Class V^m oi Book A^^ GopyiigMTJ?- CjQFXRIGHT DESOSm HAMLET^ A TRAGEDY "TO BE OR NOT TO BE. HAMLET A T RAGE D Y By William Shakespeare The E. H. SOTHERN ACTING VERSION MCCLURE, PHILLIPS O' C9 NEW YORK M CM 1 jTHe'i-IBRARY OPJ CONGRESS, Two Copies Rcceiveo MAR 6 1901 Copyright entry CLASSJZ) XXc. NO. I COPY B TTT ^ 8 « 7 .AaSfe Copyright, 1901, iy McClure, Phillips ^ Co. DRAMATIS ^ PERSON.*: [T'he original cast of the play as presented by Mr SoTHERN & Miss Harned, under the direc- tion of Daniel Frohman, at the Garden Theatre, New Tork, Monday evening, ly September, MCM.^ Claudius, King of Denmark Arthur R. Lawrence Hamlet, son of the late and nephew of the present king E. H. Sothem PoLONius, Lord Chamberlain Edwin Varrey Laertes, son of Polonius Vincent Sternroyd Horatio, friend of Hamlet Henry Carvill OsRic ^ C Richard Lambart RosENCRANTz K courtiers \ Taylor Holmes GuiLDENSTERN J C ....... E. F. Bostwick A Priest Basil West Marcellus 1 ( George E. Bryant Bernardo J | Sydney C. Mather Francisco, a soldier Daniel Jarrett Reynaldo, servant of Polonius E. Raymond First Player Leonard Outram Second Player Arthur Scott First Gravedigger Rowland Buckstone Second Gravedigger John J. Collins Ghost of Hamlet's Father William Harris Fortinbras, Prince of Norway George E. Bryant Gertrude, Queen of Denmark and mother of Hamlet Charlotte Deane Ophelia, daughter of Polonius Virginia Harned Player Queen Adelaide Keim Lords, Ladies, Officers, Soldiers, Messengers, Followers of Fortinbras, and other Attendants [V] HAMLET^ A TRAGEDY ACT ONE THE FIRST SCENE [I'ke scene represents a platform before the castle of Elsinore, the royal seat of the Kings of Demnark. A hell tolls midnight. T^he curtain rises at the sixth stroke of the bell and discovers Francisco walking on his post. Bernardo enters at the tenth stroke of tlie lell!\ Bernardo. WHO'S there? Francisco. Nay, answer me : stand, and unfold yourself. Bernardo. Long live the king ! Francisco. Bernardo ? Bernardo. He. Francisco. You come most carefully upon your hour. Bernardo. 'Tis now struck twelve ; get thee to bed, Francisco. Francisco. For this relief much thanks : 'tis bitter cold, And I am sick at heart. Bernardo. Have you had quiet guard *? Francisco. Not a mouse stirring. Bernardo. Well, good night. If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus, The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste. [3] HAMLET^A TRAGEDY Francisco. I think I hear them. Stand, ho I Who is there ? Enter Horatio and Marcellus. Horatio. Friends to this ground. Marcellus. And Hegemen to the Dane. Francisco. Give you good night. Marcellus. O, farewell, honest soldier : Who hath relieved you ^ Francisco. Bernardo hath my place. Give you good night. {Exit.^ Marcellus. Holla ! Bernardo ! Bernardo. Say, What, is Horatio there ? Horatio. A piece of him. Bernardo. Welcome, Horatio ; welcome, good Marcellus. Marcellus. What, has this thing appear'd again to-night ? Bernardo. I have seen nothing. [4] ACT ONE ^ THE FIRST SCENE Marcellus. Horatio says 'tis but our fantasy. And will not let belief take hold of him Touching this dreaded sight, twice seen of us : Therefore I have entreated him along With us to watch the minutes of this night. That if again this apparition come, He may approve our eyes and speak to it. Horatio. Tush, tush, 'twill not appear. Bernardo. Sit down a while; And let us once again assail your ears. That are so fortified against our story. What we have two nights seen. Horatio. Well, sit we down, And let us hear Bernardo speak of this. Bernardo. Last night of all. When yond same star that's westward from the pole Had made his course to illume that part of heaven Where now it burns, Marcellus and myself. The bell then beating one, — Enter Ghost. Marcellus. Peace, break thee off; look, where it comes again ! Bernardo. In the same figure, like the king that's dead. Horatio. Most like : it harrows me with fear and wonder. [5] HAMLET^^A TRAGEDY Bernardo. It would be spoke to. Marcellus. Question it, Horatio. Horatio. What art thou, that usurp'st this time of night. Together with that fair and warhke form In which the majesty of buried Denmark Did sometimes march? by heaven I charge thee, speak I Marcellus. It is offended. Bernardo. See, it stalks away ! Horatio. Stay I speak, speak I I charge thee, speak ! {Exit Ghost.) Marcellus. 'Tis gone, and will not answer. Bernardo. How now, Horatio I you tremble and look pale : Is not this something more than fantasy ? What think you on't *? Horatio. Before my God, I might not this believe Without the sensible and true avouch Of mine own eyes. Marcellus. Is it not like the king ? Horatio. As thou art to thyself: Such was the very armour he had on When he the ambitious Norway combated. [6] ACT ONE ^ THE FIRST SCENE Marcellus. Thus twice before, and jump at this dead hour. With martial stalk hath he gone by our watch. Horatio. In what particular thought to work I know not; But, in the gross and scope of my opinion, This bodes some strange eruption to our state, Marcellus. Good now, sit down, and tell me, he that knows. Why this same strict and most observant watch So nightly toils the subject of the land : Who is't that can inform me *? Horatio. That can I ; At least the whisper goes so. Our last king, Whose image even but now appear'd to us, Was, as you know, by Fortinbras of Norway, Dared to the combat; in which our valiant Hamlet — Did slay this Fortinbras ; who by a seal'd compact, Did forfeit, with his life, all those his lands Which he stood seized of, to the conqueror. Now, sir, young Fortinbras, Hath in the skirts of Norway here and there Shark'd up a list of lawless resolutes. But to recover of us, by strong hand, those fore- said lands So by his father lost. Bernardo. I think it be no other but e'en so. Re-enter Ghost. Horatio. But soft, behold ! lo, where it comes again ! I'll cross it, though it blast me. Stay, illusion I [7] HAMLET^A TRAGEDY If thou hast any sound, or use of voice. Speak to me : If there be any good thing to be done. That may to thee do ease and grace to me. Speak to me : If thou art privy to thy country's fate. Which, happily, foreknowing may avoid, O, speak ! Or if thou hast uphoarded in thy life Extorted treasure in the womb of earth. For which, they say, you spirits oft walk in death. Speak of it : stay, and speak ! {T'he cock crows.) Stop it, Marcellus. Marcellus. Shall I strike at it with my partisan ? Horatio. Do, if it will not stand. Bernardo. 