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

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    1603 First Quarto                     1604-5 Second Quarto                       1623 First Folio   
                     Scena Secunda.                            Actus Primus. Scena Secunda.                       Actus Primus. Scena Secunda.
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Enter King, Queene, H amlet, Leartes, Corambis,
and the two Ambassadors, with Attendants.
Florish. Enter Claudius, King of Denmarke, Gertrad the Queene,
Counsaile: as Polonius, and his Sonne Laertes,
Hamlet, Cum Alijs.
Enter Claudius King of Denmarke, Gertrude the Queene,
     Hamlet, Polonius, Laertes, and his Sister O-
     phelia, Lords Attendant.

            Claud. Though yet of Hamlet our deare brothers death             King. Though yet of Hamlet our deere Brothers death

            The memorie be greene, and that it vs befitted             The memory be greene: and that it vs befitted

            To beare our harts in griefe, and our whole Kingdome,             To beare our hearts in greefe, and our whole Kingdome

            To be contracted in one browe of woe             To be contracted in one brow of woe:

5          Yet so farre hath discretion fought with nature, 5          Yet so farre hath Discretion fought with Nature,

            That we with wisest sorrowe thinke on him             That we with wisest sorrow thinke on him,

            Together with remembrance of our selues:             Together with remembrance of our selues.

            Therefore our sometime Sister, now our Queene             Therefore our sometimes Sister, now our Queen,

            Th'imperiall ioyntresse to this warlike state             Th'Imperiall Ioyntresse of this warlike State,

10         Haue we as twere with a defeated ioy 10         Haue we, as 'twere, with a defeated ioy,

            With an auspitious, and a dropping eye,             With one Auspicious, and one Dropping eye,

            With mirth in funerall, and with dirdge in marriage,             With mirth in Funerall, and with Dirge in Marriage,

            In equall scale waighing delight and dole             In equall Scale weighing Delight and Dole

            Taken to wife: nor haue we heerein bard             Taken to Wife; nor haue we heerein barr'd

15         Your better wisdomes, which haue freely gone 15         Your better Wisedomes, which haue freely gone

            With this affaire along (for all our thankes)             With this affaire along, for all our Thankes.

            Now followes that you knowe young Fortinbrasse,             Now followes, that you know young Fortinbras,

            Holding a weake supposall of our worth                 Holding a weake supposall of our worth;

            Or thinking by our late deare brothers death             Or thinking by our late deere Brothers death,

20         Our state to be disioynt, and out of frame 20         Our State to be disioynt, and out of Frame,

            Coleagued with this dreame of his aduantage             Colleagued with the dreame of his Aduantage;

            He hath not faild to pestur vs with message             He hath not fayl'd to pester vs with Message,

            Importing the surrender of those lands             Importing the surrender of those Lands

            Lost by his father, with all bands of lawe             Lost by his Father: with all Bonds of Law

25         To our most valiant brother, so much for him: 25         To our most valiant Brother. So much for him.


                            Enter Voltemand and Cornelius.

            Now for our selfe, and for this time of meeting,             Now for our selfe, and for this time of meeting
            King  Lordes, we here haue writ to Fortenbrasse,             Thus much the busines is, we haue heere writ             Thus much the businesse is. We haue heere writ
            Nephew to olde Norway, who impudent             To Norway Vncle of young Fortenbrasse             To Norway, Vncle of young Fortinbras,
            And bed-rid, scarcely heares of this his             Who impotent and bedred scarcely heares             Who Impotent and Bedrid, scarsely heares
            Nephews purpose: and Wee heere dispatch 30         Of this his Nephewes purpose; to suppresse 30         Of this his Nephewes purpose, to suppresse

            His further gate heerein, in that the leuies,             His further gate heerein. In that the Leuies,

            The lists, and full proportions are all made             The Lists, and full proportions are all made

