Chapter VIII: Act V: SCENE I. A churchyard (1)

_Enter two_ Clowns, _with spades, &c._[1962]

_First Clo._ Is she to be buried in Christian burial that[1963][1964]
wilfully seeks her own salvation?

_Sec. Clo._ I tell thee she is; and therefore make her[1965][1966]
grave straight: the crowner hath sat on her, and finds it
Christian burial. 5

_First Clo._ How can that be, unless she drowned herself[1963][1967]
in her own defence?

_Sec. Clo._ Why, 'tis found so.[1965]

_First Clo._ It must be 'se offendendo;' it cannot be else.[1968]
For here lies the point: if I drown myself wittingly, it argues 10
an act: and an act hath three branches; it is, to act, to[1969]
do, and to perform: argal, she drowned herself wittingly.[1970]

_Sec. Clo._ Nay, but hear you, goodman delver.[1971]

_First Clo._ Give me leave. Here lies the water; good:[1972]
here stands the man; good: if the man go to this water and[1973] 15
drown himself, it is, will he, nill he, he goes; mark you[1974]
that; but if the water come to him and drown him, he[1975]
drowns not himself: argal, he that is not guilty of his own
death shortens not his own life.

_Sec. Clo._ But is this law? 20

_First Clo._ Ay, marry, is't; crowner's quest law.

_Sec. Clo._ Will you ha' the truth on't? If this had not[1976]
been a gentlewoman, she should have been buried out o'[1977]
Christian burial.

_First Clo._ Why, there thou say'st: and the more pity that[1978] 25
great folk should have countenance in this world to drown
or hang themselves, more than their even Christian. Come,[1979]
my spade. There is no ancient gentlemen but gardeners,[1980]
ditchers and grave-makers: they hold up Adam's profession.

_Sec. Clo._ Was he a gentleman? 30

_First Clo._ A' was the first that ever bore arms.[1981]

_Sec. Clo._ Why, he had none.[1982]

_First Clo._ What, art a heathen? How dost thou understand[1982][1983]
the Scripture? The Scripture says Adam digged:[1982]
could he dig without arms? I'll put another question[1982] 35
to thee: if thou answerest me not to the purpose, confess[1984]
thyself--[1985]

_Sec. Clo._ Go to.

_First Clo._ What is he that builds stronger than either
the mason, the shipwright, or the carpenter? 40

_Sec. Clo._ The gallows-maker; for that frame outlives a[1986]
thousand tenants.

_First Clo._ I like thy wit well, in good faith: the gallows
does well; but how does it well? it does well to those that
do ill: now, thou dost ill to say the gallows is built stronger 45
than the church: argal, the gallows may do well to thee.
To't again, come.

_Sec. Clo._ 'Who builds stronger than a mason, a shipwright,
or a carpenter?'[1987]

_First Clo._ Ay, tell me that, and unyoke. 50

_Sec. Clo._ Marry, now I can tell.

_First Clo._ To't.

_Sec. Clo._ Mass, I cannot tell.

_Enter_ HAMLET _and_ HORATIO, _afar off_.[1988]

_First Clo._ Cudgel thy brains no more about it, for your
dull ass will not mend his pace with beating, and when 55
you are asked this question next, say 'a grave-maker:' the
houses that he makes last till doomsday. Go, get thee to[1989][1990]
Yaughan; fetch me a stoup of liquor. [_Exit Sec. Clown._[1990][1991]

[_He digs, and sings._

In youth, when I did love, did love,
Methought it was very sweet, 60
To contract, O, the time, for-a my behove,[1992]
O, methought, there-a was nothing-a meet.[1993]

_Ham._ Has this fellow no feeling of his business, that[1994][1995]
he sings at grave-making?[1995]

_Hor._ Custom hath made it in him a property of easiness.[1996] 65

_Ham._ 'Tis e'en so: the hand of little employment hath
the daintier sense.[1997]

_First Clo._ [_Sings_] But age, with his stealing steps,[1998][1999]
Hath claw'd me in his clutch,[1999][2000] 70
And hath shipped me intil the land,[1999][2001]
As if I had never been such.[2002]

[_Throws up a skull._

_Ham._ That skull had a tongue in it, and could sing
once: how the knave jowls it to the ground, as if it were[2003]
Cain's jaw-bone, that did the first murder! It might be[2004] 75
the pate of a politician, which this ass now o'er-reaches;[2005]
one that would circumvent God, might it not?[2006]

_Hor._ It might, my lord.

_Ham._ Or of a courtier, which could say 'Good morrow,
sweet lord! How dost thou, sweet lord?' This might[2007] 80
be my lord such-a-one, that praised my lord such-a-one's[2008]
horse, when he meant to beg it; might it not?[2009]

_Hor._ Ay, my lord.

_Ham._ Why, e'en so: and now my Lady Worm's;[2010]
chapless, and knocked about the mazzard with a sexton's[2011] 85
spade: here's fine revolution, an we had the trick to see't.[2012]
Did these bones cost no more the breeding, but to play at
loggats with 'em? mine ache to think on't.[2013]

_First Clo._ [_Sings_] A pick-axe, and a spade, a spade,[1998]
For and a shrouding sheet:[2014] 90
O, a pit of clay for to be made
For such a guest is meet.

[Throws up another skull.[2015]

_Ham._ There's another: why may not that be the skull[2016]
of a lawyer? Where be his quiddities now, his quillets, his[2017]
cases, his tenures, and his tricks? why does he suffer this 95
rude knave now to knock him about the sconce with a dirty[2018]
shovel, and will not tell him of his action of battery? Hum![2019]
This fellow might be in 's time a great buyer of land, with
his statutes, his recognizances, his fines, his double vouchers,
his recoveries: is this the fine of his fines and the recovery[2020] 100
of his recoveries, to have his fine pate full of fine dirt? will[2020][2021]
his vouchers vouch him no more of his purchases, and double[2022][2023]
ones too, than the length and breadth of a pair of indentures?[2023]
The very conveyances of his lands will hardly lie in[2024]
this box; and must the inheritor himself have no more, ha? 105

_Hor._ Not a jot more, my lord.

_Ham._ Is not parchment made of sheep-skins?

_Hor._ Ay, my lord, and of calf-skins too.[2025]

_Ham._ They are sheep and calves which seek out assurance[2026]
in that. I will speak to this fellow. Whose grave's 110
this, sirrah?[2027]

_First Clo._ Mine, sir.[2028]
[_Sings_] O, a pit of clay for to be made[2028][2029]
For such a guest is meet.[2030]

_Ham._ I think it be thine indeed, for thou liest in't.[2031] 115

_First Clo._ You lie out on't, sir, and therefore 'tis not[2032]
yours: for my part, I do not lie in't, and yet it is mine.[2033]

_Ham._ Thou dost lie in't, to be in't and say it is thine:
'tis for the dead, not for the quick; therefore thou liest.

_First Clo._ 'Tis a quick lie, sir; 'twill away again, from[2034] 120
me to you.

_Ham._ What man dost thou dig it for?

_First Clo._ For no man, sir.

_Ham._ What woman then?

_First Clo._ For none, neither. 125

_Ham._ Who is to be buried in 't?

_First Clo._ One that was a woman, sir; but, rest her
soul, she's dead.

_Ham._ How absolute the knave is! we must speak by
the card, or equivocation will undo us. By the Lord,[2035] 130
Horatio, this three years I have taken note of it; the age[2036]
is grown so picked that the toe of the peasant comes so[2037]
near the heel of the courtier, he galls his kibe. How long[2038]
hast thou been a grave-maker?[2039]

_First Clo._ Of all the days i' the year, I came to't that[2040] 135
day that our last king Hamlet o'ercame Fortinbras.[2041]

_Ham._ How long is that since?

_First Clo._ Cannot you tell that? every fool can tell
that: it was that very day that young Hamlet was born;[2042]
he that is mad, and sent into England.[2043] 140

_Ham._ Ay, marry, why was he sent into England?

_First Clo._ Why, because a' was mad: a' shall recover[2044]
his wits there; or, if a' do not, 'tis no great matter there.[2044][2045]

_Ham._ Why?

