295 96 115MB
English Pages [620] Year 1952
X
BufKH aii
m ifcff
^^^^^^^5^^^^
^^^h
i&
GREAT BOOKS OF THE WESTERN WORLD S^ ***********************
12.
LUCRETIUS EPICTETUS MARCUS AURELIUS
13.
VIRGIL
14.
PLUTARCH
15.
TACITUS
16.
PTOLEMY
Introductory Volumes: 1.
2.
3.
The Great Conversation
The Great The Great
Ideas
Ideas II
***************
4.
5.
I
*************
HOMER
COPERNICUS KEPLER
AESCHYLUS SOPHOCLES
17.
PLOTINUS
18.
AUGUSTINE
19.
THOMAS AQUINAS
I
THUCYDIDES
20.
THOMAS AQUINAS
II
7.
PLATO
21.
DANTE
8.
ARISTOTLE
I
22.
CHAUCER
9.
ARISTOTLE
II
23.
HIPPOCRATES GALEN
MACHIAVELLI HOBBES
24.
RABELAIS
EUCLID
25.
MONTAIGNE
ARCHIMEDES APOLLONIUS
26.
SHAKESPEARE
I
NICOMACHUS
27.
SHAKESPEARE
II
EURIPIDES
ARISTOPHANES 6.
10.
11.
HERODOTUS
^N^H^3^^£^£>^^
GREAT BOOKS OF THE WESTERN WORLD 28.
29. 30.
GILBERT GALILEO
41.
GIBBON
HARVEY
42.
KANT
CERVANTES
43.
AMERICAN STATE
II
PAPERS THE FEDERALIST J. S. MILL
FRANCIS BACON
DESCARTES SPINOZA
44.
BOSWELL
32.
MILTON
45.
33.
PASCAL
LAVOISIER FOURIER
34.
NEWTON
31.
FARADAY
HUYGENS 35.
LOCKE BERKELEY
46.
HEGEL
47.
GOETHE
48.
MELVILLE
49.
DARWIN
50.
MARX
HUME 36.
SWIFT STERNE
ENGELS 37.
FIELDING 51.
TOLSTOY
38.
MONTESQUIEU ROUSSEAU
52.
DOSTOEVSKY
39.
ADAM SMITH
53.
WILLIAM JAMES
40.
GIBBON
54.
FREUD
I
**********************************************
ggj
GREAT BOOKS OF THE WESTERN WORLD ROBERT MAYNARD HUTCHINS, EDITOR IN CHIEF -> *»»» mm »»«
»»«»»
27-
SHAKESPEARE:
t
II
M>Mf>M»>tMMMtMMMMM4«M >I MMMMMMMM»M MMMMM M*M«M
M M M M M M M M M M M M M MM M
»
>
Mortimer J. Adler,
Associate Editor
Members of the Advisory Board: Stringfellow Barr, Scott Buchanan, John Erskinb,
Clarence H. Faust, Alexander Meiklejohn, Joseph J. Schwab, Editorial Consultants: A. F. B.
Clark,
F. L.
Wallace Brockway,
Lucas,
Mark Van Doren.
Walter Murdoch.
Executive Editor
'
MMM MMM M I
************ I ***********************************************************************
I
n> The Plays
M MM I
I 1
1*
M
IT
and
Sonnets of William Shakespeare Volume Two Edited by William George Clarke and William Aldis Wright
ARCHBISHIP MiTTY HIGH SC Library
5000 Mitty Avenue San Jose, CA 95129-1897
William Benton,
Publisher
ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA, INC CHICAGO LONDON TORONTO GENEVA SYDNEY TOKYO MANILA •
•
•
•
********* *%t*%***************************************** ******************************************
•
THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO The Great Books is
published with the editorial advice of the faculties of
The University of Chicago
No
part of this work may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the
publisher.
© I
95 2
by Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. Twenty-seventh Printing, 1984
Copyright under International Copyright Union
All Rights Reserved under Pan American and Universal Copyright Conventions by Encyclopedia Britannica,
Number: 55-10334 Book Number: 0—85229-163-9
Library of Congress Catalog Card International Standard
Inc.
11
25414
Contents,
Two
Volume as
Twelfth Night;
or,
What You Will,
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, 29 The Merry Wives of Windsor, 73 Troilus and Cressida, 103 All's
Well That Ends Well,
Measure for Measure,
142
174
Othello, the Moor of Venice, 205
King Lear, 244 Macbeth, 284
Antony and Cleopatra,
3
1
Coriolanus, 351
Timon of Athens,
393
Pericles, Prince of Tyre, 42
Cymbeline, 449 The Winter's Tale, 489
The Tempest,
524
The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eighth, 549 Sonnets, 586
i
TWELFTH NIGHT
**
What You
Or,
Will
DRAMATIS PERSONA Two
Orsino, Duke of Illyria Sebastian, brother to Viola Antonio, a sea captain, friend to Sebastian A Sea Captain, friend to Viola A NTINE Sentkmen Ending on the Duke
C
rio
Sir Sir
Toby Belch, uncle to Olivia Andrew Aguecheek
to
a
Clown
I
to
">
Olivia's
woman
Non-Speaking: Lords,
Olivia
*—»
Olivia
Olivia
Viola Maria,
I
Malvolio, steward
Officers
A Priest A Servant to
0li
Sailors,
Officers,
Musicians,
and other Attendants
™
Scene:
A
city in Illyria,
and
the sea-coast near
it
*z ACT Scene
i.
The element itself,
I
The Duke
till
seven years' heat,
Shall not behold her face at
s palace
ample view;
But, like a cloistress, she will veiled
Enter duke, curio, and other Lords; Musicians attending.
fresh
And lasting in her sad remembrance. Duke. O, she that hath a heart of that fine frame
That strain again! it had a dying fall: O, it came o'er my ear like the sweet sound, That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour! Enough; no more: 'Tis not so sweet now as it was before.
To pay this debt of love but to a brother,
How will she love, when the rich golden shaft: Hath kill'd the flock of all affections else That live in her; when liver, brain, and heart, These sovereign thrones, are all supplied, and
O spirit of love! how quick and fresh art thou, 10
fill'd
Receiveth as the sea, nought enters there,
Her sweet perfections with one self king!
Of what validity and pitch soe'er,
Away before me to sweet beds of flowers
But
falls
into abatement and
low
is
fancy
Why,
Vio.
so
I
rich
do, the noblest that
I
O, when mine eyes did see Olivia first, Methought she purged the air of pestilence! That instant was I turn'd into a hart; And my desires, like fell and cruel hounds, E'er since pursue me.
Vio.
20
ii.
What country,
Cap. This
have:
:
40
when canopied with [Exeunt.
Scene
The hart.
Duke.
lie
The sea-coast
Enter viola, a captain, and Sailors.
What, Curio?
Duke. Cur.
Love-thoughts bowers.
price,
Even in a minute: so full of shapes That it alone is high fantastical. Cur. Will you go hunt, my lord?
50
A brother's dead love, which she would keep
Duke. If music be the food of love, play on; Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting, The appetite may sicken, and so die.
That, notwithstanding thy capacity
walk
And water once a day her chamber round With eye-offending brine: all this to season
is Illyria,
friends, is this?
lady.
And what should I do in Illyria?
My brother he Perchance he
is
is
in
Elysium.
not drown'd: what think you,
sailors?
Cap.
It is
perchance that you yourself were
saved.
Enter valentine.
How now! what news from her? Val. So please my lord, I might not be admitted; But from her handmaid do return this answer:
O
my poor brother! and so perchance may he be. Cap. True, madam: and, to comfort you with Vio.
chance,
TWELFTH NIGHT;
OR,
What else may hap to time I
Assure yourself, after our ship did split, When you and those poor numbers saved with
you
10
Hung on our driving boat, I saw your Most provident
WHAT YOU WILL
I'll
tongue blabs, then
Vio.
tice,
I
thank thee: lead
Scene
Where, like Arion on the dolphin's back, I saw him hold acquaintance with the waves So long as I could see.
The like of him. Know'st thou this
enemy 20
country?
What is his name?
my father name him:
He was a bachelor then. Cap.
And so is now,
For but
And
a
month ago
or was so very late;
I
then 'twas fresh
50 went from hence, in murmur as, you know,
—
What great ones do the less
will prattle
That he did seek the love of fair Vio. What's she? Cap.
of
Olivia.
sure care's an
my
troth, Sir
Why,
Sir To.
let
her except, before excepted.
and so be these boots too: an they be not,
let
them hang themselves in their own straps. Mar. That quaffing and drinking will undo you: I
heard
my
lady talk of
foolish knight that
yesterday: and of a
it
you brought
in
one night here
Who,
Andrew Aguecheek?
Sir
he.
He's as tall a man as any's Mar. What's that to the purpose?
Why,
in Illyria.
21
he has three thousand ducats a
year.
Mar. Ay,
for
I
niece, to take
am
Toby, you must come in your cousin, my lady, takes great exceptions to your ill hours.
Sir To.
O that
my
Sir To.
since, then leaving
whose dear love, They say, she hath abjured the company And sight of men.
I
life.
Mar. By
Sir To.
In the protection of his son, her brother,
Vio.
to
Mar. Ay,
her
Who shortly also died:
means
to be her wooer.
A virtuous maid, the daughter of a count
That died some twelvemonth
a plague
Mar. Ay, but you must confine yourself within the modest limits of order. p Sir To. Confine! I'll confine myself no finer than I am: these clothes are good enough to drink in;
Cap. Orsino.
have heard
house
earlier o' nights:
Who governs here? Cap. A noble duke, in nature as in name. I
What
Sir To.
Vio.
Vio. Orsino!
[Exeunt.
hi. Olivia's
the death of her brother thus?
Cap. Ay, madam, well; for I was bred and born Not three hours' travel from this very place.
Vio.
me on.
Enter sir toby belch and maria.
so, there's gold:
Mine own escape unfoldeth to my hope, Whereto thy speech serves for authority,
mine eyes not
let
see.
To a strong mast that lived upon the sea;
For saying
60
be:
When my
Courage and hope both teaching him the prac-
Vio.
commit;
Only shape thou thy silence to my wit. Cap. Be you his eunuch, and your mute
brother,
in peril, bind himself,
ACT
will
40
served that lady
And might not be delivered to the world, I had made mine own occasion mellow,
Till
What my estate is! Cap That were hard to compass Because she will admit no kind of suit, No, not the Duke's. Vio. There is a fair behaviour in thee, captain; And though that nature with a beauteous wall Doth oft close in pollution, yet of thee I will believe thou hast a mind that suits 50 With this thy fair and outward character. I prithee, and I'll pay thee bounteously, Conceal me what I am, and be my aid For such disguise as haply shall become The form of my intent. I'll serve this duke: Thou shalt present me as an eunuch to him: It may be worth thy pains; for I can sing And speak to him in many sorts of music That will allow me very worth his service.
he'll
have but a year
in all these
ducats: he's a very fool and a prodigal. Sir To. Fie, that you'll say so! he plays o' the viol-de-gamboys, and speaks three or four lan-
guages word for word without book, and hath all the good gifts of nature. 29 Mar. He hath indeed, almost natural: for besides that he's a fool, he's a great quarreller;
and
but that he hath the gift of a coward to allay the gust he hath in quarrelling,
'tis
thought
among
the prudent he would quickly have the gift of a grave. Sir To.
By
they are scoundrels and Who are they? that add, moreover, he's drunk
this hand,
substractors that say so of him.
Mar. They
nightly in your company. Sir To.
With
55)
drinking healths to
drink to her as long as there
is
niece:
I'll
a passage in
my
throat and drink in Illyria: he's a coystrill that will not drink to
my
coward and
my
niece
brains turn o' the toe like a parish-top.
wench!
Castiliano
Andrew Agueface.
vulgo!
for
till
a
his
What,
here comes
Sir
— SCENE
TWELFTH NIGHT;
III
OR,
WHAT YOU WILL
Sir To.
Enter sir
And.
Sir
andrew aguecheek.
Toby
Sir
how now,
Belch!
Toby
Sir
Sweet Sir Andrew! Sir And. Bless you, fair shrew. 50 Mar. And you too, sir. Sir To. Accost, Sir Andrew, accost. Sir And. What's that? Sir To. My niece's chambermaid. Sir And. Good Mistress Accost, I desire better Sir To.
acquaintance.
Mar. My name is Mary, sir. Sir And. Good Mistress Mary Accost
You
Sir To.
mistake, knight: "accost"
her, board her,
woo her,
is
front
60
assail her.
And. By my troth, I would not undertake her in this company. Is that the meaning of Sir
"accost"?
Mar. Fare you well, gentlemen. Sir To. An thou let part so, Sir Andrew, would thou mightst never draw sword again.
And.
An you
part so, mistress,
I
would
I
might never draw sword again. Fair lady, do you think you have fools in hand? Mar. Sir, I have not you by the hand. 70 Sir And. Marry, but you shall have; and here's
my hand. Mar. Now,
sir,
"thought
free."
is
I
pray you,
bring your hand to the buttery-bar and let
it
And. Wherefore, sweetheart? what's your
metaphor?
Mar. It's dry, sir. Sir And. WTiy, I think so: I am not such an ass but I can keep my hand dry. But what's your So
jest?
Mar. A dry jest, sir. Sir And. Are you full of them? Mar. Ay, sir, I have them at my fingers' ends: marry, now I let go your hand, I am barren. [Exit. Sir To. O knight, thou lackest a cup of canary: when did I see thee so put down? Sir And. Never in your life, I think; unless you see canary put me down. Methinks sometimes I have no more wit than a Christian or an ordinary man has but I am a great eater of beef and :
I
believe that does Sir To.
Sir
ride
harm to my
No question. An I thought that,
And.
home to-morrow,
Sir To. Pourquoi,
Sir
wit.
I'd
forswear
91 it. I'll
Toby.
I
have in fencing, dancing, and bear-baiting: I but followed the arts!
O, had
Why, would
that have
mended
my
Sir To. Past question; for thou seest
by nature. Sir And. But it becomes
it
will not
curl
me well
enough, does't
not? it hangs like flax on a distaff; hope to see a housewife take thee between no her legs and spin it off. Sir And. Faith, I'll home to-morrow, Sir Toby: your niece will not be seen; or if she be, it's four to one she'll none of me: the Count himself here
Sir To. Excellent;
and
I
hard by woos her. Sir To. She'll none o' the Count: she'll not match above her degree, neither in estate, years, nor wit; I have heard her swear't. Tut, there's life in't, man. Sir And. I'll stay a month longer. I am a fellow o' the strangest mind i' the world; I delight in masques and revels sometimes altogether. 121 Sir To. Art thou good at these kickshawses,
knight?
And. As any man in Illyria, whatsoever he under the degree of my betters; and yet I will not compare with an old man. Sir To. What is thy excellence in a galliard, Sir
be,
knight? Sir And. Faith, I can cut a capei
And
can cut the mutton to't. 130 I think I have the back-trick simply as strong as any man in Illyria. Sir
I
And. And
Sir To.
Wherefore are these
things hid? where-
fore have these gifts a curtain before 'em? are
they like to take dust, like Mistress Mall's picture? why dost thou not go to church in a galliard and come home in a coranto? very walk should be a jig; I would not so much as make water but in a sink-a-pace. What dost thou mean? Is it a world to hide virtues in? I did think, by the excellent constitution of thy leg, it was formed under the star of a galliard. Sir And. Ay, 'tis strong, and it does indifferent
My
well in a flame-coloured stock. Shall
we set about
some revels? Sir To.
What
shall
we do
else?
were we not
born under Taurus? Sir And. Taurus! That's sides and heart. Sir To. No, sir; it is legs and thighs. Let
me
thee caper: ha! higher: ha, ha! excellent!
my dear knight?
Sir And. What is pourquoi} do or not do? I would I had bestowed that time in the tongues
that
101
And.
Sir
Sir To.
drink. Sir
hadst thou had an excellent head
hair?
Belch!
Sir
Then
ofhair.
see 151
[Exeunt.
Scene
iv.
The Duke's palace
Enter valentine, and viola in man's attire. Val. If the
Duke
continue these favours to-
TWELFTH NIGHT;
OR,
wards you, Cesario, you are like to be much advanced: he hath known you but three days, and already you are no stranger.
You
Vio.
humour or
either fear his
gence, that
you
my
negli-
question the continuance
call in
he inconstant, sir, in his favours? Val. No, believe me. Vio. I thank you. Here comes the count.
of
his love:
WHAT YOU WILL
ACT
world needs to fear no colours.
this
Mar Make that good. Clo. He shall see none to fear. .
Mar. where
A
good lenten answer: I can saying was born, of "I
thee
tell
that
fear
no
colours."
is
Therefore, good youth, address thy gait unto her;
Clo. Where, good Mistress Mary? // Mar. In the wars; and that may you be bold to say in your foolery. Clo. Well, God give them wisdom that have it; and those that are fools, let them use their talents. Mar. Yet you will be hanged for being so long absent; or to be turned away, is not that as good as a hanging to you? jp Clo. Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage; and, for turning away, let summer bear it
Be not denied
out.
Enter duke, curio, and Attendants.
Duke. Vio.
Who
w
saw Cesario, ho?
On your attendance, my lord;
here.
Duke. Stand you a while aloof. Cesario, but all; I have unclasp'd
Thou know'st no less
To thee the book even of my secret soul: access, stand at her doors,
And tell them,
there thy fixed foot shall
grow
Mar. You are resolute, then?
Till thou have audience.
Clo.
Sure,
Vio.
If she be so abandon' d to her
As
it is
my noble lord,
sorrow 20
then?
She will attend
it
better in thy youth
Than in a nuncio's of more grave think not so,
aspect.
my lord. Dear
Duke.
lad, believe it;
yet belie thy happy years, 50 That say thou art a man: Diana's lip Is not more smooth and rubious; thy small pipe
For they
Is as
but
am
I
two
resolved on
if one break, the
other will hold; or,
your gaskins fall. Clo. Apt, in good faith; very apt. Well, go thy way; if Sir Toby would leave drinking, thou wert as witty a piece of Eve's flesh as any in if both break,
Illyria.
Duke. O, then unfold the passion of my love, Surprise her with discourse of my dear faith: It shall become thee well to act my woes;
I
so, neither;
Mar. That
spoke, she never will admit me.
Duke. Be clamorous and leap all civil bounds Rather than make unprofited return. Vio. Say I do speak with her, my lord, what
Vio.
Not
points.
shall
5/
Mar. Peace, you rogue, no more o' that. Here comes my lady: make your excuse wisely, you were best. [Exit. Clo. Wit, an't be thy will, put me into good fooling! Those wits, that think they have thee, do very oft prove fools; and I, that am sure I lack thee, may pass for a wise man: for what says Quinapalus? "Better a witty fool than a foolish wit."
40
Enter lady olivia with malvolio.
the maiden's organ, shrill and sound,
And I know thy constellation is right apt For this affair. Some four or five attend him; All, if you will; for I myself am best
God bless thee,
When least in company. Prosper well in this,
OH. Go to, you're a dry fool; I'll no more of you: besides, you grow dishonest. Clo. Two faults, madonna, that drink and good
all is
semblative a woman's
And thou shalt live as
To call his
part.
freely as thy lord,
I'll
To woo your lady:
do
my best
4.0
[Aside] yet, a barful strife!
Whoe'er I woo, myself would be his
wife. [Exeunt.
v. Olivia's house
Enter maria and clown.
Mar. Nay,
either tell
me where
thou hast been,
or I will not open my lips so wide as a bristle may enter in way of thy excuse: my lady will hang thee for thy absence. Clo.
Let her hang me: he that
is
not hear, fellows?
Take away
the
counsel will amend: for give the dry fool drink,
then
well hanged in
is
mend
the fool not dry: bid the dishonest
man
no longer
dis-
himself; if he mend, he
is
honest; if he cannot let the botcher
Any Scene
Do you
Clo.
lady.
fortunes thine.
Vio.
lady!
OH. Take the fool away.
thing that's
that transgresses that this
amends
is
mended is
is
but patched: virtue
but patched with sin; and sin
but patched with virtue. If that
simple syllogism will serve, so;
what remedy?
mend him.
if it will not,
no true cuckold but calamity, so beauty's a flower. The lady bade take
away
her away.
x\s there is
the fool; therefore,
I
say again, take
!
TWELFTH NIGHT;
SCENE V
60 bade them take away you. Misprision in the highest degree! Lady, cucullus nonfacit nwnachum; that's as much to say Oli. Sir, I
Clo.
as
I
wear not motley
give
in
my brain. Good madonna,
me leave to prove you a fool.
OIL Can you do
good madonna.
Make your proof.
OIL
must catechize you for it, madonna: good answer me. OIL Well, sir, for want of other idleness, I'll bide your proof. 7/ Clo. Good madonna, why mournest thou? Clo.
I
my mouse of virtue,
my brother's death.
Oli
Good fool,
Clo
I
Oli
know his soul is in heaven, fool. The more fool, madonna, to mourn for brother's soul being in heaven. Take away
Clo
f
think his soul
is
in hell,
madonna.
What
Malvolio? So doth he not mend? Mc I. Yes, and shall do till the pangs of death shal e him: infirmity, that decays the wise, doth ever
make the
Clo.
God
this fool,
better fool.
send you,
sir,
I
am no
home; what you will, to disNow you see, sir, how
[Exit malvolio.]
your fooling grows old, and people dislike it. Clo. Thou hast spoke for us, madonna, as if thy eldest son should be a fool; whose skull Jove cram with brains! for here he comes one of thy kin has a most weak pia mater.
—
—
Enter sir toby.
By mine
Oli.
honour, half drunk.
What is
he at
A gentleman. A gentleman! what gentleman?
Oli.
Toby
will be
—
Sir To. 'Tis a
gentleman here
pickle-herring!
How now, sot!
Good Sir Toby
Oli. Cousin, cousin,
by
early
how
a plague o' these
75 o have you come so
this lethargy?
Sir To. Lechery!
I
defy lechery. There's one at
the gate. Oli.
a speedy infirmity, for
the better increasing your folly! Sir
sworn that
sick, or not at it.
Clo.
you of
think
am
Sir To.
gentlemen.
>ol,
Oli
I
the gate, cousin?
I
youi the
for
Oli. Fetch him off, I pray you; he speaks nothing but madman: fie on him! [Exit maria.] Go you, Malvolio: if it be a suit from the Count,
miss
it?
Clo. Dexteriously,
WHAT YOU WILL
OR,
Ay, marry, what is he? Let him be the devil, an he
Sir To.
not: give
me faith,
say
T.
Well,
will,
it's all
I
care
one.
fox; but he will not pass his
[Exit.
brain than a stone.
What's a drunken man like, fool? Clo. Like a drowned man, a fool, and a mad man: one draught above heat makes him a fool; the second mads him; and a third drowns him. Oli. Go thou and seek the crowner, and let him sit o' my coz; for he's in the third degree of
his
drink, he's drowned: go, look after him.
word Oli.
two pence that you are no fool. How say you to that, Malvolio? for
Oli.
Mai. I marvel your ladyship takes delight in such a barren rascal: I saw him put down the other day with an ordinary fool that has no more
Look you now, he's out of guard already; unless you laugh and minister occasion to him, he is gagged. I protest, I take these wise men, that crow so at these set kind of fools, no better than the fools' zanies. OIL O, you are sick of self-love, Malvolio, and taste with a distempered appetite. To be generous, guiltless, and of free disposition, is to take those things for bird-bolts that you deem cannonbullets: there is no slander in an allowed fool, though he do nothing but rail; nor no railing in a known discreet man, though he do nothing but reprove. Clo.
Now
Mercury endue thee with
leasing,
for thou speakest well of fools!
is
at the gate a
I
know
not,
madam:
'tis
Mai. Madam, yond young fellow swears he will speak with you. I told him you were sick; he takes on him to understand so much, and therefore comes to speak with you. I told him you were asleep; he seems to have a foreknowledge of that too, and therefore comes to speak with you. What is to be said to him, lady? he's fortified against
a fair
any
denial.
Tell him he shall not speak with me.
Mai. Has been told so; and he says he'll stand your door like a sheriffs post and be the supporter to a bench, but he'll speak with you. at
young gen-
tleman much desires to speak with you. Oli. From the Count Orsino, is it?
Mar.
He is but mad yet, madonna; and the fool look to the madman. [Exit. Re-enter malvolio.
Oli.
Re-enter maria.
Mar. Madam, there
Clo.
shall
young man,
and well attended. OIL Who of my people hold him in delay? Mar. Sir Toby, madam, your kinsman.
What kind o' man is he? Why, of mankind. Oli. What manner of man? Mai. Of very ill manner; he'll Oli.
Mai.
///
160
speak with you,
you or no. Oli. Of what personage and years
will
is
he?
TWELFTH NIGHT;
Mai. Not yet old enough for a man, nor young enough for a boy; as a squash is before 'tis a peascod, or a codling
with him
when
'tis
almost an apple:
between boy and man. He is very well-favoured and he speaks very shrewishly; one would think his mother's iji milk were scarce out of him. Oli. Let him approach: call in my gentlewoman. [Exit. Mai. Gentlewoman, my lady calls. 'tis
in standing water,
Re-enter maria. Oli.
Give me my
veil:
it
o'er
my
Enter viola, and Attendants.
The honourable
lady of the house, which
she?
Oli.
I
shall
answer for her. Your 180
will?
Most
radiant, exquisite, and unmatchable pray you, tell me if this be the lady of the house, for I never saw her: I would be loath
beauty
—
to cast
I
away
my
speech, for besides that
I
am
it
is
have taken great pains me sustain no scorn; very comptible, even to the least sinister
excellently well penned, to con
it.
Good
I
beauties, let
usage. Oli.
Vio.
Some
sweet lady. Tell
mollification for
me your
mind:
your
I
am
giant,
mes220
a
senger. Oli. Sure,
you have some hideous matter
when
deliver,
Speak your
the courtesy of
I
to hull here a
is
it
to
so fearful.
office.
alone concerns your ear.
I bring no overture of war, no taxation of homage: I hold the olive in my hand; my words are as full of
Vio.
It
Vio. The rudeness that hath appeared in me have I learned from my entertainment. What I am, and what I would, are as secret as maidenhead; to your ears, divinity, to any other's pro-
fanation.
Speak to me;
Vio.
longer.
little
ACT
am
I
Oli. Yet you began rudely. What are you? what would you? 229
We'll once more hear Orsino's embassy.
Vio.
No, good swabber;
Vio.
peace as matter.
come, throw
face.
is
WHAT YOU WILL
OR,
Give us the place alone: we will hear this [Exeunt maria and Attendants.] Now, what is your text?
Oli.
divinity. sir,
Vio.
Most sweet lady
Oli.
A
comfortable doctrine, and
said of it.
much may
Where lies your text?
be
240
bosom. bosom! In what chapter of his bosom? answer by the method, in the first of
Vio. In Orsino's Oli. In his
Vio.
To
his heart.
Whence came you, I
can say
little
sir?
189
more than
I
have studied,
and that question's out of my part. Good gentle me modest assurance if you be the lady of the house, that I may proceed in my speech. Oli. Are you a comedian? Vio. No, my profound heart: and yet, by the very fangs of malice I swear, I am not that I play. Are you the lady of the house? Oli. If I do not usurp myself, I am. Vio. Most certain, if you are she, you do usurp yourself; for what is yours to bestow is not yours to reserve. But this is from my commission: I will on with my speech in your praise, and then show you the heart of my message. Oli. Come to what is important in't: I forgive one, give
you the praise. Vio. Alas,
I
took great pains to study
it,
and
'tis
poetical. Oli. It is the more like to be feigned: I pray you, keep it in. I heard you were saucy at my gates, and allowed your approach rather to wonder at you than to hear you. If you be not mad, be gone; if you have reason, be brief: 'tis not that time of moon with me to make one in so skipping a dialogue.
Mar. Will you way.
hoist
sail,
sir?
here
lies
your
Oli. O, I have read no more to say?
it is
it:
heresy.
Have you
Good madam, let me see your face. Have you any commission from your lord negotiate with my face? You are now out of
Vio. Oli.
to
your
text: but
you the
we will draw the curtain and show
picture.
this present: is't
Look you,
sir,
such a one
I
was
not well done? [Unveiling.]
Vio. Excellently done, if God did Oli. 'Tis in grain, sir; 'twill
all.
endure wind and
weather.
beauty truly blent, whose red and white Nature's own sweet and cunning hand laid on: Lady, you are the cruell'st she alive, 260 If you will lead these graces to the grave And leave the world no copy. Oli. O, sir, I will not be so hard-hearted; I will give out divers schedules of my beauty: it shall be inventoried, and every particle and utensil Vio. 'Tis
labelled to
red;
item,
my will:
as,
two grey
item,
two
lips, indifferent
eyes, with lids to them;
item, one neck, one chin, and so forth.
me? see you what you
Were you
sent hither to praise Vio.
I
are,
you
are too
proud; But, if you
were the
devil,
you
are
fair.
My lord and master loves you. O such love
270
:
TWELFTH NIGHT;
SCENE V
OR,
Could be but recompensed, though you were crown'd The nonpareil of beauty! How does he love me? OH. Vio. With adorations, fertile tears, With groans that thunder love, with sighs of fire.
OH. Your lord does
know my mind;
I
cannot
love him:
Yet
I
suppose him virtuous,
know him noble,
WHAT YOU WILL Re-enter malvolio.
Mai. Here, madam, at your service. OH. Run after that same peevish messenger, The County's man: he left this ring behind him, Would I or not: tell him I'll none of it. 52/ Desire him not to flatter with his lord, Nor hold him up with hopes; I am not for him: If that the youth will come this way to-morrow,
him reasons
Of great estate, of fresh and stainless youth;
I'll
In voices well divulged, free, learn'd, and valiant;
Mai. Madam, I will. OH. I do I know not what, and fear to find Mine eye too great a flatterer for my mind. Fate, show thy force: ourselves we do not
And in dimension and the
shape of nature 2 So gracious person: but yet I cannot love him; He might have took his answer long ago.
A
Vio. If I did love
With such a
you in master's
I
would
find
for't: hie thee,
Malvolio. [Exit.
owe;
flame,
What is decreed must be,
suffering, such a deadly life,
In your denial
give
and be
this so.
[Exit.
no sense;
would not understand it. Why, what would you? OH. Vio. Make me a willow cabin at your gate, And call upon my soul within the house; Write loyal cantons of contemned love And sing them loud even in the dead of night; Halloo your name to the reverberate hills 291 And make the babbling gossip of the air
Ant. Will you stay no longer? nor will you not that I go with you? Seb. By your patience, no. My stars shine darkly over me: the malignancy of my fate might
Cry out "Olivia!" O, you should not rest
perhaps distemper yours; therefore
Between the elements of air and earth, But you should pity me! You might do much. OH. What is your parentage?
of your leave that I may bear my evils alone: it were a bad recompense for your love, to lay any of them on you. Ant Let me yet know of you whither you are
ACT
I
Vio. I
Above my
fortunes, yet
am a gentleman.
Get you to your lord let him send no more; Unless, perchance, you come to me again, 300 To tell me how he takes it. Fare you well: I thank you for your pains spend this for me. :
I
am no fee'd post,
lady; keep your purse:
My master, not myself, lacks recompense. Love make his heart of flint that you shall love; And let your fervour, like my master's, be Placed in contempt! Farewell,
fair cruelty.
[Exit.
OH.
"What is your parentage?"
"Above my
fortunes, yet
my state is well:
am a gentleman." I'll be sworn thou art; Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions, and I
5/0
spirit,
Do give thee five-fold blazon:
not too
fast: soft,
soft!
Unless the master were the man. How now! Even so quickly may one catch the plague? Methinks I feel this youth's perfections
With an invisible and
subtle stealth
To creep in at mine eyes. What ho, Malvolio!
Well,
let it be.
II
The sea-coast
Enter antonio and Sebastian.
bound. Seb.
cannot love him:
Vio.
i.
I
shall
crave
.
my state is well:
OH.
I
Scene
No,
10
sooth,
sir:
my
determinate voyage is perceive in you so ex-
mere extravagancy. But I cellent a touch of modesty that you will not extort from me what I am willing to keep in; therefore it charges me in manners the rather to express myself. You must know of me then, Antonio, my name is Sebastian, which I called Roderigo. My father was that Sebastian of Messaline, whom I know you have heard of. He left behind him myself and a sister, both born in an hour: if the heavens had been pleased, would we had so ended! but you, sir, altered that; for some hour before you took me from the breach of the sea was my sister drowned. Ant. Alas the day! Seb. A lady, sir, though it was said she much resembled me, was yet of many accounted beautiful: but, though I could not with such estimable wonder overfar believe that, yet thus far I will boldly publish her; she bore a mind that envy could not but call fair. She is drowned already, sir, with salt water, though I seem to drown her remembrance again with more. Ant. Pardon me, sir, your bad entertainment. Seb. good Antonio, forgive me your trouble.
O
TWELFTH NIGHT;
8
Ant. If you will not murder
me
for
my love,
me be your servant. you will not undo what you have done, him whom you have recovered, desire it not. Fare ye well at once: my bosom is full of kindness, and I am yet so near the manners of my mother, that upon the least occasion more mine eyes will tell tales of me. I am bound to [Exit. the Count Orsino's court: farewell. Ant. The gentleness of all the gods go with Seb. If
that
kill
is,
WHAT YOU WILL
OR,
let
My state
have
many enemies
—
Scene
ii.
O time
!
thou must untangle
Scene
49
bed then,
Even now,
sir;
on
a
moderate pace
I
have
Mai. She returns this ring to you, sir: you might have saved me my pains, to have taken it away yourself. She adds, moreover, that you should put your lord into a desperate assurance she will none of him: and one thing more, that you be never so hardy to come again in his affairs, unless it be to report your lord's taking of this. Receive it so. Vio. She took the ring of me: I'll none of it. Mai. Come, sir, you peevishly threw it to her; and her will is, it should be so returned: if it be worth stooping for, there it lies in your eye; if it
his that finds
I left
[Exit.
it.
no ring with her: what means
this
lady?
Fortune forbid my outside have not charm'd her! She made good view of me; indeed, so much, 20 That sure methought her eyes had lost her tongue,
For she did speak in starts distractedly. She loves me, sure; the cunning of her passion
[Exit.
house
hi. Olivia's
andrew.
night
false conclusion:
I hate it as an unbe up after midnight and to go to early: so that to go to bed after mid-
is
go bed betimes. Does not our
life
were
I
women's waxen hearts
For such
as
is
to set their forms!
the cause, not we!
we are made of,
such
we be.
How will this fadge? my master loves her dearly;
it
rather
And. Here comes the fool, i' faith. How now, my hearts! did you never see
Sir
Clo.
the picture of "we three"? Sir To. Sir
Welcome,
And. By
my
ass.
Now let's have a catch.
troth, the fool has an excellent
had rather than forty shillings I had and so sweet a breath to sing, as the fool has. In sooth, thou wast in very gracious fooling last night, when thou spokest of Pigrogromitus, of the Vapians passing the equinoctial of Queubus: 'twas very good, i' faith. I sent thee sixpence for thy leman: hadst it? Clo. I did impeticos thy gratillity; for Malvolio's nose is no whipstock: my lady has a white hand, and the Myrmidons are no bottle-ale breast.
such a
I
leg,
And. Excellent! why, all is
done.
Now,
Come on;
this is the best fooling,
a song.
there
have a song. Sir And. There's a
is
5/
sixpence for you:
testril
of
me
too:
if
let's
one
knight give a
see,
Alas, our frailty
think
Enter clown.
Sir To.
better love a dream.
How easy is it for the proper-false
I
Sir To. Thou'rt a scholar; let us therefore eat and drink. Marian, I say! a stoup of wine!
when
thou art a wickedness, Wherein the pregnant enemy does much. Disguise,
10
And. Faith, so they say; but consists of eating and drinking. Sir
Sir
me in this churlish messenger.
lady, she
I
To
to
is
not: but
houses.
None of my lord's ring! why, he sent her none. I am the man: if it be so, as 'tis,
In
41
I
consist of the four elements?
since arrived but hither.
Poor
A
filled can.
Olivia?
Invites
not
Sir And. Nay, by my troth, I know know, to be up late is to be up late. Sir To.
A street
Enter viola, malvolio following.
Vio.
this,
me to untie
too hard a knot for
It is
Sir To.
Were not you even now with the Countess
not, be
love;
after
I
[Exit.
Vio.
my master's
Approach, Sir Andrew: not to be abed midnight is to be up betimes; and "diluculo surgere" thou know'st
in Orsino's court,
very shortly see thee there. But, come what may, I do adore thee so, That danger shall seem sport, and I will go.
Mai.
desperate for
is
I
Enter sir toby and sir
Else would
II
am woman now alas the day! What thriftless sighs shall poor Olivia breathe!
As
thee! I
ACT
And I, poor monster, fond as much on him; And she, mistaken, seems to dote on me. What will become of this? As I am man,
Clo.
50
good
Would you have
Sir To.
Sir
a love-song, or a song of
life?
A love-song, a love-song.
And. Ay, ay:
I
care not for good
life.
Clo. [Sings]
"O mistress, where are you roaming? O, stay and hear; your true love's coming,
40
1
SCENE
TWELFTH NIGHT;
III
That can sing both high and low: Trip no further, pretty sweeting; Journeys end in lovers meeting, Every wise man's son doth know." Sir And. Excellent good, i' faith. Sir To. Good, good.
Enter malvolio.
Clo. [Sings]
"What is
love?
'tis
not hereafter;
Present mirth hath present laughter;
What's
come
unsure: 50 no plenty; Then come kiss me, sweet and twenty, to
is still
In delay there lies
Youth's a stuff will not endure."
A
And.
Sir
mellifluous voice, as
I
am
true
knight. Sir To.
A contagious breath.
And. Very sweet and contagious, i' faith. Sir To To hear by the nose, it is dulcet in conSir
But
tagion.
deed? shall
shall we make the welkin dance inwe rouse the night-owl in a catch that
souls out of
draw three
will
one weaver?
shall
we do that? Sir
And.
An you love me,
let's do't: I
WHAT YOU WILL
OR,
am dog
at
Mai. My masters, are you mad? or what are you? Have you no wit, manners, nor honesty, but to gabble like tinkers at this time of night? Do ye make an alehouse of my lady's house, that ye squeak out your coziers' catches without any mitigation or remorse of voice? Is there no respect of place, persons, nor time in you? Sir To. did keep time, sir, in our catches. Sneck up! 10 Mai. Sir Toby, I must be round with you. My lady bade me tell you, that, though she harbours you as her kinsman, she's nothing allied to your disorders. If you can separate yourself and your misdemeanours, you are welcome to the house; if not, an it would please you to take leave of her, she is very willing to bid you farewell.
We
sir,
And. Most
certain.
Clo.
Let our catch be, "Thou
"Hold thy peace, thou knave," knight? be constrained
in't
to call
I
thee knave,
70
knight.
And. 'Tis not the first time I have constrained one to call me knave. Begin, fool: it begins "Hold thy peace." Sir
Clo. I shall
Sir
never begin
And. Good,
i'
faith.
if I
hold
Come,
my peace.
Clo."0
no, no, no, no,
Sir To.
Out
Clo. i'
the Sir
a caterwauling
My lady's a Cataian, we are politicians,
Malvolio's a Peg-a-Ramsey, and "Three merry
Am
not I consanguineous? am I not of her blood? Tilly-vally. Lady! [Sings] "There dwelt a man in Babylon, lady, lady!" Clo. Beshrew me, the knight's in admirable
men be we."
Yes, by Saint Anne, and ginger shall be hot mouth too. To. Thou'rt i' the right. Go, sir, nib your
A stoup of wine, Maria! Mai. Mistress Mary, if you prized my lady's favour at any thing more than contempt, you chain with crumbs.
do you keep here! If my lady have not called up her steward Malvolio and bid him turn you out of doors, never trust me. 79 Sir To.
would not give means for this uncivil rule: she shall know of it, by this hand. [Exit. Mar. Go shake your ears. Sir And. 'Twere as good a deed as to drink when a man's a-hungry, to challenge him the field, and then to break promise with him and
make
a fool
or
And. Ay, he does well enough if he be disposed, and so do I too: he does it with a better grace, but I do it more natural. Sir To. [Sings] "O, the twelfth day of Decem-
mouth.
Sir
Mar. For the love o' God, peace!
9i
of him.
Sir To. Do't, knight:
fooling.
ber"-
you dare not." 121 ye lie. Art any more
o' tune, sir:
ale?
Enter maria.
What
Is't
than a steward? Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and
begin.
Catch sung.
Mar.
days are almost
Sir To.
knave." shall
his
even so? "But I will never die." Clo. Sir Toby, there you lie. Mai. This is much credit to you. Sir To. "Shall I bid him go?" Clo. "What an if you do?" Sir To. "Shall I bid him go, and spare not?"
and some dogs will catch
well. Sir
must
done."
Mai.
By'r lady,
I
no
Mar. Nay, good Sir Toby. Clo. "His eyes do show
a catch. Clo.
To. "Farewell, dear heart, since
Sir
needs be gone."
I'll
I'll
write thee a challenge;
deliver thy indignation to
him by word of 141
Mar. Sweet Sir Toby, be patient for to-night: since the youth of the Count's was to-day with my lady, she is much out of quiet. For Monsieur Malvolio, let me alone with him: if I do not gull him into a nayword, and make him a common
TWELFTH NIGHT;
10
have wit enough to lie straight in my bed: I know I can do it. Sir To. Possess us, possess us; tell us some-
recreation,
do not think
I
/jo
thing of him.
Mar. Marry,
sometimes he
sir,
is
a kind
of
Sir To.
not
i'
Sir
you
If
And. O,
Sir To.
if I
thought that, I'd beat him like
What,
Sir To.
And. I have no exquisite reason for't, but have reason good enough. Mar. The devil a puritan that he is, or any thing constantly, but a time-pleaser; an affectioned ass, that cons state without book and utters it by great swarths: the best persuaded of himself, so crammed, as he thinks, with excellencies, that it is his grounds of faith that all that look on him love him; and on that vice in him will my revenge find notable cause to work.
What wilt thou do?
will drop in his way some obscure of love; wherein, by the colour of his beard, the shape of his leg, the manner of his gait, the expressure of his eye, forehead, and complexion, he shall find himself most feelingly personated. I can write very like my lady your niece: on a forgotten matter we can hardly make distinction of our hands. I
Sir To. Excellent!
And.
Sir To.
I
He
smell a device.
I
have't in
my nose too. by the letters that thou come from my niece, and
shall think,
wilt drop, that they
that she's in love with him.
My
purpose
is,
1S0
indeed, a horse of that
colour.
And. And your horse now would make him
Scene
Mar. Ass, I doubt not. Sir And. O, 'twill be admirable! Mar. Sport royal, I warrant you: physic will
'tis
know my
work with him. I will plant you two, make a third, where he shall find it.
For
and dream on the event. Fare-
well. Sir To.
[Exit.
Good night,
And. Before me,
Penthesilea. she's a
good wench. one that
Sir To. She's a beagle, true-bred, and
adores me: what o' that? Sir And.
I
The duke's palace
was adored once too.
Thou hadst need send for more money. Sir And. If I cannot recover your niece, I am a 201 foul way out. Sir To. Let's to bed, knight.
Now, good mor-
More than light airs and recollected terms
Of these most brisk and giddy-paced times: Come, but one verse.
He
Cur.
is
not here, so please your lordship,
that should sing
it.
Who was it?
w my
lady Olivia's father took
lord; a fool that the
much
delight
in.
He
about the house. Duke. Seek him out, and play the tune the while. [Exit curio. Music plays.
is
Come hither,
boy:
if ever
In the sweet pangs of it
thou shalt love,
remember me;
For such as I am all true lovers are, Unstaid and skittish in all motions else, Save in the constant image of the creature That is beloved. How dost thou like this tune? Vio. It gives a very echo to the seat 21
Where Love is throned. Duke. Thou dost speak masterly:
My life upon't, young though thou art, thine eye Hath stay'd upon some favour that it loves: Hath it not, boy? A little, by your favour.
Vio. I
the fool
this night, to bed,
iv.
Now, good Cesario, but that piece of song, That old and antique song we heard last night: Methought it did relieve my passion much,
Duke.
the letter: observe his construction of
Sir
how
go burn some sack;
Duke. Give me some music. row, friends.
Vio.
ass.
let
it
[Exeunt.
Cur. Feste, the jester,
epistles
and
I'll
knight.
Duke.
Sir To.
Sir
me, take
Enter duke, viola, curio, and others.
Sir
an
not, never trust
Come, come,
for being a puritan? thy exquisite
I
Mar.
do
11
her
will.
reason, dear knight?
Sir
I
if thou hast
me cut.
the end, call
And.
a dog!
Mar.
ACT
Send for money, knight:
too late to go to bed now: come, knight; come,
puritan. Sir
WHAT YOU WILL
OR,
Duke. i'
What kind of woman is 't? Of your complexion. She is not worth thee, then. What years,
faith?
About your years, my lord. Duke. Too old, by heaven: let still the woman take 50 An elder than herself: so wears she to him, So sways she level in her husband's heart: Vio.
For, boy,
however we do praise ourselves,
Our fancies are more giddy and unfirm, More longing, wavering, sooner lost and worn, Than women's are. Vio.
Duke.
I
Then
let
think
it
well,
my lord.
thy love be younger than thy-
self,
Or thy affection cannot hold the bent;
— SCENE
TWELFTH NIGHT;
IV
WHAT YOU WILL
OR,
For women are as roses, whose fair flower Being once display'd, doth fall that very hour. 40 Vio. And so they are: alas, that they are so; To die, even when they to perfection grow!
11
Get thee to yond same sovereign cruelty: my love, more noble than the world,
Tell her,
Prizes not quantity of dirty lands;
The parts that fortune hath bestow'd upon her,
Re-enter curio and
clown.
Duke. O, fellow, come, the song
Tell her,
we had
last
But
Mark it, Cesario, it is old and plain; The spinsters and the knitters in the sun And the free maids that weave their thread with bones
Do use to chant it:
it is silly
sooth,
And dallies with the innocence of love, Like the old age. Go. Are you ready, sir? Duke. Ay; prithee, sing.
$0
Music.
Fly away,
fly
But if she cannot love you, Duke. I cannot be so answer'd.
big, to hold so
Alas, their love
O, prepare it!
My part of death, no one so true
much; they lack retention.
may be call'd appetite,
100
That suffer surfeit, cloyment, and revolt; But mine is all as hungry as the sea, And can digest as much: make no compare Between that love a woman can bear me
And that I owe Olivia.
it.
Vio.
not a flower sweet,
On my black coffin let
you must.
No motion of the liver, but the palate,
am slain by a fair cruel maid.
Not a friend,
90
heart
My shroud of white, stuck all with yew,
Not a flower,
Sooth, but
Vio.
my soul.
sir?
Say that some lady, as perhaps there is, Hath for your love as great a pang of heart As you have for Olivia: you cannot love her; You tell her so; must she not then be answer'd? Duke. There is no woman's sides Can bide the beating of so strong a passion As love doth give my heart; no woman's So
away, breath;
Did share
queen of gems
in attracts
Vio.
Song.
"Come away, come away, death, And in sad cypress let me be laid; I
hold as giddily as fortune;
I
that miracle and
That nature pranks her
night.
Go.
'tis
60 there be strown;
Ay, but I know What dost thou know? Too well what love women to men may
Duke. Vio.
owe:
not a friend greet
My poor corpse, where my bones shall
In faith, they are as true of heart as we.
My father had a daughter loved a man,
be thrown:
A thousand thousand sighs to save,
110
might be, perhaps, were I a woman, I should your lordship And what's her history? Duke. Vio. A blank, my lord. She never told her
As
Lay me, O, where Sad true lover never find my grave,
To weep there!"
it
love,
Duke. There's for thy pains. Go. No pains, sir; I take pleasure in singing,
70 Duke. I'll pay thy pleasure then. Go. Truly, sir, and pleasure will be paid, one time or another. Duke. Give me now leave to leave thee. Go. Now, the melancholy god protect thee; and the tailor make thy doublet of changeable taffeta, for thy mind is a very opal. I would have men of such constancy put to sea, that their business might be everything and their intent everywhere; for that's it that always makes a good voyage of nothing. Farewell. 81 sir.
[Exit.
Duke. Let
all
the rest give place.
[curio and Attendants retire. Once more, Cesario,
But let concealment, like a worm i' the bud, Feed on her damask cheek: she pined in thought, And with a green and yellow melancholy She sat like patience on a monument, Smiling at grief.
We
Was not this love indeed?
mer may say more, swear more: but
in-
deed are more than will; for still we prove Much in our vows, but little in our love. 121 Duke. But died thy sister of her love, my boy? Vio. I am all the daughters of my father's house, And all the brothers too: and yet I know not.
Our shows
Sir, shall I
to this lady?
Duke.
To her in haste;
Ay,
that's the
theme.
give her this jewel; say
My love can give no place, bide no denay. [Exeunt.
TWELFTH NIGHT;
12
OR,
WHAT YOU WILL O,
Sir To.
Scene
v. Olivia s
garden
Come thy ways, Signior Fabian.
Nay,
Fab.
come:
I'll
me
this sport, let
if
I
lose a scruple of
be boiled to death with melan-
Wouldst thou not be glad to have the niggardly rascally sheep-biter come by some notSir To.
able shame?
would
I
me out o'
exult,
man: you know, he brought
my lady about a bear-bait-
favour with
10
ing here.
To
To.
Sir
anger him we'll have the bear
again; and
we
we not,
Andrew?
Sir
him
in the
Mai. Calling my officers about me, in my branched velvet gown; having come from a daybed, where I have left Olivia sleeping Sir To. Fire and brimstone! Fab. O, peace, peace!
choly.
Fab.
for a stone-bow, to hit
11
eye!
Enter sir toby, sir andrew, and fabian. Sir To.
ACT
Sir
will fool
him black and
And. An we do not, Here comes the
Sir To.
it is
blue: shall
Mai. And then to have the humour of state; and after a demure travel of regard, telling them I know my place as I would they should do theirs, to ask for my kinsman Toby 61 Sir To. Bolts and shackles! Fab. O peace, peace, peace! now, now. Mai. Seven of my people, with an obedient start, make out for him: I frown the while; and perchance wind up my watch, or play with my
—
some
pity of our lives.
rich jewel.
there to
little villain.
Toby
approaches; courtesies
me
Sir To. Shall this fellow live?
Enter maria.
How now, my metal of India! Mar. Get ye all three into the box-tree: Malcoming down this walk: he has been
volio's
yonder
the sun practising behaviour to his
i'
own
shadow this half hour: observe him, for the love of mockery; for I know this letter will make a contemplative idiot of him. Close, in the name of jesting! Lie thou there [throws dovm a letter]; for here comes the trout that must be caught [Exit. with tickling. Enter malvolio.
Mai. 'Tis but fortune; all is fortune. Maria once told me she did affect me: and I have heard herself come thus near, that, should she fancy, it should be one of my complexion. Besides, she
me
uses
one
with a more exalted respect than any What should I think
else that follows her.
on't?
overweening rogue! O, peace! Contemplation makes
Sir To. Here's an
Fab.
how he
turkey-cock of him: vanced plumes Sir
And.
'Slight, I
Sir To. Peace,
Mai.
I
jets
under his ad-
40
pistol
him.
example
for't;
the lady of the
Strachy married the yoeman of the wardrobe. Sir And. Fie on him, Jezebel!
now
he's deeply in: look
how
imagination blows him.
Mai. Having been three months married to her, sitting in
does not
Toby
take you a blow
then?
Mai. Saying, "Cousin Toby, my fortunes havme on your niece give me this prerogative of speech" Sir To. What, what? 80 Mai. "You must amend your drunkenness." Sir To. Out, scab! Fab. Nay, patience, or we break the sinews of our plot. Mai. "Besides, you waste the treasure of your time with a foolish knight" Sir And. That's me, I warrant you. Mai. "One Sir Andrew"— Sir And. I knew 'twas I; for many do call me ing cast
90
Mai. What employment have Taking up the letter. Sir To.
Sir To. Peace, peace!
Fab. O, peace!
And
we here?
O, peace! and the
spirit
of humours
intimate reading aloud to him!
say.
To be Count Malvolio!
is
Sir To. o' the lips
Fab.Now is the woodcock near the gin.
Sir To.
Mai. There
control
fool.
a rare
could so beat the rogue!
Ah, rogue! Sir And. Pistol him,
Though our silence be drawn from us with cars, yet peace. 7/ Mai. I extend my hand to him thus, quenching my familiar smile with an austere regard of Fab.
my state
50
Mai. By
my
life, this is
my
lady's hand: these
be her very Cs, her U's and her T's; and thus makes she her great F's. It is, in contempt of question, her hand. Sir And. Her C's, her L/'s and her T's: why 100 that?
Mai. [Reads] "To the unknown beloved, this, and my good wishes" her very phrases! By your leave, wax. Soft! and the impressure her
—
Lucrece, with which she uses to seal: To whom should this be?
lady.
'tis
my
TWELFTH NIGHT;
SCENE V
OR,
Fab. This wins him, liver and all. Mai. [Reads] "Jove knows I love: But who? Lips, do not move; no No man must know." "No man must know." What follows? the num-
"No man must know."
bers altered!
If this
should be thee, Malvolio?
may command where
I,
doth sway
would
Sir To. Excellent
"M, O, A,
but
my life."
wench, say
120
I.
doth sway
I,
my
Nay,
life."
me see, let me see, let me see. What dish o'poison has she dressed him! To. And with what wing the staniel checks
first, let
Fab. Sir at
may command where I adore." Why, she may command me: I serve her; she is my lady. Why, this is evident to any formal capacMai. "I
end
there
and the
in this:
—what should that alphabetical position por-
tend? If in
no obstruction
is
I
could
me—Softly
!
make
Af
,
that resemble something
0,AJ—
make up
Sir To. 0, ay,
that:
he
is
now
at a
cold scent.
though
Fab. Sowter will cry upon't for
all this,
be as rank as a fox. Malvolio; Mai.
that begins
it
M—
my
name.
work
it
out? the
excellent at faults.
is
M—but then there
Mai. the
say he would
I
sequel;
that
suffers
should follow, but
And
Fab.
Sir To.
I'll
140
no consonancy under probation: is
in
A
does.
shall end,
Ay, or
I
hope.
make him
0,
A
y
I; this
in
is
little, it
would
to me, for every one of these letters are
my name. Soft! here follows prose. stars I
am
above thee; but be not afraid of
greatness,
some are born great, some achieve and some have greatness thrust upon
Thy
Fates open their hands; let thy blood
greatness:
'em.
this, that
now
my
I
wash
will
off
fool myself, to let ima-
lady loves me. She did
yellow stockings of
late,
commend
my
she did praise
leg being cross-gartered; and in this she manifests herself to
my
junction drives
me
love,
and with a kind of
in-
to these habits of her liking.
my
stars I am happy. I will be strange, yellow stockings, and cross-gartered, even with the swiftness of putting on. Jove and my stars be praised! Here is yet a postscript. [Reads] "Thou canst not choose but know who I am. If thou entertainest my love, let it appear in thy smiling; thy smiles become thee well; I
thank
stout, in
sweet,
I I
my
presence
still
smile, dear
my
prithee."
thank thee:
I
will smile;
I
will
do
everything that thou wilt have me. [Exit. Fab. I will not give my part of this sport for a pension of thousands to be paid from the Sophy. Sir To. I could marry this wench for this Sir
200
And. So could
Sir
And
I
too.
ask no other
dowry with her but
jest.
And. Nor I neither. Here comes my noble gull-catcher.
Fab.
Re-enter maria.
not as the
[Reads] "If this fall into thy hand, revolve. In
my
Toby,
will be point-devise the
i$o
simulation
former: and yet, to crush this a
bow
do not
such another
behind.
fortunes before you.
M,
I
I
gination jade me; for every reason excites to
Sir To.
And then /comes
Fab. Ay, an you had any eye behind you, you might see more detraction at your heels than
Mai.
will baffle Sir
device.
cudgel him, and
cry 0!
Mai.
I
very man.
Jove,
Fab. Did not
cur
authors,
therefore in
M—why,
worthy
alter services
gross acquaintance,
mv
it!
ity;
see thee a stew-
with thee, The Fortunate-Unhappy" Daylight and champaign discovers not more: this is open. I will be proud, I will read politic
A fustian riddle!
Mai.
me
the fellow of servants, and not
still,
to touch Fortune's fingers. Farewell. She that
silence, like a
M, O, A,
stock-
and wished to see thee ever cross-gartered: say, remember. Go to, thou art made, if thou
ard
adore;
I
gore:
Fab.
Remember who commended thy yellow I
Lucrece knife, With bloodless stroke my heart doth But
gularity: she thus advises thee that sighs for thee.
desirest to be so; if not, let
Mai. [Reads] "I
*3
embrace them; and, to inure thyself to what thou art like to be, cast thy humble slough and appear fresh. Be opposite with a kinsman, surly with servants; let thy tongue tang arguments of state; put thyself into the trick of sinspirit
ings,
Marry, hang thee, brock!
Sir To.
WHAT YOU WILL
and
Wilt thou set thy foot o' my neck? And. Or o' mine either? Sir To. Shall I play my freedom at tray-trip, and become thy bond-slave? Sir And. V faith, or I either? 210 Sir To. Why, thou hast put him in such a dream, that when the image of it leaves him he must run mad. Sir To. Sir
TWELFTH NIGHT;
*4
true; does
Mar. Nay, but say him?
WHAT YOU WILL
OR,
work upon
it
ACT
fool, sir,
III
she be mar-
till
and fools are as like husbands as pilchards
ried;
Sir To. Like aqua-vitae with a midwife.
keep no
folly: she will
are to herrings; the husband's the bigger.
I
am
you will then see the fruits of the sport, mark his first approach before my lady: he will come to her in yellow stockings, and 'tis a
indeed not her fool, but her corrupter of words. Vio. I saw thee late at the Count Orsino's.
colour she abhors, and cross-gartered, a fashion she detests; and he will smile upon her, which
I would be but the fool should be as oft with your master as with my mistress: I think I saw your
Mar.
If
now
will
be so unsuitable to her disposition,
being addicted to a melancholy as she is, that it cannot but turn him into a notable contempt. If you will see Sir To.
To
cellent devil Sir
And.
it,
follow me.
the gates of Tartar, thou most ex-
of wit!
I'll
make one too.
Foolery,
Clo.
like the sun,
sorry,
it
does walk about the orb
sir,
shines everywhere.
sir,
wisdom there. Vio. Nay, an thou
pass
upon me,
[Exeunt.
Vio.
my
By
troth,
I'll
tell
sick for one; [Aside] though
grow on my chin.
ACT III i.
Olivia s garden
thou
Save thee, friend, and thy music: dost by thy tabor?
live
No, sir, I live by the church. Art thou a churchman? Clo. No such matter, sir: I do live by the church; for I do live at my house, and my house doth stand by the church. Vio. So thou mayst say, the king lies by a Clo.
Vio.
beggar, if a beggar dwell near him; or, the church stands by thy tabor, if thy tabor stand by the church.
//
You have
Clo.
sentence
is
said,
sir.
To
see this age!
A
but a cheveril glove to a good wit:
quickly the wrong side may be turned outward! Vio. Nay, that's certain; they that dally nicely with words may quickly make them wanton. Clo. I would, therefore, my sister had had no 20 name, sir.
how
Vio. Clo.
Why, man? Why, sir,
dally with that
her name's a word;
word might make
my
and to
sister
wan-
But indeed words are very rascals since bonds disgraced them.
ton.
Vio.
Thy reason, man?
Troth, sir, I can yield you none without words; and words are grown so false, I am loath to prove reason with them. Vio. I warrant thou art a merry fellow and Clo.
carest for nothing. Clo.
in
Not
my
5/
do care for something; but do not care for you: if nothing, sir, I would it would
so, sir, I
conscience,
that be to care for
sir, I
make you invisible. Vio.
Art not thou the Lady Olivia's
Clo.
No, indeed,
sir;
the
Lady
Is
thee, I
I
am
almost
would not have
it
thy lady within? sir?
and put to use. Clo. I would play Lord Pandarus of Phrygia, sir, to bring a Cressida to this Troilus. Vio. I understand you, sir; 'tis well begged. Clo. The matter, I hope, is not great, sir, begging but a beggar: Cressida was a beggar. Vio. Yes, being kept together
Enter viola, and clown with a tabor. Vio.
no more
Would not a pair of these have bred,
Clo. }
Scene
I'll
with thee. Hold, there's expenses for thee. Clo. Now Jove, in his next commodity of hair, send thee a beard! 57
fool?
Olivia has no
My lady is within, sir. I will construe to them whence you come; who you are and what you would are out of my welkin, I might say "element," but the word is over- worn. [Exit. Vio. This fellow is wise enough to play the fool;
And to do that well craves a kind of wit. He must observe their mood on whom he jests, The quality of persons, and the time, 70 And, like the haggard, check at every feather That comes before his eye. This is a practice
As
full of labour as a wise man's art: For folly that he wisely shows is fit; But wise men, folly-fall'n, quite taint their wit.
Enter sir toby, and sir Andrew.
Save you, gentleman. you, sir. Sir And. Dieu vous garde, monsieur. Vio. Et vous aussi; votre serviteur. Sir And. I hope, sir, you are; and I am yours. 81 Sir To. Will you encounter the house? my niece is desirous you should enter, if your trade Sir To.
And
Vio.
be to her.
am bound
to your niece, sir; I mean, she of my voyage. Sir To. Taste your legs, sir; put them to moVio.
is
the
I
list
tion.
My
Vio.
legs
do better understand me, sir, mean by bidding me
understand what you
than
I
taste
my legs.
Sir To.
I
mean, to go,
91 sir,
to enter.
—
:
scene Vio.
But
TWELFTH NIGHT;
i
answer you with gait and entrance.
will
I
OR,
WHAT YOU WILL
15
That very oft we pity enemies.
we are prevented.
Oli.
Why,
then, methinks
'tis
time to smile
again.
Enter olivia and maria.
world,
excellent accomplished lady, the heavens
Most
on you! And. That youth's a rare
To fall before the lion than the wolf!
rain odours Sir
courtier:
"Rain
odours"; well. matter hath no voice, lady, but to Vio. your own most pregnant and vouchsafed ear. 100
My
And. "Odours," "pregnant," and "vouchI'll get 'em all three all ready.
Sir
safed";
Let the garden door be shut, and leave my hearing. [Exeunt sir toby, sir Andrew, and maria.] Give me your hand, sir. Vio. My duty, madam, and most humble servOli.
me
how apt the poor are to be proud! how much the better
If one should be a prey,
Clock
140
strikes.
The clock upbraids me with the waste of time. Be not afraid, good youth,
I
will not have you:
And yet, when wit and youth is come to harvest, Your wife is like to reap a proper man: There lies your way, due west. Vio. Then westward-ho! Grace and good
dis-
position
to
Attend your ladyship! You'll nothing,
madam,
to
mv
lord
by me?
0/i. Stay:
ice.
Oli.
Vio.
What is your name? Cesario
is
1
your servant's name,
fair prin-
Vio.
are.
cess.
My servant, sir!
'Twas never merry world no Since lowly feigning was call'd compliment: You're servant to the Count Orsino, youth. Vio. And he is yours, and his must needs be Oli.
yours
Your
servant's servant
For him,
Oli.
I
is
your servant, madam.
think not on him:
for
his
thoughts,
Would they were
blanks, rather than
fill'd
with
same of you. am not what I am. Oli. I would you were as I would have you be! Vio. Would it be better, madam, than I am? I wish it might, for now I am your fool. Oli. O, what a deal of scorn looks beautiful In the contempt and anger of his lip! A murderous guilt shows not itself more soon Than love that would seem hid: love's night is Oli. If I think so, I think the
Vio.
me! I
come
to
whet your gentle
behalf.
I
O, by your
pray you, I bade you never speak again of him: But, would you undertake another suit, I had rather hear you to solicit that Than music from the spheres. Oli.
leave,
Give me
leave, beseech you.
After the last enchantment
A ring in chase of you: Myself,
120
my servant,
so did
and,
I
I
did send,
you did here, I
fear
abuse
me, you:
Under your hard construction must I sit, To force that on you, in a shameful cunning, Which you knew none of yours: what might you
Have you not
Vio.
I
maugre
all
thy pride,
Do not extort thy reasons from this clause, For that I woo, thou therefore hast no cause; But rather reason thus with reason fetter, Love sought is good, but given unsought is better. Vio. By innocence I swear, and by my youth, ijo I have one heart, one bosom, and one truth, And that no woman has; nor never none Shall mistress be of it, save I alone. And so adieu, good madam: never more Will I my master's tears to you deplore. Oli. Yet come again; for thou perhaps mayst move to like his love.
[Exeunt.
Scene
shown: a cypress, not a bosom,
Sir Sir
pity you.
n. Olivia s house
Enter sir toby, sir Andrew, and fabian.
my heart. So, let me hear you speak.
That's a degree to love. Vio. No, not a grize; for 'tis a vulgar proof,
Oli.
honour, truth, and everything,
set
receiving is
roses of the spring,
love thee so, that,
mine honour at the stake And baited it with all the unmuzzled thoughts 73 That tyrannous heart can think? To one of your
Enough
160
by the
That heart, which now abhors,
think?
Hideth
right: I
Nor wit nor reason can my passion hide.
I
Dear lady
Vio. Oli.
Cesario,
By maidhood,
thoughts
On his
Then think you
noon.
