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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 Duodeviginti. Actus Quintus. Scena Secunda. Actus Quintus. Scena Secunda.

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Enter Hamlet and Horatio	Enter Hamlet and Horatio.	Enter Hamlet and Horatio.
	Ham. So much for this sir, now shall you see the other,	Ham. So much for this Sir; now let me see the other,
	You doe remember all the circumstance.	You doe remember all the Circumstance.
	Hora. Remember it my Lord.	Hor. Remember it my Lord?
	Ham. Sir in my hart there was a kind of fighting	Ham. Sir, in my heart there was a kinde of fighting,
	5 That would not let me sleepe, my thought I lay	5 That would not let me sleepe; me thought I lay
	Worse then the mutines in the bilbo, rashly,	Worse then the mutines in the Bilboes, rashly,
	And praysd be rashnes for it: let vs knowe,	(And praise be rashnesse for it) let vs know,
	Our indiscretion sometime serues vs well	Our indiscretion sometimes serues vs well,
	When our deepe plots doe fall, & that should learne vs	When our deare plots do paule, and that should teach vs,
	10 Ther's a diuinity that shapes our ends,	10 There's a Diuinity that shapes our ends,
	Rough hew them how we will.	Rough-hew them how we will.
	Hora. That is most certaine.	Hor. That is most certaine.
	Ham. Vp from my Cabin,	Ham. Vp from my Cabin
	My sea-gowne scarft about me in the darke	My sea-gowne scarft about me in the darke,
	15 Gropt I to find out them, had my desire,	15 Grop'd I to finde out them; had my desire,
	Fingard their packet, and in fine with-drew	Finger'd their Packet, and in fine, withdrew
	To mine owne roome againe, making so bold	To mine owne roome againe, making so bold,
	My feares forgetting manners to vnfold	(My feares forgetting manners) to vnseale
	Their graund commission; where I found Horatio	Their grand Commission, where I found Horatio,
	20 A royall knauery, an exact command	20 Oh royall knauery: An exact command,
	Larded with many seuerall sorts of reasons,	Larded with many seuerall sorts of reason;
	Importing Denmarkes health, and Englands to,	Importing Denmarks health, and Englands too,
	With hoe such bugges and goblines in my life,	With hoo, such Bugges and Goblins in my life,
	That on the superuise no leasure bated,	That on the superuize no leasure bated,
	25 No not to stay the grinding of the Axe,	25 No not to stay the grinding of the Axe,
	My head should be strooke off.	My head shoud be struck off.
	Hora. I'st possible?	Hor. Ist possible?
	Ham. Heeres the commission, read it at more leasure,	Ham. Here's the Commission, read it at more leysure:
	But wilt thou heare now how I did proceed.	But wilt thou heare me how I did proceed?
	30 Hora. I beseech you.	30 Hor. I beseech you.
	Ham. Being thus benetted round with villaines,	Ham. Being thus benetted round with Villaines,
	Or I could make a prologue to my braines,	Ere I could make a Prologue to my braines,
	They had begunne the play, I sat me downe,	They had begun the Play. I sate me downe,
	Deuisd a new commission, wrote it faire,	Deuis'd a new Commission, wrote it faire,
	35 I once did hold it as our statists doe,	35 I once did hold it as our Statists doe,
	A basenesse to write faire, and labourd much	A basenesse to write faire; and laboured much
	How to forget that learning, but sir now	How to forget that learning: but Sir now,
	It did me yemans seruice, wilt thou know	It did me Yeomans seruice: wilt thou know
	Th'effect of what I wrote?	The effects of what I wrote?
	40 Hora. I good my Lord.	40 Hor. I, good my Lord.
	Ham. An earnest coniuration from the King,	Ham. An earnest Coniuration from the King,
	As England was his faithfull tributary,	As England was his faithfull Tributary,
	As loue betweene them like the palme might florish,	As loue betweene them, as the Palme should flourish,
	As peace should still her wheaten garland weare	As Peace should still her wheaten Garland weare,
	45 And stand a Comma tweene their amities,	45 And stand a Comma 'tweene their amities,
	And many such like, as sir of great charge,	And many such like Assis of great charge,
	That on the view, and knowing of these contents,	That on the view and know of these Contents,
	Without debatement further more or lesse,	Without debatement further, more or lesse,
	He should those bearers put to suddaine death,	He should the bearers put to sodaine death,
	50 Not shriuing time alow'd.	50 Not shriuing time allowed.
	Hora. How was this seald?	Hor. How was this seal'd?
	Ham. Why euen in that was heauen ordinant,	Ham. Why, euen in that was Heauen ordinate;
	I had my fathers signet in my purse	I had my fathers Signet in my Purse,
	Which was the modill of that Danish seale,	Which was the Modell of that Danish Seale:
	55 Folded the writ vp in the forme of th'other,	55 Folded the Writ vp in forme of the other,
	Subcribe it, gau't th'impression, plac'd it safely,	Subscrib'd it, gau't th' impression, plac't it safely,
	The changling neuer knowne: now the next day	The changeling neuer knowne: Now, the next day
	Was our Sea fight, and what to this was sequent	Was our Sea Fight, and what to this was sement,
	Thou knowest already.	Thou know'st already.
	60 Hora. So Guyldensterne and Rosencraus goe too't.	60 Hor. So Guildensterne and Rosincrance, go too't.
		Ham. Why man, they did make loue to this imployment
	Ham. They are not neere my conscience, their defeat	They are not neere my Conscience; their debate
	Dooes by their owne insinnuation growe,	Doth by their owne insinuation grow:
	Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes	'Tis dangerous, when the baser nature comes
	Betweene the passe and fell incenced points	65 Betweene the passe, and fell incensed points
	65 Of mighty opposits.	Of mighty opposites.
	Hora. Why what a King is this!	Hor. Why, what a King is this?
	Ham. Dooes it not thinke thee stand me now vppon?	Ham. Does it not, thinkst thee, stand me now vpon
	He that hath kild my King, and whor'd my mother,	He that bath kil'd my King, and whor'd my Mother,
	Pop't in betweene th'election and my hopes,	70 Popt in betweene th'election and my hopes,
	70 Throwne out his Angle for my proper life,	Throwne out his Angle for my proper life,
	And with such cusnage, i'st not perfect conscience?	And with such coozenage; is't not perfect conscience,
		To quit him with this arme? And is't not to be damn'd
		To let this Canker of our nature come
		75 In further euill.
		Hor. It must be shortly knowne to him from England
		What is the issue of the businesse there.
		Ham. It will be short,
		The interim's mine, and a mans life's no more
Ham. beleeue mee, it greeues mee much Horatio,		80 Then to say one: but I am very sorry good Horatio,
That to Leartes I forgot my selfe:		That to Laertes I forgot my selfe;
For by my selfe me thinkes I feele his griefe,		For by the image of my Cause, I see
Though there's a difference in each others wrong.		The Portraiture of his; Ile count his fauours:
		But sure the brauery of his griefe did put me
		85 Into a Towring passion.
		Hor. Peace, who comes heere?
Enter a Bragart Gentleman.	Enter a Courtier.	Enter young Osricke.
	Cour. Your Lordship is right welcome backe to Denmarke.	Osr. Your Lordship is right welcome back to Denmarke.
5 Horatio, but you marke yon water-flie,	Ham. I humble thanke you sir.	Ham. I humbly thank you Sir, dost know this waterflie?
	Doost know this water fly?
The Court knowes him, but hee knowes not the Court.
	75 Hora. No my good Lord.	Hor. No my good Lord.
	Ham. Thy state is the more gracious, for tis a vice to know him,	90 Ham. Thy state is the more gracious; for 'tis a vice to
	He hath much land and fertill: let a beast be Lord of beasts, and his	know him: he hath much Land, and fertile; let a Beast
		be Lord of Beasts, and his Crib shall stand at the Kings
	crib shall stand at the Kings messe, tis a chough, but as I say, spaci-	Messe; 'tis a Chowgh; but as I saw spacious in the pos-
	ous in the possession of durt.	session of dirt.
Gen. Now God saue thee, sweete prince Hamlet.
Ham. And you sir: soh, how the muske-cod smels!
Gen. I come with an embassage from his maiesty to you	80 Cour. Sweete Lord, if your Lordshippe were at leasure, I should	95 Osr. Sweet Lord, if your friendship were at leysure,
	impart a thing to you from his Maiestie.	I should impart a thing to you from his Maiesty.
10 Ham. I shall sir giue you attention:	Ham. I will receaue it sir withall dilligence of spirit, your bonnet	Ham. I will receiue it with all diligence of spirit; put
	to his right vse, tis for the head.	your Bonet to his right vse, 'tis for the head.
	Cour. I thanke your Lordship, it is very hot.	Osr. I thanke your Lordship, 'tis very hot.
By my troth me thinkes t'is very colde.	85 Ham. No belieue me, tis very cold, the wind is Northerly.	100 Ham. No, beleeue mee 'tis very cold, the winde is
		Northerly.
Gent. It is indeede very rawish colde.	Cour. It is indefferent cold my Lord indeed.	Osr. It is indifferent cold my Lord indeed.
Ham. T'is hot me thinkes.	Ham. But yet me thinkes it is very sully and hot, or my complec-	Ham. Mee thinkes it is very soultry, and hot for my
	tion.	Complexion.
Gent. Very swoltery hote:	Cour. Exceedingly my Lord, it is very soultery, as t'were I can-	105 Osr. Exceedingly, my Lord, it is very soultry, as 'twere
	90 not tell how: my Lord his Maiestie bad me signifie to you, that a	I cannot tell how: but my Lord, his Maiesty bad me sig-
	has layed a great wager on your head, sir this is the matter.	nifie to you, that he ha's laid a great wager on your head:
		Sir, this is the matter.
	Ham. I beseech you remember.	Ham. I beseech you remember.
	Cour. Nay good my Lord for my ease in good faith, sir here is newly	110 Osr. Nay, in good faith, for mine ease in good faith:
	com to Court Laertes, belieue me an absolute gentlemen, ful of most
	95 excellent differences, of very soft society, and great showing : in-
	deede to speake fellingly of him, hee is the card or kalender of gen-
	try: for you shall find in him the continent of what part a Gentle-
	man would see.
	Ham. Sir, his definement suffers no perdition in you, though I
	100 know to deuide him inuentorially, would dazzie th'arithmaticke of
	memory, and yet but raw neither, in respect of his quick saile, but
	in the veritie of extolment, I take him to be a soule of great article,
	& his infusion of such dearth and rarenesse, as to make true dixion
	of him, his semblable is his mirrour, & who els would trace him, his
	105 vmbrage, nothing more.
	Cour. Your Lordship speakes most infallibly of him.
	Ham. The concernancy sir, why doe we wrap the gentleman in
	our more rawer breath?
	Cour. Sir.
	110 Hora. Ist not possible to vnderstand in another tongue, you will
	doo't sir really.
	Ham. What imports the nomination of this gentleman.
	Cour. Of Laertes.
	Hora. His purse is empty already, all's golden words are spent.
	115 Ham. Of him sir.
	Cour. I know you are not ignorant.
	Ham. I would you did sir, yet in faith if you did, it would not
	much approoue me, well sir.
	Cour. You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is.	Sir, you are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is at
	120 Ham. I dare not confesse that, least I should compare with
	him in excellence, but to know a man wel, were to knowe himselfe.
	Cour. I meane sir for this weapon, but in the imputation laide on	his weapon.
	him, by them in his meed, hee's vnfellowed.
	Ham. What's his weapon?	Ham. What's his weapon?
	125 Cour. Rapier and Dagger.	Osr. Rapier and dagger.
	Ham. That's two of his weapons, but well.	115 Ham. That's two of his weapons; but well.
15 The King, sweete Prince, hath layd a wager on your side,	Cour. The King sir hath wagerd with him six Barbary horses,	Osr. The sir King ha's wag'd with him six Barbary Hor-
Six Barbary horse, against six french rapiers,	againgst the which hee has impaund as I take it six French Rapiers	ses, against the which he impon'd as I take it, sixe French
	and Poynards, with their assignes, as girdle, hanger and so. Three	Rapiers and Poniards, with their assignes, as Girdle,
With all their acoutrements too, a the carriages:		Hangers or so: three of the Carriages infaith are very
	130 of the carriages in faith, are very deare to fancy, very responsiue to	120 deare to fancy, very responsiue to the hilts, most delicate
In good faith they are curiously wrought.	the hilts, most delicate carriages, and of very liberall conceit.	carriages, and of very liberall conceit.
Ham. The cariages sir, I do not know what you meane.	Ham. What call you the carriages?	Ham. What call you the Carriages?
	Hora. I knew you must be edified by the margent ere you had
	done.
20 Gent. The girdles, and hangers sir, and such like.	135 Cour. The carriage sir are the hangers.	Osr. The Carriages Sir, are the hangers.
Ham. The worde had beene more cosin german to the	Ham. The phrase would bee more Ierman to the matter if wee	Ham. The phrase would bee more Germaine to the
phrase, if he could haue carried the canon by his side,	could carry a cannon by our sides, I would it be might hangers till	125 matter: If we could carry Cannon by our sides; I would
		it might be Hangers till then; but on sixe Barbary Hor-
	then, but on, six Barbry horses against six French swords their as-	ses against sixe French Swords: their Assignes, and three
	signes, and three liberall conceited carriages, that's the French	liberall conceited Carriages, that's the French but a-
And howe's the wager? I vnderstand you now.	140 bet against the Danish, why is this all you call it?	gainst the Danish; why is this impon'd as you call it?
Gent. Mary sir, that yong Leartes in twelue venies	Cour. The King sir, hath layd sir, that in a dozen passes betweene	130 Osr. The King Sir, hath laid that in a dozen passes be-
25 At Rapier and Dagger do not get three oddes of you,	your selfe and him, hee shall not exceede you three hits, hee hath	tweene you and him, hee shall not exceed you three hits;
	layd on twelue for nine, and it would come to immediate triall, if	He hath one twelue for mine, and that would come to
And on your side the King hath laide,
And desires you to be in readinesse.	your Lordshippe would vouchsafe the answere.	imediate tryall, if your Lordship would vouchsafe the
		Answere.
	145 Ham. How if I answere no?	135 Ham. How if I answere no?
	Cour. I meane my Lord the opposition of your person in triall.	Osr. I meane my Lord, the opposition of your person
		in tryall.
	Ham. Sir I will walke heere in the hall, if it please his Maiestie, it	Ham. Sir, I will walke heere in the Hall; if it please
	is the breathing time of day with me, let the foiles be brought, the	his Maiestie, 'tis the breathing time of day with me; let
		140 the Foyles bee brought, the Gentleman willing, and the
Ham. Very well, if the King dare venture his wager,	Gentleman willing, and the King hold his purpose; I will winne	King hold his purpose; I will win for him if I can: if
I dare venture my skull: when must this be?	150 for him and I can, if not, I will gaine nothing but my shame, and	not, Ile gaine nothing but my shame, and the odde hits.
	the odde hits.
	Cour. Shall I deliuer you so?	Osr. Shall I redeliuer you ee'n so?
	Ham. To this effect sir, after what florish your nature will.	Ham. To this effect Sir, after what flourish your na-
		145 ture will.
	Cour. I commend my duty to your Lordshippe.	Osr. I commend my duty to your Lordship.
	155 Ham. Yours doo's well to commend it himselfe, there are no
	tongues els for's turne.
	Hora. This Lapwing runnes away with the shell on his head.	Hor. This Lapwing runs away with the shell on his
		150 head.
	Ham. A did so sir with his dugge before a suckt it, thus has he and	Ham. He did Complie with his Dugge before hee
		suck't it: thus had he and mine more of the same Beauy
	many more of the same breede that I know the drossy age dotes on,	that I know the drossie age dotes on; only got the tune of
	160 only got the tune of the time, and out of an habit of incounter, a	the time, and outward habite of encounter, a kinde of
	kind of histy colection, which carries them through and through	155 yesty collection, which carries them through & through
	the most prophane and trennowed opinions, and doe but blowe	the most fond and winnowed opinions; and doe but blow
	them to their triall, the bubbles are out.	them to their tryalls: the Bubbles are out.
	Enter a Lord.
	Lord. My Lord, his Maiestie commended him to you by young
	165 Ostricke, who brings backe to him that you attend him in the hall,
	he sends to know if your pleasure hold to play with Laertes, or that
	you will take longer time?
	Ham. I am constant to my purposes, they followe the Kings plea-
	sure, if his fitnes speakes, mine is ready: now or whensoeuer, pro-
	170 uided I be so able as now.
30 Gent. My Lord, presently, the king, and her maiesty,	Lord. The King, and Queene, and all are comming downe.
With the rest of the best iudgement in the Court,
Are comming downe into the outward pallace.
Ham. Goe tell his maiestie, I will attend him.
Gent. I shall deliuer your most sweet answer.
exit.
35 Ham. You may sir, none better, for y'are spiced,
Else he had a bad nose could not smell a foole.
Hor. He will disclose himself without inquirie.
	Ham. In happy time.
	Lord. The Queene desires you to vse some gentle entertainment
	to Laertes, before you fall to play.
	175 Ham. Shee well instructs me.
	Hora. You will loose my Lord.	Hor. You will lose this wager, my Lord.
	Ham. I doe not thinke so, since he went into France, I haue bene	Ham. I doe not thinke so, since he went into France,
	in continuall practise, I shall winne at the ods; thou would'st not	160 I haue beene in continuall practice; I shall winne at the
Ham. Beleeue me Horatio, my hart is on the sodaine		oddes: but thou wouldest not thinke how all heere a-
Very sore, all here about.	thinke how ill all's heere about my hart, but it is no matter.	bout my heart: but it is no matter.
	180 Hora. Nay good my Lord.	Hor. Nay, good my Lord.
	Ham. It is but foolery, but it is such a kinde of gamgiuing, as	Ham. It is but foolery; but it is such a kinde of
	would perhapes trouble a woman.	165 gain-giuing as would perhaps trouble a woman.
40 Hor. My lord, forebeare the challenge then.	Hora. If your minde dislike any thing, obay it. I will forstal their	Hor. If your minde dislike any thing, obey. I will fore-
	repaire hether, and say you are not fit.	stall their repaire hither, and say you are not fit.
Ham. No Horatio, not I, if danger be now,	185 Ham. Not a whit, we defie augury, there is speciall prouidence,in	Ham. Not a whit, we defie Augury; there's a speciall
Why then it is not to come, theres a predestinate prouidence		Prouidence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not
in the fall of a sparrow: heere comes the King.	the fall of a Sparrowe, if it be, tis not to come, if it be not to come,	170 to come: if it bee not to come, it will bee now: if it
	it will be now, if it be not now, yet it well come, the readines is all,	be not now; yet it will come; the readinesse is all, since no
	since no man of ought he leaues, knowes what ist to leaue betimes,	man ha's ought of what he leaues. What is't to leaue be-
	let be.	times?
Enter King, Queene, Leartes, Lordes.	A table prepard, Trumpets, Drums and officers with Cushions, King, Queene, and all the state, Foiles, daggers, and Laertes.	Enter King, Queene, Laertes and Lords, with other Atten- dants with Foyles, and Gauntlets, a Table and Flagons of Wine on it.
	190 King. Come Hamlet, come and take this hand from me.	Kin. Come Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.
King Now sonne Hamlet, we hane laid vpon your head,
45 And make no question but to haue the best.
Ham. Your maiestie hath laide a the weaker side.
King. We doubt it not, deliuer them the foiles.
Ham. First Leartes, heere's my hand and loue,	Ham. Giue me your pardon sir, I haue done you wrong,	175 Ham. Giue me your pardon Sir, I'ue done you wrong,
	But pardon't as you are a gentleman, this presence knowes,	But pardon't as you are a Gentleman.
		This presence knowes,
	And you must needs haue heard, how I am punnisht	And you must needs haue heard how I am punisht
	With a sore distraction, what I haue done	With sore distraction? What I haue done
	195 That might your nature, honor, and exception	180 That might your nature honour, and exception
	Roughly awake, I heare proclame was madnesse,	Roughly awake, I heere proclaime was madnesse:
Protesting that I neuer wrongd Leartes.	Wast Hamlet wronged Laertes? neuer Hamlet.	Was't Hamlet wrong'd Laertes? Neuer Hamlet.
50 If Hamlet in his madnesse did amisse,	If Hamlet from himselfe be tane away,	If Hamlet from himselfe be tane away:
That was not Hamlet, but his madnes did it,	And when hee's not himselfe, dooes wrong Laertes,	And when he's not himselfe, do's wrong Laertes,
And all the wrong I e're did to Leartes,	200 Then Hamlet dooes it not, Hamlet denies it,	185 Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it:
I here proclaime was madnes, therefore lets be at peace,	Who dooes it then? his madnesse. Ift be so,	Who does it then? His Madnesse? If't be so,
	Hamlet is of the faction that is wronged,	Hamlet is of the Faction that is wrong'd,
	His madnesse is poore Hamlets enimie,	His madnesse is poore Hamlets Enemy.
		Sir, in this Audience,
	Let my disclaiming from a purpos'd euill,	190 Let my disclaiming from a purpos'd euill,
	205 Free me so farre in your most generous thoughts	Free me so farre in your most generous thoughts,
And thinke I haue shot mine arrow o're the house,	That I haue shot my arrowe ore the house	That I haue shot mine Arrow o're the house,
55 And hurt my brother.	And hurt my brother.	And hurt my Mother.
Lear. Sir I am satisfied in nature,	Laer. I am satisfied in nature,	Laer. I am satisfied in Nature,
	Whose motiue in this case should stirre me most	195 Whose motiue in this case should stirre me most
But in termes of honor I'le stand aloofe,	210 To my reuendge, but in my tearmes of honor	To my Reuenge. But in my termes of Honor
And will no reconcilement,	I stand a loofe, and will no reconcilement,	I stand aloofe, and will no reconcilement,
Till by some elder maisters of our time	Till by some elder Maisters of knowne honor	Till by some elder Masters of knowne Honor,
60 I may be satisfied.	I haue a voyce and president of peace	I haue a voyce, and president of peace
	To my name vngord: but all that time	200 To keepe my name vngorg'd. But till that time,
	215 I doe receaue your offerd loue, like loue,	I do receiue your offer'd loue like loue,
	And will not wrong it.	And wil not wrong it.
	Ham. I embrace it freely, and will this brothers wager	Ham. I do embrace it freely,
	franckly play.	And will this Brothers wager frankely play.
	Giue vs the foiles.	205 Giue vs the Foyles: Come on.
	220 Laer. Come, one for me.	Laer. Come one for me.
	Ham. Ile be your foile Laertes, in mine ignorance	Ham. Ile be your foile Laertes, in mine ignorance,
	Your skill shall like a starre i'th darkest night	Your Skill shall like a Starre i'th'darkest night,
	Stick fiery of indeed.	Sticke fiery off indeede.
	Laer. You mocke me sir.	210 Laer. You mocke me Sir.
	225 Ham. No by this hand.	Ham. No by this hand.
King Giue them the foyles.	King. Giue them the foiles young Ostricke, cosin Hamlet,	King. Giue them the Foyles yong Osricke,
Ham. I'le be your foyle Leartes, these foyles,
	You knowe the wager.	Cousen Hamlet, you know the wager.
	Ham. Very well my Lord.	Ham. Verie well my Lord,
	Your grace has layed the ods a'th weeker side.	215 Your Grace hath laide the oddes a'th'weaker side.
	230 King. I doe not feare it, I haue seene you both,	King. I do not feare it,
	But since he is better, we haue therefore ods.	I haue seene you both:
		But since he is better'd, we haue therefore oddes.
	Laer. This is to heauy: let me see another.	Laer. This is too heauy,
		220 Let me see another.
Haue all a laught, come on sir:	Ham. This likes me well, these foiles haue all a length.	Ham. This likes me well,
		These Foyles haue all a length.
		Prepare to play.
	Ostr. I my good Lord.	Osricke. I my good Lord.
	235 King. Set me the stoopes of wine vpon that table,	King. Set me the Stopes of wine vpon that Table:
	If Hamlet giue the first or second hit,	225 If Hamlet giue the first, or second hit,
	Or quit in answere of the third exchange,	Or quit in answer of the third exchange,
	Let all the battlements their ordnance fire.	Let all the Battlements their Ordinance fire,
	The King shall drinke to Hamlets better breath,	The King shal drinke to Hamlets better breath,
	240 And in the cup an Onixe shall he throwe,	And in the Cup an vnion shal he throw
	Richer then that which foure successiue Kings	230 Richer then that, which foure successiue Kings
	In Denmarkes Crowne haue worne: giue me the cups,	In Denmarkes Crowne haue worne.
		Giue me the Cups,
	And let the kettle to the trumpet speake,	And let the Kettle to the Trumpets speake,
	The trumpet to the Cannoneere without,	The Trumpet to the Cannoneer without,
	245 The Cannons to the heauens, the heauen to earth,	235 The Cannons to the Heauens, the Heauen to Earth,
	Now the King drinkes to Hamlet, come beginne.	Now the King drinkes to Hamlet. Come, begin,
	Trumpets the while.
	And you the Iudges beare a wary eye.	you the Iudges beare a wary eye.
	Ham. Come on sir.	Ham. Come on sir.
	Laer. Come my Lord.	Laer. Come on sir.
Heere they play:		They play.
a hit.	250 Ham. One.	240 Ham. One.
65 Lear. No none.	Laer. No.	Laer. No.
Ham. Iudgement.	Ham. Iudgement.	Ham. Iudgement.
Gent. A hit, a most palpable hit.	Ostrick. A hit, a very palpable hit.	Osr. A hit, a very palpable hit.
	Drum, trumpets and shot.
Lear. Well, come againe.	Laer. Well, againe.	Laer. Well: againe.
	Florish, a peece goes off.
	255 King. Stay, giue me drinke, Hamlet this pearle is thine.	245 King. Stay, giue me drinke.
		Hamlet, this Pearle is thine,
	Heeres to thy health: giue him the cup.	Here's to thy health. Giue him the cup,
		Trumpets sound, and shot goes off.
	Ham. Ile play this bout first, set it by a while	Ham. Ile play this bout first, set by a-while.
They play againe.
Ham. Another. Iudgement.	Come, another hit.	Come: Another hit; what say you?
	What say you?
70 Lear. I, I grant, a tuch, a tuch.	260 Laer. I doe confest.	250 Laer. A touch, a touch, I do confesse.
	King. Our sonne shall winne.	King. Our Sonne shall win.
King Here Hamlet, the king doth drinke a health to thee
	Quee. Hee's fat and scant of breath.	Qu. He's fat, and scant of breath.
Queene Here Hamlet, take my napkin, wipe thy face.	Heere Hamlet take my napkin rub thy browes,	Heere's a Napkin, rub thy browes,
King Giue him the wine.
Ham. Set it by, I'le haue another bowt first,
75 I'le drinke anone.
Queene Here Hamlet, thy mother drinkes to thee.	The Queene carowses to thy fortune Hamlet.	The Queene Carowses to thy fortune, Hamlet.
	265 Ham. Good Madam.	255 Ham. Good Madam.
	King. Gertrard doe not drinke.	King. Gertrude, do not drinke.
	Quee. I will my Lord, I pray you pardon me.	Qu. I will my Lord;
		I pray you pardon me.
Shee drinkes.
King Do not drinke Gertred: O t'is the poysned cup!	King. It is the poysned cup, it is too late.	King. It is the poyson'd Cup, it is too late.
	Ham. I dare not drinke yet Madam, by and by.	260 Ham. I dare not drinke yet Madam,
		By and by.
	270 Quee. Come, let me wipe thy face.	Qu. Come, let me wipe thy face.
Ham. Leartes come, you dally with me,
I pray you passe with your most cunningst play.
80 Lear. I! say you so? haue at you,
Ile hit you now my Lord:	Laer. My Lord, Ile hit him now.	Laer. My Lord, Ile hit him now.
	King. I doe not think't.	King. I do not thinke't.
And yet it goes almost against my conscience.	Laer. And yet it is almost against my conscience.	265 Laer. And yet 'tis almost 'gainst my conscience.
Ham. Come on sir.	Ham. Come for the third Laertes, you doe but dally.	Ham. Come for the third.
		Laertes, you but dally,
	275 I pray you passe with your best violence	I pray you passe with your best violence,
	I am sure you make a wanton of me.	I am affear'd you make a wanton of me.
	Laer. Say you so, come on.	270 Laer. Say you so? Come on.
		Play.
	Ostr. Nothing neither way.	Osr. Nothing neither way.
	Laer. Haue at you now.	Laer. Haue at you now.
They catch one anothers Rapiers, and both are wounded, Leartes falles downe, the Queene falles downe and dies.		In scuffling they change Rapiers
	280 King. Part them, they are incenst.	King. Part them, they are incens'd.
	Ham. Nay come againe.	Ham. Nay come, againe.
King Looke to the Queene.	Ostr. Looke to the Queene there howe.	275 Osr. Looke to the Queene there hoa.
	Hora. They bleed on both sides, how is it my Lord?	Hor. They bleed on both sides. How is't my Lord?
	Ostr. How ist Laertes?	Osr. How is't Laertes?
	285 Laer. Why as a woodcock to mine owne sprindge Ostrick,	Laer. Why as a Woodcocke
		To mine Sprindge, Osricke,
	I am iustly kild with mine owne treachery.	280 I am iustly kill'd with mine owne Treacherie.
	Ham. How dooes the Queene?	Ham. How does the Queene?
		King. She sounds to see them bleede.
	King. Shee sounds to see them bleed.
85 Queene O the drinke, the drinke, Hamlet, the drinke.	Quee. No, no, the drinke, the drinke, o my deare Hamlet,	Qu. No, no, the drinke, the drinke.
	290 The drinke the drinke, I am poysned.	Oh my deere Hamlet, the drinke, the drinke,
		285 I am poyson'd.
Ham. Treason, ho, keepe the gates.	Ham. O villanie, how let the doore be lock't,	Ham. Oh Villany! How? Let the doore be lock'd.
	Treachery, seeke it out.	Treacherie, seeke it out.
Lords How ist my Lord Leartes?
Lear. Euen as a coxcombe should,
Foolishly slaine with my owne weapon:
	Laer. It is heere Hamlet, thou art slaine,	Laer. It is heere Hamlet.
		Hamlet, thou art slaine,
	No medcin in the world can doe thee good,	290 No Medicine in the world can do thee good.
90 Hamlet, thou hast not in thee halfe an houre of life,	295 In thee there is not halfe an houres life,	In thee, there is not halfe an houre of life;
The fatall Instrument is in thy hand.	The treacherous instrument is in my hand	The Treacherous Instrument is in thy hand,
Vnbated and invenomed: thy mother's poysned	Vnbated and enuenom'd, the foule practise	Vnbated and envenom'd: the foule practise
That drinke was made for thee.
	Hath turn'd it selfe on me, loe heere I lie	Hath turn'd it selfe on me. Loe, heere I lye,
	Neuer to rise againe, thy mother's poysned,	295 Neuer to rise againe: Thy Mothers poyson'd:
	300 I can no more, the King, the Kings too blame.	I can no more, the King, the King's too blame.
Ham. The poysned Instrument within my hand?	Ham. The point inuenom'd to, then venome to thy worke.	Ham. The point envenom'd too,
95 Then venome to thy venome, die damn'd villaine:		Then venome to thy worke.

		Hurts the King.
	All. Treason, treason.	All. Treason, Treason.
	King. O yet defend me friends, I am but hurt.	300 King. O yet defend me Friends, I am but hurt.
	Ham. Heare thou incestious damned Dane,	Ham. Heere thou incestuous, murdrous,
		Damned Dane,
Come drinke, here lies thy vnion here.	305 Drinke of this potion, is the Onixe heere?	Drinke off this Potion: Is thy Vnion heere?
	Follow my mother.	Follow my Mother.
The king dies.		King Dyes.
Lear. O he is iustly serued:	Laer. He is iustly serued, it is a poyson temperd by himselfe,	305 Laer. He is iustly seru'd.
		It is a poyson temp'red by himselfe:
Hamlet, before I die, here take my hand,	Exchange forgiuenesse with me noble Hamlet,	Exchange forgiuenesse with me, Noble Hamlet;
And withall, my loue: I doe forgiue thee.	Mine and my fathers death come not vppon thee,	Mine and my Fathers death come not vpon thee,
	310 Nor thine on me.	Nor thine on me.
Leartes dies.		Dyes.
	Ham. Heauen make thee free of it, I follow thee;	310 Ham. Heauen make thee free of it, I follow thee.
100 Ham. And I thee, O I am dead Horatio, fare thee well.	I am dead Horatio, wretched Queene adiew.	I am dead Horatio, wretched Queene adiew,
	You that looke pale, and tremble at this chance,	You that looke pale, and tremble at this chance,
	That are but mutes, or audience to this act,	That are but Mutes or audience to this acte:
	315 Had I but time, as this fell sergeant Death	Had I but time (as this fell Sergeant death
	Is strict in his arrest, o I could tell you,	315 Is strick'd in his Arrest) oh I could tell you.
	But let it be; Horatio I am dead,	But let it be: Horatio, I am dead,
	Thou liuest, report me and my cause a right	Thou liu'st, report me and my causes right
	To the vnsatisfied.	To the vnsatisfied.
	320 Hora. Neuer belieue it;	Hor. Neuer beleeue it.
Hor. No, I am more an antike Roman,	I am more an anticke Romaine then a Dane,	320 I am more an Antike Roman then a Dane:
Then a Dane, here is some poison left.	Heere's yet some liquer left.	Heere's yet some Liquor left.
Ham. Vpon my loue I charge thee let it goe,	Ham. As th'art a man	Ham. As th'art a man, giue me the Cup.
	Giue me the cup, let goe, by heauen Ile hate,	Let go, by Heauen Ile haue't.
O fie Horatio, and if thou shouldst die,	325 O god Horatio, what a wounded name	Oh good Horatio, what a wounded name,
105 What a scandale wouldst thou leaue behinde?	Things standing thus vnknowne, shall I leaue behind me?	325 (Things standing thus vnknowne) shall liue behind me.
	If thou did'st euer hold me in thy hart,	If thou did'st euer hold me in thy heart,
	Absent thee from felicity a while,	Absent thee from felicitie awhile,
What tongue should tell the story of our deaths,	And in this harsh world drawe thy breath in paine	And in this harsh world draw thy breath in paine,
	A march a farre off.
If not from thee? O my heart sinckes Horatio,	330 To tell my story: what warlike noise is this?	To tell my Storie.
		March afarre off, and shout within.
		330 What warlike noyse is this?
	Enter Osrick.	Enter Osricke.
	Osr. Young Fortenbrasse with conquest come from Poland,	Osr. Yong Fortinbras, with conquest come fro~ Poland
	To th'embassadors of England giues this warlike volly.	To th' Ambassadors of England giues rhis warlike volly.
	Ham. O I die Horatio,	Ham. O I dye Horatio:
	The potent poyson quite ore-crowes my spirit,	The potent poyson quite ore-crowes my spirit,
	335 I cannot liue to heare the newes from England,	335 I cannot liue to heare the Newes from England,
Mine eyes haue lost their sight, my tongue his vse:
Farewel Horatio, heauen receiue my soule.
	But I doe prophecie th'ellection lights	But I do prophesie th'election lights
	On Fortinbrasse, he has my dying voyce,	On Fortinbras, he ha's my dying voyce,
	So tell him, with th'occurrants more and lesse	So tell him with the occurrents more and lesse,
	Which haue solicited, the rest is silence.	Which haue solicited. The rest is silence. O, o, o, o.
Ham. dies.		Dyes
	340 Hora. Now cracks a noble hart, good night sweete Prince,	340 Hora. Now cracke a Noble heart:
		Goodnight sweet Prince,
	And flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest.	And flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest,
	Why dooes the drum come hether?	Why do's the Drumme come hither?
