The Tragedie of Hamlet.But soft, me thinkes I sent the Mornings Ayre;Briefe let me be: Sleeping within mine Orchard,
[720]
My custome alwayes in the afternoone;Vpon my secure hower thy Vncle stoleWith iuyce of cursed Hebenon in a Violl,And in the Porches of mine eares did poureThe leaperous Distilment; whose effect
[725]
Holds such an enmity with bloud of Man,That swift as Quick‑siluer, it courses throughThe naturall Gates and Allies of the Body;And with a sodaine vigour it doth possetAnd curd, like Aygre droppings into Milke,
[730]
The thin and wholsome blood: so did it mine;And a most instant Tetter bak'd about,Most Lazar‑like, with vile and loathsome crust,All my smooth Body.Thus was I, sleeping, by a Brothers hand,
[735]
Of Life, of Crowne, and Queene at once dispatcht;Cut off euen in the Blossomes of my Sinne,Vnhouzzled, disappointed, vnnaneld,No reckoning made, but sent to my accountWith all my imperfections on my head;
[740]
Oh horrible, Oh horrible, most horrible:If thou hast nature in thee beare it not;Let not the Royall Bed of Denmarke beA Couch for Luxury and damned Incest.But howsoeuer thou pursuest this Act,
[745]
Taint not thy mind; nor let thy Soule contriueAgainst thy Mother ought; leaue her to heauen,And to those Thornes that in her bosome lodge,To pricke and sting her. Fare thee well at once;The Glow‑worme showes the Matine to be neere,
[750]
And gins to pale his vneffectuall Fire:Adue, adue,
Hamlet: remember me.
Exit.Ham.Oh all you host of Heauen! Oh Earth; what els?And shall I couple Hell
? Oh fie: hold my heart;
And you my sinnewes, grow not instant Old;
[755]
But beare me stiffely vp: Remember thee?I, thou poore Ghost, while memory holds a seateIn this distracted Globe: Remember thee?Yea, from the Table of my Memory,Ile wipe a way all triuiall fond Records,
[760]
All sawes of Bookes, all formes, all presures past,That youth and obseruation coppied there;And thy Commandment all alone shall liueWithin the Booke and Volume of my Braine,Vnmixt with baser matter; yes, yes, by Heauen:
[765]
Oh most pernicious woman!Oh Villaine, Villaine, smiling damned Villaine!My Tables, my Tables; meet it is I set it downe,That one may smile, and smile and be a Villaine;At least I'm sure it may be so in Denmarke;
[770]
So Vnckle there you are: now to my word;It is; Adue, Adue, Remember me: I haue I sworn't.Hor. & Mar.within.My Lord, my Lord.Enter Horatio and Marcellus.
There is an ink mark at the end of this stage direction.Mar.Lord
Hamlet.
Hor.Heauen secure him.Mar.
[775]
So be it.Hor.Illo, ho, ho, my Lord.Ham.Hillo, ho, ho, boy; come bird, come.Mar.How
ist'tis't my Noble Lord
?Hor.What newes, my Lord?Ham.
[780]
Oh wonderfull!Hor.Good my Lord tell it.Ham.No you'l reueale it.
Hor.Not I, my Lord, by Heauen.Mar.Nor I, my Lord.Ham.
[785]
How say you then, would heart of man once
(think it?
But you'l be secret?Both.I, by Heau'n, my Lord.Ham.There's nere a villaine dwelling in all DenmarkeBut hee's an arrant knaue.Hor.
[790]
There needs no Ghost my Lord, come from theGraue, to tell vs this.Ham.Why right, you are i'th'right;And so, without more circumstance at all,I hold it fit that we shake hands, and part:
[795]
You, as your busines and desires shall point you:For euery man ha's businesse and desire,Such as it is: and for mine owne poore part,Looke you, Ile goe pray.Hor.These are but wild and hurling words, my Lord.Ham.
[800]
I'm sorry they offend you heartily:Yes faith, heartily,Hor.There's no offence my Lord.Ham.Ycs, by Saint
Patricke, but there is my Lord,
And much offence too, touching this Vision heere:
[805]
It is an honest Ghost, that let me tell you:For your desire to know what is betweene vs,O'remaster't as you may. And now good friends,As you are Friends, Schollers and Soldiers,Giue me one poore request.Hor.
[810]
What is't my Lord? we will.Ham.Neuer make known what you haue seen to night.Both.My Lord, we will not.Ham.Nay, but swear't.Hor.Infaith my Lord, not I.Mar.
[815]
Nor I my Lord: in faith.Ham.Vpon my sword.Marcell.We haue sworne my Lord already.Ham.Indeed, vpon my sword, Indeed.Gho.Sweare.Ghost cries vnder the Stage.Ham.
[820]
Ah ha boy. sayest thou so. Art thou there true
penny? Come one you here this fellow in the selleredge
Consent to sweare.
Hor.Propose the Oath my Lord.Ham.Neuer to speake of this that you haue seene.
Sweare by my sword.
Gho.
[825]
Sweare.Ham.Hic & vbique? Then wee'l shift for grownd,
Come hither Gentlemen,And lay your hands againe vpon my sword,Neuer to speake of this that you haue heard:
[830]
Sweare by my Sword.Gho.Sweare.Ham.Well said old Mole. can'st worke i'th' ground so
(fast?
A worthy Pioner, once more remoue good friends.Hor.Oh day and night; but this is wondrous strange.Ham.
[835]
And therefore as a stranger giue it welcome.There are more things in Heauen and Earth,
Horatio,Then are dream't of in our Philosophy
Here a full-stop has not been inked. But come,
Here as before, neuer so helpe you mercy,How strange or odde so ere I beare my selfe;
[840]
(As I perchance heereafter shall thinke meetTo put an Anticke disposition on:)That you at such time seeing me, neuer shallWith Armes encombred thus, or thus, head shake;Or by pronouncing of some doubtfull Phrase;
[845]
As well, we know, or we could and if we would,Or if we list to speak; or there be and if there might,Or such ambiguous giuing out to note,That
[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 lastingThe 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 SouleGrowes wide withall. Perhaps he loues you now,And now no soyle nor cautell doth besmerch
[460]
The vertue of his feare: but you must feareHis 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'dVnto 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 forceMay 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 openTo 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 SpringToo 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 BrotherDoe not as some vngracious Pastors doe,Shew me the steepe and thorny way to Heauen;Whilst like a puft and recklesse LibertineHimselfe, 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. BewareOf entrance to a quarrell: but being inBear'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.
LordHamlet.Polon.Marry, well bethought:Tis told me he hath very oft of lateGiuen priuate time to you; and you your selfeHaue 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 tendersOf 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 knowWhen the Bloud burnes, how Prodigall the SouleGiues 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
muftmust 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.
<?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>
