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THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


The 

WORKS 

°f 

SHAKESPEARE, 

Volume  the  tenth  : 

containing^ 

Romeo  and  Juliet  j 

Hamlet; 

Othello. 


LONDON: 

Printed  for  J.  and  R.  TONSON   in  the  Strand. 


riitf-i 


10 


ROMEO 

and 

JULIET. 


1376874 


Perfons  represented. 

Efcalus,  Prince  of  Verona: 

Paris,  a  young  Count ,  hit  Kinsman. 

Capulet,        1  Heads  of  t*wo  noble  Houses, 

Mountague,  3  at  Variance  nuitb  one  another. 

Romeo,  Son  to  Mountaue. 

Mercutio, 

Benvolio, 

Tybalt,  Kinsman  to  Capulet: 

an  old  Man,  his  Cousin. 

Balthazar,  Romeo'/  Gentleman. 

Friar  Lawrence,  a  Fr&ncijcan  : 

Friar  John,  bis  Brother. 

Chorus ;  Boy,  Page  to  Paris  ; 

an  Officer;  an  Apothecary. 

Servants  to  Mountagee,  t*i»o\ 

Servants  to  Captalet,  fix ; 

three  Watchmen,  and  three  Musician;. 

Lady  Capulet. 
Lady  Mountague. 
Juliet,  Daughter  to  Capulet: 
an  old  Woman,  her  Nurje. 

Attendants  upon  the  P>ince\ 

Maflers  with  Romeo;  Relations,  &c.  of  loth  Houses 
Citizens,  Watchmen,  &c. 

Scent,  Verona:  once,  in  Mantua, 


ROMEO  and  JULIET. 


AC?  I. 

Enter  Chorus,  as  Prologue. 

Txvo  houfholds,  both  alike  in  dignity, 

in  fair  Verona,  where  we  lay  our  fcene, 
from  ancient  grudge  break  to  new  mutiny, 

where  civil  blood  makes  civil  hands  unclean: 
from  forth  the  fatal  loins  of  these  two  foes 

a  pair  of  flar-croft  lovers  take  their  life; 
whose  mifadventur'd  piteous  overthrows 

do,  with  their  death,  bury  their  parents'  ftrife : 
The  fearful  pafTage  of  their  death-mark'd  love, 

and  the  continuance  of  their  parents'  rage, 
which,  but  their  children's  end,  nought  could  remove, 

is  now  the  two  hours'  traffick  of  our  ftage; 
the  which  if  you  with  patient  ears  attend, 
what  here  (hall  mifs,  our  toil  fhall  ftrive  to  mend. 

[Exit. 


A4 


Romeo  and  Juliet. 


SCENE  I.  A publick  Place. 
Enter  tivo  Servants  of  Capulet,  oddly  arm V. 

1.  C.    Gregory,  o'  my  word,  we'll  not  carry  coals. 

2.  C.   No,  for  then  we  mould  be  colliers. 

1.  C.  I  mean,  an  we  be  in  choler,  we'll  draw. 

2.  C.   Ay,whileyoulive,dra\vyourneckouto'th'collar. 
i.C.   \  ftrike  quickly,  being  mov'd. 

2.  C.    But  thou  art  not  quickly  mov'd  to  ftrike. 
i.C.    A  dog  of  the  houie  of  Mountague  moves  m*» 
2.  C.  To  move,  is  —  to  ftir;  and  to  be  valiant,  is  —  to 
Hand  to  it:  therefore,  if  thou  art  mov'd,  thou  run'it  away. 

1 .  C.   A  dog  of  that  houfe  {hall  move  me  to  ftand :  I 
will  take  the  wall  of  any  man  or  maid  of  Mountaguis. 

2.  C.   That  fhews  thee  a  weak  Have;  for  the  weakeft 
goes  to  the  wall. 

1.  C.  True;  and  therefore  women,  being  the  weaker 
veffels,  are  ever  thruft  to  the  wall :  therefore  I  will  pufh 
Mcunfague's  men  from  the  wall,  and  thruft  his  maids  to 
the  wall. 

2.  C.  The  quarrel  is  between  our  mailers,  and  us 
their  men. 

1.  C.   'Tis  all  one,  I  will  fhew  myfelf  a  tyrant:  when 
I  have  fought  with  the  men,  I  will  be  cruel  with  the 
maids;  I  will  cut  off  their  heads. 

2.  C.   The  heads  of  the  maids? 

1.  C.  Ay,  the  heads  of  the  maids,  or  their  maiden- 
heads; take  it  in  what  fenfe  thou  wilt. 

2.  C.   They  mutt  take  it  in  fenfe,  that  feel  it. 

1.  C.   Me  they  (hall  feel,  while  I  am  able  to  (land: 
and,  'tis  known,  I  am  a  pretty  piece  of  rlcfn. 

2.  C.   'Tis  well,  thou  art  not  iiili ;  if  thou  had'il,  thon 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  5 

had 'ft  been  poor  John.  Draw  thy  tool ;  here  comes  of 
the  houfe  of  the  Mountagues. 

Enter  tivo  Servants  of  Mountague,  arnfd  likewise. 

i.e.  My  naked  weapon  is  out;  quarrel,  I  will  back 
thee. 

2.  C.    How  ?  turn  thy  back,  and  ran? 

1.  C.   Fear  me  not. 

2.  C.  No,  marry;  I  fear  thee! 

1 .  C.  Let  us  take  the  law  of  our  fides ;  let  them  begin. 

2.  C.  I  will  frown,  as  I  pafs  by;  and  let  them  take  it 
as  they  lift. 

i.  C.  Nay,  as  they  dare.  I  will  bite  my  thumb  at 
them;  which  is  a  difgrace  to  them,  if  they  bear  it. 

[they  pafs  the  others. 

i.M.  Do  you  bite  your  thumb  at  us,  fir? 
i.C.    I  do  bite  my  thumb,  fir. 

1  M.  Do  you  bite  your  thumb  at  us,  fir? 
i.C.  "  Is  the  law  of  our  fide,  if  I  fay— ay?" 
2.C.   "No." 

1.  C.  No,  fir,  I  do  not  bite  my  thumb  at  you,  fir; 
but  I  bite  my  thumb,  fir. 

2.  C.  Do  you  quarrel,  fir? 
i.M.  Quarrel,  fir?  no,  fir. 

i.  e.  If  you  do,  fir,  I  am  for  you;  I  ferve  as  good  a 
man  as  you. 

i.M.  No  better. 
i.C.   Well,  fir. 

Enter  BENVOLIO,  at  a  DiJIance. 

2  C.  "  Say  — better;  here  comes  one  of  my  mailer's" 
kinsmen." 

i .  C.  Yes,  better,  fir. 
I.M.  You  lie. 


6  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

i.C.   Draw,  if  you  be  men.— Gregory,  remember  thy 
fwafhing  blow.  [Servants  fight. 

BEN.  Part,  fools,  [beating  donux  their  Weapon^  put  up 

your  fwords; 
You  know  not  what  you  do. 

Enter  TYBALT,  with  bis  Sword  drawn. 

TTB.   What,  art  thou  drawn  among  these  heartlefs 
Turn  thee,  Ben<uotio,  look  upon  thy  death.  [hinds  ? 

BEN.  I  do  but  keep  the  peace;  put  up  thy  fword, 
Or  manage  it  to  part  these  men  with  me. 

Trs .   What,drawn, and  talkof  peace?  Ihatetheword, 
As  I  hate  hell,  all  Mountagues,  and  thee: 
Have  at  thee,  coward.  [a/failing  him. 

Enter  divers,  of  both  Houses,  and  join  the  Fray  : 

then  Enter,  to  part  them,  Citizens,  and  Peace-officers, 

ivith  Clubs,  &c.  [down ! 

Off.     Clubs,  bills,  and  partizans!  ftrike!  beat  them 
Down  with  the  Capulets!  down  with  the  Mount ague 's  ! 

Enter  CAPULET,  in  his  Goivn;  his  Lady  following. 

CAP.  Whatnoiseisthisr Giveme  mylongfword,ho! 

L.  C.  A  crutch,  a  crutch;  Why  call  you  for  a  fword? 

CAP.  My  fword,  I  fay! old  Mount  ague  is  ccme, 

And  fiourifhes  his  blade  in  fpite  of  me. 

Enter  MOUNTAGUE,  and  his  Lady. 

Mou.  Thou  villain,  Capuiet,— Hold  me  not,  let  me  go. 

L.  M,  Thou  flialt  not  liir  one  foot  to  feek  a  foe. 
Enter  Prince,  and  Attendants. 

Pri.     Rebellious  fubje&s,  enemies  to  peace, 

Propbaners  of  this  neighbour-ftained  ileel, 

Will  they  net  hear? what,  ho!  you  men,  you  beads,— ' 

That  quench  the  fire  of  your  pernicious  rage 
With  purple  fountains  iffuing  from  your  veins,"" 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  f 

On  pain  of  torture,  from  those  bloedy  hands 
Throw  your  mif-temper'd  weapons  to  the  ground, 

[Fray  ceafet. 

And  hear  the  fentence  of  your  moved  prince. 

Three  civil  brawls,  bred  of  an  airy  word, 

By  thee,  old  Capuiet,  and  Mountague, 

Have  thrice  difturb'd  the  quiet  of  our  flreets; 

And  made  Veronas  ancient  citizens 

Cafl-by  their  grave  befeeming  ornaments 

To  wield  old  partizans,  in  hands  as  old, 

Canker'd  with  peace,  to  part  your  canker'd  hate: 

J  fever  you  difturb  our  ftreets  again, 

Your  lives  fhall  pay  the  forfeit  of  the  peace. 

For  this  time,  all  the  reft  depart  away : 

You,  Capulet,  (hall  go  along  with  me; 

And,  Mountague,  come  you  this  afternoon, 

To  know  our  farther  pleasure  in  this  cafe, 

To  old  Free-town,  our  common  judgment-place. 

Once  more,  on  pain  of  death,  all  men  depart. 

[Exeunt  Prince,  and  Attendants ;  CAPULET, 
undLady  Capulet,  TYBALT,  Servants,  Sec. 

Mou.  Who  fet  this  ancient  quarrel  new  abroach? 

Speak,  nephew,  were  you  by,  when  it  began  ? 

BEN.  Here  were  the  fervants  of  your  adverfary, 
And  yours,  clofe  fighting  ere  1  did  approach: 
I  drew  to  part  them  ;  in  the  inftant  came 
The  fiery  -Tybalt,  with  his  fvvord  prepar'd; 
Which,  as  he  breath'd  defiance  to  my  ears, 
He  fvvong  about  his  head,  and  cut  the  winds, 
Who,  nothing  hurt  withal,  hifl~'d  him  in  fcorn : 
\Vhile  we  were  interchanging  thruits  and  blows, 
Came  more  and  more,  and  fought  on  part  and  part, 


"3  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

'Till  the  prince  came,  who  parted  either  part. 

L.  M.  O,  where  is  Romeof  —  faw  you  him  to-day?__ 
Right  glad  I  am,  he  was  not  at  this  fray. 

BEN.  Madam,  an  hour  before  the  wormip'd  fun 
Peer'd  forth  the  golden  window  of  the  eaft, 
A  troubl'd  mind  drave  me  to  walk  abroad; 
Where— underneath  the  grove  of  fvcamour, 
That  weftward  rooteth  from  this  city'  fide — 
So  early  walking  did  I  fee  your  fon: 
Towards  him  I  made;  but  he  was  'ware  of  me, 
And  ftole  into  the  covert  of  the  wood  : 
I,  measuring  his  affections  by  my  own,— 
Which  then  moft  fought  where  moft  might  not  be  found, 
Being  one  too  many  by  my  weary  felf,~" 
Furfu'd  my  humour,  net  purfuing  his, 
And  gladly  fliun'd  who  gladly  fled  from  me. 

Mou.  Many  a  morning  hath  he  there  been  feen, 
With  tears  augmenting  the  frefh  morning's  dew, 
Adding  to  clouds  more  clouds  with  his  deep  fighs: 
Bat  all  fo  foon  as  the  all-chearing  fun 
Should  in  the  fartheft  eaft  begin  to  draw 
The  fhady  curtains  from  Aurora  5  bed, 
Away  from  light  fteals  home  my  heavy  fon, 
And  private  in  his  chamber  pens  himfelf; 
Shuts  up  his  windows,  locks  fair  day-light  out, 
And  makes  himfelf  an  artificial  night: 
Black  and  portentous  muft  this  humour  prove, 
tnlefs  good  counfel  may  the  cause  remove. 

BEN.  My  noble  uncle,  do  you  know  the  cause? 

Mov.  I  neither  know  it,  nor  can  learn  of  him. 

SEN.  Have  you  importun'd  him  by  any  means? 

MQV.  Both  by  rnyfelf,  and  many  other  friends: 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  9 

But  he,  his  own  affections'  counfellor, 
Is  to  himfelf — I  will  not  fay,  how  true"- 
But  to  himfelf  fo  fecrec  and  fo  clofe, 
So  far  from  founding  and  difcovery, 
As  is  the  bud  bit  with  an  envious  worm, 
Ere  he  can  fpread  his  fweet  leaves  to  the  air, 
Or  dedicate  his  beauty  to  the  fame. 
Could  we  but  learn  from  whence  his  forrows  growr, 
We  would  as  willingly  give  cure,  as  know.  .* 

Enter  ROMEO,  at  a  Diftance. 

BEN.  See,  where  he  comes :  So  please  you,  ftep  afide; 
I'll  know  his  grievance,  or  be  much  deny'd. 

Mov.  I  would,  thou  wert  fo  happy  by  thy  (lay 
To  hear  true  ftirift._Come,  madam,  let's  away. 

[ Exeunt  MOUNTAGUE,  and Lady« 

SEN.  Good  morrow,  cousin. 

ROM.  Is  the  day  fo  young? 

BEN.  But  new  ftrook  nine. 

ROM.  Ay  me!  fad  hours  feem  long. 
Was  that  my  father,  that  went  hence  fo  faft? 

BEN.  It  was :  What  fadnefs  lengthens  Romto's  hours? 

ROM.  Not  having  that,  which,  having,  makes  them 

£EN.  In  love?  [Ihort. 

ROM.  Out— 

BEN.  Of  love? 

ROM.  Out  of  her  favour,  where  I  am  in  love. 

BEN.  Alas,  that  love,  fo  gentle  in  his  view, 
Should  be  fo  tyrannous  and  rough  in  proof! 

ROM.  Alas,  that  love,  whose  view  is  muffl'd  (till, 
Should,  without  eyes,  fee  path-ways  to  his  will! 
Where  (hall  we  dine?_Oh  me !_ What  fray  was  hercf-^ 
Yet  tell  me  not,  for  I  have  heard  it  all. 


JO  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

Here's  much  to  do  with  hate,  but  more  with  love:»^ 

Why  then,  o  brawling  love,  o  loving  hate  I 

O  any  thing,  of  nothing  firft  created! 

O  heavy  lightnefs,  ferious  vanity, 

Mif-fhapen  chaos  of  well-feeming  forms ! 

Feather  of  lead,  bright  fmoke,  cold  fire,  fick  health, 

Still-waking  fleep,  that  is  not  what  it  is!_ 

This  love  feel  I,  that  feel  no  love  in  this. 

Doft  thou  not  laugh  ? 

BEN.  No,  coz',  I  rather  weep. 

ROM .  Good  heart,  at  what  ? 

BEN.  At  thy  good  heart's  oppreflion. 

ROM.  Why,  fuch  is  love's  tranfgreffion. 
Griefs  of  mine  own  lie  heavy  in  my  breaft; 
Which  thou  wilt  propagate,  to  have  it  preff'd, 
With  more  of  thine:  this  love,  that  thou  haft  mown, 
Doth  add  more  grief  to  too  much  of  mine  own. 
Love  is  a  fmoke,  made  with  the  fume  of  fighs; 
Being  purg'd,  a  fire  fparkling  in  lovers'  eyes; 
Being  vex'd,  a  fea  nourifh'd  with  loving  tears: 
What  is  it  elfe?  a  madnefs  moft  difcreet, 
A  choaking  gall,  and  a  preserving  fweet. 
Farewel,  my  coz'. 

BEN.  Soft,  I  will  go  along; 
An  if  you  leave  me  fo,  you  do  me  wrong. 

ROM.  Tut,  I  have  lolt  myfelf;  I  am  not  here, 
This  is  not  Romeo,  he's  fome  other  where. 

BEN.  Tell  me  in  fadnefs,  who  is  that  you  love? 

ROM.  What,  (hall  J  groan,  and  tell  thee  ? 

BEN.  Groan?  why,  no; 
But  fadly  tell  me,  who. 

^OAf.  Bid  a  fick  man  in  fadnefs  make  his  will:_ 


Romeo  a**?' Juliet.  i  j 

O  word  ill  urg'd  to  one  that  is  fo  ill!__ 
In  fadnefs,  cousin,  I  do  love  a  woman. 

BEN.  I  aim'd  fo  near,  when  I  fuppos'd  you  lov'd. 

ROM.  A  right  good  marks-man ;  And  file's  fair  I  love. 

BEN.  A  right  fair  mark,  fair  coz',  is  fooneft  hit. 

MOM.  Well,  in  that  hit  you  mifs:  (he'll  not  be  hit 
With  Cupid's  arrow,  (he  hath  Dian's  wit; 
And,  in  ftrong  proof  of  chaftity  well  arm'd, 
From  love's  weak  childifh  bow  (he  lives  unharm'd. 
She  will  not  ftay  the  fiege  of  loving  terms, 
Nor  bide  the  encounter  of  aflailing  eyes, 
Nor  ope  her  lap  to  faint-feducing  gold: 
O,  (he  is  rich  in  beauty ;  only  poor, 
That,  when  (he  dies,  with  her  dies  beauty's  (lore. 

£EN.  Then  (he  hath  fworn,that(hewillftilllivechafte. 

ROM.  She  hath,  and  in  that  fparing  makes  huge  wafte; 
For  beauty,  ftarv'd  with  her  feverity, 
Cuts  beauty  off  from  all  pofterity. 
She  is  too  fair,  too  wise;  wisely  too  fair, 
To  merit  blifs  by  making  me  defpair: 
She  hath  forfworn  to  love;  and,  in  that  vow> 
Do  I  live  dead,  that  live  to  tell  it  now. 

BEN.  Be  rul'd  by  me,  forget  to  think  of  her.       ^ 
ROM.  O,  teach  me  how  I  mould  forget  to  think. 
HEN.  By  giving  liberty  unto  thine  eyes; 
Examine  other  beauties. 

ROM.  'Tis  the  way 

To  call  hers,  exquisite,  in  queftion  more: 
These  happy  maflcs,  that  kifs  fair  ladies'  browj, 
Being  black,  put  us  in  mind  they  hide  the  fair  j 
He,  that  is  ftrooken  blind,  cannot  forget 
The  precious  treasure  of  his  eye-fight  loft : 

4  marke  man    '4  with  beautie  dies  her  (tore 


12  Romeo  and  Juliet, 

Shew  me  a  miftrefs  that  is  pafling  fair, 
What  doth  her  beauty  ferve,  but  as  a  note 
Where  1  may  read  who  paff'd  that  paffing  fair? 
Farewel;  thou  canft  not  teach  me  to  forget. 

BEN.  I'll  pay  thatdoftrine.orelfe  die  in  debt.[Exeunf. 

SCENE  II.  A  Street. 
Enter  CAPULET,  PARIS,  and  Servant. 

CAP.  And  Mount  ague  is  bound  as  well  as  I, 
In  penalty  alike;  and  'tis  not  hard,  I  think, 
For  men  fo  old  as  we  to  keep  the  peace. 

PAR.  Of  honourable  reck'ning  are  you  both; 
And  pity  'tis,  you  liv'd  at  odds  fo  long. 
But  now,  my  lord,  what  fay  you  to  my  fuit? 

CAP.  But  faying  o'er  what  I  have  faid  before: 
My  child  is  yet  a  Itranger  in  the  world, 
She  hath  not  feen  the  change  of  fourteen  years; 
Let  two  more  fummers  wither  in  their  pride, 
Ere  we  may  think  her  ripe  to  be  a  bride. 

PAR.  Younger  than  (he  are  happy  mothers  made. 

CAP.  And  too  foon  mar'd  are  those  fo  early  made: 
The  earth  hath  fwallow'd  all  my  hopes  but  Ihe, 
She  is  the  hopeful  lady  of  my  earth: 
Hut  woo  her,  gentle  Paris,  get  her  heart, 
My  will  to  her  confent  is  but  a  part; 
An  ftie  agree,  within  her  fcope  of  choice 
Lies  my  confent  and  fair  according  voice. 
This  night  I  hold  an  old  accuftom'd  feait, 
Whereto  I  have  invited  many  a  gueft, 
Such  as  I  love;  and  you,  among  the  ftore, 
One  more,  moft  welcome,  makes  my  number  more: 
At  my  poor  houfe  look  to  behold  this  night 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  1 3 

Earth-treading  ftars,  that  make  dark  heaven  light: 

Such  comfort,  as  do  lufty  young  men  feel 

When  well-apparel'd  April  on  the  heel 

Of  limping  winter  treads,  even  fuch  delight 

Among  frefh  female  buds  mail  you  this  night 

Inherit  at  my  houfe;  hear  all,  all  fee, 

And  like  her  moft  whose  merit  moft  (hall  be; 

On  which  more  view  of  many,  mine,  being  one, 

May  Hand  in  number,  though  in  reck'ning  none. 

Come,  go  with  me: Go,  firrah,  trudge  about 

Through  fair  Verona;  find  those  perfons  out. 
Whose  names  are  written^  there;  and  to  them  (ay, 
My  houfe  and  welcome  on  their  pleasure  ftay. 

[Exeunt  CAPULET,  and  PARIS. 

Ser.  Find  them  out,  whose  names  are  written  here: 
It  is  written  — that  the  fhoemaker  mould  meddle  with 
his  yard,  and  the  taylor  with  his  laft,  the  fiftier  with  his 
pencil,  and  the  painter  with  his  nets;  but  I  am  fent  to 
find  those  perfons  out,  whose  names  are  here  writ,  and 
can  never  find  what  names  the  writing  perfon  hath  here 
writ.  I  mult  to  the  learned:  —  In  good  time. 
Enter  BENVOLIO,  and  ROMEO. 

SEN.  Tut,  man  !  one  fire  burns  out  another's  burning, 

One  pain  is  leflen'd  by  another's  anguifh; 
Tvyn  giddy,  and  be  holp  by  backward  turning; 

One  defperate  grief  cures  with  another's  languHh: 
Take  thou  fome  new  infection  to  thy  eye, 
And  the  rank  poison  of  the  old  will  die. 

POM.  Your  plantan  leaf  is  excellent  for  that. 

£EN.  For  what,  I  pray  thee? 

ROM.  For  your  broken  (bin. 

BFK.  Why,  Romeo,  art. thou  mad? 

*  Which  on 

Vot.  X.  B 


i^  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

ROM.  Not  mad,  but  bound  more  than  a  mad-man  is; 
Shut  up  in  prison,  kept  without  my  food, 
Whipt,  and  tormented,  and Good  den,  good  fellow. 

Ser.     God  gi'go'  den.  I  pray,  fir,  can  you  read? 

ROM.  Ay,  mine  own  fortune  in  my  misery. 

Ser.     Perhaps, you  have  learned  it  without  book:  But, 
I  pray,  can  you  read  any  thing  you  fee  ? 

ROM.  Ay,  if  I  know  the  letters,  and  the  language. 

Ser.     Ye  fay  honeftly ;  Reft  you  merry ! 

ROM.  Stay,  fellow;  I  can  read.  [read's. 

Signior  Martino,  and  bis  'wife,  and  daughter;  County 

Anfelme,  and  his  beauteous  fijler* ;  The  lady  nvidoiv  of 

Vitruvio ;    Signior  Placentio,    and  his  lovely  nieces  ; 

Mercutio,  and  bis  brother  Valentine;  Mine  uncle  Ca- 

pulet,  his  wife,  and  daughters ;  My  fair  niece  Rosaline; 

Livia;  Signior  Valentio,  and  his  cousin  Tybalt;  Lucio, 

and  the  lively  Helena. 

A  fair  aflembly;  [giving  tack  the  Note.]  Whither  Ihould 
they  come? 

Ser.     Up. 

ROM.  Whither? 

Ser.     To  our  houfe. 

ROM.  Whose  houfe ? 
'  Ser.     My  matter's. 

ROM.  Indeed,  I  fhould  have  afk'd  you  that  before; 

Ser.     Now  I'll  tell  you  without  afking : 
My  matter  is  the  great  rich  Capu/er, 
And  if  you  be  not  of  the  houfe  of  tljc  Mountagues, 
I  pray  gou,  come;  and  cruih  a  cup  of  wine. 
Reft  you  merry.  [Exit. 

BEN.  At  this  fame  ancient  feaft  of  Cafu/et's 
Sups  the  fair  Resa/ine,  whom  thou  fo  lov'it; 

»*  v.  Mte. 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  15 

With  all  the  admired  beauties  of  Verona: 
Go  thither;  and,  with  unattainted  eye, 
Compare  her  face  with  fome  that  I  (hall  (how, 
And  I  will  make  thee  think  thy  fwan  a  crow. 

ROM.  When  the  devout  religion  of  mine  eye 

Maintains  fuch  falfhood,  then  turn  tears  to  fires! 
And  these, —  who,  often  drown'd,  could  never  die,"* 

Tranfparent  hereticks,  be  burnt  for  liars! 
One  fairer  than  my  love!  the  all-feeing  fun 
Ne'er  favv  her  match,  fince  firft  the  world  begun. 

BEN.  Tut,  tut!  you  faw  her  fair,  none  elfe  being  by, 
Herfelf  poiz'd  with  herfelf  in  either  eye: 
But  in  those  cryftal  fcales  let  there  be  weigh'd 
Your  lady  love  againft  fome  other  maid 
That  I  will  (how  you,  mining  at  this  feaft, 
And  me  (hall  fcant  (hew  well,  that  now  (hews  bed. 

ROM.  I'll  go  along,  no  fuch  fight  to  be  mown, 
But  to  rejoice  in  fplendor  of  mine  own.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  III.   A  Room  in  Capulet'j  Houfe. 

Enter  Lady  Capulet,  and  Nurfe. 
L.  C.  Nurfe,where's  my  daughter?  call  her  forth  tome. 
Nur.    Now,  by  my  maidenhead, — at  twelve  year  old,~- 
I  bad  her  come:_What,  lamb!  what  lady-bird !_ 
God  forbid!  where's  this  girl?_what,  Juliet! 

Enter  JULIET. 
JUL.  How  now?  who  calls? 
Nur.    Your  mother. 
JUL.  Madam,  I  am  here; 
What  is  your  will? 

L.  C.  This  is  the  matter :_Nurfe,  give  leave  a  while, 
We  mult  talk  in  fecret.  Nurfe,  came  back  again  ; 

6  fire     iJ  that  Chriftall     U  Ladies  love 

B  ?, 


{6  Romeo  and  Juliet, 

]  have  remember'd  me,  thou  {halt  hear  our  coimfel. 
Thou  know'ft,  my  daughter's  of  a  pretty  age: 

Nur.    'Faith,  I  can  tell  her  age  unto  an  hour. 

L.  C.   She's  not  fourteen. 

Nur.    Til  lay  fourteen  o'  my  teeth,— 
And'yet,  to  my  teeth  be  it  fpoken,  I  have  but  four,— 
tihft's  not  fourteen :  How  long  is't  now  to  Lammas-tide? 

L.  C.  A  fortnight,  and  odd  days. 

Nur.   Even  or  odd,  of  all  days  i'  the  year, 
Come  Lammas-eve  at  night,  mall  fhe  be  fourteen. 
Susan,  and  fhe,— God  reil  all  chriftian  fouls  I  — 
Were  of  an  age:  Well,  Susan  is  with  God; 
She  was  too  good  for  me:  But,  as  I  faid, 
On  Lammas-eve  at  night  fhall  fhe  be  fourteen; 
That  fhall  fhe,  marry;  I  remember  it  well. 
'Tis  fmce  the  earth-quake  now  eleven  years; 
And  fhe  was  wean'd,— I  never  fhall  forget  it,— 
Of  all  the  days  o'the  year,  upon  that  day: 
For  1  had  then  lay'd  wormwood  to  my  dug, 
Sitting  i'  the  fun  under  the  dove-houfe  wall, 
My  lord  and  you  were  then  at  Mantua; 
Nay,  I  do  bear  a  brain :  but,  as  1  faid, 
When  it  did  tafte  the  wormwood  on  the  nipple 
Of  my  dug,  and  felt  it  bitter,  pretty  fool ! 
To  fee  it  teachy,  and  fall  out  wi'  the  dug  : 
Shake,  quoth  the  dove-houfe:  'twas  no  need,  I  trow, 
To  bid  me  trudge. 

And  fince  that  time  it  is  eleven  years : 
For  then  fhe  could  Hand  alone;  nay,  by  the  rood, 
She  could  have  run  and  waddl'd  all  about. 
For  even  the  day  before  fhe  broke  her  brow: 
And  then  my  husband — God  be  with  his  foul! 

'  thou'/l  heare 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  17 

A'  was  a  merry  man; — took  up  the  child; 

Tea,  tjuoth  he,  doft  thou  Jail  upon  thy  face? 

Thou  ivilt  fall  backward ',  -when  than  baft  more  iuit\ 

Wilt  thcu  not,  Juli'?  and,  by  my  holy-dam, 

The  pretty  wretch  left  crying,  and  faid — Ay: 

To  fee  now  how  a  jefl  mall  come  about  I 

I  warr'nt,  an  I  mould  live  a  thousand  years, 

I  never  mould  forget  it;  Wilt  tbou  not,  Juli'?  quoth  he: 

And,  pretty  fool,  it  ilinted,  and  faid—  Ay. 

L.  C.  Enough  of  this;  I  pray  thee,  hold  thy  peace. 

Nur.    Yes,  madam;  Yet  t  cannot  choose  but  laugh, 
To  think  it  mould  leave  crying,  and  fay— ^y.: 
And  yet,  I  warr'nt,  it  had  upon  it's  brow 
A  bump  as  big  as  a  young  cock'rel's  ftone; 
A  par'lous  knock;  and  it  cry'd  bitterly. 
Ka,  quoth  my  husband,  fall" ft  upon  thy  face? 
Thou  iv  i  It  fall  backward,  'when  tbou  com  ft  to  age\ 
Wilt  thou  not,  Juli'?  it  llinted,  and  faid — Ay* 

JUL.  And  Hint  thou  too,  I  pray  thee,  nurfe,  fay  F. 

Nur.   Peace,  I  have  done.  God  mark  thee  to  his  grace! 
Thou  wail  the  prettied  babe  that  e'er  [  narf'd : 
An  I  might  live  to  fee  thee  marry'd  once, 
I  have  my  wifh, 

.L.  C.  Marry,  that  marry  is  the  very  theme 

I  came  to  talk  of: Tell  me,  daughter  Juliet* 

How  {lands  your  disposition  to  be  marry'd? 

JUL.  It  is  an  hour  that  I  dream  not  of. 

Nur.    An  hour!  were  not  I  thine  only  nurfe, 
I'd  fay,  thou  hadfl  fuck'd  wisdom  from  thy  teat. 

L/C.  Well, think  of  marriage  now;  younger  than  you, 
Here  in  Verona,  ladies  of  efteem, 
Are  made  already  mothers:  by  my  count, 


i8  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

I  was  your  mother  much  upon  these  years 

That  you  are  now  a  maid.  Thus  then,  in  brief; """• 

The  valiant  Paris  feeks  you  for  his  love. 

Nur.    A  man,  young  lady!  lady,  fuch  a  man, 
As  all  the  world  —  Why,  he's  a  man  of  wax. 

L.  C.  Veronas  fummer  hath  not  fuch  a  flower. 

Nur.   Nay,  he's  a  flower;  in  faith,  a  very  flower. 

L.  C.  What  fay  you  ?  can  you  love  the  gentleman? 
This  night  you  (hall  behold  him  at  our  feail: 
Read  o'er  the  volume  of  young  Paris'  face, 
And  find  delight  writ  there  with  beauty's  pen; 
Examine  every  feveral  lineament, 
And  fee  how  one  another  lends  content; 
And  what  obfcur'd  in  this  fair  volume  lies, 
Find  written  in  the  margin  of  his  eyes. 
This  precious  book  of  love,  this  unbound  lover, 
To  beautify  him,  only  lacks  a  cover: 
The  fifh  lives  in  the  fea;  and  'tis  much  pride, 
For  fair  without  the  fair  within  to  hide  : 
That  book  in  many's  eyes  doth  (hare  the  glory, 
That  in  gold  clafps  locks-in  the  golden  ftory  ; 
So  fhall  you  {hare  all  that  he  doth  possefs, 
By  having  him,  making  yourfelf  no  Jefs. 

Nur.    No  lefs?  nay,  bigger;  women  grow  by  men,, 

L.  C.  Speak  briefly,  can  you  like  of  Paris'  love? 

JUL.  I'll  look  to  like,  if  looking  liking  move: 
Put  no  more  deep  will  I  endart  mine  eye, 
Than  your  confent  gives  ftrength  to  make  it  fly. 
Enter  a  Servant. 

'Ser.  Madam, the guefts  are  come,fupperferv'd  up, you 
fall'd,  my  young  lady  aflc'd  for,  the  nurfe  curf'd  in  the 
pantry,  and  every  thing  in  extremity.  I  mult  hence  tq 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  iy 

wait;  T  befeech  you,  follow  {trait. 

L.C.  We  follow  thee Juliet,  the  county  ftays. 

Nur.   Go,  girl,  feek  happy  nights  to  happy  days. 

[Exeunt. 

AC?  II. 

SCENE  I.   A  Street. 

Enter,  in  majking  Habits^  Torches 

and  a  Drum  preceding  them,  M E  R  c  u T  i  o,  Ro M  E  o, 

BENVOLIO,  and  Others* 

ROM.  What,  ihall  this  fpeech  be  fpoke  for  our  excufe  ? 
Or  (hall  we  on  without  apology? 

BEN.  The  date  is  out  of  fuch  prolixity: 
We'll  have  no  Cupid  hood-wink'd  with  a  fcarf, 
Bearing  a  Tartar's  painted  bow  of  lath, 
Scaring  the  ladies  like  a  crow-keeper; 
But,  let  them  measure  us  by  what  they  will, 
We'll  measure  them  a  measure,  and  be  gone. 

ROM.  Give  me  a  torch, _I  am  not  for  this  ambling; 
Being  but  heavy,  I  will  bear  the  light. 

MER.  Nay,  gentle  Romeo,  we  miift  have  you  dance. 

ROM.  Not  I,  believe  me:  you  have  dancing  (hoes, 
With  nimble  foles;  I  have  a  foul  of  lead, 
So  flakes  me  to  the  ground,  I  cannot  move. 

MER.  You  are  a  lover;  borrow  Cuj>:J's  wings, 
And  foar  with  them  above  a  common  bound. 

ROM.  I  am  too  fore  enpearced  with  his  (haft, 
To  foar  with  his  light  feathers;  and  fo  bound, 
I  cannot  bound  a  pitch  above  dull  woe: 
Vnder  love's  heavy  burthen  do  I  link. 


20  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

MER.  And,  to  fink  in  it,  fhould  you  burthen  love; 
Too  great  oppreffion  for  a  tender  thing. 

ROM.  Is  love  a  tender  thing:  it  is  too  rough, 
Too  rude,  too  boift'rous;  and  it  pricks  like  thorn. 

MER  .  If  love  be  rough  with  you,  be  rough  with  love  ; 
Prick  love  for  pricking,  and  you  beat  love  down._ 
Give  me  acafe  toput  my  visage  in  .[taking  one  from  anAtt, 
A  visor  for  a  visor!  ^throwing  it  a<vuay.~\  what  care  I, 
"What  curious  eye  doth  quote  deformities? 
Here  are  the  beetle-brows,  {hall  blufli  for  me. 

BEN.  Come,  knock,  and  enter;  and  no  fooner  in> 
But  every  man  betake  him  to  his  legs. 

ROM.  A  torch  for  me:  let  wantons,  light  of  heart, 
Tickle  the  fenfelefs  rufhes  with  their  heels; 
For  J  am  proverb'd  with  a  grandfire  phrase,"" 
I'll  be  a  candle-holder,  and  look  on, — 
The  game  was  ne'er  fo  fair,  and  I  am  dun. 

MER.  Tut!  dun's  the  moufe,  the  conflable's  own  word: 
If  thou  art  dun,  we'll  draw  thee  from  the  mire, 
Or  (fave  your  reverence)  love,  wherein  thou  ftick'ft 
Up  to  the  ears. Come,  we  burn  day-light,  ho. 

ROM.  Nay,  that's  not  fo. 

MER.  I  mean,  fir,  in  delay; 
We  wafte  our  lights  in  vain,  like  lamps  by  day: 
Take  our  good  meaning;  for  our  judgment  fits 
Five  times  in  that,  ere  once  in  our  fine  wits. 

ROM.  And  we  mean  well,  in  going  to  rhis  raafkj 
But  'tis  no  wit  to  go. 

MER,  Why,  may  one  afk? 

ROM.  I  dreamt  a  dream  to-night. 

Msx.  And  fo  did  [. 

ROM,  Well,  what  was  yours? 


Rcmeo  and  Juliet.       .  2t 

MEK.  That  dreamers  often  lie: 

POM.  In  bed  afleep,  while  they  do  dream  things  true. 

MER.  O,  then,  I  fee,  queen  Mab  hath  been  with  you, 
She  is  the  fancy's  midwife;  and  me  comes 
In  fhape  no  bigger  than  an  agat  ftone 
On  the  fore-finger  of  an  alderman, 
Drawn  with  a  team  of  little  atomies 
Over  men's  noses  as  they  lie  afleep: 
Her  waggon -fpokes  made  of  long  fpinners'  legs; 
The  cover,  of  the  wings  of  grafs  hoppers; 
Her  traces,  of  the  fmalleft  fpider's  web; 
Her  collars,  of  the  moon-fhine's  watry  beams; 
Her  whip,  of  cricket's  bone;  the  lam,  of  film: 
Her  waggoner,  a  fmall  grey-coated  gnat, 
Not  half  fo  big  as  a  round  little  worm 
Prick'd  from  the  lazy  finger  of  a  maid: 
Her  chariot  is  an  empty  hazel-nut, 
Made  by  the  joyner  fquirrel,  or  old  grub, 
Time  out  o'  mind  the  fairies'  coach-makers. 
And  in  this  ftate  (he  gallops  night  by  night 
Through  lovers'  brains,  and  then  they  dream  of  love: 
O'er  courtiers'  knees,  that  dream  on  curtfies  ftraight: 
O'er  lawyers'  fingers,  who  ftraight  dream  on  fees: 
O'er  ladies'  lips,  who  ftraight  on  kifles  dream; 
Which  oft  the  angry  Mab  with  blifters  plagues, 
Because  their  breaths  with  fweet-meats  tainted  are: 
Sometime  me  gallops  o'er  a  courtier's  nose, 
And  then  dreams  he  of  fmelling  out  a  fuit: 
And  fometime  comes  (he  with  a  tithe-pig's  tail, 
Tickling  a  parfon's  nose  as  a'  lies  afleep, 
Then  he  dreams  of  another  benefice: 
Sometime  (he  driveth  o'er  a  foldier's  neck, 

4  Fairies 


»  2  Romeo  and  J  uliet. 

And  then  dreams  he  of  cutting  foreign  throats, 
Of  breaches,  ambufcadoes,  Spanish  blades. 
Of  healths  five  fathom  deep;  and  then  anon 
Drums  in  his  ear;  at  which  he  ftarts,  and  wakes ; 
And,  being  thus  frighted,  fwears  a  prayer  or  two, 
And  fleeps  again.  This  is  that  very  Mab, 
That  plats  the  manes  of  horfes  in  the  night; 
And  cakes  the  elf-locks  in  foul  fluttith  hairs, 
Which  once  untangl'd  much  miffortune  bodes. 
This  is  the  hag,  when  maids  lie  on  their  backs, 
That  prefles  them,  and  learns  them  firft  to  bear, 
Making  them  women  of  good  carriage. 
Snli  this  is  me,— 

ROM.  Peace,  peace,  Mercutio,  peace; 
Thou  talk'ft  of  nothing. 

MER.  True,  I  talk  of  dreams; 
Which  are  the  children  of  an  idle  brain. 
Begot  of  nothing  but  vain  fantafy; 
Which  is  as  thin  of  fubftance  as  the  air; 
And  more  inconftant  than  the  wind,  who  wooes. 
Even  now  the  frozen  bosom  of  the  north, 
And,  being  anger'd,  puffs  away  from  thence, 
Turning  his  face  to  the  dew-dropping  fouth. 

BEN.  This  wind,  you  talk  of,  blows  us  fromourfelves 
Supper  is  done,  and  we  fhall  come  too  late. 

ROM.  I  fear,  too  early:  for  my  mind  mifgives, 
Some  confequence,  yet  hanging  in  the  ftars, 
Shall  bitterly  begin  his  fearful  date 
With  this  night's  revels;  and  expire  the  term 
Of  a  defpised  life,  clos'd  in  my  breaft, 
By  fome  vile  forfeit  of  untimely  death: 
But  He,  that  hath  the  fteerage  of  my  courfe, 

8  bakes 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  23 

DIreft  my  fuit!_On,  lufty  gentlemen. 

BEN.  Strike,  drum.  [Drum    Exeunt. 

SCENE  II.   Hall  in  Capulet'*  Houfe. 

Musicians  waiting.  Servants  pafs  to  and  fro, 

Jetting  the  Room  in  Order, 

1.  S.    Where's  Potpan,  that  he  helps  not  to  take  away? 
he  ftiift  a  trencher!  he  icrape  a  trencher! 

2.  5.    When  good  manners  (hall  lie  all  in  one  or  two 
men's  hands,  and  they  unwalh'd  too,  'tis  a  foul  thing. 

i.  S.    Away  with  the  joint-ftools,  remove  the  court 

cup-board,  look  to  the  plate: good  thou,  fave  me  a 

piece  of  march-pane;  and,  as  thoulov'ft  me,  let  the  por- 
ter let  in  Susan  Grind/tone,  and  Nell.  _  Antony  !  Pot  pan! 

3.  5.    Ay,  boy;  ready. 

1 .  5.    You  arc  look'd  for,  and  call'd  for,  afk'd  for,  and 
fought  for,  in  the  great  chamber. 

2.  S.    We  cannot  be  here  and  there  too — Chearly, 
boys;  be  briflc  a  while,  and  the  longer  liver  take  all. 

Enter  C  A  P  u  L  E  T ,  and  those  of  his  Houjhold ; 

their  Guejis,  and  the  Majken. 
CAP.  Welcome,  gentlemen!  ladies,  thathave  their  toes 

Unplagu'd  with  corns,  will  have  a  bout  with  you: 

Ah  ha,  my  miftreiTes!  which  of  you  all 

Will  no\v  deny  to  dance?  me  that  makes  dainty, 

She,  I'll  fwear,  hath  corns;  Am  I  come  near  ye  now? 

Welcome  gou  too,  gentlemen !  I  have  feen  the  day, 
That  I  have  worn  a  visor  ;  and  could  tell 
A  whifpVing  tale  in  a  fair  lady's  ear, 

Such  as  would  please; 'tis  gone,  'tis  gone,  'tis  gone:_ 

You  are  welcome,  gentlemen — Come,  musicians,  play 

[Musick.  Dance  forming. 


Z3f  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

A  half,  a  hall!  give  room,  and  foot  it,  girls 

More  light,  ye  knaves;  and  turn  the  tables  up, 
And  quench  the  fire,  the  room  is  grown  too  hot._ 
Ah,  firrah,  this  unlook'd-for  fport  comes  well. 
Nay,  fit,  nay,  fit,  good  cousin  Capulet; 

[e/r -awing  him  a  Chair, 
For  you  and  I  are  paft  our  dancing  days: 
How  long  is't  now,  fince  laft  yourfelf  and  I 
Were  in  a  mafk? 

Cou.    By'r-lady,  thirty  years. 

CAP.  What,  man !  'tis  not  fo  much,  'tis  not  fo  much : 
'Tis  fince  the  nuptial  of  Lucentie, 
Come  pentecoft  as  quickly  as  it  will, 
Some  five  and  twenty  years;  and  then  we  maflc'd. ' 

Cou.    'Tis  more,  'tis  more:  his  Ion  is  elder,  fir; 
His  fon  is  thirty. 

CJP.  Will  you  tell  me  that? 
His  fon  was  but  a  ward  two  years  ago. 

[Juliet  /'/  taken  out, 

ROM.  What  lady's  that,  which  doth  enrich  the  hand 
Of  yonder  knight?  [to  a  Servant. 

Ssr.      I  know  not,  fir.  [Company  dance. 

ROM-  O,  (he  doth  teach  the  torches  to  burn  bright  I 
Her  beauty  hangs  upon  the  cheek  of  night 
Like  a  rich  jewel  in  an  Etbiop"1^  ear : 
.Beauty  too  rich  for  ufe,  for  earth  too  dear! 
So  fhews  a  fnowy  dove  trooping  with  crows, 
As  yonder  lady  o'er  her  fellows  (hows. 
The  measure  done,  I'll  watch  her  place  of  Hand, 
And,  touching  hers,  make  blefTcd  my  rude  hand.  - 
Did  my  heart  love  'till  now?  forfwear  it,  fight j 
For  I  ne'er  law  true  beauty  'till  this  night. 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  25 

TVs.   This,  by  his  voice,  fnould  be  a  Mountague:^ 
Fetch  me  my  rapier,  boy :_  What,  dares  the  flave 
Come  hither,  cover'd  with  an  antick  face, 
To  fleer  and  fcorn  at  our  folemnity  ? 
Now,  by  the  ftock  and  honour  of  my  kin, 
To  ftrike  him  dead  I  hold  it  not  a  fin.  [fo? 

CAP  .   Why,  how  now,  kinsman  ?  wherefore  ftorm  you 

TYB.  Uncle,  this  is  a  Mountague,  our  foe; 
A  villain,  that  is  hither  come  in  fpite, 
To  fcorn  at  our  folemnity  this  night. 

CAP.  Young  Romeo  is't? 

TVs.  'Tis  he,  that  villain  Romeo. 

CAP.  Content  thee,  gentle  coz',  let  him  alone, 
'A  bears  him  like  a  portly  gentleman; 
And,  to  fay  truth,  Verona  brags  of  him, 
To  be  a  virtuous  and  well-govern'd  youth: 
I  would  not  for  the  wealth  of  all  this  town, 
Here  in  my  houfe,  do  him  difparagement: 
Therefore  be  patient,  take  no  note  of  him, 
It  is  my  will;  the  which  if  thou  refpeft, 
Shew  a  fair  presence,  and  put  off  these  frowns, 
An  ill-befeeming  femblance  for  a  feaft. 

Tre.  It  fits,  when  fuch  a  villain  is  a  gueft; 
I'll  not  endure  him. 

CAP.  He  fhall  be  endur'd; 
What,  goodman  boy!  I  fay,  he  (hall:  Go  to; 
Am  I  the  mafter  here,  or  you  r  go  to. 
You'll  not  endure  himt-^God  ihall  mend  my  foul— 
You'll  make  a  mutiny  among  my  guefts! 
You  will  fet  cock-a-hoop  !  you'll  be  the  man! 

TTB.   Why,  uncle,  'tis  a  fuame: 
.  CAP .  Go  to,  go  to, 


26  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

You  are  a  faucy  boy  :_Ts't  fo,  indeed?— 

This  trick  may  chance  to  fcathe  you;  I  know  whati 

You  muft  contrary  me!  marry,  'tis  time._ 

Well  (aid,  my  hearts: You  are  a  princox;  go: 

Vie  quiet,  or More  light,  more  lip;ht,  for  mame!.^ 

I'll  make  you  quiet;  What! Chearly,  my  hearts. 

9V.B.  Patience  perforce,  with  wilful  choler  meeting, 
Makes  my  flefli  tremble  in  their  different  greeting. 
I  wi'l  withdraw:  but  this  intrusion  fhall, 
Now  feeming  fweet,  convert  to  bitter  gall.  [Exit. 

[Dance  ends.  Juliet  retires  to  her  Seat. 

ROM.  If  I  prophane  with  my  unworthy  hand 

[<draivitig  up  to  her,  and  taking  her  Hand. 

This  holy  fhrine,  the  gentle  fine  is  this  — 
IWy  lips,  two  blufhing  pilgrims,  ready  ftand 

To  fmooth  that  rough  touch  with  a  tender  kifs. 

Jui. .  Good  pilgrim, you  do  wrong  your  hand  too  much^ 

Which  mannerly  devotion  {hews  in  this; 
For  faints  have  hands  that  pilgrims'  hands  do  touch, 

And  palm  to  palm  is  holy  palmers'  kifs. 

ROM.  Have  not  faints  lips,  and  holy  palmers  too? 

Jvi.  Ay,  pilgrim,  lips  that  they  mull  use  in  prayer. 

ROM.  O  then,  dear  faint,  let  lips  do  what  hands  do; 

They  pray,  grant  thou,  left  faith  turn  to  defpair. 

JVL  .  Saints  do  not  move,  tho'  grant  for  prayers'  fake. 

J\OM .  Then  move  not  while  my  prayer's  effect  I  take. 
Thus~f~from  my  lips,  by  yours,  my  fin  is  purg'd. 

JVL  .  Then  have  my  lips  the  fin  that  they  have  took. 

ROM.  Sin  from  my  lips?_O  trefpafs  fweet ly  urg'd !_ 

Give  me  my  kifs  again.  [^{^ 

JUL.  You  kifs  by  the  book. 

A*r.    Madam,  your  mother  craves  a  word  with  you. 

>4  fmne 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  2; 

ROM.  What  is  her  mother? 

Nur.    Marry,  batchelor, 
Her  mother  is  the  lady  of  the  houfe. 
And  a  good  lady,  and  a  wise,  and  virtuous: 
I  nurf'd  her  daughter,  that  you  talk'd  withal; 
I  tell  you — he,  that  can  lay  hold  of  her, 
Shall  have  the  chink. 

ROM.  Is  fhe  a  Capulet? 

0  dear  account !  my  life  is  my  foe's  debt. 
SEN.  Away,  begone;  the  fport  is  at  the  beft. 
ROM.  Ay,  fo  I  fear;  the  more  is  my  unreft. 
CAP.  Nay,  gentlemen,  prepare  not  to  be  gone; 

We  have  a  trifling  foolifh  banquet  towards. 

[Ma/kers  excuse  themfel-ves  with  a  Bow. 
Is  it  e'en  fo?  Why,  then  I  thank  you  all; 

1  thank  you,  honeft  gentlemen;  good  night :_ 
More  torches  here! —  Come  on,  then  let's  to  bed. 
Ah,  firrah,  [to  his  Cousin.']  by  my  fay,  it  waxes  late; 
I'll  to  my  reft.  [Company  retire. 

Jut.  Come  hither,  nurfe:  What  is  yon'  gentleman? 

Nur.    The  fon  and  heir  of  old  Tiberio. 

Jvi.  What's  he,  that  now  is  going  out  of  door? 

Nur.    Marry,  that,  I  think,  be  young  Petrucbio. 

JUL  .  What's  he,  that  follows  there,  that  would  not 

Nur.    I  know  not.  [dance? 

jfuL.  Go,  afk  his  natne:__if  he  be  married, 
My  grave  is  like  to  be  my  wedding  bed. 

Nur.    His  name  is  Romeo,  and  a  Mount ague\ 
The  only  fon  of  your  great  enemy. 

jfiri.  My  only  love  fprung  from  my  only  hate! 
Too  early  feen  unknown,  and  known  too  late! 
Prodigious  birth  of  love  it  is  to  me, 

7  chinks 


23  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

That  I  rnufl  love  a  loathed  enemy. 

Nur.    What's  this  ?  what  thisr 

JUL.   A  rime  I  learnt  even  now 
Of  one  1  danc'd  withal.  [One  calls  'within. 

Nur.    Anon,  anon: *_^ 
Come,  let's  away;  the  ftrangers  are  all  gone.    [Exeunt. 


Enter  Chorus. 
Now  old  desire  doth  on  his  death-bed  lie, 

and  young  affe&ion  gapes  to  be  his  heir; 
that  fair,  for  which  love  groan'd  fore,  and  would  die, 

with  tender  Juliet  match'd,  is  now  not  fair : 
Now  Romeo  is  belov'd,  and  loves  again, 

alike  bewitched  by  the  charm  ot looks; 
yet  to  his  foe  fuppos'd  he  muft  complain, 

and  {he  fleal  love's  fweet  bait  from  fearful  hooks: 
Being  held  a  foe,  he  may  not  have  accefs 

to  breath  fuch  vows  as  lovers  use  to  fwear; 
and  fhe  as  much  in  love,  her  means  much  lefs 

to  meet  her  new- beloved  any  where: 
but  paflion  lends  them  power,  time  means  to  meet, 
temp'ring  extremities  with  extream  fweet. 

[Exit. 

SCENE  III.   Wall  of  Q^ltf,  Garden. 

Enter  ROMEO. 

ROM.  Can  T  go  forward,  when  my  heart  is  here? 
Turn  back,  dull  earth,  and  find  thy  centre  out. 

[leapt  the  Wall. 

Enter  BENVOLIO,  O^MERCUTIO. 
£EK.  Romeo!  why,  cousin  Romeo! 

10  in    i*  gronM  for  and    3*  my 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  39 

MER.  He  is  wise; 
And,  on  my  life,  hath  ftoln  him  home  to  bed. 

BEN.  He  ran  this  way,  and  leapt  this  orchard  will: 
Call,  good  Mercutio. 

MER.  Nay,  I'll  conjure  too  _ 
Romeo!  humours!  madman!  paffion!  lover! 
Appear  thou  in  the  likenefs  of  a  figh, 
Speak  but  one  rime,  and  I  am  fatiffy'd; 
Cry  but— Ay  me,  coaple  but— love  and  dove* 
Speak  to  my  goflip  Venus  one  fair  word, 
One  nick-name  for  her  purblind  fon  and  heir, 
Young  Abraham  Cupid,  he  that  (hot  fo  true 

When  king  Cophetua  lov'd  the  beggar-maid. 

He  heareth  not,  he  ftirreth  not,  he  moveth  not; 
The  ape  is  dead,  and  I  muft  conjure  him._ 
I  conjure  thee  by  Rosaline  bright  eyes, 
By  her  high  forehead,  and  her  fcarlet  lip, 
By  her  fine  foot,  ftrait  leg,  and  quivering  thigfe, 
And  the  demefnes  that  there  adjacent  lie, 
That  in  thy  likenefs  thou  appear  to  us. 

BEN.  An  if  he  hear  thee,  thou  wilt  anger  him. 
A/£R.  This  cannot  anger  him:  'twould  anger  hini 
To  raise  a  fpirit  in  his  miilrefs'  circle 
Of  fome  ftrange  nature,  letting  it  there  ftand 
Till  {he  had  lay'd  it,  and  conjur'd  it  down; 
That  were  fome  fpits ;  my  invocation 
Is  fair  and  honeft,  in  his  miftrek*  name 
1  conjure  only  but  to  raise  up  him. 

BEN.  Come,  he  hath  hid  himfelf  among  those  trees< 
To  be  conforted  with  the  humorous  night: 
Blind  is  his  love,  and  bed  befits  the  dark. 

ME  JR.  If  love  be  blind,  love  cannot  hit  the  mark. 

9  Coujly 
VOL.  X.  C 


jOf  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

Now  will  he  fit  under  a  medlar  tree, 
And  wifli  his  miftrefs  were  fuch  kind  of  fruit, 
As  maids  call  medlars,  when  they  laugh  alone:_« 
Ah,  Romeo,  that  me  were,  ah,  that  me  were 

An  open"- ,  and  thou  a  poperin  pear! 

Romeo,  good  night: I'll  to  my  truckle-bed'; 

This  field-bed  is  too  cold  for  me  to  fleep : 
Come,  fhall  we  go  ? 

BEN.  Go  then;  for  'tis  in  vain 
To  feek  him  here,  that  means  not  to  be  found.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  IV.  Tke  Garden. 

Enter  ROMEO. 
ROM.  He  jefts  at  fears,  that  never  felt  a  wound. 

Enter  JULIET,  above. 
But,  foft!  what  light  through  yonder  window  breaks? 

It  is  the  eaft,  and  "jfuliet  is  the  fun: 

Arise,  fair  fun,  and  kill  the  envious  moon, 

Who  is  already  fick  and  pale  with  grief, 

That  thou  her  maid  art  far  more  fair  than  fhe> 

Be  not  her  maid,  fince  fhe  is  envious; 

Her  veftal  livery  is  but  fick  and  green, 

And  none  but  fools  do  wear  it,  caft  it  off.  __ 

It  is  my  lady ;  O,  it  is  my  love : 

O,  that  fhe  knew  fhe  were! 

She  fpeaks,  yet  fhe  fays  nothing;  What  of  that? 

Her  eye  difcourfes,  I  will  anfwer  it. 

I  am  too  bold,  'ris  not  to  me  fhe  fpeaks: 

Two  of  the  faireft  ftars  in  all  the  heaven, 

Having  fome  busiuefs,  do  entreat  her  eyes 

To  twinkle  in  their  fphercs  'till  they  return. 

What  if  her  eyes  were  there,  they  in  her  head? 

*  were  that  kini 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  $ 

The  brightnefs  of  her  cheek  would  fharrie  those  ftars, 
As  day-light  doth  a  lamp;  her  eye  in  heaven 
Would  through  the  airy  region  ftream  fo  bright, 
That  birds  would  fing,  and  think  it  were  not  night. 
See,  how  fhe  leans  her  cheek  upon  her  hand : 
O,  that  I  were  a  glove  upon  that  hand, 
That  I  might  touch  that  cheek  ! 

JVL.  Ay  me! 

ROM.  She  fpeaks:_ 

O,  fpeak  again,  bright  angel;  fur  thou  art 
As  glorious  to  this  fight,  being  o'er  my  head, 
AS  is  a  winged  mefTenger  of  heaven 
Unto  the  white-upturned  wond'ring  eyes 
Of  mortals,  that  fall  back  to  gaze  on  him, 
When  he  beftrides  the  lazy-pacing  clouds, 
And  fails  upon  the  bosom  of  the  air. 

JUL.  O  Rorr.eo,  Romeo,  wherefore  art  thou  Romeo? 
Deny  thy  father,  and  refuse  thy  name: 
Or,  if  thou  wilt  not,  be  but  fworn  my  love, 
And  I'll  no  longer  be  a  Capulet. 

ROM.  Shall  I  hear  more,  or  mall  I  fpeak  at  this? 

JVL.  'Tis  but  thy  name,  that  is  my  enemy; 
Thou  art  rtbt  thyfelf  fo,  though  a  Mountague. 
What's  Mountague?  it  is  nor  hand,  nor  foot, 
Nor  arm,  nor  face,  nor  any  other  part: 
What's  in  a  name?  that  which  we  call  a  rose, 
By  any  other  name  would  fmell  as  fweet; 
So  Romeo  would,  were  he  not  Romeo  call'd, 
Retain  that  dear  perfection  which  he  owes, 
Without  that  title  -.-.Romeo,  doff  thy  name; 
And  for  that  name,  which  is  no  part  of  thee, 
Take  all  myfelf. 

«  night    *3  though  not  a 

Ci 


j»  Romeo  /re/ Jtrlief, 

ROM,  I  take  thee  at  th.y  word: 

[raising  hit  Voice,  and  /hoiulng  bimfelf. 
Call  rae  but  love,  and  I'll  be  new  baptiz'd; 
Henceforth  I  never  will  be  Romeo.  [night; 

JUL.  What  man  art  thou,  that,  thus  befcreen'd  in 
So  ftumbl'ft  on  my  counfel? 

ROM.  By  a  name 

I  know  not  how  to  tell  thee  who  I  am : 
My  name,  dear  faint,  is  hateful  to  myfelf, 
Because  it  is  an  enemy  to  thee; 
Had  I  it  Written,  I  would  tear  the  word. 

JUL.  My  ears  have  not  yet  drunk  a  hundred  words 
Of  that  tongue's  uttering,  yet  I  know  the  found; 
Art  thou  not  Romeo,  and  a  Mountague? 

ROM,  Neither,  fair  faint,  if  either  thee  diflike. 

Jut .  How  cam'ft  thou  hither,tell  me ?  and  whereforet 
The  orchard  walls  are  high,  and  hard  to  climb; 
And  the  place  death,  considering  who  thoa  art, 
If  any  of  my  kinsmen  find  thee  here.  [walls; 

ROM.  With  love's  light  wings  did  I  o'er-perch  these 
For  ftony  limits  cannot  hold  love  out: 
And  what  love  can  do,  that  dares  love  attempt; 
Therefore  thy  kinsmen  are  no  let  to  me. 

JVL.  If  they  do  fee  thee,  they  will  murther  thee. 

ROM.  Alack,  there  lies  more  peril  in  thine  eye, 
Than  twenty  of  their  fwords;  look  thou  but  fweet, 
And  I  am  proof  againll  their  enmity. 

JUL.  I  would  not  for  the  world,  they  faw  thee  here. 

ROM.  I  have  night's  cloak  to  hide  me  from  their  figho; 
And,  but  thou  love  me,  let  them  find  me  herej. 
My  life  were  better  ended  by  their  hate, 
Than  death  prorogued,  wanting  of  ihy.  love. 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  35 

"Jut .  By  whose  direction  found'ft  thou  out  this  place  t 
ROM.  By  love,  who  firft  did  prompt  me  to  enquire; 
He  lent  me  counfel,  and  I  len-t  him  eyes. 
I  am  no  pilot;  yet,  wert  thou  as  far 
As  that  vaft  ihore  wafh'd  with  the  fartheft  =fea, 
I  would  adventure  for  fuch  merchandise. 

Jut .  Thou  know'ft,  the  maflc  of  night  is  on  my  face; 
Elfc  would  a  maiden  blufli  bepaint  my  cheek, 
For  that  which  thou  haft  heard  me  fpeak  to-nig-ht. 
Fain  would  I  dwell  on  form,  fain  fain  deny 
What  I  have  fpoke;  But  farewel  compliment"! 
Doft  thou  love  me?  I  know,  thou  wilt  fay — Ay; 
And  I  will  take  thy  word:  yet,  if  thou  fwear'ft, 
Thou  may'ft  prove  falfe  ;  at  lovers'  perjuries, 
They  fay,  Jo<ve  laughs.  O  gentle  Rcmeo, 
If  thou  doft  love,  pronounce  k  faithfully: 
Or  if  thou  think'ft  [  am  too  quickly  won, 
I'll  frown,  and  be  perverfe,  and  fay  thee  nay, 
So  thou  wilt  woo;  but,  elfe,  not  for  the  world. 
In  truth,  fair Mountague,  I  am  too  fond; 
And  therefore  thou  may'ft  think  my  'haviour  light: 
But  truft  me,  gentleman,  I'll  prove  more  true 
Than  those  that  have  more  cunning  to  be  ftrange. 
I  mould  have  been  more  ftrange,  I  muft  confefs, 
But  that  thou  over-hear'dft,  e'er  I  was  ware, 
My  true  love's  paffion:  therefore  pardon  me; 
And  not  impute  this  yielding  to  light  love, 
Which  the  dark  night  hath  fb  difcovered. 

ROM.  Lady,  by  yonder  blefled  moon  I  vo\v, 
That  tips  with  filver  all  these  fruit-tree  tops, — 

JUL.  O,  fwear  not  by  the  moon,  the  inconftant  moon 
That  monthly  changes  in  her  circl'd  orb, 


34  Romeo  <zW  Juliet. 

Left  that  thy  love  prove  likewise  variable. 

ROM.  What  mall  I  fwear  by  ? 

JUL  .   Do  not  fwear  at  all ; 
Qr,  if  thou  wilt,  fwear  by  thy  gracious  felf, 
Which  is  the  god  of  my  idolatry, 
And  I'll  believe  thee. 

.ROM.  If  my  heart's  dear  love  — 

JVL.  Well,  do  not  fwear;  although  I  joy  in  theC| 
I  have  no  joy  of  this  contract  to-night: 
It  is  too  rafh,  too  unadvis'd,  too  fudden; 
Too  like  the  lightning,  which  doth  ceafe  to  be, 
Ere  one  can  fay— It  lightens.  Sweet,  good  night! 
This  bud  of  love,  by  fummer's  rip'ning  breath, 
May  prove  a  beauteous  flower  when  next  we  meet. 
Good  night,  good  night!  as  fweet  repose  and  reli 
Come  to  thy  heart,  as  that  within  my  breaft! 

POM.  O,  wilt  thou  leave  me  fo  unfatiffy'd  ? 

Jut.  What  fatiffa&ion  canft  thou  have  to-night? 

ROM.  The  exchange  of  thy  love's  faithful  vow  for  mine, 

JUL.   I  gave  thee  mine  before  thou  didll  requeft  it; 
And  yet  I  would  it  were  to  give  again.  *  [love? 

ROM.  Would'ft  thou  withdraw  it?  for  what  purpose, 

JUL.  But  to  be  frank,  and  give  it  thee  again. 
And  yet  I  wifli  but  for  the  thing  I  have: 
My  bounty  is  as  boundlefs  as  the  fea, 
My  love  as  deep ;  the  more  I  give  to  thee, 
The  more  I  have,  for  both  are  infinite. 
J  hear  fome  noise  within;  Dear  love,  adieu !_ 

\I\urj~e  calls  ivitbin. 

Anon,  good  nurfe: Sweet  Mount  ague,  be  true. 

Stay  but  a  iitt.'e,  I  will  come  again.  [Exit* 

Roy.  O  blefTed  bleffcd  night!  I  am  afeard, 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  jj 

Being  in  night,  all  this  is  but  a  dream, 
Too  flattering-  fweet  to  be  fubftantial. 

Re-enter  JULIET,  above.  [deed. 

Jut.  Three  words,  dear  Romeo,  and  good  night  in- 
If  that  thy  bent  of  love  be  honourable, 
Thy  purpose  marriage,  fend  me  word  to-morrow, 
By  one  that  I'll  procure  to  come  to  thee, 
Where,  and  what  time,  thou  wilt  perform  the  rite, 
And  all  my  fortunes  at  thy  foot  I'll  lay, 
And  follow  thee  my  lord  throughout  the  world: 

Nur.    [--within.]  Madam  i 

JUL.  I  come  anon:— But  if  thou  mean'ft  not  well, 
I  do  befeech  thee, — 

Nur.    ['within.']  Madam! 

Jut,  By  and  by  I  come: 

To  ceafe  thy  fuit,  and  leave  me  to  my  grief: 
To-morrow  will  I  fend. 

ROM.  So  thrive  my  foul,— 

JUL.   A  thousand  times  good  night!  [Exit. 

ROM.  A  thousand  times  the  worfe.to  want  thy  light 

Love  goes  toward  love,  as  fchool-boys  from  their  books ; 

[retires  Jloivly . 

But  love  from  love,  towards  fchool  with  heavy  looks. 
Enter  JULIET  again,  above. 

Jut.  Hift,  Ro?t:eo,  hift!_O,  for  a  faulc'ncr's  voice, 
To  lure  this  taflel-gentle  back  again! 
Bondage  is  hoarfc,  and  may  not  fpcak  aloud; 
Elfe  would  1  tear  the  cave  where  echo  lies, 
And  make  her  airy  tongue  more  hoarfe  than  mine 
With  repetition  of  my  Romeo. 

Roy.  It  is  my  foul,  that  calls  upon  my  name: 
returns  to  the - 


§5  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

How  filver-fweet  found  lovers'  tongues  by  night! 
Like  fofteft  musick  to  attending  ears. 

JUL.  Romeo  I 

ROM.  My  fweet? 

Jut.  At  what  o'clock  to-morrow 
Shall  I  fend  to  thee  ? 

ROM.  At  the  hour  of  nine. 

JVL.  I  will  not  fail;  'tis  twenty  years  'till  then. 
I  have  forgot  why  I  did  call  thee  back. 

ROM.  Let  me  Hand  here  'till  thou  remember  it. 

JVL.  I  (hall  forget  ftill,  to  have  thee  Hand  there, 
Rememb'ring  how  I  love  thy  company. 

ROM.  And  I'll  ftill  (lay,  to  have  thee  flill  forget, 
Forgetting  any  other  home  but  this. 

JUL.  'Tis  almoft  morning,  I  would  have  thee  gone ; 
And  yet  no  farther  than  a  wanton's  bird; 
Who  lets  it  hop  a  little  from  her  hand, 
Like  a  poor  prisoner  in  his  twifted  gyves, 
And  with  a  filk  thread  plucks  it  back  again, 
So  loving-jealous  of  his  liberty. 

ROM.  I  would,  I  were  thy  bird. 

JUL.  Sweet,  fo  would  I; 
Yet  I  fhould  kill  thee  with  much  cheriming. 
Good  night,  good  night!  parting  is  fuch  fweet  forrow, 
That  I  fhail  fay — good  night,  'till  it  be  morrow.  [Exit. 

ROM.  Sleep  dwell  upon  thine  eyes, peace  in  thy  breatt! 

'Would  I  were  fieep  and  peace,  fo  fweet  to  reft! 

Hence  will  I  to  my  ghoilly  father's  cell; 

His  jielp  to  crave,  and  my  dear  hap  to  tell.  [Exit. 

SCENE  V.  Fields  near  a  Con-vent. 
Enter  Friar  Lawrence,  iviib  a  Bajket. 

"  forget,  to  bav:  :he»  full  ftaj>4 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  37 

Fri.     Thegrey-ey'd  morn  fmiles  on  the  frowningnight, 
Checkering  the  eaftern  clouds  with  ftreaks  of  light; 
And  flecker'd  darknefs  like  a  drunkard  reels 
From  forth  day's  path -way,  made  by  Titan's  wheels: 
Now  ere  the  fun  advance  his  burning  eye, 
The  day  to  chear,  and  night's  dank  dew  to  dry, 
I  mult  up-fill  this  osier  cage  of  ours 
With  baleful  weeds,  and  precious-juiced  flowers. 
The  earth,  that's  nature's  mother,  is  her  tomb; 
What  is  her  burying  grave,  that  is  her  womb  : 
And  from  her  womb  children  of  divers  kind 
We  fucking  on  her  natural  bosom  find; 
Many  for  many  virtues  excellent, 
None  but  for  fome,  and  yet  all  different. 
O,  mickle  is  the  powerful  grace,  that  lies 
In  herbs,  plants,  ftones,  and  their  true  qualities: 
For  nought  fo  vile  that  on  the  earth  doth  live, 
Eut  to  the  earth  fome  fpecial  good  doth  give; 
Nor  ought  fo  good,  but,  ftrain'd  from  that  fair  ufe* 
Revolts  from  true  birth,  {tumbling  on  abufe: 
Virtue  itfelf  turns  vice,  being  mif-apply'd; 
And  vice  fometime's  by  aftion  dignify'd. 
Within  the  infant  rind  of  this~|~fmall  flower 
Poison  hath  residence,  and  med'cine  power: 
For  this,  being  fmelt,  with  that  part  chears  each  part; 
Being  tafted,  Hays  all  fcnfes  with  the  heart. 
TWO  fuch  opposed  kings  encamp  them  ftill 
In  man  as  well  as  herbs,  grace,  and  rude  will; 
And,  where  the  worfer  is  predominant, 
Full  foon  the  canker  death  eats  up  that  plant. 
Enter  ROMEO. 

7?o^.  Good  morrow,  father. 

j  fleckeld 


58  Romeo  tfffrf'juljet, 

Fri.     Bene  elicit  e! 

What  early  tongue  fo  fweet  faluteth  mer_ 
Young  fon,  it  argues  a  diftemper'd  head, 
So  foon  to  bid  good  morrow  to  thy  bed : 
Care  keeps  his  watch  in  every  old  man's  eye, 
And  where  care  lodges,  fleep  will  never  lie ; 
But  where  unbruised  youth  with  unftuft  brain 
Doth  couch  his  limbs,  there  golden  fleep  doth  reign: 
Therefore  thy  earlinefs  doth  me  afTure, 
Thou  art  uprouz'd  by  fome  diftemp'rature; 
Or  if  not  fo,  then  here  I  hit  it  righf- 
Our  Rc/meo  hath  not  been  in  bed  to-night. 

ROM.  That  laft  is  true,  the  fvveeter  reft  was  mine. 

Fri.     God  pardon  fin  !  waft  thou  with  Rosaline? 

ROM.  With  Rosaline,  my  ghoftly  father?  no; 
I  have  forgot  that  name,  and  that  name's  woe.    [then  ? 

Fri.     That's  my  good  fon :  But  where  haft  thou  been 

ROM.  I'll  tell  thee,  ere  thou  afk  it  me  again. 
I  have  been  feafting  with  mine  enemy; 
Where,  ofl  a  fuclden,  one  hath  wounded  me, 
That's  by  me  wounded ;  both  our  remedies 
Within  thy  help  and  holy  phyfick  lies: 
1  bear  no  hatred,  blcfled  man ;  for,  lo, 
My  interceffion  likewise  fteads  my  foe. 

Fri.     Be  plain,  good  fon,  and  homely  in  thy  drift; 
Riddling  confeff.on  finds  but  riddling  fhrift. 

ROM .  Then  plainly  know,  my  heart's  dear  love  is  fet 
On  the  fair  daughter  of  rich  Capulet: 
As  mine  on  hers,  fo  hers  is  fet  on  mine  ; 
And  all  combin'd,  fave  what  thou  muft  combine 
By  holy  marriage:  When,  and  where,  and  how, 
We  met,  we  woo'd,  and  made  exchange  of  vow, 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  3^ 

I'll  tell  thee  as  we  pafs ;  but  this  I  pray, 
That  thou  confent  to  marry  us  to-day. 

Fri.     Holy  faint  Francis!  what  a  change  is  here! 
Is  Rosaline,  whom  thou  didft  love  fo  dear, 
So  foon  forfaken?  young  men's  love  then  lies 
Not  truly  in  their  hearts,  but  in  their  eyes. 
Jesu  Maria!  what  a  deal  of  brine 
Hath  wafli'd  thy  fallow  cheeks  for  Rosaline! 
How  much  fait  water  thrown  away  in  wafte, 
To  feason  love,  that  of  it  doth  not  tafte! 
The  fun  not  yet  thy  fighs  from  heaven  clears, 
Thy  old  groans  yet  ring  in  my  ancient  ears ; 
J,o,  here  upon  thy  cheek  the  llain  doth  fit 
Of  an  old  tear,  that  is  not  wafti'd  off  yet: 
If  e'er  thou  waft  thyfelf,  and  these  woes  thine, 
Thou  and  these  woes  were  all  for  Rosaline  ; 
And  art  thou  chang'd?  pronounce  this  fentence  then  — 
Women  may  fall,  when  there's  no  ftrength  in  men. 

ROM.  Thou  chid'ft  me  oft  for  loving  Rosaline. 

Fri.     For  doating,  not  for  loving,  pupil  mine. 

ROM.  And  bad'ft  me  bury  love. 

Fri.     Not  in  a  grave, 
To  lay  one  in,  another  out  to  have. 

ROM.  I  pray  thee,  chide  not:  (he,  whom  I  love  now, 
Doth  grace  for  grace,  and  love  for  love  allow; 
The  other  did  not  fo. 

Fri.     O,  me  knew  well, 

Thy  love  did  read  by  rote,  and  could  not  fpell. 
But  come,  young  waverer,  come  go  with  rue, 
In  one  refpecl  I'll  thy  aflirtant  be ; 
For  this  alliance  may  fo  happy  prove,. 
*To  turn  your  houiholds'  rancour  to  pure  love. 


Romeo  and  Juliet. 

ROM.  O,  let  us  hence;  I  tend  on  fudden  hafte. 
Fri.     Wisely,  and  flow;  They  {tumble,  that  run  faft. 

[Exeunt, 


ACT  III. 

SCENE  I.   A  Street. 
Enter  BENVOLIO,  ««^MERCUTIO. 

MER.  a23f)p,  where  the  devil  fhould  this  Romeo  be!__ 
Came  he  not  home  to  night? 

£EN.  Not  to  his  father's; 
I  fpoke  with  his  man.  [Rosaline* 

MER.  Ay,  that  fame  pale  hard-hearted  wench,  that 
Torments  him  fo,  that  he  will  fure  run  mad. 

.#£.v.  Tybalt,  the  kinsman  of  old  Capulet> 
Hath  fent  a  letter  to  his  father's  houfe. 

MER.  A  challenge,  on  my  life. 

£EN.  Romeo  will  anfwer  it. 

MER.  Any  man,  that  can  write,  may  anfwer  a  letter. 

SEN.  Nay,  he  will  anfwer  the  letter's  matter,  how  he 
dares,  being  dared. 

MER.  Alas,  poor  Romeo,  he  is  already  dead!  ftab'd 
with  a  white  wench's  black  eye,  fliot  thorough  the  ear 
with  a  love-fong,  the  very  pin  of  his  heart  cleft  with 
the  blind  bow-boy's  but-fhaft;  And  is  he  a  man  to  en- 
counter Tybalt? 

EEN.  Why,  what  is  Tybalt? 

MER.  More  than  prince  of  cats,  I  can  tell  you.  O,  he 
is  the  courageous  captain  of  compliments:  he  fights  as 
you  fing  prick-fong,  keeps  time,  diftance,  and  propor- 
tion ;  he  rdis  hjs  minum,  one,  two,  and  the  third  in  your 


Romeo  and  Julief.  ^i 

bosom:  the'  very  butcher  of  a  filk  button,  a  duelift,  a 
duelift;  a  gentleman  of  the  very  firft  houfe  of  the  firft 
and  fecond  cause  :  Ah,  the  immortal  paflado!  the  puato 
reverfo!  the  — hay! 

£EN.  The  what? 

MER.  The  pox  of  fuch  antick,  lifping,  affefting  fen- 
tafikoes;  these  new  tuners  of  accents!—  £y  Jesa,  a  very 

good  blade  \ — a  'very  tall  man ;  a  <very  good  whore: Why, 

is  not  this  a  lamentable  thiag,  grandfire,  that  we  mould 
be  thus  afflifted  with  these  ftrange  flies,  these  famion- 
mongers,  these — Pardon-me's;  who  iland  fo  much  on  the 
new  form,  that  they  cannot  fit  at  ease  on  the  old  bench? 

0  their  bones,  their  bones ! 

Enter  ROMEO,  at  a  Diftanct. 

SEN.  Here  comes  Romeo,  here  comes  Romeo. 

MER.  Without  his  roe,  like  a  dry'd  herring :_O  flelh, 
flefhr  how  art  thou  fifhify'd!  —  Now  is  he  for  the  num- 
bers that  Petrarch  flow'd  in;  Laura,  to  his  lady,  was  a 
kitchin-wench  ;— marry,  (he  had  a  better  love  to  berime 
her:  Dido,  a  dowdy;  Cleopatra,  a  gipfy ;  Helen  and  Hero, 
hildings  and  harlots;  Thisbe,  a  grey  eye  or  fo,  but  not 

to  the  purpose. Signior  Romeo,  bonjourf  there's  a  French 

falutation  to  your  French  flop.  You  gave  us  the  counter- 
feit fairly  laft  night. 

ROM.  Good  morrow  to  you  both.  What  counterfeit  did 

1  give  you  ? 

MER.  The  flip,  fir,  the  flip;  Can  you  not  conceive? 

ROM.  Pardon,  good  Mercutio,  my  businefs  was  great; 
and,  in  fuch  a  cafe  as  mine,  a  man  may  ftrain  courtefy. 

MS.R.  That's  as  much  as  to  fay — fuch  a  cafe  as  yours 
conftrains  a  man  to  bow  in  the  hams. 

ROM.  Meaning— to  curt'fy. 


42  Koineo  and  Juliet, 

MER.  Thou  haft  moft  kindly  hit  it. 

ROM.  A  moft  courteous  exposition. 

MER.  Nay,  I  am  the  very  pink  of  courtefy. 

ROM.  Pink  for  flower. 

MER.  Right. 
.    ROM'.  Why,  then  is  my  pump  well  flower'd. 

MER.  Well  faid:  follow  me  this  jeft  now, 'till  thou 
Jiaft  worn  out  thy  pump;  that,  when  the  lingle  fole  of 
it  is  worn,  the  jeft  may  remain,  after  the  wearing,  fole- 
iingufar. 

ROM.  O  fingle-fol'd  jeft,  folely  fingular  for  the  lin- 
gle nefs ! 

MER.  Come  between  us, good Bez<vol/o;  my  wit  faints. 

ROM.  Switch  and  fpurs,  fwitch  and  fpurs;  for  I  cry  a 
match. 

MER.  Nay,  if  thy  wits  run  the  wild-goofe  chafe,  I 
have  done;  for  thou  haft  more  of  the  wild-goofe  in  one 
of  thy  wits,  than,  I  am  fure,  I  have  ifi  my  whole  five: 
Was  I  with  you  there  for  the  goofe  ? 

ROM.  Thou  waft  never  with  me  for  any  thing,  when 
thou  waft  not  there  for  the  goofe. 

MER.  I  will  bite  thee  by  the  ear  for  that  jeft. 

ROM.  Nay,  good  goofe,  bite  not. 

MER.  Thy  wit  is  a  very  bitter  fweeting ;  it  is  a  moft 
fliarp  fauce. 

ROM.  And  is  it  not  well  ferv'd  in  to  a  fweet  goofe r 

MER.  O,  here's  a  wit  of  cheveril!  that  ftretches  from 
an  inch  narrow  to  an  ell  broad. 

ROM.  1  ftrctch  it  out  for  that  word— broad  ;  which,  ad- 
ded to  the  goofe,  proves  thee  far  and  wide  a  broad 
goofe. 

MXR.  Why,  is  not  this  better  now  than  groaning  for 

*4  or  lie 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  43. 

love?  now  art  thou  fociable,  now  art  thou  Romeo;  now 
art  thou  what  thou  art,  by  art  as  well  as  by  nature:  for 
this  driveling  love  is  like  a  great  natural,  that  runs  lol- 
ling up  and  down  to  hide  his  bauble  in  a  hole. 

£EU.  Stop  there,  ftop  there. 

MER.  Thou  desireit  me  to  flop  in  my  tale  againft  the 
hair. 

£ZN.  Thou  would'fl  elfe  have  made  thy  tale  large. 

MER.  O,  thou  art  deceived,  I  would  have  made  it 
fhort:  for  I  was  come  to  the  whole  depth  of  my  tale; 
and  meant,  indeed,  to  occupy  the  argument  no  longer. 

ROM.  Here's  goodly  geer! 

Enter  Nurfe,  and  her  Man. 

MER.  A  fail,  a  fail,  a  fail! 

£sff.  Two,  two;  a  ftiirt,  and  a  finock. 

Nur.    Pet  erf 

Man.  Anon? 

JIur.   My  fan,  Peter. 

MER.  Do,  good  Peter,  to  hide  her  face;  for  her  fan's 
the  fairer  of  the  two. 

Nur.   God  ye  good  morrow,  gentlemen. 

MER.  God  ye  good  den,  fair  gentlewoman. 

Nur.    Is  it  good  den  ? 

MER.  'Tis  no  lefs,  I  tell  you;  for  the  bawdy  hand  of 
the  dial  is  now  upon  the  prick  of  noon. 

Nur.    Out  upon  you!  what  a  man  are  you? 

ROM.  One,  gentlewoman,  that  God  hath  made  him- 
felf  to  mar. 

Nur.    By  my  troth,  it  is  well  faid; — For  himfelf  to 

mar,  quoth  'a? Gentlemen,  can  any  of  you  tell  me 

where  1  may  find  the  young  Romeo? 

ROM.  I  can  tell  you;  but  young  Romeo  will  be  older 


44  Romeb  and  Juliet. 

when  you  have  found  him,  than  he  was  when  you 
fought  him:  I  am  the  youngeli  of  that  name,  for  fault 
of  a  worfe. 

Nur.   You  fay  well. 

MER.  Yea,  is  the  worft  well?  very  well  took,  i'faith ; 
wisely,  wisely 

Nur.  If  you  be  he,  fir,  I  desire  fome  confidence  with 
you.  [taking  him  ajide. 

HEN.  She  will  indite  him  to  fupper. 

MER.  A  bawd,  a  bawd,  a  bawd;  So  ho! 

ROM.  What  haft  thou  found? 

MER.  No  hare,  fir;  unlefs  a  hare,  fir,  in  a  lenten  pyc, 

that  is  fomething  ftale  and  hoar  ere  it  be  /pent: 

An  old  bare  hoar, 
and  an  old  hare  boart 
is  very  good  meat  in  lent : 
but  a  hare  that  is  hoar 
is  too  much  for  a  /core, 

ivben  it  boars  ere  it  be /pent 

Romeo,  will  you  come  to  your  father's?  we'll  to  dinner 
thither. 

ROM.  I  will  follow  you. 

MER.  Farewel,  ancient  lady;  farewel,  lady,  lady,  la- 
dy. [ Exeunt  MER.  and  BEN. 

Nur.  I  pray  you,  fir,  what  faucy  merchant  was  this, 
that  was  fo  full  of  his  ropery? 

ROM.  A  gentleman,  nurfe,  that  loves  to  hear  himfelf 
talk;  and  will  fpeak  more  in  a  minute,  than  he  will' 
ftand  to  in  a  month. 

Kur.  An  'a  fpeak  any  thing  againft  me,  I'll  take  him 
down,  an  'a  were  luftier  than  he  is,  and  twenty  fuch 
Jacks;  and  if  I  can  not,  I'll  find  those  that  fhall,  Scurvy 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  ^ 

knave!  I  am  none  of  his  flirt-gills;  I  am  none  of  his 

fkaines-raates: And  thou  muft  itand  by  too,  and  fuffer 

every  knave  to  use  me  at  his  pleasure. 

Man.  I  faw  no  man  use  you  at  his  pleasure;  if  I  had, 
my  weapon  mould  quickly  have  been  out>  I  warrant  you: 
]  dare  draw  as  foon  as  another  man,  if  I  fee  occasion  in 
a  good  quarrel,  and  the  law  on  my  fide. 

Nur.   Now,  afore  God,  I  am  fo  vext,  that  every  part 

about  me  quivers.  Scurvy  knave! Pray  you,  fir,  a  word: 

and  as  I  told  you,  my  young  lady  bad  me  enquire  you 
out;  what  (he  bad  me  fay,  [  will  keep  to  myfelf:  But 
firft  let  me  tell  ye,  if  ye  (hould  lead  her  into  a  fool's  pa- 
radife,  as  they  fay,  it  were  a  very  grofs  kind  of  beha- 
viour, as  they  fay:  for  the  gentlewoman  is  young;  and, 
therefore,  if  you  fhould  deal  double  with  her,  truly,  it 
were  an  ill  thing  to  be  offer'd  to  any  gentlewoman,  and 
very  weak  dealing. 

ROM.  Nurfe,  commend  me  to  thy  lady  and  miftrefs. 
I  proteft  unto  thee,— 

Nur.  Good  heart,  and,  i'faith?|I  will  tell  her  as  much: 
Lord,  lord,  (he  will  be  a  joyful  woman.  [mark  me. 

ROM.  What  wilt  thou  tell  her,  nurfe?  thou  dolt  not 

Nur.  I  will  tell  her,  fir,— that  you  do  proteft;  which, 
as  1  take  it,  is  a  gentleman -like  offer. 

ROM.  Bid  her  devise  fome  means  to  come  to  fhrift 
This  afternoon; 

And  there  (he  (hall  at  friar  Lawrence1  cell 
Be  fhriv'd,  and  marry'd.  Here^is  for  thy  pains. 

Nur.    No,  truly,  fir;  not  a  penny. 

ROM.  Go  to;  I  fay,  you  (hall. 

Nur.    This  afternoon,  fir?  well,  fhe  mall  be  there. 

ROM.  And  ftay,  good  nurfe,  behind  the  abbey  wall : 

VOL.  X.  D 


'{£  Rdmeo  and  Julief. 

Within  this  hour  my  man  fliall  be  with  ttiee; 
And  bring  thee  cords  made  like  a  tackl'd  Hair, 
"Which  to  the  high  top-gallant  of  my  joy 
Muft  be  my  convoy  in  the  fecret  night. 
Farewell— Be  trufty,  and  I'll  quite  thy  pains; 
Farewell —Commend  me  to  thy  miftrefs. 

JV*r.   Now  God  in  heaven  blefs  thee! Hark  you,  fir. 

[calling  him  back. 

ROM.  What  fay'ft  thou,  my  dear  nurfe? 

Nur.    Is  your  man  fecret  ?  Did  you  ne'er  hear  fay  — 
Two  may  keep  counfel,  putting  one  away? 

ROM.  I  warrant  thee;  my  man's  as  true  as  fteel. 

Nur.    Well,  fir;  my  miftrefs  is  the  fweeteft  lady_ 
Lord,  lord! _when  'twas  a  little  prating  thing,— O, 
There  is  a  nobleman  in  town,  one  Paris, 
That  would  fain  lay  knife  aboard;  but  ihe,  good  foul, 
Had  as  lieve  fee  a  toad,  a  very  toad, 
As  fee  him:  I  D& anger  her  fometimes, 
And  tell  her  that  Paris  is  the  properer  man ; 
But,  I'll  warrant  you,  when  I  fay  fo,  me  looks 
As  pale  as  any  cleut  i'  the  'verfal  world. 
Doth  not  rosemary  and  Romeo  begin 
Both  with  a  letter? 

