No Fear Shakespeare: Hamlet: Act 5 Scene 2

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Hamlet

William Shakespeare

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Original Text

Modern Text

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Original Text	Modern Text
Enter HAMLET and HORATIO	Enter HAMLET and HORATIO
HAMLET So much for this, sir. Now shall you see the other. You do remember all the circumstance?	HAMLET So much for this, sir. Now shall you see the other. You do remember all the circumstance?
HORATIO Remember it, my lord?	HORATIO Remember it, my lord?
HAMLET Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting 5 That would not let me sleep. Methought I lay Worse than the mutines in the bilboes. Rashly— And praised be rashness for it: let us know Our indiscretion sometimes serves us well When our deep plots do pall, and that should teach us 10 There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, Rough-hew them how we will—	HAMLET Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting That would not let me sleep. Methought I lay Worse than the mutines in the bilboes. Rashly— And praised be rashness for it: let us know Our indiscretion sometimes serves us well When our deep plots do pall, and that should teach us There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, Rough-hew them how we will—
HORATIO That is most certain.	HORATIO That is most certain.
HAMLET Up from my cabin, My sea-gown scarfed about me, in the dark 15 Groped I to find out them, had my desire, Fingered their packet, and in fine withdrew To mine own room again, making so bold (My fears forgetting manners) to unseal Their grand commission, where I found, Horatio— 20 O royal knavery!—an exact command, Larded with many several sorts of reasons Importing Denmark’s health, and England’s too, With—ho!—such bugs and goblins in my life That, on the supervise (no leisure bated, 25 No, not to stay the grinding of the ax) My head should be struck off.	HAMLET Up from my cabin, My sea-gown scarfed about me, in the dark Groped I to find out them, had my desire, Fingered their packet, and in fine withdrew To mine own room again, making so bold (My fears forgetting manners) to unseal Their grand commission, where I found, Horatio— O royal knavery!—an exact command, Larded with many several sorts of reasons Importing Denmark’s health, and England’s too, With—ho!—such bugs and goblins in my life That, on the supervise (no leisure bated, No, not to stay the grinding of the ax) My head should be struck off.
HORATIO Is ’t possible?	HORATIO Is ’t possible?
HAMLET (shows HORATIO a document) Here’s the commission. Read it at more leisure. But wilt thou hear me how I did proceed?	HAMLET (shows HORATIO a document) Here’s the commission. Read it at more leisure. But wilt thou hear me how I did proceed?
HORATIO 30 I beseech you.	HORATIO I beseech you.
HAMLET Being thus benetted round with villainies— Ere I could make a prologue to my brains, They had begun the play—I sat me down, Devised a new commission, wrote it fair. 35 I once did hold it, as our statists do, A baseness to write fair, and labored much How to forget that learning, but, sir, now It did me yeoman’s service. Wilt thou know Th' effect of what I wrote?	HAMLET Being thus benetted round with villainies— Ere I could make a prologue to my brains, They had begun the play—I sat me down, Devised a new commission, wrote it fair. I once did hold it, as our statists do, A baseness to write fair, and labored much How to forget that learning, but, sir, now It did me yeoman’s service. Wilt thou know Th' effect of what I wrote?
HORATIO 40 Ay, good my lord.	HORATIO Ay, good my lord.
HAMLET An earnest conjuration from the king, As England was his faithful tributary, As love between them like the palm might flourish, As peace should stiff her wheaten garland wear 45 And stand a comma ’tween their amities, And many suchlike “as’s” of great charge, That, on the view and knowing of these contents, Without debatement further, more or less, He should the bearers put to sudden death, 50 Not shriving time allowed.	HAMLET An earnest conjuration from the king, As England was his faithful tributary, As love between them like the palm might flourish, As peace should stiff her wheaten garland wear And stand a comma ’tween their amities, And many suchlike “as’s” of great charge, That, on the view and knowing of these contents, Without debatement further, more or less, He should the bearers put to sudden death, Not shriving time allowed.
HORATIO How was this sealed?	HORATIO How was this sealed?
HAMLET Why, even in that was heaven ordinant. I had my father’s signet in my purse, Which was the model of that Danish seal. 55 Folded the writ up in form of th' other, Subscribed it, gave ’t th' impression, placed it safely, The changeling never known. Now, the next day Was our sea fight, and what to this was sequent Thou know’st already.	HAMLET Why, even in that was heaven ordinant. I had my father’s signet in my purse, Which was the model of that Danish seal. Folded the writ up in form of th' other, Subscribed it, gave ’t th' impression, placed it safely, The changeling never known. Now, the next day Was our sea fight, and what to this was sequent Thou know’st already.
