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Side-by-Side Comparisons of the First Three Printed Texts of Hamlet

Compare Scene by Scene Home Compare Line by Line

1603 First Quarto 1604-5 Second Quarto 1623 First Folio

Scena Prima. Actus Primus. Scena Prima. Actus Primus. Scena Prima.

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Enter Two Centinels.	Enter Barnardo, and Francisco, two Centinels.	Enter Barnardo and Francisco two Centinels
	Bar. Whose there?	Barnardo. Who's there?
1. Stand: who is that?	Fran. Nay answere me. Stand and vnfolde your selfe.	Fran. Nay answer me: Stand & vnfold your selfe.
	Bar. Long liue the King,	Bar. Long liue the King.
	Fran. Barnardo.	Fran. Barnardo?
2. Tis I.	5 Bar. Hee.	5 Bar. He.
1. O you come most carefully vpon your watch,	Fran. You come most carefully vpon your houre,	Fran. You come most carefully vpon your houre.
	Bar. Tis now strooke twelfe, get thee to bed Francisco,	Bar. 'Tis now strook twelue, get thee to bed Francisco.
	Fran. For this reliefe much thanks, tis bitter cold,	Fran. For this releefe much thankes: 'Tis bitter cold,
	And I am sick at hart.	And I am sicke at heart.
	10 Bar. Haue you had quiet guard?	10 Barn. Haue you had quiet Guard?
	Fran. Not a mouse stirring.	Fran. Not a Mouse stirring.
	Bar. Well, good night:	Barn. Well, goodnight. If you do meet Horatio and
2. And if you meete Marcellus and Horatio,	If you doe meete Horatio and Marcellus,
5 The partners of my watch, bid them make haste.	The riualls of my watch, bid them make hast.	Marcellus, the Riuals of my Watch, bid them make hast.
1. I will: See who goes there.
Enter Horatio and Marcellus.	Enter Horatio, and Marcellus.	Enter Horatio and Marcellus.
	15 Fran. I thinke I heare them, stand ho, who is there?	I thinke I heare them. Stand: who's there?
Hor. Friends to this ground.	Hora. Friends to this ground.	15 Hor. Friends to this ground.
Mar. And leegemen to the Dane,	Mar. And Leedgemen to the Dane,	Mar. And Leige-men to the Dane.
	Fran. Giue you good night.	Fran. Giue you good night.
O farewell honest souldier, who hath releeued you?	Mar. O, farwell honest souldiers, who hath relieu'd you?	Mar. O farwel honest Soldier, who hath relieu'd you?
10 1. Barnardo hath my place, giue you good night.	20 Fran. Barnardo hath my place; giue you good night.	Fra. Barnardo ha's my place: giue you goodnight.
	Exit Fran.	Exit Fran.
Mar. Holla, Barnardo.	Mar. Holla, Barnardo.	20 Mar. Holla Barnardo.
2. Say, is Horatio there?	Bar. Say, what is Horatio there?	Bar. Say, what is Horatio there?
Hor. A peece of him.	Hora. A peece of him.	Hor. A peece of him.
2. Welcome Horatio, welcome good Marcellus.	Bar. Welcome Horatio, welcome good Marcellus,	Bar. Welcome Horatio, welcome good Marcellus.
15 Mar. What hath this thing appear'd againe to night.	25 Hora. What, ha's this thing appeard againe to night?	Mar. What, ha's this thing appear'd againe to night.
2. I haue seene nothing.	Bar. I haue seene nothing.	25 Bar. I haue seene nothing.
Mar. Horatio sayes tis but our fantasie,	Mar. Horatio saies tis but our fantasie,	Mar. Horatio saies, 'tis but our Fantasie,
And wil not let beliefe take hold of him,	And will not let beliefe take holde of him,	And will not let beleefe take hold of him
Touching this dreaded sight twice seene by vs,	Touching this dreaded sight twice seene of vs,	Touching this dreaded sight, twice seene of vs,
20 Therefore I haue intreated him a long with vs	30 Therefore I haue intreated him along,	Therefore I haue intreated him along
To watch the minutes of this night,	With vs to watch the minuts of this night,	30 With vs, to watch the minutes of this Night,
That if againe this apparition come,	That if againe this apparision come,	That if againe this Apparition come,
He may approoue our eyes, and speake to it.	He may approoue our eyes and speake to it.	He may approue our eyes, and speake to it.
