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<title>SCENE II. A room in the castle.
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<tr><td class="play" align="center">The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
<tr><td class="nav" align="center">
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| <A href="/Shakespeare/hamlet/">Hamlet</A>
| Act 2, Scene 2
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<H3>SCENE II. A room in the castle.</h3>
<p><blockquote>
<i>Enter KING CLAUDIUS, QUEEN GERTRUDE, ROSENCRANTZ, GUILDENSTERN, and Attendants</i>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech1><b>KING CLAUDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=1>Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern!</A><br>
<A NAME=2>Moreover that we much did long to see you,</A><br>
<A NAME=3>The need we have to use you did provoke</A><br>
<A NAME=4>Our hasty sending. Something have you heard</A><br>
<A NAME=5>Of Hamlet's transformation; so call it,</A><br>
<A NAME=6>Sith nor the exterior nor the inward man</A><br>
<A NAME=7>Resembles that it was. What it should be,</A><br>
<A NAME=8>More than his father's death, that thus hath put him</A><br>
<A NAME=9>So much from the understanding of himself,</A><br>
<A NAME=10>I cannot dream of: I entreat you both,</A><br>
<A NAME=11>That, being of so young days brought up with him,</A><br>
<A NAME=12>And sith so neighbour'd to his youth and havior,</A><br>
<A NAME=13>That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court</A><br>
<A NAME=14>Some little time: so by your companies</A><br>
<A NAME=15>To draw him on to pleasures, and to gather,</A><br>
<A NAME=16>So much as from occasion you may glean,</A><br>
<A NAME=17>Whether aught, to us unknown, afflicts him thus,</A><br>
<A NAME=18>That, open'd, lies within our remedy.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech2><b>QUEEN GERTRUDE</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=19>Good gentlemen, he hath much talk'd of you;</A><br>
<A NAME=20>And sure I am two men there are not living</A><br>
<A NAME=21>To whom he more adheres. If it will please you</A><br>
<A NAME=22>To show us so much gentry and good will</A><br>
<A NAME=23>As to expend your time with us awhile,</A><br>
<A NAME=24>For the supply and profit of our hope,</A><br>
<A NAME=25>Your visitation shall receive such thanks</A><br>
<A NAME=26>As fits a king's remembrance.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech3><b>ROSENCRANTZ</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=27>Both your majesties</A><br>
<A NAME=28>Might, by the sovereign power you have of us,</A><br>
<A NAME=29>Put your dread pleasures more into command</A><br>
<A NAME=30>Than to entreaty.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech4><b>GUILDENSTERN</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=31> But we both obey,</A><br>
<A NAME=32>And here give up ourselves, in the full bent</A><br>
<A NAME=33>To lay our service freely at your feet,</A><br>
<A NAME=34>To be commanded.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech5><b>KING CLAUDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=35>Thanks, Rosencrantz and gentle Guildenstern.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech6><b>QUEEN GERTRUDE</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=36>Thanks, Guildenstern and gentle Rosencrantz:</A><br>
<A NAME=37>And I beseech you instantly to visit</A><br>
<A NAME=38>My too much changed son. Go, some of you,</A><br>
<A NAME=39>And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech7><b>GUILDENSTERN</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=40>Heavens make our presence and our practises</A><br>
<A NAME=41>Pleasant and helpful to him!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech8><b>QUEEN GERTRUDE</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=42>Ay, amen!</A><br>
<p><i>Exeunt ROSENCRANTZ, GUILDENSTERN, and some Attendants</i></p>
<p><i>Enter POLONIUS</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech9><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=43>The ambassadors from Norway, my good lord,</A><br>
<A NAME=44>Are joyfully return'd.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech10><b>KING CLAUDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=45>Thou still hast been the father of good news.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech11><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=46>Have I, my lord? I assure my good liege,</A><br>
<A NAME=47>I hold my duty, as I hold my soul,</A><br>
<A NAME=48>Both to my God and to my gracious king:</A><br>
<A NAME=49>And I do think, or else this brain of mine</A><br>
<A NAME=50>Hunts not the trail of policy so sure</A><br>
<A NAME=51>As it hath used to do, that I have found</A><br>
<A NAME=52>The very cause of Hamlet's lunacy.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech12><b>KING CLAUDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=53>O, speak of that; that do I long to hear.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech13><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=54>Give first admittance to the ambassadors;</A><br>
<A NAME=55>My news shall be the fruit to that great feast.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech14><b>KING CLAUDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=56>Thyself do grace to them, and bring them in.</A><br>
<p><i>Exit POLONIUS</i></p>
<A NAME=57>He tells me, my dear Gertrude, he hath found</A><br>
<A NAME=58>The head and source of all your son's distemper.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech15><b>QUEEN GERTRUDE</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=59>I doubt it is no other but the main;</A><br>
<A NAME=60>His father's death, and our o'erhasty marriage.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech16><b>KING CLAUDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=61>Well, we shall sift him.</A><br>
<p><i>Re-enter POLONIUS, with VOLTIMAND and CORNELIUS</i></p>
<A NAME=62>Welcome, my good friends!</A><br>
<A NAME=63>Say, Voltimand, what from our brother Norway?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech17><b>VOLTIMAND</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=64>Most fair return of greetings and desires.</A><br>
<A NAME=65>Upon our first, he sent out to suppress</A><br>
<A NAME=66>His nephew's levies; which to him appear'd</A><br>
<A NAME=67>To be a preparation 'gainst the Polack;</A><br>
<A NAME=68>But, better look'd into, he truly found</A><br>
<A NAME=69>It was against your highness: whereat grieved,</A><br>
<A NAME=70>That so his sickness, age and impotence</A><br>
<A NAME=71>Was falsely borne in hand, sends out arrests</A><br>
<A NAME=72>On Fortinbras; which he, in brief, obeys;</A><br>
<A NAME=73>Receives rebuke from Norway, and in fine</A><br>
<A NAME=74>Makes vow before his uncle never more</A><br>
<A NAME=75>To give the assay of arms against your majesty.</A><br>
