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: pp1v - Tragedies, p. 270

Left Column


The Tragedie of Hamlet. Which now goes too free‑footed. Both. We will haste vs. Exeunt Gent. Enter Polonius. Pol. My Lord, he's going to his Mothers Closset:
[2225]
Behinde the Arras Ile conuey my selfe To heare the Processe. Ile warrant shee'l tax him home, And as you said, and wisely was it said, 'Tis meete that some more audience then a Mother, Since Nature makes them partiall, should o're‑heare
[2230]
The speech of vantage. Fare you well my Liege, Ile call vpon you ere you go to bed, And tell you what I know.
King. Thankes deere my Lord. Oh my offence is ranke, it smels to heauen.
[2235]
It hath the primall eldest curse vpon't, A Brothers murther. Pray can I not, Though inclination be as sharpe as will: My stronger guilt, defeats my strong intent, And like a man to double businesse bound,
[2240]
I stand in pause where I shall first begin, And both neglect; what if this cursed hand Were thicker then it selfe with Brothers blood, Is there not Raine enough in the sweet Heaue s To wash it white as Snow? Whereto serues mercy,
[2245]
But to confront the visage of Offence? And what's in Prayer, but this two‑fold force, To be fore‑stalled ere we come to fall, Or pardon'd being downe? Then Ile looke vp, My fault is past. But oh, what forme of Prayer
[2250]
Can serue my turne? Forgiue me my foule Murther: That cannot be, since I am still possest Of those effects for which I did the Murther. My Crowne, mine owne Ambition, and my Queene: May one be pardon'd, and retaine th'offence?
[2255]
In the corrupted currants of this world, Offences gilded hand may shoue by Iustice, And oft 'tis seene, the wicked prize it selfe Buyes out the Law; but 'tis not so aboue, There is no shuffling, there the Action lyes
[2260]
In his true Nature, and we our selues compell'd Euen to the teeth and forehead of our faults, To giue in euidence. What then ? What rests? Try what Repentance can. What can it not? Yet what can it, when one cannot repent?
[2265]
Oh wretched state! Oh bosome, blacke as death! Oh limed soule, that strugling to be free, Art more ingag'd: Helpe Angels, make assay: Bow stubborne knees, and heart with strings of Steele, Be soft as sinewes of the new‑borne Babe,
[2270]
All may be well.
Enter Hamlet. Ham. Now might I do it pat, now he is praying, And now Ile doo't, and so he goes to Heauen, And so am I reueng'd: that would be scann'd, A Villaine killes my Father, and for that
[2275]
I his foule Sonne, do this same Villaine send To heauen. Oh this is hyre and Sallery, not Reuenge. He tooke my Father grossely, full of bread, With all his Crimes broad blowne, as fresh as May, And how his Audit stands, who knowes, saue Heauen:
[2280]
But in our circumstance and course of thought 'Tis heauie with him; and am I then reueng'd, To take him in the purging of his Soule, When he is fit and season'd for his passage? No. Vp Sword, and know thou a more horrid hent

Right Column


[2285]
When he is drunke asleepe: or in his Rage, Or in th'incestuous pleasure of his bed, At gaming, swearing, or about some acte That ha's no rellish of Saluation in't, Then trip him, that his heeles may kicke at Heauen,
[2290]
And that his Soule may be as damn'd and blacke As Hell, whereto it goes. My Mother stayes, This Physicke but prolongs thy sickly dayes.
Exit. King. My words flye vp, my thoughts remain below, Words without thoughts, neuer to Heauen go. Exit.
[Act 3, Scene 4] Enter Queene and Polonius. Pol.
[2295]
He will come straight: Looke you lay home to him, Tell him his prankes haue been too broad to beare with, And that your Grace hath scree'nd screen'd , and stoode betweene Much heate, and him. Ile silence me e'ene heere:
[2300]
Pray you be round with him.
Ham. within. Mother, mother, mother. Qu. Ile warrant you, feare me not. Withdraw, I heare him comming. Enter Hamlet. Ham. Now Mother, what's the matter? Qu.
[2305]
Hamlet, thou hast thy Father much offended.
Ham. Mother, you haue my Father much offended. Qu. Come, come, you answer with an idle tongue. Ham. Go, go, you question with an idle tongue. Qu. Why how now Hamlet? Ham.
