Act 5 — Scene II. A hall in the castle.[2137]
Reading edition
Scene II. A hall in the castle.[2137]
Enter Hamlet and Horatio.
Ham. So much for this, sir: now shall you see the other;[2138] You do remember all the circumstance?[2139] Hor. Remember it, my lord! Ham. Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting, That would not let me sleep: methought I lay[2140] 5 Worse than the mutines in the bilboes. Rashly,[2141][2142] And praised be rashness for it, let us know,[2142][2143][2144][2145] Our indiscretion sometime serves us well[2144][2145][2146] When our deep plots do pall; and that should learn us[2144][2147] There's a divinity that shapes our ends,[2144] 10 Rough-hew them how we will.[2144] Hor. That is most certain. Ham. Up from my cabin, My sea-gown scarf'd about me, in the dark[2148] Groped I to find out them; had my desire,[2149] Finger'd their packet, and in fine withdrew 15 To mine own room again; making so bold,[2150][2151] My fears forgetting manners, to unseal[2151][2152] Their grand commission; where I found, Horatio,— O royal knavery!—an exact command,[2153] Larded with many several sorts of reasons,[2154] 20 Importing Denmark's health and England's too, With, ho! such bugs and goblins in my life,[2155] That, on the supervise, no leisure bated, No, not to stay the grinding of the axe,[2156] My head should be struck off.[2157] Hor. Is't possible? 25 Ham. Here's the commission: read it at more leisure. But wilt thou hear now how I did proceed?[2158] Hor. I beseech you.[2159] Ham. Being thus be-netted round with villanies,—[2160][2161] Or I could make a prologue to my brains,[2160][2162] 30 They had begun the play,—I sat me down;[2160][2163] Devised a new commission; wrote it fair: I once did hold it, as our statists do, A baseness to write fair, and labour'd much[2164] How to forget that learning; but, sir, now 35 It did me yeoman's service: wilt thou know[2165] The effect of what I wrote?[2166] Hor. Ay, good my lord. Ham. An earnest conjuration from the king, As England was his faithful tributary, As love between them like the palm might flourish,[2167] 40 As peace should still her wheaten garland wear And stand a comma 'tween their amities,[2168] And many such-like 'As'es of great charge,[2169] That, on the view and knowing of these contents,[2170] Without debatement further, more or less, 45 He should the bearers put to sudden death,[2171] Not shriving-time allow'd.[2172] Hor. How was this seal'd? Ham. Why, even in that was heaven ordinant.[2173] I had my father's signet in my purse, Which was the model of that Danish seal: 50 Folded the writ up in the form of the other;[2174] Subscribed it; gave't the impression; placed it safely,[2175] The changeling never known. Now, the next day[2176] Was our sea-fight; and what to this was sequent[2177] Thou know'st already.[2178] 55 Hor. So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to't.[2179] Ham. Why, man, they did make love to this employment;[2180] They are not near my conscience; their defeat[2181] Does by their own insinuation grow:[2182] 'Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes[2183] 60 Between the pass and fell incensed points[2184] Of mighty opposites. Hor. Why, what a king is this! Ham. Does it not, thinks't thee, stand me now upon—[2185] He that hath kill'd my king, and whored my mother;[2186] Popp'd in between the election and my hopes;[2187] 65 Thrown out his angle for my proper life,[2188] And with such cozenage—is't not perfect conscience,[2189] To quit him with this arm? and is't not to be damn'd,[2190][2191] To let this canker of our nature come[2190] In further evil?[2190][2192] 70 Hor. It must be shortly known to him from England[2190] What is the issue of the business there.[2190] Ham. It will be short: the interim is mine;[2190][2193][2194] And a man's life's no more than to say 'One.'[2190][2193][2195] But I am very sorry, good Horatio,[2190][2193] 75 That to Laertes I forgot myself;[2190] For, by the image of my cause, I see[2190] The portraiture of his: I'll court his favours:[2190][2196] But, sure, the bravery of his grief did put me[2190] Into a towering passion.[2190] Hor. Peace! who comes here?[2190][2197] 80
Enter Osric.
