فصل 20

So much for this, sir; now shall you see the other.

You do remember all the circumstance?

Remember it, my lord!

Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting

That would not let me sleep. Methought I lay

Worse than the mutines in the bilboes. Rashly,

And praised be rashness for it—let us know

Our indiscretion sometime serves us well

When our deep plots do pall, and that should learn us

There’s a divinity that shapes our ends,

Rough-hew them how we will—

That is most certain.

Up from my cabin,

My sea-gown scarfed about me, in the dark

Groped I to find out them, had my desire,

Fingered 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—

Ah, 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 ax,

My head should be struck off.

Is't possible?

[giving a document]

Here’s the commission. Read it at more leisure.

But wilt thou hear now how I did proceed?

I beseech you.

Being thus benetted round with villainies—

Ere I could make a prologue to my brains,

They had begun the play—I sat me down,

Devised a new commission, wrote it fair.

I once did hold it, as our statists do,

A baseness to write fair, and labored much

How to forget that learning, but, sir, now

It did me yeoman’s service. Wilt thou know

Th’effect of what I wrote?

Ay, good my lord.

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 suchlike “as”es of great charge,

That on the view and knowing of these contents,

Without debatement further more or less,

He should those bearers put to sudden death,

Not shriving time allowed.

How was this sealed?

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 th’other,

Subscribed it, gave’t th’impression, placed it safely,

The changeling never known. Now, the next day

Was our sea fight, and what to this was sequent

Thou knowest already.

So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to’t.

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 incensèd points

Of mighty opposites.

Why, what a king is this!

Does it not, think thee, stand me now upon—

He that hath killed my king and whored my mother,

Popped in between th’election and my hopes,

Thrown out his angle for my proper life,

And with such coz’nage—is’t not perfect conscience

To quit him with this arm? And is’t not to be damned

To let this canker of our nature come

In further evil?

It must be shortly known to him from England

What is the issue of the business there.

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 favors.

But, sure, the bravery of his grief did put me

Into a tow’ring passion.

Peace, who comes here?

Enter a Courtier [Osric].

Your Lordship is right welcome back to Denmark.

I humbly thank you, sir. [To Horatio] Dost

know this water fly?

No, my good lord.

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 chuff, but, as I say, spacious in the

possession of dirt.

Sweet lord, if Your Lordship were at leisure, I

should impart a thing to you from His Majesty.

I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of spirit.

Put your bonnet to his right use; ‘tis for the head.

I thank Your Lordship, it is very hot.

No, believe me, 'tis very cold. The wind is

northerly.

It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed.

But yet methinks it is very sultry and hot for

my complexion.

Exceedingly, my lord. It is very sultry, as

‘twere—I cannot tell how. My lord, His Majesty bade

me signify to you that ‘a has laid a great wager on your

head. Sir, this is the matter—

I beseech you, remember.

Nay, good my lord; for my 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.

Sir, his definement suffers no perdition in

you, though I know to divide him inventorially would

dozy 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.

Your Lordship speaks most infallibly of him.

The concernancy, sir? Why do we wrap the

gentleman in our more rawer breath?

Sir?

Is’t not possible to understand in another

tongue? You will do’t, sir, really.

What imports the nomination of this gentleman?

Of Laertes?

[to Hamlet] His purse is empty already; all ‘s

golden words are spent.

Of him, sir.

I know you are not ignorant—

I would you did, sir. Yet in faith if you did,

it would not much approve me. Well, sir?

You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes

is—

I dare not confess that, lest I should compare

with him in excellence. But to know a man well were

to know himself.

I mean, sir, for his weapon; but in the imputation

laid on him by them, in his meed he’s unfellowed.

What’s his weapon?

Rapier and dagger.

That’s two of his weapons—but well.

The King, sir, hath wagered with him six Barbary

horses, against the which he has impawned, 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 con

ceit.

What call you the carriages?

[to Hamlet] I knew you must be edified by

the margent ere you had done.