[2310]
Whats the matter now?
Qu. Haue you forgot me? Ham. No by the Rood, not so: You are the Queene, your Husbands Brothers wife, But would you were not so. You are my Mother. Qu.
[2315]
Nay, then Ile set those to you that can speake.
Ham. Come, come, and sit you downe, you shall not boudge: You go not till I set you vp a glasse, Where you may see the inmost part of you? Qu. What Wilt thou do? thou wilt not murther me?
[2320]
Helpe, helpe, hoa.
Pol. What hoa, helpe, helpe, helpe. Ham. How now, a Rat? dead for a Ducate, dead. Pol. Oh I am slaine. Killes Polonius. Qu. Oh me, what hast thou done? Ham.
[2325]
Nay I know not, is it he King?
Qu. Oh what a rash, and bloody deed is this? Ham. A bloody deed, almost as bad good Mother, As kill a King, and marrie with his Brother. Qu. As kill a King? Ham.
[2330]
I Lady, 'twas my word. Thou wretched, rash, intruding foole farewell, I tooke thee for thy Betters, take thy Fortune, Thou find'st to be too busie, is some danger. Leaue wringing of your hands, peace, sit you downe,
[2335]
And let me wring your heart, for so I shall If it be made of penetrable stuffe; If damned Custome haue not braz'd it so, That it is proofe and bulwarke against Sense.
Qu. What haue I done, that thou dar'st wag thy tong,
[2340]
In noise so rude against me?
Ham. Such an Act That blurres the grace and blush of Modestie, Cals Vertue Hypocrite, takes off the Rose From the faire forehead of an innocent loue,
[2345]
And makes a blister there. Makes marriage vowes As false as Dicers Oathes. Oh such a deed, As

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[Act 3, Scene 4] Enter Queene and Polonius. Pol.
[2295]
He will come straight: Looke you lay home to him, Tell him his prankes haue been too broad to beare with, And that your Grace hath scree'nd screen'd , and stoode betweene Much heate, and him. Ile silence me e'ene heere:
[2300]
Pray you be round with him.
Ham. within. Mother, mother, mother. Qu. Ile warrant you, feare me not. Withdraw, I heare him comming. Enter Hamlet. Ham. Now Mother, what's the matter? Qu.
[2305]
Hamlet, thou hast thy Father much offended.
Ham. Mother, you haue my Father much offended. Qu. Come, come, you answer with an idle tongue. Ham. Go, go, you question with an idle tongue. Qu. Why how now Hamlet? Ham.
[2310]
Whats the matter now?
Qu. Haue you forgot me? Ham. No by the Rood, not so: You are the Queene, your Husbands Brothers wife, But would you were not so. You are my Mother. Qu.
[2315]
Nay, then Ile set those to you that can speake.
Ham. Come, come, and sit you downe, you shall not boudge: You go not till I set you vp a glasse, Where you may see the inmost part of you? Qu. What Wilt thou do? thou wilt not murther me?
[2320]
Helpe, helpe, hoa.
Pol. What hoa, helpe, helpe, helpe. Ham. How now, a Rat? dead for a Ducate, dead. Pol. Oh I am slaine. Killes Polonius. Qu. Oh me, what hast thou done? Ham.
[2325]
Nay I know not, is it he King?
Qu. Oh what a rash, and bloody deed is this? Ham. A bloody deed, almost as bad good Mother, As kill a King, and marrie with his Brother. Qu. As kill a King? Ham.
[2330]
I Lady, 'twas my word. Thou wretched, rash, intruding foole farewell, I tooke thee for thy Betters, take thy Fortune, Thou find'st to be too busie, is some danger. Leaue wringing of your hands, peace, sit you downe,
[2335]
And let me wring your heart, for so I shall If it be made of penetrable stuffe; If damned Custome haue not braz'd it so, That it is proofe and bulwarke against Sense.
Qu. What haue I done, that thou dar'st wag thy tong,
[2340]
In noise so rude against me?
Ham. Such an Act That blurres the grace and blush of Modestie, Cals Vertue Hypocrite, takes off the Rose From the faire forehead of an innocent loue,
[2345]
And makes a blister there. Makes marriage vowes As false as Dicers Oathes. Oh such a deed, As from the body of Contraction pluckes The very soule, and sweete Religion makes A rapsidie of words. Heauens face doth glow,
[2350]
Yea this solidity and compound masse, With tristfull visage as against the doome, Is thought‑sicke at the act.