<A NAME=76>Whereon old Norway, overcome with joy,</A><br>
<A NAME=77>Gives him three thousand crowns in annual fee,</A><br>
<A NAME=78>And his commission to employ those soldiers,</A><br>
<A NAME=79>So levied as before, against the Polack:</A><br>
<A NAME=80>With an entreaty, herein further shown,</A><br>
<p><i>Giving a paper</i></p>
<A NAME=81>That it might please you to give quiet pass</A><br>
<A NAME=82>Through your dominions for this enterprise,</A><br>
<A NAME=83>On such regards of safety and allowance</A><br>
<A NAME=84>As therein are set down.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech18><b>KING CLAUDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=85>It likes us well;</A><br>
<A NAME=86>And at our more consider'd time well read,</A><br>
<A NAME=87>Answer, and think upon this business.</A><br>
<A NAME=88>Meantime we thank you for your well-took labour:</A><br>
<A NAME=89>Go to your rest; at night we'll feast together:</A><br>
<A NAME=90>Most welcome home!</A><br>
<p><i>Exeunt VOLTIMAND and CORNELIUS</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech19><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=91> This business is well ended.</A><br>
<A NAME=92>My liege, and madam, to expostulate</A><br>
<A NAME=93>What majesty should be, what duty is,</A><br>
<A NAME=94>Why day is day, night night, and time is time,</A><br>
<A NAME=95>Were nothing but to waste night, day and time.</A><br>
<A NAME=96>Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,</A><br>
<A NAME=97>And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,</A><br>
<A NAME=98>I will be brief: your noble son is mad:</A><br>
<A NAME=99>Mad call I it; for, to define true madness,</A><br>
<A NAME=100>What is't but to be nothing else but mad?</A><br>
<A NAME=101>But let that go.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech20><b>QUEEN GERTRUDE</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=102> More matter, with less art.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech21><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=103>Madam, I swear I use no art at all.</A><br>
<A NAME=104>That he is mad, 'tis true: 'tis true 'tis pity;</A><br>
<A NAME=105>And pity 'tis 'tis true: a foolish figure;</A><br>
<A NAME=106>But farewell it, for I will use no art.</A><br>
<A NAME=107>Mad let us grant him, then: and now remains</A><br>
<A NAME=108>That we find out the cause of this effect,</A><br>
<A NAME=109>Or rather say, the cause of this defect,</A><br>
<A NAME=110>For this effect defective comes by cause:</A><br>
<A NAME=111>Thus it remains, and the remainder thus. Perpend.</A><br>
<A NAME=112>I have a daughter--have while she is mine--</A><br>
<A NAME=113>Who, in her duty and obedience, mark,</A><br>
<A NAME=114>Hath given me this: now gather, and surmise.</A><br>
<p><i>Reads</i></p>
<A NAME=115>'To the celestial and my soul's idol, the most</A><br>
<A NAME=116>beautified Ophelia,'--</A><br>
<A NAME=117>That's an ill phrase, a vile phrase; 'beautified' is</A><br>
<A NAME=118>a vile phrase: but you shall hear. Thus:</A><br>
<p><i>Reads</i></p>
<A NAME=119>'In her excellent white bosom, these, & c.'</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech22><b>QUEEN GERTRUDE</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=120>Came this from Hamlet to her?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech23><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=121>Good madam, stay awhile; I will be faithful.</A><br>
<p><i>Reads</i></p>
<A NAME=122>'Doubt thou the stars are fire;</A><br>
<A NAME=123>Doubt that the sun doth move;</A><br>
<A NAME=124>Doubt truth to be a liar;</A><br>
<A NAME=125>But never doubt I love.</A><br>
<A NAME=126>'O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers;</A><br>
<A NAME=127>I have not art to reckon my groans: but that</A><br>
<A NAME=128>I love thee best, O most best, believe it. Adieu.</A><br>
<A NAME=129>'Thine evermore most dear lady, whilst</A><br>
<A NAME=130>this machine is to him, HAMLET.'</A><br>
<A NAME=131>This, in obedience, hath my daughter shown me,</A><br>
<A NAME=132>And more above, hath his solicitings,</A><br>
<A NAME=133>As they fell out by time, by means and place,</A><br>
<A NAME=134>All given to mine ear.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech24><b>KING CLAUDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=135>But how hath she</A><br>
<A NAME=136>Received his love?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech25><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=137> What do you think of me?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech26><b>KING CLAUDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=138>As of a man faithful and honourable.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech27><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=139>I would fain prove so. But what might you think,</A><br>
<A NAME=140>When I had seen this hot love on the wing--</A><br>
<A NAME=141>As I perceived it, I must tell you that,</A><br>
<A NAME=142>Before my daughter told me--what might you,</A><br>
<A NAME=143>Or my dear majesty your queen here, think,</A><br>
<A NAME=144>If I had play'd the desk or table-book,</A><br>
<A NAME=145>Or given my heart a winking, mute and dumb,</A><br>
<A NAME=146>Or look'd upon this love with idle sight;</A><br>
<A NAME=147>What might you think? No, I went round to work,</A><br>
<A NAME=148>And my young mistress thus I did bespeak:</A><br>
<A NAME=149>'Lord Hamlet is a prince, out of thy star;</A><br>
<A NAME=150>This must not be:' and then I precepts gave her,</A><br>
<A NAME=151>That she should lock herself from his resort,</A><br>
<A NAME=152>Admit no messengers, receive no tokens.</A><br>
<A NAME=153>Which done, she took the fruits of my advice;</A><br>
<A NAME=154>And he, repulsed--a short tale to make--</A><br>
<A NAME=155>Fell into a sadness, then into a fast,</A><br>
<A NAME=156>Thence to a watch, thence into a weakness,</A><br>
<A NAME=157>Thence to a lightness, and, by this declension,</A><br>
<A NAME=158>Into the madness wherein now he raves,</A><br>
<A NAME=159>And all we mourn for.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech28><b>KING CLAUDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=160>Do you think 'tis this?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech29><b>QUEEN GERTRUDE</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=161>It may be, very likely.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech30><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=162>Hath there been such a time--I'd fain know that--</A><br>
<A NAME=163>That I have positively said 'Tis so,'</A><br>
<A NAME=164>When it proved otherwise?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech31><b>KING CLAUDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=165>Not that I know.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech32><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=166>[Pointing to his head and shoulder]</A><br>
