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1. Act II, Scene 1
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0
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Elsinore. A room in the house of Polonius.
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1
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Enter Polonius and Reynaldo.
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2
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Polonius.
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3
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Give him this money and these notes, Reynaldo.
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4
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Reynaldo.
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5
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I will, my lord.
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6
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Polonius.
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7
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You shall do marvell's wisely, good Reynaldo,
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8
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Before You visit him, to make inquire
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9
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Of his behaviour.
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10
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Reynaldo.
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11
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My lord, I did intend it.
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12
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Polonius.
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13
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Marry, well said, very well said. Look you, sir,
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14
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Enquire me first what Danskers are in Paris;
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15
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And how, and who, what means, and where they keep,
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16
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What company, at what expense; and finding
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17
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By this encompassment and drift of question
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18
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That they do know my son, come you more nearer
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19
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Than your particular demands will touch it.
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20
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Take you, as 'twere, some distant knowledge of him;
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21
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As thus, 'I know his father and his friends,
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22
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And in part him.' Do you mark this, Reynaldo?
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23
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Reynaldo.
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24
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Ay, very well, my lord.
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25
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Polonius.
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26
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'And in part him, but,' you may say, 'not well.
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27
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But if't be he I mean, he's very wild
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28
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Addicted so and so'; and there put on him
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29
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What forgeries you please; marry, none so rank
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30
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As may dishonour him- take heed of that;
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31
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But, sir, such wanton, wild, and usual slips
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32
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As are companions noted and most known
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33
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To youth and liberty.
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34
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Reynaldo.
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35
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As gaming, my lord.
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36
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Polonius.
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37
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Ay, or drinking, fencing, swearing, quarrelling,
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38
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Drabbing. You may go so far.
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39
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Reynaldo.
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40
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My lord, that would dishonour him.
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41
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Polonius.
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42
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Faith, no, as you may season it in the charge.
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43
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You must not put another scandal on him,
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44
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That he is open to incontinency.
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45
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That's not my meaning. But breathe his faults so quaintly
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46
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That they may seem the taints of liberty,
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47
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The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind,
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48
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A savageness in unreclaimed blood,
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Of general assault.
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50
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Reynaldo.
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51
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But, my good lord-
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52
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Polonius.
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53
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Wherefore should you do this?
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54
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Reynaldo.
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55
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Ay, my lord,
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56
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I would know that.
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57
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Polonius.
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58
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Marry, sir, here's my drift,
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59
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And I believe it is a fetch of warrant.
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60
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You laying these slight sullies on my son
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61
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As 'twere a thing a little soil'd i' th' working,
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62
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Mark you,
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63
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Your party in converse, him you would sound,
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64
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Having ever seen in the prenominate crimes
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The youth you breathe of guilty, be assur'd
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66
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He closes with you in this consequence:
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'Good sir,' or so, or 'friend,' or 'gentleman'-
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68
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According to the phrase or the addition
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69
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Of man and country-
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70
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Reynaldo.
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71
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Very good, my lord.
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72
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Polonius.
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73
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And then, sir, does 'a this- 'a does- What was I about to say?
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74
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By the mass, I was about to say something! Where did I leave?
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75
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Reynaldo.
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76
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At 'closes in the consequence,' at 'friend or so,' and
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77
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gentleman.'
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78
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Polonius.
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79
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At 'closes in the consequence'- Ay, marry!
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80
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He closes thus: 'I know the gentleman.
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81
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I saw him yesterday, or t'other day,
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82
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Or then, or then, with such or such; and, as you say,
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83
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There was 'a gaming; there o'ertook in's rouse;
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84
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There falling out at tennis'; or perchance,
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85
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'I saw him enter such a house of sale,'
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86
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Videlicet, a brothel, or so forth.
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87
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See you now-
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88
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Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth;
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89
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And thus do we of wisdom and of reach,
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90
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With windlasses and with assays of bias,
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91
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By indirections find directions out.
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92
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So, by my former lecture and advice,
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93
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Shall you my son. You have me, have you not?
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94
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Reynaldo.
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95
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My lord, I have.
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96
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Polonius.
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97
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God b' wi' ye, fare ye well!
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98
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Reynaldo.
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99
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Good my lord![Going.]
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100
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Polonius.
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101
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Observe his inclination in yourself.
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102
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Reynaldo.
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103
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I shall, my lord.
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104
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Polonius.
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105
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And let him ply his music.
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106
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Reynaldo.
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107
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Well, my lord.
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108
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Polonius.
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109
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Farewell!
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110
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[Exit Reynaldo.]
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111
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[Enter Ophelia.]
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112
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How now, Ophelia? What's the matter?
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113
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Ophelia.
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114
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O my lord, my lord, I have been so affrighted!
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115
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Polonius.
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116
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With what, i' th' name of God?
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117
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Ophelia.
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118
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My lord, as I was sewing in my closet,
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119
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Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbrac'd,
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120
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No hat upon his head, his stockings foul'd,
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121
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Ungart'red, and down-gyved to his ankle;
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122
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Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other,
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123
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And with a look so piteous in purport
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124
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As if he had been loosed out of hell
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125
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To speak of horrors- he comes before me.
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126
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Polonius.
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127
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Mad for thy love?
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128
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Ophelia.
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129
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My lord, I do not know,
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130
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But truly I do fear it.
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131
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Polonius.
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132
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What said he?
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133
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Ophelia.
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134
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He took me by the wrist and held me hard;
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135
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Then goes he to the length of all his arm,
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136
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And, with his other hand thus o'er his brow,
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137
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He falls to such perusal of my face
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138
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As he would draw it. Long stay'd he so.
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139
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At last, a little shaking of mine arm,
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140
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And thrice his head thus waving up and down,
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141
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He rais'd a sigh so piteous and profound
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142
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As it did seem to shatter all his bulk
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143
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And end his being. That done, he lets me go,
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144
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And with his head over his shoulder turn'd
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145
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He seem'd to find his way without his eyes,
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146
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For out o' doors he went without their help
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147
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And to the last bended their light on me.
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148
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Polonius.
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149
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Come, go with me. I will go seek the King.
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150
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This is the very ecstasy of love,
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151
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Whose violent property fordoes itself
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152
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And leads the will to desperate undertakings
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153
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As oft as any passion under heaven
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154
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That does afflict our natures. I am sorry.
