Hamlet, Prince of Denmark - 7

Total number of words is 2683
Total number of unique words is 840
52.6 of words are in the 2000 most common words
69.6 of words are in the 5000 most common words
75.3 of words are in the 8000 most common words
Each bar represents the percentage of words per 1000 most common words.
crib shall stand at the king’s mess; ’tis a chough; but, as I say,
spacious in the possession of dirt.
OSRIC. Sweet lord, if your lordship were at leisure, I should impart a
thing to you from his Majesty.
HAMLET. I will receive it with all diligence of spirit. Put your bonnet
to his right use; ’tis for the head.
OSRIC. I thank your lordship, ’tis very hot.
HAMLET. No, believe me, ’tis very cold, the wind is northerly.
OSRIC. It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed.
HAMLET. Methinks it is very sultry and hot for my complexion.
OSRIC. Exceedingly, my lord; it is very sultry,—as ’twere—I cannot tell
how. But, my lord, his Majesty bade me signify to you that he has laid
a great wager on your head. Sir, this is the matter,—
HAMLET. I beseech you, remember,—
[_Hamlet moves him to put on his hat._]
OSRIC. Nay, in good faith; for mine ease, in good faith. Sir, here is
newly come to court Laertes; believe me, an absolute gentleman, full of
most excellent differences, of very soft society and great showing.
Indeed, to speak feelingly of him, he is the card or calendar of
gentry; for you shall find in him the continent of what part a
gentleman would see.
HAMLET. Sir, his definement suffers no perdition in you, though I know,
to divide him inventorially would dizzy th’arithmetic of memory, and
yet but yaw 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.
OSRIC. Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him.
HAMLET. The concernancy, sir? Why do we wrap the gentleman in our more
rawer breath?
OSRIC. Sir?
HORATIO. Is’t not possible to understand in another tongue? You will
do’t, sir, really.
HAMLET. What imports the nomination of this gentleman?
OSRIC. Of Laertes?
HORATIO. His purse is empty already, all’s golden words are spent.
HAMLET. Of him, sir.
OSRIC. I know you are not ignorant,—
HAMLET. I would you did, sir; yet in faith if you did, it would not
much approve me. Well, sir?
OSRIC. You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is,—
HAMLET. I dare not confess that, lest I should compare with him in
excellence; but to know a man well were to know himself.
OSRIC. I mean, sir, for his weapon; but in the imputation laid on him,
by them in his meed he’s unfellowed.
HAMLET. What’s his weapon?
OSRIC. Rapier and dagger.
HAMLET. That’s two of his weapons. But well.
OSRIC. The King, sir, hath wager’d with him six Barbary horses, against
the which he has imponed, as I take it, six French rapiers and
poniards, with their assigns, as girdle, hangers, 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.
HAMLET. What call you the carriages?
HORATIO. I knew you must be edified by the margin ere you had done.
OSRIC. The carriages, sir, are the hangers.
HAMLET. The phrase would be more german to the matter if we could carry
cannon by our sides. I would it might be hangers till 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 all imponed, as you call it?
OSRIC. The King, sir, hath laid that in a dozen passes between you 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 answer.
HAMLET. How if I answer no?
OSRIC. I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial.
HAMLET. 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
gentleman willing, and the King hold his purpose, I will win for him if
I can; if not, I will gain nothing but my shame and the odd hits.
OSRIC. Shall I re-deliver you e’en so?
HAMLET. To this effect, sir; after what flourish your nature will.
OSRIC. I commend my duty to your lordship.
HAMLET. Yours, yours.
[_Exit Osric._]
He does well to commend it himself, there are no tongues else for’s
turn.
HORATIO. This lapwing runs away with the shell on his head.
HAMLET. He did comply with his dug before he suck’d it. Thus has
he,—and many more of the same bevy that I know the drossy age dotes
on,— only got the tune of the time and outward habit of encounter; a
kind of yeasty collection, which carries them through and through the
most fanned 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.
HAMLET. 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 coming down.
HAMLET. In happy time.
LORD. The Queen desires you to use some gentle entertainment to Laertes
before you fall to play.
HAMLET. She well instructs me.
[_Exit Lord._]
HORATIO. You will lose this wager, my lord.
HAMLET. I do not think so. Since he went into France, I have been in
continual practice. I shall win at the odds. But thou wouldst not think
how ill all’s here about my heart: but it is no matter.
HORATIO. Nay, good my lord.
HAMLET. It is but foolery; but it is such a kind of gain-giving as
would perhaps trouble a woman.
HORATIO. If your mind dislike anything, obey it. I will forestall their
repair hither, and say you are not fit.
HAMLET. Not a whit, we defy augury. There’s 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 has aught of what he leaves, what is’t to leave
betimes?
Enter King, Queen, Laertes, Lords, Osric and Attendants with foils &c.
KING. Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.