<A NAME=167>Take this from this, if this be otherwise:</A><br>
<A NAME=168>If circumstances lead me, I will find</A><br>
<A NAME=169>Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed</A><br>
<A NAME=170>Within the centre.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech33><b>KING CLAUDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=171> How may we try it further?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech34><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=172>You know, sometimes he walks four hours together</A><br>
<A NAME=173>Here in the lobby.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech35><b>QUEEN GERTRUDE</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=174> So he does indeed.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech36><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=175>At such a time I'll loose my daughter to him:</A><br>
<A NAME=176>Be you and I behind an arras then;</A><br>
<A NAME=177>Mark the encounter: if he love her not</A><br>
<A NAME=178>And be not from his reason fall'n thereon,</A><br>
<A NAME=179>Let me be no assistant for a state,</A><br>
<A NAME=180>But keep a farm and carters.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech37><b>KING CLAUDIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=181>We will try it.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech38><b>QUEEN GERTRUDE</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=182>But, look, where sadly the poor wretch comes reading.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech39><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=183>Away, I do beseech you, both away:</A><br>
<A NAME=184>I'll board him presently.</A><br>
<p><i>Exeunt KING CLAUDIUS, QUEEN GERTRUDE, and Attendants</i></p>
<p><i>Enter HAMLET, reading</i></p>
<A NAME=185>O, give me leave:</A><br>
<A NAME=186>How does my good Lord Hamlet?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech40><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=187>Well, God-a-mercy.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech41><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=188>Do you know me, my lord?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech42><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=189>Excellent well; you are a fishmonger.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech43><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=190>Not I, my lord.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech44><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=191>Then I would you were so honest a man.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech45><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=192>Honest, my lord!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech46><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=193>Ay, sir; to be honest, as this world goes, is to be</A><br>
<A NAME=194>one man picked out of ten thousand.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech47><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=195>That's very true, my lord.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech48><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=196>For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a</A><br>
<A NAME=197>god kissing carrion,--Have you a daughter?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech49><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=198>I have, my lord.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech50><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=199>Let her not walk i' the sun: conception is a</A><br>
<A NAME=200>blessing: but not as your daughter may conceive.</A><br>
<A NAME=201>Friend, look to 't.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech51><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=202>[Aside] How say you by that? Still harping on my</A><br>
<A NAME=203>daughter: yet he knew me not at first; he said I</A><br>
<A NAME=204>was a fishmonger: he is far gone, far gone: and</A><br>
<A NAME=205>truly in my youth I suffered much extremity for</A><br>
<A NAME=206>love; very near this. I'll speak to him again.</A><br>
<A NAME=207>What do you read, my lord?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech52><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=208>Words, words, words.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech53><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=209>What is the matter, my lord?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech54><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=210>Between who?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech55><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=211>I mean, the matter that you read, my lord.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech56><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=212>Slanders, sir: for the satirical rogue says here</A><br>
<A NAME=213>that old men have grey beards, that their faces are</A><br>
<A NAME=214>wrinkled, their eyes purging thick amber and</A><br>
<A NAME=215>plum-tree gum and that they have a plentiful lack of</A><br>
<A NAME=216>wit, together with most weak hams: all which, sir,</A><br>
<A NAME=217>though I most powerfully and potently believe, yet</A><br>
<A NAME=218>I hold it not honesty to have it thus set down, for</A><br>
<A NAME=219>yourself, sir, should be old as I am, if like a crab</A><br>
<A NAME=220>you could go backward.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech57><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=221>[Aside] Though this be madness, yet there is method</A><br>
<A NAME=222>in 't. Will you walk out of the air, my lord?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech58><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=223>Into my grave.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech59><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=224>Indeed, that is out o' the air.</A><br>
<p><i>Aside</i></p>
<A NAME=225>How pregnant sometimes his replies are! a happiness</A><br>
<A NAME=226>that often madness hits on, which reason and sanity</A><br>
<A NAME=227>could not so prosperously be delivered of. I will</A><br>
<A NAME=228>leave him, and suddenly contrive the means of</A><br>
<A NAME=229>meeting between him and my daughter.--My honourable</A><br>
<A NAME=230>lord, I will most humbly take my leave of you.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech60><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=231>You cannot, sir, take from me any thing that I will</A><br>
<A NAME=232>more willingly part withal: except my life, except</A><br>
