Scene VII. HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK. If is should blast in proof. * see; 1 Soft;-let me A chalice for the nonce: whereon bat sipping, noise? 1: Enter QUEEN. How now, sweet queen? 197 2 Clo. Nay, but hear you, goodman deliver. 1 Clo. Ay, marry is't;crowner's-quest law. 2 Clo. Will you ha' the truth on't? If this had not been a gentlewoman, she should have been buried out of Christian burial. 1 Clo. Why, there thou say'st: And the more pity; that great folks shall have counteuance in this world to drown or hang themselves, inore another's than their even⚫ Christian. Come, my spade. [Laertes, There is no ancient gentlemen but gardeners, drown'd, ditchers, and grave-makers; "they hold up Adam's profession. 2 Clo. Was he a gentlemen?' So fast they follow:-Your sister's That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream; That liberal shepherds give a grosser name, But our cold maids do dead men's fingers call them : 1 There on the pendent boughs her coronet weeds And, mermaid-like, awhile they bore her up: Unto that element: but long it could not be, Laer. Alas then, she is drown'd ? Queen. Drown'd, drown'd. Laer. Too much of water hast thou, poor LL Ophelia, And therefore I forbid my tears: But yet 1 Clo. What is he, that builds stronger than either the mason, the shipwright, or the carpenter ? 2 Clo. The gallows maker; for that frame out-lives a thousand tenants. 1 Clo. I like thy wit well, in good faith; the gallows does well: But how does it well? it does well to those that, do ill now thou dost ill, to say the gallows is built stronger than the church; argal, the gallows may do well to thee. To't again; come. 2 Clo. Who builds stronger than a mason, a shipwright, or a carpenter ?' Let shame say what it will: when these are Enter HAMLET and HORATIO, at a distance. SCENE IA Church-Yard. Enter Two CLOWNS, with Spades, &c. 1 Clo. Is she to be buried in Christian burial, that wilfully seeks her own salvation? 12o. I tell thee, she is ; therefore make her grave straight: 55 the crowner hath set on ber, and finds it Christian burial. 1 (20. How can that be, unless she drowned herself in her own defence? to •2 €76. Why 'tis found so. 1 Clo. It must be se ofendendo; it cannot be else. For here lies the point: If I drown myself wittingly, it argues an act: and an act hath three branches; it is, to act, to do, and to perforin; argal, she drowned herself wittingly. As fire arms sometimes burst in proving their 1 Clo. Cudgel thy brains no more about it; for your dull ass will not mend his pace with beating and, when you are asked this question next, say, a grave-nraker; the houses that he Go, get thee to makes last till doomsday. Yaughan, and fetch me a stoup of liquor. Exit 2 CLOWN. 1 CLOWN digs, and sings. In youth, when I did love, did love,‡ Methought, it was very sweet, To contract, O, the time, for, ah, my behove O, methought, there was nothing meet. Ham. Has this fellow no feeling of his business? he sings at grave-making. Hor. Custom hath made it in him a property of easiness. Ham. 'Tis e'en so: the hand, of little employment hath the daintier sense, haz 1 Clo. But age, with his stealing steps, Ham. That scull had a tongue in it, and could sing once: How the knave jowls it to the ground, as if it were Cain's jaw-bone, that did the first murder! This might be the pate of a politician, which this ass now o'er-reaches: one that would circumvent God, might it not? Or I could make a prologue to my brains, Hor. Ay, good my lord. Ham. An earnest conjuration from king, As England was his faithful tributary; Osr. Sweet lord, if your lordship were at leisure, I should impart a thing to you from his majesty. Ham. I will receive it, Sir, with all diligence of spirit: Your bonnet to its right use; 'tis for the head. Osr. I thank your lordship, 'tis very hot. Ham. No, believe me, 'tis very cold; the wind is northerly. the Osr. It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed. Ham. But yet, methinks, it is very sultry and hot; or my complexion As love between them like the palm might As peace should still ber wheaten garland wear, Without debatement further, more, or less, Hor. How was this seal'd? Ham. Why, even in that was heaven naut; Osr. Exceedingly, my lord; it is very sultry, as 'twere,-1 cannot tell how-My lord, his majesty bade me signify to you, that he has laid a great wager on your head: Sir, this is the matter, Ham. I beseech you, remember [HAMLET moves him to put on his Hat. Osr. Nay, good my lord; for my ease, in good faith.. Sir, here is newly come to court, Laertes: believe me, an absolute gentleman, fuli of most excellent differences, of very soft soordi-ciety, and great showing: Indeed, to speak feelingly of him, he is the card or calendar of gentry, for you shall find in him the coutinent of what part a gentleman would see. I had my father's signet in my purse, The changeling never known: Now, the next day Thon know'st already. Hor. So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to't. Ham. Why, man, they did make love to this They are not near my conscience; their defeat Hor. Why, what a king is this ! Ham. Does it not, think thee, stand me now, He that hath kill'd my king and whor'd my mother, To quit him with this arm? and is't not to be damın'd, To let this canker of our nature come In further evil? Ham. Sir, this definement suffers no perdition in you;-thongh, I know, to divide him inventorially, would dizzy the arithmetic of memory; and yet but raw neither, in respect of his quick sail. But, in the verity of extolment, I take him to be a soul of great article; and his infusion of such dearth and rareness, as, to make true diction of him, his semblable is his mirror; and, who else would trace him, his umbrage, nothing more. Osr. Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him. Ham. The concernancy, Sir? why do we wrap the gentleman in our more rawer breath? Osr. Sir? Hor. Is't not possible to understand in another tongue? You will do't, Sir, really. Ham. What imports the nomination gentleman? Osr. Of Laertes ? of this Hor. His purse is empty already; all his golden words are spent. Ham. Of him, Sir. Osr. I know, you are not ignorant Ham. I would, you did, Sir; yet, in faith, if you did, it would not much approve ** me;Well, Sir. Osr. You are not ignorant of what excellence Hor. It must be shortly known to him from Laertes is- Ham. I dare not confess that, lest I should compare with him in excellence; but, to know a man well, were to know himself. Osr. I mean, Sir, for his weapon; but in the imputation laid on him by them, in bis meed †† he's unfellowed. Ham, What's his weapon? Osr. Rapier and dagger. Ham. That's two of his weapons: but, well. Osr. The king, Sir, bath wagered with him six Barbary horses: against the which he has impawned, as I take it, six French rapiers and poniards, with their assigns, as girdle, bangers, 56 and so: Three of the carriages, in faith, are very dear to fancy, very responsive to the hilts, most delicate carriages, and of very liberal conceit. Ham. What call you the carriages? + Statesmen. OF DENMARK Ham. The phrase would be more german * to the matter, if we could carry a cannon by our sides; I would, it might be hangers til then. But, on: Six Barbary horses against six French swords, their assigns, and three liberal conceited carriages; that's the French bet against the Danish: Why is this impawned, as you call it t Osr. The king, Sir, hath laid, that in a dozen passes between your self and him, he shall not exceed you three hits; he hath laid, on twelve for nine; and it would come to immediate trial, if your lordship would vouchsafe the an swer. Ham. How, if I answer, no f person in trial. Ham. Sir, I will walk here in the hall: If it please his majesty, it is the breathing time of day with me: let the foils be brought, the gen. tleman willing, and the king hold his purpose, will win for him, if I can; if not, I will gain nothing but my shame, and the odd hits. da Or Shall I deliver you so?. Ham. To this effect, Sir; after what flourish your nature will. Usr. I commend my duty to your lordship. [Exit. Ham. Yours, yours.-He does well to commend it himself; there are no tongues else for's turn. Hor. This lapwing runs away with the shell on his head. Hem. He did comply with his dug, before be sacked it. Thus has he (and many more of the same breed, that, I know, the drossy age dotes on,) only got the tune of the time, and outward habit of encounter; a kind of yesty them through and collection, which carries through the most fond ¶ and winnowed opinions; and do but blow them to their trial, the bubbles are out. Enter a LORD. Lord. My lord, his majesty commended him to you by young Osric, who brings back to him, that you attend him in the hall: He sends to know, if your pleasure hold to play with Laertes, or that you will take longer time. Ham. I am constant to my purposes, they follow the king's pleasure: if his fitness speaks, mine is ready; now, or whensoever, provided I be so able as now. Lord. The king, and queen, and all are com ing down. Ham. In happy time.) Lord. The queen desires you to use some gentle entertainment to Laertes, before you fall to play. [Exit LORD. Ham. She well instructs me. Hor. You will lose this wager, my lord. Ham. I do not think so; since he went into France, 1 have been in continual practice; I shall win at the odds. But thou wouldst not think, bow ill all's here about my heart; but it is no matter. 14 Hor. Nay, good my lord, Has It is but foolery; but it is such a kind and gain-giving, ** as would, perhaps, trouble a woman. Her. If your mind dislike any thing, obey it: I will forestal + their repair hither, and say, you are not fit. Haw. Not a whit, we defy angury; there is a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now; yet it will Come: the readiness is all: Since no man, of anght be leaves, knows what is't to leave betimes? Let be. But pardon it, as you are a gentleman. That might your nature, honour, and exception, I stand aloof and will no reconcilement, Ham. I embrace it freely; Laer. Come, one for me. Ham. I'll be your foil, Laertes; in mine ig norance Your skill shall, like a star i'the darkest night, Laer. You mock me, Sir. ei golf 2004 King. Give them the foils, young Osric.- Ham. Very well, my lord'; Your grace hath laid the odds o'the weaker side. both But since he's better'd, we have therefore odds. table: If Hamlet gives the first or second hit, earth, Now the King drinks to Hamlet. Come, And you, the judges, bear a wary eye, [They play. OTHELLO, THE MOOR OF VENICE. LITERARY AND HISTORICAL NOTICE. THE story upon which this beautiful and instructive tragedy is founded, was taken, according to Mr. Pope, from Cynthio's novels. It was probably written in the year 1611. Mustapha, Selymus's general, invaded Cyprus in May 1570, and conquered it in the following year. His fleet first sailed towards that island; but immediately changing its course for Rhodes, formed a junction with another squadron, and then returned to the attack of Cyprus thus the actual historical periods of the performance are satisfactorily determined. In addition to the admirable lesson set forth in this impressive tragedy, so well calculated to produce an excellent efect upon the human mind, by pourtraying that baneful passion, which, when once indulged, is the inevitable destroyer of conjugal happiness; it may justly be considered as one of the noblest efforts of dramatic genius, that has appeared in any age, or in any language. "The fiery openness of Othello, (says Dr. Johnson) magnanimous, artless, and credulous; boundless in his confidence, ardent in his affection, inflexible in his rese lution, and obdurate in his revenge---the soft simplicity of Desdemona, confident of merit, and conscious of innocence; her artless perseverance in her suit, and her slowness to suspect that she can be suspected--the cool malignity of lago, silent in his resentment, subtle in his designs, and studious at once of his interest ami bis vengeance---are such proofs of Shakspeare's skill in human nature, as I suppose it is in vain to seek in any modern writer; whilst even the inferior characters would be very conspicuous in any other piece, not only for their justness, but their strength." In proportion to the enormity of such a crime as adultery, should be the caution with which a suspicion of it is permitted to be entertained; and our great dramatic moralist was no doubt desirous of enforcing this maxim, when he made it, as he has done, the subject of no less than four of bis most finished productions. MONTANO, Othello's predecessor in the Go- Officers, Gentlemen, Messengers, Musicans, vernment of Cyprus. Sailors, Attendants, &c. SCENE, for the first Act, in Venice; during the rest of the Play, at a Sea-port in Cyprus. ACT I. SCENE I-Venice.-A Street. Enter RODERIGO and IAGO. My mediators; for, certes, • says he, And what was he? Forsooth, a great arithmetician, Rod. Tush, never tell me, I take it much un- A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife ; † kindly, That never set a squadron in the field, More than a spinster; unless the bookish the Wherein the toged consuls can propose Is all his soldiership. But he, Sir, had the elec By debitor and creditor; this counter-caster, • Certainly. For wife some read life, supposing it to allude to the 6 Rulers of the state. OF VENICE And I, (God bless the mark!) his Moorship's ancient. Rod. By heaven, I rather would have been his hanginau. lago. But there's no remedy; 'tis the curse of Preferment goes by letter and affection, yourself, Whether I in any just term am'affin'd' o Rod. I would not follow him then. Jago. Sir, content you; ་ ་ ་ I fellow biur to serve my turn upon him i Whip me such bonest knaves: Others there are, Do themselves homage: these fellows have some And such a one do I profess myself. It is as sure as you are Roderigo, For when my outward action, doth demonstrate [owe + lego. Call up her father, ut no And, though he in a fertile climate dwell, Red. Here is her father's house: I'll call aloud. Iago. Do; with like timorous accent, and dire yell, As when, by night and negligence, the fire la spied in populous cities. Eod. What, bo! Brabantio! signior Brabantio, ho! Ingo, Awake! what, ho! Brabantio! thieves thieves! thieves ! [bags! Look to your house, your daughter, and your Thieves ! thieves 1 ut ERABANTIO, above. above, at a Window. Bra. What is the reason of this terrible sum[mons? What is the matter there? Red. Signior, is all your family within? Bra. What, have you lost your wits? Bra. Not 1; What are you? + Possess. name is-Roderigo. Bra. The worse welcome: [doors; I have charg'd thee, not to haunt about my Being full of supper and distempering draughts Rod. Sir, Sir, Sir, Sir, Bra. But thou must needs be sure, My spirit and my place have in them power Rod. Patience, good Sir,. "1 Bra, What tell'st thou me of robbing? this is My house is not a grange. Rod. Most grave Brabantio, In simple and pure soul I come to you. Iago. 'Zounds, Sir, you are one of those that will not serve God, if the, devil bid you BeCause we come to do you service, you think we are ruffians: You'll have your daughter covered with a Barbaty horse; you'll have your nephews + neigh to you: you'il have coursers for cousins, and genuets for germans. Bra. What profane wretch art, thou? Jago. I am one, Sir, that, comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs. Bra. Thou art a villain. Jago. You are--a senator.. Bra. This thou shalt answer: I know thee Rod. Sir, I will answer any thing. But I be seech you, If't be your pleasure, and most wise consent, If thus would play and tride with your rever- I say again, hath made a gross revolt; Bra. Strike on the tinder, ho! [Exit from above. Another of his fathom they have not, I must show out a flag and sign of love, Lead to the Sagittary the rais'd search; A lone farm house. Wandering. [Exit. |