Hor. Tut, t'will not appeare.	Hora. Tush, tush, twill not appeare.	Hor. Tush, tush, 'twill not appeare.
25 2. Sit downe I pray, and let vs once againe	35 Bar. Sit downe a while,	Bar. Sit downe a-while,
Assaile your eares that are so fortified,	And let vs once againe assaile your eares,	35 And let vs once againe assaile your eares,
	That are so fortified against our story,	That are so fortified against our Story,
What we haue two nights seene.	What we haue two nights seene.	What we two Nights haue seene.
Hor. Wel, sit we downe, and let vs heare Bernardo speake	40 Hora. Well, sit we downe,	Hor. Well, sit we downe,
	And let vs heare Barnardo speake of this.	And let vs heare Barnardo speake of this.
	Bar. Last night of all,	40 Barn. Last night of all,
30 2. Last night of al, when yonder starre that's west-	When yond same starre thats weastward from the pole,	When yond same Starre that's Westward from the Pole
ward from the pole, had made his course to	Had made his course t'illume that part of heauen	Had made his course t'illume that part of Heauen
Illumine that part of heauen. Where now it burnes,	45 Where now it burnes, Marcellus and my selfe	Where now it burnes, Marcellus and my selfe,
The bell then towling one.	The bell then beating one.	The Bell then beating one.
		45 Mar. Peace, breake thee of:
Enter Ghost.	Enter Ghost.	Enter the Ghost.
Mar. Breake off your talke, see where it comes againe.	Mar. Peace, breake thee of, looke where it comes againe.	Looke where it comes againe.
35 2. In the same figure like the King that's dead,	Bar. In the same figure like the King thats dead.	Barn. In the same figure, like the King that's dead.
Mar. Thou art a scholler, speake to it Horatio.	Mar. Thou art a scholler, speake to it Horatio.	Mar. Thou art a Scholler; speake to it Horatio.
2. Lookes it not like the king?	50 Bar. Lookes a not like the King? marke it Horatio.	Barn. Lookes it not like the King? Marke it Horatio.
Hor. Most like, it horrors mee with feare and wonder.	Hora. Most like, it horrowes me with feare and wonder.	50 Hora. Most like: It harrowes me with fear & wonder
2. It would be spoke to.	Bar. It would be spoke to.	Barn. It would be spoke too.
40 Mar. Question it Horatio.	Mar. Speake to it Horatio.	Mar. Question it Horatio.
Hor. What art thou that thus vsurps the state, in	Hora. What art thou that vsurpst this time of night,	Hor. What art thou that vsurp'st this time of night,
	55 Together with that faire and warlike forme,	Together with that Faire and Warlike forme
Which the Maiestie of buried Denmarke did sometimes	In which the Maiestie of buried Denmarke	55 In which the Maiesty of buried Denmarke
Walke? By heauen I charge thee speake.	Did sometimes march, by heauen I charge thee speake.	Did sometimes march: By Heauen I charge thee speake.
Mar. It is offended.	Mar. It is offended.	Mar. It is offended.
	Bar. See it staukes away.	Barn. See, it stalkes away.
	60 Hora. Stay, speake, speake, I charge thee speake.	Hor. Stay: speake; speake: I Charge thee, speake.
Exit Ghost.	Exit Ghost.	Exit the Ghost.
Mar. Tis gone and makes no answer.	Mar. Tis gone and will not answere.	60 Mar. 'Tis gone, and will not answer.
2. How now Horatio, you tremble and looke pale,	Bar. How now Horatio, you tremble and looke pale,	Barn. How now Horatio? You tremble & look pale:
50 Is not this something more than fantasie?	Is not this somthing more then phantasie?	Is not this something more then Fantasie?
What thinke you on't?	What thinke you-ont?	What thinke you on't?
Hor. Afore my God, I might not this beleeue, without	65 Hora. Before my God I might not this belieue,	Hor. Before my God, I might not this beleeue
the sensible and true auouch of my owne eyes.	Without the sencible and true auouch	65 Without the sensible and true auouch
	Of mine owne eies.	Of mine owne eyes.
Mar. Is it not like the King?	Mar. Is it not like the King?	Mar. Is it not like the King?
