No Fear Shakespeare: Hamlet: Act 1 Scene 5

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Hamlet

William Shakespeare

Original Text

Modern Text

Original Text

Modern Text

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Original Text	Modern Text
Enter GHOST and HAMLET	Enter GHOST and HAMLET
HAMLET Where wilt thou lead me? Speak, I’ll go no further.	HAMLET Where wilt thou lead me? Speak, I’ll go no further.
GHOST Mark me.	GHOST Mark me.
HAMLET I will.	HAMLET I will.
GHOST My hour is almost come When I to sulfurous and tormenting flames Must render up myself.	GHOST My hour is almost come When I to sulfurous and tormenting flames Must render up myself.
HAMLET Alas, poor ghost!	HAMLET Alas, poor ghost!
GHOST 5 Pity me not, but lend thy serious hearing To what I shall unfold.	GHOST Pity me not, but lend thy serious hearing To what I shall unfold.
HAMLET Speak. I am bound to hear.	HAMLET Speak. I am bound to hear.
GHOST So art thou to revenge when thou shalt hear.	GHOST So art thou to revenge when thou shalt hear.
HAMLET What?	HAMLET What?
GHOST I am thy father’s spirit, 10 Doomed for a certain term to walk the night And for the day confined to fast in fires, Till the foul crimes done in my days of nature Are burnt and purged away. But that I am forbid To tell the secrets of my prison house, 15 I could a tale unfold whose lightest word Would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood,	GHOST I am thy father’s spirit, Doomed for a certain term to walk the night And for the day confined to fast in fires, Till the foul crimes done in my days of nature Are burnt and purged away. But that I am forbid To tell the secrets of my prison house, I could a tale unfold whose lightest word Would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood,
Make thy two eyes, like stars, start from their spheres, Thy knotted and combinèd locks to part And each particular hair to stand on end, 20 Like quills upon the fearful porpentine. But this eternal blazon must not be To ears of flesh and blood. List, list, O, list! If thou didst ever thy dear father love—	Make thy two eyes, like stars, start from their spheres, Thy knotted and combinèd locks to part And each particular hair to stand on end, Like quills upon the fearful porpentine. But this eternal blazon must not be To ears of flesh and blood. List, list, O, list! If thou didst ever thy dear father love—
HAMLET O God!	HAMLET O God!
GHOST 25 Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder.	GHOST Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder.
HAMLET Murder?	HAMLET Murder?
GHOST Murder most foul, as in the best it is. But this most foul, strange and unnatural.	GHOST Murder most foul, as in the best it is. But this most foul, strange and unnatural.
HAMLET Haste me to know ’t, that I, with wings as swift 30 As meditation or the thoughts of love, May sweep to my revenge.	HAMLET Haste me to know ’t, that I, with wings as swift As meditation or the thoughts of love, May sweep to my revenge.
GHOST I find thee apt, And duller shouldst thou be than the fat weed That roots itself in ease on Lethe wharf, Wouldst thou not stir in this. Now, Hamlet, hear. 35 'Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard, A serpent stung me. So the whole ear of Denmark Is by a forgèd process of my death Rankly abused. But know, thou noble youth, The serpent that did sting thy father’s life 40 Now wears his crown.	GHOST I find thee apt, And duller shouldst thou be than the fat weed That roots itself in ease on Lethe wharf, Wouldst thou not stir in this. Now, Hamlet, hear. 'Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard, A serpent stung me. So the whole ear of Denmark Is by a forgèd process of my death Rankly abused. But know, thou noble youth, The serpent that did sting thy father’s life Now wears his crown.
HAMLET O my prophetic soul! My uncle?	HAMLET O my prophetic soul! My uncle?