Madam,
Vio.
me what thou think'st of me. i$o That you do think you are not what you
prithee, tell
And. No, To.
faith, I'll
Thy
reason,
not stay a jot longer. dear venom, give thy
reason.
Fab.
You must
Andrew.
needs yield your reason, Sir
TWELFTH NIGHT;
16 Sir
And. Marry,
I
OR,
saw your niece do more
WHAT YOU WILL
act
We shall have a rare letter from him:
Fab.
m
but
favours to the Count's serving-man than ever she
you'll not deliver't?
bestowed upon me; I saw 't i' the orchard. Sir To. Did she see thee the while, old boy?
Never trust me, then; and by all means stir on the youth to an answer. I think oxen and wainropes cannot hale them together. For x\ndrew, if he were opened, and you find so
Tell
me that.
Sir
10
And. As plain as I see you now. Fab. This was a great argument of love in her toward you. Sir And. 'Slight, will you make an ass o' me? Fab. I will prove it legitimate, sir, upon the oaths of judgement and reason. Sir To. And they have been grand- jurymen since before Noah was a sailor. Fab. She did show favour to the youth in your sight only to exasperate you, to awake your dormouse valour, to put fire in your heart and brimstone in your liver. You should then have accosted her; and with some excellent jests, firenew from the mint, you should have banged the youth into dumbness. This was looked for at your hand, and this was balked: the double gilt of this opportunity you let time wash off, and you are now sailed into the north of my lady's opinion; where you will hang like an icicle on a Dutchman's beard, unless you do redeem it by some laudable attempt either of valour or Sir
policy. Sir
5/
And. An't be any way,
valour;
for policy
Brownist
I
hate.
I
it must be with had as lief be a
as a politician.
Why,
me
thy fortunes upon the basis of valour. Challenge me the Count's youth to fight with him; hurt him in eleven places; my niece shall take note of it; and assure thyself, there is no love-broker in the world can more prevail in man's commendation with Sir To.
then, build
much blood flea, I'll
And
Fab.
Sir To.
Look, where the youngest wren of nine
comes.
Mar.
you
If
[Exit SIR
a dear manikin to you, Sir
Sir To. I have been dear to him, thousand strong, or so.
lad,
ANDREW. Toby. some two
gull
stockings. Sir To.
And cross-gartered?
Mar. Most
villainously;
keeps a school
i'
the letter that
jp like
a pedant
that
I have dogged him, does obey every point of dropped to betray him. He
the church.
like his murderer. I
He
does smile his face into more lines than is in the new map with the augmentation of the Indies: You have not seen such a thing as 'tis. I can hardly forbear hurling things at him. I know my lady will strike him: if she do, he'll smile and take't for a great favour. Sir To.
Come, bring us, bring us where he is. [Exeunt.
Scene m.
90
A street
Enter Sebastian and antonio.
will
would not by my will have troubled you; you make your pleasure of your pains, no further chide you.
Ant.
I
Seb.
I
could not stay behind you:
my desire,
More sharp than filed steel, did spur me forth; And not all love to see you, though so much As might have drawn one to a longer voyage, But jealousy what might befall your travel, Being skilless in these parts; which to a stranger, 10 Unguided and unfriended, often prove Rough and unhospitable: my willing love, The rather by these arguments of fear, Set forth in your pursuit.
Sir
is
Yond
Malvolio is turned heathen, a very renegado; for there is no Christian, that means to be saved by believing rightly, can ever believe such impossible passages of grossness. He's in yellow
I
Fab. This
7/ desire the spleen, and will laugh
yoursleves into stitches, follow me.
Sir To.
About it. And. Where shall I find you? Sir To. We'll call thee at the cubiculo: go.
his opposite, the youth, bears in his
Enter maria.
lenge to him?
matter.
of a
visage no great presage of cruelty.
But, since
shall not be amiss; and as many lies as will lie in thy sheet of paper, although the sheet were big enough for the bed of Ware in England, set 'em down: go, about it. Let there be gall enough in thy ink, though thou write with a goose-pen, no
in his liver as will clog the foot
eat the rest of the anatomy.
woman than report of valour. 41 Fab. There is no way but this, Sir Andrew. Sir. And. Will either of you bear me a chalGo, write it in a martial hand; be curst and brief; it is no matter how witty, so it be eloquent and full of invention: taunt him with the license of ink: if thou thou'st him some thrice, it
61
To.
Seb.
My kind x\ntonio,
can no other answer make but thanks, And thanks; and ever thanks; and oft good turns Are shuffled off with such uncurrent pay: But, were my worth as is my conscience firm, You should find better dealing. What's to do? I
SCENE Shall
TWELFTH NIGHT;
III
we go see the reliques of this town?
Ant. To-morrow,
best
sir:
first
lodging.
OR,
go see your 20
I am not weary, and 'tis long to night: pray you, let us satisfy our eyes With the memorials and the things of fame
Seb.
Go
OH.
do not without danger walk these streets Once, in a sea-fight, 'gainst the Count his
mad
call
him
hither. [Exit maria.]
I did some service; of such note indeed, That were I ta'en here it would scarce be an-
Belike
you slew great number of
his
merry madness equal
offence
is
not of such a bloody na-
50
ture;
I
sent for thee
I
some obstruction in the what of that?
me
of one,
"Please one, and please
might have since been answer'd in repaying which, for traffic's sake,
my
in
For which, if I be lapsed I shall pay dear.
mands
in this place,
fit
me. Hold,
sir,
here's
my
to lodge:
will bespeak our diet,
40 Whiles you beguile the time and feed your knowledge With viewing of the town: there shall you have me. Seb. Why I your purse? Ant. Haply your eye shall light upon some I
toy is
not for idle markets,
sir.
Seb. I'll be your purse-bearer and leave you For an hour.
To the Elephant.
Seb.
I
Scene
do remember.
iv. Olivia's
[Exeunt.
garden
Enter olivia and maria.
have sent after him: he says he'll come; what bestow of him? For youth is bought more oft than begg'd or borrow'd. I speak too loud. Where is Malvolio? he is sad and civil, And suits well for a servant with my fortunes: Where is Malvolio? Mar. He's coming, madam; but in very
OH.
is,
my
come
man? what
is
the
mind, though yellow
to his hands, and
be executed:
I
think
com-
we do know
Roman hand.
5/
God
comfort thee!
Why
dost thou smile
so and kiss thy hand so oft?
How do you, Malvolio? Mai. At your request! yes; nightingales answer daws. Mar. Why appear you with this ridiculous Mar.
boldness before
my lady?
Mai. "Be not afraid of greatness"
:
41 'twas well
writ.
You have desire to purchase; and your store,
Ant.
very true sonnet
all."
OH. Wilt thou go to bed, Malvolio? Mai. To bed! ay, sweetheart, and I'll come to OIL
In the south suburbs, at the Elephant,
think,
the eye
thee.
purse.
I
shall
the sweet
Do not then walk too open. doth not
legs. It did
as the
make cross-
this
if it please
dost thou,
matter with thee? Mai. Not black in
Most of our city did: only myself stood out;
Seb.
with
Why, how
OH.
What we took from them;
blood,
gartering; but it is
20
could be sad: this does
Might well have given us bloody argument.
Is best
be.
upon a sad occasion.
Albeit the quality of the time and quarrel
It
as
Mai. Sweet lady, ho, ho. OH. Smilest thou? Mai. Sad, lady!
people.
Ant.
am
How now, Malvolio!
swer'd.
It
I
Re-enter maria, with malvolio.
galleys
The
madam.
as he,
If sad and
I
Ant.
17
sure, possessed,
is,
tainted in's wits.
Would you' Id pardon me;
Seb.
He
OH. Why, what's the matter? does he rave? Mar. No, madam, he does nothing but smile: your ladyship were best to have some guard about you, if he come; for, sure, the man is
city.
Ant.
WHAT YOU WILL
strange manner.
I
That do renown this
——
——
:
I
How shall I feast him?
OH. What meanest thou by that, Malvolio? Mai. "Some are born great" O/i.Ha! Mai. "Some achieve greatness" OIL What sayest thou? Mai. "And some have greatness thrust upon them." 50 OH. Heaven restore thee! Mai. "Remember who commended thy yellow stockings"
OH. Thy yellow stockings! Mai. "And wished to see thee cross-gartered." OH. Cross-gartered! Mai. "Go to, thou art made, if thou desirest to be so" OH. Am I made? 55* Mai. "If not, let me see thee a servant still." OIL Why, this is very midsummer madness.
TWELFTH NIGHT;
i8
OR,
Ser.
Madam,
young gentleman of the Count returned: I could hardly entreat him the
Orsino's is back: he attends your ladyship's pleasure. [Exit servant.] OH. I'll come to him.
Good
looked to. Where's my cousin Toby? Let some of my people have a special care of him: I would not have him miscarry for the half of my dowry. 70 [Exeunt olivia and maria. Maria,
let
fellow
this
be
Mai. O, ho! do you come near me now? no worse man than Sir Toby to look to me! This concurs directly with the letter: she sends him on purpose, that I may appear stubborn to him; for she incites me to that in the letter. "Cast thy humble slough," says she; "be opposite with a kinsman, surly with servants; let thy tongue tang with arguments of state; put thyself into the trick of singularity" and consequently sets down the manner how; as, a sad face, a reverend carriage, a slow tongue, in the habit of some sir of note, and so forth. I have limed her; but it is Jove's doing, and Jove make me thankful! And when she went away now, "Let this fellow be looked to": "fellow!" not Malvolio, nor after my degree, but "fellow." Why, every thing adheres together, that no dram of a scruple, no scruple of a scruple, no obstacle, no incredulous or unsafe circumstance What can be said? Nothing that can be can come between me and the full prospect of my hopes. Well, Jove, not I, is the doer of this, and he is to be thanked. ;
—
toby and fabian.
Re-enter maria, with sir
Which way
Sir To.
sanctity? If
is
he,
in the
the devils of hell be
all
name of drawn in
and Legion himself possessed him, yet I'll speak to him. Fab. Here he is, here he is. How is't with you, sir? how is't with you, man? Mai. Go off; I discard you: let me enjoy my 100 private: gooff. Mar. Lo, how hollow the fiend speaks within little,
him! did not I tell you? Sir Toby, prays you to have a care of him. Mai. Ah, ha! does she so?
Go
Sir To.
to,
go
to; peace, peace;
deal gently with him: let
how
me
alone.
my
lady
:
is't
if
I
live.
more than I'll Mai. How now, Mar. O Lord!
for
My
lady would not lose
How do you,
him
mistress!
Sir To. Prithee, hold thy peace; this
not the
is
way: do you not see you move him?
let
alone with him.
me 122
No way
Fab.
the fiend
is
but gentleness; gently, gently: rough, and will not be roughly used.
Why, how now, my bawcock! how
Sir To.
dost thou, chuck?
Mai.
Sir!
Sir To.
Ay, Biddy, come with me. What, man!
not for gravity to play at cherry-pit with Satan: hang him, foul collier! 75 'tis
Mar. Get him to say Toby, get him to pray. Mai.
good
his prayers,
Sir
My prayers, minx!
Mar. No,
I
warrant you, he will not hear of
godliness.
Mai. Go, hang yourselves all! you are idle I am not of your element: you
shallow things:
know more hereafter.
shall
[Exit.
Sir To. Is't possible?
Fab. If this were played upon a stage now,
could condemn
it
as
an improbable
fiction.
I
14.1
His very genius hath taken the inman. Mar. Nay, pursue him now, lest the device take air and taint. Fab. WTiy, we shall make him mad indeed. Mar. The house will be the quieter. Sir To. Come, we'll have him in a dark room and bound. My niece is already in the belief that he's mad: we may carry it thus, for our pleasure and his penance, till our very pastime, tired out of breath, prompt us to have mercy on him: at which time we will bring the device to the bar and crown thee for a finder of madmen. But see, but see. Sir To.
fection of the device,
Enter sir andrew. Fab. Sir
More matter
for a
May morning.
And. Here's the challenge, read
Fab.
we must
act hi
sav.
rant there's vinegar and pepper
with you? What, man! defy the devil consider, he's an enemy to mankind. no Mai. Do you know what you say? Mar. La you, an you speak ill of the devil, how he takes it at heart! Pray God, he be not bewitched! Fab. Carry his water to the wise woman. Mar. Marry, and it shall be done to-morrow Malvolio?
WHAT YOU WILL
morning,
Enter servant.
Sir
Is't
I
war-
so saucy?
And. Ay,
is't,
I
warrant him:
do but 161
read. Sir
it.
in't.
To.
ever thou
Give me. art,
thou art
"Youth, whatsobut a scurvy fellow." [Reads]
Fab. Good, and valiant. Sir To. [Reads] 'Wonder not, nor admire not in thy mind, why I do call thee so, for I will show thee no reason for't." Fab. good note; that keeps you from the 169 blow of the law.
A
— SCENE
TWELFTH NIGHT;
IV
[Reads]
To.
Sir
Olivia,
"Thou comest
and in
my
to
OR,
the lady
sight she uses thee kindly:
but thou liest in thy throat; that
not the matter
is
Very
Fab.
—
and to exceeding good sense
brief,
"I
[Reads]
To.
home; where Fab. Good.
if it
will
waylay thee going
be thy chance to
kill
me"
Sir To. [Reads]
"Thou
killest
me
like a
rogue 180
you keep
Still
o' the
windy
side of the
law: good. Sir To. [Reads] "Fare thee well; and God have mercy upon one of our souls He may have mercy upon mine; but my hope is better, and so look to thyself. Thy friend, as thou usest him, !
and thy sworn enemy. If this letter
move him
Andrew Aguecheek." not, his legs cannot:
I'll
give'thim. fit
occasion
for't.
some commerce with my lady, and will by and by depart. Sir To. Go, Sir Andrew; scout me for him at
now
is
With
in
soon as ever thou seest him, draw; and, as thou drawest, swear horrible; for that a terrible oath, with a
sharply twanged off, gives
it
comes
to pass oft
swaggering accent
manhood more
ap-
probation than ever proof itself would have
earned him.
Away!
And. Nay,
let
200
me alone for swearing. [Exit.
Sir.
To.
Now
will not
I
deliver his letter: for
young gentleman gives him out to be of good capacity and breeding; his employment between his lord and my niece conthe behaviour of the
firms
your passion
for
me,
no
'tis
Refuse
it
less:
therefore this letter, being so ex-
no terror in the comes from a clodpole. But, sir, I will deliver his challenge by word of mouth; set upon Auguecheek a notable report of cellently ignorant, will breed
youth: he will find
it
valour; and drive the gentleman, as I know his youth will aptly receive it, into a most hideous opinion of his rage, skill, fury, and impetuosity. This will so fright them both that they will kill one another by the look, like cockatrices.
not;
it
Nothing but
Vio.
this;
250
your true love for
Fab. Here he comes with your niece: give them way till he take leave, and presently after
him. I
will meditate the while
horrid message for a challenge Oli. I
upon some 220
[Exeunt sir toby, fabian, and maria. have said too much unto a heart of stone
my
master. Oli.
How
with mine honour
may
I
give
him
that
Which I have given to you? Vio.
will acquit you.
I
Well, come again to-morrow. Fare thee
well:
A fiend like thee might bear my soul to hell. [Exit.
Re-enter sir Sir To. Vio.
Gentleman,
And you,
toby and fabian.
God
save thee.
sir.
239
That defence thou hast, betake thee of what nature the wrongs are thou hast
Sir To. to't:
done him, I know not; but thy intercepter, full of despite, bloody as the hunter, attends thee at the orchard-end: dismount thy tuck, be yare in thy preparation, for thy assailant is quick, skilful and deadly. Vio. You mistake, sir; I am sure no man hath any quarrel to me: my remembrance is very free and clear from any image of offence done to any man. 250
Sir To. You'll find
therefore, if
it
otherwise,
you hold your
life at
I
assure you:
any
price, be-
take you to your guard; for your opposite hath in him what youth, strength, skill, and wrath can furnish Vio.
I
man withal. pray you,
Sir To.
He
rapier and
is
sir,
what
is
he?
knight, dubbed with unhatched
on carpet consideration; but he
is
a
devil in private brawl; souls and bodies hath he
divorced three; and his incensement at this Re-enter olivia, with viola.
Sir To.
my
hath no tongue to vex you;
And I beseech you come again to-morrow. What shall you ask of me that I'll deny, That honour saved may upon asking give?
the corner of the orchard like a bum-baily: so
Sir
that
Goes on my master's grief. Oli. Here, wear this jewel
Oli.
Mar. You may have very
He
mocks reproof. the same 'haviour
but
it
picture;
and a villain." Fab.
Vio.
my fault;
bears
less.
Sir
19
mine honour too unchary out:
laid
There's something in me that reproves But such a headstrong potent fault it is
That
challenge thee for."
I
WHAT YOU WILL
And
ment
is
mo-
so implacable that satisfaction can be
none but by pangs of death and sepulchre. Hob, nob, is his word; give't or take't. Vio. I will return again into the house and desire some conduct of the lady. I am no fighter. I have heard of some kind of men that put quarrels purposely on others, to taste their valour: belike this
is
a
man of that quirk.
TWELFTH NIGHT;
20
OR,
Sir To. Sir, no; his indignation derives itself
WHAT YOU WILL Fab.
He
out of a very competent injury: therefore, get you on and give him his desire. Back you shall not to the house, unless you undertake that with
heels.
me which
will fight
with as much safety you might answer
him: therefore, on, or strip your sword stark naked; for meddle you must, that's certain, or forswear to wear iron about you. Vio. This is as uncivil as strange. I beseech you, do
me
courteous
this
office, as to
know of
my offence to him is: it is something of my negligence, nothing of my purpose. the knight what
I will do so. Signior Fabian, stay you [Exit. gentleman till my return. Vio. Pray you, sir, do you know of this matter? Fab. I know the knight is incensed against you, even to a mortal arbitrement; but nothing of the circumstance more. Vio. I beseech you, what manner of man is
Sir To.
by
this
289
he?
Fab. Nothing of that wonderful promise, to
read him by his form, as you are like to find him
proof of his valour. He is, indeed, sir, the bloody, and fatal opposite that you could possibly have found in any part of Illyria. Will you walk towards him? I will make your peace with him if I can. Vio. I shall be much bound to you for't. I am one that had rather go with sir priest than sir knight. I care not who knows so much of my
ACT
of him; and
as horribly conceited
is
III
pants and looks pale, as if a bear were at his Sir To. [To viola] There's
no remedy, sir; he with you for's oath sake: marry, he hath better bethought him of his quarrel, and he finds that now scarce to be worth talking of; therefore draw, for the supportance of his vow, he protests he will not hurt you. 550 Vio. [Aside] Pi ay God defend me! A little thing would make me tell them how much I lack of a man. Fab. Give ground, if you see
Come,
Sir To.
Sir
Andrew,
him
furious.
there's
no remedy;
the gentleman will, for his honour's sake, have
one bout with you; he cannot by the duello avoid it: but he has promised me, as he is a gentleman and a soldier, he will not hurt you. Come on; to't.
340
And. Pray God, he keep his oath! Vio. I do assure you, 'tis against my will. They draw. Sir
in the
most
Enter antonio.
skilful,
[Exeunt.
mettle. Re-enter sir toby, with sir
300
Andrew.
Why,
man, he's a very devil; I have not seen such a firago. I had a pass with him, rapier, scabbard, and all, and he gives me the stuck in with such a mortal motion that it is inevitable; and on the answer, he pays you as surely as your feet hit the ground they step on. They say he has been fencer to the Sophy. Sir And. Pox on't, I'll not meddle with him. Sir To. Ay, but he will not now be pacified: Sir To.
Fabian can scarce hold him yonder. 5/0 Sir And. Plague on't, an I thought he had been valiant and so cunning in fence, I'd have seen him damned ere I'd have challenged him. Let him let the matter slip and I'll give him my horse, grey Capilet. Sir To.
I'll
make
the motion: stand here,
make
a good show on't: this shall end without the perdition of souls. [Aside] Marry, I'll ride your
horse as well as
I
ride you.
5/p
Ant. Put up your sword. If this young gentle-
man Have done offence, I take the
fault on me; him defy you. Sir To. You, sir! why, what are you? Ant. One, sir, that for his love dares yet do more Than you have heard him brag to you he will. Sir To. Nay, if you be an undertaker, I am
If you offend him,
[To Fabian] I have his horse to take up the quarhave persuaded him the youth's a devil.
rel: I
for
you.
for
5 jo
They draw. Enter officers. Fab.
O
good
Sir
Toby,
hold!
Here come
the
officers.
Sir To.
I'll
be with you anon.
Vio. Pray, sir, put
Sir
And. Marry,
ised you,
you
I'll
your sword up,
will
I, sir;
be as good as
if you please.
and, for that
my word:
I
prom-
he will bear
easily and reins well.
Off. This is the man; do thy office. 2nd Off. Antonio, I arrest thee at the suit of Count Orsino. 361 Ant. You do mistake me, sir. 1st Off. No, sir, no jot; I know your favour 1st
well,
Though now you have no sea-cap on your head. Take him away: he knows I know him well. Ant.
Re-enter fabian and viola.
I
I
must obey. [To viola] This comes with
seeking you.
But there's no remedy;
I
shall
answer
What will you do, now my necessity
it.
— scene
TWELFTH NIGHT;
iv
OR,
Makes me to ask you for my purse? It grieves me Much more for what I cannot do for you 370 Than what befalls myself. You stand amazed; But be of com fort. 2nd Off. Come, sir, away. Ant. I must entreat of you some of that money. Vio.
What money,
For the fair kindness you have show'd me here, And, part, being prompted by your present trouble,
Out of my lean and low ability I'll lend you something: my having is not much; I'll make division of my present with you: 380
For him I imitate. O, if it prove, Tempests are kind and salt waves fresh
Is't
Lest that
make me
it
Sir To.
thy sword.
me now?
And.
Fab.
let's
[Exit.
money
dare lay any
I
430
see the event.
be nothing
'twill
yet.
[Exeunt.
man
to upbraid
That
ACT
IV
I
Nor know I you by voice or any feature. I hate ingratitude more in a man Than lying, vainness, babbling, drunkenness, Or any taint of vice whose strong corruption
Scene
Ant.
Enter Sebastian and clown.
35)0
O heavens themselves! pray you, go. speak a little. This youth that you
2nd Off. Come, Ant. Let
me
sir, I
see here
Will you make me believe that I am not sent for you? Seb. Go to, go to, thou art a foolish fellow: Let me be clear of thee. Clo. Well held out, i' faith! No, I do not know you; nor I am not sent to you by my lady, to bid you come speak with her; nor your name is not Master Cesario; nor this is not my nose neither. Nothing that is so is so.
snatch'd one half out of the jaws of death,
Relieved him with such sanctity of love,
And to his
Seb.
image, which methought did promise
Most venerable worth, did I devotion. 1 st Off. What's that to us? The time goes by: away! Ant. But
Sebastian, done
prithee, vent thy folly
401
!
I
am
lady
:
Seb.
shall I I
by the devil. 1 st Off. The man grows mad: away with him! Come, come, sir. [Exit with officers. Ant. Lead me on. Vio. Methinks his words do from such passion
I
Clo.
wise
money
Sir To.
Come
bian: we'll
to a
prithee
I
me what
I
now, ungird thy shall
vent to
my
Greek, depart from me:
for thee: if you tarry longer,
20
By my troth, thou hast an open hand. These men diat give fools money get themselves a
—
after fourteen years' purchase.
Andrew,
And. Now,
sir
toby, and fabian.
have
sir,
I
met you again?
there's for you.
410
come hither, Facouplet or two of most
hither, knight;
whisper o'er a
it
worse payment.
good report
Sir
applies
vent to her that thou art coming?
Enter sir
That he believes himself: so do not I. Prove true, imagination, O, prove true, That I, dear brother, be now ta'en for you!
tell
prithee, foolish
shall give
word of fool. Vent
has heard that
afraid this great lubber, the world,
strangeness and
There's
o'erflourish'd
somewhere else: 11
He
folly!
will prove a cockney.
beauty, but the beauteous evil
Are empty trunks
my
Vent
some great man and now
good feature shame.
no blemish but the mind; None can be call'd deform'd but the unkind: is
Clo.
O how vile an idol proves this god!
In nature there's
Virtue
I
Thou know'st not me.
my folly
Thou hast,
Before Olivia's house
i.
Clo.
Inhabits our frail blood.
I
An I do not
Come,
Sir To.
Do not tempt my misery, so unsound a
And. 'Slid, I'll after him again and beat him. Do; cuff him soundly, but never draw
Sir
vou with those kindnesses have done for you. I know of none; Vio.
As
a hare: his dishonesty appears in
him; and for his cowardship, ask Fabian. Fab. A coward, a most devout coward, religious ink.
my deserts to you
lack persuasion?
A very dishonest paltry boy, and more a
coward than
Sir
Will you deny
possible that
in love. [Exit.
Sir To.
Hold, there's half my coffer.
Can
21
colour, ornament,
leaving his friend here in necessity and denying
sir?
Ant.
WHAT YOU WILL
Still in this fashion,
Seb.
Are
Why, there's
all
the people
Sir To. Hold,
for thee, and there,
and there.
mad?
sir,
or
I'll
throw your dagger o'er
sage saws.
the house.
He named Sebastian: I my brother know Yet living in my glass; even such and so In favour was my brother, and he went
This will I tell my lady straight: I would not be in some of your coats for two pence. [Exit.
Vio.
5/
Clo.
Sir To.
Come on,
sir;
hold.
TWELFTH NIGHT;
22
OR,
go another way to work with him; I'll have an action of battery against him, if there be any law in Illyria: though I struck him first, yet it's no matter for that. Seb. Let go thy hand. 40 Sir
And. Nay,
Sir To.
Come,
Seb.
I
alone:
you
go.
Come,
put up your iron: you are well
come on. from
will be free
What wouldst
thee.
WHAT YOU WILL Enter sir toby and maria.
Sir To. Jove bless thee, master Parson. Clo. Bonos dies, Sir Toby: for, as the old hermit of Prague, that never saw pen and ink, very wittily said to a niece of King Gorboduc, "That that is is"; so I, being master Parson, am master Parson; for, what is "that" but "that," and "is"
Sir To. Clo.
To him, Sir Topas.
What,
Sir To.
ho,
life I
Clo. Sir
charge thee, hold!
Madam!
OH. Will
it
50
be ever thus? Ungracious wretch,
Fit for the mountains and the barbarous caves,
Where manners
ne'er
were preach'd! out of my
sight!
Be not offended, dear Cesario. Rudesby, begone! [Exeunt sir toby, I
In this
Andrew, and fabian.
prithee, gentle friend,
The knave
Do not deny. Beshrew his soul for me, He started one poor heart of mine in thee. Seb. What relish is in this? how runs the stream? Or I am mad, or else this is a dream: still
my sense in Lethe steep;
OH. Nay, come, ruled by me! Seb.
Madam,
I
still let
me sleep!
would thou'ldst be
prithee;
I will.
O, say
OH.
Scene
ii.
so,
and so be!
[Exeunt.
Olivia's house
beard;
I
prithee, put
make him
curate: do
it
on
this
I'll
call Sir
this
Topas the
Toby the whilst. [Exit.
Well, I'll put it on, and I will dissemble myself in 't; and I would I were the first that ever dissembled in such a gown. I am not tall enough to become the function well, nor lean enough to be thought a good student; but to be said an honest man and a good housekeeper goes as fairly as to say a careful man and a great scholar. The competitors enter. Clo.
curate,
who comes
to visit
Malvolio the lunatic. Mai. Sir Topas, Sir Topas, good Sir Topas, go to
my
lady.
Out, hyperbolical fiend! how vexest thou this man! talkest thou nothing but of ladies? 50 Sir To. Well said, master Parson. Mai. Sir Topas, never was man thus wronged: good Sir Topas, do not think I am mad they have Clo.
laid
me here in hideous darkness.
thou dishonest Satan! I call thee by the for I am one of those gentle ones that will use the devil himself with courtesy: sayest thou that house is dark? Mai. As hell, Sir Topas. 39 Clo. Why, it hath bay windows transparent as barricadoes, and the clearstores toward the south north are as lustrous as ebony; and yet complainest thou of obstruction? Mai. I am not mad, Sir Topas: I say to you, this house is dark. Clo. Madman, thou errest: I say, there is no darkness but ignorance; in which thou art more puzzled than the Egyptians in their fog. Mai. I say, this house is as dark as ignorance, though ignorance were as dark as hell; and I say, there was never man thus abused. I am no more mad than you are: make the trial of it in any Clo.
gown and
believe thou art Sir
quickly;
Who calls there?
Topas the
constant question.
Enter maria and clown.
Mar. Nay,
good
Clo. Fie,
Against thy peace. Go with me to my house, And hear thou there how many fruitless pranks This ruffian hath botch'd up, that thou thereby 60 Mayst smile at this: thou shalt not choose but go:
If it be thus to dream,
counterfeits well; a
most modest terms;
fair
Let fancy
20
say! peace in this prison!
:
sir
wisdom, not thy passion, sway uncivil and unjust extent
Let thy
I
knave.
Mai. [Within] Enter olivia.
Sir To.
IV
but "is"?
thou now? If thou darest tempt me further, draw thy sword. Sir To. What, what? Nay, then I must have an ounce or two of this malapert blood from you.
OH. Hold,Toby; on thy
ACT
I'll
will not let
sir, I
my young soldier, fleshed;
him
let
What
is
the opinion of Pythagoras con-
cerning wild fowl?
Mai. That the soul of our grandam might haply inhabit a bird. Clo. What thinkest thou of his opinion? Mai. I think nobly of the soul, and no way 60 approve his opinion. Clo. Fare thee well. Remain thou still in darkness: thou shalt hold the opinion of Pythagoras ere I will allow of thy wits, and fear to kill a woodcock, lest thou dispossess the soul of thy grandam. Fare thee well. Mai. Sir Topas, Sir Topas!
.
!
SCENE
TWELFTH NIGHT;
II
Str To.
1
.
OR,
My most exquisite Sir Topas!
Mai. Believe me,
Nay, I am for all waters. Mar. Thou mightst have done this without thy jo beard and gown: he sees thee not. Sir To. To him in thine own voice, and bring me word how thou findest him: I would we were
Clo.
Clo.
may
well rid of this knavery. If he ently delivered,
would he were,
I
so far in offence with
my
I
niece that
Nay,
his brains.
I'll I
Mai. Fool, I
I'll
requite
Clo. [Singing] "I
cannot
Tell
me how
Robin, thy lady does."
for't.
Master Malvolio? Mai. Ay, good fool.
90
you
besides your five
wits?
abused:
I
am as
well in
man
my wits,
so notoriously
fool, as
thou
art.
But as well? then you are mad indeed, if you be no better in your wits than a fool. Mai. They have here propertied me; keep me in darkness, send ministers to me, asses, and do all they can to face me out of my wits 10 Clo. Advise you what you say; the minister is here. Malvolio, Malvolio, thy wits the heavens restore! endeavour thyself to sleep, and leave thy Clo.
vain bibble babble.
Mai. Sir Topas Clo. Maintain no words with him, good fellow. Who, I, sir? not I, sir. God be wi' you, good Sir Topas. Marry, amen. I will, sir, I will. Mai. Fool, fool, fool, I say! no Clo. Alas, sir,
be patient.
What
with dagger of lath,
In his rage and his wrath,
Like a mad lad, Pare thy nails, dad; Adieu, good man devil."
say you,
sir? I
am shent for speaking to you. Mai. Good fool, help me to some light and some paper: I tell thee, I am as well in my wits as any man in Illyria. Clo. Well-a-day that you were, sir! Mai. By this hand, I am. Good fool, some ink, paper, and light; and convey what I will set down to my lady: it shall advantage thee more than ever the bearing of letter did 12 Clo. I will help you to't. But tell me true, are
you not mad indeed? or do you but counterfeit?
140 [Exit.
Scene
hi. Olivia' s
garden
Enter Sebastian. Seb. This is the air; that is the glorious sun; This pearl she gave me, I do feel't and see't; And though 'tis wonder that enwraps me thus, Yet 'tis not madness. Where's Antonio, then? I
Mai. Fool, there was never
sustain;
Cries, ah, ha! to the devil:
Clo.
fell
/50
be with you again,
Who,
unkind, perdy."
how
in the highest degree:
jolly
—
Clo. Alas, sir,
see
Like to the old Vice,
Clo. "Alas, why is she so?" Mai. Fool, I say! Who calls, ha? Clo. "She loves another" Mai. Good fool, as ever thou wilt deserve well at my hand, help me to a candle, and pen, ink and paper: as I am a gentleman, I will live to be
thankful to thee
it
Your need to
So is
till I
and paper and
In a trice,
[Exeunt sir toby and maria.
Mai. Fool! Clo. "My lady Mai. Fool!
madman
light
am gone, sir, And anon, sir,
I'll
Come by and by to my chamber. "Hey, Robin,
thee true.
prithee, be gone.
pursue with any safety this sport to the upshot.
Clo. [Singing]
you
will fetch
23
I tell
ne'er believe a
am now I
am
I
not;
ink.
be conveni-
for
WHAT YOU WILL
could not find him at the Elephant:
Yet there he was; and there I found this credit, That he did range the town to seek me out. His counsel now might do me golden service; For though my soul disputes well with my sense That this may be some error, but no madness, 10 Yet doth this accident and flood of fortune So far exceed all instance, all discourse, That I am ready to distrust mine eyes And wrangle with my reason that persuades me To any other trust but that I am mad Or else the lady's mad; yet, if 'twere so, She could not sway her house, command her followers,
Take and give back affairs and their dispatch With suca a smooth, discreet, and stable bearing As I perceive she does: there's something in't 20 That is deceivable. But here the lady comes. Enter olivia and priest. Oli.
Blame not this haste of mine.
If you
mean
well,
Now go with me and with this holy man Into the chantry by: there, before him,
And underneath that consecrated roof, Plight me the full assurance of your faith;
my most jealous and too doubtful soul May live at peace. He shall conceal it
That
Whiles you are willing it
shall
come to note,
TWELFTH NIGHT; OR WHAT YOU WILL
24
What time we will our celebration keep According to my birth. What do you say? Seb.
I'll
follow this good
3
man and go with
you; And, having sworn truth, ever will be true. Oliv. Then lead the way, good father; and
heavens so shine,
That they may
fairly
note this act of mine! [Exeunt.
ACT V Scene
i.
:
Before Olivia
s
house
Vio.
Enter clown and fabian.
Now,
Fab.
as thou lovest
me,
Here comes the man,
me
let
that did rescue
see his
Enter antonio and officers.
Go. Good Master Fabian, grant
me
Duke. That face of his
another re-
Yet,
quest.
As
Fab. Anything.
is,
to give a dog, and in
recompense
my dog again.
Duke. Belong you to the Lady Olivia, friends? 10 Go. Ay, sir; we are some of her trappings. I
know
thee well:
good fellow? Go. Truly, sir, the better worse for my friends.
how for
dost thou,
my
foes and the
Duke.
no; though
it
please
you
Thou
shalt not be the
worse
for
there's gold.
me: 5/
Go. But that it would be double-dealing, sir, I would you could make it another. Duke. O, you give me ill counsel. Go. Put your grace in your pocket, sir, for this once, and let your flesh and blood obey it. Duke. Well, I will be so much a sinner, to be a Go. Primo, secundo, the old saying triplex, sir, is a
is,
teitio, is a
good play; and
the third pays for
all:
the
good tripping measure; or the
Antonio
is
he that did the Tiger board,
of shame and
in the streets, desperate
state,
we apprehend him.
He did me kindness,
sir,
drew on
my side;
speech upon me: jo
know not what 'twas but distraction. Duke. Notable pirate! thou salt-water thief! What foolish boldness brought thee to their merI
cies,
Whom thou, in terms so bloody and so dear, Hast made thine enemies? Orsino, noble
sir,
Be pleased that I shake off these names you give me: Antonio never yet was thief or pirate, Though I confess, on base and ground enough, Orsino's enemy. A witchcraft drew me hither: That most ingrateful boy there by your side, 80 From the rude sea's enraged and foamy mouth Did I redeem; a wreck past hope he was. His life I gave him and did thereto add
My love, without retention or restraint, All his in dedication; for his sake
Did
double-dealer: there's another.
that
in conclusion put strange
But
Ant.
Why, this is excellent.
my troth, sir, my friends.
is
When your young nephew Titus lost his leg:
Vio.
to be one of
Duke.
Off. Orsino, this
That took the Phoenix and her fraught from Candy;
In private brabble did
foes.
60
matter? 1st
How can that be?
Go. By
was besmear'd smoke of war:
That very envy and the tongue of loss Cried fame and honour on him. What's the
Here the worse.
Go. Marry, sir, they praise me and make an ass of me; now my foes tell me plainly I am an ass: so that by my foes, sir, I profit in the knowledge of myself, and by my friends I am abused: so that, conclusions to be as kisses, if your four negatives make your two affirmatives, why then, the worse for my friends and the better for my Duke.
black as Vulcan in the
And this
friends. sir,
do remember well;
For shallow draught and bulk unprizable,
my
Duke. Just the contrary; the better for thy
Go. No,
I
it last, it
With which such scathful grapple did he make With the most noble bottom of our fleet,
Enter duke, viola, curio, and Lords.
Duke.
when I saw
A bawbling vessel was he captain of,
Do not desire to see this letter.
Fab. This desire
sir,
me.
letter.
Go.
ACT V
of Saint Bennet, sir, may put you in mind; one, two, three. Duke. You can fool no more money out of me at this throw: if you will let your lady know I am here to speak with her, and bring her along with you, it may awake my bounty further. Go. Marry, sir, lullaby to your bounty till I come again. I go, sir; but I would not have you to think that my desire of having is the sin of covetousness but, as you say, sir, let your bounty take a nap, I will awake it anon. [Exit. bells
I
expose myself, pure for his love,
Into the danger of this adverse town;
Drew to defend him when he was beset: Where being apprehended, his false cunning,
— SCENE
—
— TWELFTH NIGHT;
I
WHAT YOU WILL
OR,
Not meaning to partake with me in danger, 90 Taught him to face me out of his acquaintance, And grew a twenty years removed thing While one would wink; denied me mine own
Come, boy, with me; I'll
OH.
How can this be?
I
do
And I, most jocund,
love,
apt,
and willingly,
a thousand deaths
would die.
Where goes Cesario? After him
Vio.
When came he to this town? Ant. To-day, my lord; and for three months
More than
I
I
love these eyes,more than
love
my life,
More, by all mores, than e'er I shall love wife. If I do feign, you witnesses above 140
before,
No interim, not a minute's vacancy, Both day and night did
lamb that
sacrifice the
Vio.
Vio.
my thoughts are ripe in
To spite a raven's heart within a dove.
To do you rest,
Duke.
25
mischief:
purse,
Which I had recommended to his use Not half an hour before.
.
:
my life for tainting of my love! Ay me, detested! how am I beguiled!
Punish
we keep company.
OH.
Who does beguile you? who does do you wrong? OH. Hast thou forgot thyself? is it so long? Vio.
Enter olivia and Attendants.
Duke. Here comes the Countess:
now heaven
walks on earth.
100
Call forth the holy father.
But for thee, fellow; fellow, thy words are mad-
Duke. OH. Whither,
ness:
Three months
this
youth hath tended upon me;
:
Her husband,
No,
109
Enter priest.
My lord would speak; my duty hushes me.
OH. If it be aught to the old tune, my and fulsome to mine ear As howling after music.
O, welcome,
lord,
Duke.
Still
so cruel?
so constant, lord.
Duke. What, to perverseness? you uncivil lady,
To whose ingrate and unauspicious altars
My soul the faith full' st offerings hath breathed out
That e'er devotion tender'd! What shall I do? OH. Even what it please my lord, that shall be-
come him. Duke.
Why should I not, had I the heart to do 120
it,
Like to the Egyptian thief at point of death, Kill what I love? a savage jealousy That sometime savours nobly. But hear me this: Since you to non-regardance cast my faith, And that I partly know the instrument That screws me from my true place in your
—
favour,
Live you the marble-breasted tyrant still; But this your minion, whom I know you love,
And whom, by heaven I
swear,
I
Him will I tear out of that cruel eye,
130 spite.
I
Hath newly pass'd between this youth and me. Priest. A contract of eternal bond of love, Confirm'd by mutual joinder of your hands, 160 Attested by the holy close of lips, Strengthen'd by interchangement of your rings; And all the ceremony of this compact Seal'd in my function, by my testimony: Since when, my watch hath told me, toward my grave have travell'd but two hours. thou dissembling cub! what wilt thou Duke. be WTien time hath sow'd a grizzle on thy case? Or will not else thy craft so quickly grow, That thine own trip shall be thine overthrow? ijo Farewell, and take her; but direct thy feet WTiere thou and I henceforth may never meet. I
O
Vio.
tender dearly,
Where he sits crowned in his master's
father!
charge thee, by thy reverence, Here to unfold, though lately we intended To keep in darkness what occasion now Reveals before 'tis ripe, what thou dost know Father,
It is as fat
Still
my lord, not I
the baseness of thy fear
strangle thy propriety i$o Fear not, Cesario; take thy fortunes up; Be that thou know'st thou art, and then thou art As great as that thou fear'st.
What do you say, Cesario? Good my
lord
it is
That makes thee
Madam!
Vio.
sirrah!
Vio.
OH. Alas,
Duke. Gracious Olivia
OH.
Ay, husband can he that deny?
OH. Duke.
have,
Wherein Olivia may seem serviceable? Cesario, you do not keep promise with me.
OH.
Cesario, husband, stay.
Duke. Husband!
But more of that anon. Take him aside. OH. What would my lord, but that he may not
Vio.
Come, away!
my lord?
My lord,
I
OH.
Hold little fear.
faith,
do protest
O, do not swear! though thou hast too much
TWELFTH NIGHT;
26
Enter sir
OR,
Andrew.
Duke.
incardinate.
lifelings,
is!
You broke
and two
A natural perspective, that is and is not! Seb. Antonio,
O my dear Antonio!
How have the hours rack'd and tortured me, Since
I
have
lost thee!
Ant. Sebastian are you? Fear'st thou that, Antonio?
Seb.
Ant.
How have you made division of yourself?
An apple, cleft in two,
is
not
more twin
Than these two creatures. Which OH. Most wonderful! Seb.
here he
One face, one voice, one habit,
persons,
My gentleman, Cesario?
And. 'Od's
Sir
ACT V
We made each other but so late ago.
Sir And. For the love of God, a surgeon! Send one presently to Sir Toby. OH. What's the matter? Sir And. He has broke my head across and has given Sir Toby a bloody coxcomb too: for the love of God, your help! I had rather than forty 181 pound I were at home. OH. Who has done this, Sir Andrew? Sir And. The Count's gentleman, one Cesario: we took him for a coward, but he's the very devil
Duke.
WHAT YOU WILL
Do I
stand there?
I
is
250
Sebastian?
never had a brother;
Nor can there be that deity in my nature,
my
Of here and everywhere.
set
Whom the blind waves and surges have devour'd.
head for nothing; and that that I did, I was on to do't by Sir Toby. Vio. Why do you speak to me? I never hurt you:
190
You drew your sword upon me without cause; bespake you fair, and hurt you not. And. If a bloody coxcomb be a hurt, you have hurt me: I think you set nothing by a bloody coxcomb.
But
I
Sir
I
had a sister,
Of charity, what kin are you to me? What countryman? what name? what parentage? Vio. Of Messaline: Sebastian was my father; Such a Sebastian was my brother too, 240 So went he suited to his watery tomb. If spirits can assume both form and suit
You come to
fright us.
A spirit I am indeed; am in that dimension grossly clad Which from the womb I did participate. Were you a woman, as the rest goes even, Seb.
But
Enter sir toby and clown.
Here comes
Sir
Toby
halting;
you
shall
hear
more: but if he had not been in drink, he would have tickled you othergates than he did. Duke. How now, gentleman! how is't with you? 200 Sir To. That's all one: has hurt me, and there's the end on't. Sot, didst see Dick surgeon, sot? Clo. O, he's drunk, Sir Toby, an hour agone; his eyes were set at eight i' the morning. Sir To. Then he's a rogue, and a passy measures panyn: I hate a drunken rogue. OH. Away with him! Who hath made this havoc with them? Sir And. I'll help you, Sir Toby, because we'll be dressed together. 211 Sir To. Will you help? an ass-head and a coxcomb and a knave, a thin- faced knave, a gull! OH. Get him to bed, and let his hurt be look'd to. [Exeunt clown, fabian, sir toby, and SIR
ANDREW.
Enter Sebastian. Seb. I
am
sorry,
madam,
I
have hurt your kins-
man; been the brother of my blood, I must have done no less with wit and safety. You throw a strange regard upon me, and by that I do perceive it hath offended you 220 Pardon me, sweet one, even for the vows
But, had
it
I
my tears let fall upon your cheek,
should
And say Vio.
Seb. Vio.
"Thrice- welcome, drowned Viola!"
My father had a mole upon his brow. And so had mine. 250 And died that day when Viola from her
birth
Had number'd thirteen years. Seb. O, that record is lively in my soul! He finished indeed his mortal act That day that made my sister thirteen years. Vio. If nothing lets to
But
this
make us happy both
my masculine usurp'd attire,
Do not embrace me till each circumstance Of place, time, fortune, do cohere and jump That I'll
I
am
bring
Viola: which to confirm,
you to
260
a captain in this town,
Where lie my maiden weeds; by whose gentle help
was preserved to serve
this noble count. All the occurrence of my fortune since I
Hath been between this lady and this lord. Seb. [To olivia] So comes it, lady, you have been mistook: But nature to her bias drew in that. You would have been contracted to a maid; Nor are you therein, by my life, deceived, You are betroth'd both to a maid and man. 270 Duke. Be not amazed; right noble is his blood.
;
SCENE
I
TWELFTH NIGHT;
If this be so, as yet the glass
seems
OR,
true,
Clo.
have share in this most happy wreck. [To viola] Boy, thou hast said to me a thousand shall
I
times shouldst love woman like to me. And all those sayings will I over-swear;
Thou never Vio.
And all those swearings keep as true in As doth that orbed continent the fire That severs day from
soul
Ay, madam.
Duke. This savours not much of disti action. Oli. See him deliver'd, Fabian; bring him hither. [Exit FABIAN. lord, so please you, these things further thought on, To think me as well a sister as a wife,
My
Give me thy hand .
2 80
Here
my house and at my proper cost.
at
Duke.
Madam,
shore
now in durance, at Malvolio's suit, and follower of my lady's. gentleman, A Oli. He shall enlarge him: fetch Malvolio Is
[To viola] Your master quits you; and for your service done him, So much against the mettle of your sex, 550 So far beneath your soft and tender breeding,
And yet, alas, now I remember me, They say, poor gentleman, he's much distract. with a
letter,
and fabian.
From my remembrance clearly
Re-enter fabian, with malvolio.
Duke.
banish'd his.
How does he, sirrah?
290
Truly, madam, he holds Belzebub at the stave's end as well as a man in his case may do: has here writ a letter to you; I should have given 't you to-day morning, but as a madman's episClo.
are no gospels, so
they are delivered. Oli. Open 't, and read
it skills
not
much when
Is this
the
madman? Ay,
Oli.
my lord, this same.
How now, Malvolio! Mai. Madam, you have done me wrong, Notorious wrong. Oli. Have I, Malvolio? no. Mai. Lady, you have. Pray you, peruse that letter.
You must not now deny it is your hand:
it.
Look then to be well edified when the fool madman. [Reads] "By the Lord, ma-
delivers the
dam"— Oli.
for so long,
Here is my hand: you shall from this time be Your master's mistress. Oli. A sister! you are she.
A most extracting frenzy of mine own
Clo.
am most apt to embrace your
And since you call'd me master
hither:
tles
I
offer.
Hath my maid's garments: he upon some action
clown
so please
you,
And let me see thee in thy woman' s weeds Vio. The captain that did bring me first on
Re-enter
*7
One day shall crown the alliance on't,
night.
Duke.
WHAT YOU WILL
300
How now! art thou mad?
Clo. No, madam, I do but read madness: an your ladyship will have it as it ought to be, you must allow Vox. Oli. Prithee, read i' thy right wits. Clo. So I do, madonna; but to read his right wits
Write from it,
if you can, in
hand or phrase;
favour,
Bade me come smiling and cross-garter'd to you,
To put on yellow stockings and to frown
to read thus: therefore perpend, my princess, and give ear. Oli. Read it you, sirrah. [To fabian.]
Upon Sir Toby and the lighter people;
Fab. [Reads] "By the Lord, madam, you wrong me, and the world shall know it: though you have put me into darkness and given your drunken cousin rule over me, yet have I the benefit of my senses as well as your ladyship. I have your own letter that induced me to the semblance I put on; with the which I doubt not but to do myself much right, or you much shame. Think of me as you please. I leave my duty a little unthought of and speak out of my injury. The madly-used Malvolio." Oli. Did he write this? 520
Kept
is
34.0
Or say 'tis not your seal, not your invention: You can say none of this: well, grant it then And tell me, in the modesty of honour, Why you have given me such clear lights of
And,
acting- this in
an obedient hope,
Why have you suffer'd me to be imprison'd, dark house, visited by the
in a
priest,
550
And made the most notorious geek and gull That e'er invention play'd on? tell me why. Malvolio, this
Oli. Alas,
Though,
I
confess,
is
not
my writing,
much like the character:
But out of question 'tis Maria's hand. And now I do bethink me, it was she First told me thou wast mad; then earnest in smiling,
And in such forms which here were presupposed
Upon thee in the letter. Prithee,
be content:
TWELFTH NIGHT;
28
OR,
This practice hath most shrewdly pass'd upon thee;
360 But when we know the grounds and authors of it, Thou shalt be both the plaintiff and the judge
Of thine own cause. Fab. Good madam, hear me speak, And let no quarrel nor no brawl to come
Taint the condition of this present hour, Which I have wonder'd at. In hope it shall not, Most freely I confess, myself and Toby Set this device against Malvolio here, Upon some stubborn and uncourteous parts had conceived against him: Maria writ }jo The letter at Sir Toby's great importance; In recompense whereof he hath married her. How with a sportful malice it was follow'd, May rather pluck on laughter than revenge; If that the injuries be justly weigh'd That have on both sides pass'd. OH. Alas, poor fool, how have they baffled thee! Clo. Why, "some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrown upon them." I was one, sir, in this interlude; one Sir Topas, sir; but that's all one. "By the Lord, fool,
WHAT YOU WILL
ACT V
A solemn combination shall be made Of our dear souls.
Meantime, sweet
sister,
We will not part from hence. Cesario, come; For so you shall be, while you are a man; But when in other habits you are seen, Orsino's mistress and his fancy's queen. [Exeunt all, except clown. Clo. [Sings]
"When that I was With hey,
and a
ho, the
little
tiny boy,
wind and the
rain,
A foolish thing was but a toy, For the rain
it
400
raineth every day.
We
am not mad." But do you remember? "Madam, why laugh you at such a barren rascal? an you I
smile not, he's gagged"; and thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges. Mai. I'll be revenged on the whole pack of you. [Exit.
OH.
He hath been most notoriously abused.
Duke. Pursue him, and entreat him to a peace: He hath not told us of the captain yet: 390 When that is known and golden time convents,
But when
I
came
With hey,
to man's estate,
ho, &c.
'Gainst knaves and thieves
men
shut their
gate,
For the But when
rain,
I
&c.
came,
alas! to
With hey, ho, &c. By swaggering could I For the But when
rain,
I
wive,
never thrive,
&c.
came unto my
beds,
410
With hey, ho, &c. With toss-pots still had drunken heads, For the
rain,
&c.
A great while ago the world begun, With hey, But that's
all
ho, &c.
one, our play
is
done,
And we'll strive to please you every day." [Exit.
.
HAMLET,
n>
Prince of
Denmark
DRAMATIS PERSONS Claudius, King of Denmark son to the late, and nephew King Polonius, Lord Chamberlain Horatio, friend to Hamlet Laertes, son to Polonius
Hamlet,
Two
Clowns,
gravediggers
Fortinbras, Prince of Norway
to the present,
A Captain English Ambassadors
A A
Lord Soldier
Two Messengers A Servant to Horatio
voltimand Cornelius rosencrantz
Danes Ghost
Courtiers
GuiLDENSTERN
of Hamlet's father
OSRIC
A Gentleman A Priest MARCELLUS Bernardo
I
|
Gertrude, Queen of Denmark, and mother Ophelia, daughter
^SKceTS _
&
Non-Speaking:
Francisco, a soldier
Reynaldo, servant Five Players
to
Hamlet
Polonius
Lords,
Ladies,
Officers,
Soldiers^
and other Attendants
Sailors,
to
to
Polonius
Scene: Denmark
*z ACT Scene
i.
to
Give you good Mar.
him bernardo.
Who's there?
Fran.
Hor.
Long live the
king!
Ber.
Fran. Bernardo? Ber.
Horatio there?
A piece of him Welcome, Horatio: welcome, good Mar20
cellus.
You come most carefully upon your hour. now struck twelve; get thee to bed,
this thing appear'd again to-
night? Ber.
Ber. 'Tis
I
have seen nothing.
Mar. Horatio says
Francisco. Fran. For this relief much thanks:
is
Mar. What, has
He.
Fran.
[Exit.
Holla! Bernardo!
Say,
What,
stand, and unfold your-
self.
Ber.
night.
Ber.
Nay, answer me:
my place.
Bernardo has
Fran.
Elsinore: a platform before the castle
francisco at his post. Enter Ber.
Who hath relieved you?
I
'tis
Touching
but our fantasy,
dreaded sight, twice seen of us: have entreated him along With us to watch the minutes of this night, That if again this apparition come, He may approve our eyes and speak to it. Hor. Tush, tush, 'twill not appear.
cold,
And I am sick at heart. Ber. Have you had quiet guard? Fran. Not a mouse stirring,
'tis
And will not let belief take hold of him
bitter
Therefore
w
Well, good night. If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus, The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste. Fran. I think I hear them. Stand, ho! Who's Ber.
this I
Ber.
Sit
down awhile; 50
And let us once again assail your ears, That
there?
are so fortified against our story,
What we have two nights seen.
Enter horatio and marcellus.
Hor.
Well,
sit
we down,
Hor. Friends to this ground. Mar. And liegemen to the Dane.
And let us hear Bernardo speak of this.
Give you good night. Mar. O, farewell, honest
When yond same star that's westward from the
Ber. Last night of all,
Fran.
pole
soldier:
29
HAMLET
3
Had made his course to illume that part of heaven Where now it burns, Marcellus and myself, The bell then
beating one
Enter ghost.
Mar. Peace, break thee off; look, where it comes again! Ber. In the same figure, like the King that's
At 40
Mar. Thou art a scholar; speak to it, Horatio. Ber. Looks it not like the King? mark it,
Ber. It
harrows
me with fear and
Question
it,
Horatio.
So
of our known world esteem'd
this Fortinbras;
who, by
a seal'd
com-
ratified
forfeit,
by law and heraldry,
with
his life, all those his lands
Which he stood seized of,
to the conqueror: Against the which, a moiety competent Was gaged by our king; which had return'd
offended.
as,
by the same coven-
ant,
See,
Ber.
Hor. Stay! speak, speak!
I
it
stalks
away!
50
charge thee, speak! [Exit GHOST.
Mar. 'Tis gone, and will not answer. Ber. How now, Horatio! you tremble and look pale:
not this something
po
To the inheritance of Fortinbras, Had he been vanquisher;
speak!
more than
fantasy?
What think you on't? Hor. Before my God, I might not this believe Without the sensible and true avouch Of mine own eyes. Is it not like the King? Mar. Hor. As thou art to thyself: Such was the very armour he had on When he the ambitious Norway combated So frown'd he once, when, in an angry parle, He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice.
60
'Tis strange.
Mar. Thus twice before, and jump
at this
dead
hour,
With martial
stalk hath he gone by our watch. Hor. In what particular thought to work I know
not;
But in the gross and scope of my opinion, This bodes some strange eruption to our state. Mar. Good now, sit down, and tell me, he that knows, jo Why this same strict and most observant watch So nightly toils the subject of the land, And why such daily cast of brazen cannon, And foreign mart for implements of war; Why such impress of shipwrights, whose sore task
Well Did
Together with that fair and warlike form In which the majesty of buried Denmark Did sometimes march? by heaven I charge thee,
Is
but
pact,
What art thou that usurp'st this time of
It is
this side
him Did slay
night,
Mar.
Our last king, now appear'd to us,
the whisper goes so.
let—
would be spoke to.
Mar. Hor.
least,
Whose image even
For so
Horatio. like: it
I
Was, as you know, by Fortinbras of Norway, Thereto prick'd on by a most emulate pride, Dared to the combat; in which our valiant Ham-
dead.
Hor. Most wonder.
ACT
Does not divide the Sunday from the week; What might be toward, that this sweaty haste Doth make the night joint-labourer with the day: Who is't that can inform me? Hor. That can I;
And
carriage of the article design'd, His fell to Hamlet. Now, sir, young Fortinbras. Of unimproved mettle hot and full, Hath in the skirts of Norway here and there Shark'd up a list of lawless resolutes, For food and diet, to some enterprise That hath a stomach in't; which is no other As it doth well appear unto our state 101 But to recover of us, by strong hand And terms compulsatory, those foresaid lands So by his father lost: and this, I take it, Is the main motive of our preparations, The source of this our watch and the chief head Of this post-haste and romage in the land. Ber. I think it be no other but e'en so:
Well may it sort that this portentous Comes armed through our watch;
figure
so like the
King That was and is the question of these wars. Hor. A mote it is to trouble the mind's eye. In the most high and palmy state of Rome,
no
A little ere the mightiest Julius fell, The
graves stood tenantless and the sheeted dead Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets. As stars with trains of fire and dews of blood, Disasters in the sun; and the moist star Upon whose influence Neptune's empire stands
Was
sick almost to
And even
doomsday with
As harbingers preceding
And
eclipse. 120
the like precurse of fierce events,
prologue to the
still
the fates
omen coming
on,
—— SCENE
HAMLET
I
3i
Mar. Let's
Have heaven and earth together demonstrated Unto our climatures and countrymen. But soft, behold! lo, where it comes again!
do't,
I
pray; and
I
th's
morning
know Where we shall find him most conveniently. [Exeunt
Re-enter ghost.
though it blast me. Stay, illusion! If thou hast any sound, or use of voice, Speak to me: 150 If there be any good thing to be done, That may to thee do ease and grace to me, Speak to me: If thou art privy to thy country's fate, Which, happily, foreknowing may avoid, I'll
cross
Or if thou hast uphoarded
it,
stay,
and speak!
Marcellus.
Mar. Shall I strike at it with Hor. Do, if it will not stand.
my partisan? 14.1
'Tis here!
Ber.
'Tis here!
Hor.
[Exit ghost. Mar. 'Tis gone! We do it wrong, being so majestical, To offer it the show of violence; it is,
Ber. It
Hor.
as the air, invulnerable, vain blows malicious mockery.
was about
And then it
to speak,
when the cock crew.
started like a guilty thing
Upon a fearful summons. I have heard, The cock, that is the trumpet to the morn, Doth with
Awake
room of state
in the castle
Attendants.
King. Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death The memory be green, and that it us befitted To bear our hearts in grief and our whole king-
Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature That we with wisest sorrow think on him, Together with remembrance of ourselves. Therefore our sometime sister, now our queen,
death,
Speak of it: [Cock crows.]
For
A
king,
the
To be contracted in one brow of woe,
in thy life
Extorted treasure in the womb of earth, For which, they say, you spirits oft walk in
And our
ii.
queen, hamlet, polonius, LAERTES, VOLTIMAND, CORNELIUS, Lords, and
Enter
dom
O, speak!
Stop
Scene
it,
/yo
and shrill-sounding throat the god of day; and, at his warning, his lofty
Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air, The extravagant and erring spirit hies
To his confine: and of the truth herein This present object made probation. Mar. It faded on the crowing of the cock. Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated, The bird of dawning singeth all night long: 160 And then, they say, no spirit dare stir abroad; The nights are wholesome; then no planets strike,
No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm, So hallow'd and so gracious is the time. Hor. So have I heard and do in part believe it. But, look, the morn, in russet mantle clad, Walks o'er the dew of yon high eastward hill: Break we our watch up; and by my advice, Let us impart what we have seen to-night Unto young Hamlet; for, upon my life, 170 This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him. Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it, As needful in our loves, fitting our duty?
The imperial jointress to this warlike state, Have we, as 'twere with a defeated joy 10 With an auspicious and a dropping eye, With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage, In equal scale weighing delight and dole
Taken to wife: nor have we herein barr'd Your
better wisdoms,
With
this affair along.
which have freely gone For all, our thanks. Now follows, that you know, young Fortinbras, Holding a weak supposal of our worth, Or thinking by our late dear brother's death Our state to be disjoint and out of frame, 20 Colleagued with the dream of his advantage, He hath not fail'd to pester us with message, Importing the surrender of those lands Lost by his father, with all bonds of law, To our most valiant brother. So much for him. Now for ourself and for this time of meeting:
Thus much
the business
is
:
we have here writ
To Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras Who,
impotent and bed-rid, scarcely hears
Of this his nephew's purpose His further
The lists,
—to suppress
50
gait herein; in that the levies,
and
full
proportions are
all
made
and we here dispatch You, good Cornelius, and you, Voltimand, For bearers of this greeting to old Norway; Giving to you no further personal power To business with the king, more than the scope
Out of his
subject:
Of these delated articles allow. Farewell, and let your haste Cor. (In that and Vol.
)
King.
all
commend your
things will
duty.
we show
our
duty.
We doubt
40 it
nothing: heartily farewell.
[Exeunt voltimand and Cornelius.
And now, Laertes, what's the news with you? You told us of some suit; what is't, Laertes?
HAMLET
32
You cannot speak of reason to the Dane, And lose your voice: what wouldst thou beg,
ACT
I
King. 'Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet,
To give these mourning duties
Laertes,
The head is not more native to the heart, The hand more instrumental to the mouth, Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father.
to your father: you must know, your father lost a father; That father lost, lost his, and the survivor bound In filial obligation for some term pi To do obsequious sorrow but to persever
What wouldst thou have,
In obstinate condolement
That
shall not
be
my offer, not thy asking?
But,
:
Laertes?
My dread lord,
Laer.
Your leave and favour From whence though
50
to return to France;
willingly
came
I
It
to
Den-
To show my duty in your coronation,
My
I
And bow them to your gracious leave and pardon. King. Have you your father's leave? What says Polonius? lord,
wrung from me
my
I
Take thy
fair
60
hour, Laertes; time be
thine,
And thy best graces spend it at thy will! But now,
Ham.
my cousin Hamlet, and my son
A
[Aside]
more than
kin,
and
that the clouds
still
hang on
little
less
than kind.
King.
How
is it
you?
Ham. Not
my
so,
lord;
I
am
too
much
i'
the
sun.
Queen.
And
Good Hamlet, cast thy nigh ted colour off, thine eye look like a friend
on Denmark.
Do not for ever with thy vailed lids
70
Seek
let
for thy noble father in the dust.
Thou know'st
'tis
common;
that lives
all
must
it is
corse
Ham. Seems, madam!
nay,
it
till
who
still hath cried, he that died to-day, pray you, throw to
We
This unprevailing woe, and think of us As of a father: for let the world take note, You are the most immediate to our throne; And with no less nobility of love no Than that which dearest father bears his son, Do I impart toward you. For your intent In going back to school in Wittenberg, It is most retrograde to our desire: And we beseech you, bend you to remain Here, in the cheer and comfort of our eye, Our chiefest courtier, cousin, and our son. Queen. Let not thy mother lose her prayers, Hamlet: I pray thee, stay with us; go not to Wittenberg.
Ham.
I
King.
Why,
shall in all 'tis
my best obey you, madam.
a loving and a fair reply:
121
as ourself in
Sits smiling to
If it be,
is;
I
know
not
"seems." 'Tis not alone
first
my heart: in grace whereof, No jocund health that Denmark drinks to-day,
common.
Why seems it so particular with thee?
But the great cannon to the clouds shall tell, the King's rouse the heavens shall bruit
And
again,
my inky cloak, good mother,
Re-speaking earthly thunder.
Nor customary suits of solemn black, Nor windy suspiration of forced breath, No, nor the
death of fathers, and
From the
Denmark. Madam, come; This gentle and unforced accord of Hamlet
Passing through nature to eternity. Queen.
100
a fault to heaven,
To reason most absurd; whose common theme
Be
die,
Ham. Ay, madam,
'tis
earth
do beseech you, give him leave to go. King.
to heart? Fie!
it
"This must be so."
slow leave
By labour some petition, and at last Upon his will I seal'd my hard consent:
sense,
A fault against the dead, a fault to nature, Is
my
hath,
a will
Why should we in our peevish opposition Take
France
He
unmanly grief; most incorrect to heaven, heart unfortified, a mind impatient,
shows
As any the most vulgar thing to
must confess, that duty done,
thoughts and wishes bend again toward
Pol.
A
a course
'tis
An understanding simple and unschool'd: For what we know must be and is as common
mark,
Yet now,
is
Of impious stubbornness;
Ham. O, So
fruitful river in the eye,
Nor the dejected Together with
all
but hamlet.
that this too too solid flesh
forms, moods, shapes of grief,
That can denote me truly: these indeed seem, For they are actions that a man might play But I have that within which passeth show; These but the trappings and the suits of woe. :
would
melt, a dew Or that the Everlasting had not fix'd
Thaw, and resolve itself into
'haviour of the visage,
all
Come away.
