Текст книги "Hamlet. Macbeth / Гамлет. Макбет"

Act V

Scene I

A churchyard

Enter two Clowns with spades, etc

First Clown

Is she to be buried in Christian burial, when she wilfully seeks her own salvation?

Second Clown

I tell thee she is, and therefore make her grave straight. The crowner hath sat on her, and finds it Christian burial.

First Clown

How can that be, unless she drowned herself in her own defence?

Second Clown

Why, 'tis found so.

First Clown

It must be se offendendo, it cannot be else. For here lies the point: if I drown myself wittingly, it argues an act: and an act hath three branches. It is to act, to do, and to perform: argal, she drowned herself wittingly.

Second Clown

Nay, but hear you, goodman delver, —

First Clown

Give me leave. Here lies the water; good. Here stands the man; good. If the man go to this water and drown himself, it is, will he nill he, he goes, – mark you that. But if the water come to him and drown him, he drowns not himself. Argal, he that is not guilty of his own death shortens not his own life.

Second Clown

But is this law?

First Clown

Ay, marry, is't, crowner's quest law.

Second Clown

Will you ha' the truth on't? If this had not been a gentlewoman, she should have been buried out o' Christian burial.

First Clown

Why, there thou say'st. And the more pity that great folk should have countenance in this world to drown or hang themselves more than their even Christian. Come, my spade. There is no ancient gentlemen but gardeners, ditchers, and grave-makers: they hold up Adam's profession.

Second Clown

Was he a gentleman?

First Clown

He was the first that ever bore arms.

Second Clown

Why, he had none.

First Clown

What, art a heathen? How dost thou understand the Scripture? The Scripture says Adam digg'd. Could he dig without arms? I'll put another question to thee. If thou answerest me not to the purpose, confess thyself —

Second Clown

Go to.

First Clown

What is he that builds stronger than either the mason, the shipwright, or the carpenter?

Second Clown

The gallows-maker; for that frame outlives a thousand tenants.

First Clown

I like thy wit well in good faith, the gallows does well. But how does it well? It does well to those that do ill. Now, thou dost ill to say the gallows is built stronger than the church; argal, the gallows may do well to thee. To't again, come.

Second Clown

Who builds stronger than a mason, a shipwright, or a carpenter?

First Clown

Ay, tell me that, and unyoke.

Second Clown

Marry, now I can tell.

First Clown

To't.

Second Clown

Mass, I cannot tell.

[Enter Hamlet and Horatio, at a distance]

First Clown

Cudgel thy brains no more about it, for your dull ass will not mend his pace with beating; and when you are asked this question next, say 'a grave-maker'. The houses he makes last till doomsday. Go, get thee to Yaughan; fetch me a stoup of liquor.

[Exit Second Clown]

[Digs and sings]

In youth when I did love, did love,

Methought it was very sweet;

To contract, O, the time for, a, my behove,

O methought there was nothing meet.

Hamlet

Has this fellow no feeling of his business, that he sings at grave-making?

Horatio

Custom hath made it in him a property of easiness.

Hamlet

'Tis e'en so; the hand of little employment hath the daintier sense.

First Clown

[Sings]

But age with his stealing steps

Hath claw'd me in his clutch,

And hath shipp'd me into the land,

As if I had never been such.

[Throws up a skull]

Hamlet

That skull had a tongue in it, and could sing once. How the knave jowls it to th' ground, as if 'twere Cain's jawbone, that did the first murder! This might be the pate of a politician which this ass now o'er-offices, one that would circumvent God, might it not?

Horatio

It might, my lord.

Hamlet

Or of a courtier, which could say 'Good morrow, sweet lord! How dost thou, good lord?' This might be my lord such-a-one, that praised my lord such-a-one's horse when he meant to beg it, might it not?

Horatio

Ay, my lord.

Hamlet

Why, e'en so: and now my Lady Worm's; chapless, and knocked about the mazard with a sexton's spade. Here's fine revolution, an we had the trick to see't. Did these bones cost no more the breeding but to play at loggets with 'em? Mine ache to think on't.

First Clown

[Sings]

A pickaxe and a spade, a spade,

For and a shrouding-sheet;

O, a pit of clay for to be made

For such a guest is meet.

