另類角色：書信在莎士比亞戲劇中的意義與功能

行政院國家科學委員會專題研究計畫成果報告

另類角色：書信在莎士比亞戲劇中的意義和功能（一）

The Letter as Dr amatic Char acter : The Significance and

Functions of the Epistles in Shakespear e’s Plays (I)

計畫編號：NSC 87-2411-H-002-033

執行期限：86 年 8 月 1 日至 87 年 7 月 31 日

主持人：彭鏡禧 執行機構及單位名稱：台灣大學外文系

The letter is a useful tool with which the playwright can sharpen the identity of his characters, probe into their minds, increase the dramatic effect, or enrich the meaning of the play. Shakespeare uses the letter in at least 31 of his dramatic works.

Sometimes it is key to the development of the plot (e.g. Macbeth’s letter to his Lady); sometimes it adds an important dimension to a character (e.g. Hamlet’s forging of

Claudius’s letter to the King of England); Maria’s letter as read by Malvolio partakes

of both functions above. Some fake letters reveal the true intentions of the writer; some true letters are false in intent. And then there is the dimension of writer-reader relationship, to which may sometimes be added the role of the messenger. Etc. There are a variety of uses, all of which are theatrically significant.

Keywor ds: epistle, letter, reading, interpretation, identity, character, authenticity, forgery

二、緣由與目的

「書簡……或信函，無非是一種聲 明，寫出不在場者的心意，互為傳遞，猶 如在場一般」，William Fulwood 在 The

Enemy of Idleness (1621) 這句話說明了英 國當時一般人對書信功用的認識。 然而「猶如」二字畢竟透露出「不如」 的訊息﹔不在場者的心意很難精確表現出 來。 筆者研究莎劇，曾經指出書信在戲劇 中出現，顯然代表寫信角色不在場，他「缺 席」了；原因也許是分身乏術，也許是身 體違和，也許是不便出面……。這些都是 戲劇討論中重要而值得深究的課題，卻未 必是書信內容本身可以表達的。從另一方

面看來，由於書信的出現，寫信人似乎又 已「出席」——至少他已經取得發言的機 會，可以表達意見，傳達訊息。然而戲劇 講求的是角色之間「當下」的互動。一紙 書信，縱然是自己執筆，仍然要仰仗他人 的閱讀；經過讀信人的詮釋之後，難保訊 息不會走樣，而缺席的寫信人又無從為自 己辯解。——有趣的是，這也可能是寫信 人刻意的安排。出席與缺席之間，大有玄 機；書信可以視為另類角色。 本研究計畫的主要目的就是要對莎士 比亞戲劇作品中的書信做一個完整的探 討，希望有系統的歸納出這位作家如何使 用書信這個另類角色來加強他的戲劇力 量，從而增進我們對他的編劇法的理解， 乃至重新檢討歷來對莎劇的詮釋。這個研 究也可以讓我們認識伊利莎白或文藝復興 時代書信在人際關係上扮演的角色。 三、研究內容 本研究首先確定莎劇中「書信」的定 義：有確定書寫人與閱讀對象的文字。據 此﹐除了 A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As

You Like It, The Comedy of Errors, The Taming of the Shrew, The Tempest 以及 Timon of Athens 等六齣之外﹐其餘三十一 齣都出現了書信。書信的總數約為 153 封﹐其中八十四封只在劇中提到﹐內容不 詳；另外六十九封或者全部﹐或者部份讀 出或轉述。這些是不同的信；如果包括重 複出現的次數﹐則數目遠大於此。 一般而言﹐書信是寫信人與收信人無 法見面交談之下的溝通方法﹐所以如果劇 情包括戰爭或者場景變化較多、地理背景 幅員廣大﹐則書信往來往往較為頻繁。可 想而知﹐這些信件的戲劇效果通常只是壓 縮時空或表達時局的緊張。更具巧思的是 當事人不願當面說話﹐而改托書信達成目 的；這時書信成為另類模糊、曖昧的戲劇 角色﹐既代表寫信人﹐又每每顯示讀信人。 偶然也有讀信時寫信人在場的情況﹐則效 果又更為複雜。 卡色林．摩柔妮 (Katherine Moroney) 在其博士論文(1956)中把莎劇書信依照內 容大分為資訊、命令、詭計、情書四類﹐ 並從情節發展、角色鋪陳、戲劇效果三方 面討論了十九齣莎劇；著墨最多的是 King

Lear, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, As You Like It, Twelfth Night, Titus Andronicus, Hamlet 等齣 [其中 As You Like It 的情詩

是否屬於書信有待商榷]。 本研究在前人的基礎上﹐詳細閱讀劇 本﹐一一討論劇中書信的意義﹐作成摘要 筆記。據此﹐可以更進一步從舞台演出的 角度探討書信扮演的另類角色﹐目前發掘 的重點議題包括下列各項： 一、 真假書信：書信的真偽表面 看來似乎容易斷定﹐實則假信可 以傳遞真 心﹐真信 也可隱瞞 實 情。Cymbeline 寫給其妻 Imogen 的信是「 真信假意」的例子； Hamlet 偽造給英國國王的信是 「假信真意」的例子。 二、 口信、書信、送信人：書信 原為口信的替代物；送信人通常 只是郵差﹐地位卑微。但亦有劇 中送信人同時傳達口信﹐甚至加 以評論。這時候書信兼有替口信 背書（透過簽名、彌封）的意義。 三、 攔截的書信：書信是否一定 可以送到收信人手中？劇中常有 書信遭受攔截﹐因此無法順利送 到原定的收信者手中。在劇中這 種事情或屬無意﹐或屬有意﹐但 都是莎翁刻意的安排﹐造成戲劇 上重要的轉折。 四、 書信的閱讀：書信究竟反映 寫信人或 收信人？ 按照常理 而 言﹐書信的內容單然代表然是寫 信者的心聲﹐卻因為寫信人的「缺 席」而需要他人閱讀；讀信人掌 握了詮釋的大權。觀眾同時也聽 到了讀信人的心聲。例如 Lady Macbeth 閱讀 Macbeth 的家書﹐ 立刻萌生弒君之念﹐也透露齣他 們夫婦相知之深。 五、 書信在舞台上的呈現：延續 前面一項的討論﹐更可以發現寫

信人、讀信人、送信人、舞台上 的其他角色、乃至觀眾的互動關 係。寫信人宛如在場﹐卻必須由 讀信人代為詮釋。明顯的例子如 丑角 Feste 朗讀 詮釋 Malvolio 寫給女主人 Olivia 的抗議信； Polonius 向國王及王后閱讀 評 論 Hamlet 寫給 Ophelia 的情書 詩；Basanio 閱讀 Antonio 向他告 急的信。在這些場景中﹐展現的 已經不只是道具的書信﹐而書信 也已經不僅代表寫信者的聲音。 讀信人和舞台上、舞台下的觀眾 都已捲入其中。如果寫信人在場﹐ 則戲劇效果又更加複雜、更為強 烈。 六、 「代書」莎士比亞：在可能 範圍內﹐或可追溯莎翁的代書生 涯﹐觀察他使用書信的進程。目 前的假設是﹐莎翁對書信的使用 越到後期越為得心應手﹐常常有 多重戲劇效果。 四、參考文獻 1. 英文

Bergeron, David M. “Deadly Letters in

King Lear.” Philological Quarterly

72 (1993): 157-76.

---. Reading and Writing in Shakespeare.

Newark: U of Delaware P, 1996. Goldberg, Jonathan. Writing Matter: From

the Hands of the English Renaissance.

Stanford, California: Stanford UP, 1990.

Hilton, Julian. “Reading Letters in Plays: Short Courses in Practical

Epistemology?”Reading Plays: Interpretation and Reception. Ed.

Hanna Scolnicov & Peter Holland. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1991. 140-60.

Kiefer, Frederick. Writing on the Renaissance Stage: Written Words, Printed Pages, Metaphoric Books.

Newark: U of Delaware P, 1996. Moroney, Katherine. “The Letter as a

Dramatic Device in Shakespeare’s Plays.” Unpublished Diss.,

University of Oklahoma, 1956. Ann Arbor: UMI, 1998.