Osr. Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark.[2198][2199] Ham. I humbly thank you, sir. Dost know this water-fly?[2200][2201] Hor. No, my good lord.[2201] Ham. Thy state is the more gracious, for 'tis a vice to[2201] know him. He hath much land, and fertile: let a beast be[2201] 85 lord of beasts, and his crib shall stand at the king's mess:[2201] 'tis a chough, but, as I say, spacious in the possession of dirt.[2201][2202] Osr. Sweet lord, if your lordship were at leisure, I[2203] should impart a thing to you from his majesty. Ham. I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of spirit.[2204] 90 Put your bonnet to his right use; 'tis for the head.[2205] Osr. I thank your lordship, it is very hot.[2206] Ham. No, believe me, 'tis very cold; the wind is northerly. Osr. It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed. 95 Ham. But yet methinks it is very sultry and hot, or my[2207][2208] complexion—[2208] Osr. Exceedingly, my lord; it is very sultry, as 'twere,—I[2209] cannot tell how. But, my lord, his majesty bade me[2210] signify to you that he has laid a great wager on your head:[2211] 100 sir, this is the matter—[2212] Ham. I beseech you, remember—[2213]
[Hamlet moves him to put on his hat.
Osr. Nay, good my lord; for mine ease, in good faith.[2214] Sir, here is newly come to court Laertes; believe me, an absolute[2215] gentleman, full of most excellent differences, of very[2215][2216] 105 soft society and great showing: indeed, to speak feelingly of[2215][2217] him, he is the card or calendar of gentry, for you shall find[2215][2218] in him the continent of what part a gentleman would see.[2215][2219] Ham. Sir, his definement suffers no perdition in you;[2215] though, I know, to divide him inventorially would dizzy the[2215][2220] 110 arithmetic of memory, and yet but yaw neither, in respect[2215][2221] of his quick sail. But in the verity of extolment, I take[2215] him to be a soul of great article, and his infusion of such[2215][2222] dearth and rareness, as, to make true diction of him, his[2215] semblable is his mirror, and who else would trace him, his[2215] 115 umbrage, nothing more.[2215] Osr. Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him.[2215] Ham. The concernancy, sir? why do we wrap the[2215][2223] gentleman in our more rawer breath?[2215] Osr. Sir?[2215][2224] 120 Hor. Is't not possible to understand in another tongue?[2215][2225] You will do't, sir, really.[2215][2226] Ham. What imports the nomination of this gentleman?[2215] Osr. Of Laertes?[2215][2227] Hor. His purse is empty already; all's golden words[2215] 125 are spent.[2215] Ham. Of him, sir.[2215][2228] Osr. I know you are not ignorant—[2215][2229] Ham. I would you did, sir; yet, in faith, if you did, it[2215] would not much approve me. Well, sir?[2215][2230] 130 Osr. You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is—[2215][2231] Ham. I dare not confess that, lest I should compare[2215] with him in excellence; but, to know a man well, were to[2215][2232] know himself.[2215] Osr. I mean, sir, for his weapon; but in the imputation[2215][2233] 135 laid on him by them, in his meed he's unfellowed.[2215][2234] Ham. What's his weapon? Osr. Rapier and dagger. Ham. That's two of his weapons: but, well. Osr. The king, sir, hath wagered with him six Barbary[2235] 140 horses: against the which he has imponed, as I take it, six[2236] French rapiers and poniards, with their assigns, as girdle, hanger, and so: three of the carriages, in faith, are very[2237] dear to fancy, very responsive to the hilts, most delicate carriages, and of very liberal conceit. 145 Ham. What call you the carriages? Hor. I knew you must be edified by the margent ere[2238] you had done.[2238] Osr. The carriages, sir, are the hangers.[2239] Ham. The phrase would be more germane to the[2240] 150 matter if we could carry a cannon by our sides: I would[2241] it might be hangers till then. But, on: six Barbary horses[2242] against six French swords, their assigns, and three liberal-conceited carriages; that's the French bet against the[2243][2244] Danish. Why is this 'imponed,' as you call it?[2244][2245] 155 Osr. The king, sir, hath laid, sir, that in a dozen[2246] passes between yourself and him, he shall not exceed you[2247] three hits: he hath laid on twelve for nine; and it would[2248] come to immediate trial, if your lordship would vouchsafe the answer. 