ROM.  Ay,  nurfe;  What  of  that? 
Both  with  an  R. 

Nur.   Ah,  mocker!  that's  the  dog's  name; 
R  for  thee?  no;  I  know,  it  begins  with 
Some  other  letter:  and  me  hath  the  prettieft 
Sententious  of  it,  of  you  and  rosemary, 
'Twould  do  you  good  to  hear  it. 

ROM.  Commend  me  to  thy  lady.  [Exit. 

Nor.   Ay,  a  thousand  times. ^.  Peter! 

*7  R  is  for  the  no, 


Romeo  a«^Ju!i 


Man.  Anon? 
Nur.   Before; 
And  toalft  apace.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  II.  CapuIetV  Garden. 
Enter  JULIET. 

JaL.  Theclockftrook  nine,  when  Idid  fend  the  nurfe; 
In  half  an  hour  (he'promis'd  to  return. 
Perchance,  (he  cannot  meet  him:  that's  net  fo. 
O,  (he  is  lame!  love's  heralds  (hould  be  thoughts, 
Which  ten  times  fafter  glide  than  the  fun's  beams, 
Driving  back  ihadows  over  lovvring  hills: 
Therefore  do  nimble-pinion'd  doves  draw  love, 
And  therefore  hath  the  wind-fwift  Cupid  wings. 
Now  is  the  fun  upon  the  hi^hmoit  hill 
Of  this  day's  journey;  and  from  nine  'till  twelve 
Is  three  long  hours,  yet  (he  is  not  come: 
Had  (he  affeftions,  and  warm  youthful  blood, 
She'd  be  as  (wife  in  motion  as  a  ball; 
My  words  would  bandy  her  to  my  f.veet  love, 
And  his  to  me: 

Bat  old  folks,  many  fain  as  they  were  dead; 
Unwieldy,  flow,  heavy  and  pale  as  lead. 
Enter  Nurfe,  and  her  Man. 

O  God,  (he  comes!  _  O  honey  nurfe,  what  news? 
Haft  thou  met  with  him?  Send  thy  man  away. 

Nur.    Peter,  (lay  at  the  gate.  [Exit  Man. 

JUL.  Now,  good  fweet  nurfe,—  O  lord,  why  look'il 

thou  fad  ? 

Though  news  be  fad,  yet  teil  them  merrily; 
If  good,  thou  (ham  '11  the  musick  of'fweet  news 
By  plaving  it  to  me  with  fo  four  a  face. 

»'  gl'dw 

Dz 


48  Romeo 

Nur.   I  am  aweary,  give  me  leave  a  while ,'_ 
Fie,  how  my  bones  ake!  What  a  jaunt  have  I  hadf 

Jut.  I  would,  thou  hadft  my  bones,  and  I  thy  news: 
Nay,  come,  I  pray  thee,  fpeak;  good  good  nurfe,  fpeak. 

Nur.   Jeut,  what  hafte?  can  you  not  flay  a  while? 
Do  you  not  fee,  that  I  am  out  of  breath? 

JVL.  Howart  thou  outof  breath,  when  thou  haft  breath 
To  fay  to  me — that  thou  art  out  of  breath? 
The  excufe,  that  thou  doft  make  in  this  delay, 
Is  longer  than  the  tale  thou  doft  excuse. 
Is  thy  news  good,  or  bad?  anfwer  to  that; 
Say  either,  and  I'll  ftay  the  circumftance: 
Let  me  be  fatiffy'd  ;  Is't  good,  or  bad  ?  [not 

Nur.    Well, you  have  made  a  fimple  choice;  you  know 
How  to  choose  a  man:  Romeo!  no,  not  he; 
Though  his  face  be  better  than  any  man's,  yet  his  leg 
Excels  all  men's;  and  for  a  hand,  and  a  foot, 
And  a  body,— though  they  be  not  to  be  talk'd  on, 
Yet  they  are  paft  compare: 

He  is  not  the  flower  of  courtefy,  but,  I'll  warrant  him, 
As  gentle  as  a  lamb.  Go  thy  ways,  wench;  ferve  God: 
What,  have  you  din'd  at  home  ? 

Jut.  No,  no:  But  all  this  did  I  know  before ; 
What  fays  he  of  our  marriage?  what  of  that? 

Nur.   Lord,  how  my  head  akes !  what  a  head  have  1! 
Jt  beats  as  it  would  fall  in  twenty  pieces. 
My  back  o1  t'other  fide,— O,  my  back,  my  back!_ 
Belhrew  your  heart,  for  fending  me  about, 
To  catch  my  death  with  jaunting  up  and  down! 

JUL.  I'  faith,  1  am  ferry  that  thou  art  not  well: 
Sweet,  fweet,  fweet  nurfe,  tell  me,  what  fays  my  love? 

Nur.   Your  love  fays  like  an  honeft  gentleman, 


Borneo  and  Juliet.  49 

And  a  courteous,  and  a  kind,  and  a  handfome,  and,I  war- 
A  virtuous:  Where's  your  mother?  [rant, 

JUL.    Where  is  my  mother?  why,  (he  is  within ; 
Where  fhould  (he  be?  How  oddly 'thou  reply'ft; 
Tour  li-uc  fays  like  an  boneji  gentleman, — 
Where  is  your  mother? 

Nvr.    O  god's  lady  dear! 
Are  you  fo  hot?  Marry,  come  up,  I  trow; 
]s  this  the  poultice  for  rny  aking  bones? 
Henceforward  do  your  meflages  yourfelf. 

Jut,  Here's  fuch  a  coil  ;_Come,  what  fays  Romeo? 

Nur.   Have  you  got  leave  to  go  to  fhrift  to-day? 

JUL.   I  have. 

Nur.    Then  hie  you  hence  to  friar  Lawrence*  cell, 
There  ftays  a  husband  to  make  you  a  wife: 
Now  comes  the  wanton  blood  up  in  your  cheeks, 
They'll  be  in  fcarlet  ftraight  at  any  news. 
Hie  you  to  church;  I  muft  another  way, 
To  fetch  a  ladder,  by  the  which  your  love 
Muft  climb  a  bird's  neft  foon,  when  it  is  dark: 
I  am  the  drudge,  and  toil  in  your  delight; 
But  you  mail  bear  the  burthen  foon  at  night. 
Go,  I'll  to  dinner;  hie  you  to  the  cell. 

JUL.  Hie  to  high  fortune;  _honeft  nurfe,  farewe!. 
[Exeunt,  fe-verally . 

SCENE  III.  Friar  Lawrence',  Cell. 

Enter  ROMEO,  and  Friar  Lawrence. 
Fri.      So  fmile  the  heavens  upon  this  holy  aft, 
That  after  hours  with  forrow  chide  us  not! 

/Jo A;.  Amen,  amen!  but  come  what  forrow  can, 


50  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

That  one  fhort  minute  gives  me  in  her  fight: 
Do  thou  but  close  our  hands  with  ho!y  words, 
Then  love-devouring  death  do  what  he  dare, 
Jt  is  enough  I  may  but  call  her  mine. 

Fri.     These  violent  delights  have  violent  ends, 
And  in  their  triumph  die;  like  fire  and  powder, 
Which,  as  they  kiis,  confume:  The  fweeteft  honey 
Js  loathfcme  in  his  own  delicioufnefs, 
And  in  the  tafte  confounds  the  appetite: 
Therefore,  love  moderately;  long  love  doth  fo; 
Too  fwift  arrives  as  tardy  as  too  flow. 

Enter  JULIET. 

Here  comes  the  lady;_O,  fo  light  a  foo? 
Will  ne'er  wear  out  the  everlafting  flint: 
A  lover  may  beftride  the  goflamour, 
That  idles  in  the  wanton  fummer  air, 
And  yet  not  fall ;  fo  light  is  vanity. 

JVL.  Good  even  to  my  ghoftly  confeflbr. 

Fri.     Romeo  (hall  thank,  thee,  daughter,  for  us  both, 

jfui.  As  much  to  him,  elie  is  his  thanks  too  much. 

ROM .  Ah,  Juliet,  if  the  measure  of  thy  joy 
Be  heap'd  like  mine,  and  that  thy  fkill  be  more 
To  blazon  it,  then  fweeten  with  thy  breath 
This  neighbour  air,  and  let  rich  musick's  tongue 
Unfold  the  imagin'd  happinefs  that  both 
Receive  in  either  by  this  dear  encounter. 

JVL.  Conceit,  more  rich  in  matter  than  in  wordsj 
Brags  of  his  fubftance,  not  of  ornament: 
They  are  but  beggars,  that  can  count  their  worth; 
But  my  true  love  is  grown  to  fuch  excefs, 
I  cannot  fum  up  half  my  fum  of  wealth.  [work; 

Fri.     Come,  come  with  me,  a->d  we  will  make  fhor; 

'5  gefLmouri,     3'  f\im  of  haJfe  my 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  51 

For,  by  your  leaves,  you  (hall  not  ftay  alone, 

Till  holy  church  incorporate  two  in  one.          [Exeunt. 

SCENE  IV.  ApublickPlace. 

Enter  MERCUTIO,  BENVOLIO,  Page, 

and  Servants. 

BEN.  I  pray  thee,  good  Mercutio,  let's  retire; 
The  day  is  hot,  the  Capulets  abroad, 
And,  it  we  meet,  we  (hall  not  fcape  a  brawl; 
For  now,  these  hot  days,  is  the  mad  blood  ftirring. 

MER.  Thou  art  like  one  of  those  fellows,  that,  when 
he  enters  the  confines  of  a  tavern,  claps  me  his  fword 
upon  the  table,  and  fays,  God  fend  me  no  need  of  thee!  and, 
by  the  operation  of  the  fecond  cup,  draws  it  on  the 
drawer,  when  indeed  there  is  no  need. 

BEN.  Am  I  like  fuch  a  fellow? 

ME  R  .  Come,  come,  thou  art  as  hot  a  Jack  in  thy  mood 
as  any  in  Italy;  and  as  foon  moved  to  be  moody,  and  as 
foon  moody  to  be  mov'd. 

BEN.  And  what  to? 

MER.  Nay,  an  there  were  two  fuch,  we  fliould  have 
rone  (hortly,  for  one  would  kill  the  other.  Thou!  why, 
thou  wilt  quarrel  with  a  man  that  hath  a  hair  more,  or 
a  hair  lefs,  in  his  beard,  than  thou  haft:  thou  wilt  quar- 
rel with  a  man  for  cracking  nuts,  having  no  other  rea- 
son but  because  thou  haft  hazel  eyes;  What  eye,  but 
i'uch  an  eye,  could  fpy  out  fuch  a  quarrel?  thy  head  is 
.is  full  of  quarrels,  as  an  egg  is  full  of  meat;  and  yet  thy 
head  hath  been  beaten  as  addle  as  an  egg,  for  quarrel- 
ing: thou  haft  quarrel'd  with  a  man  for  coughing  in  the 
llrcet,  because  he  hath  waken'd  thy  dog  that  hath  lain 
afleep  in  the  fun  :  Did'ft  thou  not  fall  out  with  a  taylor, 


jz  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

for  wearing  his  new  doublet  before  eafter?  with  ano- 
ther, for  tying  his  new  fhoes  with  old  ribband?  and  yet 
thou  wilt  tutor  me  for  quarreling! 

BEN.'  An  I  were  fo  apt  to  quarrel  as  thou  art,  any 
man  fhould  buy  the  fee-fimple  of  my  life  for  an  hour 
and  a  quarter. 

MER,  The  fee-fimple?  o  fimple! 

Enter  TYBALT,  and  Others. 

SEN.  By  my  head,  here  come  the  Capulets. 

MER.  By  my  heel,  1  care  not. 

Trs.  Follow  me  clofe,  for  I  will  fpeak  to  them._ 
Gentlemen,  good  den:  a  word  with  one  of  you. 

MER.  And  but  one  word  with  one  of  us?  couple  it 
with  fomething;  make  it  a  word,  and  a  blow. 

Trs.  You  fhall  find  me  apt  enough  to  that,  fir,  an 
you  will  give  me  occasion. 

MER.  Could  you  not  take  fome  occasion  without 
giving? 

TYB.  Mercutio,  thou  confort'ft  with  Ronuo, — 

MER.  Confort!  what,  doll  thou  make  us  minftrels  ?  an 
thou  make  minftrels  of  us,  look  to  hear  nothing  but  dif- 
cords:  here's  my ~j~fiddle-ftick;  here's  that  fhall  make 
you  dance.  'Zounds,  confort! 

EEN.  We  talk  here  in  the  publick  haunt  of  men: 
Either  withdraw  unto  fome  private  place, 
And  reason  coldly  of  your  grievances, 
Or  elfe  depart ;  here  all  eyes  gaze  on  us. 

MER.  Men'seyesweremadetolook,andlet  themgazej 
J  will  not  budge  for  no  man's  pleasure,  I. 
Enter  ROMEO. 

Trs.  Well, peace  be  with  you,  fir;  here  comes  my  man. 

MER.  But  I'll  be  hang'd,  fir,  if  he  wear  your  livery: 

a 6  Or  reafon 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  53 

Marry,  go  before  to  field,  he'll  be  your  follower; 
Your  wodliip,  in  that  fenfe,  may  call  him  —  man. 

TYB.  Romeo,  the  hate  I  bear  thee  can  afford 
No  better  term  than  this — Thou  art  a  villain. 

ROM.  Tybalt,  the  reason  I  have  to  love  thee 
Doth  much  excuse  the  appertaining  rage 
To  fuch  a  greeting:  Villain  am  I  none; 
Therefore,  farewel;  I  fee,  thou  know'ft  me  not. 

TTB.  Boy,  this  fhall  not  excuse  the  injuries 
That  thou  haft  done  me;  therefore  turn,  and  draw. 

ROM,  I  do  proteft,  1  never  injur'd  thee; 
But  love  thee  better  than  thou  canft  devise, 
'Till  thou  (halt  know  the  reason  of  my  love: 
And  fo,  good  Capulet,—  which  name  I  tender 
As  dearly  as  my  own, —  be  fatiffy'd. 

MER.  O  calm,  dimonourable,  vile  fubmifllon! 
Alaftoccata  carries  it  away —  \_ilra-ivt. 

Tybalt,  you  rat-catcher,  come,  will  you  walk? 

TYB.  What  would'ft  thou  have  with  me? 

MER.  Good  king  of  cats,  nothing,  but  one  of  your 
nine  lives ;  that  I  mean  to  make  bold  withal,  and,  as  you 
fhall  use  me  hereafter,  dry-beat  the  reft  of  the  eight. 
Will  you  pluck  your  fword  out  of  his  pilcher  by  the  ears? 
make  hafte,  left  mine  be  about  your  ears  ere  it  be  out. 

TTB.  I  am  for  you.  [draws  too. 

ROM.  Gentle  Mercutio,  put  thy  rapier  up. 

MER.  Come,  fir,  your  paflado.  [they  fight. 

ROM.  Draw,  Benvolio;          [draws,  and  rum  tftnueen. 

Beat  down  their  weapons: Gentlemen,  for  fhame 

Forbear  this  outrage;  —  Tybalt — Mercutio — 

[  ftri-ving  to  part  them. 
The  prince  exprefiy  hath  forbid  this  bandying 

5  reafon  that  I     '7  ftucatba 


54  Romeo  and  J  ulkt. 

In  Vercna  flreets:  —  hold,  Tybalt ; — good  Mercvth. 

[Tybalt  'wounds  Meicutio,  and  Exit, 

MER.  I  am  hurt;  — 

A  plague  o'  both  the  houses!— I  am  /ped:_ 
Js  he  gone,  and  hath  nothing  ? 

£EN.  What,  art  thou  hurt? 

M£R.  Ay,ay,a  fcratch,  a  fcratch;  marry,'tlsenough._^ 
Where  is  my  pagc?_go,  villain,  fetch  a  furgeon. 

[Exit  Page. 

ROM.  Courage,  man;  the  hurt  cannot  be  much. 

MER,  No,  'tis  not  fo  deep  as  a  well,  nor  fo  wide  as  a 
church  door;  but  'tis  enough,  'twill  ferve:  afk  for  me 
to-morrow,  and  you  (hall  find  me  a  grave  man.  I  am 
pepper'd,  I  warrant,  for  this  world;  A  plague  o'  both 
your  houses !_  What,  a  dog,  a  rat,  a  moufe,  a  cat,  to 
fcratch  a  man  to  death!  a  braggart,  a  rogue,  a  villain, 

that   figh-ts  by  the  book  of  arithmetick ! Why,  the 

devil,  came  you  between  usr  I  was  hurt  under  your  arm. 

ROM.  I  thought  all  for  the  beft. 

MER.  Help  me  into  fome  houfe,  Bfnvolio, 
Or  1  fhall  faint — A  plague  o'  both  your  hou-ses! 
They  have  made  worms'  meat  of  me : 
I  ha't,  and  foundly  too:  Your  houses! 

[Exit,  led  by  BEXV<OLIO  anJ Servants, 

ROM.  This  gentleman,  the  prince's  near  ally, 
My  very  friend,  hath  got  his  mortal  hurt 
In  my  behalf;  my  reputation  ftain'd 
With  7) halt's  (lander,  Tybalt  that  an  hour 
Hath  been  my  kinsman. _O  fweet  Juliet, 
Thy  beauty  hath  made  me  effeminate, 
£#4  in  my  temper  foften'd  valour's  fteel. 
R.«  enter  B  &  N  v  o  LI  o, 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  55 

BEN.  O  Romeo,  Romeo,  brave  Mercutio's  dead; 
That  gallant  fpirit  hath  afpir'd  the  clouds, 
Which  too  untimely  here  did  fcorn  the  earth. 

ROM.  This  day's  black  fate  on  more  days  doth  depend; 
This  but  begins  the  woe,  others  muft  end. 
Re-enter  TYBALT. 

£EV.  Here  comes  the  furious  Ty&alt  back  agaip. 

ROM.  Again  ?  in  triumph  ?  and  Mercutio  flain? 
Away  to  heaven,  refpeftive  lenity, 
And  fire-ey'd  fury  be  my  conduct  now.'__ 
Now,  Tybalt,  take  the  villain  back  again, 
That  late  thou  gav'ft  me ;  for  Mercurials  foul 
]s  but  a  little  way  above  our  heads, 
Staying  for  thine  to  keep  him  company; 
Either  thou,  or  I,  or  both,  muft  go  with  him. 

Trx.  Thou, wretched  boy,  that  didftconfort  him  here, 
Shalt  with  him  hence. 

ROM.  This  lhall  determine  that.  [fght.  Tybalt/a///. 

BEK.  Romeo,  away,  be  gone; 
The  citizens  are  up,  and  Tybalt  flain: 
Stand  not  amaz'd;  the  prince  will  doom  thee  death* 
If  thou  art  taken;  hence,  be  gone,  away. 

ROM.  O,  I  am  fortune's  fool! 

SEN.  Why  doft  thou  ftay?  [Exit  ROMEO. 

Enter  Citizens,  Officers,  &C. 

i.O.   Which  way  ran  he,  that  kill'd  Mercutio? 
Tybalt,  that  murtherer,  which  way  ran  he? 

/>£V.  There  lies  that  Tybalt. 

i.O.  Up,  fir,  go  with  me; 
I  charge  thee  in  the  prince's  name,  obey. 

Enter  Prince,  and  Attendants;  MOUNTAGUF, 
Capulet,  their  Wives,  and  Otbert. 


«  He  gan 


56  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

PrL     Where  are  the  vile  beginners  of  this  fray  ? 

BEN.    O  noble  prince,  I  can  difcover  all 
The  unlucky  manage  of  this  fatal  brawl: 
There  ~j~  lies  the  man,  flain  by  young  Romeo, 
That  flew  thy  kinsman,  brave  Mercutio. 

L.  C.  Tybalt,  my  cousin  ! O  my  brother's  child  1.^ 

O  prince  !_O  husband  !_O,  the  blood  is  fpill'd 
Of  my  dear  kinsman  !_Prince,  as  thou  art  true, 
For  blood  of  ours  Ihed  blood  of  Mount  ague.— 
O  cousin,  cousin! 

Pri.     Benvclio,  who  began  this  bloody  fray? 

BEtf.  Tjdalt ,\\ere  flain, whom  Romeo's  hand  did  flay; 
Romeo  that  fpoke  him  fair,  bad  him  bethink 
How  nice  the  quarrel  was,  and  urg'd  withal 
Your  high  difpleasure:  all  this— uttered 
With  gentle  breath,  calm  look,  knees  humbly  bow'd, — 
Could  not  take  truce  with  the  unruly  fpleen. 
Of  Tybalt  deaf  to  peace,  but  that  he  tilts 
With  piercing  fleel  at  bold  Mercutio's  bread ; 
Who,  all  as  hot,  turns  deadly  point  to  point, 
And,  with  a  martial  fcorn,  with  one  hand  beats 
Cold  death  afide,  and  with  the  other  fends 
Jt  back  to  Tybalt,  whose  dexterity 
Retorts  it:  Romeo  he  cries  aloud, 

Hold, friends!  friends,  part !  and,  fwifter  than  his  tongue, 
His  agil  arm  beats  down  their  fatal  points, 
And  'twixt  them  ruflies;  underneath  whose  arm 
An  envious  thruft  from  Tybalt  hit  the  life 
Of  flout  Mercutio,  and  then  Tybalt  fled: 
But  by  and  by  comes  back  to  Romeo, 
Who  had  but  newly  entertain'd  revenge, 
And  to't  they  go  like  lightning  ;  for,  ere  I 

7  O  Coz;n,  husband, 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  57 

Could  draw  to  part  them,  was  ftout  Tybalt  flain; 
And,  as  he  fell,  did  Romeo  turn  and  fly: 
This  is  the  truth,  or  let  Ben-jolio  die. 

L.  C.  He  is  a  kinsman  to  the  Mountagve, 
Affeftion  makes  him  falfe,  he  fpeaks  not  true; 
Some  twenty  of  them  fought  in  this  black  ftrife, 
And  all  those  twenty  could  but  kill  one  life : 
I  beg  for  juftice,  which  thou,  prince,  muft  give; 
Romeo  flew  Tybalt,  Romeo  muft  not  live. 

Pri.     Romeo  flew  him,  he  flew  Mercutio; 
Who  now  the  price  of  his  dear  blood  doth  owe? 

Mou.  Not  Romeo,  prince,  he  was  Mercutio's  friend; 
His  fault  concludes  but,  what  the  law  fhould  end, 
The  life  of  Tybalt. 

Pri.     And,  for  that  offence, 
Immediately  we  do  exile  him  hence: 
I  have  an  interell  in  your  hates'  proceeding, 
My  blood  for  your  rude  brawls  doth  lie  a  bleeding; 
But  I'll  amerce  you  with  fo  itrong  a  fine, 
That  you  fhall  all  repent  the  lofs  of  mine: 
I  will  be  deaf  to  pleading  and  excufes; 
Nor  tears,  nor  prayers,  (hall  purchafe  out  abufes, 
Therefore  use  none :  Let  Romeo  hence  in  halte, 
Elfe,  when  he's  found,  that  hour  is  his  latt. 
Bear  hence  this  body,  and  attend  our  will: 
Mercy  but  murders,  pard'ning  those  that  kill.  [Exeunt, 

SCENE  V.  CapuletV  G«/vfc*. 

Enter  JULIET. 

JUL.  Gallop  apace,  you  fiery-footed  deed", 
Towards  Pbcebus'  lodging;  fuch  a  waggoner 
As  Phatton  would  whip  you  to  the  well, 


58  Romeo  taut  Juliet. 

And  bring  in  cloudy  night  immediately. , 

Spread  thy  clofe  curtain,  love-performing  night* 
That  t£e  run-away's  eyes  may  wink;  and  Romeo 
Leap  to  these  arms,  untalk'd  of,  and  unfeen — 
Lovers  can  fee  to  do  their  amorous  rites 
By  their  own  beauties:  or,  if  love  be  blind, 

It  belt  agrees  with  night; Come,  civil  night» 

Thou  fober-fuited  matron,  all  in  black, 
And  learn  me  how  to  lose  a  winning  match, 
Play'd  for  a  pair  of  ftainlefs  maidenheads: 
Hood  my  unman'd  blood,  baiting  in  my  cheeks, 
With  thy  black  mantle;  'till  llrange  love,  grown  bold, 
Think  true  love  afted  fimple  modeity. 
Come,  night,_Come,  Romeo;  come,  thou  day  in  night; 
For  thou  wilt  lie  upon  the  wings  of  night 

Whiter  than  new  fnow  on  a  raven's  back. 

Come, gentle  night;  come,  loving,  black-brow'd  night, 
Give  me  my  Romeo:  r.nd,  when  he  fhall  die, 
Take  him  and  cut  him  out  in  little  ftars; 
And  he  will  make  the  face  of  heaven  fo  fine, 
That  all  the  world  (hall  be  in  love  with  night, 

And  pay  no  worfhip  to  the  garifh  fun 

O,  I  have  bought  the  manfion  of  a  love, 

But  not  possefT'd  it;  and,  though  I  am  fold, 

Not  yet  enjoy'd:  So  tedious  is  this  day, 

As  is  the  night  before  fome  feftival 

To  an  impatient  child,  that  hath  new  robes, 

And  may  not  wear  them.  O,  here  comes  my  nurfe, 

Enter  Nurfe,  at  a  Diftance. 

And  fhe  brings  news;  and  every  tongue,  that  fpeaks 
But^cw/fo's  name,  fpeaks  heavenly  eloquence.— 
Now,  nurfe,  what  newsr  What  haltthou  there?  the  cord;., 

'*  grow 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  59 

That  Reatee  bid  thee  fetch  ? 

Nur.   Ay,  ay,  the  cords.  [throwing  them  dwott. 

JUL.  Ay  me!  what  news?  why  doft  thou  wring  thjr 
hands  ? 

Nur.    Ah  wel-a-day !  he's  dead,  he's  dead,  he's  dead:.^ 
We  are  undone,  lady,  we  are  undone;  — 
Alack  the  day  !— he's  gone,  he's  kill'd,  he's  dead. 

JVL.  Can  heaven  be  fo  envious? 

Nur.   Romeo  can, 

Though  heaven  cannot: O  Romeo,  Romeo,"* 

Who  ever  would  have  thought  it? — Romeo. f 

JUL  .  What  devil  art  thou,  that  doft  torment  me  thus  ? 
This  torture  mould  be  roar'd  in  dismal  hell. 
Hath  Romeo  flain  himfelf?  fay  thou  but  /, 
And  that  bare  vowel  /  mall  poison  more 
Than  the  death-darting  eye  of  cockatrice : 
I  am  not  I,  if  there  be  fuch  an  /; 
Or  those  eyes  ftiut,  that  makes  thee  anfwer/. 
If  he  be  flain,  fay — /;  or  if  not,  no: 
Brief  founds  determine  of  my  weal,  or  woe. 

Nur.    I  faw  the  wound,  I  faw  it  with  mine  eyes,— 
God  fave  the  mark!— here  on  his  manly  breaft: 
A  piteous  corfe,  a  bloody  piteous  corfe; 
Pale,  pale  as  aflies,  all  bedawb'd  in  blood,  , 

All  in  gore  blood;  I  fownded  at  the  fight.  [once! 

JUL.  O  break,  my  heart;  poor  bankrupt,  break  at 
To  prison,  eyes;  ne'er  look  on  liberty! 
Vile  earth,  to  earth  resign;  end  motion  here; 
And  thou,  and  Rcmeo,  prefs  one  heavy  bier! 

[Jinking  into  a  Si'af*. 

Nur.    O  Tybalt,  Tybalt,  the  beft  friend  I  had! 
O  courteous  'Tybalt!  honeft  gentleman !  i  • 

»8  (hot 


60 

That  ever  I  fiiould  live  to  fee  thee  dead ! 

JUL.  What  Itorm  is  this,  that  blows  fo  contrary? 

[parting  up. 
Is  Remeo  flaughter'd  ?  and  is  Tybalt  dead  ? 

My  deareil  cousin,  and  my  dearer  lord  ? 

Then,  dreadful  trumpet,  found  the  general  doom; 
For  who  is  living,  if  those  two  are  gone? 

Nur.   Tybalt  is  gone,  and  Romeo  banifhed ; 
Romeo,  that  kilPd  him,  he  is  baniftied. 

JUL.  OGod  !_did  Romeo's  hand  fhed  Tybalt's  blood  ? 

Nur.    It  did,  it  did;  alas  the  day !  it  did. 

JVL.  O  ferpent  heart,  hid  with  a  flovv'ring  face! 
Did  ever  dragon  keep  fo  fair  a  cave? 
Beautiful  tyrant!  fiend  angelical! 
Dove-feather'd  raven!  wolvifh-rav'ning  lamb  ! 
Defpised  fubftance  of  divineft  mow; 
Juft  opposite  to  what  thou juftly  feem'lr, 

A  damned  faint,  an  honourable  villain! 

O,  nature,  what  hadft  thou  to  do  in  hell, 
When  thou  didft  bovver  the  fpirit  of  a  fiend 
In  mortal  paradife  of  fuch  fvveet  flefli?_ 
Was  ever  book,  containing  fuch  vile  matter, 
So  fairly  bound?  O,  that  deceit  ihould  dwell 
In  fuch  a  gorgeous  palace  ! 

Nur.    Theie's  no  truft, 
No  faith,  no  honefty  in  men;  all  perjar'd, 
All  forfworn,  all  naught,  all  difiemblers — 

Ah,  where's  my  manr  give  me  fome  aqua  -~cit<r: 

These  griefs,  these  woes,  these  forrows  make  me  old. 
Shame  come  to  Romeo! 

JVL.  Blifter'd  be  thy  tongue, 
For  fuch  a  v>iih!  he  was  not  born  to  Ihame: 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  6l 

tJpon  his  brow  fhame  is  afham'd  to  fit; 

For  'tis  a  throne  where  honour  may  be  crown'd 

Sole  monarch  of  the  univerfal  earth. 

O,  what  a  beaft  was  I  to  chide  at  him!  [sin? 

Nur.  Will  you  fpeak  well  of  him  that  kill'd  your  cou- 
JVL.  Shall  I  fpeak  ill  of  him  that  is  mv  husband?^. 

Ah  poor  my  lord,  what  tongue  (hall  fmooth  thy  name, 

When  I,  thy  three-hours  wife,  have  mangl'd  it? 

But  wherefore,  villain,  didft  thou  kill  my  cousin? 

That  villain  cousin  would  have  kill'd  my  husband: 

Back,  foolifli  tears,  back  to  your  native  fpring; 

Your  tributary  drops  belong  to  woe, 

Which  you,  miftaking,  offer  up  to  joy. 

My  husband  lives,  that  Tybalt  would  have  flain; 

And  Tybalt  dead,  that  would  have  flain  my  husband: 

All  this  is  comfort;  Wherefore  weep  I  then? 

Some  word  there  was,  worfer  than  Tybalt's  death, 

That  murder'd  me:  I  would  forget  it  fain; 

But,  o,  it  prefles  to  my  memory, 

Like  damned  guilty  deeds  to  tinners'  minds: 

Tybalt  /j  dead,  and  Romeo — banijbed; 

That— banifhed,  that  one  word—  baniflied, 

Hath  flain  ten  thousand  Tybalts.  Tybalt's  death 

Was  woe  enough,  if  it  had  ended  there: 

Or, — if  four  woe  delights  in  fellowship, 

And  needly  will  be  rank'd  with  other  griefs,""* 

Why  folio w'd  not,  when  {he  faid  —  Tybalt's  dead, 

Thy  father,  or  thy  mother,  nay  or  both, 

Which  modern  lamentation  might  have  mov'd? 

But,  with  a  rear-ward  following  Tybalt's  death, 

Romeo  is  banijhed, —  to  fpeak  that  word, 

Is  father,  mother,  Tybalt,  Romeo,  Juliet, 

VOL.  X.  E 


6?  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

All  flain,  all  dead:  Romeo  is  banijbed, — 

There  is  no  end,  no  limit,  measure,  bound, 

In  that  word's  death;  no  words  can  that  woe  found.-. 

Where  is  my  father,  and  my  mother,  nurfe? 

Nur.   Weeping  and  wailing  over  Tybalt* s  corfe: 
Will  you  go  to  them?  I  will  bring  you  thither, 

JVL.  Warn  they  his  wounds  with  tears:  mine  {hall  be 

fpent, 

When  theirs  are  dry,  for  Romeo's  banifhment. 
Take  up  those  cords;  —  Poor  ropes,  you  are  beguil'd, 
Both  you  and  I;  for  Romeo  is  exil'd: 
He  made  you  for  a  highway  to  my  bed; 
But  I,  a  maid,  die  maiden-widowed. 
Come,  cords;  come,  nurfe;  I'll  to  my  wedding  bed; 
And  death,  not  Romeo,  take  my  maidenhead. 

Nur.    Hie  to  your  chamber:  I'll  find  Romeo 
To  comfort  you;  I  wot  well  where  he  is. 
Hark  ye,  your  Romeo  will  be  here  at  night; 

I'll  to  him,  he  is  hid  at  Lawrence*  cell. 

JVL.  Q,find  him!  give  this  ^  ring  to  my  true  knight; 

And  bid  him  come,  to  take  his  lad  farewel.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  VI.  Friar  Lawrence'/  Cell. 

Enter  Friar  Lawrence. 
Fri.     Roffieo,come  forth ;come  forth, thou  fearful  man; 

Enter  ROMEO. 

Affliction  is  enamour'd  of  thy  parts, 
And  thou  art  wedded  to  calamity. 

ROM.  Father,  what  news?  what  is  the  prince's  doom? 
What  forrow  craves  acquaintance  at  my  hand* 
That  I  yet  know  not? 
Fri.    Too  familiar 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  63 

Is  my  dear  fon  with  fuch  four  company: 
1  bring  thee  tidings  of  the  prince's  doom. 

ROM.  Whatlefs  than  doom's-day  is  the  prince's  doom? 
Fri.     A  gentler  judgment  vanilh'd  from  his  lips; 
Not  body's  death,  but  body's  banifhment. 

ROM.  Ha,  banimment?  be  merciful,  fay — death; 
For  exile  hath  more  terror  in  his  look, 
Much  more  than  death:  do  not  fay— banimment. 

Fri.     Here  from  Verona  art  thou  banimed: 
Be  patient,  for  the  world  is  broad  and  wide. 

ROM.  There  is  no  world  without  Verona  walls, 
But  purgatory,  torture,  hell  itfelf. 
Heoce-banifhed  is  banifh'd  from  the  world, 
And  world's-exile  is  death;  then  banifhment 
Is  death  mif-term'd:  calling  death  — banimment, 
Thou  cut'll  my  head  off  with  a  golden  axe, 
And  fmil'ft  upon  the  ftroke  that  murders  me. 
Fri.     O  deadly  fin!  o  rude  unthankfulnefs! 
Thy  fault  our  law  calls  death;  but  the  kind  prince, 
Taking  thy  part,  hath  rum'd  afide  the  law, 
And  turn'd  that  black  word  death  to  banifhment: 
This  is  dear  mercy,  and  thou  fee'ft  it  not. 

ROM.  'Tis  torture,  and  not  mercy:  heaven  is  here» 
Where  Juliet  lives ;  and  every  cat,  and  dog, 
And  little  moufe,  every  unworthy  thing, 
Live  here  in  heaven,  and  may  look  on  her, 
But  Romeo  may  not:  More  validity, 
More  honourable  flate,  more  courtfhip  lives 
In  carrion  flies,  than  Romic:  they  may  feize 
On  the  white  wonder  of  dear  Juliet's  hand, 
And  fteal  immortal  blefiing  from  her  lips; 
Who,  even  in  pure  and  veital  modefty, 

'4  baniflud 

B* 


(>4  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

Still  blufti,  as  thinking  their  own  kiffes  fin: 

Flies  may  do  this,  but  I  from  this  muft  fly; 

They  are  free  men,  but  I  am  banifhed. 

Hadil  thou  no  poison  mixt,  no  fharp-ground  knife, 

No  fudden  mean  of  death,  though  ne'er  fo  mean, 

But— banifhed  —  to  kill  me?  banifhed  ? 

O  friar,  the  damned  use  that  word  in  hell ; 

Howlings  attend  it:  How  haft  thou  the  heart, 

Being  a  divine,  a  ghoftly  confeflbr, 

A  fm-absolver,  and  my  friend  profeft, 

To  mangle  me  with  that  word— baniihment? 

Frf.     Thou  fond  mad  man,  hear  me  a  little  fpeak,- 

ROM.  O,  thou  wilt  fpeak  again  of  baniihment. 

Fri.     I'll  give  thee  armour  to  keep  off  that  word; 
Adverfjty's  fweet  milk,  philofophy, 
To  comfort  thee,  though  thou  art  banimed. 

ROM.  Yet  banifhed? — Hang  up  philofophy! 
Unlefs  philofophy  can  make  a  Juliet, 
Difplant  a  town,  reverfe  a  prince's  doom  ; 
It  helps  not,  it  prevails  not,  talk  no  more. 

Fri.     O,  then  I  fee  that  madmen  have  no  ears,  [eyes? 

ROM .  How  mould  they,  when  that  wise  men  have  no 

Fri.     Let  me  difpute  with  thee  of  thy  eftate. 

ROM.  Thou  canft  not  fpeak  of  what  thou  doft  not  feel : 
Wert  thou  as  young  as  I,  Juliet  thy  love, 
An  hour  but  marry'd,  Tybalt  murdered, 
Boating  like  me,  and  like  me  banifhed, 
Then  might'ft  thou  fpeak, then  might'lUhou  tear  thy  hair. 
And  fall  upon  the  ground,  as  I  do~fnow, 
Taking  the  measure  of  an  unmade  grave. 

[Knock  IV! thin. 

Fri.    Arise,  one  knocks ;  good  Romeo,  hide  thy  felt". 

I  v.  Nate, 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  65 

ROM.  Not  I;  unlefs  the  breath  of  heart-fick  groans, 
Mift-like,  enfold  me  from  the  fearch  of  eyes. 

[Knock  again. 

Fri.     Hark,  how  they  knock'_Who's  there  t—Rcmeo, 
Thou  wilt  be  taken :_ Stay  a  while :_ftand  up;    [arise; 

[  Knock  again. 
Run  to  my  ftudy:_By  and  by: —.God's  will! 

What  fimplenefs  is  this? I  come,  I  come. 

[Knock  again. 
Who  knocks  fo  hardrwhencecomeyourwhat'syour  will? 

Nur.    [fivithin  ]  Let  me  come  in,  and  you  mall  know 

my  errand  ; 
I  come  from  lady  'Juliet. 

Fri.     Welcome  then.  [opens. 

Enter  Nurfe. 

Nur.    O  holy  friar,  o,  tell  me,  holy  friar, 
Where  is  my  lady's  lord,  where's  Romeo?  [drunk. 

Fri.     There,  on  the  ground,  with  his  own  tears  made 

Nur.    O,  he  is  even  in  my  miftrefs'  cafe, 
Jull  in  her  cafe, —  O  woeful  fympathy  ! 
Piteous  predicament! — even  fo  lies  me, 
Blubbering  and  weeping,  weeping  and  blubbering:— » 
Stand  up,  {land  up;  ftand,  an  you  be  a  man; 
For  Juliet's  fake,  for  her  fake  rise  and  ftand; 
Why  (hould  you  fall  into  fo  deep  an  O  ? 

ROM.  Nurfe? 

Nur.    Ah,  fir !  ah,  fir  !  death  is  the  end  of  all. 

ROM.  Spak'it  thoa  of  Juliet?  how  is  it  with  h?r? 
Doth  Ihe  not  think  me  an  old  murtherer, 
Now  I  have  ilain'd  the  childhood  of  our  jo/ 
WTith  bloou  removM  but  little  from  her  own? 
Where  is  ihe.?  and  ho*  doth  me?  and  what  fus 


66  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

My  conceal'd  lady  to  our  cancel'd  love  ? 

Nur.    O,  me  fays  nothing,  fir,  but  weeps  and  weeps; 
And  now  falls  on  her  bed ;  and  then  ftarts  up, 
And  Tybalt  calls ;  and  then  on  Romeo  cries, 
And  then  down  falls  again. 

ROM.  As  if  that  name,  [parting  up. 

Shot  from  the  deadly  level  of  a  gun, 
Did  murder  her ;  as  that  name's  curfed  hand 
Murder'd  her  kinsman — Tell  me,  friar,  tell  me, 

[drawing  out  a  Dagger. 
In  what  vile  part  of  this  anatomy 
Doth  my  name  lodge?  tell  me,  that  I  may  facie 
The  hateful  mahfion.  [from  him. 

Fri.     Hold  thy  defperate  hand,    [wrejling  the  Dagger 
Art  thou  a  man?  thy  form  cries  out,  thou  art; 
Thy  tears  are  womanilh  ;  thy  wild  acts  denote 
The  unreasonable  fury  of  a  beaft: 
Unfeemly  woman,  in  a  feeming  man! 
And  ill-befeeming  beaft,  in  feeming  both  I 
Thou  haft  amaz'd  me:  By  my  holy  order, 
I  thought  thy  difposition  better  temper'd. 
Haft  thou  flain  Tybalt?  wilt  thou  flay  thyfelf? 
And  flay  thy  lady,  that  in  thy  life  lives, 
By  doing  damned  hate  upon  thyfelf? 
Why  rail'ft  thou  on  thy  birth,  the  heaven,  and  earth  ? 
Since  birth,  and  heaven,  and  earth,  all  three  do  meet 
Jn  thee  at  once ;  which  thou  at  once  would'ft  lose. 
Fie,  fie!  thou  lham'it  thy  lhape,  thy  love,  thy  wit; 
Which,  like  an  usurer,  abound'ft  in  all, 
And  useft  none  in  that  true  ufe  indeed 
Which  fhould  bedeck  thy  fhape,  thy  love,  thy  wit. 
Thy  noble  fluipe  is  but  a  form  of  wax, 

9  k:nsman.  Oh  ley 


Romeo  and  Janet. 

Digrefiing  from  the  valour  of  a  man: 
Thy  dear  love,  fworn,  but  hollow  perjury, 
Killing  that  love  which  thou  haft  vow'd  to  cherifh: 
Thy  wit,  that  ornament  to  ftiape  and  love, 
Mif-fhapen  in  the  conduct  of  them  both, 
Like  powder  in  the  fkill-lefs  foldier's  flafk, 
Is  fet  on  fire  by  thine  own  ignorance, 
And  thou  difmember'd  with  thine  own  defence. 
What,  rouse  thee,  man!  thy  Juliet  is  alive, 
For  whose  dear  fake  thou  wail  but  lately  dead; 
There  art  thou  happy :  Tybalt  would  kill  thee, 
But  thou  flew'it  fybah;  there  too  art  thou  happy: 
The  law,  that  threaten'd  death,  becomes  thy  friend, 
And  turns  it  to  exile  ;  there  art  thou  happy: 
A  pack  of  bleffings  light  upon  thy  back; 
Happinefs  courts  thee  in  her  beft  array; 
But,  like  a  mil"  'hav'd  and  a  fullen  wench, 
Thou  pout'ft  upon  thy  fortune  and  thy  love: 
Take  heed,  take  heed,  for  fuch  die  miserable. 
Go,  get  thee  to  thy  love,  as  was  decreed, 
Afcend  her  chamber,  hence  and  comfort  her; 
But  look  thoa  (lay  not  'till  the  watch  be  fct, 
For  then  thou  canft  not  pafs  to  Mantua; 
Where  thou  (halt  live,  'till  we  can  find  a  time 
To  blaze  your  marriage,  reconcile  your  friends, 
Beg  pardon  of  the  p;ince,  and  call  thee  back 
V/ith  twenty  hundied  thousand  times  more  joy 
Than  thou  went'lt  forth  in  lamentation  — 
Go  before,  nurfe;  commend  me  to  thy  lady  ; 
And  bid  her  haiten  all  the  houfe  to  bed, 
Which  heavy  forrow  makes  them  apt  unto: 
is  coming. 

B-4 


6&  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

Nur.    O  lord,  I  could  have  ftay'd  here  all  the  night, 
To  hear  good  counfel:  o,  what  learning  is!_ 
My  lord,  I'll  tell  my  lady  you  will  come. 

ROM.  Do  fo,  and  bid  my  fweet  prepare  to  chide. 

Nur.    Here,^  fir,  a  ring  fhe  bid  me  give  you,  fir: 
Hie  you,  make  hafte,  for  it  grows  very  late. 

ROM.  How  well  my  comfort  is  reviv'd  by  this. 

Frt.     Go  hence, good  night:_[£x/VNurfe.]and  here 

Hands  all  your  ftate, — 
Either  be  gone  before  the  watch  be  fet, 
Or  by  the  break  of  day  difguis'd  from  hence : 
Sojourn  in  Mantua;  I'll  find  out  your  man, 
And  he  (ha  1  fignify  from  time  to  time 
Every  good  hap  to  you,  that  chances  here: 
Give  me  thy  hand;  'tis  late,  farewel,  good  night, 

ROM.  But  that  a  joy  pall  joy  calls  out  on  me, 
It  we:e  a  grief  fo  brief  to  part  with  thee: 
Farewel .  [  Exeunt,  federally* 

SCENE  VII.  A  Room  in  Capulet'/  Houfe. 
Enter  CAPULET,  PAR.S,  and 

Lady  Capulet. 

CAT.  Things  have  falPn  out,  fir,  fo  unluckily, 
That  we  have  had  no  time  to  move  our  daughter; 
Look  you,  fhe  lov'd  her  kinsman  Tybalt  dearly, 
.And  fo  did  I  ;      Well,  we  were  born  to  die. 
'Tis  very  late,  fhe'll  not  come  down  to-night: 
I  promise  you,  but  for  your  company, 
J  woa!d  have  been  a- bed  an  hour  ago. 

PJIR.  These  times  of  woe  afford  no  times  to  woo:_. 
Madam,  good  night;  commend  me  to  your  daughter. 
1.,  C.  \  will,  and  know  her  mind  early  to-morrow 9 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  69 

To-night  (he  is  mew'd  up  to  her  heavinefs. 

CAP.  Sir  Paris,  [calling  him  back.}  I  will  make  a  def« 

perate  tender 

Of  my  child's  love:  I  think,  (he  will  be  rul'd 
In  all  refpefts  by  me;  nay  more,  I  doubt  it  not.— 
Wife,  go  you  to  her  ere  you  go  to  bed; 
Acquaint  her  here  of  my  fon  Paris'  love; 
And  bid  her,  mark  you  me,  on  we'nsday  next""" 
But,  foft;  What  day  is  this? 

PAR.  Monday,  my  lord.  -^^3 

CAP.  Monday?  ha,  ha!  Well,  we'nsday  is  too  foon, 
O'  thursday  let  it  be;  _  o'  thursday,  tell  her, 
She  mail  be  marry'd  to  this  noble  earl:  _ 
Will  you  be  ready?  do  you  like  this  hafte? 
We'll  keep  no  great  ado;  a  friend,  or  two: 
For  hark  you,  Tybalt  being  {lain  fo  late, 
It  may  be  thought  we  held  him  carelefly, 
Being  our  kinsman,  if  we  revel  much: 
Therefore  we'll  have  fome  half  a  dozen  friends, 
And  there  an  end     But  what  fay  you  to  thursday  ? 

PAR.  My  lord,  I  would  that  thursday  were  to-morrovr. 

CAP.  Well,  get  you  gone;  o'  thursday  be  it  thea:_ 
Go  you  to  Juliet  ere  you  go  to  bed, 
Prepare  her,  wife,  again!*  this  wedding  day.__ 
Farewel,my  lord  __  [  £^//PAR.]  Light  tomychamber,ho! 
/^Oto,  afore  me,  it  is  fo  very  late, 
That  we  may  call  it  early  by  and  by:  — 
Good  night.  \_Exeunt,  federally. 


SCENE  I.  dnti-rcom  of  Juliet 


7O  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

Enter  ROMEO,  and  JULIET. 

JUL.  Wilt  thou  be  gone?  it  is  not  yet  near  day: 
Jt  was  the  nightingale,  and  not  the  lark, 
That  pierc'd  the  fearful  hollow  of  thine  ear; 
Nightly  (he  fings  on  yon'  pome-granate  tree: 
Believe  me,  love,  it  was  the  nightingale. 

ROM.  It  was  the  lark,  the  herald  of  the  morn, 
No  nightingale;  look,  love,  what  envious  llreaks 
Do  lace  the  fevering  clouds  in  yonder  eaft: 
Night's  candles  are  burnt  out,  and  jocund  day 
Stands  tip-toe  on  the  mifty  mountains'  tops; 
I  muft  be  gone  and  Jive,  or  ftay  and  die, 

JUL.  Yon'  light  is  not  day-light,  I  know  it,  I; 
It  is  lome  meteor  that  the  fun  exhales, 
To  be  to  thee  this  night  a  torch- bearer, 
And  light  tbee  on  thy  way  to  Mantua: 
Therefore  ftay  yet,  thou  need'ft  not  to  be  gone, 

ROM.  Let  me  be  ta'en,  let  me  be  put  to  death; 
I  am  content,  fo  thou  wilt  haye  it  fo. 
I'll  fay,  yon'  grey  is  not  the  morning's  eye, 
'Tis  but  the  pale  reflex  of  Cynthia's  brow ; 
Nor  that  is  not  the  lark,  whose  notes  do  beat 
The  vaulty  heaven  fo  high  above  our  heads: 
I  have  more  care  to  ftay,  than  will  to  go;_ 
Come,  death,  and  welcome!  Juliet  wills  it  fo — 
How  is't,  my  foul?  let's  talk,  it  is  not  day. 

JUL.  Jt  is,  it  is,  hie  hence,  be  gone,  away; 
Jt  is  the  lark  that  fings  fo  out  of  tune, 
Straining  harfh  difcords,  and  unpleasing  (harps. 
Some  fay,  the  lark  makes  fweet  division; 
This  doth  not  fo,  for  {he  djvideth  us : 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  71 

Some  fay,  the  lark  and  loathed  toad  change  eyes ; 
O,  now  I  would  they  had  chang'd  voices  too ! 
Since  arm  from  arm  that  voice  doth  us  affray, 
Hunting  thee  hence  with  hunts-up  to  the  day. 
O,  now  be  gone ;  more  light  and  light  it  grows,  [woes. 

ROM.  More  light  and  light,  more  dark  and  dark  our 
Enter  Nurfe,  to  the  Door. 

Nur.    Madam! 

JUL.  Nurfe? 

Nur.    Your  lady  mother's  coming  to  your  chamber : 
The  day  is  broke;  be  wary,  look  about.  [Exit. 

JUL.  Then,  window,  [op'ning  /'/.]  let  day  in,  and  let 
life  out. 

ROM.  Farewel,  farewell  one  kifs,  and  I'll  defcend. 
\ki_flet  her.  and  goes  out  of  it. 

JUL.   Art  thou  gone fo?  Love!  lord!  ah, husband! friend! 
I  muit  hear  from  thee  every  day  i*  the  hour, 
For  in  a  minute  there  are  many  days: 
O,  by  this  count  I  ftiall  be  much  in  years, 
Ere  1  again  behold  my  Romeo. 

ROM.  Farewel !  I  will  omit  no  opportunity 
That  may  convey  my  greetings,  love,  to  thee. 

JUL.  O,  think'ft  thou,  we  (hall  ever  meet  again? 

ROM.  -1  doubt  it  not;  and  all  these  woes  (hall  ferve 
For  fweet  difcourfes  in  our  times  to  come. 

JUL.  O  God!  I  have  an  ill-divining  foul; 
r^Iethinks,  I  fee  thee,  now  thou  art  fo  low, 
As  oae  dead  in  the  bottom  of  a  tomb: 
Either  my  eye-fight  fails,  or  thou  look'ft  pale. 

ROM.  And  trull  me,  love,  in  my  eye  fo  do  you: 
Dry  forrow  drinks  our  blood.  Adieu!  adieu! 

[Exit  ROMEO,  le/onv. 


72  Romeo  ana  Juliet. 

JUL.  O  fortune,  fortune,  all  men  call  thee  fickle: 
If  thou  art  fickle,  what  doft  thou  with  him 
That  is  renown'd  for  faith?  Be  fickle,  fortune; 
F  r  then,  I  hope,  thou  wilt  not  keep  him  long, 
But  fend  him  back. 

L.  C.  [within  ]  Ho,  daughter!  are  you  up? 

JUL.   Who  is't,  that  calls?  is  it  my  lady  mother ?_ 
Is  me  not  down  fo  late,  or  up  fo  early  ? 
What  unaccuftom'd  cause  procures  her  hither? 
Enter  Lady  Capulet. 

L.  C.  Why,  how  now,  Juliet? 

JUL.  Madam,  1  am  not  well. 

L-  C.  Evermore  weeping  for  your  cousin's  death  ? 
What,  wilt  thou  wafh  him  from  his  grave  with  tears? 
An  if  thou  could'ft,  thou  could'ft  not  make  him  live; 
Therefore,  have  done:  Some  grief  (hews  much  of  love; 
But  much  of  grief  ihews  Mill  fome  want  of  wit. 

JUL.  Yet  let  me  weep  for  fuch  a  feeling  lofs. 

L.  C.  So  mall  you  feel  the  lofs,  but  not  the  friend 
Which  you  tio  weep  for. 

JUL.  Feeling  fo  the  lofs, 
I  cannot  choose  but  ever  weep  the  friend. 

L.  C.   Well, girl,  thou  weep'lt  not  fo  much  for  his  death, 
As  that  the  villain  lives  which  flaughter'd  him. 

JUL.  What  villain,  madam? 

L.  C.  That  fame  villain,  Romeo. 

JUL.  Villain  and  he  are  many  miles  afunder. 
God  pardon  him!  I  do,  with  all  my  heart; 
And  yet  no  man,  like  he,  doth  grieve  my  heart. 

L.  C.  That  is,  because  the  traitor  murderer  lives. 

JUL  .  Ay,  madam,  from  the  reach  of  these  my  hands : 
'Would,  none  but  I  might  venge  my  cousin's  death! 


Romeo  and  Juliet.'  73 

L.  C.  We  will  have  vengeance  for  it,  fear  thoa  not: 
Then,  weep  no  more.   I'll  fend  to  one  in  Mantua,~~ 
Where  that  fame  banifh'd  runagate  doth  live, — 
Shall  give  him  fuch  an  unaccuftom'd  dram, 
That  he  (hail  foon  keep  Tybalt  company: 
And  then,  I  hope,  thou  wilt  be  fatiffy'd. 

JUL.  Indeed,  I  never  mall  be  fatiffy'd 
With  Romeo,  'till  I  behold  him— dead- 
Is  my  poor  heart  fo  for  a  kinsman  vext:.« 
Madam,  if  you  could  find  out  but  a  man 
To  bear  a  poison,  I  would  temper  it; 
That  Romeo  mould,  upon  receipt  thereof, 
Soon  fleep  in  quiet.  O,  how  my  heart  abhors 
To  hear  him  nam'd, — and  cannot  come  to  him,"" 
To  wreak  the  love  I  bore  my  cousin  Tybalt 
Upon  his  body  that  hath  flaughter'd  him! 

L.  C.  Find  thou  the  means,  and  I'll  find  fuch  a  man. 
fcut  now  I'll  tell  thee  joyful  tidings,  girl. 

JUL.  And  joy  comes  well  in  fuch  a  needful  time: 
What  are  they,  I  befeech  your  ladyfhip? 

L.  C.  Well,  well,  thou  haft  a  careful  father,  child; 
One,  who,  to  put  thee  from  thy  heavinefs, 
Hath  forted  out  a  fudden  day  of  joy, 
That  thou  expeft'ft  not,  nor  I  look'd  not  for. 

JUL.  Madam,  in  happy  time,  what  day  is  that? 

L.C.  Marry,  my  child,  early  next  thursday  morn, 
The  gallant,  young,  and  noble  gentleman, 
The  county  Paris,  at  faint  Peter's  church, 
Shall  happily  make  thee  there  a  joyful  bride. 

JUL.  Now,  by  faint  Peter's  church,  and  Peter  too, 
He  mall  not  make  me  there  a  joyful  bride. 
I  wonder  at  this  haile;  that  I  muft  wed 


74-  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

Ere  he,  that  fhould  be  husband,  comes  to  woo. 
I  Pray  you»  te'l  my  ^orc^  anc^  father,  madam, 
I  will  not  marry  yet;  and,  when  1  do,  I  fwear, 
It  fliall  be  Romeo,  whom  you  know  I  hate, 

Rather  than  Paris: These  are  news  indeed! 

Enter  CAPULET,  at  aDiftance; 
N  u  rfe  yo//0au/'ȣ-. 

L.  C.  Here  comes  your  father;  tell  him  fo  yourfelf, 
And  fee  how  he  will  take  it  at  your  hands. 

CrfP.  When  the  fun  fets,  the  air  doth  drizzle  dew; 
But  for  the  fun-fet  of  my  brother's  fon, 
It  rains  downright.—. 

How  now?  a  conduit,  girl  ?  what,  (till  in  tears? 
Evermore  fhow'ring?  In  one  little  body 
Thou  counterfeit'!!  a  bark,  a  fea,  a  wind: 
For  ftill  thy  eyes,  which  I  may  call  the  fea, 
Do  ebb  and  flow  with  tears;  the  bark  thy  body  is, 
Sailing  in  this  fait  flood;  the  winds,  thy  fighs; 
Who,— raging  with  thy  tears,  and  they  with  them,— 
Without  a  fudden  calm,  will  overfet 
Thy  tempeft-tofled  body. _ How  now,  wife? 
Have  you  deliver'd  to  her  our  decree  ? 

L.  C.  Ay,  fir;  but  fhe  will  none,  (he  gives  you  thanks : 
I  would,  the  fool  were  marry'd  to  her  grave. 

CJP.  Soft,  take  me  with  you,  take  me  with  you,  wife. 
How!  will  (he  none?  doth  fhe  not  give  us  thanks  ? 
Is  fhe  not  proud?  doth  fne  not  count  her  bleft, 
Unworthy  as  fhe  is,  that  we  have  wrought 
So  worthy  a  gentleman  to  be  her  bridegroom? 

JUL.  Not  proud, you havejbut  thankful,thatyou  have; 
Proud  can  1  never  be  of  what  I  hate; 
But  thankful  even  for  hate,  that  is  meant  love. 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  y. 

CAP.  How.how!  how,ho\v!  chop  logick?  What  is  this? 
Proud — and,  I  thank  you — and,  I  thank  you  not  — 

And  yet  not  proud Miilrefs  minion,  you, 

Thank  me  no  thankings,  nor  proud  me  no  prouds, 
But  fettle  your  fine  joints,  'gainit  thursday  next, 
To  go  with  Paris  to  faint  Pe/er's  church, 
Or  I  will  drag  thee  on  a  hurdle  thither. 
Out,  you  green-ficknefs  carrion!  out,  you 
You  tallow-face! 

L.C.  Fie,  fie!  what,  are  you  mad? 
JUL.  Good  father,  I  befeech  you  on  my  knees, 
Hear  me  with  patience  but  to  fpeak  a  word. 

CAP.  Hang  thee,  youngbaggage!  difobedient  wretch! 
I  tell  thee  what," get  thee  to  church  o'  thursday, 
Or  never  after  look  me  in  the  face: 
Speak  not,  reply  not,  do  not  anfwer  me; 
My  fingers  itch — Wife,  we  fcarce  thought  us  blell, 
That  God  had  lent  us  but  this  only  child  j 
But  now  I  fee  this  one  is  one  too  much, 
And  that  we  have  a  curfe  in  having  her: 
Out  on  her,  hilding! 

Nur.   God  in  heaven  blefs  her! _ 
You  are  to  blame,  my  lord,  to  rate  her  fo. 

CAP.  And  why,  my  lady  wisdom  ?  hold  your  tongoe* 
Good  prudence;  fmatter  with  your  goffips,  go. 
Nur.    I  fpeak  no  treason : 
CAP.  O,  God-ye-good-den? 
Nur.   May  not  one  fpeak  ? 
CAP.  Peace,  peace,  you  mumbling  fool! 
Utter  your  gravity  o'er  a  goffip's  bowl, 
For  here  we  need  it  not. 
L.  C.  You  are  too  hot. 


76  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

CAP.  God's  bread!  it  makes  me  mad :Day, night, late, 
At  home,  abroad,  alone,  in  company,  [early* 

Waking,  or  deeping,  (till  my  care  hath  been 
To  have  her  match'd:  and  having  now  provided 
A  gentleman  of  piincely  parentage, 
Of  fair  demefnes,  youthful,  and  nobly  train'd, 
Stuft  (as  they  fay)  with  honourable  parts, 
Proportion'd  as  one's  heart  could  wilh  a  man,"" 
And  then  to  have  a  wretched  puling  fool, 
A  whining  mammet,  in  her  fortune's  tender, 
To  anfwer — /'//  not  <wed, — I  cannot  love, — 
1  am  too  young, — I  pray  you,  pardon  me; 
But,  an  you  will  not  wed,  I'll  pardon  you: 
Graze  where  you  will,  you  fhall  not  house  with  me; 
Look  to't,  think  on't,  I  do  not  use  to  jeft. 
Thursday  is  near;  lay  hand  on  heart,  advise: 
An  you  be  mine,  I'll  give  you  to  my  friend; 
An  you  be  not,  hang,  beg,  ftarve,  die  i'  the  {facets, 
For,  by  my  foul,  I'll  ne'er  acknowledge  thee, 
Nor  what  is  mine  mall  never  do  thee  good: 
Truft  to't,  bethink  you,  I'll  not  be  forfworn.         [Exit. 

JUL.  Is  there  no  pity  fitting  in  the  clouds, 
That  fees  into  the  bottom  of  my  grief/_ 
O,  fweet  my  mother,  call  me  not  away ! 
Delay  this  marriage  for  a  month,  a  week; 
Or,  if  you  do  not,  make  the  bridal  bed 
In  that  dim  monument  where  Tybalt  lies. 

L.  C.  Talk  not  to  me,  for  I'll  not  fpeak  a  word ; 
Do  as  thou  wilt,  for  I  have  done  with  thee.          [Exit. 

JUL.  G  God  !_O  nuife,  how  mail  this  be  prevented  ? 
My  husband  is  on  earth,  my  faith  in  heaven; 
How  fhall  that  faith  return  again  to  earth, 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  77 

Unlefs  that  husband  fend  it  me  from  heaven 
By  leaving  earth?  comfort  me,  counfel  me — 
Alack,  alack,  that  heaven  flionld  pradlife  ftratagemsj 

Upon  fo  foft  a  fubjeft  as  myfelf! 

What  fay'ft  thou?  haft  thou  not  a  word  of  joy? 
Some  comfort,  nurfe. 

Nur.    'Fai  th,  here  'tis  t  Romeo 
Js  banifhed;  and  all  the  world  to  nothing, 
That  he  dares  ne'er  come  back  to  challenge  you; 
Or,  if  he  do,  it  needs  mull  be  by  Health. 
Then,  fince  the  cafe  fo  itands  as  now  it  doth, 
I  think  it  beft  you  marry'd  with  the  county: 
O,  he's  a  lovely  gentleman!  irLameo! 
Romeo's  a  dim-clout  to  him ;  an  eagle,  madarrij 
Hath  not  fo  green,  fo  quick,  fo  fair  an  eye 
As  Paris  hath.  Bemrew  my  very  heart, 
I  think  you  are  happy  in  this  fecond  match, 
For  it  excels  your  firft:  or  if  it  did  not, 
Your  firft  is  dead ;  or  'twere  as  good  he  were, 
As  living  here  and  you  no  ufe  of  him. 

Jut.  Speakeft  thou  from  thy  heart? 

Nur.    And  from  my  foul  too; 
Or  elfe  befhrew  them  both. 

JUL.  Amenl 

Nur.    What? 

JUL.  Well,  thou  haft  comforted  me  marvelous  much, 
Go  in ;  and  tell  my  lady,  I  am  gone, 
Having  difpleas'd  my  father,  to  Lawrence1  cell, 
To  make  confeffion,  and  to  be  absolv'd. 

Nur.    Marry,  I  will;  and  this  is  wisely  done.    [Exit. 

JUL.   Ancient  damnation  !  o  moft  wicked  fienJl 
Js  it  more  fin — to  with  me  thus  forfworn, 

VOL.X.  F 


78  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

Or  to  difpraise  my  lord  with  that  fame  tongue  • 

Which  fhe  hath  prais'd  him  with  above  compare 

So  many  thousand  times ?_Go,  counfellor; 

Thou  and  my  bosom  henceforth  mail  be  twain. — 

I'll  to  the  friar,  to  know  his  remedy; 

If  all  elfe  fail,  myfelf  have  power  to  die.  [£>//. 

SCENE  II.  Friar  Lawrence'/  Cell. 
Enter  Friar  Lawrence,  and  PARIS. 

Fri.     On  thursday,  fir?  the  time  is  very  ihort. 

PAR.  My  father  Capulet  will  have  it  fo; 
And  I  am  nothing  flow,  to  flack  his  hafte. 

Fri.     You  fay,  you  do  not  know  the  lady's  mind; 
Uneven  is  the  courfe,  I  like  it  not. 

PJR.  Immoderately  fhe  weeps  for  Tybalt's  death* 
And  therefore  have  I  little  talk'd  of  love; 
For  Venus  fmiles  not  in  a  houfe  of  tears. 
Now,  fir,  her  father  counts  it  dangerous, 
That  fhe  do  give  her  forrow  fo  much  fway ; 
And,  in  his  wisdom,  hafts  our  marriage, 
To  flop  the  inundation  of  her  tears; 
Which,  too  much  minded  by  herfelf  alone, 
May  be  put  from  her  by  fociety : 
Now  do  you  know  the  reason  of  this  hafte. 

Fri.     "  I  would, I  knew  not  why  it  fhould  be  flow'd." 
Look,  fir,  here  comes  the  lady  towards  my  cell. 
Enter  JULIET. 

PJR.  Happily  met,  my  lady,  and  my  wife. 

JUL.  That  may  be,  fir,  when  I  may  be  a  wife. 

PJR.  That  may  be,  muft  be,  love,  on  thursday  next. 

JUL.  What  muft  be  fhall  be. 

fri.    That's  a  certain  text. 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  79 

PAR.  Come  you  to  make  confefiion  to  this  father? 

JUL.  To  anfwer  that,  were  to  confefs  to  you. 

PAH.  Do  not  deny  to  him,  that  you  love  me. 

JUL.   I  will  confefs  to  you,  that  I  love  him. 

PAR.  So  will  you,  I  am  fure,  that  you  love  me. 

JUL.  If  I  do  fo,  it  will  be  of  more  price 
Being  fpoke  behind  your  back,  than  to  your  face. 

PAR.  Poor  foul,  thy  face  is  much  abus'd  with  tears. 

Jut.  The  tears  have  got  fmall  viftory  by  that; 
For  it  was  bad  enough,  before  their  fpite.  [port. 

PAR.  Thou  wrong'ft  it,  more  than  tears,  with  that  re- 

JUL.  That  is  no  wrong,  fir,  that  is  but  a  truth: 
And  what  I  fpake,  I  fpake  it  to  my  face. 

PAR.  Thy  face  is  mine,  and  thou  haft  flander'd  it. 

JUL.   It  may  be  fo,  for  it  is  not  mine  own. — 
Are  you  at  leisure,  holy  father,  now; 
Or  (hall  I  come  to  you  at  evening  mafs  ? 

Fri.     My  leisure  ferves  me,  penfive  daughter,  now:_ 
My  lord,  we  muft  entreat  the  time  alone. 

PAR.  God  (heild,  I  mould  difturb  devotion !_ 
Juliet,  on  thursday  early  will  I  rouze  you: 
'Till  then,  adieu)  and  keep  this  holy~j~kifs. 

[Exit  PARIS. 

JUL.  O,  (hut  the  door!  and,  when  thou  haft  done  fo, 
Come  weep  with  me;  Pail  hope,  paft  cure,  pad  help! 

Fri.     Ah,  Juliet,  I  already  know  thy  grief; 
It  ftrains  me  paft  the  compafs  of  my  wits: 
I  hear  thou  muft,  and  nothing  may  prorogue  it» 
On  thursday  next  be  marryM  to  this  count. 

JUL.  Tell  me  not,  friar,  that  thou  hear'ft  of  this, 
Unlefs  thou  tell  me  bow  I  may  prevent  it : 
If,  in  thy  wndom,  thou  canft  give  no  help, 


8o  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

Do  thou  but  call  my  resolution  wise, 

And  with  this~j~kriife  I'll  help  it  presently. 

God  join'd  my  heart  and  Romeo's,  thou  our  hands; 

And  ere  this  hand,  by  thee  to  Romeo  feal'd, 

Shall  be  the  label  to  another  deed, 

Or  my  true  heart  with  treacherous  revolt 

Turn  to  another,  this~f  (hall  flay  them  both: 

Therefore,  out  of  thy  long-experienc'd  time,  j 

Give  me  fome  present  counfel;  or,  behold, 

'Twixt  my  extreams  and  me  this  bloody  knife 

Shall  play  the  umpire,  arbitrating  that 

Which  the  commiffion  of  thy  years  and  art 

Could  to  no  iflue  of  true  honour  bring. 

Be  not  fo  long  to  fpeak;  1  long  to  die, 

If  what  thou  fpeak'il  fpeak  not  of  remedy. 

Fri.     Hold,  daughter;  I  do  fpy  a  kind  of  hope, 
Which  craves  as  defperate  an  execution 
As  that  is  defperate  which  we  would  prevent. 
If,  rather  than  to  marry  county  Paris, 
Thou  haft  the  ftrength  of  will  to  flay  thyfelf; 
Then  is  it  likely,  thou  wilt  undertake 
A  thing  like  death  to  chide  away  this  fliame, 
That  cop'ft  with  death  himfelf  to  fcape  from  it; 
And,  if  thou  dar'ft,  I'll  give  thee  remedy. 

Jui.  O,  bid  me  leap,  rather  than  marry  Parrs, 
From  off  the  battlements  of  any  tower; 
Or  walk  in  thievilh  ways;  or  bid  me  lurk 
Where  ferpents  are;  chain  me  with  roaring  bears; 
Or  hide  me  nightly  in  a  charnel  houfe, 
O'er-cover'd  quite  with  dead  men's  rattling  bones, 
With  reeky  fhanks,  and  yellow  chaplefs  fculls; 
Or  bid  me  go  into  a  ne\v-niude  grave, 


Romeo  and  ]  uliet.  8 1 

And  hide  me  with  a  dead  man  in  his  ftiroud, 
Thingj  that,  to  hear  them  told,  have  made  me  tremblej 
And  I  will  do  it  without  fear  or  doubt, 
To  live  an  unftain'd  wife  to  my  fweet  love. 

Fri.     Hold,  then;  go  home,  be  merry,  give  confent 
To  marry  Paris:  Wednesday  is  to-morrow; 
To-morrow  night  look  that  thou  lie  alone, 
Let  not  thy  nurfe  lie  with  thee  in  thy  chamber: 
Take  thou  this  ~j~ vial,  being  then  in  bed, 
And  this  diftilled  liquor  drink  thou  off: 
When,  presently,  through  all  thy  veins  (hall  run 
A  cold  and  drowsy  humour ;  for  no  pulfe 
Shall  keep  his  native  progrefs,  but  furceafe; 
No  warmth,  no  breath,  mall  teftify  thou  liv'It; 
The  roses  in  thy  lips  and  cheeks  (hall  fade 
To  paly  afhes ;  thy  eyes'  windows  fall, 
Like  death,  when  he  (huts  up  the  day  of  life; 
Each  part,  depriv'd  of  fupple  government, 
Shall  itifF,  and  ftark,  and  cold  appear  like  death: 
And  in  this  borrow'd  likenefs  of  (hrunk  death 
Thou  (halt  continue  two  and  forty  hours, 
And  then  awake  as  from  a  pleasant  deep. 
Now  when  the  bridegroom  in  the  morning  comes 
To  rouze  thee  from  thy  bed,  there  art  thou  dead: 
Then  (as  the  manner  of  our  country  is) 
In  thy  bell  robes  uncovered  on  the  bier, 
Tjiou  (halt  be  born-to  that  fame  antient  vault 
Where  all  the  kindred  of  the  Capu'.ets  lie. 
Jn  the  mean  time,  againft  thou  (halt  awake, 
Sljall  Romeo  by  my  letters  know  our  drift; 
And  hither  (hall  he  come,  and  he  and  I 
"Will  watch  thy  waking,  and  that  very  night 

a  6  v,  Note. 


8z  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

Shall  Romeo  bear  thee  hence  to  Mantua. 
And  this  (hall  free  thee  from  this  present  fhamej 
If  no  inconftant  toy,  r.or  womanifh  fear, 
Abate  thy  valour  in  the  afHng  it. 

yuL.  Give  me,  o  give  me!  tell  me  not  of  fear. 

Fri.     Hold  =}=;  get  you  gone,  be  ftrong  and  profperous 
In  this  resolve:  I'll  fend  a  friar  with  fpeed 
To  Mantua,  with  my  letters  to  thy  lord.  [afford. 

JVL.  Love  give  me  Itrength!  and  flrength  mall  help 
Farewel,  dear  father.  [Exeunt,  fever  ally. 

SCENE  III.  Ha// in  Capnlet's  Hou/e. 

Enter  CAPULET,  his  Lady,  Nurfe,  aWServants. 

Cjf.  So  many  guefts  invite  as  here  =j=  are  writ._ 

[to  a  Servant',  ivbo  goes  out. 
Sirrah,  go  hire  me  twenty  cunning  cooks. 

1.5.    You  (hall  have  none  ill,  fir;  for  I'll  try  if  they 
can  lick  their  fingers. 
CAP.  How  canft  thou  try  them  fo? 
1.5.    Marry,  fir,  'tis  an  ill  cook  that  cannot  lick  his 
own  fingers:  therefore  he,  that  cannot  lick  his  fingers, 
goes  not  with  me. 

CA?.  Go,  begone —  [Exit  Servant. 

"We  ihall  be  much  unfurnilh'd  for  this  time 

What,  is  my  daughter  gone  to  friar  Lawrence? 
Nur.   Ay,  forfooth. 

CXP.  Well,  he  may  chance  to  do  fome  good  on  her: 
A  peevifh  felf-will'd  harlotry  it  is. 
Enter  JULIET. 

Nur.   See,\vhere  fhecomes  from  fhrift  with  merry  look. 
C#p.  How  now,my  head-itrong:  where  have  you  been 
gadding? 

5  Give  mr.  give  me,  0  tell 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  83 

Jut .  Where  I  have  learnt  me  to  repent  the  fin 
Of  difobedient  opposition 
To  you,  and  your  behefts ;  and  am  enjoin'd 
By  holy  Lawrence  to  fall  proftrate  here, 
To  beg  your  pardon:  Pardon,  I  befeech  you! 
Henceforward  I  am  ever  rul'd  by  you. 

Cjr.  Send  for  the  county,  go,  tell  him  of  this; 
I'll  have  this  knot  knit  up  to-morrow  morning. 

JUL.  I  met  the  youthful  lord  at  Lawrence"1  cell; 
And  gave  him  what  becoming  love  I  might, 
Not  ftepping-o'er  the  bounds  of  modefty. 

CAP.  Why,  I  am  glad  on't ;  this  is  well,— ftand  up,— 
This  is  as't  mould  be:_Let  me  fee  the  county; 
Ay,  marry,  go,  I  fay,  and  fetch  him  hither.  _^ 
Now,  afore  God,  this  holy  reverend  friar~~ 
All  our  whole  city  is  much  bound  to  him. 

JUL.  Nurfe,  will  you  go  with  me  into  my  closet, 
To  help  me  fort  fuch  needful  ornaments 
As  you  think  fit  to  furnifh  me  to-morrow. 

L.C.  No,not 'till  thursciay;  there  is  time  enough  [ow. 

CAP.  Go,nurfe,go  with  her;  we'll  to  church  to-morr- 
[ Exeunt  Ju  L-I  E  T,  and  Nurfe. 

L.  C.  We  fha!l  be  fhort  in  our  provision; 
'Tis  now  near  night. 

CAP.  Tu(h!  I  will  ftir  about, 
And  all  things  (hall  be  well,  1  warr'nt  thee,  wife : 
Go  thou  to  julief,  help  to  deck  up  her; 
I'll  not  to  bed  to-night;  let  me  alone, 

I'll  play  the  huswife  for  this  once What  ho! 

They  are  all  forth:  Well,  I  will  walk  myfelf 

To  county  Paris,  to  prepare  him  up 

Againll  to-morrow:  my  heart  is  wondrous  light, 

•°  becomed 


84  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

Since  this  fame  wayward  girl  is  fo  reclaim'd.    [Exeunt, 

SCENE  IV.  Juliet';  Chamber. 
Enter  JULIET,  and Nurfe. 

Jut.  Ay,  those  attires  are  beft:  But,  gentle  nurfe, 
I  pray  thee,  leave  me  to  myfelf  to-night; 
For  I  have  need  of  many  orisons 
To  move  the  heavens  to  fmile  upon  my  ftate, 
Which*  well  thou  know'ft,  is  crofs  and  full  of  fin. 
Enter  Lady  Capulet. 

L.  C.  What,  are  you  busy,  ho?  need  you  my  help? 

"Jut.  No,  madam;  we  have  cull'd  fuch  neceflaries 
As  are  behoveful  for  our  ftate  to-morrow: 
So  please  you,  let  me  now  be  left  alone, 
And  let  the  nurfe  this  night  fet  up  with  you; 
For,  I  am  fure,  you  have  your  hands  full  all, 
In  this  fo  fudden  businefs. 

L.  C.  Good  night! 
Get  thee  to  bed,  and  reft;  for  thou  haft  need. 

[Exeunt  Lady,  and  "Karfc» 

JVL.  Farewell God  knows, when  we  fliall  meet  a- 

gain. 

I  have  a  faint  cold  fear  thrills  through  my  veins, 
That  almoft  freezes  up  the  heat  of  life: 
I'll  call  them  back  again  to  comfort  me;_ 
Nurfe !_ What  mould  (he  do  herer 
My  dismal  fcene  I  needs  mull  acl  alone.  _, 
Come,  vial — 

What  if  this  mixture  do  not  work  at  all? 
Shall  I  be  marry'd  then  to-morrow  morning? 
No,  no;  this~|"fhail  forbid  it;_Jie  thou  there.-, 
What  if  it  be  a  poison,  which  the  friar 


Romeo  and  Julief »  85 

Subtly  hath  minifter'd  to  have  me  dead; 

Left  in  this  marriage  he  fhould  be  dimonourM, 

Because  he  marry'd  me  before  to  Romeo? 

I  fear,  it  is:  and  yet,  methinks,  it  mould  not, 

For  he  hath  ftill  been  try'd  a  holy  man. 

How  if,  when  I  am  lay'd  into  the  tomb, 

I  wake  before  the  time  that  Romeo 

Come  to  redeem  me  ?  there's  a  fearful  point! 

Shall  I  not  then  be  ftifl'd  in  the  vault, 

To  whose  foul  mouth  no  healthfome  air  breaths  In, 

And  there  die  ftrangl'd  ere  my  Romeo  comes? 

Or,  if  I  live,  is  it  not  very  like, 

The  horrible  conceit  of  death  and  night, 

Together  with  the  terror  of  the  place, — 

As  in  a  vault,  an  ancient  receptacle, 

Where,  for  these  many  hundred  years,  the  bones 

Of  all  my  bury'd  anceilors  are  packt; 

Where  bloody  Tybalt,  yet  but  green  in  earth. 

Lies  feft'ring  in  his  fhroud ;  where,  as  they  fay, 

At  fome  hours  in  the  night  fpirits  resort;  — 

Alack,  alack,  is  it  not  like,  that  I, 

So  early  waking, —  what  with  loathfome  fmells; 

And  fhrieks  like  mandrakes  torn  out  of  the  earth, 

That  living  mortals,  hearing  them,  run  mad;"— 

O,  if  I  wake,  (hall  1  not  be  dirtraught, 

Environed  with  all  these  hideous  fears  ? 

And  madly  play  with  my  forefathers' joints? 

And  pluck  the  mangl'd  Tybalt  from  his  (hroud  ? 

And,  in  this  rage,  with  fome  great  kinsman's  bone, 

As  with  a  club,  dam  out  my  defperate  brains? 

O,  look!  methinks,  I  fee  my  cousin's  ghott 

Seeking  out  Romeo,  that  did  fpit  his  boJy 


86  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

Upon  a  rapier's  point :_  Stay,  Tybalt,  (lay!_ 
Romeot  Income!  this  do  1  drink  to  thee. 

[drinks ;  throws  away  the  Vial,  and  cafts 
berfelf  upon  the  Bed.    Scene  closes. 

SCENE  V.  The  Hall. 

Enter  Lady  Capulet,  and  Nurfe. 
Z.  C.  Hold,  take  these  =f=  keys,  and  fetch  more  fpices, 

nurfe. 
N#r.   They  call  for  dates  and  quinces  in  the  paftry. 

Enter  CAPULET,  hajiily. 

CAT.  Come,ftir,ftir,ftir;  the  fecond  cock  hath  crow'd, 
The  curfeu  bell  hath  rung,  'tis  three  o'clock:-. 
Look  to  the  bak'd  meats,  good  Angelica: 
Spare  not  for  coft. 

Nur<    Go,  go,  you  cot-quean,  go, 
Get  you  to  bed;  'faith,  you'll  be  fick  to-morrow 
For  this  night's  watching. 

CAP.  No,  not  a  whit;  What!  I  have  watch'd  ere  now 
All  night  for  a  lefs  cause,  and  ne'er  been  fick. 

L.  C.  Ay,  you  have  been  a  moufe-hunt  in  your  time; 
But  I  will  watch  you  from  fuch  watching  now. 

[Exeunt  Lady,  and  Nurfe. 

CAP.  A  jealous-hood,  a  jealous-hood Now,  fellow, 

Enter  divers  Servants,  'with  logs,  baJLcis,  &c. 
What's  there  ? 

1 .  S.    Things  for  the  cook,  fir ;  but  I  know  not  what. 
CAP.  Make  hafte,  make  hafte.  [Exit  Ser.J  Sirrah,fetch 

drier  logs; 
Call  Peter,  he  will  (hew  you  where  they  are. 

2.  5.    I  have  a  head,  fir,  that  will  find  out  logs, 
And  never  trouble  Piter  for  the  matter.  [Exit* 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  $7 

CAP.  Mafs,  and  well  faid;  A  merry  whorfon!  ha, 
Thou  ihal/be  logger- head.  Good  faith,  'tis  day: 
The  county  will  be  here  with  musick  ftraight, 

[Mustek  ivitbia. 

For  fo  he  faid  he  would.  I  hear  him  near:_ 
Nurfe!_Wife!  what,  ho!_what,  nurfe,  I  fay! 

Enter  Nurfe. 
Go,  waken  Juliet,  go,  and  trim  her  up; 

I'll  go  and  chat  with  Paris: hey,  make  hafte, 

Make  hafte !  the  bridegroom  he  is  come  already; 
Make  hafte,  I  fay!  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  VI.  Anti-room  */ Juliet'/  Chamber. 
Door  of  the  Chamber  open,  and  Juliet  upon  her  Beef. 

Enter  Nurfe.  [her:.^. 

Nur.   Miftrefs !  what,  miftrefs !  Juliet?-. faft,  I  warrant 

Why,  lamb!  why,  lady! fie,  you  flug-abed! 

Why,  love,  1  fay!  madam!  fweet  heart!  why,  bride!__ 

What,  not  a  word  ?_you  take  your  pen'-orths  now; 

Sleep  for  a  week ;  for  the  next  night,  I  warrant, 

The  county  Paris  hath  fet  up  his  reft, 

That  you  (hall  reft  but  little — God  forgive  me, 

(Marry,  and  amen)  how  found  is  (he  afleep! 

1  needs  mull  wake  her:_Madam!  madam!  madam! 

[goes  towards  the  Bed. 
Ay,  let  the  county  take  you  in  your  bed ; 

He'll  fright  you  up,  i'faith Will  it  not  be? 

[undraws  the  Curtains. 

What,  dreft!  and  in  your  cloaths!  and  down  again! 
1  mult  needs  wake  you :_  Lady!  lady!  lady! 

\Jbakin?  ier. 
Alas,  alas !_ Help,  help!  my  lady's  dead!_ 


SS  Romeo  and  Juliet, 

O  wel-a-day,  that  ever  I  was  born!_ 
Some  aqua-vita,  ho!_My  lord  !_ my  lady! 
Enter  Lady  Capulet. 

L.  C.  What  noise  is  here? 

Nur.    O  lamentable  day! 

L.  C.  What  is  the  matter? 

Nur.    Look,-f  look!  O  heavy  day! 

L.  C.  O  me,  o  me!_my  child,  my  only  life, 

Revive,  look  up,  or  I  will  die  with  thee! 

Help,  help  !_call  help. 

Enter  CAPULET. 

CAP.  For  fliame,  bring  ^Juliet  forth ;  her  lord  is  come. 

Nur.   She's  dead,  deceaf 'd,  (he's  dead ;  alack  the  day  ! 

L.C.  Alack  the  day,  flic's  dead,  (lie's  dead,  (he's  deadl 

CAP.  Ha!  let  me  fee  her  :~  Out,  alas!  (lie's  cold; 
Her  blood  is  fettl'd,  and  her  joints  are  ftiff; 
Life  and  these  lips  have  long  been  feperated : 
Death  lies  on  her,  like  an  untimely  froft 
Upon  the  fweeteft  flower  of  all  the  field. 

Nur.    O  lamentable  day ! 

L.C.  O  woful  time!  [wail, 

CAP.  Death,  that  hath  ta'en  her  hence  to  ma,ke  ing 
Ties  up  my  tongue,  and  will  not  let  me  fpeak. 

Enter  Friar  Lawrence,  and  PA  R  i  s  ;  Musicians, 
and  Servants,  after  them. 

Fri.     Come,  is  the  bride  ready  to  go  to  church? 

CAP.  Ready  to  go,  but  never  to  return: 

O  fon,  the  night  before  thy  wedding  day 

Hath  death  lain  with  thy  wife;  fee,  there  (he  lies, 

Flower  as  His  was,  deflow'red  now  by  him 

Death  is  my  fon-in--law,  death  is  my  heir, 
My  daughter  he  haih  wedded!  i  v.ili  die, 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  89 

And  leave  him  all;  life  leaving,  all  is  death's. 

PAR.  Have  I  thought  long  to  fee  this  morning's  face, 
And  doth  it  give  me  fuch  a  fight  as  this? 

L.  C.  Accurft,  unhappy,  wretched,  hateful  day; 
Moft  miserable  hour,  that  e'er  time  law 
In  Ming  labour  of  his  pilgrimage! 
But  one,  poor  one,  one  poor  and  loving  child,   • 
But  one  thing  to  rejoice  and  folace  in, 
And  cruel  death  hath  catch'd  it  from  my  fight! 

Nur.    O  woe!  o  woful,  woful,  woful  day! 
Moft  lamentable  day,  moil  woful  day, 
That  ever,  ever,  I  did  yet  behold! 
O  day,  o  day,  o  day,  o  hateful  day! 
Never  was  feen  fo  black  a  day  as  this: 
O  woful  day,  o  woful  day ! 

PAR.  Beguil'd,  divorced,  wronged,  fpighted,  flain; 
Moft  deteftable  death,  by  thee  beguil'd, 

By  cruel  cruel  thee  quite  overthrown! 

O  love  !  o  life  !  not  life,  but  love  in  death  ! 
..  CAP.  Defpis'd,  diltrefled,  hated,  martyr'd,  kill'd!_^. 
Uncomfortable  time,  why  cam'ft  thou  now 

To  murther  murther  our  folemnity? 

O  child,  o  child, —  my  foul,  and  not  my  child,-" 
Dead  art  thou,  fccatl!  alack,  my  child  is  dead; 
And,  with  my  child,  my  joys  are  buried! 

Fri.     Peace,  ho,  for  fhame !  confusion's  cure  lives  not 
In  these  confusions.  Heaven  and  yourfelf 
Had  part  in  this  fair  maid;  now  heaven  hath  all, 
And  all  the  better  is  it  for  the  maid : 
Your  part  in  her  you  could  not  keep  from  death; 
But  heaven  keeps  his  part  in  eternal  life. 
The  moil  you  fought  was — her  promotion; 

i  Jiving     *6  care 


90  Romeo  *W  Juliet. 

For  'twas  your  heaven,  (he  fhould  be  advanc'd: 
And  weep  ye  now,  feeing  fhe  is  advanc'd, 
Above  the  clouds,  as  high  as  heaven  itfelf? 
O,  in  this  love,  you  love  your  child  fo  ill, 
That  you  run  mad,  feeing  that  fhe  is  well: 
She's  not  well  marry'd,  that  lives  marry'd  long; 
But  {he's  beft  marry'd,  that  dies  marry'd  young. 
Dry  up  your  tears,  and  flick  your  rosemary 
On  this  fair  corfe;  and,  as  the  cuftom  is, 
In  all  her  beft  array  bear  her  to  church  : 
For  though  fond  nature  bids  us  all  lament, 
Vet  nature's  tears  are  reason's  merriment. 