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155
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What, have you given him any hard words of late?
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156
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Ophelia.
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157
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No, my good lord; but, as you did command,
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158
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I did repel his letters and denied
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159
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His access to me.
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160
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Polonius.
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161
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That hath made him mad.
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162
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I am sorry that with better heed and judgment
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163
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I had not quoted him. I fear'd he did but trifle
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164
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And meant to wrack thee; but beshrew my jealousy!
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165
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By heaven, it is as proper to our age
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166
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To cast beyond ourselves in our opinions
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167
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As it is common for the younger sort
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168
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To lack discretion. Come, go we to the King.
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169
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This must be known; which, being kept close, might move
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170
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More grief to hide than hate to utter love.
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171
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Come.
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172
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Exeunt.
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2. Act II, Scene 2
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0
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Elsinore. A room in the Castle.
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1
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Flourish. [Enter King and Queen, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, cum aliis.
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2
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Claudius.
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3
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Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
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Moreover that we much did long to see you,
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The need we have to use you did provoke
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Our hasty sending. Something have you heard
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7
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Of Hamlet's transformation. So I call it,
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8
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Sith nor th' exterior nor the inward man
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9
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Resembles that it was. What it should be,
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10
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More than his father's death, that thus hath put him
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So much from th' understanding of himself,
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12
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I cannot dream of. I entreat you both
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13
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That, being of so young days brought up with him,
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14
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And since so neighbour'd to his youth and haviour,
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That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court
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Some little time; so by your companies
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To draw him on to pleasures, and to gather
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So much as from occasion you may glean,
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19
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Whether aught to us unknown afflicts him thus
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20
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That, open'd, lies within our remedy.
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Gertrude.
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22
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Good gentlemen, he hath much talk'd of you,
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23
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And sure I am two men there are not living
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24
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To whom he more adheres. If it will please you
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25
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To show us so much gentry and good will
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26
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As to expend your time with us awhile
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27
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For the supply and profit of our hope,
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28
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Your visitation shall receive such thanks
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29
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As fits a king's remembrance.
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30
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Rosencrantz.
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31
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Both your Majesties
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32
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Might, by the sovereign power you have of us,
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33
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Put your dread pleasures more into command
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34
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Than to entreaty.
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35
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Guildenstern.
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36
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But we both obey,
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37
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And here give up ourselves, in the full bent,
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38
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To lay our service freely at your feet,
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To be commanded.
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40
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Claudius.
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41
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Thanks, Rosencrantz and gentle Guildenstern.
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42
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Gertrude.
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43
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Thanks, Guildenstern and gentle Rosencrantz.
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44
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And I beseech you instantly to visit
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45
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My too much changed son.- Go, some of you,
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46
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And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is.
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47
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Guildenstern.
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48
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Heavens make our presence and our practices
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49
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Pleasant and helpful to him!
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50
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Gertrude.
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51
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Ay, amen!
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52
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Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, [with some Attendants].
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53
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Enter Polonius.
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54
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Polonius.
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55
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Th' ambassadors from Norway, my good lord,
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56
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Are joyfully return'd.
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57
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Claudius.
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58
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Thou still hast been the father of good news.
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59
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Polonius.
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60
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Have I, my lord? Assure you, my good liege,
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61
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I hold my duty as I hold my soul,
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62
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Both to my God and to my gracious king;
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63
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And I do think- or else this brain of mine
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64
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Hunts not the trail of policy so sure
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65
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As it hath us'd to do- that I have found
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66
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The very cause of Hamlet's lunacy.
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67
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Claudius.
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68
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O, speak of that! That do I long to hear.
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69
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Polonius.
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70
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Give first admittance to th' ambassadors.
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71
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My news shall be the fruit to that great feast.
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72
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Claudius.
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73
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Thyself do grace to them, and bring them in.
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74
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[Exit Polonius.]
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75
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He tells me, my dear Gertrude, he hath found
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76
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The head and source of all your son's distemper.
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77
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Gertrude.
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78
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I doubt it is no other but the main,
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79
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His father's death and our o'erhasty marriage.
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80
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Claudius.
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81
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Well, we shall sift him.
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82
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[Enter Polonius, Voltemand, and Cornelius.]
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83
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Welcome, my good friends.
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84
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Say, Voltemand, what from our brother Norway?
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85
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Voltemand.
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86
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Most fair return of greetings and desires.
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87
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Upon our first, he sent out to suppress
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88
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His nephew's levies; which to him appear'd
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89
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To be a preparation 'gainst the Polack,
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90
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But better look'd into, he truly found
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91
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It was against your Highness; whereat griev'd,
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92
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That so his sickness, age, and impotence
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93
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Was falsely borne in hand, sends out arrests
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94
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On Fortinbras; which he, in brief, obeys,
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95
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Receives rebuke from Norway, and, in fine,
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96
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Makes vow before his uncle never more
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97
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To give th' assay of arms against your Majesty.
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98
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Whereon old Norway, overcome with joy,
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99
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Gives him three thousand crowns in annual fee
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100
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And his commission to employ those soldiers,
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101
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So levied as before, against the Polack;
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102
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With an entreaty, herein further shown,
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103
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[Gives a paper.]
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104
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That it might please you to give quiet pass
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105
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Through your dominions for this enterprise,
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106
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On such regards of safety and allowance
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107
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As therein are set down.
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108
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Claudius.
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109
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It likes us well;
|
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110
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And at our more consider'd time we'll read,
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111
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Answer, and think upon this business.
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112
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Meantime we thank you for your well-took labour.
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113
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Go to your rest; at night we'll feast together.
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114
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Most welcome home![Exeunt Ambassadors.]
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115
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Polonius.
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116
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This business is well ended.
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117
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My liege, and madam, to expostulate
|
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118
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What majesty should be, what duty is,
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119
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Why day is day, night is night, and time is time.
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120
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Were nothing but to waste night, day, and time.
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121
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Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,
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122
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And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,
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123
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I will be brief. Your noble son is mad.
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124
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Mad call I it; for, to define true madness,
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125
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What is't but to be nothing else but mad?
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126
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But let that go.
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127
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Gertrude.
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128
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More matter, with less art.
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129
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Polonius.