Orgel, Stephen. “The Comedian as the Character C.” English Comedy. Ed.

Michael Cordner, Peter Holland, and John Kerrigan. Cambridge:

Cambridge UP, 1994. 36-54. Taylor, Mark. “Letters and Readers in

Macbeth, King Lear, and Twelfth Night.” Philological Quarterly 69

(1990): 31-53. 2. 中文： 彭鏡禧。〈試論《馬克白》和《哈姆雷》 劇中書信的戲劇意義〉。《中外文 學》，第二十五卷，第三期 (1996 年 8 月): 273-89。 五、附件 1. 莎劇中書信出現段落引文 2. 書信出現段落於各版本中之行數對照

附件一、莎劇中書信出現段落引文

ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL

Act 1 Scene 2

(A flourish of cornetts. Enter the King of France with letter s, the two Lords Dumaine, and divers attendants)

1 King The Florentines and Sienese are by th’ ears, 2 Have fought with equal fortune, and continue

3 A braving war.

Fir st Lor d Dumaine So ’tis reported, sir.

4 King Nay, ’tis most credible: we here receive it 5 A certainty vouched from our cousin Austria, 6 With caution that the Florentine will move us 7 For speedy aid— wherein our dearest friend 8 Prejudicates the business, and would seem

9 To have us make denial.

Act 2 Scene 2

57 Lavatch O Lord, sir!— Why, there ’t serves well again. 58 Countess An end, sir! To your business: give Helen this,

(She gives him a letter )

59 And urge her to a present answer back. 60 Commend me to my kinsmen and my son.

61 This is not much.

62 Lavatch Not much commendation to them?

63 Countess Not much employment for you. You understand

64 me.

65 Lavatch Most fruitfully. I am there before my legs. 66 Countess Haste you again.

Act 2 Scene 3

274 I know not yet.

275 Par oles Ay, that would be known. To th’wars, my boy, to th’wars! 276 He wears his honour in a box unseen

277 That hugs his kicky-wicky here at home, 278 Spending his manly marrow in her arms,

279 Which should sustain the bound and high curvet 280 Of Mars’s fiery steed. To other regions!

281 France is a stable, we that dwell in ’t jades.

282 Therefore to th’war.

Act 2 Scene 4

(Enter Helen reading a letter , and Lavatch the clown) 1 Helen My mother greets me kindly. Is she well?

2 Lavatch She is not well, but yet she has her health. She’s

3 very merry, but yet she is not well. But thanks be given 4 she’s very well and wants nothing i’th’ world. But yet

5 she is not well.

6 Helen If she be very well, what does she ail

7 That she’s not very well?

8 Lavatch Truly, she’s very well indeed, but for two things. 9 Helen What two things?

10 Lavatch One, that she’s not in heaven, whither God send

11 her quickly. The other, that she’s in earth, from whence

12 God send her quickly.

Act 2 Scene 5

19 Ber tr am (aside to Paroles) Is she gone to the King? 20 Par oles She is.

21 Ber tr am Will she away tonight? 22 Par oles As you’ll have her.

23 Ber tr am I have writ my letter s, casketed my treasure, 24 Given order for our horses, and tonight, 25 When I should take possession of the bride,

*********************************************************************

Ber tr am I shall obey his will.

58 You must not marvel, Helen, at my course, 59 Which holds not colour with the time, nor does 60 The ministration and requirèd office

61 On my particular. Prepared I was not 62 For such a business, therefore am I found

63 So much unsettled. This drives me to entreat you 64 That presently you take your way for home, 65 And rather muse than ask why I entreat you, 66 For my respects are better than they seem, 67 And my appointments have in them a need 68 Greater than shows itself at the first view 69 To you that know them not. This to my mother.

(He gives her a letter )

70 ’Twill be two days ere I shall see you, so 71 I leave you to your wisdom.

Helen Sir, I can nothing say

72 But that I am your most obedient servant.

Act 3 Scene 2

(Enter the Countess with a letter , and Lavatch)

1 Countess It hath happened all as I would have had it, 2 save that he comes not along with her.

3 Lavatch By my troth, I take my young lord to be a very

4 melancholy man.

5 Countess By what observance, I pray you?

6 Lavatch Why, he will look upon his boot and sing, mend

7 the ruff and sing, ask questions and sing, pick his teeth 8 and sing. I know a man that had this trick of

9 melancholy sold a goodly manor for a song. 10 Countess Let me see what he writes, and when he means

11 to come.

(She opens the letter and reads)

13 court. Our old lings and our Isbels o’th’ country are 14 nothing like your old ling and your Isbels o’th’ court. 15 The brains of my Cupid’s knocked out, and I begin to 16 love as an old man loves money: with no stomach. 17 Countess What have we here?

18 Lavatch E’en that you have there. (Exit)

19 Countess (reads the letter aloud) “I have sent you a

20 daughter-in-law. She hath recovered the King and 21 undone me. I have wedded her, not bedded her, and 22 sworn to make the ‘not’ eternal. You shall hear I am 23 run away; know it before the report come. If there be 24 breadth enough in the world I will hold a long distance.

25 My duty to you.

26 Your unfortunate son,

27 Bertram.”

28 This is not well, rash and unbridled boy, 29 To fly the favours of so good a King, 30 To pluck his indignation on thy head 31 By the misprizing of a maid too virtuous 32 For the contempt of empire.

(Enter Lavatch)

33 Lavatch O madam, yonder is heavy news within, 34 between two soldiers and my young lady. 35 Countess What is the matter?

36 Lavatch Nay, there is some comfort in the news, some

37 comfort. Your son will not be killed so soon as I thought

38 he would.

39 Countess Why should he be killed?

40 Lavatch So say I, madam— if he run away, as I hear he

41 does. The danger is in standing to ’t; that’s the loss of 42 men, though it be the getting of children. Here they 43 come will tell you more. For my part, I only heard

44 your son was run away.

(Exit)

(Enter Helen with a letter , and the two Lords Dumaine) 45 Second Lor d Dumaine (to the Countess) Save you, good madam. 46 Helen Madam, my lord is gone, for ever gone.

47 Fir st Lor d Dumaine Do not say so.

48 Countess (to Helen) Think upon patience.— Pray you, gentlemen, 49 I have felt so many quirks of joy and grief

50 That the first face of neither on the start

51 Can woman me unto ’t. Where is my son, I pray you? 52 Fir st Lor d Dumaine Madam, he’s gone to serve the Duke of Florence. 53 We met him thitherward, for thence we came,

54 And, after some dispatch in hand at court,

55 Thither we bend again.

56 Helen Look on his letter , madam: here’s my passport. (She reads aloud)

57 “When thou canst get the ring upon my finger, which 58 never shall come off, and show me a child begotten of 59 thy body that I am father to, then call me husband; 60 but in such a ‘then’ I write a ‘never’.”

61 This is a dreadful sentence.

62 Countess Brought you this letter , gentlemen? Fir st Lor d Dumaine Ay, madam,

63 And for the contents’ sake are sorry for our pains. 64 Countess I prithee, lady, have a better cheer.

65 If thou engrossest all the griefs are thine 66 Thou robb’st me of a moiety. He was my son, 67 But I do wash his name out of my blood,

68 And thou art all my child.— Towards Florence is he? 69 Fir st Lor d Dumaine Ay, madam.

Countess And to be a soldier?

70 Fir st Lor d Dumaine Such is his noble purpose, and— believe ’t— 71 The Duke will lay upon him all the honour

72 That good convenience claims.

Act 3 Scene 4

(Enter the Countess and Reynaldo her steward, with a letter ) 1 Countess Alas! And would you take the letter of her?