CJP.  All  things,  that  we  ordained  feltival^ 
Turn  from  their  office  to  black  funeral : 
Our  inftruments,  to  melancholy  bells; 
Our  wedding  chear,  to  a  fad  burial  feaft; 
Our  folemn  hymns  to  fullen  dirges  change; 
Our  bridal  flowers  ferve  for  a  bury'd  corfe, 
And  all  things  change  them  to  the  contrary. 

Fri.     Sir,  go  you  in, and,  madam,  go  with  him,_ 

And  go,  fir  Paris; every  one  prepare 

To  follow  this  fair  corfe  unto  her  grave: 
The  heavens  do  lour  upon  you,  for  fome  ill; 
Move  them  no  more,  by  croffing  their  high  will. 

[Exeunt  Friar  Lawrence,  PARIS,  CAPULET, 
and  Lady  Capulet.     Door  Jhut. 

l .  M.  'Faith,  we  may  put  up  our  pipes,  and  be  gone. 

Nur.    Honefl  good-fellows,  ah,  put  up,  put  up  ; 
For,  well  you  know,  this  is  a  pitiful  cafe.  [Exit* 

i .  M.  Ay,  by  my  troth,  the  cafe  may  be  amended. 
Enter  another  Servant. 

Ser.     Musicians,  o,  musicians,  Heart's  fast,  keart'i  (a ft', 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  91 

O,  an  you  will  have  me  live,  play— hearts  east. 

i.M.  Why  heart's  ease? 

Ser.  O,  musicians,  because  my  heart  itfelf  plays  ••• 
My  heart  is  full  of<woe:  O,  play  me  fome  merry  dump, 
to  comfort  me. 

i.M.  Not  a  dump  we;  'tis  no  time  to  play  now. 

Ser.     You  will  not  then? 

i.M.  No. 

Ser.     I  will  then  give  it  you  foundly. 

i.  M.  What  will  you  give  us? 

Ser.  No  money,  on  my  faith;  but  the  gleek:  I  will 
give  you  the  minftrel. 

i .  M.  Then  will  I  give  you  the  ferving-creature. 

Ser.  Then  will  I  lay  the  ferving-creature's  dagger 
on  your  pate.  I  will  carry  no  crotchets :  I'll  re  you,  I'll 
fa  you;  Do  you  note  me? 

1.  M.  An  you  re  us,  and  fa  us,  you  note  us. 

2.  M.  Pray  you,  put  up  your  dagger,  and  put  out  your 
wit. 

Ser.  Then  have  at  you  with  my  wit ;  I  will  dry-beat 
you  with  an  iron  wit,  and  put  up  my  iron  dagger.  An- 
fwer  me  like  men ; 

When  griping  grief  the  heart  doth  wound, 

and  doleful  dumps  the  mind  opprefst 
then  musick,  'with  her  Jll'ver  found, 

why  Jllver  found?  why  musick  with  her  Jilver  found?—* 
What  fay  you,  Simon  Catling? 

1.  M.  Marry,  fir,  because  filver  hath  a  fweet  found. 
Ser.     Pratee — What  fay  you,  Hugh  Rebeck? 

2.  M.  I  fay~ 'filver  found,  because  musicians  found  for 
filver. 

Ser.    Pratee  too—What  fay  you,  Jami  Sound-ft/l? 


92  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

3.M.  'Faith,  I  know  not  what  to  fay. 
Ser.     O,  I  cry  you  mercy!  you  are  the  finger:  I  will 
fay   for  you;  It  is  —  musick  with  her  Jilver  found,  be- 
cause fuch  fellows  as  you  have  feldom  gold  for  found- 
ing:  

then  musick,  <with  her  Jilver  found, 
with  fpeedy  help  doth  lend  redrefs. 

[  Exit,  fenging. 

1.  M.  What  a  peftilent  knave  is  this  fame? 

2.  M.  Hang  him  Jack!  Come,  we'll  in  here;  tarry  for 
the  mourners,  and  flay  dinner.  [Exeunt. 

ACT  V. 

SCENE  I.  Mantua.  A  Street. 
Enter  ROMEO. 

ROM.  If  I  may  truft  the  flattering  truth  of  fleep^ 
My  dreams  prefage  fome  joyful  news  at  hand: 
My  bosom's  lord  fits  lightly  on  his  throne; 
And,  all  this  day,  an  unaccuftom'd  fpirit 
Lifts  be  above  the  ground  with  chearful  thoughts. 
J  dreamt,  my  lady  came  and  found  me  dead; 
(Strange  dream!  that  gives  a  dead  man  leave  to  think) 
And  breath'd  fuch  life  with  kifles  in  my  lips, 
That  I  reviv'd,  and  was  an  emperor. 
Ah  me!  how  fvveet  is  love  itfelf  posseft, 
When  but  love's  fhadows  are  fo  rich  in  joy  ? 
Enter  BALTHAZAR. 

News  from  Vercna! How  now,  Balthazar? 

Doft  thou  rot  bring  me  letters  from  the  friar? 
How  doth  my  lady :  Is  my  father  well? 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  93 

How  doth  my  Juliet?  that  I  afk  again  ; 
i'or  nothing  can  be  ill,  if  me  be  well. 

BAL.  Then  (he  is  well,  and  nothing  can  be  ill; 
Her  body  fleeps  in  Capukti1  monument, 
And  her  immortal  part  with  angels  lives; 
J  faw  her  lay'd  low  in  her  kindred's  vault, 
And  presently  took  poft  to  tell  it  you: 

0  pardon  me  for  bringing  these  ill  news, 
Since  you  did  leave  it  for  my  office,  fir. 

ROM.  Is  it  even  fo?  then  I  deny  you,  ftars._ 
Thou  know'ft  my  lodging:  get  me  ink  and  paper, 
And  hire  poit-horfes;  I  will  hence  to-night. 

BAL.  I  do  befeech  you,  fir,  have  patience: 
Your  looks  are  pale  and  wild,  and  do  import 
Some  mifadventure. 

ROM.  Tufh,  thou  art  deceiv'd; 
Leave  me,  and  do  the  thing  I  bid  thee  do : 
Haft  thou  no  letters  to  me  from  the  friar? 

BAL.  No,  my  good  lord. 

ROM.  No  matter:  Get  thee  gone, 
And  hire  those  horfes;  I'll  be  with  thee  ftraight. 

[Exit  BALTHAZAR, 

Well,  Juliet,  I  will  lie  with  thee  to-night. 
Let's  fee  for  means:  —  O,  mifchief,  thou  art  fwift 
To  enter  in  the  thoughts  of  defperate  men! 

1  do  remember  an  apothecary, — 

And  hereabouts  he  dwells, — whom  late  I  noted 
In  tatter'd  weeds,  with  overwhelming  brows, 
Culling  of  fimples;  meager  were  his  looks, 
Sharp  misery  had  worn  him  to  the  bones ; 
And  in  his  needy  (hop  a  tortoife  hung, 
An  alligator  ftuft,  and  other  fkins 

4** 

VOL.  X.  C 


94  Romeo  and  Juliet, 

Of  ill-fhap'd  fifties;  and  about  his  {helves 

A  beggarly  account  of  empty  boxes, 

Green  earthen  pots,  bladders,  and  mufty  feeds, 

Remnants  of  packthread,  and  old  cakes  of  roses, 

Were  thinly  fcatter'd,  to  make  up  a  (hew. 

Noting  this  penury,  to  myfelf  I  faid— 

An  if  a  man  did  need  a  poison  now, 

Whose  fale  is  present  death  in  Mantua, 

Here  lives  a  caitiff  wretch  would  fell  it  him. 

O,  this  fame  thought  did  but  fore-run  my  need; 

And  this  fame  needy  man  muft  fell  it  me. 

As  I  remember,  this  fhould  be  the  houfe: 

Being  holiday,  the  beggar's  mop  is  mut.  _ 

What  ho,  apothecary ! 

Enter  Apothecary. 

Jlpt.    Who  call sfo  loud? 

ROM.  Come  hither, man.  I  fee, that  thou  art  poor; 
Hold,  there  is  forty  ducats :  let  me  have 
A  dram  of  poison;  fuch  foon-fpeeding  geer 
As  will  difperfe  itfelf  through  all  the  veins, 
That  the  life-weary  taker  may  fall  dead ; 
And  that  the  trunk  may  be  difcharg'd  of  breath 
As  violently,  as  hafty  powder  fir'd 
Doth  hurry  from  the  fatal  cannon's  womb. 

Apo.    Such  mortal  drugs  I  have;  but  Mantua 's  law 
Is  death,  to  any  he  that  utters  them. 

ROM.  Art  thou  fo  bare,  and  full  of  wretchednefs, 
And  fear'fl  to  die?  famine  is  in  thy  cheeks, 
Need  and  opprefllon  ftareth  in  thine  eyes, 
Contempt  and  beggary  hangs  upon  thy  back, 
The  world  is  not  thy  friend,  nor  the  world's  law; 
The  world  affords  no  law  to  make  thee  rich ; 

*9  flarvetb 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  95 

Then  be  not  poor,  but  break  it,  and  take  this. 

Apo.    My  poverty,  but  not  my  will,  confents. 

ROM.  1  pay  thy  poverty,  and  not  thy  will. 

Apo.    Put  this  =j=  in  any  liquid  thing  you  will, 
And  drink  it  off;  and,  if  you  had  the  ftrength 
Of  twenty  men,  it  would  difpatch  you  ftraight. 

ROM.  There  is  thy^gold  jworfe  poison  to  men's  foals, 
Doing  more  murthers  in  this  loathfome  world, 
Than  these  poor  compounds  that  thou  may'fl  not  fell : 
I  fell  thee  poison,  thou  haft  fold  me  none. 
Farewel;  buy  food,  and  get  thyfelf  in  flefh._ 
Come,  cordial,  and  not  poison ;  go  with  me 
To  Juliet's  grave,  for  there  muft  [  use  thee.      [Exeunt, 

SCENE  II.  Friar  Lawrence'*  Cell. 
Enter  Friar  John. 

F.  J.  Holy  Francifcan  friar,  brother,  ho ! 
Enter  Friar  Lawrence. 

F.  L.  This  fame  fhould  be  the  voice  of  friar  John.— 
Welcome  from  Mantua:  What  fays  Romeo? 
Or,  if  his  mind  be  writ,  give  me  his  letter. 

F.  J.  Going  to  find  a  bare-foot  brother  out, 
One  of  our  order,  to  aflbciate  me, 
Here  in  this  city  visiting  the  fick, 
And  finding  him,  the  fearchers  of  the  town, 
Sufpefting  that  we  both  were  in  a  houfe 
Where  the  infectious  peftilence  did  reign, 
Seal'd  up  the  doors,  and  would  not  let  us  forth; 
So  that  my  fpeed  to  Mantua  there  was  ftay'd. 

F.  L.   Who  bare  my  letter  then  to  Romeo? 

F.  y.   I  could  not  fend  it, —  here  ^  it  is  again,"" 
Nor  get  a  mdTenger  to  bring  it  thee, 

Gz 


96  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

So  fearful  were  they  of  infection. 

F.  L.   Unhappy  fortune!  by  my  brotherhood. 

The  letter  was  not  nice,  but  full  of  charge, 

Of  dear  import;  and  the  negledling  ic 

May  do  much  danger:  Friar  John,  go  hence; 

Get  me  an  iron  crow,  and  bring  it  ilraight 

Unto  my  cell. 

F.  y.  Brother,  Pll  go  and  bring  it  thee.  [Exit: 

F.  L.  Now  muft  I  to  the  monument  alone; 

"Within  these  three  hours  will  f&\r  Juliet  wake; 

She  will  befhrew  me  much,  that  Romeo 

Hath  had  no  notice  of  these  accidents: 

But  I  will  write  again  10  Mantua, 

And  keep  her  at  my  cell  'till  Romeo  come; 

Poor  living  corfe,  clos'd  in  a  dead  man's  tomb.     [Exit. 

SCENE  III.  A  Church-yard; 

in  it,  a  Monument  belonging  to  the  Capulets. 

Enter  PARIS  ;  a  Page  <witb  him,  bearing 

Flowers,  and  a  Torch. 

PAS.  .  Give  me  thy  torch, boy :  Hence, and  ftand  aloof; — 
Yet  put  it  out,  giving  it  back.}  for  I  would  not  be  fecn. 
\Boy  putt  cut  the  Torch. 
Under  yon'  yew-trees  lay  thee  all  along, 
Holding  thine  ear  clofe  to  the  hollow  ground; 
So  fhall  no  foot  upon  the  church-yard  tread, 
(Being  loofe,  unfirm,  with  digging  up  of  graves) 
But  thou  {halt  hear  it:  whittle  then  to  me, 
As  fignal  that  thou  hear'ft  fomething  approach. 
Give  me  those  flowers.  Do  as  1  bid  thee,  go. 
Pag.    "  I  am  almoft  afraid  to  ftand  alone" 
**  Here  in  the  church-yardj 


Romeo  and  Jalict.  -517 

PAR.  Sweet  flower,  [going  up  to  the  Tomb.}  with  flow- 
ers thy  bridal  bed  I~f  itrexv: 

O  woe,  thy  canopy  is  duft  and  (tones! 
Which  with  fweet  water  nightly  I  will  dew; 

Or,  wanting  that,  with  tears  diftill'd  by  moans: 
The  obfequics,  that  I  for  thce  will  keep 
Nightly,  (hall  be— to  ftrew  thy  grave,  and  weep. 

[  Pay 

The  boy  gives  warning,  fomething  doth  approach. 
What  curfed  foot  wanders  this  way  to-night. 
To  crofs  my  obfequies,  and  true  love's  rites? 

What, with  a  torch! muffle  me,  night,  a  while. [retires. 

Enter  ROMEO;  BALTHAZAR  nvirb  bimt 
bearing  a  Torch,  Mattock,  &c. 

ROM.  Give  me  that  mattock,  and  the  wrenching  iron. 
[takes  them,  and  approaches  the  Tomb* 
Hold,  take  this^Ietter;  early  in  the  morning 
See  thou  deliver  it  to  my  lord  and  father. 
•Give  me  the  light:  Upon  thy  life  I  charge  thee, 
Whate'er  tbou  hear'rt  or  fee'ft,  (land  all  aloof, 
And  do  not  interrupt  me  in  my  courfe. 
Why  I  defcend  into  this  bed  of  deatk 
Is,  partly,  to  behold  my  lady's  face: 
But,  chiefly,  to  take  thence  from  her  dead  finger 
A  precious  ring;  a  ring,  that  I  mud  use 
Jn  dear  employment:  therefore  hence,  be  gone:~" 
But  if  thou  jealous  doft  return  to  pry 
Jn  what  I  farther  (hall  intend  to  do, 
By  heaven,  1  will  tear  thee  joint  by  jo5i?t, 
And  ftrew  this  hungry  churcn-yard  with  thy  limbs: 
The  time  and  my  indents  are  favage,  wild; 
iMore  fierce,  and  more  inexorable  far, 


98  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

Than  empty  tigers,  or  the  roaring  fea. 

BAL.  I  will  be  gone,  fir,  and  not  trouble  you. 

ROM.  So  {halt  thou  fhew  me  friendfhip. 

that : 
Live,  and  be  profperous;  and  farewel,  good  fellow. 

BAL.  "  For  all  this  fame,  I'll  hide  me  hereabout;" 
*'  His  looks  1  fear,  and  his  intents  I  doubt."      [retires* 

ROM.  Thou  deteftable  maw,  thou  womb  of  death, 

[fixing  bis  Mattock  in  the  Tomb. 
Gorg'd  with  the  deareft  morfel  of  the  earth, 
Thus  I  enforce  thy  rotten  jaws  to  open,       [Tomb  opens. 
And,  in  defpite,  I'll  cram  thee  with  more  food. 

PAR.  This  is  that  banifh'd  haughty  Mountague, 
That  murder'd  my  love's  cousin; — with  which  grief, 
It  is  fupposed,  the  fair  creature  dy'd, — 
And  here  is  come  to  do  fome  villanous  mame 
To  the  dead  bodies:  I  will  apprehend  him._ 
Stop  thy  unhallow'd  toil,  vile  Mountague', 

[a'raivs,  and  rujhes  fcriuard. 
Can  vengeance  be  purfu'd  further  than  death  r 
Condemned  villain,  I  do  apprehend  thee  : 
Obey,  and  go  with  me;  for  thou  mult  die. 

ROM.  I  muft,  indeed;  and  therefore  came  ]  hither 

Good  gentle  youth,  tempt  not  a  defperate  man, 
Fly  hence  and  leave  me;  think  upon  these  qone, 
Let  them  affright  thee.   1  befeech  thee,  youth, 
Put  not  another  fin  upon  my  head, 
By  urging  me  to  fury;  o,  be  gone: 
By  heaven,  I  love  thee  better  than  myfelf; 
For  I  come  hither  arm'd  againtt  myfelf: 
Stay  not,  be  gone;  live,  and  hereafter  fay*-* 
A  madman's  mercy  bid  thee  run  away. 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  99 

PAR.  I  do  defy  thy  conjuration, 
And  apprehend  thee  for  a  felon  here. 

ROM.  Wilt  thou  provoke  me?  then  have  at  thee,  boy. 
[draws,  and  they  fight. 

Pag.   O  lord!  they  fight:  I  will  go  call  the  watch. 

[Exit  Page. 

PAR.  O,  I  am  flain  !_[/*///.]  If  thou  be  merciful, 
Open  the  tomb,  lay  me  with  Juliet.  [dies. 

ROM.  In  faith,  1  will: Let  me  peruse  this  face;~- 

[holds  the  Turch  to  it. 

tttreuth's  kinsman,  noble  county  Paris:  — 
What  faid  my  man,  when  my  betofled  foul 
Did  not  attend  him  as  we  rode?  I  think, 
He  told  me,  Paris  fhould  have  marry 'd  Juliet: 
Said  he  not  fo?  or  did  I  dream  it  fo? 
Or  am  I  mad,  hearing  him  talk  of  Juliet, 

To  think  it  was  fo? O,  give  me  thy  hand, 

One  writ  with  me  in  four  miffortune's  book! 
I'll  bury  thee  in  a  triumphant  grave, — 
A  grave?  o,  no;  a  lanthorn,  ilaughter'd  youth, 
For  here  lies  Juliet,  and  her  beauty  makes 
This  vault  a  feafting  presence  full  of  light. 
Death,  lie  thou  there  by  a  dead  man  interr'd. 

[enters  the  Tomb,  carrying  in  the  Body. 
How  oft  when  men  are  at  the  point  of  death 
Have  they  been  merry,  which  their  keepers  call 
A  lightning  before  death  ?  o,  how  may  I 

Call  this  a  lightning? O,  my  love!  my  wife! 

Death,  that  hath  fuck'd  the  honey  of  thy  breath, 
Hath  had  no  power  yet  upon  thy  beauty: 
Thou  art  not  conquer'd;  beauty's  enfi^n  yet 
Js -crimson  in  thy  lips,  .and  in  thy  cheeks, 

*  £oiunuwrnoa 


IOO  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

And  death's  pale  flag  is  not  advanced  there. _ 
Tybalt^  ly'ft  thou  there  in  thy  bloody  fneet? 
O,  what  more  favour  can  I  do  to  thee, 
Than  with  that  hand  that  cut  thy  youth  in  twain 
To  funder  his  that  was  thine  enemy? 

Forgive  me,  cousin! Ah,  dearju/ief, 

Why  art  thou  yet  fo  fair?  Shall  I  believe 
That  unfubftantial  death  is  amorous; 
And  that  the  lean  abhorred  monlter  keeps 
Thee  here  in  dark  to  be  his  paramour? 
For  fear  of  that,  I  will  fiill  ftay  with  thee; 
And  never  from  this  palace  of  dim  night 
Eepart  again  :  here,  here  will  I  remain 

\tbr'.*voing  himfelf  by  her, 

With  worms  that  are  thy  chamber-maids;  o,  here 
Will  I  fet  up  my  everlafting  relt; 
And  fhake  the  yoke  of  inaufpicious  flars 
From  this  world-weary'd  fleih — Eyes,  look  your  laft; 
Arms,  take  your  lad  embrace;  and  lips,  o  you 
The  doors  of  breath,  feal  with  a  righteous  kifs 
A  datelefs  bargain  to  engroiling  death. _ 
Come,  bitter  condudt,  come,  unfavoury  guide, 

[fours  it  inlo  a  Cup* 

Thou  defperate  pilot,  now  at  once  run  on 
The  dalhing  rocks  my  fea-fick  weary  bark! 

Here's  to  my  love! [drinks.']  O  true  apothecary! 

Thy  drugs  are  quick — Ihus  with  a  kifs  I  die. 

\kffis  her,  and  expires* 
Enter,  at  other  end  tbe  Yard,  Friar  Lawrence, 

with  a  Lavthcrti,  Crow,  and  Spade. 
Fri.     Saint  Francis  be  my  fpeed  !  how  oft  to-night 
Have  my  old  feet  ilumbl'd  at  g raves? _ Who's  there? 

*5  thy 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  lol 

BAL.  Here's  one,  a  friend,  and  one  that  knows  you 
well. 

Fri.     Blifs  be  upon  you!  Tell  me,  good  my  friend, 
What  torch  is  yond',  that  vainly  lends  his  light 
To  grubs  and  eyelefs  fculls?  as  [  discern, 
It  burneth  in  the  Capu/tfs'  monument. 

BJL.  It  doth  fo,  holy  fir;  and  there's  my  matter, 
One  that  you  love. 

Fri.     Who  is  it? 

EAL.  Romeo. 

Fri.     How  long  hath  he  been  there  ? 

BAL.   Full  half  an  hour. 

Fri.     Go  with  me  to  the  vault. 

BAL.   I  dare  not,  fir: 

My  mailer  knows  not,  but  I  am  gone  hence; 
And  fearfully  did  menace  me  with  death, 
If  I  did  flay  to  look  on  his  intents. 

Fri.     Stay  then,  I'll  go  alone; Fear  comes  upon  me; 

O,  much  I  fear  foine  ill  unlucky  thing. 

BAL.  As  I  did  deep  under  this  yew-tree  here, 
I  dreamt  my  mailer  and  another  fought, 
And  that  my  mailer  flew  him. 

Fri.      Romeo? \lea-vts  him,  and  goes  forward. 

Alack,  alack!  what  blood  is  this,  which  llains 
The  rtony  entrance  of  this  fepulcher: — 
What  mean  these  mafterlefs  and  gory  fwords 
To  lie  difcolour'd  by  this  place  of  peace?  — 

[enters  tbi  Moaaaent. 

Rweo!  o,  pale!  — Who  elfe?  whatr  Paris  too? 
And  lleep'd  in  blood  r — Ah,  what  an  unkind  hour 
Is  guilty  of  this  lamentable  chance!  — 
The  lady  ilirs.          [JULIET  wakes,  and  looks  alsitt  her. 

6  Caftlt 


IO»  Romeo  and  Juliet. 

Jut.  O  comfortable  friar,  where  is  my  lord  ? 
I  do  remember  well  where  I  mould  be, 
And  there  I  am;  Where  is  my  Romeo?       [Noise  within. 

Fri.     I  hear  fome  noise Lady,  come  from  that  neft 

Of  death,  contagion,  and  unnatural  fleep ; 
A  greater  power  than  we  can  contradift 
Hath  thwarted  our  intents;  come,  come  away  : 
Thy  husband  in  thy  bosom  there  lies  dead ; 
And  Paris  too;  come,  I'll  difpose  of  thee 
Among  a  Merhood  of  holy  nuns: 
Stay  not  to  queftion,  for  the  watch  is  coming ;       [ger. 
Come, go,  good  Juliet, — [Noise  again.}  I  dare  flay  no  lon- 

[Exit,  hajliij. 

JUL.  Go,  get  thee  hence,  for  I  will  not  away 

What's  here?  a  cup,  clos'd  in  my  true  love's  hand  ? 

Poison,  I  fee,  hath  been  his  timelefs  end:_ 

O  churl,  drink  all;  and  leave  no  friendly  drop, 

To  help  me  after?— 1  will  kifs  thy  lips; 

Haply,  fome  poison  yet  doth  hang  on  them, 

To  make  me  die  with  a  reftorative.  [*ffi*  ^'tm> 

Thy  lips  are  warm. 

i.  W.  ['within.']  Lead,  boy;  Which  way? 

JUL.  Yea, noise?  then  I'll  be  brief. _O  happy  dagger! 

[taking  RomeoV. 

This  is  thy  (heath  ;  [Jlabs  herjelf.]  there  ruft,  and  let  me 
die.    [throws  herfelf  upon  her  Lover,  and  expires. 
Enter  Watch,  and  the  Page. 

Pag.   This  is  the  place;  there,  where  the  torch  doth 
burn.  [yard; 

\.W.  The  ground  is  bloody  ;Search  about  the  church- 
Go,  fome  of  you,  whoe'er  you  find,  attach. 

[Exeunt joiw  of  the  Watch,  the  rej!  enter  tk  Tarn  ft. 

»«  fie  lo.ijer  flay 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  103 

Pitiful  fight!  here  lies  the  county  flain;~ 
And.  Juliet  bleeding;  warm,  and  newly  dead, 
Who  here  hath  lain  these  two  days  buried.  __ 
Go,  tell  the  prince, __run  to  the  Capulett,^ 

Raise  up  the  Mountagues, fome  others  fearch:__ 

[Exeunt  other  Wattb. 

We  fee  the  ground  whereon  these  woes  do  lie; 
But  the  true  ground  of  all  these  piteous  woes, 
We  cannot  without  circumftance  defcry. 

Enter  fome  of  the  Watch,  luitb  BALTHAZAR. 
z.W.  Here's  Romeo's  man,  we  found  him  in  the  church- 
yard. 
i.  W.  Hold  him  in  fafety,  'till  the  prince  come  hither. 

Enter  Others,  'with  Friar  Lawrence. 
3.  W.  Here  is  a  friar,  that  trembles,  fighs,  and  weeps; 
We  took  this  mattock  and  this  fpade  from  him, 
As  he  was  coming  from  this  church-yard  fide. 
I.  W.  A  great  fufpicion;  Stay  the  friar  too. 

Enter  Prince,  and  Attendants. 
Pri.     What  mifadventure  is  fo  early  up, 
That  calls  our  perfon  from  our  morning's  reft  ? 
Enter  CAPULET,  his  Lady,  and  Others, 
CAP.  What  mould  it  be,  that  they  fo  fhriek  abroad? 
L-  C.  The  people  in  the  ftreet  cry — Romeo, 
Some  ~Ju!iet,  and  fome — Paris;  and  all  run, 
With  open  out-cry,  toward  our  monument. 

[Prince,  and  the  re/?,  enter  the  Monument. 
Pri.     What  fear  is  this,  which  ftartles  in  our  ears? 

[to  the  Watth. 

l.  VP.  Sovereign,  here  lies  the  county  Paris  flain; 
And  Romeo  dead;  and  Juliet,  dead  before, 
Warm  and  new  kill'd. 


your 


1 04.  Romeo  and  J  uliet. 

Pri.     Search,  feek,  and  know  how  this  foul  murther 
comes. 

i    W,  Here  is  a  friar,  and  flaughter'd  Romeo's  man  ; 
With  internments  upon  them,  fit  to  open 
These  dead  men's  tombs.  [bleeds! 

Cjip.  O  heaven  !_O,  wife,  look  how  our  daughter 
This  dagger  hath  mif-ta'cn.  for,  lo,  his  houfe 
Is  empty  on  the  back  of  Moiintague* 
And  is  mif-!heathed  in  my  daughter's  bosom. 

L.  C.  O  me!  this  fight  of  death  is  as  a  bell, 
That  warns  my  old  age  to  a  fepulcher. 

Enter  MOUNT  AGUE,  and  Others. 

Pri.     Come,  Mountcgue;  for  thou  art  early  up, 
To  fee  thy  fon  and  heir  now  early  down. 

Mov.  Alas,  my  liege,  my  wife  is  dead  to-night; 
Grief  of  my  fon's  exile  hath  ftopt  her  breath : 
What  further  woe  confpires  againft  my  age? 

Pri.     Look,  and  thou  (halt  fee.        [Jbo-iving  Romeo. 

Mou.  O  thou  untaught!  what  manners  is  in  this, 
To  prefs  before  thy  father  to  a  grave? 

Pri.     Seal  up  the  mouth  of  outrage  for  a  while, 

[comes  from  the  Monument. 
'Till  we  can  clear  these  ambiguities, 
And  know  their  fpring,  their  head,  their  true  defcent; 
And  then  will  I  be  general  of  your  woes, 
And  lead  you  even  to  death :  mean  time  forbear, 

And  let  mifchance  be  flave  to  patience 

Bring  forth  the  parties  of  fufpicion. 

[Balthazar,  end  the  "Friar,  brought  fit!  b. 

Fri.      \  am  the  greateft,  able  to  do  lealt, 
Yet  mod  fufpetted,  as. the  time  and  place 
Doth  make  againi!  me,  of  this  direful  murther; 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  105 

And  here  I  {land,  both  to  impeach  and  purge 
Myfelf  condemned  and  myfelf  excus'd. 

Pri.     Then  fay  at  once  what  thou  doft  know  in  this. 

Fri.      I  will  be  brief,  for  my  fhort  date  of  breath 
Is  not  fo  long  as  is  a  tedious  tale. 
Borneo,  there  dead,  was  husband  to  that^W/V/; 
And  (he,  there  dead,  that  Romeo's  faithful  wife: 
I  marry'd  them;  and  their  ftoln  marriage-day 
Was  Tybalt1*  dooms-day,  whose  untimely  death 
BaniuVd  the  new-made  bridegroom  from  this  city; 
For  whom,  and  not  for  Tybalt,  "Juliet  pin'd. 
You  —  to  remove  that  (iege  of  grief  from  her — 
Ectroth'd,  and  would  have  marry'd  her  perforce, 
To  county  Paris:  Then  comes  (he  to  me; 
And,  with  wild  looks,  bid  me  devise  fome  means 
To  rid  her  from  this  (econd  marriage, 
Or,  in  my  cell,  there  would  (he  kill  herfelf. 
Then  gave  I  her,  fo  tutor'd  by  my  art, 
A  deeping  potion;  which  fo  took  eifecl 
As  I  intended,  for  it  wrought  on  her 
The  form  of  death  :  mean  time  I  writ  to  Romeo, 
That  he  (hould  hither  come  as  this  dire  night. 
To  help  to  take  her  from  her  borrow'd  grave, 
Being  the  time  the  potion's  force  (hould  ceafe. 
But  he  which  bore  my  letter,  friar  Jobn> 
Was  ftay'd  by  accident;  and  yefternight 
Return'd  my  letter  back:  Then  all  alone, 
At  the  prefixed  hour  of  her  waking, 
Came  1  to  take  her  from  her  kindred's  vault  j 
Meaning  to  keep  her  clofely  at  my  cell, 
Till  I  conveniently  could  fend  to  Romeo: 
But,  when  I  came,  (fome  minute  ere  the  time 


io6  Romeo  ana  Juliet. 

Of  her  awaking)  here  untimely  lay 
The  noble  Paris,  and  true  Romeo,  dead. 
She  wakes  ;  and  I  entreated  her  come  forth, 
And  bear  this  work  of  heaven  with  patience: 
But  then  a  noise  did  fcare  me  from  the  tomb; 
And  flic,  too  defperate,  would  not  go  with  me, 
But  (as  it  feems)  did  violence  on  herfelf. 
All  this  I  know;  and  to  the  marriage 
Her  nurfe  is  privy:  And,  if  ought  in  this 
Mifcarry'd  by  my  fault,  let  my  old  life 
Be  facrific'd,  fome  hour  before  his  time, 
Unto  the  rigour  of  fevereft  law. 

Pri,     We  ftill  have  known  thee  for  a  holy  man 

Where's  Romeo's  man?  what  can  he  fay  in  this/ 

BAL.  I  brought  my  matter  news  of  Juliet's  death; 
And  then  in  poll  he  came  from  Mantua, 
To  this  fame  place,  to  this  fame  monument. 
This "|" letter  he  early  bid  me  give  his  father; 
And  threaten'd  me  with  death,  going  in  the  vault, 
If  I  departed  not,  and  left  him  there. 

Pri.     Give  me  the  letter,  I  will  look  on  it. 

[Balthazar  gives  the  Letter, 

Where  is  the  county's  page,  that  rais'd  the  watch? 

Sirrah,  what  made  your  mafter  in  this  place? 

Pag.    He  came  with  flowers  to  ftrew  his  lady's  grave; 
And  bid  me  ftand  aloof,  and  fo  I  did: 
Anon,  comes  one  with  light  to  ope  the  tomb; 
And,  by  and  by,  my  mailer  drew  on  him; 
And  then  I  ran  away  to  call  the  watch. 

Pri.     This  letter  doth  make  good  the  friar's  words, 
Their  courfe  of  love,  the  tidings  of  her  death  : 
Aud  here  he  writes— that  he  did  buy  a  poisoa 


Romeo  and  Juliet.  107 

Of  a  poor  'pothecary,  and  therewithal 

Came  to  this  vault  to  die,  and  lie  with  Juligt.^ 

Where  be  these  enemies,  Capulet,  Mountague?— 

See,  what  a  fcourge  is  lay'd  upon  your  hate, 

That  heaven  finds  means  to  kill  your  joys  with  love; 

And  I,  for  winking  at  your  difcords  too, 

Have  loft  a  brace  of  kinsmen;  all  are  punim'd. 

CAP.  O,  brother  Mountag ue,  give  me  thy  hand: 
This  is  my  daughter's  jointure,  for  no  more 
Can  I  demand. 

Mou.  But  I  can  give  thee  more: 
For  I  will  raise  her  ftatue  in  pure  gold  ; 
That,  while  Verona  by  that  name  is  known, 
There  fhall  no  figure  at  fuch  rate  be  fet, 
As  that  of  true  and  faithful  Juliet. 

CAP.  As  rich  fhall  Romeo  by  his  lady  lie; 
Poor  facrifices  of  our  enmity. 

Pri.     A  glooming  peace  this  morning  with  it  brings  5 

The  fun,  for  farrow,  will  not  (hew  his  head: 
Go  hence,  to  have  more  talk  of  these  fad  things ; 

Some  fhall  be  pardon'd,  and  fome  punifhed: 
For  never  was  a  flory  of  more  woe, 
Than  this  of  Juliet  and  her  Romeo.  [Exeunt. 


HAMLET. 


VOL.  X, 


H 


Hamlet,  Prince  of  Den  mark: 

Claudius,  King  of  Denmark,  his  Uncle. 

Polonius,  a  great  Officer: 

Cornelius,  ~| 

Voltimand,  (  Gentlemen  of  the 

Rosincrantz,  and  f  CWr/o/'Claudius. 

Guildenftern,       J 

Laertes,  Son  to  Polonius : 

Reynaldo,  a  Domejlick. 

Horatio,  Friend  to  Hamlet : 

Francifco,  a  Soldier ;  Bernardo, 

tfWMarcellus,  Officers. 

Osrick,  a  Courtier ;  another  Courtier  : 

Gentlemen,  t<wo;  Clowns,  two,  Gravi-diggtrs? 

Prieji,  Player,  Sailor,  Servant  to  Horatio. 

Ghoji  of  Hamlet'*  Father. 

Fortinbras,  a  Prince  of  Norway: 

a  Captain  :  an  Etnbaffador. 

Prologue;  Duke,  Dutcbefs,  and  their 

Nephew,  Presenters  in  the  Inter ludt. 

Gertrude,  Hamlet'/  Mother,  Queen  to  Claudias. 
Ophelia,  Daughter  of  Polonius. 

Lords,  Ladiesy  and  divers  other  Attendants; 
Players,  Sailors,  Officers,  and  Soldiers. 

Scene,  Elfinour. 


HAMLET. 


AC?  I. 

SCENE  I.  Elfmour.  Platform  of  the  Caftle. 
FRANCISCO  upon  bis  Poji;  Enter,  to  him,  BERNARDO. 

BER.  Who's  there? 

FRA.   Nay,  anfwer  me;  ftand,  and  unfold 
Yourfelf. 

BER.  Long  live  the  king! 

FRA.   Bernardo? 

BER.  He. 

FRA.  You  come  moft  carefully  upon  your  hour. 

BER.  'Tis  now  ftrook  twelve;get  thee  tobed,Franci/co. 

FRA.  For  this  relief,  much  thanks:  'tis  bitter  cold, 
And  1  am  fick  at  heart. 

BER.  Have  you  had  quiet  guard? 

FRA.   Not  a  moufe  ftirring. 

BER.  Well,  good  night. 
If  you  do  meet  Horatio  and  Marcellus, 
The  rivals  of  my  watch,  bid  them  make  hafte. 
Enter  HORATIO,  <w</ MARCELLUS. 

Hz 


4  Hamlet. 

FRA.  I  think,  I  hear  them:_Stand,ho!  who  is  there? 

HOR.  Friends  to  this  ground: 

MAR.  And  liegemen  to  the  Dane. 

FRA.  Give  you  good  night. 

MAR.  O,  farewel,  honeft  foldier: 
Who  hath  reliev'd  you? 

FRA.  Bernardo  hath  my  place : 
Give  you  good  night.  [Exit  FRANCISCU. 

MAR.  Hola!  Bernardo! 

BER.  Say, 
What,  is  Horatio  there  ? 

HOR.  A  piece  of  him. 

£ER.  Welcome,  Her atio;^.  welcome,  good  Marcellus. 

HOR.  What,  has  this  thing  appear'd  again  to-night? 

£ER.   I  have  feen  nothing. 

MAR.  Horatio  fays,  'tis  but  our  fantafy; 
And  will  not  let  belief  take  hold  of  him, 
Touching  this  dreaded  fight,  twice  feen  of  us: 
Therefore  I  have  intreated  him  along, 
With  us  to  watch  the  minutes  of  this  night; 
That,  if  again  this  apparition  come, 
He  may  approve  our  eyes,  and  fpeak  to  it. 

HOR.  Turn,  turn, 'twill  not  appear. 

Bf. R.  Sit  down  a  while; 
And.  let  us  once  again  aflail  your  ears, 
That  are  fo  fortify'd  againft  our  flory, 
What  we  have  two  nights  feen. 

HOR.  Well,  fit  we  down, 
And  let  us  hear  Bernardo  fpeak  of  this. 

£ER.  Laft  night  of  all, 

When  yon*  fame  ftar,  that's  weftward  from  the  pole* 
Had  made  his  courfe  t'  illume  that  part  of  heaven 


Hamlet;  f 

Where  now  it  burns,  Marcellus>  and  myfelf, 
The  bell  then  beating  one,— 

Enter  Ghoft. 

MAR.  Peace,  break  thee  off;  look,  where  it  comes  a- 
gain! 

SER.  In  the  fame  figure,  like  the  king  that's  dead. 

MAR.  Thou  art  a  fcholar,  fpeak  to  it,  Horatio. 

HER.  Looks  it  not  like  the  king?  mark  it,  Horatio. 

HOR.  Molt  like:  it  harrows  me  with  fear,  and  wonder. 

BER.  It  would  be  fpoke  to. 

MAR.  Speak  to  it,  Horatio. 

HOR.  What  art  thou,  that  usurp'ftthis  time  of  night, 
Together  with  that  fair  and  warlike  form 
In  which  the  majefty  of  bury'd  Denmark 
Did  fometimes  march?  by  heaven  I  charge  thee,  fpeak. 

MAR.  It  is  offended. 

BER.  See,  it  (talks  away. 

HOR.  Stay;  fpeak;  I  charge  thee, fpeak.   [Exit  Ghoft. 

MAR.  'Tis  gone,  and  will  not  anfwer. 

BE R.  How  now, Horatio?  you  tremble.and  look  pale : 
Is  not  this  fomething  more  than  fantafy  ? 
What  think  you  on't? 

HOR.  Before  my  God,  I  might  not  this  believe 
Without  the  fenuble  and  true  avouch 
Of  mine  own  eyes. 

MAR.  Is  it  not  like  the  king? 

//ox.   As  thou  art  to  thyfelf : 
Such  was  the  very  armour  he  had  on, 
When  he  the  ambitious  Norway  combated  ; 
So  frown'd  he  once,  when,  in  an  angry  parle, 
He  fmote  the  fledded  Polack  on  the  ice. 
Tis  ftrange. 

i8fteake,  fpeaks    3»  pollax 


S  Hamlet. 

MJR.  Thus,  twice  before,  and  jump  at  this  dead  hourf' 
With  martial  ftalk  hath  he  gone  by  our  watch. 

HOR  .  In  what  particular  thought  to  work, I  know  notj 
But,  in  the  grofs  and  fcope  of  mine  opinion, 
This  bodes  fome  ftrange  eruption  to  our  ftate. 

MJR.  Good  now  fit  down,  and  tell  me,  he  that  knows? 
Why  this  fame  ftricl  and  moft  observant  watch 
So  nightly  toils  the  fubjeft  of  the  land; 
And  why  fuch  daily  caft  of  brazen  cannon, 
And  foreign  mart  for  implements  of  war; 
Why  fuch  imprefs  of  fhip -wrights,  whose  fore  tafk 
Does  not  divide  the  funday  from  the  week : 
What  might  be  toward,  that  this  fweaty  hafte 
Doth  make  the  night  joint-labourer  with  the  dayj 
Who  is't,  that  can  inform  me? 

HOR.  That  can  I; 

At  leaft,  the  whifper  goes  fo.  Our  laft  king, 
Whose  image  even  but  now  appear'd  to  us, 
Was,  as  you  know,  by  Fortinbras  of  Norway, 
Thereto  prick'd  on  by  a  moft  emulate  pride, 
Dar'd  to  the  combat;  in  which,  our  valiant  Hanlet 
(For  ib  this  fide  of  our  known  world  efteem'd  him) 
Did  flay  this  Fortinbras:  who,  by  a  feal'd  compaft, 
Well  ratify'd  by  law,  and  heraldry, 
Did  forfeit,  with  his  life,  all  those  his  lands, 
Which  he  Hood  feiz'd  of,  to  the  conqueror: 
Againft  the  which,  a  moiety  competent 
Was  gaged  by  our  king;  which  had  return 
To  the  inheritance  of  Fortinbraiy 
Had  he  been  vanquither;  as,  by  the  fame  comart, 
And  carriage  of  die  article  dcfign'd, 
His  feil  to  tlamht :  Now,  fir,  young  Fortinbras^ 


Hamlet.  7 

Of  unimproved  mettle  hot  and  full, 

Hath  in  the  fkirts  of  Norway, here  and  there, 

fhark'd  up  a  lift  of  lawlefs  resolutes, 
or  food  and  diet,  to  fome  enterprize 
That  hath  a  ftomack  in't;  which  is  no  other, 
(As  it  doth  well  appear  unto  our  ftate) 
But  to  recover  of  us,  by  ftrong  hand, 
And  terms  compulfatory,  those  forefaid  lands 
So  by  his  father  loft:  And  this,  I  take  it, 
Is  the  main  motive  of  our  preparations; 
The  fource  of  this  our  watch,  and  the  chief  head 
Of  this  poft-hafte  and  romage  in  the  land. 

HER  .  I  think,  it  be  no  other,  but  even  fo : 
Well  may  it  fort,  that  this  portentous  figure 
Comes  armed  through  our  watch ;  fo  like  the  king 
That  was,  and  is  the  queftion  of  these  wars. 

HOR.  A  mote  it  is,  to  trouble  the  mind's  eye. 
In  the  moft  high  and  palmy  ftate  of  Rome, 
A  little  ere  the  mightieft  'Julius  fell, 
The  graves  ftood  tenantlefs,  and  the  fheeted  dead 
Did  fqueak  and  gibber  in  the  Roman  ftreets; 
Stars  (hone  with  trains  of  fire;  dews  of  blood  fell; 
Disafters  dim'd  the  fun ;  and  the  moift  ftar, 
Upon  whose  influence  Neptunis  empire  ftands, 
Was  fick  almoft  to  dooms-day  with  eclipfe. 
And  even  the  like  precurfe  of  fierce  events, — 
As  harbingers  preceding  ftill  the  fates, 
And  prologue  to  the  omen  coming  on,~ 
Have  heaven  and  earth  together  demonftrated 
Unto  our  climatures  and  countrymen. 

Re-enter  Ghoft. 
JJut,  foft;  behold;  lo,  where  it  comes  again! 

^t  v.  Note.     *J  Difafters  in  the 

H4 


S  Hamlet. 

I'll  crofs  it,  though  it  blaft  me. _ Stay,  illusion} 

If  thou  haft  any  found,  or  ufe  of  voice, 

Speak  to  me: 

If  there  be  any  good  thing  to  be  done, 

That  may  to  thee  do  ease,  and  grace  to  me, 

Speak  to  me: 

If  thou  art  privy  to  thy  country's  fate, 

Which,  hapily,  foreknowing  may  avoid, 

O,  fpeak: 

Or  if  thou  haft  uphoarded  in  thy  life 

Extorted  treasure  in  the  womb  of  earth, 

For  which,  they  fay, you  fpirits  oft  walk  in  death,  ['//«/, 

Speak  of  it;  [Cock  avm\r.]ftay,and  fpeak — Stop  h,Marce- 

MAR.  Shall  I  ftrike  at  it  with  my  partizan? 

HOR.  Do,  if  it  will  not  ftand. 

£ER.  "Tis  here. 

HOR.  'Tis  here. 

MAR.  'Tis  gone.  [Exit  Ghoft. 

We  do  it  wrong,  being  fo  majeftical, 
To  offer  it  the  mow  of  violence; 
For  it  is,  as  the  air,  invulnerable, 
And  our  vain  blows  malicious  mockery. 

BER.  It  was  about  to  fpeak,  when  the  cock  crew. 

HOR.   And  then  it  ftarted,  like  a  guilty  thing 
Upon  a  fearful  fummons.  I  have  heard, 
The  cock,  that  is  the  trumpet  to  the  morn, 
Doth  with  his  lofty  and  fhrill-founding  throat 
Awake  the  god  of  day ;  and,  at  his  warning, 
Whether  in  fea  or  fire,  in  earth  or  air, 
The  extravagant  and  erring  fpirit  hies 
To  his  confine:  and  of  the  iruth  herein. 
This  present  objeft  made  probation. 


Hamlet.  ^ 

MAR.  It  faded  on  the  crowing  of  the  cock. 
Some  fay,  that  ever  'gainft  that  feason  comes 
Wherein  our  faviour's  birth  is  celebrated, 
This  bird  of  dawning  fingeth  all  night  long: 
And  then,  they  fay,  no  fpirit  dares  ftir  abroad; 
The  nights  are  wholefome;  then  no  planets  ftrike, 
No  fairy  takes,  no  witch  hath  power  to  charm, 
So  hallow'd  and  fo  gracious  is  the  time. 

HOR.  So  have  I  heard,  and  do  in  part  believe  it. 
But,  look,  the  morn,  in  ruflet  mantle  clad, 
Walks  o'er  the  dew  of  yon' high  eaftward  hill: 
Break  we  bur  watch  up;  and,  by  my  advice, 
Let  us  impart  what  we  have  feen  to-night 
Unto  young  Hamlet;  for,  upon  my  life, 
This  fpirit,  dumb  to  us, will  fpeak  to  him: 
Do  you  confent  we  mail  acquaint  him  with  it, 
As  needful  in  our  loves,  fitting  our  duty? 

MAR.  Let's  do't,  I  pray;  and  I  this  morning  knowr 
Where  we  lhall  find  him  moft  convenient.         [  Exeunt. 

SCENE  II.  The  fame.  A  Room  of  State  in  the  fame. 

Enter  King,  Queen,  and  HAMLET;  luith  POLONIUS, 

LAERTES,  Lords,  &c.  VOLTIMAND,  and 

CORNELIUS. 

Kin.    Though  yet  of  Hamlet  our  dear  brother's  death 
The  memory  be  green;  and  that  it  us  befitted 
To  bear  our  hearts  in  grief,  and  our  whole  kingdom. 
To  be  contracted  in  one  brow  of  woe ; 
Yet  fo  far  hath  difcretion  fought  with  nature, 
That  we  with  wiseft  forrow  think  on  him, 
Together  with  remembrance  of  ourfelves. 
Therefore  our  fometime  filler,  now  our  queen, 


*d  Hamlet. 

The  imperial  jointrefs  of  this  warlike  ftate, 
Have  we,  as  'twere,  with  a  defeated  joy, — 
With  one  aufpicious,  and  one  dropping  eye; 
With  mirth  in  funeral,  and  with  dirge  in  marriage; 
Jn  equal  fcale  weighing  delight  and  dole, — 
Taken  to  wife :  nor  have  we  herein  bar'd 
Your  better  wisdoms,  which  have  freely  gone 
With  this  affair  along:  For  all,  our  thanks. 
Now  follows,  that  you  know,  young  Fortinbras, — 
Holding  a  weak  fupposal  of  our  worth; 
Or  thinking,  by  our  late  dear  brother's  death, 
Our  ftate  to  be  difjoint  and  out  of  frame, — 
Co-leagued  with  this  dream  of  his  advantage, 
He  hath  not  fail'd  to  pefter  us  with  meflage, 
Importing  the  furrender  of  those  lands 
Loft  by  his  father,  with  all  bands  of  law, 
To  our  moil  valiant  brother.  So  much  for  him. 
Now  for  ourfelf,  and  for  this  time  of  meeting. 
Thus  much  the  businefs  is :  We  have  here~j~  writ 
To  Norway,  uncle  of  young  Fortinbras, — 
Who,  impotent  and  bed- rid,  fcarcely  hears 
Of  this  his  nephew's  purpose,— to  fupprefs 
His  further  gait  herein ;  in  that  the  levies, 
The  lifts,  and  full  proportions,  are  all  made 

Out  of  his  fubjecl:: and  we  here  difpatch 

You,  good  Cornelius,  and  you,  f^oltimand, 
For  bearers  of  this  greeting  to  old  Norway} 
Giving  to  you  no  further  perfonal  power 
To  businefs  with  the  king,  more  than  the  fcope 
Of  these  "^dilated  articles  allow. 

Farewel;  and  let  your  hafte  commend  your  duty.  [doty. 
COR,  VOL.  In  that,  and  all  things,  will  we  ihow  our 


Hamlet.  If 

Kin.    We  doubt  it  nothing;  heartily  farewel._ 

\Exeunt  VOLTIMAND,  and  CORNELIUS. 

And  now,  Laertes,  what's  the  news  with  you? 

You  told  us  of  fome  fuit;  What  is't,  Laertes? 

You  cannot  fpeak  of  reason  to  the  Dane, 

And  lose  your  voice:  What  would'ft  thou  beg,  Laertes, 

That  fhall  not  be  my  offer,  not  thy  afking? 

The  head  is  not  more  native  to  the  heart, 

The  hand  more  inftrumental  to  the  mouth, 

Than  to  the  throne  of  Denmark  is  thy  father. 

What  would'ft  thou  have,  Laertes? 
LAE.  My  dread  lord, 

Your  leave  and  favour  to  return  to  France: 

From  whence  though  willingly  I  came  to  Denmark, 

To  (how  my  duty  in  your  coronation; 

Yet  now,  I  muft  confefs,  that  duty  done, 

My  thoughts  and  wifhes  bend  again  toward  France, 

And  bow  them  to  your  gracious  leave  and  pardon,  [us? 

Kin.    Have  you  your  father's  leave? What  fays  Poloni- 

PCL.  He  hath, my  lord, wrung  from  me  my  flow  leave 

By  labourfome  petition;  and,  at  laft, 

Upon  his  will  1  feal'd  my  hard  confent: 

1  do  befeech  you,  give  him  leave  to  go. 

Kin.    Take  thy  fair  hour,  Laertes;  time  be  thine, 

And  thy  beft  graces  fpend  it  at  thy  will 

But  now,  my  cousin  Hamlet,  and  my  fon, — 

HAM.  "  A  little  more  than  kin,  and  lefs  than  kind.** 
Kin.    How  is  it  that  the  clouds  Hill  hang  on  youf 
HAM.  Not  fo,  my  lord,  I  am  too  much  i'  the  fun. 
Que.    Good  Hamlet,  call  thy  nighted  colour  off, 

And  let  thine  eye  look  like  a  friend  on  Denmark. 

PO  not,  for  ever,  with  thy  vailed  lids 

»»  is  the  throne  of  Dermarke  to 


1  2  Hamlet. 

Seek  for  thy  noble  father  in  the  dud: 

Thou  koow'ft,  'tis  common;  all,  that  live,  mint  die, 

Pafilng  through  nature  to  eternity. 

HAM.  Ay,  madam,  it  is  common. 

$ue.    If  it  be, 
Why  feems  it  fo  particular  with  thee? 

HAM.  Seems,  madam !  nay,  it  is;  I  know  not  feems. 
'Tis  not  alone  my  inky  cloak,  good  mother, 
Nor  cuftomary  fuits  of  folemn  black, 
Nor  windy  fufpiration  of  forc'd  breath, 
No,  nor  the  fruitful  river  in  the  eye, 
Nor  the  dejecled  'haviour  of  the  visage, 
Together  with  all  forms,  modes,  fhapes  of  grief, 
That  can  denote  me  truly:  These,  indeed,  feem, 
For  they  are  aftions  that  a  man  might  play: 
But  I  have  that  within,  which  pafTcs  (how; 
These,  but  the  trappings  and  the  fuits  of  woe.     [amlef, 

Kin.    *Tis  fweet  and  commendable  in  your  nature, H- 
To  give  these  mourning  duties  to  your  father: 
But,  you  muft  know,  your  father  loft  a  father; 
That  father,  loft,  loft  his;  and  the  furviver  bound, 
In  filial  obligation,  for  fome  term 
To  do  obfequious  forrow :  But  to  perfever 
In  obftinate  condolement,  is  a  courfe 
Of  impious  ftubbornnefs;  'tis  unmanly  grief: 
It  Ihows  a  will  moft  incorreft  to  heaven; 
A  heart  unfortify'd,  or  mind  impatient; 
An  underftanding  fimple  and  unfchool'd: 
For  what,  v/e  know,  muft  be,  and  is  as  common 
As  any  the  moft  vulgar  thing  to  fenfe, 
Why  mould  we,  in  our  peevifh  opposition, 
Take  it  to  heart  ?  Fie!  'tis  a  fault  tc  heaven^ 


Hamlet.  J$ 

A  fault  againft  the  dead,  a  fault  to  nature, 
To  reason  moft  abfurd ;  whose  common  theme 
Is  death  of  fathers;  and  who  ftill  hath  cry'd, 
From  the  firft  corfe  'till  he  that  dy'd  to-day, 
This  muft  be  fo.  We  pray  you,  throw  to  earth 
This  unprevailing  woe;  and  think  of  us 
As  of  a  father:  for,  let  the  world  take  note, 
You  are  the  moft  immediate  to  our  throne; 
And,  with  no  lefs  nobility  of  love 
Than  that  which  deareft  father  bears  his  fon, 
Do  I  impart  toward  you.  For  your  intent 
In  going  back  to  fchool  in  Wittenberg, 
It  is  molt  retrograde  to  our  desire : 
And,  we  befeech  you,  bend  you  to  remain 
Here,  in  the  chear  and  comfort  of  our  eye, 
Our  chiefeft  courtier,  cousin,  and  our  fon. 

Que.    Let  not  thy  mother  lose  her  prayers,  Hamlet} 
I  pray  thee,  ftay  with  us,  go  not  to  Wittenberg. 

HAM.  I  (hall  in  all  my  beft  obey  you,  madam. 

Kin.    Why,  'tis  a  loving  and  a  fair  reply; 
Be  as  ourfelf  in  Denmark — Madam,  come; 
This  gentle  and  unforc'd  accord  of  Hamlet 
Sits  fouling  to  my  heart:  in  grace  whereof, 
No  jocond  health,  that  Denmark  drinks  to-day, 
But  the  great  cannon  to  the  clouds  mail  tell; 
And  the  king's  rouze  the  heavens  mail  bruit  again, 
Refpeaking  earthly  thunder.  Come,  away. 

[Exeunt  King,  Queen,  Lords,  &c.  POL  .  and  LA  E. 

HAM.  O,  that  this  too-too-folid  flefh  would  melt, 
Thaw,  and  resolve  itfelf  into  a  dew! 
Or  that  the  everlafting  had  not  fix'd 
His  canon  'gainft  felf- (laughter !  O  God,  o  God ! 


»4  Hamlet. 

How  weary,  ftale,  flat,  and  unprofitable 

Seem  to  me  all  the  ufes  of  this  world! 

Fie  on't!  ah,  fie!  'tis  an  unweeded  garden, 

That  grows  to  feed;  things  rank,  and  grofs  in  nature, 

Possefs  it  meerly.  That  it  mould  come  to  this! 

But  two  months  dead; — nay,  not  fo  much,  not  two: 

So  excellent  a  king;  that  was,  to  this, 

Hyperion  to  a  fatyr:  fo  loving  to  my  mother, 

That  he  might  not  let  e'en  the  winds  of  heaven 

Visit  her  face  too  roughly.  Heaven  and  earth! 

Muft  I  remember?  why,  me  would  hang  on  him, 

As  if  encreafe  of  appetite  had  grown 

By  what  it  fed  on:  And  yet,  within  a  month, — 

Let  me  not  think  on't;  Frailty,  thy  name  is  woman  :"~* 

A  little  month;  or  ere  those  (hoes  were  old, 

With  which  me  follow'd  my  poor  father's  body, 

Like  A70£i,  all  tears;  why  me,  even  me,— 

O  heaven  !  a  beaft,  that  wants  difcourfe  of  reason, 

Would  have  mourn'd  longer, — marry'd  with  my  uncle? 

My  father's  brother;  but  no  more  like  my  father, 

Than  I  to  Hercules:  Within  a  month; 

Ere  yet  the  fait  of  moft  unrighteous  tears 

Had  left  the  fluming  in  her  gauled  eyes, 

She  marry'd:  —  O  moft  wicked  fpeed,  to  poft 

With  fuch  dexterity  to  inceiluous  meets! 

It  is  not,  nor  it  cannot  come  to,  good: 

But  break,  my  heart;  for  I  muft  hold  my  tongue. 

Enter  HORATIO,  MARCELLUS,  and  BERNARDO. 

HOR.  Hail  to  your  lordmip. 

HJIM.  I  am  glad  to  fee  you  well: 
Horatio, — or  I  do  forget  myfelf. 

HOR.  The  fame,  my  lord,  and  your  poor  fervant  ever. 

9  not  beteene  the 


Hamlet.  !$ 

HAM.  Sir,  my  good  friend;  I'll  change  that  name  with 

And  what  make  you  from  Wittenberg,  Horatio? [you. 

Marceilus? 

MAR.  My  good  lord,— • 

HAM.  I  am  very  glad  to  fee  you;  good  even,  fir._ 
But  what,  in  faith,  make  you  from  Wittenberg? 

HOR.  A  truant  difposition,  good  my  lord. 

HAM,  I  would  not  hear  your  enemy  fay  fb; 
Nor  mall  you  do  my  ear  that  violence, 
To  make  it  trufter  of  your  own  report 
Againft  yourfelf:  I  know,  you  are  no  truant. 
But  what  is  your  affair  in  Elfenour? 
We'll  teach  you  to  drink  deep,  ere  you  depart. 

HOR.  My  lord,  I  came  to  fee  your  father's  funeral. 

HAM.  I  pray  thee,  do  not  mock  me,  fellow  ftudent; 
I  think,  it  was  to  fee  my  mother's  wedding. 

HOR.  Indeed,  my  lord,  it  follow'd  hard  upon. 

HAM.  Thrift,  thrift,  Horatio ;  the  funeral  bak'd  meati 
Did  coldly  furnim  forth  the  marriage  tables. 
'Would  I  had  met  my  deareft  foe  in  heaven, 

Or  ever  I  had  feen  that  day,  Horatio! 

My  father, —  Methinks,  I  fee  my  father. 

HOR.  Where,  my  lord? 

HAM.  In  my  mind's  eye,  Horatio. 

HOR.  I  faw  him  once,  he  was  a  goodly  king. 

HAM.  He  was  a  man,  take  him  for  all  in  all, 
I  fhall  not  look  upon  his  like  again. 

HOR.  My  lord,  I  think  I  faw  him  yefternight, 

HAM.  Saw!  who? 

HOR.  My  lord,  the  king  your  father. 

HAM.  The  king  my  father! 

HQR.  Season  your  admiration  for  a  while 


1 6  Hamlet. 

With  an  attent  ear;  'till  I  may  deliver, 
Upon  the  witnefs  of  these  gentlemen, 
This  marvel  to  you. 

HAM.  For  God's  love,  let  me  hear. 

HOR.  Two  nights  together  had  these  gentlemen, 
Marcellus  and  Bernardo,  on  their  watch, 
In  the  dead  wafte  and  middle  of  the  night, 
Been  thus  encounter'd.  A  figure  like  your  father, 
Armed  at  point,  exaftly,  cap-a-pe, 
Appears  before  them,  and,  with  folemn  march, 
Goes  flow  and  {lately  by  them:  thrice  he  walk'd, 
By  their  oppreft  and  fear-furprized  eyes, 
Within  his  truncheon's  length;  whilft  they,  diflill'd 
Almoft  to  jelly  with  the  aft  of  fear, 
Stand  dumb  and  fpeak  not  to  him.  This  to  me 
In  dreadful  fecrefy  impart  they  did; 
And  I  with  them,  the  third  night,  kept  the  watch: 
Where,  as  they  had  deliver'd,  both  in  time, 
Form  of  the  thing,  each  word  made  true  and  good, 
The  apparition  comes:  I  knew  your  father, 
These  hands  are  not  more  like. 

HAM.  But  where  was  this? 

MAR.  My  lord,  upon  the  platform  where  we  watch'd. 

HAM.  Did  you  not  fpeak  to  it  ? 

HOR.  My  lord,  I  did; 

But  anfwer  made  it  none:  yet  once,  methought, 
It  lifted  up  it's  head,  and  did  addrefs 
Itfelf  to  motion,  like  as  it  would  fpeak: 
But,  even  then,  the  morning  cock  crew  loud; 
And  at  the  found  it  fhrunk  in  hafte  away, 
And  vanifh'd  from  pur  fight. 

HAM.  'Tis  very  ftrange. 


Hamlet.  17 

HOR.  As  I  do  live,  my  honour'd  lord,  'tis  true; 
And  we  did  think  it  writ  down  in  our  duty, 
To  let  you  know  of  it. 

HAM.  Indeed,  indeed,  firs,  but  this  troubles  me. 
Hold  you  the  watch  to-night? 

MAR.  BER.  We  do,  my  lord. 

HAM.  Arm'd,  fay  you? 

MAR.  BER.  Arm'd,  my  lord. 

HA M.  From  top  to  toe .' 

MAR.  BER.  My  lord,  from  head  to  foot. 

HAM.  Then  faw  you  not  his  face. 

HOR.  O,  yes,  my  lord;  he  wore  his  beaver  up. 

HAM.  What,  look'd  he  frowningly? 

HOR.  A  countenance  more 
In  forrow  than  in  anger. 

HAM.  Pale,  or  red? 

HOR  .  Nay,  very  pale. 

HAM.  And  fix'd  his  eyes  upon  you? 

HOR.  Moft  conftantly. 

HAM.  I  would,  I  had  been  there. 

HOR.  It  would  have  much  amaz'd  you. 

HAM.  Very  like, 
Very  like:  Stay'd  it  long  ? 

HOR.  While  one  with  moderate  hafle 
Might  tell  a  hundred. 

MAR.  BER.  Longer,  longer. 

HOR.  Not  when  I  faw't. 

HAM.  His  beard  was  grizl'd?  no? 

HOR.   It  was,  as  I  have  feen  it  in  his  life, 
A  fable  filver'd. 

HAM. I  will  watch  to-night; 
Perchance,  'twill  walk  again. 

VOL.X.  J 


1 8  Hamlet. 

HOR.  I  war'nt,  it  will. 

HAM.  If  it  aflume  my  noble  father's  perfon, 
I'll  fpeak  to  it,  though  hell  itfelf  fhould  gape, 
And  bid  me  hold  my  peace.  I  pray  you  all, 
]f  you  have  hitherto  conceal'd  this  fight, 
Let  it  be  tenable  in  your  filence  Hill; 
And  whatfoever  elfe  mall  hap  to-night, 
Give  it  an  underftanding,  but  no  tongue; 
I  will  requite  your  loves:  So,  fare  you  well: 
Upon  the  platform,  'twixt  eleven  and  twelve, 
I'll  visit  you. 

HOR.  MAR.  BER.  Our  duty  to  your  honour. 

HAM.  Your  loves,  as  mine  to  you:  Farewel. 
[£**«»/HoR.  MAR. 
My  father's  fpirit  in  arms!  all  is  not  well; 
I  doubt  fome  foul  play:  'would,  the  night  were  come; 
'Till  then  fit  ftill,  my  foul :  Foul  deeds  will  rise, 
Though  all  the  earth  o'erwhelm  them,to  men's  eyes.  [.£.*•. 

SCENE  III.  The  fame.  A  Room  in  Polonius'^/«r//««?/. 
Enter  LAERTES,  and  OPHELIA. 

LAE.  My  neceflaries  are  embark'd;  farewel:. 
And,  fifter,  as  the  winds  give  benefit, 
And  convoy  is  affiftant,  do  not  fleep, 
But  let  me  hear  from  you. 

OPH.  Do  you  doubt  that? 

LAE.  For  Hamlet,  and  the  trifling  of  his  favoufj 
Hold  it  a  falhion,  and  a  toy  in  blood ; 
A  violet  in  the  youth  of  primy  nature, 
Forward,  not  permanent,  fweet,  but  not  lafting, 
The  perfume  and  fuppliance  of  a  minute, 
No  more. 


Hamlet.  19 

OPR.  No  more  but  fo? 

LJE.  Think  it  no  more: 
For  nature,  crefcent,  does  not  grow  alone 
In  thews,  and  bulk;  but,  as  this  temple  waxes, 
The  inward  fervice  of  the  mind  and  foul 
Grows  wide  withal.  Perhaps,  he  loves  you  now; 
And  now  no  foil,  nor  cautel,  doth  befmirch 
The  virtue  of  his  will :  but,  you  muft  fear, 
His  greatnefs  weigh'd,  his  will  is  not  his  own: 
For  he  himfelf  is  fubjeft  to  his  birth: 
He  may  not,  as  unvalu'd  perfons  do, 
Carve  for  himfelf;  for  on  his  choice  depends 
The  fanity  and  health  of  the  whole  flate; 
And  therefore  muft  his  choice  be  circumfcrib'd 
Unto  the  voice  and  yielding  of  that  body, 
Whereof  he  is  the  head:  Then  if  he  fays,  he  loves  you, 
It  fits  your  wisdom  fo  far  to  believe  it, 
As  he  in  his  particular  aft  and  place 
May  give  his  faying  deed ;  which  is  no  further, 
Than  the  main  voice  of  Denmark  goes  withal. 
Then  weigh  what  lofs  your  honour  may  fuflain, 
If  with  too  credent  ear  you  lift  his  fongs; 
Or  lose  your  heart;  or  your  chaft  treasure  open 
To  his  unmafter'd  importunity: 
Fear  it,  Ophelia,  fear  it,  my  dear  filter; 
And  keep  you  in  the  rear  of  your  affecYion, 
Out  of  the  mot  and  danger  of  desire. 
The  charieft  maid  is  prodigal  enough, 
If  me  unmaflc  her  beauty  to  the  moon: 
Virtue  itfelf  fcapes  not  calumnious  ftrokes : 
The  canker  galls  the  infants  of  the  fpring, 
Too  oft  before  their  buttons  be  difclos'd  j 

H  fanftity 


20  Kamlet. 

And  in  the  morn  and  liquid  dew  of  youth 
Contagious  blaftments  arc  moll  imminent. 
Be  wary  then:  belt  fafety  lies  in  fear; 
Youth  to  itfelf  rebels,  though  none  elfe  near. 

OPH.  I  mail  the  effeft  of  this  good  leflbn  keep, 
As  watchman  to  my  heart:  But,  good  my  brother, 
Do  not,  as  fome  ungracious  pallors  do, 
Shew  me  the  fleep  and  thorny  way  to  heaven ; 
Whilft,  like  a  puft  and  recklefs  libertine, 
Himfelf  the  primrose  path  of  dalliance  treads, 
And  recks  not  his  own  read. 

LJE.  O,  fear  me  not. 
I  flay  too  long;_But  here  my  father  comes:-. 

Enter  POLONIUS. 

A  double  bleffing  is  a  double  grace; \kneeling  /oPolonius. 
Occasion  fmiles  upon  a  fecond  leave. 

POL.  Yet  here,  Laertes!  aboard,  aboard,  for  fhame; 
The  wind  fits  in  the  moulder  of  your  fail, 
And  you  are  ftay'd  for:  There,~f  my  bleffing  with  you; 
And  these  few  precepts  in  thy  memory 
Look  thou  character.  Give  thy  thoughts  no  tongue, 
Nor  any  unproportion'd  thought  his  aft. 
Be  thou  familiar,  but  by  no  means  vulgar. 
The  friends  thou  haft,  and  their  adoption  try'd, 
Grapple  them  to  thy  foul  with  hooks  of  lleal ; 
But  do  not  dull  thy  palm  with  entertainment 
Of  each  new-hatch'd  unfledg'd  comrade.  Beware 
Of  entrance  to  a  quarrel;  but,  being  in, 
Bear't  that  the  opposed  may  beware  of  thee. 
Give  every  man  thine  ear,  but  few  thy  voice: 
Take  each  man's  cenfure,  but  reserve  thy  judgment. 
Coftly  thy  habit  as  thy  purfe  can  buy, 

i     •  *5  boopei 


Hamlet.  21 

But  not  expre/Td  in  fancy;  rich,  not  gaudy: 
For  the  apparel  oft  proclaims  the  man; 
And  they  in  France,  of  the  beft  rank  and  ftation, 
Are  moft  feleft  and  generous,  chief  in  that. 
Neither  a  borrower,  nor  a  lender  be  : 
For  loan  oft  loses  both  itfelf  and  friend; 
And  borrowing  dulls  the  edge  of  husbandry. 
This  above  all,—  To  thine  own  felf  be  true; 
And  it  muft  follow,  as  the  night  the  day, 
Thou  canft  not  then  be  falfe  to  any  man. 
Farewel;  my  bleffing  feason  this  in  thee! 

LAE.  Moft  humbly  do  I  take  my  leave,  my  lord. 

POL.  The  time  inverts  you;  go,  your  fervants  tend. 

LAE.  Farewel,  Ophelia-,  and  remember  well 
What  I  have  faid  to  you. 

OPH.  'Tis  in  my  memory  lock'd, 
And  you  yourfelf  fhall  keep  the  key  of  it. 

LAE.  Farewel.  [Exit  LA.ERTES. 

POL.  What  is't,  Ophelia,  he  hath  faid  to  you  ?     [let. 

OPH.  So  please  you, fomething  touching  the  lord  Ham- 

POL.   Marry,  well  bethought: 
'Tis  told  me,  he  hath  very  oft  of  late 
Given  private  time  to  you;  and  you  yourfelf 
Have  of  your  audience  been  moft  free  and  bounteous: 
If  it  be  fo,  (as  fo  'tis  put  on  me, 
And  that  in  way  of  caution)  I  muft  tell  you, 
You  do  not  underftand  yourfelf  fo  clearly, 
As  it  behoves  my  daughter,  and  your  honour: 
What  is  between  you?  give  me  up  the  truth. 

OPH.  He  hath,  my  lord,  of  late  made  many  tenders 
Of  his  affeftion  to  me. 

POL.  AfFeftion?  puh!  you  fpeak  like  a  green  girl, 

4  Are  of  a  moft 

is 


22  Hamlet. 

Unfitted  in  fuch  perilous  circumftance. 

Do  you  believe  his  tenders,  as  you  call  them? 

OPH.  I  do  not  know,  my  lord,  what  I  Ihould  think. 

POL.  Marry, I  will  teach  you:  think  yourfelfababy; 
That  you  have  ta'en  these  tenders  for  true  pay, 
Which  are  not  fterling.  Tender  yourfelf  more  dearly, 
Or  (not  to  crack  the  wind  of  the  poor  phrase, 
Wringing  it  thus)  you'll  tender  me  a  fool. 

OPH.  My  lord,  he  hath  importun'd  me  with  love 
In  honourable  famion. 

POL.  Ay,  fafhion  you  may  call  it;  go  to,  go  to.  [lord, 

OPH.  And  hath  given  countenance  to  his  fpeech,  my 
With  almoft  all  the  holy  vows  of  heaven. 

Pot.  Ay,  fpringes  to  catch  woodcocks.  I  do  know, 
When  the  blood  burns,  how  prodigal  the  foul 
Lends  the  tongue  vows:  These  blazes,  gentle  daughter, 
Giving  more  light  than  heat, — extinct  in  both, 
Even  in  their  promise,  as  it  is  a  making, — 
You  rnuft  not  take  for  fire.  From  this  time, 
Be  fomething  fcanter  of  your  maiden  presence ; 
Set  your  entreatments  at  a  higher  rate, 
Than  a  command  to  parley.  For  lord  Hamlett 
Believe  fo  much  in  him,  That  he  is  young; 
And  with  a  larger  tether  may  he  walk, 
Than  may  be  given  you:  In  few,  Ophelia, 
Do  not  believe  his  vows:  for  they  are  brokers; 
Not  of  that  die  which  their  inveitments  mow, 
But  meer  implorers  of  unholy  fuits; 
Breathing  like  fanftify'd  and  pious  bawds, 
The  better  to  beguile.  This  is  for  ail, — 
I  would  not,  in  plain  terms,  from  this  time  forth, 
Have  you  fo  fiander  any  moment's  leisure, 

*  Wrong  it     *S  implorators 


Hamlet.  23 

As  to  give  words  or  talk  with  the  lord  Hamlet. 
Look  to't,  I  charge  you;  come  your  ways. 

OPH.  I  (hall 
Obey,  my  lord.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  IV.  The  fame.  The  Platform. 
Enter  HAMLET,  HORATIO,  and  MARCELLUS. 

BAM.  The  air  bites  (hrewdly;  it  is  very  cold. 

HOR.   It  is  a  nipping  and  an  eager  air. 

HAM.  What  hour  now? 

HOR.  I  think,  it  lacks  of  twelve. 

MAR.  No,  it  is  ftrook.  [feason, 

HOR.  Indeed  ?  I  heard  it  not:  it  then  draws  near  the 
Wherein  the  fpirit  held  his  wont  to  walk. 

\flourijh  of  Trumpets,  &c.  and  Ordin- 
ance going  off",  heard  within. 
What  does  this  mean,  my  lord?  ['rouse, 

HAM.  The  king  doth  wake  to-night,  and  takes  his 
Keeps  waffel,  and  the  fwaggering  up-fpring  reels; 
And,  as  he  drains  his  draughts  of  Rhenijb  down, 
The  kettle-drum,  and  trumpet,  thus  bray  out 
The  triumph  of  his  pledge. 

HOR.  Is  it  a  cuftom? 

HAM.  Ay,  marry,  is't: 

But,  to  my  mind, — though  I  am  native  here, 
And  to  the  manner  born, —  it  is  a  cuftom 
More  honour'd  in  the  breach,  than  the  observance. 
This  heavy-headed  revel  eaft  and  weft 
Makes  us  traduc'd,  and  tax'd  of  other  nations : 
They  clepe  us,  drunkards,  and  with  fwinim  phrase 
Soil  our  addition ;  and,  indeed,  it  takes 
From  oar  achievements,  though  performed  at  height, 

14 


z4  Hamlet. 

The  pith  and  marrow  of  our  attribute. 

So  oft  it  chances  in  particular  men  ; 

That,  for  fome  vicious  mole  of  nature  in  them,"1 

As  in  their  birth,  (wherein  they  are  not  guilty, 

Since  nature  cannot  choose  his  origin) 

By  the  o'er-growth  of  fome  complexion, 

Oft  breaking  down  the  pales  and  forts  of  reason; 

Or  by  fome  habit,  that  too  much  o'er-leavens 

The  form  of  plaufive  manners:  —  that  these  men,"- 

Carrying,  I  fay,  the  ftamp  of  one  defect; 

Being  nature's  livery,  or  fortune's  ftar,— 

Their  virtues  elfe  (be  they  as  pure  as  grace, 

As  infinite  as  man  may  undergo) 

Shall  in  the  general  cenfure  take  corruption 

From  that  particular  fault:  The  dram  of  bafe 

Dcth  all  the  noble  fubllance  of  worth  out, 

To  his  own  fcandal. 

Enter  Ghoft. 

HOR.  Look,  my  lord,  it  comes! 

HAM,  Angels  and  minifters  of  grace  defend  us!_ 
Be  thou  a  fpirit  of  health,  or  goblin  damn'd, 
Bring  with  thee  airs  from  heaven,  or  b'afts  from  hell, 
Be  thy  intents  wicked,  or  charitable, 
Thou  com'ft  in  fuch  a  queftionable  fhape, 
That  I  will  fpeak  to  thee;  I'll  call  thee,  Hamkt, 
King,  father,  royal  Dane:  O,  anfwer  me! 
Let  me  not  burft  in  ignorance!  but  tell, 
Why  thy  canoniz'd  bones,  hearfed  in  death, 
Have  burft  their  cearments;  why  the  fepulcher, 
Wherein  we  faw  thee  quietly  interr'd, 
Hath  op'd  his  ponderous  and  marble  jaws, 
To  caft  thee  up  again:  What  may  this  mean,— 

6  their  ore-     "HistM-     *5  of  eafe     «&ofa  doubt 


Hamlet.  25 

That  thou,  dead  corfe,  again,  in  compleat  fteel, 
Rcvisit'ft  thus  the  glimpfes  of  the  moon, 
Making  night  hideous;  and  we  fools  of  nature 
So  horridly  to  fhake  our  difposition, 
With  thoughts  beyond  the  reaches  of  our  fouls? 
Say,  why  is  this?  wherefore?  what  mould  we  do? 

HOR.  It  beckons  you  to  go  away  with  it, 
As  if  it  fome  impartment  did  desire 
To  you  alone. 

MAR  .  Look,  with  what  courteous  aftion 
It  waves  you  to  a  more  removed  ground : 
But  do  not  go  with  it. 

HOR.  No,  by  no  means. 

HAM.  It  will  not  fpeak;  then  I  will  follow  it. 

HOR.  Do  not,  my  lord. 

HAM.  Why,  what  mould  be  the  fear? 
I  do  not  fet  my  life  at  a  pin's  fee : 
And,  for  my  foul,  what  can  it  do  to  that, 
Being  a  thing  immortal  as  itfelf? 
It  waves  me  forth  again;  I'll  follow  it. 

HOR.  What,  if  it  tempt  you  toward  the  flood,my  lord; 
Or  to  the  dreadful  fummit  of  the  cliff, 
That  beetles  o'er  his  bafe  into  the  fea? 
And  there  affume  fome  other  horrible  form,' 
Which  might  deprive  your  fovereignty  of  reason, 
And  draw  you  into  madnefs?  think  of  it: 
The  very  place  puts  toys  of  defperation, 
Without  more  motive,  into  every  brain, 
That  looks  fo  many  fathoms  to  the  fea, 
And  hears  it  roar  beneath. 

HAM.  It  waves  me  ftill :_ 
Go  on,  I'll  follow  thee. 


z6  Hamlet. 

MAR.  You  (hall  not  go,  my  lord. 

HAM.  Hold  off  your  hands. 

HOR.  Be  rul'd,  you  (hall  not  go. 

HAM.  My  fate  cries  out, 
And  makes  each  petty  artery  in  this  body 
Hardy  as  the  Nemean  lion's  nerve — 

Still  am  Icall'd? unhand  me,  gentlemen; 

By  heaven,  I'll  make  a  ghoft  of  him  that  lets  me: 
1  fay,  away :_ Go  on,  I'll  follow  thee. 

[Exeunt  Ghoft,  and  HAMLET. 

HOR.  He  waxes  defperate  with  imagination. 

MAR.  Let's  follow;  'tis  not  fit  thus  to  obey  him. 

HOR.  Have  after:  To  what  ifTue  will  this  come  ? 

MAR.  Something  is  rotten  in  the  ftate  of  Denmark. 

HOR.  Heaven  will  direft  it. 

MAR.  Nay,  let's  follow  him.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  V.  The  fame.  Another  Part  of  the  fame. 

Enter  Ghoft,  and  HAMLET.  [rther. 

HAM,  Whither  wilt  thou  lead  me  r  ("peak,  I'll  go  no  fu- 

Gbo.    Mark  me. 

HAM.  I  will. 

Gbo.    My  hour  is  almoft  come, 
When  I  to  fulph'rous  and  tormenting  flames 
Muft  render  up  myfelf. 

HAM.  Alas,  poor  ghoft! 

Gho.    Pity  me  not,  but  lend  thy  ferious  hearing 
To  what  I  (hall  unfold. 

HAM.  Speak,  I  am  bound  to  hear. 

Gho.    So  art  thou  to  revenge,  when  thou  (halt  hear. 

HAM.  What? 

Gbo.    I  am  thy  father's  fpirit; 

*  As  hardv  as 


Hamlet.  27 

Doom'd  for  a  certain  term  to  walk  the  night; 

And,  for  the  day,  confin'd  to  faft  in  fires, 

Till  the  foul  crimes,  done  in  my  days  of  nature, 

Are  burnt  and  purg'd  away.  But  that  I  am  forbid 

To  tell  the  fecrets  of  my  prison-houfe, 

I  could  a  tale  unfold,  whose  lighted  word 

Would  harrow  up  thy  foul;  freeze  thy  young  blood; 

Make  thy  two  eyes,  like  ftars,  ftart  from  their  fpheres; 

Thy  knotty  and  combined  locks  to  part, 

And  each  particular  hair  to  (land  an  end, 

Like  quills  upon  the  fretful  porcupine: 

But  this  eternal  blazon  muft  not  be 

To  ears  of  flefh  and  blood:  Lift,  lift,  o  lift! 

If  thou  didft  ever  thy  dear  father  love,— 

HAM..  O  heaven! 

Gho.    Revenge  his  foul  and  moft  unnatural  murther. 

HAM.  Murther? 

Gho.    Murther  moft  foul,  as  in  the  beft  it  is; 
But  this  moft  foul,  ftrange,  and  unnatural. 

HAM.  Hafte  me  to  know't ;  that  I,  with  wings  as  fwift 
As  meditation,  or  the  thoughts  of  love, 
May  fweep  to  my  revenge. 

Gbo.    I  find  thee  apt; 

And  duller  fhould'ft  thou  be  than  the  fat  weed 
That  rots  itfelf  in  ease  on  Lethe  wharf, 
Would'ft  thou  not  ftir  in  this.  Now,  Hamlet,  hear: 
*Tis  given  out,  that,  fleeping  in  my  orchard, 
A  ferpent  ftung  me ;  fo  the  whole  ear  of  Denmark 
Is  by  a  forged  procefs  of  my  death 
Rankly  abus'd:  but  know,  thou  noble  youth, 
The  ferpent,  that  did  fting  thy  father's  life, 
Now  wears  his  crown. 


28  Hamlet. 

HAM.  O  my  prophetick  foul!  my  uncle? 

Gba.    Ay,  that  inceftuous,  that  adulterate  beaft, 
With  witchcraft  of  his  wit,  with  traiterous  gifts, 
(O  wicked  wit,  and  gifts,  that  have  the  power 
So  to  feduce!)  won  to  his  fhameful  luft 
The  will  of  my  moft  feeming-virtuous  queen: 
O,  Hamlet,  what  a  falling-off  was  there! 
From  me,  whose  love  was  of  that  dignity, 
That  it  went  hand  in  hand  even  with  the  vow 
I  made  to  her  in  marriage;  and  to  decline 
Upon  a  wretch,  whose  natural  gifts  were  poor 
To  those  of  mine! 

But  virtue,  as  it  never  will  be  mov'd, 
Though  lewdnefs  court  it  in  a  fhape  of  heaven; 
So  luft,  though  to  a  radiant  angel  link'd, 
Will  fate  itfelf  in  a  celeftial  bed, 
And  prey  on  garbage. 

But,  loft!  methinks,  I  fcent  the  morning  air; 
Brief  let  me  be:  Sleeping  within  my  orchard, 
My  cuftom  always  of  the  afternoon, 
Upon  my  fecure  hour  thy  uncle  ftole, 
With  juice  of  cm  fed  hebenon  in  a  viol, 
And  in  the  porches  of  mine  ears  did  pour 
The  leperous  diflilment;  whose  effecT: 
Holds  fuch  an  enmity  with  blood  of  man, 
That,  fwift  as  quick- filver,  it  courfes  through 
The  natural  gates  and  allies  of  the  body; 
And,  with  a  fudden  vigour,  it  doth  poflet 
And  curd,  like  eager  droppings  into  milk, 
The  thin  and  wholefome  blood  :  fo  did  it  mine; 
And  a  moft  inftant  tetter  bark'd  about, 
Moft  lazar-like,  with  vile  and  loathfome  cruft 

3  wits, 


Hamlet.  29 

All  my  fmooth  body. 

Thus  was  I,  fleeping,  by  a  brother's  hand, 
Of  life,  of  crown,  of  queen,  at  once  difpatch'd: 
Cut  off  even  in  the  bloffoms  of  my  (in, 
Unhousel'd,  unanointed,  unanneal'd; 
No  reck'ning  made,  but  fent  to  my  account 
With  all  my  imperfections  on  my  head: 
O  horrible!  o  horrible!  moft  horrible! 
If  thou  haft  nature  in  thee,  bear  it  not; 
Let  not  the  royal  bed  of  Denmark  be 
A  couch  for  luxury  and  damned  inceft. 
But,  howfoever  thou  purfu'fl  this  adt, 
Taint  not  thy  mind,  nor  let  thy  foul  contrive 
Againft  thy  mother  ought;  leave  her  to  heaven, 
And  to  those  thorns  that  in  her  bosom  lodge, 
To  prick  and  fting  her.  Fare  thee  well  at  once; 
The  glow-worm  fhews  the  matin  to  be  near, 
And 'gins  to  pale  his  uneffedlual  fire: 
Adieu,  adieu,  adieu;  remember  me.  [Exit  Ghoft. 

HAM.  O  all  you  hofl  of  heaven!  o  earth!  What  elfe? 
And  mall  I  couple  hell:  —  Hold,  hold,  my  heart; 
And  you,  my  finews,  grow  not  inftant  old, 
But  bear  me  ftirfly  up !_ Remember  thee? 
Ay,  thou  poor  ghoft,  while  memory  holds  a  feat 
In  this  diftrafted  globe.  Remember  thee  ? 
Yea,  from  the  table  of  my  memory 
I'll  wipe  away  all  trivial  fond  records, 
All  faws  of  books,  all  forms,  all  preflures  paft, 
That  youth  and  observation  copy'd  there; 
And  thy  commandment  all  alone  lhall  live 
Within  the  book  and  volume  of  my  brain, 
Unmix'd  with  bafer  matter:  yes,  by  heaven. 

5  difappointcd,     *•  hell,  e  fie,  hold 


3»  Hamlet. 

O  moft  pernicious  woman! 

0  villain,  villain,  fmiling,  damned  villain! 
My  tables,— meet  it  is,  1  fet  it  down, 

That  one  may  fmile,  and  fmile,  and  be  a  villain  J 
At  leaft,  I'm  fure,  it  may  be  fo  in  Denmark: 
So,  uncle,  there ~f  you  are :  Now  to  my  word; 
It  if, 
&ieu,  adieu;  remember  me.  I  have  fvvorn't, 

HOR.  [within.]  My  lord,  my  lord, — 

MAR.  [within.]  Lord  Hamlet, — 

HOR.  [within.]  Heaven  fecure  him! 

HAM.  So  be  it ! 

MAR.  [within.]  IIlo,  ho,  ho,  my  lord! 

HAM.  Hillo,  ho,  ho,  boy!  come,  bird,  come. 
Enter  HORATIO,  and  MARCELLUS. 

MAR.  How  is't,  my  noble  lord? 

HOR.  What  news,  my  lord? 

HAM .  O,  wonderful ! 

HOR.  Good  my  lord,  tell  it. 

HAM.  No;  you  will  reveal  it. 

HOR.  Not  I,  my  lord,  by  heaven. 

MAR.  Nor  I,  my  lord.  [ink  it?—* 

HAM.  How  fay  you  then;  would  heart  of  man  once  th- 
But  you'll  be  fecret,— 

HOR.  MAR.  Ay,  by  heaven,  my  lord. 

HAM.  There's  ne'er  a  villain,  dwelling  in  all  Denmark, 
But  he's  an  arrant  knave.  [grave, 

HOR.  There  needs  no  ghoft,  my  lord, come  from  the 
To  tell  us  this. 