'Tis here ! Horatio. 'Tis here ! Marcellus. 'Tis gone ! (Exit Ghost.) We do it wrong, being so majestical. To offer it the show of violence ; For it is, as the air, invulnerable. And our vain blows malicious mockery. Bernardo. It was about to speak, when the cock crew. Horatio. And then it started like a guilty thing Upon a fearful summons, I have heard. The cock, that is the trumpet to the morn, [8] ACT ONE ^ THE FIRST SCENE Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding throat Awake the god of day, and at his warning, Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air. The extravagant and erring spirit hies To his confine. Marcellus. Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated. The bird of dawning singeth all night long: And then, they say, no spirit dare stir abroad, The nights are wholesome, then no planets strike, No fairy takes nor witch hath power to charm, So hallow'd and so gracious is the time. Horatio. So have I heard and do in part believe it. But look, the morn, in russet mantle clad. Walks o'er the dew of yon high eastward hill : Break we our watch up ; and by my advice. Let us impart what we have seen to-night Unto young Hamlet; for, upon my life. This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him. (Exennt.) [9] THE SECOND SCENE [vf room of state in the castle. To the strains of a Danish march, there enter the King, Queen, Ham- let, PoLONius, Laertes, Voltimand, Cornelius, Lords, and Attendants.] King. Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death The memory be green, and that it us befitted To bear our hearts in grief and our whole kingdom To be contracted in one brow of woe. Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature That we with wisest sorrow think on him. Together with remembrance of ourselves. Therefore our sometime sister, now our queen, The imperial jointress to this warlike state. Have we, as 'twere with a defeated joy, Taken to wife : nor have we herein barr'd Your better wisdoms, which have freely gone With this affair along. For all, our thanks. And now, Laertes, what's the news with you ? You told us of some suit; what is't, Laertes? Laertes. My dread lord, Your leave and favour to return to France, From whence though willingly I came to Den- mark, To show my duty in your coronation. Yet now, I must confess, that duty done, My thoughts and wishes bend again toward France And bow them to your gracious leave and par- don. King. Have you your father's leave ? What says Po- lonius *? [10] ACT ONE^SECOND SCENE POLONIUS. He hath, my lord, wrung from me my slow leave By laboursome petition, and at last Upon his will I seal'd my hard consent : I do beseech you, give him leave to go. King. Take thy fair hour, Laertes ; time be thine. And thy best graces spend it at thy will I But now, my cousin Hamlet, and my son, — Hamlet. (^Aside?) A little more than kin, and less than kind. King. How is it that the clouds still hang on you ? Hamlet. Not so, my lord ; I am too much i' the sun. Queen. Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted colour off^ And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark. Do not forever with thy vailed lids Seek for thy noble father in the dust : Thou know'st 'tis common ; all that lives must die, Passing through nature to eternity. Hamlet. Ay, madam, it is common. Queen. If it be. Why seems it so particular with thee ? Hamlet. Seems, madam ! nay, it is ; I know not " seems." 'Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother. Nor customary suits of solemn black. Nor windy suspiration of forced breath, [II] HAMLEToeA TRAGEDY No, nor the fruitful river in the eye. Nor the dejected haviour of the visage, Together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief, That can denote me truly : these indeed seem, For they are actions that a man might play : But I have that within which passeth show ; These but the trappings and the suits of woe. King. 'Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet, To give these mourning duties to your father: But, you must know, your father lost a father. That father lost, lost his, and the survivor bound In filial obligation for some term To do obsequious sorrow : but to persever In obstinate condolement is a course Of impious stubbornness ; 'tis unmanly grief: It shows a will most incorrect to heaven, A heart unfortified, a mind impatient. An understanding simple and unschool'd. We pray you, throw to earth This unprevailing woe, and think of us As of a father : for let the world take note, You are the most immediate to our throne. Our chiefest courtier, cousin and our son. OUEEN. Let not thy mother lose her prayers, Hamlet : I pray thee, stay with us ; go not to Wittenberg. Hamlet. I shall in all my best obey you, madam. King. Why, 'tis a loving and a fair reply : Be as ourself in Denmark. Madam, come ; This gentle and unforced accord of Hamlet [12] I SHALL IN ALL MY BEST OBEY YOU, MADAM." ACT ONEoftSECOND SCENE Sits smiling to my heart : in grace whereof, No jocund health that Denmark drinks to-day, But the great cannon to the clouds shall tell, And the king's rouse the heaven shall bruit again. Re-speaking earthly thunder. Come away. {Flourish. Exeunt all but Hamlet.) Hamlet. O, that this too too solid flesh would melt. Thaw and resolve itself into a dew ! Or that the Everlasting had not fix'd His canon 'gainst self-slaughter ! O God I God ! How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable Seem to me all the uses of this world ! Fie on't ! ah fie I 'tis an unweeded garden, That grows to seed ; things rank and gross in nat- ure Possess it merely. (Rising?) That it should come to this I But two months dead ! nay, not so much, not two : So excellent a king ; that was, to this, Hyperion to a satyr : so loving to my mother, That he might not beteem the winds of heaven Visit her face too roughly. Heaven and earth I Must I remember % why, she would hang on him. As if increase of appetite had grown By what it fed on : and yet, within a month — Let me not think on't — Frailty, thy name is woman ! — A little month, or ere those shoes were old With which she foUow'd my poor father's body, Like Niobe, all tears : — why she, even she, — O God ! a beast that wants discourse of reason Would have mourn'd longer, — married with my uncle. My father's brother, but no more like my father Than I to Hercules : within a month ; [13] HAMLET^A TRAGEDY Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears Had left the flushing in her galled eyes, She married. O, most wicked speed, to post With such dexterity to incestuous sheets I It is not, nor it cannot come to good : But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue I Enter Horatio, Marcellus, and Bernardo. Horatio. Hail to your lordship ! Hamlet. I am glad to see you well : Horatio, — or I do forget myself Horatio. The same, my lord, and your poor servant ever. Hamlet. Sir, my good friend ; I'll change that name with you: And what make you from Wittenberg, Horatio? Marcellus? Marcellus. My good lord ? Hamlet. I am very glad to see you. (To Bernardo.) Good even, sir. But what, in faith, make you from Wittenberg ? Horatio. A truant disposition, good my lord. Hamlet. I would not hear your enemy say so. Nor shall you do my ear that violence. To make it truster of your own report [14] ACT ONE.j^SECOND SCENE Against yourself: I know you are no truant. But what is your affair in Elsinore *? We'll teach you to drink deep ere you depart. Horatio. My lord, I came to see your father's funeral. Hamlet, I pray thee, do not mock me, fellow-student ; I think it was to see my mother's wedding. HoRA'p:^': Indeed, my lord, it foUow'd hard upon. Hamlet. Thrift, thrift, Horatio I the funeral baked-meats Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables. Would I had met my dearest foe in heaven Or ever I had seen that day, Horatio I My father! — methinks I see my father. Horatio. where, my lord ? Hamlet. In my mind's eye, Horatio. Horatio. 1 saw him once ; he was a goodly king. Hamlet. He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again. Horatio. My lord, I think I saw him yesternight. Hamlet. Saw? Who? Horatio. My lord, the king your father. [15] , HAMLET^A TRAGEDY Hamlet. The king my father ! Horatio. Season your admiration for a while With an attent ear, till I may deliver. Upon the witness of these gentlemen, This marvel to you. Hamlet. For God's love, let me hear. Horatio. Two nights together had these gentlemen, Marcellus and Bernardo, on their watch, In the dead vast and middle of the night, Been thus encounter'd. A figure like your father. Armed at point exactly, cap-a-pe, Appears before them, and with solemn march Goes slow and stately by them : thrice he walk'd By their oppress'd and fear-surprised eyes, Within his truncheon's length; whilst they, dis- till'd Almost to jelly with the act of fear, Stand dumb, and speak not to him. This to me In dreadful secrecy impart they did ; And I with them the third night kept the watch : Where, as they had deliver'd, both in time. Form of the thing, each word made true and good. The apparition comes : I knew your father ; These hands are not more like. Hamlet. But where was this *? Marcellus. My lord, upon the platform where we watch'd. [i6] ACT ONE^SECOND SCENE Hamlet. Did you not speak to it ? Horatio. My lord, I did, But answer made it none : yet once methought It lifted up its head and did address Itself to motion, like as it would speak : But even then the morning cock crew loud, And at the sound it shrunk in haste away And vanish'd from our sight Hamlet. 'Tis very strange. Horatio. As I do live, my honour'd lord, 'tis true, And we did think it writ down in our duty To let you know of it. Hamlet. Indeed, indeed, sirs, but this troubles me. Hold you the watch to-night ? Marcellus and Bernardo. We do, my lord. Hamlet. Arm'd, say you ■? Marcellus and Bernardo. Arm'd, my lord. Hamlet. From top to toe *? Marcellus and Bernardo. My lord, from head to foot. Hamlet. Then saw you not his face ? [17] HAMLET^A TRAGEDY Horatio. O, yes, my lord ; he wore his beaver up. Hamlet. What, look'd he frowningly *? Horatio. A countenance more in sorrow than in anger. Hamlet. Pale, or red *? Horatio. Nay, very pale. Hamlet. And fix'd his eyes upon you ? Horatio. Hamlet. I would I had been there. Most constantly. Horatio. It would have much amazed you. Hamlet. Very like, very like. Stay'd it long? Horatio. While one with moderate haste might tell a hun- dred. Marcellus and Bernardo. Longer, longer. Horatio. Not when I saw 't. Hamlet. His beard was grizzled *? no ■? [i8] ACT ONE^SECOND SCENE Horatio. It was, as I have seen it in his life, A sable silver'd. Hamlet. I will watch to-night; Perchance 'twill walk again. Horatio. I warrant it will. Hamlet. If it assume my noble father's person, I'll speak to it, though hell itself should gape And bid me hold my peace. I pray you all, If you have hitherto conceal'd this sight, Let it be tenable in your silence still, And whatsoever else shall hap to-night, Give it an understanding, but no tongue : I will requite your loves. So fare you well : Upon the platform, 'twixt eleven and twelve, I'll visit you. All. Our duty to your honour. Hamlet. Your loves, as mine to you : farewell, {Exeunt all but Hamlet.) My father's spirit in arms I all is not well ; I doubt some foul play : would the night were come I Till then sit still, my soul : foul deeds will rise, Though all the earth o'erwhelm them, to men's eyes. (Exit.) [19] THE THIRD SCENE [vf room in the house of Polonius is shown. Laertes and Ophelia enter from the first door at the right of the stage.