2 Might you not know she would do as she has done, 3 By sending me a letter ? Read it again.

4 Reynaldo (reads the letter ) “I am Saint Jaques’ pilgrim, thither gone. 5 Ambitious love hath so in me offended

6 That barefoot plod I the cold ground upon 7 With sainted vow my faults to have amended. 8 Write, write, that from the bloody course of war 9 My dearest master, your dear son, may hie. 10 Bless him at home in peace, whilst I from far 11 His name with zealous fervour sanctify. 12 His taken labours bid him me forgive; 13 I, his despiteful Juno, sent him forth

14 From courtly friends, with camping foes to live, 15 Where death and danger dogs the heels of worth. 16 He is too good and fair for death and me;

17 Whom I myself embrace to set him free.” 18 Countess Ah, what sharp stings are in her mildest words! 19 Reynaldo, you did never lack advice so much 20 As letting her pass so. Had I spoke with her, 21 I could have well diverted her intents, 22 Which thus she hath prevented.

Reynaldo Pardon me, madam.

23 If I had given you this at over-night

24 She might have been o’erta’en— and yet she writes 25 Pursuit would be but vain.

Countess What angel shall 26 Bless this unworthy husband? He cannot thrive 27 Unless her prayers, whom heaven delights to hear 28 And loves to grant, reprieve him from the wrath 29 Of greatest justice. Write, write, Reynaldo, 30 To this unworthy husband of his wife. 31 Let every word weigh heavy of her worth, 32 That he does weigh too light; my greatest grief, 33 Though little he do feel it, set down sharply. 34 Dispatch the most convenient messenger. 35 When haply he shall hear that she is gone, 36 He will return, and hope I may that she, 37 Hearing so much, will speed her foot again, 38 Led hither by pure love. Which of them both 39 Is dearest to me I have no skill in sense 40 To make distinction. Provide this messenger. 41 My heart is heavy and mine age is weak;

42 Grief would have tears, and sorrow bids me speak. (Exeunt)

Act 3 Scene 6

111 Ber tr am Now will I lead you to the house, and show you

112 The lass I spoke of.

[Fir st] Lor d Dumaine But you say she’s honest. 113 Ber tr am That’s all the fault. I spoke with her but once 114 And found her wondrous cold, but I sent to her 115 By this same coxcomb that we have i’th’ wind 116 Tokens and letter s, which she did re-send, 117 And this is all I have done. She’s a fair creature.

118 Will you go see her?

[Fir st] Lor d Dumaine With all my heart, my lord.

Act 4 Scene 3

1 Fir st Lor d Dumaine You have not given him his mother’s

2 letter ?

3 Second Lor d Dumaine I have delivered it an hour since. 4 There is something in ’t that stings his nature, for on 5 the reading it he changed almost into another man. 6 Fir st Lor d Dumaine He has much worthy blame laid

7 upon him for shaking off so good a wife and so sweet

8 a lady.

******************************************************************** 57 Second Lor d Dumaine How is this justified?

58 Fir st Lor d Dumaine The stronger part of it by her own

59 letter s, which makes her story true even to the point 60 of her death. Her death itself, which could not be her 61 office to say is come, was faithfully confirmed by the

62 rector of the place.

63 Second Lor d Dumaine Hath the Count all this intelligence? 64 Fir st Lor d Dumaine Ay, and the particular confirmations, 65 point from point, to the full arming of the verity. 66 Second Lor d Dumaine I am heartily sorry that he’ll be

67 glad of this.

68 Fir st Lor d Dumaine How mightily sometimes we make 69 us comforts of our losses.

70 Second Lor d Dumaine And how mightily some other times 71 we drown our gain in tears. The great dignity that his 72 valour hath here acquired for him shall at home be 73 encountered with a shame as ample.

74 Fir st Lor d Dumaine The web of our life is of a mingled

75 yarn, good and ill together. Our virtues would be proud 76 if our faults whipped them not, and our crimes would 77 despair if they were not cherished by our virtues.

(Enter a Servant)

78 How now? Where’s your master?

79 Ser vant He met the Duke in the street, sir, of whom he 80 hath taken a solemn leave. His lordship will next 81 morning for France. The Duke hath offered him letter s 82 of commendations to the King.

83 Second Lor d Dumaine They shall be no more than needful 84 there, if they were more than they can commend.

******************************************************************** 202 Inter pr eter What is his reputation with the Duke?

203 Par oles The Duke knows him for no other but a poor

204 officer of mine, and writ to me this other day to turn 205 him out o’th’ band. I think I have his letter in my

206 pocket.

207 Inter pr eter Marry, we’ll search.

208 Par oles In good sadness, I do not know. Either it is there, 209 or it is upon a file with the Duke’s other letter s in my

210 tent.

211 Inter pr eter Here ’tis, here’s a paper . Shall I read it to

212 you?

213 Par oles I do not know if it be it or no. 214 Ber tr am (aside) Our interpreter does it well. 215 Fir st Lor d Dumaine (aside) Excellently.

Inter pr eter (reads the letter )

217 Par oles That is not the Duke’s letter , sir. That is an

218 advertisement to a proper maid in Florence, one Diana, 219 to take heed of the allurement of one Count Roussillon, 220 a foolish idle boy, but for all that very ruttish. I pray 221 you, sir, put it up again.

222 Inter pr eter Nay, I’ll read it first, by your favour.

223 Par oles My meaning in ’t, I protest, was very honest in

224 the behalf of the maid, for I knew the young Count to 225 be a dangerous and lascivious boy, who is a whale to 226 virginity, and devours up all the fry it finds.

227 Ber tr am (aside) Damnable both-sides rogue. 228 Inter pr eter (reads)

“When he swears oaths, bid him drop gold, and take it. 229 After he scores he never pays the score.

230 Half-won is match well made; match, and well make it. 231 He ne’er pays after-debts, take it before.

232 And say a soldier, Dian, told thee this: 233 Men are to mell with, boys are not to kiss. 234 For count of this, the Count’s a fool, I know it, 235 Who pays before, but not when he does owe it. 236 Thine, as he vowed to thee in thine ear,

237 Paroles.”

238 Ber tr am (aside) He shall be whipped through the army 239 with this rhyme in ’s forehead.

240 Second Lor d Dumaine (aside) This is your devoted friend, 241 sir, the manifold linguist and the armipotent soldier. 242 Ber tr am (aside) I could endure anything before but a cat,

243 and now he’s a cat to me.

Act 4 Scene 5

80 Lafeu His highness comes post from Marseilles, of as able 81 body as when he numbered thirty. A will be here 82 tomorrow, or I am deceived by him that in such 83 intelligence hath seldom failed.

84 Countess It rejoices me that I hope I shall see him ere I

85 die. I have letter s that my son will be here tonight. I 86 shall beseech your lordship to remain with me till they

87 meet together.

88 Lafeu Madam, I was thinking with what manners I might

89 safely be admitted.

90 Countess You need but plead your honourable privilege. 91 Lafeu Lady, of that I have made a bold charter, but, I 92 thank my God, it holds yet.

Act 5 Scene 1

Helen I do beseech you, sir, 32 Since you are like to see the King before me, 33 Commend the paper to his gracious hand, 34 Which I presume shall render you no blame, 35 But rather make you thank your pains for it. 36 I will come after you with what good speed

37 Our means will make us means.

Gentleman (taking the paper ) This I’ll do for you. 38 Helen And you shall find yourself to be well thanked, 39 Whate’er falls more. We must to horse again.—

40 Go, go, provide.

Act 5 Scene 2

(Enter Lavatch and Paroles, with a letter )

1 Par oles Good Master Lavatch, give my Lord Lafeu this 2 letter . I have ere now, sir, been better known to you, 3 when I have held familiarity with fresher clothes. But 4 I am now, sir, muddied in Fortune’s mood, and smell 5 somewhat strong of her strong displeasure.

6 Lavatch Truly, Fortune’s displeasure is but sluttish if it

7 smell so strongly as thou speakest of. I will henceforth 8 eat no fish of Fortune’s butt’ring. Prithee allow the

9 wind.

10 Par oles Nay, you need not to stop your nose, sir, I spake

11 but by a metaphor.

12 Lavatch Indeed, sir, if your metaphor stink I will stop

14 thee further.

15 Par oles Pray you, sir, deliver me this paper .

16 Lavatch Foh, prithee stand away. A paper from Fortune’s 17 close-stool to give to a nobleman! Look, here he comes

18 himself.