[Exeunt
is
His canon 'gainst self-slaughter! O God! God! How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable, Seem to me all the uses of this world! Fieon't! ah
fie! 'tis
an unweeded garden,
—
— SCENE
—
:
HAMLET
II
That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature it merely. That it should come to this! But two months dead: nay, not so much, not two: So excellent a king; that was, to this,
Possess
Hyperion to a satyr; so loving to my mother 140 That he might not beteem the winds of heaven Visit her face too roughly. Heaven and earth! Must I remember? why, she would hang on him,
As if increase of appetite had grown By what it fed on: and yet, within a month Let me not think on't Frailty, thy name is woman! A little month, or ere those shoes were old With which she follow'd my poor father's body,
—
—
why she, even she 14.9 wants discourse of reason, Would have mourn' d longer married with my Like Niobe,
God!
tears
all
:
a beast, that
—
uncle,
My father's brother, but no more like my father Than
I
Had
within a month of most unrighteous tears
to Hercules
Ere yet the left
salt
:
33
Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables. Would I had met my dearest foe in heaven
Or ever I had seen that day, Hor. Where,
Ham.
my lord? In my mind's eye, Horatio.
saw him once; he was a goodly king. a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again. Hor. My lord, I think I saw him yesternight. Ham. Saw? who? 190 Hor. My lord, the King your father. Ham. The King my father! Hor.
I
Ham. He was
Hor. Season your admiration for a while
With an attent ear, till I may deliver, Upon the witness of these gentlemen, This marvel to you.
Ham.
For God's
Armed
She married. O, most wicked speed, to post With such dexterity to incestuous sheets! It is not nor it cannot come to good: But break, my heart; for I must hold my tongue.
love, let
me hear.
Hor. Two nights together had these gentlemen, Marcellus and Bernardo, on their watch, In the dead vast and middle of the night,
Been thus encounter'd.
the flushing in her galled eyes,
Horatio!
My father! —methinks I see my father.
A figure like your father,
200 Appears before them, and with solemn march Goes slow and stately by them thrice he walk'd By their oppress'd and fear-surprised eyes, Within his truncheon's length; whilst they, disat point exactly, cap-a-pie,
:
till'd
Enter horatio, marcellus, and bernardo.
Almost
Hor. Hail to your lordship!
Ham.
I
—
am glad
Stand
to see
you
160
well:
Horatio or I do forget myself. Hor. The same, my lord, and your poor servant ever.
Ham. Sir, my good friend; I'll change that name with you: And what make you from Wittenberg, Horatio? Marcellus?
Mar.
My good lord
I am very glad to see you. Good even, sir. But what, in faith, make you from Wittenberg? Hor. A truant disposition, good my lord. Ham. I would not hear your enemy say so, Nor shall you do mine ear that violence, iyi To make it truster of your own report Against yourself: I know you are no truant. But what is your affair in Elsinore? We'll teach you to drink deep ere you depart.
Ham.
Hor.
My
lord,
I
came
to see your father's
funeral.
Ham.
pray thee, do not
I
mock me,
fellow-
student; 1
think
was
it
Hor. Indeed,
Ham.
my mother's wedding. my lord, it follow'd hard upon.
to see
and speak not to him. This to
180
me
In dreadful secrecy impart they did;
And I with them the third night
kept the watch: they had deliver'd, both in time, of the thing, each word made true and good,
Where,
as
Form The apparition comes
:
I
knew your
These hands are not more
father;
211
like.
Ham.
But where was this? Mar. My lord, upon the platform where we watch 'd. Ham. Did you not speak to it? Hor. My lord, I did; But answer made it none: yet once methought It lifted up it head and did address Itself to motion, like as it would speak; But even then the morning cock crew loud, And at the sound it shrunk in haste away, And vanish'd from our sight. 'Tis very strange. 220 Ham. Hor. As I do live, my honour'd lord, 'tis true; And we did think it writ down in our duty To let you know of it. Ham. Indeed, indeed, sirs, but this troubles me. Hold you the watch to-night? r
Thrift, thrift, Horatio! the funeral baked
meats
to jelly with the act of fear,
dumb
^j Ham. Arm'd,
We do, my lord. say you?
HAMLET
34 r
^
'|Arm'd,mylord.
Ham. From top to toe? r
^
My lord, from head to foot.
*
|
Ham. Then saw you not his face? my lord; he wore his beaver up. Ham. What, look'd he frowningly? 25/ Hor. A countenance more in sorrow than in Hot. O, yes,
anger.
Ham.
Pale or red?
Hor. Nay, very pale.
And fix'd his eyes upon you? Ham. Hor. Most constantly. Ham. I would I had been there. Hor. It would have much amazed you. Ham. Very like, very like. Stay'd it long? Hor. While one with moderate haste might tell a hundred.
^-
And
Longer, longer.
J
was, as
It
I
have seen
I
will
it
240
Ham. 'twill
walk
watch to-night;
May give his saying deed;
again.
Than the main voice of Denmark goes withal. Then weigh what loss your honour may sustain, If with too credent ear you list his songs, 50
I warrant it will. assume my noble father's person, I'll speak to it, though hell itself should gape And bide me hold my peace. I pray you all, If you have hitherto conceal'd this sight, Let it be tenable in your silence still; 2$o And whatsoever else shall hap to-night, Give it an understanding, but no tongue: I will requite your loves. So, fare you well:
Ham.
If it
Upon the platform, I'll
visit
'twixt eleven and twelve,
you.
All.
Our duty to your honour.
Ham. Your loves,
as
mine to you: [Exeunt
farewell.
all
but hamlet.
My father's spirit in arms! all is not well; doubt some foul play. Would the night were come! Till then sit still, my soul. Foul deeds will rise, Though all the earth o'erwhelm them, to men's I
eyes.
[Exit.
Scene
hi.
A
room
in Polonius house
My necessaries are embark'd:
sister, as
And convoy is
is
no further
Or lose your heart,
or your chaste treasure open unmaster'd importunity. Fear it, Ophelia, fear it, my dear sister, And keep you in the rear of your affection, Out of the shot and danger of desire. The chariest maid is prodigal enough, If she unmask her beauty to the moon: Virtue itself 'scapes not calumnious strokes: The canker galls the infants of the spring,
To his
Too oft before their buttons be disclosed, And in the morn and liquid dew of youth
Be wary then; best safety lies in fear: Youth to itself rebels, though none else near. Oph. I shall the effect of this good lesson keep, As watchman to my heart. But, good my brother, Do not, as some ungracious pastors do,
Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven; Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads, 50
And recks not his own rede. O,
Laer. I
stay too long: but here
my
fear
me not.
father comes.
the winds give benefit assistant,
do not
But let me hear from you. Oph.
40
Contagious blastments are most imminent.
fare-
well:
And,
which
Whiles, like a purT'd and reckless libertine,
1
Enter laertes and ophelia. Laer.
loves
you, It fits your wisdom so far to believe it As he in his particular act and place
in his life,
A sable silver'd. Perchance Hor.
1
therefore must his choice be circumscribed
Unto the voice and yielding of that body Whereof he is the head. Then if he says he
Hor. Not when I saw't. His beard was grizzled, no? Ham. Hor.
act
For Hamlet and the trifling of his favour, Hold it a fashion and a toy in blood, A violet in the youth of primy nature, Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting, The perfume and suppliance of a minute; No more. Oph. No more but so? Laer. Think it no more: 10 For nature, crescent, does not grow alone In thews and bulk, but, ar this temple waxes, The inward service of the mind and soul Grows wide withal. Perhaps he loves you now, And now no soil nor cautel doth besmirch The virtue of his will: but you must fear, His greatness weigh'd, his will is not his own; For he himself is subject to his birth. He may not, as unvalued persons do, Carve for himself; for on his choice depends 20 The safety and health of this whole state; Laer.
sleep,
Enter polonius.
A double blessing is a double grace; Do you doubt that?
Occasion smiles upon a second leave.
t
iscene
HAMLET
in
Yet here, Laertes! aboard, aboard, for
Pol.
35
pooh! you speak like a green
Pol. Affection!
shame!
The wind sits in the shoulder of your sail, And you are stay'd for. There; my blessing with
And these few precepts in thy memory See thou character. Give thy thoughts no tongue, 60 Nor any unproportion'd thought his act. Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel; But do not dull thy palm with entertainment Of each new-hatch'd, unfledged comrade. Be-
ware
Take each man's
think.
Marry,
Pol.
80
my blessing season this in thee! Most humbly do I take my leave, my
lord.
The time
invites
you; go; your servants
tend. Laer. Farewell, Ophelia; and
remember well
What I have said to you. Oph.
'Tis in
my memory lock'd,
And you yourself shall keep the key of it. Laer. Farewell.
What is't,
[Exit.
Ophelia, he hath said to you?
Oph. So please you, something touching the Lord Hamlet.
That you have ta'en these tenders for true pay, Which are not sterling. Tender yourself more dearly;
—not to crack the wind of the poor phrase, Running thus — tender me a Oph. My he hath importuned Or
you'll
it
Marry, well bethought: po me, he hath very oft of late Given private time to you; and you yourself Have of your audience been most free and bounso, as so 'tis
put on me,
Ay, fashion you may
Oph.
And
speech,
With Pol.
behoves
He
with
call it;
go
to,
go to.
countenance
to
his
my lord,
almost
all
the holy
vows of heaven.
Ay, springes to catch woodcocks. I do know,
When the blood burns, how prodigal the soul Lends the tongue vows: these blazes, daughter, Giving more light than heat, extinct in both,
Even in their promise, as it is a-making, You must not take for fire. From this time 120 Be somewhat scanter of your maiden presence; Set your entreatments at a higher rate Than a command to parley. For Lord Hamlet, Believe so
much in him,
that he
is
young,
And with a larger tether may he walk Than may be given you: in few, Ophelia, Do not believe his vows; for they are brokers, Not of that dye which their investments show, But mere implorators of unholy suits, Breathing like sanctified and pious bawds, i$o The better to beguile. This is for all: I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth, Have you so slander any moment leisure, As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet. Look to't, I charge you: come your ways. [Exeunt. Oph. I shall obey, my lord. Scene
The platform
rv.
Enter hamlet, horatio, and marcellus.
Ham. The air bites shrewdly; Hor.
It is a
Mar. No,
it is
nipping and an eager
hath,
my
give lord,
me up the truth. of
late
very cold.
air.
think
100
A
it
lacks of twelve.
struck. I
heard
it
Wherein the spirit held
made many
tenders
Of his affection to me.
I it is
Hor. Indeed? the season
my daughter and your honour.
What is between you? Oph.
given
hath
Hor.
And that in way of caution, I must tell you, You do not understand yourself so clearly it
me
Ham. What hour now?
tous:
As
fool.
no
Pol.
'Tis told
be
teach you: think yourself a
I'll
baby;
Pol.
Farewell:
it
you call them? what I should
lord,
In honourable fashion.
censure, but reserve thy judge-
And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.
If
as
my
do not know,
love
ment. Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy, 70 But not express'd in fancy; rich, not gaudy; For the apparel oft proclaims the man, And they in France of the best rank and station Are of a most select and generous chief in that. Neither a borrower nor a lender be; For loan oft: loses both itself and friend, And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. This above all: to thine own self be true,
Pol.
I
lord,
Of entrance to a quarrel, but being in, Bear't that the opposed may beware of thee. Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice;
Pol.
Do you believe his tenders, Oph.
thee!
Laer.
Unsifted in such perilous circumstance.
not: then
his
flourish of trumpets, within.
it
draws near
wont to walk. and ordnance shot
What does this mean, my lord?
off,
HAMLET
36
Ham. The King doth wake
to-night and takes
his rouse,
Keeps
he drains his draughts of Rhenish down, // kettle-drum and trumpet thus bray out
The The triumph of his
pledge.
Hor.
Js it a
Ham. Ay, marry,
custom?
is't:
my mind, though I am native here And to the manner born, it is a custom More honour'd in the breach than the observance. But to
This heavy-headed revel east and west Makes us traduced and tax'd of other nations: They clepe us drunkards, and with swinish phrase 20 Soil our addition; and indeed it takes From our achievements, though perform'd at height,
and
So, oft
chances in particular men,
for
marrow of our
some
vicious
As, in their birth
ghost beckons hamlet. It beckons you to go away with it, As if it some impartment did desire To you alone. Mar. Look, with what courteous action It waves you to a more removed ground: But do not go with it. Hor. No, by no means Hor.
Ham. Hor.
It will
in
set
waves me forth
What
—
Go on;
it
I'll
Mar. You
Ham.
To his own scandal. comes!
Enter ghost.
Ham. Angels and Be thou
ministers of grace defend us!
a spirit of health or goblin damn'd,
40
intents
wicked or
charitable,
Thou comest in such a questionable I
will speak to thee.
I'll
call
shape
thee Hamlet,
King, father, royal Dane: O, answer me! Let me not burst in ignorance; but tell
Why thy canonized bones, hearsed in death, Have burst their cerements; why the sepulchre, Wherein we saw thee quietly inurn'd, Hath oped
jo
It
waves
me still.
shall
not go,
my lord.
Hold shall
off your hands.
80
not go.
My fate cries out, Ham. And makes each petty artery in this body As hardy as the Nemean lion's nerve. Still am I call'd. Unhand me, gentlemen. By heaven, I'll make a ghost of him that lets me! I
say,
away!
Go on;
I'll
follow thee.
[Exeunt ghost and hamlet.
He waxes desperate with imagination. Mar. Let's follow; 'tis not fit thus to obey him. Hor. Have after. To what issue will this come? Mar. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. Hor. Heaven will direct it. 90 [Exeunt. Mar. Nay, let's follow him. Hor.
hell,
That
flood,
follow thee.
Bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from
Be thy
it.
roar beneath.
Hor. Be ruled; you
the noble substance of a doubt
it
follow
Without more motive, into every brain That looks so many fathoms to the sea
dram of eale
my lords,
I'll
tempt you toward the
And there assume some other horrible form, Which might deprive your sovereignty of reason And draw you into madness? think of it. The very place puts toys of desperation,
From that
Look,
again:
beetles o'er his base into the sea,
Shall in the general censure take corruption
Hor.
if it
lord,
And hears Ham.
Being nature's livery, or fortune's star Their virtues else be they as pure as grace, As infinite as man mav undergo
all
my life at a pin's fee;
for my soul, what can it do to that, Being a thing immortal as itself?
That
guilty,
Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason, Or by some habit that too much o'er-leavens The form of plausive manners, that these men, 50 Carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect,
Doth
it.
Or to the dreadful summit of the cliff
them,
the o'ergrowth of some complexion,
particular fault: the
will follow
And
my
mole of nature
I
Why what should be the fear?
do not
Hor.
—wherein they are not
not speak; then
60
Do not, my lord.
Ham. I
attribute.
Since nature cannot choose his origin
By
do?
It
The pith That
With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls? Say, why is this? wherefore? what should we
and the swaggering up-spring
as
it
I
'
wassail,
reels;
And,
ACT
ponderous and marble jaws, 50 To cast thee up again. What may this mean, That thou, dead corse, again in complete steel Revisit'st thus the glimpses of the moon, Making night hideous; and we fools of nature So horridly to shake our disposition
Scene
v. Anotiier part
of the platform
Enter ghost and hamlet.
his
Ham. Where go no Ghost.
Ham. Ghost.
wilt thou lead
me? speak;
further.
Mark me. I
will.
My hour is almost come,
I'll
—
— HAM LEI
scene v
When I to sulphurous and tormenting flames
Ghost. Pity
me
not, but lend thy serious hearing
To those of mine!
shall unfold.
Speak; I am bound to hear. Ghost. So art thou to revenge, when thou Shalt
Ham.
hear.
Ham. What? Ghost. I am thy father's spirit, Doom'd for a certain term to walk the night, And for the day confined to fast in fires,
w
could a tale unfold whose lightest
Would harrow up thy
word
soul, freeze
thy young
blood,
Make
thy two eyes, like
stars, start
from
their
spheres,
Thy knotted and combined locks to part And each particular hair to stand an end, 20
Like quills upon the fretful porpentine. But this eternal blazon must not be To ears of flesh and blood. List, list, O, If thou didst ever thy dear father love
Ham.
list!
Revenge
foul
and most unnatural
Ham. Murder! Ghost.
me be. Sleeping within my orchard,
Murder most
foul, as in the best it is;
most foul, strange, and unnatural. Ham. Haste me to know't, that I, with wings
That swift
as quicksilver
it
courses through
The natural gates and alleys of the body, And with a sudden vigour it doth posset And curd, like eager droppings into milk, The thin and wholesome blood. So did it mine; 70 And a most instant tetter bark'd about, Most lazar-like, with vile and loathsome crust,
my smooth body. I,
sleeping,
by a brother's hand
Of life, of crown, of queen,
at
once dispatch'd:
With O,
all
5
May sweep to my revenge. I find
Ghost.
thee apt;
And duller shouldst thou be than the
fat
sin,
my imperfections on my head.
horrible!
O,
horrible!
most
weed
That roots itself in ease on Lethe wharf, Wouldst thou not stir in this. Now, Hamlet,
80
horrible!
If thou hast nature in thee, bear
as swift:
As meditation or the thoughts of love,
60
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
Unhousel'd, disappointed, unaneled, No reckoning made, but sent to my account
this
it
not;
Let not the royal bed of Denmark be A couch for luxury and damned 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!
hear:
'Tis given out that, sleeping in
A serpent stung me;
my orchard,
so the whole ear of Denmark
by a forged process of my death Rankly abused: but know, thou noble youth,
The serpent that did sting thy
O
And
O my prophetic soul! 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!
—
O
shall I
couple hell? O,
fie!
Hold, hold,
my
heart;
40
My uncle! Ay,
90
else?
father's life
Now wears his crown. Ham.
The glow-worm shows the matin to be near, And 'gins to pale his uneffectual fire:
Adieu, adieu! Hamlet, remember me. [Exit. all you host of heaven! Ham. earth! what
Is
Ghost.
never will be moved,
Cut off even in the blossoms of my
murder.
But
it
My custom always of the afternoon,
Thus was his
as
court it in a shape of heaven, So lust, though to a radiant angel link'd, Will sate itself in a celestial bed, And prey on garbage. But, soft! methinks I scent the morning air;
All
O God!
Ghost.
But virtue,
Though lewdness
Brief let
done in my days of nature Are burnt and purged away. But that I am forbid To tell the secrets of my prison-house, Till the foul crimes
I
From me, whose love was of that dignity it went hand in hand even with the vow I made to her in marriage, and to decline $0 Upon a wretch whose natural gifts were poor
That
Must render up myself. Alas, poor ghost! Ham.
To what I
37
And you, my sinews, grow not instant old, But bear me stiffly up. Remember thee! Ay, thou poor ghost, while memory holds a seat In this distracted globe. Remember thee! Yea, from the table of my memory I'll
wipe away
all trivial
All saws of books,
all
fond records,
forms,
all
pressures past,
That vouth and observation copied
there;
101
HAMLET
38
And thy commandment
all
Within the book and volume of my brain, Unmix'd with baser matter. Yes, by heaven! O most pernicious woman! villain, villain, smiling, damned 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:
—
you
are.
Now to my word;
"Adieu, adieu! remember me." have sworn't. -
[Within] 1
My lord, my lord-
my lord.
you have
seen,
my sword.
Ham. Hie et ubique? then
tell it.
Come higher, And
we'll shift our ground.
gentlemen,
lay your hands again
Never to speak of this Swear by my sword.
Ham. Well
upon my sword: you have heard,
that
160
my lord.
ne'er a villain dwelling in
said, old
mole! canst
work
i'
the
earth so fast?
A worthy pioner! all
Once more remove, good
friends.
Hor.
O
day and night, but
this is
wondrous
strange!
my
come from
lord,
Ham. And
therefore as a stranger give
it
wel-
come.
the grave
To tell us this.
There are more
Why, right; you are Ham. And so, without more circumstance that
we shake hands
i'
the right;
at
things in heaven and earth,
Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your
all,
and part:
You, as your business and desire shall point you; For every man has business and desire, 730 Such as it is; and for mine own poor part, Look you, I'll go pray. Hor. These are but wild and whirling words,
my lord.
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
ijo
To put an antic disposition on, That you,
at
such times seeing me, never shall, or this head-
With arms encumber'd thus,
sorry they offend you, heartily;
shake,
'faith, heartily.
There's no offence, Yes,
Swear by
to speak of this that
Ghost. [Beneath] Swear.
But he's an arrant knave. Hor. There needs no ghost,
Hor.
75
this fellow in the cellarage
Ghost. [Beneath] Swear.
Ay, by heaven,
Ham.
say'st thou so? art thou
Propose the oath,
Hor.
[
Ham. I'm
my sword, indeed.
ha, boy!
—you hear Consent to swear.
once think it? But you'll be secret?
Yes,
in faith.
We have sworn, my lord, already Indeed, upon
Come on
Ham. No; you'll reveal it. Hor. Not I, my lord, by heaven. 120 Nor I, my lord. Mar. Ham. How say you, then; would heart of man
it fit
I.
Ham. Never
Good my lord,
Ham. There's Denmark
In faith,
My lord, not
there, truepenny?
Ham. O, wonderful!
'
Nay, but swear't.
Ham. Ah,
What news, my lord?
Hor.
not.
J
Mar. r.)
Ghost. [Beneath] Swear.
How is't, my noble lord?
Hor.
hold
to-night.
Hor '[MyLord,wewil
Ham.
Enter horatio and marcellus.
I
What is't, my lord? we will.
Ham. Never make known what you have seen
Mar.
Ham. So be it! Hor. [Within] Hillo, ho, ho, my lord! Ham. Hillo, ho, ho, boy! come, bird, come.
V^
Hor.
Nor I, my lord, Ham. Upon my sword.
Hamlet [Within] Heaven secure him!
Hor.
r
141
request.
Mar.
[Within] Lord
Afar.
Mar.
are friends, scholars, and soldiers,
Give me one poor
Hor. ///
It is
M" r
As you
1
friends,
as
't
Ham.
Writing. So, uncle, there
1
act
you may. And now, good
O'ermaster
alone shall live
by Saint
Patrick,
my lord.
but there
is,
Horatio,
And much offence too. Touching this vision here, It is an honest ghost, that let me tell you, For your desire to know what is between us,
Or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase, As "Well, well, we know," or "We could, an we would," Or "If we list to speak," or "There be, an they might," Or such ambiguous giving out, to note That you know aught of me: this not to do,
if
if
— —
;
HAMLET
scene v
So grace and mercy
at
your most need help you,
Swear. Rest,
it
[They
spirit!
swear.] So, gentlemen,
That he
i
s
That's not
open to nconti nency my meaning. But breathe
5
i
his faults so
With all my love I do commend me to you: And what so poor a man as Hamlet is
That they may seem the taints of liberty,
May do,
The flash and
God
quaintly
to express his love and friending to you,
willing, shall not lack.
Let us go in to-
That ever I was born to set it right! Nay, come, let's go together.
ACT Scene
i.
A
room
190 [Exeunt.
II
in Polonius
Give him
money and
this
house
As 'twere a thing a little soil'd Mark you,
these notes,
Reynaldo. Rey.
I
You
will,
my lord. do marvellous wisely, good
shall
make inquire
My lord,
Rey. Pol.
Marry, well
you, Inquire
said;
I
did intend
very well
Look
does he this
lord.
—he does
Rey.
At
"closes in the consequence," at "friend
or so," and "gentleman."
What company,
at
what expense; and
finding
At
Pol.
him;
"closes in the consequence," ay, marry;
He closes thus: I
"I
know the gentleman;
saw him yesterday, or t'other day,
Or then,
nearer
Than your particular demands will touch it. Take you, as 'twere, some distant knowledge of
or then; with such, or such; and, as
you
say,
There was a' gaming; there o'ertook in's rouse; There falling out at tennis" or perchance, "I saw him enter such a house of sale," 60 :
know his
father and his friends,
And in part him" do you mark this, Reynaldo? :
Rey. Ay, very well,
"And
in part
my lord. him; but" you
may
say
"not well: if't be he I mean, he's very wild; Addicted so and so" and there put on him 19 What forgeries you please; marry, none so rank As may dishonour him; take heed of that; But, sir, such wanton, wild, and usual slips As are companions noted and most known To youth and liberty. Rey. As gaming, my lord.
But,
:
Ay, or drinking,
fencing, swearing, quar-
relling,
Drabbing: you may go so far. Rey. lord, that would dishonour him.
My
sir,
I about to say? By the mass, I was about to say something. Where did I leave? 57
By this encompassment and drift of question 10 That they do know my son, come you more
Pol.
And then,
Pol.
what was are in Paris;
keep,
Pol.
Very good, my
Rey.
it.
said.
sir,
me first what Danskers
thus, "I
the working, 40
Your party in converse, him you would sound, Having ever seen in the prenominate crimes The youth you breathe of guilty, be assured He closes with you in this consequence;
And how, and who, what means, and where they
As
i'
"Good sir," or so, or "friend," or "gentleman," According to the phrase or the addition Of man and country.
Reynaldo, Before you visit him, to Of his behaviour.
But, my good lord Wherefore should you do this? Rey. Ay, my lord, I would know that. Pol. Marry, sir, here's my drift; And, I believe, it is a fetch of wit. You laying these slight sullies on my son,
Rey.
Pol.
Enter polonius and reynaldo.
Pol.
outbreak of a fiery mind,
A savageness in unreclaimed blood, Of general assault.
gether;
And still your fingers on your lips, I pray. The time is out of joint: O cursed spite,
Pol.
in the
You must not put another scandal on him,
perturbed
rest,
you may season
as
charge.
1S1
Ghost. [Beneath] Swear.
Ham.
39 'Faith, no;
Pol.
Videlicet, a brothel, or so forth. See you now; Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth: And thus do we of wisdom and of reach, With windlasses and with assays of bias,
By indirections
find directions out.
So by my former lecture and advice, Shall you my son. You have me, have you not? Rey.
My lord,
Rey. Pol.
have.
you; fare you well.
Good my lord!
Observe
Rey. Pol.
I
God be wi'
Pol.
I
shall,
70
his inclination in yourself.
my lord.
And let him ply his music.
Rey. Pol. Farewell!
Well, [Exit
my lord.
reynaldo.
HAMLET
4o
actii
More grief to hide than Enter ophelia.
hate to utter love. [Exeunt,
How now, Ophelia! what's the matter? Oph. O,
my
lord,
my
lord,
I
have been so
Pol.
Scene
af-
Enter king,
frighted!
With what,
name of God? was sewing in my
the
i'
ii.
A
room
in the castle
queen, rosencrantz, stern, and Attendants.
guilden-
closet, Oph. My lord, as I Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced; No hat upon his head; his stockings foul'd, So Ungarter'd, and down-gyved to his ancle; Pale as his shirt; his knees knocking each other;
that we much did long to see you, The need we have to use you did provoke Our hasty sending. Something have you heard
And with a look so piteous in purport As if he had been loosed out of hell
Sith nor the exterior nor the inward
To speak of horrors—he comes Pol. Mad for thy love? Oph. But truly, Pol.
Oph.
My lord, I
do
fear
I
King. Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern!
Moreover
Of Hamlet's transformation; Resembles that
before me.
More do not know;
his arm; hand thus o'er his brow, He falls to such perusal of my face 90 Ashe would draw it. Long stay'd he so; At last, a little shaking of mine arm And thrice his head thus waving up and down, He raised a sigh so piteous and profound As it did seem to shatter all his bulk And end his being. That done, he lets me go; And, with his head over his shoulder turn'd, He seem'd to find his way without his eyes; For out o'doors he went without their helps, And, to the last, bended their light on me. 100 Pol. Come, go with me: I will go seek the King. This is the very ecstasy of love, his other
Whose violent property fordoes itself And leads the will to desperate undertakings As oft as any passion under heaven That does afflict our natures. I am sorry.
good
lord, but, as
you did com-
Queen.
within our remedy. gentlemen, he hath much talk'd
lies
Good
of you;
And sure I am two men there are not living
20
To whom he more adheres. If it will please you To show us so much gentrv and good will As to expend your For the supply and
time with us awhile, profit of our hope,
shall receive such
thanks
remembrance. Both your Majesties Ros. Might, by the sovereign power you have of us, Put your dread pleasures more into command fits
a king's
no
am
sorry that with better heed and judgement had not quoted him. I fear'd he did but trifle, to
wreck
thee; but,
beshrew
my jea-
To
proper to our age cast beyond ourselves in our opinions
As
it is
as
common
younger sort To lack discretion. Come, go we to the King: This must be known; which, being kept close, might move for the
we
both obey,
here give up ourselves, in the
full
bent
50
King. Thanks, Rosencrantz and gentle Guildenstern.
Queen. Thanks, Guildenstern and gentle Rosencrantz:
And
lousy! it is
But
Guil.
To lay our service freely at your feet, To be commanded.
That hath made him mad.
Pol.
By heaven,
thus,
That, open'd,
And
did repel his letters and denied
And meant
so neighbour' d to his youth and humour. That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court Some little time; so by your companies To draw him on to pleasures, and to gather, So much as from occasion you may glean, Whether aught, to us unknown, afflicts him
Than to entreaty.
my
His access to me.
I
him,
Your visitation
late?
I
be,
And sith
As
What, have you given him any hard words of
I
What it should
than his father's death, that thus hath put
So much from the understanding of himself, I cannot dream of. I entreat you both 10 That, being of so young days brought up with
Then goes he to the length of all
Oph. No, mand,
it,
man
him
it.
What said he? He took me by the wrist and held me hard;
And, with
was.
it
so call
I
beseech you instantly to
visit
My too much changed son. Go, some of you, And
Hamlet is. Heavens make our presence and our
bring these gentlemen where
Guil.
practices
Pleasant and helpful to him! Queen.
Ay, amen!
SCENE
HAMLET
II
[Exeunt rosencrantz, guildenstern, and
The ambassadors from Norway, my good
Have
I,
hast been the father of
good
I
assure
my good liege,
Therefore, since brevity
I
49
King. O, speak of that; that do I long to hear. Pol. Give first admittance to the ambassadors;
My news shall be the fruit to that great feast. He tells me, my dear Gertrude, he hath found source of all your son's distemper. it is no other but the main;
doubt
Volt.
Most
Upon our
fair
friends!
Norway?
return of greetings and desires.
61 he sent out to suppress His nephew's levies; which to him appear'd To be a preparation 'gainst the Polack; But, better look'd into, he truly found It was against your Highness whereat grieved, That so to his sickness, age and impotence first,
:
Was falsely borne in hand, sends out arrests On Fortinbras; which he, in brief, obeys; Receives rebuke from Norway, and in fine Makes vow before his uncle never more
To
Pol.
More matter,
Madam, is
And pity
I
swear
mad,
Or rather say,
70
our more consider'd time we'll read, this business.
will use
effect defective
pity;
no
art.
101
comes by cause.
Reads.
"To
my
the celestial and
most
soul's idol, the
no
beautified Ophelia"
That's an
ill
phrase, a vile phrase; "beautified"
you
is
Thus: [Reads.] "In her excellent white bosom, these, &c." Queen. Came this from Hamlet to her?
a vile phrase: but
Pol.
Good madam,
shall hear.
stay awhile;
I
will be faith-
"Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt dear Ophelia,
So
art to
I
reckon
King. Received his love?
at
all.
remains and the remainder thus. Perpend. have while she is mine I have a daughter Who, in her duty and obedience, mark, Hath given me this. Now gather, and surmise.
"O
down.
Answer, and think upon
'tis
it
As
And
true
the cause of this defect,
have not
us well;
'tis
Mad let us grant him, then; and now remains That we find out the cause of this effect,
Gives him three thousand crowns in annual fee, And his commission to employ those soldiers, So levied as before, against the Polack: With an entreaty, herein further shown, Giving a paper. That it might please you to give quiet pass Through your dominions for this enterprise, On such regards of safety and allowance It likes
I
less art.
A foolish figure;
true.
for
it,
with
ful. [Reads.]
Whereon old Norway, overcome with joy,
King.
mad.
use no art at
I
true:
'tis
'tis 'tis
But farewell
give the assay of arms against your Majesty.
therein are set
is
—
voltimand and good
90
let that go.
Queen.
Thus
CORNELIUS.
my
But
For this
His father's death, and our o'erhasty marriage. King. Well, we shall sift him.
Welcome,
your noble son
will be brief:
That he
King. Thyself do grace to them, and bring [Exit polonius. them in.
Say, Voltimand, what from our brother
day, and time.
the soul of wit,
Mad call I it; for, to define true madness, What is't but to be nothing else but mad?
As it hath used to do, that I have found The very cause of Hamlet' s lunacy
Re-enter polonius, with
is
And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,
And I do think, or else this brain of mine Hunts not the trail of policy so sure
I
What majesty should be, what duty is, Were nothing but to waste night,
my duty, as I hold my soul, Both to my God and to my gracious king:
Queen.
well ended.
is
Why day is day, night night, and time is time, my lord?
hold
The head and
This business
Pol.
My liege, and madam, to expostulate
Are joyfully return'd.
I
[Exeunt voltimand and Cornelius.
40 still
at night we'll feast together.
Most welcome home!
lord,
King. Thou news.
your well-took
for
labour.
Go to your rest;
Enter polonius.
Pol.
4i
Meantime we thank you
some Attendants.
Pol.
—
—
.
I
love.
am
ill
119 at these
my groans
:
numbers;
but that
I
I
love
O most best, believe it. Adieu. "Thine evermore, most dear lady, whilst this machine is to him, Hamlet" This, in obedience, hath my daughter shown me, thee best,
And more above, hath his
solicitings,
As they fell out by time, by means, and place, All given to mine ear.
Pol.
King.
But
how hath she
What do you think of me? As of a man faithful and honourable.
HAMLET
42 Pol.
would
I
prove
fain
so.
But what might you
think,
131
When I had seen this hot love on the wing As
perceived
I
must
it, I
tell
you
that,
my daughter told me—what might you,
Before
Or my dear Majesty your queen here,
think,
Or given my heart a winking, mute and dumb, Or look'd upon this love with idle sight; What might you think? No, I went round to work, 140 And my young mistress thus I did bespeak :
'Lord Hamlet
is
a prince, out
This must not be" and then :
I
of thy
Honest,
Pol.
If I had play'd the desk or table-book,
4
ACT
my lord!
Ham. Ay,
sir;
to be one
man
is
to be honest, as this world goes,
picked out often thousand.
my lord. 180 the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a god kissing carrion Have you a That's very true,
Pol.
Ham. For
if
—
daughter?
star;
prescripts gave her,
Pol.
have,
I
Ham. Let
That she should lock herself from his resort, Admit no messengers, receive no tokens.
is
my lord. her not walk
a blessing, but not as
Which done, she took the fruits of my advice; And he, repulsed a short tale to make
ceive. Friend, look to
Fell into a sadness, then into a fast,
ing
Thence to a watch, thence into a weakness, Thence to a lightness, and, by this declension,
first;
—
Into the madness wherein
And
all
now he raves,
It
Hath there been such
Pol.
i$o
a time
—
fain
this
from
this, if this
Within the
is
hid,
be otherwise:
Pol.
me, I will find though it were hid indeed
How may we try it further?
You know, sometimes he walks
four hours
160
together
Here
in the lobby.
Pol.
At such
a time
I'll
loose
my
my lord. rogue
satirical
men have grey
beards, that
that they have a of wit, together with most weak hams; all which, sir, though I most powerfully and potently believe, yet I hold it not honesty to have it thus set down, for yourself, sir, should be old as I am, if like a crab you could go backward. Pol. [Aside] Though this be madness, yet there is method in't. Will you walk out of the air, my
But keep a farm and carters. King.
We will try
it.
where sadly the poor wretch
comes reading. Away, I do beseech you, both away: board him presently. [Exeunt king, queen, and Attendants.
Pol.
my grave.
210
out o' the
air.
[Aside]
How
sanity could not so prosperously be delivered of. I will leave him, and suddenly contrive the means of meeting between him and my daughter. My honourable lord, I will most humbly take my leave of you. Ham. You cannot, sir, take from me any thing
—
that
O, give me leave, 170
will
I
more
willingly part withal: except
my life, except my life. Pol. Fare you well, my lord.
life,
Ham. These tedious old
my 221
except
Enter hamlet, reading.
How does my good Lord Hamlet?
Into
Pol. Indeed, that is
pregnant sometimes his replies are! a happiness that often madness hits on, which reason and
arras then;
Mark the encounter. If he love her not And be not from his reason fall'n thereon, Let me be no assistant for a state,
I'll
the
amber and plum-tree gum and
Ham. daughter to
him:
Be you and I behind an
Queen. But, look,
for
lord?
So he does indeed.
Queen.
sir:
plentiful lack
centre.
King.
Slanders,
their faces are wrinkled, their eyes purging thick
and shoulder] Take
If circumstances lead
Where truth
mean, the matter that you read,
says here that old
[Pointing to his head
speak to
What is the matter, my lord?
Ham.
Not that I know
King
this. I'll
What do you read, my lord?
Ham. Between who? Pol. I
positively said '"Tis so,"
When it proved otherwise? Pol.
not at
Ham. Words, words, words.
know that That I have
again.
Pol.
I'd
harp-
Still
me
he said I was a fishmonger: he is far gone, and truly in my youth I suffered much
extremity for love; very near
him
may be, very likely.
my
't.
How
far gone,
Do you think 'tis this?
Queen.
on
i' the sun. Conception your daughter may con-
say you by that? daughter: yet he knew
Pol. [Aside]
we mourn for.
King.
II
Ham. Well, God-a-mercy. Pol. Do you know me, my lord? Ham. Excellent well; you are a fishmonger. Pol. Not I, my lord. Ham. Then I would you were so honest a man.
fools!
Enter rosencrantz and guildenstern Pol.
You go to seek the Lord Hamlet;
is.
there he
HAMLET
scene n
God save you,
Ros. [To polonius]
[Exit POLONIUS.
My honoured lord! Ros. My most dear lord! Ham. My excellent good Guil.
thou, Guildenstern?
how do ye
both?
dost
Ah, Rosencrantz! Good lads, 250
As the indifferent children of the earth.
Ros.
Happy,
Guil.
Ham. Nor the
soles
my
is
of her shoe?
lord.
a strumpet.
None,
Ros.
my lord,
What's the news?
240
but that the world's
grown
honest.
Ham. Then is
is
not true. Let
doomsday
me
What have you, my good
your news
near. But
question
more
in particular.
friends, deserved at the
hands of fortune, that she sends you to prison hither? Guil. Prison,
my lord!
confines, wards, and dungeons,
one
Ros.
there are many Denmark being
We think not so, my lord.
Ham. Why,
then,
none to you;
'tis
for there
is
nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it
so.
Ros. 'tis
To me it is a prison.
too narrow for your mind.
252
O
God, I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself a king of infinite space, were it not that
I
have bad dreams.
Which dreams
Guil.
shadow of a dream. Ham. A dream itself is but Ros. Truly, and
I
light a quality that
a
merely the
is
shadow.
hold ambition of so airy and it is
but a shadow's shadow.
Ham. Then are our beggars bodies, and our monarchs and outstretched heroes the beggars' shadows. Shall we to the court? I cannot reason.
^.'
for,
by
my
fay,
matter.
I
will not sort
you with you like
the rest of my servants, for, to speak to
an honest man, I But, in the beaten
you
at Elsinore?
thing, but to the purpose. is
You
a kind of confession in
or no?
What say you? 300 have an eye of you.
Ros. [Aside to guildenstern]
Ham.
—
[Aside]
If you love
Nay,
then,
me, hold not
I
off.
My lord, we were sent for. I
will tell
you why; so
shall
my
anticipa-
your discovery, and your secrecy to the king and queen moult no feather. I have of late but wherefore I know not lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercises; and indeed it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory, this most excellent canopy, the air, tion prevent
—
—
appears no other thing to
am most dreadfully attended. way of friendship, what make
me
than a foul and
pestilent congregation of vapours.
What
a piece
man! how noble in reason! how infifaculty! in form and moving how express
of work
is
a
and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the world! the paragon of animals! And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust? man delights not me: no, nor
woman
neither,
though by your
you seem to say so. My lord, there was no such
smiling Ros.
stuff in
my
thoughts.
Ham. Why did you laugh "man delights not me"? Ros.
We'll wait upon you. I
Ham. No such
a free
Come,
your looks which your modesties have not craft enough to colour. I know the good king and queen have sent for you. 291 Ros. To what end, my lord? Ham. That you must teach me. But let me conjure you, by the rights of our fellowship, by the consonancy of our youth, by the obligation of our ever-preserved love, and by what more dear a better proposer could charge you withal, be even and direct with me, whether you were sent for,
nite in
indeed are ambition, for
the very substance of the ambitious
it
look you, this brave o'erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire, why, it
Why then, your ambition makes it one;
Ham.
Were you
inclining? Is
deal justly with me.
sent for; and there
Ham. 2$o
the worst.
o'
Come,
own
What should we say, my lord?
Guil.
Ham. Denmark's a prison. Ros. Then is the world one. Ham. A goodly one; in which
your
Is it
come; nay, speak.
were
Ham. Then you live about her waist, or in the middle of her favours? Guil. 'Faith, her privates we. Ham. In the secret parts of fortune? O, most true; she
visitation?
Guil.
On fortune's cap we are not the very button. Ros. Neither,
thanks are too dear a halfpenny.
not sent for?
Ham. Why, any
we are not over-happy;
in that
no other occasion. Ham. Beggar that I am, I am even poor in thanks; but I thank you: and sure, dear friends,
my
How
friends!
43
To visit you, my lord;
Ros.
sir!
To
think,
my
lord, if
then,
you
when
I
said
delight not in
man, what lenten entertainment the players shall coted them on the way; receive from you. and hither are they coming, to offer you service. Ham. He that plays the king shall be welcome; his majesty shall have tribute of me; the adventurous knight shall use his foil and target; the
We
H AM LET
44
humorous man clown shall make those laugh whose lungs are tickle o' the sere; and the lady shall say her mind freely, or the blank lover shall not sigh gratis; the
shall
end
his part in peace; the
verse shall halt for't. What players are they? 540 Ros. Even those you were wont to take delight in,
How
they travel? their residence, both in reputation and profit, was better both ways. Ros.
it
think their inhibition comes
I
of the
chances
3$o
lowed?
No,
indeed, are they not.
How comes it? do they grow rusty?
Ham.
endeavour keeps in the wonted an aery of children, little eyases, that cry out on the top of question, and are most tyrannically clapped for't. These are now the fashion, and so berattle the common that many wearing so they call them stages rapiers are afraid of goose-quills and dare scarce
Nay,
Ros.
their
pace; but there
is, sir,
—
—
come thither. Ham. What, 'em?
how
360 are they children?
who
maintains
are they escoted? Will they pursue the
quality no longer than they can sing? will they
not say afterwards,
if
Guil. In what, I
am
the wind
tell
I
my dear lord? mad
but
southerly
is
north-north-west. I
know
WTien
hawk from
a
a
handsaw. Re-enter polonius.
Well be with you, gentlemen! Ham. Hark you, Guildenstern; and you Pol.
Ham. Do they hold the same estimation they did when I was in the city? are they so folRos.
my extent to the you, must show fairly outward, should more appear like entertainment than yours. You are welcome; but my uncle-father and aunt-mother are deceived.
by the means
late innovation.
11
ply with you in this garb, lest
players, which,
Ham.
the tragedians of the city.
Ham.
act
they should grow them-
— —
too: at
each ear a hearer: that great baby you see there is not yet out of his swaddling-clouts. Ros. Happily he's the second time come to them; for they say an old man is twice a child. Ham. I will prophesy he comes to tell me of the players; mark it. [Aloud.] You say right, sir: o' Monday morning; 'twas so indeed. Pol. My lord, I have news to tell you. Ham. My lord, I have news to tell you. When Roscius was an actor in Rome 410
The actors are come hither, my lord. Ham. Buz, buz! Pol. Upon mine honour Ham. Then came each actor on his ass Pol. The best actors in the world, either Pol.
tragedy,
comedy, history,
comical,
historical-pastoral,
for
pastoral-
pastoral,
common players as it is most like, means are no better their writers do them wrong, to make them exclaim against their
tragical-comical-historical-pastoral, scene indi-
own succession?
too heavy, nor Plautus too
selves to
if their
much
do on both sides; and the nation holds it no sin to tarre them to controversy. There was, for a while, no money bid for argument, unless the poet and the player went to cuffs in the question. Ros. 'Faith, there has been
to
Ham.
Is't
Guil.
O, there has been much throwing about
possible?
of brains.
Ay,
carry
that they do,
it
away?
my
lord;
his load too.
Ham.
Ham.
It is
57p not very strange; for mine uncle
is
King of Denmark, and those that would make at him while my father lived, give twenty,
mows
hundred ducats a-piece for his 'Sblood, there is something in more than natural, if philosophy could find it
this
little.
out.
Pol.
421
What a treasure had he, my lord?
Ham. Why, "One fair daughter, and no more, The which he loved passing well."
Am
Pol. If
not
I
you
call
daughter that
Ham. Nay, Pol.
I
on my daughter.
i'
the right, old Jephthah?
me
Jephthah,
my
lord,
I
have a
love passing well.
431
that follows not.
What follows, then, my lord?
Ham. Why, "As by lot, God wot," and then, you know, "It
the
Flourish of trumpets within. There are the players.
For the law of
O Jephthah, judge of Israel, what a treas-
forty, fifty, an
picture in
light.
ure hadst thou!
Ham. Hercules and
unlimited; Seneca cannot be
writ and the liberty, these are the only men.
Pol. [Aside] Still
Ham. Do the boys Ros.
poem
vidable, or
tragical-historical,
first
came to
row of the
pass, as
most
like
it
pious chanson will
more; for look, where
was" show you
my abridgement comes.
Guil.
Ham. Gentlemen, you are welcome to Elsinore. Your hands, come then. The appurtenance of welcome
is
fashion and ceremony. Let
me com-
Enter four orfive players.
You
are welcome, masters; welcome,
glad to see thee well.
all. I
Welcome, good
am
friends.
—
"
scene
HAMLET
ii
O, my old friend! thy face is valanced since I saw thee last; comest thou to beard me in Denmark? What, my young lady and mistress! By'r lady, your ladyship is nearer to heaven than when I saw you last, by the altitude of a chopine. Pray God, your voice, like a piece of uncurrent gold, be not cracked within the ring. Masters, you are all welcome. We'll e'en to't like French falconers, fly at
straight.
anything
we
Come, give
have a speech
see: we'll
us a taste of your quality;
come, a passionate speech. ist
Play.
Ham. it
I
What speech, my lord? me a speech
heard thee speak
was never
for the play,
acted; or, if I
it
once, but was, not above once;
remember, pleased not the million;
'twas caviare to the general; but
was
it
—
as
I
and others,whose judgements in such an excellent play, well digested in the scenes, set down with as much modesty as cunning. I remember, one said there were no sallets in the lines to make the matter savoury, nor no matter in the phrase that might indict the author of affectation; but called it an honest method, as wholesome as sweet, and by very much more handsome than fine. One speech in it I chiefly loved: 'twas ^Eneas' tale to Dido; and thereabout of it especially, where he speaks of Priam's slaughter. If it live in your received
it,
—
matters cried in the top of mine
memory, begin see
"The
—
it is
:
at this line:
let
me
see, let
me
47/ rugged Pyrrhus, like the Hyrcanian beast"
not so.
It
begins with Pyrrhus:
"The rugged Pyrrhus, he whose
Black as his purpose, did the night resemble When he lay couched in the ominous horse, Hath now this dread and black complexion
smear'd With heraldry more dismal; head to foot Now is he total gules; horridly trick'd
With blood of fathers, mothers,
Ilium,
Seeming to
feel this blow, with flaming top Stoops to his base, and with a hideous crash
Takes prisoner Pyrrhus'
daughters,
ear; for, lo! his
sword,
Which was
on the milky head $00 seem'd i' the air to stick. So, as a painted tyrant, Pyrrhus stood, And like a neutral to his will and matter, declining
Of reverend Priam,
Did nothing. But, as
we often see,
against
some storm,
A silence in the heavens, the rack stand
still,
The bold winds speechless, and the orb below As hush as death, anon the dreadful thunder Doth rend the region, so, after Pyrrhus' pause, Aroused vengeance sets him new a- work; j/o
And never did the Cyclops' hammers
fall
On Mars's With
less
armour forged for proof eterne remorse than Pyrrhus' bleeding
sword
Now falls on Priam. Out, out, thou strumpet, Fortune! All you gods,
away her power; Break all the spokes and fellies from her wheel, And bowl the round nave down the hill of In general synod, take
heaven,
As low Pol.
sable arms,
45
Pyrrhus at Priam drives; in rage strikes wide; But with the whiff and wind of his fell sword The unnerved father falls. Then senseless
This
as to the fiends!"
too long.
520 your beard. Prithee, say on; he's for a jig or a tale of bawdry, or he sleeps. Say on; come to Hecuba. 1st Play. "But who, O, who had seen the mobled queen Ham. "The mobled queen"? Pol. That's good; "mobled queen" is good. 1st Play. "Run barefoot up and down, threaten-
Ham.
is
It shall
to the barber's, with
—
ing tie flames
sons,
Baked and impasted with the parching streets, That lend a tyrannous and damned light To their lord's murder: roasted in wrath and
With bisson rheum; a clout upon that head Where late the diadem stood, and for a robe, About her lank and
all
o'er-teemed loins,
And thus o'er-sized with coagulate gore, With eyes like carbuncles, the hellish Pyrrhus
Who this had seen, with tongue in venom
Old grandsire Priam seeks."
'Gainst Fortune's state would treason have
So, proceed you. Pol.
'Fore God,
my
good accent and good ist
Play.
55/
A blanket, in the alarm of fear caught up;
fire,
lord,
well spoken, with
discretion.
"Anon he
finds
him
Striking too short at Greeks; his antique
sword, lies where it falls, Repugnant to command. Unequal match'd,
Rebellious to his arm,
steep'd,
pronounced But if the gods themselves did see her then When she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport In mincing with his sword her husband's limbs, The instant burst of clamour that she made, Unless things mortal move them not at all, Would have made milch the burning eyes of heaven,
540
HAMLET
46
And passion in the gods." Look, whether he has not turned his colour and has tears in's eyes. Pray you, no more. Ham. Tis well; I'll have thee speak out the rest Pol.
soon.
Good my
well bestowed?
lord, will
Do you
And Upon whose property
you
see the players
hear, let
them be well
of the time; after your death you were better have a bad epitaph than their ill report icles
Pol.
$$i
live.
My lord,
I
will use
them according
to their
Ham. God's bodykins, man, much better. Use every man after his desert, and who should 'scape whipping? Use them after your own honour and dignity; the less they deserve, the more merit is in your bounty. Take them in. Come,
sirs.
5^9
Ham. Follow him, friends: we'll hear a play to-morrow. [Exit polonius with all the players but the first.] Dost thou hear me, old friend; can you play "The Murder of Gonzago"? i st
Play.
and most dear
life
I
Plucks off my beard, and blows
Tweaks me by the nose?
gives
it
in
my face?
me the lie
i'
the
throat,
601
As deep as to the lungs? who does me this? Ha! 'Swounds, I should take it: for it cannot be But I am pigeon-liver' d and lack gall
To make oppression bitter, or ere this
desert.
Pol.
HI
A damn'd defeat was made. Am a coward? Who calls me villain? breaks my pate across?
used; for they are the abstract and brief chron-
while you
ACT
can say nothing; no, not for a king,
Ay,
my lord.
to-morrow night. You could, of some dozen or sixteen lines, which I would set down and insert in't, could you not? ist Play. Ay, my lord. $69 Ham. Very well. Follow that lord; and look you mock him not. [Exit first player.] My good friends, I'll leave you till night: you are welcome to Elsinore.
Ham. We'll
ha't
for a need, study a speech
Ros. Good my lord Ham. Ay, so, God
be wi' ye; [Exeunt rosenCRANTZtfwdGuiLDENSTERN.] Now I am alone. O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I! Is it not monstrous that this player here, But in a fiction, in a dream of passion, Could force his soul so to his own conceit That from her working all his visage wann'd, $80 Tears in his eyes, distraction in's aspect, A broken voice, and his whole function suiting With forms to his conceit? and all for nothing! For Hecuba! What's Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba, That he should weep for her? What would he do, Had he the motive and the cue for passion That I have? He would drown the stage with tears
I
should have fatted
With this
the region kites
all
slave's offal. Bloody,
bawdy villain!
Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless
vil-
lain!
O, vengeance!
610
Why, what an ass am I
!
This
is
most brave,
That I, the son of a dear father murder'd, Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words, iVnd
fall
a-cursing, like a very drab,
A scullion! Fie upon't! foh! About,
That
my brain!
I
have heard
guilty creatures sitting at a play
Have by the very cunning of the scene Been struck so
to the soul that presently
620
They have proclaim'd their malefactions; For murder, though
it
have no tongue, will speak I'll have these
With most miraculous organ. players
Play something like the murder of my father Before mine uncle. I'll observe his looks; I'll tent him to the quick. If he but blench, I know my course. The spirit that I have seen May be the devil; and the devil hath power To assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps Out of my weakness and my melancholy, 630 As he is very potent with such spirits, Abuses me to damn me. I'll have grounds More relative than this. The play's the thing Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King. [Exit.
ACT Scene
i.
A
III
room
in the castle
Enter king, queen, polonius, ophelia, ROSENCRANTZ, tf/Z^GUILDENSTERN.
And cleave the general ear with horrid speech, Make mad the guilty and appal the free, $90
King. And can you, by no drift of circumstance, Get from him why he puts on this confusion,
Confound the ignorant, and amaze indeed faculties of eyes and ears. Yet I, A dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peak, Like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause,
Grating so harshly all his days of quiet With turbulent and dangerous lunacy? Ros. He does confess he feels himself distracted; But from what cause he will by no means speak. Guil. Nor do we find him forward to be sounded,
The very
— scene
HAMLET
i
47
But, with a crafty madness, keeps aloof,
How smart a lash that speech doth give my con-
When we would bring him on to some confession Of his true state.
The harlot's
Did he receive you well?
Queen. Ros.
Most
10
much
Is
not more ugly to the thing that helps
forcing of his disposition.
heavy burthen! I hear him coming:
Ros. Niggard of question; but, of our demands,
Most
50 cheek, beautied with plastering art,
Than is my deed to my most
like a gentleman.
Guil. But with
science!
Pol.
my lord.
Enter hamlet.
Madam,
so
it
fell
out, that certain players
We o'er-raught on the way; of these we told him,
And there did seem in him a kind of joy To hear of it. They are about the court, 20
And, as I think, they have already order This night to play before him.
most
'Tis
Pol.
beseech'd
Ham. To be, or not to be: that is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them? To die; to sleep; 60 No more; and by a sleep to say we end The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks That
true.
me to entreat your Majesties
To hear and see the matter. King. With all my heart; and tent me To hear him so inclined.
flesh
To sleep? it
doth
much
is
heir to,
'tis
Devoutly to be wish'd.
con-
a
consummation
To die, to sleep;
perchance to dream. Ay, there's the
rub;
For
in that sleep
may come
of death what dreams
When we have shuffled off this mortal Must give us pause. There's
Good gentlemen, give him a further edge, And drive his purpose on to these delights. Ros.
withdraw,
Did you assay him
Queen.
And he
let's
[Exeunt king and polonius.
free in his reply.
To any pastime? Ros.
it
painted word:
coil,
the respect
That makes calamity of so long life; For who would bear the whips and scorns of
We shall, my lord. [Exeunt rosencrantz and guildenstern.
Sweet Gertrude, leave us too; For we have closely sent for Hamlet hither, That he, as 'twere by accident, may here 50 King.
time,
jo
The oppressor's wrong,
the proud man's con-
tumely,
Affront Ophelia.
The pangs of despised love, the law's delay, The insolence of office and the spurns
Her
That
father and myself, lawful espials, Will so bestow ourselves that, seeing, unseen, may of their encounter frankly judge, And gather by him, as he is behaved, If't be the affliction of his love or no That thus he suffers for. Queen. I shall obey you. And for your part, Ophelia, I do wish That your good beauties be the happy cause Of Hamlet's wildness: so shall I hope your vir-
We
tues
4.0
Will bring him to
wonted way
his
again,
To both your honours. Oph. Madam, Pol.
I
[Exit queen. it may. you here. Gracious, so
wish
Ophelia, walk
please you,
We
will bestow ourselves. [To ophelia] Read on this book; That show of such an exercise may colour Your loneliness. are oft to blame in this 'Tis too much proved that with devotion's vis-
We
With
unworthy
takes,
a bare bodkin?
who would
fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life, But that the dread of something after death, The undiscover'd country from whose bourn
No traveller returns,
puzzles the will
So
And makes us rather bear those ills we have Than fly to others that we know not of? Thus conscience does make cowards of us Is sicklied o'er
with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pitch and moment With this regard their currents turn awry, And lose the name of action. Soft you now! The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons
—
Be
all
my sins remember'd. Good my lord,
Oph.
'tis
too true!
90
How does your honour for this many a day? Ham. I humbly thank you; Oph.
well, well, well.
My lord, I have remembrances of yours,
That
age
all;
And thus tie native hue of resolution
—
And pious action we do sugar o'er The devil himself. King. [Aside] O,
patient merit of the
When he himself might his quietus make
1
I have longed long to re-deliver; pray you, now receive them.
Ham. I
never gave you aught.
No, not
I;
HAMLET
48
Oph. My honour'd lord, you know right well
you did; And, with them, words of so sweet breath composed
As made the things more rich. Their perfume lost,
700 Take these again; for to the noble mind Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind.
my lord.
There,
Ham. Ha, Oph. Oph.
fair?
What means your lordship?
Ham. That
if
you be honest and
fair,
no merce than with honesty? Ham. Ay, truly; for the power of beauty will sooner transform honesty from what it is to a bawd than the force of honesty can translate beauty into his likeness. This was sometime a love
now
the time gives
Ham. You
it
proof.
I
did
should not have believed me; for
Oph.
I
of it.
I
loved you not.
thee to a nunnery;
ways
all;
to a nunnery.
Oph. At home, my lord. Ham. Let the doors be
Go thy
shut upon him, that he
play the fool nowhere but in's
own
house.
I
see!
way
qo spake, though
it
lack'd form a
little,
not like madness. There's something in his
soul,
O'er which
melancholy sits on brood; and the disclose Will be some danger; which for to prevent, I have in quick determination Thus set it down: he shall with speed to his
And I do doubt the hatch
England,
For the demand of our neglected
Haply the
tribute.
seas and countries different
With variable objects
shall expel
This something-settled matter
father?
what
King. Love! his affections do not that
Was
believe none of us.
see
Re-enter king and polonius.
why
Where's your
woe is me,
To have seen what I have seen,
Nor what he
We
out of tune and harsh;
youth Blasted with ecstasy: O,
120
to put them in, imagination to give them shape, or time to act them in. What should such fellows as I do crawling between earth and heaven?
are arrant knaves,
bells jangled,
tend;
wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners? I am myself indifferent honest; but yet I could accuse me of such things that it were better my mother had not borne me. I am very proud, revengeful, ambitious, with more offences at my beck than I have thoughts
may
Like sweet
That unmatch'd form and feature of blown
we
was the more deceived.
Ham. Get
160
That suck'd the honey of his music vows, Now see that noble and most sovereign reason,
my lord, you made me believe so.
virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock but shall relish
soldier's, scholar's, eye, tongue,
And I, of ladies most deject and wretched,
you once.
Oph. Indeed,
here o'erthrown!
down!
your hon-
esty should admit no discourse to your beauty. Oph. Could beauty, my lord, have better com-
paradox, but
is
sword, The expectancy and rose of the fair state, The glass of fashion and the mould of form, The observed of all observers, quite, quite
My lord?
m
[Exit.
Oph. O, what a noble mind
The courtier's, you honest?
ha! are
Ham. Are you
act
and you lisp, and nick-name God's creatures, and make your wantonness your ignorance. Go to, I'll no more on't; it hath made me mad. I say, we will have no more marriages. Those that are married already, all but one, shall live; the rest shall keep as they are. To a nunnery, go.
180
in his heart,
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus From fashion of himself. What think you on't? Pol. It shall
do well: but yet do
I
believe
Farewell.
The origin and commencement of his
Oph. O, help him, you sweet heavens! Ham. If thou dost marry, I'll give thee this plague for thy dowry: be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow, thou shalt not escape calumny. Get thee to a nunnery, go. Farewell. Or, if thou wilt needs marry, marry a fool; for wise men know well enough what monsters you make of them. To a nunnery, go, and quickly too. Fare-
Sprung from neglected love. How now, Ophelia! You need not tell us what Lord Hamlet said; heard it all. My lord, do as you please;
well.
Oph.
Ham.
O heavenly powers, restore him!
have heard of your paintings too, well enough; God has given you one face, and you make yourselves another. You jig, you amble, I
grief
We
But, if you hold
Let
his
it fit,
To show his grief: And
after the play
queen mother
I'll
let
all
alone entreat
him
190
her be round with him;
be placed, so please you, in the ear
Of all their conference. If she find him not, To England send him, or confine him where Your wisdom
best shall think.
King.
Madness
in great
It shall be so. ones must not unwatch'd go.
[Exeunt.
—
—
HAMLET
scene n
Scene Enter
ii.
A hall in the castle
49
How now, my lord!
will the
King hear
this piece
of work?
hamlet and players.
And the Queen too, and that presently. Ham. Bid the players make haste. [Exit polonius.] Will you two help to hasten them? Pol.
Ham. Speak
pray you, as I pronounced it to you, trippingly on the tongue: but if you mouth it, as many of your players do, I had as lief the town-crier spoke my lines. Nor do not saw the air too much with your hand, thus, but use all gently; for in the very torrent, tempest, and, as I may say, the whirlwind of passion, you must acquire and beget a temperance that
may
give
it
the speech,
I
smoothness. O,
it
offends
me
to the
soul to hear a robustious periwig-pated fellow tear a passion to tatters, to very rags, to split the
ears of the groundlings,
who
for the
most part dumb-
are capable of nothing but inexplicable
shows and noise. I would have such a fellow whipped for o'erdoing Termagant. It out-herods Herod. Pray you, avoid it. i st Play. I warrant your honour. Ham. Be not too tame neither, but let your own discretion be your tutor. Suit the action to the word, the word to the action; with this special observance, that you o'erstep not the modesty of nature; for anything so overdone is from the purpose of playing, whose end, both at the first and now, was and is, to hold, as 'twere, the mirror up to nature; to show virtue her own feature, scorn her own image, and the very age and body of the time his form and pressure. Now this overdone, or come tardy off, though it make the unskilful laugh, cannot but
make
^
We will, my lord.
y
I
[Exeunt rosencrantz and guildenstern.
Ham. What ho!
Horatio! Enter horatio.
Hor. Here, sweet lord, at your service. Ham. Horatio, thou art e'en as just a man As e'er my conversation coped withal. 60 Hor. O, my dear lord Ham. Nay, do not think I flatter;
For what advancement may I hope from thee That no revenue hast but thy good spirits,
To feed and clothe thee? Why should the poor be flatter'd?
No,
let
the candied tongue lick absurd
pomp,
And crook the pregnant hinges of the knee Where thrift may follow fawning. Dost thou hear?
my dear soul was mistress of her choice
Since
And could of men distinguish, Hath
her election
seal'd thee for herself; for thou hast
been
As one, in suffering all, that suffers nothing, A man that fortune's buffets and rewards
Hast ta'en with equal thanks; and blest are those Whose blood and judgement are so well commingled,
the judicious
which one must in your allowance o'erweigh a whole theatre of others. O, there be players that I have seen play, and
That they
heard others praise, and that highly, not to speak it profanely, that, neither having the accent of
In
As I do thee.
Christians nor the gait of Christian, pagan, nor
There is
man, have so strutted and bellowed that I have thought some of nature's journeymen had made men and not made them well, they imitated humanity so abominably. i st Play. I hope we have reformed that indifferently with us, sir. 4/ Ham. O, reform it altogether. And let those that play your clowns speak no more than is set down for them; for there be of them that will themselves laugh, to set on some quantity of
One scene of it comes near the circumstance Which I have told thee of my father's death: I prithee, when thou seest that act afoot,
grieve; the censure of the
are not a pipe for fortune's finger
To sound what stop she please. Give me that man That
is
not passion's slave, and
my heart's core,
ay, in
I
will
wear him
my heart of heart,
—Something too much of
this.
a play to-night before the King.
It is
damned ghost that we have
a
And my imaginations As Vulcan's For
I
stithy.
mine eyes
seen,
are as foul
Give him heedful note;
will rivet to his face,
90
And after we will both our judgements join
mean
In censure of his seeming.
uses
it.
Go, make you ready. [Exeunt players. Enter polonius, rosencrantz, and
Hor.
San Jose,
my lord. is
playing,
And 'scape detecting, I will pay the theft. Ham. They are coming to the play; I must be idle.
ARCHBISHOP MITTY HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY 9>
Well,
If he steal aught the whilst this play
Get you a place.
GUILDENSTERN.
80
Even with the very comment of thy soul Observe mine uncle. If his occulted guilt Do not itself unkennel in one speech,
barren spectators to laugh too; though, in the time, some necessary question of the play be then to be considered: that's villainous, and shows a most pitiful ambition in the fool that
7/
California
HAMLET
SO
Danish march. A flourish. Enter king, queen, POLONIUS, OPHELIA, ROSENCRANTZ, GUILDENstern, and others. King.