_First Clo._ 'Twill not be seen in him there; there the[2046] 145
men are as mad as he.[2046]

_Ham._ How came he mad?

_First Clo._ Very strangely, they say.

_Ham._ How 'strangely'?

_First Clo._ Faith, e'en with losing his wits. 150

_Ham._ Upon what ground?

_First Clo._ Why, here in Denmark: I have been sexton[2047]
here, man and boy, thirty years.[2048]

_Ham._ How long will a man lie i' the earth ere he rot?

_First Clo._ I'faith, if a' be not rotten before a' die--as[2049][2050] 155
we have many pocky corses now-a-days, that will scarce[2051]
hold the laying in--a' will last you some eight year or nine[2051]
year: a tanner will last you nine year.[2052]

_Ham._ Why he more than another?

_First Clo._ Why, sir, his hide is so tanned with his trade[2053] 160
that a' will keep out water a great while; and your water is[2054]
a sore decayer of your whoreson dead body. Here's a skull[2055]
now: this skull has lain in the earth three and twenty years.[2055][2056]

_Ham._ Whose was it?

_First Clo._ A whoreson mad fellow's it was: whose do[2057] 165
you think it was?[2057]

_Ham._ Nay, I know not.

_First Clo._ A pestilence on him for a mad rogue! a'[2058]
poured a flagon of Rhenish on my head once. This same[2059]
skull, sir, was Yorick's skull, the king's jester.[2059][2060] 170

_Ham._ This?

_First Clo._ E'en that.

_Ham._ Let me see. [_Takes the skull._] Alas, poor[2061]
Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of
most excellent fancy: he hath borne me on his back a[2062] 175
thousand times; and now how abhorred in my imagination[2063][2064]
it is! my gorge rises at it. Here hung those lips that I[2064]
have kissed I know not how oft. Where be your gibes
now? your gambols? your songs? your flashes of merriment,[2065]
that were wont to set the table on a roar? Not one[2066] 180
now, to mock your own grinning? quite chop-fallen? Now[2067]
get you to my lady's chamber, and tell her, let her paint[2068]
an inch thick, to this favour she must come; make her[2069]
laugh at that. Prithee, Horatio, tell me one thing.

_Hor._ What's that, my lord? 185

_Ham._ Dost thou think Alexander looked o' this fashion[2070]
i' the earth?

_Hor._ E'en so.

_Ham._ And smelt so? pah! [_Puts down the skull._[2071]

_Hor._ E'en so, my lord. 190

_Ham._ To what base uses we may return, Horatio![2072]
Why may not imagination trace the noble dust of Alexander,
till he find it stopping a bung-hole?[2073]

_Hor._ 'Twere to consider too curiously, to consider so.

_Ham._ No, faith, not a jot; but to follow him thither[2074] 195
with modesty enough and likelihood to lead it: as thus:[2075]
Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander returneth[2076]
into dust; the dust is earth; of earth we make loam;[2077]
and why of that loam, whereto he was converted, might[2078]
they not stop a beer-barrel? 200
Imperious Cæsar, dead and turn'd to clay,[2079]
Might stop a hole to keep the wind away:
O, that that earth, which kept the world in awe,
Should patch a wall to expel the winter's flaw![2080]
But soft! but soft! aside: here comes the king. 205

_Enter_ Priests, _&c. in procession; the Corpse of Ophelia_, LAERTES
_and_ Mourners _following_; KING, QUEEN, _their trains, &c._[2081]

The queen, the courtiers: who is this they follow?[2082]
And with such maimed rites? This doth betoken[2083]
The corse they follow did with desperate hand
Fordo its own life: 'twas of some estate.[2084]
Couch we awhile, and mark. [_Retiring with Horatio._[2085] 210

_Laer._ What ceremony else?[2086]

_Ham._ That is Laertes, a very noble youth: mark.[2087]

_Laer._ What ceremony else?

_First Priest._ Her obsequies have been as far enlarged[2088][2089]
As we have warranty: her death was doubtful;[2090] 215
And, but that great command o'ersways the order,
She should in ground unsanctified have lodged[2091]
Till the last trumpet; for charitable prayers,[2092]
Shards, flints and pebbles should be thrown on her:[2093]
Yet here she is allow'd her virgin crants,[2094] 220
Her maiden strewments and the bringing home[2095]
Of bell and burial.

_Laer._ Must there no more be done?[2096]

_First Priest._ No more be done:[2088]
We should profane the service of the dead
To sing a requiem and such rest to her[2097] 225
As to peace-parted souls.

_Laer._ Lay her i' the earth:[2098]
And from her fair and unpolluted flesh
May violets spring! I tell thee, churlish priest,
A ministering angel shall my sister be,
When thou liest howling.

_Ham._ What, the fair Ophelia! 230

_Queen._ [_Scattering flowers_] Sweets to the sweet: farewell![2099]
I hoped thou shouldst have been my Hamlet's wife;[2100]
I thought thy bride-bed to have deck'd, sweet maid,
And not have strew'd thy grave.

_Laer._ O, treble woe[2101]
Fall ten times treble on that cursed head[2102] 235
Whose wicked deed thy most ingenious sense[2103]
Deprived thee of! Hold off the earth awhile,
Till I have caught her once more in mine arms:

[_Leaps into the grave._[2104]

Now pile your dust upon the quick and dead,
Till of this flat a mountain you have made 240
To o'ertop old Pelion or the skyish head[2105]
Of blue Olympus.[2106][2107]

_Ham._ [_Advancing_] What is he whose grief[2107]
Bears such an emphasis? whose phrase of sorrow[2108]
Conjures the wandering stars and makes them stand
Like wonder-wounded hearers? This is I,[2109] 245
Hamlet the Dane. [_Leaps into the grave._

_Laer._ The devil take thy soul!

[_Grappling with him._[2110]

_Ham._ Thou pray'st not well.[2111]
I prithee, take thy fingers from my throat;[2111]
For, though I am not splenitive and rash,[2112]
Yet have I in me something dangerous,[2113] 250
Which let thy wisdom fear. Hold off thy hand.[2114]

_King._ Pluck them asunder.

_Queen._ Hamlet, Hamlet!

_All._ Gentlemen,--

_Hor._ Good my lord, be quiet.

[_The Attendants part them, and they come out of the grave._[2115]

_Ham._ Why, I will fight with him upon this theme[2116]
Until my eyelids will no longer wag. 255

_Queen._ O my son, what theme?

_Ham._ I loved Ophelia: forty thousand brothers
Could not, with all their quantity of love,[2117]
Make up my sum. What wilt thou do for her?

_King._ O, he is mad, Laertes. 260

_Queen._ For love of God, forbear him.

_Ham._ 'Swounds, show me what thou'lt do:[2118]
Woo't weep? woo't fight? woo't fast? woo't tear thyself?[2119][2120]
Woo't drink up eisel? eat a crocodile?[2119][2121]
I'll do't. Dost thou come here to whine?[2122] 265
To outface me with leaping in her grave?[2123]
Be buried quick with her, and so will I:
And, if thou prate of mountains, let them throw
Millions of acres on us, till our ground,
Singeing his pate against the burning zone,[2124] 270
Make Ossa like a wart! Nay, an thou'lt mouth,[2125]
I'll rant as well as thou.

_Queen._ This is mere madness:[2126][2127]
And thus awhile the fit will work on him;[2128]
Anon, as patient as the female dove[2127][2129]
When that her golden couplets are disclosed,[2130] 275
His silence will sit drooping.

_Ham._ Hear you, sir;
What is the reason that you use me thus?
I loved you ever: but it is no matter;[2131]
Let Hercules himself do what he may,
The cat will mew, and dog will have his day. [_Exit._[2132] 280
King. I pray thee, good Horatio, wait upon him.

[_Exit Horatio._[2133]

[_To Laertes_] Strengthen your patience in our last night's speech;[2134]
We'll put the matter to the present push.
Good Gertrude, set some watch over your son.
This grave shall have a living monument: 285
An hour of quiet shortly shall we see;[2135]
Till then, in patience our proceeding be. [_Exeunt._[2136]

SCENE II. _A hall in the castle._[2137]

_Enter_ HAMLET _and_ HORATIO.