55 Hor. As thou art to thy selfe,	Hora. As thou art to thy selfe.	Hor. As thou art to thy selfe,
Such was the very armor he had on,	70 Such was the very Armor he had on,	Such was the very Armour he had on,
When he the ambitious Norway combated.	When he the ambitious Norway combated,	70 When th'Ambitious Norwey combatted:
So frownd he once, when in an angry parle	So frownd he once, when in an angry parle	So frown’d he once, when, in an angry parle,
He smot the sleaded pollax on the yce,	He smot the sleaded pollax on the ice.	He smote the sledded Polacks on the Ice.
60 Tis strange.	Tis strange.	’Tis strange.
Mar. Thus twice before, and iump at this dead hower,	75 Mar. Thus twice before, and iump at this dead houre,	Mar. Thus twice before, and iust at this dead hour,
With Marshall stalke he passed through our watch.	With martiall stauke hath he gone by our watch.	75 With Martial stalk hath he gone by our Watch.
Hor. In what particular to worke, I know not,	Hora. In what perticular thought, to worke I know not,	Hor. In what particular thought to work I know not;
But in the thought and scope of my opinion,	But in the grosse and scope of mine opinion,	But in the gross and scope of my Opinion,
65 This bodes some strange eruption to the state.	This bodes some strange eruption to our state.	This bodes some strange eruption to our State.
Mar. Good, now sit downe, and tell me he that knowes	80 Mar. Good now sit downe, and tell me he that knowes,	Mar. Good now, sit down, and tell me, he that knows,
Why this same strikt and most obseruant watch,	Why this same strikt and most obseruant watch	80 Why this same strict and most observant watch
So nightly toyles the subiect of the land,	So nightly toiles the subiect of the land,	So nightly toils the subject of the land;
And why such dayly cost of brazen Cannon	And with such dayly cost of brazon Cannon	And why such daily cast of Brazen Cannon,
70 And forraine marte, for implements of warre,	And forraine marte, for implements of warre,	And Foreign Mart for Implements of war;
Why such impresse of ship-writes, whose sore taske	85 Why such impresse of ship-writes, whose sore taske	Why such impress of Shipwrights, whose sore Task
Does not diuide the sunday from the weeke:	Does not deuide the Sunday from the weeke,	85 Does not divide the Sunday from the week;
What might be toward that this sweaty march	What might be toward that this sweaty hast	What might be toward, that this sweaty haste
Doth make the night ioynt labourer with the day,	Doth make the night ioynt labourer with the day,	Doth make the Night joint-Labourer with the day:
75 Who is't that can informe me?	Who ist that can informe mee?	Who is ’t that can inform me?
Hor. Mary that can I, at least the whisper goes so,	90 Hora. That can I.	Hor. That can I,
	At least the whisper goes so; our last King,	90 At least, the whisper goes so. Our last King,
	Whose image euen but now appear'd to vs,	Whose Image even but now appear’d to us,
Our late King, who as you know was by Forten-	Was as you knowe by Fortinbrasse of Norway,	Was (as you know) by Fortinbras of Norway,
Brasse of Norway,
Thereto prickt on by a most emulous cause, dared to	Thereto prickt on by a most emulate pride	(Thereto prick’d on by a most emulate pride,)
80 The combate, in which our valiant Hamlet,	95 Dar'd to the combat; in which our valiant Hamlet,	Dar’d to the Combat; in which our Valiant Hamlet,
For so this side of our knowne world esteemed him,	(For so this side of our knowne world esteemd him)	95 (For so this side of our known world esteem’d him)
Did slay this Fortenbrasse,	Did slay this Fortinbrasse, who by a seald compact	Did slay this Fortinbras; who, by a Seal’d Compact,
Who by a seale compact well ratified, by law	Well ratified by lawe and heraldy	Well ratified by Law and Heraldry,
And heraldrie, did forfeit with his life all those	Did forfait (with his life) all these his lands	Did forfeit (with his life) all those his Lands
85 His lands which he stoode seazed of by the conqueror,	100 Which he stood seaz'd of, to the conquerour.	Which he stood seiz’d of, to the Conqueror;
Against the which a moity competent,	Against the which a moitie competent	100 Against the which, a Moiety competent
Was gaged by our King:	Was gaged by our King, which had returne	Was gaged by our King; which had return’d
	To the inheritance of Fortinbrasse,	To the Inheritance of Fortinbras,