(Enter Lafeu)

19 Here is a pur of Fortune’s, sir, or of Fortune’s cat— but 20 not a musk-cat— that has fallen into the unclean fish-21 pond of her displeasure and, as he says, is muddied 22 withal. Pray you, sir, use the carp as you may, for he 23 looks like a poor, decayed, ingenious, foolish, rascally 24 knave. I do pity his distress in my similes of comfort, 25 and leave him to your lordship.

Act 5 Scene 3

28 King (to Lafeu) What says he to your daughter? Have you spoke? 29 Lafeu All that he is hath reference to your highness.

30 King Then shall we have a match. I have letter s sent me 31 That sets him high in fame.

******************************************************************** 130 Gentleman Gracious sovereign,

131 Whether I have been to blame or no, I know not. 132 Here’s a petition from a Florentine

133 Who hath for four or five removes come short 134 To tender it herself. I undertook it,

135 Vanquished thereto by the fair grace and speech 136 Of the poor suppliant, who by this I know 137 Is here attending. Her business looks in her 138 With an importing visage, and she told me 139 In a sweet verbal brief it did concern 140l Your highness with herself.

141 [King] (reads a letter ) “Upon his many protestations to 142 marry me when his wife was dead, I blush to say it, 143 he won me. Now is the Count Roussillon a widower, 144 his vows are forfeited to me, and my honour’s paid to

145 him. He stole from Florence, taking no leave, and I 146 follow him to his country for justice. Grant it me, O 147 King! In you it best lies; otherwise a seducer flourishes 148 and a poor maid is undone.

149 Diana Capilet.”

150 Lafeu I will buy me a son-in-law in a fair, and toll for 151 this. I’ll none of him.

152 King The heavens have thought well on thee, Lafeu, 153 To bring forth this discov’ry.— Seek these suitors. 154 Go speedily and bring again the Count.

******************************************************************* 311 Helen O, my good lord, when I was like this maid

312 I found you wondrous kind. There is your ring. 313 And, look you, here’s your letter . This it says: 314 “When from my finger you can get this ring, 315 And are by me with child,” et cetera. This is done. 316 Will you be mine now you are doubly won?

THE TRAGEDY OF ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA

Act 1 Scene 2

(Enter another Messenger with a letter )

What are you? 111 [Thir d Messenger ] Fulvia thy wife is dead.

Antony Where died she?

112 Thir d Messenger In Sicyon.

113 Her length of sickness, with what else more serious 114 Importeth thee to know, this bears.

(He gives Antony the letter )

Antony Forbear me.

(Exit Third Messenger)

115 There’s a great spirit gone. Thus did I desire it. 116 What our contempts doth often hurl from us 117 We wish it ours again. The present pleasure, 118 By revolution low’ring, does become

119 The opposite of itself. She’s good being gone; 120 The hand could pluck her back that shoved her on. 121 I must from this enchanting queen break off. 122 Ten thousand harms more than the ills I know 123 My idleness doth hatch. How now, Enobarbus!

******************************************************************** 163 Antony The business she hath broach in the state

164 Cannot endure my absence.

165 Enobar bus And the business you have broached here

166 cannot be without you, especially that of Cleopatra’s, 167 which wholly depends on your abode.

168 Antony No more light answers. Let our officers 169 Have notice what we purpose. I shall break 170 The cause of our expedience to the Queen, 171 And get her leave to part; for not alone

172 The death of Fulvia, with more urgent touches, 173 Do strongly speak to us, but the letter s too 174 Of many our contriving friends in Rome

175 Petition us at home. Sextus Pompeius

176 Hath given the dare to Caesar and commands 177 The empire of the sea. Our slippery people, 178 Whose love is never linked to the deserver 179 Till his deserts are past, begin to throw 180 Pompey the Great and all his dignities

181 Upon his son, who— high in name and power, 182 Higher than both in blood and life— stands up 183 For the main soldier; whose quality, going on,

184 The sides o’th’ world may danger. Much is breeding 185 Which, like the courser’s hair, hath yet but life, 186 And not a serpent’s poison. Say our pleasure, 187 To such whose place is under us, requires 188 Our quick remove from hence.

Act 1 Scene 4

(Enter Octavius reading a letter , Lepidus, and their train) 1 Caesar You may see, Lepidus, and henceforth know, 2 It is not Caesar’s natural vice to hate

3 Our great competitor. From Alexandria

4 This is the news: he fishes, drinks, and wastes 5 The lamps of night in revel; is not more manlike 6 Than Cleopatra, nor the queen of Ptolemy 7 More womanly than he; hardly gave audience

8 Or vouchsafed to think he had partners. You shall find there 9 A man who is the abstract of all faults

10 That all men follow.

Act 2 Scene 2

49 Antony You do mistake the business. My brother never 50 Did urge me in his act. I did enquire it,

51 And have my learning from some true reports 52 That drew their swords with you. Did he not rather 53 Discredit my authority with yours,

55 Having alike your cause? Of this, my letter s 56 Before did satisfy you. If you’ll patch a quarrel, 57 As matter whole you have to make it with, 58 It must not be with this.

Caesar You praise yourself 59 By laying defects of judgement to me, but

60 You patched up your excuses.

Antony Not so, not so.

61 I know you could not lack, I am certain on ’t, 62 Very necessity of this thought, that I,

63 Your partner in the cause ’gainst which he fought, 64 Could not with graceful eyes attend those wars 65 Which fronted mine own peace. As for my wife, 66 I would you had her spirit in such another.

67 The third o’th’ world is yours, which with a snaffle 68 You may pace easy, but not such a wife.

69 Enobar bus Would we had all such wives, that the men 70 might go to wars with the women.

71 Antony So much uncurbable, her garboils, Caesar, 72 Made out of her impatience— which not wanted 73 Shrewdness of policy too— I grieving grant 74 Did you too much disquiet, for that you must 75 But say I could not help it.

Caesar I wrote to you

76 When, rioting in Alexandria, you

77 Did pocket up my letter s, and with taunts 78 Did gibe my missive out of audience. 79 Antony Sir, he fell upon me ere admitted, then.

80 Three kings I had newly feasted, and did want 81 Of what I was i’th’ morning; but next day 82 I told him of myself, which was as much 83 As to have asked him pardon. Let this fellow 84 Be nothing of our strife. If we contend, 85 Out of our question wipe him.

Act 3 Scene 3

34 Thou must not take my former sharpness ill. 35 I will employ thee back again. I find thee 36 Most fit for business. Go, make thee ready. 37 Our letter s are prepared.

(Exit Messenger)

Char mian A proper man. 38 Cleopatr a Indeed he is so. I repent me much

39 That so I harried him. Why, methinks, by him, 40 This creature’s no such thing.

Char mian Nothing, madam.

41 Cleopatr a The man hath seen some majesty, and should know. 42 Char mian Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend,

43 And serving you so long!

44 Cleopatr a I have one thing more to ask him yet, good Charmian. 45 But ’tis no matter. Thou shalt bring him to me

46 Where I will write. All may be well enough. 47 Char mian I warrant you, madam.

Act 3 Scene 5

1 Enobar bus How now, friend Eros?

2 Er os There’s strange news come, sir. 3 Enobar bus What, man?

4 Er os Caesar and Lepidus have made wars upon Pompey. 5 Enobar bus This is old. What is the success?

6 Er os Caesar, having made use of him in the wars ’gainst 7 Pompey, presently denied him rivality, would not let 8 him partake in the glory of the action, and, not resting 9 here, accuses him of letter s he had formerly wrote to 10 Pompey; upon his own appeal seizes him; so the poor 11 third is up, till death enlarge his confine.

Act 3 Scene 6

Caesar Welcome hither.

79 Your letter s did withhold our breaking forth 80 Till we perceived both how you were wrong led

81 And we in negligent danger. Cheer your heart. 82 Be you not troubled with the time, which drives 83 O’er your content these strong necessities; 84 But let determined things to destiny

85 Hold unbewailed their way. Welcome to Rome; 86 Nothing more dear to me. You are abused 87 Beyond the mark of thought, and the high gods, 88 To do you justice, makes their ministers

89 Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort,

90 And ever welcome to us.

Act 3 Scene 11

1 Antony Hark, the land bids me tread no more upon ’t, 2 It is ashamed to bear me. Friends, come hither. 3 I am so lated in the world that I

4 Have lost my way for ever. I have a ship 5 Laden with gold. Take that; divide it, fly,

6 And make your peace with Caesar.

Attendants Fly? Not we.