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130
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Madam, I swear I use no art at all.
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131
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That he is mad, 'tis true: 'tis true 'tis pity;
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132
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And pity 'tis 'tis true. A foolish figure!
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133
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But farewell it, for I will use no art.
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134
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Mad let us grant him then. And now remains
|
|
135
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That we find out the cause of this effect-
|
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136
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Or rather say, the cause of this defect,
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137
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For this effect defective comes by cause.
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138
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Thus it remains, and the remainder thus.
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139
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Perpend.
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140
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I have a daughter(have while she is mine),
|
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141
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Who in her duty and obedience, mark,
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142
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Hath given me this. Now gather, and surmise.
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143
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|
[Reads]the letter.]
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144
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|
'To the celestial, and my soul's idol, the most beautified Ophelia,'-
|
|
145
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|
|
That's an ill phrase, a vile phrase; 'beautified' is a vile phrase.
|
|
146
|
|
|
But you shall hear. Thus:
|
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147
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[Reads.]
|
|
148
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|
'In her excellent white bosom, these, &c.'
|
|
149
|
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|
Gertrude.
|
|
150
|
|
|
Came this from Hamlet to her?
|
|
151
|
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|
Polonius.
|
|
152
|
|
|
Good madam, stay awhile. I will be faithful.[Reads.]
|
|
153
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|
'Doubt thou the stars are fire;
|
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154
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Doubt that the sun doth move;
|
|
155
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Doubt truth to be a liar;
|
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156
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|
But never doubt I love.
|
|
157
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|
'O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers; I have not art to
|
|
158
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|
|
reckon my groans; but that I love thee best, O most best, believe
|
|
159
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|
|
it. Adieu.
|
|
160
|
|
|
'Thine evermore, most dear lady, whilst this machine is to
|
|
161
|
|
|
him, HAMLET.'
|
|
162
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|
|
This, in obedience, hath my daughter shown me;
|
|
163
|
|
|
And more above, hath his solicitings,
|
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164
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|
As they fell out by time, by means, and place,
|
|
165
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|
All given to mine ear.
|
|
166
|
|
|
Claudius.
|
|
167
|
|
|
But how hath she
|
|
168
|
|
|
Receiv'd his love?
|
|
169
|
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|
Polonius.
|
|
170
|
|
|
What do you think of me?
|
|
171
|
|
|
Claudius.
|
|
172
|
|
|
As of a man faithful and honourable.
|
|
173
|
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|
Polonius.
|
|
174
|
|
|
I would fain prove so. But what might you think,
|
|
175
|
|
|
When I had seen this hot love on the wing
|
|
176
|
|
|
(As I perceiv'd it, I must tell you that,
|
|
177
|
|
|
Before my daughter told me), what might you,
|
|
178
|
|
|
Or my dear Majesty your queen here, think,
|
|
179
|
|
|
If I had play'd the desk or table book,
|
|
180
|
|
|
Or given my heart a winking, mute and dumb,
|
|
181
|
|
|
Or look'd upon this love with idle sight?
|
|
182
|
|
|
What might you think? No, I went round to work
|
|
183
|
|
|
And my young mistress thus I did bespeak:
|
|
184
|
|
|
'Lord Hamlet is a prince, out of thy star.
|
|
185
|
|
|
This must not be.' And then I prescripts gave her,
|
|
186
|
|
|
That she should lock herself from his resort,
|
|
187
|
|
|
Admit no messengers, receive no tokens.
|
|
188
|
|
|
Which done, she took the fruits of my advice,
|
|
189
|
|
|
And he, repulsed, a short tale to make,
|
|
190
|
|
|
Fell into a sadness, then into a fast,
|
|
191
|
|
|
Thence to a watch, thence into a weakness,
|
|
192
|
|
|
Thence to a lightness, and, by this declension,
|
|
193
|
|
|
Into the madness wherein now he raves,
|
|
194
|
|
|
And all we mourn for.
|
|
195
|
|
|
Claudius.
|
|
196
|
|
|
Do you think 'tis this?
|
|
197
|
|
|
Gertrude.
|
|
198
|
|
|
it may be, very like.
|
|
199
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
200
|
|
|
Hath there been such a time- I would fain know that-
|
|
201
|
|
|
That I have Positively said 'Tis so,'
|
|
202
|
|
|
When it prov'd otherwise.?
|
|
203
|
|
|
Claudius.
|
|
204
|
|
|
Not that I know.
|
|
205
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
206
|
|
|
[points to his head and shoulder]Take this from this, if this be otherwise.
|
|
207
|
|
|
If circumstances lead me, I will find
|
|
208
|
|
|
Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed
|
|
209
|
|
|
Within the centre.
|
|
210
|
|
|
Claudius.
|
|
211
|
|
|
How may we try it further?
|
|
212
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
213
|
|
|
You know sometimes he walks for hours together
|
|
214
|
|
|
Here in the lobby.
|
|
215
|
|
|
Gertrude.
|
|
216
|
|
|
So he does indeed.
|
|
217
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
218
|
|
|
At such a time I'll loose my daughter to him.
|
|
219
|
|
|
Be you and I behind an arras then.
|
|
220
|
|
|
Mark the encounter. If he love her not,
|
|
221
|
|
|
And he not from his reason fall'n thereon
|
|
222
|
|
|
Let me be no assistant for a state,
|
|
223
|
|
|
But keep a farm and carters.
|
|
224
|
|
|
Claudius.
|
|
225
|
|
|
We will try it.
|
| |
|
226
|
|
|
Enter Hamlet, reading on a book.
|
| |
|
227
|
|
|
Gertrude.
|
|
228
|
|
|
But look where sadly the poor wretch comes reading.
|
|
229
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
230
|
|
|
Away, I do beseech you, both away
|
|
231
|
|
|
I'll board him presently. O, give me leave.
|
|
232
|
|
|
[Exeunt King and Queen, [with Attendants].]
|
|
233
|
|
|
How does my good Lord Hamlet?
|
|
234
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
235
|
|
|
Well, God-a-mercy.
|
|
236
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
237
|
|
|
Do you know me, my lord?
|
|
238
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
239
|
|
|
Excellent well. You are a fishmonger.
|
|
240
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
241
|
|
|
Not I, my lord.
