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Enter CLAUDIUS , king of Denmark; GERTRUDE the queen; HAMLET ; POLONIUS ; his son LAERTES ; and his daughter OPHELIA ; LORDS attendant
Enter CLAUDIUS , king of Denmark; GERTRUDE the queen; HAMLET ; POLONIUS ; his son LAERTES ; and his daughter OPHELIA ; LORDS attendant

CLAUDIUS

Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother’s death
The memory be green, and that it us befitted
To bear our hearts in grief and our whole kingdom
To be contracted in one brow of woe,
5 Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature
That we with wisest sorrow think on him
Together with remembrance of ourselves.
Therefore our sometime sister, now our queen,
Th' imperial jointress to this warlike state,
10 Have we—as ’twere with a defeated joy,
With an auspicious and a dropping eye,
With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage,
In equal scale weighing delight and dole—
Taken to wife. Nor have we herein barred
15 Your better wisdoms, which have freely gone
With this affair along. For all, our thanks.
Now follows that you know. Young Fortinbras,
Holding a weak supposal of our worth
Or thinking by our late dear brother’s death
20 Our state to be disjoint and out of frame,
Colleaguèd with the dream of his advantage,
He hath not failed to pester us with message
Importing the surrender of those lands
Lost by his father, with all bonds of law,
25 To our most valiant brother. So much for him.

CLAUDIUS

Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother’s death
The memory be green, and that it us befitted
To bear our hearts in grief and our whole kingdom
To be contracted in one brow of woe,
Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature
That we with wisest sorrow think on him
Together with remembrance of ourselves.
Therefore our sometime sister, now our queen,
Th' imperial jointress to this warlike state,
Have we—as ’twere with a defeated joy,
With an auspicious and a dropping eye,
With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage,
In equal scale weighing delight and dole—
Taken to wife. Nor have we herein barred
Your better wisdoms, which have freely gone
With this affair along. For all, our thanks.
Now follows that you know. Young Fortinbras,
Holding a weak supposal of our worth
Or thinking by our late dear brother’s death
Our state to be disjoint and out of frame,
Colleaguèd with the dream of his advantage,
He hath not failed to pester us with message
Importing the surrender of those lands
Lost by his father, with all bonds of law,
To our most valiant brother. So much for him.
Enter VOLTEMAND and CORNELIUS
Enter VOLTEMAND and CORNELIUS
Now for ourself and for this time of meeting
Now for ourself and for this time of meeting
Thus much the business is: we have here writ
To Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras—
Who, impotent and bedrid, scarcely hears
30 Of this his nephew’s purpose—to suppress
His further gait herein, in that the levies,
The lists, and full proportions are all made
Out of his subject; and we here dispatch
You, good Cornelius, and you, Voltemand,
35 For bearers of this greeting to old Norway,
Giving to you no further personal power
To business with the king more than the scope
Of these dilated articles allow. (gives them a paper)
Farewell, and let your haste commend your duty.
Thus much the business is: we have here writ
To Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras—
Who, impotent and bedrid, scarcely hears
Of this his nephew’s purpose—to suppress
His further gait herein, in that the levies,
The lists, and full proportions are all made
Out of his subject; and we here dispatch
You, good Cornelius, and you, Voltemand,
For bearers of this greeting to old Norway,
Giving to you no further personal power
To business with the king more than the scope
Of these dilated articles allow. (gives them a paper)
Farewell, and let your haste commend your duty.

CORNELIUS, VOLTEMAND

40 In that and all things will we show our duty.

CORNELIUS, VOLTEMAND

In that and all things will we show our duty.

CLAUDIUS

We doubt it nothing. Heartily farewell.

CLAUDIUS

We doubt it nothing. Heartily farewell.
Exeunt VOLTEMAND and CORNELIUS
Exeunt VOLTEMAND and CORNELIUS
And now, Laertes, what’s the news with you?
You told us of some suit. What is ’t, Laertes?
You cannot speak of reason to the Dane
45 And lose your voice. What wouldst thou beg, Laertes,
That shall not be my offer, not thy asking?
The head is not more native to the heart,
The hand more instrumental to the mouth,
Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father.
50 What wouldst thou have, Laertes?
And now, Laertes, what’s the news with you?
You told us of some suit. What is ’t, Laertes?
You cannot speak of reason to the Dane
And lose your voice. What wouldst thou beg, Laertes,
That shall not be my offer, not thy asking?
The head is not more native to the heart,
The hand more instrumental to the mouth,
Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father.
What wouldst thou have, Laertes?

LAERTES

My dread lord,
Your leave and favor to return to France,
From whence though willingly I came to Denmark
To show my duty in your coronation,
Yet now, I must confess, that duty done,
55 My thoughts and wishes bend again toward France
And bow them to your gracious leave and pardon.

LAERTES

My dread lord,
Your leave and favor to return to France,
From whence though willingly I came to Denmark
To show my duty in your coronation,
Yet now, I must confess, that duty done,
My thoughts and wishes bend again toward France
And bow them to your gracious leave and pardon.

CLAUDIUS

Have you your father’s leave? What says Polonius?

CLAUDIUS

Have you your father’s leave? What says Polonius?

POLONIUS

He hath, my lord, wrung from me my slow leave
By laborsome petition, and at last
60 Upon his will I sealed my hard consent.
I do beseech you, give him leave to go.

POLONIUS

He hath, my lord, wrung from me my slow leave
By laborsome petition, and at last
Upon his will I sealed my hard consent.
I do beseech you, give him leave to go.

CLAUDIUS

Take thy fair hour, Laertes. Time be thine,
And thy best graces spend it at thy will.—
But now, my cousin Hamlet, and my son—

CLAUDIUS

Take thy fair hour, Laertes. Time be thine,
And thy best graces spend it at thy will.—
But now, my cousin Hamlet, and my son—

HAMLET

(aside) A little more than kin and less than kind.

