The Bodleian First Folio

A digital facsimile of the First Folio of Shakespeare's plays, Bodleian Arch. G c.7.



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Reference: nn6r - Tragedies, p. 155

Left Column


The Tragedie of Hamlet. Marcellus. Mar. My good Lord. Ham. I am very glad to see you: good euen Sir. But what in faith make you srom Wittemberge? Hor.
[340]
A truant disposition, good my Lord.
Ham. I would not haue your Enemy say so; Nor shall you doe mine eare that violence, To make it truster of your owne report Against your selfe. I know you are no Truant:
[345]
But what is your affaire in Elsenour? Wee'l teach you to drinke deepe, ere you depart.
Hor. My Lord, I came to see your Fathers Funerall. Ham. I pray thee doe not mock me (fellow Student) I thinke it was to see my Mothers Wedding. Hor.
[350]
Indeed my Lord, it followed hard vpon.
Ham. Thrift, thrift Horatio: the Funerall Bakt‑meats Did coldly furnish forth the Marriage Tables; Would I had met my dearest foe in heauen, Ere I had euer seene that day Horatio.
[355]
My Father, me thinkes I see my father.
Hor. Oh where my Lord? Ham. In my minds eye ( Horatio) Hor. I saw him once; he was a goodly King. Ham. He was a man, take him for all in all:
[360]
I shall not look vpon his like againe.
Hor. My Lord, I thinke I saw him yesternight. Ham. Saw? Who? Hor. My Lord, the King your Father. Ham. The King my Father? Hor.
[365]
Season your admiration for a while With an attent eare; till I may deliuer Vpon the witnesse of these Gentlemen, This maruell to you.
Ham. For Heauens loue let me heare. Hor.
[370]
Two nights together, had these Gentlemen ( Marcellus and Barnardo) on their Watch In the dead wast and middle of the night Beene thus encountred. A figure like your Father, Arm'd at all points exactly, Cap a Pe,
[375]
Appeares before them, and with sollemne march Goes slow and stately: By them thrice he walkt, By their opprest and feare‑surprized eyes, Within his Truncheons length; whilst they bestil'd Almost to Ielly with the Act of feare,
[380]
Stand dumbe and speake not to him. This to me In dreadfull secrecie impart they did, And I with them the third Night kept the Watch, Whereas they had deliuer'd both in time, Forme of the thing; each word made true and good,
[385]
The Apparition comes. I knew your Father: These hands are not more like.
Ham. But where was this? Mar. My Lord, vpon the platforme where we watcht. Ham. Did you not speake to it? Hor.
[390]
My Lord, I did; But answere made it none: yet once me thought It lifted vp it its head, and did addresse It selfe to motion, like as it would speake: But euen then, the Morning Cocke crew lowd;
[395]
And at the sound it shrunke in hast away, And vanisht from our sight.
Ham. Tis very strange. Hor. As I doe liue my honourd Lord 'tis true; And we did thinke it writ downe in our duty
[400]
To let you know of it.
Ham. Indeed, indeed Sirs; but this troubles me.

Right Column


Hold you the watch to Night ? Both. We doe my Lord. Ham. Arm'd, say you? Both.
[405]
Arm'd, my Lord.
Ham. From top to toe ? Both. My Lord, from head to foote. Ham. Then saw you not his face? Hor. O yes, my Lord, he wore his Beauer vp. Ham.
[410]
What, lookt he frowningly?
Hor. A countenance more in sorrow then in anger. Ham. Pale, or red? Hor. Nay very pale. Ham. And fixt his eyes vpon you? Hor.
[415]
Most constantly.
Ham. I would I had beene here. Hor. It would haue much amaz'd you. Ham. Very like, very like: staid it long? Hor. While one with moderate hast might tell a hun­ (dred. All.
[420]
Longer, longer.
Hor. Not when I saw't. Ham. His Beard was grisly ? no. Hor. It was, as I haue seene it in his life, A Sable Siluer'd. Ham.