The carriages, sir, are the hangers.

The phrase would be more germane to the

matter if we could carry a 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 impawned, as you call it?

The King, sir, hath laid, sir, that in a dozen

passes between yourself 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.

How if I answer no?

I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person

in trial.

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 an I can; if

not, I will gain nothing but my shame and the odd

hits.

Shall I deliver you so?

To this effect, sir—after what flourish your

nature will.

I commend my duty to Your Lordship.

Yours, yours.

[Exit Osric]

‘A does well to commend it himself; there are no tongues

else for ‘s turn.

This lapwing runs away with the shell on his

head.

'A did comply with his dug before 'a sucked

it. Thus has he—and many more of the same breed

that I know the drossy age dotes on—only got the

tune of the time, and, out of an 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.

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.

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.

The King and Queen and all are coming down.

In happy time.

The Queen desires you to use some gentle entertainment

to Laertes before you fall to play.

She well instructs me.

[Exit Lord.]

You will lose, my lord.

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.

Nay, good my lord—

It is but foolery, but it is such a kind of gaingiving as would perhaps trouble a woman.

If your mind dislike anything, obey it. I will

forestall their repair hither and say you are not fit.

Not a whit, we defy augury. There is 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 of aught he leaves knows, what is’t to leave

betimes? Let be.

A table prepared. [Enter] trumpets, drums, and officers with cushions; King, Queen, [Osric,] and all the state; foils, daggers, [and wine borne in;] and Laertes.

KING

Come, Hamlet, come and take this hand from me.

[The King puts Laertes’s hand into Hamlet’s.]

[to Laertes]

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 punished

With a sore distraction. What I have done

That might your nature, honor, and exception

Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness.

Was’t Hamlet wronged 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 wronged;

His madness is poor Hamlet’s enemy.

Sir, in this audience

Let my disclaiming from a purposed evil

Free me so far in your most generous thoughts

That I have shot my arrow o’er the house

And hurt my brother.

I am satisfied in nature,

Whose motive in this case should stir me most

To my revenge. But in my terms of honor

I stand aloof, and will no reconcilement

Till by some elder masters of known honor

I have a voice and precedent of peace

To keep my name ungored. But till that time

I do receive your offered love like love,

And will not wrong it.

I embrace it freely,

And will this brothers’ wager frankly play.—

Give us the foils. Come on.

Come, one for me.

I’ll be your foil, Laertes. In mine ignorance

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

Stick fiery off indeed.

You mock me, sir.

No, by this hand.

KING

Give them the foils, young Osric. Cousin Hamlet,

You know the wager?

Very well, my lord.

Your Grace has laid the odds o’th’ weaker side.

KING

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

But since he is bettered, we have therefore odds.

This is too heavy. Let me see another.

[He exchanges his foil for another.]

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

[They prepare to fence.]

Ay, my good lord.

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 heaven to earth,

“Now the King drinks to Hamlet.” Come, begin.

Trumpets the while.

And you, the judges, bear a wary eye.

Come on, sir.

Come, my lord.

[They fence. Hamlet scores a hit.]

One.

No.

Judgment.

A hit, a very palpable hit.

Drum, trumpets, and shot. Flourish. A piece goes off.

Well, again.

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

[He drinks, and throws a pearl in Hamlet’s cup.]

Here’s to thy health. Give him the cup.

I’ll play this bout first. Set it by awhile.

Come. [They fence.] Another hit; what say you?

A touch, a touch, I do confess't.

Our son shall win.

He’s fat and scant of breath.

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

The Queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.

Good madam!

Gertrude, do not drink.

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

[She drinks.]

[aside]

It is the poisoned cup. It is too late.

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

Come, let me wipe thy face.

[aside to the King]

My lord, I’ll hit him now.

I do not think't.

[aside]

And yet it is almost against my conscience.

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.

Say you so? Come on.

[They fence.]

Nothing neither way.