|
|
242
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
243
|
|
|
Then I would you were so honest a man.
|
|
244
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
245
|
|
|
Honest, my lord?
|
|
246
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
247
|
|
|
Ay, sir. To be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man
|
|
248
|
|
|
pick'd out of ten thousand.
|
|
249
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
250
|
|
|
That's very true, my lord.
|
|
251
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
252
|
|
|
For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a god
|
|
253
|
|
|
kissing carrion- Have you a daughter?
|
|
254
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
255
|
|
|
I have, my lord.
|
|
256
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
257
|
|
|
Let her not walk i' th' sun. Conception is a blessing, but not
|
|
258
|
|
|
as your daughter may conceive. Friend, look to't.
|
|
259
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
260
|
|
|
[aside]How say you by that? Still harping on my daughter. Yet
|
|
261
|
|
|
he knew me not at first. He said I was a fishmonger. He is far
|
|
262
|
|
|
gone, far gone! And truly in my youth I suff'red much extremity
|
|
263
|
|
|
for love- very near this. I'll speak to him again.- What do you
|
|
264
|
|
|
read, my lord?
|
|
265
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
266
|
|
|
Words, words, words.
|
|
267
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
268
|
|
|
What is the matter, my lord?
|
|
269
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
270
|
|
|
Between who?
|
|
271
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
272
|
|
|
I mean, the matter that you read, my lord.
|
|
273
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
274
|
|
|
Slanders, sir; for the satirical rogue says here that old men
|
|
275
|
|
|
have grey beards; that their faces are wrinkled; their eyes
|
|
276
|
|
|
purging thick amber and plum-tree gum; and that they have a
|
|
277
|
|
|
plentiful lack of wit, together with most weak hams. All which,
|
|
278
|
|
|
sir, though I most powerfully and potently believe, yet I hold it
|
|
279
|
|
|
not honesty to have it thus set down; for you yourself, sir,
|
|
280
|
|
|
should be old as I am if, like a crab, you could go backward.
|
|
281
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
282
|
|
|
[aside]Though this be madness, yet there is a method in't.-
|
|
283
|
|
|
Will You walk out of the air, my lord?
|
|
284
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
285
|
|
|
Into my grave?
|
|
286
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
287
|
|
|
Indeed, that is out o' th' air.[Aside]How pregnant sometimes
|
|
288
|
|
|
his replies are! a happiness that often madness hits on, which
|
|
289
|
|
|
reason and sanity could not so prosperously be delivered of. I
|
|
290
|
|
|
will leave him and suddenly contrive the means of meeting between
|
|
291
|
|
|
him and my daughter.- My honourable lord, I will most humbly take
|
|
292
|
|
|
my leave of you.
|
|
293
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
294
|
|
|
You cannot, sir, take from me anything that I will more
|
|
295
|
|
|
willingly part withal- except my life, except my life, except my
|
|
296
|
|
|
life,
|
| |
|
297
|
|
|
Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
|
| |
|
298
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
299
|
|
|
Fare you well, my lord.
|
|
300
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
301
|
|
|
These tedious old fools!
|
|
302
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
303
|
|
|
You go to seek the Lord Hamlet. There he is.
|
|
304
|
|
|
Rosencrantz.
|
|
305
|
|
|
[to Polonius]God save you, sir!
|
| |
|
306
|
|
|
Exit [Polonius].
|
| |
|
307
|
|
|
Guildenstern.
|
|
308
|
|
|
My honour'd lord!
|
|
309
|
|
|
Rosencrantz.
|
|
310
|
|
|
My most dear lord!
|
|
311
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
312
|
|
|
My excellent good friends! How dost thou, Guildenstern? Ah,
|
|
313
|
|
|
Rosencrantz! Good lads, how do ye both?
|
|
314
|
|
|
Rosencrantz.
|
|
315
|
|
|
As the indifferent children of the earth.
|
|
316
|
|
|
Guildenstern.
|
|
317
|
|
|
Happy in that we are not over-happy.
|
|
318
|
|
|
On Fortune's cap we are not the very button.
|
|
319
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
320
|
|
|
Nor the soles of her shoe?
|
|
321
|
|
|
Rosencrantz.
|
|
322
|
|
|
Neither, my lord.
|
|
323
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
324
|
|
|
Then you live about her waist, or in the middle of her
|
|
325
|
|
|
favours?
|
|
326
|
|
|
Guildenstern.
|
|
327
|
|
|
Faith, her privates we.
|
|
328
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
329
|
|
|
In the secret parts of Fortune? O! most true! she is a
|
|
330
|
|
|
strumpet. What news ?
|
|
331
|
|
|
Rosencrantz.
|
|
332
|
|
|
None, my lord, but that the world's grown honest.
|
|
333
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
334
|
|
|
Then is doomsday near! But your news is not true. Let me
|
|
335
|
|
|
question more in particular. What have you, my good friends,
|
|
336
|
|
|
deserved at the hands of Fortune that she sends you to prison
|
|
337
|
|
|
hither?
|
|
338
|
|
|
Guildenstern.
|
|
339
|
|
|
Prison, my lord?
|
|
340
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
341
|
|
|
Denmark's a prison.
|
|
342
|
|
|
Rosencrantz.
|
|
343
|
|
|
Then is the world one.
|
|
344
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
345
|
|
|
A goodly one; in which there are many confines, wards, and
|
|
346
|
|
|
dungeons, Denmark being one o' th' worst.
|
|
347
|
|
|
Rosencrantz.
|
|
348
|
|
|
We think not so, my lord.
|
|
349
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
350
|
|
|
Why, then 'tis none to you; for there is nothing either good
|
|
351
|
|
|
or bad but thinking makes it so. To me it is a prison.
|
|
352
|
|
|
Rosencrantz.
|
|
353
|
|
|
Why, then your ambition makes it one. 'Tis too narrow for your
|
|
354
|
|
|
mind.
|
|
355
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
356
|
|
|
O God, I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself a
|
|
357
|
|
|
king of infinite space, were it not that I have bad dreams.
|
|
358
|
|
|
Guildenstern.
|
|
359
|
|
|
Which dreams indeed are ambition; for the very substance of
|
|
360
|
|
|
the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream.
|
|
361
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
362
|
|
|
A dream itself is but a shadow.