[425]
Ile watch to Night; perchance 'twill wake a­ (gaine.
Hor. I warrant you it will. Ham. If it assume my noble Fathers person, Ile speake to it, though Hell it selfe should gape And bid me hold my peace. I pray you all,
[430]
Is you haue hitherto conceald this sight; Let it bee treble in your silence still: And whatsoeuer els shall hap to night, Giue it an vnderstanding but no tongue; I will requite your loues; so, fare ye well:
[435]
Vpon the Platforme twixt eleuen and twelue, Ile visit you.
All. Our duty to your Honour. Exeunt. Ham. Your loue, as mine to you: farewell. My Fathers Spirit in Armes ? All is not well:
[440]
I doubt some foule play: would the Night were come; Till then sit still my soule; foule deeds will rise, Though all the earth orewhelm them to mens eies.
Exit.
[Act 1, Scene 3] Scena Tertia. Enter Laertes and Ophelia. Laer. My necessaries are imbark't; Farewell: And Sister, as the Winds giue Benefit,
[445]
And Conuoy is assistant; doe not sleepe, But let me heare from you.
Ophel. Doe you doubt that? Laer. For Hamlet, and the trifling of his fauours, Hold it a fashion and a toy in Bloud;
[450]
A Violet in the youth of Primy Nature; Froward, not permanent; sweet not lasting The suppliance of a minute? No more.
Ophel. No more but so. Laer. Thinke it no more:
[455]
For nature cressant does not grow alone, In thewes and Bulke: but as his Temple waxes, The inward seruice of the Minde and Soule Growes wide withall. Perhaps he loues you now, And now no soyle nor cautell doth besmerch
[460]
The vertue of his feare: but you must feare His

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[Act 1, Scene 3] Scena Tertia. Enter Laertes and Ophelia. Laer. My necessaries are imbark't; Farewell: And Sister, as the Winds giue Benefit,
[445]
And Conuoy is assistant; doe not sleepe, But let me heare from you.
Ophel. Doe you doubt that? Laer. For Hamlet, and the trifling of his fauours, Hold it a fashion and a toy in Bloud;
[450]
A Violet in the youth of Primy Nature; Froward, not permanent; sweet not lasting The suppliance of a minute? No more.
Ophel. No more but so. Laer. Thinke it no more:
[455]
For nature cressant does not grow alone, In thewes and Bulke: but as his Temple waxes, The inward seruice of the Minde and Soule Growes wide withall. Perhaps he loues you now, And now no soyle nor cautell doth besmerch
[460]
The vertue of his feare: but you must feare His greatnesse weigh'd, his will is not his owne; For hee himselfe is subiect to his Birth: Hee may not, as vnuallued persons doe, Carue for himselfe; for, on his choyce depends
[465]
The sanctity and health of the weole State. And therefore must his choyce be circumscrib'd Vnto the voyce and yeelding of that Body, Whereof he is the Head. Then if he sayes he loues you, It fits your wisedome so farre to beleeue it;
[470]
As he in his peculiar Sect and force May giue his saying deed: which is no further, Then the maine voyce of Denmarke goes withall. Then weigh what losse your Honour may sustaine, If with too credent eare you list his Songs;
[475]
Or lose your Heart; or your chast Treasure open To his vnmastred importunity. Feare it Ophelia, feare it my deare Sister, And keepe within the reare of your Affection; Out of the shot and danger of Desire.
[480]
The chariest Maid is Prodigall enough, If she vnmaske her beauty to the Moone; Vertue it selfe scapes not calumnious stroakes, The Canker Galls, the Infants of the Spring Too oft before the buttons be disclos'd,
[485]
And in the Morne and liquid dew of Youth, Contagious blastments are most imminent. Be wary then, best safety lies in feare; Youth to it selfe rebels, though none else neere.