[Throws up another skull]

Hamlet

There's another. Why may not that be the skull of a lawyer? Where be his quiddits now, his quillets, his cases, his tenures, and his tricks? Why does he suffer this rude knave now to knock him about the sconce with a dirty shovel, and will not tell him of his action of battery? Hum. This fellow might be in's time a great buyer of land, with his statutes, his recognizances, his fines, his double vouchers, his recoveries. Is this the fine of his fines, and the recovery of his recoveries, to have his fine pate full of fine dirt? Will his vouchers vouch him no more of his purchases, and double ones too, than the length and breadth of a pair of indentures? The very conveyances of his lands will scarcely lie in this box; and must the inheritor himself have no more, ha?

Horatio

Not a jot more, my lord.

Hamlet

Is not parchment made of sheep-skins?

Horatio

Ay, my lord, and of calf-skins too.

Hamlet

They are sheep and calves which seek out assurance in that. I will speak to this fellow.-Whose grave's this, sir?

First Clown

Mine, sir.

[Sings]

O, a pit of clay for to be made

For such a guest is meet.

Hamlet

I think it be thine indeed, for thou liest in't.

First Clown

You lie out on't, sir, and therefore 'tis not yours.

For my part, I do not lie in't, yet it is mine.

Hamlet

Thou dost lie in't, to be in't and say it is thine. 'Tis for the dead, not for the quick; therefore thou liest.

First Clown

'Tis a quick lie, sir; 't will away again from me to you.

Hamlet

What man dost thou dig it for?

First Clown

For no man, sir.

Hamlet

What woman then?

First Clown

For none neither.

Hamlet

Who is to be buried in't?

First Clown

One that was a woman, sir; but, rest her soul, she's dead.

Hamlet

How absolute the knave is! We must speak by the card, or equivocation will undo us. By the Lord, Horatio, these three years I have taken note of it, the age is grown so picked that the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he galls his kibe.-How long hast thou been a grave-maker?

First Clown

Of all the days i' th' year, I came to't that day that our last King Hamlet o'ercame Fortinbras.

Hamlet

How long is that since?

First Clown

Cannot you tell that? Every fool can tell that. It was the very day that young Hamlet was born, – he that is mad, and sent into England.

Hamlet

Ay, marry, why was he sent into England?

First Clown

Why, because he was mad; he shall recover his wits there; or if he do not, it's no great matter there.

Hamlet

Why?

First Clown

'Twill not be seen in him there; there the men are as mad as he.

Hamlet

How came he mad?

First Clown

Very strangely, they say.

Hamlet

How strangely?

First Clown

Faith, e'en with losing his wits.

Hamlet

Upon what ground?

First Clown

Why, here in Denmark. I have been sexton here, man and boy, thirty years.

Hamlet

How long will a man lie i' th'earth ere he rot?

First Clown

Faith, if he be not rotten before he die, – as we have many pocky corses nowadays that will scarce hold the laying in, – he will last you some eight year or nine year. A tanner will last you nine year.

Hamlet

Why he more than another?

First Clown

Why, sir, his hide is so tann'd with his trade that he will keep out water a great while. And your water is a sore decayer of your whoreson dead body. Here's a skull now; this skull hath lain in the earth three-and-twenty years.

Hamlet

Whose was it?

First Clown

A whoreson, mad fellow's it was. Whose do you think it was?

Hamlet

Nay, I know not.

First Clown

A pestilence on him for a mad rogue! A pour'd a flagon of Rhenish on my head once. This same skull, sir, was Yorick's skull, the King's jester.

Hamlet

This?

First Clown

E'en that.

Hamlet

Let me see. [Takes the skull] Alas, poor Yorick. I knew him, Horatio, a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy. He hath borne me on his back a thousand times; and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is! My gorge rises at it. Here hung those lips that I have kiss'd I know not how oft. Where be your gibes now? your gambols? your songs? your flashes of merriment, that were wont to set the table on a roar? Not one now, to mock your own grinning? Quite chop-fallen? Now get you to my lady's chamber, and tell her, let her paint an inch thick, to this favour she must come. Make her laugh at that.-Prithee, Horatio, tell me one thing.