GHOST Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast, With witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts— O wicked wit and gifts, that have the power 45 So to seduce!—won to his shameful lust The will of my most seeming-virtuous queen. O Hamlet, what a falling off was there! From me, whose love was of that dignity That it went hand in hand even with the vow 50 I made to her in marriage, and to decline Upon a wretch whose natural gifts were poor To those of mine. But virtue, as it never will be moved, Though lewdness court it in a shape of heaven, 55 So lust, though to a radiant angel linked, Will sate itself in a celestial bed And prey on garbage. But soft! Methinks I scent the morning air. Brief let me be. Sleeping within my orchard, 60 My custom always of the afternoon, Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole With juice of cursed hebenon in a vial, And in the porches of my ears did pour The leperous distilment, whose effect 65 Holds such an enmity with blood of man That swift as quicksilver it courses through The natural gates and alleys of the body And with a sudden vigor doth posset And curd, like eager droppings into milk, 70 The thin and wholesome blood. So did it mine. And a most instant tetter barked about, Most lazar-like, with vile and loathsome crust All my smooth body. Thus was I, sleeping, by a brother’s hand 75 Of life, of crown, of queen at once dispatched, Cut off even in the blossoms of my sin,	GHOST Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast, With witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts— O wicked wit and gifts, that have the power So to seduce!—won to his shameful lust The will of my most seeming-virtuous queen. O Hamlet, what a falling off was there! From me, whose love was of that dignity That it went hand in hand even with the vow I made to her in marriage, and to decline Upon a wretch whose natural gifts were poor To those of mine. But virtue, as it never will be moved, Though lewdness court it in a shape of heaven, So lust, though to a radiant angel linked, Will sate itself in a celestial bed And prey on garbage. But soft! Methinks I scent the morning air. Brief let me be. Sleeping within my orchard, My custom always of the afternoon, Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole With juice of cursed hebenon in a vial, And in the porches of my ears did pour The leperous distilment, whose effect Holds such an enmity with blood of man That swift as quicksilver it courses through The natural gates and alleys of the body And with a sudden vigor doth posset And curd, like eager droppings into milk, The thin and wholesome blood. So did it mine. And a most instant tetter barked about, Most lazar-like, with vile and loathsome crust All my smooth body. Thus was I, sleeping, by a brother’s hand Of life, of crown, of queen at once dispatched, Cut off even in the blossoms of my sin,
Unhouseled, disappointed, unaneled. No reckoning made, but sent to my account With all my imperfections on my head. 80 Oh, horrible, oh, horrible, most horrible! If thou hast nature in thee, bear it not. Let not the royal bed of Denmark be A couch for luxury and damnèd incest. But howsoever thou pursuest this act, 85 Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive Against thy mother aught. Leave her to heaven And to those thorns that in her bosom lodge To prick and sting her. Fare thee well at once. The glowworm shows the matin to be near, 90 And 'gins to pale his uneffectual fire. Adieu, adieu, adieu. Remember me.	Unhouseled, disappointed, unaneled. No reckoning made, but sent to my account With all my imperfections on my head. Oh, horrible, oh, horrible, most horrible! If thou hast nature in thee, bear it not. Let not the royal bed of Denmark be A couch for luxury and damnèd incest. But howsoever thou pursuest this act, Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive Against thy mother aught. Leave her to heaven And to those thorns that in her bosom lodge To prick and sting her. Fare thee well at once. The glowworm shows the matin to be near, And 'gins to pale his uneffectual fire. Adieu, adieu, adieu. Remember me.
Exit	Exit