HORATIO 60 So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to ’t.	HORATIO So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to ’t.
HAMLET Why, man, they did make love to this employment. They are not near my conscience. Their defeat Does by their own insinuation grow. 'Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes 65 Between the pass and fell incensèd points Of mighty opposites.	HAMLET Why, man, they did make love to this employment. They are not near my conscience. Their defeat Does by their own insinuation grow. 'Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes Between the pass and fell incensèd points Of mighty opposites.
HORATIO Why, what a king is this!	HORATIO Why, what a king is this!
HAMLET Does it not, think thee, stand me now upon— He that hath killed my king and whored my mother, 70 Popped in between th' election and my hopes, Thrown out his angle for my proper life (And with such cozenage!)—is ’t not perfect conscience To quit him with this arm? And is ’t not to be damned To let this canker of our nature come 75 In further evil?	HAMLET Does it not, think thee, stand me now upon— He that hath killed my king and whored my mother, Popped in between th' election and my hopes, Thrown out his angle for my proper life (And with such cozenage!)—is ’t not perfect conscience To quit him with this arm? And is ’t not to be damned To let this canker of our nature come In further evil?
HORATIO It must be shortly known to him from England What is the issue of the business there.	HORATIO It must be shortly known to him from England What is the issue of the business there.
HAMLET It will be short. The interim’s mine. And a man’s life’s no more than to say “one.” 80 But I am very sorry, good Horatio, That to Laertes I forgot myself, For by the image of my cause I see The portraiture of his. I’ll court his favors. But sure the bravery of his grief did put me 85 Into a towering passion.	HAMLET It will be short. The interim’s mine. And a man’s life’s no more than to say “one.” But I am very sorry, good Horatio, That to Laertes I forgot myself, For by the image of my cause I see The portraiture of his. I’ll court his favors. But sure the bravery of his grief did put me Into a towering passion.
HORATIO Peace.—Who comes here?	HORATIO Peace.—Who comes here?
Enter young OSRIC , a courtier, hat in hand	Enter young OSRIC , a courtier, hat in hand
OSRIC Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark.	OSRIC Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark.
HAMLET I humbly thank you, sir. (aside to HORATIO) Dost know this water-fly?	HAMLET I humbly thank you, sir. (aside to HORATIO) Dost know this water-fly?
HORATIO (aside to HAMLET) No, my good lord.	HORATIO (aside to HAMLET) No, my good lord.
HAMLET (aside to HORATIO) Thy state is the more gracious, for ’tis a vice to know him. He hath much land, and fertile. Let a beast be lord of beasts and his crib shall stand at the king’s mess. 'Tis a chough, but, as I say, spacious in the possession of dirt.	HAMLET (aside to HORATIO) Thy state is the more gracious, for ’tis a vice to know him. He hath much land, and fertile. Let a beast be lord of beasts and his 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.	OSRIC Sweet lord, if your lordship were at leisure, I should impart a thing to you from His Majesty.
HAMLET I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of spirit. Put your bonnet to his right use. 'Tis for the head.	HAMLET I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of spirit. Put your bonnet to his right use. 'Tis for the head.
OSRIC I thank your lordship. It is very hot.	OSRIC I thank your lordship. It is very hot.
HAMLET No, believe me, ’tis very cold. The wind is northerly.	HAMLET No, believe me, ’tis very cold. The wind is northerly.
OSRIC It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed.	OSRIC It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed.
HAMLET But yet methinks it is very sultry and hot for my complexion.	HAMLET But yet methinks it is very sultry and hot for my complexion.
OSRIC Exceedingly, my lord. It is very sultry—as ’twere—I 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—	OSRIC Exceedingly, my lord. It is very sultry—as ’twere—I 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—
HAMLET I beseech you, remember—(indicates that OSRIC should put on his hat)	HAMLET I beseech you, remember—(indicates that OSRIC should put on his hat)
OSRIC Nay, good my lord, 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.	OSRIC Nay, good my lord, 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.	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.	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.	OSRIC Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him.
HAMLET The concernancy, sir? Why do we wrap the gentleman in our more rawer breath?	HAMLET The concernancy, sir? Why do we wrap the gentleman in our more rawer breath?