Horatio

What's that, my lord?

Hamlet

Dost thou think Alexander looked o' this fashion i' th'earth?

Horatio

E'en so.

Hamlet

And smelt so? Pah!

[Throws down the skull]

Horatio

E'en so, my lord.

Hamlet

To what base uses we may return, Horatio! Why may not imagination trace the noble dust of Alexander till he find it stopping a bung-hole?

Horatio

'Twere to consider too curiously to consider so.

Hamlet

No, faith, not a jot. But to follow him thither with modesty enough, and likelihood to lead it; as thus. Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander returneth into dust; the dust is earth; of earth we make loam; and why of that loam whereto he was converted might they not stop a beer-barrel?

Imperious Caesar, dead and turn'd to clay,

Might stop a hole to keep the wind away.

O, that that earth which kept the world in awe

Should patch a wall t'expel the winter's flaw.

But soft! but soft! aside! Here comes the King.

[Enter priests, etc, in procession; the corpse of Ophelia, Laertes and Mourners following; King, Queen, their Trains, etc]

The Queen, the courtiers. Who is that they

                         follow?

And with such maimed rites? This doth betoken

The corse they follow did with desperate hand

Fordo it own life. 'Twas of some estate.

Couch we awhile and mark.

[Retiring with Horatio]

Laertes

What ceremony else?

Hamlet

That is Laertes, a very noble youth. Mark.

Laertes

What ceremony else?

Priest

Her obsequies have been as far enlarg'd

As we have warranties. Her death was doubtful;

And but that great command o'ersways the order,

She should in ground unsanctified have lodg'd

Till the last trumpet. For charitable prayers,

Shards, flints, and pebbles should be thrown

                         on her.

Yet here she is allowed her virgin rites,

Her maiden strewments, and the bringing home

Of bell and burial.

Laertes

Must there no more be done?

Priest

No more be done.

We should profane the service of the dead

To sing sage requiem and such rest to her

As to peace-parted souls.

Laertes

Lay her i' th'earth,

And from her fair and unpolluted flesh

May violets spring. I tell thee, churlish priest,

A minist'ring angel shall my sister be

When thou liest howling.

Hamlet

What, the fair Ophelia?

Queen

[Scattering flowers]

Sweets to the sweet. Farewell.

I hop'd thou shouldst have been

                         my Hamlet's wife;

I thought thy bride-bed to have deck'd,

                         sweet maid,

And not have strew'd thy grave.

Laertes

O, treble woe

Fall ten times treble on that cursed head

Whose wicked deed thy most ingenious sense

Depriv'd thee of. Hold off the earth a while,

Till I have caught her once more in mine arms.

[Leaps into the grave]

Now pile your dust upon the quick and dead,

Till of this flat a mountain you have made,

To o'ertop old Pelion or the skyish head

Of blue Olympus.

Hamlet

[Advancing]

What is he whose grief

Bears such an emphasis? whose phrase of sorrow

Conjures the wand'ring stars, and makes them stand

Like wonder-wounded hearers? This is I,

Hamlet the Dane.

[Leaps into the grave]

Laertes

[Grappling with him] The devil take thy soul!

Hamlet

Thou pray'st not well.

I prithee take thy fingers from my throat;

For though I am not splenative and rash,

Yet have I in me something dangerous,

Which let thy wiseness fear. Away thy hand!

King

Pluck them asunder.

Queen

Hamlet! Hamlet!

All

Gentlemen!

Horatio

Good my lord, be quiet.

[The Attendants part them, and they come out of the grave]

Hamlet

Why, I will fight with him upon this theme

Until my eyelids will no longer wag.

Queen

O my son, what theme?

Hamlet

I lov'd Ophelia; forty thousand brothers

Could not, with all their quantity of love,

Make up my sum. What wilt thou do for her?

King

O, he is mad, Laertes.

Queen

For love of God forbear him!

Hamlet

'Swounds, show me what thou'lt do:

Woul't weep? woul't fight? woul't fast?

                         woul't tear thyself?

Woul't drink up eisel? eat a crocodile?

I'll do't. Dost thou come here to whine?

To outface me with leaping in her grave?

Be buried quick with her, and so will I.