Ophe. I shall th'effect of this good Lesson keepe,
[490]
As watchmen to my heart: but good my Brother Doe not as some vngracious Pastors doe, Shew me the steepe and thorny way to Heauen; Whilst like a puft and recklesse Libertine Himselfe, the Primrose path of dalliance treads,
[495]
And reaks not his owne reade.
Laer. Oh, feare me not. Enter Polonius. I stay too long; but here my Father comes: A double blessing is a double grace; Occasion smiles vpon a second leaue. Palon.
[500]
Yet heere Laertes? Aboord, aboord for shame, The winde sits in the shoulder of your saile, And you are staid for there: my blessing with you; And these few Precepts in thy memory, See thou Character. Giue thy thoughts no tongue,
[505]
Nor any vnproportion'd thought his Act: Be thou familiar; but by no meanes vulgar: The friends thou hast, and their adoption tride, Grapple them to thy Soule, with hoopes of Steele; But doe not dull thy palme, with entertainment
[510]
Of each vnhatch't, vnfledg'd Comrade. Beware Of entrance to a quarrell: but being in Bear't that th'opposed may beware of thee. Giue euery man thine eare; but few thy voyce: Take each mans censure; but reserue thy iudgement:
[515]
Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy; But not exprest in fancie; rich, not gawdie: For the Apparell oft proclaimes the man. And they in France of the best ranck and station, Are of a most select and generous cheff in that.
[520]
Neither a borrower, nor a lender be; For lone oft loses both it selfe and friend: And borrowing duls the edge of Husbandry. This aboue all; to thine owne selfe be true: And it must follow, as the Night the Day,
[525]
Thou canst not then be false to any man. Farewell: my Blessing season this in thee.
Laer. Most humbly doe I take my leaue, my Lord. Polon. The time inuites you, goe, your seruants send. Laer. Farewell Ophelia, and remember well
[530]
What I haue said to you.
Ophe. Tis in my memory lockt, And you your selfe shall keepe the key of it. Laer. Farewell. Exit Laer. Polon. What ist Ophelia he hath said to you ? Ophe.
[535]
So please you, somthing touching the L. Lord Hamlet.
Polon. Marry, well bethought: Tis told me he hath very oft of late Giuen priuate time to you; and you your selfe Haue of your audience beene most free and bounteous.
[540]
If it be so, as so tis put on me; And that in way of caution: I must tell you, You doe not vnderstand your selfe so cleerely, As it behoues my Daughter, and your Honour. What is betweene you, giue me vp the truth?
Ophe.
[545]
He hath my Lord of late, made many tenders Of his affection to me.
Polon. Affection, puh. You speake like a greene Girle, Vnsifted in such perillous Circumstance. Doe you beleeue his tenders, as you call them? Ophe.
[550]
I do not know, my Lord, what I should thinke.
Polon. Marry Ile teach you; thinke your selfe a Baby, That you haue tane his tenders for true pay, Which are not starling. Tender your selfe more dearly; Or not to crack the winde of the poore Phrase,
[555]
Roaming it thus, you'l tender me a foole.
Ophe. My Lord, he hath importun'd me with loue, In honourable fashion. Polon. I, fashion you may call it, go too, go too. Ophe. And hath giuen countenance to his speech,
[560]
My Lord, with all the vowes of Heauen.
Polon. I, Springes to catch Woodcocks. I doe know When the Bloud burnes, how Prodigall the Soule Giues the tongue vowes: these blazes, Daughter, Giuing more light then heate; extinct in both,
[565]
Euen in their promise, as it is a making; You muft must not take for fire. For this time Daughter, Be somewhat scanter of your Maiden presence; Set your entreatments at a higher rate, Then a command to parley. For Lord Hamlet,
[570]
Beleeue so much in him, that he is young, And with a larger tether may he walke, Then may be giuen you. In few, Ophelia, Doe not beleeue his vowes; for they are Broakers, Not of the eye, which their Inuestments show:
[575]
But meere implorators of vnholy Sutes, Breathing like sanctified and pious bonds, The better to beguile. This is for all: I would not, in plaine tearmes, from this time forth, Haue you so slander any moment leisure,
[580]
As to giue words or talke with the Lord Hamlet: Looke too't, I charge you; come your wayes.
