Hamlet

His form and cause conjoined130, preaching to stones,

Would make them capable.-- Do not look upon me,

To the Ghost

Lest with this piteous action you convert132

My stern effects: then what I have to do

Will want true colour134; tears perchance for blood.

GERTRUDE To who do you speak this?

HAMLET Do you see nothing there?

GERTRUDE Nothing at all, yet all that is I see.

HAMLET Nor did you nothing hear?

GERTRUDE No, nothing but ourselves.

HAMLET Why, look you there: look, how it steals away.

My father, in his habit as141 he lived!

Look where he goes even now out at the portal.

Exit [Ghost]

GERTRUDE This is the very coinage143 of your brain: This bodiless creation ecstasy is very cunning144 in.

HAMLET Ecstasy?

My pulse as yours doth temperately keep time,

And makes as healthful music: it is not madness

That I have uttered. Bring me to the test,

And I the matter will reword149, which madness Would gambol150 from. Mother, for love of grace, Lay not a flattering unction151 to your soul That not your trespass152, but my madness speaks: It will but skin and film153 the ulcerous place, Whilst rank corruption, mining154 all within, Infects unseen. Confess yourself to heaven,

Repent what's past, avoid what is to come,

And do not spread the compost o'er the weeds

To make them ranker. Forgive me this my virtue158, For in the fatness of these pursy159 times Virtue itself of vice must pardon beg,

Yea, curb and woo161 for leave to do him good.

GERTRUDE O Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain.

HAMLET O, throw away the worser part of it,

And live the purer with the other half.

Goodnight. But go not to mine uncle's bed:

Assume a virtue, if you have it not.