And if thou prate of mountains, let them throw

Millions of acres on us, till our ground,

Singeing his pate against the burning zone,

Make Ossa like a wart. Nay, an thou'lt mouth,

I'll rant as well as thou.

Queen

This is mere madness:

And thus awhile the fit will work on him;

Anon, as patient as the female dove,

When that her golden couplets are disclos'd,

His silence will sit drooping.

Hamlet

Hear you, sir;

What is the reason that you use me thus?

I lov'd you ever. But it is no matter.

Let Hercules himself do what he may,

The cat will mew, and dog will have his day.

[Exit]

King

I pray thee, good Horatio, wait upon him.

[Exit Horatio]

[To Laertes]

Strengthen your patience in our last night's speech;

We'll put the matter to the present push. —

Good Gertrude, set some watch over your son.

This grave shall have a living monument.

An hour of quiet shortly shall we see;

Till then in patience our proceeding be.

[Exeunt]

Scene II

A hall in the Castle

Enter Hamlet and Horatio

Hamlet

So much for this, sir. Now let me see the other;

You do remember all the circumstance?

Horatio

Remember it, my lord!

Hamlet

Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting

That would not let me sleep. Methought I lay

Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes. Rashly,

And prais'd be rashness for it, – let us know,

Our indiscretion sometime serves us well,

When our deep plots do pall; and that should

                         teach us

There's a divinity that shapes our ends,

Rough-hew them how we will.

Horatio

That is most certain.

Hamlet

Up from my cabin,

My sea-gown scarf'd about me, in the dark

Grop'd I to find out them; had my desire,

Finger'd their packet, and in fine, withdrew

To mine own room again, making so bold,

My fears forgetting manners, to unseal

Their grand commission; where I found, Horatio,

Oh royal knavery! an exact command,

Larded with many several sorts of reasons,

Importing Denmark's health, and England's too,

With ho! such bugs and goblins in my life,

That on the supervise, no leisure bated,

No, not to stay the grinding of the axe,

My head should be struck off.

Horatio

Is't possible?

Hamlet

Here's the commission, read it at more leisure.

But wilt thou hear me how I did proceed?

Horatio

I beseech you.

Hamlet

Being thus benetted round with villanies, —

Or I could make a prologue to my brains,

They had begun the play, – I sat me down,

Devis'd a new commission, wrote it fair:

I once did hold it, as our statists do,

A baseness to write fair, and labour'd much

How to forget that learning; but, sir, now

It did me yeoman's service. Wilt thou know

The effect of what I wrote?

Horatio

Ay, good my lord.

Hamlet

An earnest conjuration from the King,

As England was his faithful tributary,

As love between them like the palm might flourish,

As peace should still her wheaten garland wear

And stand a comma 'tween their amities,

And many such-like 'as'es of great charge,

That on the view and know of these contents,

Without debatement further, more or less,

He should the bearers put to sudden death,

Not shriving-time allow'd.

Horatio

How was this seal'd?

Hamlet

Why, even in that was heaven ordinant.

I had my father's signet in my purse,

Which was the model of that Danish seal:

Folded the writ up in the form of the other,

Subscrib'd it: gave't th'impression; plac'd it safely,

The changeling never known. Now, the next day

Was our sea-fight, and what to this was sequent

Thou know'st already.

Horatio

So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to't.

Hamlet

Why, man, they did make love to this

                         employment.

They are not near my conscience; their defeat

Does by their own insinuation grow.

'Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes

Between the pass and fell incensed points

Of mighty opposites.

Horatio

Why, what a king is this!

Hamlet

Does it not, thinks't thee, stand me now upon, —

He that hath kill'd my king, and whor'd my mother,

Popp'd in between th'election and my hopes,

Thrown out his angle for my proper life,

And with such cozenage-is't not perfect

                         conscience

To quit him with this arm? And is't not

                         to be damn'd

To let this canker of our nature come

In further evil?

Horatio

It must be shortly known to him from England

What is the issue of the business there.

Hamlet

It will be short. The interim is mine;

And a man's life's no more than to say 'One'.

But I am very sorry, good Horatio,

That to Laertes I forgot myself;

For by the image of my cause I see

The portraiture of his. I'll court his favours.

