(excerpted by Clifford Stetner)
THE
GERMAN HAMLET
Thought to be clumsy adaptation
of Q1. Polonius is Corambis in Q1 and Corambus in German play. Dr. Latham
suggests that German play adapted from Kyd play. The German Hamlet says,
when Claudius is sending him to England: “ay, ay, King; just send me off
to Portugal so that I may never come back again. This is an allusion to
the unfortunate expedition to Portugal in 1589, in which eleven thousand
soldiers perished. The inference is that the source-play must have been
written shortly after that date; and hence it must have been Kyd’s, not
Shakespeare’s.
The presence in the German play of unique features from both quartos,--Corambus from the First and Francisco from the Second—affords, under the circumstances, a very strong argument for the derivation from Kyd.
The German play is much closer to
the spirit of Belleforest’s novel than to that of Shakespeare’s play. This
is conclusive evidence that it was derived from
Belleforest directly through Kyd, and not through both Kyd and Shakespeare.
FRATRICIDE PUNISHED
(DE BRUDERMORD)
Anon.
Tragoedia Der bestrafte Brudermord oder Prinz Hamlet aus Dannemark.
PERSONS REPRESENTED
I In the Prologue
NIGHT, in a car, covered with stars
ALECTO
THISIPHONE
MÆ:GERA
2 In the Tragedy
GHOST of the old King of Denmark
ERICO, brother to the King
HAMLET, Prince, son of the murdered
King
SIGRIE, the Queen, Hamlet's mother
HORATIO, the Prince's friend, of
high rank
CORAMBUS, Lord Chamberlain
LEONHARDUS, his son
OPHELIA, his daughter
PHANTASMO, the clown
FRANCISCO, Officer of the guard
JENS, a peasant
CHARLES, the principal of the comedians
A CORPORAL of the guard
TWO RUFFIANS
TWO SOLDIERS
LIFE-GUARDS
SERVANTS Mute persons
TWO COMEDIANS
NIGHT, from above I am the
sable Night; and all sleeps through
my might. Of Orpheus I'm the wife,
playtime of vice and strife. I'm guardian
of the thief; of lovers friend in
chief.
I am the sable Night, and have it
in my might
To magnify excess, and mankind to
depress.
My mantle hides the face of every
whore's disgrace. Ere Phoebus' light
shall flame, I shall begin a game.
You offspring of my heart, daughters
of lust, come start, You Furies;
up arise, and let yourselves appear;
Come diligently learn what soon must happen here.
ALECTO What says dark Night, the
Queen of midnight still ? What is there
new? What's your desire and will?
MÆGERA Hotfoot from Acheron's
pit Mægera stands To hear,
Witch of Ill Fate, thy sweet commands.
THISIPHONE Thisiphone I; what hast
in mind ? now say Black Hecate, how
to serve thee best I may.
NIGHT Hearken, all ye three Furies,
hear! offspring of darkness, bearers
of all misfortune, listen to your
poppy-crowned Queen of Night, protectress
of thieves and robbers, friend and
light to the incendiary, lover of stolen
goods, and most-beloved goddess
of all dishonourable loves, how often will
my evil altar be honoured for this
deed! This night and during the coming
day you must assist me, for the
king of this realm burns in lust for his
brother's wife, for whose sake he
has murdered him that he may possess
her and the kingdom. Now is the
hour at hand in which he will celebrate
his nuptials with her. I shall throw
my mantle over them so that they see
not their sin. Wherefore be ready
to sow the seeds of discord, mix poison
into their marriage and jealousy
into their hearts. Kindle a fire of revenge,
and make its sparks fly throughout
the kingdom, entangle blood- brothers
in the snare of incest, rejoice
the infernal regions with deeds of ruthless
and rancorous malice; be gone,
hasten
and fulfil my behests.
THISIPHONE Enough. I've heard; I'll
finish, quickly too, More than Night
by herself could plan to do.
MÆGERA Pluto himself can not
inspire in me More ill than men shall
very shortly see.
ALECTO I fan the sparks, and make
the fire to burn. Within two days,
all joy I'll overturn.
NIGHT Then haste; I now ascend; your tasks attend!
[Ascends. Music.]
Act I: Scene I
Two Soldiers
I SENT. Who goes there ?
2 SENT A friend!
I SENT. What friend?
2 SENT. The sentry.
I SENT. Ho! comrade, thou com'st
to relieve me. I hope that the time
may not seem so long for thee as
it has to me.
2 SENT. Nay, comrade, it's not so
very cold now.
I SENT. Cold or no, I have had an
infernal fright.
2 SENT. Why so timid? that is not
right for a soldier; he must fear
neither friend nor foe, nay, not
the devil himself.
I SENT. Ay, if he once grip thee
by the short hairs thou'lt soon learn
to say the Miserere Domine.
2 SENT. Tell me then, what has frightened
thee?
I SENT. Know then that a ghost has
appeared on the platform of the castle;
and it tried twice to cast me down
from the battlements.
2 SENT. Run along, Fool; a dead dog
bites not; I shall soon see whether
a ghost that has neither flesh nor
bones can do me any harm.
I SENT. Just see if the trouble he
gives you makes you see otherwise.
I am going to the guard-house. Farewell.
[Exit.
2 SENT. Off you go, then; you were
born on a Sunday; such people can
all see ghosts. I must attend to
my duty. [Healths within drunk, with
a flourish of trumpets.]
I SENT. Our new King makes merry;
they are drinking healths.
Scene II
(Ghost of the King approaches
the Sentinel and startles him. Exit.)
2 SENT. Oh! St. Anthony of Padua,
defend me! Now I see for the first time
what my comrade spoke of. Oh! St.
Velten, if the main patrol were over
I'd quit my post like any rogue.
[Another flourish of drums and
kettle- drums. 2 SENT. Oh! for
a draught of wine from the King's
table to damp down my fearful, burning
heart!
[Ghost gives the Sentry a box
on the ear from behind, and makes him
drop his musket. Exit.
2 SENT. The devil in person is in
this game. Oh! I'm too afraid to
move from the spot.
Scene III
2 SENT. Who s there ?
HORAT. The patrol.
2 SENT. Which ?
HORAT. The main patrol.
2 SENT. Stand, patrol--corporal out!
Present arms!
[Francisco and patrol come out,
give the word from the other side.
HORAT. Sentry, look well to your
post; maybe the Prince himself will
go the rounds; look to it you do
not sleep at any time; otherwise it might
cost you the best head on your shoulders.
2 SENT. Oh! even if the whole company
were here, not a man amongst them
could sleep, and I must be relieved,
or I'll run for it at the risk of
hanging tomorrow on the highest
gallows.
HORAT. And why is that ?
2 SENT. Oh, sir, a ghost appears
here in this place every quarter of
an hour, and pesters me so much
that I might fancy I was set down while
still alive in purgatory.
PRANCISCO. The first sentry who was
relieved in the last hour, has just
told me the same story.
2 SENT. Ay, wait but a little while;
it will not stay long away.
[Ghost stalks across the stage.
HORAT.
Upon my life, it is a
ghost, and it looks extremely like
the late King of Denmark!