            Out of his subiect, and we heere dispatch             Out of his subiect: and we heere dispatch
5           Yong good Cornelia, and you Voltemar             You good Cornelius, and you Valtemand,             You good Cornelius, and you Voltemand,
            For bearers of these greetings to olde 35         For bearers of this greeting to old Norway, 35         For bearing of this greeting to old Norway,
            Norway, giuing to you no further personall power             Giuing to you no further personall power             Giuing to you no further personall power
            To businesse with the King,             To busines with the King, more then the scope             To businesse with the King, more then the scope
            Then those related articles do shew:             Of these delated articles allowe:             Of these dilated Articles allow:
10         Farewell, and let your haste commend your dutie.
            Farwell, and let your hast commend your dutie.
            Farewell, and let your hast commend your duty.
            Gent. In this and all things will wee shew our dutie. 40        Cor.  Vo. In that, and all things will we showe our dutie. 40        Volt. In that, and all things, will we shew our duty.
            King. Wee doubt nothing, hartily farewel:             King. We doubt it nothing, hartely farwell.             King. We doubt it nothing, heartily farewell.


Exit Voltemand and Cornelius.
            And now Leartes, what's the news with you?             And now Laertes whats the newes with you?             And now Laertes, what's the newes with you?
            You said you had a sute what i'st Leartes?             You told vs of some sute, what ist Laertes?             You told vs of some suite. What is't Laertes?

            You cannot speake of reason to the Dane             You cannot speake of Reason to the Dane,

45         And lose your voyce; what wold'st thou begge Laertes,? 45         And loose your voyce. What would'st thou beg Laertes,

            That shall not be my offer, not thy asking,             That shall not be my Offer, not thy Asking?

            The head is not more natiue to the hart             The Head is not more Natiue to the Heart,

            The hand more instrumentall to the mouth             The Hand more instrumentall to the Mouth,

            Then is the throne of Denmarke to thy father,             Then is the Throne of Denmarke to thy Father.

50         What would'st thou haue Laertes? 50         What would'st thou haue Laertes?
15         Lea. My gratious Lord, your fauorable licence,             Laer. My dread Lord,             Laer. Dread my Lord,
            Now that the funerall rites are all performed,

            I may haue leaue to go againe to France,             Your leaue and fauour to returne to Fraunce,             Your leaue and fauour to returne to France,
            For though the fauour of your grace might stay mee,


            From whence, though willingly I came to Denmarke,             From whence, though willingly I came to Denmarke

            To showe my dutie in your Coronation;             To shew my duty in your Coronation,
            Yet something is there whispers in my hart, 55         Yet now I must confesse, that duty done 55         Yet now I must confesse, that duty done,
20         Which makes my minde and spirits bend all for France.             My thoughts and wishes bend againe toward Fraunce             My thoughts and wishes bend againe towards France,

            And bowe them to your gracious leaue and pardon.
            And bow them to your gracious leaue and pardon.
            King: Haue you your fathers leaue, Leartes?             King. Haue you your fathers leaue, what saies Polonius?             King. Haue you your Fathers leaue?


            What sayes Pollonius?
            Cor. He hath, my lord, wrung from me a forced graunt,             Polo. Hath my Lord wroung from me my slowe leaue 60         Pol. He hath my Lord:

60         By laboursome petition, and at last

            Vpon his will I seald my hard consent,
            And I beseech you grant your Highnesse leaue.             I doe beseech you giue him leaue to goe.             I do beseech you giue him leaue to go.
            King With all our heart, Leartes fare thee well.             King. Take thy faire houre Laertes, time be thine             King. Take thy faire houre Laertes, time be thine,
25         Lear. I in all loue and dutie take my leaue.


            And thy best graces spend it at thy will:             And thy best graces spend it at thy will:
            King. And now princely Sonne Hamlet, 65         But now my Cosin Hamlet, and my sonne.             But now my Cosin Hamlet, and my Sonne?
Exit.


            Ham. A little more then kin, and lesse then kind.
65         Ham. A little more then kin, and lesse then kinde.
            What meanes these sad and melancholy moodes?             King. How is it that the clowdes still hang on you.             King. How is it that the Clouds still hang on you?
            For your intent going to Wittenburg,

            Wee hold it most vnmeet and vnconuenient,

30         Being the Ioy and halfe heart of your mother.

            Therefore let mee intreat you stay in Court,

            All Denmarkes hope our coosin and dearest Sonne.


            Ham. Not so much my Lord, I am too much in the sonne.             Ham. Not so my Lord, I am too much i'th' Sun.