160 Ham. How if I answer 'no'? Osr. I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial. Ham. Sir, I will walk here in the hall: if it please his[2249] majesty, it is the breathing time of day with me; let the[2249][2250] 165 foils be brought, the gentleman willing, and the king hold[2251] his purpose, I will win for him an I can; if not, I will gain[2252] nothing but my shame and the odd hits. Osr. Shall I redeliver you e'en so?[2253] Ham. To this effect, sir, after what flourish your nature[2254] 170 will. Osr. I commend my duty to your lordship.[2255] Ham. Yours, yours. [Exit Osric.] He does well to[2256] commend it himself; there are no tongues else for's turn.[2257] Hor. This lapwing runs away with the shell on his[2258] 175 head. Ham. He did comply with his dug before he sucked[2259] it. Thus has he—and many more of the same breed that[2260] I know the drossy age dotes on—only got the tune of the time and outward habit of encounter; a kind of yesty collection,[2261][2262] 180 which carries them through and through the most[2261] fond and winnowed opinions; and do but blow them to[2263] their trial, the bubbles are out.[2264]
Enter a Lord.[2265]
Lord. My lord, his majesty commended him to you by[2265] young Osric, who brings back to him, that you attend him[2265][2266] 185 in the hall: he sends to know if your pleasure hold to play[2265] with Laertes, or that you will take longer time.[2265] Ham. I am constant to my purposes; they follow the[2265] king's pleasure: if his fitness speaks, mine is ready; now or[2265] whensoever, provided I be so able as now.[2265] 190 Lord. The king and queen and all are coming down.[2265] Ham. In happy time.[2265] Lord. The queen desires you to use some gentle entertainment[2265][2267] to Laertes before you fall to play.[2265][2268] Ham. She well instructs me. [Exit Lord.[2265][2269] 195 Hor. You will lose this wager, my lord.[2270] Ham. 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[2271] heart: but it is no matter. 200 Hor. Nay, good my lord,—[2272] Ham. It is but foolery; but it is such a kind of gain-giving[2273] as would perhaps trouble a woman.[2273] Hor. If your mind dislike any thing, obey it. I will[2274] forestal their repair hither, and say you are not fit. 205 Ham. Not a whit; we defy augury: there is special[2275] providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to[2276] 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[2277][2278] aught of what he leaves, what is't to leave betimes? Let 210 be.[2278]
Enter King, Queen, Laertes, and Lords, Osric and other Attendants with foils and gauntlets; a table and flagons of wine on it.[2279]
King. Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.[2280]
[The King puts Laertes' hand into Hamlet's.
Ham. Give me your pardon, sir: I've done you wrong;[2281] But pardon't, as you are a gentleman.[2282] This presence knows,[2282][2283][2284] 215 And you must needs have heard, how I am punish'd[2283][2284][2285] With sore distraction. What I have done,[2283][2284][2286] That might your nature, honour and exception[2284][2287] Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness.[2284] Was't Hamlet wrong'd Laertes? Never Hamlet:[2284] 220 If Hamlet from himself be ta'en away,[2284] And when he's not himself does wrong Laertes,[2284] Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it.[2284] Who does it then? His madness: if't be so,[2284][2288] Hamlet is of the faction that is wrong'd;[2284][2289] 225 His madness is poor Hamlet's enemy.[2284] Sir, in this audience,[2284][2290] Let my disclaiming from a purposed evil Free me so far in your most generous thoughts, That I have shot mine arrow o'er the house,[2291] 230 And hurt my brother.[2292] Laer. 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[2293] 235 I have a voice and precedent of peace,[2294] To keep my name ungored. But till that time[2295] I do receive your offer'd love like love[2296] And will not wrong it. Ham. I embrace it freely,[2297][2298] And will this brother's wager frankly play.[2298] 240 Give us the foils. Come on.[2299] Laer. Come, one for me. Ham. I'll be your foil, Laertes: in mine ignorance Your skill shall, like a star i' the darkest night,[2300] Stick fiery off indeed.[2301] Laer. You mock me, sir. Ham. No, by this hand.[2302] 245 King. Give them the foils, young Osric. Cousin[2303][2304] Hamlet,[2303] You know the wager? Ham. Very well, my lord;[2305][2306] Your grace has laid the odds o' the weaker side.[2306][2307] King. I do not fear it; I have seen you both:[2308] But since he is better'd, we have therefore odds.[2309] 250 Laer. This is too heavy; let me see another.[2310][2311] Ham. This likes me well. These foils have all a length?[2310][2312]
[They prepare to play.