HAMLET

(aside) A little more than kin and less than kind.

CLAUDIUS

How is it that the clouds still hang on you?

CLAUDIUS

How is it that the clouds still hang on you?

HAMLET

Not so, my lord. I am too much i' the sun.

HAMLET

Not so, my lord. I am too much i' the sun.

GERTRUDE

Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted color off,
And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark.
70 Do not forever with thy vailèd lids
Seek for thy noble father in the dust.
Thou know’st ’tis common. All that lives must die,
Passing through nature to eternity.

GERTRUDE

Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted color off,
And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark.
Do not forever with thy vailèd lids
Seek for thy noble father in the dust.
Thou know’st ’tis common. All that lives must die,
Passing through nature to eternity.

HAMLET

Ay, madam, it is common.

HAMLET

Ay, madam, it is common.

GERTRUDE

If it be,
75 Why seems it so particular with thee?

GERTRUDE

If it be,
Why seems it so particular with thee?

HAMLET

“Seems,” madam? Nay, it is. I know not “seems.”
'Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother,
Nor customary suits of solemn black,
Nor windy suspiration of forced breath,
80 No, nor the fruitful river in the eye,
Nor the dejected 'havior of the visage,
Together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief,
That can denote me truly. These indeed “seem,”
For they are actions that a man might play.
85 But I have that within which passeth show,
These but the trappings and the suits of woe.

HAMLET

“Seems,” madam? Nay, it is. I know not “seems.”
'Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother,
Nor customary suits of solemn black,
Nor windy suspiration of forced breath,
No, nor the fruitful river in the eye,
Nor the dejected 'havior of the visage,
Together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief,
That can denote me truly. These indeed “seem,”
For they are actions that a man might play.
But I have that within which passeth show,
These but the trappings and the suits of woe.

CLAUDIUS

'Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet,
To give these mourning duties to your father.
But you must know your father lost a father,
90 That father lost, lost his, and the survivor bound
In filial obligation for some term
To do obsequious sorrow. But to persever
In obstinate condolement is a course
Of impious stubbornness. 'Tis unmanly grief.
95 It shows a will most incorrect to heaven,
A heart unfortified, a mind impatient,
An understanding simple and unschooled.
For what we know must be and is as common
As any the most vulgar thing to sense,
100 Why should we in our peevish opposition
Take it to heart? Fie! 'Tis a fault to heaven,
A fault against the dead, a fault to nature,
To reason most absurd, whose common theme
Is death of fathers, and who still hath cried,
105 From the first corse till he that died today,
“This must be so.” We pray you, throw to earth
This unprevailing woe, and think of us
As of a father. For let the world take note,
You are the most immediate to our throne,

CLAUDIUS

'Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet,
To give these mourning duties to your father.
But you must know your father lost a father,
That father lost, lost his, and the survivor bound
In filial obligation for some term
To do obsequious sorrow. But to persever
In obstinate condolement is a course
Of impious stubbornness. 'Tis unmanly grief.
It shows a will most incorrect to heaven,
A heart unfortified, a mind impatient,
An understanding simple and unschooled.
For what we know must be and is as common
As any the most vulgar thing to sense,
Why should we in our peevish opposition
Take it to heart? Fie! 'Tis a fault to heaven,
A fault against the dead, a fault to nature,
To reason most absurd, whose common theme
Is death of fathers, and who still hath cried,
From the first corse till he that died today,
“This must be so.” We pray you, throw to earth
This unprevailing woe, and think of us
As of a father. For let the world take note,
You are the most immediate to our throne,
110 And with no less nobility of love
Than that which dearest father bears his son
Do I impart toward you. For your intent
In going back to school in Wittenberg,
It is most retrograde to our desire.
115 And we beseech you, bend you to remain
Here in the cheer and comfort of our eye,
Our chiefest courtier, cousin, and our son.
And with no less nobility of love
Than that which dearest father bears his son
Do I impart toward you. For your intent
In going back to school in Wittenberg,
It is most retrograde to our desire.
And we beseech you, bend you to remain
Here in the cheer and comfort of our eye,
Our chiefest courtier, cousin, and our son.

GERTRUDE

Let not thy mother lose her prayers, Hamlet.
I pray thee, stay with us. Go not to Wittenberg.

GERTRUDE

Let not thy mother lose her prayers, Hamlet.
I pray thee, stay with us. Go not to Wittenberg.

HAMLET

120 I shall in all my best obey you, madam.

HAMLET

I shall in all my best obey you, madam.

CLAUDIUS

Why, ’tis a loving and a fair reply.
Be as ourself in Denmark.—Madam, come.
This gentle and unforced accord of Hamlet
Sits smiling to my heart, in grace whereof
125 No jocund health that Denmark drinks today
But the great cannon to the clouds shall tell,
And the king’s rouse the heavens shall bruit again,
Respeaking earthly thunder. Come away.

CLAUDIUS

Why, ’tis a loving and a fair reply.
Be as ourself in Denmark.—Madam, come.
This gentle and unforced accord of Hamlet
Sits smiling to my heart, in grace whereof
No jocund health that Denmark drinks today
But the great cannon to the clouds shall tell,
And the king’s rouse the heavens shall bruit again,
Respeaking earthly thunder. Come away.
Flourish. Exeunt all but HAMLET
Flourish. Exeunt all but HAMLET

HAMLET

Oh, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt,
130 Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew,
Or that the Everlasting had not fixed
His canon 'gainst self-slaughter! O God, God!
How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this world!
135 Fie on ’t, ah fie! 'Tis an unweeded garden
That grows to seed. Things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merely. That it should come to this.
But two months dead—nay, not so much, not two.
So excellent a king, that was to this
140 Hyperion to a satyr. So loving to my mother