7 Antony I have fled myself, and have instructed cowards 8 To run and show their shoulders. Friends, be gone. 9 I have myself resolved upon a course

10 Which has no need of you. Be gone. 11 My treasure’s in the harbour. Take it. O, 12 I followed that I blush to look upon. 13 My very hairs do mutiny, for the white

14 Reprove the brown for rashness, and they them 15 For fear and doting. Friends, be gone. You shall 16 Have letter s from me to some friends that will 17 Sweep your way for you. Pray you, look not sad, 18 Nor make replies of loathness. Take the hint 19 Which my despair proclaims. Let that be left 20 Which leaves itself. To the seaside straightway! 21 I will possess you of that ship and treasure. 22 Leave me, I pray, a little. Pray you now, 23 Nay, do so; for indeed I have lost command. 24 Therefore I pray you; I’ll see you by and by.

Act 4 Scene 1

(Enter Caesar, reading a letter , with Agrippa, Maecenas, and his army) 1 Caesar He calls me boy, and chides as he had power

2 To beat me out of Egypt. My messenger

3 He hath whipped with rods, dares me to personal combat, 4 Caesar to Antony. Let the old ruffian know

5 I have many other ways to die; meantime,

THE TRAGEDY OF CORIOLANUS

Act 1 Scene 2

1 Fir st Senator So, your opinion is, Aufidius,

2 That they of Rome are entered in our counsels

3 And know how we proceed.

Aufidius Is it not yours? 4 What ever have been thought on in this state 5 That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome 6 Had circumvention? ’Tis not four days gone 7 Since I heard thence. These are the words. I think 8 I have the letter here— yes, here it is.

(He reads the letter )

9 “They have pressed a power, but it is not known 10 Whether for east or west. The dearth is great, 11 The people mutinous, and it is rumoured

12 Cominius, Martius your old enemy,

13 Who is of Rome worse hated than of you, 14 And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman, 15 These three lead on this preparation 16 Whither ’tis bent. Most likely ’tis for you.

17 Consider of it.”

Fir st Senator Our army’s in the field. 18 We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready

19 To answer us.

Aufidius Nor did you think it folly 20 To keep your great pretences veiled till when

21 They needs must show themselves, which in the hatching, 22 It seemed, appeared to Rome. By the discovery

23 We shall be shortened in our aim, which was 24 To take in many towns ere, almost, Rome

25 Should know we were afoot.

Second Senator Noble Aufidius, 26 Take your commission, hie you to your bands. 27 Let us alone to guard Corioles.

28 If they set down before ’s, for the remove 29 Bring up your army, but I think you’ll find

30 They’ve not prepared for us.

Aufidius O, doubt not that. 31 I speak from certainties. Nay, more,

32 Some parcels of their power are forth already, 33 And only hitherward. I leave your honours. 34 If we and Caius Martius chance to meet, 35 ’Tis sworn between us we shall ever strike

36 Till one can do no more.

All The Senator s The gods assist you! 37 AufidiusAnd keep your honours safe.

Fir st Senator Farewell.

Second Senator Farewell.

All Farewell.

Act 2 Scene 1

103 Menenius (throwing up his cap) Take my cap, Jupiter, and 104 I thank thee! Hoo, Martius coming home?

105 Vir gilia and Valer ia Nay, ’tis true.

106 Volumnia Look, here’s a letter from him. The state hath 107 another, his wife another, and I think there’s one at

108 home for you.

109 Menenius I will make my very house reel tonight. A letter

110 for me?

111 Vir gilia Yes, certain, there’s a letter for you; I saw ’t. 112 Menenius A letter for me? It gives me an estate of seven 113 years’ health, in which time I will make a lip at the 114 physician. The most sovereign prescription in Galen is 115 but empiricutic and, to this preservative, of no better 116 report than a horse-drench. Is he not wounded? He

117 was wont to come home wounded.

118 Vir gilia O, no, no, no!

119 Volumnia O, he is wounded, I thank the gods for ’t! 120 Menenius So do I, too, if it be not too much. Brings a 121 victory in his pocket, the wounds become him. 122 Volumnia On ’s brows, Menenius. He comes the third time 123 home with the oaken garland.

125 Volumnia Titus Lartius writes they fought together, but

126 Aufidius got off.

127 Menenius And ’twas time for him too, I’ll warrant him

128 that. An he had stayed by him, I would not have been 129 so fidiussed for all the chests in Corioles and the gold 130 that’s in them. Is the senate possessed of this?

131 Volumnia Good ladies, let’s go. Yes, yes, yes. The senate

132 has letter s from the general, wherein he gives my son 133 the whole name of the war. He hath in this action 134 outdone his former deeds doubly.

135 Valer ia In truth, there’s wondrous things spoke of him. 136 Menenius Wondrous, ay, I warrant you; and not without

137 his true purchasing.

Act 5 Scene 2

60 Cor iolanus What’s the matter?

61 Menenius (to First Watchman) Now, you companion, I’ll

62 say an errand for you. You shall know now that I am 63 in estimation. You shall perceive that a jack guardant 64 cannot office me from my son Coriolanus. Guess but 65 by my entertainment with him if thou stand’st not i’th’ 66 state of hanging, or of some death more long in

67 spectatorship and crueller in suffering. Behold now 68 presently, and swoon for what’s to come upon thee. 69 (To Coriolanus) The glorious gods sit in hourly synod

70 about thy particular prosperity, and love thee no worse 71 than thy old father Menenius does! (Weeping) O, my 72 son, my son, thou art preparing fire for us. Look thee, 73 here’s water to quench it. I was hardly moved to come 74 to thee, but being assured none but myself could move 75 thee, I have been blown out of our gates with sighs, 76 and conjure thee to pardon Rome and thy petitionary 77 countrymen. The good gods assuage thy wrath and 78 turn the dregs of it upon this varlet here, this, who 79 like a block hath denied my access to thee!

80 Cor iolanus Away!

82 Cor iolanus Wife, mother, child, I know not. My affairs 83 Are servanted to others. Though I owe 84 My revenge properly, my remission lies

85 In Volscian breasts. That we have been familiar, 86 Ingrate forgetfulness shall poison rather

87 Than pity note how much. Therefore be gone. 88 Mine ears against your suits are stronger than 89 Your gates against my force. Yet, for I loved thee,

(He gives him a letter )

90 Take this along. I writ it for thy sake,

91 And would have sent it. Another word, Menenius, 92 I will not hear thee speak.— This man, Aufidius, 93 Was my beloved in Rome; yet thou behold’st. 94 Aufidius You keep a constant temper.

Act 5 Scene 6

1 Aufidius Go tell the lords o’th’ city I am here. 2 Deliver them this paper . Having read it, 3 Bid them repair to th’ market-place, where I, 4 Even in theirs and in the commons’ ears, 5 Will vouch the truth of it. Him I accuse 6 The city ports by this hath entered, and 7 Intends t’ appear before the people, hoping 8 To purge himself with words. Dispatch.

************************************************************* 71 Cor iolanus Hail, lords! I am returned your soldier,

72 No more infected with my country’s love 73 Than when I parted hence, but still subsisting 74 Under your great command. You are to know 75 That prosperously I have attempted, and 76 With bloody passage led your wars even to

77 The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home 78 Doth more than counterpoise a full third part

79 The charges of the action. We have made peace 80 With no less honour to the Antiates

81 Than shame to th’ Romans. And we here deliver, 82 Subscribed by th’ consuls and patricians,

83 Together with the seal o’th’ senate, what

84 We have compounded on.

(He gives the Lords a paper )

Aufidius Read it not, noble lords, 85 But tell the traitor in the highest degree

86 He hath abused your powers.

87 Cor iolanus Traitor? How now? 88 Aufidius Ay, traitor, Martius. 89 Cor iolanus Martius?

90 Aufidius Ay, Martius, Caius Martius. Dost thou think 91 I’ll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol’n name, 92 “Coriolanus”, in Corioles? go.