_Ham._ So much for this, sir: now shall you see the other;[2138]
You do remember all the circumstance?[2139]

_Hor._ Remember it, my lord!

_Ham._ Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting,
That would not let me sleep: methought I lay[2140] 5
Worse than the mutines in the bilboes. Rashly,[2141][2142]
And praised be rashness for it, let us know,[2142][2143][2144][2145]
Our indiscretion sometime serves us well[2144][2145][2146]
When our deep plots do pall; and that should learn us[2144][2147]
There's a divinity that shapes our ends,[2144] 10
Rough-hew them how we will.[2144]

_Hor._ That is most certain.

_Ham._ Up from my cabin,
My sea-gown scarf'd about me, in the dark[2148]
Groped I to find out them; had my desire,[2149]
Finger'd their packet, and in fine withdrew 15
To mine own room again; making so bold,[2150][2151]
My fears forgetting manners, to unseal[2151][2152]
Their grand commission; where I found, Horatio,--
O royal knavery!--an exact command,[2153]
Larded with many several sorts of reasons,[2154] 20
Importing Denmark's health and England's too,
With, ho! such bugs and goblins in my life,[2155]
That, on the supervise, no leisure bated,
No, not to stay the grinding of the axe,[2156]
My head should be struck off.[2157]

_Hor._ Is't possible? 25

_Ham._ Here's the commission: read it at more leisure.
But wilt thou hear now how I did proceed?[2158]

_Hor._ I beseech you.[2159]

_Ham._ Being thus be-netted round with villanies,--[2160][2161]
Or I could make a prologue to my brains,[2160][2162] 30
They had begun the play,--I sat me down;[2160][2163]
Devised a new commission; wrote it fair:
I once did hold it, as our statists do,
A baseness to write fair, and labour'd much[2164]
How to forget that learning; but, sir, now 35
It did me yeoman's service: wilt thou know[2165]
The effect of what I wrote?[2166]

_Hor._ Ay, good my lord.

_Ham._ An earnest conjuration from the king,
As England was his faithful tributary,
As love between them like the palm might flourish,[2167] 40
As peace should still her wheaten garland wear
And stand a comma 'tween their amities,[2168]
And many such-like 'As'es of great charge,[2169]
That, on the view and knowing of these contents,[2170]
Without debatement further, more or less, 45
He should the bearers put to sudden death,[2171]
Not shriving-time allow'd.[2172]

_Hor._ How was this seal'd?

_Ham._ Why, even in that was heaven ordinant.[2173]
I had my father's signet in my purse,
Which was the model of that Danish seal: 50
Folded the writ up in the form of the other;[2174]
Subscribed it; gave't the impression; placed it safely,[2175]
The changeling never known. Now, the next day[2176]
Was our sea-fight; and what to this was sequent[2177]
Thou know'st already.[2178] 55

_Hor._ So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to't.[2179]

_Ham._ Why, man, they did make love to this employment;[2180]
They are not near my conscience; their defeat[2181]
Does by their own insinuation grow:[2182]
'Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes[2183] 60
Between the pass and fell incensed points[2184]
Of mighty opposites.

_Hor._ Why, what a king is this!

_Ham._ Does it not, thinks't thee, stand me now upon--[2185]
He that hath kill'd my king, and whored my mother;[2186]
Popp'd in between the election and my hopes;[2187] 65
Thrown out his angle for my proper life,[2188]
And with such cozenage--is't not perfect conscience,[2189]
To quit him with this arm? and is't not to be damn'd,[2190][2191]
To let this canker of our nature come[2190]
In further evil?[2190][2192] 70

_Hor._ It must be shortly known to him from England[2190]
What is the issue of the business there.[2190]

_Ham._ It will be short: the interim is mine;[2190][2193][2194]
And a man's life's no more than to say 'One.'[2190][2193][2195]
But I am very sorry, good Horatio,[2190][2193] 75
That to Laertes I forgot myself;[2190]
For, by the image of my cause, I see[2190]
The portraiture of his: I'll court his favours:[2190][2196]
But, sure, the bravery of his grief did put me[2190]
Into a towering passion.[2190]

_Hor._ Peace! who comes here?[2190][2197] 80

_Enter_ OSRIC.

_Osr._ Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark.[2198][2199]

_Ham._ I humbly thank you, sir. Dost know this water-fly?[2200][2201]

_Hor._ No, my good lord.[2201]

_Ham._ Thy state is the more gracious, for 'tis a vice to[2201]
know him. He hath much land, and fertile: let a beast be[2201] 85
lord of beasts, and his crib shall stand at the king's mess:[2201]
'tis a chough, but, as I say, spacious in the possession of
dirt.[2201][2202]

_Osr._ Sweet lord, if your lordship were at leisure, I[2203]
should impart a thing to you from his majesty.

_Ham._ I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of spirit.[2204] 90
Put your bonnet to his right use; 'tis for the head.[2205]

_Osr._ I thank your lordship, it is very hot.[2206]

_Ham._ No, believe me, 'tis very cold; the wind is
northerly.

_Osr._ It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed. 95

_Ham._ But yet methinks it is very sultry and hot, or my[2207][2208]
complexion--[2208]

_Osr._ Exceedingly, my lord; it is very sultry, as 'twere,--I[2209]
cannot tell how. But, my lord, his majesty bade me[2210]
signify to you that he has laid a great wager on your head:[2211] 100
sir, this is the matter--[2212]

_Ham._ I beseech you, remember--[2213]

[_Hamlet moves him to put on his hat._

_Osr._ Nay, good my lord; for mine ease, in good faith.[2214]
Sir, here is newly come to court Laertes; believe me, an absolute[2215]
gentleman, full of most excellent differences, of very[2215][2216] 105
soft society and great showing: indeed, to speak feelingly of[2215][2217]
him, he is the card or calendar of gentry, for you shall find[2215][2218]
in him the continent of what part a gentleman would see.[2215][2219]

_Ham._ Sir, his definement suffers no perdition in you;[2215]
though, I know, to divide him inventorially would dizzy the[2215][2220] 110
arithmetic of memory, and yet but yaw neither, in respect[2215][2221]
of his quick sail. But in the verity of extolment, I take[2215]
him to be a soul of great article, and his infusion of such[2215][2222]
dearth and rareness, as, to make true diction of him, his[2215]
semblable is his mirror, and who else would trace him, his[2215] 115
umbrage, nothing more.[2215]

_Osr._ Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him.[2215]

_Ham._ The concernancy, sir? why do we wrap the[2215][2223]
gentleman in our more rawer breath?[2215]

_Osr._ Sir?[2215][2224] 120

_Hor._ Is't not possible to understand in another tongue?[2215][2225]
You will do't, sir, really.[2215][2226]

_Ham._ What imports the nomination of this gentleman?[2215]

_Osr._ Of Laertes?[2215][2227]

_Hor._ His purse is empty already; all's golden words[2215] 125
are spent.[2215]

_Ham._ Of him, sir.[2215][2228]

_Osr._ I know you are not ignorant--[2215][2229]

_Ham._ I would you did, sir; yet, in faith, if you did, it[2215]
would not much approve me. Well, sir?[2215][2230] 130

_Osr._ You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is--[2215][2231]

_Ham._ I dare not confess that, lest I should compare[2215]
with him in excellence; but, to know a man well, were to[2215][2232]
know himself.[2215]

_Osr._ I mean, sir, for his weapon; but in the imputation[2215][2233] 135
laid on him by them, in his meed he's unfellowed.[2215][2234]

_Ham._ What's his weapon?

_Osr._ Rapier and dagger.

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

_Osr._ The king, sir, hath wagered with him six Barbary[2235] 140
horses: against the which he has imponed, as I take it, six[2236]
French rapiers and poniards, with their assigns, as girdle,
hanger, and so: three of the carriages, in faith, are very[2237]
dear to fancy, very responsive to the hilts, most delicate
carriages, and of very liberal conceit. 145

_Ham._ What call you the carriages?

