A Hall in the Castle.
 Enter HAMLET and HORATIO.

Hamlet	So much for this, sir; now shall you see the other.
	You do remember all the circumstance?

Horatio	Remember it, my lord!

Hamlet	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 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.

Horatio								That is most certain.

Hamlet	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-
	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.

Horatio										Is't possible?

Hamlet	Here's the commission, read it at more leisure.
	But wilt thou hear now how I did proceed?

Horatio	I beseech you.

Hamlet	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 laboured much
	How to forget that learning; but, sir, now
	It did me yeoman's service. Wilt thou know
	The effect of what I wrote?

Horatio										Ay, good my lord.

Hamlet	An earnest conjuration from the king,
	As England was his faithful tributary,
	As love between them like the palm should 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 the bearers put to sudden death,
	Not shriving-time allowed.

Horatio									How was this sealed?

Hamlet	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 know'st already.

Horatio	So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to't.

Hamlet	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-incensd points
	Of mighty opposites.

Horatio							Why, what a king is this!

Hamlet	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?

Horatio	It must be shortly known to him from England
	What is the issue of the business there.

Hamlet	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 favours.
	But, sure, the bravery of his grief did put me
	Into a tow'ring passion.

Horatio								Peace, who comes here?

                               Enter OSRIC.

Osric	Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark.

Hamlet	I humbly thank you, sir.
	[Aside to HORATIO.] Dost know this water-fly?

Horatio	No, my good lord.

Hamlet	[Aside to HORATIO.] 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 chough, but, as I say, spacious in 
	the possession of dirt.

Osric	Sweet lord, if your lordship were at leisure I should 
	impart a thing to you from his majesty.

Hamlet	I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of spirit. Put 
	your bonnet to his right use; 'tis for the head.

Osric	I thank your lordship, it is very hot.

Hamlet	No, believe me, 'tis very cold, the wind is northerly.

Osric	It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed.

Hamlet	But yet methinks it is very sultry and hot for my 
	complexion.

Osric	Exceedingly, 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-

Hamlet	I beseech you, remember.
							[HAMLET moves him to put on his hat.

Osric	Nay, 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.

Hamlet	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.

Osric	Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him.

Hamlet	The concernancy, sir? Why do we wrap the gentleman in our 
	more rawer breath?

Osric	Sir?

Horatio	Is't not possible to understand in another tongue? You will 
	to't, sir, really.

Hamlet	What imports the nomination of this gentleman?

Osric	Of Laertes?

Horatio	His purse is empty already; all's golden words are spent.

Hamlet	Of him, sir.

Osric	I know you are not ignorant-

Hamlet	I would you did, sir; yet, in faith, if you did it would 
	not much approve me. Well, sir?

Osric	You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is-

Hamlet	I dare not confess that, lest I should compare with him in 
	excellence; but to know a man well were to know himself.

Osric	I mean, sir, for his weapon. But in the imputation laid on 
	him by them, in his meed he's unfellowed.

Hamlet	What's his weapon?

Osric	Rapier and dagger.

Hamlet	That's two of his weapons - but well.

Osric	The 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, hanger, 
	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.

Hamlet	What call you the carriages?

Horatio	I knew you must be edified by the margent ere you had done.

Osric	The carriages, sir, are the hangers.

Hamlet	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 'imponed', as you call it?

Osric	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.

Hamlet	How if I answer no?

Osric	I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial.

Hamlet	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.

Osric	Shall I deliver you so?

Hamlet	To this effect, sir, after what flourish your nature will.

Osric	I commend my duty to your lordship.

Hamlet	Yours, yours.
												[Exit OSRIC.
	He does well to commend it himself; there are no tongues 
	else for's turn.

Horatio	This lapwing runs away with the shell on his head.

Hamlet	He did comply with his dug before a' sucked it. Thus has he 
	- and many more of the same bevy that I know the drossy age 
	dotes on - only got the tune of the time and outward 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.

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?

Hamlet	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.

Lord	The king and queen and all are coming down.

Hamlet	In happy time.

Lord	The queen desires you to use some gentle entertainment to 
	Laertes before you fall to play.

Hamlet	She well instructs me.
												[Exit LORD.
Horatio	You will lose this wager, my lord.

Hamlet	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.

Horatio	Nay, good my lord-

Hamlet	It is but foolery; but it is such a kind of gain-giving as 
	would perhaps trouble a woman.

Horatio	If your mind dislike anything, obey it. I will forestall 
	their repair hither, and say you are not fit.

Hamlet	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 has aught of 
	what he leaves, what is't to leave betimes? Let be.