CYMBELINE

Act 1 Scene 1

Posthumus My queen, my mistress! 94 O lady, weep no more, lest I give cause

95 To be suspected of more tenderness 96 Than doth become a man. I will remain 97 The loyal'st husband that did e'er plight troth; 98 My residence in Rome at one Filario's,

99 Who to my father was a friend, to me

100 Known but by letter ; thither write, my queen, 101 And with mine eyes I'll drink the words you send 102 Though ink be made of gall.

********************************************************************* 166 Innogen Your son’s my father’s friend; he takes his part

167 To draw upon an exile. O brave sir! 168 I would they were in Afric both together, 169 Myself by with a needle, that I might prick

170 The goer-back.

(To Pisanio) Why came you from your master? 171 Pisanio On his command. He would not suffer me 172 To bring him to the haven, left these notes 173 Of what commands I should be subject to 174 When’t pleased you to employ me.

Queen This hath been

175 Your faithful servant. I dare lay mine honour

176 He will remain so.

177 Pisanio I humbly thank your highness. 178 Queen Pray walk a while.

Act 1 Scene 3

1 Innogen I would thou grew’st unto the shores o’th’ haven 2 And questionedst every sail. If he should write

3 And I not have it, ’twere a paper lost 4 As offered mercy is. What was the last

5 That he spake to thee?

Pisanio It was his queen, his queen.

Act 1 Scene 4

146 Giacomo By the gods, it is one. If I bring you no sufficient 147 testimony that I have enjoyed the dearest bodily part 148 of your mistress, my ten thousand ducats are yours; 149 so is your diamond too. If I come off and leave her in 150 such honour as you have trust in, she your jewel, this 151 your jewel, and my gold are yours, provided I have 152 your commendation for my more free entertainment. 153 Posthumus I embrace these conditions; let us have articles

154 betwixt us. Only thus far you shall answer: if you make 155 your voyage upon her and give me directly to

156 understand you have prevailed, I am no further your 157 enemy; she is not worth our debate. If she remain 158 unseduced, you not making it appear otherwise, for 159 your ill opinion and th' assault you have made to her 160 chastity you shall answer me with your sword.

Act 1 Scene 6

10 Pisanio Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome 11 Comes from my lord with letter s.

Giacomo Change you, madam?

12 The worthy Leonatus is in safety, 13 And greets your highness dearly.

(He gives her the letter s)

Innogen Thanks, good sir.

14 You’re kindly welcome.

(She reads the letter s)

15 Giacomo (aside) All of her that is out of door most rich! 16 If she be furnished with a mind so rare 17 She is alone, th’ Arabian bird, and I

18 Have lost the wager. Boldness be my friend; 19 Arm me audacity from head to foot,

20 Or, like the Parthian, I shall flying fight;

21 Rather, directly fly.

22 Innogen (reads aloud) “He is one of the noblest note, to

23 whose kindnesses I am most infinitely tied. Reflect upon 24 him accordingly, as you value

25 Your truest

26 Leonatus.”

27 (To Giacomo) So far I read aloud, 28 But even the very middle of my heart

29 Is warmed by th’ rest, and takes it thankfully. 30 You are as welcome, worthy sir, as I

31 Have words to bid you, and shall find it so

32 In all that I can do.

Act 2 Scene 4

Giacomo Here are letter s for you. 36 Posthumus Their tenor good, I trust.

Giacomo ’Tis very like. (Posthumus reads the letter s)

37 [Filar io] Was Caius Lucius in the Briton court

38 When you were there?

Giacomo He was expected then,

39 But not approached.

Posthumus All is well yet.

40 Sparkles this stone as it was wont, or is ’t not 41 Too dull for your good wearing?

Giacomo If I had lost it

42 I should have lost the worth of it in gold. 43 I’ll make a journey twice as far t’ enjoy

44 A second night of such sweet shortness which 45 Was mine in Britain; for the ring is won. 46 Posthumus The stone’s too hard to come by.

Giacomo Not a whit,

Act 3 Scene 2

(Enter Pisanio, reading of a letter )

1 Pisanio How? Of adultery? Wherefore write you not 2 What monster’s her accuser? Leonatus, 3 O master, what a strange infection 4 Is fall’n into thy ear! What false Italian,

5 As poisonous tongued as handed, hath prevailed 6 On thy too ready hearing? Disloyal? No.

7 She’s punished for her truth, and undergoes, 8 More goddess-like than wife-like, such assaults 9 As would take in some virtue. O my master, 10 Thy mind to hers is now as low as were

11 Thy fortunes. How? That I should murder her, 12 Upon the love and truth and vows which I 13 Have made to thy command? I her? Her blood? 14 If it be so to do good service, never

15 Let me be counted serviceable. How look I, 16 That I should seem to lack humanity

17 So much as this fact comes to?

(Reads) “Do ’t. The letter

18 That I have sent her, by her own command 19 Shall give thee opportunity.” O damned paper , 20 Black as the ink that’s on thee! Senseless bauble, 21 Art thou a fedary for this act, and look’st

22 So virgin-like without?

(Enter Innogen)

Lo, here she comes. 23 I am ignorant in what I am commanded.

24 Innogen How now, Pisanio?

25 Pisanio Madam, here is a letter from my lord. 26 Innogen Who, thy lord that is my lord, Leonatus? 27 O learned indeed were that astronomer 28 That knew the stars as I his characters— 29 He’d lay the future open. You good gods, 30 Let what is here contained relish of love, 31 Of my lord’s health, of his content— yet not 32 That we two are asunder; let that grieve him. 33 Some griefs are med’cinable; that is one of them,

34 For it doth physic love— of his content 35 All but in that. Good wax, thy leave. Blest be 36 You bees that make these locks of counsel! Lovers 37 And men in dangerous bonds pray not alike;

38 Though forfeiters you cast in prison, yet

39 You clasp young Cupid’s tables. Good news, gods! (She opens and reads the letter )

40 “Justice and your father’s wrath, should he take me in 41 his dominion, could not be so cruel to me as you, O 42 the dearest of creatures, would even renew me with 43 your eyes. Take notice that I am in Cambria, at Milford 44 Haven. What your own love will out of this advise you, 45 follow. So he wishes you all happiness, that remains 46 loyal to his vow, and your increasing in love,

47 Leonatus Posthumus.”

48 O for a horse with wings! Hear’st thou, Pisanio? 49 He is at Milford Haven. Read, and tell me

50 How far ’tis thither. If one of mean affairs 51 May plod it in a week, why may not I 52 Glide thither in a day? Then, true Pisanio,

53 Who long’st like me to see thy lord, who long’st— 54 O let me bate— but not like me— yet long’st 55 But in a fainter kind— O, not like me,

56 For mine’s beyond beyond; say, and speak thick— 57 Love’s counsellor should fill the bores of hearing, 58 To th’ smothering of the sense— how far it is 59 To this same bless Milford. And by th’ way 60 Tell me how Wales was made so happy as 61 T’ inherit such a haven. But first of all,

62 How we may steal from hence; and for the gap 63 That we shall make in time from our hence-going 64 Till our return, to excuse; but first, how get hence. 65 Why should excuse be born or ere begot?

66 We’ll talk of that hereafter. Prithee speak, 67 How many score of miles may we well ride

Act 3 Scene 4

1 Innogen Thou told’st me when we came from horse the place 2 Was near at hand. Ne’er longed my mother so

3 To see me first as I have now. Pisanio, man, 4 Where is Posthumus? What is in thy mind

5 That makes thee stare thus? Wherefore breaks that sigh 6 From th’ inward of thee? One but painted thus

7 Would be interpreted a thing perplexed 8 Beyond self-explication. Put thyself 9 Into a haviour of less fear, ere wildness

10 Vanquish my staider senses. What’s the matter? (Pisanio gives her a letter )

11 Why tender’st thou that paper to me with 12 A look untender? If ’t be summer news, 13 Smile to ’t before; if winterly, thou need’st

14 But keep that count’nance still. My husband’s hand? 15 That drug-damned Italy hath out-craftied him,

16 And he’s at some hard point. Speak, man. Thy tongue 17 May take off some extremity which to read

18 Would be even mortal to me.

Pisanio Please you read, 19 And you shall find me, wretched man, a thing 20 The most disdained of fortune.