FRANCISCO. He bears himself sadly,
and seems to want to say something.
HORAT. There is some mystery behind
this.
Scene IV
Hamlet.
2 SENT. Who s there ?
HAMLET. Quiet!
2 SENT. Who s there ?
HAMLET. Quiet!
2 SENT. Answer, or I'll teach thee
better manners.
HAMLET. A friend !
2 SENT. What friend ?
HAMLET. Friend to the kingdom.
FRANCISCO. By my life, it is the Prince!
HORAT. Your Highness, is it you or not?
HAMLET. Ha! Horatio, is it you? What are you doing here ?
HORAT. Your Highness, I have gone
the rounds, to see that all
sentries are at their posts.
HAMLET. You act like an honest soldier,
for on you rests the
safety of the king and kingdom.
HORAT. My lord, a strange thing has
happened, for a ghost appears
here every quarter of an hour. To
my mind, he is very like your father
the late king. He does much harm
to the sentries on their patrol.
HAMLET. I hope not, for the souls
of the faithful rest quietly
till the day of their resurrection.
HORAT. But it is so, your Highness;
I have seen him myself.
FRANCISCO. He frightened me most
horribly, your Highness.
2 SENT. And me he dealt a good box
on the ears.
HAMLET. What time is it now?
FRANCISCO. It is just midnight.
HAMLET. 'Tis well, for it is at this
time that the spirits
usually show themselves when they
walk.
Again healths drunk to sound of
trumpets.
HAMLET. Hello! What does this mean?
HORAT. I think that they are still
very merry at court with
their toasts.
HAMLET. True, Horatio! my father
and uncle makes merry indeed
still with his friends and followers.
Horatio, I know not why since my
father's death I have all the time
such sadness of heart; whereas my royal
mother has so soon forgotten him;
but this king still sooner; for whilst
I was in Germany, he had himself
crowned in all haste King of Denmark,
and with show of right made over
to me the crown of Norway, and appealed
to the election of the states.
Scene V
Ghost
2 SENT. Beware, the spirit comes
again!
HORAT. Does your lordship see it
now ?
FRANCISCO. My lord, be not afraid.
[The ghost stalks over the stage
and beckons to Hamlet ]
HAMLET. The spirit beckons me. Gentlemen
stand a little aside Horatio,
do not go too far. I will follow
the ghost and learn his will. [Exit]
HORAT. Gentlemen, let's follow to
see that no misfortune befalls him.
[Exeunt.
[The ghost beckons Hamlet to the
middle of the stage, and opens his jaws several times]
HAMLET. Speak! Who art thou? Say
what thou desirest?
GHOST. Hamlet!
HAMLET. Sir !
GHOST. Hamlet!
HAMLET. What wishest thou?
GHOST. Hear me, Hamlet, for the time
draws near when I must
return to the place whence I came:
listen and mark well what I shall tell
thee.
HAMLET. Speak, thou sacred shade
of my royal father.
GHOST. Then listen, Hamlet, my son,
to what I shall tell thee
of thy father's unnatural death.
HAMLET. What? Unnatural death?
GHOST. Ay, unnatural death. Know
that it was my custom, which
nature had made habitual to me,
to retire every day after the noon time
meal to walk in my royal garden,
there to enjoy an hour's repose.
One
day, when doing this as usual, behold
my brother comes to me, thirsting
for the crown, bearing with him
the subtle juice of what they call Hebenon.
This oil or juice has this effect,
that as soon as a few drops of it mix
with the blood of man, they immediately
stop up the veins, and take away
life. While I slept, he poured this
juice into my ear, and as it entered
my head, I could not but die immediately;
whereupon it was given out that
I had suffered a severe apoplexy.
Thus was I robbed of kingdom, wife, nd
life by this tyrant.
HAMLET. Just heaven, if this be true,
I swear to avenge thee.
GHOST I cannot rest until my unnatural
murder be avenged.
HAMLET. I swear not to rest until
I have taken my revenge on this
fratricide.
Scene VI
Horatio, Hamlet, Francisco
HORAT. How is it, my noble lord ?
Why so terror-stricken ? Have you
perhaps been disturbed ?
HAMLET. Why yes, Horatio, beyond
all measure.
HORAT. Have you seen the ghost, my
lord ?
HAMLET. Indeed yes, I have seen it,
and spoken with it too.
HORAT. O Heaven! this bodes something
strange!
HAMLET. He has revealed to me a horrible
thing; therefore, I pray you,
gentlemen, stand by me in a matter
that calls for vengeance.
HORAT. Certainly you are assured
of my loyalty; only explain it to me,
my lord.
FRANCISCO. Your lordship cannot doubt
of my aid also.
HAMLET. Gentlemen, before I make
this matter known to you, you must
swear an oath by your loyalty and
honour.
FRANCISCO. Your lordship knows how
much I love you, and how gladly I
will lend my life if you wish to
be revenged.
HORAT. Offer us the oath; we will
stand by you faithfully.
HAMLET. Then lay your finger on my
sword. We swear!
HORAT. and FRANCISCO. We swear.
GHOST. We swear.
HAMLET. What is this? Can there be
an echo here, to give us back our
words? Come, gentlemen, we will
go to another spot. We swear.
GHOST. We swear.
HAMLET. This means something strange!
Come, once more; we will go to
the other side. We swear.
HORAT. and FRANCISCO. We swear.
GHOST. We swear.
HAMLET. Ha, what is this? Again:
We swear.
HORAT. and FRANCISCO. We swear.
GHOST. We swear.
HAMLET. O! now I understand what
it is. It appears that the spirit of
my father is not pleased that I
should make this matter known. Good friends,
reveal it all to you. I pray you,
leave me--tomorrow I shall reveal it
all to you.
HORAT. and FRANCISCO. Farewell, your
Highness! [Exit Francisco.
HAMLET. Come here, Horatio.
HORAT. What is your Highness' will?
HAMLET. Has the other fellow gone?
HORAT. Yes, he has gone.
HAMLET. I know, Horatio, thou hast
at all times been true to me; therefore
I shall reveal to thee what the
ghost told me, namely, that my father died
an unnatural death. My father, he
who is now my father, has murdered him.
HORAT. O heavens! what do I hear!
HAMLET. Thou know st, Horatio, that
my late father was accustomed to
sleep an hour every day after dinner
in his garden. Knowing this, the villain
comes to my father and pours the
juice of hebenon into his ear while he
is asleep; so that through this
strong poison, he immediately yields up
the ghost. And this the accursed
dog did to obtain the crown: but from
this hour I will put on a feigned
madness, and in this deceit I'll play
my part so skilfully that surely
I shall find an opportunity to avenge
my father's death.
HORAT. My lord, if the matter stands
thus, I shall offer you my loyal
help.
HAMLET. Horatio, I will so revenge
myself on this usurper, this adulterer,
this murderer, that posterity shall
speak of it to all eternity;] now I
shall go, and with dissembling wait
upon him until I find an opportunity
to execute my vengeance. [Exeunt.