HAMLET

Oh, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt,
Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew,
Or that the Everlasting had not fixed
His canon 'gainst self-slaughter! O God, God!
How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this world!
Fie on ’t, ah fie! 'Tis an unweeded garden
That grows to seed. Things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merely. That it should come to this.
But two months dead—nay, not so much, not two.
So excellent a king, that was to this
Hyperion to a satyr. So loving to my mother
That he might not beteem the winds of heaven
Visit her face too roughly.—Heaven and earth,
Must I remember? Why, she would hang on him
As if increase of appetite had grown
145 By what it fed on, and yet, within a month—
Let me not think on ’t. Frailty, thy name is woman!—
A little month, or ere those shoes were old
With which she followed my poor father’s body,
Like Niobe, all tears. Why she, even she—
150 O God, a beast that wants discourse of reason
Would have mourned longer!—married with my uncle,
My father’s brother, but no more like my father
Than I to Hercules. Within a month,
Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears
155 Had left the flushing in her gallèd eyes,
She married. O most wicked speed, to post
With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!
It is not nor it cannot come to good,
But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue.
That he might not beteem the winds of heaven
Visit her face too roughly.—Heaven and earth,
Must I remember? Why, she would hang on him
As if increase of appetite had grown
By what it fed on, and yet, within a month—
Let me not think on ’t. Frailty, thy name is woman!—
A little month, or ere those shoes were old
With which she followed my poor father’s body,
Like Niobe, all tears. Why she, even she—
O God, a beast that wants discourse of reason
Would have mourned longer!—married with my uncle,
My father’s brother, but no more like my father
Than I to Hercules. Within a month,
Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing in her gallèd eyes,
She married. O most wicked speed, to post
With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!
It is not nor it cannot come to good,
But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue.
Enter HORATIO , MARCELLUS , and BARNARDO
Enter HORATIO , MARCELLUS , and BARNARDO

HORATIO

160 Hail to your lordship.

HORATIO

Hail to your lordship.

HAMLET

I am glad to see you well.—
Horatio? Or I do forget myself?

HAMLET

I am glad to see you well.—
Horatio? Or I do forget myself?

HORATIO

The same, my lord, and your poor servant ever.

HORATIO

The same, my lord, and your poor servant ever.

HAMLET

Sir, my good friend, I’ll change that name with you.
And what make you from Wittenberg, Horatio?—
165 Marcellus!

HAMLET

Sir, my good friend, I’ll change that name with you.
And what make you from Wittenberg, Horatio?—
Marcellus!

MARCELLUS

My good lord.

MARCELLUS

My good lord.

HAMLET

(to MARCELLUS) I am very glad to see you.—(to BARNARDO) Good even, sir.
(to HORATIO) —But what, in faith, make you from Wittenberg?

HAMLET

(to MARCELLUS) I am very glad to see you.—(to BARNARDO) Good even, sir.
(to HORATIO) —But what, in faith, make you from Wittenberg?

HORATIO

A truant disposition, good my lord.

HORATIO

A truant disposition, good my lord.

HAMLET

I would not hear your enemy say so,
170 Nor shall you do mine ear that violence,
To make it truster of your own report
Against yourself. I know you are no truant.
But what is your affair in Elsinore?
We’ll teach you to drink deep ere you depart.

HAMLET

I would not hear your enemy say so,
Nor shall you do mine ear that violence,
To make it truster of your own report
Against yourself. I know you are no truant.
But what is your affair in Elsinore?
We’ll teach you to drink deep ere you depart.

HORATIO

175 My lord, I came to see your father’s funeral.

HORATIO

My lord, I came to see your father’s funeral.

HAMLET

I pray thee, do not mock me, fellow student.
I think it was to see my mother’s wedding.

HAMLET

I pray thee, do not mock me, fellow student.
I think it was to see my mother’s wedding.

HORATIO

Indeed, my lord, it followed hard upon.

HORATIO

Indeed, my lord, it followed hard upon.

HAMLET

Thrift, thrift, Horatio! The funeral baked meats
180 Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables.
Would I had met my dearest foe in heaven
Or ever I had seen that day, Horatio.
My father—methinks I see my father.

HAMLET

Thrift, thrift, Horatio! The funeral baked meats
Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables.
Would I had met my dearest foe in heaven
Or ever I had seen that day, Horatio.
My father—methinks I see my father.

HORATIO

Where, my lord?

HORATIO

Where, my lord?

HAMLET

In my mind’s eye, Horatio.

HAMLET

In my mind’s eye, Horatio.

HORATIO

185 I saw him once. He was a goodly king.

HORATIO

I saw him once. He was a goodly king.

HAMLET

He was a man. Take him for all in all.
I shall not look upon his like again.

HAMLET

He was a man. Take him for all in all.
I shall not look upon his like again.

HORATIO

My lord, I think I saw him yesternight.

HORATIO

My lord, I think I saw him yesternight.

HAMLET

Saw who?

HAMLET

Saw who?

HORATIO

190 My lord, the king your father.

HORATIO

My lord, the king your father.

HAMLET

The king my father?!

HAMLET

The king my father?!

HORATIO

Season your admiration for a while
With an attent ear, till I may deliver,
Upon the witness of these gentlemen,
195 This marvel to you.

HORATIO

Season your admiration for a while
With an attent ear, till I may deliver,
Upon the witness of these gentlemen,
This marvel to you.

HAMLET

For God’s love, let me hear.

HAMLET

For God’s love, let me hear.

HORATIO

Two nights together had these gentlemen,
Marcellus and Barnardo, on their watch,
In the dead waste and middle of the night,
Been thus encountered: a figure like your father,
200 Armed at point exactly, cap-à-pie,
Appears before them and with solemn march
Goes slow and stately by them. Thrice he walked
By their oppressed and fear-surprisèd eyes
Within his truncheon’s length, whilst they, distilled
205 Almost to jelly with the act of fear,
Stand dumb and speak not to him. This to me
In dreadful secrecy impart they did,
And I with them the third night kept the watch,
Where—as they had delivered, both in time,
210 Form of the thing, each word made true and good—
The apparition comes. I knew your father.
These hands are not more like.