Qu.

Aye me; what act; that roares so lowd, & thun­

ders in the Index.

Ham.
[2355]
Looke heere vpon this Picture, and on this, The counterfet presentment of two Brothers: See what a grace was seated on his Brow, Hyperions curles, the front of Ioue himselfe, An eye like Mars, to threaten or command
[2360]
A Station, like the Heraland Mercurie New lighted on a heauen‑kissing hill: A Combination, and a forme indeed, Where euery God did seeme to set his Seale, To giue the world assurance of a man.
[2365]
This was your Husband. Looke you now what followes. Heere is your Husband, like a Mildew'd eare Blasting his wholsom breath. Haue you eyes? Could you on this faire Mountaine leaue to feed, And batten on this Moore ? Ha? Haue you eyes?
[2370]
You cannot call it Loue: For at your age, The hey‑day in the blood is tame, it's humble, And waites vpon the Iudgement: and what Iudgement Would step from this, to this? What diuell was't, That thus hath cousend yon at hoodman‑blinde?
[2375]
O Shame! where is thy Blush? Rebellious Hell, If thou canst mutine in a Matrons bones, To flaming youth, let Vertue be as waxe, And melt in her owne fire. Prodaime no shame, When the compulsiue Ardure giues the charge,
[2380]
Since Frost it selfe, as actiuely doth burne, As Reason panders Will.
Qu. O Hamlet, speake no more. Thou turn'st mine eyes into my very soule, And there I see such blacke and grained spots,
[2385]
As will not leaue their Tinct.
Ham. Nay, but to liue In the ranke sweat of an enseamed bed, Stew'd in Corruption; honying and making loue Ouer the nasty Stye. Qu.
[2390]
Oh speake to me no more, These words like Daggers enter in mine eares. No more sweet Hamlet.
Ham. A Murderer, and a Villaine: A Slaue, that is not twentieth patt part the tythe
[2395]
Of your precedent Lord. A vice of Kings, A Cutpurse of the Empire and the Rule. That from a shelfe, the precious Diadem stole, And put it in his Pocket.
Qu. No more. Enter Ghost. Ham.
[2400]
A King of shreds and patches. Saue me; and houer o're me with your wings You heauenly Guards. What would you gracious figure?
Qu. Alas he's mad. Ham. Do you not come your tardy Sonne to chide,
[2405]
That laps't in Time and Passion, lets go by Th'important acting of your dread command? Oh say.
Ghost. Do not forget: this Visitation Is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose. But looke, Amazement on thy Mother sits;
[2410]
O step betweene her, and her fighting Soule, Conceit in weakest bodies, strongest workes. Speake to her Hamlet.
Ham. How is it with you Lady? Qu. Alas, how is't with you?
[2415]
That you bend your eye on vacancie, And with their corporall ayre do hold discourse. Forth at your eyes, your spirits wildely peepe, And as the sleeping Soldiours in th'Alarme, Your bedded haire, like life in excrements,
[2420]
Start vp, and stand an end. Oh gentle Sonne, Vpon the heate and flame of thy distemper Sprinkle coole patience. Whereon do you looke?
Ham. On him, on him: look you how pale he glares. His forme and cause conioyn'd, preaching to stones,
[2425]
Would make them capeable. Do not looke vpon me, Least with this pitteous action you conuert My sterne effects: then what I haue to do, Will want true colour; teares perchance for blood.
Qu. To who do you speake this? Ham.
[2430]
Do you see nothing there?
Qu. Nothing at all, yet all that is I see. Ham. Nor did you nothing heare? Qu. No, nothing but our selues. Ham. Why look you there: looke how it steals away:
[2435]
My Father in his habite, as he liued, Look where he goes euen now out at the Portall.
Exit. Qu. This is the very coynage of your Braine, This bodilesse Creation extasie is very cunning in. Ham. Exctasie ?