|
|
363
|
|
|
Rosencrantz.
|
|
364
|
|
|
Truly, and I hold ambition of so airy and light a quality that
|
|
365
|
|
|
it is but a shadow's shadow.
|
|
366
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
367
|
|
|
Then are our beggars bodies, and our monarchs and outstretch'd
|
|
368
|
|
|
heroes the beggars' shadows. Shall we to th' court? for, by my
|
|
369
|
|
|
fay, I cannot reason.
|
|
370
|
|
|
Rosencrantz.
|
|
371
|
|
|
[with Guildenstern]We'll wait upon you.
|
|
372
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
373
|
|
|
No such matter! I will not sort you with the rest of my
|
|
374
|
|
|
servants; for, to speak to you like an honest man, I am most
|
|
375
|
|
|
dreadfully attended. But in the beaten way of friendship, what
|
|
376
|
|
|
make you at Elsinore?
|
|
377
|
|
|
Rosencrantz.
|
|
378
|
|
|
To visit you, my lord; no other occasion.
|
|
379
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
380
|
|
|
Beggar that I am, I am even poor in thanks; but I thank you;
|
|
381
|
|
|
and sure, dear friends, my thanks are too dear a halfpenny. Were
|
|
382
|
|
|
you not sent for? Is it your own inclining? Is it a free
|
|
383
|
|
|
visitation? Come, deal justly with me. Come, come! Nay, speak.
|
|
384
|
|
|
Guildenstern.
|
|
385
|
|
|
What should we say, my lord?
|
|
386
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
387
|
|
|
Why, anything- but to th' purpose. You were sent for; and
|
|
388
|
|
|
there is a kind of confession in your looks, which your modesties
|
|
389
|
|
|
have not craft enough to colour. I know the good King and Queen
|
|
390
|
|
|
have sent for you.
|
|
391
|
|
|
Rosencrantz.
|
|
392
|
|
|
To what end, my lord?
|
|
393
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
394
|
|
|
That you must teach me. But let me conjure you by the rights
|
|
395
|
|
|
of our fellowship, by the consonancy of our youth, by the
|
|
396
|
|
|
obligation of our ever-preserved love, and by what more dear a
|
|
397
|
|
|
better proposer could charge you withal, be even and direct with
|
|
398
|
|
|
me, whether you were sent for or no.
|
|
399
|
|
|
Rosencrantz.
|
|
400
|
|
|
[aside to Guildenstern]What say you?
|
|
401
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
402
|
|
|
[aside]Nay then, I have an eye of you.- If you love me, hold
|
|
403
|
|
|
not off.
|
|
404
|
|
|
Guildenstern.
|
|
405
|
|
|
My lord, we were sent for.
|
|
406
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
407
|
|
|
I will tell you why. So shall my anticipation prevent your
|
|
408
|
|
|
discovery, and your secrecy to the King and Queen moult no
|
|
409
|
|
|
feather. I have of late- but wherefore I know not- lost all my
|
|
410
|
|
|
mirth, forgone all custom of exercises; and indeed, it goes so
|
|
411
|
|
|
heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame, the earth,
|
|
412
|
|
|
seems to me a sterile promontory; this most excellent canopy, the
|
|
413
|
|
|
air, look you, this brave o'erhanging firmament, this majestical
|
|
414
|
|
|
roof fretted with golden fire- why, it appeareth no other thing
|
|
415
|
|
|
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours. What a
|
|
416
|
|
|
piece of work is a man! how noble in reason! how infinite in
|
|
417
|
|
|
faculties! in form and moving how express and admirable! in
|
|
418
|
|
|
action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god! the
|
|
419
|
|
|
beauty of the world, the paragon of animals! And yet to me what
|
|
420
|
|
|
is this quintessence of dust? Man delights not me- no, nor woman
|
|
421
|
|
|
neither, though by your smiling you seem to say so.
|
|
422
|
|
|
Rosencrantz.
|
|
423
|
|
|
My lord, there was no such stuff in my thoughts.
|
|
424
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
425
|
|
|
Why did you laugh then, when I said 'Man delights not me'?
|
|
426
|
|
|
Rosencrantz.
|
|
427
|
|
|
To think, my lord, if you delight not in man, what lenten
|
|
428
|
|
|
entertainment the players shall receive from you. We coted them
|
|
429
|
|
|
on the way, and hither are they coming to offer you service.
|
|
430
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
431
|
|
|
He that plays the king shall be welcome- his Majesty shall
|
|
432
|
|
|
have tribute of me; the adventurous knight shall use his foil and
|
|
433
|
|
|
target; the lover shall not sigh gratis; the humorous man shall
|
|
434
|
|
|
end his part in peace; the clown shall make those laugh whose
|
|
435
|
|
|
lungs are tickle o' th' sere; and the lady shall say her mind
|
|
436
|
|
|
freely, or the blank verse shall halt for't. What players are
|
|
437
|
|
|
they?
|
|
438
|
|
|
Rosencrantz.
|
|
439
|
|
|
Even those you were wont to take such delight in, the
|
|
440
|
|
|
tragedians of the city.
|
|
441
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
442
|
|
|
How chances it they travel? Their residence, both in
|
|
443
|
|
|
reputation and profit, was better both ways.
|
|
444
|
|
|
Rosencrantz.
|
|
445
|
|
|
I think their inhibition comes by the means of the late
|
|
446
|
|
|
innovation.
|
|
447
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
448
|
|
|
Do they hold the same estimation they did when I was in the
|
|
449
|
|
|
city? Are they so follow'd?
|
|
450
|
|
|
Rosencrantz.
|
|
451
|
|
|
No indeed are they not.
|
|
452
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
453
|
|
|
How comes it? Do they grow rusty?
|
|
454
|
|
|
Rosencrantz.
|
|
455
|
|
|
Nay, their endeavour keeps in the wonted pace; but there is,
|
|
456
|
|
|
sir, an eyrie of children, little eyases, that cry out on the top
|
|
457
|
|
|
of question and are most tyrannically clapp'd for't. These are now
|
|
458
|
|
|
the fashion, and so berattle the common stages(so they call
|
|
459
|
|
|
them)that many wearing rapiers are afraid of goosequills and
|
|
460
|
|
|
dare scarce come thither.