HORATIO

Two nights together had these gentlemen,
Marcellus and Barnardo, on their watch,
In the dead waste and middle of the night,
Been thus encountered: a figure like your father,
Armed at point exactly, cap-à-pie,
Appears before them and with solemn march
Goes slow and stately by them. Thrice he walked
By their oppressed and fear-surprisèd eyes
Within his truncheon’s length, whilst they, distilled
Almost to jelly with the act of fear,
Stand dumb and speak not to him. This to me
In dreadful secrecy impart they did,
And I with them the third night kept the watch,
Where—as they had delivered, both in time,
Form of the thing, each word made true and good—
The apparition comes. I knew your father.
These hands are not more like.

HAMLET

But where was this?

HAMLET

But where was this?

MARCELLUS

My lord, upon the platform where we watch.

MARCELLUS

My lord, upon the platform where we watch.

HAMLET

Did you not speak to it?

HAMLET

Did you not speak to it?

HORATIO

My lord, I did,
215 But answer made it none. Yet once methought
It lifted up its head and did address
Itself to motion, like as it would speak.
But even then the morning cock crew loud,
And at the sound it shrunk in haste away
220 And vanished from our sight.

HORATIO

My lord, I did,
But answer made it none. Yet once methought
It lifted up its head and did address
Itself to motion, like as it would speak.
But even then the morning cock crew loud,
And at the sound it shrunk in haste away
And vanished from our sight.

HAMLET

'Tis very strange.

HAMLET

'Tis very strange.

HORATIO

As I do live, my honored lord, ’tis true.
And we did think it writ down in our duty
To let you know of it.

HORATIO

As I do live, my honored lord, ’tis true.
And we did think it writ down in our duty
To let you know of it.

HAMLET

Indeed, indeed, sirs, but this troubles me.
225 Hold you the watch tonight?

HAMLET

Indeed, indeed, sirs, but this troubles me.
Hold you the watch tonight?

MARCELLUS, BARNARDO

We do, my lord.

MARCELLUS, BARNARDO

We do, my lord.

HAMLET

Armed, say you?

HAMLET

Armed, say you?

MARCELLUS, BARNARDO

Armed, my lord.

MARCELLUS, BARNARDO

Armed, my lord.

HAMLET

From top to toe?

HAMLET

From top to toe?

MARCELLUS, BARNARDO

My lord, from head to foot.

MARCELLUS, BARNARDO

My lord, from head to foot.

HAMLET

Then saw you not his face?

HAMLET

Then saw you not his face?

HORATIO

Oh yes, my lord. He wore his beaver up.

HORATIO

Oh yes, my lord. He wore his beaver up.

HAMLET

What, looked he frowningly?

HAMLET

What, looked he frowningly?

HORATIO

A countenance more
230 In sorrow than in anger.

HORATIO

A countenance more
In sorrow than in anger.

HAMLET

Pale or red?

HAMLET

Pale or red?

HORATIO

Nay, very pale.

HORATIO

Nay, very pale.

HAMLET

And fixed his eyes upon you?

HAMLET

And fixed his eyes upon you?

HORATIO

Most constantly.

HORATIO

Most constantly.

HAMLET

I would I had been there.

HAMLET

I would I had been there.

HORATIO

It would have much amazed you.

HORATIO

It would have much amazed you.

HAMLET

235 Very like. Stayed it long?

HAMLET

Very like. Stayed it long?

HORATIO

While one with moderate haste might tell a hundred.

HORATIO

While one with moderate haste might tell a hundred.

MARCELLUS, BARNARDO

Longer, longer.

MARCELLUS, BARNARDO

Longer, longer.

HORATIO

Not when I saw ’t.

HORATIO

Not when I saw ’t.

HAMLET

His beard was grizzled, no?

HAMLET

His beard was grizzled, no?

HORATIO

240 It was, as I have seen it in his life,
A sable silvered.

HORATIO

It was, as I have seen it in his life,
A sable silvered.

HAMLET

I will watch tonight. Perchance
'Twill walk again.

HAMLET

I will watch tonight. Perchance
'Twill walk again.

HORATIO

I warrant it will.

HORATIO

I warrant it will.

HAMLET

If it assume my noble father’s person,
I’ll speak to it, though Hell itself should gape
245 And bid me hold my peace. I pray you all,
If you have hitherto concealed this sight,
Let it be tenable in your silence still.
And whatsoever else shall hap tonight,
Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
250 I will requite your loves. So fare you well.
Upon the platform, ’twixt eleven and twelve,
I’ll visit you.

HAMLET

If it assume my noble father’s person,
I’ll speak to it, though Hell itself should gape
And bid me hold my peace. I pray you all,
If you have hitherto concealed this sight,
Let it be tenable in your silence still.
And whatsoever else shall hap tonight,
Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
I will requite your loves. So fare you well.
Upon the platform, ’twixt eleven and twelve,
I’ll visit you.

HORATIO, MARCELLUS, BARNARDO

Our duty to your honor.

HORATIO, MARCELLUS, BARNARDO

Our duty to your honor.

HAMLET

Your loves, as mine to you. Farewell.

