The Tragedy of Hamlet — Act 4 Scene 1

Enter King.

King.There's matters in these sighes.These profound heauesYou must translate; Tis fit we vnderstand them.Where is your Sonne?

Qu.Ah my good Lord, what haue I seene to night?

King.What Gertrude? How do's Hamlet?

Qu.Mad as the Seas, and winde, when both contendWhich is the Mightier in his lawless fitBehinde the Arras, hearing some thing stirre,He whips his Rapier out, and cries a Rat, a Rat,And in his brainish apprehension killesThe vnseene good old man.

King.Oh heauy deed:It had bin so with vs had we beene there:His Liberty is full of threats to all,To you your selfe, to vs, to euery one.Alas, how shall this bloody deede be answered?It will be laide to vs, whose prouidenceShould haue kept short, restrain'd, and out of haunt,This mad yong man. But so much was our loue,We would not vnderstand what was most fit,But like the Owner of a foule disease,To keepe it from divulging, let's it feedeEuen on the pith of life. Where is he gone?

Qu.To draw apart the body he hath kild,O're whom his very madnesse like some OareAmong a Minerall of Mettels baseShewes it selfe pure. He weepes for what is done.

King.Oh Gertrude, come away:The Sun no sooner shall the Mountaines touch,But we will ship him hence, and this vilde deed,We must with all our Maiesty and SkillEnter Ros. & Guild.Both countenance, and excuse.Ho Guildenstern:Friends both go ioyne you with some further ayde:Hamlet in madnesse hath Polonius slaine,And from his Mother Clossets hath he drag'd him.Go seeke him out, speake faire, and bring the bodyExit Gent.Into the Chappell. I pray you hast in this.Come Gertrude, wee'l call vp our wisest friends,To let them know both what we meane to do,And what's vntimely done. Oh come away,Exeunt.My soule is full of discord and dismay.