That is but scratch'd withal: I'll touch my point With this contagion, that, if I gall him slightly, It may be death. King. Let's further think of this; Weigh what convenience both of time and means May fit us to our shape: if this should fail, And that our drift look through our bad performance, [ject 150 'Twere better not assay'd; therefore this proShould have a back or second that might [see:If this should blast in proof. Soft;-let me We'll make a solemn wager on your cunnings I ha't. hold, When in your motion you are hot and dry, pared him A chalice for the nonce; whereon but sipping, Enter QUEEN. How now, sweet queen? Queen. One woe doth tread upon another's heel, [Laertes. So fast they follow:-your sister's drown'd, 170 Queen. There is a willow grows aslant a brook, That liberal shepherds give a grosser name, And mermaid-like awhile they bore her up: tunes; As one incapable of her own distress, Or like a creature native and indued Unto that element: but long it could not be, 180 Till that her garments, heavy with their drink, Pull'd the poor wretch from her melodious lay To muddy death. Laer. Alas then, is she drown'd? Queen. Drown'd, drown'd. Laer. Too much of water hast thou, poor And therefore I forbid my tears: but yet gone, The woman will be out.-Adieu, my lord! I have a speech of fire that fain would blaze, King. [Exit. Let's follow, Gertrude; How much I had to do to calm his rage! Now fear I this will give it start again; Therefore let's follow. [Exeunt. ACT V. SCENE I-A Church-Yard. Enter two Clowns, with spades, &c. I Clown. S she to be buried in Christian bu- 2 Clo. I tell thee she is; and therefore make her grave straight the crowner hath sat on her, and finds it Christian burial. I Clo. How can that be, unless she drowned herself in her own defence? 2 Clo. Why, 'tis found so. I Clo. It must be se offendendo; it cannot be else. For here lies the point: if I drown myself wittingly, it argues an act: and an act 10 hath three branches; it is to act, to do, and to perform: argal, she drowned herself wittingly. 20 30 2 Clo. Nay, but hear you, goodman del ver, I Clo. Give me leave. Here lies the water; good: here stands the man; good: if the man go to this water and drown himself, it is, will he, nill he, he goes,-mark you that; but if the water come to him and drown him, he drowns not himself: argal, he that is not guilty of his own death shortens not his own life. 2 Clo. But is this law? I Clo. Ay, marry, is't; crowner's-quest law. 2 Clo. Will you ha' the truth on't? If this had not been a gentlewoman, she should have been buried out of Christian burial. 2 Clo. Why, there thou say'st: and the more pity that great folk should have countenance in this world to drown or hang themselves more than their even Christian. Come, my spade. There is no ancient gentlemen but gardeners, ditchers, and grave-makers; they hold up Adam's profession. 2 Clo. Was he a gentleman? I Clo. He was the first that ever bore arms. 2 Clo. Why, he had none. I Clo. What, art a heathen? How dost thou understand the scripture? The scripture says Adam digged; could he dig without arms? I'll put another question to thee: if thou answerest me not to the purpose, confess thyself 2 Cio. Go to. I Clo. What is he that builds stronger than either the mason, the shipwright, or the carpenter? 2 Clo. The gallows-maker; for that frame 40 outlives a thousand tenants. I Cle. I like thy wit well, in good faith; the gallows does well: but how does it well? it does well to those that do ill now thou dost ill to say the gallows is built stronger than the church; argal, the gallows may do well to thee. To't again; come. 2 Clo. Who builds stronger than a mason, a shipwright, or a carpenter? 1 Clo. Ay, tell me that and unyoke. 2 Clo. Marry, now I can tell. I Clo. To't. 2 Clo. Mass, I cannot tell. Enter HAMLET and HORATIO, at a distance. I Clo. Cudgel thy brains no more about it: for your dull ass will not mend his pace with beating and when you are asked this question next, say a grave-maker; the houses that he makes last till doomsday. Go, get thee to Yaughan; fetch me a stoup of liquor. [Exit 2 Clown. 1 Clo. [digs, and sings.] In youth, when I did love, did love, To contract, O, the time, for, ah, my behove, Ham. Hath this fellow no feeling of his business, that he sings at grave-making? 50 60 |