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: pp4r - Tragedies, p. 275

Left Column


The Tragedie of Hamlet. Make choice of whom your wisest Friends you will, And they shall heare and iudge 'twixt you and me;
[2860]
If by direct or by Colaterall hand They finde vs touch'd, we will our Kingdome giue, Our Crowne, our Life, and all that we call Ours To you in satisfaction. But if not, Be you content to lend your patience to vs,
[2865]
And we shall ioyntly labour with your soule To giue it due content.
Laer. Let this be so: His meanes of death, his obscure buriall; No Trophee, Sword, nor Hatchment o're his bones,
[2870]
No Noble rite, nor formall ostentation, Cry to be heard, as 'twere from Heauen to Earth, That I must call in question.
King. So you shall: And where th'offence is, let the great Axe fall.
[2875]
I pray you go with me.
Exeunt
[Act 4, Scene 6] Enter Horatio, with an Attendant. Hora. What are they that would speake with me? Ser. Saylors sir, they say they haue Letters for you. Hor. Let them come in, I do not know from what part of the world
[2880]
I should be greeted, if not from Lord Hamlet.
Enter Saylor. Say. God blesse you Sir. Hor. Let him blesse thee too. Say.

Hee shall Sir, and't please him. There's a Letter

for you Sir: It comes from th'Ambassadours that was

[2885]

bound for England, if your name be Horatio, as I am let

to know it is.

Reads the Letter.

HOratio, When thou shalt haue ouerlook'd this, giue these

Fellowes some meanes to the King: They haue Letters

For him. Ere we were two dayes old at Sea, a Pyrate of very

[2890]

Warlicke appointment gaue vs Chace. Finding our selues too

slow of Saile, we put on a compelled Valour. In the Grapple, I

boorded them: On the instant they got cleare of our Shippe, so

I alone became their Prisoner. They haue dealt with mee, like

Theeues of Mercy, but they knew what they did. I am to doe

[2895]

A good turne for them. Let the King haue the Letters I haue

sent, and repaire thou to me with as much hast as thou wouldest

flye death. I haue words to speake in your eare, will make thee

dumbe, yet are they much too light for the bore of the Matter.

These good Fellows will bring thee where I am. Rosincrance

[2900]

and Guildensterne, hold their course for England. Of them

I haue much to tell thee, Farewell.

He that thou knowest thine,

Hamlet.

Come, I will giue you way for these your Letters,
[2905]
And do't the speedier, that you may direct me To him from whom you brought them.
Exit.
[Act 4, Scene 7] Enter King and Laertes. King. Now must your conscience my acquittance seal, And you must put me in your heart for Friend, Sith you haue heard, and with a knowing eare,
[2910]
That he which hath your Noble Father slaine, Pursued my life.
Laer. It well appeares. But tell me, Why you proceeded not against these feates, So crimefull, and so Capitall in Nature,
[2915]
As by your Safety, Wisedome, all things else,

Right Column


You mainly were stirr'd vp? King. O for two speciall Reasons, Which may to you (perhaps) seeme much vnsinnowed, And yet to me they are strong. The Queen his Mother,
[2920]
Liues almost by his looks: and for my selfe, My Vertue or my Plague, be it either which, She's so coniunctiue to my life and soule; That as the starre moues not but in his Sphere, I could not but by her. The other Motiue,
[2925]
Why to a publike count I might not go, Is the great loue the generall gender beare him, Who dipping all his Faults in their affection, Would like the Spring that turneth Wood to Stone, Conuert his Gyues to Graces. So that my Arrowes
[2930]
Too slightly timbred for so loud a Winde, Would haue reuerted to my Bow againe, And not where I had arm'd them.
Laer. And so haue I a Noble Father lost, A Sister driuen into desperate tearmes,
[2935]
Who was (if praises may go backe againe) Stood Challenger on mount of all the Age For her perfections. But my reuenge will come.
King. Breake not your sleepes for that, You must not thinke
[2940]
That we are made of stuffe, so flat, and dull, That we can let our Beard be shooke with danger, And thinke it pastime. You shortly shall heare more, I lou'd your Father, and we loue our Selfe, And that I hope will teach you to imagine⸺ Enter a Messenger.
[2945]
How now? What Newes?
Mes.