HAM.  Why,  right;  you  are  i'  the  right: 
And  fo,  without  more  circumftance  at  all, 

1  hold  it  fit,  that  we  ihake  hands,  and  part : 


Hamlet.  3 1 

You,  as  your  businefs,  and  desire,  fliall  point  you;  — 
For  every  man  hath  businefs,  and  desire, 
Such  as  it  is,  —  and,  for  my  own  poor  part, 
Look  you,  I  will  go  pray. 

HOR.  These  are  but  wild  and  whirling  words,my  lord. 

HAM.  I'm  forry,  they  offend  you,  heartily; 
'Faith,  heartily. 

HOR.  There's  no  offence,  my  lord. 

HAM.  Yes,  by  faint  Patrick,  but  there  is,  Horatio, 
And  much  offence  too.  Touching  this  vision  here,-— 
It  is  an  honeft  ghoft,  that  let  me  tell  you: 
For  your  desire  to  know  what  is  between  us, 
O'er-mafter't  as  you  may.  And  now,  good  friends, 
As  you  are  friends,  fcholars,  and  foldiers, 
Give  me  one  poor  requeft. 

HOR.  What  is't,  my  lord?  we  will.  [ght» 

HAM .  Never  make  known  what  you  have  feen  to-ni- 

HOR.  MAR.  My  lord,  we  will  not. 

HAM.  Nay,  but  fwear't. 

HOR    In  faith, 
My  lord,  not  I. 

MAR.  Nor  I,  my  lord,  in  faith. 

HAM.  Upon  my~j~fword. 

MAR.  We  have  fworn,  my  lord,  already. 

HAM.  Indeed,  upon  my  fword,  indeed. 

Gho.    [beneath.]  Swear.  [penny  ?_ 

HAM.  Ha,  ha,  boy !  fay'ft  thou  fo  ?  art  thou  there,  true- 
Come  on,~you  hear  this  fellow  in  the  cellaridge, — 
Con  fen  t  to  fwear. 

HOR.  Propose  the  oath,  my  lord. 

HAM.  Never  to  fpeak  of  this  that  you  have  feen, 
Swear  by  my  fword. 

7  Yes  faith 


32  Hamlet. 

Gho.    \jbeneath.~\  Swear. 

HAM.  Hie  et  ubique?  then  we'll  mift  our  ground :_ 
Come  hither,  gentlemen,  and  lay  your  hands 
Again  upon  my  fword;  Swear  by  my  fword, 
Never  to  fpeak  of  this  that  you  have  heard. 

Gbo.    [l>eneatb.~\  Swear  by  his  fword.  Tfaft? 

HJM.  Well  faid,  old  mole !  canft  work  i'  the  earth  fo 
A  worthy  pioneer! Once  more  remove,  good  friends. 

UOR.  O  day  and  night,  but  this  is  wondrous  Grange! 

HJIM.  And  therefore  as  a  ftranger  give  it  welcome. 
There  are  more  things  in  heaven  and  earth,  Hcratio, 
Than  are  dreamt  of  in  your  phiiofophy. 
But  come; 

Here,  as  before,  never,  fo  help  you  mercy, 
How  ftrange  or  odd  foe'er  1  bear  myfelf, — 
As  I,  perchance,  hereafter  mail  think  meet 
To  put  an  antick  difposition  on,— 
That  you,  at  fuch  time  feeing  me,  never  (hall 
(With  arms  encumber'd~j~thus;  or  this~|~head-(hakej 
Or  by  pronouncing  of  fome  doubtful  phrase, 
As,  Well,  nvell,  nve  know, — or,  We  could,  an  if 
ive  would; —  or,  Ifive  lift  tofpeak\ — or,  There 
be,  an  if  they  might;  — 
Or  fuch  ambiguous  giving-out)  denote 
That  you  know  ought  of  me:  This  do  gou  fwear, 
So  grace  and  mercy  at  your  moll  need  help  you ! 

Gbo.    [beneath.]  Swear. 

UAM.  Kelt,  reft,  perturbed  fpirit So,  gentlemen, 

With  all  my  love  I  do  commend  me  to  you : 
And  what  fo  poor  a  man  as  Hamlet  is 
May  do*  to  exprefs  his  Jove  and  friending  to  you, 
God  willing,  mail  not  lack.  Let  us  go  in  together; 

*4  out,  to  note) 


Hdmlet,  33 

And  flill  your  fingers  on  your  lips,  I  pray. 

The  time  is  out  of  joint  ;_O  curfed  fpightl 

That  ever  I  was  born  to  fet  it  right !_ 

Nay,  come,  let's  go  together.  [Exeunt. 


ACT  II. 

SCENE  I.  The  fame.  A  Roorrt  in  Polonius'  Houfe. 
Enter  POLONIUS; 


POL.  Give  him  this  =}=  money,  and  these  =f=  notes,  Ry- 
naldo. 

RET.  I  will,  my  lord. 

POL.  You  (hall  do  marvelous  wisely,  %pQ&Reynaldot 
Before  you  visit  him,  to  make  inquiry 
Of  his  behaviour. 

RET.  My  lord,  I  did  intend  it. 

POL.  Marry,  well  faid;  very  well  faid.  Look  you,  fir, 
Inquire  me  firil  what  Dantz'cken  are  in  Paris; 
And  how,  and  who,  what  means,  and  where  they  keep, 
What  company,  at  what  expence;  and  finding, 
By  this  encompaffment  and  drift  of  queflion, 
That  they  do  know  my  fon,  come  you  more  nearer 
Than  your  particular  demands  will  touch  it: 
Take  you,  as  'twere,  fome  diftant  knowledge  of  him, 
As  thus,  1  knmu  hit  father,  and  his  friendt, 
And,  in  part,  him,  —  Do  you  mark  this,  Reynaldo? 

RET.  Ay,  very  well,  my  lord. 

POL.  And,  in  p&rt,  him;  but,  you  may  fay,  not  <wtlt: 
But,  j/'t  be  he  I  mean,  he's  very  ivild\ 
AddiSed  fo  and  fo;  —  and  there  put  on  him 
What  forgeries  you  please:  marry,  none  fo  rank 

VOL.  X,  JL 


34  Hamlet. 

As  may  diffionour  him;  take  heed'of  that; 
But,  fir,  fuch  wanton,  wild,  and  usual  flips, 
As  are  companions  noted  and  moil  known 
To  youth  and  liberty. 

RET.  As  gaming,  my  lord. 

POL.  Ay, or  drinking,  fencing, fwearing, quarrelling, 
Drabbing;  you  may  go  fo  far. 

RET.  My  lord,  that  would  difhonour  him. 

POL.  'Faith,  no;  as  you  may  feason  it  in  the  charge. 
You  muft  not  put  another  fcandal  on  him, 
That  he  is  open  to  incontinency ; 

That's  not  my  meaning:  but  breath  his  faults  fo  quaintly, 
That  they  may  feeni  the  taints  of  liberty; 
The  flam,  and  out- break  of  a  fiery  mind; 
A  favagenefs  in  unreclaimed  blood, 
Of  general  aflault. 

RET.  But,  my  good  lord, — 

POL.  Wherefore  mould  you  do  this? 

RET.  Ay,  my  cooH  lord, 
I  would  know  that. 

POL.  Marry,  fir,  here's  my  drift; 
And,  I  believe,  it  is  a  fetch  of  warrant: 
You  laying  these  flight  fullies  on  my  fon, 
As  'twere  a  thing  a  little  foil'd  i'  the  working, 
Mark  you, Your  party  in  converfe,  him  you  would  found, 
Having  ever  feen,  in  the  prenominate  crimes, 
The  youth,  you  breath  of,  guilty,  be  affur'd, 
He  closes  with  you  in  this  confequence; 
Goodjir,  or  fo ;  or,  Friend,  or,  Gentleman, — 
According  to  the  phrase,  or  the  addition, 
Of  man,  and  country. 

Rf.  r.  Very  good,  my  lord. 


Hamlet.  35 

POL.   And  then;  fir,  does  he  this,— He  does— What 

was  I 

About  to  fay?  I  was  about  to  fay 
Something:  Where  did  I  leave? 

Rtr.  At,  closes  in  the  confequence. 

POL.   At,  closes  in  the  confequence, — Ay,  marry; 
He  closes  with  you  thus :  /  know  the  gentleman; 
Jfaiv  him  yejlerday,  or  /'  other  day, 
Or  tbet:,  or  then;  ivilhfucb,  orjucb:  and,  as  you  fay ', 
'There  was  be  gaming;  there  o'er -took  in  his  'route; 
There  falling  out  at  tennis:  or,  perchance, 
I/a<w  him  enter  fuch  a  boufe  of J  ale, 
(Videlicet,  a  brothel)  or  fo  forth.          • 
See  you  now ; 

Your  bait  of  falfehood  takes  this  carp  of  truth: 
And  thus  do  we  of  wisdom  and  of  reach, 
With  windlaffes,  and  with  affays  of  bias, 
By  indirections  find  directions  out; 
So,  by  my  former  lefture  and  advice, 
Shall  you  my  fon:  You  have  me,  have  you  not? 

RET.  My  lord,  I  have. 

POL.   God  be  wi'you;  fare  you  well. 

/?£r.  Good  my  lord,— 

POL.  Observe  his  inclination  in  yourfelf. 

^£r.  l-fliall,  my  lord. 

POL.    And  let  him  ply  his  musick. 

Rzr.  Weil,  my  lord.  [Exit  REYNALDO. 

Enter  OPHELIA,  hajlily. 

POL.   Farewel  _How  now,  Ophelia?  what's  the  mat- 
ter? 

OP  a.  O,  my  lord,  my  lord,  I  have  been  fo  affrighted! 

POL.   With  what,  i'  the  name  of  heaven? 


36  Hamlet. 

OPH.  My  lord,  as  I  was  fowing  in  my  closet, 
Lord  Ham/ef,~wh\\  his  doublet  all  unbrac'd; 
No  hat  upon  his  head ;  his  {lockings  foul'd, 
Ungarter'd,  and  down-gyred  to  his  ancle; 
Pale  as  his  ftiirt;  his  knees  knocking  each  other? 
And  with  a  took  fo  piteous  in  purport, 
As  if  he  had  been  leofed  out  of  hell, 
To  fpeak  of  horrors, —  he  comes  before  me. 

Pos.   Mad  for  thy  love? 

OPH.  My  lord,  I  do  not  know; 
But,  truly,  I  do  fear  it. 

POL.  Whatfaidhe? 

OPH.  He  took  me  by  the  wrift,  and  held  me  hard ; 
Then  goes  he  to  the  length  of  all  his  arm; 
And,  with  his  other  hand  thus  ~J~  o'er  his  brow, 
He  falls  to  fuch  perusal  of  my  face, 
As  he  would  draw  it.  Long  time  ftay'd  he  fo: 
At  laft,— a  little  making  of  mine  arm, 
And  thrice  his  head  thus  ~jr  waving  up  and  down,"* 
He  raised  a  figh  fo  piteous  and  profound, 
As  it  did  feem  to  (hatter  all  his  bulk, 
And  end  his  being:  That  done,  he  lets  me  go: 
And,  with  his  head  over  his  moulder  turn'd, 
He  feem'd  to  find  his  way  without  his  eyes ; 
For  out  o'  doors  he  went  without  their  helps, 
And,  to  the  laft,  bended  their  light  on  me.N 

POL.  Come,  go  with  me;  I  will  go  feek  the  king. 
This  is  the  very  extafy  of  love; 
Whose  violent  property  foredoes  itfelf, 
And  leads  the  will  to  defperate  undertakings, 
As  oft  as  any  paffion  under  heaven, 
That  does  afflift  our  natures.  I  am  forry,~ 


Hamlet.  37 

What  have  you  given  him  any  hard  words  of  late  ? 

OPH.  No,  my  good  lord;  but,  as  you  did  command, 
1  did  j-epel  his  letters,  and  deny'd 
His  accefs  to  me. 

POL.  That  hath  made  him  mad. 
I  am  forry,  that  with  better  heed,  and  judgment, 
I  had  not  quoted  him:  I  fear'd,  he  did  but  trifle, 
And  meant  to  wrack  thee;  but,  befhrow  my  jealoufy! 
By  heaven,  it  is  as  proper  to  our  age 
To  caft  beyond  ourfelves  in  our  opinions, 
As  it  is  common  for  the  younger  fort 
To  lack  difcretion.  Come,  go  we  to  the  king:  [vc 

This  muft  be  known ;  which,  being  kept  clofe,  might  mo- 
More  grief  to  hide,  than  hate  to  utter  love. 
Come.  [  Exeunt* 

SCENE  II.  The  fame.  4  Room  in  the  Cajlle. 
Enter  King,  Queen,  and  Attendant t\ 

ROSIKCRANTZ,  and  GUI LDE N STE RN. 

Kin.     Welcome,  dear  RosincranlK,  and  Quildenftern! 
Moreover  that  we  much  did  long  to  fee  you, 
The  need,  we  have  to  use  you,  did  provoke 
O.ur  hafty  fending.  Something  have  you  heard 
Of  Hamlet's  transformation;  fo  I  call  it, 
Sith  nor  the  exterior  nor  the  inward  man 
Resembles  that  it  was:  What  it  fhould  be. 
More  than  his  father's  death,  that  thus  hath  put  him 
So  much  from  the  underltanding  of  himfelf, 
I  cannot  dream  of:  I  entreat  you  both, 
That, —  being  of  fo  young  days  brought  up  with  him; 
And,  fince,  fo  neighbour'd  to  his  youth,  and  humour,"" 
Tiiat  you  vouchfafe  your  reft  here  in  our  court 


38  Hamlet. 

Some  little  time :  fo  by  your  companies 
To  draw  him  on  to  pleasures;  and  to  gather, 
So  much  as  from  occasion  you  may  glean, 
Whether  ought,  to  us  unknown,  afflifts  him  thus. 
That,  open'd,  lies  within  our  remedy. 

£)ue.    Good  gentlemen,  he  hath  much  talk'd  of  yo«| 
And,  fure  I  am,  two  men  there  are  not  living, 
To  whom  he  more  adheres.  If  it  will  please  you, 
To  {hew  us  fo  much  gentry,  and  good  will, 
As  to  expend  your  time  uith  us  a  while, 
For  the  fupply  and  profit  of  our  hope, 
Your  visitation  (hall  receive  fuch  thanks 
As  fits  a  king's  remembrance. 

Ros.   Both  your  majeilies 

Might,  by  the  fovereign  power  you  have  of  us, 
Put  your  dread  pleasures  moie  into  command 
Than  to  entreaty. 

GUI.   But  we  both  obey ; 
And  here  give  up  ourfelves,  in  the  full  bent, 
To  lay  our  fervice  freely  at  your  feet, 
To  be  commanded. 

Kin.    Thanks,  Rcsincrantz,  and  gentle  Guihienfltrn. 

Que.    Thanks,  Guildeiiftern,  and  gentle  Ronncranfz: 
And  I  befeech  you  inftantly  to  visit 

My  too-much-changed  fon Go,  fome  of  you, 

And  bring  these  gentlemen  where  Hamlet  is. 

GUI.    Heavens  make  our  presence,  and  our  pradicei, 
Pleasant,  and  helpful,  to  him  ! 

Que.    Ay,  amen! 

[Exeunt  Ros.  and  GUI.  Attendant i  <wiib  them. 
Enter  POLONIUS. 

Poi.  The  embafladors  from  Kornvay,  my  good  lord,* 


Hamlet.  39 

Are  joyfally  return \1. 

Kin.    Thou  ftill  haft  been  the  father  of  good  news. 

POL.  Have  I,  my  lord :  Aflure  you,  my  good  liege, 
I  hold  my  duty,  as  I  hold  my  foul, 
Both  to  my  God  and  to  my  gracious  king: 
And  J  do  think,  (or  elfe  this  brain  of  mine 
Hunts  not  the  trail  of  policy  fo  fure 
As  it  hath  us'd  to  do)  that  [  have  found 
The  very  cause  of  Hamlet's  lunacy. 

Kin.    O,  fpeak  of  that;  that  do  I  long  to  hear. 

POL.  Give  firft  admittance  to  the  embafladors; 
My  news  fhall  be  the  fruit  to  that  great  feaft. 

Kin.    Thyfelf  do  grace  to  them,  and  bring  them  in. 

[£*•//  POLONIUS. 

He  tells  me,  my  dear  Gertrude,  he  hath  found 
The  head  and  fource  of  all  your  fon's  diftemper. 

Que.    I  doubt,  it  is  no  other  but  the  main ; 
His  father's  death,  and  our  o'er-hafty  marriage. 
Re-enter  POLONIUS,  ivitb  VOLTIMAND, 
and  Cornelius. 

Kin.    Well,  we  mall  fift  him._Welcome,  my  good 

friends ! 
Say,  Voltimand,  what  from  our  brother  Norway? 

VOL.  Moft  fair  return  of  greetings,  and  desires. 
Upon  our  firft,  he  fent  out  to  fuppreis 
His  nephew's  levies ;  which  to  him  appeared 
To  be  a  preparation  'gainft  the  Polack\ 
But,  better  look'd  into,  he  truly  found 
It  was  againft  your  highnefs:  Whereat  griev'd, — 
That  fo  his  ficknefs,  age,  ani  impotence, 
Was  falfely  born  in  hand, —  fends  out  arrefts 
On  Fortinbrcn;  which  he,  in  brief,  obeys; 


40  Hamlet. 

Receives  rebuke  from  Norway ;  and,  in  fine. 
Makes  vow  before  his  uncle,  never  more 
To  give  the  aflay  of  arms  againft  your  majefty. 
Whereon  old  Norway,  overcome  with  joy, 
Gives  him  three  thousand  crowns  in  annual  feej 
And  his  commiflion,  to  employ  those  foldiers, 
So  levy'd  as  before,  againft  the  Polack: 
With  an  entreaty,  herein  ^further  fhown, 
That  it  might  please  you  to  give  quiet  pafs 
Through  your  dominions  for  this  enterprize; 
On  fuch  regards  of  fafety,  and  allowance, 
As  therein  are  fet  down. 

Air*.    It  likes  us  well ; 

And,  at  our  more  confider'd  time,  we'll  read, 
Anfwer,  and  think  upon  this  businefs. 
Mean  time,  we  thank  you  for  your  well-took  labour; 
Go  to  your  reft;  at  night  we'll  feaft  together: 
Moft  welcome  home!  [Exeunt  VOL.  and  Cor., 

POL.  This  businefs  is  well  ended. 
My  liege,  and  madam,  to  expoftulate 
What  majefty  mould  be,  what  duty  is, 
Why  day  is  day,  night  night,  and  time  is  time, 
Were  nothing  but  to  wafte  night,  day,  and  time. 
Therefore,—  fmce  brevity  is  the  foul  of  wit, 
And  tedioufnefs  the  limbs  and  outward  flourilhes,""* 
1  will  be  brief:  Your  noble  fon  is  mad: 
Mad  call  ]  it;  for,  to  define  true  madnefs, 
What  is't,  but  to  be  nothing  elfe  but  mad: 
But  let  that  go. 

%ue.    More  matter,  with  Icfs  art. 

fez.  Madam,  1  fwear,  I  use  no  art  at  all. 
That  h«  is  mad,  is  true:  'tis  true,  'tis  pity,  j 

3*  mad  'tis  true. 


Hamlet.  41 

And  pity  'tis,  'tis  true:  a  foolifti  figure; 

But  farewel  it,  for  I  will  use  no  art. 

Mad  let  us  grant  him  then :  and  now  remains, 

That  we  find  out  the  cause  of  this  effeft; 

Or,  rather  fay,  the  cause  of  this  defeft ; 

For  this  effeft,  defective,  comes  by  cause : 

Thus  it  remains,  and  the  remainder  thus. 

Perpend. 

I  have  a  daughter  ;  have,  while  {he  is  mine; 

Who,  in  her  duty  and  obedience,  mark, 

Hath  given  me  ~f"  this:  Now  gather,  and  furmise. 

?o  the  celt/Hal,  and,  my  foul's  fait  idolt 
The  moft  beatify* d  Ophelia,— 
That's  an  ill  phrase,  a  vile  phrase;  tfjat  beatify  d 
Is  a  vile  phrase:  But  you  lhall  hear;  — 
These  in  her  excellent  'white  bosom,  these. 
t$ue.    Came  this  from  Hamlet  to  her.' 
POL.  Good  madam,  flay  a  while;  I  will  be  faithful.-, 
Doubt  thou,  the  ftars  are  fire  ; 

Doubt,  that  the  fun  doth  mow, 
Doubt  truth  to  be  a  Her ; 

But  never  doubt,  I  love. 

O  dear  Ophelia,  I  am  ill  at  these  numbers',  I  have  not  art 
to  reckon  my  groant :  but  that  I  love  thee  beft,  o  moft  beftt 
believe  it.  Adieu.  Thine  evermore,  moft  dear  lady, 

•whiljl  this  machine  is  to  him 

Hamlet. 

This,  in  obedience,  hath  my  daughter  fhown  me : 
And,  more  above,  hath  his  follicitings, 
As  they  fell  out  by  time,  by  means,  and  place^ 
AH  given  to  mine  ear. 
Kin.    But  how  hath  (he 

IJ  &  '4  bctlttijuj 


42.  Hamlet. 

Receiv'dhis  love? 

Pot.  What  do  you  think  of  me? 

Kin.    As  of  a  man  faithful  and  honourable.        [ink, 

POL.    I  would  fain  prove  fo.  But  what  might  you  th- 
When  I  had  feen  this  hot  love  on  the  wing, 
(As  I  perceiv'd  it,  I  muft  tell  you  that, 
Before  my  daughter  told  me)  what  might  you, 
Or  my  dear  majefty  your  queen  here,  think, 
If  I  had  play'd  the  defk,  or  table-hook; 
Or  given  my  heart  a  working,  mute  and  dumb; 
Or  look'd  upon  this  love  with  idle  fight, 
What  might  you  think?  no,  I  went  round  to  work, 
And  my  young  mijtrefs  thus  I  did  befpeak; 
Lord  Hamlet  is  a  prince  out  of  thy  j'phere ; 
This  mufi  nut  be:  and  then  I  prescripts  gave  her, 
That  (he  (hould  lock  herfelf  from  his  resort, 
Admit  no  me/Tengers,  receive  no  tokens. 
Which  done,  fhe  took  the  fruits  of  my  advice: 
And  he,  repulfed,  (a  fhort  tale  to  make) 
Fell  into  a  fadnefs;  then  into  a  faft; 
'Thence  to  a  watching;  thence  into  a  \veaknefs; 
Thence  to  a  lightnefs;  and,  by  this  declenfion, 
Into  the  madnefs  wherein  now  he  raves, 
And  all  we  wail  for. 

Kin.    Do  you  think,  'tis  this? 

£>ue.    It  may  be,  very  likely. 

POL.  Hath  there  been  fuch  a  time,  (I'd  fain  know 

that) 

That  I  have  positively  faid,  'Tit  fo, 
When  it  prov'd  otherwise? 

Kin.    Not  that  I  know. 

POL.  Takc~["this  from"]" this,  if  this  be  otherwise; 


Hamlet.  43 

Jfcircum (lances  lead  me,  I  will  find 

Where  truth  is  hid,  though  it  were  hid  indeed 

Within  the  center. 

Kin.    How  may  we  try  it  further? 

POL.  You  know,  fometimes  he  walks  for  hours  to- 
gether 
Here  in  the  lobby. 

<%ue.    So  he  does,  indeed. 

POL.  At  fuch  a  time  I'll  loofe  my  daughter  to  him: 
Be  you  and  1  behind  an  arras  then ; 
Mark  the  encounter:  if  he  love  her  not, 
And  be  not  from  his  reason  fall'n  thereon, 
Let  me  be  no  afliftant  for  a  ftate, 
But  keep  a  farm,  and  carters. 

Kin.    We  will  try  it. 

Enter  HA  Mt-ET,  nvltb  a  Book  in  bit  Hand. 

Que.    But,  look,  where  fadly  the  poor  wretch  comes 
reading. 

POL.   Away,  I  do  befeech  you,  both  away; 

.I'll  board  him  presently: O,  give  me  leave — , 

[Exeunt  King,  Queen,  and  -Train. 
How  does  my  good  lord  Hamlet? 

HAM.  Well,  god-'a-mercy. 

POL.  Do  you  know  me,  my  lord? 

HAM.  Excellent  well; 
You  are  a  fifhmonger. 

POL.  Not  I,  my  lord. 

HAM.  Then  I  would  you  were  fo  honeft  a  man. 

POL.  Honeft,  my  lord? 

HAM.  Ay,  fir;  to  be  honeft,  as  this  world  goes,  is  to 
be  one  man  pick'd  out  often  thousand. 

POL.  That's  very  true,  my  lord. 

5  walkes  foure  houres 


44  Hamlet. 

HAM.  For  if  the  fun  breed  maggots  in  a  dead  dogi 
being  a  God  kiffing  carrion, ~ Have  you  a  daughter? 

POL.  1  have,  my  lord. 

HA M.  Let  her  not  walk  i'  the  fun:  conception  is  a 
bleffing;  but  not  as  your  daughter  may  conceive :  friend, 
look  to't. 

POL.  "  How  fay  you  by  that?  frill  harping  on  my*' 
"  daughter:  Yet  he  knew  me  not  at  firft;  he  faid,  I" 
"  was  a  fifhmonger:  He  is  far  gone,  far  gone:  and," 
"  truly,  in  my  youth  I  fuffer'd  much  extremity  for" 
"  love;  very  near  this.  I'll  fpeak  to  him  again. "_What 
do  you  read,  my  lord? 

HAM.  Words,  words,  words. 

POL.  What  is  the  matter,  my  lord? 

HAM.  Between  who? 

POL.  I  mean,  the  matter  that  you  read,  my  lord. 

HAM.  Slanders,  fir:  for  the  fatyrical  rogue  fays  here, 
that  old  men  have  grey  beards;  that  their  faces  are 
wrinkl'd;  their  eyes  purging  thick  amber,  and  plum- 
tree  gum ;  and  that  they  have  a  plentiful  lack  of  wit,  to- 
gether with  molt  weak  hams:  All  which,  fir,  though  [ 
moil  powerfully  and  potently  believe,  yet  I  hold  it  not 
honefty  to  have  it  thus  fet  down  ;  for  yourfelf,  fir,  (hall 
grow  old  as  I  am,  if  like  a  crab  you  could  go  back- 
ward. 

POL.  "  Though  this  be  madnefs,  yet  there  is  me-^ 
««  thod  in't."_Will  you  walk  out  of  the  air,  my  lord? 

HAM..  Into  my  grave? 

POL.  Indeed,  that  is  out  of  the  air "  How  preg-'1 

"  nant,  fometimes,  his  replies  are!  a  happinefs  that  of-'* 
*'  ten  madnefs  hits  on,  which  reason  and  fanity  could1' 
"  not  fo  profperoully  be  deliver'd  of.  I  will  leave  hii?;'' 

-  a  goad 


Hamlet.  45 

and  fuddenly  contrive  the  means  of  meeting  between" 
«'  him  and  my  daughter."— My  lord,  I  will  take  my 
leave  of  you. 

HAM.  You  cannot,  fir,  take  from  me  any  thing  that  I 
will  more  willingly  part  withal;  except  my  life,  except 
my  life,  except  my  life. 

POL.  Fare  you  well,  my  lord. 

HJM .  These  tedious  old  fools! 


. 

POL.  You  go  to  feek  the  lord  Hamlet;  there  he  is. 

Ros.   God  fave  you,  fir!  [Exit  POLONIUS. 

GUI.   My  honour'd  lord,— 

Ros.   My  mod  dear  lord,— 

HAM.  My  excellent  good  friends!  How  doft  thoi>, 
Guildenjiern?  Ah,  Rosincrantz!  Good  lads,  how  do  you 
both? 

Roy.   As  the  indifferent  children  of  the  earth. 

GUI.   Happy,  in  that  we  are  not  over-happy  j   ; 
On  fortune's  cap  we  are  not  the  very  button. 

HAM.  Nor  the  foals  of  her  (hoe  ? 

Ros.   Neither,  my  lord. 

HAM .  Then  you  live  about  her  wade,  or  in  the  mid- 
dle of  her  favours? 

Gut.   'Faith,  her  privates  we. 

HAM.  In  the  fecret  parts  of  fortune?  o,  mod  true;  flie 
is  a  ftrumpet.  What  news  ? 

Ros.  None,  my  lord;  but  that  the  world's  grown 
honeft. 

HAM.  Then  is  dooms-day  near:  But  your  news  is  not 
true.  Let  me  queftion  more  in  particular:  What  have 
you,  my  good  friends,  deserved  at  the  hands  of  fortune, 
that  fhe  fends  you  ta  prison  hither: 


46  Hamlet; 

GUI.  Prison,  my  lord! 

HAM.  Denmark's  a  prison. 

Ros.   Then  is  the  world  one. 

HAM.  A  goodly  one;  in  which  there  are  many  cdri- 
fines,  wards,  and  dungeons;  Denmark  being  one  of  the 
worft. 

Ros.   We  think  not  fo,  my  lord. 

HAM.  Why,  then  'tis  none  to  you ;  for  there  is  no- 
thing either  good  or  bad,  but  thinking  makes  it  fo:  to 
me  it  is  a  prison. 

Ros.  Why,  then  your  ambition  makes  it  one ;  'tis  too 
narrow  for  your  mind. 

HAM.  O  God,  I  could  be  bounded  in  a  nut  fhell,  and 
count  myfelf  a  king  of  infinite  fpace;  were  it  not  that  I 
have  bad  dreams. 

GUI.  Which  dreams,  indeed,  are  ambition:  for  the 
very  fubftance  of  the  ambitions  is  meerly  the  ihadow  of 
a  dream. 

HAM.  A  dream  itfelf  is  but  a  fhadow. 

Ros.  Truly,  and  I  hold  ambition  of  fo  airy  and  light 
a  quality,  that  it  is  but  a  fhadow's  fhadow. 

HAM.  Then  are  our  beggars,  bodies;  and  our  mon- 
archs,  and  out-ftretch'd  heroes,  the  beggars'  fhadows  :' 
Shall  we  to  the  court?  for,  by  my  fey,  I  cannot  reason. 

Ros.    GUI.  We'll  wait  upon  you. 

HAM.  No  fuch  matter:  1  will  not  fort  you  with  the 
reft  of  my  fervants ;  for,  to  fpeak  to  you  like  an  honeft 
man,  I  am  moft  dreadfully  attended.  But,  in  the  beaten 
way  of  friendfhip,  what  make  you  at  Eljinour? 

Ros.   To  visit  you,  my  lord;  no  other  occasion. 

HAM.  Beggar  that  I  am;  I  am  even  poor  in  thanks: 
but  I  thank  you:  and,  fure>  dear  friends,  my  thanks  arc 


Hamlet.  47 

too  dear  at  a  halfpenny.  Were  you  not  fent  for?  Is  it 
your  own  inclining?  Is  it  a  free  visitation:  Come,  deal 
juftly  with  me:  come,  come;  nay,  fpeak. 

GUI,    What  fhould  we  fay,  my  lord  ? 

HAM.  Any  thing;  but  to  the  purpose.  You  were  fent 
for;  and  there  is  a  kind  of  confeffion  in  your  looks, 
which  your  modefties  have  not  craft  enough  to  colour : 
I  know,  the  good  king  and  queen  have  fent  for  you. 

Ros.   To  what  end,  my  lord  ? 

HAM.  That  you  muft  teach  me.  But  let  me  conjure 
you,  by  the  rights  of  our  fellowmip,  by  the  confonancy 
of  our  youth,  by  the  obligation  of  our  ever-preserved 
love,  and  by  what  more  dear  a  better  proposer  could 
chaige  you  withal,  be  even  and  direct  with  me,  whether 
you  were  fent  for,  or  no? 

Ros.   What  fay  you?  [to  GOT. 

HAM.  Nay,  then  I  have  an  eye  of  you;_if  you  lore 
me,  hold  not  off. 

GUI.   My  lord,  we  were  fent  for. 

HAM.  I  will  tell  you  why;  fo  (hall  my  anticipation 
prevent  your  difcovery,  and  your  fecrecy  to  the  king  and 
queen  moult  no  feather.  1  have  of  late,  (but,  wherefore, 
1  know  not)  loft  all  my  mirth,  foregone  all  cuftom  of  ex- 
ercises: and,  indeed,  it  goes  fo  heavily  with  my  difpo- 
sition,  that  this  goodly  frame,  the  earth,  feems  to  me  a 
Iteril  promontory ;  this  moft  excellent  canopy,  the  air, 
look  you,  this  brave  o'er-hanging  firmament,  this  ma- 
jeftical  roof  fretted  with  golden  fire,  why,  it  appears  no 
other  thing  to  me,  than  a  foul  and  peftilent  congrega- 
tion of  vapours.  What  a  piece  of  work  is  a  man !  How- 
noble  in  reason!  how  infinite  in  faculties!  in  form,  and 
moving,  how  exprefs  and  admirable !  in  adion,  how  like 


48  Hamlet. 

an  angel!  in  apprehenfion,  how  like  a  god!  the  beauty 
of  the  world,  the  paragon  of  animals!  And  yet,  to  me, 
what  is  this  quinteflence  of  duitr  man  delights  not  me, 
nor  woman  neither;  though,  by  your  fmiling,  you  feem 
to  fay  fo. 

Ros.   My  lord,  there  was  no  fuch  icuffin  my  thought?. 

HAM.  Why  did  you  laugh  then,  when  I  {aid, Man  de- 
light i  not  me? 

Ros.  To  think,  my  lord,  if  you  delight  not  in  man, 
what  lenten  entertainment  the  players  (hall  receive  from 
you :  we  'cofted  them  on  the  way ;  and  hither  are  they 
coming,  to  offer  you  fervice. 

HAM.  He,  that  plays  the  king,  {hall  be  welcome;  his1 
rnajefty  fhall  have  tribute  of  me :  the  advent'rous  knight 
fhall  use  his  foyl,  and  target:  the  lover  (hall  not  figh 
gratis;  the  humorous  man  fhall  end  his  part  in  peace: 
the  clown  (hall  make  those  laugh,  whose  lungs  are 
tickl'd  o'  the  fere;  and  the  lady  (hall  fay  her  mind  free- 
ly, or  the  blank  verfe  (hall  halt  for't.  What  players  are 
they  ? 

Ros.  Even  those  you  were  wbnt  to  take  delight  in, 
the  tragedians  of  the  city. 

HAM.  How  chances  it,  they  travel?  their  residence, 
both  in  reputation  and  profit,  was  better  both  ways. 

Ros.  I  think,  their  inhibition  comes  by  the  means 
of  the  late  innovation. 

HAM.  Do  they  hold  the  fame  eflimation,  they  did 
when  I  was  in  the  city?  Are  they  fo  follow'd? 

Ros.    No,  indeed,  are  they  not. 

HAM.  How  comes  it?  Do  they  grow  rufty  ? 

Ros,  Nay,  their  endeavour  keeps  in  the  wonted  pace: 
But  there  is,  fir,  an  aiery  of  children,  little  eyafes,  that 

i'  we  ccted 


Hamlet.  4<J 

try  out  on  the  top  of  the  queftion,  and  are  moft  tyran- 
nically clap'd  for't:  these  are  now  the  faftrion;  and  fo 
berattle  the  common  ftages,  (fo  they  call  them)  that  ma- 
ny, wearing  rapiers,  are  afraid  of  goofe-quills,  and  dare 
fcarce  come  thither. 

HAM.  What,  are  they  children?  Who  maintains  them? 
how  are  they  efcoted  ?  Will  they  purfue  the  quality  no 
longer  than  they  can  fing?  will  they  not  fay  afterwards, 
if  they  mould  grow  themfelves  to  common  players,  (as 
it  is  like,  moft,  if  their  means  are  not  better)  their  wri- 
ters do  them  wrong,  to  make  them  exclaim  againft  their 
own  fucceffion  ? 

^os.  'Faith,  there  has  been  much  to  do  on  both  fides; 
and  the  nation  holds  it  no  fin,  to  tarre  them  to  contro- 
verfy :  There  was,  for  a  while*  no  money  bid  for  argu- 
ment, unlefs  the  poet  and  the  player  went  to  cuffs  in 
the  queftion. 

HAM.  Is't  poffible  ? 

GUI.  O,  there  has  been  much  throwing  about  of 
brains. 

HAM.  Do  the  boys  carry  it  away? 

Ros.  Ay,  that  they  do,  my  lord;  Hercules,  and  his 
load  too. 

HAM.  It  is  not  very  firange:  for  my  uncle  is  king  of 
Denmark;  and  those,  that  would  make  mouths  at  him 
while  my  father  liv'd,  give  twenty,  forty,  fifty,  a  hun- 
dred ducats  a-piece,  for  his  picture  in  little.  'Sblood, 
there  is  fomething  in  this  more  than  natural,  if  philo- 
fophy  could  find  it  out.  \FlouriJb  of  Trumpets  within. 

Gur.    There  are  the  players. 

HAM.  Gentlemen,  you  are  welcome  to  El/tnour.  Your 
hands,  come ;  The  appurtenance  of  welcome  is  faftiion 

VOL,  X.  L 


co  Hamlef. 

and  ceremony: let  me  comply  with  you  in  the  garb;  left 
my  extent  to  the  players,  which,  I  tell  you,  muft  {hew 
fairly  outward,  fhould  more  appear  like  entertainment 
than  yours.  You  are  welcome:  but  my  uncle-father,  and 
aunt-mother,  are  deceiv'd. 

GUI.   In  what,  my  dear  lord  ? 

HAM.  I  am  but  mad  north-north-weft:  when  the  wind 
is  foutherly,  I  know  a  hawk  from  a  hernmaw. 
Enter  POL  ONI  us. 

POL.  Well  be  with  you,  gentlemen! 

HAM.  Hark  yo\i,Guildenftern; and  you  too; at  each 

ear  a  hearer :  That  great  baby,  you  fee  there,  is  not  yet 
out  of  his  fwadling  clouts. 

Ros.  Hapily,  he  is  the  fecond  time  come  to  them : 
for,  they  fay,  an  old  man  is  twice  a  child. 

HAM.  I  will  prophefy :  he  comes  to  tell  me  of  the 
players;  mark  it:_You  fay  right,  fir:  o'  monday  morn- 
ing; 'twas  then,  indeed. 

POL.  My  lord,  I  have  news  to  tell  you. 

HAM.  My  lord,  I  have  news  to  tell  you.  When  Rofciut 
was  an  a&or  in  Rome,— 

POL.  The  aftors  are  come  hither,  my  lord. 

HAM.  Buz,  buz! 

POL.  Upon  my  honour. 

HAM.  Then  came  each  afior  on  bis  afs,— 

POL.  The  beft  aclors  in  the  world,  either  for  trage- 
dy, comedy,  hiftory,  paftoral,  paftoral-comical,  hiftori- 
eal-paftoral,  fcene  undividable,  or  poem  unlimited.  Se- 
neca cannot  be  too  heavy,  nor  Plautus  too  light :  For  the 
law  of  writ,  and  the  liberty,  these  are  the  only  men. 

HAM..O  Jephtha,  judge  of  Israel,  —  what  a  treasure 
had  ft  thou! 


Hamlet.  5 1 

POL.  What  a  treasure  had  he,  my  lord? 

HAM.  Why, —  One  fair  daughter,  ana1  no  more, 
The  ivhich  he  loved  pajjing  well. 

POL.  "  Still  on  my  daughter." 

HAM.  Am  I  not  i'  the  right,  old  Jephtha? 

POL.  If  you  call  mejepbtba,  my  lord,  I  have  a  daugh- 
ter, that  I  love  paffing  well. 

HAM.  Nay,  that  follows  not. 

POL.  What  follows  then,  my  lord? 

HAM.  Why,  as  By  lot,  God  wot,— and  then,  you  know, 
//  came  to  pafs,  As  moft  like  it  'was,— The  firft  row  of  the 
pont-chanfons  will  fhow  you  more;  for,  look,  where  my 
abridgement  comes. — 

Enter  certain  Players,  ujherd. 
You  are  welcome,  matters;  welcome,  all:_I  am  glad 

to  fee  thee  well: welcome, good  friends — O, old  friend  ! 

Why,  thy  face  is  valanc'd  fince  I  faw  thee  laft ;  Com'ft 
thou  to  beard  me  in  Denmark  /L_What,  my  young  lady 
and  miftrefs !  By-'r-lady,  your  ladifhip  is  nearer  to  hea- 
ven, than  when  I  faw  you  laft,  by  the  altitude  of  a  cho- 
pine.  Pray  God,  your  voice,  like  a  piece  of  uncurrent 
gold,  be  not  crack  d  within  the  ring — Mafters,  you  are 
all  welcome.  We'll  e'en  to't  like  French  falconers,  fly  at 
any  thing  we  fee:  We'll  have  a  fpeech  ftraight:  come, 
give  us  a  tafte  of  your  quality;  come,  a  paffionate  fpeech. 

i.  P.   What  fpeech,  my  good  lord? 

HAM.  I  heard  thee  fpeak  me  a  fpeech  once,~ "but  it 
was  never  afted;  or,  if  it  was,  not  above  once:  for  the 
play,  I  remember,  pleas'd  not  the  million;  'twas  caviare 
to  the  general :  but  it  was  (as  [  receiv'd  it,  and  others, 
whose  judgments,  in  fuch  matters,  cried  in  the  top  of 
mine)  an  excellent  play ;  well  digefled  in  the  fcenes,  fet 

Lz 


52  Hamlet, 

down  with  as  much  modefty  as  cunning.  I  remember^ 
one  faid,  there  were  no  falts  in  the  lines,  to  make  the 
matter  favoury;  nor  no  matter  in  the  phrase,  that  might 
indite  the  author  of  affeftioa :  but  call'd  it,  an  honeft 
method;  as  wholefome  as  fweet,  and  by  very  much  more 
handfome  than  fine.  One  fpeech  in  it  I  chiefly  lov'd : 
'twas  Eneas'  talk  to  Dido;  and  thereabout  of  it  efpeci- 
ally,  where  he  fpeaks  of  Priam's  {laughter:  If  it  live  in 
your  memory,  begin  at  this  line ;  Let  me  fee,  let  me  fee; 

The  rogjW  Pyrrhus,  like  the  Hyrcanian  beaft, — 
'tis  not  fo;  it  begins  with  Pyrrhus: 

The  rugged  Pyrrhus, — he,  whose  fable  arms, 

Black  as  his  purpose,  did  the  night  resemble 

When  he  lay  couched  in  the  ominous  horfe, — 

Math  noiv  this  dread  and  black  complexion  fmear' d 

With  heraldry  more  dismal',  head  to  foot 

No<w  is  he  total  gules  i  horridly  trick1  d 

With  blood  of  fathers,  mothers,  daughters,  fans  ; 

BaKd  and  impafted  <vaitb  the  parching  greets, 

That  lend  a  tyrannous  and  a  damned  light 

To  their  lords'  murther :  Roafted  in  'wrath,  andfirt) 

dnd  thus  o'er-Jized  'with  coagulate  gore, 

With  eyes  like  carbuncles,  the  hellijh  Pyrrhus 

Old grand-Jire  Yriam/eeAs: So,  proceed  you. 

POL.  'Fore  God,  my  lord,  well  fpoken;  with  good 
accent,  and  good  difcretion. 
1 .  P.  Anon  hejinds  him, 

Striking  too  Jhort  at  Greeks;  his  antique  fwordt 
Rebellious  to  his  arm,  lies  'where  it  falls, 
Rtpugitant  to  command :  Unequal  matched, 
Pyrrhus  at  Priam  drives;  in  rage,ftrikes  wide^ 
But  with  the  whiff  and  nuind  of  his  fell  fiuord- 

1  no  fallets  in 


Hamlet.  53 

The  unnerved  father  falls.  T  hen  fenfelefs  Ilium, 

Seeming  to  feel  this  blow,  with  flaming  top 

Stoops  to  his  baft ;  and  with  a  hideous  crafh 

Takes  prisoner  Pyrrhus'  ear :  for,  lo,  hisf*wordt 

Which  was  declining  on  the  milky  bead 

Of  reverend  Priam,  Jeemd  i'  the  air  to  flick: 

So,  as  a  painted  tyrant,  Pyrrhusy?W; 

And,  like  a  neutral  to  his  will  and  matter  t 

Did  nothing. 

But,  as  we  often  fee,  againfl  fame  florm, 

Afelence  in  the  heavens,  the  rack  ftand flill, 

T'ht  bold  winds  fpeecblefs,  and  the  orb  below 

As  hujh  as  death  :  anon,  the  dreadful  thunder 

Doth  rend  the  region:  So,  after  Pyrrhus' pause, 

A  roused  vengeance  fets  him  new  a1  work: 

And  never  did  the  Cyclops'  hammers  fall 

On  Mars'  s  armour,  forgd  for  proof  tterne, 

With  lefs  remorfe  than  Pyrrhus*  bleeding  fivord 

Now  falls  on  Priam.  _ 

Out,  out,  thouflrump-t,  fortune ! —All you  godt, 

In  general  fy  nod,  take  away  her  fewer ; 

Break  all  the  fpokes  and  fellies  from  her  wheel, 

And  bowl  the  round  nave  down  the  hill  of  heaven, 

As  low  as  to  the  fiends  ! 

POL.  This  is  too  long. 

HAM.  It  mall  to  the  barber's,  with  your  beard — Pr'y- 

thee,  fay  on ;— He's  for  a  jig,  or  a  tale  of  bawdry,  or  he 

Bleeps:  — fay  on;  come  to  Hecuba. 

I.  P.   But  who,  a  woe!  had  Jeen  the  ennobVd  quesn, 

HAM.  The  ennobl'd  queen ! 

POL.  That's  good;  ennobl'd  queen  is  good. 

l .  P.    Run  batefoot  up  and  down,  threatening  the  flames 

L3 


54  Hamlet. 

With  bij/on  rheum',  a  clout  upon  that  head 

Where  late  the  diadem  flood;  and,  for  a  robe. 

About  her  lank  and  all  e'er-teemed  loins 

A  blanket,  in  the  alarm  of  fear  caught  up ; 

Who  this  had  feen,  with  tongue  in  iienom  fteep'd', 

'Gain/I  fortune's  ft  ate  would  treason  ha<ve  pronoun?  d: 

Sut  if  the  gods  tbemfel*ves  did  fee  her  then, 

When  Jhe  faiv  Pyrrhus  make  malicious /port 

In  mincing  'with  his  fnuord  her  husband's  limbs', 

'The  inftant  burft  of  clamour  that  Jhe  made, 

(Unlejs.  things  mortal  moire  them  not  at  all) 

Would  ba<ue  made  n\ilch  the  burning  eyes  of  heaven, 

And  pajfioyed  the  gods, 

POL  .  Look,  whe'r  he  has  not  turn'd  his  colour,  aad 

has  tears  in's  eyes. Pr'ythee,  no  more. 

HAM,  'Tis  well;  I'll  have  thee  fpeak  out  the  reft  of 
this  foon — Good  my  lord,  will  you  fee  the  players  well 
beftow'd?  Do  you  hear,  let  them  be  well  used;  for  they 
are  the  abftraft,  and  brief  chronicles,  of  the  time  :  After 
your  death  you  were  better  have  a  bad  epitaph,  than 
their  ill  report  while  you  live. 

POL.  My  lord,  I  will  use  them  according  to  their 
desert. 

HAM.  GodVbodikin,  man,  much  better:  Use  every 
man  after  his  desert,  and  who  fhall  'fcape  whipping  ? 
Use  them  after  your  own  honour  and  dignity:  the  lefs 
they  deserve,  the  more  merit  is  in  your  bounty.  Take 
them  in. 

POL.   Come,  firs. 

HAM.  Follow  him,  friends:  we'll  hear  a  play  to-mor- 
row. _Doft  thou  hear  me,  old  friend;  can  you  play  the 
of  Gonzago? 

*3  pafiion  in  the 


Hamlet.  55 

I.  P.  Ay,  my  lord. 

HAM.  We'll  ka't  to-morrow  night.  You  could,  for  a 
need,  ftudy  a  fpeech  of  fome  dozen  lines,  or  fixteea 
lines,  which  I  would  fet  down,  and  infert  in'ti1  could 
you  not? 

»    i.  P.  Ay,  my  lord. 

r*  HAM.  Very  well.  Follow  that  lord;  and  look  you  mock 
him  not —  [Exeunt  POLONIUS,  and  Players.]  My  good 
friends,  I'll  leave  you  'till  night:  you  are  welcome  to 
Elfinour. 

Ros.    Good,  my  lord.  [Exeunt  Ros.  andGvi. 

HAM.  Ay,  fo,  God  be  wi'you: — Now  I  am  alone. 
O,  wiiat  a  rogue  and  peasant  flave  am  I! 
Is  it  not  monftrous,  that  this  player  here, 
But  in  a  fidion,  in  a  dream  of  paflion, 
Could  force  his  foul  fo  to  his  own  conceit, 
That,  from  her  working,  all  his  visage  wan'd; 
Tears  in  his  eyes,  diftra&ion  in  his  afpeft, 
A  broken  voice,  and  his  whole  function  fuiting 
Wkh  forms  to  his  conceit?  And  all  for  nothing! 
"For  Hecuia! 

What's  Hecuba  to  him,  or  he  to  Hecuba, 
That  he  fhould  weep  for  her?  What  would  he  do, 
Had  he  the  motive  and  the  cue  for  paffion, 
That  I  have?  He  would  drown  the  ftage  with  tears, 
And  cleave  the  general  ear  with  horrid  fpeech; 
Make  mad  the  guilty,  and  appal  the  free, 
Confound  the  ignorant ;  and  amaze,  indeed, 
The  very  faculties  of  eyes  and  ears. 
Yet  I, 

A  dull  and  muddy-mettl'd  rafcal,  peak, 
Like  Jobn-a-dreams,  unpregnant  of  my  cause, 

L4 


56  Hamlet. 

And  can  fay  nothing;  no,  not  for  a  king, 

Upon  whose  property,  and  moft  dear  life, 

A  damn'd  defeat  was  made.  Am  I  a  coward? 

Who  calls  me  villain?  breaks  my  pate  acrofs? 

Plucks  off  my  beard,  and  blows  it  in  my  face? 

Tweaks  me  by  the  nose?  gives  me  the  lie  i'  the  throat, 

As  deep  as  to  the  lungs?  Who  does  me  this? 

Ha!  Why,  I  mould  take  it :  for  it  cannot  be, 

But  I  am  pigeon -liver'd,  and  lack  gall 

To  make  oppreffion  bitter;  or,  ere  this, 

I  fhould  have  fatted  all  the  region  kites 

With  this  flave's  offal :  Bloody,  bawdy  villain! 

Remorfelefs,  treacherous,  lecherous,  kindlefs  villain! 

Why,  what  an  afs  am  I?  This  is  moil  brave; 

That  I,  the  fon  of  a  dear  father  murther'd, 

Prompted  to  my  revenge  by  heaven,  and  hell, 

Muft,  like  a  whore,  unpack  my  heart  with  words, 

And  fall  a  curling,  like  a  very  drab, 

A  fcullion ! 

Fie  upon't !  foh !  About,  my  brains.  Hum!  I  have  heard, 

That  guilty  creatures,  fitting  at  a  play, 

Have  by  the  very  cunning  of  the  fcene 

Been  ftrook  fo  to  the  foul,  that  presently 

They  have  proclaim'd  their  malefaftions: 

For  murther,  though  it  have  no  tongue,  will  (peak 

With  moft  miraculous  organ.  I'll  have  these  players 

Play  fomething  like  the  murther  of  my  father, 

Before  mine  uncle:  I'll  observe  his  looks; 

I'll  tent  him  to  the  quick;  if  he  do  blench, 

1  know  my  courfe.  The  fpirit,  that  I  have  feen, 

May  be  a  devil :  and  the  devil  hath  power 

To  aflume  a  pleasing  fhape ;  yea,  and,  perhaps, 


Hamlet.  jjy 

Out  of  my  weaknefs,  and  my  melancholy, 
(As  he  is  very  potent  with  fuch  fpirits) 
Abuses  me  to  damn  me:  I'll  have  grounds 
More  relative  than  this;  The  play's  the  thing, 
Wherein  I'll  catch  the  confcience  of  the  king.      [Exit.- 

AC  nil. 

SCENE  I.  The  fame.  Another  Room  in  the  fame. 
Enter  King,  Queen,  POLONIUS,  OPHELIA; 

ROSINCRANTZ,  and  GuiLDENSTERN. 

Kin.    And  can  you  by  no  drift  of  conference 
Get  from  him,  why  he  puts  on  this  confusion; 
Grating  fo  harfhly  all  his  days  of  quiet 
With  turbulent  and  dangerous  lunacy? 

Ros.    He  does  confefs,  he  feels  himfelf  diftrafled; 
But  from  what  cause  he  will  by  no  means  fpeak. 

GUI.  Nor  do  we  find  him  forward  to  be  founded; 
But,  with  a  crafty  madnefs,  keeps  aloof, 
When  we  would  bring  him  on  to  fome  confeffion 
Of  his  true  ftate. 

£>ue.   Did  he  receive  you  well? 

Ros.    Moft  like  a  gentleman. 

GUI.   But  with  much  forcing  of  his  difposition. 

Ros.   Niggard  of  queftion;  but,  of  our  demands, 
Moft  free  in  his  reply. 

Que.    Did  you  aflay  him 
To  any  paftime? 

Ros.  Madam,  it  fo  fell  out,  that  certain  players 
We  o'er-raught  on  the  way:  of  these  we  told  him; 
And  there  did  feem  in  him  a  kind  of  joy 


$8  Hamlet. 

To  hear  of  it;  They  are  about  the  court; 
And,  as  I  think,  they  have  already  order 
This  night  to  play  before  him. 

POL.   'Tis  moft  true: 

Afld  he  befeech'd  me  to  entreat  your  majeflies, 
To  hear  and  fee  the  matter. 

Kin.    With  all  my  heart; 

And  it  doth  much  content  me,  to  hear  him  fo  inclin'd._ 
Good  gentlemen,  give  him  a  further  edge, 
And  drive  his  purpose  on  to  these  delights. 

Ros.   We  fliall,  my  lord.       [Exeunt  Ros.  and  GUI. 

Kin.     Sweet  Gertrude,  leave  us  too : 
For  we  have  clofely  fent  for  Hamlet  hither; 
That  he,  as  'twere  by  accident,  may  here 
Affront  Ophelia:  Her  father,  and  myfelf, 
Will  fo  beftow  ourfelves,  that,  feeing,  unfeen, 
We  may  of  their  encounter  frankly  judge; 
And  gather  by  him,  as  he  is  behav'd, 
If't  be  the  affliction  of  his  love,  or  no, 
That  thus  he  fuffers  for. 

£>ue,    I  (hall  obey  you: 

And,  for  my  part,  Ophelia,  I  do  wifh, 

That  your  good  beauties  be  the  happy  cause 

Of  Hamlefs  wildnefs;  fo  mail  I  hope,  your  virtues 

Will  bring  him  to  his  wonted  way  again, 

To  both  your  honours. 

OP  a.  Madam,  I  with  it  may.  [Exit  Queen. 

POL.   Ophelia,  walk  you  here :_ Gracious,  fo  please 

you, 

We  will  beftow  ourfelves:_read  on  this^book; 
That  fhow  of  fuch  an  exercise  may  colour 
Your  lonelinefs. ~».We  are  ofc  to  blame  in  this,—- 


Hamlet.  59 

'Tis  too  much  prov'd,—  that,  with  devotion's  visage, 
And  pious  action,  we  do  fugar  o'er 
The  devil  himfelf. 

Kiit.    "  O,  'tis  too  true!  how  fmart" 
'  A  lafli  that  fpeech  doth  give  my  confcience!" 
'  The  harlot's  cheek,  beauty'd  with  plaft'ring  art," 
;  Is  not  more  ugly  to  the  thing  that  helps  it," 
'  Than  is  my  deed  to  my  moft  painted  word  :'* 
'  O  heavy  burthen!" 
POL.  I  hear  him  coming;  let's  withdraw,  my  lord. 

[Exeunt  King,  and  POLONIUS. 
Enter  HAMLET. 

HJ.M.  To  be,  or,  not  to  be,  that  is  the  queftion: 
Whether  'tis  nobler  in  the  mind,  to  fuffer 
The  flings  and  arrows  of  outragious  fortune; 
Or  to  take  arms  againft  a  fea  of  troubles, 
And,  by  opposing,  end  them.  To  die;  to  fleep; 
No  more  ?  and,  by  a  fleep,  to  fay  we  end 
The  heart-ach,  and  the  thousand  natural  fhocks 
That  flefh  is  heir  to,— 'tis  a  confummation, 
Devoutly  to  be  wifli'd.  To  die;  to  fleep;— 
To  fleep!  perchance,  to  dream;  Ay,  there's  the  rub; 
For  in  that  fleep  of  death  what  dreams  may  come. 
When  we  have  fhufrl'd  off  this  mortal  coil, 
Mutt  give  us  pause:  There's  the  refpedt, 
That  makes  calamity  of  fo  long  life : 
For  who  would  bear  the  whips  and  fcorns  of  time, 
The  oppreflbr's  wrong,  the  proud  man's  contumely, 
The  pangs  of  defpis'd  love,  the  law's  delay, 
The  infolence  of  office,  and  the  fpurns 
That  patient  merit  of  the  unworthy  takes, 
himfelf  might  his  quietus  make 


6a  Hamlet. 

With  a  bare  bodkin?  who  would  fardels  bear, 
To  groan  and  fweat  under  a  weary  life; 
But  that  the  dread  of  fomething  after  death  — 
The  undifcover'd  country,  from  whose  bourn 
No  traveller  returns — puzzles  the  will; 
And  makes  us  rather  bear  those  ills  we  have, 
Than  fly  to  others  that  we  know  not  of? 
Thus  confcience  does  make  cowards  of  us  all : 
And  thus  the  native  hue  of  resolution 
Is  fickly'd  o'er  with  the  pale  caft  of  thought; 
And  enterprizes  of  great  pith  and  moment, 
With  this  regard,  their  currents  turn  away, 
And  lose  the  name  of  action.  Soft  you  now; 
The  fair  O/^//«:_Nymph,  in  thy  orisons 
Be  all  my  fins  remember'd. 

OPH.  Good  my  lord, 

How  does  your  honour  for  this  many  a  day? 
ff^M.  I  numbly  thank  you;  well. 
OP  a.  My  lord,  I  have  remembrances  of  yours, 
That  I  have  longed  long  to  redeliver; 
I  pray  you  now,  receive^"  them. 

HAM.  No,  not  I; 
I  never  gave  you  ought. 

OPH.  My  honour'd  lord,  you  know  right  well,  you 

did; 

And,  with  them,  words  of  fo  fweet  breath  compos'd 
As  made  the  things  more  rich:  their  perfume  loft, 
Take  these  again ;  for  to  the  noble  mind 
Rich  gifts  wax  poor,  when  givers  prove  unkind. 
There,"]"  my  lord. 

HJM.  Ha,  ha!  are  you  honeft? 
OPU.  My  lord? 

~  grunt  and 


Hamlet.  fft 

.  Are  you  fair? 

OPS.  What  means  your  lord/hip? 

HAM.  That,  if  you  be  honeft,  and  fair,  your  honefty 
fhould  admit  no  difcourfe  to  your  beanty. 

Op  a.  Could  beauty,  my  lord,  have  better  commerce 
than  with  honefty? 

HAM.  Ay,  truly;  for  the  power  of  beauty  will  fooner 
tranfform  honefty  from  what  it  is  to  a  bawd,  than  the 
force  of  honefty  can  tranflate  beauty  into  it's  likenefs: 
this  was  fome  time  a  paradox,  but  now  the  time  gives 
it  proof.  I  did  love  you  on?e. 

OPH.  Indeed,  my  lord,  you  made  me  believe  fo. 

HJM.YOVL  mould  not  have  believ'd  me:  for  virtue 
•cannot  fo  inoculate  our  old  ftock,  but  we  (hall  relilh  of 
it:  I  lov'd  you  not. 

OPH.  1  was  the  more  deceived. 

HAM.  Get  thee  to  a  nunnery;  Why  would'ft  thou  be 
a  breeder  of  finners?  I  am  myfelf  indifferent  honeft;  but 
yet  I  could  accuse  me  of  fuch  things,  that  it  were  bet- 
ter, my  mother  had  not  born  me:  I  am  very  proud,  re- 
vengeful, ambitious;  with  more  offences  at  my  beck, 
than  I  have  thoughts  to  put  them  in,  imagination  to 
give  them  fliape,  or  time  to  aft  them  in :  What  mould 
fuch  fellows  as  I  do  crawling  between  earth  and  hea- 
ven ?  We  are  arrant  knaves,  all;  believe  none  of  us:  Go 
thy  ways  to  a  nunnery.  Where's  your  father? 

OPH.  At  home,  my  lord. 

HAM.  Let  the  doors  be  (hut  upon  him ;  that  he  may 
play  the  fool  no  where  but  in's  own  houfe.  Farewel. 

OPH.  O,  help  him,  you  fvveet  heavens! 

HAM.  If  thou  doft  marry,  I'll  give  thee  this  plague 
for  thy  dowry;  Be  thou  as  chad  as  ice,  as  pure  as  fnow, 

9  into  his  likenes 


£*  Hamlet, 

thou  (halt  not  efcape  calumny.  Get  thee  to  a  nun- 
nery: farewel.  Or,  if  thou  wilt  needs  marry,  marry  a 
fool;  for  wise  men  know  well  enough,  what  monfters 
you  make  of  them.  To  a  nunnery,  go;  and  quickly  toe: 
Farewel. 

OPH.  Heavenly  powers,  reftore  him! 

HAM.  I  have  heard  of  your  paintings  too  well  enough; 
God  hath  given  you  one  face,  and  you  make  yourfelves 
another:  you  jig,  you  amble,  and  yeu  lifp,  and  nick- 
name God  s  creatures,  and  make  your  wantonnefs  your 
ignorance:  Go  to,  I'll  no  more  on't;  it  hath  made  me 
mad.  I  fay,  we  will  have  no  more  marriages:  those  that 
are  marry'd  already,  all  but  one,  fhall  live;  the  reft  fhall 
keep  as  they  are.  To  a  nunnery,  go.  \Exit  HAMLET. 

OFH .  O,  what  a  noble  mind  is  here  o'erthrown ! 
The  courtier's,  foldier's,  fcholar's,  eye,  tongue,  fword ; 
The  expectancy  and  rose  of  the  fair  ftate, 
The  glafs  of  fafhion,  and  the  mold  of  form, 
The  observ'd  of  all  observers,  quite,  quite  down ! 
And  I,  of  ladies  moft  dejeft  and  wretched, 
That  fuck'd  the  honey  of  his  musick  vows, 
JVovv  fee  that  noble  and  moft  fovereign  reason, 
Like  fweet  bells  jangl'd,  out  of  tune  and  harfh; 
That  unmatch'd  form  and  feature  of  blown  youth, 
Blafted  with  extafy:  O,  woe  is  me, 
To  have  feen  what  I  have  feen,  fee  what  I  fee ! 
Re-enter  King,  andPoLOKivs. 

Kin.    Love !  his  affedtions  do  not  that  way  tend; 
Nor  what  he  fpake,  though  it  lack'd  form  a  little, 
Was  not  like  madnefs.  There's  fomething  in  his  foul, 
O'er  which  his  melancholy  fits  on  brood; 
And,  I  do  doubt,  the  hatch,  and  the  difclose, 


Hamlet.  63 

Will  be  fome  danger :  Which  for  to  prevent, 

1  have,  in  quick  determination, 

Thus  fet  it  down;  He  (hall  with  fpeed  to  England, 

For  the  demand  of  our  neglefted  tribute: 

Haply,  the  Teas,  and  countries  different, 

With  variable  objedls,  {hall  expel 

This  fomething  fettl'd  matter  in  his  heart; 

Whereon  his  brains  (till  beating,  puts  him  thus 

From  faftiion  of  himfelf.  What  think  you  on't? 

POL.  It  (hall  do  well:  But  yet  do  I  believe, 
The  origin  and  commencement  of  his  grief 

Sprung  from  neglefted  love How  now,  Ophelia? 

You  need  not  tell  us,  what  lord  Hamlet  faid; 
We  heard  it  all. _ My  lord,  do  as  you  please; 
But,  if  you  hold  it  fit,  after  the  play, 
Let  his  queen  mother  all  alone  intreat  him 
To  fhow  his  grief;  let  her  be  round  with  him; 
And  I'll  be  plac'd,  fo  please  you,  in  the  ear 
Of  all  their  conference:  If  me  find  him  not, 
To  England  fend  him ;  or  confine  him,  where 
Your  wisdom  beft  (hall  think. 

Kin.    It  (hall  be  fo: 
Madnefs  in  great  ones  muft  not  umvatcli'd  go.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  II.  The  fame.  A  Hall  in  the  fame, 
filed  as  for  a  Play.  Enter  HAMLET,  and  fome  of  the 

Players. 

HAM.  Speak  the  fpeech,  I  pray  you,  as  I  pronounc'd 
it  to  you,  trippingly  on  the  tongue:  but  if  you  mouth 
it,  as  many  of  our  players  do,  I  had  as  lieve  the  town- 
eryer  fpoke  my  lines.  Nor  do  not  faw  the  air  too  much 
with  your  hand,  thus ;  but  use  all  gently:  for  in  the  very 


64  Hamlet 

torrent,  tempeit,  and,  as  I  may  fay,  whirlwind  of  your 
paffion,  you  muft  acquire  and  beget  a  temperance,  that 
may  give  it  fmoothnefs.  O,  it  offends  me  to  the  foul,  to 
hear  a  robuftious  periwig-pated  fellow  tear  a  paffion  to 
tatters,  to  very  rags,  to  fplit  the  ears  of  the  groundlings; 
who,  for  the  molt  part,  are  capable  of  nothing,  but  in- 
explicable dumb  (hows, and  noise:  I  would  have  fuch  a 
fellow  whip'd  for  o'er-doing  Termagant;  it  out-herods 
Herod:  Pray  you,  avoid  it. 

I.  P.  I  warrant  your  honour. 

HAM.  Be  not  too  tame  neither,  but  let  your  own  dif- 
cretion  be  your  tutor:  fute  the  adtion  to  the  word,  the 
word  to  the  aftion;  with  this  fpecial  observance,  that 
you  o'er-ftep  not  the  modefty  of  nature:  For  any  thing 
fo  o'er-done  is  from  the  purpose  of  playing,  Whose  end, 
both  at  the  firft,  and  now,  was,  and  is,  to  hold,  as  'twere, 
the  mirrour  up  to  nature;  to  mew  virtue  her  feature, 
fcorn  her  own  image,  and  the  very  age  and  body  of  the 
time  his  form  and  preffure:  Now  this,  over-done,  or 
come  tardy  off,  though  it  makes  the  unlkillful  laugh, 
cannot  but  make  the  judicious  grieve;  the  cenfure  of 
which  one  muft,  in  your  allowance,  o'er-weigh  a  whole 
theatre  of  others.  O,  there  be  players,  that  I  have  feen 
play,— and  heard  others  praise,  and  that  highly,— not 
to  {peak  it  prophanely,  that,  neither  having  the  accent 
of  chriftians,  nor  the  gait  of  chriitian,  pagan,  nor  man, 
have  fo  ftrutted,  and  bellow'd,  that  I  have  thought, 
fome  of  nature's  journeymen  had  made  men,  and  not 
made  them  well,  they  imitated  humanity  fo  abomi- 
nably. 

i. P.  I  hope,  \ve  have  reform 'd  that  indifferently 
with  us. 


Hamlet;  6$ 

HAM.  O,  reform  it  altogether.  And  let  those,  that  play 
^our  clowns,  fpeak  no  more  than  is  fet  down  for  them: 
For  there  be  of  them,  that  will  themfelves  laugh*  to  fet 
on  forne  quantity  of  barren  fpeftators  to  laugh  too; 
though,  in  the  mean  time,  fome  neceflary  queftion  of 
the  play  be  then  to  be  confider'd:  that's  villanous;  and 
fhews  a  moft  pitiful  ambition  in  the  fool  that  uses  it. 
Go  make  you  ready. _  [Exeunt  Players. 

Enter  POLONIUS,  ROSINCRANTZ,  and 

Guildenftern. 

How  now,  my  lord?  will  the  king  hear  this  piece  of 
work? 

POL.  And  the  queen  too,  and  that  presently. 

HAM.  Bid  the  players  make  hafte._  [Exit  POL. 

Will  you  two  help  to  haflen  them  ? 

Ros.    Ay,  my  lord.  [Exeunt  Ros.  and  Gui. 

HAM.  What,  ho;  Horatio! 

Enter  HORATIO. 

HOR.  Here,  fvveet  lord,  at  your  fervice. 

HAM.  Horatio,  thou  art  e'en  as  juft  a  man 
As  e'er  my  coriverfation  cop'd  withal. 

HOR.  O,  my  dear  lord,— 

HAM.  Nay,  do  not  think  I  flatter: 
For  what  advancement  may  I  hope  from  thee; 
That  no  revenue  hail,  but  thy  good  fpirits,          [ter'd? 
To  feed,  and  cloath  thee?  Why  mould  the  poor  be  flat- 
No,  let  the  candy'd  tongue  lick  abfurd  pomp; 
And  crook  the  pregnant  hinges  of  the  knee, 
Where  thrift  may  follow  fawning.  Doll  thou  hear? 
Since  my  dear  foul  was  miftrefs  of  her  choice, 
And  could  of  men  diftinguiih,  her  election 
Hath  feal'd  thee  for  herfelf :  for  thou  haft  been 

VOL.  X.  M 


66  Hamlet. 

As  one,  in  fuffering  all,  that  fuffers  nothing; 

A  man,  that  fortune's  buffets  and  rewards 

Haft  ta'en  with  equal  thanks:  and  bleft  are  those, 

Whose  blood  and  judgment  are  fo  well  comingl'd, 

That  they  are  not  a  pipe  for  fortune's  finger 

To  found  what  flop  (he  please:  Give  me  that  man 

That  is  not  paffion's  flave,  and  I  will  wear  him 

Jn  my  heart's  core,  ay,  in  my  heart  of  heart, 

As  I  do  thee.  Something  too  much  of  this. 

There  is  a  play  to-night  before  the  king; 

One  fcene  of  it  comes  near  the  circumftance, 

Which  I  have  told  thee,  of  my  father's  death. 

1  pr'ythee,  when  thou  fee'ft  that  adl  a-foot, 

Even  with  the  very  comment  of  thy  foul 

Observe  my  uncle:  if  his  occult  guilt 

Do  not  itfelf  unkennel  in  one  fpeech, 

It  is  a  damned  ghoft  that  we  have  feen; 

And  my  imaginations  are  as  foul 

As  Vulcan's  ftithy:  Give  him  heedful  note: 

For  I  mine  eyes  will  rivet  to  his  face; 

And,  after,  we  will  both  our  judgments  join, 

In  cenfure  of  his  feeming. 

HOR.  Well,  my  lord: 

If  he  fteal  ought,  the  whilft  this  play  is  playing, 
And  fcape  detecting,  I  will  pay  the  theft. 

HAM.  They  are  coming  to  the  play;  I  muft  be  idle: 
Get  you  a  place. 

Danifh  March.  A  Flourijb. 

Enter  King,  Queen,  POLONIUS,  OPHELIA; 

ROSINCRANTZ,  Guildenftern,  andOthers,  attendant  ? 

Guard>  carrying  Torches,  preceding. 

Kin.    How  fares  our  cousin  Hamlet? 

»5  occulted  guilt 


Hamlet.  67 

HAM.  Excellent,  i'  faith;  of  the  camelion's  dim:  I 
eat  the  air,  promise-cram'd :  You  cannot  feed  capons 
fo. 

Kin.  I  have  nothing  with  this  anfvver,  Hamlet ;  these 
\vords  are  not  mine.  [pajs  to  their  Seati. 

HAM.  No,  nor  mine  now,  my  lord — You  play'd  once 
i'  the  univerfity,  you  fay  ? 

POL  .  That  did  I,  my  lord ;  and  was  accounted  a  good 
after. 

HAM.  And  what  did  you  enaft? 

POL  .  I  did  ena&  Julius  C<csar :  I  was  kill'd  i'  the  ca- 
pitol ;  Brutus  kill'd  me. 

HAM .  It  was  a  brute  part  of  him,  to  kill  fo  capital  a 
calf  there. _Be  the  players  ready? 

Ros.    Ay,  my  lord;  they  flay  upon  your  patience. 

Que.    Come  hither,  my  dear  Hamlet,  fit  by  me. 

HAM.  No,  good  mother,  here's  metal  more  attractive. 
[/eating  bimjelf  at  Ophelia'/  feet. 

POL.  "  O  ho!  do  you  mark  that?"         [to  the  King. 

HAM.  Lady,  mall  I  lie  in  your  lap  ? 

OPH.  No,  my  lord. 

HAM.  I  mean,  my  head  in  your  lap? 

OPH.  Ay,  my  lord. 

HAM.  Do  you  think,  I  meant  country  matters? 

OPH.  I  think  nothing,  my  lord. 

HAM.  That's  a  fair  thought  to  lie  between  maids'  legs* 

OPH.  What  is,  my  lord? 

HAM.  Nothing. 

OPH.  You  are  merry,  my  lord. 

HAM.  Who,  I? 

OPH.  Ay,  my  lord. 

HAM.  O  God,  your  only  jig-maker.  What  mould  a 

Ma 


€*  Hamlet. 

man  do,  but  be  merry  ?  for,  look  you,  how  cheerfully 
my  mother  looks,  and  my  father  dy'd  within  's  two 
hours. 

OPH.  Nay,  'tis  twice  two  months,  my  lord. 
HAM.  So  long?  Nay,  then  let  the  devil  wear  black, 
for  I'll  have  a  fute  of  fables.  O  heavens !  die  two  months 
ago,  and  not  forgotten  yet  ?  Then  there's  hope,  a  great 
man's  memory  may  out-live  his  life  half  a  year:  But, 
by-r-lady, he  muft  build  churches  then:  or  elfe  fhall  he 
fuffer  not  thinking  on,  with  the  hobby- horfe;  whose  epi- 
taph is,  For,  o,for,  o,  the  hobby-horfe  is  forgot. 

Musick.  Dumb  Show. 

Enter  a  King,  and  a  Queen,  very  lovingly ;  the  Queen 
embracing  him,  and  he  her:Jhe  kneels,  and  makes  Jhevj  cf 
•proteflation  unto  him ;  be  takes  her  up,  and  declines  his 
head  upon  her  neck  :  lays  him  down  upon  a  bank  of  flow* 
ers ;  /he,  feeing  him  ajleep,  leaves  him.  Anon,  comes  in  an- 
cther  man;  takes  off  bis  crown,  kij/es  it,  pours  poison  in  the 
Jleeper's  ears,  and  leaves  him.  "Ike  Queen  returns',  finds 
the  King  dead,  and  makes  pajjionate  aflion.  The  poisoner, 
with  fame  three  or  four  mutes,  comes  in  again ;  Jeems  to 
condole  with  her\  the  dead  body  is  carry1  d  away.  T"he  poi- 
soner woes  the  Queen  with  gifts',  Jhe Jeems  harjh  a  while, 
but,  in  the  end,  accepts  love.  [Exeunt. 

OPH .  What  means  this,  my  lord  ? 
HAM.  Marry,  this  is  munching  Malicho;  it  means  mif- 
chief. 

OPH.  Belike,  this  mow  imports  the  argument  of  the 
play. 

Enter  Prologue. 

HAM.  We  fhall  know  by  this  fellow:  the  players  ean- 
not  keep  counfel;  they'll  tell  all. 


Hamlet:  $9 

OP  jr.  Will  he  tell  us  what  this  (how  meant? 

HAM.  Ay,  or  any  Ihow  that  you'll  mow  him:  Be  not 
you  afham'd  to  (how,  he'll  not  ihame  to  tell  yoa  what 
it  means. 

OPS.  You  are  naught,  you  are  naught;  I'll  mark  the 
play. 

*  Pro.      For  us,  and  for  our  tragedy. 

Here  Jioopivg  to  your  clemency, 

We  beg  your  hearing  patiently . 
HJIM.  Is  this  a  prologue,  or  the  posy  of  a  ring? 
OPH.  'Tis  brief,  my  lord. 
HAM.  As  woman's  love. 

Enter  a  Duke,  and  a  Dutchefs. 

*  Duk.    Full  thirty  times  hath  Phoebus'  cart  gone  round 

*  Neptune's  fait  wa(h,  and  Telluf  orbed  ground; 

*  And  thirty  dozen  moons,  with  borrow'd  fheen, 

*  About  the  world  have  times  twelve  thirties  been; 

*  Since  love  our  hearts,  and  Hymen  did  our  hands, 

*  Unite  co-mutual  in  moft  facred  bands. 

*  Dut.   So  many  journies  may  the  fun  and  moon 

*  Make  us  again  count  o'er,  ere  love  be  done ! 

*  But,  woe  is  me,  you  are  fo  fick  of  late, 

*  So  far  from  cheer,  and  from  your  former  ftate, 

*  That  I  diitruft  you.  Yet,  though  I  diftruft, 

*  Difcomfort  you,  my  lord,  it  nothing  muft: 

*  For  women's  fear  and  love  hold  quantity ; 

*  In  neither  ought,  or  in  extremity : 

*  Now,  what  my  love  is,  proof  hath  made  you  know ; 

*  And  as  my  love  is  fiz'd,  my  fear  is  fo. 

*  Where  love  is  great,  the  littl'ft  doubts  are  fear; 

*  Where  little  fears  grow  great,  great  love  grows  there. 

*  Duk.   'Faith,  I  muft  leave  thee,  love,  and  fhortly  too ; 

Mj 


7»  Hamlet. 

*  My  operant  powers  their  functions  leave  to  do: 

*  And  thou  (halt  live  in  this  fair  world  behind, 

*  Honour'd,  belov'd;  and,  haply,  one  as  kind 

*  For  husband  (halt  thou— 

*  Dut.    O,  confound  the  reft ! 

*  Such  love  muft  needs  be  treason  in  my  breaft: 

*  In  fecond  husband  let  me  be  accurft! 

*  None  wed  the  fecond,  but  who  kill'd  the  firft. 
HAM.  "  That's  wormwood." 

*  Dut.    The  inftances,  that  fecond  marriage  move, 

*  Are  bafe  refpefts  of  thrift,  but  none  of  love: 

*  A  fecond  time  I  kill  my  husband  dead, 

*  When  fecond  husband  kifles  me  in  bed. 

*  Duk.     I  do  believe,  you  think  what  now  you  fpeak: 

*  But,  what  we  do  determine,  oft  we  break. 

*  Purpose  is  but  the  {lave  to  memory; 

*  Of  violent  birth,  but  poor  validity: 

*  Which  now,  like  fruit  unripe,  fticks  on  the  tree; 

*  But  fall,  unihaken,  when  they  mellow  be. 

*  Moft  neceflary  'tis,  that  "we  forget 

*  To  pay  ourfelves  what  to  ourfelves  is  debt: 

*  What  to  ourfelves  in  paflion  we  propose, 

*  The  paflion  ending,  doth  the  purpose  lose. 

*  The  violence  of  either  grief  or  joy 

*  Their  own  enaclures  with  themfelves  deftroy: 

*  Where  joy  moil  revels,  grief  doth  moft  lament; 

*  Grief  joys,  joy  grieves,  on  {lender  accident. 

'"•  This  world  is  not  for  aye;  nor  'tis  not  ftrange, 

*  That  even  our  loves  (hould  with  our  fortunes  change ; 
'  I-Vr  'tis  a  queltion  left  us  yet  to  prove, 

Whether  love  lead  fortune,  or  elie  fortune  love. 

*  The  great  man  down,  you  mark,  his  favourite  flies  J 


Hamlet.  71 

*  The  poor  advanc'd  makes  friends  of  enemies. 

*  And  hitherto  doth  love  on  fortune  xtend : 

*  For  who  not  needs,  (hall  never  lack  a  friend; 

*  And  who  in  want  a  hollow  friend  doth  try, 

*  Direftly  feasons  him  his  enemy. 

*  But,  orderly  to  end  where  I  begun, — 

*  Our  wills,  and  fates,  do  fo  contrary  run, 

*  That  our  devices  ftill  are  overthrown; 

*  Our  thoughts  are  ours,  their  ends  none  of  our  own: 

*  So  think  thou  wilt  no  fecond  husband  wed; 

*  But  die  thy  thoughts,  when  thy  firft  lord  is  dead. 

*  Dut.   Nor,  earth,  o,  give  me  food;  nor,  heaven,  light! 

*  Sport,  and  repose,  lock  from  me,  day,  and  night! 

*  To  defperation  turn  my  truft  and  hope! 

*  An  anchor's  cheer  in  prison  be  my  (cope! 

*  Each  opposite,  that  blanks  the  face  of  joy, 

*  Meet  what  1  would  have  well,  and  it  deftroy! 

*  Both  here,  and  hence,  purfue  me  lafting  ftrife, 

*  If,  once  a  widow,  ever  I  be  wife  ! 

HAM.  If  (he  fhould  break  it  now, —  [to  Oph. 

*  Duk.    'Tis  deeply  fworn.    Sweet,  leave  me  here  a 

while ; 

*  My  fpirits  grow  dull,  and  fain  I  would  beguile 

*  The  tedious  day  with  fleep.  Uajs  ^m  do<wrt. 

*  Dut.     Sleep  rock  thy  brain  ; 

*  And  never  come  mifchance  betwixt  us  twain ! 

[Exit  Dutchefs.  Dukeyft^. 
HAM.  Madam,  how  like  you  this  play? 
Que.    The  lady  protefts  too  much,  methinks. 
HAM.  O,  but  flie'll  keep  her  word. 
Kin.    Have  you  heard  the  argument?  is  there  no  of- 
fence in't? 

i*  Earth  to  g've     »>  And  Anchor* 


72  Hamlet. 

HAM.  No,  no,  they  do  but jeft,  poison  in  jeft ;  no  of? 
fence  i'  the  world. 

Kin.    What  do  you  call  the  play? 

HAH.  The  moufe-trap:  Marry,  how?  Tropically. 
This  play  is  the  image  of  a  murther  done  in  Vienna: 
Gonzago  is  the  duke's  name;  his  wife,  Baptifta:  you  fhall 
fee  anon;  'tis  a  knavifli  piece  of  work :  But  what  of  that? 
your  majefty,  and  we  that  have  free  fouls,  it  touches  us 
not:  Let  the  gall'd  jade  winch,  our  withers  are  un- 
wrung — 

Enter  Nephew,  luith  a  Vial. 
This  is  oneLucianus,  nephew  to  the  duke. 

Opif.  You  are  as  good  as  a  chorus,  my  lord. 

HAM.  I  could  interpret  between  you  and  your  love, 
if  I  could  fee  the  puppets  dallying. 

OPH.  You  are  keen,  my  lord,  you  are  keen. 

HAM.  It  would  coft  you  a  groaning,  to  take  off  my 
edge. 

OPH.  Still  better,  and  worfe. 

HAM..  So  you  mif-take  husbands — Begin,  murtherer; 
leave  thy  damnable  faces,  and  begin:  Come,  The  croa- 
king raven  doth  bellow  for  revenge. 

*  Aef.     Thoughts  black,  hands  apt,  d,rugs  fit,  and  time 

agreeing; 

*  Confederate  feason,  elfe  no  creature  feeing; 

*  Thou  mixture~|~rank,  of  midnight  weeds  collected, 

*  With  Hecafs  ban  thrice  blafted,  thrice  infecled, 

*  Thy  natural  magick,  and  dire  property, 

*  On  wholefome  life  usurps  immediately. 

[pouring  it  in  the  Sleeper's  Ear. 

HAM.  He  poisons  him  i' the  garden  for  his  eltate;  his 
name's  Gonzago :  the  ftoryis  extant,  and  written  in  very 

«  the  King 


Hamlet.  73 

choice  Italian:  You  fliall  fee  anon,  how  the  murtherer 
gets  the  love  of  Gonzago's  wife. 
OPH .  The  king  rises. 
HAM.  What,  frighted  with  falfe  fire ! 
£>ue.   How  fares  my  lord? 
POL.  Give  o'er  the  play. 
Kin.    Give  me  fome  light:  away. 
foL.  Lights,  lights,  lights ! 

[Exeunt  All  but  Hamlet,  and  Horatio. 
HAM.  Why,  let  the  ftrooken  deer  go  weep, 

The  heart  ungalled  play : 
For  fome  muft  watch,  while  fome  muft  fleep; 

So  runs  the  world  away._ 

Would  not  this,  fir,  and  a  foreft  of  feathers,  (if  the  reft 
of  my  fortunes  turn  Turk  with  me)  with  two  Provincial 
roses  on  my  ray'd  (hoes,  get  me  a  fellowfhip  in  a  cry  of 
players,  fir? 

HOR.  Halfalhare. 
HAM.  A  whole  one,  I. 

For  thou  doft  know,  o  Damon  dear, 

This  realm  difmantl'd  was 
Of  Jove  himfelf;  and  now  reigns  here 

A  very,  very— peacock. 
HOR.  You  might  have  rhim'd. 
HAM.  O  good  Horatio,  I'll  take  the  ghofl's  word  for 
a  thousand  pound.  Didft  perceive? 
HOR.  Very  well,  my  lord. 
HAM.  Upon  the  talk  of  the  poisoning,- 
HOR.   I  did  very  well  note  him. 

Enter  ROSIN CRANTZ,  and  GUILDENSTERK. 
HAM.  Ha,  ha!__Come,  fome  musickj  come,  the  re- 
corders.—. 

'6  raz'd     *J  paiock 


74  Hamlet. 

For  if  the  king  like  not  the  comedy, 
Why  then,  belike,  he  likes  it  not,  perdy — 
Come,  fome  musick. 

GUI.   Good  my  lord,  vouchfafe  me  a  word  with  you. 

HAM,  Sir,  a  whole  hiftory. 

GUI.   The  king,  fir,— 

HAM.  Ay,  fir,  what  of  him  ? 

GUI.    Is,  in  his  retirement,  marvelous  diftemper'd. 

HAM.  With  drink,  fir? 

GUI.    No,  my  lord,  with  choler. 

HAM.  Your  wisdom  fhould  (hew  itfelf  more  richer,  to 
Cgnify  this  to  the  doftor;  for,  for  me  to  put  him  to 
his  purgation,  would,  perhaps,  plunge  him  into  more 
choler. 

GUI.  Good  my  lord,  put  your  difcourfe  into  fome 
frame,  and  Hart  not  fo  wildly  from  my  affair. 

HAM.  I  am  tame,  fir;  pronounce. 

Gut.  The  queen,  your  mother,  in  moft  great  afflic- 
tion of  fpirit,  hath  fent  me  to  you: 

HAM.  You  are  welcome.  [•with  great  Ceremony. 

GUI.  Nay,  good  my  lord,  this  courtefy  is  not  of  the 
right  breed.  If  it  ftiall  please  you  to  make  me  a  whole- 
fome  anfwer,  I  will  do  your  mother's  commandment:  if 
not,  your  pardon,  and  my  return,  {hall  be  the  end  of 
businefs. 

HAM .  Sir,  I  cannot. 

Ros.    What,  my  lord? 

HAM.  Make  you  a  wholefome  anfwer;  my  wit's  dis- 
eas'd:  But,  fir,  fuch  anfwer  as  I  can  make,  you  (hall 
command;  or,  rather,  as  you  fay,  my  mother:  there- 
fore no  more,  but  to  the  matter ;  My  mother,  you  fay,— 

J20*.   Then  thus  fhe  fays ;  Your  behaviour  hath  ftrook 


Hamlet.  y£ 

her  into  araazenient  and  admiration. 

HAM.  O  wonderful  fon,  that  can  fo'ftonifh  a  motherL. 
But  is  there  no  fequel  at  the  heels  of  this  mother's  ad- 
miration ?  impart. 

Ros.  She  desires  to  fpeak  with  you  in  her  closet,  ere 
you  go  to  bed. 

HAM.  We  fhall  obey,  were  (he  ten  times  our  mother. 
Have  you  any  further  trade  with  us  ? 

Ros.    My  lord,  you  once  did  love  me. 

HAM .  And  do  ftill,  by  these  pickers  and  dealers. 

Ros.  Good  my  lord,  what  is  your  cause  of  diftemp- 
er?  you  do,  furely,  bar  the  door  upon  your  own  liberty, 
if  you  deny  your  griefs  to  your  friend. 

HAM.  Sir,  I  lack  advancement. 

Ros.   How  can  that  be,  when  you  have  the  voice  of 
the  king  himfe'.f  for  your  fucceffion  in  Denmark? 
Enter  the  Players,  with  Recorders. 

HAM.  Ay,  fir;  but,  While  the  grafs  grows,— the  prov- 
erb is  famething  mufty O,  the  recorders: let  me  fee 

^one. "  To  withdraw  with  you:" Why  do  you  go 

about  to  recover  the  wind  of  me,  as  if  you  would  drive 
me  into  a  toil  ? 

GUI.  O,  my  lord,  if  my  duty  be  too  bold,  my  love 
is  too  unmannerly. 

HAM.  I  do  not  well  underftand  that.  Will  you  play 
upon  this  ~j~ pipe? 

GUI.    My  lord,  I  cannot. 

HAM.  I  pray  you. 

GUI.   Believe  me,  I  cannot. 