But sure the bravery of his grief did put me

Into a tow'ring passion.

Horatio

Peace, who comes here?

[Enter Osric]

Osric

Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark.

Hamlet

I humbly thank you, sir. Dost know this waterfly?

Horatio

No, my good lord.

Hamlet

Thy state is the more gracious; for 'tis a vice to know him. He hath much land, and fertile; let a beast be lord of beasts, and his crib shall stand at the king's mess; 'tis a chough; but, as I say, spacious in the possession of dirt.

Osric

Sweet lord, if your lordship were at leisure, I should impart a thing to you from his Majesty.

Hamlet

I will receive it with all diligence of spirit. Put your bonnet to his right use; 'tis for the head.

Osric

I thank your lordship, 'tis very hot.

Hamlet

No, believe me, 'tis very cold, the wind is northerly.

Osric

It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed.

Hamlet

Methinks it is very sultry and hot for my complexion.

Osric

Exceedingly, my lord; it is very sultry, – as 'twere-I cannot tell how. But, my lord, his Majesty bade me signify to you that he has laid a great wager on your head. Sir, this is the matter, —

Hamlet

I beseech you, remember, —

[Hamlet moves him to put on his hat]

Osric

Nay, in good faith; for mine ease, in good faith. Sir, here is newly come to court Laertes; believe me, an absolute gentleman, full of most excellent differences, of very soft society and great showing. Indeed, to speak feelingly of him, he is the card or calendar of gentry; for you shall find in him the continent of what part a gentleman would see.

Hamlet

Sir, his definement suffers no perdition in you, though I know, to divide him inventorially would dizzy th'arithmetic of memory, and yet but yaw neither, in respect of his quick sail. But, in the verity of extolment, I take him to be a soul of great article and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as, to make true diction of him, his semblable is his mirror and who else would trace him his umbrage, nothing more.

Osric

Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him.

Hamlet

The concernancy, sir? Why do we wrap the gentleman in our more rawer breath?

Osric

Sir?

Horatio

Is't not possible to understand in another tongue? You will do't, sir, really.

Hamlet

What imports the nomination of this gentleman?

Osric

Of Laertes?

Horatio

His purse is empty already, all's golden words are spent.

Hamlet

Of him, sir.

Osric

I know you are not ignorant, —

Hamlet

I would you did, sir; yet in faith if you did, it would not much approve me. Well, sir?

Osric

You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is, —

Hamlet

I dare not confess that, lest I should compare with him in excellence; but to know a man well were to know himself.

Osric

I mean, sir, for his weapon; but in the imputation laid on him, by them in his meed he's unfellowed.

Hamlet

What's his weapon?

Osric

Rapier and dagger.

Hamlet

That's two of his weapons. But well.

Osric

The King, sir, hath wager'd with him six Barbary horses, against the which he has imponed, as I take it, six French rapiers and poniards, with their assigns, as girdle, hangers, and so. Three of the carriages, in faith, are very dear to fancy, very responsive to the hilts, most delicate carriages, and of very liberal conceit.

Hamlet

What call you the carriages?

Horatio

I knew you must be edified by the margin ere you had done.

Osric

The carriages, sir, are the hangers.

Hamlet

The phrase would be more german to the matter if we could carry cannon by our sides. I would it might be hangers till then. But on. Six Barbary horses against six French swords, their assigns, and three liberal conceited carriages: that's the French bet against the Danish. Why is this all imponed, as you call it?

Osric

The King, sir, hath laid that in a dozen passes between you and him, he shall not exceed you three hits. He hath laid on twelve for nine. And it would come to immediate trial if your lordship would vouchsafe the answer.

Hamlet

How if I answer no?

Osric

I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial.

Hamlet

Sir, I will walk here in the hall. If it please his Majesty, it is the breathing time of day with me. Let the foils be brought, the gentleman willing, and the King hold his purpose, I will win for him if I can; if not, I will gain nothing but my shame and the odd hits.

Osric

Shall I re-deliver you e'en so?

Hamlet

To this effect, sir; after what flourish your nature will.

Osric

I commend my duty to your lordship.

Hamlet

Yours, yours.