[2440]
My Pulse as yours doth temperately keepe time, And makes as healthful Musicke. it is not madnesse That I haue vttered; bring me to the Test And I the matter will re‑word . which madnesse Would gamboll from. Mother, for loue of Grace,
[2445]
Lay not a flattering Vnction to your soule, That not your trespasse, but my madnesse speakes; It will but skin and f me the Vlcerous place, Whil'st ranke Corruption mining all within, Infects vnseene. Confesse your selfe to Heauen,
[2450]
Repent what's past, auoyd what is to come, And do not spred the Compost or the Weedes, To make them ranke. Forgiue me this my Vertue, For in the fatnesse of this pursie times, Vertue it selfe, of Vice must pardon begge,
[2455]
Yea courb, and woe, for leaue to do him good.
Qu. Oh Hamlet, Thou hast cleft my heart in twaine. Ham. O throw away the worser past of it, And liue the purer with the other halfe.
[2460]
Good night, but go not to mine Vnkles bed, Assume a Vertue, if you haue it not, refraine to night, And that shall lend a kinde of easinesse To the next abstinence. Once more goodnight, And when you are desirous o be blest, An ink mark follows the end of this line.
[2465]
Ile blessing begge of you. For this fame Lord, I do repent: but heauen hath pleased it so, To punish me with this, and this with me, That I must be their Scourge and Minister. I will bestow him, and will answer well
[2470]
The death I gaue him: so againe, good night, I must be cruell, onely to be kinde; Thus bad begins, and worse remaines behinde.
Qu. What shall I do? Ham. Not this by no meanes that I bid you do:
[2475]
Let the blunt King tempt you againe to bed, Pinch Wanton on your cheeke, call you his Mouse, And let him for a paire of reechie kisses, Or padling in your necke with his damn'd Fingers, Make you to rauell all this matter out,
[2480]
That I essentially am not in madnesse, But made in craft. 'Twere good you let him know, For who that's but a Queene, faire, sober, wise, Would from a Paddocke, from a Bat, a Gibbe, Such deere concernings hide, Who would do so,
[2485]
No in despight of Sense and Secrecie, Vnpegge the Basket on the houses top: Let the Birds flye, and like the famous Ape To try Conclusions in the Basket, creepe And breake your owne necke downe.
Qu.
[2490]
Be thou assur'd, if words be made of breath, And breath of life: I haue no life to breath What thou hast saide to me.
Ham. I must to England, you know that? Qu. Alacke I had forgot: 'Tis so concluded on. Ham.
[2495]
This man shall set me packing: Ile lugge the Guts into the Neighbor roome, Mother goodnight. Indeede this Counsellor Is now most still, most secret, and most graue, Who was in life, a foolish prating Knaue.
[2500]
Come sir, to draw toward an end with you. Good night Mother.
Exit Hamlet tugging in Polonius.
 

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<div type="scene" n="4" rend="notPresent">
   <head type="supplied">[Act 3, Scene 4]</head>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Queene and Polonius.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-ham-pol">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pol.</speaker>
      <l n="2295">He will come straight:</l>
      <l n="2296">Looke you lay home to him,</l>
      <l n="2297">Tell him his prankes haue been too broad to beare with,</l>
      <l n="2298">And that your Grace hath<choice>
            <orig>scree'nd</orig>
            <corr>screen'd</corr>
         </choice>, and stoode betweene</l>
      <l n="2299">Much heate, and him. Ile silence me e'ene heere:</l>
      <l n="2300">Pray you be round with him.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <stage rend="italic inline">within.</stage>
      <l n="2301">Mother, mother, mother.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2302">Ile warrant you, feare me not.</l>
      <l n="2303">Withdraw, I heare him comming.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Hamlet.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2304">Now Mother, what's the matter?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2305">
         <hi rend="italic">Hamlet</hi>, thou hast thy Father much offended.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2306">Mother, you haue my Father much offended.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2307">Come, come, you answer with an idle tongue.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2308">Go, go, you question with an idle tongue.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2309">Why how now<hi rend="italic">Hamlet?</hi>
      </l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2310">Whats the matter now?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2311">Haue you forgot me?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2312">No by the Rood, not so:</l>
      <l n="2313">You are the Queene, your Husbands Brothers wife,</l>