BAM.  I  befeech  you. 

GUI.    \  know  no  touch  of  it,  my  lord. 

flAM.'Tis  as  easy  as  lying:  govern  these  ventages 


76  Hamlet. 

with  your  fingers  and  the  umber,  give  it  breath  with 
your  mouth,  and  it  will  difcourfe  molt  eloquent  musick: 
Look  you,  these  are  the  flops. 

GUI.  But  these  cannot  1  command  to  any  utterance 
of  harmony ;  I  have  not  the  flcill. 

HAM.  Why,  look  you  now,  how  unworthy  a  thing 
you  make  of  mer  You  would  play  upon  me;  you  would 
ieem  to  know  my  flops;  you  would  pluck  out  the  heart 
of  my  myftery;  you  would  found  me,  from  my  loweft 
rote  to  the  top  of  my  compafs:  and  there  is  much  mu- 
sick, excellent  voice,  in  this  little  organ ;  yet  cannot  you 
make  it  fpeak.  'S  blood,  do  you  think,  1  am  easier  to 
be  play'd  on  than  a  pipe  ?  Call  me  what  instrument  you 
will,  though  you  can  fret  me,  you  cannot  play  upon 

Enter  POLONIUS. 
me._God  blefs  you,  fir! 

POL.  My  lord,  the  queen  would  fpeak  with  you,  and 
presently. 

HAM.  Do  you  fee  yonder  cloud,  that's  almoft  in  fhape 
of  a  weazel  r 

POL.  By  the  mafs,  and  'tis  like  a  weazel,  indeed... 

HAM.  Methinks,  it  is  like  a  camel. 

POL.   It  is  back'd  like  a  camel. 

HAM.  Or  like  a  whale. 

POL.  Very  like  a  whale. 

HAM.  Then  will  I  come  to  my  mother  by  and  by._. 
They  fool  me  [to  Hor.]  to  the  top  of  my  bent._  L  will 
come  by  and  by. 

POL.  I  will  fay  fo.  [Exit  POI.ONIUS. 

.  By  and  by  is  easily  faid._Leave  me,  friends. 
[Exeunt  Ros.«W  GUI.  Horatio, an,1  the  Players* 
withdraw, 

*c  v.  Nott. 


Hamlet.  7^ 

'Tis  now  the  very  witching  time  of  night; 

When  church-yards  yawn,  and  hell  itfelf  breaths  out 

Contagion  to  this  world :  Now  could  I  drink  hot  blood; 

And  do  fuch  bitter  businefs,  as  the  day 

Would  quake  to  look  on.  Soft,  now  to  my  mother,  ; 

O,  heart,  lose  not  thy  nature;  let  not  ever 

The  foul  of  Nero  enter  this  firm  bosom: 

Let  me  be  cruel,  not  unnatural : 

I  will  fpeak  daggers  to  her,  but  use  none ; 

My  tongue  and  foul  in  this  be  hypocrites: 

How  in  my  words  foever  me  be  ment, 

To  give  them  feals  never,  my  foul,  confent.      [Exeunt. 

SCENE  III.  The  fame.  A  Room  in  the  fame. 
Enter  King,  ROSINCRANTZ,  <Z»</GUILDENSTE*N. 

Kin.     I  like  him  not;  nor  itands  it  fafe  with  us. 
To  let  his  madnefs  range.  Therefore,  prepare  you; 
I  your  commiffion  will  forthwith  difpatch, 
And  he  to  England  fhall  along  with  you  : 
The  terms  of  our  eftate  may  not  endure 
Hazard  fo  near  us,  as  doth  hourly  grow- 
Out  of  his  lunes. 

GUI.   We  will  ourfelves  provide : 
Moft  holy  and  religious  fear  it  is, 
To  keep  those  many  many  bodies  fafe, 
That  live,  and  feed,  upon  your  majefty. 

Ros.   The  fingle  and  peculiar  life  is  bound, 
With  all  the  flrength  and  armour  of  the  mind, 
To  keep  itfelf  from  'noyance:  but  much  more 
That  fpirit,  upon  whose  weal  depend  and  reft 
The  lives  of  many.  The  ceafe  of  majefty 
Dies  not  alone;  but,  like  a  gulf,  doth  draw 

11  Lunacies     3°  depends  and  refti 


78  Hamlet. 

What's  near  it,  with  it :  It  is  a  mafly  wheel, 

Fixt  on  the  fummit  of  the  higheft  mount, 

To  whose  huge  fpokes  ten  thousand  lefler  things 

Are  mortif'd  and  adjoin'd;  which,  when  it  falls, 

Each  fmall  annexment,  petty  confequence, 

Attends  the  boiftrous  ruin.  Never  alone 

Did  the  king  figh,  but  with  a  general  groan. 

Kin.    Arm  you,  I  pray  you,  to  this  fpeedy  voyage; 
For  we  will  fetters  put  upon  this  fear, 
Which  now  goes  too  free-footed. 

Ros.   We  will  hafte  us.          {Exeunt  Ros.  and  Gut. 
Enter  POLONIUS. 

POL.  My  lord,  he's  going  to  his  mother's  closetj 
Behind  the  arras  I'll  convey  myfelf, 
To  hear  the  procefs;  I'll  warrant,  ftie'll  tax  him  home: 
And,  as  you  faid,  and  wisely  was  it  faid, 
'Tis  meet,  that  fome  more  audience  than  a  mother, 
Since  nature  makes  them  partial,  fhould  o'er-hear 
The  fpeech,  of  vantage.  Fare  you  well,  my  liege: 
I'll  call  upon  you  ere  you  go  to  bed, 
And  tell  you  what  I  know. 

Kin.    Thanks,  dear  my  lord.          [Exit  POLONIUS. 
O,  my  offence  is  rank,  it  fmells  to  heaven; 
It  hath  the  primal  eldeft  curfe  upon't, 
A  brother's  murther! — Pray  can  I  not, 
Though  inclination  be  as  {harp  as  will; 
My  ftronger  guilt  defeats  my  ftrong  intent; 
And,  like  a  man  to  double  twsinefs  bound, 
I  ftand  in  pause  where  I  fhall  firft  begin, 
And  both  neglect.  What  if  this  curfed  hand 
Were  thicker  than  itfelf  with  brother's  blood? 
Is  there  not  rain  enough  in  the  fweet  heavens. 


Hamlet.  79 

To  wa(h  it  white  as  fnow  ?  Whereto  {erves  mercy, 

But  to  confront  the  visage  of  offence  ? 

And  what's  in  prayer,  but  this  two-fold  force,"" 

To  be  fore-flailed,  ere  we  come  to  fall; 

Or  pardon'd,  being  down?  Then  I'll  look  up; 

My  fault  is  part.  But,  o,  what  form  of  prayer 

Can  ferve  my  turn?  Forgive  me  my  foul  murther  !"•* 

That  cannot  be ;  fmce  I  am  ftill  posseft 

Of  those  effefts  for  which  I  did  the  murther, 

My  crown,  mine  own  ambition,  and  my  queen. 

May  one  be  pardon'd,  and  retain  the  offence  ? 

In  the  corrupted  currents  of  this  world, 

Offence's  gilded  hand  may  (hove  by  juflice; 

And  oft  'tis  feen,  the  wicked  prize  itfelf 

Buys  out  the  law :  But  'tis  not  fo  above: 

There  is  no  fhuffling,  there  the  adtion  lies 

In  his  true  nature;  and  we  ourfelves  compell'd, 

Even  to  the  teeth  and  forehead  of  our  faults, 

To  give  in  evidence.  What  then?  what  refts? 

Try  what  repentance  can:  What  can  it  not? 

Yet  what  can  it,  when  one  can  not  repent? 

O  wretched  ftate!  O  bosom,  black  as  death! 

O  limed  foul ;  that,  ftruggling  to  be  free, 

Art  more  engag'd!  Help,  angels,  make  afTay! 

Bow,  ftubbornTp knees!  and,  heart, with  firings  of  fteel, 

Be  foft  as  finevvs  of  the  new-born  babe  ; 

All  may  be  well !  [remains  in  Aftion  of  Prayer* 

Enter  HAMLET,  at  a  Dijiance, 
HAM.  Now  might  I  do  it,  pat,  now  he  is  praying; 
And  now  I'll  do't;  \_dravuing.~\  And  fo  he  goes  to  heaven; 
And  fo  am  I  reveng'd  ?  That  would  be  fcan'd : 
A  villain  kills  my  father;  and,  for  that, 


SO  Hamlet. 

I,  his  fole  fon,  do  this  fame  villain  fend 
To  heaven. 

Why,  this  is  lure  and  falary,  not  revenge. 
He  took  my  father  grofly,  full  of  bread ; 
With  all  his  crimes  broad  blown,  as  flufh  as  May; 
And,  how  his  audit  ftands,  who  knows,  fave  heaven  ? 
But,  in  our  circumftance  and  courfe  of  thought, 
'Tis  heavy  with  him:  And  am  I  then  reveng'd, 
To  take  him  in  the  purging  of  his  foul, 
When  he  is  fit  and  feason'd  for  his  pafiage  ? 
No. 

Up,~f~fword;  and  know  thou  a  more  horrid  hint : 
When  he  is  drunk,  afleep,  or  in  his  rage; 
Or  in  the  inceftuous  pleasures  of  his  bed; 
At  gaming,  fwearing;  or  about  fome  aft 
That  has  no  relifh  of  falvation  in't: 
Then  trip  him,  that  his  heels  may  kick  at  heaven ; 
And  that  his  foul  may  be  as  damn'd,  and  black, 
As  hell,  whereto  it  goes.  My  mother  ftays : 
This  phyfick  but  prolongs  thy  fickly  days.  [Exit. 

Kin.    My  words  fly  up,  [rises.']  my  thoughts  remain 

bellow : 
Words,  without  thoughts,  never  to  heaven  go.     [Exit. 

SCENE  IV.  The  fame.  Another  Room  in  the  fame. 

Enter  Queen,  and  POL  ONI  us. 
POL.  He  will  come  ftraight.  Look,  you  lay  home  to 

him: 

Tell  him,  his  pranks  have  been  too  broad  to  bear  with ; 
And  that  your  grace  hath  fcreen'd  and  flood  between 
Much  heat  and  him.  I'll  filence  me  even  ~j~  here. 
Pray  you,  be  round. 

«  hent 


Hamlet.  g  r 

Qtie.    I'll  warrant  you ;  fear  me  not. 
Withdraw,  I  hear  him  coming.          [Pol.  bides  bimfelf. 
Enter  HAMLET,  abruptly. 

HAM.  Now,  mother;  what's  the  matter? 

S^ue.    Hamlet^  thou  haft  thy  father  much  offended. 

HAM.  Mother,  you  have  my  father  much  offended. 

<%ue.    Come,  come,  you  anfwer  with  an  idle  tongue. 

HAM.  Go,  go,  you  queftion  with  a  wicked  tongue. 

£>ue.     Why,  how  now,  Hamlet? 

HAM.  What's  the  matter  now? 

£>ue.    Have  you  forgot  me  ? 

HAM.  No,  by  the  rood,  not  fo: 
You  are  the  queen,  your  husband's  brother's  wife*; 
And,  'would  it  were  not  fo,  you  are  my  mother. 

£>ue.    Nay,  then  I'll  fet  those  to  you  that  can  fpealc. 

HAM.  Come,  come,  and  fit  you  down;  you  fhall  not 

budge ; 

You  go  not,  'till  I  fet  you  up  a  glafs, 
Where  you  may  fee  the  inmoft  part  of  you. 

Que.    What  wilt  thou  do?  thou  wilt  not  murther  me? 
Help,  help,  ho! 

POL.  {behind.}  What,  ho!  help! 

HAM.  How  now !  a  rat  ? 
Dead,  for  a  ducat,  dead.       [making  a  Pafs  at  the  Arras. 

POL.    [behind.]  O,  I  am  flain.  [falls  forward,  and  diet. 

Que.    O  me,  what  haft  thou  done? 

HAM.  Nay,  I  know  not: 
Is  it  the  king? 

[lifts  up  the  Arras,  and  draixs  forth  Polonius. 

Que.    O,  what  a  ram  and  bloody  deed  is  this ! 

H*M.  A  bloody  deed;_almolt  as  bad.goou  mother, 
As  kill  a  king,  and  marry  with  his  brother. 

VOL.  X.  N 


8a  Hamlet. 

£>ue.    As  kill  a  king? 

HAfa.  Ay,  lady,  'twas  my  word  

Thou  wretched,  rafli,  intruding  fool,  farevvel? 

I  took  thee  for  thy  better;  take  thy  fortune: 

Thou  find'ft,  to  be  too  busy,  is  fome  danger — 

Leave  wringing  of  your  hands:  Peace,  fit  you  down; 

And  let  me  wring  your  heart:  for  fo  I  fliall, 

If  it  be  made  of  penetrable  fluff; 

If  damned  cuftom  have  not  braz'd  it  fo, 

That  it  be  proof  and  bulwark  againft  fenfe. 

<%ue.    What  have  I  done,  that  thou  dar'ft  wag  thy 

tongue 
In  noise  fo  rude  againft  me  ? 

HAM .  Such  an  aft, 

That  blurs  the  grace  and  blufh  of  modefty; 
Calls  virtue,  hypocrite;  takes  off  the  rose 
From  the  fair  forehead  of  an  innocent  love, 
And  fets  a  blifter  there ;  makes  marriage  vows 
As  falfe  as  dicers' oaths  :  o,  fuch  a  deed, 
As  from  the  body  of  contraftion  plucks 
The  very  foul ;  and  fvveet  religion  makes 
A  rhapfody  of  words :  Heaven's  face  doth  glow; 
Yea,  this  folidity  and  compound  mafs, 
With  triftful  visage,  as  againft  the  doom, 
Is  thought-fick  at  the  aft. 

Que.    Ay  me,  what  aft, 
That  roars  fo  loud,  and  thunders  in  the  index? 

HAM.  Look  here,  upon  this~f~pifture,  and  on ~f~ this? 
The  counterfeit  presentment  of  two  brothers. 
See,  what  a  grace  was  feated  on  this  "['brow: 
Hyperion's  curls;  the  front  of  Jove  himfelf ; 
An  eye  like  Man,  to  threaten  and  command ;. 


Hamlet.  fj 

A  flation  like  the  herald  Mercury, 

New-lighted  on  a  heaven-kifiing  hill ; 

A  combination,  and  a  form,  indeed, 

Where  every  god  did  fecm  to  fet  his  feal, 

To  give  the  world  aflurance  of  a  man: 

This  was  your  husband.  Look  you  now,  what  follows  i 

Here~j~is  your  husband;  like  a  mildevv'd  ear, 

Blafting  his  wholefome  brother.  Have  you  eyes? 

Could  you  on  this  fair  mountain  leave  to  feed, 

And  batten  on  this  moor?  Ha,  have  you  eyes? 

You  cannot  call  it,  love:  for,  at  your  age, 

The  hey-day  in  the  blood  is  tame;  it's  humble, 

And  waits  upon  the  judgment;  And  what  judgment 

Would  ftep  from  this  to  this  ?  Senfe,  fure,  you  have; 

Elfe,  could  you  not  have  motion:  But,  fure,  that  fenfe 

Is  apoplex'd :  for  madnefs  would  not  err; 

Nor  fenfe  to  exftafy  was  ne'er  fo  thral'd, 

But  it  reserv'd  fome  quantity  of  choice, 

To  ferve  in  fuch  a  difference.  What  devil  was't, 

That  thus  hath  cozen'd  you  at  hoodman-blind? 

Eyes  without  feeling,  feeling  without  fight, 

Ears  without  hands  or  eyes,  fmelling  fans  all, 

Or  but  a  fickly  part  of  one  true  fenfe 

Could  not  fo  mope. 

O  frame!  where  is  thy  bluth?  Rebellious  hell, 

Jf  thou  canft  mutine  in  a  matron's  bones, 

To  flaming  youth  let  virtue  be  as  wax, 

And  melt  in  her  own  fire:  proclaim  no  mame* 

When  the  compulfive  ardor  gives  the  charge ; 

Since  froft  itfelf  as  actively  doth  burn, 

And  reason  panders  will. 

$ue.    O  Hamlet,  fpeak  no  more: 

Nz 


84  Hamlet. 

Thou  turn'ft  mine  eyes  into  my  very  foul ; 
And  there  I  fee  fuch  black  and  grained  fpotsy 
As  will  not  leave  theft-  tind. 

HAM.  Nay,  but  to  live 
In  the  rank  fweat  of  an  inceftuous  bed; 
Stew'd  in  corruption ;  honying,  and  making  love, 
Over  the  nafty  fty; — 

Que.    O,  fpeak  to  me  no  more ; 
These  words  like  daggers  enter  in  my  ears ; 
No  more,  fweet  Hamlet. 

HAM.  A  murtherer,  and  a  villain : 
A  flave,  that  is  not  twentieth  part  the  tythe 
Of  your  precedent  lord:  a  vice  of  kings: 
A  cutpurfe  of  the  empire  and  the  rule; 
That  from  a  fhelf  the  precious  diadem  Hole, 
And  put  it  in  his  pocket. 

£>ue.    No  more. 

Enter  Ghoft. 

HAM.  A  king  of  fhreds  and  patches :_ 
Save  me,  and  hover  o'er  me  with  your  wings,       [ure? 
You  heavenly  guards! — What  would  your  gracious  rig- 

S>ue.    Alas,  he's  mad.  > 

HAM.  Do  you  not  come  your  tardy  fon  to  chide, 
That,  lapf'd  in  time  and  paffion,  let's  go  by 
The  important  adling  of  your  dread  command? 
O,  fay. 

Gbo.  Do  not  forget :  This  visitation 
Is  but  to  whet  thy  almoft  blunted  purpose. 
But,  look,  amazement  on  thy  mother  iits: 
O,  ftep  between  her  and  her  fighting  foul ; 
Conceit  in  weakeft  bodies  ftrongeit  works; 
Speak  to  her,  Hamlet. 


Hamlet.  85 

HAM.  How  is  it  with  you,  lady  ? 

Que.    Alas,  how  is't  with  you  ? 
That  thus  you  bend  your  eye  on  vacancy, 
And  with  the  incorporal  air  do  hold  difcourfe? 
Forth  at  your  eyes  your  fpirits  wildly  peep; 
And,  as  the  fleeping  foldiers  in  the  alarm, 
Your  bedded  hair,  like  life  in  excrements, 
Starts  up,  and  (lands  an  end.  O  gentle  fon, 
Upon  the  heat  and  flame  of  thy  diftemper 
Sprinkle  cool  patience.  Whereon  do  you  look  ? 

HAM.  On  him!  on  him!  lock  you,  how  pale  he  glares! 
His  form  and  cause  conjoin'd,  preaching  to  ftones, 

Would  make  them  capable. Do  not  look  upon  me; 

Left,  with  this  piteous  aftion,  you  convert 

My  ftern  efFefts:  then  what  I  have  to  do 

Will  want  true  colour;  tears,  perchance,  for  blood. 

Que.    To  whom  do  you  fpeak  this? 

HAM.  Do  you  fee  nothing"]" there? 

Que.    Nothing  at  all ;  yet  all,  that  is,  I  fee. 

HAM.  Nor  did  you  nothing  hear? 

£>ue.    No,  nothing,  but  ourfelves. 

HAM.  Why,  look  you ~j~ there;  look,  how  it  ftealsa- 

way; 

My  father,  in  his  habit  as  he  liv'd, 
Look,  where  he  goes,  even  now,  out  at  the  portal ! 

[Exit  Ghoft. 

£>ue.    This  is  the  very  coinage  of  your  brain: 
This  bodilefs  creation  exflafy 
Is  very  cunning  in. 

HAM.  C23l)3t  exftafy? 

My  pulfe,  as  yours,  doth  temperately  keep  time. 
And  makes  as  healthful  musick:  Jt  is  not  msdnefs, 

N3 


86  Hamlet. 

That  I  have  utter'd :  bring  me  to  the  teft, 
And  I  the  matter  will  re-word ;  which  madnete 
Would  gambol  from.  Mother,  for  love  of  grace, 
I/ay  not  that  flattering  un&ion  to  your  foul, 
That  not  your  trefpafs,  but  my  madnefs,  fpeaks: 
Jt  will  but  fkin  and  film  the  ulcerous  place; 
Whiles  rank  corruption,  mining  all  within, 
Infedls  unfeen.  Confefs  yourfelf  to  heaven; 
Repent  what's  paft;  avoid  what  is  to  come; 
And  do  not  fpread  the  compoft  on  the  weeds, 
To  make  them  ranker.  Forgive  me  this  my  virtue: 
For,  in  the  fatnefs  of  these  purfy  times, 
Virtue  itfelf  of  vice  muft  pardon  beg; 
Yea,  courb,  and  woo,  for  leave  to  do  him  good. 
Que.    O,  Hamlet,  thou  haft  cleft  my  heart  in  twain, 
HJM.  O,  throw  away  the  worfer  part  of  it, 
And  live  the  purer  with  the  other  half. 
Good  night:  but  go  not  to  my  uncle's  bed  j 
Aflume  a  virtue,  if  you  have  it  not. 
That  monfter,  cuftom,  who  all  fenfe  doth  eat 
Of  habits  evil,  is  angel  yet  in  this; 
That  to  the  ufe  of  adlions  fair  and  good 
He  likewise  gives  a  frock,  or  livery, 
That  aptly  is  put  on:  Refrain  vo-night; 
And  that  fhall  lend  a  kind  of  easinefs 
To  the  next  abftinence:  the  next,  more  easy: 
For  ufe  almoft  can  change  the  ftamp  of  nature, 
And  matter  ebcn  the  devil,  or  throw  him  out 
With  wondrous  potency.  Once  more,  good  night: 
And,  when  you  are  desirous  to  be  bleft, 
I'll  bleffing  beg  of  you.  For  this  ~|~  fame  lord, 
}  do  repent;  But  heaven  hath  pleas'd  it  fo,— 

*'  habits  devil], 


Hamlet.  87 

To  punilh  me  with  this,  and  this  with  me,— 

That  I  muft  be  their  fcourge  and  minifter: 

I  will  beftow  him,  and  will  anfwer  well 

The  death  I  gave  him.  So,  again  good  night. __ 

I  muft  be  cruel,  only  to  be  kind: 

Thus  bad  begins,  and  worfe  remains  behind.  _,. 

Uparfc,  one  word  more,  good  lady. 

Que.    What  (hall  I  do! 

HAM.  Not  this,  by  no  means,  that  I  bid  you  do: 
Let  the  bloat  king  tempt  you  again  to  bed; 
Pinch  wanton  on  your  cheek;  call  you,  his  moufe; 
And  let  him,  for  a  pair  of  reechy  kifles, 
Or  padling  in  your  neck  with  his  damn'd  fingers, 
Make  you  to  ravel  all  this  matter  out, 
That  1  effentially  am  not  in  madnefs, 
But  mad  in  craft.  Twere  good,  you  let  him  know: 
For  who,  that's  but  a  queen,  fair,  fober,  wise, 
Would  from  a  paddock,  from  a  bat,  a  gib, 
Such  dear  conceraings  hide?  who  would  do  fo? 
No,  in  defpight  of  fenfe,  and  fecrefy, 
Unpeg  the  bafket  on  the  houfe's  top, 
Let  the  birds  fly;  and,  like  the  famous  ape, 
To  try  conclusions,  in  the  bafket  creep, 
And  break  your  own  neck  down. 

S>ue.    Be  thou  afTur'd,  if  words  be  made  of  breath, 
And  breath  of  life,  I  have  no  life  to  breath 
What  thou  haft  faid  to  me. 

HJM.  I  muft  to  England ;  you  know  that? 

£>ue.   Alack, 
J  had  forgot; 'tis  fo  concluded  on.  .    [lows,— 

HJM.  There's  letters  feal'd:  and  my  two  fchool-fel- 
Whoni  J  will  truft,  as  I  will  adders  fang'd,— 


88  Hamlet. 

They  bear  the  mandate;  they  muft  fweep  my  way, 
And  marftval  me  to  knavery:  Let  it  work; 
For  'tis  the  fport,  to  have  the  engineer 
Hoift  with  his  own  petar:  and't  fhall  go  hard, 
But  I  will  delve  one  yard  below  their  mines, 
And  blow  them  at  the  moon:  O,  'tis  moft  fweet, 
When  in  one  line  two  crafts  dire&ly  meet.— 
This  man  fhall  fet  me  packing. 

I'll  lug  the  guts  into  the  neighbour  room: 

Mother,  good  night — Indeed,  this  counfellor 
Is  now  moft  ftill,  moft  fecret,  and  moft  grave, 
Who  was  in  life  a  foolifh  prating  knave. 
Come,  fir,  to~j~draw  toward  an  end  with  you:_ 
Good  night,  mother. 

[ Exeunt,  federally ;  Hamlet  tugging  in  Polonius» 

AC?  IV. 

SCENE  I.  The  fame. 

Enter  King,  Queen,  Rosincrantz,  and 

Guildenftern. 

Kin.    There's  matter  in  these  fighs,  these  profound 

heaves; 

You  muft  tranflate;  'tis  fit,  we  underftand  them: 
Where  is  your  fon  ? 

Que.    Eeftow  this  place  on  us  a  little  while 

[Exeunt  Ros.  a«</Gui. 
Ah,  my  good  lord,  what  have  I  feen  to-night? 

Kin.     What,  Gertrude?  How  does  Hamlet? 

Que.    Mad  as  the  fea,  and  wind,  when  both  contend 
Which  is  the  mightier:  In  his  lawlefs  fit> 


Hamlet.  89 

Behind  the  arras  hearing  fomething  ftir, 
Whips  out  his  rapier,  cries,  A  rat,  a  rat; 
And,  in  this  brainifh  apprehenfion,  kills 
The  unfeen  good  old  man. 

Kin.    O  heavy  deed ! 

Jt  had  been  fo  with  us,  had  we  been  there: 
His  liberty  is  full  of  threats  to  all; 
To  you  yourfelf,  to  us,  to  every  one. 
Alas,  how  (hall  this  bloody  deed  be  anfwer'd? 
Jt  will  be  lay'd  to  us;  whose  providence 
Should  have  kept  fhort,  rellrain'd,  and  out  of  haunt, 
This  mad  young  man :  but,  fo  much  was  our  love, 
We  would  not  underftand  what  was  moft  fit; 
But,  like  the  owner  of  a  foul  disease, 
To  keep  it  from  divulging,  let  it  feed 
Even  on  the  pith  of  life.  Where  is  he  gone? 

Que.    To  draw  apart  the  body  he  hath  kill'd: 
O'er  whom  his  very  madnefs,  like  fome  ore 
Among  a  mineral  of  metals  bafe, 
Shows  itfelf  pure  ;  he  weeps  for  what  is  done. 

Kin.    O,  Gertrude,  come  away  ! 
The  fun  no  fooner  fhall  the  mountains  touch, 
But  we  will  (hip  him  hence:  and  this  vile  deed 
We  mult,  with  all  our  majefty  and  (kill, 

Both  countenance  and  excuse Ho,  Guillen/fern / 

Enter  Rosincrantz,  and  Guildenftern. 
Friends  both,  go  join  you  with  fome  further  aid: 
Hamlet  in  madnefs  hath  Polonius  flain, 
And  from  his  mother's  closet  hath  he  drag'd  him : 
Go,  feek  him  out;  fpeak  fair,  and  bring  the  body 
Jnto  the  chapel.  1  pray  you,  haile  in  this — 

\Exeunt  Ros.  and  Gui. 


go  Hamlet. 

Come,  Gertrude,  we'll  call  up  our  wiseft  friends; 

And  let  them  know,  both  what  we  mean  to  do, 

And  what's  untimely  done:  fo»  IjapIlS  flanticr, — 

Whose  vvhifper  o'er  the  world's  diameter, 

As  level  as  the  cannon  to  his  blank, 

Tranfports  his  poison'd  (hot,— may  mifs  our  name, 

And  hit  the  woundlefs  air.  O,  come  away; 

My  foul  is  full  of  difcord,  and  difmay.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  II.  The  fame.  Another  Raom  in  the  fame. 
Enter  HAMLET. 

HJM Safely  ftow'd.  But,  foft; 

Ros.    &c»  [within.]  Hamlet!  lord  Hamlet! 
HAM.  What  noise?  who  calls  on  Hamlet?  O,  here  they 
come. 

Enter  ROSINCRANTZ,  flWGuiLDENSTERN. 

Ros.  What  have  you  done,  my  lord,  with  the  dead 
body? 

HAM .  Compounded  it  with  duft,  whereto  'tis  kin. 

Ros.  Tell  us  where  'tis ;  that  we  may  take  it  thence, 
And  bear  it  to  the  chapel. 

HAM.  Do  not  believe  it. 

Ros.   Believe  what? 

HAM.  That  I  can  keep  your  coanfel,  and  not  mine 
own.  Befides,  to  be  demanded  of  a  fpunge, —  what  re- 
plication fhculd  be  rcade  by  the  fon  of  a  king? 

Ros.   Take  you  me  for  a  fpcnge,  my  lord? 

HAM.  Ay,  fir;  that  foaks  up  the  king's  countenance, 
his  rewards,  his  authorities  But  fuch  officers  do  the  king 
bell  Service  in  the  end;  He  keeps  them,  like  an  ape,  in 
the  corner  of  his  jaw;  firft  mouth'd,  to  be  lait  fwallow'd: 
when  he  needs  what  you  have  glean'd,i:  is  but  fqueez* 


Hamlet.  9! 

ing  you,  and,  fpunge,  you  fhall  be  dry  again. 

Ros.   I  underftand  you  not,  my  lord. 

HAM.  I  am  glad  of  it:  A  knavifh  fpeech  fleeps  in  a 
fooliih  ear. 

Ros.  My  lord,  you  muft  tell  us  where  the  body  is, 
and  go  with  us  to  the  king. 

HAM.  The  body  is  with  the  king,  but  the  king  is  not 
with  the  body.  The  king  is  a  thing — 

GUI.    A  thing,  my  lord? 

HAM.  Of  nothing  :  bring  me  to  him.  Hide,  fox,  and 
all  after.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  III.  The  fame.  Another  Room  in  the  fame. 
Enter  King,  attended. 

Kin.    I  have  fent  to  feek  him,  and  to  find  the  body. 
How  dangerous  is  it,  that  this  man  goes  loofe  ? 
Yet  muft  not  we  put  the  ftrong  law  on  him: 
He's  lov'd  of  the  diftracled  multitude, 
Who  like  not  in  their  judgment,  but  their  eyes; 
And,  where  'tis  fo,  the  offender's  fcourge  is  weigh'd, 
But  never  the  offence.  To  bear  all  fmooth  and  even, 
This  fudden  fending  him  away  muft  feem 
Deliberate  pause:  Diseases,  defperate  grown, 
By  defperate  appliance  are  reliev'd, 

Enter  ROSINCRANTZ. 
Or  not  at  all — How  now?  what  hath  befall'n? 

Ros.   Where  the  dead  body  is  beftow'd,  my  lord, 
We  cannot  get  from  him. 

Kin.     But  where  is  her 

Ros.   Without,  my  lord;  guarded,  to  know  your 
pleasure. 

Kin.    Bring  him  before  us. 


9»  Hamlet. 

Ros.   Ho!  bring  in  the  lord. 

Enter  HAMLET,  and  Guildenftern. 

Kint    Now,  Hamlet,  where's  Po/onius? 

HAM.  At  fupper. 

Kin.    At  fupper  ?  Where  ? 

HAM.  Not  where  he  eats,  but  where  he  is  eaten:  ft 
certain  convocation  of  politick  worms  are  e'en  at  him. 
Your  worm  is  your  only  emperor  for  diet:  we  fat  all 
creatures  elfe,  to  fat  us;  and  we  fat  ourfelves  for  mag- 
gots: Your  fat  king,  and  your  lean  beggar,  is  but  va- 
riable fervice;  two  diflies,  but  to  one  table;  that's  the 
end. 

Kin.    Alas,  alas! 

HAM.  A  man  may  fifh  with  the  worm  that  hath  eat 
of  a  king ;  and  eat  of  the  fifh  that  hath  fed  of  that  worm. 

Kin.    What  doft  thou  mean  by  this? 

HAM.  Nothing,  but  to  (hew  you  how  a  king  may  go 
a  progrefs  through  the  guts  of  a  beggar. 

Kin.     Where  is  Polonius? 

HAM.  In  heaven;  fend  thither  to  fee:  if  your  me/Ten- 
gcr  find  him  not  there,  feek  him  in  the  other  place  your- 
jelf.  But,  indeed,  if  you  find  him  not  this  month,  you 
fhall  nose  him  as  you  go  up  the  flairs  into  the  lobby. 

Kin.    Go  feek  him  there.  [to  Jome  Attendants. 

HAM.  He  will  flay  till  you  come.   [Ex  unt  Attendants. 

Kin.    Hamlet,  this  deed,  for  thine  efpecial  fafety, — 
Which  we  do  tender;  as  we  dearly  grieve 
For  that  which  thou  hall  done,— mult  fend  thee  hence 
With  fiery  quicknefs:  Therefore,  prepare  thyfelf; 
The  bark  is  ready,  and  the  wind  at  help, 
The  aifociatcs  tend,  and  every  thing  is  bent 
For  England. 


Hamlet. 


.  For  England? 

Kin.    Ay,  Hamlet. 

HAM.  Good. 

Kin.    So  is  it,  if  thou  knew'  ft  our  purposes. 

HAM.  I  fee  a  cherub,  that  fees  them  —  But,  come;  for 
England:—  Farewel,  dear  mother. 

Kin.    Thy  loving  father,  Hamlet. 

HAM.  My  mother:  Father  and  mother  is  man  and  wife; 
man  and  wife  is  one  flefh:  fo,  my  mother.  —  Come,  for 
England.  [Exit  HAMLET. 

Kin.    Follow  him  at  foot;  tempt  him  with  fpeed  a- 

board  ; 

Delay  it  not,  I'll  have  him  hence  to-night: 
Away  ;  for  every  thing  is  feal'd  and  done, 
That  elfe  leans  on  the  affair:  Pray  you,  make  hade. 

{Exeunt  Ros.  and  G\xL 

And,  England,  if  my  love  thou  hold'ft  at  ought, 
(As  my  great  power  thereof  may  give  thee  fenfe; 
Since  yet  thy  cicatrice  looks  raw  and  red 
After  the  Danijh  fword,  and  thy  free  awe 
Pays  homage  to  us)  thou  may'it  not  coldly  fet  bv 
Our  fovereign  procefs  ;  which  imports  at  full, 
By  letters  congruing  to  that  effedl, 
The  present  death  ofHam/et.  Do  it,  England  '; 
For  like  the  heftick  in  my  blood  he  rages, 
And  thou  muft  cure  me:  'Till  I  know  'tis  done, 
Howe'er  my  haps,  my  joys  will  ne'er  begin.         \Exit. 

SCENE  IV.  A  Plain  in  Denmark. 
Enter  FORTINBRAS,  and  Forces,  marching. 
FOR  .    Go,  captain,  from  me  greet  the  Danijb  king  j. 
Tell  him,  that,  by  his  licence,  Fortiatras 


94-  Hamlet. 

Claims  the  conveyance  of  a  promis'd  march 
Over  his  kingdom.  You  know  the  rendezvous. 
If  that  his  majefly  would  ought  with  us, 
We  (hall  exprefs  our  duty  in  his  eye, 
And  let  him  know  fo. 

Cap.    I  will  do't,  my  lord. 

FOR.   Go  foftly  on.  [Exeunt  FOR.  and  Forces* 

Enter  HAMLET,  ROSINCRANTZ,  &c. 

HAM.  Good  fir,  whose  powers  are  these? 

Cap.    They  are  of  Norway,  fir. 

HAM.  How  purpos'd,  fir,  I  pray  you? 

Cap.    @ir,  againft 
Some  part  of  Poland. 

HAM.  Who  commands  them,  fir? 

Cap.    The  nephew  to  old  Norway,  Fortinlras* 

HAM.  Goes  it  againft  the  main  of  Poland,  fir, 
Or  for  fome  frontier? 

Cap.    Truly  to  fpeak,  fir,  and  with  no  addition, 
We  go  to  gain  a  little  patch  of  ground, 
That  hath  in  it  no  profit  but  the  name. 
To  pay  five  ducats,  five,  I  would  not  farm  it; 
Nor  will  it  yield  to  Norway,  or  the  Pole, 
A  ranker  rate,  ftiould  it  be  fold  in  fee. 

HAM.  Why,  then  the  Polack  never  will  defend  it. 

Cap,    dD,  yes,  it  is  already  garrilon'd. 

HAM.  Two  thousand  fouls,  and  twenty  thousand  du- 
cats, 

Will  not  debate  the  quefiion  of  this  ftraw: 
This  js  the  impofthume  of  much  wealth,  and  peace; 
That  inward  breaks,  and  {hows  no  cause  without 
Why  the  man  dies — I  humbly  thank  you,  fir. 

Cap.   God  be  vvi'  you,  fir.  \Exit  Captain. 


Hamlet.  95 

Ros.   Will't  please  you  go,  my  lord? 

HAM.  I  will  be  with  you  itraight, 
Go  a  little  before.  _  \Exeunt  Ros.  and  the  reft. 

How  all  occasions  do  inform  againft  me, 
And  fpur  my  dull  revenge!  What  is  a  man, 
If  his  chief  good,  and  market  of  his  time, 
Be  but  to  fleep,  and  feed?  a  beaft,  no  more. 
Sure,  he,  that  made  us  with  fuch  large  difcourfe, 
Looking  before,  and  after,  gave  us  not 
That  capability  and  godlike  reason 
To  fuft  in  us  unus'd.  Now,  whether  it  be 
Beftial  oblivion,  or  fome  craven  fcruple 
Of  thinking  too  precifely  on  the  event, — 
A  thought,  which,  quarter'd,  hath  but  one  part  wisdom; 
And,  ever,  three  parts  coward, — I  do  not  know 
Why  yet  I  live  to  fay,  This  thing's  to  de ; 
Sith  I  have  cause,  and  will,  and  ftrength,  and  means 
To  do't.  Examples,  grofs  as  earth,  exhort  me : 
"Witnefs,  this  army,  of  fuch  mafs,  and  charge* 
Led  by  a  delicate  and  tender  prince; 
Whose  fpirit,  with  divine  ambition  puff, 
Makes  mouths  at  the  invisible  event; 
Exposing  what  is  mortal,  and  unfure, 
To  all  that  fortune,  death,  and  danger,  dare. 
Even  for  an  egg- {hell.  Rightly,  to  be  great 
Js  not,  not  to  ttir  without  great  argument; 
But  greatly  to  find  quarrel  in  a  ftraw, 
When  honour's  at  the  ftake.  How  (land  I  then, 
That  have  a  father  kill'd,  a  mother  ftain'd, 
Excitements  of  my  reason,  and  my  blood, 
And  let  all  fleep  r  while,  to  my  fliame,  I  fee 
The  imminent  death  of  twenty  thousand  men, 


g6  Hamlet. 

That,  for  a  fantafy,  and  trick  of  fame, 

Go  to  their  graves  like  beds;  fight  for  a  plot, 

Whereon  the  numbers  cannot  try  the  cause, 

Which  is  not  tomb  enough,  and  continent, 

To  hide  the  {lain?  O,  tljen,  from  this  time  forth, 

My  thoughts  be  bloody,  or  be  nothing  worth!      [Exit. 

SCENE  V.  Elfinour.  A  Room  in  the  Caflle. 

Enter  Queen,  attended ';  HORATIO,  and  a 

Gentleman. 

£>ue. I  will  not  fpeak  with  her. 

Gen.    She  is  importunate;  indeed,  diftracl; 
Her  mood  will  needs  be  pity'd. 

Que.    What  would  me  have? 

Gen.    She  fpeaks  much  of  her  father;  fays,  fhe  hears, 
There's  tricks  i'  the  world;  and  hems, and  beats  her  heart; 
Spurns  envioufly  at  ftraws;  fpeaks  things  in  doubt, 
That  carry  but  half  fenfe:  her  fpeech  is  nothing, 
Yet  the  unlhaped  ufe  of  it  doth  move 
The  hearers  to  collection ;  they  aim  at  it, 
And  botch  the  words  up  fit  to  their  own  thoughts; 
Which,  as  her  winks,  and  nods,  and  geftures  yield  them, 
Indeed  would  make  one  think,  there  might  be  thought, 
Though  nothing  fure,  yet  much  unhappily. 

HOR  .  'Twere  good,  me  were  fpoken  with ;  for  (he  may 

ftrew 

Dangerous  conjectures  in  ill-breeding  minds : 
Let  her  come  in.  [Exit  Gen. 

Que.    "  To  my  fick  foul,  as  fin's  true  nature  is," 
"  Each  toy  feems  prologue  to  fome  great  amifs:" 
««  So  full  of  artlefs  jealoufy  is  guilt," 
«'  It  fpills  itfelf,  in  fearing  to  be  fpilt." 


Hamlet.  97 


Enter  OPHELIA, 
Ota.  Where  is  the  beauteous  majeily  of  Denmark? 
£>ue.    How  now,  Ophelia! 
Ota.  How  Jbould  I  your  true-love  know  [{ings. 

from  another  one? 
By  his  cockle  hat,  and  fiajf, 

and  his  fandal  Jhoon  . 

Que.    Alas,  fweet  lady,  what  imports  this  fong? 
Of  a  .  Say  you  ?  nay,  pray  you,  mark. 

He  is  di  ad  and  gone,  lady,  [fings» 

be  is  dead  and  gone; 
at  his  head  a  graft-green  turfy 

at  his  heels  ajlone.  O,  o! 

Qie.    Nay,  but  Ophelia,"^ 
OPH.  Pray  you,  mark. 

White  his  Jbrovad  as  the  mountain  fnovj,    [(ings. 

Enter  King. 

Que.    Alas,  look  here,  my  lord. 
OP  a.       Larded  all  ivith  Jkueet  flj-jjers  ; 
which  bewept  to  the  ground  did  go, 

nuith  true-lo-~ue  Jho-ivers. 
Kin.    How  do  you,  pretty  lady? 
OPS.  Well,  God  'ild  you.  They  fay,  the  owl  was  a 
baker's  daughter.  Lord,  we  know  what  we  are,  but  know 
not  what  we  may  be.  God  be  at  your  table! 
Kin.    Conceit  upon  her  father. 
OPB.  Pray,  let's  have  no  words  of  this;  but  when  they 
afk  you,  what  it  means,  fay  you  this: 

To-morrow  is  St.  Valentine'/  dayy  [^ftgs* 

all  in  the  morn  betirne, 
and  I  a  maid  at  your  window  y 

to  ^jear  Valentine:  ...«»' 

•      *c  did  not  go 
VOL.  X.  O 


98  Hamlet, 

Then  vp  be  rose, 
and  cforfd  his  deaths, 
and  d"1  op*  d  the  chamber  door} 
let  in  the  maid, 
that  out  a  maid 
never  departed  more. 
Kin.    Pretty  Ophelia! 

Of  a.  Indeed,  without  an  oath,  I'll  make  an  end  on't. 
By  Gis,  and  by  [fings. 

St.  Charity, 

alack,  and  fie  for  fi  ante  ! 
young  men  ivill  do1  s, 
if  they  come  to't; 
by  cock,  they  are  to  blame. 
Before,  quoth  me, 
you  tumbTJ  me, 
you  promised  me  to  evaed: 
He  anfwers,       So  would  1  ha  done, 

by  yonder  fun, 

an  thou  hacift  not  come  to  my  led. 
Kin.    How  long  hath  (he  been  thus? 
OPH.  I  hope,  all  will  be  well.  We  muft  be  patient: 
but  1  cannot  choose  but  weep,  to  think,  they  would  lay 
him  i'the  cold  ground:  My  brother  mail  know  of  it, 

and  fo  I  thank  you  for  your  good  counfel. Come,  my 

coach  !_Good  night,  ladies ;  good  night,  fvveet  ladies; 
good  night,  good  night.  [Exit  OPHELIA. 

Kin.    Follow  her  clofe;  give  her  good  watch,  I  pray 
you.  [Exeunt  HOR.  and  Alt. 

O!  This  is  the  poison  of  deep  grief;  it  fprings 
All  from  her  father's  death.  O  Gertrude,  Gertrude, 
When  forrows  come,  they  come  not  fingle  fpies, 

»5  Quoth  fhe,  Before 


Hamlet. 


99 


But  in  battalions.  Firft,  her  father  flain  : 

Next,  your  fon  gone;  and  he  moil  violent  author 

Of  his  own  juft  remove:  The  people  muddy'd, 

Thick  and  unwholfome  in  their  thoughts,  and  whifpers, 

For  good  Poloniui  death  ;  and  we  have  done 

But  greenly  to  interr  him:  Poor  Ophelia 

Divided  from  herfelf,  and  her  fair  judgment; 

Without  the  which  we  are  pictures,  or  meer  beads. 

Laft,  and  as  much  containing  as  all  these, 

Her  brother  is  in  fecret  come  from  France: 

Feeds  on  his  wonder,  keeps  himfelf  in  clouds, 

And  wants  not  buzzers  to  infecl  his  ear 

With  peftilent  fpeeches  of  his  father's  death; 

Wherein  neceffity,  of  matter  beggar'd, 

Will  nothing  ftick  our  perfons  to  arraign, 

In  ear  and  ear.  O  my  dear  Gertrude,  this, 

Like  to  a  murthering  piece,  in  many  places 

Gives  me  fuperfluous  death.  [Noise  iMitbiit. 

£>ue.    Alack,  what  noise  is  this? 

Kin.    Where  are  my  Switzers?  let  them  guard  the 

door: 

Enter  a  Gentleman,  baftily. 
What  is  the  matter? 

Gen.    Save  yourfelf,  my  lord; 
The  ocean,  overpecring  of  his  lift, 
Eats  not  the  flats  with  more  impetuous  hafte, 
Than  young  Laertes,  in  a  riotous  head, 
O'er-bears  your  officers  !  The  rabble  call  him,  lord: 
And,  as  the  world  were  now  but  to  begin, 
Antiquity  forgot,  cuftom  not  known, 
The  racifiers  and  props  of  every  work, 
They  cry,  Choose  ive;  Laertes  Jball  be  king: 

*  v,  Nott,     1 '  word, 

O  2 


i  oo  Hamlet. 

Caps,  hands,  and  tongues,  applaud  it  to  the  clouds, 
Laertes  jball  be  king,  Laertes  king! 

[Noise  again,  and  Shouts:  Door  a/faulted. 

S^ue.    How  cheerfully  on  the  falfe  trail  they  cry ! 
O,  this  is  counter,  you  falfe  Danijb  dogs. 

Kin.    The  doors  are  broke. 

Enter  LAERTES,  arm'd;  Dunes  following. 

LAE.  Where  is  this  king? Sirs, ftand you  all  without. 

Dan.  No,  let's  come  in. 

LAE.  I  pray  you,  give  me  leave. 

Dan.    We  will,  we  will.        [retiring  without  the  Door. 

LAE.  I  thank  you;  keep  the  door._O  thou  vile  king, 
Give  me  my  father. 

£)ue.    Calmly,  good  Laertes. 

LAE.  That  drop  of  blood,  that's  calm,  proclaims  me 

baftard; 

Cries,  cuckold,  to  my  father;  brands  the  harlot 
Even  here,  between  the  chart  unfmirched  brow 
Of  my  true  mother. 

Kin.    What  is  the  cause,  Laertes, 

That  thy  rebellion  looks  fo  giant-like? 

Let  him  go,  Gertrude;  do  not  fear  our  perfon; 
There's  fuch  divinity  doth  hedge  a  king, 
That  treason  can  but  peep  to  what  it  would, 
Acls  little  of  his  will — Tell  me,  Laertes, 

Why  thou  art  thus  incenf'd; Let  him  go,  Gertrude\ 

Speak,  man. 

LAE.  Where  is  my  father? 

Kin.    Dead,  fi.aer.te0* 

Que.    But  not  by  him. 

Kin.    Let  him  demand  his  fill. 

LAE.  How  came  he  dead?  I'll  not  be  juggl'd  with: 


Hamlet.  1 01 

To  hell,  allegiance!  vows,  to  the  blacked  devil! 
Confcience,  and  grace,  to  the  profoundeft  pit! 
I  dare  damnation:  To  this  point  I  ftand,— • 
That  both  the  worlds  I  give  to  negligence, 
Let  come  what  comes;  only  I'll  be  reveng'd 
Moft  throughly  for  my  father. 

Kin.    Who  (hall  ftay  you? 

LAE.  My  will,  not  all  the  world's: 
And,  for  my  means,  I'll  husband  them  fo  well, 
They  lhall  go  far  with  little. 

Kin.     Good  Laertes, 
If  you  desire  to  know  the  certainty 
Of  your  dear  father's  death,  is't  writ  in  your  revenge, 
That,  fweep-ftake,  you  will  draw  both  friend  and  foe, 
Winner  and  loser  ? 

LAE.  None  but  his  enemies. 

Kin.    Will  you  know  them  then  ? 

LAS  .  To  his  good  friends  thus  wide  I'll  ope  my  arms; 
And,  like  the  kind  life-rend'ring  pelican, 
Repaft  them  with  my  blood. 

Kin.    Why,  now  you  fpeak 
Like  a  good  child,  and  a  true  gentleman. 
That  I  am  guiltlefs  of  your  father's  death, 
And  am  moft  fenfibly  in  grief  for  it, 
It  fliall  as  level  to  your  judgment  pierce 
As  day  does  to  your  eye.  [Noise  within. 

Dart,  [within.]  Let  her  come  in. 

LAE.  How  now!  what  noise  is  that? 

Enter  OPHELIA,  fantaftically  dreft  up 

with  Flowers,  &c. 

O  heat,  dry  up  my  brains !  tears,  feven  times  fait, 
Burn  out  the  fenfe  and  virtue  of  mine  eye!_ 

»4  foopflake,- 


ioz  Hamlet. 

By  heaven,  thy  madnefs  fhall  be  pay'd  by  weight, 
'Till  our  fcale  turn  the  beam.  O  rose  of  May, 
Dear  maid,  kind  fitter,  fvveet  Ophelia! — 
O  heavens!  is't  pofiible,  a  young  maid's  wits 
Should  be  as  mortal  as  an  old  man's  life? 
Nature  is  fine  in  love:  and,  where 'tis  fine, 
It  fends  fome  precious  inftance  of  itfelf 
After  the  thing  it  loves. 

OPH.  They  bore  him  bare-fac'd  on  the  bier,  [fmgs. 

and  on  his  grave  rains  many  a  tear ;  — 
Fare  you  well,  my  dove. 

LJE.  Hadft  thou  thy  wits,and  didftperfuade  revenge, 
It  could  not  move  thus. 

OPH.  You  mutt  fing,  Down,  a-down,  an  you  call  him 
a-down-a.  O,  how  the  wheel  becomes  it!  It  is  the  falfe 
ileward,  that  ftole  his  matter's  daughter. 

LAZ,  This  nothing's  more  than  matter. 

OPH.  There's^  rosemary,  that's  for  remembrance; 
pray  you,  love,  remember:  and  there  is^panfies,  that's 
for  thoughts. 

LjtE.  A  document  in  madnefs  j  thoughts  and  remem- 
brance fitted. 

OPH.  There's  ^  fennel  for  you,  and  columbines: 

There's1^ rue  for  you; and  here's  fome  for  me:  we 

may  call  it,  herb  of  grace,  o'fundays:_you  may  wear 

your  rue  with  a  difference There's^  a  daisy  :_I  would 

give  you  fome  violets;  but  they  wither'd  all,  when  my 
father  dy'd:  They  fay,  he  made  a  good  end, — 

For  bonny  fiueet  Robin  is  all  my  joy, ~~       [fings. 

LAE.  Thought,  and  affliftion,  paffion,  hell  itfelf, 
She  turns  to  favour  and  to  prettinefs. 

OPH,  And  will  be  net  come  again? 


Hamlet.  103 

and  will  he  not  come  again? 
No,  no,  be  is  dead, 
go  to  thy  death  bed, 
he  never  will  come  again. 

2. 

Hit  beard.  iuat  as  white  asfnoia, 
all  flaxen  nvas  bis  pole: 

be  is  gone,  he  is  gone, 
and  cwe  cajt  away  moan ; 
Cramer cy  on  bis  foul! 

And  of  all  chriltian  fouls,  I  pray  God.  God  be  vvi'you! 

[Exit  OPHELIA. 
LAE.  Do  you  fee  this,  o  God! 
Kin.    Laertes,  I  muft  commune  with  your  grief, 
Or  you  deny  me  right.  Go  but  apart, 
Make  choice  of  whom  your  wiselt  friends  you  will, 
And  they  mall  hear  and  judge  'twixt  you  and  me : 
If  by  diredl  or  by  collateral  hand 
They  find  us  touch'd,  we  will  our  kingdom  give, 
Our  crown,  our  life,  and  all  that  we  call  ours, 
To  you  in  fatiffaftion ;  but,  if  not, 
Be  you  content  to  lend  your  patience  to  us, 
And  we  (hall  jointly  labour  with  your  foul 
To  give  it  due  content. 
LAE.  Let  this  be  fo; 

His  means  of  death,  his  obfcure  burial,— 
No  trophee  fword,  nor  hatchment  o'er  his  bones, 
No  noble  rite,  nor  formal  oftentation, — 
Cry  to  be  heard,  as  'twere  from  heaven  to  earth, 
That  I  muft  call't  in  queftion. 

Kin.    So  you  mall; 
And,  where  the  offence  is,  let  the  great  axe  fall. 


104  Hamlet. 

I  pray  you,  go  with  me.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  VI.  The  fame.  Another  Room  in  the  fame. 

Enter  HORATIO,  and  a  Servant. 
HOR.  What  are  they,  that  would  i)>eak  with  me? 
Ser.      Sailors,  fir; 
They  fay,  they  have  letters  for  you. 

HOR.  Let  them  come  in. _  [Exit  Servant. 

J  do  not  know  from  what  part  of  the  world 
I  mould  be  greeted,  if  not  from  lord  Hamlet. 

Enter  Sailors. 
1.5.    God  blefs  you,  fir. 
HOR.  Let  him  blefs  thee  too. 

i.  S.  He  mail,  fir,  an't  please  him.There's^a  letter 
for  you,  fir:  it  comes  from  th'embafTador,  that  was  bound 
for  England;  if  your  name  be  Horatio,zs  1  am  let  to  know 
it  is. 

HOR  .  [reads. ]  Horatio,  when  thoujhalt  have  over-look' J 
this,  give  these  fellows  fame  means  to  the  king;  they  have 
letters  for  him.  Ere  we  were  two  days  old  at  fea,  a  pi- 
rale  of  very  warlike  appointment  gave  us  chace  :  Finding 
curfdves  too  flow  of  fail,  we  put  on  a  compelled  valour: 
in  the  grapple,  I  boarded  them  :  on  the  injlant,  they  got 
clear  of  our  /hip;  fo  I  alone  became  their  prisoner:  They 
have  dealt  with  me  like  thieves  of  mercy  :  but  they  knew 
*wbat  they  did;  I  am  to  do  a  turn  for  them.  Let  the  king 
have  the  letters  I  havefent;  and  repair  thou  to  me,  with 
as  mucbfpeedas  thou  would"1}!  fy  death:  I  have  words  to 
fpeak  in  thine  ear,  will  make  thee  dumb ;  yet  are  they  much 
too  light  for  the  bore  of  the  matter :  these  good  fellows 
will  bring  thee  where  I  am.  Rosincrantz,  and  Guilden- 
ilern,  hold  their  courfe  for  England ;  of  them  I  have 


Hamlet.  105 

much  to  tell  thei.  Fareiuel.     He  that  thou  knonueft  thine, 

Hamlet. 

Come,  I  will  give  you  way  for  these  your  letters; 
And  do't  the  fpeedier,  that  you  may  direct  me 
To  him  from  whom  you  brought  them.  [Exeunf. 

SCENE  VII.  rhefame.  Another  Room  in  the  fame. 
Enter  King,  and  LAERTES. 

Kin.    Now  muit  your  conicience  my  acquittance  feal, 
And  you  muft  put  me  in  your  heart  for  friend; 
Sith  you  have  heard,  and  with  a  knowing  ear, 
That  he,  which  hath  your  noble  father  flain, 
Purfu'd  my  life. 

LAE.  It  well  appears:  But  tell  me 
Why  you  pioceeded  not  againft  these  feats, 
So  crimeful  and  fo  capital  in  nature, 
As  by  your  fafety,  wisdom,  all  things  elfe, 
You  mainly  were  ftir'd  up. 

Kin.    O,  for  two  fpecial  reasons ; 
Which  may  to  you,  perhaps,  feem  much  unfinew'd, 
But  yet  to  me  they  are  ftrong.  The  queen,  his  mother, 
Lives  almoft  by  his  looks ;  and  for  myfelf, 
(My  virtue,  or  my  plague,  be  it  either  which) 
She  is  fo  conjunctive  to  my  life  and  foul, 
That,  as  the  ftar  moves  not  but  in  his  fphere, 
I  could  not  but  by  her.  The  other  motive, 
Why  to  a  publick  count  I  might  not  go, 
Js,  the  great  love  the  general  gender  bear  him: 
Who,  dipping  all  his  faults  in  their  affection, 
Would,  like  the  fpring  that  turncth  wood  to  ftone, 
Convert  his  gyves  to  graces;  fo  that  my  arrows, 
Too  flightly  timber'd  for  fo  loud  a  wind, 


io6  Hamlet. 

Would  have  reverted  to  my  bow  again, 
And  not  where  I  had  aim'd  them. 

LJE.  And  fo  have  I  a  noble  father  loft; 
A  fitter  driven  into  defperate  terms; 
Whose  worth,  if  praises  may  go  back  again, 
Stood  challenger  on  mount  of  all  the  age 
For  her  perfections:  But  my  revenge  will  come. 

Kin.    Break  not  your  fleeps  for  that :  you  muft  not 

think, 

That  we  are  made  of  fluff  fo  flat  and  dull, 
That  we  can  let  our  beard  be  Ihook  with  danger, 
And  think  it  paftime.  You  fhortly  fhall  hear  more: 
I  lov'd  your  father,  and  we  love  ourfelf; 

And  that,  J  hope,  will  teach  you  to  imagine, 

Eater  a  Gentleman. 
How  now  ?  what  news  ? 

Gen.    Letters,  my  lord,  from  Hamlet: 
These  =j=  to  your  majefty;  this -|~  to  the  queen. 

Kin.    From  Hamlet!  Who  brought  them? 

Cen.    Sailors,  my  lord,  they  fay:  I  faw  them  not; 
They  were  given  me  by  Claudia,  he  receiv'd  them 
Of  him  that  brought  them. 

Kin.    Laertes,  you  fhall  hear  them  :_ 
Leave  us.  [Exit  Gentleman. 

High  and  mighty,  [reads.]  You  Jhall  know,  I  am  fet 

naked  on  your  kingaom.  ^To-morrow  (hall  1  beg  leave  to 

Jee  your  kingly  eyes:  when  I  Jhall,  fir ji  ajking  your  pardon 

thereunto,  recount  the  occasion  of  my  fudden  return. 

Hamlet. 

What  mould  this  mean  ?  Are  all  the  reft  come  back  ? 
Or  is  it  fome  abufe,  and  no  fuch  thing? 

LAE,  Know  you  the  hand? 


Hamlet.  107 

Kin.    'Tis  ffa^/'s  charafter.  Naked! 
And  in  a  poftfcript  here  he  fays,  alone: 
Can  you  advise  me  ? 

LAE.  I  am  loft  in  it,  my  lord.  But  let  him  come; 
It  warms  the  very  ficknefs  in  my  heart, 
That  I  fliall  live  and  tell  him  to  his  teeth, 
Thus  didJtft  thou. 

Kin.     If  it  be  fo,  Laertes  — 
As  how  fhould  it  be  fo?  how  otherwise? 
Will  you  be  rul'd  by  me? 

LAE.  I  toill,  my  lord; 
So  you  will  not  o'er-rule  me  to  a  peace. 

Kin.    To  thine  own  peace.  Jf  he  be  now  return'd,"1 
As  checking  at  his  voyage,  and  that  he  means 
No  more  to  undertake  it, —  I  will  work  him 
To  an  exploit,  now  ripe  in  my  devife, 
Under  the  which  he  fhall  not  choose  but  fall : 
And  for  his  death  no  wind  of  blame  (hall  breath; 
But  even  his  mother  (hall  uncharge  the  praclife, 
And  call  it,  accident. 

LAE.  My  lord,  I  will  be  rul'd; 
The  rather,  if  you  could  devise  it  fo  *    - 

That  I  might  be  the  organ. 

Kin.    It  falls  right. 

You  have  been  talk'd  of  fince  your  travel  much, 
And  that  in  Ham/et's  hearing,  for  a  quality 
Wherein,  they  fay,  you  mine:  your  fum  of  parts 
Did  not  together  pluck  fuch  envy  from  him, 
As  did  that  one;  and  that,  in  my  regard, 
Of  the  unworthieft  fiege. 

LAE.  What  part  is  that,  my  lord? 

Kin.    A  very  riband  in  the  cap  of  youth, 


io8  Hamlet. 

Yet  needful  too;  for  youth  no  lefs  becomes 
The  light  and  carelefs  livery  that  it  wears, 
Than  fettl'd  age  his  fables,  and  his  weeds, 
Importing  health,  and  gravenefs.  Two  months  flnce 
Here  was  a  gentleman  of  Normandy, — 
I  have  feen  myfelf,  and  ferv'd  againft,  the  French, 
And  they  can  well  on  horfe-back:  but  this  gallant 
Had  witchcraft  in't;  he  grew  unto  his  feat; 
And  to  fuch  wondrous  doing  brought  his  horfe, 
As  he  had  been  incorpf'd  and  demy-natur'd 
With  the  brave  beaft:  fo  far  he  top'd  my  thought, 
That  I,  in  forgery  of  fhapes  and  tricks, 
Come  fhort  of  what  he  did. 

LAE.  A  Norman  was't  ? 

Kin.     A  Norman. 

LAE.  Upon  my  life,  Lamord. 

Kin.    The  very  fame. 

LJE.   I  know  him  well;  he  is  the  brooch,  indeed, 
And  jem  of  all  the  nation. 

Kin.    He  made  confeflion  of  you: 
And  gave  you  fuch  a  mafterly  report, 
For  art  and  exercise  in  your  defence, 
And  for  your  rapier  moft  efpecial, 
That  he  cry'd  out,  'Twould  be  a  fight  indeed, 
If  one  could  match  you;  the  fcrimers  of  their  nation, 
He  fwore,  had  neither  motion,  guard,  nor  eye, 
If  you  oppos'd  them  :  Sir,  this  report  of  his 
Did  Hamlet  fo  envenom  with  his  envy, 
That  he  could  nothing  do,  but  wim  and  beg 
Your  fudden  coming  o'er,  to  play  with  you. 
Now,  out  of  this, — 

LAS .  What  out  of  this,  my  lord? 


Hamlet.  109 

Kin.    Laertes,  was  your  father  dear  to  you? 
Or  are  you  like  the  painting  of  a  forroxv, 
A  face  without  a  heart? 

LAE.  Why  aflc  you  this? 

Kin.    Not  that  I  think,  you  did  not  lo\re  your  father; 
But  that  I  know,  love  is  begun  by  time; 
And  that  I  fee,  in  paffages  of  proof, 
Time  qualifies  the  fpark  and  fire  of  it. 
There  lives  within  the  very  flame  of  love 
A  kind  of  wick,  or  fnuff,  that  will  abate  it; 
And  nothing  is  at  a  like  goodnefs  ftill; 
For  goodnefs,  growing  to  a  plurify, 
Dies  in  his  own  too  much:  That  we  would  do, 
We  (hould  do  when  we  would:  for  this  'would changes, 
And  hath  abatements  and  delays  as  many, 
As  there  are  tongues,  are  hands,  are  accidents; 
And  then  thisy^oaA/is  like  a  fpend-thrift's  figh, 
That  hurts  by  easing.  But,  to  the  quick  o'the  ulcer: 
Hamlet  comes  back;  What  would  you  undertake, 
To  fhow  yourfelf  indeed  your  father's  foa 
More  than  in  words? 

LAE.  To  cut  his  throat  i'  the  church. 

Kin.    No  place,  indeed,  mould  murther  fandluarize; 
Revenge  ihould  have  no  bounds.  But,  good  Laertes, 
Will  you  do  this;  keep  clofe  within  your  chamber r 
Hamlel,  return'd,  (hall  know  you  are  come  home: 
We'll  put  on  those  mall  praise  your  excellence, 
And  fet  a  double  varnidi  on  the  fame 
The  Frenchman  gave  you ;  bring  you,  in  fine,  together, 
And  wager  o'er  your  heads:  he,  being  remifs, 
Molt  generous,  and  free  from  all  contriving, 
Will  not  peruke  the  foils;  fo  that,  with  ease, 


I  io  Hamlet. 

Or  with  a  little  muffling,  you  may  choose 
A  fword  unbated,  and,  in  a  pafs  of  pra&ice, 
Requite  him  for  your  father. 

LAE.  I  will  do't: 

And,  for  the  purpose,  I'll  anoint  my  fword. 
I  bought  an  un&ion  of  a  mountebank; 
So  mortal,  that,  but  dip  a  knife  in  it, 
Where  it  draws  blood,  no  cataplasm  fo  rare, 
Collected  from  all  fimples  that  have  virtue 
Under  the  moon,  can  fave  the  thing  from  death, 
That  is  but  fcratch'd  withal:  I'll  touch  my  point 
With  this  contagion;  that,  if  I  gall  him  {lightly, 
It  may  be  death. 

Kin.    Let's  further  think  of  this  ; 
Weigh  what  convenience,  both  of  time  and  means, 
May  fit  us  to  our  fhape:  If  this  mould  fail, 
And  that  our  drift  look  through  our  bad  performance, 
'Twere  better  not  aflay'd ;  therefore,  this  project 
Should  have  a  back,  or  fecond,  that  might  hold, 
]f  this  did  blaft  in  proof.  Soft;  let  me  fee: 
We'll  make  a  folemn  wager  on  your  cunnings, — 
Iha't: 

When  in  your  motion  you  are  hot  and  dry, 
(As  make  your  bouts  more  violent  to  that  end) 
And  that  he  calls  for  drink,  I'll  have  prefer'd  him 
A  chalice  for  the  nonce;  whereon  but  fipping, 
If  he  by  chance  efcape  your  venom'd  ftuck, 

Our  purpose  may  hold  there.  But  flay,  what  noise? 

Enter  Queen. 
How  now,  fweet  queen? 

Que.    One  woe  doth  tread  upon  another's  heel, 
So  fait  they  follow:-. 


Hamlet.  m 

Your  fitter's  drown'd,  Z-^r/Vj. 

LJE.  Drown'd!  o,  where? 

Que     There  is  a  willow  grows  afcant  the  brook, 
That  (hews  his  hoar  leaves  in  the  glafly  ftream; 
Therewith  fantallick  garlands  did  fhe  make, 
Of"  crow-flowers,  nettles,  daisies,  and  long  purples, 
That  liberal  fheplierds  give  a  grofTer  name, 
But  our  cold  maids  do  dead  men's  fingers  call  them: 
Then  on  the  pendant  boughs  her  coronet  weeds 
Clamb'ring  to  hang,  an  envious  fliver  broke; 
When  down  her  weedy  trophies,  and  herfelf, 
Fell  in  the  weeping  brook.  Her  cloaths  fpread  wide; 
And,  mermaid-like,  a  while  they  bore  her  up: 
Which  time,  ihe  chaunted  fnatches  of  old  tunes; 
As  one  incapable  of  her  own  diflrefs, 
Or  like  a  creature  native  and  indu'd 
Unto  that  element:  but  long  it  could  not  be, 
'Till  that  her  garments,  heavy  with  their  drink, 
Pull'd  the  poor  wretch  from  her  melodious  lay 
To  muddy  death. 

LAE.  Alas,  then,  fhe  is  drown'd? 

Que.    Drown'd,  drown'd. 

LAE.  Too  much  of  water  haft  thou,  poor  Ophelia,    ' 
And  therefore  I  forbid  my  tears:  But  yet 
It  is  our  trick;  nature  her  cuftom  holds, 
Let  fhame  fay  what  it  will:  when  these  are  gone, 
The  woman  will  be  out — Adieu,  my  lord: 
I  have  a  fpeech  of  fire;  that  fain  would  blaze, 
But  that  this  folly  drowns  it.  [Exit. 

Kin.     Let's  follow,  Gertrude: 
How  much  I  had  to  do  to  calm  his  rage! 
Now  fear  I,  this  will  give  it  ftart  again; 

9  There  on 


112  Hamlet. 

.  Therefore,  let's  follow.  [Exeunt. 

ACT  V. 

SCENE  I.   The  fame.  A  Church -yard. 
Enter  two  Clowns,  ixitb  Spades,  &c. 

I.C.  Is  (he  to  be  bury'd  in  chriflian  burial,  that  wil- 
fully feeks  her  own  falvation  r 

2.  C.  I  tell  thee,  fhe  is ;  therefore,  make  her  crave 
ftraight :  the  crowner  hath  fat  on  her,  and  finds  it  chrif- 
tian  burial.- 

1.  C.  How  can  that  be,  unlefs  fhe  drown'd  herfelf  in 
her  own  defence? 

2.  C.  Why, 'tis  found  fo. 

I.C.  It  muft  bey*  offendendo\  it  cannot  be  elfe.  For 
here  lies  the  point:  If  1  drown  myfelf  wittingly,  it  ar- 
gues an  aft:  and  an  aft  hath  three  branches;  it  is,  to 
aft,  to  do,  and  to  perform:  argal,  fhe  drown'd  herfelf 
wittingly. 

2.  C.  Nay,  but  hear  you,  goodman  delver  : 

i.C.  Give  me  leave.  Here  "flies  the  water;  good: 
heie~fftands  the  man;  good:  If  the  man  go  to  this  wa- 
ter, and  drown  himfelf,  it  is,  will  he,  nill  he,  he  goes; 
mark  you  that:  but  if  the  water  come  to  him,  and  drown 
him,  he  drowns  not  himfelf:  Argal,  he,  that  is  not  guil- 
ty of  his  own  death,  fhortens  not  his  own  life. 

2.  C.  But  is  this  law  ? 

1.  C.  Ay,  marry,  is't;  crowner's-quefl  law. 

2.  C.  Will  you  ha' the  truth  on't?  if  this  had  not  been 
a  gentlewoman,  (he  ihould  have  been  bury'd  out  of  chrif- 
tian  burial. 


Hamlet.  113 

1 .  C.   Why,  there  thou  fay'fl :  And  the  more  pity  ;  that 
great  folk  mould  have  countenance  in  this  world  to 
drown  or  hang  themfelves,  more  than  their  even  chrift- 
en.  Come,  my  fpade.  [ftrips,  and  falls  to  digging.]  There 
is  no  ancient  gentlemen,  but  gardiners,  ditchers,  and 
grave-makers;  they  hold  upddam's  profeffion. 

2.  C.    Was  he  a  gentleman? 

1.  C.  He  was  the  firft  that  ever  bore  arms. 

2.  C.    Why,  he  had  none. 

1 .  C.   What,  art  a  heathen  ?  How  doft  thou  underftand 
the  fcripture?  The  fcripture  fays,  ,4/a/»dig'd;  Could  he 
dig  without  arms  ?  I'll  put  another  queftion  to  thee:  if 
thou  anfwer'ft  me  not  to  the  purpose,  confefs  thyfelf — 

2.  C.  Go  to. 

l  C.  What  is  he,  that  builds  ftronger  than  either  the 
mafon,  the  fhip-wright,  or  the  carpenter? 

2.  C.  The  gallows-maker;  for  that  frame  outlives  a 
thousand  tenants. 

1.  C.   [  like  thy  wit  well,  in  good  faith;  the  gallows 
does  well:  But  how  does  it  well  r  it  does  well  to  those 
that  do  ill :  now  thou  doft  ill,  to  fay,  the  gallows  is  built 
ftronger  than  the  church ;  argal,  the  gallows  may  do  well 
to  thee.  To't  again;  come. 

2.  C.  Whobuiidsftrongerthana  mafon,a{hip-wright, 
or  a  carpenter? 

1 .  C.  Ay,  tell  me  that,  and  unyoke. 

2.  C.  Marry,  now  I  can  tell. 
i.C.  To't. 

2.  C.  Mafs,  I  cannot  tell. 

Enter  HAMLET,  and  HORATIO, 

at  a  Dijlance. 
i.  C.  Cudgel  thy  brains  no  more  about  it;  for  your 

VOL.  X,  P 


rr4  Hamlet. 

dull  afs  will  not  mend  his  pace  with  beating:  and,  when 
you  are  afk'd  this  queftion  next,  fay,  a  grave-maker;  the 
houses,  that  he  makes,  laft  'till  dooms-day.  Go,  get  thee 
to  Yaugban,  and  fetch  me  a  ftoop  of  liquor. 

\Exit  fecond  Clown. 
In  youth  luben  1  did  love,  did  love,  [fings. 

met  bought,  it  iuas  very  faucet, 
to  cor.traft,  o,  the  time,  for,  ah,  my  behove ; 
ot  methought,  there  ivas  nothing  fo  meet. 
TJjiM.  Has  this  fellow  no  feeling  of  his  businefs?  he 
fings  in  grave-making. 

HOR.  Cuftom  hath  made  it  in  him  a  property  of  ea- 
sinefs. 

HAM .  "Pis  e'en  fo :  the  hand  of  little  employment  hath 
the  daintier  fenfe. 

I.  C.  But  age,  nvitb  his  jlealing  fteps,  [{ings. 

bath  clavJd  me  in  his  clutch, 
and  Jhipped  me  into  the  land, 
as  if  I  had  never  beenfucb. 

[tbrcnvs  up  a  Sc:i!L 

HAM.  That  fcull  had  a  tongue  in't,  and  could  fing 
once;  How  the  knave  jowls  it  to  the  ground,  as  if  it 
were  Cains  jaw-bone,  that  did  the  firft  murther!  This 
might  be  the  pate  of  a  politician,  which  this  afs  now 
o'er-reaches;  one  that  would  circumvent  God,  might  it 
not? 

HOR*  It  might,  my  lord. 

HAM.  Or  of  a  courtier;  which  could  fay,  Good  morrow, 
fvoeet  lord!  Ho!w  doft  thcu,jkveet  lord?  This  might  be  my 
lord  fuch  a  one,  that  prais'd  my  lord  fuch  a  one's  horfe, 
when  he  meant  to  beg  it;  might  it  not? 
H?R.  Ay,  my  lord. 

9- nothing  a  meet     »8  And  Lath  flipped- 


Hamlet.  1 1 5 

HAM.  Why,  e'en  fo:  and  now  ray  lady  worm's;  chap- 
lefs.and  knockt  about  the  mazzard  with  afexton'sfpade: 
Here's  fine  revolution,  an  we  had  the  trick  to  fee't.  Did 
these  bones  coft  no  more  the  breeding,  but  to  play  at 
loggats  with  them?  mine  ake  to  think  on't. 

J.  C.  A  pickaxe,  and  a  fpade,  a  Jpade, 

for — and  a  Jhrowding  Jbeet ; 
o,  a  pit  tf  clay  for  to  be  made 
for  fucb  a  gueft  is  meet. 

[thronvs  up  another  SculL 

HAM.  There's  another :  Why  may  not  that  be  the  fcull 
of  a  lawyer?  Where  be  his  quiddities  now,  his  qualities, 
his  cafes,  his  tenures,  and  his  tricks  ?  why  does  he  fuf- 
fer  this  rude  knave  now  to  knock  him  about  tfve  fconce 
with  a  dirty  fhovel,  and  will  not  tell  him  of  his  action 
of  battery  ?  Hum !  This  fellow  might  be  in's  time  a  great 
buyer  of  land,  with  his  ftatutes,  his  recognizances,  his 
fines, his  double  vouchers,  his  recoveries:  Is  this  the  fine 
of  his  fines,  and  the  recovery  of  his  recoveries,  to  have 
his  fine  pate  full  of  fine  dirt?  will  his  vouchers  vouch, 
him  no  more  of  his  purchases,  and  double  ones  too,  than 
the  length  and  breadth  of  a  pair  of  indentures  ?  the  ve- 
ry conveyances  of  his  lands  will  hardly  lye  in  this  box; 
and  muft  the  inheritor  himfelf  have  no  more?  ha? 

HOR.  Not  a  jot  more,  my  lord. 

HAM.  Is  no:  parchment  made  of  fheep-flcins? 

HOR.  Ay,  my  lord,  and  of  calves-fkins  too. 

HAM.  They  are  fheep,  and  calves,  which  feek  out  af- 
lurance  in  that.  J  will  fpeak  to  this  fellow : —Whose 
grave's  this,  firrah  ? 

j.  C.  Mine,  fir — 

O;  a  fit  of  clay  for  to  It  made"" 


Pz 


1*6  Hamlet. 

BAM.  I  think,  it  be  thine,  indeed;  for  thou  ly'ft  in't. 

i.  C.  You  lie  out  on't,  fir;  and,  therefore,  it  is  not 
yours :  for  my  part,  I  do  not  lie  in't,  yet  it  is  mine. 

HAM.  Thou  doft  lie  in't,  to  be  in't,  and  fay,  it  is  thine: 
'tis  for  the  dead,  not  for  the  quick;  therefore,  thou  ly'ft. 

i.  C.  'Tis  a  quick  lie,  fir;  'twill  away  again,  from 
me  to  you. 

HAM.  What  man  doft  thou  dig  it  for? 

i.  C.  For  no  man,  fir. 

HAM.  What  woman  then? 

i .  C.  For  none  neither. 

HAM.  Who  is  to  be  bury'd  in't? 

i .  C.  One,  that  was  a  woman,  fir;  but,  reft  her  foul, 
fte's  dead. 

HAM.  How  abfolute  the  knave  is!  we  muft  fpeak  by 
the  card,  or  equivocation  will  undo  us.  By  the  lord,  Ho- 
ratio, these  three  years  I  have  taken  note  of  it;  the  age 
is  grown  fo  picked,  that  the  toe  of  the  peasant  comes  ib 

near  the  heel  of  the  courtier,  he  galls  his  kybe. How 

long  haft  thou  been  a  grave-maker? 

i.  C.  Of  all  the  days  i'  the  year,  I  came  to't  that  day 
that  our  laft  king  Hamlet  overcame  Fortinbras. 

HAM.  How  long  is  that  fince? 

i.  C.  Cannot  you  tell  that?  every  fool  can  tell  that: 
It  was  that  very  day  that  young  Hamlet  was  born;  he 
that  is  mad,  and  fent  into  England. 

HAM.  Ay,  marry,  why  was  he  fent  into  England? 

i .  C.  Why,  because  he  was  mad :  he  mail  recover  his 
wits  there;  or,  if  he  do  not,  'tis  no  great  matter  there. 

HAM.  Why? 

i.  C.  'Twill  not  be  feen  in  him  there;  there  the  men, 
are  as  mad  as  he. 


Hamlet.  iiy 

HAM.  How  came  he  mad  ? 

i.  C.  Very  flrangely,  they  fay. 

HAM.  How  ftrangely  ? 

i.  C.  'Faith,  e'en  with  losing  his  wits. 

HAM.  Upon  what  ground? 

i .  C.  Why,  here  in  Denmark:  I  have  been  fexton  here, 
man,  and  boy,  thirty  years. 

HAM.  How  long  will  a  man  lie  i'  the  earth  ere  he  rot  ? 

i.  C.  'Faith,  if  he  be  not  rotten  before  he  die,  (as  we 
have  many  pocky  coarfes  now-a-days,  that  will  fcarce 
hold  the  laying  in)  he  will  laft  you  fome  eight  year,  or 
nine  year :  a  tanner  will  laft  you  nine  year. 

HAM  Why  he  more  than  another? 

I.  C.  Why,  fir,  his  hide  is  fo  tan'd  with  his  trade, 
that  he  will  keep  out  water  a  great  while;  and  your  wa- 
ter is  a  fore  decayer  of  your  whorfon  dead  body.  Here's 
~f"a  fcull  now  hath  lain  you  i'  the  earth  twenty  three 
years. 

HAM.  Whose  was  it  ? 

i.C.  A  whorfon  mad  fellow's  it  was;  Whose  do  you 
think  it  was? 

HAM .  Nay,  I  know  not. 

i.C.  A  peftilence  on  him  for  a  mad  rogue  !  he  pour'd 
a  flagon  of  rhenim  on  my  head  once :  This  fame  fcull, 
fir,  was  fir  Torick's  fcull,  the  king's  jefter. 

HAM.  This  ?  [takes  the  Scull. 

i.  C.  E'en  that. 

HAM.  Alas,  poor  Torick! I  knew  him, Horatio;  a  fel- 
low of  infinite  jeft,  of  moft  excellent  fancy :  he  hath  born 
me  on  his  back  a  thousand  times ;  and  now,  how  ab- 
horr'd  in  my  imagination  it  is!  my  gorge  rises  at  it. 
Here  hung  those  lips,  that  I  have  kifFd  I  know  not  how 

P3 


Ii8  Hamlet. 

oft.  Where  be  your  gibes  now?  your  gambols?  yon? 
fongs?  your  flafhes  of  merriment,  that  were  wont  to  fet 
the  table  on  a  roar?  not  one  now,  to  mock  your  own 
grinning.'  quite  chap-fain?  Now  get  you  to  my  lady's 
chamber,  and  tell  her,  Let  her  paint  an  inch  thick,  to 
this  favour  me  mufl  come;  make  her  laugh  at  that._, 
Pr'ythee,  Horatio,  tell  me  one  thing. 

HOR.  What's  that,  my  lord? 

HAM.  Doft  thou  think,  Alexander  look'd  o'  this  fafliion. 
i' the  earth? 

HOR.  E'en  fo. 

HAM.  And  fmelt  fo?  pah  \  [throws  it  doivn. 

HOR.  E'en  fo,  my  lord. 

BAM.  To  what  bafe  ufes  we  may  return,  Horatio?  Why 
may  not  imagination  trace  the  noble  dull  of  Alexander^ 
'till  he  find  it  flopping  a  bung-hole? 

HOR  .  'Twere  to  confider  too  curioufly,  to  confider  fo. 

HAM.  No, 'faith,  not  a  jot;  but  to  follow  him  thither 
with  modefly  enough,  and  likelihood  to  lead  it:  As 
thus, — Alexander  dy'd,  Alexander  was  bury'd,  Alexander 
returneth  to  dult;  the  duft  is  earth;  of  earth  we  make 
lome;  And  why  of  that  lome,  whereto  he  was  converted, 
might  they  not  flop  a  beer- barrel? 

Imperial  Caesar,  dead,  and  turn'd  to  clay, 

Might  flop  a  hole  to  keep  the  wind  away: 

O,  that  that  earth,  which  kept  the  world  in  awe, 

Should  patch  a  wall  to  expel  the  winter's  flaw! 
But,  foft,  but  foft,  afide;  here  comes  the  king, 
Enter  Priefb,  £c.  infolemn  Procejjion, 

a  Ccjpn  fcllctKJng:  LAERTES,  and  Mourners,  after  it\ 

King,  Queen,  their  trains,  &c. 
The  queen,  the  courtiers;  Who  is  this  they  follow  ? 


Hamtet.  rip 

And  with  fuch  maimed  rites!  This  doth  betoken, 
The  coarfe,  they  follow,  did  with  defperate  hand 
Fore-do  it's  own  life:  'Twas  of  fome  eftate: 
Couch  we  a  while,  and  mark.       [retiring  with  Horatio. 

LAE.  What  ceremony  elfe?  [to  the  Priefls. 

HAM.  That  is  Laertes,  [to  Horatio. 

A  very  noble  youth :  Mark. 

LAE.  What  ceremony  elfe? 

I.  P.   Her  obfequies  have  been  as  far  enlarg'd 
As  we  have  warranty:  Her  death  was  doubtful; 
And,  but  that  great  command  o'er-fways  the  order, 
She  mould  in  ground  unfanftify'd  have  lodg'd, 
'Till  the  laft  trumpet;  for  charitable  prayers, 
Shards,  flints,  and  pebbles,  mould  be  thrown  on  her: 
Yet  here  me  is  allow'd  her  virgin  rites,! 
Her  maiden  ftrewments,  and  the  bringing  home 
Of  bell  and  burial. 

LAE.  Muft  there  no  more  be  done? 

i.  P.  No  more  be  done; 
We  mould  prophane  the  fervice  of  the  dead, 
To  fing  a  requiem  and  fuch  reft  to  her 
As  to  peace-parted  fouls. 

LAE.  Lay  her  i'the  earth:  —  [Coffin  lay'd  in, 

And  from  her  fair  and  unpolluted  flelh 
May  violets  fpring!_I  tell  thee,  churlifli  prieft, 
A  miniftring  angel  mall  my  fifter  be, 
When  thou  ly'ft  howling. 

HAM.  What,  the  fair  Ophelia! 

£>ue.    Sweets  to  the  fweet :  [Jlreiving  FIo-tvers.~\  Fare- 
well ! 

I  hop'd,  thou  fhonld'fl:  have  been  my  Pfam'et's  wife ; 
I  thought,  thy  bride-bed  to  have  deck'd,  fweet  maid, 


I2O  Hamlet. 

And  not  have  ftrew'd  thy  grave. 

LA s .  O,  treble  woe 

Fall  ten  times  treble  on  that  curfed  head, 
Whose  wicked  deed  thy  moft  ingenious  fenfe 

Depriv'd  thee  of! Hold  off  the  earth  a  while, 

'Till  I  have  caught  her  once  more  in  mine  arms: 

[leaps  into  the  Gravt. 

Now  pile  your  duft  upon  the  quick  and  dead; 
'Till  of  this  flat  a  mountain  you  have  made, 
To  o'er-top  old  Pelion,  or  the  fkyiih  head 
Of  blue  Olympus. 

HAM.  What  is  he,  \_ad<vaneing."\  whose  grief 
Bears  fuch  an  emphafis?  whose  phrase  of  forrow 
Conjures  the  wandring  ftars,  and  makes  them  ftand 
Like  wonder-wounded  hearers:  this  is  I, 
Hamlet  the  Dane.  \_Uaps  too  in  the  Grave. 

LAE.  The  devil  take  thy  foul!    [grappling  'with  him. 

HAM.  Thou  pray'lt  not  well. 
I  pr'ythee,  take  thy  ringers  from  my  throat; 
For,  though  I  am  not  fplenitive  and  rafli, 
Yet  have  1  in  me  fomething  dangerous, 
"Which  let  thy  wisdom  fear:  Hold  off  thy  hand. 

Kin.    Pluck  them  afunder. 

<gue.    Hamlet,  Hamlet! 

Att.     Gentlemen,—  [the  Attendants  part  them. 

HOR.  Good  my  lord,  be  quiet.  [to  Hamlet. 

[they  come  out  of  the  Grave. 

HAM.  Why,  T  will  fight  wich  him  upon  this  theme, 
Until  my  eye-lids  will  no  longer  wag. 

£>ue.    O  my  fon,  what  theme? 

HAM.  I  lov'd  Ophelia;  forty  thousand  brothers 
Could  not  with  all  their  quantity  of  love 


Hamlet.  121 

Make  up  my  fum._What  wilt  thou  do  for  her? 

Kin.    O,  he  is  mad,  Laertes. 

$)ue.    For  love  of  God,  forbear  him. 

HAM. 'Zounds,  fliow  me  what  thou't  do: 

Wou't  weep?  wou't  fight?  wou't  fart?  wou't  tear  thyfelf  ? 

Wou't  drink  up  Elfil?  eat  a  crocodile? 

I'll  do't.  Doft  thou  come  here  to  whine? 

To  out-face  me  with  leaping  in  her  grave? 

Be  bury'd  quick  with  her;  and  fo  will  I : 

And,  if  thou  prate  of  mountains,  let  them  throw 

Millions  of  acres  on  us;  'till  our  ground, 

Sindging  his  pate  againft  the  burning  zone, 

Make  Offa  like  a  wart:  Nay,  an  thou'lt  mouth, 

I'll  rant  as  well  as  thou. 

£?ue.    This  is  meer  madnefs  : 
And  thus  a  while  the  fit  will  work  on  him;- 
Anon,  as  patient  as  the  female  dove, 
When  that  her  golden  couplets  are  difclos'd, 
His  filence  will  fit  drooping. 

HAM.  Hear  you,  fir; 

What  is  the  reason  that  you  use  me  thus? 
I  lov'd  you  ever:  But  it  is  no  matter; 
Let  Hercules  himfelf  do  what  he  may, 
The  cat  will  mew,  and  dog  will  have  his  day. 

[Exit  HAMLET. 

Kin.    I  pray  thee,  good  Horatio,  wait  upon  him 

[Exit  HORATIO. 
Strengthen  your  patience  in  our  laft  night's  fpeech; 

We'll  put  the  matter  to  the  present  pufh. 

Good'Gertrude,  fet  fome  watch  over  your  fon 

[Exit  Queen,  &c. 
This  grave  fhall  have  a  living  monument: 

6  Efill, 


1 22  Hamlet. 

