Part 3

[Footnote I.112: _Unhousel'd, disappointed, unanel'd_;] To _housel_ is to minister the sacrament to one lying on his death bed. _Disappointed_ is the same as unappointed, which here means unprepared. _Unanel'd_ is without extreme unction.]

[Footnote I.113: _Luxury_] Lasciviousness.]

[Footnote I.114: _Pale his uneffectual fire:_] _i.e._, not seen by the light of day; or it may mean, shining without heat.]

[Footnote I.115: _In this distracted globe._] _i.e._, his head distracted with thought.]

[Footnote I.116: _Pressures past_,] Impressions heretofore made.]

[Footnote I.117: _Come, bird, come._] This is the call which falconers used to their hawk in the air when they would have him come down to them.]

[Footnote I.118:

_There's ne'er a villain dwelling in all Denmark-- But he's an arrant knave._]

Hamlet probably begins these words in the ardour of confidence and sincerity; but suddenly alarmed at the magnitude of the disclosure he was going to make, and considering that, not his friend Horatio only, but another person was present, he breaks off suddenly:--"There's ne'er a villain in all Denmark that can match (perhaps he would have said) my uncle in villainy; but recollecting the danger of such a declaration, he pauses for a moment, and then abruptly concludes:--"but he's an arrant knave."]

[Footnote I.119: _Whirling words_,] Random words thrown out with no specific aim.]

[Footnote I.120: _By Saint Patrick_,] At this time all the whole northern world had their learning from Ireland; to which place it had retired, and there flourished under the auspices of this Saint.]

[Footnote I.121: _O'er-master it_] Get the better of it.]

[Footnote I.122: _Give it welcome._] Receive it courteously, as you would a stranger when introduced.]

[Footnote I.123: _Antick disposition_] _i.e._, strange, foreign to my nature, a disposition which Hamlet assumes as a protection against the danger which he apprehends from his uncle, and as a cloak for the concealment of his own meditated designs.]

[Footnote I.124: _Arms encumber'd thus_,] _i.e._, folded.]

[Footnote I.125: _Friending to you--shall not lack_] Disposition to serve you shall not be wanting.]

## ACT II.

## SCENE I.--A ROOM IN POLONIUS'S HOUSE.

_Enter_ POLONIUS[1] (L.H.), _meeting Ophelia._ (R.H.)

_Pol._ How now, Ophelia! What's the matter?

_Oph._ O, my lord, my lord, I have been so affrighted!

_Pol._ With what, in the name of Heaven?

_Oph._ My lord, as I was sewing in my closet, Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbrac'd; Pale as his shirt; his knees knocking each other, And with a look so piteous in purport, He comes before me.

_Pol._ Mad for thy love?

_Oph._ My lord, I do not know; But, truly, I do fear it.

_Pol._ What said he?

_Oph._ He took me by the wrist, and held me hard; Then goes he to the length of all his arm; And, with his other hand thus o'er his brow, He falls to such perusal of my face As he would draw it. Long staid he so; At last,--a little shaking of mine arm, And thrice his head thus waving up and down, He rais'd a sigh so piteous and profound, As it did seem to shatter all his bulk,[2] And end his being: That done, he lets me go: And, with his head over his shoulder turn'd, He seem'd to find his way without his eyes; For out o'doors he went without their helps, And, to the last, bended their light on me.

_Pol._ Come, go with me; I will go seek the king. This is the very ecstacy of love;[3] What, have you given him any hard words of late?

_Oph._ No, my good lord; but, as you did command, I did repel his letters, and denied His access to me.

_Pol._ That hath made him mad. Come, go we to the king: This must be known; which, being kept close, might move More grief to hide than hate to utter love.[4] Come. [_Exeunt_ L.H.]

## SCENE II.--A ROOM IN THE CASTLE.

_Enter_ KING, QUEEN, ROSENCRANTZ, GUILDENSTERN, _and_ Attendants (R.H.)

_King._ (C.) Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern! Moreover that we much did long to see you, The need we have to use you did provoke Our hasty sending. Something have you heard Of Hamlet's transformation. What it should be, More than his father's death, that thus hath put him So much from the understanding of himself,[5] I cannot dream of: I entreat you both, That you vouchsafe your rest[6] here in our court Some little time: so by your companies To draw him on to pleasures, and to gather, Whether aught, to us unknown, afflicts him thus, That, open'd, lies within our remedy.

