William Shakespeare Hamlet Act V Scene Ii

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• William Shakespeare: Hamlet, Act V, Scene II

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Scene IIA hall in the castleEnter Hamlet and HoratioHamletSo much for this, sir: now shall you see the other; You do remember all the circumstance?HoratioRemember it, my lord?HamletSir, 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 sometimes serves us well, When our deep plots do pall: and that should teach us There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, Rough-hew them how we will,—HoratioThat is most certain.HamletUp from my cabin, My sea-gown scarf’d about me, in the dark Groped I to find out them; had my desire. Finger’d their packet, and in fine withdrew To mine own room again; making so bold, My fears forgetting manners, to unseal Their grand commission; where I found, Horatio,— O royal knavery!—an exact command, Larded with many several sorts of reasons Importing Denmark’s health and England’s too, With, ho! such bugs and goblins in my life, That, on the supervise, no leisure bated, No, not to stay the grinding of the axe, My head should be struck off.HoratioIs’t possible?HamletHere’s the commission: read it at more leisure. But wilt thou hear me how I did proceed?HoratioI beseech you.HamletBeing thus be-netted round with villanies,— 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 labour’d much How to forget that learning, but, sir, now It did me yeoman’s service: wilt thou know The effect of what I wrote?HoratioAy, good my lord.HamletAn earnest conjuration from the king, As England was his faithful tributary, As love between them like the palm might flourish, As peace should stiff her wheaten garland wear And stand a comma ’tween their amities, And many such-like ‘As’es of great charge, That, on the view and knowing of these contents, Without debatement further, more or less, He should the bearers put to sudden death, Not shriving-time allow’d.HoratioHow was this seal’d?HamletWhy, 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 form of the other, Subscribed it, gave’t the impression, placed it safely, The changeling never known. Now, the next day Was our sea-fight; and what to this was sequent Thou know’st already.HoratioSo Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to’t.HamletWhy, man, they did make love to this employment; They are not near my conscience; their defeat Does by their own insinuation grow: ‘Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes Between the pass and fell incensed points Of mighty opposites.HoratioWhy, what a king is this!HamletDoes it not, think’st thee, stand me now upon— He that hath kill’d my king and whored my mother, Popp’d in between the election and my hopes, Thrown out his angle for my proper life, And with such cozenage—is’t not perfect conscience, To quit him with this arm? and is’t not to be damn’d, To let this canker of our nature come In further evil?HoratioIt must be shortly known to him from England What is the issue of the business there.HamletIt will be short: the interim is mine; And a man’s life’s no more than to say ‘One.’ But I am very sorry, good Horatio, That to Laertes I forgot myself; For, by the image of my cause, I see The portraiture of his: I’ll court his favours. But, sure, the bravery of his grief did put me Into a towering passion.HoratioPeace! who comes here?Enter OsricOsricYour lordship is right welcome back to Denmark.HamletI humbly thank you, sir. Dost know this water-fly?HoratioNo, my good lord.HamletThy state is the more gracious; for ’tis a vice to know him. He hath much land, and fertile: let a beast be lord of beasts, and his crib shall stand at the king’s mess: ’tis a chough; but, as I say, spacious in the possession of dirt.OsricSweet lord, if your lordship were at leisure, I should impart a thing to you from his majesty.HamletI will receive it, sir, with all diligence of spirit. Put your bonnet to his right use; ’tis for the head.OsricI thank your lordship, it is very hot.HamletNo, believe me, ’tis very cold; the wind is northerly.OsricIt is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed.HamletBut yet methinks it is very sultry and hot for my complexion.OsricExceedingly, my lord; it is very sultry,—as ’twere,—I cannot tell how. But, my lord, his majesty bade me signify to you that he has laid a great wager on your head: sir, this is the matter,—HamletI beseech you, remember—Hamlet moves him to put on his hatOsricNay, good my lord; for mine ease, in good faith. Sir, here is newly come to court Laertes; believe me, an absolute gentleman, full of most excellent differences, of very soft society and great showing: indeed, to speak feelingly of him, he is the card or calendar of gentry, for you shall find in him the continent of what part a gentleman would see.HamletSir, his definement suffers no perdition in you; though, I know, to divide him inventorially would dizzy the 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.OsricYour lordship speaks most infallibly of him.HamletThe concernancy, sir? why do we wrap the gentleman in our more rawer breath?OsricSir?HoratioIs’t not possible to understand in another tongue? You will do’t, sir, really.HamletWhat imports the nomination of this gentleman?OsricOf Laertes?HoratioHis purse is empty already; all’s golden words are spent.HamletOf him, sir.OsricI know you are not ignorant—HamletI would you did, sir; yet, in faith, if you did, it would not much approve me. Well, sir?OsricYou are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is—HamletI dare not confess that, lest