quite o'er-crows318 my spirit.

  I cannot live to hear the news from England,

  But I do prophesy th'election320 lights On Fortinbras: he has my dying voice321, So tell him, with the occurrents322 more and less

  Which have solicited. The rest is silence. O, o, o, o323!

  Dies

  HORATIO Now cracks a noble heart. Goodnight, sweet prince, And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!--

  Why does the drum come hither?

  Enter Fortinbras and English Ambassador, with Drum, Colours and Attendants

  FORTINBRAS Where is this sight?

  HORATIO What is it ye would328 see?

  If aught of woe or wonder, cease your search.

  FORTINBRAS This quarry cries on havoc330. O proud death, What feast is toward in thine eternal cell331, That thou so many princes at a shot

  So bloodily hast struck?

  AMBASSADOR The sight is dismal334, And our affairs from England come too late:

  The ears336 are senseless that should give us hearing, To tell him his commandment is fulfilled,

  That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead.

  Where should we have our thanks?

  HORATIO Not from his mouth,

  Had it th'ability of life to thank you:

  He never gave commandment for their death.

  But since, so jump upon this bloody question343, You from the Polack wars, and you from England,

  Are here arrived, give order that these bodies

  High on a stage be placed to the view346, And let me speak to th'yet unknowing world

  How these things came about: so shall you hear

  Of carnal, bloody and unnatural acts,

  Of accidental judgements, casual350 slaughters, Of deaths put on by cunning and forced cause351, And, in this upshot352, purposes mistook Fall'n on the inventors' heads: all this can I

  Truly deliver354.

  FORTINBRAS Let us haste to hear it,

  And call the noblest to the audience.

  For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune:

  I have some rights of memory358 in this kingdom, Which now to claim my vantage359 doth invite me.

  HORATIO Of that I shall have also cause to speak,

  And from his mouth whose voice will draw on361 more: But let this same be presently362 performed, Even while men's minds are wild363, lest more mischance On364 plots and errors happen.

  FORTINBRAS Let four captains

  Bear Hamlet, like a soldier, to the stage,

  For he was likely, had he been put on367, To have proved most royally: and for his passage368, The soldiers' music and the rites of war

  Speak370 loudly for him.

  Take up the body: such a sight as this

  Becomes the field, but here shows much amiss372.

  Go, bid the soldiers shoot.

  Exeunt marching. After the which a peal of ordnance are shot off

  TEXTUAL NOTES

  Q1 = First Quarto text of 1603 (of uncertain authority)


  Q2 = Second Quarto text of 1604-05

  Q1/Q2 = a reading in which the First Quarto and Second Quarto texts agree

  F = First Folio text of 1623

  F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632 Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor SD = stage direction SH = speech heading (i.e. speaker's name)

  List of parts = Ed

  1.1.70 he = Q1/Q2. Not in F 72 steeled = Ed. Q1/Q2 = sleaded. F = sledded pole-axe = F (Pollax). Sometimes emended to Polacks 104 designed = F2. F = designe 126 haply spelled happily in F 151 say = Q1/Q2. F = sayes 167 Let's = Q1/Q2. F= Let

  1.2.8 sometime = Q2. F = sometimes 67 SH GERTRUDE = Ed. F = Queen. 129 solid = F. Q2 = sallied, sometimes emended to sullied 134 Seem = Q2. F = Seemes 141 beteem = Q2. F = beteene 207 distilled = Q1/Q2. F = bestil'd 212 Where, as = Ed. F = Whereas 221 its = Q4. F = it 232 SH MARCELLUS and BARNARDO = Ed. F = Both. 249 SH MARCELLUS and BARNARDO = Ed. F = All. 254 walk = Q1/Q2. F = wake 260 tenable = Q1/Q2. F = treble

  1.3.18 will = Q2. F = feare 23 sanctity = F. Q2 = safety. Ed = sanity whole = Q2. F = weole 48 watchman Q2. F = watchmen 68 new-hatched = Q2. F = vnhatch't 77 chief spelled cheff in F 113 Running = Ed. F = Roaming 121 Lends = Q1/Q2. F = Giues 132 dye = Q2. F = eye 134 bawds = Ed. F = bonds

  1.4.10 wassail = Q1/Q2. F = wassels 23 intents = Q1/Q2. F = euents 37 the = Q1/Q2. F = thee; 54 summit = Ed. F = Sonnet 64 artery = Ed. F = Artire

  1.5.23 on spelled an in F 33 I = Q2. Not in F 38 roots = Q1/Q2. F = rots 48 wit = Ed. F = wits with = Q1/Q2. F = hath 50 to his = Q1/Q2. F = to to this 74 eager spelled Aygre in F 76 barked = Q1/Q2. F = bak'd 112-13 My tables, My tables = F (in one line). Q1/Q2 does not repeat 122 SH HAMLET = Q2. F = Mar. 123 Hillo spelled Ilio in F 146 whirling spelled hurling in F 150 Horatio = Q2. F = my Lord 174 our = Q1/Q2. F = for 194 they = Q1/Q2. F = there

  2.1.1 this = Q1/Q2. F = his 3 marvellous spelled maruels in F 15 As = Q2. F = And 67 carp = Q2. F = Cape 121 feared = Q2. F = feare

  2.2.0 SD with others F has the Latin "Cum alijs" 17 Whether ... thus = Q2. Not in F (compositor's eyeskip?) 46 lord? I = Q2. F = lord? 48 and = Q1/Q2. F = one 55 fruit = Q2. F = Newes 129 solicitings = Q2. F = soliciting 169 does = Q2. F = ha's 204 that you read = Q2. F = you meane 208 lack = Q2. F = locke 226 SD Enter ... Guildenstern placed one line later in F 239 favours = Q2. F = fauour 283 of= Q1/Q2. Not in F 297 discovery, and = Q2. F = discouery of 300 heavily = Q2. F = heauenly 303 firmament = Q2. Not in F 339 berattle = F2. F = be-ratled 345 most like = Ed. F = like most 384 Roscius, an = F (Rossius an). Q1/Q2 = Rossius was an 388 came = Q2. F = can 392 individable = Q2. F = indiuible 411 pious = Q2. F = Pons 415 valanced = Q2. F = valiant 427 caviar spelled Caviarie in F 434-35 as ... fine = Q2. Not in F 435 One = Q2. F = One cheefe 447 total = Q1/Q2. F = to take 455 So, proceed you. = Q2. Not in F 461 matched = Q2. F = match 465 this = Q2. F = his 485 fellies spelled Fallies in F 492 mobled = Q1/Q2. F = ino-bled (throughout) 539 wanned = Q2. F = warm'd 566 bawdy = Q2. F = a Bawdy 569 Why = Q2. F = Who