How fares our cousin Hamlet?
Ham. Excellent, I
faith;
i'
of the chameleon's dish. You cannot feed
wo
so.
have nothing with this answer, Hamlet; these words are not mine. Ham. No, nor mine now. [To polonius] lord, you played once i' the university, you say? Pol. That did I, my lord; and was accounted a I
My
good
I
declines his
down upon
head upon her neck; lays him
a bank of flowers. She, seeing
asleep, leaves
hi
him.
Anon comes
him
in a fellow, takes
it, and pours poison in the and exit. The Queen returns; finds the King dead, and makes passionate action. The Poisoner, with some two or three Mutes, comes in
off his crown, kisses ears,
The dead body away. The Poisoner wooes the Queen with gifts; she seems loath and unwilling awhile, but in the end accepts his love. [Exeunt. Oph. What means this, my lord? again, seeming to lament with her. carried
is
Ham. Marry,
this is
miching mallecho;
it
means
mischief.
actor.
Ham. What did you enact? Pol.
and
Kings
eat the air, promise-crammed.
capons King.
act
did enact Julius Caesar.
Oph. Belike I
was
killed
i'
the
this
show imports
the argument of
the play.
/
jo
Capitol; Brutus killed me.
was a brute part of him to kill so /// Be the players ready? Ros. Ay, my lord; they stay upon your patience. Queen. Come hither, my dear Hamlet, sit by me. Ham. No, good mother, here's metal more at-
Ham.
tractive. Pol.
Enter prologue.
It
capital a calf there.
[To the king] O, ho! do you mark that?
Ham. Lady,
shall
I lie
in
your
lap?
[Lying down
at
Ophelia's feet.
120 Oph. No, my lord. Ham. I mean, my head upon your lap? Oph. Ay, my lord. Ham. Do you think I meant country matters? Oph. I think nothing, my lord. Ham. That's a fair thought to lie between maids'
Ham.
We shall know by this fellow. The play-
keep counsel; they'll tell all. Oph. Will he tell us what this show meant? Ham. Ay, or any show that you'll show him. Be not you ashamed to show, he'll not shame to tell you what it means. Oph. You are naught, you are naught: I'll mark ers cannot
the play.
For
Pro.
and for our tragedy,
us,
Here stooping to your clemency,
We beg your hearing patiently. Ham.
Is this a
Oph. 'Tis
160 [Exit.
prologue, or the posy of a ring?
brief,
my lord.
Ham. As woman's
love.
legs.
Enter two Players as king and queen.
What is, my lord?
Oph.
Ham. Nothing. Oph. You are merry, Ham. Who, I? Oph. Ay,
P. King. Full thirty times hath Phoebus' cart
my lord. 130
my lord.
O
God, your only jig-maker. What but be merry? for, look you, how cheerfully my mother looks, and my father died within these two hours. Oph. Nay, 'tis twice two months, my lord. Ham. So long? Nay then, let the devil wear
Ham.
should a
man do
O
have a suit of sables. heavens! ago, and not forgotten yet? Then there's hope a great man's memory may outlive his life half a year; but, by'r lady, he must build churches, then; or else shall he suffer not thinking on, with the hobby-horse, whose epitaph is "For, O, for, O, the hobby-horse is forgot." black, for
die
I'll
two months
Hautboys play. The dumb-show enters. Enter a King and a Queen very lovingly; the Queen
embracing him, and he her. She kneels and makes show of protestation unto him. He takes her up,
gone round Neptune's salt wash and Tellus' orbed ground, And thirty dozen moons with borrow'd sheen About the world have times twelve thirties been, Since love our hearts and Hymen did our hands ijo Unite commutual in most sacred bands. P. Queen. So many journeys may the sun and
moon Make us again count o'er ere love be done! But, woe is me, you are so sick of late, So far from cheer and from your former state, That I distrust you. Yet, though I distrust, Discomfort you, my lord, it nothing must; For women's fear and love holds quantity,
In neither aught, or in extremity.
Now, what my love is, proof hath made you know;
And
as
my love is sized, my fear is so.
vVhere love
is
Where little fears grow great, there.
180
great, the littlest doubts are fear;
great love grows
— SCENE
HAMLET
II
P. King. 'Faith,
I
must leave thee,
love,
and
My operant powers their functions leave to do; And thou shah live in this fair world behind, Honour'd, beloved: and haply one as kind For husband shalt thou O, confound the rest! P. Queen. Such love must needs be treason in my breast. In second husband let me be accurst! 189 None wed the second but who kill'd the first. Ham.
Wormwood, wormwood. The instances that second marriage
[Aside]
P. Queen.
move Are base
me day and night! To desperation turn my trust and hope! An anchor's cheer in prison be my scope! Sport and repose lock from
shortly too;
Each opposite that blanks the face of joy 230 Meet what I would have well and it destroy! Both here and hence pursue me lasting strife, If, once a widow, ever I be wife! Ham. If she should break it now! P. King. 'Tis deeply sworn. Sweet, leave me he^e awhile;
My spirits grow dull, and fain The tedious day with
And never come mischance between us twain!
kill my husband dead, When second husband kisses me in bed.
[Exit.
I
Ham. Madam, how like you this play? 239 Queen. The lady doth protest too much, me-
I do believe you think what now you speak; But what we do determine oft we break. Purpose is but the slave to memory,
P. King.
Of violent birth, Which now,
would beguile
Sleep rock thy brain;
P. Queen.
respects of thrift, but none of love:
A second time
I
sleep. [Sleeps.]
but poor validity:
thinks.
Ham. O, but she'll keep her word. King. Have you heard the argument? 199
no offence
in
Is
there
't?
that we forget To pay ourselves what to ourselves is debt: What to ourselves in passion we propose,
Ham. No, no, they do but jest, poison in jest; no offence i' the world. King. What do you call the play? Ham. "The Mouse-trap." Marry, how? Tropically. This play is the image of a murder done in Vienna. Gonzago is the duke's name; his wife,
The passion ending, doth the purpose lose. The violence of either grief or joy Their own enactures with themselves destroy. Where joy most revels, grief doth most la-
of work, but what o' that? your Majesty and we that have free souls, it touches us not. Let the galled jade wince, our withers are un wrung.
like fruit unripe, sticks
on the
tree;
But
unshaken,
fall,
Most necessary
when they mellow be.
'tis
ment; Grief joys, joy grieves, on slender accident. This world is not for aye, nor 'tis not strange That even our loves should with our fortunes change;
For
'tis
favourite
The poor advanced makes friends of enemies. And hitherto doth love on fortune tend; For who not needs shall never lack a friend, And who in want a hollow friend doth try, Directly seasons him his enemy. fates
That our devices
Our thoughts
where I begun, do so contrary run
still
are overthrown;
heaven
It
Nor earth to me give light!
food, nor
a knavish piece
my lord, you are keen.
would cost you
a
groaning to take off
my edge.
260
and worse. Ham. So you must take your husbands. Begin, mumerer; pox, leave thy damnable faces, and begin. Come, "the croaking raven doth bellow for revenge." Luc. Thoughts black, hands apt, drugs fit, and time agreeing; Confederate season, else no creature seeing; Thou mixture rank, of midnight weeds collected, With Hecate's ban thrice blasted, thrice infected, Thy natural magic and dire property, 270 On wholesome life usurp immediately. Still better,
Pours the poison
Ham. He
dead. P. Queen.
220
are ours, their ends none of our
own. So think thou wilt no second husband wed; But die thy thoughts when thy first lord is
'tis
This is one Lucianus, nephew to the king. Oph. You are as good as a chorus, my lord. Ham. I could interpret between vou and your
Oph.
flies;
Our wills and
anon;
Enter lucianus.
Ham.
love.
But, orderly to end
shall see
Oph. You are keen,
love lead fortune, or else fortune
The great man down, you mark his
You
love, if I could see the puppets dallying.
a question left us yet to prove,
Whether
Baptista.
into the sleeper's ears.
poisons him
i' the garden for's estate. His name's Gonzago; the story is extant, and writ in choice Italian. You shall see anon how
HAMLET
52
the murderer gets the love of Gonzago's wife.
Oph. The King rises. Ham. What, frighted with
280
but
hamlet and horatio.
Ham. Why, let the stricken deer go weep, The hart ungalled play;
So runs the world away. Would not this, sir, and a forest of feathers if with the rest of my fortunes turn Turk with me two Provincial roses on my razed shoes, get me a fellowship in a cry of players, sir? Hor. Haifa share. 290 Ham. A whole one, I. For thou dost know, O Damon dear, This realm dismantled was Of Jove himself; and now reigns here
—
—
A very, very—pajock. You might have rhymed. Ham. O good Horatio, I'll take the ghost's
Guil.
What,
I
my lord?
make, you
command;
shall
for a thousand pound. Didst perceive? Hor. Very well, my lord. Ham. Upon the talk of the poisoning? 300 Hor. I did very well note him. Ham. Ah, ha! Come, some music! come, the
recorders
it
Good my
lord,
vouchsafe
me
a
whole history.
sir,
5/0
sir
what of him?
Guil. Is in his retirement marvellous distem-
pered.
We
Ham. mother. Ros.
My lord, you once did love me. do
I
No,
my lord, rather with choler. show
349 your cause of distemper? you do, surely, bar the door upon your own liberty, if you deny your griefs to your
Good my
lord,
more
richer to signify this to his doctor; for, for
me to
should
put him to his purgation would perhaps plunge into far
more choler.
Good my
5/9
your discourse into some frame and start not so wildly from my affair. Guil.
what
is
friend.
Ham. Ros.
Sir,
lack advancement.
I
How can that be,
of the King himself mark? sir, is
but,
for
when you have
the voice
your succession
"While
the grass
in
grows"
something musty.
players with let
—
me
Den-
^yp
recorders.
see one.
To
withdraw
why do you go about to recover the with you: wind of me, as if you would drive me into a toil? Guil. O, my lord, if my duty be too bold, my love is too unmannerly. Ham. I do not well understand that. Will you play upon this pipe?
My lord,
Guil. Believe
itself
him
by these pickers and
still,
I
cannot.
Ham. I pray you.
sir?
Ham. Your wisdom
obey, were she ten times our further trade with us?
shall
Have you any
Ham. So
Guil.
Ham. With drink, Guil.
you say,
O
O, the recorders!
word
with you.
Ham. Ay,
can
Ham. wonderful son, that can so astonish a mother! But is there no sequel at the heels of this mother's admiration? Impart. Ros. She desires to speak with you in her closet, ere you go to bed.
Re-enter
Sir, a
or, rather, as
I
Then thus she says; your behaviour hath struck her into amazement and admiration. 55^
the proverb
not, perdy.
rosencrantz ^iw^guildenstern.
The King,
such answer as
My
Come, some music!
Guil.
sir,
mother. Therefore no more, but to the matmother, you say,
Ham. Ay,
king like not the comedy,
Why then, belike, he likes
Ham.
my
wholesome answer;
a
But,
ter.
550
cannot.
wit's diseased
Ros.
word
Guil.
III
make
stealers.
Hor.
Re-enter
to
Ros.
sleep;
if the
Sir,
my
For some must watch, while some must
For
Ham.
Ham. Make you
All. Lights, lights, lights! all
you
turn shall be the end of my business.
Give o'er the play. King. Give me some light. Away!
Pol.
[Exeunt
shall please
me a wholesome answer, I will do your mother's commandment; if not, your pardon and my re-
false fire!
How fare? my lord?
Queen.
ACT
of the right breed. If it
lord, put
Ham. I am tame, sir; pronounce. Guil. The Queen, vour mother,
me,
I
cannot.
Ham. I do beseech you. Guil. I know no touch of it, my lord. Ham. 'Tis as easy as lying. Govern
370 these
ventages with your fingers and thumb, give it breath with your mouth, and it will discourse
most eloquent music. Look you, these are the stops.
in
most great
of spirit, hath sent me to you. Ham. You are welcome. Guil. Nay, good my lord, this courtesy
affliction
is
not
Guil. But these cannot I command to any utterance of harmony; I have not the skill. Ham. Why, look you now, how unworthy a thing you make of me! You would play upon
.
HAMLET
scene n
53
We will ourselves provide.
me; you would seem to know my stops; you would pluck out the heart of my mystery; you would sound me from my lowest note to the top
To keep those many many bodies
of my compass; and there
That
is
much
music, excel-
lent voice, in this little organ, yet cannot
make
it
speak. 'Sblood, do
to be played
on than
you think
a pipe? Call
I
am
you
easier
me what
in-
strument you will, though you can fret me, yet you cannot play upon me. Enter polonius.
God bless you,
My
Pol.
390
sir!
lord,
Queen would speak with
the
you, and presently.
Ham. Do you
see yonder cloud that's almost in
shape of a camel? Pol. By the mass, and
'tis
like a camel, indeed.
Ham
like a weasel.
Pol.
a weasel.
Methinks it is It is backed like
I
Most holy and religious
Leave me,
by
is
we will fetters put upon this fear, Which now goes too free-footed. R°S :A We will haste us. For
Guil.S
[Exeunt rosencrantz and guildenstern.
Enter polonius.
all
but hamlet.
now the very witching time of night, When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to
this
world.
Now
could
I
drink hot
blood,
And do such bitter Would quake to
look on. Soft!
now
Behind the arras
To
me be cruel,
convey myself, I'll warrant she'll tax him
home: And, as you said, and wisely was it said, 30 'Tis meet that some more audience than a mother, Since nature makes them partial, should o'erhear
to
my
I'll
410
And tell you what I know.
call
upon you ere you go to bed, Thanks, dear my lord. [Exit polonius.
King.
heart, lose not thy nature; let not ever
Nero
I'll
hear the process;
The speech, of vantage. Fare you well, my liege.
business as the day
mother. soul of
My lord, he's going to his mother's closet:
Pol.
friends.
'Tis
Let
safe
and feed upon your Majesty. 10 Ros. The single and peculiar life is bound, With all the strength and armour of the mind, To keep itself from noyance; but much more That spirit upon whose weal depend and rest The lives of many. The cease of majesty Dies not alone; but, like a gulf, doth draw What's near it with it. It is a massy wheel, Fix'd on the summit of the highest mount, To whose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things Are mortised and adjoin'd; which, when it falls, Each small annexment, petty consequence, 21 Attends the boisterous ruin. Never alone Did the King sigh, but with a general groan. King. Arm you, I pray you, to this speedy voylive
easily said. [Exit polonius.]
[Exeunt
1
it is
will say so.
Ham By and
The
fear
age;
Ham. Or like a whale? Pol. Very like a whale. 35)5) Ham. Then I will come to my mother by and by. They fool me to the top of my bent. I will come by and by Pol.
Guil.
enter this firm bosom.
O,
not unnatural.
will speak daggers to her, but use none;
It
my offence is rank, it smells to heaven;
hath the primal eldest curse upon't, brother's murder. Pray can I not,
My tongue and soul in this be hypocrites;
A
How in my words soever she be shent,
Though inclination be as sharp as
To give them seals never, my soul, consent!
My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent; [Exit.
Scene
hi.
A
I
room
in the castle
Enter king, rosencrantz, and
GUILDENSTERN. King.
To
I
like
And,
him not, nor stands
safe with us
let his madness range. Therefore prepare you; I your commission will forthwith dispatch, And he to England shall along with you: The terms of our estate may not endure Hazard so near us as doth hourly grow Out of his lunacies.
man to double business
stand in pause where
I
40
bound,
shall first begin,
And both neglect. What if this cursed hand Were thicker than itself with brother's blood, Is
it
like a
will.
there not rain enough in the sweet heavens
To wash it white as snow? Whereto serves mercy But to confront the visage of offence?
And what's in prayer but this two-fold force,
To be forestalled ere we come to fall, Or
pardon'd being down?
Then I'll look up;
50
My fault is past. But, O, what form of prayer Can
serve
der"?
my
turn? "Forgive
me my
foul
mur-
HAMLET
54
That
cannot be; since
Of those effects
for
1
am still possess'd
which
I
did the murder,
My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen.
And that your Grace
May one be pardon'd and retain the offence? may
shove by
Much heat and him. I'll sconce me even here Pray you, be round with him. Ham. [Within] Mother, mother, mother!
justice,
And oft
'tis seen the wicked prize itself Buys out the law: but 'tis not so above; There is no shuffling, there the action lies
In his true nature;
and
we ourselves
hath screen'd and stood be-
tween
In the corrupted currents of this world
Offence's gilded hand
act ni
Tell him his pranks have been too broad to bear with,
60
Queen.
Fear
compell'd,
I
hear him coming.
[polonius hides behind
Even to the teeth and forehead of our faults, To give in evidence. What then? what rests? Try what repentance can. What can it not? Yet what can it when one can not repent? O wretched state! O bosom black as death!
Ham. Now, mother,
O limed soul, that, struggling to be free,
Ham. Mother, you have my
Art more engaged! Help, angels!
Bow, stubborn knees;
All
may
offended.
I,
his sole son,
do
this
and for
Queen Why,
And
No! Up, sword; and know thou
a
so!
—you
my
are
shall
As hell, whereto it goes. My mother stays. This physic but prolongs thy sickly days. [Exit. King. [Rising] My words fly up, my thoughts remain below. Words without thoughts never to heaven go.
Queen.
Enter will
The Queen's
What
.
wilt thou do? thou wilt not
20 mur-
What,
ho! help, help, help!
How
now!
a rat?
Dead, for a
ducat, dead!
Makes a pass through the arras. O, I am slain! [Falls and dies. Queen. O me, what hast thou done? Nay, I know not: Ham. Is it the King? Queen. O, what a rash and bloody deed is this! Ham. A bloody deed! almost as bad, good mother,
As
kill
As
Ham. Lifts
Thou
lay
home
marry with his brother-
a king, and
Queen.
closet
queen and polonius. straight. Look you
come
you down; you
sit
der me? Help, help, ho!
[Exit. iv.
that can
Pol. [Behind]
may kick at heaven, may be as damn'd and black
Scene
you
You go not till I set you up a glass Where you may see the inmost part of you
90
trip him, that his heels
soul
set those to
not budge;
Pol. [Behind]
act
I'll
Ham. Come, come, and
Ham. [Drawing]
bed
At gaming, swearing, or about some That has no relish of salvation in't;
then,
speak.
more horrid hent.
Or in the incestuous pleasure of his
to him.
were not
it
Nay,
Queen.
When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage,
He
—would
mother.
and salary, not revenge. full of bread; 80 With all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May; And how his audit stands who knows save heaven? But in our circumstance and course of thought, 'Tis heavy with him. And am I then revenged, To take him in the purging of his soul, When he is fit and season'd for his passage?
Pol.
forgot
wife;
that,
same villain send
this is hire
And that his
wicked
What's the matter now? me? Ham No, by the rood, not so: You are the Queen, your husband's brother's
He took my father grossly,
Then
a
how now, Hamlet!
Have you
Queen.
To heaven. O,
you question with
Ham.
Ham. Now might 1 do it pat, now he is praying; And now I'll do't. And so he goes to heaven; And so am I revenged. That would be scann'd.
A villain kills my father;
go,
tongue.
kneels.
Enter hamlet.
idle
tongue.
Ham. Go,
and
w
Come, come, you answer with an
Queen.
sinews of the new-born babe! [Retires
much
father
offended.
and, heart with strings of
be well
what's the matter?
Hamlet, thou hast thy father much
Queen.
70
soft as
the arras.
Enter hamlet.
Make assay!
steel,
Be
warrant you,
I'll
me not.Withdraw,
kill a
king!
Ay, up
lady, 'twas
the arras
my word.
and discovers
Polonius.
wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell! took thee for thy better. Take thy fortune; Thou find'st to be too busy is some danger. I
30
— scene
HAMLET
iv
Leave wringing of your hands. Peace! sit you down, And let me wring your heart; for so I shall, If it be made of penetrable stuff, If damned custom have not brass'd it so That it be proof and bulwark against sense. Queen. What have I done, that thou darest wag thy tongue
Such an act That blurs the grace and blush of modesty,
40
From the fair forehead of an innocent love And sets a blister there, makes marriage-vows As false as dicers' oaths; O, such a deed As from the body of contraction plucks The very soul, and sweet religion makes
visage, as against the
To flaming youth let virtue be as wax, And melt in her own fire.
50
Ay me, what act, here,
upon
this
and on
picture,
O Hamlet,
what
a grace
O, speak to me no more; mine ears; No more, sweet Hamlet! Ham. A murderer and a villain; These words,
like daggers, enter in
Of your precedent lord;
a shelf the precious
your husband; like a mildew'd
A king of shreds and patches
Save me, and hover o'er me with your wings, You heavenly guards What would your gracious !
figure?
Queen. Alas, he's mad!
wholesome brother. Have you
Could you on this
fair
mountain leave to
That, lapsed in time and passion, lets go by The important acting of your dread command?
O,
feed,
ment
70
from
this to this? Sense, sure,
say!
Ghost.
You cannot call it love; for at your age The hey-day in the blood is tame, it's humble, And waits upon the judgement; and what judgestep
you
Is
Do not forget!
sure, that
amazement on thy mother sits. O, step between her and her fighting soul. Conceit in weakest bodies strongest works. Speak to her, Hamlet. But, look,
How is it with you, lady?
Queen. Alas,
how is't with you,
That you do bend your eye on vacancy
sense apoplex'd; for madness
sense to ecstasy
no
This visitation
but to whet thy almost blunted purpose.
Ham.
have,
you not have motion; but
to
chide,
And batten on this moor? Ha! have you eyes?
it
Enter ghost.
ear,
eyes?
Else could
100
stole,
Ham. Do you not come your tardy son
follows:
Blasting his
diadem
No more!
Queen.
Ham.
A station like the herald Mercury
But
a vice of kings;
And put it in his pocket!
New-lighted on a heaven-kissing hill; 60 A combination and a form indeed, Where every god did seem to set his seal, To give the world assurance of a man. This was your husband. Look you now, what
Nor
po
Over the nasty sty
That from
brothers.
was seated on this brow;
Hyperion's curls; the front of Jove himself; An eye like Mars, to threaten and command;
Is
speak no more.
A cutpurse of the empire and the rule,
The counterfeit presentment of two
Would
will.
Queen.
A slave that is not twentieth part the tithe
loud, and thunders in the index?
this,
is
Proclaim no shame
When the compulsive ardour gives the charge,
Queen.
doom,
thought-sick at the act.
Queen.
Here
hell,
If thou canst mutine in a matron's bones,
love
Yea, this solidity and compound mass,
See,
Could not so mope. O shame! where is thy blush? Rebellious
In the rank sweat of an enseamed bed, Stew'd in corruption, honeying and making
A rhapsody of words. Heaven's face doth glow;
Ham. Look
80
Thou turn'st mine eyes into my very soul; And there I see such black and grained spots As will not leave their tinct. Ham. Nay, but to live
Calls virtue hypocrite, takes off the rose
That roars so
55
but a sickly part of one true sense
And reason panders
me?
Ham.
With tristful
Or
Since frost itself as actively doth burn
In noise so rude against
Is
—
was
would not
err,
ne'er so thrall'd
reserved some quantity of choice,
And with the incorporal air do hold discourse? Forth
And,
at
your eyes your
spirits
wildly peep;
as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm,
To serve in such a difference. What devil was't
Your bedded hair,
That thus hath cozen'd you at hoodman-blind? Eyes without feeling, feeling without sight, Ears without hands or eyes, smelling sans all,
Start up, and stand an end.
120
like life in excrements,
O gentle son,
Upon the heat and flame of thy distemper Sprinkle cool patience. Whereon do you look?
HAMLET
56
Ham. On
Look you, how
him, on him!
pale he
I'll
act
blessing beg of you. For this
Ham.
Do you see nothing there?
Queen. Nothing at
all;
yet
all
that
is I
No, nothing but ourselves.
how
it
steals
away!
My father, in his habit as he lived! Look, where he goes, even now, out
at the portal!
[Exit GHOST.
Queen. This
is
the very coinage of your brain.
This bodiless creation ecstasy Is very cunning in.
Ham.
My
And makes
as healthful music. It is not madness That I have utter'd. Bring me to the test, And I the matter will re- word; which madness Would gambol from. Mother, for love of grace, Lay not that flattering unction to your soul, That not your trespass, but my madness speaks.
that
I
do?
bid
I
180
you do:
Let the bloat king tempt you again to bed; Pinch wanton on your cheek call you his mouse; And let him, for a pair of reechy kisses, Or paddling in you neck with his damn'd fingers, Make you to ravel all this matter out, That I essentially am not in madness, But mad in craft. 'Twere good you let him ;
For who, that's but a queen, fair, sober, wise, 189 Would from a paddock, from a bat, a gib, Such dear concernings hide? who would do so? No, in despite of sense and secrecy, Unpeg the basket on the house's top, Let the birds fly, and, like the famous ape,
To try conclusions, in the basket creep, And break your own neck down. Queen. Be thou assured, if words be
but skin and film the ulcerous place,
Whiles rank corruption, mining
all
within,
made of
breath,
Infects unseen. Confess yourself to heaven;
Repent what's past; avoid what is to come; 150 And do not spread the compost on the weeds, To make them ranker. Forgive me this my virtue;
And breath of life, I have no life to breathe What thou hast said to me. Ham. I must to England; you know that?
in the fatness of these pursy times Virtue itself of vice must pardon beg, Yea, curb and woo for leave to do him good. Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in Queen.
O
Alack, 200 had forgot. 'Tis so concluded on. Ham. There's letters seal'd, and my two schoolQueen.
I
For
fellows,
Whom They
I
will trust as
I
will adders fang'd,
bear the mandate; they must sweep
my
way,
twain.
And marshal me to knavery.
Ham. O, throw away the worser part of it,
And live the purer with the other half. Good night; but go not to mine uncle's Assume a virtue,
if you
have
That monster, custom, who
Of habits devil,
Polonius.
know;
Ecstasy!
139 pulse, as yours, doth temperately keep time,
It will
What shall
Queen.
see.
Ham. Not this, by no means,
look you there! look,
to
do repent; but heaven hath pleased it so, To punish me with this and this with me, That I must be their scourge and minister. I will bestow him, and will answer well The death I gave him. So, again, good night. I must be cruel, only to be kind. Thus bad begins and worse remains behind. One word more, good lady. I
Ham. Nor did you nothing hear? Queen.
m
lord,
[Pointing
glares
His form and cause conjoin'd, preaching to stones, Would make them capable. Do not look upon me; Lest with this piteous action you convert My stern effects; then what I have to do 129 Will want true colour, tears perchance for blood. Queen. To whom do you speak this?
Ham. Why,
same
is
it
all
For bed.
not.
160
sense doth eat,
angel yet in this,
That to the use of actions
fair
and good
He likewise gives a frock or livery,
'tis
Let
it
work;
the sport to have the enginer
Hoist with his own petar; and 't shall go hard But I will delve one yard below their mines,
And blow them at the moon. O,
'tis
most sweet,
When in one line two crafts directly meet. This
man shall
set
210
me packing.
And that shall lend a kind of easiness
lug the guts into the neighbour room. Mother, good night. Indeed this counsellor Is now most still, most secret, and most grave,
To the next abstinence;
Who was in life a foolish prating knave.
That aptly is put on. Refrain to-night, the next
more easy;
For use almost can change the stamp of nature, And either master the devil, or throw him out 169 With wondrous potency. Once more, good night;
And when you are desirous to be bless'd.
I'll
Come,
sir,
draw toward an end with you. mother. [Exeunt severally; hamlet dragging
to
Good night,
in Polonius.
— SCENE
HAMLET
I
As
ACT Scene
i.
A
IV
room
57
cannon to
level as the
Transports his poison'd shot, name,
in the castle
My soul
is full
GUILDENSTERN.
Scene
King. There's matter in these sighs; these profound heaves 'tis fit
we understand them.
Queen. Bestow this place on us a
little
while.
lord,
what have
King. What, Gertrude?
Mad
Queen.
I
seen to-night!
is
in the castle
Within \ ( [
Hamlet! Lord Hamlet!
Ham. But soft, what noise? who Hamlet? O, here they come.
on
calls
Enter rosencrantz and guildenstern.
What have you done, my lord, with the dead body? Ham. Compounded it with dust, whereto 'tis Ros.
the mightier. In his lawless
fit,
w
in this brainish apprehension, kills
kin.
O heavy deed! had been so with us, had we been there. His liberty is full of threats to all; To you yourself, to us, to every one. Alas, how shall this bloody deed be answer'd? It will be laid to us, whose providence Should have kept short, restrain'd, and out of King.
haunt, so
much was our love,
We would not understand what was most But, like the
owner of a
that
'tis,
we may
take
it
thence
It
mad young man. But
where
Ros. Tell us
The unseen good old man.
This
Another room
Ham. Safely stowed.
and wind, when both
Behind the arras hearing something stir, Whips our his rapier, cries, "A rat, a rat!"
And,
ii.
How does Hamlet?
as the sea
contend
Which
air. O, come away! of discord and dismay. [Exeunt.
Enter hamlet.
Quit
[Exeunt rosencrantz and guildenstern.
Ah, mine own
may miss our
And hit the woundless
Enter king, queen, rosencrantz, and
You must translate; Where is your son?
his blank,
fit;
20
foul disease,
And bear it to the chapel. Ham. Do not believe it. Ros. Believe what?
Ham. That
10
can keep your counsel and not mine own. Besides, to be demanded of a sponge, what replication should be made by the son of a king? I
Ros. Take you me for a sponge, my lord? Ham. Ay, sir, that soaks up the King's coun-
tenance, his rewards, his authorities. But such do the King best service in the end. He
officers
To keep it
from divulging, let it feed Even on the pith of life. Where is he gone? Queen. To draw apart the body he hath kill'd, O'er whom his very madness, like some ore
keeps them, like an ape, in the corner of his first mouthed, to be last swallowed. When he needs what you have gleaned, it is but squeezing you, and, sponge, you shall be dry
Among a mineral of metals base,
again.
he weeps for what is done. King. Gertrude, come away! The sun no sooner shall the mountains touch, But we will ship him hence, and this vile deed 50 must, with all our majesty and skill, Both countenance and excuse. Ho, Guildenstern!
Shows
itself pure;
O
We
Re-enter
rosencrantz and guildenstern.
Friends both, go join
you with some
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius
And from
his
further aid.
slain,
mother's closet hath he dragg'd
him.
Go seek him out;
speak fair, and bring the body pray you, haste in this. [Exeunt rosencrantz and guildenstern. Come, Gertrude, we'll call up our wisest friends; And let them know, both what we mean to do, And what's untimely done; so, haply, slander, 40 Whose whisper o'er the world's diameter, Into the chapel.
I
jaw;
Ros.
I
Ham.
understand you not, I
am
glad of
it.
A
my lord.
knavish speech sleeps
in a foolish ear.
Ros.
My
lord,
you must
tell
us
where the body
and go with us to the King. Ham. Tne body is with the King, but the King is not with the body. The King is a thing is,
Guil.
A thing, my lord!
Ham. Of nothing. Bring me and
5/ to him.
fox,
[Exeunt.
all after.
Scene
Hide
in.
Another room in the
castle
Enter king attended.
King. I have sent to seek him, and to find the body. How dangerous is it that this man goes loose! Yet must not we put the strong law on him.
He's loved of the distracted multitude,
Who like not in their judgement, but their eyes:
HAMLET
58
And where
so,
'tis
the offender's scourge
is
The
ACT associates tend, and everything
To
bear
all
smooth and
Ham.
For England!
Ham.
This sudden sending him away must seem Deliberate pause. Diseases desperate
grown
King. So
w
By desperate appliance are relieved, Or not at all.
Ham.
How now! what hath befall'n? body
the dead
is
bestow'd,
my
lord,
We cannot get from him. But where
King.
my
Ros. Without,
is
lord; guarded, to
he?
know your
Enter
my lord.
are e'en at him.
Your worm
We
19
but where he is
is
worms
your only em-
fat all creatures else to fat
50
What dost thou mean by this? Ham. Nothing but to show you how a king may go a progress through the guts of a beggar. King. Where is Polonius? In heaven; send thither to see. If your
him not
him i' the other place yourself. But indeed, if you find him not within this month, you shall nose him as you go up the stairs into the lobby. King. Go seek him there. 4.0
Ham. He will
stay
till
there, seek
[To some Attendants. you come. [Exeunt Attendants.
King. Hamlet,
affair.
Pray you, make
if
my love thou hold'st at aught
sense,
worm.
find
my
raw and red After the Danish sword, and thy free awe Pays homage to us thou mayst not coldly set Our sovereign process; which imports at full,
Since yet thy cicatrice looks
King.
messenger
so,
As my great power thereof may give thee
and we fat ourselves for maggots. Your fat king and your lean beggar is but variable service, two dishes, but to one table; that's the end. King. Alas, alas! Ham. A man may fish with the worm that hath eat of a king, and eat of the fish that hath fed of
Ham.
man
is
[Exeunt rosencrantz and guildenstern.
us,
that
on the
else leans
And, England,
Polonius?
certain convocation of politic
peror for diet.
ji
Thy loving father,
haste.
hamlet and guildenstern.
King. Now, Hamlet, where's Ham. At supper. King. At supper! where? Ham. Not where he eats,
knew'st our purposes.
mother. Come, for England! [Exit. King. Follow him at foot; tempt him with speed aboard; Delay it not; I'll have him hence to-night. Away! for every thing is seal'd and done
That
pleasure.
King. Bring him before us. Ros. Ho, Guildenstern! bring in
is it, if thou
see a cherub that sees them. But, come;
Hamlet. Ham. My mother. Father and mother and wife; man and wife is one flesh; and
Enter rosencrantz.
Where
I
for England! Farewell, dear mother.
King.
A
Ay, Hamlet. Good.
King.
even,
eaten.
IV
bent
For England.
weigh'd,
But never the offence.
Ros.
is
this deed, for thine especial
—
By letters congruing to that effect, The present death of Hamlet. Do it, For
like the hectic in
And thou must cure me. Till I know 'tis done, Howe'er my haps, my joys were ne'er begun. 70 [Exit.
Scene
iv.
A plain in Denmark
Enter fortinbras, a captain, and Soldiers, marching. For.
Go,
captain,
from
hence
With fiery quickness. Therefore prepare thyself;
The bark is ready, and the wind at help,
greet the Danish
Tell him that, by his license, Fortinbras
Craves the conveyance of a promised march Over his kingdom. You know the rendezvous. If that his Majesty would aught with us, shall express our duty in his eye;
We
And let him know so. Cap. For.
I
will do't,
my lord.
Go softly on. [Exeunt fortinbras and Soldiers.
Enter hamlet, rosencrantz, guildenstern,
and
—
me
king:
safety
Which we do tender, as we dearly grieve For that which thou hast done must send thee
England;
my blood he rages,
others.
Ham. Good sir, whose powers are these? Cap. They are of Norway, sir. Ham. How purposed, sir, I pray you? Cap. Against
some part of Poland.
Ham. Who commands them, sir? Cap. The nephew to old Norway,
Fortinbras.
10
—
— scene
HAMLET
iv
Ham. Goes Or for some frontier? it
against the
main of Poland,
59
To hide the slain?
sir,
O, from
this
time forth,
My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!
Cap. Truly to speak, and with no addition,
[Exit.
We go to gain a little patch of ground That hath in it no profit but the name. To pay five ducats, five, I would not farm it;
Scene 20
Queen.
A ranker rate, should it be sold in fee.
Gent. She
then the Polack never will defend
Ham.
it is
Two thousand souls
and twenty thousand
is
importunate, indeed distract.
Her mood will needs be pitied.
What would
she have?
father; says she
the world; and hems, and beats
i'
her heart;
Spurns enviously at straws; speaks things in doubt,
peace,
That inward breaks, and shows no cause without Why the man dies. I humbly thank you, sir.
God be wi'
you,
[Exit.
sir.
my lord? you straight. Go a
Will't please you go,
Ros.
Ham.
much of her
hears
There's tricks
Will not debate the question of this straw. This is the imposthume of much wealth and
be with
I'll
[Exeunt
before.
all except
50 little
hamlet.
How all occasions do inform against me, And spur my dull revenge! What is a man, and market of his time Be but to sleep and feed? a beast, no more. Sure, he that made us with such large discourse, Looking before and after, gave us not That capability and god-like reason To fust in us unused. Now, whether it be Bestial oblivion, or some craven scruple 40 If his chief good
Of thinking too precisely
A
will not speak with her.
Gent. She speaks
already garrison'd.
ducats
Cap.
I
Queen.
it.
Cap. Yes,
in the castle
Enter queen, horatio, and a gentleman.
Nor will it yield to Norway or the Pole Ham. Why,
room
v. Elsinore: a
on the event,
thought which, quarter'd, hath but one part
That carry but half sense. Her speech is nothing, Yet the unshaped use of it doth move The hearers to collection; they aim at it, And botch the words up fit to their own thoughts; Which, as her winks, and nods, and gestures yield them, Indeed would make one think there might be
11
thought,
Though nothing sure, yet much unhappily. Hor. 'Twere good she were spoken with; for she may strew
Dangerous conjectures in ill-breeding minds. Queen. Let her come in. [Exit horatio.
To my sick soul,
as sin's true nature
is,
Each toy seems prologue to some great amiss; So full of artless jealousy is guilt, It spills itself in
20
fearing to be spilt.
wisdom Re-enter horatio, with ophelia.
And ever three parts coward, I do not know
Why yet I say "This thing's to do"; Sith I have cause and will and strength and means To do't. Examples gross as earth exhort me; Witness this army of such mass and charge Led by a delicate and tender prince, Whose spirit vith divine ambition pufFd Makes mouths at the invisible event, $0 Exposing what is mortal and unsure To all that fortune, death, and danger dare, live to
Even
for an egg-shell. Rightly to be great
without great argument, But greatly to find quarrel in a straw When honour's at the stake. How stand I then, That have a father kill'd, a mother stain'd, Excitements of my reason and my blood, And let me sleep? while, to my shame, I see The imminent death of twenty thousand men, 60 That, for a fantasy and trick of fame, Is
not to
stir
Go to their graves like beds,
fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot try the cause, Which is not tomb enough and continent
Oph.
Where is the beauteous majesty of Den-
mark? Queen.
Oph.
How now, Ophelia!
[Sings]
"How
should
I
your true love
know From another one? By his cockle hat and staff, And his sandal shoon." Queen. Alas, sweet lady, what imports this
song?
Oph. Say you? nay, pray you, mark. [Sings] "He is dead and gone, lady, He is dead and gone; At his head a grass-green turf,
At his heels
50
a stone."
Queen. Nay, but, Ophelia
Oph. Pray you, mark. "White his shroud
[Sings]
as
snow" Enter king. Queen. Alas, look here,
my lord.
the mountain
HAMLET
6o
Oph. [Sings] "Larded with sweet flowers; Which bewept to the grave did go With true-love showers." King. How do you, pretty lady? 40 Oph. Well, God 'ild you! They say the owl was a baker's daughter. Lord, we know what we are, but know not what we may be. God be at
your
table!
King. Conceit upon her father. Oph. Pray you, let's have no words of this; but when they ask you what it means, say you this: [S/Vzgj] "To-morrow is Saint Valentine's day,
ACT
IV
Her
brother is in secret come from France; Feeds on his wonder, keeps himself in clouds, And wants not buzzers to infect his ear 90 With pestilent speeches of his father's death; Wherein necessity, of matter beggar'd, Will nothing stick our person to arraign In ear and ear. O my dear Gertrude, this, Like to a murdering-piece, in many places Gives me superfluous death.
A noise within. Alack, what noise
Queen.
this?
is
Enter another gentleman.
All in the morning betime,
And
I
a
maid
at
your window,
To be your Valentine.
$0
Then up he rose, and donn'd his clothes, And dupp'd the chamber-door; Let
in the maid, that
Than young I'll
my lord:
overpeering of his list, Eats not the flats with more impetuous haste
Never departed more."
make an
100
Laertes, in a riotous head,
O'er bears your
officers.
The rabble call him
lord;
endon't: [Sings]
Save yourself,
Gent.
The ocean,
out a maid
King. Pretty Ophelia! Oph. Indeed, la, without an oath,
King. Where are my Switzers? Let them guard the door. What is the matter?
"By Gis and by Saint Alack, and
fie
for
Charity,
shame
60
Young men will do't, if they come to't; By cock, they are to blame. Quoth she, before you tumbled me, You promised me to wed. So would
I
ha' done,
by yonder
How long hath she been thus?
Oph.
I
hope
patient; but
I
clouds Queen.
How cheerfully on the false trail they
cry!
We
must be all will be well. cannot choose but weep, to think
My
they should lay him i' the cold ground. brother shall know of it; and so I thank you for
your good counsel. Come, my coach! Good night, ladies; good night, sweet ladies; good [Exit. night, good night. King. Follow her close; give her good watch, [Exit horatio. I pray you. O, this is the poison of deep grief; it springs All from her father's death. O Gertrude, Gertrude, When sorrows come, they come not single
O,
this is counter,
King.
The doors
you
false
no
Danish dogs!
are broke.
Noise within. Enter laertes, armed; danes following. Laer.
Where is this king?
Sirs,
stand
you
all
without. Danes. No,
let's
Laer.
come in. I
pray you, give
me leave.
Danes.
We will, we will.
Laer.
[They retire without the door. thou vile thank you; keep the door.
I
O
king,
spies,
But in battalions. First, her father slain; Next, your son gone; and he most violent author Of his own just remove; the people muddied, 81 Thick and unwholesome in their thoughts and
For good Polonius' death; and
we
have done but
greenly,
In hugger-mugger to inter him; poor Ophelia Divided from herself and her fair judgement,
Without the which we
are pictures, or
mere
beasts;
much
Give me my
father!
Queen. Laer.
containing as
all
these,
Calmly, good Laertes. that's calm proclaims
That drop of blood
me bastard, Cries cuckold to
whispers,
Last, and as
They cry, "Choose we: Laertes shall be king:" Caps, hands, and tongues, applaud it to the "Laertes shall be king, Laertes king!"
sun,
An thou hadst not come to my bed." King.
And, as the world were now but to begin, Antiquity forgot, custom not known, The ratifiers and props of every word,
my father,
brands the harlot
Even here, between the chaste unsmirched brow
Of my true mother. What is the cause, King.
Laertes,
That thy rebellion looks so giant-like? Let him go, Gertrude; do not fear our person: There's such divinity doth hedge a king, That treason can but peep to what it would,
120
——
— HAMLET
scene v Acts
of his will. Tell me, Laertes, thou art thus incensed. Let him go, Ger-
little
Why
trude.
And in his grave rain'd many a tear" Fare you well, my dove! Laer. Hadst thou thy wits, and didst persuade
Speak, man.
revenue,
Where is my
Laer.
father?
It
Dead.
King.
could not
Oph.
King. Let him demand his fill. Laer. How came he dead? I'll not be juggled with.
130
allegiance!
vows, to the blackest
devil!
Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit! I dare damnation. To this point I stand, That both the worlds I give to negligence, Let come what comes; only I'll be revenged Most throughly for my father. Who shall stay you? King. Laer. My will, not all the world: And for my means, I'll husband them so well, They shall go far with little.
Good
King. If you desire to
know
Of
father's death,
your dear
140
writ in your
is't
revenge,
That, swoopstake, you will draw both friend and foe,
O, how the wheel becomes
To his my arms;
good
friends thus
wide
I'll
Laer. This nothing's
Oph.
sensibly in grief for
it,
sies, that's for
150
tears seven times salt,
Burn out the sense and virtue of mine eye! By heaven, thy madness shall be paid with weight, Till our scale turn the beam. O rose of May! Dear maid, kind sister, sweet Ophelia! O heavens! is't possible, a young maid's wits 160 Should be as mortal as an old man's life? Nature is fine in love, and where 'tis fine, It
sends
some precious
After the thing
Oph.
it
instance of itself
loves.
[Sings]
"They bore him barefaced on the bier;
Hey non nonny, nonny, hey nonny;
is
pan-
in
madness, thoughts and 179
Oph. There's fennel for you, and columbines; there's rue for you, and here's some for me;
we may call it herb-grace o'Sundays. O, you must wear your rue with a difference. There's a daisy. I would give you some violets, but they made
all
when
my
father died.
They
say he
good end [Sings] "For bonny sweet Robin is all my joy." Laer. Thought and affliction, passion, hell itself, She turns to favour and to prettiness. Oph. [Sings] "And will he not come again? a
no, he
is
dead;
Go to thy death-bed; He never will come again.
ope
Re-enter ophelia. !
remem-
thoughts.
Laer. A document remembrance fitted.
No,
to
O heat, dry up my brains
for
that's
brance; pray, love, remember; and there
And will he not come again?
your judgement pierce As day does to your eye Danes. [Within] Let her come in. Laer. How now! what noise is that? It shall as level
iji
the false stew-
more than matter.
rosemary,
There's
His beard was
And like the kind life-rendering pelican, Repast them with my blood. Why, now you speak King. Like a good child and a true gentleman. That I am guiltless of your father's death,
And am most
it! It is
ard, that stole his master's daughter.
Winner and loser? Laer. None but his enemies. Will you know them then? King. Laer.
a-down a-down,
sing
An you call him a-down-a."
withered
Laertes,
the certainty
move thus. "You must
[Sings]
But not by him.
Queen.
To hell,
61
as
white
as
snow,
All flaxen was his poll.
He is gone, he is gone, And we cast away moan. God ha' mercy on his soul!"
And
of
all
Christian souls,
I
pray God.
wi' ye. Laer.
God
[Exit.
Do you see this,
King. Laertes,
I
be
200
O God?
must commune with your
grief,
Or you deny me right. Go but apart, Make choice of whom your wisest
friends
you
will,
And they shall hear and judge me. If by direct or by
They find us
collateral
touch' d,
'twixt
you and
hand
we will our kingdom
give,
Our crown, our life, and
To you in satisfaction;
all
but
that
we call ours,
if not,
Be you content to lend your patience to us,
And we shall jointly labour with your soul
To give it due content. Laer.
His means of death,
Let this be so; obscure funeral
his
210
HAMLET
62
No trophy, sword, nor hatchment o'er his bones, No noble rite nor formal ostentation Cry to be heard,
as 'twere
call't in
So you
And where the offence is
let
shall;
the great axe
pray you, go with me.
Scene
Another room
vi.
fall.
[Exeunt.
What
are they that
Serv. Sailors,
I
They
sir.
you. Hor. Let them I
would speak with me?
say they have letters for [Exit servant.
in.
God bless
He shall,
sir,
an't please
tell
me
The Queen
his //
She's so conjunctive to
it
either
which
my life and soul,
That, as the star moves not but in his sphere, I could not but by her. The other motive, Why to a public count I might not go, Is the great love the general gender bear him;
Him.
faults in their affection,
like the spring that turneth
wood to
stone,
overlooked this, give these fellows some means to the King; they have letters for him. Ere we were two days old at sea, a pirate of very warlike appointment gave us chase. Finding ourselves too slow of sail, we put on a compelled valour, and in the grapple I boarded them. On the instant they got clear of our ship; so I alone became their prisoner. They have dealt with me like thieves of mercy, but they knew what they did; I am to do a good turn for them. Let the King have the letters I have sent; and repair thou to me with as much speed as thou would st flv death. I have words to speak in thine ear will make thee dumb; yet are they much too light for the bore of the matter. These good fellows will bring thee where I am. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern hold their course for England; of them I have much to tell thee Farewell 5 "He that thou knowest thine, Hamlet" Come, I will make you way for these your .
Convert
his
gyves to graces; so that
my arrows,
Too slightly timber'd for so loud a wind, Would have reverted to my bow again, And not where I had aim'd them. Laer. And so have I a noble father lost;
A sister driven into desperate terms, Whose worth, if praises may go back again, Stood challenger on mount of all the age For her perfections. But my revenge will come. King. Break not your sleeps for that. You must not think
50
That we are made of stuff so flat and dull That we can let our beard be shook with danger
And I
think
it
pastime.
more. loved your father, and
And that,
I
You
shortly shall hear
we love ourself;
hope, will teach you to imagine
Enter a messenger.
How now!
what news?
Letters, my lord, from Hamlet. This to your Majesty; this to the Queen. King. From Hamlet! who brought them? Mess. Sailors, my lord, they say; I saw them
Mess.
not:
letters;
And do't the speedier,
that
you may
Scene
vii.
Another room
me
direct
To him from whom you brought them.
[Exeunt.
in the castle
Enter king and Laertes.
Now
must your conscience
you have heard, and with
a
given me by Claudio; he received them 40 Of him that brought them. Laertes, you shall hear them. King. [Exit messenger Leave us [Reads] "High and mighty, You shall know I am set naked on your kingdom. To-morrow shall
They were
.
my
acquit-
seal,
And you must put me in your heart Sith
but
Lives almost by his looks; and for myself
Would,
There's a letter for you, sir. It comes from the ambassador that was bound for England; if your // name be Horatio, as I am let to know it is. Hor. [Reads] "Horatio, when thou shalt have
tance
:
they are strong.
Who, dipping all his
you, sir. Hor. Let him bless thee too.
King.
me
But yet to mother
My virtue or my plague, be come
Enter sailors.
istSail.
well appears
sinew'd,
do not know from what part of the world should be greeted, if not from lord Hamlet.
i st Sail.
It
So crimeful and so capital in nature, As by your safety, wisdom, all things else, You mainly were stirr'd up. King. O, for two special reasons; Which may to you, perhaps, seem much un-
in the castle
Enter horatio and a servant.
Hor.
my life.
Laer.
question.
King. I
IV
father slain
Why you proceeded not against these feats,
must
I
Pursued
from heaven to
earth,
That
ACT
That he which hath your noble
for friend,
knowing ear,
I
beg leave to see your kingly eyes, when I shall, asking your pardon thereunto, recount the
first
—— scene
HAMLET
vii
occasion of my sudden and
more
strange return.
"Hamlet"
What should this mean? Are all the rest come yo
Or is it some abuse,
And
in a postscript here,
advise
warms
That I "Thus
"Naked!"
he says "alone."
it,
my lord. But let him come; my heart,
the very sickness in
shall live
and
tell
him to his
King.
a masterly report and exercise in your defence And for your rapier most especial, That he cried out, 'twould be a sight indeed, 100 If one could match you. The scrimers of their art
nation,
If it be so, Laertes
60
me to a peace. To thine own peace. If he be now re-
Did Hamlet so envenom with his envy That he could nothing do but wish and beg Your sudden coming o'er, to play with him.
Now,
will not o'errule
out of this
What out of this, my lord? King. Laertes, was your father dear to you? Laer.
Or are you like the painting of a sorrow,
As checking at his voyage, and that he means No more to undertake it, I will work him
A face without a heart?
To an exploit, now ripe in my device,
Laer.
Under the which he
King.
choose but fall; And for his death no wind of blame shall breathe, But even his mother shall uncharge the practice
My lord,
Laer.
That
shall not
call it accident.
The rather, I
if you
I
will be ruled;
could devise
it
so
jo
might be the organ.
King.
guard, nor eye,
If you opposed them. Sir, this report of his
turn'd,
And
the brooch indeed
He made confession of you,
He swore, had neither motion,
As how should it be so? how otherwise? Will you be ruled by me? Ay, my lord; Laer. So you
I
And gave you such
teeth,
didest thou."
King.
The very same.
know him well. He is And gem of all the nation. Laer.
For
me?
Laer. I'm lost in
Upon my life, Lamond.
Laer.
King.
'Tis Hamlet's character.
Can you It
and no such thing?
Know you the hand?
King.
63
A Norman.
King.
King.
back? Laer.
—
—
Not that
think
Why ask you this? no you did not love your
father; I know love is begun by time; And that I see, in passages of proof, Time qualifies the spark and fire of it.
But that
There lives within the very flame of love A kind of wick or snuff that will abate it;
And nothing is
It falls right.
You have been talk'd of since your travel much, And that in Hamlet's hearing, for a quality Wherein, they say, you shine: your sum of
I
at a like
goodness
still;
For goodness, growing to a plurisy, Dies in his own too much. That we would do, should do when we would; for this "would"
We
changes
paits
120
Did not together pluck such envy from him As did that one, and that, in my regard,
And hath abatements
Of the unworthiest siege. What part is that, my lord? Laer.
And then this
"should"
That hurts by
easing. But, to the quick o' the
As
King. A very riband in the cap of youth, Yet needful too; for youth no less becomes So The light and careless livery that it wears Than settled age his sables and his weeds, Importing health and graveness. Two months
Here was
a gentleman of Normandy;
I've seen myself,
Laer.
ulcer
More than in words?
in forgery
of shapes and
tricks,
A Norman was't?
To cut his throat
Laer.
No place,
indeed, should
i'
the church.
murder sanc-
Revenge should have no bounds. But, good Laertes,
Will you do
129 this,
keep close within your cham-
ber.
return'd shall
We'll put on those
thought, I,
like a spendthrift sigh,
Hamlet comes back. What would you undertake, To show yourself your father's son in deed
Hamlet
As had he been incorpsed and demi-natured With the brave beast. So far he topp'd my
Come short of what he did.
is
tuarize;
and served against, the French,
And they can well on horseback: but this gallant Had witchcraft in't; he grew unto his seat; And to such wondrous doing brought his horse,
That
many
there are tongues, are hands, are accidents;
King.
since,
and delays as
90
know you are come home.
shall praise
your excellence
And set a double varnish on the fame The Frenchman gave you, bring you in fine together
And wager on your heads. He,
being remiss.
HAMLET
64
Most generous and
free
from
all
Will not peruse the foils; so that, with ease, Or with a little shuffling, you may choose A sword unbated, and in a pass of practice Requite him for your father. I will do 't; Laer. 140 And, for that purpose, I'll anoint my sword. I bought an unction of a mountebank, So mortal that, but dip a knife in it, Where it draws blood no cataplasm so rare, Collected from all simples that have virtue Under the moon, can save the thing from death That is but scratch'd withal. I'll touch my point
With this contagion, It may be death.
that, if I gall
him
slightly,
Let's further think of this;
King.
ACT V
Unto that element. But long it could not be
contriving,
149
Till that her garments,
Pull'd the poor wretch
To muddy death. Alas, then, she
Laer.
Laer.
Too much of water hast thou, poor
Ophelia, forbid my tears. But yet our trick; Nature her custom holds, Let shame say what it will; when these are gone, The woman will be out. Adieu, my lord: 190 I have a speech of fire, that fain would blaze, But that this folly douts it. [Exit. King. Let's follow, Gertrude. How much I had to do to calm his rage!
And therefore I It is
Now fear
May fit us to our shape:
Therefore
should
fail,
drown'd?
is
Queen. Drown'd, drown'd.
Weigh what convenience both of time and means if this
heavy with their drink, from her melodious lay
I
this will give it start again;
follow.
let's
[Exeunt.
And that our drift look through our bad per-
ACT V
formance,
'Twere
better not assay 'd: therefore this project
Scene
Should have a back or second, that might hold, If this should blast in proof. Soft! let
We'll make a solemn wager on your cunnings. I
1st Clo. Is
A churchyard
she to be buried in Christian burial
that wilfully seeks her
ha't:
When in your motion you are hot and dry
2nd
As make your bouts more violent to that end And that he calls for drink, I'll have prepared him
and 160
by chance escape your venom'd stuck,
Our purpose may hold there.
own salvation?
Clo. I tell thee she is;
her grave straight.
A chalice for the nonce, whereon but sipping, If he
i.
Enter two clowns, with spades, &c.
me see:
and therefore make hath sat on her,
The crowner
finds it Christian burial.
How
1st Clo.
can that be, unless she drowned
own defence? 2nd Clo. Why, 'tis found so.
herself in her
must be se offendendo; it cannot be For here lies the point: if I drown myself wittingly, it argues an act, and an act hath three branches; it is, to act, to do, and to perform: argal, she drowned herself wittingly. Clo. It
1 st
else.
Enter queen.
How now, sweet queen! Queen.
One woe doth
tread
upon another's
heel,
Laer.
Nay, but hear you, goodman delver Give me leave. Here lies the water; good. Here stands the man; good. If the man go
Queen.
to this water, and
So
fast
they follow. Your
sister's
drown'd,
Laertes.
Drown'd! O, where? There is a willow grows aslant a brook, That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream; There with fantastic garlands did she come 169 Of crow- flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples
That
liberal shepherds give a grosser name, But our cold maids do dead men's fingers call them; There, on the pendent boughs her coronet weeds Clambering to hang, an envious sliver broke; When down her weedy trophies and herself jk Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread ^
wide;
2nd 1 st
nill
Clo.
Clo.
he, he goes
come
to
drown
himself,
—mark you
that.
it is,
But
if
will he,
the water
him and drown him, he drowns not himhe that
self; argal,
shortens not his
is
not guilty of his
own
death
own life.
2nd Clo. But is this law? 1st Clo. Ay, marry, is't; crowner's quest law. 2nd Clo. Will you ha' the truth on't? If this had not been a gentlewoman, she should have been buried out 1st Clo.
o'
Christian burial.
Why,
there thou say'st; and the
more
pity that great folk should have countenance in this
world to drown or hang themselves, more
And, mermaid-like, awhile they bore her up;
than their even Christian.
Which time she chanted snatches of old tunes; As one incapable of her own distress, Or like a creature native and indued 180
There
is
ditchers,
Come,
my
spade.
no ancient gentlemen but gardeners, and grave-makers; they hold up Adam's
profession.
— SCENE
HAMLET
I
Was he a gentleman?
2nd Clo.
1st Clo. A' was the first that ever bore arms. 2nd Clo. Why, he had none. 35) 1st Clo. What, art a heathen? How dost thou
understand the Scripture? The Scripture says "Adam digged"; could he dig without arms? I'll put another question to thee. If thou answerest
me not to the purpose, 2nd Clo.
Go to.
1st Clo.
What
either the
confess thyself
is he that builds stronger than mason, the shipwright, or the carpen-
ter?
2nd
The gallows-maker;
Clo.
for that
frame
good
faith.
outlives a thousand tenants. Clo.
1st
50
wit well,
like thy
I
in
gallows does well; but how does it well? it does well to those that do ill. Now thou dost ill to say the gallows is built stronger than the
The
may do
church; argal, the gallows
"Who
Clo.
might,
my lord. courtier;
Hor.
1st Clo.
Enter 1st Clo.
your
Ham. There's
I
cannot
hamlet and horatio,
not that be be his quiddities
and his
Why does he suffer this rude knave now
knock him about the sconce with a dirty him of his action of battery? Hum! This fellow might be in's time a to
at a distance.
shovel, and will not tell
Cudgel thy brains no more about it, for mend his pace with beat-
dull ass will not
when you
Why may
Where
his quillets, his cases, his tenures,
tricks?
tell.
another.
the skull of a lawyer?
now,
To't.
1st Clo.
[Sings]
and a spade, a spade, For and a shrouding sheet; O, a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet." Throws up another skull.
builds stronger than a mason,
60
89
"A pick-axe,
a shipwright, or a carpenter?"
2nd Clo. Mass,
It
which could say "Good morrow, sweet lord! How dost thou, good lord?" This might be my Lord Such-a-one, that praised my Lord Such-a-one' s horse, when he meant to beg it; might it not? Hor. Ay, my lord. Ham. Why, e'en so; and now my Lady Worm's; chapless, and knocked about the mazzard with a sexton's spade. Here's fine revolution, an we had the trick to see't. Did these bones cost no mor« the breeding, but to play at loggats with 'em? mine ache to think on't. 101
well to thee.
1st Clo. Ay, tell me that, and unyoke. 2nd Clo. Marry, now I can tell.
It
Ham. Or of a
To't again, come.
2nd
65
might be the pate of a politician, which this ass now o'er-reaches; one that would circumvent God, might it not? murder!
great buyer of land, with his statutes, his recog-
are asked this question next,
nizances, his fines, his double vouchers, his re-
say "a grave-maker": the houses that he makes last till doomsday. Go, get thee to Yaughan:
coveries. Is this the fine of his fines, and the re-
ing; and,
fetch
me a stoup of liquor. [Exit
SECOND CLOWN.
He digs, and sings. "In youth,
when
I
did love, did love,
Methought it was very sweet, To contract, O, the time, for, ah,
70
my be-
hove, ,,
O, methought, there was nothing meet. Ham. Has this fellow no feeling of his business, that he sings at grave-making?
Hot. Custom hath made
it
in
him
a property
of
Whose grave's this,
easiness.
Ham.
'Tis e'en so.
The hand of little employ-
ment hath the daintier 1 st
covery of his recoveries, to have his fine pate full of fine dirt? Will his vouchers vouch him no more of his purchases, and double ones too, than the length and breadth of a pair of indentures? The very conveyances of his lands will hardly lie in this box; and must the inheritor himself have no more, ha? Hor. Not a jot more, my lord. Ham. Is not parchment made of sheep- skins? Hor. Av, my lord, and of calf-skins too. Ham. They are sheep and calves which seek out assurance in that. I will speak to this fellow.
sense.
1st Clo.
Mine,
a pit of clay for to be made For such a guest is meet."
[Sings]
"O,
Ham.
think
Clo. [Sings]
"But age, with
his stealing steps,
Hath claw'd me in his
clutch,
80
And hath shipped me intil the land, As if I had never been such." Throws up a skull.
Ham. That sing once. as if
it
had a tongue in it, and could the knave jowls it to the ground,
skull
How
were Cain's jaw-bone,
that did the first
sirrah?
sir.
I
it
be thine, indeed; for thou
/50 liest
in't. 1st Clo.
You
lie
not yours. For it is mine.
Ham. Thou
out on't,
my part,
dost
I
lie in't,
sir, and therefore it is do not lie in't, and yet
to be in't and say
it is
thine. 'Tis for the dead, not for the quick; there-
fore thou
liest.
HAMLET
66
Tis
ist Clo.
a quick
'twill
lie, sir;
away
again,
from me to you
14°
Ham. What man dost thou dig 1st Clo.
For no man,
1st Clo.
that
was
a
1st Clo.
woman,
sir;
but, rest
we must
is!
speak by the card, or equivocation will undo us. By the Lord, Horatio, these three years I have taken note of it; the age is grown so picked that the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier, he galls his kibe. How long hast
thou been a grave-maker? 1st Clo. Of all the days i' the year, I came to 't that day that our last king Hamlet overcame Fortinbras.
How long is that since? Cannot you tell that? every fool can tell was the very day that young Hamlet was
1st Clo.
that. It
mad, and sent into England. Ham. Ay, marry, why was he sent into Eng-
born; he that
is
land?
Why,
1st Clo.
because he was mad.
He
recover his wits there; or, if he do not,
shall
it's
no
great matter there.
Ham. Why?
men are as mad as he. Ham. How came he mad? 1st Clo. Very strangely, they Ham. How strangely?
him
there; there
170
the
1st Clo.
Faith, e'en
Why,
—
as
we
V
with losing
his wits.
here in Denmark.
many pocky
I
have been ere he
corses now-a-days,
that will scarce hold the laying in
Why,
220
so.
Hor. E'en
so,
—he
will last will
tanned with his trade, that he will keep out water a great while; and your water is a sore decay er of your whoreson dead body. Here's a skull now; this skull has sir,
his hide is so
lain in the earth three
Ham. Whose was
pah!
my lord.
Ham. To what ratio! Why may
base uses
we may
return,
Ho-
not imagination trace the noble till
he find
it
stopping a bung-
hole?
Hor. 'Twere to consider too curiously, to connot a jot; but to follow him modesty enough, and likelihood to thus: Alexander died, Alexander was faith,
as
it;
buried, Alexander returneth into dust; the dust
you some eight year or nine year. A tanner last you nine year. Ham. Why he more than another? 1st Clo.
the earth?
Ham. And smelt so? Puts down the skull.
lead
179 faith, if he be not rotten before he die
have
i'
Hor. E'en
thither with
man and boy, thirty years. Ham. How long will a man lie i' the earth 1st Clo.
fashion
Ham. No,
say.
sexton here, rot?
!
sider so.
Ham. Upon what ground? 1st Clo.
his
dust of Alexander,
'Twill not be seen in
1st Clo.
of most excellent fancy. He hath borne me back a thousand times; and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is my gorge rises at it. Here hung those lips that I have kissed I know not how oft. Where be your gibes now? your gambols? your songs? your flashes of merriment, that were wont to set the table on a roar? Not one now, to mock your own grinning? quite chap-fallen? Now get you to my lady's chamber, and tell her, let her paint an inch thick, to this favour she must come; make her laugh at that. Prithee, Horatio, tell me one thing. Hor. What's that, my lord? Ham. Dost thou think Alexander looked o' this
jest,
on
her soul, she's dead. Ham. How absolute the knave
Ham.
200
E'en that. Ham. Let me see. [Takes the skull.} Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite
then?
For none, neither.
One
jester.
Ham. This?
Who is to be buried in't?
1st Clo.
poured a flagon of Rhenish on my head once. This same skull, sir, was Yorick's skull, the King's
for?
sir.
Ham. What woman,
Ham.
it
actv
and twenty years.
191
it?
1st Clo. A whoreson mad fellow's it was. Whose do you think it was? Ham. Nay, I know not. 1st Clo. A pestilence on him for a mad rogue! a*
is
loam; and why of that loam, whereto he was converted, might they not earth; of earth
we make
stop a beer-barrel?
Imperious Caesar, dead and turn'd to clay,
Might stop a hole to keep the wind away. O, that that earth, which kept the world in awe, Should patch a wall to expel the winter's flaw! But soft, but soft! aside: here comes the King, Enter priests, &c. in procession; the corpse of ophelia, laertes and Mourners following; king, queen, their
The Queen,
trains,
the courtiers.
&c.
