Ile doo't. Doft thou come heere to whine;
To outface me with leaping in her Graue?
Be buried quicke with her, and fo will I.

And if thou prate of Mountaines; let them throw
Millions of Akers on vs; till our ground
Sindging his pate against the burning Zone,
Make Offa like a wart. Nay, and thoul't mouth,
Ile rant as well as thou.

Kin. This is meere Madneffe:

And thus awhile the fit will worke on him:
Anon as patient as the female Doue,
When that her golden Cuplet are disclos'd;
His filence will fit drooping.

Ham. Heare you Sir:

What is the reafon that you vse me thus?

I loud' you euer; but it is no matter:
Let Hercules himfelfe doe what he may,

The Cat will Mew, and Dogge will haue his day.
Kin. I pray you good Horatio wait vpon him,
Strengthen you patience in our last nights speech,
Wee'l put the matter to the prefent push:
Good Gertrude fet fome watch ouer your Sonne,
This Graue fhall haue a liuing Monument:
An houre of quiet fhortly shall we fee;
Till then, in patience our proceeding be.

Enter Hamlet and Horatio.

Exit.

Exeunt.

Ham. So much for this Sir; now let me fee the other, You doe remember all the Circumftance.

Hor. Remember it my Lord?

Ham. Sir,in my heart there was a kinde of fighting,
That would not let me fleepe; me thought I lay
Worse then the mutines in the Bilboes, rafhly,
(And praise be rafhneffe for it) let vs know,
Our indifcretion fometimes ferues vs well,

When our deare plots do paule, and that should teach vs,
There's a Diuinity that fhapes our ends,
Rough-hew them how we will.

Hor. That is most certaine.

Ham. Vp from my Cabin

My fea-gowne scarft about me in the darke,
Grop'd I to finde out them; had my defire,
Finger'd their Packet, and in fine, withdrew
To mine owne roome againe, making fo bold,
(My feares forgetting manners) to vnfeale
Their grand Commiffion, where I found Horatio,
Oh royall knauery: An exact command,
Larded with many feuerall forts of reason;
Importing Denmarks health, and Englands too,
With hoo, fuch Bugges and Goblins in my life;
That on the fuperuize no leafure bated,
No not to stay the grinding of the Axe,
My head fhoud be struck off.

Hor. Ift poffible?

Ham. Here's the Commiffion, read it at more leyfure: But wilt thou heare me how I did proceed?

Hor. I befeech you.

Ham. Being thus benetted round with Villaines,
Ere 1 could make a Prologue to my braines,
They had begun the Play. I fate me downe,
Deuis'd a new Commiffion, wrote it faire,
I once did hold it as our Statists doe,

A bafeneffe to write faire; and laboured much
How to forget that learning: but Sir now,
It did me Yeomans feruice: wilt thou know
The effects of what I wrote?

Hor. I, good my Lord.

Ham. An earnest Coniuration from the King,
As England was his faithfull Tributary,

As loue betweene them, as the Palme fhould flourish,
As Peace fhould fill her wheaten Garland weare,
And ftand a Comma 'tweene their amities,
And many fuch like Affis of great charge,
That on the view and know of thefe Contents,
Without debatement further, more or leffe,

He should the bearers put to fodaine death,
Not fhriuing time allowed.

Hor. How was this feal'd?

Ham. Why, euen in that was Heauen ordinate;
I had my fathers Signet in my Purfe,
Which was the Modell of that Danish Seale:
Folded the Writ vp in forme of the other,
Subfcrib'd it, gau't th' impreffion, plac't it safely,
The changeling neuer knowne : Now, the next day
Was our Sea Fight, and what to this was fement,
Thou know'ft already.

Hor. So Guildenfterne and Rofinerance, go too't.
Ham. Why man, they did make loue to this imployment
They are not neere my Confcience; their debate
Doth by their owne infinuation grow:

'Tis dangerous, when the bafer nature comes Betweene the paffe, and fell incensed points Of mighty oppofites.

Hor. Why, what a King is this?

Ham. Does it not, thinkft thee, ftand me now vpon He that hath kil'd my King, and whor'd my Mother, Popt in betweene th'election and my hopes, Throwne out his Angle for my proper life,

And with fuch coozenage; is't not perfect confcience, To quit him with this arme? And is't not to be damn'd To let this Canker of our nature come

In further euill.

Hor. It must be shortly knowne to him from England What is the iffue of the bufineffe there.