^ Laertes. J\lY necessaries are embark'd : farewell: And, sister, as the winds give benefit And convoy is assistant, do not sleep. But let me hear from you. Ophelia. Do you doubt that ? Laertes. For Hamlet, and the trifling of his favour, Hold it a fashion, and a toy in blood. He may not, as unvalued persons do, Carve for himself, for on his choice depends The safety and health of this whole state. Then weigh what loss your honour may sus- tain. If with too credent ear you list his songs. Fear it, Ophelia, fear it, my dear sister, And keep you in the rear of your affection, Out of the shot and danger of desire. The chariest maid is prodigal enough. If she unmask her beauty to the moon. Ophelia. I shall the effect of this good lesson keep. As watchman to my heart. But, good my brother, Do not, as some ungracious pastors do, Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven. Whilst, like a puff'd and reckless libertine, Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads And recks not his own rede. [20] r ACT ONE^THE THIRD SCENE Laertes. O, fear me not. I stay too long : but here my father comes. Enter Polonius. POLONIUS. """^ Yet here, Laertes ! Aboard, aboard, for shame ! The wind sits in the shoulder of your sail, And you are stay'd for. There ; my blessing with thee ! And these few precepts in thy memory Look thou character. Give thy thoughts no tongue, Nor any unproportion'd thought his act. Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried. Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel. But do not dull thy palm with entertainment Of each new-hatch'd unfledged comrade. Be- ware Of entrance to a quarrel ; but being in. Bear 't, that the opposed may beware of thee. Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice : Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judg- ment. Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy. But not express'd in fancy ; rich, not gaudy : For the apparel oft proclaims the man ; And they in France of the best rank and station Are of a most select and generous chief in that. Neither a borrower nor a lender be : For loan oft loses both itself and friend. And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. This above all : to thine own self 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 \^ [21] HAMLET^A TRAGEDY Laertes. Most humbly do I take my leave, my lord. POLONIUS. The time invites you ; go, your servants tend. Laertes. Farewell, Ophelia, and remember well What I have said to you. Ophelia. 'Tis in my memory lock'd, And you yourself shall keep the key of it. Laertes. Farewell. (Exit.) POLONIUS. What is't, Ophelia, he hath said to you ? Ophelia. So please you, something touching the Lord Hamlet. FOLONIUS. Marry, well bethought : 'Tis told me, he hath very oft of late Given private time to you, and you yourself Have of your audience been most free and boun- teous : If it be so — as so 'tis put on me. And that in way of caution — I must tell you, You do not understand yourself so clearly As it behoves my daughter and your honour. What is between you ? give me up the truth. Ophelia. He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders Of his affection to me. [22] ACT ONE^THE THIRD SCENE POLONIUS. Affection ! pooh I you speak like a green girl. Unsifted in such perilous circumstance. Do you believe his tenders, as you call them ■? Ophelia. I do not know, my lord, what I should think. POLONIUS. Marry, I'll teach you : think yourself a baby. That you have ta'en these tenders for true pay, Which are not sterling. Tender yourself more dearly ; Or you'll tender me a fool. Ophelia. My lord, he hath importuned me with love In honourable fashion. POLONIUS. Ay, fashion you may call it; go to, go to. Ophelia. And hath given countenance to his speech, my lord. With almost all the holy vows of heaven. Polonius. Ay, springes to catch woodcocks. I do know. When the blood burns, how prodigal the soul Lends the tongue vows. This is for all : I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth. Have you so slander any moment leisure, As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet. Look to 't, I charge you : come your ways. Ophelia. I shall obey, my lord. (Exeunt) [23] THE FOURTH SCENE [l^he action of this scene passes on the same plat- form that was shown in the first scene of this act. Hamlet and ^^okatio appear fro?n the first entrance on the right and approach Marcellus, who is on guard. Horatio stops at the left of the platform^ and looks out aver the battlements. '\ Hamlet. 1 HE air bites shrewdly ; it is very cold. Horatio. It is a nipping and an eager air. Hamlet. What hour now *? Horatio. I think it lacks of twelve. Marcellus. No, it is struck. Horatio. Indeed ? I heard it not : it then draws near the season Wherein the spirit held his wont to walk. (A flourish of trumpets^ and ordnance shot off within.') What doth this mean, my lord *? Hamlet. The king doth wake to-night and takes his rouse, Keeps wassail, and the swaggering up-spring reels ; And as he drains his draughts of Rhenish down. The kettle-drum and trumpet thus bray out The triumph of his pledge. Horatio. Is it a custom ? [24] ACT ONE^^FOURTH SCENE Hamlet. Ay, marry, is't: But to my mind, though I am native here And to the manner born, it is a custom More honoured in the breach than the observance. Enter GhosTo Horatio. Look, my lord, it comes ! Hamlet. Angels and ministers of grace defend us ! Be thou a spirit of health or goblin damn'd. Bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from hell, Be thy intents wicked or charitable. Thou comest in such a questionable shape That I will speak to thee : I'll call thee Hamlet, King, father, royal Dane : O, answer me ! Let me not burst in ignorance ; but tell Why thy canonized bones, hearsed in death, Have burst their cerements; why the sepulchre, Wherein we saw thee quietly inurn'd. Hath