Page:Hamlet (1917) Yale.djvu/108

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Conceit in weakest bodies strongest works:

Speak to her, Hamlet.

Ham. How is it with you, lady?

Queen. Alas ! how is't with you,

That you do bend your eye on vacancy

And with the incorporal air do hold discourse?

Forth at your eyes your spirits wildly peep;

And, as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm,

Your bedded hair, like life in excrements,

Starts up and stands an end. O gentle son!

Upon the heat and flame of thy distemper

Sprinkle cool patience. Whereon do you look?

Ham. On him, on him! Look you, how pale he glares!

His form and cause conjoin'd, preaching to stones,

Would make them capable. Do not look upon me;

Lest with this piteous action you convert

My stern effects: then what I have to do

Will want true colour; tears perchance for blood.

Queen. To whom do you speak this?

Ham. Do you see nothing there?

Queen. Nothing at all; yet all that is I see.

Ham. Nor did you nothing hear?

Queen. No, nothing but ourselves.

Ham. Why, look you there! look, how it steals away;

My father, in his habit as he liv'd;

Look! where he goes, even now, out at the portal.

Exit Ghost.

 117 incorporal: incorporeal

120 bedded: smooth, flatly brushed

life in excrements: living outgrowth

125 conjoin'd: united

126 capable: capable of feeling

127 convert: turn aside

128 effects: purposes

129 want true colour: lack true cause

134 habit: dress