Ham. It will be short,

The interim's mine, and a mans life's no more

Then to fay one: but I am very forry good Horatio, That to Laertes I forgot my felfe;

For by the image of my Cause, I fee

The Portraiture of his; Ile count his fauours:
But fure the brauery of his griefe did put me
Into a Towring paffion.

Hor. Peace, who comes heere?
Enter young Ofricke.

(marke.

Ofr. Your Lordship is right welcome back to DenHam. I humbly thank you Sir, doft know this waterflie? Hor. No my good Lord.

Ham. Thy ftate is the more gracious; for 'tis a vice to know him he hath much Land, and fertile; let a Beaft be Lord of Beafts, and his Crib fhall ftand at the Kings Meffe; 'tis a Chowgh; but as I faw fpacious in the poffeffion of dirt.

Ofr. Sweet Lord, if your friendship were at leyfure, I fhould impart a thing to you from his Maiefty. Ham. I will receiue it with all diligence of spirit;put

your Bonet to his right vfe, 'tis for the head.

Ofr. I thanke your Lordship, 'tis very hot.

Ham. No, beleeue mee 'tis very cold, the winde is Northerly.

Ofr. It is indifferent cold my Lord indeed.

Ham. Mee thinkes it is very foultry, and hot for my Complexion.

Ofricke.

I Ofr. Exceedingly, my Lord, it is very foultry, as 'twere cannot tell how but my Lord, his Maiefty bad me fignifie to you, that he ha's laid a great wager on your head: Sir, this is the matter.

Ham. I befeech you remember.

Ofr. Nay, in good faith, for mine eafe in good faith: Sir, you are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is at his weapon.

Ham. What's his weapon?

Ofr. Rapier and dagger.

Ham. That's two of his weapons; but well.

Ofr. The fir King ha's wag'd with him fix Barbary Horfes, against the which he impon'd as I take it, fixe French Rapiers and Poniards, with their affignes, as Girdle, Hangers or fo: three of the Carriages infaith are very deare to fancy, very refponfiue to the hilts, most delicate carriages, and of very liberall conceit.

Ham. What call you the Carriages?

Ofr. The Carriages Sir, are the hangers.

Ham. The phrafe would bee more Germaine to the matter: If we could carry Cannon by our fides; I would it might be Hangers till then; but on fixe Barbary Horfes against fixe French Swords: their Aflignes, and three liberall conceited Carriages, that's the French but against the Danish; why is this impon'd as you call it?

Ofr. The King Sir,hath laid that in a dozen paffes betweene you and him, hee fhall not exceed you three hits; He hath one twelue for mine, and that would come to imediate tryall, if your Lordship would vouchsafe the Answere.

Ham. How if I anfwere no?

Ofr. I meane my Lord, the oppofition of your perfon in tryall.

Ham. Sir, I will walke heere in the Hall; if it please his Maieftie, 'tis the breathing time of day with me; let the Foyles bee brought, the Gentleman willing, and the King hold his purpose; I will win for him if I can: if not, Ile gaine nothing but my fhame, and the odde hits. Ofr. Shall I redeliuer you ee'n fo?

Ham. To this effect Sir, after what flourish your nature will.

Ofr. I commend my duty to your Lordship. Ham. Yours, yours; hee does well to commend it himfelfe, there are no tongues elfe for's tongue.

Hor. This Lapwing runs away with the fhell on his

head.

Ham. He did Complie with his Dugge before hee fuck't it: thus had he and mine more of the fame Beauy that I know the droffie age dotes on; only got the tune of the time, and outward habite of encounter, a kinde of yefty collection, which carries them through & through the moft fond and winnowed opinions; and doe but blow them to their tryalls: the Bubbles are out.

Hor. You will lofe this wager, my Lord.

Ham. I doe not thinke fo, fince he went into France, I haue beene in continuall practice; I fhall winne at the oddes but thou would eft not thinke how all heere about my heart: but it is no matter.

Hor. Nay, good my Lord.

Ham. It is but foolery; but it is fuch a kinde of gain-giuing as would perhaps trouble a woman.

Hor. If your minde diflike any thing, obey. I will foreftall their repaire hither, and fay you are not fit.

Ham. Not a whit, we defie Augury; there's a fpeciall Prouidence in the fall of a fparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to come: if it bee not to come, it will bee now : if it

be not now; yet it will come; the readineffe is all, fince no man ha's ought of what he leaues. What is't to leaue betimes?

Enter King, Queene, Laertes and Lords, with other Attendants with Foyles, and Gauntlets, a Table and Flagons of Wine on it.