HAMLET

Your loves, as mine to you. Farewell.
Exeunt all but HAMLET
Exeunt all but HAMLET
My father’s spirit in arms. All is not well.
255 I doubt some foul play. Would the night were come!
Till then sit still, my soul. Foul deeds will rise,
Though all the earth o'erwhelm them, to men’s eyes.
My father’s spirit in arms. All is not well.
I doubt some foul play. Would the night were come!
Till then sit still, my soul. Foul deeds will rise,
Though all the earth o'erwhelm them, to men’s eyes.
Exit
Exit

Original Text

Modern Text

Enter CLAUDIUS , king of Denmark; GERTRUDE the queen; HAMLET ; POLONIUS ; his son LAERTES ; and his daughter OPHELIA ; LORDS attendant
Enter CLAUDIUS , king of Denmark; GERTRUDE the queen; HAMLET ; POLONIUS ; his son LAERTES ; and his daughter OPHELIA ; LORDS attendant

CLAUDIUS

Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother’s death
The memory be green, and that it us befitted
To bear our hearts in grief and our whole kingdom
To be contracted in one brow of woe,
5 Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature
That we with wisest sorrow think on him
Together with remembrance of ourselves.
Therefore our sometime sister, now our queen,
Th' imperial jointress to this warlike state,
10 Have we—as ’twere with a defeated joy,
With an auspicious and a dropping eye,
With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage,
In equal scale weighing delight and dole—
Taken to wife. Nor have we herein barred
15 Your better wisdoms, which have freely gone
With this affair along. For all, our thanks.
Now follows that you know. Young Fortinbras,
Holding a weak supposal of our worth
Or thinking by our late dear brother’s death
20 Our state to be disjoint and out of frame,
Colleaguèd with the dream of his advantage,
He hath not failed to pester us with message
Importing the surrender of those lands
Lost by his father, with all bonds of law,
25 To our most valiant brother. So much for him.

CLAUDIUS

Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother’s death
The memory be green, and that it us befitted
To bear our hearts in grief and our whole kingdom
To be contracted in one brow of woe,
Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature
That we with wisest sorrow think on him
Together with remembrance of ourselves.
Therefore our sometime sister, now our queen,
Th' imperial jointress to this warlike state,
Have we—as ’twere with a defeated joy,
With an auspicious and a dropping eye,
With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage,
In equal scale weighing delight and dole—
Taken to wife. Nor have we herein barred
Your better wisdoms, which have freely gone
With this affair along. For all, our thanks.
Now follows that you know. Young Fortinbras,
Holding a weak supposal of our worth
Or thinking by our late dear brother’s death
Our state to be disjoint and out of frame,
Colleaguèd with the dream of his advantage,
He hath not failed to pester us with message
Importing the surrender of those lands
Lost by his father, with all bonds of law,
To our most valiant brother. So much for him.
Enter VOLTEMAND and CORNELIUS
Enter VOLTEMAND and CORNELIUS
Now for ourself and for this time of meeting
Now for ourself and for this time of meeting
Thus much the business is: we have here writ
To Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras—
Who, impotent and bedrid, scarcely hears
30 Of this his nephew’s purpose—to suppress
His further gait herein, in that the levies,
The lists, and full proportions are all made
Out of his subject; and we here dispatch
You, good Cornelius, and you, Voltemand,
35 For bearers of this greeting to old Norway,
Giving to you no further personal power
To business with the king more than the scope
Of these dilated articles allow. (gives them a paper)
Farewell, and let your haste commend your duty.
Thus much the business is: we have here writ
To Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras—
Who, impotent and bedrid, scarcely hears
Of this his nephew’s purpose—to suppress
His further gait herein, in that the levies,
The lists, and full proportions are all made
Out of his subject; and we here dispatch
You, good Cornelius, and you, Voltemand,
For bearers of this greeting to old Norway,
Giving to you no further personal power
To business with the king more than the scope
Of these dilated articles allow. (gives them a paper)
Farewell, and let your haste commend your duty.

CORNELIUS, VOLTEMAND

40 In that and all things will we show our duty.

CORNELIUS, VOLTEMAND

In that and all things will we show our duty.

CLAUDIUS

We doubt it nothing. Heartily farewell.

CLAUDIUS

We doubt it nothing. Heartily farewell.
Exeunt VOLTEMAND and CORNELIUS
Exeunt VOLTEMAND and CORNELIUS
And now, Laertes, what’s the news with you?
You told us of some suit. What is ’t, Laertes?
You cannot speak of reason to the Dane
45 And lose your voice. What wouldst thou beg, Laertes,
That shall not be my offer, not thy asking?
The head is not more native to the heart,
The hand more instrumental to the mouth,
Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father.
50 What wouldst thou have, Laertes?
And now, Laertes, what’s the news with you?
You told us of some suit. What is ’t, Laertes?
You cannot speak of reason to the Dane
And lose your voice. What wouldst thou beg, Laertes,
That shall not be my offer, not thy asking?
The head is not more native to the heart,
The hand more instrumental to the mouth,
Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father.
What wouldst thou have, Laertes?

LAERTES

My dread lord,
Your leave and favor to return to France,
From whence though willingly I came to Denmark
To show my duty in your coronation,
Yet now, I must confess, that duty done,
55 My thoughts and wishes bend again toward France
And bow them to your gracious leave and pardon.

LAERTES

My dread lord,
Your leave and favor to return to France,
From whence though willingly I came to Denmark
To show my duty in your coronation,
Yet now, I must confess, that duty done,
My thoughts and wishes bend again toward France
And bow them to your gracious leave and pardon.

CLAUDIUS

Have you your father’s leave? What says Polonius?

CLAUDIUS

Have you your father’s leave? What says Polonius?

POLONIUS

He hath, my lord, wrung from me my slow leave
By laborsome petition, and at last
60 Upon his will I sealed my hard consent.
I do beseech you, give him leave to go.

POLONIUS

He hath, my lord, wrung from me my slow leave
By laborsome petition, and at last
Upon his will I sealed my hard consent.
I do beseech you, give him leave to go.

CLAUDIUS

Take thy fair hour, Laertes. Time be thine,
And thy best graces spend it at thy will.—
But now, my cousin Hamlet, and my son—

CLAUDIUS

Take thy fair hour, Laertes. Time be thine,
And thy best graces spend it at thy will.—
But now, my cousin Hamlet, and my son—

HAMLET

(aside) A little more than kin and less than kind.