_Queen._ (R.C.) Good gentlemen, he hath much talk'd of you; And sure I am two men there are not living To whom he more adheres. If it will please you So to expend your time with us a while, Your visitation shall receive such thanks As fits a king's remembrance.

_Ros._ (R.) Both your majesties Might, by the sovereign power you have of us,[7] Put your dread pleasures more into command Than to entreaty.

_Guil._ (R.) But we both obey, And here give up ourselves, in the full bent,[8] To lay our service freely at your feet.

_King._ Thanks, Rosencrantz and gentle Guildenstern.

_Queen._ I do beseech you instantly to visit My too much changèd son. Go, some of you, And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is. [_Exeunt_ ROSENCRANTZ, GUILDENSTERN, _and_ Attendants, R.H.]

_Enter_ POLONIUS (L.H.)

_Pol._ Now do I think (or else this brain of mine Hunts not the trail of policy[9] so sure As it hath us'd to do), that I have found The very cause of Hamlet's lunacy.

_King._ (C.) O, speak of that; that do I long to hear.

_Pol._ (L.C.) My liege, and madam, to expostulate[10] What majesty should be, what duty is, Why day is day, night night, and time is time, Were nothing but to waste night, day, and time; Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit, And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,-- I will be brief:--Your noble son is mad: Mad call I it; for, to define true madness, What is't, but to be nothing else but mad? But let that go.

_Queen._ (R.C.) More matter, with less art.

_Pol._ Madam, I swear I use no art at all. That he is mad, 'tis true: 'tis true 'tis pity; And pity 'tis, 'tis true: a foolish figure; But farewell it, for I will use no art. Mad let us grant him, then: and now remains That we find out the cause of this effect, Or, rather say, the cause of this defect, For this effect defective comes by cause: Thus it remains, and the remainder thus, Perpend.[11] I have a daughter, have, while she is mine, Who, in her duty and obedience, mark, Hath given me this: Now gather, and surmise.

[Reads] _To the celestial, and my soul's idol, the most beautified Ophelia,--_[12]

That's an ill phrase, a vile phrase, _beautified_ is a vile phrase: but you shall hear. Thus:

_In her excellent white bosom,[13] these_, &c.[14]

_Queen._ Came this from Hamlet to her?

_Pol._ Good madam, stay awhile; I will be faithful.-- [_Reads._]

_Doubt thou the stars are fire;_ _Doubt thou the sun doth move;_ _Doubt truth to be a liar;_ _But never doubt, I love._

_O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers;[15] I have not art to reckon my groans: but that I love thee best, O most best,[16] believe it. Adieu._

_Thine evermore, most dear lady, whilst this machine is to him_,[17] Hamlet.

This, in obedience, hath my daughter shown me: And more above,[18] hath his solicitings,[19] As they fell out by time, by means, and place, All given to my ear.

_King._ But how hath she Receiv'd his love?

_Pol._ What do you think of me?

_King._ As of a man faithful and honourable.

_Pol._ I would fain prove so. But what might you think, When I had seen this hot love on the wing (As I perceived it, I must tell you that, Before my daughter told me), what might you, Or my dear majesty your queen here, think, If I had play'd the desk or table book;[20] Or given my heart a winking, mute and dumb;[21] Or look'd upon this love with idle sight;[22] What might you think? No, I went round to work,[23] And my young mistress thus did I bespeak: _Lord Hamlet is a prince, out of thy sphere; This must not be:_ and then I precepts gave her, That she should lock herself from his resort, Admit no messengers, receive no tokens. Which done, she took the fruits of my advice;[24] And he, repuls'd (a short tale to make), Fell into sadness; thence into a weakness; Thence to a lightness; and, by this declension, Into the madness wherein now he raves, And all we mourn for.

_King._ Do you think 'tis this?

_Queen._ It may be, very likely.

_Pol._ Hath there been such a time (I'd fain know that,) That I have positively said, _'tis so_, When it proved otherwise?

_King._ Not that I know.

_Pol._ Take this from this, if it be otherwise:

[_Pointing to his head and shoulder._]

If circumstances lead me, I will find Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed Within the centre.