An  hour  of  quiet  thereby  fhall  we  fee; 

'Till  then  in  patience  our  proceeding  be.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  II.  The  fame.  A  Hall  in  the  Cajlle. 
Enter  HAMLET,  and  HORATIO. 

HAM.  So  much  for  this,  fir:  now  ftiall  you  fee  the 

other;  — 
You  do  remember  all  the  circumftance? 

HOR.  Remember  it,  my  lord! 

HAM.  Sir,  in  my  heart  there  was  a  kind  of  fighting, 
That  would  not  let  me  fleep;  methought,  I  lay 
Worfe  than  the  mutines  in  the  bilboes.  Rafhnefs 
(And  prais'd  be  rafhnefs  for  it!)  lets  us  know, 
Our  indifcretion  fometime  ferves  us  well, 
When  our  deep  plots  do  fail:  and  that  fhould  teach  us, 
There's  a  divinity  that  fhapes  our  ends, 
Rough-hew  them  how  we  will. 

HOR.  That  is  mod  certain. 

HAM.  Up  from  my  cabin, 
My  fea-gown  fcarft  about  me,  in  the  dark 
Grop'd  1  to  find  out  them  :  had  my  desire; 
Finger'd  their  packet;  and,  in  fine,  withdrew 
To  mine  own  room  again :  making  fo  bold, 
My  fears  forgetting  manners,  to  unfeal 
Their  grand  commifiion  ;  where  I  found,  Horatie, 
A  royal  knavery;  an  exaft  command, — 
Larded  with  many  feveral  forts  of  reasons, 
Importing  Denmark's  health,  and  England's  too, 
With,  ho,  fuch  bugs  and  goblins  in  my  life,— 
That,  on  the  fupervi/e,  no  leisure  bated, 
No,  not  to  Itay  the  grinding  of  the  axe, 
My  head  fhould  be  itrook  cff. 

«*  rsfr.ly,     »J  let  o»     «S  doe  fall, 


Hamlet.  123 

HOR.  Is'tpoffible? 

HAM.  Here's  the^commiffion;  read  it  at  more  lei- 
sure. 
But  wilt  thou  hear  now  how  I  did  proceed? 

HOR.  Ay,  'befeech  you. 

HAM.  Being  thus  benetted  round  with  villanies,— » 
Or  I  could  make  a  prologae  to  my  brains, 
They  had  begun  the  play;  —  I  fat  me  down; 
Devis'd  a  new  commiffion;  wrote  it  fair: 
J  once  did  hold  it,  as  our  ftatifts  do, 
A  bafenefs  to  write  fair,  and  labour'd  much 
How  to  forget  that  learning;  but,  fir,  now 
It  did  me  yeoman's  fervice :  Wilt  thou  know 
The  effeft  of  what  I  wrote? 

HOR.  Ay,  good  my  lord. 

HAM.  An  earneft  conjuration  from  the  king,"™ 
As  England  was  his  faithful  tributary; 
As  love  between  them  like  the  palm  might  flourifh; 
As  peace  fhould  flill  her  wheaten  garland  wear, 
And  (land  a  commere  'tween  their  amities  ; 
And  many  fuch  like  as's  of  great  charge, — 
That,  on  the  view  and  knowing  of  these  contents, 
Without  debatement  further,  more,  or  lefs, 
He  fhould  the  bearers  put  to  fudden  death, 
Not  fhriving  time  allow'd. 

HOR.  How  was  this  feal'd? 

HAM.  Why,  even  in  that  was  heaven  ordinant; 
I  had  my  father's  fignet  in  my  purfe, 
Which  was  the  model  of  that  Danijh  feal: 
3f  folded  the  writ  up  in  form  of  the  other; 
Subfcrib'd  it;  gav't  the  impreffion;  plac'd  it  fafely, 
The  changeling  never  known:  Now,  the  next  day 

6  villaines,     *°  Comma 


124  Hamlet. 

Was  our  fea-fight;  and  what  to  this  was  fequent 
Thou  know'ft  already. 

HOR.  So  Guilaenjhrn  and  Rosittcraniz  go  to't. 

BAM,  Why,  man,  they  did  make  love  to  this  employ- 
ment; 

They  are  not  near  my  confcience ;  their  defeat 
Does  by  their  own  infinuation  grow: 
'Tis  dangerous,  when  the  bafer  nature  comes 
Between  the  pafs  and  fell  incenfed  points 
Of  mighty  opposites. 

HOR.  Why,  what  a  king  is  this  ! 

HJM.  Does  it  not,  think  thee,  ftand  me  now  upon? 
He  that  hath  kill'd  my  king,  and  whor'd  my  mother; 
Popt  in  between  the  election  and  my  hopes; 
Thrown  out  his  angle  for  my  proper  life, 
And  with  fuch  cous'nage;  is't  not  perfect  confcience, 
To  quit  him  with  this  arm?  and  is't  not  to  be  damn'd, 
To  let  this  canker  of  our  nature  come 
In  further  evil. 

HOR.  It  muft  be  (hortly  known  to  him  from  England, 
What  is  the  ifiue  of  the  businefs  there. 

HAM.  It  will  be  Ihort:  the  interim  is  mine; 
And  a  man's  life's  no  more  than  to  fay,  one. 
But  I  am  very  forry,  good  Horatio, 
That  to  Laertes  I  forgot  myfelf ; 
For  by  the  image  of  my  cause  I  fee 
The  portraiture  of  his:  I'll  court  his  favours: 
But,  fure,  the  bravery  of  his  grief  did  put  me 
into  a  towering  paffion. 

HOR.  Peace  ;  who  comes  here? 

Enter  OSRICK,  a  Courtier. 

Gtx.  Your  lor  Jfhip is  right  welcome  back  toDenmark. 


Hamlet.  125 

HA:.I.  I  humbly  thank  you,  fir._"  Dofl  know  this  " 
"  water-fly?" 

HOR.  "  No,  my  good  lord." 

HAM.  "  Thy  ftate  is  the  more  gracious;  for  'tis  a" 
"  vice,  to  know  him:  He  hath  much  land,  and  fertil:" 
"  let  a  bead  be  lord  of  beads,  and  his  crib  (hall  (land" 
"  at  the  king's  mefs :  'tis  a  cough;  but,  as  I  fay,  fpa-" 
*'  cious  in  the  posseflion  of  dirt." 

OSR.  Sweet  lord,  if  your  lordmip  were  at  leisure,  I 
fhould  impart  a  thing  to  you  from  his  majefty. 

HAM.  \  will  receive  it,  fir,  with  all  diligence  of  fpirit: 
Your  bonnet  to  his  right  ufe ;  'tis  for  the  head. 

OSR.    I  thank  your  lordmip,  'tis  very  hot. 

HAM.  No,  believe  me, 'tis  very  cold;  the  wind  is  nor- 
therly. 

OSR,   It  is  indifferent  cold,  my  lord,  indeed. 

HAM.  But  yet,  methinks,  it  is  very  fultry  and  hot  j  or 
my  complexion  — 

Os R.  Exceedingly,  my  lord;  it  is  very  fultry,  as  't 
were;  I  cannot  tell  how.  My  lord,  his  majefty  bad  me 
fignify  to  you,  that  he  has  lay'd  a  great  wager  on  your 
head:  Sir,  this  is  the  matter; — 

HAM.  I  befeech  you,  remember. 

OSR.  Nay,  good  my  lord ;  for  my  ease,  in  good  faith* 
Sir,  here  is  newly  come  to  court,  Laertes:  believe  me, 
an  abfolute  gentleman,  full  of  moft  excellent  differences, 
of  very  foft  fociety,and  great  mowing:  Indeed,  to  fpeak 
feelingly  of  him,  he  is  the  very  card  or  kalendar  of  gen- 
try ;  for  you  (hall  find  in  him  the  continent  of  what  part 
a  gentleman  would  fee. 

HAM.  Sir,  his  definement  fuffers  no  perdition  in  you; — 
though,  I  know,  to  divide  him  inventorially,  would  diz- 


lz6  Hamlet. 

zy  the  arithmetick  of  memory; — and  yet  but  raw  nei- 
ther, in  refpecl:  of  his  quick  fail.  But,  in  the  verity  of 
extolment,  I  take  him  to  be  a  foul  of  great  article;  and 
his  infusion  of  fuch  dearth  and  rarenefs,  as,  to  make  true 
diftion  of  him,  his  femblable  is  his  mirror;  and,  who 
elfe  would  trace  him,  his  umbrage,  nothing  more. 

OSR.   Your  lordftiip  fpeaks  moft  infallibly  of  him. 

HAM.  The  concernancy,  fir?  why  do  we  wrap  the 
gentleman  in  our  more  rawer  breath? 

OSR.   Sir? 

HOR.  "  Is't  not  poflible  to  underftand  in  another" 
"  tongue? You  will  do't,  fir,  rarely."  [to  Hamlet. 

HAM..  What  imports  the  nomination  of  this  gentle- 
man ? 

OSR.   Of  Laertes? 

HOR.  "  His  purfe  is  empty  already;  all's   golden" 

words  are  fpent." 

HAM.  Of  him,  fir? 

OSR.   I  know,  you  are  not  ignorant— 

HAM,  I  would,  you  did,  fir;_yet,  in  faith,  if  you  did, 
it  would  not  much  approve  me: Well,  fir. 

OSR.  — You  are  not  ignorant  of  what  excellence  La- 
ertes is: 

HAM .  I  dare  not  confefs  that,  left  I  mould  compare 
with  him  in  excellence;  for,  to  know  a  man  well,  were 
to  know  himfelf. 

OSR.  I  mean,  fir,  for  his  weapon  ;  but  in  the  impu- 
tation lay'd  on  him  by  them :  in  this  meed  he's  unfel- 
low'd. 

HAM.  What's  his  weapon  ? 

OSR.  Rapier  and  dagger. 

.  That's  two  of  his  weapons :  but,  well. 

really.     *5  excellence,  but  to     *8  jn  his  meed 


Hamlet.  127 

OSR.  The  king,  fir,  has  wager'd  with  him  fixBarlary 
horfes:  againft  the  which  he  has  impon'd,  as  {  take  it, 
fix  French  rapiers  and  poniards,  with  their  affigns,  as  gir- 
dle, hanger,  and  fo;  three  of  the  carriages,  in  faith,  are 
very  dear  to  fancy,  very  refponfive  to  the  hilts,  moft  de- 
licate carriages,  and  of  very  liberal  conceit. 

HJM.  What  call  you  the  carriages? 

HOR.  "  I  knew,  you  muft  be  edify'd  by  the  marg-" 
"  ent,  ere  you  had  done."  [to  Hamlet. 

OSR.   The  carriages,  fir,  are  the  hangers. 

HAM.  The  phrase  would  be  more  germane  to  the  mat- 
ter, if  we  could  carry  a  cannon  by  our  'fides  ;  I  would, 
it  might  be  hangers 'till  then.  But,  on:  SixBarbary  horfes, 
againft  fix  French  fwords,  their  affigns,  and  three  liberal- 
conceited  carriages ;  that's  the  French  bet  againft  the 
Danijh  ;  Why  is  this  impon'd,  as  you  call  it? 

OSR.  The  king,  fir,  hath  lay'd,  that,  in  a  dozen  pafles 
between  yourfelf  and  him,  he  (hall  not  exceed  you  three 
hits:  he  hath  lay'd  on  twelve  for  nine;  and  it  would 
come  to  immediate  trial,  if  your  lordftiip  would  vouch- 
fafe  the  anfwer. 

HAM.  How  if  I  anfwer,  no  ? 

OSR.  I  mean,  my  lord,  the  opposition  of  your  perfon 
in  trial. 


.  Sir,  I  will  walk  here  in  the  hall;  if  it  please  his 
jnajefly,it  is  the  breathing  time  of  day  with  me,  let  the 
foils  be  brought:  the  gentleman  willing,  and  the  kin^; 
holding  his  purpose,  I  will  win  for  him,  an  I  can  ;  if  not, 
I  will  gain  nothing  but  my  iliame,  and  the  odd  hits. 

GSR.   Shall  I  deliver  you  fo? 

HAM^  To  that  effeft,  fir;  after  what  flourifh  your  na- 
ture will. 


128  Hamlet. 

OSR.  I  commend  my  duty  to  your  lordfliip. 

HAM.  Yours,  yours [Exit  OSRICK.]  He  does  well, 

to  commend  it  himfelf ;  there  are  no  tongues  elfe  for's 
turn. 

HOR.  This  lapwing  runs  away  with  the  fhell  on  his 
head. 

HAM.  He  did  compliment  with  his  dug,  before  he 
fuck'd  it.  Thus  has  he  (and  many  more  of  the  fame 
breed,  that,  I  know,  the  droffy  age  dotes  on)  only  got 
the  tune  of  the  time,  an  outward  habit  of  encounter;  a 
kind  of yefty  collection,  that  carries  them  through  and 
through  the  moil  fan'd  and  winnow'd  opinions;  and,  do 
but  blow  them  to  their  trial,  the  bubbles  are  out. 
Enter  another  Courtier. 

Cou.  My  lord,  his  majetfy  commended  him  to  you 
by  young  Osrick,  who  brings  back  to  him,  that  you  at- 
tend him  in  the  hall:  he  fends  to  know,  if  your  pleasure 
hold  to  play  with  Laertes,  or  that  you  will  take  longer 
time. 

HAM.  I  am  conftant  to  my  purposes,  they  follow  the 
king's  pleasure:  if  his  fitnefs  fpeaks,  mine  is  ready; 
now,  or  whenfoever,  provided  I  be  fo  able  as  now. 

Cou.    The  king,  and  queen,  and  all  are  coming  down. 

HAM.  In  happy  time. 

Cou.  The  queen  desires  you,  to  use  fome  gentle  en- 
teitainment  to  Laertes,  before  you  fall  to  play. 

HAM.  She  well  inftrudls  me.  [Exit  Courtier. 

HOR.  You  will  lose  this  wager,  my  lord. 

HAM.  I  do  not  think  fo;  fince  he  went  into  France,  I 
have  been  in  continual  practice;  I  (hall  win  at  the  odds. 
Thou  would'ft  not  think,  how  ill  all's  here  about  my 
heart:  but  it  is  no  matter. 

7  Ccmplie     «°  and  outward     '*  fond  . 


Hamlet.  129 

HOR.  Nay,  good  my  lord, — 

HAM.  It  is  but  foolery;  but  it  is  fuch  a  kind  of 'gain- 
giving,  as  would,  perhaps,  trouble  a  woman. 

HOR.  If  your  mind  diflike  any  thing,  obey  it:  I  will 
foreftal  their  repair  hither,  and  fay,  you  are  not  fit. 

HAM.  Not  a  whit,  we  defy  augury;  there  is  fpecial 
providence  in  the  fall  of  a  fparrow.  If  it  be  now,  'tis 
not  to  come;  if  it  be  not  to  come,  it  will  be  now;  if  ic 
be  not  now,  yet  it  will  come:  the  readinefs  is  all:  Since 
rio  man,  of  ought  he  leaves,  knows,  what  is't  to  leave 
betimes?  Let  be. 

Enter  King,  Queen,  LAERTES,  Lords,  OSR.ICK, 
and  Others;  Attendants  with  Foils,  &c. 

Kin.    Come,  Hamlet,  come,  and  take  this  "J~  hand  from 
me. 

HAM.  Give  me  your  pardon,  fir:  I  have  done  you 

wrong; 

But  pardon 't,  as  you  are  a  gentleman. 
This  presence  knows, 

And  you  muft  needs  have  heard,  how  I  am  punifh'd. 
With  fore  diftraftion  :  What  I  have  done, 
That  might  your  nature,  honour,  and  exception, 
Roughly  awake,  I  here  proclaim  was  madnefs. 
Was't  Hamlet  wrong'd  Laertes?  Never  Hamlet: 
If  Hamlet  from  himfelf  be  ta'en  away, 
And,  when  he's  not  himfelf,  does  wrong  Latrtes, 
Then  Hamlet  does  it  not,  Hamlet  denies  it. 
Who  does  it  then?  His  madnefs:  If't  be  fo, 
Hamlet  is  of  the  faction  that  is  wrong'd; 
His  madnefs  is  poor  Hamlet's  enemy. 
Let  my  difclaiming  from  a  purpos'd  evil 
Free  me  fo  far  in  your  tnoft  generous  thoughts, 

VOL.  X.  Q 


ryy  Hamler. 

That  I  have  {hot  my  arrow  o'er  the  houfe. 
And  hurt  my  brother. 

LAE.  I  am  fatiffy'd  in  nature, 
Whose  motive,  in  this  cafe,  mould  ftir  me  moft 
To  my  revenge:  but  in  my  terms  of  honour 
I  Hand  aloof;  and  will  no  reconcilement, 
'Till  by  fonae  elder  mailers,  of  known  honour, 
I  have  a  voice  and  precedent  of  peace, 
To  keep  my  name  ungor'd:  But,  'till  that  time, 
I  do  receive  your  offer'd  love  like  love, 
And  will  not  wrong  it. 

HAM.  I  embrace  it  freely; 
And  will  this  brother's  wager  frankly  play.  _ 
Give  us  the  foils;  come  on. 

LAE.  Come,  one  for  me. 

HAM.  I'll  be  your  foil,  Lasrtes;  in  mine  ignorance 
Your  fldll  (hall,  like  a  ftar  i'  the  darkeil  night, 
Stick  fiery  off  indeed. 

LAE.  You  mock  me,  fir. 

HAM.  No,  by  this  ~f  hand. 

Kin.    Give  them  the  foils,  young  OsricL-.  Cousin 

Hamlet, 
You  know  the  wager? 

HAM .  Very  well,  my  lord : 
Your  grace  hath  lay'd  the  odds  o'  the  weaker  fide. 

Kin.    I  do  not  fear  it;  I  have  feen  you  both: 

But  fince  he  is  better'd,  you  have  therefore  odds. 

\they  prepare  to  play. 

LAE.  This  is  too  heavy,  let  me  fee  another,      [gth  ? 

HAM.  This  likes  me  well :  These  foils  have  all  a  len- 

GSR.  Ay,  my  good  lord. 

Enter  Attendants,  nuitb  Wine. 

8  preCdent    *7  better'd,  we  have 


Hamlet.  131 

Kin.    Set  me  the  (loops  of  wine  upon  that  table :_ 
If  Hamlet  give  the  firft,  or  fecond,  hit, 
Or  quit  in  anfwer  of  the  third  exchange, 
Let  all  the  battlements  their  ord'nance  fire; 
The  king  (hall  drink  to  Hamlet's  better  breath; 
And  in  the  cup  an  union  (hall  he  throw, 
Richer  than  that  which  four  fucceflive  kings 
In  Denmark"1*  crown  have  worn:  Give  me  the  cups; 
And  let  the  kettle  to  the  trumpet  fpeak, 
The  trumpet  to  the  cannoneer  without, 
The  cannons  to  the  heavens,  the  heaven  to  earth, 

Now  the  king  drinks  to  Hamlet. Come,  begin;  _ 

And  you,  the  judges,  bear  a  wary  eye. 

HAM.  Come  on,  fir. 

LAE.  Come,  my  lord.  [A  Flourijb.  They  play. 

HAM.  One. 

LAE.  No. 

HAM.  Judgment? 

OSK.  A  hit,  a  very  palpable  hit. 

LAE.  Well,  again. 

Kin.    Stay,  give  me  drink  -.—Hamlet,  this'fpearl  is 

thine ; 

Here's  to  thy  health —  {drinks,  and  puts  Poison  in  the  Cup. 
Give  him  the  cup.  \Flourijh.  Ordinance  within. 

HAM.  I'll  play  this  bout  firft,  fet  it  by  a  while — 
Come.  \J>lay.~\  Another  hit;  What  fay  you? 

LAE.  I  do  confefs't. 

Kin.    Our  fon  mall  win. 

Que.    He's  fat,  and  fcant  of  breath — 
Here,  Hamlet,  take  my  napkin,  rub  thy  brows: 
The  queen  carowses  to  thy  fortune,  Hamlet. 

HAM.  3T£an&  £ou,  good  madam. 


13*  Hamlet. 

Kin.    Gertrude,  do  not  drink. 

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

[drinks,  and  tenders  tbe  Cup  to  Hamlet. 

Kin.    "  It  is  the  poison'd  cup;  it  is  too  late." 

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

Que.    Come,  let  me  wipe  thy  face. 

LAE.  My  lord,  I'll  hit  him  now. 

Kin.    I  do  not  think 't. 

LAE.  "  And  yet  it  is  almoft  againft  my  confcience.'* 

HJM.  Come,  for  the  third: Laertes,  you  but  dally; 

I  pray  you,  pafs  with  your  beft  violence; 
I  am  afeard,  you  make  a  wanton  of  me. 

LAE.  Say  you  fo?  come  on,  [they  play, 

OSR.  Nothing  neither  way^ 

LAE.  Have  at  you  now.  [ptay  again. 

Laertes  wounds  Hamlet:  a  Scuffle  enfues',  they  change 
Rapiers,  and  Hamlet  wounds  Laertes. 

Kin.    Part  them,  they  are  incenf'd. 

HAM.  Nay,  come  again.  \Queenfalls. 

Osx.   Look  to  the  queen  there,  ho! 

Hon.  They  bleed  on  both  fides :_ 
How  is't,  my  lord  ? 

OSR.  How  is't,  Laertes?  [rick  j 

LAB.  Why,  as  a  woodcock  to  my  own  fprindge,  Oj- 
I  am  juftly  kill'd  with  mine  own  treachery. 

HAM.  How  does  the  queen? 

Kin.    She  fwoons  to  fee  them  bleed. 

£)ue.    No,  no,  the  drink,  the  drink,  __O  my  dear 

Hamlet!— 
The  drink,  the  drink ;  \  am  poison'd !  {dies. 

HAM.  O  villany!_Ho!  let  the  door  be  lock'd: 
Treachery !  feek  it  out.  [Laertes/*//;. 


Hamlet.  133 

LAX.  It  is  here,  Hamlet :  Hamlet,  thou  art  flain; 
No  med'cine  in  the  world  can  do  thee  good, 
In  thee  there  is  not  half  an  hour's  life; 
The  treacherous  inftrument  is  in  thy  hand, 
Unbated,  and  envenom'd:  the  foul  practice 
Hath  turn'd  itfelf  on  me;  lo,  here  I  lye, 
Never  to  rise  again:  Thy  mother's  poison'd; 
I  can  no  more;  the  king,  the  king's  to  blame. 

HAM.  The  point  envenom'd  too!_ 
Then,  venom,  to  thy  work.  \_flabs  the  King* 

Att.     Treason  !  treason! 

Kin.    O,  yet  defend  me,  friends,  I  am  but  hurt. 

HAM.  Here,  rhou  inceftuous,murd'rous,  damned  Dane, 
Drink  off  this ~}~ potion:  Is  the  union  here? 
Follow  my  mother,  [King  dies. 

LAE.  He  is  juftly  ferv'd; 

It  is  a  poison  temper'd  by  himfelf. 

Exchange  forgivenefs  with  me,  noble  Hamlet: 
Mine  and  my  father's  death  come  not  upon  thee; 
Nor  thine  on  me !  [Laertes  dies. 

HAM.  Heaven  make  thee  free  of  it!  I  follow  thee — 

I  am  dead,  Horatio: Wretched  queen,  adieu!  — 

You  that  look  pale  and  tremble  at  this  chance, 
That  are  but  mutes  or  audience  to  this  aft, 
Had  I  but  time,  (as  this  fell  ferjeant,  death, 
Ji  ftricl  in  his  arreft)  o,  I  could  tell  you,— 
But  let  it  bs-.  —  Horafjo,  I  am  dead; 
Thou  liv'ft;  report  me  and  my  cause  aright 
To  the  nnfatiffy'd. 

HOR.  Never  believe  it; 
I  am  more  an  antique  Roman  than  a  Dane, 
Here's  yet  fome  liquor  left. 


134  Hamlet. 


.  As  thou'rt  a  man,  — 
Give  me  the  cup;  let  go;  by  heaven,  I'll  ha't._ 

0  God  !  _  Horatio,  what  a  wounded  name, 

Things  ftanding  thus  unknown,  fliall  live  behind  me? 
If  thou  didft  ever  hold  me  in  thy  heart, 
Abfent  thee  from  felicity  a  while,  [Firings  within* 

And  in  this  harm  world  draw  thy  breath  in  pain, 
To  tell  my  ftory  —  What  warlike  noise  is  this  ? 

OSR  .   Young  Fortinbras,  with  conqueft  come  from  Po~ 

land, 

To  the  embafladors  of  England  gives 
This  warlike  volly. 

HAM.  O,  I  die,  Horatio; 
The  potent  poison  quite  o'er-crows  my  fpirit. 

1  cannot  live  to  hear  the  news  from  England: 
But  I  do  prophefy,  the  election  lights 

On  Fort  infant  i  he  has  my  dying  voice; 

So  tell  him,  with  the  occurrents,  more  and  lefs, 

Which  have  follicited,—  The  reft  is  filence. 

[Jinks,  and  dies. 

HOR.  Now  cracks  a  noble  heart  :_Good  night,fweet 

prince  ; 

And  flights  of  angels  fing  thee  to  thy  reft!_ 
Why  does  the  drum  come  hither?  [March  ivitbin, 

Enter  FORTINBRAS,  /£*  Embafladors,  and  Others. 

FOR.   Where  is  this  fight? 

HOR.  What  is  it,  you  would  fee? 
If  ought  of  woe,  or  wonder,  ceafe  your  fearch. 

FOR.  This  quarry  cries  on  havock:_O  proud  death, 
What  feaft  is  toward  in  thine  eternal  cell, 
That  thou  fo  many  princes,  at  a  fhot, 
So  bloodily  haft  ftrqok  ? 


Hamlet,  135 

* .  E.  The  fight  is  dismal ; 
And  our  affairs  from  England  come  too  late: 
The  ears  are  fenfelefs,  that  mould  give  us  hearing, 
To  tell  him,  his  commandment  is  fulfii'd, 
That  Rosincrantz  and  Guildenftern  are  dead: 
Where  ftiould  we  have  our  thanks? 

HOR.  Not  from  his  ~f"  mouth, 
Had  it  the  ability  of  life  to  thank  you ; 
He  never  gave  commandment  for  their  death. 
But  fince,  fo  jump  upon  this  bloody  queftion, 
You  from  the  P  alack  wars,  and  you  from  England 
Are  here  arriv'd,  give  order,  that  these  bodies 
High  on  a  ftage  be  placed  to  the  view ; 
And  let  me  fpeak,  to  the  yet  unknowing  world, 
How  these  things  came  about:  So  fhall  you  hear 
Of  cruel,  bloody,  and  unnatural  acts ; 
Of  accidental  judgments,  casual  flaughters; 
Of  deaths  put  on  by  cunning,  and  forc'd  cause; 
And,  in  this  up-fhot,  purposes  miftook 
Fall'n  on  the  inventors'  heads :  all  this  can  I 
Truly  deliver. 

FOR.   Let  us  hafte  to  hear  it, 
And  call  the  nobleffe  to  the  audience. 
For  me,  with  forrow  I  embrace  my  fortune ; 
I  have  fome  rights  of  memory  in  this  kingdom, 
Which  now  to  claim  my  vantage  doth  invite  me. 

HOR.  Of  that  I  fliall  have  alfo  cause  to  fpeak, 
And  from  his  mouth  whose  voice  will  draw  on  more : 
But  let  this  fame  be  presently  perform'd, 
Even  while  men's  minds  are  wild;  left  more  mifchance, 
On  plots,  and  errors,  happen. 

FOK.    Let  four  captains 

*J  noble 

Q4 


136  Hamlet. 

Bear  Hamlet,  like  a  foldier,  to  the  flage; 

For  he  was  likely,  had  he  been  put  on, 

To  have  prov'd  moft  royally:  and,  for  his  paflage, 

The  foldiers'  musick,  and  the  right  of  war, 

Speak  loudly  for  him._ 

Take  up  the  bodies: Such  a  fight  as  this 

Becomes  the  field,  but  here  mows  much  amifs. 
Go,  bid  the  foldiers  moot.  \A  dead  March 

Exeunt  folemnly,  bearing  off  the  Bodies;  after  which, 
a  Peal  of  Ordinance  is  Jhot  off. 


OTHELLO. 


Perfons  represented. 

Duke  of  Venice; 

Brabantio,  a  Senator} 

two  other  Senators: 

Othello,  a  noble  Moor,  in  their  Service} 

Caflio,  his  Lieutenant; 

I  a  go,  his  Ancient. 

Montano,  chifin  Command  at  Cyprus,  before  Othello, 

Gratiano,  Brother    7       Brabantio. 

JLodovico,  Kinsman  j 

Roderigo,  a  young  Venetian,  in  Love  'with  Desdemona. 

Officer i  of  the  Duke,  tivo  ;  Gentlemen,  four. 

Clown,  a  Domejiick  of  Othello'/. 

a  Musician,  Herald,  Mejfcnger,  and  Sailor. 

Desdemona,  Brabantio'j  Daughter,  marry* j  to  Othello. 

Emilia,  Wife  to  lago. 

Bianca,  a  Courtezan,  Mijlrefs  to  Caflio. 

Divers  other  Attendants,  Officers,  People,  &c. 

Sfeae,  during  the  frft  Aft,  in  Venice ;  afttrivarn'f, 
at  a  Sea-port  in  Cyprus. 


OTHELLO. 


ACT:  i. 

SCENE  I.  Venice.  A  Street. 
Enter  RODERIGO,  I  A  GO  following. 

ROD.  Never  tell  me,  I  take  it  much  unkindly, 
That  thou,  lago—  who  haft  had  my  purfe, 
As  if  the  firings  were  thine,— fhouldft  know  of  this; 

IAG.    But  you'll  not  hear  me: 
If  ever  I  did  dream  of  fuch  a  matter, — 

ROD.  Thou  toldft  me, thou  didft  hold  him  in  thyhate. 

IAG.   Defpise  me,  if  I  do  not.  Three  great  ones  of 

the  city, 

In  perfonal  fuit  to  make  me  his  lieutenant, 
Off-cap'd  to  him;— and,  by  the  faith  of  man, 
I  know  my  price,  I  am  worth  no  worfe  a  place: 
But  he,  as  loving  his  own  pride  and  purposes, 
Evades  them,  with  a  bombaft  circumflance, 
Horribly  ftuft  with  epithets  of  war; 
And,  in  conclusion, 
Non-fuits  my  mediators;  for,  certes,  fays  he, 

5  matter,  abhorre  me. 


4  Othello. 

/  have  already  ckose  my  officer. 

And.  what  was  he? 

Forfooth,  a  great  arithmetician, 

One  Michael  Caffio,  a  Florentine, 

A  fellow  almoft  damn'd  in  a  fair  face; 

That  never  fet  a  fquadron  in  the  field, 

Nor  the  division  of  a  battle  knows 

More  than  a  fpinfter;  unlefs  the  bookim  theorique, 

Wherein  the  toged  confuls  can  propose 

As  mafterly  as  he:  racer  prattle,  without  praftice, 

Is  all  his  foldierfhip.  gut  he,  fir,  had  the  eleftion: 

And  1, — of  whom  his  eyes  had  feen  the  proof, 

At  Rhodes',  at  Cyprus^  and  on  other  grounds, 

Chriftian,  and  heathen,— muft  be  be-lee'd  and  calm'd 

By  debtor  and  creditor,  this  counter-carter; 

He,  in  good  time,  muft  his  lieutenant  be, 

And  I  (God  blefs  the  mark!)  his  moorfhip's  ancient. 

ROD.  Byheaven, I  rather  would  have  been  hishangman. 

7>c.    But  there's  no  remedy,  'tis  the  curfe  of  fervice; 
Preferment  goes  by  letter,  and  affe&ion, 
And  not  by  old  gradation,  where  each  fecond 
Stood  heir  to  the  firft.  Now,  fir,  be  judge  yourfelf, 
Whether  I  in  any  juft  term  am  affin'd 
To  love  the  Moor. 

ROD.  I  would  not  follow  him  then. 

IJG.   O,  fir,  content  you; 
I  follow  him  to  ferve  my  turn  upon  him: 
We  cannot  all  be  matters,  nor  all  mafters 
Cannot  be  truly  feliow'd.  You  (hall  mark 
Many  a  duteous  and  knee-crooking  knave, 
That,  doting  on  his  own  obfequious  bondage, 
Wears  out  his  time,  much  like  his  matter's  afs, 

J  fa're  Wife) 


Othello.  $ 

For  nought  but  provender,  and,  when  he's  old,  cafliier'd; 
Whip  me  fuch  honeft  knaves:  Others  there  are, 
Who,  trim'd  in  forms  and  visages  of  duty, 
Keep  yec  their  hearts  attending  on  themfelves; 
And,  throwing  but  mows  of  fervice  on  their  lords, 
Do  well  thrive  by  them,  and,  when  they  have  lin'd  their 

coats, 

Do  themfelves  homage:  these  fellows  have  fome  foul; 
And  fuch  a  one  do  1  profefs  myfelf. 
For,  fir, 

It  is  as  fure  as  you  are  Roderlgo, 
Were  I  the  Moor,  I  would  not  be  lago: 
In  following  him,  I  follow  but  myfelf; 
Heaven  is  my  judge,  not  1  for  love  and  duty, 
But  feeming  fo,  for  my  peculiar  end : 
For  when  my  outward  adlion  doth  demonftrate 
The  native  aft  and  figure  of  my  heart 
In  compliment  extern,  'tis  not  long  after 
But  I  will  wear  my  heart  upon  my  fleeve 
For  daws  to  peck  at;  I  am  not  what  I  am. 

ROD.  What  a  full  fortune  does  the  thick-lips  owe, 
If  he  can  carry't  thus! 

IAG.   Call  up  her  father, 

Rouze  him:  make  after  him,  poison  his  delight, 
Proclaim  him  in  the  ftreets;  incenfe  her  kinsmen, 
And,  though  he  in  a  fertile  climate  dwell, 
Plague  him  with  flies:  though  that  his  joy  be  joy, 
Yet  throw  fuch  changes  of  vexation  on't, 
As  it  may  lose  fome  colour. 

ROD.  Here  is  her  father's  houfe,  I'll  call  aloud. 

[going  tonvardf  the  Door. 

IJG.   Do;  with  like  timorous  accent,  and  dire  yell. 


6  Othello. 

As  when,  by  night  and  negligence,  the  firfi 
Is  fpy'd  in  populous  cities. 

ROD.   What  ho,  Brabantio!  fignior  Brabantio,  ho! 

IAG.    Awake!  what  ho,  Brabantio !  thieves,  thieves* 

thieves \ 

Look  to  your  houfe,  your  daughter,  and  your  bags! 
Thieves!  thieves!  [fummons? 

BRA.  [within.]  What  is  the  reason  of  this  terrible 
What  is  the  matter  there? 

ROD.  Signior,  is  all  your  family  within  ? 

IAG.   Are  your  doors  lock'd  ? 

BRA.  [ivithin.~\  Why?  wherefore  afk  you  this?  [wn; 

I  AC.    Sir,  you  are  rob'd;  for  fhame,  put  on  your  go- 
Your  heart  is  burft,  you  have  loft  half  your  foul; 
Even  now,  now,  very  now,  an  old  black  ram 
Is  tupping  your  white  ewe.  Arise,  arise; 
Awake  the  fnorting  citizens  with  the  bell, 
Or  elfe  the  devil  will  make  a  grandfire  of  you : 
Arise,  I  fay. 

BRA.  What,  have  you  loft  your  wits? 

[appearing  above,  at  a  Window. 

ROD.  Moft  reverend  fignior, do  you  know  my  voice? 

BRA.  Not  I;  What  are  you? 

ROD.  My  name  is — Roderigo. 

BRA.  The  worfe  welcome: 

I  have  charg'd  thee,  not  to  haunt  about  my  doors: 
In  honeft  plainnefs  thou  haft  heard  me  fay, 
My  daughter  is  not  for  thee;  and  now,  in  madnefs, 
(Being  full  of  fupper,  and  diftempering  draughts) 
Upon  malicious  bravery,  doft  thou  come 
To  tfart  my  quiet: 

ROD.  Sir,  fir,  fir,""* 


Othello.  7 

BRA.  But  thou  muft  needs  be  fure, 
My  fpirit,  and  my  place,  have  in  their  power 
To  make  this  bitter  to  thee. 

ROD.  Patience,  good  fir. 

BRA.  What  telPft  thou  me  of  robbing?  this  is  Venice^ 
My  houfe  is  not  a  grange. 

ROD.  Moft  grave  Brabantio, 
In  fimple  and  pure  foul  I  come  to  you. 

IAG.  'Zounds,  fir,  you  are  one  of  those,  that  will  not 
ferve  God,  if  the  devil  bid  you.  Because  we  come  to  do 
you  fervice,  you  think  we  are  ruffians:  You'll  have  your 
daughter  cover'd  with  a  Barbary  horfe;  you'll  have  your 
nephews  neigh  to  you: you'll  have  courfers  for  cousins, 
and  gennets  for  germans. 

BRA.  What  prophane  wretch  art  thou  ? 

IAG.  I  am  one,  fir,  that  comes  to  tell  you,  your 
daughter  and  the  Moor  are  now  making  the  bead  with 
two  backs. 

BRA.  Thou  art  a  villain. 

IAG.    You  are— a  fenator. 

BRA.  This  thou  malt  anfwer;  I  know  thee,  Rsderigo* 

ROD.  Sir,  I  will  anfwer  any  thing.  But  I  befeech  you, 
If't  be  your  pleasure,  and  molt  wise  confent, 
(As  partly,  I  find,  it  is)  that  your  fair  daughter 
25e,  at  this  odd  even  and  dull  watch  o'  the  night, 
Tranfported  —  with  no  worfe  nor  better  guard, 
But  with  a  knave  of  common  hire,  a  gondalier,"" 
To  the  grofs  clafps  of  a  lafcivious  Moor.— 
If  this  be  known  to  you,  and  your  allowance, 
We  then  have  done  you  bold  and  faucy  wrongs; 
But,  if  you  know  not  this,  my  manners  tell  me, 
We  have  your  wrong  rebuke,  Do  not  believe. 


8  Othello. 

That,  from  the  fenfe  of  all  civility, 

I  thus  would  play  and  trifle  with  your  reverence: 

Your  daughter, — if  you  have  not  giv'n  her  leave,"* 

I  fay  again,  hath  made  a  grofs  revolt; 

Tying  her  duty,  beauty,  wit,  and  fortunes, 

On  an  extravagant  and  wheeling  ftranger, 

Of  here  and  every  where:  Straight  fatilfy  yourfelf; 

Jf  {he  be  in  her  chamber,  or  your  houfe, 

Let  loofe  on  me  the  juftice  of  the  ftate, 

For  thus  deluding  you. 

BRA.  Strike  on  the  tinder,  ho! 
Give  me  a  taper; — call  up  all  my  people :_ 
This  accident  is  not  unlike  my  dream. 
Belief  of  it  opprefies  me  already :__ 
Light,  I  fay!  light!  [Exit,  from  above* 

IAG.   Farewel ;  for  I  muft  leave  you: 
Jt  feems  not  meet,  nor  wholefome  to  my  place, 
To  be  produc'd  (as,  if  I  flay,  I  fhall) 
Againft  the  Moor:  For,  I  do  know,  the  ftate—- 
However  this  may  gall  him  with  fome  check, — 
Cannot  with  fafety  caft  him;  for  he's  embark'd 
With  fuch  loud  reason  to  the  Cyprus'  war, 
(Which  even  now  ftands  in  aft)  that,  for  their  fouls, 
Another  of  his  fathom  they  have  not, 
To  lead  their  businefs  on :  in  which  regard, 
Though  I  do  hate  him  as  I  do  hell  pains, 
Yet,  tor  neceffity  of  present  life, 
I  muft  lhew  out  a  flag  and  fign  of  love, 
Which  is  indeed  but  fign.  That  you  mall  furely  find  him, 
Lead  to  the  fagittar  the  raised  fearch; 
And  there  will  I  be  with  him.  So,  farewel.  [Exit. 

Enter,  below,  BRABANTIO,  and  Servants, 

6  In  an     *z  \varres 


Othello.  9 

•with  Lights. 

"BRA.  Tt  is  too  true  an  evil:  gone  (he  is; 
And  what's  to  come  of  my  defpised  time,. 

Is  nought  but  bitternefs Now,  Roaerigo, 

Where  didit  thou  fee  her? O  unhappy  girl! 

With  the  Moor,  fay 'it  thou  ?_  Who  would  be  a  father?^ 

How  didll  thou  know  'twas  flier O,  ihe  deceives  me 

Paft  thought ! What  (aid  (he  to  you  ? Get  more  tapers ; 

Raise  all  my  kindred.  — Are  they  marry'd,  think  you? 

ROD.  Truly,  I  think,  they  are. 

BRA.  O  heaven!— How  got  (he  out?— O  treason  of 

the  blood !_ 

Fathers,  from  hence  truft  not  your  daughters'  minds 
By  what  you.  fee  them  aft —  Are  there  not  charms, 
By  which  the  property  of  youth  and  maidhood 
May  be  abus'd?  have  you  not  read,  Raderigo, 
Of  fome  fuch  thing? 

ROD.  Yes,  fir;  i  have,  indeed.  [her!_ 

BRA.  Call  up  my  brother O,  would  you  had  had 

Some  one  way,  fome  another Do  you  know 

Where  we  may  apprehend  her  and  the  Moor? 

ROD.  I  think,  I  can  difcover  him;  if  you  please 
To  get  good  guard,  and  go  along  with  me. 

BRA.  Pray  you,  lead  on.  At  every  houfe  I'll  call, 
I  may  command  at  molt :_ Get  weapons,  hoi 
And  raise  fome  fpecial  officers  of  might.  _ 
On,  good  Rdderigo;  I'll  deserve  your  pains.        \Exemt. 

SCENE  II.   The  fame.  Another  Street. 
Enter  OTHELLO;  I  A  c  o ,  and  Others,  with  him. 
IJG.   Though  in  the  trade  of  war  I  have  flain  men, 
Yet  do  I  hold  it  very  itaff  o'  che  conference, 

VOL.  X.  R 


jo  Othello. 

To  do  no  contriv'd  murthef ;  I  lack  iniquity 

Sometimes,  to  do  me  fervice:  Nine  or  ten  times 

I  had  thought  to  have  yerk'd  him  here  under  the  ribs. 

OTH.  'Tis  better  as  it  is. 

IAG.   Nay,  but  he  prated, 
And  fpoke  fuch  fcurvy  and  provoking  terms 
Againft  your  honour, 
That,  with  the  little  godlinefs  I  have, 
I  did  full  hard  forbear  him.  But,  I  pray,  fir, 
Are  you  faft  marry'd?  Be  aflur'd  of  this,— 
That  the  magnifico  is  much  belov'd; 
And  hath,  in  his  effect,  a  voice  potential 
As  double  as  the  duke's:  he  will  divorce  you; 
Or  put  upon  you  what  reftraint,  or  grievance, 
The  law  (with  all  his  might,  to  enforce  it  on) 
Will  give  him  cable. 

OTH.  Let  him  do  his  fpite: 
My  fervices,  which  1  have  done  the  figniory, 
Shall  out-tongue  his  complaints.  'Tis  yet  to  know, 
(Which,  when  I  know  that  boafting  is  an  honour, 
I  (hall  promulgate)  I  fetch  my  life  and  being 
From  men  of  royal  fiege ;  and  my  demerits 
May  fpeak,  and  bonnetted,  to  as  proud  a  fortune 
As  this  that  I  have  reach'd :  For  know,  Iagot 
But  that  I  love  the  gentle  Desdemona, 
I  would  not  my  unhoused  free  condition 
Put  into  circumfcription  and  confine 
For  the  fea's  worth.  But,  look !  what  lights  come  yond*? 
Enter,  at  a  Di  fiance,  CASSIO,  and  certain  Officers, 

•   I    -r*        / 

ivitb  v  arches. 

IAG.   Those  are  the  raised  father,  and  his  friends: 
You  were  beft  go  in. 

23  fpeake  (unbonnetted) 


Othello.  1 1 

OTff .  Not  I :  I  muft  be  found ; 
My  parts,  my  title,  and  my  perfeft  foul, 
Shall  manifeft  me  rightly.  Is  it  they? 
IAG.    By  Janus,  I  think  no. 

OTH.  The  fervants  of  the  duke,  and  my  lieutenanti— 
The  goodnefs  of  the  night  upon  you,  friends! 
What  is  the  news  ? 

CAS.   The  duke  does  greet  you,  general; 
And  he  requires  your  hafte,  poft-hafte  appearance, 
Even  on  the  inftant. 

OTH.  What  is  the  matter,  think  you? 

CAS.    Something  from  Cyprus,  as  I  may  divine; 
It  is  a  businefs  of  fome  heat:  the  gallies 
Have  fent  a  dozen  fequent  meflengers 
This  very  night,  at  one  another's  heels} 
And  many  of  the  confuls,  rais'd,  and  met, 
Are  at  the  duke's  already:  You  have  been  hotly  call'd  for; 
When  being  not  at  your  lodging  to  be  found, 
The  fenate  hath  fent  about  three  feveral  quells, 
To  fearch  you  out. 

•  OTH.  'Tis  well  I  am  found  by  you. 
I  will  but  fpend  a  word  here  in  the  houfe, 
And  go  with  you.  [Exit. 

C^s.   Ancient,  what  makes  he  here? 

IAG.    'Faith,  he  to-night  hath  boarded  a  land-carrack; 
If  it  prove  lawful  prize,  he's  made  for  ever. 

CAS.   I  do  not  underfland. 

IAG.    He's  marry'd. 

CAS.  To  who? 

Re-enter  OTHELLO. 

IAG.   Marry,  to  —  Come,  captain,  will  you  go? 

Ota.  Have  with  you. " 

Rz 


12  Othello. 

Os.    Here  comes  another  troop  to  feck  for  yoni 

Enter  BRABAWTIP,  RODERIGO,  and  Others, 

with  Lights,  and  Weapons. 

IAG.   It  is  Brabantio:—. general,  be  advis'd; 
He  comes  to  bad  intent. 

Oru.  Hola!  Hand  there! 

ROD.  Signior,  it  is  the  Mcor. 

BRJ.  Down  with  him,  thief. 

[Brabantio,  and  his  Party,  fet  upon  the  Others 

IAG.   You,  Roderigol  come,  fir,  I  am  for  you. 

OTH.  Keep  up  your  bright  fwords,  for  the  dew  will 

ruft  them. 

Good  fignior,  you  fliail  more  command  with  years, 
Than  with  your  weapons.  [daughter? 

BRJ.  O  thou  foul  thief,  where  haft  thou  ftow'd  my 
Damn'd  as  thou  art,  thou  haft  enchented  her: 
For  I'll  refer  me  to  all  things  of  fenfe, 
If  (he  in  chains  of  magick  were  not  bound, 
Whether  a  maid— fo  tender,  fair,  and  happy; 
So  opposite  to  marriage,  that  fhe  fhun'd 
The  wealthy  curled  darlings  of  our  nation, — 
Would  ever  have,  to  incur  a  general  mock, 
Run  from  her  guardage  to  the  footy  bosom 
Of  fuch  a  thing  as  thou ;  to  fear,  not  to  delight. 
Judge  me  the  world,  if  'tis  not  grofs  in  fenfe, 
That  thou  haft  praclic'd  on  her  with  foul  charms; 
Abas'd  her  delicate  youth  with  drugs,  or  minerals^ 
That  weaken  notion  :  Til  have't  difputed  onj 
'Tis  probable,  and  palpable  to  thinking. 
I  therefore  apprehend  and  do  attach  thee,. 
For  an  abuser  of  the  world,  a  pra&ifer 
Of  arts  inhibited,  and  out  of  warrant;—. 


Othello.  -4 

Lay  hold  upon  him ;  if  he  do  resift, 
Subdue  him  at  his  peril. 

OTH.  Hold  your  hands, 
Both  you  of  my  inclining,  and  the  reft: 
Were  it  my  cue  to  fight,  I  fliould  have  known  it 
Without  a  prompter.  _  Where  will  yon  that  I  go 
To  anfwer  this  your  charge  ? 

BRA.  To  prison;  'till  fit  time 
Of  law,  and  courfe  of  diredl  feflion, 
Call  thee  to  anfwer. 

OTH.  What  if  I  do  obey? 
How  may  the  duke  be  therewith  fatiflyM ; 
Whose  mefTengers  are  here  about  my  fide, 
Upon  fome  present  busiriefs  of  the  llate, 
To  bring  me  to  him  ? 

i.  O.  'Tis  true,  moft  worthy  fignior, 
The  duke's  in  council;  and  your  noble  felf, 
I  am  fure,  is  fent  for. 

ERA.  How!  the  duke  in  council! 

In  this  time  of  the  night! Bring  him  away: 

Mine's  not  an  idle  cause:  the  duke  himfelf, 
Or  any  of  my  brothers  of  the  ftate, 
Cannot  but  feel  this  wrong,  as  'twere  their  own : 
For  if  fuch  aftions  may  have  paflage  free, 
Bond-Haves,  and  pagans,  {hall  our  itatesmen  be. 

[Exeunt, 

SCENE  III.    The  fame.  A  Council-chamber. 

The  Duke  difcover'd fitting  at  a  Talk,  Senators  about  him", 

Officers  of  the  Council,  and  Others, 

at  a  Diftance. 
Duk.   There  is  no  composition  in  these  news, 

R3 


JA  Othello. 

That  gives  them  credit. 

1.  S.   Indeed,  they  are  difproportion'd  : 
My  letters  fay,  a  hundred  and  feven  gallies. 

Duk.    And  mine,  a  hundred  and  forty. 

2.  S.    And  mine,  two  hundred  : 

But  thoijgh  they  jump  not  on  a  juft  account, 
(As  in  these  cafes,  where  the  aim  reports, 
'Tis  oft  with  difference)  yet  do  they  all  confirm 
A  Turkijb  fleet,  and  bearing  up  to  Cyprus. 

Duk.    Nay,  it  is  poffible  enough  to  judgment  j 
I  do  not  fo  fecure  me  in  the  error, 
But  the  main  article  I  do  approve 
In  fearful  fenfe. 

Sai.     {within..]  What  ho!  what  ho!  what  hoi 
Enter  an  Officer,  bringing  in  a  Sailor. 

Of.     A  meffenger  from  the  gallies. 

Duk.   Now?  the  businefs? 

Sai.     The  Turkijb  preparation  makes  for  Rhodes ; 
So  was  I  bid  report  here  to  the  flate, 
By  fignior  Angela.  [they  withdraw* 

Duk.   How  fay  you  by  this  change  ? 

I.  S.    This  cannot  be, 
By  no  aiTay  of  reason;  'tis  a  pageant, 
To  keep  us  in  falfe  gaze:  When  we  confider 
The  importancy  of  Cyprus  to  the  Turk', 
And  let  ourfelves  again  but  underftand, 
That,  as  it  more  concerns  the  Turk  than  R&tda, 
So  may  he  with  more  facile  queftion  bear  it, 
For  that  it  ftands  not  in  fuch  warlike  brace, 
But  altogether  lacks  the  abilities 
That  Rbcdrs  is  drefT'd  in;— if  we  make  thought 
We  mud  not  think,  the  Turk  is  fo  unfkilful, 


Othello.  15 

*To  leave  that  Jsteft,  which  concerns  him  firft; 
Neglecting  an  attempt  of  ease,  and  gain, 
To  wake,  and  wage,  a  danger  profitlefs. 

Duk.   Nay,  in  all  confidence,  he's  not'for  Rhodes. 
Enter  a  Meflenger,  ujher'd. 

Ojf.     Here  is  more  news. 

Mef.    The  Otfomites,  reverend  and  gracious, 
Steering  with  due  courfe  toward  the  isle  of  Rhodes^ 
Have  there  injointed  them  with  an  after  fleet. 

I.  S.    Ay,  fo  I  thought: How  many,  as  you  guefs? 

Mef.    Of  thirty  fail :  and  now  they  do  re-ftem 
Their  backward  courfe,  bearing  with  frank  appearance 
Their  purposes  toward  Cyprus.  Signior  Montanoy 
Your  trufty  and  moft  valiant  fervitor, 
With  this  free  duty,  recommends  you  thus, 
And  prays  you  to  believe  him.  [retiring. 

Duk.    'Tis  certain  then  for  Cyprus. 
Marcus  Luccbefe,  is  not  he  in  town? 

I .  S.    He's  now  in  Florence. 

Duk.    Write  from  us;  wifh  him  poft, 
Poft-hafte:  difpatch. 

i.  S.    Here  comes  Brabantio,  and  the  valiant  Moor. 

Enter  BRABANTIO,  OTHELLO,  IAGO, 

£ o  D  E  R  i  G  o,  and  Others. 

Duk.  Valiant  Othello,  we  muft  ftraight  employ  you 
Again  ft  the  general  enemy  Ottoman.-. 
I  did  not  fee  you;  welcome,  gentle  fignior; 
We  lack'd  your  counfel  and  your  help  to-night. 

BRA.  So  did  1  yours:  Good  your  grace,  pardon  me; 
Neither  my  place,  nor  ought  I  heard  of  businefs, 
Hath  rais'd  me  from  my  bed  ;  nor  doth  the  general  care- 
Take  hold  on  me;  for  my  particular  grief 

•8  Luccicot 


1 6  Othello. 

Is  of  fo  flood-gate  and  o'er-bearing  nature, 
That  it  engluts  and  fwallows  other  forrows, 
And  it  is  flill  itfelf. 

Duk.   Why,  what's  the  matter? 

BRA.  My  daughter!  o,  my  daughter! 

Sea.     Dead  ? 

BRA.  Ay,  to  me; 

She  is  abus'd,  ftoln  from  me,  and  corrupted 
By  fpells  and  medicines  bought  of  mountebanks: 
For  nature  fo  prepoft'roufly  to  err, 
Being  not  deficient,  blind,  or  lame  of  fenfe, 
Sans  witchcraft  could  not  fcr* 

Duk.    Whoe'er  he  be,  that,  in  this  foul  proceeding, 
Hath  thus  beguil'd  your  daughter  of  herfelf, 
And  you  of  her,  the  bloody  book  of  law 
You  mall  yourfelf  read  in  the  bitter  letter, 
After  your  own  fenfe ;  yea,  though  our  proper  fon 
Stood  in  your  a&ion. 

BRA.  Humbly  I  thank  your  grace. 
Here  is  the  man,  this  Moor;  whom  now,  it  feem*, 
Your  fpecial  mandate,  for  the  ftate  affairs, 
Hath  hither  brought. 

Sen.     We  are  very  forry  for't. 

Duk.    What,  in  your  own  part,  can  you  fay  to  this? 

BRA.  Nothing,  but  this  is  fo. 

OTH.  Moft  potent,  grave,  and  reverend  figniors, 
My  very  noble  and  approv'd  good  matters, — 
That  I  have  ta'en  away  this  old  man's  daughter, 
It  is  moil  true;  true,  I  have  marry 'd  her; 
The  very  head  and  front  of  my  offending 
Hath  this  extent,  no  more.  Rude  am  I  in  my  fpecch, 
And  little  blefT'd  with  the  fofc  phrase  of  pej.ce; 


Othello.  17 

For  fmce  these  arms  ef  mine  had  feven  years'  pith* 

Till  now  feme  nine  moons  wafted,  they  have  us'd 

Their  deareft  a&ion  in  the  tented  field ; 

And  little  of  this  great  world  can  I  fpeak, 

More  then  pertains  to  feats  of  broil  and  battle; 

And  therefore  little  fhall  [  grace  my  cause, 

In  fpeaking  for  myfelf:  Yet,  by  your  gracious  patience, 

]  will  a  round  unrarhiuYd  tale  deliver* 

Of  my  whole  courfe  of  love ;  what  drug?,  what  charms, 

What  conjuration,  and  what  mighty  magick, 

(For  fuch  proceeding  I  am  charg'd  withal) 

I  won  his  daughter  with. 

BRA.  A  maiden  never  bold; 
Of  fpirit  fo  ftill  and  quiet,  that  her  motion 
Blufh'd  at  herfelf;  And  fhe,— in  fpight  of  nature, 
Of  years,  of  country,  credit,  every  thing,— 
To  fall  in  love  with  what  (he  fear'd  to  look  on? 
Jt  is  a  judgment  maim'd,  and  moft  imperfedt, 
That  will  confefs  —  perfection  fo  could  err, 
Againft  all  rules  of  nature;  and  mult  be  driven 
To  find  out  praftifes  of  cunning  hell, 
Why  this  mould  be.  I  therefore  vouch  again, 
That  with  fome  mixtures  powerful  o'er  the  blood, 
Or  with  fome  dram  conjur'd  to  this  effeft, 
He  wrought  upon  her. 

Duk.    To  vouch  this,  is  no  proof; 
Without  more  certain  and  more  overt  teft, 
Than  these  thin  habits,  and  poor  likelihoods 
Of  modern  feeming,  do  prefer  againft  him. 

i.S.    But,  Othello,  fpeak ;  — 
Did  you  by  indirect  and  forced  courfes 
Subdue  and  poison  this  young  maid's  affcdions? 


i3  Othello. 

Or  came  it  by  requeft,  and  fuch  fair  queftion 
As  foul  to  foul  affordeth. 

Or  a.  I  do  befeech  you, 
Send  for  the  lady  to  the  fagittar, 
And  let  her  fpeak  of  me  before  her  father: 
If  you  do  find  me  foul  in  her  report, 
The  truft,  the  office,  I  do  hold  of  you, 
Not  only  take  away,  but  let  your  lenience 
Even  fall  upon  my  life. 

Duk.    Fetch  Desdemona  hither.         [to  fame  Attendants. 

OTH.  Ancient,  conduft  them ;   you   beft  know  the 

place. [  Exeunt  Attendants,  and  1  A  G  o. 

And,  'till  frie  come,  as  truly  as  to  heaven 
I  do  confefs  the  vices  of  my  blood, 
So  juftly  to  your  grave  ears  I'll  present 
How  I  did  thrive  in  this  fair  lady's  love, 
And  fhe  in  mine. 

Duk.   Say  it,  Otbello. 

Ofn.  Her  father  lov'd  me;  oft  invited  me; 
Still  queftion'd  me  the  ftory  of  my  life, 
From  year  to  year,  the  battles,  fieges,  fortunes, 
That  I  have  pa/Pd : 

I  ran  it  through,  even  from  my  boyim  days, 
To  the  very  moment  that  he  bad  me  tell  it. 
Wherein  I  fpake  of  moft  disaftrous  chances, 
Of  moving  accidents,  by  flood,  and  field; 
Of  hair-breadth  Tcapes  i'  the  imminent  deadly  breach; 
Of  being  taken  by  the  infolent  foe, 
And  fold  to  flavery;  of  my  redemption  thence, 
And  portance  in  my  travel's  hiilory: 
Wherein  of  antres  vail,  and  desarts  idle,  [ven, 

Rough  quarries,  rocks,  and  hills  whose  heads  touch  hea- 


Othello.  19 

It  was  my  hint  to  fpeak,  fuch  was  the  procefs; 

And  of  the  Canibah  that  each  other  eat, 

The  Anthropophagi,  and  men  whose  heads 

Do  grow  beneath  their  (houlders.  These  things  to  hear, 

Would  Desdemona  ferioufly  incline: 

But  Hill  the  houfe  affairs  would  draw  her  thence; 

Which  ever  as  (he  could  with  hafte  difpatch, 

She'd  come  again,  and  with  a  greedy  ear 

Devour  up  my  difcourfe:  Which  I  observing, 

Took  once  a  pliant  hour;  and  found  good  means 

To  draw  from  her  a  prayer  of  earned  heart, 

That  I  would  all  my  pilgrimage  dilate, 

Whereof  by  parcels  (he  had  fomething  heard, 

But  not  diftindlively  :  I  did  confent; 

And  often  did  beguile  her  of  her  tears, 

When  I  did  fpeak  of  fome  diftrefTful  ftroke 

That  my  youth  fuffer'd.  My  ftory  being  done, 

She  gave  me  for  my  pains  a  world  of  fighs: 

She  fwore, — in  faith, 'twas  ftrange, 'twas  paffing  ftrange; 

'Twas  pitiful,  'twas  wondrous  pitiful: 

She  wiih'd,  fhe  had  not  heard  it;  yet  (he  wifh'd, 

That  heaven  had  made  her  fuch  a  man  :  (he  thank'd  me  j 

And  bad  me,  if  I  had  a  friend  that  lov'd  her, 

I  (hould  but  teach  him  how  to  tell  my  ftory, 

And  that  would  woo  her.  Upon  this  hint,  I  (pake: 

She  lov'd  me  for  the  dangers  I  had  pa(Td; 

And  I  lov'd  her,  that  fhe  did  pity  them. 

This  only  is  the  witchcraft  I  have  us'd; 

Here  comes  the  lady,  let  her  witnefs  it. 

Enter  DESDEMONA,  attended;  IAGO, 

and  the  Others,  following. 
D«k,   I  think,  this  tale  would  win  my  daughter  too._ 


20  Othello. 

Good  Btalantio, 

Take  up  this  mangl'd  matter  at  tlie  befi: 
Men  do  their  broken  weapons  rather  use, 
Than  their  bare  hands. 

ERA.  I  pray  yon,  hear  her  fpeak; 
If  fhe  confefs,  that  (he  was  half  the  wooer, 
Deftruftion  on  my  head,  if  my  bad  blame 
Light  on  the  mah!_Come  hither,  gentle  miftrefs; 
Do  you  perceive  in  all  this  noble  company, 
Where  mod  you  owe  obedience. 

Dzs.  My  noble  father, 
1  do  perceive  here  a  divided  duty: 
To  you  I  am  bound  for  life,  and  education; 
My  life,  and  education,  bdth  do  learri  me 
How  to  refpedl  you;  yon  are  the  lord  of  duty, 
I  am  hitherto  your  daughter:  Buc  here's  my  husband; 
And  fo  much  duty  as  my  mother  fhew'd 
To  you,  preferring  you  before  her  father, 
So  much  I  challenge  that  I  may  profefs 
Due  to  the  Moor  my  lord. 

BRJ.  God  be  wi'  you;  I  hare  done: 

Please  it  your  grace,  on  to  the  ftate  affairs ; 

I  had  rather  to  adopt  a  child,  than  get  it. 

Come  hither,  Moor; 

J  here  do  give"j~thee  that  with  all  my  heart, 

Which,  but  thou  haft  already,  with  all  my  heart 

I  would  keep  from  thee: 8nUt  for  your  fake,  jewel,] 

I  am  glad  at  foul  I  have  no  other  child; 
For  thy  efcape  would  teach  me  tyranny, 
To  hang  clogs  on  them. _  I  have  done,  my  lord. 

Duk.   Let  me  fpeak  like  yourfclf;  and  lay  a  fentence. 
Which,  like  a  grise,  or  ftep,  niay  help  theie  lovers 


Othello,  ai 

Into  your  favour. 

When  remedies  are  paft,  the  griefs  are  ended, 

By  feeing  the  word,  which  late  on  hopes  depeaded. 

To  mourn  a  mifchief  that  is  paft  and  gone, 

Is  the  next  way  to  draw  new  mifchief  on. 

What  cannot  be  preserv'd  when  fortune  takes, 

Patience  her  injury  a  mockery  makes. 

The  rob'd,  that  fmiles,  ftea]s  Something  from  tke  thief; 

He  robs  himfelf,  that  fpends  a  bootlefs  grief. 

BRA.  So  let  the  Turk  of  Cyprus  us  beguile; 
We  lose  it  not,  fo  long  as  we  can  fmile. 
He  bears  the  fentence  well,  that  nothing  bears 
But  the  free  comfort  which  from  thence  he  hears: 
But  he  bears  both  the  fentence  and  the  forrow, 
That,  to  pay  grief,  muft  of  poor  patience  borrow. 
These  fentences,  to  fugar,  or  to  gall, 
Being  Itrong  on  both  fides,  ate  equivocal: 
But  words  are  words;  I  never  yet  did  hear, 
That  the  bruis'd  heart  was  pieced  through  the  ear. 

I  humbly  befeech  you,  proceed  to  the  affairs  of  iUte. 

[goes  to  bis  Seat. 

Duk.  Tfce  Turk  with  a  raoft  mighty  preparation  makes 
for  Cyprus  .--.Othello,  the  fortitude  of  the  place  is  bell 
known  to  you :  And  though  we  have  there  a  fubftitute 
of  moft  allow'd  fufficiency,  yet  opinion,  a  fovereiga  mi- 
itrefs  of  effedts,  throws  a  more  fafe  voice  on  you:  you 
mull  therefore  be  content,  to  llubber  the  glofs  of  your 
new  fortunes  with  this  more  ftubborn  and  boiitrous  ex- 
pedition, 

OTH.  The  tyrant  cuftom,  moft  grave  fenators, 
Hath  made  the  flinty  and  fteel  couch  of  war 
My  thnce-driv'n  bed  of  down  :  I  do  agniio; 

«9  pierced 


**  Othello. 

A  natural  and  prompt  alacrity, 
I  find  in  hardnefs;  and  do  undertake 
This  present  war  againll  the  Ottomites. 
Mofl  humbly  therefore  bending  to  your  ftate> 
I  crave  fit  difposition  for  my  wife; 
Due  reference  of  place,  and  exhibition; 
With  fuch  accommodation,  and  befort, 
As  levels  with  her  breeding. 

Duk.    If  you  please, 
Be't  at  her  father's. 

BRA.  I'll  not  have  it  fo. 

OTH.  Nor  I. 

DES.   Nor  I;  I  would  not  there  reside, 
To  put  my  father  in  impatient  thoughts, 
By  being  in  his  eye.  Moft  gracious  duke, 
To  my  unfolding  lend  a  gracious  ear; 
And  let  me  find  a  charter  in  your  voice, 
To  aflift  my  fimplenefs. 

Duk.    What  would  you,  Desdemona? 

DES.  That  1  did  loVe  the  Moor  to  live  with  him* 
My  down-right  violence  and  ftorm  of  fortunes, 
May  trumpet  to  the  world;  my  heart's  fubdu'd 
Even  to  the  very  quality  of  my  lord  : 
I  faw  Othello's  visage  in  his  mind; 
And  to  his  honours,  and  his  valiant  parts, 
Did  I  my  foul  and  fortunes  confecrate. 
So  that,  dear  lords,  if  I  be  left  behind  j 
A  moth  of  peace,  and  he  go  to  the  war, 
The  rites,  for  which  I  love  him,  are  bereft  me^ 
And  I  a  heavy  interim  ftiall  fupport 
By  his  dear  abfence:  Let  me  go  with  him. 

Of  a.  Your  voices,  lords;  befeech  you,  let  her  will 


Othello.  £3 

Have  a  free  way.  I  therefore  beg  it  not, 

To  please  the  palate  of  my  appetite; 

Nor  to  comply  with  heat,  (the  young  affeds 

In  me  defunft)  and  proper  fatiffa&ion  ; 

But  to  be  free  and  bounteous  to  her  mind: 

And  heaven  defend  your  good  fouls,  that  you  think 

I  will  your  ferious  and  great  businefs  fcant, 

For  (he  is  with  me;  No,  when  light-wing'd  toys 

Of  feather' d  Cupid,  feel  with  wanton  dulnefs 

My  fpeculative  and  offic'd  inflrument, 

That  my  difports  corrupt  and  taint  my  businefs, 

Let  huswives  make  a  feillet  of  my  helm, 

And  all  indign  and  bafe  adverfities 

Make  head  againft  my  eftimation ! 

DuL   Be  it  as  you  mall  privately  determine, 
Either  for  her  Itay,  or  going:  the  affair  cries — hafte, 
And  fpeed  muft  anfwer  it ;  you  mufl  hence  to-night. 

DES.  To-night,  my  lord? 

Duk.    This  night. 

OTH.  With  all  my  heart. 

Duk.   At  nine  i'the  morning  here  we'll  meet  again  _ 
[to  the  Senators,  riling. 
Othello,  leave  fome  officer  behind, 
And  he  (hall  oar  commifiion  bring  to  you; 
And  fuch  things  elfe  of  quality  and  refpeft, 
As  doth  import  you. 

OTH.  Please  your  grace,  my  ancient; 
A  man  he  is  of  honelly,  and  truft: 
To  his  conveyance  I  affign  my  wife, 
With  what  elfe  needful  your  good  grace  lhall  think 
To  be  fent  after  me. 

Duk.  Let  it  be  fo — 

4-  In  my  ds- 


24  Othello. 

Good  night  to  every  one And,  noble  fignior, 

[to  Brabantio. 

If  virtue  no  delighting  beauty  lack, 
Your  fon-in-lavv  is  far  more  fair  than  black. 

I.  S.   Adieu,  brave  Moor!  use  Desdemona  well. 

BRA.  Look  to  her,  Moor,  if  thou  haft  eyes  to  fee; 
She  has  deceiv'd  her  father,  and  may  thee. 

[Exeunt  Duke,  Sen.  BRA.  &c. 

OTH.  My  life  upon  her  faith — Honeit  lagot 
My  Desdemona  muft  I  leave  to  thes : 
I  pr'ythee,  let  thy  wife  attend  on  her; 
And  bring  them  after  in  the  bed  ad vantage.  __ 
Come,  Desdemona ;  I  have  but  an  hour, 
Of  love,  of  worldly  matter  and  dire£tion, 
To  fpend  with  thee:  we  muft  obey  the  time. 

[  Exeunt  OTH.  #na  D  E  s . 

ROD.  fago,— 

IAG.    What  fay'ft  thou,  noble  heart  ? 

ROD.  What  will  I  do,  think'ft  thou? 

IAG.    Why,  go  to  bed,  and  fleep. 

ROD.  I  will  incontinently  drown  myfelf. 

IAG.  Well,  if  thou  doft,  I  fhall  never  love  thee  af- 
ter. Why,  thou  filly  gentleman  ! 

ROD.  It  is  fillinefs  to  live,  when  to  live  is  a  torment: 
and  then  have  we  a  prefcription  to  die,  when  death  is 
our  physician. 

IAG.  O  villanous!  I  have  look'd  opon  the  world  for 
four  times  feven  years :  and  fince  I  could  diftinguifh  be- 
twixt a  benefit  and  an  injury,  I  never  found  man  that 
knew  how  to  love  himfelf.  Ere  1  would  fay,  1  would 
drown  myfelf  for  the  love  of  a  Guinea  hen,  I  would  ch- 
ange my  humanity  with  a  baboon. 

3  delighted 


Othello.  25 

ROD.  What  fhould  I  do?  I  confefs,  it  is  my  (hame  to 
be  fo  fond;  but  it  is  not  in  my  virtue  to  amend  it. 

IAG.  Virtue?  A  fig! 'tis  in  ourfelves,  that  we  are  thus, 
or  thus.  Our  bodies  are  oar  gardens;  to  the  which,  our 
wills  are  gardiners:  To  that  if  we  will  plant  nettles,  or 
fow  lettuce;  fet  hyflbp,  and  weed  up  thyme;  fupply  it 
with  one  gender  of  herbs,  or  diftraft  it  with  many;  ei- 
ther have  it  fteril  with  idlenefs,  or  manur'd  with  induf- 
try ;  why,  the  power  and  corrigible  authority  of  this  lies 
in  our  wills.  If  the  beam  of  our  lives  had  not  one  fcale 
of  reason,  to  poize  another  of  fenfuality,  the  blood  and 
bafenefs  of  our  natures  would  conduft  us  to  moil  pre- 
poR'rous  conclusions'.  But  we  have  reason,  to  cool  our 
raging  motions,  our  carnal  ftings,  our  unbitted  lufts; 
whereof  I  take  this,  that  you  call— love,  to  be  a  fe&,  or 
fcyon. 

ROD.  It  cannot  be. 

IAG.  It  is  meerly  a  luft  of  the  blood,  and  a  permif- 
fion  of  the  will.  Come,  be  a  man :  Drown  thyfelf?  drown 
cats,  and  blind  puppies.  I  have  profeff'd  me  thy  friend, 
and  I  confefs  me  knit  to  thy  deserving  with  cables  of 
perdurable  toughnefs;  I  could  never  better  fteed  thee 
than  now.  Put  money  in  thy  purfe:  follow  these  wars; 
defeat  thy  favour  with  an  usurp'd  beard ;  I  fay,  put  mo- 
ney in  thy  purfe.  It  cannot  be,  that  Desdemona  mould 
long  continue  her  love  unto  the  Moor, —  put  money  in 
thy  purfe;  —  nor  he  his  to  her:  it  was  a  violent  com- 
mencement in  her,  and  thou  (halt  fee  an  anfwerable  fe- 
queflration;  put  but  money  in  thy  purfe.  These  Moert 
are  changeable  in  their  wills; — fill  thy  purfe  with  mo- 
ney: the  food  that  to  him  now  is  33  lufcious  as  Iqcufts, 
fliall  be  to  him  ihortly  as  bitter  as  coloquimida.  She 

1°  braine  of 
VOL.  X»  S 


26  Othello. 

muft  change  for  youth:  when  (he  '•  fated  with  his  body, 
fiie  will  find  the  error  of  her  choice;  therefore  put  mo- 
ney in  thy  purfe.  If  thou  wilt  needs  damn  thyfelf,  do 
it  a  more  delicate  way  than  drowning.  Make  all  the 
money  thou  canft :  If  fanc"limony  and  a  frail  vow,  be- 
twixt an  erring  Barbarian  and  a  fuper-fubtle  Venetian, 
be  not  too  hard  for  my  wits,  and  all  the  tribe  of  hell, 
thou  (halt  enjoy  her;  therefore  make  money.  A  pox  of 
drowning  thyfelf!  it  is  clean  out  of  the  way:  feek  thou 
rather  to  be  hang'd  in  compaffing  thy  joy,  than  to  be 
drown'd  and  go  without  her. 

ROD.  Wilt  thou  be  faft  to  my  hopes,  if  I  depend  on 
the  iflue? 

IAG  .  Thou  art  fure  of  me ;  —  Go,  make  money :  —  I 
have  told  thee  often,  and  I  re-tell  thee  again  and  again, 
I  hate  the  Moor:  my  cause  is  hearted  ;  thine  hath  no  lefs 
reason :  Let  us  be  conjunctive  in  our  revenge  againft 
him:  if  thou  canft  cuckold  him,  thou  doft  thyfelf  a 
pleasure,  me  a  fport.  There  are  many  events  in  the 
womb  of  time,  which  will  be  delivered.  Traverfe  ;  go; 
provide  thy  money.  We  will  have  more  of  this  to-mor- 
row. Adieu. 

ROD.  Where  mall  we  meet  i'  th'  morning? 

JAG  .    At  my  lodging. 

ROD.  I'll  be  with  thee  betimes. 

JAG.    Go  to,  farewel. 

ROD.  I'll  fell  all  my  land.  [Ex/f. 

JAG.    Thus  do  I  ever  make  my  fool  my  purfe : 
For  I  mine  own  gain'd  knowledge  fhould  prophane, 
If  I  would  time  expend  with  fuch  a  fnipe, 
But  for  my  fport,  and  profit.  I  hate  the  Moor; 
Aad  it  is  thought  abroad,  that  'twixt  my  Ihests 

»»  T,  Nfff. 


Othello.  27 

He  has  done  my  office :  I  know  not,  if't  be  true; 

But  I,  for  meer  fufpicion  in  that  kind, 

Will  do,  as  if  for  furety.  He  holds  me  well; 

The  better  mail  my  purpose  work  on  him. 

Go/fill's  a  proper  man  :  Let  me  fee  now ; 

To  get  his  place,  and  to  plume  up  my  will 

In  double  knavery, —  How,  how?  —  Let's  fee: 

After  fome  time,  to  abuse  Othello's  ear, 

That  he  is  too  familiar  with  his  wife :  — 

He  hath  a  perfon,  and  a  fmooth  difpose, 

To  be  fufpecled ;  fram'd  to  make  women  falfe : 

The  Moor  is  of  a  free  and  open  nature, 

That  thinks  men  honeft,  that  but  feem  to  be  fo ; 

And  will  as  tenderly  be  led  by  the  nose, 

As  afles  are. 

I  have't;  it  is  engender'd:Hell  and  night 

Mutt  bring  this  monftrous  birth  to  the  world's  light. 

[Exit. 


ACT  II. 

SCENE  I.   The  Capital  of  'Cyprus.  A  Plat-form. 
Enter  MONT  A  NO,  and  two  Gentlemen. 

MON.  What  from  the  cape  can  you  discern  at  fea? 
.    i.G.   Nothing  at  all:  it  is  a  high- wrought  flood; 
I  cannot,  'twixt  the  heaven  and  the  main, 
Defcry  a  fail. 

MoV.  Methinks,  the  wind  hath  fpoke  aloud  at  land; 
A  fuller  blaft  ne'er  (hook  our  battlements : 
If  it  hath  ruffian'd  fo  upon  the  fea, 
What  ribs  of  oak,  when  mountains  melt  on  them, 


28  -Othello. 

Can  hold  the  mortice?  What  fhall  we  hear  of  this? 

2.  G.  A  fegregation  of  the  Turkijb  fleet: 
For  do  but  Hand  upon  the  foaming  fhore, 
The  chiding  billow  feems  to  pelt  the  clouds; 

The  wind-fliak'd  furge,  with  high  and  monftrous  main. 
Seems  to  caft  water  on  the  burning  bear, 
And  quench  the  guards  of  the  ever-fixed  pole: 
I  never  did  like  moleftation  view 
On  the  enchafed  flood. 

MON.  If  that  \hzTurkijh  fleet 

Be  uot  infhelter'd,  and  embay'd,  they  are  drown'd; 
It  is  impoffible  they  bear  it  out. 

Enter  a  third  Gentleman. 

3.  G.  News,  feds!  our  wars  are  done; 

The  defperate  tempeft  hath  fo  bang'd  the  Turks, 
That  their  defignment  halts :  A  noble  (hip  of  Venice 
Haih  feen  a  grievous  wreck  and  fufterance 
On  mod  part  of  their  fleet. 

MON.  How!  is  this  true? 

3.  G.  The  fhip  is  here  put  in, 
A  Veronese ',  Michael  Caffio, 
Lieutenant  to  the  warlike  Moor,  Othello, 
Is  come  on  fhore:  the  Moor  himfelf'0  at  fea, 
And  is  in  full  commiffion  here  for  Cyprus. 

MON.  I  am  glad  on't ;  'tis  a  worthy  governor. 

3.  G.  But  this  fame  Cajfio,— though  he  fpeak  of  com- 
fort, 

Touching  the  Turkijh  lofs,— yet  he  looks  fadly, 
And  prays  the  Moor  be  fafe;  for  they  were  parted 
With  foul  and  violent  tempeft. 

MON.  Pray  heaven  he  be; 
For  1  have  ferv'd  him,  and  the  man  commands 


Othello.  19 

Like  a  full  foldier.  Let's  to  the  fea-fide,  ho? 
As  well  to  fee  the  veiTel  that's  come  in, 
As  to  throw  out  our  eyes  for  brave  Othello ; 
Even  'til!  we  make  the  main,  and  th'  aerial  blue, 
An  indiltindl  regard. 

3.  G.  Come,  let's  do  fo; 
For  every  minute  is  expectancy 

Of  more  arrivance.  [going. 

Enter  CASSIO:  the  Others  run 

andfalute  him. 

CAS.   Thanks  to  the  valiant  of  this  warlike  isle, 
That  fo  approve  the  Moor;  O,  let  the  heavens 
Give  him  defence  againft  the  elements, 
For  I  have  loft  him  on  a  dangerous  lea! 

MON.  Is  he  well  (liip'd? 

C^s.   His  bark  is  ftoutly  timber'd,  and  his  pilot 
Of  very  expert  and  approv'd  allowance; 
Therefore  my  hopes,  not  furfeited  to  death, 
Stand  in  bold  cure. 

Enter  another  Gentleman. 

4- G.  A  fail!  a  fail!  a  fail! 

CAS.   What  news? 

4.  G.  The  town  is  empty;  on  the  brow  o'  the  fea 
Stand  ranks  of  people,  and  they  cry — a  fail. 

CAS.    My  hopes  do  fhape  him  for  the  governor. 

[Guns  heard. 

2.  G.  They  do  difcharge  their  (hot  of  courtefy; 
Our  friends,  at  leaft. 

CAS     I  pray  you,  fir,  go  forth, 
And  give  us  truth  who  'tis  that  is  arriv'd. 

2.G.  I  (hall.  [Exit. 

MON.  But,  good  lieutenant,  is  your  general  wiv'd? 

"  noyfe? 

S3 


30  Othello. 

C^s.   Moft  fortunately:  he  hath  atchiev'd  a  maid, 
That  paragons  defcription,  and  wild  fame; 
One  that  excels  the  quirks  of  blazoning  pens, 
.And,  in  the  efTential  vefture  of  creation, 

Does  tire  the  inventer. Now?  who  has  put  in? 

Re- enter /econd  Gentleman. 

2.  G.  'Tis  one  lago,  ancient  to  the  general. 

C-AS-   He  has  had  moft  fav'rable  and  happy  fpeed: 
Tempefts  themfelyes,  high  feas,  and  howling  winds, 
The  guttur'd  rocks,  and  congregated  fands, — 
Traitors  enfteep'd,  to  enclog  the  guiltlefs  keel,— 
As  having  fenfe  of  beauty,  do  omit 
Their  mortal  natures,  letting  fafe  go  by 
The  divine  Desdemona. 

MON.  What  is  me? 

CAS.   She  that  I  fpake  of,  our  great  captain's  captain, 
Left  in  the  conduft  of  the  bold  lago; 
Whose  footing  here  anticipates  our  thoughts, 
A  fe'n-night's  fpeed.  _G reat  Jove,  Othello  guard, 
And  fwell  his  fail  with  thine  own  powerful  breath; 
That  he  may  blefs  this  bay  with  his  tall  fhip, 
Make  love's  quick  pants  in  Desdemonas  arms, 
Give,  renew'd  fire  to  our  extindted  fpirits, 

And  bring  all  Cyprus  comfort ! O,  behold, 

Enter  DESDEMONA,  EMILIA, 

IAGO,  RODERIGO,  and  Others;  Attendant*, 

and  People  following. 

The  riches  of  the  fhip  is  come  on  (bore  ! 

You  men  of  Cyprus,  let  her  have  your  knees  :_ 
Hail  to  thee,  lady;  and  the  grace  of  heaven, 
Before,  behind  thee,  and  on  every  hand, 
£n\vheel  thee  round! 

•5  Ingenirer     13  50  fafely  by 


Othello.  3 1 

DES.   I  thank  you,  valiant  Caffio. 
What  tidings  can  you  tell  me  of  my  lord? 

C^s.   He  is  not  yet  arriv'd;  nor  know  I  aught, 
Eat  that  he's  well,  and  will  be  Ihortly  here. 

DES.  O,  but  I  fear;  — How  loft  you  company? 

Cjts.  The  great  contention  of  the  fea  and  flues 
Parted  our  fellowfhip:  But,  hark  !  a  fail. 

[Cry  within,  of— A.  fail !  a  fail :  afterwards,  Guns. 

2.  G.  They  give  their  greeting  to  the  citadel; 
This  likewise  is  a  friend. 

CAS.   See  for  the  news.—  [Exit  Gentleman. 

Good  ancient,  you  are  welcome  ;_Welcome,  miftrefs:_ 

[to  Emilia. 

Let  it  ,not  gaU  your  patience,  good  Iagot 
That  I  extend  my  manners;  'tis  my  breeding, 
That  gives  me  this  bold  (hew  of  courtefy.  \jalutivgker. 

IAG.    Sir,  would  fhe  give  you  fo  much  of  her  lips, 
As  of  her  tongue  (he  oft  beftows  on  me, 
You'd  have  enough. 

DES.  Alas,  fhe  has  no  /peech. 

IAG.    In  faith,  too  much; 
I  find  it  ftill,  when  I  have  lift  to  fleep  : 
Marry,  before  your  ladyfhip,  I  grant, 
She  puts  her  tongue  a  little  in  her  heart, 
And  chides  with  thinking. 

EMI.  You  have  little  cause  to  fay  fo. 

IAG  .    Come  on,  come  on ;  you  are  pictures  out  o'doors, 
Bells  in  your  parlors,  wild-cats  in  your  kitchens, 
Saints  in  your  injuries,  devils  being  offended, 
flayers  in  your  huswifry,  and  huswives  in  your  bed?. 

DES.  O,  fie  upon  thee,  flanderer! 

J^G.   Nay,  it  is  true,  or  elfe  I  am  a  Turk\ 


3?  Othello. 

You  rise  to  play,  and  go  to  bed  to  work. 

EMI.  You  mall  not  write  my  praise. 

IAG.  No,  let  me  not.  [praise  me? 

DES.  What  wouldft  thou  write  of  me,  if  thou  fhouldft 

IJG.    O  gentle  lady,  do  not  put  me  to't; 
For  I  am  nothing,  if  not  critical. 

DES,  Come  on, af]ay:  There's  one  gone  to  the  harbour? 

JAG.    Ay,  madam. 

Das.  I  am  not  merry;  but  I  do  beguile 

The  thing  I  am,  by  feeming  otherwise. 

Come,  how  wouldft  thou  praise  me? 

IJ-G.   I  am  about  it;  but,  indeed,  my  invention 
Comes  from  my  pate,  as  bird-lime  does  from  freeze, 
It  plucks  out  brains  and  all:  But  my  muse  labours, 
And  thus  file  is  deiiverM. 

If  flie  be  fair,  and  wise,— fairnefs,  and  wit, 
The  one's  for  ufe,  the  other  useth  it. 

DES.  Well  prais'd:  How  if  fhe  be  black  and  witty? 

JAG.     If  (he  be  black,  and  thereto  have  a  wit, 
She'll  find  a  white  that  mall  her  blacknefs  fit. 

DES.  Worfe  and  worfe. 

£MI,  How,  if  fair  and  foolifh? 

IAG.    She  never  yet  was  foolifh,  that  was  fair; 
For  even  her  folly  help'd  her  to  an  heir. 

DES.  These  are  old  fond  paradoxes,  to  make  fools 
laugh  i'  the  a!e-houfe.  What  miserable  praise  haft  thou 
for  her  that's  foul  and  foolifh? 

IAG.   There's  none  fo  foul,  and  foolifh  thereunto, 
But  does  foul  pranks  which  fair  and  wise  ones  do. 

DES.  O  heavy  ignorance! thou  praiseft  the  worft 

beft.  But  what  praise  couldft  thou  bellow  on  a  deserv- 
ing woman  indeed  ?  one,  that,  in  the  authority  of  her 


Othello.  33 

merit,  did  jufily  put  on  the  vouch  of  very  malice  it- 
felf? 

JAG.    She  that  was  ever  fair,  and  never  proud ; 
Had  tongue  at  will,  and  yet  was  never  loud; 
Never  lack'd  gold,  and  yet  went  never  gay ; 
Fled  from  her  wifh,  and  yet  faid  —  Now  I  may; 
She  that,  being  anger'd,  her  revenge  being  nigh, 
Bad  her  wrong  Itay,  and  her  difpleasure  fly; 
She  that  in  wisdom  never  was  fo  frail, 
To  change  the  cod's  head  for  the  fahnon's  tail; 
She  that  could  think,  and  ne'er  difclose  her  mind, 
See  fuitors  following,  and  not  look  behind; 
She  was  a  wight, —  if  ever  fuch  wight  were, — 
DES.  To  do  what? 
IAG.    To  fuckle  fools,  and  chronicle  fmall  beer. 

DES.   O  moft  lame  and  impotent  conclusion! Do 

not  learn  of  him,  Emilia,  though  he  be  thy  husband — 
How  fay  you,  Cajfio?  is  he  not  a  moft  prophane  and  li- 
beral cenfurer  ? 

CAS.    He  fpeaks  home,  madam;  you  may  relifli  him 
more  in  the  foldier,  than  in  the  fcholar. 

\tbev  converfe  apart. 

IAG.  "  He  takes  her  by  the  palm:  [observing tbem.y 
Ay,  well  faid,  whisper;  with  as  little  a  web  as  this," 
will  I  enfnare  as  great  a  fiy  as  CaJJlo.  Ay,  fmile  upon" 
her,  do;  I  wiU  gyve  thee  in  thine  own  courtfhip." 
You  fay  true;  'tis  fo,  indeed :  if  fuch  tricks  as  these" 
firip  you  out  of  your  lieutenantry,  it  had  been  better*' 
you  had  not  kifT'd  your  three  fingers  fo  oft,  which" 
now  again  you  are  moil  apt  to  p!ay  the  fir  in.  Very" 
good;  well  kifT'd,  and  excellent  courtefy :  'tis  fo,  in-" 
deed.  Yet  again  your  fingers  to  your  lips?  would," 

19  Counfailor 


34  Othello. 

"  they  were  clyiler-pipes  for  your  fake!" 

[Trumpet  beard, 
The  Moor, —  I  know  his  trumpet. 

Os.  'Tis  truly  fo. 

DES.  Let's  meet  him,  and  receive  him. 

CAS.   Lo,  where  he  comes. 

Enter  OTHELLO,  and  Attendants. 

OTH.  O  my  fair  warrior! 

D£S.  My  dear  Othello!  [embracing. 

OTH.  It  gives  me  wonder  great  as  my  content, 
To  fee  you  here  before  me.  O  my  foul's  joy! 
If  after  every  tempeft  come  fihch  calms, 
May  the  winds  blow  'till  they  have  waken'd  death ! 
And  let  the  laboring  bark  climb  hills  of  feas, 
Olympus  high ;  and  duck  again  as  low, 
As  hell's  from  heaven !  If  it  were  now  to  die, 
'Tvvere  now  to  be  moft  happy ;  for,  I  fear, 
My  foul  hath  her  content  fo  abfolute, 
That  not  another  comfort  like  to  this 
Succeeds  in  unknown  fate. 

DES.  The  heavens  forbid, 
But  that  our  loves  and  comforts  mould  encreafe, 
Even  as  our  days  do  grow! 

Otu.  Amen  to  that,  fweet  powers! 

I  cannot  fpeak  enough  of  this  content, 

It  li-^ps  me  here;  it  is  too  much  ol  joy: 

And  this,  and  this,  [kij/ixg]  the  greatell  difcords  be, 

That  e'er  our  hearts  fhall  make  ! 

IAG.    "  O,  you  are  weil-tun'd  now !" 
•"  But  I'll  let  dov/n  the  pegs  that  make  this  musick," 
**  As  honefl  as  I  am." 

OtM.  Come,  let's  to  the  cattle. _.. 

f  30  Jet 


Othello.  35 

News,  friends ;  our  wars  are  done,'the  Turks  are  drown'd. 
How  does  my  old  acquaintance  of  this  isle  ?_ 

[to  Montana. 

Honey,  you  mall  be  well  desir'd  in  Cyprus, 
I  have  found  great  love  amongft  them.  O  my  fweet, 
I  prattle  out  of  fafhion,  and  I  doat 
In  mine  own  comforts.  _1  pr'ythee,  good  lago, 
Go  to  the  bay,  and  difembark  my  coffers : 
Bring  thou  the  matter  to  the  citadel; 
He  is  a  good  one,  and  his  worthinefs 
Does  challenge  much  refpeft — Come,  Desdemona, 
Once  more  well  met  at  Cyprus. 

{Exeunt  OTH.  DES.  EMI.  MOM.  Gen.andAtt. 

IAG.  Do  you  meet  me  presently  at  the  harbour.  Come 
hither ;  {calling  him  backJ\  If  thou  be'ft  valiant,— as  (they 
fay)  bafe  men,  being  in  love,  have  then  a  nobility  in  their 
natures  more  than  is  qative  to  them, — lift  me.  The  lieu- 
tenant to-night  watches  on  the  court  of  guard:  —  Firft, 
I  mull  tell  thee  \h\s,—Desdemona  is  directly  in  love  witli 
him. 

ROD.  With  him!  why,  'tis  not  poffible. 

IAG.  Lay  thy  finger ~|~ thus,  and  let  thy  foul  be  in- 
ftrufted.  Mark  me  with  what  violence  (he  firft  lov'd  the 
Moor,  but  for  bragging,  and  telling  her  fantaftical  lies : 
To  love  him  ftill  for  prating!  let  not  thy  difcreet  heart 
think  it.  Her  eye  muft  be  fed;  And  what  delight  mall 
ihe  have  to  look  on  the  devil  ?  When  the  blood  is  made 
dull  with  the  aft  of  fport,  there  mould  be,— again  to 
enflame  it,  and  to  give  fatiety  a  fre(h  appetite, —  loveli- 
nefs  in  favour;  fympathy  in  years,  manners,  and  beau- 
ties; all  which  the  Moor  is  defective  in:  Now,  for  want 
9f  these  requir'd  conveniences,  her  delicate  tendernefs 


36  Othello. 

will  find  itfelf  abus'd,  begin  to  heave  the  gorge,  difrel- 
i(h  and  abhor  the  Maor;  very  nature  will  inftruft  her  in 
It,  and  compel  her  to  Tome  fecond  choice.  Now,  fir,  this 
granted,  (as  it  is  a  moft  pregnant  and  unforc'd  position) 
who  ftands  fo  eminently  in  the  degree  of  this  fortune, 
as  Cajjio  does?  a  knave  very  voluble ;  no  further  confci- 
onable,  than  in  putting  on  the  meer  form  of  civil  and 
humane  feeming,  for  the  better  compafling  of  his  fait 
and  molt  hidden  loofe  affe&ion  ?  why,  none;  why,  none: 
A  flippery  and  fubtle  knave;  a  finder-out  of  occasions; 
that  has  an  eye  can  {lamp  and  counterfeit  advantages, 
though  true  advantage  never  present  itfelf:  A  devilim 
knave :  befides,  the  knave  is  handfome,  young ;  and  hath 
all  those  requisites  in  him,  that  folly  and  green  minds 
look  after:  A  peftilent  compleat  knave;  and  the  woman 
hath  found  him  already. 

ROD.  I  cannot  believe  that  in  her;  (lie  is  full  of  moft 
bleft  condition. 

IAG.  Bleft  fig's  end!  the  wine  {he  drinks  is  imde  of 
grapes:  if  fhe  had  been  bleit,  {he  would  never  have  lov'd 
theAlocr;  Bleft  pudding!  Didft  thou  not  fee  her  paddle 
with  the  palm  of  his  hand?  didft  not  mark  thatr 

ROD.  Yes;  but  that  was  but  courtefy. 

IAG.  Letchery,  by  this  hand;  an  index,  and  obfcnre 
prologue,  to  the  hiftory  of  luft  and  foul  thoughts:  they 
met  fo  near  with  their  lips,  that  their  breaths  embrac'd 
together.  Villanous  thoughts,  Roderigc!  when  these  mu- 
tualities fo  marfnal  the  way,  hard  at  hand  comes  the 
rnafter  and  main  exercise,  the  incorpoiate  conclusion  : 
Piih!  But,  fir,  be  you  rul'd  by  me;  I  have  brought  you 
from  Venice.  Watch  you  to-night;  for  the  command,  1'il 
lay't  upon  you;  Cajfio  knows  you  not^— I'll  not  be  far 


Othello.  37 

from  you; — do  you  find  Come  occasion  to  anger  Caffiot 
either  by  fpealdng  too  loud,  or  tainting  his  difcipline; 
or  from  what  other  courfe  you  please,  which  the  time 
lhall  more  favourably  minifter. 

ROD.  Well. 

IAG.  Sir,  he  is  rafh,  and  very  fudden  in  choler;  and, 
haply,  may  ftrike  at  you:  Provoke  him,  that  he  may: 
for,  even  out  of  that,  will  I  cause  these  of  Cyprus  to  mu- 
tiny ;  whose  qualification  (hall  come  into  no  true  tafte 
again,  but  by  the  difplanting  ofCaJ/io.  So  mall  you  have 
a  fhorter  journey  to  your  desires,  by  the  means  I  (hall 
then  have  to  prefer  them ;  and  the  impediment  mod  pro- 
fitably removed,  without  the  which  there  were  no  ex- 
peftation  of  our  profperity. 

ROD.  I  will  do  this,  if  I  can  bring  it  to  any  oppor- 
tunity. 

'  JAG.  I  warrant  thee.  Meet  me  by  and  by  at  the  cit- 
adel :  I  muft  fetch  his  neceflaries  afhore.  Farewel. 

ROD.  Adieu.  [Exit. 

IAG.    That  Caffio  loves  her,  I  do  well  believe 't;     I 
That  fhe  loves  him, 'tis  apt,  and  of  great  credit: 
The  Moor— howbeit  that  I  endure  him  not,— 
Is  of  a  conftant,  loving,  noble  nature  ; 
And,  I  dare  think,  he'll  prove  to  Desdemona 
A  mod  dear  husband.  Now  I  do  love  her  too; 
Not  out  of  abfolute  luft,  (though,  peradventure, 
1  ftand  accountant  for  as  great  a  fin) 
But  partly  led  to  diet  my  revenge, 
For  that  I  do  fufpeft  the  lufty  Moor 
Hath  lept  into  my  feat:  the  thought  whereof 
Doth,  like  a  pois'nous  mineral,  gnaw  my  inwards} 
And  nothing  can  or  mall  content  my  foul, 


38  Othello. 

'Till  I  am  even'd  with  him,  wife  for  wifej 

Or,  failing  fo,  yet  that  I  put  the  Moor 

At  leaft  into  a  jealoufy  fo  ftrong 

That  judgment  cannot  cure.  Which  thing  to  do, — 

If  this  poor  trafli  of  Venice,  whom  I  trace 

For  his  quick  hunting,  ftand  the  putting  on,         ' 

I'll  have  our  Michael  Cajpo  on  the  hip; 

Abuse  him  to  the  Moor  in  the  rank  garb, — 

For  I  fear  Caffio  with  my  night-cap  too; 

Make  the  Moor  thank  me,  love  me,  and  reward  me, 

For  making  him  egregioufly  an  afs, 

And  pra&ifmg  upon  his  peace  and  quiet 

Even  to  madnefs.  'Tis"j~here,  but  yet  confus'd; 

Knavery's  plain  face  is  never  feen,  'till  us'd.          [Exit. 

SCENE  II.  r he  fame.  A  Street', 
People  moving  in  it.  Trumpets.  Enter  a  Herald, 

attended. 

Her.  It  is  Othello's  pleasure,  our  noble  and  valiant 
general,  that,  upon  certain  tidings  now  arrived,  impor- 
ting the  meer  perdition  of  the  Turkijb  fleet,  every  man 
put  himfelf  into  triumph;  fome  to  dance,  fome  to  make 
bonfires,  each  man  to  what  fport  and  revels  his  addic- 
tion leads  him;  for,  befides  these  beneficial  news,  it  is 
the  celebration  of  his  nuptials:  So  much  was  his  plea- 
sure (hould  be  proclaimed.  All  offices  are  open;  and 
there  is  full  liberty  of  feaiHng,  from  this  present  hour 
of  five,  'till  the  bell  hath  told  eleven.  Blefs  the  isle  of 
Cyprus,  and  our  noble  general  Othello! 

[  S bouts,  and  Exeunt. 

SCENE  III.  The  jams.  Hall  of  the  Co/tie. 


Othello.  39 

Enter  OTHELLO,  CASSIO,  Desdemona, 
and  Attendant 3. 

Or  it.  Good  Michael,  look  you  to  the  guard  to-night: 
Let's  teach  ourfelves  that  honourable  Itop, 
Not  to  out-fport  difcretion. 

CAS.  lago  hath  direction  what  to  do; 
But,  notwithftanding,  with  ray  perfonal  eye 
Will  I  look  to't. 

Ofn.  lago  is  tnoft  honeft. 

Michael,  good  night:  To-morrow, with  your  earlieflr, 
Let  me  have  fpeech  with  you — Come,  my  dear  love; 
The  purchafe  made,  the  fruits  are  to  enfue; 
That  profit's  yet  to  come  'twixt  me  and  you — 
Good  night.  [Exeunt  OTH.  Des.  and  Alt, 

Enter  IAGO. 

CAS.  Welcome,  Iago\  we  muft  to  the  watch. 

IAG.  Not  this  hour,  lieutenant;  'tis  not  yet  ten  o* 
clock:  Our  general  caft  us  thus  early,  for  the  love  of  his 
Desdemona:  whom  let  us  not  therefore  blame,  he  hath 
not  yet  made  wanton  the  night  with  her;  and  me  is 
fport  for  Jove. 

CAS.  She's  a  moft  exquisite  lady. 

IAG.    And,  I'll  warrant  her,  full  of  game. 

CAS.   Indeed,  (he's  a  moft  fre(h  and  delicate  creature. 

IAG.  What  an  eye  me  has!  methinks,  it  founds  a 
parley  of  provocation. 

CAS.  An  inviting  eye ;  and  yet,  methinks,  right  mo- 
tfeft. 

IAG.  And,  when  me  fpeaks,  is  it  not  an  alarum  to 
love  ? 

CAS.   She  is,  indeed,  perfection. 

JAG.    Well,  happihefs  to  their  meets!  Come,  lieute- 


46  Othello. 

nant,  I  have  a  (loop  of  wine;  and  here  without  are  a 
brace  of  Cyprus'  gallants,  that  would  fain  have  a  meas- 
ure to  the  health  of  black  Qtbello. 

C^s.  Not  to-night,  good  Iago\  I  have  very  poor  and 
unhappy  brains  for  drinking:  I  could  well  vvifh  courteiy 
would  invent  fome  other  cuttom  of  entertainment. 

IAG.  O,  they  are  our  friends  j  but  one  cup:  I'll  drink 
for  you. 

CAS.  I  have  drunk  but  one  cup  to-night,  and  that 
was  craftily  qualify 'd  too,  and,  behold,  what  innovation 
it  makes  here :  I  am  unfortunate  in  the  infirmity,  and 
dare  not  tafk  my  weaknefs  with  any  more. 

IAG.  What,  man!  'tis  a  night  of  revels;  the  gallants 
desire  it. 

CAS.   Where  are  they? 

IAG.    Here  at  the  door;  T  pray  you,  call  them  in. 

CAS.    I'll  do't;  but  it  diflikes  me.  [Exit. 

IAG.    If  I  can  faften  but  one  cup  upon  him. 
With  that  which  he  hath  drunk  to-night  already, 
He'll  be  as  full  of  quarrel  and  offence 
As  my  young  miflrefs'dog.  Now,  my  fick  fool,  Roderigot 
Whom  love  hath  turn'd  aimed  the  wrong  fide  out, 
To  Desdemona  hath  to-night  carous'd 
Potations  pottle  deep;  and  he's  to  watch: 
Three  elfe  of  Cypriis,~ noble  fwelling  fpirits, 
That  held  their  honours  in  a  wary  diftance, 
The  very  elements  of  this  warlike  isle,— 
Have  I  to-night  flufter'd  with  flowing  cups,  [ards, 

And  they  watch  too.  Now,  'mongft  this  flock  of  drunk- 
Am  1  to  put  our  CaJ/io  in  fome  aftion 
That  may  offend  the  isle;  — But  here  they  come: 

Re-enter  CASSIO;  MONTAKO,  and  Others,  with  him. 


Othello.  41 

If  ctinfequence  do  but  approve  my  deem, 

My  boat  fails  freely,  both  with  wind  and  ftream. 

[meeting  them. 

CAS.  'Fore  God,  they  have  given  me  a  rouze  already. 
Man.  Good  faith,  a  little  one;  not  paft  a  pint, 
As  I'm  a  foldier. 

IAQ.   Some  wine,  ho!_ 

And  let  me  the  canakin  clink,  clink,  clink ; 

and  let  me  the  canakin  clink : 

a  foldier' s  a  man; 

a  life's  but  a  fpan ; 

<vohy  then,  let  a  foldier  drink. 

Some  wine,  boys !  [Wine  brought  in. 

CAS.   'Fore  God,  an  excellent  fong. 
IAG.   I  learn'd  it  in  England,  where  (indeed)  they  are 
molt  potent  in  potting:  your  Dane,  your  German,  and 
your  fwag-belly'd  #0//rf»<Ji?r,_i Drink,  ho!_are  nothing 
to  your  Englijh.  [drinks,  and  puts  it  about. 

CAS.   Is  your  Engli/hman  fo  expert  in  his  drinking? 
IAG.    Why,  he  drinks  you,  with  facility,  your  Dane 
dead  drunk;  he  fweats  not  to  overthrow  yoorJ/maiu',  he 
gives  your  Hollander  a  vomit,  ere  the  next  pottle  can  be 
Jill'd. 

CAS.  To  the  health  of  our  general.  [fills* 

Mon.  I  am  for  it,  lieutenant;  and  I'll  do  you  juiticc. 

[filling  too ;  and  they  drink. 

IAG.  O  fweet&ylm// 

i. 

King  Stephen  ivas  a  worthy  peer, 
his  breeches  cojt  him  but  a  rro<u>»; 

be  held  them  Jtx-pence  all  too  dear, 

nvith  that  he  calfd  the  taylor~~lofwn. 

>  dreams 

VOL.  X. 


42  Othello. 

2. 

He  was  a  nvigbt  of  high  renoixn, 
and  tbou  art  but  of  lo'w  degree  ; 
'tis  pride  that  pulls  the  country  down, 

then  take  thine  auld  cloke  about  thee. 
Some  wine,  ho!  fther. 

.    CAS.  Why,  this  is  a  more  exquisite  fong  than  the  o- 

IAG.   Will  you  hear't  again? 

CAS.  No;  for  I  hold  him  to  be  unworthy  of  his  place, 

that  does  those  things. Well,  God's  above  all ;  and  there 

be  fouls  muft  be  faved,  and  there  be  fouls  muft  not  be 
faved. 

IAG.    It's  true,  good  lieutenant. 

CAS.  For  mine  own  part, — no  offence  to  the  general, 
nor  any  man  of  quality, —  I  hope  to  be  faved. 

IAG.   And  fo  do  I  too,  lieutenant. 

CAS.  Ay,  but  (by  your  leave)  not  before  me;  the 
lieutenant  is  to  be  faved  before  the  ancient.  Let's  have 
no  more  of  this;  let's  to  our  affairs. —  Forgive  as  our 
fins! .-Gentlemen,  let's  look  to  our  businefs.  Do  not 
think,  gentlemen,  I  am  drunk ;  this  is  my  ancient;  this 
is  my  right  hand,  and  this  is  my  left  hand :  I  am  not 
drunk  now;  I  can  {land  well  enough,  and  fpeak  well  e- 
nough. 

all.      Excellent  well. 

CAS.  Why,  very  well  then :  you  muft  not  think  then 
that  I  am  drunk.  [Exit. 

MON.  To  the  plat-form,  mafters ;  come,  let's  fet  the 
watch. 

IAG.   You  fee  this  fellow,  that  is  gone  before;"" 
He  is  a  foldier,  fit  to  Itand  by  C<esar 
And  give  direction:  and  do  but  fee  his  vice; 


Othello.  4j 

'Tis  to  his  virtue  a  juft  equinox, 

The  one  as  long  as  the  other:  'tis  pity  of  him. 

I  fear,  the  truft  Othello  puts  in  him, 

On  fome  odd  time  of  his  infirmity* 

Will  ftiake  this  island. 

Mov.  But  is  he  often  thus? 
IAG.  'Tis  evermore  the  prologue  to  his  floep: 
He'll  watch  the  horologue  a  double  fetj 
If  drink  rock  not  his  cradle. 

MON.  It  were  well, 
The  general  were  put  in  mind  of  it. 
Perhaps,  he  fees  it  not :  or  his  good  nature 
Prizes  the  virtue  that  appears  in  Cajfio, 
And  looks  not  on  his  evils ;  Is  not  this  true  ? 

RoderSgo  Jho^ws  himfelf. 
IAG.   "  How  now,  Roderigo?" 
"  I  pray  you,  after  the  lieutenant;  go." 

[pujbing  him  out. 

Mow.  And  'tis  great  pity,  that  the  noble  Moor 
should  hazard  fuch  a  place,  as  his  own  fecond, 
Vith  one  of  an  ingraft  infirmity: 
t  were  an  honed  a&ion,  to  fay  fb 
the  Moor. 

.   Not  I,  for  this  fair  island: 
'.  do  love  CaJJio  well;  and  would  do  much, 
Te  cure  him  of  this  evil.  But,  hark!  what  noise? 
Cry,  within, —  Help*  help !  — Re-enter  CA  s  s  10, 

driving  in  RODE  RIG  o. 
CAS.  You  rogue!  you  rafcal! 
MON.  What's  the  matter,  lieutenant  ? 
CAS.   A  knave, — teach  me  my  duty ! 
['11  beat  the  knave  into  a  wicker  bottle. 

3  him  in 

Ta 


44  Othello* 

ROD.  Beat  me! 

CAS.  Doft  thou  prate,  rogue?  [beats  Roderlgo. 

MON.  Nay,  good  lieutenant;  [ftay*t!S  kirn* 

I  pray  you,  fir,  hold  your  hand. 

CAS.   Let  me  go,  fir, 
Or  I'll  knock  you  o'er  the  mazzard. 

MON.  Come,  come,  you're  drunk. 

CAS.   Drunk  ?  [draw*  upon  Mon.  and  they  fight. 

IAG.    "  Away,  I  fay !  go  out,  and  cry— a  mutiny." 
[to  Roderigo,  nuho  goes  out. 

Nay,  good  lieutenant, alas,  gentlemen, 

Help,  ho !  _  Lieutenant,— fir,  -.Montana,—  fir ;  __ 
Help,  mailers! —.Here's  a  goodly  watch,  indeed!_ 

[Bell  rung. 

Who's  that  that  rings  the  \>e\\:—DiaMo,  ho! 
The  town  will  rise :_God's- will,  lieutenant,  hold; 
You  will  be  fham'd  for  ever.  [taking  him  off. 

Enter  OTHELLO,  and  Gentlemen,  nuith  Weapons. 

OTH.  What  is  the  matter  here? 

Mo  if.  I  bleed  ftill,  I  am  hurt  to  the  death;— he  dies. 
[availing  Caffio  again. 

OTH.  Hold,  for  your  lives.  [tlemen,_ 

IAG.   Hold,  ho! —  Lieutenant,— fir, — Montana,— gen- 
Have  you  forgot  all  fenfe  of  place  and  duty  : 
Hold,  hold !  the  general  fpeaks  to  you ;  hold,  for  fhame ! 

OTK .  Why,  how  now,  ho !  from  whence  ariseth  this  * 
Are  we  turn'd  Turks;  and  to  ourfelves  do  that, 
Which  heaven  hath  forbid  the  Qttomites? 
For  chriftian  fhame,  put  by  this  barbarous  brawl: 
He  that  ftirs  next  to  carve  for  his  own  rage, 
Holds  his  foul  light;  he  dies  upon  his  motion — • 

[they  are  parted* 

2+  place  Of  fenfe 


Othello.  45 

'Silence  that  dreadful  bell,  it  frights  the  isle 
From  her  propriety. —What  is  the  matter,  matters  ?__ 
Honeft  Jago,  that  look'ft  dead  with  grieving, 
Speak,  who  began  this?  on  thy  love,  I  charge  thee. 

IAG.    I  do  not  know;  friends  all  bat  now,  even  now» 
In  quarter  and  in  terms  like  bride  and  groom 
Divefting  them  to  bed :  and  then,  but  now, — 
As  if  fome  planet  had  unwitted  men,— 
Swords  om,  and  tilting  one  at  other's  breaft, 
In  opposition  bloody.  I  cannot  fpeak 
Any  beginning  to  this  peevifh  odds; 
And  'would  in  adion  glorious  I  had  loft 
These  legs,  that  brought  me  to  a  part  of  it. 

OTH.  How  comes  it,  Michael,  you  are  thus  forgot? 

Cjis.   I  pray  you,  pardon  me,  I  cannot  fpeak. 

OTH.  Worthy  Montana,  you  were  wont  be  civil ; 
The  gravity  and  ftillnefs  of  your  youth 
The  world  hath  noted,  and  your  name  is  great 
In  mouths  of  wiseft  cenfure;  What's  the  matter, 
That  you  unlace  your  reputation  thus, 
And  fpend  your  rich  opinion  for  the  name 
Of  a  night-brawler?  give  me  anfwer  to't. 

MON.  Worthy  Othello,  I  am  hurt  to  danger; 
Your  officer,  lago,  can  inform  you  — 
While  I  fpare  fpeech, which  fomethingnow  offends me,-~ 
Of  all  that  I  do  know:  nor  know  I  aught, 
By  me  that's  faid  or  done  amifs  this  night ; 
Unlefs  felf-charity  be  fometime  a  vicej 
And  to  defend  ourfelves  it  be  a  fin, 
When  violence  affails  us. 

Oru.  Now,  by  heaven, 
My  blood  begins  my  fafer  guides  to  rule; 

3  lookes 


46  Othello. 

And  paflion,  having  my  beft  judgment  queH'd, 
Aflays  to  lead  the  way :  if  I  once  ftir, 
Or  do  but  lift  this  arm,  the  beft  of  yoo 
Shall  fink  in  my  rebuke.  Give  me  to  know 
JHow  this  foul  rout  began,  who  fet  it  on ; 
And  he  that  is  approv'd  in  this  offence, 
Though  he  had  twin'd  with  me,  both  at  a  birth, 
Shall  loofen  me.  What!  in  a  town  of  war, 
Yet  wild,  the  people's  hearts  brimfull  of  fear, 
To  manage  private  and  domeftick  quarrel, 
In  night,  and  on  the  court  of  guard  and  fafety! 
'Tis  monfterous. lago,  who  began 't? 

MON.  If  partially  affin'd,  or  leagu'd  in  office, 
Thou  deft  deliver  more  or  lefs  than  truth, 
Thou  art  no  foldier. 

IAG.   Touch  me  not  fo  near: 
I  had  rather  have  this  tongue  cut  from  my  mouth, 
Than  it  fhould  do  offence  to  Michael  Caffto ; 
Yet,  I  perfuade  myfeif,  to  fpeak  the  truth 
Shall  nothing  wrong  him — Thus  it  is,  general. 
Montana  and  myfeif  being  in  fpeech, 
There  comes  a  fellow,  crying  out  for  help ; 
And  CaJJlo  following  him  with  determin'd  fword, 
To  execute  upon  him:  Sir,  this ~\ gentleman 
"Steps  in  to  Ccffio,  and  entreats  his  pause; 
Myfeif  the  crying  fellow  did  purfue, 
Left,  by  his  clamour,  (as  it  fo  feil  out) 
The  town  might  fall  in  fright:  he,  fwift  of  foot, 
Out-ran  n:y  purpose;  and  I  retnrn'd  the  rather 
For  that  I  heard  the  clink  and  fa1!  of  fwords, 
And  Cr.JJio  high  in  oath,  which,  'till  to-night, 
|  ne'er  might  fay  before:  When  1  came  back, 

i  coold     8  lo0fe     ii  a-.d  guard  of     >3  league 


Othello.  47 

(For  this  was  brief)  I  found  them  clofe  together, 
At  blow,  and  thruft;  even  as  again  they  were, 
When  you  yourfelf  did  part  them. 
More  of  this  matter  can  1  not  report  :  — 
But  men  are  men;  the  beft  fometimes  forget: 
Though  CaJJio  did  fome  little  wrong  to  him,— 
As  men  in  rage  ftrike  those  that  wifh  them  beft,— 
Yet,  furely,  Caffto,  I  believe,  receiv'd, 
From  him  that  fled,  fome  ftrange  indignity, 
Which  patience  could  not  pafs. 

Ofu.  I  know,  lag o, 

Thy  honefty  and  love  doth  mince  this  matter, 
Making  it  light  to  CaJjio:^CaJfiot  I  love  thee; 

But  never  more  be  officer  of  mine. 

Enter  DESDEMONA,  attended. 
Look,  if  my  gentle  love  be  not  rais'd  up;_ 
I'll  make  thee  an  example. 

DES.  What  is  the  matter,  dear? 

OTH.  All's  well  now,  fweeting : 

Come,  let's  away  to  bed Sir,  [to  Mon.]  for  your  hurts, 

Myfelf  will  be  your  furgeon  : lead  him  off. 

[Exeunt  Some  'with  MONTANO. 
lago,  look  with  care  about  the  town  ; 
And  filence  those  whom  this  vile  brawl  diftra&ed.— 
Come,  Desdemcna;  'tis  the  foldiers'  life, 
To  have  their  balmy  flumbers  wak'd  with  ftrife. 

[Exit?  with  DES.  Gen.  Sec. 

JAG.    What,  are  you  hurt,  lieutenant? 

CAS.    Ay,  part  all  furgery. 

IAG.    Marry,  heaven  forbid! 

Cjs.    Reputation,  reputation,  I  have  loft  my  reputa- 
tion ;  I  have  loft  the  immortal  part  of  myfelf,  and  what 


4*  Othello, 

remains  is  beftial — My  reputation,  lago,  my  reputation, 

JAG.  As  I  am  an  honeft  man,  I  thought  you  had  re- 
ceiv'd  fome  bodily  wound;  there  is  more  fenfe  in  that, 
than  in  reputation.  Reputation  is  an  idle  and  moft  falfe 
imposition ;  oft  got  without  merit,  and  loft  without  de- 
serving: You  have  loft  no  reputation  at  all,  unlefs  you 
repute  ytfurfelf  fuch  a  loser.  What,  man!  there  are  ways 
to  recover  the  general  again :  You  are  but  now  caft  in 
his  mood,  a  punifhment  more  in  policy  than  in  malice; 
even  fo  as  one  would  beat  his  offencelefs  dog,  to  affright 
an  imperious  lion:  fue  to  him  again,  and  he's  yours. 

CAS.  I  will  rather  fue  to  be  defpis'd,  than  to  deceive 
fo  good  a  commander,  with  fo  flight,  fo  drunken,  and  fa 
indifcreet  an  officer.  Drunk?  and  fpeak  parratf  and 
fquabble?  fwagger?  fwear?  and  difcourfe  fuftian  with 

one's  own  fhadow? O  thou  invisible  fpirit  of  wine,  if 

thou  haft  no  name  to  be  known  by,  let  us  call  thee — 
devil. 

IAG.  What  was  he  that  you  follow'd  with  your  fword? 
What  had  he  done  to  you .? 

CAS.   I  know  not. 

IAG.   Is't  poffible? 

CAS.  I  remember  a  mafs  of  things,  but  nothing  dif- 
tinftly;  a  quarrel,  but  nothing  wherefore — O,  that  men 
ihould  put  an  enemy  in  their  mouths,  to  fteal  away  their 
brains!  that  we  iliould,with  joy,  revel,  pleasure,  and  ap- 
plause, tranfform  ourfelves  into  beafts! 

IAG.  Why,  but  you  are  now  well  enough;  How  came 
you  thus  recover'd? 

CAS.  It  hath  pleas'd  the  devil,  drunkennefs,  to  give 
place  to  the  devil,  wrath:  one  unperfe&nefs  (hews  ir.£ 
another,  to  make  me  frankly  defpise  myfelf. 


Othello. 


49 


IAG.  Come,  you  are  too  fcvere  a  moraler:  As  the 
time,  the  place,  and  the  condition  of  this  country  ftands, 
I  could  heartily  wim  this  had  not  befall'n ;  but,  fmce  it 
is  as  it  is,  mend  it  for  your  own  good. 

CAS.  I  will  aflc  him  for  my  place  again;  he  ftiall  tell 
me,  I  am  a  drunkard :  had  1  as  many  mouths  as  Hydra* 
fuch  an  anfwer  would  flop  them  all.  To  be  now  a  fenfi- 
ble  man,  by  and  by  a  fool,  and  presently  a  beaft  !  o 
ftrange!  Every  inordinate  cup  is  unbleft,  and  the  ingre- 
dience  is  a  devil. 

IAG.  Come,  come,  good  wine  is  a  good  familiar  crea- 
ture, if  it  be  well  us'd;  exclaim  no  more  againft  it.  And, 
good  lieutenant,  I  think,  you  think  I  love  you: 

CAS.   I  have  well  approved  it,  fir. I  drunk! 

IAG.  You,  or  any  man  living,  may  be  drunk  at  fome 
time,  man.  I'll  tell  you  what  you  (hall  do:  Oar  gene- 
ral's wife  is  now  the  general;  — I  may  fay  fo  in  this  re- 
fpeft,  for  that  he  hath  devoted  and  given  up  himfelf  to 
the  contemplation,  mark,  and  denotement,  of  her  parts 
and  graces; — confefs  yourfelf  freely  to  her,  importune 
her  help  to  put  you  in  your  place  again ;  me  is  of  fo 
free,  fo  .kind,  fo  apt,  fo  blefled  a  difposition,  that  (he 
holds  it  a  vice  in  her  goodnefs,  not  to  do  more  than  fhe 
is  requefted :  This  broken  joint,  between  you  and  her 
husband,  entreat  her  to  fplinter;  and, my  fortunes  againft 
any  lay  worth  naming,  this  crack  of  your  love  (hall  grow 
flronger  than  it  was  before. 

CAS.   You  advise  me  well. 

IAG.  I  proteft,  in  the  lincerity  of  love,  and  honeft 
kindnefs. 

CAS.  I  think  it  freely ;  and,  betimes  in  the  morning, 
J  will  befeech  the  virtuous  Detdemona  to  undertake  ior 

'9  devotement 


£0  Othello. 

me:  I  am  defperate  of  my  fortunes,  if  they  check  me 
here. 

IAG.   You  are  in  the  right.  Good  night,  lieutenant; 
I  mult  to  the  watch. 

CAS.  Good  night,  honeft  lago.  [Exit  CASSIO. 

JAG.   And  what's  he  then,  that  fays— I  play  the  vil- 
lain? 

When  this  advice  is  free  I  give,  and  honeft, 
Probable  to  thinking,  and  (indeed)  the  courfe 
To  win  the  Moor  again  ?  For  'tis  mod  easy, 
The  inclining  Desdemona  to  fubdue 
In  any  honeft  fuit;  {he's  fram'd  as  fruitful 
As  the  free  elements:  And  then  for  her 
To  win  the  Moor, — were't  to  renounce  his  baptism, 
All  feals  and  fymbols  of  redeemed  fin,— 
His  foul  is  fo  enfetter'd  to  her  love, 
That  (he  may  make,  unmake,  do  what  (he  lift, 
Even  as  her  appetite  (hall  play  the  god 
With  his  weak  funclion    How  am  1  then  a  villain, 
To  counfel  CaJJio  to  this  parallel  courfe, 
Diredly  to  his  good  ?  Divinity  of  hell! 
When  devils  will  the  blacked  fins  put  on, 
They  do  fuggeft  at  firft  with  heavenly  (hews, 
As  J  do  now  :  For,  while  this  honeft  fool 
Plies  Desdemona  to  repair  his  fortunes, 
And  (lie  for  him  pleads  ftrojngly  to  the  Moor, 
I'll  pour  this  peftilence  into  his  ear, — 
That  fhe  repeals  him  for  her  body's  luft  ; 
And,  by  how  much  (he  ftrives  to  do  him  good, 
She  (hall  undo  her  credit  with  the  Moor. 
So  wui  I  turn  her  virtue  into  pitch  ; 
And  out  of  her  own  goodnefs  make  the  net, 

9  Proball 


Othello.  t$l 

That  fhall  enmefli  them  all — How  now, 
Enter  RODE  RICO. 

ROD.  I  do  follow  heie  in  the  chace,  not  like  a  hound 
that  hunts,  but  one  that  fills  up  the  cry.  My  money  is 
almoft  (pent;  I  have  been  to-night  exceedingly  well  cud- 
gel'd;  and,  I  think,  the  iffue  will  be  — I  (hall  have  fo 
much  experience  for  rny  pains :  and  fo,  with  no  money 
at  all,  and  a  little  more  wit,  return  again  to  Venice. 

IAG.    How  poor  are  they,  that  have  not  patience!_ 
What  wound  did  ever  heal,  but  by  degrees  ? 
Thou  know'ft,  we  work  by  wit,  and  not  by  witchcraft; 
And  wit  depends  'on  dilatory  time. 
Does't  not  go  well  ?  Cajfio  hath  beaten  thee, 
And  thou,  by  that  fmail  hurt,  haft  cafhier'd  Cafjio: 
Though  other  things  grow  fair  againft  the  fun, 
Yet  fruits,  that  bloffom  firft,  will  firft  be  ripe: 
Content  thyfelf  a  while — By  th'  mafs,  'tis  morning; 
Pleasure,  and  aftion,  make  the  hours  fe.em  fliort — 
Retire  thee,  go  where  thou  art  billeted : 
Away,  I  fay;  thou  (halt  know  more  hereafter: 
Nay,  get  thee  gone —  [Exit  RODERIGO. 

Two  things  are  to  be  done, — 
My  wife  murt  move  for  Caffto  to  her  miflrefs, 
I'll  fet  her  on; 

Myfelf,  the  while,  to  draw  the  Moor  apart, 
And  bring  him  jump  when  he  may  Caffto  find 
Soliciting  his  wife:  Ay,  that's  the  way; 
Dull  not  device  by  coldnefs  and  delay.  [Exit. 


ACT:  in. 

SCENE  I.  The  fame.  Before  the  Callt. 
*5  myfelfe,  a  while, 


5»  Othello. 

Enter  CASSIO,  and  feme  Musicians. 

CAS.  Matters,  play  here,  I  will  content  your  pains, 
Something  that's  brief;  and  bid—good  morrow,  general. 

\Munck. 
Enter  Clown. 

Cla.  Why,  matters,  have  your  instruments  been  at 
Naples,  that  they  play  i'th'nose  thus? 

I .  M.  How,  fir,  how ! 

Clo.     Are  these,  I  pray  you,  wind  inftruments? 

i .  M.  Ay,  marry,  are  they,  fir. 

Clo.     O,  thereby  hangs  a  tale. 

i .  M.  Whereby  hangs  a  tale,  fir  ? 

Clo.  Marry,  fir,  by  many  a  wind  inftrument  that  I 
know.  But,  matters,  here's^ money  for  you:  and  the  ge- 
neral fo  likes  your  musick,  that  he  desires  you,  for  love's 
fake,  to  make  no  more  noise  with  it. 

1 .  M.  Well,  fir,  we  will  not. 

Clo.  If  you  have  any  musick  that  may  not  be  heard, 
to't  again :  but,  as  they  fay,  to  hear  musick,  the  general 
does  not  greatly  care. 

i.  M.  We  have  none  fuch,  fir. 

Clo.  Then  put  up  your  pipes  in  your  bag,  for  I'll 
away:  Go;  vanifti  into  air;  away.  [Exeunt  Musicians. 

CAS.   Doft  thou  hear,  my  honeft  friend? 

Clo.     No,  I  hear  not  your  honeft  friend ;  I  hear  you. 

Crf$.  Pr'ythee,  keep  up  thy  quillets.  There's  a  poor 
piece  of  gold  *Y  for  thee  :  if  the  gentlewoman  that  attends 
the  general's  wife,  be  ftirring,  tell  her,  there's  one  Caffis 
entreats  her  a  little  favour  of  fpeech  :  Wilt  thou  do  this  ? 

Ceo.     She  is  ttirring,  fir  j  if  fhe  will  ftir  hither,  I  fhall 
to  notify  unto  her.  [Exit. 


Othello,  55 

Enter  IAGO. 

ds.   Do,  my  good  friend — Fn  happy  time,  lago. 

IAG.    You  have  not  been  a- bed  then!1 

CAS.   Why,  no;  the  day  had  broke 
Before  we  parted.  I  have  made  bold,  laga, 
To  fend  in  to  your  wife:  My  fuit  to  her 
Is,  that  fhe  will  to  virtuous  Desdemona 
Procure  me  fome  accefs. 

IAG.   I'll  fend  her  to  you  presently  : 
And  I'll  devise  a  mean  to  draw  the  Moor 
Out  of  the  way,  that  your  converfe  and  businefs 
May  be  more  free. 

CAS.  I  humbly  thank  you  for't.—          [Exit  IAGO. 
I  never  knew  a  man  more  kind,  and  honefl. 
Enter  EMILIA. 

EMI.  Good  morrow,  good  lieutenant:  I  am  forry 
For  your  difpleasure;  but  all  will  foon  be  well. 
The  general,  and  his  wife,  are  talking  of  it; 
And  me  {peaks  for  you  ftoutly:  The  Moor  replies, 
That  he,  you  hurt,  is  of  great  fame  in  Cyprus, 
And  great  affinity;  and  that,  in  wholfome  wisdom, 
He  might  not  but  refuse :  but,  he  pretefts,  he  loves  you; 
And  needs  no  other  fuitor,  but  his  liking?, 
To  take  the  faf'ft  occasion  by  the  front, 
To  bring  you  in  again. 

CAS.   Yet,  I  befeech  you, — 
If  you  think  fit,  or  that  it  may  be  done,"" 
Give  me  advantage  of  fome  brief  difcourfe 
With  Desdemona  alone. 

EMI.  Pray  you,  come  in ; 
I  will  beftow  you  where  you  fhall  have  time 
To  fpeak  your  bosom  freely. 

H  v.  Note, 


54  OthelloV 

Cx?.   I  am  much  bound  to  you.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  II.   The  fame.  A  Room  in  the  fame. 
Enter  OTHELLO, lAGO,andfome  Gentlemen. 
Or  a.  These  letters^  give,  logo,  to  the  pilot; 
And,  by  him,  do  my  duties  to  the  ftate: 
That  done,  I  will  be  walking  on  the  works, 
Repair  there  to  me. 

JAG.    Well,  my  good  lord,  I'll  do't. 

Or  a.  This  fortification,  gentlemen,—  fhall  we  fee't? 

Gen.    We'll  wait  upon  your  lordfhip.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  III.  The  fame.  Before  the  Caftle. 
Enter  DESDEMONA,  CASSIO,  and  EMILIA. 

DES.  Be  thou  afiur'd,  good  Cajfio,  I  will  do 
All  my  abilities  in  thy  behalf. 

EMI,  Good  madam, do;  I  warr'nt, it  grieves  my  hus- 
band, 
As  if  the  cafe  were  his. 

D£ s.  O,that's  an  honeft  fellows— 
But  I  will  have  my  lord  and  you  again 
As  friendly  as  you  were. 

CAS.   $9ofl  bounteous  madam, 
Whatever  mall  become  of  Michael  Cajfio, 
He's  never  any  thing  but  your  true  fcrvant. 

Dfs.   O,  fir,  I  thank  you:  You  do  love  my  lord; 
You  have  known  him  long;  and  be  you  well  afTur'd, 
He  mall  in  ftrangenefs  fland  no  farther  off, 
Than  in  a  politick  diftance. 

CAS.  Ay,  but,  lady, 
That  policy- may  either  laft  fo  lonsf, 
Or  feed  upon  fuch  nice  and  wat'nfli  diet, 


Othello,  5$ 

Or  breed  itfelf  fo  out  of  circumftance, 
That,  I  being  abfent,  and  my  place  fupply'd, 
My  general  will  forget  my  love  and  fervice. 

DES.  Do  not  doubt  that;  before  Emilia  here, 
I  give  thee  warrant  of  thy  place:  aflure  thee, 
If  i  do  vow  a  friendfhip,  I'll  perform  it 
To  the  laft  article:  my  lord  mall  never  reft, 
I'll  watch  him  tame,  and  talk  him  out  of  patience; 
His  bed  mall  feem  a  fchool,  his  board  a  mrift; 
I'll  intermingle  every  thing  he  does 
With  Co/fid's  fuit:  Therefore  be  merry,  Cajfio\ 
For  thy  follicitor  mail  rather  die, 
Than  give  thy  cause  away. 

Enttr  OTHELLO,  at  aDiJlanct\ 
I  AGO  nuith  him. 

EMI.  Madam,  here  comes  my  lord. 

CAS.   Madam,  I'll  take  my  leave. 

DES.  Why,  ftay,  and  hear  me  fpeak. 

CAS.  Madam,  not  now;  I  am  very  ill  at  ease, 
Unfit  for  mine  own  purposes. 

DES.  Well,toeH, 
Do  your  difcrefion.  [Exit  CASSIO. 

JAG.   Ha!  I  like  not  that. 

OTH.  What  doft  thou  fay  ? 

IAG.    Nothing,  my  lord :  Or  if — I  know  not  what. 

OTS.  Was  not  that  CaJJio,  parted  from  my  wife? 

IAG.    Caffio,  my  lord?  No,  fure,  I  cannot  think  it, 
That  he  would  fteal  away  fo  guilty-like, 
Seeing  you  coming. 

OTH.  I  do  believe,  'twas  he. 

DES.  How  now,  my  lord?  [going  toward*  him, 

I  have  been  talking  with  a  fuitor  here, 


56  Othello. 

A  man  that  languishes  in  your  difpleasure. 

Of  a.  Who  is't,  you  mean  ? 

DES.  Why,  your  lieutenant  Caffio.  Good  my  lord* 
If  I  have  any  grace,  or  power  to  move  you, 
His  present  reconciliation  take; 
For,  if  he  be  not  one  that  truly  loves  you, 
That  errs  in  ignorance,  and  not  in  cunning, 
I  have  no  judgment  in  an  honeft  face  : 
I  pr'ythee,  call  him  back. 

OTH.  Went  he  hence  now? 

DES.    Ay,  footh;  fo  humbl'd, 
That  he  hath  left  part  of  his  grief  with  me, 
To  fuffer  with  him:  Good  love,  call  him  back. 

OTH.  Not  now,  fweet  Desdemona ;  fome  other  time. 

DES.  ButfhalPt  be  fhortly? 

OTH.  The  fooner,  fweet,  for  you. 

DES.   ShalPt  be  to-night  at  fupper? 

OTH .  No,  not  to-night. 

DES.  To-morrow  dinner  then  ? 

OTH.  I  (hall  not  dine  at  home; 
I  meet  the  captains  at  the  citadel. 

Dzs.   Why  then,  to-morrow  night;  or  tuesday  morn; 
Or  tuesday  noon,  or  night;  or  we'nsday  morn;  — 
1  pray  thee,  name  the  time;  but  let  it  not 
Exceed  three  days:  In  faith,  he's  penitent; 
And  yet  his  trefpafs,  in  our  common  reason, 
(Save  that,  they  fay,  the  war  mutt  make  example* 
Out  of  her  beft)  is  not  almoft  a  fault 
To  incur  a  private  check:  When  (hall  he  come? 
Tell  me,  Othello.  I  wonder  in  my  foul, 
What  you  could  aflc  me,  that  I  fhould  deny, 
Or  Hand  fo  mamm'ring  on.  What!  Michael Cajfio, 


Othello.  57 

That  came  a  wooing  with  you  ;  and  many  a  time, 
When  I  have  fpoke  of  you  difprai singly, 
Hath  ta"'en  your  part;  to  have  fo  much  to  do 
To  bring  him  in!  Trull  me,  I  could  do  much, — 

Or  a.  Pr'ythee,  no  more:  let  him  come  when  he  will; 
I  will  deny  thee  nothing. 

DES.    Why,  this  is  not  a  boon; 
'Tis  as  I  mould  entreat  you  wear  your  gloves, 
Or  feed  on  nouriming  dimes,  or  keep  you  warm, 
Or  fue  to  you  to  do  peculiar  profit 
To  your  own  perfon  :  Nay,  when  I  have  a  fuit, 
Wherein  I  mean  to  touch  your  love  indeed, 
It  mail  be  full  of  poize  and  difficulty, 
And  fearful  to  be  granted. 

Otu.  I  wili  deny  thee  nothing  : 
Whereon,  I  do  befeech  thee,  grant  me  this,"" 
To  leave  me  but  a  little  to  myfelf. 

DES.  Shall  I  deny  you?  no:  Farewd,  my  lord. 

OTH.  Farewei,  roy  Desdzmona:  I  will  come  to  thee 
ftraight. 

DES.  Etmtia,  come :  _  Be  it  as  your  fancies  teach  you; 
Whate'er  you  be,  I  am  obedient.         [Exit,  -with  EM*. 

Or  a.  Excellent  wretch!  Perdition  catch  my  fouf, 
But  1  do  love  thee!  and  when  t  love  thee  not, 
Chaos  is  come  again. 

IAG.  My  noble  lord,— 

Or  a.  What  doit  thou  fay,  lago? 

IAG.    Did  Mi<hael  CaJ/io,  when  you  woo'd  my  lady, 
Know  of  your  love? 

OTH.  He  did,  from  firft  to  laft:  Why  doft  thou  afk? 

IAG,    But  for  a  fatiffaftion  of  my  thought, 

'  and  fo  many     ««  do  a  peculiar 

VOL.  X,  U 


$8  Othello, 

No  fufther  harm. 

OTH.  Why  of  thy  thought,  lego? 

JAG  .    I  did  not  think,  he  had  been  acquainted  with  i  ?. 

Or  a.  O,  yes;  and  went  between  us  very  oft. 

JAG.    Indeed?  -M.' 

OTH.  Indeed?  ay,  indeed;  Discera'ft  thou  aught  in 

that? 
Is  he  not  honeft? 

JAG.    Honeft,  my  lord  ? 

OTH.  Honeft?  ay,  honeft. 

JAG.   My  lord,  for  aught  I  know. 

OTH.  What  doit  thou  think? 

JAG.    Think,  my  lord? 

OTH.  Think,  my  lord?_By  heaven,  he  ecchoes  me, 
As  if  there  were  fome  moniler  in  his  thought, 
Too  hideous  to  be  (hewn — Thou  doft  mean  fomething: 
I  heard  thee  fay  but  now, — Thou  lik'fcft  not  that, 
When  Cafio  left  my  wife;  What  didft  not  like? 
-And,  when  I  told  thee, — he  was  of  my  counfel, 
In  my  whole  courfe  of  wooing,  thou  cry'dft,  Indeed? 
And  didft  contract  and  purfe  thy  brow  together, 
As  if  thou  then  hadft  Ihut  up  in  thy  brain 
Some  horrible  conceit:  If  thou  doft  love  me, 
Shew  me  thy  thought. 

IAG.    My  lord,  you  know  I  love  you. 

Ora.  I  think,  thou  doft ; 

And,— for  I  know  thou'rt  full  of  love  and  honefly, 
Andweigh'ft  thy  words  before  thougiv'ft  them  breath,— 
Therefore  these  ftops  of  thine  fright  me  the  more: 
For  fuch  things,  in  a  falfe  difloyal  knave, 
Are  tricks  of  cuftom;  but,  in  a  man  that's  juft, 
They  are  clofe  denotements,  working  from  the  heart, 


Othello*  59 

That  paffion  cannot  rule. 

IAG.    For  Michael  Cafto,— 
I  dare  be  fworn,  I  think  that  he  is  honeft. 
OTH .  I  think  fo  too. 
IAG.   Men  fliould  be  what  they  feem; 
Or,  those  that  be  not,  'would  they  might  feem  none. 
Ora.  Certain,  men  mould  be  what  they  feem. 
IAG.    Why  then,  I  think  CaJ/io's  an  honeft  man. 
OTH.  Nay,  yet  there's  more  in  this: 
I  pray  thee,  fpeak  to  me  as  to  thy  thinkings, 
As  thou  doft  ruminate;  and  give  thy  worft  of  thoughts 
The  worft  of  words. 

JAG.    Good  my  lord,  pardon  me  ; 
Though  I  am  bound  to  every  aft  of  duty, 
I  am  not  bound  to  that  all  flaves  are  free  to. 
Utter  my  thoughts?  Why,  fay,  they  are  vile  and  falfe,— • 
As  where's  that  palace,  whereinto  foul  things 
Sometimes  intrude  not?  who  has  a  breaft  fo  pure, 
But  fome  uncleanly  apprehenfions 
Keep  leets,  and  law-days,  and  in  feffion  fit 
With  meditations  lawful? 

OTH.  Thou  doft  confpire  againft  thy  friend,  logo, 
If  thou  but  think'ft  him  wrong'd,  and  mak'ft  his  ear 
A  ftranger  to  thy  thoughts. 

IAG.   I  do  befeech  you, 

Though  I  (perchance)  am  vicious  in  my  guefs, 
(As,  I  confefs,  it  is  my  nature's  plague, 
To  fpy  into  abufes;  and,  oft,  my  jealoufy 
Shapes  faults  that  are  not)  that  your  wisdom  yet, 
From  one  that  fo  imperfectly  conceits, 
Would  take  no  notice ;  nor  build  yourfelf  a  trouble 
Out  of  his  fcattering  and  unfure  observance  I'- 
ll * 


60  Othello. 

It  were  not  for  your  quiet,  nor  your  good, 
Nor  for  my  manhood,  honefty,  or  wisdom, 
To  let  you  know  my  thoughts. 

Or  a.  What  doft  thou  mean  ? 

IAG.    Good  name,  in  man,  and  woman,  dear  my  lord, 
Is  the  immediate  jewel  of  their  fouls:  [ng> 

Who  fteals  my  purfe,  Heals  trafli ;  'tis  fomethlng,  nothi- 
'Twas  mine,  'tis  his,  and  has  been  (lave  to  thousands  ; 
But  he,  that  filches  from  me  my  good  name, 
Robs  me  of  that,  which  not  enriches  him, 
And  makes  me  poor  indeed. 

OTH.  I'll  know  thy  thought. 

IAG.    You  cannot,  if  my  heart  were  in  your  hand; 
Nor  (hall  not,  wlullt  'tis  in  my  cuilody. 

Or  it.  Ha* 

IJG.    O,  beware,  my  lord,  of  jcaloufy; 
It  is  the  green-ey'd  moniter,  which  doth  make 
The  meat  it  feeds  oi>:  That  cuckold  lives  in  biifs, 
Who,  certain  of  his  fate,  loves  not  his  wronger; 
But,  o,  what  damned  minutes  tells  he  o'er, 
Who  dotes,  yet  doubts,  fufpeSs,.  yet  Urongly  loves  ? 

Ofa.  O  misery! 

7*e.    Poor,  and  content,  is  rich,  and  rich  enough j 
But  riches,  finelefs,  is  as  poor  as  winter, 

To  him  that  ever  fears  he  (hall  be  poor: 

Good  heaven,  the  fouls  of  all  my  tribe  defend 
From  jealoufy! 

OTH.  Why,  why  is  this,  1*80? 
Think'ft  thou,  I'd  make  a  life  of  jea!oufy, 
To  follow  ftill  the  changes  of  the  moon 
With  frefh  fufpicions?  No;  to  be  once  in  doubt, 
Is — once  to  be  resolv'd  :  Exchange  me  for  a  goat, 

17  mocke 


Othello.  61 

When  I  mall  turn  the  businefs  of  my  foul 
To  fuch  exufflicate  and  blown  furmisea, 
Matching  thy  inference.  'Tis  not  to  make  me  jealous, 
To  fay  —  my  wife  is  fair,  feeds  well,  loves  company, 
Is  free  of  fpeech,  fings,  plays,  and  dances  well; 
Where  virtue  is,  these  are  more  virtuous  : 
Nor  from  mine  own  weak  merits  will  f  draw 
The  fmalleft  fear,  or  doubt  of  her  revolt; 
For  fhe  had  eyes,  and  chose  me:  No,'Iaga; 
I'll  fee,  before  I  doubt;  when  I  doubt,  prove; 
And,  on  the  proof,  there  is  no  more  but  this, — 
Away  at  once  with  love,  or  jealoufy. 

IAG.    I  am  glad  of  this;  for  now  I  fhall  have  reason, 
To  mew  the  love  and  duty  that  I  bear  you 
With  franker  fpirit :  therefore,  as  I  am  bound, 
Receive  it  from  me;  — I  fpeak  not  yet  of  proof. 
Lock  to  your  wife,  observe  her-  well  with  Cafltoi 
Wear  your  eye — thus,  not  jealous,  nor  fecure: 
J  would  not  have  your  free  and  noble  nature, 
Out  of  felf- bounty,  be  abus'd  ;  look  to't: 
1  know  our  country  difposition  well; 
In  Venice  they  do  let  heaven  fee  the  pranks, 
They  dare  not  (hew  their  husbands ;  their  belt  confcience 
Js — not  to  leave  undone,  but  keep  unknown. 

OTU.  Doft  thoa  fayfo?     ' 

IAG.    She  did  deceive  her  father,  marrying  you: 
And,  when  fhe  feem'd  to  fhake,  and  fear  your  looks, 
She  lov'd  them  moft. 

OTH.  And  fo  fhe  did. 

IAG.    Go  to,  then; 

She  that,  fo  young,  could  give  out  fuch  a  feeming, 
To  feel  her  father's  eyes  up,  clofe  as  oak,— 

3°  Why  go 

U  3 


<?*  Othello, 

He  thought,'twas  witchcraft:— But  I  am  much  to  bl- 
J  humbly  do  befeech  you  of  your  pardon,  [amej 

For  too  much  loving  you. 

OTH.  I  am  bound  to  thee  for  ever. 

IAG.    I  fee,  this  hath  a  little  dam'd  your  fpirits. 

OfH.  Not  a  jot,  not  a  jot. 

IAG.   Truft  me,  I  fear  it  has. 
I  hope,  you  will  confider,  what  is  fpoke 
Comes  from  my  love-.  —  But,  I  do  fee,  you  are  mov'd} 
J  am  to  pray  you,  not  to  ftrain  my  fpeech 
To  grofler  iflues,  rnor  to  larger  reach, 
Than  to  fufpicion. 

OTH.  I  will  not. 

IAG.    Should  you  do  fo,  my  lord, 
My  fpeech  mould  fall  into  fuch  vile  fuccefs 
As  my  thoughts  aim  not  at.  Coffin's  my  worthy  friend:— 
My  lord,  I  fee,  you  are  mov'd. 

OTH.  No,  not  much  mov'd : 
I  do  not  think,  but  Defdemonas  honeft. 

IAG.    Long  live  me  fo!  and  long  live  you  to  think  fo ! 

OTH.  And  yet,  how  nature,  erring  from  itfelf, — 

IAG.   Ay,  there's  the  point:  As,— to  be  bold  with 

you, — 

Not  to  affeft  many  proposed  matches, 
Of  her  own  clime,  complexion,  and  degree; 
Whereto,  we  fee,  in  ail  things  nature  tends: 
Foh !  one  may  fmell,  in  fuch,  a  will  moft  rank, 
Foul  difproportion,  thoughts  unnatural. 
But  pardon  me;  I  do  not,  in  position, 
Diilindlly  fpeak  of  her:  though  I  may  fear, 
Her  will,  recoiling  to  her  better  judgment, 
May  fall  to  match  you  with  her  country 


Othello.  f  3 

And  (hapily)  repent. 

OTH.  Farewel,  farewcl : 

If  more  them  doft  perceive,  let  me  know  more; 
Set  on  thy  wife  to  observe:  Leave  me,  lago. 

IAG  .   My  lord,  I  take  my  leave.  [as  going. 

Or  a.  Why  did  I  marry  ?— This  honeft  creature,doubt- 

lefs, 
Sees  and  knows  more,  much  more,  than  he  unfolds. 

IAG  .   My  lord,  [returns.]  I  would,  [  might  entreat  your 

honour 

To  fcan  this  thing  no  farther ;  leave  it  to  time. 
And  though  'tis  fit  that  Caffjo  have  his  place, 
(For,  fure,  he  fills  it  up  with  great  ability) 
Yet,  if  you  please  to  hold  him  off  a  while, 
You  (hall  by  that  perceive  him  and  his  means : 
Note,  if  your  lady  ilrain  his  entertainment 
With  any  flrong  or  vehement  importunity; 
Much  will  be  feen  in  that.  In  the  mean  time, 
Let  me  be  thought  too  busy  in  my  fears, 
(As  worthy  cause  I  have,  to  fear — 1  am) 
And  hold  her  free,  I  do  befeech  your  honour. 

Of u.  Fear  not  my  government. 

IAG.   I  once  more  take  my  leave.  [Exit. 

Or  a.  This  fellow's  of  exceeding  honefty, 
And  knows  all  qualities,  with  a  learned  fpirit, 
Of  human  dealings:  If  I  do  prove  her  haggard, 
Though  that  her  jefles  were  my  dear  heart-firings, 
I'd  whittle  her  off,  and  let  her  down  the  wind, 
To  prey  at  fortune.  Haply,  for  I  am  black ; 
And  have  not  those  foft  parts  of  converfation, 
That  chamberers  have:  Or,  for  I  am  declin'd 
jflto  the  vale  of  years; — yet  that's  not  much. 

U4 


6*  Othello. 

She's  gone;  I  am  abus'd  ;  and  my  relief 

Muft  be— to  loath  her.  O  curfe  of  marriage, 

That  we  can  call  these  delicate  creatures  oors, 

And  not  their  appetites!  I  had  rather  be  a  tead, 

And  live  upon  the  vapour  of  a  dungeon, 

'J  nan  keep  a  corner  in  the  thing  I  love 

For  others'  ufes.  Yet,  'tis  the  plague  of  great  ones; 

Prerogativ'd  are  they  l«fs  than  the  bafe: 

'Tis  deftiny  unfhunjiab'e,  like  c*eath; 

Even  then  this  forked  plague  is  fated  to  us, 

When  we  do  quicken.  Desctemena  comes : 

Enter  DESDEMONA.  aWEwiLJA. 
3f  flie  be  faife,  o,  then  heaven  mocks  itfelfl 
I'll  not  believe 't. 

DES.  How  now,  my  AezrOtbtllt? 
Your  dinner,  and  the  generous  islanders 
By  you  invited,  do  attend  your  presence. 

Or/f.  f  am  to  blame. 

Dps.   Why  is  your  fpeech  fo  faint?  are  you  not  well? 

GTH    I  have  a  pain  upon  my  forehead  here. 

DES.  Why,  that's  with  watching;  'twill  away  again: 
Let  me  but  bind  it  hard,  within  this  hour 
It  will  be  well.  [gce*  to  d°  it  with  a  Handkerchief. 

OTH.  Your  napkin  is  too  little; 

[putting  itfrcm  him,  and  it  drops. 
Let  it  alone.  Come,  I'll  go  in  with  you. 

[Extant  OTHELLO,  ««^DESDEMONA. 

EMI.  I  am  glad,  I  have  found  this  napkin ; 

\_pickifig  it  up. 

This  was  her  firft  remembrance  from  the  Moor: 
My  wayward  husband  hath  a  hundred  times 
Wpo'd  me  to  fieal  it;  but  (he  fo  loves  the  token, 


Othello.  65 

(For  he  conjur'd  her,  fhe  fhould  ever  keep  it) 
That  (he  reserves  it  evermore  about  her, 
To  kifs,  and  talk  to.  I'll  have  the  work  ta'en  out, 
And  give't  lags: 

What  he  will  do  with  it,  heaven  knows,  not  I; 
I  nothing,  but  to  please  his  fantafy. 
Enter  IAGO. 

JAG.   How  now!  what  do  you  here  alone? 

EMI.  Do  not  you  chide;  I  have  a  thing  for  you. 

IAG.    A  thing  for  me  : — it  i&  a  common  thing: 

Em.  Ha! 

IAG.    To  have  a  foolifh  wife. 

EMI.  O,  is  that  all )  What  will  you  give  me  now 
For  that  fame  handkerchief? 

JAG.    What  handkerchief? 

EMI.  What  handkerchief? 
Why,  that  the  Moor  firft  gave  to  Desaemona ; 
That  which  fo  often  you  did  bid  me  fteal. 

IAG.    Haft  ftole  it  from  her? 

EMI.  No ;  but  fhe  let  it  drop  by  negligence; 
And,  to  the  advantage,  I,  being  here,  took't  op: 
Look,  here  "fit  is. 

IAG.    A  good  wench;  give  it  me.  [fnateoing  it. 

EMI.  What  will  you  do  with't,  that  you  have  been 

fo  earnelt 
To  have  me  filch  it  ? 

JAG  .    Why,  what's  that  to  you  ? 

EMI.    If 't  be  not  for  fome  purpose  of  import, 
Give't  me  again:  Poor  lady!  ihe'll  run  mad, 
When  (he  {hall  lack  it. 

JAG.   Be  not  you  known  on't;  I  have  ufe  for  it. 
Go,  leave  me.  [Exit  EMILIA* 


66  Othello. 

I  will  in  Caffio^  lodging  lose  this  napkin, 

And  let  him  find  it:  Trifles,  light  as  air, 

Are,  to  the  jealous,  confirmations  ftrong 

As  proofs  of  holy  writ.  This  may  do  fomething. 

The  Moor  already  changes  with  my  poison ;  — 

Dangerous  conceits  are,  in  their  natures,  poisons  ; 

Which,  at  the  firft,  are  fcarce  found  to  diftafte ; 

But,  with  a  little  acl  upon  the  blood, 

Burn  like  the  mines  of  fulphur.  I  did  fay  fo : 

Enter  OTHELLO,  at  a  Difiance. 

Look,  where  he  comes !  Not  poppy,  nor  mandragora, 
Nor  all  the  drowzy  fyrops  of  the  world, 
Shall  ever  med'cine  thee  to  that  fweet  fleep 
Which  thou  ow'dft  yefterday. 

OTH.  Ha  !  falfe  to  me? 

JJG.    Why,  how  now,  general?  no  more  of  that. 

Or  a .  Avant !  be  gone !  thou  haft  fet  me  on  the  rack:_ 
I  fwear,  'tis  better  to  be  much  abus'd, 
Than  but  to  know't  a  little. 

/xc.    How  now,  my  lord? 

OTH.  What  fenfe  had  I  of  her  ftoln  hours  of  luft? 
J  faw't  not,  thought  it  not,  it  harm'd  not  me: 
I  flept  the  next  night  well,  was  free,  and  merry; 
3  found  not  Card's  kifles  on  her  lips : 
He  that  is  rob'd,  not  wanting  what  is  ftoln, 
Let  him  not  know't,  and  he's  not  rob'd  at  all. 

IAG.    I  am  forry  to  hear  this. 

OTH.  1  had  been  happy,  if  the  general  camp, 
Pioncrs  and  all,  had  tailed  her  fweet  body, 
So  I  had  nothing  known:  O  now,  for  ever, 
Farewel  the  tranquil  mind !  farewel  content! 
Farewel  the  plumed  troops;  and  the  big  warf 


Othello.  67 

That  makes  ambition  virtue!  o,  farewell 
Farewel  the  neighing  fteed,  and  the  fhrill  trump, 
The  fpirit-ftirring  drum,  th'  ear-piercing  fife, 
The  royal  banner;  and  all  quality, 
Pride,  pomp,  and  circumftance  of  glorious  war! 
And  o  you  mortal  engines,  whose  rude  throats 
The  immortal  Jove's  dread  clamours  counterfeit, 
p'arewel !  Othello's  occupation's  gone ! 

IAG.    Is't  poffible?_  My  lord,— 

Ofa.  Villain,  be  fure  thou  prove  my  love  a  whore; 

[taking  him  by  the  Throat. 
Be  fure  of  it;  give  me  the  ocular  proof; 
Or,  by  the  worth  of  my  eternal  foul, 
Thou  hadll  been  better  have  been  born  a  dog, 
Than  anfwer  my  wak'd  wrath.  • 

IAG.    Is't  come  to  this? 

OTH.  Make  me  to  fee't;  or  (at  the  leaft)  fo  prove  it, 
.  That  the  probation  bear  no  hindge,  nor  loop, 
To  hang  a  doubt  on;  or  woe  upon  thy  life! 

IAG.    My  noble  lord, — 

QTB.  If  thou  doft  flander  her,  and  torture  me, 
Never  pray  more:  abandon  all  remorfe; 
On  horror's  head  horrors  accumulate; 
Do  deeds  to  make  heaven  weep,  all  earth  amaz'd; 
For  nothing  canft  thou  to  damnation  add, 
Greater  than  that. 

IAG.    O  grace!  o  heaven  defend  me!_ 
Are  you  a  man?  have  you  a  foul,  or  fenfe?  — 
God  be  wi'you;  take  mine  office — O  wretched  fool, 
That  lov'ft  to  make  thine  honefty  a  vice  !_ 
O  monftrous  world  !  —  Take  note,  take  note-,  o  world, 
To  be  direft  and  honeft,  is  not  fafe. 


63  Othello. 

I  thank  yon  for  this  profit ;  and,  from  hence, 
I'll  love  no  friend,  fkh  love  breeds  fuch  offence. 

OTH.  Nay,  flay;—  Thou  fhould'ft  be  honeft. 

IAG.    I  fhould  be  wise;  for  honefty's  a  fool, 
And  loses  that  it  works  for. 

OTH.  By  the  world, 

I  think  my  wife  is  honeft,  think  (he  is  not; 
I  think  that  thou  art  juft,  and  think  thou  art  not; 
I'll  have  fotre  proof:  Her  name,  that  was  as  frefh 
As  Dians  visage,  is  now  begrira'd  and  black 

As  mine  own  face. If  there  be  cords,  or  knives, 

Poison,  or  fire,  or  fuffocating  ftreams, 

I'll  not  enclore't.— 'Would,  1  were  fatiffy'd! 

IAG.   I  fee,  fir,  you  are  eaten  up  with  paffion; 
I  do  repent  me,  that  I  put  it  to  you. 
You  would  be  fatiffy'd  ? 

Or  a.  Would?  nay,  I  will. 

IAG.    And  may;  But,  how?  how  /atiffy'd,  my  lord? 
Would  you,  the  Supervisor,  grofly  gape  onr 
Behold  her  tupp'd? 

OTH.  Death  and  damnation!  Oh! 

7>c.    It  were  a  tedious  difficulty,  1  think. 
To  bring  'em  to  that  profpecV:  Damn  'em  then, 
Jf  ever  mortal  eyes  do  fee  them  bolikr, 
More  than  their  own  !  IV bat  then?  bow  then, 
Where's  fafiff#ai«m?  What  ft,  a!  II  fay? 
]t  is  impoflib!e,  you  fhould  iee  this; 
Were  they  as  prime  as  goats,  as  hot  as  monkies, 
As  fait  as  wolves  in  pride,  and  fools  as  grois 
As  ignorance  made  drunk :  But  yet,  I  fay. 
If  imputation,  snd  ftrong  circumfrances, — 
Which  lead  directly  to  the  door  of  truth, — 

'  hcpe.fl,  and  thinks     x-  topped     *6  v.  Nate. 


Othello.  69 

Will  give  you  fatifFa&ion,  you  may  have't. 

OTH.  Give  me  a  living  reason  {he's  difloyal. 

IAG.    I  do  not  like  the  office: 
But,  fith  I  am  enter'd  in  this  cause  fo  far, — 
Prick'd  to't  by  foolim  honefty,  and  love, — 
I  will  go  on.  I  lay  with  CaJ/io  lately; 
And,  being  troubl'd  with  a  raging  tooth, 
I  could  not  fleep.  There  are  a  kind  of  men 
So  loofe  of  foul,  that  in  their  fleeps  will  mutter 
3Df  their  affairs :  One  of  this  kind  is  Caflio. 
}  n  fleep  I  heard  him  fay, — Sweet  Desdemona, 
Let  us  bf  ivary,  let  us  kide  our  loves: 
And  then,  fir,  would  he  gripe  and  wring  my  hand; 
Cry, — O  f-uieet  creature!  and  then  kifs  me  hard, 
As  if  he  pluck'd  up  kifles  by  the  roots, 
That  grew  upon  my  lips:  then  iay'd  his  leg 
Over  my  thigh,  and  figh'd,  and  kiff'd;  and  then 
Cry'd  —  Cur/eJfate,  that  gave  tbee  to  the  Moor! 

OTH.  O  monftrous!  monftrous! 

IAG.    Nay,  this  was  but  his  dream. 

OTB.  But  this  denoted  a  fore-gone  conclusion; 
'Tis  a  flirewd  doubt,  though  it  be  but  a  dream. 

IAG.    And  this  may  help  to  thicken  other  proofs, 
That  do  demonftrate  thinly. 

OTH.  I'll  tear  her  all  to  pieces. 

I  AC.   Nay,  but  be  wise:  yet  we  fee  nothing  done; 
She  may  be  honeft  yet.  Tell  me  but  this,— 
Have  you  not  fometime  feen  a  handkerchief, 
Spotted  with  ftrawberries,  in  your  wife's  hand? 

Or  a.  I  gave  her  fuch  a  one;  'twas  ray  firft  gift. 

IAG  .    I  know  not  that :  but  fuch  a  handkerchief, 
(I  am  fure,  it  was  your  wife's)  did  I  to-day 


7»  Othclltf* 

See  CaJJto  wipe  his  beard  with. 

OTH.  If't  be  that,— 

IAG.    If  it  be  that,  or  any,  if 'twas  hers, 
It  fpeaks  againft  her,  with  the  other  proofs. 

Ota.  O,  that  the  flave  had  forty  thousand  lives} 
One  is  too  poor,  too  weak  for  my  revenge  ! 

Now  do  I  fee  'tis  true Look  here,  lago-, 

All  my  fond  love  thus  do  I  blow  to  heaven  : 

'Tis'fgone. 

Arise,  black  vengeance,  from  the  hollow  hell! 
Yield  up,  o  love,  thy  crown,  and  hearted  throne, 
To  tyrannous  hate !  fwell,  bosom,  with  thy  fraught, 
For  'tis  of  afpicks'  tongues ! 

IAG.    Pray,  be  content. 

QTH.  O,  blood,  lago,  blood !  [nge« 

IAG.   Patience,  I  fay;  your  mind,  perhaps,  may  cha- 

OTH.  Never,  logo:  Like  to  the  Pontick  fea, 
"Whose  icy  current  and  compulfive  courfe 
Ne'er  feels  retiring  ebb,  but  keeps  due  on 
To  the  Propontick  and  the  Hellejpont ; 
Even  fo  my  bloody  thoughts,  with  violent  pace, 
Shall  ne'er  look  back,  ne'er  ebb  to  humble  love, 
Till  that  a  capable  and  wide  revenge 
Swallow  them  up.  Now,  by  yond*  marble  heaven, 

[kneeling. 

In  the  due  reverence  of  a  facred  vow, 
1  here  engage  my  words. 

IAG.   Do  not  rise  yet —  [kneeh  tos* 

Witnefs,  you  ever-burning  lights  above, ; 

You  elements  that  clip  us  round  about, 
Witnefs,  that  here  lago  doth  give  up 
The  execution  of  his  wit,  hand,  heart* 


Othello,  71 

To  wrong'd  0/^//o's  fervice :  let  him  command, 
And  to  obey  fhall  be  in  me  no  remorfe, 
What  bloody  businefs  ever. 

OTH .  I  greet  thy  love,  \.r"i»S* 

Not  with  vain  thanks,  but  with  acceptance  bounteous, 
And  will  upon  the  inftant  put  thee  to't: 
Within  these  three  days  let  me  hear  thee  fay, 
That  Cafio's  not  alive. 

IAG.    My  friend  is  dead;  'tis  done,  as  you  reqocft: 
But  let  her  live. 

OTH.  Damn  her,  lewd  minx,  o,  damn  her! 
Come,  go  with  me  apart ;  I  will  withdraw, 
To  furniih  me  with  fome  fwift  means  of  death 
For  the  fair  devil.  Now  art  thou  my  lieutenant. 

IAG.    I  am  your  own  for  ever.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  IV.  The  fame. 
Enter  DESDEMONA,  EMILIA,  and  Clown. 

DES.  Do  you  know,  firrah,  where  lieutenant  Caflh 
lies? 

C/o.     I  dare  not  fay,  he  lies  any  where. 

Das.  Why,  man? 

Clo.  He  is  a  foldier;  and  for  one  to  fay  a  foldier  lies, 
is  ftabbing. 

DES.  Go  to ;  Where  lodges  he? 

Clo.  To  tell  you  where  he  lodges,  is  to  tell  you  where 
Hie. 

DES.  Can  any  thing  be  made  of  this? 

Clo.  I  know  not  where  he  lodges ;  and  for  me  to  de- 
vise a  lodging,  and  fay— he  lies  here,  or  he  lies  there, 
were  to  lie  in  my  own  throat. 

DES.  Can  you  enquire  him  out,  and  be  edify'd  by 


7«  Othello, 

report  ? 

C/o.  I  will  catechize  the  world  for  him ;  that  is,  make 
queitions,  and  bid  them  anfwer. 

DES.  Seek  him,  bid  him  come  hither:  tell  him,  I 
have  aiov'd  my  lord  in  his  behalf,  and  hope  all  will  be 
well. 

Clo.  To  do  this,  is  within  the  compafs  of  man's  wit  j 
and  therefore  I  will  attempt  the  doing  it.  [Exit. 

DES.   Where  ihoold  I  lose  that  handkerchief, Emilia? 

EMI.   I  know  not,  madam. 

DES.  Believe  me,  I  had  rather  have  loft  my  parfe, 
Full  of  crufadoes:  And,  but  rny  noble  Af«0r 
Is  true  of  mind,  and  made  of  no  (isch  bafenefs 
As  jealous  creatures  are,  it  weic  enough 
To  put  him  to  ill-thinking. 

EMI.  Is  he  not  jealous  i 

DES.  Who,  he  ?  I  think,  the  fanrwhere  he  was  born, 
Drew  ail  fuch  humours  from  him. 

EMI.  Look,  where  he  .comes. 

Enter  OTHELLO. 

DES,  I  will  not  leave  him  mxv,  [lord? 

'Till  CaJJio  be  call'd  to  him.  _  How  is't  with  you,  my 

Of  a.  Weil,  my  good  lady :__"  O  hardnefs  to  diffem- 
How  do  yoUfDej^mcaaP  [ble!"_ 

DES.  Well,  my  good  lord. 

QTH.  Give  me  your  hand:  This  hand  js  moiit,my  lady. 

DES.  It  yet  has  felt  no  age,  nor  known  no  forrow. 

O-Tff.  This  argues  fruktuinefs,  and  liberal  heart;-* 
Hot,  hot,  and  moilt :  This  hand  of  yo«r«  requires 
A  fequelter  from  liberty,  failing  a«d  prayer, 
Much  caftigation,  exercise  devout; 
T'or  here's  a  young  and  Sweating  devil  here, 

3  and  by  them 


Othello.  73 

That  commonly  rebels.  'Tis  a  good  hand, 
A  frank  one  WO. 

DES.  You  may  indeed  fay  fo; 
For 'twas  that  hand  that  gave  away  my  heart. 

Or  a.  A  liberal  hand:  The  hands  of  old  gave  hearts; 
But  our  new  heraldry  is  —  hands,  not  hearts.  [ise. 

DF.S.  1  cannot  fpeak  of  this.  Come  now,  your  prom- 

Ora.  What  promise,  chuck  ? 

DES.   I  have  fent  to  bid  Cajpo  come  fpeak  with  you* 

Or  a.  I  have  a  fait  and  forry  rheum  offends  me; 
me  thy  handkerchief. 

DES.  Here,"]"  my  lord. 

OTH.  That  which  1  gave  you. 

DES.    I  have  it  not  about  me. 

Or  a.  Not? 

DES.  No,  indeed,  my  lord. 

Or  a.  That  is  a  fault:  That  handkerchief 

id  an  Egyptian  to  my  mother  give  : 
She  was  a  charmer,  and  could  almoft  read 
The  thoughts  of  people :  me  told  her,  while  (he  kept  it* 
Twould  make  her  amiable,  and  fubdue  my  father 
ttltirely  to  her  love;  but,  if  fhe  loft  it, 
Dr  made  a  gift  of  it,  my  father's  eye 
Should  hold  her  loathly,  and  his  fpirits  mould  hunt 
After  new  fancies:  She,  dying,  gave  it  me; 
And  bid  me,  when  my  fate  would  have  me  wive, 
To  give  it  her.   I  did  fo :  and  take  heed  on't, 
Make  it  a  darling  like  your  precious  eye; 
To  lose't,  or  give't  away,  were  fuch  perdition1, 
As  nothing  elfe  could  match. 

DES.  Is't  poflible? 

Ora.  'Tis  true;  there's  magick  in  the  web  of  it: 

5  hearts  of  old  gave  hands 

VOL.  X.  X 


74  Otheila. 

A  fybil,  that  had  number'd  in  the  world 

The  fun  to  courfe  two  hundred  compafles, 

In  her  prophetick  fury  fow'd  the  work : 

The  worms  were  hallow'd,  that  did  breed  the  filk; 

And  it  was  dy'd  in  mummy,  which  the  fkilful 

Conferv'd  of  maidens'  hearts. 

DES.  Indeed?  is't  true? 

OTH.  Moft  veritable ;  therefore  look  to't  well. 

DES.  Then  'would  to  heaven,  that  I  had  never  feen't! 

OTH.  Ha!  wherefore? 

DES.  Why  do  you  fpeak  fo  ftartingly  and  ram? 

OTH.  Is't  loft?  is't  gone?  fpeak,  is  it  out  o'the  way? 

DES.  Blefs  us! 

OTH.  Say  you? 

DPS.  It  is  not  loft;  But  what  an  if  it  were? 

Or  a.  Ha ! 

DES.  I  fay,  it  is  not  loft. 

OTH.  Fetch't,  let  me  fee't. 

DES.  Why,  fo  I  can,  fir,  but  I  will  not  now: 
This  is-  a  trick,  to  put  me  from  my  fuit; 
I  pray,  let  Coffio  be  receiv'd  again. 

OTH.  Fetch  me  that  handkerchief:  my  mind  miigiv^i 

DES.  Come,  come; 
You'll  never  meet  a  more  fufficient  man : 

OTH.  The  handkerchief. 

DES.  A  man  that,  all  his  time, 
Hath  founded  his  good  fortunes  on  your  love; 
Shar'd  dangers  with  you: 

OTH.  The  handkerchief. 

DES.  In  footh,  you  are  to  blame. 

OTM.  Away!  [Exit  OTHELLJO} 

SMI.  Is  not  this  man  jealous  ? 


Othello.  75 

DES.  I  ne'er  law  this  before. 
Sure,  there's  fome  wonder  in  this  handkerchief: 
I  am  moft  unhappy  in  the  lofs  of  it. 

EMi.  'Tis  not  a  year  or  two  (hews  us  a  man : 
They  are  all  but  ftomaclcs,  and  we  all  but  food; 
They  eat  us  hungerly,  and,  when  they  are  full, 
They  belch  us.  Look  you !  Coffin,  and  my  husband. 
Enter  IAGO,  ant/CASSio. 

IAG.   There  is  no  other  way; 'tis  {he,  muft  do't; 
And,  lo,  the  happinefs!  go,  and  importune  her. 

DES.  How  now, good  CV^/for*  what's  the  news  with  you? 

CAS.  Madam,  my  former  fuit:  I  do  befeech  you, 
That,  by  your  virtuous  means,  I  may  again 
Exifl,  and  be  a  member  of  his  love, 
Whom  I,  with  all  the  office  of  my  heart, 
Entirely  honour;  I  would  not  be  delay'd: 
If  my  offence  be  of  fuch  mortal  kind, 
That  nor  my  fervice  paft,  nor  present  forrows, 
Nor  purpos'd  merit  in  futurity, 
Can  ranfom  me  into  his  love  agaifl, 
But  to  know  fo  muft  be  my  benefit; 
So  (hall  I  cloth  me  in  a  forc'd  content, 
And  moot  myfelf  upon  fome  other  courfe, 
To  fortune's  alms. 

DES.  Alas,  thrice-gentle  Caffio, 
My  advocation  is  not  now  in  tune; 
My  lord  is  not  my  lord;  nor  mould  I  know  him, 
Were  he  in  favour,  as  in  humour,  alter'd. 
So  help  me  every  fpirit  fan&ify'd, 
As  I  have  fpoken  for  you  all  my  beft ; 
And  flood  within  the  blank  of  his  difpleasure, 
For  my  free  fpeech !  You  muft  a  while  be  patient : 

*;  up.  in 

Xa 


7  &  Othello. 

What  I  can  do,  I  will;  and  more  I  will, 
Than  for  myfelf  I  dare  ;  let  -that  fuffice  you. 

JjiG.    Is  my  lord  angry? 

EMI.  He  went  hence  but  now, 
And,  certainly,  in  ftrange  unquietnefs. 

IAG.   Can  he  be  angry?  1  have  feen,  the  cannon 
When  it  hath  blown  his  ranks  into  the  air; 
And,  like  the  devil,  from  his  very  arm 
PufPd  his  own  brother; — And  can  he  be  angry? 
Something  of  moment,  then  :  I  will  go  meet  him  ; 
There's  matter  in't  indeed,  if  he  be  angry. 

DES*  I  pr'ythee,  do  fo. [Exit  IAG  JSomethingjfure, 

of  Mate, — 

Either  from  Venice;  or  fome  unhatch'd  pradlice, 
Made  demonftrable  here  in  Cyprus  to  him, — 
Hath  puddl'd  his  clear  fpirit:  and,  in  fuch  cafes, 
Men's  natures  wrangle  with  inferior  things, 
Though  great  ones  are  their  object. 
'Tis  even  fo;  for  let  our  finger  ach, 
And  it  endues  our  other  healthful  members 
Even  to  that  fenfe  of  pain:  Nay,,  we  muft  think, 
Men  are  not  gods$ 

Nor  of  them  look  for  fuch  observancy 
As  fits  the  bridal. _Befhrew  me  much,  Emilia, 
I  was  (unhandfome  warrior  as  I  am) 
Arraigning  his  unkindnefs  with  my  foul ; 
But  now  I  find,  1  had  fuborn'd  the  witneis, 
And  he's  indited  falfely. 

EMI.  Pray  heaven,  it  be  ftate  matters,  as  you  think;. 
And  no  conception,  nor  no  jealous  toy, 
Concerning  you. 

/>£$.  Alas,  the  day!  I  never  gave  him  cause. 


Othello.  77 

EMI.  Bat  jealous  fouls  will  not  be  anfwer'J  Co; 
They  are  not  ever  jealous  for  the  cause, 
But  jealous  for  they  are  jealous:  'tis  a  monfler, 
Begot  upon  itfelf,  born  on  itfelf. 

DES.   Heaven  keep  the  monfter  from  Othello's  mind! 

EMI.   Lady,  amen. 

DES.    I  will  go  feek  him — CaJJio,  walk  hereabout: 
If  I  do  find  him  fit,  I'll  move  your  fuit, 
And  feek  to  effedl  it  to  my  uttermoft.  [EMI. 

CAS.   I  hum  Wy  thank  your  ladyfliip.  [Exeunt  DES.  and 
Enter  BIANCA. 

"RiA.   Save  you,  friend  Caffio! 

CAS.    What  make  you  from  home  ? 
How  is  it  with  you,  my  moft  fair  Bianca? 
Indeed,  fweet  love,  I  was  coming  to  your  lodging. 

BIA.    And  I  was  going  to  your  lodging,  Caffio. 
What!  keep  a  week  away?  feven  days  and  nights? 
Eightfcore  eight  hours?  and  lovers' abfent  hours, 
More  tedious  than  the  dial  eightfcore  times? 

0  weary  reck'ningl 

CAS.    Pardon  me,  Eianca\ 

1  have  this  while  with  leaden  thoughts  been  preiTd: 
But  I  fliall,  in  a  more  convenient  time, 

Strike  off  this  fcore  of  abfence.  Sweet  Bianca,  '{kerchief. 
Take  me  this  workout,  [giving  her  Desdemonz's  Hamf- 

BIA.    O,  Cajfio,  whence  came  this  ? 
This  is  fome  token  from  a  newer  friend. 
To  the  felt  abfence  now  I  feel  a  cause: 
Is't  come  to  this?  Well,  well. 

CAS.   Woman,  go  tol 

Throw  your  vile  gueiFes  in  the  devil's  teeth, 
From  whence  you  have  'em.  You  are  jealous  now, 

Ja  Go  to,  woman 

X3 


78  Othello. 

That  this  is  from  fome  miilrefs,  fome  remembrance: 
No,  in  good  troth,  Eianca. 

BIA.   Why,  whose  is  it? 

CAS.   I  know  not,  neither;  I  found  it  in  my  chamberf 
I  like  the  work  well;  ere  it  be  demanded, 
(As  like  enough,  it  will)  I'd  have  it  copy'd  : 
Take  it,  and  do't;  and  leave  me,  for  this  time. 

EIA.   Leave  you!  wherefore? 

CAS.   I  do  attend  here  on  the  general; 
And  think  it  no  addition,  nor  my  \vifh, 
To  have  him  fee  me  woman'd. 

BIA.   Why,  I  pray  you  ? 

CAS.   Not,  that  I  love  you  not. 

BIA.  But  that  you  do  not  love  me. 
J  pray  you,  bring  me  on  the  way  a  little; 
And  fay,  if  I  fhall  fee  you  foon  at  night  ? 

CAS.  'Tis  but  a  little  way,  that  I  can  bring  you, 
For  I  attend  here:  but  I'll  fee  you  foon. 

BIA.   'Tis  very  good;  I  muft  be  circumftanc'd. [£**»#/; 

T  -,t 

. 

ACT  IV. 

SCENE  I.  The  fame. 
Enter  OTHELLO,  and  I  A  G  o ,  cwverfing* 

IAG.    Will  you  think  fo? 

OIH.  Think  fo,  lago? 

JAG.    What* 
To  kifs  in  private? 

QfH.  An  unauthoriz'd  kifs. 

JAG.   Or  to  be  naked  with  her  friend  in  bed> 
An  hour,  or  more,  not  meaning  any  harm? 


Othello.  79 

Ora.  Naked  in  bed,  lago,  and  not  mean  harm? 
It  is  hypocrify  againft  the  devil: 
They  that  mean  virtuoufly,  and  yet  do  fo, 
The  devil  their  virtue  tempts,  and  they  temptt  heaven. 

IAG.   So  they  do  nothing, 'tis  a  venial  flip: 
•But  if  [  give  my  wife  a  handkerchief, — 

Offf.  What  then? 

IAG.    Why,  then  'tis  hers,  my  lord  ;  and,  being  hers, 
She  may,  I  think,  betlow't  on  any  man. 

Orx.  She  is  proprietress  of  her  honour  too; 
May  me  give  that? 

IAG.    Her  honour  is  an  eflence  that's  not  feen ; 
They  have  it  very  oft,  that  have  it  not : 
-Eat,  for  the  handkerchief,— 

OTU.  By  heaven,  I  would  moft  gladly  have  forgot  it:— . 
Thou  faid'ft,~~O,  it  comes  o'er  my  memory, 
As  doth  the  raven  o'er  the  infe&tous  houfe, 
Boding  to  all,— he  had  my  handkerchief. 

JAG  .    Ay,  what  of  that  ? 