oped his ponderous and marble jaws. To cast thee up again. What may this mean, That thou, dead corse, again, in complete steel, Revisit'st thus the glimpses of the moon. Making night hideous; and we fools of nature So horridly to shake our disposition With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls'? Say, why is this *? wherefore ^ what should we do ? (Ghost beckons Hamlet.) Horatio. It beckons you to go away with it. As if it some impartment did desire To you alone. [25] HAMLET^A TRAGEDY Marcellus. Look, with what courteous action It waves you to a more removed ground : But do not go with it. Horatio. No, by no means. Hamlet. It will not speak ; then I will follow it. Horatio. Do not, my lord. Hamlet. Why, what should be the fear ? I do not set my life at a pin's fee ; And for my soul, what can it do to that. Being a thing immortal as itself? It waves me forth again : I'll follow it. Horatio. What if it tempt you toward the flood, my lord. Or to the dreadful summit of the cliff. And there assume some other horrible form, And draw you into madness? Hamlet. It waves me still. Go on ; I'll follow thee. Marcellus. You shall not go, my lord. Hamlet. Hold off your hands. Horatio. Be ruled ; you shall not go. Hamlet. My fate cries out. And makes each petty artery in this body [26] ACT ONE^FOURTH SCENE As hardy as the Neinean lion's nerve. Still am I call'd : unhand me, gentlemen ; By heaven, I'll make a ghost of him that let's me : I say, away I Go on ; I'll follow thee. {Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet.) Marcellus. Let's follow ; 'tis not fit thus to obey him. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. Horatio. Heaven will direct it. Marcellus. Nay, let's follow him. (Exeunt?) [27] THE FIFTH SCENE [^ 7nore remote part of the same platform to which the Ghost has led Hamlet.] Hamlet. Whither wilt thou lead me ^ speak; I'll go no further. Ghost. Mark me. Hamlet. I will. Ghost. My hour is almost come. When I to sulphurous and tormenting flames Must render up myself. Hamlet. Alas, poor ghost ! Ghost. Pity me not, but lend thy serious hearing To what I shall unfold. Hamlet. Speak ; I am bound to hear. Ghost. So art thou to revenge, when thou shalt hear. Hamlet. What? Ghost. I am thy father's spirit; Doom'd for a certain term to walk the night, And for the day confined to fast in fires. Till the foul crimes done in my days of nature Are burnt and purged away. But that I am for- bid [28] ACT ONE^THE FIFTH SCENE To tell the secrets of my prison-house, I could a tale unfold whose lightest word Would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood. Make thy two eyes, like stars, start from their spheres, Thy knotted and combined locks to part And each particular hair to stand on end, Like quills upon the fretful porpentine : But this eternal blazon must not be To ears of flesh and blood. List, list, O, list ! If thou didst ever thy dear father love — Hamlet. OGod! Ghost. Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder. Hamlet. Murder ! Ghost. Murder most foul, as in the best it is. But this most foul, strange, and unnatural. Hamlet. Haste me to know 't, that I, with wings as swift As meditation or the thoughts of love. May sweep to my revenge. Ghost. I find thee apt. Now, Hamlet, hear : 'Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard, A serpent stung me ; so the whole ear of Denmark Is by a forged process of my death Rankly abused : but know, thou noble youth, The serpent that did sting thy father's life Now wears his crown. [29] HAMLET^A T R A QE D Y Hamlet. O my prophetic soul I My uncle ! Ghost. Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast. With witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts, — Won to his shameful lust The will of my most seeming-virtuous queen: Hamlet, what a falling-ofF was there I From me, whose love was of that dignity That it went hand in hand even with the vow 1 made to her in marriage ; and to decline Upon a wretch, whose natural gifts were poor To those of mine ! But, soft I methinks I scent the morning air ; Brief let me be. Sleeping within my orchard. My custom always of the afternoon. Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole. With juice of cursed hebenon in a vial, And in the porches of my ears did pour The leperous distilment; whose effect Holds such an enmity with blood of man That swift as quicksilver it courses through The natural gates and alleys of the body ; So did it mine. Thus was I, sleeping, by a brother's hand Of life, of crown, of queen, at once dispatch'd : Cut off even in the blossoms of my sin. No reckoning made, but sent to my account With all my imperfections on my head. Hamlet. O, horrible ! O, horrible I most horrible ! Ghost. If thou hast nature in thee, bear it not; Let not the royal bed of Denmark be A couch for luxury and damned incest. [30] ACT ONE^THE FIFTH SCENE But, howsoever thou pursuest this act, Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive Against thy mother aught : leave her to heaven, And to those thorns that in her bosom lodge, To prick and sting her. Fare thee well at once ! The glow-worm shows the matin to be near. And 'gins to pale his unefFectual fire : Adieu, adieu, adieu I remember me. (Exit.) Hamlet. O all you host of heaven ! O earth ! what else ? And shall I couple hell ? O, fie I Hold, hold, my heart ; And you, my sinews, grow not instant old, But bear me stiffly up. Remember thee ! Ay, thou poor ghost, while memory holds a seat In this distracted globe. Remember thee I Yea, from the table of my memory I'll wipe away all trivial fond records, All saws of books, all forms, all pressures past, That youth and observation copied there; And thy commandment all alone shall live Within the book and volume of my brain, Unmix'd with baser matter : yes, by heaven I O most pernicious woman ! villain, villain, smiling, damned villain I My tables, — meet it is I set it down. That one may smile, and smile, and be a vil- lain; At