_King._ How may we try it further?

_Pol._ You know, sometimes he walks for hours together Here in the lobby.

_Queen._ So he does, indeed.

_Pol._ At such a time I'll loose my daughter to him: Mark the encounter: if he love her not, And be not from his reason fallen thereon, Let me be no assistant for a state, But keep a farm, and carters.

_King._ We will try it.

_Queen._ But, look, where sadly the poor wretch comes reading.

_Pol._ Away, I do beseech you both, away: I'll board him presently.[25]

[_Exeunt_ KING _and_ QUEEN, R.H.]

_Enter_ HAMLET, _reading_ (L.C.)

_Pol._ How does my good lord Hamlet?

_Ham._ (C.) Excellent well.

_Pol._ (R.) Do you know me, my lord?

_Ham._ Excellent well; you are a fishmonger.[26]

_Pol._ Not I, my lord.

_Ham._ Then I would you were so honest a man.

_Pol._ Honest, my lord!

_Ham._ Ay, sir; to be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of ten thousand.

_Pol._ That's very true, my lord.

_Ham._ For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a god, kissing carrion,----Have you a daughter?[27]

_Pol._ I have, my lord.

_Ham._ Let her not walk i'the sun: conception is a blessing; but as your daughter may conceive,--friend, look to't, look to't, look to't.

[_Goes up stage._]

_Pol._ (_Aside._) Still harping on my daughter:--yet he knew me not at first; he said I was a fishmonger.

[_Crosses to_ L.]

I'll speak to him again.--What do you read, my lord?

_Ham._ (C.) Words, words, words.

_Pol._ (L.) What is the matter, my lord?

_Ham._ Between who?

_Pol._ I mean, the matter that you read, my lord.

_Ham._ Slanders, sir: for the satirical rogue[28] says here that old men have grey beards; that their faces are wrinkled; their eyes purging thick amber and plum-tree gum; and that they have a plentiful lack of wit, together with most weak hams: All of which, sir, though I most powerfully and potently believe, yet I hold it not honesty to have it thus set down; for yourself, sir, shall be as old as I am, if, like a crab, you could go backward.

[_Crosses_, L.]

_Pol._ (_Aside._) Though this be madness, yet there's method in it. Will you walk out of the air, my lord?

_Ham._ Into my grave?

[_Crosses_ R.]

_Pol._ (L.) Indeed, that is out o' the air.--How pregnant sometimes his replies[29] are! a happiness that often madness hits on, which reason and sanity could not so prosperously be delivered of. I will leave him, and suddenly contrive the means of meeting between him and my daughter.--My honourable lord, I will most humbly take my leave of you.

_Ham._ (C.) You cannot, sir, take from me any thing that I will more willingly part withall, except my life, except my life, except my life.

_Pol._ Fare you well, my lord.

[_Exit_ POLONIUS, L.H.]

_Ham._ These tedious old fools!

_Pol._ (_Without._) You go to seek the lord Hamlet; there he is.

_Ros._ Heaven save you, sir!

_Enter_ ROSENCRANTZ _and_ GUILDENSTERN (L.H.)

_Guil._ My honor'd lord!--

_Ros._ My most dear lord!--

_Ham._ My excellent good friends! How dost thou, Guildenstern?

[_Crosses to_ ROSENCRANTZ.]

Ah, Rosencrantz! Good lads, how do ye both? What news?

_Ros._ (L.) None, my lord, but that the world's grown honest.

_Ham._ (C.) Then is dooms-day near: but your news is not true. In the beaten way of friendship,[30] what make you at Elsinore?

_Ros._ To visit you, my lord; no other occasion.

_Ham._ Beggar that I am, I am even poor in thanks; but I thank you. Were you not sent for? Is it your own inclining? Is it a free visitation? Come, come, deal justly with me: come, come; nay, speak.

_Guil._ (R.) What should we say, my lord?

_Ham._ Any thing--but to the purpose. You were sent for; and there is a kind of confession in your looks, which your modesties have not craft enough to colour: I know the good king and queen have sent for you.

_Ros._ To what end, my lord?

_Ham._ That you must teach me. But let me conjure you, by the rights of our fellowship, [_taking their hands_,] by the consonancy of our youth,[31] by the obligation of our ever-preserved love, and by what more dear a better proposer[32] could charge you withal, be even[33] and direct with me, whether you were sent for, or no?