<A NAME=233>my life, except my life.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech61><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=234>Fare you well, my lord.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech62><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=235>These tedious old fools!</A><br>
<p><i>Enter ROSENCRANTZ and GUILDENSTERN</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech63><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=236>You go to seek the Lord Hamlet; there he is.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech64><b>ROSENCRANTZ</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=237>[To POLONIUS] God save you, sir!</A><br>
<p><i>Exit POLONIUS</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech65><b>GUILDENSTERN</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=238>My honoured lord!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech66><b>ROSENCRANTZ</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=239>My most dear lord!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech67><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=240>My excellent good friends! How dost thou,</A><br>
<A NAME=241>Guildenstern? Ah, Rosencrantz! Good lads, how do ye both?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech68><b>ROSENCRANTZ</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=242>As the indifferent children of the earth.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech69><b>GUILDENSTERN</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=243>Happy, in that we are not over-happy;</A><br>
<A NAME=244>On fortune's cap we are not the very button.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech70><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=245>Nor the soles of her shoe?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech71><b>ROSENCRANTZ</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=246>Neither, my lord.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech72><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=247>Then you live about her waist, or in the middle of</A><br>
<A NAME=248>her favours?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech73><b>GUILDENSTERN</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=249>'Faith, her privates we.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech74><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=250>In the secret parts of fortune? O, most true; she</A><br>
<A NAME=251>is a strumpet. What's the news?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech75><b>ROSENCRANTZ</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=252>None, my lord, but that the world's grown honest.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech76><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=253>Then is doomsday near: but your news is not true.</A><br>
<A NAME=254>Let me question more in particular: what have you,</A><br>
<A NAME=255>my good friends, deserved at the hands of fortune,</A><br>
<A NAME=256>that she sends you to prison hither?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech77><b>GUILDENSTERN</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=257>Prison, my lord!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech78><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=258>Denmark's a prison.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech79><b>ROSENCRANTZ</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=259>Then is the world one.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech80><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=260>A goodly one; in which there are many confines,</A><br>
<A NAME=261>wards and dungeons, Denmark being one o' the worst.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech81><b>ROSENCRANTZ</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=262>We think not so, my lord.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech82><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=263>Why, then, 'tis none to you; for there is nothing</A><br>
<A NAME=264>either good or bad, but thinking makes it so: to me</A><br>
<A NAME=265>it is a prison.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech83><b>ROSENCRANTZ</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=266>Why then, your ambition makes it one; 'tis too</A><br>
<A NAME=267>narrow for your mind.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech84><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=268>O God, I could be bounded in a nut shell and count</A><br>
<A NAME=269>myself a king of infinite space, were it not that I</A><br>
<A NAME=270>have bad dreams.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech85><b>GUILDENSTERN</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=271>Which dreams indeed are ambition, for the very</A><br>
<A NAME=272>substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech86><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=273>A dream itself is but a shadow.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech87><b>ROSENCRANTZ</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=274>Truly, and I hold ambition of so airy and light a</A><br>
<A NAME=275>quality that it is but a shadow's shadow.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech88><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=276>Then are our beggars bodies, and our monarchs and</A><br>
<A NAME=277>outstretched heroes the beggars' shadows. Shall we</A><br>
<A NAME=278>to the court? for, by my fay, I cannot reason.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech89><b>ROSENCRANTZ</b></a>
<A NAME=speech90><b>GUILDENSTERN</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=279>We'll wait upon you.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech91><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=280>No such matter: I will not sort you with the rest</A><br>
<A NAME=281>of my servants, for, to speak to you like an honest</A><br>
<A NAME=282>man, I am most dreadfully attended. But, in the</A><br>
<A NAME=283>beaten way of friendship, what make you at Elsinore?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech92><b>ROSENCRANTZ</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=284>To visit you, my lord; no other occasion.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech93><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=285>Beggar that I am, I am even poor in thanks; but I</A><br>
<A NAME=286>thank you: and sure, dear friends, my thanks are</A><br>
<A NAME=287>too dear a halfpenny. Were you not sent for? Is it</A><br>
<A NAME=288>your own inclining? Is it a free visitation? Come,</A><br>
<A NAME=289>deal justly with me: come, come; nay, speak.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech94><b>GUILDENSTERN</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=290>What should we say, my lord?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech95><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=291>Why, any thing, but to the purpose. You were sent</A><br>