	Had he bin vanquisher; as by the same comart,	Had he been Vanquisher; as, by the same Cov’nant,
	105 And carriage of the article desseigne,	And carriage of the Article design,
Now sir, yong Fortenbrasse,	His fell to Hamlet; now Sir, young Fortinbrasse	105 His fell to Hamlet. Now, sir, young Fortinbras,
Of inapproued mettle hot and full,	Of vnimprooued mettle, hot and full,	Of unimproved Mettle hot and full,
90 Hath in the skirts of Norway here and there,	Hath in the skirts of Norway heere and there	Hath in the skirts of Norway here and there
Sharkt vp a fight of lawlesse Resolutes	Sharkt vp a list of lawelesse resolutes	Shark’d up a List of Landlesse Resolutes,
For food and diet to some enterprise,	110 For foode and diet to some enterprise	For Food and Diet, to some Enterprise
That hath a stomacke in it: and this (I take it) is the	That hath a stomacke in't, which is no other	110 That hath a stomach in ’t; which is no other
	As it doth well appeare vnto our state	(And it doth well appear unto our State)
	But to recouer of vs by strong hand	But to recover of us, by strong hand
	And tearmes compulsatory, those foresaid lands	And terms Compulsative, those foresaid Lands
	115 So by his father lost; and this I take it,	So by his Father lost. And this (I take it)
	Is the maine motiue of our preparations	115 Is the main Motive of our Preparations,
Chiefe head and ground of this our watch.	The source of this our watch, and the chiefe head	The Source of this our Watch and the chief head
	Of this post hast and Romeage in the land.	Of this post-haste and Romage in the Land.
	Bar. I thinke it be no other, but enso;
	120 Well may it sort that this portentous figure
	Comes armed through our watch so like the King
	That was and is the question of these warres.
	Hora. A moth it is to trouble the mindes eye:
	In the most high and palmy state of Rome,
	125 A little ere the mightiest Iulius fell
	The graues stood tennatlesse, and the sheeted dead
	Did squeake and gibber in the Roman streets
	As starres with traines of fier, and dewes of blood
	Disasters in the sunne; and the moist starre,
	130 Vpon whose influence Neptunes Empier stands,
	Was sicke almost to doomesday with eclipse.
	And euen the like precurse of feare euents
	As harbindgers preceading still the fates
	And prologue to the Omen comming on
	135 Haue heauen and earth together demonstrated
	Vnto our Climatures and countrymen.
Enter Ghost.	Enter Ghost.	Enter Ghost again.
95 But loe, behold, see where it comes againe,	But soft, behold, loe where it comes againe	But, soft! behold! lo! where it comes again.
Ile crosse it, though it blast me: stay illusion,	Ile crosse it though it blast mee: stay illusion,	Ile crosse it, though it blast me. Stay Illusion:
	It spreads his armes.
	If thou hast any sound or vse of voyce,	120 If thou hast any sound, or vse of Voyce,
If there be any good thing to be done,	140 Speake to me, if there be any good thing to be done	Speake to me. If there be any good thing to be done,
That may doe ease to thee, and grace to mee,	That may to thee doe ease, and grace to mee,	That may to thee do ease, and grace to me; speak to me.
Speake to mee.	Speake to me.
100 If thou are priuy to thy countries fate,	If thou art priuie to thy countries fate	If thou art priuy to thy Countries Fate
Which happly foreknowing may preuent, O speake to me,	Which happily foreknowing may auoyd	(Which happily foreknowing may auoyd) Oh speake.
	145 O speake:
Or if thou hast extorted in thy life,	Or if thou hast vphoorded in thy life	125 Or, if thou hast vp-hoorded in thy life
Or hoorded treasure in the wombe of earth,	Extorted treasure in the wombe of earth	Extorted Treasure in the wombe of Earth,
For which they say you Spirites oft walke in death, speake	For which they say your spirits oft walke in death.	(For which, they say, you Spirits oft walke in death)
	The cocke crowes.
105 to me, stay and speake, speake, stoppe it Marcellus.	Speake of it, stay and speake, stop it Marcellus.	Speake of it. Stay, and speake. Stop it Marcellus.
	150 Mar. Shall I strike it with my partizan?	Mar. Shall I strike at it with my Partizan?
	Hor. Doe if it will not stand.	130 Hor. Do, if it will not stand.
2. Tis heere.	Bar. Tis heere.	Barn. 'Tis heere.
	Hor. Tis heere.	Hor. 'Tis heere.
	Mar. Tis gone.	Mar. 'Tis gone.
exit Ghost.		Exit Ghost.
Hor. Tis heere.