Scene VII
King, Queen, Hamlet, Corambus, and Attendants
KING. Though
yet our brother's death is fresh in
memory of all and it befits us to
suspend all state-celebrations, yet from
this time it is needful for us to
change our black mourning garb to crimson,
purple, and scarlet, since my late
departed brother's widow has now become
our dearest spouse. Wherefore I
pray you, let everyone show himself joyful
and make himself a partner in our
mirth. But you, Prince Hamlet, pray you,
be happy. See here your mother,
how sad and troubled she is by your melancholy.
Also we have learned that you have
resolved to go back to Wittenberg. For
the sake of your mother, do not
do so. Stay here, for we love you and like
to see you, and should not wish
any harm to overtake you. Stay with us
at court, or, if not, betake yourself
to Norway, to your kingdom.
QUEEN. My much-loved son, Prince
Hamlet, it greatly astonishes us to
learn that you have planned to leave
us and to go to Wittenberg. You know
well that your royal father died
a short time ago, which causes us great
sadness and heaviness of heart,
and should you go away from us, it would
greatly increase our grief. Then,
dearest son, stay here, and every pleasure
and delight shall be yours without
denial. if it so please you.
HAMLET. I shall obey your command
with all my heart, and for the present
shall remain here and not go away.
KING. Do so, dearest Prince! Say,
Corambus, how is it with your son
Leonhard ? Has he already set out
for France?
CORAMB. Ay, my gracious lord and
king, he has already gone.
KING. But was it with your consent,
Corambus ?
CORAMB. Ay, your majesty, with top
consent, bottom consent, and middle
consent. Indeed he got a most glorious,
wonderful, and superb consent from
me.
KING. As he has your consent to go,
I hope that he may prosper, and
that the gods may speed him back
here again in safety. Now it is our will
to hold a carousel, so that our
dear spouse's grief may end. And you, Prince
Hamlet, and other noble persons
of our court must show yourselves mirthful;
but for the present we shall make
an end of our festivities, for the day
is approaching to put black night
to flight. You, my dearest consort, I
shall accompany to your bedchamber.
Come, arm in arm and hand in hand;
tonight In pledge of Love and Rest
we'll take delight.
Act II Scene I
King, Queen
KING. Dearest consort, whence comes
it that you are so sad? Pray tell
me the cause of your melancholy!
You are indeed our Queen; we love you,
and all that the entire Kingdom
affords is your own. What is it then that
troubles you ?
QUEEN. My King, I am greatly troubled
by the melancholy of my son Hamlet,
who is my only prince; it is this
that grieves me.
KING. What! is he melancholy ? We
will gather together all the learned
doctors and physicians throughout
our whole Kingdom, that they may help
him.
Corambus, to the above.
CORAMB. News, news! my gracious lord
and king!
KING. What news, Corambus?
CORAM. Prince Hamlet is mad, aye, as mad as ever the Greek
madman was.
KING. And why is he mad ?
CORAMB. Because he has lost his wits.
KING. Where has he lost his wits
?
CORAMB. That I know not. Perhaps
he may know, who has found them.
Scene III
Ophelia
OPHELIA. Alas! father, protect me.
CORAM. What is it, my child?
OPHELIA. Alas! my father, Prince
Hamlet plagues me; I can have no peace
from him.
CORAM. Calm yourself, dear daughter.
But he has not done anything else
to you? O! now I know why Prince
Hamlet is mad: he is certainly in love
with my daughter.
KING. Has love then such power as
to make a man mad ?
CORAM. My gracious master and king,
most assuredly is love powerful
enough to make a man mad. I remember
when I myself was young, how love
plagued me--indeed, but it made
me as mad as a March hare. But now, I care
for it no longer. I prefer to sit
by the fire, to count my red pennies,
and drink your Majesty's health.
KING. May we not ourselves see his
raving and madness with our own eyes
?
CORAM. Yes, your Majesty. We will
stand a little on one side, and my
daughter shall show him the jewel
which he gave her. Then will your Majesty
be able to see his madness.
KING. Dearest wife, we beseech you,
go to your chamber. Meanwhile we
will be a witness of his madness.
Scene IV
Hamlet, Ophelia
OPHELIA. I pray your Highness take
back the jewel which you gave me.
HAMLET. What, young lady! cost want
a husband? Get thee away from me--nay,
come back. Listen girl, you young
women do make nothing but fools of us
bachelors; you buy your beauty from
apothecaries and pedlars. Listen while
I tell you a tale. There was once
a cavalier in Anion, who fell in love
with a lady, who, to look at, was
like the goddess Venus. Now when they
were to go to bed together, the
bride went first and began to undress.
First she took out one eye, which
had been set very cleverly--then the
front teeth made of ivory, so finely
that no one had ever seen the like.
Then she washed herself, and the
paint with which she had smeared herself
disappeared also. At length came
the bridegroom expecting to embrace his
bride. But as soon as he caught
sight of her, he started back, and thought
it was a ghost. Thus it is ye deceive
us young fellows; therefore listen
to me. But wait young lady--nay
go, go to a nunnery, but not to a nunnery
where two pairs of slippers lie
by the bedside.
[Exit.
CORAMB. Is he not truly
and completely mad, my
gracious King ?
KING. Corambus, leave us. When we
have need of you, we'll send
for you. [Exit Corambus] We
have heard the Prince's madness and
raving with great astonishment.
But it seems to us no real madness, but
rather a presence. We must contrive
to get rid of him from here, or perhaps
indeed put an end to him altogether;
otherwise some harm may come of it.
[Exit.
Scene V
Hamlet, Horatio
HAMLET. Horatio, my good friend,
I trust by my assumed mad
ness to find an opportunity to avenge
my father's death. You know that
my father is at all times surrounded
by many guards, so my attempt may
fail. Should you perchance find
my body, have it honourably buried, for
on the first occasion that I find
I shall make an attempt on him.
HORAT. I entreat your lordship to
do nothing of the kind. Perchance
the ghost has deceived you.
HAMLET. Oh no! his words were all
too plain. I can believe
him fully. Ha! what news is that
old fool bringing now ?
Scene VI
Corambus
CORAMB. News,
news! my lord! The actors
have come. HAMLET. When Marus Russig
was an actor in Rome, what
fine times those were !
CORAMB. Ha, ha, ha, how your Highness
always teases me!
HAMLET. O! Jephthah, Jephthah! what
a fair daughter hast thou!
CORAMB. Why, my lord, you are always
harping on my daughter.
HAMLET. Well, well, old man, let
the master of the actors come
I will, my lord.
in.
CORAMB.
HAMLET. These actors come in the
nick of time, for through them I
shall prove whether the ghost told
me the truth or not. Once I saw a tragedy
wherein one brother murders the
other in the garden; this shall they act.
And if the king turns pale, then
he has done what the ghost told me.
Scene VII
Actors, Charles, the principal
CHARLES. May
the gods bestow on your
Highness many blessings, happiness,
and health!
HAMLET. I thank you, my friend. What
do you desire ?
CHARLES. Pardon, your Highness, but
we are strangers, High
German actors, and we wanted the
honour of acting at his Majesty's ` wedding.