<A NAME=292>for; and there is a kind of confession in your looks</A><br>
<A NAME=293>which your modesties have not craft enough to colour:</A><br>
<A NAME=294>I know the good king and queen have sent for you.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech96><b>ROSENCRANTZ</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=295>To what end, my lord?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech97><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=296>That you must teach me. But let me conjure you, by</A><br>
<A NAME=297>the rights of our fellowship, by the consonancy of</A><br>
<A NAME=298>our youth, by the obligation of our ever-preserved</A><br>
<A NAME=299>love, and by what more dear a better proposer could</A><br>
<A NAME=300>charge you withal, be even and direct with me,</A><br>
<A NAME=301>whether you were sent for, or no?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech98><b>ROSENCRANTZ</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=302>[Aside to GUILDENSTERN] What say you?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech99><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=303>[Aside] Nay, then, I have an eye of you.--If you</A><br>
<A NAME=304>love me, hold not off.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech100><b>GUILDENSTERN</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=305>My lord, we were sent for.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech101><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=306>I will tell you why; so shall my anticipation</A><br>
<A NAME=307>prevent your discovery, and your secrecy to the king</A><br>
<A NAME=308>and queen moult no feather. I have of late--but</A><br>
<A NAME=309>wherefore I know not--lost all my mirth, forgone all</A><br>
<A NAME=310>custom of exercises; and indeed it goes so heavily</A><br>
<A NAME=311>with my disposition that this goodly frame, the</A><br>
<A NAME=312>earth, seems to me a sterile promontory, this most</A><br>
<A NAME=313>excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave</A><br>
<A NAME=314>o'erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted</A><br>
<A NAME=315>with golden fire, why, it appears no other thing to</A><br>
<A NAME=316>me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours.</A><br>
<A NAME=317>What a piece of work is a man! how noble in reason!</A><br>
<A NAME=318>how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how</A><br>
<A NAME=319>express and admirable! in action how like an angel!</A><br>
<A NAME=320>in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the</A><br>
<A NAME=321>world! the paragon of animals! And yet, to me,</A><br>
<A NAME=322>what is this quintessence of dust? man delights not</A><br>
<A NAME=323>me: no, nor woman neither, though by your smiling</A><br>
<A NAME=324>you seem to say so.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech102><b>ROSENCRANTZ</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=325>My lord, there was no such stuff in my thoughts.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech103><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=326>Why did you laugh then, when I said 'man delights not me'?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech104><b>ROSENCRANTZ</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=327>To think, my lord, if you delight not in man, what</A><br>
<A NAME=328>lenten entertainment the players shall receive from</A><br>
<A NAME=329>you: we coted them on the way; and hither are they</A><br>
<A NAME=330>coming, to offer you service.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech105><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=331>He that plays the king shall be welcome; his majesty</A><br>
<A NAME=332>shall have tribute of me; the adventurous knight</A><br>
<A NAME=333>shall use his foil and target; the lover shall not</A><br>
<A NAME=334>sigh gratis; the humourous man shall end his part</A><br>
<A NAME=335>in peace; the clown shall make those laugh whose</A><br>
<A NAME=336>lungs are tickled o' the sere; and the lady shall</A><br>
<A NAME=337>say her mind freely, or the blank verse shall halt</A><br>
<A NAME=338>for't. What players are they?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech106><b>ROSENCRANTZ</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=339>Even those you were wont to take delight in, the</A><br>
<A NAME=340>tragedians of the city.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech107><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=341>How chances it they travel? their residence, both</A><br>
<A NAME=342>in reputation and profit, was better both ways.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech108><b>ROSENCRANTZ</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=343>I think their inhibition comes by the means of the</A><br>
<A NAME=344>late innovation.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech109><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=345>Do they hold the same estimation they did when I was</A><br>
<A NAME=346>in the city? are they so followed?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech110><b>ROSENCRANTZ</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=347>No, indeed, are they not.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech111><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=348>How comes it? do they grow rusty?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech112><b>ROSENCRANTZ</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=349>Nay, their endeavour keeps in the wonted pace: but</A><br>
<A NAME=350>there is, sir, an aery of children, little eyases,</A><br>
<A NAME=351>that cry out on the top of question, and are most</A><br>
<A NAME=352>tyrannically clapped for't: these are now the</A><br>
<A NAME=353>fashion, and so berattle the common stages--so they</A><br>
<A NAME=354>call them--that many wearing rapiers are afraid of</A><br>
<A NAME=355>goose-quills and dare scarce come thither.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech113><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=356>What, are they children? who maintains 'em? how are</A><br>
<A NAME=357>they escoted? Will they pursue the quality no</A><br>
<A NAME=358>longer than they can sing? will they not say</A><br>
<A NAME=359>afterwards, if they should grow themselves to common</A><br>
<A NAME=360>players--as it is most like, if their means are no</A><br>
<A NAME=361>better--their writers do them wrong, to make them</A><br>
<A NAME=362>exclaim against their own succession?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech114><b>ROSENCRANTZ</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=363>'Faith, there has been much to do on both sides; and</A><br>
<A NAME=364>the nation holds it no sin to tarre them to</A><br>
<A NAME=365>controversy: there was, for a while, no money bid</A><br>
<A NAME=366>for argument, unless the poet and the player went to</A><br>