HAMLET

(aside) A little more than kin and less than kind.

CLAUDIUS

How is it that the clouds still hang on you?

CLAUDIUS

How is it that the clouds still hang on you?

HAMLET

Not so, my lord. I am too much i' the sun.

HAMLET

Not so, my lord. I am too much i' the sun.

GERTRUDE

Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted color off,
And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark.
70 Do not forever with thy vailèd lids
Seek for thy noble father in the dust.
Thou know’st ’tis common. All that lives must die,
Passing through nature to eternity.

GERTRUDE

Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted color off,
And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark.
Do not forever with thy vailèd lids
Seek for thy noble father in the dust.
Thou know’st ’tis common. All that lives must die,
Passing through nature to eternity.

HAMLET

Ay, madam, it is common.

HAMLET

Ay, madam, it is common.

GERTRUDE

If it be,
75 Why seems it so particular with thee?

GERTRUDE

If it be,
Why seems it so particular with thee?

HAMLET

“Seems,” madam? Nay, it is. I know not “seems.”
'Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother,
Nor customary suits of solemn black,
Nor windy suspiration of forced breath,
80 No, nor the fruitful river in the eye,
Nor the dejected 'havior of the visage,
Together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief,
That can denote me truly. These indeed “seem,”
For they are actions that a man might play.
85 But I have that within which passeth show,
These but the trappings and the suits of woe.

HAMLET

“Seems,” madam? Nay, it is. I know not “seems.”
'Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother,
Nor customary suits of solemn black,
Nor windy suspiration of forced breath,
No, nor the fruitful river in the eye,
Nor the dejected 'havior of the visage,
Together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief,
That can denote me truly. These indeed “seem,”
For they are actions that a man might play.
But I have that within which passeth show,
These but the trappings and the suits of woe.

CLAUDIUS

'Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet,
To give these mourning duties to your father.
But you must know your father lost a father,
90 That father lost, lost his, and the survivor bound
In filial obligation for some term
To do obsequious sorrow. But to persever
In obstinate condolement is a course
Of impious stubbornness. 'Tis unmanly grief.
95 It shows a will most incorrect to heaven,
A heart unfortified, a mind impatient,
An understanding simple and unschooled.
For what we know must be and is as common
As any the most vulgar thing to sense,
100 Why should we in our peevish opposition
Take it to heart? Fie! 'Tis a fault to heaven,
A fault against the dead, a fault to nature,
To reason most absurd, whose common theme
Is death of fathers, and who still hath cried,
105 From the first corse till he that died today,
“This must be so.” We pray you, throw to earth
This unprevailing woe, and think of us
As of a father. For let the world take note,
You are the most immediate to our throne,

CLAUDIUS

'Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet,
To give these mourning duties to your father.
But you must know your father lost a father,
That father lost, lost his, and the survivor bound
In filial obligation for some term
To do obsequious sorrow. But to persever
In obstinate condolement is a course
Of impious stubbornness. 'Tis unmanly grief.
It shows a will most incorrect to heaven,
A heart unfortified, a mind impatient,
An understanding simple and unschooled.
For what we know must be and is as common
As any the most vulgar thing to sense,
Why should we in our peevish opposition
Take it to heart? Fie! 'Tis a fault to heaven,
A fault against the dead, a fault to nature,
To reason most absurd, whose common theme
Is death of fathers, and who still hath cried,
From the first corse till he that died today,
“This must be so.” We pray you, throw to earth
This unprevailing woe, and think of us
As of a father. For let the world take note,
You are the most immediate to our throne,
110 And with no less nobility of love
Than that which dearest father bears his son
Do I impart toward you. For your intent
In going back to school in Wittenberg,
It is most retrograde to our desire.
115 And we beseech you, bend you to remain
Here in the cheer and comfort of our eye,
Our chiefest courtier, cousin, and our son.
And with no less nobility of love
Than that which dearest father bears his son
Do I impart toward you. For your intent
In going back to school in Wittenberg,
It is most retrograde to our desire.
And we beseech you, bend you to remain
Here in the cheer and comfort of our eye,
Our chiefest courtier, cousin, and our son.

GERTRUDE

Let not thy mother lose her prayers, Hamlet.
I pray thee, stay with us. Go not to Wittenberg.

GERTRUDE

Let not thy mother lose her prayers, Hamlet.
I pray thee, stay with us. Go not to Wittenberg.

HAMLET

120 I shall in all my best obey you, madam.

HAMLET

I shall in all my best obey you, madam.

CLAUDIUS

Why, ’tis a loving and a fair reply.
Be as ourself in Denmark.—Madam, come.
This gentle and unforced accord of Hamlet
Sits smiling to my heart, in grace whereof
125 No jocund health that Denmark drinks today
But the great cannon to the clouds shall tell,
And the king’s rouse the heavens shall bruit again,
Respeaking earthly thunder. Come away.

CLAUDIUS

Why, ’tis a loving and a fair reply.
Be as ourself in Denmark.—Madam, come.
This gentle and unforced accord of Hamlet
Sits smiling to my heart, in grace whereof
No jocund health that Denmark drinks today
But the great cannon to the clouds shall tell,
And the king’s rouse the heavens shall bruit again,
Respeaking earthly thunder. Come away.
Flourish. Exeunt all but HAMLET
Flourish. Exeunt all but HAMLET

HAMLET

Oh, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt,
130 Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew,
Or that the Everlasting had not fixed
His canon 'gainst self-slaughter! O God, God!
How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this world!
135 Fie on ’t, ah fie! 'Tis an unweeded garden
That grows to seed. Things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merely. That it should come to this.
But two months dead—nay, not so much, not two.
So excellent a king, that was to this
140 Hyperion to a satyr. So loving to my mother