Who is this they fol-
low?
And with such maimed rites? This doth betoken The corse they follow did with desperate hand Fordo it own life. 'Twas of some estate. Couch we awhile, and mark. [Retiring with horatio.
—
!
scene Laer.
HAMLET
i
What ceremony else?
Ham.
A
That
is
Laertes,
very noble youth; mark.
Laer.
What ceremony else?
ist Priest.
thy wiseness fear: hold off thy hand. King. Pluck them asunder. Hamlet, Hamlet! Queen.
249
As we have warranty. Her death was doubtful; that great command o'ersways the
The Attendants part them, and
ground unsanctified have lodged
in
Until
flints,
and pebbles should be thrown on
Yet here she
is
allow'd her virgin crants,
Of bell and burial. Must there no more be done? No more be done.
First Priest.
We should profane the service of the dead To sing a requiem and
such rest to her
Lay her
Laer.
And from her fair
i'
and unpolluted
May violets spring!
the earth,
flesh
thee, churlish priest,
I tell
A ministering angel shall my sister be, When thou liest howling. What,
Ham.
the fair Ophelia!
Queen. Sweets to the sweet; farewell! Scattering flowers.
290
I
loved Ophelia. Forty thousand broth-
Could not, with all their quantity of love, Make up my sum. What wilt thou do for her? King. O, he is mad, Laertes. Queen. For love of God, forbear him. Ham. 'Swounds, show me what thou'lt do. Woo't weep? woo't fight? woo't fast? woo't tear thyself?
Woo't drink up eisel? eat a crocodile? I'll do't. Dost thou come here to whine?
hoped thou shouldst have been my Hamlet's
Be buried quick with her, and so will I; And, if thou prate of mountains, let them throw Millions of acres on us, till our ground, Singeing his pate against the burning zone,
Make Ossa like a wart! Nay,
thought thy bride-bed to have deck'd, sweet maid, And not have strew'd thy grave.
O, treble woe on that cursed head, 270 Whose wicked deed thy most ingenious sense Deprived thee of! Hold off the earth awhile, Till I have caught her once more in mine arms. Laer.
Fall ten times treble
an thou'lt mouth,
rant as well as thou.
This
Queen.
And thus
I
Anon,
awhile the
fit
will
is
mere madness,
work on him;
as patient as the female dove,
When that her golden couplets are disclosed, His silence will
sit
flat
a
Ham.
Hear you,
sir;
What is the reason that you use me thus? I loved you ever. But it is no matter; Let Hercules himself do what he may, The cat will mew and dog will have his day.
[Exit.
mountain you have made,
To o'ertop old Pelion, or the skyish head Of blue Olympus. Ham. [Advancing] What is he whose grief Bears such an emphasis? whose phrase of sorrow Conjures the wandering stars, and makes them stand
280 Like wonder- wounded hearers? This is I, Hamlet the Dane. [Leaps into the grave.] The devil take thy soul Laer. Grappling with him. prithee, take thy fingers
Yet have
I
I
am not
something
from
I
Dray you, good Horatio, wait upon him.
[Exit HORATIO. [To laer tes] Strengthen your patience in our last night's
speech;
We'll put the matter to the present push. Good Gertrude, set some watch over your son. This grave shall have a living monument. 320 An hour of quiet shortly shall we see; Till then, in patience our proceeding be. [Exeunt.
Scene
ii.
A hall in the castle
hamlet and horatio.
Ham. So much for this,
my throat;
splenitive and rash, in
King.
Enter
Ham. Thou pray'st not well. For, though
5/0
drooping.
into the grave.
Now pile your dust upon the quick and dead, of this
300
To outface me with leaping in her grave?
I'll
wife;
I
my eyelids will no longer wag. O my son, what theme?
Ham.
260
to peace-parted souls.
Till
this
ers
Her maiden strewments, and the bringing home
Leaps
with him upon
Queen.
her:
I
will fight
I
theme
Till the last trumpet; for charitable prayers,
As
be quiet.
they come out of
the grave.
Ham. Why,
order,
Laer.
Good my lord,
Hor.
as far en-
And, but
Shards,
let
Gentlemen
All.
Her obsequies have been
larged
She should
67
Which
me dangerous,
sir;
now shall you see
the other;
You do remember all the circumstance? Hor. Remember it, my lord!
HAMLET
68
Ham.
Sir, in
my heart there was a kind of fightlet
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;
Rough-hew them how we will That Hor. Ham. Up from my cabin,
The changeling never known. Now,
is
most
to find out them; had
employment;
my desire,
Between the pass and Of mighty opposites.
My fears forgetting manners, to unseal Their grand commission; where I found, Horatio
royal knavery!
Hor.
Ham. Does
it
fell
Why, what a king is this! me now
not, thinks't thee, stand
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 con-
—
science,
To quit him with this arm? To
and is't not to be damn'd, let this canker of our nature come
In further evil?
leisure.
But wilt thou hear me how I did proceed? Hor. I beseech you. Ham. Being thus be-netted round with vila prologue to
—
my brains,
it,
as
our
known to him from
What is the issue of the business there. 50
They had begun the play I sat me down, Devised a new commission, wrote it fair. once did hold
jo
Hor. It must be shortly England
lainies
make
Ham. 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
statists do,
A baseness to write fair and labour'd much
The portraiture of his.
How to forget that learning, but, sir, now
But, sure, the bravery of his grief did put
It
did
me yeoman's
service.
Wilt thou know
Hor.
Ay, good
40
ish,
As peace should still her wheaten garland wear And stand a comma 'tween their amities, And many such-like as's of great charge, That, on the view and knowing of these contents, Without debatement further, more or less,
Peace!
Hor. No,
my good lord.
Ham. Thy state is the more gracious; for 'tis a vice to know him. He hath much land, and fertile;
be lord of beasts, and his crib King's mess. 'Tis a chough; say, spacious in the possession of dirt.5>o
let a beast
but, as
How was this seal'd?
Ham. Why, even in that was heaven ordinant.
my purse,
80
water-fly?
Not shriving-time allow'd.
father's signet in
who comes here?
Osr. Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark. Ham. I humbly thank you, sir. Dost know this
shall stand at the
had my
me
Enter OSRIC.
He should the bearers put to sudden death,
I
court his favours.
my lord.
Ham. An earnest conjuration from the King, As England was his faithful tributary, As love between them like the palm might flour-
Hor.
I'll
Into a towering passion.
The effect of what I wrote? Hor.
60
incensed points
upon
—an exact command,
20 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. Is't possible? Hor. Ham. Here's the commission; read it at more
1
was sequent
this
They are not near my conscience; their defeat Does by their own insinuation grow. 'Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes
To mine own room again; making so bold,
could
and what to
Hor. So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to't. Ham. Why, man, they did make love to this
certain.
Finger'd their packet, and in fine withdrew
I
the next
day
w
My sea-gown scarf d about me, in the dark
Ere
it
Thou know' st already.
There's a divinity that shapes our ends,
I
50
safely,
Was our sea-fight;
and that should
teach us
Groped
seal;
Folded the writ up in form of the other, Subscribed it, gave't the impression, placed
ing'
That would not
ACT V
Which was the model of that Danish
Osr. I
I
Sweet
lord, if your lordship
were
at leisure,
should impart a thing to you from his majesty. Ham. I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of
——
——
— HAMLET
scene n Put your bonnet to his right use;
spirit.
'tis
for
thank your lordship, it is very hot. believe me, 'tis very cold; the wind
I
Ham. No, is
northerly.
Osr. It
is
99
indifferent cold,
Ham. But for
yet methinks
my lord, indeed.
it is
very sultry and hot
my complexion.
Osr. Exceedingly,
—
my
lord;
it is
very sultry
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 as 'twere
I
cannot
tell
Nay, good
faith. Sir,
here
my lord;
is
for
mine
ease, in
good
newly come to court Laertes; most
believe me, an absolute gentleman, full of
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
him the continent of what part
man would Ham. Sir,
a gentle-
see. his
definement suffers no perdition in
know, to divide him inventorially would dizzy the arithmetic of memory, and yet
you; though, but
yaw
I
neither, in respect of his quick sail. But,
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. Osr. Your lordship speaks most infallibly of in the verity
him.
Ham. The concernancy, the gentleman in our
sir?
why do we wrap
more rawer
breath?
Hor. Is't not possible to understand in another tongue? You will do't, sir, really. Ham. What imports the nomination of this gentleman?
Of Laertes?
Hor. His purse
words are
empty
already;
all's
golden
is
I
matter, if
we
to the 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? iji Osr. The 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. Ham. How if I answer "no"? Osr. I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial. ijy Ham. Sir, 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.
I
Ham. To your nature
re-deliver
you e'en
this effect, sir;
so?
after
what
flourish
will.
Osr. I commend my duty to your lordship. Ham. Yours, yours. [Exit osric] He does well to commend it himself; there are no tongues else
Hor. Tiis lapwing runs away with the shell on
were to know himself. Osr. I mean, sir, for his weapon; but in the imputation laid on him by them, in his meed he's
Ham. He did comply with his dug, before he 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 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.
well,
unfellowed.
the margent
you had done.
his head.
spent.
dare not confess that, lest I should compare with him in excellence; but, to know a man
Ham.
Ham. What call you the carriages? Hor. I knew you must be edified by
for's turn. is
Ham. Of him, sir. Osr. I know you are not ignorant Ham. I would you did, sir; yet, in faith, if you did, it would not much approve me. Well, sir? Osr. You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes
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.
Osr. Shall
130
Osr. Sir?
Osr.
weapon?
Osr. The carriages, sir, are the hangers. Ham. The phrase would be more german
Ham. I beseech you, remember hamlet moves him to put on his hat.
find in
his
Ham. That's two of his weapons; but, well. Osr. The King, sir, hath wagered with him
ere
matter,
Osr.
Ham. What's
Osr. Rapier and dagger.
the head. Osr.
69
i$o
Enter a lord. Lord. to
My
Lord, his Majesty
commended him
you by young Osric, who brings back
to him,
HAMLET
7o that
you attend him
if your pleasure
you
in the hall.
He sends to know
hold to play with Laertes, or that
now
or whensoever, provided
I
follow is
be so able
now.
211
The King and Queen and
Lord.
all
are
coming
down.
Ham.
In
Lord.
The Queen
happy time. desires
you
to use
entertainment to Laertes before you
some gentle fall
to play.
[Exit lord. Ham. She well instructs me. Hot. You will lose this wager, my lord. Ham. I do not think so; since he went into
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. Hot. Nay, good my lord Ham. It is but foolery; but it is such a kind of France,
I
would perhaps trouble a woman. Hot. If your mind dislike anything, obey it. I will forestall their repair hither, and say you are
gain-giving, as
229 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? Let be. not
fit.
Ham. Not
a whit,
have shot mine arrow o'er the house, brother.
Laer.
the King's pleasure. If his fitness speaks, mine
ready;
ACT V I
And hurt my
will take longer time.
Ham. I am constant to my purposes; they
as
That
we
I
Whose motive,
To my revenge; I
am
satisfied in nature,
in this case, should stir
me most
my terms of honour
but in
stand aloof, and will no reconcilement,
by some elder masters, of known honour, have a voice and precedent of peace, 2 60 To keep my name ungored. But till that time, I do receive your offer 'd love like love, Till I
And will not wrong it. I embrace it freely; Ham. And will this brother's wager frankly play. Give us the foils. Come on. Come, one
Laer.
Ham.
I'll
be your
foil,
for
me.
Laertes; in mine ignor-
ance
Your
skill shall, like a star
i'
the darkest night,
Stick fiery off indeed. Laer. You mock me, Ham. No, by this hand.
King. Give them the
foils,
Hamlet,
sir.
young Osric. Cousin 270
You know the wager? Ham. Very well, my lord; Your Grace hath King.
I
odds o' the weaker side. have seen you both; better'd, we have therefore odds. laid the
do not fear
it; I
But since he is Laer. This is too heavy, let me see another. Ham. This likes me well. These foils have all a length?
Enter king, queen, laertes, osric, Lords, and Attendants with foils and gauntlets; a table and flagons of ivine on
it.
King. Set
King. Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand
from me. The king puts laertes' hand into hamlet's. Ham. Give 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 240
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,
They prepare to play. Osr. Ay, my good lord. of wine upon that
table.
Or quit in answer of the third exchange, Let
all
the battlements their ordnance
280
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 drinks to Hamlet." Come, begin;
And you, the judges, bear a wary eye. Ham. Come on, sir. Laer.
Come,
290
my lord.
They play.
then? His madness. I ft be so,
Hamlet is of the faction that is wrong'd; His madness is poor Hamlet's enemy.
me the stoups
If Hamlet give the first or second hit,
Ham. 250
Laer.
Sir, in this audience,
Ham.
Let my disclaiming from a purposed evil Free me so far in your most generous thoughts,
Laer.
Osr.
One. No. Judgement.
A hit, a very palpable hit. Well; again.
— SCENE
!
!
King. Stay; give
me drink.
Hamlet,
this pearl is
thine;
Here's to thy health. Trumpets sound, and cannon shot off within.
A touch, a touch,
Stabs the king.
Our son
win.
shall
fat, and scant of breath. Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows. The Queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet. 300
He's
Queen.
Ham. Good madam! Queen.
I
my lord;
will,
King. [Aside]
I
pray you, pardon me.
the poison'd cup;
It is
it is
too
late.
Ham.
dare not drink yet,
I
Queen.
Come,
let
My lord,
Laer.
hit
I
Laer. [Aside]
And yet 'tis
do not think' t.
almost 'gainst
my
I
That are but mutes or audiences
Had
for the third, Laertes;
you but
But
—
let it be.
Say you so? come on. They play. Osr. Nothing, neither way. Laer. Have at you now! laertes wounds hamlet; then, in scuffling, they change rapiers, and hamlet wounds laertes. Part them; they are incensed. King. Ham. Nay, come, again. The queen falls. Osr. Look to the Queen there, ho Hor. They bleed on both sides. How is it, my
report
I
I
could
tell
Death,
you
am dead;
me and my cause aright
Never
believe
it.
55/
am more an antique Roman than a Dane;
Here's yet some liquor
left.
Ham.
As thou'rt a man, Give me the cup. Let go! By heaven, I'll have't. good Horatio, what a wounded name, Things standing thus unknown, shall live behind me! If thou didst ever hold
Absent thee from
me in thy heart,
felicity awhile,
And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain,
To tell my story. March afar off, and shot within
How is't, Laertes? Why,
as a
What warlike noise is this?
woodcock to mine own springe,
Osr.
No, Hamlet
no, the drink, the drink
5 60
come
This warlike volley.
—O my dear 520
The drink, the drink! I am poison'd. Ham. O villainy! Ho! let the door be Treachery! Seek
it
[Dies.
lock'd;
out.
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 practice Hath turn'd itself on me; lo, here I lie, 325* is
Fortinbras, with conquest
To the ambassadors of England gives
She s wounds to see them bleed.
King. Queen.
Young
from Poland,
Osric;
am justly kill'd with mine own treachery. Ham. How does the Queen?
Laer. It
—O,
Horatio,
Hor. I
lord?
Laer.
to this act,
as this fell sergeant,
To the unsatisfied 5/0
Laer.
I
but time
Thou livest;
pray you, pass with your best violence; am afeard you make a wanton of me.
Osr.
I
Is strict in his arrest
dally.
I
thee.
am dead, Horatio. Wretched Queen, adieu! You that look pale and tremble at this chance,
conscience.
Ham. Come,
by himself. 55^ Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet. Mine and my father's death come not upon thee, Nor thine on me [Dies. Ham. Heaven make thee free of it! I follow a poison temper'd
I
him now.
King.
He is justly served;
Laer.
madam; by and by.
me wipe thy face.
I'll
King. O, yet defend me, friends; I am but hurt. thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane, Drink off this potion. Is thy union here? Follow my mother. [king dies. It is
Gertrude, do not drink.
King.
All. Treason! treason!
Ham. Here,
do confess.
I
7i
Never to rise again. Thy mother's poison'd. I can no more. The King, the King's to blame. Ham. The point envenom'd too! Then, venom, to thy work.
Give him the cup.
Ham. I'll play this bout first; set it by awhile. Come. [They play.] Another hit; what say you? King.
—
.
HAMLET
II
Laer.
.
here, Hamlet.
Ham. O, I die, Horatio; The potent poison quite o'er-crows my spirit. 1
cannot live to hear the news from England,
do prophesy the election lights he has my dying voice. So tell him, with the occurrents, more and Which have solicited. The rest is silence. But
I
On Fortinbras;
less,
[Dies.
Hor. Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince; 370 And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest! does the drum come hither?
Why
March within.
HAMLET
72
ACT V
Of deaths put on by cunning and forced cause, Enter fortinbras, the English ambassadors,
and others. Fort.
Where is this
sight?
What is it ye would see? of woe or wonder, cease your search. Fort. 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? Hor.
If aught
The sight is dismal; Amb. And our affairs from England come too late. The ears are senseless that should give us hearist
To tell him his commandment is
fulfill'd,
5 81
That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead.
Where
should
Not from his mouth,
Hor.
Had
it
we have our thanks?
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; 5 #9 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 judgements, casual slaughters,
And,
Fall'n
purposes mistook on the inventors' heads: all this can
Truly
deliver.
in this upshot,
Let us haste to hear
Fort.
And
call the
I
it,
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. Hor.
Of that I
shall
have also cause to speak,
And from his mouth whose voice
will
draw on
more. let this same be presently perform'd, Even while men's minds are wild; lest more mis-
But
chance,
On plots
and errors, happen. Let 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 pasFort.
sage,
The
soldiers' music and the rites of war 410 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.
.
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
hp
DRAMATIS PERSONS John Falstaff Fenton, a gentleman Shallow, a country justice Slender, cousin to Shallow ORD dwelling
Robin, page to Falstaff Simple, servant to Slender
Sir
two gentlemen p William Page, a boy, Sir
Hugh
Evans,
a
son
to
John Rugby,
Two at
Windsor
to
to
Doctor Caius
Ford
Mistress Ford Mistress Page
Page
Anne
Welsh parson
Doctor Caius, a French Host of the Garter Inn Bardolph
servant
Servants
Page, her daughter
Mistress Quickly, servant Some Children, as fairies
physician
Non-Speaking
:
Servants
to
to
Doctor Caius
Page and Ford
sharpers attending on Falstaff
Pistol
Scene Windsor, and
Nym
:
the neighborhood
*z ACT Scene
i.
Evans. Yes, py'r lady; if he has a quarter of coat, there is but three skirts for yourself,
I
your
Windsor: before Page's house
Shal. Sir
Hugh, persuade me
not;
I
will
Sir
make
a
Star chamber matter of it. If he were twenty Sir John FalstafFs, he shall not abuse Robert Shallow,
Shal.
Sim. In the county of Gloucester, justice of peace and "Coram." Shal. Ay, cousin Slender, and "Custalorum." Slen.
Ay, and "Rato-lorum"
there
Evans.
familiar beast to
man, and
Shal.
The luce
is
louses
end
it
is
signifies love.
the fresh
fish;
the salt fish
is
Not
if he
life, if I
were young
it.
petter that friends
and there
is
is
again, the
4/ the sword, and
also another device in
my
an
upon
a
his death' s-bed
— take seventeen years if
quarter
council,
21
may quarter, coz. Shal. You may, by marrying. marring indeed,
The
Slen. Mistress Anne Page? She has brown hair, and speaks small like a woman. Evans. It is that fery person for all the orld, as just as you will desire; and seven hundred pounds of moneys, and gold and silver, is her grandsire
Slen. I
Shal.
it;
It is
resurrections!
It is
in a riot.
virginity
old coat.
Evans.
a riot.
which peradventure prings goot discretions with it: there is Anne Page, which is daughter to Master Thomas Page, which is pretty
do become an
agrees well, passant;
it
it; it is
prain,
an old coat.
The dozen white
no fear of Got
is
Shal. Ha! o' my sword should end
their coat.
old coat well;
hear
that.
writes himself
"Armigero," in any bill, warrant, quittance, or // obligation, "Armigero." Shal. Ay, that I do; and have done any time these three hundred years. Slen. All his successors gone before him hath done't; and all his ancestors that come after him may. They may give the dozen white luces in Slial. It is
shall
not meet the council hear a riot;
It is
look you, shall desire to hear the fear of Got, and not to hear a riot; take your vizaments in
too; and a gentle-
who
born, master parson;
Evans.
The council
Evans.
esquire.
man
my
simple conjectures. But that is all one. If John Falstaff have committed disparagements unto you, I am of the church, and will be glad to do my benevolence to make atonements and cornpremises between you. in
Enter justice shallow, slender, and sir HUGH EVANS.
we
a whit.
tress
71
—Got
deliver to a joyful
when
she
old. It
were a goot motion
is
able to over-
leave our pribbles and prabbles, and desire
a marriage
it.
give,
between Master Abraham and Mis-
Anne Page.
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
74
Slen. Did her grandsire leave her seven hundred 60 pound? Evans. Ay, and her father is make her a petter penny. Slen. I know the young gentlewoman; she has
good
gifts.
Evans. Seven hundred pounds and possibilities is
goot
us see honest Master Page. Is
let
PISTOL. Fal. Now, Master me to the King?
Shal. Knight, you have beaten my my deer, and broke open my lodge.
you
a lie?
I
do despise
a liar
as I do despise one that is false, or as I despise one that is not true. The knight, Sir John, is there; and, I beseech you, be ruled by your well-willers. I will peat the door for Master Page. [Knocks] What, hoa! Gotpless your house
here!
Who's there?
Page. [Within]
men,
killed
But not kissed your keeper's daughter? Tut, a pin! this shall be answered. I will answer it straight; I have done
Fal. tell
I
Shallow, you'll complain of
Shal.
Falstaff there?
Evans. Shall
I
Enter sir john falstaff, bardolph, nym, and
Fal.
gifts.
Well,
Shal.
ACT
all
this.
That
now answered. The council shall know this.
is
Shal.
120
were known
in
Evans. Pauca verba, Sir John; goot worts. Fal. Good worts! good cabbage. Slender,
I
'Twere
Fal.
better for
you
counsel: you'll be laughed
if it
at.
broke your head; what matter have you against
me? Enter page.
Slender, that peradventures shall tale, if matters
other
Page.
I
am glad to
grow to your
tell
you
an-
see your worships well.
thank you for my venison, Master Shallow. 81 Shal. Master Page, I am glad to see you. Much good do it your good heart! I wished your venison better; it was ill killed. How doth good and I thank you always with Mistress Page? my heart, la! with my heart. Page. Sir, I thank you. Shal. Sir, I thank you; by yea and no, I do. Page. I am glad to see you, good Master
—
90
Slender.
How
does your fallow greyhound, I heard say he was outrun on Cotsall. Page. I could not be judged, sir. Slen. You'll not confess, you'll not confess. Shal.
your
That he
fault; 'tis a
Page.
will not. 'Tis
your
fault,
sir?
'tis
good dog.
Shal. Sir, he's a
more
good dog, and a fair dog; can he is good and fair. Is Sir 100
within; and
I
would
I
could do a
good office between you. Evans.
It
is
Page. Sir, he doth in it
some
be confessed,
not that so, Master Page?
Ay,
73 o
Nym.
it is
Slice, I say! pauca, pauca. Slice! that's
humour. Slen. Where's Simple,
my
man? Can you
my tell,
cousin?
Evans. Peace,
There
stand.
is
pray you.
I
Now
let
us under-
three umpires in this matter,
I understand; that is, Master Page, fidelicet Master Page; and there is myself, fidelicet myself; and the three party is, lastly and finally, mine host of the Garter. Page. three, to hear it and end it between them. Evans. Fery goot. I will make a prief of it in my note-book; and we will afterwards ork upon
as
we can.
He hears with ears.
Pist.
sort confess it is
He
Here comes
Sir John.
i$o
The tevil and his tarn! what phrase is "He hears with ear"? why, it is affecta-
Evans. this,
tions. Pistol,
did
you pick Master
Slender's
purse?
Ay, by these
gloves, did he, or
I
would
I
might never come in mine own great chamber again else, of seven groats in mill-sixpences, and
Master Page. it.
not redressed. Is
hath wronged me;
indeed he hath; at a word, he hath, believe me: Robert Shallow, esquire, saith, he is wronged. Page.
You Banbury cheese!
no matter. Pist. How now, Mephostophilus! Slen. Ay, it is no matter.
Slen.
He hath wronged me,
Shal. If
Nym,
Bardolph,
Bard.
Fal.
spoke as a Christians ought to
speak. Shal.
cals,
Fal. Pistol!
said?
is
have matter in my head your cony-catching rasand Pistol.
the cause with as great discreetly as
John Falstaff here? Page. Sir, he
I
We
A cur, sir.
there be
sir,
against you; and against
Slen.
likings.
I
Slen.
Marry,
Slen.
Evans. Here is Got's plessing, and your friend, and Justice Shallow; and here young Master
111
two Edward shovel-boards, that cost me two shilling and two pence a-piece of Yead Miller, 161 by these gloves. Fal. Is this true, Pistol?
Evans. No;
it is false, if it is
a pick-purse.
SCENE
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
I
75
John
Come, coz; come, coz; we stay for you. A word with you, coz; marry, this, coz: there is, as 'twere, a tender, a kind of tender, made afar off by Sir Hugh here. Do you understand me? Slen. Ay, sir, you shall find me reasonable; if it
avised, sir, and pass good humours. "marry trap" with you, if you run the nuthook's humour on me; that is the very
do that that is reason. Nay, but understand me. Slen. So I do, sir. 220 Evans. Give ear to his motions, Master Slender. I will description the matter to you, if you
thou mountain- foreigner!
Ha,
Pist.
and master mine, I combat challenge of this latten bilbo. Word of denial in thy labras here! Word of denial! Froth and scum, thou
By
Slen.
Sir
liest!
these gloves, then, 'twas he.
Nym. Be
I
will say
note of it.
By
he in the red face had it; cannot remember what I did when you made me drunk, yet I am not altogether an Slen.
for
this hat, then,
though
I
be
so, I shall
Shal.
be capacity of it. I will do as my cousin Shallow pray you, pardon me; he's a justice of peace in his country, simple though I stand here. Evans. But that is not the question. The question is concerning your marriage.
What say you, Scarlet and John? Why, sir, for my part, I say the
Fal.
Bard.
man had drunk
gentle-
himself out of his five seniSo
tences.
Evans.
what the ignor-
It is his five senses. Fie,
And
being fap,
was, as they say,
sir,
cashiered; and so conclusions passed the careires.
Ay, you spake
Slen.
no matter;
I'll
in Latin then too; but
ne'er be drunk whilst
I
'tis
live again,
godly company, for this be drunk with those that have the fear of God, and not with drunken but in honest,
trick. If
civil,
be drunk,
I
I'll
knaves.
190
Got udge me,
Evans. So Fal.
You
hear
men; you hear Enter
Page.
anne
all
that
a virtuous mind.
is
these matters denied, gentle-
page, voith wine; mistress ford and MISTRESS PAGE, following.
drink within.
anne page. Mistress Anne Page.
Slen.
O heaven! this
How now, Mistress Ford!
Fal. Mistress Ford,
well met.
in; we'll
[Exit
Page.
is
by
my
troth,
you are very 200
By your leave, good mistress.
Kisses her.
Wife, bid these gentlemen welcome.
Come, we have a hot venison pasty to dinner. Come, gentlemen, I hope we shall drink down allunkindness.
[Exeunt all except shallow, slender, and evans. Slen. I
Ay,
had rather than forty
Book of Songs and Sonnets
shillings I
had
my
here.
Enter simple.
How now, Simple!
where have you been? I must wait on myself, must I? You have not the Book
of Riddles about you, have you? Sim. Book of Riddles! why, did you not lend it to Alice Shortcake upon All-hallowmas last, a fortnight afore Michaelmas?
there's the point, sir.
Evans. Marry,
is
it;
the very point of
it;
Anne Page.
to
25/
Slen. Why, if it be so, I will marry her upon any reasonable demands. Evans. But can you affection the 'oman? Let us command to know that of your mouth or of your lips; for divers philosophers hold that the lips is parcel of the mouth. Therefore, precisely, can you carry your good will to the maid? Shal. Cousin Abraham Slender, can you love
her? Slen. I hope, sir, I will
that
it.
Nay, daughter, carry the wine
Page.
Shal.
I
Mistress
is!
Bard.
Nay,
Slen.
says.
ass.
ance
Shal.
do
as
it
shall
240 become one
would do reason.
Evans. Nay, Got's lords and his ladies! you must speak possitable, if you can carry her your desires towards her. Shal. That you must. Will you, upon good dowry, marry her? Slen. I will do a greater thing than that, upon your request, cousin, in any reason. Shal. Nay, conceive me, conceive me, sweet coz; what I do is to pleasure you, coz. Can you love the maid? Slen. I will marry her, sir, at your request; but if there be no great love in the beginning, yet heaven may decrease it upon better acquaintance, when we are married and have more occasion to know one another. I hope, upon familiarity will grow more contempt. But if you say, "Marry her," I will marry her; that I am freely dissolved, and dissolutely. 260
Evans. fall is in
It is
a fery discretion answer; save the
the ort "dissolutely": the ort
is,
accord-
ing to our meaning, "resolutely." His meaning is
good.
Shal. Slen.
Shal.
Ay, I think my cousin meant well. Ay, or else I would I might be hanged, Here comes fair Mistress Anne.
la!
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
76
Truly,
Slen.
Re-enter
anne
page.
I were young for your sake, Mistress Anne! Anne. The dinner is on the table; my father 27/ desires your worships' company. Shal. I will wait on him, fair Mistress Anne. Evans. Od's plessed will! I will not be absence [Exeunt shallow and evans at the grace Anne. Will't please your worship to come in,
Anne. Slen.
sir? I
thank you, forsooth, heartily;
am very well. Anne. The dinner attends you, sir. Slen. I am not a-hungry, I thank you,
I
forsooth.
Go, sirrah, for all you are my man, go wait upon my cousin Shallow. [Exit slmple.] A justice of peace sometime may be beholding to his friend for a man. I keep but three men and a boy yet, till my mother be dead. But what though? Yet I live like a poor gentleman born. Anne. I may not go in without your worship. They will not sit till you come. Slen. V faith, I'll eat nothing; I thank you as
much
as
Anne.
I
though I did pray you, sir, walk in. had rather walk here,
think there are,
I
sir;
heard them
I
50/
Slen. I love the sport well; but I shall as
quarrel at
it
as
any man
in
England.
afraid, if you see the bear loose, are
soon
You
are
you not?
Re-enter page.
I'll
we
and
I
pie,
thank you, sir. you shall not choose,
la!
The same
hugh evans and simple.
Evans. Go your ways, and ask of Doctor Cams' house which is the way; and there dwells one Mistress Quickly, which is in the manner of his nurse, or his dry nurse, or his cook, or his laundry, his washer, and his wringer. Sim. Well, sir. Evans. Nay, for
letter;
is
it
a
is
it
petter yet. Give her this 'oman that altogether' s ac-
Anne Page; and
quaintance with Mistress letter
is,
to desire and require her to solicit
you, be gone.
Anne Page. I make an end of my dinner;
will
I
there's pippins and cheese to
Scene
hi.
A
the
your pray
master's desires to Mistress
room
come.
[Exeunt.
in the Garter
Inn
Enter falstaff, host, bardolph, nym,
Fal.
and robin.
Mine host of the Garter!
What
Host.
my
says
bully-rook? speak schol-
arly and wisely. Fal. Truly, mine host, of my followers.
Fal.
must turn away some cashier.
Let
trot, trot.
at ten
I sit
I
bully Hercules;
Discard,
Host.
pounds a week.
Host. Thou'rt an emperor, Cassar, Keisar, and
Pheezar.
he
I
will entertain Bardolph; he shall draw,
shall tap. Said
I
well, bully
Hector?
Do so, good mine host.
Host.
I
have spoke;
olph.] Let
me
let
him
follow. [To bard-
see thee froth and lime.
am
I
word; follow.
at a
[Exit.
him. A tapster is a good makes a new jerkin; a withfresh tapster. Go; adieu. 20
Fal. Bardolph, follow
trade; an old cloak
ered serving-man a Bard. It
O
is
a life that
I
have desired.
will thrive.
I
base Hungarian wight! wilt thou the [Exit
Nym. He was Fal.
sir!
come, come. Slen. Nay, pray you, lead the way. Page.
Come on,
Slen.
Mistress Anne, yourself shall go
Anne. Not
indeed,
gotten in drink.
bardolph. Is
not the
humour conceited?
eat nothing,
By cock
ii.
spigot wield?
gentle Master Slender, come;
stay for you. Slen.
sir.
Scene Enter sir
Pist.
Page.
will
[Exeunt.
Fal.
Anne. Ay, indeed, sir. Slen. That's meat and drink to me, now. I have seen Sackerson loose twenty times, and have taken him by the chain; but, I warrant you, the women have so cried and shrieked at it, that it passed. But women, indeed, cannot abide 'em; they are very ill-favoured rough things.
Come,
first; truly, la! I
rather be unmannerly than trouble-
them wag;
talked of.
Page.
pray you,
pistol, I
town? Amie.
go
You do yourself wrong,
some.
29
thank you. I bruised my shin th' other day with playing at sword and dagger with a master offence; three veneys for a dish of stewed prunes; and, by my troth, I cannot abide the smell of hot meat since. Why do your dogs bark so? be there bears i' the Slen. I
I
I'll
.
No,
will not
I
not do you that wrong.
Would
Slen.
ACT
pray you, keep on.
am
glad
I
am
so acquit of this tinderbox;
were too open;
his filching
was
like an
unskilful singer; he kept not time.
Nym. The good humour is
to steal at a minute's
rest.
sir.
I, sir;
I
his thefts
Pist.
first.
52/
"Convey," the wise
a fico for the phrase!
it call.
31 "Steal!" foh!
SCENE
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
III
Well,
Fal.
sirs, I
Pist.
Why, then,
Fal.
There
must
is
am let
almost out at heels. kibes ensue.
no remedy;
I
must cony-catch;
I
shift.
Young ravens must have
Pist.
food.
Which of you know Ford of this town?
Fal.
Pist. I
ken the wight.
My
Fal.
He is of substance good. 4.1
honest lads,
will tell
I
you what
I
am
fullam holds,
And high
about. Pist.
Two yards, and more.
Fal.
No
quips now, Pistol! Indeed,
two yards about; but
waist
waste;
make
I
am
about
I
am
I
am now
in the
about no
I do mean to spy entertainment in
thrift. Briefly,
love to Ford's wife.
I
and low beguiles the rich and poor. Tester I'll have in pouch when thou shalt lack, Base Phrygian Turk! Nym. I have operations which be humours of revenge.
of invitation.
can construe the action of her of her be-
I
"I
is,
am
Sir
JohnFalstaffs." Pist. He hath studied her will, and translated
With wit or
Pist.
I
will discuss the
And
Pist.
anchor
is
deep: will that
Nym. Now,
the report goes she has
He
of her husband's purse.
all
the rule
hath a legion of 60
angels.
As many
Pist.
boy," say
devils entertain; and
"To
her,
I.
Nym. The humour rises;
it is
good.
I
have writ
me here a letter to her; who even now
Fal.
O, she did so course o'er
my
exteriors
with such a greedy intention, that the appetite of her eye did seem to scorch me up like a burningglass! Here's another letter to her. She bears the purse too; she is a region in Guiana, all gold and bounty. I will be cheater to them both, and they shall be exchequers to me; they shall be mv East and West Indies, and I will trade to them both. Go bear thou this letter to Mistress Page; and thou this to Mistress Ford. will thrive,
We
lads,
we will thrive.
Pist. Shall I Sir
Pandarus of Troy become,
And by my side wear steel? then, Lucifer take all! Nym. I will run no base humour. Here, take the humour-letter;
I
will
keep the haviour of re-
putation. Fal.
[To robin] Hold, sirrah, bear you these
letters tightly;
Sail like
my pinnace to these golden shores.
Ford
shall
eke unfold
My humour
shall not cool. I will incense
him
will possess
I
with yellowness, for the revolt of mine is dangerous. That is my true humour. Pist. Thou art the Mars of malecontents. I second thee; troop on. [Exeunt.
Humour me
and here gave me good eves too, examined my parts with most judicious oeillades; sometimes the beam of her view gilded my foot, sometimes my portly belly. Pist. Then did the sun on dunghill shine. 70 Nym. I thank thee for that humour. Fal.
to
Page to deal with poison;
Scene
the angels.
another to Page's wife,
I
I.
humour of this love to Page.
His dove will prove, his gold will hold, And his soft couch defile.
humour
pass?
steel?
How Falstaff, varlet vile,
her will, out of honesty into English.
Nym. The
100
Nym. With both the humours,
familiar style; and the hardest voice
haviour, to be Englished rightly,
Wilt thou revenge?
Pist.
Nym. By welkin and her star!
her; she discourses, she carves, she gives the leer
Fal.
77
Rogues, hence, avaunt! vanish like hailstones go; Trudge, plod away o' the hoof; seek shelter, pack! Falstaff will learn the humour of the age, French thrift, you rogues; myself and skirted [Exeunt falstaff and robin. page. Pist. Let vultures gripe thy guts! for gourd and
iv.
A
room
in
Doctor Caiuss house.
Enter mistress quickly, simple, and rugby. Quick.
What, John Rugby! I pray you can see
the casement, and see if
thee,
my
go to
master,
Master Doctor Caius, coming. If he do, i' faith, and find any body in the house, here will be an old abusing of God's patience and the King's English.
Rug.
I'll
Quick.
go watch.
Go; and
we'll have a posset for't soon
at night, in faith, at the latter fire.
[Exit rugby.]
An
end of a sea-coal
honest, willing, kind fel-
come in house withal, warrant you, no tell-tale nor no breedbate: his worst fault is, that he is given to prayer; he is something peevish that way; but nobody low, as ever servant shall and,
I
but has his fault; but
let that pass.
you say your name is? Sim. Ay, for fault of a Quick.
Peter Simple,
better.
And Master Slender' s your master?
Sim. Ay, forsooth. Quick.
Does he not wear
a great round beard,
like a glover's paring-knife?
21
Sim. No, forsooth; he hath but a
with a
little
Quick.
little
wee
face,
yellow beard, a Cain-coloured beard.
A softly-sprighted man, is he not?
Sim. Ay, forsooth; but he
is
as tall a
man of his
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
78
hands as any
between
is
and his head; he
this
hath fought with a warrener.
How
say you? O, I should remember him. Does he not hold up his head, as it were, Quick.
and strut in his gait? Sim. Yes, indeed, does he. Quick. Well, heaven send Anne Page no worse fortune! Tell Master Parson Evans I will do what I can for your master. Anne is a good girl, and I wish
ACT
Hear
the truth of it: he came of an errand to from Parson Hugh.
me 81
Caius. Veil.
Sim. Ay, forsooth; to desire her to Quick. Peace, I pray you. Caius. Peace-a
To
Sim.
your tongue. Speak-a your
maid, to speak a good
Page
for
tale.
desire this honest gentlewoman, your
word
to Mistress
Anne
my master in the way of marriage.
Quick. This
is all,
indeed,
la!
but
ne'er put
I'll
my finger in the fire, Re-enter rugby.
Rug. Out,
alas!
here comes
We shall
Quick.
young man; go
all
Caius. Sir
my master. Run
be shent.
into this closet.
He
[Shuts simple in the closet]
long.
Rugby! John! what, John,
my
inquire for that he
master;
I
say!
good
will not stay
What, John Go, John, go
doubt he be not well,
I
comes not home. And down, down, adown-a, &c.
45
[Singing]
Enter doctor caius. Caius.
Vat
is
you
sing?
I
Pray you, go and vetch boitier vert, a I
do not
like des toys.
me
my
in
un
closet
box, a green-a box: do intend vat
speak? a green-a box.
tell
Caius. Fe, fe, fe, fef ]e
il
foi,
fait fort chaud.
men vais a la cour—la grande affaire.
Quick. Is
Oui; mette
Caius.
le
man
au
pocket:
depreche,
Vere is dat knave Rugby? What, John Rugby! John!
Rug. Here,
By my
62
here in the porch.
sir,
trot,
Od's
tarry too long.
I
ai-foublie! dere
is
some simples
in
my
closet, dat I vill not for the varld I shall leave
behind. Quick.
Ay
me,
he'll find
the
young man
there,
and be mad! Caius.
diable,
diablef vat
Villain! larron! [Pulling
is
simple
in
out.]
my
closet?
Rugby,
my
rapier!
Quick.
72
Good master,
be content.
Caius.
What is
I
down
simple] Are you avised
shall
de honest
man do
no honest man dat
shall
in
my
come
in
beseech you, be not so phlegmatic.
o' that?
a great charge; and to be late;
but notwithstanding
up
—
to
your ear; I would have no words of master himself is in love with Mistress in
Anne's mind
You
but notwithstanding that,
—
that's neither here
I
know
nor there.
jack'nape, give-a this letter to Sir
gar,
it is
a shallenge: I
I
will cut his
will teach a scurvy jack-
a-nape priest to meddle or make.
You may be
not good you tarry here. By gar, I will cut all his two stones; by gar, he shall not have [Exit simple. a stone to throw at his dog. gone;
it is
Quick. Alas, he speaks but for his friend.
120
no matter-a ver dat. Do not you tell-a me dat I shall have Anne Page for myself? By gar, I vill kill de Jack priest; and I have appointed mine host of de Jarteer to measure our weapon. By gar, I will myself have Anne Page. Quick. Sir, the maid loves you, and all shall be must give folks leave to prate; what, well. Caius. It
is
We
the good- jer!
Rugby, come to the court with me. By have not Anne Page, I shall turn your head out of my door. Follow my heels Rugby. [Exeunt caius and rugby. Quick. You shall have An fool's-head of your own. No, I know Anne's mind for that. Never a woman in Windsor knows more of Anne's gar, if
my closet. Quick.
—my
Caius.
Wherefore shall I be content-a? Quick. The young man is an honest man.
Caius.
closet? dere
you
it
troat in de park; and
my heel to the court.
Caius.
early and
Caius.
sir!
Rug. 'Tis ready,
me! Qu
to
shall find
Hugh; by
Caius. You are John Rugby, and you are Jack Rugby. Come, take-a your rapier, and come after
Quick. [Aside
it
quickly. Quick.
[Aside
If he
Anne Page;
it this, sir?
a little-a while.
—
ma
glad he
me
to simple] I am glad he is so had been throughly moved, you should have heard him so loud and so melancholy. But notwithstanding, man, I'll do you your master what good I can; and the very yea and the no is, the French doctor, my master may call him my master, look you, for I keep his house; and I wash, wring, brew, bake, scour, dress meat and drink, make the beds, and do all myself Sim. [Aside to quickly] 'Tis a great charge to come under one body's hand.
Quick.
quiet.
you
am
9 baillez
Writes.
Ay, forsooth; I'll fetch it you. [Aside] went not in himself: if he had found the young man, he would have been horn-mad. 52 Quick.
I
Hugh
and need not. send-a you? Rugby,
some paper. Tarry you
in here,
I
I
— THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
SCENE IV
mind than I do; nor can do more than I do with her, I thank heaven. Fent. [Within] Who's within there? ho! Quick. Who's there, I trow! Come near the house,
pray you.
I
141
tress
'tis
—
The
better that
it
pleases
What news? how
and she is pretty, and honest, and gentle; and one that is your friend, I can tell you that by the way; I praise heaven for In truth,
sir,
151
it.
Fent. Shall I
not lose
my
I
do any good, thinkest thou?
shall
suit?
Quick. Troth,
sir, all is in
His hands above. But
notwithstanding, Master Fenton.
on
Have
a book, she loves you.
I'll
be sworn
not your wor-
Fent. Yes, marry,
have
I;
such another Nan; but,
I
Good
say, love
I
me; me.
John Falstaff" O wicked,
this!
ton.] Truly, an honest gentleman;
know
but
Anne
mind as well another does. Out upon't! what have I fornot; for
I
What
my
x\nne's
got?
[Exit.
is well-nigh worn to show himself a young gallant!
an unweighed behaviour hath this Flemish
—with the
name!
—out of
conversation, that he dares in this
manner
drunkard picked
devil's
Why, he hath not been thrice in my company! What should I say to him? I was then frugal of my mirth. Heaven forgive me! Why, assay me?
I'll
exhibit a
bill in
the parliament for the putting
How
down of men.
shall
I
be revenged on him?
will be, as sure as his guts are
I
Enter mistress ford.
detest, an honest
We
him
pieces with age to
faith,
had an hour's maid as ever broke bread. talk of that wart. I shall never laugh but in that maid's company! But indeed she is given too much to allicholy and musing; but for you well, go to. Fent. Well, I shall see her to-day. Hold, there's money for thee; let me have thy voice in my behalf. If thou seest her before me, commend me. Quick. Will I? i' faith, that we will; and I will tell your worship more of the wart the next time we have confidence; and of other wooers. Fent. Well, farewell; I am in great haste now. Quick. Farewell to your worship. [Exit fen-
as
of soldier can
will not say, pity
I
made of puddings.
what of that?
Quick. Well, thereby hangs a tale.
loves
What
for revenged
ship a wart above your eye?
it is
love thee.
I
Mis-
wicked world! One that
Anne? Quick.
at the least, if the love
that
Thine own true knight, By day or night, Or any kind of light, With all his might For thee to fight, a Herod of Jewry is
your good wor-
does pretty Mistress
suffice thee,
Byrne,
ship to ask. Fent.
it
not a soldier-like phrase: but
How now, good woman! how dost thou?
Quick.
—
Page
suffice
Enter fenton. Fent.
79
desire better sympathy? Let
1S0
Mrs. Ford. Mistress Page!
trust
Scene
i.
was going
Mrs. Page. And, trust me, I was coming to you. look very ill. Mrs. Ford. Nay, I'll ne'er believe that; I have
to
show to
the contrary.
Mrs. Page. Faith, but you do, in my mind. Mrs. Ford. Well, I do then; yet I say I could
show you
to the contrary.
O Mistress Page, give
me some counsel! Mrs. Page. What's the matter, woman? Mrs. Ford. O woman, if it were not
for
one
come to such honour! Hang the trifle, woman! take
the
trifling respect, I
Mrs. Page. honour.
What
could
is it?
dispense with
trifles;
Mrs. Ford. If
These knights
Before Page's house letter.
Mrs. Page. What, have I 'scaped love-letters in the holiday-time of my beauty, and am I now a subject for them? Let me see. [Reads.] "Ask me no reason why I love you; for though Love use Reason for his physician, he admits him not for his counsellor. You are not young, no more am I; go to then, there's sympathy. You are merry, so am I; ha, ha! then there's more sympathy. You love sack, and so do I; would you
what
is it? I
would but go
to hell for an
moment or so, I could be knighted. Mrs. Page. What? thou liest! Sir Alice
II
Enter mistress page, with a
I
You
eternal
ACT
me,
to your house.
50 Ford!
will hack; and so thou shouldst
not alter the article of thy gentry.
Mrs. Ford.
We burn daylight. Here, read, read;
how
might be knighted. I shall think I have an eye to make difference of men's liking; and yet he would not swear; praised women's modesty; and gave such orderly and well-behaved reproof to all uncomeliness, that I would have sworn his disposition would have gone to the truth of his words; but they do no more adhere and keep place together than the Hundredth Psalm to the perceive
I
the worse of fat men, as long as
8o
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
tune of "Green Sleeves." What tempest, I trow, threw this whale, with so many tuns of oil in his belly, ashore at Windsor? How shall I be re-
venged on him? I think the best way were to entertain him with hope, till the wicked fire of lust have melted him in his own grease. Did you ever hear the like? 70 Mrs. Page. Letter for letter, but that the name of Page and Ford differs! To thy great comfort in this mystery of ill opinions, here's the twinbrother of thy letter: but let thine inherit first; for, I protest, mine never shall. I warrant he hath a thousand of these letters, writ with blank and sure, more space for different names these are of the second edition. He will print them, out of doubt; for he cares not what he puts into the press, when he would put us two. I had rather be a giantess, and lie under Mount Pelion. Well, I will find you twenty lascivious turtles ere one chaste man. Mrs. Ford. Why, this is the very same; the very hand, the very words. What doth he think of us? Mrs. Page. Nay, I know not. It makes me almost ready to wrangle with mine own honesty. I'll entertain myself like one that I am not acquainted withal; for, sure, unless he know some strain in me that I know not myself, he would never have boarded me in this fury. Mrs. Ford. "Boarding," call you it? I'll be sure to keep him above deck. Mrs. Page. So will I. If he come under my hatches, I'll never to sea again. Let's be revenged on him. Let's appoint him a meeting, give him a show of comfort in his suit and lead him on with a fine-baited delay, till he hath pawned his horse to mine host of the Garter. 100 Mrs. Ford. Nay, I will consent to act any vil-
—
lainy against him, that
—
Pist. He wooes both high and low, both rich and poor, Both young and old, one with another, Ford; He loves the gallimaufry. Ford, perpend.
With
Pist.
act n
my wife! liver
120
burning hot. Prevent, or go
thou,
Like Sir Actason he, with Ringwood O, odious is the name! Ford. What name, sir? Pist. The horn, I say. Take heed, have open
at
thy heels,
Farewell. eye, for thieves do foot
by
night.
Take
heed, ere
do
summer comes or cuckoo-birds
sing.
Away,
Sir
Believe
it,
Corporal Nym! Page; he speaks sense.
Ford. [Aside]
will be patient;
I
[Exit.
will find out
I
this.
75/
Nym.
[To page] And this is true; I like not the humour of lying. He hath wronged me in some humours. I should have borne the humoured letter to her; but I have a sword and it shall bite
upon
my
necessity.
He
loves your wife; there's
My
name is Corporal speak and I avouch; 'tis true; my name is Nym and Falstaff loves your wife. Adieu. I love not the humour of bread and cheese, and there' s the humour of it Adieu [Exit. 141 Page. "The humour of it," quoth a'! Here's a fellow frights English out of his wits. Ford. I will seek out Falstaff. Page. I never heard such a drawling, affecting the short and the long.
Nym;
I
.
.
rogue. Fori. Ifl do find Page.
I
it!
Well.
will not believe such a Cataian,
the priest o' the
town commended him
though
for a true
man.
i$o
'Twas a good sensible fellow. Well. Page. How how, Meg! mistress page and mistress ford come forward. Mrs. Page. Whither go you, George? Hark you. Mrs. Ford. How now, sweet Frank! why art Ford.
may not sully the chariness
of our honesty. O, that my husband saw this letter! it would give eternal food to his jealousy. Mrs. Page. Why, look where he comes; and my good man too. He's as far from jealousy as I am from giving him cause; and that I hope is an unmeasurable distance. 110 Mrs. Ford. You are the happier woman. Mrs. Page. Let's consult together against this greasy knight. Come hither. [They retire. Enter ford with pistol, and page with nym. Ford. Well, I hope it be not so. Pist. Hope is a curtal dog in some affairs. Sir John affects thy wife. Ford. Why, sir, my wife is not young.
Love
Ford.
thou melancholy? Ford. I melancholy!
you home,
I
am
not melancholy.
Get
go.
Mrs. Ford.
some
Faith, thou hast
crotchets in
Now, will you go, Mistress Page? Mrs. Page. Have with you. You'll come
thy head.
who
to
mistress ford] Look comes yonder. She shall be our messenger
dinner, George. [Aside
to
to this paltry knight.
I
Mrs. Ford. [Aside to mistress page] Trust me, thought on her: she'll fit it. Enter mistress quickly.
Mrs. Anne?
Page.
You
are
come
Quick. Ay, forsooth; and, good Mistress Anne?
to see
I
my
pray,
daughter
how
does 170
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR protest; Ford. None, Mrs. Page. Go in with us and see. We have an
81
SCENE
I
of burnt sack to
hour's talk with you.
mistress ford, and MISTRESS QUICKLY. now, Master Ford! heard what this knave told me, did page,
[Exeunt mistress Page.
How
Ford.
You
him
my name is Brook;
My
Host.
Page. Yes; and
you heard what the other
told
me?
Do you think there is truth in them? Hang
'em, slaves!
Ford.
Were they his men?
Page.
Marry, were they. I
like
it
I
—
Have with you, mine host.
Shal.
I
have heard the Frenchman hath good
231 Tut, sir, I could have told you more. In these times you stand on distance, your passes, stoccadoes, and I know not what. 'Tis the heart, Master Page; 'tis here, 'tis here. I have seen the time, with my long sword I would have made Shal.
never the better for that. Does he
Page.
Have with you.
cannot be thus
I
I
we wag?
had rather hear them
scold than fight.
Ay, marry, does he. If he should intend this voyage towards my wife, I would turn her loose to him; and what he gets more of her than 191 sharp words, let it lie on my head. Ford. I do not misdoubt my wife; but I would be loath to turn them together. A man may be too confident. I would have nothing lie on my satisfied.
Look where my
ranting host of the Garter comes. There is either liquor in his pate or money in his purse when he looks so merrily. Page.
like rats.
Host. Here, boys, here, here! shall
240
[Exeunt host, shallow, and page.
Page.
head.
jest.
—
you four tall fellows skip
the Garter?
lie at
only for a
hand, bully; thou shah have egress
skill in his rapier.
do not think the knight would offer it; but these that accuse him in his intent towards our wives are a yoke of his discarded men; very rogues, now they be out of service.
Ford.
give
and regress said I well? and thy name shall be Brook. It is a merry knight. Will you go,
Page.
Page.
I'll
An-heires?
you not?
Ford.
you a pottle give me recourse to him and tell but
Ford.
Though Page be
a secure fool,
so firmly on his wife's frailty, yet off my opinion so easily. She
was
I
and stands cannot put
in his
company
and what they made there, I know not.Well, I will look further into 't; and I have a disguise to sound Falstaff. If I find her honest, I lose not my labour; if she be otherwise, 'tis labour well bestowed. [Exit. at Page's house;
Scene
ii.
A room in the Garter Inn
Enter falstaff and pistol.
Enter host.
How now, mine host! Host. How now, bully-rook! man. Cavaleiro-justice,
I
Fal. Pist.
thou'rt a gentle-
201
say!
I
will not lend thee a penny.
Why, then the world's mine oyster,
Which I with sword will open. Fal. Not a penny. I have been
my upon my
should lay
Enter Shallow. I
follow,
Tell
Host.
him,
cavaleiro-justice;
tell
him,
Shal. Sir, there is a fray to
Sir
Hugh
the
Welsh
be fought between
priest and Caius the
French 210
doctor.
Good mine
Ford.
host o' the Garter, a
word
with you. [Drawing him aside.] Host.
What sayest thou, my bully-rook?
[To page] Will you go with us to bemerry host hath had the measuring of their weapons; and, I think, hath appointed them contrary places; for, believe me, I hear the parson is no jester. Hark, I will tell you what our sport shall be. [They converse apart.] Host. Hast thou no suit against my knight, my Shal.
hold
it?
My
guest-cavaleire?
221
I
you have
for
and
bully-rook.
sir,
good friends for three reprieves you and your coach -fellow Nym; or else you had looked through the grate, like a geminy of baboons. I am damned in hell for swearing to gentlemen my friends, you were good soldiers grated
mine host, I follow. Good even and twenty, good Master Page! Master Page, will you go with us? we have sport in hand. Shal.
content,
countenance to pawn.
tall
fellows; and
the handle of her fan,
when I
Mistress Bridget lost
took't
upon mine honour
thou hadsc it not. Pist. Didst not thou share? hadst thou not fifteen pence? Fal. Reason, you rogue, reason: thinkest thou I'll endanger my soul gratis? At a word, hang
no more about me,
A
I
am no
gibbet for you.
To
Go.
your manor of Pickt-hatch! Go. You'll not bear a letter for me, you rogue! you stand upon your honour. Why thou unconfinable baseness, it is as much as I can do to keep the terms of my honour precise. I, I, I myself sometimes, leaving the fear of God on the left hand and hiding mine honour in my short knife and a throng!
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
82
ACT
II
necessity, am fain to shuffle, to hedge and to lurch; and yet you, rogue, will ensconce your rags, your cat-a-mountain looks, your redlattice phrases, and your bold-beating oaths, under the shelter of your honour! You will not
warrant you, they could never get her so much as sip on a cup with the proudest of them all; and yet there has been earls, nay which is more, pensioners; but, I warrant yoi all is one with
doit, you!
But what says she to me? be brief, my good she- Mercury. Quick. Marry, she hath received your letter, for the which she thanks you a thousand times; and she gives you to notify that her husband will be absence from his house between ten and eleven. Fal. Ten and eleven? Quick. Ay, forsooth; and then you may come and see the picture, she says, that you wot of. Master Ford, her husband, will be from home. Alas! the sweet woman leads an ill life with him. He's a very jealousy man. She leads a very frampold life with him, good heart. Fal. Ten and eleven. Woman, commend me to
Pist.
do
I
relent.
What
50 would thou more of
man? Enter robin.
Rob. Sir, here's a woman would speak with you. Fal. Let her approach. Enter mistress quickly. Quick.
Give your worship good morrow.
Good morrow, good wife. Quick. Not so, an't please your worship. Fal. Good maid, then. Fal.
Quick.
I'll
be sworn,
As my mother was,
the first hour I was born. do believe the swearer. What with me? Quick. Shall I vouchsafe your worship a word or two? and I'll Fal. Two thousand, fair woman; Fal.
I
vouchsafe thee the hearing. Quick. There is one Mistress Ford,
come
a little nearer this
ways
—
I
sir
—
I
pray,
myself dwell
with Master Doctor Caius Fal. Well, on. Mistress Ford, you say Quick. Your worship says very true. I pray your worship, come a little nearer this ways. 50 Fal. I warrant thee, nobody hears; mine own
own people. Are they so? God
people, mine Quick.
them His
bless
them and make
servants!
Well, Mistress Ford; what of her? Why, sir, she's a good creature. Lord, Lord! your worship's a wanton! Well, heaven forgive you and all of us, I pray! Fal. Mistress Ford; come, Mistress Ford Quick. Marry, this is the short and the long of it; you have brought her into such a canaries as 'tis wonderful. The best courtier of them all, when the court lay at Windsor, could never have brought her to such a canary. Yet there has been knights, and lords, and gentlemen, with their coaches, I warrant you, coach after coach, letter Fal.
Quick.
after letter, gift after gift; smelling so sweetly,
musk, and so rushling, I warrant you, in silk and gold; and in such alligant terms; and in such wine and sugar of the best and the fairest, that would have won any woman's heart; and, I warrant you, they could never get an eye-wink of her. I had myself twenty angels given me this morning; but I defy all angels, in any such sort, as they say, but in the way of honesty; and, I all
her.
80
Fal.
her;
I
will not fail her.
Why, you say well. But I have another messenger to your worship. Mistress Page hath her hearty commendations to you too; and let me tell you in your ear, she's as fartuous a civil modest wife, and one, I tell you, that will not miss you morning nor evening prayer, as any is in Windsor, whoe'er be the other; and she bade me tell your worship that her husband is seldom from home; but she hopes there will come a time. I never knew a woman so dote upon a man. Surely I think you have charms, la; yes, in truth. Quick.
Fal.
Not
I, I
assure thee. Setting the attraction
of my good parts aside I have no other charms. /// Quick. Blessing on your heart for't! Fal. But, I pray thee, tell me this: has Ford's wife and Page's wife acquainted each other how they love me? Quick. That were a jest indeed! they have not so
little
grace,
I
hope. That were a trick indeed!
But Mistress Page would desire you to send her your little page, of all loves. Her husband has a marvellous infection to the little page; and truly Master Page is an honest man. Never a wife in Windsor leads a better life than she does: do what she will, say what she will, take all, pay all,
go to bed when she as she will;
list,
rise
when
and truly she deserves
she it;
list, all is
for if there
be a kind woman in Windsor, she is one. must send her your page; no remedy. Fal.
Why,
I
You
will.
Nay, but do so, then; and, look you, he may come and go between you both; and in any case have a nay-word, that you may know one another's mind, and the boy never need to understand any thing; for 'tis not good that children should know any wickedness. Old folks, you Quick.
SCENE
THE MERRY WIVES OFWINDSOR
II
know, have discretion, as they say, and
know the
Fare thee well. Commend me to them both. There's my purse; I am yet thy debtor. Boy, go along with this woman. [Exeunt mistress quickly and robin.] This news distracts me! Pist. This punk is one of Cupid's carriers. Clap on more sails; pursue; up with your fights; Give fire; she is my prize, or ocean whelm them Fal.
[Exit.
all!
Sayest thou so, old Jack? go thy ways; I'll make more of thy old body than I have done. Fal.
Will they yet look after thee? Wilt thou, after the expense of so much money, be now a gainer? Good body, I thank thee. Let them say 'tis grossly done; so it be fairly done, no matter. ZsTZftT
BARDOLPH.
Brook below
speak with you, and be acquainted with you; and hath sent your worship a morning's draught of sack. fain
Brook is his name? Ay, sir. Fal. Call him in. [Exit bardolph.] Such Brooks are welcome to me, that o'erflow such liquor. Ah, ha! Mistress Ford and Mistress Page, have I encompassed you? go to; via! Fal.
Bard.
bardolph, with ford
Re-enter
Ford. Bless you,
And you,
Ford. tion
I
disguised.
160
sir!
sir!
Would you speak
make bold to press with
so
much; Fal.
I
am
prepara-
will?
a gentleman that have spent
my name is Brook. Good Master Brook, Good
I
I
desire
more
ac-
sue for yours, not to
charge you; for I must let you understand I think myself in better plight for a lender than you are, the which hath something emboldened me to this unseasoned intrusion; for they say, if money go before, all ways do lie open. Fal. Money is a good soldier, sir, and will on. Ford. Troth, and I have a bag of money here troubles me. If you will help to bear it, Sir John, take all, or half, for easing me of the carriage. Fal. Sir, I
know
not
how
I
may
deserve to be
your porter. Ford.
I
1S1
will tell you, sir, if you will give
me the
hearing. Fal. Speak,
good Master Brook.
to be your servant.
will be
to
you hear them unfolded, turn another into the your own; that I may pass with a reproof the easier, sith you yourself know how
register of
easy
it is
Fal.
to be such an offender.
Very well,
Ford.
There
husband's
is
proceed.
sir;
a
gentlewoman
in this
town; her
name is Ford.
Well, sir. 200 I have long loved her, and, I protest to you, bestowed much on her; followed her with Fal.
Ford.
meet her;
fee'd every slight occasion that could
but niggardly give
me
sight of her;
not only
many presents to give her, but have given largely to many to know what she would have bought
I have pursued her as love hath pursued me; which hath been on the wing of all occasions. But whatsoever I have merited, either in my mind or in my means, meed, I am sure, I have received none; unless experience be a jewel that I have purchased at an infinite rate, and that hath taught me to say this: "Love like a shadow flies when substance love
given; briefly,
pursues;
Pursuing that that
flies,
and flying what pur-
sues."
Have you
received no promise of satisfac-
tion at her hands?
Ford. Never. Fal.
Have you importuned her
to such a pur-
221
Ford. Never. Fal.
Sir John,
I
pose?
quaintance of you. Ford.
—
—
you and you have been a man long me, though I had never so good means, as desire, to make myself acquainted with you. I shall discover a thing to you, wherein I must very much lay open mine own imperfection; but, good Sir John, as you have one eye upon my follies, as
known
Fal.
Give [Exit bardolph.
us leave, drawer. Ford. Sir,
with me?
little
upon you. You're welcome. What's your
Fal.
83
hear you are a scholar
a doting observance; engrossed opportunities to
Bard. Sir John, there's one Master
Fal.
I
brief with
world.
would
Ford. Sir,
I shall
be glad
Of what quality was your love, then?
Ford. Like a fair house built on another man's I have lost my edifice by mistakwhere I erected it. what purpose have you unfolded this to
ground; so that ing the place Fal.
To
me?
When
have told you that, I have told though she appear honest to me, yet in other places she enlargeth her mirth so far that there is shrewd construction made of her. Now, Sir John, here is the heart of my purpose: you are a gentleman of excellent breeding, admirable discourse, of great admittance, authentic in your place and person, generally allowed for your many war-like, court-like, and Ford.
you
all.
Some
I
say, that
learned preparations. Fal.
O,
sir!
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
84
Ford. Believe it, for you know it. There is money; spend it, spend it; spend more; spend all I have; only give me so much of your time in exchange of it, as to lay an amiable siege to the honesty of this Ford's wife. Use your art of wooing; win her to consent to you; if any man may, you may as soon as any. Fal. Would it apply well to the vehemency of affection, that I should win what you would enjoy? Methinks you prescribe to yourself very
your
250 O, understand my drift. She dwells so securely on the excellency of her honour, that the folly of my soul dares not present itself. She is preposterously. Ford.
too bright to be looked against. Now, could I to her with any detection in my hand, my
come
argument to commend
desires had instance and
themselves.
ward
could drive her then from the
I
of her purity, her reputation, her marriage-vow, and a thousand other her defences, which now are too too strongly embattled against me. What say
you to't,
John? Fal. Master Brook,
2 61
Sir
I
your money; next, give as
I
am
a gentleman,
make
will first
me your
you
bold with
hand; and
shall, if you will,
last,
enjoy
Ford's wife. Ford.
O good sir!
Fal. I
say you
Ford.
Want no money,
you
Sir John;
want
shall
none.
Mistress Ford, Master Brook;
want none. I shall be with her, I may tell you, by her own appointment; even as you came in to me, her assistant or go-between parted from me. I say I shall be with her between ten
you
shall
and eleven; for at that time the jealous rascally knave her husband will be forth. Come you to
me at night; you shall know how I speed. Ford. I am blest in your acquaintance. Do you know
Ford,
Fal.