<A NAME=367>cuffs in the question.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech115><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=368>Is't possible?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech116><b>GUILDENSTERN</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=369>O, there has been much throwing about of brains.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech117><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=370>Do the boys carry it away?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech118><b>ROSENCRANTZ</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=371>Ay, that they do, my lord; Hercules and his load too.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech119><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=372>It is not very strange; for mine uncle is king of</A><br>
<A NAME=373>Denmark, and those that would make mows at him while</A><br>
<A NAME=374>my father lived, give twenty, forty, fifty, an</A><br>
<A NAME=375>hundred ducats a-piece for his picture in little.</A><br>
<A NAME=376>'Sblood, there is something in this more than</A><br>
<A NAME=377>natural, if philosophy could find it out.</A><br>
<p><i>Flourish of trumpets within</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech120><b>GUILDENSTERN</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=378>There are the players.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech121><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=379>Gentlemen, you are welcome to Elsinore. Your hands,</A><br>
<A NAME=380>come then: the appurtenance of welcome is fashion</A><br>
<A NAME=381>and ceremony: let me comply with you in this garb,</A><br>
<A NAME=382>lest my extent to the players, which, I tell you,</A><br>
<A NAME=383>must show fairly outward, should more appear like</A><br>
<A NAME=384>entertainment than yours. You are welcome: but my</A><br>
<A NAME=385>uncle-father and aunt-mother are deceived.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech122><b>GUILDENSTERN</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=386>In what, my dear lord?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech123><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=387>I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is</A><br>
<A NAME=388>southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw.</A><br>
<p><i>Enter POLONIUS</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech124><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=389>Well be with you, gentlemen!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech125><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=390>Hark you, Guildenstern; and you too: at each ear a</A><br>
<A NAME=391>hearer: that great baby you see there is not yet</A><br>
<A NAME=392>out of his swaddling-clouts.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech126><b>ROSENCRANTZ</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=393>Happily he's the second time come to them; for they</A><br>
<A NAME=394>say an old man is twice a child.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech127><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=395>I will prophesy he comes to tell me of the players;</A><br>
<A NAME=396>mark it. You say right, sir: o' Monday morning;</A><br>
<A NAME=397>'twas so indeed.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech128><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=398>My lord, I have news to tell you.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech129><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=399>My lord, I have news to tell you.</A><br>
<A NAME=400>When Roscius was an actor in Rome,--</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech130><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=401>The actors are come hither, my lord.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech131><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=402>Buz, buz!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech132><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=403>Upon mine honour,--</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech133><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=404>Then came each actor on his ass,--</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech134><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=405>The best actors in the world, either for tragedy,</A><br>
<A NAME=406>comedy, history, pastoral, pastoral-comical,</A><br>
<A NAME=407>historical-pastoral, tragical-historical, tragical-</A><br>
<A NAME=408>comical-historical-pastoral, scene individable, or</A><br>
<A NAME=409>poem unlimited: Seneca cannot be too heavy, nor</A><br>
<A NAME=410>Plautus too light. For the law of writ and the</A><br>
<A NAME=411>liberty, these are the only men.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech135><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=412>O Jephthah, judge of Israel, what a treasure hadst thou!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech136><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=413>What a treasure had he, my lord?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech137><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=414>Why,</A><br>
<A NAME=415>'One fair daughter and no more,</A><br>
<A NAME=416>The which he loved passing well.'</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech138><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=417>[Aside] Still on my daughter.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech139><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=418>Am I not i' the right, old Jephthah?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech140><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=419>If you call me Jephthah, my lord, I have a daughter</A><br>
<A NAME=420>that I love passing well.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech141><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=421>Nay, that follows not.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech142><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=422>What follows, then, my lord?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech143><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=423>Why,</A><br>
<A NAME=424>'As by lot, God wot,'</A><br>
<A NAME=425>and then, you know,</A><br>
<A NAME=426>'It came to pass, as most like it was,'--</A><br>
<A NAME=427>the first row of the pious chanson will show you</A><br>
<A NAME=428>more; for look, where my abridgement comes.</A><br>
<p><i>Enter four or five Players</i></p>
<A NAME=429>You are welcome, masters; welcome, all. I am glad</A><br>
<A NAME=430>to see thee well. Welcome, good friends. O, my old</A><br>
<A NAME=431>friend! thy face is valenced since I saw thee last:</A><br>
<A NAME=432>comest thou to beard me in Denmark? What, my young</A><br>