HAMLET O all you host of heaven! O earth! What else? And shall I couple hell? Oh, fie! Hold, hold, my heart, And you, my sinews, grow not instant old, 95 But bear me stiffly up. Remember thee! Ay, thou poor ghost, whiles memory holds a seat In this distracted globe. Remember thee! Yea, from the table of my memory I’ll wipe away all trivial fond records, 100 All saws of books, all forms, all pressures past That youth and observation copied there, And thy commandment all alone shall live Within the book and volume of my brain, Unmixed with baser matter. Yes, by heaven! 105 O most pernicious woman! O villain, villain, smiling, damnèd villain! My tables!—Meet it is I set it down That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain. At least I’m sure it may be so in Denmark. (writes) 110 So, uncle, there you are. Now to my word.	HAMLET O all you host of heaven! O earth! What else? And shall I couple hell? Oh, fie! Hold, hold, my heart, And you, my sinews, grow not instant old, But bear me stiffly up. Remember thee! Ay, thou poor ghost, whiles memory holds a seat In this distracted globe. Remember thee! Yea, from the table of my memory I’ll wipe away all trivial fond records, All saws of books, all forms, all pressures past That youth and observation copied there, And thy commandment all alone shall live Within the book and volume of my brain, Unmixed with baser matter. Yes, by heaven! O most pernicious woman! O villain, villain, smiling, damnèd villain! My tables!—Meet it is I set it down That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain. At least I’m sure it may be so in Denmark. (writes) So, uncle, there you are. Now to my word.
It is “Adieu, adieu. Remember me.” I have sworn ’t.	It is “Adieu, adieu. Remember me.” I have sworn ’t.
Enter HORATIO and MARCELLUS	Enter HORATIO and MARCELLUS
HORATIO My lord, my lord!	HORATIO My lord, my lord!
MARCELLUS Lord Hamlet—	MARCELLUS Lord Hamlet—
HORATIO 115 Heaven secure him!	HORATIO Heaven secure him!
HAMLET So be it.	HAMLET So be it.
HORATIO Illo, ho, ho, my lord!	HORATIO Illo, ho, ho, my lord!
HAMLET Hillo, ho, ho, boy. Come, bird, come.	HAMLET Hillo, ho, ho, boy. Come, bird, come.
MARCELLUS How is ’t, my noble lord?	MARCELLUS How is ’t, my noble lord?
HORATIO What news, my lord?	HORATIO What news, my lord?
HAMLET 120 Oh, wonderful!	HAMLET Oh, wonderful!
HORATIO Good my lord, tell it.	HORATIO Good my lord, tell it.
HAMLET No. You’ll reveal it.	HAMLET No. You’ll reveal it.
HORATIO Not I, my lord, by heaven.	HORATIO Not I, my lord, by heaven.
MARCELLUS Nor I, my lord.	MARCELLUS Nor I, my lord.
HAMLET How say you, then? Would heart of man once think it? 125 But you’ll be secret?	HAMLET How say you, then? Would heart of man once think it? But you’ll be secret?
HORATIO, MARCELLUS Ay, by heaven, my lord.	HORATIO, MARCELLUS Ay, by heaven, my lord.
HAMLET There’s ne'er a villain dwelling in all Denmark But he’s an arrant knave.	HAMLET There’s ne'er a villain dwelling in all Denmark But he’s an arrant knave.
HORATIO There needs no ghost, my lord, come from the grave To tell us this.	HORATIO There needs no ghost, my lord, come from the grave To tell us this.
HAMLET Why, right, you are in the right. 130 And so, without more circumstance at all, I hold it fit that we shake hands and part. You, as your business and desire shall point you— For every man has business and desire, Such as it is—and for my own poor part, 135 Look you, I’ll go pray.	HAMLET Why, right, you are in the right. And so, without more circumstance at all, I hold it fit that we shake hands and part. You, as your business and desire shall point you— For every man has business and desire, Such as it is—and for my own poor part, Look you, I’ll go pray.
HORATIO These are but wild and whirling words, my lord.	HORATIO These are but wild and whirling words, my lord.
HAMLET I’m sorry they offend you, heartily. Yes faith, heartily.	HAMLET I’m sorry they offend you, heartily. Yes faith, heartily.
HORATIO There’s no offense, my lord.	HORATIO There’s no offense, my lord.
HAMLET Yes, by Saint Patrick, but there is, Horatio, 140 And much offense too. Touching this vision here, It is an honest ghost, that let me tell you. For your desire to know what is between us, O'ermaster ’t as you may. And now, good friends, As you are friends, scholars and soldiers, 145 Give me one poor request.	HAMLET Yes, by Saint Patrick, but there is, Horatio, And much offense too. Touching this vision here, It is an honest ghost, that let me tell you. For your desire to know what is between us, O'ermaster ’t as you may. And now, good friends, As you are friends, scholars and soldiers, Give me one poor request.