Ophe. I shall obey my Lord. Exeunt.
 

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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<div type="scene" n="3">
   <head type="supplied">[Act 1, Scene 3]</head>
   <head rend="italic center">Scena Tertia.</head>
   <stage rend="center italic" type="entrance">Enter Laertes and Ophelia.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-ham-lae">
      <speaker rend="italic">Laer.</speaker>
      <l n="443">My necessaries are imbark't; Farewell:</l>
      <l n="444">And Sister, as the Winds giue Benefit,</l>
      <l n="445">And Conuoy is assistant; doe not sleepe,</l>
      <l n="446">But let me heare from you.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-oph">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ophel.</speaker>
      <l n="447">Doe you doubt that?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-lae">
      <speaker rend="italic">Laer.</speaker>
      <l n="448">For<hi rend="italic">Hamlet</hi>, and the trifling of his fauours,</l>
      <l n="449">Hold it a fashion and a toy in Bloud;</l>
      <l n="450">A Violet in the youth of Primy Nature;</l>
      <l n="451">Froward, not permanent; sweet not lasting</l>
      <l n="452">The suppliance of a minute? No more.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-oph">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ophel.</speaker>
      <l n="453">No more but so.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-lae">
      <speaker rend="italic">Laer.</speaker>
      <l n="454">Thinke it no more:</l>
      <l n="455">For nature cressant does not grow alone,</l>
      <l n="456">In thewes and Bulke: but as his Temple waxes,</l>
      <l n="457">The inward seruice of the Minde and Soule</l>
      <l n="458">Growes wide withall. Perhaps he loues you now,</l>
      <l n="459">And now no soyle nor cautell doth besmerch</l>
      <l n="460">The vertue of his feare: but you must feare</l>
      <pb facs="FFimg:axc0766-0.jpg" n="156"/>
      <cb n="1"/>
      <l n="461">His greatnesse weigh'd, his will is not his owne;</l>
      <l n="462">For hee himselfe is subiect to his Birth:</l>
      <l n="463">Hee may not, as vnuallued persons doe,</l>
      <l n="464">Carue for himselfe; for, on his choyce depends</l>
      <l n="465">The sanctity and health of the weole State.</l>
      <l n="466">And therefore must his choyce be circumscrib'd</l>
      <l n="467">Vnto the voyce and yeelding of that Body,</l>
      <l n="468">Whereof he is the Head. Then if he sayes he loues you,</l>
      <l n="469">It fits your wisedome so farre to beleeue it;</l>
      <l n="470">As he in his peculiar Sect and force</l>
      <l n="471">May giue his saying deed: which is no further,</l>
      <l n="472">Then the maine voyce of<hi rend="italic">Denmarke</hi>goes withall.</l>
      <l n="473">Then weigh what losse your Honour may sustaine,</l>
      <l n="474">If with too credent eare you list his Songs;</l>
      <l n="475">Or lose your Heart; or your chast Treasure open</l>
      <l n="476">To his vnmastred importunity.</l>
      <l n="477">Feare it<hi rend="italic">Ophelia</hi>, feare it my deare Sister,</l>
      <l n="478">And keepe within the reare of your Affection;</l>
      <l n="479">Out of the shot and danger of Desire.</l>
      <l n="480">The chariest Maid is Prodigall enough,</l>
      <l n="481">If she vnmaske her beauty to the Moone;</l>
      <l n="482">Vertue it selfe scapes not calumnious stroakes,</l>
      <l n="483">The Canker Galls, the Infants of the Spring</l>
      <l n="484">Too oft before the buttons be disclos'd,</l>
      <l n="485">And in the Morne and liquid dew of Youth,</l>
      <l n="486">Contagious blastments are most imminent.</l>
      <l n="487">Be wary then, best safety lies in feare;</l>
      <l n="488">Youth to it selfe rebels, though none else neere.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-oph">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ophe.</speaker>
      <l n="489">I shall th'effect of this good Lesson keepe,</l>
      <l n="490">As watchmen to my heart: but good my Brother</l>
      <l n="491">Doe not as some vngracious Pastors doe,</l>
      <l n="492">Shew me the steepe and thorny way to Heauen;</l>