Kin. Come Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.
Ham.Giue me your pardon Sir, I'ue done you wrong,
But pardon't as you are a Gentleman.
This prefence knowes,

And you must needs haue heard how I am punisht
With fore distraction? What I haue done
That might your nature honour, and exception
Roughly awake, I heere proclaime was madnesse :
Was't Hamlet wrong'd Laertes? Neuer Hamlet.
If Hamlet from himselfe be tane away:
And when he's not himfelfe, do's wrong Laertes,
Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it:
Who does it then? His Madneffe? If't be so,
Hamlet is of the Faction that is wrong'd,
His madneffe is poore Hamlets Enemy.
Sir, in this Audience,

Let my difclaiming from a purpos'd euill,
Free me fo farre in your moft generous thoughts,
That I haue fhot mine Arrow o're the house,
And hurt my Mother.

Laer. I am fatisfied in Nature,
Whose motiue in this case should stirre me most
To my Reuenge. But in my termes of Honor
I ftand aloofe, and will no reconcilement,
Till by fome elder Masters of knowne Honor,
I haue a voyce, and prefident of peace

To keepe my name vngorg'd. But till that time,
I do receive your offer'd loue like loue,
And wil not wrong it.

Ham. I do embrace it freely,
And will this Brothers wager frankely play.
Giue vs the Foyles: Come on.

Laer. Come one for me.

Here's to thy health. Giue him the cup,

They play.

Damned Dane,

Trumpets found, and shot goes off. Ham. Ile play this bout firft, fet by a-while.

Come: Another hit; what fay you?

Laer. A touch, a touch, I do confeffe.
King. Our Sonne shall win.

Qu. He's fat, and scant of breath.
Heere's a Napkin, rub thy browes,

The Queene Carowses to thy fortune, Hamlet.
Ham. Good Madam.

King. Gertrude, do not drinke.

Qu. I will my Lord;

I pray you pardon me.

King. It is the poyfon'd Cup, it is too late.
Ham. 1 dare not drinke yet Madam,

Drinke off this Potion: Is thy Vnion heere? Follow my Mother.

Laer. He is iuftly seru'd.

It is a poyfon temp'red by himselfe:

King Dyes.

Exchange forgiuenesse with me, Noble Hamlet;
Mine and my Fathers death come not vpon thee,
Nor thine on me.

Ham. Heauen make thee free of it, I follow thee.
I am dead Horatio, wretched Queene adiew,
You that looke pale, and tremble at this chance,
That are but Mutes or audience to this acte:
Had I but time (as this fell Sergeant death
Is ftrick'd in his Arreft) oh I could tell you.
But let it be: Horatio, I am dead,
Thou liu'ft, report me and my causes right
To the vnfatisfied.

Hor. Neuer beleeue it.

I am more an Antike Roman then a Dane: Heere's yet fome Liquor left.

Ham. As th'art a man, giue me the Cup. Let go, by Heauen Ile haue't.

Oh good Horatio, what a wounded name,

Dyes.

(Things standing thus vnknowne) fhall liue behind me. If thou did'ft euer hold me in thy heart,

Abfent thee from felicitie awhile,

And in this harsh world draw thy breath in paine,
To tell my Storie.

March afarre off, and fhout within.

What warlike noyse is this?

Goodnight fweet Prince,

And flights of Angels fing thee to thy reft,

Why do's the Drumme come hither?

Enter Fortinbras and English Ambassador, with Drumme, Colours, and Attendants.

Fortin. Where is this fight?

Hor. What is it ye would fee;

If ought of woe, or wonder, cease your search.

For. His quarry cries on hauocke. Oh proud death, What feaft is toward in thine eternall Cell.

That thou fo many Princes, at a shoote,

So bloodily haft ftrooke.

Amb. The fight is dismall,

And our affaires from England come too late,
The eares are fenfeleffe that should giue vs hearing,
To tell him his command'ment is fulfill'd,

That Refinerance and Guildenfterne are dead :
Where should we haue our thankes?

Hor. Not from his mouth,

Had it th'abilitie of life to thanke you :
He neuer gaue command'ment for their death.
But fince fo iumpe vpon this bloodie question,
You from the Polake warres, and you from England
Are heere arriued. Giue order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the view,

And let me fpeake to th'yet vnknowing world,
How these things came about. So fhall you heare
Of carnall, bloudie, and vnnaturall acts,
Of accidentall iudgements, cafuall flaughters
Of death's put on by cunning, and forc'd caufe,
And in this vpfhot, purposes miftooke,

Falne on the Inuentors heads. All this can I
Truly deliuer.