Hang
him
not.
280
sir?
him, poor cuckoldly knave!
Yet
I
wrong him
to call
I
know
him poor; they
say the jealous wittolly knave hath masses of money; for the which his wife seems to me well-favoured.
I
will
use her as the key of
the cuckoldly rogue's coffer;
and there's
my
harvest-home. Ford.
I
would you knew Ford, if you saw him.
sir,
that
you
might avoid him
Hang
him, mechanical salt-butter rogue! I will stare him out of his wits; I will awe him Fal.
my
hang like a meteor o'er the cuckold's horns. Master Brook, thou shalt know I will predominate over the peasant, and thou shalt lie with his wife. Come to me soon at night. Ford's a knave, and I will aggravate his with
cudgel;
it
shall
shalt
know him
II
for
Come to me soon at night. [Exit.
Ford.
My
What
a
damned Epicurean
rascal
is this!
ready to crack with impatience. improvident jealousy? my wife hath sent to him; the hour is fixed; the match is made. Would any man have thought this? See the hell of having a false woman! bed shall be abused, my coffers ransacked, my reputation gnawn at; and I shall not only receive this villainous wrong, but stand under the adoption of abominable terms, and by him that does me this wrong. Terms! names! Amaimon sounds well; Lucifer, well; Barbason, well; yet they are devils' additions, the names of fiends; but Cuckold! Wittol! Cuckold! the devil himself hath not such a name. Page is an ass, a secure ass. He will trust his wife; he will not be jealous. I will rather trust a Fleming with my butter, Parson Hugh heart
Who says
is
this is
My
—
the
my
Welshman with my
cheese, an Irishman with
aqua-vitas bottle, or a thief to
walk
my
ambling gelding, than my wife with herself. Then she plots, then she ruminates, then she devises; and what they think in their hearts they may effect, they will break their hearts but they will effect. God be praised for my jealousy! Eleven
will about
it;
will prevent this, detect
I
on
my
and laugh at Page. better three hours too soon than
wife, be revenged I
Want no
Fal.
knave and cuckold.
o'clock the hour.
shall.
ACT
Master Brook,
style; thou,
Falstaff,
a minute too late. Fie,
fie, fie!
cuckold! cuckold!
cuckold!
[Exit.
Scene
hi.
Afield near Windsor
Enter caius and rugby. Caius. Jack
Rug.
Rugby!
Sir?
Caius. Vat is de clock, Jack? Rug. 'Tis past the hour, sir, that Sir Hugh promised to meet. Caius. By gar, he has save his soul, dat he is no come; he has pray his Pible well, dat he is no come. By gar, Jack Rugby, he is dead already, if he be come. Rug. He is wise, sir; he knew your worship // would kill him, if he came. Caius. By gar, de herring is no dead so as I vill kill him. Take your rapier, Jack; I vill tell you
how I
vill kill
Rug. Alas,
him. cannot fence.
sir, I
Caius. Villainy, take your rapier. Rug. Forbear; here's company.
Enter host, shallow, slender, and page. Host. Bless thee, bully doctor! Shal.
Save you, Master Doctor Caius!
—
— SCENE
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
III
Now, good master doctor! Give you good morrow, sir. Caius. Vat be all you, one, two,
20
Page.
[Aside
Slen.
come
tree,
four,
To
Host.
see thee fight, to see thee foin, to
see thee traverse; to see thee here, to see thee there; to see thee pass thy punto, thy stock, thy
reverse, thy distance, thy montant. Is he dead,
he dead, my Francisco? ha, my ^sculapius? my Galen? my heart of elder? ha! is he dead, bully stale? is he dead? Caius. By gar, he is de coward Jack priest of de vorld; he is not show his face. 52 Host. Thou art a Castalion-King-Urinal. Hector
my
Ethiopian?
What
bully!
is
says
of Greece, my boy! Caius. I pray you, bear vitness that me have stay six or seven, two, tree hours for him, and he is no come. Shal. He is the wiser man, master doctor. He is a curer of souls, and you a curer of bodies; if you should fight, you go against the hair of your professions. Is it not true, Master Page? Page. Master Shallow, you have yourself been a great fighter, though now a man of peace. Shal. Bodykins, Master Page, though I now be old and of the peace, if I see a sword out, my
Mock water.
60
Mock-vater! vat is dat? Host. Mock-water, in our English tongue,
is
gar, den,
as de Englishman.
I have as mush mock-vater Scurvy jack-dog priest! by
me vill cut his ears. He will clapper-claw thee tightly,
Host.
Caius. Clapper-de-claw! vat
Host.
That
Caius.
By
claw me; Host.
is,
I
bully.
dat?
70
me do look he shall by gar, me vill have it.
clapper-de-
provoke him
or let him
will
to't,
is in;
We
for a jack-an-ape to
Anne Page.
Let him die; sheathe thy impatience, throw cold water on thy choler; go about the fields with me through Frogmore. I will bring thee where Mistress Anne Page is, at a farmhouse a-feasting; and thou shalt woo her. Cried I aim? said I well? Caius. By gar, me dank you vor dat. By gar, I love you; and I shall procure-a you de good guest, de earl, de knight, de lords, de gentlemen, Host.
my patients. Host. For the which I will be thy adversary toward Anne Page. Said I well?
By gar,
Caius.
good; veil
'tis
100
said.
Host. Let us wag, then.
Come at my heels, Jack Rugby.
Caius.
ACT Scene
i.
Enter sir
[Exeunt
.
III
A field near Frogmore
hugh evans and simple.
Evans. I pray you now, good Master Slender's serving-man, and friend Simple by your name, which way have you looked for Master Caius, that calls himself doctor of physic? Sim. Marry, sir, the pittie-ward, the parkward, every way; old Windsor way, and every way
town way.
but the
Evans. Sim.
I
most fehemently desire you you way.
will, sir.
I
will
[Exit.
my
how
10
of chollors I am, and trempling of mind! I shall be glad if he have deceived me. How melancholies I am! I will knog his urinals about his knave's costard when I have good opportunities for the ork.
my soul!
soul,
full
[Smgs.]
"To shallow rivers,
to
whose
falls
Melodious birds sings madrigals; There will we make our peds of roses, And a thousand fragrant posies. 20
To shallow"
wag. Caius.
he?
there. See
and I will fields. Will it do well? Shal. will do it. Page, Shal., and Slen. Adieu, good master doctor. [Exeunt page, shallow, and slender. Caius. By gar, me vill kill de priest; for he speak
'Pless
make thee amends.
gar,
for,
And
he will
is
is
what humour he bring the doctor about by the is
Evans. 'Pless
valour, bully.
gar,
Hugh is there,
He
also look that
Caius.
By
them.]
make one. Though we are justices
finger itches to
and doctors and churchmen, Master Page, we have some salt of our youth in us; we are the sons of women, Master Page. 5/ Page. 'Tis true, Master Shallow. Shal. It will be found so, Master Page. Master Doctor Caius, I am come to fetch you home. I am sworn of the peace. You have snowed yourself a wise physician, and Sir Hugh hath shown himself a wise and patient churchman. You must go with me, master doctor. Host. Pardon, guest-justice. A word, Mounseur
Caius.
to
Page. Sir
Host.
for?
85
der, go you through the town to Frogmore.
Me tank you for dat.
Host. And, moreover, bully
—but
Mercy on me!
master guest, and Master Page, and eke Cavaleiro Slenfirst,
I
have a great dispositions to cry.
[Sings.]
"Melodious birds sing madrigals
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
86
When as I
sat in
Enter host, caius, and rugby. Page. Nay, good master parson, keep in your weapon. Shal. So do you, good master doctor. Host. Disarm them, and let them question. Let them keep their limbs whole and hack our Eng-
&c.
Re-enter simple.
Sim. Yonder he
is
coming, this way, Sir Hugh.
Evans. He's welcome. [Sings.] "To shallow rivers, to whose falls"
Heaven prosper the right! What weapons
Caius.
he?
No weapons, sir. There comes my master, Master Shallow, and another gentleman, from Frogmore, over the stile, this way. Evans. Pray you, give me my gown; or else keep it in your arms. Enter page, shallow, and slender.
derful.
Ah, sweet Anne Page! Page. 'Save you, good Sir Hugh! Evans. 'Pless you from his mercy sake,
40
Slen. [Aside]
of
What,
the sword and the word! do
hose this raw rheumatic day! Evans. There is reasons and causes for
you
it.
We are come to you to do a good office,
master parson. Evans. Fery well; what
50
patience that ever
you saw.
have lived fourscore years and upward; man of his place, gravity and learning, so wide of his own respect. I
never heard a
Evans. Page.
What is he?
I
think
you know him; Master Doctor
Caius, the renowned French physician.
61
Evans. Got's will, and his passion of my heart! I
had
Evans. [Aside to caius] Pray you, let us not be laughing-stocks to other men's humours; I desire in friendship,
I
will
one
as lief
you would
tell
me
of a mess of
way
or other
knog your urinals about your knave's cogscomb for missing your meetings and appointments. 92 Caius. Diablef Jack Rugby mine host de Jarhave I not stay for him to kill him? have I teer [Aloud]
will
I
—
—
As
Evans.
I
I
am
did appoint?
now, look you, be judgement by
a Christians soul
mine host of the Garter. Host. Peace, I say, Gallia and Gaul, French and Welsh, soul-curer and body-curer! 100 Caius. Ay, dat is very good; excellent. Host. Peace, I say! hear mine host of the Garter.
Am
am
politic?
I
Shall
my
lose
I
my
I
subtle?
priest,
am
I
my
terrestrial; so.
Boys of
art, I
directed
you
a Machiavel?
me
the po-
my
parson,
doctor? no; he gives Sir
Hugh?
I
lose
no; he gives
proverbs and the no- verbs. Give
me
me
the
thy hand
me thy hand, celestial; so. have deceived you both; I have
Give
to
wrong
places.
Your
mighty, your skins are whole, and
hearts are let
burnt
sack be the issue. Come, lay their swords to pawn. Follow me, lads of peace; follow, follow, follow. Shal.
Trust me, a
mad
host. Follow, gentlemen,
follow. Slen. [Aside]
O sweet Anne Page!
[Exeunt shallow, slender, page, and host.
porridge. Page.
and
make you amends.
tions and the motions. Shall
is it?
Page. Yonder is a most reverend gentleman, who, belike having received wrong by some person, is at most odds with his own gravity and
Shal.
John ape.
this is the place appointed. I'll
study them both, master parson? Page. And youthful still! in your doublet and
I
good time. gar, you are de coward, de Jack dog,
By
Caius.
not, at de place all
you!
Page.
I
tience. In
you
How now,
master Parson! Good morrow, good Sir Hugh. Keep a gamester from the dice, and a good student from his book, and it is won-
Shal.
80 pray you, let-a me speak a word with your ear. Vherefore vill you not meet-a me? Evans. [Aside to caius] Pray you, use your palish.
is
Sim.
Shal.
III
Pabylon
And a thousand vagram posies.
To shallow"
ACT
Why? He has
Caius.
no more knowledge in Hibocrates and Galen and he is a knave besides; a cowardly knave as you would desires to be acEvans.
—
quainted withal. Page. I warrant you, he's the man should fight with him. 7/ Slen. [Aside] sweet Anne Page! Shal. It appears so by his weapons. Keep them asunder; here comes Doctor Caius.
O
Ha, do
I
perceive dat? have you make-a
de sot of us, ha, ha? Evans. This is well; he has made us his vlouting-stog. I desire you that we may be friends; and let us knog our prains together to be revenge on this same scall, scurvy, cogging companion, the host of the Garter Caius.
bring
By
gar,
with
all
me where is Anne
me too.
my heart. He promise to Page; by gar, he deceive
— SCENE
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
I
Evans. Well,
I
will smite his noddles.
Pray you, [Exeunt.
follow.
Scene
ii.
A street
see you'll be a courtier.
Enter ford.
Well met, Mistress Page. Whither go 10 sir,
&c. Well met, Master Ford. I have good cheer at home; and I pray you all go with me. Shal. I must excuse myself, Master Ford have appointed to Slen. And so must I, sir. dine with Mistress Anne, and I would not break with her for more money than I'll speak of. Shal. have lingered about a match between Anne Page and my cousin Slender, and this day 60 we shall have our answer. Slen. I hope I have your good will, father Page. Page. You have, Master Slender; I stand wholly for you; but my wife, master doctor, is for you Ford. Trust me, a good knot.
Mrs. Page. Nay, keep your way, little gallant; you were wont to be a follower, but now you are a leader. Whether had you rather lead mine eyes, or eye your master's heels? Rob. I had rather, forsooth, go before you like a man than follow him like a dwarf. Mrs. Page. O, you are a flattering boy. Now I
Ford.
Enter page, shallow, slender, host, sir HUGH EVANS, CAIUS, and RUGBY. Shal., Page,
Enter mistress page and robin.
you? Mrs. Page. Truly,
87
to see your wife. Is she at
We
We
altogether.
Cams. Ay, be-gar; and de maid
is
love-a me.
home?
My nursh-a Quickly tell me so mush.
Ay; and as idle as she may hang together, want of company. I think, if your husbands were dead, you two would marry. Mrs. Page. Be sure of that two other husbands. Ford. Where had you this pretty weathercock? Mrs. Page. I cannot tell what the dickens his name is my husband had him of. What do you 21 call your knight's name, sirrah?
Host. What say you to young Master Fenton? he capers, he dances, he has eyes of youth, he writes verses, he speaks holiday, he smells April and May. He will carry't, he will carry't; 'tis in his buttons; he will carry't. 7/ Page. Not by my consent, I promise you. The gentleman is of no having. He kept company with the wild prince and Poins; he is of too high a region; he knows too much. No, he shall not knit a knot in his fortunes with the finger of my substance. If he take her, let him take her simply; the wealth I have waits on my consent, and my
Ford.
for
—
Rob. Sir John Falstaff. Ford. Sir John Falstaff! Mrs. Page. He, he; I can never hit on's name. There is such a league between my good man and he! Is your wife at home indeed? Ford. Indeed she
Mrs. Page. By your Ford.
leave, sir.
I
am
sick
till I
see
[Exeunt mistress page and robin.
her.
consent goes not that way. Ford.
is.
Has Page any
brains? hath he
any eyes?
beseech you heartily, some of you go to dinner. Besides your cheer, you
I
home with me
have sport; I Master doctor, you
shall
and you, Sir Hugh. Shal. Well, fare you well.
hath he any thinking? Sure, they sleep; he hath
ter Page;
no use of them. Why, this boy will carry a letter twenty mile, as easy as a cannon will shoot point-
freer
He pieces out his wife's inhe gives her folly motion and advantage; and now she's going to my wife, and Falstaff 's boy with her. A man may hear this shower sing in the wind. And Falstaff' s boy with her! Good plots, they are laid; and our revolted wives share damnation together. Well; I will take him, then torture my wife, pluck the borrowed veil of modesty from the so seeming Mistress Page, divulge Page himself for a secure and wilful Actaeon; and to these violent proceedings all my neighbours shall cry aim. [Clock heard.] The clock gives me my cue, and my assurance bids me search. There I shall find Falstaff. I shall be rather praised for this than mocked; for it is as
wooing
at
positive as the earth I
will go.
is
firm that Falstaff
is
there.
50
[Exeunt
Cams.
a monster.
We
you, Mas-
shall
have the
Master Page's.
blank twelve score. clination;
show you
will
shall go; so shall
shallow and slender.
Go home, John Rugby; I come anon.
Host. Farewell,
my
hearts.
I
[Exit
RUGBY.
my
honest
will to
knight Falstaff, and drink canary with him. [Exit.
Ford. [Aside] first
with him;
I
pipewine make him dance. Will you go,
think
I'll
I
shall drink in
gentles? All.
Have with you to
see this monster. [Exeunt.
Scene
hi.
A room in Ford's house
Enter mistress ford and mistress page.
Mrs. Ford. What, John! What, Robert! Mrs. Page. Quickly, quickly! Is the buckbasket
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
88
Mrs. Ford.
I
warrant.
What, Robin,
I
Mrs. Ford.
say!
be a Enter Servants with a basket.
Mr.
Page.
we must
the
brow
should
you
John
before,
becomes the ship-tire, the tireof Venetian admittance. 61 plain kerchief, Sir John. My brows
that
valiant, or
told
I
Let the court of France show me such anI see how thine eye would emulate the diamond. Thou hast the right arched beauty of
be brief. I
Sir John! alas,
pitiful lady!
other.
Mrs. Ford. Here, set it down. Mrs. Page. Give your men the charge; as
your lady,
I
III
Fal.
Come, come, come.
Mrs. Ford. Marry,
ACT
any
Mrs. Ford.
A
tire
and Robert, be ready here hard by in the brewhouse; and when I suddenly call you, come forth, and without any pause or staggering take this basket on your shoulders. That done, trudge with
the firm fixture of thy foot would give an excel-
in all haste, and carry it among the whitsters in Datchet-mead, and there empty it in the muddy
thingale.
it
by the Thames side. Mrs. Page. You will do it? Mrs. Ford. I ha' told them over and over; they lack no direction. Be gone, and come when you [Exeunt Servants 20 are called Mrs. Page. Here comes little Robin. ditch close
.
Enter robin.
Mrs. Ford. How now, news with you?
my
eyas-musket! what
My
master, Sir John, is come in at your Rob. back-door, Mistress Ford, and requests your
company. Mrs. Page. You
My
cue. I
warrant thee;
if I
do not act
it,
hiss
[Exit.
4/
Go to, then. We'll use this unwhole-
some humidity, this gross watery pumpion; teach him to know turtles from jays.
we'll
Fal.
"Have
I
caught thee,
let
enough. This
me
is
die,
my heavenly jewel?"
for
I
the period of
Fal.
Mistress Ford.
lady.
I
Thou wouldst make
motion to thy gait in a semi-circled farI see what thou wert, if Fortune thy foe were not, Nature thy friend. Come, thou
lent
canst not hide
it.
7/
Mrs. Ford. Believe me, there's no such thing in me. Fal.
What made me
love thee? let that per-
suade thee there's something extraordinary in thee. Come, I cannot cog and say thou art this and that, like a many of these lisping hawthorn-
come like women in men's apparel, and smell like Bucklersbury in simple time; I cannot. But I love thee; none but thee; and thou buds, that
deservest
81
it.
Do
not betray me,
sir. I
fear
you
love Mistress Page. Fal.
Thou
mightst as well say
by the Counter-gate, which
is
I
love to walk
as hateful to
me
of a lime-kiln. Mrs. Ford. Well, heaven knows how I love you; and you shall one day find it. Fal. Keep in that mind; I'll deserve it. Mrs. Ford. Nay, I must tell you, so you do; or else I could not be in that mind. pi Rob. [Within] Mistress Ford, Mistress Ford! here's Mistress Page at the door, sweating and blowing and looking wildly, and would needs speak with you presently. Fal. She shall not see me. I will ensconce me as the reek
behind the arras.
Mrs. Ford. Pray you, do
so. She's a very tattling [falstaff hides himself.
O
done? You're shamed, you're overthrown, you're
my
ambition.
cannot cog,
Now
an absolute courtier; and
100 What's the matter? how now! Mrs. Page. O Mistress Ford, what have you
shall
I
I
cannot
sin in
my
would thy husband were dead. I'll speak before the best lord; I would make thee my
wish: it
I
nor that well neither.
have lived long
O sweet Sir John!
Mistress Ford,
prate,
else;
the Lord, thou art a traitor to say so.
Re-enter mistress page and robin.
this blessed hour!
Mrs. Ford.
By
woman.
Enter falstaff.
Why, now
Fal.
Mrs. Ford.
little Jack-a-Lent, have you been true to us? master knows not Rob. Ay, I'll be sworn. of your being here and hath threatened to put me into everlasting liberty if I tell you of it; for he swears he'll turn me away. Mrs. Page. Thou'rt a good boy. This secrecy of thine shall be a tailor to thee and shall make thee a new doublet and hose. I'll go hide me. Mrs. Ford. Do so. Go tell thy master I am alone. [Exit robin.] Mistress Page, remember you your
Mrs. Page. me. Mrs. Ford.
become nothing
undone for ever! Mrs. Ford. What's the matter, good Mistress Page? Mrs. Page. O well-a-day, Mistress Ford! having an honest man to your husband, to give him such cause of suspicion! Mrs. Ford. What cause of suspicion?
—
— SCENE
!
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
III
Mrs. Page.
What
cause of suspicion!
Out upon
how am I mistook in you!
you!
///
Mrs. Page. Why, alas, what's the matter? Mrs. Page. Your husband's coming hither, woman, with all the officers in Windsor, to search for a gentleman that he says is here now in the house by your consent, to take an ill advantage of his absence. You are undone. Mrs. Ford. 'Tis not so, I hope. Mrs. Page. Pray heaven it be not so, that you
have such a man here! but 'tis most certain your husband's coming, with half Windsor at his heels, to search for such a one. I come before to tell you. If you know yourself clear, why,
me
89
be your jest; I deserve whither bear you this? Serv.
it.
How
now!
To the laundress, forsooth. Why, what have you to
do whither they bear it? You were best meddle with buckwashing. Ford. Buck! I would I could wash myself of the buck! Buck, buck, buck! Ay, buck; I warrant you, buck; and of the season too, it shall appear. [Exeunt Servants with the basket.] Gentlemen, I Mrs. Ford.
have dreamed to-night; I'll tell you my dream. Here, here, here be my keys. Ascend my chambers; search, seek, find out.
I'll
warrant we'll
you have a friend here, convey, convey him out. Be not amazed; call all
[Locking the door.] So,
me stop this way now uncape.
Good Master
Ford, be contented.
your senses to vou; defend your reputation, or bid farewell to your good life for ever. Mrs. Ford. What shall I do? There is a gentleman my dear friend; and I fear not mine own shame so much as his peril. I had rather than a thousand pound he were out of the house. Mrs. Page. For shame! never stand "you had rather" and "you had rather." Your husband's here at hand; bethink you of some conveyance. In the house you cannot hide him. O, how have you deceived me! Look, here is a basket. If he be of any reasonable stature, he may creep in here; and throw foul linen upon him, as if it were going to bucking, or it is whiting-time send him by your two men to Datchet-mead. 141 Mrs. Ford. He's too big to go in there. What
wrong yourself too much.
I
am
glad of
it;
but if
—
shall
I
Fal. see't,
do?
[Coming forward] Let me see't, let me O, let me see't! I'll in, I'll in. Follow
your friend's counsel. I'll in. Mrs. Page. What, Sir John Falstaff! Are these your letters, knight? Fal. I love thee. Help me away. Let me creep in here.
I'll
never
/jo
Gets into the basket; they cover
him with foul
linen.
Mrs. Page. Help to cover your master, ooy. Call your men, Mistress Ford. You dissembling knight Mrs. Ford. What, John! Robert! John! [Exit ROBIN.
Re-enter Servants.
Go
take up these clothes here quickly. Where's
how you
drumble! Carry them to the laundress in Datchet-mead; quickly, the cowl-staff? look,
Page.
Ford. True, Master Page. Up, gentlemen; shall see sport anon:
Enter ford, page, caius, and sir Ford. Pray you,
why
hugh
evans.
come near. If I suspect withmake sport at me; then let
then
fery fantastical
is
first.
You you
follow me, gentlemen. 180
[Exit.
Evans. This
humours and
jealousies.
Caius.
By
gar,
'tis
no the fashion of France;
it is
not jealous in France. Page.
Nay, follow him, gentlemen; see the
issue of his search.
Mrs. Page.
[Exeunt page, caius, and evans. not a double excellency in
Is there
this?
Mrs. Ford. I know not which pleases me better, my husband is deceived, or Sir John. Mrs. Page. What a taking was he in when your husband asked who was in the basket! Mrs. Ford. I am half afraid he will have need of washing; so throwing him into the water will do him a benefit. Mrs. Page. Hang him, dishonest rascal! I would all of the same strain were in the same distress. Mrs. Ford. I think my husband hath some special suspicion of FalstafFs being here; for I never saw him so gross in his jealousy till now. Mrs. Page. I will lay a plot to try that; and we will yet have more tricks with Falstaff. His dissolute disease will scarce obey this medicine. Mrs. Ford. Shall we send that foolish carrion, Mistress Quickly, to him, and excuse his throwing into the water; and give him another hope, to betray him to another punishment? Mrs. Page. will do it. Let him be sent for tomorrow, eight o'clock, to have amends. 210 that
We
Tie-enter
come.
out cause,
unkennel the fox. Let
ford, page, caius, and sir
hugh
evans.
Ford. I cannot find him. May be the knave bragged of that he could not compass. Mrs. Page. [Aside to mistress ford] Heard you that?
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
9o
Mrs. Ford. You use me well, Master Ford, do you? Ford. Ay, I do so. Mrs. Ford. Heaven make you better than your
I
'tis a thing impossible should love thee but as a property.
Anne.
May be he tells you true.
Fent.
No, heaven so speed me
judgment!
Cams.
By gar, nor
Page.
Fie,
I too. There is no bodies. Master Ford! are you not ashamed? What spirit, what devil suggests this imagination? I would not ha' your distemper in this kind for the wealth of Windsor Castle. Ford. 'Tis my fault, Master Page. I suffer for it.
fie,
You
Your among
suffer for a pad conscience.
a'omans as I will desires and five hundred too. Caius. By gar, I see 'tis an honest woman. Ford. Well, I promised you a dinner. Come, is
as honest
five thousand,
pray you, pardon me; I will hereafter make known to you why I have done this. Come, wife; come, Mistress Page. I pray you, pardon me; pray heartily, pardon me. Page. Let's go in, gentlemen; but, trust me, we'll mock him. I do invite you to-morrow morning to my house to breakfast. After, we'll a-birding together; I have a fine hawk for the bush. Shall it be so? Ford. Anything.
come, walk
in the Park.
Evans. If there
is
one,
I
I
make two
shall
in the
company.
25/
Caius. If dere
be one or two,
I
shall
make-a the
Albeit
I
my
time to
I
will confess thy father's wealth
Was the first motive that I woo'd thee, Anne; Yet, wooing thee,
Than stamps
And
'tis
I found thee of more value gold or sums in sealed bags;
in
the very riches of thyself
That now
I aim at. Anne. Gentle Master Fenton, Yet seek my father's love; still seek it, sir. If opportunity and humblest suit
Cannot
attain
why, then
it,
—hark
pray you now, remembrance to-mor-
row on the lousy knave, mine host. is
Scene
iv.
Enter
A
He doth object I And that, my
apart.
Shal. Break their talk, Mistress Quickly. kinsman shall speak for himself. Slen. 'tis
I'll
make
a shaft or a bolt on't.
My
'Slid,
but venturing.
Shal. Slen.
Be not dismayed. No, she shall not dismay me.
for that, but that
I
am
I
care not
afeard.
Quick. Hark ye; Master Slender would speak a word with you. 50 Anne. I come to him. [Aside] This is my father's choice.
O, what a world of vile ill-favour'd faults Looks handsome in three hundred pounds a-year! Quick. And how does good Master Fenton? Pray you, a word with you. Shal. She's
O
coming; to her, coz.
boy, thou
hadst a father! Slen.
can
I
tell
had a
father, Mistress
you good
jests
Anne;
Shal. Mistress
Ay,
Anne,
that
I
my
uncle
of him. Pray you, uncle, father stole 41
my cousin loves you.
do;
as
well as
I
love any
woman in Gloucestershire. Shal.
He will maintain you like a gentlewoman.
Slen.
Ay,
that
I
will,
come
cut and long-tail,
under the degree of a squire.
room
in Page's house
fenton and anne page.
Fent. I see I cannot get thy father's love; Therefore no more turn me to him, sweet Nan. Anne. Alas, how then? Fent.
20 hither!
Enter shallow, slender, and mistress quickly.
Slen.
good; by gar, with all my heart! Evans. A lousy knave, to have his gibes and his mockeries! Exeunt. 260
Dat
vou
[They converse
tell
Ford. Pray you, go, Master Page.
Caius.
in
Mistress Anne the jest, how my two geese out of a pen, good uncle.
turd.
Evans.
10
come!
220 Ford. Amen! Mrs. Page. You do yourself mighty wrong, Master Ford. Ford. Ay, ay; I must bear it. Evans. If there be any pody in the house, and in the chambers, and in the coffers, and in the presses, heaven forgive my sins at the day of
wife
III
And tells me
thoughts!
Evans.
ACT
Why, thou must be thyself. am too great of birth;
my expense,
Shal. He will make you a hundred and fifty jo pounds jointure. Anne. Good Master Shallow, let him woo for
himself.
Marry, I thank you good comfort. She
Shal.
for that
for
seek to heal it only by his wealth. Besides these, other bars he lays before me,
Now, Master Slender Now, good Mistress Anne Anne. What is your will?
My riots past, my wild societies;
Slen.
with
I thank you you, coz. I'll
leave you.
I
state being gall'd
it;
calls
Anne. Slen.
My
will! 'od's heartlings, that's a pretty
.
.
SCENE
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
IV
made
jest indeed! I ne'er
heaven;
I
am
my
will yet,
I
not such a sickly creature,
thank I
give
62 heaven praise. Anne. I mean, Master Slender, what would you with me? Slen. Truly, for mine own part, I would little or nothing with you. Your father and my uncle hath made motions. If it be my luck, so; if not, happy man be his dole! They can tell you how things go better than I can. You may ask your
comes
father ; here he
70
Enter page and mistress page. Page. ter
Why,
—
.
Now, Master Slender. Love him, daughAnne. how now! what does Master Fenton
Fent.
I
told you,
sir,
sir,
thus
still
to haunt
my
Give
you hear me? No, good Master Fenton.
slack
I
love your
daughter In such a righteous fashion as all
I
do,
checks, rebukes and manners,
must advance the colours of my love
And not retire. Let me have your good will. Anne. Good mother, do not marry me to yond fool.
Mrs. Page.
v.
A
room
in the Garter
Inn
Fal. Bardolph, I
Bard. Here,
Go
say
sir.
fetch
me
a quart of sack; put a toast
[Exit bardolph.]
Have
I
lived to be carried
barrow of butcher's offal, and the Thames? Well, if I be served
thrown
in
I'll have my brains ta'en out and buttered, and give them to a dog for a new year's gift. The rogues slighted me into the river with as little remorse as they would have
such another trick,
drowned
a blind bitch's puppies, fifteen
i'
the
and you may know by my size that I have a kind of alacrity in sinking; if the bottom were as deep as hell, I should down. I had been drowned, but that the shore was shelvy and shallow a death that I abhor; for the water swells a man; and what a thing should I have been when I had been swelled! I should have been a mountain of mummy. litter;
Perforce, against I
Scene
to be
Quick. Speak to Mistress Page.
Mistress Page, for that
[Exit.
it!
in a basket, like a
M
Good
There's for thy
heaven send thee good fortune! A kind heart he hath. A woman would run through fire and water for such a kind heart. But yet I would my master had Mistress Anne; or I would Master Slender had her; or, in sooth, I would Master Fenton had her. I will do what I can for them all three; for so I have promised, and I'll be as good as my word; but speciously for Master Fenton. Well, I must of another errand to Sir John Falstaff from my two mistresses. What a beast am I to
in't.
Come, Master Shallow; come, son Slender, in. Knowing my mind, you wrong me, aster Fenton [Exeunt page, shallow and slender. Fent.
this ring.
Now
Quick.
Fal.
no match for you.
Page
Nan
sweet
[Exit fenton.]
my daughter is disposed of.
my child. Fent. Sir, will
pray thee, once to-
Enter falstaff and bardolph.
Nay, Master Page, be not impatient. Mrs. Page. Good Master Fenton, come not to is
I
pains.
my house.
Fent.
Page. She
thank thee; and
I
night
here?
You wrong me,
91
mean
I
it
not;
I
seek you a better
—
husband. Quick. That's
Anne. Alas,
Re-enter
my master, master doctor. I
had rather be
set
quick
i'
earth
the
90
And bowl'd to death with turnips!
My daughter will I question how she loves you, as
I
find her, so
am I
must needs go
father will be angry.
Nan.
[Exeunt mistress page and Anne.
my
21
swallowed snowballs for
pills to
cool the reins.
Call her in.
Bard.
Come in, woman! Enter mistress quickly.
Quick. By your leave; I cry you mercy. Give your worship good morrow. Fal.
Take away
these chalices.
now: "Nay," said I, "will you cast away your child on a fool, and a physician? Look on Master Fenton." This is my
a pottle of sack finely.
doing.
my brewage.
is
to speak
Come, let me pour in some sack to the Thames water; for my belly's as cold as if I had
in;
Fent. Farewell, gentle mistress: farewell,
Quick. This
sir,
with you.
affected.
Till then farewell, sir; she
Her
sack.
Fal.
Mrs. Page. Come, trouble not yourself. Good Master Fenton, I will not be your friend nor enemy.
And
bardolph with
Bard. Here's Mistress Quickly,
doing,
Bard. Fal.
With
Go brew me 5o
eggs, sir?
Simple of
itself;
I'll
no pullet-sperm How now!
[Exit bardolph.]
in
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
92 Quick. Marry, sir, from Mistress Ford. Fal. I
I
to your worship
I
have had ford enough; I have my belly full
into the ford;
of ford.
good
heart, that
was not
She does so take on with her men; they mistook their erection. 41 Fal. So did I mine, to build upon a foolish fault.
woman's promise. sir,
for
it,
that
it
would yearn your heart to see it. Her husband goes this morning a-birding; she desires you once more to come to her between eight and nine. I must carry her word quickly. She'll make you amends, I warrant you. Fal. Well, I will visit her. Tell her so; and bid her think what a man is. Let her consider his frailty, and then judge of my merit. $2 Quick.
I
will tell her.
Do so. Between nine and ten,
Quick. Eight and nine, Fal.
Weil, be gone.
I
I
marvel
me word
sent well.
I
sayest thou?
sir.
will not miss her.
Quick. Peace be with you, Fal.
[Exit.
sir.
hear not of Master Brook; he
to stay within.
I like his
O, here he comes.
money 60
Enter ford. Ford. Bless you,
sir!
Now,
master Brook, you come to know what hath passed between me and Ford's wife? Ford. That, indeed, Sir John, is my business. Fal. Master Brook, I will not lie to you. I was at her house the hour she appointed me. Ford. And sped you, sir? Fal. Very ill-favouredly, Master Brook. Ford. How so, sir? Did she change her determination? jo Fal.
No, Master Brook; but the peaking Cornuto her husband, Master Brook, dwelling in a continual 'larum of jealousy, comes me in the inFal.
of our encounter, after we had embraced, kissed, protested, and, as it were, spoke the prologue of our comedy; and at his heels a rabble of his companions, thither provoked and instigated stant
by
his distemper, and, forsooth, to search his
house for
his wife's love.
Fal.
What, while you were there? While I was there.
Fal.
And
Ford.
find
the Lord, a buck-basket! rammed me with foul shirts and smocks, socks, foul stockings, greasy napkins; that, Master Brook, there was the rankest compound of villainous Fal.
By
smell that ever offended nostril.
And how long lay you there?
Ford.
Nay, you
shall hear, Master Brook, what have suffered to bring this woman to evil for your good. Being thus crammed in the basket, a couple of Ford's knaves, his hinds, were called forth by their mistress to carry me in the name of foul clothes to Datchet-lane. They took me on their shoulders; met the jealous knave their master in the door, who asked them once or twice what they had in their basket; I quaked for fear, lest the lunatic knave would have searched it; but fate, ordaining he should be a cuckold, held his hand. Well, on went he for a search, and away went I for foul clothes. But mark the sequel, Master Brook. I suffered the pangs of three several deaths; first, an intolerable fright, to be detected with a jealous rotten bell-wether; next, to be compassed, like a good bilbo, in the circumference of a peck, hilt to point, heel to head; and then, to be stopped in, like a strong distillation, with stinking clothes that fretted in a man of my their own grease. Think of that kidney think of that that am as subject to heat as butter; a man of continual dissolution and I
— thaw— was it
And
—
—
a miracle to 'scape suffocation.
in the height
of this bath, when
did he search for you, and could not
You shall hear. As good luck would have comes in one Mistress Page; gives intelligence of Ford's approach; and, in her invention
I
was more
than half stewed in grease, like a Dutch dish, to
be thrown into the Thames, and cooled, glowing hot, in that surge, like a horse-shoe; think of
that
—
hissing hot
—think of
Ford. In good sadness,
that,
Master Brook.
am
sorry that for suit then sake you have suffered all this. desperate; you'll undertake her no more? sir, I
My
my is
Master Brook, I will be thrown into Etna, have been into Thames, ere I will leave her thus. Her husband is this morning gone a-birding. I have received from her another embassy of meeting; 'twixt eight and nine is the hour, Master Brook. Fal.
as
I
Ford. 'Tis past eight already,
So
you?
Fal.
it,
me
A buck-basket!
Ford.
Fal.
Quick. Well, she laments,
Fal.
m
in
Quick. Alas the day!
her
act
and Ford's wife's distraction, they conveyed into a buck-basket.
Mistress Ford!
was thrown
come
Fal. Is it? I will
Come
sir.
then address
me
me
to
my
ap-
your convenient leisure, and you shall know how I speed; and the conclusion shall be crowned with your enjoying her. Adieu. You shall have her, Master Brook; pointment.
Master Brook, you Ford.
Hum!
ha!
is
to
shall
at
cuckold Ford.
this a vision? is this a
[Exit.
dream?
—
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
SCENE V
Master Ford, awake! awake, Master Ford! there's a hole made in your best coat, Master Ford. This 'tis to be married! this 'tis to have linen and buck-baskets! Well, I will proclaim myself what I am. I will now take the lecher; he is at my house; he cannot 'scape me; do
'tis
I
—
sleep?
impossible he should.
He
cannot creep into a
halfpenny purse, nor into a pepper-box; but, lest the devil that guides him should aid him, I will search impossible places. Though what I am I cannot avoid, yet to be what I would not shall not make me tame. If I have horns to make one mad, let the proverb go with me: I'll be horn-
mad.
[Exit.
ACT Scene
i.
he
at
Will. Lapis.
Evans. That is a good William. William, that does lend articles?
is
by
Master Ford's already, this,
and be thus declined:
or will be presently.
Singulariter,
genitivo, hujus.
Well, what
I
pray you, have your remembrance,
"Hang-hog"
is
be with her by and by; I'll but bring my young man here to school. Look, where his master comes; 'tis a playing-day, I see. I'll
Will.
O
Quick.
Master Slender
w
let
is
the boys
my
husband says my son the world at his book. I pray
Evans. Come hither, William; head; come.
hold up your
vocativo,
0.
nouns?
Two. thought there had been one say, "Od's nouns."
number more, because they Evans. Peace your William?
tattlings!
What
is
"fair,"
Will. Pulcher.
Quick. Polecats! there are fairer things than polecats, sure.
Evans.
You
Will.
are a very simplicity 'oman.
What is lapis, William?
A stone.
Evans.
And what is "a stone," William?
I
50 pray
is caret.
And that's a good root.
What
your genitive case
is
plural,
Will. Genitive case!
horum, harum, horwn.
Vengeance of Jenny's
case! fie
on
her!
never name her, child, if she be a whore. Evans. For shame, 'oman.
You do
ill
to teach the child such words.
him to hick and
to hack, which do fast enough of themselves, and to call "horum." Fie upon you! jo Evans. 'Oman, art thou lunatics? hast thou no understandings for thy cases and the numbers of
teaches
they'll
the genders?
Mrs. Page. Come on, sirrah; hold up your head; answer your master, be not afraid. 20 Evans. William, how many numbers is in
I
is
Evans. Ay.
Qiiick.
you, ask him some questions in his accidence.
Quick. Truly,
What
William?
He
Quick. Blessing of his heart!
profits nothing in
war-
Mrs. Page. Peace!
Quick.
leave to play.
Hugh,
I
57
Will. Genitive
evans.
How now, Sir Hugh! no school to-day?
you, peace.
Latin for bacon,
Evans. Leave your prabbles, 'oman,
Evans.
Sir
your ac-
is
Will. Accusativo, hinc.
Evans.
you to come suddenly.
Will.
nominativo,
cusative case?
Evans. 'Oman, forbear.
Mrs. Page.
4.0
Evans. Nominativo, hig, hag, hog; pray you,
mark:
is very courageous mad about his throwing into the water. Mistress Ford desires
hugh
he,
hie, hzzc, hoc.
But, truly, he
Enter sir
is
borrowed of the pronoun,
Will. Articles are
Evans. Remember, William; focative
Quick. Sure he
Evans. No;
What
the focative case, William?
think'st thou?
Mrs. Page.
pray you, remember in
rant you.
WILLIAM. Is
it is lapis. I
prain.
Quick. street
Enter mistress page, mistress quickly, and
Mrs. Page.
Evans. No,
your
93
A pebble.
child; accusativo, hung, hang, hog.
IV
A
Will.
tures as
I
Thou
would
art as foolish Christian crea-
desires.
Mrs. Page. Prithee, hold thy peace. Show me now, William, some declensions of your pronouns. Will. Forsooth, I have forgot. Evans. It is qui, qua, quod. If you forget your quies, your quas, and your quods, you must be preeches. Go your ways, and play; go. Mrs. Page. He is a better scholar than I thought Evans.
he was. Evans.
He
is
a
good sprag memory. Farewell,
Mistress Page.
Mrs. Page. Adieu, good
Sir
Hugh. [Exit SIR
HUGH.]
Get you home, boy. Come, we stay too long. [Exeunt.
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
94
Scene
ii.
A
room
Enter falstaff and mistress ford.
Fal.
Mistress Ford, your sorrow hath eaten up sufferance. I see you are obsequious in your
love,
and
I
profess requital to a hair's breadth;
not only, Mistress Ford, in the simple office of love, but in all the accoutrement, complement and ceremony of it. But are you sure of your husband now? Mrs. Ford. He's a-birding, sweet Sir John. Mrs. Page. [Within] What, ho, gossip Ford! 10 what, ho! Mrs. Ford. Step into the chamber, Sir John. [Exit FALSTAFF.
Enter mistress page.
How
Mrs. Page.
home
now, sweetheart! who's
at
besides yourself?
louder. I
am so glad you have nobody
here.
20 Mrs. Ford. Why? Mrs. Page. Why, woman, your husband is in his old lines again. He so takes on yonder with
my
married mankind; so curses all Eve's daughters, of what complexion soever; and so buffets himself on the forehead, crying, "Peer out, peer out!" that any madness I ever yet beheld seemed but tameness, civility, and patience, to this his distemper he is in now. I am glad the fat knight is
husband; so
rails against all
not here.
Mrs. Ford. Mrs. Page.
I
No,
I'll
come no more
Why, does he talk of him? Of none but him; and swears
50 he was
my
husband he is now here, and hath drawn him and the rest of their company from their sport, to make another experiment of his suspicion. But I am glad the knight is not here; now he shall see his own foolery.
Mrs. Ford. Airs. Page.
How near is he, Hard
here anon.
Mistress Page?
basket again?
May 5/
Fal.
Where is it?
He
Mrs. Ford.
60 will seek there,
on
my
word.
Neither press, coffer, chest, trunk, well, vault, but he hath an abstract for the remembrance of such places, and goes to them by his note. There
no hiding you in the house. I'll go out then. Mrs. Page. If you go out
is
blance,
you
die, Sir
your
in
own sem-
John. Unless you go out dis-
guised
Mrs. Ford. How might we disguise him? jo Mrs. Page. Alas the day, I know not! There is no woman's gown big enough for him; otherwise he might put on a hat, a muffler and a kerchief, and so escape. Fal.
Good
hearts, devise something.
tremity rather than a mischief. maid's aunt, the Mrs. Ford. Brentford, has a gown above.
My
Mrs. Page.
On my
she's as big as
he
is;
fat
Any
ex-
woman
of
word, it will serve him; and there's her thrummed
hat and her muffler too.
Run up,
Sir John.
Mrs. Ford. Go, go, sweet Sir John. Mistress Page and I will look some linen for your head. Mrs. Page. Quick, quick! we'll come dress you straight. Put on the gown the while. 85 Mrs. Ford.
him
I
would
in this shape.
my
[Exit FALSTAFF. husband would meet
He cannot abide the old woman
of Brentford; he swears she's a witch; forbade her my house and hath threatened to beat her. Mrs. Page. Heaven guide him to thy husband's cudgel, and the devil guide his cudgel afterwards Mrs. Ford. But is my husband coming? Mrs. Page. Ay, in good sadness, is he; and talks of the basket too, howsoever he hath had !
by; at street end; he will be 4/
Mrs. Ford. I am undone! The knight is here. Mrs. Page. Why then you are utterly shamed, and he's but a dead man. What a woman are you! Away with him, away with him! better shame than murder. Mrs. Ford. Which way should he go? how should I bestow him? Shall I put him into the
—
the basket.
Mrs. Page. Alas, three of Master Ford's brothers watch the door with pistols, that none shall issue out; otherwise you might slip away ere he came. But what make you here? Fal. What shall I do? I'll creep up into the chimney. Mrs. Ford. There they always use to discharge their birding-pieces. Creep into the kiln-hole.
carried out, the last time he searched for him,, in a basket; protests to
i'
not go out ere he come?
Fal.
Mrs. Ford. Why, none but mine own people. Mrs. Page. Indeed! Mrs. Ford. No, certainly. [Aside to her] Speak Mrs. Page. Truly,
IV
Re-enter falstaff.
in Ford's house
Fal.
my
ACT
intelligence.
Mrs. Ford. We'll try
men
that; for
I'll
to carry the basket again, to
the door with
appoint
my
meet him
at
they did last time. Mrs. Page. Nay, but he'll be here presently. Let's go dress him like the witch of Brentford. Mrs. Ford. I'll first direct my men what they it,
as
SCENE shall
for
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
II
do with the basket.
him
Go
up;
bring linen
I'll
[Exit.
straight.
Mrs. Page. Hang him, dishonest varlet! we cannot misuse him enough. We'll leave a proof, by that which we will do, Wives may be merry, and yet honest too. do not act that often jest and laugh; Tis old, but true, Still swine eats all the draff.
We
[Exit.
Re-enter mistress
ford with
two
Mrs. Ford. Go, sirs, take the basket again on your shoulders. Your master is hard at door; if he bid you set it down, obey him. Quickly, dis[Exit.
patch. 1st
Serv.
2nd
Come, come, take it up.
Serv.
Pray heaven
it
Serv.
I
hope not;
I
be not
had
full
of knight
as lief bear so
much
Enter ford, page, shallow, caius, and sir
hugh
EVANS.
Ay, but if it prove true, Master Page* have you any way then to unfool me again? Set down the basket, villain! Somebody call my wife. Youth in a basket! O you pandarly rascals! Ford.
a knot,
a ging,
Now
against me.
shall
a conspiracy
a pack,
the devil be shamed.
fidelity, this is not well, Master wrongs you. 161 Evans. Master Ford, you must pray, and not follow the imaginations of your own heart. This
Ford;
is
this
jealousies.
Master Ford; you are not to go loose any longer; you must be pinioned.
Why,
this
is
lunatics! this
is
mad
mad dog!
as a 131
Shal. Indeed,
Master Ford,
this
is
not well, in-
deed.
Ford. So say
I
let
me
seek
for ever be
them say of me, "As
let
for.
your table-sport;
jealous as Ford, that
searched a hollow walnut for his wife's leman.'
Old woman! what old woman's
Ford.
Mrs
Ford.
A
Ford. I
Why,
know
that?
maid's aunt of Brent-
witch, a quean, an old cozening quean!
my
not forbid her
errands, does she?
not
my
it is
We
house? She comes of
are simple
men; we do
what's brought to pass under the pro-
works by charms, and such daubery as this
fession of fortune-telling. She
by
spells,
by the
figure,
beyond our element. We know nothing. Come down, you witch, you hag, you; come down, I is,
say!
too, sir.
Mrs. Ford. Nay, good, sweet husband! Re-enter mistress ford.
Come honest
gentlemen,
let
him not
strike the old
Good
woman. 190
hither, Mistress Ford; Mistress Ford, the
woman,
Re-enter falstaff in
the modest wife, the virtuous
I suspect without cause, mistress, do I? Mrs. Ford. Heaven be my witness you do, if you suspect me in any dishonesty. 14.0
band!
Well
said,
brazen- face! hold
it
out.
Come
forth, sirrah!
let
the clothes
alone.
Ford. I shall find you anon. Evans. 'Tis unreasonable! Will you take up
Come away.
you witch, you hag, you baggage, you poleyou ronyon! out, out! I'll conjure you, I'll
door,
[Exit falstaff.
fortune-tell you.
Pulling clothes out of the basket. Page. This passes!
your wife's clothes?
Mrs. Page. Come, Mother Prat; come, give me your hand. Ford. I'll prat her. [Beating him] Out of my cat,
Mrs. Ford. Are you not ashamed?
woman's clothes, and
mistress page.
creature, that hath the jealous fool to her hus-
Ford.
,
Satisfy me once more; once more search with me. Mrs. Ford. What, ho, Mistress Page! come you and the old woman down; my husband will come into the chamber.
Have this passes,
I
No, nor nowhere else but in your brain. Ford. Help to search my house this one time. If I find not what I seek, show no colour for my Page.
ing!
Evans.
no man.
By my
Shal.
ford.
Why,
man, there was
flea's death.
What, wife, I say! Come, come forth! Behold what honest clothes you send forth to bleachPage.
/50
a
one conveyed out of my house yesterday in this basket. Why may not he be there again? In my house I am sure he is. My intelligence is true; my jealousy is reasonable. Pluck me out all the linen. Mrs. Ford. If you find a man there, he shall die a
extremity;
lead.
there's
am
I
Ford. Well, he's not here
again 1st
Ford. Master Page, as
Page. Here's
servants.
95
Empty the basket, I say! Mrs. Ford. Why, man, why? Ford.
Mrs. Page. x\re you not ashamed? I think you have killed the poor woman. Mrs. Ford. Nay, he will do it. 'Tis a goodly credit for you. 200 Ford.
Hang her, witch! By yea and no,
Evans.
I
think the 'oman
is
a
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
96
witch indeed. I like not when a 'oman has a great I spy a great peard under his muffler. Ford. Will you follow, gentlemen? I beseech you, follow; see but the issue of my jealousy. If I cry out thus upon no trail, never trust me when peard;
I
open again. Page. Let's
Page.
obey
his
humour
a little further.
thou wilt.
Than thee with wantonness. In him that
As
hi.
Germans
.
desire to have three
them to you. have my horses; but I'll make them pay; I'll sauce them. They have had my house a week at command; I have turned away Bard.
Ay,
They
sir; I'll call
shall
my other guests. They must come off;
I'll
them. Come.
Scene
sauce
[Exeunt. iv.
A room in Ford's house
Enter page, ford, mistress page, mistress
ford, and sir
hugh
'Tis well,
Page.
Be not
As
heretic,
as
extreme
in
'tis
well; no more.
10
submission
in offence.
But let our plot go forward. Let our wives Yet once again, to make us public sport, Appoint a meeting with this old fat fellow, Where we may take him and disgrace him for it. Ford. There is no better way than that they spoke of. Page. How? to send him word they'll meet him in the park at midnight? Fie, fie! he'll never come. Evans. You say he has been thrown in the rivers and has been grievously peaten as an old 'oman. Methinks there should be terrors in him that he should not come; methinks his flesh is punished, he shall have no desires. Page. So think I too. Mrs. Ford. Devise but how you'll use him when he comes, iVnd
let
us
two devise to bring him thither.
Mrs. Page. There
is
an old tale goes that
Heme
the hunter,
Sometime a keeper here in Windsor forest, Doth all the winter-time, at still midnight,
30
Walk round about an oak, with great ragg'd And there he blasts the tree and takes the cattle And makes milch-kine yield blood and shakes a
of your horses. The Duke himself will be tomorrow at court, and they are going to meet him. Host. What duke should that be comes so secretly? I hear not of him in the court. Let me speak with the gentlemen. They speak English? Host.
was of late an
firm as faith.
horns;
A room in the Garter Inn
Enter host and b ardolph Bard. Sir, the
Now doth thy hon-
our stand,
Mrs. Page. Trust me, he beat him most pitifully. Mrs. Ford. Nay, by the mass, that he did not; he beat him most unpitifully, methought. Mrs. Page. I'll have the cudgel hallowed and hung o'er the altar; it hath done meritorious
Scene
letters at
rather will suspect the sun with cold
[Exeunt ford, page, shallow, caius, and evans.
Mrs. Ford. What think you? may we, with the warrant of womanhood and the witness of a good conscience, pursue him with any further revenge? 222 Mrs. Page. The spirit of wantonness is, sure, scared out of him. If the devil have him not in fee-simple, with fine and recovery, he will never, I think, in the way of waste, attempt us again. Mrs. Ford. Shall we tell our husbands how we have served him? Mrs. Page. Yes, by all means; if it be but to scrape the figures out of your husband's brains. If they can find in their hearts the poor unvirtuous fat knight shall be any further afflicted, we two will still be the ministers. Mrs. Ford. I'll warrant they'll have him publicly shamed; and methinks there would be no period to the jest, should he not be publicly shamed. Mrs. Page. Come, to the forge with it then; [Exeunt. shape it. I would not have things cool.
you both these
Mrs. Page. Within a quarter of an hour. Ford. Pardon me, wife. Henceforth do what
211
service.
did he send
IV
an instant?
I
Come, gentlemen.
And
ACT
evans.
Evans. 'Tis one of the best discretions of a 'oman as ever I did look upon.
chain In a most hideous and dreadful manner. You have heard of such a spirit, and well you
know The superstitious
idle-headed eld
Received and did deliver to our age This tale of Heme the hunter for a truth. Page.
Why, yet there want not many that do
fear
In deep of night to walk by this Heme's oak. 40 But what of this? Mrs. Ford. Marry, this is our device; That FalstafFat that oak shall meet with us. Page. Well, let it not be doubted but he'll come; And in this shape when you have brought him thither,
What
shall
be done with him? what
is
your plot?
SCENE
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
IV
Mrs. Page. That likewise have we thought upon,
Potent
at court.
her.
Like urchins, ouphes, and
Scene
fairies,
green and
and
Falstaff, she,
I
are
With some diffused
song.
50
Upon a sudden, at
all
encircle
sight,
him about
fairy-like, to pinch the unclean knight,
ask him why, that hour of fairy revel,
In their so sacred paths he dares to tread
In shape profane.
And till he tell the truth, 60 Mrs. Ford. Let the supposed fairies pinch him sound And burn him with their tapers. The truth being known, Mrs. Page. We'll
all
present ourselves, dis-horn the
spirit,
And mock him home to Windsor. The children must Ford. Be practised well to Evans.
and
I
I
this,
or thev'll ne'er do't.
will teach the children their behaviors;
my taber.
That
Ford.
I'll
fairies,
That
silk will
I
go buy. [Aside] And
him again in name of
to
Brook.
me all his
purpose. Sure, he'll come.
Mrs. Page. Fear not you
that.
Go get us proper-
ties
And tricking for our fairies. Evans. Let us about it. It and fery honest knaveries.
is
admirable pleasures 81
[Exeunt page, ford, and evans.
Mrs. Page. Go, mistress Ford, Send quickly to Sir John, to know his mind. [Exit MISTRESS FORD. I'll
to the doctor.
may
be
thine host, thine Ephesian, calls.
Fal.
[Above]
How now, mine host!
20
Here's a Bohemian-Tartar tarries the coming down of thy fat woman. Let her descend, bully, let her descend; my chambers are honour-
Enter falstaff.
He hath my good will,
And none but he, to marry with Nan Page. That Slender, though well landed,
is
an
idiot;
And he my husband best of all affects. The doctor is well money'd, and his friends
Fal. There was, mine host, an old fat woman even now with me; but she's gone. Sim. Pray you, sir, was't not the wise woman of
My
it,
mussel-shell.
What 5
Master Slender, sent to her, seeing her go through the streets, to know, sir, whether one Nym, sir, that beguiled him of a chain, had the chain or no. Fal. I spake with the old woman about it. Sim. And what says she, I pray, sir? Fal. Marry, she says that the very same man that beguiled Master Slender of his chain cozened him of it. Sim. I would I could have spoken with the woman herself; I had other things to have spoken with her too from him. 42 Fal. What are they? let us know. Host. Ay, come; quick. Sim.
straight.
tell
is
Fal. Ay, marry, was would you with her?
Master Slender steal my Nan away And marry her at Eton. Go send to Falstaff
Shall
I'll
the knight
Bully knight! bully Sir John! speak from thy lungs military. Art thou there? it call.
Brentford?
in
that time
Nay,
woman!
a fat
I'll
70
Finely attired in a robe of white.
He'll
Ha!
Host.
robbed.
go buy them
Mrs. Page. My Nan shall be the queen of all the
Ford.
indeed.
able. Fie! privacy? fie!
will be excellent.
vizards.
Page.
sir, I come to speak with Sir John from Master Slender. Host. There's his chamber, his house, his castle, his standing-bed and truckle-bed; 'tis painted about with the story of the Prodigal, fresh and new. Go knock and call; he'll speak like an Anthropophaginian unto thee. Knock, I say. // Sim. There's an old woman, a fat woman, gone up into his chamber. I'll be so bold as stay, sir, till she come down; I come to speak with her,
Host.
will be like a jack-an-apes also, to burn the
knight with
wouldst thou have, boor? what,
thick-skin? speak, breathe, discuss; brief, short,
Falstaff
We two in great amazedness will fly. Then let them
A room in the Garter Inn
Sim. Marry,
once
Upon their
v.
90
quick, snap.
newly met,
Let them from forth a sawpit rush
And
What
Host.
With rounds of waxen tapers on their heads, in their hands.
to crave
Enter host and simple.
white,
And,
have her, [Exit.
dress
As
he, shall
Though twenty thousand worthier come
and thus
Nan Page, my daughter, and my little son And three or four more of their growth we'll
And rattles
97
He, none but
Sim.
I
master,
sir,
may not conceal them,
sir.
Host. Conceal them, or thou diest.
Sim.
Why,
Mistress
sir,
they were nothing but about
Anne Page;
ter's fortune to
to
know if it were my mas-
have her or no.
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
98
Fal. 'Tis, 'tis his fortune.
Sim. What,
50
sir?
To have her, or no. Go; say told me so. Sim. May I be bold to say so, sir? Fal.
Fal.
Ay,
sir; like
who more
the
woman
bold.
thank your worship. I shall make my [Exit. master glad with these tidings. Host. Thou art clerkly, thou art clerkly, Sir John. Was there a wise woman with thee? Sim.
I
Ay,
Fal.
that there was,
hath taught fore in
my
me more and
life;
I
mine host; one that
wit than ever I learned bepaid nothing for it neither,
my learning.
but was paid for
ACT
Enter mistress quickly.
Now, whence come you? Quick. From the two parties, forsooth. Fal. The devil take one party and his dam other! and so they shall be both bestowed.
more
suffered
for their sakes,
more than
Bard. Out, alas, Host.
sir!
able
is
to bear.
cozenage, mere cozenage!
Where be my horses?
the
have
I
the vil-
lainous inconstancy of man's disposition
Enter BARDOLPH.
IV
been washed and cudgelled, they would melt me out of my fat drop by drop and liquor fishermen's boots with me. I warrant they would whip me with their fine wits till I were as crestfallen as a dried pear. I never prospered since I forswore myself at primero. Well, if my wind were but long enough to say my prayers, I would repent.
Quick.
speak well of them,
And have
not they suffered? Yes,
speciously one of them;
rant;
war-
I
Mistress Ford,
good
came beyond Eton, they threw me off from
heart, is beaten black and blue, that you cannot see a white spot about her. Fal. What tellest thou me of black and blue? I
behind one of them, in a slough of mire; and set spurs and away, like three German devils, three
was beaten myself into all the colours of the rainbow; and I was like to be apprehended for the
varletto.
Bard. as
I
Run away with
the cozeners; for so soon
Doctor Faustuses. Host.
They
Do
villain.
7/
are gone but to
meet the Duke,
not say they be fled;
Germans
are
honest men. Enter sir
for a witch.
hugh evans.
Quick. Sir, let
Where is mine host? Host. What is the matter, sir? Evans.
Have
is
a care
a friend
Enter doctor caius.
Scene
cannot
tell
in the Garter
Host. Master Fenton, talk not to
heavy.
Fent.
Inn
I
will give over
Yet hear
me;
my
me speak.
Assist
me in my pur-
And,
as
I
am
a gentleman,
I'll
give thee
A hundred pound in gold more than your loss. vat
is
dat; but
it is
tell-a
me
Master Fenton; and I will keep your counsel. Fent. From time to time I have acquainted you
Host.
I
will hear you,
you make grand preparation for a duke de Jamany. By my trot, dere is no duke dat the court is know to come. I tell you for good vill:
With the dear
adieu.
Who mutually hath answer'd my affection,
dat
[Exit.
91
Hue and cry, villain, go! Assist me, knight. I am undone! Fly, run, hue and cry, villain I am undone [Exeunt host and bardolph Host.
!
!
Fal.
I
would
all
.
the world might be cozened; for
have been cozened and beaten too. If it should to the ear of the court, how I have been transformed and how my transformation hath I
come
mind
all.
pose,
Host. Here, master doctor, in perplexity and
I
Another room
vi.
Enter fenton and host.
Vere is mine host de Jarteer?
doubtful dilemma. Caius.
speak with you in your cham-
shall hear
rant, to
is
Caius.
me
how things go; and, I waryour content. Here is a letter will say somewhat. Good hearts, what ado here is to bring you together! Sure, one of you does not serve heaven well, that you are so crossed. 13 Fal. Come up into my chamber [Exeunt. You
ber.
of your entertainments. of mine come to town, tells me there is three cozen-germans that has cozened all the hosts of Readins, of Maidenhead, of Colebrook, of horses and money. I tell you for good will, look you. You are wise and full of gibes and vlouting-stocks, and 'tis not convenient you should be cozened. Fare you well. [Exit. Evans.
There
witch of Brentford. But that my admirable dexof wit, my counterfeiting the action of an old woman, delivered me, the knave constable had set me i' the stocks, i' the common stocks, terity
at the least
So
love
I
bear to fair
far forth as herself might
Even to my wish.
I
Of such contents
as
have a
you
be her chooser,
letter
will
Anne Page;
from her
wonder
at;
The mirth whereof so larded with my matter, That neither singly can be manifested, Without the show of both. Fat Falstaff Hath a great scene. The image of the jest
10
SCENE I'll
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
VI
show you here
Enter ford.
host.
To-night
at
Heme's
oak, just 'twixt twelve and
one,
Must my sweet Nan present the Fairy Queen; 20 The purpose why, is here; in which disguise, While other jests are something rank on foot, Her father hath commanded her to slip Away with Slender and with him at Eton Immediately to marry. She hath consented.
Now,
sir,
Her mother, ever
strong against that match Doctor Caius, hath appointed That he shall likewise shuffle her away, While other sports are tasking of their minds, 50
And firm
for
And at the deanery, where a priest marry
Straight
her.
attends,
To this her mother's plot
She seemingly obedient likewise hath Made promise to the doctor. Now, thus
Her
father
means she
shall
be
all in
it
rests:
white,
And in that habit, when Slender sees his time
To take her by the hand and bid her go, She
go with him. Her mother hath intended,
shall
The
better to denote her to the doctor,
For they must all be mask'd and vizarded, 4.0 That quaint in green she shall be loose enrobed,
How
now, Master Brook! Master Brook, the matter will be known to-night, or never. Be you in the Park about midnight, at Heme's oak, and you shall see wonders. Ford. Went you not to her yesterday, sir, as you told me you had appointed? Fal. I went to her, Master Brook, as you see, like a poor old man; but I came from her, Master Brook, like a poor old woman. That same knave Ford, her husband, hath the finest mad devil of jealousy in him, Master Brook, that ever governed frenzy.
To pinch her by the hand,
and,
on that token,
Scene Page.
to go along with me.
that you'll procure the vicar
To stay for me at church 'twixt twelve and one, name of marrying,
50
To give our hearts united ceremony. Host. Well, husband your device;
to the
I'll
Bring you the maid, you shall not lack a priest.
So
Besides,
evermore be bound to thee; make a present recompense. [Exeunt.
shall I
I'll
Scene
we
we
we'll couch
i'
the castle-
see the light of our fairies.
Ay, forsooth;
have a nay- word
I
how
Page.
The
night
is
dark; light and spirits will
i.
[Exeunt.
A room in the Garter Inn
Scene
no more
prattling; go.
I'll
provide you a chain; and
do what
can to get you a pair of horns. Away, I say; time wears. Hold up your head, and mince. [Exit mistress quickly. Fal.
DOCTOR CAIUS. Mrs. Page. Master doctor, my daughter is in When you see your time, take her by the hand, away with her to the deanery, and dispatch green.
it I'll
A street leading to the Park
Enter mistress page, mistress ford, and
Away!
I'll
hi.
hold.
This is the third time; I hope good luck lies in odd numbers. Away! go. They say there is divinity in odd numbers, either in nativity, chance,
I
Remem-
my daughter.
become it well. Heaven prosper our sport! No man means evil but the devil, and we shall know him by his horns. Let's away; follow me.
Enter falstaff and mistress quickly. Fal. Prithee,
Quick.
griev-
Windsor Park
ACT V
or death.
me
o'clock.
vicar.