HORATIO What is ’t, my lord? We will.	HORATIO What is ’t, my lord? We will.
HAMLET Never make known what you have seen tonight.	HAMLET Never make known what you have seen tonight.
HORATIO, MARCELLUS My lord, we will not.	HORATIO, MARCELLUS My lord, we will not.
HAMLET Nay, but swear ’t.	HAMLET Nay, but swear ’t.
HORATIO In faith, my lord, not I.	HORATIO In faith, my lord, not I.
MARCELLUS Nor I, my lord, in faith.	MARCELLUS Nor I, my lord, in faith.
HAMLET Upon my sword.	HAMLET Upon my sword.
MARCELLUS We have sworn, my lord, already.	MARCELLUS We have sworn, my lord, already.
HAMLET 150 Indeed, upon my sword, indeed.	HAMLET Indeed, upon my sword, indeed.
GHOST (cries under the stage) Swear!	GHOST (cries under the stage) Swear!
HAMLET Ha, ha, boy! Sayst thou so? Art thou there, truepenny? Come on, you hear this fellow in the cellarage. Consent to swear.	HAMLET Ha, ha, boy! Sayst thou so? Art thou there, truepenny? Come on, you hear this fellow in the cellarage. Consent to swear.
HORATIO 155 Propose the oath, my lord.	HORATIO Propose the oath, my lord.
HAMLET Never to speak of this that you have seen. Swear by my sword.	HAMLET Never to speak of this that you have seen. Swear by my sword.
GHOST (beneath) Swear.	GHOST (beneath) Swear.
HAMLET Hic et ubique? Then we’ll shift our ground. Come hither, gentlemen, 160 And lay your hands again upon my sword. Swear by my sword Never to speak of this that you have heard.	HAMLET Hic et ubique? Then we’ll shift our ground. Come hither, gentlemen, And lay your hands again upon my sword. Swear by my sword Never to speak of this that you have heard.
GHOST (beneath) Swear by his sword.	GHOST (beneath) Swear by his sword.
HAMLET Well said, old mole! Canst work i' th' earth so fast? 165 A worthy pioneer! Once more remove, good friends.	HAMLET Well said, old mole! Canst work i' th' earth so fast? A worthy pioneer! Once more remove, good friends.
HORATIO O day and night, but this is wondrous strange!	HORATIO O day and night, but this is wondrous strange!
HAMLET And therefore as a stranger give it welcome. There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. But come, 170 Here, as before, never, so help you mercy, How strange or odd soe'er I bear myself (As I perchance hereafter shall think meet To put an antic disposition on), That you, at such times seeing me, never shall— 175 With arms encumbered thus, or this headshake, Or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase, As “Well, well, we know,” or “We could an if we would,” Or “If we list to speak,” or “There be an if they might,” Or such ambiguous giving out—to note 180 That you know aught of me. This not to do, So grace and mercy at your most need help you, Swear.	HAMLET And therefore as a stranger give it welcome. There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. But come, Here, as before, never, so help you mercy, How strange or odd soe'er I bear myself (As I perchance hereafter shall think meet To put an antic disposition on), That you, at such times seeing me, never shall— With arms encumbered thus, or this headshake, Or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase, As “Well, well, we know,” or “We could an if we would,” Or “If we list to speak,” or “There be an if they might,” Or such ambiguous giving out—to note That you know aught of me. This not to do, So grace and mercy at your most need help you, Swear.
GHOST (beneath) Swear!	GHOST (beneath) Swear!
HAMLET Rest, rest, perturbèd spirit!—So, gentlemen, 185 With all my love I do commend me to you, And what so poor a man as Hamlet is May do, to express his love and friending to you, God willing, shall not lack. Let us go in together, And still your fingers on your lips, I pray. 190 The time is out of joint. O cursèd spite, That ever I was born to set it right! Nay, come, let’s go together.	HAMLET Rest, rest, perturbèd spirit!—So, gentlemen, With all my love I do commend me to you, And what so poor a man as Hamlet is May do, to express his love and friending to you, God willing, shall not lack. Let us go in together, And still your fingers on your lips, I pray. The time is out of joint. O cursèd spite, That ever I was born to set it right! Nay, come, let’s go together.
Exeunt	Exeunt