_Ros._ What say you?

[_To_ GUILDENSTERN.]

_Ham._ Nay, then, I have an eye of you.[34]

[_Crosses_ R.]

[_Aside._]

--if you love me, hold not off.

_Guil._ My lord, we were sent for.

_Ham._ (_Returning_ C.) I will tell you why; so shall my anticipation prevent your discovery, and your secrecy to the king and queen moult no feather.[35] I have of late (but wherefore I know not) lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercises; and, indeed, it goes so heavily with my disposition, that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a steril promontory; this most excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave o'erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire, why, it appears no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours. What a piece of work is man! How noble in reason! how infinite in faculties! in form and moving how express[36] and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the world! the paragon[37] of animals! And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust? man delights not me,--nor woman neither, though by your smiling you seem to say so.

_Ros._ My lord, there was no such stuff in my thoughts.

_Ham._ Why did you laugh, then, when I said, _Man delights not me?_

_Ros._ To think, my lord, if you delight not in man, what lenten entertainment[38] the players shall receive from you: we coted them on the way;[39] and hither are they coming, to offer you service.

_Ham._ He that plays the king shall be welcome, his majesty shall have tribute of me; the adventurous knight shall use his foil and target; the lover shall not sigh gratis; the humorous man shall end his part in peace;[40] and the lady shall say her mind freely, or the blank verse shall halt for't.[41]--What players are they?

_Ros._ Even those you were wont to take such delight in, the tragedians of the city.

_Ham._ How chances it, they travel?[42] their residence, both in reputation and profit, was better both ways. Do they hold the same estimation they did when I was in the city? Are they so followed?

_Ros._ No, indeed, they are not.

_Ham._ It is not very strange; for my uncle is king of Denmark,[43] and those that would make mouths at him[44] while my father lived, give twenty, forty, fifty, an hundred ducats a-piece for his picture in little.[45] There is something in this more than natural, if philosophy could find it out.

[_Flourish of trumpets without._]

_Guil._ There are the players.

_Ham._ Gentlemen, you are welcome to Elsinore. Your hands. You are welcome: but my uncle-father and aunt-mother are deceived.

_Guil._ In what, my dear lord?

_Ham._ I am but mad north-north west: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a hern-shaw.[46]

[_Crosses_ R.]

_Pol._ (_Without_, L.H.) Well be with you, gentlemen!

_Ham._ (_Crosses_ C.) Hark you, Guildenstern;--and Rosencrantz: that great baby you see there is not yet out of his swaddling-clouts.

_Ros._ (R.) Haply he's the second time come to them; for they say an old man is twice a child.

_Ham._ I will prophesy he comes to tell me of the players; mark it.--You say right, sir: o'Monday morning; 'twas then, indeed.

_Enter_ POLONIUS (L.H.)

_Pol._ My lord, I have news to tell you.

_Ham._ My lord, I have news to tell you. When Roscius was an actor in Rome,----

_Pol._ The actors are come hither, my lord.

_Ham._ Buz, buz![47]

_Pol._ Upon my honour,----

_Ham._ Then came each actor on his ass.[48]

_Pol._ The best actors in the world, either for tragedy, comedy, history, pastoral, pastorical-comical, historical-pastoral, scene indivisible, or poem unlimited: Seneca cannot be too heavy, nor Plautus too light.[49] For the law of writ and the liberty, these are the only men.[50]

_Ham._ _O, Jephthah, judge of Israel_,--what a treasure hadst thou!

_Pol._ What a treasure had he, my lord?

_Ham._ Why,--_One fair daughter, and no more, The which he loved passing well._

_Pol._ Still harping on my daughter.

[_Aside._]

_Ham._ Am I not i'the right, old Jephthah?

_Pol._ If you call me Jephthah, my lord, I have a daughter that I love passing well.

_Ham._ Nay, that follows not.

_Pol._ What follows, then, my lord?

_Ham._ Why, _As by lot, God wot_,[51] and then, you know, _It came to pass, As most like it was_,--The first row of the pious Chanson[52] will show you more; for look, my abridgment comes.[53]

_Enter Four or Five_ Players (L.H.)--POLONIUS _crosses behind_ HAMLET _to_ R.H.