_Hor._ I knew you must be edified by the margent ere[2238]
you had done.[2238]

_Osr._ The carriages, sir, are the hangers.[2239]

_Ham._ The phrase would be more germane to the[2240] 150
matter if we could carry a cannon by our sides: I would[2241]
it might be hangers till then. But, on: six Barbary horses[2242]
against six French swords, their assigns, and three liberal-conceited
carriages; that's the French bet against the[2243][2244]
Danish. Why is this 'imponed,' as you call it?[2244][2245] 155

_Osr._ The king, sir, hath laid, sir, that in a dozen[2246]
passes between yourself and him, he shall not exceed you[2247]
three hits: he hath laid on twelve for nine; and it would[2248]
come to immediate trial, if your lordship would vouchsafe
the answer. 160

_Ham._ How if I answer 'no'?

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

_Ham._ Sir, I will walk here in the hall: if it please his[2249]
majesty, it is the breathing time of day with me; let the[2249][2250] 165
foils be brought, the gentleman willing, and the king hold[2251]
his purpose, I will win for him an I can; if not, I will gain[2252]
nothing but my shame and the odd hits.

_Osr._ Shall I redeliver you e'en so?[2253]

_Ham._ To this effect, sir, after what flourish your nature[2254] 170
will.

_Osr._ I commend my duty to your lordship.[2255]

_Ham._ Yours, yours. [_Exit Osric._] He does well to[2256]
commend it himself; there are no tongues else for's turn.[2257]

_Hor._ This lapwing runs away with the shell on his[2258] 175
head.

_Ham._ He did comply with his dug before he sucked[2259]
it. Thus has he--and many more of the same breed that[2260]
I know the drossy age dotes on--only got the tune of the
time and outward habit of encounter; a kind of yesty[2261][2262] 180
collection, which carries them through and through the most[2261]
fond and winnowed opinions; and do but blow them to[2263]
their trial, the bubbles are out.[2264]

_Enter a_ Lord.[2265]

_Lord._ My lord, his majesty commended him to you by[2265]
young Osric, who brings back to him, that you attend him[2265][2266] 185
in the hall: he sends to know if your pleasure hold to play[2265]
with Laertes, or that you will take longer time.[2265]

_Ham._ I am constant to my purposes; they follow the[2265]
king's pleasure: if his fitness speaks, mine is ready; now or[2265]
whensoever, provided I be so able as now.[2265] 190

_Lord._ The king and queen and all are coming down.[2265]

_Ham._ In happy time.[2265]

_Lord._ The queen desires you to use some gentle entertainment[2265][2267]
to Laertes before you fall to play.[2265][2268]

_Ham._ She well instructs me. [_Exit Lord._[2265][2269] 195

_Hor._ You will lose this wager, my lord.[2270]

_Ham._ I do not think so; since he went into France, I
have been in continual practice; I shall win at the odds.
But thou wouldst not think how ill all's here about my[2271]
heart: but it is no matter. 200

_Hor._ Nay, good my lord,--[2272]

_Ham._ It is but foolery; but it is such a kind of gain-giving[2273]
as would perhaps trouble a woman.[2273]

_Hor._ If your mind dislike any thing, obey it. I will[2274]
forestal their repair hither, and say you are not fit. 205

_Ham._ Not a whit; we defy augury: there is special[2275]
providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to[2276]
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[2277][2278]
aught of what he leaves, what is't to leave betimes? Let 210
be.[2278]

_Enter_ KING, QUEEN, LAERTES, _and_ Lords, OSRIC _and other_ Attendants
_with foils and gauntlets; a table and flagons of wine on it_.[2279]

_King._ Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.[2280]

[_The King puts Laertes' hand into Hamlet's._

_Ham._ Give me your pardon, sir: I've done you wrong;[2281]
But pardon't, as you are a gentleman.[2282]
This presence knows,[2282][2283][2284] 215
And you must needs have heard, how I am punish'd[2283][2284][2285]
With sore distraction. What I have done,[2283][2284][2286]
That might your nature, honour and exception[2284][2287]
Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness.[2284]
Was't Hamlet wrong'd Laertes? Never Hamlet:[2284] 220
If Hamlet from himself be ta'en away,[2284]
And when he's not himself does wrong Laertes,[2284]
Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it.[2284]
Who does it then? His madness: if't be so,[2284][2288]
Hamlet is of the faction that is wrong'd;[2284][2289] 225
His madness is poor Hamlet's enemy.[2284]
Sir, in this audience,[2284][2290]
Let my disclaiming from a purposed evil
Free me so far in your most generous thoughts,
That I have shot mine arrow o'er the house,[2291] 230
And hurt my brother.[2292]

_Laer._ I am satisfied in nature,
Whose motive, in this case, should stir me most
To my revenge: but in my terms of honour
I stand aloof, and will no reconcilement,
Till by some elder masters of known honour[2293] 235
I have a voice and precedent of peace,[2294]
To keep my name ungored. But till that time[2295]
I do receive your offer'd love like love[2296]
And will not wrong it.

_Ham._ I embrace it freely,[2297][2298]
And will this brother's wager frankly play.[2298] 240
Give us the foils. Come on.[2299]

_Laer._ Come, one for me.

_Ham._ I'll be your foil, Laertes: in mine ignorance
Your skill shall, like a star i' the darkest night,[2300]
Stick fiery off indeed.[2301]

_Laer._ You mock me, sir.

_Ham._ No, by this hand.[2302] 245

_King._ Give them the foils, young Osric. Cousin[2303][2304]
Hamlet,[2303]
You know the wager?

_Ham._ Very well, my lord;[2305][2306]
Your grace has laid the odds o' the weaker side.[2306][2307]

_King._ I do not fear it; I have seen you both:[2308]
But since he is better'd, we have therefore odds.[2309] 250

_Laer._ This is too heavy; let me see another.[2310][2311]

_Ham._ This likes me well. These foils have all a length?[2310][2312]

[_They prepare to play._

_Osr._ Ay, my good lord.

_King._ Set me the stoups of wine upon that table.[2313]
If Hamlet give the first or second hit,[2314] 255
Or quit in answer of the third exchange,[2315]
Let all the battlements their ordnance fire;
The king shall drink to Hamlet's better breath;
And in the cup an union shall he throw,[2316]
Richer than that which four successive kings 260
In Denmark's crown have worn. Give me the cups;[2317]
And let the kettle to the trumpet speak,[2318]
The trumpet to the cannoneer without,[2319]
The cannons to the heavens, the heaven to earth,[2320]
'Now the king drinks to Hamlet.' Come, begin;[2321] 265
And you, the judges, bear a wary eye.

_Ham._ Come on, sir.

_Laer._ Come, my lord. [_They play._[2322]

_Ham._ One.

_Laer._ No.

_Ham._ Judgement.

_Osr._ A hit, a very palpable hit.[2323]

_Laer._ Well; again.

_King._ Stay; give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is thine;[2324]
Here's to thy health.

[_Trumpets sound, and cannon shot off within._[2325]

Give him the cup. 270

_Ham._ I'll play this bout first; set it by awhile.[2326]
Come. [_They play._] Another hit; what say you?[2327]

_Laer._ A touch, a touch, I do confess.[2328]

_King._ Our son shall win.

_Queen._ He's fat and scant of breath.[2329]
Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows:[2330] 275
The queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.

_Ham._ Good madam!

_King._ Gertrude, do not drink.[2331]

_Queen._ I will, my lord; I pray you, pardon me.[2332]

_King._ [_Aside_] It is the poison'd cup; it is too late.[2333]

_Ham._ I dare not drink yet, madam; by and by.[2334] 280

_Queen._ Come, let me wipe thy face.

_Laer._ My lord, I'll hit him now.[2335]

_King._ I do not think't.

_Laer._ [_Aside_] And yet it is almost against my conscience.[2333][2336]

_Ham._ Come, for the third, Laertes: you but dally;[2337]
I pray you, pass with your best violence; 285
I am afeard you make a wanton of me.[2338]

_Laer._ Say you so? come on. [_They play._[2339]

_Osr._ Nothing, neither way.

_Laer._ Have at you now!

[_Laertes wounds Hamlet; then, in scuffling, they
change rapiers, and Hamlet wounds Laertes._[2340]

_King._ Part them; they are incensed.