HAMLET

Oh, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt,
Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew,
Or that the Everlasting had not fixed
His canon 'gainst self-slaughter! O God, God!
How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this world!
Fie on ’t, ah fie! 'Tis an unweeded garden
That grows to seed. Things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merely. That it should come to this.
But two months dead—nay, not so much, not two.
So excellent a king, that was to this
Hyperion to a satyr. So loving to my mother
That he might not beteem the winds of heaven
Visit her face too roughly.—Heaven and earth,
Must I remember? Why, she would hang on him
As if increase of appetite had grown
145 By what it fed on, and yet, within a month—
Let me not think on ’t. Frailty, thy name is woman!—
A little month, or ere those shoes were old
With which she followed my poor father’s body,
Like Niobe, all tears. Why she, even she—
150 O God, a beast that wants discourse of reason
Would have mourned longer!—married with my uncle,
My father’s brother, but no more like my father
Than I to Hercules. Within a month,
Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears
155 Had left the flushing in her gallèd eyes,
She married. O most wicked speed, to post
With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!
It is not nor it cannot come to good,
But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue.
That he might not beteem the winds of heaven
Visit her face too roughly.—Heaven and earth,
Must I remember? Why, she would hang on him
As if increase of appetite had grown
By what it fed on, and yet, within a month—
Let me not think on ’t. Frailty, thy name is woman!—
A little month, or ere those shoes were old
With which she followed my poor father’s body,
Like Niobe, all tears. Why she, even she—
O God, a beast that wants discourse of reason
Would have mourned longer!—married with my uncle,
My father’s brother, but no more like my father
Than I to Hercules. Within a month,
Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing in her gallèd eyes,
She married. O most wicked speed, to post
With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!
It is not nor it cannot come to good,
But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue.
Enter HORATIO , MARCELLUS , and BARNARDO
Enter HORATIO , MARCELLUS , and BARNARDO

HORATIO

160 Hail to your lordship.

HORATIO

Hail to your lordship.

HAMLET

I am glad to see you well.—
Horatio? Or I do forget myself?

HAMLET

I am glad to see you well.—
Horatio? Or I do forget myself?

HORATIO

The same, my lord, and your poor servant ever.

HORATIO

The same, my lord, and your poor servant ever.

HAMLET

Sir, my good friend, I’ll change that name with you.
And what make you from Wittenberg, Horatio?—
165 Marcellus!

HAMLET

Sir, my good friend, I’ll change that name with you.
And what make you from Wittenberg, Horatio?—
Marcellus!

MARCELLUS

My good lord.

MARCELLUS

My good lord.

HAMLET

(to MARCELLUS) I am very glad to see you.—(to BARNARDO) Good even, sir.
(to HORATIO) —But what, in faith, make you from Wittenberg?

HAMLET

(to MARCELLUS) I am very glad to see you.—(to BARNARDO) Good even, sir.
(to HORATIO) —But what, in faith, make you from Wittenberg?

HORATIO

A truant disposition, good my lord.

HORATIO

A truant disposition, good my lord.

HAMLET

I would not hear your enemy say so,
170 Nor shall you do mine ear that violence,
To make it truster of your own report
Against yourself. I know you are no truant.
But what is your affair in Elsinore?
We’ll teach you to drink deep ere you depart.

HAMLET

I would not hear your enemy say so,
Nor shall you do mine ear that violence,
To make it truster of your own report
Against yourself. I know you are no truant.
But what is your affair in Elsinore?
We’ll teach you to drink deep ere you depart.

HORATIO

175 My lord, I came to see your father’s funeral.

HORATIO

My lord, I came to see your father’s funeral.

HAMLET

I pray thee, do not mock me, fellow student.
I think it was to see my mother’s wedding.

HAMLET

I pray thee, do not mock me, fellow student.
I think it was to see my mother’s wedding.

HORATIO

Indeed, my lord, it followed hard upon.

HORATIO

Indeed, my lord, it followed hard upon.

HAMLET

Thrift, thrift, Horatio! The funeral baked meats
180 Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables.
Would I had met my dearest foe in heaven
Or ever I had seen that day, Horatio.
My father—methinks I see my father.

HAMLET

Thrift, thrift, Horatio! The funeral baked meats
Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables.
Would I had met my dearest foe in heaven
Or ever I had seen that day, Horatio.
My father—methinks I see my father.

HORATIO

Where, my lord?

HORATIO

Where, my lord?

HAMLET

In my mind’s eye, Horatio.

HAMLET

In my mind’s eye, Horatio.

HORATIO

185 I saw him once. He was a goodly king.

HORATIO

I saw him once. He was a goodly king.

HAMLET

He was a man. Take him for all in all.
I shall not look upon his like again.

HAMLET

He was a man. Take him for all in all.
I shall not look upon his like again.

HORATIO

My lord, I think I saw him yesternight.

HORATIO

My lord, I think I saw him yesternight.

HAMLET

Saw who?

HAMLET

Saw who?

HORATIO

190 My lord, the king your father.

HORATIO

My lord, the king your father.

HAMLET

The king my father?!

HAMLET

The king my father?!

HORATIO

Season your admiration for a while
With an attent ear, till I may deliver,
Upon the witness of these gentlemen,
195 This marvel to you.

HORATIO

Season your admiration for a while
With an attent ear, till I may deliver,
Upon the witness of these gentlemen,
This marvel to you.

HAMLET

For God’s love, let me hear.

HAMLET

For God’s love, let me hear.

HORATIO

Two nights together had these gentlemen,
Marcellus and Barnardo, on their watch,
In the dead waste and middle of the night,
Been thus encountered: a figure like your father,
200 Armed at point exactly, cap-à-pie,
Appears before them and with solemn march
Goes slow and stately by them. Thrice he walked
By their oppressed and fear-surprisèd eyes
Within his truncheon’s length, whilst they, distilled
205 Almost to jelly with the act of fear,
Stand dumb and speak not to him. This to me
In dreadful secrecy impart they did,
And I with them the third night kept the watch,
Where—as they had delivered, both in time,
210 Form of the thing, each word made true and good—
The apparition comes. I knew your father.
These hands are not more like.