21 Innogen (reads) “Thy mistress, Pisanio, hath played the 22 strumpet in my bed, the testimonies whereof lies 23 bleeding in me. I speak not out of weak surmises but 24 from proof as strong as my grief and as certain as I 25 expect my revenge. That part thou, Pisanio, must act 26 for me, if thy faith be not tainted with the breach of 27 hers. Let thine own hands take away her life. I shall 28 give thee opportunity at Milford Haven. She hath my 29 letter for the purpose, where if thou fear to strike and 30 to make me certain it is done, thou art the pander to 31 her dishonour and equally to me disloyal.”

32 Pisanio (aside) What shall I need to draw my sword? The paper 33 Hath cut her throat already. No, ’tis slander,

34 Whose edge is sharper than the sword, whose tongue 35 Outvenoms all the worms of Nile, whose breath

36 Rides on the posting winds and doth belie

37 All corners of the world. Kings, queens, and states, 38 Maids, matrons, nay, the secrets of the grave

39 This viperous slander enters.

********************************************************************

Innogen Why, I must die,

75 And if I do not by thy hand thou art

76 No servant of thy master’s. Against self-slaughter 77 There is a prohibition so divine

78 That cravens my weak hand. Come, here’s my heart. 79 Something’s afore ’t. Soft, soft, we’ll no defence; 80 Obedient as the scabbard. What is here?

(She takes letter s from her bosom) 81 The scr iptur es of the loyal Leonatus, 82 All turned to heresy? Away, away,

83 Corrupters of my faith, you shall no more

84 Be stomachers to my heart. Thus may poor fools 85 Believe false teachers. Though those that are betrayed 86 Do feel the treason sharply, yet the traitor

87 Stands in worse case of woe. And thou, Posthumus, 88 That didst set up my disobedience ’gainst the King 89 My father, and make me put into contempt the suits 90 Of princely fellows, shalt hereafter find

91 It is no act of common passage but 92 A strain of rareness; and I grieve myself 93 To think, when thou shalt be disedged by her 94 That now thou tirest on, how thy memory

95 Will then be panged by me.

Act 3 Scene 5

Pisanio Then, sir,

100 This paper is the history of my knowledge

101 Touching her flight.

(He gives Cloten a letter )

102 Even to Augustus’ throne.

Pisanio (aside) Or this or perish. 103 She’s far enough, and what he learns by this 104 May prove his travel, not her danger.

Cloten Hum!

105 Pisanio (aside) I’ll write to my lord she’s dead. O Innogen, 106 Safe mayst thou wander, safe return again! 107 Cloten Sirrah, is this letter true?

Pisanio Sir, as I think.

108 Cloten It is Posthumus’ hand; I know ’t. Sirrah, if thou

109 wouldst not be a villain but do me true service, undergo 110 those employments wherein I should have cause to use 111 thee with a serious industry— that is, what villainy 112 soe’er I bid thee do, to perform it directly and truly— I 113 would think thee an honest man. Thou shouldst neither 114 want my means for thy relief nor my voice for thy

115 preferment.

Act 4 Scene 2

293 Innogen (awakes) Yes, sir, to Milford Haven. Which is the way? 294 I thank you. By yon bush? Pray, how far thither?

295 ’Od’s pitykins, can it be six mile yet?

296 I have gone all night. ’Faith, I’ll lie down and sleep. (She sees Cloten)

297 But soft, no bedfellow! O gods and goddesses! 298 These flowers are like the pleasures of the world, 299 This bloody man the care on ’t. I hope I dream, 300 For so I thought I was a cavekeeper,

301 And cook to honest creatures. But ’tis not so. 302 ’Twas but a bolt of nothing, shot of nothing, 303 Which the brain makes of fumes. Our very eyes

304 Are sometimes like our judgements, blind. Good faith, 305 I tremble still with fear; but if there be

306 Yet left in heaven as small a drop of pity 307 As a wren’s eye, feared gods, a part of it! 308 The dream’s here still. Even when I wake it is 309 Without me as within me; not imagined, felt.

310 A headless man? The garments of Posthumus? 311 I know the shape of ’s leg; this is his hand, 312 His foot Mercurial, his Martial thigh,

313 The brawns of Hercules; but his Jovial face— 314 Murder in heaven! How? ’Tis gone. Pisanio, 315 All curses madded Hecuba gave the Greeks, 316 And mine to boot, be darted on thee! Thou, 317 Conspired with that irregulous devil Cloten, 318 Hath here cut off my lord. To write and read 319 Be henceforth treacherous! Damned Pisanio 320 Hath with his forgèd letter s— damned Pisanio— 321 From this most bravest vessel of the world 322 Struck the main-top! O Posthumus, alas,

323 Where is thy head? Where’s that? Ay me, where’s that? 324 Pisanio might have killed thee at the heart

325 And left thy head on. How should this be? Pisanio? 326 ’Tis he and Cloten. Malice and lucre in them

327 Have laid this woe here. O, ’tis pregnant, pregnant! 328 The drug he gave me, which he said was precious 329 And cordial to me, have I not found it

330 Murd’rous to th’ senses? That confirms it home. 331 This is Pisanio’s deed, and Cloten— O,

332 Give colour to my pale cheek with thy blood, 333 That we the horrider may seem to those 334 Which chance to find us!

(She smears her face with blood)

O my lord, my lord! (She faints.)

******************************************************************* 382 Lucius Thou dost approve thyself the very same.

383 Thy name well fits thy faith, thy faith thy name. 384 Wilt take thy chance with me? I will not say 385 Thou shalt be so well mastered, but be sure, 386 No less beloved. The Roman Emperor’s letter s 387 Sent by a consul to me should not sooner 388 Than thine own worth prefer thee. Go with me.

389 Innogen I’ll follow, sir. But first, an ’t please the gods, 390 I’ll hide my master from the flies as deep 391 As these poor pickaxes can dig; and when

392 With wild-wood leaves and weeds I ha’ strewed his grave 393 And on it said a century of prayers,

394 Such as I can, twice o’er I’ll weep and sigh, 395 And leaving so his service, follow you, 396 So please you entertain me.

Act 4 Scene 3

36 Pisanio I heard no letter from my master since 37 I wrote him Innogen was slain. ’Tis strange. 38 Nor hear I from my mistress, who did promise 39 To yield me often tidings. Neither know I 40 What is betid to Cloten, but remain

41 Perplexed in all. The heavens still must work. 42 Wherein I am false I am honest; not true, to be true. 43 These present wars shall find I love my country 44 Even to the note o’th’ King, or I’ll fall in them. 45 All other doubts, by time let them be cleared: 46 Fortune brings in some boats that are not steered.

Act 5 Scene 6

Pisanio My lord,

274 Now fear is from me I’ll speak truth. Lord Cloten, 275 Upon my lady’s missing, came to me

276 With his sword drawn, foamed at the mouth, and swore 277 If I discovered not which way she was gone

278 It was my instant death. By accident 279 I had a feignèd letter of my master’s 280 Then in my pocket, which directed him

281 To seek her on the mountains near to Milford, 282 Where in a frenzy, in my master’s garments, 283 Which he enforced from me, away he posts 284 With unchaste purpose, and with oath to violate

285 My lady’s honour. What became of him

286 I further know not.

Guider ius Let me end the story.

THE TRAGEDY OF HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK

Act 1 Scene 2

1 King Claudius Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother’s death 2 The memory be green, and that it us befitted

3 To bear our hearts in grief and our whole kingdom 4 To be contracted in one brow of woe,

5 Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature 6 That we with wisest sorrow think on him 7 Together with remembrance of ourselves. 8 Therefore our sometime sister, now our queen, 9 Th’ imperial jointress of this warlike state, 10 Have we as ’twere with a defeated joy, 11 With one auspicious and one dropping eye, 12 With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage, 13 In equal scale weighing delight and dole,

14 Taken to wife. Nor have we herein barred 15 Your better wisdoms, which have freely gone 16 With this affair along. For all, our thanks. 17 Now follows that you know young Fortinbras, 18 Holding a weak supposal of our worth,

19 Or thinking by our late dear brother’s death 20 Our state to be disjoint and out of frame, 21 Co-leaguèd with the dream of his advantage, 22 He hath not failed to pester us with message 23 Importing the surrender of those lands 24 Lost by his father, with all bonds of law, 25 To our most valiant brother. So much for him.