Enter Voltemar and the Ambassadors from England. enter Fortenbrasse with his traine.	Enter Fortenbrasse, with the Embassadors.	Enter Fortinbras and English Ambassador, with Drumme, Colours, and Attendants.
110 Fort. Where is this bloudy fight?	For. Where is this sight?	Fortin. Where is this sight?
	Hora. What is it you would see?	345 Hor. What is it ye would see;
Hor. If aught of woe or wonder you'ld behold,	345 If ought of woe, or wonder, cease your search.	If ought of woe, or wonder, cease your search.
Then looke vpon this tragicke spectacle.
	For. This quarry cries on hauock, o prou'd death	For. His quarry cries on hauocke. Oh proud death,
	What feast is toward in thine eternall cell,	What feast is toward in thine eternall Cell.
Fort. O imperious death! how many Princes	That thou so many Princes at a shot	That thou so many Princes, at a shoote,
Hast thou at one draft bloudily shot to death?	So bloudily hast strook?	350 So bloodily hast strooke.
	350 Embas. The sight is dismall	Amb. The sight is dismall,
115 Ambass. Our ambassie that we haue brought from England	And our affaires from England come too late,	And our affaires from England come too late,
	The eares are sencelesse that should giue vs hearing,	The eares are senselesse that should giue vs hearing,
	To tell him his commandment is fulfild,	To tell him his command'ment is fulfill'd,
	That Rosencraus and Guyldensterne are dead,	355 That Rosincrance and Guildensterne are dead:
Where be these Princes that should heare vs speake?	355 Where should we haue our thankes?	Where should we haue our thankes?
O most most vnlooked for time! vnhappy country.
	Hora. Not from his mouth	Hor. Not from his mouth,
	Had it th'ability of life to thanke you;	Had it th'abilitie of life to thanke you:
	He neuer gaue commandement for their death;	He neuer gaue command'ment for their death.
	But since so iump vpon this bloody question	360 But since so iumpe vpon this bloodie question,
	360 You from the Pollack warres, and you from England	You from the Polake warres, and you from England
	Are heere arriued, giue order that these bodies	Are heere arriued. Giue order that these bodies
	High on a stage be placed to the view,	High on a stage be placed to the view,
Hor. Content your selues, Ile shew to all, the ground,	And let me speake, to yet vnknowing world	And let me speake to th'yet vnknowing world,
The first beginning of this Tragedy:	How these things came about; so shall you heare	365 How these things came about. So shall you heare
120 Let there a scaffold be rearde vp in the market place,
And let the State of the world be there:
Where you shall heare such a sad story tolde,
That neuer mortall man could more vnfolde.
	365 Of carnall, bloody and vnnaturall acts,	Of carnall, bloudie, and vnnaturall acts,
	Of accidentall iudgements, casuall slaughters,	Of accidentall iudgements, casuall slaughters
	Of deaths put on by cunning, and for no cause	Of death's put on by cunning, and forc'd cause,
	And in this vpshot, purposes mistooke,	And in this vpshot, purposes mistooke,
	Falne on th'inuenters heads all this can I	370 Falne on the Inuentors heads. All this can I
	370 Truly deliuer.	Truly deliuer.
	For. Let vs hast to heare it,	For. Let vs hast to heare it,
	And call the noblest to the audience,	And call the Noblest to the Audience.
	For me, with sorrowe I embrace my fortune,	For me, with sorrow, I embrace my Fortune,
Fort. I haue some rights of memory to this kingdome,	I haue some rights, of memory in this kingdome,	375 I haue some Rites of memory in this Kingdome,
125 Which now to claime my leisure doth inuite mee:	375 Which now to clame my vantage doth inuite me.	Which are ro claime, my vantage doth
		Inuite me,
	Hora. Of that I shall haue also cause to speake,	Hor. Of that I shall haue alwayes cause to speake,
	And from his mouth, whose voyce will drawe no more,	And from his mouth
		380 Whose voyce will draw on more:
	But let this same be presently perform'd	But let this same be presently perform'd,
	Euen while mens mindes are wilde, least more mischance	Euen whiles mens mindes are wilde,
		Lest more mischance
	380 On plots and errores happen.	On plots, and errors happen.
Let foure of our chiefest Captaines	For. Let foure Captaines	385 For. Let foure Captaines
Beare Hamlet like a souldier to his graue:	Beare Hamlet like a souldier to the stage,	Beare Hamlet like a Soldier to the Stage,
For he was likely, had he liued,	For he was likely, had he beene put on,	For he was likely, had he beene put on
To a prou'd most royall.		To haue prou'd most royally:
	To haue prooued most royall; and for his passage,	And for his passage,
	385 The souldiers musicke and the right of warre	The Souldiours Musicke, and the rites of Warre
	Speake loudly for him:	390 Speake lowdly for him.
130 Take vp the bodie, such a fight as this	Take vp the bodies, such a sight as this,	Take vp the body; Such a sight as this
Becomes the fieldes, but here doth much amisse.	Becomes the field, but heere showes much amisse.	Becomes the Field, but heere shewes much amis.
	Goe bid the souldiers shoote.	Go, bid the Souldiers shoote.
Finis	Exeunt.	Exeunt Marching: after the which, a Peale of Ordenance are shot off.

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