Fent.
beat
for in the shape
have spoke with her and to know one another. I come to her in white, and cry "mum"; she cries "budget"; and by that we know one another. Shal. That's good too; but what needs either your "mum" or her "budget"? the white will decipher her well enough. It hath struck ten Slen.
in the lawful
11.
Come, come;
till
ber, son Slender,
mother?
And here it rests,
He
woman;
of man, Master Brook, I fear not Goliath with a weaver's beam; because I know also life is a shuttle. I am in haste; go along with me. I'll tell you all, Master Brook. Since I plucked geese, played truant, and whipped top, I knew not what 'twas to be beaten till lately. Follow me. I'll tell you strange things of this knave Ford, on whom to-night I will be revenged, and I will deliver his wife into your hand. Follow. Strange things in hand, Master Brook! Follow. [Exeunt.
ditch
.
my good host,
will tell you.
Enter page, shallow, and slender.
The maid hath given consent to go with him. Host Which means she to deceive, father or Fent. Both,
I
ously, in the shape of a
With ribands pendent, flaring 'bout her head; And when the doctor spies his vantage ripe,
And,
99
Hark, good mine
at large.
quickly.
Go
before into the Park.
We
two
must go together. Caius. I know vat I have to do. Adieu. Mrs. Page. Fare you well, sir. [Exit caius.] My husband will not rejoice so much at the abuse of
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
IOO
Falstaff as he will chafe at the doctor's
my
marrying
no matter; better a little // chiding than a great deal of heart-break. Mrs. Ford. Where is Nan now and her troop of fairies, and the Welsh devil Hugh? Mrs. Page. They are all couched in a pit hard by Heme's oak, with obscured lights; which, at the very instant of Falstaff's and our meeting, they will at once display to the night. Mrs. Ford. That cannot choose but amaze him. Mrs. Page. If he be not amazed, he will be mocked; if he be amazed, he will every way be 21 mocked. Mrs. Ford. We'll betray him finely. Mrs. Page. Against such lewdsters and their daughter. But
'tis
To
the oak, to [Exeunt.
the oak!
Scene Enter sir
Windsor Park
iv.
hugh evans disguised,
Evans. Trib, the pit; and pid you.
come; and remember pray you; follow me into give the watch-'ords, do as I
pold,
when
I
I
Come, come; Scene
[Exeunt.
trib, trib.
Another part of the Park
v.
Enter falstaff disguised as
Heme with a buck's
head upon him. Fal.
The Windsor
bell
hath struck twelve; the
in
some
other, a
swan
potent Love!
man
how
beast.
O Jove,
You were
of Leda.
near the god
plexion of a goose!
of a
a beast.
for the love
drew
O
to the
com-
A fault done first in the form a beastly fault!
And
then an-
other fault in the semblance of a fowl; think on't, Jove; a foul fault!
When
gods have hot backs, do? For me, I am here a
what shall poor men Windsor stag; and the forest.
Send
blame
me
me
fattest,
I
think,
a cool rut-time, Jove, or
to piss
my
tallow?
Mrs. Ford. Mistress Page
Who
i'
who
the
can
comes here?
my doe?
will
come with me,
is
Divide me like a bribe buck, each a haunch. keep my sides to myself, my shoulders for the fellow of this walk, and my horns I bequeath Fal.
I
will
your husbands. like
Heme
Am
I
a
the hunter?
child of conscience; he
woodman, ha? Speak
Why, now makes
is
I
Cupid a
restitution.
As
I
am a true spirit, welcome! Noise within.
Mrs. Page. Alas, what noise? Mrs. Ford. Heaven forgive our Fal.
What should this )
\
sins!
be?
^, \They run off.
.
Awa^ awa^
r
, !
me damned, me should set hell on fire; he would never else cross me thus. 40 Fal.
lest
I
think the devil will not have
the oil that's in
hugh
evans, disguised as a Satyr; pis-
page, and others, as Fairies, with
anne
tapers.
Quick. Fairies, black, grey, green, and white,
You moonshine revellers, and shades You orphan heirs of fixed destiny,
of night,
Attend your office and your quality. Crier Hobgoblin, make the fairy oyes. Pist. Elves, list your names; silence, you airy toys.
Windsor chimneys
shalt thou leap:
Where fires thou find'st unraked
and hearths un-
swept, There pinch the maids as blue as bilberry;
Our radiant queen hates sluts and sluttery 50 Fal. They are fairies; he that speaks to them .
shall die.
also,
omni-
I
sweetheart.
Cricket, to
minute draws on. Now, the hot-blooded gods assist me! Remember, Jove, thou wast a bull for thy Europa; love set on thy horns. O powerful love! that, in some respects, makes a beast a man, Jupiter, a
of provocation,
tol, as Hobgoblin; mistress quickly,
trib, fairies;
Be
parts.
act v
a tempest
me here.
Enter sir
"with others
as Fairies.
your
shelter
come
Mrs. Ford. Mrs. Page.
lechery
Those that betray them do no treachery. Mrs. Ford. The hour draws on.
there
let
I'll
wink and couch; no man their works must eye.
down upon his face. Evans. Where's Bede? Go you, and where you Lies
find a
maid
That, ere she sleep, has thrice her prayers said, Raise up the organs of her fantasy; Sleep she as sound as careless infancy. But those as sleep and think not on their sins, Pinch them, arms, legs, backs, shoulders, sides,
and shins. Quick. About, about;
Enter mistress ford and mistress page.
Mrs. Ford. Sir John! art thou there, my deer? my male deer? Fal. My doe with the black scut! Let the sky rain potatoes; let it thunder to the tune of "Green Sleeves," hail kis sing-comfits and snow eringoes;
Search Windsor Castle, elves, within and out. 60
Strew good luck, ouphes, on every sacred room; That it may stand till the perpetual doom In state as wholesome as in state 'tis fit, Worthy the owner, and the owner it. The several chairs of order look you scour
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
SCENE V
With juice of balm and every precious Each
fair
Enter page, ford, mistress page and MISTRESS FORD.
flower;
instalment, coat, and several crest,
With loyal blazon, evermore be blest! And nightly, meadow-fairies, look you Like to the Garter's compass,
jo
in a ring.
higher.
Now, good Sir John, how like you Windsor
In emerald tufts, flowers purple, blue, and
white;
Like sapphire, pearl, and rich embroidery, Buckled below fair knighthood's bending knee. Fairies use flowers for their charactery.
Away; disperse. But till 'tis one o'clock, Our dance of custom round about the oak
Of Heme the hunter,
80 let us not forget. Evans. Pray you, lock hand in hand; yourselves in order set; And twenty glow-worms shall our lanterns be,
To guide our measure round Fal. lest
about the tree.
man of middle-earth. Heavens defend me from that Welsh I
smell a
he transform
fairy,
me to a piece of cheese!
Vile worm, thou wast o'erlook'd even in thy birth. Quick. With trial-fire touch me his finger-end. If he be chaste, the flame will back descend Pist.
And turn him to no pain; It is
but if he start,
90
the flesh of a corrupted heart.
Pist.
A trial, come. Come,
Evans.
They burn him with Fal. Oh, Oh, Oh!
will this
wood
Nay, do not fly; I think we have watch'd you now. Will none but Heme the hunter serve your turn? Mrs. Page. I pray you, come, hold up the jest no Page.
sing,
The expressure that it bears, green let it be, More fertile-fresh than all the field to see; And "Honi soit qui mal y pense" write
But, stay;
101
take
fire?
their tapers.
Quick. Corrupt, corrupt, and tainted in desire!
About him, fairies; sing a scornful rhyme; And, as you trip, still pinch him to your time.
wives? See you these, husband? do not these fair yokes Become the forest better than the town? Ford. Now, sir, who's a cuckold now? Master Brook, FalstafF's a knave, a cuckoldly knave; here are his horns, Master Brook; and, Master Brook, he hath enjoyed nothing of Ford's but his buck-basket, his cudgel, and twenty pounds of money, which must be paid to Master Brook; his horses are arrested for it, Master Brook. Mrs. Ford. Sir John, we have had ill luck; we could never meet. I will never take you for my love again; but I will always count you my deer. Fal. I do begin to perceive that I am made an ass. Ford. Ay, and an ox too; both the proofs are extant. Fal.
And
I was three or were not fairies;
these are not fairies?
four times in the thought they
and yet the guiltiness of my mind, the sudden surprise of my powers, drove the grossness of the foppery into a received belief, in despite of the teeth of all rhyme and reason, that they were fairies. See now how wit may be made a Jack-aLent, when 'tis upon ill employment! Evans. Sir John Falstaff, serve Got, and leave your desires, and fairies will not pinse you. Ford.
Well
Evans.
said, fairy
And
Hugh.
leave your jealousies too,
I
pray
you.
SONG
140
Ford.
I
will never mistrust
my
wife again,
till
woo her in good English.
Fie on sinful fantasy!
thou art able to
Fie on lust and luxury!
I laid my brain in the sun and dried wants matter to prevent so gross o'erreaching as this? Am I ridden with a Welsh goat too? shall I have a coxcomb of frize? 'Tis time I were choked with a piece of toasted cheese. Evans. Seese is not good to give putter; your
Fal.
Lust is but a bloody fire, Kindled with unchaste desire,
it,
100
whose flames aspire As thoughts do blow them, higher and higher. Fed
in heart,
Pinch him, fairies, mutually; Pinch him for his villainy; Pinch him, and burn him, and turn him about, Till candles and starlight and
moonshine be out.
this song they pinch falstaff. doctor caius comes one way, and steals away a boy in green; slender another way, and takes off a boy
During
in white;
anne
and fenton comes, and
page.
A
noise of hunting
is
steals
away
heard within.
All the Fairies run away, falstaff pulls off his buck's head,
and rises.
Have
that
belly
it
is all
putter.
"Seese" and "putter"! have I lived to stand at the taunt of one that makes fritters of English? This is enough to be the decay of lust and latewalking through the realm. Fal.
Mrs. Page. Why, Sir John, do you think, though have thrust virtue out of our hearts by the head and shoulders and have given ourselves
we would
without scruple to hell, that ever the devil could have made you our delight? Ford. What, a hodge-pudding? a bag of flax?
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
102
Mrs. Page.
A puffed man?
ACT V
160
Enter caius.
Page. Old, cold, withered, and of intolerable en-
And one that is as slanderous as Satan? Page. And as poor as Job? Ford. And as wicked as his wife? Evans. And given to fornications, and to taverns Ford.
Vere
Mistress Page? By gar, I am married un garcon, a boy; un payby gar, a boy; it is not Anne Page. By gar, I
Caius.
trails?
cozened. son,
I
is
ha'
am cozened.
Fal. Well, I am your theme; you have the start of me. I am dejected; I am not able to answer the
220 Mrs. Page. Why, did you take her in green? Caius. Ay, by gar, and 'tis a boy. By gar, I'll raise all Windsor. [Exit. Ford. This is strange. Who hath got the right Anne? Page. My heart misgives me. Here comes Mas-
Welsh
ter Fenton.
and sack and wine and metheglins, and to drinkigns and swearings and starings, pribbles and
prabbles?
flannel; ignorance itself is a
plummet
o'er
me. Use me as you will. Ford. Marry, sir, we'll bring you to Windsor, to one Master Brook, that you have cozened of money, to whom you should have been a pandar. Over and above that you have suffered, I think to repay that
money will be a biting affliction.
Yet be cheerful, knight. Thou shalt eat a
Page.
my house; where I will desire my wife, that now laughs at thee.
posset to-night at
thee to laugh at
Tell her Master Slender hath married her daughter.
Mrs. Page. [Aside] Doctors doubt Page be my daughter, she is, by Cams' wife. Enter slender.
Whoa, ho! ho, father Page! how now! how now,
Slen.
Page. Son,
that. If Anne this,
Doctor
son! have
you
dispatched? I'll make the best in Gloucesknow on't; would I were hanged, la, else!
Dispatched!
Slen.
tershire
Page.
Of what,
Slen.
I
Anne
Eton to marry Mistress
the church,
I
stir!
it
had been Anne Page, would
—and
Page.
'tis
it
I
did not
might never 200 then, you took the wrong. I
a postmaster's boy.
Upon my life,
What
need you tell me that? I think so, took a boy for a girl. If I had been married to him, for all he was in woman's apparel, I would not have had him. Slen.
when
I
Why, this you how you
Page. tell
is
my mother,
pardon! Page. Now, mistress, how chance you went not with Master Slender? 231 Mrs. Page. Why went you not with master doctor, maid? Fent. You do amaze her. Hear the truth of it. You would have married her most shamefully, Where there was no proportion held in love. The truth is, she and I, long since contracted, Are now so sure that nothing can dissolve us. The offence is holy that she hath committed; And this deceit loses the name of craft, Of disobedience, or unduteous title, 24.0 Since therein she doth evitate and shun thousand irreligious cursed hours, Which forced marriage would have brought
A
Ford. Stand not amazed; here
own folly. Did not I know my daughter by
no remedy.
state;
Money buys lands, and wives are sold by fate. Fal. I am glad, though you have ta'en a special stand to strike at me, that your arrow hath glanced.
what remedy? Fenton, heaven give 2jo What cannot be eschew'd must be embraced. Page. Well,
thee joy!
Fal.
your
should
is
In love the heavens themselves do guide the
would have swinged
him, or he should have swinged me. If think
Master Fenton! Anne. Pardon, good father! good
upon her. at
Page, and she's a great lubberly boy. If i'
fenton and anne page.
How now,
son?
came yonder
had not been
Enter
When night-dogs run,
all
sorts
of deer are
chased.
Mrs. Page. Well,
her garments?
I
will
must no
further.
Master
Fenton,
Heaven give you many, many merry days!
Slen. I went to her in white, and cried "mum," and she cried "budget," as Anne and I had appointed; and yet it was not Anne, but a post-
Good husband, let us every one go home, And laugh this sport o'er by a country fire;
master's boy.
Sir
Mrs. Page. Good George, be not angry: I knew of your purpose; turned my daughter into green; and, indeed, she is now with the doctor at the deanery, and there married.
John and
all.
Ford.
Let
it
be
so. Sir John,
To Master Brook you yet shall hold your word; For he to-night
shall lie
with Mistress Ford. [Exeunt.
TROILUS AND CRESSIDA
**
DRAMATIS PERSON/E Priam, King of Troy
Thersites,
Hector
Alexander,
Troilus Paris
deformed and scurrilous
Deiphobus
Margarelon,
a bastard son of
Priam
Trojan commanders
,
Calchas, a Trojan priest, taking part with Pandarus, uncle to Cressida
Agamemnon, Menelaus, Achilles Ajax Ulysses
Nestor Diomedes Patroclus
servant
Cressida
to
A Boy, servant to Troilus A Servant to Paris A Servant to Diomedes A Myrmidon
his sons
Helenus *
a
Grecian
Helen, wife to Menelaus Andromache, wife to Hector
the Greeks
Cassandra, daughter Cressida, daughter
the Grecian general
to
to
Priam, a prophetess
Calchas
his brother
Non-Speaking: Trojan and Greek Myrmidons, and Attendants Grecian commanders
Scene Troy, and :
the Grecian
soldiers.
camp
before
it
Moor
the
of Venice
DRAMATIS PERSONA An
Duke of Venice Brabantio, a Senator
A A A A
Two
Senators Gratiano, brother
to
Lodovico, kinsman
Othello,
a noble
to
Brabantio Brabantio
Moor
in the service
Officer
Herald Messenger Sailor
Musician
of the Venetian
Desdemona, daughter to
state
to
Emilia, voife to Iago Bianca, mistress to Cassio
Roderigo, a Venetian gentleman
Montano,
Brabantio and voife
Othello
Cassio, his lieutenant Iago, his ancient Othello's predecessor in the
government of
Non-Speaking:
Cyprus
Clown, servant to Othello Two Gentlemen, of Venice Four Gentlemen, of Cyprus
Officers,
Gentlemen, Musicians, and
Attendants
Scene
:
Venice,
and a Sea-port
Cyprus
in
DRAMATIS PERSONA Duncan, King
Malcolm
I
1A
DONALBAIN
Macbeth Banquo Macduff Lennox
I
\
A
of Scotland
Porter
An Old Man
•
, mtKmm nis sons
A
|
Sergeant
Two Messengers An Attendant on
army
generals of the King's
A Servant to
Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Three Murderers
Ross
noblemen of Scotland
Menteith Angus
Caithness Fleance, son to Banquo Siward, Earl of Northumberland, general of
Lady Macbeth Lady Macduff A Gentlewoman,
attending on
Lady Macbeth
Hecate Three Witches Three Apparitions
the
English forces
Young Siward, his son Seyton, an officer attending on Macbeth Boy, son to Macduff An English Doctor A Scotch Doctor
Non-Speaking: Lords, Ghosts,
A Lord
Scene:
Ladies, Officers, Soldiers*
and Attendants
Scotland;
England
c*Z
ACT Scene
A
i.
As two spent swimmers that do cling together And choke their art. The merciless Macdon-
I
desert place
wald
Thunder and lightning. Enter three witches. i st
Witch.
Worthy to be a rebel, for to that The multiplying villanies of nature Do swarm upon him from the western isles
When shall we three meet again
—
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
2nd Witch.
When the hurlyburly's done,
Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied; And Fortune, on his damned quarrel smiling,
When the battle's lost and won. 3rd Witch. That will be ere the set of sun. 1st
Witch.
Show'd like a rebel's whore. But all's too weak; For brave Macbeth well he deserves that name
—
Where the place? Upon the heath.
2nd Witch.
Disdaining Fortune, with his brandish'd
3rd Witch. There to meet with Macbeth. 1st Witch. I come, Graymalkin!
Which smoked with bloody execution,
2nd Witch. Paddock 3rd Witch. Anon.
Till he faced the slave;
All. Fair
is
Scene
ii.
[Exeunt.
filthy air.
Dun. What blocdy man is that? He can As seemeth by his plight, of the revolt
The newest state. the sergeant
Who like a good and hardy soldier fought 'Gainst my captivity. Hail, brave friend! Say to the King the knowledge of the
As thou didst leave Ser.
broil
it.
Doubtful
it
stood;
Till he
Dun.
ing sergeant.
is
nor bade farewell to
unseam'd him from the nave to the chaps,
And fix'd his head upon our battlements.
A camp near Forres
This
his passage
him,
is fair;
Alarum "within. Enter duncan, malcolm, donalbain, lennox, njoith Attendants, meeting a bleed-
Mai.
steel,
20
Which ne'er shook hands,
10
and foul
foul,
Like valour's minion carved out
calls.
Hover through the fog and
10
Ser.
O valiant cousin! worthy gentleman!
As whence the sun
'gins his reflection
Shipwrecking storms and direful thunders break.. So from that spring whence comfort seem'd to
come
report,
Discomfort swells. Mark, King of Scotland, mark! No sooner justice had, with valour arm'd, Compell'd these skipping kerns to trust their heels.
But the Norweyan lord surveying vantage, With furbish'd arms and new supplies of men Began a fresh assault. 284
31
.
!
scene
MACBETH
ii
Dismay'd not this
Dun.
1st
Our captains, Macbeth and Banquo?
I
so
cries.
Her husband's
they
Doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe. Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds, Or memorize another Golgotha, 4.0 I cannot tell. But I am faint, my gashes cry for help. Dun. So well thy words become thee as thy wounds; They smack of honour both. Go get him sur-
[Exit
sergeant
attended.
Who comes here?
Dun. Whence earnest thou, worthy thane?
From Fife, great King; Ross. Where the Norweyan banners flout the sky And fan our people cold. Norway himself, 50 With terrible numbers, Assisted by that most disloyal traitor a dismal conflict;
Till that Bellona's bridegroom, lapp'd in proof,
Confronted him with self-comparisons, Point against point rebellious,
arm
1st
on
fell
'gainst arm,
Great happiness
That now
Ross.
Sweno, the Nor ways' king, craves composition; Nor would we deign him burial of his men 60 Till he disbursed at Saint Colme's inch
Ten thousand dollars Dun.
No more
Cawdor
shall de-
death,
see
it
done.
Dun. What he hath won.
Scene
hi.
lost,
noble Macbeth hath [Exeunt.
A heath near Forres
Thunder. Enter the three witches. 1st
Thou 'rt kind. And I another.
Witch.
1st
Witch.
I
myself have
all
the other,
the shipman's card. will drain
him dry
as hay.
Sleep shall neither night nor day
Hang upon his
pent-house
20
lid;
Shall he dwindle,
peak and pine.
Though his bark cannot be lost, Yet
it
be tempest-tost.
shall
Look what I have. 2nd Witch. Show me, show me. 1 st Witch. Here I have a pilot's thumb, Wreck'd as homeward he did come.
Drum within. 3 rd
Witch
.
A drum, a drum
3
All.
The weird sisters, hand
in hand,
Posters of the sea and land,
And thrice again, Enter
Ban.
foul
make up nine. wound up.
to
Peace! the charm's
macbeth and banquo.
and
fair
a day
I
have not seen.
How far is't call'd to Forres? What are
these
present
And with his former title greet Macbeth. I'll
10
And the very ports they blow, All the quarters that they know
ceive
Our bosom interest. Go pronounce his
Ross.
do.
3rd Witch.
Macb. So
to our general use.
that thane of
I'll
give thee a wind.
Thus do go about, about; Thrice to thine and thrice to mine
us.
Dun.
I'll
Macbeth doth come.
his lavish spirit; and, to conclude,
The victory
the
Weary se'nnights nine times nine
God save the King!
The thane of Cawdor, began
o'
He shall live a man forbid.
So should he look That seems to speak things strange. Ross.
Aleppo gone, master
do, and
I'll
2nd Witch.
I
What a haste looks through his eyes!
do,
I'll
I'
The worthy thane of Ross
to
But in a sieve I'll thither sail, And, like a rat without a tail,
Enter ross.
Mai.
I.
"Aroint thee, witch!" the rump-fed ronyon
must report they were
geons.
and munch'd, and munch'd.
"Give me," quoth
As cannons overcharged with double cracks,
Curbing
A sailor's wife had chestnuts in her
Witch.
And munch'd,
eagles, or the hare the lion.
If I say sooth,
285
lap,
Yes;
Ser.
As sparrows
Len.
o
!
Witch.
Where hast thou been,
2nd Witch. Killing swine. 3rd Witch. Sister, where thou?
sister?
So wither'd and so wild in their attire, 40 That look not like the inhabitants o' the earth, And yet are on't? Live you? or are you aught That man may question? You seem to understand me, By each at once her choppy finger laying
Upon her skinny lips. You should be women, And yet your beards forbid me to interpret That you are so. Macb. Speak, 1st
if
you
can.
What
are you?
Witch. All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thane
ofGlamis!
MACBETH
286
2nd Witch. All hail, Macbeth! thane of Cawdor! 3rd Witch. All
King Ban.
hail,
sir,
ACT
The news of thy success and when he reads
shalt be
why do you start,
Thy personal venture in the rebels'
fight,
His wonders and
and seem to
his praises do contend be thine or his. Silenced with that, In viewing o'er the rest o' the selfsame day, He finds thee in the stout Norweyan ranks,
Which should
Things that do sound so
fair?
V
the
name of
truth,
Are ye
indeed
Which outwardly ye show? My noble partner You greet with present grace and great prediction
Nothing afeard of what thyself didst make, Strange images of death. As thick as hail Came post with post; and every one did bear
Of noble having and of royal hope,
Thy praises in his
That he seems rapt withal. To me you speak not. If you can look into the seeds of time, And say which grain will grow and which will
And pour'd them down before him.
fantastical, or that
not,
Speak then to me,
who neither beg nor fear
60
Your favours nor your hate.
Thou shalt get
And,
For
it is
from him,
of a greater honour, thee thane of Caw-
call
more.
Macb. The thane of Cawdor
lives,
A prosperous gentleman; and to be king Stands not within the prospect of belief,
No more than to be Cawdor. Say from whence You owe this strange intelligence? or why Upon this blasted heath you stop our way With such prophetic greeting? Speak, I charge [witches vanish. water has,
as the
And these are of them. Whither are they van80
ish'd?
lives.
Why do you
me
Who was the thane lives yet;
Ang. 70
The earth hath bubbles,
most worthy thane!
In borrow'd robes?
By Sinel's death I know I am thane of Glamis; But how of Cawdor? the thane of Cawdor
you.
hail,
What, can the devil speak true?
Ban.
kings, though thou be
So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo! 1st Witch. Banquo and Macbeth, all hail! Macb. Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me
air;
for an earnest
sight,
thine.
dress
Macb. Into the
100
dor;
none.
and what seem'd corporal
melted
But under heavy judgement bears that life no Which he deserves to lose. Whether he was combined With those of Norway, or did line the rebel With hidden help and vantage, or that with both He labour 'd in his country's wreck, I know not; But treasons capital, confess'd, and proved, Have overthrown him. Macb. [Aside] Glamis, and thane of Cawdor! The greatest is behind. [To ross and angus] Thanks for your pains. [To banquo] Do you not hope your children shall be kings, When those that gave the thane of Cawdor to
me Promised no
less to
them?
That trusted home 120 Might yet enkindle you unto the crown, Besides the thane of Cawdor. But 'tis strange; And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, Ban.
Would they had stay'd! Ban. Were such things here as we do speak
As breath
Only to herald thee into his Not pay thee.
In which addition,
2nd Witch. Not so happy, yet much happier.
Ban.
We are sent
Ang.
Ross.
Witch. Lesser than Macbeth, and greater.
3rd Witch.
kingdom's great defence,
To give thee from our royal master thanks
He bade me,
Witch. H*i\\
2ndWitch.H*i\\ 3rd Witch. Hail! 1st
90
;
jo
fear
1st
I
The King hath happily received, Mac-
beth,
Macbeth, that
hereafter!
Good
Ross.
hail to thee,
into the wind.
about?
Or have we eaten on the insane root
The instruments of darkness tell us
That takes the reason prisoner? Macb. Your children shall be kings.
Win us with honest trifles, to betray'
You shall be King. Macb. And thane of Cawdor too; went it not so? Ban. To the selfsame tune and words. Who's Ban.
In deepest consequence.
Cousins, a word,
I pray you. [Aside] Two truths are told, Macb. As happy prologues to the swelling act
Of the imperial theme.
here?
—
thank you, gentlemen. 13 o cannot be good. If ill, I
[Aside] This supernatural soliciting
Enter ross and angus.
truths,
Cannot be ill,
.
SCENE
MACBETH
III
Why hath
it
given
me earnest of success, I am thane of Cawdor.
287
Enter macbeth, banquo, ross, and angus.
Commencing in a truth?
O worthiest cousin!
why do I Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair And make my seated heart knock at my ribs,
The sin of my ingratitude even now Was heavy on me. Thou art so far before
Against the use of nature? Present fears
That
Are
To overtake thee. Would
yield to that suggestion
If good,
less
than horrible imaginings.
My thought,
whose murder yet
is
Without my
141
Is to receive
New honours come upon him,
our duties; and our duties state children
and serv-
ants,
WTiich do but what they should, by doing every-
Like our strange garments, cleave not to their
mould
thing
But with the aid of use. [Aside] Come what come may, Macb. Time and the hour runs through the roughest day. Ban. Worthy Macbeth, we stay upon your leisure.
Macb. Give wrought
With
is slow thou hadst less de-
That the proportion both of thanks and payment Might have been mine! only I have left to say, 20 More is thy due than more than all can pay. Macb. The service and the loyalty I owe, In doing it, pays itself. Your Highness' part
Are to your throne and
stir.
Ban.
wing of recompense
served,
but fantastical,
Shakes so my single state of man that function Is smother'd in surmise, and nothing is But what is not. Look, how our partner's rapt. Ban. Macb. [Aside] If chance will have me King, why, chance may crown me
swiftest
me your
favour.
My dull brain was
Kind gentlemen, your i$o
pains
where every day I turn toward the King. [To banquo] Think upon what hath chanced, and, at more time,
Are
register'd
The
leaf to read them. Let us
The Our
interim having weigh'd
it,
let
us speak
free hearts each to other.
Macb. Till then,
Very gladly. enough. Come, friends. [Exeunt.
Welcome hither.
Dun.
have begun to plant thee, and will labour To make thee full of growing. Noble Banquo, That hast no less deserved, nor must be known 50 No less to have done so, let me infold thee I
And
things forgotten.
Ban.
Safe toward your love and honour.
hold thee to
my heart.
Ban
There if I grow,
The harvest is your own.
My
Dun.
plenteous joys, seek to hide themselves In drops of sorrow. Sons, kinsmen, thanes,
Wanton in fulness,
And you whose places
are the nearest,
know
We will establish our estate upon Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter The Prince of Cumberland; which honour must Not unaccompanied invest him only, 40 But signs of nobleness,
like stars, shall shine
On all deservers. From hence to Inverness, Scene
iv.
Forres: the palace
Flourish. Enter duncan, malcolm, donalbain,
And bind us further to you. Macb. The rest is labour, which is not used for
lennox, and Attendants. Dun. Is execution done on Cawdor? Are not Those in commission yet return'd?
My liege,
Mai.
They are not yet come back. But I have spoke With one that saw him die; who did report That very frankly he confess'd
his treasons,
Implor'd your Highness' pardon, and set forth A deep repentance. Nothing in his life Became him like the leaving it; he died As one that had been studied in his death 10 To throw away the dearest thing he owed,
As
'twere a careless
Dun.
you.
be myself the harbinger and make joyful The hearing of my wife with your approach; I'll
So humbly take my leave. Dun. My worthy Cawdor! Macb. [Aside] The Prince of Cumberland! that
is
a step
On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires Let not light see my black and deep desires;
50
;
The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see. [Exit.
trifle.
There's no art
To find the mind's construction in the face. He was a gentleman on whom I built An absolute trust.
Dun. True, worthy Banquo; he is full so valiant, And in his commendations I am fed; It is a banquet to me. Let's after him, Whose care is gone before to bid us welcome.
MACBETH
288 It is a peerless
Scene
kinsman. v. Inverness:
[Flourish. Exeunt.
Macbeth! s
Enter lady macbeth, reading a
castle letter.
Lady M. "They met me in the day of success; and I have learned by the perfectest report, they have more in them than mortal knowledge. When I burned in desire to question them further, they made themselves air, into which they vanished. Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it, came from the King, who all-hailed me 'Thane of Cawdor'; by which title, before, these weird sisters saluted me, and referred me to the coming on of time with 'Hail, King that shalt be!' This have I thought good to deliver thee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thou mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee. Lay it to thy heart, and farewell." Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be What thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy na-
missives
ture;
too
It is
full o'
the milk of
human kindness
To catch the nearest way. Thou
highly.
That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false, And yet wouldst wrongly win. Thou'dst have, cries
"Thus thou must do,
if thou
ministers,
Wherever
in
your
sightless substances
50
You wait on nature's mischief! Come, thick night, And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, That my keen knife see not the wound it makes, Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark,
To cry,
"Hold, hold!" Enter macbeth.
Great Glamis! worthy Cawdor! Greater than both, by the all-hail hereafter! Thy letters have transported me beyond This ignorant present, and I feel now
My dearest love,
Duncan comes here to-night. And when goes hence? Lady M. Macb. To-morrow, as he purposes. Lady M. O, never Shall sun that
60
morrow see!
face,
Look like the time; bear welcome in your eye, Your hand, your tongue; look like the innocent
it;
wishest should be undone." Hie thee
flower,
hither, I may pour my spirits in thine ear; And chastise with the valour of my tongue
That
All that impedes thee from the golden round, fate
The effect and it! Come to my woman's breasts, And take my milk for gall, you murdering
my thane, is as a book where men May read strange matters. To beguile the time,
An i that which rather thou dost fear to do
Which
my fell purpose, nor keep peace between
Shake
Your
great Glamis,
Than
Of direst cruelty! make thick my blood; Stop up the access and passage to remorse. That no compunctious visitings of nature
Macb.
20 Art not without ambition., but without The illness should attend it. What thou wouldst
have
I
The future in the instant.
wouldst be
great;
That which
ACT
That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan 40 Under my battlements. Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full
and metaphysical aid doth seem
50
But be the serpent under't. He that's coming Must be provided for; and you shall put This night's great business into my dispatch; Which shall to all our nights and days to come 70 Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom. will speak further. Macb.
We
To have thee crown'd withal.
Lady M. Enter a messenger.
What
is
Only look up clear;
To alter favour ever is to fear. your tidings?
Leave
The King comes here to-night. LadyM. Thou'rr mad to say it!
all
the rest to me.
[Exeunt.
Mess.
not thy master with him? who, were't so, Would have inform'd for preparation.
Is
Mess. So please you,
it is
true; our thane
is
com-
Dun. This
ing.
One of my fellows had the speed of him, Who, almost dead for breath, had scarcely more Than would make up his message. Tjidy
Scene
M.
He brings great news.
Give him tending [Exit messenger.
The raven himself is hoarse
vi.
Before Macbeth' s castle
Hautboys and torches. Enter duncan, malcolm, DONALBAIN, BANQUO, LENNOX, MACDUFF, ROSS, angus, and Attendants. castle hath a pleasant seat; the air
Nimbly and sweetly recommends Unto our gentle senses. Ban.
itself
This guest of summer,
The temple-haunting martlet, does approve, By his loved mansionry, that the heaven's breath Smells wooingly here; no jutty, frieze.
;
SCENE
MACBETH
VI
Buttress, nor coign of vantage, but this bird Hath made his pendent bed and procreant cradle.
Where they most breed
and haunt,
I
have ob-
served,
The air is delicate.
Not bear the
knife myself. Besides, this Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead
See, see, our honour'd hostess!
10
The love that follows us sometime is our trouble, Which still we thank as love. Herein I teach you How you shall bid God 'ild us for your pains, And thank us for your trouble. Lady M.
All our service
In every point twice done and then done double
like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
Upon the sightless
Enter lady macbeth.
How now! what news? Lady M. He has almost supp'd. Why have you left the chamber? Macb. Hath he ask'd for me? LadyM. Know you not he has? Macb. We will proceed no further in this
Where's the thane of Cawdor? 20
And his
and had a purpose
but he rides well
him Fair and noble hostess,
He hath honour'd me of late;
Have theirs, compt,
to return
to
And shall By your leave,
.
[Exeunt.
hostess.
Scene
vii.
Macbeth' s
castle
Hautboys and torches. Enter a sewer, and divers Servants with dishes and service, and pass over the stage.
have bought
'tis
done, then
'twere well
were done quickly. If the assassination Could trammel up the consequence, and catch With his surcease success; that but this blow Might be the be-all and the end-all here, But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, We'd jump the life to come. But in these cases It
still have judgement here; that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague the inventor. This even-handed justice Commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice To our own lips. He's here in double trust; First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
aside so soon.
Lady M. Was the hope drunk Wherein you dress 'd yourself? Hath it slept since?
And wakes it now, to look so green and pale At what it did so freely? From this time Such
I
account thy love. Art thou afeard
To be the same in thine own act and valour
40
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem, Letting "I dare not" wait upon "I would," Like the poor cat i' the adage?
Then enter macbeth.
Macb. If it were done when
We
Not cast
pleasure,
your own.
Give me your hand; mine host. We love him highly, continue our graces towards him 3
Dun. Conduct me
I
gloss,
Your servants ever themselves, and what is theirs, in
To make their audit at your Highness' Still
and
Golden opinions from all sorts of people, Which would be worn now in their newest
We are your guest to-night. Lady M.
50 busi-
ness.
great love, sharp as his spur, hath holp
To his home before us.
air,
in
And falls on the other.
We rest your hermits. To be his purveyor;
couriers of the
blow the horrid deed
every eye, That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself Shall
Against those honours deep and broad wherewith Your Majesty loads our house. For those of old, And the late dignities heap'd up to them.
Dun.
20
Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim, horsed
Were poor and single business to contend
We coursed him at the heels,
murderer shut the door,
The deep damnation of his taking-off And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
Enter lady macbeth.
Dun.
Who
289 should against his
I
Macb. dare do
Prithee, peace. all
that
may become a man;
Who dares do more is none. What beast was't, then, Lady M. That made you break this enterprise to me? When you durst do it, then you were a man; And, to be more than what you were, you would jo Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place Did then adhere, and yet you would make both. They have made themselves, and that their fitness
now
Does unmake you.
I
have given suck, and
know
How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me; I
would, while
it
was smiling
in
my face,
Have pluck'd my nipple from his
boneless
gums
MACBETH
z 9o
And dash'd the brains out, had Have done to this.
I
so sworn as
you
We
LadyM. not
fail.
sir,
not yet at rest?
When Duncan is asleep
Whereto the rather shall his day's hard journey Soundly invite him his two chamberlains Will I with wine and wassail so convince That memory, the warder of the brain, Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason A limbeck only. When in swinish sleep Their drenched natures lie as in a death, What cannot you and I perform upon 70 The unguarded Duncan? what not put upon His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt Of our great quell? Bring forth men-children only; Macb. For thy undaunted mettle should compose Nothing but males. Will it not be received, When we have mark'd with blood those sleepy
—
two
King's
This diamond he greets your wife withal, By the name of most kind hostess; and shut up In measureless content.
Macb.
Being unprepared,
Our will became the servant to defect; Which else should free have wrought. Ban.
All's well.
dreamt last night of the three weird sisters 20 To you they have show'd some truth. Macb. I think not of them Yet, when we can entreat an hour to serve, would spend it in some words upon that I
.
We
business,
If you
would grant the time. At your kind'st leisure. Macb. If you shall cleave to my consent, when Ban.
'tis,
It shall
Of his own chamber and used their very
make honour
So
In seeking to
That they have done 't? Who dares receive Lady M.
for you.
Ban.
daggers,
augment
it,
but
I
still
none keep
lose
My bosom franchised and allegiance clear, it
other,
As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar Upon his death?
know
I
shall be counsell'd.
Macb. Ban. Thanks,
Macb. I am settled, and ben J up Each corporal agent to this terrible feat. 80 Away, and mock the time with fairest show; False face must hide what the false heart doth
Good repose the while! the like to you!
sir;
30
banquo and fleance. bid thy mistress, when my drink is [Exeunt
Macb.
Go
ready,
She strike upon the
bell.
[Exeunt.
Get thee to
bed. [Exit Servant.
Is this a
ACT
The
He hath been in unusual pleasure, and Sent forth great largess to your offices.
fail!
But screw your courage to the sticking-place, 60
And we'll
What,
11
a-bed.
If we should fail?
Macb.
Ban.
ACT
dagger which
I
see before me,
The handle toward my hand? Come,
II
let
me
clutch thee.
Scene
i.
Court of Macbeth' s
castle
Enter banquo, and fleance bearing a torch before him.
I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible
To feeling as to sight?
or art thou but
Ban.
How goes the night,
A dagger of the mind, a false creation,
Fie.
The moon
Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain? I see thee yet, in form as palpable As this which now I draw.
is
boy? down; I have not heard the
ciock.
Ban.
And
she goes
down
Fie.
I
Ban. Hold, take in
my
at twelve.
take't, 'tis later, sir.
sword. There's husbandry
heaven;
Their candles are all out. Take thee that too. A heavy summons lies like lead upon me, And yet I would not sleep. Merciful powers,
me the cursed thoughts that nature way to in repose!
Restrain in
Gives
Thou marshall'st me the way that I was going; And such an instrument I was to use. Mine eyes are made the fools o' the other senses, Or else worth all the rest; I see thee still, And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood, Which was not so before. There's no such thing. It is
the bloody business which informs
to mine eyes. Now o'er the one half- world Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse yo
Thus Enter macbeth, and a Servant with a
torch.
Give me my sword.
Who's Macb.
there?
A friend.
40
The curtain'd sleep; 10
witchcraft celebrates
Pale Hecate's offerings, and wither'd murder, Alarum'd by his sentinel, the wolf,
!
scene
—
.
MACBETH
i
Whose howl's his watch, thus with his
stealthy
pace,
With Tarquin's
ravishing strides, towards his
design
Moves
like a ghost.
Thou sure and firm-set
earth,
my
Hear not
steps,
which way they walk,
for
fear
Thy very stones prate of my whereabout, And take the present horror from the time, Which now suits with it. Whiles I threat, he
Macb. There's one did laugh in's sleep, and one cried "Murder!" That they did wake each other. I stood and heard them; But they did say their prayers, and address'd them Again to sleep. There are two lodged together. Lady M. Macb. One cried "God bless us!" and "Amen" the other;
60
lives:
Words
to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives.
As they had seen me with these hangman's hands. Listening their fear, I could not say "Amen," When they did say "God bless us!"
A bell rings. I
go, and
it is
Lady M. Consider it not so deeply, jo Macb. But wherefore could not I pronounce
done; the bell invites me.
Hear it not, Duncan; for it is a knell That summons thee to heaven or to hell.
Scene
ii.
"Amen"? [Exit
The same
Enter lady macbeth.
Lady M. That which hath made them drunk
made me
hath
What It
bold;
hath quench'd them hath given
Hark! Peace! was the owl that
Which
me
fire.
shriek'd, the fatal bellman,
gives the stern'st good-night.
He is
about
Whether they
The death of each day's
not done. us.
The attempt and
Hark!
He could not miss
laid their
I
'em.
My father as he slept,
I
not the deed
daggers ready;
Had he not resembled had done
't.
Enter macbeth.
I
My husband have done the deed. Didst thou not hear
a noise?
Lady M.
I
heard the owl scream and the crickets
cry.
Did not you speak? Macb. When? Now. Lady M. Macb. As I descended? Lady M. Ay. Macb. Hzrkl Who lies i' the second chamber? Lady M. Donalbain. 20 Macb. This is a sorry sight. Looking on
Lady M.
Lady M. Macb. Still
it
sore labour's bath,
life,
Balm of hurt minds, great
nature's second course,
in life's feast
cried, "Sleep
What do you mean? no more!" to all the 4/
"Glamis hath murder'd
sleep,
and therefore
Cawdor
live or die.
Macb. [Within] Who's there? what, ho! 9 Lady M. Alack, I am afraid they have awaked, Confounds
sleep," the innocent sleep,
house;
their possets,
That death and nature do contend about them,
Macb.
Macbeth does murder
Chief nourisher
it.
'tis
had most need of blessing, and "Amen" Stuck in my throat Lady M. These deeds must not be thought After these ways; so, it will make us mad. Macb. Methought I heard a voice cry, "Sleep no more! I
Sleep that knits up the ravcll'd sleave of care,
The doors are open, and the surfeited grooms Do mock their charge with snores. I have drugg'd
And
291
his hands.
A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight.
Shall sleep
no more; Macbeth
shall sleep
no
more."
Lady M. Who was worthy thane,
it
that thus cried?
Why,
You do unbend your noble strength, to think So brainsickly of things. Go get some water, And wash this filthy witness from your hand. Why did you bring these daggers from the place? They must lie there. Go carry them; and smear The sleepy grooms with blood. Macb. I'll go no more. 50 I am afraid to think what I have done; Look on 't again I dare not. Infirm of purpose! Lady M. Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead Are but as pictures; tis the eye of childhood That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed, I'll gild the faces of the grooms withal; For it must seem their guilt. [Exit.
Knocking within.
Whence is that knocking? How is't with me, when every noise appals me? Macb.
What hands are here? eyes.
ha! they pluck out
mine 55*
MACBETH
202
rather
The multitudinous
seas incarnadine,
Making the green one
red.
lady macbeth.
Re-enter
Lady M. My hands are of your colour; but I shame To wear a heart so white. [Knocking within.]
I
hear a knocking
At the
south entry. Retire
we to our chamber.
A little water clears us of this deed; How easy
left you unattended. [Knocking within.] Hark! more knocking. Get on your nightgown, lest occasion call us, 70 And show us to be watchers. Be not lost So poorly in your thoughts. Macb. To know my deed, 'twere best not know
[Knocking within. with thy knocking! I would thou
myself.
Macd.
hi.
Port.
But
Here's a knocking indeed! If a
key.
pectation of plenty.
Come
enow about you; here
in time;
have napkins
you'll sweat for't, [Knock-
Knock, knock! Who's there, in name? Faith, here's an equivocator, that could swear in both the scales against either scale; who committed treason enough for God's sake, yet could not equivocate to heaven. O, come in, equivocator. [Knocking within.] Knock, knock, knock! Who's there? Faith,, ing within]
the other devil's
here's an English tailor
come
hither for stealing
out of a French hose.
Come
may roast your goose.
[Knocking within.] Knock,
knock; never
in, tailor;
What
at quiet!
too cold for
is
here you
are you? But this
hell. I'll devil-porter it
no
had thought to have let in some of all professions that gc the primrose way to the everlasting bonfire. [Knocking within.] Anon, anon! I further.
I
pray you, remember the porter.
Opens
did, sir,
him
macduff and lennox.
Was it so late,
friend, ere
Macd. Macb. Macd.
'Faith,
Is
sir,
and,
I
think, being
my
legs
Not yet.
He
did
command me
50
to call timely on
him. have almost slipp'd the hour. Macb. I'll bring you to him. Macd. I know this is a joyful trouble to you; But yet 'tis one. Macb. The labour we delight in physics pain. This is the door. I
Macd. For 'tis Len.
I'll
Goes
the
so bold to
call,
[Exit.
King hence to-day?
He does;
Macb. Len.
make
my limited service. he did appoint
so.
The night has been unruly. Where we
Our chimneys were blown down;
lay,
and, as they
say,
Lamentings heard
i'
the
air;
strange screams of 61
death,
And prophesying with
accents terrible
Of dire combustion and confused events
New
hatch'd to the woeful time.
you went to
it.
late?
we were
lie;
the King stirring, worthy thane?
A fellow to
That you do lie so
the very throat on me.
i'
for his
The
obscure
Clamour'd the livelong night; some say, the earth Was feverous and did shake, 'Twas a rough night. Macb. Len. My young remembrance cannot parallel
bed,
Port.
it
bird
the gate.
Enter
Macd.
That
requited
Enter macbeth.
within.]
knock! Who's there, Here's a farmer, that
place
I
sometime, yet I made a shift to cast him. Macd. Is thy master stirring?
man were
Knock, knock, i' the name of Beelzebub? hanged himself on the ex-
[Knocking
lie last
too strong for him, though he took up
porter of hell-gate, he should have old turning the
believe drink gave thee the
Our knocking has awakened him; here he comes. Len. Good morrow, noble sir. Macb. Good morrow, both.
The same
Knocking within. Enter a porter. Porter.
I
night.
[Exeunt.
couldst!
Scene
11
a great provoker
Macd. What three things does drink especially provoke? 50 Port. Marry, sir, nose-painting, sleep, and urine. Lechery, sir, it provokes, and unprovokes; it provokes the desire but it takes away the performance; therefore, much drink may be said to be an equivocator with lechery: it makes him, and it mars him; it sets him on, and it takes him off; it persuades him, and disheartens him; makes him stand to, and not stand to; in conclusion,
Hath
Wake Duncan
sir, is
equivocates him in a sleep, and, giving him the lie, leaves him. 40
Your constancy
then!
is it,
ACT
second cock. And drink, of three things.
Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will
carousing
till
the
Re-enter
macduff.
!
SCENE
MACBETH
III
Macd.
O horror,
Macb The spring,
Tongue nor
horror, horror!
heart
Cannot conceive nor name thee. Macb.} What's the matter? Len.
jo
his master-
The Lord's anointed temple, and stole thence The life o' the building! What is't you say? the life? Macb. Lan. Mean you his Majesty? Macd. Approach the chamber, and destroy your
me speak;
bid
Their hands and faces were all badged with blood; So were their daggers, which un wiped we found
Upon their pillows. They stared, and were distracted; no man's
Was to be trusted with them. Macb. O, yet I do repent me of my That I did Macd.
sight
With a new Gorgon. Do not
Macb.
See, and then speak yourselves.
macbeth and lennox. Awake, awake! Murder and treason!
[Exeunt
Ring the alarum-beli. So Banquo and Donalbain! Malcolm! awake! Shake off this downy sleep, death's counterfeit, And look on death itself! Up, up, and see The great doom's image! Malcolm! Banquo! As from your graves rise up, and walk like Ring the
Lady M. What's the business, That such a hideous trumpet calls
did
you
so?
furious,
Loyal and neutral, in a moment? No man. The expedition of my violent love Outrun the pauser, reason. Here lay Duncan, His silver skin laced with his golden blood;
And his gash'd stabs look'd like a breach in nature For
ruin's wasteful entrance; there, the
murder-
ers,
gore.
Who
could re-
That had a heart to love, and in that heart Courage to make 's love known? Help me hence, ho! Lady M. Macd. Look to the lady.
to parley
sleepers of the house? Speak, speak!
O gentle lady,
Macd.
you
to hear
what
The repetition, in a woman's Would murder as it fell.
I
can speak.
po
ear,
Enter banquo.
O Banquo, Banquo, Our royal master's murder'd! Woe, Lady M. What, in our house? I
Mai. [Aside to donalbain] Why do we hold our tongues, That most may claim this argument for ours? Don. [Aside to malcolm] What should be spoken here, where our fate, Hid in an auger-hole, may rush, and seize us? Let's away; 129 Our tears are not yet brew'd. Mai. [Aside to donalbain] Nor our strong sor-
row
alas
Upon the foot of motion.
Too cruel anywhere.
Ban.
Look to the
Ban.
prithee, contradict thyself,
And when we
And say it is not so. macbeth and lennox, with
That ross.
Macb. Had I but died an hour before this chance, had lived a blessed time; for, from this instant,
There's nothing serious in mortality; All is but toys. Renown and grace is dead; The wine of life is drawn, and the mere lees Is left this vault to
Enter
Don.
Wherefore
Who can be wise, amazed, temperate and
frain,
Enter lady macbeth.
I
///
fury,
them.
Unmannerly breech'd with
bell.
Bell rings.
Re-enter
kill
life
Steep' d in the colours of their trade, their daggers
sprites,
To countenance this horror!
Dear Duff,
O, by whom? Those of his chamber, as it seem'd, had
done't.
piece!
'Tis not for
very source of it is stopp'd. father's murder'd.
Macd. Your royal Mai. Len.
Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope
The
You are, and do not know't. the head, the fountain of your blood
Is stopp'd; the
)
Macd. Confusion now hath made
293
brag
of.
malcolm and donalbain.
What is amiss?
suffer in exposure, let us
Macd.
out.
meet
And question this most bloody piece of work, To know it further. Fears and scruples shake In the great hand of God I stand; and thence Against the undivulged pretence Of treasonous malice.
wo
lady;
[Lady macbeth is carried have our naked frailties hid,
I
us.
fight
And so do I.
So all. Macb. Let's briefly put on manly readiness, And meet i' the hall together. All.
All.
Well
contented.
140
MACBETH
294 [Exeunt
all
but
malcolm and donalbain.
Mai. What will you do? Let's not consort with them; To show an unfelt sorrow is an office
Which the
false
man does
easy.
I'll
to England.
Don. To Ireland, I; our separated fortune keep us both the safer. Where we are, There's daggers in men's smiles; the near in blood,
bloody.
avoid the aim. Therefore, to horse;
shift
Which
not be dainty of leave-taking,
away. There's warrant
steals itself,
/yo
Scene
left.
iv.
Outside Macbeth! s
castle
Enter ross and an old man.
M.
Threescore and ten
I
can remember
well;
Within the volume of which time I have seen Hours dreadful and things strange; but this sore trifled
former knowings.
Ah, good
Ross.
Thou
seest, the heavens, as troubled
Alas, the day!
What good could they pretend?
'Gainst nature
Thine own life's means! Then 'tis most like The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth. Macd.
there, adieu!
Old M. God's benison go with you; and with
father,
those
40
That would make good of bad, and
of
[Exeunt.
ACT Scene
'Tis unnatural, 10 Old M. Even like the deed that's done. On Tuesday
friends
foes!
When living light should kiss it?
i.
III
Forres: the palace
Enter banquo. Ban.
last,
Thou
hast
it
now: King, Cawdor, Glamis,
all,
A falcon, towering in her pride of place, Was
As the weird women promised, and, I fear, Thou play'dst most foully for't; yet it was said
by a mousing owl hawk'd at and kill'd. a thing most Ross. And Duncan's horses
—
should not stand in thy posterity, But that mvself should be the root and father Of many kings. If there come truth from them As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine Why, by the verities on thee made good, May they not be my oracles as well, 10 And set me up in hope? But hush no more. It
strange and certain
Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race, in nature, broke their stalls, flung
Turn'd wild out,
'gainst obedience, as they
would
make
!
War with mankind. Old M.
'Tis said they eat each other.
They did so,
to the
Sennet sounded. Enter
macbeth,
amazement of mine
Ladies,
eyes
That look'd upon't. Here comes the good Mac20
duff.
Enter macduff.
How goes the world, sir, now? Macd.
50 named, and gone to Scone
He is already
Ross. Where is Duncan's body? Macd. Carried to Colmekill, The sacred storehouse of his predecessors, And guardian of their bones. Ross. Will you to Scone? Macd. No, cousin, I'll to Fife. Ross. Well, I will thither. Macd. Well, may you see things well done
Threaten his bloody stage. By the clock, 'tis day, And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp. Is'c night's predominance, or the day's shame, That darkness does the face of earth entomb,
Contending
still!
Thriftless ambition, that wilt ravin up
with man's
act,
Ross.
slain.
Lest our old robes sit easier than our new! Ross. Farewell, father.
night
Hath
Ross.
To be invested.
in that theft
when there's no mercy
[Exeunt.
Old
Macd. Those that Macbeth hath
Ross.
This murderous shaft that's shot Hath not yet lighted, and our safest way Mai.
But
known who did this more than bloody
deed?
Suspicion of the deed.
The nearer
And let us
Ross. Is't
in
Macd. They were suborn'd. Malcolm and Donalbain, the King's two sons, Are stol'n away and fled; which puts upon them
Shall
Is to
ACT
Why,
see
you not?
as
macbeth, as King, lady lennox, ross, Lords,
Queen,
and Attendants.
Macb. Here's our chief guest. If he had been forgotten, Lady M. It had been as a gap in our great feast, And all-thing unbecoming. Macb. To-night we hold a solemn supper, sir, And I'll request your presence.
;
scene
MACBETH
i
Let your Highness
Ban.
Command upon me;
to the
which
my duties
a most indissoluble tie For ever knit. Macb. Ride you this afternoon? 20 Ban. Ay, my good lord. should have else desired your good Macb.
Are with
We
advice,
Which
hath been both grave and prosperous,
still
In this day's council; but we'll take to-morrow. Is't far
Ban.
you
As
'Twixt
ride?
far,
my lord,
as will
fill
up the time
Go not my horse the
and supper.
this
better,
must become a borrower of the night For a dark hour or twain. Fail not our feast. Macb. I
Ban.
My lord,
Macb.
I
And put a barren Thence
sceptre in
my gripe,
to be wrench'd with an unlineal hand,
No son of mine succeeding. If t be so, For Banquo's issue have I filed my mind; For them the gracious Duncan have I murder'd; Put rancours in the vessel of my peace Only for them; and mine eternal jewel Given to the common enemy of man, To make them kings, the seed of Banquo Kings! Rather than
jo so,
come
fate into the
jointly.
upon 's. Macb. I wish your horses swift and sure of foot; And so I do commend you to their backs. [Exit banquo. Farewell. 40 Let every man be master of his time Till seven at night.
To make society
And champion me to the utterance! Who's there? Re-enter Attendant, with
two murderers.
Till supper-time alone; while then,
you! [Exeunt Sirrah, a
[Exit Attendant.
Was it not yesterday we spoke together? 1st
Mur.
but macbeth, and an attendant.
word with you. Attend those men
Our pleasure? Atten. They are, my
lord,
without the palace
gate.
Macb. Bring them before
us.
[Exit
ATTENDANT.
To be thus
is
nothing;
But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo Stick deep; and in his royalty of nature 50 Reigns that which would be fear'd. 'Tis much he dares; to that dauntless
temper of his mind,
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour To act in safety. There is none but he Whose being I do
My Genius
is
fear; and,
rebuked,
under him,
as, it is said,
Mark Anton v's was bv
Caesar.
He
was, so please your Highness.
Well
Have you
consider 'd of my speeches?
now Know
then,
it was he in the times past which held you So under fortune, which you thought had been Our innocent self. This I made good to you In our last conference, pass'd in probation with
That
you,
So
How you were borne in hand, how cross'd, the instruments,
Who wrought with them, and all things else that might
Say "Thus did Banquo.'' 1 st
chid the
sisters
When first they put the name of king upon me,
You made
Mur.
it
known to us.
which is now Our point of second meeting. Do you find Your patience so predominant in your nature That you can let this go? Are you so gospell'd To pray for this good man and for his issue, Whose heavy hand hath bow'd you to the grave And beggar'd yours for ever? We are men, my liege, p/ istMur. Macb. Ay, in the catalogue ye go for men; As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels,
Macb.
all
It
Macb.
To half a soul and to a notion crazed
we will keep ourself God be with
sweeter welcome,
list,
Now go to the door, and stay there till we call.
will not.
Hie you to horse; adieu. night. Goes Fleance with you? return at you Till Ban. Ay, my good lord. Our time does call Craving us
And,
And bade them speak to him; then prophet-like They hail'd him father to a line of kings 60 Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown,
We hear, our bloody cousins are be-
stow'd 50 In England and in Ireland, not confessing Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers With strange invention. But of that to-morrow, When therewithal we shall have cause of state
The
295
I
did so, and
went
further,
curs,
Shoughs, water-rugs and demi-wolves are clept All by the name of dogs; the valued file Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle.
The housekeeper,
the hunter, every one According to the gift which bounteous nature Hath in him closed, whereby he does receive Particular addition, from the bill 100 That writes them all alike; and so of men. Now, if you have a station in the file, Not i' the worst rank of manhood, say't;
MACBETH
296
And I will put that business in your bosoms, Whose execution takes your enemy off,
in his
I
am one, my
I
do 1st
reckless
liege,
what
Than by destruction dwell
And I
Mur.
another
tance,
That every minute of his being thrusts
my near'st of life;
and though
I
could
With barefaced power sweep him from my sight 120 And bid my will avouch it, yet I must not, friends that are both his and mine,
Whose loves I may not drop,
Who
but wail his
fall
myself struck down; and thence it is, That I to your assistance do make love, Masking the business from the common eye For sundry weighty reasons.
And something from the palace; always I
doubtful joy.
Of sorriest fancies your companions making, Using those thoughts which should indeed have died
require a clearness: and with
10
With them they think on? Things without all remedy Should be without regard; what's done is done. Macb. have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it; She'll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice Remains in danger of her former tooth, But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds suffer, Ere we will eat our meal in fear and sleep In the affliction of these terrible dreams That shake us nightly. Better be with the dead, Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to
We
peace,
I
Than on the torture of the mind to lie In restless ecstasy.
After
We shall, my lord, 2nd Mur. Perform what you command us. Though our lives 1st Mur. Macb. Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour at most I will advise you where to plant yourselves; Acquaint you with the perfect spy o' the time, /50 The moment on 't; for 't must be done to-night, That
in
How now, my lord! why do you keep alone,
So weary with disasters, tugg'd with fortune, That I would set my life on any chance, To mend it, or be rid on 't. Both of you Macb. Know Banquo was your enemy. True, my lord. Both Mur. Macb. So is he mine; and in such bloody dis-
For certain
thought
him
To leave no rubs nor botches in the work
life's fitful
Duncan is
fever he sleeps well;
Treason has done his worst; nor steel, nor poison, Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing, Can touch him further. Come on; Lady M. Gentle my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks; Be bright and jovial among your guests tonight.
Macb. So shall I, love; and so, I pray, be you. Let your remembrance apply to Banquo; $o Present him eminence, both with eye and tongue. Unsafe the while, that we
Fleance his son, that keeps him company,
Must lave our honours
And make our faces vizards to our hearts,
Than
Disguising what they are.
his father's,
must embrace the
fate
LadyM.
Of that dark hour. Resolve yourselves apart; come to you anon. We are resolved, Both Mur. Macb. I'll call upon you straight; abide
Macb. O,
I'll
concluded. Banquo, thy soul's
If it find heaven,
must
find it
Scene
flight,
out to-night. [Exit.
ii.
The palace
macbeth and a servant.
Lady M. Is Banquo gone from court? Serv. Ay, madam, but returns again to-night. Lady M. Say to the King, I would attend his leisure
You must leave this. full
of scorpions
is
my mind, dear
Thou know' st that Banquo, and his Fleance, lives. 140
Lady M. But in them nature's copy's not eterne. Macb. There's comfort yet; they are assailable;
Then be thou jocund; His
Enter lady
in these flattering streams,
wife!
lord.
[Exeunt murderers.
within. It is
my
21
in his grave;
Whose absence is no less material to me is
[Exit.
Enter macbeth.
110
to spite the world.
Against
will.
Nought's had, all's spent, Where our desire is got without content. 'Tis safer to be that which we destroy
Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world Have so incensed that I am
I
Lady M.
death were perfect.
2nd Mur.
Madam,
Serv.
Grapples you to the heart and love of us, Who wear our health but sickly in his life,
Which
act in
For a few words.
ere the bat hath flown
cloister 'd flight, ere to black Hecate's
40 sum-
mons The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums night's yawning peal, there shall be done A deed of dreadful note. What's to be done? Lady M.
Hath rung
.
.
scene
,
MACBETH
ii
Macb. Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest
1st
chuck,
away, and say
let's
how much is
done.
Till thou applaud the deed.
Come,
Scene
crow Makes wing to the rooky wood;
hall in the palace
own
Macb. You know your
At
degrees;
sit
down.
first
And last the hearty welcome. Thanks to your Majesty. Macb. Our self will mingle with society, And play the humble host.
begin to droop and drowse;
Lords.
do
rouse. marvell'st at my words, but hold thee still; Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill. [Exeunt. So, prithee, go with me.
Thou
hi.
The same:
banquet prepared. Enter macbeth, lady Macbeth, ross, lennox, Lords, and Attendants.
50
night's black agents to their preys
Scene
iv.
A
Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond Which keeps me pale! Light thickens; and the
Good things of day
[Exeunt.
seeling night,
Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day; And with thy bloody and invisible hand
Whiles
297
Mur. Well,
Our hostess keeps
her state, but in best time
We will require her welcome. Lady M. Pronounce
it
for
me,
sir,
to
all
our
friends;
A park near the palace
For my heart speaks they are welcome.
Enter three murderers. first
Mur. But who did bid thee join with us? Macbeth. 3rd Mur. 2nd Mur. He needs not our mistrust, since he
murderer
appears at the door.
1st
Macb. See, they encounter thee with Both
delivers
Our offices and what we have to do
day;
Now spurs the lated traveller apace 3 rd
and near approaches
1st
Hark
!
I
Then 'tis he; the rest 2nd Mur. That are within the note of expectation i'
10
the court.
Mur. 3rd Mur. Almost
His horses go about. a mile; but he does usually, So all men do, from hence to the palace gate Make it their walk.
A light, a light!
Enter banquo, and fleance with a
3rd Mur. 1 st Mur. Stand Ban.
It will
torch.
'Tishe.
My
lord, his throat
is
cut; that
I
did
art the nonpareil.
Mur.
Fleance
is
Most royal 'scaped.
Macb. Then comes
my
fit
again.
I
sir,
20 had else been
perfect,
Whole as the marble, founded as the rock, As broad and general as the casing air; But now I am cabin'd, cribb'd, confined, bound in
To saucy doubts and fears. But Banquo's safe? istMur. Ay, my good lord; safe in a ditch he With twenty trenched gashes on his head; The least a death to nature. Macb. Thanks for that. There the grown serpent lies; the worm that's fled
fly!
Thou mayst revenge.
O slave! [Dies,
3rd Mur.
10
bides
to' t.
be rain to-night. Let
it come down. Mur. They set upon banquo. Ban. O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly,
1st
Mur.
Thou 1st
1st
2nd Mur.
the midst.
Macb. Thou art the best o' the cut-throats; yet he's good That did the like for Fleance. If thou didst it,
hear horses
Ban. [Within] Give us a light there, ho!
Already are
i'
in mirth;
for him.
subject of our watch.
Mur.
I'll sit
anon we'll drink a measure The table round. [Approaching the door.] There's blood upon thy face. istMur. 'Tis Banquo's then. Macb. 'Tis better thee without than he within. Is he dispatch'd?
Then stand with us 1 st Mur. The west yet glimmers with some- streaks of
The
sides are even; here
Be large
To the direction just.
To gain the timely inn;
their
hearts' thanks.
Hath nature that fleance
escapes.
Who did strike out the light?
Mur. Was't not the way? 3rd Mur. There's but one down; the son is fled. 20 2nd Mur. We have lost 1st
Best half of our
affair.
in
time will venom breed,
No teeth for the present. Get thee gone;
30
to-
morrow We'll hear, ourselves, again.
Lady M.
[Exit
murderer.
My royal lord,
You do not give the cheer. The feast is That is not often vouch' d, while
'tis
sold
a-making,
MACBETH
298 'Tis given with
welcome.
To feed were best at
home;
From thence the sauce to meat is ceremony; Meeting were bare without it. Sweet remembrancer! Macb. Now, good digestion wait on appetite, And health on both! May't please your Highness sit. Len.
The Ghost of Banquo enters, and sits
ACT
m
Lady M. What, quite unmann'd in folly? Macb. If I stand here, I saw him. Lady M. Fie, for shame! Macb. Blood hath been shed ere now, i' the olden time,
Ere humane statute purged the gentle weal; Ay, and since too, murders have been perform'd
Too terrible for the ear. The time has been when the brains were out, the man would
That, in
die,
Macbeth' s place.