Osr. Ay, my good lord. King. Set me the stoups of wine upon that table.[2313] If Hamlet give the first or second hit,[2314] 255 Or quit in answer of the third exchange,[2315] 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,[2316] Richer than that which four successive kings 260 In Denmark's crown have worn. Give me the cups;[2317] And let the kettle to the trumpet speak,[2318] The trumpet to the cannoneer without,[2319] The cannons to the heavens, the heaven to earth,[2320] 'Now the king drinks to Hamlet.' Come, begin;[2321] 265 And you, the judges, bear a wary eye. Ham. Come on, sir. Laer. Come, my lord. [They play.[2322] Ham. One. Laer. No. Ham. Judgement. Osr. A hit, a very palpable hit.[2323] Laer. Well; again. King. Stay; give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is thine;[2324] Here's to thy health.
[Trumpets sound, and cannon shot off within.[2325]
Give him the cup. 270 Ham. I'll play this bout first; set it by awhile.[2326] Come. [They play.] Another hit; what say you?[2327] Laer. A touch, a touch, I do confess.[2328] King. Our son shall win. Queen. He's fat and scant of breath.[2329] Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows:[2330] 275 The queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet. Ham. Good madam! King. Gertrude, do not drink.[2331] Queen. I will, my lord; I pray you, pardon me.[2332] King. [Aside] It is the poison'd cup; it is too late.[2333] Ham. I dare not drink yet, madam; by and by.[2334] 280 Queen. Come, let me wipe thy face. Laer. My lord, I'll hit him now.[2335] King. I do not think't. Laer. [Aside] And yet it is almost against my conscience.[2333][2336] Ham. Come, for the third, Laertes: you but dally;[2337] I pray you, pass with your best violence; 285 I am afeard you make a wanton of me.[2338] Laer. Say you so? come on. [They play.[2339] Osr. Nothing, neither way. Laer. Have at you now!
[Laertes wounds Hamlet; then, in scuffling, they change rapiers, and Hamlet wounds Laertes.[2340]
King. Part them; they are incensed. Ham. Nay, come, again. [The Queen falls. Osr. Look to the queen there, ho![2341] 290 Hor. They bleed on both sides. How is it, my lord?[2342] Osr. How is't, Laertes?[2343] Laer. Why, as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric;[2344] I am justly kill'd with mine own treachery.[2345] Ham. How does the queen? King. She swounds to see them bleed.[2346] 295 Queen. No, no, the drink, the drink,—O my dear Hamlet,—[2347] The drink, the drink! I am poison'd. [Dies.[2347][2348] Ham. O villany! Ho! let the door be lock'd:[2349] Treachery! seek it out. Laer. It is here, Hamlet: Hamlet, thou art slain;[2350] 300 No medicine in the world can do thee good,[2351] In thee there is not half an hour of life;[2352] The treacherous instrument is in thy hand,[2353] Unbated and envenom'd: the foul practice[2354] Hath turn'd itself on me; lo, here I lie,[2355] 305 Never to rise again: thy mother's poison'd:[2356] I can no more: the king, the king's to blame.[2357] Ham. The point envenom'd too![2358][2359][2360] Then, venom, to thy work. [Stabs the King.[2358][2360][2361] All. Treason! treason! 310 King. O, yet defend me, friends; I am but hurt. Ham. Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane,[2362] Drink off this potion: is thy union here?[2363] Follow my mother. [King dies.[2364] Laer. He is justly served;[2365] It is a poison temper'd by himself.[2365][2366] 315 Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet: Mine and my father's death come not upon thee,[2367] Nor thine on me! [Dies.[2368] Ham. Heaven make thee free of it! I follow thee.