Marc. Tis gone, O we doe it wrong, being so maiesti-	155 We doe it wrong being so Maiesticall	We do it wrong, being so Maiesticall
call, to offer it the shew of violence,	To offer it the showe of violence,	135 To offer it the shew of Violence,
110 For it is as the ayre invelmorable,	For it is as the ayre, invulnerable,	For it is as the Ayre, invulnerable,
And our vaine blowes malitious mockery.	And our vaine blowes malicious mockery.	And our vaine blowes, malicious Mockery.
2. It was about to speake when the Cocke crew.	Bar. It was about to speake when the cock crewe.	Barn. It was about to speake, when the Cocke crew.
Hor. And then it faded like a guilty thing,	160 Hor. And then it started like a guilty thing,	Hor. And then it started, like a guilty thing
Vpon a fearefull summons: I haue heard	Vpon a fearefull summons; I haue heard,	140 Vpon a fearfull Summons. I haue heard,
115 The Cocke, that is the trumpet to the morning,	The Cock that is the trumpet to the morne,	The Cocke that is the Trumpet to the day,
Doth with his earely and shrill crowing throate,	Doth with his lofty and shrill sounding throat	Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding Throate
Awake the god of day, and at his sound,	Awake the God of day, and at his warning	Awake the God of Day: and at his warning,
Whether in earth or ayre, in sea or fire,	165 Whether in sea or fire, in earth or ayre	Whether in Sea, or Fire, in Earth, or Ayre,
The strauagant and erring spirite hies	Th'extrauagant and erring spirit hies	145 Th'extrauagant, and erring Spirit, hyes
120 To his confines, and of the trueth heereof	To his confine, and of the truth heerein	To his Confine. And of the truth heerein,
This present obiect made probation.	This present obiect made probation.	This present Obiect made probation.
Marc. It faded on the crowing of the Cocke,	Mar. It faded on the crowing of the Cock.	Mar. It faded on the crowing of the Cocke.
Some say, that euer gainst that season comes,	170 Some say that euer gainst that season comes	Some sayes, that euer 'gainst that Season comes
Wherein our Sauiours birth is celebrated,	Wherein our Sauiours birth is celebrated	150 Wherein our Sauiours Birth is celebrated,
125 The bird of dawning singeth all night long,	This bird of dawning singeth all night long,	The Bird of Dawning singeth all night long:
And then they say, no spirite dare walke abroade,	And then they say no spirit dare sturre abraode	And then (they say) no Spirit can walke abroad,
The nights are wholesome, then no planet frikes,	The nights are wholsome, then no plannets strike,	The nights are wholsome, then no Planets strike,
No Fairie takes, nor Witch hath powre to charme,	175 No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charme	No Faiery talkes, nor Witch hath power to Charme:
So gratious, and so hallowed is that time.	So hallowed, and so gratious is that time.	155 So hallow'd, and so gracious is the time.
130 Hor. So haue I heard, and doe in parte beleeue it:	Hora. So haue I heard and doe in part belieue it,	Hor. So haue I heard, and do in part beleeue it.
But see the Sunne in russet mantle clad,	But looke the morne in russet mantle clad	But looke, the Morne in Russet mantle clad,
Walkes ore the deaw of yon hie mountaine top,	Walkes ore the dewe of yon high Eastward hill	Walkes o're the dew of yon high Easterne Hill,
Breake we our watch vp, and by my aduise,	180 Breake we our watch vp and by my aduise	Breake we our Watch vp, and by my aduice
Let vs impart what wee haue seene to night	Let vs impart what we haue seene to night	160 Let vs impart what we haue seene to night
135 Vnto yong H amlet: for vpon my life	Vnto young Hamlet, for vppon my life	Vnto yong Hamlet. For vpon my life,
This Spirite dumbe to vs will speake to him:	This spirit dumb to vs, will speake to him:	This Spirit dumbe to vs, will speake to him:
Do you consent, wee shall acquaint him with it,	Doe you consent we shall acquaint him with it	Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it,
As needefull in our loue, fitting our duetie?	185 As needfull in our loues, fitting our duty.	As needfull in our Loues, fitting our Duty?
Marc. Lets doo't I pray, and I this morning know,	Mar. Lets doo't I pray, and I this morning knowe	165 Mar. Let do't I pray, and I this morning know
140 Where we shall finde him most conueniently.	Where we shall find him most conuenient.	Where we shall finde him most conueniently.
	Exeunt.	Exeunt

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