For. Let vs haft to heare it,

And call the Nobleft to the Audience.

For me, with forrow, I embrace my Fortune,
I haue fome Rites of memory in this Kingdome,

Enter Kent, Gloucefter, and Edmond.

Kent.

Thought the King had more affected the
Duke of Albany, then Cornwall.

Glou. It did alwayes feeme fo to vs : But now in the diuifion of the Kingdome, it appeares not which of the Dukes hee valewes moft, for qualities are fo weigh'd, that curiofity in neither, can make choise of eithers moity.

Kent. Is not this your Son, my Lord?

Glou. His breeding Sir, hath bin at my charge. I haue fo often blush'd to acknowledge him, that now I am braz'd too't.

Kent. I cannot conceiue you.

Glou. Sir, this yong Fellowes mother could; wherevpon fhe grew round womb'd, and had indeede (Sir) a Sonne for her Cradle, ere she had a husband for her bed. Do you smell a fault?

Kent. I cannot wish the fault vndone, the issue of it, being fo proper.

Glou. But I haue a Sonne, Sir, by order of Law, fome yeere elder then this; who, yet is no deerer in my account, though this Knaue came fomthing fawcily to the world before he was fent for: yet was his Mother fayre, there was good sport at his making, and the horfon must be acknowledged. Doe you know this Noble Gentleman, Edmond?

Edm. No, my Lord.

Glou. My Lord of Kent:

Remember him heereafter, as my Honourable Friend.
Edm. My feruices to your Lordship.

Kent. I must loue you, and fue to know you better.
Edm. Sir, I fhall ftudy deferuing.

Glou. He hath bin out nine yeares, and away he shall againe. The King is comming.

Sennet. Enter King Lear, Cornwall, Albany, Gonerill, Regan, Cordelia, and attendants.

Lear. Attend the Lords of France & Burgundy, Glofter. Glou. I fhall, my Lord. Exit.

Lear. Meane time we fhal expreffe our darker purpose. Giue me the Map there. Know, that we haue diuided In three our Kingdome : and 'tis our faft intent, To shake all Cares and Bufineffe from our Age, Conferring them on yonger strengths, while we Vnburthen'd crawle toward death. Our fon of Cornwal, And you our no leffe louing Sonne of Albany,

We haue this houre a conftant will to publish
Our daughters feuerall Dowers, that future ftrife
May be preuented now. The Princes, France & Burgundy,
Great Riuals in our yongest daughters loue,
Long in our Court, haue made their amorous foiourne,
And heere are to be anfwer'd. Tell me my daughters
(Since now we will diueft vs both of Rule,
Intereft of Territory, Cares of State)
Which of you fhall we fay doth loue vs moft,
That we, our largest bountie may extend
Where Nature doth with merit challenge. Gonerill,
Our eldest borne, fpeake first.

Gon. Sir, I loue you more then word can weild ý matter,
Deerer then eye-fight, fpace, and libertie,

Beyond what can be valewed, rich or rare,

No leffe then life, with grace, health, beauty, honor:
As much as Childe ere lou'd, or Father found.
A loue that makes breath poore, and speech vnable,
Beyond all manner of fo much I loue you.

Cor. What fhall Cordelia fpeake? Loue, and be filent.
Lear. Of all these bounds euen from this Line, to this,
With fhadowie Forrefts, and with Champains rich'd
With plenteous Riuers, and wide-skirted Meades
We make thee Lady. To thine and Albanies iffues
Be this perpetuall. What fayes our second Daughter?
Our deereft Regan, wife of Cornwall?

Reg. I am made of that felfe-mettle as my Sifter, And prize me at her worth. In my true heart,

I finde she names my very deede of loue :

Onely fhe comes too short, that I profeffe
My felfe an enemy to all other ioyes,

Which the most precious fquare of fenfe profeffes,
And finde I am alone felicitate

In your deere Highneffe loue.

Cor. Then poore Cordelia,

And yet not fo, fince I am fure my loue's
More ponderous then my tongue.

Lear. To thee, and thine hereditarie euer,
Remaine this ample third of our faire Kingdome,
No leffe in space, validitie, and pleasure
Then that conferr'd on Gonerill. Now our Joy,
Although our last and least; to whofe yong loue,
The Vines of France, and Milke of Burgundie,
Striue to be intereft. What can you fay, to draw
A third, more opilent then your Sifters? fpeake.
Cor. Nothing my Lord.
Lear. Nothing?

992

Cor.