Letters my Lord from Hamlet. This to your

Maiesty: this to the Queene.

King.

From Hamlet? Who brought them?

Mes. Saylors my Lord they say, I saw them not:
[2950]
They were giuen me by Claudio, he receiu'd them.
King. Laertes you shall heare them: Leaue vs. Exit Messenger

High and Mighty, you shall know I am set naked on your

Kingdome. To morrow shall I begge leaue to see your Kingly

[2955]

Eyes. When I shall (first asking your Pardon thereunto) re­

count th'Occasions of my sodaine, and more strange returne.

Hamlet.

What should this meane? Are all the rest come backe? Or is it some abuse? Or no such thing?
Laer.
[2960]
Know you the hand?
Kin.

'Tis Hamlets Character, naked and in a Post­

script here he sayes alone: Can you aduise me ?

Laer. I'm lost in it my Lord; but let him come, It warmes the very sicknesse in my heart,
[2965]
That I shall liue and tell him to his teeth; Thus diddest thou.
Kin. If it be so Laertes, as how should it be so: How other wise will you be rul'd by me? Laer. If so you'l not o'rerule me to a peace. Kin.
[2970]
To thine owne peace: if he be now return'd, As checking at his Voyage, and that he meanes No more to vndertake it; I will worke him To an exploit now ripe in my Deuice, Vnder the which he shall not choose but fall;
[2975]
And for his death no winde of blame shall breath, But euen his Mother shall vncharge the practice, And call it accident: Some two Monthes hence Here was a Gentleman of Normandy, I'ue seene my selfe, and seru'd against the French,
[2980]
And they ran well on Horsebacke; but this Gallant Had

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[Act 4, Scene 7] Enter King and Laertes. King. Now must your conscience my acquittance seal, And you must put me in your heart for Friend, Sith you haue heard, and with a knowing eare,
[2910]
That he which hath your Noble Father slaine, Pursued my life.
Laer. It well appeares. But tell me, Why you proceeded not against these feates, So crimefull, and so Capitall in Nature,
[2915]
As by your Safety, Wisedome, all things else, You mainly were stirr'd vp?
King. O for two speciall Reasons, Which may to you (perhaps) seeme much vnsinnowed, And yet to me they are strong. The Queen his Mother,
[2920]
Liues almost by his looks: and for my selfe, My Vertue or my Plague, be it either which, She's so coniunctiue to my life and soule; That as the starre moues not but in his Sphere, I could not but by her. The other Motiue,
[2925]
Why to a publike count I might not go, Is the great loue the generall gender beare him, Who dipping all his Faults in their affection, Would like the Spring that turneth Wood to Stone, Conuert his Gyues to Graces. So that my Arrowes
[2930]
Too slightly timbred for so loud a Winde, Would haue reuerted to my Bow againe, And not where I had arm'd them.
Laer. And so haue I a Noble Father lost, A Sister driuen into desperate tearmes,
[2935]
Who was (if praises may go backe againe) Stood Challenger on mount of all the Age For her perfections. But my reuenge will come.
King. Breake not your sleepes for that, You must not thinke
[2940]
That we are made of stuffe, so flat, and dull, That we can let our Beard be shooke with danger, And thinke it pastime. You shortly shall heare more, I lou'd your Father, and we loue our Selfe, And that I hope will teach you to imagine⸺ Enter a Messenger.
[2945]
How now? What Newes?
Mes.

Letters my Lord from Hamlet. This to your

Maiesty: this to the Queene.

King.

From Hamlet? Who brought them?

Mes. Saylors my Lord they say, I saw them not:
[2950]
They were giuen me by Claudio, he receiu'd them.
King. Laertes you shall heare them: Leaue vs. Exit Messenger

High and Mighty, you shall know I am set naked on your

Kingdome. To morrow shall I begge leaue to see your Kingly

[2955]

Eyes. When I shall (first asking your Pardon thereunto) re­

count th'Occasions of my sodaine, and more strange returne.

Hamlet.

What should this meane? Are all the rest come backe? Or is it some abuse? Or no such thing?
Laer.
[2960]
Know you the hand?
Kin.

'Tis Hamlets Character, naked and in a Post­

script here he sayes alone: Can you aduise me ?

Laer. I'm lost in it my Lord; but let him come, It warmes the very sicknesse in my heart,
[2965]
That I shall liue and tell him to his teeth; Thus diddest thou.
Kin. If it be so Laertes, as how should it be so: How other wise will you be rul'd by me? Laer. If so you'l not o'rerule me to a peace. Kin.
[2970]
To thine owne peace: if he be now return'd, As checking at his Voyage, and that he meanes No more to vndertake it; I will worke him To an exploit now ripe in my Deuice, Vnder the which he shall not choose but fall;
[2975]
And for his death no winde of blame shall breath, But euen his Mother shall vncharge the practice, And call it accident: Some two Monthes hence Here was a Gentleman of Normandy, I'ue seene my selfe, and seru'd against the French,
[2980]
And they ran well on Horsebacke; but this Gallant Had witchcraft in't; he grew into his Seat, And to such wondrous doing brought his Horse, As had he beene encorps't and demy‑Natur'd With the braue Beast, so farre he past my thought,
[2985]
That I in forgery of shapes and trickes, Come short of what he did.
Laer. A Norman was't? Kin. A Norman. Laer. Vpon my life Lamound. Kin.
[2990]
The very same.
Laer. I know him well, he is the Brooch indeed, And Iemme of all our Nation. Kin. Hee mad confession of you, And gaue you such a Masterly report,
[2995]
For Art and exercise in your defence; And for your Rapier most especiallyͤ, That he cryed out, t'would be a sight indeed, If one could match you Sir. This report of his Did Hamlet so envenom with his Enuy,
[3000]
That he could nothing doe but wish and begge, Your sodaine comming ore to play with him; Now out of this.
Laer. Why out of this, my Lord? Kin. Laertes was your Father deare to you?
[3005]
Or are you like the painting of a sorrow, A face without a heart?
Laer. Why aske you this? Kin. Not that I thinke you did not loue your Father, But that I know Loue is begun by Time:
[3010]
And that I see in passages of proofe, Time qualifies the sparke and fire of it: Hamlet comes backe: what would you vndertake, To show your selfe your Fathers sonne indeed, More then in words?
Laer.
[3015]
To cut his throat i'th'Church.
Kin. No place indeed should murder Sancturize; Reuenge should haue no bounds: but good Laertes Will you doe this, keepe close within your Chamber, Hamlet return'd, shall know you are come home:
[3020]
Wee'l put on those shall praise your excellence, And set a double varnish on the fame The Frenchman gaue you, bring you in fine together, And wager on your heads, he being remisse, Most generous, and free from all contriuing,
[3025]
Will not peruse the Foiles? So that with ease, Or with a little shuffling, you may choose A Sword vnbaited, and in a passe of practice, Requit him for your Father.
Laer. I will doo't,
[3030]
And for that purpose Ile annoint my Sword: I bought an Vnction of a Mountebanke So mortall, I but dipt a knife in it, Where it drawes blood, no Cataplasme so rare, Collected from all Simples that haue Vertue
[3035]
Vnder the Moone, can saue the thing from death, That is but scratcht withall: Ile touch my point, With this contagion that if I gall him slightly, It may be death.
Kin. Let's further thinke of this,
[3040]
Weigh what conuenience both of time and meanes May fit vs to our shape, if this should faile; And that our drift looke through our bad performance, 'Twere better not assaid; therefore this Project Should haue a backe or second, that might hold,
[3045]
If this should blast in proofe: Soft, let me see Wee'l make a solemne wager on your commings, I ha't: when in your motion you are hot and dry, As make your bowts more violent to the end, And that he cals for drinke; Ile haue prepar'd him
[3050]
A Challice for the nonce; whereon but sipping, If he by chance escape your venom'd stuck, Our purpose may hold there; how sweet Queene.
Enter Queene. Queen. One woe doth tread vpon anothers heele, So fast they'l follow: your Sister's drown'd Laertes. Laer.
[3055]
Drown'd! O where?
Queen. There is a Willow growes aslant a Brooke, That shewes his hore leaues in the glassie streame: There with fantasticke Garlands did she come, Of Crow‑flowers, Nettles, Daysies, and long Purples,
[3060]
That liberall Shepheards giue a grosser name; But our cold Maids doe Dead Mens Fingers call them: There on the pendant boughes, her Coronet weeds Clambring to hang; an enuious sliuer broke, When downe the weedy Trophies, and her selfe,
[3065]
Fell in the weeping Brooke, her cloathes spred wide, And Mermaid‑like, a while they bore her vp, Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunes, As one incapable of her owne distresse, Or like a creature Natiue, and indued
[3070]
Vnto that Element: but long it could not be, Till that her garments, heauy with her drinke, Pul'd the poore wretch from her melodious buy, To muddy death.
Laer. Alas then, is she drown'd? Queen.
[3075]
Drown'd, drown'd.
Laer. Too much of water hast thou poore Ophelia, And therefore I forbid my teares: but yet It is our tricke, Nature her custome holds, Let shame say what it will; when these are gone
[3080]
The woman will be out: Adue my Lord. I haue a speech of fire, that faine would blaze, But that this folly doubts it.
Exit. Kin. Let's follow, Gertrude: How much I had to doe to calme his rage ?
[3085]
Now feare I this will giue it start againe; Therefore let's follow.
Exeunt.
 

Download the digital text of the play

                                
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<div type="scene" n="7" rend="notPresent">
   <head type="supplied">[Act 4, Scene 7]</head>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter King and Laertes.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-ham-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">King.</speaker>
      <l n="2907">Now must your conscience my acquittance seal,</l>
      <l n="2908">And you must put me in your heart for Friend,</l>
      <l n="2909">Sith you haue heard, and with a knowing eare,</l>
      <l n="2910">That he which hath your Noble Father slaine,</l>
      <l n="2911">Pursued my life.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-lae">
      <speaker rend="italic">Laer.</speaker>
      <l n="2912">It well appeares. But tell me,</l>
      <l n="2913">Why you proceeded not against these feates,</l>
      <l n="2914">So crimefull, and so Capitall in Nature,</l>
      <l n="2915">As by your Safety, Wisedome, all things else,</l>
      <cb n="2"/>
      <l n="2916">You mainly were stirr'd vp?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">King.</speaker>
      <l n="2917">O for two speciall Reasons,</l>
      <l n="2918">Which may to you (perhaps) seeme much vnsinnowed,</l>
      <l n="2919">And yet to me they are strong. The Queen his Mother,</l>
      <l n="2920">Liues almost by his looks: and for my selfe,</l>
      <l n="2921">My Vertue or my Plague, be it either which,</l>
      <l n="2922">She's so coniunctiue to my life and soule;</l>
      <l n="2923">That as the starre moues not but in his Sphere,</l>
      <l n="2924">I could not but by her. The other Motiue,</l>
      <l n="2925">Why to a publike count I might not go,</l>
      <l n="2926">Is the great loue the generall gender beare him,</l>
      <l n="2927">Who dipping all his Faults in their affection,</l>
      <l n="2928">Would like the Spring that turneth Wood to Stone,</l>
      <l n="2929">Conuert his Gyues to Graces. So that my Arrowes</l>
      <l n="2930">Too slightly timbred for so loud a Winde,</l>
      <l n="2931">Would haue reuerted to my Bow againe,</l>
      <l n="2932">And not where I had arm'd them.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-lae">
      <speaker rend="italic">Laer.</speaker>
      <l n="2933">And so haue I a Noble Father lost,</l>
      <l n="2934">A Sister driuen into desperate tearmes,</l>
      <l n="2935">Who was (if praises may go backe againe)</l>
      <l n="2936">Stood Challenger on mount of all the Age</l>
      <l n="2937">For her perfections. But my reuenge will come.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">King.</speaker>
      <l n="2938">Breake not your sleepes for that,</l>
      <l n="2939">You must not thinke</l>
      <l n="2940">That we are made of stuffe, so flat, and dull,</l>
      <l n="2941">That we can let our Beard be shooke with danger,</l>
      <l n="2942">And thinke it pastime. You shortly shall heare more,</l>
      <l n="2943">I lou'd your Father, and we loue our Selfe,</l>
      <l n="2944">And that I hope will teach you to imagine⸺</l>
      <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter a Messenger.</stage>
      <l n="2945">How now? What Newes?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-mes">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mes.</speaker>
      <p n="2946">Letters my Lord from<hi rend="italic">Hamlet.</hi>This to your
      <lb n="2947"/>Maiesty: this to the Queene.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">King.</speaker>
      <p n="2948">From<hi rend="italic">Hamlet?</hi>Who brought them?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-mes">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mes.</speaker>
      <l n="2949">Saylors my Lord they say, I saw them not:</l>
      <l n="2950">They were giuen me by<hi rend="italic">Claudio</hi>, he receiu'd them.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">King.</speaker>
      <l n="2951">
         <hi rend="italic">Laertes</hi>you shall heare them:</l>
      <l n="2952">Leaue vs.</l>
      <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit Messenger</stage>
      <p rend="italic" n="2953">High and Mighty, you shall know I am set naked on your
      <lb n="2954"/>Kingdome. To morrow shall I begge leaue to see your Kingly
      <lb n="2955"/>Eyes. When I shall (first asking your Pardon thereunto) re­
      <lb n="2956"/>count th'Occasions of my sodaine, and more strange returne.</p>
      <p rend="rightJustified" n="2957">Hamlet.</p>
      <l n="2958">What should this meane? Are all the rest come backe?</l>
      <l n="2959">Or is it some abuse? Or no such thing?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-lae">
      <speaker rend="italic">Laer.</speaker>
      <l n="2960">Know you the hand?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Kin.</speaker>
      <p n="2961">'Tis<gap extent="1"
              unit="chars"
              reason="nonstandardCharacter"
              agent="inkedSpacemarker"
              resp="#ES"/>
         <hi rend="italic">Hamlets</hi>Character, naked and in a Post­
      <lb n="2962"/>script here he sayes alone: Can you aduise me<c rend="italic">?</c>
      </p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-lae">
      <speaker rend="italic">Laer.</speaker>
      <l n="2963">I'm lost in it my Lord; but let him come,</l>
      <l n="2964">It warmes the very sicknesse in my heart,</l>
      <l n="2965">That I shall liue and tell him to his teeth;</l>
      <l n="2966">Thus diddest thou.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Kin.</speaker>
      <l n="2967">If it be so<hi rend="italic">Laertes</hi>, as how should it be so:</l>
      <l n="2968">How other wise will you be rul'd by me?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-lae">
      <speaker rend="italic">Laer.</speaker>
      <l n="2969">If so you'l not o'rerule me to a peace.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Kin.</speaker>
      <l n="2970">To thine owne peace: if he be now return'd,</l>
      <l n="2971">As checking at his Voyage, and that he meanes</l>
      <l n="2972">No more to vndertake it; I will worke him</l>
      <l n="2973">To an exploit now ripe in my Deuice,</l>
      <l n="2974">Vnder the which he shall not choose but fall;</l>
      <l n="2975">And for his death no winde of blame shall breath,</l>
      <l n="2976">But euen his Mother shall vncharge the practice,</l>
      <l n="2977">And call it accident: Some two Monthes hence</l>
      <l n="2978">Here was a Gentleman of<hi rend="italic">Normandy</hi>,</l>
      <l n="2979">I'ue seene my selfe, and seru'd against the French,</l>
      <l n="2980">And they ran well on Horsebacke; but this Gallant</l>
      <pb facs="FFimg:axc0786-0.jpg" n="276"/>
      <cb n="1"/>
      <l n="2981">Had witchcraft in't; he grew into his Seat,</l>
      <l n="2982">And to such wondrous doing brought his Horse,</l>
      <l n="2983">As had he beene encorps't and demy‑Natur'd</l>
      <l n="2984">With the braue Beast, so farre he past my thought,</l>
      <l n="2985">That I in forgery of shapes and trickes,</l>
      <l n="2986">Come short of what he did.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-lae">
      <speaker rend="italic">Laer.</speaker>
      <l n="2987">A Norman was't?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Kin.</speaker>
      <l n="2988">A Norman.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-lae">
      <speaker rend="italic">Laer.</speaker>
      <l n="2989">Vpon my life<hi rend="italic">Lamound</hi>.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Kin.</speaker>
      <l n="2990">The very same.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-lae">
      <speaker rend="italic">Laer.</speaker>
      <l n="2991">I know him well, he is the Brooch indeed,</l>
      <l n="2992">And Iemme of all our Nation.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Kin.</speaker>
      <l n="2993">Hee mad confession of you,</l>
      <l n="2994">And gaue you such a Masterly report,</l>
      <l n="2995">For Art and exercise in your defence;</l>
      <l n="2996">And for your Rapier most especiallyͤ,</l>
      <l n="2997">That he cryed out, t'would be a sight indeed,</l>
      <l n="2998">If one could match you Sir. This report of his</l>
      <l n="2999">Did<hi rend="italic">Hamlet</hi>so envenom with his Enuy,</l>
      <l n="3000">That he could nothing doe but wish and begge,</l>
      <l n="3001">Your sodaine comming ore to play with him;</l>
      <l n="3002">Now out of this.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-lae">
      <speaker rend="italic">Laer.</speaker>
      <l n="3003">Why out of this, my Lord?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Kin.</speaker>
      <l n="3004">
         <hi rend="italic">Laertes</hi>was your Father deare to you?</l>
      <l n="3005">Or are you like the painting of a sorrow,</l>
      <l n="3006">A face without a heart?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-lae">
      <speaker rend="italic">Laer.</speaker>
      <l n="3007">Why aske you this?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Kin.</speaker>
      <l n="3008">Not that I thinke you did not loue your Father,</l>
      <l n="3009">But that I know Loue is begun by Time:</l>
      <l n="3010">And that I see in passages of proofe,</l>
      <l n="3011">Time qualifies the sparke and fire of it:</l>
      <l n="3012">
         <hi rend="italic">Hamlet</hi>comes backe: what would you vndertake,</l>
      <l n="3013">To show your selfe your Fathers sonne indeed,</l>
      <l n="3014">More then in words?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-lae">
      <speaker rend="italic">Laer.</speaker>
      <l n="3015">To cut his throat i'th'Church.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Kin.</speaker>
      <l n="3016">No place indeed should murder Sancturize;</l>
      <l n="3017">Reuenge should haue no bounds: but good<hi rend="italic">Laertes</hi>
      </l>
      <l n="3018">Will you doe this, keepe close within your Chamber,</l>
      <l n="3019">
         <hi rend="italic">Hamlet</hi>return'd, shall know you are come home:</l>
      <l n="3020">Wee'l put on those shall praise your excellence,</l>
      <l n="3021">And set a double varnish on the fame</l>
      <l n="3022">The Frenchman gaue you, bring you in fine together,</l>
      <l n="3023">And wager on your heads, he being remisse,</l>
      <l n="3024">Most generous, and free from all contriuing,</l>
      <l n="3025">Will not peruse the Foiles? So that with ease,</l>
      <l n="3026">Or with a little shuffling, you may choose</l>
      <l n="3027">A Sword vnbaited, and in a passe of practice,</l>
      <l n="3028">Requit him for your Father.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-lae">
      <speaker rend="italic">Laer.</speaker>
      <l n="3029">I will doo't,</l>
      <l n="3030">And for that purpose Ile annoint my Sword:</l>
      <l n="3031">I bought an Vnction of a Mountebanke</l>
      <l n="3032">So mortall, I but dipt a knife in it,</l>
      <l n="3033">Where it drawes blood, no Cataplasme so rare,</l>
      <l n="3034">Collected from all Simples that haue Vertue</l>
      <l n="3035">Vnder the Moone, can saue the thing from death,</l>
      <l n="3036">That is but scratcht withall: Ile touch my point,</l>
      <l n="3037">With this contagion that if I gall him slightly,</l>
      <l n="3038">It may be death.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Kin.</speaker>
      <l n="3039">Let's further thinke of this,</l>
      <l n="3040">Weigh what conuenience both of time and meanes</l>