[Exit Osric]

He does well to commend it himself, there are no tongues else for's turn.

Horatio

This lapwing runs away with the shell on his head.

Hamlet

He did comply with his dug before he suck'd it. Thus has he, – and many more of the same bevy that I know the drossy age dotes on, – only got the tune of the time and outward habit of encounter; a kind of yeasty collection, which carries them through and through the most fanned and winnowed opinions; and do but blow them to their trial, the bubbles are out.

[Enter a Lord]

Lord

My lord, his Majesty commended him to you by young Osric, who brings back to him that you attend him in the hall. He sends to know if your pleasure hold to play with Laertes or that you will take longer time.

Hamlet

I am constant to my purposes, they follow the King's pleasure. If his fitness speaks, mine is ready. Now or whensoever, provided I be so able as now.

Lord

The King and Queen and all are coming down.

Hamlet

In happy time.

Lord

The Queen desires you to use some gentle entertainment to Laertes before you fall to play.

Hamlet

She well instructs me.

[Exit Lord]

Horatio

You will lose this wager, my lord.

Hamlet

I do not think so. Since he went into France, I have been in continual practice. I shall win at the odds. But thou wouldst not think how ill all's here about my heart: but it is no matter.

Horatio

Nay, good my lord.

Hamlet

It is but foolery; but it is such a kind of gain-giving as would perhaps trouble a woman.

Horatio

If your mind dislike anything, obey it. I will forestall their repair hither, and say you are not fit.

Hamlet

Not a whit, we defy augury. There's a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come. The readiness is all. Since no man has aught of what he leaves, what is't to leave betimes?

[Enter King, Queen, Laertes, Lords, Osric and Attendants with foils etc]

King

Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand

                         from me.

[The King puts Laertes's hand into Hamlet's]

Hamlet

Give me your pardon, sir. I have done you wrong;

But pardon't as you are a gentleman.

This presence knows, and you must needs

                         have heard,

How I am punish'd with sore distraction.

What I have done

That might your nature, honour, and exception

Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness.

Was't Hamlet wrong'd Laertes? Never Hamlet.

If Hamlet from himself be ta'en away,

And when he's not himself does wrong Laertes,

Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it.

Who does it, then? His madness. If't be so,

Hamlet is of the faction that is wrong'd;

His madness is poor Hamlet's enemy.

Sir, in this audience,

Let my disclaiming from a purpos'd evil

Free me so far in your most generous thoughts

That I have shot my arrow o'er the house

And hurt my brother.

Laertes

I am satisfied in nature,

Whose motive in this case should stir me most

To my revenge. But in my terms of honour

I stand aloof, and will no reconcilement

Till by some elder masters of known honour

I have a voice and precedent of peace

To keep my name ungor'd. But till that time

I do receive your offer'd love like love,

And will not wrong it.

Hamlet

I embrace it freely,

And will this brother's wager frankly play. —

Give us the foils; come on.

Laertes

Come, one for me.

Hamlet

I'll be your foil, Laertes; in mine ignorance

Your skill shall like a star i' th' darkest night,

Stick fiery off indeed.

Laertes

You mock me, sir.

Hamlet

No, by this hand.

King

Give them the foils, young Osric.

                         Cousin Hamlet,

You know the wager?

Hamlet

Very well, my lord.

Your Grace has laid the odds o' the weaker side.

King

I do not fear it. I have seen you both;

But since he is better'd, we have therefore odds.

Laertes

This is too heavy. Let me see another.

Hamlet

This likes me well. These foils have all a length?

[They prepare to play]

Osric

Ay, my good lord.

King

Set me the stoups of wine upon that table.

If Hamlet give the first or second hit,

Or quit in answer of the third exchange,

Let all the battlements their ordnance fire;

The King shall drink to Hamlet's better breath,

And in the cup an union shall he throw

Richer than that which four successive kings

In Denmark's crown have worn. Give me

                         the cups;

And let the kettle to the trumpet speak,

The trumpet to the cannoneer without,

The cannons to the heavens, the heavens to earth,

'Now the King drinks to Hamlet.' Come, begin.

And you, the judges, bear a wary eye.

Hamlet

Come on, sir.

Laertes

Come, my lord.