least I'm sure it may be so in Denmark. {IVriting^ So, uncle, there you are. Now to my word ; It is "Adieu, adieu I remember me." 1 have sworn't. Horatio and Marcellus. {JVithin^ My lord, my lord I [31] HAMLET^A TRAGEDY Enter Horatio and Marcellus. Marcellus. Lord Hamlet ! Horatio. Heaven secure him ! Hamlet. So be it ! Marcellus. Illo, ho, ho, my lord ! Hamlet. Hillo, ho, ho, boy I come, bird, come. Marcellus. How is't, my noble lord ? Horatio. What news, my lord? Hamlet. O, wonderful ! Horatio.' Good my lord, tell it. Hamlet. No ; you will reveal it. Horatio. Not I, my lord, by heaven. Marcellus. Nor I, my lord. Hamlet. How say you, then ; would heart of man once think it % But you'll be secret ? Horatio and Marcellus. Ay, by heaven, my lord. [32] ACT ONE^THE FIFTH SCENE Hamlet. There's ne'er a villain dwelling in all Denmark But he's an arrant knave. Horatio. There needs no ghost, my lord, come from the grave To tell us this. Hamlet. Why, right ; you are i' the right ; And so, without more circumstance at all, I hold it fit that we shake hands and part : You, as your business and desire shall point you ; For every man hat-'- business and desire, Such as it is ; and for my own poor part, Look you, I'll go pray. Horatio. These are but wild and whirling words, my lord. Hamlet. I'm sorry they offend you, heartily; Yes, faith, heaidiy. HORATIO. There's no offence, my lord. Hamlet. Yes, by Saint Patrick, but there is, Horatio, And much offence too. Touching this vision here. It is an honest ghost, that let me tell you : For your desire to know what is between us, O'ermaster 't as you may. And now, good friends, As you are friends, scholars and soldiers, Give me one poor request. Horatio. What is't, my lord *? we will. [33] HAMLET^A TRAGEDY Hamlet. Never make known what you have seen to-night. Horatio and Marcellus. My lord, we will not. Hamlet. Nay, but swear't. Horatio. In faith, My lord, not I. Marcellus. Nor I, my lord, in faith. Hamlet. Upon my sword. Marcellus. We have sworn, my lord, already. Hamlet. Indeed, upon my sword, indeed. Ghost. (Beneath^ Swear. Hamlet. Ah, ha, boy ! say'st thou so ? art thou there, true- penny *? Come on : you hear this fellow in the cellarage : Consent to swear. Horatio. Propose the oath, my lord. Hamlet. Never to speak of this that you have seen, Swear by my sword. Ghost. {Beneath^ Swear. [34] ACT ONE^THE FIFTH SCENE Hamlet. Hie et ubique ? then we'll shift our ground. Come hither, gentlemen. And lay your hands again upon my sword : Never to speak of this that you have heard, Swear by my sword. Ghost. (Beneath.) Swear. Hamlet. Well said, old mole ! canst work i' the earth so fast? A worthy pioner I Once more remove, good friends. Horatio. O day and night, but this is wondrous strange ! Hamlet. And therefore as a stranger give it welcome. There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. But come ; Here, as before, never, so help you mercy. How strange or odd soe'er I bear myself. As I perchance hereafter shall think meet To put an antic disposition on, That you, at such times seeing me, never shall. With arms encumber'd thus, or this head-shake. Or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase. As " Well, well, we know," or " We could, an if we would," Or " If we list to speak," or " There be, an if they might," Or such ambiguous giving out, to note That you know aught of me : this not to do, .[35] HAMLET^A TRAGEDY So grace and mercy at your most need help you, Swear. Ghost. {Beneath^ Swear. Hamlet. Rest, rest, perturbed spirit! (^^hey swear.) So, gentlemen. With all my love I do commend me to you : And what so poor a man as Hamlet is May do, to express his love and friending to you, God willing, shall not lack. Let us go in to- gether ; And still your fingers on your lips, I pray. The time is out of joint : O cursed spite. That ever I was born to set it right ! Nay, come, let's go together. (Exeunt.) [36] ACT TWO THE FIRST SCENE [T'he stage throughout this act is set to represent a room of state in the Castle7\ Enter Polonius and Reynaldo POLONIUS. Give him this money and these notes, Rey- naldo. Reynaldo. I will, my lord. Polonius. You shall do marvellous wisely, good Reynaldo, Before you visit him, to make inquire Of his behaviour. Reynaldo. My lord, I did intend it. Polonius. Observe his inclination in yourself. Reynaldo. I shall, my lord. Polonius. And let him ply his music. Reynaldo. Well, my lord. Polonius. Farewell ! {Exit Reynaldo.) Enter Ophelia. How now, Ophelia I what's the matter *? Ophelia. O, my lord, my lord, I have been so affrighted ! Polonius. With what, i' the name of God ? [39] HAMLET^A TRAGEDY Ophelia. My lord, as I was sewing in my closet. Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced, No hat upon his head. Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other, And with a look so piteous in purport As if he had been loosed out of hell To speak of horrors, he comes before me. POLONIUS. Mad for thy love ? Ophelia. My lord, I do not know. But truly I do fear it. POLONIUS. What said he ? Ophelia. He took me by the wrist and held me hard; Then goes he to the length of all his arm. And with his other hand thus o'er his brow, He falls to such perusal of my face As he would draw it. Long stay'd he so; At last, a little shaking of mine arm. And thrice his head thus waving up and down, He raised a sigh so piteous and profound As it did seem to shatter all his bulk And end his being : that done, he lets me go : And with his head over his shoulder turn'd. He seem'd to find his way without his eyes ; For out o' doors he went without their helps. And to the last bended their light on me. POLONIUS. Come, go with me : I will go seek the king. This is the very ecstasy of love ; Whose violent pjoperty fordoes itself [40] ACT TWO^THE FIRST SCENE And leads the will to desperate undertakings. I am sorry. What, have you given him any hard words of late ? Ophelia. No, my good lord, but, as you did command, I did repel his letters and denied His access to me. POLONIUS. That hath made him mad. I am sorry that with better heed and judgment I had not quoted him. Come, go we to the king : This must be known ; which, being kept close, might move More grief to hide than hate to utter love. Come. {Exei/nt.) Flourish. Enter King, Queen, Rosencrantz, Guil- DENSTERN, and Attendants. King. Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern ! Moreover that we much did long to see you. The need we have to use you did provoke Our hasty sending. Something have you heard Of Hamlet's transformation. What it should be, More than his father's death, that thus hath put him So much from the understanding of himself, I cannot dream of: I entreat you both. That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court Some little time : so by your companies To draw him on to pleasures, and to gather So much as from occasion you may glean. Whether aught to us unknown afRicts him thus, That open'd lies within our remedy. [41] HAMLEToiA TRAGEDY Queen. Good gentlemen, he hath much talk'd of you, And sure I am two men there are not Uving To whom he more adheres. If it will please you To show us so much gentry and good will As to expend your time with us a while For the supply and profit of our hope. Your visitation shall receive such thanks As fits a king's remembrance. Go, some of you, And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is. {Exeunt Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and some Attendants.) Enter Polonius. POLONIUS. I do think, or else this brain of mine Hunts not the trail of policy so sure As it hath used to do, that I have found The very cause of Hamlet's lunacy. King. O, speak of that ; that do I long to hear. Polonius. My liege and madam, I have a daughter, — have while she is mine, — Who in her duty and obedience, mark. Hath given me this : now gather and surmise. (Reads^ " To the celestial, and my soul's idol, the most beautified Ophelia," — That's an ill phrase, a vile phrase ; " beautified " is a vile phrase : but you shall hear. Thus : {Reads.) " In her excellent white bosom, these," etc. [42] ACT TWO^THE FIRST SCENE Queen. Came this from Hamlet to her ? POLONIUS. Good madam, stay a while ; I will be faithful. {Reads^ " Doubt thou the stars are fire ; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar ; But never doubt I love. " O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers ; I have not art to reckon my groans : but that I love thee best, O most best, believe it. Adieu. " Thine evermore, most dear lady, whilst this machine is to him, ttt „ Hamlet. This in obedience hath my daughter shown me. And my young mistress thus I did bespeak : " Lord Hamlet is a prince, out of thy star ; This must not be : " and then I prescripts gave her, That she should lock herself from his resort, Admit no messengers, receive no tokens. Which done, she took the fruits of my advice ; And he repulsed, a short tale to make. Fell into a sadness, then into a fast. Thence to a watch, thence into a weakness, Thence to a lightness, and by this declension Into the madness wherein now he raves And all we mourn for. King. Do you think this *? Oueen. It may be, very like. [43] HAMLET^A TRAGEDY POLONIUS. Hath there been such a time, I'd fain know that, That I have positively said " 'tis so," When it proved otherwise ? King. Not that I know. PoLONius. {Pointing to his head and shoulder^ Take this from this, if this be otherwise : If circumstances lead me, I will find Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed Within the centre. King. How may we try it further ? POLONIUS. You know, sometimes he walks four hours together Here in the lobby. Queen. So he does, indeed. POLONIUS. At such a time I'll loose my daughter to him : Be you and I behind an arras then; Mark the encounter : if he love her not. And be not from his reason fall'n thereon, Let me be no assistant for a state, But keep a farm and carters. King. We will try it. Queen. But look where sadly the poor wretch comes reading. Polonius. Away, I do beseech you, both away : I'll board him presently. (Exeunt King, Queen, and Attendants.) [44] ACT TWO^THE FIRST SCENE Enter Hamlet, reading. O, give me leave : how does my good Lord Hamlet? Hamlet. Well, God-a-mercy. POLONIUS. Do you know me, my lord *? Hamlet. Excellent well ; you are a fishmonger. Polonius. Not I, my lord. Hamlet. Then I would you were so honest a man. Polonius. Honest, my lord ! Hamlet. Ay, sir; to be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of ten thousand. Polonius. That's very true, my lord. Hamlet. For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a god kissing carrion — Have you a daughter ? Polonius. I have, my lord. Hamlet. Let her not walk i' the sun: conception is a blessing ; but as your daughter may conceive, — friend, look to 't, [45] HAMLET^A TRAGEDY PoLONius. {Aside?) How say you by that ? Still harping on my daughter : yet he knew me not at first ; he said I was a fishmonger : he is far gone : and truly in my youth I suffered much extremity for love; very near this. I'll speak to him again. — What do you read, my lord *? Hamlet. Words, words, words. POLONIUS. What is the matter, my lord ? Hamlet. Between who ? POLONIUS. I mean, the matter that you read, my lord. Hamlet. Slanders, sir : for the satirical rogue says here that old men have grey beards, that their faces are wrinkled, their eyes purging thick amber and plum-tree gum, and that they have a plentiful lack of wit, together with most weak hams : all which, sir, though I most powerfully and potently believe, yet I hold it not honesty to have it thus set down ; for yourself, sir, shall grow old as I am, if like a crab you could go backward. PoLONius. {Aside?) Though this be madness, yet there is method in 't. — Will you walk out of the air, my lord *? Hamlet. Into my grave. POLONIUS. Indeed, that's out of the air. {Aside?) How pregnant sometimes his replies are ! a happiness [46] ACT TWO^THE FIRST SCENE that often madness hits on, which reason and sanity could not so prosperously be delivered of. I will leave him, and suddenly contrive the means ol meeting between him and my daughter. — My honourable lord, I will most humbly take my leave of you. Hamlet. You cannot, sir, take from me any thing that I will more willingly part withal: except my life, except my life, except my life. (Down L.) POLONIUS. Fare you well, my lord. Hamlet. These tedious old fools ! Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. POLONIUS. You go to seek the Lord Hamlet; there he is. Rosencrantz. (T(OME, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me. i^he King 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. 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, And hurt my brother. Laertes; I am satisfied in nature. Whose motive, in this case, should stir me most To my revenge. I do receive your ofFer'd love like love And will not wrong it. Hamlet. I embrace it freely, And will this brother's wager frankly play. Give us the foils. Come on. Laertes. Come, one for me. Hamlet. I'll be your foil, Laertes : in mine ignorance Your skill shall, like a star i' the darkest night. Stick fiery off indeed. Laertes. You mock me, sir, [129] HAMLET^A TRAGEDY 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 has laid the odds o' the weaker side. King. I do not fear it ; I have seen you both : But since he is better'd, we have therefore odds. Laertes. This is too heavy ; let me see another. Hamlet. This likes me well. These foils have all a length ? (^hey prepare to play^ OsRIC. Ay, my good lord. King. Set me the stoups of wine upon that table. If Hamlet give the first or second hit, Or quit in answer of the third exchange. 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, Richer than that which four successive kings In Denmark's crown have worn. Give me the cups; And let the kettle to the trumpet 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. [130] ACT FIVE^THIRD SCENE Hamlet. Come on, sir. Laertes. Come, my lord. (^hey play.) Hamlet. One. Laertes. No. Hamlet. Judgment. OSRIC. A hit, a very palpable hit. Laertes. Well; again. King. Stay; give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is thine ; Here's to thy health. (^rumpets sounds and cannon shot off within.) Give him the cup. Hamlet. I'll play this bout first; set it by a while. Come. (1^ hey play.) Another hit; what say you? Laertes. A touch, a touch, I do confess. King. Our son shall win. Queen. The queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet. Hamlet. Good madam ! [ 131 1 HAMLEToftA TRAGEDY King. Gertrude, do not drink. Queen. I will, my lord ; I pray you, pardon me. King. (A side ^ It is the poison'd cup ; it is too late. Laertes. My lord, I'll hit him now. King. I do not think 't. Laertes. {Aside?) And yet it is almost against my conscience. Hamlet. Come, for the third, Laertes : you but dally ; I pray you, pass with your best violence ; I am atear'd you make a wanton of me. Laertes. Say you so ? come on. {^hey play?) OsRic. Nothing, neither way. Laertes. Have at you now ! (Laertes wounds Hamlet; then^ in scuffling^ they change rapiers^ and Hamlet wounds Laertes.) King. Part them ; they are incensed. Hamlet. Nay, come, again. {^he Quee^ falls.') OsRic. Look to the queen there, ho ! [ 132 ] ACT FIVE^THIRD SCENE Horatio. How is it , my lord *? OsRic. How is 't, Laertes ? Laertes. Why, as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric ; I am justly kill'd with mine own treachery. Hamlet. How does the queen ? King. She swounds to see them bleed. Queen. No, no, the drink, the drink, — O my dear Ham- let, — The drink, the drink ! I am poison'd. (Dies.) Hamlet. villany I Ho ! let the door be lock'd : Treachery I seek it out. (Laertes y^Z/j.) 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 envenom'd : the foul practice Hath turn'd itself on me ; lo, here I lie. Never to rise again : thy mother 's poisoned : 1 can no more : the king, the king 's to blame. Hamlet. The point envenom'd too ! Then, venom, to thy work. (Stabs the King.) All. Treason! treason! [133] HAMLET^A TRAGEDY King. O, yet defend me, friends ; I am but hurt. Hamlet. Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane, Drink off this potion : Follow my mother. (King dies.) Laertes. He is justly served. 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 chance, That are but mutes or audience to this act. Had I but time — as this fell sergeant, death, Is strict in his arrest — O, I could tell you — But let it be. Horatio, I am dead ; Thou livest ; report me and my cause aright To the unsatisfied. Horatio. Never believe it : I am more an antique Roman 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 felicity a while, [134] "ALAS, POOR YORICK ! ACT FIVE^THIRD SCENE 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 *? OSRIC. Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland. Hamlet. O, I die, Horatio; The potent poison quite o'er-crows my spirit : But I do prophesy the election lights On Fortinbras : he has my dying voice. The rest is silence. (D/^-j^.) Horatio. Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince, And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest ! {March within^ Enter Fortinbras, and the English Ambassadors, with drum, colours, and Attendants. Fortinbras. Where is this sight? Horatio. What is it you would see % If aught of woe or wonder, cease your search. And let me speak to the yet unknowing world How these things came about. 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 memory in this kingdom, [135] HAMLET^A TRAGEDY Which now to claim my vantage doth invite me. Bear Hamlet, like a soldier, to the stage ; And, for his passage. The soldiers' music and the rites of war Speak loudly for him. Go, bid the soldiers shoot. (j4 dead march. 'Exeunt., hearing off the bodies : after which a peal of ordnance is shot off'.) \ [1361 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 094 757 A '' i',(- ..'.•Vi!| ''