_Ham._ Nay, come, again. [_The Queen falls._

_Osr._ Look to the queen there, ho![2341] 290

_Hor._ They bleed on both sides. How is it, my lord?[2342]

_Osr._ How is't, Laertes?[2343]

_Laer._ Why, as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric;[2344]
I am justly kill'd with mine own treachery.[2345]

_Ham._ How does the queen?

_King._ She swounds to see them bleed.[2346] 295

_Queen._ No, no, the drink, the drink,--O my dear Hamlet,--[2347]
The drink, the drink! I am poison'd. [_Dies._[2347][2348]

_Ham._ O villany! Ho! let the door be lock'd:[2349]
Treachery! seek it out.

_Laer._ It is here, Hamlet: Hamlet, thou art slain;[2350] 300
No medicine in the world can do thee good,[2351]
In thee there is not half an hour of life;[2352]
The treacherous instrument is in thy hand,[2353]
Unbated and envenom'd: the foul practice[2354]
Hath turn'd itself on me; lo, here I lie,[2355] 305
Never to rise again: thy mother's poison'd:[2356]
I can no more: the king, the king's to blame.[2357]

_Ham._ The point envenom'd too![2358][2359][2360]
Then, venom, to thy work. [_Stabs the King._[2358][2360][2361]

_All._ Treason! treason! 310

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

_Ham._ Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane,[2362]
Drink off this potion: is thy union here?[2363]
Follow my mother. [_King dies._[2364]

_Laer._ He is justly served;[2365]
It is a poison temper'd by himself.[2365][2366] 315
Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet:
Mine and my father's death come not upon thee,[2367]
Nor thine on me! [_Dies._[2368]

_Ham._ Heaven make thee free of it! I follow thee.[2369]
I am dead, Horatio. Wretched queen, adieu![2370] 320
You that look pale and tremble at this chance,
That are but mutes or audience to this act,[2371]
Had I but time--as this fell sergeant, death,[2372]
Is strict in his arrest--O, I could tell you--[2372][2373]
But let it be. Horatio, I am dead; 325
Thou livest; report me and my cause aright[2374]
To the unsatisfied.

_Hor._ Never believe it:[2375]
I am more an antique Roman than a Dane:[2376]
Here's yet some liquor left.

_Ham._ As thou'rt a man,[2377][2378]
Give me the cup: let go; by heaven, I'll have't.[2377][2379] 330
O good Horatio, what a wounded name,[2380]
Things standing thus unknown, shall live behind me![2381]
If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart,
Absent thee from felicity awhile,[2382]
And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain, 335
To tell my story. [_March afar off, and shot within._[2383]
What warlike noise is this?

_Osr._ Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland,[2384]
To the ambassadors of England gives[2385][2386][2387]
This warlike volley.[2386]

_Ham._ O, I die, Horatio;
The potent poison quite o'er-crows my spirit:[2388] 340
I cannot live to hear the news from England;
But I do prophesy the election lights
On Fortinbras: he has my dying voice;
So tell him, with the occurrents, more and less,[2389]
Which have solicited. The rest is silence. [_Dies._[2390] 345

_Hor._ Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince,[2391]
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest! [_March within._[2392]
Why does the drum come hither?

_Enter_ FORTINBRAS, _and the_ English Ambassadors, _with drum,
colours, and_ Attendants.[2393]

_Fort._ Where is this sight?

_Hor._ What is it you would see?[2394]
If aught of woe or wonder, cease your search.[2395] 350

_Fort._ This quarry cries on havoc. O proud death,[2396]
What feast is toward in thine eternal cell,[2397]
That thou so many princes at a shot[2398]
So bloodily hast struck?

_First Amb._ The sight is dismal;[2399]
And our affairs from England come too late: 355
The ears are senseless that should give us hearing.
To tell him his commandment is fulfill'd,
That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead:
Where should we have our thanks?

_Hor._ Not from his mouth
Had it the ability of life to thank you:[2400] 360
He never gave commandment for their death.[2401]
But since, so jump upon this bloody question,[2402]
You from the Polack wars, and you from England,[2403]
Are here arrived, give order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the view;[2404] 365
And let me speak to the yet unknowing world[2405]
How these things came about: so shall you hear
Of carnal, bloody and unnatural acts,[2406]
Of accidental judgements, casual slaughters,
Of deaths put on by cunning and forced cause,[2407] 370
And, in this upshot, purposes mistook
Fall'n on the inventors' heads: all this can I
Truly deliver.

_Fort._ Let us haste to hear it,
And call the noblest to the audience.[2408]
For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune: 375
I have some rights of memory in this kingdom,[2409]
Which now to claim my vantage doth invite me.[2410]

_Hor._ Of that I shall have also cause to speak,[2411]
And from his mouth whose voice will draw on more:[2412]
But let this same be presently perform'd,[2413] 380
Even while men's minds are wild; lest more mischance[2414]
On plots and errors happen.[2415]

_Fort._ Let four captains
Bear Hamlet, like a soldier, to the stage;[2416]
For he was likely, had he been put on,
To have proved most royally: and, for his passage,[2417] 385
The soldiers' music and the rites of war[2418]
Speak loudly for him.
Take up the bodies: such a sight as this[2419]
Becomes the field, but here shows much amiss.[2420]
Go, bid the soldiers shoot. 390

[_A dead march. Exeunt, bearing off the bodies:
after which a peal of ordnance is shot off._[2421]

FOOTNOTES:

[1962] ACT V. SCENE I.] Q (1676) and Rowe. om. Ff.

A churchyard.] Capell. A Church. Rowe.

Enter ...] Enter ... spades and mattocks. Q (1676) and Rowe. Enter two Clownes. Qq Ff (Clowns. F₃ F₄).

[1963] First Clo.] 1 Clown. Rowe. Clowne, or Clown, or Clow. or Clo. Qq Ff.

[1964] _that_] Ff. _when she_ Qq.

[1965] Sec. Clo.] 2 Clown. Rowe. Other, or Othe. or Oth. Qq. Other. Ff.

[1966] _and_] Ff. om. Qq.

[1967] _she_] _he_ Q₆.

[1968] _se offendendo_] Ff (in italics). _so offended_ Qq.

[1969] _to act_] Qq. _an act_ Ff.

[1970] _and to perform: argal,_] _and to performe; argall_ Ff (_perform_ F₃ F₄). _to performe, or all;_ Qq.

[1971] _hear_] _here_ F₂.

_delver_] Qq. _Delver_ F₁ F₂. _Delver_ (in italics) F₃ F₄.

[1972] _Here_] _Clown, here_ Johnson.

[1973] _this_] _his_ F₃.

[1974] _himself_] _himsele_ F₁.

[1975] _that;_] _that:_ Q₆. _that,_ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. _that?_ Ff.

[1976] _ha'_] F₃ F₄. _ha_ The rest, _have_ Q (1676).

_on't_] Ff. _an't_ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. _ant't_ Q₆.

[1977] _out o'_] Edd. (Globe ed.) _out a_ Qq. _out of_ Ff. _without_ Q (1676).

[1978] _say'st:_] _say'st true:_ S. Walker conj. _say'st sooth:_ or _say'st somewhat:_ Anon. conj.

[1979] _their even Christian_] Ff. _theyr even Christen_ Qq. _we_ Q(1676). _other Christians_ Rowe.

[1980] _spade._] _spade._ [strips, and falls to digging. Capell.

[1981] _A'_] _A_ Qq. _He_ Ff.

[1982] Sec. Clo. _Why ... arms?_] Omitted in Qq.

[1983] _a heathen_] _heathen_ Capell conj.

[1984] _not_] om. Warburton.

[1985] _thyself--_] _thy selfe--_ F₁ F₂. _thy self--_ F₃ F₄. _thy selfe._ Qq.

[1986] _frame_] Ff. om. Qq.

[1987] _carpenter?_] Ff Q₆. _carpenter._ The rest.

[1988] Enter ...] Ff. Enter Hamlet and Horatio. Qq, after line 62.

[1989] _that_] Ff. om. Qq.

_last_] Q₄ Q₅ Q₆ F₄. _lasts_ Q₂ Q₃ F₁ F₂ F₃.