      <l n="2314">But would you were not so. You are my Mother.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2315">Nay, then Ile set those to you that can speake.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2316">Come, come, and sit you downe, you shall not
      <lb/>boudge:</l>
      <l n="2317">You go not till I set you vp a glasse,</l>
      <l n="2318">Where you may see the inmost part of you?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2319">What Wilt thou do? thou wilt not murther me?</l>
      <l n="2320">Helpe, helpe, hoa.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-pol">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pol.</speaker>
      <l n="2321">What hoa, helpe, helpe, helpe.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2322">How now, a Rat? dead for a Ducate, dead.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-pol">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pol.</speaker>
      <l n="2323">Oh I am slaine.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="business">Killes Polonius.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2324">Oh me, what hast thou done?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2325">Nay I know not, is it he King?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2326">Oh what a rash, and bloody deed is this?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2327">A bloody deed, almost as bad good Mother,</l>
      <l n="2328">As kill a King, and marrie with his Brother.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2329">As kill a King?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2330">I Lady, 'twas my word.</l>
      <l n="2331">Thou wretched, rash, intruding foole farewell,</l>
      <l n="2332">I tooke thee for thy Betters, take thy Fortune,</l>
      <l n="2333">Thou find'st to be too busie, is some danger.</l>
      <l n="2334">Leaue wringing of your hands, peace, sit you downe,</l>
      <l n="2335">And let me wring your heart, for so I shall</l>
      <l n="2336">If it be made of penetrable stuffe;</l>
      <l n="2337">If damned Custome haue not braz'd it so,</l>
      <l n="2338">That it is proofe and bulwarke against Sense.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2339">What haue I done, that thou dar'st wag thy tong,</l>
      <l n="2340">In noise so rude against me?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2341">Such an Act</l>
      <l n="2342">That blurres the grace and blush of Modestie,</l>
      <l n="2343">Cals Vertue Hypocrite, takes off the Rose</l>
      <l n="2344">From the faire forehead of an innocent loue,</l>
      <l n="2345">And makes a blister there. Makes marriage vowes</l>
      <l n="2346">As false as Dicers Oathes. Oh such a deed,</l>
      <pb facs="FFimg:axc0781-0.jpg" n="271"/>
      <cb n="1"/>
      <l n="2347">As from the body of Contraction pluckes</l>
      <l n="2348">The very soule, and sweete Religion makes</l>
      <l n="2349">A rapsidie of words. Heauens face doth glow,</l>
      <l n="2350">Yea this solidity and compound masse,</l>
      <l n="2351">With tristfull visage as against the doome,</l>
      <l n="2352">Is thought‑sicke at the act.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <p n="2353">Aye me; what act; that roares so lowd, &amp; thun­
      <lb n="2354"/>ders in the Index.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2355">Looke heere vpon this Picture, and on this,</l>
      <l n="2356">The counterfet presentment of two Brothers:</l>
      <l n="2357">See what a grace was seated on his Brow,</l>
      <l n="2358">
         <hi rend="italic">Hyperions</hi>curles, the front of Ioue himselfe,</l>
      <l n="2359">An eye like Mars, to threaten or command</l>
      <l n="2360">A Station, like the Heraland Mercurie</l>
      <l n="2361">New lighted on a heauen‑kissing hill:</l>
      <l n="2362">A Combination, and a forme indeed,</l>
      <l n="2363">Where euery God did seeme to set his Seale,</l>
      <l n="2364">To giue the world assurance of a man.</l>
      <l n="2365">This was your Husband. Looke you now what followes.</l>
      <l n="2366">Heere is your Husband, like a Mildew'd eare</l>
      <l n="2367">Blasting his wholsom breath. Haue you eyes?</l>
      <l n="2368">Could you on this faire Mountaine leaue to feed,</l>
      <l n="2369">And batten on this Moore<c rend="italic">?</c>Ha? Haue you eyes?</l>
      <l n="2370">You cannot call it Loue: For at your age,</l>
      <l n="2371">The hey‑day in the blood is tame, it's humble,</l>
      <l n="2372">And waites vpon the Iudgement: and what Iudgement</l>
      <l n="2373">Would step from this, to this? What diuell was't,</l>
      <l n="2374">That thus hath cousend yon at hoodman‑blinde?</l>
      <l n="2375">O Shame! where is thy Blush? Rebellious Hell,</l>