            Queene. Good Hamlet cast thy nighted colour off             Queen. Good Hamlet cast thy nightly colour off,

70         And let thine eye looke like a friend on Denmarke,             And let thine eye looke like a Friend on Denmarke.

            Doe not for euer with thy vailed lids 70         Do not for euer with thy veyled lids

            Seeke for thy noble Father in the dust,             Seeke for thy Noble Father in the dust;

            Thou know'st tis common all that liues must die,             Thou know'st 'tis common, all that liues must dye,

            Passing through nature to eternitie.             Passing through Nature, to Eternity.

75         Ham. I Maddam, it is common.             Ham. I Madam, it is common.

            Quee. If it be
75         Queen. If it be;

            Why seemes it so perticuler with thee.             Why seemes it so particular with thee.

            Ham. Seemes Maddam, nay it is, I know not seemes,             Ham. Seemes Madam? Nay, it is: I know not Seemes:
            Ham. My lord, ti's not the sable sute I weare:             Tis not alone my incky cloake coold mother             'Tis not alone my Inky Cloake (good Mother)

80         Nor customary suites of solembe blacke             Nor Customary suites of solemne Blacke,

            Nor windie suspiration of forst breath 80         Nor windy suspiration of forc'd breath,
            No nor the teares that still stand in my eyes,             No, nor the fruitfull riuer in the eye,             No, nor the fruitfull Riuer in the Eye,
35         Nor the distracted hauiour in the visage,             Nor the deiected hauior of the visage             Nor the deiected hauiour of the Visage,
            Nor all together mixt with outward semblance,             Together with all formes, moodes, chapes of griefe             Together with all Formes, Moods, shewes of Griefe,
            Is equall to the sorrow of my heart, 85         That can deuote me truely, these indeede seeme,             That can denote me truly. These indeed Seeme,
            Him haue I lost I must of force forgoe,


            For they are actions that a man might play 85         For they are actions that a man might play:

            But I haue that within which passes showe             But I haue that Within, which passeth show;
            These but the ornaments and sutes of woe.             These but the trappings and the suites of woe.             These, but the Trappings, and the Suites of woe.
40         King This shewes a louing care in you, Sonne Hamlet,             King. Tis sweete and commendable in your nature Hamlet,             King. 'Tis sweet and commendable


            In your Nature Hamlet,

90         To giue these mourning duties to your father 90         To giue these mourning duties to your Father:
            But you must thinke your father lost a father,             But you must knowe your father lost a father,             But you must know, your Father lost a Father,
            That father dead, lost his, and so shalbe vntill the             That father lost, lost his, and the suruiuer bound             That Father lost, lost his, and the Suruiuer bound
            Generall ending. Therefore cease laments,


            In filliall obligation for some tearme             In filiall Obligation, for some terme

            To doe obsequious sorrowe, but to perseuer             To do obsequious Sorrow.  But to perseuer

95         In obstinate condolement, is a course 95         In obstinate Condolement, is a course

            Of impious stubbornes, tis vnmanly griefe,             Of impious stubbornnesse. 'Tis vnmanly greefe,

            It showes a will most incorrect to heauen             It shewes a will most incorrect to Heauen,

            A hart vnfortified, or minde impatient             A Heart vnfortified, a Minde impatient,

            An vnderstanding simple and vnschoold             An Vnderstanding simple, and vnschool'd:

100       For what we knowe must be, and is as common 100       For, what we know must be, and is as common

            As any the most vulgar thing to sence,             As any the most vulgar thing to sence,

            Why should we in our peuish opposition             Why should we in our peeuish Opposition
            It is a fault gainst heauen, fault gainst the dead,             Take it to hart, fie, tis a fault to heauen,             Take it to heart? Fye, 'tis a fault to Heauen,
45         A fault gainst nature, and in reasons             A fault against the dead, a fault to nature,             A fault against the Dead, a fault to Nature,
            Common course most certaine, 105       To reason most absurd, whose common theame 105       To Reason most absurd, whose common Theame
            None liues on earth, but hee is borne to die.
            Is death of fathers, and who still hath cryed
            Is death of Fathers, and who still hath cried,

            From the first course, till he that died to day             From the first Coarse, till he that dyed to day,

            This must be so: we pray you throw to earth             This must be so. We pray you throw to earth

            This vnpreuailing woe, and thinke of vs             This vnpreuayling woe, and thinke of vs

110       As of a father, for let the world take note 110       As of a Father; For let the world take note,

            You are the most imediate to our throne,             You are the most immediate to our Throne,

            And with no lesse nobilitie of loue             And with no lesse Nobility of Loue,

            Then that which dearest father beares his sonne,             Then that which deerest Father beares his Sonne,

            Doe I impart toward you for your intent             Do I impart towards you. For your intent

115       In going back to schoole in Wittenberg, 115       In going backe to Schoole in Wittenberg,

            It is most retrogard to our desire,             It is most retrograde to our desire:

            And we beseech you bend you to remaine             And we beseech you, bend you to remaine

            Heere in the cheare and comfort of our eye,             Heere in the cheere and comfort of our eye,

            Our chiefest courtier, cosin, and our sonne.             Our cheefest Courtier Cosin, and our Sonne.
            Que. Let not thy mother loose her praiers H amlet, 120       Quee. Let not thy mother loose her prayers Hamlet, 120       Qu. Let not thy Mother lose her Prayers Hamlet:
            Stay here with vs, go not to Wittenburg.             I pray thee stay with vs, goe not to Wittenberg.             I prythee stay with vs, go not to Wittenberg.
50        Ham. I shall in all my best obay you madam.             Ham. I shall in all my best obay you Madam.             Ham. I shall in all my best


            Obey you Madam.
            King Spoke like a kinde and a most louing Sonne,             King. Why tis a louing and a faire reply,             King. Why 'tis a louing, and a faire Reply,

            Be as our selfe in Denmarke, Madam come, 125       Be as our selfe in Denmarke. Madam come,

125       This gentle and vnforc'd accord of Hamlet             This gentle and vnforc'd accord of Hamlet

            Sits smiling to my hart, in grace whereof,             Sits smiling to my heart; in grace whereof,
            And there's no health the King shall drinke to day,             No iocond health that Denmarke drinkes to day,             No iocond health that Denmarke drinkes to day,
            But the great Canon to the clowdes shall tell             But the great Cannon to the cloudes shall tell.             But the great Cannon to the Clowds shall tell,
            The rowse the King shall drinke vnto Prince H amlet.             And the Kings rowse the heauen shall brute againe, 130       And the Kings Rouce, the Heauens shall bruite againe,

130       Respeaking earthly thunder; come away.
            Respeaking earthly Thunder. Come away.

            Florish. Exeunt
Exeunt all but Hamlet. Exeunt all, but Hamlet. Manet Hamlet.
55         Ham. O that this too much grieu'd and sallied flesh             Ham. O that this too too sallied flesh would melt,
            Ham. Oh that this too too solid Flesh, would melt,
            Would melt to nothing, or that the vniuersall             Thaw and resolue it selfe into a dewe,             Thaw, and resolue it selfe into a Dew:
            Globe of heauen would turne al to a Chaos!


            Or that the euerlasting had not fixt             Or that the Euerlasting had not fixt

            His cannon gainst seale slaughter, ô God, God,
135       His Cannon 'gainst Selfe-slaughter. O God, O God!

135       How wary, stale, flat, and vnprofitable             How weary, stale, flat, and vnprofitable

            Seeme to me all the vses of this world?             Seemes to me all the vses of this world?

            Fie on't, ah fie, tis an vnweeded garden             Fie on't? Oh fie, fie, 'tis an vnweeded Garden

            That growes to seede, things rancke and grose in nature,             That growes to Seed: Things rank, and grosse in Nature

            Possesse it meerely that it should come thus 140       Possesse it meerely. That it should come to this:
            O God, within two months; no not two: married, 140       But two months dead, nay not so much, not two,             But two months dead: Nay, not so much; not two,
            Mine vncle: O let me not thinke of it,


            So excellent a King, that was to this
            So excellent a King, that was to this

            Hiperion to a satire, so louing to my mother,             Hiperion to a Satyre: so louing to my Mother,

            That he might not beteeme the winds of heauen             That he might not beteene the windes of heauen

            Visite her face too roughly, heauen and earth 145       Visit her face too roughly. Heauen and Earth

145       Must I remember, why she should hang on him             Must I remember: why she would hang on him,

            As if increase of appetite had growne             As if encrease of Appetite had growne

            By what it fed on, and yet within a month,             By what it fed on; and yet within a month?

            Let me not thinke on't; frailty thy name is woman             Let me not thinke on't: Frailty, thy name is woman.

            A little month or ere those shooes were old 150       A little Month, or ere those shooes were old,

150       With which she followed my poore fathers bodie
            With which she followed my poore Fathers body        

            Like Niobe all teares, why she             Like Niobe, all teares. Why she, euen she.

            O God, a beast that wants discourse of reason             (O Heauen! A beast that wants discourse of Reason

            Would haue mourn'd longer, married with my Vncle,             Would haue mourn'd longer) married with mine Vnkle,
60         My fathers brother: but no more like             My fathers brother, but no more like my father 155       My Fathers Brother: but no more like my Father,
            My father, then I to Hercules. 155       Then I to Hercules, within a month,             Then I to Hercules. Within a Moneth?
            Within two months, ere yet the salt of most             Ere yet the salt of most vnrighteous teares,             Ere yet the salt of most vnrighteous Teares
            Vnrighteous teares had left their flushing             Had left the flushing in her gauled eyes             Had left the flushing of her gauled eyes,
            In her galled eyes: she married, O God, a beast             She married, ô most wicked speede; to post             She married. O most wicked speed, to post
65         Deuoyd of reason would not haue made

            Such speede: Frailtie, thy name is Woman,

            Why she would hang on him, as if increase

            Of appetite had growne by what it looked on.

            O wicked wicked speede, to make such

70         Dexteritie to incestuous sheetes,             With such dexteritie to incestious sheets, 160       With such dexterity to Incestuous sheets:
            Ere yet the shooes were olde,

            The which she followed my dead fathers corse

            Like Nyobe, all teares: married, well it is not,

            Nor it cannot come to good: 160       It is not, nor it cannot come to good,             It is not, nor it cannot come to good.
75         But breake my heart, for I must holde my tongue.             But breake my hart, for I must hold my tongue.             But breake my heart, for I must hold my tongue.
Enter Horatio and Marcellus.
Enter Horatio,Marcellus, and Bernardo.
Enter Horatio, Barnard, and Marcellus.
            Hor. Health to your Lordship.             Hora. Haile to your Lordship.             Hor. Haile to your Lordship.
            Ham. I am very glad to see you, (Horatio) or I much             Ham. I am glad to see you well; Horatio, or I do forget my selfe.             Ham. I am glad to see you well:
            forget my selfe.
165       Horatio, or I do forget my selfe.
            Hor. The same my Lord, and your poore seruant euer.             Hora. The same my Lord, and your poore seruant euer.             Hor. The same my Lord,


            And your poore Seruant euer.
80         Ham. O my good friend, I change that name with you: 165       Ham. Sir my good friend, Ile change that name with you,             Ham. Sir my good friend,


            Ile change that name with you:
            but what make you from Wittenburg H oratio?             And what make you from Wittenberg Horatio? 170       And what make you from Wittenberg Horatio?
            Marcellus.             Marcellus.             Marcellus.
            Marc. My good Lord.             Mar. My good Lord.             Mar. My good Lord.
            Ham. I am very glad to see you, good euen sirs:             Ham. I am very glad to see you, (good euen sir)             Ham. I am very glad to see you: good euen Sir.
85         But what is your affaire in Elsenoure?
170       But what in faith make you from Wittenberg?
            But what in faith make you from Wittemberge?
            Weele teach you to drinke deepe ere you depart.

            Hor. A trowant disposition, my good Lord.             Hora. A truant disposition good my Lord. 175       Hor. A truant disposition, good my Lord.

            Ham. I would not heare your enimie say so,             Ham. I would not haue your Enemy say so;
            Ham. Nor shall you make mee truster             Nor shall you doe my eare that violence             Nor shall you doe mine eare that violence,
            Of your owne report against your selfe:             To make it truster of your owne report             To make it truster of your owne report
90         Sir, I know you are no trowant: 175       Against your selfe, I knowe you are no truant,             Against your selfe.  I know you are no Truant:
            But what is your affaire in Elsenoure?             But what is your affaire in Elsonoure? 180       But what is your affaire in Elsenour?
            Hor. My good Lord, I came to see your fathers funerall.             Hora. My Lord, I came to see your fathers funerall.             Hor. My Lord, I came to see your Fathers Funerall.
            Ham. O I pre thee do not mocke mee fellow studient,             Ham. I pre thee doe not mocke me fellowe studient,             Ham. I pray thee doe not mock me (fellow Student)
            I thinke it was to see my mothers wedding. 180       I thinke it was to my mothers wedding.             I thinke it was to see my Mothers Wedding.
95         Hor. Indeede my Lord, it followed hard vpon.             Hora. Indeede my Lord it followed hard vppon. 185       Hor. Indeed my Lord, it followed hard vpon.
            Ham. Thrift, thrift, H oratio, the funerall bak't meates             Ham. Thrift, thrift, Horatio, the funerall bak't meates             Ham. Thrift, thrift Horatio: the Funerall Bakt-meats
            Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables,             Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables,             Did coldly furnish forth the Marriage Tables.
            Would I had met my deerest foe in heauen             Would I had met my dearest foe in heauen             Would I had met my dearest foe in heauen,
            Ere euer I had seene that day Horatio; 185       Or euer I had seene that day Horatio,             Ere I had euer seene that day Horatio 
100       O my father, my father, me thinks I see my father.             My father, me thinkes I see my father. 190       My father, me thinkes I see my father.
            Hor. Where my Lord?             Hora. Where my Lord?             Hor. Oh where my Lord?
            Ham. Why, in my mindes eye H oratio.             Ham. In my mindes eye Horatio.             Ham. In my minds eye (Horatio)
            Hor. I saw him once, he was a gallant King.             Hora. I saw him once, a was a goodly King.             Hor. I saw him once; he was a goodly King.
            Ham. He was a man, take him for all in all, 190       Ham. A was a man take him for all in all             Ham. He was a man, take him for all in all:
105       I shall not looke vpon his like againe.             I shall not looke vppon his like againe. 195       I shall not look vpon his like againe.
            Hor. My Lord, I thinke I saw him yesternight,             Hora. My Lord I thinke I saw him yesternight.             Hor. My Lord, I thinke I saw him yesternight.
            Ham. Saw, who?             Ham. saw, who?             Ham. Saw? Who?
            Hor. My Lord, the King your father.             Hora. My Lord the King your father.             Hor. My Lord, the King your Father.
            Ham. Ha, ha, the King my father ke you. 195       Ham. The King my father?             Ham. The King my Father?
110       Hor. Ceasen your admiration for a while
            Hora. Season your admiration for a while
200       Hor. Season your admiration for a while
            With an attentiue eare, till I may deliuer,             With an attent eare till I may deliuer             With an attent eare; till I may deliuer
            Vpon the witnesse of these Gentlemen             Vppon the witnes of these gentlemen             Vpon the witnesse of these Gentlemen,
            This wonder to you.             This maruile to you.             This maruell to you.
            Ham. For Gods loue let me heare it. 200       Ham. For Gods loue let me heare?             Ham. For Heauens loue let me heare.
115       Hor. Two nights together had these Gentlemen,             Hora. Two nights together had these gentlemen 205       Hor. Two nights together, had these Gentlemen
            Marcellus and Bernardo, on their watch,             Marcellus, and Barnardo, on their watch             (Marcellus and Barnardo) on their Watch
            In the dead vast and middle of the night.             In the dead wast and middle of the night             In the dead wast and middle of the night
            Beene thus incountered by a figure like your father,             Beene thus incountred, a figure like your father             Beene thus encountred. A figure like your Father,
            Armed to poynt, exactly Capapea 205       Armed at poynt, exactly Capapea             Arm'd at all points exactly, Cap a Pe,
120       Appeeres before them thrise, he walkes             Appeares before them, and with solemne march, 210       Appeares before them, and with sollemne march

            Goes slowe and stately by them; thrice he walkt             Goes slow and stately: By them thrice he walkt,
            Before their weake and feare oppressed eies             By their opprest and feare surprised eyes             By their opprest and feare-surprized eyes,
            Within his tronchions length,             Within his tronchions length, whil'st they distil'd             Within his Truncheons length; whilst they bestil'd
            While they distilled almost to gelly. 210       Almost to gelly, with the act of feare             Almost to Ielly with the Act of feare,
            With the act of feare stands dumbe,

125       And speake not to him: this to mee             Stand dumbe and speake not to him; this to me 215       Stand dumbe and speake not to him. This to me
            In dreadfull secresie impart they did.             In dreadfull secresie impart they did,             In dreadfull secrecie impart they did,
            And I with them the third night kept the watch,             And I with them the third night kept the watch,             And I with them the third Night kept the Watch,
            Where as they had deliuered forme of the thing.             Whereas they had deliuered both in time             Whereas they had deliuer'd both in time,
            Each part made true and good, 215       Forme of the thing, each word made true and good,             Forme of the thing; each word made true and good,
130       The Apparition comes: I knew your father,             The Apparision comes: I knewe your father, 220       The Apparition comes. I knew your Father:
            These handes are not more like.             These hands are not more like.             These hands are not more like.
            Ham. Tis very strange.

            Hor. As I do liue, my honord lord, tis true,

            And wee did thinke it right done,

135       In our dutie to let you know it.

            Ham. Where was this?             Ham. But where was this?             Ham. But where was this?
            Mar. My Lord, vpon the platforme where we watched.             Mar. My Lord vppon the platforme where we watch,             Mar. My Lord, vpon the platforme where we watcht.
            Ham. Did you not speake to it? 220       Ham. Did you not speake to it?             Ham. Did you not speake to it?
            Hor. My Lord we did, but answere made it none,             Hora. My Lord I did, 225       Hor. My Lord, I did;
140       Yet once me thought it was about to speake,             But answere made it none, yet once me thought             But answere made it none: yet once me thought
            And lifted vp his head to motion,             It lifted vp it head, and did addresse             It lifted vp it head, and did addresse
            Like as he would speake, but euen then             It selfe to motion like as it would speake:             It selfe to motion, like as it would speake:
            The morning cocke crew lowd, and in all haste, 225       But euen then the morning Cock crewe loude,             But euen then, the Morning Cocke crew lowd;
            It shruncke in haste away, and vanished             And at the sound it shrunk in hast away 230       And at the sound it shrunke in hast away,
145       Our sight.             And vanisht from our sight.             And vanisht from our sight.

            Ham. Tis very strange.
            Ham. Tis very strange.

            Hora. As I doe liue my honor'd Lord tis true             Hor. As I doe liue my honourd Lord 'tis true;

230       And we did thinke it writ downe in our dutie             And we did thinke it writ downe in our duty

            To let you knowe of it. 235       To let you know of it.
            Ham. Indeed, indeed sirs, but this troubles me:             Ham. Indeede Sirs but this troubles me,             Ham. Indeed, indeed Sirs; but this troubles me.
            Hold you the watch to night?             Hold you the watch to night?             Hold you the watch to Night?
            All We do my Lord.             All. We doe my Lord.             Both. We doe my Lord.
            Ham. Armed say ye? 235       Ham. Arm'd say you?             Ham. Arm'd, say you?
150       All Armed my good Lord.             All. Arm'd my Lord. 240       Both. Arm'd, my Lord.
            Ham. From top to toe?             Ham. From top to toe?             Ham. From top to toe?
            All. My good Lord, from head to foote.             All. My Lord from head to foote.             Both. My Lord, from head to foote.
            Ham. When then saw you not his face?             Ham. Then sawe you not his face.             Ham. Then saw you not his face?
            Hor. O yes my Lord, he wore his beuer vp. 240       Hora. O yes my Lord, he wore his beauer vp.             Hor. O yes, my Lord, he wore his Beauer vp.
155       Ham. How look't he, frowningly?             Ham. What look't he frowningly? 245       Ham. What, lookt he frowningly?
            Hor. A countenance more in sorrow than in anger.             Hora. A countenance more in sorrow then in anger.             Hor. A countenance more in sorrow then in anger.
            Ham. Pale, or red?             Ham. Pale, or red?             Ham. Pale, or red?
            Hor. Nay, verie pal             Hora. Nay very pale.             Hor. Nay very pale.
            Ham. And fixt his eies vpon you. 245       Ham. And fixt his eyes vpon you?             Ham. And fixt his eyes vpon you?
160       Hor. Most constantly.             Hora. Most constantly. 250       Hor. Most constantly.
            Ham. I would I had beene there.             Ham. I would I had beene there.             Ham. I would I had beene there.
            Hor. It would a much amazed you.             Hora. It would haue much a maz'd you.             Hor. It would haue much amaz'd you.
            Ham. Yea very like, very like, staid it long?             Ham. Very like, stayd it long?             Ham. Very like, very like: staid it long?
            Hor. While one with moderate pace 250       Hora. While one with moderate hast might tell a hundreth.             Hor. While one with moderate hast might tell a hundred.
165       Might tell a hundred.