HORATIO

Two nights together had these gentlemen,
Marcellus and Barnardo, on their watch,
In the dead waste and middle of the night,
Been thus encountered: a figure like your father,
Armed at point exactly, cap-à-pie,
Appears before them and with solemn march
Goes slow and stately by them. Thrice he walked
By their oppressed and fear-surprisèd eyes
Within his truncheon’s length, whilst they, distilled
Almost to jelly with the act of fear,
Stand dumb and speak not to him. This to me
In dreadful secrecy impart they did,
And I with them the third night kept the watch,
Where—as they had delivered, both in time,
Form of the thing, each word made true and good—
The apparition comes. I knew your father.
These hands are not more like.

HAMLET

But where was this?

HAMLET

But where was this?

MARCELLUS

My lord, upon the platform where we watch.

MARCELLUS

My lord, upon the platform where we watch.

HAMLET

Did you not speak to it?

HAMLET

Did you not speak to it?

HORATIO

My lord, I did,
215 But answer made it none. Yet once methought
It lifted up its head and did address
Itself to motion, like as it would speak.
But even then the morning cock crew loud,
And at the sound it shrunk in haste away
220 And vanished from our sight.

HORATIO

My lord, I did,
But answer made it none. Yet once methought
It lifted up its head and did address
Itself to motion, like as it would speak.
But even then the morning cock crew loud,
And at the sound it shrunk in haste away
And vanished from our sight.

HAMLET

'Tis very strange.

HAMLET

'Tis very strange.

HORATIO

As I do live, my honored lord, ’tis true.
And we did think it writ down in our duty
To let you know of it.

HORATIO

As I do live, my honored lord, ’tis true.
And we did think it writ down in our duty
To let you know of it.

HAMLET

Indeed, indeed, sirs, but this troubles me.
225 Hold you the watch tonight?

HAMLET

Indeed, indeed, sirs, but this troubles me.
Hold you the watch tonight?

MARCELLUS, BARNARDO

We do, my lord.

MARCELLUS, BARNARDO

We do, my lord.

HAMLET

Armed, say you?

HAMLET

Armed, say you?

MARCELLUS, BARNARDO

Armed, my lord.

MARCELLUS, BARNARDO

Armed, my lord.

HAMLET

From top to toe?

HAMLET

From top to toe?

MARCELLUS, BARNARDO

My lord, from head to foot.

MARCELLUS, BARNARDO

My lord, from head to foot.

HAMLET

Then saw you not his face?

HAMLET

Then saw you not his face?

HORATIO

Oh yes, my lord. He wore his beaver up.

HORATIO

Oh yes, my lord. He wore his beaver up.

HAMLET

What, looked he frowningly?

HAMLET

What, looked he frowningly?

HORATIO

A countenance more
230 In sorrow than in anger.

HORATIO

A countenance more
In sorrow than in anger.

HAMLET

Pale or red?

HAMLET

Pale or red?

HORATIO

Nay, very pale.

HORATIO

Nay, very pale.

HAMLET

And fixed his eyes upon you?

HAMLET

And fixed his eyes upon you?

HORATIO

Most constantly.

HORATIO

Most constantly.

HAMLET

I would I had been there.

HAMLET

I would I had been there.

HORATIO

It would have much amazed you.

HORATIO

It would have much amazed you.

HAMLET

235 Very like. Stayed it long?

HAMLET

Very like. Stayed it long?

HORATIO

While one with moderate haste might tell a hundred.

HORATIO

While one with moderate haste might tell a hundred.

MARCELLUS, BARNARDO

Longer, longer.

MARCELLUS, BARNARDO

Longer, longer.

HORATIO

Not when I saw ’t.

HORATIO

Not when I saw ’t.

HAMLET

His beard was grizzled, no?

HAMLET

His beard was grizzled, no?

HORATIO

240 It was, as I have seen it in his life,
A sable silvered.

HORATIO

It was, as I have seen it in his life,
A sable silvered.

HAMLET

I will watch tonight. Perchance
'Twill walk again.

HAMLET

I will watch tonight. Perchance
'Twill walk again.

HORATIO

I warrant it will.

HORATIO

I warrant it will.

HAMLET

If it assume my noble father’s person,
I’ll speak to it, though Hell itself should gape
245 And bid me hold my peace. I pray you all,
If you have hitherto concealed this sight,
Let it be tenable in your silence still.
And whatsoever else shall hap tonight,
Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
250 I will requite your loves. So fare you well.
Upon the platform, ’twixt eleven and twelve,
I’ll visit you.

HAMLET

If it assume my noble father’s person,
I’ll speak to it, though Hell itself should gape
And bid me hold my peace. I pray you all,
If you have hitherto concealed this sight,
Let it be tenable in your silence still.
And whatsoever else shall hap tonight,
Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
I will requite your loves. So fare you well.
Upon the platform, ’twixt eleven and twelve,
I’ll visit you.

HORATIO, MARCELLUS, BARNARDO

Our duty to your honor.

HORATIO, MARCELLUS, BARNARDO

Our duty to your honor.

HAMLET

Your loves, as mine to you. Farewell.

HAMLET

Your loves, as mine to you. Farewell.
Exeunt all but HAMLET
Exeunt all but HAMLET
My father’s spirit in arms. All is not well.
255 I doubt some foul play. Would the night were come!
Till then sit still, my soul. Foul deeds will rise,
Though all the earth o'erwhelm them, to men’s eyes.
My father’s spirit in arms. All is not well.
I doubt some foul play. Would the night were come!
Till then sit still, my soul. Foul deeds will rise,
Though all the earth o'erwhelm them, to men’s eyes.
Exit
Exit