|
|
461
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
462
|
|
|
What, are they children? Who maintains 'em? How are they
|
|
463
|
|
|
escoted? Will they pursue the quality no longer than they can
|
|
464
|
|
|
sing? Will they not say afterwards, if they should grow
|
|
465
|
|
|
themselves to common players(as it is most like, if their means
|
|
466
|
|
|
are no better), their writers do them wrong to make them exclaim
|
|
467
|
|
|
against their own succession.
|
|
468
|
|
|
Rosencrantz.
|
|
469
|
|
|
Faith, there has been much to do on both sides; and the nation
|
|
470
|
|
|
holds it no sin to tarre them to controversy. There was, for a
|
|
471
|
|
|
while, no money bid for argument unless the poet and the player
|
|
472
|
|
|
went to cuffs in the question.
|
|
473
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
474
|
|
|
Is't possible?
|
|
475
|
|
|
Guildenstern.
|
|
476
|
|
|
O, there has been much throwing about of brains.
|
|
477
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
478
|
|
|
Do the boys carry it away?
|
|
479
|
|
|
Rosencrantz.
|
|
480
|
|
|
Ay, that they do, my lord- Hercules and his load too.
|
|
481
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
482
|
|
|
It is not very strange; for my uncle is King of Denmark, and
|
|
483
|
|
|
those that would make mows at him while my father lived give
|
|
484
|
|
|
twenty, forty, fifty, a hundred ducats apiece for his picture in
|
|
485
|
|
|
little. 'Sblood, there is something in this more than natural, if
|
|
486
|
|
|
philosophy could find it out.
|
| |
|
487
|
|
|
Flourish for the Players.
|
| |
|
488
|
|
|
Guildenstern.
|
|
489
|
|
|
There are the players.
|
|
490
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
491
|
|
|
Gentlemen, you are welcome to Elsinore. Your hands, come! Th'
|
|
492
|
|
|
appurtenance of welcome is fashion and ceremony. Let me comply
|
|
493
|
|
|
with you in this garb, lest my extent to the players(which I
|
|
494
|
|
|
tell you must show fairly outwards)should more appear like
|
|
495
|
|
|
entertainment than yours. You are welcome. But my uncle-father
|
|
496
|
|
|
and aunt-mother are deceiv'd.
|
|
497
|
|
|
Guildenstern.
|
|
498
|
|
|
In what, my dear lord?
|
|
499
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
500
|
|
|
I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly I
|
|
501
|
|
|
know a hawk from a handsaw.
|
| |
|
502
|
|
|
Enter Polonius.
|
| |
|
503
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
504
|
|
|
Well be with you, gentlemen!
|
|
505
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
506
|
|
|
Hark you, Guildenstern- and you too- at each ear a hearer!
|
|
507
|
|
|
That great baby you see there is not yet out of his swaddling
|
|
508
|
|
|
clouts.
|
|
509
|
|
|
Rosencrantz.
|
|
510
|
|
|
Happily he's the second time come to them; for they say an old
|
|
511
|
|
|
man is twice a child.
|
|
512
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
513
|
|
|
I will prophesy he comes to tell me of the players. Mark it.-
|
|
514
|
|
|
You say right, sir; a Monday morning; twas so indeed.
|
|
515
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
516
|
|
|
My lord, I have news to tell you.
|
|
517
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
518
|
|
|
My lord, I have news to tell you. When Roscius was an actor in Rome-
|
|
519
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
520
|
|
|
The actors are come hither, my lord.
|
|
521
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
522
|
|
|
Buzz, buzz!
|
|
523
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
524
|
|
|
Upon my honour-
|
|
525
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
526
|
|
|
Then came each actor on his ass-
|
|
527
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
528
|
|
|
The best actors in the world, either for tragedy, comedy,
|
|
529
|
|
|
history, pastoral, pastoral-comical, historical-pastoral,
|
|
530
|
|
|
tragical-historical, tragical-comical-historical-pastoral; scene
|
|
531
|
|
|
individable, or poem unlimited. Seneca cannot be too heavy, nor
|
|
532
|
|
|
Plautus too light. For the law of writ and the liberty, these are
|
|
533
|
|
|
the only men.
|
|
534
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
535
|
|
|
O Jephthah, judge of Israel, what a treasure hadst thou!
|
|
536
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
537
|
|
|
What treasure had he, my lord?
|
|
538
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
539
|
|
|
Why,
|
|
540
|
|
|
'One fair daughter, and no more,
|
|
541
|
|
|
The which he loved passing well.'
|
|
542
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
543
|
|
|
[aside]Still on my daughter.
|
|
544
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
545
|
|
|
Am I not i' th' right, old Jephthah?
|
|
546
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
547
|
|
|
If you call me Jephthah, my lord, I have a daughter that I
|
|
548
|
|
|
love passing well.
|
|
549
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
550
|
|
|
Nay, that follows not.
|
|
551
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
552
|
|
|
What follows then, my lord?
|
|
553
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
554
|
|
|
Why,
|
|
555
|
|
|
'As by lot, God wot,'
|
|
556
|
|
|
and then, you know,
|
|
557
|
|
|
'It came to pass, as most like it was.'
|
|
558
|
|
|
The first row of the pious chanson will show you more; for look
|
|
559
|
|
|
where my abridgment comes.
|
|
560
|
|
|
[Enter four or five Players.]
|
|
561
|
|
|
You are welcome, masters; welcome, all.- I am glad to see thee
|
|
562
|
|
|
well.- Welcome, good friends.- O, my old friend? Why, thy face is
|
|
563
|
|
|
valanc'd since I saw thee last. Com'st' thou to' beard me in
|
|
564
|
|
|
Denmark?- What, my young lady and mistress? By'r Lady, your
|
|
565
|
|
|
ladyship is nearer to heaven than when I saw you last by the
|
|
566
|
|
|
altitude of a chopine. Pray God your voice, like a piece of
|
|
567
|
|
|
uncurrent gold, be not crack'd within the ring.- Masters, you are
|
|
568
|
|
|
all welcome. We'll e'en to't like French falconers, fly at
|
|
569
|
|
|
anything we see. We'll have a speech straight. Come, give us a
|
|
570
|
|
|
taste of your quality. Come, a passionate speech.