            Mar. O longer, longer.             Both. Longer, longer. 255       All. Longer, longer.

            Hora. Not when I saw't             Hor. Not when I saw't.
            Ham. His beard was grisleld, no.             Ham. His beard was grissl'd, no.             Ham. His Beard was grisly? no.
            Hor. It was as I haue seene it in his life,             Hora. It was as I haue seene it in his life             Hor. It was, as I haue seene it in his life,
            A sable siluer. 255       A sable siluer'd.             A Sable Siluer'd.
170       Ham. I wil watch to night, perchance t'wil walke againe.             Ham. I will watch to nigh 260       Ham. Ile watch to Night; perchance 'twill wake againe.

            Perchaunce twill walke againe.
            Hor. I warrant it will.             Hora. I warn't it will.             Hor. I warrant you it will.
            Ham. If it assume my noble fathers person,             Ham. If it assume my noble fathers person,             Ham. If it assume my noble Fathers person,
            Ile speake to it, if hell if selfe should gape, 260       Ile speake to it though hell it selfe should gape             Ile speake to it, though Hell it selfe should gape
            And bid me hold my peace, Gentlemen,             And bid me hold my peace; I pray you all             And bid me hold my peace. I pray you all,
175       If you haue hither consealed this sight,             If you haue hetherto conceald this sight 265       If you haue hitherto conceald this sight;
            Let it be tenible in your silence still,             Let it be tenable in your silence still,             Let it bee treble in your silence still:
            And whatsoeuer else shall chance to night,             And what someuer els shall hap to night,             And whatsoeuer els shall hap to night,
            Giue it an vnderstanding, but no tongue, 265       Giue it an vnderstanding but no tongue,             Giue it an vnderstanding but no tongue;
            I will requit your loues, so fare you well,
            I will requite your loues, so farre you well:
            I will requite your loues; so, fare ye well:
180       Vpon the platforme, twixt eleuen and twelue,             Vppon the platforme twixt a leauen and twelfe 270       Vpon the Platforme twixt eleuen and twelue,
            Ile visit you.             Ile visite you.             Ile visit you.
            All. Our duties to your honor.             All. Our dutie to your honor.             All. Our duty to your Honour.                             
excunt. Exeunt. Exeunt.
            Ham. O your loues, your loues, as mine to you, 270       Ham. Your loues, as mine to you, farwell.             Ham. Your loue, as mine to you: farewell.
            Farewell, my fathers spirit in Armes,             My fathers spirit (in armes) all is not well, 275       My Fathers Spirit in Armes? All is not well:
185       Well, all's not well. I doubt some foule play,             I doubt some foule play, would the night were come,             I doubt some foule play: would the Night were come;
            Would the night were come,

            Till then, sit still my soule, foule deeds will rise             Till then sit still my soule, fonde deedes will rise             Till then sit still my soule; foule deeds will rise,
            Though all the world orewhelme them to mens eies.             Though all the earth ore-whelme them to mens eyes.             Though all the earth orewhelm them to mens eies. 
Exit. Exit. Exit.
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