Original Text	Modern Text
Enter HAMLET and HORATIO	Enter HAMLET and HORATIO
HAMLET So much for this, sir. Now shall you see the other. You do remember all the circumstance?	HAMLET So much for this, sir. Now shall you see the other. You do remember all the circumstance?
HORATIO Remember it, my lord?	HORATIO Remember it, my lord?
HAMLET Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting 5 That would not let me sleep. Methought I lay Worse than the mutines in the bilboes. Rashly— And praised be rashness for it: let us know Our indiscretion sometimes serves us well When our deep plots do pall, and that should teach us 10 There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, Rough-hew them how we will—	HAMLET Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting That would not let me sleep. Methought I lay Worse than the mutines in the bilboes. Rashly— And praised be rashness for it: let us know Our indiscretion sometimes serves us well When our deep plots do pall, and that should teach us There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, Rough-hew them how we will—
HORATIO That is most certain.	HORATIO That is most certain.
HAMLET Up from my cabin, My sea-gown scarfed about me, in the dark 15 Groped I to find out them, had my desire, Fingered their packet, and in fine withdrew To mine own room again, making so bold (My fears forgetting manners) to unseal Their grand commission, where I found, Horatio— 20 O royal knavery!—an exact command, Larded with many several sorts of reasons Importing Denmark’s health, and England’s too, With—ho!—such bugs and goblins in my life That, on the supervise (no leisure bated, 25 No, not to stay the grinding of the ax) My head should be struck off.	HAMLET Up from my cabin, My sea-gown scarfed about me, in the dark Groped I to find out them, had my desire, Fingered their packet, and in fine withdrew To mine own room again, making so bold (My fears forgetting manners) to unseal Their grand commission, where I found, Horatio— O royal knavery!—an exact command, Larded with many several sorts of reasons Importing Denmark’s health, and England’s too, With—ho!—such bugs and goblins in my life That, on the supervise (no leisure bated, No, not to stay the grinding of the ax) My head should be struck off.
HORATIO Is ’t possible?	HORATIO Is ’t possible?
HAMLET (shows HORATIO a document) Here’s the commission. Read it at more leisure. But wilt thou hear me how I did proceed?	HAMLET (shows HORATIO a document) Here’s the commission. Read it at more leisure. But wilt thou hear me how I did proceed?
HORATIO 30 I beseech you.	HORATIO I beseech you.
HAMLET Being thus benetted round with villainies— Ere I could make a prologue to my brains, They had begun the play—I sat me down, Devised a new commission, wrote it fair. 35 I once did hold it, as our statists do, A baseness to write fair, and labored much How to forget that learning, but, sir, now It did me yeoman’s service. Wilt thou know Th' effect of what I wrote?	HAMLET Being thus benetted round with villainies— Ere I could make a prologue to my brains, They had begun the play—I sat me down, Devised a new commission, wrote it fair. I once did hold it, as our statists do, A baseness to write fair, and labored much How to forget that learning, but, sir, now It did me yeoman’s service. Wilt thou know Th' effect of what I wrote?
HORATIO 40 Ay, good my lord.	HORATIO Ay, good my lord.
HAMLET An earnest conjuration from the king, As England was his faithful tributary, As love between them like the palm might flourish, As peace should stiff her wheaten garland wear 45 And stand a comma ’tween their amities, And many suchlike “as’s” of great charge, That, on the view and knowing of these contents, Without debatement further, more or less, He should the bearers put to sudden death, 50 Not shriving time allowed.	HAMLET An earnest conjuration from the king, As England was his faithful tributary, As love between them like the palm might flourish, As peace should stiff her wheaten garland wear And stand a comma ’tween their amities, And many suchlike “as’s” of great charge, That, on the view and knowing of these contents, Without debatement further, more or less, He should the bearers put to sudden death, Not shriving time allowed.
HORATIO How was this sealed?	HORATIO How was this sealed?
HAMLET Why, even in that was heaven ordinant. I had my father’s signet in my purse, Which was the model of that Danish seal. 55 Folded the writ up in form of th' other, Subscribed it, gave ’t th' impression, placed it safely, The changeling never known. Now, the next day Was our sea fight, and what to this was sequent Thou know’st already.	HAMLET Why, even in that was heaven ordinant. I had my father’s signet in my purse, Which was the model of that Danish seal. Folded the writ up in form of th' other, Subscribed it, gave ’t th' impression, placed it safely, The changeling never known. Now, the next day Was our sea fight, and what to this was sequent Thou know’st already.