      <l n="2376">If thou canst mutine in a Matrons bones,</l>
      <l n="2377">To flaming youth, let Vertue be as waxe,</l>
      <l n="2378">And melt in her owne fire. Prodaime no shame,</l>
      <l n="2379">When the compulsiue Ardure giues the charge,</l>
      <l n="2380">Since Frost it selfe, as actiuely doth burne,</l>
      <l n="2381">As Reason panders Will.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2382">O<hi rend="italic">Hamlet</hi>, speake no more.</l>
      <l n="2383">Thou turn'st mine eyes into my very soule,</l>
      <l n="2384">And there I see such blacke and grained spots,</l>
      <l n="2385">As will not leaue their Tinct.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2386">Nay, but to liue</l>
      <l n="2387">In the ranke sweat of an enseamed bed,</l>
      <l n="2388">Stew'd in Corruption; honying and making loue</l>
      <l n="2389">Ouer the nasty Stye.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2390">Oh speake to me no more,</l>
      <l n="2391">These words like Daggers enter in mine eares.</l>
      <l n="2392">No more sweet<hi rend="italic">Hamlet</hi>.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2393">A Murderer, and a Villaine:</l>
      <l n="2394">A Slaue, that is not twentieth<choice>
            <orig>patt</orig>
            <corr>part</corr>
         </choice>the tythe</l>
      <l n="2395">Of your precedent Lord. A vice of Kings,</l>
      <l n="2396">A Cutpurse of the Empire and the Rule.</l>
      <l n="2397">That from a shelfe, the precious Diadem stole,</l>
      <l n="2398">And put it in his Pocket.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2399">No more.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Ghost.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2400">A King of shreds and patches.</l>
      <l n="2401">Saue me; and houer o're me with your wings</l>
      <l n="2402">You heauenly Guards. What would you gracious figure?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2403">Alas he's mad.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2404">Do you not come your tardy Sonne to chide,</l>
      <l n="2405">That laps't in Time and Passion, lets go by</l>
      <l n="2406">Th'important acting of your dread command? Oh say.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-gho">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ghost.</speaker>
      <l n="2407">Do not forget: this Visitation</l>
      <l n="2408">Is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose.</l>
      <l n="2409">But looke, Amazement on thy Mother sits;</l>
      <l n="2410">O step betweene her, and her fighting Soule,</l>
      <l n="2411">Conceit in weakest bodies, strongest workes.</l>
      <cb n="2"/>
      <l n="2412">Speake to her<hi rend="italic">Hamlet</hi>.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2413">How is it with you Lady?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2414">Alas, how is't with you?</l>
      <l n="2415">That you bend your eye on vacancie,</l>
      <l n="2416">And with their corporall ayre do hold discourse.</l>
      <l n="2417">Forth at your eyes, your spirits wildely peepe,</l>
      <l n="2418">And as the sleeping Soldiours in th'Alarme,</l>
      <l n="2419">Your bedded haire, like life in excrements,</l>
      <l n="2420">Start vp, and stand an end. Oh gentle Sonne,</l>
      <l n="2421">Vpon the heate and flame of thy distemper</l>
      <l n="2422">Sprinkle coole patience. Whereon do you looke?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2423">On him, on him: look you how pale he glares.</l>
      <l n="2424">His forme and cause conioyn'd, preaching to stones,</l>
      <l n="2425">Would make them capeable. Do not looke vpon me,</l>
      <l n="2426">Least with this pitteous action you conuert</l>
      <l n="2427">My sterne effects: then what I haue to do,</l>
      <l n="2428">Will want true colour; teares perchance for blood.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2429">To who do you speake this?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2430">Do you see nothing there?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2431">Nothing at all, yet all that is I see.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2432">Nor did you nothing heare?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2433">No, nothing but our selues.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2434">Why look you there: looke how it steals away:</l>
      <l n="2435">My Father in his habite, as he liued,</l>
      <l n="2436">Look where he goes euen now out at the Portall.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2437">This is the very coynage of your Braine,</l>
      <l n="2438">This bodilesse Creation extasie is very cunning in.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2439">Exctasie<c rend="italic">?</c>
      </l>
      <l n="2440">My Pulse as yours doth temperately keepe time,</l>
      <l n="2441">And makes as healthful Musicke. it is not madnesse</l>
      <l n="2442">That I haue vttered; bring me to the Test</l>
      <l n="2443">And I the matter will re‑word . which madnesse</l>
      <l n="2444">Would gamboll from. Mother, for loue of Grace,</l>
      <l n="2445">Lay not a flattering Vnction to your soule,</l>
      <l n="2446">That not your trespasse, but my madnesse speakes;</l>
      <l n="2447">It will but skin and f<gap extent="2"
              unit="chars"
              reason="illegible"
              agent="PartiallyInkedType"
              resp="#ES"/>me the Vlcerous place,</l>
      <l n="2448">Whil'st ranke Corruption mining all within,</l>
      <l n="2449">Infects vnseene. Confesse your selfe to Heauen,</l>
      <l n="2450">Repent what's past, auoyd what is to come,</l>
      <l n="2451">And do not spred the Compost or the Weedes,</l>
      <l n="2452">To make them ranke. Forgiue me this my Vertue,</l>
      <l n="2453">For in the fatnesse of this pursie times,</l>
      <l n="2454">Vertue it selfe, of Vice must pardon begge,</l>
      <l n="2455">Yea courb, and woe, for leaue to do him good.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2456">Oh<hi rend="italic">Hamlet</hi>,</l>
      <l n="2457">Thou hast cleft my heart in twaine.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2458">O throw away the worser past of it,</l>
      <l n="2459">And liue the purer with the other halfe.</l>
      <l n="2460">Good night, but go not to mine Vnkles bed,</l>
      <l n="2461">Assume a Vertue, if you haue it not, refraine to night,</l>
      <l n="2462">And that shall lend a kinde of easinesse</l>
      <l n="2463">To the next abstinence. Once more goodnight,</l>
      <l n="2464">And when you are desirous o be blest,<note resp="#ES">An ink mark follows the end of this line.</note>
      </l>
      <l n="2465">Ile blessing begge of you. For this fame Lord,</l>
      <l n="2466">I do repent: but heauen hath pleased it so,</l>
      <l n="2467">To punish me with this, and this with me,</l>
      <l n="2468">That I must be their Scourge and Minister.</l>
      <l n="2469">I will bestow him, and will answer well</l>
      <l n="2470">The death I gaue him: so againe, good night,</l>
      <l n="2471">I must be cruell, onely to be kinde;</l>
      <l n="2472">Thus bad begins, and worse remaines behinde.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2473">What shall I do?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2474">Not this by no meanes that I bid you do:</l>
      <l n="2475">Let the blunt King tempt you againe to bed,</l>
      <l n="2476">Pinch Wanton on your cheeke, call you his Mouse,</l>
      <l n="2477">And let him for a paire of reechie kisses,</l>
      <pb facs="FFimg:axc0782-0.jpg" n="272"/>
      <cb n="1"/>
      <l n="2478">Or padling in your necke with his damn'd Fingers,</l>
      <l n="2479">Make you to rauell all this matter out,</l>
      <l n="2480">That I essentially am not in madnesse,</l>
      <l n="2481">But made in craft. 'Twere good you let him know,</l>
      <l n="2482">For who that's but a Queene, faire, sober, wise,</l>
      <l n="2483">Would from a Paddocke, from a Bat, a Gibbe,</l>
      <l n="2484">Such deere concernings hide, Who would do so,</l>
      <l n="2485">No in despight of Sense and Secrecie,</l>
      <l n="2486">Vnpegge the Basket on the houses top:</l>
      <l n="2487">Let the Birds flye, and like the famous Ape</l>
      <l n="2488">To try Conclusions in the Basket, creepe</l>
      <l n="2489">And breake your owne necke downe.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2490">Be thou assur'd, if words be made of breath,</l>
      <l n="2491">And breath of life: I haue no life to breath</l>
      <l n="2492">What thou hast saide to me.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2493">I must to England, you know that?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
      <l n="2494">Alacke I had forgot: 'Tis so concluded on.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ham">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ham.</speaker>
      <l n="2495">This man shall set me packing:</l>
      <l n="2496">Ile lugge the Guts into the Neighbor roome,</l>
      <l n="2497">Mother goodnight. Indeede this Counsellor</l>
      <l n="2498">Is now most still, most secret, and most graue,</l>
      <l n="2499">Who was in life, a foolish prating Knaue.</l>
      <l n="2500">Come sir, to draw toward an end with you.</l>
      <l n="2501">Good night Mother.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="mixed">Exit Hamlet tugging in Polonius.</stage>
</div>

                                
                            

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