      Enter KING, QUEEN, LAERTES, LORDS, OSRIC, and ATTENDANTS with
           Trumpets, drums, and cushions; foils and gauntlets; 
                   a table, and flagons of wine on it.

King	Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.
							 [Puts LAERTES's hand into HAMLET's.

Hamlet	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 sore distraction. What I have done
	That might your nature, honour, 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 mine arrow o'er the house
	And hurt my brother.

Laertes							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
	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.

Hamlet									I embrace it freely,
	And will this brother's wager frankly play.
	Give us the foils. Come on.

Laertes										Come, one for me.

Hamlet	I'll be your foil, Laertes. In mine ignorance
	Your skill shall, like a star i'th' darkest night,
	Stick fiery off indeed.

Laertes								You mock me, sir.

Hamlet	No, by this hand.

King	Give them the foils, young Osric. Cousin Hamlet,
	You know the wager?

Hamlet							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's bettered, we have therefore odds.

Laertes	This is too heavy; let me see another.

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

Osric	Ay, my good lord.
												[They prepare to play.

King	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;
	And you, the judges, bear a wary eye.

Hamlet	Come on, sir.

Laertes	Come, my lord.
												[They play.
Hamlet	One.

Laertes	No.

Hamlet	Judgement.

Osric	A hit, a very palpable hit.

Laertes	Well, again.

King	Stay, give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is thine;
	Here's to thy health.
					[Drum and trumpets sound, and shot goes off.

	Give him the cup.

Hamlet	I'll play this bout first; set it by a while.
	Come.
												[They play.
			Another hit; what say you?

Laertes	A touch, a touch, I do confess.

King	Our son shall win.

Queen					He's fat and scant of breath.
	Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows.
	The queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.

Hamlet	Good madam.

King	Gertrude, do not drink.

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

King	[Aside.] It is the poisoned cup; it is too late.

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

Queen	Come, let me wipe thy face.

Laertes	My lord, I'll hit him now.

King	I do not think't.

Laertes	[Aside.] And yet it is almost against my conscience.

Hamlet	Come for the third, Laertes; you do but dally.
	I pray you, pass with your best violence;
	I am sure you make a wanton of me.

Laertes	Say you so? Come on.
												[They play.
Osric	Nothing neither way.

Laertes	Have at you now!
			  [LAERTES wounds HAMLET. Then, in scuffling, they
					  change rapiers, and HAMLET wounds LAERTES.

King	Part them; they are incensed.

Hamlet	Nay, come again.
												[The QUEEN falls.
Osric	Look to the queen there, ho!

Horatio	They bleed on both sides. [To HAMLET.]  How is it, my lord?

Osric	How is't, Laertes?

Laertes	Why, as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric;
	I am justly killed with mine own treachery.

Hamlet	How does the queen?

King						She swoons to see them bleed.

Queen	No, no, the drink, the drink! O my dear Hamlet;
	The drink, the drink! I am poisoned.
												[Dies.
Hamlet	O villainy! Ho! Let the door be locked.
	Treachery, seek it out!
												[Exit OSRIC.
												[LAERTES falls.
Laertes	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 of 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.

Hamlet	The point envenomed too! Then, venom, to thy work.
												[Stabs the KING.
All	Treason! Treason!

King	O yet defend me, friends; I am but hurt.

Hamlet	Here, thou incestuous, murd'rous, damnd Dane,
	Drink off this potion. - Is thy union here?
	Follow my mother.
												[KING dies.
Laertes						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.
												[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 - O, I could tell you-
	But let it be. Horatio, I am dead;
	Thou livest; report me and my cause aright
	To the unsatisfied.

Horatio							Never believe it.
	I am more an antique Roman than a Dane.
	Here's yet some liquor left.

Hamlet										As thou'rt a man,
	Give me the cup. Let go; by heaven I'll ha't.
	O God, 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 a while,
	And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain,
	To tell my story.
								[March afar off, and shot within.

							What warlike noise is this?

Osric	Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland,
	T' the ambassadors of England gives
	This warlike volley.

Hamlet								O, 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.
												[Dies.
Horatio	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, and the ENGLISH AMBASSADORS, with
                      DRUM, COLOURS, and ATTENDANTS.

Fortinbras	Where is this sight?

Horatio								What is it you would see?
	If aught of woe or wonder, cease your search.

Fortinbras	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?

1st 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?

Horatio										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 placd 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 judgements, 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.

Fortinbras					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.

Horatio	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 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.

				 [Exeunt, marching, bearing off the dead bodies;
					 after which a peal of ordnance is shot off.