_till_] _tell_ Q₄. _tel_ Q₅.

[1990] _to Yaughan_] Ff (_Yaughan_ in italics). _in, and_ Qq. _to Youghan_ Rowe (ed. 2). _to Yaughan's_ Capell conj. _to Vaughan_ Singer (ed. 1). _to tavern_ Grant White conj. _to Johan_ Anon. conj. (N. and Q.) _to yᵉ ale and_ Anon. conj. _to yon_ Collier (Collier MS.) See note (XXXI).

[1991] _stoup_] F₄. _stope_ (Q₁). _stoupe_ F₁. _stoape_ F₂. _stoap_ F₃. _soope_ Qq.

[Exit Sec. Clown.] Exit 2 Clown. Rowe. om. Qq Ff.

[He digs, and sings.] Rowe. Song. Qq. Sings. Ff.

[1992] _contract, O,_] _contract-a_ Anon. conj.

_time_] om. F₂ F₃ F₄.

_for-a_] _for a_ Qq Ff. _for, ah,_ Capell. _for aye_ Mason conj.

[1993] _there-a was nothing-a_] _there a was nothing a_ Qq. _there was nothing_ Ff. _there was nothing so_ Hanmer.

[1994] _of_] _in_ Q (1676).

[1995] _that he sings at_] Ff. _a sings in_ Qq. _he sings in Q_ (1676) and Capell. _he sings at_ Steevens (1778).

[1996] _in him_] _to him_ Pope (ed. 2).

[1997] _daintier_] _dintier_ Q₂ Q₃.

[1998] [Sings] Clowne sings. Ff. Song. Qq.

[1999] _steps ... shipped me intil the_] _steps ... into his band_ Johnson conj. _sand ... shifted me into his_ Jennens conj.

[2000] _claw'd_] Pope. _clawed_ Qq. _caught_ Ff.

[2001] _hath_] om. Capell.

_intil_] _intill_ Ff. _into_ Qq.

_the land_] _his land_ Hanmer.

[2002] _had never_] _never had_ F₃ F₄. _ne'er had_ Pope.

[Throws up a skull.] Capell. om. Qq Ff.

[2003] _it were_] Ff. _twere_ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. _t'were_ Q₅. _'twere_ Q₆.

[2004] _It might_] Ff. _This might_ Qq.

[2005] _now o'er-reaches_] _now ore-reaches_ Qq. _o're Offices_ F₁. _ore-Offices_ F₂. _o're-Offices_ F₃. _o're-offices_ F₄.

[2006] _would_] Qq. _could_ Ff.

_God_] _Heaven_ Q (1676).

[2007] _sweet lord_] Q₂ Q₃ Ff. _my lord_ Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.

_sweet lord_] Qq. _good lord_ Ff.

[2008] _such-a-one_] _such a one's_ Hanmer.

[2009] _when he meant_] Ff. _when a ment_ Q₄. _when a meant_ Q₅ Q₆. _when a went_ Q₂ Q₃.

_beg it_] _beg him_ Q (1676).

[2010] _now_] _now 'tis_ Rowe.

[2011] _chapless_] F₃ F₄. _chaplesse_ F₁ F₂. _choples_ Qq.

_mazzard_] F₂ F₃ F₄. _mazard_ F₁. _massene_ Q₂ Q₃. _mazer_ Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.

[2012] _fine_] _a fine_ Q (1676) and Pope (ed. 2).

_an_] Capell. _and_ Qq. _if_ Ff.

[2013] _loggats_] _loggits_ Qq. _loggets_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _loggers_ F₄.

_with 'em?_] Ff. _with them:_ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. _with them?_ Q₆.

[2014] _For and_] _For,--and_ Theobald.

[2015] [Throws ...] Capell. om. Qq Ff.

[2016] _may_] Qq. _might_ Ff.

[2017] _of_] _of of_ F₁.

_quiddities_] Qq. _quiddits_ Ff.

_quillits_] (Q₁) Ff. _quillites_ Q₂ Q₃. _quillities_ Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.

[2018] _rude_] Ff. _madde_ Q₂ Q₃. _mad_ Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.

[2019] _action_] _actions_ Q₅ Q₆.

[2020] _is this ... recoveries_] Ff. Omitted in Qq.

[2021] _fine dirt_] _foul dirt_ S. Walker conj.

[2022] _his vouchers_] Ff. _vouchers_ Qq.

[2023] _double ones too_] Ff. _doubles_ Qq.

[2024] _lands_] _land_ Q₆.

_hardly_] Ff. _scarcely_ Qq.

[2025] _calf-skins_] _calve-skinnes_ Q₄ F₁ F₂ F₃. _calve-skins_ Q₅ Q₆ F₄. _calves-skinnes_ Q₂ Q₃.

[2026] _which_] Qq. _that_ Ff.

[2027] _sirrah_] Q₆. _sirra_ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. _sir_ Ff.

[2028] _Mine ... made_] As in Ff. _Mine sir, or a ... made._ (as one line) in Qq.

[2029] [Sings] Capell. om. Qq Ff.

[2030] _For ... meet._] Ff. Omitted in Qq.

_guest_] _ghost_ Rowe (ed. 2) and Pope.

[2031] _it be_] _it_ Q₅. _it's_ Q₆.

[2032] _'tis_] Q₆. _tis_ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. _it is_ Ff.

[2033] _and yet_] Ff. _yet_ Qq.

_it is_] _it's_ Q (1676).

[2034] _away_] om. Q₆.

[2035] _undo_] Q₆. _undoo_ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. _undoe_ F₁. _follow_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[2036] _this_] Qq. _these_ Ff.

_taken_] Ff. _tooke_ Qq.

_note_] _notice_ Q (1676).

[2037] _picked_ Qq Ff. _piqued_ Q (1676).

_that_] _and_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[2038] _heel_] _heeles_ F₁.

_the courtier_] (Q₁) Qq. _our courtier_ Ff. _your courtier_ Grant White conj.

_kibe_] _kibes_ Hunter conj.

[2039] _a_] Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. om Q₂ Q₃.

[2040] _all_] Ff. om. Qq.

[2041] _o'ercame_] _o'recame_ F₁ F₃ F₄. _orecame_ F₂. _overcame_ Qq.

[2042] _that very_] Qq. _the very_ Ff.

[2043] _that is_] Qq. _that was_ Ff.

[2044] _a' ... a' ... a'_] _a ... a ... a_ Qq. _he ... he ... he_ Ff.

[2045] _'tis_] Q₆. _tis_ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. _it's_ F₁ F₃ F₄. _its_ F₂.

[2046] _him there; there the men are_] _him there, there the men are_ Q₂ Q₃. _him there, there the are men_ Q₄. _him there, there are men_ Q₅ Q₆. _him, there the men are_ Ff.

[2047] _I have_] _where I have_ Q (1676).

_sexton_] Q₄ Q₅ Q₆ F₄. _sexten_ Q₂ Q₃. _sixeteene_ F₁. _sexestone_ F₂. _sexstone_ F₃.

[2048] _here_] om. Q (1676).

[2049] _I'faith_] _Ifaith_ Ff. _Fayth_ Q₂ Q₃. _Faith_ The rest.

[2050] _a' ... a' ... a'_] _a ... a ... a_ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. _he ... he ... he_ Ff. _a ... he ... a_ Q₆.

[2051] _now-a-days_] Ff. om. Qq.

[2052] _you nine year_] _you nine yeares_ F₂ F₃. _you nine years_ F₄.

[2053] _so_] om. F₃ F₄.

[2054] _a'_] _a_ Qq. _he_ Ff.

_your_] _you_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[2055] _Here's ... in the_] Ff. _heer's a skull now hath lyen you i'th_ Qq. _Here's a skull now has lain in the_ Pope.

[2056] _three and twenty_] Ff. 23. Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₆. _twenty three_ Q₅.

[2057] _A ... was?_] Two lines in Ff.

[2058] _a'_] _a_ Qq Ff. _he_ Q (1676) and Pope.

[2059] _This same skull, sir_] As in Qq. Twice in Ff.

[2060] _Yorick's_] Ff. _sir Yoricks_ Qq.