      <l n="3041">May fit vs to our shape, if this should faile;</l>
      <l n="3042">And that our drift looke through our bad performance,</l>
      <l n="3043">'Twere better not assaid; therefore this Project</l>
      <l n="3044">Should haue a backe or second, that might hold,</l>
      <l n="3045">If this should blast in proofe: Soft, let me see</l>
      <l n="3046">Wee'l make a solemne wager on your commings,</l>
      <cb n="2"/>
      <l n="3047">I ha't: when in your motion you are hot and dry,</l>
      <l n="3048">As make your bowts more violent to the end,</l>
      <l n="3049">And that he cals for drinke; Ile haue prepar'd him</l>
      <l n="3050">A Challice for the nonce; whereon but sipping,</l>
      <l n="3051">If he by chance escape your venom'd stuck,</l>
      <l n="3052">Our purpose may hold there; how sweet Queene.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Queene.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Queen.</speaker>
      <l n="3053">One woe doth tread vpon anothers heele,</l>
      <l n="3054">So fast they'l follow: your Sister's drown'd<hi rend="italic">Laertes</hi>.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-lae">
      <speaker rend="italic">Laer.</speaker>
      <l n="3055">Drown'd! O where?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Queen.</speaker>
      <l n="3056">There is a Willow growes aslant a Brooke,</l>
      <l n="3057">That shewes his hore leaues in the glassie streame:</l>
      <l n="3058">There with fantasticke Garlands did she come,</l>
      <l n="3059">Of Crow‑flowers, Nettles, Daysies, and long Purples,</l>
      <l n="3060">That liberall Shepheards giue a grosser name;</l>
      <l n="3061">But our cold Maids doe Dead Mens Fingers call them:</l>
      <l n="3062">There on the pendant boughes, her Coronet weeds</l>
      <l n="3063">Clambring to hang; an enuious sliuer broke,</l>
      <l n="3064">When downe the weedy Trophies, and her selfe,</l>
      <l n="3065">Fell in the weeping Brooke, her cloathes spred wide,</l>
      <l n="3066">And Mermaid‑like, a while they bore her vp,</l>
      <l n="3067">Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunes,</l>
      <l n="3068">As one incapable of her owne distresse,</l>
      <l n="3069">Or like a creature Natiue, and indued</l>
      <l n="3070">Vnto that Element: but long it could not be,</l>
      <l n="3071">Till that her garments, heauy with her drinke,</l>
      <l n="3072">Pul'd the poore wretch from her melodious buy,</l>
      <l n="3073">To muddy death.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-lae">
      <speaker rend="italic">Laer.</speaker>
      <l n="3074">Alas then, is she drown'd?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-ger">
      <speaker rend="italic">Queen.</speaker>
      <l n="3075">Drown'd, drown'd.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-ham-lae">
      <speaker rend="italic">Laer.</speaker>
      <l n="3076">Too much of water hast thou poore<hi rend="italic">Ophelia</hi>,</l>
      <l n="3077">And therefore I forbid my teares: but yet</l>
      <l n="3078">It is our tricke, Nature her custome holds,</l>
      <l n="3079">Let shame say what it will; when these are gone</l>
      <l n="3080">The woman will be out: Adue my Lord.</l>
      <l n="3081">I haue a speech of fire, that faine would blaze,</l>
      <l n="3082">But that this folly doubts it.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-ham-cla">
      <speaker rend="italic">Kin.</speaker>
      <l n="3083">Let's follow,<hi rend="italic">Gertrude:</hi>
      </l>
      <l n="3084">How much I had to doe to calme his rage<c rend="italic">?</c>
      </l>
      <l n="3085">Now feare I this will giue it start againe;</l>
      <l n="3086">Therefore let's follow.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
</div>

                                
                            

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