But Fortune turned her back on us,
and contrary winds their face towards
us. We therefore beseech your Highness
to allow i us to act a story, that
our long journey be not all in vain.
HAMLET. Were you not some few years
ago at the University at
Wittenberg ? It seems to me I have
seen you act before.
CHARLES. Yes, your Highness, we are
the same actors.
HAMLET. Have you the whole of the
same company still ?
CHARLES. We are not quite so numerous,
because some students ;
took engagements in Hamburg. Nevertheless
we are numerous enough for many
merry comedies and tragedies.
HAMLET. Could you give us a play
tonight?
CHARLES. Yes, your Highness, we are
numerous enough, and well
rehearsed.
HAMLET. Have you still the three
actresses with you ? They
used to play well.
CHARLES. No, only two; one stayed
behind with her husband at the court
of Saxony.
HAMLET. You acted good comedies that time when you were at
Wittenberg. But you had some fellows in your company, who had
good dothes, but dirty shirts; others
who had boots but no spurs.
CHARLES. Your Highness, it is often
hard to procure everything; maybe they
thought they would not need to ride
[Exit.
HAMLET. Still it is better to have
everything correct. But
listen a little longer, and excuse
me, for you do not often hear directly
what judgments the spectators pass
on you. There were also a few who wore
silk stockings and white shoes,
but had on their heads black hats full
of feathers, nearly as many below
as on the top; I think they must have
gone to bed in them instead of nightcaps.
Now that is bad, yet it may easily
be reformed.] Moreover you may tell
some of them, that when they have to
act a royal or a princely personage,
they should not make such eyes whenever
they pay a compliment to a lady.
Neither should they walk so many Spanish
pavane or put on such airs. A man
of rank laughs at such things. Natural
ease is best. He who plays a king
must in the play fancy himself a king;
and he who plays a peasant, must
fancy himself a peasant.
CHARLES. Your Highness, I accept
your Highness's reproof with
the deepest respect and will endeavour
to do better in future.
HAMLET. I am a great lover of your
art, and hold it not wrong,
since by it one can, as in a mirror,
see one's failings. Hear me now; you
once acted a piece in Wittenberg
about a King Pyr, Pyr--Pyr something.
CHARLES. Ah, it was perhaps about
the great King Pyrrhus?
HAMLET. Methinks it was, but I am
not quite sure.
CHARLES. Perhaps your Highness would
name some persons in it,
or give me some idea of the matter.
HAMLET. It was about one brother
murdering the other in the
garden.
CHARLES. It will be the same piece.
Did not the king's brother
pour poison into the king's ear?
HAMLET. True, true, the same story;
could you play that piece
tonight ?
CHARLES. Oh yes, we can do that easily
enough, for there are
few characters in the play.
HAMLET. Then go, prepare the stage
in the great hall: whatever
wood you may require, you can get
from the master-builder; if you want
anything from the armoury or if
you have not dresses enough, make known
your wants to the master of the
robes or the steward; we wish you to be
provided with everything.
CHARLES. I thank your Highness most
humbly for your favour.
We shall hasten to get ready. Farewell.
[Exit.
HAMLET. These actors
come most opportunely for me. Horatio,
pay good heed to the king; if he
grow pale or alter favour, then most
surely has he done the deed, for
play actors with their feigned fables
often hit the target of truth. Listen,
I'll tell you a fine tale. In Germany,
at Strasburg, there was once a remarkable
case in which a wife murdered
her husband with an awl through
the heart Afterwards she and her paramour
buried the man under the threshold.
This deed remained hid nine whole years,
till at last it chanced that some
actors came that way, and played a tragedy
of like import. The woman who was
present at the play with her husband
began to cry aloud (her conscience
being touched) 'Alas! this hits at me,
for thus did I murder my innocent
husband.' She tore her hair, ran straight
out of the theatre to the judge,
freely confessed the murder, and when
it was proved true, in deep repentance
for her sins she received the holy
unction from the priest, gave her
body in true contrition to the executioner,
and recommended her soul to God.
Oh that my uncle-father would thus take
it to heart if he has committed
this crime! Come Horatio, let us go and
wait upon the King; but pray note
all things exactly, for I must dissemble
HORAT. Your Highness, I shall make
my eyes keep a sharp look-out.
[Exeunt.
Scene VIII
King, Queen, Hamlet, Horatio, Corambus, Ophelia,
Retinue
KING. Our dearest wife, I hope that
you will now banish your sadness,
and make it give place to joy; before
supper there is to be a comedy, played
by the German actors, and after
the meal a ballet given by our own people.
QUEEN. Most gladly shall I see such
sport; still, I hardly
believe that my heart will be at
ease, for gloomy forebodings of misfortune,
I know not what, disturb my soul.
KING. Pray, be content. Prince Hamlet,
we are informed that
some players have arrived here who
will perform a comedy tonight. Tell
me, is it so ?
HAMLET. Ay, father, it is so. They
asked my permission, and
I have given it. I hope that your
Majesty will also approve.
KING. What is the subject ? There's
nothing offensive or uncivil
in it ?
HAMLET. It is a good subject. We
that have a good conscience,
it touches us not.
KING. Where are they? Let them begin
at once; we should like
to see what the Germans can do.
HAMLET. Marshal, go and see whether
the actors are ready; tell
them to begin.
CORAMB. Actors, where are you? Quick,
you are to begin at once.
Ah! here they come.
[Here the play enters: The King
with his consort. He wishes to lie
down and sleep; the Queen entreats
him not to do so; he lies down all the
same. The Queen kisses him, and
takes her leave. The King's brother comes
with a phial and pours something
into his ear, and exit.
HAMLET. That is King Pyrrhus who
goes to sleep in the garden.
The Queen entreats him not to do
so, but he lies down. The poor wife goes
away: see, there comes the King's
brother bearing the poisonous juice of
hebenon; and he pours into his ear
that which, as soon as it mixes with
the blood of a man, immediately
destroys his life.
KING. Bring torches, lanterns here!
the play does not please
us!
CORAMB. Pages, lackeys, light the
torches! The King wishes
to depart: quick with the lights!
The actors have made a mess of it.
[Exeunt King, Queen, Corambus
and retinue. HAMLET. Bring
torches here, the play does not
please us! Now thou seest that the Ghost
has not deceived me! Players, you
can go from here with this verdict, that
although you have not played the
piece to its end, and it has not pleased
the King, yet it pleased us all
the same. Horatio shall reward you on my
behalf.
CHARLES. We thank you and ask for
a passport.
HAMLET. You shall have one. [Exeunt
Players.] Now may
I go boldly on to vengeance. Did
you perceive how the king went pale when
he saw the play ?
HORAT. Yes, your Highness; the thing
is certain.
HAMLET. My poor father was murdered,
just as we have seen in
this play! But I will punish him
for this wicked deed.
Scene IX
Corambus
CORAMB. The Players,
I fear, will get a
poor recompense, for their play
has deeply displeased the King.
HAMLET. What say'st thou, old man;
they will get a recompense
? And if they are ill-rewarded by
the King, they will be all the better
rewarded by Heaven.
CORAMB. Your Highness, do actors
then get into heaven?