HORATIO 60 So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to ’t.	HORATIO So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to ’t.
HAMLET Why, man, they did make love to this employment. They are not near my conscience. Their defeat Does by their own insinuation grow. 'Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes 65 Between the pass and fell incensèd points Of mighty opposites.	HAMLET Why, man, they did make love to this employment. They are not near my conscience. Their defeat Does by their own insinuation grow. 'Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes Between the pass and fell incensèd points Of mighty opposites.
HORATIO Why, what a king is this!	HORATIO Why, what a king is this!
HAMLET Does it not, think thee, stand me now upon— He that hath killed my king and whored my mother, 70 Popped in between th' election and my hopes, Thrown out his angle for my proper life (And with such cozenage!)—is ’t not perfect conscience To quit him with this arm? And is ’t not to be damned To let this canker of our nature come 75 In further evil?	HAMLET Does it not, think thee, stand me now upon— He that hath killed my king and whored my mother, Popped in between th' election and my hopes, Thrown out his angle for my proper life (And with such cozenage!)—is ’t not perfect conscience To quit him with this arm? And is ’t not to be damned To let this canker of our nature come In further evil?
HORATIO It must be shortly known to him from England What is the issue of the business there.	HORATIO It must be shortly known to him from England What is the issue of the business there.
HAMLET It will be short. The interim’s mine. And a man’s life’s no more than to say “one.” 80 But I am very sorry, good Horatio, That to Laertes I forgot myself, For by the image of my cause I see The portraiture of his. I’ll court his favors. But sure the bravery of his grief did put me 85 Into a towering passion.	HAMLET It will be short. The interim’s mine. And a man’s life’s no more than to say “one.” But I am very sorry, good Horatio, That to Laertes I forgot myself, For by the image of my cause I see The portraiture of his. I’ll court his favors. But sure the bravery of his grief did put me Into a towering passion.
HORATIO Peace.—Who comes here?	HORATIO Peace.—Who comes here?
Enter young OSRIC , a courtier, hat in hand	Enter young OSRIC , a courtier, hat in hand
OSRIC Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark.	OSRIC Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark.
HAMLET I humbly thank you, sir. (aside to HORATIO) Dost know this water-fly?	HAMLET I humbly thank you, sir. (aside to HORATIO) Dost know this water-fly?
HORATIO (aside to HAMLET) No, my good lord.	HORATIO (aside to HAMLET) No, my good lord.
HAMLET (aside to HORATIO) Thy state is the more gracious, for ’tis a vice to know him. He hath much land, and fertile. Let a beast be lord of beasts and his crib shall stand at the king’s mess. 'Tis a chough, but, as I say, spacious in the possession of dirt.	HAMLET (aside to HORATIO) Thy state is the more gracious, for ’tis a vice to know him. He hath much land, and fertile. Let a beast be lord of beasts and his 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.	OSRIC Sweet lord, if your lordship were at leisure, I should impart a thing to you from His Majesty.
HAMLET I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of spirit. Put your bonnet to his right use. 'Tis for the head.	HAMLET I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of spirit. Put your bonnet to his right use. 'Tis for the head.
OSRIC I thank your lordship. It is very hot.	OSRIC I thank your lordship. It is very hot.
HAMLET No, believe me, ’tis very cold. The wind is northerly.	HAMLET No, believe me, ’tis very cold. The wind is northerly.
OSRIC It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed.	OSRIC It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed.
HAMLET But yet methinks it is very sultry and hot for my complexion.	HAMLET But yet methinks it is very sultry and hot for my complexion.
OSRIC Exceedingly, my lord. It is very sultry—as ’twere—I 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—	OSRIC Exceedingly, my lord. It is very sultry—as ’twere—I 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—
HAMLET I beseech you, remember—(indicates that OSRIC should put on his hat)	HAMLET I beseech you, remember—(indicates that OSRIC should put on his hat)
OSRIC Nay, good my lord, 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.	OSRIC Nay, good my lord, 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.	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.	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.	OSRIC Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him.
HAMLET The concernancy, sir? Why do we wrap the gentleman in our more rawer breath?	HAMLET The concernancy, sir? Why do we wrap the gentleman in our more rawer breath?