You are welcome, masters; welcome, all: O, old friend! Why, thy face is valanced[54] since I saw thee last; Com'st thou to beard me[55] in Denmark?--What, my young lady and mistress. By-'r-lady, your ladyship is nearer to heaven than when I saw you last, by the altitude of a chopine.[56] You are welcome. We'll e'en to't like French falconers,[57] fly at anything we see: We'll have a speech straight: Come, give us a taste of your quality;[58] come, a passionate speech.

_1st Play._ (L.H.) What speech, my lord?

_Ham._ I heard thee speak me a speech once,--but it was never acted; or, if it was, not above once; for the play, I remember, pleased not the million; 'twas caviare to the general:[59] but it was an excellent play, well digested in the scenes, set down with as much modesty as cunning.[60] One speech in it I chiefly loved; 'twas Æneas' tale to Dido; and thereabout of it especially, where he speaks of Priam's slaughter: If it live in your memory, begin at this line; let me see, let me see;--

_The rugged Pyrrhus, like the Hyrcanian beast_,--'tis not so: it begins with Pyrrhus:

_The rugged Pyrrhus,--he, whose sable arms_, _Black as his purpose, did the night resemble_, _Old grandsire Priam seeks._

_Pol._ (R.) 'Fore Heaven, my lord, well spoken, with good accent and good discretion.

_Ham._ (C.) So proceed you.

_1st Play._ (L.) _Anon he finds him Striking too short at Greeks; his antique sword, Rebellious to his arm, lies where it falls, Repugnant to command: Unequal match'd, Pyrrhus at Priam drives; in rage strikes wide; But with the whiff and wind of his fell sword[61] The unnerved father falls. But, as we often see, against some storm, A silence in the heavens, the rack[62] stand still, The bold wind speechless, and the orb below As hush as death; anon the dreadful thunder Doth rend the region; So, after Pyrrhus' pause, A roused vengeance sets him new a work; And never did the Cyclops' hammers fall On Mars's armour, forg'd for proof eterne, With less remorse than Pyrrhus' bleeding sword Now falls on Priam.-- Out, out, thou fickle Fortune!_

_Pol._ (R.) This is too long.

_Ham._ It shall to the barber's, with your beard.--Say on;--come to Hecuba.

_1st Play._ _But who, ah woe, had seen the mobled queen_--

_Ham._ The mobled queen?[63]

_Pol._ That's good; mobled queen is good.

_1st Play._ _Run barefoot up and down, threatening the flames; A clout upon that head Where late the diadem stood; and, for a robe, A blanket, in the alarm of fear caught up; Who this had seen, with tongue in venom steep'd, 'Gainst fortune's state would treason have pronounced._

_Pol._ Look, whether he has not turned his colour, and has tears in's eyes.--Prithee, no more.

_Ham._ (C.) 'Tis well; I'll have thee speak out the rest of this soon.--Good, my lord, will you see the players well bestowed? Do you hear, let them be well used; for they are the abstract and brief chronicles of the time: After your death you were better have a bad epitaph than their ill report while you live.

_Pol._ (R.) My lord, I will use them according to their desert.

_Ham._ Much better: Use every man after his desert, and who shall 'scape whipping? Use them after your own honour and dignity: The less they deserve, the more merit is in your bounty. Take them in.

[_Crosses to_ R.H.]

_Pol._ Come, sirs.

_Ham._ Follow him, friends: we'll hear a play to-morrow.

[_Exit_ POLONIUS _with some of the_ Players, L.H.]

Old friend

[_Crosses to_ C.]

--My good friends

[_To_ ROSENCRANTZ _and_ GUILDENSTERN.]

I'll leave you till night: you are welcome to Elsinore--can you play the murder of Gonzago?

[_Exeunt_ ROSENCRANTZ _and_ GUILDENSTERN, R.H.]

_1st Play._ Ay, my lord.

_Ham._ We'll have it to-morrow night. You could, for a need, study a speech of some dozen or sixteen lines, which I would insert in't--could you not?

_1st Play._ Ay, my lord.

_Ham._ Very well.--Follow that lord; and look you mock him not.

[_Exit_ Player, L.H.]