      <l n="493">Whilst like a puft and recklesse Libertine</l>
      <l n="494">Himselfe, the Primrose path of dalliance treads,</l>
      <l n="495">And reaks not his owne reade.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-lae">
      <speaker rend="italic">Laer.</speaker>
      <l n="496">Oh, feare me not.</l>
      <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Polonius.</stage>
      <l n="497">I stay too long; but here my Father comes:</l>
      <l n="498">A double blessing is a double grace;</l>
      <l n="499">Occasion smiles vpon a second leaue.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-pol">
      <speaker rend="italic">Palon.</speaker>
      <l n="500">Yet heere<hi rend="italic">Laertes?</hi>Aboord, aboord for shame,</l>
      <l n="501">The winde sits in the shoulder of your saile,</l>
      <l n="502">And you are staid for there: my blessing with you;</l>
      <l n="503">And these few Precepts in thy memory,</l>
      <l n="504">See thou Character. Giue thy thoughts no tongue,</l>
      <l n="505">Nor any vnproportion'd thought his Act:</l>
      <l n="506">Be thou familiar; but by no meanes vulgar:</l>
      <l n="507">The friends thou hast, and their adoption tride,</l>
      <l n="508">Grapple them to thy Soule, with hoopes of Steele;</l>
      <l n="509">But doe not dull thy palme, with entertainment</l>
      <l n="510">Of each vnhatch't, vnfledg'd Comrade. Beware</l>
      <l n="511">Of entrance to a quarrell: but being in</l>
      <l n="512">Bear't that th'opposed may beware of thee.</l>
      <l n="513">Giue euery man thine eare; but few thy voyce:</l>
      <l n="514">Take each mans censure; but reserue thy iudgement:</l>
      <l n="515">Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy;</l>
      <l n="516">But not exprest in fancie; rich, not gawdie:</l>
      <l n="517">For the Apparell oft proclaimes the man.</l>
      <l n="518">And they in France of the best ranck and station,</l>
      <l n="519">Are of a most select and generous cheff in that.</l>
      <l n="520">Neither a borrower, nor a lender be;</l>
      <l n="521">For lone oft loses both it selfe and friend:</l>
      <l n="522">And borrowing duls the edge of Husbandry.</l>
      <l n="523">This aboue all; to thine owne selfe be true:</l>
      <l n="524">And it must follow, as the Night the Day,</l>
      <l n="525">Thou canst not then be false to any man.</l>
      <cb n="2"/>
      <l n="526">Farewell: my Blessing season this in thee.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-lae">
      <speaker rend="italic">Laer.</speaker>
      <l n="527">Most humbly doe I take my leaue, my Lord.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-pol">
      <speaker rend="italic">Polon.</speaker>
      <l n="528">The time inuites you, goe, your seruants send.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-lae">
      <speaker rend="italic">Laer.</speaker>
      <l n="529">Farewell<hi rend="italic">Ophelia,</hi>and remember well</l>
      <l n="530">What I haue said to you.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-oph">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ophe.</speaker>
      <l n="531">Tis in my memory lockt,</l>
      <l n="532">And you your selfe shall keepe the key of it.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-lae">
      <speaker rend="italic">Laer.</speaker>
      <l n="533">
         <hi rend="italic">Farewell.</hi>
      </l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit Laer.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-ham-pol">
      <speaker rend="italic">Polon.</speaker>
      <l n="534">What ist<hi rend="italic">Ophelia</hi>he hath said to you<c rend="italic">?</c>
      </l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-oph">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ophe.</speaker>
      <l n="535">So please you, somthing touching the<choice>
            <abbr>L.</abbr>
            <expan>Lord</expan>
         </choice>
         <hi rend="italic">Hamlet.</hi>
      </l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-pol">
      <speaker rend="italic">Polon.</speaker>
      <l n="536">Marry, well bethought:</l>
      <l n="537">Tis told me he hath very oft of late</l>