HAMLET. Think'st thou, old fool,
that they will not find their
place there? Wherefore go and treat
these people well for me
CORAMB. Yes, I shall treat them as
they deserve.
HAMLET. Treat them well, I say; for
there is no greater praise
to be gained than through actors,
for they travel far and wide in the world.
If they are treated well at one
place, they do not know how to praise
it enough at the next; for their
theatre is a little world, in which they
represent all that takes place in
the great world. They revive the old
forgotten histories, and display
to us good and bad examples; they publish
abroad the justice and laudable
government of princes; they punish vices,
and exalt virtues, they praise the
good, and show how tyranny is punished--wherefore
you must reward them well.
CORAMB. Well, they shall certainly
have their reward, since
they are such great folk.
Farewell, your Highness. [Exit.
HAMLET. Come Horatio, I am going,
and from this hour I shall
accordingly seek means to find the
King alone, that I may take his life,
as he has taken my father's.
HORAT. My lord, consider well, that you come to no harm.
Verse
HAMLET. I ought, I must, I will this crime repay
if not by craft, with force I'll
make a way!
King
A church and altar.
KING [alone]. Now my conscience
begins to awaken: the
sting of my treachery begins to
prick me hard. It is time I turn to repentance,
and confess to Heaven the evil I
have done. I fear that my guilt is so
great, that it could never be forgiven.
Yet I will pray fervently to the
gods, that they will pardon my great
sins.
[kneels before the altar.
Scene II
Hamlet, with a drawn sword.
HAMLET. For so long have I followed
the accursed dog, till
at last I have found him. Now it
is time, since he is alone. I will take
his life at the height of his devotions
[he
is about to stab him].
But
no, I will first let him finish
his prayer. Ha! when I think of it, he
did not leave my father so much
time as to say a prayer first, but sent
him to hell (perhaps) in his sleep,
in his sins; wherefore, I'll send him
also to the same place [again
about to stab him from behind ] Nay,
hold Hamlet! Why cost thou want
to take his sins upon thee? I shall let
him end his prayer, and let him
go this time, and will give him his life.
But I shall wreak my vengeance at
another time.
[Exit.
KING. My conscience is somewhat lightened,
but still the dog
lies gnawing at my heart. Now will
I go and make my peace with heaven by
fasting, alms, and also with fervent
prayer. Ah cursed ambition! To what
hast thou brought me ?
[Exit.
Queen, Corambus
QUEEN. Tell me, Corambus, how is
my son, Prince Hamlet? Does
his madness decrease at all, or
will his ravings never come to an end ?
CORAMB. Ah no, your Majesty, he is
just as mad as he was before.
Scene IV
Horatio
HORAT. Most gracious Queen, Prince
Hamlet is in the antechamber,
and desires a private audience.
QUEEN. He is most dear to us; admit
him immediately.
HORAT. It shall be done, your Majesty.
[Exit.
QUEEN. Hide yourself behind the arras,
Corambus, till we call
out
CORAMB. Ay, ay, I will hide myself
a little. [He hides himself.
Scene V
Hamlet
HAMLET. Mother, did you know your
first husband well ?
QUEEN. O! do not remind me of my
former sadness. I cannot restrain my
tears when I think of him.
HAMLET. You weep? Leave off doing
that; they are only crocodile
tears. But look, there in
that gallery hangs the counterfeit resemblance
of your first husband, and there
hangs the counterfeit of your present
one. What think you now? Which of
them is the finer looking ? Is not the
first the nobler Lord ?
QUEEN. Indeed that is so.
HAMLET. How then could you forget
him so soon? Fie! Shame on you! You
celebrated his funeral and your
wedding almost on the same day! But hush
! are all the doors shut fast ?
QUEEN. Why do you ask that?
[Corambus coughs behind the arras.
HAMLET. Ha! ha! who is that, listening
to us? [Stabs him.
CORAMB. O! Prince, what are you doing?
I am slain!
QUEEN. O Heavens! My son, what have
you done ? It is Corambus,
the Lord Chamberlain!
Scene VI
Ghost stalks over the stage. [Lightning.]
HAMLET. Ah, gracious spirit of my
father, stay. What cost
thou want? Dost thou demand revenge?
I shall execute it at the right time.
QUEEN. What are you doing? With whom
are you speaking?
HAMLET. See you not the spirit of
your late husband? Look,
he beckons as if he would speak
to you.
QUEEN. How? I see nothing.
HAMLET. Indeed I believe you see
nothing, for you are no longer
worthy to look upon his form. Fie,
shame on you! I shall say not another
word to you.
[Exit.
QUEEN [alone]. O Heavens!
what great madness
melancholy has brought upon the
Prince! Alas, my only son has entirely
lost his reason! And I am much to
blame for it! Had I not taken in marriage
my brother-in- law, I should not
have robbed my son of the crown
of Denmark. But what can be done
about things that are done? Nothing, they
must stay as they are. Had not the
Pope allowed such a marriage, it would
never have happened. I shall go
and try my utmost to restore my son to
his former understanding and health.
[Exit.
Scene VII
Jens, alone
It's a long time since I was last
at court and paid my taxes. I am afraid,
go where I may, I shall be clapped
in prison. If I could find only one
good friend to put in a good word
for me so that I might not be punished!
Phantasmo
PHANT. There are queer goings on
at court now. Prince Hamlet
is mad, Ophelia is mad too. In sum,
it's very queer here altogether, so
that I have a good mind to take
myself off.
JENS. My goodness! there I see my
good friend Phantasmo. I
couldn't find a better. I'll beg
him to put in a good word for me. Good
luck to you, Master Phantasmo!
PHANT. Thank you kindly! What do
you want, Master Clown ?
JENS. Eh, Master Phantasmo, 'tis
a long time since I have been
at court, and I am greatly in arrears.
So prithee put in a good word for
me, and I'll treat you to a good
cheese.
PHANT. What, lout, cost think that
I get nothing to eat at
court ?
Scene IX
Ophelia, mad
OPHELIA. I run and race and yet cannot
find my sweetheart. He sent a
messenger to tell me to come to
him. We are to be married, and I have dressed
myself for it already. But ah! there
is my love. Art thou there, my lamb
? Oh! I have sought thee so much;
yes, I have sought thee. Ah, only think;
the tailor has quite spoiled my
calico gown! See! there's a pretty flower
for thee, my heart!
PHANT. O the devil! I wish I were
far away!_she thinks I am
her lover.
OPHELIA. What say'st thou my love
? We will go to bed together;
I'll wash thee quite clean.
PHANT. Ay, ay, I'll soap you in return,
and wash you out too.
OPHELIA. Listen my love, hast already
put on thy beautiful new suit?
Ay! how finely it is made, quite
in the new fashion.
PHANT. I know that well without .
. .
OPHELIA. Gracious me! what I had
nearly forgotten! The King has asked me
to supper, I must run quickly. Look,
there's my little coach, my little
coach! [Exit.
PHANT. O Hecate, thou queen of witches,
how glad I am that
that mad thing's gone away!
If she had stayed any longer, I should
have gone mad with her. I must be
off before the crazy thing comes back
again.