Of  a.  That's  not  fo  good  now.  [°ng^ 

IAG.    What  if  f  had  laid,  I  had  feen  him  do  you  wr- 
Or  heard  him  fay,— As  knaves  be  fuch  abroad, 
Who  having,  by  their  own  importunate  fuit, 
Or  voluntary  dotage  of  fome  miftrefs, 
«Convinc'd,  or  fuppl'd  them, -fltaiQljt  cannot  choose 
But  they  muft  blab: 

Oru.  Hath  he  faid  any  thing? 

IAG.    He  hath,  my  lord;  but,  be  you  well  aflur'd, 
No  more  than  he'll  unfwear. 
.   Or*.  What  hath  he  faid? 

JAG.    Why,  that  he  did,— -I  know  not  what  he  did. 

QSTJL.  What?  what? 

•i-o  proteftre s     *;  Supplied 

X4 


So  OthellQ. 

JAG.   Lye— 

Or  a.  With  her? 

IAG.    With  her,  on  her;  what  you  will. 

OTH.  Lye  with  her!  lye  on  her !— We  fay,  lie  on  heir, 
when  they  bely  her;  Lye  with  her!  that's  fulfome.  Hand- 
kerchief,—  confeffions  —  handkerchief.  To  confefs,  and 
be  hang'd  for  his  labour.  Firft,  to  be  hang'd,  and  then 
to  confefs;  I  tremble  at  it.  Natqre  would  not  inveft  her- 
felf  in  fuch  fhadowing  paffion,  without  fome  induction. 
Jt  is  not  words,  that  (hakes  me  thus:  Pi(h!  —  Noses, ears, 
and  lips:  Is't  poffibler  — Confefs,— Handkerchief,— Q 
devil !  [falls,  as  in  a  Fit. 

IAG.    Work  on,  my  med'cine,  work!— Thus  credu- 
lous fools  are  caught; 

And  many  worthy  and  chait  dames,  even  thus, 
All  guiltlefs  meet  reproach.  __  What,  ho!  my  lord! 

Enter  C  A  s  s  i  o . 
My  lord,  I  fay!  O/^//o/_How  now,  Caffjo?. 

CAS.    What's  the  matter? 

I,4G.    My  lord  is  fall'n  into  an  epilepfy; 
This  is  his  fecond  fit,  he  had  one  yeflerday. 

CAS.    Rub  him  about  the  temples. 

IAG.    No,  forbear; 

The  lethargy  mufl  have  his  quiet  courfe: 
If  not,  he  foams  at  mouth;  and,  by  and  by, 
Breaks  out  to  favage  madnefs.  Look,  he  ftirs: 
Do  you  withdtaw  yourfelf  a  little  while, 
He  will  recover  (Iraight;  when  he  is  gone, 
J  would  on  great  occasion  fpeak  with  you. — 

[Exit  CASSIC, 

HOW  is  it,  general?  have  you  not  hurt  your  head? 
'  'OTH.  Doit  mock  me? 

s*  Inftrudioi* 


Othello.  &  i 

IAG.    I  mock  you !  no,  by  heaven ;  I  mock,  you  not. 
*Would,  you  would  bear  your  fortune  like  a  man. 

Ofa.  A  horned  man's  a  monfter,  and  a  beaft. 

IAG.    There's  many  a  bealt  then  in  a  populous  city, 
And  many  a  civil  monfter. 

Of  a.  Did  he  confefs  it? 

IAG.    Good  fir,  be  a  man; 
Think,  every  bearded  fellow,  that's  but  yok'd, 
May  draw  with  you:  there's  millions  now  alive, 
Thap  nightly  lye  in  those  unproper  beds, 
Which  they  dare  fwear  peculiar;  your  cafe  is  better, 
O,'tis  the  fpite  of  hell,  the  fiend's  arch-mock, 
To  lip  a  wanton  in  a  fecure  couch, 
And  to  fuppose  her  chaft!  No,  let  me  know; 
And,  knowing  what  I  am,  I  know  what  ihe  fnall  be. 

OTH.  O,  thou  art  wise;  that's  certain. 

IAG.    Stand  you  a  while  apart; 
Confine  yourfelf  but  in  a  patient  lift. 
Whilft  you  were  here  o'er-whelmed  with  your  grief, 
(A  paliion  moft  unfitting  fuch  a  man) 
Caffio  came  hither:  I  fhifted  him  away, 
And  lay'd  good  'fcufe  upon  your  extafy; 
Bad  him  anon  return,  and  here  fpeak  with  me, 
The  which  he  promis'd:  Do  but  encave  yourfelf, 
And  mark  the  fleers,  the  gybes,  and  notable  fcorns, 
That  dwell  in  every  region  of  his  face; 
For  I  will  make  him  tell  the  tale  anew,— 
Where,  how,  how  oft,  how  long  ago,  and  when. 
He  hath,  and  is  again  to  cope  your  wife; 
I  fay,  but  mark  his  gefture   Marry,  patience; 
Or  I  mail  fay,  you  are  all  in  all  a  fpleen, 
And  npthing  of  a  man. 

3'  all  in  Splecoe 


82  Othello. 

Or*.  Doft  hear,  lego? 

I  will  be  found  moft  cunning  in  my  patience; 
But  (doft  thou  hear?)  moft  bloody. 

JAG.    That's  not  amifs ; 
But  yet  keep  time  in  all.  Will  you  withdraw? 

[Othello  conceals  bimfelf. 
Now  will  I  queftion  Cajfio  of  Bianco, 
A  huswife,  that,  by  felling  her  desires, 
•Buys  herfelf  bread  and  cloaths:  it  is  a  creature, 
That  dotes  anCaffio, — as  "'tis  the  ftrumpet's  plague, 
To  beguile  many,  and  be  beguil'd  by  one; — 
He,  when  he  hears  of  her,  <:annot  refrain 
From  the  excels  of  laughter: — Here  he  comes:"" 

EnttrCASsio,  at  aDiJIance. 
As  he  (hall  fmile,  Othello  fliall  go  mad; 
And  his  unbookifli  jealoufy  rauft  conftrue 
Poor  Caffis  fmiles,  geftures,  and  light  behaviour, 
Quite  in  the  wrong How  do  you  now,  lieutenant? 

Cj$.   The  worfer,  that  you  give  me  the  addition, 
Whose  want  even  kills  me. 

JAG.    Ply  Desdemona  well,  and  you  are  fure  on't: 
Now,  if  this  fuit  lay  in  Bianco*  s  power,     \Jpeaking  low. 
How  quickly  fhould  you  fpeed  ? 

CAS.   Alas,  poor  caitiff"! 

OTH.  "  Look,  how  he  laughs  already !" 

JAG.    I  never  knew  a  woman  love  man  fb. 

CAS.   Alas,  poor  rogue!  I  think,  indeed,  (he  loves  me. 

OVM.  *'  Now  he  denies  it  faintly,  and  laughs  it  out.** 

IAG.    Do  you  hear,  Cajfio ? 

OTH.  "  Now  he  importunes  him" 
*'  To  tell  it  o'er:  Go  to;  well  faid,  well  faid." 

Lus.    She  gives  it  out,  that  you  lhall  marry  her; 

»  Do' ft  thru  hea*e 


Othello.  83 

IDo  you  intend  it? 
CAS.   Ha,  ha,  ha! 

Or  a.  "  Do  you  triumph,  Roman?  do  you  triumph?" 

CAS.  I  marry  her?  what,  a  cuftomer!  Pr'ythee,  bear 
fome  charity  to  my  wit;  do  not  think  it  fo  unwholfome. 
Ha,  ha,  ha! 

OTH.  "  So,  fo,  fo,  fo:  Laugh,  that  wins." 

IAG  .    Why,  the  cry  goes,  that  you  mail  marry  her. 

CAS.   Pr'ythee,  fay  true. 

IAG.    I  am  a  very  villain  elfe. 

OTH.  "  Have  you  fcor'd  me?  Well." 

CAS.  This  is  the  monkey's  own  giving  out:  fhe  is 
perfuaded,  I  will  marry  her,  out  of  her  own  love  and 
flattery,  not  out  of  my  promise. 

Or  a.  "  lago  beckons  me;  now  he  begins  the  (lory.** 

CAS.  She  was  here  even  now;  fhe  haunts  me  in  every 
place.  I  was,  the  other  day,  talking  on  the  fea-bank 
with  certain  Venetians  ;ati&  thither  comes  the  bauble,  and 
falls  me  thus~|~about  my  neck: 

OTH.  "  Crying,  O  dear  CaJJio!  as  it  were:  his  geft-" 
"  ure  imports  it." 

CAS.  So  hangs,  and  lolls,  and  weeps  upon  me;  fo 
hales,  and  pulls  me:  ha,  ha,  ha! 

OTH.  "  Now  he  tells,  how  me  pluck'd  him  to  my'* 
*:  chamber:  O,  I  fee  that  nose  of  yours,  but  not  that" 
«'  dog  1  mail  throw  it  to." 

CAS.    Well,  I  muft  leave  her  company. 

JAG.    Before  me!  look,  where  me  comes. 
Enter  BIANCA. 

CAS.  'Tis  fuch  another  fitchew!  marry,  a  perfum'd 
One._What  do  you  mean  by  this  haunting  of  me? 

BIA.   Let  the  devil  and  his  dam  haunt  you!  What  did 


#4  Otfhello. 

yon  mean  by  that  fame  handkerchief,  you  gave  me  even 
now?  1  was  a  fine  fool  to  take  it.  I  mutl  take  out  the 
v/or-k  ? -"-A  likely  piece  of  work;  that  you  fliould  find  it 
in  your  chamber,  and  know  not  who  left  it  there*  This 
is  fome  minx's  token,  and  F  muft  take  out  the  work? 
There, 7^ give  it  your  hobby  horfe:  wherefoever  you  had 
it,  I'll  take  out  no  work  on't. 

Cjs.    How  now,my  fweetBianca ? how  nowrhow now? 

Ors.  "  By  heaven,  that  fhould  be  my  handkerchief." 

BIA.    An  yon'll  come  to  fupper  to-night,  you  may: 

an  you  will  not,  come  when  you  are  next  prepar'd  for. 

[Exit  BIANCU, 
JAG.    After  her,  after  her. 
CAS.   I  muft,  (he'll  rail  i'  the  ftreet  elfe. 
fjfG.    Will  you  fop  there? 
C^s.   Yes,  f  intend  fo. 

Well,  I  may  chance  to  fee  you;  for  I  would  ve- 
peak with  you. 
Pr'ythee,  come;  Will  you? 
Go  to;  fay  no  more.  [Exit  CASSIO. 

How  fliall  \  murther  him,  lags? 

[ffmiitg  bafttly  from  bis  Concealment. 
IAC..    Did  you  perceive  how  he  Jaugh'd  at  his  vice? 
OTH.  O,  jag«! 

IAG.    And  did  you  fee  the  handkerchief? 
Or/f.  V/as  that  mine? 

IAG.  Yours,  by  this  hand'  and  to  fee  how  he  prizes 
the  forlifh  woman  your  wife!  flie  gave  it  him,  and  he 
Lath  given  it  his  whnre. 

Ortf    I  wou'cl  have  him  nin^yeara 
}\omsn?  a  fair  woman!  a  f.veet  woman  ! 
JJG.    Nay,  you  muft  forget  that. 


Othello.  85 

Of  a.  Ay,  let  her  rot,  and  perifli,  and  bedaran'd  to- 
night; for  the  (hall  not  live :  No,  my  heart  is  turn'd  to 
ftone;  I  ftrike  it,  and  it  hurts  my  hand.  O,  the  world 
haih  not  a  fweeter  creature  :  fhe  might  lye  by  an  emp- 
eror's fide,  and  command  him  taflcs. 

IAG,    Nay,  that's  not  your  way. 

Or  a.  Hang  her  !  I  do  but  fay  what  (he  is:  S)  delicate 
with  her  needle! — An  admirable  musician!  O,  ihe  will 
fing  the  favagenefs  out  of  a  bear! — Of  fo  high  and  plen- 
teous wit  and  invention!  — 

IAG.    She's  the  worfe  for  all  this. 

Ota.  O,  a  thousand,  a  thousand  times: — And  then, 
of  fo  gentle  a  coudition!  — 

IAG.    Ay,  too  gentle. 

Or  a.  Nay,  that's  certain:  But  yet  the  pity  of  it,  la- 
go!  O,  IngOy  the  pity  of  it,  lago! 

IAG.  If  you  be  fo  fond  over  her  iniquity,  give  her 
patent  to  offend ;  for,  if  it  touches  not  you,  it  comes 
near  nobody.  , 

Om.  I  will  chop  her  into  mefies :  Cuckold  me  ! 

IAG.    O,  'tis  foul  in  her. 

Orn,  With  mine  officer! 

IAG.    That's  fouler. 

Or  a.  Get  me  fome  poison,  lago;  this  night:— I'll  not 
expoftulate  with  her,  left  her  body  and  beauty  unpro- 
vide  my  mind  again:  —  this  night,  lago. 

IAG  .  Do  it  not  with  poison ;  ilrangle  her  in  her  bed, 
even  the  bed  Ihe  hath  contaminated. 

OTH.  Good,  good;  the  juftice  of  it  pleases;  very  good. 

IAG.  And,  for  Cajfio,—l(:t  me  be  his  undertaker:  You. 
{hall  hear  more  by  midnight.  [Trumpa  heard. 

OTK,  Excellent  good.  What  trumpet  is  that  fame  i 


86  Othello. 

IJG.   Something  from  Venice,  fure.  'Tis  Lodcvico> 
Enter  LODOVICO,  and  Attendants;  DESDEMONA, 

and  Others,  with  him. 
Come  from  the  duke:  and,  fee,  your  wife  is  with  hirfi. 

LOD.  Save  you,  worthy  general! 

Oru.  With  all  my  heart,  fir. 

LOD.  The  duke  and  fenators  of  Venice  greet  you. 

[giving  him  a  Packet. 

Orn.  I  kifs  the  inflrument  of  their  coofc  pleasures. 

[opens,  and  peruses  it". 

DES.   And  what's  the  news,  good  cousin  Lodo<uico? 

JAG.    I  am  glad  to  fee  you, fignior;  Welcome  to  Cyprus. 

LOD.   I  thank  you,  fir:  How  does  lieutenant  Caffio? 

IAG.    Lives,  fir. 

DES.   Cousin,  there's  fall'n  between  him  and  my  lord 
An  unkind  breach:  but  you  mall  make  all  well. 

OfH.  Are  you  fure  of  that? 

DES.  My  lord? 

Or  a.  'This  fail  you  not  to  do,  as  you  <will — 

LOD.  He  did  not  call;  he's  busy  in  the  paper. 
Is  there  division  'twixt  thy  lord  and  CaJJio? 

DES.  A  moil  unhappy  one;  I  would  do  much 
To  atone  them,  for  the  love  I  bear  to  CaJJio. 

Or  a.  Fire  and  brimftone! 

DES.  My  lord? 

Or  a.  Are  you  wise? 

DES.  What,  is  he  angry? 

LOD.  May  be,  the  letter  mov'd  him ; 
For,  as  I  think,  they  do  command  him  home, 
Deputing  CaJJio  in  his  government. 

DES.  Truit  me,  I  am  glad  on't. 

OTH.  Indeed? 

i»  am  very  glad 


Othello.  87 

®ES.  My  lord? 

OTH.  I  am  glad  to  fee  you  mad. 

DES.  Why,  fweet  Or/W/o? 

Of  a-.  Devil!  \Jriking  her* 

DES.  I  have  not  deserv'd  this.- 

LOD.  My  lord,  this  would  not  be  believ'd  in  Veirict, 
Though  I  (hould  fwear  I  faw't:  'Tis  very  much; 
Make  her  amends,  (he  weeps. 

Or  a.  O  devil,  devil ! 

If  that  the  earth  could  teem  with  woman's  tears, 
Each  drop  fhe  falls  would  prove  a  crocodile :__ 
Out  of  my  fight! 

DES.  I  will  not  ftay  to  offend  you. 

LOD.  Truly,  an  obedient  lady  :  — 
I  do  befeech  your  lordftiip,  call  her  back, 

OTH.  Miftref*,— 

DES.  My  lord  ? 

Ofu.  What  would  you  with  her,  fir? 

LOD.  Who  I,  my  lord? 

QTH.  Ay,  you  did  wifh,  that  I  would  make  her  turn  $ 
Sir,  fhe  can  turn,  and  turn,  and  yet  go  on, 
And  turn  again  j  and  fhe  can  weep,  fir,  weep ; 
And  fhe's  obedient,  as  you  fay,  obedient, 
Very  obedient; —Proceed  you  in  your  tears — 
Concerning  this,  fir, — O  well -painted  paflion!  — 
I  am  commanded  home: —Get  you  away; 
I'll  fend  for  you  anon.  —  Sir,  I  obey  the  mandate, 
And  will  return  to  Venice-,—  Hence,  avant!_[£*/Vl>JZS, 
Caffit  fhall  have  my  place.  And,  fir,  to-night, 
I  do  entreat,  that  we  may  fup  together. 
You're  welcome,  fir,  to  C#r#/.—  Goats  and  monkies? 

\Exit  Or», 


8S  Othello. 

LOD.  Is  this  the  noble  Moor,  whom  our  full  fenate 
Call  —  all-in-all  fufficient?  This  the  nature 
Whom  paffion  could  not  fhake?  whose  folid  virtue 
The  fhot  of  accident,  nor  dart  of  chance, 
Could  neither  graze,  nor  pierce? 

IAG.   He  is  much  chang'd. 

LOD.  Are  his  wits  fafe?  is  he  not  light  of  brain  ? 

IAG.    He's  that  he  is  ;  I  may  not  breath  my  cenfure. 
What  he  might  be,—  if,  what  he  might,  he  is  not,— 
I  would  to  heaven,  he  were. 

LOD.  What,  ftrike  his  wife! 

JAG.   'Faith,  that  was  not  fo  well  ;  Yet  'would  I  knew,, 
That  ftroke  would  prove  the  worit. 

LOD.  Is  it  his  ufe? 

Or  did  the  letters  work  upon  his  blood, 
And  new-create  this  fault? 

IAG.   Alas,  alas, 
It  is  not  honefty  in  me,  to  fpeak 
What  I  have  feen  and  known.  You  (hall  observe  him; 
And  his  own  courfes  will  denote  him  fo, 
That  I  may  fave  my  fpeech  :  Do  but  go  after, 
And  mark  how  he  continues. 

LOD.  I  am  forry,  that  I  am  deceiv'd  in  him.  \Exeunt. 


SCENE  II. 
Enter  OTHELLO,  «H</EMILIA. 
Cm.  You  have  feen  nothing  then? 
EMI.   Nor  ever  heard  ;  nor  ever  did  fufpedi. 
OTH.  Yes,  you  have  feen  Cajfio  and  me  together. 
EMI.   But  then  1  {aw  no  harm;  and  then  1  heard 
Each  fyllable,  tbat  breath  made  up  between  them. 
CTH.  What,  did  they  never  whifper? 


Othelld.  *£ 

Elir.  Never,  my  lord. 

Oru.  Nor  fend  you  out  o'  the  way? 

EMI.  Never.  [thing? 

Or  a.  To  fetch  her  fan,  her  gloves,  her  maflc,  nor  no- 

EMI.  Never,  my  lord. 

Or'n.  That's  ftrange. 

EMI.  I  durit,  my  lord,  to  wager  me  is  honeft, 
Lay  down  my  foul  at  (take:  if  you  think  other, 
Remove  your  thought;  it  doth  abuse  your  bosom. 
If  any  wretch  hath  put  this  in  your  head, 
Let  heaven  requite  it  with  the  ferpent's  curfe! 
For,  if  (he  be  not  honeit,  chaft,  and  true, 
There's  no  man  happy;  the  pureit  of  their  wives 
Is  foul  as  flander. 

QTH.  Bid  her  come  hither;  go. [Exit  EMU 

She  fays  enough;  —  yet  fhe's  a  fimple  bawd, 
That  cannot  fay  as  much.  This  is  a  fubtle  whore, 
A  closet  lock  and  key  cf  villanous  fecrets: 
And  yet  flie'Il  kneel,  and  pray  ;  I  have  feen  her  do'ti 
Re-enter  Emilia,  <vahh  DESDBMONA. 

DES.  My  lord,  what  is  your  will? 

Ora.  Pray,  chuck,  come  hither. 

DES.   What  is  your  pleasure? 

OTK.  Let  me  fee  your  eyesj 
Look  in  my  face. 

DES.  What  horrible  fancy's  this? 

Ora.  Some  of  your  function,  miftrefs,       [Vc  Emilia. 
Leave  procreants  alone,  and  that  the  door; 
Cough,  or  cry~hem,  if  any  body  come: 
Your  myilery,  your  myftery;  nay,  difpatch. 

[Er// Emilia. 

DES.  Upon  my~f~knees,  what  doth  your  fpeechimport? 

VOL.  X.  X 


gs>  Othello. 

1  underfland  a  fury  in  your  words, 
But  not  the  words. 

OTH.  Why,  what  art  thou  ? 

DES.  Your  wife,  my  lord; 
Your  true  and  loyal  wife. 

OTH.  Come,  fwear  it,  damn  thyfelf ; 
Left,  being  like  one  of  heaven,  the  devils  themfelves 
Should  fear  to  feize  thee:  therefore  be  double-damn'di 
Swear— thou  art  honeft. 

DES.  Heaven  doth  truly  know  it. 

OTH.  Heaven  truly  knows,  that  thou  art  falfe  as  hell. 

DES.  To  whom,mylordrWithwhom.?Howam  I  falfc? 

OTH.  O  Desdemona! — away !  away  !  away  ! 

DES.  Alas,  the  heavy  day  !_Why  do  you  weep  ? 
Am  I  the  motive  of  these  tears,  my  lord  ? 
If,  haply,  you  my  father  do  fufpecl, 
An  inftrument  of  this  your  calling  back, 
Lay  not  your  blame  on  me;  if  you  have  loft  him, 
Why,  I  have  loft  him  too. 

OTH.  Had  it  pleas'd  heaven, 
To  try  me  with  affliction ;  had  lie  rain'd 
All  kind  of  fores,  and  fhames,  on  my  bare  head  5 
Steep'd  me  in  poverty  to  the  very  lips; 
Given  to  captivity  me  and  my  utmoft  hopes; 
I  fhould  have  found  in  fome  part  of  my  foul 
A  drop  of  patience:  but  (alas!)  to  make  me 
A  fixed  figure,  for  the  hand  of  fcorn 
To  point  his  flow  unmoving  finger  at,— 
Q!  o! 

Yet  could  I  bear  that  too ;  well,  very  well : 
But  there,  where  I  have  garner'd  up  my  hearts 
Where  either  I  muft  live,  or  bear  no  life; 

*7  the  time  of 


Othello;  91 

The  fountain  from  the  which  my  current  runs, 

Or  elfe  dries  up;  to  be  difcarded  thence  ! 

Or  keep  it  as  a  ciftern,  for  foul  toads 

To  knot  and  gender  in!_turn  thy  complexion  there, 

Patience,  thou  young  and  rose-lip'd  cherubin, 

Ay,  there,  look  grim  as  hell. 

DES.  I  hope,  my  noble  lord  efteems  me  honeft, 
OTH.  O,  ay;  as  fummer  flies  are  in  the  mambles, 
That  quicken  even  with  blowing.  O  thou  weed, 
Who  art  fo  lovely  fair,  and  fmell'ft  To  fweet,  [been  born  ! 
That  the  fenfe  akes  at  thee,—  'Would,  thou  hadft  ne'er 
DES.  Alas,  what  ignorant  fin  have  I  committed? 
OTH.  Was  this  fair  paper,  this  molt  goodly  book, 
Made  to  write  whore  upon?  What,  to£ar,  committed! 
Committed!  O  thou  publick  commoner, 
I  mould  make  very  forges  of  my  cheeks, 
That  would  to  cinders  burn  up  modefty, 
Should  I  but  fpeak  thy  deeds;  What,  to^at,  committed! 
Heaven  flops  the  nose  at  it,  and  the  moon  winks; 
The  bawdy  wind,  that  kifles  all  it  meets, 
Is  hufh'd  within  the  hollow  mine  of  earth, 
And  will  not  hear't  :  Sommittefc  !  what,  committed  ! 
Impudent  ftrumpet  ! 

DES.  By  heaven,  you  do  me  wrong. 

OTH.  Are  not  you  a  ftrumpet? 

DES.  No,  as  I  am  a  chriftian: 
If  to  preserve  this  veflel  for  my  lord, 
From  any  other  foul  unlawful  touch, 
Be  —  not  to  be  a  ftrumpet,  I  am  none; 

Orff.  What,  not  a  whore? 

DES.  No,  as  I  (hall  be  fav'd. 

Or  a.  Is't  poflible  ? 


Ya 


92  Otfiello. 

DES.  O,  heaven  forgive  us! 

OTH.  I  cry  you  mercy,  then ; 
J  took  you  for  that  cunning  whore  of  Venice, 
That  marry'd  with  Othello — You,  miftrefs,  tfjete! 

Re-enier  EMILIA. 

That  have  the  office  opposite  to  faint  Peter, 
Arid  keep  the  gate  of  hell ;  You,  you;  ay,  you! 
We  have  done  our  courfe;  there's  money  for  your  pains; 
I  pray  you,  turn  the  key,  and  keep  our  counfel. 

[Exit  OTHELLO. 

EAII.  Alas,  what  does  this  gentleman  conceive? 

How  do  you,  madam?  how  do  you,  my  good  lady? 

DES.  'Faith,  halt  afleep. 

EMI.  Good  madam,  what's  the  matter  with  my  lord? 

DES.  With  who? 

EMI.  With  my  iord,  madam? 

DES.  Who  is  thy  lord  f 

EMI.   He  that  is  yours,  fweet  lady. 

DES.  1  have  none:  Do  not  talk  to  me,  Emilia; 
I  cannot  weep ;  nor  anfwer  have  t  none, 
But  what  mould  go  by  water.  Pr'ythee,  to-night 
Lay  on  my  bed  my  wedding  meets,  remember; 
And  call  thy  husband  hither. 

EMI.  Here  is  a  change,  indeed  !  [Exit. 

DES.  'Tis  meet  I  fhould  be  us'd  fo,  very  meer 
How  have  I  been  behav'd,  that  he  might  itick 
The  fmairft  opinion  on  my  lead  mifufe? 

Re-enter  EMILIA,  with  IAGO.  [you? 

JAG.   What  is  your  pleasure, madam?  How  is't  with 

DES.  T  cannot  tell. Those,  that  do  teach  young  babesa 
Do  it  with  gentle  means,  and  easy  tafks : 
He  might  have  chid  me  fo ,  for,  in  good  faith>  - 

16  Why,  with 


Othello,  #3 

1  am  a  child  to  chiding. 

IAG  .    What  is  the  matter,  Jady  ? 

EMI.  Alas,  lago,  my  lord  hath  fo  bewhor'd  her, 
Thrown  fuch  defpite  and  heavy  terms  upon  her, 
•As  true  hearts  cannot  bear. 

Dxs.  Am  I  that  name,  lago? 

IAG.    What  name,  fair  lady? 

DES.  Such  as,  fhe  fays,  my  lord  did  fay  I  Was. 

EMI,   He  call'd  her,  whore;  a  beggar,  in  his  drink, 
Could  not  have  Jay'd  fuch  terms  upon  his  callet. 

JAG.    Whydidhsfo? 

DES.  I  do  not  know;  I  am  fure,  I  am  none  fuch. 

IAG.   Do  not  weep,  do  not  weep;  Alas,  the  day! 

EMI.  Has  fhe  forfook  fo  many  noble  matches, 
Her  father,  and  her  country,  and  her  friends, 
To  be  call'd — whore?  would  it  not  make  one  weep? 

DES.   It  is  my  wretched  fortune. 

IAG.    Befhrew  him  for't! 
How  comes  this  trick  upon  him? 

DES.   Nay,  heaven  doth  know. 

EMI.  I  will  be  hang'd,  if  fome  eternal  villain, 
Some  busy  and  insinuating  rogue, 
Some  cogging  coz'ning  {lave,  to  get  fome  office, 
Has  not  devis'd  this  flander;  I'll  be  hang'd  elfe. 

IAG.    Fie!  there  is  no  fuch  man;  it  is  impofiible. 

DES.   If  any  fuch  there  be,  heaven  pardon  him! 

,  EMI.  A  halter  pardon  him  !  and  hell  gnaw  his  bones! 
Why  fiiould  he  call  her, whore?  who  keeps  her  company? 
What  place?  what  time?  what  form?  what  likelihood  ? 
The  Moor's  abus'd  by  fome  moft  villanous  knave, 

-Some  bafe  notorious  knave,  fome  fcurvy  fello-.v: 

tQ,,  heaveji,  that  fuch  companion  thou'dfl  unfold; 

3* -companions 


g  4-  Othello. 

And  put  in  every  honeft  hand  a  whip, 

To  lafh  the  rafca)  naked  through  the  world, 

Even  from  the  eaft  to  the  weft! 

IAG.    Speak  within  door. 

EMI.  O,  fie  upon  him !  fome  fuch  fquire  he  was,. 
That  turn'd  your  wit  the  feamy  fide  without, 
And  made  you  to  fufpeft  me  with  the  Moor. 

IAG.    You  are  a. fool;  go  to. 

BES.   Alas,lago, 

What  ihall  I  do  to  win  my  lord  again  ? 
Good  friend,  go  to  him;  for,  by  this  light  of  heaven, 
I  know  not  how  I  loft  him.   Here  I~J~ kneel:  — 
If  e'er  rny  will  did  trefpafs  'gainft  his  love, 
Either  in  difcourfe  of  thought,  or  actual  deed; 
Or  that  mine  eyes,  mine  ears,  or  any  fenfe, 
Delighted  them  in  any  other  form; 
Or  that  I  do  not  yet,  and  ever  did, 
And  ever  will,-" though  he  do  ftiake  me  off 
To  beggarly  divorcement,— love  him  dearly,} 
Comfort  forfwear  me  !  Unkindnefs  may  do  much  j 
And  his  unkindnefs  may  defeat  my  life, 
Eut  never  taint  my  love.  I  can't  fay,  whore; 
It  does  abhor  me,  now  I  fpeak  the  word; 
To  do  the  aft  that  might  the  addition  earn, 
Not.  the  world's  mafs  of  vanity  could  make  me. 

IAG.    \  pray  you,  be  content;  'tis  but  his  humour; 
The  businefs  of  the  ftate  does  him  offence, 
And  he  does  chide  with  you. 

DF.S.  If 'twere  no  other, — 

I  AC.   It  is  but  fo,  I  warrant.  [Trumpfts, 

Hark,  how  these  inftruments  fummon  to  fupper! 
The  mefienger  of  Venice  flays  the  meat:      K.j^jVs 


Othello.  $£ 

<5o  in,  and  weep  not;  all  things  lhall  be  well. 

[Exeunt  DES.  and  EMI, 
Enter  RODERIGO. 
How  now,  Roderigo  ? 

ROD.  I  do  not  find,  that  thou  deal'ft  juftly  with  me. 

IAG.    What  in  the  contrary? 

ROD.  Every  day  fhou  doft'ft  me  with  fome  devife,  la- 
go;  and  rather  (as  it  feems  to  me  now)  keepeft  from  me 
all  conveniency,  than  fupplieft  me  with  the  lead  advan- 
tage of  hope.  I  will,  indeed,  no  longer  endure  it  :  Nor 
am  I  yet  perfuaded,  to  put  up  in  peace  what  already  I 
have  foolimly  fuffer'd, 

IAG.    Will  you  hear  me,  Roderigo? 

ROD.  Sir,  1  have  heard  too  much;  and  yoar  words, 
snd  performances,  are  no  kin  together. 

IAG  .    You  charge  me  mod  tinjuftly. 

ROD.  With  nought  but  truth.  1  have  wafted  myfelf 
eut  of  means.  The  jewels  you  have  had  from  me,  to  de- 
liver to  Desdemona,  would  half  have  corrupted  a  votarift: 
You  have  told  me~ihe  hath  receiv'd  them,  and  return'd 
me  expectations  and  comforts  of  hidden  relpeft  and  ac- 
quittance ;  but  I  find  nene. 

IAG.    Well;  go  to;  very  well. 

ROD.  Very  well?  go  to?  I  can  not  go  to,  man;  nor 
*ds  not  very  well:  Nay,  I  think  it  is  fcurvy;  and  begin 
to  find*  myfelf  fob'd  in  it. 

IAG.    Very  well. 

ROD.  I  tell  you,  'tis  qot  very  well.  I  will  make  my- 
felf known  to  Desdemona:  if  (he  will  return  me  my  jew- 
els, I  will  give  over  my  fuit,  and  repent  my  unlawful 
.felicitation  ;  if  not,  affure  yourfelf,  I  will  fcek  fatiffac- 
jioji  of  you, 


V4 


96  Othello. 

IAG.   You  have  faid  now. 

ROD.  Ay,  and  faid  nothing,  but  what  I  proteft  ia* 
tendment  of  doing. 

JAG.  Why,  now  I  fee  there's  mettle  in  thee  ;  and* 
even  from  this  ir.ftant,  do  build  on  thee  a  better  opinion 
than  ever  before.  Give  roe  thy  hand,  Roderigo:  Thou 
halt  taken.  again  ir  me  a  moft  jull  exception;  but  yet,  I 
proteft,  I  have  dealt  naoH  directly  in  thy  affair. 

ROD.  It  ha.th  not  appear'd. 

.  IAG.  \  grant,  indeed,  it  hath  not  appear'd  ;  and  your 
fufpicion  is  not  without  wit  and  judgment.  But,  Rcdt- 
rigo,  if  thou  hnft  that  within  thee  indeed,  which  I  have 
greater  reason  to  believe  now  thsn  ever,—  I  mean,  pur- 
pose, c  'urap  e,  and  valour,  —  this  night  fhew  it:  if  thou 
the  next  night  following  enjoy  not  Desdemona,  take  me 
from  this  world  with  treachery,  a,nd  devise  engines  for 
my  life. 

ROD.  Vv'eil,  what  is  it?  is  it  within  reason,  and  com-» 


IAG.  Sir,  there  is  efpecial  commiflion  come  from  Vet 
nice^  to  depute  C..-iJj;s  in  Othello's  place. 

ROD.  Is  that  true?  why,  then  Qibello  and  Desdemcnn 
return  again  to  Venice. 

LAG.  O,  no;  he  £>  es  into  Mauritania,  and  taketh  a- 
way  with  him  the  fair  Desdewcna,  unieis  his  abode  be 
linger'd  here  by  feme  nccident;  wherein  none  can  bo 
fo  determinate,  as  the  removing  of  Caffio. 

Rou.  How  do  you  mean  —  removing  him? 

IAG.  Why,  by  making  him  uncapable  of  Othello's 
place;  knocking  out  his  brains. 

ROD.  And  that  you  would  have  me  to  do. 

/.rfC.    Ay;  if  you  dare  do  yourftlf  a  profit,  and  a  rightt 


Othello.  97 

He  Tups  to-night  with  a  harlotry,  and  thither  will  I  go 
to  him  ;— he  knows  not  yet  of  his  honourable  fortune  : 
if  you  will  watch  his  going  thence,  which  I  will  famiori 
to  fall  out  between  twelve  and  one,  you  may  take  him 
at  your  pleasure  ;  I  will  be  near  to  fecond  your  attempt, 
and  he  mail  fall  between  us.  Come,  ftand  not  amazM 
at  it,  but  go  along  with  me;  I  will  mew  you  fuch  a  ne- 
ceffity  in  his  death,  that  you  mail  think  yourfelf  bound 
to  put  it  on  him.  Jt  is  now  high  fupper-time,  and  the 
flight  grows  to  wafte  :  about  it 

ROD.  I  will  hear  further  reason  for  this. 

JAG.    And  you  mall  be  fatiffy'd.  [Exeunt- 

SCENE  III.  A  Room  in  the  Caftle. 
Enter  OTHELLO,  Looovrco,  DESDEMONA, 

EMILIA,  and  Attendants. 

LOD.  'Befeech  you,  fir,  trouble  yourfelf  no  further. 
OTH.  O,  pardon  me;  'twill  do  me  good  to  walk. 
£OD.  Madam,  good  night;  I  humbly  thank  your  la- 
dy (hip. 

DES.  Your  honour  is  moft  welcome. 
Or  a.  Will  you  walk,  fir/_ 

O, Desdemona, —  \.flePP*nS  &ac&* 

DES.   My  lord? 

OTH.  Get  you  to  bed  o'  the  inftant,  I  will  be  return'd 
forthwith :  difmifs  your  attendant  there ;  look,  it  be  done. 
DES.  I  will,  my  lord.     [Exeunt  OTH.  LOD.  and  Att. 
EMI.  How  goes  it  now  ?  he  looks  gentler  than  he  did, 
DES.  He  fays,  he  will  return  incontinent : 
He  hath  commanded  me  to  go  to  bed, 
And  bad  me  to  difmifs  you. 
MJ.  Difmifs  me! 


S-  Othello. 

DES.  It  was  his  bidding;  therefore,  good  Emili*t 
Give  me  my  nightly  wearing,  and  adieu: 
We  *nufl  not  now  difplease  him. 

Em.  I  would,  you  had  never  feen  him. 
Z)£S.  So  would  not  I;  my  love  doth  fo  approve  him. 
That  even  his  Hubbornnefs,  his  checks,  and  frowns,"" 
Pr'ythee,  unpin  me,— have  grace  and  favour  in  them. 

[beginning  to  undrefi. 
EMI.  \  have  lay'd  those  fheets  you  bad  me  on  the  beet. 

jDzs.  All's  one: Good  father,  how  fooliih  are  oar 

mindsl__ 

If  I  ,do  die  before  thee,  pr'ythee,  fhrowd  me 
In  .one  of  those  fame  flieets. 
EMI.  Come,  come,  you  talk. 
DES.  My  mother  had  a  m.nid,  caWd— Barbara; 
She  was  in  love;  and  he,  (he  lov'd,  prov'd  bad, 
.And  did  forfake  her:  (he  had  a  fong  of— willow, 
An  old  thing  'twas,  but  it  exprefi'd  her  fortune, 
And  fhe  dy'd  finging  i,t:  That  fong,  to-night, 
Will  not  go  from  my  mind;  I  have  much  to  do, 
Not  to  go  hang  rny  head  all  o'  one  fide, 
And  fing  it  like  poor  Barbara .  Pr'ythee,  difpatch. 
EMI.  Shall  I  fetch  your  night-gown  ? 
DES-  No,  unpin  me  here. 
This  Lodo<vico  is  a  proper  man. 
EMI.   A  very  handfome  man. 
DES.  $itrt!  he  fpeaks  well. 

EMI.  \  know  a  lady  in  Venice,  would  have  walk'd 
Bare-foot  toPateftine  for  a  touch  of  his  nether  Jip. 

[going  en  ivitb  her  umirejfing* 
pES,  The  f  tor  foul  fat  fighin%  by  a  Jycamore  tree, 

jpng  all  a  green  luiUo-iM ;  [  fi  p.gi  ng . 

»f  pov'd  mad    *|  But  19    «J  I  go  fetch 


Othello.  99 

tier  hand  on  lier  bosom,  her  bead  on  her  knee, 

Jing  willow,  willow,  willow: 
tfhe  frejh  flreams  ran  by  her,  and  murmured  her  moans; 

Jing  willow,  willow,  willow ; 

the  fait  tears  fell  from  her,  and  fofterfd' the  ftone$* — 

Lay  by  =}=  these.  _  [gwivg  her  her  Jewels. 

Jing  willow,  willow,  willow, — 
Pr'ythee,  hie  thee;  he'll  come  anon — 
Jing  all  a  green  wz//ow  muft  be  my  garland. 

2. 

Let  no  body  blame  him,  his  fcorn  I  approve, — 
Nay,that's  not  next — Hark !  !>ar& !  who  is't  that  knocks? 

EMI.  It's  the  wind. 

DE  S .  I  called  my  lo<ve,falfe  love ;  But  what  f aid  he  then? 
fing  willow,  wi!/onv,  willow  ; 

If  I  court  mo  women,  you'll  couch  with  mo  men. 
So,  get  thee  gone;  good  night.  Mine  eyes  do  itch; 
Poes  that  bode  weeping  ? 

EMI.  -Tis  neither  here  nor  there. 

DES.  I  have  heard  it  faid  fo._O,  these  men,  these 

men! 

Doft  thou  in  conference  think,— tell  me,  Emilia,— 
That  there  be  women  do  abuse  their  husbands 
Jn  fuch  grofs  kind  ? 

EMI.  There  be  fome  fuch,  no  queflion. 

DES.  Would'ft  thou  do  fuch  a  thing  for  all  the  world? 

EMI.   Why,  would  not  you? 

DES.   No,  by  this  heavenly  light! 

EMI.  ,f2o,  nor  I  neither,  by  this  heavenly  light; 
J  might  do't  as  well  i'the  dark. 

DES.  Wouldft  thou  do  fuch  a  deed  for  all  the  world? 

$MI.  The  world  is  a  huge  thing :  Tis  a  great  prico 


i  oo  Othello. 

For  a  final  1  vice. 

DES.  In  troth,  I  think  thou  wouldft  not. 

EMI.  In  troth,  I  think  I  fliould  ;  and  undo't,  when  I 
had  done.  Marry,  I  would  not  do  fuch  a  thing  for  a 
joint-ring;  nor  for  measures  of  lawn ;  nor  for  gowns, 
petticoats,  nor  caps,  nor  any  petty  exhibition :  but,  for 
the  whole  world, —  Why,  who  would  not  make  her  hus- 
band a  cuckold,  to  make  him  a  monarch?  I  mould  ven- 
ture purgatory  for't. 

DES.  Befhrew  me,  if  I  would  do  fuch  a  wrong 
For  the  whole  world. 

EMI.  Why,  the  wrong  is  but  a  wrong  i'  th*  world ; 
and,  having  the  world  for  your  labour,  'tis  a  wrong  in 
your  own  world,  and  you  might  quickly  make  it  right. 

DES.  I  do  not  think,  there  is  any  fuch  woman. 

EMI.  Yes,  a  dozen;  and  as  many  to  the  vantage,  as 
Would  ftore  the  world  they  play'd  for. 
But,  I  do  think,  it  is  their  husbands'  faults, 
Jf  wives  do  fall:  Say,  that  they  flack  their  duties, 
And  pour  our  treasures  into  foreign  laps; 
Or  elfe  break  out  in  peevim  jealoufies, 
Throwing  reftraint  upon  us;  or,  fay,  they  ftrike  us, 
Or  leant  our  former  having  in  defpite; 
Why,  we  have  galls;  and,  though  we  have  fome  grace^ 
Yet  have  we  fome  revenge.  Let  husbands  know, 
Their  wives  have  fenfe  like  them;  they  fee,  and 
And  have  their  palates  both  for  fvveet  and  four 
As  husbands  have.  What  is  it  that  they  do, 
When  they  change  us  for  others  r  Is  it  fpoit? 
I  think,  it  is;  And  doth  afi'edlion  breed  it  ? 
I  think,  it  doth;  !s't  frailty,  that  thus  errs? 
h  is  fo  too  ;  And  have  not  we  affections  ? 


Othellor.  10  1 

Desires  for  fport?  and  frailty,  as  men  have? 
Then,  let  them  use  us  well:  elfe,  let  them  know, 
The  ills  we  do,  their  ills  inftruft  us  to. 

DBS.  Good  night,  good  night:  Heaven  me  fuch  us- 

age fend, 
Not  to  pick  bad  from  bad;  but,  by»bad,  mend!  [Exeunt. 


SCENE  I.  A  Street. 
Enter  IAGO,  and  RODE  RICO. 

IAO  .   Here,  ftand  behind  this  "j"  bulk  ;  ftraight  will  ho 

come  : 

Wear  thy  good  rapier  bare,  and  put  it  home, 
Quick,  quick;  fear  nothing,  I'll  be  at  thy  elbow: 
]t  makes  us,  or  it  mars  us;  think  on  that, 
And  fix  molt  firm  thy  resolution. 

ROD.  Be  near  at  hand,  I  may  mifcarry  in't. 

JjtG.    Here,  at  thy  hand;  be  bold,  and  take  thy  ftand» 
[retires  to  a  little  Diftance» 

ROD.  I  have  no  great  devotion  to  the  deed; 
And  yet  he  has  given  me  fatiffying  reasons  :— 
*Tis  but  a  man  gone:  forth,  my~j~fword;  he  dies. 

[going  to  bis  Stand, 

IAG.    I  have  rub'd  this  young  quat  almolt  to  the  fenfe,. 
And  he  grows  angry.  Now,  whether  he  kill  Caj/io, 
Or  CaJJio  him,  or  each  do  kill  the  other, 
Every  way  makes  my  gain:  Live  Roderigo, 
He  calls  me  to  a  rellitution  large 
Of  gold,  and  jewels,  that  I  bob'd  from 
As  gifts  to 


102  Othello. 

It  muft  not  be :  if  Caffio  do  remain, 

He  hath  a  daily  beauty  in  his  life, 

That  makes  me  ugly;  and,  befides,  the  Moor 

May  unfold  me  to  him;  there  ftand  1  in  much  perils 

No,  he  muft  die;— But  fo,  I  hear  him  coming. 

Enter  CASSIO. 

ROD.  I  know  his  gait,  'tis  he>_Villain,  thou  dy'ft; 
[flatting  from  bis  Poft,  and  making  a  Pafs  at  him* 
C.rfs.   That  thruft  had  been  mine  enemy  indeed, 
But  that  my  coat  is  better  than  thou  know'ft; 
1  will  make  proof  of  thine.      [draws,  and  'wounds  Rod. 
ROD.  O,  1  am  flain!  [falling. 

lago  ffuesfrom  behind',  makes  a  Blow  at  CafliO,  and  Exit* 
CJL.   I  am  maim'd  for  ever:_  [falling  too.'}  Light, 
ho!  murther!  murther! 

Enter  OTHELLO,  at  a Dijlance. 
Of  a.  The  voice  of  CaJJlo;  —  lago  keeps  his  word, 
ROD.  O,  villain  that  1  am! 
OTH.  It  is  even  fo. 
CAS.  O,  help,  ho!  light!  a  furgeon! 
OTH.  "Tis  he; — O  brave  logo,  honeft,  andjuft, 
That  haft  fuch  noble  fenfe  of  thy  friend's  wrong! 
Thou  teacheft  me,  _  Minion,  your  dear  lies  dead, 
And  your  fate  hies  apace;  ftrumpet,  I  come: 
Forth  of  my  heart  those  charms,  thine  eyes,  are  blotted;; 
Thy  bed,  luft-ftain'd,  mail  with  luft's  blood  be  fpotted. 

[Exit  OTHELLO. 
Enter ,  likewise  at  a  Difiance,  LODOVICO, 

awd'GRATiANO.  [urther! 

C^s.  What,  ho!  no  watch?  no  paflage?  murther!  m- 
GRJ.  'Tis  fome  mifchancej  the  voice  is  very  direfuL 
Cjs.  O,he!p! 


Othello.  105 

LOD.  Hark  I 

ROD.  O  wretched  villain! 

LOD.  Two  or  three  groans;— it  is  a  heavy  night: 
These  may  be  counterfeits;  let's  think't  unfafe 
To  come  in  to  the  cry,  without  more  help. 

ROD.  No  body  come?  then  (hall  I  bleed  to  death. 

Enter  JAGO,  -with  a  Light. 

LOD.  Hark!  [weapons. 

GRA.  Here's  one  comes  in  his  mirt,  with  light  and 
IAG.    Who's  there?  whose  noise  is  this,  that  cries  out 

murther? 

LOD.  We  do  not  know. 
JAG.    Do  not  you  hear  a  cry? 
CAS.  Here,  here;  for  heaven's  fake,  help  me. 
TAG.   What's  the  matter?          [going  tonxards  CaSIo* 
GRA.  This  is  Othello's  ancient,  as  I  take  it. 
LOD.  The  fame,  indeed;  a  very  valiant  fellow. 
IAG.    What  are  you  here,  that  cry  fo  grievoufly? 
CAS.  logo?  O,  I  amlpoil'd,  undone  by  villains! 
Give  me  fome  help. 

IAG.   O  me,  lieutenant !  what  villains  have  done  this? 
CAS.    I  think,  that  one  of  them  is  hereabout, 
And  cannot  make  away. 

IAG.   O  treacherous  villains !_ 
What  are  you  there?  come  in,  and  give  fome  help. 

[to  Lod.  avd  Grs» 
ROD.  O,  help  me  here! 
CAS.  That's  one  of  them. 
JAG.   O  murd'rous  flave!  o  villain! 

[Izgofets  down  his  Light;  makes  towards 
Roderigo  in  the  dark,  andftabs  him. 
£QD>  O-  daran'd  I'agot  o  inhuman  dog!_O,  o,  ol 


^04-  Othello, 

IAG.   Kill  men  i'  the  dark!_Where  be  these  bloot?/ 

thieves  ? [counterftiling  a  Search. 

How  filent  is  this  town:— Ho!  murther  !  murther! 

"What  may  you  be?  are  you  of  good,  or  evil? 

LOD.  As  you  lhall  prove  us,  praise  us. 

IAG.    Signior  Lcdovico? 

LOD.  He,  fir. 

IAG.   I  cry  you  mercy;  Here's  Coffin  hurt  by  villains* 

GRA.  CaJJio! 

JAG.    How  is  it,  brother? 

CAS.  My  leg  is  cut  in  two. 

IAG.    Marry,  heaven  forbid! 

Light,  gentlemen; I'll  bind  it  with  my  fliirt. 

Enter  BIANCA,  and  Others,  with  Lights. 

Si  A.    What  is  the  matter,  ho?  who  is't  that  cry'd? 

JAG.    Who  is't  that  cry'd? 

BIA.   O  my  dear  Cajjio!  my  fweet  Caflio! 
O  Cajjio,  Ca/io,  Ca/io! 

IAG.    O  notable  itrumpet!_C«$F<j,may  you  fufpefl 
Who  they  fhould  be,  that  have  thus  mangl'd  you? 

Cjis.  No.  [feelc  you. 

GRA.  I  am  forry,  to  find  you  thus;  I  have  been  to 

IAG.   Lend  me  a  garter:  So._O,  for  a  chair, 
To  bear  him  easily  hence! 

BIA.   Alas,  he  faints: O  CaJ/io*  Cajjio,  Cajfio! 

JAG.    Gentlemen  all,  I  do  fufpeft  this  tralh 
To  be  a  party  in  this  injury — 
Patience  a  while,  good  Caffio.  —  Come,  come; 

[rising  from  him, 

Lend  me  a  light. Know  we  this  face,  or  no? 

[vieiuixg  Roderigo. 
Alas!  my  friend,  and  my  dear  countryman  I 


Othello.  io£ 

Rfaferigo?  no:  Yes,  fure;  yes,  'tis  Roderigo. 

GRA.  What,  of  Venice? 
-JAG.    Even  he,  fir;  Did  you  know  him  ? 

GRA.  Know  him?  ay. 

IAG.   Signior  Gratiano?  I  cry  your  gentle  pardon; 
These  bloody  accidents  muft  excuse  my  manners, 
That  fo  neglefted  you. 

GRA.  I  am  glad  to  fee  you. 

IAG.   How  do  you,  Cajfio?—.O,  a  chair,  a  chair! 

GRA.  Roderigc! 

IAG .    He,  he,  'tis  he :  — [Enter  Some  with  a  Chair.}  Ot 

that's  well  faid;  the  chair: 
Some  good  man  bear  him  carefully  from  hence; 
I'll  fetch  the  general's  furgeon — For  you,  miitrefs, 
Save  you  your  labour.  — He  that  lies  flain  here,  Caffio, 
Was  my  dear  friend;  What  malice  was  between  you? 

CAS.   None  in  the  world;  nor  do  I  know  the  man. 

IAG.    What,  look  you  pale? O,  bear  him  out  b'the 

air [CASSIO  /'/  born  off";  and  the  Body  of  Rod. 

Stay  you,  good  gentlemen  :_look  you  pale,  miftrefs?_ 
Do  you  perceive  the  gaftnefs  of  her  eye?_ 
Nay,  if  you  ftare,  we  mall  hear  more  anon:_ 
Behold  her  well;  I  pray  you,  look  upon  her; 
Do  you  fee,  gentlemen?  nay,  guiltinefs  will  fpeak, 
Though  tongues  were  out  of  ufe. 
Enter  EMILIA. 

EMI.  'Las,  what's  the  matter?  what's  the  matter,  hus- 
band ? 

IAG.   Caffto  has  here  been  fet  on  in  the  dark, 
By  Roderigo,  and  fellows  that  are'fcap'd; 
He's  almoft  flain,  and  Roderigo  dead. 

EMI.  Alas,  good  gentleman!  alas,  good  Cajffio! 

VOL.X.  2 


lofa  Othello. 

7>c.    This  is  the  fruit  of  whoring. Pr'ythee,  Emilia^ 

Go  know  of  CoJJio  where  he  fupt  to-night:_ 
What,  do  you  fhake  at  that? 

But.   He  fupt  at  my  houfe;  but  I  therefore  (hake  not. 

JAG.   O,  did  he  fo?  L  charge  you,  go  with  me. 

EMI.  O,  fie  upon  thee,  ftrumpet! 

BIA.    I  am  no  ftrumpet;  but  of  life  as  honeft, 
As  you  that  thus  abuse  me. 

EMI.  As  I?  foh!  fie  upon  thee! 

IAG  .    Kind  gentlemen,  let's  go  fee  poor  Cafjio  drefl:_ 
Come,  miftrefs,  you  mult  tell's  another  tale._ 
Emilia,  run  you  to  the  citadel, 
And  tell  my  lord  and  lady  what  has  hap'd._ 

Will  you  go  on  afore  ? This  is  the  night, 

That  either  makes  me,  or  foredoes  me  quite.   [Exeunt. 

SCENE  II.  A  Bed-chamber  in  the  Cajtle. 
DESDEMONA  in  Bed,  aJJeep.  Enter  OTHELLO, 

*with  a  Light. 
OTH.  It  is  the  cause,  it  is  the  cause,  my  foul,__ 

Let  me  not  name  it  to  you,  you  chaft  liars, 

It  is  the  cause!  Yet  I'll  not  med  her  blood; 

[taking  off  bis  Sword,  and  laying  it  ty,» 
Nor  fear  that  whiter  fkin  of  hers  than  fnow, 
And  fmooth  as  monumental  alabafter. 
Yet  Ihe  muft  die,  elfe  fhe'll  betray  more  men. 
Put  out  the  light,  and  then  — Put  out  the  light! 
If  I  quench  thee,  thou  flaming  minilter, 

[Jetting  down  the  Taper. 
I  can  again  thy  former  light  reftore, 
Should  I  repent  me; —but  once  put  out  thy  light, 

\going  towards  his.  Wife 


Othello.  107 

Thou  cunning'ft  pattern  of  excelling  nature, 

I  know  not  where  is  that  Promethean  heat,  [rose, 

That  can  thy  light  relumine.  When  I  have  pluck'd  thy 

I  cannot  give  it  vital  growth  again, 

It  needs  muft  wither;  I'll  fmell  thee  on  the  tree. 


0  balmy  breath,  that  doft  almoft  perfuade 
Juftice  to  break  her  fword!  —  One  more,  one  more. 
Be  thus  when  thou  art  dead,  and  I  will  kill  thee, 
And  love  thee  after:  —  One  more,  and  this  the  laft: 
So  fweet  was  ne'er  fo  fatal.  I  muft  weep, 

But  they  are  cruel  tears  :  This  forrow's  heavenly} 
It  ftrikes,  where  it  doth  love.  She  wakes. 

DES.   Who's  there?  Othello? 

OTH.  Ay,  Desdemona. 

DES.   Will  you  come  to  bed,  my  lord? 

OTH.  Have  you  pray'd  to-night,  Desdemona? 

DES.  Ay,  my  lord. 

OTU.  If  you  bethink  yourfelf  of  any  crime* 
Unreconcil  d  as  yet  to  heaven  and  grace, 
Solicit  for  it  ftraight. 

DES.  Alas,  my  lord,  what  may  you  mean  by  that? 

OTH  .  Well,  do  it,  and  be  brief;  I  will  walk  by  : 

1  would  not  kill  thy  unprepared  fpirit; 

No,—  Heaven  fore-fend!—  I  would  not  kill  thy  foul. 

DES.  Talk  you  of  killing? 

OTH.  Ay,  I  do. 

DES.  Then,  heaven 
Have  mercy  on  me  ! 

OTH.  Amen,  with  all  my  heart! 

DES.  If  you  fay  fo,  I  hope  you  will  not  kill  me. 

Orq.  Hum! 

Zi 


xoS 

DES.  And  yet  I  fear  you;  for  you  are  fatal  their, 
When  your  eyes  rowl  fo:  Why  I  fhould  fear,  I  know  not, 
Since  guiltinefs  I  know  not ;  but  yet,  I  feel,  I  fear. 

OTH.  Think  on  thy  fins. 

DES.  They  are  loves  I  bear  to  you. 

OTH.  Ay,  and  for  that  thou  dy'ft. 

DES.  That  death's  unnatural,  that  kills  for  loving. 
Alas,  why  gnaw  you  fo  your  nether  lip  ? 
Some  bloody  paffion  (hakes  your  very  frame  : 
These  are  portents;  but  yes,  I  hope,. I  hope, 
They  do  not  point  orvme. 

OTH.  Peace,  and  be  ftill[ 

DES.  I  will  fo:  What's  the  matter?  [thee,, 

OTH.  That  handkerchief,  which  I  fo  lov'd,  and  gave 
Thou  gav'ft  to  CaJJto. 

DES.  No,  by  my  life  and  foul; 
Send  for  the  man,  and  afk  him, 

OTH.  Sweet  foul,  take  heed, 
Take  heed  of  perjury;  thou  art  on  thy  death-bed. 

DES.  Ay,  but  not  yet  to  die. 

OTH.  Yes,  presently: 
Therefore  confefs  thee  freely  of  thy  fin; 
For  to  deny  each  article  with  oath, 
Cannot  remove,  nor  choak,  the  ftrong  conception 
That  I  do  groan  withal.  Thou  art  to  die. 

DES.  O,  heaven  have  mercy  on  mef 

OTB.  I  fay,  amen. 

DES.  And  have  you  mercy  too!  I  never  did 
Offend  you  in  my  life;  never  lov'd  Caffto, 
But  with  fuch  general  warranty  of  heaven. 
As  I  might  love:  i  never  gave  him  token. 

QT..H.  By  heaven,  I  faw  my  handkerchief  in 's  hand. 


Othello.  109 

*O  perjur'd  woman!  thou  doft  ftone  my  heart- j 
And  mak'ft  me  call,  what  I  intend  to  do,— 
A  murther,  which  I  thought  a  facrifice: 
I  faw  the  handkerchief. 

DES.  He  found  it  then; 
I  never  gave  it  him:  Send  for  him  hither; 
Let  him  confefs  a  truth. 

OTH.  He  hath  confefTd. 

DES.  What,  my  lord? 

OTH.  That  he  hath— us'd  thee. 

DES.  How?  unlawfully? 

OTH.  Ay. 

Dis.  He  will  not  fay  fo. 

OTH.  No,  his  mouth  is  ftop'd; 
Honeft  lago  hath  ta'en  order  for't. 

DES.  My  fear  interprets  then,_What,  is  he  dead? 

OTH.  Had  all  his  hairs  been  lives,  my  great  revenge 
Had  ftomack  for  them  all. 

DES.  Alas!  he  is  betray'd,  and  I  undone. 

OTB.  Out,ftrumpet!  weep'ft  thou  for  him  to  my  face? 
[taking  up  a  Pillow. 

DES.  O,  banifh  me,  my  lord,  but  kill  me  not. 

OTH.  Down,  llrumpet. 

DES.  Kill  me  to-morrow,  let  me  live  to-night. 

OTH.  Nay,  if  you  ftrive,— 

DES.  But  half  an  hour: 

OTH .  Being  done, 
There  is  no  pause. 

DES.  But  while  I  fay  one  prayer. 

OTH.  It  is  too  late.  [fmotben  her. 

[my  lord ! 

a£ VI.    [vj:tt>>n.]  My  lord,  my  lord !  what,  ho !  my  lord, 


jio  Othello. 

•  -."^ 

OTH.  What  noise  is  this?  — Not  dead?  not  yet  quite 

dead? 

I,  that  am  cruel,  am  yet  merciful ; 
I  would  not  have  thee  linger  in  thy  pain. 
So,  fo. 

EMI.  What,  ho!  my  lord,  my  lord! 

OTH.  Who's  there? 

EMI.  O,  good  my  lord,  I'd  fpeak  a  word  with  you. 

OTH.  Yes; _'tis  Emilia: -Joy  and  by. _ She's  dead. 
'Tis  like,  (he  comes  to  fpeak  of  CaJ/to's  death; 
The  noise  was  high.— Ha!  no  more  moving? 
Still  as  the  grave.— Shall  (he  come  in?  wer't  good?"1 
I  think,  (he  ftirs  again:  No.— What's  the  beft? 
If  me  come  in,  fhe'll  fure  fpeak  to  my  wife :~ 
My  wife  !  my  wife !  what  wife  ?  I  have  no  wife: 

0  infupportable!  o  heavy  hour! 
Methinks,  it  fhould  be  now  a  huge  eclipfe 

Of  fun  and  moon;  and  that  the  affrighted  globe 
Should  yawn  at  alteration. 
EMI.  Good  my  lord, 

1  do  befeech  you  1  may  fpeak  with  you. 

OTH.  I  had  forgotten  thee;  Come  in,  Emilia: 

Soft,  by  and  by,  let  me  the  curtains  draw._ 

\draius  them,  and  then  opens  the  Door. 
Where  art  thou?  What's  the  matter  with  thee  now? 
Enter  EMILIA. 

EMI.  O,  my  good  lord,  yonder's  foul  murthers  done, 

OTH.  What,  now? 

EMI.  But  now,  my  lord. 

OTH.  It  is  the  very  error  of  the  moon; 
£he  comes  more  near  the  earth  than  (he  was  wont, 
^tnd  makes  men  mad. 

$°  v,  Nvtt, 


Othello.  1 1 1 

EMI.  Cajpo,  my  lord,  has  kill'd  a  young  Venetian* 
Call'd —£*/«•£<». 

OTH.  Roderigo  kill'd ! 
And  CaJJlo  kill'd ! 

EMI.  No,  Caffto  is  not  kill'd. 

OTH .  Not  CaJJto  kill'd  ?  then  murther's  out  of  tune, 
And  Aveet  revenge  grows  harm. 

DES.   O,  falfely,  falfely  murder'd! 

EMI.   O  lord,  what  cry  is  that  ? 

Or  a.  That!  what? 

EMI.  Out,  and  alas!  that  was  my  lady's  voice:_ 

[running  to  the  Bed* 

Help!  help,  ho!  help!_O,  lady,  fpeak  again! 
Sweet  Desdemona!  o,  fweet  miftrefs,  fpeak i 

DES.   A  guiltlefs  death  I  die. 

EMI.  O,  who  hath  done 
This  deed? 

DES.  No  body;  I  myfelf;  farewel : 
Commend  me  to  my  kind  lord;  O,  farewel.  \dies* 

OTH.  Why,  how  mould  (he  be  murder'd? 

EMI.  Alas,  who  knows  ? 

OTH.  You  heard  her  fay  herfelf,  it  was  not  I. 

EMI.  She  faid  fo;  I  muft  needs  report  the  truth. 

OTH.  She's,  like  a  liar,  gone  to  burn  in  hell; 
'Twas  I  that  kill'd  her. 

EMI.  O,  the  more  angel  me, 
And  you  the  blacker  devil! 

OTH.  She  turn'd  to  folly,  and  (he  was  a  whore. 

EMI.  Thou  doft  bely  her,  and  thou  art  a  devil. 

OTH.  She  was  falfe  as  water. 

EMI.  Thou'rt  rafh  as  fire,  to  fay 
That  fhe  was  falfe;  O,  fhe  was  heavenly  true! 


1 1  a  Othello. 

Orn.  Caffio  did  tup  her;  afe  thy  husband  elfe: 
O,  I  were  damn'd  beneath  all  depth  in  hell, 
But  that  I  did  proceed  upon  juft  grounds 
To  this  extremity;  Thy  husband  knew  it  all. 

EMI.  My  husband?     ' 

OfH.  Thy  husband. 

EMI.  That  fhe  was  falfe  to  wedlock  ? 

OTH.  Ay,  with  Cajfio: 
Had  flic  been  true, 

Jf  heaven  would  make  me  fuch  another  world 
Of  one  entire  and  perfeft  chryiblite, 
I'd  not  have  fold  her  for't. 

EMI.  My  husband? 

OTH.  Ay, 'twas  he  that  told  me  firft; 
An  honeft  roan  he  is,  and  hates  the  {lime 
That  flicks  on  filthy  deeds. 

EMI.  My  husband? 

OTH.  What  needs  this  iterance, woman  ?  1  fay,  thy  hus- 
band. 

EMI.  O  miftrefs,  villany  hath  made  mocks  with  love! 
My  husband  fay,  that  me  was  falfe? 

OTH.  He,  woman; 

I  fay,  thy  husband ;  Doft  underftand  the  word? 
My  friend,  thy  husband,  honeit,  honeit  lago. 

EMI.  Jf  he  fay  fo,  may  his  pernicious  foul 
Rot  half  a  grain  a  day!  he  lies  to  the  heart; 
iihe  was  too  fond  of  her  molt  filthy  bargain. 

OTH.  Ha!  [looking  towards  her  &v0ft/» 

EMI.   Do  thy  worft: 

This  deed  of  thine  is  no  more  worthy  heaven, 
Than  tkou  wall  worthy  her. 

Ol,u\  Peace,  you  were  belt.    \thnaC nin<*  her 


Othello.  113 

EMI.  Thou  haft  not  half  that  power  to  do  me  harm. 
As  I  have  to  be  hurt.  O  gull !  o  dolt! 
As  ignorant  as  dirt!  thou  haft  done  a  deed,— 
I  care  not  for  thy  fvvord;  I'll  make  thee  known, 
Though  I  loft  twenty  lives :_ Help!  help,  ho!  help! 
The  Moor  hath  kill'd  my  miftrefs;  Murther.'  murther! 
Enter  MONTANO,  GRATIANO,  and  IAGO. 

MON.  What  is  the  matter  ?_How  now,  general? 


{flaying  him. 
doi 


EMI.  O,  are  you  come,  lago?  you  have  done  well, 
That  men  muft  lay  their  murthers  on  your  neck* 

GRA.  What  is  the  matter? 

EMI.  Difprove  it,  villain,  if  thou  be'ft  a  man: 
He  fays,  thou  told'ft  him  that  his  wife  was  falfe; 
I  know,  thou  didft  not,  thou'rt  not  fuch  a  villain; 
Speak,  for  my  heart  is  full. 

IAG.    I  told  him  what  I  thought;  and  told  no  more, 
But  what  he  found  himfelf  was  apt  and  true. 

EMI.   But  did  you  ever  tell  him,  ihe  was  falfe  ? 

IAG.    I  did. 

EMI.  You  told  a  lie;  an  odious,  damned  lie; 
Upon  my  foul,  a  lie ;  a  wicked  lie:_ 
She  falfe  with  Cafiof—Did  you  fay,  with  Cajfio? 

IAG  .    With  CaJ/io,  miftrefs;  Go  to,  charm  your  tongne. 

EMI.    I  will  not  charm  my  tongue;  I  am  bound  to 

fpeak ; 
My  miftrefs  here  lies  murther'd  in  her  bed, 

MON.  GRA.  O  heavens  fore-fend! 

EMI.   And  your  reports  have  fet  the  murther  on. 

Ora.  Nay,  ftare  not,  mafters;  it  is  true,  indeed. 

GRA.  'Tis  a  ftrange  truth. 

AfriV.  O  monftrous  aft ! 


ii4  Othello. 

EMI.  Villany,  villany,  villany;— 
I  think  upon't,— I  think,— I  fmell't;— O  villany t 
I  thought  fo  then;— I'll  kill  myfelf  for  grief. 

0  villany,  villany! 

IAG.    What,  are  you  mad  ? 

1  charge  you,  get  you  home. 

EMI.  Good  gentlemen,  let  me  have  leave  to  {peak; 

'Tis  proper  I  obey  him,  but  not  now: 

Perchance,  lago,  I  will  ne'er  go  home. 

Or*.  Oh  !  oh  !  oh  !  of) !  [hanging  over  bis  Wif(. 

EMI.  Nay,  lay  thee  down,  and  roar; 
For  thou  haft  kill'd  the  fweeteft  innocent, 
That  e'er  did  lift  up  eye. 

OTH.  O,  (he  was  fouli_ 

J  fcarce  did  know  you,  uncle;  There  lies  your  niece, 
Whose  breath  (indeed)  these  hands  have  newly  flop'd: 
I  know,  this  acl  mews  horrible  and  grim. 

GRA.  Poor  Deidemone !  I  am  glad  thy  father's  dead; 
Thy  match  was  mortal  to  him,  and  pure  grief 
Shore  his  old  thread  in  twain:  did  he  live  now, 
This  fight  would  make  him  do  a  defperate  turn; 
Yea,  curfe  his  better  angel  from  his  Ade, 
And  fall  to  reprobance. 

Onr.  'Tis  pitiful:  but  yet  logo  knows, 
That  Ihe  with  Cajfio  hath  the  aft  of  (hame 
A  thousand  tmes  committed;  Caffio  confefT'd  it: 
And  fhe  did  gratify  his  amorous  works 
With  that  recognizance  and  pledge  of  love 
Which  I  firft  gave  her;  I  faw  it  in  his  hand; 
It  was  a  handkerchief,  an  antique  token 
My  father  gave  niy  mother. 

EMI.  O  heaven  !  o  heavenly  powers! 


Othello.  115 

IAG.   Come,  hold  your  peace. 

EMI.  'Twill  out,  'twill  out:_I  peace? 
No,  I  will  fpeak  as  liberal  as  the  air ; 
Let  heaven,  and  men,  and  devils,  let  them  all, 
All,  all,  cry  frame  againft  me,  yet  I'll  fpeak. 

IAG.   Be  wise,  and  get  you  home. 

EMI.  I  will  not. 

GRA.  Fie!  \dra<w  it, 

Your  fword  upon  a  woman  ?  [to  Tago,  feeing  him  about  to 

EMI.  O  thou  dull  Moor!  that  handkerchief,  thoa  ia» 

eak'ft  of, 

I  found  by  fortune,  and  did  give  my  husband; 
For  often,  with  a  fblemn  earneftnefs, 
(More  than,  indeed,  bdong'd  to  fuch  a  trifle) 
He  beg'd  of  me  to  fteal  it. 

IAG.    Villanous  whore ! 

EMI.  She  give  it  Caffio!  no,  alas;  I  found  it, 
And  I  did  give't  my  husband. 

IAG.    Filth,  thou  ly'ft. 

EMI.  By  heaven,  I  do  not;  I  do  not,  gentlemen :_^ 
O  murd'rous  coxcomb!  [to  Qth.j  whai  fhoiiid  fuch  a  fool 
Do  with  fo  good  a  wife  ? 

OTU.  Are  there  no  Hones  in  heaven, 
But  what  ferves  for  the  thunder?— 'Precious  villain! 

\\zgojiabs  bis  Wife  fuddenly,  and  rum  off. 

GRA.  The  woman  falls ;  fure,  he  hath  kill'd  his  wife. 

EMI.   Ay,  ay;  O,  lay  me  by  my  miftrefs' fide. 

GRA.  He's  gone;  but  his  wife's  kill'd. 

MON.  'Tis  a  notorious  villain.  Take  this  weapon, 

[giving  Gra.  a  Sword, 

Which  I  have  here  recover'd  from  the  Moor: 
Qome,  guard  the  door  without;  let  him  not  pafs, 


n6  Othello. 

But  kill  him  rather:  I'll  after  that  fame  villain, 

For  'tis  a  damned  flave.  [Exeunt  MON.  and  GRA. 

OTH.  I  am  not  valiant  neither, 
But  every  puny  whipfter  gets  my  fword:— • 
But  why  fhould  honour  out-live  honefty? 
Let  it  go  all. 

EMI.   What  did  thy  fong  bode,  lady? 
Hark,  canft  thou  hear  me  ?  I  will  play  the  fwan, 

And  die  in  musick;  —  Willow,  wi/loiv,  ivillo--w 

Moor,  (he  was  chart;  (he  lov'd  thee,  cruel  Moor: 

So  come  my  foul  to  blifs,  as  [  fpeak  true ; 

So  fpealting  as  I  think,  -I  die, —  I  die.  [dies. 

OTH.  I  have  another  weapon  in  this  chamber, 
It  was  a  fword  of  Spain,  the  Eire's  temper;  — 
O,  here  it  is: Uncle,  f  muft  come  forth.  [dear; 

Gffyf.  [nuitbin.}  If  thou  attempt  it,  it  will  coil  thee 
Thou  haft  no  weapon,  and  perforce  muft  fuffer. 

OTH.  Look  in  upon  me  then,  and  fpeak  with  me, 
Or,  naked  as  I  am,  I  will  aflault  thee. 
Re-enter  GRATIANQ. 

GRA.  What  is  the  matter-? 

OTH.  Behold,  I  have  a  weapon 5 
A  better  never  did  itielf  fuftain 
Upon  a  foldier's  thigh :  I  have  feen  the  day, 
That,  with  this  little  arm,  and  this  good  fword, 
I  have  made  my  way  through  more  impediments 

Than  twenty  times  your  flop: But,  o  vain  boaltjl 

Who  can  controul  his  fate?  'tis  not  fo  now 

Be  not  afraid,  though  you  do  fee  me  weapon'd; 
Here  is  my  journey's  end,  here  is  my  but 
And  very  fea-mark  of  my  utmoft  fail. 
PO  you  go  back  difmay'dr  'tis  a  loft  fear; 

i*  the  Ifibrookes  temper 


Othello.  1*7 

Man  but  a  rum  againft  Othello's  brealf.,. 
And  he  retires  ;•_- Where  mould  Othello  go  ?_, 
Now,-  how  doft  thoa  look  now?  O  ill-ftar'd  wench! 
Pale  as  thy  fmock!  when  we  fhall  meet  at  compt, 
This  look  of  thine  will  hurl  my  foul  from  heaven, 
And  fiends  will  fnatch  at  it.  Cold,  cold,  my  girl? 
Even  like  thy  chaftity._ 

O  curfed,  curfed  flave! Whip  me,  ye  devils, 

From  the  posse/Son  of  this  heavenly  fight! 
Blow  me  about  in  winds  !  roaft  me  in  fulphurJ 

Wafh  me  in  fteep-down  gulphs  of  liquid  fire! 

O  Desdemone!  dead,  Desdemone?  dead  I  dead  ? 
O,  o,  o! 

Enter  LODOVICO,  Montano  ;  CASSIO,  carry1  d  in  a 
C  hairy  and  I  AGO,  with  Officers,  Prisoner. 

ton.   Where  is  this  rafli  and  moft  unfortunate  man  ? 

Of  3.  That's  he, that  was  Othello;  [pointing  to  his  Wife] 
here  I  am 

LOD.  Where  is  that  viper?  bring  the  villain  forth, 
f  Officers  bring  lago  forward. 

OTH.  I  look  down  towards  his  feet;  but  that's  a  fable: 
If  that  thou  be'ft  a  devil,  I  cannot  kill  thee. 

[ftabs  \ngofuddenly. 

LOD.  Wrench  his  fword  from  him.      [he  is  difarm'd. 

IAG.    I  bleed,  fir;  but  not  kill'd. 

Ora.  I  am  not  forry  neither;  I'd  have  thee  live; 
For,  in  my  fenfe,  'tis  happinefs  to  die. 

LOD.  O  thou  Othello,  that  waft  once  fo  good, 
Fall'n  in  the  praftife  of  a  curfed  flave, 
What  fcall  be  faid  to  thee? 

Offf.  Why,  any  thing: 
An  honourable  murtherer,  if  you  will;. 


il8  Othello. 

For  nought  I  did  in  hate,  but  all  in  honour. 

LOD.  This  wretch  hath  part  confefFd  his  villanyj 
Did  you  and  he  confent  in  CaJJid's,  death? 

OTH.  Ay. 

CAS.   Dear  general,  I  never  gave  you  cause. 

OTH .  \  do  believe  it,  and  I  a(k  your  pardon. 
"Will  you,  I  pray,  demand  that  demi-devil, 
Why  he  hath  thus  enfnar'd  my  foul  and  body? 

IAG.    Demand  me  nothing;  what  you  know,  you 

know: 
From  this  time  forth  I  never  will  fpeak  word. 

LOD.  What,  not  to  pray? 

GRA.  Torments  will  ope  your  lips. 

€?H.  Well,  thou  doft  beft 

LOD.  Sir,  you  lhall  underftand  what  hath  befall'n, 
Which,  as  I  think,  you  know  not:  Here~j~is  a  letter, 
Found  in  the  pocket  of  the  flain  Roderigo-, 
And  here,"]" another:  the  one  of  them  imports, 
The  death  of  Cajfio  to  be  undertook 
By  Roderigo. 

OTH.  O  villain! 

CAS.  Moft  heathenifti,  and  moft  grofs! 

LOD.  Now  here's"]" another  difcon tented  paper, 
Found  in  his  pocket  too :  and  this,  it  feems, 
Roderiga  meant  to  have  fent  this  damned  villain  ; 
But  that,  belike,  lago  in  the  interim 
Came  in  and  fatiffy'd  him. 

OTH.  O  the  pernicious  caitiff!  __ 
How  came  you,  Ca//io,  by  that  handkerchief* 
That  was  my  wife's? 

CAS.  I  found  it  in  my  chamber: 
And  he  himfelf  confefFd,  but  even  now* 

3*  it  but 


Othello.  j  tq 

That  there  he  dropt  it,  for  a  fpecial  purpose, 
Which  wrought  to  his  desire. 

O-TH.  Ofool!  fool!  fool! 

CAS.  There  is,  befides,  in  Roderigo's  letter,— 
Plow  he  upbraids  lago,  that  he  made  him 
Brave  me  upon  the  watch ;  whereon  rt  came, 
That  I  was  caft :  And  even  but  now  he  fpake, 
After  long  feeming  dead,— lago  hurt  him, 
lago  fet  him  on. 

LOD.  You  muft  forfake  this  room,  and  go  with  trej 
Your  power  and  your  command  is  taken  off, 
And  CaJJio  rules  in  Cyprus.  For  this"|"flave,— 
If  there  be  any  cunning  cruelty, 
That  can  torment  him  much,  and  hold  him  long, 
It  (hall  be  his :  You  (hall  clofe  prisoner  reft, 
'Till  that  the  nature  of  your  fault  be  known 
To  the  Venetian  date:  — Come,  bring  away. 

OTH.  Soft  you ;  a  word  or  two,  before  you  go. 
I  have  done  the  ftate  fome  fervice,  and  they  know't> 
No  more  of  that:  —  I  pray  you,  in  your  letters, 
When  you  (hall  these  unlucky  deeds  relate, 
Speak  of  me  as  I  am;  nothing  extenuate, 
Nor  fet  down  aught  in  malice:  then  muft  you  fpeak 
Of  one,  that  lov'd  not  wisely,  but  too  well; 
Of  one,  not  easily  jealous,  but,  being  wrought, 
Perplex'd  in  the  extream ;  of  one,  whose  hand, 
Like  the  bafe  Indian,  threw  a  pearl  away 
Richer  than  all  his  tribe;  of  one,  whose  fubdu'd  eyc9y 
Albeit  unused  to  the  melting  mood, 
Drop  tears  as  faft  as  the  Arabian  trees 
Their  med'cinable  gum:  Set  you  down  this-; 
And  fay,  befides,— that  in  Aleppo  once, 


120  Othello. 

Where  a  malignant  and  a  turban'd  Turk 
Beat  a  Venetian,  and  traduc'd  the  ftate, 
I  took  by  throat  the  circumcised  dog, 
And  fmote  him  —  thus. 

[pulls  out  a  concealed  Dagger,  andftals  him/elf. 

LOD.  O  bloody  period! 

GRA.  All,  that's  fpoke,  is  mar'd. 

OTU.  I  kifT'd  thee,  ere  I  kill'd  thee;  [throwing  him- 

Jelf  ly  bis  Wife.~\  No  way  but  this, 
Killing  myfelf,  to  die  upon  a  kifs.  \dies. 

CAS.   This  did  1  fear,  but  thought  he  had  no  weapon ; 
For  he  was  great  of  heart. 

LOD.  O  Spartan  dog,  [to  lago. 

More  fell  than  anguifh,  hunger,  or  the  fea! 
Look  on  the  tragick  loading  of  this  bed; 
This  is  thy  work:  the  objeft  poisons  fight;_^ 

Let  it  be  hid. Gratiano,  keep  the  houfe, 

And  feize  upon  the  fortunes  of  the  Moor, 

For  they  fucceed  on  you.— To  you,  lord  governor, 

[to  Caflio. 

Remains  the  cenfure  of  this  hellim  villain; 
The  time,  the  place,  the  torture,— O  inforce  it! 
Myfelf  will  ftraight  aboard;  and,  to  the  ftate, 
This  heavy  aft  with  heavy  heart  relate.  [Exeunt. 


3  by  th'  throat 


CORRIGENDA. 


Jill's  iveH,  that  ends  well.]  10,  29.  Other  21,1.  tell 
true  DO,  8.  araongft  24, 12.  gait  29,  23.  high  as  30,1. 
court!  35,  4.  good,  38,  32.  left  thou  57,  17.  well. 

Antony  and  Cleopatra.]  28,  30.  Speaks  32,  (below.) 
Toglovethe  35,  n.artfure  56,  20.  gait  6o,3.'Twill 
80,  I.  fatiffy'd  Do,  32.  to  be  frighted  81,  18.  3J  laugh 
at  his  fottD  challenge 

Comedy  of  Errors.]  Omitted  in  the  Dramatis  Perfonae,  a. 
Courtezan.  7,  5.  bend  16,21.  thou  3 5, 3 2.  A.E.  While 
&c. 

Coriolanus.]  24,  13. trenches  38, 19. you're  39,20. 
ftalls  57,2.eleftion  124,  28.anfw'ring  126,27. 

Tear  him  to  pieces, Do  it  presently:.*  [Marcus  $ 

He  kill'd  my  fon,_My  daughter;_He  kilPd  my  cousin 
He  kill'd  my  father. 

Cymbeline.]  2 1 ,  8 .  where  he  is  4i,io.fair'ft  45,31. 
had  her  here  51,22.  be  |  You,  60,  31.  Hear  me  with 
67,24.  her.  73,2,'Mongft  79, 10.  tremble.  D».  30.  a- 
broad.  101,  23.  gyves 

Hamlet.]  13,  21.  ourfelf  134,  (Wow.)nobleft 

I.  Henry  IV.]  20,  7.  corrival  all  her   42,  7.  a  plain 

Henry  V.]  1 8,  16.  imperial ;  22,6, you,  hoftefs;  39, 
7.  afoot  40,  1 3. could  6l,i6.gholb.  DO. (below  )  '*In- 
vefting  &c.  103,  32.  then  yours  107,  (below.)  "ros'd 

1.  Henry  VI.]  18,  5.  Englijh    39,  18.  Clarence 

2.HenryVI.]4,  3.1end'ft  DO,  (inf.  below.) » lends  19, 
16.  bags  |  Are  22,  32.  while  we  be  23,  n.  ban-dogs 
27,  20.  Medite,  105,  23.  and  thy  chair-days 

Aa 


Corrigenda. 

3.  Henry  VI.]  65,28.  Edward's 

Henry  VIII.]  i 2,  2.  puts  out,  Do,  (inf.  below?)  *  puts 
on,  DO, j. Others  20,  ip.fhrewd  27,  15. chamber?  60, 
8.  can  not  66,  6.  Lord  91,  30.  gladding 

Julius  Caesar.]  20, 16.  then,  I  know,  21, 5. gait;  22, 
32.difjoins  31,  28.yourfelf  56,  14.  It  will  D',  23. 

4.  C.  They  were  traitors :  Honourable  men ! 
Cif.     The  will, 

The  teftament. 

2.  C.  They  were  villains5  murderers : 
The  will ;  read  the  will.     • 
78,  25.  Strook  C<esar  on  the  neck.  O  flatterers! 

CAS.  Flatterers!  — 
Now,  Brutus,  &c.    84,  20.  envenomed   87,  16.  Ear 

King  John.]  6,  25.  emperor  33,  22.  This  news  45., 
3o.men's  54,  i2.Hownow  6 1,30.  April  70,  ip.Truft 
73,  2.  miniiter'd 

JB?ȣ  Lear.]  11,19.  Burgundy  57, 26.  cheeks !  bloto; 
rage,  antJ  blow!  58,  21.  head  has  68,  12.  muft  repent 
69,25.  Look,  where  he  Itands  and  glares  !_Wanteft  th- 
ou  eyes  |  At  trial,  madam  ?  79,  1 1 .  Tom  at  once 

Love's  Labour's  loft]  29,  I.  flow-gaited  34,  i .  ROSA- 
LINE 59,  52.befeech  71,  30. Therefore  75,24.filken 
92,  \6.ftul 

Macbeth.]  3,  8.  Macbeth  14,  31.  thou'dft  20,  26. 
Bring  23,  14-deiign  25,  l^.jleep  36,5. fillers  61,3. 
you  wife  73,  21.  I'm 

Measure  for  Measure.  ]  10,17.  ravin  35,31.  and  5  3, 
5.  to  be  had  66,  3.  Where  is  68,  15.  afternoon  72,5. 
£jtRN.  \fuuitkin.~\  Away  &c. 

Merchant  of  Venice  J  1 1,  1 8.  fay  you  then  18,  26. 
these  chriltians  23,4.^^0  70, 9.  fays. 


Corrigenda. 

Merry  Wives  of  WindfoT.]  5, 7. her  father  48,9.  Point 
49,  1 8.  Be  gone  77,  i.do't  83,  13.  {he  to  deceive 

Midfummer  Jfligbi'i  Dream.}  3,  5.  (tap-dame  25,  12. 
love,  38,  25. fate  39,  23.  prepoft'roufly 

Much  Ado  about  Nothing.']  19,  4.  Scotch 

Richard  1 1.]  5  2, 1 1.  offence!  56,9.caflle  6^,(belo<w.) 
*5  Thy  Sic.  70,  2i.fleep 

Richard  lit]  22, 28.  cacodaemon  50, 1 1.  did  fit  63, 
1 7.  there,  66,  5.  a  while  D°,  28.dev'li(h  7i,8.beilial 
82,  32.  incluiive  83,  23.  Which  106,  21.  can  not 

Romeo  and  Juliet.]  27,  10  &  82,  23.  be  gone 

Taming  of  the  Shrew.'}  20,  3.  Ptfa —  31,  3 1.  pr'ythee, 

fitter  43,  22.in.__  46,  29.  jars 50,  (below.}  '* Fives 

53,  i.  to  our  turn  58,  15.  pr'ythee  73,  3- ergo  93,30. 
I  won  the  94,  13.  hear'dft 

Tempe/l.]  4.. (below .}  *  cares  19,18. thou  wert  52, 14. 
PROSPERO  7 1, (below.}  their 

Timono/ Athens.]  32, 15. five  3 5, 4. rumours,— Now 
37,  2.  Why,  DO,  9.  pay'd  54, 7.  fellows 

Titus  Andronicus.]  22,6.  dare.  38,  26.  Rome  58, 
23.  £>one  72,32.'Twas 

Troilus  WCreffida  ]  24, 12.  unarm'd,  25,  9.  calFd 
41,  10.  prayers;  And  devil,  envy,  fay— Amen!  48,  28, 
\vise;_  106,  21.  lawful  j  For  us, 

¥ivel/tb-nigbt.]  78,  i.Ctsario   81,  23.  And  fay 


From  thePrefs  C^DRYDEN  LEACff,  in 
Crane  Court ;  /V£r.  23.  1768. 


Aaz 


Shortly  wi 


SCHOOL  of  SHAKESPEARE 

or, 

authentic!:  Extracts 

from  divers  Englifh  Books,  that  were  in  Print 
in  that  Author  s  Time  ; 

evidently  Jheiuing 

from  whence  bis  federal  Fables  were  taken, 
and  fame  Parcel  of  his  Dialogue: 

Alfo 

further  Extracts,  from  the  fame  or  likeBooks^ 
•which  or  contribute  to  a  due  Underftanding 

of  his  Writings  , 

or  give  Light  to  the  Hiftory  of  his  Life,  or 
to  the  dramatick  Hiftory  of  his  Time. 

With  aPREFACE,  and  'fever  al 
copious  Indexes. 

bene  junftarum  difcordia  femina  rerum. 
Whertunto  is  added,— 


NOTITIA   DRAMATICA; 


TABLES  of  ANCIENT  PUTS, 

(from  their  Beginning, 

t»  the  Restoration  of  Charles  tbefecontt) 

fo  many  en  have  keen  printed,  <witb 

their  federal  Editions : 

faithfully  compiled,  and  digefted  in 
quite  new  Method, 

h 

the  Editor  of  these  Volumei, 
E.  C. 


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