[2061] _Let me see_] Ff. Omitted in Qq. [Takes the skull.] Capell (line 170). Transferred by Dyce. om. Qq Ff.

[2062] _borne_] Ff. _bore_ Qq.

[2063] _and now how_] Qq. _and how_ Ff.

[2064] _in my ... it is_] Qq. _my imagination is_ Ff. _my imagination is now_ Rowe.

[2065] _gambols_] _jests_ Q (1676).

[2066] _on a roar_] _in a roar_ Pope.

_Not one_] Qq. _No one_ Ff.

[2067] _grinning_] Qq. _jeering_ Ff.

[2068] _chamber_] (Q₁) Ff. _table_ Qq.

[2069] _favour_] _savour_ Warburton.

[2070] _o'_] Ff. _a_ Qq.

[2071] _so? pah_] Q₆. _so pah_ Q₂ Q₃. _so: pah_ Q₄ Q₅. _so? Puh_ Ff.

[Puts down ...] Collier. Throws it down. Capell. Smelling to the Scull. Rowe. om. Qq Ff.

[2072] _we may_] _way we_ S. Walker conj.

[2073] _he_] Ff. _a_ Qq.

_find_] _found_ Jennens.

[2074] _thither_] F₂ Q₆ F₃ F₄. _thether_ The rest.

[2075] _as thus:_] (Q₁) Ff. Omitted in Qq.

[2076] _returneth_] _returned_ Collier (Collier MS.)

[2077] _into_] Ff. _to_ Qq.

[2078] _that loam ... was_] _this earth ... was_ or _that loam ... may have been_ Seymour conj.

[2079] _Imperious_] Qq. _Imperiall_ F₁ F₂. _Imperial_ F₃ F₄.

[2080] _Should_] _Shoulp_ Q₄. _Sould_ Q₅.

_to expel_] _t' expell_ Qq F₁ F₃ F₄. _expell_ F₂.

_winter's_] Ff. _waters_ Qq.

[2081] _aside_] Ff. _awhile_ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. _a while_ Q₆.

Enter ...] Malone, after Capell. Enter K. Q. Laertes and the corse. Qq (in margin) (King Quee. Q₄ Q₅. King, Que. Q₆). Enter King, Queene, Laertes, and a Coffin, with Lords attendant. Ff.

[2082] SCENE II. Pope.

_who is this_] Qq. _Who is that_ F₁. _Who is't that_ F₂. _What is't that_ F₃ F₄. _What is that_ Pope.

[2083] _rites_] Qq F₁. _rights_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[2084] _its_] Q₆. _it's_ F₃ F₄. _it_ The rest.

_of_] Qq. om. Ff.

[2085] _Couch we_] _Stand by_ Q (1676).

_we_] _me_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[Retiring ...] Capell. om. Qq Ff.

[2086] [to the Priests. Capell.

[2087] [to Horatio. Capell.

_That ... mark._] Prose in Qq Ff. Verse by Capell, ending the line _Laertes_.

_very_] _most_ Pope, reading as verse.

_mark_] F₃ F₄. _marke_ Q₂ Q₃ F₁ F₂. _make_ Q₄ Q₅. om. Q₆.

[2088] First Priest.] 1. P. Capell. Priest. Ff. Doct. Qq.

[2089] _as far_] _so far_ Theobald (ed. 2).

[2090] _warranty_] Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. _warrantie_ Q₂ Q₃ F₂ F₃ F₄. _warrantis_ F₁. _warrantize_ Capell conj. _warranties_ Knight. _warrantise_ Dyce.

[2091] _unsanctified_] _unsanctied_ F₂ F₃.

_have_] Ff. _been_ Q₂ Q₃. _beene_ Q₄. _bin_ Q₅ Q₆.

[2092] _trumpet_] _trump_ Pope.

_prayers_] Qq. _prayer_ Ff.

[2093] _Shards_] Ff. Omitted in Qq.

_pebbles_] Q₆ F₃ F₄. _peebles_ The rest.

[2094] _allow'd_] Qq. _allowed_ Ff.

_crants_] _Crants_ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. _Rites_ Ff Q₆. _chants_ Warburton. _grants_ or _wants_ or _pants_ Edwards conj. (in jest). _grants_ Heath conj.

[2095] _strewments_] _'struments_ Edwards conj. (in jest).

[2096] _there_] om. Pope.

[2097] _a requiem_] Qq. _sage requiem_ Ff. _safe requiem_ Jackson conj. _sad requiem_ Collier MS. _such requiem_ Dyce. _false requiem_ Anon. conj.

[2098] _peace-parted_] _peace-departed_ F₃ F₄.

[Coffin lay'd in. Capell.

[2099] [Scattering flowers] Johnson. om. Qq Ff.

_Sweets ... farewell_] _Sweets to the sweet, farewell_ Qq. _Sweets to the sweet farewell_ F₁ F₂. _Sweets, to thee sweet farewell_ F₃ F₄.

[2100] _shouldst_] _would'st_ F₃ F₄.

[2101] _have_] Qq. _t'have_ Ff.

_treble woe_] Q₂ Q₃ Q₆. _trebble woe_ Q₄ Q₅. _terrible woer_ F₁. _terrible wooer_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _treble woes_ S. Walker conj.

[2102] _treble_] F₃ F₄. _trebble_ F₁ F₂. _double_ Qq. _treble woes_ Rowe, reading line 234 as F₂ F₃ F₄.

_cursed_] _curs'd_ Rowe.

[2103] _ingenious_] _ingenuous_ Q₆.

[2104] [Leaps into the grave.] F₄. Leaps in the grave. F₁ F₂ F₃. om. Qq.

[2105] _To o'ertop_] _To'retop_ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. _To retop_ Q₅. _T'oretop_ Q₆.

[2106] [Advancing] Capell. Discovering himself. Pope. om. Qq Ff.

[2107] _grief Bears_] _griefe Beares_ Qq. _griefes Beares_ F₁ F₂. _griefs Bears_ F₃. _griefs Bear_ F₄.

[2108] _Conjures_] _Conjure_ F₁.

[2109] _This is_] _tis_ Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.

[2110] [Leaps ...] Hamlet leaps ... Rowe. Hamlet leapes in after Leartes. (Q₁). om. Qq Ff.

[Grappling ...] Rowe. om. Qq Ff.

[2111] _Thou ... throat_] Divided as in Ff. One line in Qq.

[2112] _For_] Qq. _Sir_ Ff.

_splenitive_] Warburton. _spleenitive_ or _spleenative_ Qq Ff. _spleneticke_ Collier MS. See note (II).

_and_] Ff Q₆. om. Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.

[2113] _in me something_] Qq. _something in me_ Ff.

[2114] _wisdom_] _wisedome_ Qq. _wisenesse_ F₁ F₂. _wiseness_ F₃ F₄.

_Hold off_] Qq. _Away_ Ff.

_hand._] _hand,_ Q₂ Q₃. _hand?_ Q₄ Q₅.

[2115] All. _Gentlemen,--_] Att. _Gentlemen,--_ Capell. All. _Gentlemen._ Qq. Omitted in Ff.

Hor.] Hora. Qq. Gen. Ff.

[The Attendants ...] Capell, substantially. The Attendants part them. Rowe. om. Qq Ff.

[2116] _this_] _his_ Rowe.

[2117] _their_] _there_ F₁.

[2118] _'Swounds_] _S'wounds_ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. _Swounds_ Q₆. _Come_ Ff.

_thou'lt_] Ff. _th' owt_ Q₂ Q₃. _th' out_ Q₄ Q₅. _thou't_ Q₆.

[2119] _Woo't_] _Wilt_ (Q₁) Q (1676).

[2120] _woo't fast_] Qq. om. Ff.

_fast? woo't_] _storm, woo't_ Collier MS. _storme or_ Collier MS. apud Hamilton.

[2121] _drink up ... crocodile?_] _drink? ape, esel, crocodile!_ Becket conj.

_eisel_] Theobald. _vessels_ (Q₁). _Esill_ Qq. _Esile_ (in italics) Ff. _Yssel_ Keightley (Theobald conj.) _Nile_ Hanmer. _Elsil_ (in italics) Capell. _Nilus_ Elze (Capell conj.) _Weisel_ or _Oesil_ Steevens conj. _Isell_ Halliwell conj.