      <l n="538">Giuen priuate time to you; and you your selfe</l>
      <l n="539">Haue of your audience beene most free and bounteous.</l>
      <l n="540">If it be so, as so tis put on me;</l>
      <l n="541">And that in way of caution: I must tell you,</l>
      <l n="542">You doe not vnderstand your selfe so cleerely,</l>
      <l n="543">As it behoues my Daughter, and your Honour.</l>
      <l n="544">What is betweene you, giue me vp the truth?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-oph">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ophe.</speaker>
      <l n="545">He hath my Lord of late, made many tenders</l>
      <l n="546">Of his affection to me.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-pol">
      <speaker rend="italic">Polon.</speaker>
      <l n="547">Affection, puh. You speake like a greene Girle,</l>
      <l n="548">Vnsifted in such perillous Circumstance.</l>
      <l n="549">Doe you beleeue his tenders, as you call them?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-oph">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ophe.</speaker>
      <l n="550">I do not know, my Lord, what I should thinke.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-pol">
      <speaker rend="italic">Polon.</speaker>
      <l n="551">Marry Ile teach you; thinke your selfe a Baby,</l>
      <l n="552">That you haue tane his tenders for true pay,</l>
      <l n="553">Which are not starling. Tender your selfe more dearly;</l>
      <l n="554">Or not to crack the winde of the poore Phrase,</l>
      <l n="555">Roaming it thus, you'l tender me a foole.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-oph">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ophe.</speaker>
      <l n="556">My Lord, he hath importun'd me with loue,</l>
      <l n="557">In honourable fashion.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-pol">
      <speaker rend="italic">Polon.</speaker>
      <l n="558">I, fashion you may call it, go too, go too.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-oph">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ophe.</speaker>
      <l n="559">And hath giuen countenance to his speech,</l>
      <l n="560">My Lord, with all the vowes of Heauen.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-pol">
      <speaker rend="italic">Polon.</speaker>
      <l n="561">I, Springes to catch Woodcocks. I doe know</l>
      <l n="562">When the Bloud burnes, how Prodigall the Soule</l>
      <l n="563">Giues the tongue vowes: these blazes, Daughter,</l>
      <l n="564">Giuing more light then heate; extinct in both,</l>
      <l n="565">Euen in their promise, as it is a making;</l>
      <l n="566">You<choice>
            <orig>muft</orig>
            <corr>must</corr>
         </choice>not take for fire. For this time Daughter,</l>
      <l n="567">Be somewhat scanter of your Maiden presence;</l>
      <l n="568">Set your entreatments at a higher rate,</l>
      <l n="569">Then a command to parley. For Lord<hi rend="italic">Hamlet</hi>,</l>
      <l n="570">Beleeue so much in him, that he is young,</l>
      <l n="571">And with a larger tether may he walke,</l>
      <l n="572">Then may be giuen you. In few,<hi rend="italic">Ophelia,</hi>
      </l>
      <l n="573">Doe not beleeue his vowes; for they are Broakers,</l>
      <l n="574">Not of the eye, which their Inuestments show:</l>
      <l n="575">But meere implorators of vnholy Sutes,</l>
      <l n="576">Breathing like sanctified and pious bonds,</l>
      <l n="577">The better to beguile. This is for all:</l>
      <l n="578">I would not, in plaine tearmes, from this time forth,</l>
      <l n="579">Haue you so slander any moment leisure,</l>
      <l n="580">As to giue words or talke with the Lord<hi rend="italic">Hamlet</hi>:</l>
      <l n="581">Looke too't, I charge you; come your wayes.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-oph">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ophe.</speaker>
      <l n="582">I shall obey my Lord.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
</div>

                                
                            

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