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,
(As make your bouts more violent to that end,)
And that he calls for drink, I'll have pre-

pared him

A chalice for the nonce; whereon but sipping,
If he by chance escape your venom'd stuck, 160
Our purpose may hold there.

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,
Laer. Drown'd?-O, where?

170

Queen. There is a willow grows aslant a

brook,
[stream;
That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy
There with fantastic garlands did she come
Of crow-flowers, nettles, daisies, and long
purples,

That liberal shepherds give a grosser name,
But our cold maids do dead men's fingers
call them:
[weeds
There, on the pendent bows her coronet
Clambering to hang, an envious sliver broke ;
When down her weedy trophies and herself
Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes
spread wide;

And mermaid-like awhile they bore her up:
Which time she chanted snatches of old

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
Ophelia,

And therefore I forbid my tears: but yet
It is our trick; nature her custom holds,
Let shame say what it will: when these are

gone,

The woman will be out.-Adieu, my lord!

I have a speech of fire that fain would blaze,
But that this folly douts it.

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-
rial that wilfully seeks her own
salvation?

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,
Methought, it was very sweet,

To contract, O, the time, for, ah, my behove,
O, methought there was nothing meet.

Ham. Hath this fellow no feeling of his business, that he sings at grave-making?

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60