|
|
571
|
|
|
First Player.
|
|
572
|
|
|
What speech, my good lord?
|
|
573
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
574
|
|
|
I heard thee speak me a speech once, but it was never acted;
|
|
575
|
|
|
or if it was, not above once; for the play, I remember, pleas'd
|
|
576
|
|
|
not the million, 'twas caviary to the general; but it was(as I
|
|
577
|
|
|
receiv'd it, and others, whose judgments in such matters cried in
|
|
578
|
|
|
the top of mine)an excellent play, well digested in the scenes,
|
|
579
|
|
|
set down with as much modesty as cunning. I remember one said
|
|
580
|
|
|
there were no sallets in the lines to make the matter savoury,
|
|
581
|
|
|
nor no matter in the phrase that might indict the author of
|
|
582
|
|
|
affectation; but call'd it an honest method, as wholesome as
|
|
583
|
|
|
sweet, and by very much more handsome than fine. One speech in't
|
|
584
|
|
|
I chiefly lov'd. 'Twas AEneas' tale to Dido, and thereabout of it
|
|
585
|
|
|
especially where he speaks of Priam's slaughter. If it live in
|
|
586
|
|
|
your memory, begin at this line- let me see, let me see:
|
|
587
|
|
|
'The rugged Pyrrhus, like th' Hyrcanian beast-'
|
|
588
|
|
|
'Tis not so; it begins with Pyrrhus:
|
|
589
|
|
|
'The rugged Pyrrhus, he whose sable arms,
|
|
590
|
|
|
Black as his purpose, did the night resemble
|
|
591
|
|
|
When he lay couched in the ominous horse,
|
|
592
|
|
|
Hath now this dread and black complexion smear'd
|
|
593
|
|
|
With heraldry more dismal. Head to foot
|
|
594
|
|
|
Now is be total gules, horridly trick'd
|
|
595
|
|
|
With blood of fathers, mothers, daughters, sons,
|
|
596
|
|
|
Bak'd and impasted with the parching streets,
|
|
597
|
|
|
That lend a tyrannous and a damned light
|
|
598
|
|
|
To their lord's murther. Roasted in wrath and fire,
|
|
599
|
|
|
And thus o'ersized with coagulate gore,
|
|
600
|
|
|
With eyes like carbuncles, the hellish Pyrrhus
|
|
601
|
|
|
Old grandsire Priam seeks.'
|
|
602
|
|
|
So, proceed you.
|
|
603
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
604
|
|
|
Fore God, my lord, well spoken, with good accent and good discretion.
|
|
605
|
|
|
First Player.
|
|
606
|
|
|
'Anon he finds him,
|
|
607
|
|
|
Striking too short at Greeks. His antique sword,
|
|
608
|
|
|
Rebellious to his arm, lies where it falls,
|
|
609
|
|
|
Repugnant to command. Unequal match'd,
|
|
610
|
|
|
Pyrrhus at Priam drives, in rage strikes wide;
|
|
611
|
|
|
But with the whiff and wind of his fell sword
|
|
612
|
|
|
Th' unnerved father falls. Then senseless Ilium,
|
|
613
|
|
|
Seeming to feel this blow, with flaming top
|
|
614
|
|
|
Stoops to his base, and with a hideous crash
|
|
615
|
|
|
Takes prisoner Pyrrhus' ear. For lo! his sword,
|
|
616
|
|
|
Which was declining on the milky head
|
|
617
|
|
|
Of reverend Priam, seem'd i' th' air to stick.
|
|
618
|
|
|
So, as a painted tyrant, Pyrrhus stood,
|
|
619
|
|
|
And, like a neutral to his will and matter,
|
|
620
|
|
|
Did nothing.
|
|
621
|
|
|
But, as we often see, against some storm,
|
|
622
|
|
|
A silence in the heavens, the rack stand still,
|
|
623
|
|
|
The bold winds speechless, and the orb below
|
|
624
|
|
|
As hush as death- anon the dreadful thunder
|
|
625
|
|
|
Doth rend the region; so, after Pyrrhus' pause,
|
|
626
|
|
|
Aroused vengeance sets him new awork;
|
|
627
|
|
|
And never did the Cyclops' hammers fall
|
|
628
|
|
|
On Mars's armour, forg'd for proof eterne,
|
|
629
|
|
|
With less remorse than Pyrrhus' bleeding sword
|
|
630
|
|
|
Now falls on Priam.
|
|
631
|
|
|
Out, out, thou strumpet Fortune! All you gods,
|
|
632
|
|
|
In general synod take away her power;
|
|
633
|
|
|
Break all the spokes and fellies from her wheel,
|
|
634
|
|
|
And bowl the round nave down the hill of heaven,
|
|
635
|
|
|
As low as to the fiends!
|
|
636
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
637
|
|
|
This is too long.
|
|
638
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
639
|
|
|
It shall to the barber's, with your beard.- Prithee say on.
|
|
640
|
|
|
He's for a jig or a tale of bawdry, or he sleeps. Say on; come to
|
|
641
|
|
|
Hecuba.
|
|
642
|
|
|
First Player.
|
|
643
|
|
|
'But who, O who, had seen the mobled queen-'
|
|
644
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
645
|
|
|
'The mobled queen'?
|
|
646
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
647
|
|
|
That's good! 'Mobled queen' is good.
|
|
648
|
|
|
First Player.
|
|
649
|
|
|
'Run barefoot up and down, threat'ning the flames
|
|
650
|
|
|
With bisson rheum; a clout upon that head
|
|
651
|
|
|
Where late the diadem stood, and for a robe,
|
|
652
|
|
|
About her lank and all o'erteemed loins,
|
|
653
|
|
|
A blanket, in the alarm of fear caught up-
|
|
654
|
|
|
Who this had seen, with tongue in venom steep'd
|
|
655
|
|
|
'Gainst Fortune's state would treason have pronounc'd.
|
|
656
|
|
|
But if the gods themselves did see her then,
|
|
657
|
|
|
When she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport
|
|
658
|
|
|
In Mincing with his sword her husband's limbs,
|
|
659
|
|
|
The instant burst of clamour that she made
|
|
660
|
|
|
(Unless things mortal move them not at all)
|
|
661
|
|
|
Would have made milch the burning eyes of heaven
|
|
662
|
|
|
And passion in the gods.'
|
|
663
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
664
|
|
|
Look, whe'r he has not turn'd his colour, and has tears in's
|
|
665
|
|
|
eyes. Prithee no more!
|
|
666
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
667
|
|
|
'Tis well. I'll have thee speak out the rest of this soon.-
|
|
668
|
|
|
Good my lord, will you see the players well bestow'd? Do you
|
|
669
|
|
|
hear? Let them be well us'd; for they are the abstract and brief
|
|
670
|
|
|
chronicles of the time. After your death you were better have a
|
|
671
|
|
|
bad epitaph than their ill report while you live.
|
|
672
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
673
|
|
|
My lord, I will use them according to their desert.
|
|
674
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
675
|
|
|
God's bodykins, man, much better! Use every man after his
|
|
676
|
|
|
desert, and who should scape whipping? Use them after your own
|
|
677
|
|
|
honour and dignity. The less they deserve, the more merit is in
|
|
678
|
|
|
your bounty. Take them in.
|
|
679
|
|
|
Polonius.
|
|
680
|
|
|
Come, sirs.
|
|
681
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
682
|
|
|
Follow him, friends. We'll hear a play to-morrow.
|
|
683
|
|
|
[Exeunt Polonius and Players [except the First].]
|
|
684
|
|
|
Dost thou hear me, old friend? Can you play 'The Murther of
|
|
685
|
|
|
Gonzago'?
|
|
686
|
|
|
First Player.
|
|
687
|
|
|
Ay, my lord.
|
|
688
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
689
|
|
|
We'll ha't to-morrow night. You could, for a need, study a
|
|
690
|
|
|
speech of some dozen or sixteen lines which I would set down and
|
|
691
|
|
|
insert in't, could you not?
|
|
692
|
|
|
First Player.
|
|
693
|
|
|
Ay, my lord.
|
|
694
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
695
|
|
|
Very well. Follow that lord- and look you mock him not.
|
|
696
|
|
|
[Exit First Player.]
|
|
697
|
|
|
My good friends, I'll leave you till night. You are welcome to
|
|
698
|
|
|
Elsinore.
|
|
699
|
|
|
Rosencrantz.
|
|
700
|
|
|
Good my lord!
|
|
701
|
|
|
Hamlet.
|
|
702
|
|
|
Ay, so, God b' wi' ye!
|
|
703
|
|
|
[Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern]
|
|
704
|
|
|
Now I am alone.
|
|
705
|
|
|
O what a rogue and peasant slave am I!
|
|
706
|
|
|
Is it not monstrous that this player here,
|
|
707
|
|
|
But in a fiction, in a dream of passion,
|
|
708
|
|
|
Could force his soul so to his own conceit
|
|
709
|
|
|
That, from her working, all his visage wann'd,
|
|
710
|
|
|
Tears in his eyes, distraction in's aspect,
|
|
711
|
|
|
A broken voice, and his whole function suiting
|
|
712
|
|
|
With forms to his conceit? And all for nothing!
|
|
713
|
|
|
For Hecuba!
|
|
714
|
|
|
What's Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba,
|
|
715
|
|
|
That he should weep for her? What would he do,
|
|
716
|
|
|
Had he the motive and the cue for passion
|
|
717
|
|
|
That I have? He would drown the stage with tears
|
|
718
|
|
|
And cleave the general ear with horrid speech;
|
|
719
|
|
|
Make mad the guilty and appal the free,
|
|
720
|
|
|
Confound the ignorant, and amaze indeed
|
|
721
|
|
|
The very faculties of eyes and ears.
|
|
722
|
|
|
Yet I,
|
|
723
|
|
|
A dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peak
|
|
724
|
|
|
Like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause,
|
|
725
|
|
|
And can say nothing! No, not for a king,
|
|
726
|
|
|
Upon whose property and most dear life
|
|
727
|
|
|
A damn'd defeat was made. Am I a coward?
|
|
728
|
|
|
Who calls me villain? breaks my pate across?
|
|
729
|
|
|
Plucks off my beard and blows it in my face?
|
|
730
|
|
|
Tweaks me by th' nose? gives me the lie i' th' throat
|
|
731
|
|
|
As deep as to the lungs? Who does me this, ha?
|
|
732
|
|
|
'Swounds, I should take it! for it cannot be
|
|
733
|
|
|
But I am pigeon-liver'd and lack gall
|
|
734
|
|
|
To make oppression bitter, or ere this
|
|
735
|
|
|
I should have fatted all the region kites
|
|
736
|
|
|
With this slave's offal. Bloody bawdy villain!
|
|
737
|
|
|
Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain!
|
|
738
|
|
|
O, vengeance!
|
|
739
|
|
|
Why, what an ass am I! This is most brave,
|
|
740
|
|
|
That I, the son of a dear father murther'd,
|
|
741
|
|
|
Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell,
|
|
742
|
|
|
Must(like a whore)unpack my heart with words
|
|
743
|
|
|
And fall a-cursing like a very drab,
|
|
744
|
|
|
A scullion!
|
|
745
|
|
|
Fie upon't! foh! About, my brain! Hum, I have heard
|
|
746
|
|
|
That guilty creatures, sitting at a play,
|
|
747
|
|
|
Have by the very cunning of the scene
|
|
748
|
|
|
Been struck so to the soul that presently
|
|
749
|
|
|
They have proclaim'd their malefactions;
|
|
750
|
|
|
For murther, though it have no tongue, will speak
|
|
751
|
|
|
With most miraculous organ, I'll have these Players
|
|
752
|
|
|
Play something like the murther of my father
|
|
753
|
|
|
Before mine uncle. I'll observe his looks;
|
|
754
|
|
|
I'll tent him to the quick. If he but blench,
|
|
755
|
|
|
I know my course. The spirit that I have seen
|
|
756
|
|
|
May be a devil; and the devil hath power
|
|
757
|
|
|
T' assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps
|
|
758
|
|
|
Out of my weakness and my melancholy,
|
|
759
|
|
|
As he is very potent with such spirits,
|
|
760
|
|
|
Abuses me to damn me. I'll have grounds
|
|
761
|
|
|
More relative than this. The play's the thing
|