<A NAME=433>lady and mistress! By'r lady, your ladyship is</A><br>
<A NAME=434>nearer to heaven than when I saw you last, by the</A><br>
<A NAME=435>altitude of a chopine. Pray God, your voice, like</A><br>
<A NAME=436>apiece of uncurrent gold, be not cracked within the</A><br>
<A NAME=437>ring. Masters, you are all welcome. We'll e'en</A><br>
<A NAME=438>to't like French falconers, fly at any thing we see:</A><br>
<A NAME=439>we'll have a speech straight: come, give us a taste</A><br>
<A NAME=440>of your quality; come, a passionate speech.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech144><b>First Player</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=441>What speech, my lord?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech145><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=442>I heard thee speak me a speech once, but it was</A><br>
<A NAME=443>never acted; or, if it was, not above once; for the</A><br>
<A NAME=444>play, I remember, pleased not the million; 'twas</A><br>
<A NAME=445>caviare to the general: but it was--as I received</A><br>
<A NAME=446>it, and others, whose judgments in such matters</A><br>
<A NAME=447>cried in the top of mine--an excellent play, well</A><br>
<A NAME=448>digested in the scenes, set down with as much</A><br>
<A NAME=449>modesty as cunning. I remember, one said there</A><br>
<A NAME=450>were no sallets in the lines to make the matter</A><br>
<A NAME=451>savoury, nor no matter in the phrase that might</A><br>
<A NAME=452>indict the author of affectation; but called it an</A><br>
<A NAME=453>honest method, as wholesome as sweet, and by very</A><br>
<A NAME=454>much more handsome than fine. One speech in it I</A><br>
<A NAME=455>chiefly loved: 'twas Aeneas' tale to Dido; and</A><br>
<A NAME=456>thereabout of it especially, where he speaks of</A><br>
<A NAME=457>Priam's slaughter: if it live in your memory, begin</A><br>
<A NAME=458>at this line: let me see, let me see--</A><br>
<A NAME=459>'The rugged Pyrrhus, like the Hyrcanian beast,'--</A><br>
<A NAME=460>it is not so:--it begins with Pyrrhus:--</A><br>
<A NAME=461>'The rugged Pyrrhus, he whose sable arms,</A><br>
<A NAME=462>Black as his purpose, did the night resemble</A><br>
<A NAME=463>When he lay couched in the ominous horse,</A><br>
<A NAME=464>Hath now this dread and black complexion smear'd</A><br>
<A NAME=465>With heraldry more dismal; head to foot</A><br>
<A NAME=466>Now is he total gules; horridly trick'd</A><br>
<A NAME=467>With blood of fathers, mothers, daughters, sons,</A><br>
<A NAME=468>Baked and impasted with the parching streets,</A><br>
<A NAME=469>That lend a tyrannous and damned light</A><br>
<A NAME=470>To their lord's murder: roasted in wrath and fire,</A><br>
<A NAME=471>And thus o'er-sized with coagulate gore,</A><br>
<A NAME=472>With eyes like carbuncles, the hellish Pyrrhus</A><br>
<A NAME=473>Old grandsire Priam seeks.'</A><br>
<A NAME=474>So, proceed you.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech146><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=475>'Fore God, my lord, well spoken, with good accent and</A><br>
<A NAME=476>good discretion.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech147><b>First Player</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=477>'Anon he finds him</A><br>
<A NAME=478>Striking too short at Greeks; his antique sword,</A><br>
<A NAME=479>Rebellious to his arm, lies where it falls,</A><br>
<A NAME=480>Repugnant to command: unequal match'd,</A><br>
<A NAME=481>Pyrrhus at Priam drives; in rage strikes wide;</A><br>
<A NAME=482>But with the whiff and wind of his fell sword</A><br>
<A NAME=483>The unnerved father falls. Then senseless Ilium,</A><br>
<A NAME=484>Seeming to feel this blow, with flaming top</A><br>
<A NAME=485>Stoops to his base, and with a hideous crash</A><br>
<A NAME=486>Takes prisoner Pyrrhus' ear: for, lo! his sword,</A><br>
<A NAME=487>Which was declining on the milky head</A><br>
<A NAME=488>Of reverend Priam, seem'd i' the air to stick:</A><br>
<A NAME=489>So, as a painted tyrant, Pyrrhus stood,</A><br>
<A NAME=490>And like a neutral to his will and matter,</A><br>
<A NAME=491>Did nothing.</A><br>
<A NAME=492>But, as we often see, against some storm,</A><br>
<A NAME=493>A silence in the heavens, the rack stand still,</A><br>
<A NAME=494>The bold winds speechless and the orb below</A><br>
<A NAME=495>As hush as death, anon the dreadful thunder</A><br>
<A NAME=496>Doth rend the region, so, after Pyrrhus' pause,</A><br>
<A NAME=497>Aroused vengeance sets him new a-work;</A><br>
<A NAME=498>And never did the Cyclops' hammers fall</A><br>
<A NAME=499>On Mars's armour forged for proof eterne</A><br>
<A NAME=500>With less remorse than Pyrrhus' bleeding sword</A><br>
<A NAME=501>Now falls on Priam.</A><br>
<A NAME=502>Out, out, thou strumpet, Fortune! All you gods,</A><br>
<A NAME=503>In general synod 'take away her power;</A><br>
<A NAME=504>Break all the spokes and fellies from her wheel,</A><br>
<A NAME=505>And bowl the round nave down the hill of heaven,</A><br>
<A NAME=506>As low as to the fiends!'</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech148><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=507>This is too long.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech149><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=508>It shall to the barber's, with your beard. Prithee,</A><br>
<A NAME=509>say on: he's for a jig or a tale of bawdry, or he</A><br>
<A NAME=510>sleeps: say on: come to Hecuba.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech150><b>First Player</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=511>'But who, O, who had seen the mobled queen--'</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech151><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=512>'The mobled queen?'</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech152><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=513>That's good; 'mobled queen' is good.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech153><b>First Player</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=514>'Run barefoot up and down, threatening the flames</A><br>
<A NAME=515>With bisson rheum; a clout upon that head</A><br>
<A NAME=516>Where late the diadem stood, and for a robe,</A><br>
<A NAME=517>About her lank and all o'er-teemed loins,</A><br>
<A NAME=518>A blanket, in the alarm of fear caught up;</A><br>
<A NAME=519>Who this had seen, with tongue in venom steep'd,</A><br>
<A NAME=520>'Gainst Fortune's state would treason have</A><br>
<A NAME=521>pronounced:</A><br>
<A NAME=522>But if the gods themselves did see her then</A><br>
<A NAME=523>When she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport</A><br>
<A NAME=524>In mincing with his sword her husband's limbs,</A><br>
<A NAME=525>The instant burst of clamour that she made,</A><br>
<A NAME=526>Unless things mortal move them not at all,</A><br>