[_The King puts Laertes’s hand into Hamlet’s._]
HAMLET. Give me your pardon, sir. I have done you wrong; But pardon’t
as you are a gentleman. This presence knows, and you must needs have
heard, How I am punish’d with sore distraction. What I have done That
might your nature, honour, and exception Roughly awake, I here proclaim
was madness. Was’t Hamlet wrong’d Laertes? Never Hamlet. If Hamlet from
himself be ta’en away, And when he’s not himself does wrong Laertes,
Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it. Who does it, then? His
madness. If’t be so, Hamlet is of the faction that is wrong’d; His
madness is poor Hamlet’s enemy. Sir, in this audience, Let my
disclaiming from a purpos’d evil Free me so far in your most generous
thoughts That I have shot my arrow o’er the house And hurt my brother.
LAERTES. I am satisfied in nature, Whose motive in this case should
stir me most To my revenge. But in my terms of honour I stand aloof,
and will no reconcilement Till by some elder masters 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.
HAMLET. I embrace it freely, And will this brother’s wager frankly
play.— Give us the foils; come on.
LAERTES. Come, one for me.
HAMLET. I’ll be your foil, Laertes; in mine ignorance Your skill shall
like a star i’ th’ darkest night, Stick fiery off indeed.
LAERTES. You mock me, sir.
HAMLET. No, by this hand.
KING. Give them the foils, young Osric. Cousin Hamlet, You know the
wager?
HAMLET. Very well, my lord. Your Grace has laid the odds o’ the weaker
side.
KING. I do not fear it. I have seen you both; But since he is better’d,
we have therefore odds.
LAERTES. This is too heavy. Let me see another.
HAMLET. This likes me well. These foils have all a length?
[_They prepare to play._]
OSRIC. Ay, my good lord.
KING. Set me the stoups of wine upon that table. If Hamlet give the
first or second hit, Or quit in answer of the third exchange, Let all
the battlements their ordnance fire; The King shall drink to Hamlet’s
better breath, And in the cup an union shall he throw Richer than that
which four successive kings In Denmark’s crown have worn. Give me the
cups; And let the kettle to the trumpet speak, The trumpet to the
cannoneer without, The cannons to the heavens, the heavens to earth,
‘Now the King drinks to Hamlet.’ Come, begin. And you, the judges, bear
a wary eye.
HAMLET. Come on, sir.
LAERTES. Come, my lord.
[_They play._]
HAMLET. One.
LAERTES. No.
HAMLET. Judgment.
OSRIC. A hit, a very palpable hit.
LAERTES. Well; again.
KING. Stay, give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is thine; Here’s to thy
health.
[_Trumpets sound, and cannon shot off within._]
Give him the cup.
HAMLET. I’ll play this bout first; set it by awhile.
[_They play._]
Come. Another hit; what say you?

LAERTES. A touch, a touch, I do confess.
KING. Our son shall win.
QUEEN. He’s fat, and scant of breath. Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub
thy brows. The Queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.
HAMLET. Good madam.
KING. Gertrude, do not drink.
QUEEN. I will, my lord; I pray you pardon me.
KING. [_Aside._] It is the poison’d cup; it is too late.
HAMLET. I dare not drink yet, madam. By and by.
QUEEN. Come, let me wipe thy face.
LAERTES. My lord, I’ll hit him now.
KING. I do not think’t.
LAERTES. [_Aside._] And yet ’tis almost ’gainst my conscience.
HAMLET. Come for the third, Laertes. You do but dally. I pray you pass
with your best violence. I am afeard you make a wanton of me.
LAERTES. Say you so? Come on.
[_They play._]
OSRIC. Nothing neither way.
LAERTES. Have at you now.
[_Laertes wounds Hamlet; then, in scuffling, they change rapiers, and
Hamlet wounds Laertes._]
KING. Part them; they are incens’d.
HAMLET. Nay, come again!
[_The Queen falls._]
OSRIC. Look to the Queen there, ho!
HORATIO. They bleed on both sides. How is it, my lord?
OSRIC. How is’t, Laertes?
LAERTES. Why, as a woodcock to my own springe, Osric. I am justly
kill’d with mine own treachery.
HAMLET. How does the Queen?
KING. She swoons to see them bleed.
QUEEN. No, no, the drink, the drink! O my dear Hamlet! The drink, the
drink! I am poison’d.
[_Dies._]
HAMLET. O villany! Ho! Let the door be lock’d: Treachery! Seek it out.
[_Laertes falls._]
LAERTES. It is here, Hamlet. Hamlet, thou art slain. No medicine in the
world can do thee good. In thee there is not half an hour of life; The
treacherous instrument is in thy hand, Unbated and envenom’d. The foul
practice Hath turn’d itself on me. Lo, here I lie, Never to rise again.
Thy mother’s poison’d. I can no more. The King, the King’s to blame.
HAMLET. The point envenom’d too! Then, venom, to thy work.
[_Stabs the King._]
OSRIC and LORDS. Treason! treason!
KING. O yet defend me, friends. I am but hurt.
HAMLET. Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane, Drink off this
potion. Is thy union here? Follow my mother.
[_King dies._]
LAERTES. He is justly serv’d. It is a poison temper’d by himself.
Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet. Mine and my father’s death
come not upon thee, Nor thine on me.
[_Dies._]
HAMLET. 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 act, Had I but time,—as this
fell sergeant, death, Is strict in his arrest,—O, I could tell you,—
But let it be. Horatio, I am dead, Thou liv’st; report me and my cause
aright To the unsatisfied.
HORATIO. Never believe it. I am more an antique Roman than a Dane.
Here’s yet some liquor left.
HAMLET. As th’art a man, Give me the cup. Let go; by Heaven, I’ll
have’t. O good Horatio, what a wounded name, Things standing thus
unknown, shall live behind me. If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart,
Absent thee from felicity awhile, And in this harsh world draw thy
breath in pain, To tell my story.
[_March afar off, and shot within._]
What warlike noise is this?
OSRIC. Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland, To the
ambassadors of England gives This warlike volley.
HAMLET. O, I die, Horatio. The potent poison quite o’er-crows my
spirit: I cannot live to hear the news from England, But I do prophesy
th’election lights On Fortinbras. He has my dying voice. So tell him,
with the occurrents more and less, Which have solicited. The rest is
silence.
[_Dies._]
HORATIO. Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince, And
flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. Why does the drum come hither?
[_March within._]
Enter Fortinbras, the English Ambassadors and others.
FORTINBRAS. Where is this sight?
HORATIO. What is it you would see? If aught of woe or wonder, cease
your search.
FORTINBRAS. This quarry cries on havoc. O proud death, What feast is
toward in thine eternal cell, That thou so many princes at a shot So
bloodily hast struck?
FIRST AMBASSADOR. The sight is dismal; And our affairs from England
come too late. The ears are senseless that should give us hearing, To
tell him his commandment is fulfill’d, That Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern are dead. Where should we have our thanks?
HORATIO. Not from his mouth, Had it th’ability of life to thank you. He
never gave commandment for their death. But since, so jump upon this
bloody question, You from the Polack wars, and you from England Are
here arriv’d, give order that these bodies High on a stage be placed to
the view, And let me speak to th’ yet unknowing world How these things
came about. So shall you hear Of carnal, bloody and unnatural acts, Of
accidental judgments, casual slaughters, Of deaths put on by cunning
and forc’d cause, And, in this upshot, purposes mistook Fall’n on the
inventors’ heads. All this can I Truly deliver.
FORTINBRAS. Let us haste to hear it, And call the noblest to the
audience. For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune. I have some rights
of memory in this kingdom, Which now to claim my vantage doth invite
me.
HORATIO. Of that I shall have also cause to speak, And from his mouth
whose voice will draw on more. But let this same be presently
perform’d, Even while men’s minds are wild, lest more mischance On
plots and errors happen.
FORTINBRAS. Let four captains Bear Hamlet like a soldier to the stage,
For he was likely, had he been put on, To have prov’d most royally; and
for his passage, The soldiers’ music and the rites of war Speak loudly
for him. Take up the bodies. Such a sight as this Becomes the field,
but here shows much amiss. Go, bid the soldiers shoot.
[_A dead march._]
[_Exeunt, bearing off the bodies, after which a peal of ordnance is
shot off._]
You have read 1 text from English literature.
  • Parts
  • Hamlet, Prince of Denmark - 1
    Total number of words is 4839
    Total number of unique words is 1329
    48.9 of words are in the 2000 most common words
    64.1 of words are in the 5000 most common words
    70.8 of words are in the 8000 most common words
    Each bar represents the percentage of words per 1000 most common words.
  • Hamlet, Prince of Denmark - 2
    Total number of words is 4917
    Total number of unique words is 1333
    47.5 of words are in the 2000 most common words
    64.7 of words are in the 5000 most common words
    71.6 of words are in the 8000 most common words
    Each bar represents the percentage of words per 1000 most common words.
  • Hamlet, Prince of Denmark - 3
    Total number of words is 4894
    Total number of unique words is 1411
    46.8 of words are in the 2000 most common words
    63.2 of words are in the 5000 most common words
    70.5 of words are in the 8000 most common words
    Each bar represents the percentage of words per 1000 most common words.
  • Hamlet, Prince of Denmark - 4
    Total number of words is 4873
    Total number of unique words is 1366
    48.0 of words are in the 2000 most common words
    63.8 of words are in the 5000 most common words
    72.1 of words are in the 8000 most common words
    Each bar represents the percentage of words per 1000 most common words.
  • Hamlet, Prince of Denmark - 5
    Total number of words is 4895
    Total number of unique words is 1393
    46.6 of words are in the 2000 most common words
    64.0 of words are in the 5000 most common words
    71.6 of words are in the 8000 most common words
    Each bar represents the percentage of words per 1000 most common words.
  • Hamlet, Prince of Denmark - 6
    Total number of words is 4954
    Total number of unique words is 1398
    46.5 of words are in the 2000 most common words
    62.0 of words are in the 5000 most common words
    68.2 of words are in the 8000 most common words
    Each bar represents the percentage of words per 1000 most common words.
  • Hamlet, Prince of Denmark - 7
    Total number of words is 2683
    Total number of unique words is 840
    52.6 of words are in the 2000 most common words
    69.6 of words are in the 5000 most common words
    75.3 of words are in the 8000 most common words
    Each bar represents the percentage of words per 1000 most common words.