[2369] I am dead, Horatio. Wretched queen, adieu![2370] 320 You that look pale and tremble at this chance, That are but mutes or audience to this act,[2371] Had I but time—as this fell sergeant, death,[2372] Is strict in his arrest—O, I could tell you—[2372][2373] But let it be. Horatio, I am dead; 325 Thou livest; report me and my cause aright[2374] To the unsatisfied. Hor. Never believe it:[2375] I am more an antique Roman than a Dane:[2376] Here's yet some liquor left. Ham. As thou'rt a man,[2377][2378] Give me the cup: let go; by heaven, I'll have't.[2377][2379] 330 O good Horatio, what a wounded name,[2380] Things standing thus unknown, shall live behind me![2381] If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart, Absent thee from felicity awhile,[2382] And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain, 335 To tell my story. [March afar off, and shot within.[2383] What warlike noise is this? Osr. Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland,[2384] To the ambassadors of England gives[2385][2386][2387] This warlike volley.[2386] Ham. O, I die, Horatio; The potent poison quite o'er-crows my spirit:[2388] 340 I cannot live to hear the news from England; But I do prophesy the election lights On Fortinbras: he has my dying voice; So tell him, with the occurrents, more and less,[2389] Which have solicited. The rest is silence. [Dies.[2390] 345 Hor. Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince,[2391] And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest! [March within.[2392] Why does the drum come hither?
Enter Fortinbras, and the English Ambassadors, with drum, colours, and Attendants.[2393]
Fort. Where is this sight? Hor. What is it you would see?[2394] If aught of woe or wonder, cease your search.[2395] 350 Fort. This quarry cries on havoc. O proud death,[2396] What feast is toward in thine eternal cell,[2397] That thou so many princes at a shot[2398] So bloodily hast struck? First Amb. The sight is dismal;[2399] And our affairs from England come too late: 355 The ears are senseless that should give us hearing. To tell him his commandment is fulfill'd, That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead: Where should we have our thanks? Hor. Not from his mouth Had it the ability of life to thank you:[2400] 360 He never gave commandment for their death.[2401] But since, so jump upon this bloody question,[2402] You from the Polack wars, and you from England,[2403] Are here arrived, give order that these bodies High on a stage be placed to the view;[2404] 365 And let me speak to the yet unknowing world[2405] How these things came about: so shall you hear Of carnal, bloody and unnatural acts,[2406] Of accidental judgements, casual slaughters, Of deaths put on by cunning and forced cause,[2407] 370 And, in this upshot, purposes mistook Fall'n on the inventors' heads: all this can I Truly deliver. Fort. Let us haste to hear it, And call the noblest to the audience.[2408] For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune: 375 I have some rights of memory in this kingdom,[2409] Which now to claim my vantage doth invite me.[2410] Hor. Of that I shall have also cause to speak,[2411] And from his mouth whose voice will draw on more:[2412] But let this same be presently perform'd,[2413] 380 Even while men's minds are wild; lest more mischance[2414] On plots and errors happen.[2415] Fort. Let four captains Bear Hamlet, like a soldier, to the stage;[2416] For he was likely, had he been put on, To have proved most royally: and, for his passage,[2417] 385 The soldiers' music and the rites of war[2418] Speak loudly for him. Take up the bodies: such a sight as this[2419] Becomes the field, but here shows much amiss.[2420] Go, bid the soldiers shoot. 390
[A dead march. Exeunt, bearing off the bodies: after which a peal of ordnance is shot off.[2421]