JENS. Oh kind-hearted Master Phantasmo!
Prithee, do not forget
me.
PHANT. Come along, Brother Windy;
I'll see if I can put you
right with the tax-collector.
Exeunt.
King, Hamlet, Horatio, Two Attendants
KING. Where is the body of Corambus
bestowed ? Has it not yet
been removed ?
HORAT. He is still lying in the place
where he was stabbed.
KING. I t grieves us that Corambus
has lost his life so unexpectedly.
Go, have him carried away; we wish
him to have honourable burial. Ah, Prince
Hamlet, what have you done, stabbing
that innocent old man? It grieves
us deeply; still, because it was
done unwittingly this murderous deed is
perhaps somewhat to be pardoned.
Nevertheless I fear that when this gets
known amongst t he nobles, it may
easily excite a rising among my subjects,
and they may avenge his death on
you. But out of our paternal care we have
devised a way of avoiding this misfortune.
HAMLET. I am sorry for it, my uncle
and father? I wished to discuss
something privately with the Queen,
and this spy lay in wait for us. But
I did not realise that it could
be this silly old fool. What now does your
Majesty propose it were best to
do with me?
KING. We have determined to send
you to England, because that
crown is friendly to our
own, so that you may cool down there somewhat,
since the air is wholesomer, and
may aid your recovery better than here.
We shall give you some of our attendants,
who must accompany you and serve
you faithfully
HAMLET. Ay
ay, King, just send me off to Portugal,
that I may never come back again,
that is the best plan.
KING. No, not to Portugal, but to
England, and these two shall accompany
you on the journey. But when you
arrive in England, you shall have more
attendants.
HAMLET. Are those the lackeys? A
pair of fine fellows!
KING. Listen, both of you! [secretly
to the two attendants.] As
soon as ye reach England, do as
I have commanded you. Take a dagger or
pistol each, and kill him. But should
your attempt miscarry, take this
letter and bring it along with the
prince to the place written down on
it; there he will be so well cared
for that he will never come back from
England again. But this I warn you,
that ye make known this to no man.
Your reward shall be given you immediately
on your return.
HAMLET. Well, your Majesty, who are
these fine fellows that are to travel
with me ?
KING. These two. The gods be with
you, and give you a fair wind to reach
your destination.
HAMLET. Now farewell, Mother!
KING. What, Prince! Why do you call
us Mother?
HAMLET. Man and wife is one flesh--Father
or Mother, it is all the same
to me.
KING. Well, fare ye well. May Heaven
be with you.
[Exit.
HAMLET. Now! you sprigs
of nobility, are you to be my
companions ?
ATTEND. Yes, your Highness.
HAMLET. Come then, my noble sirs,
[taking
each by the hand], let's
go, let's go to England! Take your
little messages in your hand; you are
indeed an honest fellow. Let's go,
let's go to England!
[Exeunt.
Scene XI
PHANT. Wherever I go or stay, that
cracked girl runs after me
from every corner. I can get not
a moment's peace for her; she says
continually that I'm her lover;
and that's not true. If I could only hide
where she couldn't find me! Oh,
the devil's loose again; there she is once
more!
OPHELIA. Where can my sweetheart
be? The rogue will not stay with me
he'd rather flee from me--but see!
there he is. Listen darling,
I've
been to the priest, and he will
unite us this very day I have made
all ready for the wedding;
and bought pullets, hares, meat, butter,
cheese. Now there is nothing more
wanting than for the musicians to play
us to bed.
PHANT. I can only say yes. Come then,
we'll go to bed together.
OPHELIA. No, no, my puppet, we must
first go to church together, afterwards
eat and drink, and then dance-ah
! how merry we shall be!
PHANT. Ay, it will be very merry;
three will eat off one plate.
OPHELIA. What do you say ? If you
will not have me, I will not have
you [strikes him]. There,
there, is my dearest, he beckons me Look
there, what a beautiful suit he
has on!_look, he wants to entice me to
him, he throws me a lily and a rose;
he wants to take me m his arms; he
beckons me; I come, I come.
[Exit
PHANT. At close quarters she's lost
her wits, but further off she's
clean mad. I wish she were hanged,
and then the carrion could not pester
me so.
Act IV, Scene I
[Exit.
HAMLET. It is a pleasant place here
on this island! Let us stay here
for a while and dine. There is a
delightful wood, and here a cool spring
of water. So fetch the best from
our ship, and we'll make right merry here.
RUFF I. There's no dinner time here
for you, my lord, since you i will
never leave this island, for here's
the place destined for your grave.
HAMLET. What say st thou, scoundrel,
slave' Dost thou know who I am?
Wouldst thou jest thus with a royal
prince? However, on this occasion I
pardon thee.
RUFF 2. No, it is no jest, but grim
earnest. Prepare yourself for death.
HAMLET. Wherefore this? What harm
have I ever done you' I cannot recollect
any; therefore speak out, why do
ye have such wicked thoughts?
RUFF I. We have been ordered to do
it by the King. as soon as we have
brought your Highness to this island,
we are to take your life.
HAMLET. Dear friends, spare my life!
Say that you have done it properly,
and I will never return to the King
as long as I live. Consider well, what
do you gain by covering your hand
with the innocent blood of a prince?
Will you stain your consciences
with my sins ? What bad luck that I came
here unarmed! If only I had something
in my hand!
[Grabs at a sword.
RUFF 2. Take care of thy weapon,
comrade!
RUFF 1. I'll take good care. Now
Prince, prepare yourself; we haven't
much time.
HAMLET. Since it cannot be otherwise,
and I must die at your hands,
by the orders of the tyrannical
king, I must submit, although I am innocent.
And since you have been bribed through
poverty, I freely pardon you. Yet
this murderer of his brother and
my father must answer for my blood at
the Last Great Day.
RUFF. 1. Eh! what is that great day
to us? we must carry out our orders
for today.
RUFF. 2. That's true, brother! Quickly
to work; it must be so! You fire
from this side, I from the other.
HAMLET. Listen
to one word more from me. Since even
the wickedest evildoer is not executed
without being given time to repent,
I, an innocent prince, beg you to
let me first address a fervent prayer
to my Creator; after which I shall
willingly die. But I shall give you
a sign: I shall raise my hands to
heaven, and as soon as I spread out my
arms, fire! Level both pistols at
my sides, and when I say shoot, give
me as much as I need, and be sure
and hit me, that I may not suffer long.
RUFF. 2. Well, we may do that much
to please him; so go right ahead.
HAMLET. [Spreads out his hands.]
Shoot!
[Meanwhile
he falls
down forward between the two
servants, who shoot each other.] Just
Heaven! Thanks be to thee for thy
angelic inspiration; henceforth I will
ever worship the guardian angel
who working through my thoughts has saved
my life. But these scoundrels, as
they worked, so were they paid out. The
dogs move still; they have shot
each other, but for revenge I'll give them
the coup de grace; otherwise one
of the rogues might escape. [He stabs
them with their own swords.]
Now
I'll search them, to see whether they
have some warrant on them. This
one has nothing. But here I find a letter
on this murderer. I'll read it.
This letter is written to an arch- murderer
in England, so that should this
attempt miscarry, they would hand me over
to him, and he would soon blow out
the light of my life! But the gods ever
stand by the just. Now I will go
back again to my 'father', to terrify
him; but I will not trust to water
again, for who knows whether the captain
may not likewise prove a rogue.
I shall go to the first town and take the
post. The sailors I shall order
back to Denmark, but these scoundrels I'll
throw into the water. [Exit.
King, and retinue
KING. We long to hear how things
have gone with our son, Prince Hamlet,
and whether the companions we gave
him for his journey have faithfully
performed what we ordered.
Scene III
Phantasmo
PHANT. News, Monsieur the King! The
very latest news!
KING. What is it, Phantasmo?
PHANT. Leonhardus has come back home
from France.
KING. We are glad of it. Let him
come into our presence.
Scene IV
Leonhardus
LEON. My gracious Lord and King,
I demand my father or just vengeance
for his grievous murder. If this
is not granted, I shall forget that you
are king, and avenge myself on the
criminal. KING. Be satisfied, Leonhardus,
that we are guiltless of your i`
father's death. Prince Hamlet unwittingly
ran him through behind the arras:
but we shall see that he is punished
for it.
LEON. Since your Majesty is innocent
of my father's death, I humbly
crave your pardon on my knees. My
anger, together with my filial affection,
so overcame me that I hardly knew
what I was doing.
KING. It is forgiven thee, for we
can easily believe that it must have
gone deep into thy heart
to lose thy noble father so piteously. But
rest content; thou shalt find another
father in ourselves.
LEON. I thank you for this most kingly
favour.
Phantasmo
PHANT. Uncle King, more news still!
KING. What fresh news do you bring
?
PHANT. Prince Hamlet has come back!
KING. The devil has come back, not
Prince Hamlet!
PHANT. Prince Hamlet has come back
and not the devil!
KING. Leonhardus, hear. Now thou
canst avenge thy father's
death, for the Prince has come home
again. But you must swear to us an
oath to disclose it to no man.
LEON. Doubt me not, your Majesty;
what you reveal shall be
as secret as if you had spoken to
a stone.
KING. We shall arrange a match between
thyself and him on these
terms: you shall fence with rapiers,
and the one of you who makes the first
three hits, shall have won a white
Neapolitan horse. But in the middle
of this bout you must let your foil
drop, and instead of it, you must have
a rapier with a sharp point ready
to hand, which must be made exactly like
the foil, but you must rub the point
of it with a strong poison ; as soon
as you shall wound his body with
it, he will certainly die, but you shall
win the prize, and your king's favour
as well.
LEON. Your Majesty must excuse me!
I dare not undertake this,
for the Prince is a skilled fencer
and might well turn the tables on me.
KING. Leonhardus, do not refuse,
but do it to please thy King;
do it to revenge thy father's death.
For know, the Prince as assassin of
your father deserves such a death.
But we cannot do justice on him, because
his mother backs him, and my subjects
love him dearly. If therefore we
avenged ourselves on him openly,
a rebellion might easily follow. But that
we now reject him as our step-son
and nephew is the will of sacred Justice,
since he is bloodthirsty and insane,
and for the future we must ourselves
be afraid of so wicked a man. If
you do what we desire, you will relieve
your King of his fear, and secretly
avenge yourself on the murderer of
your father.
LEON. It is a difficult thing which
I scarcely dare venture.
For should it come out, it would
cost me my life.
KING. Do not doubt; if this should
fail we have already devised
another trick. We shall have an
oriental diamond powdered fine, and this,
when he is hot, we shall offer to
him in a goblet filled with wine mixed
with sugar: thus shall he drink
death to our health.
LEON. Well then, your Majesty, under
this protection I will
carry it out.
Scene VI
Queen
QUEEN. My gracious lord and King,
my dearest consort, I bring
you bad news
KING. What is it, dear soul ?
QUEEN. My dearest maid-in-waiting,
Ophelia, runs up and down,
and cries, and screams, and neither
eats nor drinks; they think that she
has entirely lost her wits.
KING. Alas! One hears nothing but
the most sad and unhappy
Scene VII
Ophelia, with flowers
OPHELIA. Look, there's a flower for
thee; for thee too, and
for thee too [gives a flower to
each]. But gracious me, what had I clean
forgotten! I must run quickly, I
have forgotten my jewels. Ah! my diadem.
I must go quick to the court goldsmith
and ask what new fashions he has
got. So, so, set the table quick;
I shall soon be back again. [Runs
off
LEON. Am I then born to every misfortune!
My father dead, and
my sister robbed of her reason!
My heart will almost burst for very grief!
KING. Take comfort, Leonhardus, thou
shalt live supreme in
our favour. But you, sweet Queen,
be pleased to walk inside with us, for
we have something to reveal to you
in private. Leonhardus, do not forget
what we have told you.
LEON. I shall be diligent to perform
it.
QUEEN. My King, we must find some
means by which this unhappy
bb maiden may be restored to her
senses.
KING. Let the case be handed over
to our own physician. Follow
us, Leonhardus. [Exit.
Hamlet
HAMLET. Unhappy Prince, how long
must thou live without rest! How long
a time, O just Nemesis, cost thou
appoint for whetting thy just sword of
vengeance against my uncle, the
fratricide! Now am I back here once more,
and cannot yet attain to my revenge,
because this fratricide is at all
times surrounded by many people.
But I swear, that ere the sun has finished
his journey from east to west, I
will avenge myself on him.
Scene II
Horatio
HORAT. Your Highness, I am heartily
glad to see you here again
in good health. But I pray you,
tell me why you have come back again so
soon.
HAMLET. Alas! Horatio, thou hast
very nearly not seen me alive
again, for my life was already at
stake, had not the Divine Power specially
protected me.
HORAT. How ? What does your Highness
say ? How did it happen
?
HAMLET. You know that my father gave
me two fellow-travellers
as servants to accompany me. Now
it chanced that one day we had contrary
winds, and we cast anchor by an
island not far from Dover. With my two
attendants I left the ship to breathe
the fresh air. There the cursed villains
came and wished to take my life,
saying that the King had hired them to
do so. I begged for my life, saying
that I would give them as much reward,
and that if they would report my
death to the King, I would never show
myself at court again. But there
was no mercy in them. At length the gods
put an idea in my mind: I begged
them that I might say a prayer before
my end, and when I called 'Shoot!'
they were to fire at me. But as I called,
I fell flat on the ground, so that
they shot each other. Thus I escaped
this time with my life. But my arrival
will not be very agreeable to the
King.
HORAT. O unheard of treachery!
Phantasmo
HAMLET. Look Horatio, this fool is
much dearer to the king
than person Let's hear what he has
to say.
PHANT. Welcome home, Prince Hamlet!
Have you heard the news?
The King has laid a wager on you
and young Leonhardus. You are to
fight together with foils, and he
who gives his opponent the first two
hits is to win a white Neapolitan
horse.
HAMLET. Is this certain that you
say?
PHANT. Yes, nothing else!