[They play]

Hamlet

One.

Laertes

No.

Hamlet

Judgement.

Osric

A hit, a very palpable hit.

Laertes

Well; again.

King

Stay, give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is thine;

Here's to thy health.

[Trumpets sound, and cannon shot off within]

Give him the cup.

Hamlet

I'll play this bout first; set it by awhile.

[They play]

Come. Another hit; what say you?

Laertes

A touch, a touch, I do confess.

King

Our son shall win.

Queen

He's fat, and scant of breath.

Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows.

The Queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.

Hamlet

Good madam.

King

Gertrude, do not drink.

Queen

I will, my lord; I pray you pardon me.

King

[Aside] It is the poison'd cup; it is too late.

Hamlet

I dare not drink yet, madam. By and by.

Queen

Come, let me wipe thy face.

Laertes

My lord, I'll hit him now.

King

I do not think't.

Laertes

[Aside] And yet 'tis almost 'gainst

                         my conscience.

Hamlet

Come for the third, Laertes. You do but dally.

I pray you pass with your best violence.

I am afeard you make a wanton of me.

Laertes

Say you so? Come on.

[They play]

Osric

Nothing neither way.

Laertes

Have at you now.

[Laertes wounds Hamlet; then, in scuffling, they change rapiers, and Hamlet wounds Laertes]

King

Part them; they are incens'd.

Hamlet

Nay, come again!

[The Queen falls]

Osric

Look to the Queen there, ho!

Horatio

They bleed on both sides. How is it, my lord?

Osric

How is't, Laertes?

Laertes

Why, as a woodcock to my own springe, Osric.

I am justly kill'd with mine own treachery.

Hamlet

How does the Queen?

King

She swoons to see them bleed.

Queen

No, no, the drink, the drink!

                         O my dear Hamlet!

The drink, the drink! I am poison'd.

[Dies]

Hamlet

O villany! Ho! Let the door be lock'd:

Treachery! Seek it out.

[Laertes falls]

Laertes

It is here, Hamlet. Hamlet, thou art slain.

No medicine in the world can do thee good.

In thee there is not half an hour of life;

The treacherous instrument is in thy hand,

Unbated and envenom'd. The foul practice

Hath turn'd itself on me. Lo, here I lie,

Never to rise again. Thy mother's poison'd.

I can no more. The King, the King's to blame.

Hamlet

The point envenom'd too!

Then, venom, to thy work.

[Stabs the King]

Osric and Lords

Treason! treason!

King

O yet defend me, friends. I am but hurt.

Hamlet

Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane,

Drink off this potion. Is thy union here?

Follow my mother.

[King dies]

Laertes

He is justly serv'd.

It is a poison temper'd by himself.

Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet

Mine and my father's death come not upon thee,

Nor thine on me.

[Dies]

Hamlet

Heaven make thee free of it! I follow thee.

I am dead, Horatio. Wretched Queen, adieu.

You that look pale and tremble at this chance,

That are but mutes or audience to this act,

Had I but time, – as this fell sergeant, death,

Is strict in his arrest, – O, I could tell you, —

But let it be. Horatio, I am dead,

Thou liv'st; report me and my cause aright

To the unsatisfied.

Horatio

Never believe it.

I am more an antique Roman than a Dane.

Here's yet some liquor left.

Hamlet

As th'art a man,

Give me the cup. Let go; by Heaven, I'll have't.

O good Horatio, what a wounded name,

Things standing thus unknown, shall live

                         behind me.

If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart,

Absent thee from felicity awhile,

And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain,

To tell my story.

[March afar off, and shot within]

What warlike noise is this?

Osric

Young Fortinbras, with conquest come

                         from Poland,

To the ambassadors of England gives

This warlike volley.

Hamlet

O, I die, Horatio

The potent poison quite o'er-crows my spirit:

I cannot live to hear the news from England,

But I do prophesy th'election lights

On Fortinbras. He has my dying voice.

So tell him, with the occurrents more and less,

Which have solicited. The rest is silence.

[Dies]

Horatio

Now cracks a noble heart. Good night,

                         sweet prince,

And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.

Why does the drum come hither?

[March within]

[Enter Fortinbras, the English Ambassadors and others]