<A NAME=527>Would have made milch the burning eyes of heaven,</A><br>
<A NAME=528>And passion in the gods.'</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech154><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=529>Look, whether he has not turned his colour and has</A><br>
<A NAME=530>tears in's eyes. Pray you, no more.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech155><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=531>'Tis well: I'll have thee speak out the rest soon.</A><br>
<A NAME=532>Good my lord, will you see the players well</A><br>
<A NAME=533>bestowed? Do you hear, let them be well used; for</A><br>
<A NAME=534>they are the abstract and brief chronicles of the</A><br>
<A NAME=535>time: after your death you were better have a bad</A><br>
<A NAME=536>epitaph than their ill report while you live.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech156><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=537>My lord, I will use them according to their desert.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech157><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=538>God's bodykins, man, much better: use every man</A><br>
<A NAME=539>after his desert, and who should 'scape whipping?</A><br>
<A NAME=540>Use them after your own honour and dignity: the less</A><br>
<A NAME=541>they deserve, the more merit is in your bounty.</A><br>
<A NAME=542>Take them in.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech158><b>LORD POLONIUS</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=543>Come, sirs.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech159><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=544>Follow him, friends: we'll hear a play to-morrow.</A><br>
<p><i>Exit POLONIUS with all the Players but the First</i></p>
<A NAME=545>Dost thou hear me, old friend; can you play the</A><br>
<A NAME=546>Murder of Gonzago?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech160><b>First Player</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=547>Ay, my lord.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech161><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=548>We'll ha't to-morrow night. You could, for a need,</A><br>
<A NAME=549>study a speech of some dozen or sixteen lines, which</A><br>
<A NAME=550>I would set down and insert in't, could you not?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech162><b>First Player</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=551>Ay, my lord.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech163><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=552>Very well. Follow that lord; and look you mock him</A><br>
<A NAME=553>not.</A><br>
<p><i>Exit First Player</i></p>
<A NAME=554>My good friends, I'll leave you till night: you are</A><br>
<A NAME=555>welcome to Elsinore.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech164><b>ROSENCRANTZ</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=556>Good my lord!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech165><b>HAMLET</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=557>Ay, so, God be wi' ye;</A><br>
<p><i>Exeunt ROSENCRANTZ and GUILDENSTERN</i></p>
<A NAME=558>Now I am alone.</A><br>
<A NAME=559>O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!</A><br>
<A NAME=560>Is it not monstrous that this player here,</A><br>
<A NAME=561>But in a fiction, in a dream of passion,</A><br>
<A NAME=562>Could force his soul so to his own conceit</A><br>
<A NAME=563>That from her working all his visage wann'd,</A><br>
<A NAME=564>Tears in his eyes, distraction in's aspect,</A><br>
<A NAME=565>A broken voice, and his whole function suiting</A><br>
<A NAME=566>With forms to his conceit? and all for nothing!</A><br>
<A NAME=567>For Hecuba!</A><br>
<A NAME=568>What's Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba,</A><br>
<A NAME=569>That he should weep for her? What would he do,</A><br>
<A NAME=570>Had he the motive and the cue for passion</A><br>
<A NAME=571>That I have? He would drown the stage with tears</A><br>
<A NAME=572>And cleave the general ear with horrid speech,</A><br>
<A NAME=573>Make mad the guilty and appal the free,</A><br>
<A NAME=574>Confound the ignorant, and amaze indeed</A><br>
<A NAME=575>The very faculties of eyes and ears. Yet I,</A><br>
<A NAME=576>A dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peak,</A><br>
<A NAME=577>Like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause,</A><br>
<A NAME=578>And can say nothing; no, not for a king,</A><br>
<A NAME=579>Upon whose property and most dear life</A><br>
<A NAME=580>A damn'd defeat was made. Am I a coward?</A><br>
<A NAME=581>Who calls me villain? breaks my pate across?</A><br>
<A NAME=582>Plucks off my beard, and blows it in my face?</A><br>
<A NAME=583>Tweaks me by the nose? gives me the lie i' the throat,</A><br>
<A NAME=584>As deep as to the lungs? who does me this?</A><br>
<A NAME=585>Ha!</A><br>
<A NAME=586>'Swounds, I should take it: for it cannot be</A><br>
<A NAME=587>But I am pigeon-liver'd and lack gall</A><br>
<A NAME=588>To make oppression bitter, or ere this</A><br>
<A NAME=589>I should have fatted all the region kites</A><br>
<A NAME=590>With this slave's offal: bloody, bawdy villain!</A><br>
<A NAME=591>Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain!</A><br>
<A NAME=592>O, vengeance!</A><br>
<A NAME=593>Why, what an ass am I! This is most brave,</A><br>
<A NAME=594>That I, the son of a dear father murder'd,</A><br>
<A NAME=595>Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell,</A><br>
<A NAME=596>Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words,</A><br>
<A NAME=597>And fall a-cursing, like a very drab,</A><br>
<A NAME=598>A scullion!</A><br>
<A NAME=599>Fie upon't! foh! About, my brain! I have heard</A><br>
<A NAME=600>That guilty creatures sitting at a play</A><br>
<A NAME=601>Have by the very cunning of the scene</A><br>
<A NAME=602>Been struck so to the soul that presently</A><br>
<A NAME=603>They have proclaim'd their malefactions;</A><br>
<A NAME=604>For murder, though it have no tongue, will speak</A><br>
<A NAME=605>With most miraculous organ. I'll have these players</A><br>
<A NAME=606>Play something like the murder of my father</A><br>
<A NAME=607>Before mine uncle: I'll observe his looks;</A><br>
<A NAME=608>I'll tent him to the quick: if he but blench,</A><br>
<A NAME=609>I know my course. The spirit that I have seen</A><br>
<A NAME=610>May be the devil: and the devil hath power</A><br>
<A NAME=611>To assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps</A><br>
<A NAME=612>Out of my weakness and my melancholy,</A><br>
<A NAME=613>As he is very potent with such spirits,</A><br>
<A NAME=614>Abuses me to damn me: I'll have grounds</A><br>
<A NAME=615>More relative than this: the play 's the thing</A><br>
<A NAME=616>Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king.</A><br>
<p><i>Exit</i></p>
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