Hamlet

Over the nasty sty95--

GERTRUDE O, speak to me no more:

These words like daggers enter in mine ears.

No more, sweet Hamlet!

HAMLET A murderer and a villain,

A slave that is not twentieth part the tithe100

Of your precedent lord, a vice101 of kings, A cutpurse102 of the empire and the rule, That from a shelf the precious diadem103 stole, And put it in his pocket!

GERTRUDE No more!

Enter Ghost

HAMLET A king of shreds and patches106--

Save me, and hover o'er me with your wings,

Sees the Ghost

You heavenly guards!-- What would you, gracious figure?

GERTRUDE Alas, he's mad!

HAMLET Do you not come your tardy son to chide,

That, lapsed in time and passion, lets go by

Th'important112 acting of your dread command? O, say!

GHOST Do not forget: this visitation

Is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose.

But look, amazement on thy mother sits.

O, step between her and her fighting soul:

Conceit117 in weakest bodies strongest works: Speak to her, Hamlet.

HAMLET How is it with you, lady?

GERTRUDE Alas, how is't with you,

That you do bend your eye on vacancy

And with th'incorporal122 air do hold discourse?

Forth at your eyes your spirits123 wildly peep, And, as the sleeping soldiers in th'alarm124, Your bedded hair, like life in excrements125, Start up and stand on end. O gentle son,

Upon the heat and flame of thy distemper

Sprinkle cool patience. Whereon do you look?

HAMLET On him, on him! Look you how pale he glares!