HAMLET. Horatio,
what can this mean ? Leonhardus and I to fight each
other! I believe they have been
mocking this fool, for one can make him
believe what one likes. Observe.
Signor Phantasmo, it is terribly cold.
PHANT. Ay, it is terribly cold
[His teeth chattering with cold.
HAMLET. Now it is not so cold any
more.
PHANT. You're right my lord, just
the happy medium.
HAMLET. But now it is very hot indeed.
PHANT. O what a dreadful heat!
[Wiping his face.
[Also wiping away the
perspiration.
HAMLET. Now it is neither very cold
nor very warm.
PHANT. Yes, now it is just temperate.
HAMLET. Do you see, Horatio, one
can make him believe what one
will. Phantasmo, go back to the
King, and tell him that I'll wait upon
him instantly.] [Phant. exit.]
Come,
Horatio, I go this very NAME="faints">minute, and present myself to the
King. Ha! What does this mean Drops of blood
fall from my nose; my whole body
trembles! Alas! what is happening to me?
[Faints.
HORAT. Most noble Prince! O Heavens!
what does this mean?
Come to your senses my lord! My
noble Prince, what is it ? what is the
matter with you ?
HAMLET. I do not know Horatio. When
I thought of going to ours,
a sudden faintness came over me.
The gods alone know what signifies.
HORAT. Heaven grant that this omen
foretells nothing bad'
HAMLET. Be it what it may, I shall
nevertheless go to court, Yen
should it cost me my life.
[Exeunt.
King, Leonhardus, Phantasmo
KING. Leonhardus prepare, for Prince
Hamlet will also be here
LEON. I am prepared, your Majesty,
and will do my utmost.
KING. Look well to it; here comes
the Prince already.
Scene V
Hamlet, Horatio
HAMLET. All health and happiness
wait on your Majesty!
KING. We thank you, Prince! We are
extremely glad that your
melancholy has somewhat left you;
wherefore today we have arranged a friendly
match between you and young Leonhardus.
You are to fight him with foils
and the one of you who makes the
first three hits will have won the prize,
a white Neapolitan horse with saddle
and all the trappings.
HAMLET. Your Majesty will pardon
me, for I am little practiced
with the foils, while Leonhardus
comes direct from France, where he had
undoubtedly had plenty of practice;
wherefore will you please excuse me.
KING. Prince Hamlet will do it to
please us, for we are curious
to learn what feints the Germans
and French use.
Scene VI
Queen
QUEEN. Gracious Lord and King, I
am the bearer of sad tidings.
KING. Heaven forbid; what is it ?
QUEEN. Ophelia has climbed a high
hill, and cast herself down
and taken her own life.
LEON. Ill-fated Leonhardus! In a
short time thou hast lost
a father and a sister! Whither will
misfortune lead thee? I could for grief
wish myself to die.
KING. Be comforted, Leonhardus! You
enjoy our favour; only
begin the contest. Phantasmo, fetch
the foils. You, Horatio, shall be umpire.
PHANT. Here is the warm beer.
HAMLET. Well then, Leonhardus, come
on; let's see who is to
put the fool's cap and bells on
the other. Should I make a mistake, pray
excuse me, for I have not fought
for a long time.
LEON. I am your Lordship's servant;
you are only jesting.
[During the first bout they fence
fairly. Leonhardus receives a thrust.
HAMLET. One! That was a hit, Leonhardus!
LEON. True, your Highness. Now for
my revenge! [He lets
his foil fall, and
seizes the poisoned sword which is Iying
ready, and gives the Prince athrust
in carte in the left arm. Hamlet
parries on Leonhardus, so that
both drop their weapons. They run
to pick them up. Hamlet takes
the poisoned sword and mortally wounds
Leonhardus.
LEON. Alas! I am mortally wounded!
I receive the reward which
e' I thought to pay another. Heaven,
have mercy on me!
HAMLET What the devil is this, Leonhardus
? have I pierced
you with the foil? How is this possible?
KING. Go quick, and fetch my goblet,
with wine to refresh our
swordsmen a little. Go, Phantasmo,
and fetch it. [Descends from the
throne. Aside.] I hope that
they may both drink of the wine and die,
and this trick may not be exposed.
HAMLET. Tell me, Leonhardus, how
did this come about?
LEON. Alas! Prince, I have been misled
into this mishap by the
King! Look at what you have in your
hand! It is a poisoned sword.
HAMLET. O! Heavens, what is this!
Preserve me from it!
LEON. I was to wound you with it,
for it is so strongly poisoned
that whoever receives the slightest
wound from it must die.
KING. Ho! gentlemen, take this cup
and drink. [Whilst the
King is rising from his chair
and speaking these words, the Queen takes
the cup out of Phantasmo's hand
and drinks; the King exclaims:]
Ah!
where is the cup ? Dear wife, what
are you doing ? This drink is mixed
with the strongest poison. Alas!
what have you done
QUEEN. Alas! I die!
[The King stands before the Queen.
HAMLET. And thou, tyrant, shalt bear
her company in death.
[Stabs him from behind.
KING. Alas! I receive the reward
of my wickedness!
LEON. Farewell, Prince Hamlet! Farewell,
world! I die too.
th, forgive me, Prince!
HAMLET. May heaven receive thy soul
for thou art guiltless.
But for this tyrant, I wish that
he may purge his black sins in Hell. th,
Horatio! now my soul is at peace,
now I am avenged on my enemies. 'Tis
true I have received a hit on the
arm, but I hope that means nothing. It
grieves me that I have slain Leonhardus.
I do tot know how the fatal rapier
came into my hand; but as the work
so is the pay, and he has received his
reward. Nothing afflicts me so much
as my mother; yet by her sins she has
somewhat deserved this death. But
tell me, who gave her the cup that poisoned
her ?
PHANT. I, your Highness. I also brought
the poisoned sword, but the
poisoned wine was meant for you
alone.
HAMLET. Hast thou been an instrument
of this woe? There, then; thou
too hast thy reward!
PHANT. Stab away, till your blade
grows weak!
HAMLET. O Horatio, I fear that taking
my revenge will cost me my life,
for I am sorely wounded in the arm.
I grow faint; my limbs grow weak and
my legs refuse to support me. My
voice fails. I feel the poison in all
my members. Gentle Horatio, take
the crown to my cousin, Duke Fortenbras
of Norway, so that the kingdom may
not fall into other hands. Alas! I am
dying!
HORATIO. Noble Prince, help may still
come! Heavens! he is dying in
my arms. Ah, how this Kingdom of
Denmark has been scourged. First long
wars; then scarcely has peace been
established when it is filled with new
internal disturbances, ambitions,
strifes and murders. It may well be that
in no age of the world has such
a grievous Tragedy happened as this which
we have just lived through in this
court. And now, with the help of all
true Counsellors, I shall make arrangements
to have these high personages
buried according to their rank.
After which I shall go at once to Norway
with the crown, and deliver it as
this unhappy Prince has commanded me.
Thus, if a Prince obtains the Crown
by craft,
And treacherously takes it as his
prey,
He nothing gains but purest hate
and scorn,