Part 16 (1/2)

All may be well.

[Retires and kneels.]

[Enter Hamlet.]

Ham.

Now might I do it pat, now he is praying; And now I'll do't;--and so he goes to heaven; And so am I reveng'd.--that would be scann'd: A villain kills my father; and for that, I, his sole son, do this same villain send To heaven.

O, this is hire and salary, not revenge.

He took my father grossly, full of bread; With all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May; And how his audit stands, who knows save heaven?

But in our circ.u.mstance and course of thought, 'Tis heavy with him: and am I, then, reveng'd, To take him in the purging of his soul, When he is fit and season'd for his pa.s.sage?

No.

Up, sword, and know thou a more horrid hent: When he is drunk asleep; or in his rage; Or in the incestuous pleasure of his bed; At gaming, swearing; or about some act That has no relish of salvation in't;-- Then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven; And that his soul may be as d.a.m.n'd and black As h.e.l.l, whereto it goes. My mother stays: This physic but prolongs thy sickly days.

[Exit.]

[The King rises and advances.]

King.

My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: Words without thoughts never to heaven go.

[Exit.]

Scene IV. Another room in the castle.

[Enter Queen and Polonius.]

Pol.

He will come straight. Look you lay home to him: Tell him his pranks have been too broad to bear with, And that your grace hath screen'd and stood between Much heat and him. I'll silence me e'en here.

Pray you, be round with him.

Ham.

[Within.] Mother, mother, mother!

Queen.

I'll warrant you: Fear me not:--withdraw; I hear him coming.

[Polonius goes behind the arras.]

[Enter Hamlet.]

Ham.

Now, mother, what's the matter?

Queen.

Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended.

Ham.

Mother, you have my father much offended.

Queen.

Come, come, you answer with an idle tongue.

Ham.

Go, go, you question with a wicked tongue.

Queen.

Why, how now, Hamlet!

Ham.

What's the matter now?

Queen.

Have you forgot me?

Ham.

No, by the rood, not so: You are the Queen, your husband's brother's wife, And,--would it were not so!--you are my mother.

Queen.

Nay, then, I'll set those to you that can speak.

Ham.

Come, come, and sit you down; you shall not budge; You go not till I set you up a gla.s.s Where you may see the inmost part of you.

Queen.