And there an end but now they rise again, 80 With twenty mortal murders on their crowns, And push us from our stools. This is more strange ;
Macb. Here had roof d,
we now our country's honour 40
Were the graced person of our Banquo present; Who may I rather challenge for unkindness Than pity
for mischance!
His absence,
Ross.
Lays blame upon Highness
sir,
his promise. Please't
your
To grace us with your royal company. Macb. The
Than such a murder is.
My worthy lord, do lack you. Macb. I do forget. Do not muse at me, my most worthy friends; I have a strange infirmity, which is nothing To those that know me. Come, love and health Lady M. Your noble
table's full.
Here is
Len.
to a place reserved,
Then
sir.
Macb. Where? Len. Here, my good lord. What is't that moves your Highness? Macb. Which of you have done this? What, my good lord? Lords. Macb. Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake
I
Re-enter Ghost.
Macb. Avaunt! and quit my
Sit,
worthy
friends;
is
not well.
my lord is often
And hath been from his
youth. Pray you, keep
Lady M.
The fit is momentary; upon a thought He will again be well. If much you note him, You shall offend him and extend his passion.
But
Macb. Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that
Which might appal the devil.
O proper stuff!
60
the very painting of your fear;
you said, O, these flaws and starts, Impostors to true fear, would well become A woman's story at a winter's fire, Authorized by her grandam. Shame itself! Why do you make such faces? When all's done, You look but on a stool. Macb. Prithee, see there! behold! look! lo! how say you? Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too. If charnel-houses and our graves must send 7/ Those that we bury back, our monuments [Ghost vanishes. Shall be the maws of kites. is
the air-drawn dagger which, to Duncan.
is
cold;
Think of this, good
as a thing
of custom;
'tis
peers,
no other.
Only it
Feed, and regard him not. Are you a man?
Led you
are marrowless, thy blood
Thou hast no speculation in those eyes Which thou dost glare with!
seat;
Lady M.
sight! let the earth
hide thee!
Thy bones
thus,
is
down. Give me some wine; fill full. o' the whole table, #9
drink to the general joy
50
Ross. Gentlemen, rise: his Highness
This This
all; I'll sit
And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss; Would he were here! to all, and him, we thirst, And all to all. Lords. Our duties, and the pledge.
Thy gory locks at me. Lady M.
friends
spoils the pleasure of the time. Macb. What man dare, I dare. Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear, 100 The arm'd rhinoceros, or the Hyrcan tiger; Take any shape but that, and my firm nerves
Or be alive again, And dare me to the desert with thy sword; Shall never tremble.
If trembling
I
inhabit then, protest
The baby of a girl. Hence,
me
horrible shadow!
Unreal mockery, hence!
[Ghost vanishes.
Why,
so; being gone,
am a man again. Pray you, sit still. Lady M. You have displaced the mirth, broke the good meeting, With most admired disorder. Can such things be, 110 Macb. And overcome us like a summer's cloud, Without our special wonder? You make me I
strange
Even to the disposition that
I
owe,
!
scene
MACBETH
iv
When now I think you can behold such sights,
299
And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks,
And I, the mistress of your charms, The close contriver of all harms,
When mine is blanch'd with fear.
Was never call'd to bear my part,
What sights, my lord?
Ross.
Lady M.
pray you, speak not; he grows worse and worse; Question enrages him. At once, good night. Stand not upon the order of your going, I
But go at once.
Good night; and better health 120 Len. Attend his Majesty! kind good night to all Lady M. [Exeunt all but macbeth and lady macbeth. Macb. It will have blood; they say, blood will
A
have blood.
known
move and
to
trees to
forth
is
at
odds with morning, which
How say'st thou, that Macduff denies his
10
son,
who, as others do, Loves for his own ends, not for you. But make amends now; get you gone, And at the pit of Acheron Meet me i' the morning; thither he Will come to know his destiny. Your vessels and your spells provide, Your charms and everything beside.
am
for the air; this night
Unto
I'll
spend
20
a dismal and a fatal end;
catch
ere
it
it
come to ground;
Shall raise such artificial sprites
Shall
draw him on to his
He shall spurn fate,
At our great bidding? Did you send to him, sir? by the way; but I will send. one of them but in his house it
There's not a I keep a servant fee'd. I will to-morrow, And betimes I will, to the weird sisters. More shall they speak; for now I am bent to
75/
know,
By
you have done
As by the strength of their illusion
person
Lady M. Macb. I hear
all
wayward
And that distill'd by magic sleights
which.
Macb.
for a
Spiteful and wrathful,
I'll
man of blood. What is the night?
Lady M. Almost
worse,
Great business must be wrought ere noon. Upon the corner of the moon There hangs a vaporous drop profound;
speak;
Augurs and understood relations have By magot-pies and choughs and rooks brought secret' st
is
Hath been but
I
Stones have been
The
Or show the glory of our art? And, which
the worst means, the worst. For
mine own
confusion.
scorn death, and bear
50
His hopes 'bove wisdom, grace and fear; And you all know, security Is mortals' chiefest enemy. Music and a song within: "Come away, come away," &c. Hark! I am call'd; my little spirit, see, Sits in a foggy cloud, and stays for me. [Exit. 1st Witch. Come, let's make haste; she'll soon be back again. [Exeunt.
good, All causes shall give way.
I
Scene
am in blood
I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o'er. Strange things I have in head, that will to hand; Which must be acted ere they may be scann'd. Lady M. You lack the season of all natures,
Enter
Stepp'd in so far that, should
sleep.
sleep.
My strange and
Is the initiate fear that
Scene
v.
Hecate! you look
Have I not reason, beldams
the right-valiant
marry, he was dead. Banquo walk'd too late;
say, if t please you, Fleance
kill'd,
For Fleance
angerly.
Hec.
say,
fled.
Men must not walk too late.
Who cannot want the thought how monstrous
Thunder. Enter the three witches, meeting hecate.
Why, how now,
I
Duncan
[Exeunt.
A Heath
only,
Was pitied of Macbeth; Whom, you may
wants hard use.
We are yet but young in deed.
Witch.
Which can interpret further;
Things have been strangely borne. The gracious
And
self-abuse
My former speeches have but hit your
thoughts,
141
Macb. Come, we'll to
1 st
Len.
vi. Forres: the palace
lennox and another lord.
as
you
Saucy and overbold? How did you dare To trade and traffic with Macbeth In riddles and affairs of death;
are,
It
was
for
Malcolm and
for Donalbain
To kill their gracious father? damned fact!
10
How it did grieve Macbeth! did he not straight In pious rage the two delinquents tear, That were the slaves of drink and thralls of sleep? Was not that nobly done? Ay, and wisely too; For 'twould have anger'd any heart alive
To hear the men deny't. So that, I say,
MACBETH
300
He has borne all things well;
and I do think That had he Duncan's sons under his key As, an't please heaven, he shall not they should
—
But, peace! for from broad
so should Fleance. 20
words and 'cause he
His presence at the tyrant's feast, I hear Macduff lives in disgrace. Sir, can you tell
Where he bestows himself? The son of Duncan, Lord. From whom this tyrant holds the due of birth, Lives in the English court, and
is
received
Of the most pious Edward with such grace That the malevolence of Fortune nothing Takes from his high respect. Thither Macduff Is gone to pray the holy King, upon his aid 50 To wake Northumberland and warlike Siward; That, by the help of these with Him above
To ratify
the
work
— —we may again
and with an absolute "Sir,
not I,"
40
The cloudy messenger turns me his back, And hums, as who should say, "You'll rue the time clogs
me with this
All. Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
ACT
of a fenny snake,
Wool of bat and tongue ofdog, Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting, Lizard's leg and howlet's wing, For a charm of powerful trouble, Like a hell-broth boil and bubble. All. Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble. 3rd Witch. Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf, Witches' mummy, maw and gulf
Of the ravin'd
20
salt-sea shark,
Root of hemlock digg'd
i'
the dark,
Liver of blaspheming Jew, slips of yew moon's eclipse, Nose of Turk and Tartar's lips, Finger o f birth-strangled babe Ditch-deliver'd by a drab, Make the gruel thick and slab.
Gall of goat, and
For the ingredients of our cauldron. All. Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble. 2nd Witch. Cool it with a baboon's blood, Then the charm is firm and good. Enter hecate
to the
1 st Witch. Thrice the brinded cat hath mew'd. 2nd Witch. Thrice and once the hedge-pig
whined. 3rd Witch. Harpier cries; 'tis time, 'tis time. 1 st Witch. Round about the cauldron go; In the poison'd entrails throw. Toad, that under cold stone Days and nights has thirty -one Swelter'd venom sleeping got,
other
three witches.
commend your pains; i'
40
Like elves and fairies in a ring, Enchanting all that you put in. Music and a song: "Black spirits," &c. [hecate retires. 2nd Witch. By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes.
Open,
locks,
Whoever knocks!
IV
Thunder. Enter the three witches.
I
And every one shall share the gains. And now about the cauldron sing,
A cavern: in the middle, a boiling cauldron
3o
Add thereto a tiger's chaudron,
[Exeunt.
i.
Fillet
10
In the cauldron boil and bake;
Hec. O, well done!
answer."
And that well might Len. Advise him to a caution, to hold what distance His wisdom can provide. Some holy angel Fly to the court of England and unfold His message ere he come, that a swift blessing May soon return to this our suffering country Under a hand accursed! I'll send my prayers with him. Lord.
Scene
IV
the charmed pot.
Sliver'd in the
Give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights, Free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives, Do faithful homage, and receive free honours; All which we pine for now. And this report Hath so exasperate the King that he Prepares for some attempt of war. Sent he to Macduff? Len.
He did;
i'
Eye of newt and toe of frog,
fail'd
That
first
2nd Witch.
find
What 'twere to kill a father;
Lord.
ACT
Boil thou
Enter macbeth.
Macb.
How now, you secret, black, and mid-
night hags
What is't you do?
A deed without a name.
All.
Macb.
I
49
conjure you by that which you profess,
Howe'er you come to know it, answer me: Though you untie the winds and let them fight Against the churches; though the yesty waves Confound and swallow navigation up; Though bladed corn be lodged and trees blown
down;
—
— scene
MACBETH
i
Though castles topple on their warders' Though palaces and pyramids do slope
And top of sovereignty?
heads;
care
treasure
60
Demand.
We'll answer. 1 st Witch. Say, if thou'dst rather hear it from our mouths, Or from our masters? Call 'em; let me see 'em. Macb. 1st Witch. Pour in sow's blood, that hath eaten Her nine farrow; grease that's sweaten From the murderer's gibbet throw Into the flame.
Thyself and office deftly show! Thunder, first apparition: an armed Head.
Macb. Tell me, thou unknown power 1st Witch. He knows thy thought. 70 istApp. Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! beware Macduff; Beware the thane of Fife. Dismiss me. Enough. [Descends.
Macb. Whate'er thou
art, for
thy good caution,
thanks;
against him.
[Descends.
That will never
Witch. Show! 2nd Witch. Show! 3rd Witch. Show! 1st
All.
Show his
so depart!
A show of eight kings, the last with a glass in Banquo's Ghost following.
art too like the spirit
of Banquo;
Thy crown does sear mine eye-balls. And thy
another,
hair,
Thou other gold-bound brow, Thunder, second apparition: a bloody Child.
2ndApp. Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! I
bold, and resolute; laugh
Another yet!
to scorn
The power of man,
for
none of woman born
80
harm Macbeth. [Descends. Macb. Then live, Macduff; what need I fear of
Shall
make assurance double sure, And take a bond of fate. Thou shalt not live; I'll
That I may tell pale-hearted
fear
it lies,
And sleep in spite of thunder. Thunder, third apparition: a Child crowned, with a tree in his hand.
What is this of a king, baby-brow the round
like the issue
And wears upon his
like the first.
stretch out to the crack
A seventh!
I'll
see
of
no more.
And yet the eighth appears, who bears a glass Which shows me many more; and some I see That two-fold Horrible sight!
thee?
is
A third is like the former. Filthy hags! Why do you show me this? A fourth! Start, eyes! What, will the line doom?
three ears, I'd hear thee.
2ndApp. Be bloody,
That rises
no
eyes, and grieve his heart;
Come like shadows,
Macb. Thou down!
More potent than the first.
But yet
be.
Unfix his earth-bound root? Sweet bodements! good! Rebellion's head, rise never till the wood Of Birnam rise, and our high-pbced Macbeth Shall live the lease of nature, pay his breath To time and mortal custom. Yet my heart iqo Throbs to know one thing. Tell me, if your art Can tell so much shall Banquo's issue ever Reign in this kingdom? All. Seek to know no more. Macb. I will be satisfied; deny me this, And an eternal curse fall on you! Let me know. Why sinks that cauldron? and what noise is this?
his hand;
He will not be commanded. Here's
Macb. Had
hill
Who can impress the forest, bid the tree
my fear aright. But one word
more Witch.
come
Hautboys.
Hear his speech, but say thou nought.
1st
never vanquish'd be until
:
Come, high or low;
hast harp'd
shall
Macb.
3rd Witch.
Thou
Macbeth
Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane Shall
2nd Witch.
90
Who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are.
Speak.
Witch.
't.
$rdApp. Be lion-mettled, proud; and take no
Of nature's germens tumble all together, Even till destruction sicken; answer me To what I ask you.
All.
Listen, but speak not to
All.
Their heads to their foundations; though the
1st
301
balls
120
and treble sceptres carry.
Now,
I see, 'tis
true;
For the blood-bolter'd Banquo smiles upon me,
And
them for his. [Apparitions vanish.] What, is this so? 1st Witch. Ay, sir, all this is so. But why Stands Macbeth thus amazedly? Come, sisters, cheer we up his sprites, And show the best of our delights. points at
I'll charm the air to give a sound, While you perform your antic round; That this great king may kindly say,
130
MACBETH
302
Our duties did his welcome pay.
Macb. Where cious hour
Her young ones
The witches
and then vanish, with hecate. are they? Gone? Let this perni-
[Music.
dance,
is
little is
Macb. Saw you the weird
So runs against
will?
sisters?
No,
my lord.
my lord, that bring you
My dearest coz, judicious, and best
the season.
knows
dare not speak
I
much
further;
But cruel are the times, when we are And do not know ourselves, when
mour From what we
fear,
yet
traitors
we
hold ru-
know not what we fear,
But float upon a wild and violent sea Each way and move. I take my leave of you;
21
Shall not be long but
Things
at the
I'll be here again. worst will cease, or else climb up-
To what they were before. My pretty cousin,
England.
Blessing upon you!
Fled to England
my good lord.
Macb. Time, thou
L. Macd. Father'd he
anticipatest
my dread ex-
Ross.
ploits;
It
The flighty purpose never is o'ertook
I
Unless the deed go with it. From this moment The very firstlings of my heart shall be The firstlings of my hand. And even now, To crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought
That trace him
in his line.
I
would be my
take
and yet he's fatherless. should I stay longer, disgrace and your discomfort. is,
am so much a fool,
my leave at once.
L. Macd.
[Exit.
Sirrah,
your
father's dead;
And what will you do now? How Son. As birds do, mother.
No boasting like a
Son.
will
you
With what I
get, I
50
live?
What, with worms and
L. Macd.
and done. The castle of Macduff I will surprise; /yo Seize upon Fife; give to the edge o' the sword His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls
flies?
mean; and so do they.
L. Macd. Poor bird! thou'dst never fear the net nor lime,
The pitfall nor the gin. Son.
Why should I, mother? Poor birds they
are not set for.
fool;
This deed I'll do before this purpose cool. But no more sights! Where are these gentlemen? bring
me where they
My father
is not dead, for all your saying. L. Macd. Yes, he is dead. How wilt thou do for
a father?
[Exeunt.
are.
Son.
Scene
ii.
Fife: Macduff's castle
What had he done,
to
make him
yet,
He had none; was madness.
When our actions do
i'
you do
husband?
for a
me twenty at any
can buy
40
faith,
With wit enough Son.
for thee.
Was my father a traitor, mother?
L. Macd. Ay, that he was.
not,
Our fears do make us
Son.
traitors.
You know not
Ross.
Whether it was his wisdom or his fear. L. Macd. Wisdom! to leave his wife, to
Son.
fly?
He wants the natural touch;
The most diminutive of birds,
all traitors
that
do so?
and
10
a traitor, and
be hanged that swear
lie?
Son.
is
yo all
L. Macd. Every one.
poor wren,
will fight,
be
must be hanged. Son. And must they
He loves us not;
for the
And
L. Macd. Every one that does so
leave
his titles in a place
From whence himself does
What is a traitor? Why, one that swears and lies.
L. Macd.
his babes,
His mansion, and
I
Then you'll buy 'em to sell again. L. Macd. Thou speak'st with all thy wit; and
You must have patience, madam.
flight
will
Son.
fly
the land?
L. Macd.
Nay, how
L. Macd. Why, market.
Enter lady macduff, her son, and ross.
L. Macd.
His
reason.
all
ward fled to
Macb
Ross.
the love;
pray you, school yourself; but for your hus-
The fits o'
Macb. Came they not by you? No, indeed, my lord. Len. Macb. Infected be the air whereon they ride; And damn'd all those that trust them! I did hear The galloping of horse; who was't came by? 140
Come,
is
the wisdom, where the flight
band,
Len.
two or three,
IV
in her nest, against the owl.
the fear and nothing
He is noble, wise,
What's your Grace's
Len.
Len. Ay,
As
I
Enter lennox.
word Macduff is
All
Ross.
Stand aye accursed in the calendar! Come in, without there!
Len. 'Tis
ACT
Who must hang them?
!
scene
MACBETH
ii
Why, the honest men.
L. Macd. Son.
Then
the liars and swearers are fools, for
there are liars and swearers
enow
to beat the
men and hang up them. Now, God help thee, poor monkey! 60 But how wilt thou do for a father? Son. If he were dead, you'd weep for him; if honest
L. Macd.
you would
not,
it
were
new
quickly have a
a
good sign that
I
should
father.
L. Macd. Poor prattler,
303
Strike heaven on the face, that
it
resounds
As
if it felt with Scotland and yell'd out Like syllable of dolour. What I believe I'll wail, Mai. What know believe, and what I can redress, As I shall find the time to friend, I will. 10 What you have spoke, it may be so perchance. This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongues, Was once thought honest; you have loved him
how thou talk'st!
well.
He hath not touch'd you yet. I am young; Enter a messenger. fair dame! I am not to you known, Though in your state of honour I am perfect. I doubt some danger does approach you nearly. If you will take a homely man's advice, Be not found here; hence, with your little ones. To fright you thus, methinks, I am too savage; jo To do worse to you were fell cruelty, Which is too nigh your person. Heaven preserve
Mess. Bless you,
You may deserve of him through me, and wisdom
To offer up a weak poor innocent lamb To appease an angry god. Macd. I am not treacherous. Mai. But Macbeth A good and virtuous nature may recoil In an imperial charge. But I shall crave your
[Exit.
Mur.
Son. 1 st
doubts.
Why in that rawness left you wife and child, love,
Thou
80
hope, in no place so unsanctified
thou mayst find him. He's a traitor. liest, thou shag-hair'd villain! as
Mur.
What, you egg
!
Stabbing him.
Young fry of treachery
Run away, I pray you! [Exit
Scene
[Dies.
lady macduff, crying "Murder!" Exeunt murderers, following her.
in.
England: before the King' s palace
malcolm and macduff.
Mai. Let us seek out some desolate shade, and there
Weep our sad bosoms empty. Macd.
Let us rather mortal sword, and like good men Bestride our down-fall'n birthdom Each new morn New widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorfast the
.
rows
I pray you, Let not my jealousies be your dishonours, But mine own safeties. You may be rightly
Whatever
I
29 just,
shall think.
Bleed, bleed, poor country! Macd. Great tyranny! lay thou thy basis sure, For goodness dare not check thee. Wear thou thy wrongs; affeer'd!
Fare thee well, lord.
would not be the villain that thou think'st For the whole space that's in the tyrant's grasp, I
And the rich East to boot. Mai. Be not offended. speak not as in absolute fear of you. I think our country sinks beneath the yoke; It weeps, it bleeds; and each new day a gash Is added to her wounds. I think withal There would be hands uplifted in my right; And here from gracious England have I offer Of goodly thousands. But, for all this, I
Enter
Hold
Without leave-taking?
The title is
He has kill'd me, mother.
Son.
fell.
Those precious motives, those strong knots of
Mur. Where is your husband?
Where such
though the brightest
would wear the brows of
grace,
What are these faces? I
still,
things foul
all
Yet grace must still look so. I have lost my hopes. Macd. Mai. Perchance even there where I did find my
Enter murderers.
L. Macd.
Angels are bright
Though
Whither should I fly? I have done no harm. But I remember now I am in this earthly world; where to do harm Is often laudable, to do good sometime Accounted dangerous folly. Why then, alas, Do I put up that womanly defence, To say I have done no harm? L. Macd.
1 st
20
pardon; pose.
dare abide no longer.
1st
is.
That which you are my thoughts cannot trans-
you! I
but
something
When I shall tread upon the tyrant's head, Or wear it on my sword, yet my poor country Shall have
more vices than
it
had before,
More suffer and more sundry ways than ever,
40
MACBETH
30 4
By him that shall succeed. Macd. Mai. It
What should he be? jo is myself I mean; in whom I know
All the particulars of vice so grafted That, when they shall be open'd, black Macbeth Will seem as pure as snow, and the poor state Esteem him as a lamb, being compared
ACT
In the division of each several crime, Acting it many ways. Nay, had I power, Pour the sweet milk of concord into hell, Uproar the universal peace, confound
I
Macd. O Scotland, Scotland! Mai. If such a one be fit to govern, speak. I am as I have spoken. Macd. Fit to govern
No, not to
In evils to top Macbeth.
With an untitled tyrant bloody-scepter'd,
Mai.
I
By his own interdiction stands accursed, And does blaspheme his breed? Thy royal
Was a most sainted king;
father
the queen that bore
thee,
ters,
Your matrons, and your maids, could not
fill
up
The cistern of my lust, and my desire All continent impediments would o'erbear
That did oppose my
Boundless intemperance
Macd. In nature
is
a tyranny;
it
hath been
The untimely emptying of the happy throne And fall of many kings. But fear not yet To take upon you what is yours you may ;
Convey your pleasures
And yet seem cold,
you may so hood-
We
A stanchless avarice that, were
I
80
And my more-having would be as a sauce To make me hunger more; that I should forge Quarrels unjust against the good and loyal, Destroying them for wealth.
This avarice
grows with more pernicious root Than summer-seeming lust, and it hath been The sword of our slain kings. Yet do not fear; Scotland hath foisons to fill up your will, Of your mere own. All these are portable, With other graces weigh'd. 90 Mai. But
I
have none.
laid
upon myself,
never was forsworn, faith,
would not betray
fellow, and delight
No less in truth than life. My first false speaking Was this upon myself; what I am truly, 131 Is thine and my poor country's to command. Whither indeed, before thy here-approach, Old Siward, with ten thousand warlike men, Already at a point, was setting forth.
Now we'll together;
and the chance of goodness
Be like our warranted quarrel!
Why are you
silent?
Macd. Such welcome and unwelcome things once
at
'Tis hard to reconcile.
The king-becoming
Enter a doctor.
graces,
As justice, verity, temperance, stableness, Bounty, perseverance, mercy, lowliness, Devotion, patience, courage, fortitude, I have no relish of them, but abound
I
my nature. I am yet
At no time broke my
The devil to his
I
Sticks deeper,
detraction, here abjure
Scarcely have coveted what was mine own,
king,
should cut off the nobles for their lands, Desire his jewels and this other's house;
Macbeth
put myself to thy direction, and
Unspeak mine own
Unknown to woman,
With this there grows
my most ill-composed affection such
Macd.
I
For strangers to
so inclined.
Devilish
By many of these trains hath sought to win me Into his power, and modest wisdom plucks me From over-credulous haste. But God above 120 Deal between thee and me! for even now
The taints and blames
will to greatness dedicate themselves,
Mai.
Mai. Macduff, this noble passion, Child of integrity, hath from my soul
To thy good truth and honour. 70
wink. have willing dames enough; there cannot be That vulture in you, to devour so many it
no
Wiped the black scruples, reconciled my thoughts
in a spacious plenty,
the time
Oftener upon her knees than on her feet, Died every day she lived. Fare thee well! These evils thou repeat'st upon thyself
Have banish'd me from Scotland. O my breast, Thy hope ends here!
Macbeth
will. Better
Than such an one to reign.
In
O nation miserable,
live.
Since that the truest issue of thy throne
Sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin a name; but there's no bottom, none, 60 In my voluptuousness. Your wives, your daugh-
Finding
100
When shalt thou see thy wholesome days again,
grant him bloody,
false, deceitful,
That has
As
should
All unity on earth.
With my confineless harms. Not in the legions Macd. Of horrid hell can come a devil more damn'd
Luxurious, avaricious,
IV
Mai. Well; more anon. I pray you? Doct.
Ay,
sir;
That stay his
—Comes the King
forth,
140 there are a crew of wretched souls
cure. Their
malady convinces
—— scene
o
:
MACBETH
in
The great assay of art;
305
Macd. The tyrant has not batter'd
but at his touch Such sanctity hath heaven given his hand They presently amend.
at their
peace?
No; they were well
Ross.
I thank you, doctor. Mai. [Exit doctor. Macd. What's the disease he means? 'Tis call'd the evil Mai. A most miraculous work in this good king; Which often, since my here-remain in England, I have seen him do. How he solicits Heaven,
Himself best knows; but strangely- visited people,
All swoln and ulcerous, pitiful to the eye,
i$i
at
peace
when I
did
leave 'em.
Macd. Be not
a niggard
of your speech;
how 180
goes't?
When I came hither to transport the tid-
Ross.
ings,
Which I have heavily borne, there ran a rumour Of many worthy fellows that were out; Which was to my belief witness 'd the rather, For that
I
saw the tyrant's power
a-foot.
The mere despair of surgery, he cures,
Now is the time of help; your eye in Scotland
Hanging a golden stamp about their necks, Put on with holy prayers. And 'tis spoken,
To doff their dire distresses.
Would create soldiers, make our women fight,
To the succeeding royalty he leaves The healing benediction. With this
Mai. strange vir-
Be't their comfort
We are coming thither. Gracious England hath Lent us good Siward and ten thousand men
tue,
;
19
He hath a heavenly gift of prophecy,
An older and a better soldier none
And sundry blessings hang about his throne
That Christendom gives
That speak him
Would I could answer This comfort with the like! But I have words That would be howl'd out in the desert air, Where hearing should not latch them. Macd. What concern they?
full
of grace.
Enter ross. See, who comes here? Macd. Mai. My countryman; but yet I know him not.
1
60
Macd. My ever-gentle cousin, welcome hither. Mai. I know him now. Good God, betimes re-
move The means
makes us
Sir,
Macd. Stands Scotland where
it
amen.
Alas, poor country!
Ross.
who knows nothing, is once seen to smile; Where sighs and groans and shrieks that rend the But
air
Are made, not mark'd; where violent sorrow seems
A modern ecstasy. The dead man's knell there scarce ask'd for
170
who; and good men's
lives
Expire before the flowers in their caps,
Dying or ere they Macd.
sicken.
O,
relation
Too nice, and yet too true! What's the newest grief? That of an hour's age doth hiss the speak-
Each minute teems a new one. How does Macd.
Why,
Macd. Ross.
shares
you
No mind that's honest some woe; though the main part alone.
Macd.
I f it
be mine,
Ross. Let not
your ears despise my tongue for
ever,
Which shall possess them with the heaviest That ever yet they heard. Macd. Hum! I guess at it. Ross. Your castle is surprised; your wife and babes Savagely slaughter'd. To relate the manner Were, on the quarry of these murder'd deer, To add the death of you. Mai. Merciful heaven! What, man! ne'er pull your hat upon your brows; Give sorrow words. The grief that does not speak Whispers the o'er-fraught heart and bids it break.
Macd. Ross.
My children too? Wife, children, servants,
all
211
That could be found.
er;
Ross.
it
sound
ing'
Ross.
in
Keep it not from me, quickly let me have it. 200
did?
Almost afraid to know itself. It cannot Be call'd our mother, but our grave; where noth-
Mai.
Ross.
Pertains to
strangers!
Ross.
Is
The general cause? or is it a fee-grief Due to some single breast? But
that
out.
Ross.
And I must be from thence!
Macd.
my wife?
My wife kill'd too? Ross.
well.
And all my children? Well too.
Mai. Let's
I
have
said.
Be comforted.
make us medicines of our great revenge
MACBETH
306
To cure this deadly grief. Macd. He has no children.
my pretty ones?
Gent. Neither to
witness to confirm
on,
And would not take their part? Sinful Macduff, They were all struck for thee! naught that I am, Not for their own demerits, but for mine, souls.
Heaven
them
rest
now! Mai. Be
whetstone of your sword;
heavens, all
intermission; front to front
Bring thou this fiend of Scotland and myself; Within my sword's length set him; if he 'scape, forgive
him too!
Mai.
This tune goes manly.
Come, go we to the King; our power is ready; Our lack is nothing but our leave. Macbeth
may;
Lo
long that never finds the day.
240
[Exeunt.
ACT V
my
woman.
paper, fold
it,
write upon't, read
it,
and again return to bed; yet
afterwards
all this
fast sleep.
A great perturbation in nature,
while 9
to receive
once the benefit of sleep, and do the effects of watching! In this slumbery agitation, besides her walking and other actual performances, what, at any time, have you heard her say? Gent. That, sir, which I will not report after her. at
her very guise;
Observe her;
Doct.
How came she by that light?
Gent.
Why,
continually;
it
'tis
stood by her. She has light by her her command.
Doct.
You see,
Gent.
Ay, but their sense
Doct.
What
her eyes are open.
is it
is
she does
shut.
now? Look, how she 5/
an accustomed action with her, to seem thus washing her hands. I have known her continue in this a quarter of an hour. is
Lady M. Yet here's a spot. Doct. Hark! she speaks. I will set down what comes from her, to satisfy my remembrance the more strongly. Lady M. Out, damned spot! out, I say! One; two. Why, then 'tis time to do't. Hell is murky! Fie, my lord, fie! a soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account? Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood
Doct.
Lady
Do you mark that? M. The thane of Fife
had a wife.
Where
now? What, will these hands ne'er be clean? No more o' that, my lord, no more o' that! You mar all with this starting. 50 Doct. Go to, go to; you have known what you she
what she should not, I am Heaven knows what she has known.
Gent. She has spoke
sure of that.
Lady M. Here's the smell of the blood
still.
All
the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this
Doct. I have two nights watched with you, but can perceive no truth in your report. When was it she last walked? Gent. Since his Majesty went into the field, I have seen her rise from her bed, throw her nightgown upon her, unlock her closet, take forth
most
is
asleep.
fast
life,
taper.
stand close.
.
Doct.
21
should not.
Scene i Dunsinane: ante-room in the castle Enter a doctor of physic and a waiting-gentle-
in a
you nor any one; having no
my speech.
you, here she comes! This
and, upon
is
The night is
it,
most meet you
in him.
and the powers above Put on their instruments. Receive what cheer you Is ripe for shaking,
seal
'tis
Enter lady macbeth, with a
Gent. It
let
grief
Heaven
me; and
rubs her hands. this the
Convert to anger; blunt not the heart, enrage it. Macd. O, I could play the woman with mine eyes 250 And braggart with my tongue! But, gentle
Cut short
to
should.
Mai. Dispute it like a man. I shall do so; 220 Macd. But I must also feel it as a man. I cannot but remember such things were, That were most precious to me. Did heaven look
on their
You may
Doct.
All
Did you say all? O hell-kite! All? What, all my pretty chickens and their dam At one fell swoop?
Fell slaughter
actv
little
hand. Oh, oh, oh!
Doct.
WTiat a sigh
is
there!
The
heart
charged.
is
sorely
60
would not have such a heart in my bosom for the dignity of the whole body. Gent.
I
Doct. Well, well, well
Gent. Pray
God it be,
sir.
beyond my practice. Yet I have known those which have walked in their Doct.
sleep
This disease
is
who have died holily in their beds.
Lady M. Wash your hands, put on your nightgown; look not so pale. I tell you yet again, Banquo's buried; he cannot come out on's grave. Doct. Even so? Lady M. To bed,
72 to bed! there's knocking at
..
SCENE
—
!
MACBETH
I
Come, come, come, come, give me your hand. What's done cannot be undone. To bed, to the gate.
bed, to bed Doct.
Each drop of us.
Or so much as
Len.
[Exit.
Will she go
307
And with him pour we in our country's purge it
needs,
To dew the sovereign flower and drown the
now to bed?
weeds.
Gent. Directly.
50
Make we our march towards Birnam.
Doct. Foul whisperings are abroad. Unnatural
[Exeunt, marching.
deeds
Do breed unnatural troubles. Infected minds 80 To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets.
Scene
More needs
Enter macbeth, doctor, and Attendants.
she the divine than the physician.
Macb. Bring me no more reports;
God, God forgive us all! Look after her; Remove from her the means of all annoyance, And still keep eyes upon her. So, good night. My mind she has mated, and amazed my sight. I
let
castle
them
Birnam wood remove to Dunsinane, cannot taint with fear. What's the boy Malcolm? Was he not born of woman? The spirits that
Till I
Good night, good doctor.
know
[Exeunt.
All mortal consequences have pronounced
Scene
ii.
The country near Dunsinane
Caithness, angus, lennox, and Soldiers.
Ment. The English power is near, led on by Malcolm, His uncle Si ward, and the good Macduff. Revenges burn in them; for their dear causes Would to the bleeding and the grim alarm Excite the mortified man. Shall
power upon thee." Then
that
And mingle with the English epicures. The mind I sway by and the heart I bear Shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear. 10
Enter a servant.
way are they
The devil damn thee black,
Len. For certain,
he
sir,
is
not;
I
have a
Of all the gentry. There is Siward's
Where got'st thou that goose look? Serv. There Macb.
file
Protest their
first
10
What does the tyrant?
Great Dunsinane he strongly fortifies. Some say he's mad; others that lesser hate him Caith.
Do call it valiant fury; but, for certain, He cannot buckle his distemper'd cause belt
Upon a dwarfish thief.
Who then shall blame that
is
Macb.
Go prick thy face,
Death of thy
Are
start,
within him does condemn
Itself for being there? Caith. Well, march we on, To give obedience where 'tis truly owed. Meet we the medicine of the sickly weal,
villain?
and over-red thy
soul! those linen
counsellors to fear.
fear,
patch?
cheeks of thine
What soldiers, whey-
face?
Serv.
The English
force, so please you.
Macb. Take thy face hence. Seyton!
Now does he feel His secret murders sticking on his hands; Now minutely revolts upbraid his faith-breach; Those he commands move only in command, Nothing in love; now does he feel his title 20 Hang loose about him, like a giant's robe Ment
Geese,
Soldiers, sir.
of rule.
His pester'd senses to recoil and
ten thousand
Thou lily-liver'd boy. What soldiers,
of manhood.
Ment
is
Serv.
son,
And many unrough youths that even now
all
thou cream-faced
loon!
Who knows if Donalbain be with his
Within the Ang.
fly, false
thanes,
brother?
WTien
woman Shall e'er have
coming. Caith.
"Fear not, Macbeth; no man that's born of
Near Birnam wood
we well meet them;
me
thus:
Drum and colours. Enter menteith,
Ang.
fly
all.
think, but dare not speak.
Gent.
Dunsinane: a room in the
hi.
When I
—
—
[Exit servant. I
am sick at heart,
—
behold Seyton, I say! This push 20 Will cheer me ever, or disseat me now. I have lived long enough; my way of life Is fall'n into the sear, the yellow leaf; And that which should accompany old age, As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, I must not look to have; but, in their stead, Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath, Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not.
Seyton! Enter seyton. Sey.
What is your gracious pleasure?
MACBETH
3 o8
What news more?
Macb. Sey. All
is
confirm'd,
50
my lord, which was re-
ported.
Macb.
I'll
fight
till
from my bones
my flesh be
hack'd.
Give me my armour. 'Tis not needed yet. Macb. I'll put it on. Send out more horses; skirr the country round; Hang those that talk of fear. Give me mine armour. How does your patient, doctor? Sey.
Not
Doct.
As
she
is
my lord.
so sick,
ACT V
Ment. The wood of Birnam. Mai. Let every soldier hew him down a bough And bear't before him; thereby shall we shadow The numbers of our host and make discovery Err in report of us. Soldiers. It shall be done. Siiv. learn no other but the confident tyrant Keeps still in Dunsinane, and will endure
We
Our setting down before 't. Mai. 'Tis his main hope; 10 For where there is advantage to be given, Both more and less have given him the revolt, And none serve with him but constrained things
Whose hearts
troubled with thick-coming fancies,
are absent too.
Macd. Let our just censures Attend the true event, and put we on
That keep her from her rest. Cure her of that Macb Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased,
40 Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow, Raze out the written troubles of the brain, And with some sweet oblivious antidote Cleanse the stuff'd bosom of that perilous stuff Which weighs upon the heart? Therein the patient Doct.
Industrious soldiership.
The time approaches with due decision make us know What we shall say we have and what we owe. Thoughts speculative their unsure hopes relate, But certain issue strokes must arbitrate; 20 Towards which advance the war. Siiv.
That
will
Must minister to himself. Macb.
[Exeunt, marching.
Throw physic to the dogs;
I'll
none of
Scene
v.
Dunsinane: ivithin the castle
it.
Come, put mine armour on; give me my
Enter macbeth, seyton, and Soldiers, ivith
staff.
drum and colours.
Seyton, send out. Doctor, the thanes fly from
me.
Come,
49 sir,
dispatch. If thou couldst, doctor, cast
The water of my land, find her disease, And purge it to a sound and pristine health, I would applaud thee to the very echo, That should applaud again. Pull't off, I say. What rhubarb, senna, or what purgative drug,
—
Would scour these English hence?
Hear'st thou
Ay,
Doct.
walls;
The cry is
still
"They come." Our castle's
strength
Will laugh a siege to scorn; here let them lie and the ague eat them up. Were they not forced with those that should be
Till famine
ours,
We might have met them dareful, beard to beard,
of them?
Makes
Macb. Hang out our banners on the outward
my good lord;
your royal preparation
And beat them backward home.
A cry of ivomen ivithin.
us hear something.
What is that noise?
Macb.
Bring it after me. I will not be afraid of death and bane, Till Birnam forest come to Dunsinane. 60 Doct. [Aside]
Were I
from Dunsinane away and
clear,
Profit again should hardly
draw me here. [Exeunt.
Scene
iv.
Country near Birnam mood
Drum
and colours. Enter malcolm, old siward and his son, macduff, menteith, Caithness, angus, lennox, ross, and Soldiers,
Sey. It
is
Macb.
I
my good lord. [Exit.
have almost forgot the taste of fears. The time has been, my senses would have cool'd // To hear a night-shriek; and my fell of hair Would at a dismal treatise rouse and stir As life were in 't. I have supp'd full with horrors; Direness, familiar to
Cannot once
start
my slaughterous thoughts,
me.
Re-enter seyton.
marching.
WTierefore was that cry?
Mai. Cousins, I hope the days are near at hand That chambers will be safe. Ment. doubt it nothing.
We
Siiv.
the cry of women,
What wood is this before us?
Sey.
The Queen, my lord,
is
dead.
Macb. She should have died hereafter: There would have been a time for such a word. To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
MACBETH
SCENE V Creeps
in this petty
To the last syllable of recorded time,
all
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Make all our trumpets
Macd.
20
pace from day to day
309 speak; give
them
breath
p
Those clamorous harbingers of blood and death. [Exeunt.
walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Life's but a
Scene
vii.
Another part of the field
Alarums. Enter macbeth.
Macb. They have
Signifying nothing.
tied
me to a stake;
I
cannot
fly, I must fight the course. What's he That was not born of woman? Such a one
But, bear-like,
Enter a messenger.
Thou comest to use thy
Am
tongue; thy story
I
to fear, or none.
quickly.
Mess. Gracious I
my lord,
should report that which
But know not Macb.
I
say
I
saw,
Yo. Siiv.
how to do it.
say, a
name Than any
is
The devil himself could not pronounce
a title
More hateful to mine ear. Yo. Siiv.
Thou
liest,
No, nor more fearful. abhorred tyrant; with my
sword 40
me as much.
and begin To doubt the equivocation of the fiend That lies like truth: "Fear not, till Birnam wood Do come to Dunsinane"; and now a wood Comes toward Dunsinane. Arm, arm, and out! If this which he avouches does appear, There is nor flying hence nor tarrying here. I gin to be aweary of the sun, And wish the estate o' the world were now unpull in resolution,
done,
yo Ring the alarum-bell! Blow, wind! come, wrack! At least we'll die with harness on our back. [Exeunt.
it.
thyself a hotter
in hell.
Macb.
care not if thou dost for
call'st
My name's Macbeth.
Yo. Siiv.
Upon the next tree shalt thou hang alive,
I
No; though thou
Macb.
If thou speak'st false,
Till famine cling thee. If thy speech be sooth, I
Thou'lt be afraid to hear
Yo. Siiv.
moving grove.
Macb.
What is thy name?
Macb.
Well, say, sir. Mess. As I did stand my watch upon the hill, I look'd toward Birnam, and anon, methought, The wood began to move. Liar and slave! Macb. Mess. Let me endure your wrath, if 't be not so. Within this three mile may you see it coming; I
Enter young siward.
30
I'll
10
prove the
lie
thou speak'st.
They fight and young siward is slain. Macb. Thou wast born of woman. But swords I smile at, weapons laugh to scorn, Brandish'd by man that's of a woman born. [Exit.
Alarums. Enter macduff.
Macd. That way the noise
is.
Tyrant, show thy
face!
If thou be'st slain and with
no stroke of mine,
My wife and children's ghosts will haunt me still.
cannot strike at wretched kerns, whose arms Are hired to bear their staves. Either thou, MacI
beth,
Scene
Drum
and
vi.
Dunsinane: before the
colours.
macduff, and Mai.
castle
Enter malcolm, old siward, their Army, with boughs.
Now near enough. Your leavy screens
throw down,
Or else my sword with an unbatter'd edge I
sheathe again undeeded. There thou shouldst
Seems
And show like those you are. You, worthy
20
be;
By this great clatter, one of greatest note bruited. Let
And more I
me find him,
beg not.
fortune! [Exit.
Alarums.
uncle, Shall,
with
Enter
my cousin, your right-noble son,
Worthy Macduff and we upon 's what else remains to do, According to our order. Siiv. Fare you well. Do we but find the tyrant's power to-night, Lead our
first battle.
Shall take
Let us be beaten,
if
we cannot fight.
Siiv.
malcolm and old siward.
This way,
my lord;
the castle's gently
render'd.
The tyrant's people on both sides do fight; The noble thanes do bravely in the war; The day almost itself professes yours, And little is to do.
MACBETH
Jio
We
Mai.
That
have met with foes
Mai.
strike beside us. sir,
the castle. [Exeunt. Alarums.
Scene
viii.
Another part oj the field
Enter macbeth.
Macb.
Why should
I
play the
Roman fool,
whiles
see lives, the
and
die
On mine own sword?
I
Enter macduff.
Turn, hell-hound, turn! Macd. Macb. Of all men else I have avoided thee. But get thee back; my soul is too much charged With blood of thine already. I have no words Macd.
My voice is in my sword. Thou Than terms can give thee out!
bloodier villain
Tell thee, Macduff was from his mother's
And live to be the show and gaze o'
the time!
our rarer monsters Painted upon a pole, and underwrit, as
are,
see the tyrant." I
will not yield,
To kiss the ground before young Malcolm's feet And to be baited with the rabble's
curse.
Though Birnam wood be come to Dunsinane, 50 being of no woman born, Yet I will try the last. Before my body I throw my warlike shield. Lay on, Macduff, And damn'd be him that first cries, "Hold, enough!" [Exeunt, fighting. Alarums.
And thou opposed,
with drum and colours, malcolm, old siward, ross, the other Thanes,
Retreat. Flourish. Enter,
Your cause
his knell is knoll'd.
He's worth more sorrow,
Mai.
jo
And that I'll spend for him. He's worth no more.
Siw.
They say he parted well, and paid his score; And so, God be with him! Here comes newer comfort. Re-enter
macduff, with macbeth's
Macd. Hail, King! for so thou where stands
womb
Untimely ripp'd. Macb. Accursed be that tongue that tells me so, For it hath cow'd my better part of man! And be these juggling fiends no more believed That palter with us in a double sense; 20 That keep the word of promise to our ear, And break it to our hope. I'll not fight with thee. Macd. Then yield thee, coward,
field.
of sorrow Must not be measured by his worth, for then It hath no end. Had he his hurts before? Siw. Ross. Ay, on the front. Why then, God's soldier be he! Siw. Had I as many sons as I have hairs, I would not wish them to a fairer death.
And let the angel whom thou still hast served
Macb.
Ay, and brought off the
And so,
They fight. Thou losest labour. Macb. As easy mayst thou the intrenchant air With thy keen sword impress as make me bleed. // Let fall thy blade on vulnerable crests I bear a charmed life, which must not yield To one of woman born. Despair thy charm; Macd.
and Soldiers.
we miss were safe
Then he is dead?
Siw. Ross.
Do better upon them.
We'll have thee,
friends
Siw. Some must go off; and yet, by these I see, So great a day as this is cheaply bought. Mai. Macduff is missing, and your noble son. Ross. Your son, my lord, has paid a soldier's debt. He only lived but till he was a man; 40 The which no sooner had his prowess confirm'd In the unshrinking station where he fought, But like a man he died.
gashes
"Here may you
would the
arrived.
Enter,
Siw.
ACT V I
The usurper's I
cursed head.
art.
head.
Behold,
The time is
free.
see thee compass'd with thy kingdom's pearl,
That speak my
salutation in their minds;
Whose voices
desire aloud with mine:
Hail, All.
I
King of Scotland! Hail, King of Scotland!
[Flourish.
We
shall not spend a large expense of Mai. 60 time Before we reckon with your several loves, And make us even with you. My thanes and kinsmen, Henceforth be earls, the first that ever Scotland In such an honour named. What's more to do, Which would be planted newly with the time, As calling home our exiled friends abroad That fled the snares of watchful tyranny; Producing forth the cruel ministers Of this dead butcher and his fiend-like queen, Who, as 'tis thought, by self and violent hands 70 Took off her life; this, and what needful else That calls upon us, by the grace of Grace, will perform in measure, time and place. So, thanks to all at once and to each one, Whom we invite to see us crown'd at Scone.
We
[Flourish. Exeunt.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
**
DRAMATIS PERSONA Mark Antony octavius c/esar M. ^milius Lepidus Sextus Pompeius Domitius Enobarbus Ventidius Eros SCARUS Dercetas Demetrius Philo
Alexas Mardian, Seleucus DlOMEDES
triumvirs
friends
to
Five Messengers
Antony
An Egyptian Two Servants
to Pompey Captain of Antony's army Four Soldiers of Antony s army Four Soldiers of Ccesar s army
A
Two Guards
Varrius Taurus,
to
Cleopatra
Three Guards
friends to Ccesar
Two
of Antony s army Attendants on Antony Attendant on Cleopatra
One
Thyreus Gallus Menas Menecrates
attendants on Cleopatra
A Soothsayer A Clown
Meoenas Agrippa dolabella Proculeius
a eunuch
Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt friends
to
Oct avi a,
Pompey
lieutenant-general to Ccesar
Canidius, lieutenant-general
to
Non-Speaking:
Antony
to
Antony
attendants on Cleopatra Officers, Soldiers,
Guards, Servitors,
and Attendants
1
army Euphronius, an ambassador from Antony
and wife
sister to Ccesar
i
Silius, an officer in ventidius
Scene
Ccesar
to
:
In several parts of the
Roman Empire
Deum." So she parted, And with the same full state paced back again
Grif. Yes, madam; but I think your Grace, Out of the pain you suffer'd, gave no ear to't.
To York Place, where the feast is held. ist
Gent.
You must no more
Sir,
call it
For, since the Cardinal 'Tis
York
fell,
Place, that's past;
that title's lost.
now the King's, and call'd Whitehall. I know it;
3rd Gent.
Kath. Prithee, good Griffith,
tell
me how
he
died.
If well, he stepp'd before
For
me, happily
10
my example.
Well, the voice goes, madam. Northumberland Arrested him at York, and brought him forward, Grif.
For
As
after the stout Earl
a
man
sorely tainted, to his answer.
He fell sick suddenly, and grew so ill He could not sit his mule. Kath.
Alas, poor man!
KING HENRY
576
At
Grif.
last,
And
with easy roads, he came to
And,
Leicester,
Lodged
With
in the
all
VIII
abbey; where the reverend abbot, honourably received him; 19
found the blessedness of being little. to add greater honours to his age
Than man
his covent,
ACT IV
could give him, he died fearing God. my death I wish no other herald,
Kath. After
To whom he gave these words, "O, father abbot, An old man, broken with the storms of state,
No other speaker of my living actions, To keep mine honour from corruption,
Is come to lay his weary bones among ye; Give him a little earth for charity!" So went to bed, where eagerly his sickness Pursued him still; and, three nights after this, About the hour of eight, which he himself
But such an honest chronicler as Griffith. I most hated living, thou hast made me, With thy religious truth and modesty, Now in his ashes honour. Peace be with him! Patience, be near me still; and set me lower. I have not long to trouble thee. Good Griffith,
Foretold should be his
last, full
Whom
of repentance,
Cause the musicians play me
Continual meditations, tears, and sorrows,
He gave his honours to the world again,
29
His blessed part to heaven, and slept in peace. Kath. So may he rest; his faults lie gently on him!
Yet thus
far, Griffith,
And yet with
charity.
me leave to speak him, He was a man
Noble madam,
Grif.
manners
live in brass; their virtues
We write in water. May
it
please your High-
To hear me speak his good now? Yes, good Griffith;
Kath.
were malicious
This Cardinal,
Though from an humble stock, undoubtedly 49 Was fashion'd to much honour from his cradle. He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one; Exceeding wise, fair-spoken, and persuading; Lofty and sour to them that loved him not; But to those men that sought him sweet as summer. And though he were unsatisfied in getting,
Which was
madam, Ever witness for him
a sin, yet in bestowing,
He was most princely.
meditating
Sad and solemn music. Grif. She is asleep; good wench,
80 let's sit
down
quiet,
For
we wake her.
fear
Softly, gentle Patience.
The
vision. Enter, solemnly tripping one after an-
other, six personages, clad in
on
white robes, wearing
their heads garlands of bays,
and golden viz-
ards on their faces; branches of bays or palm in their hands. They first congee unto her, then dance; and, at certain changes, the first two hold a spare
garland over her head; at which the other four
make
reverent curtsies; then the two that held the
garland deliver the same
who
the other next two,
to
ing the garland over her head: which done, they deliver the
same garland
to the last
two,
who
wise observe the same order: at which, as inspiration, she
rejoicing,
makes
it
like-
were
in her sleep signs
and holdeth up her hands
to
of heaven: and
so in their dancing vanish, carrying the garland
with them. The music continues.
else.
Grif.
that sad note
I sit
On that celestial harmony I go to.
by
ness
I
knell, whilst
observe the same order in their changes, and hold-
The clergy ill example. evil
named my
ever ranking
Himself with princes; one that, by suggestion, Tied all the kingdom. Simony was fair-play; His own opinion was his law; i' the presence He would say untruths; and be ever double Both in his words and meaning. He was never, But where he meant to ruin, pitiful. 40 His promises were, as he then was, mighty; But his performance, as he is now, nothing. Of his own body he was ill, and gave
Men's
I
give
Of an unbounded stomach,
jo
Those twins of learning
that he raised in you, Ipswich and Oxford! one of which fell with him, Unwilling to outlive the good that did it; 60 The other, though unfinish'd, yet so famous, So excellent in art, and still so rising, That Christendom shall ever speak his virtue. His overthrow heap'd happiness upon him; For then, and not till then, he felt himself,
Kath. Spirits of peace, where are ye? are ye
all
gone
And leave me here in wretchedness Grif. Madam, we are here. Kath.
It is
Saw ye none enter
since
I
not you
I
call for.
slept?
None, madam.
Grif.
Kath.
behind ye?
No? Saw you
not,
even now, a blessed
troop Invite
me to a banquet; whose bright faces
Cast thousand beams upon me, like the sun? They promised me eternal happiness 90 And brought me garlands, Griffith, which I feel I am not worthy yet to wear. I shall, assuredly. Grif. I am most joyful, madam, such good dreams Possess your fancy. Bid the music leave, Kath. [Music ceases. They are harsh and heavy to me.
,
—
—
!
KING HENRY
scene n
Do you note
Pat.
How much her Grace is alter'd on the sudden? How long her face is drawn? how pale she looks, And of an
earthy cold?
She
Grif.
is
Sir, I
577
most humbly pray you to deliver
my lord the King.
This to
Most
Cap.
Mark her eyes!
Kath. In which
going, wench. Pray, pray.
I
willing,
madam.
have commended to
his
/50
good-
ness
Heaven comfort her
Pat.
VIII
Kath.
The model of our
chaste loves, his
young daugh-
ter;
Enter a messenger.
The dews of heaven
Mess. An't like your Grace
You
Kath.
are a saucy fellow,
wo
we no more reverence?
Deserve
You
Grif.
are to blame,
Mess.
go to, kneel. humbly do entreat your Highness' par-
I
don;
ing
A gentleman, sent from the King, to see you. Kath.
Admit him
[Exeunt Griffith and messenger.
peror,
Madam,
no
the same; your servant.
O,
Kath.
my lord,
The times and titles now are alter'd strangely With me since first you knew me. But, I pray
Noble lady, mine own service to your Grace; the next, The King's request that I would visit you; Who grieves much for your weakness, and by
me Sends you his princely commendations, And heartily entreats you take good comfort. 120
late;
in time, had cured me; comforts here, but prayers. does his Highness? all
Madam,
in
good
health.
may he ever do!
shall
King
By heaven, Cap. Or let me lose the fashion of a man!
and ever flourish, dwell with worms, and my poor
I
thank you, honest
lord.
I
will,
Remember me
humility unto his Highness.
his long trouble
now
is
161
passing
Out of this world; tell him, in death I bless'd him, I will. Mine eyes grow dim. Farewell, My lord. Griffith, farewell. Nay, Patience,
You must not leave me yet. I must to bed; Call in more women. When I am dead, good wench, me be used with honour. Strew me over With maiden flowers, that all the world may Let
know
Banish'd the kingdom! Patience,
is
that letter,
No, madam.
Pat. it to
Katharine.
my grave. Embalm me, 170 Although unqueen'd, yet like A queen, and daughter to a king, inter me. I can no more. [Exeunt, leading Katharine. I
was
a chaste wife to
Then lay me
caused you write, yet sent away?
Giving
all
Say
name I
my
For so
That gentle physic, given
When I
good
To do me this last right.
Kath.
'Tis like a pardon after execution.
Cap.
and,
Stand these poor people's friend, and urge the
In
O my good lord, that comfort comes too
Kath. So
;
By that vou love the dearest in this world, As you wish Christian peace to souls departed,
Cap.
How
dare avow,
last is, for my men; they are the poorest, But poverty could never draw 'em from me; 149 That they may have their wages duly paid 'em, x\nd something over to remember me by. If heaven had pleased to have given me longer life And able means, we had not parted thus.
First,
now I am past
I
but will deserve,
lord,
you,
But
lie,
These are the whole contents
What is your pleasure with me?
Kath.
should not
The
Em-
My royal nephew, and your name Capucius. Cap.
I
14.0
'em.
my sight fail not,
should be lord ambassador from the
noble grace would have some pity
For virtue and true beauty of the soul, For honesty and decent carriage, A right good husband, let him be a noble; And, sure, those men are happy that shall have
Re-enter Griffith, with capucius.
You
My next poor peti-
Upon my wretched women, that so long Have follow'd both my fortunes faithfully;
Of which there is not one,
me ne'er see again.
If
dearly.
tion
And now
entrance, Griffith; but this
fellow
Let
him,
Heaven knows how Is that his
My haste made me unmannerly. There is stay-
thick in blessings on her!
—
she will not lose her wonted greatness,
Knowing
To use so rude behaviour;
fall
Beseeching him to give her virtuous breeding She is young, and of a noble modest nature, and a little I hope she will deserve well To love her for her mother's sake, that loved
forth.
KING HENRY
57«
ACT V Scene
i.
Is
met by
one o'clock, boy,
It's
sir
is 't
thomas lovell. hath struck.
It
These should be hours
Gar.
arch-
who dare
the King's hand and tongue; and
speak
One
him?
syllable against
Yes, yes, Sir Thomas, There are that dare; and I myself have ventured To speak my mind of him; and indeed this day, 4/ Gar.
not?
Boy.
The
load him.
bishop
Enter Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, a page
Gar.
ACT V
With which the time will
London: a gallery in the palace
ivith a torch before him,
VIII
for necessities,
may tell
Not for delights; times to repair our nature With comforting repose, and not for us
Sir, I
To waste these times. Good hour of night, Sir
For so I know he is, they know he is, A most arch heretic, a pestilence That does infect the land: with which they
Thomas! Whither so late?
Came you from the King, my lord?
Lov. Gar.
I
did, Sir
Thomas; and
left
him
primero
at
With the Duke of Suffolk. Lov. Before he go to bed.
Not
Gar.
yet, Sir
must to him
take
Thomas
It
w
seems you are
an
in haste;
be
if there
't,
give your friend
Some touch of your late business.
I
hinder you too long.
Lov.
Affairs, that
My lord,
Lov.
I
I
in great extremity;
and fear'd
with the labour end.
The
Suf. Sir,
20
she goes with
Methinks
I
little,
Charles;
I
could not personally deliver to her
What you commanded me, but by her woman I sent your message; who return'd her thanks and desired your
But,
it
of me, Till Cranmer, Cromwell, her two hands, and Lovell, take
50
't
she,
The most remark'd i'
that her suffer-
a death.
Alas,
God safely quit her of her
Now,
you speak of two the kingdom. As for Cromsir,
well,
Beside that of the jewel house, is made master O' the rolls, and the King's secretary; further, sir,
Stands in the gap and trade of moe preferments,
good
lady!
burthen, and
to the gladding of
Your Highness with an
71
heir!
'Tis midnight, Charles;
King.
Prithee, to bed; and in thy prayers
Sleep in their graves.
Lov.
Suf.
ha?
she crying out?
King.
With gentle travail,
will ne'er be well,
is
woman; and
Almost each pang
sir, sir,
Thomas. You're a gentleman Of mine own way; I know you wise, religious;
Thomas
what,
Lov. So said her ance made
Sir
me tell you,
What say'st thou,
To pray for her?
Deserve our better wishes. Gar.
for her.
King.
could
She's a good creature, and, sweet lady, does
let
no more to-night; you are too hard for me. did never win of you before.
Most heartily to pray
grubb'd up now.
'Twill not, Sir
your
't;
In the great'st humbleness,
Cry the amen; and yet my conscience says
And,
Thomas.
rest
Highness
Lov.
Hear me,
I
King. But
Thomas, it
I
will play
I
My mind's not on
Lov. fruit
pray for heartily, that it may find and live: but for the stock, Sir
wish
Sir
60 Nor shall not, when my fancy's on my play. Now, Lovell, from the Queen what is the news?
Good time, I
Good night,
[Exeunt Gardiner and page.
King. Charles,
love you;
labour,
Gar.
so far
Enter the king and Suffolk.
And durst commend a secret to your ear Much weightier than this work. The Queen's in They say,
is,
midnight, have
them a wilder nature than the business That seeks dispatch by day. In
She'll
he
to the council-board
Many good nights, my lord.
servant. spirits do, at
have
He be convented. He's a rank weed, Sir Thomas, And we must root him out. From your affairs
walk,
As they say
I
to our complaint, of his great grace
To-morrow morning
What's the
matter?
No great offence belongs to
think
I
o' the council that
And princely care foreseeing those fell mischiefs Our reasons laid before him, hath commanded 50
too,
my leave.
Lovell.
you,
moved Have broken with the King; who hath Given ear
I I'll
it
Incensed the lords
remember
The estate of my poor queen. Leave me alone; For
I
must think of that which company
Would not be friendly to. I
Suf.
A quiet night;
and
wish your Highness
my good mistress will
Remember in my prayers. King.
Charles, good night.
[Exit Suffolk.
.
!.
SCENE
KING HENRY
I
Enter sir
Well, Den.
anthony denny.
Sir, I
have brought
my lord the arch80
As you commanded me. King. Den. Ay,
Ha! Canterbury?
my good lord.
King
'Tis true;
where
He attends your Highness'
is
he,
Denny?
[Exit
Lov. [Aside] This
am happily come hither. denny, with cranmer.
Re-enter
I should have ta'en some pains to bring together Yourself and your accusers; and to have heard
King. Avoid the gallery, [lovell seems to stay.] Ha! I have said. Be gone. [Exeunt lovell and denny. What Cran. [Aside] I am fearful. Wherefore frowns
I
you do
is
90 arise,
My good and gracious Lord of Canterbury. Come, you and I must walk a turn together; I have news to tell you. Come, come, give me
And am right
I
grieve at what
I
speak,
sorry to repeat what follows.
I have, and most unwillingly, of late Heard many grievous, I do say, my lord,
Grievous complaints of you; which, being con-
further trial in those charges
your answer, you must take Your patience to you and be well contented To make your house our Tower. You a brother of us, It fits we thus proceed, or else no witness will require
Would come
against you.
Cran. [Kneeling]
I
humbly thank your High-
ness;
And am right glad to
catch this good occasion
winnow'd, where my chaff /// know, There's none stands under more calumnious
Most throughly
And corn
to be
shall fly asunder; for, I
tongues
You
are potently opposed; and with a malice
Of as great size. Ween you of better luck, I
mean,
in perjured witness, than
your master,
Whose minister you are, whiles here he lived Upon this naughty earth? Go to, go to; You take a precipice for no leap of danger, And woo your own destruction. Cran. God and your Majesty Protect mine innocence, or
The trap is
laid for
I fall
into
141
me!
King
sider'd,
Have moved us and our council that you shall too This morning come before us; where, I know, You cannot with such freedom purge yourself, till
as corrupt such things have been
done.
Pray you,
your hand. my good lord,
bear the same proportion; and not ever 129
To swear against you?
pleasure.
King.
that,
not,
Might corrupt minds procure knaves
my duty
To attend your Highness'
Which
my truth and honesty.
The justice and the truth o' the question carries The due o' the verdict with it. At what ease
desire to
sent for you.
Cran. [Kneeling] It
But
is
If they shall fail, I, with mine enemies, Will triumph o'er my person; which I weigh Being of those virtues vacant. I fear nothing What can be said against me. King. Know you not How your state stands i' the world, with the whole world? Your enemies are many, and not small; their
Must
know
Ah,
Most dread liege, stand on
practices
How now, my lord!
Wherefore
further.
Cran.
The good I
he thus? 'Tis his aspect of terror. All's not well.
King.
120
Without indurance,
DENNY.
spake. I
Stand up, good Canterbury.
you,
about that which the bishop
is
579
myself, poor man.
Thy truth and thy integrity is rooted In us, thy friend. Give me thy hand, stand up. Prithee, let's walk. Now, by my holidame, What manner of man are you? My lord, I look'd You would have given me your petition, that
pleasure.
Bring him to us
King
I
King.
what follows?
sir,
;
!
VIII
Than
bishop,
Den.
.
Be of good cheer
They shall no more prevail than we give way to. Keep comfort to you; and this morning see You do appear before them. If they shall chance, In charging
you with matters,
The best persuasions to the
to
commit you,
contrary
Fail not to use, and with that
vehemency
The occasion shall instruct you.
If entreaties
Will render you no remedy, this ring /jo Deliver them, and your appeal to us There make before them. Look, the good man weeps He's honest, on mine honour. God's blest mother! I swear he is true-hearted; and a soul None better in my kingdom. Get you gone, And do as I have bid you. [Exit cranmer.] He has strangled
His language
in his tears.
KING HENRY
580
The
Enter old lady, lovell following.
Old L.
I'll
not
come back;
the tidings that
Pray heaven, he sound not
my disgrace!
For cer-
This
my boldness manners. Now, good
is
of purpose
laid
God turn their hearts!
angels
by some that hate I
me
never sought their mal-
ice
Fly o'er thy royal head and shade thy person 160 Under their blessed wings! Now, by thy looks King. I guess thy message. Is the Queen deliver'd? Say, ay; and of a boy.
To quench mine honour. They would shame to make me
Ay, ay, my liege; Old L. And of a lovely boy. The God of heaven Both now and ever bless her! 'tis a girl, Promises boys hereafter. Sir, your queen Desires your visitation, and to be Acquainted with this stranger. 'Tis as like you
Must be
As
cherry
is
Wait else at door, a fellow-counsellor, 'Mong boys, grooms, and lackeys. But their pleasures
Butts.
Butts.
will
have more, or scold
was
it
I'll
hot,
I'll
put
it
hope
him? and now,
Ha!
'tis
he, indeed.
thought
They had parted so much honesty among 'em, At least, good manners, as not thus to suffer A man of his place, and so near our favour, 50
to the issue.
To dance attendance on their lordships' pleasures, ii.
Before the council-chamber
And at the door too, like a post with packets. By holy Mary, Butts, there's knavery.
I
am
not too
late;
Let 'em alone, and draw the curtain close;
We shall hear more anon.
and yet the gen-
tleman
That was
my lord;
honour they do one another? 'Tis well there's one above 'em yet. I had
Enter cranmer, archbishop of canterbury. I
There,
King.
Pursuivants, Pages,