I should compare with him in excellence; but, to know a man well, were to know himself.OsricI mean, sir, for his weapon; but in the imputation laid on him by them, in his meed he’s unfellowed.HamletWhat’s his weapon?OsricRapier and dagger.HamletThat’s two of his weapons: but, well.OsricThe king, sir, hath wagered with him six Barbary horses: against the which he has imponed, as I take it, six French rapiers and poniards, with their assigns, as girdle, hangers, and so: three of the carriages, in faith, are very dear to fancy, very responsive to the hilts, most delicate carriages, and of very liberal conceit.HamletWhat call you the carriages?HoratioI knew you must be edified by the margent ere you had done.OsricThe carriages, sir, are the hangers.HamletThe phrase would be more german to the matter, if we could carry cannon by our sides: I would it might be hangers till then. But, on: six Barbary horses against six French swords, their assigns, and three liberal-conceited carriages; that’s the French bet against the Danish. Why is this ‘imponed,’ as you call it?OsricThe king, sir, hath laid, 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.HamletHow if I answer ’no’?OsricI mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial.HamletSir, I will walk here in the hall: if it please his majesty, ’tis 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.OsricShall I re-deliver you e’en so?HamletTo this effect, sir; after what flourish your nature will.OsricI commend my duty to your lordship.HamletYours, yours.Exit OsricHe does well to commend it himself; there are no tongues else for’s turn.HoratioThis lapwing runs away with the shell on his head.HamletHe did comply with his dug, before he sucked it. Thus has he—and many more of the same bevy that I know the dressy age dotes on—only got the tune of the time and outward habit of encounter; a kind of yesty collection, which carries them through and through the most fond and winnowed opinions; and do but blow them to their trial, the bubbles are out.Enter a LordLordMy 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.HamletI am constant to my purpose; they follow the king’s pleasure: if his fitness speaks, mine is ready; now or whensoever, provided I be so able as now.LordThe king and queen and all are coming down.HamletIn happy time.LordThe queen desires you to use some gentle entertainment to Laertes before you fall to play.HamletShe well instructs me.Exit LordHoratioYou will lose this wager, my lord.HamletI do not think so: since he went into France, I have been in continual practise: I shall win at the odds. But thou wouldst not think how ill all’s here about my heart: but it is no matter.HoratioNay, good my lord,—HamletIt is but foolery; but it is such a kind of gain-giving, as would perhaps trouble a woman.HoratioIf your mind dislike any thing, obey it: I will forestall their repair hither, and say you are not fit.HamletNot a whit, we defy augury: there’s a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, ’tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come: the readiness is all: since no man has aught of what he leaves, what is’t to leave betimes?Enter King Claudius, Queen Gertrude, Laertes, Lords, Osric, and Attendants with foils, &cKing ClaudiusCome, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.King Claudius puts Laertes’ hand into Hamlet’sHamletGive me your pardon, sir: I’ve done you wrong; But pardon’t, as you are a gentleman. This presence knows, And you must needs have heard, how I am punish’d With sore distraction. What I have done, That might your nature, honour and exception Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness. Was’t Hamlet wrong’d Laertes? Never Hamlet: If Hamlet from himself be ta’en away, And when he’s not himself does wrong Laertes, Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it. Who does it, then? His madness: if’t be so, Hamlet is of the faction that is wrong’d; His madness is poor Hamlet’s enemy. Sir, in this audience, Let my disclaiming from a purposed evil Free me so far in your most generous thoughts, That I have shot mine arrow o’er the house, And hurt my brother.LaertesI am satisfied in nature, Whose motive, in this case, should stir me most To my revenge: but in my terms of honour I stand aloof; and will no reconcilement, Till by some elder masters, of known honour, I have a voice and precedent of peace, To keep my name ungored. But till that time, I do receive your offer’d love like love, And will not wrong it.HamletI embrace it freely; And will this brother’s wager frankly play. Give us the foils. Come on.LaertesCome, one for me.HamletI’ll be your foil, Laertes: in mine ignorance Your skill shall, like a star i’ the darkest night, Stick fiery off indeed.LaertesYou mock me, sir.HamletNo, by this hand.King ClaudiusGive them the foils, young Osric. Cousin Hamlet, You know the wager?HamletVery well, my lord Your grace hath laid the odds o’ the weaker side.King ClaudiusI do not fear it; I have seen you both: But since he is better’d, we have therefore odds.LaertesThis is too heavy, let me see another.HamletThis likes me well. These foils have all a length?They prepare to playOsricAy, my good lord.King ClaudiusSet me the stoops of wine upon that table. If Hamlet give the first or second hit, Or quit in answer of the third exchange, Let all the battlements their ordnance fire: The king shall drink to Hamlet’s better breath; And in the cup an union shall he throw, Richer than that which four successive kings In Denmark’s crown have worn. Give me the cups; And let the kettle to the trumpet speak, The trumpet to the cannoneer without, The cannons to the heavens, the heavens to earth, ‘Now the king dunks to Hamlet.’ Come, begin: And you, the judges, bear a wary eye.HamletCome on, sir.LaertesCome, my lord.They playHamletOne.LaertesNo.HamletJudgment.OsricA hit, a very palpable hit.LaertesWell; again.King ClaudiusStay; give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is thine; Here’s to thy health.Trumpets sound, and cannon shot off withinGive him the cup.HamletI’ll play this bout first; set it by awhile. Come.They playAnother hit; what say you?LaertesA touch, a touch, I do confess.King ClaudiusOur son shall win.Queen GertrudeHe’s fat, and scant of breath. Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows; The queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.HamletGood madam!King ClaudiusGertrude, do not drink.Queen GertrudeI will, my lord; I pray you, pardon me.King ClaudiusAsideIt is the poison’d cup: it is too late.HamletI dare not drink yet, madam; by and by.Queen GertrudeCome, let me wipe thy face.LaertesMy lord, I’ll hit him now.King ClaudiusI do not think’t.LaertesAsideAnd yet ’tis almost ‘gainst my conscience.HamletCome, for the third, Laertes: you but dally; I pray you, pass with your best violence; I am afeard you make a wanton of me.LaertesSay you so? come on.They playOsricNothing, neither way.LaertesHave at you now!Laertes wounds Hamlet; then in scuffling, they change rapiers, and Hamlet wounds LaertesKing ClaudiusPart them; they are incensed.HamletNay, come, again.Queen Gertrude fallsOsricLook to the queen there, ho!HoratioThey bleed on both sides. How is it, my lord?OsricHow is’t, Laertes?LaertesWhy, as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric; I am justly kill’d with mine own treachery.HamletHow does the queen?King ClaudiusShe swounds to see them bleed.Queen GertrudeNo, no, the drink, the drink,—O my dear Hamlet,— The drink, the drink! I am poison’d.DiesHamletO villany! Ho! let the door be lock’d: Treachery! Seek it out.LaertesIt is here, Hamlet: Hamlet, thou art slain; No medicine in the world can do thee good; In thee there is not half an hour of life; The treacherous instrument is in thy hand, Unbated and envenom’d: the foul practise Hath turn’d itself on me lo, here I lie, Never to rise again: thy mother’s poison’d: I can no more: the king, the king’s to blame.HamletThe point!—envenom’d too! Then, venom, to thy work.Stabs King ClaudiusAllTreason! treason!King ClaudiusO, yet defend me, friends; I am but hurt.HamletHere, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane, Drink off this potion. Is thy union here? Follow my mother.King Claudius diesLaertesHe is justly served; It is a poison temper’d by himself. Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet: Mine and my father’s death come not upon thee, Nor thine on me.DiesHamletHeaven make thee free of it! I follow thee. I am dead, Horatio. Wretched queen, adieu! You that look pale and tremble at this chance, That are but mutes or audience to this act, Had I but time—as this fell sergeant, death, Is strict in his arrest—O, I could tell you— But let it be. Horatio, I am dead; Thou livest; report me and my cause aright To the unsatisfied.HoratioNever believe it: I am more an antique Roman than a Dane: Here’s yet some liquor left.HamletAs thou’rt a man, Give me the cup: let go; by heaven, I’ll have’t. O good Horatio, what a wounded name, Things standing thus unknown, shall live behind me! If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart Absent thee from felicity awhile, And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain, To tell my story.March afar off, and shot withinWhat warlike noise is this?OsricYoung Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland, To the ambassadors of England gives This warlike volley.HamletO, I die, Horatio; The potent poison quite o’er-crows my spirit: I cannot live to hear the news from England; But I do prophesy the election lights On Fortinbras: he has my dying voice; So tell him, with the occurrents, more and less, Which have solicited. The rest is silence.DiesHoratioNow cracks a noble heart. Good night sweet prince: And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest! Why does the drum come hither?March withinEnter Fortinbras, the English Ambassadors, and othersPrince FortinbrasWhere is this sight?HoratioWhat is it ye would see? If aught of woe or wonder, cease your search.Prince FortinbrasThis 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 AmbassadorThe 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 fulfill’d, That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead: Where should we have our thanks?HoratioNot from his mouth, Had it the 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 placed to the view; And let me speak to the 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 the inventors’ reads: all this can I Truly deliver.Prince FortinbrasLet 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.HoratioOf that I shall have also cause to speak, And from his mouth whose voice will draw on more; But let this same be presently perform’d, Even while men’s minds are wild; lest more mischance On plots and errors, happen.Prince FortinbrasLet four captains Bear Hamlet, like a soldier, to the stage; For he was likely, had he been put on, To have proved most royally: and, for his passage, The soldiers’ music and the rites 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.A dead march. Exeunt, bearing off the dead bodies; after which a peal of ordnance is shot off

William Shakespeare: Hamlet, Act V

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