Have at you now!

[Laertes wounds Hamlet; then, in scuffling, they change rapiers, and Hamlet wounds Laertes.] KING Part them! They are incensed.

Nay, come, again. [The Queen falls.]

OSRIC Look to the Queen there, ho!

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

How is’t, Laertes?

Why, as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric;

I am justly killed with mine own treachery.

How does the Queen?

KING She swoons to see them bleed.

No, no, the drink, the drink—Oh, my dear Hamlet—

The drink, the drink! I am poisoned.

[She dies.

Oh, villainy! Ho, let the door be locked!

Treachery! Seek it out.

[Laertes falls. Exit Osric.]

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

No med’cine in the world can do thee good;

In thee there is not half an hour’s life.

The treacherous instrument is in thy hand,

Unbated and envenomed. The foul practice

Hath turned itself on me. Lo, here I lie,

Never to rise again. Thy mother’s poisoned.

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

The point envenomed too? Then, venom, to thy work.

[He stabs the King.]

ALL Treason! Treason!

Oh, yet defend me, friends! I am but hurt.

[forcing the King to drink]

Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damnèd Dane,

Drink off this potion. Is thy union here?

Follow my mother.

[The King dies.]

He is justly served.

It is a poison tempered by himself.

Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet.

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

Nor thine on me!

[He 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—oh, I could tell you—

But let it be. Horatio, I am dead;

Thou livest. Report me and my cause aright

To the unsatisfied.

Never believe it.

I am more an antique Roman than a Dane.

Here’s yet some liquor left.

[He attempts to drink from the poisoned cup. Hamlet prevents him.]

As thou’rt a man,

Give me the cup! Let go! By heaven, I’ll ha ‘t.

Oh, God, Horatio, what a wounded name,

Things standing thus unknown, shall I leave 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.

A march afar off [and a volley within].

What warlike noise is this?

Enter Osric.

Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland,

To th’ambassadors of England gives

This warlike volley.

Oh, I die, Horatio!

The potent poison quite o’ercrows 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 th’occurrents more and less

Which have solicited. The rest is silence.

[He dies.]

Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince,

And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!

[March within.]

Why does the drum come hither?

Enter Fortinbras, with the [English] Ambassadors [with drum, colors, and attendants].

FORTINBRAS

Where is this sight?

What is it you would see?

If aught of woe or wonder, cease your search.

This quarry cries on havoc. O proud Death,

What feast is toward in thine eternal cell,

That thou so many princes at a shot

So bloodily hast struck?

FIRST AMBASSADOR The sight is dismal,

And our affairs from England come too late.

The ears are senseless that should give us hearing,

To tell him his commandment is fulfilled,

That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead.

Where should we have our thanks?

Not from his mouth,

Had it th’ability of life to thank you.

He never gave commandment for their death.

But since, so jump upon this bloody question,

You from the Polack wars and you from England

Are here arrived, give order that these bodies

High on a stage be placèd to the view,

And let me speak to th’ yet unknowing world

How these things came about. So shall you hear

Of carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts,

Of accidental judgments, casual slaughters,

Of deaths put on by cunning and forced cause,

And, in this upshot, purposes mistook

Fall’n on th’inventors’ heads. All this can I

Truly deliver.

Let us haste to hear it,

And call the noblest to the audience.

For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune.

I have some rights of memory in this kingdom,

Which now to claim my vantage doth invite me.

Of that I shall have also cause to speak,

And from his mouth whose voice will draw on more.

But let this same be presently performed,

Even while men’s minds are wild, lest more mischance

On plots and errors happen.

FORTINBRAS Let four captains

Bear Hamlet, like a soldier, to the stage,

For he was likely, had he been put on,

To have proved most royal; and for his passage,

The soldiers’ music and the rite of war

Speak loudly for him.

Take up the bodies. Such a sight as this

Becomes the field, but here shows much amiss.

Go bid the soldiers shoot.