_eat_] _woo't eat_ Hanmer. _or eat_ Hanmer as misquoted by Johnson.

[2122] _I'll do't_] _I'll do't, I'll do't_ Collier MS. _I'll do it too_ Anon. conj.

_thou_] Ff Q₆. om. Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.

_here_] _hither_ F₃ F₄. _hither but_ Pope.

[2123] _in_] _in to_ F₄. _into_ Rowe.

_grave?_] Ff Q₆. _grave,_ The rest.

[2124] _zone_] _sun_ Warburton.

[2125] _an_] Pope. _and_ Qq Ff.

[2126] Queen.] Quee. Qq. Kin. F₁. King. F₂ F₃ F₄.

[2127] Queen ... _Anon_] King ... _him._ Queen. _Anon_ Collier (Collier MS.)

[2128] _thus_] _this_ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.

[2129] _the_] _a_ Q₅ Q₆.

_dove_] Q₂ Q₃ Ff. _doe_ Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.

[2130] _When that_] _When first_ Q (1676). _E'er that_ Warburton. _Ere that_ Johnson. _Ere yet_ Johnson conj.

_couplets_] _cuplets_ Qq. _cuplet_ Ff.

[2131] _loved_] _loud'_ F₁.

_ever_] _well_ Q₆.

[2132] _and dog_] _a dogge_ Q₄ Q₆. _a dog_ Q₅. _the dog_ Theobald (ed. 2).

[Exit.] Ff. Exit Hamlet and Horatio. Qq.

[2133] _thee_] Qq. _you_ Ff.

[Exit Horatio.] Exit Hor. Pope. om. Ff.

[2134] [To Laertes] Rowe. om. Qq Ff.

_your_] _you_ F₁ F₂.

[2135] _An_] _In an_ Keightley.

_shortly_] Ff. _thirtie_ Q₂. _thereby_ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.

[2136] _Till_] _Tell_ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.

[2137] SCENE II.] Rowe. SCENE III. Pope. om. Ff.

A hall ...] Capell. A Hall. Pope. A Hall, in the Palace. Theobald.

[2138] _sir_] om. Pope.

_shall you_] Qq. _let me_ Ff.

[2139] _circumstance?_] Theobald. _circumstance._ Qq Ff.

[2140] _methought_] _my thought_ Q₂ Q₃. _me thought_ The rest.

[2141] _mutines in the_] _mutineers in the_ Rowe. _mutineers in_ Pope.

_bilboes._] _bilboes;_ Rowe. _bilboes,_ Ff. _bilbo,_ Q₂ Q₃. _bilbo's,_ Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.

[2142] _Rashly, And praised ... it, let_] _rashly, And praysd ... it: let_ Qq. _rashly, (And praise ... it) let_ Ff. _rashness (And prais'd ... it) lets_ Pope. _rashness (And prais'd ... it) let_ Hanmer (ed. 2). _rashly, And prais'd ... it--Let_ Steevens.

[2143] _rashness for it, let_] _rashness, for it lets_ Tyrwhitt conj., putting _And ... certain,_ lines 7-11, in a parenthesis.

[2144] _let ... will._] Put in a parenthesis by Jennens.

[2145] _know, Our_] _know; Or_ Warburton, reading lines 6, 7 as Pope. _own, Our_ Collier MS.

[2146] _sometime_] Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. _sometimes_ Q₅ Ff Q₆.

[2147] _deep_] Q₅ Q₆. _deepe_ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. _deare_ F₁ F₂. _dear_ F₃ F₄.

_pall_] Q₂ F₄. _fall_ Q₃ Q₄ Q₆. _fal_ Q₅. _paule_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _fail_ Pope.

_learn_] Qq. _teach_ Ff.

[2148] _scarf'd_] _wrapt_ Q (1676).

_me, in the dark_] _me, in the darke_ Q₆. _me in the darke_ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. _me in the darke,_ Ff (_dark,_ F₃ F₄).

[2149] _Groped I_] _I grop'd_ Q (1676).

[2150] _again; making so_] _againe making, so_ Q₅.

[2151] _bold, My ... manners,_] _bold,_ (_My ... manners_) Ff. _bold My ... manners_ Qq.

[2152] _fears_] _teares_ F₂ F₃. _tears_ F₄.

_unseal_] F₃ F₄. _unseale_ F₁ F₂. _unfold_ Qq.

[2153] _O_] _Oh_ Ff. _A_ Qq. _Ah_ Anon. conj.

_O royal knavery!--_] Omitted in Q (1676).

_knavery!--_] _knavery,_ Qq. _knavery:_ Ff. _knavery!_ Rowe.

[2154] _sorts_] _forts_ F₂.

_reasons_] Qq. _reason_ Ff.

[2155] _ho!_] _hoe_ Qq. _hoo,_ Ff.

[2156] _grinding_] _gringding_ F₂.

[2157] _struck_] F₁ F₃ F₄. _strucke_ F₂. _strooke_ Qq.

[2158] _now_] Qq. _me_ F₁. om. F₂ F₃ F₄.

[2159] _I beseech_] _Ay, 'beseech_ Capell.

[2160] _villanies,--Or ... play,--I_] _villanies,--Or ... play;--I_ Capell. _villaines, Or ... play, I_ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. _villaines, Ere ... play. I_ Ff (_villains,_ F₃ F₄). _villaines, Or ... play: I_ Q₆. _villainy,_ (_Ere ... prologue, to my bane They ... play:_) _I_ Theobald (Warburton and Bishop conj.) _villains, and Ere ... brains, They having ... play; I_ Hanmer. _villains, (Ere I could mark the prologue to my bane They had ... play:) I_ Warburton.

[2161] _villanies_] _villainy_ Keightley.

[2162] _brains_] _banes_ Chisselden conj. apud Theobald MS.

[2163] _sat_] _sate_ Ff Q₆.

[2164] _labour'd_] _laboured_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[2165] _yeoman's_] _yemans_ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.

[2166] _effect_] Qq. _effects_ Ff.

[2167] _like_] Qq. _as_ Ff.

_might_] Qq. _should_ Ff.

[2168] _stand a comma_] _hold her olive_ Bailey conj.

_a comma_] _a commere_ Theobald (Warburton). _no comma_ Theobald conj. (withdrawn). _a cement_ Hanmer. _a co-mere_ Singer (ed. 2). _a co-mate_ Becket conj. _a column_ Jackson conj. _commercing_ Anon. conj. _a comare_ Nicholson conj.

_a comma 'tween_] _as one atween_ Cartwright conj.

_amities_] _enmities_ Theobald conj. (withdrawn).

[2169] _such-like 'As'es_] _such like Assis_ Ff. _such like, as sir_ Qq.

[2170] _knowing of_] Qq. _know of_ Ff. _knowing_ Pope.

[2171] _the bearers_] Ff. _those bearers_ Qq.

[2172] _Not_] _No_ F₄.

_shriving-time_] Hyphened by Theobald. _thriving time_ Jennens.

_allow'd_] Q₅ Q₆. _alow'd_ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. _allowed_ Ff.

[2173] _ordinant_] Qq. _ordinate_ Ff.

[2174] _Folded_] _I folded_ Rowe, reading the rest of the line with Ff.

_the form of the_] _the forme of th'_ Qq. _forme of the_ Ff (_form_ F₄).

[2175] _Subscribed_] _Subscribe_ Q₂ Q₃.

_gave't_] Q₆. _gav't_ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅ F₁. _gav'_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _gave_ Rowe.

[2176] _changeling_] _change was_ Pope. _changing_ Anon. conj.

[2177] _sequent_] Qq. _sement_ Ff. _sequell_ Collier MS.

[2178] _know'st_] Ff Q₆. _knowest_ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.

[2179] _So ... go_] Pointed as in Qq. _So ... Rosincrance, go_ F₁. _So Guildenstare and Rosincros, goe_ F₂ F₃ (_go_ F₃). _So, Guildenstare and Rosincross, go_ F₄.

_go_] _went_ Q (1676).