(Enter Valtemand and Cornelius)

26 Now for ourself, and for this time of meeting, 27 Thus much the business is: we have here writ 28 To Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras— 29 Who, impotent and bed-rid, scarcely hears 30 Of this his nephew’s purpose— to suppress 31 His further gait herein, in that the levies, 32 The lists, and full proportions are all made 33 Out of his subject; and we here dispatch

34 You, good Cornelius, and you, Valtemand, 35 For bearers of this greeting to old Norway, 36 Giving to you no further personal power

37 To business with the King more than the scope 38 Of these dilated ar ticles allow.

39 Farewell, and let your haste commend your duty. 40 Valtemand In that and all things will we show our duty. 41 King Claudius We doubt it nothing, heartily farewell.

Act 2 Scene 1

1 Polonius Give him this money and these notes, Reynaldo. 2 Reynaldo I will, my lord.

3 Polonius You shall do marv’lous wisely, good Reynaldo, 4 Before you visit him to make enquire

5 Of his behaviour.

Reynaldo My lord, I did intend it. 6 Polonius Marry, well said, very well said. Look you, sir, 7 Enquire me first what Danskers are in Paris,

8 And how, and who, what means, and where they keep, 9 What company, at what expense; and finding

10 By this encompassment and drift of question 11 That they do know my son, come you more nearer 12 Than your particular demands will touch it.

13 Take you, as ’twere, some distant knowledge of him, 14 As thus: “I know his father and his friends,

15 And in part him”— do you mark this, Reynaldo? 16 Reynaldo Ay, very well, my lord.

17 Polonius “And in part him, but”, you may say, “not well, 18 But if ’t be he I mean, he’s very wild,

19 Addicted so and so”; and there put on him 20 What forgeries you please— marry, none so rank 21 As may dishonour him, take heed of that—

22 But, sir, such wanton, wild, and usual slips 23 As are companions noted and most known

24 To youth and liberty.

25 Reynaldo As gaming, my lord?

27 Quarrelling, drabbing— you may go so far. 28 Reynaldo My lord, that would dishonour him.

29 Polonius Faith, no, as you may season it in the charge. 30 You must not put another scandal on him, 31 That he is open to incontinency.

32 That’s not my meaning— but breathe his faults so quaintly 33 That they may seem the taints of liberty,

34 The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind, 35 A savageness in unreclaimèd blood,

36 Of general assault.

************************************************************ 102 Polonius Come, go with me. I will go seek the King.

103 This is the very ecstasy of love, 104 Whose violent property fordoes itself

105 And leads the will to desperate undertakings 106 As oft as any passion under heaven

107 That does afflict our natures. I am sorry—

108 What, have you given him any hard words of late? 109 Ophelia No, my good lord, but as you did command

110 I did repel his letter s and denied

111 His access to me.

Polonius That hath made him mad.

112 I am sorry that with better speed and judgement 113 I had not quoted him. I feared he did but trifle 114 And meant to wreck thee. But beshrew my jealousy! 115 By heaven, it is as proper to our age

116 To cast beyond ourselves in our opinions 117 As it is common for the younger sort

118 To lack discretion. Come, go we to the King.

119 This must be known, which, being kept close, might move 120 More grief to hide than hate to utter love.

Act 2 Scene 2

58 King Claudius Well, we shall sift him.

Welcome, my good friends. 59 Say, Valtemand, what from our brother Norway? 60 Valtemand Most fair return of greetings and desires.

61 Upon our first he sent out to suppress

62 His nephew’s levies, which to him appeared 63 To be a preparation ’gainst the Polack; 64 But better looked into, he truly found

65 It was against your highness; whereat grieved 66 That so his sickness, age, and impotence 67 Was falsely borne in hand, sends out arrests 68 On Fortinbras, which he, in brief, obeys, 69 Receives rebuke from Norway, and, in fine, 70 Makes vow before his uncle never more

71 To give th’ essay of arms against your majesty; 72 Whereon old Norway, overcome with joy, 73 Gives him three thousand crowns in annual fee 74 And his commission to employ those soldiers 75 So levied as before, against the Polack,

76 With an entreaty herein further shown, (He gives a letter to Claudius)

77 That it might please you to give quiet pass 78 Through your dominions for his enterprise 79 On such regards of safety and allowance

80 As therein are set down.

King Claudius It likes us well, 81 And at our more considered time we’

ll read,

83 Meantime we thank you for your well-took labour. 84 Go to your rest; at night we’ll feast together.

85 Most welcome home.

(Exeunt Valtemand and Cornelius) 86 Polonius

This business is very well ended.

89 Why day is day, night night, and time is time, 90 Were nothing but to waste night, day, and time.

91 Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,

93 I will be brief. Your noble son is mad— 94 “Mad” call I it, for to define true madness, 95 What is ’t but to be nothing else but mad?

96 But let that go.

Queen Ger tr ude More matter with less art. 97 Polonius Madam, I swear I use no art at all.

98 That he is mad, ’tis true; ’tis true ’tis pity, 99 And pity ’tis ’tis true— a foolish figure, 100 But farewell it, for I will use no art.

101 Mad let us grant him, then; and now remains 102 That we find out the cause of this effect— 103 Or rather say “the cause of this defect”, 104 For this effect defective comes by cause. 105 Thus it remains, and the remainder thus.

106 Perpend.

107 I have a daughter— have whilst she is mine— 108 Who in her duty and obedience, mark,

109 Hath given me this. Now gather and surmise. (He reads a letter )

110 “To the celestial and my soul’s idol, the most beautified 111 Ophelia”— that’s an ill phrase, a vile phrase, “beautified” 112 is a vile phrase. But you shall hear— “these in her

113 excellent white bosom, these”.

114 Queen Ger tr ude Came this from Hamlet to her? 115 Polonius Good madam, stay a while. I will be faithful. 116 “Doubt thou the stars are fire,

117 Doubt that the sun doth move,

118 Doubt truth to be a liar,

119 But never doubt I love.

120 O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers. I have not 121 art to reckon my groans. But that I love thee best, O 122 most best, believe it. Adieu.

123 Thine evermore, most dear lady, whilst this

124 machine is to him,

125 Hamlet.”

126 This in obedience hath my daughter showed me, 127 And more above hath his solicitings,

129 All given to mine ear.

King Claudius But how hath she

130 Received his love?

Polonius What do you think of me? 131 King Claudius As of a man faithful and honourable.

132 Polonius I would fain prove so. But what might you think, 133 When I had seen this hot love on the wing, 134 As I perceived it— I must tell you that— 135 Before my daughter told me, what might you, 136 Or my dear majesty your queen here, think, 137 If I had played the desk or table-book,

138 Or given my heart a winking mute and dumb, 139 Or looked upon this love with idle sight—

140 What might you think? No, I went round to work, 141 And my young mistress thus I did bespeak:

142 “Lord Hamlet is a prince out of thy star.

143 This must not be”. And then I precepts gave her, 144 That she should lock herself from his resort, 145 Admit no messengers, receive no tokens; 146 Which done, she took the fruits of my advice, 147 And he, repulsèd— a short tale to make— 148 Fell into a sadness, then into a fast,

149 Thence to a watch, thence into a weakness, 150 Thence to a lightness, and, by this declension, 151 Into the madness wherein now he raves,

152 And all we wail for.

153 King Claudius (to Gertrude) Do you think ’tis this? 154 Queen Ger tr ude It may be; very likely.

155 Polonius Hath there been such a time— I’d fain know that— 156 That I have positively said “’Tis so”

157 When it proved otherwise?

King Claudius Not that I know. Polonius (touching his head, then his shoulder)

158 Take this from this if this be otherwise. 159 If circumstances lead me I will find

160 Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed